Karpov - Kasparov II, #16
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A great game, one of the best of the
whole of the Karpov - Kasparov
WCM encounters.
(And maybe one of the greatest
and most energetically played
Black wins ... EVER!!! ... at this
particular level of play!)
GM Garry Kasparov once referred to this game as his ... "Supreme creative achievement."
The book,
"The World's Greatest
Chess Games," by GM John Nunn,
GM John Emms, & FM Graham Burgess -
pick exactly 100 of the best games
of all times.
(Although there are
partial analysis and references to
many more games in the notes.)
This is only ONE of TWO (!!!) games the authors of that book give an absolute PERFECT score to!
My annotations here are based mainly on GM Andrew Soltis's excellent book: "The 100 Best." (The 100 Best Games of The 20th Century, Ranked. © 2000)
We start off with a King Pawn, Garry - being in a fighting mood - chooses a Sicilian.
1.e4
c5; 2.Nf3
e6;
This is an older way of playing the
Sicilian, I believe L. Paulsen was the
first to use it consistently.
[ The modern move is: 2...d6;
{Diagram?} This could lead to The Dragon,
The Najdorf,
The Richter-Rauzer Attack, The Sozin Variation
... and much more! ].
3.d4
cxd4; 4.Nxd4
Nc6;
And this is now a Taimanov
Sicilian ... from this position.
5.Nb5!?,
White attacks the d6-square.
(This is probably the sharpest
move here.)
[ By playing the continuation:
5.Be3
Nf6; 6.Nc3
d6;
7.Bc4, {Diagram?}
we have transposed to the
main lines of the Sozin
Variations.
White could play an older line with:
5.Nc3
Qc7; 6.Be2, {Diagram?}
with a playable game. (Or 6.g3!?)
].
5...d6; 6.c4,
White sets up a formation known
as, "The Maroczy Bind."
(Named after G. Maroczy, one
of history's better - and definitely
less well-known - players.)
[ With the moves:
6.N1c3!?
Nf6!?; ( Maybe 6...a6.)
7.Bf4
e5; 8.Bg5
a6; 9.Na3
b5;
10.Nd5
Be7; 11.Bxf6
Bxf6; "~" {Diagram?}
the game transposes to a Sveshnikov Sicilian.
(See any good reference book.) (Wild are the complications arising
from the line: 11...gxf6!?) ].
6...Nf6; 7.N1c3
a6; {Box?}
Since this Knight must be 'booted'
eventually, it is probably best done
sooner than later.
8.Na3,
The most commonly played
continuation. White wishes to
avoid exchanges and use his
superior space to, "crush Black
like a bug."
This
idea of space exploitation is one of
the most common concepts of the whole
of the 'Maroczy Bind' systems.
"This position had been reached
hundreds of times in Master-level
games before, with the common -
place continuation of:
8...Be7; 9.Be2, 0-0; 10.0-0." - GM Andrew Soltis.
[ 8.Nd4!? Qb6!?; "~" ].
8...d5!?, (Maybe - '!')
{Diagram?}
Several authors gave this move
a DOUBLE-EXCLAM ... mainly for
Black's bravery and his
ferocity -
and his willingness to play this
idea at the very highest level.
Personally I feel it is a gambit ...
and since they are not playing this
much at the GM level today,
- the move must not be ...
all that great.
'?!!' - GM A. Soltis. '?!' - Nunn, Emms, & Burgess.
[ The standard continuation was: 8...Be7;
9.Be2
0-0;
10.0-0, {Diagram?}
& White has
perhaps a very tiny
edge, based mostly on a slightly
greater control of terrain.
(Possibly 10.Be3!?,
"~") MCO continues this line with:
10...b6; 11.Be3
Bb7;
12.Qb3!?, {Diagram?}
This is sharp, but I am not sure
if this is the best square for the
Queen in this position. {A.J.G.}
(Maybe White could play the move: 12.f4!?, {Diagram?}
before deciding on
a square for the most powerful
piece in this position?) 12...Nd7; ('!')
13.Rfd1
Nc5;
The end of the column.
14.Qc2
Qc7; 15.Rac1
Rac8; 16.Nab1
Nb4;
17.Qd2
Qb8; 18.f3
Rfd8; "=" {Diagram?}
The position is fairly even.
GM L. Yudasin - GM J. Lautier;
Pamplona/ESP/1992.
