Roman Jiganchine - Counterattack With Alexander Morozevich

Counterattack with Alexander Morozevich

By Roman Jiganchine

CopyRight Information

The right of Roman Jiganchine to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted inaccordance with the Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of thispublication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by anymeans (electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without priorpermission from the author.

Jiganchine, Roman. Counterattack with Alexander Morozevich. Kindle Edition.

For questions, comments, or more information on this book, contact: Roman Jiganchine [email protected]. Copyright 2013 by Roman Jiganchine.

About the Author

Roman Jiganchine has been a chess coach of several Canadian junior players. His students in theearly 2000s won many Canadian championship youth titles in various age groups. Roman hascontributed to "Chess Life", Russian "64" magazine, and for several years had an endgame column inCanadian chess magazine "En Passant" (later renamed into "Chess Canada"). He received his earlychess education in the Moscow Petrosian Chess school, which brought to the chess worldgrandmasters such as Morozevich, Riazantsev, and the Women's World Champion AlexandraKosteniuk. Roman moved to Vancouver, Canada in 1998, and represented Canada in the 2000 WorldYouth Under 18 Championship in Spain.

Introduction

This publication is a tribute to the unique chess talent of Alexander Morozevich. It is a shortcollection of his selected games, with each game focusing on a tactical shot delivered by Alexander.To see the solution for the combination - go to the next page in your e-reader.

A few years ago, I read Alexander's interview where he complained about being accused of beinglucky. Supposedly he randomly stumbles upon tricky shots and wins this way. Of course, heexplained, the difficult part is not finding those combinations, but forcing your opponents to get intopositions where their pieces are loose, and non-standard tactics are possible. For that reason - entiregames are given, if the reader is curious to understand better how Morozevich gets those favourablepositions.

The book is also focused on counterattack, with our hero playing with the black pieces in all games,so you get to see some non-standard openings, such as the Chigorin defence and the Albin Countergambit. Above all - I hope you enjoy solving the puzzles and get a bit more familiar with the style ofone of the most interesting chess players of our time.

Because the examples are taken from real life games, the solutions do not always lead to clearlywinning positions. Although most of the tactical shots are decisive, some of them just provides anextra material, or serves as a good way to continue from the starting position. The goal of the book isto get the reader to develop a feel for Morozevich's tactical talent, something that they could translateinto their own games.

Book Format

Reading this book is meant to be an interactive experience, with a lot of diagrams and questionsposed to the reader. To see the solution for each puzzle - just go to the next page in your electronicdevice.

Counterattack with Alexander Morozevich

Early CareerDramatic RiseTop GrandmasterThe World's Second Strongest PlayerThe Return of the Super-Grandmaster

Early Career

In his early career Morozevich gained fame rather young, due to brilliantly winning several opens,and defeating Anand in a sacrificial game in the Kremlin Stars rapid game. Below are somecombinations from that period.

Anokhin, Vladimir - Morozevich, AlexanderMoscow 1991 , E65

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 O-O 5. Bg2 c5 6. d4 d6 7. O-O Nc6 8. dxc5 dxc5 9. Bf4 Nh510. Be3 Qa5 11. Nd2 Rd8 12. Qc1 Nd4 13. Re1 Be6 14. Bxb7 Rab8 15. Bd5 Bxd5 16. Nxd5 Rxb217. Nxe7+ Kf8 18. Bxd4 Bxd4 19. Nc6 Qxd2 20. Nxd8 Bf6 21. Nc6 Qd7 22. Na5 Qf5 23. Rb1 Bd424. Rf1

Black to move

Solution:

24. ... Bxf2+! 25. Rxf2

( 25. Kg2 Rxe2 -+ )

25. ... Rxb1 26. Rxf5 Rxc1+ 27. Rf1 Rc2 =+

Black regained the material and emerged with a better endgame, which he later won.

28. Nb7 Kg7 29. Nxc5 Rxc4 30. Nd3 Rc2 31. Ra1 Rxe2 32. a4 Nf6 33. Nf2 a5 34. Kf1 Rb2 35. h3Nd5 36. Kg1 f5 37. Rc1 f4 38. gxf4 Nxf4 39. Rc5 Rb3 40. Kh2 Rf3 41. Kg1 Nxh3+ 42. Nxh3 Rxh343. Rxa5 h5 44. Ra6 Ra3 45. Kg2 Kh6 46. Ra5 h4 47. Ra8 Kh5 48. a5 Kg4 49. a6 Ra2+ 50. Kf1h3 51. a7 h2 52. Rh8 Kg3 0-1

Kiselev, Sergey - Morozevich, AlexanderMoscow Tal Memorial 1992 , E70

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Bd3 O-O 6. Nge2 e5 7. O-O exd4 8. Nxd4 Nc6 9. Nxc6bxc6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 Rb8 12. Qe2 g5 13. Bg3 Ng4 14. Rac1 Ne5 15. b3 Ng6 16. c5 Be5 17.cxd6 cxd6 18. Nd1 Bd7 19. Ne3 Qf6 20. Bxe5 Nxe5 21. Rfd1 Rfd8 22. Qd2 Be6 23. Bc4 d5 24.exd5 cxd5 25. Bxd5 Rb5 26. Qd4 Rbxd5 27. Nxd5 Rxd5 28. Qxa7 Nd3 29. Rb1 Qf5 30. Qe3 Re531. Qb6 Bd5 32. f3 Re2 33. Qxh6

Black to move

Solution:

33. ... Rxg2+!

The rook sacrifice forces mate.

0-1

Stromskij, Pavel - Morozevich, AlexanderUkrainian Team Championship 1994 , B40

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 Nc6 4. Nc3 Nge7 5. d4 Nxd4 6. Nxd4 cxd4 7. Qxd4 Nc6 8. Qd1 Bc5 9.Be2 O-O 10. O-O d6 11. a3 e5 12. Bg4 Be6 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Qd3 Qb6 15. Nd1 a5 16. b3 Rf717. Be3 Nd4 18. Bxd4 Bxd4 19. Rb1 Raf8 20. Ne3

Black to move

Solution:

20. ... Rxf2!

White's position collapses after this shot.

21. Rfe1

( 21. Rxf2 Bxe3 )

21. ... Qd8 0-1

Magem Badals, Jordi - Morozevich, AlexanderPamplona 1994 , C68

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Qf6 6. d4 exd4 7. Bg5 Qd6 8. Nxd4 Bd7 9.Nc3 Be7 10. Bxe7 Nxe7 11. Nb3 O-O-O 12. Qe2 g5 13. Qe3 b6 14. Qxg5 Rhg8 15. Qe3 Qg6 16.g3 h5 17. f3 f5 18. exf5 Nxf5 19. Qd3 Kb8 20. Ne4 Rg7 21. Qc3 Rf8 22. Rae1 c5 23. Rf2 Bc6 24.Nbd2 Re7 25. b4 cxb4 26. Qxb4 Rd8 27. Nb3 Re5 28. Qc3 Rde8 29. Nbd2 Bb7 30. Ref1 h4 31. g4h3 32. Re1 Nh4 33. Rfe2 a5 34. Ng3 Rxe2 35. Rxe2 Rxe2 36. Nxe2

Black to move

Solution:

36. ... Nxf3+! 37. Nxf3 Qxg4+ 38. Kf2 Qg2+ 39. Ke1 Bxf3 40. Qe3 Bd5 0-1

Zvjaginsev, Vadim - Morozevich, AlexanderPamplona 1994 , E92

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. Nc3 d6 5. e4 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. d5 a5 8. a3 Nh5 9. Ng1 Nf4 10.Bf3 f5 11. g3 fxe4 12. Nxe4 Nh5 13. Bg2 Nf6 14. Bg5 Bf5 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Ne2 Nd7 17. N2c3Bg7 18. Qe2 Bh6 19. Rd1 Qb8 20. h4 Nb6 21. h5 Kg7 22. c5 Nd7 23. Bh3 Bxe4 24. Nxe4 Nf6 25.hxg6 hxg6 26. Bg2 Qd8 27. Rd3 a4 28. O-O Ng8 29. Qe1 Ne7 30. Qb4 Nf5 31. cxd6 cxd6 32.Bh3 Nd4 33. Nxd6 b6 34. Bg4 Ra5 35. Nb7 Qxd5 36. Nxa5 bxa5 37. Qxa4 Qe4 38. Qd1 Rd8 39.Re1

Black to move

Solution:

39. ... Nf3+!

