# games

white: Saemisch
black: Nimzowitsch
date: 1923.??.??
event: International tournament
site: Copenhangen
result: 1-0
round: ?
annotation:
{
"The Immortal Zugzwang Game."
Queen's Indian Defence
Nimzowitsch was the most original chess player that ever lived. In the years 1925 - 1931 Nimzowitsch was considered to belong to the company of the world's Greatest Chess Players. Besides being a powerful player, Nimzowitsch became even more famous for his writings, especially for his revolutionary book 'My System'.  
}
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7
{
Nimzowitsch developed this whole system.
}
5. Bg2 Be7 6. Nc3 O-O 7. O-O d5
{
This is old classical method of occupying the centre with a Pawn. 7...Ne4 is also possible.
}
8. Ne5 c6 9. cxd5
{
Much more vigorous is 9.e4.
}
9... cxd5 10. Bf4 a6 11. Rc1 b5 12. Qb3 Nc6 13. Nxc6
{
If 13. Rfd1, then comes...Na5 -...Nc4 with a good game.
}
13... Bxc6 14. h3 Qd7 $1 
{
Prevents 15.Na4   
}
15. Kh2 Nh5 16. Bd2 f5 $1
{
Operating on both the wings.
}
17. Qd1 b4 18. Nb1 Bb5 $1 
{
Improving Bishop's position and preventing White's 19.e4.
}
19. Rg1 Bd6 $3 
{
Allowing 20.e4 and beginning of a wonderful combination.
}
20. e4 fxe4 21. Qxh5 Rxf2  
{
For one Piece, Black has two Pawns, Rook on the 7th rank, control of the 'f' file and two important diagonals.
}
22. Qg5 
{
If Qd1, Raf8 with the threats of...R8f3,...Bxg3+,...Qe7 - h4.
}
22... Raf8 23. Kh1 R8f5 24. Qe3 Bd3 
{
Idea -...Re2
}
25. Rce1 h6
({With so many pieces on the board, White finds himself in Zugzwang! e.g. -}
25...h6 26 Bc1 Bxb1 {winning a Piece.})
(25...h6 26 Rd1 Re2 {winning the Queen.})
(25...h6 26 Bf1 R5f3 {winning the Queen.})
(25...h6 26 Kh2 R5f3 $1)
(25...h6 26 g4 R5f3 $1 27 Bxf3 Rh2#)
0-1


white: Evans, Larry GM
black: Pilnick, Carl
date: 1946.03.07
event: Marshall Club Championship
site: New York, NY
result: 1-0
round: ?
annotation:
1. e4 {C13: French: Classical System: 4 Bg5 Be7, Alekhine-Chatard Attack} 1... e6 2. d4 d5 {Black gets the initiative} 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Bxf6 Bxf6 6. e5 {This push gains space} 6... Be7 7. Qg4 O-O 8. O-O-O c5 {Trying to unravel the pawn chain} 9. h4 cxd4 10. Nce2 Nc6 11. f4 Qa5 12. Kb1 d3 13. cxd3 Bd7 14. Rh3 Rac8 15. Rg3 {Threatening mate: Qxg7} 15... g6 16. d4 b5 17. h5 Nb4 {The mate threat is Qxa2} 18. a3 Nc6 19. hxg6 fxg6 20. Nc3 b4 21. Bd3 Be8 22. Nf3?? (22. axb4 {is a viable option} 22... Bxb4 23. f5 (23. Qxe6+ Bf7 24. Qf6 Be7 (24... Nxd4 25. Bxg6 Bxg6+ 26. Rxg6+ hxg6 27. Qxg6+ Kh8 28. Nge2 Qa1+ 29. Kxa1 Nc2+ 30. Ka2 Ne1 31. Rxe1 Rxc3 32. Rh1+ Rh3 33. Rxh3#)) 23... exf5 24. Bxf5 Bxc3 25. Be6+ Kg7 26. Rxc3 (26. Bxc8?? {greedy!} 26... Nb4 27. Qd7+ Bxd7 28. Rxc3 Qa2+ 29. Kc1 Rf2 30. Ne2 Qa1+ 31. Kd2 Qxb2+ 32. Rc2 Qxc2+ 33. Ke3 Qxe2#)) 22... bxa3?  (22... bxc3! {is better for Black} 23. Rh1 Rb8 24. Qxe6+ Kh8 25. b4 Qxa3) 23. Qxe6+ Bf7 24. Bxg6 {The mate threat is Bxh7} 24... axb2 {No better is:} (24... Bxe6 25. Bxh7+ {Demolishes the pawn shield} 25... Kh8 (25... Kf7 26. Bg6+ Kg6 27. Be8+! Kh8 28. Rh1+) 26. Rh1 Rxf4 27. Bf5+ Bh4 28. Nxh4 ends the debate)) 25. Bxh7+ Kh8 26. Qh6 Qa1+ 27. Kc2 b1=Q+ 28. Rxb1 Nb4+ 29. Kd1 1-0


white: Botvinnik, M.
black: Capablanca, J.
date: 1938.??.??
event: AVRO
site: AVRO
result: 1-0
round: ?
annotation:
1. d4 {E49: Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein: 5 Bd3 d5 6 a3 Bxc3+ 7 bxc3} 1... Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Bd3 O-O 9. Ne2 b6 10. O-O Ba6 11. Bxa6 Nxa6 12. Bb2 Qd7 13. a4 Rfe8 14. Qd3 c4 {Black gains space.} 15. Qc2 Nb8 {The idea is Na6-b8-c6-a5-b3.} 16. Rae1 Nc6 17. Ng3 Na5 18. f3 {Prepares a center push with e4.} 18... Nb3 {Praise the knight!} 19. e4 Qxa4 20. e5 Nd7 21. Qf2 g6 {Prevents intrusion on f5 and h5.} 22. f4 f5 23. exf6 Nxf6 24. f5 Rxe1 25. Rxe1 Re8 26. Re6 Rxe6 27. fxe6 {The passed pawn on e6 will quickly become a dangerous weapon.} 27... Kg7 28. Qf4 Qe8 29. Qe5 Qe7 30. Ba3 Qxa3 31. Nh5+ gxh5 32. Qg5+ Kf8 33. Qxf6+ Kg8 34. e7 Qc1+ 35. Kf2 Qc2+ 36. Kg3 Qd3+ {Having won the Queenside, black is now desperate to bring defensive resources to protect his King.  No better is 36... Qxc3+ 37. Kh4 Qe1 38. Kxh5 Qe2+ 39. Kh4 Qe1+ 40. Kh3 Qe3+ 41. g3 h5 (to avoid immediate mate).} 37. Kh4 Qe4+ 38. Kxh5 Qe2+ 39. Kh4 Qe4+ 40. g4 Qe1+ 41. Kh5 {Black resigns given that white can force mate in 6 moves.} 1-0


white: Fischer, Bobby GM
black: Mednis, Edmar GM
date: 1963.??.??
event: U.S. Championship
site: ?
result: 0-1
round: ?
annotation:
1. e4 {C18: French: 3 Nc3 Bb4: Main line: 7 h4 and 7 Qg4} 1... e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qc7 {This move is designed to discourage 7. Qg4 when black would play 7... f5.  However, a more modern idea is simply 6... Ne7.  Then if 7. Qg4, then 7... cxd4 is complicated, but OK for black.} 7. Nf3 Bd7 8. a4 Ne7 9. Bd3 Nbc6 10. O-O c4 ( {The Bishop must be dislodged from its powerful diagonal before black castles.  For example} 10... O-O 11. Bxh7 Kxh7 12. Ng5+ Kg8 13. Qh5 Rfc8 14. Qxf7+ Kh8 15. f4! {and black will find it hard to stop 16. Rf3 and 17. Rh3.  For example: } 15... Nf5 (  {The defensive recourse} 15... Be8 16. Qxe6 ({is good for a draw because white gets into trouble after the complicated } 16. Qf8+ Ng8 17. Rf3 Bh5!)) 16. Rf3 Nh6 17. Rh3 cxd4 {what else?} 18. Rxh6+ {is mate next} ) 11. Be2 f6 12. Ba3 O-O (  12... fxe5 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Qxe5 15. Bh5+ Ng6 {wins a pawn at the expense of opening the center uncastled for one of history's great attacking players.} )  13. Re1 Rf7 14. exf6 gxf6 15. Bf1 Re8 16. Nh4 Ng6 17. Qh5 Rg7 18. g3 Qa5! {Forcing an ugly defensive move.} 19. Bb2 Nd8 {The isolated pawn on a4 becomes a target.} 20. Re3 Nf7 21. Kh1 Nd6 ( {Now the immediate} 21... Bxa4 {gets refuted by} 22. Nf5!}) 22. Nxg6 hxg6 23. Qe2 Rh7 24. Kg1 Kf7 25. h4 f5 26. Qf3 Ne4 27. Qf4 Rc8 28. Bg2 Qc7 29. Qxc7 Rxc7 30. a5 Rc6 31. Ba3 Ra6 32. Bb4 Rh8 33. Ree1 Bc6 34. Bf3 Nd2 35. Be2 Ne4 36. Kg2 Nf6 37. Rh1 Be8 38. Kf3 Ne4 39. Ke3 Nf6 40. f3 Bd7 41. g4 Be8 42. Kf4 Bb5 43. h5 gxh5 44. Rag1 Be8 45. Ke3 b6 46. axb6 Rxb6 47. Ra1 Rb7 48. Bd6 Rh7 49. gxf5 {White is not prepared to exploit the attacking chances created by this line opening move.  Perhaps this move was a bit impatient.} 49... exf5 50. Rh4 Ke6 51. Bh2 Rb2 52. Kd2 Rhb7 53. Kc1 R2b6 54. Bf1 Ng8 55. Bf4 a5 {This outside passed pawn will eventually win the game for black in classic style.  The pawn is untouchable 56. Rxa5? Rb1+ grabs the Bishop.} 56. Rh2 a4 57. Bh3 Ne7 58. Bg5 Kf7 59. Re2 Re6 60. Rxe6 Kxe6 61. Kd1 Nc8 62. Kd2 Bd7 63. Bg2 Ra7 64. Re1+ Kd6 65. Bh6 a3 66. Bf8+ Kc6 67. Bc5 Ra8 68. Ra1 a2 69. Ke3 Nd6 70. Kf4 Nb5 71. Bb4 h4 72. Bh3 Nc7 73. Be7 {White resigns after making this move in adjournment.  There might follow, 73... Re8! (threatening Ne6+) 74. Bxh4 Rh8! (75. Kg3 f4+) 75. Bxf5 Rxh4+ wins a piece for 3 pawns, but white's extra pawns are not enough to turn the tide.} 0-1


white: Estrin, Yakov (Soviet Union)
black: Berliner, Hans (United States)
date: 1968.05.10
event: Fifth World Championship, corr.
site: ?
result: 0-1
round: ?
annotation:
1. e4 {C57: Two Knights: Wilkes-Barre/Traxler and 4 Ng5 d5 5 exd5, unusual Black 5th moves} 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 {If black play s the immediate 5... Nxd5?, then white can crush black's position with 6. Nxf7! Typical play might look like this: 6... Kxf7 7. Qf3+ Ke6 8. Nc3 Ncb4 9. Qe4 c6 10. a3 Na6 11. f4! Nac7 12. fxe5 Ke7 13. d4 Ke8 14. O-O.} 5... b5 {The Ulvestad Variation.} 6. Bf1 {The odd looking retreat of this Bishop is designed to prevent Qxg2 after 6... Qxd5 7. Nc3. Other alternatives give black a good game. For example, 6. Bb3 Nd4 7. d6?! Nxb3 8. dxc7 Qxc7 9. axb3 abandons the center to black's very active play for only a pawn. Also, 6. Bxb5 Qxd5 7. Nc3 Qxg2 8. Qf3 Qxf3 9. Nxf3 Bd7 is OK for black.} 6... Nd4 {A new move ! The book line is 6... Qxd5 Nc3 7. Qd6 (7. Qc5?! leaves the Queen too exposed). Black can also play 6... h6 which drops a pawn for active play. 6... h6 7. Nxf7 Kxf7 8. dxc6 Bc5 (Kirilov - Shebenyuk, coor. 1985.} 7. c3 Nxd5 8. Ne4 Qh4 {Black's pieces swarm around white. Now if 9. d3 then 9... Bg4 10. Qd2 entombs many of white's pieces.} 9. Ng3 Bg4 10. f3 {How should black respond with two pieces hanging? Attack of course!} 10... e4 11. cxd4 Bd6 {Black sacrifices material until it hurts. Play is now razor sharp on the king side.} 12. Bxb5+ Kd8 13. O-O exf3 {White is a piece up with no peace. How should white respond to black's threat of 14... fxg2 attacking both white's Rook and Queen? The natural 14. gxf3 is refuted by 14... Bxg3 15. hxg3 Qxg3+ 16. Kh1 Nf4 17. Qe2 (forced) Nxe2 winning.} 14. Rxf3 {This may be the losing move. After 14. Qe1!, black will find it hard to justify his material sacrifice.} 14... Rb8 15. Be2 Bxf3 16. Bxf3 Qxd4+ 17. Kh1 Bxg3 18. hxg3 Rb6 19. d3 Ne3 20. Bxe3 Qxe3 21. Bg4 h5 22. Bh3 g5 23. Nd2 g4 24. Nc4 Qxg3 25. Nxb6 gxh3 26. Qf3 hxg2+ 27. Qxg2 Qxg2+ 28. Kxg2 cxb6 {Black's attack has regained the lost material. Now it is only a matter of endgame technique.} 29. Rf1 Ke7 30. Re1+ Kd6 31. Rf1 Rc8 32. Rxf7 Rc7 33. Rf2 Ke5 34. a4 Kd4 35. a5 Kxd3 36. Rf3+ Kc2 37. b4 b5 38. a6 Rc4 39. Rf7 Rxb4 40. Rb7 {Why you might ask did white stop short of capturing on a7? Indeed, 40. Rxa7 is better. No doubt that after white saw that the capture on a7 loses also, he decided to complicate matters in the hope that black might go wrong.} 40... Rg4+ 41. Kf3 b4 42. Rxa7 b3 {With this move white resigned. There is little use in wasting postage on a lost game. The game might have continued: 43. Rb7 b2 44. a7 Ra4 when black's b-pawn cannot be stopped.} 0-1


white: Karpov, Anatoly GM
black: Kasparov, Garry GM
date: 1985.??.??
event: World Championship, Game 16
site: ?
result: 0-1
round: ?
annotation:
1. e4 {B44: Sicilian: Taimanov: 5 Nb5} 1... c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 Nf6 7. N1c3 a6 8. Na3 d5 {White tried to stop this move. The white Pawns on e4 and c4 form what is known as the Maroczy Bind or Wall. This wall is supposed to restrain black in the center. Black played this move which sacrifices a Pawn in order to gain greater freedom of movement for his pieces. Is the sacrifice worth it? In this game - yes. In clear retrospect - no.} 9. cxd5 exd5 10. exd5 Nb4 11. Be2 Bc5 12. O-O {White may have missed his best chance for a win by making this natural move. Karpov himself provides us insight into this position, and how to refute the black gambit. Karpov played the following line against GM John vanderWiel in the 1987 SWIFT tournament in Brussels. 12. Be3! Bxe3 13. Qa4+! Nd7 14. Qxb4 Bc5 15. Qe4+ Kf8 16. O-O with advantage for white.} 12... O-O 13. Bf3 {White plays for the win. He reinforces his extra Pawn on d5 which black could have regained on move 11. How does black refute the loss of material? Watch how black paralyzes white, dominates the center, and gains control of more space. By move 19 white will be tied in knots.} 13... Bf5 14. Bg5 Re8 15. Qd2 b5 16. Rad1 Nd3 17. Nab1 {A natural retreat which avoids the Pawn fork on b4. Kasparov recommends the more active 17. d6! Ra7! (17... b4? 18. Bxa8 Qxa8 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Na4 bxa3 21. Nxc5 Nxc5 22 Qd5! Qxd5 23. Rxd5 Re5 24. Rxe5 fxe5 25. bxa3 makes a better ending for white.) 18. Nd5 with an unclear position.} 17... h6 18. Bh4 b4 19. Na4 Bd6 {Kasparov states in his book Garry Kasparov: New World Chess Champion, A position for which I had aimed in my preparatory analysis! Black has achieved obvious advantage. White scattered his minor pieces about on either flank and are quite unable to coordinate, the placement of the Knights being particularly depressing. But black has the wonderful duo of Bf5 and Nd3 which completely paralyzes all three white major pieces - a very rare occurrence in a practical game!} 20. Bg3 Rc8 21. b3 g5 22. Bxd6 Qxd6 23. g3 Nd7 {A very excel lent move. Black is not content to merely capture the d5 Pawn. Instead, he wants to reinforce the d3-Knight with Nd7-e5 and then play for an attack against the white King on the weakened light squares. In addition, this sets up a diabolical trap if white tries to recycle his a4-Knight to b2. For example, 24. Nb2 Qf6! 25. Nxd3 Bxd3 26. Qxd3 Ne5! trapping the white Queen. Believe it or not.} 24. Bg2 Qf6 25. a3 a5 26. axb4 axb4 27. Qa2 Bg6 {A good move indeed. Black will refute Nd2 with Re2. This move prevents white from driving away the Rook with Bf3. This is a refute to the refute. Simply stated this move prevents the freeing Nd2.} 28. d6 g4 29. Qd2 Kg7 30. f3 Qxd6 31. fxg4 Qd4+ 32. Kh1 Nf6 33. Rf4 Ne4 34. Qxd3 Nf2+ 35. Rxf2 Bxd3 36. Rfd2 Qe3 37. Rxd3 Rc1 {Who among us has the steady hand to play a move like this. Black offers to give up his Queen for a host of white pieces.} 38. Nb2 Qf2 39. Nd2 Rxd1+ 40. Nxd1 Re1+ 0-1


white: Beliavsky, Alexander GM
black: Nunn, John GM
date: 1985.05.10
event: Hoogoven Tournament, Wijk aan Zee
site: ?
result: 0-1
round: ?
annotation:
1. d4 {E81: King's Indian: Saemisch: 6th move deviations (including 6 Be3 c6)} 1... Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 Nbd7 {Not the standard move here. Most common is 6... e5 fighting for the center. Black could also play 6... c5. The move played allows white to develop his g1 Knight safely to f2 via h3.} 7. Qd2 {A typical move in this position. White prepares to castle long and Pawn storm the black King. However, 7. Nh3-f2 is a better idea. Seirawan-Istratescu, 1994 continued 7. Nh3 e5 8. d5 Nh5?! 9. g4 Nf4 10. Nxf4 exf4 11. Bxf4 Ne5 12. Be2 f5 13. exf5 gxf5 14. O-O fxg4 15. fxg4 h5!? 16. Bxe5 Bxe5 17. Qd3! gave white a clear advantage according to Seirawan in his book, Winning Chess Brilliancies. However, GM Nunn had prepared a special treatment of this line.} 7... c5 8. d5 Ne5 9. h3 {A mistake. The move is logically designed to prevent black's Knights from going to g4 after white plays the natural f4 to drive away black's Knight on e5. Few better moves spring to mind for white here. 9. Bd3 Nxd3 uncoordinates the white position. 9. Ne2? Nxc4 loses material. Watch how black immediately targets the weakened g3 square.} 9... Nh5 10. Bf2 f5 11. exf5 Rxf5 {This move invites the Pawn fork which sacrifices black material for no clear tactical advantage. After the natural 11... gxf5 12. f4 Ng6 13. g3 would make black's Knights harmless. White is nearly forced to fork the black pieces in order to develop his own pieces.} 12. g4 Rxf3 13. gxh5 Qf8 {The point of this entire line of sacrifice is made with this move. The white King is stuck in the center. Castling Queenside would run into Bh6 immediately. White finds it difficult to develop his kingside pieces. Black has the initiative with the f-file battery. Therefore, white will find it hard to devise a defensive plan.} 14. Ne4 Bh6 15. Qc2 Qf4 {White can only curse his fortune. White cannot remove black's Rook on f3 because 16. Nxf3 Nxf3+ 17. Kd1 Bf5 18. Bg3 (not 18. Bd3 Nd4! 19. Bxd4 Qf3+ 20. Qe2 Qxh1+ 21. Kc2 Qxa1 wins material) 18... Qe3! 19. Bf2 Qxe4 20. Qxe4 Bxe4 21. Bg2 Rf8 gives black a superior end game. The black Queen assumes a dominating position in the middle of the board planning Bc8-f5 and Ra8-f8.} 16. Ne2 Rxf2 17. Nxf2 Nf3+ 18. Kd1 Qh4 19. Nd3 Bf5 20. Nec1 Nd2 21. hxg6 hxg6 22. Bg2 Nxc4 23. Qf2 Ne3+ {Black could also play for a winning endgame with 23...Qxf2 24. Nxf2 Ne3+ 25. Ke2 Nxg2, but GM Nunn plans for a beautifully coordinated attack. The end is near.} 24. Ke2 Qc4 25. Bf3 Rf8 26. Rg1 Nc2 27. Kd1 Bxd3 0-1


white: Saemisch, Friedrich GM
black: Nimzovich, Aron GM
date: 1923.05.10
event: Copenhagen
site: ?
result: 0-1
round: ?
annotation:
1. d4 {E06: Closed Catalan: Early deviations} 1... Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. Nc3 O-O 7. O-O d5 8. Ne5 c6 9. cxd5 {This move releases the center tension. It is especially odd given that white moved his Knight to e5 to protect the c4 square. More vigorous is 9. e4 to destroy black's center. 9. Bf4 is also very playable.} 9... cxd5 10. Bf4 a6 11. Rc1 b5 12. Qb3 {This is an odd and ineffective placement of the Queen. It bites on steel and blocks the progress of Queenside development.} 12... Nc6 13. Nxc6 {White may have traded his strong Knight away because he feared the maneuver Nc6-a5-c4. A timely b3 would have driven this Knight away from the c4 square. Therefore, his fear was not justified.} 13... Bxc6 14. h3 Qd7 15. Kh2 Nh5 16. Bd2 f5 17. Qd1 b4 {Black slowly gains space on both sides of the board. This subtle process eventually leads to megalomaniac total domination of the entire board.} 18. Nb1 Bb5 19. Rg1 Bd6 {This move at first appears to be a blunder. However, Nimzovich sees farther.} 20. e4 {A good try. White hopes to gain time by attacking the Knight on h5. If black comes to its defense with Qf7, then e5 stuffs black and frees white's game.} 20... fxe4 {A piece for two pawns, and central domination, and aggressively poised pieces, and open file, and...} 21. Qxh5 Rxf2 22. Qg5 Raf8 23. Kh1 R8f5 24. Qe3 Bd3 25. Rce1 h6 {Here white resigned. Nearly all moves lead to a serious loss of material. After a pawn move or two, white will face complete Zugzwang. Zugzwang is a German word meaning 'a compulsion to move.' White is forced to move, and in so doing will lose. If white plays 26. Rc1 or Rd1 then 26... Re2 wins white's Queen. If 26. Kh2 then 26... R5f3 also wins white's Queen. If 26. g4 then 26... R5f3 27. Bxf3 Rh2 is checkmate. If 26. Bc1 then 26... Bxb1 wins material. If 26. a3 then 26... a5. etc.} 0-1


white: Markkanen, Seppo
black: Jarvenpaa, Jari
date: 1998.08.29
event: TASK
site: ?
result: 0-1
round: ?
annotation:
1. e4 {B01: Scandinavian Defence} 1... d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Bg4 {The main line of the Portuguese Variation of the Scandinavian or Center Counter Opening.} 4. Nf3 {Other alternatives are 4. Be2 and 4. f3. For example 4. f3 Bf5 5. Bb5+ Nbd7 6. c4 e6 7. dxe6 Bxe6 8. c5! c6 9. Bd3 b6 10. cxb6 Qxb6 11. Ne2 c5 12. O-O! and white stands slightly better.} 4... Qxd5 5. Be2 Nc6 6. c4 Qh5 7. d5 {Not a good move, because of dark squares and pressure of white's kingside, better would be something like 7. O-O O-O-O 8. Be3 and so on.} 7... Ne5 8. Nbd2 O-O-O 9. O-O e6 10. Qa4 {Too aggressive! White has no chance of attack, because his own King-side is weak. More reasonable would be 10. dxe6.} 10... Bd6 11. h3 Bxh3 12. gxh3 Qxh3 13. Qxa7 {Too greedy. Rather 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. Nf3 Ng4!} 13... Nxf3+ 14. Nxf3 Ne4 15. Be3 h5 16. Qa8+ {Or 16. c5 Rh6 17. Qa8+ Kd7 18. Qxd8+ Kxd8 19. Bxh6 Bxc5 with the double threat of Nxf2! and gxh6. If 20. Be3 then 20... Ng3!} 16... Kd7 17. Qxb7 Rh6 18. dxe6+ Rxe6 19. Rfd1 Rg6+ 20. Bg5 Rxg5+ 0-1


white: Levitsky
black: Marshall, Frank
date: 1912.??.??
event: Breslau
site: ?
result: 0-1
round: ?
annotation:
1. d4 {C10: French with 3 Nc3: Unusual Black 3rd moves instead of 3...dxe4} 1... e6 2. e4 d5 3. Nc3 c5 {Marshall plays a weak move that will ultimately allow white to shred black's center.  Perhaps black was hoping for tactical chances in the resulting complex position.} 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. exd5 exd5 6. Be2 Nf6 7. O-O Be7 8. Bg5 O-O 9. dxc5 {Black's d-pawn becomes a juicy target; isolated, alone.} 9... Be6 {Black cannot afford the loss of his entire center.  He wastes no time bolstering the weakling.} 10. Nd4 Bxc5 11. Nxe6 {A bad idea by white.  Black reconnects a strong central pair of pawns, opens up the f-file for his Rooks.  White cannot generate counter play against the central pawns in time.} 11... fxe6 12. Bg4 Qd6 13. Bh3 Rae8 14. Qd2 {White should have played a3 to control the important b4 square.} 14... Bb4 {Black immediately pins the poor Knight.} 15. Bxf6 {White deals with black's threat of Nf6-e4.} 15... Rxf6 16. Rad1 {Now white deals with the threat of d5-d4.} 16... Qc5 17. Qe2 {White sets up what he hopes will be a simple exchange of pawns, but Marshall sees more deeply.} 17... Bxc3 18. bxc3 Qxc3 19. Rxd5 {Of course not 19... exd5 because 20. Qxe8 leads to mate.} 19... Nd4 {Black activates his Knight while gaining time on White's Queen.  How should white respond?  The Queen must keep pressure on the e8-Rook.  If 20. Qe5 then 20... Nf3+! 21. gxf3 Rg6+ is crushing.} 20. Qh5? {White loses the upper hand.  20. Qe4 Rf4 21. Qe5 is white's only chance.} 20... Ref8 {With the decisive threat Rxf2.  Black has nothing to gain by 20... exd5?! 21. Qxe8+ Rf8 22. Be6+ Nxe6 23. Qxe6+ Rf7 24. Qxd5 Qxc2 25. f3 =.  20... g6 allows 21. Qe5 =.} 21. Re5 {White may have wanted to play 21. Rc5, but after 21... Rxf2! the game is over.  22. Rxf2 Qe1+ or 22. g3 Nf3+ are both crushing.} 21... Rh6 22. Qg5 {If 22. Qg4? then black would win routinely with 22... Nf3+ discovery on the Rook on e5.} 22... Rxh3 23. Rc5 Qg3 {There you have a move to admire.  The Queen is en prise three ways.  All of which lose.  If 24. hxf3, then 24... Ne2 is mate.  If 24. fxg3, then 24... Ne2+ leads to mate. The game could have continued painfully for white like this:  24. Qxg3 Ne2+ 25. Kh1 Nxg3+ 26. Kg1 Nxf1.} 0-1


white: Grischuk, A.
black: Polgar, J.
date: 2001.02.23
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 1
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2 a6 {The Taimanov\Ka
n Sicilian.  I'm never quite sure which it is - Taimanov only likes to
recognise himself with one particular kind of set-up.} 7. O-O Nf6 8. Kh1 Nxd4
9. Qxd4 Bc5 10. Qd3 b5 11. f4 Bb7 12. Bf3 O-O (12... h5 {with the idea of ..
Ng4 is a bit more adventurous - and it's also a line with a good plus score
for Black.}) 13. e5 Ne8 14. a4 $146 {Taking on b7 and either f5 or Ne4 is par
for the course here - usually White doesn't commit the queenside pawns.} 14...
b4 15. Bxb7 Qxb7 16. Ne4 Be7 17. Be3 Qc6 18. Ng5 g6 (18... Bxg5 $6 19. fxg5 Rc8
20. Bd2 $1 (20. Rac1 d6 $1) 20... a5 (20... Qxc2 $2 21. Qxc2 Rxc2 22. Bxb4) 21.
c3 b3 22. Rf4 $1 d6 23. Rh4 g6 24. Qh3 {with a big attack down the h-file.})
19. Rad1 d6 20. Bd4 dxe5 21. Bxe5 Nf6 22. Qh3 h5 23. Nf3 ({
Bluff?  I thought defending c2 with} 23. Qb3 {was the only way.}) 23... Ng4 (
23... Qxc2 $5 {After a good, long think.  I don't know what spooked Judit, but
taking on c2 looked good; what does White have?} 24. Nd4 (24. a5 Ng4 $1) 24...
Qxa4 25. f5 (25. Qh4 Nd5 $1) (25. Qd3 Qe8 $1 {a little awkward, but two pawns
are two pawns and Black should be able to untangle herself.}) 25... Ng4 $1 ({
Could this be what Judit missed? Apart from attacking the bishop on e5, Ng4
also threatens ..Qxd1 followed by a knight fork on f2.  This just looks good
to me.} 25... exf5 $2 26. Nxf5 $1 gxf5 27. Qh4 $1 Rfd8 28. Qg5+ Kf8 29. Rde1 {
White has got a lot of pressure for the piece here.}) 26. Qg3 exf5 {
now you can take on f5 as the piece sac doesn't work anymore as there's no Qh4.
}) 24. Nd4 Qc5 25. Qg3 Rad8 26. c3 bxc3 27. bxc3 Rd5 28. Rde1 Rc8 29. Rf3 Bf8
30. h3 Nxe5 31. fxe5 Bg7 32. Rfe3 Qa5 $2 ({Time trouble -} 32... Qc7 $1 {
, not only keep's the pressure on e5, but also indirectly defending her king:}
33. Qf4 (33. Nxe6 $2 fxe6 34. Qxg6 Qf7 $1) 33... Rc5 $1 {and somethings got to
give for White - there's going to be too many weak pawns hanging at the end of
the day.}) 33. Nxe6 $1 {The saving resource.} 33... fxe6 34. Qxg6 Qb6 35. Rf3
Rf8 36. Rxf8+ Kxf8 37. Rf1+ Kg8 38. Qe8+ ({
Grischuk could have put Polgar under extreme pressure with the simple} 38. Kh2
$1 {with the big threat of Rf7.  Black now has to play some very accurate
moves to survive.} 38... Qb7 39. Qxe6+ Kh8 (39... Kh7 40. Rf7 Rxe5 41. Qf6 $1)
40. Qe8+ Kh7 41. Qxh5+ Kg8 42. Qe8+ Kh7 43. Rf7 Rd8 $1 {To be fair, this move
was spotted by someone whom Lubosh Kavalek once stated: "Before Fritz, we had
Ljubo!" I thought that White was simply winning here, but Ljubomir Ljubojevic
had seen something that Deep Fritz hadn't.} 44. Qe6 Qe4 $1 45. Qf6 Rg8 (45...
Qg6 $2 46. Qh4+ Kg8 47. Rxg7+ {wins.}) 46. Qg5 (46. e6 Kh8 $1) 46... Qg6 47.
Qh4+ Qh6 $11 {Once the queens come off, Black will be able to activate his
rook and bishop to reach a drawish ending:} 48. Qf6 (48. Qxh6+ Kxh6 49. Re7 Rc8
50. Re6+ Kg5 51. Rxa6 Bxe5+ 52. Kg1 Rxc3 $11) 48... Kh8 49. Qxh6+ Bxh6 50. Rf6
(50. e6 Re8 51. e7 Kg8 52. Rf6 Bg7 53. Rxa6 Be5+ 54. g3 Rxe7) 50... Bg7 51.
Rxa6 Bxe5+ 52. Kg1 Rc8 $1 $11 {It's going to be too difficult for White to
make progress with the pawns.  Not only are Black's pieces active. but is
pawns are too far apart - they will be easy to contain.}) 38... Kh7 39. Qxh5+
Kg8 40. Qf7+ Kh7 41. Qh5+ Kg8 42. Rf4 Qb1+ 43. Kh2 Bxe5 44. Qf7+ 1/2-1/2


white: Shirov, A.
black: Karpov, A.
date: 2001.02.23
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 1
annotation:
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Ng5 Ngf6 6. Bd3 e6 7. N1f3 Bd6 8.
Qe2 h6 9. Ne4 Nxe4 10. Qxe4 c5 11. Qg4 ({More popular has been} 11. Bd2 {or}) (
11. O-O) 11... Qf6 $146 ({A novelty - the more typical Caro-Kann move,} 11...
Kf8 {, is more usual.}) 12. c3 $6 ({
If White want's to take anything from the game, he really had to play} 12. Be3
$5 cxd4 (12... b6 13. Be4 Rb8 14. O-O-O $1) 13. Bxd4 e5 14. Qe4 $1 Qe6 15. Bc3
Nc5 16. Bb5+ Kf8 17. Qe3 {and White has much the better of it: Good pieces,
better scope for the rooks and a safer king.}) 12... cxd4 13. cxd4 b6 14. O-O (
14. Be4 Rb8 15. Bd2 Bb7 $1 16. Bxb7 Rxb7 17. Rc1 Rc7) 14... Bb7 15. Be3 h5 $1 {
Karpov really has a nice position - just look how harmoniously placed his
pieces are.} 16. Qh3 Bxf3 17. gxf3 (17. Qxf3 Qxf3 18. gxf3 Ke7 $1 {
is not the sort of ending I'd like to defending against Karpov.}) 17... Rd8 18.
Rac1 g5 19. Be4 Ke7 {Rather than sit back and watch Karpov squeezing him like
a python, Shirov decides it's time to rock the boat a little.} 20. Rfe1 Bf4 ({
Karpov may have been better opting for} 20... g4 $5 21. Qg2 Rhg8 22. Kh1) 21.
Bxf4 Qxf4 22. d5 $1 {Now all the fun starts.} 22... Ne5 23. dxe6 f5 24. Rc7+ (
24. Qxf5 $2 Qxf5 25. Bxf5 Nxf3+ 26. Kf1 Nxe1 27. Rxe1 Rd2 {is hopeless}) 24...
Kd6 25. Rxa7 fxe4 26. e7 Nxf3+ 27. Kf1 Rde8 28. Qd7+ Ke5 29. Rd1 Kf6 $1 30.
Qc6+ Kf7 31. Rd8 Nxh2+ 32. Ke1 Ng4 $2 ({With just under 40 seconds or so for
the last eight moves, Karpov makes a crucial slip at the wrong moment. The
winning line was:} 32... e3 $1 33. Qd5+ (33. fxe3 $2 Qxe3+ 34. Kd1 Qf3+ 35.
Qxf3+ Nxf3 36. Ke2 g4 {
and White doesn't seem to have an answer to Black simply pushing the h-pawn.})
33... Kg7 34. fxe3 Qxe3+ 35. Kd1 Qf3+ 36. Qxf3 Nxf3 {and again the same
winning plan seems unstoppable: ..g4 followed by pushing the h-pawn.}) 33. Qxb6
e3 34. Qb3+ Kg7 35. Qc3+ Qf6 36. fxe3 Qxc3+ 37. bxc3 Ne5 ({Karpov now had only
5-6 seconds left - and the pressure was beginning to tell.  I think he knew
that recapturing the pawn was going to lead to a similar position as in the
game, so decided instead to try and group all his pieces together, get to the
time control, and then see how the ground lay.} 37... Nxe3 38. Kf2 Nf5 39. Ra5
Kf6 40. Rdd5 Nxe7 41. Rd6+ Kf7 42. Rxg5 {and the likely result here is a draw
- this is better than the game; but, in reality, Black hasn't got the
resources to take advantage of the extra piece.}) 38. Rd5 Kf6 39. e4 Nf3+ 40.
Kf2 g4 41. Kg3 Rh7 42. Rf5+ Kg6 43. Ra6+ Kg7 44. Ra7 Kg6 45. Ra6+ Kg7 46. Ra7
Rh6 47. Rd7 Re6 48. Rxh5 Rxe4 49. Rf5 Ne5 50. Rc7 Re1 (50... Ng6 51. Rg5 Kf6
52. Rxg4 Re6 53. a4 {is also an easy draw.}) 51. a4 Nf7 52. a5 Nh6 (52... R8xe7
53. Rxe7 Rxe7 54. a6 (54. Kxg4 $2 Nh6+ $1) 54... Nh6 55. Ra5 Ra7 {
is also leading nowhere.}) 53. Rf4 R8xe7 54. Rxe7+ Rxe7 55. a6 Re3+ 56. Kg2
Rxc3 57. Ra4 Rc8 58. a7 Ra8 59. Kg3 Kf6 60. Kf4 Ke7 61. Ra6 Nf7 62. Kxg4 Kd7
63. Kf5 Nd6+ 64. Kf4 Nb5 65. Ke5 Kc7 66. Kd5 Kb7 67. Ra1 Nxa7 {A theory draw
you would think in an elite tournament?  Well, not really!  Cast your minds
back to another Spanish elite tournament (Dos Hermanas, 1996), and you'll
discover that Garry Kasparov managed to beat Judit Polgar in this ending -
albeit with a little help from his opponent, who made the cardinal error of
trapping her king on the backrank.  The only reason I remember this was I had
to do a review in a magazine of the ChessBase Endgame CD-Rom's containing all
five-piece major endings on 4-CDs, which had just come out at the time. I
still find them indispensible - particularly as coasters when friends come
round and I don't want stains on the coffee table!    However, with Shirov's
king so central, the only way he could lose it now was by a Helpmate.  Shirov
makes no mistake of that.} 68. Rb1+ Kc7 69. Rc1+ Kb6 70. Rb1+ Nb5 71. Kc4 Rc8+
72. Kd5 Rc5+ 73. Ke4 Kc6 74. Ra1 Nd6+ 75. Kd4 Rd5+ 76. Ke3 Kd7 77. Ra8 Ke6 78.
Ra7 Kf5 79. Rc7 Re5+ 80. Kd3 Rd5+ 81. Ke3 Ne4 82. Rc4 Nc5 83. Rc3 Ke5 84. Ra3
Rd4 85. Rc3 Kd5 86. Ra3 Re4+ 87. Kf3 Re8 88. Re3 Rf8+ 89. Ke2 Kd4 90. Re7 Rf6
91. Re8 Ne6 92. Ra8 Nf4+ 93. Kf3 Nd3+ 94. Kg4 1/2-1/2


white: Leko, P.
black: Kasparov, G.
date: 2001.02.23
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 1
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6 {
The Fischer favourite - the Poisoned Pawn variation!  Bobby's had a phenominal
record with this line: a near 80% score with the Black pieces.    If you don't
count Efim Geller (his bete noire) using Fischer's pet-line against the man
himself (Monte Carlo, 1967), Bobby only ever lost one game with it - to Boris
Spassky in their epic 1972 Reykjavic match.} 8. Nb3 {
The cautious approach.  This just leads to a sort of main line Najdorf.} 8...
Be7 9. Qf3 Nbd7 10. O-O-O Qc7 11. Bd3 b5 12. a3 Rb8 (12... Bb7 {is more usual.
The text (though still fitting in with the ideals of the Najdorf) has only
ever been played 3-times - and all Black wins!}) 13. Rhe1 b4 14. axb4 Rxb4 15.
Kb1 Bb7 16. Qh3 Nc5 17. Nxc5 (17. Na2 Nxd3 18. Bxf6 Rxb3 19. Bxg7 Nxe1 20. Qxb3
Rg8 21. Bd4 Nxg2 22. Qf3 d5 23. Rg1 Qc4 24. Rxg2 Rxg2 25. Qxg2 Qxd4 26. Qg8+
Bf8 27. exd5 Bxd5 28. Qxh7 Qxf4 29. Qd3 Qc4 {
0-1 Ellison,D-Collinson,A/Balatonbereny 1992/TD (29).}) 17... dxc5 ({I thought
} 17... Qxc5 {looked better.  But then again, who am I to question the man
that took over Fischer's mantle of mastery of the Najdorf?} 18. Na2 (18. e5 Nd7
$1 19. Na2 (19. Bxe7 $2 Qxc3 $1) 19... Bxg5 20. Nxb4 Bxf4 21. Nxa6 Bxa6 22.
Bxa6 Bxe5 {Black has strong pressure on the White king.}) 18... Rb6 {
with an easy game.}) 18. e5 Nd5 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 20. c3 (20. Bxe7 Qb6 $1 {
a nice little zwischenzug (Bless you!)} 21. Bxc5 (21. Bd6 $4 Rxb2+ 22. Kc1 Qb4
$1 {soon mates.}) 21... Rxb2+ 22. Kc1 Rb1+ 23. Kd2 Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1 Qxc5 25. Ke2
Qb4 {also looks drawn - but Black has the advantage of the outside passed-pawn.
He may be able to make something of it if he can safely get the rook into the
game.}) 20... Rb3 21. Bc2 Qb7 $5 ({Drastic action indeed.  I think Kasparov
started to worry about how he was going to get his rook into the game after a
Ba4+:} 21... Rb8 $1 22. Ba4+ $1 Kf8 (22... Bc6 23. Bxc6+ Qxc6 24. Bxe7 Kxe7 25.
Qg3 $1 Qb6 26. Qh4+ Ke8 27. Re2 {and, apart from worrying about how to develop
the rook on h8, Kasparov will come under a lot of pressure with Rd6 coming
shortly.}) 23. Bxe7+ Qxe7 24. Rd2 {
and White has a little advantage - though nothing to worry about.}) 22. Bxb3
Qxb3 23. Rxd5 $2 ({Being in Spain, Leko really had to take the bull by the
horns here and go in for the kill.  But then again, Peter was never Matador
material - he's been too cautious all his life:} 23. Bxe7 $1 Qa2+ (23... Be4+
$2 24. Rd3 $1 Qc4 25. Rxe4 Qxe4 26. Bxc5 {wins}) 24. Kc1 (24. Kc2 $6 Bb3+ 25.
Kd3 Bxd1 26. Rxd1 Kxe7) 24... Qa1+ 25. Kc2 Qa4+ (25... Qa2 $2 26. Rxd5 $1 Qxd5
27. Bd6) 26. Kd3 Qc4+ 27. Ke3 Qe4+ 28. Kf2 Qxf4+ 29. Kg1 Kxe7 30. Qh5 $1 {
and, with Rf1 threatened, White's hoping to entice Black to play ..g6,
weakening the dark-squares round the Black king.  White should be able to
convert this easily enough.}) 23... Qxd5 24. Bxe7 Kxe7 25. Qh4+ Kd7 26. Qg4 Kc6
27. Qe2 $1 (27. Qxg7 $2 Rb8 $1 28. Rc1 (28. Qxf7 Qb3 29. Re2 Qd1+ $1) 28...
Qe4+ 29. Rc2 (29. Ka1 $2 Rb5 $1) 29... Qxf4 {and suddenly White has got one or
two little problems to solve - though probably still drawn.}) 27... Rd8 28.
Qxa6+ Kc7 29. Qa7+ Kc6 {Leko's a pawn ahead but, with the domination of the
d-file and the active king should it go into a rook and pawn ending, Kasparov
can easily hold.} 30. Qa6+ Kc7 31. Qa5+ Kb7 32. Qb5+ Kc7 33. Qa5+ Kb7 34. Qb5+
{Leko repeats a few moves to make the time control in safety.} 34... Kc7 35.
Qe2 h5 36. g3 g6 37. c4 ({Trying to contest the d-file wasn't any better:} 37.
Kc2 Qa2 $1 38. Qb5 (38. h3 c4 $1) 38... Qd5 {
and we're basically back to where we started.}) 37... Qd2 38. Qe3 $2 ({
Trying to be too clever: Leko's hoping Kasparov will exchange queen's now so
that he can have his rook more actively placed on e3 to defend the g-pawn.} 38.
Qxd2 Rxd2 39. h4 Rd3 {the active rook guarentees the draw} 40. Rg1 Kb6 $11)
38... Rd4 $2 ({The mutual time trouble explains all - Kasparov actually missed
a big chance to come out with the better side of the draw!} 38... Qb4 $1 {
Now how does White defend the dual threats of ..Rd2 and ..Rd4?} 39. Rc1 Rd2 40.
Rc2 Rxc2 41. Kxc2 Qxc4+ 42. Kd2 Kc6 {and now it's White looking for the draw.})
39. Qxd2 Rxd2 40. Re3 (40. h4 Rd3 41. Rg1 Kb6 {
is much the same - the active rook secures the draw.}) 40... Rxh2 41. Rf3 Kc6
42. Ka2 Rh3 43. Rb3 h4 44. gxh4 Rxh4 45. Rf3 Rh5 {
With the idea of ..Rf5 and ..g5 winning.} 46. Rg3 Rh2 47. Rf3 Rc2 48. Kb3 Rc1
49. Rf2 Kb6 50. Rf3 Ka5 51. Rf2 Re1 52. Ka3 Ra1+ 53. Kb3 Rc1 54. Rf3 Kb6 55.
Rf2 1/2-1/2


white: Kasparov, Gary
black: Polgar, Judit
date: 2001.02.24
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 2
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ng4 {
The Kasparov Variation.} 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Bg7 10. h3 Ne5 ({Both these
players had this position in the last round of the Corus 2000 tournament. Then,
Judit played the unusual} 10... Nf6 $5 {
and got a good game - though Kasparov won.}) 11. f3 Nbc6 12. Bf2 Be6 13. Qd2 ({
After} 13. Nxe6 fxe6 {, Black has superb central control.}) 13... Nxd4 14. Bxd4
Qa5 15. a3 Rg8 $1 {Castling on either wing is taboo, but the King is perfectly
safe in the centre.  The only problem Judit had was where to best develop the
rooks: c8 was the most obvious for the queen's rook, and from g8, the king's
rook stays out of harms way after the h-file is opened.} 16. h4 Rc8 17. hxg5
hxg5 18. O-O-O (18. Qxg5 $4 Nxf3+ $1) 18... Nc4 19. Bxc4 Bxd4 ({
Awkward for Black is} 19... Rxc4 $6 20. Bxg7 Rxg7 21. Rh8+ Kd7 22. g4 {
, leaving problems of how to get the "fianchettoed" rook back into the game.})
20. Qxd4 $146 ({White only got a small advantage after} 20. Bb5+ axb5 21. Qxd4
Rc4 22. Qd2 Kd7 23. Na2 Qxd2+ 24. Rxd2 g4 25. Nb4 gxf3 26. gxf3 f6 27. Nd3 {
1-0 Bologan,V-Xu Jun/Beijing CHN 2000/The Week in Chess 296 (81).  (80)}) 20...
Rxc4 21. Qa7 Qc7 ({The thematic exchange sacrifice on c3 doesn't work here:} 
21... Rxc3 22. bxc3 Qxa3+ 23. Kd2 {with a big White advantage.}) 22. Kb1 Rc5 $1
{Entombing Kasparov's queen.  Kasparov's novelty of 20 Qxd4 had the idea of
Qa7 in  mind - trying to stretch the Black defenses - so he must have known
that his queen was safe here.  However, it does seem well out of place on a7.}
23. Nd5 Bxd5 24. exd5 Kf8 (24... Rxc2 $2 25. Rc1 Rc5 26. b4 $1 {
and Black is losing very quickly.} 26... Rc3 27. Kb2 $1 {
and carnage down the c-file.}) 25. Rd2 Kg7 26. b4 ({Kasparov felt he let the
game slip here. During the post mortem, both players skipped through the
begining of the game and concentrated all their efforts here. Kasparov felt
that, in reflection, he should have gone for:} 26. Rh5 Kf6 $1 ({Again both
ers felt this looked the more natural move. The alternative left Black with
too many problems with her King and trouble in the ending, also.} 26... f6 27.
g4 Rc8 (27... Rh8 28. Rxh8 Kxh8 29. Qa8+ Qc8 30. Qxc8+ Rxc8 31. Re2 Rc7 32. c3
Kg7 33. Kc2 Kf7 34. Kd3 {with the better ending.}) 28. c3) 27. b4 (27. g4 Rc8 (
27... b5 28. Qxa6 Rb8 29. f4 gxf4 30. Rf5+ Kg7 31. Rxf4 Rb6 32. Qa5 b4 33. Qa4
Rc3) 28. c3) 27... b5 28. Qxa6 Rc3 29. Rh6+ Kg7 30. Rh1 Rc8 31. Re1 Rxc2 32.
Qxc8 Qxc8 33. Rxc2 {This was just some of the many lines that Garry and Judit
flicked out (to be honest, I couldn't keep up with the speed they went through
the variations at) - no definite conlcusion was reached at the end, though it
was felt that Kasparov had "something" but maybe not enough for a win.}) 26...
b5 27. Qxa6 Rc3 ({
In the end, White has to play carefully and Black has a perpetual in hand:} 
27... Rc3 28. Re1 (28. Qxb5 $2 Rxa3 29. Rd3 Ra2 $1 30. Qc6 (30. Kxa2 Qxc2+ 31.
Ka1 Ra8+) 30... Qa7 31. Qc3+ f6 32. Rhd1 (32. Re1 $2 Ra8 33. Kc1 Qf2 $1 34.
Rxe7+ Kg6) 32... Ra8) 28... Rc8 29. Ree2 Qc4 30. Kb2 (30. Qa7 Rc7 31. Qd4+ Qxd4
32. Rxd4 Rxa3) 30... Rxc2+ 31. Rxc2 Qd4+ 32. Kc1 (32. Ka2 Qxd5+ 33. Kb2 Qd4+) (
32. Kb1 Qd1+ 33. Kb2 Qd4+) 32... Qa1+ 33. Kd2 Qd4+ 34. Kc1 (34. Ke1 Qg1+) 34...
Qa1+ $11) 1/2-1/2


white: Shirov, A.
black: Kasparov, G.
date: 2001.02.25
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 3
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e6 {A blast from
the past - You need to go as far back as the Yerevan Olympiad 1996 for Garry's
last Scheveningen, when he faced Topalov. Kasparov has never really been one
to play the Najdorf with ..e5, and usually always falls back on ..e6.} 7. f4
Be7 8. Be3 O-O 9. g4 d5 $1 {The recommended remedy.} 10. e5 Ne4 11. Nxe4 dxe4
12. g5 Qb6 $146 ({Putting the queen on the same diagonal as the bishop does
look odd, but there's method in Kasparov's madness. Developing the queen on c7
has been more usual - until now that is!:} 12... Qc7 13. Qd2 Rd8 14. O-O-O Nc6
15. Kb1 b5 16. Qc3 Bb7 17. Nxc6 Bxc6 {
1/2-1/2 Lanka,Z-Van Wely,L/Pula 1997/CBM 57 ext (17).}) 13. Nf5 {If Rb1 or Qc1,
..Bc5 is awkward. As for 0-0?  It looks as if Black can simply take on b2
safely as there's no real attack or threat from White.} 13... Qa5+ 14. Bd2 Qc5
15. Nxe7+ Qxe7 16. c3 b5 17. Be3 Rd8 18. Qc2 Bb7 {Black's easily equalised -
And, as they say in the Sicilian: If Black has equalised, he's winning!} 19.
Kf2 Nd7 20. b4 {Shirov had to stop ..Nc5.} 20... Nf8 21. h4 Qc7 (21... Rac8 $5
22. a4 $1 {Probably the best.} 22... Qxb4 23. cxb4 Rxc2 24. axb5 axb5 25. Rhc1
Rb2 26. Rab1 Ra2 (26... Rxb1 27. Rxb1 Bc6 28. Rc1 Be8 29. h5 $1) 27. h5 {
And, if anything, despite being a pawn down, White is better.}) 22. h5 Nd7 23.
h6 g6 24. a4 Nb6 25. axb5 axb5 26. Kg3 $5 ({
Puzzling, bit I think Alexei was worried about something like this:} 26. Bxb5
Nd5 27. Rxa8 Rxa8 28. Qd2 Nxf4 29. Rd1 (29. Bxf4 $2 e3+ 30. Qxe3 Bxh1) 29...
Nd5 30. c4 Nxe3 31. Kxe3 Ra3+ 32. Ke2 Rd3 33. Qb2 Qd8 $1) 26... Nc4 27. Rxa8
Rxa8 28. Bxc4 Qxc4 29. Rd1 Bd5 30. Rd4 Qf1 31. Qd1 $1 {The only move.  If
Black gets to keep the queen's on, he stands much better.  Now, due to the
opposite coloured bishops and the formation of both sets of pawns, White can
realistically look for the draw.} 31... Ra1 32. Qxf1 Rxf1 33. Kg4 Rf3 ({
If there's a win, it has to be around here somewhere - but with the opposite
coloured bishops and all the pawns on the same coloured squares as the bishops,
It's not going to be all that easy:} 33... Re1 $1 34. Bf2 $1 (34. Bd2 $6 Re2 (
34... Rg1+ $2 35. Kh3 Rh1+ 36. Kg2 e3+ 37. Rxd5 $1 exd5 38. Bxe3 {
and Black will never be able to stage a breakthrough.}) 35. Bc1 e3 36. Rd1 (36.
Rd3 Rg2+ 37. Kh3 e2 38. Bd2 Rg1) 36... Rg2+ 37. Kh3 e2 38. Re1 Rf2 39. Bd2 Bf3
40. Kg3 Rf1 {White's helpless now - Black simply marches the king up the board:
Kf8-e7-d7-c6-d5-e4-d3.}) 34... Re2 ({To show you how difficult it is to win,
White - as in the game - can even give up a pawn and still draw easily enough:
} 34... Rc1 35. Rd2 Rxc3 36. Bd4 Rc1 37. Bc5 Re1 38. Rc2 $1 Bc4 39. Rc3 {
and again White blockades the crucial e3-square.}) 35. Bg3 Re3 36. Rd2 Rxc3 37.
Re2 e3 38. Be1 Rb3 39. Rc2 {Black has at least made some progress as White's
bishop can't get to c5.  However, now a new problem: White can generate his
own threats:} 39... Bc4 (39... Kf8 40. Rc3 $1 $11) 40. Ra2 Bd5 (40... Kf8 41.
Ra8+ Ke7 42. Ra7+ Ke8 43. Ra8+ $11) 41. Rc2 Bc4 $11) 34. Bg1 Rxc3 35. Rd2 Kf8
36. Bc5+ Ke8 ({
The exchange sacrifice doesn't work here - though again it comes close:} 36...
Rxc5 37. bxc5 b4 38. c6 $1 Ke7 (38... Bxc6 39. Rb2 e3 40. Kg3 $1) 39. Rd4 b3
40. Rb4 e3 41. Rb7+ Kd8 42. Kg3 Kc8 43. Rb5 Kc7 44. Rc5 Be4 (44... Kb6 45. c7
$1 Bb7 46. c8=Q Bxc8 47. Rxc8) 45. Rb5 Bd5 46. Rc5 $11) 37. Re2 Rc1 $2 ({
But it does here!} 37... Kd7 $1 38. Re3 Rxc5 39. bxc5 b4 40. Re1 Kc6 {
White's in serious trouble: the active Black king, bishop and pawns will
secure the victory.}) 38. Kg3 Kd7 39. Kf2 Kc6 40. Be3 Rb1 41. Bc5 {
There's just no way through for Kasparov now.} 41... Rc1 42. Bd6 Rh1 43. Re3
Rh2+ 44. Kg3 Rc2 45. Bf8 Ra2 46. Bc5 Ra1 47. Kf2 Rc1 48. Bd6 1/2-1/2


white: Grischuk, A.
black: Leko, P.
date: 2001.02.25
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 3
annotation:
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. c3 e6 5. Be3 Qb6 6. Qb3 Nd7 7. Nd2 f6 8. f4 g5
$5 {a new development in this system.  Instead of  ..Nh6 (with or without ..h5)
and ..Ne7, the idea is to breakdown the pawn chain as quickly as possible. 
It's very similar to the plan of f6 and g5 in the French Defence Tarrasch.} 9.
Ngf3 gxf4 10. Bxf4 Bh6 $146 ({Brutal and to the point: Leko's inovation simply
exchanges everything off for an easy life.} 10... Bg7 11. exf6 Ngxf6 12. Nh4 (
12. Be2 O-O 13. O-O h6 14. Nh4 Bh7 15. Bd6 Rfe8 16. Nhf3 Ng4 17. Nh4 Ngf6 18.
Ndf3 Ne4 19. Bf4 Rf8 20. g3 Rae8 21. Rae1 Qxb3 22. axb3 a6 23. Ng2 c5 24. Rd1
cxd4 25. cxd4 Rc8 26. Ne3 Bf5 27. Kg2 Rc6 28. b4 b5 29. Bd3 Nd6 30. Nxf5 Nxf5
31. Bb1 Rc4 32. b3 Rc3 33. Rfe1 Rxb3 34. Rxe6 Rxb4 35. Rxa6 Rb2+ 36. Kh3 h5 37.
Ra7 Nb6 38. Ng5 Bh6 39. Rf1 Bxg5 40. Bxg5 Rxb1 41. Rxb1 {
1-0 Morozevich,A-Stohl,I/Istanbul TUR 2000/The Week in Chess 313 (41).}) 12...
O-O 13. Nxf5 exf5 14. Qxb6 Rae8+ 15. Kd1 axb6 16. Bd3 Nh5 17. Rf1 Re6 18. Kc2
c5 19. c4 cxd4 20. cxd5 Rg6 21. g3 Nc5 22. Bc7 Na6 23. Bxa6 bxa6 24. Kd3 b5 25.
Rae1 Rf7 26. Re8+ Bf8 27. Rc8 Ng7 28. Nf3 Re7 29. Nxd4 Rd7 30. d6 Rf6 31. g4
Kf7 32. g5 Rfxd6 33. Bxd6 Bxd6 34. Nxf5 Be5+ 35. Kc2 Bxh2 36. Rc6 {
1-0 Antoniewski,R-Skalik,P/Zakopane chT 2000/The Week in Chess 310 (36).}) 11.
Bxh6 Nxh6 12. exf6 Nxf6 13. Be2 Rg8 {
Black's equalised already; the half-point can be taken anytime now.} 14. Qxb6
axb6 15. O-O Ne4 16. Nxe4 Bxe4 17. Ne1 Nf5 18. Bf3 Ne3 19. Rf2 Bf5 20. Be2 Ke7
21. Bd3 c5 22. Bxf5 Nxf5 23. Nf3 h5 1/2-1/2


white: Polgar, J.
black: Karpov, A.
date: 2001.02.25
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 3
annotation:
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Ng5 Ngf6 6. Bd3 e6 7. N1f3 Bd6 8.
Qe2 h6 9. Ne4 Nxe4 10. Qxe4 Qc7 ({The immediate} 10... c5 {
was played by Karpov in his opening round game with Shirov.}) 11. Qg4 Kf8 {
This line is extremely popular at the top level. However, at first sight it is
hard to believe that a king move like that is enough for equality. First
played (I believe) by Andrei Kharltonov in the late 80s, the line soon became
popular with some of the world's top Caro aficionados: Speelman, Anand and, of
course, Karpov.} 12. O-O ({The immediate} 12. Be3 {was Judit's choice in three
games against Karpov in a rapid play match in Hungary, 1998, where she scored
2/3.}) 12... c5 13. dxc5 $5 {New - but not a novelty. 13 Re1 and 13 c3 is more
standard.  The idea is, at the cost of the White pawn structure, to open as
many lines as possible to try and take advantage of Black's underdevelopment.}
13... Nxc5 14. Be3 (14. Re1 e5 15. Bf5 e4 16. Nh4 Bxh2+ 17. Kh1 h5 18. Qh3 Be5
19. Be3 g6 20. Bxc8 Qxc8 21. Bxc5+ Qxc5 22. Rxe4 Kg7 23. c3 Bf6 24. Qf3 Rad8
25. Rf4 Qe5 26. g3 Rd2 27. Qxb7 Rb8 28. Qxa7 Rbxb2 29. Kg1 Qd5 30. a4 Be5 31.
Rf3 Bf6 32. Rf4 Bxc3 33. Rf1 Be5 34. Rf3 Bf6 35. Rf4 Bg5 36. Ng2 Bxf4 37. Nxf4
Qe5 38. a5 h4 39. a6 Ra2 {
0-1 Luther,T-Anastasian,A/Istanbul TUR 2000/The Week in Chess 314 (39).}) 14...
Nxd3 15. cxd3 e5 $1 {Black has to unravel somehow, and this is the best way.}
16. Qe4 ({How about} 16. Qh5 $5 Qe7 (16... g6 $6 17. Qh4 {
and Black's looking a bit loose.}) 17. Rae1 (17. Bg5 $6 Qe6 $1 {
with the idea of ..Qg4 with a good game.}) 17... Kg8 (17... g6 18. Bxh6+ Kg8
19. Qg5 $1) 18. Nd2 g6 19. Qe2 {
with the idea of Ne4 and f4 to open up the game.}) 16... g6 17. Rac1 $2 ({
Did Judit miss a trick here?} 17. Rfc1 $1 Qe7 18. Bxa7 Kg7 19. Qe3 Bg4 (19...
Bf5 20. Bc5 $1) 20. Nd2 {
and, with the idea of Nc4 and Bb6, White just seems to be a pawn ahead.}) 17...
Qe7 18. Rfe1 ({Now if} 18. Bxa7 Kg7 $1 {see the difference - at the end of the
day, White's a-pawn is attacked, and Black has superb piece-play.} 19. Qe3 Bg4
20. Nd2 (20. a3 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Rhc8 $1 {White's pawn structure is completely
shattered.  Despite being a pawn ahead, the ending may be better for Black.})
20... b5 $1) 18... Bf5 19. Qa4 Kg7 20. Nxe5 (20. Bf4 f6 21. d4 e4 22. Bxd6 Qxd6
23. Nd2 Rhc8 $1 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. Qxa7 Qb4 {and Black's better here.}) 20...
Bxe5 21. Bf4 Rac8 22. Rxc8 Rxc8 23. Rxe5 Rc1+ 24. Bxc1 Qxe5 25. Be3 f6 26. Qb4
b6 27. h3 (27. d4 $1 Qe4 (27... Qd5 $2 28. Qe7+) 28. h3 {and Black still has a
lot of work to do to secure a draw: A pawn ahead, White has a strong, passed
d-pawn and the Black pawns are the more vulnerable to attack - especially with
the king unprotected on g7.}) 27... g5 28. Qa3 Qc7 29. b4 Qd7 30. Qc3 (30. d4
Be6 {and Black can easily set up a good blockade from d5.}) 1/2-1/2


white: Grischuk, A.
black: Kasparov, G.
date: 2001.02.27
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 0-1
round: 4
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 {A Grischuk pet-line.
The young Muscovite wants to play the English Attack without having to worry
about the crucial, crunch-line, 6 ..Ng4 - the Kasparov Variation.} 6... Qb6 $1
{If Black wants to avoid going into the English Attack, then this is the way
to do it -despite the fact that your opponent has a 100% score of 4/4 against
this; including a win over Shirov in the semifinal of FIDE World Championship
KO in New Delhi recently.} 7. Nb3 e6 (7... Nc6 8. Qe2 e6 9. Be3 Qc7 10. g4 b5
11. O-O-O Bb7 12. h4 Rc8 13. Kb1 Nd7 14. Rg1 Nce5 15. Qf2 b4 16. Na4 Nxf3 17.
Qxf3 Qc6 18. Nac5 Nxc5 19. Bxc5 dxc5 20. Na5 Qc7 21. Nxb7 Qxb7 22. Bc4 Be7 23.
Qe2 Qc6 24. g5 O-O 25. h5 Rcd8 26. g6 Rxd1+ 27. Rxd1 fxg6 28. hxg6 Rf4 29. Qh2
{1-0 Grischuk,A-Shirov,A/New Delhi IND 2000 (29).}) 8. Qe2 Qc7 {
With Be3 coming, the queen was going to have to move anyway.} 9. g4 b5 10. Be3
b4 $146 (10... Nc6 11. g5 Nd7 12. Qf2 Nce5 13. O-O-O b4 14. Nb1 Nc4 15. Bxc4
Qxc4 16. N1d2 Qc7 17. Kb1 Bb7 18. Rc1 a5 19. c4 Nc5 20. Nxc5 dxc5 21. h4 a4 22.
Qh2 Bd6 23. f4 O-O-O 24. Rhd1 Rd7 25. e5 Be7 26. Nf1 Rhd8 27. Qe2 Rxd1 28. Rxd1
Rxd1+ 29. Qxd1 Qc6 30. Nd2 Kc7 31. Qf1 g6 32. Kc2 Qa6 33. Qd3 Qc6 34. h5 Qh1
35. hxg6 hxg6 36. Qf1 Be4+ 37. Kc1 Qxf1+ 38. Nxf1 Bd3 39. Nd2 Kc6 40. b3 a3 41.
Kd1 {1/2-1/2 Prasad,D-Ruck,R/Istanbul TUR 2000/The Week in Chess 313 (41).})
11. Na4 Nbd7 {The scene is set: White is looking to exploit the queenside,
Black is staking his claim in the centre.} 12. Qc4 Qxc4 13. Bxc4 d5 $1 14. exd5
Ne5 15. Be2 (15. Nb6 Nxc4 16. Nxc4 Nxd5 17. Bc5 Bd7 $1 {
with the strong idea of ..Bb5 or ..Ba4 coupled with ..Rc8.}) 15... Nxd5 16. Bd4
Bd6 17. Bc5 Be7 ({Supported by Ljubomir Ljubojevic, we'd come to the
conclusion in the press room that the other retreat looked good for Kasparov:} 
17... Bc7 $1 18. a3 bxa3 19. Rxa3 Bb7 {
with the Black pieces looking the more ready for the first strike.}) 18. a3 a5
(18... Bh4+ 19. Bf2 Bf6 20. Bd4 {achieves nothing for Black.}) 19. Bd4 $1 {
I think by now Kasparov was regretting he hadn't placed the bishop on c7 -
White's no worse here.} 19... f6 (19... Bf6 $2 20. g5 $1) 20. Nac5 $2 ({
Despite the fact that it cedes the bishop-pair, Grischuk have taken on e5:} 20.
Bxe5 $1 fxe5 21. Nac5 bxa3 (21... O-O 22. axb4 Nxb4 23. Kd2 Rd8+ 24. Kc1 $14)
22. Rxa3 Bd7 23. Ra1 {
Black's got slightly the better of it, but White has the better pawn structure.
}) 20... O-O 21. O-O bxa3 22. Rxa3 Nf4 23. Bb5 Rb8 24. Bxe5 Nh3+ $1 (24... Rxb5
$2 25. Bxf4 Rxc5 26. Nxc5 Bxc5+ 27. Kg2 Bxa3 28. bxa3 e5 (28... Rd8 29. Bc7
Rd2+ 30. Rf2 $11) 29. Bd2 $11) 25. Kg2 Rxb5 26. Bg3 $2 (26. Kxh3 $1 fxe5 (26...
Bxc5 27. Nxc5 fxe5 28. Nd3 e4 29. c4 $1 Rb6 30. Ne5 Rxb2 31. Rxa5) 27. c4 $1
Rb4 28. Rxa5 $11) 26... Ng5 ({Kasparov could have gone for a simple win of a
pawn, but was probably worried about the prospects of an opposite coloured
bishop ending.} 26... Bxc5 27. Nxc5 Rxc5 28. Kxh3 Rxc2 $15) 27. Bf2 $2 ({
White's last - and only - chance was:} 27. c4 $1 Rxc5 (27... Rb4 28. h4 Rxc4
29. Rxa5 Nf7 30. Rc1 Rxc1 31. Nxc1 $11) 28. Nxc5 Bxc5 29. Rxa5 {and the passed
c and b-pawn offer good survival chances against the Black pieces.}) 27... Bb7
{There's no-way back for Grischuk now.} 28. Bg1 Rc8 $1 29. h4 Bxf3+ $1 30. Rxf3
Nxf3 31. Kxf3 Bxc5 32. Nxc5 Rbxc5 33. Bxc5 Rxc5 34. c3 h5 35. gxh5 Rxh5 36. b4
axb4 37. cxb4 Rxh4 0-1