[ See MCO-14; page # 307,
column # 16, and also note # (p.). ] ].
9.cxd5
exd5; 10.exd5
Nb4;
Black plays for piece activity ...
and possibly to regain the d-pawn.
[ The continuation:
10...Bxa3!?; 11.bxa3
Qe7+!?;
"~" {Diagram?}
leads to complications that will
probably wind up favoring White. ].
11.Be2!, (TN)
White actually betters his own play.
Karpov (or his team) comes up
with an improvement
on the way
this opening was played in an
earlier game of this epic chess match.
"Karpov improves ..." - GM Andy Soltis.
'!' - GM Andy Soltis.
[ This opening had already been
played earlier in the match. That
game had taken the
following
course:
11.Bc4
Bg4!; 12.Be2
Bxe2; 13.Qxe2+
Qe7; 14.Be3
Nbxd5;
15.Nc2
Nxe3; 16.Nxe3
Qe6!; 17.0-0
Bc5; 18.Rfe1
0-0; 19.Qf3
Rfe8!; "=" {Diag?}
and Black scored a relatively
quick and easy draw.
GM A. Karpov - GM G. Kasparov;
World Championship Match, (II)
Game Twelve, (# 12)/Moscow/USSR/1985.
].
11...Bc5; ('!')
An energetic developing move.
(With this move, Black declares
his intention to play a gambit.)
The book:
"The World's Greatest Games,"
by Nunn, Emms, and
Burgess - condemns this
move,
calling it brave; but also stating it
has a tactical flaw. ('?!' - Nunn, Emms, and Burgess.)
I
think that since this move was part of Black's plan from the beginning - and
that Black had played
this opening before, without bad results - that one cannot condemn this move
individually, without
damning Black's strategy as a whole. {A.J.G.}
[ Perhaps a playable alternative is:
11...Nbxd5!?; 12.0-0,
"~" {Diagram?}
with an unclear position. {A.J.G.} ].
12.0-0!?, (hmmm) (Maybe not the best move?)
A perfectly natural move, yet
GM A. Soltis gives this move ...
A WHOLE QUESTION MARK. (!!)
The computers are still showing
White to have around 35/100
of a point advantage. So it is (very)
hard
to buy into Soltis's severe criticisms
in this position.
This is unusual, as normally Soltis is usually one of the most objective people around.
Soltis goes on to note:
"It was later pointed out that 12. Be3!,
12...Bxe3; 13. Qa4+! is strong
for
White. (13...Nd7; 14.Qxb4)" He goes on to say: "Curiously, Karpov said his trainer
Igor
Zaitzev discovered the move
12.Be3, before this game ...
but it was not used." - GM Andrew Soltis.
It is obvious to me that Karpov wanted
to avoid complications, (one of his
weaknesses is a fairly
strong distaste
for complicated positions - he may
simply dislike all the calculating that
such a position
normally requires); and felt fully confident that the move
12.0-0, would yield the desired result.
[ Probably much better (than the
actual game) was:
>= 12.Be3!
Bxe3; 13.Qa4+
b5; {Diagram?}
Black strives for counterplay. (13...Nd7?!; 14.fxe3!,
"+/"). 14.Qxb4
Bb6; 15.0-0-0,
"+/="
(Maybe - "+/") {Diagram?}
with a healthy advantage for
White, in this position. ].
12...0-0!;
Black continues in the spirit
of the gambit he has chosen
to offer. He might as well, to
try to
regain the pawn here
leads to a definite advantage
for the first player.
[ Not as good is:
12...Nbxd5!?; 13.Bf3
Nxc3;
14.Qxd8+
Kxd8; 15.bxc3,
"+/=" {Diag?}
with a definite advantage for
White, here - in this position. ].
13.Bf3!?,
This supports the d5-pawn, but
also weakens the d3-square.
[ 13.Bg5!?, "+/=" ].
13...Bf5;
Black continues with the idea of
playing aggressive and energetic
moves.
'!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!' - Nunn, Emms, & Burgess.
14.Bg5!?,
White now "pins" ... but I am not
at all sure that this move is any
good now. Surely the simple
and
logical Be3 was worth a try?
[ Maybe better was:
14.Be3!?, ('!') {Diagram?}
This seems like White's best bet.
14...Bd6!?; {Diagram?}
It would seem to make sense for
Black to avoid exchanges in this
position. ( Another alternative here is: 14...Bxe3!?;
15.fxe3
Qb6; 16.Nc4!?, {Diagram?}
This seems a tad risky.
