A rare opening to see at the top level! Abdusattorov goes for the immediate break in the center, getting his queen out early as a result.
This opening is known for being somewhat dubious, but Abdusattorov will get a solid pawn structure and claims to be able to make his through the complications.
Saric has managed to win the bishop pair out of the opening and should have a slight advantage in the position. In a practical game, however, Saric's pawns may make his king vulnerable!
Saric goes for active plans by sacrificing a pawn. This move is purely intended to open up the queenside, and taking the pawn would lead Saric to get an attack going.
Abdusattorov quickly declines the offer, but this allows Saric to start playing on the kingside instead!
Saric is a healthy pawn up, and Abdusattorov has little to show for it. While Saric's far-advanced pawns still give Abdusattorov some practical chances, Saric has managed to retain his advantage and is now pushing for a win!
Taking another pawn turns out to be too greedy from Saric! Abdusattorov will now be able to reroute his knight to a very active square, and Saric's weak structure on the kingside will allow Abdusattorov to get an attack going very quickly!
Saric will now lose a minor piece and has a losing position.
Saric desperately tries to generate counterplay on the kingside, but Abdusattorov's pawn is too dangerous and will provide him with a completely winning position.
Abdusattorov continues his impressive showing in the blitz section!
A risky opening paid dividends for Abdusattorov, who managed to fight back from a disadvantage! While Saric had an objective advantage for most of the game, converting it to a winning position required precise play. A greedy capture of a pawn was all that was needed for Abdusattorov to coordinate an attack, winning him a minor piece and the game soon thereafter.
Despite his horrendous performance in the rapid section, the Uzbek prodigy has performed incredibly well in the blitz section of the tournament. Saric, who has now lost three games in a row, keeps on struggling through and is very likely to finish the tournament in last place.
This has already been an incredible comeback from Abdusattorov in GCT Croatia. Let's see if he can manage to keep his streak going!