white: Polgar, Ju
black: Shirov, A.
date: 2001.02.27
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 4
annotation:
{Game of the day though is unquestionably Judit Polgar's superb win over
Alexei Shirov.  After a lean period, she's back to her brilliant best again.  } 1. e4 c5 2.
Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 {Again the English Attack,
which must be one of the most popular lines against the Najdorf these days.
Intended as a quiet sideline of the Najdorf to avoid all the theory, it first
became a big favourite of the man that should have been Britain's first GM,
William Hartston, in the early 70s when the Najdorf was at its zenith during
the Fischer years. Its was then refined by the likes of Nigel Short (who
really had most to do with its development), Mickey Adams, John Nunn and
Murray Chandler in the 80s as a way of avoiding all the reams of theory in the
Najdorf - now it basically IS the variation in the Najdorf with reams of
theory being produced on it!} 6... e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3 Nbd7 9. Qd2 ({Shirov is 
no stranger to this line - with either colour!  He had the Black side of it
last year in the Spanish Team Championships, he used it twice himself against
Gelfand in the FIDE KO in New Delhi, and also against Kasparov in the
Frankfurt Giants.} 9. g4 b5 10. g5 b4 11. Ne2 Nh5 12. Qd2 a5 13. Ng3 Nxg3 14.
hxg3 a4 15. Nc1 Qa5 16. Bh3 Bxh3 17. Rxh3 Nb6 18. b3 d5 19. Nd3 Bd6 20. Rd1 d4
21. Bg1 axb3 22. axb3 Rc8 23. Qh2 Qa2 24. Rxh7 Rxh7 25. Qxh7 Rxc2 26. g6 Qxb3
27. Qxg7 fxg6 28. Nxe5 Qc3+ 29. Kf1 Bxe5 30. Qxe5+ Kf7 31. Qf4+ Kg8 32. Bf2 Nd7
33. Qg5 Qxf3 34. Qxg6+ Kf8 35. Qf5+ Qxf5 36. exf5 Ne5 37. Bxd4 Nf3 38. Be3 b3 {
0-1 Morovic,D-Shirov,A/Barcelona ESP 2000/The Week in Chess 301 (38).}) 9... b5
(9... Be7 10. g4 O-O 11. O-O-O Qc7 12. Kb1 Rfc8 13. g5 Nh5 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15.
exd5 Nb6 16. Rg1 a5 17. a3 a4 18. Nc5 dxc5 19. d6 Bxd6 20. Qxd6 Nf4 21. Bxf4
exf4 22. Bb5 g6 23. Rge1 Ra5 24. Re8+ Rxe8 25. Qxc7 Rxb5 26. Qxb7 {
1-0 Shirov,A-Gelfand,B/New Delhi IND 2000/The Week in Chess 318 (26).}) 10. a4
b4 11. Nd5 Bxd5 (11... Be7 {
was the only move here until the Shirov-Kasparov encounter from Frankfurt.})
12. exd5 Nb6 13. Bxb6 Qxb6 14. a5 $1 {The idea is simple: White is going to
stymie Black's play by rounding up on the vulnerable b-pawn.} 14... Qb7 15. Bc4
g6 (15... Be7 {is also an option, but apart from having to defend b4, Black is
cramped with no play.  The idea of ..g6 is to jettison the pawn and hope to
complicate matters with active piece play.}) 16. Ra4 Rb8 17. Nc1 $1 $146 ({
A nice innovation: Judit is going to swing the knight round to d3 to first
pick up the b-pawn...and then the a-pawn! Such is the seriousness of Black's
position now, Shirov has to resort to drastic action.} 17. Qd3 Ra8 18. Qd2 Rb8
19. Qd3 Ra8 {
1/2-1/2 Shirov,A-Kasparov,G/Frankfurt GER 2000/The Week in Chess 294 (19).})
17... h5 $1 ({
Let's admit it. Shirov was never the one to go quietly now, was he?} 17... Bg7
18. Nd3 ({White can also win the b-pawn without losing the d-pawn with} 18. Na2
$5 b3 19. Bxb3 O-O 20. Nc3) 18... Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Qxd5 20. Nxb4 Qxd2+ 21. Kxd2
Kd7 22. Rb1 Ra8 23. Nd5 {
and the ending would have been too awful to contemplate for Black.}) 18. Nd3
Bh6 {Black's only hope is to take the game into the weird and wonderful world
of Planet Shirov.} 19. Qxb4 Qc7 20. Qa3 O-O 21. Nf2 $1 ({A brave move. 
Unbelievably, Judit is going to use her King as a defender on the queenside.
And if it works, she's also going to have the King primed for the ending. The
safer option would have been:} 21. O-O $5 Nd7 {
with the idea of ..f5 to try and generate something - anything.}) 21... Bc1 22.
Nd3 Be3 23. Kd1 $1 Rfc8 24. Re1 {Look at how all the White pieces are working
together.  Judit's plan has been impressive.} 24... Bh6 25. c3 Rb5 {
What else?  Shirov was just getting pushed off the board.} 26. Bxb5 axb5 27.
Rb4 Nxd5 28. Rxb5 $1 {
This simplifies everything - the advancing a-pawn cannot be stopped.} 28... Qc4
29. Rxd5 Qxd5 30. Kc2 Ra8 31. a6 Qc6 32. Ra1 e4 {One last throw of the dice.}
33. Nb4 Qc4 34. Qa5 exf3 35. gxf3 Re8 36. Qd5 $3 Re2+ 37. Kd1 Rd2+ 38. Qxd2
Bxd2 39. Kxd2 Qf4+ 40. Kc2 Qf5+ 41. Nd3 Qxf3 42. Ra5 (42. a7 $4 Qg2+ $1 $11 43.
Kd1 (43. Kb3 Qd5+ 44. Kb4 Qb7+) 43... Qf3+ 44. Kd2 Qg2+ {and White can't
escape the perpetual - this has been a superbly played game by Judit.}) 42...
Qa8 43. a7 d5 44. Nb4 d4 45. Nd5 dxc3 46. bxc3 Kg7 47. Kb3 {Not only getting
out of any troublesome checks after Nb6 or c7, but also giving White an added
option of a stylish win by taking his king to b6 (via b4 and c5)  and then
playing Nc7.} 1-0


white: Kasparov, G.
black: Karpov, A.
date: 2001.02.28
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 5
annotation:
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 {This must have came as a surprise to Karpov. 
Kasparov has never played the Advanced Variation, one of the most aggressive
systems against the Caro.  These days Karpov is so predictable;  Kasparov has
obviously prepared a minefield for him - the only question is: When is he
going to step on it?} (3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Ng5 Ngf6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Qe2 Nb6
8. Bb3 h6 9. N5f3 c5 10. Bf4 Bd6 11. Bg3 Qe7 12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. Ne5 Bd7 14. Ngf3
Nh5 15. O-O-O Nxg3 16. hxg3 O-O-O 17. Rh5 Be8 18. Rxd8+ Kxd8 19. Qd2+ Bd6 20.
Nd3 Qc7 21. g4 Kc8 22. g5 Bf8 23. Rh4 Kb8 24. a4 Be7 25. a5 Nd5 26. Kb1 Bd8 27.
a6 Qa5 28. Qe2 Nb6 29. axb7 Bxg5 30. Nxg5 Qxg5 31. Rh5 Qf6 32. Ra5 Bc6 33. Nc5
Bxb7 34. Nxb7 Kxb7 35. Qa6+ Kc6 36. Ba4+ Kd6 37. Qd3+ Nd5 38. Qg3+ Qe5 39. Qa3+
Kc7 40. Qc5+ Kd8 41. Rxa7 {1-0 Kasparov,G-Karpov,A/Linares 1992/CBM 28 (41)})
3... Bf5 4. Nc3 e6 5. g4 Bg6 6. Nge2 Ne7 ({There was a funny incident at this
stage in the press room.  One of the hacks had tuned in for the ICC coverage
of the game and after he had "fingered" the K-K match, he almost fell off his
seat when he saw that Karpov's king was wandering around the board! Turns out
that, instead of the live coverage, Tony Miles was looking at some analysis on
the Advanced, which featured a famous encounter between Braga and Timman!:} 
6... c5 7. Be3 Nc6 8. dxc5 Nxe5 9. Nd4 Nf6 10. f4 Nexg4 11. Bb5+ Ke7 12. Bg1
Qc7 13. c6 b6 14. Qe2 Qxf4 15. c7 Ne4 16. Nc6+ Kd6 17. h3 Qg3+ 18. Kf1 Qf4+ 19.
Ke1 Qg3+ 20. Kf1 Qxc3 21. Qxg4 Qxb2 22. a4 Qxa1+ 23. Kg2 f5 24. Qh4 Qf6 25.
Bh2+ Kc5 26. Nb8 Qxh4 27. c8=Q+ Kb4 28. Rb1+ Ka3 29. Ra1+ Kb4 30. Rb1+ Ka3 31.
Ra1+ Kb4 {1/2-1/2 Braga,F-Timman,J/Mar del Plata 1982/MCL (31).}) 7. Nf4 c5 8.
dxc5 (8. h4 cxd4 9. Nb5 Nec6 10. h5 Be4 11. f3 Bxf3 12. Qxf3 Nxe5 13. Qg3 Nbc6
14. Nd3 Nxd3+ 15. Bxd3 e5 16. O-O Bc5 17. Rf5 O-O 18. h6 g6 19. Rxe5 a6 20. Na3
Qc7 21. Bf4 Nxe5 22. Bxe5 Qb6 23. Rf1 Rae8 24. g5 Re6 25. Qf4 f5 26. gxf6 Kf7
27. b4 Bd6 28. Nc4 dxc4 29. Bxc4 d3+ 30. Kh2 Rfe8 31. Bxd6 dxc2 32. Bc5 Qc6 33.
Bd5 Qd7 {1-0 Kotronias,V-Karpov,A/Athens 1997/EXT 98 (33).}) 8... Nd7 ({
There was an interesting aside here.  After the game, Alexei Shirov one (if
not THE) world expert on this line, asked the hacks in the press room after
the game if Karpov hadn't seen Kasparov's own analysis to his game with Bareev
at KasparovChess.com, where Garry had mentioned the possibility of animpending 
disaster in this line for Black after 9 h4?  Good question, Alexei!  But I
replied that after Karpov's disastrous computer handling during his Advanced
Match in Leon with Anand in 1999, I wasn't so sure that Karpov might know what
the Internet was!  For the record, here's Shirov-Bareev game from New Delhi.} 
8... Nec6 9. h4 Qc7 10. Bg2 Qxe5+ 11. Kf1 d4 12. h5 Bxc2 13. Qxc2 dxc3 14. Nd3
Qd4 15. Be3 Qc4 16. Qxc3 Qxc3 17. bxc3 Na6 18. Rb1 O-O-O 19. Bxc6 bxc6 20. Ne5
Rg8 21. Nxf7 Rd7 22. Ne5 Rb7 23. Rxb7 Kxb7 24. Nd3 e5 25. Ke2 Be7 26. Kf3 Kc7
27. Ke4 Re8 28. Rh3 Kd7 29. Nxe5+ Kc7 30. Rf3 Bf6 31. Rf5 h6 32. f4 {
1-0 Shirov,A-Bareev,E/New Delhi IND 2000/The Week in Chess 318 (32).}) 9. h4
Nxe5 10. Bg2 h5 11. Qe2 N7c6 12. Nxg6 Nxg6 13. Bg5 $146 ({And here's the
minefield.  Kasparov and the team had found a big improvement from Karpov's
game last year against Shirov:} 13. Nxd5 Bxc5 14. Bg5 Nge7 15. Qb5 f6 16. Qxc5
Nxd5 17. O-O-O Qe7 18. Qb5 O-O-O 19. Bd2 hxg4 20. Qc4 Nb6 21. Qxg4 Rd4 22. Qg3
Rhd8 23. Bc3 Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 25. Kxd1 Na4 26. Bxc6 {
1/2-1/2 Shirov,A-Karpov,A/Monaco 2000/CBM 75 (26).}) 13... Be7 14. gxh5 Nf8 $2
({It was only by now that Karpov was seeing the power of Kasparov's TN.  He's
in a difficult position, and his only real alternative (bad as it was) was to
try:} 14... Nge5 15. f4 $1 (15. h6 $2 Bxg5 16. hxg7 Rg8 17. hxg5 Qxg5 $17) (15.
Nb5 Nc4 $1 $15) (15. Bxe7 Qxe7 $11) 15... Nd7 16. O-O-O Nxc5 17. Bxd5 $1 Qb8
18. f5 Bxg5+ 19. hxg5 Qf4+ 20. Rd2 Qxf5 21. Qe3 $1 O-O-O 22. Bxc6 Rxd2 23.
Bxb7+ Kxb7 24. Kxd2 $16) 15. Nb5 $1 Nd7 16. h6 $1 {Strong - very strong.} 16...
Nxc5 (16... g6 17. Nd6+ Kf8 18. Bxe7+ Qxe7 19. h5 $1 Nxc5 20. hxg6 fxg6 (20...
Qxd6 $2 21. g7+ Ke7 22. gxh8=Q Rxh8 23. O-O-O $18) 21. Qf3+ Kg8 22. Qg3 $1 Kh7
23. O-O-O $16) 17. Bf4 $1 ({The position wasn't without its dangers for
Kasparov either.  We found the following amusing line in the press room before
Kasparov found the correct reply:} 17. hxg7 Rg8 18. Bf4 (18. Bh6 a6 19. Nc3 Nd4
20. Qd2 Nf5 $11) 18... Rc8 19. O-O-O Nb4 20. a3 (20. Nxa7 Nb3+ 21. axb3 Rxc2+
22. Qxc2 Nxc2 23. Kxc2 Qa5 24. Be3 Rxg7 $13) 20... Nb3+ 21. Kb1 Rxc2 22. Qh5
Bf6 23. Be5 Rc1+ 24. Rxc1 Nd2+ 25. Ka1 Nb3+ 26. Kb1 Nd2+ 27. Ka1 Nb3+ $11)
17... Kf8 $2 ({Black's only hope was to try and survive with:} 17... Na6 18.
hxg7 Rg8 19. O-O-O $1 Rxg7 20. Rhg1 $1 Rc8 21. Qh5 $16) 18. hxg7+ Kxg7 19.
O-O-O Kf8 ({Kasparov is now crashing through in all lines:} 19... a6 20. Nc3
Bxh4 21. Qg4+ Kf8 22. Nxd5 $1 exd5 23. Rxd5 $18) 20. Kb1 {Not only looking to
further open up the game with c4, but also avoiding any chances of the fantasy
lines given to the note to move 17.} 20... a6 (20... Rc8 21. c4 $1 d4 22. Bxc6
d3 (22... bxc6 23. Nxa7 $18) 23. Qe5 f6 24. Qe3 Rxc6 25. Qg3 e5 (25... Rg8 26.
Qf3 $18) 26. Rhg1 $1 Kf7 27. Qg6+ Ke6 28. Bxe5 $1 Rxh4 29. Bxf6 Bxf6 30. Rge1+
$18) 21. Nc7 Rc8 22. Bxd5 $1 exd5 23. Rxd5 Qxc7 ({
There was no other option.  Trying to save the queen lost the king!} 23... Nd7
24. Ne6+ $3 fxe6 25. Qxe6 Ncb8 26. Bd6 Rh7 (26... Bxd6 27. Rf5+ Nf6 28. Rxf6+
$18) 27. Rg1 $18) 24. Bxc7 Rxc7 25. Rf5 Rd7 26. c3 f6 27. Rg1 Nd8 28. Qg4 Ke8
29. Rh5 Rf8 30. Rxc5 Bxc5 31. Qh5+ 1-0


white: Kasparov, G.
black: Leko, P.
date: 2001.03.02
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 6
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
{The Anti-Marshall. Although Leko has never played the Marshall (8 c3 d5), he
has had plenty of experience of the White side of Frank's gambit, so would be
well aware of all the nuances in it, so Kasparov avoids it. It's not that he
is frightened of the Marshall.  It's just that, if Black doesn't go in for
anything speculative, he has a safe draw.  Playing the Anti-Marshall against
Nigel Short in their 1993 PCA title match was the advice given to Kasparov by
the former Soviet giant and opening expert, Efim Geller.    } 8... Bb7 9. d3 d6
10. Nbd2 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nf1 Re8 13. Ne3 $146 ({Different.  The standard
Lopez knight manoeuvre is to head for f5 via g3.  Garry new idea keeps this as
an option, but also allows him to cover d5 and c4.} 13. Ng3 h6 14. Nf5 Bf8 15.
Bd2 b4 16. N3h4 d5 17. Qf3 Re6 18. Qg3 Kh7 19. Nf3 Nh5 20. Qg4 g6 21. Ne3 Nf6
22. Qh4 Re8 23. exd5 Nxd5 24. Nxd5 Bxd5 25. Bxd5 Qxd5 26. Ng5+ Kh8 27. Ne4 Qd8
28. Bg5 Qb6 29. Bxh6 Bxh6 30. Qxh6+ Kg8 31. Re3 {
1-0 Balashov,Y-Frolov,D/Moscow 1996/CBM 55 ext (31).}) 13... h6 14. Bd2 c4 $6 (
{The wrong choice, according to Leko.  Instead, he felt that} 14... b4 $1 {
was a better option.}) 15. Bc3 Qb6 16. Nd2 Nc6 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. exd5 Na5 19.
Bxa5 $1 Qxa5 20. dxc4 $1 (20. axb5 $2 cxd3 21. Bc4 dxc2 (21... Qxa1 $2 22. Qxa1
axb5 23. Qd1 dxc2 24. Qxc2 bxc4 25. Nxc4 $16) 22. Qxc2 Qc7 $1 23. bxa6 Bxa6 24.
Qe4 Bg5 $11) 20... Qxa4 21. c5 ({Also good was} 21. Bb3 $5 Qb4 22. c3 Qc5 23.
Ne4 Qc7 24. c5 $1 $14) 21... Qb4 ({The defining moment.  During the post
mortem, Garry's legendary instinct detector was on full alert.  Looking at the
position, he commented to Leko that Black's position "smelt bad" - and worse
for this move.  Instead, both felt Black should have taken another route here,
though it still favours White thanks to strength of the c & d-pawn:} 21... Qd4
22. c6 (22. Ne4 $2 Qxd1 23. Raxd1 dxc5 24. d6 Bxe4 $1 $17) 22... Bc8 23. c3 Qb6
24. Bb1 $1 $14 {and White still controls the game.}) ({Also no better was} 
21... Qh4 22. c6 Bc8 23. c4 $1) 22. Ne4 $1 ({Kasparov, as ever, chooses the
best line, though he could also have opted for the immediate push of the
c-pawn:} 22. c6 $5 Bc8 23. Bb3 Bg4 $1 24. c3 (24. Nf3 Qf4 $1) 24... Qf4 25. f3
Bc8 (25... Bf5 26. Bc2 $1 $14) 26. g3 Qg5 27. c4 $1 Rb8 28. Ne4 Qg6 29. c5 $14)
22... Qxb2 23. cxd6 ({Winnin the queen was also an option:} 23. c3 f5 24. cxd6
Bf8 (24... fxe4 25. dxe7 Qxc3 26. d6+ $18) 25. Re2 Qa3 26. Bb3 $18) 23... Bf8 (
23... Bh4 24. g3 Bg5 25. c3 $18) 24. c3 f5 25. d7 Red8 26. d6+ Kh8 27. Nc5 Bc6
28. Nd3 Qxc3 29. Nxe5 Be4 30. Nf7+ Kh7 31. Ng5+ (31. Ng5+ Kh8 32. Nxe4 fxe4 33.
Qd5 $1 $18) 1-0


white: Polgar, J.
black: Grischuk, A.
date: 2001.03.02
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 6
annotation:
{"Remember the name of Alexander Grischuk for the future - he's got great
potential," was the prophetic words to me last year at Linares from the
legendary Russian chess editor of "64 - Review", Alexander Roshal.    Much
like Anatoly Karpov, Garry Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik, the 17-year-old
Muscovite is another Russian who's become the leading player of his generation
- and one with genuine designs on the laurel leafs of the world championship. 
   The last year has proved to be the big breakthrough for Grischuk as he
moved onto the world stage. After strong showings in the New York Open,
Reykjavik Open and North Sea Cup, he went on to big wins at the Lausanne Yong
Masters, Chigorin Memorial and the Torshavn International. Not content with
that, he more than played his part in Russia winning the recent Chess Olympiad
in Istanbul.     However, the highlight of that glittering year was
unquestionably his performance in the Fide KO world championship in New Delhi.
Unlucky to be knocked out in the semi-final by Alexei Shirov in a superb match,
Grischuk walked away with some serious pocket money -  $172,000!    Grischuk
showed he had a much better feeling for handling the nuances of the Black side
of the Lopez than Leko, as he came close to defeating Judit Polgar.  } 1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3
Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Bb7 {The Romanishin Variation. Named after one the most
original thinkers in the game, the Ukrainian GM Oleg Romanishin, who is one of
the world's leading experts on this line. It's also one of Grischuk's
favourite pet-lines.} 12. Nbd2 ({Traditional theory in the Lopez is that White
should play d5 as soon as Black commits the bishop to b7. However modern
players tend to opt for a more open centre, reasoning that at some point Black
must make a minor concession by exchanging in the centre. The locking of the
center with 12 d5 saw an amazing game between Shirov and Grischuk from the
FIDE KO World Ch:} 12. d5 Nc4 13. a4 Nb6 14. Qe2 Nxa4 15. Bxa4 bxa4 16. c4 Nd7
17. Rxa4 Nb6 18. Ra3 a5 19. Nc3 a4 20. Be3 Bc8 21. b3 axb3 22. Rxb3 Ra6 23.
Reb1 f5 24. Bxc5 $1 dxc5 25. Nxe5 Na4 26. Nxa4 Rxa4 27. Nc6 Qc7 28. e5 Ra6 29.
Qf3 f4 30. Re1 Bf5 31. Rb5 Bc2 32. Rb2 Bg6 33. Rd2 Be8 34. Nxe7+ Qxe7 35. d6
Qe6 36. Qb7 Bc6 37. Qxa6 Bxg2 $3 38. f3 (38. Kxg2 f3+ 39. Kh2 Qf5 40. Qb7 Qf4+
41. Kh1 Qf5 $11) 38... Bxf3 39. Kh2 Bg4 40. Qb7 Qh6 41. Qd5+ Rf7 42. Kg1 Qxh3
43. Qg2 Qh4 44. Rf2 f3 $2 (44... Bh3 $1 $11) 45. e6 Rf8 46. e7 Re8 47. d7 Bxd7
48. Qxf3 Qg5+ 49. Kf1 {1-0 Shirov,A-Grischuk,A/New Delhi IND 2000 (49).}) 12...
cxd4 13. cxd4 exd4 14. Nxd4 Re8 15. b4 Nc6 16. Nxc6 Bxc6 17. Bb2 Nd7 (17... Bf8
$6 18. Qf3 $1 Rc8 19. Bb3 Qe7 20. Rad1 Bb7 21. Qf5 d5 22. e5 Nd7 23. Ne4 g6 24.
Qxd7 dxe4 25. e6 fxe6 26. Qd4 Kf7 27. Qh8 Qh4 28. g3 Qh5 29. Qf6+ Kg8 30. Rd7 {
1-0 Xie Jun-Chiburdanidze,M/Manila 1991/CBM 26 (30).}) 18. Bb3 Bf6 19. Bxf6
Nxf6 20. Rc1 Rc8 21. Qf3 Bb7 $1 22. Rxc8 ({Keeping the rooks on makes no
difference: Black's going to get in the freeing ..d5 and all his problems have
been solved.} 22. Rcd1 Qe7 23. Qf4 Qe5 24. Qxe5 Rxe5 25. f3 d5 $1 $11) 22...
Qxc8 23. Qf4 Qc7 24. f3 Qb6+ 25. Qe3 ({Keeping the queens on was no option:} 
25. Kh1 $2 Qd4 $1 {
and Black has the upper hand due to the better pieces and dominating queen.})
25... Qxe3+ 26. Rxe3 d5 $1 27. e5 $6 ({
On reflection, perhaps Judit could have had an easier life with} 27. Bc2 $5
dxe4 (27... Rc8 28. Bb3 $1) 28. Nxe4 Nd5 29. Rb3 Rc8 30. Bd3 Rc1+ 31. Kf2 {
Black's a bit better, but White has an easier time of it here than in the game.
}) 27... Nh5 $1 $15 28. Bc2 Rc8 $2 ({The young Muscovite was too hasty.  He
had a great chance to round up on the vulnerable e-pawn which would have given
him a golden opportunity for the full point.} 28... f6 $1 29. e6 Nf4 30. e7 Kf7
31. Nb3 (31. Bxh7 $2 g6 $1 32. Nb3 Kg7 33. Nc5 Bc8 $19) 31... g6 32. Nc5 Bc8
33. Bb3 Rxe7 $15) 29. Bf5 Rc1+ 30. Kf2 g6 31. Nb3 Rc4 32. Bd3 (32. Bd7 $2 Nf4
$1 (32... Rxb4 $2 33. Nc5 $1 Bc6 34. Bxc6 Rc4 35. Bxd5 Rxc5 36. Bb7 $11) 33.
Nc5 Rc2+ 34. Kf1 d4 35. Ra3 Bd5 $1 36. g3 Bc4+ 37. Ke1 Nd5 $19) 32... Rxb4 33.
g3 Ng7 34. Re2 Bc8 35. Rc2 $1 ({Realistically the best chance.  White can't
wait around for Black to reposition his pieces to make the ending simpler:} 35.
h4 Bf5 $1 36. Bxf5 Nxf5 37. Nc5 a5 38. Nb7 a4 39. Nd6 a3 $1 $17) 35... Bxh3 36.
Rc6 Ra4 37. g4 h5 $6 ({Grischuk misses his big chance here.  Instead} 37...
Rxa2+ 38. Kg3 (38. Be2 Ne6 39. Nc1 Ra3 40. Kg3 Ng5 41. Nd3 h5 42. gxh5 Bf5 $1
43. Nf4 Ne4+ 44. Kg2 Nc3 45. hxg6 fxg6 46. Kf2 (46. e6 Nxe2 47. Nxe2 Ra2 $19)
46... d4 $19 {White can't stop all of the three passed pawns.}) 38... Ne6 $1
39. Rxe6 (39. Nc5 Rg2+ $1 40. Kxh3 Nf4+ 41. Kh4 h6 $1 42. Bxg6 Nxg6+ 43. Kh3
Rc2 $1 44. Rc8+ Kh7 45. Rc7 Nxe5 $19) 39... fxe6 40. Kxh3 Ra3 41. Bc2 b4 {
wins for Black.}) 38. Nc5 Rxa2+ 39. Kg3 hxg4 40. fxg4 Ne6 ({There's now a ray
of hope for Polgar.  Black's now finding it difficult to make progress due to
the active White pieces:} 40... Ra3 41. Kxh3 (41. Kh4 Rc3 $1 $19) 41... Ne6 42.
Nxe6 Rxd3+ 43. Kh4 fxe6 44. Rxa6 Kf7 45. Ra7+ Ke8 46. Kg5 $1 {
and the king stuck on  the backrank guarantees White a draw.}) 41. Nxe6 fxe6
42. Bxg6 Kg7 ({Grischuk was now realising the problems he had in trying to win
from here.  The most obvious try also looks as if it draws:} 42... Bg2 43. Rxe6
a5 44. Kf4 Rf2+ 45. Kg5 Be4 46. Bf5 $1 $11) 43. Bh5 Bf1 44. Rxe6 b4 45. Rg6+
Kh8 46. Rb6 Bb5 47. g5 Ra1 48. g6 Rg1+ 49. Kf4 b3 50. Rb8+ Kg7 51. Rb7+ Kh8 52.
Rb8+ Kg7 53. Rb7+ Kh8 54. Rb8+ 1/2-1/2


white: Polgar, Ju
black: Kasparov, G.
date: 2001.03.03
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 7
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 {
Again the English Attack.} 6... e6 7. f3 b5 8. Qd2 Nbd7 9. O-O-O Bb7 10. g4 Nb6
11. Qf2 Nfd7 12. Bd3 Rc8 13. Nce2 Be7 14. h4 O-O 15. Kb1 Na4 $146 ({
A novelty from Kasparov.  The standard continuation here is 15 ..d5:} 15... d5
16. g5 dxe4 17. fxe4 Nc4 18. Bc1 Qb6 19. Qg2 Nde5 20. h5 Rfd8 21. Bxc4 Rxc4 22.
Be3 Bc5 23. Qg3 Nd7 24. g6 hxg6 25. hxg6 fxg6 26. Qxg6 Nf8 27. Qh5 Bxe4 28.
Rdf1 Nh7 29. Qf7+ Kh8 30. Nxe6 Rg8 31. Bxc5 Rxc5 32. N2f4 {
1-0 Adams,M-Georgiev,K/Elenite 1993/CBM 38 (32).}) 16. g5 Ndc5 17. Ng3 Qc7 18.
Nb3 d5 19. e5 $1 ({Attack was the only form of defense - especially against
Kasparov! Sitting back and trying to defend this position wasn't really on for
Judit, so she opts for counter-attack by opening up some lines towards
Kasparov's own king.  Her other form of counter-attack wasn't so hopeful:} 19.
exd5 Nxd3 20. Rxd3 Bxd5 21. Nf5 Bb4 $1 22. Rxd5 exd5 23. Bd4 Nc5 24. Nxg7 (24.
Bxg7 Nxb3 25. axb3 Rfe8 26. Bd4 Bc5) 24... Nxb3 25. axb3 Bc5 $1 {
with no direct route through to Kasparov's king.}) 19... Qxe5 20. Bd4 Qc7 21.
f4 Ne4 {Attempting to blockade some of those open lines.} 22. Bxe4 dxe4 23.
Rhe1 Bd6 24. Nh5 e5 25. c3 (25. Bxe5 $2 Bxe5 26. fxe5 Qxe5 27. Nd4 Rc4 $1 $19)
25... f6 26. gxf6 exd4 27. Nxd4 g6 $2 (27... Ba3 $3 28. fxg7 (28. Ne6 Qf7 $1
29. Qg3 Nxb2 30. Rd4 g6 31. f5 Na4 32. Re3 Bc5 33. fxg6 hxg6 34. Nxc5 Nxc5 35.
Nf4 Kh7 36. h5 Qxf6 37. hxg6+ Kg8 38. Qh3 Rc7 $19) (28. bxa3 Nxc3+ 29. Ka1 Nxd1
30. Rxd1 g6 31. Ne6 Qc3+ 32. Qb2) 28... Rf7 29. Rd2 Bxb2 30. Rxb2 Nxb2 31. Qxb2
Qxc3 32. Qxc3 Rxc3 $19) 28. f5 gxh5 29. Ne6 ({
The most obvious must have been tempting - but good for Kasparov!:} 29. Qg2+
Kf7 (29... Kh8 30. Ne6 Rg8 31. Qd2 e3 32. Rxe3 Qc4 33. Qxd6 Rg2 $19) 30. Qg7+
Ke8 31. Ne6 Nxc3+ 32. bxc3 Qxc3 33. Re2 Bd5 $1) 29... Nxc3+ 30. bxc3 Qxc3 31.
Rxd6 Qb4+ 32. Ka1 Qc3+ 33. Kb1 Qb4+ 34. Ka1 Qc3+ 35. Kb1 1/2-1/2


white: Shirov, A.
black: Leko, P.
date: 2001.03.03
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 7
annotation:
{"My grandfather plays more interesting chess than Peter...and he's been dead
for years!"  So wrote a humble Olive Farmer from Greece (aka Nigel Short) on
the ICC recently.  Well, this was at least a spirited effort from young Mr
Leko in an attempt to dispel the "boring" tag - but he does seem to prefer the
draw to the win when given the option!} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4
Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3 $5 {
A Shirov, Anti-Marshall speciality.} 8... Bb7 9. d3 h6 10. Nc3 Bc5 $146 {
Up to now, 10 ..Re8 or ..d6 has been the only moves here.  However, Leko's
move fits in with his Archangel\Moeller set-up with ..Bb7.} 11. a4 b4 12. Ne2
Na5 13. Ba2 d5 14. Nxe5 dxe4 15. d4 Ba7 16. Be3 Bd5 $1 {Common sense, really. 
Leko has to do something about the knight on a5, and his move (challenging the
Shirov's strong, white-squared bishop) makes way for the knight to come back
into the game via b7 or c6.} 17. c4 bxc3 18. b4 Nc6 19. Nxc6 Bxc6 20. Nxc3 Nd5
21. Bxd5 Bxd5 22. Bxh6 {It's Planet Shirov time!} 22... gxh6 23. Qg4+ Kh8 24.
Qh5 f5 ({The draw is inevitable:} 24... Be6 25. Qxh6+ Kg8 26. Rad1 Bxd4 27.
Rxd4 Qxd4 28. Nxe4 f6 29. Qg6+ $11) 25. Qxh6+ Kg8 26. Qg6+ Kh8 27. Qh6+ Kg8 28.
Re3 {Shirov still has some trick's left before the draw.} 28... f4 29. Qg6+ Kh8
30. Qh6+ Kg8 31. Qg6+ Kh8 32. Nxd5 {Nothing boring about this draw!} 32... fxe3
33. Qh6+ Kg8 34. Qg6+ Kh8 {
And we all sat back getting ready for the final repetition...or so we thought.}
35. Rc1 $4 {They have a saying in Spain: "Tirar la casa la por ventana."
(Throwing the house out of the window).  Fortunately for Shirov, Leko throws
the house back through the window!} 35... Qh4 $4 ({Incredulous!  Leko turns
down a rock-solid win in preference for a draw.  It's clear though what was
going through his head: For the last dozen moves or so he's been ready for the
draw.} 35... exf2+ $1 {
spotted by everyone - including probably Nigel Short's grandfather!} 36. Kf1
Qh4 $1 {Eh, where's the repetition, Alexei?} 37. Rxc7 Bxd4 38. Nf6 Bxf6 39. Rc5
e3 40. Rh5+ Qxh5 41. Qxh5+ Kg7 42. Qg4+ Kh6 $1 43. Qf4+ Bg5 44. Qd6+ Rf6 $19)
36. fxe3 Rg8 37. Nf4 $1 Bxd4 (37... Raf8 38. Qxe4 Qg3 39. Qe5+ Rg7 (39... Qg7
$4 40. Ng6+ Kh7 41. Qh5+ Qh6 42. Nxf8+ Rxf8 43. Rxc7+ Kg8 44. Qxh6 $18) 40. Rc6
Rxf4 41. Rh6+ Kg8 42. Qe6+ Rff7 43. Qc8+ Rf8 44. Qe6+ $11) 38. Qxe4 Bf6 39.
Qxa8 Rxa8 40. Ng6+ Kg8 41. Nxh4 Bxh4 42. Rxc7 Be1 43. b5 1/2-1/2


white: Grischuk, A.
black: Karpov, An
date: 2001.03.04
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 7
annotation:
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Nc3 Qb6 {After the carnage inflicted by
Kasparov in round 5, Karpov wisely sidesteps any possibility of repetition by
avoiding the main-line.} 5. Nf3 e6 6. Be2 Ne7 7. O-O Bg4 $146 {More often seen
is 7 ..Nd7, but there is no real difference here as the line tends to go 7 ..
Nd7 8 b3 Bg4.} 8. Na4 Qc7 9. b3 b5 {This may be a bit too committal - Grischuk
can take advantage of Karpov's lack of development to open the game now. Maybe
the cautious 9 ..Nd7 was to be preffered.} 10. Nb2 Nd7 11. c4 $1 bxc4 12. bxc4
dxc4 13. Ng5 Bxe2 14. Qxe2 Nb6 15. Nxc4 Nf5 16. Rd1 Be7 17. Nf3 ({
There was an option that took advantage of the bad, black pawns:} 17. Rb1 $5
O-O 18. Qc2 $1 Nxc4 (18... Rfd8 19. g4 Bxg5 20. gxf5 Be7 21. fxe6 fxe6) 19.
Qxc4 {White's got nice and easy play here.}) 17... Nxc4 18. Qxc4 Qd7 19. g4 Nh4
20. Nxh4 Bxh4 21. g5 $1 h6 (21... Qd5 $6 22. Qxd5 cxd5 23. Rb1 h6 (23... O-O
24. Rb3 $1) 24. gxh6 gxh6 25. Rb7 $14) 22. d5 $1 hxg5 23. Qxc6 Rc8 24. Qxd7+
Kxd7 25. d6 f6 {The locked in bishop on h4 causes Karpov trouble.} 26. Be3 a5
27. Rab1 Rb8 28. Bb6 ({Grischuk misses a good opportunity:} 28. Rbc1 $5 Rbc8 (
28... Rhc8 29. Ba7 Rxc1 30. Rxc1 Rb7 31. Bd4 g4 32. Rc5 fxe5 33. Bxe5 Bf6 34.
Rxa5 Bxe5 35. Rxe5 $14) 29. Bd4 g4 30. Kg2 {
and White's much better in the ending.}) 28... fxe5 29. Rdc1 e4 30. Rc7+ Kxd6
31. Rxg7 Rhc8 (31... Rhg8 32. Rh7 $1 Rbc8 (32... Rh8 33. Bc7+ Kc6 34. Rc1+ Kb7
35. Rd7 $1 $16) 33. Bc7+ Kd5 (33... Kc6 34. Bxa5 Rgf8 35. Bb6 $14) 34. Rd1+ Kc5
35. a4 $14) 32. Rd1+ Ke5 33. Be3 $2 ({Much better was} 33. Bc7+ $1 Kf6 34. Rdd7
Rb1+ 35. Kg2 {with chances - though probably drawn with careful play.}) 33...
Kf6 ({Karpov's habitual time trouble is his own downfall.  I suppose if he had
more than the 50 or so seconds he had on the clock, he may well have
discovered he had much better!:} 33... Rc2 $1 34. Rf7 Rb5 $1 35. Bd4+ Kd6 36.
Ba7+ Kc6 37. Re7 Rbb2 38. Rxe6+ Kc7 39. Re7+ Kc8 40. Re8+ Kb7 41. Rd7+ Kc6 $1
$17) 34. Rdd7 Rd8 35. Bxg5+ Bxg5 36. Rdf7+ Ke5 37. Rxg5+ Kd4 38. Ra7 $1 Rb1+ $2
({Missing the main chance to save the game:} 38... e3 $1 39. fxe3+ Kxe3 40.
Re5+ (40. Raxa5 Rd1+ 41. Kg2 Kf4 $1 $11) 40... Kd4 41. Raxa5 Rb1+ 42. Kf2 Rb2+
43. Kg3 Rg8+ 44. Kf3 Rf8+ $11) 39. Kg2 Rb2 40. Raxa5 Rf8 $2 ({
Desperation to make the final move at the time control: Karpov had to play} 
40... Rd5 41. Rgxd5+ exd5 42. Kg3 $11) 41. Ra4+ $1 Kd3 42. Rg3+ Kd2 43. Rxe4 {
The rest is academic now: White easily wins.} 43... Rxa2 44. Rxe6 Ra4 45. Rd6+
Kc2 46. Rdd3 Raf4 47. Rgf3 Rxf3 48. Rxf3 Rh8 49. Rf4 Kd3 50. h4 1-0


white: Kasparov, Gary
black: Shirov, Alexei
date: 2001.03.04
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 8
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5
Be6 9. Nbd2 Nc5 10. c3 d4 11. Ng5 Qxg5 12. Qf3 O-O-O 13. Bxe6+ fxe6 14. Qxc6
Qxe5 15. b4 Qd5 16. Qxd5 exd5 17. bxc5 dxc3 18. Nb3 d4 19. Ba3 g6 20. Bb4 Bg7
21. a4 Kd7 ({This exact position occurred in Shirov-Timman, Hoogovens 1996.
Shirov was White and won. This is how the game continued:} 21... Kd7 22. axb5
axb5 23. Rad1 Ke6 24. Rfe1+ ({but we must also consider the following game:} 
24. Rd3 Kd5 25. Na5 Ra8 26. Bxc3 Ke4 27. Rfd1 dxc3 28. Re3+ Kf5 29. g4+ Kxg4
30. Nb3 Rhe8 31. Rg3+ Kh4 32. Rd7 Rg8 33. Rd5 Bf6 34. Nd4 g5 35. Rd7 Kh5 36.
Rxc3 Ra1+ 37. Kg2 Rd1 38. Rxh7+ Kg6 39. Rxc7 Rxd4 40. Rb3 Rg4+ 41. Kf1 b4 42.
Rc6 Kf5 43. Rd3 Re8 44. Rd5+ Re5 45. Rd7 Rc4 46. Rb7 Re6 47. Rc8 Bd4 48. c6 Bc3
49. c7 Rec6 50. h3 Ke4 51. Ke2 Be5 52. Rcb8 Rc2+ 53. Kf1 Kf3 54. Ke1 Rc1+ 55.
Kd2 Bf4+ {0-1 Sargissian,G-Danilovic,A/Moscow 1997.}) 24... Kd5 25. Bxc3 Kc4
26. Ba5 Kxb3 27. Rb1+ Kc4 28. Rec1+ Kd5 29. c6 Kd6 30. Rxb5 Rb8 31. Bb4+ Ke6
32. Re1+ Kf6 33. Be7+ Kf7 34. Rd5 Rhc8 35. Rd7 Kg8 36. g3 Rb6 37. Rc1 Rb3 38.
Bc5 d3 39. Rd1 Rcb8 40. Kg2 Bf8 41. Bxf8 Rxf8 42. R1xd3 Rxd3 43. Rxd3 Rf7 44.
f4 Re7 45. g4 Re6 46. Rd8+ Kf7 47. Rd7+ Re7 48. Rxe7+ Kxe7 49. g5 {1-0}) 22.
axb5 axb5 23. Rfd1 ({Now we have only one predecessor game:} 23. Rfd1 Ke6 24.
Rac1 Rd5 25. Ba5 Ra8 26. Rd3 Rxa5 27. Nxa5 Rxc5 28. Kf1 b4 29. Nb3 Rd5 30. Ra1
c5 31. Ra6+ Rd6 32. Nxc5+ Kd5 33. Rxd6+ Kxc5 34. Rd8 b3 35. Rc8+ Kb4 36. Ke2
Ka3 37. Rd1 c2 38. Rd3 Bh6 39. Rxc2 {
1-0 Van den Doel,E-Timmermans,I/Deizisau 1999}) 23... Ke6 24. Rac1 {Deep Fritz
thinks that Timmerman's move 24...Rd5 is not good. 24...c6 looks a bit like a
draw (= 0.37). After a few minutes Fritz switches to 24...Rhe8 with a +0.56
score. Maybe Kasparov is winning?! Well, Shirov is in a big think. He's
probably looking for a way to escape. Our bets are now on Kasparov.} 24... Rhe8
25. Kf1 Kf5 26. c6 g5 27. Ba5 Rd6 28. Bb4 Rdd8 29. Rd3 g4 30. Bc5 Ke4 31. Rcd1
h5 {and Deep Fritz thinks Kasparov is completely winning.} 32. Nxd4 b4 33. Re3+
Kd5 34. Bxb4 Kc4 35. Bxc3 Rxe3 36. fxe3 Rf8+ 37. Ke2 Kxc3 38. Ne6 {
Shirov resigned.} 1-0


white: Karpov, A.
black: Kasparov, G.
date: 2001.03.05
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 9
annotation:
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 d5 5. c4 dxc4 6. Na3 c3 7. bxc3 O-O 8. O-O
c5 9. e3 {A modest little move. White intends to build a long-term advantage.}
9... Nc6 10. Qe2 Bf5 11. Rd1 Qb6 $5 $146 ({An interesting TN from Kasparov,
who signals his intent on complicating matters against his old foe.} 11... Qa5
{is more usual. However, in that line, White would continue as in the game
with Nc4, and Black will play ..Qa6 - therefore we sort of transpose back into
the mainline.}) 12. Bb2 Rfd8 13. Nc4 Qa6 14. a4 {Karpov obviously doesn't like
the idea of Kasparov fixing the a-pawn with a ..Qa4.} 14... Na5 15. Bf1 Ne4 16.
Nfd2 ({
It looks like the only move.  Kasparov would have been only too happy with} 16.
Nce5 $6 Qxe2 17. Bxe2 Be6 {and white has a lot of vulnerable weakpoints}) 16...
Nxd2 17. Nxa5 ({The other option didn't hold much promise for White:} 17. Nxd2
Qxe2 18. Bxe2 Rac8 {and Black has an ideal Grunfeld ending.}) 17... Qxa5 (17...
Nxf1 $5 18. Qxa6 bxa6 19. Kxf1 Bg4 20. Rd2 Bf3 {
is unclear - Black has the bishop-pair, White the better pawn structure.}) 18.
Rxd2 cxd4 19. cxd4 $2 ({On Karpov's own admission, this is a bad move. 
Opening the c-file turns out bad for Karpov.  He had more dynamic chances with
the alternative recapture:} 19. exd4 $1 e5 20. Qb5 $1 {and White's no worse.})
19... Rac8 20. h3 ({
Karpov was beginning to worry about ..Bg4, so felt he had to prevent it} 20.
Bg2 Bg4 21. Qe1 b6 22. d5 Bc3 $1 (22... Bxb2 23. Rxb2 $11) 23. Bxc3 Qxc3 {
with a small plus for Black.}) 20... Be4 21. Bg2 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 e5 $1 23. Kg1 h5
24. h4 b6 25. Rdd1 exd4 26. Bxd4 Bxd4 27. exd4 ({The players came to the
conclusion very quickly that the alternative recapture would have made life
very difficult indeed for Karpov:} 27. Rxd4 $6 Rxd4 28. exd4 Qc3 29. Rd1 Qc4 (
29... Qb3 30. a5 $11) 30. Qxc4 Rxc4 31. d5 Kf8 32. d6 Ke8 33. Re1+ Kd8 34. a5
bxa5 35. Re7 a6 36. Rxf7 a4 {is going to be difficult to defend.}) 27... Qd5 (
27... Qc3 28. Qe3 $11) 28. Qa6 $1 {In the nick of time.  Without this move,
White would have an impossible job to hold the position. Left to his own
devices, Kasparov would build-up on the c and a-pawns with ..Rc4 leaving White
with an awkward defence.} 28... Rc7 ({Kasparov thought long and hard here over
his other option, which he couldn't quite get to work.  Come the post mortem,
the banter between the two titans (in Russian, obviously) became very animated:
} 28... Rc2 $5 29. Qxa7 Rdc8 30. Rf1 $1 (30. Qxb6 Rxf2 $5 {Kasparov felt this
must have been mating, however, my little silicon friend Deep Fritz seems to
differ:} 31. Kxf2 Rc2+ 32. Ke3 Qg2 33. Qb8+ Kh7 34. Qb5 Qxg3+ (34... Qf2+ 35.
Ke4 Qg2+ 36. Ke3 $11) 35. Ke4 Qg4+ (35... f5+ $2 36. Kd5 $18) 36. Ke3 $11)
30... Qxd4 $11) 29. Rac1 Qxd4 (29... Rxc1 30. Rxc1 Qxd4 31. Qxa7 $11) 30. Rxd4
Rxc1+ 31. Kg2 Rxd4 32. Qxa7 Rcc4 33. Qxb6 Rxa4 {Karpov even pointed out here
he successfully defended a similar position in the 1971 Alekhine Memorial
against Tal - and that went on for 103 moves!  There was no such chance of
that here, particularly as Kasparov had already won the tournament!} 34. Qb8+
Kh7 35. Qc7 Kg8 36. Qb8+ 1/2-1/2


white: Grischuk, A.
black: Shirov, A.
date: 2001.03.05
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 9
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 Qb6 7. Nb3 e6 8. g4 (
{A little divergance.  Grischuk opted for} 8. Qe2 {against Kasparov.}) 8... Nc6
9. Qe2 {Grischuk now intends Be3 and 0-0-0.} 9... d5 $146 {It's an early visit
to Planet Shirov!  Only someone like Alexei could contemplate such a move at
an early stage.  Still underdeveloped and with his king in the center, Shirov
simply sacrifices a pawn.} 10. Be3 ({Accepting looked dangerous - especially
faced over the board without the aid of a computer!:} 10. exd5 Nb4 11. dxe6
Bxe6) (10. g5 d4 $1 {both with serious compensation.}) 10... d4 11. Bf2 Bc5 12.
a3 $1 ({Castling long falls for a nice trick.  Instead, Grischuk wants to play
Na4 without allowing the check on b4:} 12. O-O-O $2 d3 $1 13. Bxc5 dxe2 14.
Bxb6 exd1=Q+ 15. Kxd1 Nd7 {with unclear play.}) 12... Qc7 ({
Shirov may have been better opting for the pawn sacrifice with} 12... dxc3 $5
13. Bxc5 Qc7 14. bxc3 Nd7 15. Be3 O-O {and Black will have good compensation
with play down the c-file against the doubled pawns.}) 13. O-O-O (13. Nxc5 $5
dxc3 14. b4 $1 {looked a safer bet for Grischuk.}) 13... Bxa3 $1 14. bxa3 ({
White also had} 14. Nxd4 $5 Nxd4 (14... Bb4 15. Qc4 $1) (14... Be7 15. Nxc6
Qxc6 16. Qc4 Qxc4 17. Bxc4 b5 18. Bb3 {white is slightly better.}) 15. Bxd4 (
15. Rxd4 $2 Qxc3 $1) 15... e5 16. bxa3 (16. Nd5 Nxd5 17. exd5 Bd6 18. Bxe5 Bxe5
19. Re1 f6 20. f4 Qa5 21. fxe5 Bxg4 $1 $11) 16... exd4 17. Nd5 Qd6 18. Kb2 O-O
19. Rxd4 Nxd5 20. exd5 (20. Rxd5 Qb6+ 21. Ka1 Be6 $1) 20... Qb6+ 21. Rb4 Qf6+
22. Kb1 Bd7 $1 {with unclear play.}) 14... dxc3 15. Bc5 e5 16. Qe3 Nd4 17. g5
Nh5 18. Qxc3 Nxb3+ 19. cxb3 Be6 20. Kb2 $1 Rc8 21. Bb4 Qxc3+ 22. Bxc3 {
After the dust has cleared, white has a small plus thanks to the bishop-pair.}
22... f6 23. gxf6 gxf6 24. Rd6 Nf4 ({
The immediate king move may have been better:} 24... Kf7 $5) 25. Bd2 $1 {
White's now going to be a little better in the endgame due to the doubled
f-pawns.} 25... Kf7 26. Bxf4 exf4 27. Bc4 (27. Rxe6 Kxe6 28. Bh3+ Ke5 $1 29.
Bxc8 Rxc8 $11 {Black's king is very active here.}) 27... Bxc4 28. bxc4 Rxc4 29.
Rd7+ Ke6 30. Rhd1 Rc6 $2 ({I don't know what was going through Shirov's head -
the obvious reply was the simplest of draws:} 30... Rhc8 $1 31. R1d6+ (31. Rxh7
Rc2+ 32. Kb1 R2c7 33. Rxc7 (33. Rh3 $2 Rc3 $1 $15) 33... Rxc7) 31... Ke5 32.
Rd5+ Ke6 $11) 31. Rxb7 Rg8 32. Rdd7 Rg2+ 33. Kb3 Rxh2 34. Re7+ Kd6 35. Rbd7+
Kc5 36. Rd5+ Kb6 37. a4 $1 {Threatening a5 mate!} 37... a5 38. Rb5+ Ka6 39. Re8
$1 {Forcing a set of rooks off - the single rook ending is an easy win due to
the f-pawns.} 39... Rb6 40. Ra8+ Kb7 41. Rb8+ Kxb8 42. Rxb6+ Kc7 43. Rxf6 h5
44. Rxf4 h4 45. Kc4 h3 46. Rh4 Rh1 47. Kd5 h2 48. Ke5 Rf1 49. Rxh2 Rxf3 50.
Rc2+ Kb6 51. Rc4 1-0


white: Kasparov, G.
black: Grischuk, A.
date: 2001.03.06
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 10
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Nxc6 ({After} 6. Ndb5
d6 {White has to accept transposing into a Sveshnikov Sicilian with} 7. Bf4 e5
8. Bg5) 6... bxc6 7. e5 Nd5 8. Ne4 Bb7 ({A little played side-line (only two
or three games in the database!)  that got a lot of attention two years ago at
Linares, when Peter Leko decided to try it against Kasparov.  The mainline is} 
8... Qc7 9. f4 Qb6) 9. Be2 c5 10. O-O (10. c4 $6 Ne3 $1 11. Bxe3 Bxe4 12. f3
Bc6 $11) 10... Qc7 11. Nd6+ ({White has to be careful not to open the game up
too early - it could lead to Black's advantage:} 11. f4 f5 $1 12. exf6 Nxf6 13.
Nxf6+ gxf6 14. Bh5+ Kd8 15. f5 Bd6 {
and if anything, it's the Black pieces that are the more dangerous.}) 11...
Bxd6 12. exd6 Qc6 (12... Qb6 {is also an alternative.}) 13. f3 c4 14. Qd4 O-O
15. Bxc4 Rfc8 ({Finally we diverge from the aforementioned Kasparov-Leko game.
Grischuk is hoping the resulting ending with opposite coloured  bishops will
ease his chances of drawing:} 15... Qxd6 16. Bb3 Qb6 17. Rd1 Rfc8 18. Qxb6 Nxb6
19. a4 d5 20. a5 Nc4 21. a6 Bc6 22. Bxc4 dxc4 23. Be3 Bd5 24. Ra5 Rc6 25. Rda1
f6 26. h4 Kf7 27. Rb5 Rc7 28. Kf2 Rd8 29. Raa5 Ke7 30. Kg3 h5 31. b4 cxb3 32.
cxb3 Rg8 33. Rc5 Rd7 34. b4 g5 35. Rc2 g4 36. Kf2 g3+ 37. Ke1 e5 38. Rd2 Rgd8
39. Rc5 Ke6 40. b5 Rb8 41. Rd3 Rbd8 42. Rd2 Rb8 43. Rd3 Rbd8 44. b6 axb6 45.
Rb5 Bc4 46. Rxb6+ Kf5 47. Rxd7 Rxd7 48. a7 {
1/2-1/2 Kasparov,G-Leko,P/Linares 1999/CBM 70 (48).}) 16. Bxd5 $1 ({Kasparov is
quick to see that the ending is good - Black is going to get in a bit of a
tangle recouping the pawn, giving White the time to organise the advance of
the queenside pawns.} 16. Bb3 $6 Qxd6 17. c4 e5 18. Qd3 Qc5+ 19. Kh1 Ba6 $1)
16... Qxd5 ({The finesse of taking first on d6 will backfire - badly} 16...
Qxd6 $2 17. Bh6 $3 gxh6 18. Qg4+ Kh8 19. Bxb7 Qb6+ 20. Rf2 Qxb7 21. c3 {
and Black's in a bad way because of the crippled pawn structure.}) 17. Qxd5
Bxd5 18. Rf2 $1 {With White looking to play c4, why waste a tempo with c3?}
18... Rc6 19. Bf4 Rac8 20. Rc1 Ra6 (20... Bxa2 $2 21. Ra1 Bd5 22. Rxa7 Rxc2 23.
Rxc2 Rxc2 24. Rxd7 $18) 21. a3 ({
Black has a good chance of saving the game if White is too hasty:} 21. b3 Rxa2
22. c4 Rxf2 23. Kxf2 Bb7 {
with ideal drawing chances because of the opposite bishops.}) 21... f6 22. Be3
Ra4 23. Ra1 $1 {With the idea of activating the pawns with b3 and c4.} 23... e5
24. b3 Ra6 25. c4 Be6 26. Rd2 Rb8 27. Rd3 Rb7 28. g4 h5 29. h3 hxg4 30. hxg4 f5
31. Bc5 $1 Rc6 32. b4 $1 {Two very precise moves have left Black struggling
further and further in the hope of saving the ending.} 32... fxg4 33. fxg4 Rc8
34. Re1 Bxc4 35. Rc3 Bb5 36. Rxe5 Rf8 37. Bxa7 Bc6 38. Be3 Rbb8 39. Bg5 Rb5 40.
Rcc5 Rb6 41. b5 Bf3 42. Be7 Ra8 43. Rg5 Rxa3 44. Bf6 Kf7 45. Bb2 1-0


white: Ponomariov, Ruslan
black: Ivanchuk, Vassily
date: 2002.02.23
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 1
annotation:
{ This game pairs the two finalists of the FIDE world championship. Ponomariov won that match. This could be seen as a continuation, if one desired; though that's not really productive. }
1. e4
{ Ponomariov plays 1. e4 in much the same way as any of the other top-level GMs. }
1...e6
{ Now, along with Pe4 there is an indication Black will place pawns on light-color squares to prevent Bf1 from ever being dangerous. White will probably have to meet 2...d5 with e4-e5 to open the d3-h7 diagonal. So, White needs a Pd4 to support Pe5. }
2. d4 d5 3. Nc3
{ I've had doubts about this move for a long time. It's not so easy to prove it's wrong, but by blocking Pc2 it makes d3 less hospitable for a bishop and it makes Pd4 a little weaker. }
 ( 3. e5 
{ favored by Nimcovics (at least in commentaries) and leaves open the way for c2-c3, so Bf1-d3 can't be chased off the d3-h7 diagonal by ...c7-c5-c4. However, This variation offers Black a natural point of attack (Pd4) and that allows him to keep the balance. }
 ) ( 3. Nd2 
{ aims to support Pe4, so White might still have use of central squares. But, this also fails to pressure Black in any substantial way and so offers only a slight advantage. }
 ) ( 3. exd5 
{ opens lines in hopes of catching Ke8 on the open e-file, but in practice doesn't generally cause many problems. Black can develop his pieces freely. }
 ) 3...Bb4 $1
{ Winawer Variation -- by pinning Nc3 Black keeps Nc3 awkward. It does, however, give White time for e4-e5. }
 ( 3...dxe4 
{ prevents e4-e5, but releases Nc3, so it's not to be recommended for all occasions. It will be seen in several games later in this tournament. }
 ) 4. e5 c5
{ Black attacks in a most natural way, though he does leave Pg7 exposed for the moment. }
 ( 
{ an interesting alternative way to defend Pg7 is }
 4...Qd7 5. Qg4 f5 6. Qg3 b6 
{ when Black plans ...Bc8-a6xf1 to trade off his bad bishop and clearing the way for further developments; while leaving open options for Ke8. It changes the king-side pawn structure before White can impress his will there. The downside is that it weakens Pe6 and brings Pf5 closer to White, so a move such as g2-g4 is closer to forcing a line-opening. }
 ) ( 
{ Another idea, similar to ...Qd8-d7 is }
 4...b6 5. a3 Bf8 
{ where Black believes he has fixed Pd4 on a weak square and he isn't about to trade ...Bb4xNc3 until forced. The downside is that Nc3 is now free to move, freeing up c2-c3 and ensuring Bf1-d3 will be comfortable. There's also a chance White might use Pa3 to support b2-b4 in an effort to clamp down on Black's queen-side "break" ...c7-c5. }
 ) 5. a3
{ This is a saving grace which helps White straighten-out his queen-side a bit. }
5...Bxc3+ ( 5...Ba5 
{ has been tried, to keep the pressure on, but it hasn't proven to be more effective than the game move }
 ) 6. bxc3
{ After this it's clear White has to attack at the base of Black's pawn chain (Pf7, g7, h7) and Black can attack Pc2, Pc3 & Pd4; but both will also be keeping their eyes on the opponent's king, hoping to ensnare him in an attack. }
6...Ne7 ( 6...Nc6 7. Qg4 
{ might be awkward for Black because he doesn't want to play ...g7-g6 and ...Ke8-f8 leaves Rh8 stuck in the corner }
 ) 7. Qg4 O-O
{ For a time this was considered bad, but has recently made a come-back. The king seems a little out of place (unlike after ...O-O-O) , but with ...f7-f5 he's been able to slow White's attacks. }
 ( 
{ Previously and still a favorite is }
 7...Qc7 
{ offering Pg7 (the Poison Pawn Variation ) in exchange for time to attack Pd4 & Pc3 and possibly even Ke1 }
 8. Qxg7 Rg8 9. Qxh7 cxd4 10. Ne2 Nbc6 11. f4 dxc3 12. Qd3 ) 8. Bd3 ( 8. dxc5 
{ in preparation for Bf1-d3 should also be considered }
 ) 8...f5 ( 8...c4 
{ chases Bd3 off this ideal diagonal, but also leaves Pc3 & Pc2 less vulnerable. Whether this is good depends upon how safe Kg8 is from other attack plans and whether Black can generate any serious offense on the queen-side without pressure on Pd4 }
 ) 9. exf6 Rxf6
{ Black hasn't blocked-out Bd3, but has more room for his pieces to defend Kg8. The backward Pe6 is hardly of importance when a king's safety is at stake. There is even the possibility of ...e6-e5 (discovering an attack on Qg4) and then ...e5-e4 to block out Bd3. }
10. Bg5 Rf7 11. Qh5
{ threatening Qh5xh7+ or Bd3xh7+ }
11...g6
{ this secures Ph7 and may serve to provide a support for ...Ne7-f5 }
12. Qd1
{ Although he could have played 12. Qh4 I think he might have had it in mind to play h2-h4-h5xg6 to continue the attack on Kg8. In any event after Qd8 moves Black would have ...Ne7-f5, so Qd1 is safer. }
 ( 12. Qe2 $4 c4 
{ traps Bd3 }
 ) 12...Nbc6 13. Nf3
{ It seems to me this is the moment for Black to define (and begin) his middle-game plan. To develop Bc8-d7 isn't much: ideally Black could now (without White's Pe5) aim for ...e6-e5 when Bc8 could develop to g4 or f5. So, 13...c4 14. Be2 Qd6 might be a good start. If one doesn't like ...c5-c4 then 13...Qd6 could still be played. White can't fight for square e5 so easily. }
13...Qf8 $6 ( 13...Qd6 ) ( 13...c4 14. Be2 Qd6 ) 14. O-O c4 15. Be2 h6
{ further weakening the king's position seems unnecessary. }
 ( 
{ Better might be }
 15...Qg7 ) 16. Bc1 ( 16. Bd2 ) 16...Bd7 17. Ne1 $5 $146
{ I'm told this is a novelty, which means all which preceded it had been played before. This amazes me because it seems to me Black's play was far from perfect. }
17...g5 ( 17...e5 $5 18. dxe5 Nxe5 19. Qd4 N5c6 20. Qh4 ) 18. g3
{ While Black is moving the pawns in front of his king White aims to control f4, leaving Black's center and king weak. Those two factors (if achieved by White) could lead to a won position. }
18...Nf5 19. Ng2 Qg7 20. f4 Nd6 21. Qe1 b5
{ White might have found it useful to play a3-a4, but Black uses Pb5 to bind Pa3 & Pc3 which blocks Bc1 and Ra1. This isn't essential to a resolution of the pressures on Pf4, but it could contribute to the pressure on Ponomariov to find his way. }
22. fxg5
{ Ponomariov prefers to simplify the position; rightly so I think. His pieces need room to fight, before Black gets in ...e6-e5. }
22...Rxf1+ 23. Bxf1 hxg5 24. Ne3 Rf8 ( 24...a5 ) 25. Bg2 a5 26. Bd2 Qg6 27. Ng4 $1
{ Offering Pc2 isn't a problem because Pg5 would fall too. }
 ( 27. Qe2 
{ prevents ...g5-g4 and clears the way for Ra1 }
 ) 27...Rf5 $6
{ Since Black can't play ...e6-e5 this rook move doesn't help much. Better is to stir up trouble all across the board by breaking through White's "strong" dark squares with ...b5-b4. }
 ( 27...b4 28. axb4 axb4 29. cxb4 ( 29. Ra6 ) 29...Nxd4 30. Ne5 ) 28. Qe3 Kg7 29. Rb1 Kh7 30. a4 $5
{ Now it's White who controls b5! An invasion by the White rook could help win the game. One curious thing about this move is that, despite it being White who is forcing matters, Black can benefit to some extent by capturing the gambit pawn and advancing it. }
30...bxa4 ( 30...b4 31. cxb4 axb4 32. Bxb4 Nxb4 33. Rxb4 $16 ) 31. Bc1 Rf7 ( 31...e5 32. dxe5 Nf7 33. Nf6+ ) 32. Ba3 Qxc2 $4
{ It's not so easy to see, but this backfires on Black. Had it worked to achieve a victory or draw then we might have to reconsider the notation ("?!") . Black is trying to achieve, despite unorthodox means, the primary offensive plan -- to bash White's queen-side and, since White's king remains safe, to advance a pawn to promotion. Considering the alternatives this seems a reasonable try; and by doing so he distracts White, to some extent, from his king-side plans. }
 ( 32...Nf5 33. Qd2 Nh6 ) 33. Rc1 Qf5 34. Bh3
{ White threatens Nd6 and to move Ng4-e5. }
34...Ne4 35. Ne5 Qf2+ 36. Qxf2 Rxf2 37. Nxd7
{ Black's combination allows the "bad" Bd7 to be traded-off, so he has Rf2 and Ne4 activated, but at a cost. The question now is whether White can neutralize Ne4 & Rf2. To that end Nd7-c5 is in the offing. There may also be an opportunity for Bh3xe6. }
37...Ra2 38. Bc5 ( 38. Bf8 
{ is riskier because it's vulnerable to Kh7, but it leaves c5 available for ...Nd7-c5. }
 ) 38...Nd2 39. Bg2 ( 39. Bxe6 $4 Nf3+ 40. Kf1 Nxh2+ 41. Ke1 Nf3+ 42. Kf1 $11 ( 42. Kd1 Rd2# ) ) 39...a3 40. Nf8+ Kh6 $4
{ Black needs one or two very valuable tempi for his plan to advance Pa3. What can White do in the meantime, nothing except capture Pe6; unless Black puts his king in a dangerous spot! }
 ( 40...Kg8 
{ threatening ...Nc2-b3 to be followed quickly by ...Nb3xc5 to undermine Nf8 or ...Ra2xg2+ and ...a3-a2-a1=Q }
 41. Nxe6 Nb3 42. Rf1 Rxg2+ 43. Kxg2 a2 44. Ba3 
{ White threatens not only Ba3-b2, but gets both the bishop and knight in place to guard against the advance of Pa5. }
 ( 44. Nxg5 
{ an obvious try which doesn't deal quickly enough with the queen-side problems }
 44...a1=Q 45. Rxa1 Nxa1 46. Nf3 Nc2 47. Kf2 a4 48. Ne1 Nxe1 49. Kxe1 Na7 50. Kd2 Nb5 51. Kc2 Kg7 ( 51...a3 52. Bb4 
{ and Pa3 will fall after Kc2-b1-a2, but White will still be trading it for Pc3. This is, by no means, a win for White since Black will always have one great passed pawn }
 52...Kg7 53. Kb1 Kg6 54. Ka2 Kg5 55. Bxa3 Nxc3+ 56. Kb2 Ne2 57. Bc5 Kg4 ) 52. Kb2 Kg6 ) 44...a1=Q 45. Rxa1 Nxa1 46. Nc5 Nb3 ( 46...Nc2 
{ a little risky because the knight might get stuck }
 47. Bc1 g4 48. Kf2 Ne7 49. Na4 ) 47. Na4 ) 41. Re1
{ White is looking for moves which capture material AND check Black's king. This is to gain time for clearing the board of Black pawns. He'll probably have to gambit Bc5xa3 to get rid of that one. Bg2 is purely for defensive work at the moment, but if Pe6 disappears Bxd5 could also become useful. }
41...e5 ( 41...Kh5 42. Nxe6 ( 42. Rxe6 $4 Ra1+ 43. Kf2 a2 44. h3 g4 45. hxg4+ Kxg4 
{ and Pa2 might yet promote to have the last word }
 ) 42...g4 43. Bxd5 Nf3+ 44. Bxf3 gxf3 45. Nf4+ Kg4 46. d5 $18 ) 42. dxe5 g4 ( 42...Nxe5 43. Rxe5 Ra1+ 44. Kf2 a2 45. Re6+ Kh5 ( 45...Kg7 46. Rg6+ Kf7 47. Bxd5+ Ke8 48. Re6+ Kd8 ( 48...Kf7 49. Re1+ $18 ) 49. Bb6+ Kc8 50. Re8# ) 46. h3 g4 47. Be3 
{ and Black's king gets mated }
 ) 43. e6
{ moving off a square where Black's Nc6 could sacrifice itself desperado-style }
43...Nf3+ 44. Bxf3 gxf3 45. Kf1
{ It looks complicated enough to continue, though White clearly has the upper hand with Pa3 already attacked and Pe6 prepared to advance. White only needs to gobble up a bunch of pawns, so his knight & rook could win an ending without being distracted by Black pawns on the queen-side. }
 ( 45. e7 $2 Nxe7 46. Rxe7 Ra1+ 47. Kf2 a2 ) 1-0


