Garry Kasparov On Garry Kasparov III

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% BOOKTITLE = Kasparov on Kasparov Part III: 1993-2005
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "About this Publication"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[SourceDate "2014.10.11"]
{Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov: Part III is the final volume in a major
three-volume series made unique by the fact that it records the greatest chess
battles played by the greatest chessplayer of all-time. --- Kasparov's series
of historical volumes have received great critical and public acclaim for
their rigorous analysis and comprehensive detail regarding the developments in
chess that occurred both on and off the board. --- The first two volumes in
this series saw Kasparov emerging as a huge talent
Anatoly Karpov and then defending the World Championship title on three
occasions. This third volume focuses on the final 12 years of Kasparov's
career up until his retirement from full-time chess in 2005.} 1. -- {This
period witnessed three further World Championship matches: wins against Short
(London 1993) and Anand (New York 1995) before the loss against Kramnik
(London 2000) which finally ended Kasparov's 15-year tenure as world champion.
This period also saw Kasparov achieve a colossal 2851 rating (1999)
which stood until 2013. --- Despite loss of the World Championship
continued to be ranked as the world number one and dominated the elite
tournament circuit. He won the Linares super-tournament for four consecutive
years (1999-2002) with the fourth of these victories in 2002 concluding an
unprecedented run of ten straight wins in the world's elite events (Linares 4
Wijk aan Zee 3
many masterpieces of controlled aggression played against the world's absolute
best.} (1. -- {Garry Kasparov is generally regarded as the greatest chess
player ever. He was the thirteenth World Champion
1985 and 2000. His tournament record is second to none
wins in the world's major events
outstanding successes
more than anyone to popularize chess in modern times.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Foreword"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{This concluding volume of my autobiographical trilogy Garry Kasparov on Garry
Kasparov contains one hundred of the most memorable games and endings played
during the 12 years after my withdrawal from FIDE (1993-2005)

selection of my best games from simultaneous displays with professionals
well as from rapid and blitz tournaments. --- As regards drama and the
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intensity of events
preceding stages taken together. Whereas earlier the graph of my tournament
successes
resembled a sinusoid. There were various reasons for the slumps in my play
but the chief of these was the psychological discomfort caused by the almost
constant opposition with FIDE.} 1. -- {After winning matches under the aegis
of the Professional Chess Association (PCA)
(1995)
match against Timman (1993) became the FIDE version of the champion and then
after defeating Kamsky (1996)
chess summit became complicated
am the world champion. Not a version
arguments should finally have been resolved by a unification match
in a declaration of cooperation between FIDE and the PCA. The guarantor of a
sixth (!) Kasparov-Karpov match was the new FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
who in August 1996 signed a preliminary agreement with the contestants. The
chess world was on the verge of unification. But instead of this
with an historic tradition
on a knock-out system. --- Although at that time I won a number of notable
tournaments
again defend my title. After the collapse of the match with Karpov and the
departure from chess of the powerful PCA sponsor - the Intel company - I was
forced myself to find a worthy match opponent. In February 1998 Senor Rentero
the permanent organiser of the tournaments in Linares
suggested holding an Anand-Kramnik candidates match in the early summer
world championship match in the autumn
cycle. Alas
his replacement Shirov defeated Kramnik
with Shirov... --- But the intensive preparations for a world championship
match were not wasted and led to a new upsurge in my play in 1999-2000. This
period became the second peak of my career (the first
was in 1988-1990). I won six super-tournaments in succession and achieved the
unprecedented rating of 2851 - despite rating inflation
stood for 13 years.} (1. -- {Early in 2000 English organisers suggested
holding a world championship match in the autumn between me and Anand. However
Vishy again declined (it would appear that our 1995 match had traumatised him
psychologically)
shared victory with me in Linares 2000. Kramnik fully exploited this chance
opportunity: by winning the match he became the 14th world champion. --- After
this I scored another four tournament victories
Kramnik (I beat him in Astana 2001)
ten super-tournament victories in succession. In my view
obliged to sign an agreement to a return match. But apparently back in
November 2000 he decided for himself: he would not play Kasparov again for the
world championship!}) (1. -- {Particular hopes were raised by a resolution to
unite the chess world
Ilyumzhinov together with the 13th and 14th champions. FIDE became the sole
legal holder of the title of world champion and the only organisation that
could hold official world championships
unification plan
winner of a qualifying tournament in Dortmund 2002
champion Ponomariov would play Kasparov
winner of these two matches would meet in a unifying match for the world
championship in October-November 2003'. --- Alas
first my match with Ponomariov collapsed
knock-out champion Kasimdzhanov. I was left in a suspended state and I lost
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two years of normal life. But Ilyumzhinov again showed that he keenly
perceived the mood of the chess elite and officials
me a chance to regain the title. After losing my goal

thinking about giving up professional chess. And I decided on this at the age
of 41
Linares 2005. --- Since the times of the GMA I had been dreaming of organising
tournament life and the world championship far more professionally than it is
done by FIDE. But my attempts to unite the leading players failed because
their sense of cooperative solidarity always receded in the face of internal
disagreements. As a result
to repair the mistake of 1993.}) (1. -- {I should like to express my gratitude
to my long-standing trainer Alexander Shakarov
compilers Vladislav Novikov and Yakov Zusmanovich
the manuscript for publication.}) *
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.10.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "1: Short - Anand & Las Palmas"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{Match with Short: World Championship Match Kasparov - Short (London
September - 21 October 1993) - 12½-7½.} 1. -- {On 23 March 1993 an
abrupt zigzag in chess history occurred: the FIDE president Campomanes
depriving me and Nigel Short of the rights of champion and challenger
announced the urgent staging of a match 'for the world championship' between
the finalist and a semi-finalist of the previous qualifying cycle - Jan Timman
and Anatoly Karpov. --- Of the leading grandmasters
condemned this unprecedented decision was Vassily Ivanchuk: on 9 May he sent a
letter to FIDE
a match for the world title between Timman and Karpov
cycle they had both lost their matches to Short
semi-finalist in the cycle - Yusupov
equal rights with Karpov. 'The loss of a match to Short should not give the
right to participate in a match for the world championship or other
privileges'
be left vacant and a new qualifying cycle held. The 12 winners of the July
Interzonal Tournament in Biel should be joined by Karpov and Yusupov
seven winners of the matches between them should then by joined by Timman.
However
because it did not want to lose the money from the organisation of the
Timman-Karpov match'. --- Meanwhile it became known that in the autumn in
London
match for the world title would be held
dollars. I began a period of purposeful preparation
played just four official games - for Auxerre in the French Club Championship
(+2=2; May 1993). --- For me this was a terribly difficult time: there was the
war with FIDE
looked very obscure
the political crisis in the country
separated from my first wife
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left for the USA). It was impossible to invent a greater number of problems
before a match. My nerves were on edge
desired
our previous meetings with the 'classical' time control was +10-1=4 in my
favour.} (1. -- {The first lengthy training session took place in the summer
on the Croatian coast
there every year
Zagulba). Apart from my mother
Makarychev
- together with press attaché Vladimir Dvorkovich
comprised my team in London
worked quite productively

opening preparations came in useful to me only after the match. --- With White
it was planned to alternate 1 e4 and 1 d4. After 1 e4
both of Short's favourite replies - 1...e6 2 d4 d5 (with the variation 3 Nc3
Bb4 4 e5 c5 5 a3 Bxc3+ 6 bxc3 and Qg4) and 1...e5 2 Nf3 Nc6
3 Bb5 and 3 d4 were prepared. And after 1 d4 we looked at the Queen's Gambit
and the Slav Defence
preparations in the set-up with 4 Qc2 (cf. Game No.4). --- For Black
anticipating 1 e4 and guided by the principle 'leave well alone'
only the Najdorf Variation of the Sicilian Defence - but not those variations
which occurred in the match! Here
also later in my 2000 match with Kramnik
I had in reserve the 'Dragon'
opponent (Game No.21).}) (1. -- {At the end of August

session in Podolsk on the outskirts of Moscow
Defence with Lputian (cf. Game No.10)
with Magerramov
valuable opening advice - in particular
Marshall Attack in the Ruy Lopez which was employed by Short (cf. Game No.2).
--- This match was splendidly organised and was even broadcast on TV.
Therefore for the first time in the history of world championship matches the
contestants played strictly three times a week
a six-hour time control: two hours for 40 moves and an hour for the next 20
(followed by an adjournment
first time
press conference (although the loser had the right not to take part). The
chief arbiters were Yuri Averbakh (Russia) and Carlos Falcon (Spain). --- We
played in the Savoy Theatre
there - in a house on Chester Terrace
ceremony and the drawing of lots
the restaurant adjoining the theatre
the first international tournament in the history of chess was played. Within
these walls Morphy
performed... It was here that the famous 'immortal' Anderssen-Kieseritzky game
was played
Speelman
organisers
second).}) (1. -- {In the first game I drew the white pieces. The symbolic
first move in the match - 1 e4 - was made by Peter Stothard
editor-in-chief of The Times. Then he pressed the clock button with his palm
and the game began. Short chose 1...e5
Attack. After replying as advised by Geller - 8 a4 (cf. Game No.2
Black's 8th move)
scramble
moves. The position became equal
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safe side I offered a draw on the 38th move. In the heat of the moment Short
declined - and a move later he lost on time! This dramatic start greatly
influenced the further course of the match - it was not without reason that at
the end I was presented with two elegant chairs
of which were carved the final position from the first game. --- In the second
game Short played 6 Bg5 against the Najdorf Variation

employed a bit of cunning - I transposed into a comparatively rare variation
of the Rauzer Attack (cf. Game No.1
neutralised my opponent's slight initiative and in a sharp time-trouble battle
I gained a draw. I could have done with more such cunning in the 2000 match
with Kramnik. --- The third game was again an 'anti-Marshall'
to outplay my opponent (cf. Game No.2
blundered in his time-trouble - I missed a win on the 27th move
Black equalizing counterplay
on the 31st move and after desperate resistance he nevertheless lost. --- The
score became 2½-½ in my favour. But Short
mistakes
next game (see the following game).}) *
[Event "1: World Championship Match

[Site "?"]
[Date "1993.09.14"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Short
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B97"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 ({After this game

Nigel was to switch exclusively to} 6. Bc4 {(Game Nos.3
killing all my preparations for his usual} 6. Be3) ({or} 6. f4 {
(Short-Kasparov
I deviated with} 6... Nc6 7. Qd2 e6 8. f4 Bd7 9. O-O-O h6 10. Bh4 g5 11. fxg5
Ng4 {
together with Magerramov: the so-called 'Poisoned Pawn Variation'.}) 7. f4 Qb6
8. Qd2 Qxb2 9. Nb3 ({Of course
(Game No.67 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov)
never been afraid of 9 Nb3.}) 9... Qa3 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. Be2 Nc6 ({As is well
known
Reykjavik 1972) there is the unpleasant} 13. Nb1 $1 {.}) ({. However
Nd7 $1 {is quite acceptable:} 13. Kh1 ({after} 13. Nb1 Qa4 {the black queen
escapes via c6}) (13. Qd4 $2 b5 {- Game No.18 in Part I of Garry Kasparov on
Garry Kasparov}) 13... h4 14. h3 ({in the event of} 14. Bg4 h3 $5 15. Bxh3 Rxh3
16. gxh3 b5 {Black has excellent compensation for the exchange}) 14... Be7 {
with very sharp play (Short-Kasparov
is premature to play} 13. Bh5 $6 Bg7 14. Rf3 O-O {(Tal-Platonov
({or} 13. f5 $6 Ne5 14. fxe6 fxe6 15. Bh5+ Kd8 $1 {(Tal-Portisch
No.41 in Part III of My Great Predecessors).}) 13... h5 ({Although} 13... Rc8 {
is also unclear
game with which I was very familiar. But here Short surprised me.}) 14. Nd1 ({
At the centre of attention then was} 14. Nb1 {(Spassky)}) ({or} 14. Qe3 {(Tal)
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for which I had prepared. The old idea 14 Nd1 is also logical: after removing
his knight from the vulnerable square c3

c2-c4
to be new
because of} 15. c3 ({or} 15. Qe3 {(Platonov-Bukhover
14... h4 $5 {with the threat of ...h4-h3
Informator
15. c4 Be7 16. Nc3 $6 Na5 {
{An instantaneous reply - the sacrifice of a second pawn!} ({In Informator I
suggested} 16. Qd3 {(?)
$1 {Played without any particular hesitation
16... Qb6 17. Nc4 Qc7 18. a4 {with a bind and full compensation for the pawn.})
17. Bd3 ({After the immediate} 17. Nc4 $5 {I considered two possibilities:} --
(17... Qd5 18. Qxd5 ({or} 18. Qe3 $5 Ne7 $1 19. Nb6 (19. Rad1 $6 Nf5) 19... Qc6
20. Nxc8 Qxc8 {with quite good compensation for the exchange}) 18... exd5 19.
Nb6 Rb8 {with a roughly equal endgame.}) (17... Nd8 18. Nd4 (18. Nb6 Qc6 $1 {
suitable}) ({or} 18... h4 {
Nb6 {is better}) 19... f5 20. Rae1 {
runs into the unexpected} 21. Nxd6+ $1 Bxd6 22. Nxf5 Rc6 23. Be4 Bc7 24. Qd4
Rg8 25. Ne7 $1 Qg7 26. Nxg8 Qxg8 27. Bxc6 Bxc6 28. Rf2 {
the scales in Black's favour.})) 17... Qa4 18. Nc4 Rc7 19. Nb6 Qa3 20. Rae1 (
20. Qe3 $6 {is weak in view of} Ne7 $1 21. Nc4 Nd5 22. Qe1 Qa4 23. Nb2 Qc6) ({
but} 20. Nc4 Qa4 21. Nb6 {and Nc4 would have forced a draw (Gulko-Psakhis
Beer Sheva 1993). 'After thinking for 24 minutes
One can understand him: after a poor start he desperately needed a win.'
(Averbakh).}) 20... Ne7 $1 {A strong reply.} ({If} 20... Be7 $2 {
Nc4 Qa4 22. Re4 Nb4 23. Nb2 $1 {would have been decisive (but not 23 cxb4? d5)
but now Black saves his queen with the aid of an exchange sacrifice.}) 21. Nc4
(21. f5 $6 e5 {.}) 21... Rxc4 22. Bxc4 h4 $1 {Building up the pressure on the
kingside.} 23. Bd3 $6 {A serious loss of time. Fearing ...Ne7-f5
provokes ...f6-f5
g7.} (23. Be2 {was correct
excellent compensation for the exchange
unclear play in prospect.}) 23... f5 24. Be2 Bg7 25. c4 ({After} 25. Bf3 b5 {
White would have been left with an 'eternal' weakness on c3.}) 25... h3 26. g3
d5 {Aiming to activate the e7-knight as soon as possible.} 27. Bf3 $2 {'And
this is already a decisive mistake
cxd5 Nxd5 28. Bf3 O-O {the real battle would have only just begun' (Averbakh).
But it would have developed to Black's obvious advantage - he has very strong
bishops and the h3-pawn

Rg1 Nf6 $1 {(preventing g3-g4)} 31. Bxc6 bxc6 {and ...Ne4}) 29... exd5 30. Kg1
(30. Nd4 $6 Rc8 {and wins}) 30... Rc8 31. Rc1 Re8 $1 {and ...Re4.}) 27... dxc4
28. Re3 ({When he sacrificed the c4-pawn
28. Rd1 Nd5 29. Bxd5 exd5 30. Qxd5 (30. Rfe1+ Be6 31. Qxd5 O-O) ({or} 30. Na5
O-O {is bad for White}) 30... Bc6 31. Rfe1+ Kf8 $4 32. Qxc6 $1 bxc6 33. Rd8# {
Although shocked
28... Ba4 {(c6) would also have won}) ({whereas the greedy} 28... cxb3 $2 29.
Rxb3 {would have sharpened the situation
29... Qc5 $5 30. Rc1 Qd4 31. Rd3 Qa4 {Black would have retained a considerable
advantage}) 30. Rxb7 Nd5 $1 ({the Informator suggestion} 30... Bc8 {is less
clear on account of} 31. Rc7 $1 {
$1 32. Rc1 Bxb7 33. Bxb7 O-O {.}) 29. Rxc3 {Forced: such a 'thorn' cannot be
tolerated. But now White is simply two pawns down.} Bxc3 30. Qxc3 O-O 31. Rg1 (
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31. Bxb7 Rb8 32. Bf3 Qxa2) ({or} 31. Kg1 Rc8 32. Qf6 Rc2 {was also hopeless.})
31... Rc8 32. Qf6 Bc6 (32... Qxa2) ({or} 32... Ng6 {was simpler.}) 33. Bxc6
Rxc6 34. g4 Ng6 (34... fxg4 $1 35. Rxg4+ Ng6 {would have won far more quickly.}
) 35. gxf5 exf5 (35... Qd6 $1 {would have led to the goal without any problems.
}) 36. Qxf5 Qxa2 ({Again} 36... Qd6 {was better
} 37. Qxh3 Rc2 38. Qf3 Rxa2 {. At the end of the fourth hour of play I
contrived to greatly complicate my task.}) 37. Qxh3 ({Also after} 37. Qd3 {
Black would have had to display inventiveness and accuracy:} Qa4 $1 38. f5 Rd6
$1 39. Nc5 Qc6+ 40. Qe4 Rd5 $3 41. Nxb7 (41. fxg6 Rxc5) 41... Qxb7 42. fxg6 f5
43. Qe6+ Kg7 {
39. Qg4 $2 ({Once again in time-trouble

resilient defence} 39. Nd4 {- after} Qe4+ 40. Qg2 Qxg2+ 41. Kxg2 Ne5 {I would
still have had to work hard to convert my extra pawn.}) 39... Rxb3 40. fxg6
Qc6+ {. The score increased to 3½-½
decided. On one occasion in such a situation Smyslov managed to save a match
with Botvinnik (1954)
opponents. Although Short had accomplished a competitive feat
Speelman
championship match he encountered a different level of resistance
anxious
my first match with Karpov (1984/85). --- I remember that
arrived in London after the fourth game
match is over. Now we will work on finding a more worthy opponent for you next
time.' He had already begun helping Vishy Anand

favourite in the forthcoming cycle. --- However
sensing that I was psychologically unprepared for a difficult battle. In the
fifth game for the sake of variety I played 1 d4
novelty in the Nimzo-Indian Defence I did not find the strongest continuation
and had to be satisfied with a quick draw (cf. Game No.4
move). Nigel was very satisfied at having solved all his problems in 11
minutes
demonstrated the quality of his opening preparation in the sixth game
which he sprung a fresh surprise on me - for the first time he played 6 Bc4 e6
7 Bb3 against the Najdorf. Before the match we had not looked at it at all!
After some thought
note to White's 9th move)
dangerous. My opponent attacked fiercely and gave up a piece

obtain perpetual check. --- The score became 4½-1½. In the seventh game I
again varied my opening move - and with success! (see the following game)} 0-1
[Site "?"]
[Date "1993.09.21"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Short
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C88"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O {(in
the vain hope of 8 c3 d5)} 8. a4 {One of two recommendations by Geller.} ({I
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tried the other -} 8. h3 Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 {- against Kamsky (Dos Hermanas
1996)
Bacrot (Moscow 2004)
({although nowadays} 8... b4 {is deemed best. In the topsy-turvy first game
after} 9. d3 d6 10. a5 Be6 11. Nbd2 Rb8 12. Bc4 ({and if} 12. Nc4 {
(Kasparov-Grischuk
12... Qc8 13. Nf1 {the surest way to maintain equality was} h6 ({or} 13... Bxc4
14. dxc4 Nd8 $1 {and ...Ne6.})) 9. d3 d6 ({In the third game I gained an
advantage in the variation} 9... Re8 10. Nbd2 (10. c3 $5) 10... Bf8 11. c3 h6
12. Ba2 $1 d6 $6 (12... b4) ({or} 12... d5 $5 {is correct}) 13. Nh4 $6 (13.
axb5 axb5 14. Qb3 {is stronger
$6 (13... Ne7 $1 {would have equalised}) 14. Ng6 Ne7 15. Nxf8 Kxf8 16. f3 $1 {
- this move took me 23 minutes and surprised even my trainers
of my opponent. On this occasion Short decided to follow the most tried and
tested path.}) 10. Nbd2 $5 ({Earlier} 10. Nc3 {was preferred
11. Ba2 b4 12. Ne2 Rb8 13. Ng3 c5 14. Nf5 Bc8 15. Ne3 Be6 {with equality
(Anand-Short
and demonstrated a couple of key variations. --- The most surprising thing is
that with the 8 a4 plan I scored 3 out of 3 and effectively won the match
although my entire preparation was largely based on the directive of the

venerable grandmaster: 'You should play Nbd2!'. But it was during the course
of the match that I had to delve into the subtleties of this set-up. Indeed
from c3 all the same the knight has to move (after ...b5-b4) to e2 and then to
g3
knight does not hinder White so much as it does on e2
developing move Bd2!. Subsequent practice confirmed that Geller was
strategically correct.}) 10... Nd7 {A rare move
I was not concerned by} 10... Re8 11. Nf1 h6 12. Bd2 Bf8 13. c4 $5 {
(Kasparov-Tkachiev
Re8 13. Ne3 h6 ({or} 13... g6 14. Bd2 {(Kasparov-Vladimirov
2001)}) 14. Bd2 {(Kasparov-Leko
confidently played: the bishop must be hidden on c2.} ({The immediate} 11. Nf1
{does not give anything real on account of} Nc5 12. axb5 axb5 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14.
Bd5 Nd8 {(b4).}) 11... Nc5 (11... Bf6 12. Nf1 $1 {
d4 c5 {with equality
Nxa4 13. Bxa4 bxa4 14. Qxa4 Kh8 {and ...f7-f5 leads to double-edged play
(Anand-Timman
13. Rxa8 Bxa8 ({I had hardly looked at this capture -} 13... Qxa8 14. Bc2 b4 {
is better
was planning} 15. d4 bxc3 16. bxc3 Nd7 17. Nf1 Bf6 ({if} 17... Qa1 {there is
an interesting pawn sacrifice -} 18. Ne3 $1 Qxc3 $6 19. Nd5 Qa5 20. Re3 {with
a dangerous initiative}) 18. d5 $5 {
creating an attack on the king (Kasparov-Topalov
.}) 14. Bc2 Bf6 {Here
time
Ne3 {White retains some pressure.}) ({The central blow} 14... d5 {(!?) was
condemned because of} 15. exd5 Qxd5 16. d4 exd4 17. cxd4 Na6 $6 ({or} 17... Nd7
$6 18. Be4 Qd6 19. Qc2 {(Ftacnik)}) ({but the clever tactical trick} 17... Nxd4
$1 18. Rxe7 Nce6 $1 {
two minor pieces and quite good drawing chances}) 18. Ne4 {(Dely-Sax
1970).}) 15. b4 {Only this is a novelty.} ({If} 15. Nf1 {Short could have
replied} d5 16. exd5 Qxd5 17. b4 ({little is also promised by} 17. Ne3 Qd7 18.
Nd2 Rd8) 17... Na4 $1 ({but not} 17... Nb7 $2 18. Ng3 {Dely-Malich
1965}) 18. Bd2 Rd8 {with an acceptable game.}) 15... Ne6 (15... Nd7 {was more
passive
defensive position and chances of gradually equalizing'.}) 16. Nf1 $1 (16. Bb3
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{was inaccurate in view of} Ne7 17. Nf1 d5 $1 18. Ng3 Ng6 19. Nh5 dxe4 (19...
Be7 $5 {- Stohl}) 20. dxe4 Qxd1 21. Nxf6+ gxf6 22. Bxd1 c5 {with a roughly
equal endgame.}) 16... Bb7 $6 {A turning-point.} ({Now} 16... Ne7 $6 {was
weaker in view of} 17. Ne3 ({or} 17. d4 $5 {. 'The bishop is doing nothing on
the a8-h1 diagonal
)) ({But he misses the last chance for the relieving advance in the centre -}
16... d5 $5 17. exd5 Qxd5 18. Ne3 Qd8 19. Ng4 (19. Nd2 g6 $1 {and ...Bg7 is
equal}) 19... e4 $1 20. Nxf6+ Qxf6 21. dxe4 Qxc3 {
({or} 22. Bd2 {White has a small advantage
...c7-c5 and the exchange of the valuable b4-pawn.})) 17. Ne3 g6 18. Bb3 Bg7 {
Nigel probably did not see any particular dangers for Black. After all
the moment White is manoeuvring only in his half of the board
of the classic Steinitz-Chigorin game (Game No.25 in Part I of My Great
Predecessors).} 19. h4 $1 {Continuing to play 'à la Steinitz'

Nc2 Ne7 (19... Qf6 20. h4 $1 {- Stohl}) 20. d4 {also had its points
exd4 21. Ncxd4 {.}) 19... Bc8 ({White is better after} 19... Ne7 20. Ng4 Bc8 {
(Onischuk-Timman
aggravates Black's problems. 20...Ne7 (Ftacnik) should have been preferred.}
21. Nd5 ({In Informator I condemned} 21. g3 {(!?) because of} f5 22. hxg6 f4 $1
{'with an attack'
Ne7 24. Nxe7 Qxe7 25. Kg2 {thanks to the open h-file it is White who is
attacking}) 24. Kg2 {.}) 21... g5 {Black weakens his kingside still further
{but he already had a difficult choice:} 21... gxh5 $6 22. g3 $1 {followed by
Nh4 or Kg2 and Rh1 was bad for him}) ({as was} 21... Nf4 $6 22. Nxf4 exf4 23.
Bxf4 Bxc3 24. Bg5 $1 f6 (24... Bf6 25. Bh6) 25. Bd2 {with a powerful attack.})
22. Ne3 $1 Nf4 23. g3 {At the cost of a temporary pawn sacrifice
invades with his knight on f5.} ({However

deserved consideration.}) 23... Nxh5 24. Nf5 ({'In the press centre} 24. Kg2 $5
g4 25. Nh2 {was also analysed
(Averbakh).}) (24. Bd5 $5 {looked no less tempting. But the game continuation
seemed more promising to me: for the f5-knight the opponent is forced to give
up his important bishop
Bxf5 25. exf5 Qd7 ({The alternative was} 25... Nf6 26. Bxg5 h6 27. Bh4 Qd7 {
when there is not the reply Nh4 (cf. the note to Black's 26th move).} 28. -- ({
. In Informator I gave the continuation} 28. d4 exd4 29. Nxd4 Nxd4 30. cxd4 {
with the idea of} Qxf5 $2 ({but after} 30... Re8 $1 {White has only a slight
advantage}) 31. Bc2 {and wins.}) ({. Therefore} 28. Bc2 $1 {is better
example:} Re8 ({or} 28... Qxf5 29. d4 Qg4 30. Bxf6 Bxf6 31. Qd3 Qg6 32. Qe2 Qg4
33. Kg2) 29. Nd2 d5 30. Bb3 {
the play still lies ahead.})) 26. Bxg5 ({A natural developing move (in
contrast to} 26. Nxg5 Nf6 {)
Qxf5 $2 {is not possible because of} 27. Bd5 $1 h6 ({after} 27... Qd7 28. Nh4
Nf6 29. Bxf6 Bxf6 30. Qf3) ({or} 27... f6 28. Bd2 Ne7 29. Nh4 Qd7 30. Bb3 Qe8
31. g4 {Black loses a piece}) 28. Bh4 Nd8 (28... Qd7 29. Nh2) 29. Be7 $1 Nf6
30. Be4 {
..}) 26... h6 $2 {At the most inappropriate moment!} (26... d5 $2 {was also
weak in view of} 27. Kg2 {with the threat of Rh1.}) ({The only defence was}
26... Nf6 {
advantage (but alas
)) 27. Nh4 $6 {Too slow.} ({After the game I pointed out the more accurate} 27.
Kg2 $5 {and Rh1
hxg5 30. Nxg5 Bh6 31. Qxh5 {with a clear advantage}) 30. Nxe5 $1 {.}) ({But a
sudden tactical stroke

stronger:} 27. Bxh6 $1 Bxh6 28. Nxe5 $1 dxe5 29. Qxh5 Qd6 (29... Kh7 $2 30. f6)
30. Bxf7 Qf6 31. Bd5 Kg7 (31... Ne7 32. Rxe5 $1) 32. Bxc6 Qxc6 33. Rxe5 Rf6 34.
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Rc5 {
30. -- ({
32. Nf3 Ne7 33. d4 e4 34. Ne5 Qe8 {and ...c7-c6 Black holds on}) 31. Ng6 $1 {
and wins.}) (30. Nf3 Ne7 31. g4 {is far more unpleasant for him}) ({
30. Ng6 $1 {immediately
Be4 $1 {with the threat of Rh1}) 31. Bd5 Nd8 32. Kg2 c6 33. Bb3 $1 {.})) 30.
Ng2 $2 {The wrong route!} ({'The world champion also criticised this move
pointing out that} 30. Nf3 {was better
if} Ne7 {
However
31. Kg2 {and Rh1}) 31. Bd5 Qe8 32. Nh8 $1 {
insoluble problems:} Bxh8 33. Bxf7 Qf8 34. Bxg8+ Qxg8 35. Ra1 Bf6 36. Ra6 Ne7
37. Ra7 c6 38. c4 {
been emphasised by} 31... Bg5 $5 {- now he misses the target with both:} 32. --
(32. f4 exf4 33. gxf4 Bxf4 34. Bxf7 Kh8 $1 ({instead of my Informator
suggestion} 34... Bg5 $2 35. f6 $1 {and wins}) 35. f6 ({or} 35. Be6 Qc6) 35...
Nf5) ({
after} 32. d4 exd4 33. cxd4 Ng8 34. Qf3 Bxe3 35. Rxe3 Nf6 {Black's position is
merely slightly worse.})) 32. d4 {A thrust in the opponent's time-trouble;} (
32. Qf3 $5 c6 33. c4 {was steadier.}) 32... exd4 33. cxd4 Bxd4 $2 {The
decisive error: Black captures a poisoned pawn!} ({After} 33... Bg5 {he could
have defended successfully:} 34. f4 ({or} 34. Qf3 Bxe3 35. Rxe3 Nf6 {(as in
the variation with 31...Bg5!?)}) 34... Bf6 35. Rd1 c6 {.}) 34. Ng4 {
(threatening 35 f6 Bxf6 36 Qxh6+!)} Kg7 35. Nxh6 $1 Bf6 ({Or} 35... Nxh6 36.
Qg5+ Kh7 37. Bc2 $1 {.}) 36. Bxf7 $1 {. The final stroke. Black resigned. ---
A very nervy game and in its way a typical one: Short regularly 'cracked' in
the time-troubles that pursued him. Nevertheless
declared: 'For the first time in the match Kasparov won thanks to his own
strong play
finish: 'Garry
box
eighth game
the fearless manner of the 19th century.} 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "1993.09.23"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Short
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B86"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 (6. Bg5 {- Game No.
1.}) 6... e6 7. Bb3 {(right to the end of the match I had to try and solve the
problem of this variation)} Nbd7 ({From the 12th game I began playing} 7... Nc6
{(Game No.5)}) ({and from the 16th -} 7... b5 {(cf. Game No.79)
time I was under some pressure.}) 8. f4 ({Currently} 8. Bg5 {followed by f2-f4
is in fashion.}) 8... Nc5 9. e5 {Not the most logical plan.} ({According to
Fischer
frightened by either} 9. f5 Be7 10. Qf3 O-O 11. Be3 e5 12. Nde2 b5 13. Bd5 Rb8
Page 10
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14. b4 $6 Ncd7 15. O-O {(6th game)} Nb6 $1) ({or} 9. Qf3 b5 10. f5 Bd7 11. fxe6
fxe6 12. Bg5 Be7 13. O-O-O $6 O-O 14. e5 {(10th game)} Nd5 $1 15. Bxe7 Nxe7 16.
Qe3 d5) ({or} 9. O-O Ncxe4 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 11. f5 e5 12. Qh5 {when he has a
choice:} -- (12... Qe7 {(12...Qd7?! 13 Bg5)} 13. Qf3 Nc5 14. Nc6 $1 Qc7 15. Bd5
a5 (15... Bd7 $6 16. Nb4) 16. Bg5 $1 (16. Be3 $6 {

headed by Illescas played against me in 1991
16... Ra6 $2 17. Nd8 $3 f6 18. Nf7 Rg8 19. Be3 g6 20. Ng5 $1 {and wins
Topalov-Kasparov
$1 20. Bxe6 Qxe7 21. Bd5 {and
chances are slightly better}) (12... d5 $1 13. Re1 Bc5 (13... Qc7 $5) 14. Rxe4
Bxd4+ (14... O-O 15. Rg4 Bxd4+ 16. Kh1 e4 17. c3 Bf6 {is also unclear}) 15. Be3
(15. Rxd4 Qb6 $1) 15... O-O 16. Rxd4 exd4 17. Bxd4 f6 {
has excellent play for the exchange
not been discovered (Topalov-Short
this game
is an idea which also occurs in other variations of the Sicilian. Now White
cannot defend his e5-pawn with Bf4
has a comfortable game. I was intending to play this in the tenth game
Short changed course.}) 10. fxe5 Nfd7 11. Bf4 b5 {At one time I discussed this
variation with Magerramov
me: he has no problems with his development
the e6-pawn and keeps the b3-bishop under fire. White has to act energetically.
} 12. Qg4 (12. Qe2 Bb7 13. O-O-O {is more solid (an example: Topalov-Anand
Wijk aan Zee 1996).}) 12... h5 $1 {A strong novelty
course of events. I advanced the pawn with pleasure
complications.} ({After} 12... Nb6 $2 13. O-O-O {(Zapolskis-Tataev
Mesto 1992)} ({or} 13. Bg5 Qc7 14. O-O-O {White has a powerful attack})) ({but
} 12... Nf6 13. exf6 Qxd4 {(Zapolskis)}) ({or} 12... Bb7 $5 {(Hübner
Mikhalchishin) is perfectly acceptable.}) 13. Qg3 h4 14. Qg4 g5 $5 {'Short
expressed unconcealed astonishment regarding this sharp move
Kasparov thought for 40 minutes!' (Averbakh).} ({Later Short

