While I was traveling back from Russia, I did try and keep up with what was happening in the World Cup. With 32 round 2 games in progress there was still plenty of action. While there were a lot of games to choose from I've decided to highlight the comeback win for Safarli. He got absolutely destroyed in the first Round 2 game by young Indian GM Nihail Sarin, in a game which drew praise from everyone, including World Champion Magnus Carlsen. So faced with a must win game to stay in the match, Safarli chose to play an Evan's Gambit! This strategy worked in two ways, with Sarin spending a lot of time in the opening, and keeping the game unbalanced. The game had a dramatic finish as well, with Sarin dropping a piece in time trouble.
With momentum running his way, Safarli then won the first playoff game, before winning the match with a draw in the second.
Safarli, Eltaj - Nihal, Sarin [C52]
FIDE World Cup 2019, 2019.09.14
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 d6 7. Qb3 Qd7 8. O-O Bb6 9. Nbd2 Na5 10. Qb1 Ne7 11. dxe5 O-O 12. Bb5 c6 13. Bd3 Rd8 14. Nc4 Nxc4 15. Bxc4 Ng6 16. Rd1 Qg4 17. Rxd6 Rf8 18. Qb3 Nf4 19. Bxf4 Qxf4 20. Rd3 Bg4 21. e6 fxe6 22. Bxe6+ Kh8 23. Bxg4 Qxe4 24. Rd7 Qxg4 25. Ne5 Qf4 26. Nf7+ Kg8 27. Nd6+ Kh8 28. Rf1 h6 29. Kh1 Rf6 30. Nc4 Bxf2 31. Nd2 Qg4 32. Rxb7 Rg6 33. Rxf2 Kh7 34. Nf3 Re8 35. Qb1 Re3 36. Rb4 Qe6 37. Rf1 1-0
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