white: Shirov, Alexei
black: Anand, Viswanathan
date: 2002.02.23
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 1
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6
{ It could be argued the ideal pawn formation for Black is with ...d7-d6 and ...g7-g6 as in a Dragon or with ...e7-e6 and ...b7-b6 as in a Queen's Indian Defense. Both and everything else between are played. I've played the Najdorf and Scheveningen variations, but can easily see the advantages of the Dragon too. I haven't been too fond of 2...e6 because there's no added control of square e5, but that doesn't mean Black can't play ...Ng8-f6. 2...e6 serves a similar purpose to 1...e6 in a French Defense. It limits the scope of Bf1 and frees the way for Bf8 to develop. }
 ( 2...d6 ) 3. d4 ( 3. c3 d5 ) 3...cxd4
{ In this Sicilian Variation Black grabs the d-pawn before it can ever serve to support e4-e5. Now, usually, White must use f2-f4 to support the e4-e5 advance. But, that isn't the only plan White can utilize. Instead White aims for general piece activity and freedom of movement to hit Black wherever he can. }
4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 ( 5. Nb5 d6 
{ is also played }
 ) 5...Qc7 6. Be2 a6
{ Black's pawns limit White's knights and Be2. Black seeks to keep open options while discouraging White from any active operations. }
7. O-O Nf6
{ This normal developing move creates an interesting threat: ...Bf8-b4xc3 and ...Nf6xe4. White tends to disregard this as a threat, to some extent, because the weakening of Black's dark squares is compensation for doubled c-file pawns. However, the loss of Pe4 requires more compensation. }
8. Be3 ( 8. Bg5 Bb4 9. Bxf6 gxf6 
{ and Black might use the g-file to threaten Kg1 }
 ) 8...Bb4 9. Na4
{ This is a most unusual variation, not often played, but popular for a time in the 1980s. It was "discussed" several times in the Polugaevsky Memorial/Sicilian Love tournament, Buenos Aires 1994. White exploits the weak dark squares in exchange for Pe4. It might seem impossible, at this early stage, for this to be sufficient compensation for a pawn, but it has shown to be effective. }
9...Be7 ( 9...Nxe4 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Nb6 Rb8 12. Nxc8 Qxc8 13. Qd3 d5 ( 13...Nc5 $4 14. Qd4 
{ threatens Bb4, Nc5 and Pg7 }
 ) 14. Qxa6 
{ So, White regains the pawn and leaves a very unbalanced pawn structure for an endgame. }
 ) 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Nb6 Rb8 12. Nxc8 Qxc8
{ With 9...Be7 Black has threatened ...Rb8xb2, but left Pe4. White's two bishops and freedom of movement should give him some lasting advantage. Whether Black can utilize Nf6 with advancing central pawns, meant to block White's pieces, is unclear. }
13. Bd4 O-O 14. Qd3 ( 14. Bd3 $2 
{ intending c2-c4 and e4-e5 }
 c5 15. Bxf6 ( 15. Bc3 c4 16. Be2 Nxe4 ) 15...Bxf6 
{ looks very good for Black }
 ) ( 14. f3 d5 15. e5 Nd7 
{ and White's efforts to slow Black might backfire because the closer the two armies come into contact the quicker Black's pawns will have their say. White does better to stay back from or go around Black's central pawns. }
 ) ( 14. e5 Nd5 
{ causes Black to block his Pd7 for a time }
 ) 14...Qc7 15. b3 a5 16. Rad1
{ White threatens Bxf6 followed by Qxd7 and seems interested only in simple piece play -- tactical opportunism. }
 ( 16. c4 
{ tries to prevent ...d7-d5 from occurring without several pawn exchanges opening up the board, but it weakens Pb3 }
 16...e5 ( 16...a4 $2 17. e5 Ne8 ) 17. Be3 d5 18. cxd5 cxd5 19. exd5 e4 20. Qd2 Rfd8 ) 16...d5 17. exd5 Nxd5 $5
{ Black accepts that his pawns will be broken up and just improves the knight. From d5 it threatens ...Nd5-f4 to snare Be2 or ... Nd5-b4 to grab Pa2. }
 ( 17...cxd5 
{ makes Pa2 & Pb3 vs. Pa5 a clear endgame advantage for White }
 ) ( 17...exd5 18. c4 
{ ensures Black's pawns will be broken up }
 ) 18. Bf3 Rfd8 19. c4 Nf6
{ Black obviously threatens ...c6-c5 }
20. Qc3
{ White turns the tables a bit and threatens Bd4-e5 which either wins the exchange (Be5xb8) or forces ...Be7-d6 which allows Be5xf6 to win a pawn and weaken Kg8. }
20...Bd6
{ It's amazing he'd offer to trade king-side pawns when Black's pawns are split, leaving Ph7 very weak. }
21. g3
{ White simply defends his pawn and "asks" Black if he can manage to do as well. }
 ( 21. Bxf6 gxf6 ( 21...Bxh2+ $4 22. Kh1 gxf6 23. g3 ) 22. Qxf6 Bxh2+ 23. Kh1 Be5 ) 21...c5 ( 21...Ne8 $4 22. c5 Bf8 23. Be5 ) ( 21...e5 
{ blocks Bd4 and on simple positional terms would be better than the game move, but the forcing variation it inspires is winning for White }
 22. c5 exd4 23. cxd6 dxc3 24. dxc7 $18 ) 22. Bxf6 gxf6 23. Qxf6 Be7 24. Qh6
{ White has won the pawn, weakened Ph7 and now plans Bf3-e4 (where else could the bishop be of use?) . }
24...Qe5 25. Rde1
{ White tries to get Bf3-e4 without allowing Black to undercut the effort by ...Rd8xd1. }
25...Qf6 26. Qh5 Bf8 27. Re4 ( 27. Be4 h6 28. Qe2 Rd4 ) ( 27. Re5 Rd4 28. Be4 28...h6 
{ might lead to an awkward placement of Re5 or Be4 }
 29. Bb1 ) 27...Rd4 28. Rxd4 Qxd4
{ preferring not to let White have a three-to-one queen-side pawn majority, even in exchange for a good passed central pawn }
29. Re1 ( 
{ less powerful is }
 29. Rd1 Qf6 30. Be4 h6 31. Bb1 
{ because it allows Black to fight Rd1 with his own rook }
 31...Rd8 32. Rxd8 Qxd8 33. Qg4+ Bg7 34. Qe4 Qc8 
{ defending against an invasion at c6 or b7 }
 ) 29...Qf6
{ clearing the d-file in preparation for ...Rb8-d8 }
30. Re4
{ but, White's king-side attack comes first }
30...Bg7 ( 30...Rd8 $2 31. Rg4+ Bg7 ( 31...Kh8 32. Rf4 ) 32. Be4 h6 33. Qxc5 Qa1+ 34. Kg2 f5 35. Qe7 ) 31. Rf4 ( 31. Qxc5 Qxf3 ) 31...Qe7 32. Rh4 h6 33. Rg4 f5 ( 33...Kh7 $4 34. Rxg7+ Kxg7 35. Qe5+ Qf6 36. Qxb8 Qxf3 37. Qe5+ Kg6 38. Qxc5 
{ gives White a clear endgame advantage, though it's never all that easy to win queen & pawn endings }
 ) 34. Rg6
{ courageous or risky? White threatens Qh5xh6 or Rg6xe6 with Bf3-d5 to follow. }
34...Kh7 35. g4
{ White has to pry the position open before Rg6 is completely trapped and lost. }
35...Rf8 ( 35...Qf7 $2 36. Rxh6+ Kg8 37. Rxe6 ) 36. gxf5 Rxf5 37. Be4 ( 37. Qg4 $4 Rxf3 38. Rxg7+ Qxg7 $19 ) 37...Rxh5 38. Rxe6+ Kh8 39. Rxe7
{ So, they've both survived the confusion and White has the extra pawn, but there are no queens and the bishops travel on different colors. Only the simple back rank mate threat is a concern. }
39...Re5
{ In one stroke Black forces further simplification while avoiding Re7-e8#. }
40. Rxe5 Bxe5 41. Kg2 Kg7 42. Bb1 Kf6 43. h4 Bf4 44. Kf3 Ke5 45. Kg4 Bc1 46. f3 Bd2 47. Kh5 Kf6 48. Bc2 Bc1 49. Be4 Bd2 50. Bd5 Bc1 51. a4 Be3 52. Bg8 Bd2
1/2-1/2


white: Vallejo Pons, Francisco
black: Kasparov, Garri
date: 2002.02.23
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 1
annotation:
1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3
{ Since White hasn't yet "declared" where Pd2 will be advanced it's not yet clear whether Bf1 will move to g2 (to complement Pc4) or, after d2-d4, go to d3 where it might threaten Black's king-side. Black's next is an ordinary good development move which happens to impede d2-d4 and might be used later ( by ...e5-e4) to fight White's light square bishop. Naturally Black has various plans at his disposal. This is just one. White won't get much of a clue about Black's intentions, so he has to decide what kind of position he wants and go for it. }
2...e5
{ Kasparov has played the King's Indian Defense extensively, but not recently. He's also played the Gruenfeld Defense, but 2...d5 isn't considered all that good, so he finds another choice. }
 ( 2...e6 ) ( 2...g6 ) ( 2...c5 ) 3. Nf3 ( 
{ After }
 3. g3 
{ Black isn't so likely to play ...Nb8-c6. That would weaken square d5. He's more likely to play 3...d5. But, after White's 3. Ng1-f3 it's harder for White to exploit the slightly weak d5, so ...Nb8-c6 is safe. }
 ) 3...Nc6 4. e4
{ This certainly weakens the c5-f2 diagonal and makes it less possible to utilize Bf1 offensively, unless he can also achieve d2-d4 without his position falling apart. }
 ( 4. d4 ) ( 4. d3 ) ( 4. g3 ) 4...Bb4
{ Kasparov keeps the pressure on. This is usually intended to get rid of Nc3, so Black won't have to worry about Nc3-d5. However, in this position it threatens to undermine Pe4. That causes White to postpone d2-d4. }
5. d3 ( 5. Nd5 $2 Nxe4 6. Nxb4 ( 6. a3 
{ doesn't help }
 6...Bc5 ) 6...Nxb4 
{ and White has trouble regaining the pawn because Black is ready with ...Qd8-e7 to defend Pe5. }
 ) ( 5. Bd3 $5 ) 5...d6 6. h3
{ He seems intent on limiting Bc8, but in so doing sets up his own position as a target. It's already getting difficult to find a great plan for White. Expanding on the queen-side by a2-a3 would have to be prefaced with Bc1-d2 and Black could generate some king-side offense before that expansion ever becomes a threat. Essentially Black has three minor pieces ready to fight on the king-side (Nc6, Bc8, Nf6) , whereas White has two (Nf3 and Bc1) . }
6...O-O 7. Be2 Ne7
{ He's apparently decided he can't play on the wing and must fight in the center with ...c7-c6, ...d6-d5, but to do that he has to reorganize a bit. }
8. O-O c6 9. a3 Bxc3 ( 9...Bc5 $6 10. b4 Bb6 
{ gives White a running start on a queen-side offense }
 ) 10. bxc3
{ White will have use of the open file, but in an endgame, or late middle-game, his pawns might be targets. On the king-side White's pieces are pretty well situated to meet the oncoming attack, but can do nothing aggressive. }
10...Ng6 11. Re1 ( 11. Rb1 ) ( 11. Nh2 
{ aiming for immediate piece trades would ease White's slight cramp; though Black can avoid them he does so at some risk }
 11...h6 12. Ng4 Nh7 13. d4 ) 11...Re8
{ This seems to indicate Kasparov is considering ...d6-d5, but one would think opening the center could only be good for White's bishops. }
12. Bf1 Bd7 13. Qb3 Qc8 14. Rb1 b6 15. Kh2
{ Black probably counted on meeting Bc1-g5 with ...Nf6-h5-f4 with pressure on Ph3. But, Kh2 provides Ph3 extra support, so ...Nf6-h5 is immediately met by g2-g3, leaving Nh5 stranded. So, Bc1-g5 should be prevented. }
15...h6
{ Kasparov is making useful moves, but without committing to a specific plan of offense. Perhaps there isn't one and he's just playing an equal position, in hopes his opponent will allow things to slip a bit. }
16. g3
{ This might appear to weaken Nf3, but with Bf1-g2 he shores up his king's position rather neatly. This is the kind of position he could've had straight away. Instead, it's taken him a few moves to get to this and Black is ahead in advancing a plan. }
16...Qc7 17. Bg2 Be6 18. Nd2 Rad8 19. a4
{ Is White's position well-coordinated or a shambles? Neither I suppose, but Black's looks more robust and capable of handling a few line openings. Earlier I said ...d6-d5 would favor White's bishops, but now it's not so clear. Black's rooks would benefit from the d-file opening and Bc1 looks useless. }
19...d5 20. a5
{ White leaves the lines closed to keep Black's pieces from raging all over his pawns. }
 ( 20. cxd5 
{ Getting rid of the doubled pawn should make sense. }
 20...cxd5 21. exd5 Nxd5 
{ and Bg2 is opened, but has no targets and Pd3 & Pc3 are very weak. }
 ) 20...dxc4 21. axb6 axb6 22. dxc4 Nd7
{ Black quickly redistributes his pieces toward the queen-side. But, wasn't he ideally prepared for the ...d6-d5 push beforehand? This seems like overkill or overcaution perhaps. }
 ( 22...b5 $5 23. Qb4 c5 24. Qxb5 Rb8 25. Qa4 Rxb1 26. Nxb1 
{ and White's surviving because Black's knights aren't yet over to the queen-side. Apparently his decision during the game to maneuver his knights was correct. }
 ) 23. Bf1 Ne7
{ Now the Black rooks don't look so terrific. Only the more-or-less permanent White pawn structure problems seem to justify Black taking this time to maneuver. Of course, if White doesn't take advantage of this moment Black might well jump all over him. Bf1 is blocked. Bc1 is blocked. Nd2 is passive. Re1 is blocked and passive. Only Qb3 & Rb1 are doing something significant. }
24. Qc2 Nc8 25. Nb3 c5
{ effectively "killing" Nb3 and Bc1! }
26. Be3 Nd6 27. Nd2 Ra8 28. Ra1 f6 $5
{ He leaves square c6 open for the moment, hoping to maneuver a knight through there before Qc6. }
 ( 
{ However, }
 28...Qc6 29. Ra2 Rxa2 30. Qxa2 Ra8 
{ and it's Black who is on the a-file first }
 ) 29. Ra2 Rxa2 30. Qxa2 Nb8
{ Apparently Kasparov intends ...Nb8-c6-a5 and possibly ...Qc7-f7 to threaten Pc4. So, Pb6 is a more proper target for White, than invading on the a-file. }
31. f4
{ Opening this second front when he's arguably positionally worse is dangerous. }
 ( 31. Rb1 ) 31...Nc6 32. f5 Bf7
{ By chasing the bishop onto f7 he prevents ...Qc7-f7. This keeps Pc4 safer. But, it also weakens White's king's safety. }
33. g4 Na5 34. h4 Kf8 35. g5 hxg5 36. hxg5 Ke7 ( 36...b5 $4 37. Qa3 Ndxc4 ( 37...Rc8 $2 38. cxb5 $16 ) 38. Qxc5+ Qxc5 39. Bxc5+ Kg8 40. Nf3 ( 40. g6 $2 Nxd2 41. gxf7+ Kxf7 42. Kg2 ) ) 37. Kg1 ( 
{ Black has several options in the coming moves, even in what appears to be completely forcing situations. }
 37. g6 Rh8+ ( 37...Bg8 ) 38. Kg1 Bg8 ( 38...Be8 ) ) 37...Rh8
{ Kasparov takes advantage of the newly opened file. With time control nearing this could have a disastrous effect on his opponent's composure. There are many White weaknesses and only a limited number of pieces to defend. }
38. Bf2 ( 38. g6 ) 38...Rh5 39. Nf3 Qc6 40. Qc2 Bxc4
{ It's hard to change gears and not follow through on a plan. And, in this case, it looks pretty good for Black. }
 ( 40...Nxf5 
{ offering not to trade pieces (as a capture at c4 would) , but only to open lines for Black's pieces }
 41. exf5 $2 Qxf3 42. Be2 $4 42...Rh1# ) 41. Bg2 Nf7
{ Going toward the king-side isn't necessary now. Kasparov is split between winning on the queen-side and bashing the exposed Kg1 (well at least it was a couple of moves ago) and this fragments his play. Sticking to winning on the queen-side, in this particular game, should be sufficient to win. }
 ( 41...Bb3 ) 42. Qd1 Bb3 $6 ( 42...Rh8 $17 ) 43. Nxe5
{ a very nifty tactical shot! }
43...Bxd1 44. Nxc6+ Nxc6 45. Rxd1 Nxg5
{ Kasparov has won a pawn, but his attack on Kg1 evaporated and White has the two bishops in a position which is rapidly opening up. }
 ( 45...Rxg5 
{ keeps Nf7 closer to Pb6, but can't save it; and it's risky because there's the danger Rg5 might become trapped by White's bishops }
 46. Rb1 Nfe5 47. Rxb6 Kd6 ) 46. Rb1 Nh3+ 47. Bxh3 Rxh3 48. Rxb6
{ There goes the extra pawn. }
48...Kd6 49. Kg2 Rxc3
{ After 50. Bg3+ Black's Pg7 might well fall, so they call it a draw; though Pc5 is still a threat and one could see Black fighting on. Kasparov was a bit unlucky to have only drawn. Most of the time he'd win that kind of game. }
1/2-1/2


white: Anand, Viswanathan
black: Vallejo Pons, Francisco
date: 2002.02.24
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 2
annotation:
1. e4 e5
{ Unlike a Sicilian or French Defense here Black firmly places a pawn in front of Pe4, and says "no further". White has tried some extreme measures, such as a King's Gambit, to get rid of Pe5, but the more common approach these days is to apply pressure to Black's position all over the board. }
2. Nf3 Nc6 ( 2...Nf6 
{ (Petrov's Defense) has also been fairly popular amongst the top GMs ever since Karpov and Kramnik achieved moderate successes with it. }
 ) 3. Bb5
{ Spanish Game or Ruy Lopez (named after a Spanish priest who was at one time one of the world's best players -- White threatens to undermine Pe5 by capturing Nc6. 3. Bc4 (Giuoco Piano or Italian Game) has also been played a lot. }
3...Nf6
{ This is the Berlin Defense. It's not been considered sufficient to achieve more than equality, but Kramnik used it very successfully against Kasparov in the Braingames World Championship match. Whether it's the appropriate "weapon" against Anand is questionable. }
 ( 3...a6 
{ has been the most common move for many years. }
 ) 4. O-O
{ White offers Pe4 as a way of forcing open the e-file when White has castled and Black hasn't. }
4...Nxe4 5. d4
{ trying to get rid of Pe5 while Ne4 blocks it's path. But, Black can let White capture and leave a pawn on e5. So, Black can keep the e-file closed. White still tries to get at Ke8. }
 ( 5. Bxc6 bxc6 6. Qe2 Nc5 7. Qxe5+ Ne6 
{ keeps the e-file closed and Black has the two bishops in exchange for the doubled c-file pawns. }
 ) 5...Nd6
{ Forcing a resolution of the pressure this way is considered safest. }
 ( 5...Be7 6. d5 
{ is more complicated }
 ) 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 ( 7. Nxe5 
{ opens the e-file, but doesn't achieve much more than that. It would certainly be a sound move worth playing to face Black with a different puzzle. }
 ) 7...Nf5 8. Qxd8+
{ This is the main advantage of 7. dxe5. It isn't so easy to clobber Ke8 with queens off the board, but White has an easier time developing and has a five to four king-side pawn majority. Black, on the other hand, has the two bishops. }
8...Kxd8 9. Nc3 ( 9. Ng5 
{ forces ...Kd8-e8, keeping the king in the middle of the Black empire or ...Bc8-e6 where White can capture it to regain one of the bishops. More useful, and what most players aim for, is to have a Pf5 to prevent ...Be6 before threatening Pf7. This isn't so easy to achieve. }
 ) ( 
{ A variant on the theme of 9. Ng5 is }
 9. Rd1+ Ke8 ( 9...Bd7 $2 10. Ng5 ( 10. e6 fxe6 11. Ne5 Bd6 12. Nf7+ Ke7 13. Nxh8 Rxh8 
{ isn't as bad for Black because it speeds Black's development }
 ) 10...Nh6 11. e6 fxe6 12. Nxe6+ Kc8 13. Nxf8 Rxf8 ) ) 9...Ne7
{ I suppose he is clearing the way for ...Bc8-f5, but those squares on the king-side in front are risky to occupy. White's pawns might race forward. }
 ( 9...h6 
{ prevents Nf3-g5 and/or prepares ...Bc8-e6 }
 ) 10. Re1 h6 11. h3 Ng6 12. Bd2
{ This is a modest move which leaves the bishop capable of moving to c3 to back up Pe5 or simply guarding square f4. One noticable key thing about the move is it doesn't weaken his queen-side the way the b2-b3, Bc1-b2 plan does. }
12...Bd7 13. Ne4
{ With Ph3 White restrains Black's light-square bishop. With Bd2 & Ne4 he restrains Black's dark-square bishop. This is sensible, but far from an indication of how he might win the game. I suppose he's just playing a slightly better position and will squeeze Black while he develops more pieces. }
13... Kc8
{ Black is far from completing his development, but if White doesn't execute a concrete attack he'll have time. That was the idea Kramnik utilized (as Black) to slow Kasparov. }
14. Ng3 c5 15. Nh5
{ This looks promising: he holds Bf8 in place. }
15...b5 16. Nh2 Kb7 17. f4 Nh4 18. Re2
{ prepares Bd2-e1 to kick Nh4 and to defend Pc2 while keeping square f3 firmly in hand }
 ( 
{ The more forceful way to execute the plan is to kick Nh4 around to gain time. }
 18. g3 Nf5 19. g4 Nd4 20. Rac1 Bc6 21. Kf2 Rd8 ) 18...Bc6
{ now Re2 and Nh5 are aligned perfectly for a Bf3 to fork! All Black needs is for 19. g3 Nf3+ 20. Nxf3 Bxf3. Also, the d-file is cleared, so Ra8 can come into play. }
19. c3 ( 19. Be1 Nf5 20. c3 ) 19...g6 20. Nf6 Be7 21. Be1 Nf5
{ Black would rather keep lines closed, at least until all his pieces are equal to White's. Then he might seek to open lines for his bishops. }
 ( 21...Bxf6 $6 22. exf6 Nf5 
{ makes Pc5 weaker and opens the e-file for Re2. Only the question of whether Pf6 might be weak is worth considering. It serves well to support a White piece landing on e7. Probably g2-g4-g5 to support Pf6 is all that's needed. Certainly Nh2-g4-e5 would make the trade on f6 favor White. }
 ) 22. Ne4 Ng7
{ Black is aware of the importance of White achieving f4-f5 to mobilize Pe5. It looks a little awkward, but White's maneuvers behind the pawns (Pe5 & Pf4) look a little awkward too. }
23. Ng4 Rad8 24. Ngf2 ( 24. Bf2 Ne6 25. g3 h5 26. Ngf6 h4 ) 24...h5 25. Bd2 ( 25. g3 ) 25...h4
{ by preventing g2-g3 he keeps Pe5 & Pf4 slightly weak and always in need of piece support }
26. Be3 Ne6 27. Nf6 a5 28. N2e4 b4 29. Ng5
{ It has taken White a lot of maneuvering moves to threaten Pf7, and it is completely ineffective. }
29...Rd3
{ This is a strong indication Black has his king-side well organized for defense. If 30. Nxf7 Rf8 Black will regain the pawn by capturing at f6. This game is another indication of how difficult it can be to get at Black's thorny position. }
1/2-1/2


white: Ivanchuk, Vassily
black: Shirov, Alexei
date: 2002.02.24
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 2
annotation:
1. d4 d5
{ Despite Shirov's reputation he doesn't always play the most blood-thirsty unbalanced defenses. 1...d5 weakens e5, but directly aims to prevent White from gaining too much ground with c2-c4 and e2-e4. }
 ( 1...Nf6 ) 2. c4 ( 2. Nf3 
{ (London System or Torre System) seeks to exploit the weakness of e5 without committing to the weakening c2-c4 }
 ) 2...c6
{ Slav Defense -- It' a simple idea: to capture Pc4 and defend it with ...b7-b5. This requires White to pay attention to his weakness (Pc4) . Ideally, for Black, White would have to play e2-e3, blocking Bc1. The downside is that many of it's variations are quite drawish or difficult for Black to win. At the top level of competition it's enough to stop White and perhaps take the opponent away from the kind of game he wanted to play. }
3. Nf3 Nf6
{ Black hasn't yet moved Pe7, so there's no pin after Bc1-g5. That makes Black's army more mobile. And, the more developed he becomes the more likely ...dxc4 will succeed. }
 ( 3...dxc4 4. e3 b5 5. a4 
{ and it's quite difficult for Black to hold his queen-side pawns together }
 ) 4. Qc2
{ This is a poor place for the queen. It weakens Pd4 and could easily become aligned with a ...Bc8-f5. }
 ( 4. e3 e6 ) ( 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 
{ is considered the main line and is played frequently }
 ) 4...g6 5. cxd5 cxd5 6. Nc3 Bg7 $2 ( 6...Nc6 
{ threatens ...Qd8-b6 followed by ...Bc8-f5 and ...Nc6-b4-c2+ }
 ) 7. Bf4 Nc6 8. e3 O-O 9. Be2
{ Now White is ready to O-O, so there's little to be gained by maneuvering ...Nc6-b4-c2. With e5 controlled and the king safe White is probably better. Bg7 can't do much except defend Kg8. }
9...Ne4 10. O-O ( 10. Nxe4 $5 
{ stirs up complications and avoids sterile piece exchanges }
 10...Bf5 ( 10...dxe4 $6 
{ over-extends the pawn }
 11. Nd2 ( 11. Qxe4 $4 Bf5 $19 ) ) 11. Nfd2 Rc8 $13 ) 10...Bf5 11. Nh4 Nxc3 12. Qxc3 Be4 13. Nf3
{ Ivanchuk didn't seem to be in an adventurous mood, but I like that he achieved a draw without the histrionics he sometimes displays. }
1/2-1/2


white: Adams, Michael
black: Ponomariov, Ruslan
date: 2002.02.24
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 2
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6
{ Black could use ...b7-b5 to get rid of the Bxc6 "threat", but so long as that doesn't hurt Black he'll ignore it. }
5. O-O ( 5. d3 
{ isn't as aggressive as the game move, but it prevents the Open Variation and immediately threatens Bxc6 followed by Nxe5 }
 ) 5...Be7 ( 5...b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. Nxe5 Nxe5 8. d4 ) 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6
{ By defending Pe5 Black is free, if he were to choose, to play ...Nc6-a5xb3, so one often sees White move either his c- or a-file pawns to make room for the Bishop to retreat. }
 ( 7...O-O 
{ indicates an intent to play the Marshall Gambit (...d7-d5) . It would be interesting to see how Adams might play against the Marshall Gambit (he plays it as Black) or avoid it. }
 ) 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 ( 9. d4 Bg4 ) 9...Re8 ( 
{ the Zaitsev Variation }
 9...Bb7 10. d4 Re8 
{ prepares to open the e-file and apply pressure to Pe4 }
 ) 10. d4 Bb7
{ a mere transposition to the Zaitsev Variation, one of the most aggressive variations Black can choose }
11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. d5
{ White keeps the center closed and will willingly fight around the perimeter to keep Bf8, Re8 and Bb7 quiet. }
 ( 12. a4 h6 
{ is (or was) most common. This variation has undergone some changes and several greatly different branches are played. }
 ) 12...Nb8
{ Black generally retreats just for the moment and regroups with ...Nb8-d7 and ...c7-c6xd5; producing a position (for Black) which is much like a Sicilian Defense. }
13. Nf1 Nbd7 14. N3h2
{ preventing ...Nf6-h5-f4 and, in general, maneuvering his pieces so they can flow toward the king-side or the center. He might also be considering f2-f3 (or Qd1-f3) to defend Pe4, so he can follow-up with Nf1-e3, guarding f5 and d5. }
 ( 14. a4 
{ attempting to make Pb5 a weakness may be worthwhile }
 ) 14...Nc5 15. Bc2 c6 16. b4 $5
{ This makes Pc3 awkward, but more importantly it pushes Nc5 back, again giving White time to promote his own plan. }
16...Ncd7 17. dxc6 Bxc6 18. Bg5 h6 19. Bxf6 Nxf6 20. Ng4 Nxg4 21. Qxg4
{ and with that there's no major pressure on Pe4. But, there is the backward Pc3 and White hasn't yet secured square d5. There's a fight yet to be fought. }
21...d5
{ If Black hadn't done this White would have Ra1-d1 and Bc2-b3 very quickly, so that Bf8 would be forever entombed. Also, Nf1-e3 (or g3) would secure f5. }
22. exd5 ( 22. Rad1 d4 23. cxd4 exd4 24. e5 $13 ) 22...Qxd5 23. Bb3 Qd8 ( 23...Qd7 
{ also gives White some advantage, so long as Bf8 is quiet and Nf1 can come into play }
 24. Qxd7 Bxd7 25. Rad1 Bc6 ( 25...Bf5 26. Ne3 Bg6 27. Rd7 ) 26. Ne3 ) 24. Qh5
{ There are sometimes more than one way to gain an advantage. Ra1-d1 is also good. }
 ( 24. Rad1 ) 24...Ra7 ( 24...Qe7 
{ looks horrendous. Black would rather give Pe5 and counter-attack. }
 25. Rxe5 $2 
{ is a little premature and doesn't seem to lead to anything substantial }
 25...Qxe5 26. Qxf7+ Kh7 27. Qg8+ Kg6 ) ( 24...Qf6 
{ doesn't completely solve Black's problems }
 25. Ne3 Ra7 26. Ng4 Qf4 27. Rxe5 ) 25. Rxe5 Rxe5 26. Qxe5 Qg5 27. Qxg5 hxg5 28. Ne3
{ From this point forward White is just activating pieces, trading-off bad pawns and keeping his king safe. He will naturally seek to keep Black's pieces quite or to trade rooks, but Black will avoid most trades, so he can keep fighting. }
28...g6 29. Rd1 Rc7 30. Kf1 ( 30. a3 
{ intending c3-c4-c5 might be better }
 30...Bd7 31. Nd5 ( 31. c4 $2 Be6 32. Nd5 Bxd5 ( 32...Rd7 $4 33. Nf6+ Kg7 34. Nxd7 ) 33. cxd5 Rc3 ) 31...Rc6 32. Nf6+ Rxf6 33. Rxd7 $16 ) 30...Kg7 31. Ke2 Be7 32. Bd5 Bd7 33. Rd3 Bf6 ( 33...a5 $5 34. bxa5 ( 34. a3 axb4 35. axb4 ) 34...Ra7 35. a6 Rxa6 36. Bxf7 Bxh3 37. Bb3 Bc8 ) 34. c4 bxc4 35. Bxc4 Bc8
{ perhaps planning ...Bc8-b7-e4 }
 ( 35...Bf5 $4 36. Nxf5+ gxf5 37. Bxa6 Rc2+ 38. Rd2 ) 36. a3 Bb2 37. Kd2
{ White wants to support his pawns with his king, but it's complicated. }
37...f5 38. Kc2 Bxa3 $5
{ Black gets of one of the queen-side pawns, but gives up the "two bishops" to do so. After the smoke clears White will still have an extra pawn, but it won't be much easier to advance it. }
39. Rxa3 f4 40. Kb3 fxe3 41. fxe3 Re7 ( 41...Rc6 42. e4 Kf6 43. Ra5 Be6 44. Bxe6 Rxe6 45. e5+ Rxe5 ( 45...Kf5 46. Kc4 Ke4 47. Rd5 Rc6+ 48. Rc5 Re6 49. g4 
{ and Black can't maintain both Re6, defending Pg6 & Pa6, and Ke4, which prevents White's Kc4-d5. }
 49...Kf4 50. Kd4 Kg3 51. Kd5 Re8 52. e6 Kxh3 53. Rc4 $18 ) 46. Rxe5 Kxe5 47. Ka4 Kf4 48. Ka5 Kg3 49. Kxa6 Kxg2 50. b5 Kxh3 51. b6 g4 52. b7 g3 53. b8=Q g2 $18 
{ is slightly different from what one would see in an endgame theory book because of Pg6, but it is still a win for White }
 ) 42. Ka4 Re5 43. Rd3
{ White can aim for Bc4-d5, e3-e4 to block out Re5; thus allowing Ka4-a5 to get at Pa6. }
43...Bf5 44. Rd2 Rxe3 ( 44...Bc8 45. Rd8 Bb7 46. Rd7+ $18 ) ( 44...a5 45. bxa5 Re4 46. Rd4 Rxe3 47. Bd5 $16 ) 45. Bxa6 Be4 46. Rf2 Kh6 47. Bf1
{ Even if Black had to sacrifice a bishop for Pb4 he might manage a draw if there's sufficient counter-play on the king-side. }
47...g4 ( 47...Kh5 48. g4+ 
{ and Ph3 is hard to get at with Bf1 defending it }
 ) 48. hxg4 Re1
{ aiming for something like 49...Re1-a1+ 50. Ka4-b5?? Rxf1 51. Rxf1 Bd3+ -+ }
 ( 48...Kg5 49. Be2 Rg3 50. Bf3 Bxf3 51. gxf3 Kf4 52. b5 Rxf3 53. Rxf3+ Kxf3 54. g5 Kf4 55. b6 Kxg5 56. b7 Kh4 57. b8=Q g5 58. Qh2+ $18 ) 49. Be2 Ra1+ 50. Kb3 ( 50. Kb5 $4 Ra2 ) 50...Rb1+ 51. Kc3 Rc1+ 52. Kd4 Bb7 53. Bf3 ( 53. Bc4 Rg1 54. Bf1 ( 54. Bd5 $4 Rd1+ $19 ) 54...Kg5 55. b5 Kxg4 56. Kc5 Kg3 57. Rf7 Bxg2 58. Bxg2 Rxg2 59. Rg7 Kf4 60. b6 g5 61. b7 Rb2 ) 53...Ba6 54. Rb2 Bb5 55. Be2 Bc6 56. Bf3 Bb5 57. Be2 Bc6 58. Ba6
{ After having made several repetitions he goes ahead with his offensive plan. He's slowed Black as much as he could and now Pg2 will fall, but Pb4 will advance too. }
58...Rg1 59. b5 Bxg2 60. b6 Kg5 61. Bc8 $1
{ This is a crucial move because it slows Black's king-side play. }
 ( 61. Rxg2 $5 
{ This move should be considered because it removes one of the defenders, preventing Pb6 from advancing. It does, however, appear to be insufficient to force a win. }
 61...Rxg2 62. Kc5 Rb2 $1 ( 62...Rh2 $2 63. b7 ( 63. Bc8 $4 Rc2+ ) 63...Rh8 
{ a poor location from which to defend against White's king and Pb7 }
 64. Be2 Kf4 65. Kc6 g5 66. Kc7 Ke3 67. Bd1 Kd2 68. Ba4 Ke3 69. b8=Q Rxb8 70. Kxb8 Kf4 71. Bd7 $18 ) 63. Bb5 Rc2+ 64. Bc4 Rb2 65. Be6 
{ White must prevent Black from sacrificing his rook for one pawn and then capturing the other with his king. }
 65...Rc2+ 66. Kd6 ( 66. Kb4 $4 Rc6 67. Kb5 Rxe6 $19 ) ( 66. Kb5 Rb2+ 67. Ka5 Rb1 $11 ) 66...Rd2+ 67. Kc7 Rc2+ 68. Kb8 Rb2 69. b7 Rb6 70. Bc8 Rb1 $11 ) 61...Kf4 62. Kc5 Be4 ( 62...Rc1+ $4 63. Kd6 Rxc8 64. Rxg2 g5 65. b7 Rg8 66. Kc7 Rg7+ 67. Kb6 Rg8 68. Ka7 Kf3 69. Rg1 Kf2 70. Rb1 Kf3 71. Rb4 $18 ) 63. Rb4 Ke5 64. b7 Rc1+ ( 64...Bxb7 $2 65. Bxb7 $18 ) 65. Kb5 Bxb7 66. Bxb7 Kf6
{ Unfortunately for Black he can't win Pg4. White can always keep his rook and bishop in position to defend it. }
 ( 66...Rc3 
{ a plan to prevent Bb7-f3 or Bb7-c8 and then ...Ke5-f6-g5 isolates Pg4 from defense, but Black couldn't then play ...Rc3-g3xg4 before White can play Bb7-c8. }
 ) 67. Rc4 Rb1+ 68. Kc6 Kg5 69. Bc8 Rd1 70. Bd7 Kh4 71. Kc7 Rd2 72. Kd8 Re2 73. Rc6 g5 ( 73...Kg5 74. Be6 ( 74. Be8 
{ This is a mistake because it would allow Black to get rid of the last White pawn. It's much more difficult, if not impossible, to win with rook & bishop vs. rook than to have the pawn advance and promote to a queen. }
 74...Kxg4 75. Rxg6+ ) 74...Kf4 ( 74...Kf6 75. Bf5+ Kg5 76. Rxg6+ ) 75. Ke7 g5 76. Kf6 ) 74. Bf5 Re3 75. Re6 Rg3
{ While it looks like he's desperately trying to get rid of Pg4 he might also humorously, since there's no saving tactic, be allowing White the final check. }
76. Rh6#
1-0


white: Shirov, Alexei
black: Adams, Michael
date: 2002.02.25
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 3
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
{ Adams does play the Marshall Gambit and many people don't like to play against it, so they play such moves as 8. a4 to avoid it. Still, that doesn't end Black's attempts to play actively. }
8...Bb7 9. d3 Re8 10. Nc3 ( 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 
{ and Black isn't so likely to risk any further aggressive king-side play, though he might play to trade-off Bh4, so as to avoid difficulty fighting for control of d5. The problem is that Black might just play }
 11...d6 
{ and leave Bh4 with nothing to do. }
 ) ( 10. axb5 axb5 11. Rxa8 Qxa8 12. Na3 
{ is also interesting }
 ) 10...b4 11. Nd5 Na5 12. Nxe7+ Qxe7 13. Ba2
{ White's Pe4 is under assault, so it's difficult for him to consider d3-d4. However, White has the two bishops, so at some point he'll want (or need) open lines and seek out targets. }
13...d5 $6
{ seems quite dubious to me }
 ( 13...h6 ) 14. Bg5 $2 ( 
{ I haven't a clue why Shirov wouldn't play }
 14. exd5 Bxd5 15. Bxd5 Nxd5 16. Rxe5 Qd7 17. Bd2 ) 14...dxe4 ( 14...d4 
{ intending ...c7-c5-c4 might be interesting. Bb7 would be out of place for that, but it would certainly give Black a huge queen-side space advantage and perhaps an open c-file for his rooks. It seems highly unlikely White would play b2-b3 to secure square c4 at the cost of permanently blocking-in Ba2. }
 ) 15. dxe4 Rad8 16. Qe2 h6 17. Bxf6 Qxf6
{ This position is much more balanced and unexciting. Each has a little pressure on the other's central pawn and only Black has slightly weakened queen-side pawns. }
18. Rad1 Qe7 19. h3 g6 ( 19...Qc5 20. Nh4 
{ gives White a slight chance to make trouble on the king-side }
 ) 20. Qe3 Kg7 21. Bd5 Bxd5 22. exd5
{ This change in pawn structure makes Black's queen-side look disjointed and weak, but it also appears to free Black's king-side pawns to advance (if he would dare) . }
22...Nc4 23. Qb3 Na5 24. Qe3 Nc4 25. Qb3 Na5
{ Both seemed a little nervous about starting any major plan of offense, so they conceded to a draw. }
1/2-1/2


white: Vallejo Pons, Francisco
black: Ivanchuk, Vassily
date: 2002.02.25
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 3
annotation:
1. e4 Nf6
{ Wow! This is interesting. None of the top GMs plays anything this provocative. It is, of course, played by many people at all levels of chess, except at the top. Why does Ivanchuk choose it for this game? One possibility is that he saw Vallejo Pons playing rather solid positions and "offered" a possibility of something more unbalanced and tactical. }
2. Nc3
{ And already White flinches from the main contest (2. e5) . With this I suspect both players are on their own (out of book) . With Nc3 White isn't able to support a d2-d4 with c2-c3, so f2-f4 is more likely. In that case the game could resemble a King's Gambit more than an Italian or Spanish Game. }
2...e5 ( 2...d5 
{ is a more typical Alekhine's Defense response; continuing to force Pe4 to move or be removed. }
 ) 3. Nf3
{ After Black's first-move provocation Vallejo Pons is proceeding very cautiously, perhaps even more than he might normally. Can Ivanchuk play aggressively to exploit that over-caution? How would he go about it? Oftentimes when one player doesn't use pawns much the other can overwhelm him with pawns. But, it depends upon the opening. Too much use of pawns in some openings just leads to difficulties. }
 ( 3. f4 ) 3...Nc6 4. g3
{ After this it's quite possible Black will aim for ...Bh3 to trade-off Bg2, thereby weakening all the light squares on the king-side. Opening the center with ...d7-d5 would be unwise because it opens the diagonal for Bg2, making it stronger. }
 ( 4. Bb5 ) ( 4. d4 ) 4...Bc5 5. Bg2 d6 6. d3
{ By defending Pe4 White is now free to play Nc3-a4xc5. This would get rid of the bishop, but at the cost of opening the d-file for Black. Still it might be good. }
6...a6
{ Ivanchuk clearly wants to keep Bc5 to keep control of d4 and perhaps to have a piece which reaches all the way to f2 (or g1) to threaten White's king. This extra pawn move seems justified. }
7. h3
{ White clearly has an idea of how to coordinate his king-side, to avoid damage. But, such a passive position might still allow Black chances. }
7...O-O $6
{ The king-side seems the natural place for active play (for both White or Black) , so removing the king to the queen-side, where it's adequately defended by Bc5 and Nc6, should be safer and enables freer offensive actions on the king-side. }
 ( 
{ More adventurous is }
 7...h6 8. O-O Be6 9. Kh2 Qd7 
{ planning ...g7-g5-g4 and general king-side line opening combined with ...O-O-O }
 ) 8. O-O b5
{ This is an interesting plan. Black shows he had something more in mind when he played 6...a6. }
9. a3 ( 9. Bg5 $2 h6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Nd5 Qg6 
{ and Pg3 is as weak as Pc7, so Black's queen gets into position for king-side offensive play at no cost }
12. Kh2 Qh5
{ prepares ...Nc6-d4 and ...c7-c6 to enable ...Ra8-a7 when all Black's pieces are on their way to the king-side }
 ( 12...f5 $6 
{ Allowing White to open the g2-a8 diagonal bears a cost. }
 13. Nh4 Qg5 14. Nxf5 Bxf5 15. exf5 Qxf5 ( 15...Rxf5 16. Nc3 ) 16. Nxc7 Ra7 17. Bxc6 Rxc7 18. Bd5+ Kh8 ) ) 9...Rb8 10. Kh1
{ White is interested in prosecuting his offensive plan on his terms. He'd rather not be pushed into something by ... b5-b4. }
10...a5 11. Bg5 ( 11. Nh4 $6 b4 12. axb4 axb4 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 Ne7 
{ and Black might be able to counter-attack at Pd5 with ...Bc8-b7xd5 }
 ) 11...h6 12. Bh4 $5
{ This is certainly intersting and puts in question 7...O-O. How does Black continue on both wings when his king wouldn't be safe after ...g7-g5? }
12...Be6 13. Nd5
{ How else could White proceed? }
 ( 13. Nh2 $4 g5 ( 13...b4 $2 14. axb4 axb4 15. Nd5 Bxd5 16. exd5 Nd4 17. Ng4 g5 $4 18. Nxh6+ Kg7 19. Bxg5 ) ) ( 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Nh4 $13 ) 13...Bxd5
{ Black is forced to give up one of his valuable bishops and Pd5, though doubled, will be well supported by Bg2. }
14. exd5 Nd4 15. Nxd4 exd4 ( 15...Bxd4 $2 16. c3 Bb6 17. f4 
{ and the f-file can open to White's advantage }
 ) 16. g4
{ idea: to give Bh4 a retreat square and possibly to break up Black's king-side (with g4-g5) when White has both bishops in that area of the board (for both offensive and defensive uses) , but Black has Bc5 stuck on the other side of the board }
16...Re8 17. Re1 ( 
{ premature is }
 17. g5 $2 Nh7 ) ( 17. Qd2 
{ Unlike the game move this avoids the rook trade and seeks a more full-blooded fight. It also aims to resolve the queen-side possibilities without too much damage being done there. On the king-side White has to recognize also that if he uses f2-f4 Black could respond with ...Re8-e3, mucking up the whole operation. Whether 17...Ne4 is of much consequence is hard to say. }
 ) 17...Rxe1+ 18. Qxe1 b4 19. axb4 Bxb4 ( 19...axb4 20. b3 
{ and Bc5 isn't much more than a tall pawn }
 ) 20. Qc1
{ This is a multi-purpose move: it defends Pb2, prevents ...Bb4-d2 and aims at Black's king-side where g4-g5 might be played. }
 ( 20. c3 $1 Bc5 21. Qd2 
{ produces a tense situation where either side could go awry very easily. I think it favors White, but that's not easily provable. }
 ) 20...Rb5
{ Here's where Black tries to exploit the exposed Pd5. }
21. c3 ( 21. g5 Nxd5 22. Be4 
{ is complicated, but it seems a bit premature to gambit the pawn. Ra1 and Qc1 aren't able to quickly switch to the king-side offense. }
 ) 21...Bc5 22. c4 ( 
{ Resolving the confusion on the queen-side might be to White's advantage. The following pawn sacrifice leads to a late middle-game position where opposite-color bishops and a very active White queen make it difficult for Black to do more than stay safe. }
 22. b4 axb4 23. cxb4 Bxb4 ( 23...Rxb4 24. Bxf6 ( 24. g5 $2 Nh7 
{ challenges Pg5 straight-away }
 ( 24...Nd7 $2 25. Qf4 hxg5 26. Bxg5 ) 25. gxh6 Qxh4 26. Ra8+ Nf8 27. hxg7 Kxg7 ) 24...Qxf6 25. Ra8+ Kh7 26. Be4+ g6 
{ might still be fine for Black because Kh1 is a little more exposed than before }
 ) 24. Qc4 Rb8 ( 24...Bc3 25. Qxb5 Bxa1 26. Bxf6 Qxf6 27. Qb8+ Kh7 28. Be4+ g6 29. Kg2 Qe7 30. Qc8 ) 25. Qxd4 g5 26. Bg3 Bc5 27. Qc3 ) 22...Rb3 23. Rxa5 g5 24. Bg3 Qb8 ( 24...Rxd3 $4 25. Qc2 
{ traps Rd3 }
 25...Rxg3 26. fxg3 $16 ) 25. Bf1 ( 25. Ra2 $4 Rxd3 
{ and suddenly Black's pieces seem pretty useful while White's bishops aren't going anywhere! }
 ) 25...Rxb2 26. Ra8 Qxa8 27. Qxb2
{ At this point both sides have negated the other's primary advantages. White has no more king-side attack (it appears this would weaken his own king's safety too much) and Black's queen-side demonstration has quieted. }
27...Nd7 28. Bg2 Qa3 29. Qe2 Qc1+ 30. Kh2 Ne5
{ At first glance I thought this game was "remarkably equal throughout", but upon further study I realized there was a gradual shift to Black in the opening, then back to White in the middle-game and with Black's queen-side action (which White apparently didn't handle properly) the balance was restored. Though there wasn't any direct attack on a king there wasn't a static balance throughout. }
1/2-1/2


white: Kasparov, Garri
black: Anand, Viswanathan
date: 2002.02.25
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 3
annotation:
1. e4 c5
{ Anand has played the Sicilian Defense, Spanish Game (Open or closed variations) , Scandinavian Defense and (against some opponents) the French Defense or Caro-Kann Defense. Recently he has been playing the Sicilian Defense with ...e6. }
2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7
{ Black's opening seems particularly aimed at preventing any Sozin-like variation (Qc7 makes Bf1-c4 unlikely) or a Richter (Bc1-g5 to pin a Nf6) as there is no Nf6. So, White develops more quietly and will latch onto a concrete plan a bit later, after he's seen how Black has developed. }
6. Be2 a6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Be3 Bb4 ( 8...d6 
{ completes a transformation to a classical Scheveningen Variation. }
 ) ( 8...b5 9. Nxc6 dxc6 ( 9...Qxc6 $4 10. e5 
{ and Be2-f3 will be tremendously advantageous to White }
 10...Bb7 11. Bf3 Nd5 12. Nxd5 exd5 13. Qd4 $16 ) ) 9. Na4 Be7 ( 9...Nxe4 
{ has also been played }
 ) 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Nb6 Rb8 12. Nxc8 Qxc8
{ With this short flurry White has the two bishops and a simpler pawn formation. It's the next phase of the game which will resolve whether those two bishops are powerful. }
13. Bd4 O-O 14. e5
{ Earlier in the tournament Shirov played 14. Qd3, which gave a small advantage. }
 ( 14. Bd3 c5 15. Bc3 c4 16. Be2 Nxe4 ) 14...Nd5 15. c4
{ Kasparov advances pawns to help ensure Black's pieces get chased around and Pd7 stays backward (gaining a grip on d6) . But, in so doing he makes moves like ...f7-f6xe5 possible, and he blocks the attack on Pa6 (however slight or insignificant that might seem) . }
15...Nf4 16. Bf3
{ This is a far less desirable square for the bishop than d3, but I suppose it is heading to e4. }
16...Qc7 17. Re1 Ng6 18. c5
{ One of the curious aspects of this kind of position is the difficulty of getting at Pd7, despite it being on an open file and almost indefensible. Defense of the exposed Pe5 and Pb2 keep White busy. }
18...f6
{ Anand doesn't wait for Bf3-e4xg6 because that would weaken his king's position, probably making a later ...f7-f6 impossible. }
19. exf6 Bxf6 20. Be4 Nf4 21. Bxf6 ( 21. g3 $4 
{ allows Black's knight too many possibilities }
 21...Nh3+ 22. Kg2 Bxd4 ) 21...Rxf6
{ With two open files occupied by rooks it appears Black has adequate compensation for the backward Pd7. All those Black pawns on light squares limit Be4 (only Ph7 is truly exposed to the bishop) }
22. Qc2 h6 23. Rad1 Nd5 24. g3
{ It's not so easy for Black to find a very good plan here. Certainly Pa2, Pb2 and Pc5 are worth attacking, but he must also realize White can fight with f2-f4-f5 to undermine Nd5 and to weaken Kg8. There is also Bxd5 cxd5 to mobilize Pc5. White holds the central files and Black has to use his long-distance pieces (queen and rooks) to work from the edges, hitting all the crucial points. }
24...a5 ( 24...Qa5 25. Bxd5 cxd5 26. a3 ( 26. c6 $2 Rc8 ( 26...dxc6 27. Qxc6 Rb6 ) ) 26...Rc8 27. Rc1 Rc6 28. Re3 
{ defending Pa3 to prepare b2-b4 }
 28...d6 29. b4 Qb5 30. Rc3 dxc5 31. Rxc5 Rxc5 $13 ) ( 24...Qb7 
{ As with Qa5 this plans some offense, but it stays in touch with square c6. }
 25. Rd2 Qb5 26. f4 
{ and White threatens f4-f5 to undermine Nd5 }
 ) ( 24...Rbf8 25. f4 Nxf4 $2 26. gxf4 Qxf4 27. Rd2 Qg4+ 28. Bg2 
{ and White seems secure enough to begin thinking about ways to repel Black and go on the offense }
 ( 28. Kh1 $4 Rf1+ 29. Rxf1 Rxf1# ) ) ( 24...g5 $5 
{ exposes Kg8, but gets a grip on the important f4 square }
 ) 25. a3
{ Before committing to such weakening moves as f2-f4 he prevents ...Nd5-b4, which would gain a valuable tempo, hitting Qc2. This also prevents ...Rb8-b4. }
25... Rff8
{ I suppose he might have an idea of adding pressure on the b-file with doubled rooks, but it seems unlikely this could succeed and he would be removing a valuable defender from his king. }
26. Re2 ( 26. Rd4 
{ prevents ...a5-a4, thus freeing the way for Qc2-e2-g4-g6. The maneuver ...Qc7-e5-g5 is prevented by Be4-h7+. }
 ) 26...Qd8
{ So, Anand brings Qd8 toward the king-side, but that would leave Pa5 weaker. How does he think this will succeed? }
27. Rd4 Rb7 28. Bh7+ ( 
{ an appealing, but false trail: }
 28. Qd1 Qf6 29. Bxd5 exd5 30. Rxd5 Rxb2 31. Rxd7 Rxe2 32. Qxe2 Qa1+ 33. Kg2 Qxa3 ) ( 28. f4 $5 
{ idea: f4-f5 to undermine Nd5 and further weaken Kg8 by opening lines for White's rooks }
 28...e5 $4 29. Bxd5+ cxd5 30. Rxe5 $16 ) 28...Kh8 29. Bd3
{ White's pieces look active, but they get in each other's way. Ideally he'd like to get his queen in front of Bd3 (at e4 for example) to attack Kh8, but he can't because Re2 is in the way. All the weaknesses put demands on his pieces and they're not free to just attack. }
29...Qf6 30. Ra4 Ra8 31. Qd2 Qd8 32. Bb1 Rb5
{ This is consistent with his plan to defend Pa5 and threaten Pc5, but Rb5 can't easily get to the king-side for defense. Black depends upon his queen, knight and possibly Ra8 to defend the king-side. White might be able to bring all his pieces to bear on the king-side. }
33. Rh4 ( 33. Qd3 Nf6 ) 33...Qe7
{ This is a gutsy move. It allows White to win Ph6 and continues the plan to pressure White's queen-side. Or, perhaps he just overlooked that Kasparov might capture Ph6. }
 ( 33...Qf6 $4 34. Qd3 Kg8 35. Qh7+ Kf7 36. Rg4 
{ and White's attack gains ground }
 ) ( 33...Qf8 $5 
{ defends Ph6, leaves open f6 for the knight and attacks Pc5 }
 ) 34. Rxh6+ Kg8 ( 34...gxh6 $4 35. Qxh6+ Kg8 36. Re4 ) 35. Rh4 Rab8 36. Bh7+ Kf7 37. Qd3 Qg5
{ This seems aggressive because he's keeping his king safe and still expecting to break through on the queen-side. To capture Pb2 and allow White to succeed in the attack on Kf7 wouldn't be good. But, however scary it may seem, it's not clear White has anything. }
 ( 37...Rxb2 38. Bg6+ Kg8 39. Qf3 
{ idea: Rh4-h8+ (to pull Black's king onto the h-file) Qf3-h5+-h7+-h8# }
 39...Nf6 ( 39...Qf6 $4 40. Rxb2 Rxb2 41. Rh8+ Kxh8 42. Qh5+ Kg8 43. Qh7+ Kf8 44. Qh8+ Ke7 45. Qe8# ) ( 39...Qg5 $4 40. Qf7# ) 40. Re5 
{ intending Re5-h5-h8# }
 ( 40. Qf4 Qxc5 ) 40...R8b3 ( 40...Qf8 
{ This very computer-ish move, aimed at generating counterplay at f2, would have to be found on the time control move, no doubt with little time. With Kg8 boxed-in Black couldn't have much confidence in the situation, even if it really would hold a draw. }
 ) 41. Reh5 Nxh5 42. Qxh5 Qxh4 43. Qxh4 Rb8 44. Qh7+ Kf8 45. Qh8+ Ke7 46. Qxg7+ Kd8 47. h4 $18 ) ( 37...Qxc5 $5 
{ This is an anti-intuitive move which might have the best chance of winning. Walking away from the king's defense actually opens a path for the king to perhaps walk away from the attackers. However, this probably wasn't his original plan intention. }
 ) 38. Qd4 Rxb2
{ a tactical trick in time trouble? If 39. Rxb2 Qc1+ regains the rook. }
39. Bg6+ Kg8 ( 
{ Another computer-ish move which one probably wouldn't be considering is }
 39...Kxg6 40. Rxb2 $4 ( 40. Rg4 Rxe2 41. Qd3+ ( 41. Rxg5+ $4 Kxg5 ) 41...Kf6 42. Rxg5 Re1+ 43. Kg2 Kxg5 44. Qd2+ Ne3+ 45. fxe3 Reb1 ) 40...Qc1+ 41. Kg2 Qxb2 42. Rg4+ Kh5 43. Rh4+ Kg5 ) 40. Bh7+ Kf7 41. Bg6+ Kg8 42. Bh7+
{ The complications can be overwhelming and the players choose not to lose when they don't see a way to win. For example, Anand could have tried 42...Kf8 to end the attacking checks, hoping for time to continue his plan. But, being down a pawn and seeing Kasparov grasping at perpetual check, he probably felt like it was a good idea to draw. }
1/2-1/2


white: Ponomariov, Ruslan
black: Shirov, Alexei
date: 2002.02.26
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 4
annotation:
1. e4
{ Ponomariov's two previous games were decisive, so it will be interesting to see if he enters into complications or steers to a quiet draw. Ponomariov was "odd man out" round three and didn't play. }
1...c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 e5
{ It hasn't been that long ago players wouldn't play 3...e5. It was feared White could use the c4-f7 diagonal. But, in the past year or so 3...e5 has been seen quite a few times. For the time being f2-f4 is blocked by Nf3 and Black's pawns prevent d2-d4, so White will necessarily lose time reorganizing. In the long run Black's weak d5 may tell, but he should be able to develop pieces actively. }
4. Bc4 d6 5. d3 Be7 ( 
{ There's no need to hurry with }
 5...Bg4 6. h3 Bxf3 7. Qxf3 
{ because it helps White solve his slight cramp and perhaps to clear the way for f2-f4. Black isn't ready yet to play ...Nc6-d4 because that one piece can't do much damage to White by itself. Black needs more piece development before beginning significant offensive operations. }
 ) 6. Nd2 Bg5 7. h4 ( 7. Nf1 Bxc1 8. Rxc1 
{ leaves d4 weaker, but also ensures White will have Nf1-e3, Nc3-d5, c2-c3 to secure both light squares and d4. }
 ) 7...Bxd2+
{ He is trading his "bad bishop" (the one which clashes with his central pawns) for a White knight which might maneuver Nd2-f1-e3-d5. Whether this is necessary isn't clear, but it is consistent positional play. }
8. Bxd2 Nf6
{ I'm not certain I like this move, but ...Ng8-e7 has some problems too. Qd8 needs room to move, to give Ke8 an option to O-O-O. That means he needs ...Bc8-e6 and perhaps ...Qd8-d7. It's not clear what's required and what's optional here. After all, after the game move White can't maintain a pin on Nf6 with 9. Bg5 in light of 9...h6. }
 ( 8...Nge7 ) 9. Bg5 Be6 ( 9...h6 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Nd5 Qd8 12. Qh5 Be6 13. Nc7+ 
{ is certainly questionable because of }
 13...Qxc7 14. Bxe6 g6 ) 10. Nd5 Bxd5 11. Bxd5 h6
{ Now that White has the two bishops v. two knights he decides to regain one of them. Though his position is fine it's hard to know how valuable those bishops might become later. }
12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Qd2 Ne7
{ With this move Black doesn't commit himself to a queen-side action, but he certainly makes it clear White's bishop is a target. }
14. Bc4 O-O
{ Now Black's ready for ...a7-a6 and ...b7-b5 to squeeze White's queen-side, particularly the bishop, and perhaps to gain control of which files might open for rooks. }
15. Kf1 Rad8
{ This move surprises me completely. I'd have thought he was happy with the cooperation of his Ne7 with the dark-square pawns. He must be thinking Kf1 is uncomfortable and White's rooks are split, so he should go right down the middle at Qd2 (e.g. ...d6-d5xe4) . }
 ( 15...a6 16. a4 b6 17. Rh3 Rfb8 18. Rf3 Qxh4 $13 
{ and it's very unclear who's better. I think Qh4 is better than Qd2, but Bc4 and Rf3 are quite good together. }
 ) ( 15...b5 $6 16. Bxb5 Rfb8 17. a4 a6 18. Bc4 Rxb2 19. a5 
{ and Pa6 would be a long-term weakness }
 ) 16. Re1 d5 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Qe2 Rfe8 19. Qe4 Nb6 20. Bb3 ( 20. Qxb7 Nxc4 21. dxc4 Rd2 ) 20...Rd4
{ smashing through at the cost of a pawn or two. Will Black get to Kf1? A more cautious player might take time for ...Re8-e7 to defend the rook (Re7) and Pb7. }
21. Qxb7 c4 22. dxc4 ( 22. Bxc4 Nxc4 23. dxc4 
{ gets rid of Nb6 to prevent it from ever becoming an attacking piece, but gives up on the bishop v. knight advantage. }
 23...e4 ) 22...e4 23. Kg1 Rd7 24. Qa6 e3 25. fxe3
{ Leaving Black's pawn on the board is probably more dangerous than exposing the king further to checks. }
 ( 25. f3 $4 e2 26. c5 Qd4+ 27. Kh2 Qxh4+ 28. Kg1 Qxe1+ 29. Kh2 Qh4+ 30. Kg1 e1=Q+ 31. Qf1 Qxf1+ 32. Kxf1 Re1# ) 25...Rxe3 26. Rxe3 Rd1+ 27. Kh2 Qxh4+
{ and White (or is it Black) must concede to a draw by perpetual check after 28. Rh3 Qf4+ 29. Rg3 ( 29. g3?? Qf2# ) Qh4+ ( 29...Rxh1+ 30. Kxh1 Qxf4 should be good for White because Pc4 is passed and Pa7 about to fall ) = }
1/2-1/2


white: Adams, Michael
black: Vallejo Pons, Francisco
date: 2002.02.26
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 4
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6
{ He seems to have absorbed the Kasparov-Kramnik games with this opening and feels it's safe enough in this event. He's probably not more ambitious than to hope for a draw in his games with the Black pieces. }
4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ne7 ( 9...h6 ) 10. b3 ( 10. Rd1+ Ke8 ( 10...Bd7 $2 11. Ng5 
{ and Kd8 is busy defending Bd7, so Pf7 will disappear }
 ) 11. h3 Bf5 12. Ne1 Rd8 13. Be3 b6 14. g4 Be6 15. Kg2 h5 
{ and it's difficult for White to proceed without making a concession or two }
 ) 10...Bg4 ( 10...Bf5 ) ( 10...h6 ) 11. Ng5 Ke8
{ Black has achieved much of his plan to develop Bc8-g4 and clear the way for Ra8-d8. But, this does nothing for Bf8 and Rh8 AND Bg4 is a little vulnerable to White's king-side pawns. White has to find a way to keep Pc2 safe (as usual) as he chases Bg4 back -- bringing more pawns to the aid of Pe5, so White can force another line opening before Black can get Bf8 & Rh8 developed. }
12. Bb2 Nd5 13. h3 Bf5 14. g4 Bd7 ( 14...Bxc2 $4 15. Nxd5 cxd5 16. Rfc1 Bg6 17. Rxc7 ) 15. Ne2 ( 15. f4 $2 h5 16. f5 hxg4 17. hxg4 Rh4 ) 15...h5
{ Just when White appears to have his pawns storming up the board Black undermines them, and before Ne2-g3 could secure square h5! }
16. c4 Nb4 17. Rad1
{ One should never assume Adams (in particular) ever makes a move such as this without some intention. Black can respond to Rad1 and leave ...hxg4 for later. }
17...hxg4 ( 17...Rd8 ) 18. Nxf7 Kxf7 ( 
{ Though it seems a little risky it might be safe enough to play }
 18...Rxh3 19. Nf4 Rf3 20. e6 Bxe6 21. Nxe6 Kxf7 22. Nxf8 Rxf8 23. Rd7+ Ke6 ) 19. Rxd7+ Ke6 20. Rxc7 Nd3 21. Bd4 Rxh3
{ Though Pb7 is en prise it appears Black's pieces are all active enough and White's seem uncoordinated. That might change in a few moves though; the position is quite fluid. }
22. Be3 g5
{ guarding against Ne2-f4+, so he can capture Pe5 }
23. Rxb7 Nxe5 24. Kg2
{ I suspect White still has some advantage because Ke6 is exposed and Black's pawns are split. But, Adams might have been in some time pressure or he may not have seen any specific way to make headway. And, with a draw they both remain tied for the lead, at this early point of the tournament. }
1/2-1/2