and Ftacnik all suggested} 14... h3 {
to favour White.}) ({On the other hand
indicated a less eccentric way to equalise:} 14... Nf6 $1 15. exf6 Qxd4 16.
fxg7 Qxg7 17. Qe2 Be7 {
except that the h7-pawn is now on h4
him counterplay with ...Bb7 and ...h4-h3.}) 15. O-O-O $1 {In the best
traditions of gambit chess! In the press conference after the game Nigel said:
'Of course
have to develop your pieces
punish him.'} ({Besides
$2 Qxg5 16. Bxg5 Bb7 {was weak}) ({as well as} 15. Nxe6 $6 fxe6 16. Bxe6 Nb6 $1
17. Bf5 Qe7 {
find the correct defence.} ({Immediately afterwards} 15... Rh6 {appealed to me}
16. -- ({
Rh5 18. Bf4 Bb7) ({
17. Nf3 {(Nielsen) emphasises the vulnerability of the advanced Black pawns.}))
({As often happens
gxf4 $1 16. Nxe6 $1 Nxe6 17. Bxe6 Qe7 $1 ({not} 17... Rh6 $2 18. Bf5 $1) ({or}
17... fxe6 $2 18. Qg6+ Ke7 19. Rd6 $1 Nxe5 20. Qg5+) 18. Bxd7+ $1 ({pointed
out by nearly everyone
$6 Nxe5 $1) 18... Bxd7 19. Qf3 -- ({
20. Nd5 Bc6 21. Nf6+ Qxf6 22. exf6 Bxf3 23. Rhe1+ {(Mikhalchishin
Nd5 $6 Be7 $1) 21... Rb7 22. Rd6 $1 Qc4 $1 23. Ne4 Be7 24. Nf6+ Bxf6 25. exf6+
Kd8 26. Re7 h3 {
Page 11
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22. exf6 Bxf3 23. Rhe1+ Re7 $1 24. fxe7 Bxd1 25. exf8=Q+ Kxf8 {and ...h4-h3
with equality (Speelman).})) 16. Nc6 $3 {'A wonderful idea' (Averbakh). I
thought that Black had everything defended
conducted this phase of the game brilliantly.} Nxb3+ 17. axb3 Qc5 18. Ne4 {
(sacrificing a knight
Bb7 20. Rd6 $1 {A blow of fearful strength.} ({In contrast to} 20. Nd6+ $2 Bxd6
21. Rxd6 Qxg2 22. Rxe6+ fxe6 23. Qxe6+ Kf8 24. Qf5+ Kg7 25. Rd1 Bd5 $1 26. Be3
Nf8 27. Rg1 Qxg1+ 28. Bxg1 Rh6 {
({since the alternatives are fatal:} 20... Qxe4 $2 21. Rxe6+) (20... f5 21.
exf6 Bxd6 22. Qxe6+ Kd8 23. Nxd6 Kc7 24. Bf4 {(Stohl)}) (20... Nxe5 21. Nf6+
Ke7 22. Rhd1 $1 {(a lethal move: 22...Nxg4? 23 Rd7+!)} Qxd6 23. Rxd6 Kxd6 24.
Qd4+ Kc7 25. Bd2 $1 b4 26. Bf4 {and wins.}) 21. Nxd6+ Kf8 22. Rf1 Nxe5 23. Qxe6
Qd5 {The only defence. I was in a terrible mood: I felt that I had walked
right into trouble.} 24. Rxf7+ $2 {In the heat of the battle my opponent could
not resist the most flamboyant continuation of the attack
winning} 24. Qf6 $1 Rh7 (24... Kg8 25. Nf5 $1) 25. Rf5 $1 {(making quiet moves
when behind on material is psychologically very difficult - it resembles
aerobatics!)} Kg8 ({or} 25... Qxg2 26. Qe7+ (26. Qxe5 {
Informator
Bf6 or Nxb7}) 26. Rxe5 {.}) 24... Nxf7 (24... Kg8 $2 25. Rg7+ {
Be7+ Kg7 26. Qf6+ Kh7 27. Nxf7 Qh5 $1 {A rook and the exchange up (!)
has to find literally the only moves to save himself.} 28. Ng5+ Kg8 29. Qe6+
Kg7 30. Qf6+ (30. Bf6+ $1 {
moves to gain time on the clock.}) 30... Kg8 31. Qe6+ Kg7 32. Bf6+ $1 Kh6 $1
33. Nf7+ $1 (33. Qe7 $6 {(with the idea of 33...Qe8? 34 Qg7+ Kh5 35 Ne6! and
mate) did not work in view of} Rag8 $1 34. Nf7+ Kg6 35. Nxh8+ Rxh8 36. Bxh8
Qg5+ $1 37. Qxg5+ Kxg5 38. g3 hxg3 39. hxg3 Kg4 40. Be5 Bd5 $1 41. Kd2 Kf3 $1
42. Kd3 ({or} 42. Kc3 Be4 $1) 42... Be4+ {. 'A study-like ending with
opposite-colour bishops: White does not manage to create the second passed
pawn
would have retained an extra pawn and winning chances with} 34. Nxh8 Rxh8 35.
Qd7+ $1 ({after} 35. Qe7+ $6 Kg6 36. Bxh8 Qg5+ $1 {the already familiar drawn
ending with opposite-colour bishops arises}) 35... Kg6 36. Bxh8 {(Stohl)
although after} Qg5+ 37. Kb1 Qxg2 {a draw is more probable.}) 34... Kh6 35.
Bxh8+ $6 (35. Nf7+ Kh7 36. Nxh8 {was preferable - see above.}) 35... Qg6 (35...
Kxg5 $2 36. Qe5+ {
error in the opponent's time-trouble.} (37... Kg8 $1 {was essential - this
difficult
38. Ne5 $2 Qh7 $1) 38... Rf8 $1 39. Ne5 Rf1+ 40. Kd2 Qd6+ 41. Ke2 (41. Nd3 Kxh8
) 41... Qd1+ {
faltered.} ({He could have won with} 38. Bd4 $1 {- a flamboyant and also far
from obvious move. The h2-pawn is given up with check
hides from the pursuit:} Qh1+ 39. Kd2 Qxh2+ 40. Kc3 Qg3+ 41. Kb4 {
now his king is trapped.}) 38... Qf1+ 39. Kd2 Qf2+ 40. Kd3 Qf3+ 41. Kd2 Qf2+ {
. That day Nigel played excellently
found myself on the verge of defeat. But two errors by the opponent (24 Rxf7+
and 38 Be5) allowed me to save the game.} 1/2-1/2
[Site "?"]
[Date "1993.09.25"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Short
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E35"]
Page 12
Sheet1
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
{In the ninth game I again changed my opening move
reasons: after the opening embarrassment in the fifth game

restored in the Nimzo-Indian!} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 (4. e3 {-
Game Nos.41
- Game No.90.}) 5. cxd5 ({I also employed} 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4 ({but here
Nigel prepared a new plan -} 6... dxc4 7. Qxc4 b6 $5 {and ...Ba6
into operation later (Baburin-Short
preferred
Rubinstein-Bogoljubow
Later} 5... Qxd5 {became fashionable
$1) 6... c5 {
Anand (2nd match game
(18th match game
(rapid) 2001). In the set-up with 5...exd5 I already had several wins and a
number of fresh ideas.}) 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 c5 (7... g5 {- Game No.63 in Part II

of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov.}) 8. dxc5 g5 9. Bg3 Ne4 {After weakening
his pawns in the centre and on the kingside
c3-point. White can parry the threats in one of two ways: either launch a
counter-attack
king is poorly covered
weaknesses in the endgame. The variations of both plans are closely interwoven
in the calculations
and vice versa. In the present game White carries out the second plan
overall drawback to which is that the great simplification often ends in a
draw.} 10. e3 Qa5 $5 {A novelty from the fifth game
line.} ({The usual} 10... Nc6 11. Nf3 {would have led to a position from my
duel with Spassky (Game No.65 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov).}
) 11. Nge2 $1 {'After thorough home preparation Kasparov makes a move which at
first sight is very risky' (Averbakh).} ({After the weaker} 11. Be5 O-O 12. Bd3
Nc6 13. Bxe4 Nxe5 14. Bxd5 Bg4 $1 {the position is equal (5th game).}) 11...
Bf5 {The most natural reply.} ({The alternative is} 11... Nc6 12. a3 $1 Bf5 13.
Qc1 Nxc5 14. axb4 Nd3+ 15. Kd2 Qxb4 16. Ra4 Nxc1 17. Rxb4 Nxe2 18. Rxb7 Nxg3
19. hxg3 d4 20. exd4 Nxd4 21. Nd5 Rd8 22. Bc4 O-O 23. Kc3 Ne2+ 24. Kb4 Nd4 $1 {
with a slightly inferior
}) 12. Be5 $1 {This was my new idea. When I showed it to my trainers they only
frowned
position. --- Here Short thought for 42 minutes... After the game he admitted
that this was a critical moment for him. Unexpectedly Black faced difficult
problems.} ({At any event
12. Bxb8 Rxb8 13. Nd4 Bd7 $1 14. Nb3 Bxc3+ 15. bxc3 Qxc3+ 16. Qxc3 Nxc3 {with
equality (I.Sokolov-van Wely

natural reply.} (12... Nxc3 $2 13. Qxf5 Ne4+ 14. Nc3 $1 O-O 15. Bd3 {
(Karpov-Short
(Speelman)} f6 ({or} 13... Nxc5 14. Nf4 $1 gxf4 (14... Ne4 15. Qxd5) 15. Bxh8
Ne4 16. a3 Bxc3+ 17. Bxc3 Nxc3 18. Qd2 {are both bad for Black}) 14. a3 $1 Nxc5
15. Ng3) ({And after} 12... f6 {
Rxb8 14. Nd4 {is now more effective
squares:} -- (14... Nxc3 $2 15. Qxf5 Ne4+ 16. Ke2 $1 {and wins (V.Popov-Loginov
dubious in view of} ({therefore Black has to reconcile himself to a depressing
endgame after} 15... Bxc3+ 16. bxc3 Qxc3+ 17. Qxc3 Nxc3 18. Kd2 Bxd3 19. Kxc3)
Page 13
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16. Bg6+ (16. O-O $5) 16... Ke7 (16... Kf8 $2 17. O-O Ne4 18. Bxh7 Rxh7 19. f3
{and wins - S.Ivanov}) 17. O-O $1 Ne4 18. Bxh7 Rxh7 19. a3 {
piece and retaining a persistent initiative}) (14... Bd7 15. Bd3 ({or} 15. Be2
{.}))) 13. Nd4 Bg6 $2 {Also a seemingly natural move
poor one!} ({The bishop could have been left en prise
way:} 13... Nd7 14. Nxf5 Nxe5 15. Ne7+ ({but} 15. Bd3 $5 {is stronger (our
analysis
19. Nxf6 Rxd1+ 20. Kxd1 ({after} 20. Qxd1 Qxc3+ 21. Qd2 Qxd2+ 22. Kxd2 Rd8+ 23.
Kc3 Kxf6 {White cannot hold on to his extra material}) 20... Kxf6 21. Be2 Qxc5
{with good compensation for the pawn (Kotanjian-Khalifman
13... Re8 {- to me this seemed the safest: now little is promised by} 14. Nxf5
({or} 14. Bxb8 Nxc3 (14... Bg6 15. Bd3 Raxb8 16. O-O Qxc5 {is also possible
Atalik-Short
14... Rxe5 15. Nxh6+ Kg7 16. Ng4 Re8 {(e7
line)} 14. Nxf5 (14. Qxf5 Ne4+ 15. Kd1 (15. Ke2 Re8 $5 {is extremely risky})
15... Nc6 $1) 14... Ne4+ 15. Kd1 Nc6 16. Bd6 Be1 ({or} 16... Bxc5 {
a roughly equal game (Bareev-Carlsen
{. However
hurry to make any final assessments.}) 14. Nb3 $1 {(the point of my idea)} Nxc3
({Short seeks salvation in an inferior endgame
Nxc5 $6 15. Qxg6+ fxg6 16. Nxa5 Bxa5 17. Rd1) ({or the attempt to keep the
queens on -} 14... Qd8 15. Bd3 Nc6 {(d7)} 16. Bd4 {
compensation for the pawn}) ({or} 14... Qa4 15. Bd3 {.}) 15. Bxc3 $1 (15. Nxa5
$6 Na4+ $1 {.}) 15... Bxc2 16. Nxa5 Bxc3+ 17. bxc3 {(the threat of Nxb7 helps
White to exchange the weak c5-pawn)} b6 18. Kd2 $5 ({It would appear that this
intermediate move was underestimated by Nigel
bxc5 ({after} 18... Bxb3 $2 19. axb3 bxc5 20. O-O-O $1 Rd8 21. Bc4 {Black
again loses material}) 19. Nxc5 Rc8 20. Rc1 Rxc5 21. Rxc2 Nd7 22. Kd2 Rb8 {
with chances of defending a pawn down.}) 18... bxa5 $2 {After this Black's
pawns are depreciated and he can no longer calmly capture on c5.} ({His
problems would also have increased after} 18... Ba4 $6 19. Nb3 $1 Nd7 (19...
Bxb3 $2 20. axb3 bxc5 21. h4 $1 {is even worse}) 20. cxb6 axb6 21. Nd4 {.}) ({
But} 18... Bg6 19. cxb6 axb6 20. Nb3 Nd7 {was more resilient.}) 19. Kxc2 Rc8 {
Essentially the only move: Rd1 was threatened
20. c6 Nc5 (20... Nb6 $2 21. Ba6 $1 {and wins}) 21. h4 $1 {
opponent's kingside and not forgetting about the threat of Rd1xd5.}) 20. h4 $1
{An energetic reply
Black's pawn structure is weakened
knight - all this heralds an easy win for the world champion' (Averbakh).} Nd7
({Things are hopeless after} 20... Rxc5 21. hxg5 hxg5 22. Rh5 f6 23. Bd3 Nd7
24. Rah1 Kf7 25. Rh7+ Ke6 26. g4 {with the threat of Bf5+ (or} Rc7 27. R1h6 $1
{and f2-f4).}) ({White also has a big advantage after} 20... g4 21. Be2 g3 ({or
} 21... h5 22. Rab1 $1 ({my Informator move} 22. f3 {is less clear because of}
Rxc5 23. fxg4 hxg4 24. Bxg4 Nc6) 22... Nd7 23. Rb5 Nxc5 24. Rd1 Ne4 25. Rd3 {
21... hxg5 22. Rh5 f6 {
Ba6 $6) 23... Nxc5 $2 ({or} 23... Rxc5 24. Rah1 {
24. Bf5 {(Averbakh). In his characteristic manner Short attempts to create
counterplay
Rh4 $1 {(matters are decided: with relief I sank back in my chair - and began
to lose concentration)} f5 ({Also not believing in} 24... dxc4 25. Bxc4 {.})
25. Rd4 $6 ({The lateral attack on the weak pawn would have won far more
simply -} 25. Rh5 $1 {with the idea of} Kh7 $6 ({or} 25... Rf8 26. cxd5) (25...
Ng4 26. Re1 dxc4 27. e4 $1 {
29. Kc3 $1 {and Rh1+.}) 25... dxc4 26. Bxc4+ Kh7 $2 {A mined square!} (26...
Kh8 27. Rf1 Ng4 28. Kd2 Rf8 {with the intention of ...Nxh6 was more resilient
Page 14
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({but not immediately} 28... Nxh6 $2 29. g4 $1 {.})) 27. Rf1 Ng4 28. Kd2 Rab8 {
Desperation.} (28... Rf8 {was now bad because of} 29. Rxf5 $1 Rxf5 30. Bd3 Kxh6
31. Bxf5 Nf6 ({or} 31... Ne5 32. Rd5 Re8 33. e4 {and wins}) 32. Ra4 {.}) ({And
if} 28... Nxh6 {
fxg4 30. Rd7+ $1 Kg6 (30... Kh8 31. Bd3 $1) 31. Bd3+ Kg5 32. Rg7+ Kh4 33. Rh1+
{and Rxh6}) 30. Rxf5 Nh6 31. Rg5 $1 {.}) 29. Rxf5 Rb2+ 30. Kd3 Rxg2 31. Be6 $1
Rc7 32. Rxa5 $6 {A pity;} (32. Rh5 $1 {would have forced instant capitulation
after} Nf2+ ({or} 32... Nf6 33. Bf5+ Kh8 34. h7) 33. Ke2 {and Kf3.}) 32... Nf2+
({If} 32... Nxh6 {there is not only} 33. Rd7+ {which I gave in Informator
but also the winning} 33. Rh4 $1 {.})) 33. Ke2 Rh2 (33... Nh1+ 34. Kf3 Rg3+ ({
or} 34... Rf2+ 35. Kg4 Rh2 36. Rc4 {
35. Kf4 Rg1 36. Rg5 {.}) 34. Kf3 Nh1 {(forced
a quick win -} 35. Ra6 $1 Rf2+ ({or} 35... Kxh6 36. Rg4 $1) 36. Kg4 {. But
assuming that White could win as he pleased
h6-pawn for the a7-pawn and to remain with two extra passed pawns (and with
the black knight stranded on h1). Tormented by the question of why Short
wasn't resigning
36. Bxd7 Kxh6 37. Rxa7 {This suggested itself
forceful.}) 37... Kg5 38. Ra5+ Kf6 39. Bc6 Rc2 40. Rf5+ $5 ({'A harmless joke
which allows Black to prolong the resistance.} 40. Rh5 $1 {was more incisive'
(Averbakh).}) 40... Ke7 ({Of course
41. Bd5 Kd6 ({Or} 41... Nf2 42. Bb3 Rb2 43. Re5+ Kf6 44. Rd5 {and e3-e4
beginning the advance of the pawns.}) 42. Rh5 Rd2 43. Rxh1 $6 ({If I had
cooled down slightly and stopped to think
since after} Rxd5 (43... Nf2 44. a5 $1) 44. Rxd5+ Kxd5 45. e4+ {we have a
classic case of the black king being unable to stop both pawns.}) 43... Rxd5
44. a4 Ra5 45. Ra1 {This is also an inaccuracy
45... Ke5 46. e4 $4 {A complete black-out - a dreadful mistake
state of my nervous system in this match.} ({Any waiting move followed by the
switching of the rook to the fourth rank and the advance of the pawns would
have won
49. Kd4 Kc6 (49... Ke6 50. Kc4) 50. Rc2+ {and Rc4.}) 46... Ke6 $4 {Again a
typical situation: the opponent immediately returns the favour!} ({There was a
draw by} 46... Rc5 $1 47. Ra3 ({or} 47. a5 Rc3+ 48. Kg4 Kxe4 49. a6 Rc8 50. a7
Ra8 51. Ra5 Kd4 52. Kf5 Kc4 53. Ke6 Kb4 54. Ra1 Kc5 55. Kd7 Kb6 56. Rb1+ Kc5 $1
57. Rb7 Rh8 $1) 47... Rc4 48. a5 Rxe4 49. a6 Rf4+ 50. Ke3 Rf8 {. 'This
position is in all the endgame guides
Batsford
apparently the challenger was already reconciled to defeat' (Averbakh).}) 47.
Ke3 {(now the march of the pawns is unavoidable)} Kd6 48. Kd4 Kd7 49. Kc4 Kc6
50. Kb4 Re5 51. Rc1+ Kb6 52. Rc4 {. Although not without its mistakes
was a very interesting game. Psychologically it set the seal on the match: the
score became 7-2
situation than I did in my first match with Karpov (1984/85): in that match
the winner was to be the first to win six games
in this one each draw brought the leader closer to his goal. Nevertheless
subsequent struggle in the match was quite tense
problems. --- Already in the tenth game Short was closer than ever to a win
although he chose an incorrect opening variation (cf. Game No.3

White's 9th move). After my error on the 14th move he flamboyantly sacrificed
his queen and developed a dangerous initiative
obtained an absolutely won position
he allowed me to escape in what turned out to be one of the most fascinating
games of the match. When he was signing the scoresheets
hold back the tears... --- In the 11th game I played the Scotch Game for the
first time
Page 15
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endgame (cf. Game No.14
advantage
of a draw. --- Also typical of the entire match was the fighting 12th game
where an unusual position with a disrupted material balance occurred (see the
following game).} 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "1993.10.02"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Short
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B88"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 (6. Bg5 {- Game No.
1.}) 6... e6 7. Bb3 Nc6 ({After three tries I gave up} 7... Nbd7 {(Game No.3)})
({but I was not yet ready for} 7... b5 {(cf. Game No.79).}) 8. f4 Be7 9. Be3
O-O 10. Qf3 {This is what I was reckoning on.} ({Later Short played} 10. O-O
Nxd4 11. Bxd4 b5 12. e5 $1 (12. a3 Bb7 {is equal
game
Qd3 Qc7 16. c3 {(Amsterdam 1996)
did not like Black's position}) 14. Ne4 Bb7 15. Nd6 Bxd6 16. exd6 {(14th game).
}) 10... Nxd4 11. Bxd4 b5 12. Bxf6 $1 {The best way of fighting for an
advantage;} ({since} 12. e5 $2 dxe5 {is bad for White
bishop with gain of tempo.}) ({After} 12. a3 Bb7 13. O-O-O {(Istratescu-Buturin
Istratescu-Buturin
axb4 a5 {with a counter-attack.}) 12... Bxf6 (12... gxf6 $6 13. f5 {does not
impress
I had discussed this variation with Magerramov.} (14... Qb6 $2 {is obviously
worse in view of} 15. gxh4 {(Michalek-Bagaturov
) 15. gxh4 $5 {A new direction: White accepts the bishop sacrifice!} ({After
the well-known} 15. O-O-O Bb7 (15... Be7 $5) 16. Ne4 {I was planning} Bxe4 (
16... Be7 17. f5 {is more tedious}) 17. Qxe4 d5 18. Qd3 (18. Bxd5 $6 exd5 19.
Rxd5 {is weak in view of} Qa5) 18... Be7 19. h4 {(Morozevich-Mitenkov
1991)} Qb6 $1 {with excellent counterplay: the frontal attack with} 20. c3 {
(and Bc2) is parried by} b4 $1 {.}) 15... Bb7 16. Ne4 dxe5 $6 {Preventing
0-0-0 and creating the threat of ...Qd4 or ...f7-f5. At the time I was proud
of this pretty move and in Informator I even attached an exclamation mark to
it.} ({However
Qxg3+ 18. Nxg3 Bxh1 19. Nxh1 dxe5 20. fxe5 a5 $1 {leads to a double-edged
ending with rook and pawn against bishop and knight (Votava-Rotman
Ziyyon 1993)}) 17... dxe5 18. Rg1 Rfd8 $1 19. Qg3 Qxg3 20. Nxg3 exf4 21. Nh5 g6
22. Nxf4 Rd4 ({or} 22... Rd2 23. h3 Rh2 {gives Black full compensation for the
piece}) 23. Nd3 a5 {.}) 17. Rg1 g6 {This was the whole point;} ({the immediate
} 17... Qd4 $2 18. Nf6+ Kh8 19. Qg3) ({or} 17... f5 $2 18. Qg3 {is not
possible.}) (17... Qxh4+ $2 18. Qg3 Qxg3+ (18... Qh6 19. Ng5 $1) 19. Nxg3 exf4
20. Nh5 {is also incorrect.}) ({But possibly the lesser evil is} 17... Bxe4 18.
Qxe4 Qxh4+ 19. Kf1 exf4 {with three pawns for the bishop
after} 20. Rg2 {White's chances are better.}) 18. Rd1 $6 {This suggests itself
but it loses White his advantage.} ({None of the participants
Page 16
Sheet1
commentators noticed the venomous computer move} 18. Rg3 $1 {
light only in 2010.} -- ({. It transpires that if} 18... Qxh4 $2 {there is the
ambush} 19. Qf2 $1 {
$2 20. Nf6+ {is bad}) 20. Nc3 {Black does not have sufficient compensation for
the piece.}) ({. And if} 18... Qd4 $6 {there follows} 19. Nf6+ Kg7 20. c3 $1 {
(it is hard for a human to find such an idea!)} Qd8 21. Ne4 $1 Qxh4 22. Qf2 $1
Qxf4 (22... Qe7 $2 23. Ng5 $1) 23. Nc5 {
pawns.}) (18... Qe7 $6 19. O-O-O {is also cheerless for Black:} f5 ({or} 19...
a5 20. a3 a4 21. Ba2 f5 22. Qc3 Bxe4 23. Qxe5 Qf6 (23... Rb6 24. Rc3) 24. Bxe6+
Kh8 25. Bd7 {with an extra pawn and an unceasing initiative}) 20. Qh5 $1 Bxe4
21. Rdg1 Kh8 22. Rxg6 Rg8 23. Rxg8+ Rxg8 24. Rxg8+ Kxg8 25. fxe5 Kg7 26. Qg5+
$1 {
Qxh4 20. Qxe5 {White also puts his trust in the strength of his bishop (} Qxh2
$6 21. f5 $1 {).}) ({. The thematic} 18... f5 19. Bxe6+ Kh8 20. h5 Bxe4 {is
slightly better - Black regains the piece
22. g7#) 22. Qc3 {forces him to seek salvation in an endgame:} Qd4 $1 23. Qxd4
exd4 24. O-O-O {with an extra pawn
variations examined suggest that it is useful to include} 18... a5 $1 {
example:} 19. -- (19. fxe5 Bxe4 20. Qxe4 a4 21. Bxe6 fxe6 22. h5 Qa5+ $1 23. c3
b4 24. hxg6 h5 $1 25. O-O-O (25. g7 Rfc8 {is equal}) 25... bxc3 26. Rxc3 a3 {
$1 Qe7 $1 21. Rd7 Qb4+ 22. Nd2 Qxf4 {with unclear complications (the white
knight is now the 'wrong' piece!)}) (19. a3 a4 20. Ba2 Bxe4 $1 ({now} 20... Qd4
{is also no longer so weak}) 21. Qxe4 Qxh4 22. O-O-O ({nothing is given by} 22.
Qxe5 $6 Qxh2 23. f5 Qh1+ 24. Ke2 $1 Qh5+ $1 {with perpetual pursuit of the king
}) 22... Qxh2 23. Rdd3 Rfc8 24. c3 b4 $1 25. axb4 a3 26. Qg2 (26. Rg2 $6 Rxb4
$1) 26... Qxg2 27. Rxg2 Rxb4 28. fxe5 axb2+ 29. Rxb2 Re4 ({or} 29... Rxb2 30.
Kxb2 h5) 30. Rb5 g5 {
Black has real chances of a draw. --- In any event
encountered serious problems
piece.}) (19. c3 $6 f5 {is equal.}))) 18... Bxe4 19. Qxe4 Qxh4+ 20. Ke2 (20.
Kf1 Rbd8 21. Rd3 a5 $1 {was no better.}) 20... Qxh2+ ({I thought for 35
minutes here - I also studied the more aggressive} 20... a5 $5) ({or} 20...
exf4 $5 {(aiming to keep the queens on)
endgame with an imposing mass of passed pawns.}) 21. Rg2 Qxf4 (21... Qh5+ 22.
Qf3 Qf5 23. Rg5 Qxf4 24. Qxf4 exf4 {would have led to roughly the same thing.})
22. Qxf4 exf4 23. Kf3 Rfd8 {'To avoid allowing the white rook into his
position
the exchange of one pair of rooks is very useful' (Mikhalchishin).} ({However
here also it was appropriate to include} 23... a5 $5 24. -- ({

24. a3 a4 25. Ba2 Rfd8 26. Rxd8+ Rxd8 27. Kxf4 Kg7 {it is more difficult for
White to create a mobile passed pawn}) ({
me in Informator -} 24. c3 a4 25. Bc2 e5 26. Rd5 $1 f6 27. a3 {'with advantage
to White' in reality involves a considerable risk for him:} Rfd8 28. Rgd2 $6 (
28. Rc5 {is equal}) 28... Rxd5 29. Rxd5 Kg7 30. Bd3 $6 h5 $1 {
pawn avalanche becomes irresistible (} 31. Rxb5 Rxb5 32. Bxb5 g5 $1 {and 33...
g4+ with a pretty win - the pawns promote without the aid of the king!).})) 24.
Rxd8+ Rxd8 25. Kxf4 Kf8 {Bringing the king closer to White's potential passed
pawn.} ({Again} 25... a5 $5 {deserved consideration.}) (25... Kg7 {would also
have done - this looked dangerous because of} 26. Ke5 {
quite sufficient
{or first} 29... g5 {
{and Ra5!.}) 26. Ke3 Ke7 27. c4 {'White must try to exploit his pawn majority
on the queenside' (Mikhalchishin).} h5 (27... f5 {also deserved consideration
but I decided to try and maintain the balance by advancing the h-pawn.}) 28. a4
({Also harmless was} 28. c5 h4) ({or} 28. cxb5 axb5 29. Rg5 (29. a4 $6 bxa4 30.
Page 17
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Bxa4 Rb8 {is worse}) 29... Rb8 30. a3 {(Mikhalchishin)} Kf6 {and ...h5-h4 with
a draw.}) 28... bxa4 ({In the variation} 28... bxc4 $5 29. Bxc4 a5 30. -- ({
it seemed to me that} 30. b4 axb4 31. a5 {was dangerous
31... Rc8 32. Rc2 (32. Bd3 Rc3 {and ...Ra3}) 32... b3 33. Bxb3 Rxc2 34. Bxc2
Kd6 {the king enters the square of the a-pawn and the battle concludes.})) (30.
Rg5 h4 $1 31. Rxa5 h3 32. Kf2 $5 (32. Be2 h2 33. Bf3 Rd1 $1 {with a draw})
32... Rd2+ 33. Kg1 Rg2+ 34. Kh1 Rxb2 {is sharper
29. Bxa4 h4 30. c5 Rh8 {Supporting the quick-moving pawn.} ({My Informator
suggestion} 30... e5 {(?!) is weaker because of} 31. Rg4 $1 {.}) 31. Rc2 ({The
mutual exhaustion of the forces could have resulted after} 31. Kf3 h3 32. Rh2
Rh4 33. b3 Rh5 {(luring the pawn to c6
c6 (34. b4 Rh4 $1) 34... Kd6 35. Kg3 Kc7 36. Rxh3 Rxh3+ 37. Kxh3 f5 {with the
inevitable exchange of all the pawns.}) 31... h3 32. Bc6 e5 (32... g5) ({or}
32... f5 {was also good.}) 33. Kf2 h2 34. Rc1 (34. Bh1 f5 {and ...e5-e4.})
34... a5 ({Here the draw can be achieved in more than one way
such an original one as} 34... f5 35. Kg2 h1=Q+ $5 ({or} 35... e4 36. Kh1 g5)
36. Rxh1 Rc8 37. Rh7+ Kf6 38. Rb7 Rxc6 39. Rb6 Re6 $1 40. c6 Kg5 41. c7 Rxb6
42. c8=Q Rxb2+ {.}) 35. Bd5 ({Or} 35. Kg2 h1=Q+ $1 36. Rxh1 Rc8 37. Ba4 Rxc5 {
with a draw. In this
the textbook ending with rook and bishop against rook.}) 35... Rd8 (35... f5
36. Kg2 e4 37. Kh1 {

Kg3 Rh8 38. c6 {with a draw.}) 37. Kg3 Kd7 38. Ra1 ({If} 38. c6+ Kc7 39. Rc5 {
there would have followed} f5 $1 40. Rxe5 f4+ 41. Kh3 f3 {with a draw.}) 38...
f5 39. Kxh2 Rxb2 40. Rxa5 e4 ({With the idea of} 40... e4 41. Ra6 g5 42. Rg6 f4
{and ...f4-f3. Draw agreed.}) (40... -- {The score became 8½-3½. After
making a couple more draws
been an unlimited match it would have become the shortest in history. But here
'on my last legs' a further five games had to be played. In the 16th Nigel
finally scored a consolation goal
peaceful
but Short was proud of the 5-5 score in the last ten games and said that he
was confident about the future. However
'classical' encounters was +5=9; not in his favour... --- Soon Karpov won the
'match of the understudies' against Timman (12½-8½)

time in the entire history of world championships there was a duumvirate at
the chess summit: my historic title was opposed by the official one.}) 1/2-1/2
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "New Test"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{International Tournament in Linares (22 February - 15 March 1994): 1. Karpov