(Possibly 16.Qd2
Rfe8; "~")
16...Qc5; 17.Qd4
Qxd4;
18.exd4
Bd3; 19.Nb6
Bxf1; 20.Nxa8
Bxg2; "~"
{Diagram? A fairly unbalanced position.}
and the ending is unclear.
- GM Garry Kasparov. ) 15.Nc4
Re8; {Diagram?}
Seemingly
the most logical.
16.a3!?, {Diagram?}
This looks good, but ... ( Maybe 16.Qd2!?
is better?)
16...Nc2; 17.Rc1
Nxe3; 18.Nxe3,
"+/=" {Diagram?}
with a small but distinct advantage
for the first player here. (This is an improvement over some
analysis that was carried in
several
sources - including the Informant.) ].
14...Re8;
Again, Black continues to play
very aggressive, logical and
straight-forward moves.
And
this is really all he can do. (This move does look best.).
'!' - GM Garry Kasparov. '!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!' - Nunn, Emms, and Burgess.
[ 14...b5!?; 15.Be4, "+/=" ].
15.Qd2,
White continues to develop.
"Black's compensation stems in part
from the problems White has in using
his Knight on
the a3-square."
- GM A. Soltis.
"Karpov sees no need ... " - FM Graham Burgess.
[ 15.Nc4?!
Bd3; "=/+" {Diagram?}
Originally my analysis stopped
at this point.
16.a3
Bxc4;
17.axb4
Bxb4; 18.Re1
Rxe1+; 19.Qxe1,
{Diagram?} ... "leads to an unclear position."
- FM Graham Burgess.
This looks better for Black to me.
{A.J.G.} (Three different, fairly
strong computer programs
confirm
this opinion.) Now 18...Qb6; "=/+" Black seems to be slightly better. ].
15...b5!;
Yet another aggressive move,
designed to keep the White
steed on a3 from re-entering the
fray
via the c4-square.
(Amongst other ideas.).
'!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!' - Nunn, Emms, and Burgess.
[ 15...h6!? ].
16.Rad1!?,
This move looks very logical
and forceful yet does not quite
strike the bull's-eye dead center.
Maybe White could try Qf4.
[ Probably better is: >= 16.Qf4!? Bg6[]; 17.Bxf6, "+/=" {Diagram?} White is a little better. ].
16...Nd3!, (Maybe -
'!!')
A really great move, this one
piece will disrupt almost the
entire White army of forces ...
for
some time to come.
'!' - GM Andy Soltis. '!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!' - Nunn, Emms, and Burgess.
[ 16...Qd6!?; "~" ].
17.Nab1!?, (Probably - '?!')
Karpov wishes to avoid the fork, (Black Pawn to b4); but this move
is unnecessarily
passive in this
position.
'?' - GM Andy Soltis. '?!' - FM Graham Burgess. '?' - Nunn, Emms, and Burgess.
Soltis points out White had to play the move 17.d6!, to try and keep any advantage.
[ One author recommended the
following line:
>= 17.d6!
Qxd6; 18.Bxa8
Rxa8;
19.Nc2?!,
(Maybe - '?') {Diagram?} But this is just plain bad. (To say the
least!)
(Better is: >=
19.Bxf6
Qxf6; 20.Nab1
Rd8; ("Comp.") {Diagram?}
with Black
having excellent
play {compensation for his material} in this position.).
19...Ng4!; =/+
(Maybe - "/+") {Diagram?}
Black is at least a little better
and has definite compensation
for his material minus here. ].
17...h6!;
Again the most accurate move.
(Black ... "asks the question," of
the White Bishop on g5.)
'!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!' - Nunn, Emms, and Burgess.
[ 17...Qd6!?; 18.a3, "~" ].
18.Bh4?!,
This is not a good move, but I
am surprised no one has noticed
this.
It seems Bxf6 or Be3 was
nearly forced. (Note: The move ...g5; with a gain of time
would
NOT have been possible without this move.)
[ It seems that White had to play:
>/= 18.Bxf6
Qxf6; 19.b3
Rac8; "=/+" {Diagram?}
but Black is just a little bit
better here. ].
18...b4!;
Kasparov's play in this game is
almost machine-like. He once
again finds the best move.
'!' - GM Andy Soltis. '!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!' - Nunn, Emms, and Burgess.
