Garry Kasparovs Greatest Chess Games Volume 2 Gnv64 PDF

| 4 4 Bs Fe a te AOS ee GREATEST CHESS GAMES Igor Stohlae 8 ey fe Ee Oe ee ee Ln | il J a uJ ad = pits MAI ESR Crs AC Yl Cer CCU eT a “Stohl often improves on Kasparov's past comments. It Tee Mee WOR Pret en Mt eeu NI ia oe Le “Undoubtedly many years in the making ... the eet eee RU ule eee ale Prien e ken ss Nb mae Recommended.” — IM John foyer ees SR aL “__.a sumptuous collection” — IM Craig [eri uu 1t 40M Man aia) “Stohl gives clear insights into the Eryolcey Tonia Mille em eal ed that has Meee RUMI Sarno me US PES eUN eRe Perot eae lta ars Sol Xo) ate). Og “There has hardly been one comprehensive book Ree ee een Once ie ieke ie RUC RCE RS tse Reo ORME melee | in taking on the task.” — John Saunders, ETS Cress MAGAZINEGarry Kasparov’s Greatest Chess Games Volume 2 Igor StohlFirst published in the UK by Gambit Publications Ltd 2006 Copyright © Igor Stohl 2006 The right of Igor Stohl to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being im- posed on the subsequent purchaser. A copy of the British Library Cataloguing in Publication data is available from the British Library. ISBN 1 904600 43 3 DISTRIBUTION: ‘Worldwide (except USA): Central Books Ltd, 99 Wallis Rd, London E9 SLN. Tel +44 (0)20 8986 4854 Fax +44 (0)20 8533 5821. E-mail: orders@Centralbooks.com USA: Continental Enterprises Group, Inc., 302 West North 2nd Street, Seneca, SC 29678, USA. For all other enquiries (including a full list of all Gambit chess titles) please contact the publishers, ‘Gambit Publications Ltd, 6 Bradmore Park Rd, Hammersmith, London W6 ODS, England. E-mail: info@ gambitbooks.com r visit the GAMBIT web site at http://www. gambitbooks.com Edited by Graham Burgess ‘Typeset by John Nunn Cover photographs by Cathy Rogers Printed in Great Britain by The Cromwell Press, Trowbridge, Wilts. 10987654321 Gambit Publications Ltd ‘Managing Director: GM Murray Chandler Chess Director: GM John Nunn Editorial Director: FM Graham Burgess German Editor: WFM Petra NunnContents Symbols Bibliography Preface Imeroduction Game saeiaa BSSKRELSLSSRAR ALAS Players (White first) and event Kasparov — Ivanchuk, Linares 1994 Kasparov — Short, Amsterdam 1994 Kramnik - Kasparov, Munich blitz 1994 Kasparov - Kramnik, Novgorod 1994 Kasparov — Nikolié, Horgen 1994 Kasparov — Shirov, Horgen 1994 Z. Almasi - Kasparov, Lyons ECC 1994 Kasparov Short, Moscow OL 1994 Kasparov ~ Anand, Riga 1995 Gulko - Kasparov, Novgorod 1995 Yusupov — Kasparov, Novgorod 1995 Kasparov ~ Anand, New York Weh (10) 1995 Kasparov - Korchnoi, Horgen 1995 Yudasin - Kasparov, Ljubljana ECC 1995 Kasparov ~ Anand, Amsterdam 1996 Kasparov — Hraéek, Erevan OL 1996 Smirin - Kasparov, Erevan OL 1996 Topalov — Kasparov, Las Palmas 1996 Shirov — Kasparov, Linares 1997 Kasparov ~ Kramnik, Linares 1997 Gelfand - Kasparov, Novgorod 1997 Kasparov ~ Panno, Buenos Aires simul 1997 ‘Van Wely - Kasparov, Tilburg 1997 Kasparov — Piket, Tilburg 1997 Kasparov - Anand, Linares 1998 Yermolinsky - Kasparov, Wijk aan Zee 1999 Kasparov ~ Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999 Kasparov — Svidler, Wijk aan Zee 1999 ‘Topalov ~ Kasparov, Linares 1999 Svidler - Kasparoy, Linares 1999 ‘Anand ~ Kasparov, Linares 1999 Kasparov - Short, Sarajevo 1999 Kasparov - The World, Internet 1999 Kasparov - Kramnik, Frankfurt rpd 1999 Korchnoi ~ Kasparov, Wijk aan Zee 2000 Kasparov - Van Wely, Wijk aan Zee 2000 Kramnik ~ Kasparov, Linares 2000 Kasparov — Bacrot, Sarajevo 2000 Opening Queen's Gambit Declined (D44] French Defence [C11] King’s Indian Defence [E92] Sicilian Defence [B33] French Defence [C18] Sicilian Defence [B33] Sicilian Defence [B82] Sicilian Defence [B84] Evans Gambit [C51] King’s Indian Defence [E92] ‘Queen's Pawn Opening [A48] Ruy Lopez (Spanish) [C80] ‘Queen's Gambit Declined [D43] Sicilian Defence [B51] ‘Caro-Kann Defence [B14] Sicilian Defence [B66] Sicilian Defence [B90] Catalan Opening [E11] Sicilian Defence [B90] Nimzo-Indian Defence [E59] Queen's Indian Defence [E12] Nimzo-Indian Defence [E32] English Opening [A25] Queen's Gambit Accepted [D27] Caro-Kann Defence [B17] Griinfeld Defence [D85] Pire Defence [B07] Griinfeld Defence [D97] Sicilian Defence [B80] Sicilian Defence [B53] Sicilian Defence [B80] Nimzo-Indian Defence [E20] Sicilian Defence [B52] Sicilian Defence [B66] Griinfeld Defence [D85] Sicitian Defence [B80] English Opening [430] Scotch Opening [C45] Page 21 26 30 35, 42 48 59 65 09 18 81 84 89 96 100 105 112 117 124 131 136 141 147 152 197 164 169 176 182 188 196 205 210 218 222 294 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 113 Movsesian — Kasparov, Sarajevo 2000 114 Tiviakov - Kasparov, Wijk aan Zee 2001 115 Kasparov - Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 2001 116 Grishchuk ~ Kasparov, Linares 2001 117 Kasparov ~ Karpov, Linares 2001 118 Kasparov - Lautier, Cannes rpd 2001 119 Morozevich - Kasparov, Astana 2001 120 Kasparov - Kramnik, Astana 2001 121 Kasparov - Oral, Prague simul 2001 122 Kasparov - Ponomariov, Linares 2002 123. Lutz— Kasparov, Bled OL 2002 124 Kasparov - Ponomariov, Linares 2003 125 Kasparov - Grishchuk, Rethymnon ECC 2003 126 Kasparov ~ Vallejo, Linares 2004 127 Kasparov - Dreev, Russian Ch 2004 128 Kasimdzhanov ~ Kasparov, Linares 2005 129 Adams Kasparov, Linares 2005 Garry Kasparov's Career Details Index of Opponents Index of Openings Sicilian Defence [B80] Sicilian Defence [B23] Sicilian Defence [B80] Sicilian Defence [B90] Caro-Kann Defence [B12] Sicilian Defence [B49] Sicilian Defence [B87] Ruy Lopez (Spanish) (C67) English Opening [431] French Defence [C10] Sicilian Defence [B85] Queen's Indian Defence [E18] Nimzo-Indian Defence [E32] Queen's Gambit Declined (D45] Queen's Gambit Declined (D43] Queen's Gambit Dectined (D48] Sicilian Defence [B84] 236 242 248 253 258 264 270 218 285 291 298 304 310 318 324 333 340 346 350 351Symbols - check ECC European Clubs Cup ++ — double check ‘WCup World Cup ¢ checkmate ct candidates event " brilliant move IZ interzonal event : good move OL olympiad '2 interesting move jr junior event dubious move pd —_rapidplay game ? bad move tt team tournament ~~ blunder simul game from simultaneous display Qe championship corr. correspondence game Qu team championship 1-0 the game ends in a win for White Weh world championship Yh-Yh the game ends in a draw ‘Wait world team championship 0-1 the game ends in a win for Black Ech European championship (n) nth match game ‘Ecia European team championship (D) see next diagram Bibliography Books Expytanie vremenem (The Test of Time), G.Kasparov; Azerbaidzhanskoe gosudarstvennoe iadatelstvo, 1985 Mit Kasparow zum Schachgipfel, A.Nikitin; Sportverlag Berlin, 1991 Garry Kasparov's Fighting Chess, G-Kasparov, J.Speelman, R.Wade; Batsford, 1995 The Mammoth Book of the World’s Greatest Chess Games, G.Burgess, J.Nunn, J.Emms; Robinson, 1998 Kasparov against the World, G.Kasparov; KasparovChess Online, 2000 Understanding Chess Move by Move, J.Nunn; Gambit, 2001 Iestructive Modern Chess Masterpieces, LStoht; Gambit, 2001 deamitsia (Russian version of Secrets of Chess Intuition), A.Beliavsky, A.Mikhalchishin; Ripol klassik, 2003 Drnamika strategie zahajeni (Dynamics of Chess Strategy), V.Jansa; SachInfo, 2003 ‘Moi velikie predshestvenniki 3 (Garry Kasparov on my Great Predecessors, Volume 3), G Kasparov; Ripol klassik, 2004 ‘Moi velikie predshestvenniki 4 (Garry Kasparov on my Great Predecessors, Volume 4), G Kasparov; Ripol klassik, 2005 Periodicals Jeformator ‘New im Chess [Magazines & Yearbooks] Schachmagazin 64 ChexsBase Magazine Ceskostovensky Sach SackiefoPreface It is no secret that from the author's point of view the word ‘preface’ can be somewhat misleading. While most non-fictional works do begin with a foreword of some sort, this is usually written only when the book itself is more or less finished. However, this is only natural, as it gives the writer a chance to sum up his most important thoughts and concepts in a coherent manner and give credit and acknowledgement where it’s due. In my case, this was both simple and difficult for varying reasons. Easy, because in the preface to Volume 1 I described how the idea of Garry Kasparov's Greatest Chess Games was born and what the readers can expect from this book. Therefore, to avoid repeating myself, I could concentrate mostly on the specifics concerning Volume 2. Difficult at the same time due to the magnitude of the project — it took me more than three years of work to finish it, thus making it by far the largest single effor, literary or otherwise, that I have been involved in. ‘A good moment to take up the story is December 2004, when Gambit took the decision to split up the work into two separate volumes. By that time I had already annotated a large majority of the first 74 games and afier tying up a few loose ends was ready to submit the text to the publishers shortly after Christmas, and Volume 1 appeared on the market in May 2005, following a rapid pro- gression through the editing, typesetting and proofing stages of production. Why am I describing this process in such detail? The point is that in the middle of it, on 10th March to be exact, came Kasparov's announcement about his retirement. Although the question “Will Kasparov (n)ever play chess again?” is in itself an intriguing one, any answer I could come up with would inevitably be rather speculative. However, one thing is for sure the publication of Garry Kasparov's Greatest Chess Games a mere two months after his surprising decision was just pure coincidence. ‘And from a marketing perspective a welcome one, which greatly increased the interest in the book from the prospective readership. On the other hand, the choice of taking up Kasparov's career in Volume 2 from 1994 onwards is not quite as random as it may seem. Roughly around this time computers gradually started playing an important role as an analytical tool. Kasparov, who was always a trend-setter in more ways than ‘one, was one of the first to understand and realize their potential. Skilfully navigating the increasingly strong software to develop his intuitive flights of fantasy, he dissected even the wildest and ‘most complicated positions to revolutionize opening preparation and take it to an unprecedented depth. However, computers have had a profound influence on all phases of our ancient game. The sometimes really amazing resources found with their help have clearly shown that chess tactics are a far more integral part of the game than we previously imagined. We have repeatedly been forced to rethink their role in relationship to strategy. Finding the right and often very delicate balance be- ‘tween these equally important components is the ultimate road to success in modern chess. The style of the contemporary elite has fully adapted to this trend by becoming even more concrete and dynamic. The practical effect on Garry Kasparov's Greatest Chess Games is that although Volume is even larger than Volume 1, it contains fewer games. I've had first-hand experience of the aforementioned tendencies when writing Instructive Modern Chess Masterpieces, and I simply felt that presenting and understanding the complex play of a mature and experienced Kasparov at the peak of his strength simply required more explanation. This goes not only for the analytical, but also the verbal side of the notes, although I didn’t delve into such detail as in my first book. Incidentally, ‘Volume 2 contains a few of Kasparov's games that were included in Instructive Modern Chess Masterpieces. These clashes cost me perhaps more effort than many ‘fresh’ games, as T took nothing for granted and didn’t want to quote myself excessively. Readers who have both books mayPREFACE 7 easily compare the notes and see for themselves the richness of Kasparov's ideas. Although I concentrated on the most relevant lines, the passage of time had the result of bringing new insights even into the critical positions. ‘As my contract with Gambit was signed as long ago as 2002, everyone who has at least some knowledge of book publishing will realize that I have managed to break quite a few deadlines. ‘My main excuse was more or less legitimate, as meanwhile my status changed from bachelor to family man and I became the proud father of two beautiful girls. However, my editor Graham Burgess relentlessly and repeatedly drove it home that publishing Volume I clearly implies that Volume 2 should follow. I'm thankful for his regular reminders in the how-many-games-have- you-annotated-by-now? style, as it really helped me focus and as a result the second part of the ‘work took shape considerably faster than the first. My family also patiently put up with my inat- tentiveness, combined with moments of irritability, especially if a lucid expression of a still rather vague idea was not forthcoming. They didn’t mind my study becoming off-limits for hours; lately this even became a necessity, as my older daughter has shown a clear inclination to invent some potentially damaging keyboard shortcuts. Last, but not least, I appreciate the help of everyone who is just now reading these words. This means, dear reader, that you have been looking forward to this book, presumably because you liked Volume 1. Maybe you told your friends about it, maybe even voiced your opinion in a favourable review. I've read quite a few of these and let me tell you that there is no better encouragement for an author than a positive response from the public. Igor Stohl Bratislava, April 2006Introduction 1994 Kasparov's first appearance after defending his world title was at Linares in February 1994. Al- though Kasparov acquitted himself reasonably well, his 81/2/13 score was only good enough for a shared second place. Nobody could compete with Karpov, who was in excellent form and with his seemingly unassuming chess achieved a stellar 11/13 to crown his greatest tournament performance ever. Kasparov showed his tactical prowess in several games: his encounter against Ivan- chuk (Game 75) is one example, while the combination against Bareev and his energetic attack against Anand’s Scheveningen also deserve commendation. In the Sicilian, Kasparov felt very much at home with both colours; playing Kasparov's own openings against him has rarely brought his opponents success. Game 72 from Volume 1 illustrated this well, while Game 82 is a similarly brutal and convincing example. However, on two occasions Kasparov couldn’t handle the complications that he instigated (against Kramnik and Lautier) and overall he regarded Linares 1994 as a setback. Later in the year, Kasparov found better form. Although his victory in the small Euwe Memorial in Amsterdam was a very close affair, he was justifiably proud of his game against Short (Game 76). This was Kasparov at his best: a well-prepared and surprising pawn sacrifice disrupted the coordination of Black’s forces. In the final phase of the game (from move 24 onwards) White’s superbly-coordinated forces dominated the board and pounced on Black’s king. Kasparov proceeded to develop even more complex sacrificial concepts; for example, in Game 79 he used the idea of playing on the vulnerable dark squares (as seen in Game 66) in an even more striking fashion (9 ‘Wadl!2, 15 c4!), Moreover, he didn’t limit himself solely to pawn sacrifices. Giving up the exchange for the valuable tight-squared bishop (17 Hxb7!! in Game 80) opened new vistas for White in the Sveshnikov Sicilian and various forms of this sacrifice continue to appear in modern tournament practice (e.g., Anand-Van Wely, Wijk aan Zee 2006). Another brave idea is the startling 12...\fxe4! from Game 77; Black’s positional queen sacrifice for two minor pieces has some similarities to game 3 from the last K-K match, mentioned in the notes to Game 9. As the creative content of Kasparov's games rose, his results also improved. In Novgorod, together with co-winner Ivanchuk he clearly outdistanced a strong field, while Horgen brought him a convincing victory. In the Moscow Olympiad, aftera shaky start, he began winning in the final rounds when the team needed it most. Kasparov himself mentions one specific reason why 1994 was a significant year for him — this was when Yuri Dokhoian became an integral part of his team. Despite being a reasonably strong GM in his own right, Dokhoian was nevertheless willing to give up any ambitions of his own and from 1995 onwards, his name completely disappears from the tournament circuit. He remained by Kasparov's side right up to Linares 2005 and became the most productive and diligent of his assis- tants. Apart from Dokhoian’s purely analytical contributions, Kasparov also highly valued his psychological support. While his previous coaches were sometimes sceptical about his ideas, Dokhoian trusted and believed in Kasparov’s intuition, often developing his ideas with the help of a computer. 1995 In the following year Kasparov had to prepare for another ttle match, but first he got some necessary tournament practice. The Riga tournament was especially interesting as he met his challenger Anand for the last time before their world title match. Kasparov understood the importance of this game and employed a psychological weapon — the ancient Evans Gambit with a moder twist (see Game 83). Routing Black's defences gave him extra confidence and he went on to win the wholeINTRODUCTION 9 w before 17 Exb7! before 15 b3!! in Game 86 Kasparov - Shirov Kasparov - Anand Horgen 1994 New York Weh (10) 1995 tournament as well. However, his next performance, in Amsterdam, was disappointing. In the cru- ial game against Lautier, Kasparov introduced an interesting positional piece sacrifice (see the ‘notes to Game 63), but the whole idea was not sufficiently worked out and after missing a few promising options, White’s attack ground to a halt. This was an encouraging message for Anand — Kasparov's home-preparation is not always all-embracing and faultless. Immediately afterwards in Novgorod Kasparov played more restrained chess, relying more on technical methods (see Game $4). However, the ambition was unmistakably there even with Black; Game 85 provides a good example of how to strive for a full-blooded fight against a solid opening without overstepping the ac- ceptable measure of risk. Kasparov convincingly won the event and almost three months before the New York match he went into seclusion, preparing at home with his team. ‘The match against Anand turned out to be very difficult. The challenger had matured as a player, and had learned to harness his natural impulsiveness. His phenomenal intuition, supported by superb calculating abilities, was of a different and more versatile type than Karpov’s. While possess- ing good positional technique, Anand felt even more at home in complex situations, often finding effective solutions with amazing speed. His dynamic style is in many respects similar to Kasparov's, ‘but recently Anand himself pointed out that he always relied more on intuition than pure calculation. In New York, the Indian GM was excellently prepared and managed to neutralize Kasparov's shite openings in the first phase of the match, while giving him a nasty scare in the Classical Scheveningen in game 3. When Kasparov turned to 1 e4 in game 6, Anand came up with a signifi- ant novelty in the Open Ruy Lopez, which led to a very unclear position. In game 9 the challenger relentlessly increased his pressure and took the lead with a fine win. For a first time since Seville 1987, Kasparov was trailing in a match, but by now he had worked out a way to deal with the Open Ruy Lopez. In game 10 Anand optimistically repeated the double-edged line from game 6, but was confronted with a great rook sacrifice (15 4b3!! in Game 86). The computer confirmed the correct- ‘ess of White’s idea and as far as I know, this was the first time Kasparov had stated that he had ased a computer extensively as an analytical tool. Presumably he had done so earlier, but we can’t zo back much further. For example, the note to move 19 from Game 76 reveals a tactical mistake in ‘his home analysis, which the available sofiware would have spotted in 1994 (and possibly even in 1993, when the whole idea was born). We shall see how in the following decade the role of computers became far more important. This left the score level at the half-way point of the match, but this impressive victory gave Kas- parov the psychological initiative. He further developed this in the following game by surprising ‘Anand with the Dragon Sicilian, which he had never played before. Although for the first time in the match the challenger declined an early draw offer in an approximately equal endgame, only a couple of moves later he committed a horrible blunder and his position immediately collapsed. Anand then had to improvise against 1 e4 and Kasparov came close to scoring a hat trick in game 12. Game 13 featured the Dragon again, but Anand still wasn’t fully prepared and used an offbeat10 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES line. When he spurned equality and left his king in the centre, Kasparov energetically struck again. In game 14 Anand surprised Kasparov with the Scandinavian and gained an advantage, but White resourcefully fought back in a mutual time-scramble and managed to turn the tide completely. Al- though in the remaining games Anand tested Kasparov's newly-adopted Dragon more severely, the match was already beyond saving. The final score was 10%-7"/, but one feels that purely chess-wise Anand was nearly Kasparov's equal. The decisive factors were superior match experience combined with more flexible opening choices, as well as better psychological stability in the crucial moments. Kasparov's mentor Botvinnik once said that a title match costs the participants a year of their lives. Itis therefore understandable that Kasparov felt drained when he played in Horgen less than two weeks after the end of the New York match. His final result was a modest 50% and only once (in Game 87) did he show a flash of his usual style. Deep Blue and Man vs Machine Contests Idon’t want to dwell on Kasparov's matches against computers, as they are not too relevant as far as. his development as a chess-player is concerned. Nevertheless, these events attracted great media attention and indicated the direction in which the man-machine relationship had evolved. The first of these encounters took place in February 1996 and Kasparov's opponent was the IBM-developed Deep Blue. Despite its impressive positional pawn sacrifice and nice win in game 1, the machine still lacked sufficient strategic and technical prowess to present a serious challenge. Kasparov converted a minimal endgame advantage in game 2 and proceeded to outplay Deep Blue in games 5 and 6; the latter was especially one-sided. The rematch in May 1997 was a different story. Kaspar- ov avoided open positions with rich tactical content and resorted to a strict anti-computer strategy. Although he convincingly won game 1, uncharacteristically passive play allowed the machine to equalize immediately with a very ‘human’ performance. In the following games Deep Blue resourcefully fought back to save inferior positions, sometimes helped by Kasparov, who strove to avoid any complications even to his own detriment. In game 6 Kasparov's nerves snapped and the result was an opening debacle, unprecedented in his career. The loss of this match probably negatively influenced his play even in his more recent man-machine encounters that took place in 2003. ‘The venue was again New York and Kasparov drew both against Deep Junior (3-3) and Fritz X3D (2-2), Before each match, Kasparov got a chance to test the software he would be facing, by now a necessary measure due to the rapidly growing strength of the machines. Kasparov didn’t play anti- computer chess and chose principled openings, trying to exploit his superior chess understanding. Facing opposition with large opening books and no psychological weaknesses, he nevertheless ‘managed to hold his own and even missed some chances. However, the tendency is clearly unfa- vourable for the human players and such contests are rapidly losing their appeal 1996 Despite his victory against Anand, Kasparov's position in the chess world was not as unassailable as it had been in the late 1980s and early 1990s - the competition was edging closer. Topalov was becoming a force to reckon with, but at this point Anand and Kramnik were even more dangerous. Moreover, after the split with FIDE, Kasparov invested a lot of energy in chess politics and this also took its toll. The PCA's demise after it lost Intel as a major sponsor came as a serious blow to him, as it left his world title without a supporting organization. It is therefore understandable that in this period Kasparov's results became less stable, He started his first tournament in 1996 in Amsterdam with a painful loss against Topalov, when he made a serious tactical mistake as early as move 16. However, Kasparov fought back, taking a lot of risks with both colours and was rewarded for his efforts by sharing the tournament victory with his vanguisher. He won a nice attacking game against Anand (Game 89), which demonstrates his ability to find paradoxical and strong solutions (13 Eicl!) over the board. In Dos Hermanas, things went much worse and only a considerable amount of luck in the final rounds enabled him to achieve a share of third place behind Topalov and Kramnik. A goodINTRODUCTION Ty rest was indicated and with the exception of the last PCA rapid event in Geneva, Kasparov didn’t ap- Pear at the board for three months. At the Olympiad in Erevan he started slowly, but ended with a series of impressive wins. Game 90 shows that Kasparov spent his time at home productively (12 5! is an original and important novelty). The final showdown of the year came in December in Las Palmas, in the first Category 21 toumaament in history. Kasparov started with a win against Topa- Jov (Game 92), which was in retrospect typical for his performance in the whole event: a solid ‘opening choice followed by a relentless utilization of the slightest chance in the arising endgame. Wins in such elite company don’t come easily and it’s equally important to avoid losing. Only Kas- parov managed to cope with this latter task and when towards the end he scored two more wins with White (against Ivanchuk and Karpov), he won the tournament a full point ahead of Anand. 1997 Las Palmas was naturally a great encouragement for Kasparov and his winning streak continued in 1997. In Linares he played far more ambitiously, and started by outplaying Anand with Black in a ‘complex Sicilian. In the following rounds Kasparov demonstrated his universality ~ a trademark ‘opening win against Nikolié (mentioned in the notes to Game 112), displays of technical precision against Adams and J.Polgar, and an interesting novelty against Shirov, connected with an original strategic plan (Game 93). Only Kramnik could keep up with Kasparov, but he was ground down in the last round (Game 94). Kasparov again proved his ability to handle the tension in decisive ‘games, and to make psychologically appropriate opening choices (here it was the clever decision to play Rubinstein’s 4 e3). Undaunted by the loss against Deep Blue, he went on to win the double- round Novgorod tournament. Once again the main components of his success were a good balance between technical (Kasparov-Bareev) and attacking chess (Kasparov-Short), supported by effective new opening ideas: 14...Wc8! from Game 95, as well as 18 c3! against Kramnik, mentioned in the notes to Game 108 (although the latter idea didn’t bring the desired result). The tournament in. Novgorod was also significant for another reason, which became clear only later. After his game against Kramnik, Kasparov stopped playing the King’s Indian. This trend to prefer the simpler structures of the Queen’s Indian and the Queen's Gambit had appeared in Las Palmas and became quite obvious in the new millennium, when Kasparov also decided to abandon the Griinfeld De- fence. Sosonko expressed an interesting opinion that he didn’t trust these ambitious openings any more. Possibly this is true; even in the past Kasparov maintained that the safest way to meet the solid 1 d4 is 1...d5 and in more recent years he took the pragmatic decision to adopt this theory in his own practice. His wide erudition has always enabled him to be flexible in his opening choice and giving up the King’s Indian, the opening we saw most often in Volume 1, didn’t harm his results. Another reason is that after the more committal 1 e4, Kasparov has always remained true to the highly demanding Sicilian. As he often had to face it with White as well, this extremely complex and tactically rich opening required a great amount of his analytical effort, especially with the ‘onset of increasingly strong computer software. Kasparov’s last tournament in 1997 was Tilburg. He was especially merciless against the lower half of the tournament table (see Game 97) and the majority of his wins can be ascribed to excellent ‘opening preparation and convincing exploitation of the advantages he gained from it. Game 98 is a model of energetic full-scale attacking chess (16 @fd2!, 18 $£223!, 25 a5!), but other opponents were also unable to survive the opening stage (Shaked, Leko). Kasparov's final score of 8/11 would often be sufficient to win an event outright, but here he had to share victory with Svidler and Kramnik. The main culprit for this was his game against the young GM from St Petersburg. Kasparov is usually very convincing against White’s attempts to avoid the Open Sicilian (see Games 88 and 114), but this time he mishandled a complex position and allowed Svidler to develop a crushing attack. 1998 ‘As usual, the new year for Kasparov began in Linares. The start was promising: in round 2 he smoothly outplayed Anand froma seemingly harmless symmetrical position (Game 99). The game2 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES is notable for the fine harmony between its strategic (19 &b1!, 25 a4!, 28 b3!) and tactical (22 215!) elements. However, this turned out to be Kasparov’s only win and after he let some promising chances slip, he had to content himself with sharing third place behind Anand and Shirov. Somewhat surprisingly, in 1998 Linares was to be Kasparov's only tournament with a normal time-limit, although he had quite a full schedule of simuls and short matches. Some of his results deserve special mention. In May he crushed Topalov 4-0 in a rapid match and scored an amazing 7-1 result in a double-round clock simul against the Israeli team (Smirin, Sutovsky, Alterman, and Khuzman). Considering the strength of the opposition, this was by far Kasparov's best performance in events of this type. Meanwhile, in June Shirov won a match against the favourite Kramnik to gain the right to chal- Ienge Kasparov. Although this encounter, scheduled for October, didn’t take place in the end, we'll see that Kasparov put his period of preparation in the second half of 1998 to good use. The ‘advanced chess’ match against Topalov in June, where both players were able to use their computers during the game, was an indirect indication of what was going on in Kasparov's camp. Together with his team, he undertook the arduous task of electronically checking, updating and overhauling most of his repertoire. Naturally, this is a continuous process, which went on up to the very moment of Kasparov’s retirement and possibly even afterwards. According to his own admission, the size of the database with his analysis at this moment was 10.3 gigabytes! To see this number in its proper context, we must realize that commercial databases with millions of games (thousands of them annotated, often quite deeply) are only just over 1 gigabyte in size. Kasparov was the first of the modem grandmasters who managed to hamess the awesome and constantly growing calculating abilities of the computer software to good effect. Creative research was always one of his main fortés and by finely gauging the right balance between the recommendations of the machine and his ‘own intuition, he was able to analyse with previously unimaginable precision and depth. Together with his helpers, he dissected some positions ‘to the bone’. Kasparov leaned to pay attention to even the seemingly most absurd computer suggestions, while, on the other hand, he always retained a sound dose of human scepticism about the machine’s evaluation. This often enabled him to rive it way beyond its horizon of calculation with surprising results. A good example of this is the game Kramnik-Kasparov, Linares 1999, which ended with a perpetual on move 34. Not only was the whole game prepared beforehand (not so rare nowadays), but just a few moves before the end ‘most analytical engines promise White a decisive advantage. One can also see how the computers gradually evolved and embraced new concepts, especially positional sacrifices. Deep Junior's bishop sacrifice in game 5 from the match against Kasparov in 2003 and 17...0-0! from Game 128 are good examples of this trend. There is a marked difference between even a majority of GMs and Kasparov with his highly professional team in the way they use the computer(s) to the greatest effect. This applies not just to opening preparation, but to all phases of the game; a good indication of this was the exciting Kasparov-World clash (Game 107). Kasparov's match against Timman in Prague, which he won 4-2, was played in September 1998, when it was already clear that the hopes for Kasparov-Shirov were futile. 1999 It's maybe strange to speak about a comeback after a relatively short period of absence from the tournament scene, but in 1999, the chess world saw an energetic and rejuvenated Kasparov. In a re~ cent interview, he said that at this time he was also at the top of his physical form. Competing with the elite necessitated this — although Kasparov was a man in his prime, all his serious rivals were younger, a majority of them even considerably so. This is also the main reason why he greatly values his domination of the chess world in 1999-2000. As Kasparov himself put it, during this period he was “the best player I had ever been”. Even after his loss against Kramnik in November 2000, he managed to continue his winning streak until Linares 2002. Iall started in Wijk aan Zee, a traditional event, which Kasparov played for the first time in Jan- ary 1999. After drawing with Ivanchuk, he destroyed the opposition and decided the tournamentINTRODUCTION 13 w w 457 before 25 He7+!! in Game 101 before 18 HhS! in Game 102 Kasparov ~ Topalov Garry Kasparov ~ Peter Svidler Wijk aan Zee 1999 Wijk aan Zee 1999 by winning seven games in a row. Superior preparation was his traditional weapon and some of his ‘opponents (Shirov, Reinderman) didn’t get out of the opening alive. However, Kasparov was dangerous in all phases of the game and could equally well convert an acquired advantage by technical ‘means (Game 100), or calculate a brilliant combination. And the combination against Topalov ‘Game 101) is probably his best ever, and with the passage of time Kasparov came to value it more than his favourite during the tournament itself ~ the interesting novel idea against Svidler from Game 102 (11 e3!?). The games against Svidler and Shirov are also interesting from the psychological point of view. Kasparov usually had a very refined sense for the measure of risk that he could afford at any given moment, combined with a very flexible approach to his repertoire. He never repeated the former idea and the same goes for the downright risky concept from the latter ‘game, which has been practically refuted since (the note to move 11 in Game 93 shows the whole story). Thus attempts by others to emulate his play were risky and often ended in failure. This goes also for Game 103, which features a complex line that Kasparov later took up himself with White tse Games 110 and 115). In the stronger Linares event, Kasparov was even more devastating. His final score 10%2/14 with 2% point lead over Kramnik and Anand, together with a series of five black wins in the Sicilian «see Games 103-5), speaks volumes. Detailed preparation put his opponents under pressure not only on the board, but also psychologically. During Game 105, a shocked Anand must have been well aware that up to move 26 a confident Kasparov was just repeating his homework. When White later got a chance to save the game, the strain simply proved too great. In Sarajevo, the turning point was Kasparov's exciting clash with Short in round 3 (Game 106). White wrested the initiative with enterprising sacrifices (15 c4!, 18 &xh6!), but Black kept his cool and the ‘normal’ result should have been a draw. However, Kasparov went all-out for a win, risking everything (26 h5?!, 30 hxg6?). Enduring such pressure and defending accurately costs a lot of time and energy; in the end White’s nerves proved stronger and after the fatal 32...28c8? his gamble paid off. Kasparov didn't tempt fate again in this event; his remaining four wins were achieved with accurate technique and brought his rating to 2851, which remains a record to this day. Winning the prestigious quadrangu- Jar rapid event in Frankfurt ahead of Anand and Kramnik further confirmed his dominant status. The only cloud on Kasparov's horizon was the cancelled world championship match against Anand, planned for the second half of the year. 2000 Despite another pause, in Wijk aan Zee 2000 Kasparov was again in great form. He played enterprising chess and strove for a full-blooded fight even with Black, combining the Sicilian with the Grunfeld. With the latter opening, he scored 3¥4/5 thanks to novel ideas in topical lines against Korchnoi (Game 109) and Nikolié. Even when facing an opening surprise himself, as against Morozevich in the Slav, he didn’t try to bail out and opted for the most principled and consistenti GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES continuation. Given the chance, he was happy to show he hadn't lost any of his attacking flair; a good example is Game 110 and also Kasparov-J.Polgar. The latter game was played in the last round, when Kasparov already had a one-point lead, but rather than playing it safe, he opted for a complex pawn sacrifice. In Linares the opposition quite naturally treated him with great respect and he didn’t get a chance to repeat his result from 1999. The full points didn’t come easily; both Kramnik and Leko showed excellent preparation to hold him with Black. However, Kasparov again outplayed Anand in the Sicilian with Black and led the race together with Kramnik. Their exciting encounter from round 8 (Game 111) was drawn, and they went on to share tournament victory. Kramnik was also going to be Kasparov's opponent in a world championship match and this time the plans finally came to fruition. Sarajevo in May was Kasparov’s last serious tournament test before their encounter. Kasparov was technical and convincing against the tail-enders (see Game 112), but had to fight hard for overall victory, his main rival being the on-form Shirov. Kas- parov took the lead only when the Latvian GM faltered in the penultimate round, In the last round against Movsesian (Game 113), Kasparov convincingly retained the slender half-point margin and proved that he still had the necessary psychological stamina and motivation to succeed in decisive games. The stage was all set for Kasparov to defend his ttle for the first time in five years, this time under the auspices of BGN. Although he was the pre-match favourite, the consensus was that Kaspa- rov-Kramnik would be a close fight. Among the top players, Kramnik is the only one with a balanced score against Kasparov. In the past he has repeatedly proven his ability to withstand Kasparov’s pressure and face his feared preparation. Moreover, in New York 1995 he had a unique chance to take part init, being a member of Kasparov's team in the match against Anand. Kramnik subsequently recalled this experience as “sleep, meals, a few walks and work, work, work”. There- fore he knew what he was up against and understood he could succeed only by adopting the same rigorous methods that Kasparov himself pioneered. Kramnik prepared seriously with a very strong team (Lautier, Bareev et al.) and the match, which started in London in October, clearly showed how well thought-out their plan of campaign was. In game 1 Kramnik with Black surprised Kaspar- ov with his opening choice, the Berlin Defence. Although in London it was his main weapon against 1 e4, the Berlin was only a part, albeit an important one, of Kramnik’s general strategy. From his formative years, he possessed excellent manoeuvring technique and his plan was to blunt Kasparov's innate dynamism by striving for simplified positions. Although the Berlin's theoretical status was not too high prior to the match, this flexible line served its purpose admirably well — it occurred four times and Kasparov was able to get a workable advantage only once, in game 3. With White Kramnik also remained true to his strategy. In game 2 he countered the aggressive Griinfeld line from Game 100 with an important novelty. Black’s best reaction would have left him with a slightly inferior, but tenable, endgame. Kasparov ried to complicate matters, but the endgame he managed to achieve was distinctly worse and Kramnik convincingly converted his advantage. The Grinfeld was duly discarded, but in game 4’s Queen's Gambit Accepted we saw a similar picture: Kramnik opted for an exchange of queens on move 7, later came up with a slight improvement over an older game and, in a line previously considered drawish, put his opponent under pressure. Kas- parov barely managed to save this game and, still being unable to gain anything with White, he was in serious trouble. His best moments in the match came with Black. In game 8 he changed tack and played the Nimzo-Indian, coming up with a strong novelty in the 4 Wc2 line (see the notes to Game 125), but Kramnik stil managed to save a difficult endgame. Kramnik was also in some trouble in game 14, but by then he already had a two-point lead due to Kasparov's serious tactical oversight in game 10 and was just trying to coast along to victory. The final score was 8¥2-6¥/ and Kramnik became the first (human) player to beat Kasparov in a match, moreover without losing a single game. Although Kasparov's disappointing performance, especially the two draw offers with White before move 15 (in games 7 and 13), suggests that he was struggling with personal problems, he himself always denied this and never made any attempts to diminish Kramnik’s achievement.INTRODUCTION 15 2001 Kasparov was full of hopes for a rematch. Far from being dejected after London, he played excellent chess. Victories in Wijk aan Zee, Linares and Astana, all achieved without a single loss, showed that while Anand and Kramnik were both World Champions, his top ranking was still well deserved. In Wijk he was Black in his first two games and scored two impressive Sicilian wins (see Game 114). Although he then slowed down, he managed to win the crucial encounters. Kasparov was equally capable of playing a fine attacking game (Game 115), or winning by sheer technique (Kasparov-Shirov). He had some luck only against Timman, when he managed to turn around an inferior position. This year Linares lacked Kramnik and Anand, but Kasparov's 74/10, 3 points ahead of all the other 5 participants, was nevertheless an exceptional result. Kasparov played ag- gressively with both colours (see Games 116 and 117) and turned the event into a one-man show. ‘Astana was the strongest event of the year, but Kasparov didn’t avoid complex play even against tactically alert and younger opposition (see Game 119). The sweetest moment for him undoubtedly came in the final round, when he finally managed to break down the Berlin Defence and snatch tournament victory away from Kramnik (Game 120). However, the direct K-K encounter for the world title never came to be and the 20-game match in December in Moscow was just a weak con- solation for Kasparov, as only four of them were played with the classical time-limit. After three uneventful draws and one fighting draw, a series of six rapid games also didn’t produce a winner and Kasparov could prove his superiority only in blitz (642-34). Zz” Avagad v | @aw.e 2 v aa 2 een an AAG os es Hse | before 16 h6! in Game 117 before 16 e6! in Game 120 Garry Kasparov - Anatoly Karpov Garry Kasparov - Vladimir Kramnik Linares 2001 ‘Astana 2001 2002 In 2002 Kasparov again won Linares, this time again a category 20 event with Anand participating. However, the talented teenage FIDE World Champion Ponomariov presented the main challenge Just as in Linares 2000, the points didn’t come easily to Kasparov. He relied predominantly on his technique, but could also greatly increase the tension at an opportune moment; a notable example is, the decisive game against Ponomariov (Game 122), However, Kasparov lacked a clear career goal and attempted to obtain it by signing the Prague Agreement in May 2002. The document described a process for unifying the two separate world championship cycles. However, it seemed FIDE was satisfied that forthe first time since 1993 Kaspa- rov had agreed that they had a role in the world championship, and they never succeeded in organiz- ing Kasparov's match against Ponomariov (and later Kasimdzhanov) that the Prague Agreement required. Kasparov prepared seriously for a match against Ponomariov, and felt understandably frus- trated. For the rest of the year he played mostly in rapid events with fluctuating results, the only notable exception being the Olympiad in Bled. After a six-year absence, he again led the Russian team to gold with an excellent performance (72/9), dominating strong opposition mainly by his technical prowess. Game 123 is typical in this respect and shows his striving for the initiative even with minimal resources.16 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 2003 ‘Mainly due to the aforementioned circumstances, in 2003 Kasparov again took part only in one round robin. His performance in Linares was marred by a costly blunder against Radjabov and although in the end he posted a plus-score, apart from the aforementioned game he couldn't claim any missed chances. The energetic display in Game 124 against Ponomariov (13 e4!, 16 f4!) in a seemingly innocuous Queen's Indian indicates that he had deeply studied the play of the Ukrainian GM and modelled his opening choice accordingly. We have already mentioned that this year he twice faced computers and such matches also required preparation. The only other chance to play serious chess came in September in the European Clubs Cup. Kasparov started with guns ablaze, scoring four energetic wins in a row, including the battle royale against Grishchuk (Game 125), in which he broke down his opponent's dogged resistance by a study-like endgame combination. However, there were also signs of a lack of tournament practice, exemplified by an unforced blunder against Khuzman. 2004 ‘This lack of practice became even clearer in Linares 2004, where Kasparov, although unbeaten, won only once (Game 126). He must have regretted the missed wins against Radjabov (a relatively simple endgame) and Topalov (a combinative attack), as the victorious Kramnik was only a half- point ahead of him in the end. His subsequent performances in the Armenia-World match, and especially in the European Clubs Cup were also uninspired and cost him a handful of rating points. Despite these setbacks, Kasparov found the strength to stage another comeback. The Russian Championship in November 2004 was a strong event despite the last-minute withdrawals of Kram- nik and Karpov. Initially Kasparov struggled; a laborious win against Bareev and a missed simple chance against Motylev indicated that his form still wasn’t ideal. Dreev served him an unpleasant opening surprise (15.247! in Game 127), but failed to find the right follow-up. This was a turning point not only in the game, but also in the whole tournament. With careful play, he gradually converted his advantage and continued winning in the following rounds as well. His best games were the clean technical win against Svidler and the positional rour de force from Timofeev-Kasparov. In the end, he won the event with one round to spare. 2005 This brings us to Linares 2005. Although Kasparov missed several wins against Kasimdzhanov in round 2, he quickly got into his stride and took the lead after grinding down Adams in round 5 However, his star moments came in the second half, when he scored three consecutive wins. The razor-sharp clashes against Kasimdzhanov (Game 128) and Adams (Game 129) were vintage Kas- parov. Both featured thoroughly prepared novelties with Black, which changed the evaluation of the critical lines. However, in both cases it was not so much a single new move as a completely new concept that proved too difficult for White to handle over the board. In the final round Kasparov's mind was elsewhere and he mishandled a pawn endgame against Topalov, allowing the Bulgarian GM to catch up with him. His lack of concentration is easy to understand in the light of the announcement he was about to make immediately afterwards. After leading the world rankings for ‘more than 20 years and achieving every imaginable success, Garry Kasparov decided to retire from professional chess. ‘Apart from the situation in the chess world indicated in the previous paragraphs and his conse- quent lack of motivation, he quoted mainly other reasons for his surprising decision. After Linares, Kasparov became seriously involved in Russian political life. However, he has not lost contact with the chess world, He continues to write on his ‘Great Predecessors’ and his regular articles in New in ‘Chess magazine indicate that he still closely follows the exploits of both established GMs and young prodigies. And who knows — perhaps he is also contemplating the possibility of returning to the chessboard.Game 75 Garry Kasparov — Vasily lvanchuk Linares 1994 Queen’s Gambit Declined, Semi-Slav Defence [D44] 1 a4 Dt6 2 4 6 3 Dd 45 4 Of 6 5 fps We indicated in the notes to Game 23 that Kasparov rarely avoided a theoretical fight in the Botvinnik System. While 5 e3 appeared in his practice only sporadically, the text-move occurred regularly. Sou dxe4 (D) One of the ways to avoid the Botvinnik is the so-called Moscow System with 5...n6. How- ever, even this continuation leads to a double- edged position after the enterprising pawn sacrifice 6 &h4!? dxc4 7 e4. For more details about this line see Kasparov-Korchnoi, Horgen 1995 and Kasparov-Dreev, Russian Ch (Mos- cow) 2004 (Games 87 and 127 respectively). 6 7 8 9 10 Sxgs u 2 Dba7 ext &b7 23 5 13 a5 Dxf6 13...7b6 was played in the aforementioned Kasparov-Tal game from Volume 1 and still remains the main line, However, it’s not the only playable option; apart from the text-move the sidelines 13...$h6 and 13...We7 14 Sg? b4 still retain a modicum of support. 14 ga (D) White ignores the offered material and concentrates on his development. A wise precaution, as his king trapped in the centre gives Black excellent compensation despite the exchange of queens after 14 dxe6 2271? (14...2¢7 also deserves attention) 15 Wxd8+ (15 Bgl Wb6 16 ‘We2!? is more circumspect, but even here Black had a pleasant endgame after 16...Wxe6 17 DxbS Wre2+ 18 Bxe2 Ded 19 0-0-0 Dxg5 20 Dd6+ $18 21 Dxb7 Bxh2 in Lobron-Kramnik, Dortmund 1993) 15...2ixd8 16 Bgl a6 17 exf7+ ‘Exi7 18 Bg? Sixg? 19 Bxg? Hde8+, followed by ...Dg4. Also after 14 DxbS WaS+ 15 Wd2 Wrxd2+ 16 Bxd2 AxdS 17 Dc7+ a7 18 xd5 exd, with his active pieces and strong central pawns, Black has nothing to fear. 4 ow Sn61? ‘The level of Kasparov’s opening preparation has enabled him to play the sharpest and ‘most principled lines with confidence, but that doesn’t mean he was completely immune to opening surprises. Here it’s Ivanchuk who comes up with an interesting novelty. Although there appears to be nothing wrong with the18 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES text-move, 14....2e7 remains more popular. Recently mainly GM Karsten Miiller has defended Black's cause; the position after 15 0-0 Dxd5 16 Rxe7 Lxe7 17 Dxds Woé 18 Dad hd! 19 Wed2 441? (19...2g8?! is weaker due to 20 £4! with the point 20...@xf4? 21 Bxf4 Bxf4 22 Wxf4 Wxb2 23 Wd6+! and White wins) 20 @xc4 Wa6 21 Ae3!? (a fighting move; 21 &xb7 Dh3+ 22 &g2 Wxb7+ 23 £3 Bd8 24 We3 Hxc4 25 Wxcd Wxb2+ 26 thi 22+ leads to a perpetual) 21...2d8 22 We2 5e2+ 23 hi Bhs gives Black enough kingside play for the pawn, Murdzia-K.Milller, Hamburg 2002. 15 &xtét? The most concrete reaction. 15 &h4 £27! is, unconvincing for White, as he has to reckon with ..2xh4, Also after 15 &xh6 Exh6 16 @xb5 (16 Wa2 Bhs! is fine for Black, as White can’t allow 17 @xb5? He5+; also after 16 0-0 b4 17 Bad &xd5 only Black can be better) Black has a choice of good moves; for example, 16...exd5 or even 16...Wb6!? and it’s White who has to tread with care. 15 a Wrxf6 (D) ea a Z me ‘we az 16 0-0 16 2\xb5 0-0-0 only transposes into the game after 17 0-0 (17 @xa7+? &b8 18 DbS gave Black a tremendous attack after 18...5%xd5! 19 Rxd5 exd5 20 0-0 d4 in Zakharevich-V.Popoy, Russian Ch (Samara) 2000). 16 0-0-0 Black's king also has to escape from the centre, 16..exd5? 17 @xd5 and 16...b47 17 De both spell trouble. 17 Dxbs White's move is forced as well. 17 @e4? is weak: 17...WeS 18 Bxc5 x45. Tw exd5?! Creating a central pawn phalanx is natural enough; other methods of capturing the d5- pawn are clearly inferior: 17...2xd5? 18 Wad gives White a winning attack and 17...—{xd5?! 18 Dxa7+ Sb8 19 Was is not much better. However, Kasparov pointed out that the correct way to implement the idea from the game is 17...a6! 18 4c3 exdS. Now as far as long-term strategy goes, Black is more than OK with his pawn-centre and bishop-pair. Therefore White might consider a radical solution such as 19 2xd5!? (the alternative 19 Wad Wb6 favours Black) 19...2xd5 (19...WWe6!? 20 Bel Exd5 is ‘more ambitious, but even here White has counterplay) 20 Sixd5 WES 21 Wad Wrd5 22 Wxa6+ &c7 23 WaT+ and it’s difficult for Black to avoid repetition. 18 Dxa7+ bbs 19 @b5(D) = wo a so Ay Ui & Wo 2. mOsm aa om . i mes a mal gwars The extra pawn in itself is not so important; it is more significant that Black's king is now permanently vulnerable. This is worth the time invested in the knight moves, and will eventually outweigh even the positional pluses mentioned in the previous note. 9 ag? 19...Wxb2? is suicidal due to 20 Wad with threats such as Wa7+ or Eabl. 19...g5 was a subsequent attempt to improve Black’s play, but after 20 Wel! (20 £4 Wh6 21 fxg5?! is too greedy and runs into the powerful 21...Wxh2+ 22 sef2 d4 23 Bgl Bhd! 24 exhd Wahs+ 25 be2 d3+ and Black has at least a perpetual,GAME 75: GARRY KASPAROV — VASILY IVANCHUK 19 because 26 dd2? even loses after 26...c3+!) 20...247 (20...Wh6 is insufficient; after 21 h4 Sixh4 22 gxh4 Wxh4 23 WeS+ cha 24 We3 ‘Who 25 Wa3+ 28 26 Wa7+ c8 27 WxcS+ sbb8 28 Wc7+ Ha8 29 fel White threatens ‘Wa5-a7+ followed by Exc4+ and his attack comes first) 21 b3! Wh6 (Ionov-V.Popoy, St Pe- tersburg Ch 1997) Lutz showed that White can again play 22 hd! Saxh4 23 gxh4 Wixhd 24 WeS+ ‘La8 25 Wg3, followed by bxc4, when the queen rejoins the attack with decisive effect. 20 adt The impetuous 20 Wa4? allows Black to swap queens advantageously with 20...Wa6. Therefore White’s queen has to find a less direct route to the queenside. Kasparov's move reinforces the knight on its outpost; one of the reasons for this is seen in the line 20 Wel?! Wb6 21 a4 Hde8 and if White doesn’t want to allow 22 Wd2 Wh6, the queen must go back to its original square. 20 wns Although now it’s less clear than one move earlier, opening the b-file is playing with fire. After 20...Wxb2?! 21 Hb1 Wi6 (21...Wa2? is weak due to 22 WF3!) 22 a3 or even 22 Wel!? Black's king is in serious danger. Kasparov recommended 20...h6 instead, but White still seems to be on top after 21 Wd2 Hdh8 22 h4, when 22.,.xh4? fails to 23 gxh4 Wxhd 24 Hfel d4 25 He8+! Exe 26 Was. 21 h4(D) a a. C “wae Aw 216? Ivanchuk thinks he has all the time in the world, but Kasparov convincingly proves him wrong. After the text-move Black is practically lost, so this is the last moment to look for an improvement: 1) 21...xb2, with the idea of supporting the bishop and keeping the dangerous b-file closed, is interesting, but White retains the initiative after 22 Hb1: 1a) 22...c3 23 Wb3!? (23 We? with the idea 23...Mig6 24 Bxb2! exb2 25 Wrc5 is similar to line ‘Ib’ and is also good for White) 23...c4 (23...Wb6 24 a5 Wra5 25 Axc3 Wxc3 26 Ws! gives White either a strong attack, or a technically won endgame after 26...Wb4 27 Exb2) 24 Wo WS (after 24...c27 25 Wxb2 cxbli 26 Exbl_White’s attack breaks through) 25 Eixb2! (25 Wa5? WeS) 25..cxb2 26 Wxb2 and with ‘Was, We5+ and Hb1 in the air Black will hardly be able to survive. Ib) 22...8f6 is stronger, but after 23 We2 eS (23...c3 is consistent, but 24 Hxb2! cxb2 25 Wxc5 Wa6 26 Wad gives White a large advantage) 24 @a3!? Hd7 25 Bb5 Black's position remains precarious. 2) Even though 21...2thet limits White's queen, the patient 22 Eb1 with the idea b4 should give White some advantage. 22 Wel! (D) an A a = wee ‘The queen effectively joins the attack. The text-move required accurate calculation, as now Black must resort to desperate measures. 2 mw Qxhd It’s too late for 22...S2xb2 23 WaS!; for example, 23.,.Wa6 24 Wxa6 2xa6 25 Babl £g7 26 &xd5!? and White gains a decisive material advantage. 22...c3 23 bxc3 doesn’t help Black either; after 23....2xh4 the simplest is 24 We5+ ‘Ha8 25 Bfb] and White's attack comes first. ie20 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 23 Was Possibly White could even have played 23 ‘exh471, butit would have been highly impracti- cal. A plausible sample line is 23...Wxh4 24 ‘WeS+ da8 25 We3 Wh6 26 Wc7 (White now doesn’t have the decisive check from a3 as in the note to Black's 19th move) 26...dg8 27 WaS+ dbs 28 Wa7+ dec8 29 WxcS+ Lbs 30 ‘Wd6+ Wxd6 31 Axd6 Hh6! 32 AES Bhg6 33 2g3 £5 and Black regains the piece with reasonable drawing chances. Kasparov’s attacking move limits the risks for White. Another way to reach the game position was 23 WeS+ dea8 24 We7!, when Black has nothing better than 24....e7. Bo Re7 Black protects the c5-pawn. Other moves are hopeless: 1) 23...SRxg3 24 Wa7+ dec8 25 Wxc5+ Lb8 26 fxg3 and White wins. 2) 23...66 24 Wa7+ dec8 25 WrcS+ &b8 26 Wa7+ dec8 27 Bf! and the threat of Hxe4+ decides. 3) After 23...We6 24 Wa7+ dec8 25 &h3+ ‘Hd7 White has the clever 26 WaS! and the threat of 7+ nets him large amounts of material; €.g., 26.88 27 Sxd7 Wxd7 28 Wa7+ hc8 29 Wrc5+ dbs 30 Wa7+ dc8 31 Wa! 216 32 Wai Wh3 33 WES+!. 24 Wet a8 25 WaS+ = bb8 26 WeT+ = a8 (D) eo £7 £ 27 Bfel! Kasparov parties the mating threat and continues his own attack. 7m a6 Forced. White’s onslaught quickly breaks through after 27...Wh2+ 28 fl or 27...,2£6 28 Wre5 Wb8 29 a5. 28 Whe 28 Wa5S+ db8 29 Wa7+ dec8 30 a5 was also possible, but Kasparov finishes in style. Bom bs 28... 4208 loses quickly to 29 a5. 29 aS! Creating the deadly threat of Be7. 29 Wxc5? Ec8 would considerably slow down the attack. 29 ow Ba7 After 29...1Hic6 30 He7 White’s main threat is a6 and 30...Bd7 31 Wxc6 Sxc6 32 Bxd7 &xd7 33 Bxd5+ leads to mate. a 5, & Vl. ZA Beautiful and decisive. Now both White's queen and rook are taboo and Black has no effective defence against Wa7#. 30 Wh2+ 3 eft Wrg2+ The only way to prolong the game. White mates after 31...Exe8 32 a6. 32 xg? 33 Wxb7+! The last finesse. White would still have to face technical problems after 33 £37! Bxe8, 4+ 33 ‘Bxb7 34 Bxhs xb 35 a6 ska? 36 EES. ‘Bxb2 37 Exf7+ = ka8 38 a7 3 After 38...2xa7 39 Haxa7+ Sb8 40 Bae7 a8 41 Bc7 White annihilates Black's pawns. 39 BES. 1-01 2 3 ef a4 Be3 Game 76 Garry Kasparov — Nigel Short Euwe Memorial, Amsterdam 1994 French Defence [C11] 6 as In 1991 the World Champion briefly experimented with 3 exd5 exd5 4 23, but since then he almost exclusively played the text-move (see also Game 66). One must also bear in mind that the French Defence was an integral part of Short’s repertoire, but less than a year earlier in their PCA world championship match the challenger played solely 1...e5. Therefore in our game Kasparov was only too eager to show the results and depth of his pre-match preparation (see Game 65 for a similar story, concerning Karpov's Caro-Kann). 3 on M6 485 a7 5 4 5 6 Of D6 A developing move, which applies extra pressure on White's centre. However, as the essence ‘of White’s strategy in this line is the overpro- tection and control of the d4-square, Black started questioning even such a natural move. Recent attempts to play ‘around’ the centre have concentrated on 6...Wb6 7 Se3 a6!?. Af- ter 8 3 (8 Dad WaS+ 9 c3 cxd4 10 b4 We7 11 Wrd4 Deb 12 Wa2 dS 13 Bb? £6 14 ad! isa more critical line, which gives White better chances for an opening advantage) 8...0c6 9 dxc5 Sxc5 10 Aas Wa5+ 11 b4 Wrad 12 bxcS 0-0 13 c4 Wa5+ 14 Wad2 Ha8!? 15 cxd5 Wxd2+ 16 &xd2 exd5 17 Hel Be8 18 f2 £6 Black solved his opening problems in Kasparov-Rad- jabov, Moscow (Russia-RoW) rpd 2002. 7 &e3(D) 2S exdd An important moment, since Black’s choice will decide the character of the ensuing fight. Only one day before our game, Short reached this very position with White against Timman. After 7...Wb6 8 Dad WaS+ 9 c3 cxd4?! (9...04 is less committal) 10 ba Zxb4 11 cxb4 S&xb4+ 12 Sd? &xd2+ 13 Dxd2 g5 14 Hol! ext 15 RbS Hb8 16 Dc5 We3 17 Dd3 a6 18 Bel Wad 19 Wb3! White was clearly better and went on to win; current theory still rates the piece sacrifice as dubious. A popular altemative plan is immediate queenside expansion with 7...06 8 ‘Wa2.b5, when Kasparov has shown a promising. antidote for White: 9 a3!? (9 De2 b4!?, followed by ...a5 and possibly ...a6, is less convincing for White) 9...Wb6 10 Ze2!. White can further reinforce the centre with c3; moreover, he prepares play on ‘his’ flank with g4 or even the more radical f5, followed by f4. With the text-move, Short resolves the central tension before White can consolidate his space advantage. 8 Dxdd eS ‘A more enterprising but risky altemative is 8..Wb6 9 Wa2 Wxb2 10 Hb1 Wa3 11 bs, when White has good compensation for the sacrificed pawn. With the safer text-move, Black continues his development and White must seriously reckon with ...Wb6. 9 Wa2(D) 9 om 00 Black goes for a sharp position with opposite-side castling. In the times of Tarrasch the endgame after 9...2xd4 10 2xd4 Dxd4 11 ‘Wxd4 Wo 12 Wxb6 Axb6 would have been considered almost winning for White with his space advantage and better bishop. However, in22 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES zg akst z due course the quality of defence improved greatly and nowadays even strong GMs are willing to take Black’s side. His position, although somewhat passive, is not as lifeless as it seems. To mention just the main active possibilities, he can challenge White’s pawn-chain with ...g5 or ...f6, or activate his ¢8-bishop with the manoeuvre ...247, ...Dc8, ...26, a7 and . LDS. Objectively White's edge is minimal and the only time this position arose in Kaspa- rov's practice (Kasparov-Bareev, Novgorod 1997), he won a long game mainly due to his, opponent ’s errors in the final phase. 10 0-0-0 The rare 10 g3!? was featured in Kasparov- Shirov, Astana 2001. However, after 10...We7 bishop development to g2 or h3 runs into the unpleasant ...b6, so White felt forced to play 11 0-0-0 anyway. 10. a6 noha A multi-purpose move, which not only starts a kingside pawn-storm, but also increases the scope of White’s h1-rook without prematurely committing his fl-bishop. (In the long run the bishop aims for d3.) Hw Dxd4 12 &xdd 5 (D) Short reacts in kind and gets his own counterattack going. 13° -Bh3!? In the note to Black’s 9th move, we have mentioned White’s positional pluses, but these are rather abstract considerations in a ‘who comes first, wins’ situation. As Black’s kingside is intact and he already has the semi-open c-file at his disposal, it’s highly unclear if a direct assault such as 13 g4 will succeed for White. What counts more is piece coordination and in this sense, the flexible text-move finely blends activity with prophylaxis — the rook can participate in the attack, as well as help out in the defence via the third rank. To be more concrete, we can compare Kasparov's move with the other popular continuation 13 hS b4 14 a4 (14 Be2 a5 15 Bxc5 Axed 16 We3 W6 or even 16...8Hc7!? leads to exactly the type of position Kasparov was trying to avoid — both sides have a free hand to develop an attack against the enemy king, but it’s very unclear whose chances are higher) 14...d0xd4 15 Wxd4, when Black has a wide choice: 1) Kasparov indicates he was worried about 15...£6, but 16 exf6 Wxf6 17 g3, possibly followed by £h3, gives White a pleasant position, 2) Stronger is the usual 15...a5 16 2bS (16 £43 is well met by 16...2a6; by forcing the rook to b8 White’s bishop reaches the ideal d3-square unmolested) 16...b8 17 £43 £b7 (17...66!? 18 De5 4d7 is perhaps playable as well) with a complex position. After 18 £5 White has to reckon with 18...Wg5+ 19 debi Hfc8!?. 3) Black can consider even 15...1#a5!? 16 b3.2b7 with the idea ...2.c6-b5, as after the direct 17 5% Bc6 18 £6 gxf6 19 exf6 &h8 White's attack has no obvious follow-up. We now return to 13 Bh3!? (D): Bw ba A straightforward reaction, which forces White's knight to declare its intentions. How- ever, practice has shown the more restrained 13....67!? is a worthy alternative. Just as in line ‘3° from the previous note, Black intends toGAME 76: GARRY KASPAROV — NIGEL SHORT 23 a make life difficult for White’s knight on a4. The main drawback of this idea is that Black would like to get his bishop to a6 in one move after ..b4 and ...a5. However, even despite the lost tempo the position after 14 g4 b4 15 @e2 a5 16 g5 a6 17 h5 Wb6 remains highly unclear, Jongsma-Stellwagen, Dutch jr Ch (Nij- megen) 2002. 14 Dad It’s necessary to slow down Black’s play. Af- ter the inconsistent 14 %e2?! a5 followed by 2.6 White will be a tempo down in comparison with the previous note. 4. Sxdd 15 Wxd4(D) xX 20 Be a al a7 Iw. Short introduces a novelty, but he is simply out of luck ~ Kasparov had anticipated the text-move in his preparation and demonstrates a surprising tactical solution, Other moves: 1) Here 15...Wa5S?! 16 b3 &b7 isn’t ideal. After 17 c3! Hfc8 18 b2 bxc3+ 19 Bxc3 162! Black's attacking days are over and White's permanent structural advantage starts to count. 2) Solid and stronger is 15...a5 16 £b5 Hb8 17 &d3 (17 &xd7?! Bxd7 18 DcS Be8 can only be better for Black). In 1994, Kasparov was optimistic about White's prospects, but subsequent practice didn’t fully uphold his point of view. After 17...1c7 (17...£61? is also possible in the changed situation) Black retains a playable position. An indirect proof of this is Kasparov's choice of 10 g3!? in 2001. 16 Wxbat White has no intention of defending a weak €5-pawn afier ...fxe5, but his centre is crumbling and the uninspired 16 exf6 Wxf6 only leads to an equal endgame. Kasparov's dynamic play strives to exploit White’s lead in develop- ‘ment and the rook on h3 plays an important role in the whole operation. 16 17 Wat The joyride continues. 17 fxeS @xe5 18 He3 Dc6 is unclear at best. Ww wie 18 5! The point of White’s idea. 18 fxe5? loses to 18...Wf4+, but now it transpires that Black's ‘queenside forces lack coordination. Bw Wh6+ Black removes his queen even farther from the endangered queenside, but he had no choice. 18...Wxf5? loses on the spot to 19 213 Wg 20 BxfB+ ADxf8 21 Ab6, and after 18...+h8? the simplest line is 19 fxe6 Wi4+ 20 dbb1 Bxfl (20...Wxad also loses material after 21 2e2! with the threat of 2a3) 21 Zhd3! e4 22 Exd5 €3 23 @c3 2 24 xe? Wxe2 25 exd7 and White stays two pawns up. 19 bi (D) 19 ww Ext5? Accepting the offered pawn is somewhat surprisingly a very serious mistake, as it opens the position without helping Black’s develop- ‘ment. Short should have made use of his own tactical chances with 19...2f6!. Then: 1) Kasparov's original intention 20 fxe6? Ded 21 Wrd5 Qd2+ 22 Bxd2 is tactically flawed due to 22...,xe6! (after 22...Exfl+? 23 Ed White retains an extra pawn) 23 Wd6 ‘Wrd2! 24 Wxd2 (24 Wxe6+ dh8 is no better) 24..Exfl+ 25 Wel $xa2+ and Black wins. fxeS24 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES Walle eee wall ake : ie 78 A 2G, 2G 274 a Ve aoe. [a ea =. eae 5 a omomee 2) The discovery of a hole in Kasparov's analysis led to a slight revival of interest in 15..£62! and so it was White’s turn to look for improvements. After 20 Ab6 De4 21 WxeS (21 ‘We7 E£7 only leads to repetition, or the same position with the move-numbers increased by 1 after 22 WxeS Bxf5) 21...xf5 22 Wd4 Bbs! 23 EES (23 @xc8? Bxfl 24 De7+ dhs favoured Black in Wedberg-Brynell, Swedish Ch (Lin- koping) 2001) the simplest is 23...xb6!? 24 Wxb6 2d2+ 25 Bxd2 Wxd2 (25...2xf3 26 Bal is less convincing) 26 Wd8+ &f7 and White has a draw at most. 3) The immediate 20 Wxes is more promising: 20..De4 21 Wd4!? (21 g4 leads virtually by force to an endgame which is at best unclear: 21...2)f2 22 Db6 xd 23 DxaB DE2 24 gs Wh5 25 Re2 Hxf5 26 He3! ExeS 27 Hxc8+ We8! 28 Hxe8+ of7 29 De7 Bxe2) 21.65 (21...2b8 22 B31 exf5 23 @c5 also favours White) 22 Hf3. Although Black has improved his position (especially his knight is far more active than in the game), his army still isn’t fully coordinated. We now return to the position after 19...2xf5? (0): 20° Est After his first longer think, Kasparov decides to deviate from his home analysis and immediately exchanges Black's only active piece. ‘The game continuation is more straightforward than the originally intended 20 e217. How- ever, even here Black has serious problems. ‘The main threat is £4, but ideas such as Ef3 or even Bxd5 are in the air as well. After 20... Wg6 (20...5£7 21 B£3!? doesn’t help much and 20...20f4 21 Bf3! is similar, with the idea 21...2xa4? 22 We6 and White wins material) 21 B63 (21 g4? Hf2 only helps Black) 21...2xf3 22 &xf3 (22 gxf3?! is unconvincing due to 22...WIT with the idea ...2b7) 22..e4 23 hS (even the simple 23 £c2!? deserves attention) Black has no obvious way to untangle his undeveloped queenside. 20 Bxf3 A difficult choice between two evils. After 20...f6 21 Exfs Wrxf5 22 e2 White makes good use of the open f-file. The threat of Efl forces 22...1£7 23 BE1!? (White is better even after the mundane 23 i g4 6 24 Ab6 Oxg4 25 @xa8) 23...We8 24 Led Deo 25 Exfo! (25 Db6? Ded is unclear) 25...gxf6 26 Db6 £5 (26... WbS 27 b3 doesn’t help) 27 Dxa8 fxg4 28 Db6 with a large advantage, as 28...47 loses a piece to 29 We7 e3 30 cl. 21 gxf3 Now the f-file is closed, but White’s bishop has gained access to h3. 2 ow wis Black has no choice, as 21...,87£7? loses to 22 Wc6 Hb8 23 Sixa6! Axa6 24 Wxd7+ Sf6 (24...tag8 25 WaT) 25 c5. 22 Sh3 f7 (D) Again the only move. After 22...2f8? 23 2)p6 Waf3 24 Efl White mates. 23 ett For the time being Black has covered his weak points, so to break down the defences White has to open up the position. Strangely enough, the symmetrical break 23 f4!? was also strong. After the forced 23...1We7 (Black’s position collapses after 23...exf4 24 Hel Df 25 2)b6) 24 fxe5 Wxd6 25 exd6 the resulting endgame is untenable for Black. He will beGAME 76: GARRY KASPAROV ~ NIGEL SHORT 25 020 a i it i i ed gi 2 ABA il icnce f aw ae completely paralysed as White’ knight comes toc5 after the preparatory Zel or Efl+. 23 ou xed 23...d4!? keeps the position at least tempo- rarily closed, and is somewhat more resilient. Nevertheless, White retains a big advantage after 24 c5 (24 4 exf4 25 fl We7 26 Wixt4+ 6 is less convincing) 24...We7 25 We7 f8 26 WreS Wxh4 27 od Wis 28 Wa6!. 24 Dc3! Another powerful attacking move, by which the knight joins the fray with decisive effect. The greedy 24 Wic6?! Rb8 25 Hxd7+ Sxd7 26 Wxd7+ 46 would have squandered most of White's advantage. -" ‘Wer Kasparov's army has achieved full coordination, while Black still can’t finish his devel- ‘opment - 24...2f8? loses on the spot to 25 Wes. 25 Wes mae a bs (D) on ‘< 0 mam mee mS Ame Ae 6 @ titi as 26 Ded White creates two new threats: 2d6+ and Sxe6+. 26 v6 Short does his best to prolong the game. Other moves are even worse: 1) 26.26 27 d6+ dg6 28 Wred! and White wins, as the mating threats will cost Black his ¢8-bishop. 2) 26...Af8 27 Dd6+ LF (27...hg8 28 2)xc8 Wh4 nuns into 29 Wxe6+! Eh8 30 Wxe) 28 f4! exf4 29 Wxc4 nets White material. 3) 26..sf8 27 Sxe6 Wo4 (White’s attack crashes through after 27...b6 28 Sixc8 @xc8 29 Bd7, followed by We7) 28 Hd2 and again White wins a piece. 2B bes 27...5218!? 28 xh7+ teg8 29 Des 207 30 xe6+ hs is also hopeless. The most clinical solution is 31 Wd6! Wxd6 32 Hxd6, when Black's pawns will soon start falling. 28 Wed! (D) White continues to harass his opponent with direct threats, thereby preventing any attempts to consolidate. es 26 29° WxeS = -b7 30 Bast 3 Equally hopeless is 30...2\a4 31 Hxe6 Exb2+ 32 Wxb2. 3 31 Exe6 wins as well. 3m Rxe6 32 Bee 1.0 The only way to save the queen is 32...cé, but after 33 Wxc3! Ala3+ 34 cl Black loses his knight.Game 77 Vladimir Kramnik — Garry Kasparov Intel Express blitz, Munich 1994 King’s Indian Defence, Petrosian System [E92] Due to the increasing number of high-calibre rapid events from the mid-1990s onwards, this book will feature more games with a shortened time-limit than Volume 1 (in which there was only one ~ Game 52). The determination and involvement Kasparov demonstrated even in blitz. makes his efforts well worth studying — watch out for move 12 in this game! 1 a4 M6 2 of 86 3 Ded Sg 4 ed d6 5 Of 0-0 6 Ber 5 7 a5(D) In the notes to Game 53 we remarked on the theoretical duel between Kasparov and Kram- nik in the Petrosian line. During a two-year period they contested this position no fewer than five times with time-controls ranging from classical to blitz chess. Later Kramnik adopted the more popular continuation 7 0-0. a aS This game was played after Kasparov's un- successful experiments with the older continuation 7...bd7 earlier in the year against the same opponent. In February in Linares, Kram- nik played the main move 8 g5 and won after a sharp struggle. However, Kasparov's opening concept was not at fault and despite the result the World Champion repeated the line in the Moscow PCA rapid tournament. This time Kramnik was the first one to come up with a surprise and played the unusual 8 e3!?. After 8..Dg4 9 Sg5 £6 10 Lhd hS 11 Dd2 Dho 12 £3 DFT 13 We2 Lh6 14 0-0-0 c51? 15 dxc6 (15 ‘Bb! is stronger; according to Kramnik White retains an edge) 15...bxc6 16 bl a5 (16...“24c5! is unclear) 17 a4 c5 18 Ac3 Le3? (18...Db6 r 18...,b7 still gives Black a playable position) 19 Dd5 dd 20 23 267 21 Axd4 cxd 22 f4 ‘Hb8 23 Zhfl White had a powerful initiative and won with a brilliant sacrificial attack. After this interlude Kasparov returned to the modern text-move and he won all the remaining games of the above-mentioned theoretical slugfest. 8 gs Here 8 Se3 is weaker than in the previous note. After 8..2)g4 9 p5 £6 10 2h4 Dab 11 Bd2 hS 12 a3 &d7 13 h3? (13 0-0 is stronger, because now Black develops a strong initiative) 13...2h6 14 Hl Zic5 15 bd axb4 16 axb4 Dad 17 We2 Bxc3 18 Wxc3 g5 19 Sg3 h4 20 2h2 £5 21 c5 g4! Black had concrete and very dan- ‘gerous kingside play in Bareev-Kasparov, Til- burg 1991. 8 h6 9 he a6 ‘The Key to success in the contemporary King’s Indian is often a refined combination of queenside prophylaxis and kingside activity. The Stein/Geller plan is a good example; in Kasparov's practice we can find this approach in other lines too (see Game 54). 10 0-0(D) 10 a7 Black's set-up is flexible and he can vary the move-order. Kasparov chose 10...We8 11 @d2 ®h7 more often and after 12 a3 tried out all the reasonable options: 1) We have condemned 12...£52! in the notes to Game 53, but this is exactly what happened in Kramnik-Kasparov, Paris (PCA) rpd 1995.GAME 77: VLADIMIR KRAMNIK — GARRY KASPAROV 27 € ee w ace Soe a e Kho Be NY, Boe wy ‘ewes. After 13 £39! (13 exf5 is the only consistent move) 13...d7 14 bd axb4 15 axb4 @xb4 16 Wh3 c5 17 dxc6 Axc6 18 c5+ Ch 19 cxd6 Did4 20 Wxb7 Hb8 21 Wa He8 22 Sed Ho6 23 ‘Wa2 Bxd6 Black equalized and went on to win after a fierce fight. 2) 12..h5 13 £3 LAT 14 b3 £5 15 Hb1 De5 (15...f2h6!? is stronger) 16 DS SxbS 17 exbS SLh6 18 ext5 gxt5 19 b6! cxb6 20 Acs Wig6 21 Re7 Ef7 22 &xd6 gave White a clear advantage in Kramnik-Kasparov, Paris (PCA) rpd 1995. 3) 12...S847 is still considered Black's best choice. In Gulko-Kasparov, Novgorod 1995 (Game 84) we'll see how Kasparov treats the modern move 13 deh1!”. uu Ba2 De5!2 (D) 11...We8 is far more popular, transposing into the lines from the previous note. The active text-move is tempting, but if White could chase the knight away and win time and space on the queenside, it might well backfire. Hs > 12. Ob3 gets rid of the active c5-knight, but 12...xb3 or even 12...A\a4!? considerably slows down White's queenside play. The text- ‘move is the most natural way to get the pawns moving, but it runs into a surprising tactical blow. Subsequent attempts to avoid the resulting unbalanced position have concentrated mainly on 12 We2 or 12 hi!?. 2 Dixest Black still had a solid alternative in 12...We8, but instead Kasparov unleashes a shocking novelty, which quite strikingly changes the character of the position. The manoeuvring behind the pawn-chains is over before it even began! 