- 11 out of 13; 2-3. Kasparov and Shirov - 8½; 4. Bareev - 7½; 5-6.
Lautier and Kramnik - 7; 7-9. Kamsky
6; 11. Gelfand - 5½; 12. Illescas - 4½; 13. J.Polgar - 4; 14. Beliavsky -
2.} 1. -- {On returning to Moscow from a lengthy tour of South America prior
to the New Year
preparing for the new season - not only as a player
The contesting of the world championship between 1993 and 1995 was undoubtedly
Page 18
Sheet1
the most tense and unusual in chess history. The challengers fought
simultaneously in two series
and via the FIDE line for a match with Karpov
he was obliged to join in at the semi-final stage. --- An enormous achievement

of the Professional Chess Association was the two-year contract with the Intel
Corporation
an unprecedented series of rapid-play knock-out tournaments
Chess Grand Prix (Moscow - New York - London - Paris)
classical chess super-tournaments
championship cycle. Our qualifying tournament (Groningen
an unprecedentedly strong 'Swiss'
greater than at the FIDE Interzonal Tournament (Biel
favourites in both cycles were the now experienced Anand and the rapidly
improving Kamsky and Kramnik (Ivanchuk did not qualify for the Candidates in
Biel and he did not play in Groningen). --- It was at this unusual moment that
Karpov and I met at the regular super-tournament in Linares. For me this was a
new test: on this occasion I faced the rivalry not simply of an ex-world
champion
of a newly-fledged FIDE champion. Of course
boost and was burning with a desire to demonstrate his strength. Especially as
for many years he had been quite unable to win in Linares and
1992 and 1993 I had finished first with a score of 10 out of 13
had finished behind me
eager for revenge. In addition
the leaders of the Spanish Federation
psychological atmosphere at the tournament was exceptionally difficult for me
but that was something I was accustomed to.} (1. -- {An important role
later transpired
each other: I drew number 10
would have White against him

commented: 'It's too early to be rejoicing! All the contestants
(Lautier)
Can you imagine what state they will be in?' I did not attach any importance
to his words
that the pairings were the secret of such a fine result by Karpov: after their
games with Kasparov
play him.' However
or the staggering good fortune which accompanied the FIDE champion right from
the start. --- 'One's mood is affected by luck'
tournament. This thought was confirmed in the very first round
Black in a time scramble he snatched victory 'out of nothing' against Lautier
(extracts of this and other games by Karpov are given in Part V of My Great
Predecessors). That day I defeated Bareev with Black in a Benko Gambit.}) (1.
-- {In the second round I quite cleanly outplayed Illescas in a Tarrasch
while Karpov 'took over' Bareev from me and
French Defence
play against an isolated pawn. Bareev equalised
time control
a mate in one move! --- So
both had Black: after a complicated battle I made a draw in my first duel with
Topalov
clearly worse - when his opponent suddenly 'cooperated' by allowing his queen
to be trapped in the middle of the board. 3 out of 3! --- In the fourth round
I managed to beat Vassily Ivanchuk in impressive style. Our games were always
gripping
win six times in a row. And each time I had to solve a difficult problem in my
Page 19
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choice of opening strategy
extraordinarily broad and anything can be expected of him (see the following
game).}) *
[Event "6: Linares"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.02.27"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Ivanchuk
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D44"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 e6 {It appears that Black is threatening
the sharp Botvinnik Variation? Well
e3 {- Game Nos.27
8. Bh4 g5 9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 11. exf6 Bb7 12. g3 c5 13. d5 Nxf6 ({At
that time this variation had just come into fashion
the alternatives} 13... Qb6 14. Bg2 {(Game Nos.65
Kasparov on Garry Kasparov)}) ({or} 13... Bh6 14. Bxh6 Rxh6 15. Qd2 $1 {
) 14. Bg2 $1 ({In the event of} 14. dxe6 Be7 {(Kir.Georgiev-Dreev
Interzonal 1993)} ({or} 14... Bg7 $5 15. Rg1 (15. Qxd8+ Rxd8 16. Rg1 a6 {is
equal}) 15... Qb6 16. Qe2 {(Lobron-Kramnik
good counterplay.})) 14... Bh6 {A novelty!} ({Earlier games went} 14... Be7 15.
O-O Nxd5 16. Bxe7 Kxe7 17. Nxb5 ({I was intending} 17. Qe1 {
18. Bxb7 Rb8 19. Qxc3 Rxb7 20. Rfd1 Qb8 $1 {Black holds on
Dresden Olympiad 2008}) 17... Qb6 18. Na3 $1 {
-- ({
24. Rac1 Re2 25. Qb8 (25. Qa3 Qc6 $1) 25... Qxc4 $3 26. Qc7+ (26. Rxc4 $2 Bxf3+
{with mate}) 26... Ke8 {is equal}) ({
Qg5+ $1 {
$2 21. f3 $1 {
unclear (Jobava-Rodshtein
(van Wely-K.Müller
f4 $1 {White has an enduring initiative})) (18... c3 19. Nc4 ({or} 19. Rb1 cxb2
20. Nc4 Qc7 21. Rxb2 Nb6 22. Bxb7 Nxc4 {(Razuvaev-Serper
Rc2 $1 Na3 24. Bxa8 Nxc2 25. Qxc2 Rxa8 26. Rc1 Rc8 27. Qc4 {
cases White's chances are slightly better}) 19... Qc7 20. bxc3 Nxc3 21. Qd2
Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Ne4 23. Qe3 {(van Wely-Dreev
to be played.} ({Nothing is given by} 15. Bxh6 Rxh6 {(this is a harmless
branch of the 13...Bh6 variation)} 16. Nxb5 (16. Qd2 Rh5 $1) 16... Bxd5 {(van
der Sterren-Kuijf
Königshofen 2007})) ({or} 15. h4 Bxg5 16. hxg5 Rxh1+ 17. Bxh1 Nxd5 18. Qh5 Qe7
{- after which we had written down} 19. O-O-O O-O-O $1 20. Nxb5 a6 (20... Bc6
$5) 21. Na3 Nb4 {with the assessment 'unclear'.}) (15. Bh4 Bg7 $1 {.}) 15...
Qxf6 16. O-O {This natural developing move with the threat of Nxb5 or Ne4 has
no worthy alternative.} ({The greedy} 16. Nxb5 $6 {would have allowed} Qe5+ $1
17. Qe2 (17. Kf1 exd5 $1) 17... Qxe2+ (17... Bd2+ $2 18. Kf1 $1) 18. Kxe2 O-O-O
(18... O-O) ({or} 18... Kf8 {will also do}) 19. Nxa7+ Kb8 20. Nb5 ({weak is}
20. Nc6+ $2 Bxc6 21. dxc6 Rd2+) 20... exd5 {with excellent play for the pawn.})
16... O-O-O 17. Nxb5 {Now is the right time. Although Black has the advantage
Page 20
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of the two bishops
counterplay on the h-file typical of the Botvinnik Variation
exploit the open position of the black king and I thought that in the
forthcoming interesting battle White's chances were nevertheless better.} exd5
$2 {The thirst of battle! Vassily captured the pawn quite quickly and looked
very content.} ({However
Nxd5 $6 {
Re1 $1 Kb8 {
successfully upholding} 19... d4 $5 20. Bxb7+ Kxb7 21. Ne4 Qc6 22. Qh5 Kb8 $1)
20. Rb1 (20. Na4 Qd6 $1) ({but 21st century correspondence players have
discovered that} 20. Qa4 $1 Bg7 21. Rad1 Qf5 22. Re7 Bd4 23. Rd2 {is better
for White}) 20... d4 21. Ne4 Qb6 22. a3 a5 $1 (22... f5 $6 23. b4 $1 {is
dangerous}) 23. Qa4 Qc6 24. Qxc4 f5 25. b4 axb4 26. axb4 Bd2 $1) 19... Qe6 20.
Re1 Rxd5 21. Bxd5 Qxd5 22. Qxd5 Bxd5 23. Re5 Be6 $1 24. Rxc5+ Kb7 {
However
Who could have imagined that the white a-pawn would soon become a
battering-ram
Black now has a very unpleasant position
an extra pawn (although it will also come in useful)
established on b5 and the mechanism of the subsequent attack has been created
- Qe1-a5 is threatened.} Bg7 ({If} 19... Rhe8 {
} 19... Bg5 {I was also considering} 20. Re1 {
$1 {is more forceful (Ionov-V.Popov
cannot be satisfied with} 19... Qb6 20. a4 d4 21. Bxb7 Qxb7 22. Qh5 $1 Bf4 ({or
} 22... Qd5 23. Qxd5 Rxd5 24. Na3 {
23. Qxc5 $2 Rxh2 $1) 23... Rh4 24. Rae1 $1 Rg8 25. f3 (25. Re5 $5) 25... Be3+
26. Rxe3 {
Qa6) ({or} 20. Qe1 $6 Qb6 {is premature - Stohl.}) 20... Qh6 ({A difficult
choice:} 20... Qxb2 $2 21. Rb1 Qf6 22. Re1 {and wins}) ({while my old
prescription} 20... Rh6 {(?!) is bad because of} 21. Qd2 $1 {(Ionov).}) (20...
Bc6 21. h4 $1 {is also insufficient.}) 21. h4 Bf6 $6 {With the obvious threat
of ...Bxh4
tempo.} ({But after} 21... Bxb2 $6 22. Rb1 {the opening of the b-file causes
his downfall:} c3 ({or} 22... Qf6 23. Rxb2 $1 Qxb2 24. Qe1 $1 Qf6 (24... Qb4
25. Qe7 $1) 25. Qa5 Qa6 26. Qc7+ {with a decisive advantage}) 23. Qb3 Qb6 (
23... c4 24. Qb4 Qf8 25. Rxb2 $1 {- Stohl}) 24. a5 $1 Qxa5 25. Nxc3 Qxc3 26.
Qb5 $1 Qb4 27. Qxb4 cxb4 28. Rxb2 Ka8 {.}) ({In Informator I suggested} 21...
Qg6 {(?!)
Qa5.}) ({It was better to restrain the white queen with} 21... Rhe8 {(Stohl)
although also here after} 22. Qc2 $1 {Black's position is unenviable.}) 22. Qe1
$1 {I was proud of this unexpected move: instinctively one wants to move the
rook from f1 as soon as possible (to avoid a mate on h2)
the contrary
Bxh4 {was more resilient.}) 23. Qa5 $6 {How to refrain from such a thrust?} ({
In the heat of the battle I missed} 23. Qe5+ $1 Ka8 24. Qc7 {with an easy win:}
Bg5 ({or} 24... Be7 {(Stohl)} 25. Rfe1 Bd6 26. Qa5+ Kb8 27. Qa7+ Kc8 28. a5 $1)
25. Qa5+ Kb8 26. Qa7+ Kc8 27. Qxc5+ Kb8 28. Qc7+ Ka8 29. f4 $1 {. But now the
situation could have become somewhat more complicated.}) 23... Be7 $6 {This
hastens the end.} ({If} 23... Qc6 $2 {White would even have won by} 24. gxh4 ({
or more surely by} 24. Qa7+ Kc8 25. Bh3+ Rd7 26. Qa5 $1 {(threatening Na7+)}
Kb8 27. Bxd7 Qxd7 28. Qa7+ Kc8 29. Qxc5+ Kb8 30. Qa7+ Kc8 31. Qd4 $1 {(and if}
Bf6 32. Qxf6 Qh3 {
Informator move} 25. f3 $4 Rxg2+ $1 {.})) ({However
given more hopes of saving the game - although after} 24. Qa7+ Kc8 25. Qxc5+
Kb8 26. Rfd1 $1 {White is a pawn up with an attack and an objectively winning
position
Page 21
Sheet1
(on the threshold of time-trouble I decided to repeat moves to save time)} Kb8
26. Qc7+ Ka8 27. Rfe1 $1 {Both a defence against mate
the rook into the battle.} Bd6 {(guarding the c5-pawn)} 28. Qb6 {Here I saw
the spectacular combinative idea with 30 Re8!! and I began putting it into
effect.} ({True
30. a5 $1 {with the murderous threat of a5-a6.}) 28... Bb8 29. a5 $1 {A
picturesque situation.} (29. a5 -- ({. There is an especially attractive
mating finish after} 29... Qc6 30. Re7 Rhe8 ({or} 30... Rd7 31. Qxc6 $1 Bxc6
32. Rxd7 $1 Bxd7 33. Bxd5+) 31. a6 $1 {(the culmination of White's strategy).})
({. And after the desperate} 29... Rd6 30. Nxd6 Qxd6 {there is} 31. Re5 $1 {
with the idea of} Qxe5 32. a6 {.})) 29... Rd7 {After confidently making this
move
that my reply would be a highly unpleasant surprise for him.} 30. Re8 $3 {
(threatening Qa7 mate!)} Qh2+ 31. Kf1 Qxg2+ {Despair;} ({if} 31... Rxe8 {White
mates with} 32. a6 $1 {. The rest is clear without any commentary.}) 32. Kxg2
d4+ 33. Qxb7+ Rxb7 34. Rxh8 Rxb5 35. a6 Ka7 36. Rf8 Rxb2 37. Rxf7+ Ka8 38. a7
c3 39. Rf8 $1 {. A high-quality game
- and 3½ out of 4. But Karpov easily beat Topalov and reached 4 out of 4!
For the moment this did not greatly concern me: I sensed that I was running
into form and I believed in the triumph of competitive justice.} 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.03.01"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Polgar
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B84"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
{My problems began from the fifth round. The first meeting at the board with
the 18-year-old Judit Polgar
unexpectedly proved to be a difficult test for me.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4
cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f4 ({Less popular than} 6. Bg5) (6. Be3) (6. Be2)
({or} 6. Bc4 {.}) 6... e6 {This is what I most often played
also tried} 6... Qc7) ({or} 6... e5 {.}) 7. Be2 {Transposing into normal
variations.} (7. Qf3 {is more aggressive} -- ({

g4 $1 {(Short-Kasparov
correct
Qc7 10. g4 $1 {
10. b3 Bb7 11. Bb2 d5 {(Almasi-Kasparov
Hermanas 1996)}) 9... Qc7 {(Short-Kasparov
b5 {(again leaving the d7-square free for the knight on f6)} 10. g5 Nfd7 11.
Be3 Nb6 12. O-O-O N8d7 {(J.Polgar-Kasparov
8. O-O ({If} 8. Be3 O-O 9. g4 {
or} 9... b5 {(Short-Kasparov
8... O-O {is more accurate
b5 $1 10. Bf3 b4 11. Nd1 e5 {leads to equality (Ivanchuk - Kasparov
Zee 2001)}) 9... Qc7 10. a4 (10. Qe1 b5 {is equal
Barcelona 1989}) 10... Nc6 11. Be3 Re8 {leads to a tabiya from my matches with
Karpov and Anand (Game Nos.37
Page 22
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slightly ill at ease;} ({in the event of} 9. Qe1 O-O 10. Qg3 {Black must
either encounter a dangerous pawn sacrifice -} Qb6 $6 ({or go in for the
variation} 10... Nc6 11. Be3 {which I did not greatly like}) 11. Be3 Qxb2 12.
Bf2 Qb4 13. e5 $1 {(Game No.63 in Part III of My Great Predecessors). After
thinking for some time
Nbd7 $2 {An extremely rare reply
{To my surprise
(10. Bf3 $5 {(preventing ...b7-b5) is far more dangerous
dubious (Zuckerman-Benko
11... Re8 {is better}) 12. a4 Rb8 13. g4 $1 {with an attack (Kasparov-Short
Moscow Olympiad 1994).}) ({. Here I was planning the unusual} 10... h6 $5 {
with the idea of ...Rg8 and ...g7-g5
Rg8 12. Qd1 $5 (12. f5 Ne5 13. Be2 {is better}) 12... g5 13. f5 e5 {
(Geller-Rublevsky
perfectly decent position: White has spent a tempo on Qe1
would be better placed on e2.} 12. Kh1 ({After} 12. e5 $2 dxe5 13. fxe5 ({or}
13. Bxb7 Qxb7 14. fxe5 Bc5 $1) 13... Bc5 $1 14. exf6 Bxd4+ {White loses a pawn
(Florian-Keller
problem.}) 12... Rd8 $1 {Essential prophylaxis against the advance e4-e5.} (
12... O-O $6 {would now be strongly met by} 13. e5 $1 {
(14... Nd5 $6 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. Bxd5 exd5 17. Nf5 $1 Rae8 (17... Nxe5 18. Qg3)
18. e6 fxe6 19. Qxe6+ Kh8 20. Bf4) ({
({the Informator suggestion} 16. Qg3 Qxb7 17. h3 {is unclear in view of} Rfd8
$1 18. Nb3 Bd6 19. Bf4 Nh5 {
Qg3+ Kh8 20. Ne5 {gives White an enduring initiative. Therefore 13...Ne8 is
better (Chandler-Schlosser
position with the pawn on b6 (rather than on b5
with Karpov - No.47 in Kasparov vs. Karpov 1975-1985).})) 13. Be3 (13. e5 $6 {
is pointless:} dxe5 14. fxe5 Nxe5 15. Bxb7 (15. Bf4 $2 Nxf3 $1) 15... Rxd4 16.
Bxa6 Neg4 17. Bb5+ Kf8 18. Qg3 Qxg3 19. hxg3 h5 20. Bg5 Nd5 {.}) ({And if} 13.
Qg3 -- ({
fxe5 {(with the idea of} Rxd4 ({or} 15... Bf8 16. Nxe6 $1) 16. Qxg7 {and exf6!)
}) ({
(Leitao-Stohl
Bxb7 Nh5 $1 {with a comfortable game}) ({or} 14. f5 e5 15. Bh6 Ne8 16. Nb3 Kh8
17. Be3 Nef6 {with equality (Pogonina-Hou Yifan

exd5 Bxd5 $1 16. Bxd5 exd5 {and ...Bf6.})) 13... O-O 14. Qg3 ({Later} 14. Bg1
$5 {was also tried
{Rightly assuming that neither of the pawn advances is dangerous for Black.
The position is one of dynamic balance.} 15. f5 (15. e5 $6 dxe5 16. fxe5 Nfe4 {
is worse for White.}) 15... e5 16. Bh6 Ne8 17. Nb3 Nd7 $5 ({The immediate}
17... Kh8 {was also possible
them on d7 and f6.}) 18. Rad1 Kh8 (18... b5 {is interesting
be satisfied with} 19. axb5 axb5 20. Nxb5 Qxc2 {(my Informator attack} 21. Nxd6
$5 Bxd6 22. Rxd6 {is parried by} Kh8 $1 23. Na5 gxh6 24. Nxb7 Nxd6 25. Nxd6 Qc7
{). But I did not want to force events prematurely.}) 19. Be3 Nef6 $6 {Too
slow!} ({Here the active} 19... b5 $1 {
c2-pawn
Nef6 24. Rb5 ({or} 24. Rd2 Qc6 {with comfortable play}) 24... Qc4 {.}) 20. Qf2
$1 {(defending the c2-pawn and clearing the way for the g-pawn)} Rfe8 (20...
Rc8 21. g4 $1 {.}) 21. Rfe1 $6 {Judit prefers quiet positional manoeuvring.} (
21. g4 $1 {was more energetic:} d5 $1 (21... h6 $6 22. Rg1 ({or} 22. g5 hxg5
23. Bxg5 Nh7 24. Be3 {and Rg1 is dangerous for Black})) 22. Nxd5 $1 ({if} 22.
exd5 e4 23. Be2 {
e4 24. Be2 Qxc2 25. Nd4) 23. exd5 e4 24. Bg2 {
-} Bd6 25. g5 $1 {
Page 23
Sheet1
g4 d5 $1 23. exd5 ({if} 23. Nxd5 $6 Nxd5 24. exd5 e4 25. Bg2 {there is} Nf6 $1
$1 (24... Bb4 $5 25. d6 Qc6 26. g5 Bxc3 $1 27. bxc3 Nd5 28. c4 Nxe3 29. Qxe3
Qxa4 {is more complicated}) 25. Bxb6 e3 ({but not} 25... Nexg4 $2 26. Qg1 {and
wins}) 26. Qxe3 Rxd5 $1 27. Nxd5 Bxd5+ 28. Rxd5 (28. Kg1 Qxc2 29. Nd4 Qxa4 {
with excellent compensation for the exchange}) 28... Qc6 $1 {
material with equality.}) 22... h6 23. Bh4 Rc8 24. Qf1 $1 {(intending Nd2 and
Be2 with an attack on the a6-pawn)} Be7 25. Nd2 $6 {An inaccuracy
Black to sharply activate his queen.} ({White should have begun with} 25. Bf2 {
25... Qb8 26. Nd2 Kg8) 26. Be2 $1 Qb4 27. Bxa6 {is bad for Black.}) 25... Qc5
$1 {(I was happily used to establishing my queen on b4 since the times of my
Sicilian duels with Karpov)} 26. Nb3 ({If} 26. Bf2 Qb4 27. Rb1 {
) 26... Qb4 {A turning-point.} 27. Be2 $2 {A blunder
e4-pawn.} ({If} 27. Bf2 {White was concerned about the thematic exchange
sacrifice} Rxc3 $5 28. bxc3 Qxa4 {.}) ({Black has easy play after} 27. Qd3 Red8
({or} 27... Rc7 {and Rec8})) ({as well as after} 27. Re3 d5 $1 ({apart from
this Informator suggestion there is the interesting} 27... Ng4 $5 28. Bxg4 Bxh4
) 28. Bxf6 Nxf6 29. exd5 Bd6 ({or} 29... Qf4 $1 {. But even so
have been a far lesser evil for Judit.})) 27... Bxe4 $1 ({Stronger than} 27...
Nxe4 28. Bxe7 Rxe7 29. Bxa6 Nxc3 ({of course
given in Informator}) 30. bxc3 Bxa6 31. cxb4 Bxf1 32. Rxf1 Rxc2 {. Now the
game quickly moves into a technical phase.}) 28. Nxe4 (28. Bxf6 Nxf6 29. Nxe4
Nxe4 30. Bd3 (30. Bxa6 $2 Rxc2) 30... Nf6 {was no less dismal.}) (28. Bxa6 $2
Bxc2 {.}) 28... Nxe4 29. Bxe7 Rxe7 30. Bf3 $5 {Desperately fighting for
survival.} ({White's position was really too unattractive after} 30. Bxa6 Rxc2
31. Rxe4 Qxe4 (31... Qxb3 $5) 32. Bd3 Qc6 33. Bxc2 Qxc2) ({or} 30. c3 Qxb3 31.
Bxa6 Ndf6 $1 32. Bxc8 Qxb2 {with the threats of ...Nf2+ and ...Qxc3
33. Rc1 d5 {
miracles begin.} ({There was an easy win by} 30... Ndf6 31. Bxe4 (31. Qxa6 $2
Nf2+ $1 32. Kg1 Rxc2) 31... Nxe4 32. Qe2 ({or} 32. c3 Qxa4 $1 33. Nd2 Nf6)
32... Nf6 33. c3 Qxa4 34. Nd2 {.}) 31. Qxa6 Ree8 (31... Rxc2 $2 32. Nd4 $1 {.})
32. Qe2 Kg8 {In order to capture the a4-pawn in complete comfort.} ({It was
too early for} 32... e4 $2 33. Bh5 $1 {with the threat of trapping the queen
by Rd4}) ({but an obvious advantage would have been retained by} 32... d5 $5
33. Qd2 (33. Bxd5 $2 Nxd5 34. Rxd5 Rxc2 $1 35. Rd2 Rec8 {and wins}) 33... Qh4
$1 34. Bxd5 (34. c3 Qxa4) ({or} 34. Kg1 e4 {is no better}) 34... Nxd5 35. Qxd5
Nf6 {(with the idea of 36 Qxf7? Ng4)} 36. g3 Qxa4) ({or the immediate} 32...
Qxa4 $1 33. Rxd6 (33. Bb7 Rc7 $1) 33... e4 34. Bh5 Ne5 {
then} e3 $1 {etc.}) 33. Bb7 $1 Rc4 $6 (33... Rc7 $1 {(with gain of tempo!)} 34.
Ba6 Qxa4 35. Rxd6 Qa2 $1 {and ...Qxb2 suggested itself
extra passed e-pawn.}) 34. Qd2 $6 (34. Ra1 {was more resilient.}) 34... Qxa4
35. Qxd6 $6 {Giving up the c2-pawn is equivalent to capitulation
is also in a sorry plight after} 35. h3 Qa2 ({or} 35... Rc7 36. Bf3 Qh4 {.}))
35... Rxc2 36. Nd2 Nf8 $2 {An instance which significantly affected my
subsequent performance in the tournament.} ({Black had more than one sure way
to the goal:} 36... Rxb2 37. Bc6 Qb4 ({or} 37... Qc2 {(with the idea of} 38.
Bxd7 Rd8 $1 {)})) (36... Ng4 37. Ne4 Ndf6) ({and} 36... Qf4 37. Bc6 Qxf5 {.}) (
{And even after my Informator suggestion} 36... Rb8 {(?!)
in view of} 37. Bf3 Rxb2 38. Ne4 {
({But where did this ridiculous knight move come from? In time-trouble
suddenly I nervously picked up the d7-knight and placed it on c5
immediately - without taking my hand off it
I saw that if} 36... Nc5 $2 {there is the fork} 37. Bc6 $1 {
Black who has to try and save himself:} Qh4 $1 38. g3 (38. Bxe8 Ng4 {is equal})
38... Qh5 39. Bxe8 Nxe8 40. Qd8 (40. Qxe5 $6 Nf6 41. Qe2 Ng4 $1 {is dangerous
Page 24
Sheet1
for White}) 40... Kh7 $1 41. Qxe8 Nd3 42. Rf1 Nf2+ {
pause I returned the knight to d7. Judit glanced in surprise at the arbiter
but I quickly played 36...Nf8 - in order to continue the fight! --- Although
there was no violation of the rules
sickening campaign against me unfolded (see below).}) 37. Ne4 N8d7 $6 ({An
advantage would still have been retained by} 37... Nxe4 38. Bxe4 Rxb2 39. Bc6
Qg4 40. h3 Qg5 {
{Judit made this losing move quickly
$1 Qxb3 (38... Qb5 39. Re3) 39. Bc6 $1 Nxe4 (39... Rc8 40. Bxd7) 40. Bxe4 Nf6
41. Bxc2 Qxc2 42. Qxb6 Qxf5 43. Rd8 {with a draw.}) 38... Nxf6 39. Qxb6 ({If}
39. Rxe5 Rxe5 40. Qxe5 {Black would have settled matters with} Ng4 $1 {.}) ({
It was also hopeless to play} 39. h3 Rxb2 (39... Qf4 $5) 40. Bc6 Qc2 $1 41. Rc1
Qf2 42. Rxe5 (42. Rf1 Qg3) 42... Rc8 43. Ree1 Rd2 44. Qa3 Rc2 $1 {with a
decisive material advantage.}) 39... Ng4 $5 {A tempting thrust
was a simpler win by} 39... Qh4 $1 {(with the threat of ...Ng4)} 40. Bf3 e4 41.
Be2 Ng4 42. Bxg4 Qxg4 43. Qg1 ({or} 43. Rg1 Qxf5 {
Rf1 $6 {Returning the favour in time-trouble.} (40. Kg1 {was more resilient
after which pinning the bishop by} Rb8 $1 {was decisive
forcing the gain of material:} 41. h3 Rxg2+ $1 42. Kxg2 Rxb7 $1 43. Qd8+ ({not
} 43. Qxb7 $2 {because of} Qc2+ 44. Kf3 Qf2+ 45. Ke4 Qg2+ 46. Kd3 Nf2+ {and
...Qxb7}) 43... Kh7 44. Re2 Rb3 $1 45. -- ({
47. Rf2 Rg3 $1 {leads to mate}) (45. Qd2 {is strongly met by} h5 $1) ({
if} 45. Rd3 {
48. Ke4 Qxb3 49. Qd2 g6 50. fxg6+ Kxg6 51. Qc3 Qb5 52. Kf3 f5 {
cannot hold out}) 46. Qd5 Qxd3 47. Qxd3 Rxd3 48. hxg4 f6 {with a won rook
endgame.})) 40... e4 $6 ({With my time about to run out I missed the simple}
40... Nf2+ $1 41. Rxf2 Rxf2 {
({The variation} 41. Rd4 $1 Rf2 $1 42. Rfd1 Qc2 43. Qc6 Rxg2 44. Qxc2 Rxc2 {
offered a glimmer of hope
down.}) 41... e3 $1 {The only way to win. I was proud of the fact that after
all the tribulations I was able to find and calculate all the necessary
variations.} 42. Bb3 ({If} 42. Qg6 $2 {there was the instantly decisive} Kh8 $1
{and ...e3-e2
would also have done.})) 42... Qe4 (42... Qa8 $5 43. Bxc2 e2 {was also good.})
43. Bxc2 Qxc2 44. Rd8 (44. Qb5 {would have been flamboyantly answered by} Qc7
$3 {with inevitable mate:} 45. Qxe8+ Kh7 46. g3 Qc2 {.}) ({It would not have
helped to play} 44. Rde1 e2 $1 45. Rf4 (45. Rg1 $2 Qc7 $1) ({or} 45. Rf3 Qd2
46. Qg1 Re3 {etc}) 45... Qd2 46. Qb4 Qxb4 47. Rxb4 Nf2+ {and ...Nd3.}) 44...
Rxd8 45. Qxd8+ Kh7 46. Qe7 {A final error
is no defence against the combined threats
passed pawn:} e2 ({or immediately} 46... Qd2 $1 47. Qxd2 exd2 48. b4 $1 Ne3 $1
49. Ra1 d1=Q+ 50. Rxd1 Nxd1 51. b5 Nf2+ $1 52. Kg1 Ne4 {and wins}) 47. Re1 Qd1
$1 48. Qg1 Qd2 $1 {and ...Ne5-d3.}) 46... Qc4 ({And in view of} 46... Qc4 47.
Ra1 {(b1)} Qf4 {White resigned.}) (46... -- {Despite the mutual mistakes
interesting game
down to analyse variations. Journalists and photographers crowded round our
table
And
content. --- I now had 4½ out of 5. But that day Karpov received a valuable
present from Ivanchuk
favourable position and an hour in hand on the clock

'floundered'
resigned. 5 out of 5! It was then that the anxious thought first crept into my
mind: suppose this continues? --- In the sixth round I again had Black and
with difficulty I saved half a point in a skirmish with Gelfand
again remembered about 1 e4 and methodically outplayed Polgar: 1...c5 2 c3!?
e6 3 d4 d5 4 exd5 exd5 5 Nf3 Nc6 6 Bb5 c4?! 7 Ne5! Qb6 8 Bxc6+ bxc6 9 0-0 Bd6
Page 25
Sheet1
10 b3!
report by Roman Toran (a well-known FIDE official
Campomanes and Karpov)
supposedly made the move 36...Nc5
allegedly been established by examining the TV footage - Spanish TV had filmed

the game. --- Vladimir Dvorkovich: 'Here were given the words of the chief
arbiter Carlos Falcon
point did Kasparov break contact with the knight. And Polgar did not appeal to
me." But this 'news' also found its way into other organs of the press. They
began saying that journalists were about to be shown the video recording of
this episode. A scandal blew up. Here Luis Rentero
game
number of unscrupulous journalists were inflating a made-up episode
was damaging the tournament's prestige and that he would not allow any
demonstrations of the video tape. Things immediately quietened down! I
however
not demonstrate anything. When slowed down (I looked at the tape several times
at various speeds) one can see the fingers parting

establish that the piece was completely released.' --- The psychological
attack on me had not only immediate
pronouncement by Evgeny Bareev
typical: 'In his time Kasparov said: if you have slightly let go of the piece
this does not count. Well
ethics' allows him to take a move back. It is good that the cameras were
filming and the video was later shown. Since then I have never believed
Kasparov.' --- It was on this terrible background that in the seventh round I
had White against Karpov. I was on 5 out of 6
out of 6! Everyone realised that this was the decisive game of the tournament.
Before it there was a free day
racking our brains over how on this occasion to try and breach the Caro-Kann
Defence. In it I twice won against Karpov in Amsterdam (1988)

Linares (1992 and 2001)
and evidently I burned myself out even while preparing for the game. I find it
hard to remember another similar preparation for a game
White
I was obliged to try and save myself - as it is said
didn't happen (Game No.39 in Kasparov vs. Karpov 1988-2009). --- Averbakh:
'Whereas in the previous two Linares tournaments it was his victories over
Karpov that
time it was a case of 'diamond cut diamond': the game ended in a draw
gap remained unchanged.'}) (46... -- {In the eighth round I drew with Black in
a very complicated game with Shirov
outplayed Gelfand in time-trouble
obvious advantage
difficult problems
7½ out of 8! I was now one and a half points behind. --- In the ninth round
I played the 19-year-old Gata Kamsky
well for me. By that time he (like both Anand and Kramnik) was already a
quarter-finalist in the candidates matches of both series
the following game).}) 0-1
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.03.06"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Kasparov
Page 26
Sheet1
[Black "Kamsky
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B17"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
1. e4 c6 ({A year earlier in the previous Linares
(Game No.100 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov)
surprised me with his choice of the Caro-Kann. Logic typical of Kamsky: since
a couple of days previously I had played poorly against this opening
meant it should be repeated!}) 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 (3. exd5 {- Game No.23}) (3. e5