[ 18...Bd6!?; "~" ].
19.Na4,
This is ugly, but it is probably
forced.
(Burgess criticizes this move and
recommends Ne2 instead, but he
is completely wrong here.
His
variations contain SEVERAL different errors.)
'?!' - FM Graham Burgess.
[ A clearly INFERIOR
line is: 19.Ne2?!
Ne5; ('!')
"=/+" {Diagram?}
Black is clearly
a little better. ( Instead, FM Burgess recommends
the following continuation: 19...g5?!;
20.Bxg5!
Nxf2; 21.Rxf2
Bxf2+; 22.Kxf2
hxg5; 23.Qxg5+
Bg6; 24.Nd2?!,
but after
24...Rc8;
Black is clearly
(at least) a little better. ("=/+")
(>= 24.Kf1
Qd6; "~")
)
Simple analysis - with any strong
chess engine - will soundly confirm this. ].
19...Bd6!;
It now benefits Black to avoid
exchanges and keep pieces on
the chessboard.
Black also Blocks the d-pawn, to keep it from moving.
"Black's main achievement here is
that the wonderful duo of Black's
Bishop on the f5-square,
and his
Knight on d3; ... completely paralyzes
all three of White's major pieces -
a very rare
occurrence in a practical
game of chess!" - GM Garry Kasparov. (From his book on the
match.)
Astonishingly, Kasparov is said to have reached this position in his pre-game preparation!
[ Much worse for Black is: 19...Bf8?!; 20.d6, "+/=" {Diagram?} when White is a little better. ].
20.Bg3,
This appears positionally forced.
[ 20.Qc2?
Rc8; 21.Qb3
Nf4; 22.Rc1
Rxc1; 23.Rxc1
g5; 24.Bg3
g4; "-/+" {Diagram?}
Black is winning here. - FM G.
Burgess. ].
20...Rc8;
Black grabs an open file for
his Rook. This is simple and
logical ... and hardly worthy of the
exclam that Burgess gives it.
'!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!' - Nunn, Emms, and Burgess.
[ 20...Qe7!? ].
21.b3,
This is forced, according to
more than one source.
(White also prepares to
bring his sidelined Knight on
the a4-square back into
the game, via b2.)
[ 21.h3?! Rc4!; "=/+" ].
21...g5!;
Black gains space and targets the
White Bishop on f3 for a 'bump' by the pawns.
"This rules out White's intended Nb2." - FM G. Burgess.
'!' - GM Andy Soltis. '!!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!!' - GM Garry Kasparov.
[ Also possible was:
21...Ne5!?; 22.Bxe5
Rxe5; 23.Qd4
Rc2; "~"
with a playable position for
Black here. ].
22.Bxd6!?, {Box? Diagram?}
This could be forced.
[ Soltis points out the following
variations - which show just
how great White's difficulties
are. A.)
22.Be2?
Ne4!; 23.Qxd3
Nxg3; "-/+" {Diagram?}
and Black wins.
B.) Also bad is:
22.Nb2?
Nxb2; 23.Qxb2
g4; 24.Be2
Rc2; "-/+"
with a won game for Black ...
in either case.
C.) Maybe, just maybe; a playable
alternative is: 22.h4!?, {Diagram?}
This move was
originally recommended by a Russian
analyst, and is also the first
choice of many strong,
chess
computer programs. 22...Ne4!;
23.Bxe4
Bxe4; "~" This is supposedly good for
Black,
according to Burgess.
For example: 24.hxg5
Bxg3; 25.fxg3
Qxd5; 26.gxh6,
26...Re6!; {"Comp."}
{Diagram?}
(Black seems to have a fair amount of play here.)
... " with some attacking chances."
- GM Garry Kasparov. ].
22...Qxd6; 23.g3[],
Several authors have written that
this move is forced ... and this is
confirmed by all the computers.
(White needs a safe square to
retreat his Bishop to, and g3
may be the only good square.)
[ Some other lines are: A.) 23.h3?! Ne5; "/+" Black is clearly better. {A.J.G.);
B.)
A nice line here is:
23.Be2?!
Nf4!; 24.Bc4[]
Ng4!; 25.g3
Rxc4!!; 26.bxc4
Re2!; "-/+"
... "is a win for Black."
- FM Graham Burgess.
(Burgess stops here.)
