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hikaru vs JaloliddinIlkhomi
win
Date: 2026-03-21 17:21:50 |
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Table of Contents
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Game Snapshot
Nimzo-Larsen Attack
Master Lens
Hikaru employed the Nimzo‑Larsen Attack (1.b3) to control the long diagonal with his bishop and keep his king safe, then turned the game into a pawn‑storm on the e‑file. By advancing his e‑pawn to e7 and forcing Black’s queen into a defensive check, he secured a winning passed pawn and Black resigned. The win demonstrates how a solid opening setup can be converted into a decisive pawn breakthrough.
What The GM Did Well By Phase
Opening
Hikaru started with **1.b3** and followed up with **2.Bb2**, placing the bishop on the long diagonal (a fianchetto) where it eyes Black’s central squares. He continued with **4.g3**, **5.Bg2**, and castled on move **8.O-O**, getting his king to safety while keeping the bishop pair active. This early piece placement gave White control of the centre and flexibility for the later pawn push **9.d4**.
Middlegame
After Black exchanged knights on **10...Nxd4**, Hikaru captured back with **11.Bxd4**, keeping his bishop on the active diagonal. The knight jump **16.Nd5** forced Black’s bishop to trade on **16...Bxd5**, after which White’s pawn recaptured with **17.cxd5**, creating a strong pawn chain and opening the c‑file. He then eliminated Black’s dark‑squared bishop with **20.Bxg7** and immediately pushed the centre with **21.e4** and **24.e5**, gaining space. The pawn advance **28.e6** opened lines toward Black’s king, and the tactical shot **30.gxf5** opened the g‑file. By playing **31.Rxc3** and then **32.Qxa7+**, Hikaru won material and forced the black king onto the back rank. The queen infiltration **35.Qb8+** and the capture **36.Qxd6** cleared the board of Black’s remaining pieces, leaving White’s passed pawn on e‑file free to march to **38.e7**, which clinched the win.
Game Themes
passed pawns
castling
bishop pair
promotion
fianchetto
connected passed pawn