English/Réti
1.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3.Bg2 d4!?
This is only fifth-most popular in ChessBase's 2024 Mega database, behind ...c5, ...dxc4, ...c6 and especially ...Nf6, but has been played by Magnus Carlsen.
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| ChessBase classifies the opening as an English, although I could understand some people calling it a Réti, but in that case the move ...e6 would be a little strange |
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4.Nf3 Nc6!?
More common is 4...c5, but the text was Carlsen's choice in game nine of the 2021 world championship against Ian Nepomniachtchi, and again when he had the position two years later at blitz. Wesley So, commentating for ChessBase on the world championship, called the text "very suspicious."
5.e3
Nepomniachtchi preferred castling, the game continuing 5...Bc5 6.d3 Nf6 7.Nbd2 a5 8.Nb3 Be7 9.e3 dxe3 10.Bxe3 Ng4 11.Bc5!? 0-0 with a slight edge for White, according to Stockfish16 and Komodo14.1 (but 0-1, 39 moves).
5...Nf6 6.exd4 Nxd4 7.0-0 Bc5 8.b4!?
This seems to be a novelty. Known moves are 8.d3, 8.Nxd4 and 8.Nc3.
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| How should Black respond? |
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8...Nxf3+
Not 8...Bxb4? 9.Nxd4 (Black seems OK after 9.Qa4+?! Nc6 10.Ne5 Rb8!) Qxd4 11.Qa4+! Bd7 12.Qxb4 Qxa1 13.Ba3 etc.
9.Bxf3
The engines marginally prefer giving up a pawn with 9.Qxf3!? Bxb4, continuing 10.Qb3, claiming White more-or-less has enough compensation, although Stockfish16 is less keen on the white position than Komodo14.1.
9...Bd4 10.Nc3 0-0 11.Rb1 e5 12.Re1 Bf5
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| How should White proceed? |
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13.Rb3
Not 13.Bxb7? Bxc3, eg 14.Rb3 Bd4! 15.Bxa8 Qxa8, when the material balance only slightly favours Black, but positionally White is busted.
13...c6 14.Ne2!?
This is the engines' top choice.
14...Bb6 15.c5 Bc7 16.d4
GK offered a draw in my time.
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| Should Black accept? |
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A matter of taste, but the engines give Black a slight edge.
16...e4 17.Bg2 Re8
The engines like 17...h6!?
18.Bg5 h6 19.Bxf6 Qxf6 20.d5?
The game seems roughly equal after 20.Nc3 or 20.Re3, with both centre pawns being vulnerable.
20...cxd5 21.Qxd5 Be6 0-1
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| Was White's resignation premature? |
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Yes.
The engines give best-play as 22.Qxb7 Bxb3 23.axb3 Qe5 24.Nc1!? Rab8!? 25.Qc6!?, when they reckon Black has at least the upper hand, but the position is far from simple.
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