

Round 6. Game 3 Semi-final
Black never wins (15.12.2000)
Adams held in game three against Anand, so he must win the last one if he is
going to continue the struggle. In the match Shirov – Grischuk White was
victorious again. Passed pawns and extra exchange proved to be enough to win a
showy victory. Still it seems that the Russian grandmaster had a chance to
change the development of events at some moment. Now Grischuk is in the same
situation as Adams. Only a victory allows him to try his luck in the tie break.
The women made a draw this time.
Shirov, A. - Grischuk, A.
Round 6. Semi-final. Game 3
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Bb7 12. d5 Nc4
Ruy Lopez, once more. There are thousands of games with this position.
13. a4 Nb6 14. Qe2 Nxa4 15. Bxa4 bxa4 16. c4 Nd7

Probably this move already occurred previously but White’s position looks
better. In our opinion his two knights make up an advantage.
17. Rxa4 Nb6 18. Ra3 a5 19. Nc3 a4 20. Be3 Bc8 21. b3 axb3 22. Rxb3 Ra6
23. Reb1

White gathered his forces on the queenside, Black begins a counterplay on the
kingside.
23... f5 24. Bxc5

Shirov is himself in this Philidor-like position. We doubt whether the piece
sacrifice is correct. Now White’s central pawns are mobile and dangerous and
he is ready to exchange the last bishop.
24... dxc5 25. Nxe5 Na4 26. Nxa4 Rxa4 27. Nc6 Qc7 28. e5 Ra6 29. Qf3 f4 30. Re1

Black’s extra piece is unnoticeable. White’s pawns leave Black no chance
for an escape.
30... Bf5 31. Rb5 Bc2 32. Rb2 Bg6 33. Rd2

This way. The pawns are unstoppable.
33... Be8 34. Nxe7+ Qxe7 35. d6 Qe6

It’s well known that queen is a poor blocker. Shirov finds a proper
tactical blow.
36. Qb7
Grischuk tries to attack, but Shirov does not fear ghosts.
36... Bc6 37. Qxa6 Bxg2 38. f3 Bxf3 39. Kh2 Bg4 40. Qb7 Qh6 41. Qd5+ Rf7 42. Kg1
Qxh3 43. Qg2 Qh4 44. Rf2 f3 45. e6
Now there are no more questions. Black may resign but he still continues for
some time.
45... Rf8 46. e7 Re8 47. d7 Bxd7 48. Qxf3 Qg5+ 49. Kf1
1-0
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