13 Sxd8 14 Wel ‘The half-hearted attempt to bail out with 14 2xc77! Dxdl 15 Bfxdl (15 Laxd1! is weaker, because after 15...2a6 the a2-pawn remains unprotected) 15...Ha6 16 a3 (16 xa5 Hxas 17 b4 gives Black a choice between 17...a3, and 17...e4 18 bxaS £a4!; he is better in both cases) 16..2c8 17 Sxa5 Bxa5 18 b4 Za6 (18...e417 is also promising) 19 bxe5 dxc5 20 ‘Habl b6 gave Black an advantage in Skalik- Schekachev, Metz 1995. This line shows that without the move 7...a5 Black’s whole idea wouldn’t work. va Efxd8 (D) ry X yee awe a i @ 6 ae 8 of sa 2 @ aie Wanan @ WEe Dxe3 1S Hel? Fighting an original idea for the first time is always difficult, especially in blitz. Therefore it’s no wonder that this move is a serious error. Although Black has only two minor pieces and a pawn for the queen, his forces are very active28 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES ‘and much better coordinated. White on the other hhand lacks space and the c3-Knight is a real thom in his flesh. Therefore it’s well worth some material (a pawn or even an exchange) to get rid of the knight. Serious tests of Kaspa- rov's concept are: 1) 15£3 He8 16 whl £5 17 De4!? A3xe4 18 fxed Axed 19 g4 gS 20 gxf5 xt 21 hd Ah3 22 Wg3 44 with complex play, L.B.Hansen- Van der Wiel, Wijk aan Zee 1995. 2) 15 @bI!? Bxe2+ 16 Wre? ef 17 Dd? £5 (17.,.Axal 18 Hxal He8 19 We3 seh7 20 Wad, followed by a3 and b4 favours White; in our position Black’s dark-squared bishop is worth more than White’s passive rook and perhaps it is more accurate to play 17...e8!? followed by Be7) 18 Hadi He8! (18...g52! 19 £4, as in Gulko-Van Wely, Groningen 1994, is weaker, as it takes the dynamism out of Black’s position) and Black has compensation for the queen. He can gradually prepare the advance of his kingside pawns. 15. ®xa2 16 Bal Db4 17 dt ed 18 Ebt Ee8 (D) as ru ay x White has chased away the c3-Knight, but it cost him an important pawn and he still lacks breathing space. Moreover, now Black’s knights are invincible on their outposts. In the above ‘examples simplification helped the defence; by avoiding it Black has retained more pieces to support the advance of his pawns. All in all Kasparov is clearly better. 19 Wes 15 20 hd After 20 £4 exf3 21 Wxf3 d4+ 22 thi ®bd3 Black invades White's position with great effect. 20 rs Freeing the g7-bishop with 20...h7!? seems even stronger. 21 g3?t Black's last move gave White a chance to put up stiffer resistance with 21 £4. 2 on Hac8 22 bee ‘An attempt to connect the rooks with 22 2e2? fails to 22...2c2 23 Wes $h7! and White has no defence against ...Ste5, as the d2-knight hhas no free squares. Perhaps 22 £4 was still ‘more resilient, but after 22...exf3 (22....6!%) 23 ‘Wx13 £4! Black’s pieces are all over the place — the main threats are ..le3 and ...25. n Dbd3! Kramnik has missed his chance and won't get another one. Now all is ready for Black to play ...£4 himself. 23 Bgl 23 £42 now runs into 23..exf3+ 24 Wrf3 2c3!, trapping White’s luckless knight. Bow fat 23...06 24 dxc6 bxc6 followed by ..d5-d4 is also good, but the direct text-move is even stronger. ‘Exf4 (D) Black has a winning attack. In the final phase Kasparov misses more than one chance to wrap up the game faster. The explanation is simple ‘enough — with the flag rising there is no time for precise calculation; intuition and speed inevitably take over.GAME 77: VLADIMIR KRAMNIK ~ GARRY KASPAROV 29 25 hs Desperation, but there was nothing better; eg., 25 @e2 Hxh4! 26 Hh Afs+ 27 dg 244! traps White’s queen. 25 = 2s A safe move. 25...Bxf2+ and 25...He5!? are more forceful continuations. Ef 26 4 27° Bhi Bt 28 Ef Eels 29 £3 Bhd ‘A more forcing solution was 29...exf3+ 30 Dxf3 (30 Exf3 loses immediately to 30...e8 31 Wel Del+) 30...24 31 Dd2 ad 32 We3 Bxfl 33 Dxfl Df4+ 34 wh2 Dxhs and Black wins. 30 fxe4 (D) ee OO J \ \ De \ » © hak 27 2727) s : Although this doesn’t change the evaluation of the position, Black had at least two forced wins at his disposal: 1) 30...h3+ 31 Wixh3 Bxfl! 32 Wxh4 (32 Qxfl? Df4+) 32...2xd1 and Black wins more material. 2) The same goes for 30...xf1 31 Dxfl (31 sbxfl Zh1+ 32 dg2 Bel 33 WES g4 and the attack costs White his queen) 31...h3 32 g3 (32 63 4 or 32 Wxh3 4f4+ doesn’t help) 32...f0€5. 31 gh Ded3 2 Kramnik tries to free himself. 32 $c2? fails to 32...,£d4! and even 32 23 can’t hold out for long after 32...2g4+ 33 tehl Eg3. 2 Dxe5 33 Bet 34 DES ‘The only move that doesn’t immediately cost ‘material is the ugly 34 Wa7. Then the most incisive is 34..ed3 35 Hc2 c5!, when the g7- bishop joins the mating attack. : 24(D) Bh3 ‘The knight is lost and Black retains a powerful attack. In a serious tournament game Kram- nik would have resigned by now. 35 Dxe5 White changes the material balance to remain ‘only’ two pawns down, but this doesn’t bring him any relief. 35 aw Exe3 360 Dxd7 — DH3 Now the g-pawn will decide, but 36...2d4!, with a mating attack, is even quicker. 37 See Exfl 38 xf 3 39 bg? This hastens the end, but 39 &g4 Af4 40 Hc2 Hc31 is curtains as well. ow fae O14Game 78 Garry Kasparov — Vladimir Kramnik Novgorod 1994 Sicilian Defence, Sveshnikov Variation [B33] In the notes to Game 77 we mentioned that 1994 was the first year of a heated Kasparov- Kramnik rivalry. At the time this game was played, Kasparov had already lost three times tohis immensely gifted teenage compatriot and was highly motivated. Having White for the first time in a tournament game definitely increased the World Champion's determination to level their personal score. 1 ef 3s 2 D3 Deb 3 Dger ‘A special move-order, which Kasparov employed almost exclusively against Kramnik. White doesn’t want to play the Closed, but the Open Sicilian. Later in his practice Kasparov quite often avoided the Sveshnikov with 3 D3. White intends to play the 3...2)f6 4 2b5 line, but he must reckon with the currently popular 3.5174 Bed d6. 3 on ore 4 44 exd4 5 Axdd 5 Another way to reach the game position with an extra move is 5...e6 6 dbS (White has some additional options here, the most notable being 6 Dxc6!? bxc6 7 e5 Ads 8 Ded) 6...06 7 AEs 5.8 2g5, This method avoids some sidelines; we'll mention the most important ones in the next note. As just a technical remark, due to this alternative move-order the numbering of moves in the practical examples quoted below may differ from reality; the same also goes for Kas- parov-Shirov, Horgen 1994 (Game 80). 6 dbs 6 7 gs Lesser alternatives are 7 a4 or 7 dS, but Kasparov has always played the main move. ac 26 8 a3 5 (D) ‘The basic position of the Sveshnikov Sicilian, a typical representative of the modern method of creating strategic imbalances. By voluntarily creating holes in his pawn-structure, Black a mms sma a strives to achieve dynamic piece-play; one of his main trumps is usually an active bishop- pair. Originally analysed and played mainly by Sveshnikov and Timoshchenko in the 1970s, nowadays the line has become immensely popular at every level. Elite players like Kramnik and Leko have contributed to the rapid growth of its theory and lately even Kasparov has occasionally essayed it with Black. 9 Bas 9 S.xf6 gxf6 10 Dds £5 compromises Black's kingside pawn-structure, but he has more influ- cence in the centre and the semi-open g-file can also help his counterplay. Despite Kasparov's preference for the positional text-move, he has also had some experience with this sharper line: 1) 113 &g7 12exf5 2xf5 13 Ac2 Reb 14 34 0-0 15 axb5 axbS 16 Bxa8 Wxa8 17 Dce3 WOT 18 g4!? De7 (18...b41? 19 Sg? bxc3 20 bxc3 WS is probably better and gives Black enough counterplay) 19 Sg? @xd5 20 xd5 ‘We7 21 h4 Hc8 22 g5 Hc 23 Red d5! 24 Dxd5 Bxd5 25 &xd5 e4 was played in Kasparov- Leko, Wijk aan Zee 2000; now 26 Wd2! would have given White a slight edge. 2) One of the reasons why the Sveshnikov is so popular is that the sharpness and complexity of the whole line is predominantly strategic, not tactical. Black mostly doesn’t have to worryGAME 78: GARRY KASPAROV — VLADIMIR KRAMNIK 31 about falling prey to some deep computer analysis, full of hidden tactical nuances. In this sense, the Sveshnikov is different from the Bot- vinnik System (see Games 23 and 75). Notable exceptions are the lines with an immediate sacrifice on b5, but currently they don’t seem too promising for White. After 11 &xb5 axb5 12 @xb5 Had 13 b4 Whd (13...Exb4!? 14 Dbe7+ ‘£7 15 0-0 Eg8 is perhaps even stronger) 14 0-0 Hg8 15 £42! (allowing the perpetual after 15 3 f4! 16 Wad Bxg2+ is more prudent) 15..,$2d8 163! Ba6 17 a4? fxe4 18 £5267 19 Ba2 e3 20 Oxe3 Wed 21 Hel Axb4! 22 cxb4 2h6 Black had a decisive attack in Shirov- Kasparov, Linares 2002. on eT 10 &xf6 axfé 1 63(D) uw 0-0 Although this natural move occurs very often, it’s certainly not the only viable option for Black. 11...&b7 will be featured in Game 80. 11....g5 was later adopted by Kramnik and can become a valid independent option, if after 12 Ac? Black plays 12...Hb8!? (instead of 12...0-0). Finally, even the idea from the game is feasible, albeit in a different context. Black can use the fact he still hasn’t castled: after 11..DeT!? 12 Dxi6+ gxf6 13 De2 Lb7 14 243 d5 15 exd5 Wxd5 16 De3 Web 17 Whs he has 17...0-0-0! 18 Sc? db8 19 £b3 Wes with promising counterplay. 12 Ded Bb8 (D) Black prevents the immediate a4, but invests a tempo and allows White to limit his f6-bishop. Nowadays the text-move isn’t too popular any ‘more and the elite (Kasparov, Leko, Kramnik, Topalov, etc.) clearly prefer 12...g5 13 a4 bxad 14 Bxad a5 15 Sc4 Bb8 16 Ba2 dhs 17 )ce3 g6 with a complex position. Although the bishop on c4 makes White’s grip on d5 more or less unbreakable, Black can play ‘around’ the centralized knight and create counterplay on the flanks. Currently White's most promising continuation is the sharp pawn sacrifice 18 hat, gee mat (S278 13 hat? An ambitious option. This is not really an attacking move, although after Black's reaction it helps White’s h-rook to join the assault. White first and foremost prevents ...£g5; other ideas include a later g3 and &h3. The quiet 13 £e2 &g5 14 0-0 a5 leads to approximate equality. Kasparov intended to improve upon 13 a3 a5 (13....g5!? is better) 14 h4 eT 15 Boe3?! (15 @xf6+! gxf6 16 Wa2 is more promising for White) 15..2ixd5 16 Dxd5 e6 17 g3 WAT 18 Rg? Bd8! 19 0-0 2b6 20 Wa2 Efc8 21 Hfdi Sxd5 22 Wxd5 b4! and in Kasparov-Kramnik, Moscow (PCA) rpd 1994 Black sacrificed a pawn to achieve a drawish position. Bow Derr A provocative move. Black fights for d5, but breaking up the kingside is too high a price for winning this battle. A safer and more solid option is 13...f0e7!. Black wants to continue his development with ...,2e6 and ...Wd7, followed by ...2d8-b6 and ...e7. Moreover, White has to lose time to take care of the h4-pawn and the aforementioned plan should be sufficient for equality. 14 Dxf6+32 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 14 Bce3 DxdS 15 Dxd5 £e6 is too soft and leads to position similar to the aforementioned Kasparov-Kramnik game from Moscow. gxf6 (D) 15 Wa2 A direct attacking move: the queen aims for he straight away. However, Kramnik’s active defence shows Black has reasonable counterchances. Later that year Kasparov came up with a more harmonious novelty: 15 £d3! (actually it was 16 £d3! due to the move-order ‘mentioned in the note to move 5). White simply ‘wants to profit from his better pawn-structure and safer king. After 15..d5 (15..f5 16 ext5 Axf5 17 Axf5 Dxf5 18 Wa3 followed by 0-0-0 also gives White an edge) 16 exdS Wxd5 17 ®e3 Web 18 WhS 4? (even after the stronger 18...5 19 0-0-0 We6 20 We5! £6 21 Wxg6+ hxg6 22 S22 White has a small but permanent pull) 19 2 b4?! 20 c4 White had a large advantage in Kasparov-Lautier, Moscow OL 1994. The final combination is equally beautiful as in our game: 20...2h8 21 0-0-0 £5 22 We5 Hb6 23 hS Hc6 24 sebI Hes 25 h6 Wes 26 Bhs Hg8 27 Dg4! and Black resigned, as after 27...We6 28 ‘Ed8! he'll soon get mated. to advance his weak d-pawn, which causes him problems after 15...f5 16 Wg5+ Dg6 (16...eh8 17 Wf6+ dg8 18 0-0-0 also gives White the initiative) 17 exfS Wxg5 18 hxgS &xf5 19 Ab4!. 16 a3 45 (D) 17 exdS ‘The quiet continuation 17 We3 is not in keep- ‘ng with White's aggressive 15th move, and after 17...dxe4 18 xed Lxe4 19 Wxed Wd7 Black equalizes. 7 ‘Weds 18 0-0-0 ‘Again consistent, but the pawn sacrifice leads to a double-edged position. 18 Bh3!? is interesting; in the endgame after 18..e4 19 Hg3+ D)g6 20 Se? Wxd2+ 21 dexd2 White can perhaps claim a tiny advantage. 8. 18...ixa2 just transposes into the game after, 19 Wh6 e4 20 e2. 19 Ber ‘Wra2 Brave, but justified, After other moves White's positional pluses (better pawn-structure and less exposed king) give him a distinct edge. 20 Whe Wes The only possibility. Black's position collapses after 20...f5? 21 Wg5+ Dg6 22 h5 £6 23 Wrest. 21 Ba4(D) y B gy gyGAME 78: GARRY KASPAROV ~ VLADIMIR KRAMNIK 33 Kramnik finds the best defence. 21...We5? 22 f4l exf3 is inferior, although proving this requires accurate and resourceful play from White: 1) 23 gxf3 is not ideal due to 23...Ag6 24 Ehgl @h8 25 Lb1 (White must stop ...WF4+) 25...2g8 (25...W4? fails to 26 Hxg6, but a possible alternative is 25...fe8!? 26 h5 Wa 27 Exg6 Wrxh6 28 Exh6 Bxe2! with only a small advantage for White) 26 £d3 WS! 27 hS WS. Although now 28 f5 wins a piece, the resulting position after 28...2xf3 29 hxg6 fxg6 30 Hidfl &h5 is far from clear. 2) Stronger is 23 £43! g6 24 93, when after the practically forced 24...de4 25 Bhel ! (25 Rxe4?! Wred 26 hS DeS 27 Wrt6 We3+ 28 Hb1 Dgs 29 Wes Dh6 30 Wr led to a draw by repetition in G.Garcia-Illescas, Linares 1994) 25...£5 26 Dxf5! (26 h5 £2.27 hxg6 fxg6 28 Be3 Ebc8! gives Black compensation) 26...#xt5 27 Bxed Wh3 28 h5 Wags 29 hxg6 fxg6 30 Rd5+ ‘th8 31 He3 White should win. 2 Eh 22 Sig4?! is easily parried by 22...8c8, but after the game Kramnik admitted he was worried about 22 g4!? dh8 (forced, because both 22...Bfd8? 23 g5 and 22...,c8? 23 Hdgt! lose for Black) 23 @\f5 @xf5 24 gxf5. Now Bd7 with the idea Exb7 is the main threat, but the accurate 24...Hfd8! (24...bd8? 25 Bd7! cB fails to 26 Rh5!! Lxd7 27 Shg6 fxg6 28 fxg6 EE7 29 ext7 Wd6 30 Hdl We7 31 Bxd7) 25 ShS €3 26 Ehgl Bxdl+ 27 Sixdl Hg8 leads to an equal endgame. The natural rook-lift is ob- Jectively no better, but it leads to more complex play. Dw ens 23 ga Bg8 (D) 23...2)g8? 24 Wh5 is too passive and gives White a strong attack after 24...e7 25 Af5!. The text-move leads to the critical position. 24 Deb? Quiet moves such as 24 £57! 2g7 (or even 24..Axf5 25 Dxt5 Wes) are barely sufficient for compensation, let alone an advantage. Kas- parov realized he must act energetically and spent a long time deciding which piece to land on e6. The text-move is tempting, aggressive and... wrong. 24 £e6!? is stronger. Then: 1) 24...fxe6? 25 Wxf6+ Hg7 26 Hg3 Deo +26...bg8 loses after 27 Eixg7 Exg7 28 Zxe6) ae a ‘O20 a 27 @xe6 Ebg8 28 hS cB 29 h6! and White wins, 2) 24...2Ag7 25 Hy3! (25 Wxf67! is weaker due to 25...2d5 26 WeS Wc! and Black is better) 25...ixg3 26 fxg3 Dg8 27 Wes and White has nothing to fear. 3) The best defence is 24...Bg6 25 Wf4 fxe6! (rook moves are too risky due to 26 h5) 26 ‘Wxb8+ Hg8 27 Wh2 e5 28 Dc2 Wxf2 29 g4. Kasparov evaluates this position as unclear; it actually arose in the game Schiitt-Hoyge, corr. 1994, After 29...Wxh2 30 Hxh2 @dS 31 Ehd2 241? (31...Eixg4 is weaker due to 32 b4!) a draw is the most plausible result Ww got Black is still on the right track. Other moves lose: 1) White mates after 24...Bxg4? 25 Dg5! Exg5 26 hxgs g8 27 gxf6. 2) After 24...£xe6? 25 Wri6+ Hp7 26 Ba7! Hg8 (Black is helpless after 26...He8 27 Hg3! or 26...We5 27 Sxe6) 27 Sexe6! Black has no good defence against Exe7, because 27...£5 28 Wxf5 xd? fails to 29 Zg3!. 3) If 24...Wxf2?!, then 25 Hf3! Hg6 26 Wr g6 Wxb2+! 27 dexb2 Dxg6 28 Exl6 fxe6 29 Exe6 gives White a large advantage. 25 WEA (D) 25 ou He8? Unravelling all the complex variations from the notes above cost Kramnik a lot of time and with only two minutes left on the clock he finally succumbs to the pressure. The alternatives were: 1) 25...2bg8? 26 h5 Bxg4 27 Wxf6+ H4g7 28 h6 Wre6 29 hxg7+ Exg7 30 Bd8+ Ags 31 Hxg8+! leads to mate34 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES aw a pa “a Lo 1 Uaioe A Gs A A 2 Sa 7 x a _ 2) The endgame after 25...Ba8?! 26 Bd6 DAS 27 Exb6 Dxf4 28 Axf4 Hxgd 29 Hxi6 is definitely more pleasant for White. 3) However, the strong 25...2d5! keeps White’s d1-rook out and turns the tables. After 26 S&h5 (26 Zg5 Hbg8!? doesn’t help White) 26,..LRxe6 27 Bxg6 ADxg6! (27...8xh3? 28 id6) 28 Waf6+ dog8 29 h5!? (29 Hg3 Was! and the counterattack is faster; e.g., 30 Rd6 Wal+ 31 sec2 £b3+1) 29...2xh3 30 Bd6 White regains both pieces, but Black retains excellent winning chances after 30...We7!? 31 gxh3 b4 32 hxgé hxg6. 2% Rao! Now 26 hS? is insufficient, as after 26..Eixg4 Black simply wins material. 26 a5!? (D) After 26,..Wa5 27 hS! Wal (27...ixe4 28 Wxi6+ dg8 29 Dgs! merely transposes) 28 sbc2 Wad+ 29 ddI Hxgd 30 Wxt6+ shg8 31 Dg5! (31 Wxe7? is tempting, but Black extri- cates himself with 31...2c6! 32 Bd8 Wad1+!) 31..Wic4 32 h6 (32 Has Wfl+ 33 dic2! also wins) 32...xg5 33 Wixg5+ Dg6 34 Wis 2t8 35 Hd7 Wfl+ 36 da? £d5+ (also after 36... Wed+ 37b3 We2+ 38 a3 Black runs out of checks) 37 b3 White quickly mates. Kramnik is understandably reluctant to lose contact with his Kingside, but even after the text-move White can continue his attack 27 bst! A powerful blow, after which all the tactics work out in White’s favour. The insipid 27 Exb6? Oxf 28 Daf Bxgd 29 Exi6 is only about equal, since compared with note ‘2’ to Lag Be Black's 24th move the rook is much better placed on e8. 7 Oxtd Other moves lose as well: 1) 27...Exgs 28 rgd Hg8 29 Wxg8+ sexes 30 Hg3+ dh8 31 Qd8! and preventing mate will cost Black a whole rook. 2) 27...Hxe6 28 hxg6 Oxf 29 Exh7+ dogs 30 gxf7+ dexh7 31 Bxb6 is just as hopeless for Black. 3) 27..Beg8 28 Bxd5! Bxe6 29 2x06 Wre6 30 Hd6 and the extra exchange decides. 28 bxg6 ‘Wrd6 The only move. 28...2\xh3 29 gxf7! costs Black at least a piece and 28...hxe6 29 Bxh7+ transposes into line ‘2’ of the previous note. Finally, after 28...43+ 29 Bhxd3 WaS 30 gxf7 Wal+ 31 ded2 Wxb2+ 32 tel Wel+ 33 dl the checks are over and Black loses. 29 Exh7s bes. 30° gxf7+ © exh7 31 fxs Axes. 32 Gfs+! kg 33 Wg6+ | ht8 34 Wxf6+ 8. 35 fixes = WES? 1.0 A series of forced moves has led to a won endgame for White. Black’s king is still exposed and he has no good defence against the march of the g-pawn, as 35...3 36 fxe3 Sxg2 37 B£7+ bd7 38 Re8+ tc7 39 We7+ dd8 40 ‘Wxg2 dxe8 41 Wed+ forces an exchange of queens. The text-move is a blunder and Kram- nik resigned without waiting for 36 £d7+.Game 79 Garry Kasparov — Predrag Nikoli¢ Horgen 1994 French Defence, Winawer Variation [C18] by BD nnsune BON ‘The Winawer Variation leads to a clash between sharply opposing positional values, an approach altogether typical for many modern openings. So why is this line far less popular than the ubiquitous Sveshnikov (see Game 78 and Kasparov-Shirov, Horgen 1994 — Game 80)? The main reason probably lies in the fact that contemporary players like to hold or at least fight for the initiative, which in turn is both objectively and psychologically very important. To put it in other words, contrary to the Sveshnikoy, in the Winawer Black usually has to survive White’s attack first to triumph in the end. However, all this is a matter of taste and, for instance, Nik 7 White’s most ambitious attempt, which is fully in keeping with his aforementioned obli- gation to strive for the initiative. This move creates a direct threat and forces immediate concessions from Black. For the alternative 7 ‘4!2, as well as more general comments on the Winawer, see Game 66. = £812 (D) Nikolié’s pet move, which is however a rare guest in current practice. The more usual continuations are: 1) With 7.17, Black abandons his kingside in a double-edged attempt to wrest the initiative from White. However, this line is not ‘everyone's cup of tea and in the sharp lines after 8 Wxg7 (8 2431? cxd4 9 De? is also dangerous for Black) 8...g8 9 Wxh7 cxd4 10 2e2 Abc6 11 f4 dxe3 12 Wa3 Black hasn’t been doing too well recently. 2) 7...0-0 is more popular, but here after 8 203 Black again faces a difficult choice. 8...£5 9 exf6 opens the position for White's bishop- pair, while &..Abc6 9 Wh5! Dg6 10 43 We7 11 &e3 (or even the direct 11 h4!?) gives White ‘good attacking chances. All in all, it’s easier to get at Black's king on the kingside than in the centre, ta “i & awa “wy a7 QA onan af SSnn Although the text-move locks in Black’s h8- rook for a long time, the game Leko-Ilescas below shows this drawback can be overcome. If White doesn’t succeed in opening the position effectively, Black will eventually manage to ‘connect his rooks. 8 hd Kasparov has made this move, by which White gains space on the kingside and opens36 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES the third rank for the h1-rook, very popular. On the other hand, 8 h4 is rather committal and less direct tries such as 8 a4 and 8 &d2 We7 9 £43 b6 10 4h3!? followed by 4Af4 deserve attention 8 Wer Logical enough and certainly playable, but Black mostly prefers 8...WaS 9 2d? Wad 10 Bh3 Abe6 11 h5 h6! (11...xe57! 12 We followed by h6 is very dangerous for Black) 12 ‘Wed 2d71? (12...06 13 BP Dd8 14 dxc5! Wks 15 Bxf4 bxc5 16 &e3 gives White a small endgame edge) with an unclear position. 9 Wal!? White can save his centre with moves like 9 al or 9 a2, but Kasparov is not interested in such soft options. His reasoning is that after forcing the concession 7...2f8!?, he can simply retreat his queen to complete his development harmoniously. Just as in Game 66, White is prepared to give up one or both of his central pawns to accentuate Black's dark-square vulnerability, 9 wm exd4 ‘The most consistent, although accepting the sacrifice is by no means forced. After 9...247 10 &d2 Bad 11 Ld3 Dbob 12 AE3 c4 13 Be? he8! 14 hS h6 15 Dh4 hd7 16 f4 Bags 17 gd g5 18 bxg6 Axg6 19 Sf2 Axh4 20 Exh4 ‘Wa Black had sufficient counterplay in Leko- Ilescas, Ubeda 1997. 10 exd4 We3+ fa? Wad 2 Weds 13 £e2(D) 1B The text-move threatens ....a6 and is stronger than 13...bo6?!. Roughly two months later in Kasparov-PNikoli¢, Paris (PCA) rpd 1994 Black never managed to coordinate his forces and got routed after 14 h5! Dxe5 (14...n6 15 hd drives the queen offside) 15 h6 gxh6 16 Bxh6+ deg8 17 Ebl! 27g6 18 Kb4 Dxf3+ 19 axf3 WeS 20 4 Wc3+ 21 Sf £5 22 Bb3 WHE 23 c4! b6 24 cxd5 Lb7 25 Rd3 He8 26 Hel! 14 00 a6 15 cA! (D) a *. BLkA TD 77 se The main idea behind 9 Wal!” is to open the position before Black finishes his development. Kasparov goes about it with his usual energy. 15 De Black declines the offer for the time being and chooses a solid developing move. Weak is 15..dxc4? 16 Dg5 W7 (16..xeS 17 263 Dbeb 18 Lxc6 Axc6 19 WI3 costs Black a piece) 17 &b4 Dbc6 18 &h5! with numerous threats (Axf7, Axe6+, etc.) and a very strong attack. A more testing way to take the pawn is 15...Rx04 16 Rxc4 dxc4 (16...Wxe4?! is dan- ‘gerous for Black in view of 17 Ec! followed by Xb4 and possibly Bc7). Now an interesting direct attemptis 17 2g5!? (even the slow 17 S2b4 Dbc6 18 Ld6 gives White compensation, as connecting the rooks will cost Black a lot of time) 17.13 (17...WE5 18 Hel h6 19 Exc! hxg5 20 &b4 is unclear) 18 WhS, but Black can more or less force White to give a perpetual with 18...g6 19 Dxh7+ dg8 20 Di6+ g7 21 Bh6+!? (21 Wes WES 22 Zicl Dbc6 23 Des S!? 24 a4 a6 gives Black chances to neutralize White’s initiative and emerge on top) 21..8xh6 22 De84, a ‘yGAME 79: GARRY KASPAROV — PREDRAG NIKOLIC 37 i aa a anam :ewois 16 Wrest? Kasparov criticizes this move and he is right on general grounds, as opening the position is usually perilous for the side with the uncastled king. Objectively speaking, however, Black’s mistakes come only later on. The other continuation, 16...Wxh4 17 cxd5 &xe2, deserves closer scrutiny. After 18 Wxe2 Black has three moves and it’s difficult to judge their respective merits: 1) The simple 18...xd5 19 WE3 Dd 20 fel !? Wad 21 Aixe6+ Aixe6 22 Wxds a8 23 Rb4+ dg8 24 Ld6 gives White good compensation in view of the passive h8-rook, but maybe not more than that. 2) 18...2\d4 has more tactical content. White must limit Black’s queen with 19 Wal (19 a3 is insufficient in view of 19...2xd5 20 g3 We), and after 19...xd5 Kasparov recommends 20 Bel (20 g3 Wh6 gets White nowhere, as 21 Dxf7? fails to 21...Wxd2!) with the threat of ‘He4. However, Black can still extricate himself with 20...Af4 21 Ded (21 Hes? Ade2+! simplifies the position to Black’s advantage) 21..Hd8 22 g3 (after 22 Mb4+ tg8 23 d6 £5 24 g3 Wh3! Black’s position holds, but 22 Ecl!? is interesting) 22...WhS 23 gxf4 D+ 24 dg? We4+ 25 Ag3 Dxel+ 26 Wrel h5 and the resulting position is unclear. 3) 18..exd5!? 19 £41? (19 ©67! Ad4 only helps Black) is also interesting. Black can’t chase away the dangerous g5-knight (19...h6? 20 Rel) and premature activity such as 19...2\85 20 Wa3 43? 21 Bfel only entangles his pieces and leads to trouble. Even after safer moves Black's problems with piece coordination per- sist. 17 Eel Wt6 18 Shs 26(D) This weakening is forced, as 18...2g6! 19 exd5 exd5 20 Hel with ideas such as Ae6+ or c3 gives White a menacing attack. xy we mab a sits 19 cxd5 exd5 Kasparov likes to present his opponents with tempting multiple-choice riddles; see for example 10...e4! in Game 49, or the note to 11 a4 in Game 59. Here 19...gxh5? leaves Black's position full of holes after 20 dxc6, but 19...2xd5 ‘was a serious alternative, by which Black keeps his pawn-structure intact. White must play energetically to keep his attack going: 1) Kasparov proposed 20 Hcl, but 20...e5!? gives Black good chances to consolidate. 2) The quiet line 20 ££3 h6 21 Ded (21 Aixd5 exdS 22 Df3 dg7 gets White nowhere) 21...Wixh4 22 g3 Wa8 23 Zic3 (23 Wel Des 24 Axh6+ Sg8 only helps Black to activate his h8-rook) 23...de7!? leaves White’s compensation rather vague. 3) 20 Wad more or less forces Black to play the useful 20....2b7 (20...gxh5?! 21 Wxc6 hg7 22 Bed gives White too much play on the dark squares), when after 21 &g4 Ad4 (21...De5? is weak in view of 22 A\xe6+! fxe6 23 2h6+ with a decisive attack) 22 Qed Wg7 his position seems to hold. 4) 20 ded is a very direct try. After 20...Wxh4 (20...Wg7? fails to 21 Wel!) 21 Bh6+ dg8 22 3 We7!? (following 22... Wxh5 23 Wxd5 Wixho 24 Wxc6 Black still has serious problems with his piece coordination and weak dark squares)38 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 23 &2£3 the h8-rook will remain comered for a Jong time, but White has nothing immediately decisive after 23...2848!? (23...£2b7?! allows the strong 24 £g5 £6 25 2d6! threatening Hxe6). 5) White should realize that his main target is now on e6, 20 £2g4!? is best, as now both natural knight moves invite immediate tactics: Sa) 20.244?! is weak due to 21 Axe6+! fxe6 22 &h6+ Sf7 23 Res We7 24 Bxe6+ Dxe6 25 Wxd5 Hhe8 (25...Bae8? loses to 26 Bacl!) 26 Hxe6 Exe6 27 Wf3+! and White ‘wins the material back with interest, while his attack is still not over. Sb) 20...DeS 21 Dxe6-+!? fxe6 22 Bes Axed (forced) 23 &xf6 Dgxf6 24 Bxe6 is not quite clear, but Black's exposed king is a permanent factor. This last line indicates that the text-move, which removes the pawn from e6 and restricts White’s knight, was probably the right choice. 20° Sg4(D) x7 0 oe Sms wy ae Zi a 3 8 aa 0 her Only now does Nikoli¢ falter, as this provocative move is not a good idea. White's knight is, literally begging to jump to e6 anyway and this threat should be taken seriously: 1) Black still doesn’t have time to connect his rooks with 20...¢g7? due to 21 De6+! fxe6 22 Bxe6 e2 (Black's queen can’t stay on the long diagonal; he loses quickly after 22...Wd4 23 Bxe7+! @xe7 24 Lh6+ or 22...1Wb2 23 Wel!) and now White has a pleasant choice between continuing his attack (23 Hxe2"?) or winning the queen with 23 2h6+ &xh6 24 Wel. 2) This indicates Black should have concerned himself with the sensitive e6-square. 20...\£52! isn’t ideal, as 21 Hcl renews the threat of De6+. After 21...S04 (21...g7? fails 10 22 &xf5 axf5 23 De6+! with a crushing attack) 22 Sxf5 ext5 (22...WWxf5? loses material after 23 He3!) 23 c3 d4 24 Ab4+!? Black holds the endgame after 24 Sxd4 Wadd 25 Wxd4 Dxd4 26 Bxc4 Bd8 27 Bc7 h6!) 24...xb4 25 Exc4 White retains his pressure and has more than sufficient compensation. 3) The safest option is 20...Sc8!. Now after 21 Hel h6 22 Sxc8 (22 Sc3 d4 23 “ed? just loses more material after 23...2xg4 24 Wed WS) 22...Bxc8 White still has to justify his sacrificial concept, as 23 £c3 d4 24 Ded Wes! gets him nowhere. 21 De6+! —fxe6 21.28? is bad due to 22 c7. 22 -Bxe6 (D) ae “a 7 awe ‘Ss Black concedes the long diagonal, as White has no immediate way to exploit this. Neverthe- less, 22...llig7!? needs to be considered. Now 23 WE3+ deg8 24 c3 d4 25 Exe7 Axe7! 26 Wxa8+ &h7 27 Wxa7 dxc3 is even dangerous for White, because the passed c-pawn is very strong. 23 cl? is better; for example, 23...S2b7 (23...2d4? loses on the spot to 24 Exe7!) 24 Rb4 Dxb4 25 He7 Dbe6 26 Exb7 with a strong attack. 23 Wad?! 23 £c3? is insufficient due to 23..d4 24 Sixd4 Ea8!, While conducting a sacrificial attack that isn’t based solely on calculation, it's important to engage as many pieces as possible in the onslaught. Therefore it comes as no surprise that Kasparov's suggestion 23 Bcl!? isGAME 79: GARRY KASPAROV ~ PREDRAG NIKOLIC 39 ‘more dangerous than the text-move, Black has the following options: 1) 23...2d4? loses immediately to 24 Bxe7!. One of Black's problems is that if White limits his material disadvantage to a minimum without allowing substantial simplification, his attack will probably be decisive. This is well illustrated in lines “2” and ‘3° 2) After 23...8c8 24 Bexc6 Dxo6 25 Bxc6 Sixg4 26 Wig White has a very strong attack and even 26...f5 (the most resilient; 26...2g7? loses quickly to 27 h5! g5 28 23+ sh7 29 £f6) allows a transformation into a promising rook endgame by 27 &xh6+!? Exh6 (Black’s king can’t survive 27.7? 28 Hc7+ #e6 29 Wad) 28 Waf5+ axf5 29 Hxh6 we7 30 eft 3) 23..h5 is well met by 24 Hcxc6! (24 £37! BB 25 Hexc6 Dxc6 26 Exc6 Lxh3 27 gxh3 &g7 isn’t clear any more) 24...2\xc6 25 Exc6 hxg4 26 £c3. Here after 26...Eixh4 (the best; 26...c¢g8 27 Rf6 and 26...1Wd7 27 Wel!? are even more dangerous) 27 Hf6 White wins Black’s queen and the opposite-coloured bishops only enhance the strength of his attack on the dark squares. 4) However, Black’s most natural move is 23....8¢4 (D) and now: i a. 2 awe Wamr.e Beas a Re as ei ao 7 Au a 4a) 24 He3 h5!? (24..0d47! 25 Bxh6+ Exh6 26 Wxd4 sbg8 27 Hf3 and Black is forced to simplify into a tough endgame with 27...Wig7 (27..We8? loses quickly after 28 Hee3!} 28 Wxg7+ Sxg7 29 Hxe7+ wh 30 g3) 25 h3 (25 BE3 hxgd is rather speculative) 25...d4 26 2h6+ Exh6 27 Wrxd4. Here compared with 24..d47! Black has an extra pawn on the board and so he can afford to play 27..ag8 - (27...¥ig7 is a possible transposition) 28 Ef3 W7! 29 Wxg7+ doxg7 30 Bxe7+ deh8 when a draw seems to be the most likely result. 4b) Burgess suggests 24 Exc4!? dxc4 25 Wal and White wins Black’s queen for wo rooks after 25..2h7 26 Ef6. However, his tacking chances are not as obvious as in line “3° with a similar material balance and the position after, e. ‘Therefore line own even afier the tricky 23 Hcl!?. ‘We now return to the position after 23 Wa4?! (D): BE] 7 | ‘i 2 awe 24a 2b: mae a WY FY Zak i me a ao Am a 2B wm BoA Nikolié doesn’t cling to his extra piece and wants to simplify the position instead. After 23.087! 24 Bxc6 Sixes (24...2\xc6 is weaker and loses quickly after 25 Wxc6) 25 Hc7, pinning the e7-knight with £b4 and Zel will par- alyse Black’s position. More to the point is 23...@b7!2, but even here after 24 Hael (24 &c3? dd 25 Sxd4 again runs into 25...b5! 26 Wal a8) with ideas such as &b4 or B1e3 White has strong pressure and reasonable chances to transform his compensation into something more concrete. 24 Exe6 — Axe6 Not 24...b5? 25 Wb4. 25 Wxe6 Hes From now on until the end of the game, a crucial question is if the inactive al-rook will manage to join the attack effectively. In this respect 25...4d8? is substantially weaker and after 26 el White’s onslaught will soon triumph. 26 d7(D) 26 ow gr40 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES Vs a faa @ Af ie ee mm BS A LL ‘An important moment. Black wants to tuck his king away, but White will be able to generate dangerous threats even on the kingside. The rook can’t leave the back rank, but 26...d8!” is possible. Now White’s best is 27 &b4+ (after the seemingly winning 27 £e67! Black has the tactical point 27....b5! and White's compensation is insufficient; for example, 28 WxbS Wxe6 29 Bel WA7 30 Rb4+ tg8) 27...eg7 28 Rc3+ (28 e6 still leaves White struggling after 28...S65 29 WxbS Wxe6 30 Hel We8 31 He7+ dg8) 28...27 29 e6 Sb5!? (29...We7 is a playable alternative, when 30 Hel Bd6 31 Wad!” b5 32 Wha Wa8 33 Wes Wh6 34 Sxd5! Axd5 35 He7+ deg8 36 He8+ 7 37 Wxb6 Exb6 38 Bxh8 2c6 leads to a drawish endgame) 30 &xf7 (White stands worse after 30 Wrb57! Wre6) 30...xc6 31 Sxh8 Hxhs 32 cl dg7 and here the most logical outcome is 27 3 =e h7(D) To me NEN _ a Kasparov ignores material and continues the attack with his usual energy. 2B comer. 28...gxh5? is impossible due to 29 5+! Wxf5 30 Wc7+ and White mates. However, 28,..Ee7!? 29 Sexh8 exh5 (29...dexh8!? 30 hxg6 ‘WrA also deserves attention) seems to be a playable alternative. After 30 h3 (30 £d4 Bxd7 31 We8 He7 is also unclear) 30...2exh8 31 Wrh6+ dg8 32 Hdl He2 Black has enough Kasparov doesn’t risk too much by spurning the perpetual check which arises after 29 xe8 Wxi2e. 9 Wxg6 30 Sixes Wes The note to move 25 indicates the importance of keeping White's rook out; therefore 30...K1xe87! is weaker due to 31 Wd7+ dg8 32 Hal. 31 Was 32 £a4(D) we7 The position has finally calmed down and it’s time to take stock. Black has done well to beat off the first wave of the attack by simplification. Objectively Nikolié has achieved equality, but his weak king indicates Black is still the ‘one who has to be careful. Moreover, insecurity against his traditionally unpleasant opponent (see Game 69) has cost the Bosnian GM too much time on his clock and by now he was in serious time-trouble. 32 ww 33° Hel Bes Bea?!GAME 79: GARRY KASPAROV — PREDRAG NIKOLIC 4 The first step off the right track; the simple 33...e6 makes it difficult for White to avoid a repetition after 34 Wb8 Hes. 34 eS Bed? Another mistake, but this time a more serious and possibly even decisive one. Black should have played 34...He2! 35 4 (White must also expose his king, because 35 S2g3 We7 leads to further exchanges) 35...Wg6 36 Wd7+ dg8 37 ‘We8+ G7 38 W7+ Ses 39 Whs+ de7 40 Wra7+ Sf8 41 Wos+ ke7 42 We7+ Sek 43 ‘We8+ dhe7 44 g4 Weo!? 45 Wc7+ de8 46 We7 444 and with White’s rook still unable to join the fray, a draw seems a fair result. 35 -Be3(D) 2a 7 Ss | so Egor This is the final error, which loses more or less by force. Considerably more resilient is 35...h5!, but even here White activates his rook and retains a strong initiative after 36 Zh3 (36 Wa8 Ho8 37 Wh4 Hed gives White nothing) 36...Re2 37 He3 fied (37...2£3 38 Zc3 Hxg2+ 39 fl Led 40 223! cuts off Black's rook, while after 37...2g6 38 Wd8 Bes 39 Wh4 Bed 40 Wh3 White’s rook enters via c3 or £3) 38 £3 (38 £c3 Hed 39 Bh3!? is also dangerous for Black) 38...2g6 39 Wds Eg 40 Wh4. 36 Was Es 37 Wha Compared with the previous note, now the queen can't be dislodged from h4. Kasparov has coordinated his forces and Black is helpless against the final dark-square invasion. White threatens 38 23! We8 (38...Wxf3? 39 We7+) 39 c3, followed by Be3-e7. 37 ow gs 37...We6 38 He3 doesn’t help and 37.2126 is not much better due to 38 Ef3 We6 39 £c3 We? 40 h2!. 38 f4(D) meatal weeny ahem o mas He ee © 3B ans? This loses quickly. Other moves: 1) 38...WhS 39 WxhS! HxhS 40 Hg3 costs Black at least an exchange; the resulting endgame is easily won for White 2) 38,..g6 39 £5! Bg8 (Black loses on the spot after 39...Wxf5? 40 We7+ dg8 41 We8+ or 39,..g5? 40 Wxg5!) 40 Hh3 WFR 41 g4 and the threat of g5 decides. 3) After 38...2g8! (best) 39 Zh3 h5 (39...8 40 S.d4 leaves Black defenceless against the plan of £5 followed by Be3-c7), White has 40 84 (40 $f2!? is similar) and the united passed pawns should decide even in an endgame. The attempt to blockade them with 40....e2 fails to 41 Wrh5+ WxhS 42 BxhS+ dg6 43 15+ bf7 44 BhT+ Ge 45 £6! Hg6 46 He7+ Sf8 47 Bxa7. 39 «Was 1-0 Now Nikolié lost on time, but this is only another form of capitulation, as there is no defence to the threatened Zg3. After 39...Exe5 40 fxeS Wil+ 41 @h2 Wi4+ 42 Bg3 the checks are over and Black loses.Game 80 Garry Kasparov — Alexei Shirov Horgen 1994 Sicilian Defence, Sveshnikov Variation [B33] 1 ie cs 2 Ors 6 3 a4 exdd 4 Axd4 a6 5 23 Deb 6 Babs d6 7 Rta 5 8 gs 26 9 Baz bs 10 Dds &e7(D) In clock simuls against formidable opposition, Kasparov chose 10...Wa5+ 11 £d2 Wd8 a few times with Black, to tempt his opponents with a silent draw offer. White can fight for an advantage with the sharp 12.c4!” or the quiet 12 Dxf6+ Wai 13 203. x7 2We7 ” 1 &xt6 The strong outpost on d5 is a valuable asset and for the time being White doesn’t want to give it away. Mainly because of this, the lines starting with 11 @xe7 @xe7!? 12 Bxf6 exf6 are less popular and can hardly promise White an advantage. Mw xf R 3 b7 This line is not too flexible, because at this point it’s still not easy to decide if the bishop will be better placed on e6 or b7. Possibly due to this the text-move has nowadays lost most of its top-level support. For the more usual 12...0-0, as well as other methods to gain counterplay despite White’s superior central control, see Game 78. 13 Bc2(D) tine ‘- p oa 7 a ee Dm mA e Bow pst? Both 13...0-0 and 13...2.g5 haven't done too well in practice. After 14 a4 bxad 15 Bxad followed by Sc4 the b7-bishop often ends up misplaced. Therefore Black is well advised to challenge the d5-knight as soon as possible. The seemingly odd text-move in fact starts the fight for the light squares and is Black’s main continuation. The knight heads for d7, from where it can be activated via c5, but the main positional idea is ...2g5 followed by ...f6. However, Black does have another playable option, namely the direct 13..@e7. Now 14 Axf6+ (14 Bee3!? is possibly more promising) 14...gxf6 15 £43 dS transposes to the unclear line mentioned in the note to move 11 in Game 78, 14 ad No matter how long-winded 13...8!? may seem, given enough time Black will complete the aforementioned manoeuvre and equalize. Right now White doesn’t want to develop his bishop, as later he would like to play .2.c4 in one move. Therefore immediate action is naturalGAME 80: GARRY KASPAROV ~ ALEXEI SHIROV 43 and the text-move is the most popular option. However, even the rarely played 14 c4!? seems promising. After 14...0-0 15 exbS axb5 16 2xbS ‘WaS+ 17 Dc3 Black has two ways to regain the pawn, but both 17...2xe4 18 0-0 and 17...45!? 18 exd5 e4 19 a4 Sxc3+ 20 bxc3 Wxc3+ 21 ‘Wa2 give White an edge. 15 Bxad 15 @ce3 is a tricky alternative. White leaves open his options as to how he will take on a4 and creates the threat of @f5 (this move works out well for him after 15...S2¢6). Black should judge his reaction with care: 1) 15...d7 is most common, but it allows the paradoxical 16 Dxf6+! Wxt6 17 Wxad and although White has exchanged his superb d5- knight, in this concrete position he can directly attack the d6-pawn due to Black's serious problems with piece coordination. After 17...Wd8 18 4f5! 0-0 19 Dxd6 Lbs 20 Wad We7 21 Sed Axed 22 0-0 a8 23 Bfdl Hb6 24 Was White had a distinct pull in Tordachescu-Timoshenko, Romanian Cht (Baile Tusnad) 2004. 2) 15...0-0!? seems best. Now 16 xad (16 Dxf6+ Wxi6 17 Wxad a5!? followed by ..a6 is not too impressive for White any more; 16 Exa4 447 is also OK for Black — this position is mentioned in the note to White’s 16th move) 16...d7 17 Hdl e518 We2 Bxe3! (18.66 19 Axf6+ Wxf6 20 Bd5 and 18...2e5 19 DES! are less accurate) 19 xe3 Af6 (even 19...2\c5!? 20 £43 Lc6 is playable) allows Black to achieve his main strategic idea with a satisfactory position. Bb. a7 (D) 15...0-0 is slightly less flexible. Apart from various transpositions, when Black simply plays 47 on the next move, here White has the i dependent try 16 h4!?, which prevents a future .g5 (for a similar motif see Game 78). 16 Eb! In the spirit of his 14th move, Kasparov continues to fight Black's plan with direct threats. ‘The text-move is more testing than 16 @ce3, when Black can play not only 16...0-0, but also 16....g5 or 16...@c5!? with good counterplay in all cases. 16 e524 16....067 is a major concession, since after 17 Bc He8 18 Acb4 Black either allows the exchange of his light-squared bishop or loses material: 18...8b7 19 Exc8 Wxc8 20 2xa6!. Shirov’s move is the most obvious choice, as it limits White's rook and prepares ...a5. How- ever, the knight strays away from its originally planned route and Kasparov's reaction exploits this in a very forceful and impressive manner. In subsequent practice, Black became more cautious and preferred 16...8b8!?. Now 17 Sc4 0-0 18 0-05 19 EbS cS 20 We? a4 21 Debs gS led to a typical complex Sveshnikov position in Svetushkin-Moraru, Bucharest 1999. Al- though Black hasn't managed to shift White's knight from d5, he has an outpost of his own on 5 and can prepare kingside counterplay with Gh, ...g6 and ...£5. 17 Bxb7!!— Axb7 18 bat (D) The ideas behind Kasparov's unexpected positional sacrifice are mainly twofold: White has greatly increased his control over the lightPrd GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES a. A . "ial _ 7 es: | (Wee 8 squares and his stranglehold over d5 is now unbreakable. His own unopposed fl-bishop definitely has more active potential than Black's remaining bishop. Secondly, he has managed to side-track and greatly limit the activity of Black's knight. In fact, it gets away from the sad b7-square only 10 moves later and even then the cost will be too high. This consideration also explains why the exchange sacrifice doesn’t work after moves such as 16...la7 or the aforementioned 16...2b8!? — the knight stays in close contact with the d5-square and Black will be able to play ...b6 or ...@f6 in the near future. Despite allthis, the position after 18 bd! remains objectively unclear and at best only minimally better for White. So then why do we criticize 16...2c5?!, but praise 17 Exb7!! so highly? The answer is White's position is much easier to play in practice. He has ‘good squares for most of his pieces and various options how to improve his coordination and pile on the pressure. On the other hand, for Black it’s not so easy to find a constructive plan. Kasparov usually likes holding the initiative in such materially unbalanced and tense positions and his choice was also psychologically sound, as the same can be said about Shirov, 1 gs Shirov at least improves his bishop. Acti- vating the knight requires finding a good square for the queen and this is far from easy; e.g, the straightforward 18...Wc8 19 Dce3 dB? fails tothe tactical sotution 20 Zc We6 21 bS! axbS 22 @xe5! followed by SxbS(+) and White wins. 18...0-0 19 @)ce3 is similar to the game. If Black wants to move his queen without having to reckon with Oxf6+, he should play ...dg5 sooner or later anyway. 19 &a3(D) me “a wee 7k ‘A change of plan: with his complete light- square control White doesn’t need his bishop on c4 that much any more. This square is reserved for the still inactive c2-knight, while the ishop will support both e4 and c4 from 43. 9. 0-0 20 Ded as! White's king is still two moves away from castling and this might tempt Black to play the radical 20...f52!, However, after 21 exf5 or 21 243! Black’s light-square plight spreads from the centre to the kingside as well. Shirov rightly refrains from such pseudo-active measures and gets some space for his forces without compro- mising his position. 21 a3 From move 14 onwards, Kasparov played in a very concrete manner to achieve his strategic goals and only now he finally finds the time to finish his development. 2m axb4 22 exb4(D) 22 om ws Shirov finally frees d8 for his knight. An- other idea behind this move is to start some action on the freshly-opened a-file. 22...a2, connected with a similar idea, is worse, as after 23 0.0 Wa8 White regroups with tempo by 24 Dcb6 Wa3 25 Lcd Hd? 26 Wes and gets a clear advantage. Another way to free the queen is 22...h6 23 0-0 Wg5, but after 24 g3 the knight still can’t move (24...@d8? costs Black his queen after 25 h4) and even when BlackGAME 80: GARRY KASPAROV — ALEXEI SHIROV 45 prepares this manoeuvre, his queen stays cut off from the queenside and the b-pawn might become very strong. Bearing this in mind, probably the safest continuation is 22...28!?, by which Black avoids the knight fork and prepares ...d7. Now 23 hd 2h6 24 Wigs dhs 25 0-0 We8 (or 25... We8) leads to an unclear position — White’s compensation is clear enough, but claiming an advantage is another matter. 23 hd! A clever stab: Kasparov chooses the best ‘moment to question the bishop's intentions. Both 23 @cb6?! Ha? 24 d7 Wa7 and 23 0-07! Ds considerably improve Black’s chances. 6? (D) Attough this isa seemingly logical follow up to Black’s previous move, the bishop is only superficially active here. The poor piece will remain offside until the bitter end and losing control over such important dark squares as b6 and e7 will only enhance the strength of White’s grip on the light squares. The lines in the following notes (to move 25 and 27) show this convincingly enough. Stronger is 23...d0d8! 24 23 Bc7!? (24...Wa7 seems weaker; although after 25 0-0 Wd 26 Wb3 Hal 27 Hxal Wxal+ 28 bg? it’s not easy to achieve any direct prog- ress, Black's knight remains trapped and White is still the active side) 25 0-0 (25 hS doesn’t give White anything concrete after 25...46) 25...0d8, when Black has freed his knight and the position after 26 bS e6 27 b6 Sd8 is not fully clear. 24 Debs Due to Black's 23rd move this is very strong. hw Baz 25 0.0 by & oy Lo BAZ Wg tle” | Uwe 78 25 Od72 again only assists Black after 25...WaT 26 0-0 Ha8. Bw Ha22! (D) Mistakes seldom come alone, but White is also on top after other moves: 1) 25,..Wa7 26 Scd Hd2 27 Whs Ads 28 2f6+1 Lh8 29 Dbd7 and White wins back the exchange. After 29...fe8 30 Axe8 Wxd7 31 f6 We7 32 bS! Black is clearly worse, as 32...Wixcd? loses to 33 WHS! gxf6 34 Wai6+ sbg8 35 Wxh6 followed by We5+ and Wxd8+. 2) Perhaps the passive 25...1e8!? is somewhat stronger. After 26 2c4 Ba7 (26...4a3 27 ‘We2 is similar) 27 Dc8 Ha3 28 Dee7+ wh8 29 DFS F417 White is better, but Black can plod wo fey Mam Gama \ ew © wl a ee i ail @ x BAT w ve Ma 26 WES, ‘A human quite naturally has his eyes glued to the kingside, while the unprejudiced computer shows the convincing 26 Wol! within seconds. After 26...Wa7 27 @c4 Ba? 28 Dc3 Ba6 29 bS White traps the errant rook and46 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES retains a distinct positional advantage. Glancing a bit forward, something like this happens in the game, only the circumstances will be even worse for Black. 26 aw WaT (D) 26...1We8? is a very passive move. After 27 Bal White has too many threats (Dc4, £26, Eas). ae ‘Ss ‘a x eo 27° BaT7 This superficially attractive move is inaccu- rrate, as it could have squandered a good part of White’s advantage. 27 &bS! is considerably stronger. The bishop leaves a vulnerable square, preparing d7 followed by De7+. After 27...2d8 (contrary to line ‘4’ in the next note, 27...Hc2 28 Dd7 Ha8 29 De7+ Ph8 30 Wrxf7 ‘Wa2 doesn’t help due to 31 2d5 with a near- decisive advantage for White) 28 ®d7 Ae6 ‘compared with the game Black has at least activated his knight. However, this doesn’t help. much and he is in serious trouble after 29 @\xf8 (Kasparov prefers 29 e7+ h8 30 2xt8 Wrxe7 31 O)xe6; ¢.g., 31...fxe6 32 Hal g6 33 Sacd! and Black has no effective defence against 2xe6) 29.,.,d2xf8 30 We3 g6 (30...Wb8 31 Bal doesn’t help) 31 Wc6. 27 ow Bas? Shirov errs as well; returning the exchange doesn’t help, as Black now won't get any counterplay. The alternatives are: 1) 27...Dc5? 28 bxeS Wxd7 29 c6 Wa7 30 c7 and White’s c-pawn will shortly cost Black a whole rook; e.g., 30...Wc5 (30...Wa8 doesn’t help in view of 31 Hbl @h8 32 e7) 31 Hb1 ‘Ba2 32 Bb8 Ha8 33 Hxa8 Exas 34 Wes. 2) 27.48?! 28 De7+ th8 29 Wrt7 gives White a large advantage after the forced line 29... a8 (29...81xd3? loses to 30 f8) 30 2bS. 3) 27...e87! gives White a pleasant choice between the positional 28 S04, which strengthens the threat of 2\5f6+, and the more direct 28 DSI6+17 gxf6 29 Wed+! Ph8 30 xfs Hxd3 31 WES g7 32 Dxe8+ LF8 33 Af6; White should win in both cases. 4) 27...21a8! is Black's best move. 28 cd! (28 27662 aims for the position from the note to White’s 27th move, but runs into 28...Wa3!; 28 De7+ Sh8 29 Wxf7 Bxd3 30 Df8 now allows 30...1a2 and White has to force a perpetual with 31 WAS g6 32 Dexg6+ hxg6 33 Wi6+ Bg7 34 Dxg6+ Gh7 35 WIS!) 28..2d8 29 WS! (29 25b6 sidelines White’s knight after 29...Eb8 30 Dxb8 Wxb6) 29...26 (29...d4? 30 2766 Hal is tempting, but White has 31 ‘Sbh2! and the threat of Wd7 is decisive ~ see White’s 31 $2h2! in Game 35! playable and deserves attention) 30 Wf6 S.g7 (30...Wxd7 31 De7+ Hf8 32 DES! gxfS 33 ‘Wxh6+ is clearly better for White) 31 Wxd6 hE 32 Axes (or 32 hS!?). White has an advantage, but the result of the game remains Material is equal again and as White has fully retained his positional advantage, Black is lost. 29 ww ‘Was Apart from the permanently weak light squares, Black must cope with the dangerous passed b-pawn. Attempts to activate his forcesGAME 80: GARRY KASPAROV ~ ALEXEI SHIROV 47 inevitably desert and therefore endanger Black's king. This shows clearly after the text-move, but also in the line 29...Ae6 30 b6 Wa3 (after 30... Wb8 White decisively invades with 31 Hal ®d4 32 Wh3!) 31 b7 Wb3 (31...Eb2 loses on the spot to 32 £2b5! Wa7 33 We3) 32 Hbi (32 Dc7!? with the idea 32..Axc7 33 Lcd also wins) 32...b2 33 Hxb2 Wxb2 34 £26 and the threat of We3 decides, as after 34...c5 White has 35 WS. Somewhat better is 29... Wd4!?, but after 30 £e2 (30 WHS is less incisive due to 30...de8 31 We8 We5!) all the problems re- ‘main. Black can't prevent Sc4 for long in view of threats such as WS, or b6 and Hb1, etc. 30 Wrst be8 30...2e6 31 Wxh7 and 30...Exd3 31 Wd7 g6 32 Wxd8+ dg7 33 b6 Hb3 34 4e7 are equally hopeless; White's attack breaks through. 31 Bed Ee2 After 31...We5 32 Wxh7 dd7 33 WiS+ de8 34 &b3 Hb2 35 dl the b5-pawn is taboo and White prepares g4-g5, winning. 32 Wxh7! (D) ae OA This loses material, but the attack decides even faster after 32...WcS 33 2b3 Hb2 34 We8+ cha7 35 Bal. 33° West hd 34 Db6+ ee 35 Dxcd eS 35...Wad loses to 36 xd6 and after other moves White activates his rook as in the game. 36 Bal! Wad (D) 36...Wixc4 37 Ha7+ de6 38 We8+ is hopeless for Black. Kasparov remains alert. Lines like 37 Ba8?! Deb 38 g3 6! might lead to a rude shock; for example, 39 66? Bxc4 40 b7 Re3! 41 Wh7 (both 41 b8W Sxf2+! 42 dh2 Qxg3+ and 41 fxe3 Wel+ 42 tg? Wd2+ 43 oh3 Wel are also insufficient) 41..2d4! 42 fxe3 DE3+ 43 f2 ‘Wc2+ and Black has a perpetual. 37a hel 38 Dest 10 ‘The knight heads for £5 or d5 and after 38...$xe3 39 Exe3 White fully consolidates his extra exchange.Game 81 Zoltan Almasi - Garry Kasparov European Clubs Cup final, Lyons 1994 Sicilian Defence, Scheveningen/Najdorf Variation [B82] 1 5s 2 Of a6 3 dd exdd 4 Oxdd M6 5 Be3 a6 6 tf 6 7 wt One can understand Almasi is not interested in matching his wits with Kasparov in the Clas- sical Scheveningen after 7 Se2 (see Game 32, as well as Kasparov-Short, Moscow OL 1994 and Lutz-Kasparoy, Bled OL 2002; Games 82 and 123 respectively). Instead, the teenage Hun- ¢garian GM plays his favourite sharp line, which had brought him succes inthe past Wb6 (D) be game Kasparov also sees no reason to refrain from his usual choice and plays the main move. 8 ad In his subsequent practice Kasparov had to face the double-edged 8 2b3 We7 9 g4 bS 10 g5 yfa7 11 3. He reacted well with 11...6! 12 0-0-0 28d7 and after 13 Wh3?! b4 14 Dez Dc 15 seb1 b7 16 Dedd Axe3 17 Wxe3 g6! 18. 2h3 Wo6 19 Zhfl 0-0-0 20c3 b8 21 cxb4 Wxb4 22 Hel De5 23 Bfdl £e7 Black had a promising position in the game J.Polgar-Kas- parov, Geneva (PCA) rpd 1996. 8 D6 9 Axe6 After 9 4b3, the position has similar char- acteristics to the example from the previous note; this move was featured in Game 70. White doesn’t want to lose time by retreating his knight; on the other hand, the text-move strengthens Black's centre and the further course of the game will show it doesn’t fit in too well with 8 23. 9 bxe6 (D) 9... iixc6 10 243 (10 g4!? could be stronger) 10...b5 has been tried as well. While this is possibly quite playable for Black, the text-move is certainly more principled. a 258 ‘s 10 b3 This is the most popular continuation. How- ever, we indicated in the previous note (and also in Game 70) that White’s logical and most ambitious plan in this line is kingside aggression. Therefore 10 g4!? definitely deserves attention, when after 10...g6 11 g5 47 12 b3 h6!? (12... 872! 13 £62 0-0 14 0-0-0.d5 15 h4 cS 16 hS Ba7 17 Hd? is weaker; in Short-Smirin, Debrecen Echt 1992 White’s attacking chances ‘outweighed Black’s counterplay on the opposite flank) 13 b2 Bh7 14 ad We7 15 hd hxgs 16 fxg5 Se7 17 We3 267 18 0-0-00-0-0 19 c3 He8 20 deb2 White is slightly better in a ‘complex position, Oll-Stohl, Manila OL 1992.GAME 81: ZOLTAN ALMASI — GARRY KASPAROV 9 Perhaps Kasparov's intention was to play the immediate 10...,2b7!?, as in the game. 10 b7 This move was introduced into practice by Polugaevsky. It's definitely more important for Black's planned central action than the insipid and time-consuming 10...e7! 11 £b2, when 11...0-0 12 g4 gives White dangerous attacking chances. Black as yet doesn’t need to develop his f8-bishop, because in the further course of the game it can be deployed more actively. (In the J.Polgar-Kasparov game, quoted below, it went directly to d6.) 11 &b2 5! (D) Kasparov's novelty. The previously played 11...c5 12 0-0-0 is less flexible, as now Black does best to get his king out of the centre with 12...0-0-0 (12...1We6 is dangerous for Black due tothe immediate 13 £5!; 12...Se7 13 g4!?d5 14 B5 Dxe4 15 Dxet ded 16 We3 also gave White a promising attacking position in Ad- ams-Polugaevsky, French Cht 1992) 13 Se4 (more ambitious and interesting than 13 3243, when 13...d5 14 exd5 exd5 transposes to a position mentioned in the next note) 13...Wc6 14 Wh3 c7!? 15 e5 DAT 16 exd6+ Sxd6 17 £5 26 and now after 18 d3!? (18 fxe6?! RE4+ 19 $b] @xc4 favoured Black in Anand-Polu- gaevsky, French Cht 1993) Black’s position is rather shaky and White can probably claim an 122 0.0.0 ‘The strength of Kasparov's previous move ‘can also be judged from the fact that White's immediate reaction is not ideal. Immediately resolving the tension with 12 e52! is even less enticing, as it prematurely gives Black a free hand to advance his own central pawns. After 12...2d7 13 a4 (White also has problems after 13 0-0-0 ¢5) 13...Wa5+! (13...Wc7 is playable as well; after 14 c4 c5! Black is a tempo up in comparison with the line in the note to move 15 and this gives him an edge) 14 c3 We7 Black is better. The best option was the non- committal 12 £d3!. White simply develops a piece and waits to see what Black will do with his king. Now 12...c5 13 exd5 exd5 14 0-0-0 (14 We2+ is also possible; the endgame after 14...We6 is approximately equal) 14...0-0-0 15 Dad WoT 16 Le5 (16 R15+ 8 17 Les LAG 18 Wc3?! runs into 18...d4!, when in J.Polgar- Kasparov, Dos Hermanas 1996 Black grabbed the initiative, as 19 Wrxe5? loses a piece to 19...Rxc5 20 Lxc7+ dxc7 21 AxcS HAS 22 Dxb7 Exf5) 16...S6d6 17 Bhel leads to a complex but balanced position. Ww ‘Wa5! (D) Kasparov spurns 12...0-0-0 and immediately starts treating White’s king as a target. From ‘now on, the a3-pawn becomes a serious chink in White’s armour. 13 oes Almasi doesn’t want to weaken his queenside even more with 13 b4! We7 or 13 a4 — in this line the a4-square is reserved for White’s knight. The central advance is now more justified than in the previous note, as Black needs an extra move to coordinate his forces. Bw. a7 14 Dad Wen? 14...52! allows not only 15 £5 (which is in fact far from clear after 15...We7 16 fxe6 fxe650 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 17 Wh3 We6), but especially 15 c4!, when ‘White threatens to exploit Black’s lack of devel- ‘opment by blasting open the centre even at the cost of sacrifices. The prophylactic text-move improves Black’s queen and poses White fresh problems by stopping the advance of the f-pawn. 15 Hel? Almasi insists on forcing {5 and misplaces his rook. The immediate 15 £57 Zixe5 16 Wg3 £6 17 fxe6 £6 is not good either, as the advanced e6-pawn lacks support and will fall shortly. As active ideas don’t work yet, White should have also applied prophylaxis by limiting Black's central pawns. Kasparov recommends 15 c4! d4 (as indicated above, 15...c5?! runs into the strong 16 cxd5 exd5 17 Bxd5! and White's initiative is very dangerous) 16 £43 (after 16 57! Dxc5 17 Bxd4 Axa 18 Bxa4 cS White's ad-rook is misplaced) 16..c5 17 Be4. After 17...xe4 (or 17...2b8) both White’s minor pieces are not ideally placed, but the b3-pawn can be easily defended and Black can hardly claim more than a comfortable position. 1 26(D) 15...5 16 £5 d4 followed by ...2d5 also deserved attention, but stopping the advance of the f-pawn is more thematic. = a bo “ eta Up ZG & 7 Ae 16 24 White must now behave passively on the queenside, as after 16 047! c5! the b3-pawn becomes very vulnerable. Now 17 243 gives Black a pleasant choice between 17...dxe4 and the immediate 17...0b8!?. Therefore Almasi focuses on the kingside, and the text-move is ‘more consistent than 16 h4 h5!, when White’s play is stopped. 16 5 17 Sgr Ebs 18 Wal Forced, as after 18 £57 d4 19 Wg3 xg? 20 ‘Wxg2 Black can play not only 20...2xe5, but even the more incisive 20...c4! with a raging attack. The queen must protect b3, as after 18 He2? c4 19 b4 (19 Seb1 Lc6 doesn’t help White) 19...a5 20 bS cS White’s queenside collapses. Bw eat Kasparov launches a direct and dangerous attack. 18...44 19 &xb7 Wxb7 cuts off White's minor pieces, but after 20 We2 Wb 21 h4 with the idea Eh3 and c4 he sets up a tough defence, striving for a similar position to the one he could have reached with 15 c4!, Then 21...E8c8 with the idea ...c4 is well met by 22 Wed, 19 &b1(D) 0 Was No matter how strong Black’s initiative is, to succeed he must be energetic, accurate and fully tactically alert, as his own king is still languishing on e8. A wing attack usually has chances to break through only if the centre stays closed long enough. The alternatives to the text-move illustrate this quite well: 1) 19...d42! is premature, as after 20 &xb7 Wxb7 21 Wxd4 exb3 22 cxb3 Wxb3 23 He3 White’s major pieces are too active, which can’t be said about the h8-rook. Black's king in the middle may soon be in more danger than its white counterpart. 2) Black’s most natural continuation was 19....806!? and this is indeed an interesting alternative. However, Black shouldn’t underestimateGAME 81: ZOLTAN ALMASI ~ GARRY KASPAROV SI White’s tactical counterchances after the forced 20 Be3 (D): 2a) White's last move unequivocally targets the d5-pawn and 20...Wa5?! runs into 21 @xd5! Aixd5 22 Sxd5 cxb3 23 exb3 and Black has nothing, as £06 is a serious threat. 2b) 20...Wb7 21 Zxd5 also isn’t too clear. After 21...cxb3 White can transpose into line 2c’ with 22 exb3, and he can also consider 22 oat, 2c) Black can also interpolate the exchange 20...cxb3 21 cxb3 first. Now after 21...Wb7 Q21...2c5 22 b4 is unimpressive; in comparison with line ‘2d’ the open c-file helps White) 22 @xd5 (22 b4? is weak due to 22...a5 and 22 a2 transposes to line “2” of the next note) the paradoxical 22...2d8!? (22...Sxd5 23 Bxd5 ‘Wrd5 24 Wrd5 exd5 25 e6 and 22...8d8 23 He2 followed by Me3 don’t give Black anything concrete) parries the threat of 2)f6+ and wins a piece after 23 He3 (23 Be2? &xd5 24 Rxd5 Wxd5 25 Wrd5 exdS 26 e6 Exb3 27 exd7 £xa3 and Black should win the rook endgame) 23...28g8 24 d3 exd5 (24...2xd5? is too risky in view of 25 Exd5! exd5 26 &xd5) 25 Axd5 Sxd5 26 Hxd5 de8. However, such a solution is unconvincing to say the least, as Black’s forces lack harmony. 2d) Line ‘I” indicated that Black does best to keep the position closed. Kasparov himself favoured 20...c5 21 b4 (21 @xd5?! now fails to 21...2xd5 22 Bixd5 Hd8 23 bxc4 ad! and Black is close to winning) 21...a5! (21...2a4 22 ®xad &xa4 is better for Black, but at least allows White to keep the b-file closed after 23 ‘Wad a5 24 c3). Now 22 bxc5 (22 Z\xd5? loses quickly to 22....2xd5 23 &xd5 axb4) is forced, and after 22....xc5! (Kasparov's original intention 22...77! is less flexible and Black gets nowhere after 23 Wel Sxc5 24 deal! d4 25 Ded c3 26 &xc3 dxc3 27 DxcS Wo2+ 28 Wrb2 cxb2+ 29 deb1 xg? 30 Bhgl) 23 dad (White can’t survive 23 W137 Who 24 Dat Bad! 25 Hel dé or 23 a4?! Woo 24 Wel Lad 25 Db5 c3) 23..d4 24 Lxc6+ Wxc6 White practically has to leave his knight en prise and play 25 Wa2 (25 2e4? is much weaker due to 25.03) 25..dxc3 26 Wxc3 0-0, when Black has an advantage due to his safer king. How- ever, a comparison with the text-move is difficult, as in the game Kasparov also retains the initiative, Ws (D) eh a SS oo ae 21 a2 The only other reasonable move, 21 &b2, is quite risky. Black continues 21...exb3 22 exb3 c6, and now: 1) After 23 He3 Was! (23....8xa3?! 24 &xa3 ‘Wxad 25 £d6 is very risky for Black, while after 23...De5 24 Dxe5 Lxc5 25 Hc3 0-0 26 Wa2! followed by Zhe! White consolidates his position; 26...44? fails to 27 Exc5! Wxc5 28 Eel) White has no good defence against ...Sxad, ‘The endgame after 24 Wel Wxel+ (24...Wd8!?) 25 Hhxel 2xa4 26 bxad cS gives Black a clear advantage. 2) White can meet both threats (..Wxb3 and -8¢xa3) only with 23 a2, when after 23...Wb7 24 Be3 De5 25 b4 a5 (25....Ned 26 Axed dred 27 We2 gets Black nowhere) the imminent collapse of the queenside forces 26 @xd5!? exd5 27 66 fxe6!? (27...1g87! is playing with fire52 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES due to 28 exf7+ Sxf7 29 Wad) 28 Sxh8 axb4, Although the issue still remains open, Black's attacking chances are far more concrete. ke6 (D) 2 vw Via, Y ] ] AB man ‘we 2 22 £52 Almasi decides it’s time to pursue his own attacking ambitions, but with the centre closed Black’s king is quite safe on e8 for the time being. More circumspect was 22 He3!?; by overprotecting b3 White wants to avoid weakening his queenside, After 22...2\c5 (22...1Hb7 23 Db2 exb3+2! 24 exb3 Dc5 is now well met by 25 204, but 22...a5!? deserves attention; the idea is that 23 8447! Sxa3! 24 dexa3 Wh4+ 25 dead 2xad 26 bxad? fails to 26...c3! and Black mates) 23 Axc5 Wxc5 (23...S.xc5 is unconvincing due to 24 £4) 24 Wel Wb6! followed by ...S2c5 Black retains the initiative, as the seemingly natural 25 b4! runs into 25....a4! with the double threats ...d4 and ...£2xc2. However, here at least White’s king is safer than after the game continuation. ea Wor! 23 fxe6 fxe6 24 Dbz More or less forced. After a move like 24 Ehf1? Black has 24...cxb3+ 25 cxb3 Sxa4 26 bxad We6 and his attack comes first, as White has no effective defence against the deadly threat of .. fot cxb3+ 2 xb BS (D) 26 Sb? ‘The decisive mistake. 26 bd is necessary, but even here after 26...e4 27 Sxe4 (suffering the centralized knight is even worse, as after 27 Sd4 5 Black is close to winning; the idea is 28 bxaS )f2!) 27...dxe4 with ...a5 in the air Black has a very strong attack. Note the fact that his kingside pieces still haven't even made a single move and despite this, he has an overwhelming position. Impressive play by Kasparov, who well knows when and which rules can be broken. 26 Axb3! After this simple combination the game is practically over — Black wins material with the extra bonus of exposing White’s king. 27 Wxb3 (D) 27 Axf8 Exf8 and 27 Rd6 Rxd6 28 exd6 2c5 followed by ...0-0 are just as hopeless for White, but perhaps 27 4d3 is slightly more resilient. me, oY 27 we aS 28 «Ehfi axb4 29 ad(D) White can’t ignore the main threat. After 29 ‘Bf6? bxa3 Black wins, as 30 Hxe6+ ed7 nets him a whole rook.GAME 81: ZOLTAN ALMASI — GARRY KASPAROV 53 anc ms 29 Re7 Black has achieved a lot, but to wind up the ‘game he has to finish his kingside development. See 21 £243 in Game 80 for a similar situation. 30 Bel After 30 Hf6 Black doesn’t have to bother with judging the implications of 30...&xf6. A more practical solution is 30...Wd7!? followed by Has, 30 Best Kasparov has enough time to stop the ideas from the previous note. 31 gS Desperation, but after 31 Exf8+ dxf8 Black safely castles ‘by hand’ and he can concentrate on his queenside attack again, 31 ixgs 32 tins Es 33 Exfs exfS 34 Rat b3+ 35 tbl Be With this move Kasparov moves the rook to an open file and sets a small trap... 36 Bas Almasi falls for it; it’s tempting to attack the now unprotected b3-pawn. However, other ‘moves would have only slightly postponed the inevitable — Black has two extra pawns, and White's king ii grave danger xad! (D) ma 2 Ceo a 0-1 Black nets another pawn and threatens mate ~ it’s no wonder Almasi had had enough. After 37 Hc3 (37 xa4 allows Black to force a pretty ‘mate with 37...Bc1+ 38 deb? c2+ 39 sib] Wb4 40 Zixb3 Wel+! 41 dexc2 Wel+) the simplest is 37.,.Wa6!? 38 Axa4 Exc3 39 Wxc3 (after 39 ®xc3 Black mates with 39...1Wa3) 39...Wxad and White has only a few checks.Game 82 Garry Kasparov — Nigel Short Olympiad, Moscow 1994 Sicilian Defence, Scheveningen Variation [B84] At this point, England had a slender half-point lead over Russia 1 and it was clear their encounter in the penultimate round was crucial for the outcome of the Olympiad. Kasparov usually did well in such tense moments — the ‘most outstanding example is the final game of the match in Seville 1987 (see Game 42). 1 ef cS Shor'’s first move deserves some comment, as the Sicilian hasn’t featured too prominently in his repertoire. However, after experiencing serious problems with 1..e5 in their 1993 match (see Game 73) and subsequently getting routed in the French Defence (see Game 76), one can understand that the English GM wished to try something else. 2 Af a6 3 dé exd4 4 Oxd4 af 5 D3 a6 ‘The large amount of preparation and energy Short invested into fighting the Najdorf in the PCA world championship match made him want to try out the line from the other side of the board. However, Kasparov often harshly punishes excursions into territory that he con- siders his own (see Game 72). 6 Bed (D) Kasparov invested ten minutes in his choice, which undoubtedly had a psychological background. The text-move leads to lines with which his opponent didn’t have much experience. Moreover, the little experience Short had recently was unpleasant with both colours: first, he lost as White against Kasparov in Novgorod 1994; then with Kamsky in their PCA Candi- dates match, he faced 6 a4 @c6 7 Se2 and was ground down in a long endgame. 6 iw <6 In both aforementioned games, Black opted for the typical Najdorf move 6...5. It's perhaps no wonder Short prefers the Scheveningen, even though here Kasparov's expertise is definitely superior to his own. 8 00 ‘The main continuation, but an interesting and sharper approach is 8 £e3 0-0 (8...Wc7!? is probably safer) 9 g4!7. After 9..b5 10 25 Dfd7 11 a3 267 12 Bgl Dies 13 £5 dh8 14 243 D6 15 Wh5 26 16 Wh4 Hes 17 0-0-0 White had a dangerous attack in Short-Kasparov, Reykjavik pd 2004. 8 eT (D) Black’s usual choice is 8...0-0, and with Black Kasparov mostly preferred this move-order (see Game 32). Then after 9 Wel White must reckon. with 9...b5!? 10 23 b4 11 Ddl (11 eS dxeS 12 &xa8 exd4 gives Black good compensation for the exchange) Il...e5 12 DE5 De6 13 Ade3 exf4 14 Dxe7+ Wxe7 15 Dd5 Dxd5 16 exd5 ‘Weel 17 Exel Dds 18 Mxf4 Dxc2 19 Lxd6 ®Dxal 20 Lxf8 exf8, which led to an equal endgame in Ivanchuk-Kasparov, Wijk aan Zee 2001. 9 Well? A rare move, which gives the game an independent twist. 9 @hI 0-0 or 9 a4 c6 transposes to the main lines from Game 32, while after 9 g4 Black can profit from postponing cas- ig With 9...h6!; the idea is that 10 25?! is du- ious due to 10..hxg5 11 fxg5 d5! 12 2f4 2d6. 9 wn Dbd7GAME 82: GARRY KASPAROV — NIGEL SHORT 55 xs ee tai a na 0 yy a an ADAM OMAR wire Short follows the fashion of the moment, dictated not too surprisingly by Kasparov himself. However, leaving White’s centralized d4- knight unmolested is quite risky, while another drawback of this move will become clear by move 13. With Black's king still in the centre, 9...0521 is even more dangerous, as now 10 £3 47 11 eS! opens the position to White’s advantage. The safer alternatives are 9...2c6 10 £e30-0 and 9...0-0 10 Wg3 Act (accepting the pawn sacrifice with 10...Wb62! 11 3 Wxb2 12 &f2 is fraught with danger for Black), leading to the main Scheveningen lines. 10 2f3!(D) 10 a4 also stops the ...b5 advance, but it's less effective once White has committed his queen toel. After 10..6 11 £3 £b7 12 hi (12 e5? is premature in view of 12...dxe5 13 fxeS &c5!) Kasparov introduced 12...Bd8! in 1994. This clever prophylactic move takes the sting out of White’s impending central break. Now: 1) If White’s queen were on e2, 13 e5 with the idea 13...dxe5 14 fxe5 Axe? 15 £4 would work for him; in our position Black can play 15...@xf3 with an advantage. 2) 13 Wg3 0-0 14 €5 dxeS 15 fxeS DxeS 16 £4 $46 17 Sxb7 (17 DdbS axbs 18 Dxbs is parried by 18... 2xf3! 19 Dxc7 Dh5 20 Wes f6 and Black is better) 17...20h5 18 Wel xf4 19 Sixa6 Deg6 and it’s White who has to tread with care. 2) 13 e3 0-0 14 Wg3 (14 Bgl is safer) 14..Be5 15 £5 e5 16 Lh6 Dek 17 Db3 Da7! 18 Hadi dh8 19 Se3 and in J.Polgar-Kas- parov, Linares 1994 Black could have claimed a slight edge with 19...b5!?. 0 0-0 Alternatives to this natural move don’t seem too appealing. 10...b8 can turn out to be a waste of time, Moreover, after 11 a4 b6 Black must seriously consider the direct 12 e5!? dxeS 13 c6. Kasparov's recommendation 1 with the idea of playing on the kingside, is teresting but slightly suspect; White can retain the initiative with 11 a4 Hg8 12 £512. hi (D) aa a aaa 8 288 a U Li nu. oer While White’s side-step is a useful prophylactic measure, Black's reaction loses an important tempo and doesn’t improve his defensive chances. Quite on the contrary, the king is more vulnerable in the comer, as Kasparov forcefully shows. Better was the typical Sicilian move 11...He8 intending to fianchetto the bishop after...2£8 and ...26. Now 12 g4 Db6 is not quite clear, but if White plays 12 a4!” as in the game, he can claim some advantage. 2 a456 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES Before focusing on the kingside, Kasparov limits Black's possible counterplay on the opposite flank. 2 Ebs. 1B gtt(D) This thematic advance is doubly unpleasant against a set-up with ..\bd7, as Black’s knights get in each other's way: the ideal retreat for the f6-knight is the d7-square, whereas on ¢8 or g8 it’s to0 passive. 13 14 gs White is consistent and ignores lines such as 14 €5? dxeS 15 Deb e4! 16 Dxb8 exf3, when Black has more than sufficient compensation. 4. De8 After 14..Dg8 15 £g2 Black has even less chance to activate his knight, while White proceeds with his attack (Hf3-h3 or even £5). 1S fg? White toys with the rook-lift idea Hf3-n3, but the immediate 15 b3 was just as good. Bw ab7 16 b3!(D) This fianchetto is not typical in the Schev- eningen, but here it's very effective. Black’s e8- knight is devoid of prospects and sooner or later Short will have to open the long dark diagonal with ...g6. This will turn White's dark-squared bishop into a monster. Looking a bit back, from move 11 onwards Kasparov showed admirable foresight by refraining from a pseudo-developing move like £e3. 16 b6 : was? Here sooner (see the previous note) would have been better, because the text-move does nothing for Black’s piece coordination. After 16...g6 17 Stb2 (17 £5! seems too direct and the position after 17...e5 is unclear, as both 18 Dde2 gxf5!? and 18 Dds Rxd5 19 exdS exd4! 20 Wxe7 4g7 give Black counterplay) 17...g7 White’s advantage is smaller than it will be in the game. 17 hd Even with a strong initiative, it pays to be alert. 17 b2? e5! would have greatly eased Black’s load. 7 26 Now the g5- pawn is protected and 17..05 18 5 promises no relief. 18 &b2 19 Bal! (D) It's still too early for direct action: after 19 £52! Black closes the long diagonal and frees himself with 19...e5 20 Dde2 £6. Kasparov energetically proves that Black doesn’t have time for patient manoeuvring.GAME 82: GARRY KASPAROV — NIGEL SHORT 57 However, the immediate liberating attempt 19...e5 is no better, as after 20 fxe5 xe5 21 ©d5 White retains a powerful initiative. An important point is that lashing out with 21.16! (after 21...2xd5 22 exd5 intending @c6 White is clearly better) 22 gxf6 2xf6 runs into the tactical blow 23 De6! Dxe6 24 Dxf6 and, just as in the game, White’s pressure on the long dark diagonal will soon cost Black material. 20 £5! Kasparov has made all the necessary preparatory moves and unleashes a direct attack without any hesitation. 20 : 5 Forced. After 20..exf5 21 exf5 &xg2+ 22 sbxg? followed by Dd5 Black’s position will quickly collapse. 21 £6 consistent follow-up to the previous move. 21 @de2?! £6 is too meek. 2 vw exd4 22 fxe7 Wie7 23° Bxd4(D) gry Black's pawns on b6, d6 and £7 are all vulnerable, but his main weakness is the long dark diagonal. The powerful unopposed b2-bishop will decide the game. fa8 is no better due to 25 's pawns will soon start to 24 Wa2(D) ww fxgs 25 Exf8+ = ExfB 26 Bxd6 am Am BAe can aw me i mine Kasparov takes the more important pawn. Without its support, Black’s knight can’t survive on e5 for long. 26 ickly to 27 Exd7 Wxh4+ 28 > 26...24? loses q Gel 23 29 213! 27 Bxb6!? (D) Again, activating the b2-bishop as soon as possible is White’s main concern; the text-move creates the threats Wxg5 and dS. Kasparov points out that 27 hxg5 Sg8! (27...€f3? loses to 28 Bd7 Wes 29 Hd8! Dxd2 30 ExtB+ Wee 31 Exg8+ dxg8 32 cl) is ess incisive and after 28 Bxb6 @\f3 Black has more counterplay than in the game. ZZ > Eafe XK ae oy SS 7. gxhe 27.4 28 We5 is hopeless and the same 200s for 27...Wie7 28 Wd6 Wxd6 29 Exd6 gxh4 30 @d5 @E7 31 Bd7 — Black is paralysed and White’s bishops wrap up the game. Finally, after 27...2\g4 White has a pleasant choice between 28 d5 and 28 Wao.58 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 28 Bas Sixas 29 Wxd5 Bes ‘The endgame afier 29...h3 30 WreS is lost for Black, but the attempt to cling to eS a little Tonger is just as futile. 30 2h31(D) ‘White's last passive piece joins the fray, incidentally stopping random chances such as 30 xa?! h3. 30 Wer 30... loses on the spot to 31 He6!. The only way to prolong the game slightly was 30...h6. 31 Heb Now this move is less impressive than in the previous note. After the simple 31 27 Black ‘would have probably resigned immediately. Bxe6 ow 320 Bxe6 D6 33° Wigs ‘The queen aims for £6 and the important thing is not to allow ...}#F4. 33 a7 would have won as well. - Was 34 fas bd (D) 35 We ‘Simplifying into a won endgame is the safest way to keep everything under control. Kas- arov probably didn’t have enough time to look 07 7 : .. N N wy \ Ww a NA fe} RN Ww \ . at 7 a” x Leo > Gag aoa = for the immediate win 35 £a3!. The threats are &xb4 or c3 and 35...h5 runs into 36 Wrxh5!. 35 Wei6 36 xfs White's bishops and passed pawns are simply too much to cope with. 6 ow w 39 bs axbs 40 axbs ans ‘The b-pawn is unstoppable: 40...e8 41 b6 2d6 42 e5 and White wins. 41 b6 Dgae 42 bh? 10Game 83 Garry Kasparov — Vishy Anand Tal Memorial, Riga 1995 Evans Gambit [C51] Kasparov was intent on winning his last seri- ‘ous tournament encounter against Anand before their title match in New York. White’s ‘opening choice suggests that he wanted to in- timidate his future challenger by extreme aggression. He also undoubtedly forced Anand to spend some precious pre-match preparation time on answering the question: “(How) will I face the Evans in the Big Apple?” 1 4 s White's previous move was a slight surprise in itself, as the Ruy Lopez is one of the comer- stones of Kasparov's repertoire. However, this ancient gambit, introduced by Captain Evans sometime around 1824, must have come as a real shock to Anand. 4 ow Sixb4 ‘The best way to fight the old gambits is to accept them. Ample proof of this came just a month later: 4...206 5 a4 a5 6 bS Dds 7 Zxd4 xd4 8.03 2b69 d4 exdd (9...We7! is safer) 10 0-0 De 11 Sg5 h6 12 Lxe7 Wre7 13 cxd4 Wd6?! 14 Ac3 Rxdd 15 Dd5! Axal 16 Wral 0-017 e5 Wes 18 He! c6 19 a2 Has 20 Ab6 and the threat of &xf7+ nets White a whole rook, Kasparov-Piket, Amsterdam (Euwe mem) 1995. Kasparov didn’t use the Evans any more afterwards, indicating it was mainly a psychological weapon, However, our game stimulated ‘most of the recent interest in 4 b4!? and inspired elite players such as Shirov, Morozevich and especially Short ~ the English GM occasionally ventures the Evans even in the 21st century. 5 ©3(D) ‘The popularity of the Evans Gambit culmi- nated in the second half of the 19th century especially due to the efforts of Anderssen and Chigorin. It then gradually disappeared from the scene when Lasker introduced his defence 5..a5 6 d4 d6 (currently a more popular choice is 6...exd4!? with the idea 7 0-0 @ge7 8 exd4 d5!) 7 0-02! (7 Ws is stronger, but still insufficient for an advantage) 7....2b6!. Now 8 dxe5 dxe5 9 Wxd8+ regains the pawn, but simplifies the position to Black’s advantage after 9...xd8 10 Axe5 Be6. The idea behind the more modem text-move is similar. Lately even the seemingly ugly 5...22d6!? has reappeared (Pillsbury used it successfully in Hastings 18951). By protecting the e5-pawn Black hopes to keep the position closed and win time for his development (...)f6 and ...0-0); the d6-bishop can be redeployed later.60 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 6 a4 6 W371 Dh6 7 d4 Das promises White nothing even after the tricky 8 WbS!? (8 Wa4 xc4 9 Waxed allows 9..g4! 