{- Game No.77.}) 3... dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Ng5 ({In the seventh round I played}
5. Bc4 {against Karpov
him back in Amsterdam 1988.}) 5... Ngf6 6. Bd3 e6 7. N1f3 Bd6 8. Qe2 ({More
aggressive than} 8. O-O {- Game No.34 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry
Kasparov).}) 8... h6 9. Ne4 Nxe4 10. Qxe4 {A modern tabiya of the variation
which I began studying before my fifth match with Karpov (1990).} Qc7 ({
Another popular reply is} 10... Nf6 11. Qe2 (11. Qh4 Ke7 $5 {
Dortmund 1993}) 11... Qc7 12. Bd2 b6 13. O-O-O Bb7 {
and by Karpov
Elista 1996).}) 11. Qg4 {A key divergence: Black has three paths.} (11. O-O b6
(11... c5 12. Re1 $1 {with the idea of} Nf6 ({or} 12... c4 13. Bf1) 13. Qh4)
12. Qg4 {is probably more accurate
12... Kf8 {(cf. the note to 11...g5)}) 13. Qh3 Rg8 {

(Anand-Bologan
but it is dubious. The abrupt weakening of the flank is an attempt to exploit
the advanced position of the white queen.} ({Anand's novelty} 11... Rg8 {(Game
No.48) is also suspicious.}) ({The best is} 11... Kf8 $1 {(Kharitonov)} 12. O-O
c5 {
Bb7 14. Bb2 Nf6 15. Qh3 $5 (15. Qh4 Nd5 $1 {Arakhamia-Portisch
}) 15... Nd5 16. g3 {White has slightly the better chances (Inarkiev-Galkin
Kemer 2007)}) 13. c3 (13. b3 e5 $1 {
14. Re1 {
is sounder}) 15. Qh3 {with a small plus.}) 12. Qh3 $1 {Quickly and confidently
played: back in September 1990 Beliavsky and I had analysed this queen retreat
followed by the manoeuvre Nd2-e4. For a start Bxg5 is threatened.} Rg8 $1 ({
Weak is} 12... Bf4 $6 13. O-O Bxc1 14. Raxc1 Qf4 15. Rce1 {
Paris 1989.}) 13. Nd2 $1 ({The h6-pawn is poisoned:} 13. Qxh6 $2 {loses a
piece after} Bf8 $1 {.}) (13. Bh7 $6 {(McDonald-Conquest
also unfavourable in view of} g4 $1 14. Qxh6 Bf8 15. Qe3 (15. Qh4 $6 Be7) 15...
gxf3 16. Bxg8 fxg2 {
first of all preserves his bishop from exchange and defends the h6-pawn.} ({
And indeed
unpleasant} 14. Ne4 cxd4 (14... Bf8 $2 15. dxc5 $1) ({or} 14... b6 15. Qf3 $1 {
Wells-Gonzalez Garcia
Therefore a better version of the gambit is} 13... b6 $5 14. Qxh6 (14. Ne4 $5)
14... Bb7 15. Ne4 {
of compensation:} 16. Bxg5 ({or} 16. dxc5 Bxc5 {
(Spangenberg-Roca
13... g4 $5 {(Frolov-Ponomariov
Bxc1 16. Rxc1 Qf4 17. O-O Nf6 {
however
Page 27
Sheet1
16... b6 17. Qa3 Bb7 {with good play for the pawn.}) 14. Ne4 ({The quiet} 14.
O-O Nf6 $6 {(Palac-Arlandi
) 15. Nc4 {.}) 14... Bg7 ({Now if} 14... b6 $6 {there is the very strong} 15.
f4 $1 g4 (15... gxf4 $6 16. O-O) 16. Qh5 {with the threat of f4-f5 and the
possibility of both kingside and queenside castling.}) ({The weakening} 14...
f5 $6 {is also dangerous in view of} 15. Bc4 $1 Rg6 $6 16. Qh5 Kf7 17. f4 $1 {.
}) 15. O-O $5 {(a pawn sacrifice for the initiative!)} Bxd4 (15... b6 $6 16. c3
$6 {Too timid!} ({Black could also hardly be satisfied with} 16... Bxe3 $2 17.
fxe3) ({or} 16... g4 $6 17. Qh4 Bxe3 18. fxe3 f5 19. Qxh6 Qe5 20. Ng3 {
followed by the e3-e4 break.}) ({But
second pawn -} 16... Bxb2 $5 {.} 17. -- ({. After this I spent a long time
analyzing a sharp exchange sacrifice -} 17. c3 $6 Bxa1 18. Rxa1 {and in the
end I came to the conclusion that after} Rg6 $1 {Black should be able to
defend: with his enormous material advantage he can give something back at the
right time.}) (17. Rad1 Be5 18. g3 $1 {
stronger
$2 ({or} 18... Rg6 $6 19. Nd6+ $1 {and Bxg6}) 19. f4 $1 {. White has a
splendid attacking position
the game he retains both an attack and his b-pawn.})) 17. Rad1 Nf6 $2 {The
decisive mistake: my opponent thought that the h6-pawn was taboo.} ({However
things are also not easy for Black after} 17... b6 {(Berglund-Gardarsson
correspondence 2002)} 18. Be2 $1 Bb7 (18... Nf6 $2 19. f4 $1) 19. Bh5 {.}) ({or
} 17... Nb6 18. c4 $1 {with a crushing attack after} Bd7 $6 (18... f5 $6 19.
Be2 $1) 19. f4 $1 gxf4 20. Qh4 $1 fxe3 ({or} 20... f5 21. Rxf4 $1 Rg7 22. Be2
$1 {
Bh7 $1 ({Or first} 19. Qxh6 {.}) 19... Rh8 ({In the event of} 19... Rf8 20.
Qxh6 {both} Qe7 ({and} 20... Be7 21. Rd2 $1 {with the threats of Rfd1 and Bxg5
are fatal for Black}) 21. f4 g4 22. f5 exf5 23. b4 {.}) 20. Qxh6 Be7 ({Gata
was relying on} 20... Qe7 21. Bc5 $1 Rxh7 {
22. Rd8+ $3 Qxd8 23. Qf8+ Kd7 24. Rd1+ Kc7 25. Rxd8 Bxd8 $2 26. Qd6# {.}) 21.
Qg7 Rf8 22. Rd3 Bd7 23. Bxg5 Bxg5 24. Qxg5 Qd8 {In a hopeless position Kamsky
fights on
28. Qe5 (28. Qa4 $1 {.}) 28... Ba6 29. Be4 Rc8 30. c4 Rg8 ({After} 30... Bxc4
$2 {White mates by} 31. Bxc6+ $1) ({while if} 30... Qc5 {
32. Rc1 {and wins.}) 31. b3 Bb7 32. Rfd1 Ba8 33. c5 bxc5 ({Or} 33... Qxc5 34.
Qxc5 bxc5 35. Rd7 {.}) 34. Rd6 c4 35. bxc4 ({There was no need for} 35. Bh7 $5)
({or the startling} 35. Bg6 $3 {.}) 35... c5 36. Bxa8 Rxa8 37. Qxc5 Rb8 38. g3
Qb7 39. Qd4 Kf8 40. Qf6 {. A short but interesting battle. I now had 7 out of
9 - more points than in all my previous victorious tournaments in Linares. But
on this occasion I merely reduced the gap behind the leader: Karpov was unable
to win a superior ending against Shirov and was on 'only' 8 out of 9. --- I
still had to play Kramnik
I was pinning my hopes on a powerful finish
tournament atmosphere
about how the official FIDE world champion should be helped. No sooner had the
talk of my 'released hand' in the game with Polgar begun to die away
persistent rumours began circulating about how Kramnik and Beliavsky were
bound to 'throw' their games against me. This had never happened in my life!
All this preyed hugely on my nerves
pressure. --- In the tenth round - a rare instance in this tournament -
fortune turned its back on my rival: after reaching an endgame against Kamsky
with an extra pawn and winning chances
hasty 33rd move. Alas
Black against Kramnik
overstepped the mark
Page 28
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this game that my problems with Kramnik began: that same year I twice lost to
him in PCA rapid tournaments - on 22 April in Moscow and on 30 June in New
York. Later
difficult opponent had emerged. --- The leader was again 1½ points ahead
and now there were just three rounds before the finish. My last hope was the
11th round
game I was successful (see the following game).} 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.03.11"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Anand
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B57"]

[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
1. e4 ({See 18 Rf3:} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2
e6 7. O-O Be7 8. f4 O-O 9. Kh1 Qc7 10. a4 Nc6 11. Be3 Re8 12. Bf3 Rb8 13. Qd2
Bd7 14. Nb3 b6 15. g4 Bc8 16. g5 Nd7 17. Bg2 {. Here White's king (on h1
instead of g1) and his queen (on d2 instead of d1) are both worse placed
the main thing is that it is Black to move
} ({not} 17. Qf2 {- Game No.7 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov})
17... Bb7 18. Rf3 Na5 $1 (18... Bf8 $6 {is dangerous in view of} 19. Qf2 g6 20.
Rh3 Bg7 21. Qh4 $1 Nf8 22. f5 $1 Bxc3 23. f6 $3 {
Gothenburg 1998}) 19. Qf2 Nc4 20. Bc1 d5 $1 {with sharp play. But in our case
it is White to move and Black has not yet brought out his bishop to b7
means - attack!}) 1... c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. Nge2 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 {(after
the 'anti-Sveshnikov' move order
reached)} 6. Bc4 {At that time I regularly played this.} Qb6 {The expected
reply.} ({Since 1991 Makarychev and I had also done much analysis of the
Velimirovic Attack -} 6... e6 7. Be3 {with the idea of Qe2 and 0-0-0
unfortunately I was not in fact able to employ it.}) 7. Nb3 {The most popular
continuation;} ({and more promising than} 7. Nde2 e6 8. O-O a6 9. Bb3 Be7 10.
Bg5 Qc7 11. Ng3 b5 {(Kasparov-Timman
{It would have been in the style of the 11th world champion to play} 8. O-O Be7
9. Be3 Qc7 10. f4 O-O 11. Bd3 a6 12. g4 {(Fischer-Saidy
} 8. Be3 Qc7 9. f4 a6 10. Bd3 b5 11. Qf3 Bb7 12. g4 {(Fischer-Soos
1967). But I liked an old idea of Igor Zaitsev - with gain of tempo to lure
the black knight to e5
9. Be2 Be7 ({If} 9... a6 {I was planning} 10. Be3 $1 (10. Bg3 h5 $1 {
Ivanchuk-Kramnik
and 0-0-0 with the initiative
$2 15. e5) ({or} 14... Bc6 $2 15. Rd4 {
(Ivanchuk-Kramnik
$1 {with the threat of Na5}) 16. f5 Be7 17. Rhe1 {
interesting
Qc7 12. a6 O-O 13. O-O Rfb8 $1 {.}) 10. Be3 Qc7 11. f4 {An interesting moment:
where should the knight move to?} Nc6 {Switching to Scheveningen lines.} (11...
Nc4 $5 {was probably sounder} 12. -- ({
(13... b6 $5) 14. f5 b5 15. Nd2 Qc6 {with equality (Rublevsky-Svidler
Page 29
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1995)}) ({
Qc6 $1 15. -- ({
Nxe4 $1) 16... Nd5 $1 17. Nc4 (17. exd6 Bd8 $1) 17... dxe5 18. Nxe5 Qd8 19.
O-O-O f6 20. Nc4 {
I were planning} 15. N3d4 $5 Qd7 16. O-O-O {with the hope of developing an
initiative in the event of} O-O 17. e5 $1 {(Rublevsky-Nevednichy
However
is a complicated game in prospect (Lastin-Lukin
13. O-O O-O ({A thematic tactical nuance: White does not hurry with a2-a4
since if} 13... b5 $6 {the break} 14. e5 dxe5 15. fxe5 {is unpleasant. For
example:} -- (15... Nxe5 $6 16. Bxa8 Neg4 {- I studied this gambit during the
game:} 17. Bf4 ({but the bold} 17. Re1 $1 Qxh2+ 18. Kf1 {is even stronger})
17... e5 (17... Qa7+ $6 18. Qd4 $1 Qxa8 19. h3) 18. Nd5 Nxd5 ({if} 18... Qa7+
$6 {there is the decisive} 19. Nd4 $1 O-O 20. Nxe7+ Qxe7 21. Re1 ({or} 21. h3))
19. Qxd5 O-O (19... Qa7+ $6 20. Nd4 $1) ({or} 19... exf4 $6 20. Qc6+ $1 {is
worse}) 20. h3 exf4 21. hxg4 Qa7+ 22. Kh1 Be6 23. Qb7 Rxa8 24. Qxa7 Rxa7 25.
Rxf4 {
Bxc6 Qxc6 17. -- ({
with good compensation for the exchange (} 20. Qa7 b4 {and ...Qxe5
Asrian-Fominykh
possible continuations:} -- (17... Qb7 18. Qg4 $1 b4 (18... g6 $2 19. Rxf7 $1)
({while if} 18... Rf8 {
powerful attack:} Qd5 21. c4 $1 Qxc4 22. Qf3 Rb8 23. b3 $1 Qd5 24. Qxd5 exd5
25. Nf5 {and wins}) (17... Qc7 $5 18. Rxf7 $1 {(a surprise!)} Kxf7 19. Qf3+ $1
Kg8 ({or} 19... Ke8 20. Qxa8 Nb6 21. Qc6+ Qxc6 22. Nxc6 Nc4 23. Nxe7 Kxe7 24.
Bc5+ Kd7 25. b3 Nxe5 26. Bd4) 20. Qxa8 (20. Nd5 $5) 20... Qb7 21. Qxb7 Bxb7 22.
Rf1 Bc5 23. Bf2 {
))) 14. a4 $1 {Before the storming of Black's king's fortress
with ...b7-b5 must be forestalled.} ({If immediately} 14. g4 {
Nd7 16. a3 $6 Nb6 $1 {
1994).}) 14... b6 {(the clamping a4-a5 was threatened)} 15. g4 $1 {Now is the
time! Even despite the fact that this Scheveningen tabiya occurs far more
often with White to move
and Rf3 (fresh examples: Alekseev-Golod
Luis 2005)
faces a problem: how to make best use of the extra tempo?} Rb8 {A typical move
preparing not so much ...b6-b5
even more effective with the white queen on d2).} ({Makarychev recommended}
15... Bb7 {
attack
with Kh1
22. Bf3 $1 Bf8 $2 (22... Kg7 $1 23. Nd4 $1 e5 24. f5 {is not so clear}) 23.
Bxh5 $1 gxh5 24. f5 exf5 25. Qxh5 Bg7 26. Nd4 Re5 27. Rf1 Nf8 $2 (27... Qc4 {
is more resilient}) 28. Nxf5 Rxf5 29. exf5 {and wins (Galdunt-W.Müller
Badenweiler 1994).}) ({However
sharp continuation} 15... d5 $5 16. exd5 Rd8 {
tempting queen sacrifice -} 17. dxc6 (17. Qe2 $5 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 exd5 19. c3 {
with a small plus is probably better}) 17... Rxd1 18. Raxd1 {. My optimistic
analysis of this line was published in Informator and the magazine Shakhmatny
Vestnik
advantage and the chances are equal.}) 16. g5 Nd7 17. Bg2 {This position has
also occurred many times with White to move
attack with Rf3-h3 (an example: Slizhevsky-Bryzgalin
Again a typical move
nervy} 17... b5 $6 {is premature on account of} 18. axb5 axb5 19. Qe2 $1 {
when White turns his attention to the queenside weaknesses.}) (17... Na5 18.
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Nd4 $1 Nc4 19. Bc1 b5 $2 {is even worse in view of} 20. axb5 axb5 21. b3 $1 Na3
(21... Ne3 22. Ncxb5 $1) 22. Nf5 $1 {with crushing threats.}) 18. Rf3 {Why did
I choose the typical rook manoeuvre? Let us compare the position with the
well-known position after 1...c5.} ({By transposition and with a different
move numeration White earlier played} 18. Qh5 {(Kagan-Csom
18. Qe2 {(Spassky-Kindermann

(Serper-MacKay
Istanbul Olympiad 2012)}) ({and} 18. h4 Bb7 19. h5 {(Berger-Schlosser
Bundesliga 2012).}) 18... Nc5 ({Pawn activity on the queenside is
inappropriate:} 18... b5 $6 19. axb5 axb5 20. Bf1 $1) ({or} 18... Bf8 19. Rh3
g6 20. Qe1 $1 {(now aiming for h4)} b5 $2 ({the lesser evil was} 20... Bg7 21.
f5 $1) ({or} 20... Nb4 21. Qf2 {with the threat of Rf1 and f4-f5}) 21. axb5
axb5 22. Bf1 $1 {(Solozhenkin-Baron Rodriguez
made the risky knight move quite quickly
in useful for the protection of the king after
20. Qh5 Nf8 {(van der Mije-Makai
attack is based on the threat of 21 Qh4 h5 22 Bf3! and Bxh5! in combination
with the f4-f5 break.} Nb4 $2 {A decisive although by no means obvious mistake.
In seeking a counterattack on the queenside

abandons its king to its fate.} ({White is also better after} 20... Bf8 $6 21.
Qh4 h5 22. gxh6 $1 ({in Informator for some reason only the unclear} 22. Bf3
Bg7 23. Bxh5 gxh5 24. Qxh5 {is given}) 22... Qe7 ({Makarychev's move} 22... Kh7
{is worse because of} 23. Nd4 $1) 23. Qf2 {
considering his move
which I was planning a sharp rook sacrifice -} 21. Rxh5 $1 ({little is given by
} 21. Qh4 Nxb3 22. cxb3 d5 23. Bf3 Kg7 $1 24. exd5 exd5 25. Nxd5 Qd8) ({or} 21.
gxh6 Nxb3 22. cxb3 d5 $1) 21... gxh5 22. Qxh5 {. In later analysis Makarychev
and I came to the conclusion that after} Nd7 $2 ({
wins by} 23. g6 $1) ({
23. -- (23. Rf1 Bf8 $1 24. Rf3 Bg7) ({
g6 {(!)} fxg6 24. Qxg6+ Kh8 {forces only a draw. However
extended this last variation -} 25. Nxc5 dxc5 26. Qh6+ Kg8 27. Qxe6+ {
transpires that Black has no defence:} Kf8 ({or} 27... Kh8 28. Qh3+ {and Qg4+})
28. Qf5+ Kg7 29. Qg4+ Kf7 (29... Kf8 30. Nd5 Qd6 31. e5) ({or} 29... Kh8 30.
Nd5 Qd6 31. Ra3 $1 {is even worse}) 30. Rd1 $1 Rbd8 (30... Nd4 31. Rxd4 $1) 31.
Qh5+ Kg8 ({or} 31... Kg7 32. Rd5 {and wins}) 32. Qg6+ Kf8 33. Nd5 {.})) ({.
Incidentally
Rd8 23. g6 $1 fxg6 24. Qxg6+ Kh8 25. Nd4 $1 {(and if} Nb4 {
)}) ({
e5 $1 Bg7 25. exd6 fxg6 26. dxc7 gxh5 27. cxb8=Q Nxb8 28. cxb3 {with a won
ending}) ({
retaining an extra pawn and an attack.})) ({And yet Vishy had the opportunity
for a far more resilient defence
21. Qh4 ({or} 21. Bf3 h5 $1 22. gxh6 Nxb3 23. cxb3 d5) 21... h5 22. Bf3 Kg7 $1)
({as well as} 20... Nxb3 $5 21. Qh4 h5 22. cxb3 d5 23. Bf3 Kg7 24. exd5 exd5
25. Nxd5 Qd8 $1 {with an acceptable game.}) ({20...Nxb3!? is more solid than
the immediate} 20... d5 21. Qh4 h5 22. Bf3 Kg7 23. exd5 exd5 24. Nxd5 Qd6 $1 {.
}) 21. Qh4 h5 22. Bf3 $1 {The thematic Bxh5 is in the air.} Bf8 {Allowing the
bishop sacrifice
{It could have been forestalled by} 22... Kg7 {
followed} 23. f5 $1 e5 $1 {the only chance;} (23... exf5 $2 24. Bd4+ Kf8 25.
Bxh5 $1 {with crushing threats}) 24. f6+ Kg8 25. Nxc5 $1 bxc5 26. fxe7 Bxh3 27.
Qxh3 Qxe7 (27... Nxc2 $2 28. Bxh5 $1) 28. Qg2 {
should cope without difficulty with the rook.}) 23. Bxh5 $1 gxh5 {In going in
for this variation
} (23... Bg7 {was more resilient
Page 31
Sheet1
the same Black stands badly:} -- (25... gxf5 26. Bxc5 bxc5 27. exf5 $1 ({
instead of} 27. g6 $6 {as given in Informator}) 27... Bxf5 (27... c4 28. Rf1 $1
) 28. Rf1 {
31. Qxh3) (25... Nxb3 26. Bxg6 $1 fxg6 (26... Kf8 27. Rf1 $1 {with the threat
of f5-f6}) 27. Qh7+ Kf8 28. Rf1 Qc4 (28... gxf5 29. exf5 {and wins}) 29. f6
Qxf1+ 30. Kxf1 Bxh3+ 31. Kg1 $1 Rb7 32. Bxb6 {and the game cannot be saved}) (
25... exd4 26. Bxg6 fxg6 (26... dxc3 $2 27. Qh7+ Kf8 28. f6 $1) 27. Qh7+ Kf8
28. Rf1 $1 Ke7 ({in Informator only} 28... gxf5 29. exf5 {and wins is given})
29. f6+ Kd8 30. fxg7 Rb7 31. g8=Q Qxh7 32. Qxh7 Rxh7 33. Rxh7 dxc3 34. bxc3 {
and Rf6 - the furious activity of White's rooks guarantees a win}) (25... Nxe4
26. fxg6 fxg6 27. Bg4 $1 Bxg4 28. Qh7+ Kf7 29. Rf1+ Bf5 30. Nxe4 Rh8 31. Rxf5+
gxf5 32. Qxf5+ Kg8 33. Rf3 $1 Qe7 34. Nf6+ Bxf6 35. gxf6 Qf7 36. Bxe5 $1 Rh5
37. Rg3+ Kh8 38. Rh3 $1 {

Kxh7 42. f7 Rxg3+ 43. hxg3 Kg7 44. Nd4 Kxf7 45. Kf2 {White achieves a won
knight endgame}) (25... gxh5 26. Bxc5 bxc5 27. Qxh5 Kf8 28. f6 Bxh3 29. Qh7 $1
Rec8 30. fxg7+ Ke7 31. Qxh3 Qd7 32. Qf3 $1 Qe6 33. Rf1 Rg8 34. Qf6+ Qxf6 35.
gxf6+ Ke6 36. Na5 {
decide the outcome.})) 24. Qxh5 Bg7 25. Bd4 e5 26. f5 $1 Nxe4 {An illusion of
counterplay.} ({However
Qh7+ Kf8 28. f6 {with mate in two moves}) ({or} 26... Kf8 27. Nxc5 $1 bxc5 28.
Be3 {with the murderous threat of Qh7 and f5-f6.}) 27. Qh7+ Kf8 28. Nxe4 Bxf5
29. Qxf5 exd4 {For an instant it may seem that things have become easier for
Black: with material equal
placed it is on g1 - there are no pins!} 30. Nf6 $1 {At this the discussion
concludes.} (30. Rf1 $5 Re5 31. Qg6 {with the threat of Rh7 was also very
convincing.}) 30... Qxc2 31. Nxd4 Qxb2 ({After} 31... Qxf5 32. Nxf5 {Black
loses at least the exchange}) ({while if} 31... Qd2 {there is both my
Informator piece sacrifice -} 32. Rf1 ({as well as the simple} 32. Nd7+ Ke7 33.
Nb3) 32... Qxd4+ 33. Kh1 Qc4 34. Nd7+ Ke7 35. Re3+ Be5 36. Nxe5 dxe5 37. Qxe5+
Kd7 38. Rd1+ {.}) 32. Rd1 {A logical human move
and retaining complete domination without having to search for anything.} ({
But the computer administers immediate punishment -} 32. Nd7+ $5 Ke7 33. Re1+
Kd8 ({or} 33... Be5 34. Rh4 $1 ({instead of the Informator move} 34. Nf3) 34...
Qc3 35. Rxe5+ $1 dxe5 36. Nxe5 {
34. Rxe8+ Kxe8 35. Re3+) 32... Re5 {(to defend against the mating attack
Vishy is forced to give up the exchange)} 33. Nd7+ Ke7 34. Nxe5 Bxe5 35. Qe4 $1
{. Not wishing to drag out the hopeless resistance
I reached 8 out of 11. But Karpov won in good style against Kramnik
not yet regained his composure after his game with me

out of 11! Averbakh: 'The question of first place was essentially decided by
Kramnik: after winning against Kasparov
(Game No.103 in Part V of My Great Predecessors). At this the race concluded.
--- In the 12th round I had a highly painful game with Beliavsky
performed extremely badly in the tournament: because of the talk about the
'throwing' of the game
draw concluded our meetings in 'classical' play (+11-2=14). That day Karpov
drew with Anand
Catalan. But I
White against the 20-year-old tournament debutant JoQl Lautier and resigned as
early as the 30th move
anyone expected such a stunning victory for Karpov. Everything worked out for
him
most impressive tournament results in chess history (+9=4). When I had not yet
cooled down after the battle
was not supported by outstanding play. I have seen Karpov play better. Now he
has found an optimal manner of play
Page 32
Sheet1
playing qualities enables him to achieve the maximum results with the minimum
expenditure of nervous energy. A kind of apotheosis of pragmatism! On this
occasion I played badly
to play well in the next tournament.' --- But for this I needed to replenish
my store
after Linares 1994 that I sensed for the first time that my opening knowledge
accumulated in the 1980s and early 1990s

leap to a new
was now looking at other openings! Thus for me this amazing tournament became
a turning-point
of 1993.}) (35. -- {For Karpov this was undoubtedly the 'tournament of his
life'. After it the FIDE champion apparently decided that by now he had
demonstrated everything to everyone
press: 'Yes
needs this match more than I do.' Soon Karpov's tournament successes began to
decline and
board. But even so I was able to turn the tables in Las Palmas 1996 and
Linares 2001. --- Soon after my return from Linares a convenient opportunity
at last presented itself for me to make peace with Botvinnik (I should remind
you that we had had serious ideological disagreements). In April 1994 Moscow
together with the PCA was preparing to stage a grandiose festival - the
'Kremlin stars' rapid-play knock-out tournament. How honourable and symbolic
it would be if the chief arbiter of the first super-tournament in the Kremlin
were to be the great Botvinnik! And so with Andrei Makarov
of the Russian Chess Federation
this meeting
Central Chess Club. --- By that time Mikhail Moiseevich's eyesight was very
poor
But his mind was completely clear. Just as 15-20 years earlier
exactly what he wanted and what he didn't want. He listened impassively to our
suggestion that he should be the chief arbiter of the tournament and
little thought
something of that sort. --- I said to him: 'Mikhail Moiseevich

of the game is one that will make it more popular...' But he replied: 'This
will cause enormous damage
everyone is playing - hundreds of grandmasters. Even Vasily Vasilievich is
playing in this tournament!' And he in reply: 'I don't give a damn about the
opinion of the majority! I am used to thinking with my own mind!' --- That was
Botvinnik to the core. And so we left empty-handed. That was my last meeting
with the Teacher.}) 1-0
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Amsterdam Quartet"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{Double-Round Match-Tournament in Amsterdam (Euwe Memorial
Kasparov - 4 out of 6; 2. Ivanchuk - 3½; 3. Timman - 2½; 4. Short - 2.} 1.
-- {My first 'classical' appearance after Linares was in May at the Euwe
Memorial in Amsterdam. The organisers were intending to stage a double-round
Page 33
Sheet1
four-player match-tournament of all the contestants in the recent title
matches - Kasparov
case the event would have acquired the character of an absolute world
championship - of FIDE and the PCA'. But
Karpov declined to play and was quickly replaced by Ivanchuk - a player with
truly champion-like playing potential
stability of results. --- Over such a short distance - just six rounds! - any
of my three opponents could have been my rival. After obtaining No.1 in the
drawing of lots
was unable to beat Ivanchuk with White - a draw as early as the 21st move!
Meanwhile
round
was able to make use of something from the extensive analytical knowledge
accumulated for our 1993 match. At the time many were surprised by why Short
avoided his usual French Defence
part of the iceberg was revealed.} *

[Event "10: Amsterdam"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.05.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Short
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C11"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 ({Having decided to choose the French
moment Nigel does not venture his favourite} 3... Bb4 {(Game No.12)}) ({while}
3... dxe4 {(Game No.84) was a move that he hardly ever played.}) 4. e5 Nfd7 5.
f4 c5 6. Nf3 {Later this line occurred quite often in my white games
the whole it brought me reasonable results.} Nc6 (6... Qb6 7. Be3 a6 {is
another way of fighting for equality
dxc5 Bxc5 10. Na4 Qa5+ 11. b4 Qxa4 12. bxc5 O-O 13. c4 Qa5+ 14. Qd2 Rd8 $1 {
Kasparov-Radjabov
Qxd4 Nc6 12. Qd2 Be7 {.}) 7. Be3 cxd4 ({If} 7... Qb6 {there follows} 8. Na4
Qa5+ 9. c3 {and now} c4 ({or} 9... cxd4 10. b4 Nxb4 11. cxb4 Bxb4+ 12. Bd2
Bxd2+ 13. Nxd2 g5 $6 (13... O-O 14. Bd3 b5 15. Nb2 Nb6 {and ...Nc4 is better})
14. Rb1 $1 gxf4 15. Bb5 Rb8 $2 16. Nc5 {
in the first round!)}) 10. b4 $1 Qc7 11. g4 $5 (11. g3 Be7 12. Bh3 {is also
quite good
13. a3 {with the prospect of developing an offensive on the kingside
(Kasparov-Dreev
for example:} 8. Qd2 ({once
Kasparov-Ivanchuk
Be7 {is less good
Qf2 $5) 10... c4 11. g4 h5 12. gxh5 Rxh5 13. Ng3 Rh8 14. f5 {
initiative (Kasparov-Radjabov
9. Qd2 Qxb2 10. Rb1 Qa3 11. Bb5 {White has good play for the pawn
practice shows that Black can defend.}) 9. Qd2 {One of the French tabiyas.} O-O
{The most popular continuation.} (9... a6 {comes to the same thing after} 10.
O-O-O (10. Nce2 Qe7 $5 {
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Sheet1
Nxd4 11. Bxd4 O-O {allows} 12. Bxc5 $5 Nxc5 13. Qd4 {
g2-g4 and f4-f5
Another well-trodden path is} 9... Bxd4 10. Bxd4 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Qb6 {.} 12. -- (
{. We looked closely at the endgame after} 12. Qxb6 Nxb6 {
} 13. Nb5 ({I was attracted by} 13. a4 $5 {
13... Ke7 14. O-O-O Bd7 {with equality (Chandler-Short
. In addition
Bd7 14. Qd4 a6 15. h4 {and Rh3 is not so critical
}) 13. Rb1 Qa3 14. Nb5 Qxa2 15. Nd6+ Ke7 16. -- ({
$1 {White only has perpetual check (Shirov-Bareev
({
(Almasi-Bareev
} 16. Rc1 $5 Qb2 ({or} 16... b6 17. Be2 $1 Qa5 18. c3 {(Carlsen-Prasca
Olympiad 2006) with sufficient compensation for the pawn}) 17. Be2 {
(Grischuk-Zvjaginsev
itself
11. O-O-O Nb6 $6 12. Nb3 $1 Bxe3 13. Qxe3 Bd7 14. Kb1 {with some advantage for
White (Kasparov-Shirov
that time.} (11. Kb1 {was also played (De Firmian-Short
1990)}) ({but} 11. Nb3 $5) ({or} 11. Qf2 $5 {is objectively better (an example:
Kramnik-Radjabov
would have led to a position from the De Firmian-Short game
Bb7 ({however
Na4 (14. Ne2 a5) 14... Bxd4 15. Qxd4 a5 ({or} 15... Qa5 16. b3 Bb7 {is more
active})) 14. h5 b4 15. Ne2 a5 16. Bxc5 $1 Nxc5 17. Nd4 Ne4 18. Qe3 {White
gained a small advantage.}) ({The immediate} 13. h5 {is more reasonable
here also after} b4 {Black can defend:} 14. -- (14. Ne2 a5 15. Bxc5 Nxc5 16.
Qe3 Qb6 (16... Qc7 $5) 17. f5 a4 18. Kb1 {(Smirin-Lputian
Qc7 $1 {with the idea of ...Ne4}) ({
stronger than} 15... a5 {
h6 ({the sharp} 17. f5 $6 {does not work in view of} Bc6 $1 18. f6 gxf6 19.
exf6 Kh8 $1 {
19. Nxc3 Bc6 20. Kb2 Rfb8 {is unfavourable for White}) 18... Bc6 19. Nb2 Qc5 {
with approximate equality. --- In playing 13 Rh3 I was pinning my hopes not on
a direct attack
superior pawn structure. It is important above all to hinder ...f7-f6 and the
immediate opening of the centre.})) 13... b4 ({Now} 13... Bb7 {deserves
consideration
play results from} 14. g4 b4 15. Ne2 a5 16. g5 Ba6 $1 17. h5 Qb6 {
Jongsma-Stellwagen
Krasnoyarsk 2007}) 14... b4 15. Ne2 a5 16. Kb1 {
and Nd4 (De Firmian-Short) White has made the rather abstract move Rh3.}) 14.
Na4 Bxd4 15. Qxd4 {This position
(Leeuwarden 1992)
training session in Podolsk with my friend Smbat Lputian
the French Defence.} f6 $6 {A novelty!} ({The aforementioned game went} 15...
Qa5 $6 16. b3 Bb7 17. c3 $1 Rfc8 18. Kb2 bxc3+ 19. Rxc3 Rxc3 20. Qxc3 Qxc3+ ({
but Black could have complicated the play with} 20... Qd8 $1 {and ...Rc8
(Nijboer's recommendation} 21. Rc1 Rc8 22. Qb4 {is ineffective in view of} Rxc1
$1 23. Kxc1 Bc6 24. g3 a5 25. Qd4 Bxa4 26. Qxa4 Nc5 27. Qd4 Ne4 28. Qe3 f5 $1 {
)}) 21. Nxc3 {with a favourable endgame for White. --- Therefore we gave
preference to 20 Nxc3! and came to the conclusion that here White's chances
are better. --- That is what I was intending to play. However
returning to the position depicted in the diagram
excellent move 15...f6 - White's centre is destroyed
particular problems.' When Smbat left
Page 35
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move and devised an idea
But the French did not occur there
went into operation seven months later...}) ({To be fair
mentioned that Black has a perfectly acceptable defence -} 15... a5 $1 {(with
the idea of ...Ba6)
(Fogarasi-Luther
Nijboer-M.Gurevich
Bundesliga 2003.})) 16. Qxb4 $1 ({Of course
}) 16... fxe5 17. Qd6 $1 ({This unexpected interposition promises Black far
more problems than the simple-minded} 17. fxe5 Nxe5 18. Re3 Nc6 {(Stohl)} ({or
} 18... a5 19. Qd4 Ng6 20. Nb6 {with the idea of Nxc8
'Fischer' bishop and put pressure on the e6-pawn}) 19. Qb6 $1 Qd6 20. g3 {.})
17... Qf6 {The only move;} ({after} 17... Nf6 $2 18. Qxd8 Rxd8 19. fxe5 {Black
is simply a pawn down in an endgame. The culminating moment has been reached.})
18. f5 $3 {The crux of White's idea. After quickly making this flamboyant move
I decided that matters were practically decided. But years later
computer joined the analysis
off.} Qh6+ {Again the only sensible reply.} ({The pawn is taboo:} 18... exf5 $4
19. Qxd5+) ({or} 18... Qxf5 $2 19. Rf3 Qg4 {(g6)} 20. Rxf8+ Nxf8 21. Nb6 {
winning a piece.}) (18... Kh8 $2 {is also bad in view of} 19. fxe6 Qf4+ 20. Kb1
Qxf1 ({or} 20... Qxa4 21. b3 Qg4 22. Rf3 $1 {
back rank}) 21. Rhd3 $1 e4 22. Rxd5 e3 23. Nc3 e2 24. Nxe2 Qxe2 25. exd7 {
(Stohl).}) ({And if} 18... Re8 $6 {White is better after} 19. fxe6 ({but the
unexpected} 19. Be2 $1 {(intensifying the threat of fxe6
Rf3 Qxh4 22. Rf7 $1 (22. Nc5 $5) 22... Rxf7 23. exf7+ Kxf7 24. Nb6 {with a
powerful attack}) 20. Rf3 Qg6 21. Rdf1 e4 22. Rf4) 19... Qf4+ 20. Kb1 Qxa4 21.
exd7 Qxd7 ({or} 21... Bxd7 22. Ra3 Qg4 23. Qxd5+ Be6 24. Qf3 $1 Qxh4 25. b3 {
Faced with White's tempestuous assault
Nf6 $1 {was far more resilient
oversight)} Ne4 21. Qxd5 $2 (21. Qb6 {really is better}) 21... Nd2+ 22. Rxd2
Bxe6 $1 ({but not the cooperative} 22... Rxf1+ {(??)} 23. Rd1 Rxd1+ 24. Qxd1
Bxe6 25. Nc5 $1 {given by Makarychev and Knaak}) 23. Qd6 Qxd2 $1 {and wins
(Carroll-van Hooff
is equal}) 21... Rf7 22. Qc6 $1 Bb7 23. Qxe6 Rd8 24. Qxh6 $5 (24. Rhd3 Qh5 25.
g4 Qxg4 26. Nc4 Nc3+ $1 {is unclear
gxh6 25. Rb3 $1 Kg7 (25... Rxf5 $6 {is weaker in view of} 26. Bd3 Kg7 27. Bxe4
$1 dxe4 28. Kc1) 26. Kc1 {with a better
not} 20. Nc5 $6 Qh5 $1 21. Re1 exf5) (20. Qxe5 $1 Ne4 21. -- (21. Qd4 {
suggested by Stohl
{is less good}) 22. Rb3 e5 23. Qb4) ({
({
22. Nc5 Nd2+ (22... Nf6 23. g3) 23. Ka1 Qc6 (23... Nxf3 24. Qxd5+) 24. Rc3 {
in all cases with a continuing initiative
however
long think I chose the most flamboyant way to convert my advantage