white: Ivanchuk, Vassily
black: Kasparov, Garri
date: 2002.02.26
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 4
annotation:
1. Nf3
{ Ivanchuk is an enigma. He's capable of some horrificly complicated tactical melees and of some brilliancies, but he's also capable of exceedingly odd play. He usually begins with 1. e4, but will play whatever suits his needs. Here he plays 1. Nf3, it's first occurrence of the tournament, and what kind of game does he desire? Who knows, perhaps not even him. }
1...c5
{ Kasparov offers a transposition to a Sicilian Defense by 2. e4. But, Kasparov can also play many kinds of openings, so this might remain a closed position. }
2. g3
{ With Pc5 White won't get d2-d4 without having to consider ...cxd4. But, it could become an English Opening with c2-c4 or a King's Indian Attack with d2-d3 and e2-e4. }
2...g6 ( 2...Nc6 ) 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O
{ White waits to see how Black is organized before committing any pawns. But, does that gives Black time to make any White pawn move a bad one? With ...Nb8-c6 he makes d2-d4 impossible and c2-c4 weakens d4. }
4...Nc6 5. c3
{ This isn't so terrific. It's an indication Ivanchuk doesn't want to play a King's Indian Attack (5. d3) , but wants to fight Kasparov's pieces head-on. However, in this opening you can't always force such things without dire consequences. Nb1 won't be able to develop to c3 and Black is probably already equal. }
 ( 5. d3 ) ( 5. c4 ) 5...d5 6. d4 cxd4
{ In many of Kasparov's games an exposed Pc4, or in this case Pc5, has given him problems. His choice to exchange-off that pawn probably didn't take him long. It gives the c3 square back to White, so Nb1-c3 will be available. But, Black's Ng8 isn't required to develop to f6 to block Bg7 (as Nf3 does to Bg2) . It can develop Ng8-h6-f5 or with ...e7-e6, Ng8-e7 and Black's position will be very harmonious. }
7. cxd4 e6 8. Nc3 Nge7 9. b3 O-O 10. Qd2
{ Before Bc1-b2 or Bc1-a3 he takes the c1-h6 diagonal to prevent ...Bg7-h6. This preserves control of c1 without having to also play e2-e3. }
10...b6 11. Ba3 Ba6 12. Rac1 Qd7 13. Rfd1 Rfd8
{ This breaks the pin on Ne7 and also prepares to meet e2-e4 with pressure on Pd4. }
14. g4 Rac8 15. h3
{ Both sides have developed sensibly, but now what? Bg2 isn't especially terrific, so White might think of e2-e4, but Black has aligned against Pd4 to prevent that. So, if the central files are to remain closed it would be natural to double rooks on the c-file. }
15...h6
{ Why so passive? }
 ( 15...Rc7 
{ intending either ...Ne7-c8-d6-e4 or ...Rd8-c8 }
 ) 16. e3
{ If Bg2 can't be useful on the h1-a8 diagonal then perhaps he'll just trade it at f1. }
16...Kh7 17. Rc2 $1 Ng8
{ He seems terribly concerned White will get to play e3-e4 in an advantageous way; so it appears he will also play ...Ng8-f6 to control square e4. This goes against his opening development, so one could also expect he will have to pay some cost for this. }
18. Rdc1 Qe8
{ This move is a bit hard to decipher. He might be intending ...f7-f5 to expand on the king-side, while threatening to open the f-file for a Black rook. But, on the c-file it looks like White might be able to force an opening and trade rooks. }
19. Ne1 ( 19. Bf1 $6 Bxf1 20. Kxf1 f5 
{ and the weakness of White's king-side light squares becomes obvious }
 ) 19...Nf6 20. f4
{ Ivanchuk beats Kasparov to the punch and makes his own king-side gesture. Of course there's no way to know, just yet, whether this could succeed or backfire. If the c-file opens and rooks are traded it might not mean anything. If many pieces stay on the board it could lead to a file opening on the king-side and a wild fight all over the board. }
20...Kg8 21. Nd3 ( 
{ leading to terrible confusion is }
 21. g5 hxg5 22. fxg5 Nh7 23. h4 f6 24. Nf3 fxg5 25. hxg5 e5 ) 21...Bxd3
{ With 17...Ng8 Kasparov seemed to be just maneuvering, but here he seems to be saying knights are much better than bishops in this kind of position (with this many pawns and few or no good open diagonals for a bishop) . Certainly e5 would be an excellent outpost square for a knight, so Nd3 had to be removed. On the other hand, White has good control of e4, so ...Nf6-e4 isn't going to be possible. }
22. Qxd3 Bf8 23. Bxf8 Qxf8 24. Qd2 ( 24. f5 Nb4 ) 24...Nb4 25. Rb2 Kg7 26. a3 Nc6 27. b4
{ If Ivanchuk is in the mood to move pawns he might eventually over-extend and leave his backdoor open. At the moment everything seems under control; Pa3 & Pb4 do well to block the diagonal and Qf8. }
27...Ne7 28. Rbc2 Ne8
{ Kasparov does some remaneuvering (again) and has his eye on c4. }
29. Bf1 ( 29. Nb5 
{ while Qf8 is somewhat away from the queen-side }
 29...Rxc2 30. Rxc2 Rd7 31. Qc1 a6 32. Nc3 Nd6 33. Na4 Qb8 ) 29...Nd6 30. Ba6
{ keeps excellent control of the c-file and attempts to keep Black's pieces from defending one another }
30...Rc6 31. Qd3
{ If he can't prevent Kasparov from ...Nd6-c4, then at least he can make Nc4 a bad exposed piece. Here he prepares to defend Pe3 & Pa3 and to play e3-e4 or a3-a4 to advance around a Nc4, while it is made into a target. }
31...h5
{ As in his game with Villejo Pons, Kasparov sees an opportunity to open a second front, aimed at Kg1. This is partly a matter of necessity since Ivanchuk controls the queen-side very well, and it's partly opportunism to take advantage of the weakened light squares Bg2 previously guarded. }
32. Qe2 ( 32. gxh5 
{ should be quite good because Rc2 can move across to the king-side before any Black rook could, and removing pawns from in front of Kg7 should be good. The only downside is giving control of f5 to Black. }
 ) 32...Qh8 33. Kg2 Qh7
{ What a horrible place for the queen. If White could simply lock up the king-side with g4-g5 and then force a quick opening of the c-file he might invade on the queen-side to win. But, Pe3 is weak and ...Ne7-f5xe3 is a serious threat. It's tempting. }
34. g5
{ That puts an end to the second front. It gives up square f5, but that's of little concern compared to keeping Kg2 safe. This was an amazingly indirect maneuvering game. I haven't seen these two play this kind of game before. I suppose it shows they each have great respect for the other's tactical prowess. If anyone it was Ivanchuk, in the final position, who has the advantage! }
1/2-1/2


white: Kasparov, Garri
black: Adams, Michael
date: 2002.02.28
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 5
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
{ Odd, from someone who generally plays the Black side of a Spanish, hoping for a Marshall Gambit. }
3. Nxe5 ( 
{ also popular is }
 3. d4 ) 3...d6 ( 3...Qe7 4. d4 d6 5. Nf3 
{ leaves Qe7 misplaced and Bf8 blocked by Pd6 }
 ) ( 3...Nxe4 4. Qe2 Qe7 ( 4...Nf6 $4 5. Nc6+ $18 ) 5. Qxe4 d6 6. f4 
{ and Black will regain the piece, but generally White can maintain a slight piece development advantage }
 ) 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O Be7 8. c4
{ White tries to undermine Ne4 or force it to retreat, opening the d3-h7 diagonal and making it easier for White to develop without simplifying piece exchanges. }
8...Nb4 9. Be2 O-O ( 
{ I believe the original idea of 8...Nb4 was to chase Bd3 away and then take the d5 square by }
 9...dxc4 10. Bxc4 Nd5 
{ but that gave away control of d3 and weakened Ne4. So, players decided to leave Nb4 until forced away. }
 ) 10. a3 ( 10. Nc3 Bf5 ) 10...Nc6 11. cxd5 Qxd5 12. Nc3 Nxc3 13. bxc3
{ White has gotten rid of Ne4, but Black has Qd5 and no significant cramp. His pieces can maneuver freely. }
13...Bf5
{ and he can, once again, challenge for control of the d3-h7 diagonal! }
14. Re1 ( 14. c4 Qe4 ( 14...Qd6 ) ) 14...Rfe8 15. Bf4 Rac8 16. c4 Qe4
{ The queen seems very strong, but is in fact quite exposed so all of White's smaller forces. }
 ( 16...Qd7 17. d5 
{ and Nc6 has to move, leaving e5 in White's hands }
 ) 17. Be3
{ It would appear Kasparov lost a tempo by moving Bc1-f4-e3, but he forced Ra8-c8, so now Be3 will be aligned with Pa7 when it's a tad weaker than before. If he can't use the d3-h7 diagonal to attack Kg8 he must use his bishops more conservatively to align against Black's queen-side. }
17...Bf6 18. Ra2 b6
{ This changes a lot. Black's pieces are active and Be3 has no target and Be2 can't get active. What's White to do, perhaps Ra2-d2 to threaten Be2-d3? }
19. h3 ( 19. Rd2 $5 Qe7 ( 19...Bg4 20. h3 Bh5 21. g4 Bg6 22. Bd3 ) ) 19...Na5 $2 ( 19...h6 ) 20. g4
{ Wow! This is a drastic measure. How can he get away with this? }
20...Bg6 21. g5 ( 21. Rd2 h5 22. Bd3 Qe6 23. Bxg6 fxg6 24. g5 Be7 
{ and White's got multiple weak points he would find it difficult to defend }
 ) 21...Be7 22. Ne5
{ Qe4 looks awkwardly alone and surrounded by enemy pieces. }
22...Bd6 ( 22...Bf5 $4 23. Bd3 ) 23. Nxg6 hxg6 24. c5 $5
{ It must have been a difficult choice, to make this move. His pawns are weak, but they chase Black's pieces. How much is gained is unclear. Do White's pieces really benefit enough? }
24...Bf8
{ It's still hard to tell whether White is trouncing Black or his position is falling apart. }
25. Bg4 Rcd8 26. Rae2
{ There are the doubled rooks behind a minor piece; a theme which played such a prominent role in his previous round game against Ivanchuk. }
26...Qd5 ( 26...Qc6 ) 27. Bf4 Rxe2 28. Qxe2 c6 $4 ( 28...bxc5 $4 29. Bxc7 ) ( 
{ Perhaps sufficient is to peck away at White's weak pawns while keeping Kg8 safe: }
 28...Qxd4 29. Bxc7 Rd5 30. Qe8 Qxc5 ) 29. Bc7 Ra8
{ After this White's pieces dominate the center. }
30. Qe5 Qxe5 31. Rxe5 Nc4 32. d5 $3
{ This must have been the move Adams didn't see. It's difficult when you're on the defensive to see all the (often random) possibilities which may arise for the attacker. Still, it takes courage to play such a move as this -- and Kasparov has plenty of that. }
32...Nxe5
{ This is certainly a Greek gift, but he should've thought twice. Perhaps they were facing time pressure and could only act instinctively. }
 ( 32...cxd5 
{ If you think of this as removing a potential queen then it seems far more important than to capture Re5. }
 33. Rxd5 Bxc5 ) 33. Bxe5 cxd5 ( 33...Bxc5 34. dxc6 ( 34. d6 $4 
{ would allow Black to meet d6-d7 with ...Bc5-e7 }
 ) 34...Bxa3 35. c7 b5 36. c8=Q+ Rxc8 37. Bxc8 a5 38. Bd7 b4 39. Ba4 Bc1 40. Bc7 Bd2 41. Bxa5 b3 42. Bxd2 b2 43. Bc2 $18 ) 34. c6 f5 35. gxf6 gxf6 36. Be6+ Kg7 37. Bg3 Bxa3 ( 37...Be7 
{ intending ...Be7-d8 to give the bishop for Pc6, rather than the rook }
 38. c7 ) 38. Bxd5 Rc8 39. c7 Bc5 40. Bb7 Rxc7 41. Bxc7 a5 42. Bc6
{ and that slows Black tremendously }
42...g5 43. Kf1 Kg6 44. f3 Kh5 45. Be8+ Kh6 ( 45...Kh4 46. Kg2 
{ threatening Bc7-g3# }
 46...g4 47. hxg4 ) 46. Ke2 f5 47. Bd8
{ Black's queen-side pawns are blocked and his Kh6 can't be activated and Bc5 is just one piece which White can go around. White has a free king to attack Pf5 (and Kh6) or Pb6. This was a terrific, exciting, perhaps error-filled game; but it's one of the most interesting of the tournament. With this victory Kasparov moves into the lead. }
1-0


white: Anand, Viswanathan
black: Ivanchuk, Vassily
date: 2002.02.28
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 5
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6
{ Sicilian Defense, Lasker-Pilnik or Sveshnikov Variation -- Black secures the dark squares and then begins to fight on the light squares. Whether he uses ...Bc8-e6 or ...a7-a6, ...b7-b5, ...Bc8-b7 depends in part on how White proceeds. Oh, and one musn't forget there is the Pelikan Gambit variation with ...d6-d5. }
7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 ( 8. Bxf6 
{ has also been played extensively. The idea is that Black has to recapture with a pawn to avoid Nb5-c7+ and that the messed up pawns will cause him problems. }
 8...gxf6 9. Na3 ) 8...b5
{ This has become the most common move. Black takes away Na3-c4 or Bf1-c4 and threatens ...b5-b4. }
 ( 8...Be7 $2 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. Nc4 Be7 11. Nd5 ) 9. Bxf6
{ This is a little unusual. Black isn't forced to recapture with a pawn, so there's no major cost. And, after Black recaptures at f6 there's still the threat of ...b5-b4, so Nc3-d5 seems quite likely. I wonder what he had in mind? }
 ( 
{ Commonly played is }
 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 ) 9...gxf6
{ But, Ivanchuk isn't avoiding doubled pawns; he might, after the closed maneuvering game against Kasparov in the previous round, relish the exciting fight which can sometimes ensue when Black uses his pawns aggressively to bludgeon White in the center. He may also think this is an ideal sort of opening and variation to use against Anand; hoping he (Anand) will lose his balance in the highly tactical lines which can arise. There are also times when Black can use the open g-file for offense. }
10. Nd5 f5 11. c3 ( 11. Bd3 f4 ) ( 11. exf5 Bxf5 12. Qf3 Nd4 ) 11...Bg7
{ Sometimes Bg7 is useful to enable ...Nc6-e7 to challenge the light squares. }
 ( 
{ Morbidly humorous is }
 11...Ne7 $4 12. Nf6# ) 12. Bd3
{ Now that Black has blocked the g-file Anand doesn't fear ...f5-f4 (generally cramping White's king-side) . }
12...Be6
{ perhaps dubious }
 ( 12...Ne7 13. Nxe7 Qxe7 14. Nc2 ( 14. Qh5 
{ can be met by the very unlikely }
 14...d5 ) ) 13. Qh5 O-O ( 13...fxe4 $6 14. Bxe4 Rc8 
{ and White has terrific light-square activity and a safe king. He only needs to maneuver Na3 into play to have a clear overall advantage. }
 15. Nc2 ) 14. exf5
{ else Black can capture ...fxe4 and follow-up with ...f7-f5! }
 ( 14. Nc2 fxe4 15. Bxe4 f5 16. Nf6+ Rxf6 17. Bxc6 Ra7 ) 14...Bxd5 15. f6 h6
{ Showing terrific confidence Ivanchuk doesn't try to block Bd3 just yet. He intends, I suppose, to use ...f7-f5 (a standard device in this opening) and leave Bd5 unblocked (by a Pe4) to attack Pa2 & Pg2. }
 ( 
{ Though complicated the following seems pretty good for Black: }
 15...e4 16. Qxd5 ( 16. fxg7 Re8 ( 16...exd3 $4 17. gxf8=Q+ ) 17. Be2 ( 17. Qxd5 exd3+ ) 17...Re5 ( 
{ also good is }
 17...Ne5 ) ) 16...exd3 17. O-O Ne5 18. fxg7 Re8 ) 16. fxg7 Kxg7 17. Nc2 Be6 18. Ne3 d5
{ Now Black can consider ...Qd8-g5 to defend Ph6 and force a queen trade. That would put an end to White's middle-game attack and force an ending favorable to Black. }
19. h4 ( 19. Nf5+ Bxf5 20. Qxf5 e4 21. Bc2 Re8 22. O-O Re5 ) 19...Qf6 20. Bf5 Bxf5 21. Nxf5+ Kh7 22. Rd1 Rad8 23. Rh3 Qg6 24. Qxg6+ fxg6 25. Ne3 d4 26. Nc2
{ Who stands better? Black's pawns are targets, but well-supported. Black's king is safer, but White's might jump in to participate if there are several piece trades. I suppose it's close to equal. }
26...Rf4 $1
{ This ties Rh3 to Ph4. }
27. Rd2 ( 27. h5 g5 
{ and Rh3 still can't leave the h-file because of ...Rf4-h4xh5 }
 ) 27...h5 28. b3 Rd5 29. Kd1 Kg7 30. Ke1 $15
{ If White can't undertake anything active then Black has time to bring Kg7 forward and perhaps advance a pawn or two, gaining for the simpler endgame to follow. }
30...a5 31. Kd1 Kf6 32. Ke1 Rc5 33. cxd4 exd4 34. Kd1 Rd5 35. Ne1 Ne5 36. Ke2 ( 36. g3 Re4 37. Rh1 Kf5 ) 36...Re4+ 37. Kd1 Rf4 38. Ke2 Re4+ 39. Kd1 a4 ( 39...Kf5 40. Nd3 ( 40. f3 $2 Re3 41. Nc2 Rd3 ) ) 40. Nd3 axb3
{ It's nearly impossible to know for sure, but the opening of the a-file should favor White more than Black because both Black rooks are blocked from the a-file by pawns. }
 ( 40...Ng4 41. Rf3+ Ke7 42. Nf4 ( 42. g3 ) 42...Rd6 43. g3 ) 41. axb3 Nxd3 42. Rdxd3 Ke5 43. Rdg3 Rg4 $6
{ appears to be the typical Ivanchuk over-reaching }
 ( 43...Rd6 44. Rg5+ Kf6 45. Rxb5 d3 46. Rf3+ Kg7 47. Rb7+ Kg8 48. Rb8+ $11 ) ( 43...Kf6 
{ seems safest }
 ) 44. Kd2
{ Why so timid? }
 ( 44. Rxg4 hxg4 45. Rh1 Ke4 
{ preventing h4-h5 }
 ( 45...d3 $2 46. h5 gxh5 47. Rxh5+ Kd4 48. Rxd5+ Kxd5 49. Kd2 Kd4 50. f3 gxf3 51. gxf3 b4 52. f4 Ke4 53. f5 Kxf5 54. Kxd3 Ke5 55. Kc4 Kd6 56. Kxb4 Kc6 57. Ka5 $18 ) 46. Kd2 d3 47. Re1+ 
{ gives White some advantage }
 ) 44...Rc5 45. f3 Rxg3 46. Rxg3 Kf6 47. Kd3 ( 47. Rg5 $4 Rxg5 48. hxg5+ Kxg5 49. Kd3 Kf4 50. Kxd4 Kg3 51. Kc5 Kxg2 52. Kxb5 h4 $19 ) 47...Rc3+ 48. Kxd4 Rxb3 49. Rg5 Rb4+
{ Anand is an excellent defender and this endgame demonstrated that skill. This was a very interesting game from a theoretical perspective too. Black had little difficulty gaining an equal or better position. }
1/2-1/2


white: Vallejo Pons, Francisco
black: Ponomariov, Ruslan
date: 2002.02.28
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 5
annotation:
1. c4
{ In earlier rounds he has played 1. c4 against Kasparov (barely surviving) and 1. e4 against Ivanchuk (preferring a closed line with 2. Nc3 and g2-g3, Bf1-g2) . Apparently he believes it will be difficult for his opponents to come and get him if he maintains a safe position. }
1...e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3
{ a big improvement over 4. e4 Bb4 from his first round game versus Kasparov }
4...d5
{ Black refuses to allow White to control d5, holding back Black's pieces in the center. }
5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6
{ This kind of Reversed Sicilian Dragon, Classical Variation isn't too bad for Black. Black has played ...Nd5-b6 to avoid tactical difficulties. White threatened Nf3xe5 when Bg2 and Nc3 double attack Nd5. He'd also rather retreat than capture Nc3. Allowing White to open the b-file with 6...Nxc3? 7. bxc3 isn't very good for Black. Usually White (and possibly Black) has to play on the wing (White with a2-a3, b2-b4-b5 and Black with ...Bf8-e7, ...g7-g5-g4) to fight for central squares. }
7. O-O Be7 ( 7...g5 
{ is probably premature because it's not well supported }
 8. d4 exd4 9. Nb5 
{ and ...g5-g4 doesn't chase Nf3 backward since it can capture Pd4 }
 ) ( 7...Be6 ) 8. a3
{ White realizes Black might play ...g7-g5-g4, so he begins his own threat of b2-b4-b5 to counter it. They're fighting over control of e5 and d4. }
8...O-O
{ White's quick queen-side threat (b2-b4-b5) prevented Black from getting to play his own ...g7-g5-g4, so Black simply castles and continues normally. }
 ( 8...g5 
{ is still premature because of }
 9. d4 ( 
{ too slow is }
 9. b4 g4 ) ) ( 8...Be6 
{ allows Black to meet b2-b4 with ...Nc6-d4 when Pe5 is immune because of ...Be6-b3 }
 ) 9. b4 Be6 10. Rb1 f6 11. d3 ( 11. b5 Nd4 ) 11...Nd4
{ This is a surprising move. Usually Black would avoid a trade of Nf3 in order to keep Bg2 under cover. But, in this case it appears Black intends to get his queen-side better organized before White could play Bc1-e3 and Nc3-e4-c5. }
 ( 11...a6 ) 12. Nd2 ( 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. Ne4 Bd5 
{ and Pb7 doesn't become a problem }
 ) 12...c6 13. e3 Nb5
{ again a curious choice. The knight has no better square, but it's odd to see Black allowing doubled pawns this way. }
14. Nxb5 cxb5 15. Nb3
{ Unfortunately for White he hasn't won a pawn, but does have a weak Pd3 and undeveloped Bc1. }
 ( 15. Bxb7 Rb8 16. Be4 f5 17. Bg2 Qxd3 $17 ) 15...Na4 16. Bb2 Bd5
{ There were a number of interesting possibilities for Black. I don't know whether trading light square bishops is particularly useful for Black. Was Bg2 really that much of a problem? }
 ( 16...Rc8 17. Bxb7 Nc3 18. Bxc3 ( 18. Bxc8 Nxd1 19. Bxe6+ Kh8 20. Rfxd1 
{ is also interesting }
 ) 18...Rxc3 19. d4 Qc7 20. Bg2 Rd8 ) ( 16...Qd7 ) ( 16...Kh8 
{ Giving up Pb7 so easily doesn't seem wise. Something more direct and forcing is needed. }
 17. Bxb7 Rb8 18. Bg2 ) 17. e4 $6
{ Bg2 is blocked out of play for quite some time. }
 ( 17. d4 ) 17...Bf7 18. d4
{ This seems to solve White's problems. The threat of d4-d5 to block Bf7 or the threat of d4xe5 should force Black to exchange pawns and that opens up the way for Bb2. Pe4 will still be blocking Bg2, but if square e5 opens then there's still a chance for e4-e5 to free that bishop too. }
18...Rc8 $5 19. d5 ( 19. dxe5 Nc3 20. Bxc3 Rxc3 
{ and the threat to exchange queens to undermine Nb3 forces White to leave Pe5 for the moment }
 ) 19...Qd7 20. Qe2 ( 20. Qd2 
{ avoids a fork by ...Na4-c3 and keeps better control of c1. But, d2 is possibly a crossroads square which both Bb2 and Nb3 might need to use for maneuvering, so it's not completely clear Qd2 is any better than Qe2. }
 ) 20...Bd8 21. Ba1
{ This phase of the game is where the players reorganize their pieces to suit the new pawn structure. }
21...Bb6 22. Rbc1 a6 23. h4 Rxc1 24. Rxc1 Rc8 25. Rc2 Rc7 26. Bf3 Qc8 27. Rxc7 Qxc7 28. Qd3
{ White is pretty well organized to avoid incursions except at c4. Moving Qe2-d3 allows Bf3-e2, securing c4. }
28...Qc4
{ So, Black doesn't waste time. }
 29. Be2 Bg6 
{ White can't support Pe4 with f2-f3 because it's pinned and he won't want to move Nb3-d2 because that would allow ...Qc4-c1+, with further damage to follow. }
30. Qxc4 ( 30. Nd2 Qc1+ ) 30...bxc4 31. Bxc4 ( 31. Nd2 $4 c3 32. Nc4 c2 $19 ) 31...Bxe4
{ Finally, after that phase the position opens a bit and it appears Black's pieces are a little better. Pe5 blunts Ba1 and Na4 & Bb6 restrain Nb3. So, Be4 and Bc4 duel. It appears to me Pd5 is exposed and weak, so ...Kg8-f8-e7-d6 would be an obvious continuation for Black. }
32. Nd2 Bf5
{ Even after this there's a threat of ...Kg8-d6 and ...Bf5-g6-f7xd5. }
33. d6+ Kf8 34. Bd5
{ This is a very nifty tactic as it attacks two Black pawns (Pb7 & Pa6) and opens the way for Nd2-c4. Black wasn't given any time to establish a bind by blockading Pd5 and now he even has to spend moves on defense. }
34...Bc8 35. d7 ( 35. Nc4 $2 Ke8 
{ and Pd6 isn't a weapon any more! }
 ) 35...Bxd7 36. Bxb7 Bb5
{ Time to re-evaluate: Pa6 is defended, but White has a two-to-one queen-side pawn majority. Fortunately for Black the pawns are blockaded and his king has approached the center, so that shouldn't be dangerous. White has a problem bishop (Ba1) , but even that may evaporate if White gets f2-f4 or Nd2-e4-c3. It's about as equal as can be. }
37. Be4 ( 37. Ne4 ) 37...h6 38. Bc2 Ke7 39. Kg2
{ After this it is clearer that Black's king can't approach Pa3 because Bc2-b3, in particular, will chase him away. Nd2 helps secure square c4, so Black can't use Bb5 to worm his way in by opposing Bc2. }
 ( 39. Ne4 Ke6 40. Nc3 Nxc3 41. Bxc3 Kd5 42. Bb3+ $4 ( 42. a4 Kc4 43. Bd2 Bc6 44. Kf1 Bd4 45. Ke2 Bc3 46. b5 ( 46. Bd3+ Kxb4 47. Bxc3+ Kxc3 48. Bxa6 Bxa4 $15 ) 46...axb5 47. axb5 Bb7 48. Bd3+ Kb4 49. Be3 $13 ) 42...Ke4 43. Bc2+ Kf3 44. Bd1+ Be2 $19 ) 39...Bd4 ( 39...Ke6 40. Bb3+ ) 40. Nb3 Bxa1 41. Nxa1 Kd6 42. Bb3
{ keeping Kd6 away is essential! }
42...Nc3 43. Nc2 Bc6+ 44. Kf1 Bd5 45. Bxd5 Kxd5 46. Ne3+ Ke4
{ After all that Black's king still makes some headway. But, Pf2 isn't endangered, so the real Black plan still is to get to White's queen-side pawns. At the moment Ne3 guards both c4 and c2, so Black must either move Nc3 to open square c3 or use ...f6-f5-f4 to kick Ne3 away. }
47. h5 $1 f5 48. Nc4
{ threat: Nc4-d6+ to win Pf5 }
48...f4 49. Nd6+ Kf3 ( 49...Kd5 50. Nf5 ) 50. gxf4 exf4 51. Nf5
{ White's queen-side pawns await the call to advance while Nf5 charges about threatening Black's king or any loose pawns it can target. }
51...Nb5 ( 51...Ne4 $4 52. Nd4+ Kg4 53. f3+ 
{ and after Ne4 is captured White's queen-side pawns will be free to advance, quickly. }
 ) 52. a4 Nc3 53. Nxg7 ( 
{ Not terribly obvious, but still to the point is to advance the queen-side pawns, now that they're unhindered. }
 53. Nd4+ Ke4 54. b5 axb5 55. axb5 Kd5 ( 
{ the obvious }
 55...Kxd4 $4 56. b6 
{ runs into a small problem: how to stop the lowly pawn!! }
 ) 56. b6 Kd6 
{ and the pawn is stopped, so White still has to go back to the king-side }
 57. Nf5+ Kc6 58. Nxg7 Kxb6 59. Nf5 Ne4 60. Nxh6 Nf6 61. Nf7 Nxh5 62. Ne5 Kc7 63. Ng6 $11 ) ( 
{ even more direct is }
 53. b5 axb5 54. Nd4+ Ke4 ( 54...Kg4 $6 55. axb5 Nd5 56. Ne6 f3 ( 56...Kxh5 $4 57. Nxf4+ Nxf4 58. b6 ) 57. Nxg7 ) 55. axb5 
{ transposed to the other variation beginning with 53. Nf5-d4+ }
 ) 53...Nxa4 54. Nf5 Kg4 55. Nxh6+ Kxh5 56. Nf5
{ Most of the pawns disappeared because they weren't mobile and that's also an indication there wasn't enough piece support for them. Now there are only a few pawns, so the pieces will be working in close support of them. But, that means there's less chance for complication to induce an error; hence a draw is likely. }
56...Nc3 57. Nd4 Kg4 58. Kg2 Nd5 59. f3+ Kg5 60. Nc6 Kf6 61. Kh3 Kf5 62. Kh4 Ne3 63. Nb8 Nc2 64. Nxa6 Nd4 65. Kh3 Nxf3
{ This was a game Vallejo Pons can be proud of. He played very well througout and especially in several situations which were not easy. He also retained a share of the lead, a tie with only Kasparov! That's something to write home about. }
1/2-1/2


white: Adams, Michael
black: Anand, Viswanathan
date: 2002.03.01
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 6
annotation:
1. e4 e6
{ Anand has played the French Defense a few times, though it doesn't really seem ideal for his style. His 3rd round game with Kasparov was a Sicilian, but one where he was hunkered down and counter-attacking. Perhaps that's just his mood for this game too. The French Defense is one of the ideal defenses for that attitude (Alekhine's Def. and the Pirc/Modern/Gurgenidze Def. being others) . }
2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4
{ This indicates a desire for a simple game with many exchanges, leading to a draw. Various methods have been created for White, but none has been a sure-fire way of generating an advantage; the position is too open and with no serious weaknesses, except the difficulty Black has developing Bc8. }
 ( 3...Nf6 
{ is probably ideal for provoking White forward, only to be met with a stiff counter-attack }
 ) 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Nxf6+ ( 6. Bg5 
{ has been played in the past, but recent games indicate it offers Black too many opportunities to exchange minor pieces with 6...Be7. }
 ) 6...Nxf6 7. c3
{ I'm not sure why he'd give up on O-O-O so quickly. What's Black's threat? Yes, Pd4 needs defense, but even after Bf1-d3 it's fine. }
 ( 
{ Another way of developing, with an eye toward O-O-O is }
 7. Bd3 c5 8. dxc5 
{ keeping open the c3-h8 diagonal for a White bishop }
 8...Bxc5 9. Bd2 ( 9. Qe2 Qa5+ 10. Bd2 Bb4 
{ forces either a bishop trade or a weakening of White's queen-side, which ought to prevent O-O-O }
 11. c3 Bd6 ) 9...Ng4 
{ forcing White to give up on the O-O-O idea unless he wants to try Rh1-f1 }
 10. O-O O-O 11. h3 
{ White regains control of e5, so Black can't develop ...Bc8-d7 without Nf3-e5 to capture it }
 11...Nf6 12. Qe2 
{ and White has a slight advantage with Bd2-c3 to bear down on Black's king-side. }
 ) 7...c5 8. Be3
{ This is a very unusual square for the bishop; it's vulnerable to ...Nf6-d5 or ...Nf6-g4. But, moving Nf6 makes the a4-e8 diagonal even weaker. }
8...Qc7 ( 8...cxd4 9. Bxd4 
{ is good for White }
 ) 9. Ne5
{ It seems odd this could be good, but the a4-e8 diagonal is weak. }
9...a6
{ This prevents Bf1-b5, but not Qd1-a4+. It does force White to commit to one way of utilizing the queen, rather than waiting until Bb5+ forces Black into a rigid defensive position before Qd1-a4 or Qd1-f3 might win outright. }
 ( 
{ Let's examine forcing variations: }
 9...cxd4 10. Bxd4 Nd7 ( 10...Bd6 
{ weakens Pg7 and gives White a small chance to gain a significant advantage }
 11. Bb5+ Nd7 12. Nxd7 Bxd7 13. Bxd7+ Qxd7 14. Bxg7 Rg8 15. Qd4 ) 11. Bb5 a6 12. Qf3 $5 ( 12. Qa4 
{ tries to fight directly through Black's pieces, but going around to Pf7 seems better }
 12...Rb8 13. Bxd7+ Bxd7 14. Nxd7 Qxd7 15. Qxd7+ Kxd7 16. O-O-O Kc6 ) 12...axb5 ( 12...f6 $4 13. Qh5+ ) 13. Qxf7+ Kd8 $13 ) ( 9...Nd7 10. Bb5 a6 $2 
{ leaves Pc5 hanging after exchanges at d7 }
 11. Bxd7+ Bxd7 12. Nxd7 Qxd7 13. dxc5 ) 10. Qa4+ Nd7 11. O-O-O
{ d4 becomes a crossroads square. White would like to have it open, so Rd1 can hit d7 and so Qa4 could move across to f4 (or g4) . But, Ne5 needs the support. White threatens Bf1-b5 to overwhelm Black's defenses at d7 and then using dxc5 to complete the crush. Black has to act fast to avoid all this. }
11...cxd4 12. Nxd7 ( 12. Bxd4 ) 12...Qxd7 13. Qc2
{ This is an interesting move since he could have immediately captured Pd4, allowing a queen trade. He could have also used 13. Qb3 to keep an eye on Pb7 and square d5 (though that doesn't necessarily prevent 13...Qd5) . }
13...Bc5 14. Bxd4 Bxd4 15. Rxd4 Qc7 16. Bd3
{ White's lead in development is significant and his Kc1 isn't terribly weakened by the early c2-c3. }
16...Bd7 17. g3
{ I like this move. It blocks Qc7 and moves from a weak square (so Bd7-c6 can't threaten it) and might re-threaten Bxh7. }
 ( 17. Bxh7 O-O-O 18. Be4 Rxh2 19. Rhd1 Rhh8 ) 17...h6 18. Rd1 O-O-O
{ Black seems to have all his ducks in a row, except his king is weaker than Kc1. There's only two pawns around Kc8 and they're already on light squares. This would make White think it's possible to consider a piece sac to expose Kc8. }
 ( 18...O-O $4 19. Bh7+ Kh8 20. Rxd7 $18 ) 19. Rc4 Bc6 20. Be4 Rxd1+ 21. Qxd1 Rd8 22. Qf3 Rd6 23. h4 Kb8
{ Black intends ...Bc6xe4 to simplify the position. }
24. Bxc6 Rxc6 25. Rxc6 bxc6
{ One step closer to a draw because there's less material or one step closer to a win because there are many pawns and only one Black queen to defend them? I think the latter is likely -- especially since Pg7 and Ph6 aren't on secure squares (...g7-g6, ...h6-h5) . }
26. h5 $1
{ And, now they can't move at all! }
 ( 26. Qd3 Kb7 27. Qd4 f6 ( 27...g6 $6 28. h5 gxh5 29. Qf6 
{ Black's pawns are split badly. That means there are more weak points which will need defense. }
 ) ) 26...Kb7 27. Kc2 ( 27. Qe4 e5 ) 27...f5
{ I suppose Anand was tired of doing all the defending and feels it's his turn to do some offense. Of course, chess isn't that way. You sometimes just take what is served to you. 27...f5, by itself, isn't so bad. But, it indicates he wants more than to just connect the dots, defend everything, call it a draw and go home. It might be the first step toward a random outcome. }
 ( 27...f6 ) 28. Qd3 Qf7 29. Qe2 f4
{ trying to lure Pg3 toward the center, so that after ...g7-g6 Black would emerge with a passed Ph6 (or Ph5) . }
 ( 29...Qf6 30. f4 
{ keeps Pe6 backward }
 ) 30. g4 g6 31. Qe5 $1
{ prevents Black from gaining queen activity }
 ( 31. hxg6 Qxg6+ 32. Kb3 
{ and White still has one-on-one coverage of Ph6, with Qe2 and Pf2 to guard against the advance of Black's Pe6. }
 ) 31...g5
{ Pe6 is backward. Imagine that! But, how did this happen? Black played 27...f5 and made it so. }
 ( 31...gxh5 $2 32. gxh5 
{ and Black's queen is nearly immobile }
 ) 32. Qh8
{ Ph6 is amazingly without defense. }
32...e5 ( 
{ No better is }
 32...f3 33. Qxh6 Qf4 34. Qg7+ Kb8 35. Qd4 ) 33. Qxh6 e4 34. Qg6 
{ White has no time to capture Pg5. Black's advancing pawns are dangerous. }
 ( 33. Qxg5 e3 34. f3 ( 34. fxe3 f3 ) 34...Qd7 
{ and Black might be able to force the advance of Pe3 })
Qc4 35. Qg7+ Kc8 36. Qh8+ Kb7 37. Qg7+ Kc8 38. Qf8+ Kc7 39. Qe7+ Kc8 40. Qe8+ Kc7 41. Qe7+
{ Many of these checks were to get to the time control safely, before committing to a specific plan. However, he had to have some idea of what he intended before he played Qh8 to capture Ph6. At e7 he guards square b4 to prevent Black's queen from perpetually checking along the b5-f1 diagonal. }
41...Kc8 42. h6 c5 43. Qe8+
{ After Black's pawn move blocked the b4-e7 diagonal he had to switch to guarding b5 instead. Black has no perpetual check and Ph6 is impossible to stop. }
43...Kc7 44. h7
{ This win puts Adams back into a tie for the lead with Kasparov and Vallejo Pons. }
1-0


white: Shirov, Alexei
black: Vallejo Pons, Francisco
date: 2002.03.01
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 6
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4
{ Adams wasn't able to break through this defense in round four, so why not try it again. }
5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ne7 ( 9...h6 ) 10. h3 ( 10. b3 Bg4 
{ Adams-Villejo Pons, round 4, 1/2-1/2 in 24 moves }
 ) 10...Ng6
{ This is a curious move. It threatens Pe5 which forces White, at least for the moment, to leave Nf3, which blocks Pf2 from advancing. Also, it prevents Bc1-f4 and clears the way for Bf8 to develop. I suppose Black decides how to develop his king-side pieces depending upon where White develops Bc1. If b2-b3, Bc1-b2 then Bf8 probably has to remain in place for a while to defend Pg7. }
11. Bg5+ Ke8 12. Rad1 Be7 13. Bxe7
{ This seems to end Black's cramp and White's chances to play for a win. But, perhaps I'm overestimating it's importance. White still has the king-side pawn majority and safer king. }
13...Kxe7 14. Nd4 Nf4
{ again perventing f2-f4-f5 }
15. Ne4 Rd8 16. Rfe1 Rd5 17. c4 Rd8 $6 ( 17...Rxe5 18. Ng5 Rxe1+ ( 18...Kf6 $4 19. Nxh7+ 
{ and Re5 falls }
 ) 19. Rxe1+ Kf8 ( 19...Kf6 $2 20. Nxh7+ Kg6 21. Nf8+ $16 
{ and Re1-e8 prevents Black from developing Bc8 & Ra8 }
 ) 20. Nxh7+ Kg8 21. Ng5 Kf8 $14 ) 18. Kh2 a5 19. g4 a4 ( 19...g6 20. Kg3 Ne6 ) 20. Kg3 Ne6 21. Nf5+ Kf8 22. f4 b6 23. Rxd8+ Nxd8 24. Ne3 Ne6 25. f5
{ White has achieved a lot. To get this far is significant. The next step is usually some key invasion which pins a piece or attacks two targets when the defender can't maneuver his pieces because they have no squares or are busy defending one another. }
 ( 
{ Another plan is: }
 25. Rd1 c5 26. Nd5 Ra7 ( 26...Bb7 27. Nec3 ) 27. Nec3 Nd4 28. f5 
{ and there are several weak points in Black's camp: Kf8 and Bc8 are aligned on the back rank, so Nd4 can't move without concern for Rd1-d8+. Pc7 and Pa4 are attacked, so Ra7 is overworked and nearly immobilized. Nc3 threatens to come in to b5 to chase Ra7 from it's key defensive square. }
 ) 25...Nd4 26. Kf4 Bb7 27. c5 a3 28. b3
{ After this (good move) Black begins to envisage ...Nd4xb3; axb3 a3-a2; and ...Bb7-a6-d3-b1 to allow a2-a1=Q or if White has placed Rd1-a1 to trap it, so Ra8 can be unopposed. This plan is merely an idea at this point, and hardly enforcable, but something to work toward. White, will have to avoid that and still find a way to break through Black's queen-side; where he's been holding Black in place and now hopes to hit hard. }
28...Ba6 29. cxb6 cxb6
{ Black might use ...Nd4-e2+ to chase Kf4 back }
30. Nd6
{ This gives Kf4 another square near the center, to support Pe5. }
30...Rd8 31. Ndc4 Bxc4 32. Nxc4 b5 33. Nd6 ( 33. Nxa3 Ra8 34. Nb1 Rxa2 
{ looks very good for Black. Pb3 is weak and Nb1 isn't very good. }
 ) 33...f6
{ Black's ability to undermine every step forward White would like to make is keeping the balance. And, Pa3 has to be watched carefully. If Pa2 is threatened the entire empire is in danger. }
1/2-1/2


white: Ponomariov, Ruslan
black: Kasparov, Garri
date: 2002.03.01
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 6
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3
{ White has a big choice, but the system chosen by Ponomariov has been popular for a few years now. It was invented by the American GM Robert Byrne and popularized (as the English Attack) during the 1980s by English GMs Nigel Short and John Nunn. Nowadays all the top players (who play 1. e4) use it. }
 ( 6. Bc4 ) ( 6. Bg5 ) ( 6. Be3 ) ( 6. Be2 ) ( 6. f4 ) ( 6. g3 ) ( 6. a4 ) 6...e6 ( 6...e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Bg5 ( 8. g4 Nxg4 9. fxg4 Qh4+ 10. Kd2 
{ might be something White could survive, but not without feeling a little nervous }
 10...g6 11. Nd5 Bxd5 12. exd5 ) 8...Nbd7 ) 7. Be3 Nc6 8. Qd2 Be7 9. g4
{ White keeps Pe4 safe and begins a king-side attack, not entirely unlike the Yugoslav Attack of the Dragon Variation. }
9...O-O 10. O-O-O Nxd4 11. Bxd4 ( 11. Qxd4 $5 b5 12. g5 Nd7 13. h4 Ne5 14. Be2 ) 11...b5 12. a3 $1 Nd7 13. h4
{ White would be happy to give Ph4 to open the h-file for Rh1 (and possibly Qh2) to attack Ph7 and Kg8. }
13...Rb8 14. f4 ( 14. Qe3 $4 e5 15. Ba7 Ra8 16. Qf2 Bxh4 ) ( 14. Bd3 Ne5 ) ( 
{ Perhaps best is to continue the king-side play begun earlier. }
 14. g5 Ne5 15. Be2 b4 16. axb4 Rxb4 17. Nd5 Ra4 18. Nxe7+ Qxe7 19. Kb1 ) 14...Bb7
{ He sees the weakened Pe4 and attacks it, but has, more or less, wasted 13...Rb8. }
 ( 
{ The consistent follow-through is }
 14...b4 15. axb4 Rxb4 16. Nd5 Ra4 17. Nxe7+ Qxe7 18. Kb1 Bb7 19. Bg2 e5 ) 15. g5 Nc5 ( 
{ It's not absolutely necessary to fight White's pawns in the center. The attack on Kc1 should be a higher priority. }
 15...e5 $2 
{ to get rid of one of White's attacking pawns }
 16. Be3 exf4 17. Bxf4 Ne5 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. Qxd5 Qc7 ) 16. Bg2 a5 17. Bxc5
{ White takes this opportunity to trade pieces because the ending slightly favors him. Black's Be7, Pa5 and Pc5 are awkward. }
17...dxc5 18. Qxd8 Rfxd8 19. Nxb5 Bxe4 20. Bxe4 Rxb5 21. Rxd8+ Bxd8 22. f5 exf5 23. Bxf5
{ This forced simplification lead to approximate equality. White's rook is better than Rb5 and Kg8 is a little cramped, but not terribly so. A few accurate moves and Black will be fine. }
23...g6 ( 23...c4 $4 24. Re1 Kf8 25. Bd7 $18 ) 24. Re1 Kg7 25. Bd3 Rb7 26. Re5 Be7
{ Black may be threatening 27...f7-f6 because 28. gxf6+ (not forced) Bxf6 counter-attacks Re5 AND Pb2. }
27. c3 ( 27. b3 c4 28. Bxc4 Bxa3+ 29. Kd2 
{ is almost dead equal }
 ) ( 27. a4 $4 
{ makes Pb2 even more backward }
 27...f6 28. Rd5 fxg5 29. hxg5 h6 30. gxh6+ Kxh6 $17 ) 27...h6 28. Kc2 hxg5 29. hxg5 Kf8 ( 29...f6 
{ forces further simplification and creates a passed pawn }
 ) 30. Rd5 Rb8 31. Rd7
{ a courageous thing to do against Kasparov, but maybe he felt pushed into it because Black could yet create a passed pawn by using ...f7-f6xg5. White needs an offensive threat to balance that. }
31...Bxg5 32. Bc4 Be7
{ The scary thing is Black has two (!) connected passed pawns, not just one. Can White defend or counter with his own queen-side pawns in time? It's a race. }
33. Ra7 g5 34. Rxa5 g4 35. Bd5 f5 ( 35...Kg7 36. Ra7 ) 36. Be6 g3 37. Bd5 Rd8 38. Bf3 Kf7
{ How does White intend to stop the speedy Pg3? }
39. b4 Rh8 ( 39...Rc8 
{ helps to keep Ra5 blocked from the king-side }
 ) ( 
{ I wonder if the most direct move is tactically sound. It's certainly complicated. }
 39...Rg8 40. Bd5+ Kf6 41. Ra6+ Ke5 42. Bxg8 
{ The gimmick is to distract the bishop and block out Ra6 to make a queen of Pg3. If Bd5 doesn't dare to capture Rg8 then the original check at d5 was just wasted time. }
 42...Bd6 ( 42...f4 43. Re6+ Kf5 44. Rxe7 f3 45. Bd5 g2 46. Rg7 Kf4 47. Bxf3 Kxf3 48. bxc5 $18 ) 43. bxc5 g2 ) 40. Kb3 ( 40. bxc5 Rh2+ 41. Kb3 g2 42. Bxg2 Rxg2 43. c6 Ke6 ) 40...Rh2 41. Bd5+ Kf6 ( 41...Kg7 42. Ra7 Kf6 43. Ra8 Ke5 44. Bb7 Bg5 45. bxc5 Rh7 
{ and the bishop has no completely safe square on the diagonal. }
 46. c6 g2 47. c7 g1=Q 48. c8=Q Qb1+ 49. Kc4 Qxb7 ) 42. Ra8 Rd2 43. Bf3 Kf7
{ This is probably the wrong way for the king to go. }
 ( 43...Rd3 
{ doesn't give the bishop time to rest }
 ) 44. bxc5 Bxc5
{ White might continue, but Black's pawns are further advance, so there's the risk Kasparov would find some way to advance them further. }
1/2-1/2


white: Kasparov, Garri
black: Shirov, Alexei
date: 2002.03.02
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 7
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5
{ This makes me wonder what Shirov had in mind that might make Kasparov change direction. This move is so out of character for Kasparov that I have doubts he has any kind of theoretical novelty; instead I think he just wants to prevent Shirov from having his way. }
 ( 3. d4 ) 3...g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. c3 Nf6
{ This is a typical, and necessary, response to White's effort to get the central pawn duo (Pe4 & Pd4) . Black continues developing, castles and hits Pe4 to force a resolution of the central pawns. }
6. Re1 O-O 7. d4 cxd4 8. cxd4
{ White threatens d4-d5 when Nc6 is awkward. }
8...d5
{ This is the usual solution: Black fixes White's pawns and then finds some way to chip into them to open the g7-a1 diagonal again. }
9. e5 Ne4
{ This is risky. If Nf3 can move to allow f2-f3 then where would Ne4 run away to? }
 ( 
{ The alternative is }
 9...Ne8 
{ and it's hard to say whether it's too passive. }
 ) 10. Nc3
{ I would have loved to see White find a move to challenge Ne4 with f2-f3. }
 ( 10. Re2 Qb6 ( 10...Bg4 $2 11. h3 Bxf3 12. gxf3 $16 ) 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. Ne1 c5 13. Be3 ( 13. f3 $2 cxd4 14. fxe4 d3+ 15. Re3 Bh6 ) 13...cxd4 14. Qxd4 Qxd4 15. Bxd4 Ba6 16. Rc2 Rfc8 ) 10...Bf5 
{ There are a couple of elements of this position which resemble a Slav, Exchange Variation. The main difference, of course, is the pawn at e5 rather than (say) e3. White's Bc1 can still develop freely and Bg7 is blocked, but Pd4 is also permanently weak. }
11. Nh4 Be6 12. Bxc6 ( 12. Nxe4 dxe4 
{ and the attack on Pd4 is exposed while Nh4 is momentarily stuck. }
 13. Bxc6 ( 13. Rxe4 $2 Nxe5 
{ and all of Black's pieces are free to move! }
 ) 13...bxc6 14. Rxe4 
{ Grabbing the pawn is risky because White's position is a little awkward and not fully developed. }
 14...Qb6 ) 12...bxc6 13. Na4
{ Ne4 has no easy way out. White threatens f2-f3xe4. }
13...g5
{ Yes, this is ugly, but it's the only way to force Nh4 back, block Pf2 and free Bg7. It doesn't appear to hurt the safety of Kg8 since there are several pieces around him to defend. There is, however, still a possibility of Ne4 becoming stuck, as in the Kasparov-Adams game (Petrov's Def.) where Black's Qe4 got stuck. }
14. Nf3 f6 15. Be3 g4 16. Nd2 fxe5 17. Nxe4 dxe4
{ Black's pawns look funny, but his pieces look fine. }
18. Nc5 Bf5 19. dxe5 Qxd1 20. Raxd1 Bxe5 21. Nd7
{ If the best Kasparov can do is regain one of the bishops then he has to admit Black's success, or rather his own inability to put a dent in Shirov's fine play. This game shows Shirov's strength, despite his odd results against some of the lower-finishing players (in this event; I wouldn't rank Anand or Adams as "lower or weaker players" by any measure) . }
21...Bxd7 22. Rxd7 Bxb2
{ For the moment Black is ahead two pawns, but they are strew all around and weak. }
23. Rxe7 Rfe8 24. Rc7 ( 24. Rxa7 Rxa7 25. Bxa7 Ra8 26. Be3 Rxa2 27. h3 gxh3 28. gxh3 Ra1 29. Rxa1 Bxa1 
{ is certainly to be avoided by Kasparov! }
 ) 24...Rec8 25. Re7 Re8 26. Rc7
1/2-1/2


white: Anand, Viswanathan
black: Ponomariov, Ruslan
date: 2002.03.02
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 7
annotation:
1. e4 c5
{ Earlier in the event he played the Black side of a Spanish Game against Michael Adams. Perhaps he's versatile or just playing the opening he feels will cause his opponent the most difficulty (a la a former world champion Emanuel Lasker or his countryman GM Vassily Ivanchuk (!) ) . }
2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5
{ This is less common than 4...Nf6 5. Nc3 e5, but it has it's own interesting character. Black avoids an early ...Ng8-f6 to prevent White from developing Bc1-g5 with a pin. }
5. Nb5 d6
{ Neo-Sveshnikov or Kalashnikov Variation }
 ( 5...a6 
{ The Lowenthal Variation is rarely played nowadays. }
 6. Nd6+ Bxd6 7. Qxd6 ) 6. c4
{ Pc4 and Pe4 seem perfect for securing d5 and keeping Pd6 backward, but those pawns also get in the way of Be2 and Qd1, so it's not an advantage without a downside. }
 ( 6. N1c3 
{ is preferred by some players }
 6...a6 7. Na3 ) 6...Be7
{ continuing to avoid ...Ng8-f6. In fact, some players use ...Ng8-e7, after ...a7-a6 chases Nb5 away. }
7. Be2 a6 8. N5c3 Bg5
{ He's exchanging-off his bad bishop, it's blocked by pawns on dark squares. But, which is better, to trade them and weaken Pd6 or to leave it at e7 and have a bad bishop? }
9. Nd2
{ White is weak at d4, so he's not so crazy about exchanging Bc1. }
 ( 9. Bxg5 Qxg5 10. O-O ( 10. Qxd6 Qxg2 11. Rf1 ) 10...Nd4 11. Nd5 Qd8 
{ and Black can hold the dark squares }
 ) 9...Nf6
{ Bg5 certainly looks odd, but as long as it can be exchanged for Nd2 or Bc1 it's fine. White isn't about to go chasing after it with pawns. }
10. O-O O-O 11. b3 ( 11. Nf3 Bxc1 12. Rxc1 Bg4 
{ and after removing Nf3 Black will have sufficient control of d4 to plant a knight there }
 ) 11...Nd4 12. Nf3 Bxc1 13. Rxc1 Nxf3+
{ Be2 is blocked by his pawns, so Nf3 could be more dangerous to Black. }
14. Bxf3 Be6 15. Qd2 Qc7 16. Rfd1 Rfd8
{ How many times have we all seen, in books on the middlegame or in annotated GM games, examples of severe weaknesses, such as Pd6, leading to a decisive game result? In this case Black has a bad weakness, but has also exchanged a couple of minor pieces, so that he's not terribly cramped. If Black had another weakness he might lose, but with only the one he's got a decent chance of drawing. }
17. h3
{ not very adventurous and it doesn't seem so necessary when both Black minor pieces are needed to guard square d5 -- there's no real threat of a Black incursion at g4 }
 ( 17. Nd5 Bxd5 ( 17...Nxd5 $4 18. cxd5 
{ and Be6 is lost }
 ) 18. cxd5 
{ gives White the first crack at utilizing an open file }
 18...Qd7 19. Rc3 Rdc8 20. Rdc1 
{ and Black can't dissipate the pressure with exchanges because ...Rxc3 is met with Qxc3, dominating the c-file }
 ) 17...h6 18. Qe2 Rac8 19. Bg4 Qa5
{ Ponomariov shows he won't be suckered away from guarding square d5 and prepares ...b7-b5 to completely break the central bind. }
20. Nd5
{ Anand didn't play horribly, but he certainly missed one big opportunity with 17. Nd5. }
1/2-1/2


white: Ivanchuk, Vassily
black: Adams, Michael
date: 2002.03.02
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 7
annotation:
1. e4
{ Though this move isn't unusual for Ivanchuk he had played 1. d4 and 1. Nf3 earlier in this tournament. }
1...e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
{ No more Petrov's Defense, as he played against Kasparov! }
3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
{ an anti-Marshall Gambit idea }
8...Bb7 9. d3
{ Pe4 needs defense to avoid ...Nc6-a5xb3 when Pe5 and Pe4 would just be traded. With Pd3 White might also consider the maneuver Nb1-d2-f1-g3, avoiding simplifying exchanges and aiming to attack on the king-side. }
 ( 9. Nc3 b4 10. Nd5 Na5 11. Nxf6+ Bxf6 12. Ba2 ) 9...Re8
{ Adams keeps hoping he'll find a way for ...d7-d5. }
10. Na3 $5
{ This is certainly more contentious and forceful than Nb1-d2. He tries to force Pb5 away, so he can move Na3-c4 to add pressure to Pe5. }
 ( 
{ Noticing that Nf6 has no good squares might lead one to consider }
 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. f4 Ng6 12. e5 
{ but }
 12...Nd5 
{ and Black escapes without harm. }
 ) 10...Bxa3
{ This might be considered a downside of 10. Na3 since it stops White's plan, or it might be considered a positional gain since Black is giving a bishop for the knight. Such exchanges can be difficult to evaluate. }
11. bxa3 $5
{ This avoids any misplacing of Ra1 and he knows Pa4 can be exchanged-off, so he needn't worry about doubled pawns. The bigger question is whether this turns over control of the direction of the game to Black. How much can Black achieve now that he has a move to begin forcing events. }
11...d5 12. exd5
{ White naturally seeks simplifying exchanges now, and more open positions should be good for his bishops. }
12...Nxd5 13. Bb2 $2 ( 13. Bg5 
{ should be a free development tempo because Black would be foolish to play ...f7-f6, self-pinning Nd5. }
 13...Qd6 ( 13...f6 $6 14. Bd2 ) 14. c4 
{ forcing open lines which should allow White's pieces to become as active as Black's }
 ) 13...Nf4
{ Black takes advantage of the moment and hops right in; this also opens the diagonal for Bb7. }
14. Bc1
{ Ivanchuk recognizes his mistake and tries to rectify it, even at the cost of another tempo. But, this gain of time surely gives some initiative to Black. }
14...Nxg2 $5
{ leading to amazing complications. The knight is obviously immune because of 15...Nd4 when Nf3 would be pinned, won and an attack on Kg2 would begin. }
 ( 14...Qf6 ) 15. Ng5 $1
{ Amazingly this gives White a very good chance to turn the tables. Ng2 and Re1 remain en prise while White begins to attack at Pf7 and/or Ph7. White turns the question of whether White's king is exposed into one of which side's queen can participate in an attack best: and the answer to that question is White! }
15...Nxe1
{ Black grabs material and White begins an attack... }
 ( 15...Nf4 $4 16. Bxf7+ 
{ followed by Bxf4 }
 ) 16. Qh5
{ It's amazing that Black can survive this position for more than a couple of moves. }
16...Qd7 $1
{ unable to defend Pf7 or Ph7 he avoid checkmates and gives Kg8 a path to walk away from the attack on dark squares (... Kg8-f8-e7-d8-c8 or ...Kg8-f8-e7-d6-c5-b6) . }
 ( 16...h6 $2 17. Bxf7+ $2 ( 17. Qxf7+ $2 Kh8 18. Kf1 
{ threatening to remove Ne1 and avoiding the check resulting from ...Ne1-f3 }
 ( 18. Qg6 $2 
{ allows an amazingly nifty response from Black }
 18...Nf3+ 
{ first one knight }
 19. Nxf3 Nd4 20. Ng5 Nf3+ 
{ then the other (!) to clear the way for Bb7 to play }
 21. Nxf3 Bxf3 22. Bxh6 Qd7 $19 ) 18...Nd4 $1 ( 18...Nf3 $4 19. Qxf3 
{ doesn't stop White from jumping right back to the light squares with mating threats and incidentally has the immediate threat of Ng5-f7+ }
 ) 19. Kxe1 Nxb3 20. Qxb3 hxg5 $19 ) ( 17. Nxf7 $1 
{ gaining time by threatening Qd8 (with a discovered check to boot) and clearing the way for Bc1xh6 to completely break through Black's defenses }
 17...Qe7 18. Bxh6 
{ smashing through with every piece!!! }
 ) 17...Kh8 18. Qg6 Nf3+ 19. Nxf3 Ne7 ) ( 16...Qd6 $2 17. Qxf7+ Kh8 18. Qh5 
{ sets up Qd6 & Kh8 for a fork }
 ) 17. Bxf7+ ( 17. Nxf7 Kf8 18. Qxh7 Qg4+ 19. Kf1 Nd4 $17 ) 17...Kf8 18. Be3 $1 ( 
{ The straight-forward forcing variation }
 18. Nxh7+ Ke7 19. Bg5+ Kd6 20. Rxe1 Nd4 
{ gives Black a chance to do more than survive }
 ( 20...Rh8 $2 21. Qg6+ Kc5 22. Be3+ Nd4 23. c3 ) ) 18...Nd4 19. Rxe1
{ threatening Bxd4 followed by Nxh7+, winning }
19...Nf3+ $2
{ Why would he move Nd4 when that piece was doing valuable service preventing Be3-c5+? }
 ( 
{ It seems to me that }
 19...Qc6 
{ pretty well puts an end to White's attack. }
 20. Ne4 $2 ( 20. Nxh7+ Ke7 21. Bg5+ Kd6 22. Re4 $13 ( 22. Qg6+ $4 Re6 ) ) 20...Re7 ) 20. Kf1 Nxg5 ( 20...Nxe1 $4 21. Bc5+ Re7 22. Nxh7# ) 21. Bc5+ Re7 22. Rxe5 Nxf7 23. Rxe7 Qxe7 24. Bxe7+ Kxe7
{ Adams did a fantastic job to stay alive. But, the White queen can do some real damage. }
25. Qc5+ Kd7 26. Qd4+ Ke7 27. Qxg7 bxa4 $2 ( 27...Bd5 
{ keeps the piece coordination much better }
 ) ( 27...h6 28. Qc3 c6 29. Qc5+ Kd7 30. Qb6 Rb8 
{ and Black might hold it all together. That would be a truly amazing turnaround. }
 ) 28. Qc3 Kd7 29. Qd4+ Nd6 ( 29...Ke6 30. Qc4+ Kf6 31. Qxc7 
{ is very awkward for Bb7 }
 ) 30. Qxa4+ Ke6 31. Qg4+ Nf5 32. Qc4+ Bd5 33. Qxc7 h5 34. c4 Bh1 35. f4
{ threatening Qe5+ to win Nf5 }
35...Rf8 36. Qb6+ Kf7 37. Qa7+ Ne7
{ Black guards against checks and prepares to threaten Pf4 with Rf8 }
 ( 37...Kg6 $4 38. Qg1+ 
{ catches Bh1 }
 ) ( 37...Kg8 $4 38. Qg1+ 
{ catches Bh1 }
 ) 38. Qxa6
{ Meanwhile, White grabs another pawn. This is such an unusual mix of pieces, I don't know quite how to explain it. Black appears to be ahead in pieces, but White's queen is everywhere and Ph5 is weak. When will White advance a pawn for promotion? How can Black attack Kf1 or stop the pawns, there are so many? }
38...Rb8
{ Black aims for 39...Rb8-b1+ 40. Kf1-e2 Rb2+ 41. Ke3?? Nf5# }
39. d4 Rb1+ ( 39...Rb2 40. d5 
{ preventing ...Ne7-f5 because of Qa6-e6+ keeps Kf1 safe from an immediate mating attack }
 40...Ng6 41. Qe6+ Kg7 42. f5 ) 40. Ke2 Rb2+ 41. Kd3 Rb3+ ( 41...Rxh2 42. d5 
{ is where the game gets after move 44. Kd3 }
 ) 42. Kd2 Rh3 43. d5
{ The White pawns sort of cut Black's "army" in half. Bh1 and Rh3 are separate from Ne7 and Kf7. At the moment White's Kd2 is also separated from the area where Qa6 can play offense, but with Pd5 it doesn't matter. Black's king and knight can't defend against White's queen and pawn. This forces a crisis upon Black; he has to get rid of Pd5. }
43...Rxh2+ 44. Kd3 Nxd5 45. cxd5 Bxd5 46. f5 ( 
{ Here's a very nice problem-like conclusion which might have occurred. }
 46. Qa7+ Ke6 
{ not entirely forced }
 47. f5+ Kxf5 48. Qc5 Ke6 49. Qc8+ Kf6 50. Qd8+ Ke6 51. Qg8+ 
{ chases Black's king away from the bishop or onto the dark-square diagonal b8-h2, so that Qg8-b8+ wins Rh2 }
 ) 46...Ra2 47. Qa7+ Kf6 ( 47...Ke8 48. f6 ) ( 47...Kg8 48. Qb8+ Kf7 49. Qc7+ ) 48. Qd4+ Kg5 49. Qxd5 Rxa3+ 50. Ke4
{ Wow, what a game! It might take both players a few weeks to recover from the given and take of this game. }
1-0


white: Anand, Viswanathan
black: Shirov, Alexei
date: 2002.03.03
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 8
annotation:
1. e4
{ Going into this game Anand stands in last place by himself. This is uncharacteristic. Also, Kasparov has the lead by himself and this is characteristic. It's a slender lead of only one-half point over the next five (5!) tied players. A win by either player puts him into contention and severely hurts the other player's chances. }
1...c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e5
{ It's curious Shirov would play this only a round after Ponomariov did the same versus Anand (result, a draw) . }
5. Nb5 d6 6. N1c3
{ But, Anand varies; not repeating 6. c4 from the earlier game. White threatens Nc3-d5, Nb5-c7+. }
6...a6 7. Na3 b5
{ As in a Sveshnikov Black threatens ...b5-b4 and uses Pb5 to prevent Na3-c4-e3. }
8. Nd5
{ After this White might intend Bc1-e3-b6 followed by Nd5-c7+. But, Black won't leave Nd5 unchallenged. }
8...Nf6 ( 8...Nge7 
{ is probably more in keeping with the idea of the Kalashnikov }
 ) 9. c4
{ This is different from the c2-c4 he played against Ponomariov. In this situation the pawn is almost assured of being exchanged for Pb5. In any case it makes sense to support Nd5 and doing it with this threat to Pb5 is useful. Of course, he had to calculate the effects of 9...Nxe4 10. cxb5 Qa5+. }
 ( 9. Bg5 Qa5+ 10. Bd2 ) 9...b4 ( 9...Nxe4 $4 10. cxb5 Qa5+ 11. Bd2 Nxd2 12. Qxd2 Qxd2+ 13. Kxd2 $18 
{ because of the threat to Nc6 and Nd5-c7+ to win Ra8 }
 ) 10. Nxf6+
{ ending the threat to Pe4 and gaining time to move Na3 }
10...Qxf6
{ Though this leaves d5 weak Black can use it as an opportunity to do some damage on the king-side; usually Black doesn't get the queen out in front until much later in the middle-game. }
11. Nc2 Qg6 $5
{ This creates an opportunity for White to show d5 isn't sufficiently guarded, or to be more precise that d5 and all of Black's queen-side is weak. }
 ( 11...Be6 ) 12. Qd5 Bb7 13. Nxb4 Rc8 ( 13...Nxb4 $4 14. Qxb7 Nc2+ 15. Kd1 Rd8 16. Kxc2 $18 ) 14. Be3 Be7 15. h4
{ avoiding ...Be7-g5xe3 }
15...O-O
{ After this Rc8 is defended, so that ... Nc6xb4 is a real threat. Any move such as ...Nc6-d8 also uncovers a strong threat to Pe4. }
16. h5
{ attempting to kick Qg6 off Pe4 }
16...Qg4 17. f3 Qg3+ 18. Kd1
{ I suppose he had his choice of chasing Qg3 onto the c1-h6 diagonal, but Be3 seems better than Bf2. Also, by having Kd1 he avoids ...Nc6xb4-c2+. }
18...Bg5 19. Nxc6 Bxe3 ( 19...Bxc6 20. Qd2 Bxe3 21. Qxe3 
{ and Black's initiative is dissipated }
 ) 20. Ne7+ Kh8 21. Qd3
{ But, now Black's really in a pickle: Be3 and Rc8 are both attacked. }
21...Bg5 ( 21...Rce8 22. Nf5 ) 22. Nxc8 Rxc8
{ This way Black is behind an exchange, but White's king is in the middle of the board and his rooks are nearly impossible to activate. Black has to do more than this though. He has to win to avoid the eventual loss which would occur when the rooks do become active. }
23. h6 gxh6 ( 23...Bxh6 24. Qxd6 Bg5 25. Kc2 ) 24. Kc2 d5 $4
{ Is this the only way to hope to activate Bb7 and force line openings to get at Kc2? }
 ( 24...Qf2+ 25. Be2 ( 25. Qe2 Rxc4+ 26. Kb3 Qb6+ 27. Kxc4 d5+ 
{ would worry even the bravest soul }
 ) ( 25. Kb3 Rc6 26. Rb1 Rb6+ 27. Ka3 Qc5+ ( 27...Bc1 $19 ) 28. b4 Bc1+ $19 ) 25...d5 26. exd5 Bxd5 ) 25. exd5 Bxd5 26. Qxd5 Rd8 27. Qc5
{ preventing ...Qg3-f2+, so that Black's queen can't join in the attack so quickly }
27...Rd2+ 28. Kb3
{ with the minor threat Qc5-f8# }
28...Kg7 29. a3
{ Anand isn't bashful about spending tempi to set up a safe place for his king. }
29...e4 30. Rh3 Qf4 31. fxe4
{ I suppose this might be an indicator that Shirov's 11...Qg6 was more dubious than good. These things are always easier to evaluate in hindsight. It also shows how dangerous either of these players can be, despite their inconsistency in this tournament. }
1-0


