The July '04 '1 d4 d5' games can be downloaded directly in PGN form here: 
Chebanenko System [D10 & D15]
The Chebanenko System is very popular nowadays and Black usually gets quite acceptable play but, surprisingly enough, his results in the World Championship were a total disaster. However, it can be explained - White is pressurising almost without risk, and when the tension and fatigue is growing, the mistakes are coming more often, but the cost of a mistake is different for White and for Black - the latter may easily find himself in serious trouble even after a small inaccuracy.
Let's go to the games. The principal position after Krishnan Sasikiran's invention 19. Nf4!:
            
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(see the game Sasikiran,K - Sakaev,K/Copenhagen 2003) was under thorough test in 3 games. In each case Black came up with the same 19...Ra7, got playable positions but failed to hold the balance over the board.
Acs,P - Movsesian,S: This game is the first part of the trilogy "Chebanenko's nightmare in Libya".
Acs,P - Movsesian,S: Part Two. Being disatisfied with 20. ..fxe6 and having no time for thorough analysis, Sergei Movsesian preferred another capture, which looks rather good. However, being forced to accept the opponent's piece sacrifice Black soon went astray in a complicated position - it was already a rapid game for the tie-break and he had just a few minutes to solve all the problems.
Investigations show that Black could probably hold the position with cool defence but it already couldn't change the result of the game. Curiously enough, despite losing these two games without much fighting, Movsesian somehow managed to win the match and qualify for the next stage!
Kharlov,A - Leitao,R: Part Three. Obviously Andrei Kharlov analysed the battles between Peter Acs and Sergei Movsesian and probably found that 20. Nh5 was not very promising. His idea 20. Bd4!?:
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secured a small but lasting edge and Black eventually failed to hold-on, but objectively his position should be defendable.
Queen's Gambit Accepted [D20 to D29]
Topalov,V - Kharlov,A: In this game Black played a rare line. White's approach was not too ambitious but he still got the advantage in the endgame and then successfully exploited the inaccurate play of his opponent.
Dautov,R - Kharlov,A: Andrei Kharlov is one of the biggest QGA experts and we'll take a look at his games from the World Championship. Perhaps when playing the QGA endgame White gets a bit relaxed since he is used to pressurising without any risk. Here White achieved a small edge, but when he tried to increase his advantage Black skilfully disturbed his play. Small tactical tricks suddenly caused panic in the white army and led him to disaster, which can perhaps be explained not only by the fact it was a rapid game but maybe also because he wasn't ready for such a change in the game's course.
QGD Exchange Variation [D35 to D36]
Van Wely,L - Filippov,V: Loek Van Wely and Valery Filippov played a few games in the Exchange Variation of the QGD. Black always opted for an early ...Nf6-h5 manoeuvre, exchanging dark-squared bishops:
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It gives him comfortable development but never solves the problems completely since his Q-side pawns are placed on the squares of his remaining bishop's colour, and so Black cannot find active play, being worried about the dark squares in his camp. In these battles he failed to hold the balance though it did not prevent Filippov from going through to the next stage.
Meran Defence [D47-49]
Nakamura,H - Lastin,A: A very complicated and important line is tested and Hikaru Nakamura's wonderful play gave Black serious problems. In my opinion, one of the best games of the whole World Championship - look and enjoy!
QGD Tartakower [D58-59]
Mamedyarov,S - Lputian,S: The World Junior Champion under 18 and 20, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and experienced Smbat Lputian had an argument in the Tartakower Variation, which ended in Black's favour. In both games he had no problems and should have won the second one. It seems that the loss of popularity of the early capture 8.cxd5 is justified:
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Mamedyarov,S - Lputian,S: In this game White carelessly moved his pieces far from his king and Black quickly and skilfully seized a rather annoying initiative. He eventually failed to convert a decisive advantage but it was already a blitz game so we shouldn't criticize the players too much for their mistakes.
Catalan [E01-09]
Kozul,Z - Topalov,V: Zdenko Kozul played his rather tricky pet gambit line. The fight began without reconnaissance as in a known position Veselin Topalov came up with an interesting novelty as early as move 6! Then White sacrificed another pawn but achieved excellent places for all his pieces. The battle was not free from mistakes but generally Veselin Topalov always seemed to be under a certain pressure. However, one almost insignificant inaccuracy from White showed how formidable Topalov could be when roused - as if by magic his pieces came from the back rank to checkmate the opponent's king in just a few moves. A very interesting and exciting game!
Radjabov,T - Adams,M: Michael Adams introduced a new and interesting idea and proved his trumps to be higher - his play with the knights was very impressive! By the way, this important victory with the black pieces turned out to be the only decisive game in this semi-final match.
Till next month!
Ruslan
If you have any questions, then please post a message at the 1 d4 d5 Forum, or subscribers can email me at ruslan@chesspublishing.com.