although in our London analysis} 20. Be2 {was planned
$2 22. Qc6) 22. Rxf4 exf4 23. Re1) ({. My Informator move} 20... Rf7 $2 {is
even worse because of} 21. Rf3 $1 {.}) ({. Or} 20... Qg6 21. h5 $1 ({this is
much stronger than Knaak's move} 21. g4 $6) ({or Stohl's move} 21. Rf3) 21...
Qe8 22. Bg4 Rf6 23. h6 {
are also difficult for Black after} 20... e4 21. g4 Rf2 22. g5 Qg6 23. Bg4 Nf8
24. Nb6 h5 (24... e3 $6 25. Rc1) 25. Rh2 $1 Rxh2 26. Qxh2 hxg4 27. Nxa8 {
})) 20... Rxf3 ({If} 20... Qf6 $2 {there was the immediately decisive} 21. Rxf5
Qxf5 22. Nb6 $1 ({far more forceful than the} 22. Be2 {given in Informator})
22... Nxb6 23. Bd3 $1 e4 24. Rf1 $1 {.}) 21. gxf3 {'Now the f-file is closed
Page 36
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but White's bishop has gained access to h3' (Stohl).} Qf6 (21... Kf7 $2 22. Qc6
{.}) 22. Bh3 Kf7 ({Of course
time in the game I had a solid think
paths to the goal.}) 23. c4 $1 {A vigorous move
pressure.} (23. f4 $5 Qe7 $1 ({the only chance:} 23... exf4 $2 24. Re1 $1 {and
wins}) 24. -- {
26. fxe6+ $1 ({instead of the Informator move} 26. Nc5 $6) 26... Bxe6 27. Bxe6+
Nxe6 28. Qxd5 {
exd6 {- calculating this variation at the board
the d6-pawn after} Nf6 ({after} 25... Rb8 26. Re1 Nf8 27. Nc5 {Black also has
a very difficult endgame (if} Rb4 28. d7 $1 {
27. Re1 Rb6 {
Bxe6 29. Rxe6 Rc6 30. d7 Rxe6 31. d8=N+ $1 {. In the end I nevertheless
preferred to undermine Black's pawn centre from the other wing - I was
attracted by an unusual attacking construction.})) 23... dxc4 ({After} 23... d4
{the powerful passed c-pawn would have remained alive.} 24. -- ({. And apart
from my previous recommendations} 24. f4 exf4 25. Rf1 $1) ({
with the improvement} 25. Qc6 $1 {(Stohl)}) ({
$2 25. Rxg7+) 25. h5 Qe7 26. Qc7 {is very strong
26... a5 27. f4 $1 {and wins}) 27. c5 $1 {. Therefore Short captured the pawn
but he obviously underestimated my reply.})) 24. Nc3 $1 {'The knight
long time dozing on the edge of the board
(Makarychev).} Qe7 (24... Nf8 $2 25. Qc6 $1 {.}) 25. Qc6 Rb8 26. Ne4 {
(threatening both Nd6+ and Bxe6+)} Nb6 {There is nothing else;} ({if} 26... Nf6
$6 27. Nd6+ Kg6 {
$1 {.}) 27. Ng5+ Kg8 ({Black would also have lost after the slightly more
resilient} 27... Kf8 $5 28. Nxh7+ Kg8 29. Ng5 g6 ({in Informator only} 29...
Bb7 30. Bxe6+ Kh8 31. Qxb6 ({or} 31. Qd6 $1 {is given})) 30. Qe4 Qf6 31. Rd6 $1
{(threatening Bxe6+)} Na4 32. Kc1 {(c2)} ({or} 32. Qc6 Qe7 33. Ka1 $1 {.})) 28.
Qe4 $1 g6 29. Qxe5 Rb7 30. Rd6 $1 {(White is as though driving in nails - he
has complete domination)} c3 ({Or} 30... Na4 31. Bxe6+ Bxe6 32. Rxe6 {.}) 31.
Bxe6+ Bxe6 32. Rxe6 ({Black resigned in view of} 32. Rxe6 Nc4 33. Qxc3 {.}) (
32. -- {This colourful
third round Short drew with Ivanchuk
consolidated my lead - 2½ out of 3. --- But in the fourth round I was
defeated and caught by Ivanchuk. In our game I 'floundered' right from the
opening
Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6 6 f4 Qc7 7 Qf3 g6 8 Be3 Bg7?! (8...b5 9 Bd3 Nbd7 is better
Stefansson-Kasparov
(here my first desire was simply to stop the clock and leave the tournament
hall
Qd8? (a nightmare: after 14...Bg7! White does not have such a large plus) 15
Ne7+ Qxe7 16 Qxe7 exd4 17 Bc4
very painful to lose practically without a fight. --- In the fifth round
which was interchanged with the sixth so that no one should have the same
colour three times in a row
Short and I in a Petroff Defence against Timman (cf. Game No.34 in Kasparov vs.
Karpov 1975-1985
--- The destiny of first place was decided in the last round. Somehow
submissively Ivanchuk lost to Timman in a slightly inferior endgame
forced a draw after being fiercely attacked by Short - I could even have
played for a win
board
disillusioned with my insipid play in both games with Ivanchuk. However
not grieve for long: the very next day Short and I set off to Munich
to join battle in a prominent PCA blitz tournament with the participation of
Page 37
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17 grandmasters and - for the first time in history! - the program Fritz 3/Pentium (cf.
p.210).}) 1-0
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Partial Revenge"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{Double-Round PCA Super-Tournament in Novgorod (11-26 August 1994): 1-2.
Kasparov and Ivanchuk - 7 out of 10; 3. Kramnik - 5; 4-5. Shirov and Short - 4;
6. Bareev - 3.} 1. -- {This was the first time that such a major chess event
took place in Novgorod - an ancient Russian city
of Moscow and 200 km. south of St. Petersburg. Together with the PCA
organisers produced an optimal type of event: six leading grandmasters playing
a double-round tournament. There were no doubts about the participation of
Kasparov
his failure in the summer Candidates matches

declined after his sensational match victories over Kramnik and Anand. ---
Karpov was also invited. The Novgorod organisers
delegation
FIDE champion declined the invitation
PCA - 'Kasparov's personal organisation'. As a result Bareev became the sixth
participant. But in any event
tournaments an average rating of 2700 was exceeded and the 19th category
achieved! --- Despite the traditional training session and active relaxation
by the sea
press: 'More often than usual Kasparov looked concentrated and detached from
everything. Not as powerful as before
him. It was sensed that he desperately needed to win the tournament: the world
champion was clearly unhappy with both his results and his play in recent
times.'} ({At the start I managed to win with White against Shirov in a rare
variation of the English Opening -} 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. Nd5 Be7 4. d4 d6 5.
e4 c6 6. Nxe7 Qxe7 7. Ne2 {
with Bareev in a Grünfeld. In the third I aimed for revenge against Ivanchuk
who had beaten me in Amsterdam; I played 1 e4 and obtained a promising
position in a Sicilian (cf. Game No.79 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry
Kasparov
initiative - a draw on the 25th move. We both reached 2 out of 3. --- In the
fourth round
colour three games in a row
19-year-old Vladimir Kramnik
When I was preparing for it I felt very nervous
defeats against Kramnik (in Linares

first few moves were made
anxiety.}) *
[Event "11: Novgorod"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.08.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kasparov
Page 38
Sheet1
[Black "Kramnik
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]

[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nge2 Nf6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e5 {In those days Kramnik
still had a rather limited opening repertoire and after 1 e4 he most often
employed the Sveshnikov Variation
However
number of notable victories.} 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 ({At that
time this quiet continuation appealed to me more than the sharp} 9. Bxf6 gxf6
10. Nd5 {(Game No.85)
from the first round. Later I analysed both lines a great deal
successfully played the Sveshnikov Variation as Black.}) 9... Be7 (9... Qa5+ {
- Game No.104.}) 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 O-O (11... Bb7 {(Game No.13) occurs
comparatively rarely}) ({more frequently -} 11... Ne7 12. Nxf6+ gxf6 13. Nc2
Bb7 14. Bd3 d5) ({and even more frequently -} 11... Bg5 12. Nc2 Rb8 13. a4 (13.
a3 a5 {
15. Nxb4 Bd7 16. Bxa6 Qa5 17. Qxd6 Rb6 18. Qd3 Be7 19. Nd5 Rxb2 20. O-O Qc5 {
with approximate equality (Leko-Illescas
2008).}) 12. Nc2 Rb8 ({The main line was then and has remained} 12... Bg5 {
(Game No.49)
Instead of the hackneyed} 13. Be2 Bg5 14. O-O a5 {
fresh idea} 13. a3 a5 ({when I studied 13 a3 more closely I did not like the
reply} 13... Bg5 $5 14. Ncb4 ({or} 14. h4 Bh6) 14... Bb7) 14. h4 {followed by}
g6 ({but he confused me with} 14... Ne7 {
{is correct - the inclusion of the moves a2-a3 and ...a6-a5 is in White's
favour}) 15... Nxd5 16. Nxd5 Be6 17. g3 Qd7 18. Bg2 Bd8 $1 {Black easily
equalised}) 15. g3 (15. h5 Bg5 $1) 15... Bg7 16. h5 {(Shirov-Illescas
1994)
played 13 h4 immediately.}) 13... Ne7 $6 {As expected!} ({After} 13... g6 14.
g3 Bg7 15. h5 {lack's position is also somewhat inferior (} Be6 16. Bh3 $1 {
J.Polgar-Illescas
(not weakening the kingside)} 14. Nce3 Be6 {is safer
}) 14. Nxf6+ $1 {A surprise!} ({After the routine} 14. Nce3 $6 {there would
have followed} Nxd5 15. Nxd5 Be6 16. g3 Qd7 {with the idea of ...Bd8
analogy with our Moscow game (see above). Kramnik appeared to be astonished by
the capture on f6: now Black can carry out the thematic ...f6-f5 or ...d6-d5.
Yes
key d5-point
monarch!}) 14... gxf6 {White is at a crossroads. The move h2-h4 and the
resource 0-0-0 give him chances of creating an attack on the king. The black
knight will no longer feel safe on g6 on account of h4-h5.} 15. Qd2 $5 ({My
trainers and I also analysed} 15. Bd3 $5 {- I soon employed this novelty
against Lautier (Moscow Olympiad 1994)
favours White
18. Qh5 {Black was demolished in literally a few moves:} -- (18... e4 $6 19.
Bc2 b4 $6 20. c4 Kh8 21. O-O-O f5 22. Qg5 Rb6 23. h5 Rc6 $6 24. Kb1 Rc5 25. h6
Qe5 26. Rh5 $1 Rg8 27. Ng4 $3 {1-0.}) ({. A better defence was} 18... f5 19.
O-O-O Qg6 {
21. Qg5 $1 f6 22. Qxg6 hxg6 23. h5 g5 24. Nxf5 {
correspondence 1994}) 20. Qe2 $1 {White's chances are better
Page 39
Sheet1
promised by my Informator suggestion} 20. Qg5 f6 21. Qxg6+ hxg6 22. Bc2 {.})))
15... Bb7 {We considered this move to be the strongest.} ({If} 15... d5 {
} 16. O-O-O ({or} 16. Rd1 $5)) ({while if} 15... f5 {we were planning} 16. exf5
$1 (16. Qg5+ Kh8 17. Qf6+ Kg8 18. O-O-O Be6 {is not so clear
San Diego 2004}) 16... Nxf5 ({or} 16... Bxf5 17. O-O-O Rb6 (17... Bxc2 18. Kxc2
$1) 18. Qg5+ Kh8 19. Qf6+ Kg8 20. Bd3 {with prospects of an attack on Black's
hole-ridden fortress}) 17. O-O-O {.}) 16. Bd3 $6 {Played in accordance with
our analysis: what could be more natural - both development and the defence of
the pawn.} ({If} 16. O-O-O Bxe4 17. Qxd6 {there was the reply} Nd5 $1 18. Qxa6
Qc7 {with normal play:} 19. Bd3 Bxd3 20. Rxd3 Rb6 $1 21. Qa5 Qb7 $1 22. Rxd5 (
22. Qa3 b4 $1) 22... Ra8 23. Qxa8+ Qxa8 24. Nb4 Qf8 {
than decent compensation for the queen.}) ({It is unsurprising that no one saw
the computer trick} 16. Ne3 $1 {
after} Bxe4 ({if} 16... Qd7 {
(what a route: Ng1-f3-d4-b5-a3-c2-e3-g4xf6!)} Bg6 19. h5 Bf5 20. Bd3 ({or} 20.
g4 $5 {White retains an enduring initiative.})) 16... d5 $1 {The point.} (16...
Kh8 $2 {(Campora-Bhend
Ng8 18. Qh5 {and Ne3}) 18. g3 Rg8 19. h5 Nf8 20. O-O-O {
exd5 Qxd5 18. O-O-O $1 {It is not often that queenside castling is encountered
in the Sveshnikov Variation
However
only correct defence.} ({In Informator I gave} 18... Qxa2 {(?)} 19. Qh6 {(?)} (
{but after} 19. Rh3 $1 {with the threat of 20 Rg3+ Ng6 21 h5 Black is on the
verge of defeat}) 19... e4 20. Be2 {
game.}) 19. Be2 Qxa2 {The principled decision.} ({Both} 19... Qxd2+ 20. Rxd2) (
{and} 19... Qe5 {(Ftacnik)} 20. h5 $1 {would have left White with somewhat the
better chances.}) 20. Qh6 {(threatening not only Qxf6
Again the best move.} ({After} 20... f5 $2 {apart from} 21. Rh3 ({there was
also the decisive} 21. Rd7 $1 {.})) 21. Nd4 Qb6 $1 {Another strong reply.
'Although Kramnik encountered a surprise in the opening (a new plan with
queenside castling)
{We were mainly reckoning on} 21... Qe5 {(?)} 22. f4 $1 {and thought that
White had a powerful attack
A correct and unusual way was suggested by the game Gildardo Garcia-Illescas
(Linares 1994)
g3 $1 Be4 (24... f5 25. h5 $1) 25. Bxe4 $2 ({but in the event of} 25. Rhe1 $1
f5 26. Nxf5 $1 Qxf5 ({or} 26... f2 27. Rxe4 Qxf5 28. h5 {White would have won
a piece and the game}) 27. Bxe4 Qh3 28. h5 {(Stohl)}) 25... Qxe4 26. h5 Ne5 27.
Qxf6 Qe3+ 28. Kb1 Ng4 29. Qf5 Nh6 {Black managed to gain a draw. --- Kramnik
did indeed defend brilliantly
which in the end led to severe time-trouble.}) 22. Rh3 {A critical moment.} ({
It is clear that after} 22. Bg4 $6 Bc8 $1 {Black is okay. When thinking about
my move
this to the consequences of the obvious manoeuvre 22 Rh3.}) ({But later it
transpired that Kramnik was concerned about a pawn advance -} 22. g4 $5 Kh8 (
22... Bc8 $2 23. Rhg1 {and wins}) 23. Nf5 Nxf5 24. gxf5 {
all easy for Black to defend:} -- (24... b4 $2 25. Rd7 $1 {(with the murderous
threats of Rg1 and Bh5-g6!)} bxc3 26. Rxb7 $1 {and wins}) ({

25. Bh5 $1 ({or else} 25. Rd7 $1 Bc8 26. Bh5 $3) 25... Bc8 (25... e3 26. Bg6 $1
{and Rd7}) 26. Bg6 $1 fxg6 27. Rd7 $3 Bxd7 28. fxg6 Rf7 29. gxf7 Qd6 30. Rd1 (
30. Rg1 $2 Bg4 $1) 30... Qe7 31. Rxd7 {- a fantastic geometric solution
on our return from the game.}) ({. Makarychev and I did not bother to conceal
our discovery from my opponent
later
25. Bh5 e3 $1 26. Rhg1 Rxd1+ 27. Bxd1 Rg8 28. Rxg8+ Kxg8 29. Qxe3 Qc6 {with a
slightly inferior but drawn endgame.}) (24... e3 $5 25. Rhg1 Rg8 {is also
Page 40
Sheet1
acceptable.})) 22... Kh8 23. Bg4 Rg8 (23... Ng8 $6 24. Qh5 {with the threat of
Bf5.}) 24. Ne6 $2 ({Here there are three possibilities (not counting} 24. Nf5
$6 Qe6 $1 {)
thought for a long time about which piece to place on e6
my knight there
({The tempting} 24. Be6 $6 {would have been parried by} Rg6 $1 25. Qf4 fxe6 $1
26. Qxb8+ Rg8 27. Qh2 e5 28. Nc2 Ng6 {
({more convincing than the earlier} 28... Qxf2) 29. g3 $6 b4 $1 {.}) ({
Apparently
suggests} 24... Rg7 {(?)
Rxg7 27. Bxh7 $1 Rxh7 28. Qf8+ Ng8 29. Nf5 {and Ne7 or Rd8}) 25. Nxf5 Qe6 26.
Qf4 Qe5 $1 27. Qxe5 fxe5 28. Rg3 Rxg3 29. fxg3 Rf8 {with a drawn endgame. ---
'From what went on at that moment in the press centre I can vouch for the
enormous difficulties which have to be overcome in finding one's way through
the endless sea of complicated variations' (Makarychev). Soon
analytical programs appeared

$1 {Forced.} ({Black would have lost ignominiously after} 24... Ng6 $2 25. h5)
(24... Rxg4 $2 25. Ng5 $1) (24... fxe6 $2 25. Qxf6+ Rg7 26. Rd7 $1) ({or} 24...
Qxf2 $2 25. Rf3 $1 Rg6 26. Qxg6 $1 {
incredible finale. When Kramnik made this move he had no more than two minutes
left on his clock.} ({Of course
variation} 25... Rbg8 $2 26. h5 Rxg4 27. Qxf6+ R8g7 28. h6 Qxe6 29. hxg7+ Rxg7
30. Rd8+ Ng8 31. Rxg8+ $1 Kxg8 32. Qd8+) ({but in the event of} 25... Rc8 {he
was afraid of} 26. Ng5) ({and after} 25... Ra8 {and the brilliant exchange of
blows} 26. Rd6 $1 Nd5 $1 {
Rxg4 29. Rxf6 {etc. (with the rook on e8 the position is equal).}) ({One
instinctively wants to move the attacked rook
of minutes are ticking away. But} 25... Bd5 $1 {was far stronger - in the
press centre this move was discovered very quickly.} 26. -- ({. It would
appear that by} 26. Bh5 Bxe6 27. Bxg6 {White could still have fought for a win
but in a joint analysis after the game Kramnik found} Nxg6 $1 28. Qxf6+ Kg8 {
{and wins - Stohl}) ({while after} 29. h5 Bxh3 30. Rd6 Qc5 $1 31. hxg6 hxg6 32.
gxh3 b4 {he is a sound pawn to the good}) 29... b4 $1 {he has bishop and
knight for a rook.}) ({. Therefore I would have had to discard my dangerous
illusions and urgently seek a way to save the game
$1 {(Ftacnik)} 27. cxb4 Qxb4 ({or} 27... Ba8 $5 28. Bf5 Nd5 $1 29. Qxe4 Nxb4
30. Qe2 Rxg2 31. Re3 Bd5 32. Re8+ {with desperate hopes of defending - after
all
26. Ng5 $2 Bb3 $1 {and wins.})) 26. Rd6 $1 ({The immediate} 26. h5 $2 {would
have been a blunder in view of} Rxg4 27. Qxf6+ Kg8 28. Rh4 Rxg2 29. Rh2 Rg4 30.
Rh4 Qxe6 31. Qxe6 fxe6 32. Rxg4+ Kf7 {
Nd5 $1 {Resourceful defence!} (26... Qa5 $2 {was altogether unsuitable in view

of} 27. h5 $1 Rxg4 28. Qxf6+ Kg8 29. Ng5 $1 Qa1+ 30. Kc2 Qa4+ 31. Kb1 Qc4 32.
h6 {with unavoidable mate - Black does not have perpetual check. --- But now
there occurs one of those miracles
A move of amazing beauty - for the sake of which all this was started! Events
develop by force.} Nxf4 ({It did not help to play} 27... Rxg4 28. Qxg4 Rg8 (
28... Qxd6 29. Qg7#) 29. Qxg8+ Kxg8 30. Rg3+ Kh8 31. Nd8 $1) (27... Rxe6 28.
hxg6 Nxf4 (28... fxg6 29. Qh6 {
30... Kxh7 31. Rxb6) 31. Rh8+ Kxf7 32. Bxe6+) ({or} 27... fxe6 28. hxg6) ({or}
27... Rgg8 28. Rxd5 $1 Rxe6 29. Bxe6 ({or} 29. Rd7 $1) 29... Qxe6 30. Rd6 {
(Stohl).}) 28. hxg6 Qxd6 ({The win is simple after} 28... Nxh3 29. gxf7 $1) ({
or} 28... Nd3+ 29. Rhxd3 $1) ({to say nothing of} 28... Rxe6 29. Rxh7+ {(see
above).}) 29. Rxh7+ Kg8 30. gxf7+ Kxh7 31. fxe8=Q Nxe6 32. Bf5+ Kg7 33. Qg6+
Kf8 34. Qxf6+ Ke8 35. Bxe6 Qf8 $2 {A blunder with the flag about to fall
Page 41
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but the alternatives were equally hopeless:} 35... b4 36. Qf7+ Kd8 37. Qxb7
Qxe6 38. Qxb4) (35... Ba8 36. g4 $1) ({or} 35... e3 36. fxe3 Bxg2 37. Bf7+ $1
Kd7 38. Be8+ $1 Kc7 39. Qg7+ Kd8 40. Qxg2 {(the simplest)} Kxe8 41. Qe4+ {with
the exchange of queens on the next move.}) 36. Bd7+ {. After this spectacular
win I reached 3 out of 4
Then I won with Black against Short
and with a score of 4 out 5 we were confidently leading after the first cycle.
--- In the second half of the tournament the FIDE officials Macropulos and
Iclicki arrived
Federation. 'FIDE - RCF - PCA' discussions began
and these affected my play. --- In a sharp Sicilian duel with Shirov I was the
exchange up by the 28th move
missed a win. Meanwhile
by beating Bareev
eighth round the status quo was maintained
with Ivanchuk ended in a draw. Then in the ninth round I drew with Short
after failing to exploit his errors in a rook endgame
round - with Kramnik. As a result I was caught by Ivanchuk
Bareev. --- From the press: 'In an interview before the start the world
champion promised that in Novgorod we would see a "new Kasparov". At the
concluding press conference he was asked how successful this transformation
had been. On hearing this question
out laughing: "In my opinion
Apparently the champion also felt that the promise had not been completely
fulfilled. "The work has begun"
And I could have played better in the second half - in particular
win two games where I stood very well".' --- Indeed
drastic renewal
Makarychev I was unable to resolve this problem. Sergey
sensitivity
to give up his post of trainer. From November 1994 the 30-year-old grandmaster
Yuri Dokhoian began working with me
preparation conception
} 1-0
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Three Best Games"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{International Tournament in Horgen (3-15 September 1994): 1. Kasparov - 8½
out of 11; 2-3. Yusupov and Shirov - 7; 4-5. Korchnoi and Lautier - 6½; 6.
Gelfand - 5½; 7. Leko - 5; 8-9. Benjamin and Nikolic - 4½; 10-11. Miles
and Lutz - 4; 12. Gavrikov - 3.} 1. -- {After returning from Novgorod to
Moscow
stage of the Intel Rapid-Play Grand Prix - and I was knocked out in my very
first mini-match
program Genius. But as one of the PCA directors I had to stay there right to
the final itself
my next 'classical' tournament. --- One of the best known chess patrons
Page 42
Sheet1
William Wirth
on this occasion simultaneously organised two all-play-all tournaments in
Horgen
grandmaster tournament proved rather non-uniform
participants were as though divided into two sub-groups
objectively reflected in the final table'. --- My standard of play was
initially not very outstanding

lead. In the first round I chose 1 c4 and unhurriedly outplayed the
15-year-old Peter Leko - the rising start of Hungarian chess. Then I won a
very nervy King's Indian against Lutz. In my third round game with Benjamin I
missed a decisive stroke on the 17th move and later tried to extract a win
but without success. In the fourth round came a difficult draw with Gavrikov
in the fifth I managed to win a nervy game against Gelfand (who a month before
had defeated Kramnik in a match
in the sixth I drew with Lautier. --- Before the seventh round the race was
led by Kasparov
day I had White against an old acquaintance of mine
following game).} *
[Event "12: Horgen"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.09.11"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Nikolic
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C19"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
1. e4 ({Previously I had exclusively played} 1. d4 {against Predrag (Game Nos.
63
expected)} 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 (3... Nf6 {- Game No.10}) (3... dxe4 {- Game No.
84.}) 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Ne7 (6... Qc7 7. Qg4 {
Novgorod 1997}) 7. Qg4 {The main move
(Game No.86 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov).}) 7... Kf8 {I
knew that Nikolic played this rare variation
Qc7 8. Qxg7) ({or} 7... O-O 8. Bd3 {(Kasparov-Short
White has to decide how best to exploit the out-of-play position of the rook
on h8.}) 8. h4 {A plan tried in the game Hübner-Nikolic (Munich 1990)
taken up by me before the match with Short.} ({Predrag was not caused any
particular problems by} 8. a4 Qc7 9. Nf3 cxd4 10. Qxd4 Nbc6 11. Qc5 Bd7 {
(Ivanchuk-Nikolic
aan Zee 2005})) (8. Qd1 Qa5 9. Bd2 Qa4 10. Nf3 b6 {with the idea of ...Ba6
(Beliavsky-Nikolic
Nf3 Qb6 {(Short-Nikolic
continuation used to be considered} 8... Qa5 9. Bd2 Qa4 10. h5 $5 ({instead of
the earlier} 10. Kd1) ({or} 10. Rh3) 10... -- ({
game after} 10... Qxc2 $6 11. h6 $1 gxh6 12. Qh3 $6 ({but} 12. Rc1 $1 {could
have given White a dangerous initiative}) 12... Ke8 13. Qxh6 Nbc6 {a draw was
agreed}) ({. Therefore} 10... h6 $1 {is necessary
replied} 11. Rh3 ({but Lputian and I analysed} 11. Qd1 b6 12. Nf3 Ba6 13. Rh4 {
Page 43
Sheet1
with the idea of Rf4
promising}) 11... Nbc6 (11... Qxc2 $6 12. Bd3) 12. Qf4 {. After Nikolic's
unexpected move for an instant I broke into a cold sweat - it is not
immediately apparent how the threat of ...cxd4 can be parried. I sank into
thought...})) 9. Qd1 $1 {I was unable to find anything more attractive than
the sacrifice of the d4-pawn.} ({If} 9. Kd1 $6 {
({while sacrificing a pawn by} 9. Bd2 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qxc2 {promises fewer hopes
of a real advantage:} 11. Rc1 Qe4+ ({or} 11... Qa4 $5 {
Taranrog 2011}) 12. Qxe4 dxe4 {.}) 9... cxd4 (9... Bd7 {with the idea of ...Ba4 (Leko-
Illescas (Djukic-Nikolic
Qe4+ 13. Be2 {Here I already felt comfortable: the position is quite an open
one
is clear that with his potentially powerful dark-square bishop
excellent compensation for the pawn. It was the turn of my opponent to think:
how to neutralise White's growing initiative?} b6 $1 {With the obvious
intention of ...Ba6. Intuitively Nikolic hit on the best move.} ({Two months
later he tried against me the jaunty} 13... Nbc6 14. h5 $1 Nxe5 {