10 h3 D6 11 dxe5 5 with a pleasant position for Black) 8...Axc4 9 Sxh6 Ad6! (the weaker 9...gxh67! 10 Wxe4 gives White more play) 10 Wxe5 Dxe4!? (10...£6 11 WhS+ SFB 12 5 We8! also seems fine for Black) 11 Sixg7 Hg 12 Wed Exg7 13 0-0 dS 14 WeS wf8, Morozevich- Bacrot, Sarajevo 2000. With his safe king and active bishops, Black can strive for more than equality. Ba5(D) 7 Ben? Kasparov adopts a virtually unknown move, which appeared earlier only in correspondence ‘games. Until now White mostly played 7 2xe5 Dxc4 8 Dxcd dS 9 exds Wads 10 De3 Wa8 11 0-0 6 12 c4 0-0 13 @c3. This position also occurred in the theme exhibition rapid game Kasparov-Short, London 1993, when Black could have equalized readily with 13...c5!?. In this line, Black has no problems with develop- ‘ment and piece-play, so leaving the a5-knight offside is more ambitious. 7 £d3 has similar ideas to the text-move, but here White must reckon with 7...exd4 (7...d6 8 dxe5 @c6 allows White to target the f7-pawn again with 9&3!) 8 exd4 d5!. = exd4 The most logical way to resolve the central tension. 7....£6? loses a knight to 8 dxeS Dxe4 9 Wad, and 7...d5 also isn’t ideal in view of 8 ‘Wad+!? (Black has nothing to fear after 8 exdS exd4 9 Wixd4 2f6 10.04 0-0) 8...06 9 dxeS b5 10 ‘We2 and the e5-pawn seriously hinders Black's kingside development. If Black wants to blunt White’s attacking ambitions by returning the extra pawn, a good way to do it is 7...d6!? 8 Wad+ 06 9 dxeS dxeS 10 DxeS O16 11 0-0 b5 12 We2 0-0 13 a4 Wc7 14 DF3 26 15 Res fed 16 @bd2 7 17 h3 AhS with approximate ‘equality, Short-Svidler, Internet (KasparovChess Cup) 2000, 8 Wxd4(D) AA direct and consistent continuation. 8 exd4 doesn’t fit in too well with White’s 7th move and Black is fine after 8..5 (or even 8.619). 8 26 A logical developing move, which meets White’s obvious threat of Wxg7. However, is this really a threat and doesn’t Black have anything better? Due to White’s impressive vie- tory, this position became popular and other options were tested afterwards. Basically, Black must choose between two different concepts. ‘The first one is to try to retain his material advantage even at the cost of positional concessions. The text-move belongs to this group, as ‘on move 11 Black will be forced to weaken his dark squares. Other ideas of this type are 8.218 and 8...£617 9 0-0 b6. In the latter case Black doesn’t want to expose his minor pieces prematurely and intends to continue his devel- ‘opment with ....2b7 and ...Sc5, possibly even castling queenside later on. However, holding the initiative plays an important role in modern chess (see also White’s exchange sacrifice in Game 80) and giving back material immediately to avoid long-term suffering is a more contemporary approach. This is represented byGAME 83: GARRY KASPAROV — VISHY ANAND 61 8...d6 9 Wxg7 &f6 10 We3 We7 11 Ags!? with complex position. An even more radical alternative is 8...d5!?, when after 9 exd5 @f6 Black reaches the comfortable position from the note to his 7th move. In subsequent practice, Black has been successful with all the aforementioned continuations, so 7 £e2!” is certainly no wonder weapon. However, seeing it on the board for the first time with the clock ticking is quite a different matter. 9 65 De6 (D) 10° Wha Dds Black doesn’t have enough for the exchange after 11...0-07! 12 &h6 g6 13 &xfB 2xf8 14 c4!?, 12 0-0(D) After a series of forced moves it’s time to take stock. White’s lead in development gives him attacking prospects; moreover, Black’s d5- knight is exposed and his king is still in the centre. All in all, Black has more than enough practical problems. Rr. Der Anand starts with his knight, but it is more logical and definitely safer to take care of the king first with 12...0-0 (D). Then: Lbs oe ill & are 1) After 13 Ed 4b6, White’s best course is probably a slow build-up with 14 £41? (after 14 c4 Black has the strong 14...2a4!, arresting White’s knight on bl and preparing the liberating advance ...d6; 14 &h6 He8 15 Dbd2 d6 is also playable for Black, as after 16 Ded? the tactical 16...2xe5! is far more effective than in line ‘2'), intending Dbd2-e4. White’s pressure is quite unpleasant, so Black shouldn't hesitate to liberate himself with the immediate 14...46. This leads to approximate equality. 2) 13 Bh6 Bes 14 c4 DbG 15 D3 d6 16 Zadl!? (16 c5?! was played in Ponomariov- Daniliuk, Krasnodar 1997; here Black should have shown more courage with 16..dxcS 17 ibs Wa7! 18 h3 a6 and White's initiative is hardly worth the sacrificed pawns) also gives White reasonable compensation for the pawn, as 16...2)xe5 17 @xe5 Sh4 18 Dxf7 Lxf7 19 ‘Wr4+ Wt6 20 Wa? leads to an unclear position. 13 421(D) Kasparov's only inaccuracy in this game. His notes suggest he considered Anand’s previous move to be just a different way of transposing into line ‘2° from the previous note. However, Chandler's idea 13 £26! is even more ambitious and dangerous. Black's king is trapped in the middle and after 13...22£8 (13..46 is no better due to 14 2b5) 14 £4! White’s lead in devel- ‘opment is quite alarming.62 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES mi mena ag ine Bow a6 Black still hesitates. The note to Black's 12th move indicates that 13...0-0, or possibly even 13...@a41”, is better. The knight aims for a se~ cure outpost on 5; if given the chance Black may even manage to castle queenside. 14 Bal White can retain the wedge on e5 only with the over-optimistic 14 e571 dxe5 15 c3 Dad. Kasparov will sacrifice his e-pawn instead to ‘open up the position. 4 a7 (D) This seriously hampers Black’s development, so we have to look at the alternatives: 1) 14...0-02! isn’tideal any more. After 15 c5 Bad (15...Dd7 16 cxd6 cxd6 17 exd6 £6 18 2g5 is good for White) 16 cxd6 cxd6 17 &h6! (17 exd6? is different now and Black wins material with 17...2f6 18 Sg5 h6!) 17..Be8 18 ‘Wr4 Zc5 19 @c3 White’s army is fully mobilized and Black is under serious pressure; .g., 19.25 20 g4!. 2) The text-move parries the threat of c5, but a better way todo it was 14...ad!? 15 &h6 (15 a3 seems tempting, but after 15...0-0 16 5 d5 17 Ecl £6! White has no obvious way to trap the knight on the edge: 18 5 fxeS! 19 Bxad e4 20 &xc6 exf3 and Black regains the Piece, as 21 a4? loses to 21...h4) 15...2£5. Black prepares ...Wd7 and ), and White’s attack is less dangerous than in the game. 15 &hé! 15 exd6? 2xd6 followed by ..0-0 would naturally be a great relief for Black. White must be generous; now Black's king remains pinned down in the centre. However, the game is still not decided and White’s attack doesn’t play XN = ep a> itself, but requires energy, accuracy and re- sourcefulness, 15 Dexes (D) Black can't really ignore the offered pawn, However, opening the d-file would make it even ‘more difficult for him to coordinate his pieces. After 15...dxe5 16 c3 White can calmly improve his position (dS, doubling on the d-file, etc.). Kasparov gives the plausible line 16...2f8 17 gS £6 (17...R67 18 DAS Sxg5 19 Dxg5 is even more dangerous, as Black still can’t castle due to 20 Wh4) 18 e3 L~7 19 c5 0-0 20 Sct+ Hh8 21 Dh4 De7 22 Dd5!, Now 22...25 (22...)xd5? loses on the spot to 23 Dxg6+! hxg6 24 S2xd5) is strictly forced and after 23 Dxe7 WxeT 24 DES We8 25 hd White’s initiative outweighs the extra material, as Black's queenside forces are still asleep. a ak i aim U, AW Bahan U7 87 a 16 DxeS Dxes 16...dxe5 17 4)c3 is even less attractive than in the previous note. Black can’t start unravelling his tangled pieces immediately (17.8?GAME 83: GARRY KASPAROV ~ VISHY ANAND 63 fails to 18 Hxd7!), and to get some breathing space, he must further weaken his position. 17...£6 doesn’t help due to 18 c5! followed by 2c4, while after 17...6 White can even consider cashing in with 18 227 £f6 19 Sxh8 &xh8 20 Ae4, Here Black’s position is far more vulnerable than in the similar line in the next note. 17 B31 (D) After 17 £877! ££6 18 Qxh8 &xh8 19 2c3 6 it’s very difficult to break up Black’s compact position. White has higher ambitions than just restoring the material balance; a dangerous alternative in the same spirit as the text-move is 17651. oo a Ae ie mi mann wr7 3 7 f61? ‘Anand weakens his position, but lends the ¢5-knight some much-needed extra support. The text-move is possibly Black’s best choice, as g7 in connection with the break c5 was a serious threat. Other moves: 1) 17...8.£8? won’t get Black’s king to safety due to 18 &xf8 Bxf8 (18...22xf8? fails to 19 ‘Wre5) 19 c5 and White has a huge attack. 2) Attempts to prevent c5 are futile due to White’s large lead in development. 17...b6? only invites the decisive 18 ¢5! bxcS 19 f4 Dc6 (19... Ad7 20 2£3 Bb8 21 Hel Ab6 22 2c6+ Ld7 23 Ded! and the attack breaks through) 20 2£3 £47 21 Hel! with a quick win for White. 3) A better try is 17.47, but just as on ‘move 14 such an undeveloping move can’t be ideal. After 18 Qe4! (18 @d5 4c5 is unconvincing), the queen aims for ¢3, and c5 is again in the air; White can increase his pressure even by non-violent means such as Hel and 2£3. 18...Df6 (18...08 19 Wc3 £6 20 AF4 297 21 5! and again the king can’t escape from e8 on time, as 21... We7 22 Axd6+! cxd6 23 Rxd6 £5 24 W3 gives White a very strong attack) simplifies the position, but doesn’t really relieve the pressure. A sample line is 19 Dxf6+ £&xf6 20 Habl Sh4 21 We3+ We7 22 Wa2 and after 22....8£6 23 Hel o6 White again has 24.5! with the winning idea 24...dxe5 25 £261. 18 5(D) wen ak 8 0k hgh na a Fat ‘ae Hat Fo e 1 arr? Anand follows up 17...£61? poorly; the text- move loses practically by force. Black can’t withstand the onslaught with most of his pieces on the back rank, so it was high time to develop the bishop. 18...$e6 takes control of the a2-g8 diagonal. Then 19 b5 a6 20 cxd6 axb5!? 21 SixbS+ 6 22 dxe7 Wxe7 is unconvincing for White. Keeping the tension with 19 Habl!? is ‘more promising and the same goes for the direct continuation 19 cxd6 £xd6 (19...cxd6 20 25 gives White more than full compensation) 20 Des We7 21 £4 Deb (21..E7 22 Sg7) 22 Abs (22 Bxd6! cxd6 23 £5 Ad5 24 Dxd6+ a7 gets nowhere for White) and Black re- ‘mains under pressure. Possibly a safer option is 18...847!? 19 exd6 cxd6 20 Ads 6 and although White retains a strong attack, Black can still fight on. 19 cxd6 exd6 (D) 19...xd6 (19...\xh6? 20 dxc?) 20 &b5+ 247 (White has a mating attack after 20...06! 21 Sf4 exbS 22 £2xd6) is no better, as after 21 Hel+ eS 22 p7 Bg8 23 Sxd7+ dxd7 24 Ead1+ £d6 25 Wh3+ Black can’t survive for long.64 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES @xh6 The threat was g7, and after 20...8b6 21 bS+ d7 (21...ded8 22 We2! and Ads decides) 22 &xd7+ dxd7 23 Wh3+ followed by Da5 White has a winning attack. 20 Wed 21 Wxh6 £8 (D) Bon Another undeveloping move, but this time forced - Black must parry White’s threat of Wer. 22 Wed+! Kasparov is ruthless as usual. 22 2b5+? $17 23 Sc4+-d5 gives Black's king a chance to escape to g7, as 24 Bxd52! &xh6 25 Hxd8+ £g7 gives White nothing. 2 or7 22...e7 23 Ded and 22....e7 23 Dd5 are no better. 23° Das Re6! Black wants to cover the gaping 22-g8 diag- ‘onal, but on 6 the bishop is just too exposed. After 23...S0e7 24 Bed Le6 25 Hel Sxd5 26 Rxd5+ Le8 27 Lxb7 White breaks through on the light squares, while 23...$g7 24 fed Be6 25 Sb3! followed by Af4 or Wc7 is no different. Even after the slightly more resilient 23...d7 24 Hacl Black cannot prevent the decisive invasion for long, as he is playing without his kingside pieces and moreover his king is permanently vulnerable. 24 Ata Wer 24...H#47 loses on the spot to 25 Stb5! Wixbs 26 Wxe6+ dg7 27 dS, while after 24...Sc8 25 Hac! Black has no sensible defence against Exc8!. 25 Hel! (D) - 7 2m aikal eal ". 1-0 Resignation is perhaps surprising, but certainly not premature. White’s main threat is R£3 and we've already seen 25...Wd7 26 &b5 above. 25...d¢h6 runs into 26 &c4! and 25...2e8 26 @xe6 Wxe6 27 Wxe6+ costs Black a whole rook.Game 84 Boris Gulko — Garry Kasparov Novgorod 1995 King’s Indian Defence, Petrosian System [E92] 1 cf 26 2 4 eT 3 dd a6 4 D3 ate 5 fer 0-0 6 63 3s 7 45 a5 Gulko used to be Kasparov's béte noire in the past. While he still lived in the Soviet Un- ion, he defeated the future World Champion ‘twice, when Kasparov was only a promising junior. Later Gulko moved to the USA and in Linares 1990 again won against Kasparov. This encounter is briefly mentioned in the notes to Game 49 and it was the tournament winner's ‘only loss. One month prior to our game, they met in Riga (see Game 83) in the final round. Kasparov had a one-point lead, played the ex- perimental 7...2a6 and the game was quickly drawn after 8 Dd2 De8 9 0-0 £5 10 ext5 exf5 11 f4c5 12 dxc6 bxo6 13 Db3 e4 14 Se3 Dac7 15 Wa2 £e6; in the final position White has an edge. In Novgorod in the first round, a highly motivated Kasparov plays the main move. 8 gs 6 9 fh4 Da6 10 dz a7 1 00 We8 (D) For 11.85 see Game 77; also Game 53 contains more detailed notes about the opening. 2 oh 12b3 ©h7 13 a3 was the former main line, but Kasparov's impressive idea from Game 53 ed White to look for new paths. The result of these efforts is the text-move, which can be la- belled as both prophylactic and waiting. The king makes a useful side-step and by tempo- rarily refraining from immediate queenside activity, White makes it more difficult for Black to launch his own counterplay. 2 @n7 13 a3 hs One of the ideas behind 12 deh! is that 13...04 doesn’t really stop White’s queenside play due to 14 DS! HS 15 £3 Lh6 16 b4!? (16 Wie? or 16 ®bI!? also favours White) 16...axb3 17 Dxb3. Left to his own devices, White will proceed with £2, a4 and c5, while the active attempt 17.5 allows him a promising initiative after 18 exf5 Sixf5 (after 18...gxt5 19 £41 White can turn his sights to the kingside) 19 e5! dxe5 20 Led, 14 £3(D) zg Wee Ui 14 061? Black’s plan is to activate his bishop on the 1-6 diagonal. A more usual way to achieve this idea is the direct 14...2h6 15 b3 £e3 (15...£5 is not ideal due to 16 exf5 gxf5 17 £4! and White makes good use of his h4-bishop;66 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES Black is more or less forced to sacrifice a pawn with 17.. 266 18 &xf6 Bxf6 19 &xhS We7) 16 We2 £5 (16...c612) 17 exfS gxfS 18 2F2 Sxf2 19 Bxf2 #6 20 Bgl #h8. This position occurred in 1994 in Kramnik’s games against Gelfand and Bologan; both encounters confirmed that Black has reasonable counterplay despite his somewhat shaky kingside. Kaspa- rov’s idea is slightly more refined — his bishop aims for the same diagonal, but first poses a difficult question to White’s bishop. 15 &xi6 This move is a minor strategic concession. In this concrete position White can’t profit from the slightly weakened dark squares around Black's king. The difference is that Kasparov's f-pawn is on £7 and his kingside, contrary to the previous note, still remains intact. Later on Black can realize the ...£5 advance, but at the moment of his choice, ie., only when his army is fully mobilized and prepared. All this enhances the positive positional effect of the exchange — Black gets rid of his bad bishop and solves his opening problems. White can fight for an advantage only with 15 £2 Sg5 16 b3. Now Black can pursue his kingside ambitions with 16...h4, but in practice White’s play on the opposite flank with b4 and c5 is usually more effective. Therefore the prophylactic 16...c5! a safer option; after 17 dxc6 bxc6 18 Hb! We7 19 b4 axb4 20 axb4 Bibs 21 bS De5 22 D3 De6! 23 Hel h4 24 SFI Af6 Black equalized in the game Iskusnykh-Dolmatov, Kemerovo 1995. sw. Dxf6 (D) A natural reaction: the positional threat ...a4 is more effective without the dark-squared bis ops. 16 Wer 16.84?! is premature due to 17 Wel h3 18 2417. Kasparov is in no hurry to start playing on the kingside and improves his queen first. 17 Wel After 17 Ebl h4! 18 b4 DhS White can’t ruthlessly pursue his own ambitions, as he must parry the threat of ...2)g3+. Tw gr! Another patient preparatory move. After 17..h47! 18 Wrhd Dxd5 19 Wxe7 Dxe7, White has 20 DdS and the threat of Df6+ forces the unappetizing 20...\xd5 21 cxd5. The ¢2-bishop is fully alive, the c-file is open and Black must fight for equality. 18 WE22!(D) A step in the wrong direction. Giving Black a free hand to develop his play with 18 Hl h4 19 b4 axb4 20 axb4 bsS is quite risky. White still can’t advance his c-pawn and after 21 Wf2 Black can apply more pressure with 21...Wg5 (21...2)F4!?) 22 Bd £5. A safer option was 18 h4! with approximate equality. x su WS Ye 4 SS . RD wW \ ew We S iS NY ee 19 £4 The difference between 19 Wxh4 one move earlier and now is that after 19...xd5 20 Wxe7 xe7 21 5 Black has 21...c6 followed by D4. The e2-bishop remains a poor piece, while Black controls the central dark squares and has an advantage. Gulko doesn’t want to wait for ...)h5 and lashes out on the kingside toGAME 84: BORIS GULKO — GARRY KASPAROV 67 prevent the scenario from the previous note. On the other hand, now the e4-pawn becomes back- ward and in the future Black can (and will!) make good use of the outpost on 5. 9 exfd 200 Wxf4 3 21 gxh3? ‘The inaccuracies on moves 15 and 18 have already tipped the scales in Black’s favour, but this is a more serious mistake. A voluntary break-up of his own kingside spells positional capitulation for White; now Black gets a distinct advantage and his play acquires concrete targets. Stronger was 21 g3 (or even 21 g4) 21,..Hae8 (21...2c5!2). Black is better due to his dark-square control, while White's back- rank weakness might also be a factor in the future. However, in the game he will quickly face problems that are more acute. a Rxh3 22 BFS Ens It's time to evaluate the position. Black’s Pawns are compact, while White has two obvi- ‘ous weaknesses (e4 and h2); moreover, both are ‘on semi-open files. Black’s bishop is better than White’s and when the a6-knight joins the fray (sce move 28), he will achieve ideal piece coordination. Kasparov proceeds to convert his positional pluses convincingly and doesn’t allow any complications — simple and one-sided tactics appear only in the final phase. Model strategic games such as this one are rare in current high-level practice. 23 Bes Black is clearly better after 23 Bgl Dc5 (23...Eae8!? is also good) — White’s major pieces can't generate any concrete threats on the f- and g-files, contrary to Black’s play on the h-file later on. However, 23 b4!? is better than the passive text-move. Black has an advantage after 23...2d7 24 c5 eS, but White has at least prevented ...c5 and activated his bishop. Bn aes Naturally, Black must stop eS. 24 Bgl (D) It's too late for 24 b4?, as after 24...axb4 25 axb4 \xb4 26 bl Black can choose between the simple 26...a6 and 26...c5 with the idea 21 Qb5 Dbxd5!. 24 DbS doesn’t change the character or evaluation of the position after 24..lfe5 (or even 24...d7!?) 24...De5 was possible, but the text-move is more practical. Kasparov safeguards himself against any possible tactical surprises and limits White’s chances for effective counterplay by exchanging queens. 25 WxeS Leaving the black queen on its commanding, outpost is no better; after 25 Wf2 Hh6 Black plans to double rooks on the h-file followed by ...tc8 and @c5. As White can’t chase the queen away (26 £3? Wf4 and the threat of ..g4 nets Black material), he will sooner or later be forced to challenge it with Wg3 in any case. 2S on Exes 26 £3? Bad positions often produce bad moves. Gulko shouldn’t have allowed Black to transfer his second rook to the h-file. 26 Egg? followed by @g1 is considerably more resilient; for the time being White’s weaknesses are protected and he can resist doggedly. 6 Hens! 2 Baa Due to the threat of ...g4 White must surrender his control of e5. However, 27 d2!? might be slightly better, with the idea 27...2h4 285. a. Bhd 28 3, After 28 13? Dg4 the mating threat nets Black material. Bw DeS (D) Black's last passive piece has joined the action and he can claim a decisive advantage. 29 Bg368 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 29 b4 axb4 30 axb4 Ded? followed by ...DeS is hardly an improvement for White. a7 ig? White has only a choice between two evils. The text-move concedes the h3-square, but 30 ‘He? allows 30...0d3, planting the knight on e5. After 31 DebS (31 DfS+ Kxf5 32 exfS Des doesn’t help, as Black’s main threat ...2h3 is difficult to meet) 31....e5 White's counterplay is ineffective — 32 @xc7 Axf3 33 Dxf3 Hxed followed by ‘won position. 30 Ec8 gives Black a technically a Eh3 31 Bge2 Forced. 31 Hee2? allows 31...xb3 and after 31 bd the simple tactical solution 31...axb4 32 axb4 Dg4! 33 Bee? (33 Hxg4? fails to 33...xg4 34 bxcS dxcS 35 &xe4 Exh2+!) 33...De5 (33...2b3 34 Debs Add 35 Dxd4 De5 is also good enough) 34 bxeS dxc5 35 DiS+ AB! 36 Dg3 Dxf3 37 e5 Sed wins material with a continuing attack. However, even the text-move can’t stave off Black's main threat. 31 ww Dest Although this allows Gulko to trade his passive bishop, the text-move begins a concrete and decisive invasion into White's camp. 32 xed = xp 33 Bxh3 34 Red Bas 38 Dabs &h3! (D) 36 gh ‘The king desperately tries to escape from the comer. 36 @xc7 doesn’t help due to 36...013! (36...2ixe4! 37 Tbs is less incisive) 37 Be2 (37 Hcl Dxb3) 37...Dxe4 38 Dg3 (38 Dgl is even more costly due to 38...f2!) 38...xb3 with an easily won endgame. 37 bd ‘The last fling. 37 @xd6? loses a whole piece 10 37...2f3. 37 ow axb4 38 axb4 exbS 38...2b3 39 Axd6 Dd4 40 Hel Bd2! also wins, but Kasparov is not interested in complications and chooses the simplest solution. 39 bxeS 40 Der 40 Dad Had 41 Db2 dred 42 e5 Be3 is hopeless for White, but now the passed b-pawn will be even stronger. 40 - ‘rst 41 D3 dxeS 2 a6 ets 3B 5 eB 44 Ee b3 1 White is practically paralysed and one of the possible winning plans is ...%#d7-c6 followed by ...b5.Game 85 Artur Yusupov — Garry Kasparov Novgorod 1995 Queen’s Pawn Opening [A48] 1 a4 26 2 Of3 26 3 Bes ‘Yusupov had recently experienced problems against Kasparov even with White; the surprising turn-around from Game 53 was followed by three losses in the King’s Indian in the early 1990s. Therefore in 1995 he opted for a less ambitious but simpler approach by avoiding heated theoretical duels in sharp and complex lines. 4 ow 51? The drawback of playing such quiet lines is that, given a good understanding of the resulting positions, Black has more than one way to achieve equality. However, avoiding sterile positions and creating winning chances is far more complicated. In his earlier practice, Kasparov occasionally played ...d5 immediately, or later on. However, the set-up with ..d6 is closer toa King’s Indian connoisseur’s heart. After 4...0-0 5 Dbd2 d6 6 e4 c5 7 dxcS dxc5 8 fe? Deb 9 0-0 Wc7 10 We2 Ha8! 11 Hfel (11 a4!) 11...n6. 12 Sh4 Dhs 13 Ded Me6 14 He37! (White misses his last chance to play 14 a4) 14...2f4 15 BEI Des 16 AxeS Lxe5 17 Wed Mxc4 18 xed b5! 19 FI c4 Black's pieces are nicely centralized; he controls more space and enjoys a small advantage, Yusupov-Kasparov, Riga (Tal mem) 1995. However, it makes practical sense to assume Yusupov has found ways to improve White’s play, so Kasparov varies his plan. In our game, he doesn’t commit his d-pawn yet and immediately attacks the centre in an attempt to find out the intentions of White's e-pawn. 5 83 After 5 bd2 exd4 6 exd4 cb Black is fine — in this type of position White’s knight belongs on c3. The most principled option is to accept the pawn sacrifice with 5 dxc5. Then 5...2a6!? (5...Wec7 is playable, but here White can bail out into a dull and drawish endgame with 6 Dbd2 Wrc5 7 Axi6 Axi6 8 Ded Wes 9 Dxf6+ Wxt6 10 Wadd) 6 Was Dc7 7 Dbd2 Deb 8 Wed b6 9 cxb6 Wxb6 10 Wb3 We7 11 &h4 Hb8 12 We2 Who 13 Ded WeS 14 €3 0-0 15 2d3 &b7 16 Dcd2 W6 17 Acd We7 led to a complicated position in Sorokin-Sakaev, St Pe- tersburg Z 1993. Yusupov is not tempted and chooses the simplest and most common move. Sw We 6 Ws 0-0 7 ®pa2(d) ‘A typical motif. Both players indicate they wouldn't mind the doubled b-pawns in exchange for play on the a-file.70 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES Us a6 8 Wxb6 White has no effective way to force ...Wxb3, as after 8 Dc4 Black can simply avoid the queen swap with 8...Wic7!. As Yusupov doesn’t ‘want to wait for ..2e6, he exchanges the queens before the bishop leaves c8. 8 axb6 9 Det ®ba7 10 Be? In view of the next note, perhaps 10 £43 is slightly better, controlling the e4-square. 0 45(D) To continue his development Black must chase away the c4-Knight and as 10...b5?! 11 Da b4 12 exb4 cxb4 13 Dc2 costs him a pawn, Kasparov plays his pawn to d5 after all. However, the text-move leads to a rather rigid position. Black could have avoided this; 10...h6! is more enterprising: 11 2h4 (11 &xf6 2xf6 12€4 bS 13 Be3 b4 14 exb4 exdd 15 Dd5 €6!? 16 @xf6+ @xf6 can only be better for Black) 11..g5 12 &g3 Ded with excellent counterplay. xm a” wer Y 1 Bces 6 12 ats cf! After other moves White can play @xd7 followed by £c7, when Black has problems with his b6-pawn. The text-move is the best way to parry this idea; Black can afford to release the central tension, as White is unable to prepare a quick e4 advance. 13 hal? Yusupov wants to profit from his active mi- nor pieces. Objectively the position is equal and after 13 Qxd7 Dxd7 14 DeS bs 15 Dxd7 2x47 16 a3 the game would never have made it into this book ~ the most likely result would be a quick draw. Bow 5 (D) Kasparov also pursues his own ambitions and spurs the more circumspect 13...h5 with approximate equality. Quite in the spirit of his previous move: Kasparov doesn’t bother himself with the e5- knight any more. 14...0xe5 15 Dxe5 Od7 is less consistent, as even after future exchanges on e5 White will have an edge due to his better bishop. 1s gS hixgs 16 hxgS Ded (D) ‘The text-move is more natural and stronger than 16...h5 17 Dh4!? (17 &h27! Dad is dangerous for White; after 18 0-0-0 both 18...b4 and 18..Axc3! 19 bxc3 Bxa2 give Black a strong attack) 17...xf4 18 exf4, Now 18...2)a4 19 HbI leads nowhere for Black, as White controls the important £5-square and his space advantage gives him an edge. 17 Bar White must first and foremost exchange Black's knight. An attempt to stabilize the queenside with 17 a3? achieves quite the opposite after 17...a4 18 Ha2 axc3! 19 bxc3 Qxc3. Kasparov gives a similar line in the case of White pursuing his kingside play too directly: 17 Dh2? Dad 18 £3 Dd6 19 0-0-0 2xc3! 20 bxe3 Hxa2 with a strong attack. 7 ts Now 17...2\a4 promises Black nothing after 18 2xe4 dxe4 19 Hb1, when White canGAME 85: ARTUR YUSUPOV — GARRY KASPAROV a gradually tum his attention to Black's king. Also 17...@xd2 18 Sxd2 isn’ tideal —now 18...2a4?! is well met by 19 b3 Ab6 20 bxe4 (or 20 Ehb1!?), when due to Black’s lost tempi White can advantageously tum his attention to the queenside. It's interesting to note how quickly the tension grew after 13 h4!? despite the exchange of queens; now both players have to weigh their respective attacking chances with care. 18 &g4(D) Here 18 £3 Dxd2 19 doxd2 Dad 20 b3 D6 is OK for Black, as he controls the bl-square. ‘The text-move is natural, but the simplest way to take the sting out of Black's main idea ..a4 was 18 Dxe4 Bxe4 (18...dxe4 19 Hd2 Dd5 20 a4!? seems somewhat better for White) 19 £3 215 20 Hh2, when the best move is 20...£61? (20...2\a4 is parried by 21 &d1) with an equal position, 1) 18.,.x05? 19 Sxe5 £6 20 Axf5 gxt5 21 xf exf6 22 £4 Gad 23 £3! Dxd2 24 xd? and suddenly Black’s king is under direct attack; moreover, he is saddled with numerous weak pawns. 2) The previous line can be modified with 18,.2)xd27! 19 dxd2 MxeS 20 Bxe5 £6 21 Axf5 fxe5, but even here after 22 Le6+ tg7 23 Bh? exd4 24 exd4 (or even 24 Hahl!?) White has a large positional advantage. 3) 18...Rxg4 19 Axg4 Dad 20 Axed dred 21 HXb1 is similar to the game, but here White has ideas such as Qh6+ or Se5, when his attacking chances are more real. Nevertheless, with 21...b4! 22 exb4 c3 Black should hold the balance. 19 xed ded! (D) After 19...d0xe4 20 £3 followed by Zh2 White defends the b2-pawn economically. 20 axfs 20 Ebi is similar to the text-move and can transpose into the game if Black continues with 20...b4!2, 20 ow 21 Ebi (D) After 21 0-0-0 Black can continue 21...b4! (21...2xc3 22 bxc3 Exa2 23 g6 £6 24 HE7! Bfa8 25 Hh7 Axf2 (not 25...b4? 26 &h6} 26 ‘£b1 gives White sufficient counter-threats; a perpetual is the most likely result as 26...fa2 is parried by 27 cl!) 22 exb4 c3 with promising attacking chances. ‘After the text-move, Black’s collection of doubled and immobile pawns seem to present a sorry sight... 2 ba!2 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES Kasparov had long ago foreseen this break, by which Black tries to open up the position for his passive rooks. Once this happens, the advanced central pawns on e4 and £5 will seriously cramp White's position. The text-move is ‘more demanding than 21...2b6 22 a3, when the static nature of the position forces Black to bail out into an equal endgame with 22...2xe5! (22...d52! is weaker because of 23 dd2) 23 Bixe5 £6 24 gexf' ext 25 sAf4 BET followed by Enz. 22. exb4(D) Now Black gets pressure without any risk. Also 22 @xc4! bS 23 Be5 bxc3 24 bxc3 Dxc3 25 Deb HfeS 26 Hb2 Back isn't ideal. As White wants to keep the position closed, a safer option is 22 sed2 Hfc8 23 a3!? b3 (23...bxa3? 24 bxa3 Ac5 25 Dxc4 Dad 26 Db6 Dxb6 27 Exb6 Hxa3 28 Hcl is very good for White; although his bishop is formally ‘bad’, it’s far more active than its black counterpart) 24 £3. White’s set-up remains solid and he can later free his bl-rook with Bh2 and el. x0 a 2 Dn6 22...¢3 23 bxe3 (23 b3? is playing with fire, as after 23...b2 24 a4 @d3+1, an attempt to blockade the connected passed pawns with 25 2)xd3 exd3 26 Hdl runs into 26...d2+ 27 de2 Back 28 Hal e5! 29 SxS Sxe5 30 des Bids 31 Bhdi tg7 and White is in zugzwang) 23...2)xc3 24 Hb2 Hxa? 25 Bxa2 Axa? 26 ded? leads to a drawish endgame. Kasparov didn’t want to dissipate the tension yet and he later suggested 22...fc8 (preparing ..c3 without spending time on ...b6-d5) as a better way to do so. However, after 23 g6 (not 23 td2? Dxb2!) 23...xe5 he must seriously reckon with the paradoxical 24 dxe5!? (after 24 gxf7+2! Pxi7 25 Lxe5 c3 26 bxc3 Axc3 27 Bel Axa? 28 Exc8 Exc8 29 Bh7+ Se8!? Black has the better minor piece and winning chances). The g6-pawn is now taboo (24...fxg6? 25 e6 fol- Towed by £e5 costs Black at least an exchange) and as e6 is a real threat, White has at the very Teast real counterplay. We now return to 22...€b6 (D): D Z 7 a Zz tna a Ae Wo Pee @ 8) Bfes | AR 727, 2B a 24 gt? Yusupov seeks immediate kingside counterplay. Although after the text-move Black remains with the better minor piece, passive alternatives such as 24 el 3 25 bxc3 Hxa3 or 24 shed? 3+ 25 bxe3 Bxa3 26 Ehel (26 Ebel! is weaker due to 26...2d5 27 c4 Ha2+, when the natural 28 Hc2? loses material to 28...ixc2+ 29 dexc2 £6) 26...£6!? (26...xe5 27 Bxe5 Ded+ is also playable) 27 gxf6 exf6 28 Ag6 &f7 29 Dh4 Zh8! are less enticing and force White to defend with care,GAME 85: ARTUR YUSUPOV — GARRY KASPAROV 73 Ww Sixes Finally, the threats on the file are not so strong and this positionally desirable exchange becomes possible. 25 gxf7+ Now 25 dxe5?! is ineffective, because after 25...£x96 26 e6 Bc6 27 Ste5 Hxe6 the a8-rook is protected, Sow oxf7 2% BxeS D5 (D) ] 7 w 7 ‘a 727 ae After the inevitable ...c3 Black will enjoy superior piece coordination due to his more active rooks; also White’s e5-bishop can’t help out effectively in the defence. On the other hand, the position is highly simplified and converting Black's positional pluses into something more tangible still requires help from the opponent. 27 da ‘Yusupov clings on to his material advantage. 27 Bh7+ Se6 28 Bh6+ Sd7 29 BhS would have probably led to repetition, as 29...3?! 30 Exf5 oxb2 31 Bxb2 Bxa3 32 fl can only be better for White, 27 ow oe 28 hed 28 bxc3? is weak due to 28...xa3. Now the counterplay from the previous note comes too late. 2B .. exb2+ 29° bxb2Hec3 30 Hal 30 HhS? Haxa3 31 Exf5+ de8 followed by £06 or ..Axb4 gives Black a mating attack. However, lashing out immediately by 30 Bh7+ be6 31 Bgl Haxa3 32 Bg6+ Dio (32...d2d7 33 ‘Bd6+ is similar) 33 2xf6 exf6 34 Bxb7 is more practical, as Black is sooner or later forced to give a perpetual, on bSt(D) Kasparov still tries his luck and prepares Hd3. The immediate 30...243 31 Bh7+ e6 32 Bgl is similar to the previous note. sas To Mey “ou em aay foie aA A 7 7 75) 31 hel! Yusupov reacts well. 31 Bh7+?! see6 32 Bh6+ (32 Bgl? Hexa3 33 He6+ Af6 isn’t good any more; Black’s b-pawn stays alive and takes part in his dangerous attack) 32...2d7 33 Eb6 ‘Hexa3! is better for Black, while 31 Bh8?! ‘Hxh8 32 &xh8 £4! 33 exf4 Bf3 also gives him winning chances. Parrying Black’s idea with 31 Ehd1 is too passive and after 31...—Hac8 32 ‘Hdcl 4b6!? White stays bottled in. BL ww Bas 32 Hes 32 Hdl? fails to 32...axa3!, when Black has an overwhelming positional advantage. 32 Dpe! 33° Exbs? This greedy move is the decisive mistake. Kasparov points out that White should have played 33 c2! Ded (Black has nothing concrete after 33...Ba4?! 34 BxbS Ded 35 del) 34 a4 and Black should sensibly give a perpetual with 34...2d2+ (34...a3+? 35 Exa3 Bxa3 36 a5 turns the tables; White wins the bS-pawn with excellent chances of victory) 35 s#c3 Bd3+. 33 ww Ded+ White is forced to cut off his al-rook. After 34 c2? Haxa3 he'll either get mated or lose a whole rook. 3h gs4 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 35 -2g3(D) Now it seems White’s defences are still holding... 35 ow fait ‘This powerful dark-square break disrupts the coordination of White’s forces and is the cul- mination of Kasparov's consistent light-square strategy from move 13 onwards. 35...&c8? 36 Exf5+ followed by Hc5 would produce the opposite result. Other moves also favour White; after 35...0n87! 36 fc2 Oxa3+ 37 Bxa3 Bxa3 38 Exf5+ or 35...2c3+7! 36 ded Bh8 37 Ba2 Eh1+ 38 se2 Hecl 39 £3 Black is desperately fighting for his life. 36 BS The simplest line is 36 &xf4? Hc3+! and Black mates in another two moves. Afier 36 exf4 the last line from the previous note now works: 36...c3+! (36...e3? is weak due to 37 ¥c2! Bxa3 38 HfS+ and White beats off the attack) 37 dl (37 dbl Zh8 with a mating attack) 37...0h8 38 Ba2 Bh1+ 39 de2 Hxg3! 40 fxg3 (40 Ec2 loses even faster to 40...gg1!) 40...2h2+ wins a piece and the game as well. 36 on a6 37 Ext BB Now White can’t interpose his rook on cS any more and Black has a mating attack. 38 Hed+ 38 Sb Dd2+ 39 &b2 Hb3+ and 38 )xa3+ 39 s2b2 He2+ both lead to mate. 38 we hs 38...82f7 39 Bg5 e5! wins as well, as White can save his king only by giving up a whole rook after 40 Sxe5 @a5+! 41 c7 Exc7+ 42 Bec5 Hxc5+ 43 dxc5 Db3+. 39 Hhé+ gs Kasparov repeats to reach move 40. 40 Bede hs 41 Sha be5! (D) Now Black has enough time to work out the winning line. Ma, 4 a2 fe eo After 42...exf32, 43 $c2 breaks up the mating-net. 43 f+ ‘We've already seen 43 g4+ df7 44 BgSe5. M3 au bes O41 After the only defence 44 Eh2, Black quickly mates with 44...2\d2+ 45 ddl Dbi+! 46 de2 He2+ 47 fl Balt.Game 86 Garry Kasparov — Vishy Anand PCA World Championship match (game 10), New York 1995 Ruy Lopez (Spanish), Open Variation [C80] The PCA world championship match initially didn’t go Kasparov's way, but this remarkable ‘game was to be the turning point. However, this encounter is a milestone in more than one sense = while the thoroughness of Kasparov's opening preparation had for a long time been his ‘trademark, this was the first time he openly admitted that computer software had provided valuable assistance in developing White’s idea. 1 ef Kasparov had used this move for the first time in the New York match in game 6, but ‘Anand had won the theoretical duel on that occasion... 1 iw 5 2 O63 De6 3 &bs In game 8 Kasparov still wasn’t ready to deal with the challenger’s novel idea from the previ- ‘ous even-numbered encounter. He fell back on the Scotch with 3 4, but Black again solved his ‘opening problems and drew with relative ease. Kasparov's fantastic new idea started taking shape between games 8 and 9 and by now everything was ready and the important details were worked out. After seeing the whole game and sifting through its rich tactical content, one can readily believe Kasparov's words that his excitement negatively influenced his play in game 9. 3m 6 4 fad 2K6 5 00 Dxes Both players were moving quickly and the unsuspecting challenger repeats the line from game 6. In different match situation, he might have had second thoughts, but the euphoria from grabbing the lead in the previous game presumably dimmed his sense of danger. In any case, from game 12 onwards Anand was forced touse reserve weapons, and his first try was the “New Arkhangelsk’ Variation with 5..b5 6 &b3 &c5. Later he refrained from 1...e5 altogether, but by then the fate of the match was already decided in Kasparov's favour. For the Closed Ruy Lopez with 5...fe7, see five examples in Volume 1, starting with Game 35. 6 da bs 7 2b3 a5 8 dxeS 2e6(D) xu wen © ama spans @ a ae mon oe SRA BAL DLW 2S The basic position of the Open Ruy Lopez. Black relies on his central outpost on e4 and active piece-play to compensate for his shaky pawn-structure. The whole line used to be a favourite of Tarrasch and something similar can be said about his brainchild — the Tarrasch De- fence. While Kasparov used the Tarrasch in the 1980s (see Game 40), he never ventured the Open Ruy with Black. However, the complex positions it leads to have tempted quite a few strong players. 9 Bbd2 eS This is still Black's most topical option, but Korchnoi, one of the leading Open Ruy practi- tioners, recently started to prefer 9...£e7 10.c3 0-0 (10...e5 11 Sc2 Sg4 12 Bel 0-0 13 Ab3 Ded 14 MF4 He8 15 h3 LHS 16 a4! bxad 17 Exa4 £8 18 Dbdd gave White an advantage in Kasparov-Krasenkow, Bled OL 2002) 11 £c2 15. w 3 a4 (D) Black can still transpose into the lines from the previous note with 10...2e7 or 10...£¢4.76 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES ‘The text-move is a logical reaction - Black frees his position by advancing a potentially vulnerable pawn. However, Black’s king is still in the centre and opening the position can be tactically dangerous. White’s immediate reaction profits from precisely this drawback. ay a a a man aon E aware | 1 Dgst? ‘This surprising sacrifice was no bolt from the blue. Originating from Karpov’s second Igor Zaitsev, the text-move had its premiere on the highest possible level in Karpov-Korchnoi, Baguio City Wch (10) 1978. Karpov didn’t win this game and in their following match in Merano 1981 proceeded to torment the challenger with 11 £xe6 @xe6 12 exd4 @exd 13 Ded (or 13 a4!?), leaving it to others to develop White's ambitious idea. Mw dxe3: The evaluation of the text-move is based on hindsight. Other continuations: 1) 11.145? was successfully introduced by LSokolov against Anand himself in 1994 and a year later was still considered playable. How- ever, it’s in fact even worse than the text-move due to 12 Zxf7! sexf7 13 W13+ deo 14 Wed+ heT (14...$2f7 is no better due to 15 WiS+! Be7 16 €6) 15 6! Lxe6 16 Hel WA7 17 Lxe6 Dxe6 18 D3 He8 19 Dgs Ded8 20 2! 6 21 G3 Was 22 Hes Wd6 23 cxd4 h5 24 Wes $17 25 dS and White regained the piece with a decisive advantage in Svidler-Anand, Dos Her- manas 1999, In his notes Kasparov naturally didn’t disclose if he had this sacrifice on his mind in New York. 2) While in 1978 Korchnoi wanted to avoid Karpov's analysis and mainly for practical reasons preferred the text-move, 27 years later it’s quite clear that Black’s best is the principled 11...WaxgS!. Nowadays the main line is very long and goes 12 Wf3 0-0-0!? 13 &xe6+ fxe6 14 Wixc6 Wes 15 b4 Was 16 Wxd5 exd5 17 bxc5 dxc3 18 Ab3 d4 19 La3 96 20 Rb4 Bg7 21 a4 d3! 22 axbS d2.23 bxa6 c2 24 Dxd2 Sixal 25 Hxal Hhe8 26 Hcl Bed 27 £3 Het 28 Hxc2 Hd3 29 Hb2 Hexc3 30 a7 Ba3 31 Bb8+ chd7 32 a8W Bxa8 33 Bxa8 Hxd? 34 24 ‘&c6 and the numerous shifts of the material balance petered out into a drawn rook endgame in Morozevich-Ponomariov, Biel 2004. 12 Dxe6 tre 13° bxe3(D) teams u yY i 2 Bw Was Both players were still following game 6, but now Kasparov finally deviates and forces Anand to think for a short while. Black could have avoided the coming storm with 13...@\xb3!? 14 axb3 Wd3, but after 15 Wh5+!? 26 16 Wed Wits 17 We2 his king will have a hard time on e8, no ‘matter how he takes the offered pawn. 14 Bert A logical move: White retains his unopposed light-squared bishop, which soon turns into an important attacking piece. Tal had mentioned this idea in his notes to the Baguio City game in 1978, but only as an offhand recommendation. In the aforementioned game 6 Kasparov played the less energetic 14 @f3, but after Anand’s novelty 14...0-0-0! (Kasparov was prepared to improve Karpov's play from 1978 and had no objections against the pleasant endgame after 14... Wixd1 15 &xd1) the vulnerability of Black’s king is balanced by his active piece-play. ThisGAME 86: GARRY KASPAROV — VISHY ANAND 7 was proved by the follow-up 15 Wel Dxb3 16 axb3 ©b7 17 Le3 e718 gS h6 19 Lxe7 xe7 20 Das Bxd4! 21 cxd4 Wxb3, which led to an unclear position. Ww xed Black's reaction is practically forced and it cost Anand only four minutes to ascertain this. 18 Dbstt(D) a7 mee ann A, x 1a oe ae ama BAR LW This rook sacrifice is the real point of White’s previous move. Needless to say, Kasparov played it instantly to increase its psychological effect. Anand now sank into deep thought. 13 ow Dxb3 Black's most obvious reply, but this time it's by no means forced and Anand played it only after 45 minutes. Accepting the sacrifice is very risky, as over the board it’s more or less impossible to calculate or even anticipate the full implications of White’s idea. In his notes Kasparov wrote of Anand’s lack of respect for his opening preparation, but this is hardly fair. Although Anand could have expected Kasparov's camp to focus mainly on the text-move, other moves are no less risky: 1) 15...072! 16 WhS+ (16 Dxc5 Lxe5 17 Re4 0-0 18 Hbl! with the threats S2xc6 and Wh5 is also good for White) 16... (16...4¢d7 doesn’t help due to 17 @xc5+ WxeS 18 Sed) 17 xc5 Sixc5 18 £e3! and fora meagre pawn White has a near-decisive attack. 2) 15...2b47! 16 WhS+ sea7 (after 16...26 17 Rxg6+ hxg6 18 Wah8 Axb3 19 axb3 the al-rook is taboo due to 20 2h6 and White has an extra exchange for nothing) 17 WE7+ &c8 is 1no improvement, as White has 18 Sxh7! with the idea 18...2xb3 19 e4 and White’s attack breaks through after 19...c6 20 Wxe6+ #7 21 axb3 Wxal 22 fe3! followed by either Hdl or Hel. 3) The only other move deserving closer attention is 15...2d8 16 &.d2 Wes (16...Exd2 17 2)xd2 is also insufficient for equality, as White's lead in development allows him to develop his initiative; €.g., 17...xe5 18 Db3! Ded7 19 2)d4 £.d6 20 Hcl Wh2 21 Sb3! Aixb3 22 axb3 0-0 23 Hc2 Wa3 24 @xe6 and White was winning in Khalifman-Hratek, Pirnu (Keres mem) 1996) 17 Bel Wd. This position actually arose in Berg-Nevestveit, corr. 1990, an obscure predecessor both players were unaware of. The ‘game also remained unnoticed because White went astray and missed the best move, 18 Wg4!. Here a recent effort provides some food for thought: after 18...2d4 19 Dxe5 &xc5 (White is clearly better after 19...Wxc5 20 &xh7!) 20 ‘Wxg7 (20 Sed! Wd6 21 Wxg7 seems better, as after 21... e2+ 22 Bre? £d4 23 Wh6 Sxal 24 £5 White has a powerful attack) 20...8 21 Qxh7 Ed7! 22 Wg6+ ded8 23 Bh6 Af3+! 24 gxf3 Wri3 25 Wig5+ chc8 26 Wixcs Wed Black forced a perpetual in Naiditsch-Mamedyarov, Pamplona 2004. However, despite the result this line still seems very suspicious and can hardly rehabilitate 11...dxc3?!. 16 &xb3 (D) re ese & 16 aa A very difficult choice. Anand declines the sacrifice and protects the vulnerable e6-pawn instead, but by this stage Black had no safe way to solve his problems: 1) 16.,.248? runs into 17 Wh5+! 26 18 Wes with the idea 18...Wxe5 19 2b2! Ad4 20 Rael78 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES WIS 21 Wadd! Hxd4 22 &xd4 and Black's position collapses. 2) The immediate capture 16...¥Wxal is more complex, but here White gains an advantage in a very forcing manner. By 1995, computers ‘were already very good in pure calculation and Fritz significantly contributed to the main line prepared by Kasparov's team and starting with 17 WhS+! (White has nothing concrete after 17 Bxe67! Dxe5!? and also the immediate 17 W371 ds 18 Wra8 Wes 19 Wrxa6 £06 is advantageous for Black) 17...g6 (17...&d7? loses quickly due to 18 &xe6+! dexe6 19 Wgd+ kf7 20 WE3+ he6 21 Wxc6+; Black's king must avoid dark squares due to a deadly bishop check and after the forced 21...£d6 22 exd6 Wes White wraps up the game with 23 &d2! Wxd6 24 Hel+ Sf7 25 Wi3+ eg6 26 We4+ bef7 27 2c3) 18 W3 Dd8 (again Black’s best; both 18..0-0-0 19 Wrc6 BxeS 20 Wxa6+ bs 21 Se and 18.44 19 Wrxa8+ &f7 20 Hdl! with the idea 20...)xb3 21 WE3+ Sg8 22 £23! give White a decisive advantage) 19 6! (less incisive is 19 Hdl WrxeS 20 2f4 Wr6 21 Wxa8 £461? with approximate equality). White profits from the weakening forced by his 17th move to regain everything after 19...2g8 20 xe6 (D) (20.2g57! We3 21 Bd is parried by 21....2d6), and now: 2a) 20,..g7 21 S£7+! ded7 (21...2)xf7 loses on the spot to 22 We6+ £8 23 43+) 22 e6+ shc8 23 Wxal Sxal 24 xg8 with a won endgame for White, as Black loses both his kingside pawns. 2b) 20...Hg7 21 Ra3 Wxfl+ 22 Sxfl is clearly better for White; after 22...c5 (22....2xa3 is refuted by 23 245! and White wins) he can choose between 23 &xc5 and the simple 23 4517. 2c) After 20,..SLe7 21 S474! dexd7 22 e6+ Dxe6 23 Wxal White has a slight material advantage and, more importantly, retains good attacking chances against Black’s permanently exposed king. 17 Weat Here human imagination and fantasy inter- vened. During his preparation, Kasparov could only gradually ‘convince’ the machine this was the right direction, White increases his pressure with a quiet move, which is way beyond the abilities of Fritz, Now the ‘refinement’ from the previous note 17 Wh5+? g6 18 Wg4 is misguided, as after 18...Wxal 19 &xe6 Black defends with the simple 19...1c3 20 247+ Sea8, Tw ‘Wxal (D) 10 ae wt fa eae mam ao a 6 nue ao a AY FG a. Raz Black must cash in and hope, because he is unable to finish his development by normal means. 18 fixes White is in no hurry to win back his invest- ment. The greedy 18 3? allows 18..e2+ 19 Wxe2 Wxe5 and the attack is over, as Black’s ‘queen rejoins the fray. Bo Bas?! By now, Anand had spent more than an hour and he played the natural text-move quite quickly. However, it simplifies White’s task. The alternatives were: 1) 18...2e77! 19 &g5 Wb2 20 &d7+ &t7 21 e6+ f8 22 Whs 26 23 Whos and White wins back a piece with a very strong and continuing attack.GAME 86: GARRY KASPAROV ~ VISHY ANAND 79 2) 18...8¢5! also isn't ideal. After 19 2h6 (19 2d7+!? sF8 20 e6 is also promising for White) 19...Wxfl+ 20 dxfl gxh6 21 Sc8! Black’s forces lack coordination and White has a huge attack despite having only two pieces on the board; e.g., 21...e£7 (21...sof8 runs into 22 Wd7 Be7 23 Wxd4 Bxc8 24 €6) 22 Wa7+ S26 23 Qb7 c6 24 Bxc61. 3) Kasparov mentions the considerably more resilient 18...1Wc3! only fleetingly. We'll try to find out what he had on his mind, as proving a clear-cut advantage for White is not as straightforward as in the game. After 19 2d7+ $17 (19...82d8? loses on the spot to 20 g5+; this is why here White had to leave the pawn on g7) 20 Re3 Be5 (20...c5? loses to 21 Sxd4; Black ‘must free a square for his king) 21 e6+ (21 Hdl Ehd8!? doesn’t promise White anything concrete, while 21 Zc1 Wd3 can transpose into line 3a") 21...d2g8 (D) White has a choice: 17 0 7ee _ iu we @ a.8 8 2:4 9 @ aa owe Ae ees » Z “are 3a) After 22 €7 g6 (the only move; 22...h6? loses to 23 Sixd4! Wxd4 24 WIS) 23 Wed (23 Ecl Wa3 24 e8W+ Hxe8 25 Lxe8 is met by 25..e2+ 26 Shi $g7! and Black holds) 23,..De2+ 24 Sh deg7! 25 RxcS WxcS 26 Wxe2 Hhe8 27 Hel Wa6 Black hangs on. 3b) A stronger line seems to be 22 Wh5!? £26 (22...h6? fails to 23 €7! fixe 24 Wa5+) 23 WAS De2+ (23..c6 24 Lxc6 De2+ 25 hi Bxe3 26 &xa8 Wi6 27 Wed gives White a material and positional advantage; after 23...2g7 White has 24 WeS+ tg8 25 hi! Wa3 26 Eel, regaining at least a piece while Black’s king and h8-rook remain comered) 24 hl Sxe3 (Black is helpless after 24..,We4?! 25 Wrc5! Dg3+ 26 hxg3 Wafl+ 27 dh2) 25 Wra8+ g7 26 Wxh8+! dexh8 27 e7 Wes 28 e8W+ with winning chances for White. However, if this is the best White has, a comparison of the arising endgame with line ‘2c’ from the note to move 16 is favourable for Black — here at least his king is safe. We now return to 18...2482! (D): “en a a ma ‘Gan nt a awe Ee, TW FRB & 72s 19 &h6t Kasparov was still following his analysis and reacted immediately. As he aptly pointed out, the mere five minutes on his clock were the result of 48 hours of hard work beforehand. In his notes he also describes the quest for the correct solution. At first his team looked at the seemingly natural 19 £52, only to discover White’s attack fails to 19...Wc3 20 Sxd8 h5! and Black remains a piece up for nothing. However, Kas- parov quickly found the decisive text-move and the computer didn’t need any ‘coercing’ this time: White is winning, as he eliminates the crucial g7-pawn, 19 Wes The only way to fight on, 19..Wxfl+ 20 SExfl is hopeless, as 20...gxh6? 21 Wh5+ leads to mate and otherwise Black’s king remains trapped in the centre until the bitter end. 20 fxg? Was Once again strictly forced, as Black must cover the h5-e8 diagonal. Just as above, taking the bishop by 20...2xg7? fails to 21 Whs+, mating, 21 Sxh8 Wg6 ‘Anand spurns material gains and strives for an endgame. Rightly so, as after 21...2e2+? 22 Phi Dg3+ 23 hxg3 Wril+ 24 h2 White's pieces and pawns coordinate excellently to give All80 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES him a winning attack. Even the relatively best 24.,.Wd3 (24...1Wxf2 leads to mate after 25 26 We2 26 gS Be7 27 Web WS 28 217+ 18 29 &h5) 25 G5! Wed (25... doesn’t help due to 26 £3) 26 Wh3! is hopeless for Black, as the threats of Wxh7 or e6 will quickly decide. 2 2f6 e7 23° xe? xed 23...dexe7! is weaker, as it allows White to keep the queens on the board and play for the attack with 24 Wh4+! de8 25 ed. 24 xg shxe7 25 Hell (D) _ te | a. 2 @ Aa a Z A Wo Wa Th. WZ. Z In the final phase of the game Kasparov started spending quite a lot of time. This is easily understandable — once the home preparation is over, he wants to make no mistake about converting his advantage. White is a pawn up and has two connected passed pawns in the centre, but if he allows ...c5-c4, the outcome of the ‘game might yet be in doubt. The excellent text- ‘move stops Black's only real counterplay. 25 6 2 f4 aS Black still can’t advance his c-pawn with 26...Hig8 27 &d1 c5? due to 28 ExcS Deb 29 &b3. His remaining queenside pawns are not as. dangerous. 27 ef2 ad 28 be ba 29° «Adi! ‘Again accurate prophylaxis in a similar spirit as on move 25. The tempting 29 Bc4?! runs into 29...a3! and as the knight is taboo (30 Exd4? even loses to 30...xd4 31 dxd4 b3), the threat of ...b3 gives Black counterplay. 29 a3 (D) Black can rely only on tactical tricks, as the straightforward 29..b3 30 axb3 @xb3 (30...axb3 loses the b-pawn immediately to 31 Ebl) 31 Aixb3 axb3 32 HbI! Bbs 33 hd3 c5 34 hc3 simply drops another pawn. he 7 Ci: Ga 5S A A BG fA All @ MAR © eco o ma WZ 78 a ns 30 g4 White takes control of the f5-square and prepares Hed. The game is over, as Black's pawns are stopped in their tracks and White’s kingside phalanx will soon start marching. - Bas 31 Bes Ss Kasparov saw that even the tricky 31...De6 doesn’t help due to 32 £63 Ac5 (after 32...c5, 33 Bel wins the c-pawn) 33 Sc?! (33 Exb4? Ba: Black loses his remaining queenside pawns after 34...Exd5 35 dixd5 Axf4+ 36 Se4, but now White’s pawns finally move on, Ho4+ 36 he3 D5 37 gS Hel 38 Hae 1-0 38 £6+ te6 39 Zd6+ also wins, but the text- move creates additional mating threats.Game 87 Garry Kasparov — Viktor Korchnoi Horgen 1995 Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Slav Defence [D43] Exhaustion after the match in New York took its toll and in Horgen, Kasparov was a shadow of his usual self. His typical vigorous style was evident only in his game against Korchnoi, 1 Of D6 2 of 6 3 Dc3 as 4 a4 6 5S Ses 6 Korchnoi avoids the complex alternative 5..dxe4 (see Games 23 and 75), as well as the slightly passive 5...\bd7 (see Game 25). In- stead, he prefers a move introducing the Mos- cow System, which occurred less frequently in Kasparov's practice. 6 Shar Earlier in the same year in Riga, Kasparov played it safe against Ehlvest with 6 &xf6 Wxf6 7€3 Dd7 8 a3 dxcd 9 Lxc4 g6 100-0 £7, but got nothing out of the opening and only drew. White enjoys a space advantage, but finds it difficult to create inroads — opening the position would also activate Black’s bishop-pair. Perhaps Korchnoi concentrated on this quiet line in his preparation, but in our game Kas- parov is in a more belligerent mood and sacrifices a pawn. 6 ow axed 7 Sb471(D) Korchnoi doesn’t want to compete with Kas- parov's knowledge of sharp and concrete theoretical lines, so he leaves the beaten track as soon as possible. However, especially with Black, such an approach is fraught with danger. A transposition into the Botvinnik System is still possible (7...b5), but the main option is 7...85 8 Sg3 bS (even here 8...,2b4 9 We2!? is less good for Black, as the next note shows). This line is currently very topical and will be featured in Kasparov-Dreev, Russian Ch (Mos- cow) 2004 (Game 127). 8 xed After 8 €52! g5 9 Zixg5 White must seriously reckon with 9...Wa5!? (9...2d5? is weak due to 10 Whs and 9...hxg5 10 Sixes WaS 11 Rxf6 Bxc3+ 12 bxc3 Wxc3+ 13 she? followed by Hcl also isn’t ideal for Black) 10 xf7 Sixc3+ 11 bxe3 Wrc3+ 12 tee? Dd5 13 Dd6+ ed7 and his king is even more exposed than its black counterpart. With the straightforward text-move, Kasparov continues his development and insists on sacrificing a pawn, even if it's a central one. However, White has more than one way to fight for an advantage. First of all, the simple 8 &xf6 Wxf6 9 &xc4 gives White an edge, as he achieves a better version of the position mentioned in the note to move 6. An even more ambitious try is 8 Wc2!? g5 9 &g3. White keeps his centre intact and tries to prove the bishop is misplaced on b4 and belongs on g7 or 7. After 9...b5 (9...g4 10 42! with the idea 10...Wxd4? 11 0-0-0 is no improvement for Black; the exposed g-pawn gives White a chance to open the kingside with a future h3), even 10 Se2 with the idea 10..g4 11 DeS Wxdd 12 0-0! Sixc3 13 bxc3 Wred 14 Wa? is fully playable — here White's colossal lead in development and play on the dark squares outweigh even three(!) extra pawns. 8 Bxe34? ‘Voluntarily exchanging the important bishop is definitely a serious error. Black should have played the principled 8...25 9 £23 Axed. After 10 0-0 xg3 11 fxg3! Dd7 12 We2 0-0 13,82 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES ‘Bad White's attacking chances give him excellent compensation for the pawn, but the outcome of the game remains open. Korchnoi doesn’t want to weaken his kingside by advancing the g-pawn, but after the text-move Kasparov will soon force even more serious concessions. 9 bxe3 Was This double attack against c3 and e4 is the point of Black’s previous move. 9...g5 10 £23 xed 11 Be5 gives White a huge attack, as 11...£62! runs into 12 Wd. 10 0-0 White can’t effectively protect his central pawn anyway (10 Wc2? 4xe4), so he continues his development just as on move 8. 10 xed 10...WWxc3 11 Hel followed by d5 is no improvement; Black’s lack of coordination is truly alarming. 11 2e51(D) a mvers With all his pieces poised to pounce on Black’s king, Kasparov stops counting pawns and fully concentrates on unleashing a direct attack. The immediate threats are Wf3 and Wed. uw a7 Black challenges the centralized knight. Other moves are even worse: 1) 11.,.2xc37! 12 We g5 (12...g6 doesn’t help due to 13 43 and White threatens both x67 and &xg6) 13 23 followed by £4 and White quickly opens the f-file with decisive effect 2) 11...0-071 is really castling into it. After 12 Wg4 Dgs (12...f5 13 We6 threatens both SkeT and 2xe6+, when 13.16 14 Wxi5!? is hopeless for Black; after 12...2d6 13 e7 with the idea 13...2)xc4? 14 £6 White wins material with a continuing attack) Kasparov recommends the direct 13 £417 (13 &xg5 hxg5 14 Eael is less forceful, but also sufficient; White prepares He3-h3, or £d3 and WhS and Black can’t survive for long, as the natural 14...2d7 runs into 15 4g6!) 13...e4 (Black loses after both 13..2h7 14 Hf3 and 13...£5 14 Whs Ded 15 e7) 14 Bael d6 (14...Wxc3 fails to 15, Exed! £5 16 Wg6 fxed 17 e7) 15 Hf3! and the concentration of the attacking forces is overwhelming. For example, White quickly mates after 15...Df5 16 £6 Sh7 17 2431. 12 Wed (D) xeseee Ae We 2 gs?! ‘While this was still playable on move 8, now it compromises Black's position beyond repair. As Kasparov pointed out, 12...2\xe5 is more resilient: 13 dxeS Ag5!? (13...Wxe5? loses a piece after 14 Bfel, as Black can’t afford 14...52 15 ‘We6+ Sf8 16 Badl; 13...2)xc32! 14 Wxg7 is also hopeless), but even here 14 &xg5 (14 £4? WeS+) 14..hxg5 15 Wxg5 0-0 (after 15.267! 16 Wi6 Black daren’t castle, and 16...2h5 17 Had] Bxe5 18 Hdd gives White a decisive attack; after 16...0-0 17 BadI and 2d3-h3 Black gets mated) 16 Wg3 (after 16 243 Black parries at least the direct threats with 16...£5) gives White a large advantage. Black's queenside pieces are still half asleep and although his king has managed to leave the centre, White can continue his attack even on the kingside in the long run, his rooks are aiming for the g- or h-files. 13 Wxet = DxeSGAME 87: GARRY KASPAROV — VIKTOR KORCHNOI 83 Black doesn’t relish opening the d-file for White’s rook(s), but 13...gxh4? loses on the spot to the simple 14 x7. 14 dxe5 18 Babi! (D) gxhd Kingside castling is out of the question for Black, so his king is trapped in the middle. The only hiding place available is on the queenside; Kasparov's strong prophylactic move immobi- lizes Black's bishop and is directed against the future ..0-0-0. i. 3 After the seemingly solid 15...We7 White plays 16 Bfdl Sd7 17 Bd6, preventing the planned 17...0-0-0 due to 18 £a6! bxa6 19 Wad! aS 20 Wed and the attack quickly decides. The ‘c-pawn still doesn’t count and after 15...Wxe3 16 Hfdl Black is helpless against the impending invasion on the d-file, so Korchnoi at least tries to stir up some confusion. 16 Bfdl! Kasparov ignores the h-pawn and consistently proceeds with his plan. White’s advantage is decisive, as Black won't manage to safeguard his king and connect his rooks. 16 gs After 16...xg2 17 23 Black's only active try 17...g8 (17...We7 18 Ebd1 We7 19 WF3! followed by Wi6 and White wins) is best par- Tied by 18 Wh7 Bf8 19 Wg7 followed by Bbdl. 17 3 Bgs Korchnoi invests a tempo to prevent White’s queen from entering via f6. Black can’t do anything constructive, and we've already seen lines such as 17...Wxc3 18 Hb3 WaS 19 Wh7! Bes (19.,.2g6 loses to 20 3) 20 We. 18 Bg8(D) 3 87 e387 at Bk Ae Chk 2n7 a7 © | 19 geil 19 Ba3 was also possible, but Kasparov doesn’t need to hurry. Removing the h3-pawn eliminates any random tactics based on the slight exposure of White’s king 19 Wxe3 20 &xh3 £5 21 Wer ots Black’s king won't make it to the kingside, as White’s bishop participates in the final attack even from h3. A sample line is 21...2g6 22 Whs wf7 23 Lxf5! exf5 24 Bd6 and White wins, 22 wns Wes+ 22... Bim he Now ns s my RS D> WY _ as 16 West? Yudasin understandably wants to castle as soon as possible. 16 We27! (after 16 We3?! Dxe4 White must take with the queen, as he can’t afford 17 fxe4? due to 17...c5 18 Wt Wad 19 £42 g5! and Black wins) is playing with fire; after 16..2\xe4 17 fed (17 Wxed &h4+ and White can avoid heavy losses only by going for the dreary endgame afier 18 g3 Sixg3+ 19 sefl Sxh2 20 Wre5 Bxe5) 17...Lb4+! 18 c3!? (18 def2 Hdd 19 def3 He8 20 £4 We7 and the important e4-pawn falls, as 21 e5? loses on the spot to 21...eixf4+! 22 sbxfd Wg5+ 23 ded BxeS+!) 18....Axc3+ 19 def2 a5! (Black needs to control the el-square, while d4 remains reserved for his rook; for this reason 19....d4+?! 20 &ef3 is weaker) White’s king is exposed and he has problems with developing his bishop ~ both 20 £3 and 20 g3 allow Black to prevent SLf4 with the effective 20... iad) 16 ‘Wxts, 17 0-0 ®xet 18 xed ‘Wxed (D) 19 &e3 It’s not so easy to find an alternative to this natural developing move. White would like toGAME 88: LEONID YUDASIN ~ GARRY KASPAROV 87 W We Y GUNA 7 em exchange queens, but he can’t achieve it on his ‘own terms ~ after 19 We3?!, Black has 19...2d4! with an advantage and even 20 Hel (20 c3 cS!) can’t shake off his pressure because of 20...Sc5 21 Wxe4 Exe4+ 22 df He6!. Also 19 Hel isn’t ideal; after 19...2c5+ 20 @h1 (20 23?! leads to a very difficult rook endgame after 20...2b4 21 &c5 Wxel+ 22 Wxel 2xel 23 &xf8 Lxf8 24 Hxel Hd2) 20...Wh4 Black Tetains the initiative. 19 a6?! 19...c8 allows White to swap queens without qualms; the resulting endgame after 20 Wd3 ‘Wxd3 21 cxd3 and Hac! is drawish. Black’s advantage stems from his safer king (if we hypo- thetically added a white pawn on f2 and a black one on e6, White would be doing fine) and more active pieces. Kasparov doesn’t force the issue and maintains the tension, but especially, the second factor is volatile and can quickly evaporate. Bearing this in mind, the radical 19...2.£6! deserved attention. White is forced to sacrifice an exchange and after 20 Exf6 gxf6 21 &xh6 (21 &xa7!? might be better, but Black is still on top after 21...2c8) 21...2fe8 22 Wxf6 We6! 23 Wxg6+ fxg6 Black’s rook(s) will soon appear on their seventh rank with good winning. chances. 20 «Braz! ‘Yudasin repays the compliment with a rather more serious inaccuracy of his own. White chases the queen from its outpost, but the rook itself becomes exposed and can’t quickly join the fight for the open central files. The immediate 20 Had1? simply loses a pawn to 20... £6 21 Wb3 Bxd1 22 Bxd1 &xb2!, but considerably stronger is 20 Wb3!. This multi-purpose move removes the queen from a vulnerable square, hts £7 and prepares consolidating measures such as Bad! or Bael. White would then have reasonable chances to neutralize Black's pressure in the long run. 20 ww Wee 21 Bf2(D) ‘The rook retreats, parrying the threats ..ic8 and ...2g5. a Anat Kasparov wants to force some concessions before his bishop lands on its ideal f6-square. 2 gp ‘Yudasin permanently weakens his kingside, but rook moves would disrupt the coordination of White’s forces. After 22 He? We4! Black is clearly better and the same goes for 22 Hd2 £161? 23 Wb3 Bxd2 24 xd? Hes. 2 ou 6 23 Wha? White’s margin for error has narrowed down and Yudasin loses a tempo at the least suitable moment. Just as three moves ago, 23 Wb3 is better. White protects both his bishop and indirectly the g3-pawn. Although 23...Efe8 gives Black a clear-cut initiative, his advantage still isn't decisive. Bou Bes 24 2b6 24 Hel?! runs into a deadly pin after 24.. ed 25 Wxb7 Hades. ww Bas 25 ad White must waste more time in order to prevent ...b5. 25 on hs! (D)88 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES Black targets the weakness created on move 2. 26 Ws ‘Yudasin finally plays this move, but it’s too late, as Black has full control over the e-file. 26 ow Hades! 27 Haft 27 Wf3 h4 is no improvement, as 28 g4 (after 28 c3 Black has 28...hxg3 29 hxg3 Hel+ 30 Bxel Bxel+31 dg2 eS, attacking the bishop and threatening ....2xg3) loses a pawn to the double attack 28...Be4, 2 w h4(D) Ma, . ea 78s 28 «thi 28 Ld4 hxg3 29 hxg3 (29 Bxf6 gxh2+ 30 EhI gxf6 31 Sxe5 Bxe5 is hopeless for White, as after 32 Wxb7? eS he gets mated) 29.125 30 S2xf6 gives White some tactical chances, but they are insufficient to save the game after 30...txg3+ 31 Wxg3 Wxg3+ 32 He? We3+ 33 ‘EhI He6!? 34 Hxg7+ defB 35 Exf7+ des 36 pst chd7 37 Hd8+ shc7 38 Bf8 Hd6!. Black’s king is safe from the checks and his attack will shortly net him more material. Bn Bel 29 a5(D) Desperation, but 29 gxh4 H8e2 30 Wh3 (30 Was Wed and the threat of ...Wh3 decides) 30.,.We4+ 31 Sg] Bxfl+32 Bxfl Bxc2 is also hopeless for White. V LBS Oe a re ; BT a YW Ws - 0 h3t Black turns his attention from g3 to White’s vulnerable back rank. 30 «WT Other ways to meet the threat of ..We4+ also don’t help, as White can’t defend both his king. and his queenside pawns. After 30 Wed Kas- parov intended to play the simple 30...xfl+ (30...We4+ 31 Wed B8xed 32 3 Bxfl+ 33 Exfl e2 also wins - White can’t get rid of the cramping h3-pawn) 31 Wxfl &xb2, when 32 ‘Wrh3 Hel+ 33 Bfl Wed+ 34 deg] Sd4+ 35 xd Wrd4+ 36 hi Was+ 37 gl WeS+ 38 thi Exfl+ 39 Wexfl Wxa5 leads to a lost queen endgame for White. Exfl+ x Bent Wxe2 32 Wxb7 Bet After 32...fte2 White still has 33 Sg, so Kasparov first forces the rook to gl. 33° gl 33 &f2 sets a small trap, but Black can easily avoid it and win immediately with 33...Sd4! (33...Wxf2? allows White to continue the game by playing 34 Wa8+ &d8 35 Wxd8+ &h7 36 Wha+). Bw Bez O41Game 89 Garry Kasparov - Vishy Anand VSB tournament, Amsterdam 1996 Caro-Kann Defence, Panov Attack [B14] 1 e4 6 2 dd a5 3 exdS exd5 4 cf In 1996 Anand still played the Caro-Kann only very rarely, so Kasparov decided to present his opponent with a surprise of his own. The Panov Attack hadn't appeared in his practice before and never became an integral part of his repertoire; another fact, which he possibly took into account in this game, will be mentioned in the note to Black’s 8th move. Kasparov’s fa- vourites are the main line with 3 Ad2 (see Games 43 and 65 respectively, as well as Kas- parov-Anand, Linares 1998 ~ Game 99), and lately the sharper Advance Variation 3 e5 (see Kasparov-Karpoy, Linares 2001 - Game 117). 4 ow OM6 5 23 De6 (D) Nowadays this natural developing move has good reputation. However, the most popular option is still 5...e6, which can transpose not only into positions from the Queen's Gambit, but also into a Nimzo-Indian after 6 @f3 b4. With the element of surprise on his side, Kasparov strives for a complex fight. The alternative 6 DF3 gd 7 cxdS Duds & Wb3 Rxf3 9 gxf3 e6 10 Wxb7 Axd4 11 &bS+ Dxb5 12 We6+ we7 13 WxbS WA7 14 Dxds+ Wrxd5 15 25+ £6 16 Wxd5 exd5 17 Be3 He6 leads to an endgame in which concrete opening knowledge doesn’t play a major role. With good defensive technique Black should be able to neutralize White’s small advantage; the split kingside pawns are good targets for his future counterplay. 6 ww 6 Anand couldn't have foreseen this position would arise, so he sensibly falls back to the most solid, albeit rather passive move. Sharper alternatives such as 6....2e6 or 6...dxe4 require deeper preparation. For example, in the latter ‘case recent practice had seen new developments in the unclear line 7 Sxcd Wxd4 (if Black wants to avoid complications, he still has 7...061%; this leads to positions from the next note) 8 Wixd4 Zxd4 9 0-0-0 e5 10 f4 &g4 11 DEB Dxf3 12 gxf3 Sxf3 13 fre Rxhl 14 exf6, — nowadays no leading professional would enter such a tactical labyrinth without previous thorough computer-supported analysis. 7 O63 eT ‘We've mentioned the link between the Panov and the Queen’s Gambit, and Black still could have achieved such a transposition with 7...dxe4 8 &xc4 Be7 9 0-0 0-0. Now the main move is 10 a3 and the whole line was long considered favourable for White, but Dreev has recently taken up Black’s cause with success and. dicates the choice on move 7 is largely a matter of taste. 8 ¢5(D) White can’t force Black to release the central tension and although this ambitious advance isn’t as strong as was once thought, it remains the only realistic try to fight for an opening advantage. 8 nom A small move with big consequences. Black should have avoided this seemingly insignificant ‘softening’ of his kingside, which will soon cause him a lot of suffering and finally90 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES set his king on the run. The c6-knight is a good target for a future advance of White’s b-pawn and Black must be careful about undermining the queenside pawn-chain with ..b6 due to 2bS. On the other hand, White's previous move has made the d4-pawn somewhat vulnerable and released the tension in the centre, so logically this is exactly the part of the board where Black should seek counterplay in the first place. He has two better options: 1) 8...0-0 9 &bS (9 £431? deserves attention — White prevents ...e4 and only after 9...06 plays 10 25) and now: Ja) 9...h6?! 10 &xf6 (10 £4! is stronger) 10...&xf6 110-0 De7 12.b4 b6 13 Wd2 bxc5 14 bxc5 £d7 15 Babl Eb8 16 Hb3 SxbS 17 Dxb57! a6 18 Dc3 Bxb3 19 axb3 c6 20 Hdl 5 and in Timman-Kramnik, Amsterdam (VSB) 1996 Black had an edge. This game was played just one round earlier and one can understand ‘Anand: he is out of his preparation, so he decides (albeit with a slight twist) to follow a very recent example. It’s fresh in his memory and impressive from Black’s point of view. How- ever, Kasparov's following move shows that he ‘was not taken in. 1b) Black does better to play the key move 9...De4 immediately; this knight sortie forces advantageous exchanges. After 10 &xe7 @xe7! 11 Bel (11 We2 Was 12 £43 Dxc3 13 bxe3 h6 14 Hb1 Wc7 followed by ...b6 poses Black no problems) 11...b6 he has promising counterplay and White should try to relieve the tension with 12 £43 (12 bd bxe5 13 dxc5 Eb8 14 Wad a6 15 Sd3 £247 is fine for Black). 2) Line ‘Ib’ indicates Black can also play the direct 8..De4 9 Sixe7 Wxe7. Now White should avoid the doubling of the c-pawns with 10 We2 (after 10 &bS @xc3 11 bxc3 Ld7 White’s attacking chances in this simplified position are less concrete than Black’s queenside play with ..b6), but even here 10,..2)xc3 (10...2)g5!2) 11 Wrc3 0-0 12 Bb5 e5! 13 dxeS Red gives Black sufficient counterplay. 9 f41(D) Kasparov retains the bishop, which is des- tined to play an important role in White’s future attack. 9 £h4?! 0-0 or even 9...2e4 leads only to an improved version of the lines above; here .-h6 would have the positive effect of providing Black with some potentially important luft. 9 on 10 bs Kasparov continues his development in a straightforward fashion. Attempts to prevent the doubling of the c-pawns such as 10 Zel or 10 We2 would cost White precious time and give Black too much counterplay after 10...¥a5. 0 Dxe3 Here 10...Wa5?! is ineffective due to 11 0-0! Bxc3 12 Sxc6+ bxc6 13 bxc3 and Black has serious problems with both the threat of e5 and his misplaced queen. The £4-bishop plays an important role on both flanks — in this concrete position it gives White full control of the open b-file. After 10..0-07! Black must reckon with 11 @xe4! (11 &xc6 is less clear due to 11...2xc3! 12 bxc3 bxc6 13 Des We8) 11..dxe4 12 Sxc6 bxc6 13 De5 and the c8- bishop remains passive, while his pawn-structure is ruined. Finally, after 10....2d7 11 0-00-0 12 cl! £6 13 Hel White can even avoid the doubling of his pawns, as the tactical 13...@xc3GAME 89: GARRY KASPAROV — VISHY ANAND oe 14 Bxc3!? Dxd4? fails to 15 Dxd4 Bxd4 16 ‘Wxd4 Axb5 17 Axh6!. 11 bxe3 12 00 a7 0-0(D) Si i GN 2S ‘The opening is over. White has a space advantage and his forces are more active. If he ‘manages to line up his queen and bishop on the weakened bl-h7 diagonal, he could transform his initiative into a direct kingside attack. In a Carlsbad structure with opposite colours (the ¢5-pawn would be on b2), Black's situation would be very difficult indeed, but here the liberating ..b6 advance can give him effective counterplay on the opposite side of the board. This introduction is necessary to understand the aims of both sides in the following phase of the game, starting with Kasparov's ‘mysteri- us’ prophylactic move. 13. Hel! ‘The simplistic 13 £43 b6 14 exb6 axb6 15 Sc2 Ha3 16 Wa3 £5 is not too impressive, as the bishop and queen lined up on the diagonal can’t decide the game on their own and Black can probe the weak queenside. The text-move aims mainly to discourage ...b6 for the time being and also helps White to get a more harmonious version of the above idea with the bishop on bi later on. Kasparov realized well enough he can’t permanently prevent Black’s freeing advance; the question is for how long and at what cost he can delay it. For example, in his notes he mentions that 13 £xc67! £xc6 14 eS e815 ‘Wed sbh7 is not worth the trouble, as ..b6 and/or ...{6 are coming anyway and White’s attack lacks punch without the light-squared bishop. Also later in the game we shall see that the concentrated power of the bishop-pair can have a devastating effect. Bo. Be8 ‘After long thought Anand makes a solid non- committal move. Black intends to prepare his counterplay gradually and without creating any extra weaknesses. 13...2a52! 14 243 certainly doesn’t help, as once White’s knight comes to 5 it will be almost impossible to dislodge it without serious concessions. The consistent reaction is 13...b6, but now White demonstrates the point of his previous move with 14.4! (D). ‘Some of the following lines were given by Kasparov in his notes: 1) 14...bxe5 15 dxe5 (after 15 cxd5 Dxd4 16 @xd4 exd4 17 @xd7 Wrd7 18 Bc7 Wa8 19 dxe6 fxe6 20 Wg4 dh8 the passed d-pawn ‘gives Black enough counterplay) 15...a6 (after 15...dxe4, 16 £xc4 leads to line ‘2b’ below, but White can consider even 16 42.d6!? with an advantage) 16 a4 d4!? (16...dxo4 17 Exod makes it easier for White and gives him a clear advantage) 17 £.xc6 (17 £d6 is inconclusive due to 17...Hc8 followed by ...2e8) 17...8xc6 18 Dxdd WAT (18..Be8 19 Axc6 Hxc6 20 Wed! again highlights the drawbacks of 8...86?! by giving White the necessary tempo to retain his extra pawn with Bfd1 and £d6) 19 2b3 and although White's extra pawn is doubled, he has an edge. 2) 14...dxe4 is the main move, which gives White a choice: 2a) After the direct 15 d5 Black has the worthy reply 15...0\b4! (15..exd5 is weaker due to 16 Wxd5 We8 17 Bf and now even after the relatively best 17...92 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 19 &xc4!? White retains a strong pull) 16 Bxd7 (16 06 Dxd5 17 exd7 Dxf4 18 Hxe4 2g6 is only seemingly impressive, as White's passed pawn can’t make the last decisive step and Black’s clear plan of gradual encirclement with ....c5, ..\Wc7 and ...ad8 is difficult to meet) 16...Wxd7 17 d6 £6 18 Hxc4 bxcS 19 Be5! (after 19 BxcS Ads 20 &g3 Hfc8 the d6-pawn is firmly blockaded and Black has nothing to fear) 19...2d8!? (now Black keeps the d-pawn fully under control; 19...Wb5 is weaker due to 20 Wb3) 20 Exc @d5 followed by ...S0b6 and ...ac8 with sufficient counterplay. 2b) 15 Sxc4!? is more testing. Now Black can shake off White’s nagging pressure only by radically changing the material balance with 15...bxc5 16 dxcS Sxc5 17 &bS We7 (17...$#b6? loses a piece to 18 Wxd7 Wxb5 19 a4 W6 20 2c7) 18 We2 2431? (Black wants to keep the queens on; the weaker 18...Dd4 19 Wrc5 Wxc5 20 Hxc5 Lxbs 21 Dad Mxfl 22 ‘xii leads to a difficult endgame, as White can avoid a rook exchange and concentrate his pieces against the a-pawn, while Black has no effective counterplay) 19 &xc6 Axcl 20 Excl Zac8 21 Wed (although after 21 De5 Lxob 22 xc6 Wa7 Black can’t directly exploit the pin on the c-file, it certainly limits White’s options and makes it difficult for him to keep the a- pawns on the board) 21...Lxc6 22 Exo6 Hxe6 23 Wxe6 Wd 24 Wel. In the resulting position White’s winning chances and Black’s prospects for a successful defence are about the same. Anand is understandably reluctant to go straight for a worse endgame as early as move 13, but this would have at least nipped White’s attacking ambitions in the bud. 14 Bet (dD) Mw at6 Black's main idea still requires preparation; here 14...b62! 15 cA! is less enticing than in the previous note. After 15...bxc5 (15..dxc4 16 d5 ‘exd5 17 Wxds is even weaker than in line “2a” above, as Black has problems with the sensitive £7-pawn) White has 16 exd5 @xd4 17 Dxd4 cexd4 18 f2c7 We8 19 eS Was 20 2xd7 Wrd7 21 dxe6 Wxe6 (21...fxe6? loses on the spot to 22 Bc7 followed by We4) 22 Sixg7 with a winning attack. 18 Ebi m2 mae aw: The ideas with c4 are not effective any more, so White repositions his passive rook. How- ever, Anand was more afraid of the simple 15 243 b6 16 exbé6 axb6 17 2b1, when Black has nothing better than the weakening 17...h5. Now the direct 18 e5?! leads to premature simplification after 18...xe5 19 dxeS 2g5, but more Patient methods such as 18 h3 give White an advantage. His attacking ideas (g4 or even a timely eS) are more potent than Black's ‘queenside counterplay with ..b5-b4. Kasparov retrospectively criticized his own choice and although objectively he may be right, the text- move involves an attractive pawn sacrifice and creates both tactical and practical problems (see the defender’s multiple choices from move 19 onwards) for Black. Bw 6 16 a6 eB After 16..bxe5 17 2b7 White wins an exchange for insufficient compensation. 17 &bS a7 18 a6 8 19 2a3 Kasparov had 25 minutes left on his clock and the twofold repetition got him closer to move 40. 19 ww bxeS Accepting the sacrifice is natural enough, but perhaps 19....2d7!? is more circumspect. If White now continues as in the game with 20 De5, we already know from the note to move 15 that Black has the defence 20...@xe5 21 dxeS Sg5. Also 20 Sc2 bxcS 21 Wd3 g6 22 2xh6 €5!? 23 dxe5 5 is only about equal, and 20 cxb6 axb6 gives Black a slightly better version of the position White could have achieved after 15 243.GAME 89: GARRY KASPAROV ~ VISHY ANAND 93 While Black still has to finish his development, White’s whole army is aimed in the direction of the kingside. 20 far? Black must cope with the e5-knight and ‘Anand hesitates one move too long. However, he should choose with care: 1) 20...2xe5? loses material by force to 21 dxe5 g5 (after 21...Se7 both 22 Wh and 22 Wed give White a decisive attack) 22 Sxg5 Wrxg5 (White's attack breaks through after 22...hxg5 23 Wh5 g6 24 Lxg6 fxg6 25 Wxe6+ {8 26 Be3) 23 5 followed by £c6 and converting the extra exchange should be a matter of technique. 