( I continue this line to its
logical conclusion. 26...Re2!;
27.Qd4, {Diagram?}
Forced,
according to the box. (27.Qc1
Nh3+!; 28.Kg2
Be4+!; 29.Kxh3
Qd7!; {Diagram?}
and Black quickly mates.
{A.J.G.}) 27...Nh3+;
28.Kg2, {Diagram?} This is also
forced, according to
the computer programs.
(28.Kh1?!
Ngxf2+; 29.Rxf2
Nxf2+;
30.Kg1 Nxd1; 31.Qxd1
Qe7; "-/+")
28...Qe7!; "-/+"
{Diagram?}
Black has a
winning attack.
- LIFE-Master A.J. Goldsby I. ) ].
Black to play, what move would
you make in this position?
23...Nd7!;
A very nice redeployment of
this piece. Black intends to
maintain a Knight on d3 ...
no matter what.
(Not only this, a Knight on e5 will attack many key squares.)
'!' - GM Andy Soltis. '!!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!!' - Nunn, Emms, and Burgess.
[ A fair alternative is: 23...Rcd8!?; "~" ("=/+") {Diagram?} Black is just a little better. ].
***
For the next series of moves,
(Move # 22 - 30); White wriggles
furiously, but an iron-willed
Kasparov will show no mercy, and
will not release Mr. Karpov from his
deadly grip.
(During this phase of the game,
GM A. Soltis offers no comment.)
24.Bg2,
This is virtually forced, according
to several computer programs.
[ 24.Nb2
Qf6!; {Diagram?}
Burgess gives this TWO exclams.
25.Nc4!?, (Probably dubious.)
Burgess considers this best.
(It is not.) (Just plain bad is: 25.Nxd3?
Bxd3; 26.Qxd3
Ne5!; "-/+"
- FM Graham Burgess.
MUCH better (here) was: >=
25.Na4!, "=" {Diagram?} {A.J.G.}).
25...N7e5; 26.Be2!?; ('?!') {Diagram?}
This is tricky - and in lieu
of what happens in this line -
somewhat questionable. (Maybe a little better is: 26.Nxe5
Nxe5; 27.Bg2,
"~" {A.J.G.}).
26...Bh3!?; {Diagram?}
This is interesting. (Black could also play: 26...Rxc4!?; 27.bxc4
Nxc4; "~").
27.Nxe5
Nxe5; 28.f4
Qb6+; 29.Rf2
Ng4; 30.Bxg4
Bxg4; 31.Re1!?
Rxe1+; 32.Qxe1,
32...gxf4;
33.gxf4
Bf3!?; 34.d6!?
Ba8; "/+"
... "and the White King is
suffering."
- FM G. Burgess. ]
24...Qf6!?;
This is good, and grabs a key
diagonal here.
(Which prevents
the freeing maneuver, Knight
on a4-to b2-to c4.)
"White is completely tied up." - FM Graham Burgess.
'!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!' - Nunn, Emms, and Burgess. '!' - GM Garry Kasparov.
[ Maybe a playable move is: 24...a5!?; with a fair game for Black. ].
25.a3
a5; 26.axb4
axb4; 27.Qa2!?
Bg6; (Maybe - '!')
I think Kasparov himself wrote that
this was the best move here.
(But is it? Really?)
'!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!' - Nunn, Emms, and Burgess.
("Suppressing the slightest attempt by White to free himself." - GM Garry Kasparov.)
I think the main idea is to clear the
f-file for the Black Queen, and
anchor the Black Bishop on a
square where it cannot be
easily removed from.
[ A.)
Black could try the wild move,
...Nf4. The complications after: 27...Nf4!?;
28.gxf4
Rc2; 29.Nb2[], {Diagram?}
This is definitely forced.
(Even worse (for White) is: 29.fxg5?
Qxg5; 30.Qxc2[],
This is forced. (30.Qa1??
Bh3; "-/+")
30...Bxc2;
31.Rd4
Kh7!; "-/+" and Black is winning.)
(Returning to the main analysis
line here that began with ...Nf4.)
29...Rxb2; 30.fxg5
hxg5; 31.Qa4
Ree2; "=/+" {Diagram?}
seem to favor Black. {A.J.G.}
B.)
Also interesting was:
27...Ne1!?; 28.Nc5, {Diagram?}
This is prolly best.
(28.Rfxe1?
