Sicilian Defense Closed Variation

VISWANATHAN ANAND vs. BORIS GELFAND
Wijkaan Zee Hoogovens, 1996

1. e4, c5
2. Nc3, d6
3. f4, g6
4. Nf3, Bg7
5. Bc4, Nc6
6. d3, e6
7. 0-0, Nge7
8. Qe1, h6
9. Bb3, a6
10. e5, Nf5
11. Kh1, Nfd4
12. Ne4, Nxf3
13. Rxf3, dxe5
14. fxe5, Nxe5
15. Rf1, g5
16. Qg3, 0-0
17. Bxg5!! ....

A surprise move!  Gelfand was caught off-guard.

17. .... hxg5
18. Nxg5, Ng6
19. Rae1 ....

White could have taken the f7 pawn by 19. Nxf7 Rxf7, 20. Qxg6.  But Anand has other plans.

19. .... Qe7
20. Rf5 ....

Now it is clear that White is planning a mate by Queen on h7, but he has to protect the Knight first.

20. .... Bf6

Black knew of White's plan, and figured that he must eliminate the White's Knight.

21. Nxe6!! ....

His plan on the h-file destroyed, White set on plan B: to destroy the kingside pawn structure.

21. .... fxe6

A correct reply.  Black would lose more material after 21....Bxe6, 22. Rxe6 fxe6, 23. Qxg6+ Bg7, 24. Bxe6+ Rf7, 25. Rxf7 ...

22. Rxe6!! ....

White pursued his plan knowing that the aftermath, as stated before, would be favorable for him. Now, if 22.....Bxe6, 23. Qxg6+ Qg7, 24. Bxe6+ would be decisive.

22. .... Kg7

Forced.

23. Rxe7, Bxe7
24. Rxf8, Bxf8
25. h4!!, Resigns

White delivers the coup d grace.  Black opted to resign than lose more materials.  If 25....Kh7, 26. h5 Ne7, 27. Qf3 Bg7, 28. Qe4+ Nf5, 29. g4 ....