Atlas
Navara
Atlas
 
Navara
 
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
1
5
10 turns without comments
6

we have the rare fianchetto variation against the sicilian najdorf opening

00:01 g3
6
14
16 turns without comments
14

a surprising push in the center, generally not preferred in this position.

Black typically aims to expand on the queenside here, to create counterpaly in the center later on

00:01 e5
15
20
11 turns without comments
20

Black has achieved equality here. White's fianchetto bishop is not a strength in this position. Black's play in the semi-open bisho file in the queenside compensates for his mild lack of space in the position.

00:02 axb5
21
22
3 turns without comments
22

With active counterplay, Navara has captured the initiative here. Black has play both on the queenside and in the center. White's lack of targets to play in the black position is his main problem here.

00:09 Ra2
23
26
7 turns without comments
26

black has won a pawn, which means he has a clear advantage here

00:02 Qxc4
27
30
7 turns without comments
30

!!GREAT MOVE!!

Black has a huge advantage here, as his light-colored bishop paralyzes the white rook, and thus create a huge advantage in the position.

00:07 Bc2
31
36
11 turns without comments
36

??BLUNDER??

Navara surprisingly blunders away his huge asset - the advanced passed pawn. Though he still has a material advantage with an extra pawn, it is no more a dominating position for him

00:03 Bb3
37
41
9 turns without comments
41

Now it remains to be seen if Black's remaining advantage is enough for him to convert into a win.

The play has not been perfect in the past few moves, as both the players are below half a minute on their clocks.

00:04 Bc5
42
50
17 turns without comments
50

!!GREAT MOVE!!

With exchange of the rooks, Navara reaches an endgame with bishops of the same colour, which should be good enough for him to win.

00:01 Re3
51
58
15 turns without comments
58

Faced with two passed pawns running on effortlessly, Atlas resigns!

00:01 d5

This win is part of Hetman GKS Katowice's 5-1 victory over Perfect, thus helping them maintain their chances to advance to the knockout stage, being placed third on the points table.

For the tenth round, I will be commentating on Atlas - Navara from Pool D.

Other commentators of TakeTakeTake shall be covering Faustino-Hansen from Pool A, and Martinez - Sevian and Sarana - Jumabayev from Pool B.