white: Ivanchuk, Vassily
black: Ponomariov, Ruslan
date: 2002.03.03
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 8
annotation:
1. d4 d5
{ Ponomariov generally plays either the King's Indian Defense or the Queen's Gambit Accepted against 1. d4. }
2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 ( 3. Bf4 
{ I suppose one ideal set-up would have both c2-c4 and Bc1-f4, so that White could utilize the open c-file and try to invade at c7. }
 ) 3...dxc4
{ To transpose to a Queen's Gambit Accepted at this point has it's interesting points. For one White can't continue with an immediate e2-e4. Black also doesn't have to worry about the double attack which would result from the move-sequence 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e3 a6 4. Bxc4 b5?? 5. Qf3 because there's a Nf3. }
4. Qa4+
{ Ivanchuk avoids complications stemming from 4. Nc3 a6 and just regains the pawn. He's also left Nb1, so as to not get in the way of his queen. If there's a Nc3 and Qc4 (after regaining the pawn) it can be awkward. }
 ( 4. Nc3 a6 ) 4...Nc6
{ Ponomariov is aiming for completely free and easy development with no pawn weaknesses. There is a similar variation in the Catalan opening, but in that one White gets in Nf3-e5xc6 to force tripled pawns on Black. Here White will have to develop solidly and yet threaten to meet such moves as ...e7-e5 with d4-d5 to cramp Black. The battle is on! }
5. Nc3 ( 5. Qxc4 Be6 ) 5...Nd5
{ This is sort of nifty. He's trying to get rid of a pair of minor pieces before White can utilize his extra central pawn to cramp him. }
6. Qxc4 Nb6
{ I don't understand. How could the knight be better on b6 than f6? Why not trade at c3? }
7. Qb3 ( 7. Qd3 ) 7...e5
{ Black isn't going to delay the development of his pieces! This takes unreal confidence or large doses of courage. }
 ( 7...Nxd4 8. Nxd4 Qxd4 9. Nb5 Qd8 10. Bf4 e5 ( 10...Nd5 $4 11. Qxd5 $18 ) 11. Bxe5 Be6 12. Qg3 Bb4+ 13. Bc3 Bxc3+ 14. Qxc3 O-O 15. Qxc7 Qh4 $13 ) 8. dxe5 ( 8. d5 $2 Nd4 ) 8...Be6 9. Qc2 Nd4 10. Qd3 Bc5
{ This makes ...Be6-c4 possible. }
11. e3 Nxf3+ ( 11...Bc4 $6 12. Qd1 Nxf3+ 13. Qxf3 
{ seems a little easier for White to manage }
 ) 12. gxf3 Qxd3 13. Bxd3 O-O-O 14. Be2 Bb4 15. Bd2 Na4
{ Quickly, before White can castle and bring rooks into play, the Nc3 and it's supporters (Bd2 and Pb2) are threatened. }
16. a3 Bxc3 17. Bxc3 Nxc3 18. bxc3 Rd5
{ Ponomariov's strategy for this game seems to be eXtreme piece activity with very few pawn moves, giving Ivanchuk no time to use his pawns or to build up any kind of pressure. At the first sign of that sort of thing Ponomariov has gone for exchanges. }
19. f4 Rc5 20. Rc1
{ Ivanchuk could continue, despite this not being his kind of position, but it would be difficult to achieve anything, even if White gave back the pawn. Black's piece activity and immediate threats to Pa3 & Pc3 makes it difficult for White to make even one free offensive move. These two creep forward and are tied with Anand for 2nd-4th, now one full point behind Kasparov (who beat Vallejo Pons this round) . }
 ( 20. Kd2 $2 Rd8+ 21. Kc2 Bf5+ 22. Kb3 Rd2 
{ and White's king might get checkmated! }
 ) 
1/2-1/2


white: Kasparov, Garri
black: Vallejo Pons, Francisco
date: 2002.03.03
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 8
annotation:
1. e4 c5
{ I suppose it's ironic that Vallejo Pons should NOT play the Black side of a Spanish, Berlin Variation against Kasparov. Of all his opponents this one, who had such difficulty against that opening variation in his match with Kramnik, is the one he trusts will have something prepared, an improvement which might beat him. }
2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6
{ Paulsen's idea was to delay committing pieces before limiting White's Nd4 and Bf1 and seeing how White develops his others. He would sometimes play ...d7-d6, Nb8-d7 and sometimes ...Qd8-c7 with ...Nb8-c6. More recently GM Taimanov of Russia has employed this kind of opening flexibility. The 4...a6 line carries Paulsen's name and 4...Nc6 carries Taimanov's name. }
5. c4
{ Though this is an acceptable move I'm surprised to see Kasparov use it. He's hard to predict. Sometimes it's clear he has an idea he wants to try, other times he just seems to be preventing his opponent from playing from his home preparations. This kind of improvisation can stymie the opponent or backfire. Which will it be this time? }
 ( 5. Bd3 ) 5...Nf6 6. Nc3 Qc7 $2
{ There are good normal-looking development moves and there are plausible normal-looking, but bad moves. This move seems aimed at developing ...Nb8-c6 without an exchange forcing him to recapture with a pawn at c6. But, that completely disregards White's bold c2-c4 and the clamp on d5. Moving Qd8 off the file makes ...d7-d5 impossible. Not pinning Nc3 leaves Pe4 completely safe. I'd say it's usually not so terrific to play a Hedgehog formation, but against Kasparov it has to be bad; but that's what Black has to do now. }
 ( 6...Bb4 
{ challenged for control of e4 and d5. Black might follow-up with ...Nb8-c6 and ...d7-d5. }
 ) 7. a3 $5
{ Kasparov emphasizes his bind on the center and leaves Black to find some other way to break it open. The bad side of this move isn't so obvious, but with experience in Maroczy Bind positions (such as this) the pawns are better at a2 & b2 or a2 & b3. Once there's a pawn at a3 the queen-side is weaker and Black will threaten Pc4 as much as he can. If then b2-b3 defends Pa3 will be weaker. }
7...b6 8. Be3
{ preparing to align Rc1 with Qc7 and aiming at Pb6 }
8...Bb7
{ With this it looks like Black is ready for ...d7-d5. }
9. f3
{ Kasparov leaves Bf1 at home for the moment. He doesn't want Bb7 to get a free shot at Pg2 if the lines should suddenly open. }
9...Nc6
{ After this it's difficult for Black to get ...d7-d5. }
 ( 9...d5 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Bxd5 13. Rc1 $14 ) 10. Be2 Rb8 11. b4
{ Though he's making a lot of pawn moves which Black should be able to counteract, he's playing to the idea which Black seems to be happy with, that there should be no quick break-out and Black should wait for a mistake or to find some weakness to counter-attack. But, Kasparov isn't going to give him anything once he gets developed; Black should fight back quicker, before White gets all his pieces active. }
11...Be7 ( 11...Ne5 12. Rc1 
{ and Pc4 is more or less poison }
 ) 12. O-O O-O 13. Rc1 Ne5 $2
{ too late to create a serious threat to Pc4, but it's provocative. If White continues with f3-f4 there will be more room for Black to play (Pe4 will be weaker for one thing) . }
 ( 13...d6 ) 14. f4 Ng6 ( 14...Nxc4 15. Bxc4 Qxc4 16. Ncb5 Qa2 17. Rf2 ) 15. Bd3 $16
{ but not without some chances for Black to counter-attack. These positions can be very difficult to convert to victory because so much of the board comes into play. }
15...Ba8 16. Qe2
{ I'm not sure why he doesn't commit to the direct e4-e5, but this move allows Rf1 to defend Rc1 and it takes aim at Pa6 as well as getting behind Pe4. }
 ( 16. e5 Qb7 17. Qe2 ) 16...Kh8 ( 16...d6 $4 17. f5 
{ The double attack on Pe6 and Ng6 when Pe6 can't be defended in one move forces a major weakness in black's pawn structure. }
 ) ( 16...Qb7 
{ doesn't really add pressure to Pe4 because White is defending with two minor pieces. }
 ) 17. e5 Ng8 18. Qh5
{ This clearly takes aim at Ph7 and applies extra pressure to Ng6. But, Qh5 needs a Rh3 if it's to break through, and Black controls f3, so Rf1-f3-h3 isn't yet possible. }
18...a5 $1
{ Here's where White transitions from a nice solid position to an offense, and it's where Black counter-attacks to poke holes and generally make a mess of the whole board, as a way of distracting Kasparov from Kh8. }
19. Ndb5 Qc6
{ not only threatens checkmate at g2, it stays in touch with Pc4 to keep White under some pressure }
 ( 19...Qb7 20. Be4 
{ is extremely awkward for Black's queen-side }
 ) 20. Rc2
{ Why is he ignoring this possibility to play Rf1-f3? }
 ( 20. Rf3 axb4 21. axb4 Bxb4 22. Ne4 ) 20...axb4 21. axb4 Bxb4 22. Ne4
{ It appears Kasparov is satisfied to keep Pc4 to restrain Pb6 (or Pd7) and Rc2 & Bd3 keep that structure solid. Meanwhile he'll swing several pieces to the king-side. }
22...f5 $1 23. Ng5 ( 23. exf6 Nxf6 24. Nxf6 Rxf6 
{ and amazingly Black's pieces come to life! }
 25. Kh1 
{ idea: ...Bb4-c5 Be3-c1-b2 }
 ( 25. Rf3 $2 Bc5 ) ) 23...Nh6 24. Kh1 Bc5 25. Bc1
{ White's pieces are well coordinated, but he's down a pawn. Black has kept his king safe, but his extra pawn is Pd7 -- backward as all can be! }
25...Qc8
{ So, he seeks an endgame where he might finally utilize the pawn. This plan isn't so easily realized. Kasparov won't allow a queen trade if he can avoid it. }
26. h3 Kg8 27. Kh2 Ne7 28. Nd6
{ prevents ...Qc8-e8 and the only way to continue the plan. The game continuation helps Bc1 become very active. }
28...Bxd6 29. exd6 Nc6 30. Bb2 Nb4 ( 30...Qe8 
{ The original idea to get rid of White's queen seems safest. }
 ) 31. Rd2 b5
{ This seems safe now, but several moves later when it's captured the position is drastically different. How can a position change so fast, so that this one minor element becomes huge? }
 ( 31...Nxd3 $2 
{ helps White's rook get to g3 where it could do some damage }
 32. Rxd3 Qe8 ( 32...Qxc4 $4 
{ gives Black a passed Pb6 and a queen which might harass Kh2. But, it is a change of direction he hadn't planned (remember the ...Qc8-e8xh5 plan) . }
 33. Rg3 Be4 $4 ( 33...Qxf1 $4 34. Nxe6 
{ gives White a lot of possibilities for offense. It may be winning. }
 ) 34. Nxe6 Qxe6 35. Rxg7+ Kh8 36. Rg6+ Qf6 37. Bxf6+ Rxf6 38. Rxf6 ) 33. Qe2 Nf7 34. Rg3 Nxg5 35. Rxg5 Rf7 36. Qe5 Qf8 37. Bd4 h6 38. Rg3 Bc6 39. Rb1 b5 40. cxb5 Be4 41. Rb2 
{ is somewhat similar to the game }
 ) 32. Rc1 Qe8 33. Qe2 Nxd3 34. Rxd3 Nf7
{ He has to do this to get rid of Ng5, so he can play ...Rf8-f7 to defend Pg7. He's lucky that Qe2-e5 is also prevented by Nf7. }
35. Rg3 Nxg5 36. Rxg5 Rf7 37. Qe5
{ Clearly White is in charge and has offensive threats on both Pg7 and Pb5, with Rc1-c7 in the offing. }
37...Qf8 38. cxb5 $18 h6 39. Rg3 Kh7 40. Bd4 Bd5 41. b6 Rf6 42. Rcc3 Rf7 43. Rc7 Be4 44. Rb3 Bd5 45. Rb5 Bb7
{ Black is just defending Pg7 and waiting. }
46. Ra5 Qd8 47. Ra7 Be4 48. Qxe6 ( 48. b7 $2 
{ blocks the cooperation of the two rooks }
 48...Qe8 49. Qc5 Rf8 50. Qc3 Qg6 ) ( 48. Qb5 $2 
{ gives up the checkmate threat when it's not absolutely necessary and it gives Black a move to counter-attack -- at the moment when White is most stretched between offense and defending Kh2. }
 48...Qh4 
{ desperate situations demand desperate measures }
 ( 48...Bc6 $4 49. Qxc6 dxc6 50. Rxf7 ) 49. Be3 ( 49. g3 $4 Qh5 50. Rxd7 Qd1 51. Bg1 Qd2+ $19 ) 49...Qe1 50. Rxd7 Qxe3 51. Rxf7 Qxf4+ 52. Kg1 Qe3+ 
{ and Black has counter-play }
 ) 48...Qh4 ( 48...dxe6 49. Rxf7 Rb7 50. Raxb7 Bxb7 51. Rxb7 $18 ) 49. Qxf7 Qxf4+ 50. Kg1
{ Black is down a rook and has no more checks. }
1-0


white: Ponomariov, Ruslan
black: Adams, Michael
date: 2002.03.04
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 9
annotation:
1. e4 e5
{ Adams lost in round six and was the odd man out in round 7, so he really needs to win. But, he beat Ponomariov in round 2, so is it really to be expected that he could beat him again? }
2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O
{ Considering his need to win this is a good choice. }
 ( 7...d6 
{ Adams-Ponomariov, Spanish, Zaitsev Variation, round 2, 1-0 in 76 moves }
 ) 8. c3
{ Taking on the Marshall Gambit head-on is a curious choice,but if he should win he'd again be in a tie for first with Kasparov (who is odd man out this round) . Apparently this is a crucial game for both players. And, Ponomariov would probably like to get revenge for his earlier loss to Adams. }
 ( 8. a4 
{ has been used quite frequently to avoid a Marshall Gambit }
 ) 8...d5
{ One doesn't often see the Marshall Gambit at the highest GM levels. It's not refuted or considered to be overwhelming, but most players simply don't like to walk into a variation with which they're not fully prepared and their opponent may know the theory 30 moves deep. }
9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 ( 12. d3 ) ( 
{ Here's another approach, somewhat different from the usual: }
 12. Bxd5 cxd5 13. d3 Bd6 14. Re3 Qh4 15. g3 Qh3 16. a4 Bg4 17. Qf1 Qh5 18. Nd2 Rae8 19. axb5 axb5 20. Nb3 f5 ( 20...Rxe3 21. Bxe3 Be2 22. Qg2 Bxd3 23. Nd4 ) 21. Nd4 f4 22. Rxe8 Rxe8 
{ threat: ...Bg4-h3 to trap Qf1 }
 23. Bd2 ) 12...Bd6 13. Re1 ( 13. Re2 ) 13...Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15. Re4
{ Rather than develop pieces White immediately threatens Re4-h4 to eject Qh3. }
 ( 
{ Often played in the past was }
 15. Be3 Bg4 16. Qd3 Rae8 17. Nd2 ) 15...g5 16. Qe2
{ This indicates an intention to give back some material (as Re4 is pretty well stuck in the middle of the board) and not to spend time chasing Qh3 back. He's only committed to this after Black weakened his king's position with 15...g5. }
16...Nf6
{ Black has no reason to give his Bc8 for Re4 when the knight can do the job. }
17. Nd2 Bf5 18. f3
{ White's Nd2 is a key to this formation. If it moves Black breaks through at e4. If White can cause Black to capture at e4 he'll recapture Nd2xe4 and from e4 the knight threatens Bd6 or Ne4-f6+ and in some cases Ne4-f2. }
18...c5
{ With White's Re4 and Qe2 clogging the e-file Black can't find a way to activate his rooks, so he tries to create another target with c5xd4, or does he only intend ...c5-c4 to block out Bb3? It's hard to know what's on his mind at this point. }
 ( 18...h5 19. Nf1 ( 19. Qg2 $6 
{ It doesn't necessarily make sense to offer a queen trade now that White is offering an exchange at e4. }
 19...Qxg2+ 20. Kxg2 g4 21. Bc2 
{ and White avoids danger to his king while keeping the center secured }
 21...gxf3+ 22. Kxf3 Bxe4+ 23. Nxe4 Nxe4 24. Bxe4 ) 19...Rae8 20. Re5 
{ threatening Bc1xg5 or just Bc1-d2 and Ra1-e1 }
 ) 19. Qf2 c4
{ Though he kicks Bb3 back he's also extended the pawn further than it can easily be supported. This fact gives White an opportunity to counter on the queen-side, where one should recall/recognize White has more pawns. }
 ( 19...cxd4 $5 
{ I'm not certain which way White might want to recapture, but none was part of his earlier plan and that might make his piece organization fall apart. }
 ) 20. Bc2 h6 21. b3 cxb3 22. axb3 Rfc8 23. Bb2
{ a way of developing which I'd bet is extremely rare for this opening variation }
23...Bb4
{ The position is changing, away from the earlier direct assault on Kg1, and Re4 might be lost for no perceptible gain. It's a wide open tactical slugfest! }
24. Re5 ( 24. cxb4 $4 Rxc2 ) 24...Bxc2 ( 24...Bxc3 $4 25. Bxf5 ) 25. cxb4 Bg6
{ Black still wants ...Rc8-c2. }
26. Rc5
{ After this White has things secured and he might consider d4-d5 to open up Bb2 (and possibly Qf2-d4) or Ra1-c1. }
26...Re8
{ Black begins a plan of invasion: ...Bg6-d3, ...Re8-e2. This keeps Qf2 tied down, but it doesn't really prevent d4-d5-d6 to create general piece activity for White. }
27. Nf1 Rad8 ( 27...Bd3 
{ threatening ...Re8-e2, can be met by Ra1-e1 or Nf1-e3 or Rc5-e5 }
 ) 28. d5
{ threatening Bxf6 }
28...Nd7
{ It's hard to find a better move, but he shouldn't play this unless he really intends to capture Rc5. }
 ( 28...Nxd5 $4 29. Qd4 ) ( 28...Rd6 ) 29. Ne3
{ White offers Rc5 again, knowing the two advanced connected passed pawns (a Pc5 and Pd5) would be powerful and very unappealing to Black. Black's offense is quickly receding and Kg1 looks completely safe. }
 ( 29. Qd4 $2 
{ is premature because of }
 29...Ne5 ) 29...h5 30. f4
{ White does a good job of restraining Nd7 with some offense. Pf4 prevents ...Nd7-e5, but it can also advance to block Bg6. }
30...h4 31. f5 hxg3 32. hxg3 Bh5 33. d6
{ crucial to prevent ...Nd7-e5-f3+ }
33...Re4 34. Rac1
{ White's plan now seems to be to trade-off or get rid of Rd8 and Nd7, so Pd6 can advance. Black has generated enough of a threat to Kg1 so that he'd be risking a lot to move away Qf2. So, Kg8 remains safe for now. }
34...Nxc5 ( 34...Rxb4 $4 35. Rc8 Rxc8 36. Rxc8+ Kh7 ( 36...Nf8 37. d7 ) 37. Rh8# ) 35. bxc5 Kh7 36. Bf6 Rg8 37. d7 Rh4
{ threat: ...Qh3-h1#. Rg8 helps to make it impossible for White to capture Rh4. White intends to spend as few tempi as possible defending, so he can push through Pd7. }
38. Qg2 Bf3 39. Qxh3 ( 39. Qf2 Qh1# ) 39...Rxh3
{ Black threatens ...Rh3-h1+ and ...Rxc1 to get behind Pc5. He'd sacrifice Rg8 for one pawn, but he has to stop the other from advancing. }
40. Kf2 g4 41. Nf1 Rh5 42. d8=Q Rxd8 43. Bxd8 Rxf5 44. Ne3 Rh5 45. Bh4
{ This neat retreating move blocks the rook completely, so Pc5 will advance and promote, probably forcing Black to give another of his pieces for it. So, Ponomariov moves into a tie with Kasparov for the lead and Adams, with three defeats in his nine games falls far behind. }
1-0


white: Shirov, Alexei
black: Ivanchuk, Vassily
date: 2002.03.04
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 9
annotation:
1. e4
{ Shirov almost exclusively plays 1. e4, but he played 1. d4 quite a lot in his youth. His book, Fire On Board actually has very few games with 1. e4. This game is very important to both players. Ivanchuk needs to win to keep a share of the lead and Shirov needs the win to get back in the race. He could climb out of the cellar and back to second place with a win. }
1...e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5
{ Ivanchuk will, and does, play just about any opening as White or Black. He's a pure player who chooses openings to match a particular opponent. I wonder what he has in mind for Shirov. }
3...a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O
{ threatening (!) a Marshall Gambit }
8. a4
{ trying to avoid it }
8...Bb7 9. d3 Re8 10. Nbd2
{ Shirov chooses a less confusing course, but does leave open a possibility for Black to play ...d7-d5. }
 ( 10. Na3 
{ was played by ... Ivanchuk! in his round seven game against Adams }
 ) ( 10. Nc3 
{ is probably safest }
 ) 10...Bf8 11. c3
{ This is a useful move for several purposes: one is to prevent ...Nc6-d4; another is to allow Qd1 to defend Pa4, so that after ...Nc6-a5 White can retreat Bb3-a2 (on the better diagonal) without losing Pa4. He may have some idea of playing d3-d4, but at the moment that would probably help Black more than White. White would rather maneuver Nd2-f1-g3 (defending Pe4 again) before committing to d3-d4 (which would weaken Pe4) . }
11...Na5 ( 11...d5 ) 12. Ba2 c5
{ Apparently Ivanchuk feels he's put enough pressure on White's central pawns to keep them in place (as targets I suppose) and he secures that with Pc5. His next step would be to play more actively on the light squares. White is secure on the light squares, but might not have time to transition from that (a defensive duty) to something more aggressive. }
13. d4
{ The glass shatters and White simply steps over it. He says there never was a "bind" or pressure. }
13...d6 14. b4 exd4
{ Leave it to Ivanchuk to break all the rules and create something amazing like this. Is it good or just silly horrible? Nobody can know without playing it out. }
 ( 14...Nc6 15. bxc5 ( 15. d5 ) 15...dxc5 16. d5 ) 15. bxa5 dxc3
{ I suppose one of the key ideas is that Nd2 will now have to move and that gives Pe4 to Black. Pa5 might or might not be gathered-in as the game progresses. Anyway, the central Pe4 is much more important as it blocked Black's pieces. }
16. Nf1 Nxe4
{ I'd generally want to put the "biggest, most dangerous" piece in front. In this case he may have felt it was simply unsafe to capture with the rook or bishop. But, if safe, either would be preferable to the knight. }
 ( 16...Rxe4 $2 17. Ng5 Re7 18. Rxe7 Qxe7 19. Bxf7+ Kh8 ) ( 
{ Perhaps better is to immediately control the square in front of Pc3, threatening ...b5-b4 with a terrific permanent threat to advance those pawns. }
 16...Bxe4 17. Ng5 Bg6 ) 17. axb5 axb5 18. a6 Bc6 ( 18...Rxa6 19. Bxf7+ Kxf7 20. Rxa6 Bxa6 21. Qd5+ 
{ when Ne4 falls and Black's king will be in need of safe cover for some time }
 ) 19. Rxe4 $1
{ White might have to do this to avoid having Ba2 shut out of play. }
19...Bxe4 ( 19...Rxe4 20. Bxf7+ Kh8 21. Bd5 Bxd5 22. Qxd5 Re8 23. Ng5 
{ and White's pieces are ruling the day }
 ) 20. Bxf7+ Kxf7 21. Ng5+ Kg8 22. Nxe4
{ How does one judge such a position? It's probably easier to not make judgments, since it's already a fact that these imbalances exist. It's easier to just figure out what to do next and do it. Clearly Black needs to get rid of Pa6, but not to allow his Kg8 to become mincemeat. It would be nice to play ...d6-d5, but Ne4xc3 just hops around knocking off one pawn after another. }
22...Qc8 23. Nxc3 Rxa6 24. Rb1 $1
{ It's better to leave Pb5 than to give up on an attack against Kg8. So, he leaves Rb1 on the back rank to slow Black's pawns and perhaps to help protect Kg1. }
 ( 24. Rxa6 Qxa6 25. Qd5+ ( 25. Qb3+ $2 c4 26. Qxb5 Qxb5 27. Nxb5 d5 
{ solves Black's king safety problems and would probably lead to victory }
 ) 25...Kh8 26. Qf7 Rb8 
{ and it's not completely clear how White should continue the offensive; but Black's plan IS completely clear -- advance a pawn to make a queen }
 ) 24...b4 25. Nd5 Ra7 26. Rb3 $1
{ Now this is interesting. I'd thought the rook was to serve defensively and already he's moving it to an offensive placement. }
26...Ra1
{ If both sides throw everything they've got into their offensives it's going to be difficult for either side to defend. }
27. h3
{ The position has a lot in common with some of the Spanish, Zaitsev Variation games. }
27...Re5
{ Qd1 is overworked defending both Bc1 and Nd5, so something's got to give. }
28. Nf4 Qe8
{ threatening ...Re5-e1 to win Bc1 and probably the game. }
29. Rf3 $5
{ a tricky defense which continues the effort to generate some king-side offense }
 ( 29. Ne3 $2 
{ blocks the e-file, but also Rb3. Square e3 is a crossroad which Nf1, Bc1 and Rb3 might need to go through. }
 ) 29...c4 ( 29...Re1 $2 30. Qd5+ Kh8 31. Re3 Rxe3 32. Bxe3 $16 ) 30. Kh2 b3 $2 ( 30...c3 
{ gets in the way of Bc1, but opens the b3-g8 diagonal }
 ) ( 30...Qa4 $5 
{ Trying to exchange queens might be good. Even though White has the extra minor piece Black has to remember his pawns could still be strong. }
 ) 31. Qd2 d5 32. Ne3 $1
{ Shirov courageously takes on the Black pawns, rather than trade minor pieces for a rook & pawns, as in the note. }
 ( 32. Nxd5 Rxc1 ( 32...Bd6 $6 33. Ng3 Re1 $4 
{ aiming for ...Ra1xc1, ...Re1-h1# }
 34. Re3 Raxc1 35. Rxe8+ Kf7 36. Rxe1 $18 ) 33. Qxc1 Rxd5 34. Qxc4 Qb5 35. Qxb3 $14 ) 32...Bd6
{ This is based on the "trick" that Bd6 is aligned with Kh2. }
 ( 32...Bb4 33. Qxb4 Rxc1 34. Nfxd5 ) 33. g3 $6 ( 33. Bb2 
{ Getting this one last important piece into play might nullify Black's pawns and turn the tide decisively in White's favor. }
 ) 33...Qc6
{ Black spots that Rf3 is undefended and immobile. As Lasker said, that which is immobile may be uprooted and destroyed by the winds. }
34. Ng4 ( 34. Bb2 Ra2 
{ keeps the pressure on, but pretty much gives upon ...d5-d4 to discover an attack on Rf3 }
 ( 34...d4 35. Bxd4 Qxf3 36. Bxa1 ( 36. Bxe5 $4 Rh1# ) ) ) 34...d4 $1
{ This is a major crisis because Black's pawns will either smother White or White will fight through them, one way or another, and finally get to Kg8. }
 ( 
{ Another interesting possibility is }
 34...Rf5 $13 ) ( 34...Ra2 $6 
{ doesn't seem to work quite as well }
 35. Nxe5 Rxd2 ( 35...Bxe5 36. Qxd5+ Qxd5 37. Nxd5 
{ threatening Nd5-e7+ to checkmate }
 ) 36. Nxc6 b2 37. Bxb2 Rxb2 38. Nxd5 $16 ) 35. Qxd4 $1
{ Courageous! }
35...Re4 $4
{ a slight misstep, perhaps in time pressure }
 ( 35...Qxf3 $1 
{ consistent with previous play }
 36. Qxa1 $4 
{ This misplaces the queen. }
 ( 36. Nxe5 
{ continuing to head toward Kg8 }
 36...Rxc1 ( 36...Bxe5 $4 37. Qd8+ 
{ and suddenly Kg8 is defenseless! }
 ( 37. Qxe5 $4 Qxf2+ 38. Ng2 Rxc1 $19 ) 37...Kf7 38. Qd7+ Kf6 39. Qe6+ Kg5 40. h4# ) 37. Ng2 Bxe5 38. Qxe5 $19 ) 36...Re1 37. Ng2 Re2 
{ threatening ...Bxg3+ }
 ( 37...Bxg3+ $4 38. fxg3 Re2 39. N4e3 ) ) 36. Qxa1
{ Wow! What a dramatic way for the game to end. This is one of the more interesting games so far in the tournament. I don't know if Ivanchuk lost by time forfeit, but the loss of Ra1 was probably enough to cause his capitulation. As a last-gasp effort I'd think 36...Re1 should be tried. If White responds with 37. Rc3 to remove the rook from danger and to over-protect Bc1 then he leaves himself open to 37...Qh1#. And, if Shirov played 37. Kg2 (leaving Rf3 pinned) Black could go ahead with a pawn push, hoping for a miracle comback. So, Ivanchuk climbs toward the top, now tied with Ponomariov and Anand, only one-half point behind Kasparov (though Ponomariov has already had his odd-man-out day off) . }
1-0


white: Vallejo Pons, Francisco
black: Anand, Viswanathan
date: 2002.03.04
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 9
annotation:
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 ( 4. e4 
{ Vallejo Pons - Kasparov, round 1, 1/2-1/2 in 49 moves (Kasparov probably missed a win) }
 ) 4...Bb4
{ There's no pin on Nc3, but he might remove it to prevent White from keeping control of d5 }
 ( 4...d5 
{ Vallejo Pons - Ponomariov, round 5, 1/2-1/2 in 65 moves }
 ) ( 4...Nd4 $5 
{ Black seeks a knight trade to allow ...c7-c6, leaving few or no weaknesses in his position. This move also contains a small trick. }
 5. Bg2 ( 5. Nxe5 $4 Qe7 
{ and Ne5 is stuck. If it moves Black has ...Nd4-f3# }
 6. f4 d6 7. e3 dxe5 8. exd4 exd4+ 9. Ne2 d3 $19 ) 5...Nxf3+ 6. Bxf3 Bc5 
{ with ...c7-c6, guarding d5, to come }
 ) 5. Nd5
{ White would rather trade for Nf6 and leave Bb4 to look for something to do. }
5...Bc5 6. Bg2 ( 6. Nxe5 $4 Nxe5 7. d4 Nxd5 
{ gives both Ne5 and Bc5 an out: ...Ne5xc4 and ...Bc5-b4+ }
 8. dxc5 Nf6 $19 ) 6...d6 7. O-O O-O 8. e3
{ White takes away d4 and will also probably play a2-a3, b2-b4 to chase Bc5 and Nc6. The cost is that it blocks in Bc1 for a time. It also prepares to meet ...Nf6xd5. }
8...a6
{ This isn't to play ...b7-b5, as that would weaken Nc6 far too much. Instead, it gives Bc5 room to retreat. }
 ( 8...Nxd5 9. cxd5 Ne7 10. d4 exd4 11. Nxd4 ) 9. b3
{ Since Black has spent a tempo on ...a7-a6 White decides to play Bc1-b2 and d2-d4. This seems perfectly reasonable. }
 ( 9. a3 Ba7 10. d3 ) 9...Ba7 10. Nxf6+
{ I don't quite know why he'd allow Black's queen to come out so easily. Leaving Nf6 kept Qd8 blocked. }
 ( 10. Bb2 Nxd5 11. cxd5 Ne7 12. Ne1 ) 10...Qxf6
{ threat ...e5-e4 with a two-fold attack on Ra1 and Nf3 }
11. Bb2 Bg4
{ This pin is important and has to be broken with h2-h3. The immediate threat is NOT ...e5-e4 because Bb2 still pins Pe5 to Qf6. But, Black might play ...Qf6-e6 to prepare ...e5-e4 and/or ...Bg4-h3xg2. }
12. h3 Bh5 13. d3 Qe7 14. Qd2
{ This position doesn't offer many possibilities for White to win, but Ba7 and Nc6 are blocked, so Black doesn't have much either. }
14...f5 15. Rae1 Rae8 16. Bc3 Kh8 17. Nh4
{ White is feeling squeezed and uses this tactic to force f2-f4 or another simplification. }
 ( 17. d4 ) 17...Qg5
{ preventing f2-f4 for the moment }
 ( 17...g5 18. Nxf5 Rxf5 19. g4 Rf7 20. gxh5 ) 18. Kh2 f4 $1 19. exf4 exf4
{ After this White is more free to play d3-d4, completely shutting out Ba7. However, king safety comes first, so he forces simplification. }
20. Rxe8 Bxe8
{ What's the bishop doing on e8? I don't think he wanted to risk an endgame a pawn down, even if he had compensation. }
 ( 20...Rxe8 21. Be4 $1 ( 21. Re1 Be3 22. Qb2 ( 22. fxe3 $2 Qxg3+ 23. Kh1 Qxh4 24. exf4 Rxe1+ 25. Qxe1 Qxf4 ) 22...Ne5 ) ( 21. Qxf4 $2 Qxf4 22. gxf4 Re2 $17 
{ White's extra pawn is doubled and isolated, but Black's pieces are terrific. }
 ) ) 21. Nf3 fxg3+
{ It seems to me Anand played terrific up to a point and then became gun-shy. So, Vallejo Pons continues racking up the draws. }
1/2-1/2


white: Adams, Michael
black: Shirov, Alexei
date: 2002.03.06
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 10
annotation:
1. e4 c5
{ I don't know how much fighting spirit is left in these two. They've both had their ups and downs and probably feel there's little chance to climb back into the fight for first place. Adams has played five decisive games, so there's no doubt any of his games might follow suit. }
2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5
{ While it was odd for Kasparov to use this against Shirov it makes more sense for Adams. Still, it's odd that two players would choose this when facing Shirov. }
3...e6
{ Shirov must suspect Adams has some improvement over the Kasparov-Shirov game or else he just wants to test Adams a bit by forcing him to find his own way. }
4. O-O Nge7
{ I like this move because it makes Bb5 less effective. It can't force doubled pawns by capturing Nc6. }
5. c3 a6 6. Ba4
{ Refusing to capture Nc6 leaves Ne7 awkwardly placed. }
6...b5 7. Bc2 Bb7
{ This approach leaves the question of how Black will play Pd7 for later, but it also leaves Pe4 in place and gives White time for d2-d4, if he should so choose. }
 ( 
{ A perfectly good alternative for Black is }
 7...d5 8. e5 d4 ) ( 7...Ng6 $6 8. d4 cxd4 9. cxd4 Nb4 10. Bb3 
{ and Nb4 is likely to get pushed back after having achieved no lasting gain }
 ) 8. Qe2
{ Clearly one of White's aims is to keep his pawns supported, so he can get in d2-d4 without a major disruption. How does Black prevent this "obvious" plan? }
 ( 
{ White isn't likely to play }
 8. d4 cxd4 9. cxd4 Nb4 
{ because Bc2 is vulnerable and can't run away because it has to defend Pe4. }
 ) 8...Ng6 ( 8...e5 $5 
{ weakens the light squares, but tries to hold White back. That it moves the pawn a second time shouldn't be a bigger concern than whether it gets the job done. I suspect Shirov was satisfied with the pawn structure and wanted to just develop his pieces further. }
 9. a4 bxa4 
{ creates an odd weakness in Black's pawn structure, but gets rid of the weakness so he can get on with other developments }
 ( 9...Ng6 $6 $13 
{ Pb5 is not immune from capture, but in the future might escape by advancing, so the question passes to White, "How should Whit develop to gain advantage or even stay equal?" Should he take Pb5 and lag behind with the development of his other minor pieces? }
 10. axb5 axb5 11. Rxa8 Qxa8 12. Qxb5 Ba6 13. Qa4 
{ a saving move because now Ba6 is pinned to the undefended Qa8! }
 13...Nf4 14. d3 Ne2+ 15. Kh1 Nxc1 16. Rxc1 Qb7 17. Na3 ) ) 9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 Nh4
{ trying to undermine Pd4 and exchange a minor piece to ease Black's slight cramp }
11. Nbd2
{ This blocks Bc1 for the moment, but it makes room for Bc2-b1 (if needed) and defends Pe4 again. }
11...Rc8 12. Bb1 Bd6
{ The bishop may take an odd route (Bf8-d6-b8-a7) to find a weak White pawn it can target. This is the kind of contortions one has to endure when the opening play hasn't secured adequate space for the pieces. I suppose I should add, though it's guesswork, that Shirov may have played this way to provoke Adams into rash pawn moves which might weaken his position so that Shirov could counter-attack successfully. It's an odd thought though. Adams isn't known for doing anything rashly or out of control. }
13. a4 bxa4 14. Rxa4 Nxf3+ 15. Nxf3 Nb4
{ From here the knight defends Pa6 and keeps Ra4 inactive. After an e4-e5 it could go back ...Nb4-d5. However, it's tied to Bd6, so e4-e5 would shove ...Bd6-e7 which isn't a very active square for the bishop. }
16. Bd2
{ White immediately challenges this "bone in his throat". Adams is the kind of player who will emphasize coordination and mobility for his pieces. It's a little unusual for an 1. e4 player, but, it doesn't take much effort to recall how effective GM Anatoly Karpov was with 1. e4. }
16...a5
{ This secures Nb4, but it also forces Nb4 to remain because it defends Pa5 from Ra4 & Bd2. It also sneakily (perhaps by accident) threatens ...Bb7-a6! }
17. Rd1 O-O 18. Bc3 Qb6
{ This isn't terribly appealing. The queen might be much more useful on the king-side, but he has to over-protect Nb4 to allow Bd6 to maneuver. }
 ( 18...f6 ) 19. Ra1 Bf4
{ Now it's clear Black is trying to box-in Qe2 and threatens ...Bb7-a6 to chase her back further. Black can't challenge Pd4 & Pe4, but he can play around them with good effect. }
 ( 19...f6 20. Nh4 
{ and the absence of Black's queen from the king-side is keenly felt }
 ) 20. Ne5 Qc7 21. Qg4 Bxe5 22. dxe5
{ This creates a kind of wall on the e-file. Black's queen-side pieces will find it difficult to cross that wall to help defend Kg8. White might use Ra1-a3, Bc3-d4, Ra3-g3 to bring at least one more big piece to the king-side. There is also Bc3-d2-h6, but Pe5 needs defense. }
22...Bc6 23. h4 ( 23. Bd4 ) 23...Kh8 24. Ra3 Rg8 25. h5 h6 26. Qf4 Rcf8
{ Black might be preparing ...f7-f6 since Qf4 isn't defended, but any move (s) such as that would end up opening lines to Kh8. }
27. Bd4 Bb5
{ probably hoping for ...Bb5-e2xh5-g6 }
28. Rc3 Nc6 29. Bc5 Be2 30. Rd2 Bxh5 31. Rh3
{ This is most direct to the point. He could have played Bc5-d6, but that isn't really necessary. Only if counter-play via the capture of e5 was going to be effective would White take the time to prevent it. In the final position Black can't do much. If 31...Bh5-g6 Rxh6+ forces mate and 31...g5 allows 32. Qf6+ and 33. Rxh5, winning the piece and/or checkmating. This has got to be one of the strangest tournaments for Adams. That's six decisive games out of ten! }
1-0


white: Ivanchuk, Vassily
black: Vallejo Pons, Francisco
date: 2002.03.06
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 10
annotation:
1. e4 c5
{ I wonder why he's sticking to this defense after his loss with it in round 8 to Kasparov. }
2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3
{ Kan Variation }
5...Nf6 6. O-O
{ White could play e4-e5 next. }
6...d6 ( 6...Bc5 7. Nb3 
{ leaves Bc5 under attack and e4-e5 still possible }
 ) ( 6...b5 ) 7. c4
{ Ivanchuk establishes the Maroczy Bind, as Kasparov did. Will Vallejo Pons have learned anything, so his result could be better this time? Already he has Pd6 to prevent e4-e5! I've seen a few games where Ivanchuk has done very well with this formation, so I wouldn't want to try the Black pieces against him. }
7...Be7 8. Nc3 O-O
{ As in the game with Kasparov Black's position is relatively weakness-free. But, the most likely place for White to attack is at g7 or h7 and that places Black's king in danger. White, on the other hand, has no major weakness of a similar quality (Pc4, for example) . }
9. f4
{ I'm surprised at this, before Kg1-h1. Can Black respond with ...Qd8-b6 to pin Nd4? }
 ( 9. Qe2 
{ defends Pb2 and prepares to support Bc1-e3, if needed. By defending Pe4 & Pc4 it also would allow Bd3 to retreat to c2 or b1 if Black attacks it. }
 ) 9...Re8
{ In the game with Kasparov he had problems with the weakness of Pe6 after he fianchettoed ...Bc8-b7. This time he prepares to have it nicely defended. I suspect Ivanchuk would only begin to look at Pf7 as another weak spot to include in his offensive plans. }
 ( 9...Qb6 $5 10. Be3 Nc6 ) 10. Kh1 Nbd7 11. Qe2
{ certainly a curious move-order, these last three moves. At the moment White might be considering e4-e5 because Nf6 has no good retreat square. }
11...g6
{ It's amazing how a move like this can be appealing and yet it weakens Nf6 quite a lot. And, after f4-f5 (whenever White chooses to play it) open lines would soon follow. }
12. Bd2
{ This is a tepid move, but he is gradually mobilizing his pieces while keeping an eye on Black's formation and where he will need to focus his attention. Right now it looks like e4-e5 or f4-f5, but there's also a possibility of moving heavy pieces onto the h-file. }
12...Bf8 13. Rad1
{ Mysterious? No, he expects ...Bf8-g7, so Pd6 would be the big weakness. Of course this will leave Black wondering what to do with Bf8. }
13...Nh5
{ In his 9th round game (Vallejo Pons - Anand) he had to meet an f-file attack against his castled king and Nf3-h4 was played to gain space for f2-f4. Is he replaying that game or does he have some original idea here? }
14. Nf3
{ Ivanchuk doesn't appear to be in a hurry, but he's not going to allow ...Qd8-h4 either. He's incidentally (?) clearing the d-file and may plan Bd2-e3-d4. This is an amazingly quiet maneuvering noncomittal game for Ivanchuk. }
14...b6 15. e5
{ Now the flood gates open and Black has Nd7 and Nh5 and Re8 developed. Most of his pieces are passively on the back rank. That's not to say this will be a crush, but White clearly has an advantage. }
15...Bb7 16. Ng5
{ Now Pd6, Pf7 and Ph7 are all threatened. It's no coincidence. }
16...Ng7 17. Be4
{ Since the bishop is blocked by Pg6 he decides to trade it for Bb7, so he might use square e4 for another piece. This move also continues to clear the d-file. }
17...Qc7 18. Qf3 Bxe4 19. Ncxe4 h6 ( 19...dxe5 20. fxe5 Nxe5 21. Nf6+ Kh8 22. Qh3 h5 23. Bc3 ) 20. exd6 Qd8 $6
{ I wonder why he'd give up the pawn so readily. }
 ( 20...Bxd6 21. Nxd6 Qxd6 22. Bc3 Qe7 23. Ne4
{ and White is clearly better, but Black is hanging on }
 ) 21. Qh3 hxg5 ( 21...Nf5 22. Bc3 $16 ) ( 21...h5 22. Bc3 $16 ) 22. fxg5 e5 ( 22...Nf5 23. Bc3 Bg7 24. Bxg7 Kxg7 25. g4 ) 23. Qxd7
{ The bad news is that the attack doesn't end. The f-file is open and Ne4 has good control of f6 and the h-file is open, so Kg8 still isn't safe after a queen trade. I suppose his worst frustration is that he's given a pawn and hoped to keep some material edge as compensation for his positional woes, but now he's just behind material and position. One of the things I liked most about this game is that Ivanchuk didn't force much. He let Vallejo Pons strangle on his own inability to develop and maneuver properly. Ivanchuk just kept flexible and attacked when he had specific targets and all his pieces involved. Chess looks so easy sometimes. }
1-0


white: Anand, Viswanathan
black: Kasparov, Garri
date: 2002.03.06
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 10
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6
{ It's rather amazing to me that this opening variation should continue to be the primary defense of many top GMs. It was invented in the 1950s by Najdorf (originally of Poland, but after World War II of Argentina) and fought over throughout the 1960s and 70s. Bobby Fischer utilized it and honed it like a knife. Many years later, after other defenses have been tried and many discarded, this is Kasparov's favorite. It's interesting also to note that there are a zillion 6th moves White can choose from, and the one played most these days by the top GMs is 6. Be3, a move (and system) created by GM Robert Byrne, a New Yorker who was a childhood (and perhaps lifelong) friend of Bobby Fischer. Did he invent this opening variation to combat Fischer? I don't know. It was taken up by Englishmen and made more popular in the 1980s and 90s. Now it's commonplace. }
6. Be3
{ Fischer preferred 6. Bc4 and that's still considered good, but it's not to the taste of today's players. I suppose I should also add that 6. Bg5 was "all the rage" during the 1960s and 70s when Fischer played actively, but his "Poison Pawn Variation" (after 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6 8. Qd2 Qxb2) is still considered good, and it's one reason 6. Bg5 isn't played much now. }
6...e5
{ Particularly against 6. Be2 this move (6...e5) was Fischer's response. It is named for Opocensky, but like many variations, Fischer played it a lot and made it popular. It makes sense that as White he'd play 6. Bc4 if he thought Black might play 6...e5, leaving the c4-f7 diagonal open. }
7. Nb3
{ Now there are a couple of weaknesses in Black's pawn structure, so White will have a clear idea of where to play (d5, d6, b6) . However, Pe5 controls d4 and with ...Bc8-e6 Black controls d5 pretty well too. Only Bf8 will be noticably bad. }
7...Be6 8. f3
{ There's no immediate need for this. He wants to play g2-g4-g5 to gain better control of d5. Playing Qd1-d2 is mainly to prepare O-O-O and I guess he doesn't want to commit to that yet. }
 ( 8. Qd2 Ng4 9. Bg5 
{ is awkward for Black }
 ) 8...Nbd7 ( 8...d5 9. Nxd5 Nxd5 10. exd5 Qxd5 11. Qxd5 Bxd5 12. c4 
{ is considered premature for Black because his remaining pieces don't coordinate so well }
 ) ( 8...h5 
{ is a recent innovation aimed at preventing g2-g4-g5. It leaves g5 weak and makes ...O-O more risky. }
 ) 9. g4 b5 ( 9...h6 ) 10. g5 b4 ( 10...Nh5 11. Nd5 ) 11. Ne2 ( 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. exd5 Bf5 
{ makes the entire effort worthless. White wouldn't have use of square d5 and Black's Nf6 is traded, rather than being chased off to the edge of the board. And on top of all that White's pawns are a mess. }
 ) ( 11. gxf6 bxc3 12. fxg7 Bxg7 13. bxc3 ) 11...Nh5 12. Qd2 a5 13. Ng3 Nxg3 14. hxg3
{ White gains by having the open h-file, but Black retains sufficient control of the central squares. It's also less clear where White's king will be safe. After the king-side pawns advanced he wouldn't be expected to O-O, though he might play Ke1-f2. With Black's queen-side pawns far advanced it's highly unlikely he'll O-O-O. On the other hand, Black's king seems perfectly safe, but Rh8 is going to be out of play if Ke8 stays in the middle of that rank. }
14...a4 15. Nc1 Qa5 16. Nd3 d5 17. exd5 Qxd5 18. Bg2 Qb5
{ He has to keep Pb4 defended. }
19. Bh3 Bxh3 20. Rxh3 Be7 21. Rh4 $1
{ White works around the edges as well as he can (Black can't do any better yet) and Pb4 stands out as a major weakness. }
21...f5 $5 22. O-O-O
{ This isn't bad. It puts the king behind some pawns and develops Ra1-d1, to create a threat to Nd7. }
 ( 22. Nxb4 $2 f4 ) ( 
{ Aiming to open lines to Ke8 might help. }
 22. gxf6 gxf6 23. Nxb4 f5 24. Nd5 Qxb2 25. Nc7+ $13 ) 22...b3 23. a3 Rc8
{ I don't see the benefit of allowing White to close up the pawns around his king. }
 ( 23...bxc2 ) 24. c3 Nf8 25. Rh2 Ng6 26. Nb4 ( 26. Rdh1 Rd8 ) 26...Rd8 27. Nd5
{ It seems a little risky to allow Nd5 to be pinned this way. Of course, it threatens Nd5-c7+, but Black will prevent that. }
 ( 27. Qe1 ) 27...Kf7 28. Qd3 Qxd3 29. Rxd3 f4
{ It might be a little odd for this to be Black's only tactic, but Rh8 is still well stuck behind Ph7 and Nd5 is proving to be strong enough and White's king's position is plenty safe. }
30. gxf4 exf4 31. Nxf4 ( 31. Bxf4 Rxd5 32. Rxd5 Nxf4 33. Rd4 Bxg5 34. Rxa4 h5 
{ is a little complicated by the fact both sides have some offense, for once in this game, but Black's two minor pieces might give him an advantage }
 ( 34...Nd3+ 35. Kb1 Re8 36. Re4 ) ) 31...Nxf4 ( 31...Bxg5 32. Rxd8 Rxd8 33. Ng2 Bxe3+ 34. Nxe3 Re8 ) 32. Rxd8 Rxd8 33. Bxf4 Rd3 34. Rh3 Kg6 35. Bd2 Bd8
{ Black has to wait. }
 ( 35...Bxg5 $4 36. Bxg5 Kxg5 37. f4+ Kxf4 38. Rxd3 h5 39. c4 g5 40. c5 g4 41. c6 g3 42. c7 g2 43. Rd1 h4 44. c8=Q $18 ) 36. Rg3 Be7 37. Rh3 ( 
{ White can't quite get his king out of the box made by Pb3 and Rd3. }
 37. Kd1 Bxa3 38. bxa3 b2 39. Kc2 Rxd2+ 40. Kb1 ) 37...Bd8 38. Rg3 Kf5 39. Kd1 Bc7
{ Their repetition of moves near the end could well have been due to time pressure. White might be better, but his pawns are weak (all of them) and Black's pieces are very well placed to capitalize on even the smallest misstep, such as 40. Rh3 Bf4, winning Bd2. Instead White has to prevent ...Bc7-f4 by 40. Rg4 Rxf3. This takes the game off in an altogether different direction. }
1/2-1/2


white: Vallejo Pons, Francisco
black: Adams, Michael
date: 2002.03.07
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 11
annotation:
1. Nf3
{ He varies from 1. c4, perhaps because he thinks his opponents are now focusing on him and finding particular plans to defeat him, rather than taking him for granted. He might just be tired (for the moment) of his usual opening. }
1...Nf6 2. c4
{ His move-order has prevented the 1. c4 e5 defense for Black. Now if Black wants ...e7-e5 he'll have to provide it's support first. This is one reason some people meet 1. Nf3 with 1...d5. It takes the game out of the realm of the English Opening (generally) . There are others who don't depend so fully on ...e5, so they might consider a King's Indian Defense set-up (generally aiming for ...e7-e5 after some development moves) or a symmetrical ...c7-c5. }
2...e6
{ This move continues to hide Black's intentions, to a certain extent. Often it's played like a Nimzo-Indian Defense, so that 3. Nc3 Bb4 helps Black fight for control of d5 and e4. To achieve the same end he might continue with the direct and classical ...d7-d5 or with a more modern Queen's Indian Defense (...b7-b6, ...Bc8-b7) . There are also other approaches: something completely different like ...c7-c5, delaying the development of Bc8 until he has ...Nb8-c6. To add to the confusion there is also a possibility of a Benoni Defense (3. d4 c5 4. d5 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nc3 g6) when Black fianchettoes the dark-square bishop after all. It's potentially quite confusing. }
3. Nc3 c5
{ Black has had good success with this, with GM Nick DeFirmian as one of it's best proponents. It aims to play an open position after d2-d4 cxd4 very actively before White can develop and remove his king from the center. White should move with some caution. }
4. g3 b6
{ Black chooses a kind of Queen's Indian Defense formation with an early ...c7-c5. By attempting to nullify White's Bg2 early-on Black should do alright. He's also kept Pd7 to keep Ke8 safe and to guard c6. Keeping those pawns (Pd7, Pe6, Pf7) on light squares can be very useful if Bc8 is traded off. If there is no early trade we might see those pawns move to other squares (...d7-d5 for example) . }
5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1
{ GM Walter Browne utilized this plan against GM Alexander Ivanov several years ago in the United States championship. It was copied by many people soon after and usually with good results. Black hadn't planned (perhaps) on having to deal with another White pawn advancing in the center so quickly. White threatens e2-e4-e5 when Nf6 isn't well prepared to move. }
7...Ne4
{ This is a nice response. Just get rid of the knight. White can't utilize the diagonal because ...Ne4xc3 hits White's queen. So, White would have to move Nc3 to avoid the trade and then try to exploit the exposed Ne4. }
8. Nxe4
{ This continues the plan with no loss of time, but also without as much impact. }
 ( 8. Nb1 O-O 9. d3 Ng5 
{ continuing the theme of trying to trade the knight and perhaps Bb7 for Nf3 and Bg2 }
 ( 9...Nf6 10. e4 ) 10. Nfd2 Bxg2 11. Kxg2 
{ Nf6 has no square, so White threatens h2-h4xg5. }
 11...h6 
{ and White hasn't made significant progress! }
 ) 8...Bxe4 9. d3 Bb7 10. e4
{ Vallejo Pons used the Pc4 & Pe4 formation in his game against Kasparov, so this isn't unfamiliar to him. Those pawns block both Bg2 and Bb7, so let's look at other factors to decide who is better or has a better continuation. With e4-e5 it's hard to see Black getting a grip on the dark squares with ...Nb8-c6, ...d7-d5, ...Be7-f6, but Black could challenge Pe4 more directly with ...d7-d5 or ...O-O and ...f7-f5. White will have to concede to pawn exchanges (else his central pawn structure would become broken) or to moving Nf3, so he can advance f2-f4. I'd favor Black, but that's just personal taste. }
10...O-O 11. d4
{ This is an interesting change of tack. White opens things up, but he doesn't have the best grip on d5 since Nc3 is gone. Maybe now Black can play on the dark squares a little more actively. }
11...cxd4 12. Nxd4 d6 13. b3
{ White quickly moves everything off the f6-a1 diagonal, so now Black will have to open the position up. }
13...a6 14. Be3 Nd7 15. f4 Re8 ( 15...Nc5 16. Bf2 ) 16. Bf2 Qc7
{ defends Bb7 to prepare ...Be7-f6 }
 ( 16...Bf6 17. e5 Bxg2 18. exf6 Bb7 19. fxg7 
{ weakens Pd6 and Black's king's safety }
 ) 17. Rc1 Bf6 18. Qd2 Rad8
{ White's position isn't terribly weak, but Black isn't cramped and can develop or maneuver with relative ease. }
19. g4 Nc5 20. b4 ( 20. g5 Bxd4 21. Bxd4 e5 
{ and Black has no fear about a weak d5 (remember White has no Nc3 to hop in there) and Pe5 will definately force the e-file open to expose Pe4 }
 ) 20...g6
{ It appears Adams decided he might need that bishop for later duty, perhaps defending Pd6, and so he gives it a retreat square. Nc5 can only be captured if White is willing to lose Nd4 in return; the d-file would open and Nd4 would be pinned to Qd2. }
 ( 20...Bxd4 $5 ) 21. Nc2 Nd7 22. g5 Bg7 23. Ne3
{ I wonder if after Ne3 Adams regretted not capturing it on move 20. Now the knight controls d5, to keep the central bind, and it might hop over to g4 to threaten invasion at f6 or h6. Black no longer has ...e6-e5 to fork two pieces and force a favorable line opening. Now ... e6-e5 would be met by f4-f5 to advance a king-side attack. }
23...h5
{ This is an attempt, perhaps even a bluff, to keep the h-file from being available to White. But, it's not that simple. He has to creatively find some central thrust to control the location of the conflict. }
 ( 23...Ba8 
{ freeing Qc7 from it's defense and possibly intending ...Nd7-f8, ...Qc7-e7 or ...Qc7-b8, . ..b6-b5 }
 ) ( 23...d5 $6 
{ an interesting tactical shot, but not terribly effective }
 24. e5 $16 
{ locks in Bg7 and threatens cxd5 }
 ) 24. gxh6 Bxh6 25. Ng4 Bf8 26. Bh4 Rc8
{ This looks very bad for Black and one would expect a strong GM to be very pleased with White's prospects. }
27. Bg5 ( 27. Nf6+ Nxf6 28. Bxf6 Bg7 29. Bxg7 Kxg7 30. f5 
{ Leaving e5 to Black is a little different now that Black has no knight or bishop to set there. In this case the idea is to strip Kg7 of his pawn cover. }
 ( 30. Qb2+ 
{ hoping for ...e6-e5 which can be met by f4-f5 to get at Kg7 without Black opening the e-file }
 ) 30...exf5 31. exf5 Bxg2 32. Qxg2 Rxe1+ 33. Rxe1 Qxc4 34. fxg6 
{ and neither king is very safe from the heavy dinosaurs (the enemy queen and rook) roaming this board }
 ) 27...a5 28. a3 axb4 29. axb4 Ba6 30. f5 Bxc4
{ Black materialistically grabs the pawn and hopes to use ...d6-d5 or ...b6-b5 to support it. But, he gives White an interestng shot at Kg8 by allowing f5-f6. }
31. f6
{ This seems to nail the coffin shut on Kg8. How can Black get rid of Pf6 or move Bf8 to allow Kg8 to run away from the open h-file? }
31...Ne5 32. Nh6+ Bxh6 33. Bxh6 b5 ( 33...Nd3 34. Bg7 Nxc1 35. Qh6 $18 ) 34. Bg7 ( 34. h3 ) 34...Qb6+ 35. Kh1 Ng4
{ this prevents Qd2-h6 and it threatens ...Ng4-f2+ }
36. h3 Qf2 37. Qg5 Be2
{ Black is hanging on by a thread. }
38. hxg4 Bf3 39. Bxf3 ( 39. Rg1 $4 Rxc1 40. Qxc1 Qh4# ) 39...Qxf3+ 40. Kh2 Qf2+ 41. Kh1 Qf3+
{ Adams was a little slow with his offense, but it was just in time, as time control neared. He narrowly avoided defeat. }
1/2-1/2


white: Kasparov, Garri
black: Ivanchuk, Vassily
date: 2002.03.07
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 11
annotation:
1. e4
{ Kasparov has also played 1. d4 against Ivanchuk. }
1...c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6
{ I don't recall Ivanchuk previously using this system against Kasparov. His flexibility with openings is shared by some other GMs, but few people truly play many defenses (or openings for White) with equal skill. There is simply too much specialized detail about most openings for this to be possible. Ivanchuk does better than most, but still has an occasional flub, as in the first round game of his FIDE wch match with Ponomariov. }
5. c4
{ Wow, Kasparov sticks to the c2-c4 he used against Vallejo Pons of round 8. }
5...Nf6 6. Nc3 Qc7
{ See the Kasparov-Vallejo Pons game for notes to the opening. }
 ( 6...Bb4 ) 7. a3 Be7 ( 7...b6 
{ Kasparov-Vallejo Pons, round 8 }
 ) 8. Be3 O-O 9. Rc1 Nc6 10. Be2 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 d6
{ Black's position isn't very enterprising. It's quite passive. He's traded off one minor piece, so his cramp won't be too terrible, but he will have to be in a mood to counter-attack if he's to find any chance to win. }
12. O-O Rb8
{ Usually one wouldn't consider moving Pb7 when there's a Be2 to target Pa6, but Black has to be able to play ...b7-b6 to prevent c4-c5 and possibly to play ...b7-b5 (or ...b6-b5) to chop into White's central pawns, making more room for Black pieces to maneuver. Naturally White will make this more difficult. }
13. Qb6 Qxb6 14. Bxb6 Bd7 $1 ( 14...Nd7 $2 
{ not really so crucial as Bb6 can't do much damage without help from other pieces }
 15. Bc7 Ra8 16. Rfd1 ) 15. Rfd1 Rfc8
{ preventing Bb6-c7xd6 and targeting Pc4. Kasparov isn't gaining much ground and without queens he won't have any king-side attack. Still, Black has no particular advantage (s) . }
16. b4 Be8 17. Ba7 Ra8 18. Be3 Nd7
{ It isn't obvious, but Black might be aiming for ...g7-g5 to secure square e5 for ...Nd7-e5. That would put a constant pressure on Pc4. }
19. Na4 Rc6 20. f3 Kf8
{ If White hadn't played Nc3-a4 Black's Nd7 could go to e5, but in this situation Na4-b6 hits Ra8 and guards Pc4. So, Black just keeps playing good position-improving moves. }
21. Kf2 h6 22. g3 Rc7
{ Enticing White to play Na4-b6 which would allow Black to trade off another minor piece. And, perhaps considering a move of Nd7 to discover an attack (by Be8) on Na4. }
23. Bf4 Rc6 24. Be3 Rc7 25. Bf4 Rc6 26. h4 Ra7
{ It's this kind of move which seems so mysterious. What does it do, except keep the status quo? One obvious offensive idea is to double rooks on the d-file to threaten Pd6, but that's met by ...g7-g5 to chase Bf4 back. I suppose Kasparov just decided it wasn't worth the risk to try any major offensive thrust; so, he'll just wait for the next game and see what develops. }
27. Nc3 Ra8 28. Na4 Ra7 29. Nc3 Ra8
1/2-1/2


white: Shirov, Alexei
black: Ponomariov, Ruslan
date: 2002.03.07
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 11
annotation:
1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4
{ This is more aggressive than 3. Nf3, but it also offers Black more choices for defense. Common responses are 3...c5, 3...e5 or 3...Nf6. All of them challenge White's central pawns immediately. There were a couple of these played in the FIDE wch match of Ivanchuk and Ponomariov. If White is allowed time to develop pieces to support his pawns then Black would have real problems. It's essential to know precisely what White's pawn formation is, so that Black's developments will be most effective. If White can keep his pawns as a duo they might advance in any fashion to foil Black's early developments. }
3...Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. Bxc4 Nb6 6. Bd3
{ Now Black knows not to fianchetto either bishop. Instead ...Bc8-e6-d5 followed by ...e7-e6, ...c7-c5 and ...Nb8-c6 would be coherent and apply terrific pressure to White's central pawns. Incidentally Pd4 isn't en prise because 6...Qxd4 is met decisively by 7. Bb5+. }
6...Nc6 7. Be3
{ White's early pawn advances and Bishop developments creates a curious appearance and flaunts the classical rule of developing knights before bishops. }
 ( 7. Nf3 $2 Bg4 ) ( 7. Ne2 
{ has also been tried }
 ) 7...Nb4 8. Be4 f5
{ Black too does some non-classical things: moving knights multiple times and now weakening Ke8 with ...f7-f5. It's often difficult to explain the rationale for such play. In this case Black can't get Bc8 developed as early as he'd like, so he uses Pf5 to control light squares. Black has to stake out control of the light squares to fix White's central pawns in place, then the assault on them would begin. This also explains why Black doesn't move ...Nb4-d5. He needs to leave open the possibility of ...c7-c5xd4, so control of d5 is sufficient; he doesn't have to occupy the square. }
9. exf6 exf6
{ This is a dramatic change of the landscape. White doesn't continue with the central pawns now that he's gained a concession (king's weakness) from Black. Now piece play can become prevalent. White would probably like to play Qd1-h5+, but he can't afford to until he's hobbled Nb4. It threatens to jump into c2 if White walks away from that square. }
10. Nc3 ( 10. a3 f5 ( 10...N4d5 $2 11. Qh5+ ) 11. Bf3 N4d5 12. Bd2 ) 10...f5 $1
{ Consistently Black uses a pawn to block Be4 and this incidentally (and usefully) prevents Qd1-h5+ from being effective. Now Nb4 could retreat if necessary. }
11. Bb1 N4d5 12. Nf3
{ It doesn't look like any stodgy closed Queen's Gambit Declined! }
12...Bd6 ( 12...Nxe3 13. fxe3 Bd6 
{ creates the backward Pe3 (probably temporary) and takes aim at the king-side, but it doesn't put any sustained pressure on White }
 ) ( 12...Bb4 
{ attempts to apply pressure without allowing immediate simplification. It also allows Black to meet Be3-g5 with ...Qd8-d6 or ...Nd5-f6 }
 13. Bg5 Qd6 14. Qe2+ Be6 15. Bxf5 Nxc3 
{ is certainly a confusing mess for tacticians (and computer programs) to solve }
 ) 13. Bg5 Be7
{ Black immediately moves the bishop again, but White has moved his bishop twice also. And, who should be concerned about how many times a piece has moved after all the other peculiar-looking maneuvers which preceded this? Most importantly Black threatens Bg5 and keeps Ke8 safe. }
14. Bd2
{ Now who's lost the tempo? }
14...O-O 15. O-O Nxc3 ( 15...f4 
{ finally frees Bc8 to develop, but opens the b1-h7 diagonal. I'd say Black is well enough developed to handle White's few tactics with Rf8 ready to support ...Bc8-f5 and Nd5 well supported, so no pin can do damage. }
 16. Qb3 ( 16. Qc2 Bf5 17. Qb3 Bg4 18. Be4 c6 ) 16...Bf5 
{ Preventing Bb1-e4xd5 from being a problem is one Black option. He might also choose ...Bc8-g4xf3 to begin an offensive against Kg1. }
 ) 16. bxc3 Be6 17. Re1 Bd5
{ Oddly, the position closely resembles one arising from a Petrov's Defense. }
18. Bd3 ( 18. Ne5 ) 18...Nc4 19. Bxc4
{ It's a sad day for White when he has to trade his good bishop for a lowly knight, and Black continues his light square control. }
19...Bxc4 20. Ne5 Bf7 21. Nxf7
{ Well, at least he gets the bishop back. This simplifies the game considerably and White's multiple pawn "islands" is balanced to some extent by Black's slightly weakened king's position. }
21...Rxf7 22. Qb3 c5
{ Finally (!) , there's the crucial strike at Pd4. Of course it's different than if it had occurred early in the game. But, opening the position and getting rid of another White pawn will leave White with an isolated pawn, a much easier target. This is an example of attacking the pawn chain at it's head, Nimcovics (Nimzovitch) wouldn't have given this as an example of excellent play, but he also played such things. }
23. d5 $1
{ If White gets time for c3-c4 he'll have made Bf6 worse by blocking Pc5 which blocks Be7. It also removes the pawns from dark squares where they're targets. }
23...b5
{ Black has to prevent c3-c4 and in so doing offers a pawn trade which would give White a slightly better bishop (after 24. Qxb5 Qxd5 25. Bf4) if he can target Bc5 without ...f5-f4 chasing it off the e3-c5 diagonal. }
 ( 23...Bf6 24. Rad1 Qd6 25. c4 $14 ) 24. Re6
{ If Ponomariov had the White pieces he might well have played the same move. Both these players will go to extremes, at times, to gain the initiative for their pieces. In this case Black can work to isolate Pd5 and block Qb3 over on the queen-side, several tempi from the central action. }
 ( 24. c4 bxc4 25. Qxc4 $14 ) 24...Qd7 25. Rae1 c4 $5 ( 25...Kf8 ) 26. Qd1 Rd8 27. Qe2 Qxd5 28. Rxe7 Rxe7 29. Qxe7 Qxd2
{ This particular simplification has left the weakness of Kg8 more noticable, but Black's incursion at Qd2 which threatens Pc3 is consistent with his plan to make something of the extra queen-side pawn. The balance is still there. }
30. Qe6+ Kf8 ( 30...Kh8 $4 31. Qe8+ Rxe8 32. Rxe8# ) 31. Qxf5+ Kg8 32. Qe6+ Kf8 33. Qe7+ Kg8 34. Qe6+ Kf8 35. h4
{ He can afford this because Pc3 is poison. }
35...Qd7
{ Black wants a queen trade to end the threats to Kf8. That would make it easier for him to redirect attention to his queen-side pawns. }
 ( 35...Qxc3 36. Qe7+ Kg8 37. Qxd8+ 
{ captured with check, so Re1 isn't captured }
 37...Kf7 38. Qe8+ Kf6 39. Qe6# ) 36. Qa6
{ The attack on Kf8 has to take a break and this move prevents Black from putting his Pa7 into motion. }
36...Qd2 37. Qe6 Qd7 38. Qe5
{ Apparently he doesn't want to just repeat moves; but this is risky. }
38...Re8 39. Qc5+
{ White prefers to make something of his ability to threaten (or at least to check) Black's king with queen & rook. }
 ( 39. Qxe8+ Qxe8 40. Rxe8+ Kxe8 41. Kf1 a5 42. a3 Ke7 43. g4 Kd6 44. Ke2 Kc5 45. f4 b4 46. cxb4+ axb4 47. axb4+ Kxb4 48. Kd2 c3+ 49. Kc2 Kc4 50. f5 Kd4 51. g5 Ke5 52. f6 gxf6 53. gxf6 Kxf6 54. Kxc3 Kg6 55. Kd3 Kh5 56. Ke3 Kxh4 57. Kf2 $11 ) 39...Kg8 40. Rxe8+
{ Trading rooks is difficult to avoid, but it limits White's attacking chances. There are few positions where a queen can checkmate the opponent king by itself. However, it can perpetually check. }
40...Qxe8 41. Qd5+ ( 41. Qxa7 Qe1+ 42. Kh2 Qe5+ 43. g3 Qxc3 44. Qb8+ Kf7 45. Qxb5 
{ and Black's passed Pc4 gives him plenty of opportunity to draw }
 ) 41...Kh8 42. Kf1 ( 42. g3 
{ is safe because Pc3 is poison. After 42...Qe1+ 43. Kg2 Qxc3?? 44. Qd8 is checkmate. }
 42...h6 
{ renews the threat of ...Qe8-e1+xc3 }
 ) 42...h6 43. f3 a5 44. Kf2 Qg6 45. Qa8+ Kh7 46. Qxa5 Qc2+ 47. Kg3 Qg6+ 48. Kf2
1/2-1/2