2) Kasparov points out Black’s best defence, 20...BLxe5 21 dxe5 £5!, Black closes the dangerous diagonal and White must now decide what he values more ~ the strong e5-pawn or open space for his bishop-pair. The more logical choice seems to be 22 exf6!? (after 22 He3 the sortie 22...WWh4! disrupts White’s attacking intentions; Kasparov's preference was 22 WhS He7 23 He3 We8 24 Wh4, but despite White’s attacking chances, Black's defences remain very solid after 24. WES 25 Hg3 d2h7) 22...Wxf6 23 AS (positional methods bring White more than the speculative 23 WhS S47 24 Bb7 Wxc3 25 Hdl Hed8; a possible alternative is the immediate 23 £d6) 23...247 24 26 Wrc3 (now the position opens up even more, but 24...04 is weaker and gives White a pleasant bind after 25 e3; his strong d6-bishop dominates Black's rooks by controlling b8 and f8 and, if nothing else, White can focus solely on his dark-square play with £xc6 and Se5) 25 Hcl Was 26 Exc5, when White's initiative is worth at least the pawn, 21 Hb7(D) » AIBA alike AS & eo ane ‘an ES OS. a skxeS Black's previous move has allowed another attacking piece to join the fray and now he must capture the knight (21...e7? fails to 22 Bxd7). It's difficult to choose between the text-move and 21...@xeS 22 dxeS Sc6 (line “1” from the previous note indicates that 22....e77 is insufficient due to 23 Wg4 with a winning attack). Now White must sacrifice an exchange, as a rook retreat would allow 23...22g5. The right way to do this is 23 Exf7! (23 exf6 is unconvincing in view of 23...&xb7 24 fxg7 Wh4) 23...Rxf7 24 exf6 Wxf6 (24...gxf6? 25 WhS+ eT 26 Bxe6+! dexe6 27 WiS+ and White mates in two) 25 2e5 Wg5 26 f4 We7 (Black's king is unable to escape from the kingside; after 26...Wh4 27 He3 Hg8 28 Hg3 we8 29 427 the important g7-pawn falls and White continues his attack) 27 WhS+ Sf8 28 We6 (28 He3!?) 28...Bad8 29 He3 (29 Wh7 WE7 30 £5 dissi- pates White's initiative after 30...exf5 31 xf5 ‘Exe5 32 Hxe5 Hd6). Although White has no immediate win, he has a huge attack and one can’t really blame Anand for spurning this line. 22 dxeS Es? ‘Anand wants to deal with White's active rook first, but Black doesn’t have enough time for such measures. Other moves: 1) After 22..De7 23 Whs DFS (23...2c6 24 Sxh6! Sixb7 25 Bxg7 soxg7 26 Wh7+ 218 27 Wh6+ dg8 28 Sh7+ leads to mate and 23...2)g6 24 &xh6! doesn’t help Black either)4 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 24 g4 Dh4 25 g5 (25 He3!2) 25... gb 26 Rxg6 fxg6 27 Wxg6 He7 28 gxh6 White is a pawn up with a continuing attack. Moreover, the natural move 28....e8 runs into 29 Wixg7+! Exg7+ 30 Exg7+ followed by £g5-f6 and White wins. 2) 22....¢8 with similar intentions runs into the forceful 23 Wed! Ze7 (the only move that doesn’t lose immediately; 23...09f8 24 &xh6! gxh6 25 Exf7+! Sxf7 26 Wg6+ SF8 27 Wxho+ Sg8 28 Bh7+ LF7 29 Bg6+ and 23...2xb7 24 Sxh6 26 25 xg6 deh8 26 Sixf7 Bes 27 Whs both result in a quick mate) 24 &xh6 Wfs (24...£5 loses quickly after 25 exf6 Exb7 26 ixg7; for example, 26..e5 27 Wg6 e4 28 £7+! Exf7 29 M64) 25 Bxe7 Dxe7 26 &g5 with an overwhelming advantage for White, who can combine his kingside attack with play on the befile. 3) Black’s main concern should have been gaining some breathing space on the kingside and this was his last chance to play 22...f5!. Al- though White has a distinct advantage after 23 ext6 Wxf6 24 &xh6 Wrxh6 25 Exd7, this was still better than the text-move, which only makes White’s attack far more dangerous. 23° Exb8 = Wxb8 (D) 23...@)xb8 24 Wed £8 25 He3 would in all probability only transpose into the game after 25...B06, as 25...g5? 26 Hh3! gxf4 27 Exh6 £6 28 Eh7! stops Black’s king from escaping to safety ~ 28...kee7 29 Exf7+ ext7 30 We6+ leads to a mate we have already seen in line ‘2" of the previous note. wie Jaa ea al x ] “Ho ae Ba ame Ban a” 24 Wes Black's kingside is crumbling and his pieces can’ thelp out in the defence due to the cramping bts effect of the e5-pawn. As 24...2eh8 loses quickly to 25 Wh, the king must run. 25 He3 Was (D) After 25...95 26 Wh5 the only way to prevent a quick mate is 26...Sc8 (26...exf4 27 Wxh6+ e7 28 Wi6+ S18 29 Bh3 De7 30 Wh6+), but this leads to a hopeless position after 27 Wxh6+ ‘be7 28 Sixgs+ ded7 29 Wh7. However, more resilient was 25...Wb2!? 26 h4! (26 23? allows the surprising 26... Wal+ 27 &f1 &c8! 28 ‘Wxg7+ @e7, when White has nothing better than an unclear endgame after 29 £xh6 2a6 30 ‘We5+ Sed7 31 Wel Wxcl 32 &xcl &xfl 33 Sxfl Dxe5) 26...Wxc3 (26...c4 27 Bg3 g5 28 hxg5 cxd3 29 gxh6 and the h-pawn quickly queens; in the game it will also play a major role) 27 Rg3 &e7 28 Wxg7 &d8 29 Wxf7 and, ‘compared with the game, Black has an extra tempo. This naturally helps, but it's doubtful if it will be enough to save the game. Wa, Fabk 2a 26 hat Just as in the above line, it pays to be patient. The text-move not only prevents ...g5, but also advances the potential passed pawn closer to its promotion square and avoids any back-rank shocks. After 26 H1g3? g5 27 Whs exfd 28 Wxh6+ dee7 29 Wr6+ df8 30 Wxt4 ‘Be7! (30....2c8? fails to 31 BF3! He7 32 Bh3) the king is ready to escape and White has nothing more than a perpetual, as 31 $6? runs into 31...2)xe5! 32 Wre5 fixg6 and Black turns the tables. 26 Eh3, with the idea Exh6, is tempting but less convincing, as Black has 26...£5 27 ext6 (27 We6 De7 28 Wh7 Ags is unclear) 27...Wxf6 28 Bf3 (28 Ld6+7! des 29 Ef3 Des is fine for Black; a comparisonGAME 89: GARRY KASPAROV — VISHY ANAND 95 with the line from the next note shows one of the ideas behind 26 h4!) 28...e5!, when White has nothing better than 29 &xh6 Sxg4 30 Zxf6+ de7 31 2xg7 2e6. In the arising endgame Black still has fighting chances. 26 a ‘Was Now 26...£5! fails to 27 exf6 Wf 28 d6+ bg8 29 HES Des 30 BxeS WxeS 31 Weg6. As the king can’t stay on the kingside any more, Anand at least prepares its escape by freeing the d8-square. 27 ga ber 28 Wag? a8 29 Wxf7 29 £1? retains the c3-pawn and is perhaps a cleaner solution, but Kasparov prefers to continue his attack. 29 Wxe3 30 &bs Was (D) ‘The queen must hurry back. 30...Wel+ 31 ‘sth2 only helps White, as now after 31...e7 32 Sixd7 dexd7 he has 33 Hg6 and the important e6-pawn falls. [7 Sx y Ua » ia sw ak hal 7 "'Y “Y “ Ygy, Oy wy \N \ Dex 31 This inaccuracy makes White's task more difficult. The simplest is 31 &xc6 &xc6 32 Sixh6 d4 33 fg5+ dbc8 34 h5 and due to the vulnerability of Black’s king, his central pawns can’t compete with White’s h-pawn. Mow De7 This clever move safeguards Black's king and forces White to work for the point again, especially as Kasparov was running short of time. The alternatives are much weaker; after 31...Wc7?! 32 &xh6 Black is lost, as 32...AxeS, drops a piece to 33 BgS+ Sc8 34 Wre8+! Also 31...e7 32 Wi8+ dec7 33 Hxe7 Axe7 34 2f1! is hopeless for Black; e.g., 34...Af5 35 g4 xh 36 2g3 e637 Wd6+ sec8 38 a3 and the knight is trapped. 32 Bxd7 = xd7 33 Wire! Four years earlier in Linares (see Game 66) Anand extricated himself from a similarly hopeless predicament. This time, despite the unpleasant memories, Kasparov keeps his calm and retains the important e5-pawn. The weaker 33 Sxh67! Wel+ 34 dh? Wres+ 35 24 WHS puts the final outcome in doubt. 33 on a! 33...Wel+? is even worse because of 34 Hh2 Wrt2 35 Axh6 followed by 36 25, but 33...c4!7 would have made life more difficult for White. The c-pawn is too distant and after 34 &xh6 c3 35 &g5 Wes the simplifying operation from the game doesn’t work. Neverthe- less even here White's king is safe and he can effectively combine play against Black’s king with the advance of his h-pawn: 36 hS c2 (after 36...44.37 WHS c2 38 WA! Hic8 39 Wel d3 406 Black's pawns can’t get past the dark squares and the pin decides) 37 h6!? (37 Wf4 is also sufficient, but less incisive than this thematic move) 37...clW+ 38 Sxcl Wxcl+ 39 dh2 d4 (after the passive 39...Wc8 40 h7 Wd8 White quickly transfers his queen to the other side of the board: 41 Wh4 a5 42 Wad+ dac8 43 Wa3! followed by Wd6 wins) 40 h7 Wes (40...He2 doesn’t help due to 41 £4! followed by £5) 41 Hig3 WS 42 h8W Exh8+ 43 Wrh8 d3 44 Ws 42.45 Hc3 and the attack breaks through just in time. 34 Sxh6 4 35 gs Wes Black’s pawns look threatening, but. 36° Rxe7+! 1-0 A simple materialistic finish, After 36...2xe7 37 Wre7+ WxeT 38 Bxe7 dxe7 39 ffl White’s king keeps Black’s pawn duo under control and the extra pawn makes White’s phalanx unstop- able.Game 90 Garry Kasparov — Zbynek Hraéek Olympiad, Erevan 1996 Sicilian Defence, Richter-Rauzer Attack [B66] 1 4 5 2 Of a6 3 a4 exdd 4 Oxd4 AG 5 D3 De6 Since Kasparov started playing 1 e4 regularly in the 1990s, the Sicilian line he most often had to face was rather surprisingly his own favourite 5...a6, with the text-move following in second place. For his more recent treatment of the Najdorf, see Kasparov-Van Wely, Wijk aan Zee 2000 and Kasparov-Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 2001 (Games 110 and 115 respectively). 6 gs From 1996 onwards, Kasparov consistently employed the text-move, which he also preferred during his junior years. It introduces the Richter-Rauzer Attack, a system no less ambitious and aggressive than Sozin’s 6 £c4, but leading to positions of a somewhat less forcing character. 6 6 7 waz 26 At this point, the choice of moves is still largely a matter of taste. On the rare occasions when Kasparov reached this position with Black, he mostly played the equally popular 7..SR€T 8 0-0-0 0-0. 8 0-0-0(D) 8 ow @xdd Although later practice has found better ways to combat Kasparov’s plan from our game, currently this line is not too topical and Black’s ‘most popular option is 8...2d7. Another move which is nowadays played more often than Hratek’s choice is 8..h6. This is featured in Kasparov-Kramnik, Frankfurt rpd 1999 (Game 108). 9 Wxd4 eT 10 ff bs Black plays the main move, which logically fits in with 7...a6. On the other hand, 10...0-0 Teads to lines mentioned in the note to move 7. It’s hardly an ideal option, as in this system Black strives for central counterplay and often omits ..a6 altogether. For example, in the main theoretical position of this variation Black's queen is on a5, while the pawn is still on a7. 1 xfs White plays this move now to disrupt Black's kingside pawn-structure. Postponing the exchange may give Black some extra options; eg,, after 11 Re? 2b7 12 2F3 0-017 13 Bxf6 he can play 13...Sxf6! 14 Wxd6 Sxc3 15 Wixd8 &xb2+ 16 dexb2 Hixd8 with an equal endgame, Delchev-Shishkin, Romanian Cht (Tusnad) 2005. nu. exf6 (D) Now the pawn recapture is strictly forced. 11...2xf6? fails tactically to 12 e5! dxeS 13 Wed! (13 WeS £d7 14 Axb5! Le7 15 Dct+ P18 16 Wxes Ha7 17 Dxa6 We8 18 a3 is also good for White, but less incisive) 13...d7 14 Huxd7! (14 &xbS axb5 15 Bxd7 allows Black to plod on with 15...WaS) 14...texd7 15 Sxb5+ with a decisive attack. Black’s exposed king can’t survive for long after 15...82e7 16 Bdl axb5 17 Dxb5+ &b6 18 Hd6+!. 12 est Hratek had successfully defended Black’s ‘cause earlier in 1996 against more conventional ‘quiet positional treatments, such as 12 £5 and 12 We3. Kasparov had played this positionGAME 90: GARRY KASPAROV ~ ZBYNEK HRACEK 97 = bebe be GY 7 @E7a78 once before: after 12 23 We7 13 We3 Wes 14 Wa3 b4 15 e2 a5!? 16 db1 S18 17 Wh3 hS 18 Zl, in Kasparov-Kramnik, Amsterdam (VSB) 1996, Black prematurely opened the position with 18...452! and came under pressure. Instead, 18...4 is fully playable and indeed promising for Black. It’s interesting to note that this move occurred some two months later in a similar position in Slobodjan-Hraek, Nussloch 1996 (the only difference was the black king was on 8) and Black went on to win. We can safely presume that despite his win against Kramnik, Kasparov wasn’t satisfied with the outcome of the opening and invested some hard work into this line. White’s superior pawn-structure won't win the game by itself, as Black's set-up is quite solid and once the position opens up, he can rely on the strength of his bishops. How- ever, slow preparation of the assault against e6 gives Black time to coordinate his forces, and possibly even launch his own counterattack. ‘Therefore White tries to break up the centre immediately to create inroads for his pieces and force serious concessions before Black is fully developed. When and how to open up this type of position is always a difficult question. For a similar situation, see Ivanchuk-Kasparov, Lin- ares 1991, mentioned in the notes to Game 88 Rw a5 With his king still languishing on e8, Black must keep the centre closed for the time being. 12...dxe5? again runs into 13 Wes 47 14 Exd7! dxd7 15 S&xbS+ and although now, compared with 11...S.xf62, Black has the extra option 15...axb5 16 Hd1+ 2d6, White still has a very strong attack after 17 @xbS de7 18 fxe5. 12...fxe52! 13 fxe5 d5 14 £43 is weaker than the text-move; opening the f-file only increases White's attacking chances. This actually occurred in an earlier game Govbinder-Kan- chev, corr. 1989, but Kasparov deserves full credit for recognizing the full value of 12 5! (see Game 86 for a similar story). 13. &b1(D) White doesn’t want to commit his bishop yet and makes useful prophylactic move. The strength of the openly aggressive 13 £52! de- pends on the concrete position; here it is liable tobackfire after 13..0-0!. Black's king is in relative safety and he is ready to open the position to his advantage with ...fxe5. After 13 £43, Black's best reaction is probably 13...2267 (after 13...8c7?! Black must reckon with the dangerous sacrifice 14 @xd5! exdS 15 exf6), as now 14 £5 fxeS 15 WixeS £26 is less effective in ‘comparison with the similar line in note ‘2’ to Black's 13th move. ABA BB €787278 3B. bar Being confronted with a novel idea is always difficult and Hraéek stumbles early on. The text-move does litte for Black’s queenside play and only helps the knight to get where it wanted to go anyway. Other moves were: 1) After 13...521 14 ga! fxg4 15 £5 nobody has dared to contest Kasparov’s claim that White has a strong initiative. 2) Later top-level games featured 13....867, but even here after 14 £5! fxe5 (now the e6- pawn is insufficiently protected and 14...0-02 15 fxe6 fxe6 16 Wg4+ is out of the question) 15 ‘WrxeS 26 16 Wg3 We7 17 fxe6 fxe6 18 Re2 0-0-0 (even after the later try 18..h5 19 a4! Black is vulnerable on both flanks; the main98 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES tactical idea is to meet 19...b4 with 20 Des! dxed 21 Wo6+ WET 22 Wxi7+ Sexf7 23 Ra7+ and White has a promising endgame) 19 &g4 hS 20 2h3 hd 21 Wr $97 22 Bhel Hh6 23 a3! (23 Bxe6+? fails to 23...Bxe6 24 Wig Bdd6 25 Bxe6 Wxe6 26 Wxg7 d4! and the knight is trapped) White’s central pressure gave him a distinct pull in Kasparov-Ivanchuk, Frankfurt rpd 1998. 3) A better move is 13...d7!?, when 14 ‘We3 (contrary to line ‘2’ Black's bishop protects €6 and 14 £5 fxeS 15 WxeS 2f6 16 We3 cB is good for Black) 14...f5 leads to an unclear position, as the break from line “1” is far less convincing here. 4) Black has had the best practical results with 13...2g8, when White has two main options. With the quiet 14 4e2, the knight aims for hS as in the game, but after 14...b7 15 Bg3 fxeS 16 fxeS We7 Black hides his king on the queenside and has good counterplay. Even the more enterprising 14 f5!? leads to a complex position after 14...b4 15 @e2 fxe5. 14 e2(D) Kasparov doesn’t let trifles distract him; 14 exf67! Sixf6 15 Wxb4 We7 would give Black excellent compensation. rmawWel Yi, Jl, Y 4 aS The alternative is 14...2b8 with the idea of challenging White’s queen on its central outpost. However, Kasparov points out that White can flexibly change his plan and return to the 15 £51 idea. Now Black can’t take on e5 and after 15...Wb6 (15...0-0 16 Hd3! gives White a dangerous attack; Black still can’t resolve the central tension due to the misplaced b8-rook) 16 Wed fxeS 17 Wg7 Hts 18 Wxes Wade 19 We7! (now the bishop can get £6 only after the long dark diagonal is closed; 19 We3 2f6 is less convincing) 19...e5 20 4)g3 his king in the middle will suffer. 15 Dg3 White consistently continues his plan. 15 £52! would be premature, as here Black can play 15...0-0. 1S £5 Black can’t effectively prevent hS, since 15..n5 16 2e2 h4 17 hS £5 18 g4 only leaves Black with an extra weakness on hd. Exchanges also don’t help; after 15....8a6 16 Rxa6 Bxa6 White has a pleasant choice between 17 @hS and 17 £5 with a dangerous attack in both cases. Black needs the seemingly passive c8-bishop to defend his central pawns, so Hratek at least tries to keep the position closed. 16 Qhs 16 &bS+ gets nowhere after 16...82f8 (but not 16...2d7? 17 &xd7+ and Bxf5). 16 bs?! This only worsens Black's plight, as now White's attack gets a welcome impulse. More resilient was 16...g8!”, although White has a distinct advantage after 17 h3, with a quick g4 to follow. 17 gat Even now White is better after 17 h3 Wb6 18 Wxb6 Exb6 19 g4, but why bother with preparation when the tactics work fine for White? 7. fxg 18 tS Bg8 (D) Black can’t open the centre; after 18...exf5 19 £6 Hg8 (19...6 fails to 20 Wid! followed by g7+ and White quickly wins) 20 exf7+ &xf7 21 Sg? Rb7 (21...Le6? 22 DF4) 22 Ehfl Bes 23 2g3 (even more convincing than 23 &f4) 23... D> te 20m Ss After 20...5 21 Del the knight comes to d3 with tempo and Black won't be able to use the e5-square for his pieces anyway. 2 Del?GAME 91: ILIA SMIRIN ~ GARRY KASPAROV Contrary to the previous note, here this natural move is a serious and possibly decisive mistake. The only continuation consistent with the spirit of White’s 19th move is 21 g4. After 21...hxgd 22 fxg4 Wa5!? White is worse, as his knight has problems reaching the ideal d3- square, but in a relatively closed position he certainly has more chances to coordinate his defences and resist Black's pressure. Aon £3! Now Black is fully prepared and he can blast the position open on his own terms. Kasparov ‘mentions that 21...g4 gives White a welcome opportunity to get some counterplay with 22 f4!? eG 23 fxeS Bxcd 24 Bd3. Although Black can now win a central pawn with 24...xd3 25 ‘Wxd3 &xe5, his king will miss the important defensive bishop after 26 23! (26 Wxa67! is weaker due to 26...¥Hd6). 2 a3 After 22 exfS &xt5 23 Dd3 We8 followed by ...Wg6 and ...g4 White's position quickly collapses. Dm 24(D) Smirin could have tried to prevent the following operation with 23 2g3, but after the patient 23..We7!? his knight won't get to ¢5 any more. Later Black can either open the centre or concentrate on a kingside pawn-storm after 2B £4, wf, 24 Wixf3 24 @xd7? runs into 24...ixg2 and 24 gxf3 fxe4 is hardly any better than the text-move. White then faces a painful choice: 103 1) 25 @)xed leaves the £3-pawn fatally weak and once it falls, Black's centre can start rolling After 25...£h3 26 Hel We8 White is forced to play 27 Shi, when a straightforward sample line is 27...Wg6 28 Bel 4 (28...1W1S is also possible) 29 @d2 Hxf3! (29...Wd3 is unconvincing due to 30 £g3!) 30 @\xf3 Wed 31 g3 HAS 32 gl (32 obg2? h4) 32...2xf3 and Black's attack in connection with the advance of his passed pawns is decisive. 2) 25 G\xd7 Wxd7 26 fxe4 simplifies the position but exposes White's king; also the e4- pawn is very vulnerable. After 26.7 (Kas- parov prefers 26...Wh3 27 £3 d3! and the mighty d-pawn is taboo due to 28...h4) Black will quickly increase his pressure; e.g., 27 We2 Wy6+ 28 Shi Bes 29 Boel hd! (preventing &g3 and threatening ...Hbf8) 30 £g1 d3 ow fed 25 WxhS(D) After 25 Wre4 S25 White loses a whole exchange, as 26 Wxc6? ic8 is even more costly. Y ore" Wes! Within a mere four moves from the fateful 21 Del?, Kasparov's forceful play has completely wiped out White's centre. Now he puts the final touches to his impressive feat. In- stead, 25...c37! 26 thé (or even 26 223!) gives White counterplay and the same goes for 25...Bf57! 26 Wg6 Bi6 27 Wxed!? (also 27 Wh5e3 28 Sih4 Hxfl+29 Hxfl Wes 30 WH is not quite clear) 27...£5 28 We2. 26 Wes White must try to avoid the queen swap to keep at least some tactical chances. 26 Wre8 Sxe8 27 Dxed £26 is hopeless for White, as 25 ow104 he can’t maintain the central blockade. After 28 2c5 Black ignores the rook and simply advances his pawns with 28...e4! 29 £g3 Hbe8. 26 Black first chases the queen away from the kingside. The impetuous 26...3? would only complicate matters after 27 S223. Wa2z After 27 Wh4 Black plays 27...21f4 followed by ...3; other moves also can’t stop the advane- ing pawns. Ww €3!(D) C epee ne eee ‘ad. Kasparov hauls in the full point with a sharply calculated forced line. 28 xe} Bxfl+ 29° Exfl dxe3 30 Wxd7 = Wixd7 31 Dxd7 = Bxb? 32 Df6+ Otherwise the bishop joins the fray after ..e4 and forces through the passed pawn; e.g., 32 Eel e4 or 32 Dc5 ef! 33 Axed e2 34 Hel Sid4+ 35 debi (35 D2 Ba2) 35...Bxa2 36 Dg3 (36 g4 Bal) 36...£2 and Black wins. GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 32 ow Rxf6 33 Exf6 Bxa2 34 OE Ugly, but forced. The threat was ...al-+ and after 34 ofl Ef2+ White can’t cope with the distant passed pawns. Hw aS (D) Ve wi a mh | Vb “28 White must guard the e-pawn and Black, left to his own devices, will simply play ...a4-a3 and ...2b2. me 35 Bet 2 36 ef? ad 37 Ebi a3 38 Eb8+ o7 39 Ba8 Smirin has managed to activate his rook and prevent ...2b2, but Black has too many passed pawns. 9 on Bal 40 bxed ad 1 41 Sf2 parries the threat of ...2g1, but after 41.04 followed by ..c3+ one of the pawns will queen anyway.Game 92 Veselin Topalov — Garry Kasparov Las Palmas 1996 Catalan Opening [E11] 1 a4 As far as his openings go, Topalov has always been a very universal player. However, in his previous five games with White against Kasparov, he preferred 1 e4 and the players traded heavy blows in sharp Sicilians. 1 M6 2 of 6 Kasparov is not one to be outdone in the opening and he comes up with a surprise of his own. Similar situations are quite usual in his practice; see Game 89 and also Kasparov-Top- alov, Wijk aan Zee 1999 (Game 101). Although in 1996 Kasparov played the King’s Indian regularly, in Las Palmas (the first Category 21 event in history) with Black he opted for ultra- solid Queen’s Gambit set-ups. 3 8 b4+ (D) Kasparov’s previous experience with the Catalan was almost solely with White in his matches in the 1980s against Korchnoi, An- dersson (see Game 29), Hilbner and Karpov. With Black he had never had this concrete position before, as his earlier games with 3...d5 4 23 dxcd featured a different move-order. 4 gar Black aims for a line of the Closed Catalan in which White has an extra tempo, but he has used it to make the more or less useless move eT .We7 5 D3 transposes into the Bogo- from Game 18, 5 fg? a5 6 Of 0-0 7 0-0(D) If the position opens up, the extra move becomes more significant; therefore 7...dxc4?! is weaker due to 8 We2. Black should be patient and first finish his development before undertak- ing any action in the centre. As his slightly passive position is solid and without weaknesses, he has good chances to neutralize White's opening initiative eventually. 8 Wer ‘The main and most popular continuation. 8 Wh b6 is less promising, as here it's more difficult for White to retain the central tension advantageously. Bw b6 8...bd7 prevents the following sortie, but there is no need to do so and the text-move is in fact more flexible. Black has to fianchetto his 8-bishop anyway, while his knight still might 20 to a6 later on. 9 Bes This eases Black's task, as the knight can't retain its central outpost. In positions of the Closed Catalan type, White's dark-squared bishop is106 usually best placed on the long dark diagonal to discourage Black's central counterplay. In our line it’s not so simple, as c3 is also the ideal square for the bl-knight. However, after the immediate 9 @c3 £a6 Black forces White to resolve the central tension with equality. 9 b3 and 9 Hd1 are more testing options, but the most popular move in this position is 9 £F4. ‘The bishop can get to its ideal b2-square in a roundabout way: after 9...h5 White plays 10 cl followed by b3. 9 on 2fa7 (D) Kasparov directly challenges the intruder; this well-known motif appears in one of the main lines of the Queen's Indian. However, Black can also deal with the knight later and play 9...,267 or even 9...,226. 10 a3 Tactics don't work for White: after 10 xc6? Dxc6 11 exd5 Dxdd 12 Wes B66 13 dxe6 2261 his undeveloped position collapses. Ex- changes help Black and 10 &xd7 4)xd7 leads nowhere, as 11 47! only leads to trouble for White after 11...£226. Topalov maintains the tension, but his manoeuvre would be more effective against the Dutch Stonewall, where con- ‘rol of the f4-square is important. 0. b7 261? with the idea A restrained move. 1 11 b3 4f6 followed by ...Abd7, ...Bc8 and ...c5. is a more active option. uo Bal aS This is a novelty; previous practice featured 11...Ba6. Kasparov wants to gain some space before developing his knight. 12 a3?! GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES While White's 9th move didn’t pose Black any problems, this inaccuracy gives him a very pleasant position, Better is 12 2f4 2\a6 13 Dd2 with approximate equality. 2 £26 (D) nwa Anan DUET & Kasparov is no dogmatist and doesn’t mind moving his bishop again. The text-move resolves the central tension and we have already ‘mentioned that this usually favours Black. 13 exdS More or less forced, as 13 b3 a4! weakens White’s queenside and hands the initiative to Black. Bw. 14 Be3 Here the bishop only passively protects d4. 14 £4 seems more logical, especially as Topa- lov will play it anyway two moves later. “a. a7 (D) ‘A natural alternative is 14...Wc8, followed by a quick ...\c6. Possibly Kasparov already had higher ambitions than swapping queens. exdS J a | = x \p “a a7 a a VG pis Sy CoeGAME 92: VESELIN TOPALOV ~ GARRY KASPAROV 15 Ded 15 Sf 41? again deserves attention. Sw eT 16 Sra? Topalov also isn’t too squeamish about lost tempi and finally plays this move. White wants to get rid of his inactive bishop before Black's knight comes to c6. 16 BB 17 &xb8 — Axbs 18 Bact Deb 19 €3(D) Bu Ree _ Compared with the situation some 12 moves earlier, the roles have changed. Now White’s position is slightly annoying, but with accurate defence he should be able to hold. 9 Res 20 afl If one looks at the central pawns, formally the c4-bishop is bad, while White’s bishop is ‘good’. In reality Black's forces are more active and it’s exactly the other way round, so Topalov strives for further exchanges. After 20 Af4 White intends to chase the bishop away with 3, but 20...g5!° forces the knight to return, 20 an ‘War Possibly the immediate 20...b5!? is more accurate. After 21 @f4 (21 b3? s2xd3 followed by ...fxa3 costs White a pawn) Black doesn’t have to transpose into the game (with 21...Wd7) and can try other moves. Even the simple 21. AxEl (21...b4 22 Bxed dxcd 23 d5!? bxc3 24 dxc6 W6 25 Wxc3 is about equal, but 21.76!” is interesting, as it prevents White’s future central activity with e4) 22 dxfl b4 23 axb4 axb4 24 Dad Wa5 gives Black a slight pull. 107 An bs?! This overambitious move gives White a welcome chance to open up the centre and generate strong counterplay, which in turn prevents Black from increasing his queenside pressure. 21...20xf1 is more sedate, still with a slightly more comfortable position for Black after 22 Exfl b5 23 We2 bd. 22 xed 22 Axb5? fails to 22...2xf1 followed by xd4. White could have played 22 £43, but the straightforward text-move is more logical. DQ mw bxed 23 edt Topalov naturally uses the opportunity to activate his forces. Atthis moment Kasparov's fa- cial expressions indicated he wasn’t too pleased with his position any more. 23 fe! Both 23..dxe47! 24 d5 and 23...fg5 24 exd5 exd5 25 DexdS Rxf4 26 Axt4 Dxdd 27 Wes are weaker and duly hand over the initiative to White. 23...Wa7 is somewhat trickier, but even here after 24 @b5'! (after 24 exd5? Axd4 White must play 25 We4, giving Black an opportunity to get a better version of the game position with 25...05!) 24...Wb6 (24...8Hd7 25 exd5 exd5 26 \c3 forces 26...85, transposing into the previous line) 25 exd5 Wxb5 26 dxc6 followed by ‘45 White can claim a slight edge. 24 exdS xd (D) 25 Wes? ‘The only consistent continuation is 25 dxe6 fxe6 (25...197b77! is weaker due to 26 Wed) 26 ‘Wed, although after 26...Hb8 (or 26...fd8)108 TART a a, _ a counterplay to compensate for his shaky pawns. ee maa o a (x7 Black's active pieces should give him enough Topalov presumably wants more and overesti- ‘mates his chances. : 5 Black regains the initiative; the text-move supports the centralized knight and keeps the ¢-file closed. 26 Bhs Although the knight will soon get into trouble on h5, this is the best way to get some counterplay. Topalov didn’t relish the prospect. of leaving Black a free hand to increase his pressure after passive retreats to €2 or g2 with enSdg5 or ...EDB, 6 = £5 An interesting altemative is 27...Wg4!? 28 fxg5 (28 @xg7? fails to 28.261, because after 29 fxe5 Wied 30 Dxe4 Sxe5 White loses an exchange and his queenside pawns as well) GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 28...1WxhS and White has problems with his vulnerable king ~ after 29 ha Zb8 30 Hb1 £5!? 311 gxf6 Bixf6 Black has a dangerous attack. 28 Wg2(D) 'g = wi7 © 28 wer? Kasparov opts for a simple solution, but he squanders a large part of his positional advantage. Tischbierek suggests 28....h6! with the threat of ...g6. After 29 dhl (29 fxe5? costs a whole exchange after 29....2xc1 30 Excl We8! and 29 Bibi WI7!? 30 Wh3 g6 31 fxe5 gxhS 32 6 Wg6 can hardly give White enough for the piece, as his queen is offside; finally, 29 Wh3 ‘Wa7!? 30 dh1 g6 is similar to the main line) Black should probably ignore immediate material gains and prefer 29... Wf7!? (29...¢6 30 Zb1 ‘gxhS 31 fixeS is still quite murky) 30 Wh3 g6 31 Di6+ Wxi6 32 Wrh6 e4 with a distinct edge. 29 Axg7 Topalov naturally spurns 29 Wh3? Sh6 and gladly gets rid of his knight. 29 30 fxgs 31 hl A cautious move, but the straightforward 31 d61? also deserves attention. If Black prevents Wa5+ with 31...e4, ust as in the game he has to reckon with the unclear break 32 g4! (32 Wf2 263+ 33 og? Hfd8 and 32 Dds OF3+ 33 Shi Ecd8 34 We2 Exd6 35 Wx Sh8 are both ‘weaker for similar reasons — White’s king re- ‘mains more vulnerable than Black's). e4(D) This allows White to reduce the tension Timman’s interesting suggestion 31...2eh8!? Keeps the pawn duo intact, but promises Black Wxg7 WrgsGAME 92: VESELIN TOPALOV ~ GARRY KASPAROV only a minimal advantage at best after 32 De2 2b3 33 Bc3. a ‘maw Maaae JY ] Ae mw i oom me 32 gf While 32 De2 with the possible follow-up )f4 might also be playable, the text-move is safer, as it practically forces a queen swap. Bh ow ons It's difficult to recommend anything else, as for example 32...fxg4 33 Axed Wit4 34 d6 gives White too much play. 33° gxfS Waxg2+ 34 xg? @xfS 35 thi 35 sbf21 is not ideal, as after 35...2b8 36 ‘Hb1 Zb3! the e-pawn is taboo and White remains under pressure. Also 35 Hel e3 36 De4 ‘Bfe8! gives Black some winning chances, so the text-move is stronger. However, subsequent mistakes by White will tum his distant king into a serious drawback. 35 Dae 36 Hel Be 37 ad! (D) Black still has a slight pull, as it’s easier for him to centralize his king and his blockading knight cements his pawns. However, this is not enough to create serious winning chances in such a simplified position, especially as Topa- lov’s strong move targets Black’s most important piece by preparing @\bS. 37 38 (e271 Inconsistent. White could have drawn with the logical 38 AbS AxbS 39 axbS HxbS 40 d6! (40 Bxc4 Bxd5 41 Boxed Bxed 42 Hxed Hdl+ 43 dog? Hd2+ 44 d2g3 Exb2 45 Be7 is also a bs 109 =, satan draw, but this move is even stronger) 40...2xb2 (40...8d5 41 Hedl Bxd1 42 Bxd1 Bf 43 d7 Has 44 deg? chg7 45 dhf2 def 46 whe deeb 47 ‘Had4 and White regains the pawn) 41 d7 Eb8 42 Excd Hd8 43 Hexed xed 44 Hc8!. 38 oe 39 Heel 39 Abs was still possible, but here White would have to play the rook endgame with a pawn less than the previous note. However, it was unlikely Topalov would go for this line if he spurned a better version of it one move earlier. 39 ou Eat Kasparov finds a way to keep his hopes alive by indirectly protecting the e4-pawn. 40 Dbs 40 Axed? Axed 41 Hxed Exed 42 Ered loses on the spot to 42...c3! 43 He7+ S28. 0 ow Axbs 41 axbS £7 (D) Black’s king must approach the centre carefully; 41...22£67! would allow 42 Bxed Exe4 43 ‘xed and the tactical trick from the previous note doesn’t work, as White's rook can check from the protected e6-square. 42 a6? Black's pawns are potentially more danger- ‘ous and if he manages to transfer his king to d6 via e7 undisturbed, White will just lose both his passed pawns. Topalov realized he must act and played the text-move relatively fast, but didn’t grasp its full implications. This was White's last chance to activate his king with 42 sbg2!; in the game he will play this desirable move only when it’s far too late. Now Black has a choice:110 1a 7 7D «YT Ue GAG Go yA | Beh ae Y~ i _- 0 ag EO & oo 8 ae 1) 42...xb5 43 obg3 HES (43..2013+ 44 bed is also not enough for Black) 44 Exe4 Htxd5 45 ‘Bxc4 and White’s rooks are sufficiently active to hold the game. 2) 42...<8f6 43 Bxed Exed 44 Exed Exb2+ 45 f3 HxbS 46 Excd Hxd5 gives Black a more promising version of the rook endgame mentioned in the note to move 38, but this still isn’tenough to win against accurate defence after 47 eT 3) 42..h5 43 Hed Bxed 44 Bxed Exb2+ (44...03 45 Exb4 axb4 46 b6 cxb2 47 b7 leads to an equal queen endgame) 45 &2f3 EixbS 46 ‘Bxcd is similar to line *2". 43 Baz 43 Bxed+? is hopeless due to 43...xe4 44 Exed+ dbxd6, so White must rely on his d- pawn and let Black's e-pawn remain on the board. Bn sea7 44 gt 45 a GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 45 ow ad! The only way to improve the position and maintain the tension. Black adds the second pawn break ...a3 to his options and White starts running out of suitable moves. It was still too early for 45...18g7? due to 46 Hxed c3 47 Exb4 exd2 48 Bd4 and also 45...2(6? would have led nowhere after 46 Hxe4 Exd6 47 Bc2. 46 Hed White still can’t play 46 Exe4? due to 46...c3 and he must also keep the g-file open — 46 £g2? allows 46..2f4! 47 He3 (47 &g3 BE3+ 48 gd Bd3) 47..Exb5 48 teg3 Hbf5 and Black should win. The text-move allows Kas- parov to cut off White's king, but mating threats, help Black's cause even after 46 h3. This move avoids the back-rank trick from the game (now 46...8g7 gets nowhere after 47 Exed) and prepares &h2. However, Black can still use the idea from the next note and play 46...Exb5 (46...003? 47 Bed Exh3+ 48 &g2 Hd3 49 Exd3 cxd3 50 Hxa4 Hf6 51 Ha7+ only leads to adraw) 47 Bxe4 a3! 48 bxa3 c3, the point being 49 ic? Bb2! (49...1f37! 50 Bod Hb3 51 deg? is unconvincing; e.g., 51...2d3 52 a4 dexd6 53 a5 d5 54 Be8 4 55 a6 Ba3 56 He2! and Black ‘must exchange his c-pawn for White’s a-pawn to avoid losing a rook) 50 Hee2 (50 Het Hif2 also loses for White) 50...22xc? 51 Exc? Bf3 and the advancing black king will decide the game. 47 Bxed?t This loses rather listlessly. 47 h3!? is more resilient: 1) Weaker is 47...1b3?! 48 Exe4 Bxh3+ 49 Bh2 Bhg3 (49...8d3 50 Bc? a3 51 bxa3 Hh3+GAME 92: VESELIN TOPALOV — GARRY KASPAROV 523th? Hxa3 53 He? Bh3+ 54 Bh2 Be3 55 Bd? is also only a draw) 50 He2. White wants to take on c4 and the only way to prevent it is 50.2724 51 Bxg4 Hxg4 52 Hd2 Bed 53 b6 Hel+54 og? He3 55 Hc? Hb3 56 Hxe4 Bxb2+ 57 Bh! (57 13? a3 58 Bad Hb3+) 57...03 58 Had a2 59 b7 with a draw. 2) The only way to fight for a full point was shown by Timman: after 47...2xb5 48 Exe4 a3! 49 bxa3 c3 the c-pawn is very strong. 50 Ec? (60 Za1 is not much of an improvement due to 50...2ic5!; Black prepares ..c2 and after 51 He2 plays 51...21c6 and the d-pawn falls) 50...g3 51 Bed (51 $h2? Ha3 52 Hed Bhs! 53 h4 Hd2+ 54 Bxd2 cxd2 55 Bd4 Exh4+ and Black wins — this is a pretty line given by the Dutch GM) 51...Bb3. Compared with the line from the previous note, Black has an extra tempo and excellent winning chances. 47 ww a3t ‘Once again this motif decides. 48 He7+ White has nothing better. 48 Hee2 loses quickly to 48...3. 48 ~ Exe7 49 dxe7+ sbxe7 50 bxa3 ‘Ebl+ 51 gz 3 52 He2+ hae 53) fs ‘45 (D) Z 77. w _ G7 Fa ZO GF AiQeZ 7 Mia “ae x acm im mre ¥IJHZZ White's previous moves were all forced; otherwise the c-pawn would promote immediately. Even now it’s unstoppable, as it’s amply supported by both Black's pieces. 54 ad wt 54 $e3 would prevent the following move, but after 54...dee4 55 a4 Black even has achoice. If he is not lazy, he can calculate the forcing 55...&b3 (55...Bb4!? 56 He? Bxad 57 b6 a8 is perhaps even simpler) 56 sed4 c2 57 Hxc2 bxc2 58 ded (58 Ge5 Hb3 59 a5 dat 60 26 sba5! 61 ec6 Hel+ 62 467 Bgl and Black wins) 58...2al 59 b6 Hxad+ 60 #5 Hal 61 b7 Hb1+ 62 deco had3 63 sec7 hed 64 DSW Exbs 65 soxb8 sef3 66 sec deg? 67 h4 shg3 68 hS be 69 n6 gs. 54 eas 55 aS Desperation, but otherwise Black’s king marches on to dl. 55 ow Exbs 56 a6 After 56 Ha? ded3 57 a6 c2 58 Hal (58 a7 cl 59 a8W We3+ and Black mates) 58...28 Black will be the only one to promote his passed pawn. Ba (D) Bae oa gh aa ee & 7 7 oe nee a ara Aa 7 7 _| a a . AZ raat 57 Bede bas 57...ed3 is simpler. 58 He3 58 He7 Bxa6 (now 58..c2? 59 He? He5 doesn’t work due to 60 a7) 59 de2 do4 60 ‘Exh7 Hal !? 61 Bc7+ #b3 62 h4 Bhi alsocan’t save the game, as White’s pawn is not advanced far enough. So. 2 59 Hea Hest 0-1 After 60 Bxc5+ txc5 61 a7 clW 62 a8W Wh1+ White loses his queen.Game 93 Alexei Shirov - Garry Kasparov Linares 1997 Sicilian Defence, Najdorf Variation [B90] 1 cS 2 as a6 3 a4 exdd 4 Oxd4 6 5 3 26 6 03 7 gs Kasparov and Shirov have faced each other a full five times in this position. In Linares 2000, the Latvian GM decided to change tack with 7 &cl 4)f6 8 £3. This is acunning method of finding out if your opponent wants to play 6...g4, and denying him the opportunity two ‘moves later. - he 8 Shd gs 9 oes ber 10 Be2 ‘The last Shirov-Kasparov encounter in this line from Sarajevo 2000 was the most peaceful ‘one. The players followed more recent trends with 103 261? 11 843 W6 12 0-0-0 4c6 13 Dxc6 Wrc6, and after 14 e5 (14 Le? is more ambitious) 14..Wxf3 15 gxf3 dxeS 16 BxeS SaT! 17 Das Dxd5 18 Sixg7 Bh7 19 Les £6 20 Bxd5 06 21 Bd3 fxe5 22 h4 gxh4 23 Bxhd ‘Hd8 Black easily equalized and the game was drawn shorly afterwards hs MH ‘fixes (D) ism oS & oy \ ae & > Riek VN eo me no. xed Apart from Game 91, Kasparov had this position in his practice only against Anand and Shirov. Subsequent developments, which we'll mention below, later led him to turn his attention to 11...hxg4!?. The g4-pawn cramps White’s kingside, but on the other hand it can quickly become vulnerable. The most logical reaction is 120-0, and now: 1) 12...e62! was Kasparov's original idea. Black stops 4\f5 and his knight heads for eS via 7. However, practice has shown that 13 Hel! (13 Wd27! Dd7! 14 Lxd6 Des is fine for Black, as the sacrifice 15 Dcb5 axbS 16 @\xb5 £6 17 Bfd1 Sf7 didn’t give White anything concrete in Shirov-Kasparov, Wijk aan Zee 1999) is promising for White, as it prevents Black’s main plan. The difference is that now 13...2\47? 14 &xd6 Des fails to 15 DdbS! axbS 16 @xb5 and Black doesn’t have the knight fork on c4. 2) 12...Bc6 is a safer choice. After 13 DES Sixc3 14 bxc3 WaS! 15 Wxgd (15 2e3! offers more chances to fight for an edge) 15..f6 16 ‘Hab! Wxc3 17 Hfdl (quiet play leads nowhere, so 17 &xd6!? deserves attention) 17...De5 18 Sxe5S Wxe5S 19 g3 bS Black has a more compact pawn-structure and his king is safe in the centre. In Shirov-Kasparov, Sarajevo 1999, White had to fight for equality. RB a7 (D) tis™ aeGAME 93: ALEXEI SHIROV ~ GARRY KASPAROV 1B 00 In the notes on the opening phase of Game 91, we have already indicated that White can still postpone this logical move. The tricky move-order 13 £2 @c6 14 Wd2 was adopted by Anand in one blitz and two rapid games against Kasparov. After 14...DeS (D) White must make an important decision: ABW fw SAB 7 @ 8 1) Initially the Indian GM played the natural 15.0-07!, but this doesn’t fit in too well with his previous move and after the energetic 15...24! (the less enterprising 15...e6 was played in game | of their match in Geneva; after 16 b3 )g6 17 Badl g4 18 £4 h4 19 Dde2 h3 20 g3 BoB 21 e5d5 22 dd 0-023 Wa3 £5! White has no active prospects and should have just tried to keep the position closed; however, 16 @\ce2!? is stronger, transposing into a position we'll consider in the note to move 16) 16 4 cd 17 We2 Hc8 18 b3 Da3 19 Dd5 €6 20 Db4 Was 21 Wel h4! 22 Be3 h3 23 g3 DbS White's central bastions were crumbling in Anand-Kasparov, Geneva (PCA) blitz playoff 1996. These two examples clearly inspired Kasparov's strategy in our game. 2) Therefore White should make a more useful move first, namely 15 b3!?. Now Black does best to modify his plan with 15...Wa5! (after 15.062! 16 @ide2 Hc8 17 d4 bS?! the excellent manoeuvre 18 Ddl! Bg8 19 Ae3 a5 20 0-0-0 a4 21 tbl axb3 22 cxb3 Ba8 23 2c3 Ha6 24 Bc2 2£8 25 bd gave White an overwhelming advantage in Anand-Kasparov, Frankfurt 1pd_ 1998; Black can’t do anything constructive on the flanks, while White gradually concentrates his forces for the decisive central breakthrough), 3 which leads to an approximately equal endgame after 16 Dd5 (16 de2?! Lh3! 17 0-0 g4 with the idea 18 £4 f3+! gives Black excellent attacking chances) 16...Wxd2+ 17 dexd2 Had8. Bn 14 £2(D) De6 Mw. e612 ‘One of Kasparov's many novelties in his pet line. In Game 91 Black played 15...e6 to chase away the d5-knight, but here he advances his e- pawn voluntarily, striving for a Scheveningen- like set-up. However, the most concrete and immediate merit of the text-move is it prevents White’s knights from jumping to d5 or £5. A comparison with the lesser alternatives explains this more clearly: 1) After 14...Bc8 White plays 15 @d5!. In this position driving the knight away with 15...06 (15...xd4 16 Sxd4 is pleasant for White; the position is similar to the one mentioned in the note to Black 14th move in Game 91) is a more serious concession than one move earlier, After 16 Dxc6 Hxc6 17 Ld4! eS 18 De3 £6 19 Bf2 de7 20 c3 WaS 21 Bd? Bhe8 22 Sixes WrxeS 23 Bdd Wes 24 Wd2 hd 25 Bdl Black has no active prospects, while White can gradually prepare a kingside break, Bologan- Ribli, Bundesliga 1996/7. 2) Another attempt is 14...2e5, but after the patient 15 Ade2!? (following 15 Dd5 e6 the tactics such as 16 6 Wxb6 17 Axe6 Wef2+ 18 Exf2 &xe6 are in Black’s favour, also 15 DiS Lxf5 16 extS WaT 17 Dds Had8 18 26 Ec8 is far from clear, Zontakh-Ilinéi¢, Belgrade 1996) followed by “d5 White has an edge. 15 ce?14 After 15 Dxc6 £xc6 16 £d4 eS 17 Wa2 (17 Sixe5 dxeS 18 Wxd8+ Bxd8 19 Had] de7 only leads to an equal endgame) 17...Wf6! Black achieves equality, as, contrary to the Bologan- Ribli game from the previous note, he still keeps both castling options open. However, the lessons learned from our game and Kasparov's aforementioned encounters with Anand led White to realize the main danger stems from the advance of Black’s kingside pawns. An effective way to fight this plan is 15 ®de2! White targets the d6-pawn and starts toying with the idea @a4-b6. His bishop will gain access to the d4-square if Black moves his knight from c6. In practice this move has done well and it’s still not clear how to equalize with Black. ‘We'll limit ourselves to one example: 15...We7 DeS 16 a4 .c6 17 Sd4 Black can’t play ...g4 any more, but even 15...We7 16 ‘Wd2!? g4 17 £4 doesn’t fully solve his prob- Jems) 16 a4! 2e5 17 Wd2 hd 18 h3! Be8 19 a5 Dal 20 Ke3 Kc 21 Ddd Wi6 22 Hadi dee7 23 @ce2 Bad8 24 c4 Sad7 25 £4! pxf4 26 xf ‘Wg7 27 4f3! and in Khalifman-V.Popov, Rus- sian Ch (St Petersburg) 1998, White had a near-decisive advantage. Presumably this idea Jed Kasparov to abandon 11...Sxg4, as in the lines with 11...hxg4!? it’s much more difficult for White to activate his dark-squared bishop. ~ eS (D) x7 16 baz! This move helps Black realize his plan and from now on White's position gradually starts to slip downhill. 16 Wa2 is a later improvement from J Polgar-Sutovsky, Hoogeveen 1997, leading to unclear play after 16...4c8!? GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES s eT Re White's 16th move has removed the knight's last retreat and made this tactical stab possible. Shirov must lose another tempo. 18 fxeS dxe5 suits Black and White can’t well ignore the threat of ...g3 followed by ... gd. 1. 3. Clear traces of Anand-Kasparov, Geneva 1996! 19 g3 20 Was Shirov anticipates future trouble on the long light diagonal and develops his queen so that it, lends extra support to the e4-pawn, 20 0-0(D) x D6 = Ar > > ew “ ‘The space-gaining advance of the kingside pawns allows Black to castle with impunity. ‘Moreover, with White’s king on gl, the h3- pawn becomes a permanent nuisance.GAME 93: ALEXEI SHIROV - GARRY KASPAROV 21 Radl tS Despite the obvious differences, our game has a lot in common with Game 91. Here Kas- parov also strives to open the position, as this brings him closer to his ultimate goal — to play 2, 2 of Another idea behind White’s 20th move was an effort to avoid opening the e-file. After 22 exf5 exf5 23 @xc6 Sxc6 his king is permanently more exposed than its black counterpart. However, keeping the central tension will become increasingly difficult as Black mobilizes his major pieces. ‘Was (D) "wr VY SS SN, rey 78 & ee a moore” 23 Bed Shirov puts his knight on a vulnerable square, protected only by the queen. A risky venture when the centre is about to explode, but perhaps White could have got away with it. Kas- parov criticizes the text-move and recommends the safer 23 Wd2! Wxd2 (23...Wa3 24 De3 is satisfactory for White, as he has improved hii queen) 24 Exd2. Without the queens, White’s king can breathe more freely and although after 24...ae8 with the idea 25 Kfdl e5!? 26 @xf5 xf5 27 exf5 De7 Black has some initiative, the outcome of the game remains fully open. Bw Hac8 Black unequivocally prepares ...e5. 24 fel? White seems to be unaware of the impending danger. He should have definitely tried to resolve the central tension and stabilize the position. After 24 Qde2 Kasparov points out 24...B7!, This both stops e5 and renews Black's us idea to advance his e-pawn; after 25 exf5 exf5 26 @d5 Wxa2 27 Bf2 b5! Black retains the tiative due to all sorts of back-rank tactics. However, the immediate 24 exf5!? exf5 25 £2 (after 25 Dd5? Hxe3! 26 Dxc6 Hxd3 27 Dxas Rdd+ 28 hi xd 29 Bxdl a7 30 Dxb7 2c6 White's king remains trapped in the cor- ner, while 25 Qxc6 Wrxc3 26 es Wxd3 27 Exd3 dxeS 28 Hxd7 Rf7 gives Black an endgame advantage) seems better and may give White a playable game. a e5!(D) Va e. 4 ore 25 Axe 25 @xf5? fails to 25...Sxf5 26 exf5 exfa and even after the interesting 25 @de2!? ext4 26 xf EA7!? White is in grave trouble. 2 we Axe6 26 b4 A desperate attempt to hold the crumbling, centre together. White’s alternatives are no better: 1) Kasparov gives the line 26 fxe5 fxe4 27 Dxed HxeS 28 @xd6 HE3 and White can’t survive the concentrated onslaught of all Black's pieces. 2) 26 4\dS is more demanding, but even here after 26...exfa}! (26...fxe4 27 We? and 26...1Wxa2 27 Hd2 with the tactical idea 27...fxe4 28 De7+! Exe7 29 Wxd6 are not too convincing) 27 Saxf4 Wxa2 28 Bd2 (28 He? fret 29 We3 WaS and Black should convert his extra pawns) 28...a3! (28...fxe4 is less clear due to 29 Bxe4 Wal+ 30 Bdl Wxd1+ 31 Wxdl Bxed 32 Wxg4) Black should win, as 29 Ae7+ Hxe7 30 &xd6 Bxed! 31 Sexa3 Bxel+ 32 £2 Hfe8 gives him a decisive attack.16 26 Was?! The tension nuns high and Black also slips up. Kasparov shows the simple and convincing solution 26...Wxb4! 27 Hbl (27 dS fet 28 ‘Weed exfé gives Black a decisive material advantage, as after 29 Wxe8 he has 29...Wxel+) 27..fxe4 28 Dxed Wa5 and after 29 @xd6 ext! 30 Axe8 fxg3 Black’s attack breaks through, as 31 bxg3 h2+! mates. 27 bs Clearly the only consistent move. Other tries, such as 27 fxe5? fxe4 are insufficient. 2” exfd! xe4?! 28 Axed Wrd3 29 Exd3 fred 30 Exd6 is unclear and the same goes for 27...fxe42 28 Wxd6 Wrc3 (28...Wxd6? 29 ‘Hxd6 exf even puts Black on the verge of de- feat, as after 30 &d4! £3 31 #f1 his c6-bishop is suddenly trapped) 29 bxc6. 28 xf After 28 bxc67! fxe3 29 Hxe3 the simplest solution is 29...bxc6! (29...Sxc3 30 Wxe3 Wad 31 Wa2 Wrd2 32 Exd2 bxe6 33 Hxd6 is unconvincing) 30 Wxd6 Wxd6 31 Zxd6 c5 32 De2 fxed followed by ..Ef3. 2B axbS 29 exbS ‘We5+ (D) a ike «OaJ 7 GJsh 7 7 7s ae . maka " wa Ab 4G 7 oO 7 72h & 30 e3? White returns the favour from move 26 with interest. Necessary was 30 He3 fixed 31 Wxd6 (31 &xd6 Sxd3 32 Axc5 Bxe3 33 xe3 Kod is similar and gives Black a distinct advantage) 31...Wxd6 32 Bxd6 (32 Bxd6 Bc2 33 Exe8 ‘Bxe8 34 Ed2 Bd8 35 Bxc2 Hxd6 and Black should win) 32...2f3. Even though Black's GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES advantage is indisputable, he still has to work for the full point. 0 Wxe3 31 bxe6 Wxe6 Black is a healthy pawn up and his pressure on the e-file will quickly decide. Just as in Game 91, the tactical skirmish in the centre has left White’s position in a shambles. 32 Wxd6 = xed, 33 Was+ Keeping the queens with 33 He? is hopeless due to 33...2e6 followed by ...Efe8. 33 aw Wras 34 Exds Red 35 Be2 Bed (D) mm mst a Ya Slightly more resilient is 36 Hd3 216 37 Hed? (37 Hd6 sht7 38 Bd7+ shg6 and Black retains the pin) and White atleast frees his bishop. However, after 37...2fe8 Black's rook(s) will quickly penetrate to their seventh or eighth rank with decisive effect. 36. Eres, 37 a3 216 38 Eed2 ‘The main threat was ...,g5, simplifying into a won pawn endgame. The text-move loses ‘even more material, but the same goes for almost all other defences. 38 Ec? costs White a whole piece after 38...xe3 39 Hxe3 add 40 Bec3 fl 38 Exe3! O41 ‘The h-pawn queens after 39 Bxe3 Hxe3 40 hxe3 Ggs+ 41 We? xd? 42 xd? £4.Game 94 Garry Kasparov — Vladimir Kramni Linares 1997 Nimzo-Indian Defence, Rubinstein Variation [E59] Before this game both Kasparov and Kramnik amassed an impressive 7'4/10 score, clearly outdistancing the rest of the strong field. Chance had it the direct fight for tournament victory took place in the last round and Kasparov proved he had lost none of his ability to handle such decisive encounters (see Games 39, 42 and 82). 1 as In such high-calibre duels, some interesting psychological fencing takes place from the very start. At Linares 1997 Kasparov had so far played only 1 e4. Also in his previous encounters against Kramnik, he did better with the sharper opening move (see Game 78). 1 5 f6 2 of 6 3 Bed bt In their most recent games, Kramnik had been successful with the Semi-Slav and even the King’s Indian, but now he sensed that Kas- parov had something concrete on his mind and steered clear of his usual opening choice. 4 3 Although at this point of his career Kaspar- ‘ov concentrated almost solely on 4 We2 (see Kasparov-Panno, Buenos Aires simul 1997 and Kasparov-Grishchuk, Rethymmnon (ECC) 2003; Games 96 and 125 respectively), Kramnik was also a noted specialist on the white side of the same line. Moreover, he helped Kasparov during the 1995 world championship match and the two Ks had undoubtedly analysed 4 Wc2 together. On the other hand, Kramnik had hardly any previous experience as Black in the Nimzo- Indian, and it made practical sense to lure him into unknown territory. 4 ow 0.0 5 £d3 5S 6 Of a5 7 00 Deb (D) While this is still one of Black’s leading options, nowadays it’s not as popular as it used to be in the post-war period. The main reason, apart from changing fashions, might be that Black gradually began to have more respect for White’s bishop-pair. After 7..dxc4 8 &xc4 Kasparov has preferred either 8...bd7 or immediately resolving the central tension with 8...cxd4 9 exd4 b6. 8 a3 Qxc3 Kjavik Weh (1) 1972. White’s most principled forcing Black to exchange his bishop on c3 anyway. Also after 8...xd4 White can get the bishop-pair with axb4!? (9 exd4 dxc4 10 Sxc4 Be7 leads toa n that can also arise from the Queen's Gambit or Panov Caro-Kann —after 11 2g5 we could transpose to the note to move 7 in Game 89!) 9...dxc3 10 bxc3. In this type of position, Black usually prefers to develop his knight to 7, where it doesn’t obstruct the h1-a8 diagonal for his bishop. 9 bxe3 dxe4 ‘Subsequently Kramnik took up the fashionable and flexibie 9...We7!?. Black still prepares ..dxe4, but by postponing it limits White's options. Many of the promising continuations ‘mentioned later in the note to move 11 are then simply unavailable. Therefore the main attempts to fight for an opening advantage are connected with 10 exd5 exdS and now 11 a4 or 11 hd.us ‘Wel (D) Black’s intention is ..e5, which would allow him to develop his bishop and limit White's active options in the centre. nu fa ‘We have reached the basic position of the whole line, in which the conflict between White’s bishops and Black's free piece-play begins. At this moment, White’s main task is to create some space for his currently passive, but unopposed and potentially strong, c1-bishop. As 11 ad Bd8 12 £3 doesn’t give it much scope after 12...b6, White concentrates on either freeing the long diagonal with c4 or preparing the advance of his e-pawn. The former approach is represented by 11 £e2 or 11 2b2, the latter and more popular one by 11 Wic2 or 11 ‘We2. However, White can combine both ideas and this is why 11 243 is the most common continuation. The same goes for the flexible text-move — removing the bishop from the exposed c4-square seems to prepare c4, but just ‘one move later Kasparov adopts a different plan. now bs’ Kasparov's superior opening knowledge starts to show, as Kramnik chooses a rare and slightly inferior move. He doesn’t want to commit himself with the principled and more natural main move 11...e5, when after 12 h3 (12 ‘We2 allows 12...S.4 with equality, as White is, forced to resolve the central tension before his forces are fully coordinated) Black has been successful with both the direct 12...e4 and the flexible 12...b6!?.. 12 Bel! GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES Kasparov wants to do without h3 and immediately turns his attention to e4. 12 We2 with the same idea is less effective, as after 12..e5 White either plays 13 h3 after all, or goes for the risky 13 dS e4! 14 Bd? (14 dxc6? gs) 14..De5 15 c4 Be8! (15..2eg4 16 f4 and 15...£¢4 16 £3 both cost Black time and are fine for White). If White had enough time to prepare the advance of his f-pawn with £b2, &b1-c2 and Hael, he would have an excellent position. However, Black threatens ...eg4 and White’s forces are ‘not quite ready to open the position immediately with 16 £3 (after 16 h3 White won’tbe able to recapture on £3 with the g-pawn any more). R. €5(D) ya ay a 13 edt ‘The point of White’s previous move. 13 d5 again leads nowhere after 13..e4! 14 dxc6 exf3 15 xf3 2e6 16 c4 Ded 17 Wed Wes 18 Hb Hack 19 b2 Wt 20 exfa 5! with approxi mate equality, Yakovich-Aleksandrov, Krasno- dar 1997. Bw Ret Even this novelty doesn’t solve Black’s problems. The alternatives open up the centre and also favour White: 1) 13...exd42! 14 e5! (after 14 exd4 Black does best to transpose into line *2’, as 14...xd4 15 @xd4 Ba8? loses a piece to 16 a5! Dxds 17 2b5 Wes 18 Zbl) 14...d7 (14... Dg4? fails to 15 h3!, when 15...gxe5 16 xeS Axe5 17 Sf4 He8 18 cxd4 costs Black a piece) 15 ‘Wa3!? and the threat of Dgs gives White a vir- ulent attack. 2) 13..cxd4 is somewhat better, as it limits White’s options. Nevertheless, after 14 cxd4GAME 94: GARRY KASPAROV ~ VLADIMIR KRAMNIK g4 (Kasparov provides the line 14...exd4 15 5 Dd7 16 6 fxe6 17 xe6+ Wh 18 Dxd4 Dxd4 19 Wxd4 De5 20 a2 b7 21 b2 ‘Had8 22 Wh4, when White’s powerful bishops give him attacking chances and also an advantage in any endgame; 14...@)xd4 15 Dxd4 can lead to the same position, as 15...Bd8? loses on the spot to 16 Wc2) 15 d5 Add 16 b2 D)xf3+ 17 gxf3 BhS 18 Hcl WA6 19 Hc6 We7, as in the game Gulko-Antonio, Bled OL 2002, White can play 20 d6 Wa7 21 Bc7 #h3 22 He3, when his piece coordination clearly outweighs Black’s nebulous counterattacking chances. We now return to 13....g4 (D): 14 dxcS! This is certainly not a typical move, but as White's main trump is his bishop-pair, Kaspa- rov opens up the centre rather than blocking it. After 14 d5 @a5 the only way to blow open the position is the double-edged 15.46 (15 h3 might be objectively stronger, but in the closed position after 15... @xf3 16 Wxf3 c4 Black’s knights can effectively resist White’s bishops) 15...Wa8 16h3 &xf3 17 gxf3 with the threat of £4. How- ever, Kasparov pointed out that if Black keeps his calm and plays 17...@e8! (17...h5 only enhances the strength of White’s main idea and after 18 £4 Axf4 19 Rxf4 exf4 20 £d5 followed by e5 he is clearly better) 18 £4 xd6 19 fxe5 Oded, the scope of White’s bishops is limited and the active knights can combat them even in an open position. : bxe5 158 3 Ead8 (D) 15...2e6 removes half of White's bishop- pair, but badly damages Black's pawn-structure. 119 After 16 Sxe6 fxe6 17 Wa4 White has a permanent advantage. 16 We2 Aixf3 One can imagine Kramnik detested making such a move, but passive retreats to d7 or c8 are even less enticing and after 16...2h5 17 5 Hd6 18 g4! £296 19 Dd? Black is soon bound to miss his stranded bishop on the queenside, where the action is about to start. 17 Wxt3 This is the position Kasparov strove for with his 14th move. His bishops are active and can probe and provoke weaknesses on both flanks. White has a clear-cut initiative and can improve his position without running any excessive risks ~ always an important consideration in a decisive game. 7 Bd6 (D) TL ee 18 gst? While Kasparov's criticism of this move seems unjust, he is objectively right in one120 thing — this bishop doesn’t belong on h4 or g3. At the moment his chances for a successful attack against Black’s amply protected kingside are slim, so White’s region of activity should be the queenside; the isolated c5-pawn is an especially appealing target. Kasparov recommends 18 £3, when after 18...2d3 (18... WaS is tempting, but weaker due to 19 We2! and White’s queen heads for c4) 19 act a5!? (19...Wa5 again runs into 20 We2) Black is worse, but he will at least limit the a2-bishop with ..c4 and can defend tenaciously. 18 he 19 Shar Only this move is inaccurate. 19 e3 is the right move, when the merit of forcing ...h6 shows in comparison with the previous note. After 19...2d3 20 Bacl Das 21 WES! Black finds it difficult to meet the threat of £xh6, as 21...We7 2 £4 gives White a clear advantage. 19 fa8 (D) Black's rook has nothing to do on the b-file and 19...4b8?! 20 Bedl only increases White's pull, A sample line is 20...Xb2 21 Exd6 Wrxd6 22 Bal Hd2 23 Hxd2 Wxd2 24 Axfo xf 25 £45 and White wins a pawn. The text-move prevents Hadi On the other hand, Kasparov can put the open file to good use. White is back on the right track and turns his attention to the queenside. 20 Del 20,..Hd3 leads nowhere, as after 21 He3 Black's rook is forced to go back. 20...WWaS wins a pawn, but White invades via the b-file GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES and establishes a strong bind after 21 2b7 218 22 Hebl (also 22 Ed1!? Exd1+ 23 Wxdl Wra3 24 Sxi6 Wxa2 25 Wed gives White a danger- fous attack in which the dark-squared bishop plays a star role) 22...Wixa3 23 dS Wad 24 Skxf6 Ext6 25 We3. Here for a change the d5- bishop dominates the board and Black is in trouble. Therefore Kramnik prefers to reinforce his kingside. 21 Bed As ...a5 is not possible any more, White can improve his bishop, preventing both ...a6 and ..d3, Mw D8 Black wants to molest the c4-bishop after all. An attempt to seek tactical chances with 21...Dg6 22 &g3 Bd2 can be parried by 23 We3!?, when £d5 is a direct threat and White prepares bS as well. 2 gs v6 (D) Also now after 22...2d2 23 We3 Black's rook risks getting cut off. 23 Bhs? Kasparov would like to dislodge the b6- knight by advancing his a-pawn, but the text- ‘move puts the bishop in danger and squanders a g00d part of his advantage. The more modest 23 Le2! (23 Bf1 is also possible) would have kept Black under pressure without allowing too much counterplay. The plausible reaction 23...22d2 is well met by 24 WS! and the attack on the e5-pawn allows White to reconquer the d-file advantageously after 24... Df47 (24...2e8 25 Hbd1 is similar and 24....bd7 is no better due to 25 2c4) 25 Hbdl. 2B aw Be6GAME 94: GARRY KASPAROV — VLADIMIR KRAMNIK 24 ad Consistent, but by admitting his mistake with 24 &£1! White could have probably still retained an edge. Ww eat Kramnik gladly grabs his chance for active counterplay. 25 We2 White must quickly attack the c-pawn before Black gets time to play ...c8-d6. 25 Hb4 is an attempt to secure the position of the b5-bishop. However, Black can simply oblige with 25...a5 and after 26 Ebbl Hd3 27 He3 Hxe3 28 Wxe3 @Dh5 29 Sh? He4 White suddenly has no reason to be proud of his bishops. Bw Ba3 26 aS (D) a \ be Eom ee XN NY N = NN baie N 6 ow De8 The safer option and, bearing in mind the opportunity Black misses on move 29, probably also the better one. The alternative is 26...bd7, but it seems that in the ensuing complications White can remain on top: 1) 27 Hecl is interesting; before attacking the c4-pawn White first protects his own pawn. After 27...Bled6 (the main tactical point is that 27...26? fails to 28 Sxcd! Wxcd 29 Hb4; 27...8ic5 only helps White to improve his king and gives him an advantage after 28 tvh2 Red6 29 Wa2) 28 Wa2 (28 Hib4 is less convincing due to 28...WxaS 29 Wel Ha2 30 xc Wic7) 28...xe4 29 Wxe4 (29 &xed Exc3 30 &xf7+ ‘BIB gives Black a lot of counterplay) 29...@ec5 (29... Wixe4 costs Black a pawn after 30 Sxc4 Bd2 31 Bb7 a6 32 Ba7) 30 a6 White is better, bat Black isn’t without counterchances.. 121 2) The direct continuation is 27 Hb4!? (27 ‘Wa2 can lead to the same position) 27...!2xc3 28 Wa2. Now Black must do something special to prevent White from simply regaining the pawn and achieving a similar position to the one in the game after move 30. Kasparov argues for 28...2xg3 (afier 28..h5 29 Hxcd Bxc4 30 Sxc4 Hf6 31 Bh2 Df Black is more active than in the game, but White still has good ‘chances to unravel his forces gradually) 29 Eixc4 (29 fxg3? Wee5+) 29... Wb7 30 Saxd7 Exg?+ 31 shxg2 Wad7, but despite White's vulnerable king, preventing ...DhS-f4 with 32 We2! retains winning chances; e.g., 32...2d6 33 WI3 Baa 34 Wes. 27 bd Bxc3 ‘White has prevented Black’s main idea, as now 27...2)d6? fails to 28 Sxc4. 28 Exed = xed 29 Wed (D) After 29 Sixcd He6 30 AbS Bc? 31 WI Black can continue 31...Wxa5!? 32 Sxe5 He5 33 Sixf6 Wxbs, escaping into an equal endgame. ae a ‘vase a fe a Mi a. Ya 29 wos? ‘The queen swap would lead to a miserable endgame, but this passive retreat is no better. Kramnik should have pounced on White's tactical weakness with 29...Wxa5! 30 Wxc8+ dh7 31 Bl Zb6 and Black regains the piece. After 32 WiS+ dg8 33 Wxe5 (33 Bel Wxbs 34 Bc8+ eB is also only equal) 33...06 34 We7 (after 34 Bhd ExbS 35 ExbS axb5 the passed pawn saves the day for Black) 34...2xb5 (34...axb5? 35 e5 leads to serious trouble, as 35...Be6? loses immediately to 36 exf6!) 35 Hdl Wat122 White’s initiative will soon peter out and a draw is the most likely result. 30 Wes Black doesn’t get a second chance to mix it up. The position acquires a static character and White will slowly but inexorably start concentrating his forces against the a7-pawn. Al- though this is Black’s only concrete weakness, in the long run it’s indefensible, as the disap- pearance of the c-pawns has greatly increased the firepower of the bishop-pair. This is really the major theme of the whole game from move 16 onwards — if we for a moment imagine Black's bishops facing White’s knights, the evaluation of the position would tum around completely. 31 32 Y a White’s plan is getting clear contours. The ideal squares for his bishops are fl and f2; he will fix the a7-pawn with a6 and prepare a rook invasion to the seventh rank via the b- or e-file. Although it takes a full 25 moves to overcome Black’s dogged defence, White’s position can now be considered technically won and the rest of the game doesn’t require too much analytical comment. Kasparov proceeds to increase his pressure and convert his advantage in an instructive manner. 2 208 33° bi Wer 34 ‘Bel was 35 a6 De 36 Wes Be7 37 £31(D) GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES Z - VW w x 9 7A Af 404 OSD me 7 8 As the middlegame adventures are over, White finally prepares the transfer of his bishop to the ideal gl-a7 diagonal, which he could have occupied on move 18 or 19. In the game it takes another eight moves before Kasparov fully consolidates his set-up to play £2f2 safely, but at this point time doesn’t play a major role. DeB 37 ow 38 afl Be7 39 We3 a7 ‘An important point in White’s favour is that exchanges of major pieces only ease his task. Here after 39..Excl 40 Wxcl Black would quickly lose his a7-pawn. 40 seh2!?(D) LJ ‘ae LB a A prudent last move before the time-control. Before starting any decisive action, White can afford to move his king to a safer square. 40 He7 41 Be6 Kasparov remarks that 41 Eb1 was more effective. Then Hb7 is a direct threat and afterGAME 94: GARRY KASPAROV ~ VLADIMIR KRAMNIK 41...2d6 White plays 42 Wb3 followed by Wbs. However, the text-move is hardly any worse and doesn’t bring Black any relief. 41 eh7 a2 Wel ‘A queen supporting the rook from behind is the best way to control and use an open file. 42 Wc5!? is somewhat more incisive, but Kaspa- rov doesn’t want to give Black even the slightest chance connected with ...dl. Q ow De7 Black is limited to passive defence; an attempt to create kingside play with 42...\f6 ‘would cost him the a-pawn after 43 2f2. We3 ‘Wa7 43...2e6!? with the idea ...2d4 probably would have prolonged the game; Black is even willing to invest a pawn to exchange the important g3-bishop. However, White should still win after 44 Sixe5 @xeS 45 Wre5, as 45...d4 is partied by 46 Ede, 44 Bes Was 44...e6 45 Bd5 followed by Sxe5 is simi- Jar to the previous note. 45 2f2(D) ‘The beginning of the end: White’s bishop finally hits Black’s weak point. sw. 46° Rds ‘Ws 47 bs Wao 48 Eb7 Oda 49 What 123 Although Black has managed to close the critical gl-a7 diagonal for a while, Kasparov increases his pressure by using the method ‘mentioned in the note to move 39 he offers a queen exchange 16 After o » wi 50 Exb4 Black can’t avoid ‘material losses any more (50...147 51 Hb7 He7 52 f4! and the threat of f5 is decisive) and even 50...4c7 (best) gives White a pleasant choice between 51 xd4 and the more consistent 51 Eb7"?. 50 Wes Now Black's knight must leave d4 and his position collapses. a1 ies As Black is practically in zugzwang, Kas- parov unhurriedly takes control of £4. Be6 2 52 et (D) DA La \ \ ase aoe >a “ ‘ s ~ see a em te oN ee a WA an “8 Be7 “ na “ 52 ww 53 RS ‘The text-move is more thematic than cashing in at once with 53 £xf7. By eliminating his main target, White gets an unstoppable passed pawn, 53 Das 54 Bxa7 xa 55 Wxa7 56 fed hs 57 Wes 10Game 95 Boris Gelfand - Garry Kasparov Novgorod 1997 Queen's Indian Defence [E12] 1 a4 M6 2 4 6 3 AEs b6 4 Volume 1 featured the Petrosian System a full six times, starting with Game 10. In all these earlier games Kasparov had White, but from the early 1990s onwards, he sporadically started to play the Queen’s Indian with Black and mostly faced this position from the other side of the board. 4 5!? ‘The main reason for choosing this ambitious but risky continuation will become clear only ten moves later. While preparing for the tourna- ‘ment in Dos Hermanas more than a year earlier, Kasparov and his team had already discovered a stunning new resource for Black in one of the critical positions of the whole line. A possible inspiration was the game Gelfand-Kasparov, Moscow (PCA) rpd 1996, played just a few weeks before Dos Hermanas. However, there Black went for 4...S2b7 5 Zc3 g6!?, so the element of surprise was on his side. 5 a5 ‘The most principled reaction, By 1997, Kas- parov’s Modern Benoni days were in the distant past (see Game 21), so Gelfand must have been curious... Siw da6 (D) This bishop sortie complicates White’s normal development and is the only way to prove .-b6 was not useless. 6 Wer exdS 7 exdS 26 (D) After 7...Sb7 8 e4 We7 9 Sd3 Axd5 100-0 De7 11 Lg5!? £6 12 LF4 d6 13 Dc3 White's initiative is well worth the pawn. Kasparov, who in his career has often sacrificed more material for less obvious compensation, is a most unlikely candidate to defend such a position. ws ana! a me a Awe Anan ‘ag Sax 8 23 This logical move is by a wide margin the most often played continuation, but Kasparov once tried out 8 £4 d6 9 c3 S97 10 Wade ‘Wa7 (with Black Kasparov might have intended to play the enterprising 10...b5!? 11 xb5 0-0 12 c3 Wh6, when Black has a lead in development and reasonable compensation) 11 Sxd6 Wxad 12 Dxad Dxd5 13 0-0-0 De7 (recent developments favour 13...2f617 as a more reliable road to equality) 14 e4 xf 15 Bhxfl Dbe6 16 Ac3 Hd8? (16...2xc3! is necessary, but even here White retains an edge after 17 bxc3 £6 18 g4!?) 17 Dbs Ba7 18 64 Bxdi+ 19 Hxd1 0-0 20 Hd7 a8 21 246 Acs 22.@c7 Bbs 23 a6 and in Kasparov-Gligorié, Bugojno 1982 Black was under heavy pressure. Bw g7GAME 95: BORIS GELFAND ~ GARRY KASPAROV 9 8 0-0 10 ge a6 11 0-0(D) uw He8 The game position after move 13 can be reached by various move-orders, which have both merits and drawbacks in preventing or allowing some extra options. According to the current state of theory, which developed mostly after this game, 11...Abd7!? is more accurate. If White now plays the generally useful 12 Bel (after 12 Wa4 2b7 13 Wh4 He8! 14 Bes We7 15 Bad1 8 16 Scl a6 White’s queen is not supported by the rest of his forces and Black has a pleasant position; another direct try is 12 Sif4 We7 13 Biel, but even here Black doesn’t have to play 13...8fe8, transposing into the note to White’s 13th move, but can give the game an independent twist with 13...b5!?), Black still doesn’t have to commit his £8-r0ok and can play 12...b5!2. Now the attempt to forego prophylaxis with 13 ¢4 (13 h3 Be8 transposes into the game) can be met by 13...2)e4!. The main tactical idea of this sortie is 14 h3 Dge5 15 DxeS DxeS 16 £4 bd, when Black has an excellent position. 12 Het Now and even one move later White could have stopped Black’s queenside expansion with the typical Benoni move 12 a4, but this would permit Black enough counterplay on the e-file. Gelfand concentrates on his central play instead. 2 Dbd7 (D) Game 14 featured the inferior 12...Wc7. The only other consistent alternative to the natural text-move is 12...b5, but here, contrary to the 125 note to move 11, the immediate 13 e4 is more effective. After 13...bd7 (13..b4 14 axb4 cxb4 15 a4 b3 16 WhI is not ideal for Black, as here White can hold on to his centre and his al-rook is not passive as in the note to White’s 16th move) 14 &f4 Wb6, the energetic 15 e5!? (15 3 leads to the position from the note to White’s 14th move, but here this prophylaxis seems unnecessary) deserves attention. Now 15..dxe5 16 @xe5 AxeS 17 MxeS 7 18 Had] Bad 19 d6 Axe? 20 dexg? We6+ 21 13 gave White a small edge in Babula-A.Mas- trovasilis, Warsaw Ech 2005, as his passed pawn ties down Black's forces. x. 13 3 White fights for the centre by preventing ...2)g4, but the text-move costs time. More critical for the evaluation of the whole line is the direct 13 2f4 We7 14 Wad! (143 Ded! and 14 e4 Dg4 are both harmless) 14...867 15 Db5 and now: 1) Yusupov and Dvoretsky have proved that the tempting 15...e4? fails to 16 @d2! Zxd2 17 Bxd6 &ixb2 18 Hadl, when Black simply has too many pieces en prise to survive. 2) After 15..2xd5 16 @xd6! Black will lose an exchange and although the position after 16,...Axb2 (16...2xf4 17 Wxf4 &xf3 18 Rxf3! Les 19 Wd2 Wxd6 20 Wxd6 Sxd6 21 Sixa8 Exa8 22 Had or even 22 Hedl!? also gives White excellent winning chances) 17 Babi! Dx 18 Weld Axf3 19 Axe8 xg? 20 Exb2 &c6 21 Ad6 is still rather volatile, it’s clear that only White can claim an advantage. 3) The best is to avoid any tactics with BeS!, After 16 Dxes dxeS 17 d6 Wa7 18 L126 2xb7 Wxb7 19 Re5 Wic6 20 Wa6 Bed8 21 a4 White was slightly better in Yakovich-Brynell, Gothenburg 2002, but Black's position remains defensible. However, all this was unknown when our game was played. Bw bs Black can’t hesitate; otherwise White finishes his development and takes full control of the centre. 14 ea? A logical move, but it runs directly into Kas- parov's preparation. Later White's efforts concentrated on the stronger 14 Sf 4!, when the necessity to protect the d6-pawn makes it more difficult for Black to get his queenside counterplay going after 14...Wb6 15 e4 Hac8 16 2e3 (16 Sf1!? isa possible improvement). Although recently he has been successful in achieving his goal with the paradoxical but consistent 16...1H7! 17 2f1 b8!, one can speculate that such long-winded manoeuvres are not much to Kasparov's taste. His subsequent practice provides some indirect proof of this, as he never repeated 4...c5!? and played the more usual 4.867 5 D3 d5 instead. 14 ‘We8! (D) Deceptively simple, like many brilliant new ideas. By protecting the a6-bishop, Black car- ries out the crucial ...b4 advance. From now on it's White who has to be on his toes. 1s Sf Played after long thought. To stop ...b4, White needs two moves — £4 and 2f1, Alas, he ‘can only make one of them, and 15 S17! b4 16 205 is inferior due to 16... Wb8! (16...8xb5 17 &xbS Bb8 is also possible, but less convincing, GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES in view of 18 &c6!?) ~ surprisingly, no one has yet played this natural move. White’s best reaction is 17 Wad (17 c7 allows 17...b3!) 17...467 and now: 1) 18.Sf4iis the more complex option, but if Black wades his way through the tactics and plays 18...xe4! 19 Exed (19 £xd6 loses the d-pawn to 19...Wa8! 20 $c7 Exel 21 Bxel We8 or even 21...2b6!2) 19...Aixe4 20 Dxd6 (20 axb4 £xd5 21 @xd6 A6 is also good for Black, as 22 Wal is answered by 22...g5! and 22 @xe4 transposes into the main line after 22...Wxf4 23 gxfd Dxad) 20...b6 21 Dxed (after 21 Dxb79! Dxad 22 Mxbs Lxb2! 23 eS Sxal 24 &xal Hb8 White’s counterplay is ineffective and Black's queenside pawns are too strong) 21...Wxf4! (now 21...@xa4% 22 Sixb8 2xb2 23 eS Lxal 24 Bxal is at best unclear) 22 gxf4 @xa4 23 axb4 Qxd5 24 Hxad Xxe4, then in the resulting endgame White is fighting for his life. 2) 18 axb4 is simpler and more solid, but even here after 18...Hxe4 19 Exed Axed 20 bxc5 DexcS the d5-pawn is vulnerable and Black's minor pieces are very active. 15 b4 16 a4(D) After 16 @d1 the shot 16...b3 is equally effective. Then 17 Wxb3 (17 WbI?! cuts off White’s rook and gives Black an excellent position after 17...Wic7 18 Bc3 DhS 19 Ld2 Dds or even 19...c4!2) 17..2\xe4 18 We2 Daf6 is similar to the game. aw 2S ae 16 b3!? Black has achieved an ideal Modem Benoni position, in which his queenside play enablesGAME 95: BORIS GELFAND ~ GARRY KASPAROV him to break up the enemy centre. Practically the same is true for the less forcing 16...S2b5, proposed by Kasparov. After 17 axb4 (the main threat was ..$.xad and after 17 d2?! Dhs! 18 &xd6 Black advantageously wins a piece with 18...Wa6 19 Sxc5 b3!) 17....xb4 White must avoid the queen swap with 18 Wbl! (Black is much better after 18 Wxc8 Haxc8 19 £xd6 xed, as 20 Axb4? loses a piece to 20...Hc4), but 18...Wb8! forces him to play actively to give the passive a4-knight a chance to join the fray, The main line goes 19 Ad4 Axd5 20 Bxd6 Hxd6 21 DxbS W8 22 exd5 (after 22 ‘Wd37! a6 23 Add 4Sb6 24 6 Black has the tempo 24...e5! and achieves an advantageous position with opposite-coloured bishops; however, after 22 Wall !? this line is not possible and 22...ifxb5 23 Wxd5 leads to approximate equality) 22..WxbS 23 We2 and it’s difficult for Black to profit from the misplaced knight, as the rest of White’s forces cooperate well enough to give him sufficient counterplay. 17 Wxb3 17 Wb1! We7 is again suspicious for White. His position lacks harmony and in all probability he has nothing better than 18 c3, transposing into the bleak line from the note to White’s 16th move. 7 Dxes 18 We2(D) Zx7 ee ala a 2 i & a7 BAg a a nae A Bene 2" awe eae With his 14th move Black won the fight for 4, and now an even more intense battle for the e4-square begins. 1B. Date Positionally Black has done well by taking control over the centre, but supporting the 1. 127 exposed e4-knight requires some sharp calculation, 18,,.£52! is less desirable; after 19 Dc3 Hb8 20 Habl!? Adf6 21 d2 Black can’t retain his central outpost any more and the vulnerability of both the d6-pawn and the e6-square are starting to turn the tide in White’s favour. 19 gl? At this moment Gelfand was lagging behind on ‘=1” in the tournament and although the ‘opening has not been too successful for White, he decides to spurn the safer 19 2d2 @xd2 20 ‘Wxd2 Wd7 21 Ac3 with a sedate and approximately equal position. Instead of exchanging the knights, White tries to undermine Black’s central outpost. Similar to the text-move in this respect is 19 hd (19 2h2?! is too artificial, as afier 19...W5 White must cope with the threat of ..Axg3) 19...g5 20 Sixed gxf (20...2xh47! 21 £5 WT 22 Ac3 and White is better due to Black's shaky kingside) 21 @f5 (21 g4 @xe4 22 Exe4 25 leads to complex play; the powerful €5-bishop holds Black's position together and if he can deploy the rest of his forces effectively with, eg., G8, ...£.8, ..£6 and ...Bb8-b7-27, he has hopes to grab the initiative) 21...@xe4 (after 21...fxg3 22 fxg3 HeS 23 g4 Wa7 24 263 White has little to fear with his strong £5- knight) 22 Exe4 e5 with an unclear position. If he wants, White can bail out by 23 Dh6+ ‘Gg7 24 exf4 Sxh6 25 fxeS Wxh3 26 Wd2+ sbh5! 27 Wal+ with a perpetual. 19 a7 (D) ‘The best move. 19.,.2b5?! 