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Good day everyone, welcome to the live coverage of the return game between Ivan Cheparinov and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. Many were surprised to see Cheparinov winning in the first game, but we should have few things on our mind - Mamedyarov has problems with openings with black pieces and Cheparinov is breaking 2700 line on the next FIDE list. We can expect Mamedyarov to be very aggressive with white and Cheparinov will have to work hard in order to keep positive score.
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 Wise choice by Cheparinov, Slav defence is known as ultra solid.
3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 This move order is avoiding 4. Nf3 dxc4 and drives the game into Semi-Slav.
4... e6 5.Qc2 Nbd7 6.Bd2 This line has reputation of being rather tame, but one can never know with Mamedyarov, he probably has something prepared.
6... Bd6 7.e4 now after 7...dxe4 8. Nxe4 Nxe4 9. Qxe4 there is no check on b4.
7... Nxe4 8.Nxe4 dxe4 9.Qxe4 c5 Black simplified position in the center and is very close to equalizing.
10.dxc5 ( Perhaps 10.Nf3 continuing with development)
10... Nxc5 11.Qe3 O-O White has no opening advantage and if he keeps delaying pieces' development, he could even end up worse.
12.b4!? ( Mamedyarov is burning bridges behind. Better was 12.Nf3 but he has to win... )
12... Nd7 13.c5 Be7 14.Rc1 a5!? 15.a3 axb4 16.axb4 Nf6 17.Nf3 These two are blitzing through the game :) Mamedyarov is finally developing his pieces and preparing to castle.
17... Bd7 with idea Bc6. White should develop Bf1 now, because Ne5 might be too slow and black can grab the initiative.
18.Ne5 Bc6 is solid, Nd5 can be more adventurous
18... Bc6 19. Nxc6 bxc6 and black has no problems after next Qd7, Nd5 and Rfb8. Interesting is pawn sacrifice 19. Bd3!? Bxg2?? 20. Rg1 Bc6 21. Qh6! with checkmate.
19.Bd3! Qc7 (19... Nd5 20.Qh3 g6 21.O-O Qc7 22.Rfe1 and b5 might be dangerous threat. Finally some use of the queenside majority)
20.O-O Rfd8 21.Rfd1 Ra3! Good counterplay attempt. 22. Bxh7+ won't work because Ne5 is also hanging. Maybe 22. Ra1, this intruder shouldn't be tolerated for too long.
22.Qe2 (22.Ra1 Rxa1 23.Rxa1 was better, but probably Mamedyarov wants to keep many pieces on the board. Paradoxically, his 22. Qe2 is actually allowing material reduction with 22....Raxd3! 23. Nxd3 Ba4! 24. Bf4 Bxd1 or even better immediate 22...Ba4!)
22... Ba4! 23.Re1? Looks like a blunder? Cheparinov has 23...Raxd3! 24. Nxd3 Qd7! (not 24...Bb5? 25. Bf4!) ( Only move was 23.Bc2 Bxc2 24.Rxc2 and black is completely safe.)
23... Raxd3! 24.Nxd3 Qd7! Two pieces for a rook should be stable advantage for Cheparinov. (24... Bb5? 25.Bf4! Qc8 (25... Qc6 26.Ne5!) 26.Red1)
25.Ra1 Bc6 (25... Bb5? 26.Ne5! Bxe2 27.Nxd7) (25... Qxd3 26.Rxa4 Qxd2 27.Qxd2 Rxd2 28.Ra8+ Bf8 29.Ra7 Rd7 and black still holds advantage)
26.Ne5 After Qxd2 black is better, and since there is no chance to play for a win, Mamedyarov offered a draw. Ivan Cheparinov goes to the next round, congratulations! Thank you for following Chessdom live commentary, we continue the coverage with Carlsen-Dominguez. See you there.
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