15. h6 gxh6 $6 ({things are less clear after} 15... Nxf3+ 16. gxf3 Qe5 17.
hxg7+ Kxg7) ({or the Informator suggestion} 15... f6 16. hxg7+ Kxg7 {
main thing was that the position was to my taste and I felt very much at home})
16. Bxh6+ Kg8 (16... Ke8 $2 17. Bg7) 17. Rb1 $1 {he was unable to overcome the
chronic problems with his king and rook on h8
move (Paris (rapid) 1994).}) 14. O-O ({Or} 14. c4 Ba6 $1 {.}) 14... Ba6 {Black
seems to be okay: he will exchange the light-square bishops and gradually
complete his development. If White does not devise something
will simply peter out.} 15. c4 $1 {Pawns no longer count - it is important to
open lines for the attack (at the same time White gets rid of his weaknesses).
Very interesting tactical play commences.} Nbc6 (15... Bxc4 $1 16. Bxc4 dxc4 {
was safer
{
regain the sacrificed pawns}) (17. Ng5 Qd3 18. Qh5 -- ({
Rfc1 $1) ({
({
suggestion} 21. Qg5 {(?!)} ({and therefore all that remains for White is to
give perpetual check -} 21. Bh6+ Rxh6 22. Ne8+ Kh7 23. Nf6+) 21... Qf5 22. Rfc1
{is unfavourable on account of} Nbc6 $1 23. Rxc4 ({after Stohl's move} 23. Ng4
{there is} Nd5 $1 24. Rxc4 Qd3 $1 25. Rxc6 Rh5) 23... Nxe5 24. Rc7 Nd3 {
--- Thus 8 h4 does not promise more than a draw. Analysis shows that after 15...Nbc6 the
evaluation of the position also remains within the bounds of dynamic equilibrium
pitfalls for Black to avoid.}))) 16. Ng5 {(I made my moves confidently
although strictly by intuition)} Qxe5 $1 {Again the best choice!} ({After}
16... Qxh4 17. -- ({
-- ({
$6 {is worse in view of} 19. g3 $1 Qc4 20. Qh5 g6 21. Qf3 Nf5 22. Bc3 {with an
attack}) ({
{while after} 20. Re1 Nf4 21. Ne4 ({or} 21. g3 Qxg5 22. Bxf4 Qd8 23. Re3 g5 $1
{White has no more than decent compensation for his material deficit}) 21...
Rd8 $1 {(Stohl)} 22. Rc1 h6 $1 23. g3 Qh5) 20... Qh6 21. Qa4 Nf5 22. Qd7 $6 Qh5
$1)) ({. However
{.} -- ({. Now White is better after both} 17... Bxc4 18. Bg4 $1 {(trapping
the black queen)} Nd4 (18... h5 19. Bh3) 19. g3 Bb3 20. gxh4 Bxd1 21. Bxd1) ({
$6 20. Bxf5 exf5 21. cxd5 Ne7 22. d6 Nd5 23. Qf3 Bb7 24. Qxf5+ Kg8 25. Re4 Qd8
26. Rae1 Qf8 27. Qh3 $1 {
20. g3 Qe7 21. cxd5 exd5 22. Rc1 Bc4 23. Rxc4 $1 dxc4 24. Qf3+ Kg8 25. Qxc6 Kh7
26. Qxc4 {with more than sufficient compensation for the exchange}) (19... h5
Page 44
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20. Bxe6 Bxc4 21. Qf3+ Ke8 22. Qf7+ Kd8 23. Rad1 $1 Kc7 24. g3 $1 Nd8 $1 25.
Qf3 Qd4 26. Bb4 Qb2 27. Bxd5 Nxd5 28. Rxd5 Qb3 $1 29. Bd6+ $1 Kd7 30. Qf5+ Kc6
31. Rd2 Kb7 32. Qe4+ Nc6 33. Rb1 $1 Bd3 34. Qxd3 Qxd3 35. Rxd3 {with a
favourable endgame. --- After the capture of the e5-pawn White also has a
dangerous initiative
18. Bh5 $1 {A strong move
avoids being exchanged.} (18. cxd5 Bxe2 19. Qxe2 Nxd5 20. Rac1 Nce7 {looked
too harmless.}) 18... g6 19. cxd5 $6 ({The immediate} 19. Bg4 $1 {was more
accurate
after} Bxc4 $2 ({and if} 19... Bc8 {
Kg7 21. Bf3 {with sharp play and full compensation for the two pawns})) 20.
Bxe6 $1 fxe6 (20... Nd4 21. Bc3 $1) 21. Rxe6 Qf5 22. Bb4 Kg8 23. Bxe7 Re8 24.
g4 $1 {.}) 19... exd5 ({The only way:} 19... Nxd5 $6 20. Bg4 $1 ({but not the
Informator suggestion} 20. Rc1 {in view of} Ne5 $1 {- Stohl}) 20... Ne5 (20...
Nd4 $2 21. Nxe6+ $1 ({or} 21. Nxf7 $1)) 21. Nxe6+ $1 fxe6 22. Bg5 Nxg4 {(there
is nothing else)} 23. Bxf6 Ngxf6 24. Rxe6 {(Stohl)} Kf7 (24... Kg7 $6 25. g4 $1
) 25. Rd6 Rhd8 26. Rxd8 Rxd8 27. Qa4 {wins the a7-pawn - the queen and rook
will still play on the black king's nerves.}) 20. Bg4 h6 $6 ({It is bad to play
} 20... Kg7 $2 21. Ne6+ $1 fxe6 22. Rxe6 Be2 23. Bh6+ $1 Kxh6 24. Qc1+ {(Stohl)
}) ({or} 20... Rd8 $2 {(Ftacnik)} 21. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 22. Bg5 Qd6 23. Qf3+ Ke8 24.
Rac1 {and wins.}) ({But the accurate} 20... Bc8 $1 {(insisting on the exchange
of bishops) would have parried the direct threats:} 21. -- (21. Be2 h6 22. Nf3
Kg7) ({
if} 23... d4 {
24. Bc3 d4 25. Ba1) 23... d4 24. Ne4 Qe5 $1 {favours Black (Stohl).})) 21. Ne6+
$1 {An intuitive
Black still had considerable defensive resources
particular risk - he obtains some amazing tactical possibilities.} fxe6 22.
Rxe6 Qf7 (22... Qg7 $2 {does not work in view of} 23. Rc1 $1 -- ({
Stohl's move} 23... Bb7 {there is the decisive} 24. Rcxc6 $1 Nxc6 (24... Bxc6
25. Bb4) 25. h5 $1 gxh5 26. Qf3+ Kg8 27. Qxd5) ({
$1 Nxc6 25. Rxc6 hxg4 26. Bb4+ Kg8 27. Qxd5+ Kh7 28. h5 $1) ({
Bc4 {there is the no less flamboyant} 24. h5 $1 gxh5 25. Bxh5 Kg8 (25... Rh7
26. Rc3 $1) 26. Rxc4 $1 dxc4 27. Re4 {(with the threat of Rg4)} Kh7 28. Qc2 $1
Nf5 29. Rxc4 Ncd4 30. Rxd4 Rhf8 31. Rc4 {
stronger to first bring the rook into play -} 23. Rc1 $1 {
in Informator. It is an unusual situation: Black is a piece and a pawn up
it is hard to find the correct move:} -- (23... Bc8 $2 24. Rexc6 Nxc6 25. Rxc6
Bxg4 26. Qxg4 Kg7 ({or} 26... Qf5 {(Stohl)} 27. Qd4 $1 Kg8 28. h5 $1 gxh5 29.
Rc3 $1 h4 30. Rf3 Qe4 31. Qf6 Rh7 32. Rf4 $1 {and wins}) 27. h5) (23... Nd4 $2
24. Rxe7 $1 {.}) (23... Bc4 $2 24. Rxc4 $1 dxc4 25. Qa1 Kg8 ({or} 25... Rh7 26.
Rf6 {(Burgess)} Rd8 {(Stohl)} 27. Rxf7+ Kxf7 28. Qe1 $1 Rd6 (28... h5 29. Be6+
{and Bxc4}) 29. h5 $1 g5 30. Bc3 {
h5 $1 gxh5 28. Rxf7 Kxf7 29. Bxh5+ Ke6 30. Qe1+ {with a winning attack}) (23...
h5 $6 24. Rcxc6 $1 Nxc6 25. Rxc6 hxg4 26. Bc3 $1 Rh5 $1 (26... Kg8 $2 27. Rf6)
({and after Stohl's move} 26... Qd7 {there is the decisive} 27. Qa4 $1) 27. Rf6
Qxf6 28. Bxf6 Rf5 29. Bc3 $1 g3 $1 30. f3 Rc8 31. Qd4 {
opposite-coloured bishops the queen is obviously stronger than the two rooks (}
Rc6 32. Qg7+ Ke8 33. Be1 $1 {
$2 25. Rf3 ({or} 25. Qe1 Re8 26. h5 $1 {and wins})) ({while after} 24... h5 $2
25. Bh3 {the g5-square is catastrophically weakened}) 25. Rf3 Nf5 26. Bxf5 gxf5
27. Bxh6+ Rxh6 28. Rxh6 Ke7 29. Qc2 $1 Rg8 30. Rxc6 Bxc6 31. Qxc6 {
the material and continuing the attack}) (23... Rc8 {(this would appear to be
the best defence)} 24. Rd6 Kg7 25. h5 $1 Rhf8 26. Bc3+ Kh7 27. hxg6+ Nxg6 28.
Rf6 Qe8 $1 29. Bxc8 Rxf6 30. Bxa6 d4 31. Bb2 $1 {
Page 45
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powerful bishops White has excellent compensation for the pawn. --- That was
the price Black should have had to pay for the flippant 20...h6?! (instead of
20...Bc8!). Now
{I underestimated this counter-sacrifice.} (23... Bb7 $2 {was weak in view of}
24. Rae1 Re8 ({or} 24... Rh7 25. Rd6 $1 {with an attack}) 25. Bc3 $1) ({as was
} 23... Bc8 $2 24. Rxc6 Bxg4 25. Rc7 $1 Rc8 26. Rac1 Qe6 ({or} 26... Rxc7 27.
Rxc7 Qe6 28. Bb4 Rh7 29. Qxa7 Kg8 30. Bxe7 Qe1+ 31. Kh2 Qe5+ 32. g3 Rf7 33.
Qb8+ Kh7 34. Bd6 $1 {
28. Qd7 Qxd7 29. Rxd7) ({and} 23... h5 $6 24. Bh3 Bc4 {would have allowed
White the additional resource} 25. Bg5 $1 {and Rae1.}) 24. Rxc6 Nxc6 25. Qxc6
Re8 $1 26. Bd7 $1 ({After the exchange of a pair of rooks -} 26. Re1 Rxe1+ 27.
Bxe1 d4 $1 28. Qe4 ({or} 28. h5 {- White also has full compensation for the
exchange
There would have been a sudden finish after} 26... Rd8 $2 27. Be6 $1 Bb5 $1 {
(Stohl)} 28. Qc3 $1 d4 29. Qb3 Qf6 30. Rc1 $1 Rh7 31. Re1 $1 -- ({
is not saved by either} 31... Re8 32. Qd5 $1) ({
or} 32... Kg7 33. Bf4 $3) 33. Bxd7) ({
Bf4 Bc6 34. Be5 Bxe4 35. Qb4 $3 Rd7 36. f4 $1 {with crushing threats.})) (26...
Re2 $2 27. Qc8+ {.}) 27. Bc3+ Kh7 28. h5 $5 ({Instead of the drawing} 28. Bxe8)
({or} 28. Bxh8 {

(28... Rhg8 $6 {is dangerous after} 29. Bxe8 Rxe8 30. hxg6+ Qxg6 31. Qd7+ Kg8
32. Rd1 $1 Qf7 33. Qg4+ Kh7 34. Rd4 {
opposite-coloured bishops:} Rg8 (34... Re4 $6 35. Rxe4 dxe4 36. Qxe4+ {is
hardly acceptable}) 35. Qh3 $1 Be2 36. Bd2 Rg6 37. Rf4 {
29. Bf5+ $1 {.}) ({But the safest was} 28... Re7 $5 {- now nothing is given by}
29. Bxh8 $6 ({while if} 29. Bb4 {
(Stohl).}) 29. hxg6+ ({Of course
29... Qxg6 30. Bxe8 Qxe8 $1 31. Qd6 $1 Qf7 32. Bd4 ({Trying to build up an
attack with the rooks on
32... Re8 33. Rc1 {(threatening Rc3)} Re4 $6 {With time-trouble approaching
Nikolic cracks under the burden of a lengthy defence in a position with a
'bad' bishop and king.} ({The simplest way of curbing White's aggression was}
33... Re6 $1 34. Qb8 (34. Qg3 Re4 $1) 34... Re8 35. Qd6 Re6 {with equality.})
34. Be5 $1 Rg4 $6 ({In Informator I considered this move to be the decisive
mistake and instead I suggested} 34... Re2 35. f4 {with the variation} Qg6 {(?)
} ({in fact} 35... Re3 $1 {is correct
continue fishing in troubled waters}) 36. Qd7+ {(!)} Kg8 37. g4 {(?)} ({
however
f5 $1 Qf7 41. Rc6 {and wins}) 39. Kh2 dxc4 40. Qc8+ Kf7 41. f5 Qh6 42. Qxc4+ {
White picks up the a7-pawn with checks
obtains a queen endgame with an extra passed pawn}) 37... Kf8 {leading to
equality.}) 35. Rc3 Rg6 $2 {But this is indeed the decisive mistake.} ({
Nikolic fails to find what was now the only defence
one -} 35... h5 $1 36. Rh3 ({the immediate} 36. Re3 {is somewhat stronger
here also after} Rg6 $1 37. Qd8 Rg8 38. Qh4 Rg4 39. Qh3 d4 $1 40. Rf3 Qg6 41.
Rf8 Qg5 42. f4 Qh4 43. Qxh4 Rxh4 44. f5 Bg8 {Black should be able to defend})
36... Be2 $1 {with the threat of ...Bf3
38. Qd8 Rg8 $1 39. Qh4 Rg4 40. Qh3 Re4 {with equality.}) 36. Qd8 $1 Rg8 37. Qh4
Rg5 $2 {With his flag about to fall
attack
d-pawn and creating the threat of Re3-e7)}) ({or the more resilient} 37... Qe6
38. Re3 {(Stohl)} d4 39. Bxd4 Qg6 40. Re7+ Bf7 41. Qh3 Rd8 42. Qe3 {
38. f4 Rh5 ({Equally hopeless were} 38... Rg6 39. f5 $1 {(the dark-square
theme:} Rg5 40. Qxg5 $1 {)}) (38... Qh5 39. Qxh5 $1 Rxh5 40. Rg3) ({and} 38...
Rg8 39. Rh3 Qf8 (39... h5 40. g4) 40. Bd4 {(threatening f4-f5 and Re3-e7+)} Be2
41. Re3 Rg4 42. Qe7+ Qxe7 43. Rxe7+ Kg6 44. Rxe2 Rxf4 45. Bb2 {
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({Failing to find any satisfactory defence (} 39. Qd8 Rxe5 40. fxe5 Qf1+ 41.
Kh2 Qf4+ 42. Rg3 {)
pre-computer times
but in the next round I drew quickly with Korchnoi
We each had 6 out of 8
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.09.13"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Shirov
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B33"]

[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
{In the ninth round came the highly important 'duel of the leaders' with
Alexey Shirov
positional exchange sacrifice
computer!} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Ndb5 ({At
one time I used to avoid the Sveshnikov Variation by} 6. Nxc6 {(Game No.89 in
Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov)
knowing that my opponent usually did not avoid critical opening disputes.})
6... d6 7. Bf4 e5 8. Bg5 a6 9. Na3 b5 10. Nd5 (10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. Nd5 {- Game
No.85.}) 10... Be7 (10... Qa5+ {- Game No.104.}) 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. c3 Bb7 ({
Shirov used to employ this rare plan with a subsequent ...Nb8-d7
thoroughly studied positions arising after} 12... O-O {(Game Nos.11
Nc2 ({In the event of} 13. Bd3 $6 Nb8 14. Nc2 Nd7 15. a4 bxa4 16. Rxa4 Bg5 {
Black has a comfortable game (Beliavsky-Shirov
It is an altogether different picture after} 13... Ne7 14. Nxf6+ gxf6 15. Bd3
d5 {
13... O-O {
} 14. a4) ({but also} 14. h4 $5) 14... Bg5 15. O-O Nb8 16. Qd3 Nd7 {
(Tiviakov-Shirov
that time they also tried} 14. g3 Nd7 15. Nce3 O-O 16. h4 {(Anand-Nunn and
Anand-Kramnik
Bxb5 Qa5+ 17. Nc3 {(Campora-De la Villa
({therefore} 14... O-O {is more solid

15. -- (15. Nf5 $6 {is pointless in view of} O-O 16. Nxd6 Bxd5 17. Qxd5 Qc7 {
(Morris-Krasenkow
it later transpired
this powerful knight) is far stronger:} Nxf6 ({or} 16... Qxf6 17. Qxa4 Qd8 18.
Nf5 O-O 19. Nxd6 {with the initiative (Iordachescu-Timoshenko
17. Qxa4+ Qd7 (17... Kf8 18. f3 $1) 18. Qxd7+ Kxd7 19. f3 {(} d5 $6 20. O-O-O
$1 {)})) 14... bxa4 15. Rxa4 {Sharply activating the rook.} (15. Nce3 {is also
not bad - in the event of} Nd7 $6 (15... O-O 16. Rxa4 Nd7 {is safer
17. h4 $1 {gives White some advantage (Zagrebelny-Gagarin
Qxa4 ({but} 16. Nxf6+ $1 {is correct (cf. the previous note)}) 16... O-O 17.
Rd1 Bg5 18. Qc2 {(Zapata-Shirov
f3 ({after Shirov's move} 20. Bd3 {there is} Bc6 $1 {and ...a6-a5}) 20... Qc7 {
White's advantage is slight.}) 15... Nd7 16. Rb4 $5 {A cunning novelty.} ({

Again} 16. Nce3 $5 {was logical with the ideas of} Bg5 (16... Nc5 17. Rb4 {(a2)
Page 47
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}) ({and} 16... O-O 17. h4 $1) 17. Nf5 {.}) ({But back in Novgorod I conceived
the idea of an unusual exchange sacrifice
(16... Bc6 $6 17. Rc4 $1 {is worse. After making my move
expectation - and
16... Nc5 $6 {After the game Alexey declared this move to be virtually the
decisive mistake
honest
cool-headed} 16... Ra7 $1 {was even stronger (Erdogdu-Halkias
17. Rxb7 $3 {This move
satisfaction: a pure exchange sacrifice merely for domination of the light

squares and the restriction of the 'bad' knight. However
it transpires that Black's bishop is also 'bad'
coordination of his pieces is poor - this is why it is so hard for him to cope
at the board with the problems that have suddenly arisen.} Nxb7 18. b4 {While
Shirov was considering his reply
of the 'B' tournament
'Didn't they teach you that a rook is stronger than a bishop?' I replied:
'That day I wasn't at the lesson!'.} Bg5 {In order to answer 19 Nce3?! with 19.
..Bxe3
apart from} 19. Nce3 {and Nc4
h4 $5 {.})) ({Things are not improved by} 18... Qc8 19. Nce3 Bd8 (19... Nd8 $2
20. Bc4 $1 {and wins}) 20. h4 $1 O-O 21. g3 {
{A natural desire to open the a-file for the rook.} ({The suicidal} 20... f5 {
(?) should be met not by my Informator suggestion} 21. Bd3 {(?)
} 21. exf5 $1 {
23. Bd3 Rf7 24. Qc2 {with a winning attack}) 23. Qg4 Bxf2+ 24. Kd1 {and Bd3.}))
21. Bd3 (21. h4 $5 {deserved consideration. But I hurried to mobilise my
forces - another paradoxical feature of the exchange sacrifice is that for the
moment White is even behind in development!}) 21... axb4 22. cxb4 Qb8 $6 {
Dangerously moving away from the kingside. Black vacates the d8-square for his
knight or bishop and brings the queen to the a-file
of launching it into White's position.} ({But this active plan proves just as
pointless as the passive defence} 22... Rb8 $6 23. h4 Bh6 {(Stohl)
the paralysing} 24. Ncb6 $1 {.}) (22... Ra2 23. O-O Qc8 {was better
idea of ...Qe6-h6}) ({or} 22... Bh6 23. O-O Qg5 {
after} 24. g3 {White is not risking anything and at the minimum he maintains
dynamic equality.}) 23. h4 $5 ({If} 23. O-O {I did not like} Nd8 {
example:} 24. h4 (24. Ncb6 Ra7 {is equal}) 24... Bh6 25. Ncb6 Ra7 26. Qg4 Kh8
$1 ({avoiding a pretty trap:} 26... Ne6 $2 27. Nd7 $1 Rxd7 28. Nf6+ $1) 27. Nd7
f5 $1 28. Qxf5 Rxf5 29. Nxb8 Rf8 {with a roughly equal endgame. Therefore I
decided to set my opponent a tricky problem: where to move the bishop - to h6
or to d8
Black's error would have been more clearly emphasised by} 23. Ncb6 $1 Ra2 {
and now not} 24. Nd7 $2 {(Stohl)} ({but simply} 24. O-O Qd8 ({or} 24... Qe8 25.
Qg4 {with mounting pressure}) 25. Bb5) 24... Bd2+ $1 25. Qxd2 (25. Kf1 Qa7 $1)
({or} 25. Ke2 Bg5+ $1 {is even worse}) 25... Rxd2 26. Nxb8 Rxd3 {.}) 23... Bh6
$2 {Played in accordance with the motto 'all or nothing'.} (23... Bd8 {was
nevertheless more solid
with White:} Qa7 ({or} 24... Bc7 $5 25. O-O Nd8 {(Stohl)} 26. b5 Ne6 (26... Qb7
$6 27. b6 Bb8 28. Nce3 $1 {
Qb1 $1 Nc5 29. Rc1 {
black queen is out of play}) 26. Qf3 {.}) 24. Ncb6 Ra2 25. O-O {Another
instance of late - and very timely! - castling.} ({After} 25. Nd7 $2 Bd2+ $1
26. Kf1 Qa7 27. Bb1 Rb2 {it is White who would have had to fight for equality.}
) 25... Rd2 $6 {It is already hard to offer Black any good advice.} ({The
alternatives were also insufficient:} 25... Qa7 26. Bc4 Rd2 27. Qh5 {(Stohl)} (
Page 48
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{or} 27. Qg4 $1)) ({or} 25... Qe8 26. Bc4 Rd2 (26... Ra3 27. Qe2) ({or} 26...
Ra7 27. Qh5 $1 Kh8 28. Nf6 $1 {is no better}) 27. Qh5 Kh8 28. Nf6 $1 Qe7 29.
Nbd5 Qd8 {(e6)} 30. Bb5 {with strong threats. White continues to dominate
because he has more pieces in play (look at the rook on f8 and bishop on h6
to say nothing about the wretched knight on b7).}) 26. Qf3 {A normal human
move
$1 {and Nc4
Ra4 30. Nxa4 Qxa4 31. Qb2 {and wins.}) 26... Qa7 {Defending against the
threats of Nd7 and Ra1.} ({After the 'faint-hearted'} 26... Qd8 {there is the
decisive} 27. Ba6 $1 {.}) 27. Nd7 $2 {An oversight!} ({Alas
rook immediately
(what a difference there is in the strength of the bishops!)
(27... Rc2 28. Nd7 Ra8 29. Ne7+ Kh8 30. Qxf7 {(nearly all the white pieces
have invaded the opponent's position)} Qa2 31. Nd5 {(Stohl)}) ({
28. Nd7 Ne6 29. Ne7+ $1 Kh8 30. Nxf8 Qxe7 31. Nxe6 {and Bc6 followed by b4-b5
when the bishop on h6 remains a spectator.}) ({. After} 27... Kh8 28. Nd7 Rg8
29. Qxf7 {(threatening Ne7)} Nd8 30. Qf5 {Black's days are also numbered:} Qb7
({or} 30... Rd4 31. Ne7 g6 32. Qf6+ Bg7 33. Nxg6+ $1 hxg6 34. Qxg6 Bf8 35. Qh5+
Kg7 36. Qg5+ Kh8 37. Qxd8 Qb7 38. Bc6 $1 Qxc6 39. Nxf8 d5 40. Qe7 Rg7 41. Qe6 {
with a decisive material advantage}) 31. Ne7 g6 32. Qf6+ Bg7 33. Qg5 Qxb5 34.
Qxd2 Qxd7 35. Nxg8 Kxg8 36. Qd5+ {with the unavoidable invasion of the rook
and the march of the b-pawn.})) 27... Nd8 $2 {Returning the favour.} ({Worn
out by the thankless defence
in the variation} 27... Ra8 $1 {(strictly the only move)} 28. -- (28. Ne7+ Kh8
29. Qxf7 Rxd3 30. Nf8 {Black is saved by} Qa2 $1 31. Qf5 g6 32. Qf6+ Bg7 {with
a draw:} 33. Nfxg6+ hxg6 34. Nxg6+ (34. Qxg6 Bf8) 34... Kh7 35. Qf5 $1 Qd2 $1 {
to the conclusion that 27...Ra8 would nevertheless have lost to} 28. N7b6 {:}
-- (28... Rb8 $2 {(d8)} 29. Nc4 $1) ({
the position with 27 Bb5.}) ({. But in the computer era once again the only
defence was found -} 28... Qa3 $1 {(Stohl)} 29. Nxa8 Rxd3 {

Nf6+ ({or} 30. Qe2 Rd2 $1 31. Qg4 Qxa8 32. Rc1 Nc5 $1 33. bxc5 Rxd5 $1 34. exd5
Bxc1 35. c6 h5 $1 {
Nxh7+ Ke7 32. Qe2 Rd2 33. Qb5 Qxa8 34. Rc1 Qb8 35. Qb6 Ke6 36. Rc7 Qa8 $1 37.
g3 Rd1+)) ({. Another recommendation by Stohl is also interesting -} 28. Bc4 $5
Nd8 29. Qf5 {. However
after} 30. N7b6 Ra1 31. Kh2 $1 {White wins
pretty way to draw:} Ne6 $1 32. Ne7+ Kf8 33. Bxe6 Bf4+ $1 34. Kh3 Qd3+ 35. f3
Qxf3+ $1 36. gxf3 Rh2+ 37. Kg4 Rg2+ {with perpetual check.})) (27... Re8 $2 28.
N5f6+ $1 gxf6 29. Qg4+ Kh8 30. Nxf6 Rxd3 31. Qf5 $1) ({or} 27... Nc5 $2 28.
bxc5 Qxd7 29. c6 $1 Qa7 30. c7 {and wins.}) 28. Nxf8 Kxf8 29. b5 $1 {(the key
move
$1 {.}) ({Soon after the game I recommended} 29... Qd4 {- and incorrectly!
After this both} 30. Be2 $1 {(Stohl)} ({and the thematic} 30. Qf5 $1 Ke8 31.
Qc8 Qc5 32. Nc7+ Ke7 33. b6 $1 {are decisive.})) 30. Qf5 $1 {It would appear
that Shirov overlooked this move
queens. The squares c8 and d7 and the h7-pawn are all attacked. With material
equal
last the target of the attack becomes the black king.} Ke8 ({Of course
30... Rxd3 31. Qd7 g6 32. Qxd8+ Kg7 33. b6 {.}) 31. Bc4 Rc2 ({If} 31... Qc5 32.
Qxh7 $1 {
and Nxc4.}) 32. Qxh7 $1 Rxc4 {This leads to the loss of the exchange
32... Qc5 33. Bb3 Rb2 34. Qg8+ Kd7 35. Bd1 {was also hopeless (Stohl).}) 33.
Qg8+ Kd7 34. Nb6+ Ke7 35. Nxc4 Qc5 (35... Qa4 36. Nxd6 $1 {.}) 36. Ra1 $1 {
Another paradox: at the start of the game White was the clear exchange down
and at the end he is the exchange and a pawn to the good! Black has given up
Page 49
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one after the other
outcome is decided by the inclusion in the attack of the sole surviving rook.}
Qd4 (36... Qxc4 37. Ra7+ {.}) 37. Ra3 ({Also strong was} 37. Ra8 $1 {
condemned by me because of the 'unclear'} Ne6 38. Re8+ ({but the most forceful
was} 38. g3 $1 Kf6 39. Qh7 $1 Qd1+ (39... Ke7 40. Na5 $1) 40. Kg2 $1 Nf4+ 41.
Kh2 $1) 38... Kf6 39. Rxe6+ Kxe6 40. Qc8+ Kf6 {
would have won.}) 37... Bc1 38. Ne3 ({Or} 38. Nxd6 $1 {
to keep the material.}) (38. -- {I think that this game is one of the best
from my entire chess career. It is rare to see a positional exchange sacrifice
without any concrete tactical play and with a deep strategic idea. --- I now
had 7 out of 9
who played excellently in this tournament

half a point behind. The destiny of first place was finally decided by my game
with Artur Yusupov in the tenth
interesting analytical preparation in the Scotch
finish (see the following game).}) 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.09.14"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Yusupov
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]

[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 ({Declining the offer to play} 3. Bb5 {and remember
our duel of 15 years earlier (Game No.35 in Part I of Garry Kasparov on Garry
Kasparov).}) 3... exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 (4... Nf6 {- Game Nos.38
{Also an ancient variation
Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov)
Short (1993).}) 5... Qf6 6. Qd2 dxc6 7. Nc3 {(the fashion of the early 1990s)}
Be6 {A natural developing move.} ({In later games of mine there occurred} 7...
Ne7 8. Qf4 Ng6 ({or} 8... Qd6 9. Be2 (9. Be3 $5) ({or} 9. Qg3 $5 Qxg3 10. hxg3
{is more accurate}) 9... Ng6 {with equality (Kasparov-Anand

1999)}) 9. Qxf6 gxf6 {(Kasparov-Topalov
slightly the better endgame for White.}) ({But experience has suggested that
it is best to play} 7... Bd4 $1 {
Na4 $5 {This
novelty (instead of the previous 8 Qf4 or 8 Bd3). White plays his knight to
the edge of the board
position and comfortably complete his development. His aim is to extinguish
Black's temporary activity and try to convert his extra pawn on the kingside
(as in the 'Berlin Wall' or the Exchange Variation of the Ruy Lopez).} Rd8 9.
Bd3 Bd4 10. O-O a6 {Safeguarding the d4-bishop against the threat of c2-c3.} ({
In the 11th game of our match Short played} 10... Ne7 $6 {
b5 12. cxd4 Qxd4 13. Qc2 Qxa4 (13... Qxd3 14. Qxd3 Rxd3 15. Nc5 {is also
unfavourable}) 14. Qxa4 bxa4 15. Bc2 {White obtained clearly the better
endgame.}) 11. Qa5 $5 {And here is another novelty.} ({In the 17th game of the
match with Short I chose the insipid} 11. Nc3 Ne7 12. Ne2 Bb6 13. Qf4 {and
after} Ng6 ({but in the event of} 13... Qxf4 14. Nxf4 Bc8 {it would have been
Page 50
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even more symbolic}) 14. Qxf6 gxf6 15. Ng3 {I achieved a minute advantage.
After that game I couldn't help feeling that you can't play chess that way
(Nc3-a4-c3?!)
at one stroke. --- It would seem risky to play a second piece to the edge of
the board
of the c1-bishop
longer play on general grounds. However
ending up in an unpleasant position

the frown on Yusupov's pensive face it was evident that this was all clear to
him...}) 11... b5 ({White is better after} 11... Qe5 12. Qxe5 Bxe5 13. Nc5 ({or
} 13. Be3 {and f2-f4 with the desired endgame}) 13... Bc8 14. Nb3) ({as well as
} 11... Qe7 12. Bf4 Rd7 13. Rad1 Nf6 14. c3 Ba7 15. Bc2 {
advantage is less obvious.}) ({Artur correctly followed a gambit course
by advancing his b-pawn two squares forward he weakened his queenside.} 11...
b6 $1 12. Qxa6 {was more accurate} -- ({
$2 (13... Qe5 14. Nc3 $1 Ne7 15. Ne2 Bc5 {is more resilient}) 14. Qxc7 b5 15.
Nc3 Be5 16. Qa5 Ng6 17. a4 $1 {and wins (Rebel-Yusupov
({
Be2 ({or} 17. Nb7 Bxb7 $1 ({instead of} 17... Ng4 $2 18. Rf4 {
Santos
Bf3 {is weaker})) ({