20 g5 OhS 21 Bret Bxed 22 Wred Wa6 23 Zxc5 dxc5 24 Be5 (24 e5!2) 24...Re8 25 Lh? gave White a healthy extra pawn in Comas Fabrego-M.Rider, H_ wile we haa Agni as a “a on Swe Ba Z128 20 95 ‘White is consistent. Changing his mind half- way with moves like 20 4\d2 or 20 g5 would hand the initiative over to Black. 20 om Dns 21 Qh22 Gelfand is still ambitious, but the natural 21 xed is safer and simpler: 21...Bbxe4 22 @ixc5! (22 Wxed He8 23 Axc5 Hxed is advantageous for Black) 22...dxc5 (22...2c4 23 Wrcd Sxe4 24 Bixd7 Oxt4 25 O6+ Lxf6 26 exf6 Lxd5 27 Edi is also unclear, as the unpleasant f6-pawn causes Black serious back-rank problems) 23 ‘res. Now after 23...Be8 (23...Dxf4 24 Wxf4 He8 25 Hel and 23...d3!? 24 We3!? are both less clear, but not very dangerous for White) 24 eS £6 25 gxf6 Dxf6 Black regains the pawn with approximate equality. 2 15 2 Bes Black's last move has stabilized his central outpost, so the radical idea 22 gxf6 Dhxf6 (22...Dexf6 isn’t ideal due to 23 gs followed by 2e6) 23 Ae5!? deserved more attention. This is a better way to justify the aggressive advance of the g-pawn and although Black retains the initiative after 23...dxe5 (23...Wf5 24 xed Dred 25 Wied MxeS 26 WrtS Rxh2+ 27 Sexh2 gxf5 only leads to an equal endgame) 24 axed Axed 25 Wxed Hack followed by ..c4, his edge is not as clear-cut as it will be in the game. 22 Bab8 (D) Wien (ewe ae 23° Babi? While one could argue as to what extent White's previous two moves were inaccurate, GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES this is a clear tactical oversight. 23 @xe4 represented the lesser evil, although after 23...xe4! (23...8xb2? runs into 24 ®xc5! and 23...fxed is less incisive due to 24 Hxe4 Exb2 25 Exe8+ ‘Wxe8 26 Hel! with only a slight advantage for Black) 24 Babl (24 Bxe4? Exb2 25 Wad £5) 24..Bxel+ 25 @xel £4 the h2-bishop is passive and Black is firmly in the driving seat. Bw Bxe3?! Kasparov proceeds in a strategic vein, retaining his huge e4-knight and keeping White’s passive bishops hemmed in. However, he underestimates not only White’s counterchances after the text-move, but especially the welcome tactical opportunity 23...Exb2! 24 Hxb2 Sxc3 25 Hxed fed 26 Wrc3 exf3 27 Sixf3 Wxh3 28 Axd6 (the only defence against both ...WfI# and ..Bf8) 28....262! 29 Exe? Hxe2 30 xc5 0 2c7 He7! 31 d6 BE7 32 Wo3 Wxt3 33 Waxf3 Bxf3 34 d7 Bd3 and Black wins comfort- ably) 30...e4! 31 b4 Hf4 and the arising endgame offers Black very good chances to convert his material advantage into victory. 24 bxe3 ‘Bxbl ‘An important exchange. After the careless 24.804? 25 Exb8! Exb8 26 Dd2 Axd2 (the alternative 26...d2xd5 is no better due to 27 Wd3) 27 Wxd2 White controls the more important open file and his h2-bishop is very much alive. 25 Exbl (D) ' 717 47 a au i va 27 we 7a ed aha a ee el AUD UB LW BSS +E Bw Shes Black must first activate his bishop. 25...£42 is a grave mistake due to 26 c4! 26 Dd? White must get rid of the nuisance on e4 as soon as possible. 26 Bdl £4 leaves White tooGAME 95: BORIS GELFAND ~ GARRY KASPAROV passive and 26 Bel Sxd5 27 Dd2 £6 28 Axed fed 29 04 Dg7! gives Black a large advantage. His knight aims for £5 or e6 and 30 Li.xed? loses immediately to 30...2xe4 31 Exe4 ‘Wes! 26 mw Dxd2 After 26...,xd5 27 Wd3 Black can’t retain his extra pawn, so he ignores material and continues his containment strategy. 27 Wxd2 fat ‘The main point of Black’s previous move: after this important tactical stab White’s h2- bishop presents a sorry picture. 28 Hel Gelfand does his best to shake off the pressure. 28 &xf4? loses to 28...Wf5 and this move ‘was also Black's main threat. For example, after 28 &£37 the most convincing win is 28...Wxh3 29 &xh5 Ws!, Bn eS! (D) The only way to hold on to the crucial £4- pawn. 29 Bes? Gelfand was already approaching time-trouble and after this decisive mistake, the rest of the game will be plain sailing for Kasparov. White had two better moves: 1) Kasparov recommended 29 HxeS dxeS 30 d6 (30 Wel is Gelfand’s idea, by which White would like to activate his queen first before starting to extricate the h2-bishop; however, Black has the strong 30... Wf5! threatening both ...Wxg5 and ...f3) and Black must parry the threat of £d5+. The best way to do this is 30...Se6!? (after 30...f8 Kasparov gives 31 Sc6! Wixh3 32 Wal Wa3 33 Weds Sxd3 34 £3 2g7 35 dg2! and White activates all his pieces {justin time to hold even the pawn endgame after 35.05 36 Bgl De3+37 sei? wf7 38 wel $e6 39 d7 eT 40 ded? E541 x03 fred+ 42 Bxe3 Wxd7 43 Lxd7 dxd7 44 hes dG 45.04 ke6 46 £4 ext 47 dexfd) 31 Sh h6! 32 gxh6 (ugly, but forced; after 32 h4? hxgS 33 hxgs 2)g7 White can’t activate his h2-bishop due to threats on the open h-file) 32..f6 33 gi SPh7 (33...xh3 34 £3 04 35 xa7!? is OK for White) 34 £3 Wo6 35 We2 a7 36 Wha Wxd6 37 Wa8 c4! 38 a4 (after 38 Bxa7 Wxa3 39 We8 £5 White has no immediate perpetual and Black intends to play ...#8 with winning chances) 38...a6, when White's counterattack is stopped and he must fight for a draw. 2) 29 hd!? (D) is probably more promising. ae eae ave White postpones the exchange of rooks for a ‘more suitable moment, prepares £23 and given the chance, may activate his bishop via h3. Al- though the h4-pawn is potentially vulnerable to We4 or ....g7-£5, Black can't directly profit from this due to his own problems with the f4- pawn, Now: 2a) 29...Wg4 30 HxeS dxeS 31 d6! gives White enough counterplay, as 31...f3 32 2g3 yxg3 33 fxg3 Be6 34 d7! Sxd7 35 Wa5+ only leads to a draw. 2b) 29...€ef7 with the idea 30 23 Wh3 31 Axh5 LAxd5 is also insufficient, as the opposite-coloured bishops save White after 32 £3 xel+ 33 Wrel gxh5 34 Wa2!. 2c) His best try seems to be 29...1Wf5!2, but after 30 Hxe5 (30 2£3? loses on the spot to 30,..Wd3 31 Wal Wxf3!) 30...dxe5 31 Wal (the active 31 Wb2!? is also playable, when 31...6130 32 gxh6 Wa3 allows White to extricate himself with 33 &xf4!, when Black's king is too exposed to offer any serious winning chances af- ter33...Qxf4 34 Wb7 Dhs 35 h7+ Hh8 36 WH ‘Wo1+ 37 @h2 Ws 38 Wxg6) 31...d7 White can revert to Gelfand’s idea 32 Wel! (32 d6 e633 Phi Dg7 34. Lyi AES 35 13 is perhaps also possible, but definitely riskier) with an extra tempo and he is out of danger. Now 32...S2xd5 33 WreS xg? 34 chxg? Wyd+ 35 S93 fxg3 36 Wes+ a toa perpetual. Exes 3 xcs Wns (0) i 3 oem aw a. moe mae wa Be oe oe Aw ow a [oes | Black grabs a pawn with tempo and the g5- pawn quickly comes next, while the bishop- pair still remains passive. The game is decided. 31 31 Bxf4? loses a piece to 31...Wgd+. can Wi 32. Wel Dg! (D) 32...S0xd5 33 We8+ tbg7 34 We7+ S67 35 Wrxd6 Wixg5 is also playable, but the text-move is far more incisive. After 33 WI Sxd5 34 Wb8+ df7 35 We7+ ‘Se8 36 Wh8+ sd7 37 Wxa7+ web White runs ‘out of checks. 3. ‘Wxgs 34 Wh Ons 35 Ws sbg7 —-~ GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES w w Ae oo a U7 #8 Ss ya ro Kasparov avoids the simple trap 37...e3?? 38 &xf4 and elegantly wraps up the game. fa ews 71 & fe 4 a mts 38 éxfl After 38 &xf4 Wxf4 39 WE8+ dhS 40 2xfl We3+ 41 hl De3 Black quickly mates. 38 De3+ 39 hel Wha+! 39...€xg2+? would even tum the tables after 40 S2f2, but now White loses both bishops. 40 ‘Wrh2 41 a3 ts 1 ‘The white bishop can’t escape after 42 Sf1 wre.Game 96 Garry Kasparov - Oscar Panno Argentina-Kasparov simul, Buenos Aires 1997 Nimzo-Indian Defence, Kasparov always took his simuls against national teams (see also Games 40 and 64) very seriously and prepared accordingly. In this game, he didn’t shy away from using a strong novelty in a topical line to achieve success. 1 a4 a6 2 of 6 3 Dc3 abs 4 Wer White prevents the doubling of the c-pawns and controls the e4-square. On the other hand, he neglects development and his queen might later become exposed on the c-file. The popularity of the Classical was dictated by the World Champions: in the inter-war years it was a favourite of both Capablanca and Alekhine; later the interest waned considerably, mainly because Botvinnik was a staunch supporter of Rubin- stein’s 4 €3. Kasparov's efforts brought on a revival of the system in the late 1980s, with both Karpov and Kramnik following in his footsteps. The difference in the styles of the three ‘great Ks indicates that the Classical is equally altractive for both solid and aggressive players. 4m 0-0 ‘The flexible modern treatment, also preferred by Kasparov with Black, became the main line only in the last 20 years. During the days of Capablanca and Alekhine, the most usual move was 4...d5. This continuation is in the limelight even today, but enriched by contemporary ideas such as Romanishin’s 5 cxdS Wxd5 6 Df3 west”, 5B With the solid text-move White first ‘wins’ the bishop-pair before committing himself to a ‘more concrete plan. Rather surprisingly, Kar- pov has recently experimented with the ageres- sive 5 4. This leads to sharp play after 5...d5 6 e5 Ded, when the open character of the position might emphasize White’s lag in develop- ‘ment. oS 6 Wxe3 sixe3+ b6(D) Classical [E32] nase Re 7 gs The whole renaissance of the Classical line in the late 1980s was connected mainly with the options offered by this bishop sortie. Earlier White played mostly 7 @f3, aiming simply to finish his kingside development as soon as possible with e3, 2e2 (possibly g3 and &g2) and 0-0. However, such a minimalist approach allowed Black, with his central control and good piece-play, to achieve consistently satisfactory results. The more ambitious text-move better fits the needs of the position by recognizing the key role of the e4-square. White fights for it by pinning the f6-knight, and later he can take control of it by playing £3. a és A sharp try. Black wants to open the position to profit from his slight lead in development. However, this might also suit White with his bishop-pair, and such decisions must always be weighed very carefully (see for example 12 e5! in Game 90). The more sedate alternatives are 7.8406 and especially 7...S0b7. This natural continuation has the best reputation and will be featured in Kasparov-Grishchuk, Rethymnon (ECC) 2003 (Game 125). 8 3 8 dxc5 bxc5 9 €3 d6 is a possible transposition. This was actually the move-order in the game quoted in the note to move 16.132 8 6 (D) Black can also play 8...b7, but this leads to a slightly different type of position and in practice White has done well after 9 dxc5 bxc5 10 £3. Panno strives for a set-up in which after the exchange on c5 Black uses the semi-open b-file to generate counterplay. His bishop can stay on 8 for the time being, and later it might even go 1026. x42 Be i a Ww gO GS wo nao nta a. 2 an 9 dxeS One year later Jan Timman was willing to give Kasparov's idea from our game a more thorough test in their friendly match. Initially the offer was politely declined and Kasparov- Timman, Prague (3) 1998 went 9 £d3. Black reacted with the dubious 9..cxd4 (9...b7 10 £3 Qbd7 and 9...bd7 10 De2 La6 are both better options, by which Black transposes into familiar and playable positions) 10 exd4 45?! and after 11 exd5 Wad5 (11.67! is stronger) 12 Bxf6! gkf6 (12...Wxg2 13 0-0-0! &b7 14 De2 He8 15 Wxc8+ Axc¥ 16 Hhgl gives White a very strong attack) 13 De2 Ed8? (13...a6 14 &f4 is unappetizing for Black, but he had nothing better) 14 4g3! White was winning. ‘The combined threats on the hi-a8 diagonal and against Black’s king cost him material afier e 14.65 15 Be2! 267 16 £3 Wa7 17 hs. 9 om e)) 9..dxe5 10 &d3 &b7 11 £3 followed by 0-0-0 is pleasant for White. The bishop-pair gives him a long-lasting edge in a symmetrical position and even his attacking chances are preferable. 10 0-0-0 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES The history of this surprising novelty requires some explanation. In the 1995 FIDE Candidates match Salov-Kamsky in Sanghi Nagar this position occurred twice and Black did well after the less enterprising 10 £43 Abd7 11 Se2 Hb8. This naturally didn’t escape Kas- parov’s attention and started off a search for more effective methods against Black's plan. 10 2\f3 @bd7 doesn’t change the issue substantially, while the immediate 10 £xf6 is too tame and only leads to an equal endgame after 10...Wxf6 11 Wrf6 exf6 12.0-0-0 2d8. The only ‘way to create immediate threats is by applying pressure on the d-file, but 10 Hdl once again allows Black to play the key move 10...bd Now the d6-pawn is poisoned due to 11 Hxdt We7 12 Bdl (12 Axf6 Wxd6 13 Bxg7 Hes with the threat of ..e5 is no improvement) 12..e4 13 We2 WaS+! and White’s king is forced to stay in the centre, where it will be sub- jected to a powerful attack after 14 tee? (14 b4? cxb4 15 Wxed bxa3+ 16 We? Hb8 is hopeless for White) 14...2xg5 15h4 Ded 16 Wxe4 Bs. The text-move creates the positional threat of &ixf6, when Black would be forced to weaken his kingside without exchanging queens. How- ever, at first sight this allows Black to unpin his knight with... 0 Bed (D) The only consistent reaction, because after 10...\bd7 White, contrary to the previous note, can afford 11 Exd6 We7 12 Bdl Ded 13 We2 @xg5 14 h4, winning a pawn for insufficient compensation. 1 West The point of White's previous move. The sterile endgame after 11 2xd8 @\xc3 12 Ba3GAME 96: GARRY KASPAROV — OSCAR PANNO sw aha aS ee oman ke Bo 0 BSR Sa 2A8 (12 Bxd6%! Ded 13 Le7 Be8 and White will have only one pawn for the exchange) 12...28xd8 certainly isn’t worth the trouble for White. Also 11 We2 is weaker than the text-move; here Kasparov's recommendation 11...2xg5 12 h4 £51? (12...2\h3 13 ixh3 We7 also deserves attention) 13 hxg5 Wrg5 14 Exd6 We7 leads to an unclear position. ow. Dxf2 ‘The best move. Now 11...)xg5?! 12 h4 isn’t ideal any more due to White’s pressure on the d-file. After 12...g6 13 hxgs Wxg5 14 Wxd6, with ideas such as ®f3 and Exh7, Black is in difficulties. The same goes for 11...Wxg5?! 12 Wre4 d5 13 exd5 &b7 14 Dh3 and White keeps his extra pawn. 12 &xd8 | Dxd3+ 13 &xd3—-Bxd8 (D) “g*d a G a (1 e Ta Tak a oe ‘wn er 14 Bed as 15 exd5 &b7 After a series of forced moves Black is still on the right track. 15...f5 16 £3 e5 17 e4 Dd7 133 18 De2!? gives White an advantage due to his better pawn-structure. 16 2e2(D) W oe we “Bom An 27 7s Ld 16 aT? This is probably the decisive mistake. Han- dling Kasparov's novelties has never been easy, but Black has two better moves: 1) 16...exd5 17 Bc3 Ac6 18 Lxd5 Das 19 &xb7 Dxb7 was played in Kasparov-Timman, Prague (5) 1998, but even here White can claim some advantage. His pieces are more active and his king is closer to the vulnerable queenside pawns than its black counterpart. After 20 Ehhfl £8 21 dc2 Bac8 22 Bxd8+ Hxd8 23 Hts ke7 24 Ded Bc8 25 Hg 48, the space-gaining 26 g4!? would have kept Black under pressure. Af- ter this game, no one has been willing to repeat the line with 7...c5 and 8...d6 at the elite level. 2) 16..2)a6 17 e3 £517 18 3 De7 is possibly somewhat stronger. White's edge is still only minimal after, e.g., 19 e4 fxe4 20 Dixed Sxd5 21 DxcS Bact 17 dxe6 18 eT! Panno possibly underestimated the strength of this move; the passed pawn on e7 will be highly dangerous. After 18 exd7? xg? the bishop can attack the d7-pawn and once it falls, it’s White who has to fight for equality. Bw. He8 Kasparov mentions the altemative 18...2idc8 19 Exd7 £6 just in passing, without going any deeper. However, even here the 7-pawn re- ‘mains a thorn in Black’s flesh and will cost him material after 20 Hd6 Sxg2 (20...£6 21 Zhdl doesn't help much, as 21...82f7? loses on the xed134 spot to 22 Exc6 Hxc6 23 Hd8) 21 Bhdl Bes 22 Ha8 £6 (after 22...26 23 4c3 the main threat is e4 and 23...206 24 H1d6 &b7 25 AdS will net White a whole rook) 23 g3 f7 (23...267 b= ‘on the spot to 24 e4 followed by Exa8) 24 if5. 19 Bxd7(D) ane 19 aw 16 ‘The most resilient move: Black first takes care of the passed pawn. The above note has given a hint as to what can happen if Black ignores it. After 19...,2xg2 White has two promising options: 1) 20 Bgl &c6 (20...2£3 21 Dg3 Kg4 22 ‘Hc7 is hardly an improvement for Black, as after 22...£5, 23 es! forces him into a lost rook endgame and following 22...Hac8 23 Exa7 He6 24 Ged hS 25 Bg2!? White’s rook aims for the 4-file, the main tactical point being 25...2£37! 26 Hd? &xe4 27 Ha8! and the pawn queens) 21 Hc7 Hec8 22 Hxc8+ Hxc8 23 Hdl Be 24 Bd6 £3 25 Qg3! and White’s knight will again manage to support the passed pawn; the endgame after the forced 25...£6 26 @f5 £7 27 Hd2 Hxe7 28 @xe7 shxe7 29 dc? should be technically won for White. 2) 20 Ehdl!” is perhaps even more convine- ing; White’s knight has more than one route to reach d6 or c7 and Black's bishop is unable to control all of them. After 20...£6 (20.23 21 ‘Hd8 £6 22 e4! retains the mobile knight and after 22...xe4 23 Ac3 £3 24 B1d3 £06 25 £3d6 followed by Dd5 or Abs White wins) 21 2)g3 g6 22 H1d2! the long diagonal is too short for Black’s bishop to avoid the fatal f3-square and 22...f3 23 Hf2 e424 Hb7 f5 (24...ef7 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 25 Ded Hxe7 26 Hxf6+ and Black gets mated or loses a rook) 25 e4! gives White a won endgame. 20 Des 2g6(D) After 20....xg2, the most forcing is 21 Bgt &h3 22 Bb7 SF7 (22...Lab8 loses immediately to 23 Bxb8 Exb8 24 Dh5 and 22...£5 23 e4 doesn’t help either) 23 ed Exe7 24 Hxe7+ HxeT 25 Exg?+ de6 26 Hxh7 with two extra pawns in a simple endgame. x70 Uk @ wa Yk & Uda, YW Y Ay _& 21 hat Stronger than 21 Ehdl followed by H1d5. ‘The threat of h5 forces further concessions, which will show later in the minor-piece endgame. 2 aw 6 21...h5 would create only an extra weakness, which White can target with 22 Zhdl £7 23 Bids. 22 nS &h7 23° Bhd tT 24 Bed Bxe7 25° Exe7+ sexe 26 = Hxe5(D) Only here did Kasparov's preparation end. ‘The extra pawn and more active pieces guaran- tee White a technical win. 26 ow eae 27 bd Bes 28 a2 Bes Panno forces further exchanges to activate his pieces. After 28....fe7 29 Df5+ Sxf5 30 Exf5 one of Black's pieces will be tied down to the defence of the a7-pawn, while White can patiently prepare a decisive invasion on the Kingside.GAME 96: GARRY KASPAROV ~ OSCAR PANNO 31S 2b3 ‘The pawn endgame is hopeless for Black; af- dS 32 e4! Bxed 33 Dxed dexet 34 hc3 dd5 35 ddd ded6 36 a5 strc7 37 dic5 the quickest way to win is by stalemating Black's king and subsequently promoting the h-pawn with mate. 32_ aS Re 32...5 33 De2 BAS 34 g3 doesn't give Black any effective counterplay. White just plays Dd4 and won’t hurry with b6, but can advance his king to the queenside. 33° (6 axb6 34° axb6(D) eee oi a ROT Ay a ll A 2 ou “a Ay Mey by y I, S DAZ 177 7 135 ow Ras This eases White’s task; after the stronger 34...$1a6! he could yet go wrong. Kasparov indicates the correct winning plan starts with the paradoxical 35 sel! (after 35 ¢4? fd 36 DfS ‘shred 37 Dd6+ eS 38 b7 Lxb7 39 Dxb7 bes 40 B)d6 ed 41 eB dexhS 42 Axg7+ ded 43 be2 hS 44 ef2 h4 White can’t avoid the exchange of his last pawn and also 35 $c3? 67 36 ded £5 37 eS a8 gets him nowhere), White’s king heads for the kingside to help exploit the holes created by the farsighted 21 h4!, After 35...Sc8 (Black can’t defend by marking time ~ afier 35...2b7 36 £2 £c6 37 De2 White is ready to play g4 and d4-f5; the active 35..£5 36 De2 ded6 37 dd 243 38 f2 Ret 39 g3 eS 40 AF3+ followed by HFA is equally forlorn for Black) 36 shf2 std6 37 &2f3 ho6 38 Lis Hxb6 39 DES Black's kingside collapses. 35 edt Gaining an important tempo. 35 ab7 36 es Reb 37 OS, Sixed (D) A Fe if lS Oo RT. ae a AB 2o7 38 ga! 10 While Black copes with the b6-pawn, White will take on g7 and h6, creating an unstoppable passed pawn.Game 97 Loek van Wely - Garry Kasparov Tilburg 1997 English Opening [A25] 1 cf 5 2 D3 Deb Prior to this game, Kasparov had played solely 2...d6 in this position (see Game 28). 3 3 Possibly surprised, Van Wely spurns the more usual moves and opts for a restrained approach. He avoids not only a competition in theoretical knowledge after the more concrete 3 23 fo (see Games 47 and 50), but also 3 23 6, which can lead to the complex set-up from Game 59. AY fo ie et ne & White voluntarily plays a black system. De- spite the extra tempo, this can hardly bring him an advantage, as the Paulsen Sicilian is primar- ily a solid defensive set-up. Moreover, it’s still up to Black to decide if he will open the position in the centre at all. 4 26 ‘The most flexible reaction: Kasparov retains the option of playing ...d5 in one move and develops his kingside first. 4...a5?! 5 £3 would favour White, as the inclusion of a3 and ...a5 robs Black of his best option ...,2b4. 4...d6 5 b4 26 6 Bb2 297 7 d3 0-0 8 We2 He8 9 Age? De7 10 De4!? Da7 M1 g3 £5 12 44c3 Avo 13 &g2.c6 14 0-0 led to an unclear position in Van Wely-LSokolov, Amsterdam (Donner mem) 1996. 5 bd ag? 6 abe 0.0 7 ds 7 3? e4 8 Dg5 h6! is a line White should definitely avoid, so Van Wely proceeds just as in his game from the previous note. However, he doesn’t fully appreciate the difference between Sokolov's and Kasparov’s set-up. The text-move is a slight inaccuracy for several reasons. White has gained space on the queenside at the cost of falling behind in development, so he must pay full attention to Black's possible central activity. 7 d3 doesn’t bring his king any closer to safety and only enhances the strength of the future ...d5. If Black opens the centre, the pawn on d3 limits the scope of White’s fl- bishop — in the Paulsen proper Black also often leaves his pawn on d7 as long as possible. Last, but not least, White himself could have ambitions to play d4 in one go. A plausible sample line is 7 Dge2 d6 (7..e8!?) 8 Dd5 eT 9 Dxf6+ Lxf6 10 d4 (10 c3! e711 Re? 6 12 e4 dS hands the initiative over to Black, Morozevich-Gelfand, Monte Carlo rpd 2004) with a balanced position, as the radical 10...exd4 11 Bxd4 06 12 £031? DeS 13 Hel doesn’t give Black anything concrete. - Bes! (D) 7..45 is fully playable, but Kasparov's refined move gives White more chances to go wrong. 8 We2?! This move, in a similar spirit to the previous ‘move, is a somewhat more serious error ~ White ignores his kingside development. The natural 8 432! also isn’t ideal due to 8..d5 9 cxd5 (9 1b5 a5 10 cxd5 @xds is pleasant for Black, as 11 d4 is well met by the dangerous 11...2)xe3! 12 fxe3 exd4 — extra proof of the usefulness of 7..e8!) 9...2xd5, Lines of the Sicilian Schev- eningen in which Black concentrates on his queenside counterplay while leaving the kingGAME 97: LOEK VAN WELY — GARRY KASPAROV on e8 are considered very risky. White often punishes Black with a timely a4, combined with the typical Sicilian sacrifice Dd5. The notes and even the game itself show these typical ideas can also be implemented with reversed colours. At this moment, direct threat and it’s difficult for evacuate his king in time. Kasparov gives the line 10 @xd5 (after 10 We2 a5! White is in trouble; this line is an excellent illustration of what has just been said above, as the main tactical idea behind Black’ last move is gaining access to the c5-square after 11 bS @d4! 12 exd4? @ixc3 13 dxeS SixeS 14 Qxe5? ExeS+ 15 hd2 Wg5+ 16 Sxc3 Hc5+) 10...Wxd5 11 e2 a5! 12 04 Wh5! 13 dd Who 14 d5 dd 15 ‘Wad 2p4 and White's position is crumbling; after 16 Dxd4 exd4 17 £3 d3! 18 dexg7 xg7 19 &xd3 axb4 his king has to stay in the centre and Black has a strong attack. The problems caused by Black's dominant centralized queen in the above line indicate 8 Age? is a better move; after 8...d5 9 cxd5 Aixd5 10 Dxd5 Wxd5 11 Qc3 followed by e2 and 0-0 White can safeguard his king without positional concessions. go. ast 9 exdS ®xd5 (D) 10 @xd5 ‘The best move. 10 ge2? now fails to another typical motif from the Open Sicilian, 10...Adxb4, 10 23?! a5 transposes into the previous note and White’s queenside is vulnerable even after the more circumspect 10 2e2 a5! 11 bS a7 10 ‘Wrxds 1 Der 137 he ren ae bm vis a (ak <2 & WAS ‘Van Wely wants to challenge Black’s queen. We already know that 11 232! is weaker due to 11.5. Mw 5! Kasparov isin no hurry; he frees an excellent flight-square for his queen and maintains the tension. Immediate aggression with 11...a5 12 2\c3 WAT 13 bS Dd4 14 exd4 exd4+ is simply parried by 15 4e4!? (15 @e2 might be possible as well, but Black has good long-term compensation after 15...Wxb5), when 15..f5 16 2e2 fxed 17 dxe4 d3 18 @xd3 &xb2 19 Beds 8 20 Wxb2 Exe4+ 21 £¢2 We7 22 Wxg7+ dxe7 23 Bel c6 24 bxc6 bxc6 25 bd? leads to an ‘equal and rather boring endgame. 12 Be3 ‘WE7(D) wayxcer ta “awea Gal lal ee me a 28 oh “wand 13 Gad? This is really the last straw! We've repeatedly spoken about White’s lag in development and this was his final chance to catch up with 13 Re2 Le6 14 0-0. Although after 14...Bad8 Black has a very comfortable position, his138 chances for a successful kingside pawn-storm are minimal and, contrary to the game, White doesn’t face the acute danger of being swept off the board. B heb 14 2s Ras ‘White's knight manoeuvre has achieved nothing, while his bishop is now tied to the defence of the g2-pawn. 15 b5% It’s difficult to suggest an improvement for White. 15 Axb7? loses quickly to 15...2d4 and after 15 e4 @d4 16 &xd4 exd4 Black threatens .-b6 and especially ..£xe4, forcing White to lose another tempo with his al-rook. Pethaps the best is the ugly 15 £312, which at least has the merit of preventing ...2d4, Nevertheless, after 15...b6 16 a6 (16 %a4 a5! breaks up White’s queenside, as 17 bS? runs into 17..2d4! 18 exd4 2b3) 16...Bac8 followed by ..Dd8 White's knight is offside and Black has a large advantage. 1S Daat (D) MAQswaly a a Y In his notes Kasparov doesn’t even award this blow an exclamation mark. We'll be more generous, although contrary to similar sacrifices in Games 50 and 55, here the text-move is no bolt from the blue and has a far more forcing character. 16 exd4 17 er The only move. After 17 $d2 We7! the threat of ...2h6+ costs White material and also 17 ‘PAI b6 allows Black to regain the piece with a decisive attack. Tw Rxg2 exd4+ GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 18 0-0-0 18 Bei? £63. Bw Sxhl 19 Exh Was 20 Bet Again forced, since other moves run into 20...Bxe2, 20 He5 (D) 21 Ws 21 £4? fails to 21...h6 and Winants shows that 21 4b3 is no better due to 21...2e7! (after 21..Hae8 22 Sxd4 Hxe2 23 Hxe2 Bxe2 24 Wxe2 Wxb3 25 &xg7 Sxg7 26 We7+ WHT 27 ‘WeS+ the queen endgame still poses Black some technical problems). Now if White allows ...ae8, he will be practically paralysed, so 22 'WeS is almost forced and after 22...Wxe5+ 23 Dxo5 Bes (23...Hae8 24 dedi He5 25 fxd4 dS! should also be sufficient to win) 24 @b3 (after 24 Bxd4 Bxe2 25 Bxe? Bxd4 26 De6 206 27 d4 a6!? Black will gradually convert his extra pawn into victory) 24...2ae8 we are back in the game with two extra moves. 2m ‘Wxb3 22 Axb3 Bac8 23 dl White loses a whole piece after 23 xd4? Ese7 24 sed? Ba7. 2B ow 24 263 This tactical trick allows White to prolong his resistance. ‘Bxbs = Exel+ Kasparov remarks that the spectacular move 24,..e4! should also do the trick. After 25 ‘Exe (other captures on e4 are even worse andGAME 97: LOEK VAN WELY ~ GARRY KASPAROV ease Black's task) 25...fxe4 26 Sixe4 c6 27 ‘&c2 EhS the outside passed pawn on the h-file will be very dangerous. 25 bxel 6 26 di ast Black returns a pawn to keep his rook active and achieve advantageous simplification. A decision altogether typical for Kasparov, who wouldn't relish the prospect of having to cope with the increased activity of White’s minor pieces after the passive 26...Ld5 27 @d2 2d7 28 Ab3+ f8 29 DE3. axdd ad ixg7? —xg7 Dd2 Bese Ber bS(D) Black has only a slight material advantage, but his main asset is his compact pawn-structure, which will enable him to create passed pawns on both flanks. White’s own pawns are isolated and vulnerable and although Van Wely defends tenaciously, he can’t save his compro- missed position, 31 eal White must pay attention to both flanks and in the end, this will prove impossible. 31 d4 Bus 32 £3 (32 £3 allows the decisive break 32...b4 33 axb4 a3 34 fed Bb5!) fails to 32...Bxd4 33 &xc6 b4 34 Sxad bxa3 35 2b3 ‘Bh4 and Black wins more material, as his a- awn is taboo due to 36 Aic4 (36 DF3 Bad! 37 Bad Bb4) 36...xh2 37 Axa3? Bh3. Bw Eas 32 hed ry 33 2f3 Bd6 343 139 34.d4 Exd4 35 fixc6 b4 is again insufficient, as after 36 &xa4 bxa3 37 2b3 Bh4 38 D3 Bes 39 Qxg5 Exf2+ the a-pawn costs White his bishop. Mow 34...c5! is technically cleaner: Black prepares ...b4 and prevents the following knight manoeuvre. 35 Dbl! hs 36 D3 ed 37 &g2(D) 7 ow et6 After the more precise 37...eg5! 38 hxg4 xg (38...stxg4!2) Black saves a full tempo in comparison to the game. In addition, White's only active try 39 d4 runs into 39...xd4 40 xc6 Bf 41 £3 g3!? and the passed pawn decides. However, to Van Wely's misfortune these minor inaccuracies are still not enough to change the outcome of the game. 38 hxgd hxgd 39 dd bes 39...Bxd4? 40 Sxc6 is unclear, as the rook can’t go to £4 any more. 40 a3 After 40 d5 cxd5 41 Sxd5 (41 Axb5 Bh6 is hopeless for White, as he loses the important £2-pawn) 41,.2b6! (41...2h6 is less incisive due to 42 ded2) White can’t prevent either ..b4 or a decisive attack against the f2-pawn. 40 Bhe 41 be Now 41 d5 cxdS 42 Sxd5 Bh2 43 de3 doesn’t lose the f2-pawn, but after 43...f4+ 44 ‘Hd4 deh4 White has no time to take on bS and the g-pawn is ready to advance.140 £4(D) GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 47 hgh bat (D) Y,FABz~=z?SR: dar ea eo x oa & 42 Bet h3 43° baz Bh2 44 del After 44 Sxc6 Hxf2+ 45 dd3 Hb? the d- pawn is no match for Black’s united passed pawns. A plausible follow-up is 46 d5 £3 47 d6 £2 48 Ded+ (48 Sg? bf6 and the d-pawn is stopped) 48...2h4 49 @xt2 Bxf2 50 d7 Ef8 51 kc3 (51 LxbS g3 52 Lc6 Hd8 53 de? h3 followed by ...2eh2 and ...22xd7 is hopeless for White and after 51 d4 b4 Black creates another passed pawn) 51...g3 52 db4 Zb8! and White’s counterplay is over, as king moves al- Tow ..b4. 4 ow B 45 fx 45 &xc6!? is trickier, but after the forceful 45.04! (45.82 46 Sxg2 Bxg? 47 Axb5 ds should also gradually win for Black) 46 axb4 a3 47 fxg (47 &2d5 gives Black a choice between 47...g2 and 47...xf2!? 48 Ded+ seh4 49 Dxf2 2.50 xg? a2) 47...fxg3 White’s king is cut off and Black’s pawns are too strong. 45 on fxg3 46 on Now 46 2xc6? loses trivially to 46...20¢2 47 Ded+ bh, 6 ow Be Black has improved his position by manoeuvring and now it’s time for the decisive break, 48 axb4 a3 49 a5 seta With his typical forcefulness, Kasparov prefers to avoid the more complicated solution 49...02 50 @xa2 Bxa2 $1 dxc6 df4 52 ds a2. 50 Other moves were just as hopeless: 1) 50 £92 makes it quite easy for Black due to 50...Hc2 51 dxc6 Hel+ 52 Sf1 Bxc3. 2) After 50 dxc6 a2 51 @xa2 Black has 51...dexe4, when the knight is helpless and 52 23+ Hf3 53 c7 g? leads to a quick mate 3) 50 &h7 misplaces the bishop and White again gets mated after 50...2 51 @xa2 Hxa2 52 dxc6 £3, 50 exd 50...a2 51 @xa2 Bxa2 is also sufficient, as after 52 dxc6 Black has 52...g2 53 £7 Bd2! 54 Gh SF3 55 c7 WF? 56 c8W giW+ 57 dhs We3t. shes ‘The a-pawn will queen after 52 &b1 Bb2 53 Dc3 Exbl+. SL Dxd5+ O41Game 98 Garry Kasparov — Jeroen Piket Tilburg 1997 Queen’s Gambit Accepted [D27] 1 a4 5 2 of axed ‘The main ideas behind the Queen's Gambit Accepted are simple enough. Black gives up his central foothold on d5 to get free piece-play; ‘one of the principal points is to avoid problems with deploying the c8-bishop, typical for the Orthodox Defence with 2...6. These are easily solved on the c8-h3 diagonal or more often by a timely fianchetto. White’s central superiority is usually only temporary and can be neutralized by a later ..c5 or even ...05. The solid reputation of the opening has attracted even Kasparov himself; with Black he essayed it predominantly in his matches against Kramnik. 33 Kasparov has played even more aggressive Tines such as 3 e4 or 3 Df3 Df6 4 “c3!?, which can turn the opening into a real gambit after 4.26 5.04 b5 6 e5 Dd5 7 a4. 3 on 216 3.05 4 Bxcd exd4 5 exd4 leads to a type of position which can also arise from the Petroff or Exchange French. Piket is not interested and goes for the main lines. 4 fixed 06 5 ats cS 6 00 a6 (D) a ‘Sou : a When in the early 1990s Black achieved equality in the main line after 7 We2 b5 8 £b3 b79 Hal Abd7 10 4c3 Wos 11 d5 Axds 12 xd5 exd5 13 Sxd5 Lxd5 14 Bxds Wb7 15 4 eT, White started searching for ways to cause fresh problems as early as move 7. There have been serious attempts to revive the older 7 a4, but weakening the b4-square is not to everyone's taste. Moreover, even here Black can sometimes effectively finish his development with ...6 and --dtb7. 7 £43 has similar ideas as the text- move, but we'll see that a future e4 is possible even without direct control over this square. White's choice was earlier considered only an innocuous sideline, but it began to appear more regularly in the mid-1990s and one of its foremost advocates was Piket himself. The theory of the line developed rapidly: new ideas were found for both sides and as Karpov, Kasparov and later Kramnik (who also showed Black must tread with care in the endgame after the highly technical 7 dxc5) followed suit, 7 2b3 has nowadays become White’s most popular option. a bs A risky but consistent reaction: Black realizes his plan even at the cost of falling behind in development. The text-move is currently somewhat more popular than the less enterprising 7..806 (if Black wants to keep the position closed, 7..Abd7 would be a more desirable way to develop the knight; however, here it doesn’t put White’s centre under sufficient pressure and allows the dangerous 8 e4!? xed 9 ‘We2) 8 Ac3 and now: 1) 8...,8e7 is inaccurate. After 9 We2 (9 dxc5!2) 9...0-0 10 Hdl exd4 White has 11 )xd4! Dxd4! (11...We7! is stronger, but even here White is better after 12 Axc6 Wxc6 13 4) 12 exd4. His pieces are ideally placed for the central break d5 and after 12..d5 13 WY3 Dxc3 14 bxc3 WeT 15 c4 Rd6 16 c5 e717 £4 Wd7 18 Hact Wic6 19 d5 he was practically winning in Kasparov-Spangenberg, Buenos Aires simul 1997. This encounter from the same142 event as Game 96 was Kasparov's first outing with 7263. 2) 8...cxd49 exd4 Se7 is safer. Now aquick 45 would only dissipate the tension, as contrary to the above example Black can safely develop his c8-bishop. However, after 10 &g5 0-0 11 Wd2!? Da5 12 Lc? b5 13 Radi (or 13 We4) Black still has some problems, as White’s kingside threats enhance the strength of the possible central break. Kramnik used this set-up to beat Anand twice; a telling fact is that from 2003 onwards the Queen’s Gambit Accepted has been missing from the Indian GM's repertoire. 8 a4(D) 8 b4 Although this move weakens the c4-square, it takes away c3 from White’s knight and even more importantly, keeps the position closed. Other tries are weaker; ater 8...bxa4?! 9 Bixad+ Dbd7 10 e4! with the idea 10...2b7 11 d5! White is clearly better and, with the king still on €8, 8.267 9 axbS axbS 10 Hxa8 Sxa8 11 We2 or 11 a3 is also dangerous. A release of the tension with 8..c4 9 £c2 is usually good for Black if he can quickly exchange the c2-bishop with ...23c6-b4, but here it only makes the temporary concession of the centre with 2..dxe4 a permanent one. 9 Dbd2 The immediate 9 e4 is less flexible, and after 9...cxd4 10 e5 (10 Dba? is possibly more promising, transposing into the next note after 10...Se712) 10..Ae4! 11 Dxd4 £7 Black gets enough counterplay, as his knight heads for the good c5-square. Don 2b7 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES In 1997 Black played only this, but subsequent practice led him to question even such a natural move. Thus 9....2e7!? emerged as a playable alternative; the idea is to castle as soon as possible. However, this is not so easy; currently a topical line is 10 e4 (10 dxc5 is not too promising due to 10...0-0 11 e4 Dfd7! and the ‘knight again lands on c5) 10..cxd4 11 5 Dfa7 12 Bcd De6 13 Axd4!? Acres 14 LE Dros 15 2ic6 Wb6 16 Axe7 dexe7 17 Sxc4 with sufficient compensation for the pawn. 10 e4!(D) ‘This energetic thrust is the only way to question Black’s set-up. Quiet continuations such as 10 We2 give him time to finish his development and equalize after 10..@bd7 11 aS Se7 12 Ded 0-0 13 Sa? Wh8! followed by ...Rd5 and D7. Kasparov was not the first one to play 10 e4!, but only after the current game did it become White’s main option. a Wee 2 5 ese ake aa Y 10 exd4 ‘The neighbouring pawn is truly poisoned: after 10...@xe4? 11 xed Bxe4 12 g5 followed by Hel White develops a powerful attack with natural moves. However, Black’s reaction also isn't ideal; we've already indicated his main concern should be the safety of his king. Therefore 10...,2e7! is stronger, as introduced into high-level practice by Ponomariov in 2001 A recent example is 11 e5 Afd7 12 Ac4 0-0 13 Bcd cxdd 14 Wxd4 b3!7 15 &xb3 &xf3 16 gxf3 Dc6 17 We3 We7 18 £4 Dc5 19 dl Bids 20Ha3 Db4 21 Sd? Habs 22 We? Web 23 Bh3 12624 b3 Wed, when Black has reasonable compensation for the pawn, Riazantsev-Rublevsky, Russian Cht (Sochi) 2005.GAME 98: GARRY KASPAROV ~ JEROEN PIKET nes a5! This is a more serious mistake. The knight will be singularly ineffective on its central outpost, where it attacks only thin air and obstructs the b7-bishop. Piket’s move gives White’s initiative an extra boost; Kasparov's forces will occupy ideal posts and start creating direct threats with alarming speed. The alternatives are: 1) 11...4e4 is stronger than the game continuation, but after 12 xed S&xe4 13 Bel (or even the simple 13 @\xd4) White’s lead in development gives him an edge. 2) Matters are more complicated after the principled 11...fa7 12 ed eS (after 12.06 13 &g5 We7 14 Hcl it’s difficult for Black to get his pieces out, as even 14...2c5?! doesn’t prevent White's main tactical idea 15 @xd4! DaxeS 16 DxeS WreS 17 Df3 with a dangerous initiative) 13 &g5 Wc7!? (13...£67! is weaker due to 14 exf6 gxf6 15 @xd4! and Black’s shaky position is on the verge of collapse; for example, after 15...fxg5? 16 WhS+ Sed7 17 ®)xe6! Sxe6 18 Hael + his king can’t survive in the centre for long), but even here 14 @xd4 @xb3 15 Wxb3 LAS 16 Bacl is better for White, as Black can’t directly profit from the pin and his forces still lack coordination We now return to 11...€d5?! (D): & Wes a2 Malla ae ah. a 12 Beat ‘The advanced e5-pawn is crucial for White's plans and needs extra protection. The text-move frees the £3-knight — now it can either take on 4 or move to better squares (see move 16). Moreover, the seemingly equivalent, but less accurate, 12 Ded gives Black the simplifying option 12...2¢3!?, 143 De6 eT 13 Bg5! 0-0 14 Dd6 Lc6 (14...2xg5 15 Dxb7 We7 16 Rxd5 exdS 17 26 gives White a clear advantage) 15 S2xe7 Dxe7, the energetic 16 Dg5! a5 17 Wa3 Des (17...g6 is hardly any better, as after 18 Wh3 hS. 19 &xd5 Black still can’t play 19...@xd5? due t0 20 Axe6) 18 Sixd5 exd5 19 £4 Da7 20 Wh3 h6 21 Dgxf7! gave White a decisive attack in B Lali¢-Sadler, British League (4NCL) 1995/6. This was actually the game that featured 10 e4! as a novelty, but Kasparov improved White’s idea, as Lalié played 12 Ded instead of 12 2c41. 13 &gst?(D) ‘An enterprising move, but even the simple 13 Dxd4 gives White a clear-cut initiative. His queen heads for g4 and Black’s king will find it difficult to escape from the centre. x. We gy AO SB\L 7 7 (2 TN A OSS a wae War Bow Other moves are weaker: 1) Black can’t afford 13...6? in view of 14 exf6 gxf6 15 Hel! and his position falls to pieces, as he can’t effectively protect the crucial e6-pawn any more. After 15...ixg5 (15...Wa7 runs into 16 @b6!) 16 Exe6+ d7 17 Exc6 2xc6 (17...exc6 18 Dxd4+ HA7 19 De5+ and White wins) 18 Ace5+ #7 19 Dxcb dxc6 20 Bxd4+ ted6 (or 20...82b7 21 e6) 21 WES! White’s attack quickly breaks through. 2) 13...8c7! only enhances the strength of 14 Eel. If Black continues 14...Sc5 (14...h6 15 Shs Af4 16 293 is no improvement; after the seemingly plausible 16..hS 17 Dd6+ Sxd6 18 exd6 Wa8 White has 19 d7+! Wxd7 20 es, winning a piece), White has the immediate 15 Dd6+! Bxd6 16 AxdS BxeS (16..exd5 1714 exd6 Wxd6 18 Hel+ df8 19 Aixd4 is extremely unpleasant for Black, as his uncastled king has to face White’s fully mobilized army) 17 &xc6+ xc6 18 Hel £6 19 Axd4 0-01? (the king must run, as after 19...xd4? 20 Hxe6+ wd7 21 ‘Wed! White has a winning attack) 20 Axes (after 20 Exc6? Black has 20...1Wd7, regaining the piece) 20...2xh2+ 21 dhl followed by Axf8 and the extra exchange gives him good winning chances. We now return to 13...Wa7 (D): zee oer sean a Cae SADA £0 a “2 han Owes 14 Eel! An ambitious concept, typical for Kasparov. White continues to develop his forces, at the same time making it difficult for Black to do the same. I’s important to pay attention to the centre: 14 4)fd2?! allows 14...£6 with unclear consequences. The materialistic 14 @xd4 is less enticing than one move earlier, although after 14...n6 15 Dxc6!? (15 hd gives Black counterplay after 15...f4) 15...Rxc6 (15...Wxc6 16 Da5 and 15...hxg5 16 26a are both weaker) 16 &h4 White stil retains an edge. “4. ho? Although it seems insignificant enough, this move seriously weakens an already compromised position and renders it practically un- playable. The punishment will be even more severe than after 8..n6?! in Game 89. Here Black can hardly afford 14...£6? due to 15 exf6 gxf6 16 Zel!, when b6 is a serious threat and after 16...£xg5 17 xg5 the king on ¢8 is areal sitting duck. Although White's previous move was obviously directed against 14...£c51, this was still better than Piket’s choice. However, even here Kasparov convincingly shows White GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES gets an advantage with the paradoxical move 15 Bed2! (D) (here 15 Zfd2 0-0 16 Ded Ke7 is not so impressive for White any more, as Black's kingside has remained intact and exchanges will help the defence) and now: 7 | eel ams Vea 7 ea 5g kw 7 Oa FOU & WB BA 7 Bw 1) 15...,2€7 seems to be the safer option, but after 16 &xe7 Black faces a difficult choice. Arguably the best is 16..@dxe7 (16...Wxe7?! 17 Bxd5 exd5 18 2b3 0-0 19 Bel gives White a clear advantage for free, while 16...2\cxe7 17 Bed D3 {or 17...De3} 18 DdG+ Wd6 19 exd6 @xdl also doesn’t solve Black’s prob- ems in view of 20 Hc7! &ixf3 21 Bxe7+ 18 22 gxf3 Dxb2 23 Hel g6 24 Bec? hg? 25 Hxe6! and due to the offside b2-knight and White’s active pieces the d6-pawn is very dangerous) 17 Be4 0-0 18 eS We7, but here after 19 Bel! (protecting the e5-pawn and freeing the £3-knight) Black's e6-pawn is tactically vulnerable. Although 19....8c8 (after 19... Kad8 20 Dg5 Lc8 21 Wa3 Dy6 22 Wh3 h6 23 Dgreo! 3 24 xc Axh3 25 Be3!? White will at the very least have a healthy extra pawn) gives it extra protection, this ugly undeveloping move allows White to pile up his pressure and retain a distinct initiative with the quiet 20 .&c2!? followed by £4. 2) 15...S2b6 16 Ded 0-0 is definitely riskier, but possibly stronger. After 17 Wd2 £51? 18 exf6 Dxf6 White's attack is dangerous, but still not decisive. 15 &h4(D) 13 eS After 15...te7 16 &xe7 dexe7 White plays 17 Bd6! Axes 18 DfS+ exf5 19 AxeS and Black's king is trapped in the open centre.GAME 98: GARRY KASPAROV ~ JEROEN PIKET 16 Sfd2 Kasparov forcefully exploits the difference between 14...n6? and 14...c5!: now the other knight heads for e4. After 16 @cd2 S&e7 17 Sixe7 Ddxe7 the extra ..h6 makes note ‘I’ to Black's 14th move playable for Black. 16 0-0 A tactical justification of White’s previous move is the line 16...e3? 17 fxe3 dxe3 18 Bed! e2+ 19 Bxe5 exd1 Wi 20 Hexdl and Black can resign, as his queen is trapped. eT After 17...a7 White can continue to concentrate his forces against Black’s king with 18 Wed or 18 Sc2!? (the immediate 18 6+ is also interesting, but Black’s counterplay after 18..xf6!? 19 exf6 d3 shouldn't be underestimated). 18 3! (D) x 4 Oke wea 7 Bw as Contrary to the position mentioned in the note to Black's 14th move, here White can avoid the exchange of bishops. The powerful M5 text-move fortifies the e5-pawn and prepares a further increase of the pressure with Dcd6 followed by cS. All this in combination with the weakness of the bl-h7 diagonal causes Black great problems and Kasparov elegantly and smoothly converts his advantage into vie- tory. was Black has to forget about active counterplay, as 18...£57! 19 exf6 gxf6 (19...xf6 20 Db6) 20 Ded6 xd6 21 Axd6 Bas 22 Lc? gives White a direct and very strong attack. However, 18...ad8!? 19 cd6 S28 is possibly more resilient than the passive text-move, as now the a8-rook won't get another chance to join the fray. 19 Bed6(D) Bw. Y a a 19,86 allows the immediate tactical solution 20 S2xd5 exd5 21 6+! gxf6 22 Df5 feS 23 Wgt+ Sg5 24 Dxh6+ and White's attack crashes through. 20 Bed Regaining the pawn with 20 2xb7?! is now not enough to satisfy White. Black will soon have to pay a much higher price. 20 b3 After 20...£5 21 ext @xf6 22 Dxf6+ Exis 23 @xb7 Dxb7 24 Led White wins at least an exchange. 21 &b1(D) Just as one move earlier, Kasparov doesn’t Jet a meagre pawn distract him from his attacking intentions. 2 aw Woe 2 Was 26146 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES The only alternative defence, 22....2xd6 23 xd6 g6, leaves Black fatally weak on the dark squares after 24 Bfdl. 23 D5 White continues to operate with direct threats: now it’s d7 and -~ Lc8 After 23...2\b4 24 Wxd4 White again threatens @xe6 and the distinct difference in piece coordination will soon decide the issue. 24 hdl? Kasparov's move is even better than the simple 24 Wxd4. White prevents a possible ...2g5, targets Black's vulnerable kingside and prepares the final combination. 4 D6 (D) White nicely refutes this natural attempt to activate at least the offside knight, but even 24...h5 25 Wxd4 couldn't save the game. A sample line is 25...b7 26 ed! Zxd6 27 exd6 Bxd6 28 Axe6 Mxe6 29 Wxb6 Dxd6 30 Lxds with a technically won position for White. 25 ast Kasparov plays on both flanks; this small tactical stab prepares the decisive blow. 25 h5? is premature due to 25...2\xe5!, while the immediate 25 Dxf7?! Bxf7 26 Wxg6+ £8 27 Wrh6+ dhg8 28 Dxe6 Sxe6 29 Wes Acb4 is not too clear either. 25 Wxas Other queen moves also run into the same problem as in the game, while 25...@xa5 loses 0 yo Wagala: = Aan ie A. awe CA @ 6 ae mre to 26 hS Ab4 27 Wed Bxd6 28 exd6 &b7 29 ‘Wxd4, when Black’s undefended kingside will soon crumble. 26 = Dxf7! ‘Exf7 27 Wigs 18 28 Dxe6+ ixe6 (D) a, “nae 7k 29 Bxe6 This is the difference compared with the impetuous 25 Aixf7?! — now White’s rook joins in, with decisive effect. 20. a7 29..c7 only prolongs Black’s agony, as White wins easily enough after 30 Wxh6+ followed by Bxc7, 30 Wxh6+ 1-0 After the forced 30...4e8 White quickly mates with 31 e6 £xc6 32 exf7+.Game 99 Garry Kasparov - Vishy Anand Linares 1998 Caro-Kann Defence [B17] In 1998, Kasparov had quite a busy schedule, but it featured only one round-robin tourna- ‘ment with a normal time-control — the traditional Linares event. Although Anand and Shirov fought for overall victory and stole the show from him, in a recent interview he fondly recalled his single win. Kasparov instructively increased his positional pressure and finally Black Jost on time — a very rare occurrence in Anand’s career. 1 4 6 2 a4 as 3 Daz Contrary to Game 89, two years later Anand started playing the Caro-Kann more regularly and in Linares he had already used it successfully against Shirov in round 1. Therefore Kas- parov sets psychology aside and goes for the ‘main line, but this time he is the one to face an opening surprise... Se axed a 5 gs Deis 6 fas 6 7 O13 — 2a6 Kasparov had a painful first-hand experience with 7...n6! 8 Axe6 We7 9 0-0 fxe6 10 Rg6+ bd8 11 LF4 in Deep Blue-Kasparov, New York (6) 1997. This was enough for most players to avoid the extremely dangerous knight sacrifice. 8 Wer White’s main continuation. White threatens @xf7 and retains both castling options. The softer alternative 8 0-0 (see Game 43) has gradually disappeared from high-level practice. 8 _ h6 9 Det @xet 10 Wixe4 (D) 0 ‘Wer Currently this typical and flexible Caro- Kann move (see also the note to move 10 in Game 43) remains the favourite of top players. Black would like to play ...b6 and ....27 before [x7 ha edie \ ee bo Cem ie AT committing his king or opening the centre. Even i \d7 line, Kar- pov, who has tested all the plausible options, has played 10...W7 almost exclusively since 1998. He abandoned the natural 10...6, as after 11 We2 We7 12 Bd? b6 13 0-0-0 b7 14 De5 51? (the passive 14...0-0-0 is also somewhat worse for Black afier 15 £4) 15 265+ be7 16 dxc5! Wxc5 17 a3 We7 18 2£4 (or even 18 £412) White’s control of the important e5-square gives him at least a slight pull. After 10...c5 White can fight for an advantage with both 11 0-0 and 11 $d2, as here it’s more difficult for Black to fianchetto his queen’s bishop. Wed This direct attempt to exploit Black’s unhur- tied development is White’s most popular continuation. The non-committal 11 £d2 is in fact rather innocuous due to 11...b6 and here after 12 Wed Black can play 12...25! without fearing the Dd2-e4 manoeuvre. However, subsequent practice has shown 11 0-0 to be an equivalent and perhaps even more flexible alternative. With White’s queen still in the centre, Black should tread with care. His best seems to be 11...b6!? (LL... allows the dangerous 12 Hel!; Black has problems with development and closing the position with 12...c4! makes the c-pawn vulnerable after 13 &f1). After 12 We4 £f8 we are back in the main line, but without giving148 Black an extra option, which will be mentioned in the next note, Now 13 b3 or 13 Hel!? gives White some initiative, but Black’s position is surprisingly solid despite his uncastled king and he has more than one method to connect his rooks in the future, such as ...g6 and ...#g7, or even ...;%e7. To sum it up, the king can take care of itself, just like Steinitz said, and especially Karpov’s games provide ample proof of this We now return to the position after 11 Wed (D): x 4 ¢ awe 2h hee .. a as nt wun g ananan &BA #.. nw Bes Black is forced to make some concession ~ either weaken his position by moving the g- pawn or commit his king. Earlier Kasparov disposed of the altemative 11...g59! 12 Wh3 ‘g8 with the strong 13 d2!. After 13....287! (White is better even after the stronger 13...4 14 Who 2f4 15 Whs 26 16 We5) 14 Dea 2g7 15 0-0! Rxd4 16 Le3 Le5?! (the cheeky 16...8xb2!? was Black's last chance) 17 Hadl 26 18 Dxf6+r Lxf6 19 Lh7 Bhs 20 Wxho ‘White was practically winning in Kasparov- Kamsky, Linares 1994, As the natural 20...1We7? loses to the pretty tactical blow 21 £c5 Bxh7 22 Hd8+!! Wxd8 23 WE8+, Black will never manage to get his king away from e8. Anand’s novelty is interesting, but it never really caught ‘on. The reasons lie mainly in our game and are predominantly strategic, because now Black will sooner or later be forced to play the potentially risky ...0-0-0. As we have indicated above, the safest and most popular move is 11...<2f8. ‘Anand played it three rounds later against Top- alov and after 12 0-0 chose the active and fully GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES playable 12...c5!? (the more restrained 12...b6 {ransposes into the line from the previous note). ‘We now return to 11...21g8 (D) uae xawa 12 Bar? Confronted with a new move, Kasparov falls back to his own idea against Kamsky. One can understand his unwillingness to enter the com- Plications after 12 &xh6 @f6 13 We5; his decision is not only practical, but also seems to be objectively better. After 13...2£8 (13...gxh6 14 Wxf6 Hxg2 15 De5! favours White) 14 We (14 Wh4 gxh6 15 Wrxf6 Bxg? followed by «nig is now OK for Black) 14...246 15 He5!? Dd512 (15...LLxe5 16 dxeS DA7 17 Wes! WixeS+ 18 WreS Axe 19 £2h7 gives White a pleasant and permanent endgame edge) 16 Wg5 &f8 17 h7 £6 18 Dg6+ Lee7 White has a perpetual (19 Dh8+ S820 Dg6+), but attempts to achieve more may backfire; ¢.g., 19 Wed e5 20 Wh5? gxh6 21 AxeS++ df8 22 Sexg8 dexgs 23 We8+ LIB 24 Dg6 LES! 25 Wra8 Axg6 and suddenly Black has a raging attack, as White must first meet the threat of ...bS and leave his king in the centre. Rn. 13 (Wr A difficult decision. Kasparov could have prevented Black’s following move with 13 ‘We2!?, but this enhances the strength of the other central break 13...c5. Nevertheless, it seems that White could achieve a more lively jon than in the game and still aspire to an fedge with 14 dxeS nes 13 Ded Bo. 5! (D) ‘An accurate reaction, by which Anand frees his c8-bishop and keeps his queenside intact. ameGAME 99: GARRY KASPAROV — VISHY ANAND White's more active queen improves his prospects after 13...c5, when Kasparov recommends the enterprising 14 Zic4!? (even 14 dxc5 £xc5 15 Bed seems promising) 14..cxd4 15 242. It's not easy for Black to finish his development, and the security of his king is an even more enduring problem. Although matters are not so clear after 15...d5, Anand’s choice is definitely safer. ie ie sexe af a “g g7 14 dxe5 xes 15 Dect Re6 16 a2? Kasparov realizes he'll have to take some risks to create winning chances, and sacrifices a pawn. 16 AxeS WxeS+ forces White to simplify into an endgame with 17 We2, but this only suffices for equality after 17...Wxe2+ followed by 0-0-0. Black's forces are far too active for White's bishop-pair to count. 16 0-0-0 Black wants to avoid complications. Although the text-move is not so bad in itself, Anand presumably underestimated the accuracy which will be necessary to hold the balance in a symmetrical and seemingly innocuous position. Both ways of taking the offered pawn deserve attenti 1) After 16...2xb2 17 Dxb2 (following 17 B14 2c3+ 18 El We7 19 Dd6+ wF8 20 Ebl Rg4 21 DES Bxf5! 22 Axf5 Dd5 Black’s position holds and White is hard-pressed to show sufficient compensation) 17...We5+ 18 We2 or 18 We3!? followed by 0-0 White has an active bishop-pair and attacking chances on the b-file after Black castles queenside. Probably most players would avoid such a position against 9 Kasparov, although he admits it’s unclear, as Black's pieces are well placed to create counterplay in the centre. 2) Kasparov himself argues for the more clear-cut 16...Rxc4!? 17 Sxe4 Sxb2 18 We3+ (18 b17! is dubious, as Black can choose between 18...We5+ and 18....2e5!2, in both cases followed by .0-0-0; White's attacking chances are rather nebulous, as, contrary to line ‘1’, Black has retained the more important bishop) 18...1We5 (18...;2d8? is too dangerous due to 19 Ed1 and also 18...We7?! 19 Wxe7+ Sxe7 20 Ebl b5 21 Sb4+ de8 22 Bxb2 bxe4 23 La3 isn’t ideal, as Black will have to shed material to connect his rooks) 19 Wxe5+ xe5 20 0-0-0 0-0-0 21 &xf7 Hef8 22 Se6+ de7 23 Hhel 2d6. This position actually arose in Kriiger- Barr, corr. 2000; after 24 db2 Black should have played 24...@d5 with equality. 17 0-0-0(D) Eex 2m ‘aw wal 7 Black doesn’t want to concede the bishop- pair, but now his pieces get into an unpleasant tangle. 17...2.247 18 25+ is out of the question for Black, but he can consider 17...247, when the bishop sortie becomes a real threat. However, the direct 17...Sxe41? 18 Sxc4 Bd4 is possibly best. Black activates all his pieces and, just as in line 2" from the previous note, retains his dark-squared bishop. After 19 WES+ (19 &b3 Hgd8 was played in the game Y.Gonzalez-Massara, Cuba 1998; Black will exchange off one of White’s two bishops after 20 Se3 Sf4 and equalize) 19...€b8 20 Sxf7 Ef8 (20...gd8?! is weaker due to 21 e3!) 21 Re6 Exd2! 22 Bxd2 (22 dxd2! 26! 23 Wh3150 2xb2 is dangerous for White, as his king is permanently exposed) 22....f4 23 Bhd1 sixd2+ 24 Bxd2 Wxh2 25 g3 a6 he should be able to neutralize White's slight pull 18 Ehel?! Kasparov points out that the prophylactic 18 ‘Sb! was stronger, White retains the pressure, as now the bishop can’t leave the exposed e5- square. Probably the best reaction is 18....b8! 19 Bhel £d5 with an uncomfortable, but tenable, position for Black. 1 Hge8?! (D) ‘Anand returns the favour with an error of his own, which allows White to get back on the right track. After the accurate 18...2f6! with the intention ...2e5 Black holds his own in the fight for the key h2-b8 diagonal, since 19 £4 (19 We is well met by 19...g5 and 19 &aS b6 20 &d2 DcS! also gets nowhere for White) 19...5¢51 (19...xf4+ is weaker due to 20 Wf gS 21 Wxgs hxgs 22 Dd6+ dc7 23 RFS and White remains on top) 20 Sxg5 hxg5 21 h3 (21 We3 is partied by 21...b6) 21...2h8! only leads to equality. exxe v we eWa eb ala Z a G24 7G 0 a ANAS Bat YZ Sra 7 19 bit This side-step comes at the most opportune ‘moment, as Black can’t follow suit and must accept some concessions to parry the positional threat of We3. Dw 2s ‘Anand decides to lash out. After 19...S245 20 ‘We3 White threatens both Wrxa7 and f4, thereby forcing 20....2xc4 in a situation that is definitely worse for Black than on move 17. It’s not easy to recommend any definite improvement, but 19...£617 is less committal than the text-move. GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 20 hat Kasparov consistently continues his fight for the important £4-square and immediately targets the new weakness. 0 on ara? Even the strongest players can crack under pressure; the ensuing exchanges favour White. 20,..£286? fails to 21 a5 b6 22 Dd6+! — extra proof that Black's 18th move was misguided. Once Black can’t prevent the break-up of his kingside, he should have at least kept more pieces on the board to generate active counterplay. 20...gxh4!? is stronger, when after 21 ‘We3 Black still holds on due to the tactical defence 21.268! 2 Mxfa ext 22 &f5!(D) MAT 7 ak 237 he a, ue one ee “ANAM man Z Strategy and tactics intertwine closely in Kasparov’s games; this blow shatters Black’s hopes for active piece-play. 2 A a 22....8x5?! 23 Exe8 Exe8 24 Dd6+ kd8 25, @xf5 is hopeless for Black, but more or less the same goes for the passive text-move. Kasparov shows that 22...dd5!? was more resilient, but even here after 23 Exe8 Hxe8 24 Wd Ha8 25 b3! db8 26 Bxd7 Hxd7 27 Wg7!? Black's pawns are indefensible in the long run; for example, 27...x04 28 Wh8+ We8 29 WeS+! Hc7 30 bxe4 with excellent winning chances for White 23° Whs eps 24 Sxe6 Dxeé 25 ad! White converts his advantage with clinical precision. The text-move secures the c4-knightGAME 99: GARRY KASPAROV — VISHY ANAND on its dominant outpost and gives White’s king some useful lufé to avoid any back-rank surprises. The impatient 25 Wxh6?! would be a relief for Black, as after 25..b5 26 @)d2 Hg8 he finally gets some counterplay. 25 aw We eT 26 Wes+ = We7 27 Whs ‘We? (D) 7 Ce ie Y a ig ‘w eoeug 7 28 bs! Black's pawns won't run away, so Kasparov first takes the sting out of the possible ...1Wb4. 28 Wie 29 Des He7 29...€e5 is no improvement, since after 30 ‘Bxd8+ Hxd8 31 gd We3 White simplifies into a technically won endgame with 32 WeS+. 29..Bxd1+ 30 Exdl eS 31 gs Wg6 32 WxcS Wxg4 33 Wd6+ dec8 34 Hdd is also hopeless for Black. 30 gs Bxdi+ Forced, as after 30...Wg6? 31 WeS+ Be7 32 Hxd8+ Dxd8 33 Afb de 34 Was Black has no good defence against Wxd8+. 31 Exdi —Wg7(D) After 31...Wg6 32 WeS+ dc8 33 Af6 Black is in zugewang (33...Wxg2? loses on the spot to 34 Wa6 Hc7 35 De8 and 33...b6 fails to 34 Wa6 Wxi6 35 Wxc6+ &b8 36 Bd8+!) and White just has to wait for the right moment: the only seemingly sensible piece move 33...¥/g7 runs into 34 Bd8+! Dxd8 (34...dexd8 35 Wb8#) 35 Wre7 De6 36 “eB, winning Black’s queen. 32 £3! 32 @xh6? would only land White in a nasty pin after 32...h8, Just as on move 25 and 28, fn # cas 151 Kasparov first of all anchors his knight, this time on g4. The time when White will cash in is inexorably approaching... 32 ow 33 Wits, 33 Wxh6?! Bxh6 34 Dxh6 Bhs only prolongs the game. 33 ‘ba8 (D) Now 33...h5 doesn’t help due to 34 Wixhs Bh8 35 WaS! and the h-pawn is taboo. eo ET vba fk vse oN sy KG ws ay X NN ‘s Li i Wu WORD Si eA a OB A AO 34S! Kasparov wants more than the rook endgame after 34 Bd7 Df8 35 He7 Hd8 36 Wes ‘Wxe5 37 Dxe5 Dg6 and relentlessly tightens the screws. 4 a8 35 Ba 10 Black lost on time, but he had no effective defence against Wxe6. After 35...Wg5 36 Wxg5 hxg5 37 h6 White’s passed pawn will net him at least a piece.Game 100 Alex Yermolinsky — Garry Kasparov Wijk aan Zee 1999 Griinfeld Defence, Exchange Variation [D85] 1 5 2 of are 3 Bc3 as 4 exds Dxas 5 a4 Axe3 6 bxe3 26(D) = 4 awelce AZ After Kasparov gave up the King’s Indian in 1997 (see the note to move 9 in Game 5), his rep- certoire against closed openings became more diversified. The Griinfeld, which he had started playing back in 1986 (see Game 38), once again became prominent in his practice until 2001. 7 ef ‘Yermolinsky transposes back into the Ex- change Variation. The English Opening move- order from our game also gives White the more restrained option 7 ¢3 g7 8 £d3. Postponing the central expansion for a more suitable mo- ‘ment is not as harmless as it seems. This line appeared in Karpov-Kasparov, Seville Weh (23) 1987, a game which very nearly cost Kasparov his world title. ia g7 8 fed White chooses an older line. In 1999, 8 Eb1 was the height of fashion, 8 ‘Was 9 Haz’) 9 des This double-edged sortie is a clear sign of Kasparov's ambitions. Black increases his pressure against White’s centre with the extra intention of breaking up White’s kingside pawns. However, although the text-move is fairly typical for the Griinfeld, here it also has a major drawback — Black’s queenside now becomes vulnerable. The most reliable continuation is 9...e6; for more details see Game 11, in which Kasparov was White. Suffice it to say that the notes quote the game Kramnik-Kasparov from Astana 2001, which was to be the last classical tournament in which Kasparov essayed the Griinfeld. If even the playable main lines of a sharp opening are not to one’s liking, it’s usually time to look elsewhere, and Kasparov was always very flexible in this respect. 10 Het 10 £e2? is too slow and after 10...Dc6 White’s centre crumbles. 10 e5 &xe5!? 11 dxe5 Ac6 followed by ...2d8 is also good for Black. This means White has to get his rook away from the long diagonal. The text-move protects the c3-pawn and prepares d5, but it’s rather passive and doesn’t cause Black problems. ‘The direct 10 Hb1! is stronger, as White creates threats of his own on the b-file. Only this continuation can cast doubt on Black's previ- ‘ous move. Now:GAME 100: ALEX YERMOLINSKY — GARRY KASPAROV 1) Resolving the tension with 10...cxd4?! 11 cxd4 Wxd2+ 12 dxd2 is too obliging and gives White a clear advantage. 2) 10..b67! 11 &b5+ more or less forces Black to lose a tempo and return with his bishop, as 11...2d7 is dangerously met by 12 4g5! h6 13.63. 3) After 10...a6 White simply plays the obvious 11 Bxb7! (D). EA ane 4 The magic of the mobile pawn-centre in the Exchange Variation is so strong that this move remained unnoticed for approximately a decade. The first one to break the spell was Kram- nik, who realized that Black must exchange his bishop and open the position to win the d4- pawn. After 11....2xf3 12 gxf3 06 13 $04 0-0 14 0-0 cxd4 15 cxd4 Saxd4 16 d5, as in Kram- nik-Kasparov, London BGN Wch (2) 2000, White intends to profit from his active bishop- pair without running any risk. Although later analysis showed that 16...1Wxd2. (Kasparov's 16...¢37! didn’t give him equality after 17 Wel! Add 18 &xd4 Bxd4 19 Bxe7 Ha7 20 Exa7 Qxa7 21 £4) 17 Rxd2 Bfc8 gives Black reasonable chances to neutralize White’s pull with patient defence, after this game 9...g4 gradually fell into oblivion and attention fo- cused almost exclusively on 9...c6. 10 Sxf3 After 10...0-0 White can avoid this exchange with 11 @g5!2, as without the rook on h8 11...h6?! runs into 12 h3! and Black has prob- ems. The text-move is the most consistent option, but Black can also play 10...¢6 11 d5 d8!?. Now the plausible 12 Wb2 (12 e2 0-0 13 0-0 e6 is unclear; after the exchange on d5 153 Black's knight can head for f5 via e7) 12...80xf3 13 gxf3 Dd4 14 Sxd4 cxd4 15 Wo5+ Wxb5 16 RxbS+ SFB 17 exd4 only leads to a drawn endgame after 17...Axd4 18 Bc7 Be5! 19 Exb7 bs. U1 exf3 6 (D) 11...2c6 12 d5 transposes to the previous note after 12....28d8. Kasparov still doesn’t commit either his knight or his king, and makes a useful move instead. 12 as? This is a serious positional error for more than one reason. White’s pawn-structure loses its flexibility and the weakness of the doubled £ pawns becomes more pronounced. As the follow-up c4 is inevitable, the scope of the f1- bishop is very limited, while the g7-bishop rules the roost, White should try to force Black to release the central tension instead of doing so himself. Despite the lost tempo, 12 Ebl!? is still the right move. After 12...cxd4 13 cxd4 Wxd2+ 14 dexd2 0-0 (14...De6 15 25 is somewhat uncomfortable for Black) 15 Exb7 (15 e5 Has 16 £4 Qc6 17 a3 was played in Vagan- ian-H6lzl, Baden 1980, when both 17...b6 and the active 17...g51? give Black approximate equality) 15,..2c6 Black will regain the d-pawn, as 16 d5 exd5 17 exd5 Bfd8 18 BbS Hd4 leads nowhere for White. The resulting endgame resembles the one from the note to White’s 10th move, but there are notable differences in Black’s favour — his forces are better coordinated and also White’s king on d2 gets in the way. All in all Black has nothing to fear. Rw exd5 13 exdS a7154 14 of Ws! (D) Kasparov’s positional play at its best is just as impressive as his opening preparation and combinative attacks. An important component of chess understanding is knowing which pieces belong on the board and which should be exchanged. The negative factors enumerated in the previous note would become mostly irrele- vant after a queen swap, as 14...Wxd2+2! 15 bxd2 frees White from any future worries about the safety of his king and allows him to develop his queenside play. Raea"ags an a ae A Gio @ mean 15 &h3 If Black gets enough time to coordinate his forces, White's king on the open e-file will become a welcome target. Therefore Yermolinsky ‘wants to castle as soon as possible, but the prospects of his light-squared bishop will be even bleaker after Black's natural reaction. How- ever, it’s difficult to suggest a substantial improvement for White, as even after the modest 15 Be2 Wa6 16 sefl (16 Hb1!?) 16... 17 seg? 0-0 18 24 (18 £4 2f6 and the knight heads for cA or g4) 18...Re5 19 Sxe5 Dxe5 2014 Dc61, in Mirovshchikov-Votava, Pardubice 2000 Black achieved a similar position to that in our featured game; his knight comes to d4 and is clearly the superior minor piece. Bw £5 16 00 Was Black again avoids committing his king and plays a useful move first. Two moves later we'll see the reason. 17 ffs White will sooner or later have to decide how to prevent ...f4, Now he will be left with GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES the poor h3-bishop, but 17 £4 also isn’t ideal, as the exposed pawn becomes more vulnerable. Black can prepare ...£h6 and ...2f6-hS, and if White prevents this with 292-13, the knight will land on e4. However, instead of the rather cooperative text-move Yermolinsky could have tried the more active 17 Eb1!2. Now 17...0-0-0 before the exchange of the bishops is less effective, while 17...b6 is a move Kasparov has avoided throughout the game, as it gives White chances for counterplay with a4-a5. 7 hes 18 Bel 0-0-0! (D) a mates: mm im mms sow aa Queenside castling in the Griinfeld is rare, but here it’s fully justified. Black’s king is safe on c8 and, from move 26 onwards it will be ideally placed to play an active role. 19 BxeS Axes 20 Wes, Shes a Bed Wie Another interesting and instructive moment. ‘After the exchange of the dark-squared bishops Black has nothing against an endgame, as a ‘queen swap is the most effective way to relieve White’s pressure on the e-file. 2 4 This is forced, as White can’t profit from the pin~22 Heel ? loses on the spot to 22... \xf3+. 2 wu a7 23 age 23 WaS!? is perhaps less obliging, although after 23...2xe3 24 fxe3 Wb2 Black still has a distinct advantage. 23 Wre3 24 Bexc3 AG 25 ars.GAME 100: ALEX YERMOLINSKY ~ GARRY KASPAROV White prevents both ..g4 and ...2hS. After 25 a3 Black, apart from the simple 25...b8, can also play 25...2)g4!? 26 Hxe8 Exe8 27 h3 (27 Bas Bel+ 28 &f1 Axh2 29 Sxh2 Exfl 30 Exc5+ ded7 31 deg? Hdl! and again the rook endgame is very difficult for White due to his split pawns) 27...Bel+ 28 {1 Dh2 29 éxh2 Exfl 30 @g3 Hel with excellent winning chances. If White doesn’t passively defend the c4-pawn, then Black’s king is well placed (see move 18!) to support its own passed pawns. 2 aw Exe3 (D) es » al a 8 a.m ay “OC. 8 @ 2 ‘i a4 7 ® 26 Hixe3 is no better due to 26...2e8. With the more natural text-move, White improves his pawn-structure and finally gets rid of his kingside weaknesses. However, as now the fight shifis to the queenside, the a2- and c4-pawns turn out to be no less vulnerable. In addition, Black's knight is more mobile than the passive £3-bishop and his king can join the fray faster than its white counterpart 6 on a6 The note to move 17 mentioned that Black would prefer to do without ..b6 and Kasparov shows an extra reason for this — his rook can attack White's weak pawns via its third rank. 27 Bas kbs 28 Bb3 After 28 Ba5 Od7 Black's intention is ..b6- 4 and 29 e4? loses a pawn to 29...fxe4 30 xed Bio. Bon a6 29 3 De82! This is rather surprisingly a debatable decision. With the natural text-move Black’s knight wv “he \ we ieee oo a aan a 155 heads for the ideal blockading square, but now White gets some counterplay. It seems that 29...adt! is stronger. Now: 1) Lashing out with 30 d6 b6 31 Bc3 (after 31 Be3 dec8 32.d7+ ded8 33 Bd6 Ded 34 Lxed fxe4 White's activity is over and he will lose the rook endgame) 31...#c8 32 $c6 runs into 32... Hed! and Black will quickly encircle the detached d-pawn. 2) After 30 Hc3 dee7 (both 30..De8 with the idea 31 e4 fxe4 32 xed bS and the immediate 30...2e4!? are worthy alternatives) 31 S812 (31 £d1?! allows 31...2e4 and the rook swap favours Black, while 31 d6+ &c8 is similar to line *1” above) 31...82d6 32 Se2 Ded 33 &xe4 fxe4 followed by ...b5 Black nets a pawn and is close to winning. 30 eat (D) Cy S \s \ 7 pw ei N Ww’ “pe NN No> \b> sy fa ww Ae bd ‘ wv Yermolinsky uses his chance to exchange a ‘weak pawn and increase the scope of his bishop. 30 an fixed 31 Bxet = D6 32 Ra3 Bad 33° Ee3 be7 The immediate 33...b5!? 34 cxb5 c4 creates dangerous passed pawn; after 35 S2f1 (here 35 c2? AxbS 36 Axad Axc3 is lost for White, while 35 Se? tc7 36 Hh3 QxbS 37 Hxh7+ Hd6 38 Hg7 Hxd5 39 Hxg6 Axa3!? also gives Black good chances for success) 35...¢c7 36 Hh3 h5!? 37 Bg3 6 38 Lxg6 cs it gets full support and White’s extra pawns are not worth much. However, it’s understandable Kasparov would prefer to convert his advantage without such potentially dangerous complications 34 bf156 A logical move: White activates his king. 34 Se? bS or 34 FI b5 allows Black to transpose into the previous note, while afier 35 exbS he ‘even has the extra option 35...<87b6!?. Mw bs! Black’s whole previous play has been geared towards this break and as he can’t improve his position any more, he must act. Further manoeuvring would allow White to transfer his king to b3 and free his rook. 35 exbS tho 36 he3 c4(D) 0 ” 4 oes a ine 8 37 cam Black wins easily after 37 2f1? cS followed by ...)xbS, but the text-move isn’t ideal either. Stronger is 37 &d2! with the idea &c2 and Bh3. I’ far from clear if Black can win after 37..cxd3 (37...Ba5 38 Sc? Exbs 39 Hh3 Exd5+ 40 Gel is drawish, and White should also be able to hold the game after 37...2xbS 38 Excd Excd 39 Sxc4 Axa3 40 £3 followed by £5) 38 Ho6+ dexb5 39 Exd6 she 40 Ed7 Exa3 41 de3!? Ha? 42 Bc7+ dexd5 43 Hxh7. 37m Dxbs 38 fxad Axed 39 e821 White was possibly in time-pressure and after this final mistake he loses listlessly. More resilient was 39 Sic? dc5 (39...2xd5+ 40 dd and White’s king is too active) 40 46 and now: 1) After 40...exd6 41 £5 (41 &2d4? loses to Hdd Dxf6 44 dexc4 and Black must reckon with White’s counterplay against his a-pawn) 43.£7 Be7 44 ad dexf7 45 dds De2+ 46 Sexe4 8447 sea it’s not clear if Black can convert his GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES extra pawn into victory. The position is too simplified and with the board wide open White’s bishop is now the stronger minor piece, as it can defend both flanks simultaneously. 2) 40..Ad5+! 41 ded hxd6 42 hdd 03!7 (after 42...A\xf4 43 Sxo4 it’s more difficult for Black to advance his kingside pawns) 43 £5 g5 44 £6 Dxf6 45 Lxc3 we is a better version of line ‘1° for Black, as his king is more active and he has very good winning chances. 39 an eS 40 6 Das+ 41 det 6+ (D) [Ws az (Ae) e 7 GT. gy ‘The difference between the two bishop moves becomes clear: now Black wins a crucial tempo and retains his strong passed pawn. 42 be3 White's king must retreat, as 42 de5 loses to 42. Bxe8 43 47 Dd6! a bxd6 43 2t7 sbe5 440d ‘The threat was ...A\g4+ and 44 h3 loses a pawn after 44...\d5+ 45 ded c3. 46 d3 Aixfa+. “4. Dee 45 &d2 ‘The active 45 de4 also loses after 45...h6 46 06 DES! 47 Si g8 (47 hS Dg3+) 47...h5 48 2e6 Axh4 49 RF7 Ag? 502x603 51 wes h4 and Black queens one of his pawns. 4 baa 46 hs gxhS 47 SxhS ON6 O-1 White has no counterplay and Black can freely advance his h-pawn.Game 101 Garry Kasparov — Veselin Topalov Wijk aan Zee 1999 Pirc Defence [B07] This game features Kasparov's arguably most brilliant combination and its value is further enhanced by the strength of his opponent. 1 ef a6 Kasparov's practice features the Pirc only very rarely, as it gives White a free hand in the centre and an ample choice of aggressive and dangerous systems to choose from. However, in all faimess to Topalov, the outcome of our game was not influenced by the opening, 2 a4 26 3 D3 Faced with an opening surprise, Kasparov plays the main move. In 1999 Topalov was still quite an avid King’s Indian fan, so he would presumably have welcomed an invitation to the ‘Samisch Variation with 3 £3!? (see Game 64). Be3 (0) a7 je i 1 wy be € = ela S So Fe 4 ow ‘This natural move has one obvious drawback. In general, Black will try to postpone cas- ling to hide his king on the same flank as White, thereby reducing his attacking chances. This means that after a quick Wd2 and £&h6 Black prefers to take on h6, but after the text- move this will cost him a tempo on move 8. However, development is also an important factor and the seemingly less committal 4...c6 also has its downsides. White can prepare his central expansion with the flexible 5 h3! (this move is also a useful prophylactic measure; after 5 Wa2 Dbd7 6 Al3 We7 7 Ld3 e5 8 0-0 Black can continue 8...g4!? 9 S047! £g7 10 dxes Danes 11 DxeS LxeS 12 Li4 d5 13 Lxes ‘Wee 14 £4 WhS 15 h3 dxe4 16 hxg4 WeS+ 17 Hid Axgd 18 {5 Wes 19 Hel Ha8 20 Das, when in Kasparov-Azmaiparashvili, Panormo blitz (1) 2003, the circumspect 20...£6!? would have given Black an advantage). Following 5...bd7 (after 5...2g7! the energetic 6 £4! 0-0 7 2f3 is even more effective; White transposes into a version of the Austrian Attack that is dubious for Black due to the passive ...06) 6 £4 b5 7 a3 Black must still tread very cau- tiously. Possibly the safest is 7...a6 (7..e52! 8 23 isn’t ideal for Black, as opening the centre with the king still on e8 can be dangerous; after 7.6 Black must seriously reckon with 8 45!2), but after 8 e5 White's space advantage gives him an edge. 5 Wa2 6 6 B Kasparov opts for a quiet approach. Jansa prefers the sharper 6 S2h6!? Sxh6 7 Wxh6, ‘when White can still develop his knight actively to £3, possibly after playing £4 first. Black’s best bet is radically to change the character of the game by investing a full tempo with his ¢- pawn: afier 7..WaS 8 £d3 c5! 9 Age? cxd4 10 Axd4 Dc6 11 Db3 WHé6 the resulting position strongly resembles a Dragon Sicilian, Here the Czech GM recommends the pawn sacrifice 12 0-0 &e6 13 a4!? with unclear play; the idea is to trap Black's king in the centre. 6 ww 5 (D) 7 Dger Both sides avoid committing their king prematurely; here practice has shown that 7 0-0-0 ‘Wa 8 Sb1 Dbd7 promises Black reasonable counterplay. Kasparov spurns 7 £43, as he was possibly envisaging a brighter future for his light-squared bishop on the h3-c8 diagonal.158 ‘This might also be the reason behind his rejec- tion of White’s most popular and aggressive move, 7 g4. However, the text-move appears slightly artificial and White can hardly count ‘on an advantage without the advance of the g- pawn. an Dbd7 8 ho Rxh6 9 Wxh6 = -&b7(D) A solid and flexible developing move. Black prepares queenside castling and keeps open vari- ‘ous options for the future deployment of his queen and central pawns. Ambitious attempts to initiate sharp queenside counterplay are very double-edged. Black could succeed if White “castled into it’ with a premature 0-0-0, or re- treated his queen to the defence, thus allowing a timely ...0-0. However, if White manages to continue his development without such concessions, the weakening of the queenside may backfire and Black can end up without a hiding place for his king. This rather abstract reasoning is best illustrated by an example: after 9...Wa5?! 10 Det WH6 11 Zb3 a5 12 a4 b4 13 Dd1 La6 14. De3 Sxfl 15 Bxfl Was 16 £2! followed by Sg1 White will soon be ready to pounce on Black’s king, trapped in the centre, Moroz- Janda, Degin 1998. 10 a3!? ‘A new move with a sensible wait-and-see attitude. The immediate 10 0-0-0! runs into 10...a5 11 a3 b4 and Black can quickly whip upa vicious attack, so Kasparov first of all prevents ...b4. Previously White had tried 10 cl, but this manoeuvre is not as effective as in the previous note. Black can for the time being avoid any central or queenside commitments GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES x & Mo a Wa and the patient 10...Wc7!? 11 b3 a6 gives him a solid position. 0. 5s 10...052! 11 Qdl isn’t ideal; we have already ‘mentioned the drawbacks of premature queenside expansion. Challenging White’s centre is natural enough, but Topalov could have also played the waiting game with the more flexible 10...c7!2. Now it’s up to White to show his cards and after 11 0-0-0 the changed situation makes 11...05 more effective and gives Black attacking chances. 