19...Na6 Another super important moment. Black is simply intending to capture on e4, so how do we stop that?
20.Bd3! Nb8 21.Rc7 Bxe4 22.Bxe4 Rxe4 23.Rhc1 +/- White has a much better position, with a lot of pressure on the c-file and the seventh rank.
20.Bd3! Nb8 21.Rc7 Bxe4 22.Bxe4 Rxe4 23.Rhc1 +/- White has a much better position, with a lot of pressure on the c-file and the seventh rank.
A natural move, activating the rook along the seventh rank and increasing the pressure against f7.
Harikrishna 'trades' advantages: he trades his strong bishop, but in return, if we take a look at the remaining pieces on the board, he gets an active rook on the seventh rank and a better knight than the bishop. The e5-square is also now available for the knight!
The central knight joined by the weakness along the seventh rank gives White a clear advantage.
Transformation of advantages. The black c-pawn was a weakness but it could not be attacked conveniently. White trades the pawns in order to activate the king and gives him a penetration route.
A fine and subtle move. Gligoric is not in a hurry. Covering the b5-square, so we stop ...Kb5 after b4+ so Black does not have any counterplay.