Download PGN of December '10 1 d4 d5 games

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Catalan Opening [E04-05]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 dxc4 5. Bg2 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 a5:

Carlsen - Kramnik: Vladimir Kramnik's inspired play caused problems for Magnus Carlsen, who is himself used to putting such pressure on his opponents. Black offered a pawn or an exchange a number of times and White eventually collapsed under the pressure. However, in the opening Carlsen's approach is rather interesting and Black could actually have faced serious problems at one point.

Wang Yue - Kramnik: Here Vladimir Kramnik improved upon the game Anand - Topalov/WCh (m/4) Sofia 2010, with 14...Qb6!?:

and successfully defended Black's position. However, White kept pressure throughout the game and he may still look for other options.

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4:

Aronian - Jakovenko: Levon Aronian's extraordinary technique, combined with good experience in a recently popular line, brought him a nice win. The sudden collapse of one of the best endgame experts in a solid position makes a great impression as it was caused by White's seemingly slow and restrained play!

Closed Catalan with ...Bb4+-e7 [E08]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Be7 5. Bg2 d5 6. Nf3 O-O 7. O-O c6:

Ponomariov - Kramnik (analysed by Ruslan Ponomariov, translated by me): "It happened that my encounters with Kramnik played a key role in the final standings in some recent events. In Zurich I agreed to a draw in a winning position when there was a clock failure while in the Tal Memorial we played a very complicated game with mutual chances but where Vladimir eventually prevailed. In both tournaments he came first. This game was played at an early stage - in the second round - and so it could hardly have any direct impact on the final standings. But it certainly had a great influence on the opponents' mood - it is always a pleasure to win in such style!"

Anand - Topalov: Vishy Anand came up with a rare and interesting option, 12.Ne5!?:

but Veselin Topalov was equal to the task. True to his style, he developed maximum activity at the cost of a piece. White's king was invited for a walk and after some complications the game ended with a perpetual check. Yet White may still try to prove his advantage in this line...

Fridman - Hansen,Sune Berg: White's ambitious e-pawn advance increased his control over the center but it also made his K-side pawn structure more vulnerable:

This strategy eventually brought him success, but objectively Black should be okay if he is more focused on getting counter chances.

Laznicka - Berkes: Here White has gained a tangible advantage by rather simple means and soon converted it into a crushing K-side attack. Black should be more concrete in the opening to avoid a situation like this when he can only watch how White is improving his position...

Rodshtein - Berkes: Here Ferenc Berkes's clever novelty comfortably solved Black's problems. Later he could have been even more ambitious but he preferred a safe approach.

Caruana - Nielsen: In this line Black has no problems carrying out thematic ...c6-c5 pawn push. White still keeps a slight edge and can pressurize without risk, but Black's position seems quite defendable. However, he should be more concrete and precise in defence - routine manoeuvres fail as White plays on the better positional grounds...

With best wishes for the coming Christmas and New Year 2011!

See you next month, Ruslan

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If you have any questions, then please post a message at the 1 d4 d5 Forum, or subscribers can email me at ruslan@chesspublishing.com.