1 0.00 Castling is appropriate now that if Black tries to unleash a queenside pawn-storm, White can respond effectively by opening the centre. uw We? 2 ot 26 This solidifying move is necessary both to take the sting out of d5 and to prepare Black's operation on moves 14-15. A line given by Kasparov illustrates well the note to 11 0-0-0 ~ after 12...a57! 13 Del b4 14 dxeS! dxeS 15 Dad bxa3 16 b3 Black has only weakened his position. 13 Bet 13 g3!? followed by &h3 deserves attention. Black can’t continue as in the game, as White's knight would get to b3 via d4, gaining two tempi. Bw 14 &b3(D) The opening is more or less over and White has a slight edge. He has more space and, left to his own devices, can coordinate his forces and gradually increase his positional pressure with moves like g3, S2h3, We3, a5, etc. Therefore 0-0-0GAME 101: GARRY KASPAROV — VESELIN TOPALOV Topalov abruptly changes the character of the position, Mw exdd! Opening the centre is risky but justified; Topalov intends to compensate for the draught around his king with active piece-play. The lame 14.052! 15 d5 would only enhance White’s space advantage and greatly reduce Black's chances for active counterplay. 1S Exdd oS 16 Bai A possible reason for taking on d4 with the rook might be 16 Bd2!?. This isin fact an interesting alternative. White’s intended follow-up is $e2 and Ehdi, and after 16..2b6 he can prevent ...d5 with 17 We3. However, we have already indicated that Kasparov’s bishop aims for h3 and the rook on d2-doesn’tfitin with this plan, as it would be exposed to a ...e4 sortie. 16 ww Dbe Black consistently prepares to blow open the centre with ...d5. 16,..2e5 has the same idea but the knight gets in the way. White retains an edge with 17 We3 (or even 17 Se? with the idea 17.457! 18 f4 followed by 19 e5). 17 g3(D) If White wants to fight for an advantage, his whole army must join the fray. After 17 @aS 45! (17,,,.£.87! is too slow in view of 18 a4) 18 Dxb7 &xb7 19 Dxds Dbxd5 20 exds Dxd5 21 £3 £5 Black equalizes; e.g., 22.04 De3 23 Bett xed 24 Wre3 bred 25 fred Wes with simplification and sufficient counterplay.. 7 bbs Black safeguards his king first. This sounds like a misunderstanding in face of what happens later in the game, but right now his decision is 159 ee oe en S en ‘Re Ge7k727e correct. Instead, the immediate 17...452! is very risky owing to 18 Wa! d4 19 &h3+ yfa7 (19...€bd7 20 445! can lead to the same position) 20 Ad5! Sxd5 (20...Dxd5 21 exd5 Sxds 22 Ehel causes trouble after 22...W8 23 Wf6! 0 2....¢6 23 Wed) 21 exd5 and here, contrary to the previous note, Black’s king is very vulnerable without its fianchettoed bishop. After 21...f5 (21...Axd5 22 Wed! Wxe4 23 fred De3 24 Bxe5 Axd1 25 Hxd1 £5 26 eb Hde8 27 exf5 and although material is about equal, White's active pieces give him good winning chances) 22 Khel WES 23 He6 @xd5 24 Wa2 it’s difficult to see how Black can parry both the direct (Exa6, aS) and the more positional (€4 followed by 2g?) threats. 18 Das Kasparov is envisaging rich combinative possibilities resulting from his pieces hovering around Black’s king. Although in the game he will realize them in a particularly brilliant way, we shall see that Topalov could have justified his risky play by declining the first sacrifice. As from the text-move onwards there is practically no way back and the game moves inexorably towards the tactical explosion six moves later, this is White’s last chance to search for more effective alternatives. 18 £h3 d5 gets White nowhere, as 19 Wt4+ da7 20 @xc5? costs him a piece afier 20...2h5 21 We3 d4!. White’s queen has already accomplished its task on h6 by preventing ...0-0, and now it’s needed elsewhere. 18 Wf is not ideal, as it allows 18...)h5 followed by ...f5 with sufficient counterplay, but 18 We3!? is more interesting. We have already ‘mentioned this idea in the note to White's 16th move; now ...d5 is prevented and White can160 pethaps claim a slight edge, especially if he ‘manages to play h4 and Zh2-d2 quickly. a8 (D) aS ‘i Bw a woMnmamz 19 23 as 20 Wie aT 21 hel a4 Opening the centre is very dangerous; after 21...dxe4?! 22 fxed White threatens d5 and even 22...h5 (best; 22...xd1+ 23 Exdl b4? 24 Hd7+! with mate was actually the finish of Golubovié-Reizniece, Cappelle la Grande 1999, played less than a month later; another way for Black to lose immediately is 22...xe4? 23 Dxed Hxdl+ 24 Exdl Sxe4 25 Hel Hek 26 Exe! Wxe4 27 Wic7+ Sa8 28 c6) allows him to retain strong pressure with 23 Wf2. 2 Bas Only this sortie is consistent with White's previous play. Passive knight moves allow the consolidating 22...8he8 and Black is doing fine, GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES The critical position. White must act vigor- ‘ously, as otherwise his knight might simply end up stranded on the rim. 24 Bxdd! This beautiful blow is, for objectivity’s sake, practically forced. Beliavsky and Mikhalchi- shin recommend the tame 24 2c6+?! instead, ‘even going as far as calling Kasparov's combination “much ado about nothing”. However, after 24...Rxc6 25 Wxd6 (25 dxc6?! Wxfd 26 He7+ $6 27 gxfs Das 28 Exf7 Naf gives Black a clear advantage) 25...Bxd6 26 dxc6 bb6 (26... Dd5 27 2d7 b6 28 c3! is roughly equal) 27 He7 dxc6 28 Bdel d5 29 Ext7 Black keeps White's rook out with 29..2e3 and the comparison of the minor pieces is clearly in favour of Black’s huge knight. While Kasparov foresaw the text-move long ago, he freely admits that at this moment he still didn’t see a forced win if Black takes the rook. The whole game continuation up to 37 Hd7! flashed through his mind only during Topalov's 15- minute think. At the same time he realized Black was not forced to accept the sacrifice. Ww exd4? Topalov calculated as far as move 30 and believed White had to allow a perpetual. Al- though his intuition let him down and the danger for Black’s king will be fatal, we can only be glad that Kasparov's fantastic combination didn’t have to remain behind the scenes. White has no immediate threats, so taking the rook is by no means forced. The main alternatives are: 1) 24,,.xd52! also isn’t ideal due to 25 Exd5! Dxd5 (25...Wxf4 loses quickly to 26 Bxd8) 26 Wxi7+ Dic7 27 He6 Hd7! (after 27..Wa1+7! 28 a2 Bd7 29 He7 Was+ 30 Waxd5 Bxd5 31 Bxc7+ #6 32 He6+ xa 33 Ac8 White regains the exchange and should win the rook endgame) 28 Bxd6 Exf7 29 2o6+ ‘Ba8 30 f4 and despite the queen swap White’s initiative is well worth the minimal material in- vestment. 2) 24...deb6! (D) is clearly the best move, when fora change White faces a difficult choice: 2a) Kasparov prefers the sedate 25 ©b3, but after another strong move, 25...S¢xd5! (the rook is still taboo; 25...cxd4? loses nicely to 26 Wxdd+ Sc7 27 Wa7+ Rb7 28 DcS Hbs 29 He7+1 Wxe7 30 @xa6-+) 26 Wxd6+ (26 Bxd5?! doesn’t work due to 26...xd5 27 Wxf7 De7)GAME 101: GARRY KASPAROV — VESELIN TOPALOV fateh on mm 26,..xd6 27 Bd? Hhd8 28 Hedl a5 Black has a pleasant endgame and can play for a win without too much risk. 2b) The alternative is 25 b4!? Wxf4 26 Exf4 Dxd5 27 Bxt7 exbé 28 axb4 Zixb4 293. Al- though it’s evident that Black is out of danger after 29...11d6!?, the position remains volatile and White’s forces are more active than in line ‘2a’. 25 Be7+!1(D) The real point of the combination. The mundane 25 Wxd4+? loses to 25...Wb6! 26 He7+ ear 7k 7 7 oe ay Ow Ba AT) YW 7 c> ee v N \ CS 2 ow be After 25...Wxe7? 26 Wxd4+ deb8 27 Wb6+ White mates directly. 25...22b8 also loses by force to 26 Wxd4 d7 27 Rxd7! Kxd5 28 c4! (28 Dc6+? Wxc6 29 Bxc6 La2+ is less incisive). Now @c6+ is a threat and 28...Wxe7 29 ‘W6+ da8 30 Wxa6+! db8 31 W6+ ga8 32 Sc6+ Sxc6 33 Axc6 Ha7 34 Dxe7 Hxe7 35 ‘WxbS leads to a hopeless endgame for Black. 260 (Wixd4+ = xaS 161 This greedy continuation is more resilient than 26...We5?! 27 Wrf6+ Wd6, when Kaspa- tov intended to play the mighty 28 Se6!! &.xd5 (28...2xa5 29 b4+ ad 30 We3 Axd5 31 deb2 mates) 29 b4!, White threatens both Wd4+ and Sxd5, and after 29...$a8 30 Wxt7 Wdl+ 31 Bb2 Wri3 32 WES! Bas 33 Ha7 his attack breaks through. 27 bat sbad (D) Aw OA aa om Ma 28 Wiest? White’s combination is not just pure straightforward calculation and Kasparov's intuition also played a great role. He never claimed that he saw every nuance in advance and admitted freely that during the game he concentrated on the continuation which eventually appeared on the board. A mathematically exact win after the alternatives mentioned in the note to move 30 was worked out only in the subsequent post- mortem after a few initial failures. An even more convincing proof of the correctness of Kasparov's flight of fantasy was supplied by Kavalek, who came up with the stronger 28 ‘Ha7!. This substantially reduces Black’s resources. Just as in the game, the most resilient defensive try is to win a tempo with 28....867 (after 28,..Axd5 29 Bxa6+!! Wxa6 30 Wb? 23+ 31 Wc3 dS 32 $62 Black has no defence against Wb3+!, and similar is 28...c8 29 Wa3 Lxd5 30 Bxa6+! Wxa6 31 &b2 with mate; White wins more prosaically after 28...2xd5 29 We3 Bhe8 30 2 He2 31 Wc7!, overload- ing Black’s defences) 29 Exb7 (D), and now: 1) 29...\xd5 30 £7! Bxd7 (the threat was RxbS+, and 30...2a8 31 &xb5+ axb5 32 Ea7+ WaG 33 Wxd5! doesn’t help Black) 31 Wb2162 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES wen Dc3+ 32 Wre3 Wdl+ 33 da? Ba3 34 a7! and White mates. 2) 29..he8 30 2f1! again threatens £xb5+ and deflects Black’s rook from the e-file. After 30...Hel+ 31 deb2 Eixfl White creates the well- known mating-net with 32 Wc3 Hbl+ 33 dexbl Wxd5 34 Ba7 Bd6 35 db2. 3) After 29...Wxd5 White avoids the game continuation (30 Wc3) and creates a new mating pattern with 30 Hb6! a5 31 Ha6 Ha8 32 ‘We3!!. The main threat is again &b2 and after 32...hxa6 33 $22 axb4 34 axbd the only way to postpone mate, 34... Wa2+ (34...dexb4 35 Wc3+ ‘Gad 36 Wa3H), loses by force to 35 dexa2 Exb4t 36 seb? Hob (36...804 37 WeS!) 37 RAI! Ba8 38 We7+ has 39 Wo7. a - Baw Wras 28...$xd5? 29 deb2 mates. 29° Ba? Now 29 2? Wd4 is out of the question for White. 29 Ab7 Black must deflect the rook from the a-file for at least one move. 30 Exb7!(D) ‘We mentioned this moment above. Topalov considered 30 Wc7? forced and after 30... Wd1+ Black gives a perpetual. However, Black’s king is in such a desperate situation that White can continue his attack even a rook down, 30m ‘Wes ‘This natural attempt to free the king plays into Kasparov’s hands. 30...46? loses on the spot to 31 Hb6! Hxb6 32 &b2, but Black had two more testing alternatives: 1) 30...20e4 31 fxed Wed is interesting, but Kasparov shows that White wins by force after be a ot re = hail a7 7 ae Go 7 Oo w ARS TART We 1 7 32 a7! (the main idea behind the sacrifice is that if White continues 32 Wi6 dxa3 33 Wxa6+ ‘&xb4 as in the game, he is now forced to play 34 BAT; 3403+? doxc3 35 Wal+ sed? 36 W2+ fails to 36..e1 and Black’s king hides on the now closed e-file) 32...2d1+ (32...a8 33 We3 and b2 decides) 33 deb2 Wxc3+ 34 dbxc3 Zid6 35 e5 Hb6 36 b2. White’s bishop is still far from b3, but it’s not easy to prevent its trans~ fer. After 36...He8 37 Sg?! Hd8 (37...HxeS 38 Lb7 followed by &xa6 or &d5 and White wins) 38 £b7 Rd7 39 c6! Hd8 40 £47 Black isin zugzwang. Ifthe d8-rook moves, 41 c4 followed by 42 SixbS+ is decisive. Note the role of the e5-pawn, which limits the other rook. 2) After 30...Hhe8!? 31 Bb6 (31 Ha7? Bd6 32 42 WeS shows the point of Black’s move) 31...2a8 the only way to win is 32 &f1! (after 32 e6? Hxe6 33 Hxe6 Wed! 34 Wicd bred 35 Exf6 dxa3 it’s suddenly Black who has winning chances): by stopping ...\Wic4 White creates the threat of 2d6. The implications of this refined move were worked out by Ligterink. Even the valiant 32...Bel+! (32...d7 33 Bd6 Bel+ 34 &b2 WeS 35 Hd4 is a simple win for White and also 32...ed8 33 Bc6! doesn’t help, as White threatens HeS and 33...0h5 34 Hc5 We6 35 2 Wo fails to 36 Wxto Dxfo 37 os!) 33 Wrel Dd7 fails to 34 Bb7!! (the knight was aiming for c4) 34...Wxb7 35 Wall. ‘White prevents the return of Black's queen to its commanding outpost and mates after 35...8exa3 36.03. 31 Wxf6(D) BL vw sbxa37! Now Kasparov crowns his effort by playing the beautiful main line he was looking forwardGAME 101: GARRY KASPAROV — VESELIN TOPALOV on a to. The only way to avert a forced loss was 31..Bd1+! 32 seb2 Has (32...Wd4+ 33 Wd Exd4 34 Ext7 Hd6 35 He7 followed by £e6 is hopeless for Black) 33 Wb6 Wa4+ 34 Wxd4 ‘Exd4, but after the prosaic 35 Hxf7 a5 36 26 axbd 37 63+ a5 38 axb4+ Black can choose only between two technically lost endgames. After 38...—ixb4 39 c3 the b4-rook is trapped and White’s extra pawn, active rook and better king give him a won position, 38...826 39 Exh7 is not much better and also here White will gradually win, 32 Wxa6+ éxb4 33° 34! (D) Topaloy possibly overlooked this stab. 33 247! would allow Black to prolong the game substantially with 33...8xd7 34 Bxd7 Bc8, wee wee 163 Forced, as after 33...89b3 34 Wa2+ &xc3 35 Wo2+ ded3 36 He7! White quickly mates. 34 Walt hd? The king must go forward, as 34...82b4 loses Uivilly to 35 Wo2+ shas 36 Wa3+. Wha bed 35.. sel 36 He7+ ddl 37 RFI! will lead to the game position. 36 Sf! Baz ‘The only way to keep the squares cl, ¢2 and €2 protected. Now for a moment it might seem. that White's attack is over... 37-Ba7!(D) ] te ive ee ve OSE a & This decisive deflection costs Black his queen, oS Bxd7 a7.sbel 38 Baa? andthe bishop is taboo due to mate in one. 38 fixed xed Black loses even his h8-rook, as the text- move is the only defence against Wicl# 39 Wxhs. Let's just repeat ~ Kasparov had seen this position in his mind’s eye 15(!) moves earlier. ‘The rest is simple, as White will quickly reactivate his queen. 39 Bas 40 3 41 eel a £5 43 Baz “4 1-0Game 102 Garry Kasparov — Peter Svidler Wijk aan Zee 1999 Griinfeld Defence, Russian System [D97] 1 a4 M6 2 of 26 3 Ded Svidler is a devoted Griinfeld fan and em- ploys his favourite defence against all comers. ‘With White, Kasparov had recently played mainly the quiet Fianchetto Variation with 3 g3 (against Kasimdzhanov in round 8, for instance) and the text-move is a first sign of his belliger- ‘ent mood. In the previous round, Anand had re- duced his lead to a meagre half-point; moreover he also had a personal score to settle. After losing to Svidler in Tilburg 1997, he still hadn't won a classical tournament game against the young GM from St Petersburg. 3 7 d5 4 ag? 5 Wh3 Kasparov had a lot of previous experience with the Russian System, but until this game it was only from the black side of the board. 5 xed 6 Wixed 0-0 7 e4(D) A nen The mobile pawn-centre characterizes both the Russian System and the Exchange Variation, ‘making them White's most ambitious weapons against the Griinfeld Vi a6 This move introduces the Hungarian System. While Smyslov’s 7...,g4 targets mainly d4, the text-move prepares ..b5 and ...2b7, attacking the neighbouring pawn. Although Kasparov played both moves himself a few times, with Black his main favourite was clearly 7.26. 8 eS Black’s previous move is somewhat provocative, as it doesn’t directly develop pieces or create immediate threats against the pawn-centre. This in tun creates conditions for White to develop a kingside attack and in his preparation for the current game, Kasparov worked out an interesting idea based on this direct approach. However, as we'll see below, Black didn’t give up the search and subsequent practice proved his position to be fully viable. Kasparov indirectly admitted as much by opting for other alternatives in later games against Leko. In Linares 2000 he tried 8 £e2 b5 9 Wb3 c5 10 dxc5 67 11 00, a line which is currently still popular. Even more flexible is 8 Wb3, when White can decide what to play only after 8...5 (8...c5 is less enterprising; after 9 dxc5 Wa5 10 Wb6 Wxb6 11 cxb6 Dbd7 12 Le? Dxd6 13 Le3 ®Dbd7 14 Dd4! De5 15 £3 intending Dc6 White had a comfortable endgame edge in Kasparov- Leko, Bait 1pd 2000). ~ bs 8 aT is a possible alternative, but after 9 &e3 b5 (9...Ab6 10 We5! is not ideal for Black, as his c8-bishop won't get to the long diagonal) White has the extra option 10 Wa5!? 9 Ws ta7 10 6 Earlier White pinned his hopes on 10 £3 c5 11 €6, but in 1997 Timman introduced the strong novelty 11...cxd4!. With his active pieces, Black has no problems whatsoever after 12 exf7+ (accepting the sacrifice with 12 exd7?! Wrxd7 13 ‘Bd 1 e5 is dangerous for White, as his pieces get pushed back by Black’s pawns) 12...xf7 13 axd4 Bxdd 14 Dxdd DoS 15 Was Wxd5 16 @xd5 Dbd7. The direct thrust 10 h4 alsoGAME 102: GARRY KASPAROV — PETER SVIDLER promises Black good piece-play and leads to an unclear position after 10...c5 11 e6 c4 12 Wal Db6 13 exf7+ Exf7 14 hS Dc6 15 hxg6 hxg6 16 &e3 5! 10 fxe6 (D) aa a - pl cep ag Lo — £ak 1a ava 7 11 R031? This positional sacrifice is the crux of White's idea. Black’s extra e6-pawn is not too important, as it only limits his forces. Therefore White makes a useful developing move; by protecting the d4-pawn he forces Black to reckon with Dg5. The conventional 11 Wxe6+ costs White precious time; after 11...¢h8 12 We4 Db6 13 Wh4 Dc6 14 £A3 (14 Lh6 e5! is also at least equal for Black) 14...2xf3! 15 gxf3 Dxd4 16 Ret BE5 17 Le} 05! 18 Wxd8+ Hxd8 19.0-0-0 5 Black had excellent compensation for the exchange in Stohl-R.Ruck, Hungarian Cht 1997, uw. D6 We have repeatedly stressed that coping with Kasparov's unexpected ideas over the board is extremely difficult (see Games 69, 96, etc.) It’s pretty clear that Black must move his d7-knight, but subsequent practice has shown it’s definitely safer to stay closer to the king with 11.261. Now 12.a4 breaks up Black’s queenside, but after 12...bxad (even 12...b4!? 13 Wxb4 Dc6 14 We5 Wa6 deserves attention; just as in the ‘main line Black returns the pawn to activate his forces) 13 Exad Dd5 14 Bcd (14 hdl? is a sharper try) 14...06 15 a3 d7 his pieces are ready to join the fray. Now 16 @xd5 cxd5 17 Skxd5 is met by 17..c5! 18 dxc5 Wxds 19 0-0 &b7 20 Bal We6!? 21 Del Bad8 and in the game Beliavsky-Harikrishna, Pune 2004 a draw ‘was agreed at this point. Black’s active bishops 165 give him sufficient compensation for his split pawns. 12 hat (D) "¢ Z W Ww aw m Ran @2 8 Amazing symmetry: White again strikes on the flank opposite to the one where Black has just moved his knight. However, contrary to the previous note, here he directly targets the enemy king and gets a dangerous attack. Ro Deb The tension quickly grows as Black reacts in time-honoured fashion, intending to meet the flank attack with energetic central counterplay. Technically only this move is a novelty; Kaspa- rov was aware of the predecessor Levtchouk- Duong, Quebec 1992, which went 12...245! 13 hS @xe3 14 fxe3 c5 15 hxg6 hxg6. White ‘went on to lose the game and it took Kasparov's superior insight to reintroduce this interesting idea on the highest level seven years later. Here the simple 16 0-0-0 moves the king to safety and gives White a powerful attack; no one has yet been brave enough to contest this assessment. 13 hs Exf3! After 13...2xd4? 14 Qyxd4 $xd4 Kasparov intended to play 15 0-0-0!? Sxe3+ 16 fxe3 We8 17 hxg6 hxg6 18 Wb4!. White transfers his queen to the kingside, and soon it will be joined by the remainder of his army (243, Ded, etc.) and the attack should break through. 13.85 14 h6 Sf6 15 0-0-0 gives White a large advantage and 13...b4 doesn’t help much in view of 14 Be4 Wd5 (here 14...5xf3? 15 gxf3. xd4 allows the simple 16 &xd4, because after 16...Wxd4 17 Bdl White’s rook invades via the d-file) 15 We2!2, The positional factors speak in White’s favour, and after the plausible166 15...b3 16 axb3 Db4 17 We3 Wxed 18 Wxb4 Qd5 19 Wd2 Dxe3 20 Wxe3! Black’s miserable pawn-structure condemns him to a difficult defence. Therefore he must strive for more dynamic counterplay and the radical text-move is the only consistent continuation. 14 gxf3 Dxd4 15 Bait (D) This important tactical finesse was still part of Kasparov’s preparation. The seemingly natural 15 &xd4?! Wxd4 gives Black more effective counterplay due to his powerfully centralized queen. xis Ml as veer (all i Us oa i awe Gag An BK “i 7 maeagn 5s. Ss 15...2\xf3+? costs Black an important tempo; after 16 de Ddd+ 17 Lxd4 Rxd4 18 hxg6 his queen must protect the d4-bishop and can’t help out in the defence of the kingside. 18...hxg6 loses on the spot to 19 Wc2, but even otherwise White can quickly activate his queen with Ded and the game will soon be over. 16 Sxd4 16 hxg6 would probably only transpose into the game after 16...h6!? (following 16...2xf3+ 17 He2 Dd4+ 18 Lxd4 cxd4 19 2p?!” Black is more or less forced to sacrifice another exchange, as 19...b8? loses to 20 Exh7 We8 21 Res! dxc3 22 Exg7+). 16 exd4 ‘The important g7-bishop must stay alive and close to Black's king. 16...2xd4? is weak due t0 17 De2. 17 hxg6(D) Tw hot A well-known motif: now Black’s king is well shielded by White's pawn. It's the best GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES move, but even the weaker 17...hxg6 can’t be discarded outright, although Black’s kingside is very vulnerable and he won't be able to retain his g-pawn. Actually, in their home analysis Kasparov and his team concentrated mainly on this move. He intended to play 18 We2!? (18 Egl also deserves attention; after 18...d5 19 @xd5 exd5 20 43! White is better), when Black’s best defence is 18...1W18!? (Kasparov gives the pretty line 18... We8? 19 £43! dxc3 20 Sixg6 WIS 21 Qh7+ dh8 22 Red+ segs 23 Sixa8 Dxa8 24 Wh7+ F725 bxc3! and Black ‘can’t coordinate his pieces and escape with his king in time; White’s d1-rook decisively joins the attack after 25...b6 26 Hel Dd7 27 Bas Whs 28 Bh4!) 19 Wxg6 (19 243 £2b7!2) 19... WES (19...dxc3? 20 £43 followed by Bh&+ and White mates) 20 We8+ W/8. In an endgame White has good winning chances, but converting his advantage still requires more than mere technique. A more ambitious course is 21 We6 dxc3 22 £431? with a dangerous attack. White isn’t risking anything, as he always has a draw in hand. ‘We now return to I 18 Shs! Inan interview directly after the tournament, Kasparov perhaps somewhat surprisingly called this his best game in Wijk aan Zee. Although the combination against Topalov (Game 101) was very spectacular, one can understand that his more compact performance against Svidler conforms better to his chess ideals. A thor- ‘oughly prepared original opening idea gave him a promising, although still very sharp, position. However, he remained in full control even after the home analysis was over and proceeded to -h6 (D):GAME 102: GARRY KASPAROV — PETER SVIDLER 9 Wzgim outplay his opponent impressively. According to Dokhoian the text-move and the whole manoeuvre connected with it were a product of inspiration at the board. White's material advantage is still only a secondary factor; far more important considerations are king safety and piece coordination. Black's king remains more vulnerable than its white counterpart, but if he could activate his pieces by establishing them on central outposts, the outcome of the ‘game would be unclear. The main idea behind 18 Bh! is to place the d5-square under control and prevent ...20d5. Although 18 £27! serves the same purpose, it doesn’t sufficiently restrict, Black's knight and allows counterplay with 18...2c4. After Kasparov’ s alternative suggestion 18 f4 Wd6 19 2g? White also has to reckon with 19...28!? (after 19...la7 20 Hh4 Black can’t Play 20 20,..Be4? due to 21 xb5!) Wes Black’s most immediate problem is that he can’t give his d4-pawn extra support. After 18..Ha7 19 De2 @e4 White has 20 Dxd4! Bd7 (20...xd4? loses on the spot to 21 Sxc4 ‘bxc4 22 We3!) 21 Dc6 and he is close to winning. 18...22h8 19 e2 doesn’t help much either, as Black can’t afford to play 19...e52! in view of 20 Wf7 Wg8 21 Wxe7. 19 Der Wigs 20 Bhi (D) The loss of time with the rook is compen- sated by the fact that White got rid of an important defensive piece —his own g6-pawn! Black, who will shortly lose the d4-pawn anyway, will soon have to face mounting pressure on the open g-file. 167 mam aa Le wie A8 Man i i mzgomc 0 sons? It’s quite understandable that the king doesn’t feel safe on g8, but the comer will soon become an even more dangerous place, especially when White takes control of the b1-h7 diagonal. Only two players had the courage to follow Svidler’s footsteps and both of them came up with better solutions: 1) After 20,..22b7 21 Hgi Wi6 22 Hxd4 (22 @xd4 is weaker due to 22...£2d5) Black prevented the doubling of rooks with 22...h5!? and his king subsequently found a relatively safe haven with 23 £4 Hc8 24 Sg? Bxg? 25 Hxg2 #17. In Korotylev-Timofeev, Russian Ch (Kras- nodar) 2002 White had a small advantage, but the position is still quite volatile. 2) Black can also attempt to take the sting out of White’s attack by swapping queens with 20,..WE7!? 21 @xd4 e5 as in Taleb-Khachian, ‘Abu Dhabi 2000. The endgame after 22 Waf7+ Exf7 23 Dc6 $47 offers him drawing chances due to his active pieces. 21 Bgl wer Now 21...W16? 22 Hxd4 is out of the question for Black, as White gets time to play Hdgd onthe next move. After 21...Wh5 White doesn’t have to take on 44, but can play Kasparov's 22 £41? with the idea Wg3. 2 Oxdd D5 23° Wa3(D) For a long time White’s queen only indirectly influenced the battle on the kingside. Now it slowly but surely starts moving closer. Bn a7? Svidler strives to finish his development and retain his outpost on d5, but the text-move is too passive. Black should have tried to cross168 White’s plans with 23..e51. Although this move closes the long dark diagonal, it gains space and activates Black’s other bishop. Kasparov was rot interested in the pawn and intended to continue 24 406!? (24 @xb5 Sb7 25 4c3 is also possible, but with the queens on the board the position still remains tense) 24....2b7 (24...22e6 25 Wed Af6 26 Wh4 Sxa2 27 Axes Wb3 28 243 is extremely risky, as all White’s pieces are taking part in the attack) 25 Wxd5 Wrxd5 26 Exd5 &xc6 27 Hd3 White has an undeniable advantage, but converting it into victory still requires work. 24 West Be8 25 ads Previously passive pieces join in with direct threats — this is always a bad sign for the defence. 25 ow 2t6 After the ugly 25...1W'g8 White can continue his attack with 26 Hg6 or 26 Wh4. 26 What Three moves have changed the situation in White’s favour and now Kasparov isn’t interested in the endgame after 26 W6. 6m Hes?! The final error, which loses almost by force. 26...d5 is more resilient. After 27 Bg6 Black can finally get in 27...e5 (27...Wf4 28 Hea Wr6 29 We3 with a continuing attack), but it’s not as effective as four moves ago and the simple 28 De2 (28 Exh6+! is weaker as after 28...xh6 29 Wxh6+ g8 White's rook is too slow in GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES getting to the g-file) gives White a large advantage. 27 Der This strong manoeuvre decides the game. White’s knight not only safeguards its king, but mainly heads for £4. Parrying this threat will disrupt the coordination of Black’s forces. 27 ow Das This cuts off the rook from the kingside, but the same goes for 27...e5 28 c3!, when White can calmly proceed to double his rooks on the e-file 28 Bg6 wee The only plausible defence against Exh6+. 29 We Kasparov doesn’t want to bother with 29 La? Se8 30 Exe6 267. By renewing his main threat, White prevents the d7-bishop from joining the defence. 29 wer Again forced. After 29...Sxb2 30 Bxe6! Wg7 31 Hg6 Wis 32 Hd6 White wins a piece and the same goes for 29...Wf5 30 Eixg7! Wxe4 (30...S2xg7 31 Wd4+) 31 fxe4 with a won endgame. 30 a2 (D) eee Oo S2awe ae keke aka f Gwe a Bon && 1 727, nn ‘Three major pieces aiming at the defenceless king make White's attack irresistible. 30 26 31 Wes 1-0 After the attacked rook retreats, White wraps up the game with 32 HdglGame 103 Veselin Topalov — Garry Kasparov Linares 1999 Sicilian Defence, Scheveningen/Najdorf Variation [B80] 1 e Ss 2 es a6 3 a4 exdd 4 xis 6 5S Bed a6 6 B In round 2 Kasparov struck again in his favourite 6 &e3 Agd!? line (see games 91 and 93), introducing an important novelty and scoring a fine win against Ivanchuk. Therefore it’s only logical that Topalov, when challenging his opponent to a sharp theoretical duel, strives to exclude at least one of Black’s additional options. 6 ww 6 With the text-move Kasparov spurs the full- blooded Najdorf continuation 6...e5 and aims for a position with Scheveningen characteris- tics. The same can be said about 6...Wb6!? (see Grishchuk-Kasparov, Linares 2001; Game 116), when Black also plays ...e6 later on. 7 Bed b5(D) With White, Kasparov gave 7...0bd7 a rough ride in Game 72. La 2Wew (i @ Mamas Au waa i.e 8 Ams a am ABAD OE "lwesin 8 gf ‘This energetic thrust immediately poses Black a difficult question — should he slow down White’s kingside expansion? Later Kasparov successfully took up the text-move also with White; see Kasparov-Van Wely, Wijk aan Zee 2000 and Kasparov-Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 2001 (Games 110 and 115 respectively). While the restrained 8 Wd2 was in 2001 still consid- cred to be the less demanding option, the most. recent developments indicate that the nuances behind the various move-orders in which White can play g4, Wd2 and 0-0-0 are in fact far more subtle than mere transpositions. For more details see Movsesian-Kasparov, Sarajevo 2000 (Game 113). 8 ow h6 Now White needs at least two moves to get in 125, but on the other hand the weakened kingside makes the future ...0-0 very risky and rather unlikely. At the time our game was played, the text-move was unquestionably Black’s main continuation. Due to the impressive depth of his preparation, Kasparov won the theoretical duel hands down in Linares, but this only awakened further interest in the whole line and subsequently White began to come up with effective novelties of his own. The ubiquitous and rapidly improving chess sofiware greatly helped in analysing the resulting highly tactical positions. ‘The result was a quick and alarming growth of complex and very concrete theory, which in tum led players to look for less committal (and less explored!) alternatives. Even Kasparov himself has later turned his attention to 8...2\fa7 when Black intends to transpose into the pos tion from Game 113. However, after 9 Wd2 b6 10 0-0-0 (10 a4!?) 10....267 (after 10...D8d7 Black must reckon with the promising sacrifice 11 @dxbS!? axb5 12 Axb5) White can try to disrupt his plans with either 11 2g5 or 11 43b3, possibly followed by a5. ‘We now return to the position after 8...86 (D): 9 Wa This natural developing move is White’s best option. The immediate flank aggression 9 h4 is well met by consistent central counterplay: after 9..b4 10 Bice? e5! 11 Ab3 Leb 12 Ag3 a5170 13 43 Dbd7 14 We? a5 White has even more trouble with placing his king than Black. Dow Dba7 Currently Topalov has managed to revive the somewhat flagging interest in the 8...h6 line with the sharp 9...b4!2. After 10 a4 @bd7 11 0-0-0 the Bulgarian GM introduced the interesting novelty 11...2e5!. In Kramnik-Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 2005, after 12 Wxb4 (later practice concentrated mainly on the quieter 12 b3) 12...d7 White reacted badly with 13 b3?! bs 14 Wa3?! Dxf3; Black was already clearly better and went on to win in only six(!) more moves. 10 000 = -&b7 usohd White has already castled, so this is more justified than two moves earlier. The older main line 11 £3 is less flexible, as later the bishop can be effectively deployed on h3. nu. b4(D) GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES The text-move has firmly established itself as the main line, but only after the altematives were found wanting. White originally didn’t put his knight on the edge and played 12 @\ce2 instead. However, the problem with this natural retreat is that after 12...d5 13 2h3 (13 Dg3 dxed 14 95 hxg5 15 hxg5 Exhl 16 Axh1 Dds 17 g6 Wis! is also good for Black) 13...dxe4 14 g5 hxg5 15 hxg5 Black gains an important tempo with 15..exf3. Now the most critical is 16 Af Ded 17 Wel, but in 1994 Ljubojevié introduced the radical 17...8xh3!, by which Black relieves the pressure from e6 and gets an advantage after 18 4xh3 eS. Four days later 12 bl suffered a heavy and practically terminal blow in Anand- Kasparov, Linares 1999 (Game 105). ‘Was 12.45, iseven riskier due to 13 £h3!. This continuation will be featured in Kasparov-Van Wely, Wijk aan Zee 2000 (Game 110). 13 b3 Be5(D) Subsequent practice confirmed this to be the best move. 13...d5?! is even more dangerous than one move earlier, as White has the tactical blow 14 e5! with the idea 14.. Dxe5 15 Dxe6! fxe6? 16 Ab6. The modest 13...fe7 allows White to combine effectively all the typical ideas in this line with 14 &h3! g5 15 a3 d5 16 hxg5 hxg5 17 e5!, After 17..xe5 18 &xg5 Dc 19 axb4 Sixb4 20 We2 Dh7, as in Groot- Chytilek, corr. 2001, according to Chytilek, White should play 21 £2h4!, trapping Black’s king in the centre and enhancing the strength of the threat of Dxe6. ~~ v Brie oe XN ew a WY & * hy & ZA AQ BekZ @u7 2778 5 &GAME 103: VESELIN TOPALOV — GARRY KASPAROV A year later Gelfand came up with 14...21c8, but Black still faces unsolved problems in this line. White can energetically open the position with 15 axb4!? (15 Wxb4 We7 16 WbI also promises White chances to fight for an advantage) 15...2\xb3+ 16 Dxb3 Wad 17 teb2 d5 18 3 dxe4 19 a5, highlighting the main drawback of this volatile line for Black his serious lag in development. 15 axbd We7 16 bxad as 7 5 This natural move was long considered un- questionable and only in 2005 did Ivanchuk come up with the interesting alternative 17 bs!?. 7 a7 18 ff v6 (D) Kasparov's natural move is in fact a novelty, as in previous practice this position occurred only once. The older try 18..a5? weakens the b5-square and is dubious. After the simple 19 bxaS White is clearly better, as Black can’t play 19.,.8ixa5 due to 20 Abs Wa8 21 We3. still following his home analysis. However, it's flawed and after the erroneous text-move, Black gets the upper hand by force. As early as 1999 ‘White came up with two improvements, which not only saved the line for him, but caused Black quite a headache. Chronologically the first to appear was Bologan’s positional 19 2h3!?, which is currently considered to be White’s best try. This evaluation is partly based on Kas- parov-Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 2001 (see Game 171 115), where the heated theoretical duel continued with reversed colours. In the notes to this game we'll also see how Black can deal with Grishchuk’s openly aggressive 19 £5. 19 Des Black's king is in the centre and his kingside pieces are still asleep, so he must tread with care to avoid a premature opening of the position. For this reason 19..2a47! is extremely risky: White can immediately lash out with 20 cA! dxc4 21 We2! Sxhl (21..Wd7 22 Sxc4 He8 23 Axe6 We6 24 Bh2! Weed 25 Hds+ Be7 26 Exc8 Wxc8 27 Dc7! leaves Black's king trapped in the middle of a raging attack) 22 Wxad+ Wa7 (22...8e7? 23 DES+! exf5 24 ic5+ mates) 23 Wixd7+ (the bold 23 Axe6 is less clear-cut, although after the forced 23...S2c6 24 Dxf8 Sixad 25 Dxd7 Bxdl 26 Db6 Ha8 27 &xc4 White has good compensation even for two exchanges) 23...2oxd7 24 Axe6+! dxe6 25 Sixcd+ eT 26 Exh eB 27 dec? Sxb4 28 Hb. Now Black can’t castle any more and activating his passive h8-rook will cost him material after 28....@xa5 29 Bb7. 20 Wed Wer! Topalov admitted he had overlooked this move, after which the b4-pawn is indefensible by normal means. The weaker 20...2ic8?! allows White to keep his queenside intact with 21 ‘Rd2 Dxd2 22 Wxd2 We7 23 Hh3!. dxe4 (D) 21 xed 22 arr Topalov decides to cling on to his b4-pawn, but the exchange sacrifice is dubious and gives Black a distinct advantage. Other possibilities for White:172 1) 22 Wxe4? is even worse than the text- move; after 22...21c8 (22....xh1? allows White to turn the tables with 23 bS!) 23 Wh3 @xhi 24 Wad Wa7 25 Wxd7+ doxd7 26 Bxh1 Sxb4 Black is practically winning. 2) Saving the hl-rook gives Black a pleasant endgame with his active bishop-pair, but after the sedate 22 Eh3 Wxb4 23 Wxb4 Saxb4 24 £d2 White has more chances to hold the game than after the text-move. 3) Afier the aggressive 22 Hhfl Wxb4 23 Wrxb4 xb4 24 £5 LdS 25 fxe6 fxe6 26 De2!? Black can also retain an edge by preventing the activation of White's knight with the stylish 26...g5!. If White accepts the offered pawn, this in turn would open a file for the still passive h8-ro0k. 2 Sxhi 23° Exhi Wb7 4 Bal eT 24...WA5!? deserved attention, as after 25 WES 0-0-0 26 Wrd5 Bxd5 27 F3 Be7 Black’s rook is already on d5 and he has an extra tempo in comparison with note ‘1’ to Black's 25th move. 25 WE3!(D) a ava ac oo moe me | Topalov overcomes the initial shock, caused by the failure of his home preparation. He starts his tenacious fight for a draw by fully realizing he must simplify the position before Black plays ..0-0 and coordinates his forces for an attack against White’s vulnerable king. 25 ow 00-012 Black can’t avoid the endgame, but he can leave the queen swap to White. Kasparov's move is better than 25... Wxf3 26 xf3 and now: GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 1) 26.,.0-0-0 isn’t ideal; after 27 Rel White avoids further exchanges and can quickly attack the vulnerable c4-pawn with both his rook and knight, greatly complicating Black’s task. 2) Better is 26...b8!? 27 c3 Hd8 and the threat of ...f{d3 forces an exchange of rooks. Even so, White retains good drawing chances with 28 Bel! Bxd1+ 29 dxdl €d7 30 Ad2. 26 We6+!? 26 Wxb7+ dexb7 improves the position of Black's king. Therefore Topalov tries to achieve the planned simplification under better conditions and poses Black a difficult question. 26 aw Wre6 Kasparov chooses the safe endgame solution. However, he could have shifted the important decision to his opponent; after 26...:88!? White must either accept the position from the previous note or go for the more double-edged 27 Wre4 Bc8 28 Wh3 Hhd8 (or 28....Axh4!?) Ina lively middlegame, Black’s king would ad- mittedly be better off on g8 than b8, but his active pieces still give him reasonable chances to convert the extra exchange into victory. 27° Dxc6 BAT 28 Dxe7+ —xe7 29 Hel (D) ee waa ro ania onan i 29 a ns? ‘The semi-closed nature of the position complicates Black's technical task and any moves which increase this tendency, should be judged with great care, White would hardly venture hS himself, as it invites a future ..g6, so the flexible 29...,22b7 preserves more winning chances and is better. 30 85GAME 103: VESELIN TOPALOV — GARRY KASPAROV White's bishop had no active prospects on the kingside anyway, so Topalov welcomes a chance to block the position, WH on eb7 31 es a7 Black must prevent White from setting up a fortress with &d4 and c3. 32 Bes 33 a6 be6 £6 (D) 2 x OU 34 gxf6?! Although this doesn’t actually lose, White's decision is fundamentally flawed. His rook plays an important role in preventing Black's king from invading via the light squares. How- ever, if the position opens up, it will have to cope with extra defensive tasks. This indicates that White should have kept the position closed and 34 g6 Zh6 35 Xgl probably draws, as the only plausible winning attempt, 35...c3 36 Bg3 shdS 37 Exc3 Exg6 38 Bes+ ded 39 Kc6, is not without risk for Black. After all, his passed pawns are less advanced than White’s. Perhaps it is even stronger to meet the threat of ...fxg5 and ...2£7 with 34 Bf1!. If Black opens the f- file now, he won't be able to regain control over it, as here the manoeuvre ...Ha8-a7 with the idea ..1f7 is easily parried by g6. Otherwise he has no obvious way to improve his position; after 34...1f7 35 26 White wins a tempo to play $d2-e3/c3 and 34...85 runs into 35 Bdl+, forcing the king back. cy ext6 35 Bel Although White firmly controls the open g- file, Black will soon start to fight for it with his extra major piece. 173 35 ow £5 This is sooner or later necessary. 35...fxe5?! 36 Axe5 activates White's bishop and Black has too many loose pawns to have serious winning chances, 36 bd2(D) | ox Vie ll Z Li AG aS W ne 36 on eas Kasparov condemns this move and recommends the immediate 36...28hh7!? instead. Af- ter 37 Hg6 (White should contest the g-file; after 37 Hg8?! Ehg7 38 Hc8+ dbs 39 Ebs+ Bb7 40 Bc8 Hg2+ 41 dec3 Hg3+ 42 ded Bet 43 he3 Exh4 44 BcS+ dad 45 Bxc4 He7 Black's rooks enter decisively) 37...hg7!? (after 37...sed5 38 £2f8! eds 39 c3 White has prevented an immediate invasion and has little to fear) 38 Hxe6 Eg4 39 de3 dS Black retains winning chances, although White is not without counterplay. 37 ted A solid move, but 37 c3! Ehh7 38 £8 is more active, when after 38...8e4 39 g6 White transposes into the desirable position from the previous note. 37 Ehh7 38 fs! As has already been said, White should keep Black's rooks from the g-file. 3B he7 39 Sho =h7 Kasparov was short of time, so a repetition just before move 40 comes in handy. 40 Bg6? ‘Topalov’s refusal to comply is the decisive error, which allows Black to achieve an ideal set- up and force White into passivity. Other moves:174 1) The tactical 40 2g82! fails to 40...2867! (40...8xh62? 41 He8 mates). The bishop is en prise and 41 Bc8 Bhc7 42 Ha8 Hxb4 43 Bxa6 Ed7 gives Black excellent winning chances. 2) 40 28 is necessary. After 40...5hf7 (40...24f7? runs into 41 Hdl+ c6 42 Ha6+ c7 43 Hxa6! and Black even loses) 41 &h6 2c6 42 Bg6 Hde7 (42...Hfe7 gets Black nowhere after 43 2£8) 43 ded4 @b5 44 dc3 Kasparov shows that he can untangle his passive rooks by 44...He8 45 gS Bd7 46 Zho Ea 47 ExhS hi. However, even here White retains drawing chances after 48 h7 Eh3+ 49 bas dexb4 50 Be7 dexa5 51 Bxc4; his passed c- and h-pawns, as well as the vulnerable e6- pawn, limit Black’s rooks. 40 Bb7! 41 fs Forced. After 41 3? Eb8! the bishop can’t return via 8 any more and Black continues .He8, ..Hd7 and ...82e6 with a decisive invasion down the d-file. aw aht7 2 fas Hg? 4B gs BbE7! (D) CO “EE al gal a ee om me oe o ‘Thanks to Kasparov's adroit manoeuvring, White’s rook is now a mere stopgap on the g- file. However, breaking down the defence still isn’t easy; Black must use zugzwang motifs to force further concessions and prepare the right moment for ...Bixg5. 443 Both 44 €f32! ddd 45 BxhS Bh7!? and 44 £0571 Exg5 45 hxg5 h4 only ease Black's task. 44 £b8!7 is somewhat more resilient, but after the patient 44...2d7! (44...Hixg5? 45 fxg5 4+ GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 46 £3 leads nowhere for Black, as he can’t play the pseudo-active 46...¢d4? due to 47 bS! D7 48 S2d6 Exb5 49 g6 and suddenly the g- pawn is unstoppable) 45 d6 Xb7 White's bishop can’t keep an eye on the e5-pawn any more and he must play the weakening 46.c3 (46 18 loses even faster to 46..Exg5 47 hxgS ‘b8) after all. 44 kc6 45 bf3 &bs 46 cS ‘The direct consequence of 44 ¢3 - White's bishop has to leave its active outpost to protect the c3-pawn. After 46 BxhS Bh7 47 Bxh7 ‘Exh7 48 og3 Black’s king enters via either e4 or b3, putting White in zugzwang. 6 bad a7! (D) 47 Baa Ratat “a & bak oe Preparing the removal of White's key defensive piece. 48 hed After 48 ExhS Eixd4! 49 exd4 c3 the c-pawn will cost White a rook, while 48 de2 db3 49 ‘&e3 db2! only slightly delays the impending breakthrough. a. eb3 49 her Zixgs Black has improved all his pieces to the maximum extent, so he logically decides to act. However, he also had an alternative solution in 49...2Exd4!? 50 Hxg7 (50 cxd4 Hc7 is similar) 50...82xc3 followed by ...8#b2 and a quick march of the c-pawn decides. 50 fxgs 50 hxg5?! hd 51 wF3 h3 52 g6 (52 d2g3 loses 10 52...ixd4! and White's new-born queen fallsGAME 103: VESELIN TOPALOV — GARRY KASPAROV immediately) 52...8g7 53 &g3 Exg6+ 54 dexh3 kedis completly hopeless for White. = xd This teas toa queen endgame which Black wins in a study-like manner. However, the text- move in fact somewhat complicates the issue and 50...£4!? is a more practical solution. Black prepares ...Hixd4 and even lashing out with 51 5 (51 £27! Hxd4! 52 cxd4 c3 53 g6 c2 54 g7 IW 55 gol We3+ 56 set £3 57 We3 We2+ 58 hg] Lexb4 and this queen ending is completely hopeless for White) doesn’t save White due to 51...axb5 52 a6 b4 53 a7 Bd8 54 cxbd dexb4 55 RD6 (55 26 3 56 Sf shed! 57 Sxc3 dxc3 58 Exi4 a4 59 gS Lxe5 60 g7 HaB also wins for Black) 55...Ba8 56 £3 (56 2 $b3 57 26 3+ 58 fel c2 59 g7 3 and ..d8 mates) 56...03 57 Sexf4 c2 58 e3 Hxa7 59 g6 dc 60 shg5 Ba 61 Rf4 Bf3 62 Bcl Hil 63 Re3 ed3 and the bishop's diagonal is too short. Sl add 52 96 2 53 7 aw 54 gait Wede 55 hed Now Black wins virtually by force, but even after 55 £3 Wd5+ 56 te? dexb4 his advantage is overwhelming. 55 ow u tee W e31(D) 0 MT) a Ws A W Aan t i Z W a | a8 2m “ow A beautiful example of piece coordination outweighing a material advantage in a heavily simplified position. 56 Was White’s queen is misplaced and the text- move doesn’t change this. The last desperate 175 attempt to create some confusion with 56 b5 is best countered by 56...axb5!? (56...Wixd4+ 57 213 WaS+ 58 sef2 axb5 59 We8+ ded3 60 a6 is less clear) 57 a6 Wxd4+ 58 &f3 Wa5+ and Black takes on e5 with check. 56 ow Wa3+ 57 etd After 57 &2f2 £4! 58 Wes Wxdd+ 59 dhe? Wa2+ 60 Sf1 We3 White is in zugzwang and has no sensible moves. ST ow ‘Wars 57...t2d2 58 g5 £4! is even more convincing, as the f-pawn is unstoppable. 58 bf3 ‘Wats (D) 59 he3?! This allows the final mating attack and short- ens White’s suffering. However, White’s position is already beyond saving and even the stronger 59 f2 £4! 60 We5 (after 60 We8+ sbd2 61 Wxa6 Black’s attack breaks through with 61..Wel+ 62 @g2 Wg3+ 63 #hi £3 64 ‘Wl Wxh4+ 65 gi We3+ 66 sehi Wel! 67 bal hd 68 a6 £2+) 60...Wxd4+ only transposes. into the note to White’s 57th move, which was lost for White. 59 Welt 60 bed After 60 f3 Wil+ 61 de3 f4+ 62 wed skd2! White has no defence against the threat of W3-€34, Ce Were 61 be3 fe! O41 After 62 dexf sed3 White can choose only between being mated on f2 or g4.Game 104 Peter Svidler —- Garry Kasparov Linares 1999 Sicilian Defence [B53] 1 4 cS 2 O63 d6 3 dd exdd 4 Wxda Duly impressed by Kasparov’s series of wins with Black in Linares, Svidler refrains from both the Closed Sicilian (unsuccessfully essayed by Adams in round 5) and the usual 4 @)xd4 (see Game 103). However, even after the text-move the position retains most of the char- acteristics of an Open Sicilian. 4 iw ‘The most natural reaction. Now keeping the queen on its central outpost will cost White his bishop-pair. Kasparov's previous practice featured slower moves such as 4...a6 or 4...,2d7. ‘These are certainly playable, but it’s harder for Black to achieve the typical Sicilian counterplay against the Maroczy set-up after 5 c4. 5 Bbs a7 6 xe &xe6 (D) Here the situation is somewhat different and after 7 c4 Black can (apart from the solid 7.,.€6) immediately attack White’s centre: the sharp 7...£5!? 8 exf5 (after 8 Zic3 fxe4 9 Axed )f6 Black, with his unopposed c6-bishop, has chances to grab the initiative) 8...WaS+ 9 2c3 ‘Wxf5 gives him excellent counterplay. Ca M6 This logical move occurs in approximately four games out of five and leads to complex positions with opposite-side castling. Black can give the position a different twist by preventing the following bishop sortie with 7...n6!?. The idea is to play a later ...e5 with a Najdorf-like position. However, even this leads to a sharp fight after White’s most ambitious reaction, 8 Re3 D6 9 0-0-012. gs 6 0-0-0 eT (D) bb i} a \ pe ja \ Da SS > 10 hel Although the queen is actively placed on d4, White needs this square for his knight to free the f-pawn. Svidler gives his e-pawn extra protection and prepares Wa2, @d4 and £3 or even £4, However, right now it’s still not so clear if the rook won't be more useful somewhere else anda flexible alternative to the older text-move is 10 Wd3. White’s idea is to play 0d4 and f4- £5 to force the concession ...e5; if necessary, he can increase the pressure on e6 with a future ‘Wh3. On the other hand, the g5-bishop requires extra protection and this allows the manoeuvre 10...Wa5!? 11 h4 h6 12 S2d2 a6; the endgame after 13 Wxa6 bxa6 14 hel Jgé is approximately equal 10 0-0GAME 104: PETER SVIDLER - GARRY KASPAROV nu eb Or: 1) 11 &xf62! only helps Black by surrender- ing White's remaining bishop; after 11...Sxf6 12 Wxd6 &xc3 (or even 12...Wa5!?) it’s White who must fight for equality. 2) 11 eS rather prematurely resolves the central tension; after 11...dxeS 12 Wh4 We7 13 xe Black has a choice between two possibilities. The riskier fighting option is 13...n6!? (13...2f48 leads to full and safe equality) 14 Axh6 gxh6 15 Wrh6 Dh7 16 £4 £66 17 Bas AixeS 18 Bxe5 £6 19 Exe6 Hae8 with unclear play. 3) The text-move is a generally useful prophylactic measure; after the more direct 11 Wd2 the game continuation 11...n6! is even more effective. White is forced to play 12 24 (12 &h4? allows 12...A\xe4 13 Axed Sxhd and in an open position Black's bishop-pair gives him a distinct advantage) 12...e5 (12...d5 is less effective than later in the game; White’s bishop is better placed on f4 and Black must also reckon with 13 44!) 13 &g3 Hc8! and now the most reasonable option is to force simplification with 14 Sh (after 14 Wa3 Dd7! White's bishop remains offside and his control of the d5-square doesn’t bring anything real; quite on the contrary, 15 Qd5% Sxd5 16 Wrd5 He6 17 &b1 ‘We7 18 c3 Ho8 gave Black excellent attacking chances in Khasangatin-Yakovich, Russian Ch (Krasnodar) 2002) 14...Dxe4 15 Dxe4 Sxh4 16 Wxd6, when Black can hardly avoid an exchange of one of his bishops. After the ambitious 16...Wfa5!? (the sedate choice is 16...Sxe4 17 Bxed Wad6 18 Exd6 Sxf2 with an equal endgame) White still has 17 a3 (after 17 @xh4? Efd8 18 WeS Black wins a pawn by means of 18...S2xe4!) with a complicated, but approximately balanced position. ‘We now return to 11 bl (D): Mw h6!? Kasparov refrains from the more popular 11..We7 12 Wa2 Hfd8 13 Od4 Babs 14 £3 bs 15 g4 b4 16 Ace? a5 or 16....2a8 with mutual chances in a typical sharp Sicilian struggle. His idea is different: instead of immediately developing his queenside play, Black first ofall tries to prevent White from achieving his usual attacking set-up. Kasparov is even willing to accept a potentially dangerous weakening of his 177 \ ee UV of » om be e WS i _\ N D> De bo BOW Bo i Re than 127 ee 7 ‘own kingside — this could well backfire if White manages to launch his pawn-storm after all. 12 &h4(D) ‘The most natural reaction. After the passive 12 cl?! Black’s queenside play gets a flying start with 12...b5. With the king already tucked in on bl, 12 &xf6 makes more sense than on move 11. However, even here after 12...£xf6 13 Wxd6 xc3 (13..WaS 14 Dds isn’t ideal, but 13...Wb6 14 e5 Eds 15 Wa3 Sxf3 16 gxf3 Skhd regains the pawn and deserves attention) 14 bxc3 (14 Wxd8?! Haxd8 15 Bxd8 &xel and Black regains the pawn with a slight edge) 14..Wa5!? (14...Wb6+ 15 Wb4 Wixf2 allows White to ‘correct’ his pawns with 16 Wd4!; after 16...¥8xd4 17 cxd4 followed by c4 the strong centre gives him a slight endgame pull) Black has sufficient compensation for the pawn. ae WAT 17 AB AB ae ial A, Ro Heb!? (D) 12.7 is inconsistent, as it allows White to play 13 Wa2 after all. The same goes for 12.,.Wa5?! 13 Wa2 WhS 14 h3 g5 15 S223 €5,178 as in Timman-Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 2003, when Topalov’s recommendation 16 h2!? with the follow-up £3 and @g4 gives White an advantage. Black’s cunning new waiting move doesn’t commit his queen and makes it more difficult for Svidler to implement White's plans. Kasparov's credo, quoted in the note to move 9 in Game 72, fully applies here: “I generally managed to engineer my games in such a way that standard reactions are inadequate.” Dokh- cian mentions another move in the same spirit: 12...a6, followed by ..Ec8. x7 Wx ee va & y Y Y Ae “wAw ol etm Rn e7nn 7 2 13 Bg3 Svidler yields to the growing tension; now Black energetically frees his position. We already know 13 Wd27! runs into 13...2axe4 14 Dxe4 (14 Bxed? &xh4 15 Bed h5! leaves White at least a pawn down for no compensation whatsoever) 14...Sxh4 15 Dxd6 xf (15...008!) 16 gxf3 Ef8 and Black is better. More demanding is 13 Wd3, but even here after 13...0c8 Black has no reason to complain: 14 Ab (14 2,d4! is again effectively met with the typical blow 14..2ixe4!) 14...xb5 15 WxbS We7 leads toa roughly equal position. 1B 51 (D) Although now the e4-pawn will be potentially vulnerable, this central break is the only consistent continuation. Contrary to the similar position after 11 Wd2, here 13...e5 isn't ideal, as now Black’s previous move doesn’t make much sense. After 14 Wd3 followed by 2d2- fl-e3 White can claim an edge. Another alternative is 13...WaS, but this is again simply parried by 14 Wa2 (Black's tactical idea is 14 Rxd6 Sxd6 15 Wxd6 Dred! 16 Axed Sxet GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES and the bishop is taboo due to ...2ad8) with ideas such as Dd5 or d4 and the queen is not especially well placed on a5. iT ba aS Ap Ss x oo Yi, poane 4s This leaves White’s bishop poorly placed, but he had hardly any choice, as both 14 exd5 2xd5 and 14 DeS Was give Black a pleasant position. Ded 15 Axes dxed (D) ee eee Va Anam s RAn 16 Wxa8 ‘A natural decision, but maybe Svidler underestimated Black's 17th move and especially the whole plan connected with it. Kasparov doesn’t even mention the possible alternative 16 We3, buteven here after 16...Wa5!? (after 16...1Hb6 17 Wxb6 axb6 18 Dd4 Black doesn’t have the game continuation at his disposal and 18...2d5 19.43 aS 20 4 with the idea a2 and Abs is OK for White; he wants to reactivate his minor pieces and Black, with his disrupted queenside,GAME 104: PETER SVIDLER - GARRY KASPAROV must seek equality) 17 2d2 bS (17...&c5? is weak due to 18 @b3) 18 Axed £d5 19 b3 Hec8. Black has good compensation. 16 Bexd8 17 Das Re! (D) After 17.45 18 b5 the knight heads for 46, c7 or possibly c3 and Black will find it hard to retain his bishop-pair. The surprising text-move limits White’s knight and indicates Kasparov is willing to sacrifice his e-pawn. The time White will have to invest into taking it will enable Black to develop a nagging and long-lasting initiative. i v£saT & a G A A] GT BaF 7 G7 ee ARAM WAS 2e7se 7 1 3 18 Hxe4? runs into 18....2¢6 followed by .-dixg? with a clear advantage for Black. 1 ‘Bac8!? Black could also have played 18...2c5 19 SLf4 (after 19 Qb3 Bxd1+ 20 Exdl &b6 the knight should return to the centre, as 21 2?! is met by 21...1d8 22 dc2 3 and Black is better) 19....&xd4 followed by ...SLc6-d5. Black is doing fine in this endgame, but due to the opposite-coloured bishops his edge is only aca- demic. 19 ber In the endgame, king centralization is often passed over without any comment, but here the obvious text-move allows Black to increase his queenside pressure. Kasparov suggests the paradoxical 19 Zl and this seems to be an equivalent option. After 19...2g5 (19...Sc5 20 Exes £5 21 He2 Sxd4 22 exd4 gives Black nothing, as taking back the pawn only leads to an equal endgame and the same goes for 22...g5 23 Exc8 Exc8 24 f4 Sc6 25 b3) 20 He? h5 21 h4 BH6 179 the safest option is 22 a3!? (22 Hxe4?! still fails to 22,,,.2c6 and ...SLxg2, while 22 Zce? allows 22...21xd4! 23 exd4 2b5, when Black regains the exchange and penetrates via the c-file; after 22.63 White must reckon with the tactical blow 22..1xe3!? 23 Exc3 fd2) 22...He4 23 Hce2, when 23...2tcxd4 24 cxd4 25 leads to equality after 25 Exes d3+ 26 ta? 2.42! 27 ££419, 9 BS! (D) Undaunted by the queen swap, Kasparov targets White’s king by advancing his pawns in a typical Sicilian middlegame manner. Piece-play with 19....2¢5 20Db3 (20 Bxed? loses material to 20...£5!) 20...b6 21 Zid? €3 22 fxe3 Lc6 also gives Black sufficient compensation, but the text-move is more effective, as it strives to create new weaknesses in White’s camp. xm sel ar © Gan mw ye ee i AO Aree BAR 1 BB 20° xed ba 21 Hed ‘The rook lends extra support to the c3-pawn and side-steps possible danger on the bl-h7 diagonal. Aw a5 22 He? White would like to relieve the pressure with exchanges, but the text-move unleashes Black's bishops and achieves quite the opposite. This is Svidler’s first serious mistake and although we have praised Kasparov's previous active play, Black still can’t claim any real advantage after 22 Hed3! (the immediate 22 b3?! is weaker, as after 22...fc5 23 Hed3 bxc3 24 Bxc3 £6! 25 Hod 2 g6+ 26 db2 Eds White’s knight is in a very unpleasant pin). White intends to play b3 followed by c4 and direct continuations such as 22...f6 23 Dxe6 Hixd3 24 dexd3 ££7 25 Dd4 or180 22...bxe3 23 Hxc3 (23 bxc3!?) 23...Sb4 24 Exc8 Hxc8+ 25 dd3 don’t give Black anything concrete. os e6! (D) After 23 Exd8+ Sxd8! 24 £3 White loses material due to 24...,b6 25 Hd3 (after 25 Da4 Rxdd 26 cxd4 Lxf3+ followed by ...Sxg2 Black's extra pawn and active bishop are enough to win) 25. pa 26 Bd6 cS, = Exdl a exdl eS 25° Ba3 After 25 Dd4 bxc3 26 bxe3 Kasparov intended to play 26....2b5! and White has no effective defence against ...2f1, as 27 tel 24 ‘enables Black’s rook to invade via the b-file. 25 2b5 26 Haz Re3 27 Bae bxe3 28 Dxe3 Svidler understandably avoids splitting his pawns. Also after 28 bxc3 Act 29 Acl!? (29 a4 is very passive and leads to trouble after 29...4b8) 29...2f1 30 Db3 a4 (30...Lxg? is less incisive due to 31 de2) 31 @d2 Sxg2 Black remains firmly in control. 2B f(D) Black has a distinct advantage. He will re- store the material balance without allowing any further simplification and his bishops will continue targeting White’s vulnerable pawns on both flanks. 29° Shan A strange move. More resilient is the immediate 29 Lel, or 29 h4 &xg2 30 a3. GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES fe 7 acme rv a 9 Black willingly wins a tempo, shutting out White's bishop and gaining extra space in the process. The weakening of the kingside will soon prove illusory, as none of Whites minor pieces can gain access to the f6-square. 30 fel xg? 31 bed ara 31...e1 is also good, but Kasparov first forces White’s bishop back to passivity. 32 gs Bel 33 Dad White misplaces his knight, but even 33 Dd doesn’t help and after 33...2c2+ 34 dd3 cS! 35 whe? oe Black should gradually win. = hs! (D) TAT e a min. Black increases his space advantage and puts the h2-pawn on top of the list of White's weaknesses. 34 «Bal 34 -h42! gxh4 35 Sxh4 Hct doesn’t lose a whole piece due to 36 £6, but the endgameGAME 104: PETER SVIDLER — GARRY KASPAROV after 36...xa4 37 Hd8+ $h7 38 Bh8+ dg6 39 Hg G15 40 Hxg? xa? is completely hopeless for White. 34 Eid4 prevents the immediate ..h4, but Black can retain a winning advantage by renewing his threat with 34...2h3!?, en] hd 35 Bet ta) ZT Ze «ZB mae igh Val 7 aE, a eo oe el LS Ouse “a 36 Bed Svidler at least keeps the rook out. After 36 &xa5 Black has more than one way to win; a convincing solution is 36...f1c2+ 37 Sd? xh? 38 ed3 Exd2+! 39 Exd2 h3 and the bishops ‘Buide the passed pawn all the way to the promotion square, We'll see a similar motif in the game, Von a Z 36 ow bey 36...Axh2 37 Db6 Hxc3!? is possibly also sufficient, but Kasparov points out that the technically cleanest solution is 36...2c6!, by which Black first limits White’s knight before taking the h-pawn. 37 Db6 Ehs 38 fz After 38 Sxa5 g4!? 39 fxg4 &xh2 Black's h-pawn decides the game. 38 3 (D) 39 Rd27! White was in time-trouble and the text-move loses quickly. However, Kasparov shows that even afier the more tenacious 39 Ded g4! (39...Lxh2? 40 @e3 substantially complicates Black’s task) 40 Edd! (otherwise Black frees his g2-bishop and all his pieces will support the h-pawn) 40.,.2xh2 (40...g3+? 41 hxg3 leaves the bishop trapped on g2; Black should bail out 181 7 7 i 2 wan a with 41...@f1 and the endgame after 42 Hdl xc4 43 gxfd is drawish) 41 Bxgd+ 28 42 Bxg2 (White's only defence against ...2g1+) 42...axg2 43 xg? a4 44 2d? Bhd followed by ...fa.f4 Black retains the extra exchange and his win is a matter of technique. 39 e Sxh2 40 2d7(D) 40 Ded g4 41 fixg4 BS is equally hopeless for White. oo. & 40...24 41 fxg4 Bhd! also wins, but White can't prevent the decisive break anyway, so Kasparov doesn’t seek a forced solution on ‘move 40 and first rules out any possible 2xg5- {6+ ideas. 41 Bes ea! 42 fixed Leb ‘White has no defence against the main threat .-2d8, as knight moves allow ...£Lxe5.Game 105 Vishy Anand — Garry Kasparov Linares 1999 Sicilian Defence, Scheveningen/Najdorf Variation [B80] 1 5 2 Oe a6 3 d4 exd4 4 @xa4 5 Ded 6 7 8 f6 Sbguwals ‘The main strategic drawback of the text- move is that it misplaces the knight. The fol- owing complications will show it also has tactical defects and in many sharp lines White’s king will miss its most natural and safest retreat. However, it’s always easy to criticize the loser’s choice in retrospect. It's no wonder that in the course of along and strenuous tournament like Linares, Anand didn’t manage to find a worthwhile improvement to resurrect 12 ad! (see Game 103), which later became White’s main and most promising continuation, thanks in significant part to his own efforts. Moreover, I presume he didn’t even look for it, as prior to our game he had successfully played 12 bi and the reputation of this move was further enhanced in round 3 by the game Leko-Topalov. However, Kasparov is fully prepared and this time his home analysis is even more impressive than in Game 103, as it more or less puts 12 pI out of business. 2 ww d5 12...WaS is less effective, as it commits the queen without creating a direct threat, Now White can consider 13 Hgi!? (13 &h3 Des 14 3 Hc8 15 a4 was played in Anand-Gelfand, Haifa rpd 1998, when 15...d5!? seems fine for Black; the idea is 16 g5 dxe4 with the threat of 93+ and White again pays for the miserable position of his bl-knight) and Black must take defensive measures against the advance of the g-pawn. 13 &h3(D) After only 13 moves, the tension is already sohigh that some general rules simply don’t apply any more. Black lashes out on the flank where he is under attack, even sacrificing a pawn in the process. However, allowing the advance g5-26 would weaken his position far more seriously than the text-move. At this moment, limiting the h3-bishop and winning time for a ‘queenside counterattack are the most important considerations. Other moves are weaker: 1) Comparing our game with Kasparov-Van ‘Wely, Wijk aan Zee 2000 (Game 110), we'll beGAME 105: VISHY ANAND — GARRY KASPAROV able to judge the respective merits of 12 b1 and 12241. Although the knight on a4 is definitely more active and can later even take part in the attack, White must also take into account that ...WaS can sometimes win an important tempo. This is well illustrated by the line 13...dxe47! 14 g5 hxg5 15 hxg5 exf3 16 axf6 Dxf6, which is considered playable for Black with the knight on a4. Here 17 £2, or even the more energetic 17 Wf2!? De4 18 Wxf3 26 19 WH &xhi 20 Hxh1, gives White an advantage. 2) The older approach was 13...e5 14 g5 ©fd7 15 We2 (Black must reckon with the aggressive 15 @xe6!? and also the immediate 15 b3 deserves attention) 15...dxe4 (after 15...WaS Topalov suggests 16 b3!; White stops ...2e4 and enhances the strength of the coming f4) 16 f4 Dd3+! (otherwise g6 gives White a huge attack) 17 exd3 exd3 18 Wxd3, when in Anand- ‘Topalov, Tilburg 1998, Black probably should have played 18...2c8+!? 19 @c2 Sxh1 20 xh1 hnxg5 21 fxg5 cS with unclear play. However, one feels Black’s position hangs on a thin thread and we can safely presume Anand had ‘an improvement ready here, perhaps as soon as ‘on move 15. Even Topalov had an aversion against repeating this line and introduced the text-move in the aforementioned game against Leko. 14 hxgs White’s centre is crumbling, so he should resolve the tension immediately. After 14 2g2 ‘Hg8!? 15 hxg5 hxg5 Black is more than OK, as 16 Sxg5 4xe4! promises him an endgame edge. Mw hxg5 15 exd5 Again the best move. More direct attempts, which are dangerous for Black with the knight on a4, here promise White little. This goes for both 15 e5 Axes 16 xg5 Ded and 15 &xg5 dxe4 16 Sxf6 Wrf6 (even 16...2xf6 with the idea 17 g5 exf3 18 We3 &c5!? 19 exf6 Wxf6 is interesting and unclear) 17 g5 We7. Here Black is doing fine and White should probably satisfy himself with the modest 18 We3!? (both 18 1267! Sh6 19 £4 Bc5! and 18 $xe6?! Exhi 19 ‘Rxd7+ Wxd7 20 Bxhl 0-0-0 are better for Black) followed by @d2. 15 Dxas 183 16 &xg5(D) xe Wow {fualae al : im man a ba a ABA “i OS a “mz 6 Ws! The more direct 16...Wa5 17 2g2 Bxhl 18 Exhi Wxa2 19 Hh8 was played in the game Leko-Topalov, Linares 1999, Here Leko pointed out 19...@e5!, when White should force a perpetual with 20 Axe6!? fxeé 21 Was 7 (21..Ded 22 BxfB+ dexf8 23 Whe+ Let7 24 Wh5+ @f8 25 Wh6+ is also a draw) 22 We7 Dyxh8 23 Wxb7 Hd8 24 Wo6+ Hf7 25 Bxd8 g7 26 Wa7+ S18 27 Wa6+. Kasparov and his team in their pre-tournament preparation also briefly considered this alternative, but al- ‘most immediately switched their attention to the text-move. Black doesn’t display an immediate interest in the a2-pawn, but combines active development of his forces with effective prophylaxis against White’s ideas. 17 ga ‘The g5-g6 advance is not on the cards any more, so White must reposition his passive bishop. 7 xh 18 &xhi The first effects of 16...Wb6! are beginning to show, as by targeting d4 Black has discour- aged White from occupying the open h-file. Emulating Leko with 18 Exhl allows 18...2227 19 &b3 (19 Be2 He5 with the threat of ..Ded isalso good for Black) 19...a5 and while White's rook must passively guard the gl-square, Black develops a dangerous queenside attack. Bw. ‘He8! (D) This move is only deceptively slow, asit creates a direct threat. 19 Bel!184 ‘Anand was spending a lot of time in an unknown situation, but he finds the best continuation. The natural 19 £4? runs into 19...2c3!. Black threatens mate in one and as the knight is taboo, he regains the pawn with a large advantage. The text-move prevents this idea by freeing dl for White’s king. 0 .. Wast? Kasparov, on the other hand, was still following his analysis. Increasing the pressure against 4 is ineffective due to White’s previous move: after 19...B04? 20 45 Black has problems, and the same goes for 19...227? 20 5, when the bishop has no safe square on the long diagonal — 20...$h8 (20...,2e5 invites 21 £4) runs into 21 Wh2 Res 22 f41 The text-move decentralizes the queen and abandons the defence of the important ¢6- square, but hours of preliminary work enabled Kasparov to establish that Black's counterattack is strong enough to balance out such general considerations. All this motivated his followers to continue the search in this position and come up with 19...2c5!? (D). With this move Black concentrates more pieces around White's king and starts toying with the idea ..b3. After 20 f4 (after 20 2b3 Dad Black seriously threatens ...S¢g7 and the plausible 21 &h6 Sxh6 22 Wxho Wr2 23 Wa2 )f4! 24 Wrf2 Dd3+ gives him a pleasant endgame) 20....g7 White’s knight must move: 1) 21 £52! was played in D.Mastrovasi- lis-Lutz, Corfu 1999. Now, according to Lutz, 21...b3! 22 Bxd5 (22 Axg7+ S18 23 Wadd 2d3+1 24 Wxd3 WE2 transposes to the game, when Black is winning after 25 @ixe6+ g8!) 22...Axd5 23 Wrxd5 (after 23 Dxg7+ Sf8 24 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES i ¢ an a7 Moa DF Oi aan x DV #5 ge a a OS B Ms SeT+ bxe7! 25 Wad5 bxa2 26 Df5+ £8 27 ‘Wxa2 @d3+ Black’s king is relatively safe and he has a winning attack) 23...S¢xb2+! 24 dexb2 bbxc2+ 25 dal Wxbl+ 26 Exbi cxblW+ 27 ‘Sexbl Hb8+ 28 Ws Dxb3 29 Da6+ ea7 30 @xi7 Dad+ gives Black a clear advantage. 2) Stronger is 21 Zxe6!? txe6 22 Sxds xd5 23 Wxd5. Even here White has to tread with extreme care after 23...89f7 24 WE3 b3 25 £5 (25 axb3 Zxb3+ 26 thd! Eixc2! gives Black a huge attack) 25..deg8! (25...Sxb2+ only fa- cilitates the escape of White's king from the danger zone with 26 #d2) 26 axb3 (not 26 fxe6? Sexb2+! and now 27 xb2 Dade 28 a3 Wd6+ 29 Sxa4 Bc4+ leads to mate, while after 27 ed? Wa6+ 28 de2 Hf8! White must give up his queen in order to avoid the same fate) 26...Dxb3+ 27 Hdl Dd4 28 Wes Wxb2 29 3, but as Black has no direct win in sight, a draw appears to be the most likely result; for example, 29...¥Wb3+ 30 ded2 Wa2+ 31 ddI Heat? (the alternative 31...exf5 32 gxf5 Eb8 33 cxd4 Exbl+ 34 Scl Bxcl+ 35 kxcl Kh6+ 36 Be3 is also only equal) 32 Wd3 We2 33 Wed with repetition. 2 £4 ‘The ‘normal’ defensive move &b1 is impossible and the overtly aggressive 20 @)xe6? fxe6 21 Exe6+ (21 Wd3 Ac5 also gets White nowhere) 21...92F7 followed by ...xa2 is insufficient, as White doesn’t have enough active pieces to create effective threats. Therefore Anand pursues his own ambitions in a less committal manner, but 20 a3 also deserved attention. Af- ter 20...Wb6 21 axb4 Sxb4!? (21...xb4 is not ideal, as it finally allows White to play 22.23, and later his king can escape via dl) 22 c3 cSGAME 105: VISHY ANAND ~ GARRY KASPAROV 23 @E5 White's knight remains marooned on I, but the position is still rather unclear. 20 ww Wxa2(D) wa A LDS a fs Just like Anand on move 20, Kasparov also furthers his own attacking plans. However, Black had a more tranquil option in 21...e51?. Now ...\c3 again emerges as a possible threat and after the natural 22 Wh2 Wed 23 BxeS+ Dxe5 24 WreS+ sed7 25 Dd? We7 Black has an edge, as White can't claim full compensation for the exchange. 22 fxeb Sgr Now this attacking move is the only consistent continuation. After 22...fxe6? Kasparov points out that White can turn the tables with 23 ‘Wh2!. His seemingly modestly placed pieces spring to life and Black’s king is in serious danger. x 23 exf7+ xf 24 ixd5+? Anand was running short of time and the text-move is based on a tactical oversight. The only way to save the game was 24 Wi2+ dg8 25 WES! and now: 1) 25...S0xd4 26 We6+ S97 27 He8+ Exe® 28 Wre8+ Sh7 29 Wh5+ with a perpetual check. 2) 25...ife4 is the best way to avoid an immediate draw, but after 26 @c6! (26 d1? runs into 26...S2xd4! 27 Axd5+ Sxd5 28 Wrc8+ ¥g7 and it’s surprisingly difficult to meet the threat of ...\b3#; after 29 We7+ dg6 30 We3 Led! Black should win) 26...b3+ 27 edi Wxc6 28 cxb3 followed by We6+ or Wixd5+ it still remains the most likely result. 185 ww Wras 25 Be7+ ‘The d4-knight is en prise and must protect the b3-square, so the following moves are forced. 25 ow begs 26° «Exg?+ xg (D) x7 G20 @ if BAe w wi m0) GAR m2 ma AAW ee a Dokhoian recalls that after 24 2xd5+? Kas- parov removed his jacket. He relaxed somewhat prematurely, as there are still some surprises to come... 27 Be3t This is the first one. Anand presumably planned 27 45+, but by now he realized this just loses to 27...Wxf5! 28 axfs (28 Waa+? ‘$y8 and the fork still remains valid) 28....b3+ 29 dl 2£3+! 30 Wel Axd2 31 Dxd2 Sed. ‘The rest is a matter of technique as Black wins the c-pawn and even 32 e7 a5 33 f6+ S17 34 b3 Bxc2 35 Ded fails to 35...a4!, promoting one of the queenside pawns. The text-move finally gets Kasparov out of his preparation and gives White some practical chances to save the game. 7 mw bxc3 ‘The simple solution: Black goes for the endgame with an extra piece. A more ambitious option is 27...Wh1+ 28 Ddl Rf3! (28...Le4? 29 De6+!) 29 Le7, and now: 1) During the game Kasparov considered mainly 29...2e4 30 Wd3 (30 AfS+ is also possible, but Black still has excellent winning chances after 30...2g6 31 Wa7 Wxd1+ 32 Wxdl Rxd1 33 dexdl Df2+) 30....Rxgd 31 Sxb4 and couldn’t come to any definite conclusion about 31...2€2 (with the stronger 31...€f7!? Black prepares ...@\f2 and White has no obvious way186 to untangle his forces) 32 @e6+!. The post- mortem proved Black can’t avoid a perpetual. 2) Black also has the better 29...Sxd1!? 30 We5+ GO Wad Da3+ 31 ded? Wedl+ 32 Bxdl Dxb2+ 33 Hel Ded 34 Axb4 Zh8 and Black should win this endgame; his a-pawn becomes very dangerous as White’s king remains cut off on the back rank) 30...82f7 31 Wi6+ se8 32 Wg6+ dexe7 33 DfS+ dds 34 Wd6+ Dd7 35 We7+ dec7 36 Wa6+ b7 37 Wxd7+ Bc7. Now the checks are over and White must play the dreary endgame after 38 Wxdl Zh7. How- ever, the same goes for the text-move, which in addition is mote practical — now Black’s king doesn’t get chased all over the board. 28 AfS+(D) TAT 7 asa os YY a. 2 wwe a Am ae ww ao oe Bw of7 28...Wxf5? now fails to 29 Wac3+. Kasparov again chooses the clearest way. Black could have tried to take the knight instead of the bishop with 28...2f8, but if White insists, he can reach the same configuration of material after 29 e7+ (29 Lh6+ he8 30 Ad6+ ded7 31 Wards Bxd5 32 Axc8 cxb2+ 33 xb? shxcB allows Black to achieve his goal, although it’s probably not worth the trouble; 29 Wh2 Wh+ 30 Wxhl @xhl 31 Wh6+ eR leads a similar position) 29...d2e8 30 2d6+ doxe7 31 Axc8+. 29 Wxds+ = Oxds 30 Dd6+ ogo 31 AxcB bugs Black’s technical difficulties in this endgame stem from extreme simplification. He will have only a single rook’s pawn and, as his bishop doesn’t control al, he must avoid the exchange of knights. However, with accurate play Black 7 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES should be able to coordinate his forces and support his passed pawn. After the text-move, White’s insignificant extra c-pawn will only limit his own pieces. The greedy 31...cxb2+ 32 sbxb2 dexg5 33 dkc3 would activate his king and complicate the issue. 32 Db6 Reb! Kasparov again resists the temptation. bxe3 cbxgd 34 bb? et ‘This allows White to win a tempo four moves later by checking Black's king, so if Kasparov wanted to continue as in the game, 34...87f5!? was more accurate. ce) as ‘This is fully playable, but it makes the a-pawn more vulnerable. The alternative was 35...e5 36 seb4 67! (but not 36...2d6? 37 a5, when Black can’t effectively prevent Dad, as 37...$d7 38 2)xd7 dhxd7 39 deb6 fd6 40 c4 lands him in zugzwang) and Black should gradually win. 36 2a4(D) Wo a 7. “a ast i 1 7 le a Ve ss . as .. = a 2 ss x a. a a ee ~ 36 Desi Kasparov is in a hurry to wrap up the game, but he underestimates White's defensive resources. 36...2)b7 37 Ab6 ££7 is good enough to win, but even better is 36....d7! 37 Db2 Db6 with the point 38 4 (38 A)d3+ ded 39 DcS+ B45 is hopeless for White, as Black will gradually advance his a-pawn) 38...2xc4 39 @xc4 Dxc4+ 40 4b3 De5! (40...D6? 41 c4 followed by c5 draws) 41 had Zic6 42 &b5 wes. 37 Db2t It’s amazing, but now the position is a draw. White’s threat is dad and Black's knight can’t return to c5 any more.GAME 105: VISHY ANAND — GARRY KASPAROV 7 ow Dxc3 Forced. 37...2d7 38 Ded a4 39 Ob6 is an easy draw. 39 Des ots Kasparov changes his plan to maintain the tension. His original intention 39...,2dS allows 40 b3! Sxb3 (40.04 41 bd disposes of Black's pawn) 41 cxb3 dhd4 42 b4 a4 43 bS ‘£c5 44 b6! with an immediate draw. 40 &b2! Anand’s time-trouble is over and he is still ‘on the right track. 40 43b7? allows 40...04, dis- rupting the coordination of White's forces and allowing Black's king to join in decisively after 41 ba a2. 40 as Other knight moves allow #b3, when Black can’t prevent both dead and 2167. 41 Qb71(D) 41 $03? now fails to 41...0b6. The text- move both forces the a-pawn forward and frees White’s own c-pawn, 4 iw ad 42 cd Db6 43 Dd6 Anand restricts Black’s knight, but he could also have played 43 c5 Dc4+ 44 Wc3 Le6 (44...3 45 Qd6 is an immediate draw and the same goes for d3 45 Dd6 Des 46 seb4 £02.47 De4+) 45 Dd8! (45 Dd6? now fails to 45...Be5 46 ibd Bb3) 45...,2d5 46 seb4 03 47 ‘#b3 and the c-pawn marches on with a draw. 187 Bw a3 After 43.,.2d7 44 c5 Dd5 45 Ded+ dedd 46 Db6 Df6 47 shad the a-pawn falls. 44S Os 45 ba3 c2 45...82d4 46 texad exc5 47 DE7 also holds for White, because Black can’t trap the white knight. 46 bs! White must still prepare the advance of his pawn. After 46 06? @ic7 47 De4+ ded 48 D6 Db5+ 49 kbd (49 2 b3) 49...03 50.07 LES Black wins. De7 (D) FO 0 Da O6 i a 7 ae mae Black prevents 6-c7. 47 Dal? This blunder costs White the game. Anand could have crowned his dogged defence with the simple 47 &c3!, Just as in the note to move 45, White wins the a-pawn and draws, as his knight escapes after 47...d2d4 48 Dixad ct 49 Db6+ bxc5 50 Hb2. a7 ow bad 48 06 ads 49° Dbs+ eS 50 c7 RES! 0-1 Now White's knight is lost, as the attempt to save it leads to mate after 51 sexad (51 a7 Dyxc7 52 dexad tb6) 51... Nb6+ 52 taS Ded+ 53 wad (53 a6 Rc8+) 53...L202#. This was Kasparov's fifth consecutive Sicilian win with Black in the tournament!Game 106 Garry Kasparov — Nigel Short Sarajevo 1999 Nimzo-Indian Defence [E20] 1 a4 a6 2 cf 6 3 Ded Abd 4 OB For about a year Kasparov occasionally refrained from his usual 4 We2 and returned to an old favourite from his matches against Karpov (see Games 30 and 34), using it as a surprise ‘weapon, 4 iw 5s 5 0-0 Currently 5..cxd4 6 Dxd4 Des 7 Wa3 2xc3+ 8 bxc3 Hc5 isa popular altemative. Al- though White’s pawn-structure is ruined, his bishop-pair and active prospects on the dark squares create a tense position. 6 fg? exd4 7 @xd4 5 8 exds Despite its final outcome, Game 34 showed the right way to deal with 8 Wb3 and the text- move has become White’s main attempt to gain an opening advantage. 2xd5 (D) Y “"Y A WY An MARSH owe 2 9 gar Nowadays White mostly prefers 9 Wb3 and this move also appeared in Kasparov's practice. However, after 9.206 10 4x6 bxc6 11 0-0 Wa5 12 a2 Sxc3 13 bxc3 a6 14 Bfdl Wes 15 e4 &c4 16 Wad Db6 17 Wh4 Whs even the recent wrinkle 18 ££4!9 (18 £e3, as in Kaspa- rov-Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2000, is rather harmless; after 18...@e2 19 Bd2 Hab8 20 &xb6 axb6 21 Wd6 Black could have equalized with 21...fc8 22 h3 £2£3!, the main tactical point being 23 g4 WS 24 &xf3? Bd8) doesn’t seem too dangerous for Black. Following 18...c5 19 Wh2 e5 20 e3 Bick 21 £3 Wg6 22 a4, as in Bacrot-Grishchuk, Poikovsky 2005, he should have played 22....e6!? with good chances for full equality. 9 Axc3 As afier 9...2306 10 De2 White is slightly better, Black faces an important decision — should he give White the bishop-pair or an extra tempo? The two options are of approximately equivalent value; after 9...2xc3 10 bxc3 eT 11 Zbl the best way to meet the Exb7 threat is 11...247!? 