Be5 $1) ({
good counterplay. --- However
chances after 11...b5 - after all
})) 12. Nc3 Bb6 ({It was hardly any better to sacrifice the c7-pawn by} 12...
Ne7 13. Qxc7 Be5 14. Qb6) ({or} 12... Nh6 13. Qxc7 Ng4 14. Qf4 {
Qxa6 Nh6 ({As internet practice of the 2000s has shown
Be3 $1 (14. a4 $6 Bc8 $1) 14... Bxe3 (14... Bc8 $6 15. Qa3) 15. fxe3 Qg5 (15...
Qe5 $6 16. a4) 16. a4 $1 {
counter-sacrifice of a pawn!}) 14. Be3 $5 {In order to kill Black's activity
and approach his weaknesses
hope and pride of my position.} ({In the event of} 14. e5 $5 Qxe5 (14... Qh4 $6
15. Bxh6 Qxh6 16. Qa3 $1 {is worse}) 15. Bxh6 gxh6 {(for his broken pawns
Black has the two bishops and the open g-file)} 16. a4 ({or} 16. Qb7 O-O 17.
Qxc6 b4 18. Na4 Bd4 19. Rae1 Qf4 {the play could have become sharper}) 16...
O-O 17. axb5 Kh8 $1 18. bxc6 Rg8 {.}) 14... Bc8 15. Qa3 {(the queen was
threatening the c6-pawn
Since the endgame after} 16... Qe7 $2 17. Qxe7+ Kxe7 18. h3 {and a2-a4 (or} b4
19. Na4 {and a2-a3) does not satisfy Black
of evacuating his king.}) ({The alternative was} 16... Qg5 17. -- ({
17. Qa7 {
the strange recommendation} 17. Be2 {(?!)} Qxe3+ 18. Kh1 {
reply} Qb6 $1 {with the threat of ...b5-b4.}) ({. The correct way is} 17. Rf3
$1 Ng4 $1 (17... Rd6 $6 18. Qa7 $1) 18. Ne2 Qh4 (18... Nxe3 $2 19. Rg3) 19. h3
Ne5 20. Rf2 {followed by Nf4(d4)
black knight on e5 is really very strong.})) 17. Be2 $1 {(keeping the knight
on h6)} Rd6 $1 {The prelude to castling.} ({White is better after} 17... Ng4
18. Bxg4 Bxg4 19. Rf4 Be6 20. Qb4 {with the idea of a2-a4.}) (17... Bg4 $6 18.
Rf4 {.}) 18. Rad1 {White completes his development.} ({After the 'greedy'} 18.
Qa5 O-O (18... Rd8 $2 19. a4 $1) 19. Qxc7 {there could have followed} Ng4 20.
Bxg4 Bxg4 21. Rae1 ({if} 21. a3 Bf3 $1 {- an amusing trick!}) 21... f6 22. Rf4
h5 {with good practical compensation for the material deficit.}) 18... O-O 19.
Rxd6 cxd6 20. Rd1 ({Consideration should have been given both to the sensible}
20. Rf2 {(with the idea of} Bg4 21. h3 {)}) ({and also to} 20. Qb4 $5 {
(planning a2-a4 and Qd4)} Bg4 $1 21. Bf3 $1 ({Black does not have to fear my
Informator suggestion} 21. Qd4 Bxe2 22. Nxe2 Ng4) 21... Bxf3 22. gxf3 {
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improving the pawn structure and retaining some chances of converting the
extra pawn:} f5 23. a4 fxe4 24. Qxe4 Qg5+ 25. Kh1 bxa4 26. Qxc6 Qxe3 27. Qxa4 {
and in the end he launched a desperate counterattack
and
exchange} 20... Qg5 21. Qxd6 Qxe3+ $6 ({but} 21... b4 $5 22. Qxb4 Bh3 {is by
no means so clear}) 22. Kh1 {is unfavourable for Black.}) ({However
safest of all was} 20... Rd8 $1 {
preferable} 21. Kh1 $5 Ng4 (21... Bg4 $6 22. h3 $1) 22. Bxg4 Bxg4 23. Rf1 {
White has merely a symbolic advantage of 'half a pawn'}) 21... -- ({
my 1994 suggestion} 21... Re8 $6 22. Qb6 $1 Ng4 23. Bxg4 Bxg4 24. Rd2 {(d3)}) (
} 22. Qb6 b4 $1 23. Qxb4 Bh3 24. Bf3 Bxg2 25. Bxg2 Qxe3+ 26. Kh1 Ng4 27. Rf1
Nf2+ 28. Rxf2 Qxf2 29. h3 Qxc2) 22... Bg4 $1 {.})) 21. Nxb5 Bg4 (21... Ng4 $2 {
no longer worked in view of} 22. Bxg4 Bxg4 23. Rxd6 ({or the more subtle} 23.
Rd2 $1 Qxe4 (23... Rb8 24. c4) 24. Nxd6 Qe5 25. c4 {and wins}) 23... Be2 24.
Rd5 {.}) 22. Qd3 {(the most energetic)} Qxb2 23. a4 $1 Qb4 (23... Bxe2 24. Qxe2
Qb4 25. Nxd6 Qxa4 {was slightly more resilient
White would be completely dominant
e5) 28. Qd5 {
. But now I am able to keep the bishops on.}) 24. Bf3 ({Or} 24. Bxg4 Nxg4 25.
Nxd6 Qxa4 26. h3 {(see above). But I wanted to 'freeze' the black knight on h6:
matters are decided by the enormous difference in the strength of the knights.}
) 24... Qxa4 25. Nxd6 Qb4 (25... Qd7 26. Qd5) ({or} 25... Rd8 26. h3 $1 {is no
better.}) 26. h3 $1 Be6 (26... Bxf3 27. gxf3 f6 28. Qd5+ Kh8 ({or} 28... Nf7
29. Qe6 $1 {is hopeless}) 29. f4) 27. e5 Qh4 ({Also in the event of} 27... Kh8
{with the idea of ...Ng8-e7 (Yusupov)} 28. Bd5 $1 Qb2 ({or} 28... Bxd5 29. Qxd5
Qc3 30. e4 {Black has no defence}) 29. Bxe6 fxe6 30. Rf1 $1 {.}) 28. Qe4 Qe7 ({
The endgame after} 28... Qxe4 29. Bxe4 g6 30. g4 {is lost
retreat is another important concession.}) 29. Rb1 f5 ({It would not have
helped to play} 29... f6 30. Rb7 Qd8 31. Ra7 {(threatening Qb7)} fxe5 32. Qxe5
Qf6 33. Qxc5) ({or} 29... g6 30. Qf4 Nf5 31. Bg4 Nxd6 32. exd6 {- White has
allowed the exchange of the 'bad' h6-knight
obtained a powerful passed pawn:} Qd7 33. Rd1 f6 34. e4 Bxg4 35. hxg4 $1 g5 36.
Qd2 $1 {
final combination did not demand of me any great effort: White simply breaks
through the opponent's defences at the least fortified point. Even so
'queen sacrifice' (instead of the routine 32 Qd4) impressed the spectators.}
Bxc8 33. Rb8 Ng8 ({If} 33... g6 34. Rxc8+ Kg7 {
{.}) 34. Rxc8 {(threatening Bd5)} Qa7 35. Kh2 ({Of course
Qxe3+ {.}) 35... Qe7 ({After} 35... h6 36. Bd5 Qxe3 37. Rxg8+ Kh7 38. Rxg7+ $1
{the knight fork is again decisive.}) 36. Re8 {. Black lost on time. --- A
draw at the finish with Miles completed my performance in the tournament -
first place by a margin of one and a half points. 'Zurich helped me to forget
London'
the games with Shirov and Yusupov
competitive sense. For the sake of them alone it was worth going to Zurich.'
--- Curiously
(rounds 1-4
grandmasters Hort and Kindermann) awarded special prizes for the best games
and I won two of these - for my wins against Nikolic and Yusupov. And then my
game with Shirov was voted the best in the 61st volume of Informator. ---
Before the end of the year I appeared in three more events. In November in
Paris I won the fourth and concluding stage of the Intel Rapidplay Grand Prix
in Lyon I played three games for the Sarajevo team Bosna in the European Club
Cup (+1-1=1)
Page 52
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Olympiad
events took place against the background of the continuing schism in the
Russian Chess Federation. The vice-president Yuri Averbakh recalls: 'At a
critical moment for international chess
president of the Russian Chess Federation
world champion Kasparov came to the aid of FIDE
that he was intent on destroying FIDE. We in fact wanted to demonstrate that
we were aiming not for a conflict
everything possible to help the development of world chess (although six
months before this the previous leaders of the Federation

had sent FIDE a fax with the assertion that our organisation had set itself
the objective of destroying FIDE!). The FIDE board of directors headed by
Campomanes greeted our proposal with delight and unanimously decided that
firstly
on the territory of Russia
staging of the Olympiad and the Congress at the previously planned dates.' ---
The Olympiad
gigantic Kosmos Hotel in Moscow (30 November - 16 December 1994). Those were
incredibly intensive days. I still don't understand how I was able to combine
my daily administrative and political chess functions with successful play in
the tournament.}) (36. -- {My three strong-willed wins at the finish - against
Azmaiparashvili
team again
Russia-1 - 37½ out of 56; 2. Bosnia and Herzegovina - 35; 3. Russia-2 and 4.
England - 34½; 5-7. Bulgaria
teams). The winning team comprised Kasparov (6½ out of 10)
of 11)
were not right with the world championship
a truce with Campomanes. At the FIDE Congress which took place at that time we
signed a Declaration of Cooperation between FIDE and the PCA
which in the final of both qualifying series a 'unifying' match for the title
was envisaged (the full text of this historic document
put into practice
the perspective of the 21st century Yuri Vasiliev called 1994 a fateful one
for chess: 'The intrigue
time - Kasparov
President Campomanes
birth the following year to a phantom by the name of Ilyumzhinov. The victory
in Moscow proved to be a pyrrhic victory for Kasparov.'}) 1-0
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Tal Memorial"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{International Tournament in Riga (Tal Memorial
Kasparov - 7½ out of 10; 2. Anand - 7; 3. Ivanchuk - 6½; 4-5. Kramnik and
Short - 6; 6. Gulko - 5; 7. Yusupov - 4½; 8. Ehlvest - 3½; 9-11. Timman
Vaganian and Kengis - 3.} 1. -- {Early in 1995 the qualifying Candidates
series concluded for both versions of the world title - FIDE and PCA. In the
Page 53
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FIDE semi-final matches in February Kamsky crushed Salov (5½-1½)
Karpov overcame Gelfand (6-3). Now in the principal FIDE match Karpov had to
meet Kamsky. But in March Kamsky also had to battle with Anand in the final
match of the PCA Candidates. If Gata had won
arisen: one contender challenging two champions! But Anand prevailed (6½-4½)
championship. --- Therefore our encounter in Riga at the Tal Memorial in April
was awaited with heightened interest and was christened a 'reconnaissance' and
a 'dress rehearsal'. It was with this tournament that eleven grandmasters of
the Professional Chess Association
Prix
three stages: Riga (spring)
} (1. -- {At the drawing of lots I received an unusual gift - 'No.1'
to which I was free in the first round
In the second round I quickly defeated Timman with White (cf. Game No.62
to Black's 7th move)
Black against Kramnik in a quiet Italian Game. Kramnik had the reputation of
being an expert on the closed games
1 e4 against me
rounds a leading quartet emerged: Anand and Ivanchuk - 2½ out of 3

-2
importance of my game with Vishy Anand in the fourth round. Before it I
experienced a great emotional surge and I even exclaimed: 'I feel in the mood
to sacrifice! I will dedicate this game to Tal!'. And I did indeed create a
spectacular miniature.}) *
[Event "15: Riga"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.04.16"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Anand
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C51"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 ({If} 3... Nf6 {there would have followed} 4.
Ng5 {- since
that is how one should play!}) 4. b4 $5 {My first employment in 'classical'
play of the ancient Evans Gambit! Makarychev and I began analyzing it back in
1992
the first game of my thematic gambit match with Short (London (rapid) 1993)
and then for many months I hesitated: could it be played in a top-rank
tournament? And now I thought: this is a tournament in memory of Tal - and I

must
preparation by Sergey and myself saw the light only at the end of the
'Makarychev era'. We tried to introduce new content into this 19th century
opening
a pawn in a position where Black has not yet broken any of the rules.} Bxb4 ({
Or} 4... Bb6 5. a4 a5 6. b5 Nd4 7. Nxd4 Bxd4 8. c3 Bb6 9. d4 exd4 (9... Qe7 {
is rather more solid}) 10. O-O $1 (10. cxd4 d5 $1) 10... Ne7 11. Bg5 h6 12.
Bxe7 Qxe7 13. cxd4 Qd6 $2 14. Nc3 $1 Bxd4 15. Nd5 $1 Bxa1 16. Qxa1 O-O $2 (
16... f6 {is essential
Page 54
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White is on the attack}) 17. e5 Qc5 18. Rc1 {and wins (Kasparov- Piket
Amsterdam 1995).}) 5. c3 Be7 ({Another classical variation -} 5... Ba5 6. d4

exd4 7. O-O ({Short also employs} 7. Qb3) 7... Nge7 $1 (7... d3 $6 8. Qb3 $1 {
- Game No.4 in Part I of My Great Predecessors}) 8. Ng5 ({or} 8. cxd4 d5) 8...
d5 {(Anderssen-Mieses
6. d4 ({We also looked at} 6. Qb3 Nh6 7. d4 Na5 {
anything promising for White.}) 6... Na5 $1 {Black immediately returns the
gambit pawn in the hope of free development
two bishops.} (6... d6 $6 {is dubious on account of} 7. Qb3 Na5 8. Bxf7+ $1 (8.
Qa4+ $2 c6 {
) 8... Kf8 9. Qa4) ({or} 6... exd4 $6 7. Qb3 Na5 8. Bxf7+ $1 Kf8 9. Qa4 {
(Cochrane).}) 7. Be2 $5 {The move 7 Be2
the pawn and insists on a gambit
Captain Evans (an attack on the f7-point)
weakening his centre. White does not aim to give a quick mate
extract positional benefits from the opening of lines and his lead in
development.} ({Earlier White mainly played} 7. Nxe5 Nxc4 8. Nxc4 d5 9. exd5
Qxd5 10. Ne3 {(relying on his mobile pawn centre)} Qa5 ({or} 10... Qd8 {
in the thematic Kasparov-Short game
carried out a pretty combination
miraculously escaped.})) 7... exd4 ({A sounder continuation emerged from
correspondence play in the 1980s-1990s:} 7... d6 {in turn Black insists on
returning the pawn;} 8. Qa4+ c6 9. dxe5 dxe5 10. Nxe5 Nf6 {
position after} 11. O-O {seemed to me to be quite playable.}) ({Not} 7... Nf6
$2 8. dxe5 Nxe4 9. Qa4 {.}) 8. Qxd4 $1 {One of the underestimated ideas
giving the play an original direction: the sudden attack by the queen on the
g7-pawn creates psychological comfort for the opponent.} ({Weaker is} 8. O-O
Nf6 9. e5 Ne4 10. Qxd4 f5) ({or} 8. cxd4 Nf6 {

correspondence play.}) 8... Nf6 {The most natural reply. There are several
ways of defending the g7-pawn
Black.} ({Thus if he delays his development with} 8... Kf8 $6) ({or} 8... f6 9.
O-O {White has obvious compensation for the pawn.}) ({Far more interesting is
the counter-sacrifice of the pawn (before the game I did not even consider
this!):} 8... d6 $5 9. Qxg7 Bf6 10. Qg3 {
10... Ne7 11. Bg5 (11. O-O Rg8 12. Qf4 Bh3 $1) 11... Ng6 {is better
complicated play (Short-Onischuk
Biel 1995)} ({but} 11. Qf4 $1 {
$1 {.}) (8... d5 $5 9. Qxg7 (9. exd5 Nf6 10. c4 O-O {is equal}) 9... Bf6 10.
Qg3 dxe4 11. Nd4 Ne7 (11... Bd7 $6 12. Nd2 $1) 12. Nb5 Nac6 $1 (12... Nd5 $6 {
is weaker in view of} 13. c4 $1 a6 14. cxd5 axb5 15. Nc3 {
Huschenbeth-Gustafsson
Nxe5 {with a roughly equal endgame.}) 9. e5 Nc6 10. Qh4 (10. Qf4 {allows Black
the additional possibility} Nh5 11. Qa4 g6 12. Bh6 {(Meltz-Gaevsky
1981)} Bf8 $1 13. Be3 (13. Bg5 Be7) 13... f6 $5 {.}) 10... Nd5 11. Qg3 g6 {
Again the most natural reply.} ({An exchange sacrifice also deserved
consideration -} 11... O-O 12. Bh6 g6 13. Bxf8 ({to my jaunty Informator
suggestion} 13. h4 {there is the satisfactory reply} Re8 14. h5 d6 {
is nothing better}) 13... Qxf8 14. Bc4 {(Stohl)} Nb6 15. Nbd2 d6 {with a tense
fight.}) 12. O-O ({If} 12. Bh6 {
{Here} 12... O-O {was more natural
(db4)} 14. Nc3 {is more accurate}) 13... Re8 14. c4 {apart from the unclear}
Nb6 ({Black has the unexpected tactical trick} 14... Nf6 $1 15. exf6 Bxf6 16.
Bg5 Rxe2 17. Nc3 Bxg5 18. Nxg5 Re8 $1 {and ...d7-d6
15. Nc3 d6 {(Ponomariov-Daniliuk

{Black's hesitation would have been emphasised by} 13. Bh6 $1 {(Chandler)} Bf8
(13... d6 $6 14. Bb5 $1) ({or} 13... d5 $6 14. Rd1 $1 {is worse}) 14. Bf4 {
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(Stohl)} ({or} 14. Bg5 Be7 15. a4 {
13... Na4 {
with an enduring initiative.}) ({And} 13... O-O 14. Nc3 {would have led to a
position from the note to Black's 12th move.}) 14. Rd1 $6 (14. Bh6) ({or} 14.
Nc3 {was better
promptly returns the favour.}) 14... Nd7 $2 {A turning-point.} (14... Be6 $2
15. c5 $1 {was also bad}) ({but now was the time for the paradoxical move}
14... Na4 $1 {(Stohl)
development of White's queenside (now} 15. Bh6 {is unfavourable because of} f6
$1 {).}) 15. Bh6 $1 {At last! I think that Vishy believed implicitly in the
safety of his position and obviously underestimated the sacrifice of a second
pawn. After any capture on e5 White will have very powerful compensation.}
Ncxe5 ({If} 15... dxe5 {
Informator suggestion} 17. Bg5) 17... f6 18. c5 $1 {with a powerful attack.})
16. Nxe5 Nxe5 ({After} 16... dxe5 17. Nc3 -- ({
play} 17... Bf8 $2 18. Rxd7 $1) (17... f6 18. c5 $1 {Stohl;} (18. Bg4 $5) 18...
Bxc5 (18... Bf8 19. Be3) 19. Rac1) ({
Bxe5) 19. Bxh8 Bxh8 20. Ne4 {
$6 Bf6 $1 18. Bxh8 Bxh8 19. Nc3 Nd7 $1 {with excellent compensation for the
exchange
pity to give up such a fine bishop for the inactive black rook. And Mikhail
Gurevich added: 'Garry prefers to bring up his last reserves. His pieces slice
through the opponent's position like a knife through butter.'}) ({The
immediate breakthrough} 17. c5 $5 {
also deserved consideration.}) 17... f6 {'In terrible time-trouble (!) Vishy
tries to erect something resembling a fortress. But this looks very passive.
It would appear that
side) led down the brilliant Indian player'
18. Qe3 Be6 {
19. c5 $1 {Black's position collapses like a house of cards.}) (17... Nd7 {
looks more resilient
(I assessed this position as unclear)} 20. Be3 $1 c6 (20... Ne4 $6 21. Qc2 $1)
21. Bxc5 cxd5 22. Bd4 $1 {with a dangerous attack on the king caught in the
centre
Bf8 19. Qc3 f6 20. Bf4 $1 {(my Informator variation)} Bg7 21. c5 $1 {(Stohl)}
O-O $1 22. cxd6 c6 23. Rab1 {
pawn in the form of his mighty passed pawn.}) 18. c5 $1 Nf7 $6 {This merely
aggravates Black's difficulties.} ({He should have developed his queen's
bishop
would have remained under an unrelenting attack:} 18... Bd7 {(Stohl)} 19. cxd6
cxd6 20. Rab1 $1 Bc6 21. Nd5 Bf8 22. Bc1 $1 {with the threat of f2-f4
Be7 {
f4 Nf7 22. Qe3 ({or} 22. Bg7 Rg8 23. Qe3 Rxg7 24. Qxe6 Qc8 25. Qb3 {with
domination on the light squares}) 22... Nxh6 23. Qxe6 Qc8 24. Qb3) (18... Bf5 {
(the bishop deprives the rook of the b1-square
g2-g4)} 19. Rac1 $5 Bf8 ({or} 19... c6 20. cxd6 Bxd6 21. Qe3 Qe7 22. g4 $1 {
continuing to fight for a win}) 20. Qe3 Rc8 21. g4 $1 Bxh6 22. Qxh6 Be6 23. f4
{.}) 19. cxd6 cxd6 ({There is nothing else:} 19... Nxd6 $2 20. Bc4 Bf5 21. Nd5
$1 Be4 22. Rac1) ({or} 19... Bxd6 $2 20. Bb5+ $1 {(a murderous check!)} Bd7 (
20... c6 21. Bf4 {and Bxd6}) 21. Re1+ Be5 22. Bg7 Bxb5 23. Nxb5 Rg8 24. Nxc7+
$1 {with crushing threats.}) 20. Qe3 $1 Nxh6 (20... Ne5 21. f4) ({or} 20... a6
21. Nd5 {was also hopeless}) ({to say nothing of} 20... Qb6 21. Bb5+ $1 Bd7 (
21... Kd8 22. Qe2 {and Nd5}) 22. Bxd7+ Kxd7 23. Qh3+ f5 24. Nd5 {
Qxh6 Bf8 22. Qe3+ ({After} 22. Bb5+ $6 Kf7 23. Bc4+ d5 $1 24. Rxd5 (24. Qh4 $2
Kg7 $1) 24... Bxh6 25. Rxd8+ Kg7 26. Rad1 Rf8 $1 27. Rxf8 Kxf8 28. Rd8+ Ke7 29.
Rh8 Kd6 {it is unclear whether White's advantage is sufficient for a win.}) ({
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And the quiet
23... Bd7 24. Nd5 Bc6 25. Nf4 {frightens a human since it does not force
matters}) 24. Bc4 {.}) 22... Kf7 (22... Be7 23. Bc4) ({or} 22... Qe7 23. Ne4 $1
{was even worse.}) 23. Nd5 (23. Rac1 $5 {.}) 23... Be6 ({If} 23... Bg7 {White
decides matters with} 24. Bc4 Be6 25. Bb3 $1 Re8 26. Nf4 Bxb3 27. Qxb3+ Kf8 28.
Ne6+ {
resilient:} 24. Rac1 Bc6 ({or} 24... Rc8 25. Rxc8 (25. Qxa7 Bh6 26. Rb1 {is
also possible}) 25... Qxc8 26. Nxf6 $1 {with an irresistible attack}) 25. Qb3
$1 ({not the Informator} 25. Bc4) 25... Kg7 (25... Be7 26. Nc7+) 26. Rxc6 $1
bxc6 27. Qb7+ Kh6 28. Rd3 $1 {.}) 24. Nf4 Qe7 {Overlooking White's reply.} ({
However
Bc8 25. Rac1 {with the threat of Rxc8! (Stohl)}) ({and even after the lesser
evil -} 24... Bd7 {(24...Bf5 25 g4)} 25. Qb3+ Kg7 26. Qxb7 {(Gurevich)} Kh6 27.
Rab1 {
25. Re1 Bh6 ({or} 25... d5 26. Bf3 $1) 26. Bc4 $1 {.}) (25. -- {This game was
judged the best in the 63rd volume of Informator. I remember Anand with a sad
smile observing: The fate of our match will depend on how often Kasparov
employs the Evans Gambit.' And I predicted: 'It is probable that now this
opening will begin to occur frequently
the method of exhaustive searching.' And
win in the style of the old masters
Bb5 or 3 d4. But the sweeping manner of play in the main
19) evoked 'Evans-style' ideas. --- After this I reached 2½ out of 3
Ivanchuk was leading with 3½ out of 4. But then he slowed down and drew all
his remaining games
holding out with difficulty as Black in a King's Indian. I managed
without a degree of luck
also in the tenth round with White against the 'home' player Kengis
opponent of mine in junior tournaments (just think: our first encounter took
place 22 years earlier). This brought me to 'plus five' and first place. ---
Anand also produced a finishing spurt. As a result he finished just half a
point behind me
the decisive game of the tournament.}) (25. -- {The chairman of the Tal
Memorial organising committee was the Latvian Prime Minister himself
present at the opening ceremony were the President of the country and the
Russian ambassador! But
this standard in Riga was not established. The prominent Baltiya Bank
main sponsor
our match in the autumn
tournaments
the regular match-tournament in Amsterdam (Euwe Memorial
Lautier - 4 out of 6; 2. Kasparov - 3½; 3. Topalov - 2½; 4. Piket - 2. It

was amusing that up to the last round I copied the previous year's results -
draw
nevertheless finished behind Lautier. --- 'The root of the trouble lay in
accumulated fatigue and many years of lack of training: I was no longer in the
habit of aiming for an ultra-complicated battle
is very high'
the game with Piket
ones that previously I sensed with the tips of my fingers. But now I am
committing crude errors... I have got out of the habit of playing with great
intensity! This is a warning signal
thing is to mobilise myself absolutely before the match with Anand.' --- From
Amsterdam I travelled to Cologne
with an opponent I had lost to the previous year in London - the program
Genius (1½-½). Everything was decided by the dramatic first game. In the
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opening I felt extremely feverish - the 'Amsterdam wounds' were still painful
and all around there was an incredible hullabaloo. On the 18th move
roughly equal position
of a pawn. The machine could take either a 'good'
doubled one
Genius grabbed the 'good' pawn (that was how it was programmed)
immediately created threats to the black king. After a couple of poor moves
the machine came under a 'mortal' pin and could no longer avoid defeat.}) (25.
-- {Alexander Roshal: 'A certain perplexity - why has Kasparov been obviously
under-performing in some of the recent events? - may be replaced by

understanding
this period: Tal Memorial in Riga
participation in a congress of the Russian Chess Federation
stars' tournament
Tyumen)
Great Patriotic War
in Amsterdam
in Novgorod... On 5 May at Moscow airport an excited Kasparov was met by his
chauffeur
and sombrely said in a changed voice: "A few hours ago Botvinnik died". To win constantly
with such a way of life is almost impossible.'}) 1-0
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Great Play"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{International Tournament in Novgorod (26 May - 5 June 1995): 1. Kasparov - 6½ out of 9;

2-5. Ehlvest 7. Timman - 4; 8. Gulko - 3; 9. Yusupov - 2½; 10. Vaganian - 2.} 1. -- {The
basic line-up for the second
Super-classic was the same as in Riga
Topalov. --- 'Kasparov had plenty of organisational and purely chess concerns.
His collapse at the finish of the Amsterdam tournament
out of three
telephone conversation with me the champion declared that in Novgorod he would
definitely play far better than in Amsterdam. And he said this persistently
and forcefully. But it is one thing to say this
(1. -- {At the start
Defence
grandmaster in the world who had a score of +3=2 against me. In the second
round
who for the first time chose the Caro-Kann Defence against my 1 e4. The d4-d5
breakthrough promised an advantage
simplification and an equal endgame. A difficult game! --- The next day I was
paired against Artur Yusupov

with Black and now was not averse to recouping his losses with the white
pieces
wanted to send a 'black spot' to my opponent in the forthcoming match -
Yusupov was one of Anand's trainers (see the following game).}) *
Page 58
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[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.05.29"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Yusupov
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A48"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bg5 Bg7 4. c3 ({If} 4. e3 {
this is a pawn sacrifice.}) 4... c5 $5 {Nevertheless!} ({In our Riga encounter
I chose} 4... O-O 5. Nbd2 d6 6. e4 c5 7. dxc5 dxc5 8. Be2 Nc6 9. O-O Qc7 10.
Qc2 Rd8 {with a tough
favour only at the very end
Artur rejected} 5. dxc5 {
b4 $6 Ne4 {
cxb6 Qxb6 10. Qb3 Qc7 {with lively play for the pawn (Sorokin-Sakaev
Petersburg Zonal 1993).})) 5... Qb6 6. Qb3 O-O 7. Nbd2 d6 $5 {A novelty in the
spirit of the Reti Opening with colours reversed (and a tempo less
the moment Black is not fighting for an advantage).} ({The usual} 7... d5 8.
Be2 Nc6 9. O-O {leads to a tabiya of the opening
tension to be favourable for White: I was not inspired by} c4 (9... cxd4 10.
Qxb6 axb6 11. exd4) ({or} 9... Bf5 10. dxc5 Qxc5 11. Nd4) 10. Qa3 {.}) 8. Qxb6
({My idea consisted of} 8. Be2 Be6 $1) ({or} 8. Nc4 Qc7 $1 {.}) 8... axb6 {
From this point there begins complicated
doubling of Black's pawns is compensated by the opening of the a-file.} 9. Nc4
Nbd7 10. Be2 d5 {Not in the Reti spirit.} ({Apparently the best was} 10... h6
$5 11. -- (11. Bh4 g5 12. Bg3 Ne4) ({
then} b5 13. Ne3 b4 14. cxb4 cxd4 15. Nd5 e5 (15... e6 $5 16. Nxf6+ Nxf6 {-
Stohl}) 16. Nd2 Bd8 $1 17. Nc4 Nf6 18. Nxf6+ Bxf6 {with comfortable play (} 19.
Nxd6 Be7 $1 {) or the less forcing 12...Bg7 with the intention of ...b6-b5.}))
(10... b5 11. Na3 {is dangerous.}) 11. Nce5 h6 12. Bf4 c4 $1 {This is what I
was counting on
and if a2-a3 the manoeuvre ...Nb6-a4
defect in the pawn structure.} 13. h4 $5 b5 14. g4 ({Yusupov cherishes
aggressive ideas
open the h-file. This imparts an interesting dynamic nature to the play:
despite the absence of the queens
middlegame
reply
the one e5 point
14... h5 {(avoiding the opening of the h-file)} 15. gxh5 ({or} 15. Nxd7 Bxd7
16. g5 Ne4 {looked rather tedious}) 15... Nxh5 {.}) 15. g5 hxg5 ({Again the
h-file could have been kept closed -} 15... h5 16. gxf6 exf6 {
Nd3 cxd3 18. Bxd3 Bg4 19. Nh2 Bd7 20. Kd2 {(and if} Nc4+ {
it is more difficult for Black to find counterplay compensating for the
weakness of his pawns.}) 16. hxg5 Ne4 ({The 'sideways'} 16... Nh5 {also
deserved consideration
19. Rb1 {(Stohl)} Bxe5 20. fxe5 Kg7 {and ...Rh8 with equality}) 17... Na4 (
17... Bf5 $2 18. Nh4 {- Makarychev}) 18. Kd2 ({of course
Nxc3 $1 19. bxc3 Rxa2 {- Stohl}) 18... b4 $1 {.}) 17. Nd2 $1 {Exchanging this
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passive knight for a powerful opponent.} ({After} 17. Nh2 $2 Na4 18. f3 Bxe5 $1
({even better than my Informator suggestion} 18... Nd6) 19. dxe5 Nec5) ({or}
17. a3 $2 Na4 18. Ra2 {(Stohl)} Nxb2 $1 19. Rxb2 Nxc3 {and ...Rxa3 Black's
plan would have been completely justified.}) 17... Bf5 $1 {(a timely
development of the bishop on the operational diagonal f5-b1)} 18. Bg4 $5 {A
sharp
(Stohl).}) ({And if} 18. Ng4 Na4 19. Nxe4 {
Nxb2 23. Kf2 f6 24. gxf6 exf6 25. Rah1 Rxa2 26. Bd6 Nd3+ 27. Kg3 Rfa8 28. Bxd3
Bxd3 29. e4 dxe4 30. d5 {
Bxg4 e5 {is suitable.}) 18... Na4 {Earlier I attached an exclamation mark to
this thematic move
accurate to play} 18... Bxg4 $1 19. Nxg4 Na4 ({or even better the immediate}
19... b4 $1 20. cxb4 Rfc8 {with excellent counterplay}) 20. Nxe4 dxe4 21. Rb1
b4 22. Nh6+ (22. cxb4 c3 {with equality - Stohl}) 22... Bxh6 23. Rxh6 bxc3 24.
bxc3 Nxc3 25. Rxb7 Nd5 $1 26. Be5 f6 27. gxf6 Rxa2 $1 28. Rxg6+ Kf7 29. fxe7
Re8 30. Rg7+ Ke6 {.}) 19. Nxe4 dxe4 ({Again} 19... Bxg4 $1 20. Nxg4 dxe4 21.
Rb1 b4 {was better - see above.}) 20. Bxf5 gxf5 21. Rb1 $1 ({I was reckoning on
} 21. O-O-O $6 Nxc3 $1 (21... b4 22. cxb4 c3 23. b3 Nb2 {
number of commentators
Bxe5 f6 27. gxf6 exf6 28. Bd6) 22. bxc3 Rxa2 {with the threat of ...Rfa8 -
White is saved only by a prompt attack:} 23. g6 $1 f6 24. Nf7 $1 Rfa8 25. Rh7
Rxf2 (25... b4 $2 26. Bh6 $1) 26. Kb1 $1 Rfa2 {
27. Kc1 $2 ({but} 27. Rc1 $1 {(Stohl)
Rxg6 {when Black wins.}) 21... b4 $5 ({An attempt to devise something more
cheerful than a fight for equality by} 21... Nb6 22. a3 Bxe5 (22... Nd5 $6 23.
Kd2 {- Makarychev}) 23. Bxe5 f6 24. gxf6 exf6 25. Bf4 Rf7 {and ...Rh7.}) 22.
cxb4 (22. Nxc4 $6 {is weak in view of} b5 23. Ne5 bxc3 {
$1 {promised some advantage - here I recommended} Rfc8 {

