29.
BONUS! SECRET
NOVELTY
“I think you realize that
having [an] extra queen
may not be a solution, but
actually could be a part of
a problem.”
—Garry Kasparov
CHAPTER RE VIE W
The foundation of Garry’s success as a chess player is his craving
for creativity at the board. As a bonus, Garry shares an opening
novelty he developed in the King’s Indian Defense in the Sämisch
Variation. It’s a surprising twist in a queen sacrifice line that has
been played at the highest levels. A “novelty” or “theoretical
novelty” is an important new move in a known opening position.
It’s intriguing to consider that nearly every chess game, from a
world championship match to the first game between a
parent and child, eventually reaches a position that has never
been reached before.
Upon his queen sacrifice, Garry activates his knight. Instead of
using the knight to capture a pawn (and restore some material
balance), he moves to attack his opponent’s rook, forcing his
opponent to move the rook to safety, and effectively opening up
the board for black to gain the strategic advantage.
It’s important to consider that when you sacrifice material, you
shouldn’t necessarily rush to restore the material balance. Com-
mit yourself to the spirit of the sacrifice, and use your superior
activity to seek a decisive advantage.
LE ARN M ORE
• Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan is a four-time US champion
who became one of America’s top international players in the
post-Fischer era.
• Read Garry’s philosophy on making moves that best suit your
style of play.
GARRY K A SPAROV 79
29.
NOTES

GARRY K A SPAROV 80