12 0-0 (12 &xb7 &xb7 13 Exb7 Wc8 gives Black good compensation) 12...b6 13 fd Das 14 Wo3 DxkA 15 ext. Now in Kasparov-Salov, Linares 1990 Black should have lashed out with Kasparov's recommendation 15...2d6! 16 €3 e5 17 fxeS SxeS 18 £4 2f6, which promises him active counterplay. 10 bxc3(D) aw Ze ada 10 per?GAME 106: GARRY KASPAROV — NIGEL SHORT An interesting idea. Black doesn’t want to wait until White's bishops and major pieces (after Wad and Eb) target his a- and b-pawns, so he seeks active play of his own on the queenside, aiming for the hole on c4. However, the text-move also has its drawbacks, as it costs time and doesn’t directly address the problem of queenside development. For this reason, immediately increasing the scope of Black’s bishop with the natural 10...e5 is more popular. Now passive retreats promise Black comfortable equality, so the most enterprising continuation is 11 AbS De6 120-0 Le6 13 Kel a6 14 4, and here: 1) 14..Ade7 15 Bd6 transposes to Kaspa- rov-Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee blitz. 1999, which went 15...6 16 a3 Ha7 17 c5 bxcS 18 Zed! 4:19 Dgs Wxdl 20 Bfxdl Bc8 21 Axe6 fixes. Now the circumspect 22 €3 controls the d4- square and would have given White excellent compensation with his active bishops. 2) Black should probably prefer the direct 14...b6!? 15 Dd6 Axed 16 xb7 Wxdl 17 BxdI Ad4 18 DeS Babs (18...Had8!?) 19 Dxe6 fxe6 20 h3 as in Piket-Tkachev, Cannes (7) 2000. Now overprotecting e6 with 20...2fe8 or 20...82f7 wins the e2-pawn, but it is more important that Black’s knights are far more active than in the K-K game above and can keep White's bishops in check. 11 2031? Although he could have hardly expected 10...2)b6!?, Kasparov quickly realizes he can aspire for an edge only with very concrete play. The stereotyped 11 0-0 e5 12 b5 (12 c2 We7!? followed by ....e6 is fine for Black) 12.. Bed 13 Sel Deb 14 Ld5 61? leads to approximate equality. Postponing castling to fight for the initiative is nothing unusual in this line and this tendency is indicated by 12 Wd3!? in Game 34. uw 2d5 (D) Short’s novelty improves upon the previously played 11..Dc4 12 Wa3 Axe3 13 Wre3 Dd7 14 0-0, when the pressure on the long light diagonal greatly complicates Black's further development. 12 Waz Repetition with 12 £242 is not an option for Kasparov and 12 Wa3 247 also isn’t ideal, as it exposes White’s queen. That leaves only 12 189 Sich, when after 12..xc3 13 Wa2 Dds 14 a3 Be8 15 0-0 (the direct 15 Db5?! Ws 16 2d6 Hd8 17 4 backfires after 17...Wa6! 18 exd5 Wxa3 19 Qxc8 a6! and Black is better) White has just about enough compensation for the pawn, but no more than that. Kasparov's move leads to a more tense position. Ro a7 Contrary to the position after 11..c4, Black is not forced to take on 3 and can bring out some pieces first. 13 gst Again direct play just as on move 11: White doesn’t want to allow the consolidating ....7b6 without a fight. The only viable alternative, 13 c4 xe3 14 Bxe3, leads to a similar position as in the note to Black’s 11th move, the difference being White has played the less useful c4 instead of 0-0. This eases Black's task and after 14...We7!? 15 Bel (15 0-0 Wxe4 16 Bfcl Wa6 gives White compensation, but no real advantage) 15...2\c5 16 0-0 247 17 Abs Wb6 he can claim equality. Bw. Wer 14 Dbs The only continuation which is consistent with White’s previous moves. The anti-positional 14 x45?! exd5 15 25 is best partied by the simple 15...4¢h8 and Black is slightly better, as the abrupt 16 @xg7?! fails to 16...WeS! 17 Qh6 Hgs 18 Bal D6. 4 ‘WeS (D) Black's answer is also more or less forced; his knight still heads for o4. White is better after both 14...We4 15 Dd6 Wes 16 c4 and 14...Wb6 15 Bb1! £6 (15...a6 also isn’t ideal due to 16 c4) 16 e4.190 a 2 Re As mow a oe ill WA Doge & Hz 15 ct Kasparov sacrifices a pawn to open the position and deflect Black’s queen to a more vulnerable square. A closer look shows this is the only way White can pursue his initiative. After the meek 15 Xbi Black has 15...a6! (Black must reckon with the threat of £xd5 followed by Re3 and the weaker 15...7b6?! gives White a pleasant endgame advantage after 16 ¢4 Zc4 17 We4) and with his uncastled king White is well advised to bail out with 16 4 (16 c4?! runs into 16...f6! and the vulnerability of the £2-pawn forces White to forget about 17 cxd5 and search for uneasy equality after 17 &xd5 exd5 18 23 Wxc4 19 Kb4) 16...axb5 17 exdS Wea! 18 Hb4 Wxa2 19 Wxa2 Hxa2 20 0-0 exd5 21 Sxd5 He2. The resulting endgame is drawish. sw. xed 16 Ebi DTb6 White intended 2x45, followed by &d6 and ‘Re7. Other ways to cope with this threat are less enticing: 1) 16.276 17 Sxf6! Dxf6 18 0-0 with ideas such as Dd6 and Bfcl is good for White. With his strong Catalan-like bishop he will keep Black under pressure even after he regains the b7-pawn. 2) Amore complex alternative is 16...16 17 Rf4! 276!” (this is better than immediately clearing the long diagonal with 17...2xf4 18 gxf4 2b6 19 0-0; Black again has problems coordinating his queenside forces, although in comparison with line ‘1’ here the energetic 19...e5!? gives him more counterplay) 18 0-0 (on d6 the bishop would be a tactical weakness: 18 £46?! Ed8 19 0-0 £47 20 Bfcl GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES Qxb5!) 18...247 19 Bfcl Wad 20 2c7 Mack!? (20...2xe7 is weaker, as after 21 xe7 White regains the pawn without relinquishing his initiative) 21 Axd5 Excl+ 22 Excl @xd5 23 Rxd5 exdS 24 Wrd5+ deh8 25 Wxb7. Al- though here White’s advantage is only small due to the opposite-coloured bishops, he can still play for a win without undue risk. 17 0-0(D) \ ¢ N Ae \“ » cS q Za Jo U0 7, a &y WAR OK 727, 7a 7 h6!? Short decides to face the danger, and forces a crisis. This is a committal decision, but the alternatives were no less risky: 1) 17.,.£62! 18 e4! De7 (after 18...fxg5 19 Rfcl or 18...2e3 19 Axc3 fxg5 20 Bfcl Black faces similar problems) 19 £e3 and Black is in trouble due to his lag in development. 2) For this reason 17...,2d7 is more to the point. After 18 Hfcl Wad 19 Dd6 the critical continuation is 19...h6 (19...f6 again isn’t ideal due to 20 e4!, when White’s pressure is very strong) 20 &xh6! (after 20 e4 hxg5 21 exd5 exd5!? 22 Wxg5 Wrxa2 White's attacking prospects are rather vague, as Black's queen can re- tum to the kingside via €2 or a3) 20...2xh6. Now White has numerous attractive attacking motifs: 2a) 21 S&xd5 is an interesting computer-like suggestion. By exchanging a piece that could have still taken part in the attack, White makes it ‘easier for his rooks to reach the kingside. After 21...exd5 (21..2)xd5? loses to 22 Kod) 22 Bb4 Wa3 (22...Wa6? 23 Bh4) 23 He7!? (23 Bebl threatens to pursue the queen, but Black can get it closer to his king with the generous 23...2ac8! 24 xho Wc3 and he is out of danger) Black's a a A . X » a” 2 oe _ el Za DoWGAME 106: GARRY KASPAROV ~ NIGEL SHORT queen is offside and he must first of all cope with the threat of Exd7. Arguably the safest way to achieve this is again 23...Hac8! (after 23..8¢h7? 24 Exd7 Dxd7 25 DFS &g6 26 ‘Wrxh6+ sexfS 27 g4+ White mates, but the more adventurous 23...2fc8!? 24 Zb5 Wa6 25 ‘Wxh6 d4! is a playable alternative) 24 AbS (this is the trickiest try; White can naturally force a perpetual with 24 Wrxh6) 24...S.xb5! (24...a6? is now insufficient due to 25 Wxh6 and White wins material, as he threatens mate in two) 25 He4+ dh7 26 Wt4 Dd7 (Black must free his third rank to defend the h6-pawn from a6, as after 26...247? 27 Hh4 White mates) 27 Bxc8 We7! 28 WS+ Sh 29 AxfB+ Dxi8 30 ‘Wrd5 and a draw is the most likely result; after 30....c6 White can force it with 31 Wad+ £6 32 ‘Wea ceh7 33 Wis+. 2b) 21 e4 (D) is more natural and also more dangerous. White wants to accomplish the aforementioned rook-lift by pushing back Black’s knight. Now: 2b1) 21.6? gives White important tempi and after 22 5 {U5 23 Axd5! exd5 24 bd he ‘gets an ideal version of the ‘2a’ line above, as the €5-pawn is already protecting the d6-knight. 2b2) 21...2e7!? is somewhat better, but also fraught with danger. 22 Hc5! threatens both ‘EhS and BaS, trapping Black's queen. After 22...Efd8!? (best) the long but very plausible line 23 Wxh6 8 24 Bg5+ Zig6 25 e5! Wxa2!? 26 Be4 Exd6 27 exd6 We2 28 Axg6 fxg6 29 Exg6+ 2xg6 30 Wxg6+ dhs 31 Wher des 32 WgS+! Sf7 33 We7+ Sg8 34 d7 Axd7 35 ‘Gxd7 EFS 36 Wed leads to an endgame in 191 which Black’s permanently exposed king gives White reasonable winning chances. 263) 21...Wfa3!? removes the queen from an exposed square, but after the surprising 22 @xb7!? (following 22 e5 tg7 23 Hb3 Wa6 24 Aixds Dxd5 (or even 24..exd5!?} 25 Be4 Bhs! 26 Bxb7 Se8 Black's defence seems to hold) the d5-knight has to retreat and this greatly complicates the defence; .g., 22...0\f6 23 Wxh6 Efc8 (23...We7? loses to 24 Wg5+ Shs 25 Wh4+ deg7 26 He5) 24 5 Hxcl+ 25 Bxcl Des 26 Wg5+ kef8 27 BFl! Lb5 28 Wags Sxfl 29 Sixfl and White continues his attack. Alll this indicates that Short’s intuition didn’t let him down and the text-move was objectively Black's best choice. 18 Sixh6t Kasparov doesn’t hesitate. With this piece sacrifice White doesn’t risk much; moreover, the mundane alternatives 18 Hfc1 Wg4 and 18 e4 hxg5 19 Bfcl Wad are unconvincing Bw exh 19 ef A crucial awischenzug. White must keep the ‘enemy queen cut off from the kingside. 19 ww De7 19...2f62! is not ideal, as after 20 Hfcl Black must return the piece with 20...2xe4 (20.,.ifa4?! 21 Eb4 Wa5S 22 ¢5 Dbds 23 Hed+ is even more costly for Black) 21 Wel! Wra2 22 Sixe4, Here White's initiative is worth more than the extra pawns. 20 Bfcl Wad 21 Wxh6(D) Eva Bez he Mk a mm ww om ae Cm a Ag Oo Me 78a 7 SS ‘Kasparov has managed to create a tense situation in which sharp calculation plays a key192 role, but general principles can’t be completely disregarded either. Despite the abrupt shift of the focus of the fight to the kingside, the struggle continues very much across the whole board, as most of the firepower has still remained on the ‘opposite flank. In the following phase both sides will try to mobilize their reserves as quickly and effectively as possible. 2 ou a7 Shorts up to his task and just as on move 17, he uses the right blend of calculation and intuition to find the best way. Connecting the rooks helps the defence; other moves are weaker: 1) 21...f6 further weakens Black’s kingside. After the refined 22 Bc5!? (22 &c7! is met by 2..,Sd7 23 Bc3 Widd 24 Hdl Wes 25 Hdxd7 xd7 26 Exd7 H7, when Black consolidates his position and has nothing to fear) 22...e5 23 Hc7!?, even 23...0f7 (best; after 23...477! 24 2c3 Widd 25 S2h3! the difference between the two options on move 22 becomes clear and White gets a huge attack, because the natural 25...2ac8 fails to 26 Bxd7 @xd7 27 Re6+ BE7 28 @d5! WS 29 Bxb7!?, regaining the whole rook) 24 @d6 Wxa2 25 Hdl! Sg 26 Dxf7 Wxf7 27 Bd6 allows White to retain a strong initiative. 2) Even the more reasonable 21...2)g6 is inferior due to a beautiful line given by Kasparov: 22.hA! (22 Hc5? allows the queen to join in with 2...iifxa2 23 De3 Wa3) 22...De4 23 hS (23 a3 with the threat of Hb4 is an interesting try, but White has no obvious way to profit from the in- sertion of the pawn moves after the unprejudiced 23...a5!2) 23...D\ge5 24 Exod Axc4 25 ‘Wf6 @h7 26 h6 Eg8 27 Wxf7+ Shs 28 Wor ‘HhT 29 €5! (White spurns the draw) 29...d2 (29...ic2 30 @c3! Dd? 31 Bal Hg6 32 We7+ Bxh6 33 Was Bed 34 Bxd2 Wxc3 35 Wi6+ followed by Hd8 and Black's deserted king succumbs) 30 d6 £47! (30...0g6 31 We7+ bxh6 32 DI7+ Bh5 33 Hb4 mates) 31 Exb7 Wal+ 32 deh2 Whs+ 33 h3 DlI+ 34 deg? @h4+ 35 Wxh4!! (White again avoids the perpetual) 35...Wxh4 36 Exd7+ dxh6 37 &f5!! Wxg3+!? (37..Wad 38 Bh7+ dps 39 203! We6+ 40 Sed Wixed+ 41 Dxed+ SfS 42 F3 bxe5 43 hed FS 44 HE7+ deg6 45 Bt6+ followed by Hxe6 gives White connected passed pawns and winning chances) 38 fxg3 ext5 39 Dxt5+ hes 40 Dd6 keg6 41 LEI. White is on GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES top, although Black still retains drawing chances after 41...g7 42 Exg7+ toxg7 43 wed BP. 22 Be5(D) 22 Des Black parties the threat of Hh5. 22...fd87! 23 BgS+ Ag6 is weaker due to the direct 24 Exg6+!? (more energetic than 24 4d6 Se8 25 €5, which transposes to note ‘2b’ to Black’s 17th move) 24...fxg6 25 Wxg6+ #h8 26 Dd6 ‘Ef 27 e5 and White’s attack is extremely dangerous. 23 gs The most demanding continuation, which puts Short in a psychologically unpleasant situation, White risks nothing and can always force a perpetual, while Black must be fully alert to keep track of all his opponent's active attacking intentions. The main ideas are h4-h5, or e5, which frees the e4-square for both minor pieces and also the fourth rank for a possible rook transfer to h4. Other moves were less dangerous: 1) Black’s main resource is to get his queen to the kingside to help out in the defence. He can realize this after 23 h4 Wxa2 24 2c3 Wa3, when White has nothing better than forcing a draw with 25 h5 (25 Bg5? fails to 25...2fc8! and the attack is over, as Black is ready to play WES), 2) After 23 BhS Hfds! 24 Wh7+ wets 25 Dd6 Le8 26 e5 the most prudent option is to get rid of the powerful knight: 26...ixd6!? (26...DxeS? 27 Wh8+ Be7 fails to 28 DES+! exf5 29 Wxe5+ ded7 30 Hcl and White has a mating attack) 27 exd6 Wd4 leads to approximate equality.GAME 106: GARRY KASPAROV ~ NIGEL SHORT Bw We2!? This attempt to disrupt the coordination of White’s forces leads to great complications. Other options: 1) 23...1ixa2? allows White to use most of the aforementioned attacking ideas after 24 @c3 Was (after 24... We? 25 e5 Sc6 26 Sixc6 bxc6 27 Rbd the threats of De4 and Hh4 are decisive) 25 e5 fc8 (after 25...Wxc3 26 @e4 Black must meet the threat of Hixg6+ with 26...e8, when 27 Bh5 mates) 26 Dea! Dd5 27 Afo+ Dxf6 28 exf6 WIS 29 Exe6+ fxe6 30 Wxg6+ Hh8 31 Bed with mate. 2) Simplification often helps the defence and this rule can be applied even here. 23...,2xb5 24 Hbxbs is a viable alternative. Then White threatens Exg6+ with mate, so Black’s queen must occupy the long dark diagonal. The best method is 24..Wdl+ 25 2f1 Wal!, preparing .-2d8-d1 and also enabling the defensive manoeuvre ...2d8-d4, After 26 hd (26 e5 Had8 27 Hb4 Had 28 Bxdd Wxd4 29 hd Od7 and now White must take the perpetual with 30 Exg6+; in the line 26 Hbe5!? Wxe5 27 Hixe5 2xe5 28 £4 he can postpone this decision, but a draw is still the most likely result) 26...Wg7 (26...2fd8? loses to 27 Hxg6+ fxg6 28 Wxg6+ £8 29 Wxe6) 27 Wxg7+ dxg7 28 h5 White will have aslight endgame edge, but Black should be able to hold the game. 24 Ba3t(D) This surprising retreat is the only way to continue the attack; as we'll see below, the knight still has chances to rejoin the assault. ‘The text-move avoids the line 24 Eb3 Wdl+ 25 Sf1 Wal! 26 eS &xbS and Black draws as aa. CT 193 Ww wast Black's queen keeps both White's pieces under attack and, vitally, remains in touch with the critical e4-square. The text-move is strong but forced; other continuations lose: 1) After 24...Wxa2? 25 e5 White threatens Bed and even the tricky 25...8fd8 (Black has no time for 25...We2 26 h4 and 25....c6 fails to 26 &xc6 bxc6 27 Hb4) is insufficient due to 26 Exg6+! (26 Sed allows the tactical defence 26...S1e8 27 Bh5? £06! with the idea 28 £2xg6? ‘Wrbl+! and ...Bd1#) 26...fxg6 27 Wxg6+ £8 28 Wi6+ de8 (28...d2g8 29 Bb4) 29 Wh8+ £17 30 Wh7+ df8 31 S31, when Black’s lonely king soon gets mated. 2) After 24...We3? 25 5 £06 26 £xc6 bxc6 274 Wxa3 28 hS We7 Kasparov shows White doesn’t have to hurry: the quiet 29 #2g2! prepares Ehl and wins by force. Even the most resilient 29...Wd7 (29...c5 30 Bhi Wb7+ 31 £3 and Black will have only a few checks) 30 hl! Wass 31 £3 Wa2+ 32 fh Wa7 fails to 33 pA! Dc4 34 dg3 Dexes 35 hxg6 fxg6 36 Whs+ 2F7 37 Wes, ‘We now return to 24...d3! (D): a a z of Z sm “se 25 hd 25 €5? Bfc8! followed by ..Wxa3 and ...WE8 enables Black to beat off the attack, but immediately after the game Kasparov regretted he didn’t play the far more exacting 25 Hb3!. The seemingly distant rook can also get to the h-file via the third rank after g4. Black's immediate reaction is crucial: 1) 25...WHd1+? is natural but weak: 26 2f1 Efc8 (26...ac8 27 g4! Wd 28 e5 Hc3 loses to 29 Bc2! We5 30 £d3) 27 Hxg6+! (it’s now or194 never, as after 27 g4? Eel Black tums the tables) 27...fxg6 28 Wxg6+ 18 29 Wi6+! dg8 (after 29...d2e8 30 Ef3 Wd6 31 e5 WeS White has the powerful 32 bS!, forcing a quick mate) 30 Wg5+! (placing the eS-square under control) 30...42f7 31 B43. White gains the £3- square for his rook and his attack becomes decisive. A beautiful sample line is 31...Wal 32 HA3+ whe8 33 e5! Rad 34 Wg8+ dha7 35 WET+ Has 36 Wi8+ Lek 37 Ha3+ Dds 38 xds+! exd5 39 Wf6+ dd7 40 Wd6#, when White’s queen does the job single-handed. 2) 25...1Wd4 is correct. 26 e5 Bac8! (Black ‘must hurry with his counterattack; otherwise h4-h5 decides) 27 M1 (after 27 h4 Bcl+ 28 Bh2 Black must first of all prevent Bf3 with 28,....c6! and White will have to force a draw; eg., 29 Rxc6 Wxf2+ 30 2g? Bgl) 27...LLc6 (27.81? loses to 28 Bf3!) 28 Bd3 (28 24? ‘Wed forces White to shut the third rank again), and here Black again has a difficult choice: 2a) Black must retain access to the e4- square, but the immediate 28...1e4? costs an important tempo and after 29 £3 Wa4 30 Bxg6+ fxg6 31 Wxg6+ dh8 32 Wher dg8 33 2h3! White wins most of the sacrificed material back with a raging attack even after 33...Se8 (most resilient) 34 fxe6+ HE7 35 Qxf7+ Sxf7 36 6. 2b) As Kasparov discovered in the post- mortem, the only defence is unexpected de- centralization with 28...Wad!, when White has nothing concrete. A plausible try like 29 h4 (with the pawn still on £2, after 29 Bxg6+ fxg6 30 Wxg6+ dhs 31 Wh6+ dp8 32 £3 Black has 32...We4! 33 Sxe6+ Bf7, when White must give a perpetual; the tricky 29 @e4!? Wxcd 30 Exg6+ fxg6 31 Wxg6+ dhs 32 24 runs into the study-tike 32...S¢22!, again thwart- ing White ambitions after 33 exg2 We6+ 34 ‘Syl Bf3) is met by 29...e4 30 h5 Bel! forcing him to take the draw with 31 hxg6 (31 363? ‘Was and Black threatens ...Hxfl+) 31...xfl+ 32 bxfl &xd3+ 33 del. 26 hs? Our game was played in round 3 and after two previous draws with Black, Kasparov in his ‘eagemess to win goes for broke. However, objectively White should have played 26 Hxg6+, as now the advantage passes to Black. Wxa3 (D) GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 26 ‘Wer 27 eS Le8! White's threats shouldn’t be underestimated; the text-move, which prepares ...{6 or ..f5, is in fact the only satisfactory defence. 27...Sc6? 28 £.xc6 bxc6 29 dog?! transposes to the lost position from note ‘2 to Black's 24th move. 28 fed 28 hxg6 requires Black to navigate through some tactical pitfalls, but after 28...fg6 (28...{6? 29 &h3! Sd7 30 Hdl! ds 31 Bhs and White advantageously regains the sacrificed piece) 29 Sih3 Hf 30 dog? Ha3! (30...21c3? is weak due to 31 Zb4! and closing the fourth rank costs material; after 31..2e4 32 Exg6+ Sxg6 33 ‘Wxg6+ dhs 34 Wh6+ Wh7 35 Wi6+ We7 36 Wh4+ Wh7 37 Zxcd White is better) 31 Hel (31 Bb4 Ead is also fine for Black) 31...Wg7!? 32 Rxe6+ Hf8 he has very good winning chances. 15 Bw 29 exf6 Ext6 30 hxg6? Another move in the spirit of 26 h52. Short was already in severe time-trouble, so Kasparov, who was probably quite aware of the great risks involved, pursues his flagging initiative by keeping more pieces on the board. However, after the text-move White should have lost relatively easily, so objectively necessary was 30 Lxg6 Bxg6 31 Hxg6+ Eixg6 32 Wixg6+ w18!? (perhaps 32...2h8 33 Wh6+ Wh7 34 Wier ‘We7 is a safer choice, but even here after 35 ‘Wxe6 White has reasonable drawing chances ~ Black’s material advantage is minimal, while his knight is offside and his king remains exposed) 33 Hb3!? WE7 34 Wed de 35 £63 Wh7. Although now Black can avoid an immediateGAME 106: GARRY KASPAROV — NIGEL SHORT perpetual, his king is permanently vulnerable and converting the extra knight into victory will be very difficult, if not impossible. 30 ‘Wg7? (D) Short retums the favour and squanders a large part of his advantage. 30....S4c6! repels the attack and leaves White lost. x Hilen 31 Wh7+ 32) «Wha Just as on move 26 and 30, Kasparov continues to push and seek complications. This tricky retreat quickly reaps rewards, but the correct reaction would have left Black on top. Therefore 32 Ha5!? deserves attention: White threatens ‘Exb6 and can easily end up taking both queenside pawns with good chances to save most of the arising endgames. 32 vn Ee8? Short yields to the pressure and commits the decisive mistake by misplacing his rook. Black had better moves: 1) One of these is 32...d2g8, when White probably has nothing more than repeating the position. 2) A more ambitious move is 32...8xg6, but here White can hold the balance with energetic play. He should immediately get his second rook over to the kingside and the right way todo itis 33 Bb3 (after 33 Bb4? Ads 34 2xg6 Exg6 35 Exg6 Wxg6 36 Hed Wol+ 37 dg2 ‘Be8 White has no incisive follow-up, as checks only chase Black’s king to safety; 33 Wg4?! ‘B17 34 Hb3 is also inferior due to 34... Wh6! 35 ere 195 Rxg6+ Hxg6 36 Hxg6 Wage 37 E+ dg7, when Black consolidates his position with careful defence after 38 Wa4+ tog8 39 Hfd eS! 40 ‘Wres BiB! 41 Bh4 Od7! and even retains reasonable winning chances) 33...2d5! (Black must place the f4-square under control; after 33...Hc8? 34 Axg6 Exg6 35 BO3+ des 36 Exg6 Wrxg6 37 Ef4! the coordinated effort of White’s major pieces gives him a winning attack) 34 Bf3 Bxf3 35 Bxg6 Wal+ 36 g2 Hf6! 37 Wh8+ she7 38 Wxa8 De3+! 39 h3 Exg6 (after 39...WEl+ 40 thd DfS+ 41 Lxf5 Whi + 42 ded! Black has only a perpetual with 42...Wd1+) 40 Wxb7+ 216 41 Sxg6 Whl+ 42 thd Dg?s 43 ded exg6 44 Wess 16 45 Wr3+ eS 46 We3+ and this time it’s Black ‘who can’t hide from the perpetual. 3), However, Black has an even better option in 32...1d8!. Just as the text-move, this activates the rook, but via a less vulnerable square. White is hard pressed to show compensation for the missing piece, as his main attacking idea, 33 Hh5?!, is amply met by 33...2xg6 34 Axg6 Wxg6 35 Bh8+ sg7 36 Hxd8 Wxbl+ 37 bg? Wh7, 33° Bhs! White has managed to change the order of his major pieces on the h-file and now the imminent invasion becomes deadly. The following moves are forced. Bw xg 34 Bh8+ 7 35 Bxc8 Axc8 36 -Bxb7+ = De7 37 xg6+ — Wxg6 After 37...€xg6 38 Wg4+ £h7 39 Wxg7+ sbxg7 40 Exe7+ the rook endgame promises White a simple win. 38 Wha The sting at the end of the forcing operation. Bw wes This loses on the spot, but even the only way to avoid immediate mate with 38...2¢g8 39 Wxe7 Hf8 40 Hbs Hi7 41 Hb8+ de7 42 Wh4 Hf 43 Wd4+ is hopeless due to White’s extra pawns and safer king. 39 Wxe7+ «= bg6 40° Wh7+ 10Game 107 Garry Kasparov — The World Internet (www.zone.com) 1999 Sicilian Defence [B52] In the not so distant past, encounters between renowned GMs and media readers/viewers/lis- teners were hardly of any interest and their result was usually a foregone conclusion. All this changed with the onset of the Intemet and the rapidly growing strength of chess-playing software, which in turn greatly increased the chess strength of the collective ‘opponent’ and enabled a quick, effective and worldwide coordination of analytical effort. Ample proof is provided by this splendid fighting game, which took place ‘on Microsoft's Gaming Zone. During the 124 days it lasted, it became the greatest interactive event ever with over three million ‘hits’, Al- though the World’s moves were chosen by popular vote, the team’s coaches Bacrot, Felecan, Krush and Pahtz posted their suggestions on the web in advance. Mainly due to Irina Krush, who managed to engage quite a few high-calibre consultants (including the Grandmaster Chess School led by Alexander Khalifman), efficiently coordinate their efforts and thus usually persuade a majority of the voters, Kasparov and his team were confronted with a really seri- ‘ous challenge. The whole drama of the struggle is presented in diary form in Kasparov against the World — Kasparov's account of the event. 1 4 5 2 af a6 3 BbS+ The sentiments about this line have gradually changed during the 1990s. The notes to Game 88 featured the important clash Ivan- chuk-Kasparov, Linares 1991, which practically decided the whole prestigious event in the Ukrainian GM’s favour. Directly afterwards Kasparov accused his opponent of playing for a draw, but later he realized that although the text-move is less ambitious than 3 d4, White can still fight for a slight opening edge. Another reason for choosing 3 2bS+ was that at this time Kasparov's world championship match against Anand was still a possibility, so he didn’t want to show his cards in a heavy theoretical uel in one of the critical lines of the Open Si- cilian, 3m a7 This is the main reason for the peaceful reputation of 3 S2b5+— as early as move 4 White is practically forced to exchange a pair of minor pieces. 4 Bxa7e 5 cf With only two bishops remaining on the board, pawn-structure questions become more significant. The text-move aims for a Maroczy-like set-up with dé and is White’s main active try. On the other hand, after 5 0-0 f6 6 Rel De67 €3 6 8.d4 cxd4 9 exd4 d5 10e5 Ded Black has the better bishop and nothing to worry about. cae 2e6 (D) As indicated above, not only White, but also Black doesn’t want to compromise his bishop. Although after 5...e5 the closed centre makes it very difficult to exploit the better c1-bishop, White still enjoys a slight, but permanent edge. However, by postponing the natural text-move Black can try to limit White’s options. The point of the move-order 5...f6!? 6 Dc3 g6 7 4 cxd4 8 Dixdd 297 9 £3 (9 0-0 cb transposes into the game) 9.00 is that now after the natural 10 0-0 (the untested 10 &g5!? is perhaps a better chance to retain the tension), in 2003 Ivanchuk came up with the surprising tactical idea 10...11e8 11 b3 d5!. Here Black easily equalizes after 12 exdS @xd5! 13 Dxds e6. 6 23 6 0-0 allows 6...2e5!? 7 d3 e6 followed by .-De7-c6, greatly complicating the desired d4 advance. However, contemporary practice has shown it’s possible to play 6 d4 immediately. Here Black's most prudent option is the simple 6...cxd4 (the provocative 6...Wg4! leads to tactical complications that favour White; a sample line is 7 d5 Wxe4+ 8 £e3 Da4 9 Bad+ bS 10 Wa6 Zc2+ 11 ded2 Wd3+ 12 cl Bbs 13 Wxa7 Ba 14 Hal! Wg6 15 ha Wed 16 23 Wxh4 17 dexc2 and White’s large lead in Wra7GAME 107: GARRY KASPAROV ~ THE WORLD development gives him a very strong attack) with a similar position as in the game. 6 26 After 6...2e5?! White can profit from delay- ing castling and 7 d4! @xf3+ (White’s superior development makes 7...xc4 risky due to 8 dxc5 dxc5 9 We2) 8 gxf3 followed by £e3, ‘Wa2 and 0-0-0 gives him promising attacking chances. 6...26 7 d4 £87!” is Kasparov's own double-edged idea, introduced against Shirov in 1996, However, due to subsequent detailed analysis of this complex line he was, in his own words, looking forward to playing it with White. The consistent continuation 8 d5! (8 se3 cxd4 9 @xd4 Df6 10 £3 0-0 is OK for Black, as in this line White strives to develop his bishop more actively to g5) 8...2xc3+ 9 bxc3 aS 10 2)d2 £6 11 £4 b6!? 12 0-0 Ah6 leads to a murky position; it’s important for Black to retain both castling options. 7 00 Castling is very natural, but following a series of logical moves White is soon in for a big surprise. With hindsight one might recommend 7 d4 as more flexible, but Kasparov wanted to avoid the queen swap after 7...cxd4 8 xd4 ‘Bg4 (8...,6 is more circumspect, but here White can avoid the game continuation with 9 £3! Ag7 10 Dde2; this is actually the move-order from the game Oral-Kasparov, quoted below). However, even in the endgame after 9 Wxg4 Adxgd 10 Axc6 bxc6 11 SF4 Black must still tread with care to neutralize White’s initiative. Toe 86 8 d4 exd4d 9 Bxdd 7 10 Ade2(D) ‘The knight must leave d4 to meet the .. threat, x7 a ‘eee e G & awa xe 10 West? This important novelty leads to very concrete play. Recommended by Krush, it abruptly changes the character of the game by provoking great complications. After the ordinary and previously tested 10...0-0 11 £3 a6 12 a4 White can nurse his space advantage in a relatively static position and try to convert it into something more tangible. The process of choosing moves would further complicate Black’s task, as se- Jecting from the numerous playable options and explaining the underlying strategic nuances to the voters would be a difficult task for the World's coaches. However, objectively White's edge is at best minimal and later Kasparov proved this himself: after 12...0617 13 &g5 We7 14hi Was 15 Ghd fds 16 Het Whs 17 B62 ‘Was 18 Sha Whs 19 £2 Was 20 W3 Dd7! 21 ‘Wc2 De5 22 Hbl b4 Black had enough counterplay in Oral-Kasparov, Prague simul 2001. i as Kasparov accepts the challenge, as protecting the pawns would misplace his pieces. More- ‘over, even in this case White would have to surrender his centre: after 11 Wb3 0-0 12 D4 Wes 13 DfdS DxdS 14 Dxd5 €6 15 De3 De5! 16 a2 We6 17 £3 £51 18 ext5 exf5 19 £4 Da7 20 Sc3 DeS 21 We2 MF7 22 hl Ded 23 Lxg7 ‘Exg7 Black with his dominant e4-knight had a very comfortable position in Veli¢ka-Dydyshko, Czech Cht 1999. Ww res Otherwise after £3 Black’s last move would lack sense.198 12) Dci+ ed7 13 Dxa8 Waxed (D) A 7 w VY Z de WWD Dsl, , AR AR gw ae Black helps himself to another white pawn, as the comered knight on a8 can’t escape anyway. 14 Doe! Although it’s very difficult to exploit the doubled b-pawns, creating a chink in Black's compact pawn-structure is White’s best option. Allowing ...Zxa8 would give Black realistic chances to claim an advantage once he manages to get his king away from the centre. 4 axb6 ‘The forcing play after 10...1e6 is over, so it was finally time for Kasparov to take stock. The Jong-term prospects are on Black’s side once he fully coordinates his forces. In addition, most exchanges lessen the danger for the centralized king and favour Black, providing that they don’t give White a chance to activate his currently passive rooks. In an endgame the mobile central pawn-mass would promise Black a serious advantage. All this, combined with the fact that various web sites and bulletin-boards were literally flooded with analysis of the game, led Kasparov to realize he was facing a very difficult task. He freely admits that at this moment, the mood in his camp was quite pessimistic and his main goal was only to save the game. Objec- tively speaking White still has reasonable dynamic counterchances to keep the issue open, but one has to bear in mind that considerations usual for a tournament game (e.g.,time-trouble and tension, leading to tactical blunders) don’t apply in our case. 15 23(D) GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES Developing the bishop would be premature, as on every plausible square it can be attacked by the f6-knight. Therefore White takes control of the centre and starts toying with the threat of 24. Apart from the text-move Kasparov considered also 15 a4, fixing the b6-pawn. How- ever, consistent central play with 15...2e4 (or even 15...2d5) is just fine for Black. Choosing from four(!) different recommendations, the World again follows Krush’s suggestion, who was by now orchestrating the team’s decisions. Black occupies a semi-open file and frees the way for his king to a safe haven on £8 (or g8). However, the text-move somewhat prematurely commits the rook. Al- ternatives: 1) Later Black tried 15...e6, but after 16 2e3 (16 a4! &d5 with the idea 17 Wrxds Wxtl+ gives White nothing, but 16 a4!? deserves attention) 16...d5 17 @xd5 Wxd5 White can choose between an equal endgame, and pursuing his initiative with the more enterprising 18 We2!?. 2) However, Kasparov was relieved that Black missed the ambitious 15...b5!, and Krush in fact played this move in one of her later games. After 16 £e3 (Krush’s idea 16 Hel b4 17 Ba4 Wh 18 a3 €6 19 axb4 Dxb4 is also inconclusive) 16...2d8! (16...b47! 17 a4 forces Black's king to stay on the vulnerable queenside, while 16...2a8 transposes to the note to White’s 16th move) 17 Hcl Black has 17...b4 18 Dad Ws 19 a3 de8!? with a safe position in which he can fight for an edge. 16 adGAME 107: GARRY KASPAROV ~ THE WORLD This positional move is rather slow and subsequent practice has shown that the developing 16 se3! is an improvement. After the natural 16...05 (16...a6!? is probably safer) 17 Bel the immediate ...b4 is impossible and 17...e8 18 b3!? Wed 19 £3 Wh5 20 a4, as in Rublevsky- Bo.Vutkovié, Yugoslav Cup (Herceg Novi) 2000, gives White a small advantage even after 20...bxad (best) 21 bxad, as Black's b7-pawn is vulnerable, 16 ow Dest? ‘The b6-pawn is now a real weakness and, left to his own devices, White would target it with Se3. 16...2\b4 is not ideal due to 17 £5 h6 18 Aixf6 (18 Re3!7 fds 19 Dxds Dxd5 20 Bel is also dangerous for Black) 18...xf6 19 Eel and the initiative passes to White. The text- move is connected with a pawn sacrifice and leads to great complications. Black’s choice is ‘more concrete and probably better than the other playable options, such as 16..d5 or 16...d4 17 Be3 &b3 18 Ba3 Des. 17 Dxed 18 Wh3(D) A A. IN 2 NM we” 4 UG ‘Wxes 77 Basically, simplification helps Black, but now White is at least starting to generate concrete threats. From now on, it's not easy to find the right balance between adherence to general principles and concrete calculation and this in tum contributes to the rapidly increasing tension on the board. Bw £5 Kasparov was surprised by this complex and aggressive move, which radically solves any future problems with £7. On the other hand, it loosens Black's pawn-structure (the e-pawn 199 will remain on e7 until move 37) and weakens the kingside. More direct options would at least partly clarify the situation: 1) Apart from Krush, all the other coaches recommended 18...d4, Now the forcing se- quence 19 Wxf7 Ac? 20 2d2! (20 Wxg7 Axal ccan only be better for Black) 20...@xal 21 Hel ‘Wh4 22 Was! Hrs 23 Wxb7+ des enables White to give a perpetual; attempts to avoid it lead only to a drawish endgame after 24 g3 (24 eos iT 25 WaS+ she8 26 Wos+ F727 Hxal Wad 28 Wh3+ we8 29 Se} Wrxb2 30 ‘Wxb2 Oxb2 31 HbI &c3 32 Bxb6 skd7 is also about equal) 24.196 25 We6+ F726 £ac3 WeS 27 Wxb6 Lxc3 28 bxc3 Wd2 29 Bxal ‘Wrxc3 30 Hb1 Bas. 2) Kasparov analysed another tactical line: 18...d4 19 Wxf7 (19 S.d2!? is ambitious but unclear) 19..De5 20 Wb3 2d3 21 Ba3 Axf2 22 &e3, when Black has a choice. Pursuing the attack with 22...2)g4 (22....xe3 23 Wrxe3 Wxe3 24 Exe3 Ded leads to a roughly equal endgame; here White's rooks have enough scope to generate sufficient counterplay) 23 Wb5+ ded8 24 Bit dc7 25 Hc3+ cS allows White to give a perpetual after 26 Sxc5 (26 Hxa8?! @xe3 27 We2 is weaker, as here Black has the option of forcing a draw of playing on with the patient 27...82d7!?) 26...bxe5 27 Bxc5+ dxcS 28 WxcS+ &d7 29 Whs+. 3) 18...e6!? is a more solid fighting try. Af- ter 19 Wxb6 (19 £d2!7 Dd4 20 Wh3 is not quite clear, but Black has little to worry about) 19...2d4 Black will be able to force a queen swap with a pleasant endgame; e.g., 20 hl Dc2! 21 Whs+ (21 Ebi is weaker due to 21.,.Wd5! 22 95 dd) 21...We6. 19 g5(D) Kasparov intuitively strives for maximum activity by creating threats on the e-file. 19 ‘Wxb6 d4! gives Black a good version of line “3° from the previous note, while 19 e3 Wb4 20 WET 51? also gets White nowhere y . Wa Black plays the best move; other options are weaker: 1) Kasparov felt that 19...2d4 is too loose, as Black’s minor pieces lose their ideal support. Boris Alterman from his team, helped by a strong computer, soon provided concrete proof: after 20 WE7 De2+ 21 thi Sxb2 22 Had! a4200 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES V & Aa G] % ea an (22.,.$103? loses to 23 £3 WeS 24 Wed) 23 £3 WeS 24 Lhd! Ae3 (also after 24...8c3 25 Wes. yf 26 £95 Deb 27 Be? Black loses material) 25 Hel Se3 26 £4 Wes 27 £2! White’s attack will net him Black's queen. 2) 19...id4 is more complex, but Kasparov points out that 20 Hael £e5 21 dhl! with the idea f4 is also better for White. 20 WT Ses Black wisely curbs his greed since after 20...iH#xb2?! 21 Habl Wa4 22 Hfel (22 Rfdi?! only helps Black due to 22...21f8! 23 Wb3 Wc5) 22...SRe5 23 3! White has activated all his pieces and is ready to cash in on the kingside. 2 3 The committal 21 £42! leads nowhere after 21...Sexb2 22 Bael Wxad, as 23 Sxe7? runs into 23...Wa2! 24 Wxh7 Bh8. Therefore White ‘makes a useful prophylactic move instead. Don Exad After 21...f4, Kasparov intended to disturb Black's king with 22 Hacl, possibly followed by Hxc6. The World also considered the passive 21...h8, but in the end the consistent text-move clearly carried the vote. 22 Bxad ‘The following moves are forced. 22 Kael?! is speculative due to 22...Wea! 23 Wxh7 We6 and Black defends the vital g6-pawn. 2 ‘Wxad - 23 tin? xb2 24 Wxgs = Wed (D) The tide has turned. Compared with the situation ten moves ago, White has managed to activate his forces and create a potentially dangerous passed h-pawn; also his king is safer than its counterpart. However, although by now CO Pa Kasparov is practically out of danger, he still can’t claim an advantage. Black's centralized pieces shut out White's rook and the b- and d- pawns shouldn’t be underestimated either. 25 We7 White has to keep an eye on the passed awn, as it has the full support of Black’s well- coordinated army. 25 ow aa Eminently logical, but shutting out White's queen with 25...d5 26 Zd1 £d4 was equally playable, However, the most clear-cut solution ‘was pointed out by Kasparov: after 25...\d4! 26 h4 De2+ 27 whl Black plays 27...,2c3 28 h5 £421, practically forcing repetition with 29 We7 3. 26 Wb3t ‘The position still remains very complex and even the computer couldn't provide all the answers, so at this moment Kasparov decided to formulate some general guidelines to help him through the tactical maze. First of all, he would like to exchange the active d4-bishop, which would enhance the strength of the h-pawn. The second task is to activate the rook and to achieve this it might be helpful to exchange queens — something which would have distinctly favoured Black in the phase between moves 15-21. The prophylactic text-move fits well into these intentions by preparing Se3. 26 h4?! d5 (or even 26...b5 27 Wb3 b4) could be dangerous for White. 6 4 Black understands the importance of keeping his bishop on the crucial long diagonal. 27 WET Be5(D) 28 hdGAME 107: GARRY KASPAROV ~ THE WORLD ZoOge Be Ce Se OK GG O& 28, BAZ) Y Ee White can force repetition with 28 Wb3 Sad 29 WET, but Kasparov felt he didn’t risk much. by playing on, Bo bs 29 hs Wes 29...b4 30 h6 Wd3 is a straightforward alternative to this natural move. Then: 1) 31 h7 b3 32 Qxf4 dd (32...sh8 33 ‘We8 b2 34 Wxh8 Wxfl+ 35 dxfl biW+ 36 He2 Wed+ 37 e3 Des also seems playable; White can’t avoid a perpetual after 38 Wy8 Wa3+ 39 el We2!) 33 Be3 b2 34 Wa2 34 &xd4? loses to 34...Wxfl+ 35 &xfl b1W+ 36 ‘be? ed+!, as interposing the bishop leads to mate) 34...2h8 35 Whi Wxb1 36 Exb! Db4 37 ‘Bf Dc2 38 He2 Da3 39 Bxb2 &xb2 40 cl 216 leads to a drawish bishop endgame. 2) More ambitious is 31 Sxf4 Zd8! 32 Whs Axf4 33 h7 LeS 34 WreS dxeS 35 nsw cb, but the passed b-pawn again gives Black reasonable counterplay. 30 Wise Web 31 Wxe6+ In accordance with the note to White’s 26th ‘move, this is the best way to continue the fight. After 31 Wd3, Black can force a draw with 31...Wig4 32 Wxb5 £3 33 Wxb7+ das 34 Wh6+ bar. Mw bxe6 32 g3(D) 2 fxg3 Although this doesn’t lose, intuition says that activating both White's pieces and giving him connected passed pawns is not ideal. 32...£3 33 Zadi also gives White winning chances, but is the f-pawn really worth saving? After 32...b4!? (32... Dd4 is similar) 33 Qxf4 Qxf4 34 gxf4 201 OO a a ®d4 35 h6 &f7 Black should fairly easily hold the resulting endgame; ¢.g., 36 Bd1 Se2+ 37 Bfl nfs 38 Hdd 2g6 39 Hxb4 hg! 40 Exb7 hz. 33 fxg3 b4 ‘The committal 33....xg32! is in effect a piece sacrifice and although after 34 h6 Se5 35 h7 Sg7 (the threat was £2f6 and the critical line 35...Qh8 36 Hf8 eS 37 Bxh8 13+ 38 sf2 xg5 39 ke} b4 40 def4 b3 41 dexgs b2 42 £8 bIW 43 h8W loses for Black, as White’s king hides after a long series of checks) 36 Bf8 b4 (36...De5? 37 &h6) 37 hsW &xh8 38 Bxhs the outcome is still not fully clear, only White can play for a win. The text-move keeps Black's counterchances intact. 34 aa Addy Black needs his bishop on both sides of the board, so moving it away with check is very natural, However, Kasparov afterwards indicated that 34...2h8!, which the World team didn’t even consider, is an easier draw. The point is that Black can use the d4-square for his knight and the fork on e2 is going to cost White a tempo in the pawn race anyway. 38 PhI!(D) In an endgame, the king usually heads for the centre, so this move is counter-intuitive. In fact it’s the only way to keep White’s slim winning chances alive, as the seemingly more logical replies have tactical drawbacks. 35 ou 3?! Another natural reaction, which, however, again plays into White’s hands. Kasparov stated that the stronger 35... De5 36 Sixe5 dxeS! leads to a clear draw. Black's bishop slows down White’s pawns and helps his own; a simple202 a Z ay ae aan @xms| sample line is 37 g4 4 38 g5 €3 39 h6 £c3! 40 BY3 (40 h7 €2.41 Hel def7 42 Hxe2 b3 is also a draw) 40...02 41 He3+ £5 42 Bxe2 dexgs and White will lose his last pawn. 36 ed bas ‘The reason for 35 h1! becomes clear after 36...b2. 37 g5 Db4 38 g6 Dd3 39 ho! b1W (with the king on g2 39...2\xf4+ would win; now 39...2)xf4 loses to 40 27 £7 41 Bxfa+ Rf6 42 Bt segs 43 Hel bIW 44 Bxbl 25 45 h7+! and Bgl) 40 Exbl Dxf4 41 Zel+! Bes 42 g7 I7 43 Bgl Bxg7 44 Exg7+ 16 45 ‘Hg8 and the h-pawn queens. Afier the immediate 36...2\b4 37 g5 Dd 38 h6 Dxf4 39 Ext we can see why h2 also wasn’t an ideal square for the king (in this case 39...,2e5 would win). Black is lost, as after 39..b2 40 Hfl £e3!? (40...b1W 41 Exb1 Sots 42 Hb5+ ego 43 seg? and the king will support the pawns just in time) 41 h7 $4.42 dg? he can win only one of White's pawns by sacrificing his b-pawn. Pas- sive defence loses due to zugzwang: 42...2c3 43 ag bS 44 shed bd 45 sth b3 46 shg6 d5 47 Xb1 and now Black has to allow Hel+, followed by £7 and g6-g7. 2 25(D) 6! After plac 's previous inaccuracies Kasparov ‘was poised to celebrate victory, but the World ‘comes up with an excellent defence. Black needs both the long diagonal for his bishop and the f5- square for his knight. The pseudo-active 37...e5? loses by force to 38 cl 1) 38..027! 39 Sxb2 Sxb2 40 6 e4 (or 40..De7 41 Bi6! e4 42 h7 Axio 43 exfb De6 44 £7) 41 g6 De7 (41...c3 doesn't help due to 42.97 De7 43 BET!) 42 g7 dhe6 43 HB At6 44 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 5 (5 ia & ie iy a aS & a a7 7 a “al Yn g8W+ Axg8 45 h7! and White will queen his remaining pawn. 2) Kasparov's analysis after the more resil- ent defence, 38...e7, goes 39 BI7 ske6 40 Hi6+ dd7 41 £a3!b5 42 Bxd6+ she 43 h6 b2 (43..b4? 44 h7) 44 Bxb2 Sxb2 45 26 4 46 Ea6! (the key move, which threatens Ba8-a7+ and g7, followed by Hxe7; 46 g7 Sixg7 47 hxg7 Dg8 and ...52f7 is only a draw, while after 46 D6 3 47 2p? e2 the misplaced rook must re- tum and 48 Be6 £8 49 Exe? Sel 50 g7+ Sg8 is again insufficient to win) 46..e3 (46...d4 allows 47 He6 #d7 48 Hxe4, winning the decisive tempo) 47 #g2 4\f5 48 h7 and White wins, as Black has no defence against Za8-g8, followed by g7. 38 hot? Kasparov also concerned himself with the more forcing continuation 38 Hdl. His main ine runs 38...dze4! 39 &xd6 df5 40 g6 &g7 41 Bgl b5! 42 a3 (after 42 h6 Sxh6 43 27 Rxg7 44 Bxg7 a5 45 Sb4 b2 46 Hel ded! the b-pawn saves the game for Black) 42...b4 43 cl b2 44 Bd? De7! 45 Hfl+ (45 Sxb4 ®d5 followed by ...Af4 stops White’s pawns) 45...2e4 46 h6 $d3! 47 Sxb4 DES! 48 hxg7 Dg3+ 49 dg? Axil 50 g8W De3+ 51 LF3 bIW and Black draws. A computer is a very useful tool for discovering such tactical nuances, so White deliberately steers away from complications. The text-move forces a slightly better and very technical queen endgame, in which the silicon helpers will assume a totally different role. 3B Det 39 Bal (D) cn 5GAME 107: GARRY KASPAROV - THE WORLD » [ik] am amr ee! & & A rv Fa “6 em 478 ‘The threat of xd6 gives Black no other choice. 40° Bed After 40 Sic e6 Black’s king helps out in the defence. 0. bo 41 Sxdd —exdd 42 ber b2 43 of3 bc3 44°07 45 hed be 46 Shi a3 The forced play continues. After 46...b1#? White has time for 47 Exbl @xb1 48 &xd4 and shet-£5. 47 &f5(D) ZT » BaZ To ke \ we i 7 biwt Black makes the right choice between various versions of the endgame that arises. Slightly less accurate is 47...d2 48 dxg6 biW (after 48...d1W 49 Exd1 Sxd1 50 n8W b1W+ 51 f7 Black’s queen is passive and the king hides 203 from the checks anyway; e.g., 51...Wa2+ 52 be7 Wer+ 53 ds) 49 hs dW 50 Exdi ‘Whxd1, because here Black’s king is farther from. its ideal square on al. 48 Exbl éxbl 49 xg6 a2 so new aw 51 Wh7!(D) CO ae aw ' Jy fh ys de, ld, Yor CaAaZazZw a a a A e7u7 7 ‘The final phase begins. Although Kasparov can play for a win due to his more advanced passed pawn, accurate defence should still save the game. The main reason are the difficulties White’s king has in hiding from the numerous checks. 51 bs?! ‘To exhaust this position analytically is practically impossible for a human player, and even the strongest computers still couldn’t come up with definite conclusions. At that time, only five-man definitive tablebases were available (subsequently many six-man databases have been generated as well), so in a WA versus W ‘endgame the machine could give both a definite verdict and the correct plan. However, we are two black pawns away from such a situation and the World team is still very much on its ‘own... Kasparov and his small but highly professional team, helped by the powerful Deep Junior, make full use of this. In the end, superior independent analysis and better direction of the computer support decide the game in White's favour. Black’s decline begins with the second-rate text-move; we have already said that the king belongs on al in this type of endgame. There it is better covered from checks and especially from interpositions forcing won204 pawn endgames. Therefore 51...seal! is considerably stronger; after 52 Wg7+ (both 52 Wxb7 451? and 52 deh6 Wa? also shouldn't be enough for White to win) 52...€a2 the most likely outcome is a draw. However, in all fairness it’s necessary to mention that here allegedly only “vote stuffing’ decided in favour of 51...57!. 52 bf6+ = bd 52...dee1 is better. In many lines it's important that White's queen can’t reach the vital d4-square with check. 53 Wh2+ 54 Wa! (D) aes bal 0 7 a ao ee mau Yo On the other hand, Kasparov's play is a model of purposefulness and precision. Now White's king is safe and all is ready for g6, while Black’s pawns are still stopped. 54a ba? Arguably, only this is the decisive mistake, as it doesn’t get Black any closer to a drawn five-man endgame. Black can also use his pawns as instruments of counterplay, and in this respect Bacrot’s recommendation 54...Wd5! is the best continuation. The idea is to play 55 6 dl; after 56 g7 (now 56 Wxb4 WeS+ 57 £7 ‘WiS+ 58 bg7 Wes+ 59 wh6 Wh8+ leads to a perpetual, while 56 Wfl+ cea2 57 WE2+ ta3 58 Wg3+ b3 59 27 Wdd+! 60 dhe7 Wed+ is similar to the main line) 56...b3 57 Wad+ (57 WEl+ sba2 58 Wel We5+! 59 sht7 Wd5+ 60 te7 ‘Wy8 and the b-pawn is too far advanced for White to improve his position) 57...82b2! (not GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 57...82b17 58 Wigs Wes+ 59 17 Wd5+ 60 Web ‘Wf3+ 61 de7 Wb7+ 62 df6, when the pawn queens) 58 Wg4 WeS+ 59 df7 Wd5S+ White has no direct win in sight, as Black will again be able to play ...Wg8 at a suitable moment. 35 Wxbd | WI3+ 56 kg? as 57 Wd4+ Accuracy is still necessary, as after 57 26! 44 the merciless computer indicates that taking the pawn only leads to a draw. 57 ow sbi 58 36 Wea?! This loses quickly by force, but immediately afterwards Kasparov published 24kb(!) of analysis to prove White’s win even after the more resilient 58...Wf5!, Later a six-man database confirmed this; the main line runs 59 deh6 We6 60 Wal+ b2 61 Wa2+ bl 62 Was! with zugzwang; Black is forced to make a concession: 62...82a2 (62...82c2 63 dg5! We7+ 64 Wie Wet 65 ded! Wess 66 bg3 We3+ 67 hg2 Wed+ 68 ef? and g7 wins) 63 dogs We7+ 64 Wis Weds 65 Wis Wel+ 66 dri6 W6+ 67 217 Wo7+ 68 des! Wek+ 69 WS Wes+ 70 shg7 Wes+ 71 Wie We7+ 72 WE7 We3+ 73 HIB We8+ 74 Wek WES+ 75 he7! (White's king must escape via the centre; 75 #2g8? £62! 76 g7 dd is only a draw) 75...Wg5+ 76 Sed7 dd 77 WiT+ Bal 78 g7 Wos+ 79 bc7 Wes+ 80 2b7 Wo5+ 81 Ga8 Weo6+ 82 W7 Wes+ 83 shaT We8 84 Wa6+ deb2 85 Wb5+ dc3 86 We5+ Ha3 87 Wis Wa2+ 88 kbs Wh2+ 89 bc8 Wh3+ 90 shds Wh4+ 91 We7. White's king has finally found a hideout and the pawn queens after 91... Wg 92 Wa3+ dea 93 Wie! so Welt = bh? 60 What bel 61 &f6 a4 @ gf 10 More than 50% of the World's votes were for resignation, as the lines are much simpler now. After 62...Wic6+ 63 dogs Wa5+ 64 WIS We2+ 65 We4 Wd5+ 66 Sh4 Whit (66..We8 67 Wrt+ hed 68 WI8 Wh7+ 69 dogs) 67 dg3 Wel+ 68 dit Wd2+ 69 ES We2+ 70 dees We5+71 hd the pawn is unstoppable.Game 108 Garry Kasparov — Vladimir Kramnil Rapidplay, Frankfurt 1999 Sicilian Defence, Richter-Rauzer Attack [B66] It was only early days in the fight against the ‘World team (see Game 107) and Kasparov could still fully concentrate on the prestigious qua- drangular rapid tournament, sponsored by Sie- mens. He dominated the event convincingly by winning all his micro-matches against Kram- nik, Anand and Karpov. 1 ef Ss 2 BF3 D6 3 D3 a6 4 a4 exd4 5S Bxd4 D6 6 Sgs 6 7 Wa2 26 With White, Kasparov never had to face the ‘other main line 7...Se7 8 0-0-0 0-0, so we don’t know if he would have preferred 9 £4 or Ale- khine’s 9 b3. The lesser alternative 7...Wb6 often transposes into the later line after 8 b3, but evena sharp system like the Richter-Rauzer Attack is not purely about opposite-side castling and furious attacks against the enemy king. The following example nicely illustrates its flexibility: after 8 0-0-0 Wxd4 9 Wixd4 Dxd4 10 Hxd4 a6 11 £3 247 White retains an endgame pull by putting Black’s queenside under pressure with the strong manoeuvre 12 Dad! £c6 13 Db6 Bd8 14 Ac4 e7 15 Das Be8 16 Hb4!. Now in Kasparov-Mchedlishvili, Bled OL 2002, lashing out with 16...d5? (it was better to stay put with 16...0ed7) only increased Black's problems and after 17 xc6 bxe6 18 Xb7 Qd7 19 Sd2 Ha8 20 Hc7 DeS 21 &c3 material losses became inevitable, 8 000 6 Game 90 indicates the dangers Black has to face after 8..2ixd4.9 Wrdd £7. 9 &e3(D) ‘The current verdict is that Black is doing fine after 9 2f4 £47 10 Dxc6 &xc6 11 £3 ds. Therefore White usually prefers the more harmonious text-move, keeping open his options with the £2-pawn. on hart? x Nic 0 ‘in Kasparov's games against Kramnik became the main testing ground for his new ideas in the Richter-Rauzer. This time his opponent is the first to refrain from the more usual 9...52e7, which had occurred three times in their pre ‘ous games. Kasparov tried both main continuations: 1) 10 £4 xd4 (10....d7 followed by ..b5 is considered fully playable for Black) 11 £ixd4 bS 12 b1!? 2b72! (Kasparov energetically highlights the drawbacks of this natural move; Black should try not to give White’s play a clear target by castling too soon; instead, quickly developing queenside counterplay is more important and 12...b4!? 13 ad Eb8 14 e5 dxeS 15 &xe5 £7! leads to an unclear position) 13 243 0-0 (13...b4 isn’t ideal any more, as White now has 14 Qe2) 14 e5 dxe5 15 fre5 Dd7 16 Det Bxe4 17 Lxet Bbs 18 c3! (with this strong novelty Kasparov spurns material gains and gets ready to launch an attack on the weakened bI-h7 diagonal; the mundane 18 £a7 gives Black sufficient compensation after 18...xe5) 18...We7 19 £2! Hfds 20 Wes Df8 21 Hhel gs 22 WI2 Ba7 23 &c5 He8 24 Ld6 and White's active bishop-pair gave him a distinct advantage in Kasparov-Kramnik, Novgorod 1997. 2) However, two days before our game in an earlier round of the same event Kasparov played206 10 £3. Although this move seems more restrained, it's no less aggressive. White doesn’t ‘mind the tempo lost by his bishop to get to e3 (the extra ...h6 move is a mixed blessing anyway) and strives for an English Attack set-up (see Games 103 and 105). At the turn of the millennium this approach was rapidly becoming highly fashionable not only against the Najdorf, but Kramnik reacted well and after 10...2xd4 11 Wxd4 bS 12 db1 £b7 13 hd Hc8!? 14 e2 5! 15 exd5 (15 e57! @d7 is very good for Black, as the e5-pawn is vulnerable and ...b4 is already a serious threat) 15...xd5 16 @xd5 4S.xd5 it was White who had to bail out and allow a perpetual after 17 Wxg7 2f6 18 Wed Sixa2+! 19 coxa2 WaS+ 20 &b1 Sxb2! 21 exb2 We3+. The double bishop sacrifice can bbe made on the queenside as well! All this indicates there is no obvious reason why in our game Kramnik preferred the text- ‘move, and contemporary practice doesn’t give a clear indication as to which option is objectively better. 10 £3(D) Just as after 9...2e7, White’s main alternative here is 10 f4. Then 10..b5 11 £d3 &e7 leads to a complex position that we mentioned in line ‘1' of the previous note, and had already occurred in Kramnik’s practice. With the text- move, Kasparov strives for positions similar to line *2°. We may think the English Attack set- up is modern and topical, but in this case 10 £3 was introduced as long ago as Smyslov-Bot- vinnik, Moscow Web (4) 1957! GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES ‘This timely exchange is a prelude to a manoeuvring struggle. The drastic 11 &xb5? axbS 12. Ddxb5 gets White nowhere due to 12...b4. After other moves, such as 11 bl or 11 4, Black can play 11...e5!, preparing direct central counterplay with ...b4 followed by ...d5. The resulting positions closely resemble the English Attack proper, in which time is a very important consideration. Therefore the tempo lost by White on move 9 makes it very difficult for him to fight for an advantage. uw. Bxe6 12 Der? White takes the sting out of ..b4 and his knight aims for better squares; once it appears on d4, the typical g4-25-26 advance greatly gains in strength. The text-move is more flexible than seemingly natural development with 12 £43, as at this moment it’s still difficult to decide what role the fl-bishop will assume in the future — if White advances his kingside pawns, it might be better placed on g2 or even 13. Rw Wer (D) Black also quietly improves his pieces. The committal 12...e5 prevents @d4, but after 13 c3 (or even 13 c4!? followed by 2c3) White is slightly better. xa oe 2% Ls 13. eb Rushing forward is still not the best ide: Dd4 2b7 14 242! is effectively met by 14...e5! 15 @f5 d5, when Black has an excellent position. Kasparov remains flexible; note that in Game 90 he also played 13 bl at a tense moment, Bo. fb7GAME 108: GARRY KASPAROV — VLADIMIR KRAMNIK Kramnik is in no hurry and frees the c-file, Black's main avenue of counterplay in the Si- cilian, 13..d52! would have been premature due to 14 e5! d7 (14...Wxe5? lands the queen in grave trouble after 15 2f4 Wh5 16 2d4 followed by hd) 15 £4. In this French-type position White firmly controls the d4-square and his attacking chances are preferable. 14 hd Kasparov finally turns his attention to the kingside. However, why not 14 47! first, a move White won't be able to play later on? ‘The answer is that now 14...d5! is a more than adequate reaction, as after 15 e5 2d7 White can’t consolidate his centre by advancing the F-pawn, He8(D) 7 ne Ina similar position in a game against Smys- Tov (see the note to 10 £3), Botvinnik was anx- ious to castle queenside as soon as possible. While this is also an option, nearly 50 years later modem players have a deeper understanding of the nuances of the Sicilian and are often not afraid to leave the king in the centre. Al- though in our game Black will pay for it in the end, this is only due to his later mistakes. 15 Bh3?! The immediate 15 g4? runs into the double attack 15...@xe4! 16 fxe4 Sxe4 and Black wins material. However, the preparatory text- move is somewhat artificial and Kramnik’s sharp reaction will render it more or less useless. Kasparov afterwards wrote that he got no real advantage out of the opening; the more natural 15 4d4 seems to be a better move. 1S hs!? 207 Black radically prevents g4; at this point, the weakening of the g5-square doesn’t play a major role yet. 16 2d4 = -Da7 Just as White on move 12, Kramnik feels his knight also needs repositioning. However, the simple 16...2e71? also deserves attention. 17 gs White prevents ...e7, but Black finds another way to develop his f8-bishop. Ww 286 18 Ent Admitting that 15 2n37! was nota very good idea, Bw. as The immediate 18...2g7? fails to the typical Sicilian blow 19 &xbS! and White wins at least a pawn. The text-move shows another idea behind Kramnik’s 16th move. Once Black achieves the liberating central break ...d5 in an Open Sicilian, he is usually doing fine. Ba- sically tis isthe case even here, but the position has its specifics and the fate of the game will depend mainly on how both sides will manage to deploy their still passive kingside forces. 19 exdS xd 20 Bf4(D) Bs 27 was 20 aw Wh7 It’s only natural that Black wants to give his central outpost on d5 extra support, but he had other and possibly better moves: 1) 20...e5?is too loose and in fact fails tactically to 21 @xbS axb5 22 Wrd5 exf4 23 xbS and White wins. 2) 20...£2d6 seems playable; after 21 &xd6 (or 21 2h6, when Black can choose between208 21...df8 and the more active idea 21...e5!2) 21...#xd6 Black can castle or play ...,2f8-g7. Although his kingside is rather shaky, he has reasonable counterplay in the centre to balance White's attacking chances. 3) However, Kramnik’s further play indicates he felt uneasy about exchanging the dark-squared bishops. One can understand him, but if this is the case, McShane’s suggestion 20...1b6!? was stronger. Black keeps an eye on 4d6 and is prepared to fianchetto his bishop. Af- ter 21 Db3 Sg7, preventing castling with 22 ‘Ws is not too profitable any more, as 22... We6 23 S43 De5 is OK for Black. 21 Db3 ag7 21...Ste7 22 S26 is not too clear, but Kram- nik is not interested, as the bishop belongs on the al-h8 diagonal. 22 a6! Although White still has nothing too concrete, from now on Black's king starts to feel the draught on e8; after all, the centre is wide open, RQ ow Wes 23 Bad Der! Kramnik is unconcerned and pursues his queenside ambitions. However, with the rook still on h8, his play lacks the necessary back- up. 23...f8 24 2xf8 dxf8 seems playable, while if Black is intent on activating his knight, 23...e5!? is more effective than the text-move. 24 a3 On the other hand, White can finally finish his kingside development. Mw Des Playing with fire. 24...2f817 is not as good as before and after 25 &xf8 &xf8 26 Wes White is better; nevertheless, this was a safer option than the text-move. 25 fixed xed After 25...1Wxe4, 26 hel attacks the d5- bishop and forces Black to play the awkward 26...2d8 (26...8247? runs into 27 Hed with a strong attack). His king remains trapped in the middle and 27 WaS! (27 Wg5?! b4 28 He4 Wic7 29 Exb4 0-0 throws away White’s main trump for a meagre pawn) gives White a dangerous and long-lasting initiative. 26 Sa4(D) 26 We5! seems to be even stronger, as it keeps the knight's options open. After 26...¢7 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES (26...¥b7? fails to 27 a5 followed by ExdS and White wins) 27 d4 W7 White has a wide choice: 1) Immediate tactical tries are still premature: after 28 xe6! fxe6 29 Wxg6+ ded8 30 ‘Wxe6 Hd7 White has no concrete follow-up. 2) The same goes for 28 D5 exf5 29 Bhel+ sbd7 30 Wd2. After 30...Hd8!? (30...2c57! is weaker due to 31 He7+! @xe7 32 We3+, when White wins all the material back with interest) 31 Wxd5+ Wxd5 32 Hxd5+ &c8 White has ‘squandered most of his advantage. 3) Quiet moves are far more dangerous: after 28 Zhe! ! (28 2e2!? followed by “fé is also 200d) Black is in grave trouble, as the strategically desirable 28...4d7? fails to the mighty 29 ®xe6! fxe6 30 Hxe6! Sxe6 31 Wxg6+ KF6 32 Hel+ shd7 33 WY5+ and White wins D NNN \ Sot eos 6 ow wher ‘The decisive mistake. After 26...37! 27 Wigs! (27 Bxc6 cxd2 28 Db4 will soon win the d2- pawn, but White wants more than a better endgame) 27...Wb7 28 b3 Black’s threats on the b- file are history and White can concentrate on his own attack. However, stronger is 26.../7, protecting the e7-square. Although Black’s position hangs on a thin thread, he still has a chance to evacuate his king via d7 under cover of the d5-bishop. As White must pay attention to b2 (for example, 27 Wg5 Ebs 28 Df5? fails 10 28..../8), converting his advantage into vie- tory is not so simple and straightforward. 27 Wigs White’s threat is very crude, but surprisingly hard to meet. 27 268GAME 108: GARRY KASPAROV ~ VLADIMIR KRAMNIK Played with a heavy heart. The text-move is a serious positional concession, but Black had no choice. 27...21c7? fails to the simple tactic 28 xe6! and the knight is taboo; the same move also decides after 27...Wd8?. It’s also too late for 27.7 due to the powerful blow 28 Af5! and Black’s defences can’t hold out for long even after the most resilient 28...gxf5 (28...ext5? loses on the spot to 29 Eixd5 and the same goes for 28....te5? 29 Hxd5! exd5 30 Bel; also 28.518 29 Sixf8 exf5 30 a3 with the similar idea 30,..d8 31 Bxd5! Hxd5 32 Wg7 is hopeless for Black) 29 Wxg7 dd7 30 Wxf7+ &c6 31 Wf6. The weakness of Black’s dark squares is more important than the extra pawn, as it allows White to continue his attack 28 xfB ‘The exchange of bishops abruptly terminates Black's hopes of effective queenside counterplay and fatally exposes his dark squares. 28 Exf8(D) king won't be able to escape Now Black's from the centre. However, 28...%2xf8 fails to 29 Wr6 Zh7 30 Be2 and while Black's rook re- ‘mains stranded in the comer, White will pile up his pressure on the d-file. RAS. ome Ve 29 Bhet bs Black's cannot connect his rooks. 29...8¢d7 fails to 30 @xe6! fxe6 31 Bxd5+ exd5 32 We7+ ‘$c6 33 He6+ and White wins. 29...c3 only sad- dles Black with a new weakness after 30 b3. 30 3 Eas 31 Bert (On move 28 Kasparov dealt with one black bishop by simply exchanging it; now he concen- tates his forces against Black's last defensive 209 outpost on d5. Depending on the circumstances, the knight heads for c3 or £4. 3 exb3 32 axb3 Ba7 33 eb? ‘A wise precaution: White can afford to invest a tempo into stopping any ideas connected with ...&xb3. 33 Was 34 WEA (D) a [an mom eS Sam After Black’s error on move 26, Kasparov has achieved a strategically won position with impressive simplicity and alarming speed. White will calmly play 2c3, followed by doubling his rooks on the d-file; in the long run Black can’t defend all his weaknesses — the dark squares, exposed king and a6-pawn. 34 Wer? Kramnik wants to push White’s queen away from its active post, but the text-move is a tactical blunder, which immediately terminates his suffering. However, it’s practically impossible to recommend a substantial improvement for Black. For example, 34...f6 with the idea ...&ef7 runs into the similar motif 35 Wh6 (35 4!” is the positional continuation) 35....g8 36 Exd5! (White must still be careful; 36 Af4? is met by the surprising 36...52xb3!) 36...exd5 (36...2ixd5 37 Wh7 Bes 38 Zs and White wins) 37 Dds+ Be7 38 Dc6 Hxel 39 Dxd8 dexd8 40 Wr. Black is lost, as the lack of coordination between hisrooks forces him to shed at least two pawns. 35 Exds!—exdS 36 Dade 1-0 36...d8 37 De6+ is curtains; Black will either lose his queen or get mated.Game 109 Viktor Korchnoi — Garry Kasparov Wijk aan Zee 2000 Griinfeld Defence, Exchange Variation [D85) 1 d4 ON6 2 4 86 3 Bed a5 4 exd5 ®xd5 ‘The dynamic Griinfeld has played an important role in both players’ careers. Korchnoi often played it with Black in his younger years and still employed it in the 1980s occasionally. However, in the following decade he usually sat ‘on the other side of the board, fighting his former favourite mainly with the principled Ex- change Variation. For Kasparov the Griinfeld had originally been more or less a supplement to the King’s Indian, but since 1997, it became practically his main defence against 1 d4. In- cluding this game from round 1, in Wijk 2000 he essayed it five times. The reasons why this state of affairs was to change in 2001 are indicated in the notes to Game 100. 5 £d2(D) Although in the following year Korchnoi turned 70, to this very day he remains a great fighter and especially in his pet lines he could often come up with interesting new ideas, which even superbly prepared players found difficult to cope with (see Game 54). However, this time he is out of his luck — Kasparov is ready for the text-move and punishes White’s subsequent risky play. 5 ow ig? For a while, White’s approach seemed to cause Black problems, so he looked for an early way out. 5...2b6 is a playable alternative, but this leads to different lines altogether after 6 gS £97 7 €3 0-0 (or even 7...c5!? immediately). 6 ed White's 5th move is connected with Smys- lov's name and the original intention of its in- ‘ventor was the more restrained 6 @\f3. However, nowadays this move has a drawish reputation and if Black wants, he can achieve sterile equality with 6..c5 7 Bol @xc3 8 &xc3 exdd 9 xd4 0-0 10 e3 Sd7 followed by ..Ne6 6 Db After6...2)xc37 &xc3 the d4-pawn is firmly protected and White can fight for an opening advantage. The text-move forces him to give back immediately the tempo lost by the retreating black knight; also his pawn-centre will be more vulnerable. 7 Re3 0-0(D) x 3 il Be as 2 & 7D FA) OU'G oe BD a! A, Ga J. Sweat x 8 her ‘The most often played move, but it doesn’t promise White an advantage. However, the same goes for the other tries: 1) 8 Qf3 gd forces White to transpose back into the game with 9 £e2.GAME 109: VIKTOR KORCHNOI ~ GARRY KASPAROV 2) The prophylactic 8 h3 costs precious time and Black gets reasonable counterplay after 8...0512 9 d5 (9 3 exdd 10 Sxdd Bxdd 11 ‘Wxd4 4c6!? is about equal) 9...c6. 3) The point of the seemingly mysterious 8 RbS will become clear from the next note. However, 8...2e6 (Black should refrain from the inferior 8...267! 9 Se2, but other playable options are the solid 8...c6 9 £e2 eS and the more double-edged 8...f5!?) 9 @f3 De4 10 Skxcd &xc4 11 Wad a6 forces White to castle queenside and leads to an unclear position after 12.0-0-0 @d7. 4) 8 4 leads toa position that can (and in the mid-1980s often did) arise via the move-order 3 £3.d5 4 cxd5 Axd5 5 e4 Db6 6 Dc3 Kg7 7 Led 0-08 £4. Black’s best reaction is immediately to attack the pawn-centre: the forcing line 8...2c6 9 dS ZaS (9...Ab8!2) 10 Ld4 e5! 11 LxeS ‘Rxe5 12 fxe5 Wh4+ 13 g3 We7 14 Wad Bas 15 b4 Bact! 16 Df3 Bed 17 Bxcd Sxf3 18 0-0 Wixb4 19 e6! fxe6 20 Exf3 xed 21 WeS exds 22 We6+ still stands ~ White must force a perpetual. Dec6 (D) a an a BAT QD & an “a D gana ad awe 9 af3 The immediate 9 d5 De5 10 Sd4 is well met with the positional sacrifice 10...c5! 11 2xc5 Dec4, Black makes good use of his lead in development after 12 £xc4 (12 Wb3 Dxb2! regains the pawn with a slight advantage for Black, as the knight is taboo due to 13 Wxb2? Dad; note that if Black plays 6, then this idea will no longer work) 12..xe4 13 Wb3 Dxb2! 14 Wxb2 We7 15 Sb4 (15 Wo47! a5 16 ‘Wa3 b6) 15...a5 16 Age? axb4 17 Wxb4 Red 2 18 £3 2.47 190-0 bS! and the bishop-pair gives him ample compensation for the pawn, Kach- eishvili-Svidler, Szeged jr Weh 1994. we Sgt 10 d5(D) Black has little to fear in the position with a rigid centre after 10 e5 b4, xf3 10 11 gxf32! Inan attempt to win time and consolidate his space advantage, Korchnoi is willing to compromise his pawn-structure. However, although this decision is strategically risky to say the least, we'll see that it’s not easy to refute it tactically and its negative evaluation is based on considerable hindsight. The less ambitious 11 Axf3 De5 12 Be? gives Black a comfortable position, where he can even choose between two options: 1) The simple 12...06 13 Wb3 cxd5 14 Bd Dect! 15 Lxc4 (accepting the queen sacrifice with 15 Qxd52! Dxe3 16 Af6+ Lxf6 17 Bxds xg 18 SF Etxd8 19 dxg? Bd? only poses any danger for White, while Black is fine after 15 Bcl d4! 16 &xc4 We8) 15..dxe4 16 Bxd8 exb3 leads to an equal endgame. 2) More enterprising is 12...Dec4!? 13 Bel €6 14 dxe6 bxe6 15 We? Wa! 16 0-0 Hfds 17 Hadi WeS, when Black's piece activity fully compensates for his split queenside pawns. nu. Das Although the knight will live dangerously on the rim for quite a while, only this concrete ‘move can pinpoint the drawbacks of White’s strategy. The seemingly more natural 11...’e5 allows White to protect the c4-square with 12212 Wot, After 12...c6 13 £4 (13 0-0-0 exd5 14 @xd5 DxdS 15 Hxd5 We7+ 16 Hdl is also ‘more pleasant for White, Korchnoi-Svidler, Bad Homburg 1998) 13...2ed7 14 Bd1!? White is better, as his king can hide on the kingside and Black's knights lack secure outposts. 12 &d4(D) xe w Ae « ‘lake Gi 7. QZ mi BAT AN Man i _ we 78 White starts playing against the a5-knight. Now £xg7 followed by b4 threatens to win a piece. a R ‘Was! Another refined move: Black prevents the aforementioned threat without positional concessions, places the central dark squares under control and keeps both options of undermining White’s centre (...c6 and ...e6) in reserve. Other moves are clearly weaker: 1) Although 12...c59! 13 &c5 Be doesn’t lose a piece, closing the long dark diagonal is positionally undesirable and after 14 2bS (14 Bxb67! exb6 15 b4 Hc8 16 DbS a6 is unclear) White has a distinct pull. 2) 12...c521 isn’tideal either, as Black won't be able to attack White’s centre effectively. Af- ter 13 &xg7 dxg7 14 We2 eS 15 Ddl! Dd7 16 Wc3!, intending Sb5 or even f4, as in Korch- noi-J.Polgar, Dos Hermanas 1999, White retains the initiative even after 16...b6!? (best) 17 De3. Kasparov undoubtedly prepared the text-move at home, but this time he can claim praise ‘only’ for developing another player's idea. 12...Wd6! was played as early as in 1995 by Vlastimil Jansa, but unfortunately for the Czech GM, he lost a promising position and it took the world quite a while to realize the strength of his novelty. GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 13 ixg7 A natural reaction. The direct 13 Qb5 Wb4+ 14 &c3 (the meek 14 Wd2 Wxd2+ 15 Sxd2 06 16 Sixg7 dexg7 17 dxc6 xc6 occurred in the stem game Shabtai-Jansa, Gausdal 1995; Black has solved the problem of his a5-knight and is clearly on top) 14...xc3+ 15 bxc3 Wad!? (even the simple 15...We5 16 Was Wixd4 17 cxd4 c6 is OK for Black) isn’t ideal, and after 16 \xc7 ‘Bac8 Black holds the initiative. After 13 Hcl Black can change tack with 13....&xd4 14 Wxd4 6517 15 Wa2 (15 W3 leads to trouble for White after 15...6) 15...2ac4, successfully reactivat- ing his knight. B. sbxg7 (D) Aaa wai a a Ww A a AO o7 a a w Ben DAY, A 28 & | We 7s 4 This small tactical stab doesn’t solve White's problems. Other moves: 1) 14 Bd2 has appeared more often, but it's also not ideal. After 14...Wf6! 15 b3?! (15 0-0-0 6! followed by ...cxd5 is very good for Black, as his a5-knight smoothly rejoins the fray; 15 4, transposing back to the game, is White’s best option) 15...ad8! (15...c6? now fails to 16 ‘Hdl and the threat of @b1 is difficult to meet) 16 Hcl (the knight escapes even afer 16 We3 6 17 We5 Dac!) 16...e6 Black was clearly better in Munschi-Jansa, French Cht 1999, as 17 Qb5 Ac6 leads to the collapse of White's centre. 2) White is understandably worried about his weak dark squares, as black knights appear- ing on f4 and eS would spell total positional bankruptcy. However, this is still a faraway future; moreover, the text-move doesn’t make the doubled f-pawns less vulnerable. Therefore it'sGAME 109: VIKTOR KORCHNOI — GARRY KASPAROV better to concentrate on White's main idea and try to keep the knights sic with 14 Zcl!, After 14...Wf6 (14...c6? is again weak due to 15 We2 and the threat of @d1 will cost Black material; 14...WWe5!? is a playable altemative, but here White has the option of bailing out into a drawish endgame with 15 b4!? acd 16 Skxcd Dxc4 17 DbS c6 18 Hxcd exb5 19 Wd) 15 Dad (here 15 b4?! is ineffective, as after 15...@)ac4 the knight heads for e5) Black can pursue his ambitions by continuing 15...ad8 (15...2xa47! 16 Wxad Wxb2 17 Hxc7 is not too promising for Black; his knight is still offside and even after the tactical 17...ac8!? 18 Wrxa5!? b6 19 Wxa7 Ha8 20 Wb7 Bxa2 21 0-0 Wxe2 22 Hxe7 Wxt3 23 We7 White retains an endgame edge) 16 Zxc7 (a plausible sample line is 16 64?! Ac6 17 eS Add 18 Axb7 xd! and no matter which piece White takes, Black breaks open the centre with a very dangerous attack) 16...1eS (or even 16,..06!?) fol- Towed by ...2c6 or ..e6 with compensation for the pawn. However, this is all a far cry from the clear advantage Kasparov will now quickly achieve. We now return to 14 £4 (D): 1e_=_& rey mA Wa Yo “uo. wre 14.,.Wxt4? fails to 15 Wed+ and We5, but .€5 is a possible alternative. Accepting the -e sacrifice with 15 fxeS WxeS 16 f4 Wxf4 17 Wd4+ £6 18 WeS c6!? 19 WxaS cxd5 20 exd5 Zac8 left the king stranded in the middle and in Johannessen-Rotagov, Gausdal 2000, further feeble defence by White led to a quick victory for Black. According to the databases, this game was played just one day earlier than 213 ours. However, the text-move is stronger, as Black doesn’t need these complications. 1s Waz 6! (D) ‘And this is Kasparov's own contribution. He convincingly shows that Black can aspire to more than 15...Aac4 16 Sxc4 Dxc4 17 We2 Db6 18 We3 Ded with a draw by repetition, as in LSokolov-Shirov, Las Vegas FIDE KO rpd “wan 2 o& mz 16 dxc6?! A surprised Korchnoi reacts meekly and ‘eases Black’ task. The only consistent follow- up is 16 eS WS! (16...Wh4?! 17 d6 exd6 18 exd6 Wi6 is weaker due to 19 0-0-0! with the threat of 2e4; in Naumkin-Turov, Cappelle la Grande 2001 White was on top, as 19...2ac4? loses to 20 Wd4, trapping Black’s unfortunate knight) 17 d6 (17 2d3 Wh3 and White is forced to resolve the tension in Black's favour). Although even here Black is definitely fine after 17..exd6 18 exd6 c5, the position still remains quite volatile. 16 Stas An important zwischenzug, by which Black occupies the open file with tempo. 17 We3 Krasenkow pointed out that 17 @d5? Dxds 18 cxb7 loses to the beautiful 18...2ixf4! 19 bxa8iY Zkxd2 with a decisive attack for Black. ‘After 20 s#xd2 he winds up his king-hunt with 20,..Wixb2+21 de3 Wre2+ 22 contd Wxf2+23 bg4 h5+ 24 Gh3 WI+ 25 hd West 7 Dacd!? Kasparov is justifiably ambitious and strives for more than a comfortable edge after the simple 17...Dxc6.214 18 We5(D) 18 &xc4?! Axc4 19 We2 Wxc6 is hopeless for White, as Black quickly invades via the d- file. After 18 W£3 Kasparov intended to play the sharp 18...)xb2! 19 cxb7 @d3+! 20 wfl Eab8 21 e5 WF5!2, when White is in big trouble. The b7-pawn is not supported by the rest of his army, while Black’s forces are well coordinated (...2¢4 is already in the air) to attack White's vulnerable king. Bac8! Now re Set would squander a part of Black's advantage due to 19 cxb7 Bab8 20 Wc7 2604 21 Eel. 19 7 20° xed —Hexe7 Black has won the theoretical duel hands down, but his next few moves lack punch. Kas- parov himself pointed out 20...dxc7! 21 Wes Excd 22 Wxf6+ Gxf6. The point is that after 23 0-0 Black can continue 23...A\a4! 24 @)xa4 (24 Bd5+ loses a pawn after 24...de6 25 b3 Exes) 24...Exad 25 £3 Bd4 26 Hadl Bxdl 27 Hxd1 Hc2 and his victory should be a matter of technique. 21 Wes Bxed Black has more than one attractive continuation and Kasparov started spending more time, ‘wanting to find the most incisive one. 2 22 Wxf6+ exf6 23 Dd5 Be6 24 b3 2! is also promising, but still not quite winning by force after 25 0-0 (25 B11 is weaker due to 25...£5! 26 £3 txe4 27 fxed He6) 25...5 26 £3 fxed 27 fxed £5 (27...1e6 28 Dc3) 28 Ab4 Eb6 29 Ads Ebd6 30 c3. 2 Waxf6+(D) GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 2 sbxfo7! This slip allows Korchnoi to dig in his heels. Centralizing the king in an endgame is often done without a second thought, but in this case 22...exf6! was stronger for concrete tactical reasons. Black's main threat is agai even after 23 £3 (best) 23...£5 White's pawns are under great pressure and he will find it hard to maintain the material balance. 23 Bel! This strong defensive move prevents ...2a4. Bow Bed Black can activate his king with 23..c5!?, but exchanging White’s weak pawn is a committal decision. Kasparov prefers to improve his other pieces first. 24 b3(D) ac 2 Ai a & © 70 White has managed to limit the b6-knight and stabilize his position for the time being. However, his troubles are far from over, as due to his ruined pawn-structure Black’s advantage is both distinct and permanent. oi iGAME 109: VIKTOR KORCHNOI — GARRY KASPAROV Ww Ba3 25 be2(D) ‘The king will have to find its way back to the centre again, so 25 Bgl with the idea Bg3 deserved attention. After 25...8h3 26 Bg? Hc7 27 Bd2 (27 De2? Hxcl+ 28 Dxcl e5! and White loses a pawn following 29 @e2 exf4 30 xf Hh4) 27...8f3 28 De2 White's defences are strained, a » Qe 1G b> oe \ m BAN e Ax a im Gene oo 6 mz 2 we Ba2+ 26 «bes ‘B7d3+ 27 gz 6 28 «Shel ‘An attempt to simplify the position with 28 Ecd1 leaves White without constructive moves after 28...f1xd1 29 Zxdl e5! 30 fxeS+ dexeS 31 Hel Ha2 32 Qc3 4d7. On the other hand, Black has various ways to strengthen his position, such as bringing his knight to d3 or advancing his queenside pawns. 28 sbe7 Activating the knight requires preparation, as the immediate 28...2d7 would give White a welcome chance to simplify the position and ease the defence with 29 Zedl!. However, the text-move also grants Korchnoi some relief, as now he at least gets rid of his doubled f-pawn. Although the same goes for Kasparov's suggestion 28..n6!? 29 Bedl (29 hd e5! 