Black is down the exchange, but Morozevich is able to force a draw with this shot.

40. Qxf3 Qxe1+ 41. Kg2 e4 42. Qd1 Qxd1 43. Rxd1 Rxd1 44. Bxd1 Bc1 1/2-1/2

Dramatic Rise

During 1998 Morozevich won several strong Russian and European opens, including the Russianchampionship, and all of a sudden became the 4th highest rated player in the world.

Vaulin, Alexander - Morozevich, AlexanderKrasnodar op 1997 , D12

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. e3 Bf5 5. Bd3 Bg6 6. O-O e6 7. Nc3 Nbd7 8. Qe2 Ne4 9. Nd2 Ndf610. f3 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Be7 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Bb2

Black to move

Solution:

13. ... Ba3!?

With this trick Morozevich stirs unexpected complications.

14. Ne4

( 14. Bxa3?! Nxc3 15. Qe1 Bxd3 leaves Black with extra material. )

14. ... Bxb2 15. Qxb2 Nxe3 16. Qxb7 O-O 17. Rfe1 Nd5 18. Qb2 Qa5 19. c4 Rab8 20. Qf2 Nb621. Bf1 Na4 22. Qd2 Qxd2 23. Nxd2 Rb2 24. Nb3 Nc3 25. Na5 Rc8 26. c5 Rd2 27. Nb3 Rb2 28.Na5 Rd2 29. Nb3 Rb2 1/2-1/2

Balashov, Yuri S - Morozevich, AlexanderRussian Cup final 1998.09.04 , D20

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nf3 Bd6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 O-O 8. O-O Nc6 9. h3h6 10. Be3 a6 11. a4 Bf5 12. Nh4 Bh7 13. Bd3 Bxd3 14. Qxd3 Nb4 15. Qd1 Re8 16. Qf3 Bf8 17.Rad1 Nbd5 18. Nf5 Kh7 19. Bf4 c6 20. Be5 Re6 21. Bxf6 Rxf6 22. Ne4 Re6 23. Nc3 g6 24. Ne3Rf6 25. Qe4 Rd6 26. Rfe1 Rc8 27. Nc4 Re6 28. Ne5 Bb4 29. Qc2 Kg7 30. Nd3 Rxe1+ 31. Rxe1Qa5 32. Nxb4 Qxb4 33. Rd1 Nf6 34. b3 Rd8 35. Na2 Qe7 36. Nc3

Black to move

Solution:

36. ... Rxd4! 37. Kf1

( 37. Rxd4 Qe1+ 38. Kh2 Qe5+ is the point of the combination. )

37. ... Qe5 38. Rxd4 Qxd4 39. Ke2 Qe5+ 40. Kf1 Nd7 41. Qd2 Nc5 0-1

Sutovsky, Emil - Morozevich, AlexanderPamplona 1998.12.31 , C13

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 gxf6 7. Nf3 a6 8. Qd2 b5 9. Qh6Bb7 10. Bd3 Nd7 11. Ng3 f5 12. Nh5 Bf8 13. Qe3 Nf6 14. Qe5 Nxh5 15. Qxh8 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Nf617. Rg1 Qxd4 18. Rg8 Ke7 19. Kf1

Black to move

Solution:

19. ... Bg7!? 20. Qxg7 Rxg8 21. Qh6 Qxb2

Black regained the exchange and is up two pawns.

22. Re1 Qc3 23. Qh4 c5 24. Rd1 c4 25. Bxf5 Qxf3 26. Qd4 Nd5 0-1

Top Grandmaster

After his high rating established him among the World's top players, Alexander became a frequentparticipant in super tournaments, and no longer had to play in many opens against weaker players.Morozevich started to get invitations to prestigious tournaments like Wijk Aan Zee, but of course thatdid not reduce the number of tactical ideas in his games.

Beliavsky, Alexander G - Morozevich, AlexanderBundesliga 2000.04.08 , D07

1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 dxc4 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. e3 e5 6. d5 Ne7 7. Bxc4 Ng6 8. h4 Bd6 9. h5 Nf8 10.h6 g6 11. e4 N8d7 12. Bg5 a6 13. Nd2 O-O 14. g3 Be7 15. f4 b5 16. Bb3 Bb7 17. Qf3 c5 18. O-O-O c4 19. d6 Bxd6 20. Nxc4 bxc4 21. Rxd6 Qc7 22. Rxf6 cxb3 23. axb3 Rac8 24. Re1 Nxf6 25.Bxf6 Qb6 26. fxe5 Qxb3 27. Be7 Rfe8 28. Bd6 Re6 29. Rd1 g5 30. Rd4 a5 31. Qe3 Rxh6 32.Qxg5+ Rg6 33. Qe3 h6 34. Kb1 Kh7 35. Rd2

Black to move

Solution:

35. ... Bxe4+

This move nicely exposes multiple pins in the position.

36. Qxe4 Rxc3 37. e6? Re3 0-1

Adams, Michael - Morozevich, AlexanderCorus 2000.01.23 , C03

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Be7 4. Bd3 c5 5. dxc5 Nf6 6. Qe2 Nc6 7. Ngf3 Nb4 8. Nb3 Nxd3+ 9. cxd3a5 10. a4 b6 11. e5 Nd7 12. c6 Nc5 13. Nbd4 Ba6 14. Nb5 Nb3 15. Rb1 Bb4+ 16. Kf1 O-O 17. d4f6 18. Qe3 Bxb5+ 19. axb5 a4 20. g3 Qe8 21. Qd3 Nxc1 22. Rxc1 a3 23. b3 a2 24. Kg2 Qg6 25.Qxg6 hxg6 26. exf6 gxf6 27. Rhd1 Kf7 28. Ne1 Ba3 29. Rc2

Black to move

Solution:

29. ... Bb2

With this trick Morozevich wins the exchange, even though the game ends in a drawanyway.

30. Rxb2 a1=Q 31. Rxa1 Rxa1 32. Nc2 Ra5 33. b4 Ra4 34. h4 Ke7 35. Ne3 Kd6 36. Ng4 Ra3 37.Rc2 Kc7 38. Re2 Kd6 39. Rc2 Ke7 40. Re2 Rc8 41. Ne3 Kf7 42. g4 Rc7 43. g5 Rd3 44. Ng4 Rxd445. Nh6+ Ke7 46. Ng8+ Kf7 47. Nh6+ Ke7 48. Ng8+ Kd6 49. Nxf6 Rc8 50. Kg3 Rxb4 51. h5 gxh552. g6 h4+ 53. Kh3 Rf4 54. Nd7 Rg8 55. Nxb6 Rb4 56. Rc2 Kc7 57. Nd7 Rxb5 58. Nf6 Rb3+ 59.Kxh4 Rxg6 60. Ne8+ Kc8 61. c7 e5 62. Ra2 Rc6 63. Ra8+ Kd7 64. Rd8+ 1/2-1/2

Leko, Peter - Morozevich, AlexanderFujitsu Siemens Giants 2000.06.25 , C10

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e5 Ne4 7. Bxe7 Qxe7 8. a3 Bd7 9. Bd3 Ng510. Be2 Nxf3+ 11. Bxf3 f6 12. exf6 Qxf6 13. Ne2 O-O-O 14. O-O h5 15. c3 g5 16. Nc1 g4 17.Be2 e5 18. Nb3 Kb8 19. Bb5 e4 20. Nc5 Bc8 21. Qa4 Rd6 22. Rae1 h4 23. Re3 Rhd8 24. Bxc6Rxc6 25. b4 Qg5 26. Rfe1 Rh6 27. c4 g3 28. cxd5 gxh2+ 29. Kxh2 Rg8 30. Rg1

Black to move

Solution:

30. ... Qg3+!