white: Ponomariov, Ruslan
black: Vallejo Pons, Francisco
date: 2002.03.08
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 12
annotation:
1. e4
{ Theoretically this is Ponomariov's best chance to win and get back into the race for first. But, in practice Vallejo Pons has proven tough to beat. }
1...c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3
{ Finally, someone chooses not to play c2-c4. However, 5. Bd3 is considered better by most people. Nc3 is a waiting target for ...b7-b5 or might be pinned by ...Bf8-b4. Black usually plays strongly on the dark squares, as in many Sicilian Defense variations, with White defending Nd4 & Nc3 and trying to find a way to open lines to Ke8 or make something of the half open d-file. }
5...b5 6. Bd3
{ preparing to meet ...b5-b4 with Nc3-e2 }
6...Bb7
{ Taking aim at Pe4 isn't going to succeed the way it would in many other variations. Here White has taken extra precaution to keep Pe4 safe and left Nd4 a little weaker. Black should adjust his play in recognition of this. }
 ( 6...Qb6 
{ If Black can chase Nd4 back then there would be very little danger to Black; only the possibility of Nc3-d5 would have to be prevented. }
 ) 7. O-O Nc6 $6 8. Nxc6 Bxc6 9. Qe2
{ preparing Nc3-d5. This is a common tactic in a variation where Black hasn't quickly developed Ng8 and Bf8 to enable ...O-O. Ke8 is definately a target! }
9...Ne7
{ This takes care of the immediate threat, but also leaves Black's position awkward. }
10. Bd2
{ With Bf8 blocked from action on the queen-side White decides to threaten Pb5. Bd2 prepares a2-a4. }
10...Ng6 11. a4 b4 12. Nd5
{ Now he's combining both tactics (pressure on Pb4 and Nc3-d5) which might have the effect of overwhelming Black. }
12...a5 13. c3 b3 14. g3
{ He's preparing Nd5-e3 and disallowing ...Ng6-f4. It's not terribly pretty, but Nd5 will have to move eventually. }
 ( 14. f4 Bc5+ 15. Kh1 ( 15. Be3 Bxe3+ 16. Qxe3 O-O 17. Nb6 Rb8 18. Nc4 ) 15...O-O 16. Ne3 ) 14...Bd6 15. Ne3 O-O
{ For a position which has arisen from a Sicilian Defense this is very odd. The queen-side pawn formation is quite unusual and White's bishops on the d-file and Pg3 are peculiar. White should try to play on the d-file and perhaps try to win Pb3. He shouldn't allow Black to open the f-file with ...f7-f5. That would make Bc6 too good. So, Bd3-b5 to trade bishops might be useful. But, Pe4 needs defense, so Ne3 must move first. }
16. Nc4 Bc5 17. Be3 Qe7 18. Nd2
{ White threatens Pb3 and is ready to play Bd3-b5. }
18...Ne5 ( 18...Rab8 19. Bb5 
{ and Pb3 is still weak because a bishop trade opens the a-file to expose Pa5 }
 ) ( 18...Rfb8 19. Bc4 ) 19. Bxc5 Qxc5 20. Nxb3 Qd6 ( 20...Qb6 
{ attempts to overwork Qe2 in her defense of Pb2 and Bd3 }
 21. Nd4 Bb7 ( 21...Nxd3 22. Qxd3 Qxb2 $4 
{ but Black has to be careful too }
 23. Rfb1 $18 ) 22. Bb5 ) 21. Bb5 f5
{ Black tries to activate pieces in a desperate attempt to threaten Kg1, as compensation for the lost pawn. }
22. f4 Ng4 23. e5 Qd5 24. Bxc6 $16
{ Sometimes it's just that simple. White keeps the f-file closed, gets rid of Bc6 and consolidates all his advantages while letting Black have none. }
24...dxc6 25. Nd4 c5 26. Nb5 Rad8 27. h3 Nh6 28. Rfd1 Qb3 29. Rd6
{ Black has absolutely no offense, but he does have a weak Pe6 and trapped Qb3. White threatens Ra1-a3xb3. This looked as easy as Ivanchuk's victory and is more to be expected than the struggle Kasparov had to endure before gaining the full point against Vallejo Pons. It also puts Ponomariov right back into a tie for first with Kasparov. This sets up the climactic struggle between those two in the next round -- winner take all! }
1-0


white: Ivanchuk, Vassily
black: Anand, Viswanathan
date: 2002.03.08
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 12
annotation:
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3
{ This is a flexible move which might still be followed by c2-c4, but could also lead to a Torre System (Bc1-g5) or London System (Bc1-f4) or Colle depending upon Black's response. }
2...e6
{ Is there much purpose to such a move or is he simply giving Ivanchuk something to think about, considering alternatives he might not have thought about during his pre-game preparations. Sometimes giving a person alternatives lets them go astray of their own accord. }
 ( 2...Nf6 
{ is most common }
 ) 3. g3
{ Since Pd5 will oppose White's Bf1 White will probably try c2-c4, but Black could still support Pd5 with ...c7-c6 (and Anand has played the Semi-Slav Defense) . }
 ( 3. e3 f5 ) ( 3. Bf4 Bd6 ) 3...Nf6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. c4
{ This can be effective to fight Pd5 because Black would be risking a lot to just play ...c7-c6 and hold on. Usually Black captures Pc4 and fights to activate his pieces with the belief White isn't so likely to play or be able to utilize e2-e4 because Bg2 would be blocked. }
5...O-O
{ After this Black is conceivably threatening to take Pc4 and hold onto it. }
6. Qc2 ( 6. b3 ) 6...c5
{ This is an attempt to show White hasn't put enough pressure on the center or developed quickly enough to avoid simplification. I wouldn't say this is a sharp attempt by Black to play for a win, though it is conceivable one would still win with the Black pieces. Pd5 is weaker than before, so cxd5 might loosen up Black's position a bit. }
7. dxc5 ( 7. cxd5 ) 7...Qa5+ 8. Nc3
{ blocking the check and blocking the c-file, so that after ...Qa5xc5 the threat to Pc4 can be met by cxd5 }
8...dxc4
{ This makes it a little more contentious. Black can easily capture Pc5. Can White get to Pc4? }
9. O-O Nc6 10. Bg5 Qxc5 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Ne4 Qe7 13. Rfd1 ( 
{ It's not so easy for White to recover the material after }
 13. Nxf6+ Qxf6 14. Qxc4 Qxb2 15. Rab1 Qf6 16. Rfd1 Rd8 17. Nd2 
{ headed for c5 or d6 to pressure Pb7 }
 17...Rd4 18. Qc5 ) 13...b5 14. a4 Ba6 15. Nxf6+ Qxf6 ( 15...gxf6 16. Ng5 fxg5 17. Bxc6 ) 16. Rd6 Rac8
{ Black is steadfastly holding onto the pawn. White doesn't want to capture axb5 because he likes the alignment of Rd6 with Ba6; though opening the a-file at some point might be useful. }
17. Nd2
{ uncovering an attack on Nc6 from Bg2 }
 ( 17. Ng5 Qxg5 18. Rxc6 Rxc6 19. Bxc6 Qc5 20. axb5 Bxb5 21. Bxb5 Qxb5 22. Rxa7 ) ( 17. h4 
{ Threatening Nf3-g5 might be useful. }
 ) 17...Nd4 18. Qd1 Rcd8
{ Ba6 is stuck, so he prepares to meet Rxa6 with ...Nd4-b3 to win Nd2. It's getting very complicated. }
19. Ne4
{ This threatens Qxd4, so Black's queen has to continue defending Nd4. }
19...Qe5 20. f4
{ Now the queen has no choice, but to sacrifice for Rd6. }
 ( 20. Rxa6 $2 Nf3+ 21. Bxf3 Rxd1+ 22. Rxd1 b4 
{ and Pb2 is weak and Qe5 is very strong }
 ) ( 20. Qxd4 $4 Qxd4 21. Rxd4 Rxd4 $17 ) 20...Qxd6 21. Nxd6 Rxd6 22. e3 Nf5 23. Qe1
{ The mix of pieces is unusual and that complicates the task of both players. I wonder who offered the draw. I also find it interesting that Ivanchuk didn't make any headway against Ponomariov's Queen's Gambit Accepted or against Anand with the Catalan, where the basic idea of Black threatening to take and hold onto Pc4 is primary and for Black to play strongly with his pieces while Bg2 is (at least temporarily) blocked by Nf3 seems to give Black easy equality. }
1/2-1/2


white: Adams, Michael
black: Kasparov, Garri
date: 2002.03.08
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 12
annotation:
1. e4 c5
{ Playing Adams in this tournament has been something akin to walking through a minefield. If Kasparov can get through unscathed he'll stay in the lead and get to the climactic matchup with Ponomariov in the next game. But, if he should lose he'll be the underdog in that big matchup. Adams or Shirov in the last round, could act as spoilers, but the fight is between Kasparov and Ponomariov. }
2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 ( 5...g6 
{ might be a good choice against the generally very quiet positional Adams }
 ) ( 5...Nc6 
{ seems to have almost disapeared from top-level tournaments (and matches) , though I don't know precisely why }
 ) 6. Be3 e6 7. Qf3
{ Wow, now this is something interesting. I've seen a New In Chess magazine theoretical article on 6. Qf3 and played 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qf3, but I've never seen it played after 6. Be3. The idea is usually to allow O-O-O without having Qd2 blocking the d-file and to be able to meet ...e6-e5 with Nd4-f5 (and possibly ...g7-g6 with Nf5-e3, so putting Be3 seems odd. It's weakness is that it blocks Pf2 from immediately moving to f4, so that means Black can use square e5 or at least he doesn't have to worry much about e4-e5. }
7...Nbd7 8. Be2
{ preparing g2-g4-g5 }
 ( 8. O-O-O) 8...h5
{ Yes, it prevents g2-g4, but what does Ke8 have to say about it? Does he feel safer now? I think Adams would be happy to have another weakness he can play against, without having extended his own position; just so he doesn't lose Qf3 because of it's exposure. }
9. Bg5 Qa5
{ threat: ...Qa5xg5 and possibly in some cases ...Nf6xe4 }
10. Bd2
{ Apparently he's willing to go to some length to not create any weaknesses Kasparov might utilize/exploit. }
 ( 10. Qe3 $2 Nxe4 ) ( 10. h4 $5 ) 10...Qb6 11. Nb3 Qc7
{ It would appear Black wants to play ...Nd7-e5-c4 or ...b7-b5 and ...Bc8-b7. }
12. a4
{ This move is slightly effective. It prevents ...b7-b5, so that after ...b7-b6 Pa6 will still need a defender. It also indicates White won't be castling to the queen-side and if he goes king-side one has to ask, "Is Qf3 well placed?" }
 ( 12. Qh3 b5 13. a3 Bb7 14. Bd3 ) 12...b6 13. Bg5
{ In many instances this freezes Nd7 as defender of Nf6. But, Black could spend a tempo on ...Bf8-e7 to take over that duty. }
13...Bb7 14. Rd1 Be7 15. Qe3
{ Adams is slowly rearranging his pieces to suit his needs in regard to playing against the slightly odd Black position. He might yet O-O and play f2-f4, but he is wisely repositioning his queen to prevent ...Nd7-c5 from being effective. Of course, that doesn't prevent ...Nd7-e5-c4. }
15...Nc5 $5 16. Nd2 $6
{ Why on earth is he avoiding that knight trade? Now Rd1 is blocked and Black can hardly be worse. }
 ( 16. Nxc5 bxc5 17. f4 ) 16...Rd8 ( 16...Bc6 
{ threatening Pa4 and preparing ...Qc7-b7 to pressure Pe4 }
 17. Bxf6 $6 gxf6 ( 17...Bxf6 $2 18. Nd5 Qd8 ) 18. Nd5 $2 exd5 19. exd5 Bxd5 ) 17. O-O Ng4 18. Bxg4 hxg4
{ Kasparov was fully prepared to have his Ng4 captured. With or without that he was hitting Ph2, so that ...d6-d5 could clear the way for ...Qc7xh2#. He wasn't going to ...O-O anyway, so this just gives Rh8 a way to play. That Black gains the two bishops is probably incidental, but may prove useful later. }
19. Bxe7 d5 20. Qg3 Qxg3 21. fxg3 Kxe7
{ And this is the result. Pe4 is en prise and Ph2 is very weak; if Black were to double rooks on the h-file it would probably fall. The open f-file isn't so bad for Black. He could play ...f7-f6 in a pinch, but Pg4 is quite weak. One Black advantage which could easily be overlooked is that his king is centralized and would be better in an endgame (I think the current situation is too complicated to be called an endgame and neither king would feel safe playing offensively) . }
22. exd5 $1
{ This creates a small conundrum for Black. If he recaptures with the bishop to keep the d-file open he has to allow Nc3xd5, but a pawn recapture blocks Bb7. }
22...exd5 23. Rde1+ Kf8 24. b4 Ne4 25. Ncxe4 dxe4 26. Nc4 $6 ( 26. Nxe4 $1 Bxe4 ( 26...Rd4 27. Rf4 Bc8 ( 27...g5 $4 28. Nxg5 ) ( 27...Rxb4 $4 28. Nd6 
{ threatening Re1-e8# }
 28...Bc6 29. Rxb4 ) 28. c3 $16 ) 27. Rxe4 Rd2 28. Rxg4 Rxc2 29. Rd4 $14 ) 26...Rh5 ( 26...Rh6 27. Ne5 ( 27. Rd1 ) 27...f6 28. Nxg4 Rh5 29. Rd1 Rhd5 30. Ne3 ) 27. Nxb6 Rd6 28. Nc4 Rd4 29. Ne3 Rxb4 30. Rd1 Re5 ( 30...Rxa4 31. Nf5 Kg8 32. Rd8+ Kh7 33. Rd7 ( 33. Nd6 Bd5 34. Nxf7 Bxf7 35. Rxf7 ) 33...Bc8 34. Rxf7 Bxf5 35. R1xf5 Rxf5 36. Rxf5 $15 ) 31. Rd7 Re7 32. Rd8+ Re8 33. Rd7 Re7 34. Rd8+
{ This was certainly one of the more curious oddly intricate games. It might have been the game of the tournament if he'd played 26. Nxe4 and went on to win. But, unlike the other players who've upset one another, this game (and the result) are more according to Kasparov's plan and he remains in first place. }
1/2-1/2


white: Anand, Viswanathan
black: Adams, Michael
date: 2002.03.09
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 13
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
{ Adams use of Petrov's Defense against Kasparov didn't fare too well. I wonder why he's repeating it here. }
3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O Be7
{ This is perhaps the most popular move at this point. It prepares ...O-O and blocks the e-file, but isn't very aggressively placed. }
 ( 7...Bg4 
{ is often followed by ...f7-f5 to fight on the light squares in a big way, but the danger is over-extension and a weakening of Pb7, e6 and f7 (near Ke8) }
 ) ( 7...Bd6 
{ aims for most effective piece development aimed at White's king-side, but leaves Black a little weak on the e-file }
 ) 8. c4
{ Since Black hasn't put any pressure on Nf3 or Pd4 White feels free to threaten Pd5 & Ne4. This adds more weight to White's offense before Nb1-c3. }
 ( 8. Re1 Nf6 ( 8...f5 9. c4 
{ and Black's center isn't easily supported }
 ) ) 8...Nb4 9. Be2 O-O 10. Nc3 ( 10. a3 
{ Kasparov-Adams, round 5, 1-0 in 47 moves }
 ) 10...Bf5 11. a3 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Nc6
{ and even after this knight has retreated Black uses Bf5 to challenge for control of the most useful diagonal b1-h7 }
13. cxd5 Qxd5
{ By transposition they've arrived at the same position as Kasparov-Adams. }
14. Re1
{ I don't see that this move makes much sense until he's prepared another place for Be2. As things stand Be2 can hardly move, so Re1 is pretty well blocked. }
 ( 14. c4 
{ quickly before Black gets in ...Nc6-a5 (controlling c4) and possibly even ...c7-c5 to break up White's central pawns }
 14...Qe4 ( 14...Qd6 ) ) 14...Rfe8 ( 14...Na5 15. Ne5 ( 15. Bd3 Bd6 ) 15...c5 16. Bf3 Qb3 17. Qxb3 Nxb3 18. Ra2 cxd4 ) 15. Bf4 Rac8 16. c4 Qe4 17. Be3 Bf6 18. Ra2 b6 19. h3 Na5 20. g4 Bg6 21. g5 Be7 22. Ne5 Bd6 23. Nxg6 hxg6 24. c5 Bf8 25. Bg4 Rcd8 26. Rae2 Qc6
{ The preceding moves with no notes should not be taken as perfect or needing no commentary. It's just they are the same moves as Kasparov-Adams from round 5. It's curious that Adams lost that game and yet drew this one with only one new move. That's quite a feat. }
27. cxb6
1/2-1/2


white: Kasparov, Garri
black: Ponomariov, Ruslan
date: 2002.03.09
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 13
annotation:
{ At this point in the tournament these two share the lead and this game will probably decide the tournament winner. }
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4
{ Before this tournament I'd have said this was a pretty good way to aim for a draw. But, the Adams-Anand game showed a new plan which should be studied closely. }
4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6 7. c3
{ Kasparov follows in the footsteps of Adams. Pc3 defends Pd5 and clears the way for Qd1-a4. }
7...c5
{ else White plays b2-b4 and makes it extremely difficult for Black to get any queen-side }
8. Ne5
{ The aim of this is to exploit the weak a4-e8 diagonal. }
 ( 8. Be3 Qc7 9. Ne5 a6 
{ Adams-Anand, round 6, 1-0 in 44 moves }
 ) 8...Nd7 ( 8...cxd4 9. Bb5+ Nd7 10. Qxd4 
{ with a threat of Qd4-f4xf7# }
 ) 9. Bb5 Bd6 10. Qg4 Kf8
{ As in a Caro-Kann variation Black accepts that Pg7 is weak and must be defended this awkward way. However, Qg4 is exposed and Pd4 & Ne5 are ill-supported, so Black has plenty of chances to survive. Perhaps one of the more important details is that White needs to retreat Ne5 to avoid another minor piece exchange. The more exchanges the easier it will be for Black to complete his development and the harder it would be for White to generate an attack. }
 ( 10...O-O $4 11. Bh6 ( 11. Bxd7 Bxd7 ( 11...Bxe5 $4 12. Bxc8 Bxd4 13. Bxb7 Rb8 14. Be4 Bf6 $18 ) 12. Bh6 Qf6 13. Bg5 $18 ) 11...Bxe5 ( 
{ Malcolm Pein: }
 11...Qf6 12. Nxd7 Bxd7 13. Bg5 Qg6 14. Bxd7 h6 
{ pinning }
 ) 12. dxe5 g6 13. Bxf8 $16 ) 11. O-O $5
{ Kasparov has a lot of courage. Here he offers a pawn, so he can spend the tempo developing pieces. He obviously thinks there's a way to fight for a win if his piece activity is sufficient. }
 ( 11. Nf3 Nf6 12. Qh4 Bd7 
{ when Black's development probably compensates for the awkward Kf8. }
 ) 11...Nxe5 12. dxe5 Bxe5 13. Bg5 Bf6 ( 13...Qc7 ) 14. Rad1 Qc7
{ I'm not sure why he's allowing White to capture at f6 to double his f-file pawns, exposing Kf8 a little. Perhaps he thinks he'll be able to play ...Rh8-g8 to help his own piece development. }
 ( 14...Qe7 
{ Malcolm Pein: }
 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 ( 15...gxf6 16. Qh4 
{ with very good compensation }
 16...a6 ( 16...h6 17. Rd3 
{ and Black still cannot free himself with ...a6 }
 17...a6 18. Rfd1 axb5 19. Rd8+ Kg7 20. Rxh8 Kxh8 21. Qxh6+ Kg8 22. Rd3 ) 17. Qh6+ Kg8 18. Rd3 $18 ) ) 15. Qh4 ( 
{ Malcolm Pein: }
 15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. Qh4 Ke7 17. Rd3 Rd8 18. Qxh7 Rxd3 19. Bxd3 Bd7 
{ and the worst is over }
 ) 15...Bxg5 ( 15...Qe7 ) 16. Qxg5
{ threat: Rd1-d8+ }
16...f6 17. Qh5
{ threat: Qh5-e8# }
17...g6 18. Qh6+ Kf7 19. Rd3 a6 20. Rh3 Qe7 ( 20...axb5 21. Qxh7+ Rxh7 22. Rxh7+ Kg8 23. Rxc7 $18 ) 21. Bd3 f5
{ Pawns don't generally fight pieces very well. The pawns move to block and the pieces just go around them. }
22. g4
{ But sometimes, to break through a mass of pawns and when a piece sac. isn't going to be enough, another pawn must be used. }
 ( 22. Rg3 $6 
{ threatening Rg3xg6 while Rh8 is undefended }
 22...Bd7 23. h4 Rag8 $15 
{ to meet h4-h5 with ...g6-g5, keeping lines closed }
 ) 22...Qf6
{ Malcolm Pein: Ponomariov had been playing much quicker than Kasparov and his next couple of moves came quite fast to my surprise. }
 ( 22...Bd7 23. Rd1 Rad8 24. gxf5 gxf5 
{ tries to keep Bd3 at bay, but seems to open up Kf7 to checks from Qh6 and Rh3. It's hard to know whether this is safe. }
 ( 24...exf5 25. Bc4+ Be6 26. Bxe6+ Qxe6 ( 26...Kxe6 27. Re3+ ) 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 ( 27...Qe1+ 28. Kg2 Qe4+ 29. Kf1 Qb1+ 30. Ke2 Rxd8 31. Qxh7+ Ke6 32. Re3+ Kd5 33. Rd3+ $18 ) 28. Qxh7+ Kf6 ( 28...Kf8 $4 29. Qh8+ Qg8 30. Qf6+ $18 ) 29. Qh4+ g5 30. Qh6+ Kf7 31. Qh7+ Kf8 32. Re3 ( 32. Qh8+ Ke7 33. Rh7+ $18 ) 32...Qf6 ) ) 23. Rd1 b5 ( 23...fxg4 24. Rg3 b5 25. Rxg4 ) 24. Be2 e5 ( 24...Ra7 $1 25. Rd6 $4 ( 25. gxf5 exf5 
{ This might be a good defense for Black. Ra7 can come toward the center, possibly even defending Ph7 in some cases. }
 ( 25...gxf5 26. Bh5+ Ke7 27. Qe3 $13 ) 26. Qxh7+ $5 Rxh7 27. Rxh7+ ) 25...Qe5 ) 25. Rhd3 Ra7 26. Rd6 Qg7 27. Qe3 Rc7
{ One by one White attacks a weakness and Black defends. If White can find two weaknesses (or create them) Black will be hard-pressed to hang on. }
28. a4 e4
{ To this point Black has made nine pawn moves compared to White's four. Certainly the extra four moves could have been used by Black to keep his king safer and his pieces more active; but at the beginning it seemed so much easier. It's like watching a small snowball rolling down a hill, growing larger and faster as it goes. }
 ( 28...c4 29. Qb6 ) 29. axb5 axb5 30. Bxb5 Qe5
{ Is there's still no way for Rh8 to move into play? Apparently Pc5 is too weak to spend any "free" tempos on general piece activation. }
 ( 30...Rf8 31. R6d5 ( 31. Bc4+ Ke7 32. R6d5 ) ) 31. Qg5 Qe7 32. Qh6 Be6 33. Qf4
{ Malcolm Pein: John H tells me GK made the control with a couple of minutes to spare. Looks like he missed the kill first time round. MH: This almost looks like an admission his attack has run out of steam. If he can't move Rd6 with an effective discovery on Rc7 and if he can't break through the light squares around Kf7 then Black might be only a little worse (his king is still less secure than Kg1) . }
33...Bc8
{ He avoids the most obvious discovery, Rd6xe6. }
 ( 33...Ra8 34. gxf5 gxf5 ( 34...Bxf5 $4 35. Rd7 ) 35. Rxe6 Kxe6 ( 35...Rg8+ 36. Kf1 Kxe6 37. Bc4+ Kf6 38. Bxg8 $18 ) 36. Bc4+ Kf6 37. Qh6+ Ke5 38. Rd5# ) 34. Qh6
{ threatening Rd6xg6 (again) }
34...Be6 35. gxf5 gxf5 36. Be2 Qf6 37. Bh5+ Ke7 38. Rxe6+
{ The capture works after all. 38...Qxe6 allows 39. Qg7+ to win Rh8 and 38...Ke6 allows 39. Rd6+ which wins Qf6. This relentless attack wasn't so flashy as many, but it was very accurate and showed the pawns can't leave a king exposed without major consequences. In this case the defense was good, but the position was (apparently) irreparable. That the White pieces won this and the Adams-Anand games using this same (new to my knowledge) opening idea is notable. Anand didn't lose because of it, he misplayed a queen and pawn ending, but Ponomariov never quite recovered from the positional weaknesses around his king, created during the opening and early middle-game. Kasparov takes the lead in the tournament with only one round to go! }
1-0


white: Vallejo Pons, Francisco
black: Shirov, Alexei
date: 2002.03.09
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1-0
round: 13
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4
{ I'm surprised to see this move. I'd been thinking about it and then saw a game GM Yudasin - IM Nakamura from a recent event and now here it is again. White's idea is to not commit to d2-d4 and to perhaps threaten c2-c3, d2-d4 when he's used Bc4 to prevent the counter ...d6-d5. Black can easily play ...Ng8-f6 or ...Nb8-c6, but he must realize White's possible plan to achieve d2-d4, else he'll have no offensive potential. }
3...Nf6 4. d3
{ perhaps planning 5. Ng5 e6 6. f4 }
4...e6
{ Shirov aims to blunt the bishop and prepares ...d6-d5. He might also use ...a7-a6 and ...b7-b5. }
5. Bb3
{ so that 5...d5 can be met by 6. e5 if he wishes }
5...Be7 6. O-O O-O ( 6...d5 7. e5 Nfd7 8. c3 Nc6 9. d4 b5 
{ would be similar to the game except that Black wouldn't yet have committed his king to any position }
 ) ( 6...Qc7 
{ trying to find a way to play ...c5-c4 to split apart White's central pawns }
 7. c3 O-O ( 7...c4 $4 8. Bxc4 Nxe4 9. Bb5+ $18 ) 8. Re1 b5 9. Bc2 Bb7 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 e5 12. Nf1 Rfe8 13. Ng3 Bf8 
{ seems like a fairly safe Spanish-like position for Black }
 ) 7. c3 Nc6 8. Re1
{ He's over-protected Pe4, so Pd3 can advance. Black has a couple of choices after d3-d4. One is ...d6-d5 e4-e5 which produces a French Defense kind of pawn structure, but the early ...O-O might not be favorable. Another is ...e6-e5 which produces a Ruy Lopez kind of structure except Black hasn't weakened his queen-side (or gained space if that's a plan you prefer for Black) . Now that White has a Pc3 and couldn't utilize a weaker square d5 it might be good for Black to play 8...e6-e5 in anticipation of 9. d3-d4 Bg4. }
8...b5 9. Nbd2 d5 $6 10. e5 Nd7 11. d4
{ White supports Pe5 and prepares for Bb3-c2 to take aim at Ph7 (and Kg8) . }
11...Ba6
{ I wonder if later he might miss this piece from c8 where it could defend Pe6 in a few critical cases when Black would want to play ...f7-f5 to block the b1-h7 diagonal. }
 ( 11...b4 ) 12. Nf1
{ student body right }
12...b4 13. Ba4
{ This is certainly an odd utilization of the bishop. }
 ( 13. Ng3 
{ preventing ...Ba6xf1, keeps the knight for offense and leaves Ba6 doing nothing }
 ) 13...Rc8 ( 13...Bxf1 $4 14. Bxc6 Rc8 15. Bxd7 Qxd7 16. Kxf1 $18 ) 14. Bxc6 Rxc6 15. cxb4 Bxf1 16. Rxf1 cxb4
{ This certainly solves a lot of Black's problems. Kg8 is a lot safer and Black already has control of the only open file (Rc8) . By trading a couple of minor pieces it should also be easier for Black to maneuver comfortably. }
17. Be3 Qa5 18. g3 Rfc8 19. Ne1 Qb5 20. h4 a5 21. b3
{ This slows Black's pieces considerably. Be7 is plainly blocked by Pb4 and White's central pawns block Nd7. Ne1 is necessary to prevent ...Rc2. Black could even look at ...f7-f6xe5 to open some lines. Unfortunately it's the f-file which would open for Rf1. The fact is there's no easy way for Black to force a confrontation of his pieces with White's, or to get at Kg1. Black has to be patient and await developments. }
21...a4
{ I'm not terribly fond of this move. It places the pawn enprise and can only advance, leaving Pb4 backward or exchange for b3, opening the a-file for White. }
 ( 21...Rc3 ) 22. Nd3 Rc3 ( 22...Rc2 $2 23. Nc5 Rc3 24. Bd2 ) 23. Nf4 Nf8 24. Qg4
{ White offers Pb3, knowing he threatens a strong attack.}
 ( 
{ White could just get rid of the weak pawn before proceeding with his king-side offensive. }
 24. bxa4 ) 24...Qd7 ( 
{ The following variation (and subvariations) are probably far from perfect, but outline a couple of the plans of attack and defense which could occur. }
 24...axb3 25. axb3 Rxb3 26. Nh5 g6 ( 26...Ng6 27. Nxg7 Kxg7 28. h5 Ra3 29. hxg6 hxg6 30. Bg5 Bxg5 31. Qxg5 Rxa1 32. Rxa1 Qe2 33. Qf6+ Kg8 
{ and Black has developed sufficient counterplay possibilities against Kg1 such that White can't go ahead with the offense by Ra1-a7 }
 ) 27. Nf6+ Bxf6 28. exf6 Ra3 29. Qg5 Nd7 30. Bf4 Qd3 31. Be5 Qf3 
{ and Black staves off the mating attack by threatening to get rid of Pf6 }
 ) 25. h5 $6 ( 25. Nh5 ) ( 25. bxa4 ) 25...axb3 26. axb3 Rxb3 ( 26...h6 $4 27. Ne2 Rxb3 28. Bxh6 $18 ) 27. h6 g6 28. Nh3
{ It appears he's repositioning to attack Pf7, but that's probably not true. Pf7 is very easily defended by Qd7. Instead he's probably aiming to play Be3-g5xe7 to weaken the dark squares. That would give his queen a more clear path to g7 to give mate. }
28...Rbc3 29. Bg5 b3 30. Rfb1
{ This is a tense phase where White has to bring every single piece into play and yet prevent Pb3 from advancing very far. }
30...Rb8 ( 30...b2 $4 31. Rxb2 $11 ) 31. Kg2 Rc7 $6 ( 31...b2 
{ gets the pawn a little out of reach of White's queen -- it won't be able to attack the Pb2 and Pf7 simultaneously }
 32. Ra2 Rcb3 ) 32. Rb2 Bxg5 ( 32...Qd8 33. Rab1 Bxg5 34. Nxg5 Rcb7 35. Qf4 Qe7 36. Qe3 Nd7 37. Nf3 $11 ) 33. Qxg5 Qe7 34. Qe3 Qb4 35. Qf4 Qe7 36. Qf3
{ There it is, the ideal location where he threatens Pb3 and Qf3-f6-g7#. }
36...Rcb7 37. Rab1 Nd7 38. Rxb3 Rxb3 39. Rxb3 Qf8 40. Rxb8 Nxb8 41. Ng5 Nd7
{ Even here it seems White's advantage isn't big enough to win. But, Black's cramp is dangerous. One false step and it's over. }
42. Qf4 Qe7 43. Qc1 Qd8 44. Nf3 ( 44. Kf3 ) 44...Kf8 45. Ng5 Kg8 46. Nf3 Kf8 47. Kg1
{ Apparently this is a critical situation: if Qd8 moves away from the d8-h4 diagonal he weakens e7 and g5 (two squares White would like to gain entree to) too much. Maybe he should just leave Qd8 and move ...Kf8-g8, however odd it may seem to move the king into such a dangerous situation. }
47...Qb8 48. Qa3+ Ke8 ( 48...Kg8 $4 49. Qe7 Nf8 ( 49...Qc8 50. Ng5 $18 ) 50. Qf6 $18 ) 49. Ng5 Nf8
{ Now White would like to get to a square on the seventh rank to hit Pf7, but Black has them all guarded. }
50. Qa4+ ( 50. Qf3 Qb1+ ( 50...Qb7 51. Qf6 Qe7 52. Kg2 ) 51. Kg2 Qf5 52. Qe3 Qc2 53. Qa3 $16 
{ and White is making inroads to Ke8 & Pf7 and Black's queen is not going to be able to administer a perpetual check against Kg2 }
 ) 50...Ke7 51. Kg2 Qb7 52. Qa3+ Ke8 53. Qf3 Qe7 54. Qf6
{ Wow! That's dramatic. I don't think I'd considered the possibility of offering a queen trade, as a way of zugzwanging Black away from Pf7. That's nifty and quite creative. }
1-0


white: Ponomariov, Ruslan
black: Anand, Viswanathan
date: 2002.03.10
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 14
annotation:
1. e4
{ Although Kasparov is one point ahead he might lose his last round game to Shirov, so it's important for Ponomariov to try to win this one. He's the only player who could catch Kasparov. }
1...e5
{ After seeing the Sicilian Defense so many times it's quite a curious thing to see this recent trend (at least amongst the top-level GMs) toward 1. e4 e5 with both the Petrov's Defense and 2. Nf3 Nc6 being played. The so-called hypermodern defenses have been relegated to the back-burner. I haven't seen a Modern/Pirc or Alekhine's Defense game for a long time. And, although the Caro-Kann and French Defenses are still played they're clearly in the minority. }
2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O
{ Now this is interesting. I don't recall seeing Anand threaten or play the Marshall Gambit. Why on earth has this variation experienced a resurgence in recent years? Of course, it goes through ups and downs as people play it, discover problems, study it and then play it again. Perhaps it's just that other defenses seem to have a few more adherents than this one, so that the ups and downs of some Sicilian Defense or Queen's Gambit variation is hardly noticed. One must remember also, there are many variations of a Spanish and this is but one. }
8. c3
{ Ponomariov takes on the bigger challenge. }
 ( 8. a4 ) ( 8. d3 ) 8...d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15. Re4
{ It seems odd to move the rook so many times, but White must use whatever pieces are available to get the job done. It was once thought White should develop Bc1-e3, Qd1-d3, Nb1-d2, Qd3-f1. But, Re1-e4 forces either a retreat or other concession from Black and enables Qd1-f1. }
15...g5
{ Because of this Black's king shouldn't be quite as safe and that gives White some counter-attacking possibilities. }
16. Qe2 f5
{ In Ponomariov-Adams from round 9 Ponomariov established Re4 as a perimeter and offered for Black to capture it with a minor piece. He also played f2-f3 to support that perimeter. As a result his king was weakened a bit, but Black didn't quite break through and was pushed back. In this game Anand is using a pawn to challenge Re4, so this game ought to have a different appearance and the clash might occur more on Black's terms. }
 ( 16...Nf6 
{ Ponomariov-Adams, round 9, 1-0 in 45 moves }
 ) 17. Bxd5+
{ I'm not quite certain why he chose this moment to get rid of Nd5. }
17...cxd5 18. Re6
{ It's amazing that White isn't developed and he continues to offer this exchange sac AND Black refuses to take it because the pawn pushes have exposed his king -- he needs to keep pieces on the board to keep his king safe, at least from a perpetual check. How can Black get free to continue his offensive if White mucks it up by threatening Bd6 or checks to Kg8? }
18...f4
{ Whether this is correct is hard to say, but it's certainly courageous? threat: ...Bxe6 }
 ( 18...Bb8 19. Bxg5 f4 20. Re8 ) 19. Rxd6 Bg4 ( 19...f3 $5 20. Qf1 Re8 21. Be3 
{ and Black can't break through on the dark squares }
 21...Qf5 22. Nd2 $13 
{ White's rook will probably be exchanged for Black's bishop (though there is a slight chance it might remain on the board) and White's queen might find it difficult to become active, so White has to resort to a2-a4 (as is quite usual) to open a line for piece activation. Pf3 is a bone in White's throat and continues to give Black chances to win. }
 ) 20. Qf1 Qxf1+ ( 20...Qh5 21. Rxd5 
{ and Rd5-e5 could again block the e-file }
 ) 21. Kxf1 Rae8
{ Black has at least gotten past White's rook, though it now threatens to win Black's pawns. So, the task of defending Kf1 falls upon White's other pieces. threat: 22...Bg4-h3+ 23. Kg1 Re1# }
22. Bd2 Bh3+ 23. Kg1 fxg3 24. hxg3 Re2 ( 24...g4 
{ would have locked-in Bh3 when it's not at all clear Black's rooks can force their way through to checkmate }
 25. Rxd5 
{ aiming for Rd5-e5 to block out Re8 }
 ( 25. Be3 Rxe3 26. fxe3 Rf1+ 27. Kh2 Rf2+ $11 ) 25...Re2 26. Re5 Rexf2 27. Bf4 ( 27. Re1 Rf1+ 28. Rxf1 Rxf1+ 29. Kh2 Rf2+ $11 ) 27...Rf1+ 28. Kh2 Rf2+ ) 25. Be3 Rxe3 26. fxe3 Rf1+ 27. Kh2 g4 28. Rxd5
{ So Ponomariov hangs on to the draw and second place -- not a bad debut to the most prestigious tournament (some say world championship of tournaments) in the world. }
1/2-1/2


white: Shirov, Alexei
black: Kasparov, Garri
date: 2002.03.10
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 0-1
round: 14
annotation:
1. e4
{ At this point in the tournament Shirov has drawn with everyone but Adams and has beaten Ivanchuk (3rd-5th place finish) , but lost (with Black) to Anand, Adams and Vallejo Pons (3rd-5th and 6th place finishers) . This is an odd sort of result except that each and every one of these contestants is very strong. One gets the sense Shirov is trying to figure out how to beat the top players and this tournament was (for Shirov) as much for experimentation as anything; or maybe he's just in a bit of a slump. }
1...c5 2. Nf3 Nc6
{ Already this is a surprise. I can't recall the last time Kasparov played this. Here are some of his "surprises" from the tournament: round 1 as Black against Vallejo Pons' English Opening he played 2...e5; round 8 as White against Vallejo Pons' Sicilian Defense he played c2-c4 to establish a Maroczy Bind; round 7 against Shirov's Sicilian Defense he played 3. Bb5 and, now in this Sicilian Defense game against Shirov he has played 2...Nc6. }
3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5
{ I don't recall ever seeing Kasparov play this. And, why would he play such a double-edged opening when all he needs is a draw to win the tournament. He risks a lot with this choice because a loss here and a win by Ponomariov would give Ponomariov a tie for first with Kasparov. }
 ( 5...d6 
{ would certainly be more expected, as it easily leads into a Scheveningen Variation, Kasparov's favorite }
 ) 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 f5 11. Bxb5
{ This isn't unknown, but it is uncommon. There aren't so many players who wish to enter into a tactical melee this quickly. The strategic idea is that White's bishop isn't very good and this way it gives it's life to make Na3 very good and to open some lines to Ke8, so it will never find a safe haven. }
 ( 11. c3 
{ Anand-Ivanchuk, round 5, 1/2-1/2 in 49 moves }
 ) 11...axb5 12. Nxb5
{ threat: Nc7+ }
12...Ra4 13. b4 Qh4
{ Black enters the attack vs. counterattack situation and makes room at d8 for Black's king to move around a bit. The center is clogged up, so he plays with Ra4 and Qh4 on the wings. }
 ( 13...Nxb4 $4 14. c3 $16 ) 14. O-O Rg8
{ White might like to think his king is safe behind the pawns, but there's room for Black to play on that wing and the g-file is open. It's still anybody's game. }
 ( 14...Qxe4 $4 15. Nf6+ $18 ) 15. f4
{ I like this move. It makes Rf1 active and opens the second rank, so White can defend Pg2 more easily. Besides, there's no rule only Black can play on the king-side. Black's pawns block the center pretty well, so play on either or both wings is mandatory. }
15...Kd8
{ This ugly-duckling move allows Qh4 to move without Nd5-f6+ picking up Rg8. }
16. c3 Ra6
{ If you'd shown me this game without telling me who was playing I might have guessed Shirov, as he plays this Bxb5 variation occasionally, but I'd never have guessed Kasparov would play this variation. I'm not saying it's bad (I don't know about that) , just that it doesn't seem to be his usual style. }
17. a4 fxe4 18. f5 Bb7 19. Ra2 e3
{ This isn't exactly "playing in the center" so much as getting out of the way of Bb7, so he can play on the wing at g2. }
20. Nxe3 ( 
{ Now might be the time to make a breakthrough to get at Kd8. }
 20. Nxd6 Bxd6 21. b5 Ra7 22. bxc6 Bxc6 23. Nb4 ) 20...Qe4 21. Re1 ( 21. Nxd6 $4 Qxe3+ 22. Kh1 Bxd6 ( 22...Kc7 $4 23. Nxb7 Kxb7 24. Qd7+ ) 23. Qxd6+ Kc8 $19 ) ( 21. Re2 ) 21...Nxb4
{ After this all the offense is Black's. }
22. cxb4 Bh6 23. Kh1 Bxe3 24. Qe2 Rc6
{ Be3 is poison because Black would exchange queens and then play ...Rc8-c1+, mating. }
25. a5 Qxb4 26. Nxd6 ( 26. Qxe3 Qxb5 ) 26...Rxd6 27. Qxe3 Qd4 28. Qc1 Qd5
{ Black pieces are perfect for offense at d2 and along the d-file AND he defends Kd8 and against the advance of Pa5 very well. White has no hope. I don't know the opening theory of this game, but it appears to me Kasparov out-dueled Shirov in his own "pet" line. Bravo! This tops a fine tournament victory as well. }
0-1


white: Adams, Michael
black: Ivanchuk, Vassily
date: 2002.03.10
event: SuperGM
site: Linares ESP
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 14
annotation:
1. e4 c5
{ Adams and Ivanchuk both, with a victory in this game, would tie for second place. }
2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3
{ After Kasparov and Ponomariov used c2-c4 Anand used Nb1-c3, but Bf1-d3 (Kan Variation) , used by Ivanchuk in round 10 (he also followed with c2-c4 after he'd castled) , is supposed to be the "main line". White prepares to O-O and keeps open the option of c2-c4. }
5...Nf6 6. O-O d6
{ This is typical of a Paulsen Variation. Black leaves open his specific piece development and just uses pawn moves early-on to limit White's pieces. The down-side of this approach is that it's not very contentious and allows White to choose his set-up. }
 ( 6...d5 7. e5 Nfd7 8. Qe2 ( 8. f4 $6 Bc5 9. c3 Nc6 
{ and it appears White has over-extended a bit. }
 ) 8...Bc5 9. Nf3 
{ is similar to a French Defense, Advance Variation }
 ) 7. c4
{ Maroczy Bind }
7...b6
{ Hedgehog - Also see Ivanchuk-VallejoPons, round 10, 1-0 in 23 where 7...Be7 was played. }
8. Nc3 Bb7 9. f4
{ Adams plays as though he had Pc2 rather than Pc4. This tells me he considers having Pc4 as an unqualified advantage which requires no limitation on how he might otherwise play the position. Ivanchuk did the same when he played the White pieces. }
9...Be7 10. f5
{ This is where his approach differs with Ivanchuk's. Ivanchuk played Kg1-h1, Qd1-e2 and slowly developed while Vallejo Pons self-destructed. Here Adams goes for the throat. }
10...Nc6
{ Black takes the pressure off Pe6 immediately. Black can hardly afford to play ...e6-e5 and leave Pd5 completely in White's hands. }
11. Be3 Nxd4
{ getting rid of the pressure on Pe6, so he doesn't have to play ...e6-e5 which weakens d5 }
12. Bxd4 O-O 13. fxe6 fxe6 14. Qe2
{ White may attack Pb6 to peck away at Black's weak points while he maneuvers into some formation to attack Kg8. Threatening at two or three points can help the White cause. }
 ( 14. e5 $2 dxe5 15. Bxe5 Bc5+ 16. Kh1 Qe8 
{ and Black's pieces are very active & coordinated }
 ) 14...Kh8 15. Rad1 ( 15. Qe3 $5 Ng4 ( 15...Nd7 16. Qh3 ) 16. Qh3 ) 15...Nd7 16. Rxf8+
{ Adams saw that Rf1 had no great offensive value if it was always going to be traded for Rf8, so he forced the trade on his terms. This way Rd1 continues to take aim at Pd6 & Qd8 and the rook trade forces at least one Black piece onto an awkward square (f8) . }
16...Qxf8 17. Na4
{ This simple attack on Pb6 puts Black's position into crisis! }
17...Bf6 18. Bxf6 ( 18. Qf2 ) 18...Qxf6 19. Qe3 Rd8
{ defending Nd7, so he can meet 20. Nxb6 with 20...Qxb2. Swapping pawns is better than just losing Pb6. }
20. b4 ( 20. Nxb6 Qxb2 ) ( 20. b3 ) 20.. a5 21. Nxb6 axb4 22. Rf1 Qh6
{ Leave it to Ivanchuk to come up with such an outlandish move. He'd prefer the doubled h-file pawns than for his queen to be forced into passivity! }
 ( 22...Qe7 23. Nxd7 
{ and Pb4 is very weak }
 ) 23. Qxh6 gxh6 24. Nxd7 Rxd7 25. Rb1 ( 
{ It appears }
 25. Rf6 
{ isn't quite as good as the game move because there is a risk Pb4 might become very good if Pa2 disappears, so getting rid of Pb4 first is the better way to go -- at least in theory. In a well-analzyed variation one might show Black can capture at e6 and Black can't go after Pa2 because he'll be too tied-up defending against Re6, Pc4 and Pe4. }
 25...d5 26. exd5 ( 
{ Also good is to get past Bb7 with }
 26. cxd5 exd5 27. e5 
{ when Pd5 blocks Bb7 and Pe5 isn't blocked. }
 ) 26...exd5 27. c5 Rc7 28. Rxh6 
{ and Pc5 is safe for the moment because Rh6xh7+ would snare Bb7. This gives White time to play Rh6-h4 to threaten Pb4. }
 ) 25...Ba6 26. Rxb4 d5
{ This forces a liquidation which leaves White ahead, but without the proper material to find a win. }
27. Ra4 Bxc4 28. Bxc4 dxc4 29. Rxc4 Rd1+ ( 29...Kg7 
{ Leaving Pa2 on the board is riskier. Every pawn has the potential to become a queen, so one should think long before leaving it. In this case it's a serious question because Black has the option of gaining Pa2 in exchange for Pe6 or leaving both pawns on the board. }
 ) 30. Kf2 Rd2+ 31. Kg3 Rxa2 $14 32. Rc6 Ra3+ 33. Kh4 Ra2
{ Constantly harassing the pawns is essential as it keeps White's king tied-up far from Ph6. }
34. Kh3 Ra3+ 35. g3 Ra2 36. Rxe6
{ There's the completion of the pawn exchange. Now White has an extra pawn and Black has a slightly weak doubled h-file pawn. Black's saving grace is the small number of pieces and that Kh3 is tied to Ph2. }
36...h5 37. Re7 ( 37. Re5 Re2 ) 37...Re2 38. e5 h6
{ After this White's king can't move to h4 because ...Rxh2 is checkmate. }
39. Re8+ ( 39. Kh4 Rxh2# ) 39...Kg7 40. Re7+ Kg6 41. e6 Kf6 42. Re8 Kg6 43. e7 Kg7
{ Black has to get to g7 or h7 to avoid Re8-g8+ to promote the pawn. }
 ( 43...Kf7 $4 44. Rh8 Kxe7 45. Rxh6 Re5 46. Kh4 $18 ) 44. g4 hxg4+ 45. Kxg4 Kf7
{ Now that White is down to one rook pawn this is safe. }
46. Rh8
{ Good defense from Ivanchuk. He's played very well in recent events. }
1/2-1/2


white: Korchnoi, Viktor
black: Kholmov, Ratmir
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 0-1
round: 1
annotation:
{Moscow 1964 was a zonal tournament for three places in the interzonal,
Amsterdam 1964. The best six players of the Soviet championship, Leningrad
1963, and Korchnoi participated. Moscow 1964 took place from February 18 to
March 10.} 1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 e6 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. d4
cxd4 8. Qxd4 O-O 9. e4 Nc6 10. Qe3 d6 11. Rd1 Qc7 12. Qe2 Ne5 13. b3 Nxf3+ 14.
Bxf3 a6 15. Bb2 Rfd8 16. Rac1 Rab8 {
Black remains passive. The rook can go to c8 in one move.} 17. Rc2 Rbc8 18. Bg2
Bc6 19. Rcd2 Rb8 20. Rc1 Qb7 21. a4 a5 $6 {
This commitment weakens the queenside.} 22. Ba3 Nd7 $5 {
A temporary sacrifice eliminates the weakness d6.} 23. Bxd6 Bxd6 24. Rxd6 Nc5
25. Rcd1 Qc7 ({Avoids} 25... Rxd6 26. Rxd6 Nxb3 $4 27. Qd1 {(Suetin).}) 26. e5
$1 Bxg2 27. Nb5 Qe7 28. Kxg2 Nxb3 29. Qf3 Nc5 30. Nd4 $1 Rxd6 31. exd6 Qf6 32.
Qc6 ({A better rook ending brings} 32. Nc6 Qxf3+ 33. Kxf3 Rb7 34. Ne5 Rb8 35.
Rb1 $1 f6 36. Nc6 Rb7 37. Rb5 $1 Nxa4 38. Nxa5 Rd7 39. Rb4 bxa5 40. Rxa4 Rxd6
41. Rxa5 Rd3+ 42. Ke4 Rd2 43. Ke3 Rc2) 32... e5 33. Qc7 $4 {
Suddenly Korchnoi makes a terrible blunder.} (33. Ne2 $1 Qe6 34. Qc7 Nd7 35.
Nc3 {keeps a positional advantage.}) 33... Na6 34. Qa7 exd4 35. c5 bxc5 36.
Qxa6 Rd8 37. Rb1 h5 38. Rb6 Qe6 39. Qxa5 Qd5+ 40. Kg1 d3 41. Rb1 Qxd6 0-1


white: Spassky, Boris
black: Bronstein, David
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 1
annotation:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 d6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd2 b6 7. Bd3 Bb7 8. Qc2
e5 9. e4 O-O 10. O-O Re8 11. Rae1 Nf8 (11... exd4 12. Nxd4 Ne5 {is more active.
}) 12. a3 Bxc3 13. Bxc3 Ng6 14. Nd2 ({When the position is closed with} 14. d5
Nf4 15. Bd2 N6h5 {White has a plus.}) 14... Nf4 15. g3 exd4 16. Bxd4 Nxd3 17.
Qxd3 Nd7 18. Re3 Ne5 19. Qe2 Qd7 20. f3 a5 21. b3 Rad8 22. Re1 f6 23. Qf1 a4
24. b4 c5 25. Ba1 cxb4 26. axb4 Rc8 27. b5 Qe6 28. Rc1 f5 29. exf5 Qxf5 30. Bd4
Rf8 31. Rec3 (31. Rec3 Nxf3+ 32. Nxf3 Bxf3 33. Bxb6 Qh5 {
leads to a slight advantage for Black, but the players are happy with a draw.})
1/2-1/2


white: Suetin, Alexei
black: Geller, Efim
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1-0
round: 1
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 d6 8. f3
Qb6 9. Bb5 Qc7 10. g4 $5 (10. Nd5 Nxd5 11. exd5 a6 {is 'theory'.}) 10... a6 $5
11. Ba4 e6 12. Qd2 O-O 13. Bb3 ({Little advantage gains} 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14.
O-O-O d5) 13... b5 14. Nxc6 Qxc6 15. O-O-O a5 16. a4 b4 17. Ne2 Ba6 18. Nd4 Qc7
19. Bh6 $1 Bc4 $1 {The threat 20.Bxg7 Kxg7 21.Bxc6 is countered (Mikenas).} 20.
Bxg7 Kxg7 21. Kb1 {Black has to fight back.} 21... Rad8 {This loses a tempo.} (
{Correct is} 21... Bxb3 $1 22. cxb3 d5 $1 23. g5 Nh5 24. exd5 exd5 25. Nb5 Qf4
26. Qxf4 Nxf4 27. Rd4 Ne6 28. Rxd5 Rh8) 22. h4 h5 $5 ({It is too late for} 
22... Bxb3 23. cxb3 d5 {due to} 24. h5 $1) 23. gxh5 Nxh5 24. Rhg1 Rh8 25. Qg5
Rc8 26. f4 $6 (26. Bxc4 Qxc4 27. Rd2 {keeps an advantage.}) 26... Qd8 27. f5 $1
Qxg5 28. hxg5 gxf5 $6 ({Better is} 28... Nf4 $1 29. Bxc4 Rxc4 30. f6+ Kg8 31.
Nb3 Rh2) 29. exf5 Nf4 30. fxe6 fxe6 31. Bxc4 Rxc4 32. Rgf1 e5 33. Nf5+ Kg6 34.
Nxd6 Rc6 35. b3 {Geller misses an elementary fork.} 35... Kxg5 $4 (35... Rh2 $1
36. Nc4 Rc5 37. Nxe5+ Rxe5 38. Rxf4 {only loses a pawn.}) 36. Nf7+ Kg6 37.
Nxh8+ Kg7 38. Rd8 Rc7 1-0


white: Geller, Efim
black: Korchnoi, Viktor
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 0-1
round: 2
annotation:
1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 e6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O a6 7. a4 Nc6 8. Qe2
cxd4 9. Rd1 Be7 10. exd4 Nd5 11. Nc3 Ncb4 $6 ({Antoshin prefers} 11... O-O) 12.
Ne5 $1 O-O 13. Ne4 Nb6 14. Ra3 $5 f6 15. a5 $1 Nxc4 $6 (15... fxe5 16. axb6
exd4 17. Rh3 {is more consistent.}) 16. Nxc4 Nd5 17. Rb3 ({Even better is} 17.
Rg3 $1 Qc7 18. Bh6 Rf7 19. Rc1 {(Antoshin).}) 17... Qc7 18. Nc3 Bd7 $5 ({
A pawn saves} 18... Rb8 19. Nxd5 exd5 20. Nb6 Bd6 21. Rc3 (21. Nxd5 $2 Qf7)
21... Qf7) 19. Nxd5 exd5 20. Nb6 Rae8 21. Nxd5 Bd6 $3 {
The turning point of the game has been reached.} 22. Qf3 $2 ({Exchanges with} 
22. Qxe8 $1 Qc2 23. Qh5 $1 Qxb3 24. Bf4 g6 25. Qf3 Qxf3 26. gxf3 Bxf4 27. Nxf4
{lead to a better endgame for White.}) 22... Qxa5 23. Ne3 Ba4 24. Bd2 $2 (24.
Rxb7 Bxd1 25. Qxd1 {is better.}) 24... Bxh2+ $1 25. Kh1 ({The point is} 25.
Kxh2 Qc7+) 25... Qd8 26. Nf5 Bc7 27. Bh6 $5 Rf7 28. Rc1 Bxb3 29. Qxb3 g6 $1 30.
Ne3 f5 31. Kg1 Qd7 32. Nd5 Qe6 $1 {Black threatens 33...Qe1+.} 33. g3 f4 34.
Qxb7 fxg3 35. fxg3 Bf4 $1 {All whiter pieces are under attack.} 0-1


white: Kholmov, Ratmir
black: Spassky, Boris
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1-0
round: 2
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Be2 a6 7. O-O Be7 8. Be3
Qc7 9. f4 O-O 10. g4 $1 Nc6 $2 ({
White has to counterattack in the centre immediately with} 10... d5 $1 11. exd5
Nxd5 12. Nxd5 exd5 13. Bf3 Nc6 {(Hort-Pachman, Champ. Czechoslovakia 1959).})
11. g5 Nd7 12. f5 $1 {Black meets great problems.} 12... Nde5 $6 ({The retreat
} 12... Qd8 {prevents f5-f6. Black has decent chances in:} 13. fxe6 (13. g6
Nxd4 14. gxh7+ Kh8 15. Qxd4 Ne5) 13... Bxg5 14. Bxg5 Qxg5+ 15. Kh1 Nde5) 13. f6
$1 Bd8 14. fxg7 $6 (14. Bd3 Nxd4 15. Bxd4 {
is stronger (Sutovskij-J. Polgar, Tilburg 1996).}) 14... Re8 $2 ({Correct is} 
14... Kxg7 $1 15. Qd2 b5 {(Sax-Stean, Moscow 1977)} 16. a3 $1) 15. Qd2 b5 16.
Bh5 Ne7 17. b3 ({Kholmov does not like} 17. Ndxb5 $1 axb5 18. Nxb5 Qc6 19. Nxd6
Bb7 {but} 20. Rxf7 $1 Nxf7 21. Bxf7+ Kxg7 22. Qd4+ {crushes the defence.})
17... N7g6 18. a4 bxa4 19. Rxa4 Bb7 20. Nf3 Qe7 21. Nxe5 dxe5 22. Rc4 Kxg7 23.
Na4 Kg8 24. Bxg6 hxg6 25. Qc3 $1 Bd5 $5 ({Black avoids} 25... Qd6 26. Bc5 Qb8
27. Qf3 Qc7 28. Bd6 $1) 26. exd5 exd5 27. Rc6 $1 Qd7 ({The pointe is} 27... d4
28. Qc4 dxe3 29. Rxg6+ $1 Kf8 30. Qh4) 28. Bf2 $1 Ba5 29. Rxg6+ $2 ({This time
} 29. Nb6 $1 {wins at once.}) 29... fxg6 30. Qxa5 Rf8 31. Nc3 Qg4+ 32. Bg3 Qd4+
33. Rf2 Rac8 34. Qxd5+ Qxd5 35. Nxd5 Rxf2 36. Kxf2 Rxc2+ 37. Ke3 Kf7 38. Kd3
Rc5 39. Ne3 $2 (39. Ke4 Ke6 40. Nb4 $1 a5 41. Nd3 {wins the e-pawn.}) 39... Ke6
40. h4 Rb5 41. Kc4 Ra5 42. Kc3 Rc5+ 43. Nc4 e4 44. Bf2 ({Antoshin warns for} 
44. Kd4 Rb5 45. Nd2 $4 Rd5+) 44... Rd5 45. Bd4 Rf5 46. Ne3 Rf7 $6 ({
More resistance offers} 46... Rf4 $1 47. Bf6 Rxh4 48. Kd4 $1 Kf7 49. Kd5 {
but Black loses too much terrain.}) 47. Kb4 Rb7+ 48. Ka4 Rd7 49. Bc5 Rd2 50.
Ka5 Ra2+ 51. Kb6 Ke5 52. b4 Kf4 53. Nd5+ $1 Kf3 ({The points are} 53... Kg4 54.
Nc3 $1) ({and} 53... Ke5 54. Ne7 $1) 54. Ka7 Rd2 55. Ne3 Ra2 56. h5 $1 {
A breakthrough decides the game.} 56... a5 ({Kholmov analyses} 56... gxh5 57.
g6 Rd2 58. Nf5 Rd8 59. g7 Rg8 60. Bf8 e3 61. Nh6 e2 62. Nxg8 e1=Q 63. Nf6 Qg1+
64. Kb7 $18) 57. b5 $1 {Kholmov has scored two wins and Geller lost twice.} 1-0


white: Korchnoi, Viktor
black: Stein, Leonid
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 3
annotation:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Qa5 8. Rc1
Rd8 $6 ({The exchanges} 8... dxc4 9. Bxc4 Qxc5 {
lead to an equal position (Kan-Tal, Riga 1954).}) 9. Qa4 Qxc5 10. b4 Qc6 11.
Qxc6 bxc6 12. Bc7 Rd7 13. Ba5 Ne4 $5 14. Nxe4 dxe4 15. Ng5 c5 $1 16. Nxe4 cxb4
{Black offers a pawn for counteraction.} 17. Bxb4 (17. Nc5 {is answered with}
17... Nc6 $1 18. Nxd7 Bxd7 19. Bc7 Rc8 20. Bf4 Bc3+) 17... Na6 18. Bc3 Bb7 19.
Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Nc3 Rad8 21. f3 Rd2 22. Be2 Nb4 23. Nd5 Rb2 24. Nxb4 Rxb4 25. Kf2
Rd2 26. Rb1 Rxb1 27. Rxb1 Ba6 28. Rc1 Rxa2 29. f4 Bb7 30. Kf1 a5 ({
Stein avoids the trap} 30... Bxg2+ $2 31. Kxg2 Rxe2+ 32. Kf3 Rxh2 33. c5 Rd2
34. c6 Rd8 35. c7 Rc8 36. Ke4 $18) 31. c5 Bc6 32. h4 1/2-1/2


white: Spassky, Boris
black: Geller, Efim
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 0-1
round: 3
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. d3 Nd7 8.
Nbd2 O-O 9. Nc4 Bf6 $6 (9... f6 {is more solid.}) 10. Bd2 Re8 11. a4 $5 Nf8 12.
a5 b5 13. Ne3 $6 (13. axb6 cxb6 14. b4 {keeps some pressure (Geller).}) 13...
c5 14. b3 Be6 15. Bc3 Ng6 16. Nd2 Qd7 17. g3 $6 {
A slight weakening helps Black.} 17... Bh3 18. Ng2 Be7 19. Re1 Rad8 20. Ne3 Bg5
21. Qf3 f6 22. Qe2 Nf8 23. f3 Ne6 24. Qf2 Nd4 25. Ndf1 Qf7 26. f4 Bh6 27. Bxd4
cxd4 28. Nf5 Qg6 ({No advantage brings} 28... Bxf5 29. exf5 exf4 30. Rxe8+ Rxe8
31. g4 $1) 29. Nxh6+ Qxh6 30. Nd2 c5 31. Rac1 Rd7 32. Qf3 Qg6 33. f5 Qg5 34.
Qf2 Rc8 {Both playersd wish to open the queenside.} 35. Kh1 Rdc7 36. c3 dxc3
37. Rxc3 Rd8 38. Nf3 Qg4 39. Ng1 h5 40. Nxh3 Qxh3 41. Qe2 $1 {
The adjourned position is resumed after one hour. White stays passive.} (41.
Rxc5 $2 Rcd7 $19 {(Geller).}) (41. b4 $2 c4 $1 42. dxc4 Rxc4 43. Rxc4 bxc4 44.
Qe2 Rd4 $19) 41... Rd4 42. Kg1 Kh7 {
White has to apply the principles correctly.} 43. Rec1 $2 (43. Rd1 $1 {
overprotects d3, and} 43... Qg4 44. Kf2 $1 {protects the queen.}) 43... Rcd7
44. Rd1 Qg4 45. Qxg4 ({The point is} 45. Kf2 Rxe4 $1 {(Panov).}) 45... hxg4 46.
Rxc5 Rxe4 $1 47. Kf2 ({No relief brings} 47. dxe4 Rxd1+ 48. Kf2 Rh1 $1 {
(Panov), or}) (47. Rc6 Rb4 48. Rxa6 Rxb3 49. Rb6 Kh6) 47... Rb4 48. Rc3 Kh6 49.
Ke3 Kg5 50. Rc6 $5 ({The alternative} 50. Rf1 Rbd4 51. Ke2 b4 {
also loses a pawn.}) 50... Rxb3 51. Rxa6 Kxf5 52. Rb6 Ra7 53. Rf1+ Kg6 54. Ra1
Rd7 55. Rd1 Rd4 56. a6 Ra4 57. Rd2 Rba3 58. Rxb5 Rxa6 {
The game is adjourned for the second time.} 59. Rb4 R6a4 60. Rbb2 Kg5 61. Ke2
g6 62. Ke3 Ra1 63. d4 $5 R4a3+ 64. Ke4 Re1+ 65. Kd5 e4 $1 66. Re2 Rxe2 67. Rxe2
Kf5 68. Rf2+ Rf3 69. Re2 e3 70. Re1 g5 71. Re2 Kg6 $1 72. Ke6 f5 {
The critical position of the rook ending has arisen.} 73. Ra2 ({
Longer resistance offers} 73. d5 $1 f4 74. d6 Rf1 75. d7 Rd1 {
(Geller). A nice finish is} 76. Ke7 f3 $1 77. Rxe3 f2 78. Re6+ Kg7 79. Rd6 f1=Q
80. Rxd1 Qf6+ 81. Ke8 Qf8#) 73... f4 74. d5 e2 $1 (74... e2 75. Rxe2 Re3+ {
is clear. Spassky had a throat infection and started poorly.}) 0-1


white: Geller, Efim
black: Bronstein, David
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 4
annotation:
1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. b3 a5 $5 6. O-O a4 7. bxa4 $5 dxc4 8.
Qc2 Qa5 9. Qxc4 Qxa4 10. Qd3 $5 Nbd7 11. Nc3 Qa5 12. Bb2 Be7 13. Ne4 O-O 14.
Nxf6+ Bxf6 15. Bxf6 Nxf6 16. Rfb1 $6 (16. Qe3 Rd8 17. Rfb1 Ng4 18. Qb6 {
ends the provocation.}) 16... e5 $1 17. Qc2 e4 18. Ne1 Re8 19. d3 e3 $1 {
Black has gained a plus, but White will defend well.} 20. f4 $5 Ra7 21. Nf3 Be6
22. Rb2 Bd5 23. Rab1 Re7 24. a4 Ne8 25. Rb4 Nd6 26. Ne5 Bxg2 27. Kxg2 Qd5+ 28.
Kg1 c5 29. Rb6 f6 30. Nf3 Ra5 31. Qc3 $1 Ra8 ({Lilienthal mentions} 31... Rxa4
$2 32. Rxd6 $1 Qxd6 33. Qb3+) 32. a5 Rc7 33. Qb3 c4 $6 ({
Black keeps a plus with} 33... Qxb3 34. R1xb3 Rd7 {(Lilienthal).}) 34. dxc4
Nxc4 35. Rxb7 Rxb7 36. Qxb7 Qxb7 37. Rxb7 Rxa5 38. Rc7 Nd6 39. Rc3 Ra1+ 40. Kg2
Ra2 41. Rxe3 Nc4 42. Re4 Nd2 43. Re7 Nxf3 44. Kxf3 h5 $1 {
A theoretical draw has been reached.} 45. h3 Ra3+ 46. Re3 Ra1 47. Rd3 Rf1+ 48.
Kg2 Re1 49. Rd8+ Kf7 50. Kf2 Ra1 51. Rh8 Ra5 52. Kf3 Rb5 53. Rd8 g5 54. Rd3 Kg6
55. e4 gxf4 56. gxf4 Rb1 57. Re3 Rb4 58. Rc3 Ra4 59. Ke3 Kg7 60. Rc7+ Kh6 61.
f5 Ra3+ 62. Kf4 Ra4 63. Rc6 Kg7 64. Rc7+ Kg8 65. Rc3 Kg7 66. Rg3+ Kf7 67. Rd3
Kg7 68. Rd7+ Kg8 69. Ke3 Ra3+ 70. Rd3 Ra4 71. Rc3 Kg7 72. Rc7+ Kg8 73. h4 Kf8
$5 74. Kd3 ({No use has} 74. Rh7 Kg8 75. Rxh5 Kg7) 74... Ra1 75. Kd4 Rd1+ 76.
Kc5 Rd2 77. Ra7 Rd1 78. Kc4 Rd2 79. Kc5 Rd1 80. Rb7 Rd2 81. Rb4 Ke7 82. Rd4
Rc2+ 83. Kd5 Ra2 84. Rd1 Ra5+ 85. Kd4 Ra4+ 86. Ke3 Ra3+ 87. Rd3 Ra1 88. Rb3 Rh1
89. Kd4 Rd1+ 90. Rd3 Ra1 91. Kc5 Ra5+ 92. Kb4 Ra1 93. Rd4 Rc1 94. Rc4 Rb1+ 95.
Kc5 Ra1 96. Rb4 Rc1+ 1/2-1/2