Rxe1+; 29.Rxe1
Rc2; "-/+")
28...Nxg2; 29.Nxd7
Qd6!; 30.Nb6
Qxb6;
31.Kxg2
Be4+; 32.Kg1
Bf3; "=/+" {Diagram?}
This also seems to be good
for Black as well. ].
White's next move ...
28.d6?!, (Maybe - '?')
Maybe a panic reaction, certainly
it is the wrong one.
White probably had hoped to 'lure' Black into 'wasting' a few tempo by capturing this pawn.
But this move is definitely a mistake,
although GM Soltis does not even
bother to comment on
this move.
(FM G. Burgess makes no comment
here either.)
The computer evaluations change
after this move to the tune of almost
half a pawn, perhaps more.
This is
an extremely significant amount, (for a computer program); and probably means that
this is ... THE LOSING MOVE for White!
[ Virtually any move might have
been better than d6, to wit: 28.Bh1!?
Qf5; "~" {Diagram?}
with an unattractive position for
the first player, but hardly one
that is clearly & forcibly lost.
White could also try:
>= 28.h3!, "~"
{Diagram?}
(This seems like White's best
bet here.
The position is solid ...
and close to being level. This is even MAYBE a little better for
White?)
Or even: 28.Kh1
Qd4; 29.Qd2,
"=" {Diagram?}
If Black has any advantage here,
you
need a microscope to be
able to measure it.
Really bad is: 28.Nd2? Re2; "/+" {Diagram?} ... "and f2 collapses. - FM G. Burgess.
Also unattractive is: 28.Bh3!?
Rcd8; "=/+" {Diagram?}
... followed by ...Nde5; (centralization)
with
some advantage.
- Nunn, Emms, and Burgess. ].
28...g4;
Black fixes the light squares near
the troop's leader.
While this is very
good, Black might have possibly
had better.
He certainly had other
playable moves here.
'!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!' - Nunn, Emms, and Burgess. '!' - GM Garry Kasparov.
[ A possible (small) improvement
MIGHT be the continuation:
28...Re6!?; 29.Nd2
Bh5!;
30.Bb7
Rb8; 31.Ne4
Qd4; 32.Rxd3[]
Qxd3; 33.Nac5
Nxc5; 34.Nxc5
Re2!;
35.Nxd3
Rxa2; "=/+"
(Maybe - "/+") {Diagram?}
when Black definitely has a
small advantage,
but possibly
White has drawing chances.
(If Garry saw all this, he might
have avoided this line ...
because
he likes to win!).
ALSO ... very playable was: 28...Qxd6!?;
29.h3, {Diagram?}
Seemingly the most positionally
motivated move. (29.Nd2!?,
- GM G. Kasparov.). 29...Qf6;
"=/+" {Diagram?}
with a small,
but secure! -
advantage for Black. ].
29.Qd2,
White "re-centralizes" his Queen,
but was the move Bb7 worth a
shot in this position?
[ It is possible that the move: 29.Bb7!?, {Diagram?}
was a (very) small improvement. ].
29...Kg7; 30.f3!?,
This is opening lines, and seems
to be in Black's favor. ('?!')
"Now White succumbs to a burst
of tactics." - FM Graham Burgess.
30...Qxd6;
The simplest and probably
the best.
[ 30...Qd4+!? ].
31.fxg4,
When you are defending, it is
probably a good idea to trade
as much material as possible.
(Especially pawns.)
[ GM A Soltis gives the line:
31.Nb2?!
Qd4+!; {Diagram?}
This is probably best.
(31...N7e5!?;
"=/+" {A.J.G.}) 32.Kh1
Qxb2; 33.Qxb2+
Nxb2; 34.Rxd7,
34...Rc2;
"/+" {Diagram?}
and comments that Black is
probably winning this ending. ].
31...Qd4+; 32.Kh1
Nf6!?; ('!')
Black continues to seek complications,
but is this really necessary?
(Or ... maybe this is the sharpest and best?).
'!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!' - Nunn, Emms, and Burgess.
[ Maybe Black could do well with
the very simple line:
32...Qxg4; 33.Qa2
Kh7;
34.Rd2
Re3; "=/+" {Diagram?}
with a small, but steady and
secure ... advantage
for Black. ].
33.Rf4!?, (Maybe - '?!')
White tries to mix it up.
But it looks like this move allows Black a nice combination.
[ Maybe White had to play:
>= 33.h3[]
Re3!; 34.Kh2!?
Ne4!; 35.Rf4!?; {Diagram?}
This is tricky. (Maybe 35.Qa2!?).