This resembles the famous Qg3 in Levitsky-Marshall, 1912.

31. Kh1

( The queen cannot be captured because of immediate mate. 31. fxg3 hxg3# )

31. ... Qxf2

White's position now collapses anyway.

32. Rc3 h3 33. g3 h2 34. Rgc1 Rxg3 35. Rxg3 Qxg3 36. Rf1 Rg6 37. Nd7+ Ka8 0-1

Rogozenco, Dorian - Morozevich, AlexanderBundesliga 2000.10.14 , A85

1. c4 b6 2. d4 e6 3. a3 f5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. g3 c6 6. Bg2 d5 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Bf4 Bd6 9. Bxd6 Qxd6 10.Rc1 Nc6 11. Nf3 O-O 12. O-O Bb7 13. e3 Rac8 14. Ne2 Rc7 15. Nf4 Rfc8 16. Rc2 Ba6 17. Re1Bb5 18. b3 Ne7 19. Rxc7 Rxc7 20. Qb1 Qxa3 21. Nxe6 Rc3 22. Nd2 Ne4 23. Bxe4 dxe4 24. Qd1Qb2 25. h4 Rd3 26. Qh5 Rxd2 27. Ng5 Qxb3 28. Qxh7+ Kf8 29. Qh8+ Qg8 30. Qh5 g6 31. Qh6+Ke8 32. Rc1 Kd7 33. Nh7 Qb3 34. Nf8+ Kd8 35. Kg2

Black to move

Solution:

35. ... Rxf2+!

The simplest way to wrap up the game.

36. Kh3

( 36. Kxf2 Qb2+ 37. Kg1 Qxc1+ 38. Kh2 Qd2+ with mate to follow. )

36. ... Qa2 37. Rh1 Bf1+ 0-1

Kempinski, Robert - Morozevich, AlexanderBled olympiad 2002.11.01 , D17

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. Ne5 Nbd7 7. Nxc4 Qc7 8. g3 e5 9. dxe5Nxe5 10. Bf4 Nfd7 11. Bg2 g5 12. Nxe5 gxf4 13. Nxd7 O-O-O 14. Qd4 Qxd7 15. Qxf4 Bd6 16.Qc1 Kb8 17. a5 a6 18. O-O Qe7 19. Ra4 Bc7 20. Rh4 Rhg8 21. Kh1 Rg4 22. Rxg4 Bxg4 23. Qh6Qb4 24. Qxh7 Qxb2 25. Qg7 Bxe2 26. Rb1

Black to move

Solution:

26. ... Qxb1+!

In return for the queen Black wins all of White's remaining pieces except for the queen, andgets an advantage.

27. Nxb1 Rd1+ 28. Bf1 Rxf1+ 29. Kg2 Rxb1 30. h4 Bf1+ 31. Kh2 Bxa5 32. h5 Bb6 33. h6 Bd3 34.f3 Rf1 35. Qxf7 Ka7 36. g4 Bd4 37. g5 c5 38. g6 Bxg6 39. Qxg6 Rxf3 40. h7 Rf6 41. Qg5 Rc6 42.Kg2 Rd6 43. Kf3 Kb6 44. Qh4 a5 45. h8=Q Bxh8 46. Qxh8 Rd4 47. Qe8 a4 48. Ke2 Ka7 49. Qe7Kb6 50. Qe8 Kc7 51. Qb5 b6 52. Qa6 Kc6 53. Ke3 Rh4 54. Kd2 Rh2+ 55. Kc1 Rh4 56. Kc2 Rb457. Kc3 Rd4 58. Kc2 Kd5 1/2-1/2

The following game is very representative of Morozevich's dynamic style, as he takes over theinitiative from the Black side of the Chigorin defence, which he was so instrumental in resurrecting.

Ljubojevic, Ljubomir - Morozevich, AlexanderAmber-blindfold 12th 2003.03.18 , D07

1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 3. cxd5 Qxd5 4. e3 e5 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. bxc3 Nf6 8. c4 Qd6 9. d5 Ne710. Qb1 O-O 11. e4 Nd7 12. Bb4 Nc5 13. Nf3 b6 14. Qb2 f5 15. Qxe5 Nd3+ 16. Bxd3 Qxb4+ 17.Nd2 Ng6 18. Qd4 c5 19. dxc6 Nf4 20. e5

Black to move

Solution:

20. ... Qb2!!

Amazingly, Black not only leaves his knight unprotected, he also offers for the queen to betaken!!

21. Qxf4

( After 21. Qxb2 Nxd3+ 22. Kd1 Nxb2+ -/+ Black is up a piece. )

21. ... Qxa1+ 22. Bb1

White instead chose to give up an exchange, but still lost the game.

22. ... Re8 23. O-O Qxe5 24. Qxe5 Rxe5 25. Nf3 Rc5 26. Re1 Ba6 27. Ne5 g6 28. Bc2 Re8 29. f4Bxc4 30. Ra1 Rexe5 31. fxe5 Rxc6 32. Ba4 b5 33. Bb3 Kf7 34. Rd1 Ke6 35. Rd8 a5 36. Re8+Kd5 37. Rb8 Kxe5 38. Kf2 Kd4 39. Rb7 h6 40. Bd1 b4 41. Ra7 Rc5 42. Rd7+ Kc3 43. Rd6 Rd5 0-1

Topalov, Veselin - Morozevich, AlexanderAmber-blindfold 12th 2003.03.26 , C87

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 d6 7. c3 Bg4 8. h3 Bh5 9. Bxc6+bxc6 10. d4 Nd7 11. g4 Bg6 12. Qa4 h5 13. Qxc6 hxg4 14. hxg4 Kf8 15. Nbd2 Rb8 16. Nf1 Rb617. Qc4 exd4 18. Qxd4 Bf6 19. Qe3 Ne5 20. N3h2 d5 21. g5 Nc4 22. Qg3 Be5 23. f4 Bd6 24. b3Bc5+ 25. Kg2 Bxe4+ 26. Rxe4 dxe4 27. bxc4 Qd1 28. Qg4 Qc2+ 29. Bd2 Re6 30. Qf5

Black to move

Solution:

30. ... Be3!?

This move exploits poor coordination of the White pieces and the exposed king on 'g2'.

31. Rc1 Qxa2 32. Rd1 Qxc4!? 33. Bxe3 Qe2+ 34. Bf2 Qxd1 -+ 35. Qc5+ Qd6 36. Qa7 Kg8 37.Be3 Re8 38. Qb7 Qd3 39. Qc6 Re6 40. Qc5 Qe2+ 41. Kg1 Rb6 42. Qxc7 Rxh2 43. Qc8+ Kh7 44.Qf5+ Rg6 45. Nxh2 Qxe3+ 46. Kg2 f6 47. Ng4 Qf3+ 48. Kg1 fxg5 49. Ne5 Qg3+ 0-1

Bocharov, Dmitry - Morozevich, AlexanderRussian Team Championship 2003.05.16 , E60

1. d4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. c4 d6 4. g3 c5 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. dxc5 Qa5+ 7. Nfd2 Qxc5 8. O-O Nf6 9. Nc3O-O 10. Nd5 Nxd5 11. cxd5 Nd4 12. e3 Nb5 13. Nb3 Qc4 14. a4 Nc7 15. Bd2 Qd3 16. Na5 Bg417. Qxg4 Qxd2 18. Nxb7 Rab8 19. Rfd1 Qxb2 20. Na5 Qb6 21. Nc6 Bxa1 22. Nxb8 Rxb8 23.Rxa1 Na6 24. Be4 Qc7 25. Qe2 Nc5 26. Qc4 Qa5 27. Bc2 Rb2 28. Ra2 Qe1+ 29. Kg2

Black to move

Solution:

29. ... Nd3! 30. Rxb2?

