Sicilian Defense Closed Variation

FRANCISCO VALLEJO-PONS vs. IAN NEPOMNIACHTCHI
18th Pamplona International, 2008

1. e4, c5
2. Nc3, a6
3. Nge2, d6
4. g3, b5
5. Bg2, Bb7
6. d4, cxd4
7. Nxd4, e6
8. 0-0, b4
9. Nd5!! ....

A surprise sacrifice!  White intends to open-up the e-file.

9. .... exd5
10. exd5, Bc8

Black has accurately predicted that the Bishop is more important in the defense of the King.

11. Re1+, Be7
12. c4 ....

White intends to move his Queen to a4 followed by Nc6.

12. .... Kf8
13. a3, bxa3
14. Rxa3, Bg5
15. Bxg5, Qxg5
16. Ne6+ ....

Another surprise move by White.  taking advantage of Bishop's power along the main diagonal.

16. .... fxe6
17. dxe6, d5
18. Rf3+, Nf6
19. h4!!, Qg6
20. Qxd5!, Ra7
21. e7!!+ ....

The final attack.

21. .... Rxe7

If 21....Ke8, then 22. Qd8+ Kf7, 24. e8=Q+ Rxe8, 25. Qxe8 mate.

22. Rxe7, Qb1+
23. Kh2, Kxe7
24. Re3+, Be6

If 24....Kf8, then 25. Qd6+ Kf7, 26. Re7+ Kg6, 27. Be4+ and White has a great attack.

25. Qxe6+ ....

Black resigns, as mate is inevitable.

If 25....Kd8, then Qe7 mate.

If 25.....Kf8, them 26. Qe7+ Kg8, 27. Bd5+ Nxd5, 28. Qe8 mate.

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 ....

Sicilian Defense Closed Variation

EMIL SUTOVSKY vs. ILYA SMIRIN
Israeli Championship 2002

Sicilian Defense Closed Variation

1. e4, c5
2. Nc3 ....

The Closed Variation of the Sicilian Defense. This variations avoids the early exchange cxd4 and instead promotes solid central pawn structure.

2. .... Nc6
3. Nf3, e5
4. Bc4, d6
5. d3, Be7
6. 0-0, Nf6
7. Ng5, 0-0
8. f4, exf4
9. Bxf4, h6
10. Nf3, Be6
11. Nd5, Bxd5
12. exd5, Na5
13. Nh4, b5

If 13....Nxd5, then 14. Bxd5 Bxh4, 15. Qh5 Bg5, 16. Bg3 and White has a good attack on f7.

14. Nf5 ....

If 14. Bxb5 Nxd5, Black relieves tension in the center and maintains pressure on White's pieces.

14. .... bxc4
15. Bxh6! ....

The reason behind White's sacrifice. Black's kingside defense is destroyed.

15. .... gxh6
16. Nxh6+, Kh7
17. Nf5, cxd3?

This move only enhances White's position. White's Queen would now be able to control the d3-h7 diagonal.

18. Qxd3, Kh8
19. Rae1 ....

If 19. Qh3+, Black defends with 19.....Nh7.

19. .... Qb6

Totally abandoning the Bishop. But Black has nothing better. If 19.....Re8, then White continues the attack with 20. Qc3! making a pin on the f6 Knight while attacking the other Knight.  The game may continue 20....Bf8, 21. Rxe8 Qxe8, 22. Qxf6+ Kg8, 23. Qg5+ Kh7, 24. Qh4+ Kg8, 25. Qg3+ Kh7, 26. Rf4! ....

20. Qh3+, Nh7
21. Rxe7, c4+
22. Kh1, Qxb2

Black beats White to the control of b2-h8 diagonal.

23. Re4!! Rg8
24. Qxh7+, Resigns

Caught by surprise, Black realizes that mate is inevitable after 24.... Kxh7, 25. Rh4+ Kg6, 26. Rh6+ Kg5, 27. h4+ Kg4, 28. Ne3+ Kg3, 29. Rf3 mate.

A brilliant Queen sacrifice!