35...Rd8!; "=/+"
{Diagram?}
with an advantage
to Black. ("/+") (But a forced win is another
matter!!) ].
33...Ne4!; ('!?') (very alert)
This is very nice, and it wins.
And this move was highly praised
by ALL the pundits.
But it is probable this is only the second-best move for Black.
'!' - GM Andy Soltis. '!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!' - Nunn, Emms, and Burgess.
[ Almost surely an improvement is:
>= 33...Qa1!;
(Maybe - '!!') {Diagram?} This move
contains several ideas
that are not at all obvious. (The
main one is ...Ne4; virtually
winning
at once. As in many other
variations, the White Queen here
has very few good squares that
are available to this piece.)
34.Rxf6[], {Diagram?}
This could be forced. (It probably is.)
(The alternatives are clearly much worse.)
( A.) 34.Rf3?
Ne4!; "-/+" {Diagram?}
Black is winning here. (Without too many problems.)
B.) Or 34.Rff1?!
Ne4; 35.Bxe4
Bxe4+; 36.Kg1
Qd4+; 37.Rf2
Qxf2+; 38.Qxf2
Nxf2;
39.Kxf2
Rc2+; 40.Rd2
Rec8; "-/+" {Diagram?}
Black is clearly on top here.
C.) Or 34.Rdf1?
Nxf4; 35.Qxf4
Bxb1; "-/+" {Diagram?}
Black is clearly winning.
D.) Or 34.Nbc3
Qxc3!; ('!!') {Diagram?} An unexpected retort. 35.Nxc3
bxc3; 36.Qc1, {D?.}
This could be forced.
(The WQ has few good squares!)
(36.Qc2?!
Nxf4; 37.Qc1[]
Ne2;
Or 38.Qa1
c2; "-/+" {Diagram?}
and Black is winning here as well.). 36...Nxc1;
37.Rxc1
Be4; "-/+" {Diagram?}
with a simple win for Black. ).
(Returning to our main analysis line, that began with 33...Qa1!!)
34...Qxf6; 35.Rf1
Qe6; "-/+" {Diagram?}
Black should be winning.
(This is more mundane,
and far less
flashy than what happened in the
game. But it certainly requires MUCH
less work
from the 2nd player!) ].
34.Qxd3,
This is forced.
(The problem for White is his Rook
is attacked, Black threatens a fork
on f2, and
his Queen has no good
flight squares.)
[ Demonstrably worse are: 34.Qe2? Nef2+; ("-/+") {Diagram?} which wins for Black.
And also bad is:
34.h3?
Nxg3+; 35.Kh2
Qxf4; 36.Qxf4
Nxf4; 37.Kxg3
Bc2; "-/+"
{Diagram?} with an easy win for Black.
Simply awful is:
34.Qa2??
Ndf2+; 35.Rxf2
Nxf2+; 36.Kg1
Nh3+; 37.Kh1
Qxd1+;
38.Bf1
Qxf1#, {Diagram?} ... an easy mate. ].
Now a rather simple fork,
plus a discovered attack, will
win White's Queen.
34...Nf2+; 35.Rxf2,
This is probably also forced.
[ If White plays:
35.Kg1
Nh3+!; 36.Kh1
Qxd3; 37.Rxd3
Re1+; 38.Bf1
Nxf4;
"-/+"
and Black wins. - GM A.
Soltis. ].
35...Bxd3; 36.Rfd2,
Maybe White's only real, practical
chance here, in this position.
[ If 36.Rf3!? Re3; "-/+" {Diagram?} and Black wins. ].
36...Qe3; ('!') {Diagram?}
Nice.
Black gets out of the pin,
and he also dominates the
open e-file here.
'!' - FM Graham Burgess.
[ 36...Qxg4!?;
37.Rxd3
Rc2; "/+" (Maybe "-/+")
{Diagram?}
and Black is clearly better.
Or if instead 36...Re3?!; 37.Nb2 Rc3!; "=/+" (Maybe - "/+") ].
37.Rxd3
Rc1!; (Maybe - '!!')
A very nice and unexpected
interpolation by Black.
'!' - GM Andy Soltis. '!' - FM Graham Burgess.
'!' - Nunn, Emms, and Burgess.
'!!' - GM Garry Kasparov.
