(1) Smirnov,P (2539) - Belozerov,A (2541) [C75] RUS-Cup03 THE LOPEZ GRIP 1 Tomsk (9), 16.07.2002 THE LOPEZ GRIP 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 d6 5.0-0 Bd7 6.c3 Nge7 7.d4 Ng6 I guess this is one of the most solid systems at Black&aposs disposal. Black strongpoints e5 and has the idea of ...h6, Be7-g5 to get rid of his &aposbad&apos Bishop. I prefer White, who by simple means can gain space and &aposgrip&apos the position. 8.d5 Nb8 9.Bxd7+ Nxd7 10.c4+/= Simply more space. 10...Be7 11.Nc3 h6 12.g3! Gripping the position means cutting out enemy counterplay and blending your own game plan in alongside. g2-g3 is a very good move,keeping the Black Knight out of f4 and preparing f2-f4 later on. 12...Bg5 Black goes through with his plan. 13.Nxg5 many would shirk from giving Black the h file but Smirnov has it all under control. There&aposs no real Black attack as White can defend h2 easily along his second rank. meanwhile,White prepares a queenside advance. 13...hxg5 14.Bd2 Nb6 15.Qe2 Qd7 16.f3! Qh3 17.Rf2 f6 18.b4! Due care has been observed and now let the real game begin. Black has severe problems countering the advance of White&aposs queenside pawns. 18...Nd7 19.Be3 b6 20.c5+/- This could not have been prevented indefinitely. 20...Kf7 21.Na4 bxc5 22.bxc5 Rhb8 23.c6! A really excellent move,creating a square on b7 for a White Rook. 23...Ndf8 24.Rff1 Nh7 25.Rab1 Qc8 26.Qc2 g4 27.fxg4 Rxb1 28.Rxb1 Qxg4 29.Nc3 Where&aposs the rush ? White&aposs King is still as safe as houses and he has the crushing idea of Rb7 to come. White has total control of the position. 29...Ng5 30.Bxg5 Qxg5 31.Qd3 Ne7 32.Rb7 Rc8 33.Kf2 Qh6 34.h4 g5 [ 34...Qc1 35.Rb1 Qa3 36.Rb3 Qc1 37.Qxa6+- ] 35.Qe3! Qh7 36.hxg5 Qh2+ 37.Ke1 Qh1+ 38.Kd2 f5 39.exf5 Nxd5 [ 39...Nxf5 40.Qf2 Qh3 41.Ne4 Kg6 42.a4 Qg4 43.Qe2+- ] 40.Qe4 Qxe4 41.Nxe4 Ne7 42.f6 d5 43.Nd6+ An excellent example of squeeze play. White stablished a space advantage early and gradually increased his grip. Black was pushed off the board. 1-0