1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 e3 0-0 5 Bd3 d5 6 Nf3 c5 7 0-0 dxc4 8 Bxc4 Nbd7

 

 

After eight moves we have reached an entirely standard position in the Nimzo-Indian Defence.  It must have been played thousands of times in master and grandmaster games.

 

It is, therefore, amazing that this encounter between two of the world’s best should result in an utter rout for the black forces in a mere further eight moves.

 

9 Qe2 cxd4 10 exd4 b6 11 d5

 

 

There are many moves here including 11 Rd1 and 11 Bg5.  The purpose of the text is to prevent Black from playing ... Bb7 when he smoothly completes his development.

 

11 ... Nc5

 

Considerably safer is 11 ... Bxc3 12 dxe6 Bb4 13 exd7 Qxd7 14 a3 Bd6 as in Portisch – Karpov, San Antonio 1972, which is approximately level, although Black later blundered and lost.

 

12 Rd1 Qe8 13 Nb5 exd5 14 Nc7

 

If now 14 ... Qxe2 15 Bxe2 Rb8 16 Bf4 leaves Black’s pieces on highly uncomfortable squares.

 

14 ... Qe4

 

 

This position is known to theory.  The game Conquest – Zaichik, Tbilisi 1988 saw 15 Nxd5 Qxe2 16 Nxf6+ gxf6 17 Bxe2 Ba6 with an edge to White although Black eventually drew.

 

15 Rd4

 

This is Ivanchuk’s stellar conception.  The point being that after 15 ... Qxe2 16 Bxe2 Black has too many pieces hanging.

 

15 ... Qg6 16 Nh4 Resigns

 

1-0

 

After 16 ... Qh5 17 Qxh5 Nxh5 18 Be2 Black has three pieces under attack.
 

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