There was no defence, but White overlooked a hidden idea behind Nd3.

( 30. Qxd3 Rxa2 -+ )

( 30. Bxd3 Qxf2+ 31. Kh3 Qxh2+ also lead to mate. )

30. ... Qxf2+ 31. Kh3 Qf1+ 32. Kh4 g5+! 33. Kxg5 Qf6+

White resigned as he loses the queen after 34. Kg4 Ne5+.

0-1

Pelletier, Yannick - Morozevich, AlexanderBiel 2003.07.27 , A43

1. d4 g6 2. e4 Bg7 3. Nf3 c5 4. d5 d6 5. Be2 Nf6 6. Nc3 O-O 7. O-O Na6 8. Re1 Nc7 9. Nd2 e610. Bf3 Re8 11. a4 exd5 12. exd5 Rxe1+ 13. Qxe1 Bg4 14. Qd1 Bxf3 15. Qxf3 Qe7 16. Nf1 Re817. Bf4 b6 18. h3 Nh5 19. Bd2 f5 20. Re1 Be5 21. Nb5 Nxb5 22. axb5 Nf6 23. Bf4 Ne4 24. c3 Qf725. Bxe5 Rxe5 26. c4

Black to move

Solution:

26. ... Nd2 27. Qd1

( 27. Nxd2 Rxe1+ -+ )

27. ... Rxe1 28. Qxe1 Nxc4 29. b3 Ne5 30. Ne3 Qe7 31. Qa1 Nd3 32. Qd1 Nf4 33. Qd2 Nh5 34.Nc4 Nf6 35. Qd1 Kf8 36. Qd2 Ke8 37. b4 cxb4 38. Qxb4 Nxd5 39. Qd2 Qe6 40. Qd4 Kd7 41.Qg7+ Ne7 42. Qc3 Qd5 43. Qb3 Qc5 44. Qa4 Nc8 45. Ne3 d5 46. Qd1 Kd6 47. Qd3 d4 0-1

Smirin, Ilia - Morozevich, AlexanderBiel 2003.07.29 , C42

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. c4 c6 9. cxd5cxd5 10. Nc3 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Bg4 12. Rb1 Nd7 13. h3 Bh5 14. Rb5 Nf6 15. Bg5 Rc8 16. g4 Bg6 17.Bxg6 hxg6 18. Qb3 b6 19. Re1 Re8 20. Rxe8+ Qxe8 21. Bxf6 gxf6 22. Rxd5 Bf8 23. g5 Qe6 24.gxf6

Black to move

Solution:

24. ... Rxc3!

Since the white queen is overloaded, this wins back a pawn and leads to a roughly equalposition.

25. Qxc3 1/2-1/2

In the next game - notice that Black Morozevich was able to play the Albin counter gambit in a supertournament, and as reward - win a game against a strong opponent.

Sokolov, Ivan - Morozevich, AlexanderCorus 2005.01.25 , D08

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 d4 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 Nge7 6. Nb3 Nf5 7. a3 Be7 8. g3 a5 9. Qd3 a4 10.Nbd2 h5 11. Bh3 g6 12. Ne4 h4 13. Bf4 hxg3 14. hxg3 Ng7 15. Bg2 Rxh1+ 16. Bxh1 Bf5 17. Nfg5Na5 18. Qf3 Ne6 19. Nh7 Bxe4 20. Qxe4 c6 21. e3 Nb3 22. Rd1 Qa5+ 23. Ke2 Nec5 24. Qg2Qa6 25. Kf1 Qxc4+ 26. Kg1 Qc2 27. Qf3 d3 28. Bg5

Black to move

Solution:

28. ... Ne4!

Again, the White queen is overloaded!

29. Bxe7

( 29. Qxe4 Qxd1+ -+ )

29. ... Nxf2! 30. Qxf2 Qxd1+ 31. Kg2 Qc2

Black now is winning in a number of ways.

32. Bd6 O-O-O

( 32. ... d2!? -+ )

33. Kg1 Qxf2+ 34. Kxf2 Rh8 0-1

Volkov, Sergey - Morozevich, AlexanderRUS-ch Superfinal 2005.12.23 , E46

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Ne2 Re8 6. a3 Bf8 7. g3 d5 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Bg2 a5 10.O-O Na6 11. Bd2 c6 12. Rc1 Nc7 13. Na4 Ne6 14. b4 Ne4 15. Be1 axb4 16. axb4 Nd6 17. Nc5Nc7 18. Nb3 h5 19. Na5 h4 20. Nf4 hxg3 21. hxg3 Ne6 22. Nd3 Ng5 23. g4 f5 24. Ne5 fxg4 25.Nxg4 Ngf7 26. f4 Bxg4 27. Qxg4 Rxe3 28. f5 Ne4 29. Nxb7 Qf6 30. Rd1 Ra2 31. Nc5 Bxc5 32.bxc5 Ree2 33. Bf3 Rh2 34. Bxe4 dxe4 35. Bf2 Qh6 36. Qxe4

Black to move

Solution:

36. ... Re2!! 37. Qg4

( 37. Qxe2 Rh1+ 38. Kg2 Qh3# is the point. )

37. ... Ng5 38. Qg3 Nh3+ 39. Kxh2 Nxf2+ 40. Kg1 Qh1#

It is not common for grandmaster games to end with mate.

0-1

Rublevsky, Sergei - Morozevich, AlexanderIzmailov Memorial 10th 2006.07.15 , B52

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O Nf6 6. Qe2 Nc6 7. c3 e6 8. d4 cxd4 9. cxd4d5 10. e5 Ne4 11. Be3 f5 12. Nfd2 Nxd2 13. Qxd2 Bb4 14. Qd3 O-O 15. Bd2 Rac8 16. Bc3 Rc717. a3 Be7 18. Nd2 Rfc8 19. Nf3 a6 20. Bd2 Na7 21. Rfc1 Rc4 22. b3 Rxc1+ 23. Bxc1 Qc6 24.Bd2 Qc2 25. Qxc2 Rxc2 26. Rc1 Rb2 27. Rc7 Rb1+ 28. Be1 Bxa3 29. Rxb7 Nb5 30. g3

Black to move

Solution:

30. ... Nxd4!

A simple shot wins two pawns.

31. Nxd4 Rxe1+ 32. Kg2 Rxe5

Eventually Morozevich converted the advantage.

33. b4 Re4 34. Nc6 h6 35. Rb6 Kf7 36. f3 Re2+ 37. Kf1 Rb2 38. Nd8+ Ke7 39. Nxe6 a5 40. b5 g541. Nd4 Bc5 42. Nc6+ Kd6 43. Ra6 Kc7 44. Rxa5 Rf2+ 45. Ke1 Rxh2 46. Ra6 Rb2 47. Ne5 Bf2+48. Kd1 Bxg3 49. Rc6+ Kb7 50. Nf7 h5 51. Rh6 h4 52. Nxg5 Rxb5 53. Ne6 d4 54. Kd2 Rd5 55.Kd3 Rd6 56. Rh7+ Kb6 57. Ng7 Rd5 58. Rh6+ Kb5 59. Ne6 Kb4 60. Rh5 Rd6 61. Ng7 f4 62. Rh8Rd5 63. Ne6 Ka3 64. Kc4 d3 65. Ra8+ Kb2 66. Rb8+ Kc1 67. Kxd5 d2 68. Rc8+ Kb2 69. Rb8+Kc3 70. Rc8+ Kd3 71. Ke5 h3 72. Rd8+ Ke3 73. Nd4 h2 74. Nc2+ Kxf3 75. Rxd2 h1=Q 0-1

Volokitin, Andrei - Morozevich, AlexanderBiel GM 2006.08.01 , C92

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Re810. d4 Bb7 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. a4 Na5 13. Ba2 exd4 14. cxd4 c5 15. b4 cxb4 16. Ng5 Nc4 17. axb5axb5 18. Nxc4 Rxa2 19. Rxa2 bxc4 20. Qa4 b3 21. Rae2 Qc7 22. d5 Rb8 23. Re3 Nd7 24. Rc3Nc5 25. Rxc4 h6 26. Nf3 Qb6 27. Qa1 f5 28. Be3 fxe4 29. Rxe4 Bxd5 30. Bxc5 dxc5 31. R4e3 b232. Qb1 Qa7 33. Re8 Ba2 34. Qxa2+ Qxa2 35. Rxb8 c4 36. Nd4 c3 37. Ne6

Black to move

Solution:

37. ... Qxe6!