[ Black could also win with:
37...Qxd3!?; 38.Rxd3
Re1+; 39.Bf1
Rxf1+;
40.Kg2
Rxb1, "-/+" {Diagram?}
But it is not as near as pretty
as the actual game.
Not nearly as good is: 37...Qe7?!; 38.Rf1, "+/=" {Diagram?} and White is a little better. ].
38.Nb2,
There are few viable choices
for White in this position.
[ Bad is: 38.Rxe3? Rxd1+; 39.Bf1 Rxe3; "-/+" and Black wins easily.
Also sad is:
38.Bc6?!
Rxb1!; 39.Rxe3
Rxd1+; 40.Kg2
Rxe3;
"-/+"
& Black wins with no problems.
].
38...Qf2!;
"Black finds a most elegant finish."
- GM A. Soltis.
'!' - GM Andy Soltis. '!' - FM Graham Burgess. '!' - Nunn, Emms, and Burgess.
[ Black could also win with:
38...Rxd1+; 39.Rxd1
Qxb3;
"-/+" {Diagram?}
with a routine win for Black.
(But the win is slower than
the game, dreary & lacks any
real snap.) ].
39.Nd2
Rxd1+!?;
"A minor slip: Black mates faster
with the move, 39...Re2!" - GM Andy Soltis.
[ Obviously better was:
>= 39...Re2!;
40.Ba8, {Diagram?}
It does not matter
what move
White chooses to play here. (40.Rg1
Qxg2#) 40...Qxh2#
].
40.Nxd1 Re1+; {Diagram?} White Resigns, 0-1.
[ It's an easy mate: 40...Re1+; 41.Nf1 Rxf1+!; 42.Bxf1 Qxf1#. ].
One of the prettier and more
energetic wins with the Black pieces
at the World Championship level.
(GM C. Lutz calls it one of the best
in all of the collected games of chess.
GM Kasparov himself said
that few
games could compare to the overall
grandiose scale if the strategy that
he employed here.)
Certainly a game for the ages.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
(These are the books I consulted, in the order I consulted them.)
# 1.) "The 100 Best." (The 100 Best Chess Games of The
20th Century, Ranked.) By Grand-Master Andrew Soltis. (©
2000.)
# 2.) "Chess Highlights of The
Twentieth (20th) Century," by FM Graham
Burgess.
# 3.) "The World's Greatest Chess
Games," by GM John Nunn, GM J. Emms, and FM G.
Burgess. Copyright (c) 1998.
# 4.) The Informant. 40/202 (1985)
# 5.) GM C. Lutz's annotations ... from ChessBase magazine.
(electronic database)
# 6.) The annotation's from the
magazine, "Chess Life."
(March, 1986. Pg.'s # 20-21.)
# 7.) "Garry Kasparov:
New World Chess Champion." by GM
Garry Kasparov, translated by
Kenneth P. Neat. Copyright 1986.
I also have several sources where Kasparov himself annotated this game. But I have not tried to lean too heavily on that - as I do not think ANY player is really objective when analyzing his own games.
Copyright (c) A.J. Goldsby I. Copyright (c) A.J.G; 2002.
Game posted on my web-site: Thursday / August 22nd, 2002.
This page was actually first posted in 2000, (but not finished until much later). It was last edited / modified on Monday, March 17, 2014 03:38 AM .
***
I
first analyzed this game in like 1987 or 88. I initially did it for a
friend, but he was so impressed with my notes that he passed them along to a chess editor
of a southern state who published them. I have lost most of my original notes for that game, but I remember much of my work.
***
This
is the original length (ChessBase) document that I developed for this game ... I have NOT shortened it for publication.
If you would
like a copy of this
game to study on your own computer, please contact
me.
This page is dedicated to two pets my family recently lost: Tulip and Willy.
No one could have asked for a better pet(s) ... or a friend.(s) These two black cats were companions of mine for (almost) ten years.
(1993-2002)
Prayer: Rest in Peace, good friends!
May little angels bear you up to Heaven. May you play safely in the golden fields of New Jerusalem forever.
(Amen.)
(You will always be in my mind and in my heart - thanks for many fond
memories!)
***
[
Tulip, (died); Friday, August 9th, 2002.
Willy, (mercifully put to sleep); Tuesday, September 3rd, 2002. ]
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Copyright
(c) A.J. Goldsby I;
© A.J. Goldsby; 1985 - 2012. © A.J. Goldsby, 2013.
Copyright (c) A.J. Goldsby, 2014. All rights reserved.
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