30 fxeS+ ‘bxe5 and Black seriously threatens ...sef4-g4) 29..8ixd1 30 @xd1 g5 31 fxg5+ hxg5, here Black’s pawn-structure remains more compact. and his pressure is stronger than in the game. 29 The rook swap will have to wait, as other- ‘wise White would miss his chance to get in this 215 important move. After 29 Bed1?! Bxd1 30 @xd1 D7 31 £5 Black has 31...Dc5 32 feb fxe6, when White lacks any good defence against the threats of ...2xe4 and ...fd2 followed by ...2d3. 29 - ®Da7 30 fxe6 fxe6 (D) Lo Ma male g wi : Cone wef Another timely move, which prepares Be2. ‘Two moves earlier with the pawn still on f4, this, would have failed to ...2f3, winning material for Black. 31 Des Although White has done his best, he is still far from equality. However, Black again has more than one tempting continuation and making the right choice to retain all the positional pluses is not so easy. Kasparov's simple and natural move is also the best one: 1) 31...g5 32 Be2 g4 33 ad (33 He2!? is also possible) 33..Ed1+ 34 Hxdl Bxdl+ 35 el allows White either to plod on in an unpleasant knight endgame or get some counterplay on the c-file, if Black’s rook retreats. 2) 31...€\f6 is a more direct try, but also here after 32 He2 (32 €5 “gd 33 Ded Hxa2 34 Bc7+ Hd7 35 Bxd7+ doxd7 36 3 DxeS 37 Dc5+ $6 38 Dxb7+ dd5 39 Hdl+ set 40 bg? also deserves attention; converting Black's extra pawn into victory requires hard work) 32...2)gd 33 Hxd2 (33 4?! Qh2+ 34 hg? DE and White loses material without getting any counterplay in return) 33...2ixd2 34 wel Bd3 (34...2b27! is weaker due to 35 Adi followed by He7+) 35 Dad bS 36 Hc3!? White is still struggling.216 5! (D) ms ee A @ 4 nena iy x White’s isolated kingside pawns are Black's main target, so Kasparov quietly improves his position by fixing them. 33 Dad This logical bid for immediate counterplay is White’s best chance. After 33 Hc2 xc? 34 xc? Black has the prophylactic 34.7! (after 34...94 35 Dad Black can stop White’s play ‘on the e-file only by going for the knight end- ‘game after 35...b6 36 He7+ Hd7). Now 35 bs (35 ad is no better due to 35...b6) is simply partied by 35...a6 and after other moves Black piles on the pressure with ...24, followed by lthS or ..Dg6-F4, 33 aw Bai+ 34 Bel 34 xd?! is dangerous for White, as after 34..Zixd1+ 35 sg? (35 Hel Bxel+ 36 dxel )f3+) 35...g4! his king might easily end up ina mating-net. Mo. Exel+ 35 dxel = Ra?! Pressed by the clock, Kasparov allows White toimprove his position substantially. Afterwards he showed he could have tightened the screws with 35...sed6!. Due to the simple tactical point 36 Bc5 (36 Hc3 Bxc3 37 Axc3 dhe5 38 he? skb4 39 AbI h5 and White is practically paralysed) 36...b6! Black can proceed with his active plans undisturbed. 36 hed a3 36...g4 also isn’t quite clear in view of 37 Ee8!? b6 38 e3, 37 Ee3 38 bt. Df4+ (D) GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 38 dee3! is more accurate, After 38...3f6 (38..Hdl 39 4b? forces the rook back, since 39...bI gets nowhere after 40 4d3) 39 @b2!? (39 QcS He7 40 Daé is also possible; this resembles the knight endgame from the next note, but White’s king is better placed) White protects the points of penetration on the d-file and frees his rook for counterplay. Given the chance, he can play 4d3 at a suitable moment (now it would lead to a lost pawn endgame). ot6 39 Bes Be (D) Y A Wi w eae “ Ts a van D vk a &T Th aa 40 ha? For the last twenty moves, Korchnoi has per- sistently defended an inferior position without active prospects and one can understand his craving to lash out. However, the unfortunate text-move ruins his chances beyond repair. Al- though White gets rid of one weakness, the fact that Black acquires an outside passed pawn will be far more significant. The modest 40 a4 was necessary and although the knight endgameGAME 109: VIKTOR KORCHNOI — GARRY KASPAROV after 40...Hixc3+ 41 Dxc3 we 42 de3 is uncomfortable for White, he retains reasonable drawing chances. 40 °s sbxgs (D) fe a YG Z 15m i om ah Z 41 as White hasn't improved his pawn-structure in fact; quite the contrary, and now he must judge any further simplification with extra care. 42 Bed After 42 Aad Black can exchange rooks, but chasing White’s king away from the kingside with 42...2f7! makes the h-pawn even more dangerous. aw bst Kasparov spurns the promising knight endgame after 42...b6 and decides to keep his rook to support the passed pawn. The game course quickly vindicates his choice. 43° Hel bd 44 Hed ‘This was the last chance to unpin the rook. More resilient is 44 Bgl+!? df6 45 Dad, but even here the passive knight doesn't give White too much hope for survival. 44 = a5 45 Dad Ee7! Played in the same spirit as move 42. After 45...Eixc4?! 46 bxc4 Deb 47 c5 h5 48 g3 h4+ 49 deh3 Ad4 50 Ab6 Black's queenside pawns are blockaded and he still has to work hard for the full point. 46 seed After 46 %g3 the most convincing solution is 46..De2+ 47 deg? fa! and Black's army is poised to start a mating attack. 46 on Dgre 217 47 ker tae 48 bed hs 49 BS Dg 50 ed hat After saving some time on the clock, Kaspa- rov accurately calculates the winning line. 51 ExeS+ = sbgd (D) oe » ii on a. 52 Be8 Other moves are also hopeless: 1) 52. BxaS h3 53 def (53 £3+ dehd 54 ef2 2)f4 55 Ha8 Eg7 and the pawn queens as in the game) 53..2f4 54 gl De2+ 55 fl Bh7! and Black wins. 2) 52 BF Df4 53 He8 (53 gl stops the pawn, but after 53...h3+ Black cashes in) 53..2c7 54 Hg8+ &f3 55 gl Bel+ 56 wh? ‘Hc2 with a mating attack. 3) 52 £3+ would have prolonged the game, but not saved it due to 52...Exf3 53 Be5S+ toxg5 54 bxt3 Del+ 55 tf Dd3+ 56 ef3 DeS+! 57 ‘Sh g2 (57 sef2 kegs followed by ..n3 and Black wins) 57.. SS Se het Ee x NEN Cet Bw 28 We've already seen this typical reaction in Game 105. Black faces a wide and rather bewil- dering choice and the principled text-move is probably the best option. Alternatives: 1) After 13...2e52! 14 g5 DfA7 both the circumspect 15 b3 and the more direct 15 £41? ®c4 16 We2 are very dangerous for Black, because his army is still asleep and g6 is coming. 2) Recently Black has been experimenting with 13..dxe47! 14 g5 hxg5 15 hxgs ext3. However, White doesn’t accept the sacrifice ‘and comes up with one of his own: the powerful 16 xe6! fxe6 17 £5! exf5 (17...Hxh1? 18 Bg6+ be7 19 Wa6#) 18 Bxh8 gives him a strong attack. Even the relatively most resilient 18.. “gd (18...ded is no better due to 19 Wxb4 Wc7 20 Ab6) 19 cS! Dxc5 20 Wxd8+ Hxds 21 Bxd8+ dexd8 22 BxfB+ dhd7 23 Sxcd deb 24 ded2 gave White a won endgame in Zhang Pengxiang-L’ Ami, Hoogeveen 2004. 3) Black can try to improve upon the idea from line ‘2’ with the preliminary 13...8/a5 14 3, but even here after 14...dxe4 (if Black wants 10 play ...g5, it’s better to do so immediately; now after 14...25 White can try to profit from the position of Black’s queen ~a possible tricky attempt is 15 £1!” with the idea 15...Rg8 16 xg5 hxg5 17 e5 Dxe5 18 Dxe6!, creating the threat of 2b6) 15 g5 hxg5 16 hxg5 exf3 White again has the typical blow 17 xe6!. Lutz- Sammalvuo, Calvia OL 2004 went 17...fxe6 18 Sxe6 Exh 19 &xd7+ #7 20 Exhl Ded 21 ‘26+! and now Lutz points out that White has an advantage even after 21...oee7 (best) due to 22 ‘Wad Wa5 23 Wrd5 Sxd5 24 Ab6 Ed8 25 Bhs}, We now return to 13...g5 (D):GAME 110: GARRY KASPAROV — LOEK VAN WELY 14 22 White reasons his bishop has no active prospects on h3 any more and relocates it immediately. However, the text-move loses a tempo andis rather soft. Kasparov himself admitted as much by later joining White's search for an advantage after the more direct 14 hxg5 hxg5 (D) and now: xz We L a sal 3 " A 5. 1) White can’t afford to play 15 exd5? @xd5 16 Sxg5 as in Game 105, because 16...a5 17 b3 @c5 lands him in big trouble. 2) 15 Sixgs is a double-edged attempt to realize White’s main attacking idea in this line, the g5-g6 advance. Black must judge his immediate reaction with great care; the best seems to be 15...1Wa5!? (15...dxe4?! is not ideal due to 16 ALxf6; after 16..xf6 17 g5 exf3 18 We3 White's queen heads for e5 and he threatens Z\xe6, while 16..Wsf6 invites 17 g5 We7 18 g6!, when White had a strong attack in Smikovski- Vysotski, corr. 1999). The queen leaves the dangerous d-file while it’s still possible and the position after 16 b3 dxed can actually become very good for Black if he manages to curb the tactics safely. In Instructive Modern Chess Masterpieces, I recommended the long line 17 Axf6 Dxf6 18 g5 ext3! 19 Wed (Smikovski’s idea 19 @xe6? fxe6 20 Zhel fails to 20...d8! 21 Bxe6+ £e7) 19..Dh5 20 We3 Le7 21 Dxf3.Dg3 22 Bh2 Dl5 23 Vxt5 Bxh2 24 Res as good for White, but this is also faulty due to 24....xe4 25 Wred Bd8! 26 Exd8+ Sxd8! 27 xh2 Wxg5+, when Black regains the piece with an advantage. 3) Line ‘2" indicates that White still lacks an important tempo (bl) to open the centre 219 completely. More promising is the solid approach 15 e5!? @xe5 16 Sxg5. Here Black doesn’t have tactical counterchances and must still solve his main strategic problem - the placement of his king. After 16...8g8 (16...204 17 We2 also gives White an edge), consistent central play with 17 Zd(h)el (after 17 b6, 17..Bed? 18 Dxc4 dred 19 Bxt6 Wf6 20 xe6! led to a quick disaster for Black in Kas- parov-Wojtkiewicz, Kopavogur rpd 2000, but the more circumspect 17...b8 gives Black counterplay) 17....246 18 Zic5! gives White an enduring initiative. 4. gexhd? In a higher sense the decisive mistake. This strategically suspect move weakens Black's kingside, but in the English Attack pure strategy is rarely a decisive factor and Kasparov's following energetic play completely refutes the text-move by sharply pinpointing its tactical drawbacks, 1) 14...dxe4? 15 hxg5 exf3 16 Qxf3 &xf3 17 Dxf3 Axed 18 24 e5 19 We? is also disas- trous for Black. 2) The solid 14...2g8! is correct. After 15 hxg5 hxg5 16 &xg5 @xe4 White has nothing and the same goes also for less direct moves. This resource was found in the post-mortem. and later rounds of the tournament provided indirect proof of the strength of 14...g8!, as Van Wely was willing to face the English Attack in four(!) more games and none of his subsequent ‘opponents played 11 h4, preferring 11 243 or even 11 a3 instead, 15 Bxhd! (D)220 15...42xe4 wins material, but after 16 fxe4! Weh4 17 exd5 e5 (Black must try to close the centre, as after 17..exd5 18 &xd5! &xd5 19 DES White's attack crashes through) 18 d6 e4 (18...2xg2 19 Wag? followed by ZS is hopeless for Black) 19 Wxb4 Black's position is on the verge of collapse. ‘The attempt to prepare queenside castling with 15...Was fails to 16 b3 dxe4 (16...0-0-0 17 25) 17 g5 Dd5 18 Axe6! fre6 19 fxe4 and Black’s king has no chance to survive in the wide-open centre. 16 85 Das After 16..exf3 17 Dxf3 Dd5 18 &d4 Black's rook has nowhere to hide (18...28h7 runs into 19 ‘Wa3) and he must further weaken his already compromised position with 18...£6. White simply continues 19 gxf6 followed by Hel, when €6 is bound to fall soon. 17 Bxe4(D) White has brought his rook over to bear down on the e6-pawn. 7 hxgs ‘Van Wely at least parries the most obvious threat, g6. Other moves allow combinative solutions: 17...2xe3 runs into 18 Dxe6! fxe6 19 Exe6+ Sf7 (19...,Le7 20 Wre3 is also hopeless for Black) 20 Exe3 2c6 21 £4 with a mating attack. After 17...]Wa5 Black intends ...0-0-0, but puts his queen offside. Kasparov foresaw the pretty blow 18 Dxe6! fxe6 19 Exe6+ Wf7 (after 19...Sed8 the simplest is 20 f4 followed by xd and White wins) 20 Wd3!, chasing Black’s king out into the open. After the forced moves 20...82xe6 21 Wedt+ AeS (both 21...82d6 22 fat and 21...sef7 22 g6+ seg7 23 Wes Des GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 24 Qd4! lead to mate) 22 2h3+ dd6 23 Le5+ WxeS 24 AxcS sexc5 White can choose between two winning moves, 25 WxeS and 25 Les. 18 Sxgs Was?! After 18...Wxg5 19 Wxg5 2h6 White has 20 Dxe6! Sxgs+ 21 Axgs+ with a healthy extra pawn, but in the endgame Black could at least fight on. After the text-move White's attack will be too strong. 19 £41(D) After the premature 19 A\xe6? fxe6 20 Bxe6+ #f7 21 Wa3, Black still has 21...5f6!, con- fusing the issue. xe With the text-move, the g2-bishop joins the fray and the concentration of White’s forces has reached the critical point. Black can’t prevent the blow on e6 by any normal means. 9 Eh2 ‘This doesn’t help, but Kasparov shows Black is lost even after other moves: 1) 19...Wxa4 makes it simple for White: after 20 Axe6 fxe6 21 Bxe6+ De7 22 &xb7 Black's position collapses. 2) 19...e5 removes the pressure from e6, but 20 Qb3! Yxad 21 BxeS+! Axes 22 &xd5 crashes through on the d-file; e.g., 22...Wa7 23 Axb7 Wxd2+ (23...Wxb7 24 Wd8+!) 24 Bxd2 Eb8 25 fxe5 and White wins easily, as the bishop is taboo. 3) 19...2)76 20 &xf6 Axf6 again fails to 21 Dxe6! (21 Bxe6+ is less convincing due to 21...fxe6 22 &xb7 Hd8) 21...Sxe4 (21...fxe6 22 Hxe6+ def7 23 Hxf6+ dexf6 24 Wd4+ followed by &xb7 and White wins) 22 &xe4 Hc8 (the only defence against £c6+) 23 xf8 andGAME 110: GARRY KASPAROV ~ LOEK VAN WELY the attack triumphs. All White's pieces are practically taboo and after 23...WWxa4 (23...Exf8 loses on the spot to 24 Hel) he can choose between two winning moves, 24 Wd6 and 24 215. Although these lines may seem complex, White's tactical blows are logically connected with his previous play and come quite naturally in a situation where Black’s king is fully exposed to an all-out attack. 20 Dxest 21 Bxe6+ ‘The ever-alert computer indicates 21 ££3 as an altemative solution, but Kasparov demonstrates a more straightforward win. A wn tT 22 Was! (D) x7 CO suanen fxe6 nee ms ‘The queen joins the attack and Black's deserted king must suddenly face White's whole army. The note to Black’s 17th move indicates the winning text-move must have come quite easily to Kasparov, as he had this motif on his mind much earlier. 221 DQ ow ag? After 22...oxe6 23 Sixd5+ fixds 24 We6+ 26 25 Waf6+ ded7 even the a4-knight takes part in the attack and White wins the house with 26 Bxds+ Wrxd5 27 Db6+. Also 22...22g8 23 We6+ ths (after 23...2.97 24 LxdS Sxds 25 Ze7 Bh7 26 &h6 White mates) doesn’t help; the simplest solution is 24 Heel, when Black has no good defence against the threat of Zhi. 23 Wise White could have also played 23 Sixd5 xd5 24 Wg6+, transposing to the previous note. Bw ‘£8 (D) x7 7 mst (27a 40 928 = aus MC aT ZU 7 as mis 24 BxdS Wad After 24...ixd5 25 WxdS Wxd5 26 Sxd5 Black loses a whole rook. 25 He7 10 ‘Van Wely has had enough. After 25..,2h8 (25...Rxd5 26 WxdS+ Eh8 27 Wxa8+ Df8 28 &f6) White has many ways to win material, but the most incisive is 26 Sh4! Zxh4 27 Wi7 2h7 28 Bh5, forcing a quick mate.Game 111 Vladimir Kramnik — Garry Kasparov Linares 2000 English Opening [A30] Linares 2000 was an untypical event, with two players topping the table and all the other participants finishing in last place. This eventful draw between the joint winners was one of the highlights of the tournament. 1&3 K6 2 ef Ss 3 3 2c3 would presumably transpose into a Griinfeld after 3...d5, just as in Game 100. How- ever, on this occasion Kramnik wishes to discuss something else Kramnik is in a fighting mood and consistently strives to side-step Kasparov's preparation; the text-move is a relatively fresh idea, at least at the highest level. The position with the extra moves 4\c3 and ...A\c6 had often occurred in Kramnik’s practice, and even then Black must tread with care — despite the symmetry, White still has a useful extra tempo. The more usual continuation is 4 exd5 @xd5 5 £22 26, when White must make an important decision. A subsequent encounter between the same players went 6 dé (after 6 c3 Ac7 7 d3 e5 Black is OK in a Maroczy-like set-up with opposite colours; moreover this position was well-known to Kasparov, who played it two weeks prior to Linares in a one-hour Internet game against. Piket) 6...cxd4 7 @xd4 Dab 8 Dxc6 Wxdl+ 9 Hxd1 Dxc6 10 Dc3 LA7 11 Le3 0-0-0 12 Hel e5 13 Hel Webs 14 £4 £5! 15 fxeS Dxe5 16 Rf4 Be8 17 Hal Lc6 18 &xc6 bxe6 19 Hd7 851. Active defence gave Black counterplay and equality in Kramnik-Kasparov, Frankfurt pd 2000. Kramnik had already played 4.d41? in an earlier round of the prestigious Frankfurt rapid and his choice in this game indicates that while it’s an interesting option, objectively it’s no wonder weapon. 4 axed Black can transpose into more explored lines of the English Opening (with 4...c6 5 c3) or into the Tarrasch Defence (with 4...e6), 50 the only way to try to give the game an independent character is the immediate resolution of the central tension. 4..exd4 (D) is the main alternative. Then: xH2Wee 2 va A noe Ve, 5 ee A CONS ARM BAGWES 1) 5 @xd4! e5 6 Af3 d47 S92 leads toa theoretical position that is considered quite playable for Black even if he gets his pawn to €5 in two moves and it’s White’s move; in our case 7...c6 gives Black an excellent position. 2) S.cxdS Wxd5 6 Wxd4 4c6 is innocuous and equal. 3) 5 Mg? WaS+!? (after 5..dxe4 6 Wxd4 White will soon regain the c4-pawn and retain aGAME 111: VLADIMIR KRAMNIK ~ GARRY KASPAROV slight initiative in a Catalan-like position due to his lead in development) 6 Dbd2. dxc4 (6.267! is not ideal, as after 7 0-0 Black must spurn the natural 7...e5? due to the neat trick 8 b3 Wd8 9.cxd5 Dxd5 10 xeS!, when White won a pawn in Topalov-Shirov, Monte Carlo rpd 1999) 7 Axd4 e5 8 Ac? Deb 9 0-0 e6. Black can freely proceed with his devel- ‘opment and has a good position. 5 Wad+ = a7 6 Wed (D) 2 ada oe mt fe apne ‘A MMA Lag ‘Same 6 Ro61? Although the players are treading relatively virgin territory as early as move 6(), after long thought Kasparov reacts sharply with a surprise of his own, involving a pawn sacrifice. The more mundane 6...cxd4 7 Sig? (7 )xd4?! e5 8 23 c6) 7...8c6! can transpose into the next note (instead after the weaker 7....c6 8 Dxd4 Bc890-0.e6 10 4c3 White still has pressure on the h1-a8 diagonal and the most natural attempt to parry it, by 10...2)xd4 11 Wadd &c5 12 Wh4 Rc6, runs into 13 Hdl Wb6 14 Rxc6+ Hxc6 15 S2h6! — we are back in the Catalan and this line has been known to give White a large advantage since 1978). 7 dxe5 Accepting the offer would be playing with fire, as White’s exposed queen would become a welcome target. After 7 Wxc5?! Da6 (even the less complex 7...06 8 We2 Sxf3 9 exf3 Heb 10 LbS Hc8 gives Black reasonable compensation) 8 We? e5!? (the quiet 8...b4 9 Wh3 e6 10 &g2 Zc8 also puts White under pressure, especially as he must refrain from the natural 11 @c3?! due to 11...Se4! and Black wins 223 material) 9 dxe5 @b4 10 Wb3 Black has quite a handful of attractive continuations. If there is nothing else, Dokhoian indicates he can bail out with 10...22e4 (10...245 11 Wdl Dga!? and 10...2¢8!” are the more ambitious tries) 11 Da Dd3+! 12 exd3 x63 13 exfo Was+! (13...xh1?! 14 Wh5+ Wa7 15 2h3! is dangerous for Black) 14 2.42 WeS+, forcing a perpetual. We have already mentioned that Kram- nik later repeated the whole line; his new idea was ignoring Black’s pawn altogether with 7 &g2!?. After 7...cxd4 8 0-0 Wd5 (Black doesn’t have to strive for a queen swap; the simple 8..Dbd7 and 8...e6 seem sufficient for equality) 9 a3! a6 10 Bal 6 11 Bxd4 Weed 12 Dxe4 Be5 13 Hdl Dbd7 14 £4 0-0 15 Bact Back 16 Bd6 Bxd6 17 @xd6 White was better in Kramnik-Leko, Frankfurt rpd 2000. a Sas Disturbing the queen is the best continuation, After 7...e6 8 c3 Dbd7 9 Se3 Hc8 10 g2! (10 b4 b6! gives Black excellent counterplay) Black can regain the c-pawn, but he still has to fight for equality. 8 Wade 9 Wed 26 a5 (D) ae 0 “ @ te Oe Bm AR Game ae ow 2 10 We2 Kramnik avoids the repetition. After 10 Wh4 €6 11 23 26!? Black equalizes, as attempts to hold on to the extra pawn are very risky; e.g., 12 Be3 (12 &g2 &xc5 transposes to the game position with two moves fewer) 12...bd7 13 &g2 (13 Bdl Was is also OK for Black, as 14 4?! Wa3 can only be dangerous for White) 13.,.x05! 14 BxcS AxcS 15 Wes (15 0-0 with equality is more reasonable) 15...2ice4 16224 Dxed Dred 17 Wrg72! WaS+ 18 El 0-0-0 and White must face a strong attack. 0 6 Kramnik points out that after 10...de4 11 ‘Wd2! White will regain the lost tempo by hit- ting the bishop with 4c3 and he can fight for an edge. age Here 11 &c3 allows 11....2¢6, regaining the pawn with approximate equality after 12 b4 (12 Be3 Wa5) 12...a5 13 bS Rxf3 14 exf3 Axcs. Black's forces are active enough to balance White’s bishop-pai ste Sed! (D) Just as on move 7, attacking the queen dis- turbs the coordination of White’s forces. The position after 11...bd7 12 8c3 2.067! 13 b4! a5 14b5 &xf3 15 &xf3 Axc5 160-0 clearly favours White. Contrary to the line from the previous note, he has a lead in development and his bishops are far more active. 12 Wea 12 We3 only misplaces the queen and after, 12...@bd7 Black is fine; White should prudently avoid the forcing line 13 b4?! a5 14 a3 Dds 15 Wadd Whol. 12 Wa2 gives Black a choice between 12...bd7 and 12...S.xc5; in the latter case White has no way to profit from the uncastled enemy king after the queen exchange. R 13° Wha The only way to continue the fight. Kramnik is Kasparov's only regular opponent with a de- cent score against him over the last decade, and to achieve this you must demonstrate some Ras GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES courage! After 13 We2 Sed, the game would have never made it into the chess press. Bw Sixes 14 D3 Reb 15 0-0(D) White must finish his development; the simple line 15 Wg5? Dbd7 16 Wxg7 Hes 17 Who Rxf2+! shows a concrete reason why. 15 Re7 ‘The same goes for Black. Kasparov wants to pursue White’s queen even on hé, but instead of the time-consuming text-move he should have preferred 15...bd7, keeping the ...,Re7 resource in reserve. After 16 g5 (after 16 b4?! Se7 Black threatens ...bd5 and the unprotected c3-knight may even cause White problems; 16 ‘Bd allows Black to play 16...17b6 with tempo) 16...0-0 both sides have finished their devel- ‘opment and the position is equal and rather dull. Now the tension will grow surprisingly quickly. 16 Hai Was Here the queen will be exposed, but Black has problems with his strongest piece even after other moves: 1) 16..@bd7?! is now met by 17 Des! Lixg2 18 dexg? We7 (18..0-07 loses a piece to 19 xd7 @xd7 20 Wad and also after 18.45? 19 Wad White’s pin is extremely annoying) 19 @xd7 Dxd7 and here White can choose between 20 25 and 20 Wad. In both cases, White's lead in development greatly complicates the defence. 2) 16...Wb6 deserves more attention, but after 17 £¢3!? Wxb2 18 Sad4 White holds the initiative, as Black has problems with both hisGAME 111: VLADIMIR KRAMNIK — GARRY KASPAROV kking and queen. In his practice, Kasparov was only rarely willing to suffer for a suspicious pawn. 17 Ra? 17 Wes WxgS 18 &xg5 Dbd7 19 Bacl is a possible alternative, suggested by Kramnik. Although it’s completely risk-free, without the queens White can claim only a very slight edge due to his more active rooks. The text-move is certainly more enterprising, 7 ®ba7 (D) a sau ag as G7 a a 8 ms ASE “7 @ 18 gd!? A very demanding idea in the same spirit as the previous move. White uses the fact that Black hasn’t castled yet to instigate dangerous complications. A simpler option such as 18 ‘Habl with the idea b4-bS promises White a slight edge, but Kramnik strives for more. 1B ow hot The correct reaction: Kasparov prepares counterplay on the same flank where White wants to develop his initiative. 18...0-07 19 g5 De8 is very passive, and in fact fails to the tactical blow 20 Dds! Wxd5 21 £b4, when White wins either a queen or an exchange for insufficient compensation. 19 Wg3 White moves his queen away from a vulnerable square and prepares a kingside pawn-storm —arare motif in the English Opening. An even ‘more straightforward option is the aggressive 19 g5!? @h7 20 Wey3 hxgs (after 20...2xg5 21 Dxgs Axes 22 Bxc6 bxc6 23 Des Mxd2 24 Exd2 White has a strong attack against Black’s uncastled king) 21 d4 Wa6!? (21....0xg2 22 Dcb5 followed by c7+ is better for White) 22 225 Dxc6 bxc6 23 He3 (or even 23 De4!?) and White's piece-play gives him excellent compensation. 19 Was Afier 19...0-0, Black's 18th move would have only weakened his kingside and 20 hd gives White attacking chances. Therefore Kasparov intends to create some concrete counterplay first before tucking away his king. 20 hd Kramnik is consistent. 20 Hac| costs White a tempo and Black may seriously consider playing 20...0-0 (a generally useful move like 20...248!? also deserves attention) 21 h4 £b4!? with counterplay. 20 Wed Activating the queen is the most natural move. If Black now plays 20...d4b4, he has to reckon with 21 Wf4. Then after 21...S¢xc3 22 Sixc3 Dd5 the exchange sacrifice 23 Exd5! xd5 24 e4 followed by 2xg7 gives White a strong initiative. In reply to 20...24c5 White has 21 DeS &xg?2 22 Wxg2, when he is better, as .25-g6 is a dangerous threat. Kramnik fleetingly mentions 20..n5 21 g5 ed, but this is very double-edged, as the knight may end up offside on g4. 21 &fa(D) 21_g52! hxg5 22 hxgS is premature due to 22..h5 23 We7 Wed, possibly followed by -dtd8-b6, when it’s Black who is attacking. B se “io @ ee bai Dy io x7 2 what? Black doesn’t show his cards yet and maintains the tension. Just as 6...2c6!?, the text- move cost Kasparov a lot of time on the clock. Other options worth considering are:226 1) The immediate 21...g5 is also possible. Although with 22 hxg5 xg 23 eS! (23 Axes Sixg? 24 doxg? allows Black to equalize after 24.05! 25 Sixe5 DxeS 26 Wes Wxgs+ 27 ‘Wed Hpk 28 £4 Wag3+ 29 dxg3 Dhs+ 30213 @xt4) White prevents the tactical explosion from the game, the position still remains very complex after 23...h6 (simplification after 23...Rxf37! 24 Rxf3 Dxes 25 Wre5 only enhances Black’s problems with his king) 24 2d4 e512. 2) Black can also play the relatively more sedate 21...0-0. Castling is now more justified than on move 18 or 19, as it’s not so easy for White to implement the g5 advance and the position after, ¢.g., 22 Hacl Wh4 23 Bd? Hac8 remains unclear. However, Kasparov decided, probably as far back as move 18, to strive for active counterplay on the flank where he is under attack (see move 23) and castle only when it becomes absolutely necessary (as later in the game on move 26). 22 a3? ‘The most consistent continuation, which pro- vokes a tactical melee. Black can hold his own after less direct tries, such as 22 @d4 S2xg2 23 a3 (23 xg? Hc8 is also OK for Black) 23...7b6 with rough equality. 22 ow Wxb2 23 Baa (D) Ae. . = wouA Lt ‘The point of the previous move: the c6-bishop is under attack and White threatens to trap the enemy queen... Bow gs! Without this resource, Black would be in grave trouble. Other moves are much weaker: x #@ ' bh 7 ae Va ae 4 7% W B27 GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 1) 23...Wb6? loses material to 24 Habl Wa6 25 cbs. 2) Afier 23...28xg27 24 Habl! (24 Dad is less incisive due to 24...Wxal 25 Bxal £d5) 24...Ded 25 Bxb2 Zxg3 26 dbxg2 He8 (after 26...8296 27 Bdl e5 28 Ddb5!? ext4 29 DcT+ ‘Bd8 30 Dxa8 the threat of Exb7 is decisive and 26...e5 gives White a large choice — even the simple 27 S.xg3 exd4 28 dS gives him a clear advantage) 27 S.xg3 (27 Ddb5!? e5 28 Bxg3 a6 29 &d5 is an equivalent alternative) 27...20xc3 28 Exb7 White is clearly on top. 2A Axc6 White has a handful of options and Kramnik chooses the most direct one. Other mov 1) After 24 Hab17! gxf4 25 Wh3 (25 Wa3? De5) 25...xg2 26 xg? Black may get ambitious with 26...Wxal!? (26...£3+7! 27 Wxf3 Des 28 Wg3 favours White and 26..Wd2 27 Hdl ‘Wh2 can lead to the main line, as 28 a4?! misplaces the knight and favours Black after 28,..Wxal 29 Hxal Hg8) 27 Bxal Hg8. Although ‘material is approximately equal, White’s queen is offside and Black holds the initiative. 2) Dokhoian gives a similar line: 24 Sxc6 gxf4 25 Wh3 (25 Sxd7+ Dxd7 26 WE3 Des 27 Wri is better for Black due to the clever 27... g8!) 25...bxc6 26 Babl Wal!? (26...Wd2 27 Edi leads to repetition) 27 Hxal He5 28 Wh1!? (28 We? Zd8 favours Black due to the trick 29 4)xc6? £3) 28...E%c8. Here the position is less clear than in line ‘1’, but Black still doesn’t risk much, as White’s king is the more exposed of the two monarchs. 3) The simple 24 hxg5!? hxgs 25 Sxg5 is less forcing, but possibly more promising than the text-move. Although now Black's queen escapes after 25....xg2 26 dexg? (26 Edbl? loses a piece to 26....2e4!) 26...1Wb6, White can still claim a slight pull with 27 cbs. on ext After 24...bxc6?! 25 hxg5 hixg5 26 Sxgs we are back in positional channels and White has an advantage — his active bishops can target Black's weaknesses. 25 Wa3 bxe6 Another forced move. After 25...c5? 26 ‘Was! Db3 27 Wes Axal 28 Dxe7 Black can’t play 28...82xe7 due to 29 )d5+ and so his position collapses. 26 Rxe6GAME II]: VLADIMIR KRAMNIK — GARRY KASPAROV After 26 Edbl Des 27 Wad4 We2 Black's queen escapes and 28 Wxe5 0-0 leads to a position in which White must fight for equality. 26 0-0 Black must unpin his d7-knight, as otherwise dbl would trap his queen. In addition, his king finally finds a safe haven. 27° &xa8(D) we” ma Se 7a This move is natural enough, but Black isn’t risking much even if he plays 27...—txa8!? instead, Dokhoian gives the line 28 Hdbl e529 Exb2 (29 Wd 4c6 leads to repetition; moreover, Black has the satisfactory extra option 29...WWxe2!?) 29...2)xd3 30 Hb7! (this limits Black’s options; after 30 exd3 “Axed he can use his bishop on both flanks depending on the circumstances) 30...2c5! (30...<6f8 31 exd3 Axg4 32 dg2 gives White more realistic winning chances) 31 exd3 @ixg4 32 Ded 26 with sufficient compensation for the exchange. 28 Wa4 ‘Exa8 (D) 227 29 Waxes The last critical moment of the game. After the text-move, the tension will soon dissipate, but even 29 Zab! doesn’t promise White more. A plausible follow-up is 29...Wxe2 30 Dxe2 213+ 31 Shi (31 eg? Dxd4 32 Hxdd e5 followed by xg is fine for Black) 31...2xd4 32 Hxd4 (32 Dxd4?! Ded) 32...e5!? (more ambitious than 32...£3, which also gives Black compensation after 33 Dg] &xa3 34 Bf4 Dds 35 Bxf3 &e7) 33 Had (33 Hic4 S2xa3 and Black has nothing to fear) 33...@ixg4 34 Xgl h5! 35 £3 4c5. Here White does best to bail out with 36 fxg4 (36 Hg2? deh7! 37 fkgd £3 38 Eh2 Has! 39 @c3 Hd3 and White will pay dearly for underestimating the f-pawn) 36...2xg1 37 dexgl hxg4 38 Qxf4, simplifying into a drawn rook endgame. 29 Be8(D) After 29,..2d5? 30 Babl Wxc3 31 Bxd5 Wh3 White has 32 Hd3! Wxed+ 33 eh2! Wxh4+ 34 Bh3 with a winning advantage, as the greedy 34... Wxf2+ loses on the spot to 35 Phi 25 36 Hel. 30 Bact 30 Hdcl? is weak due to 30...0d5. Then White can’t take on dS, as in the game, and isin trouble after 31 Zabi Wrxa3. 30 Both players were by now running rather ‘ominously short of time, so Kasparov prudently chose the clearest continuation and the great fighting game heads for a peaceful conclusion. ‘The more complex alternative is 30...8c5!? 31 ‘Wad (31 Wxf47! Exc3 32 Bxc3 Wxc3 gives Black some winning chances), and now:228 1) 31...@xg4 is not ideal due to 32 Wo4!? (32 Wexf4?! runs into the trick 32...,xh4! with excellent tactical chances;¢.g.,33 Des 2xf2+! 34 @xf2 @xf2 and White is the one who has to be careful not to lose) forcing the queens off the board. After 32...Wixb4 33 axb4 it’s Black who must fight for a draw. 2) More promising is Dokhoian’s suggestion 31...Wxa3 32 £3 (32 Wd2?! Dxg4 33 Wid is again met by 33...S.xh4!) 32...h5!. Black suc- ceeds in breaking up White’s kingside with an unclear position due to the tactical motif 33 1252! Hixg5+, when the rook is taboo. 31 xds White will take all Black’s pieces for the queen, but it will not be enough due to his exposed king. After 31 Hb1?! Wxc3 32 Bxds exd5 33 Wxe7 £3 it’s White who must fight to hold the balance. 3 Wes 32 Dxe7+ (D) UA7 Je7 | a Ba . tsa a Z em mae 6 a DRE Ba 32 eg7 ‘The slightly more accurate 32...0¢h7!? limits White’s options, but doesn’t change the outcome after 33 Zixc8 (here 33 Hxc8 is weaker than in the game, as after 33...Wxe2 White can’t save his g4-pawn) 33...Wxe2 34 Hdd! (only White risks losing after 34 g5 Wg4+ 35 Hil £3) 34..Waxgd+ 35 fl Wh3+ (even the weaker 35...Wxhd 36 c7 Wh3+ 37 de2.e5! 38 ‘Hdd7 We4+ 39 ded2 WE3 should be enough for adraw) 36 &e2 We4+. The most likely result is a draw by perpetual check, as 37 d2d2?! Wixh4 costs White a pawn with tempo and could lead to trouble. 33 Bxc8 = Wxe2 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES 34 Bg8e ‘White didn’t have this option in the previous note, but even now his deserted king has nowhere to hide from Black’s queen. M4 38 -Bd7(D) et6 VW eee 35 Welt At this point Black still needs the £3-square for his queen. 35...£3? is premature due to 36 25+ hxgs 37 Exg5! (37 hxg5+? is insufficient, as after 37...Be5 38 Dc6+ Hed 39 Ext7 Wel+ 40 seh2 Wxt2+ 41 soh3 We2+ 42 dehd £2 43 gis Wh+ 44 deg Wal +! White's king can’t hide from the checks) 37...Wel+ 38 @h2 Wxf2+ 39 h3. White's king can escape to hS via g4 and his mating attack decides the game afier 39...05 40 Df5 e4 41 Ada, 36 eg? Weds 37 h2 Wer? This keeps the c6-square under control, but 37...We2 is also good enough. 38 bg? 38 g5+ hxg5 39 hxg5+ deS 40 dg? Wes+ is also a draw, because 41 sel? even loses to 41.13. 38 ww Wet 39 hz We 40 5+ gS 41 Hxgs White creates a mating-net, but he won't have time to play Dg8... AL Wet2+ Yate Contrary to the note to Black's 35th move, now after 42 d#h3 Black has 42...W13+ with a perpetual.Game 112 Garry Kasparov — Etienne Bacrot Sarajevo 2000 Scotch Opening [C45] 1 e& Ss 2 fs Deb 3 dé The Scotch is the most significant of the time-honoured openings which Kasparov re- introduced into modern tournament practice, enriching it with many novel ideas. Although he occasionally essayed the Giuoco Piano with 3 &c4 followed by 43, this was mainly only in rapid games, while the Evans Gambit from Game 83 was more of a psychological weapon, not intended for regular use. On the other hand, 3 d4, which appeared in his reper- toite in 1990 at a critical moment in his last match against Karpov, has served him well as an occasional supplement for the Ruy Lopez. It forced his opponents to invest extra energy into preparing for two separate openings and, used with his traditional psychological insight, brought him excellent practical results ~ in the Scotch, Kasparov won far more games Contrary to the complex Ruy Lopez, White’s strategy in the Scotch is simpler, but still sound and logical. Instead of gradually putting pressure ‘on the e5-pawn in an attempt to create a broad pawn-centre (Sb5, c3, d4), White immediately exchanges Black's central outpost, intending to profit from his slight space advantage. Although in general Black’s free piece-play should give him sufficient counterchances, Kasparov was attracted by the character of the resulting positions, which are far from sterile and boring equality. His contribution in turn made the Scotch very popular and subsequently other strong players took it up (Rublevsky, Sutovsky and Radjabov to mention just a few). 4 ow 26 ‘The main alternative, 4....c5, has occurred less often in Kasparov's practice. His initial preference was 5 .e3, but later he took up the line 5 Dxc6 Wi6 6 Wd2 dxc6 (after other captures it’s more difficult for Black to develop freely) 7 &c3. Just as in the game, White pins his hopes on his better pawn-structure. How- ever, here Kasparov was less successful in fighting for an opening advantage than after the text-move. 5 Dxe6 Immediately breaking up Black's pawns is the most ambitious continuation. After 5 2c3 Skb4 6 Dxc6 bxo6 7 a3 d5 Black's unhampered and active development promises him straightforward equality. 5 bxe6 (D) Zz 2We ” ae z.e230 Knight moves are less testing, as they allow ‘White to activate his fl-bishop quickly. 7 Wer Das 8 c4(D) mai ok & ‘ma ] Z la YY Gh Y la, This is consistent with 6 e5; White chases away Black's knight and occupies more central space. The price he has to pay for his territorial gains is a lag in development. An ideal way for Black to exploit this would be opening the centre, or at least exchanging the advanced e5- pawn without serious positional concessions. However, this is not so simple to achieve and, with the struggle revolving mainly around this crucial point, the tension in the position will gradually grow. 8 - ab Black wants to put pressure on White’s position by retaining his knight on d5; on the other hand, if his activity peters out, the bishop might remain sidelined on a6. 8...Db6 9 De3 Web is equally popular, but here too after 10 Wed Black’s counterplay is connected mainly with 10....2a6 (the simplistic 10..d5 11 exd6 cxd6 12 &d3 Wxed+ 13 S2xe4 &b7 14 b3 doesn’t give Black full equality; White is slightly better due to his superior pawn-structure). The currently topical line goes 11 b3 Sb4 12 a2 Lxc3 13 Bxc3 d5 14 Wh4 dred 15 Le2 (15 Ecl!? is a more recent and possibly promising idea) 15...2\d5 16 Sixcd g5 17 Wad Bxc4 18 Wec4 0-0-0! (after 18...f42! 19 Wixe6+ Dxe6 200-0.01 ske7 21 Ehel Ehd8 22 Bxd8 Hxd8 23 Hed Bd5 24 dc? the vulnerability of Black's queenside played a major role in Kasparov- ‘Timman, Wijk aan Zee 2000) 19 0-0 &f4 20 Wxe6+ ADxe6 followed by ..d5 or ...2d3 with GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES approximate equality. Here the situation is different from the aforementioned game: Black controls the important d-file and his split pawns can't be attacked so effectively. On the other flank, his well-placed knight makes it difficult for White to make anything of his kingside majority. 9 b3(D) This consolidating move is important for the protection of both the c4- and e5-pawns and it’s best to play it immediately, although we'll see the cl-bishop might not end up on b2 at all. If White wants to develop his kingside first with 9 g3, then after 9...26 his best chance to fight for an advantage is to play 10 b3 anyway. eS 26 ‘The most solid reaction; some of the other playable moves lead to an even sharper position. This is certainly true of 9..0-0-01, played in Kasparov-Karpov, New York/Lyons Weh (14) 1990 - Kasparov's first outing with the Scotch. 9.85, which prevents White’s next move in our main game, is rather committal too. Com- promising Black’s kingside makes ...0-0 very risky and Kasparov's practice offers good proof of this: after 10 3 &g7 11 £b2 0-07! (here u ? is Black's best move; White can still choose between both castling options with 12 &g2 or 12 2d2!? and in both cases the position is unclear) 12 Dd2 £6 13 Wh5 @b4 14 ha! 2415 dl c5 16 a3 Ac6? (16...22b7 is the only way to play on) 17 £d3 £5 18 Rxf5 Bxe5 19 Hel d6 20 &e4 White was winning in Kaspa- rov-PNikolié, Linares 1997, 10 £4GAME 112: GARRY KASPAROV ~ ETIENNE BACROT Ambitious as usual, Kasparov opts for the aggressive move he introduced into tournament practice in 1991. White not only protects the e5-pawn, but also frees a comfortable square for his queen so that he can finally chase away the annoying knight. We have already mentioned the more sedate 10 g3 above; the critical position arises after 10...g7 11 2b2 0-0 12 g2 Hack 13 0-0 &xe5 (13...b6 14 Hel £6 is also not quite clear) 14 Sxe5 Wxes 15 WxeS Exe5 16 cxd5 Sxfl 17 Bxfl exd5 18 Dc3 06. In this complex endgame, Black's central pawns are immobile and he shouldn’t allow White to target them effectively. Therefore it’s important to prevent the manoeuvre Ed 1-d4-a4-a6; in this ‘case recent games have shown that the position is roughly equal. We now return to the position after 10 £4 (D): This attempt to disrupt the coordination of White’s forces costs time. 10...£6!? is more consistent and demanding: 1) The sharp 11 a3 WE7 (11..2b4!? 12 ib2 £26 also deserves attention) 12 Wd2 Ab6 13 c5 Sixfl 14 cxb6 was played in Kasparov- Karpoy, Tilburg 1991. Now Kasparov in his notes gives the forcing line 14....2a6! (in the game Karpov went astray with 14...axb6? and after 15 e6! dxe6 16 &xf8 Eds 17 Wb2 White duly converted his extra piece into victory) 15 bxc7 fxe5 16 WaS Wafd! 17 Wxa6 Wha+ 18 hdl Wass 19 a2 (19 dec2 Wed+ 20 Wad is the only way for White to play for a win, but Black has little to fear after 20... Wxg2+ 21 @d2 xa3) 19...fxa3 20 c8H+ Bxc8 21 Wrc8+ 231 Be7 22 Wah Wxal+ 23 de2 Whi 24 Wres+ with a perpetual check. 2) Kasparov presumably thoroughly checked his analysis before the only game in which he faced the Scotch with Black. However, White preferred the quiet 11 exi6 Wxe2+ 12 Sxe2 Abst 13 Bd? Sxd2+ 14 Dud? Axl 15 BA 2yxe2! 16 sexe? 7 17 ded3 Hae8 and now in Radjabov-Kasparov, Linares 2004, the natural ‘move would have been 18 g4. However, even here after 18...h6 19 h4 d6 20 g5 £c8 Black has enough counterplay against White's advanced pawns. Wb6 (D) x7 we 2 ak 1 &a2 Wn A Saws BA 12 Wear Kasparov had analysed this position while preparing for his match against Short in 1993 and admits that it was not easy for him to decide if it’s worth forcing ...f5 with the text-move. ‘The unclear 12 W3 Ab4! (after 12...Wd4 13 ®c3 Bxc3 14 Wxe3! White has a better end- ‘game; here Black would prefer to have his pawn ‘onfS as in the game) 13 ddl S67 14 2c3 c5 15 We3!? (15 Dd5 287 is OK for Black) 15...We6 hasn’t been tested too extensively yet. How- ever, White has a third option: with the simple 12.3 bd 13 Wa3!? Axc3 (taking the pawn by 13...S0xe3 14 &xc3 Axf47! is fraught with danger for Black afier 15 Wd2 De6 16 0-0-0 0-0-0 17 &a5) 14 &xc3 Was 15 Sxb4 Wxb4+ 16 Wa2 he can aspire to a slight endgame pull. ran £5 Black increases his influence in the centre, but on the other hand, he won't be able to break up White’s pawn-chain with ...f6 any more. 12...2b4?! is not ideal, as after 13 2e3232 White can develop more easily than in the game. Bw 13 exf6+2! £7 prematurely opens the centre in Black's favour. Bw waar Black opts for simplification, but, just as after 12 Wf3, stronger was the principled 13...)b4! 14 kdl £67 15 2c3 c5, which subsequently occurred in Nataf-Bacrot, Cannes 2002. It’s hard to evaluate this position unequivocally, as both sides still have to finish their development. If White manages to get his king to b2 and connect his rooks unscathed, he will be better, but this still requires quite a lot of time. 14 Bcd @xe3 (D) x fee ® (All a 15 &xc3! ‘A strong novelty, as the exchange of the dark-squared bishops makes it more difficult for Black to activate his offside a6-bishop. 15 ‘Wxc3 is too meek: after 15..Wxc3 16 Sxc3 Sg7 17 0-0-0 5 Black will quickly liberate his position with ...d6 and equalize. 15a Bb 16 Hel Bxc3+ 17 Bxc3 0-0-02! (D) Another concession, which makes it easier for Kasparov to proceed with his plan. Black still had better moves: 1) V.Mikhalevski recommends preventing the following move with 17...1e5, but even after the simple 18 We3!? Wxe3+ 19 Hxe3 c5 20 4 Black still can’t claim full equality. 2) Bacrot later came up with 17...267!? 18, 5 (otherwise Black plays ..c5 himself) 18...45. Here the pawn-structure is the same as later in GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES the game, but Black’s centralized queen is a nuisance and it’s not so easy to push it away. Al- though 19 2 (after 19 cxd6 cxd6 20 We3 dxeS 21 WixeS+ Wre5+ 22 fxeS 0-0-0 23 fc Bhe8 24 6 c5 Black freed himself and equalized in Nataf-Bacrot, French Ch (Marseilles) 2001; 19 ‘We3 also gives White nothing after 19...e4!) should be somewhat better for White, Black is not without counterplay after, .g., 19..a5 20 Wes Wo 21 Wa2 Las. BY i Bee [1 7 Sak 18 cSt White increases his space advantage and doesn’t mind trading bishops in the process. 8 .. Bb7 Although this move seems ugly, it at least keeps Black’s hopes for counterplay alive. 18...R4xf1 19 Hxfl only helps White to coordinate his major pieces and leaves Black with the dreary task of struggling for a draw in an inferior rook endgame after 19...g5 (19...d62! 20 cxd6 Hxd6 21 Ef2 Be8 22 23 and White’s king heads for safety, while Black’s c-pawns are weak) 20 Wa (20 ica Wb2!? 21 We? is simi- Jar) 20...{Wxd3 21 Bxd3. 19 We! (D) We have already said in the note to move 17 that Black’s queen hinders the consolidation of White’s ranks, 19 Wxe3+? A very serious positional mistake. Bacrot has since become a 2700+ player, but at the time, he was only 17 and this was round 1 of his first super-tournament. Playing against the main favourite of the event, he is worse from the ‘opening and hopes to ease his burden with a queen swap. However, falling in too willinglyGAME 112: GARRY KASPAROV — ETIENNE BACROT a y= with White’s plans will soon reduce him to ab- solute passivity. As Kasparov pointed out, Black should have shown less respect and played the daring 19...8b4! followed by ...d6, when he ‘can still make a fight of it. Avoiding the queen swap was consistent with keeping the bishops ‘on the board; then converting White's advantage into victory would still require much more than a demonstration of perfect technique. 20 Bxe3 46 21 Bed In open games White usually develops his light-squared bishop within the first 3-4 moves. Due to the preceding intense fight for the centre, Kasparov does so only on move 21, but with greater effect. The bishop is prepared to support the passed pawn all the way towards €8, and S.f7 is now a direct threat. 2 aw ha7 After 21...dxe5 22 €6 the only way to avoid losing an exchange is the passive 22...de8 (22..Bhe8 23 e7 Hd7 24 Se6 is hopeless for Black), but this leaves Black paralysed and White can improve his position at his leisure with 23 HeS or 23 h4!?. Bacrot still doesn’t want to release the central tension, but White’s energetic reaction renders his hopes to activate the b7-bishop futile. However, 21...—the8 doesn’t change the general picture and even offers White the tempting direct solution 22 3271? (the quiet 22 $2 also keeps White’s positional pluses intact, as Black can’t afford 22...dxe5 23 ExeS Exe5 24 fre Hd2+? due to 25 de3 Bxg? 26 ‘Bdl! and the e-pawn decides) 22...He7 23 €6. The threat of Bh3 practically forces 23...82b8 with the idea ...&c8xe6, but after 24 h4! &c8 25 hS Sxe6 26 hxg6 hxg6 27 Lxg6 dxc5 28 233 ‘Axf5 Hed7 29 BhS White with his connected passed pawns remains in full control. 22 hdt(D) 14s “lx 2 mw as ‘White was ready to pounce on the g6-pawn, so with a heavy heart Bacrot decides to close the position after all. Kasparov laconically states that after 22...dxe5 23 ExeS Hhe8 24 Exe8 Exe8+ 25 Gf2 the remaining rooks will soon disappear and White easily wins the ensuing bishop endgame due to the combined weakness of the c6-pawn and Black's kingside. Moreover, it’s not so simple to prevent hS and White’s rook might soon become the more active major piece; a possible follow-up is 25...8e7 26 hS $26 27 hxg6 shxg6 (27...hxg6 28 Hh7 He? 29 Zh8 and the threat of Bb8 decides) 28 g4! sac8 29 g5 2d7 30 Hh6+ deg? 31 fo lS 32 BxtB sbxf8 33 e3 and White’s king decisively penetrates via e5. 23 a3 An instinctive move (White blockades the d- pawn and targets the kingside pawn-chain), but from Kasparov's subsequent plan it will become clear that the more accurate 23 $e2! would have saved time. However, a few lost tempi can’t radically change the evaluation. The important factors, which favour White, are those repeatedly ‘mentioned in the notes to the opening phase ~ a space advantage and a better pawn-structure. When one adds to this White's vastly superior bishop, unhampered by its own pawns, we can already speak about a strategically won position. Bw hS! (D) The only consistent follow-up to his 22nd move: Black tries to close the position. After234 23...de6 24 h5 White is ready to open and occupy the h-file with decisive effect; the attempt to lash out with 24...25 fails to 25 g4! and the united passed pawns will be unstoppable. we a8 ae Ag 0 @ A ae “AE m4 Zh6 24...Ethg8?! is weaker due to 25 Bes S2c8 26 24! hxgd 27 hS and Black’s kingside collapses. 25 bat ‘An important move; otherwise Black would get at least some fresh air with ...a. Bon heb Now 25...a5 doesn’t achieve the desired effect due to 26 bS! cxbS 27 SixbS+. Black can't allow c6, so he is forced to play 27...c6 (the otherwise desirable 27.8.6? loses on the spot to 28 e6+) himself and after 28 a4 White will invade via the b-file. Kasparov gives the nice il- lustrative line 28....2a6 29 Hb3 Bc8 30 td2 Hc7 (30...S04 31 Bb7+ He7 32 Ah! Axa? 33 xc7+ dxc7 34 Eb6 is hopeless for Black and after 30...h7 31 Khbl He7 32 Eb6 £4 33 a3 he is close to zugzwang) 31 Hhbl Sc4 32 Hb6 Rxa2 33 Bxc6! Rxbl (33...Bxc6 34 Bb7+ eB 35 Sixc6 g5 36 Hb6! e737 &xd5 and White wins) 34 Bixg6+ ded8 35 Exh6 Exc5 36 Bh8+ ‘Ge7 37 Bh7+ and the e-pawn marches forward, as 37...2e6? runs into 38 Sd7#. 26 bd2(D) After stabilizing the position, some sche- ‘matic thinking is needed to breach the enemy fortress. White will tie Black down to the defence of the a-pawn, improve his king and then shift his attention back to the kingside. This will highlight the main drawback of defending a cramped position, namely that White can transfer pieces from one flank to another faster and GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES B more effectively than Black. At some point, Bacrot’s forces will be too strained to cope with the defence of all his weaknesses. Such long- term planning was typical for the games of the masters of the past such as Rubinstein and Capablanca; Kasparov also copes with his task in a convincing fashion. In modern chess, such model displays are relatively rare, as the drawbacks of passive defence are universally known and players often resort to extreme measures just to avoid such a predicament, Due to the far greater sum of general chess knowledge, the superiority of the elite over the ‘second eche- Jon’ has a different character than in pre-war times and shows mainly in more subtle nuances than just pure strategic understanding. 26 aw Bas 27 Ebi a6 (D) ‘This was Black’s last chance to lash out with 27...85, but after 28 bS (28 bxa5 is less convine- ing due to 28...c8) 28...cxb5 29 &xbS White reaches a position resembling the lines from the note to Black's 25th move. 1 a ee ti wey 4 ial a Am g a mA a |GAME 112: GARRY KASPAROV — ETIENNE BACROT 28 -Eb3 ef7 29 Had Bhhs 30 -Bgs Eh6 Although Black has freed his rook from the defence of the g6-pawn, he still doesn’t dare to leave the h-file. We already know 30...thb8 fails to 31 g4!, while after 30...2hg8 31 &c3 White proceeds as in the game. 31 &c3(D) White continues with the intentions outlined above; the tactical point behind repositioning the king to d4 will become clear seven moves later. Kasparov indicates that he also had another winning plan, starting with 31 Ba5. White proceeds to double his rooks on the a-file, forcing Black to do the same. This allows him to open the b-file with bS and break through on the queenside. Say aan. mae 7 a 3 bs 32 Bas Has 33 ead ‘Ehhs, 34 Red Slight hesitation shortly before the time- control. Mow Habs. 35 Bd3 Bas After 35....$c8 White will return to the set- up employed in the game with 36 c3 a8 37 Se2!. 36 Be2t 235 Thisiis the ideal square for the bishop, as from here it attacks both the a6- and h3-pawns. Now ‘White, depending on how Black manoeuvres his rooks, will double either on the a- or g-file, 6 Ehbs After 36...d008 37 Bg3 &b7 (37...5b8 38 Hb3) 38 Bga3 Bhb8 39 c3 Black arrives too late to save the a-pawn and the same goes for 36...Hab8 37 Hg3. 36...Ehg8 is again met by 37 Bg3 and now 37...a7 fails to 38 &xh5! gxhS 39 e6+ and White wins. On the other hand, the immediate 36...1a7 loses to 37 a3! and Black has no good defence against Hag3. 37 East White pounces on the deserted kingside. 37 Ens Even 37...Sc8 can’t divert White from his plan; after 38 Hag3! Exb4+ 39 skc3 Ex 40 Exg6 all his pieces cooperate together in the fi- k. Hags 38...2h6 runs into 39 Rxg6! Bxg6 40 &xh5 Bag8 41 e6+ 16 42 Bxg6+ Bxg6 43 €7. An important detail - White's king couldn’tstay on the second rank, as now Black would take on g2 with check! 39 &xhS!(D) 10 After 39...gxh5 40 e6+ the advancing e-pawn, will cost Black a rook.Game 113 Sergei Movsesian — Garry Kasparov Sarajevo 2000 Sicilian Defence, Scheveningen/Najdorf Variation [B80] Kasparov himself admits that this game had a psychological background, but to understand it fully, one has to expand a bit beyond his notes, which touch mainly upon the tense finish of the Sarajevo tournament. In 1999, Kasparov wrote ‘on his website about the FIDE KO World Cham- pionship and described a handful of the participants who had qualified for the higher stages, as “chess tourists”. Not surprisingly, his outspo- kenness provoked negative reactions and Sergei ‘Movsesian even went as far as addressing him in an open letter, in which he accused Kasparov of elitism. He maintained that the difference between the privileged “Linares bunch” and other strong GMs, who don’t get lucrative invi- tations, is largely artificial. Kasparov has always been at his best over the board and in the following year, he reacted convincingly with his results ~ by winning both in Wijk aan Zee and Sarajevo he proved that his own elite status is fully deserved. 1 ef 5 2 Of a6 3 d4 oxdd 4 Oxd4 M6 5 Bcd a6 Our game was played in the last round and Kasparov had only just managed to wrest the tournament lead from Shirov after the latter had overpressed in a promising position against Movsesian. However, the slender half-point ‘margin could still be insufficient for overall victory and events proved him right, as his rivals Shirov and Adams both won their final games. A rest day after the penultimate round enabled Kasparov to prepare thoroughly for the crucial clash, its importance being only magni- fied by the events described in the introduction. To my mind one fact indicates that for Kaspa- rov this game was more than just an ‘ordinary’ fight for tournament victory —he annotated it at length for New in Chess magazine, a task he otherwise regularly delegates to his second Yuri Dokhoian. 6 hed Movsesian also had his ambitions in his first Category 19 event. After a poor start he burst into life by winning two sharp games ina row against Morozevich and Shirov and his aggressive opening choice indicates he was intent on continuing his winning streak. On the other hand, for Kasparov this was a welcome decision, as he was in a similar mood and fully willing to battle it out in the complex English Attack. 6 6 For 6...g4 see Games 91 and 93. 7 £3 b5(D) 8 War Games 103, 105 and 110 saw Kasparov both facing and himself playing the more direct 8 g4. One month previously, in Anand- Kasparov, Kopavogur rpd 2000, he had indicated a tendency to avoid the heavily analysed lines from the aforementioned games by preferring 8...2f47!? (instead of 8...n6). Movsesian’s move-order gives him a chance to redeploy Black's knights on the queenside in a more harmonious manner, without having to fear White’s attractive extra options mentioned in the note to Black’s 8th move in Game 103. However, in the next note we'll see that 8 Wd2 also has a positive side to it — namely that itGAME 113: SERGEI MOVSESIAN — GARRY KASPAROV takes the sting out of the nowadays popular 4 advance. 8. Dba7 (D) 8...b4 is well met by 9 Dad! (after 9 Zce2 Black has 9...e5 10 @b3 %c6 with the intention .-die6 and possibly ...d5; the resulting position is unclear) 9...@\bd7 10 0-0-0 d5 (10..e5?!, which works fine for Black with the extra moves g4.and ..n6, is now ineffective, as after the simple 11 Wxb4 £d7 12 @b3 the £3-pawn is not en prise and White is clearly better; 10...Wa5 11 b3 2b7 12 g4 also doesn’t solve Black’s prob- Jems, as now 12...n6 13 hd leads to exactly the line from Game 103 he has been trying to avoid) 11 exd5 xd5 12 Lcd A7K6 13 Bes We7 14 Bxd5 xd5 15 Bhel and White’s lead in development gave him a strong initiative in Leko-Topatov, San Luis FIDE Wch 2005. To attack Black's king on e8, White doesn’t need the move g4. 9 0-0-0 9 gd? is currently the most testing and topical option. Then: 1) 9...06 allows White to avoid the game continuation with the ambitious 10 a4!? @c4 11 Bxe4 bxc4 12 a5! (weaker is 120-0 267 13 25 Dd7 14 £4 De5 15 Wg? g6 16 ad! We7 17 ‘We4 h6, when White’s king is in more danger than Black’s, Anand-Kasparov, Kopavogur blitz 2000) 12...8b7 13 ad, White intends to snuff ‘out Black’s queenside play and proceed with his plans on the opposite flank, and this demands energetic countermeasures. After 13...c8 14 We3 (14 Db6 allows Black to disrupt White’s queenside with 14.3!) the critical continuation is 14...2xe4!? (14...2d7 is rather passive, 237 and after 15 0-0-0 @e7 16 h4 &xh4 (Leko- Kasparov, Linares 2005} White should play 17 ‘Wh with an advantage) 15 fxed xed 16 Wb4 Wh4+ 17 hal Wxgs+ 18 Gel eS with great complications. 2) If this is not to Black’s taste, he can possibly try the less explored 9...n6 10 0-0-0 @e5!? (10...8b7 11 h4 again transposes to Game 103, while 10...b4 is now met by 11 ce2!?; with his knight already on d7, Black doesn’t have .e5 and 11...d5 12 exdS @xd5 13 Dts O7f6 14 S4c4 again leads to a situation that is slightly similar to Leko-Topalov from the previous note ~ White's superior development enables him to create threats against Black’s uncastled king). 9 on 2b7 10 gd Db6!? (D) ‘As we'll see in Kasparov-Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 2001 (Game 115), the theory after 10...h6 goes deeper than 30 moves in some forcing lines. x7 L Wee A ak Kasparov doesn’t want the game to become a memory contest and relies more on his superior Sicilian experience and understanding. In this sense, the text-move is a good practical decision, which will pay off with surprising speed. nn Wr 11 g5 would after 11.247 only chase Black's knight to a square where it wants to go anyway; later the idea ...AeS and ... bed can be unpleasant for White. The text-move is the main continuation: the queen leaves a square where it could soon become exposed. nw Dfa7 12 ébt238 This move is now slightly inaccurate. Al- though 10...2b6!? has sporadically been around since the 1980s, afier our game it became popu- Jar at all levels and 12 £d3 Hc8 13 @ce2 soon ‘established itself as the main line. This position subsequently arose in Kasparov's practice and ally he preferred simple development with 13...de7 followed by ...0-0 in J.Polgar-Kaspa- roy, Linares 2001. However, this is somewhat slow and has the drawback of giving White's attack a clear target by committing the king. ‘Therefore in his later games he successfully essayed the more flexible 13...2c5 14 tb1 Abad followed by ...c7. Black tries to create unrest ‘on the queenside, forcing White to reckon with ..2)xb2 at some point. Another option is opening the centre with a later ..d5; the bishop can be developed more actively on the a3-f8 diagonal, or possibly even fianchettoed after ...g White has to take all this into account while realizing his main plan — the kingside pawn- storm. On the whole, the position is rich with strategic and tactical possibilities for both sides. QR eB 13 £432 (D) Underestimating Black’s positional threat. 13 ce2 was still better, although here White's set-up is not as harmonious as in the previous note and Black gets a good position with 13..e4 (or even the simple 13...22e7). 13 vw Exc3t Kasparov was amazed and, after pulling some astonished faces, chopped it off. Afterwards he even stated that allowing such an exchange sacrifice implied “a tack of chess culture”. This typical Sicilian motif, well-known also from GARRY KASPAROV’S GREATEST CHESS GAMES the Dragon, is in fact very strong here. Black's ‘minor pieces are poised to create threats against the exposed king and this makes them more effective than White’s rooks, which at the moment have precious little scope. Once Black fully mobilizes his army, he has every chance to launch a direct attack. No, the text-move doesn’t win and, to be fully objective, perhaps doesn’t even give Black a clear advantage against mathematically exact play. However, in practice White's task is very difficult and also psychologically extremely unpleasant. After choosing an aggressive opening system, he is suddenly forced on the defensive and must fight to hold the balance. In Kasparov's hands, the initiative is an especially dangerous weapon! 14 bxc3 Wer Kasparov suggests 14...A\a4!? 15 Ae? Le7 followed by ...0-0 as a more flexible continuation, Black first plays the moves he'll have to make anyway, retaining the option to choose between ...c7 and ...¥a5 in the future. eT 0-0! (D) Movsesian subsequently admitted that this came as surprise, thus revealing also why he didn’t prevent 13...2ixc3!. He had tested the whole line in numerous games on the ICC against Van Wely, but the Dutch GM never cas- ted. However, friendly online blitz isn’t the most reliable preparation for facing the world’s strongest player. On the other hand, Kasparov had never analysed this precise position, but his intuition clearly told him that the text-move ‘was necessary and correct. Black needs his rook on the queenside and if it becomes necessary,GAME 113: SERGEI MOVSESIAN — GARRY KASPAROV the e7-bishop can help out with the defence of the king. 17 hd Dad (D) Kasparov makes another of the moves he considered ‘obligatory’. In the process he improves upon the game Zagrebelny-Lingnau, later, this is not a bad idea in itself, but it’s all about playing it at the most suitable moment. \ a noe Ai AB 727, 18 Sel?! This passive retreat loses time and doesn’t help out too much with the defence. The immediate 18 h5 is more consistent and stronger. Af- ter 18..e5 19 £d4!? (maybe even 19 £4 is playable) Black has several promising continuations such as 19...2c4 or 19...d5, but in any case White has more counterchances than later in the game. 1. Des Kasparov is not interested in taking the weak 3-pawn, as this would only justify 18 cl?! and allow the bishop to take part both in the de~ fence and the counterattack from b2. He had already envisaged the plan of removing the ob- stacle on c3 more forcefully with ...b4 and Ec8. The strength of this idea is enhanced by the fact that due to his last move White will be tunable to oppose Black’s major pieces on the e-file. G nil mz 19 h5(D) White must leave Black’s centralized knight alone, as after 19 £42! @xd3 20 cxd3 dS the position opens up in Black’s favour. The main point is that 21 eS d4 22 Wxd4? fails to 22...2c5, trapping the queen. 19 as 239 B & Amn aw “e Jee@a7, 7s With this thematic break, the e7-bishop joins the fray. Kasparov also considered another central blow, 19...5!?, and this is indeed a viable alternative. After 20 6 (after 20 gxf6? Sxf6 the bishop joins the attack; a pretty sample line is 21 £4 Wxc3!? 22 xc3 Dxc3+ 23 wal Dxd1 and Black should win) 20...g6 21 exfS exf5!? (21...2xf3 wins material, but after 22 £6 the passed pawn gives White counterplay) 22 8h3 £4.23 Wg? WS! followed by ....&d5 Black has a raging attack. 20 Whe Although the text-move is connected with a sly trap, it removes the strongest piece from the queenside, where the main action is about to take place. However, it's not easy to find anything better, as 20 h6 gets White nowhere after 20...g6 and 20 &f4 Axc3+ 21 Axc3 Wxc3 gives Black a continuing attack. Even the attempt to simplify the position with 22 Wa2 doesn’thelp, as after 22...Wxd2 23 Sixd2 Oxf3 Black will have three pawns for the exchange. 0. 2d6! (D) Kasparov realizes he still can’t go ahead with the plan he conceived on move 18. After 20...b4? White’s pieces suddenly explode into life with 21 exd5 Sxd5 22 &xh7+! hs (after 22...8exh7 23 g6+ Sg8 24 h6 White’s attack comes first) 23 Se4. Black has no obvious way to continue his attack and his own king will quickly be in trouble 21 Wh3? This is the decisive mistake, as on h3 the queen doesn’t create any extra threats and is even more distant from its king. 21 2f4!? is more resilient, freeing the cl-square for the rook. Now Black has a choice:240 GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES Je w y, w a D a A Ay a ALATA J a ee gi 1) Kasparov considered mainly the complex 21...b4 22 exb4 Bc8 23 Hcl d4!, but later he found 24 teal (24 a3?! a5! gives Black a dangerous attack; e.g., 25 Lb5 Dc3+ 26 Axc3 Dxf3! 27 &xd6 Wxc3) 24...e3, when 25 Hb1! (after 25 xd4? Sexb4 26 b3 Wa7! the defence collapses; 25 h6?, as given by Kasparov, fails to 25...2)xe2; €.g., 26 hxe7 We3+ 27 tbl Wxb4+ 28 deal We3+ 29 eb 2xe4!, mating), leads to an unclear position after 25...@xb1 26 Exbl 2) However, Black also has the mundane 21...2ixc3+!? 22 x3 Wxe3. Now it’s difficult to protect the £3-pawn and White's best chance is to play 23 Wd2 (after 23 d27! Wa3 24 We2 Black has the tactical blow 24...2xf3!) 23...Wxd2 (23...Wa3 24 Se? is not quite clear) 24 Bxd2 Dxf3 25 We3. Although Black has a distinct advantage in the endgame, at least White has avoided getting mated and can fight on. aw 2x3 Improving White’s pawn-structure is not the first thing that comes to mind, but before starting the final attack it’s important to stop any ideas connected with sacrifices on h7. 22 cxd3 ba! (D) Blasting open the queenside. This is more forceful than 22...Se5 23 Sd? 23 exb4 This should have lost quickly, but White’s position is beyond saving even after other moves: 1) 23 g6 Axc3+ 24 Axc3 bxc3 25 Wg? Hb8 and White’s king has nowhere to hide. After 26 deal Sc6! (seeking an immediate win complicates matters after both 26...c2 27 Hd2 xed 28 Hxc2 and 26...dxe4 27 gxf7+ £8 28 Bhgl! Wxf7 29 fxed &xe4 30 We2!) Black will gradually prepare the decisive invasion on the befile. 2) 23 c4 dxcd 24 96 (after 24 dxcd SeS 25 g6 Wxc4 the main threat is ...b3 and Black’s attack comes first) doesn’t help White either. Here Kasparov worked out a precise win with 24...cxd3! (24...€3 is also sufficient in the long run, but opening the c-file is more thematic) 25 Hxd3 Hc8 26 a2 LeS 27 Hhdl fc6! and White has no defence against ...22b5, threatening both ...d2d3+ and ...2xe2. B 24 ald) 24...ifc2? is tempting, but unclear due to 25, Bd2 Le5+ 26 d4 Lxdd+ 27 Hxdd! Wre2 28 242. The text-move is connected with a pretty idea, but even stronger was 24....2xb4! with the threat of ...&c3+. After 25 Wh2 (25 a3 Sc3+ 26 dead dxed 27 fxe4 Sxed! and Black mates) 25...We2 Black threatens ...2\c3 and the onlyGAME 113: SERGEI MOVSESIAN — GARRY KASPAROV defence 26 Hdel loses quickly to 26...4¢xe1 27 Exel Dc5!. 25 fixed Rxe4! (D) Kasparov stylishly activates his bishop. White tries to create confusion, After 26 dxe4? Re5+ 27 Ddd Sxdd+ 28 Hxdd Weel +! Black mates, while rook moves fail to ..e2. Sxhi 26...We2? 27 gxi7+ £8 28 Wre6 Sxd4 29 Ed2! only leads to complications and 26...,e5+ 27 d4 We2 28 gxf7+ Hf8 29 W3 Wre2 30 dxe5 &xh1 31 Exhl prolongs the game. There- fore Black cashes in immediately. 27 Wahl xbd 28 gxf7+ =e! Kasparov is not too lazy to calculate to wrap up the game. 28...Wixf7 29 42d2 or 28...coxf7 29 b21 Adxb2 (29...We2? 30 W7+) 30 Eel would allow White to kick around for a while. 241 29 Wer 29 &b2 now fails to 29...We2 30 Hb1 Wxe2 31 n6 £c3! 32 hxg7+ sexf7 33 W7+ f6, retaining the extra piece. 29 ww Bbs! 30 &b2 30 S42 loses to 30...£a3 31 Rel Sxcl 32 Excl Wb6. 30 @®xb2 (D) i Oda a ose 7 G4 GA te Oo 7 Yay 7 tl Ga a7 a ca 31 Add Black easily parries this last-ditch try, but 31 Hcl We5 32 dé is equally hopeless due to 32...WaS 33 Wed 4 34 Bgl g5 35 hxg6 hxg6 36 Wh4 (36 Wxg6 Wxd4+! mates, and Black also wins after 36 Wf4 WS) 36... W3 37 Whs+ He7 38 Wxbs c3+ 39 debI Wd3+ 40 wel Rd2+ 41 edi Dede. BL ww Qxdi! 32 Dxe6+ — &xf7 O41Game 114 Sergei Tiviakov — Garry Kasparov Wijk aan Zee 2001 Sicilian Defence [B23] 1 ed cs 2 D3 d6 3 fa Ww Although Tiviakov plays the Open Sicilian as well, he doesn’t relish a direct confrontation with the world’s foremost Najdorf connoisseur. His chosen set-up is more effective only after Black has committed himself with 2...d6, as now parrying White’s future play on the a2-g8 diagonal with ...d5 will cost an extra tempo. However, we'll see that Kasparov feels very much at home in all Sicilian positions. On the very next day, he literally routed Fedorov, who tried to combine the unassuming 2 d3 with an all-out kingside pawn-storm; further proof is provided by the earlier Games 88 and 104. 3 A flexible move-order, which limits White’s options. After 3....)06 4 43 g6 he can choose between the game continuation and 5 {2b5 S247 60-0. 4 O83 agi 5 fed Here 5 5265+ is rather insipid due to the simple 5...22d7. Now exchanging the bishops re- leases the tension and gives Black a comfortable position, while after 6 a4 @c6 White has made a less useful move than castling in comparison with the line from the previous note. 5 D6 6 00 7 @B This position warrants a short but instructive excursion into chess history. The famous game Saidy-Fischer, New York 1969 went 1 c4 e5 2 2c3 Deb 3 g3 15 4 Lg? Dl 5 €3 Lc5 6 d3 £41? 7 exf4 0-0 8 Dge2 We8 9 0-0.d6 10 a4?! Sd4! 11 Zxd4 exd4 12 b3 hS! 13 a3 a5 14 b3 ‘Weg6 15 Db2 LES 16 We2 Dd7 17 Hel Acs 18 REL BaG! 19 £d2 Zb6 20 &xaS Bxb3 21 2d? Ha8 22 a4 Ha6 with tremendous pressure for Black, who went on to win shortly. Less well known is the fact that exactly the same position arose in Karpov-Bellon, Madrid 1973, in which 6 (D) & a a a S An QB OD Ban & gware the future World Champion barely survived! ‘The natural question is — can’t White play 7 £5 with an even greater effect, since he has an extra tempo? However, the matter is not that simple. First of all, Saidy (and Karpov) naturally could have defended better. Secondly, after 7...exf5 (even declining the sacrifice with 7...Df6!? 8 3 0-0 is satisfactory for Black) 8 d3 A\ge7 9 ‘Wel the fact that Black hasn't castled yet makes it more difficult for White to target the enemy king. The circumspect 9...6!? takes the sting ‘out of Wh4 and leads to a complex position in which White must still prove he has sufficient The direct approach 10 exf5?! better) 10...Jaxf5 11 g4 gives Black a distinct advantage after 11...xg4 12 Rxf7+ dxf7 13 DeS+ dg8 14 xg Dad! vio DgeT 8 Wel After 8 f5 Black, apart from &...exf5, has the additional option 8...d5!? 9 &b3 dxe4 10 £6 (the piece sacrifices 10 fxe6 and 10 fxg6 are dubious, while exchanging queens after 10 dxe4 is not what White had on his mind when he sacrificed a pawn) 10....xf6 11 Dxe4 97 12 Wel 0-0 13 Axe5 Od4. Returning the pawn has stabilized the position and Black has nothing to complain about. 8 9 Sb3e 0-0(D)GAME 114: SERGEI TIVIAKOV ~ GARRY KASPAROV ay a e Woman © ie Am ARAN ll Agd @ wre ‘The nature of the Sicilian is that it leads to very delicately balanced positions. This goes both for the main lines as well as the more offbeat attempts, like the one chosen by Tiviakov. Not only Black, but also White can quickly be worse after even a single inaccuracy. The text- move is not ideal, as now Black efficiently solves his opening problems, and losing the initiative in the Sicilian often means coming under pressure. White has better moves: 1) If White is not intent on provoking a tactical skirmish, he should at least retain his light- squared bishop: the circumspect 9 a3 leads to a roughly equal position. 2) As indicated above, the direct 9 £51? (D) is the most consistent continuation. Then 2a) 9...exf5? tums the c4-bishop into a monster and gives White a dangerous attack after 10 Whe. 2b) The seemingly risky, but positionally justified, capture towards the centre 9...gxf5!? deserves closer attention. After, e.g., 10 Wh4 243 fred 11 dxed Dd4 12 26 Dg6 13 Whs Dx3+ 14 Bxf3 Wh4 Black is willing to return the extra pawn on d6 to force further exchanges and has nothing to fear with his compact pawn- structure. 2c) 9...d5 10 $b3. Now the wild complications following 10...dxed (after 10...c4 11 dxc4 xed 12 16 2x16 13 Axed 287 14 c5!? White’s active piece-play play is a more important factor than Black’s kingside pawn-majority) 11 dxed exf5 12 Wh4 fxed!? 13 Dg5 h6 14 &x67+ (after 14 2xf7 Wade 15 dhl c4 16 Dxh6+ Bxh6 17 &xh6 Exfl+ 18 Exfl DLS 19 Wes eh7 20 Ed1 Wxdi+ 21 xd exb3 only White can be worse) 14..,dh8 15 Dgxes £5! 16 Sxh6 Exf7 17 Bd6! d4+ 18 Wixd4+ cxd4 19 @xf7+ deh7 20 x8 Exd8 21 £42 dxc3 22 £xc3 lead to an approximately balanced endgame. Dm Basi (D) An ambitious and purposeful reaction. Black secures himself the bishop-pair and gets ideal prospects for light-square play. His unopposed c8-bishop will become extremely powerful in the further course of the game. 10 Be3 10 £2421? deserves attention. The idea is to remove one of Black’s bishops with Md1 and &c3. However, after 10...Dec6!?, preparing to meet 11 dl with 11...d5, Black retains a promising position. 10. b6 After 10...2xb3 11 axb3 46 12 WA2!? followed by d4 White can develop some active play in the centre. Kasparov postpones taking the bishop and makes some useful moves first, knowing it won't run away.244 1 gene White removes his bishop from a potentially exposed square; otherwise, he’ll have to reckon with ...d5. However, now White’s queen has no access to its natural square on h4, so Kasparov suggests 11 Hdl as an improvement. Only afier 11...d5 does White play 12 ££2 (or 12 £42"). Black is comfortable, but nothing more than that ea 2b7(D) 12 ahs Consistent with White’s previous move, but here the bishop will achieve precious little. 12 Zul still seems less committal, although after 12...e7!? Black is better. 2 Dxb3 The right moment for the swap has come, as after 12... WWd7 White has 13 2.4 followed by di and 3. 13° axb3 14 Wy3(D) This is somewhat artificial, but the problem ‘with White’s position is he lacks a constructive plan. His knights have no secure outposts and limiting Black’s bishops by advancing the central pawns is unrealistic. To be concrete, 14 €52! DFS 15 Bed loses a pawn to the simple 15..@xh4 16 Wrxh4 &xed 17 dxed dxe5 18 fke5 Rxe5! 19 Had! (19 Axes Wd) 19...We7. Mw £5 ‘With White having omitted to play 9 £5!?, the situation has changed, and Black's own pawn thrust to this square has become his main active option. After Kasparov's suggestion 14.. “c6 15 Bael (15 €5? again fails to 15...dxe5 16 fxeS ®)xe5!, while White can hardly afford 15 £5?! WaT GARRY KASPAROV'S GREATEST CHESS GAMES due to 15..ext5 16 exfS Wrf5 17 Wxd6 Dd4, when Black’s bishops go on the rampage) 15...£5 Black reaches the game position without giving White any extra options, but the natural text-move is no worse. 15 Hael The attempt to close the centre with 15 e5 is hardly an improvement, as it opens the long diagonal for the b7-bishop and after 15...c6! (15...xf3 16 Sxe7! Wxe7 17 Bxf3 dxeS 18 fxe5 would ease White’s task; he has managed to simplify the position and his only weakness oneS is defensible) White must resolve the central tension with 16 exd6 Wxd6, Black has a distinct pull, as he'll gradually prepare ..e5. so. Deb 16 extS The bishops are ideally placed on the long diagonals and put White's centre under strong pressure. Moreover, Black has various means to strengthen his position (...Rae8, ...2)d4 followed by ...b5-b4, or preparing a timely 5, etc.), Although it's difficult to suggest any concrete improvement for White, the text-move is nevertheless a concession, afier which his position deteriorates rapidly and he will soon be left in total passivity. Our game is in more than one respect similar to Game 112. Here we also have round 1 of another super-tournament, where Kasparov's opponent again shows excessive respect and falls in too willingly with his plans. Last, but not least, just as Bacrot, Tiviakov has also leamed his lesson and recently his rating has reached the 2700 mark. 16 gxf5 (D) The slight weakening of Black’s kingside has no significance, as White can’t exploit it.GAME 114: SERGEI TIVIAKOV ~ GARRY KASPAROV ‘On the contrary, Black can profit from the opening of the g-file and Tiviakov will soon barely be able to defend the g2-pawn, 17 Be2 White wants to tie Black’s forces to the defence of the e6-pawn, but this won't prevent Kasparov from concentrating his major pieces on the g-file. However, even the attempt to forestall this plan with 17 &g5 Shs 18 Wh4 doesn’t help much after 18... g8!? (if Black plays 18...“d4 as in the game, then after 19 Oxd4 Lxd4+ 20Gh1 BE7 21 Dal followed by 3 his bishop will be forced to shut the g-file before the rook gets to g6) 19 whl (19 2f6? dal is bad for White, as the g2-pawn is unprotected and 20 xd4 loses to 20...cxd4 followed by ...&dxg2; 19 He2 Dd4 20 Aixd4 Sxd4+ 21 ‘Bh1 Bg6 allows Black to achieve his goal and is similar to the game) 19...Zaf8! (19...2d4 20 @xd4 Lxd4 21 LF6+ is unpleasant for White, but still defensible). Black has prevented the exchange of the dark-squared bishops (after 20 2h6?! 4 White’s position is on the verge of collapse) and will play ...d4, eventually getting his oo 26. Bae The immedi 17...82h8!” is slightly more accurate. 18 Bfel ‘Now that the g2-pawn has extra protection, sin the previous note is a more resil- 1 ons 19 Wh Daa 20 Dxd4 xd! In the Closed Sicilian, Black often takes back on d4 with the pawn; indeed even here 245 20...cxd4 21 @dl e5 gives him a clear advantage. However, Kasparov saw no reason to close the long dark diagonal, as the open g-file is now ‘more important than the c-file. 21 hI (D) Exchanges generally help the defence, but here 21 £27! Bg8! 22 Axd4+ cxd4 23 Dbl Bed gives Black a decisive attack, as all his pieces pounce on White's king. 7 tte s > ew ma! whe a he YAGBAD 7 IAG BOA g-7 8 7 vy “ Mia N \ x . R \ “ \N \ SS ~ \ \ \ \ x Z Aw Bes 2 Dai Begs 2B ag? The bishop has to return and shut the g-file, but this gives White only temporary relief. 24 Des £8 (D) ‘This stops xf5, but 24....1g8 is also playable and might have saved Black some time. However, just as on move 23 in Game 112, a lost tempo can’t radically change the assess- ‘ment of the position. et ci246 The best defence: White prevents both ...2h6 and ...Sh6. 2S on 6 26 Sha Although this was not necessary yet, the bishop will sooner or later have to leave g5 anyway. Kasparov's instructive plan in the game shows how he would free the g-file after other moves. bS!(D) To increase his pressure on g2 with ..fg8, Black needs a good square for his bishop. Kas- pparov uses the whole board and achieves this by advancing a queenside pawn. 27 Of Black dominates on both light and dark squares. 28 exb4 It’s best to exchange immediately, as after 28 Hcl £45 White will soon be forced to free the
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