Distracting the rook from the first rank.

38. Rxe6 c2

With two pawns on the second rank black gets a new queen and eventually wins.

39. Reb6 c1=Q+ 40. Kh2 Qf4+ 41. Kg1 Qc1+ 42. Kh2 Kh7 43. Rxb2 Bc5 44. R8b3 Qe1 45. Kg3Bd4 46. Rb1 Qxf2+ 47. Kh2 Be5+ 48. Kh1 Qf4 49. Kg1 Qh2+ 50. Kf2 Bd4+ 51. Kf3 h5 52. Rb5Kh6 53. Rd5 Ba7 54. Rbd1 h4 55. R5d2 Qe5 56. Rd6+ g6 57. R1d3 Qg3+ 58. Ke2 Qxg2+ 59. Kd1Bb8 0-1

Ruck, Robert - Morozevich, AlexanderEuropean cup 2006.10.13 , A85

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 Ne4 5. e3 e6 6. Bd3 f5 7. Ne5 Qh4 8. g3 Qf6 9. f3 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Bd6 11. f4 O-O 12. O-O b6 13. a4 Ba6 14. cxd5 Bxd3 15. Qxd3 cxd5 16. a5 bxa5 17. Rxa5Qd8 18. Qb5 Bxe5 19. fxe5 Qc7 20. Ba3 Rc8 21. Bc5 Nc6 22. Ra6 Rab8 23. Qa4 Rb2 24. Rf2Rxf2 25. Kxf2 Qb7 26. Qa2 h6 27. c4 dxc4 28. Qxc4 Kh7 29. Ra2 Qb1 30. Qxe6 Nxe5 31. dxe5Rxc5 32. Rd2 Rc1 33. Qa6 Rh1 34. Kg2 Qe4+ 35. Kh3 Rg1 36. Qe2

Black to move

Solution:

36. ... Rg2!?

An imaginative idea as the rook cannot be taken.

37. Qd1 Rxd2 38. Qxd2 Qf3 39. Qd7 a5 40. Qf7 Qf1+ 41. Kh4 Qf3 42. Kh3 Qg4+ 43. Kg2 Qe4+44. Kf2 Qxe5 45. Qa7 Qb2+ 46. Kf3 Qb5 47. Kf2 a4 48. h4 Qb2+ 49. Kf3 a3 50. h5 Qb3 51. Qa6a2 52. Qg6+ Kh8 53. Qe8+ Qg8 54. Qa4 Qe6 55. Kf2 Kh7 56. Qa5 Qf7 57. Kg2 Qb7+ 58. Kh2Qb2+ 59. Kh3 Qb1 0-1

Svidler, Peter - Morozevich, AlexanderAmber-blindfold 16th 2007.03.29 , C11

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 a6 8. Qd2 b5 9. a3 Bb7 10. Bd3Qc7 11. O-O O-O-O 12. Nd1 cxd4 13. Nxd4 g5 14. Nxc6 Qxc6 15. Bd4 gxf4 16. Qxf4 Rg8 17.Ne3 f6 18. exf6 e5 19. f7

Black to move

Solution:

19. ... Rxg2+!

It is of course necessary to give up the rook before capturing the white queen.

0-1

Kasimdzhanov, Rustam - Morozevich, AlexanderWorld Blitz Championship 2007.11.21 , A07

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bg4 5. d3 Nbd7 6. Nbd2 e6 7. Qe1 Be7 8. e4 O-O 9. h3 Bh510. e5 Ne8 11. Nh2 Nc7 12. Kh1 f6 13. Ndf3 f5 14. Bd2 c5 15. c4 Nb8 16. Ba5 b6 17. Bc3 Nc6 18.b3 Qd7 19. Rc1 Rad8 20. Ng1 b5 21. Ne2 bxc4 22. Nf4 Bf7 23. bxc4 d4 24. Ba5 Rb8 25. h4 Rb226. Nf3 Rxa2 27. Ra1 Rxa1 28. Qxa1 Rb8 29. Re1 Na6 30. Ng5 Bxg5 31. hxg5 Nab4 32. Bxb4cxb4 33. c5 b3 34. Qa6

Black to move

Solution:

34. ... Nxe5!

Black gives up the piece but he wins the rook for the b pawn.

35. Rxe5 b2 36. Re1 b1=R 37. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 38. Kh2 g6 39. c6 Qc7 40. Qc4 Rb8 41. Nxe6 Qd642. Bd5 Rc8 43. c7 a5 44. f4 a4 45. Kh3 0-1

Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar - Morozevich, AlexanderWorld Blitz Championship 2007.11.21 , D10

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Qc2 b5 6. b3 Bg4 7. Nge2 g6 8. Nf4 Bf5 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 Bg7 11. O-O O-O 12. a4 b4 13. Nce2 a5 14. Bb2 Nbd7 15. Rac1 e6 16. cxd5 cxd5 17. Rc6Rc8 18. Rfc1 Rxc6 19. Rxc6 Nb8 20. Rc2 Qd7 21. Rc5 Nc6 22. Qa6 Rc8 23. Nd3 Ne4 24. Rc1Rc7 25. Qb6 Qc8 26. f3 Nd2 27. Rc2 Nxb3 28. Ne5 Bxe5 29. dxe5 Kf8 30. e4 dxe4 31. Qe3 exf332. gxf3 Qd7 33. Qxb3 Qd1+ 34. Kf2

Black to move

Solution:

34. ... Nxe5!

The pins resolve to Black's advantage.

35. Rc3 Qxb3 36. Rxb3 Nc4 37. Bd4 e5

The three pawns for a piece make the position easier to play for Black and he won.

38. Ba1 f6 39. Rd3 Ke7 40. h4 Nb6 41. f4 Rc5 42. fxe5 fxe5 43. Re3 Kd6 44. Rf3 Ke6 45. Re3Nxa4 46. Bd4 Rb5 47. Ng3 Kd6 48. Ne4+ Kc6 49. Nf6 b3 50. Bb2 Nxb2 51. Rc3+ Kd6 52. Ke2 a453. Nxh7 a3 54. Rc8 Nc4 55. Ra8 e4 56. Nf8 0-1

Svidler, Peter - Morozevich, AlexanderRUS-ch superfinal 60th 2007.12.27 , B90

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3 Nbd7 9. g4 Nb610. g5 Nh5 11. Qd2 Rc8 12. O-O-O Be7 13. Kb1 O-O 14. Rg1 g6 15. h4 Qc7 16. Rg2 f6 17. Qf2Nc4 18. Bxc4 Bxc4 19. Bb6 Qd7 20. Nc5 Qc6 21. Nd3 Bxd3 22. cxd3 Nf4 23. Rg4 fxg5 24. hxg5

Black to move

Solution:

24. ... Bxg5!?

An interesting sacrifice that led to unclear play. White declined the offer but laterblundered and lost.