white: Stein, Leonid
black: Spassky, Boris
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 4
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15.
Be3 Bg4 16. Qd3 Rae8 17. Nd2 Re6 18. a4 bxa4 $6 19. Rxa4 f5 {
Stein has prepared a novelty in this risky variation of the Marshall.} 20. Qf1
$1 ({Boris had a great success in} 20. f4 $2 Bxf4 $3 21. Bf2 $2 (21. Bxd5 cxd5
22. gxf4 Rg6 23. Rxa6 Be2+) 21... Rxe1+ 22. Bxe1 Re8 {
(Novopashin-Spassky, Leningrad 1963).}) 20... f4 $1 21. Qxh3 Bxh3 22. Rxa6 fxe3
23. Rxe3 Rxe3 $1 24. fxe3 Be7 {
Spassky will experience a prepared move in this position later.} 25. Rxc6 $6 ({
Stronger is} 25. e4 $1 Bg5 26. exd5 Bxd2 27. dxc6+ Kh8 28. Ra1 g6 {
and Boris barely survived in Parma-Spassky, Banja Vrnjacka 1965.}) 25... Bg5 $1
26. Bxd5+ Kh8 27. Bg2 Bxe3+ 28. Kh1 Bxg2+ 29. Kxg2 Bxd2 30. b4 g5 31. g4 Be1
32. d5 1/2-1/2


white: Kholmov, Ratmir
black: Geller, Efim
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 5
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Nd7 {Keres made this move popular. Black
prepares an opening of the Closed Ruy Lopez.} 12. Nbd2 cxd4 13. cxd4 Nc6 14.
Nf1 exd4 15. Nxd4 Nxd4 16. Qxd4 Ne5 17. f4 $5 ({Less ambitious is the previous
} 17. Qd1 {(Kholmov-Novopashin, Leningrad 1963).}) 17... Nc6 18. Qf2 Bh4 $1 {
Black gains potential counter-play on the long diagonal a8-h1.} 19. g3 Bf6 20.
Rd1 $1 Qc7 21. Kh2 Bb7 22. Bb1 Rfe8 23. Be3 Rac8 24. Bb6 Qb8 25. Ne3 Ba8 26.
Nd5 Bd8 27. Bxd8 Rcxd8 28. a4 {Most pieces operate from a long distance.} 28...
Ne7 {An attack on the blockader has a high priority.} 29. Ne3 $6 ({
A positional plus keeps} 29. Nb4 $1 Qc8 30. axb5 axb5 31. Bd3) 29... d5 $1 {
A freeing move liberates.} 30. e5 d4 31. Ng2 Qb6 32. axb5 axb5 33. Ra3 g6 $6 ({
Pressure remains with} 33... b4 34. Rad3 Be4 35. R3d2 Bxb1 36. Rxb1 Rd5 37.
Rbd1 Red8) 34. Nh4 b4 35. Rad3 Rd7 36. R3d2 Qc5 37. Ba2 Nc6 38. Nf3 h6 39. Kg1
Qa7 40. Bb1 Qb7 41. Kh2 Na5 42. Nxd4 {
Black has ruined his kingside and lost a pawn.} 42... Qb6 ({
Boleslavsky analyses} 42... Nc4 $1 43. Re2 ({His main variation is} 43. Rc2 $2
Red8 $1 44. Rxc4 Rxd4 $1 45. Rcxd4 Rxd4 {and Black survives}) 43... Qb6 44. b3
Na3 45. f5 $1 Nxb1 46. e6 $1 fxe6 47. Rxe6 Qd8 48. Qf4 Rxe6 49. fxe6 g5 50.
exd7 $1 gxf4 51. Ne6 fxg3+ 52. Kxg3 Qb8+ 53. Kh4 {is far stronger.}) (42... Qb6
{Kholmov should have resumed the game. A great attack starts} 43. Qe2 $1 {
(threatens 44.Nb5)} 43... Red8 44. e6 $1 fxe6 45. Bxg6) 1/2-1/2


white: Spassky, Boris
black: Suetin, Alexei
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1-0
round: 5
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. f4 b5 8. Nxc6
Qxc6 9. Be2 b4 $6 ({An excellent move is} 9... Ba3 {A solid answer gives} 10.
Nxb5 axb5 11. bxa3 Qxe4 12. Qd4 Nf6 13. Qxe4 Nxe4 14. Bxb5 {
(Malmdin-Bjuhr, Swedish corr. 1969).}) 10. Bf3 $1 bxc3 11. e5 cxb2 12. Rb1 $1
Bb4+ $1 ({Black improves on} 12... Qc3+ $6 13. Bd2 Qa3 14. Bxa8 {
(Ivkov-Szabo, Sarajevo 1963).}) 13. Kf2 Qc3 14. Bxa8 f6 15. Be4 $1 {
Overprotection of pawn c2 frees the queen for other tasks.} 15... Nh6 ({
Boleslavsky analyses the forced line} 15... fxe5 $6 16. Qh5+ g6 17. Bxg6+ $1
hxg6 18. Qxh8 Qxc2+ 19. Kg3 exf4+ 20. Bxf4 Qd3+ 21. Kh4 Be7+ 22. Bg5 Bxg5+ 23.
Kxg5 Qf5+ 24. Kh4 g5+ 25. Kh5 Kf7 (25... Qf7+ 26. Kxg5) 26. Rhf1 Nf6+ 27. Qxf6+
$1 $18) 16. exf6 Qxf6 17. Qh5+ Nf7 18. c4 $1 {White prevents d7-d5.} 18... g6
19. Qe2 Bc3 20. Bf3 O-O 21. Rhd1 g5 $1 22. Qd3 $1 {
Boris brings new life to the game.} 22... gxf4 23. Bd4 Bxd4+ 24. Qxd4 Ne5 25.
Rxb2 Nxc4 $1 26. Qxf6 Rxf6 27. Rb8 Rf8 28. Rc1 d5 29. Be2 Nd6 30. Rc6 Ne4+ 31.
Ke1 Bd7 32. Rxf8+ Kxf8 33. Rxa6 Ke7 34. Ra8 Kd6 35. a4 Bc6 36. Ra7 Nc5 37. a5 {
Black has chances in the centre.} 37... d4 $6 (37... Nd7 $1 {
restricts the rook.} 38. g3 fxg3 39. hxg3 d4) 38. Bf3 e5 $6 ({
More resistance offers} 38... Bb5 39. Rxh7 e5 40. Rh6+ Kc7 41. Rh5 Kd6 42. g3
fxg3 43. hxg3) 39. Bxc6 Kxc6 40. Rxh7 e4 41. a6 $1 (41. a6 {
The simple pointe is} 41... Nxa6 42. Rh6+ Kb5 43. Rxa6 Kxa6 44. h4) 1-0


white: Korchnoi, Viktor
black: Spassky, Boris
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 6
annotation:
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 d6 5. Bg2 Be7 6. d4 O-O 7. d5 Nb8 8. e4
Bg4 9. h3 Bxf3 (9... Bh5 {is less passive.}) 10. Qxf3 c6 11. h4 a5 12. Qe2 Nfd7
$5 13. Bh3 Na6 14. Kf1 $5 Nc7 (14... Nac5 15. Kg2 a4 {
gives an active alternative.}) 15. Kg2 Rb8 16. Be3 cxd5 17. cxd5 Nc5 18. Rab1
Qe8 $6 ({Consistency shows} 18... b5 19. b4 axb4 20. Rxb4 N5a6 21. Rb3 b4) 19.
Rhd1 Rd8 20. b4 axb4 21. Rxb4 N7a6 22. Rb2 Ra8 23. Qc4 Kh8 24. a4 g6 25. Bh6
Rg8 26. a5 Bd8 27. Ra1 Qe7 28. Be3 Rf8 29. Nb5 f5 $1 {
At last Spassky becomes active.} 30. exf5 $6 (30. f3 $1 {
keeps the centre intact.}) 30... gxf5 31. Bg5 Qd7 32. f4 Qg7 33. Nxd6 exf4 34.
Rab1 Bxg5 35. hxg5 f3+ 36. Kxf3 Qe5 37. Nb5 ({Tal warns for} 37. Nxb7 $4 Ne4 $1
) 37... Rad8 38. Qc3 Rxd5 39. Qxe5+ Rxe5 40. Nd6 Rd5 41. Nxb7 (41. Nxb7 Rd3+
42. Kg2 Ne4 $11) 1/2-1/2


white: Stein, Leonid
black: Kholmov, Ratmir
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 6
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 exd4 $5 4. e5 Ne4 5. Qxd4 d5 6. exd6 Nxd6 7. Nc3 Nc6
8. Qf4 Bf5 9. Bb5 $1 Qe7+ 10. Be3 Nxb5 11. Nxb5 Qb4+ 12. Qxb4 Bxb4+ 13. c3 Ba5
$2 ({Correct is} 13... Bd6 14. Nxd6+ cxd6 15. O-O-O Be6 16. Rxd6 Bxa2 {
(Matulovic-Kholmov, Sochi 1968).}) 14. b4 Bd3 $1 15. a4 a6 16. O-O-O $2 ({
White wins a pawn by} 16. Nbd4 $1 Bb6 17. Nxc6 bxc6 18. Bxb6 $1 cxb6 19. O-O-O
O-O-O 20. Ne5 Be4 21. Nxf7 Bxg2 22. Rxd8+ $1 Rxd8 23. Nxd8 Bxh1 24. Ne6 {
(Kholmov).}) 16... Be2 $1 {
The highlight of a theoretical duel has been reached.} 17. bxa5 ({Easily draws
} 17. Rde1 $1 Bxf3 18. gxf3 axb5 19. axb5 Nd8 20. bxa5 Ne6) 17... axb5 18. Rde1
Bxf3 19. axb5 Bd5 ({Black can play for a win with} 19... Nxa5 $1 {(Tal)} 20.
gxf3 O-O) 20. bxc6 Bxc6 21. Bg5+ Kf8 22. Be7+ Kg8 23. Bb4 b6 (23... Bxg2 $2 24.
Rhg1 {and White starts an attack.}) 24. axb6 cxb6 25. Kb2 h5 26. f3 h4 27. Re3
h3 28. g4 Kh7 29. c4 Ra4 30. Kb3 1/2-1/2


white: Suetin, Alexei
black: Bronstein, David
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 0-1
round: 6
annotation:
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. N1e2 Nf6 7. Nf4 Nd5 $5
{The players leave the theory fast.} 8. Nxg6 hxg6 9. Be2 Nf6 10. Qd3 e6 11. Bd2
Nbd7 12. O-O-O Qc7 13. Bf3 O-O-O 14. Qb3 Bd6 15. Kb1 Bf4 16. Be1 $5 {
White avoids exchange.} 16... g5 17. Nf1 g4 18. Be2 Bh6 19. f3 gxf3 20. Bxf3
Bf4 21. g3 Bd6 22. Ne3 Nd5 23. Nc4 Be7 24. Ba5 N5b6 25. Ne3 Bg5 26. Ng4 Rhe8
27. Nf2 c5 28. Bg2 cxd4 29. Rxd4 Nc5 30. Rxd8+ Rxd8 31. Qf3 Bf6 32. Nd1 Rd7 33.
Nc3 Qe5 34. Bxb6 axb6 35. Rd1 Rxd1+ 36. Nxd1 Qe1 37. a3 Kd8 38. h4 Ke8 39. h5
Be5 40. g4 Qd2 41. Bf1 Bf4 $1 42. Nc3 $1 Ke7 43. Be2 $2 ({Correct is} 43. Qe2 {
(Tal).}) 43... Qc1+ 44. Ka2 Be5 $1 45. Nd1 $5 {
White sacrifices a pawn in despair.} ({Horrible passivity brings} 45. Bd3 Bxc3
46. bxc3 Nxd3 47. Qxd3 Qf4 48. Qd1 Qc4+ 49. Kb2 e5) 45... Qxc2 46. Bb5 Qd2 47.
Kb1 Bf4 48. Nc3 Qc1+ 49. Ka2 Be5 50. Nd1 f6 51. Qe2 Bd4 52. Nf2 Bxf2 53. Qxf2
Qg5 54. Be2 Qd5+ 55. Kb1 Qe4+ 56. Ka2 Kd6 57. Bf3 Qc4+ 58. Kb1 Qd3+ 59. Ka2 e5
60. g5 $5 fxg5 61. Bxb7 $5 Qc4+ 62. Kb1 Qf4 {Bronstein plays it safe.} 63. Qg1
Qf5+ 64. Ka1 g4 65. b4 Nb3+ 66. Kb2 Nd4 67. Qd1 Qf2+ 68. Kb1 g3 69. Qd3 Qe1+
70. Kb2 Qe2+ 71. Kc3 Kc7 72. Qe4 Qc2+ 73. Qxc2 Nxc2 74. Be4 Ne3 75. Kd3 g2 76.
Bxg2 Nxg2 77. Ke4 Kd6 78. a4 Nf4 79. a5 bxa5 80. bxa5 Nxh5 81. a6 Nf6+ 82. Kf5
Nd5 83. a7 Nb6 0-1


white: Bronstein, David
black: Korchnoi, Viktor
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1-0
round: 7
annotation:
1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 a6 5. e4 b5 6. e5 Nd5 7. a4 Nxc3 8. bxc3
Qd5 9. g3 Bb7 10. Bg2 Qd7 11. Ba3 $1 e6 $6 12. Bxf8 Kxf8 13. O-O g6 14. Nh4 c6
$2 {Simagin advices the exchange of bishops.} 15. f4 Qe7 $6 (15... Kg7 16. Qg4
c5 {is better.}) 16. Qd2 Kg7 17. f5 exf5 18. Rxf5 $1 Bc8 19. Rf6 Ra7 20. Raf1
Be6 21. Qg5 Qe8 {The next three moves by White win against any defence.} 22.
Be4 Rg8 23. Ng2 $1 Kh8 24. Nf4 Re7 25. axb5 axb5 26. Qh6 Nd7 27. Bxc6 b4 28. d5
Bg4 29. e6 $1 {Black has been overwhelmed.} 29... Qf8 ({Clearly ends} 29...
fxe6 30. Nxg6+ $1 Rxg6 31. Rf8+) 30. Qxf8 Nxf8 31. h3 g5 32. d6 Rxe6 33. Nxe6
Bxe6 34. cxb4 Kg7 35. Be8 c3 36. Bxf7 1-0


white: Geller, Efim
black: Stein, Leonid
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1-0
round: 7
annotation:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 O-O 8.
Ne2 Nc6 9. O-O Na5 10. Bd3 c5 11. Be3 b6 12. Qd2 Nc6 $5 13. d5 $1 Ne5 14. Rad1
e6 15. Nf4 Qe8 $6 (15... Nxd3 $1 16. Qxd3 exd5 17. Nxd5 Be6 {
avoids difficulties.}) 16. Rfe1 Nxd3 17. Nxd3 exd5 18. exd5 Qd8 {
Black has wasted valuable time.} 19. c4 Ba6 20. Bh6 $1 Bxh6 21. Qxh6 Bxc4 22.
Ne5 Bb5 $1 (22... Bxa2 $2 23. Rd2 $1 Bb3 24. Re3 Bc2 25. Rh3 {ends quickly.})
23. Re3 Qf6 24. h4 $1 {White has a great attack for only one pawn.} 24... Rae8
$2 ({A proper defence gives} 24... Rad8 $1 25. h5 Ba4 {
Black seems to survive in} 26. Rd2 Rfe8 27. hxg6 hxg6 28. f4 Qg7) 25. Rde1 Qg7
26. Qf4 f6 27. Nc6 Bxc6 28. dxc6 Re5 ({Black ;oses in} 28... Rxe3 29. Rxe3 f5
30. Rd3 Qa1+ 31. Kh2 Qf6 32. c7 Rc8 33. Rd7) 29. Rd1 Qc7 30. Rxe5 fxe5 31. Qe4
Rd8 (31... Qf7 32. f3 Re8 33. h5 $18) 32. Rxd8+ Qxd8 33. Qxe5 Kf7 34. c7 Qd1+
35. Kh2 Qd7 36. f4 Qg4 37. f5 Qxh4+ 38. Kg1 Qh6 39. Qe6+ 1-0


white: Kholmov, Ratmir
black: Suetin, Alexei
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 0-1
round: 7
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nbd7 $5 8.
Qf3 Be7 9. O-O-O Qc7 10. g4 b5 11. Bxf6 gxf6 $6 12. h4 $6 ({
Theory proceeds with} 12. f5 Ne5 13. Qh3 O-O {(Gligoric-Fischer, Bled 1959).})
12... b4 $1 13. Nce2 Bb7 14. Ng3 d5 15. Bg2 dxe4 16. Nxe4 O-O-O $1 17. Rhe1 $2
({Equality keeps} 17. f5 Ne5 18. Qe2 Qb6 19. Nb3) 17... h5 $1 18. f5 Ne5 19.
Qb3 Qb6 20. c3 Bd5 21. Qc2 hxg4 22. cxb4+ Kb8 23. a3 Rxh4 24. Re2 g3 25. Kb1
Rc8 26. Qd2 Bc4 27. Re3 Bd5 28. b3 Rh2 29. Qe2 Nc6 30. Nc2 Na7 31. Rxg3 Nb5 {
White has regained a pawn at the cost of terrible pins.} 32. a4 $5 (32. Kb2 Qc7
{Black threatens 33...Qxg3 and 33...Qxc2+ 34.Qxc2 Rxc2+ 35.Kxc2 Bxe4+.}) 32...
Rxc2 $1 33. Kxc2 Nd4+ 34. Rxd4 Qxd4 35. Nc3 Bxg2 36. Rxg2 Rh3 37. Qe1 $2 ({
No piece loses} 37. Rg8+ Ka7 38. Ra8+ Kxa8 39. Qg2+ Ka7 40. Qxh3 Bxb4 {
but Black wins anyway.}) 37... Rxc3+ $1 38. Qxc3 Qe4+ 39. Kc1 Qxg2 40. Qd3 Qc6+
41. Kb2 {Standings after one turn: Bronstein 4, Kholmov 3 1/2, Geller and
Suetin 3, Korchnoi, Stein and Spassky 2 1/2. Bronstein leads. Stein and
Spassky are trailing.} 0-1


white: Geller, Efim
black: Suetin, Alexei
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 8
annotation:
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. d4 cxd4 8.
Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 d6 10. Qh4 $5 Rb8 $6 {
White is allowed to take the initiative.} ({The theory will be improved with} 
10... Be6 $1 11. Bxb7 Rb8 12. Bd5 Bxd5 13. Nxd5 Nxd5 14. cxd5 Bxb2 {
(Smyslov-Geller, Santiago 1965).}) 11. Bh6 Qa5 12. Bxg7 Kxg7 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14.
Bxd5 f6 15. Rfd1 Bf5 16. Qf4 Qb4 17. Qe3 Rfe8 18. b3 a5 19. h4 Qc5 20. Qf4 Bd7
21. Rac1 a4 22. Qd2 axb3 23. axb3 Qb6 24. b4 Rbc8 25. Ra1 Red8 26. Ra3 Bc6 27.
Re3 Bxd5 28. cxd5 Rd7 29. Re4 Qa7 30. Kg2 Qa4 31. Rc1 Rxc1 32. Qxc1 Qb5 $1 33.
Qc4 Qxc4 34. Rxc4 f5 35. f4 Kf6 $6 (35... e6 $1 36. dxe6 Re7 37. Rd4 Rxe6 {
equalises.}) 36. Kf3 e6 37. e4 Ke7 38. b5 exd5 39. exd5 b6 40. Rc6 Rb7 41. g4
h5 42. g5 Kd7 43. Ke3 Rb8 44. Kd2 Rb7 45. Kc2 Rb8 46. Kd3 Rb7 47. Kc3 Rb8 48.
Kb3 Rb7 49. Rc1 Rb8 50. Ra1 Re8 $2 ({White makes no progress in} 50... Kc7 $1
51. Re1 Kd7 52. Re6 Rg8 53. Rf6 Ke7 54. Kb4 Rg7 $1) 51. Ra7+ Kc8 52. Ra8+ Kd7
53. Ra7+ Kc8 54. Rg7 Re3+ 55. Kc2 Re4 56. Rxg6 Rxf4 {
White has to strike immediately.} 57. Rg8+ $2 ({Better is} 57. Rxd6 Rxh4 58.
Rxb6 Rg4 59. Rc6+ Kb7 {(Konstantinopolsky)} {Now} 60. Rg6 $1 h4 61. Kc3 $1 h3
62. d6 h2 63. Rh6 Rxg5 64. Rxh2 f4 65. Kc4 {brings a great advantage.}) 57...
Kd7 58. Rb8 Kc7 59. Ra8 Rg4 $1 (59... Rxh4 $4 60. g6 Rg4 61. g7 $1) 60. Kd3
Rg3+ 61. Ke2 Rg4 62. Kf3 Kd7 63. Rb8 Kc7 64. Ra8 Kd7 65. Rb8 Kc7 66. Rf8 Kd7
67. g6 $5 {At last White makes a choice.} (67. Rf7+ Ke8 68. Rb7 Rxh4 69. Rxb6
Kd7 70. Rb7+ Kc8 71. Rh7 Rg4 72. Rxh5 Kc7 {does not win either.}) 67... Rxg6
68. Rxf5 Rg4 69. Rxh5 Rb4 70. Rh7+ Ke8 71. h5 Rxb5 72. Ke4 Rb1 73. Kf5 Kf8 74.
h6 Kg8 75. Rd7 b5 76. Rxd6 b4 77. Ke4 b3 78. Kd3 Rc1 79. Rb6 Rd1+ 80. Kc4 Rc1+
81. Kd4 Rd1+ 82. Kc5 Rc1+ 83. Kd6 Rb1 84. Rb7 Kh8 85. Ke6 Kg8 {
Finally the critical position has been reached.} 86. d6 (86. h7+ Kh8 87. Ke5
Re1+ $1 (87... b2 $4 88. Kd6 {and zugzwang}) 88. Kd6 Rb1 $11) 86... b2 $1 87.
d7 Re1+ 88. Kf6 Rf1+ 89. Ke7 Re1+ 90. Kd8 b1=Q 1/2-1/2


white: Kholmov, Ratmir
black: Korchnoi, Viktor
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 8
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Be2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8.
Be3 Nc6 9. f4 Bd7 10. Qe1 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Bc6 12. Qg3 g6 13. Qe3 Qa5 14. e5 $1 {
Kholmov pressures in the centre.} 14... dxe5 15. fxe5 Nd7 16. Rad1 Bc5 17. Bxc5
Qxc5 18. Qxc5 Nxc5 {White has a minimal advantage in the endgame.} 19. Bf3 (19.
Bb5 $1 Rfd8 20. Bxc6 bxc6 21. a3 {keeps a plus.}) 19... Rac8 $6 {
Black should exchange.} 20. Rd4 ({Better is} 20. Bxc6 Rxc6 21. a3) 20... Rfd8
21. Rf4 Be8 22. Rf2 Kg7 23. h4 b6 24. Kh2 Nd7 25. Re2 Rc5 26. Rfe4 Rdc8 27. Kg3
b5 28. Kf4 Nb6 29. Rd4 Rc4 30. Rxc4 Nxc4 31. Nd1 Rd8 32. Re1 Rd4+ 33. Kg3 Rd2
34. b3 Na3 35. c3 Kf8 ({The effort} 35... Rxa2 36. Nf2 $1 Rb2 37. Ng4 Rxb3 38.
Nf6 Kf8 39. Rd1 Nc4 40. Rd8 Nxe5 41. Rxe8+ Kg7 42. Ne4 {steers toward equality.
}) 36. Nf2 $1 Rxa2 37. Ng4 a5 38. Rd1 Ke7 39. Nf6 Rc2 40. Ng8+ Kf8 41. Nf6 Ke7
42. Ng8+ 1/2-1/2


white: Korchnoi, Viktor
black: Geller, Efim
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1-0
round: 9
annotation:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. e3 h6 7. Bxf6 Bxf6 8. Rc1
c6 9. Qc2 Nd7 10. cxd5 cxd5 ({The defence reorganises} 10... exd5 $1 11. Bd3
Be7) 11. Bd3 Nb6 12. O-O Bd7 13. e4 $1 Rc8 (13... dxe4 $6 14. Bxe4 Rb8 {
is ugly.}) 14. e5 Be7 15. Qe2 Nc4 $1 16. g3 Qb6 17. Rc2 Rc7 18. Rfc1 Rfc8 19.
Nb1 a6 20. h4 Qa5 21. a3 Qb6 22. Kh2 Na5 23. Rxc7 Rxc7 24. Rxc7 Qxc7 25. Qd1
Nc4 26. Qb3 Bb5 27. Nc3 {The next move costs a pawn.} 27... Nd2 $2 (27... Nxa3
28. Nxb5 Nxb5 29. Bxb5 axb5 30. Qxb5 $11) 28. Nxd2 Bxd3 29. Nxd5 exd5 30. Qxd3
Qc1 31. b4 a5 32. bxa5 Qxa3 33. Qxa3 Bxa3 {
Black sets his hopes on the strength of the bishop.} 34. f4 Bb4 35. Nb3 h5 36.
f5 g6 37. f6 Kf8 38. Kg2 Ke8 39. Kf3 Bc3 40. g4 Be1 41. gxh5 gxh5 42. Nc5 Bxa5
43. Nxb7 Bb4 44. Nd6+ $1 Kf8 {Even exchange loses.} 45. Nf5 Be1 46. Ng7 Bxh4
47. Nxh5 Ke8 48. Nf4 Kd7 49. Nxd5 Be1 50. Ke4 Bd2 51. Ne3 Bc1 52. Nf5 Ba3 53.
d5 Bb4 54. Ng7 1-0


white: Spassky, Boris
black: Kholmov, Ratmir
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1-0
round: 9
annotation:
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 d6 3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. O-O Nge7 7. Rb1 O-O 8. d3
h6 $5 9. b4 f5 {Both players have their strategic aims. White charges on the
queenside and Black on the other flank.} 10. b5 Nb8 11. Nd2 Nd7 12. a4 Nf6 13.
e3 c6 14. bxc6 bxc6 15. Ba3 Ne8 $5 (15... Be6 {continues the development.}) 16.
Rb3 (16. Ne2 {prevents the next advance.}) 16... f4 17. Nde4 g5 18. Re1 Rf7 (
18... g4 {goes on with the march.}) 19. Bf3 Rf8 20. Bg2 Be6 21. Rb7 Bc8 22. Rb3
{This position occurs for the third time. Could Black have claimed a draw?}
22... Be6 23. Qe2 Kh8 24. Reb1 Nf5 25. Rb7 Bc8 26. R7b3 g4 $1 27. Qd2 fxg3 $6 (
27... Rf7 {is a useful move.}) 28. fxg3 h5 29. Nd1 Bh6 30. Qe1 Be6 31. Rb7 Neg7
$6 ({Yudovich advices} 31... Bc8) 32. Nec3 Ne7 {
Kholmov has underestimated the power of Rb7.} 33. d4 $1 exd4 34. exd4 Nef5 35.
d5 $1 cxd5 $5 ({Insufficient is} 35... Bc8 {due to} 36. dxc6 $1 Bxb7 37. cxb7 {
(Yudovich).}) 36. Nxd5 Bxd5 37. Bxd5 Nd4 38. Qe7 $1 Qa5 $2 (38... Qxe7 $1 39.
Rxe7 Ngf5 40. Bxa8 Nxe7 41. Bxd6 Rxa8 42. Bxe7 Re8 43. Bf6+ Bg7 {
Black has survival chances in the endgame.}) 39. Bb4 Qxa4 40. Qxd6 Ndf5 41. Qg6
$1 Qe8 42. Qxe8 Rfxe8 43. Bc3 h4 $2 44. Rf7 $1 {Finally Boris is back on 50%.}
1-0


white: Suetin, Alexei
black: Stein, Leonid
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 0-1
round: 9
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 d6 7. Re1 Be7 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Nd7 12. Nbd2 cxd4 13. cxd4 Nc6 14. Nb3 ({
The usual} 14. Nf1 {was played in Kholmov-Geller (round four).}) 14... a5 15.
Bd3 Rb8 16. Be3 a4 17. d5 $2 {Pawn d5 becomes weak.} ({Correct is} 17. Nc1 {
(Kursunsky-Zakharian, Riga 1975).}) 17... Nb4 $1 18. Nc1 f5 $1 19. exf5 Nxd5
20. Ba7 Rb7 21. Be4 Rxa7 22. Bxd5+ Kh8 23. Nd3 Nf6 24. Nb4 Nxd5 25. Qxd5 Bb7
26. Qd3 (26. Qxb5 Bxf3 27. gxf3 Qc8 {brings a positional horror.}) 26... a3 27.
bxa3 Qa8 28. Re3 Bxf3 29. gxf3 Bg5 30. Re4 Rxa3 31. Qxd6 Rxf3 32. Rae1 R3xf5
33. R1e2 Qa7 $2 (33... Bf4 $1 {keeps the advantage.}) 34. Nd3 Be7 35. Qd5 Bf6
36. Qxb5 Qf7 37. Qb4 Be7 38. Qb3 Rg5+ 39. Kh2 Qg6 40. f4 $1 {
White has defended well in the last phase.} 40... exf4 41. Ne5 $2 ({
Yudovich gives the spectacular escape} 41. Rxe7 f3 42. Nf4 $1 Qd6 43. Qxf3 Rxf4
44. R7e6) 41... Rxe5 $1 42. Rxe5 Bd6 43. Qf3 Bxe5 44. Rxe5 h6 45. Re2 Qb1 46.
Rf2 Rf6 47. Qa8+ Kh7 48. Qf3 Qf5 49. a4 Rf7 50. Rd2 Ra7 51. Qd1 Rc7 52. Qb3 Qe4
53. Rf2 Rc4 54. a5 Ra4 55. Qb6 $6 (55. Qc3 {is better.}) 55... Ra1 $1 56. Rg2
Qe5 $1 57. Qg6+ Kh8 58. h4 f3+ 59. Rg3 f2 0-1


white: Geller, Efim
black: Spassky, Boris
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 0-1
round: 10
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 Bh5 7. c3 Nf6 8. d4 b5
9. Bb3 Be7 10. Be3 O-O 11. Nbd2 d5 $5 {Boris plays his favourite move in the
Ruy Lopez. The opening of the centre sharpens the game.} 12. g4 Bg6 13. dxe5 ({
Bondarevsky prefers} 13. Nxe5 $1 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Nxe4 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Bd5)
13... Nxe4 14. Nb1 Qc8 $6 ({Stronger is} 14... Qe8 $1 15. Bxd5 Rd8 16. Bxc6
Qxc6 17. Nd4 Qd7) 15. Nd4 $6 ({Relatively best is} 15. Qxd5 Na5 16. Qd1 h5 17.
Nh2) ({No future has} 15. Bxd5 $2 Rd8 16. a4 Na5 $1) 15... Nxe5 16. f4 c5 17.
fxe5 cxd4 18. cxd4 Qd7 19. Nd2 f6 20. Rc1 Kh8 21. Bf4 $2 ({White has to try} 
21. Nxe4 Bxe4) 21... fxe5 22. Bxe5 Bg5 $1 23. Rc7 {
Spassky has prepared a wonderful surprise.} 23... Qxc7 $3 24. Bxc7 Be3+ 25. Kg2
Nxd2 26. Rxf8+ Rxf8 27. Bxd5 Rf2+ 28. Kg3 Nf1+ 29. Kh4 h6 30. Bd8 Rf8 0-1


white: Stein, Leonid
black: Korchnoi, Viktor
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1-0
round: 10
annotation:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e6 7. O-O Be7 8. f4
Qc7 9. Qe1 O-O 10. Qg3 $5 Qb6 $5 {
A furious fight for a place at the interzonal tournament has started.} 11. Be3
$1 Qxb2 12. Bf2 Qb4 13. e5 dxe5 14. fxe5 Ne8 ({Bondarevsky mentions} 14... Nfd7
$2 15. Nd5 $1 exd5 16. Nf5 g6 17. a3) 15. Bd3 Qa5 16. Ne4 Nd7 17. Nf3 g6 $6 ({
Better is} 17... f5 18. exf6 Ndxf6) 18. Bd4 Ng7 19. Nf6+ Bxf6 20. exf6 Nh5 21.
Qh4 Qd8 $2 (21... e5 {halts the attack.}) 22. Rae1 Ndxf6 23. Ng5 e5 ({
No escape brings} 23... h6 24. Bxf6 hxg5 25. Qxg5 Nxf6 26. Rxf6 {(Bondarevsky).
}) 24. Bxe5 h6 25. Bxf6 hxg5 26. Qxg5 Nxf6 27. Rxf6 Qd4+ 28. Kh1 Qg4 29. Qh6
Bf5 30. h3 ({A pawn wins} 30. Bxf5 gxf5 31. Rf1 {but Stein wants the king.})
30... Qd4 ({Keene tries to save the day with} 30... Qb4 {but} 31. Re5 Bxd3 32.
cxd3 Qb1+ 33. Kh2 Qxd3 34. Rg5 Rac8 35. Rgxg6+ $1 {wins.}) 31. Rxf5 $1 {
A sacrifice of the exchange opens the kingside.} 31... gxf5 32. Re3 Qg7 33. Qh4
Qa1+ 34. Kh2 Rfe8 35. Rg3+ Kf8 36. Qh6+ Ke7 {
The king is hunted in the open field.} 37. Re3+ Kd7 38. Bxf5+ Kc7 39. Qf4+ Kc6
40. Qc4+ Kd6 41. Qb4+ Kd5 42. Rd3+ Ke5 43. Qd6+ $1 {The humiliation goes on.}
43... Kxf5 44. Rf3+ Kg5 45. Qf4+ Kh5 46. g4+ Kg6 47. Qxf7+ {
Black will be mated quickly.} 1-0


white: Bronstein, David
black: Geller, Efim
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 11
annotation:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nf3 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Ndb5 d5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8.
Nxd5 exd5 9. e3 Be6 10. Be2 Be7 11. Bd2 a6 12. Nd4 Nxd4 13. exd4 O-O 14. Qb3
Re8 15. O-O Bd6 {Geller has set a trap in an equal position.} 16. Bb4 ({
Bronstein avoids} 16. Qxb7 $2 Bxh2+ $1 17. Kxh2 Qd6+ 18. g3 $1 Reb8 19. Bf4
Qxf4 20. gxf4 Rxb7) 16... Bc7 17. Bf3 Qg5 18. Rad1 Rad8 19. Bd2 Qe7 20. Rfe1
Rd7 21. Rc1 Qf6 22. Qd3 Bd6 23. a3 h6 24. Bb4 Bf4 25. Bd2 Bb8 26. Bb4 h5 27.
Bd2 g6 28. Qe3 Ba7 29. Bc3 Bb8 30. Bd2 Rdd8 31. Ba5 Rc8 32. Rxc8 Rxc8 33. Bc3
h4 34. h3 Bf4 35. Qe2 Bd6 36. Qe3 Bf4 37. Qe2 Qg5 38. Bg4 Bxg4 39. Qxg4 Qxg4
40. hxg4 Bd6 {Black has a plus in the endgame.} 41. Re3 Kg7 42. Kf1 b5 43. Ke2
a5 44. Kd3 b4 45. axb4 axb4 46. Bd2 Bf4 47. Re1 Bxd2 48. Kxd2 b3 49. Re5 $5 ({
More quickly draws} 49. Rc1 Re8 50. Re1) 49... Rc2+ 50. Ke3 Rxb2 51. Rxd5 Rc2
52. g5 b2 53. Rb5 Kf8 54. Rb7 Ke8 55. d5 Kd8 56. d6 Kc8 57. Rb5 Kd7 58. Rb6 Ke6
59. Kf3 Rd2 60. Ke3 Rc2 61. Kf3 Kd7 62. Ke3 Rc5 63. Rxb2 Rxg5 64. Rb7+ Ke6 65.
Re7+ Kxd6 66. Rxf7 Rxg2 67. Rh7 g5 68. f4 1/2-1/2


white: Korchnoi, Viktor
black: Suetin, Alexei
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 11
annotation:
1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. e3 e6 5. d4 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Be2 Bd6 8.
dxc5 Bxc5 9. O-O O-O 10. b3 Be6 11. Bb2 Qe7 12. a3 Rfd8 13. Na4 Bd6 14. b4 Ng4
$5 {The players fight for their last chance.} 15. Rc1 Nce5 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17.
Qd4 f6 18. Nc3 Nc6 19. Qh4 Be5 ({The simplification} 19... d4 20. exd4 Nxd4 {
is avoided.}) 20. Bd3 f5 21. Qxe7 Nxe7 22. Na4 Bxb2 23. Nxb2 Rac8 24. Na4 Rxc1
25. Rxc1 d4 $2 ({Correct is} 25... b6 26. Rc7 Rd7) 26. exd4 $2 {
White misses a combination.} (26. Rc7 $1 dxe3 27. Nc5 $1 b6 28. Nxe6 Rxd3 29.
fxe3 Kf7 30. Nxg7 Kxg7 31. Rxe7+ Kg8 32. Rxa7 Rxe3 {White has won a pawn.})
26... Rxd4 27. Bf1 Kf7 28. g3 f4 29. Nc5 Bd5 30. Nd3 g5 31. b5 Be4 32. Nb4 $6 {
Hereafter White gets a passive position.} ({Better is} 32. Nc5) 32... Ke6 33.
gxf4 gxf4 34. Nc2 Rd8 35. Bh3+ Kf6 36. Ne1 Rd4 37. Bg2 Nf5 38. Bxe4 Rxe4 39.
Nf3 Ra4 40. Rc7 Rxa3 41. Kg2 Ra2 42. Rxh7 $6 (42. Ne1 {is prudent.}) 42... Ne3+
$1 43. Kh3 Rxf2 44. Nh4 b6 45. Rxa7 Rb2 46. Ra8 Nd5 47. Rf8+ Ke5 48. Ng6+ Ke4
49. Re8+ Kd4 50. Rd8 Kc5 51. Rf8 Rf2 52. Rf5 Kd4 53. Rf8 Rf1 54. Nh4 Kc4 55.
Kg4 Rg1+ $6 (55... Kxb5 56. Nf3 Kb4 57. h4 b5 58. h5 Rh1 {continues the battle.
}) 56. Kf5 Kxb5 57. Nf3 Rd1 58. h4 Rh1 59. Ke4 Nc3+ 60. Kxf4 Kc4 61. Kg5 Ne4+
62. Kg6 b5 63. h5 b4 64. Rc8+ Kd3 1/2-1/2


white: Spassky, Boris
black: Stein, Leonid
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 11
annotation:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 O-O 8.
Ne2 Nc6 9. O-O b6 10. Be3 Na5 11. Bd3 c5 12. Rc1 Nc6 13. Bb5 Bb7 14. Bxc6 ({
White has to play} 14. dxc5 {if he wants to win.}) 14... Bxc6 15. d5 Bb7 16. c4
e6 17. Re1 Re8 18. Qd2 exd5 19. exd5 Qd7 20. Nc3 Re7 21. Bg5 Rxe1+ 22. Rxe1 Re8
23. Ne4 Ba6 24. Nf6+ Bxf6 25. Bxf6 Rxe1+ 26. Qxe1 Bxc4 27. Qe5 Bb5 28. Qb8+ Qe8
29. Be5 Qxb8 30. Bxb8 Bc4 {A draw is useful for both players.} 1/2-1/2


white: Geller, Efim
black: Kholmov, Ratmir
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 12
annotation:
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 d6 3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 g6 5. e3 Bg7 6. Nge2 h5 7. d4 exd4 8. Nxd4
Nge7 9. h3 Nxd4 10. exd4 Nf5 11. Ne4 $1 {Geller charges.} 11... O-O $1 {
Black reacts quietly.} (11... Nxd4 $2 12. Bg5 Qd7 13. Bf6 $18) (11... Bxd4 $6
12. g4 hxg4 13. hxg4 Nh4 14. Rxh4 $1 $16) 12. O-O Nxd4 13. Bg5 f6 14. Qxd4 fxg5
15. Qd5+ Kh8 16. Nxg5 Qf6 17. h4 c6 18. Qd2 Bf5 ({Some problems gives} 18...
Qxb2 19. Qxd6) 19. b3 Rad8 20. Rad1 Qc3 21. Be4 Qxd2 22. Rxd2 Bc3 23. Rd3 Bb4
24. f3 Rde8 25. Rfd1 Bxe4 26. Nxe4 d5 27. cxd5 cxd5 28. Rxd5 Rxf3 29. R1d4 a5
30. Rd8 Rxd8 31. Rxd8+ Kg7 32. Kg2 Rf7 33. Ng5 Re7 1/2-1/2


white: Stein, Leonid
black: Bronstein, David
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 12
annotation:
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 Ne7 5. Bd3 c5 6. dxc5 Qc7 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. O-O
{Bronstein has been lured into a sharp opening.} 8... Bxc3 9. bxc3 Nxc5 10. Ba3
$5 Bd7 11. Rb1 $5 b6 12. Re1 Rc8 $1 13. Bf1 $5 Na4 $5 ({Polugaevsky mentions} 
13... O-O $1 14. c4 Rfd8) 14. Qc1 Qxc3 $2 ({Correct is} 14... Nxc3 $1 15. Bxe7
Kxe7 16. Rb3) 15. Ba6 $1 Rc5 $5 (15... Qxc2 16. Bxc8 Qxc8 17. Qg5 {
is horrible for Black.}) 16. Bd3 $1 {This subtlety has great strength.} (16.
Bxc5 Nxc5) 16... Nc6 17. Rb3 Qa5 18. Qg5 {
Black has been outplayed all over the board.} 18... Kf8 $1 (18... O-O 19. Bxh7+
Kxh7 20. Bb4 $1 Nxb4 21. Qh5+ Kg8 22. Ng5 {
ends fatally for Black, because ..Qxe1# has been prevented (Polugaevsky).}) 19.
c3 (19. Bb5 $1 {wins quickly.}) 19... h6 20. Qd2 d4 21. cxd4 $6 (21. Nxd4 $1
Nxd4 22. Bb4 Nxb3 23. axb3 {gains a queen.}) 21... Qxd2 22. Nxd2 Nxd4 23. Rb4
Nf5 24. Ne4 $6 (24. Bc2 $1 Rxc2 25. Rc4+ $18) 24... Rd5 $1 25. Bc2 (25. Rxb6+
$1 Kg8 26. Rb8+ Kh7 27. Rb3 Rd8 28. g4 {is better.}) 25... Kg8 $1 26. Rc4 Bb5
$2 ({A disaster avoids} 26... b5 27. Rc7 Nb6 28. Bb3) 27. Rc7 $2 ({
The game finishes} 27. Rc8+ $1 Kh7 28. Rc7 Rd7 $2 29. Rxd7 Bxd7 30. g4 Nd4 31.
Nf6#) 27... Rd7 $1 28. Rxd7 Bxd7 29. Rd1 Bc6 30. Nd6 g6 31. Nxf5 gxf5 32. Rd6
Bb5 33. g4 $6 fxg4 34. Rd4 Nc5 35. Rxg4+ Kf8 36. Bc1 Ke7 $2 37. h4 Bd3 38. Bxd3
Nxd3 39. Ba3+ Ke8 40. Rc4 Rg8+ 41. Kf1 Nc5 $5 {
Bronstein takes the draw happily.} 42. Bxc5 bxc5 43. Rxc5 Rg4 44. Ra5 1/2-1/2


white: Suetin, Alexei
black: Spassky, Boris
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 12
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 h6 10. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. a3 Bb7 13. Bc2 Nb8 14. b4 Nbd7 15. Bb2
Nb6 16. Re3 $5 a5 17. Qe2 Na4 $5 18. Qxb5 ({Polugaevsky prefers} 18. Bxa4 $1
bxa4 19. b5) 18... Nxb2 19. bxa5 (19. Qxb7 Qd7 20. b5 Rab8 21. Qa6 Qxb5 {
brings equality.}) 19... Rb8 20. Qxb2 Bxe4 21. Qc1 Bxf3 22. Rxf3 e4 23. Rxf6 $5
{Suetin has great ambitions.} 23... Qxf6 24. Bxe4 d5 $1 {
Spassky gives a pawns temporarily for defensive reasons.} 25. Bxd5 Rb5 26. Bf3
Rxa5 27. a4 Qa6 28. Qc2 c5 29. dxc5 Bxc5 30. Qb3 Qa7 31. Ne4 Bf8 32. Qc4 Kh8
33. Bd1 Rae5 34. Bc2 Qb7 35. Ng3 Qb2 36. Ra2 Qc1+ 37. Kh2 Re1 38. Qd3 g6 39.
Bb3 Bg7 40. Re2 $2 ({Correct is} 40. Rc2) 40... R8xe2 41. Nxe2 {
All black pieces should attack the king.} 41... Rh1+ $2 (41... Be5+ 42. g3 Rh1+
43. Kg2 Qf1+ 44. Kf3 Rh2 {(Polugaevsky).}) 42. Kg3 Qg5+ 43. Kf3 Qh5+ 44. g4 $6
Qxh3+ 45. Ng3 Rh2 (45... Rc1 $1 46. Bc2 Qh4 {offers better chances.}) 46. Qe3
Qg2+ 47. Ke2 Qa8 48. Bxf7 Qxa4 49. Qe8+ Qxe8+ 50. Bxe8 Be5 51. Kf3 Kg7 52. c4
Bd4 53. Ne4 Rh1 54. c5 Re1 55. c6 Be5 56. Nc5 Bd6 57. Bd7 Kf7 58. Nd3 Ra1 59.
Nc5 Ke7 60. Ne4 Ra3+ 61. Kg2 Bc7 62. Bc8 Ra8 63. Bd7 Rf8 64. Kf1 Bb6 65. Kg2
Rf4 66. f3 Rf8 67. g5 hxg5 68. Nxg5 Be3 69. Bg4 Bb6 70. Ne4 Ra8 71. Bd7 Bc7 72.
Nc3 Ra5 73. Ne4 Ra2+ 74. Kf1 Bf4 75. Ke1 Ra5 76. Kd1 Kd8 77. Ke2 Kc7 78. Nc3
Be5 79. Ne4 Ra2+ 80. Kd3 Ra3+ 81. Kc4 Bf4 $6 (81... Rxf3 $1 82. Be8 Rf8 83.
Bxg6 Kxc6 {wins theoretically, if the fifty moves rule is not applied.}) 82.
Nc3 Kd8 83. Bg4 g5 84. Nd5 Bd6 85. Kd4 Ra4+ 86. Kd3 Ra1 87. Ke4 Re1+ 88. Kd4
Be5+ 89. Kd3 1/2-1/2


white: Bronstein, David
black: Suetin, Alexei
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 13
annotation:
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c3 b6 4. Bg5 Bg7 5. Nbd2 Bb7 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7. e3 c5 8.
Bd3 Bg7 9. O-O O-O 10. b4 cxd4 11. cxd4 Nc6 12. a3 f5 13. Qb3+ e6 14. Rac1 Kh8
15. Nc4 d6 16. b5 Ne7 17. Ng5 Bd5 18. f4 Qd7 19. Qb4 Rad8 20. Be2 Bf6 21. Nf3
h6 22. a4 g5 $1 23. Qd2 Rg8 24. Nb2 Rg6 25. Nd3 Rdg8 26. Nfe1 Be4 27. Nf2 Ba8
28. Nfd3 Nd5 29. Bh5 $5 {The confrontation has started at last.} 29... R6g7 ({
Black can play for a win with} 29... gxf4 $1 30. Nxf4 $1 (30. Bxg6 $2 fxe3 31.
Qe2 Rxg6) 30... Nxf4 31. Rxf4 Rxg2+ $1 32. Nxg2 Rxg2+ 33. Qxg2 Bxg2 34. Kxg2 e5
) 30. Bf3 Qe8 31. Nb4 Nxb4 32. Qxb4 gxf4 33. exf4 Bh4 34. Rc2 Bxe1 35. Qxe1
Bxf3 36. Rxf3 Qa8 37. Qxe6 Qxf3 38. Qxh6+ 1/2-1/2


white: Kholmov, Ratmir
black: Stein, Leonid
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 13
annotation:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Bg5 c5 7. d5 e6 8. Nf3 h6
9. Be3 exd5 10. exd5 Bf5 11. O-O Ne4 12. Nxe4 Bxe4 13. Bd3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 Nd7
15. Qh3 Ne5 16. Rad1 ({Play continues with} 16. Be2 $1 Qd7 17. Qh4 {
because the black queen cannot go to g4.}) 16... Qd7 {Draw is a useful result
for Stein. Exchange of the queens brings him toward his goal.} 17. Qxd7 Nxd7
18. Rfe1 Rfe8 19. Bc1 Kf8 20. h3 h5 21. Kf1 Bd4 22. g3 Ne5 23. Be2 Nd7 24. Kg2
Re7 25. Bf1 Rae8 26. Bh6+ Bg7 27. Rxe7 Rxe7 28. Bf4 Be5 29. Be3 Bf6 30. b3 b6
31. Re1 Kg7 32. Bd2 Rxe1 33. Bxe1 Bd4 34. Bd3 Ne5 35. Be2 Nd7 36. Bd2 Bb2 37.
Bg5 Bf6 38. Bc1 Bd4 39. Bf4 Be5 40. Be3 Bc3 41. Bf4 Be5 42. Bd2 Bd4 43. g4 hxg4
44. hxg4 f5 45. g5 Kf7 46. Kf1 a5 1/2-1/2


white: Spassky, Boris
black: Korchnoi, Viktor
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1-0
round: 13
annotation:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 d5 8. cxd5
exd5 9. Ne5 $5 Qc8 10. Bg5 Qe6 {
This position stems from Eliskases-Najdorf, Buenos Aires 1947.} 11. Rc1 c5 $2 (
{The prudent answer} 11... c6 {
was played in Van Scheltinga-Donner, Beverwijk 1964.}) 12. Nd3 $1 cxd4 ({
A centre pawn costs} 12... Nbd7 13. Nf4 Qf5 14. Bxf6 Nxf6 15. dxc5 Bxc5 16.
Ncxd5) 13. Bxf6 {Korchnoi collapses completely.} 13... Bxf6 $2 ({
Black can fight after} 13... dxc3 $1 14. Bxc3 $1 Rd8 {(Moiseev).}) 14. Nxd5
Bxd5 15. Nf4 Qd6 16. Nxd5 Bg5 17. f4 Bd8 18. Nc3 Na6 19. Bxa8 Qb8 20. Nd5 Qxa8
21. Qxd4 Nc5 22. b4 Ne6 23. Qd3 Re8 24. e4 {
Spassky has qualified for the interzonal tournament.} 1-0


white: Korchnoi, Viktor
black: Bronstein, David
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1-0
round: 14
annotation:
1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. Nf3 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4 c6 7. Qc2 b6 8. b3 Bb7
9. Bb2 Na6 $5 10. Rd1 Qc8 $5 11. e3 c5 12. Qe2 dxc4 $5 {
Black brings life to a dull game.} 13. bxc4 Rd8 14. Nc3 Ne4 15. Nxe4 Bxe4 16.
Ne5 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 f6 18. Nf3 Nc7 19. a4 Bf8 20. h4 Qb7 21. Kg1 Qe4 22. Nd2 Qc2
23. Ra2 cxd4 24. Rc1 ({The instant} 24. exd4 $2 {is punished by} 24... Rxd4 $1)
24... Qf5 25. exd4 Bb4 26. Nf3 Rac8 27. Kg2 h5 $6 {An unnecessary weakening.}
28. Bc3 Bf8 29. Rd2 Qg4 30. Rd3 Rd7 31. Re3 Qf5 32. Re4 Rd6 33. Rd1 Rc6 34. Rf4
$5 {White wants to charge.} 34... Qg6 35. Nd2 Qc2 $5 {Black counterattacks.}
36. Qxh5 $5 Qxc3 37. Ne4 Qc2 (37... Qxc4 $1 38. Ng5 $1 Qd5+ $1 39. Kh2 fxg5 40.
Qf7+ Kh8 41. Qh5+ {results in perpetual check.}) 38. d5 $1 ({
White avoids the repetition.} 38. Qg6 Kh8 39. Qh5+) 38... exd5 39. cxd5 Rd6 $1
{White has a strong attack for a piece.} 40. Rd2 Qc1 $1 ({The blunder} 40...
Qb1 $2 {makes} 41. Qf5 $1 {decisive.}) 41. Qg6 $1 Re8 $5 ({
F6 and g7 are protected by} 41... Ne8 $2 {but} 42. Ng5 fxg5 43. Qf7+ Kh7 44.
hxg5 Rc4 45. Rd3 $3 Qc2 46. Rdd4 {wins.}) 42. Nxd6 Bxd6 43. Rc2 $1 Qb1 $2 (
43... Qxc2 $1 44. Qxc2 Bxf4 45. gxf4 Nxd5 {
leads to a defendable endgame (Baranov).}) 44. Rxf6 Be5 45. d6 Bxf6 46. dxc7
Rc8 47. Qf5 Rxc7 48. Qd5+ Rf7 49. Rc8+ {
The players made an exhibition of the last game.} 1-0


white: Suetin, Alexei
black: Kholmov, Ratmir
date: 1964.??.??
event: Moscow zt
site: ?
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 14
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 exd4 4. e5 Ne4 5. Qxd4 d5 6. exd6 Nxd6 7. Nc3 Nc6 8.
Qf4 Bf5 9. Bb5 Qe7+ 10. Kf1 $5 Be4 11. Bxc6+ ({The alternative} 11. Ba4 O-O-O
12. Nxe4 Nxe4 {was played in Zakharov-Krutikhin, Novosibirsk 1962.}) 11... Bxc6
12. Ne5 $1 O-O-O $5 (12... Qe6 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Qf3 {
is mentioned by Karpov. Black may continue with the risky} 14... Nc4 15. Bf4
O-O-O) 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Qa4 $1 Nb5 15. Be3 Qb4 {
Poor Kholmov has to win but suffers in a dangerous position.} 16. Qa6+ $1 (16.
Qxb4 Bxb4 17. Nxb5 cxb5 18. c3 {draws easily.}) 16... Kb8 17. Qxc6 {
Suetin wants to win.} ({The exchanges} 17. Nxb5 Qxb5+ 18. Qxb5+ cxb5 {
lead to an equal endgame (Baranov).}) 17... Nd4 18. Bxd4 ({
A favourable endgame brings} 18. Qa6 $1 Bc5 19. a3 Qb7 20. Qxb7+ Kxb7 21. Rc1
Bb6 22. g3 {(Klovans-Harman, corr. USSR 1985).}) 18... Qxd4 {
Suetin finishes the game with perpetual check.} 19. Rd1 $5 (19. Qb5+ Qb6 {
brings little advantage.}) 19... Qxd1+ 20. Nxd1 Rxd1+ 21. Ke2 Rxh1 22. g4 Rxh2
23. Qe8+ Kb7 24. Qb5+ Kc8 25. Qe8+ {Final standings: Spassky 7, Bronstein and
Stein 6 1/2, Kholmov 6, Suetin and Korchnoi 5 1/2, Geller 5. Spassky,
Bronstein and Stein have qualified for the interzonal tournament. Seven of the
twelve best players of the world played in a zonal tournament. It showed Boris
as a comeback kid.  Jan van Reek  } 1/2-1/2


white: Ponomariov R., UKR.
black: Korchnoi V., SUI.
date: 2001.01.16
event: Match
site: Donetsk
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 1
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5
Be6 9. c3 Be7 10. Be3 10... Qd7 $5 {The main line is 0-0, also playable is 10..
.Nc5 (Khalifman - Korchnoi, Ubeda1997), but Korchnoi, as an expert of open
variation, minds something new.} 11. Nbd2 11... Nxd2 $6 {Not so good 11. ...
Bg4 12.Ne4 de 13.Qd5 Qd5 14.Bd5 O-O 15.Bc6 fe 16.gf   Lautier-Korchnoi Ubeda
1997, but deserves attention 11. ...Rd8!? as Victor Lvovich played twice with
Timman in 1987 and with B.Anand in Monte-Carlo 1993 blindfold.} 12. Qxd2 Na5
13. Bg5 13... Nc4 $146 {
Before this game black played 13. ...c5 with a terrible statistics.} 14. Bxc4
bxc4 15. b4 $1 {!+=} 15... cxb3 16. axb3 O-O 17. b4 c5 18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19. bxc5
Qxc5 20. Qd3 {Interesting was to try 20.Nd4 Rfc8 21.Rac1 with the  idea f4,f5 .
} 20... f6 $5 {Searching for a counterplay.} 21. Rfe1 {
(If  21.Ra6 so 21. ...Bf5 22.Qe2 Ra6 23.Qa6 Qc3-black is ok!)} 21... a5 22. Nd4
Rae8 23. exf6 Rxf6 24. Qb5 Qxb5 25. Nxb5 Bd7 26. Rxe8+ Bxe8 27. Nc7 Bc6 28.
Rxa5 28... Rd6 $1 {White can not prevent 29. ...d4 with an exchanging of weak
pawn d5 (if 29.Ra6 so 29. ...d4! 30.Nb5?? Re6 31.f3 Re1 32.Kf2 Rf1-+).Black
have a good draw chances.  } 29. f3 d4 30. cxd4 Rxd4 31. Ne6 Rd6 32. Nf4 Rd4
33. Ne2 Rd2 34. Kf2 Rb2 35. Ke3 Rb7 36. Rc5 Bd7 37. h4 Ra7 38. Nc3 h6 39. Kf4
Ra6 40. Nd5 Be6 41. Ne3 Ra3 42. Rc7 Rd3 43. Re7 Bd7 44. Nc4 Bb5 45. Ne5 Rd4+
46. Kg3 Rd2 47. Ng4 {(47.h5!? Re2 48.Kh3 with the idea g4,Kg3-f4 )} 47... Bd7
48. Ne3 Kf8 49. Re4 Kf7 50. Nc4 Rd5 51. Kf2 51... Bf5 $4 {
A blunder ...sometimes something strange happens.} 52. Re3 $4 {Impossible!
Immediatly wins 52.Rf4!: 52. ...g5 53.Rf5 Rf5 54.Nd6 Ke6 55.Nf5 Kf5   56.Kg3,
57.Kg4, 58.f4+-; 52. ...Ke6 53.Ne3 Ra5 54.Rf5 Rf5 55.Nf5 Kf5 56.g4 Kf4   57.
h5!+-; 52. ...Ke6 53.Ne3 Rd2 54.Ke1 Rd3 55.Nf5 Ke5 56.Rd4 Rd4 57.Nd4 Kd4 58.
h5!+-.} 52... Rd4 53. Ne5+ Kf6 54. g4 54... Rd5 $1 55. f4 55... g5 $1 {=} 56.
gxf5 gxf4 57. Ng4+ Kxf5 58. Nxh6+ Kg6 59. Re6+ Kh5 60. Kf3 Kxh4 61. Nf7 Rd3+
62. Kxf4 Rd4+ 63. Kf3 Rd3+ 64. Ke4 Ra3 65. Rg6 Kh3 66. Ne5 Ra4+ 67. Ke3 Ra3+
68. Nd3 Kh4 69. Rg8 Kh5 70. Ke4 Kh4 71. Nf2 Ra7 72. Kf3 Rf7+ 73. Kg2 Ra7 74.
Ne4 Kh5 75. Kf3 Rf7+ 76. Ke3 Kh6 77. Nd6 Rf6 78. Rd8 Kg6 79. Ke4 Re6+ 80. Kd5
Re7 81. Rg8+ Kh5 82. Nc4 Kh4 83. Ne5 Kh3 84. Ke4 Re6 85. Kf5 Ra6 86. Nd3 Ra5+
87. Kf4 Ra4+ 88. Kf3 Kh4 89. Nf2 Kh5 90. Ne4 Kh6 91. Kf4 {
time white 3.26 black 3.25} 1/2-1/2


white: Korchnoi V., SUI.
black: Ponomariov R., UKR.
date: 2001.01.17
event: Match
site: Donetsk
result: 1-0
round: 2
annotation:
1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6 6. a3 Be7 (6... Bc5 7. Nb3
Be7 8. e4 O-O 9. Be2 b6 10. f4 d6 11. Bf3) (6... Nxd4 7. Qxd4 b6 8. Qf4 $1 8...
Bb7 9. e4 d6 10. Bd3 Be7 11. Qg3 O-O 12. Bh6 Ne8 13. Bd2 $14) (6... Qc7 7. Ndb5
Qb8 8. g3 a6 9. Nd4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 b5 11. e4 e5 12. Qe3 Qc7 13. cxb5 Bc5 14. Qf3
Bd4 15. Bg5 Bxc3+ 16. bxc3 $13) (6... d5 7. cxd5 exd5 8. g3 Bc5 9. Nb3 Bb6 10.
Bg2 d4 11. Na4 Be6 12. Bg5 Ba5+ 13. Nd2 h6 14. Bxf6 Qxf6 15. Nc5 $16) 7. e4 O-O
8. Nf3 $5 {
Korchnoi's patent - this way he played with Akesson in Antwerpen 1995.} (8. Nb3
{was played in Korchnoi - Greenfeld, Beer - Sheva, 1992 with complicate game.})
8... d6 9. Be2 b6 10. O-O (10. Bf4 Bb7 11. Qd3 $6 11... Qb8 $1 12. Rd1 Ne5 13.
Qb1 Ng6 14. Bg3 Nh5 15. Qc1 Nxg3 16. hxg3 16... Bf6 $15 {Korchnoi - Akesson})
10... Bb7 11. Bf4 Rc8 12. Re1 $146 12... a6 13. Bf1 Qc7 14. b4 14... Rfd8 $6 (
14... Ne5 15. Nd2 15... Qb8 $132) 15. Rc1 Ne5 16. Nd2 Qb8 17. h3 {
Drowsing black's attention.} 17... Bc6 18. Qe2 Ng6 19. Bg3 Qb7 20. Nb3 20... h6
$6 (20... Bf8) 21. Rb1 $1 {Exellent move with the idea a4,a5  } 21... Bf8 22.
f3 Re8 23. Bf2 23... Qb8 $6 (23... d5 $5 24. cxd5 exd5 25. Qxa6 dxe4 26. fxe4
Qxa6 27. Bxa6 Ra8 28. b5 Bxe4 29. Nxe4 Rxe4 30. Bxb6 $14) 24. Qe3 $1 24... Nd7
25. Red1 25... Bb7 $6 26. Na4 $1 26... Nge5 27. Nxb6 Nxb6 28. Qxb6 Nxc4 29.
Bxc4 Rxc4 30. Na5 Rc7 31. b5 $1 31... Ba8 (31... Qc8 32. Nxb7 Qxb7 33. Qxb7
Rxb7 34. bxa6 $18) 32. Qxb8 {The simplest way. Also winnig was after 32.Qa6}
32... Rxb8 33. b6 $1 33... Rd7 34. b7 $1 34... Bxb7 35. Rb3 35... Kh7 $5 {
Strange move...but it works!} 36. e5 $2 $138 {There were two ways to win
immediatly:36.Rd2!, 37.Rdb2 +- or more simple 36.Rdb1 Be4 37.fe Rb3 38.Rb3 d5
39.Rd3 +-.} 36... Bxf3 $1 37. Rxf3 d5 38. Nc6 Rc8 39. Nd4 Rb7 40. Kf1 Kg8 41.
Nb3 Rc2 42. Bd4 $1 42... Rbc7 43. a4 Bb4 44. Bb6 R7c4 45. Rf2 R2c3 46. Rb1 $1
46... Be7 47. a5 47... f6 $5 {Searching for a counterplay.} 48. exf6 Bxf6 (
48... gxf6 $5 49. Nd4 Kf7 50. Re1 50... Rc1 $16) 49. Rf3 Rc2 50. Rd1 $1 $138 {
Now all white pieces is good, black pawns are stopped, so it must be winning.}
50... Rb2 51. Nc5 e5 (51... Rxb6 52. axb6 Rxc5 53. Rb1 Be5 54. Re3 $18) 52.
Nxa6 e4 53. Rf2 Rxf2+ 54. Bxf2 (54. Kxf2 $1 54... d4 55. Nc5 d3 56. Kf1 $1 $18)
54... d4 55. Be1 d3 56. Nb4 Rc5 57. g4 Rxa5 58. Nxd3 Ra3 59. Nf2 59... Bh4 $1
60. Nxe4 Bxe1 61. Rxe1 Rxh3 62. Kg2 {
Long forsing line finished and black have now some draw chances} 62... Rd3 63.
Rh1 Kh7 64. Ng5+ Kg6 65. Nf3 Ra3 66. Rd1 Ra7 67. Rd6+ Kh7 68. Kg3 Rb7 69. Nd4
Ra7 70. Kf4 Ra4 71. Rd7 $6 $138 (71. Ke4 $1 71... Rc4 72. Ra6 Rb4 73. Ke5 $16)
71... Kg6 72. Kg3 Kf6 73. Nf3 Ra6 74. Rb7 74... g5 $6 75. Rb5 $16 75... Kg6 76.
Kf2 Rf6 77. Ke3 Rf4 78. Rb6+ Kh7 79. Ne5 Kg7 80. Rd6 Ra4 81. Rg6+ Kh7 82. Rc6
Kg7 83. Nc4 Ra7 84. Nd6 Ra3+ 85. Kd2 Ra2+ 86. Ke3 Ra3+ 87. Ke4 Ra4+ 88. Ke5
Ra5+ 89. Ke6 Kh7 90. Kf6 Ra7 91. Nf5 Rb7 92. Ra6 Rc7 93. Ke5 Rc5+ 94. Kd4 Rb5
95. Rxh6+ Kg8 96. Rc6 Ra5 97. Ke4 Kf7 98. Nd4 Kg7 99. Rd6 Ra4 100. Ke5 Kf7 101.
Rd5 Kg6 102. Rb5 Rc4 103. Rb6+ Kf7 104. Rd6 Ra4 105. Nf5 Ra5+ 106. Rd5 Ra7 107.
Nd6+ Kg6 108. Ne4 Ra4 109. Rc5 Ra6 110. Kd4 Ra4+ 111. Kd3 Ra3+ 112. Kd2 Ra2+
113. Kc3 Ra3+ 114. Kb4 Rf3 115. Rxg5+ Kh6 116. Rf5 Re3 117. Rf4 1-0


