Korobov v. Liren
Ding Liren and Anton Korobov are both very strong grandmasters. Ding Liren is the strongest player for China, with a peak rating of 2813, and is currently ranked 3rd in the world. Anton Korobov is the strongest player for Ukraine, with a peak rating of 2723, and is currently ranked 43rd in the world.Â
In 2013, they would play a classical match against each other during the World Teams Championship in Turkey. They were, at the time, around the same rating with Liren rating 2711 and Korobov 2713.Â
The Game
The game starts with Korobov with the white pieces playing d4. Liren responds with Nf6 and plays the solid King's Indian Defense. However, Korobov would continue with a sort of Catalan position, playing c4 and fianchettoing his light-squared bishop. Thus, instead of playing the common e5 or a6, Liren plays Rb8, getting the rook out of the line of fire early and preparing his bishop to become active.
The game continues with d5, pushing black's knight away and preventing any easy forward motion for black's c and e pawn. Liren would attack white's c pawn, but Korobov easily defends it by dropping back his knight. But Liren gets c5, an often critical move in the KID, and it isn't easy to en-passant because it decentralizes your pawns. So white develops his queen, and they fight for control of the b5 square, since it is a powerful square for the knight. Black also goes for a pawn break, and white allows black to trade so that he can get his c pawn to the center.Â
This is where Liren begins a long sequence of moves to maneuver his knight. He wants his knight on e5, so he goes through a lot of moves to get his knight to that central square. In the process, they trade their dark squared bishop. However, Korobov has begun gaining the advantage because of how long it took for the reroute to take place. He has more activity, while Liren's knight is on the side of the board and his bishop is still on the backrank.Â
Korobov begins to bring his pieces to the queen's side. He brings in his queen and rooks to the b and c file. Although, it will be difficult to break through on the queen side because of the pawns, and Liren rapidly developing his bishop and queen to the queenside and bringing both of his rooks as well, although, black's knight is poorly placed and out of moves.Â
However, Korobov turned his attention to the king side and began a pawn advance while black's pieces were on the other side of the board. He would open up the file between their two kings. In response, Liren would trade his queen as fast as he could and began making a path for his knight with b6. But this is where Korobov makes a blunder. He decides to take time to trade his knight for Liren's knight on the side of the board. He doubles black's pawns but gave up a very active piece for a passive one.Â
However, Korobov would continue with Bf1, attacking the doubled pawns. Liren plays danger levels by attacking white's vulnerable pawn on the e file. But this is where Korobov makes a critical move. The subtle Kf2, guarding his pawns and opening a file. Liren defends his pawns, giving Korobov time to move his bishop out of the way and mobilize his rooks. Meanwhile, Liren's pieces are on the backrank, defending his pawns.
However, the game is far from over. Liren lines his rook to white's king and Korobov blunders with e4, allowing pawn takes and an unprotected king. However, Korobov begins recovering with counterplay with Nxe4, making Liren make an ugly Rb6. But Liren is still able to maneuver his knight to an outpost square and what was once an outcast becomes a powerful piece.Â
Korobov responds by creating his own knight outpost, which Liren happily trades with his back rank bishop. Then, he begins his own attack on the king with his two rooks and Korobov is pushed around by Liren's two rooks. Liren is able to grab a pawn, but then, he makes a subtle move that loses the game. Rf3+ looks like a good move because it continues suffocating the king. But believe it or not, black's attack runs dry after Ke4. The white king is in the center of the board, but there are no checks.
Korobov is able to maneuver to the point that he trades a rook and now he is in a winning position with a far advanced passed pawn. Liren continues to play and creates a blockade with his knight. The knight is the best piece to use for blockading pawns because of its ability to jump over other pieces.
However, Korobov continues forward with Rd1, really forcing a pawn trade. Liren tries to go for white's h pawn and activate his king. But Korobov keeps playing really solid with Rf1, cutting off the king and then Rf7, cutting off the king and kicking the knight out.
Korobov pushes his pawn forward. Liren goes for one last trick with Rg1, threatening to check the king and win the pawn, but Kd5 side steps and black has nothing. On move 53, Ding Liren resigns and Anton Korobov wins!
What are your thoughts on this game? What other grandmaster games do you want to see? Let me know!
Quick Note on Ukraine
The invasion in Ukraine is horrible, and I know a single comment on the internet by itself won't stop that. But for all the people in Ukraine, I just want you to know that you are not alone and that people around the world support you and condemn the actions of the Russian invasion.Â