25. Rh1

( 25. Rxg5 Nh3! was Morozevich's idea even though it led to an unclear play. )

25. ... Ne6 26. Qh2 Qd7 27. Qh3 Rf7 28. Be3 Rxc3 29. bxc3 Qb5+ 30. Kc2 Nd4+ 31. Bxd4 exd432. c4? Qa4+ -+ 33. Kb1 Qb4+ 34. Ka1 Qc3+ 35. Kb1 Qxd3+ 36. Ka1 Qc3+ 37. Kb1 Qb4+ 38.Ka1 Bf6 0-1

The World's Second Strongest Player

In 2008 Alexander appeared as 2nd rated player in the world on the FIDE published list, behind onlyAnand. This obviously had required a series of stable strong results, but soon later his resultsdeclined and he fell down in the rankings.

Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar - Morozevich, AlexanderAmber-blindfold 17th 2008.03.15 , D07

1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 dxc4 4. d5 Ne5 5. Qd4 Ng6 6. Qxc4 a6 7. Qb3 Nf6 8. Nf3 b5 9. e4 e510. dxe6 Bxe6 11. Qc2 Bd6 12. Be2 O-O 13. O-O h6 14. a3 Re8 15. Rd1 Qe7 16. Nd4 Bd7 17.Nf5 Bxf5 18. exf5 Ne5 19. h3 Rad8 20. Be3 Bc5 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Bf4 Nc6 23. Re1 Nd4 24.Qb1 Re8 25. Kf1 Bd6 26. Be3 Qe5 27. Bxd4 Qxd4 28. Bf3 Re5 29. Rxe5 Bxe5 30. Ne4 Qc4+ 31.Kg1

Black to move

Solution:

31. ... Bxb2 32. Nxf6+

Best chance, going for the position with bishops of opposite color.

( 32. Qxb2 Nxe4 -+ )

32. ... Bxf6

Black has two solid extra pawns on the queenside and is probably winning. However thegame ended as a draw.

33. g4 Kf8 34. Kg2 Be7 35. Qd1 Bd6 36. Bd5 Qf4 37. Qb3 c5 38. Qc3 h5 39. Qf3 Qxf3+ 40. Kxf3c4 41. a4 c3 42. Bb3 bxa4 43. Bxa4 h4 44. Ke4 Ke7 45. Kd5 Bf4 46. Kc4 Bd2 47. Kd5 a5 48. Kc6g6 49. fxg6 fxg6 50. Kd5 Kf6 51. Bc2 g5 52. Ba4 Be1 53. f3 Bf2 54. Bc2 Ke7 55. Ba4 Bg1 56.Ke5 Bh2+ 57. Kd5 Bb8 58. Bc2 Kd7 59. Ba4+ Kc7 60. Kc5 Ba7+ 61. Kd5 Be3 62. Ke4 Bc1 63.Kd5 Kb6 64. Kc4 Bd2 65. Kd4 c2 66. Bxc2 Kb5 67. Bh7 Kb4 68. Bg8 a4 69. Kd3 Bf4 70. Bf7 Ka371. Kc2 1/2-1/2

Van Wely, Loek - Morozevich, AlexanderAmber-blindfold 17th 2008.03.21 , D09

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 d4 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 Nge7 6. a3 Be6 7. g3 Qd7 8. Bg2 Bh3 9. O-OBxg2 10. Kxg2 O-O-O 11. b4 Ng6 12. Bb2 h5 13. b5 Ncxe5 14. Bxd4 Nxf3 15. Nxf3 h4 16. Bxa7Qg4 17. Qc2 hxg3 18. fxg3 b6 19. a4 Bd6 20. e3 Rh3 21. Kh1 Rdh8 22. Rf2 Bxg3 23. Rg1

Black to move

Solution:

23. ... Qxf3+

White resigned because of 24.Rf3 Rxh2 25.Qxh2 Rxh2 mate.

0-1

Svidler, Peter - Morozevich, AlexanderRUS-chT 2008.04.10 , B90

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f4 exf4 9. Bxf4 Nc610. Qe2 Rc8 11. h3 g6 12. Qd2 Nh5 13. Bg5 Qb6 14. O-O-O Ng3 15. Be3 Qc7 16. Rg1 Bg7 17.Bf4 Be5 18. Bxe5 dxe5 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. exd5

Black to move

Solution:

20. ... Nb4!

A good way to start the attack with a gain of tempo, leading to a very sharp position. Thegame eventually ended as a draw.

21. Kb1

( of course not 21. Qxb4?? Qxc2# )

21. ... O-O 22. d6 Qb6 23. d7 Rxc2 24. Qe1 Rd8 25. Bxa6 bxa6 26. Qxg3 Rxd7 27. Qxe5 Rxg228. Qe8+ Kg7 29. Qxd7 Rxg1 30. a3 Rxd1+ 31. Qxd1 Nc6 32. Qd3 Ne5 33. Qd5 Qe3 34. Nc5 a535. Ka2 h5 36. b4 axb4 37. axb4 Nf3 38. Nb3 g5 39. b5 g4 40. Qxh5 g3 41. Qg4+ Qg5 42. Qxg5+Nxg5 43. Nd4 g2 44. Ne2 Nxh3 1/2-1/2

Gelfand, Boris - Morozevich, AlexanderYerevan Asrian Memorial 2008.06.09 , B41

1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 c5 3. c4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. e4 Nf6 7. a3 b6 8. Be3 Bb7 9. f3 Nc6 10.Rc1 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Bd6 12. g3 h5 13. Na4 h4 14. c5 bxc5 15. Nxc5 Bc6 16. Nxa6 Rxa6 17. Bxa6hxg3 18. b4 Rxh2 19. Rxh2 gxh2 20. Kf2 Bf4 21. b5 Bxc1 22. Qxc1 Nh5 23. e5

Black to move

Solution:

23. ... Nf4!?

This threatens Nd3+ winning the queen, and also takes away the 'g2' square from the whiteking.

24. bxc6

( The knight cannot be taken because of 24. Qxf4? h1=Q -+ )

24. ... Qxc6 25. Qb1 f5 26. exf6 gxf6 27. Be2 Qd6 28. Be3 f5 29. Qc1 Nxe2 30. Kxe2 Qc6 31.Qa1 Qc2+ 32. Bd2 Kf7 33. Qh8 Qc4+ 34. Ke1 Qd3 35. Qxh2 Qxf3 36. Qh7+ Kf6 37. Qh4+ Ke538. Qh8+ Kd6 39. Qb8+ Ke7 40. Bb4+ Kf6 41. Qd8+ Ke5 42. Qc7+ Kf6 43. Qxd7 Qe4+ 44. Kf2Qf4+ 45. Ke2 Qe4+ 46. Kd2 Qd5+ 47. Qxd5 exd5 1/2-1/2

Kramnik, Vladimir - Morozevich, AlexanderAmber-blindfold 18th 2009.03.14 , D93

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 c5 6. dxc5 Qa5 7. Rc1 dxc4 8. Bxc4 O-O 9. Nf3Qxc5 10. Bb3 Nc6 11. O-O Qa5 12. h3 Bf5 13. Ng5 Qa6 14. e4 Rad8 15. Bxf7+ Kh8 16. Qe1 h617. exf5 hxg5 18. Bxg5 Rxf7 19. fxg6 Rff8 20. f4 Qd3 21. f5 Nh5 22. Rf3 Qd4+ 23. Kh1 Bf6 24.Ne4 Kg7 25. Nc5 Rd6 26. Bxf6+ Rdxf6 27. Ne6+ Rxe6 28. Qxe6 Rf6 29. Qe3?

Black to move

Solution:

29. ... Rxf5!

This is Black's only chance. With his last move Kramnik overlooked that the rook isoverloaded, and Morozevich wins an important pawn. However he later still lost the game.