white: Ponomariov R., UKR.
black: Korchnoi V., SUI.
date: 2001.01.18
event: Match
site: Donetsk
result: 1-0
round: 3
annotation:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5
Be6 9. Be3 {"Something new?"} 9... Nc5 $5 {''Of course !''} 10. Nc3 $5 10...
Nxb3 11. cxb3 $1 11... Be7 (11... Nb8 $5) 12. Rc1 Qd7 (12... O-O $5 13. Nxb5
axb5 14. Rxc6 Rxa2 15. Qb1 Ra8 16. Rfc1 Rc8 17. Qc2 { }) 13. h3 $1 (13. Ne2 Rc8
14. Nf4 O-O 15. Bc5 Rfd8 16. Bxe7 Nxe7 17. Qd4 Bg4 18. Ne1 (18. Nd2 18... c5 $1
19. Rxc5 Rxc5 20. Qxc5 g5 21. h3 gxf4 22. hxg4 22... Ng6 { }) 18... c5 $3 19.
Rxc5 Nf5 20. Qc3 20... d4 {  Smagin-Mikhalchishin,Moskva 1989.}) 13... O-O 14.
Ne2 14... f6 $6 $146 (14... Rfc8 15. Nf4 a5 16. a3 Nd8 17. Nd3 Bf5 18. Nc5 Bxc5
19. Bxc5 Ne6 20. Nd4 {  Groszpeter-Brunner,Biel 1990.}) 15. exf6 Rxf6 16. Ned4
16... Nxd4 { } (16... Bf7 $2 17. Rxc6 $1 $18) 17. Bxd4 Rf5 18. Ne5 Qc8 19. Nc6
$16 {Now White has a clear advantage, but accurasy is always necessary...}
19... Bd6 20. Bc5 Qd7 21. Bxd6 21... cxd6 $6 (21... Qxd6 22. Nd4 Re5 23. Rc6
Qd7 24. Re1 Rxe1+ 25. Qxe1 Bf7 26. Qe5 Re8 27. Rxc7 $16) 22. Nd4 Re5 23. Rc3 b4
24. Rg3 a5 25. Kh2 (25. f4 $6 25... Re4 26. f5 (26. Nf5 $6 26... g6 27. Ne3 d4
28. Nc2 28... Qa7 { }) 26... Qa7 $1) 25... Bf7 26. Nf3 Rf5 27. Qd4 $1 {
White at last reminds Black of his main weakness - his kingside.} 27... g6 28.
Qd2 Re8 29. Nd4 Rfe5 30. f4 Re4 31. f5 { } 31... Kh8 32. Qh6 $1 $18 {
Now it's all over.} 32... Qe7 (32... Rxd4 33. fxg6 Bxg6 34. Rf8+ Rxf8 35. Qxf8#
) 33. Nf3 (33. fxg6 Bxg6 34. Rxg6 34... Rxd4 $1 (34... Rh4 $2 35. Re1 $3 $18)
35. Rgf6 Rg8 36. Rf7 36... Rh4 $1 $16) 33... Qf8 34. Qg5 (34. Ng5 Qxh6 35.
Nxf7+ Kg7 36. Nxh6 Kxh6 37. fxg6 hxg6 38. Rf6 Rg8 39. Rxd6 Re2 40. Rxd5 Rxb2
41. Rxa5 $18) 34... Qg7 35. f6 Qf8 36. Rc1 h6 37. Qd2 g5 (37... Re2 38. Qd4
R2e4 39. Qb6 Rf4 40. Qxa5 Rxf6 41. Qxb4 $18) 38. Rc7 Re2 (38... Rf4 39. h4 $1
39... gxh4 40. Rg7 Rxf6 41. Rcxf7 $1) 39. Qc1 R2e6 40. h4 Rxf6 41. hxg5 Rg6 42.
Qf4 Be6 43. Nh4 $1 43... Rg7 44. Qd4 Kh7 (44... Kg8 45. gxh6 Rxg3 46. h7#) 45.
Qd3+ {Black resigned, since he is mated after 45. ...Kg8 46.gh Rg3 47.Qh7#.}
1-0


white: Korchnoi V., SUI.
black: Ponomariov R., UKR.
date: 2001.01.19
event: Match
site: Donetsk
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 4
annotation:
{Both players wants to have a rest, so they played without energy.} 1. d4 1...
d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e4 e5 4. Nf3 exd4 5. Bxc4 Nc6 6. O-O Be6 7. Bb5 Bc5 8. Qc2 (8.
b4 $5 8... Bb6 9. Bb2 Nge7 (9... Qd6 $6 10. a4 $1 10... Nge7 11. a5 Qxb4 12.
Qe2 d3 13. Bxd3 13... Nd4 $2 14. Bxd4 Bxd4 15. Ra4 $1 $18 {
Yuferov - Ibragimov, St.Petersburg,1996.}) 10. Bxd4 O-O 11. Bc5 Bxc5 12. bxc5
a6 13. Bxc6 Nxc6 14. Nc3 Qe7 15. Nd5 Qxc5 16. Nxc7 Rad8 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Qb3
$14 {Beliavsky - Sherbakov, Niksic,1996}) 8... Bb6 9. Bxc6+ bxc6 10. Qxc6+ Bd7
11. Qc4 Be6 (11... c5 12. Na3 Ne7 13. Bd2 O-O 14. Rfe1 Rc8 15. b3 $11 {
Andersen - Rasmussen, Copenhagen, 2000.}) 12. Qc6+ 12... Bd7 {
time white 0.24 black 0.07} 1/2-1/2


white: Ponomariov R., UKR.
black: Korchnoi V., SUI.
date: 2001.01.20
event: Match
site: Donetsk
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 5
annotation:
1. e4 1... c5 {This came as a surprise.} 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5.
Nc3 e6 6. Ndb5 Bb4 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8. Nxc3 d5 9. Bd3 $5 ({The main line is} 9. exd5
9... exd5 10. Bd3 O-O 11. O-O d4 12. Ne4 Bf5 13. Bg5 Bxe4 14. Bxe4 h6 15. Bxf6
Qxf6 16. Re1 16... Rac8 $11 {Leko - Kramnik, 2001, match(12).}) 9... d4 (9...
Ne5 10. Bb5+ Bd7 11. Bxd7+ Qxd7 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Nxd5 exd5 14. Bf4 Qf5 15. Qd4
Nc6 16. Qe3+ Qe6 17. O-O-O O-O 18. Rhe1 18... Qf5 $11 {
de Firmian-Khmelnitsky USA 1996.}) 10. Ne2 e5 11. O-O O-O 12. h3 (12. Ng3 Ne7
13. Bg5 Qb6 14. Nh5 Nxh5 15. Qxh5 Ng6 16. Bd2 16... Bd7 {
`White is slightly better.(Filipenko - Nikolaisen, Berlin 1997.)}) 12... Re8
13. Ng3 Nd7 14. f4 $5 14... exf4 15. Bxf4 Nde5 16. Qh5 $5 (16. Qd2 16... Qh4 $1
$13) (16. Nh5 $5 16... Qh4 17. Bg3 Qg5 18. Bf4 $11) 16... f6 {Third time with
black pieces Korchnoi played  f7-f6, but now this move is absolutely correct.}
17. b4 $6 (17. Rf2 Be6 18. Raf1 Bf7 19. Qd1 $13) 17... Be6 $6 (17... a5 $5 18.
b5 Nxd3 19. cxd3 Ne5 20. Qe2 20... a4 $13) (17... a6 $5) 18. b5 Bf7 19. Qe2
19... Na5 $6 {(x Na5)} (19... Nxd3 20. cxd3 20... Ne5 $15) 20. Nf5 Bg6 (20...
Nac4 $5 21. Qf2 21... Qb6 $13) 21. Nh4 Rc8 22. Bxe5 Rxe5 (22... fxe5 $5 23.
Nxg6 hxg6 24. Qg4 Qd6 25. Rf2 25... Nc4 $6 (25... Rf8 $1 26. Raf1 Rxf2 27. Rxf2
Rf8 28. Rxf8+ Kxf8 29. Qc8+ 29... Ke7 $11) 26. Bxc4+ Rxc4 27. Raf1 $14 27...
Rc7 28. Rf6 $1) 23. Nf3 $1 {
Breaking the blockade White have good chances to attack Black's kingside.}
23... Re7 24. Rae1 $14 24... Rc3 25. e5 {Critical position.} 25... Bxd3 26.
cxd3 26... Nb3 $8 (26... Qd5 27. Qf2 27... Rxd3 $2 28. exf6 $18) 27. Qa2 $5
27... Kh8 $8 (27... Rxd3 $2 28. Rd1 $1 $18) 28. exf6 gxf6 29. Nh4 29... Qe8 $1
{  Probably the best.} (29... Rxd3 30. Nf5 Rxe1 31. Rxe1 Qg8 32. Qf2 Rd2 33.
Qf3 $18 {Threating 34.Nh6 and 35.Re8! +-}) 30. Qf2 Rxe1 31. Rxe1 (31. Qxf6+ Kg8
32. Qg5+ Kh8 33. Qf6+ Kg8 34. Nf5 Rxf1+ 35. Kxf1 Rc1+ 36. Kf2 Rc2+ 37. Kg1 Qe1+
38. Kh2 Rxg2+ 39. Kxg2 Qe2+ 40. Kg3 Qxd3+ 41. Kf4 41... Qf1+ $11) 31... Qxe1+
$1 32. Qxe1 Rc1 33. Kf2 Rxe1 34. Kxe1 $14 34... a5 $1 {
After this move Black have a good draw chances.} 35. bxa6 bxa6 36. Ke2 a5 37.
Nf5 a4 38. Kf3 (38. Nd6 Nc1+ 39. Kd2 39... Nb3+ $11) 38... Nd2+ 39. Kf4 Nb1 40.
Ke4 Nxa3 41. Kxd4 Kg8 42. Ne3 $1 42... Nb5+ $8 43. Kc4 Nc7 44. Kb4 Ne6 45. Nc2
$5 45... Kf7 $1 46. Ne1 Kg6 47. Kxa4 Kf5 48. Kb5 Kf4 49. Kc6 Kg3 50. Kd5 50...
Ng7 $1 $11 {The rest of the game wasn't necessarily.} 51. Kd6 Kf2 52. Ke7 Kxe1
53. Kxf6 Ne8+ 54. Kf7 Nc7 55. g4 Kf2 56. Kg7 Kg3 57. Kxh7 Kxh3 58. g5 Ne6 59.
g6 Kg4 60. d4 Kf5 61. Kh6 Ke4 62. g7 Nxg7 63. Kxg7 63... Kxd4 {
So, there are no chances to win for both players.} 1/2-1/2


white: Korchnoi V., SUI.
black: Ponomariov R., UKR.
date: 2001.01.21
event: Match
site: Donetsk
result: 0-1
round: 6
annotation:
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bg4 5. d3 Nbd7 6. Bf4 Nh5 7. Bc1 Nhf6 8.
h3 {(?!)} (8. Bf4 $5 {Draw, why not?}) 8... Bh5 9. Bf4 e6 10. c4 Be7 11. cxd5
cxd5 12. Nc3 O-O 13. g4 (13. Rc1 a6 14. Na4 Ne8 15. Ne5 Nxe5 16. Bxe5 $11 {
Dizdarevic - Almasi Z., Pula 1996.}) 13... Bg6 14. Nh4 $4 {
A horrible mistake, but Korchnoi was not the only one.(!)} 14... Nxg4 $1 (14...
Rc8 $2 {Hersvik - Sorensen, Bergen 2000.}) 15. Nxg6 fxg6 16. e3 Ngf6 17. Nb5
Qa5 18. a4 18... a6 $6 (18... Rac8 $17) 19. b4 $1 {Trying to create something.}
19... Bxb4 $8 20. Bc7 b6 21. Nd4 Bc3 22. Rb1 Bxd4 23. exd4 23... Qc3 $6 (23...
Rfc8 $1 24. Bd6 Qc3 25. Qe2 Qxd4 26. Rb4 Qc3 27. Qxe6+ Kh8 28. Bxd5 Re8 29. Qf7
29... Rf8 $19) 24. Bxb6 Nxb6 25. Rxb6 Qxd4 26. Rxe6 a5 27. Qa1 $1 27... Qxd3
28. Rd1 Qf5 29. Re5 (29. Rxf6 $5 29... gxf6 30. Bxd5+ Kg7 31. Bxa8 Rxa8 32. Qa3
$17) 29... Qc2 $1 (29... Qf4 30. Qd4 Qxd4 31. Rxd4 {with some draw chances.})
30. Re7 Kh8 31. Rxd5 Rab8 32. Rb5 $8 32... Rbd8 33. Bf3 Rd3 34. Re3 Rxe3 35.
fxe3 35... h5 $5 36. Rxa5 $4 ({
Loosing by force a chance to keep fighting for a draw after} 36. Qd1 36... Qc3
37. Rb3 Qe5 38. Bg2 $17) (36. Qd4 $2 36... Ng4 37. Qb2 Qxb2 38. Rxb2 Rxf3 39.
hxg4 39... Rg3+ $19) 36... Ng4 $1 {
At the same square! White resigns. (time white 1,54; black 1,40).} 0-1


white: Ponomariov R., UKR.
black: Korchnoi V., SUI.
date: 2001.01.22
event: Match
site: Donetsk
result: 1/2-1/2
round: 7
annotation:
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Nbd7 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6 7. Nf3 h6 (
{The main continuation is} 7... c5 8. dxc5 8... Qxd1+ $6 (8... Qa5+) 9. Rxd1
Bxc5 10. Bb5+ Ke7 11. O-O h6 12. Bf4 Bd7 13. Bxd7 Nxd7 14. a3 14... Rhc8 $2 15.
b4 Bb6 16. c4 $1 $16 {Yakovenko - Dolmatov, St.- Peterburg, 2000.}) 8. Bh4 c5
9. Be2 (9. Bb5+ Bd7 10. Bxd7+ Qxd7 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. Qxd7+ Kxd7
14. Ke2 Ke7 15. Rhd1 Rhd8 16. c3 f5 17. Ne1 17... e5 $11 {
Yudasin - Korchnoi, St.- Peterburg, 1997.}) 9... cxd4 (9... Bd7 10. O-O 10...
Qb6 $2 (10... Be7 $5) (10... cxd4) 11. Ne5 $1 11... cxd4 12. Bxf6 $2 {
Rozentalis - Vaganian, Budapest, 1996} (12. Bh5 $1 12... Nxh5 13. Qxh5 g6 14.
Nxg6 $18)) 10. Qxd4 Qxd4 11. Nxd4 $14 11... Bc5 12. Nb3 Bd6 13. Bf3 Ke7 14. Bg3
$5 (14. c4 $6 14... Bb4+ $1 15. Ke2 $2 15... g5 16. Bg3 16... g4 $19) (14.
O-O-O $5 {with the idea c4,c5}) 14... Bxg3 15. hxg3 15... a5 $1 (15... Rb8 16.
Na5 $5 $16) 16. O-O-O Ra7 17. Rhe1 ({Deserves attantion} 17. Rh4 17... Bd7 18.
Nc5 $14) 17... Bd7 18. Nd4 g6 19. Re3 {
with the idea to press on b7 after Rb3 and Rb6} 19... a4 ({After} 19... b5 20.
Bc6 b4 21. Bxd7 Rxd7 22. Nc6+ {White has a pawn more}) 20. Rc3 20... Rc8 $8 21.
Rxc8 Bxc8 22. Nb5 Ra6 23. Rd4 Bd7 24. Nc3 b5 25. a3 (25. Be2 $5 25... Rb6 26.
Rb4 Nd5 27. Nxd5+ 27... exd5 $14 {with good draw chances for black}) 25... Ne8
26. Be2 Nd6 27. Rb4 27... Ra5 {
Now the set-up of black pieces is very passive, so White can activate his King.
} 28. Kd2 Bc6 29. Bf1 h5 30. Ke3 e5 31. f4 Ke6 (31... Nf5+ 32. Kf2 Nd4 33. fxe5
Nxc2 34. Rf4 $14) 32. Kf2 32... Kf6 {
Waiting for something...Interesting was to try} (32... f5 $1 {
and White has no real winning chance.}) 33. Be2 Ke6 34. Bd3 Kf6 35. g4 $1 {
Black rook is out of the board - so White must open the position.} 35... hxg4
36. fxe5+ Kxe5 37. Rxg4 Bd7 38. Rg3 38... Ra7 $6 39. Re3+ Kf6 40. Nd5+ Kg5 41.
Re5+ $5 (41. Re7 Rb7 42. Ke3 Bc6 43. Rxb7 Bxb7 44. Kd4 f5 45. Kc5 45... Nc4 $1
46. Bxc4 bxc4 47. Kxc4 47... f4 {
and strong bishop alows Black to defend position.}) 41... f5 42. Ke3 Bc6 43.
Nf4 43... Ra8 $8 44. Nxg6 44... Kf6 $1 45. Rc5 $2 (45. Kd4 $1 45... Rd8 46. Nf4
$1 46... Nc4+ 47. Nd5+ $18) 45... Bxg2 46. Nh4 $6 (46. Ne5 $5 $14) (46. Nf4 $5
$14) 46... Be4 47. Bxe4 fxe4 48. Rc6 Ke5 49. Ng6+ Kd5 50. Ne7+ 50... Ke6 $1 51.
Nf5 Kxf5 52. Rxd6 52... Re8 $8 53. Rh6 {It looks like easy way to viktory...}
53... Kg5 $8 54. Rh2 Re7 55. Rf2 55... Re5 $1 56. Rf4 (56. Rf1 $5 56... Rc5 (
56... Re8 57. Rf4 Re5 (57... Rc8 58. Rxe4 Rxc2 (58... Kf5 59. Rb4 Rc5 60. Kd4
$18) 59. Re5+ Kf6 60. Rxb5 Ke6 61. Kd3 Rh2 62. Kc3 Kd6 63. Rb4 Rh3+ 64. Kc4 $18
) 58. Rxe4 $18) (56... Kg6 $3 57. Kd4 Re8 58. Rf4 e3 59. Rf1 Kg5 60. Kd3 Kg4
61. Ke2 Re4 62. Rf3 Rc4 63. c3 Re4 64. Rxe3 Kf4 65. Rxe4+ Kxe4 66. Kd2 Kd5 67.
Kd3 Kc5 68. c4 b4 69. axb4+ Kxb4 70. Kd4 Kb3 71. c5 Kxb2 72. c6 a3 73. c7 a2
74. c8=Q 74... a1=Q $11) 57. Kxe4 Rxc2 58. Rf5+ Kg6 59. Rxb5 Kf6 60. Kd3 Rh2
61. Kc3 $18) 56... Rc5 57. c3 57... Re5 $1 {The point of Black's defence.} 58.
Rf8 Re7 59. Rb8 Re5 60. Rb6 Kf5 61. Rd6 Re8 62. Rh6 Kg5 63. Rh1 Re7 64. Rf1 Re8
65. Rf4 Re5 66. Rxe4 Kf5 67. Rxe5+ 67... Kxe5 $11 {After Korchnoi's horrible
mistakes in previouse game Ponomarev still hoping on something...} 68. Kd2 Kd6
69. Kc2 Kc6 70. b4 axb3+ 71. Kxb3 Kb7 72. a4 bxa4+ 73. Kxa4 Kc6 74. c4 1/2-1/2


white: Korchnoi V., SUI.
black: Ponomariov R., UKR.
date: 2001.01.23
event: Match
site: Donetsk
result: 1-0
round: 8
annotation:
1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e6 6. a3 Be7 7. e4 O-O 8. Nf3
8... Qc7 $5 {N} (8... b6 9. Be2) (8... d6 9. Be2 b6 10. O-O Bb7 11. Bf4 Rc8 12.
Re1 a6 13. Bf1 Qc7 14. b4 14... Rfd8 $6 (14... Ne5 $5 {Korchnoi-Ponomariov, m/2
})) 9. Bg5 b6 10. Bd3 $5 {the psycological victory.This position was analysed
by Ponomariov's team only after 10.Be2} 10... h6 11. Bh4 Nh5 12. Bxe7 Nxe7 13.
O-O Ba6 14. Rc1 Nf4 15. Nb5 15... Bxb5 $6 16. cxb5 $14 16... Qd6 17. Bb1 Qxd1
18. Rcxd1 d5 19. e5 19... g5 $6 20. Rfe1 Rac8 21. h4 g4 22. Nh2 h5 23. f3 g3
24. Nf1 Neg6 25. Rd4 25... Rc4 $6 (25... Rc1 $1 26. Rxc1 Ne2+ 27. Kh1 Nxd4 28.
Nxg3 Nxe5 29. a4 $14) 26. Rxc4 dxc4 27. Bxg6 fxg6 28. Nxg3 Nd3 29. Re2 Rd8 30.
Ne4 Nxe5 31. Ng5 Rd5 32. a4 Kg7 33. Nxe6+ Kf6 34. Ng5 $16 34... Kf5 35. Ne4 Rd3
36. Nc3 Rd4 37. Ne4 Rd3 38. Kh2 Rb3 39. Nd6+ Kf6 40. Ne8+ Kf5 41. Nd6+ Kf6 42.
Kg3 Rb4 43. Re4 Ke6 44. Nc8 $1 44... Kf6 45. Nxa7 Rxa4 46. Nc6 Nd3 (46... Nxc6
47. bxc6 b5 48. Rd4 $1 (48. b3 $2 48... Ra6 49. bxc4 49... b4 $1 50. c5 Rxc6
51. Rxb4 Rxc5 52. Kf4 52... Rc6 $11) 48... Ra8 49. Kf4 $18) 47. Ne7 $1 47...
Nxb2 48. Nd5+ Kf7 49. Re7+ Kf8 50. Rb7 Nd1 51. Rxb6 $18 51... c3 52. Rc6 Ra5
53. b6 Rb5 54. Rc7 Rxd5 55. b7 Rb5 56. Rc8+ Kf7 57. b8=Q Rxb8 58. Rxb8 c2 59.
Rc8 Ne3 60. Kf2 Nf5 61. g3 Nd4 62. g4 Ke6 63. Ke3 Kd5 64. Rc3 g5 65. hxg5 hxg4
66. fxg4 1-0


white: Reshevsky
black: Schiller, Eric
date: 1972.??.??
event: Simul
site: Manhattan Chess Club
result: 0-1
round: ?
annotation:
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 g6 5.Bxc4 Bg7 6.O-O O-O 7.Nc3
Nfd7 { Smyslov's system.} 8.Qe2 ( 8.e4 Nb6 9.Be2 Bg4 10.Be3 Nc6
{was played in Evans - Smyslov, Helsinki Olympiad 1952, which was a game I had
studied in preparation for this contest. Black has a lot of pressure on the center. Play continued}
11.d5 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 Ne5 13.Be2 Nec4 { with pressure on the long diagonal. After 14.Bc1 c6! Black had a strong game.}
) Nb6 9.Bb3 Nc6 {!?} { An attempt to improve on Golombek - Smyslov, Budapest 1952, which saw 9...a5.}
10.Rd1 Bg4 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 Qe8 {This move has the goal of blasting open the center. After the king moves to the h-file Black can advance both e- and f-pawns.}
13.Nb5 {?!} {
Gligoric improved against me a week or two later with 13. Ne4!, with the threat
of Nc5. Serves me right for getting the game published in the New York Times!}
Rc8 14.Bd2 a6 15.Na3 Kh8 16.Rac1 e5 $1 17.d5 e4 18.Qf4 {
It is clear that the Nc6 is headed for e5, with the possibility of jumping into
f3. If only the g-file were open and a rook stood on g8...} g5
$1 19.Qxg5 Ne5 20.Bc3 {The pin looks strong - but checks have been known to break pins!}
Nf3+ {!!} 21.gxf3 Bxc3 22.Kh1 ( 22.bxc3 Rg8 ) Rg8 23.Qf4 Qd7
24.Qh4 Qf5 $1 { Black continues to make threats while improving the position of his queen, before capturing the pawn at b2.}
25.f4 Bxb2 26.Rg1 Bxc1 27.Rxc1 Qg6 {Desperately chasing checkmate.}
28.Qg4 Qxg4 29.hxg4 Rxg4 {White could have resigned here.} 30.Rg1
Rxg1+ 31.Kxg1 Rd8 32.d6 Rxd6 33.Bxf7 Rd3 34.Nc2 c5 35.Be6 Rc3
36.Ne1 Rc1 37.Kf1 Nc4 38.Ke2 b5 39.Bd5 Ra1 40.Bxe4 Rxa2+ 41.Kd1
Rxf2 42.Nd3 Rd2+ {Reshevsky finally resigned, since I'm going to sac the rook for the knight and grab the e-pawn, with a three pawn advantage.}
 0-1


white: Schiller, Eric
black: Paolozzi, Marcos
date: 1981.??.??
event: Regency Masters
site: Ramsgate ENG
result: 1-0
round: ?
annotation:
1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nge2 d6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 a6 6.Be3 Nf6 7.g4
h5 8.g5 Ng4 9.Bc1 Qb6 {
A novelty, which runs somewhat counter to the theme of the opening, which
usually involves b7-b5 and the placement of the queen at c7. Still, there is
some logic behind the move, as it inhibits the development of the bishop at c1.}
10.h3 Ne5 11.Be2 ( 11.Nb3 g6 12.Be3 Qc7 13.f4 Nec6 14.Nd4 { is an interesting option.}
) g6 12.Nb3 Nbc6 13.f4 {!?} { This exposes the entire kingside and commits White to a do or die battle.}
( 13.Be3 {isn't that useful, because Black just retreats the queen to c7 and then can push the b-pawn.}
Qc7 {Planning b7-b5. The loss of time is not so important, bcause in the interval
between the development of the queen at b6 and the present move the kingside pawn structure has changed.}
14.Qd2 b5 15.f4 Nc4 16.Bxc4 bxc4 { would leave the situation quite messy.}
) Nd7 14.Rf1 Qc7 15.Be3 b5 ( 15...Bg7 {might have been a better choice, getting ready to castle.}
16.Nd4 O-O 17.Qd2 ( 17.f5 {!?} ) Nxd4 18.Bxd4 Bxd4 19.Qxd4 e5
20.Nd5 {!?} Qxc2 21.fxe5 dxe5 22.Qb4 {should provide enough compensation for the pawn.}
) 16.f5 {!?} {A thematic advance, but one which concedes the e5 square, from which a knight can play a major defensive role on the kingside.}
Nde5 17.Nd4 Bd7 ( 17...Nxd4 18.Bxd4 {and a subsequent capture at e5 will give White a permanent advantage on the queenside.}
b4 19.fxg6 bxc3 20.gxf7+ Nxf7 ( 20...Kd8 21.Bxe5 )
( 20...Ke7 21.Bxh5 cxb2 22.Bxb2 Qa5+ 23.Kf2 $13 Qb6+ 24.Bd4 )
21.Rxf7 $1 Qxf7 22.Bxh8 {/\ Bxh5.} ) ( 17...b4 18.Na4 exf5 19.Nxc6
$1 ( 19.exf5 {!?} Nxd4 20.Bxd4 Bxf5 21.Nb6 Rc8 22.Nd5 Qxc2 23.Nf6+
Ke7 24.Bxe5 Qxd1+ 25.Rxd1 dxe5 26.Bxa6 Rc2 ( 26...Ra8 27.Rxf5
$1 Rxa6 ( 27...gxf5 28.Rd7+ Ke6 29.Bc4# ) 28.Rxe5+ Re6 29.Rd7# )
27.Nd5+ Ke6 ( 27...Ke8 28.Bb5+ ) ( 27...Kd7 28.Nxb4+ ) 28.Nc7+
Ke7 29.Nd5+ {=} ) Qxc6 20.Nb6 Qxe4 21.Nxa8 Qxa8 {%02 where White has the better prospects after}
22.Qd4 ) 18.fxe6 fxe6 {Now things become very interesting.} 19.Rf6
$1 {This invasion seems irrelevant, since Black can quickly attack the rook with a bishop and drive it away. Or can he?}
( 19.Qd2 Nxd4 20.Qxd4 Bc6 21.Rf6 Qe7 22.Bf4 Bg7 23.Bxe5 $1 dxe5
24.Qxe5 Bxf6 25.gxf6 Qf7 26.Qc5 Rc8 27.e5 {looks better for White because the pawns at d5 and f6 are just too strong.}
) Nd8 {Now all Black has to do is play Be7 and White is in deep trouble, having  clearly overextended.}
20.Rxg6 $1 {Reckless, perhaps, but Black's exposed king was too good a target.}
( 20.Qd2 Be7 $1 21.Rf2 Ndc6 {gives White a little edge, perhaps. But I was in a bloodthirsty mood.}
) Nxg6 21.Bxh5 Nf7 $1 ( 21...Kf7 {?} {would have been most welcome, as I could win instantly with}
22.Qf3+ {picking up the knight at g6.} Kg8 $1 ( 22...Kg7 23.Qf6+
Kg8 24.Qxg6+ Bg7 25.Bg4 {looks terrible for Black.} ) 23.Bxg6
b4 24.Nce2 {offers up a pawn, but only at the price of allowing White's knights to join the attack.}
e5 25.Nf5 Qxc2 26.Nh6+ $1 Bxh6 ( 26...Kg7 27.Qf6# ) 27.gxh6
Bb5 $1 {Black's counterattack at e2 almost saves the day, but not quite.}
28.Ng3 Qxb2 29.Rc1 {The Whtie knight will get to f6, via h5, and there is nothing Black can do about it. White will win.}
) ( 21...Rxh5 22.Qxh5 Kf7 {loses to} 23.Qh7+ Bg7 24.O-O-O )
( 21...Rg8 {leads to enormous complications.} 22.Bxg6+ $1
( 22.Nf5 {?!} {doesn't quite work.} Nf7 23.Bxg6 Rxg6 24.Qh5 Rxg5
25.Bxg5 b4 ( 25...exf5 26.Nd5 Qc5 27.O-O-O $16 ) 26.Nh6 Bxh6
27.Bxh6 bxc3 {and Black should win.} ) Rxg6 23.Qh5 Kf7 24.O-O-O
Be8 ( 24...Kg7 {meets with the brilliant refutation} 25.Nf5+
{!!} exf5 26.Bd4+ Kf7 27.Nd5 Qc4 28.Qh7+ Bg7 29.Bxg7 Rxg7 30.g6+
Kf8 31.Qh8+ Rg8 32.Qf6+ Nf7 33.Qxf7# ) 25.Qh7+ Bg7 26.Rf1+ Ke7
27.Nf5+ {!!} Kd7 ( 27...exf5 28.Nd5+ Kd7 29.Nxc7 Kxc7 30.exf5
$18 ) 28.Rd1 Nb7 29.Nxg7 Kc8 30.Qg8 Rxg7 31.Qxe8+ Nd8
( 31...Qd8 32.Qxe6+ Qd7 33.Qf6 { with more than 3 pawns and a bishop for the rook, because the pawns are flying and at least one will be promoted.}
) 32.h4 { White's pawns are worth more than the exchange.} )
22.Bxg6 Rxh3 23.Bxf7+ {?!} ( 23.Kd2 $1 {would have been much stronger.}
Rh2+ ( 23...Bc8 24.Qe2 e5 25.Nd5 Qb7 26.Nb3 {is crushing. Black's position is a mess, and the White forces will soon close in.}
) 24.Kc1 b4 {is countered by} 25.Bg1 $1 Rh4 26.Qf3 $1 {The position is still a mess, chances seem about equal.}
) Kxf7 24.Qe2 {!?} {
I could not resist the sacrifice of the rook at a1. Of course I couldn't work
out all of the maniacal complications. I simply had faith in the attack. As it
turns out, Black couldn't do better than draw by accepting, so my instincts turned out to be correct.}
( 24.Kd2 {was a worthy alternative.} ) Qc4 {?!} {
It was of course tempting to elimitate the queens, now that the h-awn is gone
from the board. In addition, from c4 she defends the critical square e6. Yet it
might have been wiser to enter the thicket with an extra rook in hand.}
( 24...Rh1+ 25.Kd2 Rxa1 {
leads to enormous complications. Black has two rooks for a knight and a pawn.
This is a huge material advantage, but the pawn at g5 is a lot of compensation.
It is critical that the rook can't go to g1, which is guarded by the bishop.
Black has a bishop and king in the area, but they are not effective defenders.
White's knights seem to be useless, but can in many cases jump in at d5 or f5.}
26.Qh5+ ( 26.g6+ {!?} ) ( 26.Nf5 {!?} ) Kg8 $1 { was found by Stuart Conquest.}
( 26...Ke7 27.Nf5+ $1 {
requires very deep analysis. It is hard to say how much we would have spotted
at the board. I was already way ahead on the clock, and Paolozzi was getting into deep time trouble.}
exf5 ( 27...Kd8 28.Qf7 $1 exf5 ( 28...Kc8 29.Qxf8+ Kb7 30.Nxd6+
Kc6 31.Qxa8+ Kxd6 32.g6 $1 {The lowly pawn is decisive. Black can't prevent it from promoting. The White king is completely secure.}
) ( 28...Be8 29.Qxf8 Rf1 {looks like a nice trick but} 30.g6
$1 {is crushing, for example} exf5 ( 30...b4 $5 31.Nd5
$1 exd5 32.g7 $1 {The pawn cannot be stopped.} ) 31.Nd5 $1
Qd7 32.g7 fxe4 33.Bg5+ Kc8 34.Nb6+ Kc7 35.Nxd7 Rxf8 36.gxf8Q )
29.Qxf8+ Be8 30.Nd5 {with the deadly threats of Bb6 and the advance of the g-pawn.}
Qf7 {defends at the cost of a pawn, and also gives White the chance to draw with a perpetual check.}
31.Qxd6+ Qd7 32.Qb6+ Kc8 33.Qc5+ Kb7 34.Qb6+ Kc8 35.Qc5+ {%04etc.} )
28.Nd5+ Kd8 29.Qf7 ( 29.Nxc7 Kxc7 $13 ) Kc8 30.Qxf8+
( 30.g6 $1 Qd8 ( 30...Qc4 31.Nb6+ Kc7 32.Qxd7+ Kb8 33.Nxc4 )
( 30...Qa5+ 31.b4 Qa3 32.Nb6+ {/\ Qxd7#.} ) 31.Nb6+ Kc7
( 31...Kb7 32.Nxd7 Qe7 33.Qd5+ Kc7 34.Qxa8 Kxd7 35.Qb7+ Ke6
( 35...Ke8 36.Qc8+ Qd8 37.Qxf5 Qe7 38.Qc8+ {and White has at least a draw.}
) 36.exf5+ $1 Kf6 ( 36...Kxf5 37.Qxe7 Bxe7 38.g7 {and the pawn gets promoted.}
) 37.Bd4+ Kxf5 38.Qxe7 Bxe7 39.g7 $18 ) 32.Nxd7 {is similar to the line above except that the K is on c7 instead of b7. This means that there is no check at d5.}
Qe7 ( 32...Qxd7 33.Bb6+ Kc6 34.Qd5+ Kxb6 35.Qxa8 Bh6+ $19 ) 33.Nb6
Qxf7 34.Nxa8+ Kb7 35.gxf7 Kxa8 $19 ) Kb7 31.Qxa8+ $1 Kxa8 32.Nxc7+
Kb7 33.Nd5 $13 ) 27.Nf5 Be8 28.g6 Rc8 $1 29.Bd4 e5 30.Bb6 $1
{gives White some chances since the queen has to guard h7 and can't leave the 7th rank.}
b4 {sacrifices the queen, but Black has plenty of compensation.}
31.Bxc7 bxc3+ 32.bxc3 Rxc7 33.Qg5 $1 {Threatens to push the pawn to g7. Black has to offer the exchange with}
Rg7 ( 33...Bg7 34.Qd8 $1 ) 34.Nh6+ Kh8 35.Qd8 $1 Rxg6
( 35...Re7 36.Nf5 ) 36.Qxe8 Rxh6 37.Qxf8+ Kh7 {White could settle for a draw here by checking at f7 and f8, or could try to play on, though a draw is the likeliest result.}
) 25.Qf2+ Kg8 26.g6 Bg7 {?} {
This was a miscalculation due to time pressure. With 15 moves remaining Black
had under 5 minutes. Black sets up the terminal threat of ...Rf8, but White has a plan ready.}
( 26...Rh1+ {?} 27.Kd2 Rxa1 {is too dangerous now.} 28.Qf7+ Kh8
29.Qh7# ) ( 26...Be8 $1 {was clearly best.} 27.O-O-O Bg7 $1
( 27...Bxg6 {?} 28.Rg1 Kh7 29.Qg2 $18 ) 28.e5 $1 {White threatens Qg2, attacking both rooks. The knight can now move from c3 to e4, and then to f6.}
Rd8 29.Ne4 dxe5 30.Nf6+ Kh8 ( 30...Bxf6 31.Qxf6 Rxd4 $1 32.Bxd4
Rh2 33.Bf2 $1 {with a much better position for White, whose king is easier to defend.}
) ) 27.Qf7+ Kh8 28.O-O-O $1 {I can't recall castling this late in any serious game! ^013^010
}
{The bishop cannot be captured because of 29.Rh1+. Black hopes his problems are
solved because he can drive away the enemy queen and go on the attack. But they are far from over.}
Be8 ( 28...Rd8 29.Bg5 Rg8 {gives up the bishop at d7, but the knight at d4 is undefended.}
30.Bf6 $1 ( 30.Qxd7 Bxd4 31.Qf7 Qc5 {is better for White, but Black might be able to hang on.}
) Qc8 31.e5 $1 {The thematic move as in many other variations, opening up a square at e4 for the knight.}
Qe8 32.Ne4 Qxf7 33.gxf7 Rf8 34.Bxg7+ Kxg7 35.Rg1+ $1 {
A clever move. Black can't capture the f-pawn because Ng5+ is a deadly fork. So
the king must flee to the edge of the board, where it will be effectively out of play.}
Kh6 36.Nxd6 {Black is paralyzed, and White has two pawns for the exchange.}
Kh7 {Forced, to stop Rg8.} 37.Nb3 $1 {The knight heads to c5. Black must sacrifice a rook for the pawn at f7 and a knight.}
Rf3 38.Nc5 R8xf7 39.Nxf7 Rxf7 40.Nxa6 {is a fairly easy win for White.}
) 29.Qxe6 {!!} {White has  calculated this very well. The pressure is maintained in the endgame and the material is not important.}
Qxe6 30.Nxe6 Rxe3 {?} {Paolozzi can be forgiven for missing my 32nd move. It isn't easy to spot in advance!}
( 30...Bxg6 $1 { was correct, leading to an equal game.} 31.Bd4
Bxd4 32.Rxd4 Rh4 33.Rxd6 Bxe4 34.Nxe4 Rxe4 35.Nc7 Rf8 36.Nxa6
Rf1+ 37.Kd2 { and it is White who holds the only winning chances.} )
31.Rh1+ Kg8 32.Nd5 $1 {This is the point of the whole line. White threatens Ne7 mate!}
Bxg6 33.Nxe3 Bxe4 {
This endgame might at first be thought to favor Black, who holds the bishop
pair. But in fact, it is much better for White, whose pieces are much more active.}
34.Rg1 {I can now force the rooks and a pair of minor pieces off the board, and work to exploit Black's weak pawn structure.}
Ra7 35.Rg4 Bh7 {?} { The losing move, although Black was in trouble anyway.}
( 35...d5 $1 {was correct, securing the bishop in its powerful position.}
36.Kd2 $1 d4 ( 36...Kh8 37.Nxg7 Rxg7 38.Rxg7 Kxg7 39.Kc3 Kf6
40.Kd4 Ke6 {is forced.} 41.c3 Kd6 42.a4 bxa4 43.c4 Bf3 44.cxd5
Bh1 45.Nc4+ Kc7 46.Kc5 {is strong, but Black might hold.} Bg2
47.d6+ Kd8 48.Nb6 Bf1 49.Nxa4 Bb5 50.Nc3 Be8 {How can White make progress?}
) 37.Rxe4 ( 37.Nxd4 Rd7 38.Rxe4 Bxd4 39.c3 Ba7+ {holds.} ) dxe3+
38.Kxe3 Bxb2 {would have drawn.} ) 36.Nd5 $1 {
Black's clerics are cowering in the corner, but one will soon die, and the
other will be powerless against the galloping horse.} Kh8 37.Nxg7
Rxg7 38.Rxg7 Kxg7 {The end comes remarkably quickly. Black's offside forces can't defend the little pawns.}
39.Nc7 Kf6 40.Nxa6 Ke5 41.Nc7 {
 and with time control reached Black resigned. The b-pawn will be chased by the
knight until it falls, and the endgame is a simple matter thereafter.}
b4 42.Na6 b3 43.axb3 Be4 44.Kd2 Bc6 45.Nb4 Bb7 46.Ke3 Ke6 47.Kd4
Bf3 48.c4 Bd1 49.Kc3 Bf3 50.Nc2 Bb7 51.b4 Be4 52.b5 Kd7 53.Nb4
Bb7 54.Kd4 Bf3 55.Nd5 {followed by b4 and c5.} 1-0


white: Gurevich, Dmitry
black: Schiller, Eric
date: 1993.??.??
event: Oak Brook
site: Oak Brook IL
result: 0-1
round: ?
annotation:
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c6 4.Nbd2 ( 4.Qc2 f5 5.g3 Nf6 6.Bg2 Bd6
7.O-O O-O {was part of Gurevich's experience as White in the line.}
8.b3 Qe7 9.Ne5 Na6 10.Nd3 Nh5 11.a4 f4 12.Ba3 fxg3 13.hxg3 Bxa3
14.Nxa3 Qg5 15.Qc1 {
 was better for White in D. Gurevich vs. McClelland, New York Open 1995. The
e-pawn is backward and weak, while White controls e5.} ) f5 5.g3
Nf6 6.Bg2 Bd6 7.O-O {This position can be reached from many move orders, including 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c6 4.g3 f5 5.Bg2 Nf6 6. 0-0 Bd6 7.Nbd2.}
Qe7 {Black usually plays ...Nbd7, to prevent White from occupying e5 with a knght.}
8.Qc2 O-O 9.Ne5 {
 White needs to occuly the e5 square at some point, since otherwise Black will
eventually play ...e5. As long as White maintains control of e5, Black will
find it difficult to activate the light-squared bishop.} Nbd7
10.Ndf3 { This is a standard anti-Dutch plan. The knight at e5 is supported by both a pawn at d4 and another knight at either f3 or d3.}
Ne4 {Black can safely keep the knight here if an enemy knight is at f3, so that
White cannot place a pawn there. In many cases the knight can sit at e4 even if
the f3-square is not occupied, since the weakening of the a7-g1 diagonal can
prove embarassing for White if the f-pawn advances. In addition, g3 can become vulnerable.}
11.Bf4 { White invites Black to advance the g-pawn. This is a double-edged strategy.}
g5 {!?} {Black accepts the challenge.} 12.Nxd7 Bxd7 13.Bxd6 Nxd6
{ White now owns a superior bishop, but Black has plenty of room to maneuver.}
14.Ne5 Be8 {
There are two ways to activate the light-squared bishop in the Stonewall Dutch.
Black can fianchetto it at b7 under some circumstances, msot easily when the
knight sits at b8 to defend the pawn at c6. The other plan, seen here, is to redeploy it on the kingside.}
( 14...Nf7 15.Nd3 Nd6 16.c5 Nf7 17.Qc3 Rfe8 18.e3 e5 19.f4 e4
20.Ne5 Nxe5 21.dxe5 gxf4 22.gxf4 Be6 23.Kh1 {was agreed drawn in, Stupica vs. Piskur, 1999.}
) 15.f4 ( 15.c5 Nf7 16.Nxf7 Bxf7 17.f3 Bg6 18.e4 f4 {leaves White with more problems to solve than Black.}
) Bh5 16.Rac1 Rac8 17.Kh1 {White takes care to get the king off the a7-g1 diagonal in case Black opens up the game with ...c5.}
Nf7 18.cxd5 exd5 $1 ( 18...cxd5 {allows White to sacrifice the queen, though moving her to a safe square is also good.}
19.Qxc8 Rxc8 20.Rxc8+ Kg7 21.Rfc1 Qb4 22.fxg5 Nxe5 23.dxe5 Qxb2
24.R1c7+ Bf7 25.Bf3 $1 {and White wins.} ) 19.e3 ( 19.Qxf5 Nxe5
20.Qxe5 Qxe5 21.fxe5 Bxe2 22.Rxf8+ Rxf8 {would have been equal.} )
Nxe5 $1 { Although Black has a bad bishop, there is little to fear in most of the possible endgames.}
20.fxe5 Bg6 { White must now take seriously the threat of advancing the f-pawn.}
21.Qd2 Kg7 {Black prepares to operate on the h-file.} 22.b4 h5
23.Rf2 Rh8 24.Rcf1 h4 $1 25.Kg1 {White gets the king off the dangerous h-file.}
g4 26.Rc1 Qg5 27.Rf4 {White does not want to allow ...f4, even as a sacrifice.}
Rh7 28.b5 hxg3 29.hxg3 Qh5 30.Qf2 {?} {This square is needed for the king.}
( 30.Kf2 {threatens Rh1, trapping the enemy queen.} Qh2 31.Rh1
{ Forced, in view of the threat of ...Rh3.} Qxh1 32.Bxh1 Rxh1
33.Qb4 cxb5 34.Kg2 ( 34.Qe7+ Kh6 35.Kg2 Rcc1 36.Qxb7 Rhg1+ 37.Kf2
Rgf1+ 38.Ke2 Rfe1+ 39.Kd2 Red1+ {is a draw.} ) Rch8 35.Qe7+ Bf7
36.Qf6+ Kf8 37.Qd8+ Kg7 38.Qf6+ {would have drawn.} ) Qh2+ 31.Kf1
Rhh8 $1 {It looks as though Black cannot make further progress. It is true that I have
exhausted the possibilities on the h-file, but there is another path to the
enemy king, via the queenside, and with the next very subtle move I prepare a deep and long plan}
32.bxc6 {Had Dmitry figured out the point of my last move, he never would have opened up the b-file.}
( 32.Rb1 b6 33.bxc6 Rxc6 34.Bxd5 Rc2 35.Qxh2 Rhxh2 {and White is too tied down to make any progress.}
) Rxc6 33.Rxc6 bxc6 34.Qe1 ( 34.Qc2 Rb8 35.Kf2 Rb6 { and again White has no way to make progress.}
) Rb8 35.a4 Rb3 $1 { White is in completely tied down.} 36.Rf2
{Desperation. The rook should stay in its passive post at f4, as now the Black bishop enters the game.}
{?} ( 36.a5 Rb7 {and White is at a loss for a move, as all of the pieces must remain in place to defend.}
37.a6 Rb2 38.Rf2 f4 $1 {wins.} 39.e4 ( 39.Rxb2 Bd3+ 40.Re2 f3 )
Rxf2+ 40.Qxf2 f3 41.Bxf3 Qxf2+ 42.Kxf2 gxf3 43.Kxf3 Bxe4+ {White will win by retreating the bishop to c8 and capturing the pawn at a6.}
) f4 $1 {The threat is ...Rb1, pinning the queen.} 37.Rd2 Rxe3
38.Qf2 Qxg3 39.Qxg3 Rxg3 40.Rf2 f3 41.Bh1 Bd3+ {White resigned.} 0-1


white: Schiller, Eric
black: Schwartzman, Gabriel
date: 1994.08.??
event: U.S. Open
site: Alexandria VA
result: 1-0
round: ?
annotation:
1.e4 {This game featured a major upset in the U.S. Open. Gabriel Schwartzman is a
very talented young Grandmaster but he runs into a creative sacrifice in this game.}
e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 {
The old Steinitz variation is enjoying renewed popularity these days. A game
between Kasparov and Short at the 1994 Euwe Memorial in Amsterdam had made a
deep impression on me, and I was hoping to make use of a plan involving h4,
Rh3-g3 and a kingside attack that worked well for Kasparov.}
Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 Qb6 8.Qd2 {
The pawn sacrifice offered by this move has rarely been tested in the
tournament arena. I was quite surprised when Schwartzman accepted it.}
Qxb2 9.Rb1 Qa3 10.dxc5 {
This was my own idea. 10.Be2 was recommended in an old book by Harding, but it
did not impress me at all. I decided to eliminate the dark-squared bishops and
use Kasparov's attacking formation on the kingside.} Bxc5 11.Bxc5
Qxc5 12.Bd3 a6 13.h4 Nb6 {13...Qe7 would have made it harder for me to justify the investment of the pawn.}
14.Rh3 $1 Nc4 15.Bxc4 Qxc4 16.a3 $1 {This is a very important move. I need to free the knight from the need to hang around at c3 just to defend the poor pawn.}
b5 17.Ne2 Bd7 18.Nfd4 $1 {
This eliminates the enemy knight, and I have a decent endgame even without the
pawn, because Black is left with a very bad bishop.} Nxd4 19.Nxd4
Rc8 20.Rbb3 $1 {
There are two points to this move. One is to be ready to transfer to the
kingside at a moment's notice, and the other, more subtle, will be revealed shortly.}
O-O 21.Rhg3 f6 { Standard French counterply.} 22.f5 {!?} {
I hadn't worked out all the tactics here. But I had a great deal of confidence
and had seen some pleasant long variations, beginning at move 27!}
exf5 {This fell in with my plans. But what about the alternative? Could I have held the position following:}
( 22...fxe5 23.Qh6 Rf7 24.Rb4 Qc5 $1 ( 24...Qc3+ {?!} 25.Rxc3
gxh6 26.Rg3+ Kh8 27.fxe6 Re7 28.exd7 exd4+ 29.Kd2 Rxd7 30.Rxd4 )
25.fxe6 Re7 $1 26.exd7 exd4+ 27.Kf1 Rxd7 ( 27...Rf8+ 28.Kg1
d3+ 29.Kh2 Kh8 $1 { 29...dxc2? allows 30.Rbg4! with devastating threats at g7!}
( 29...Rxd7 30.cxd3 $15 ) 30.Qf4 $1 Rxd7 ( 30...Rxf4 31.d8Q+ )
31.Qg4 Rdf7 ( 31...dxc2 $1 32.Qxd7 g6 $19 ) 32.cxd3 Qc1 {It might not have been easy, but neither would it have been a simple matter to find all these moves at the board!}
33.a4 {keeps White in the game. A draw is quite possible.} )
28.Qe6+ Rf7+ 29.Rf3 Rcf8 $1 {White has no good moves.} 30.h5
Qxc2 31.Qxd5 {is still extremely complicated. Black gets connected passed pawns after}
Qc1+ 32.Kf2 Qxa3 $1 {The rook at f7 and the rook at f3 are both pinned!!}
33.Rxd4 Qe7 $1 ( 33...b4 {?} 34.Qxf7+ $1 Rxf7 35.Rd8+ Rf8 36.Rdxf8# )
34.Rdf4 {What a crazy position! Black cannot unpin without dropping a rook except by getting the king to g7.}
b4 ( 34...g6 35.h6 b4 36.Kg1 $1 {breaks the pin.} a5 37.Rxf7
Rxf7 38.Rxf7 Qxf7 39.Qd8+ Qf8 40.Qd5+ Kh8 41.Qe5+ Kg8 42.Qd5+
{draws.} ) 35.Kg1 $1 h6 36.g4 Qe1+ 37.Kg2 Qe8 38.Rxf7
( 38.Qc4 a5 39.Qd5 a4 40.Rxf7 Rxf7 41.Rxf7 Qxf7 42.Qa8+ Kh7 43.Qe4+
Kh8 44.Qxb4 Qa2+ 45.Kf1 Qa1+ 46.Ke2 a3 47.Qf8+ Kh7 48.Qf5+ Kg8
49.Qe6+ Kf8 50.Qc8+ {It is doubtful that the king can find shelter.} )
Rxf7 39.Rxf7 Qxf7 40.Qa8+ Qf8 41.Qxa6 b3 42.Qb7 Qf7 43.Qa8+ Kh7
44.Qe4+ Kh8 45.Qa8+ Qg8 46.Qb7 Qc4 $1 {Black controls e4, so White can't attack the Black king when it is at h7.}
) 23.Rbc3 $1 {A critical preparatory move before the real attack begins.}
Qa4 {The rest of the game is virtually forced.} ( 23...Qa2 24.Qh6
Rf7 25.e6 $1 {is crushing.} Re8 26.Rce3 Bxe6 27.Nxe6 Rfe7 28.Rxg7+
{wraps things up.} ) 24.Qh6 Rf7 25.exf6 $1 g6 {Forced, but Black's defenses cannot hold.}
26.Rxg6+ {!!} {The rook is sacrificed for two pawns and a tremendous attack.}
hxg6 27.Qxg6+ Kf8 28.Qh6+ {The attack plays itself!} Ke8 29.Qh8+
Rf8 30.Re3+ Kd8 31.Qxf8+ Kc7 32.Qc5+ Kb8 33.Qd6+ Rc7 34.Rc3 Qa5
35.Qxc7+ {Black resigned, because once the pieces come off, the f-pawn promotes. Black is powerless to prevent it.}
 1-0


white: Schiller, Eric
black: Arne, Mike
date: 1995.??.??
event: Foster City
site: Foster City CA
result: 1-0
round: ?
annotation:
1.e4 {As I was finishing this book I took part in one of the regular all-Master
training tournaments held monthly in the San Francisco area. I found myself
paired with a very strong opponent, Mike Arne (2400 FIDE). Since we were due to
meet a few weeks later in an IM norm tournament, I decided that I shouldn't
play my special preparation for him.  Naturally with so much Spielmann on my
mind I turned to one of his favorite lines, the Worral Attack in the Spanish
Game. My preparation consisted solely of annotating a few games for this book,
and the choice was made at the board.  So this game shows that it is not
necessary to study a lot of opening theory as White in the Spanish Game. All
that is needed is some basic concepts, and either courage or recklessness!}
e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.Qe2 b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 { The sharpest continuation.}
7.c3 {I was in no mood for quiet play with 7.d3.} O-O 8.O-O d6
( 8...d5 9.d3 {is unclear, according to ECO.} ) 9.h3 {
 This is probably not necessary, as Black's bishop is headed to b7, but I
wanted to make sure it was kept off of g4, where the pin on the knight would weaken my control of d4.}
Bb7 10.Rd1 Re8 11.a4 {I believe this was a novelty.} b4 12.a5
Qb8 {?!} { In retrospect, this is an error. The simple 12...Qe7 would have given Black an equal game.}
13.d4 {!?} {
This is a deliberate sacrifice. I saw the Black forces huddled on the queenside
and felt that a pawn could safely be invested for good attacking chances.}
exd4 14.cxd4 Ba7 ( 14...Rxe4 {was certainly playable, but I felt that I would then have sufficient compensation.}
15.Be3 {!?} ( 15.Bxf7+ {doesn't work:} Kxf7 16.Ng5+ Kf8 17.Qc4
( 17.Nxe4 {?!} Nxd4 $1 18.Rxd4 Bxd4 19.Nxf6 Bxf6 {and Black is better.}
) Qe8 $1 ( 17...Nd8 18.Nxe4 Nxe4 19.dxc5 Nxc5 20.Be3 { and Black does not have compensation for the exchange.}
) 18.Nxe4 Qxe4 { and White is simply down a piece.} ) Ba7 16.Nbd2
Re7 17.Qd3 {
White has g ood play for the pawn. Whether it is enough is not entirely clear,
but as a practical matter I would have been satisfied with the position.}
) 15.e5 $1 d5 ( 15...Nd7 16.Ng5 {gives White a strong attack.} )
( 15...dxe5 16.dxe5 Nd8 17.Ng5 {threatens Rxd8 followed by an assault at f7.}
) ( 15...Re7 16.Bg5 { Threatens to smash open the kingside.} )
16.Qd3 $1 { Now Black must try for complications.} Ne4
( 16...Nd7 17.Bxd5 Ne7 18.Bc4 {is simple and strong.} ) 17.Bxd5
Nxf2 {The idea is that if White captures the knight the pin the d4 allows captures at
e5 with counterplay. Instead, I sacrifice a bishop and a rook to go after the undefended Black king.}
18.Bxf7+ {!!} ( 18.Kxf2 Nxe5 19.Qb3 Bxd5 20.Qxd5 Nxf3
( 20...c6 21.Qe4 Nxf3 22.Qxf3 Qd6 23.Be3 Re6 {also provides a little counterplay.}
) 21.gxf3 c5 { leaves the White king vulnerable to attack.} )
Kxf7 19.Qf5+ Kg8 20.Ng5 Nxd1 ( 20...Nxh3+ {would have put up more resistance.}
21.Qxh3 Bxd4+ ( 21...h6 22.Qb3+ Kh8 23.Nf7+ Kh7 24.Qd3+ Kg8
( 24...g6 25.Be3 { and the Black king is more exposed than White's.} )
25.Nxh6+ gxh6 26.Qg6+ Kh8 27.Qxh6+ Kg8 28.Qg6+ Kh8 29.Rd3 Bxd4+
30.Kh1 Bc8 {To stop the mate at h3.} 31.Qh6+ Kg8 32.Rg3+ Kf7
33.Qf6# ) 22.Rxd4 Nxd4 23.Qxh7+ Kf8 24.Qh8+ Ke7 25.Qxg7+ Kd8
26.Be3 Nf5 ( 26...c5 27.Bxd4 cxd4 28.Qf6+ Kd7 29.Qf5+ Kc6
( 29...Kd8 30.Ne6+ Rxe6 31.Qxe6 {and White should win, for example:}
Qc8 ( 31...Qc7 32.Nd2 Rc8 ( 32...Qg7 33.g4 ) ( 32...Qc6 33.Qg8+
Kc7 34.Qg7+ Kb8 35.Re1 ) 33.Rf1 ) 32.Qg8+ Kc7 33.Qc4+ Kb8 34.Qxd4 )
30.Na3 $1 { and the knight cannot be captured because of 31.Rc1+ and mate follows quickly.}
) 27.Qf6+ Ne7 28.Qe6 {wins for White.} ) 21.Qxh7+  Kf8 22.Qh8+
Ke7 23.Qxg7+ Kd8 24.Nf7+ Kd7 {This position looks great for White, but it is not so simple.}
25.e6+ $1 ( 25.Nd6+ Re7 26.Qg4+ Re6 { and unfortunately the d-pawn, being pinned, cannot advance to d5.}
) ( 25.Ng5+ Kc8 ) ( 25.Bg5 Bxd4+ 26.Kh1 Nf2+ 27.Kh2 Ne7 ) Kxe6
{ Now there is a long series of forced moves.} 26.Ng5+ Kd5
( 26...Kd6 27.Bf4+ ( 27.Nf7+ {?} Ke6 28.Ne5 Bxd4+ $1 ) Ne5 28.Bxe5+
( 28.Nf7+ {?} Kd5 ) Kc6 29.Qg6+ $1 ( 29.Nd2 {is too slow.} Qd8
30.Qg6+ ( 30.Kh2 Ne3 31.Rc1+ Kb5 32.Rxc7 {is still enormously complex. And it gets messier after}
Bxg2 $1 {?} 33.Rxa7 Rxa7 34.Qxa7 Rxe5 $1 {Then if I take the rook I lose my knight at d2 and my king is in trouble. But I do have a fork!}
35.Nf7 $1 Ng4+ $1 36.Kxg2 Qd5+ 37.Kg3 Re3+ 38.Kh4 $1
( 38.Kxg4 Qg2+ 39.Kf5 Qxd2 ) Nf2 39.Qb6+ Ka4 40.b3+ Ka3 41.Nc4+
Kxb3 42.Nxe3 Qxf7 {with a probable draw.} ) Kb5 31.Qd3+ Kc6 32.Rc1+
Nc3 33.Qg6+ $1 Kb5 34.bxc3 bxc3 35.Rb1+ Ka4 36.Qc2+ Ka3 37.Qb3# )
Kd7 $1 ( 29...Kb5 {?} 30.Na3+ bxa3 31.Qd3+ Kc6 32.Rc1+ Kd7 33.Qf5+
Ke7 34.Bf6+ Kd6 35.Nf7# ) 30.Qf5+ Kc6 31.Nd2 $1 {Black's knight at d1 is doomed, and the rest of his army is useless.}
Qc8 32.Rc1+ Nc3 33.Qf6+ $1 {Keep queens on the board!} Kd7 34.bxc3
b3 35.Qf5+ Kc6 36.Qg6+ Kd7 37.Nh7 $1 {Black has to lose material. The d-pawn is pinned, but the bishop at e5 cannot be killed cleanly.}
Rxe5 38.Qg7+ Kc6 39.Qxe5 b2 40.Rf1 {and Black can resign.} )
27.Qd7+ {If the Black king is allowed to capture the d-pawn, then the next time it moves
it will expose the White king to check from the bishop at a7, and that may, in
some circumstances, give Black enough time to regroup.} Kc4 28.Nd2+
Kd3 29.Qf5+ $1 Kxd4 {Surely there is a mating net here! There is, but it involves a problem-like move.}
30.Ngf3+ $1 ( 30.Ndf3+ Kc4+ {would have prolonged the game.} )
Ke3 31.Kf1 {!!} { A quiet king move ends the spectacular combination.}
{%30^000} 1-0


white: Schiller, Eric
black: Gurevich, Dmitry
date: 1997.12.06
event: Mechanics Masters
site: San Francisco CA USA
result: 1-0
round: ?
annotation:
1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.b4 g6 4.Bb2 Bg7 5.g3 a5 6.a3 e5 7.d3 Ne7 8.Bg2
c5 9.Qb3 axb4 10.axb4 Rxa1 11.Bxa1 Nbc6 12.b5 Qa5+ 13.Nfd2 Nb4
( 13...Qxa1 14.bxc6 Nxc6 15.O-O {is very unclear.} ) 14.Bb2 O-O
15.O-O b6 16.Na3 Qa7 17.Ra1 $1 Qb8 18.Nc2 Nxc2 19.Qxc2 Bg4 {Black tries to get some counterplay.}
20.Nf1 h5 21.h3 Be6 22.Qa4 Qd6 23.Bc1 h4 $1 {I underestimated this.}
24.Qa7 { Should have just captured at h4.} f5 25.Bg5 Nc8 26.Qb7
hxg3 27.Nxg3 e4 28.Ra8 Be5 29.Bh6 ( 29.Nf1 {!?} ) Rf7 {Now the tactics explode.}
30.Rxc8+ Kh7  31.Bf8 Rxb7 32.Bxd6 Bxg3 33.Rc6 Bxd6 34.Rxd6
{ The endgame is tremendous for White.} Bf7 35.Kh2 Rb8 36.Rd7
Kg8 37.h4 Ra8 38.Rb7 Ra2 39.dxe4 Rxe2 40.exf5 Rxf2 41.Rxb6 Bxc4
42.Rxg6+ Kf7 43.b6 Ba6 44.Kg3 Rxf5 45.Rc6 Kg7 46.Rc7+ Rf7 47.Ra7
d3 48.Rxa6 { I took the simple road. But there was another, better win.}
( 48.Bd5 Rxa7 49.bxa7 d2 50.a8Q d1Q 51.Qg8+ Kh6 52.Qf8+ Kg6 53.Be4+
Kh5 54.Qh8# { would have been more efficient.} ) d2 49.Ra1 c4
50.Be4 c3 51.Bc2 Rf6 52.Rb1 Rf8 53.b7 1-0


white: Izumakawa, Burt
black: Schiller, Eric
date: 1997.12.06
event: Mechanics Masters
site: San Francisco CA USA
result: 0-1
round: ?
annotation:
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 cxd4 5.Qa4+ Bd7 6.Qxd4 exd5 7.Qxd5
Nc6 {The Schara Gambit is one of my favorite openings.} 8.Qd1
Nf6 9.e3 Bc5 10.Nf3 Qe7 11.Bb5 O-O {
In the past, queenside castling was considered better, so that a pawn storm
could be used on the kingside. But Black's fortress on the queenside is a bit
airy, and I prefer kingside castling. It is more comfortable to attack when your king is safe.}
12.O-O Rfd8 {Better 12...Rad8. I realized later that rooks belong at e8 and d8. Typical wrong rook move!}
13.Qe2 Bg4 14.Bxc6 bxc6 15.b3 Nd7 16.h3 Bh5 17.Bb2 Bd6 18.Nb1
{ Intending Nd2. Probably 18.Rfd1 was better.} Be5 19.g4 Bg6
20.Nc3 h5 21.Rfd1 hxg4 {Opening the h-file is very double-edged!}
22.hxg4 Bc7 23.Kg2 $1 Nf6 24.Nd4 Re8 $1 {To discourage any advance of the f-pawn. This is why the rook should have been at e8 all along.}
25.Rh1 Qd7 26.Rh4 c5 27.Rah1 Nh7 {The defensive plan is ...f6, ...Ng5 and the initiative comes back to me.}
28.Nf5 Rad8 29.Qf3 f6 30.Rd1 {Last move of time control (30/90), with 17 seconds left. Izumakawa has been in deep time pressure for the last 7 moves.}
Qe6 31.Rxd8 Rxd8 32.Ne4 {?} ( 32.Qb7 $1 { and the position is still a mess.}
) Rd5 $1 {A dangerous square for the rook, with lots of tricks involving Ne7 to calculate.}
33.Nc3 {?!} ( 33.Ba3 Bxf5 34.gxf5 Rxf5 35.Nxc5 Rg5+ 36.Kf1 {was correct.}
) Bxf5 34.gxf5 Rxf5 35.Qa8+ Nf8 {A computer may prefer White, but I was very happy to reach this position as Black!}
36.Ne4 {White seems to have the better attack, but Black turns the tables with the next
move. Perhaps the queen should have moved here, hoping to get the queens off
the board. The resulting endgame would be about even.} Qa6 $1
{This covers all key squares, not only eliminating threats from the enemy queen,
but also threatening a deadly infiltration at e2.} 37.a4
( 37.Rh8+ Kxh8 38.Qxf8+ Kh7 39.Nxf6+ Rxf6 40.Bxf6 {doesn't work because Black has}
Qxf6 41.Qxc5 Bb6 42.Qh5+ Kg8 43.Qe8+ Qf8 {%02where} 44.Qxf8+
Kxf8 45.Kf3 Ke7 46.Ke4 Ke6 47.a3 {
would be a difficult endgame for White, though a draw is within reach as long
as White doesn't run out of movesand get forced into zugzwang.} )
Qe2 38.Ba3 Qf3+ 39.Kf1 Qxe3 $1 {The endgame has been calculated.}
40.Qd5+ ( 40.Bxc5 Qd3+ $1 41.Ke1 Rxc5 42.Nxc5 Qc3+ 43.Kf1 Qc1+
$1 ( 43...Qxc5 44.Rc4 ) 44.Ke2 ( 44.Kg2 Qg5+ 45.Kh3 Qxc5 ) Qxc5
45.Rc4 Qe5+ 46.Kf1 Bb6 47.Rc8 Qd6 {and Black will find it difficult to make progress because of the nasty pin at f8.}
) Rxd5 41.fxe3 Ne6 42.Ke2 {?} ( 42.Rg4 Kf7 ( 42...f5 {?} 43.Nf6+
Kf7 44.Nxd5 fxg4 45.Nxc7 Nxc7 46.Bxc5 a6 {is likely to wind uo as a draw.}
) 43.Rg2 {was perhaps safest.} ) Ba5 $1 43.Nxc5 {?} {A quick death, but the alternative was prolonged suffering. And Izumakawa had almost exhausted his remaining hour.}
( 43.Bb2 Kf7 44.Rh7 f5 $1 45.Nc3 Rd6 {Black will eventually win the b-pawn with ...Rb6.}
) ( 43.Rg4 Kf7 44.Rg1 f5 45.Ng5+ Nxg5 46.Rxg5 g6 {leaves White a pawndown with two many weaknesses.}
) Nxc5 44.Bxc5 ( 44.b4 Nxa4 45.bxa5 Rxa5 {gives Black two extra passed pawns.}
) Rxc5 45.b4 g5 $1 {There is no need to delay the advance.}
46.Rd4 Re5 47.bxa5 Rxa5 {The rook and pawn endgame is a simple win.}
48.Kd3 Kf7 49.Kc3 Ke6 50.Kb4 Re5 51.e4 g4 52.Kb3 g3 53.Rd3 g2 0-1