30. Qxd4+ Nxd4 31. Rxf5 Ng3+ 32. Kh2 Ngxf5 33. Rc7 Kxg6 34. g4 Nd6 35. Rxe7 Kf6 36. Re3b5 37. h4 Nc4 38. Re4 Ne6 39. Kg3 a5 40. b3 Nd6 41. Re1 Nc5 42. g5+ Kf5 43. Rf1+ Ke5 44. Kg4Nce4 45. h5 1-0

Jovanic, Ognjen - Morozevich, AlexanderZuerich Jubilee op 2009.08.10 , D38

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Qa4+ Nc6 6. e3 O-O 7. Bd2 Bd7 8. Qc2 Re8 9. Rd1 a610. Be2 dxc4 11. Bxc4 Bd6 12. O-O b5 13. Bb3 h6 14. Ne4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4 e5 16. Qd5 e4 17.Qxf7+ Kh8 18. Ne5 Bxe5 19. dxe5 Nxe5 20. Qf4 Nd3 21. Qg3 b4 22. f3 Qe7 23. fxe4 Be6 24.Bxe6 Qxe6 25. Qxc7 Qxa2 26. Qc2 Red8 27. Ra1 Qe6 28. Ra5 Rac8 29. Qb1 Qxe4 30. h3 Rd631. Raf5 Rg6 32. R1f3

Black to move

Solution:

32. ... Rxg2+

The rook has to be taken, but this allows Black to win the queen after a discovered check.

33. Kxg2 Nf4+ 34. Rxf4 Qxb1 -+ 35. Rxb4 a5 36. Rb6 Qe4 37. Kg3 Qe5+ 38. Kg2 Rc2 0-1

Mchedlishvili, Mikheil - Morozevich, AlexanderEuropean Team Championship 2009.10.28 , D24

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e3 a6 6. a4 b6 7. Bxc4 Bb7 8. O-O Bb4 9. Ne5 O-O10. f3 Bd6 11. Nd3 c5 12. dxc5 bxc5 13. e4 Qc7 14. g3 Nc6 15. Qe1 Nd7 16. Be3 Na5 17. Ba2 c418. Nf4 Bc6 19. Rd1 Rab8 20. Qd2 Bc5 21. Ng2 Qb6 22. Rf2 Ne5 23. Bb1 Nb3 24. Qe1 Rfd8 25.Rxd8+ Rxd8 26. Bxc5 Nxc5 27. Qe3 h6 28. h3 Qb4 29. f4 Ned3 30. Rd2

Black to move

Solution:

30. ... Nxe4!

The rook on d2 is under protected, and the Black knights dominate the board.

31. Nxe4 Bxe4 32. Ne1

( 32. Qxe4 Qxd2 -+ )

32. ... f5 33. Nxd3 cxd3 34. Kf2 Qxa4 0-1

Polgar, Judit - Morozevich, AlexanderWorld Blitz Championship 2009.11.16 , C13

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 gxf6 7. Nf3 f5 8. Nc3 a6 9. g3 b510. Bg2 Bb7 11. O-O Bf6 12. Re1 O-O 13. Qd2 c5 14. Rad1 cxd4 15. Nxd4 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Qb617. Nce2 Nc6 18. c3 Rfd8 19. Qh6 Bg7 20. Qh4 Ne5 21. b3 Qb7+ 22. f3 Rd7 23. Ng1 Rc8 24.Nde2 h6 25. Qf4 Rcd8 26. Rxd7 Rxd7 27. Qe3 Rd3 28. Qf2 Rd2 29. Qe3 Qd5 30. Kh3 Nd3 31.c4 Qd7 32. Rf1 e5 33. f4 e4 34. c5 Rxa2 35. Kg2 Rc2 36. Rd1

Black to move

Solution:

36. ... Nxf4+!

Again, just like in the previous example, the black knight was on 'd3', and White'sunprotected rook is lost.

37. Qxf4 Qxd1 -+ 38. Qxf5 Rxe2+ 39. Nxe2 Qxe2+ 40. Kh3 Qf3 41. Qc8+ Kh7 42. c6 e3 43. c7e2 44. Qe8 Qf1+ 45. Kg4 e1=B 46. Qxe1 Qxe1 47. c8=Q Qe6+ 0-1

Erdogdu, Mert - Morozevich, AlexanderWorld Team Championship 2010.01.09 , B90

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. f3 Be6 9. Qd2 O-O10. O-O-O a5 11. a4 Nc6 12. g4 Nb4 13. Kb1 Rc8 14. h4 d5 15. g5 Ne8 16. exd5 Bf5 17. Rc1 b618. Bh3 Bxh3 19. Rxh3 Nd6 20. Rd1 b5 21. Qe2 Nxc2 22. axb5 Na3+ 23. Ka1 a4 24. Nc5 Ndc425. Bg1 Bxc5 26. Bxc5 Rxc5 27. bxa3 Qc8 28. Ne4 Rxb5 29. Rh2 Rb3 30. Rd3 Qb7 31. Nc5Rb1+ 32. Ka2 Qb5 33. Nxa4 Rb8 34. Qc2

Black to move

Solution:

34. ... Nxa3 35. Nc3 Qc4+ 0-1

The Return of the Super-Grandmaster

Morozevich's rating kept going down and for a while he took a break from tournaments. To the delightof his chess fans, the real comeback happened in 2011 when he won the Russian Top league and thetournament in Saratov. His results up to today remain very good, but vary between brilliant streaksand series of several losses in a row.

Vallejo Pons, Francisco - Morozevich, AlexanderReggio Emilia 2011.01.02 , B96

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 h6 8. Bh4 Qb6 9. Qd2 Qxb210. Rb1 Qa3 11. f5 Be7 12. fxe6 fxe6 13. Bc4

Black to move

Solution:

13. ... Nxe4!

A typical tactical shot for the Sicilian, here is effective because the bishop on 'h4' can betaken with a check.

14. Nxe4 Bxh4+ 15. g3

Black won the pawn, but both of his central pawns are vulnerable.

15. ... Bg5!?

( 15. ... d5!? was also quite promising. )

16. Nxg5 hxg5 17. Nxe6

( 17. Qxg5? Qc3+ -+ )

17. ... Bxe6 18. Bxe6 Qxg3+!

The fireworks continue, as Morozevich comes up with a pseudo queen sacrifice.

19. hxg3 Rxh1+ 20. Ke2 Rh2+ 21. Ke1 Rxd2 22. Kxd2 Ra7 =+

Black is up two pawns, but White's pieces are more active, and he was able to achieve adraw.

23. Bd5 Nd7 24. Rxb7 Rxb7 25. Bxb7 Nc5 26. Bf3 Kd7 1/2-1/2

Halkias, Stelios - Morozevich, AlexanderFIDE World Cup 2011.08.29 , E04

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Nc6 6. Qa4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Nd5 8. Bxb4 Nxb4 9. O-ORb8 10. Nc3 a6 11. Ne5 O-O 12. Nxc6 Nxc6 13. Bxc6 bxc6 14. Qxc4 Rxb2 15. Rab1 Rb6 16.Qc5 h6 17. Rfd1 Re8 18. a4 f6 19. a5 Rxb1 20. Rxb1 e5 21. d5 cxd5 22. Nxd5 Qd7 23. Nxc7 Rd824. Qc4+ Qf7 25. Qc2 Bh3 26. Nxa6 Qd5 27. e4 Qxa5 28. Nb4 Kh7 29. Nd5 f5 30. Ne7 f4 31.Nf5 Rd2 32. Qb3 Qc5 33. Qf3

Black to move

Solution:

33. ... Bg4!?

Forces the queen to retreat to a passive square. 33...Rb2 was also strong.

34. Qg2 Qc2 35. Re1 f3 36. Qf1 Bxf5 37. exf5 Qxf5 -+

The pawn on 'f3' restricts the White pieces, and makes the win easy for Black. However adraw was sufficient for Morozevich to advance to the next round, so he forced it byexchanging rooks.

38. Qb5 Qc2 39. Qxe5 Rd1 40. h4 Rxe1+ 1/2-1/2

Fier, Alexandr Hilario T - Morozevich, AlexanderFIDE World Cup 2011.08.31 , C11

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bc5 9. Qd2 a610. O-O-O O-O 11. Nb3 Bxe3 12. Qxe3 b5 13. Bd3 b4 14. Ne4 a5 15. Nbc5 Nxc5 16. Qxc5 Ne717. Ng5 h6 18. Nf3 Ba6 19. Kb1 Qd7 20. g4 a4 21. Bxa6 Rxa6 22. Qxb4 Nc6 23. Qb5 Qa7 24.Qd3 Rb8 25. Nd4 Na5 26. Ka1 Nc4 27. Rb1 Rab6 28. Qc3 Rxb2 29. Rxb2 Rxb2 30. f5 a3 31. h4Qb8 32. Re1

Black to move

Solution:

32. ... Nd2! 33. Nb3

White if forced to cover the 'b' file, because Rb1 was threatened with mate.

( The knight cannot be taken: 33. Qxd2? Rxa2+ 34. Kxa2 Qb2# )

33. ... Ne4!

The knight continues to harass the White pieces, and Black wins the crucial 'e5' pawn.

34. Qd3 Qxe5 35. Nd4 Rxc2 0-1

Moiseenko, Alexander - Morozevich, AlexanderSaratov Governor's Cup 2011.10.10 , E81

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 c5 7. Nge2 Qa5 8. Nc1 cxd4 9. Nb3 Qe510. Bxd4 Qf4 11. g3 Qg5 12. Qe2 Nc6 13. Be3 Qh5 14. Bg2 Nd7 15. Nd5 e6 16. Nf4 Qe5 17. Nd3Qf6 18. h4 Qe7 19. h5 a5 20. hxg6 fxg6 21. a4 d5 22. cxd5 exd5 23. exd5 Nb4 24. Rh4

Black to move

Solution:

24. ... Nc2+! 25. Qxc2 Qxe3+ 26. Qe2 Qg5

White is unable to castle, and Black has great compensation for the pawn. Black also hastwo bishops, and the one on 'g7' is particularly dangerous as it has no White counterpart.

27. Kf1 Nf6 28. Nbc5 Qxg3 29. Qf2 Qd6 30. Rd1 Ng4 31. Qe2 Qg3 32. Rxg4 Bxg4 33. Ne4

33. ... Rxf3+! 34. Bxf3 Bh3+ 35. Bg2 Rf8+ 36. Kg1 Bd4+ 37. Kh1 Bxg2+ 38. Qxg2 Qh4+ 39. Qh2Qxe4+ 40. Qg2 Rf3 0-1

Symbols and Abbreviations Used in the Book

Position Evaluation

Unclear: It is unclear who (if anyone) has an advantage. = Even position: White and Black have more or less equal chances. += White has slightly better chances. +/ White has much better chances. + White has a clear advantage. =+ Black has slightly better chances. /+ Black has much better chances. + Black has a clear advantage.

Move Evaluation

?? - Blunder ? - Mistake ?! - Dubious move !? - Interesting move ! - Good move - Brilliant move

Table of ContentsCopyRight InformationAbout the AuthorIntroductionBook FormatCounterattack with Alexander MorozevichEarly Career

Anokhin, Vladimir - Morozevich, AlexanderKiselev, Sergey - Morozevich, AlexanderStromskij, Pavel - Morozevich, AlexanderMagem Badals, Jordi - Morozevich, AlexanderZvjaginsev, Vadim - Morozevich, Alexander

Dramatic RiseVaulin, Alexander - Morozevich, AlexanderBalashov, Yuri S - Morozevich, AlexanderSutovsky, Emil - Morozevich, Alexander

Top GrandmasterBeliavsky, Alexander G - Morozevich, AlexanderAdams, Michael - Morozevich, AlexanderLeko, Peter - Morozevich, AlexanderRogozenco, Dorian - Morozevich, AlexanderKempinski, Robert - Morozevich, AlexanderLjubojevic, Ljubomir - Morozevich, AlexanderTopalov, Veselin - Morozevich, AlexanderBocharov, Dmitry - Morozevich, AlexanderPelletier, Yannick - Morozevich, AlexanderSmirin, Ilia - Morozevich, AlexanderSokolov, Ivan - Morozevich, AlexanderVolkov, Sergey - Morozevich, AlexanderRublevsky, Sergei - Morozevich, AlexanderVolokitin, Andrei - Morozevich, AlexanderRuck, Robert - Morozevich, AlexanderSvidler, Peter - Morozevich, AlexanderKasimdzhanov, Rustam - Morozevich, AlexanderMamedyarov, Shakhriyar - Morozevich, AlexanderSvidler, Peter - Morozevich, Alexander

The World's Second Strongest PlayerMamedyarov, Shakhriyar - Morozevich, AlexanderVan Wely, Loek - Morozevich, AlexanderSvidler, Peter - Morozevich, AlexanderGelfand, Boris - Morozevich, AlexanderKramnik, Vladimir - Morozevich, AlexanderJovanic, Ognjen - Morozevich, Alexander

Mchedlishvili, Mikheil - Morozevich, AlexanderPolgar, Judit - Morozevich, AlexanderErdogdu, Mert - Morozevich, Alexander

The Return of the Super-GrandmasterVallejo Pons, Francisco - Morozevich, AlexanderHalkias, Stelios - Morozevich, AlexanderFier, Alexandr Hilario T - Morozevich, AlexanderMoiseenko, Alexander - Morozevich, Alexander

Symbols and Abbreviations Used in the Book

CopyRight InformationAbout the AuthorIntroductionBook FormatCounterattack with Alexander MorozevichEarly CareerAnokhin, Vladimir - Morozevich, AlexanderKiselev, Sergey - Morozevich, AlexanderStromskij, Pavel - Morozevich, AlexanderMagem Badals, Jordi - Morozevich, AlexanderZvjaginsev, Vadim - Morozevich, Alexander

Dramatic RiseVaulin, Alexander - Morozevich, AlexanderBalashov, Yuri S - Morozevich, AlexanderSutovsky, Emil - Morozevich, Alexander

Top GrandmasterBeliavsky, Alexander G - Morozevich, AlexanderAdams, Michael - Morozevich, AlexanderLeko, Peter - Morozevich, AlexanderRogozenco, Dorian - Morozevich, AlexanderKempinski, Robert - Morozevich, AlexanderLjubojevic, Ljubomir - Morozevich, AlexanderTopalov, Veselin - Morozevich, AlexanderBocharov, Dmitry - Morozevich, AlexanderPelletier, Yannick - Morozevich, AlexanderSmirin, Ilia - Morozevich, AlexanderSokolov, Ivan - Morozevich, AlexanderVolkov, Sergey - Morozevich, AlexanderRublevsky, Sergei - Morozevich, AlexanderVolokitin, Andrei - Morozevich, AlexanderRuck, Robert - Morozevich, AlexanderSvidler, Peter - Morozevich, AlexanderKasimdzhanov, Rustam - Morozevich, AlexanderMamedyarov, Shakhriyar - Morozevich, AlexanderSvidler, Peter - Morozevich, Alexander

The World's Second Strongest PlayerMamedyarov, Shakhriyar - Morozevich, AlexanderVan Wely, Loek - Morozevich, AlexanderSvidler, Peter - Morozevich, AlexanderGelfand, Boris - Morozevich, AlexanderKramnik, Vladimir - Morozevich, AlexanderJovanic, Ognjen - Morozevich, AlexanderMchedlishvili, Mikheil - Morozevich, AlexanderPolgar, Judit - Morozevich, AlexanderErdogdu, Mert - Morozevich, Alexander

The Return of the Super-GrandmasterVallejo Pons, Francisco - Morozevich, AlexanderHalkias, Stelios - Morozevich, AlexanderFier, Alexandr Hilario T - Morozevich, AlexanderMoiseenko, Alexander - Morozevich, Alexander

Symbols and Abbreviations Used in the Book