unexpected} (22... Nxc3 $1 23. bxc3 Rxa2+ 24. Kc1 $1 (24. Kd1 bxc3 25. Rc1 Rfa8
{is equal}) 24... b3 $1 25. Nxc4 Rc8 26. Rxb3 Rxc4 27. Kb1 Rca4 {is more
energetic
Black's activity comes to a standstill.}) 22... Nb6 {Again Black does not seek
the easy ways (perhaps this is how one should play for a win?).} ({Two replies
would have retained equal chances:} 22... c3 $5 23. b3 (23. bxc3 Nxc3 {is equal
}) 23... Nb2 24. a4 Nd3+ $1 {
} 24... b5 $2 25. a5) ({or} 24... Bxe5 25. Bxe5 f6 26. gxf6 exf6 27. Bd6) 25.
Nxd3 $6 exd3 26. Ra1 (26. Rd1 $2 d2+ 27. Ke2 Rac8 {and wins - Stohl}) 26...
Rfe8 27. Kd1 e5 {Black's pair of connected passed pawns is very strong
therefore 25 Ke2 with equality is safer}) (22... Rfc8 $5 23. g6 $1 {
not} Bxe5 $6 ({but simply} 23... fxg6 24. Nxg6 Kf7 25. Be5 Kxg6 26. Rg1+ Kf7
27. Rxg7+ Ke6 {and ...c4-c3 with an obvious draw}) 24. dxe5 $1 Rc6 (24... fxg6
$2 25. e6 {and Be5 - Stohl}) 25. gxf7+ Kxf7 26. Rh7+ Ke6 {with chances of
defending.}) 23. a3 ({After the non-routine move} 23. Ra1 {Black would have
kept afloat with} Nd5 $1 24. Kd2 Nxb4 25. Nxc4 Nd3 26. Bg3 b5 27. Nb6 Ra7 {.})
23... Rfc8 $1 {(threatening to solve all the problems with ...c4-c3)} 24. g6 $1
Bxe5 $1 {'The path found by Kasparov is very narrow' (Makarychev).} ({White is
better after} 24... f6 $6 25. Nf7 Nd5 26. Rc1 c3 27. bxc3 Rxa3 28. Rh7 $1) ({or
} 24... fxg6 $6 25. Nxg6 Kf7 26. Be5 $1 {.}) 25. gxf7+ $1 ({Nothing real was
given by the pawn sacrifice} 25. dxe5 fxg6 26. e6 Rc6 $1 27. Be5 Rxe6 {(Stohl)}
28. Bd4 Rc8 29. Ke2 Rd6 {.}) 25... Kxf7 26. Bxe5 {This suggests itself
only the 'quirky'} 26. dxe5 $1 {would have left White with a mini-plus:} Nd5 ({
or} 26... Rh8 27. Kd2) 27. Rd1 {.}) 26... Nd5 {'White's activity on the
kingside is ephemeral
on d5
In the event of} 27. Rh7+ Ke6 28. Rh6+ Kd7 29. Rh5 {(Stohl) Black could have
Page 60
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avoided an immediate draw (} Ke6 30. Rh6+ {) by 29...Rf8 with the ideas of ...b7-b5 and
...c4-c3.}) 27... c3+ $1 {(the play again becomes sharper however
{.}) 28... cxb2+ 29. Kxb2 Rc3 30. Ra1 ({For the moment Artur is not in a hurry
to force a draw -} 30. Rh7+ Ke6 31. Rg1 Rcxa3 32. Rg6+ Nf6 33. Bxf6 exf6 34.
Rxb7 {.}) 30... b5 $5 {A last chance
If} 30... Rd3 {I was concerned about} 31. Rh7+ Ke6 32. Rg1 {(cf. the previous
variation).}) 31. Rhc1 {(this would appear to be the surest way to the drawing
haven)} Rd3 $1 32. Rc5 $1 ({Of course
33. Rxb5 $2 {In time-trouble Artur makes a natural 'reflex' move
to find the only defence -} 33. Kc2 $1 {with the idea of} Ra4 $6 ({or} 33...
Nc4 34. a4 $1 Rd2+ (34... Na3+ $2 35. Rxa3 $1) 35. Kc3 Rd3+ {with perpetual
check}) 34. Rxb5 Nc4 35. Kc1 $1 {. Now
uncommonly pretty finish.}) 33... Nc4+ 34. Kc1 (34. Kc2 $2 Raxa3 {.}) 34... Rg8
35. Bg3 f4 $3 {(the crux of Black's idea)} 36. Rf5+ ({It turns out that the
pawn is taboo:} 36. Bxf4 $2 Rc3+ $1 {
Rc3+ $1 37. Kd1 (37. Kb1 $2 Rh8 $1) 37... Rh8 38. Ra2 Rh1+ 39. Ke2 Rxg3 $1 40.
fxg3 (40. Rc2 Rgg1 $1 41. Rxc4 Rd1) ({or} 40. Rc5 Rc3 {is altogether depressing
}) 40... Rh2+ {and ...Rxa2.}) 36... Kg6 $1 37. Rxf4 Rc8 $1 {An ambush!
Exploiting the fact that the white rook has been lured off the fifth rank
Black creates an amazing mating construction.} 38. Rg4+ ({Both} 38. Kb1 Nd2+
39. Kb2 Rb3+) ({and} 38. Ra2 Nxa3+ 39. Kb2 Rc2+ {would have led to an elegant
mate.}) 38... Kh5 $1 ({This is even more forceful than} 38... Kf7 39. Rg5 e5 $1
40. Bxe5 Na5+ $1 {.}) 39. Rh4+ Kg6 {(repeating moves in time-trouble)} 40. Rg4+
Kh5 41. Rh4+ Kg5 $1 42. f4+ Kg6 $1 43. f5+ Kg5 ({and in view of} 43... Kg5 44.
Rh2 Nd2+ 45. Kd1 Nb1+ $1 {
over Yusupov. Two subsequent draws
the final score of our official meetings: +11-1=9. --- The following day I had
Black against the rising star of Bulgarian chess
Topalov. Despite his youth
uncompromising style
from Amsterdam 1995 the scores began to turn the other way
balance in 'classical' play was +9-3=13 in my favour. It is curious that all
my losses against Topalov
suffered as Black in the Sicilian. However
[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.05.30"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Topalov
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B80"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 ({I prepared for the English Attack before my match with
Short (1993)
Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e6 7. Be3 b5 {and ...Nbd7 (Game Nos.56
and also positions with ...Nc6.}) 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Be3 (6. g4
{- Game No.66 in Kasparov vs. Karpov 1975-1985.}) 6... Nf6 7. f3 Be7 8. Qd2 O-O
9. g4 a6 10. O-O-O Nxd4 ({In 1988 I thought that White simply had a Keres
Attack with the loss of a tempo (f2-f3)
Page 61
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Nd7 {(Game No.39 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov). But other
ways to equalise had to be sought
(again by analogy with the Keres Attack).}) 11. Bxd4 b5 12. Kb1 ({The variation
} 12. g5 Nd7 13. h4 Bb7 ({but} 13... Qc7 14. Kb1 (14. a3 Ne5 $1) 14... b4 15.
Na4 Bb7 {with the idea of} 16. b3 Bc6 $5 {(Leko-Kasparov
questionable in view of 16 Qxb4!? (Anand-Akopian

$1 Rc8 15. Kb1 {leads to a transposition of moves.}) (12. a3 Nd7 $1 {
Ponomariov-Kasparov
{A novelty in the continuation of the theoretical duel.} ({In our previous
game (Amsterdam 1995) Veselin had allowed ...b5-b4:} 15. Rg1 $6 b4 $1 16. Ne2 (
16. Na4 $2 Bc6) 16... Ne5 17. Rg3 Nc4 18. Qc1 $2 (18. Qxb4 Qc7 {is not so clear
}) 18... e5 19. Bf2 a5 20. Bg2 Ba6 21. Re1 a4 22. Bh3 Rc6 (22... Rb8 $5) 23.
Qd1 {
28. cxd3 Rxd3 {I gained a spectacular win.}) ({In 1993 we also analysed} 15. g6
$6 {
prophylactic move 15 a3 is much stronger: it would seem merely to assist the
attack with ...b5-b4
this immediately
15... Ne5 16. Qe3 Nc4 (16... Nc6 $1 17. Bb6 {

(blitz) 2008.}) 17. Bxc4 Rxc4 18. Rhg1 $1 ({Not} 18. e5 $6 Qc7 {. Topalov has
played the opening well
game with Lautier: ideas of a direct attack combined with positional motifs.
It is not so easy for Black to create counterplay.}) 18... b4 ({If} 18... Qc7 {
making it difficult for Black to defend his d6-pawn.}) (18... Re8 19. h5 Bf8 {
involves the loss of a tempo
storm against the king's fortress (} 20. g6 fxg6 21. hxg6 h6 22. f4 Qc8 $1 {)
but by simply doubling or even tripling heavy pieces on the d-file - 20 Rd3!
etc.}) 19. axb4 Rxb4 20. Rg2 {A subtle positional move: the rook covers the
second rank and is ready to double on the d-file.} ({But perhaps the immediate
} 20. Bc5 $5 {is even better:} Rc4 21. Ba3 Qc7 22. Rd3 Ba8 $6 ({or} 22... Rb8
23. Rgd1 {
(Vokarev-Lastin
After} 20... Bc6 $6 21. Na2 $1 Rb5 (21... Rc4 $2 22. b3 {
Bundesliga 2005}) 22. Bxg7 $1 Kxg7 23. Qc3+ Kg8 24. Qxc6 Qb8 25. c3 {Black has
no compensation for the pawn.}) (20... a5 21. Bc5 $1 {is also insufficient - I
recommended} dxc5 {(?)} 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 {'with good compensation for the queen'
but after} 23. h5 $1 {White has a fearfully strong attack.}) 21. b3 ({Again}
21. Bc5 $5 {deserved consideration:} Rb7 ({the attacking attempt} 21... Rb8 $2
22. Rgd2 Qa5 23. Bxd6 Bxd6 24. Rxd6 Rxb2+ 25. Kxb2 Rb8+ {is illusory in view of
} 26. Nb5 $1 {
time I also judged} 22. e5 d5 23. b3 {to be in White's favour
24. Qxc5 Qb8 $1 {Black is okay}) 22... Qb8 $1 {the only way;} ({after my
earlier} 22... Rd7 {(?) there is} 23. Bxd6 $1 {and e4-e5}) 23. Bxd6 $6 {is
premature on account of} Rxb2+ 24. Kc1 Rb7 $1 {
Ba3# {!)
thinking for some 20 minutes
extracted from the position.}) 21... a5 22. h5 ({After} 22. Bc5 {(?!) I again
advised} dxc5 {(?)} (22... Rb8 $1 23. Rgd2 a4 $1 {is correct
both sides:} 24. Nxa4 Qa5 25. Bb6 Qa6 $1 26. Rxd6 Bxd6 27. Rxd6 Rfc8 {
23. Rxd8 Rxd8 24. Rd2 Rbd4 25. Rd3 Bc6 26. h5 g6 {'with a good game
white king's position has been weakened by the move b2-b3'. However
h6 $1 {Black is probably in trouble.}) 22... Qc7 23. Bf6 $1 {(it was this
trick that Veselin was counting on)} Rfb8 {Essential accuracy.} ({If} 23... Bc6
$6 24. Bxe7 Qxe7 {there could have followed} 25. h6 $1 ({my Informator move}
25. Rgd2 {is less clear in view of} Rc8 $5) 25... Rfb8 (25... g6 $2 26. Na2)
Page 62
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26. Qf4 e5 27. Qf6 $1 gxf6 28. gxf6+ Kf8 29. fxe7+ Kxe7 30. Kc1 {with the
better endgame.}) 24. Bxe7 Qxe7 25. Rd4 {Actively preventing ...a5-a4.} ({A
more complicated way of fighting for an advantage was} 25. Kc1 $5 {(not
exchanging a pair of rooks). Against the two moves suggested by me in
Informator White has strong replies:} Bc6 ({or} 25... R4b6 26. h6 $1) ({and if
} 25... Qc7 {
25... e5 26. Rxb4 axb4 27. Na2 $1 {In order to hinder the opponent's
counterplay on the a-file by an attack on the weak b4- and d6-pawns;} ({after}
27. Na4 Bc6 28. Nb2 Qc7 {Black would have become active.}) 27... Qc7 $1 ({The
opening of the centre -} 27... d5 $2 28. exd5 Bxd5 {- is unfavourable because
of} 29. Rd2 Bc6 30. f4 e4 ({or} 30... f6 31. gxf6 gxf6 32. h6) 31. h6 {.}) 28.
Qd3 $1 {Accuracy is now demanded of White.} ({If} 28. Rd2 {possible is} Bc6 29.
Qd3 Qa5 $1 30. Qxd6 Ra8 31. c4 bxc3 32. Nxc3 Be8 {with good compensation for
the pawn:} 33. Na2 ({or} 33. Rd3 h6 $1 34. gxh6 Bb5 $1 35. Re3 Qa7 $1 36. Qd2
gxh6 {
an exclamation mark for psychology. By bringing up his king to the defence of
the d6-pawn
Veselin was visibly perplexed - apparently he was reckoning on} 28... Bc6 $6
29. g6 $1) ({or} 28... Rb6 29. g6 $1 ({in Informator for some reason I judged}
29. Rd2 Bb7 30. Qc4 {to be in White's favour
{the endgame is equal}) 29... fxg6 30. hxg6 h6 31. Rd2 Bb7 32. Qe3 {with some
advantage.}) 29. g6 $6 {This is typical Topalov - he tries to expose the
opponent's king
he advances the wrong pawn!} ({The accurate} 29. h6 $1 g6 30. Rd2 Ke7 ({or}
30... Rb6 31. f4 $1 {(when} exf4 $2 {is not possible on account of} 32. Qd4 $1
{) would have enabled White to maintain his fading initiative}) 31. f4 $1 {.})
({Not the Informator line} 29. Rd2 Ke7 30. Kb2 {in view of} Qc5 $1 31. c3 bxc3+
32. Nxc3 Bc6 ({or} 32... h6 {with equality.})) 29... fxg6 30. hxg6 h6 31. f4 $6
{But here this is going too far: Black is not weakened on the long diagonal
and his g7-pawn is defended. White plays for mate and effectively burns his
boats behind him
make this move later
32. Kb2) ({or} 32. Nc1 {
33... Kf8 34. Nxb4) 34. Qf2 $1 {
}) 31... exf4 32. Rf2 Kg8 33. Rxf4 Qc5 $1 {Virtually Black's first active move
- and immediately a threat (34...Qg1+). The situation has changed: now the e4-
and g6-pawns are weak
has problems. But Topalov sensed the danger too late.} 34. Rf1 ({The ending
looks alarming for White after} 34. Rf5 Qg1+ 35. Kb2 Qxg6 36. e5 $1 Qe6 37.
Qxd6 Qxd6 38. exd6 g5 $1 {.}) ({I suggested} 34. Nc1 {as being the best
practical chance
. And
with the passed pawns on opposite wings the bishop is stronger than the knight
and Black's chances are rather better. The move in the game is most probably
no worse than these continuations.}) 34... Qb5 $1 ({The incautious} 34... Qe5
$6 {would have run into} 35. Qc4+ Kh8 (35... d5 $6 36. Qc5 Qxe4 $2 37. Qa7 $1 {
and wins}) 36. Qxb4 $1 {
{.}) (34... Rc8 {was not bad
proved far more unpleasant for the opponent.}) 35. Rc1 $6 {A difficult choice.}
(35. Qf3 $2 {was bad in view of} Qe8 $1 {
weaknesses on e4 and g6.}) (35. Rf7 $6 Qxd3 36. cxd3 Bc6 {with the threat of ...Be8}) (35.
Rg1 $1 {is better}) ({or} 35. Qxb5 $6 Rxb5 36. Rd1 Bxe4 37. Rxd6
Kf8 38. Rd4 Bxg6 39. Nxb4 h5 $1 40. Kc1 Bf5 {also does not look good
the endgame is advantageous to Black: his pawns advance more quickly
bishop is more mobile than the knight. White's attempt to exchange the queens
in a more favourable version (35...Qxd3?! 36 cxd3
go to c6) leads to a quick rout
Page 63
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go into the endgame.}) 35... Qe5 $1 {(pretty pendulum-like oscillations by the
queen)} 36. Qc4+ Kh8 37. Rh1 $2 {A desperate time-trouble trap.} (37. Nxb4 $2
Qxe4) ({or} 37. Qc7 $2 Rf8 38. Nxb4 Bxe4 {was also hopeless.}) ({Only} 37. Re1
{retained saving hopes
sound pawn to the good.}) 37... Bxe4 ({It was still possible to lose:} 37...
Qxe4 $4 38. Rxh6+ gxh6 39. Qf7 Qe1+ 40. Nc1 {and mate.}) 38. Qc7 ({Not} 38.
Rxh6+ $2 gxh6 39. Qf7 ({or} 39. Qc7 Rb7) 39... Qg7 {.}) 38... Rf8 $1 {
Unexpectedly this move
attack
a standstill and Black completely dominates - all his pieces have taken up
attacking positions.} 40. Nc1 ({If} 40. Rh4 {Black would also have won with}
Bxc2+ $1 ({but not the Informator} 40... Bxg6 {(?)} 41. Qc4+ d5 {because of}
42. Qd4 $1 {with a draw}) 41. Qxc2 Qe1+ {and ...Qxh4.}) (40. Rh7 Bxg6 41. Rh1
Qe6 $1 {(threatening ...Qxb3 and ...Rc8)} 42. Qc4 Qxc4 43. bxc4 b3 {was also
depressing for White.}) 40... Bxc2+ $1 {It is this bishop
waiting in ambush
41. Kxc2 ({or} 41. Qxc2 gxh6) 41... Rf2+ {for a long time
very difficult
then scoring a third successive win - over Vaganian - I was confidently
leading the race: Kasparov - 4½ out of 5; Ivanchuk and Short - 3½. But in
the sixth round I had a difficult draw with Kramnik
Short and reduced my lead to the minimum. After this both leaders
by the extreme Novgorod heat
decided by the last
success of the previous year
but on this occasion he lost to Topalov. I had to be satisfied with a draw
against Timman
No.4
ahead of my nearest rivals. --- Yuri Vasiliev: 'The leading role in the
tournament was played by the world champion. He acted extremely professionally
and created a number of masterpieces of attack and counterattack. His games
with Yusupov and Topalov were especially impressive. This was great play!'})
0-1
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Match with Anand"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{World Championship Match Kasparov - Anand (New York
October 1995): 10½-7½.} 1. -- {Initially it was planned that my match
with the winner of the PCA cycle would be held in Germany - such an offer had
been made to me during the 1994 Moscow Olympiad by the organisers of the
Dortmund tournaments. The venue had already been selected and all the
conditions agreed. However
Federations unhappy with the outcome of the FIDE Congress in Moscow and the
conditions of the proposed agreement with the PCA
boycott of the match. Early in 1995 the Dortmund organisers suddenly made a
reverse move - they held a press conference
and announced their intention to hold a super-tournament in the summer with
Page 64
Sheet1
the participation of 'the world champion Karpov'. An amusing detail: when in
the autumn of 2000 their favourite Kramnik became world champion
immediately 'forgot' from whom he had taken the title... --- But
critical situation
main sponsor of the PCA was interested in it. Then
second
York
idea was conceived of staging the match on the 107th floor of the south tower
of the World Trade Centre
- after the infamous terrorist act of 1993. And we decided that it would be
better to hold the match there
than somewhere where they were 'basically' opposed to it.} (1. -- {The World
Trade Centre took on the preparation of the playing hall (with seating for
roughly two hundred) and the advertising of the match. It was a fortunate
coincidence of interests: the Centre needed to again have the attention of the
world community focused on it. Operating at the match were such mighty TV and
radio companies as the CNN and the BBC. Chess players could not even dream of
such publicity! --- In July and August
prepared intensively for the match on the Adriatic Sea
was a long time since I had felt so well
chess and the psychological sense. I swam a great deal and went canoeing. I
established my own personal record: I swam three and a half kilometres in the
open sea in one hour
kilometres in the canoe and at the chess board I spent two hundred and fifty
hours. --- Apart from the old-timer Alexander Shakarov
Dokhoian and Yevgeny Pigusov (official seconds). And in the last week Vladimir
Kramnik arrived; we played some rapid chess and looked at a few ideas. The
inclusion in the team of a top-class grandmaster helped me to acquire the
necessary confidence. In New York we were joined by Mikhail Khodarkovsky

manager and press attaché.}) ({Taking into account the experience of my match
with Short
apart from the usual} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 ({I
prepared a secret weapon:} 5... g6 {- the Dragon Variation! Noticing that
Anand did not play so confidently against it as in other set-ups
several new ideas
one game a rare line of the Rauzer Variation was planned -} 5... Nc6 6. Bg5 e6
7. Qd2 Be7 8. O-O-O O-O 9. f4 h6 {
move)
attention was devoted to the Najdorf Variation. But here we missed the mark:
we analysed 6 Be3 or 6 f3
quiet 6 Be2. The only thing that we did not look at before the match was the
Scheveningen: after all

experience with it at all! However
match battles developed
me.})) (1. -- {The 25-year-old challenger's team comprised Ubilava
(the official seconds)
and a number of invisible volunteers
his preparation Anand sharply improved his theoretical erudition and made a
thorough study of the 6 Be2 variation in the Scheveningen
of the Ruy Lopez
matches (Yusupov was an expert on it)
in the Scotch (cf. Game No.38
Nimzo-Indian which had been revived by Romanishin
enthusiasm for 1 d4 (cf. Game No.63 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry
Kasparov
match fully armed. Vishy was indeed the most worthy contender to the crown and
Page 65
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could well have won both qualifying cycles - not only of the PCA
FIDE. 'The match will be difficult not because it is being played on the 107th
floor
declared at an interview before the start. 'But I think that my great
experience should tell and
acquire during the 50 days of training.' --- The schedule of the match
was to be the best of 20 games (and not 24
rigorous
Tuesdays
seven-hour time control: two hours for 40 moves

hour to the end of the game. As was the case two years earlier
after a game the players gave press conferences. --- The drawing of lots was
personally carried out by Giuliani. And the next day
exactly six years before the 2001 tragedy...)
and declared New York to be the capital of world chess!}) (1. -- {'After all
the photographers had snapped the beaming Rudolf and Garry and the faintly
smiling Vishy
e4!. The world champion promptly cast off his film actor's mask and
assessing the opponent with his unique and characteristic glance
atmosphere of the match at the top of the sky-scraper: 'During the one minute
of ascent on the rapid escalator your ears popped. Here from the viewing
platform there was a wonderful panorama of New York - from the Statue of
Liberty to the Brooklyn Bridge... That which I saw staggered me. In a cubic
glass 'aquarium' three people were sitting: the two world-famous grandmasters
at the chess table
chief arbiter Carol Jarecki. Directly in front of the cube was the auditorium
with places for those closest to the 'camps of the warring sides'. Some seats
were marked 'Kasparov' and others 'Anand'. Fans could also sit here if they
paid 75 dollars for a ticket. For the others
the foyer and listening to the commentary on ear-pieces (they sat on the floor
reinforced by beer and sandwiches)
dream has come true: chess in the public view"
[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.09.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Anand
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B85"]
[PlyCount "72"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
{The first eight games ended in draws - a record for world championship
matches! And although the battle was very tenacious
more than 30 moves. This occurred in the third game
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e6 7. O-O Be7 8. a4

Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. f4 Qc7 11. Kh1 Re8 12. Bd3 Nb4 13. a5 Bd7 14. Nf3 Bc6 15.
Bb6 Qc8 16. Qe1 Nd7 17. Bd4 Nc5 18. Qg3 f6 19. e5 $1 {While Vishy was thinking
(this lasted 29 minutes)
realised that he was calculating the combination involving the e4-e5 break and
the typical bishop sacrifice on h7. Regretting that on the 17th move I had
Page 66
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rushed with ...Nd7-c5
mess. And I took a decision while still 'behind the scenes'.} Rf8 $5 {'Sensing
the full extent of the danger impending over his position
move confidently and imperturbably
psychological reckoning worked!' (Makarychev)} ({After the simple-minded} 19...
dxe5 $2 {there would have followed} 20. Bxh7+ $1 Kxh7 21. fxe5 {
has no defence:} -- (21... Nxc2 $2 22. exf6 Bxf6 23. Bxf6 gxf6 24. Ng5+ $1 (24.
Ne5 $1 {also wins}) 24... fxg5 25. Rf7+ Kg6 26. Raf1 Qd8 27. Qe5 $1 Rh8 28.
Rg7+ Kh5 29. Qg3 $1 {
21... f5 22. Bxc5 Bxc5 (22... Bxf3 23. Bxe7 {with the ideas of Qh4+ and gxf3})
23. Ng5+ Kg8 (23... Kh6 $2 24. Qh4+ {
Kf8 25. Qh8+ Ke7 26. Qxg7+ Kd8 27. Rad1+ Bd7 28. Rxf5 $1 {
(the lesser evil)} 22. Qh4+ Kg8 23. exf6 Bxf6 (23... gxf6 $2 24. Ng5 $1) 24.
Bxf6 gxf6 25. Qxb4 Qe7 26. Nd4 {with a decisive material and positional
advantage.})) ({The 'admission of the mistake' -} 19... Nd7 {was far more
resilient
20. Bc4 $1 d5 21. exf6 Bxf6 22. Bb3 {White would have gained a small but
enduring initiative.}) 20. Bxc5 $2 {Anand took me at my word!} ({And
after} 20. Bxh7+ $2 Kxh7 21. exf6 Rxf6 $1 {White has nothing
Ng5+ Kg8 23. Bxf6 Bxf6 24. Qh4 Qe8 {
However
$1 {.} -- ({. Now Black loses after} 20... Bxf6 $2 21. Bxh7+ $1 Kxh7 22. Ng5+
Bxg5 ({not} 22... Kg6 $2 23. f5+ $1 exf5 24. Nge4+) ({or} 22... Kg8 $2 23. Qh4
Bxg5 24. fxg5 {
} 23... Kg6 $2 24. Rf6+ $1 {mating}) 24. Rxf1 Kg6 $5 (24... Qe8 25. Qh4+ Kg8
26. Bxg7 $1 Kxg7 27. Qh6+ Kg8 28. Rf6 $1 {and wins - Anand}) 25. Ne2 $1 e5 26.
Bxc5 dxc5 27. Qxe5 Qg4 28. Nf4+ Kh7 29. h3 $1 {
to reply} 20... Rxf6 21. Bxf6 Bxf6 {with some compensation for the exchange.
'With the opponent short of time and after the sharp change in the character
of the position
})) 20... dxc5 {With a draw on the 37th move.} 21. Bc4 Bd5 22. Nxd5 exd5 23.
Bb3 c4 24. Ba4 Nc6 25. c3 fxe5 26. Nxe5 Nxe5 27. fxe5 Qe6 28. Bc2 Rxf1+ 29.
Rxf1 Rf8 30. Rxf8+ Bxf8 31. Qf4 g6 32. Bd1 Qf7 33. Qd4 Qf1+ 34. Qg1 Qxg1+ 35.
Kxg1 Kf7 36. Bg4 b6 {. Whereas in the first five odd-numbered games the arena
of battle was the Scheveningen
openings
new material for analysis. I tried 1 d4
d4. And after the eighth game at night in my sleep (!)
'hole' in the Open Variation of the Ruy Lopez
in the seventh game. During the free days my trainers and I thoroughly checked
the correctness of the pretty combination that had been found
sacrifice of a pawn and a rook. It was time to go on the attack! But ahead lay
Monday and the 'black' ninth game... --- Just before the start of the match
the experienced grandmaster Leonid Shamkovich predicted that 'Anand would
take the lead

eight draws he refined his prognosis: 'Kasparov needs to shake himself up
to play his kind of risky chess. Perhaps for this he needs to lose one game?
This would be a good stimulus for him
of adrenalin in his blood. He needs a stimulant
which he finds himself at the start of the match.' --- Amazingly
happened. Excited by my fantastic 'Spanish' discovery
anticipation of the tenth game the following day
concentrate on the ninth and I suffered a defeat. For the first time a
theoretical novelty let me down even before I could employ it! Now it was
doubly important that it should work the following day.} 1/2-1/2
Page 67
Sheet1

[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.09.26"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Anand
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C80"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 {In the opinion of
Kramnik and other experts
Open Variation. But apparently he was confident about the safety of his
position...} ({In the 12th game Vishy was to try} 5... b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. a4 Bb7
8. d3 d6 9. Nc3 b4 10. Nd5 Na5 11. Nxf6+ Qxf6 12. Ba2 h6 {.}) 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3
d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Nbd2 Nc5 10. c3 d4 11. Ng5 $5 ({We had seriously analysed
this sharp move of Igor Zaitsev (the source game: Karpov-Korchnoi
game
Bxe6 Nxe6 12. cxd4 Ncxd4 {(Game Nos.85
Adams-Anand
Bd5 $6 {is dubious because of} 12. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 13. Qf3+ Ke6 14. Qg4+ $1 Ke7
15. e6 $1 Bxe6 16. Re1 Qd7 17. Bxe6 Nxe6 18. Nf3 {with a powerful attack
(Svidler-Anand
playable:} 12. Qf3 $1 O-O-O 13. Bxe6+ fxe6 14. Qxc6 Qxe5 $1 15. b4 $1 Qd5 $1
16. Qxd5 exd5 17. bxc5 dxc3 18. Nb3 d4 19. Ba3 $1 g6 $5 (19... Be7 {- Game No.
118 in Part II of My Great Predecessors}) 20. Bb4 Bg7 21. a4 {
Kd7 $6 ({but the computer line} 21... d3 $1 22. axb5 d2 23. bxa6 (23. c6 Kb8 $1
25. Rxa1 Rhe8 26. Rc1 Re4 $1 27. Bc3 Rc4 $1 28. Rxc2 Rd3 {with equality
(Morozevich-Ponomariov
Linares 2001).}) 12. Nxe6 fxe6 13. bxc3 Qd3 {All these well-known moves were
made in just a few minutes.} 14. Bc2 $1 {And here is the novelty - an old
recommendation of Tal 'with compensation' after 14...Qxc3. Zaitsev: 'I
remember that with Tal and Balashov in Baguio the three of us analysed this
bishop move and did not find anything positive in it. But in commentaries it
was decided
14 Bc2
later
14. Nf3 {
important improvement by Ubilava)} 15. Qe1 Nxb3 16. axb3 Kb7 17. Be3 Be7 {with
double-edged play}) 15. Bxd1 Be7 16. Be3 Nd3 {with a somewhat inferior endgame
for Black (Karpov-Korchnoi).}) 14... Qxc3 (14... Qd5 $2 15. a4 $1 {.}) 15. Nb3
$3 {The point of White's idea! Whereas Anand spent only four minutes on the
capture of the c3-pawn
the rook on a1!) he thought for all of 45 minutes - possibly a record for the
'Indian miracle-worker'
an easy choice.} (15... Nb4 $2) ({or} 15... Be7 $2 {is also bad because of} 16.
Qh5+) ({as is} 15... g6 $2 16. Bg5 $1 ({stronger than} 16. Bd2 Qxe5 17. Re1 {.}
)) ({And} 15... Nd4 $2 {runs into} 16. Nxd4 $1 (16. Qh5+ g6 17. Bxg6+ hxg6 18.
Qxh8 {is not so forceful}) 16... Qxa1 17. Nxe6 $1 Nxe6 18. Qd5 Nd8 19. Rd1 {
and wins.}) ({Makarychev suggested} 15... Nxe5 {(?)} 16. Bd2 Qc4 17. Qh5+ Nf7
Page 68
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18. Rac1 Qd5 {
Qxd5 ({and} 19. Qh3 {(e2) a very strong attack}) 19... exd5 20. Rfe1+ Kd8 21.
Nxc5 Bxc5 22. Bb3 Ba3 23. Bxd5 {gives White a technically won endgame.}) ({In
Informator I gave what was supposedly the only acceptable defence:} 15... Rd8
16. Bd2 -- (16... Rxd2 {(?!)} 17. Nxd2 {'with a small advantage for White'.
However
sufficient compensation for the exchange:} (18. a4 $5) 18... Ned7 $6 ({or}
18... Bd6 19. Qh5+ $1 (19. Nxc5 Qxc5 20. Rc1 Qd5 $1 {is weaker}) 19... Nf7 (
19... g6 $2 20. Bxg6+ Nxg6 21. Rac1) 20. Qe2 {
) 19. Nd4 $1 Bd6 20. Rc1 {with a strong attack (} Qb2 $6 21. Bb3 {and wins
Khalifman-Hracek
condemned
already occurred in a half-forgotten game van den Berg-Nevestveit
correspondence 1990)} ({this same experience has established that after} 17...
Qf6 $1 18. Nxc5 Rxd2 $1 19. Rxe6+ Qxe6 20. Nxe6 Rxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Bd6 $1 22. Nxg7+
Kd7 {White's slight advantage may not be sufficient for a win}) 18. Qg4 $1 Nd4
19. Nxc5 (19. Rad1 $5 Nxc2 20. Bg5) 19... Bxc5 {
but} 20. Be4 $1 Qd6 21. Qxg7 Rf8 22. Qxh7 Rd7 23. Qg6+ Rdf7 24. Bh6 {with an
overwhelming advantage - the fruit of 21st century internet experience!}) 20...
Rf8 21. Bxh7 (21. Be4 $6 Qh5 $1) 21... Rd7 22. Qg6+ Kd8 23. Bh6 Nf3+ $1 {with
a draw (Naiditsch-Mamedyarov
15... Qxe5 16. Re1 Rd8 $1 {should be rated on a par with 15...Rd8. ---
Initially we also thought that the capture on b3 chosen by Anand was

acceptable. But in fact now the trap snaps shut and there is no longer any way
to equalise.}) 16. Bxb3 Nd4 {Comparatively the best chance.} (16... Rd8 $2 {is
too late in view of} 17. Qh5+ g6 18. Qg4 $1 Qxe5 19. Bb2 $1 Nd4 (19... Qxb2)
20. Rae1 Qf5 21. Qxd4 $1 {with crushing threats.}) ({Or} 16... Qxa1 $6 17. Qh5+
g6 (17... Kd7 $2 18. Bxe6+ $1 Kxe6 19. Qg4+ Kf7 20. Qf3+ {
Nd8 {(there is nothing else)} 19. Qf6 ({apart from this move
out immediately after the game
Bxe6 Be7 (20... Bd6 21. Re1 {is no better}) ({while} 20... Bg7 $2 21. Bf7+ $1)
({or} 20... Rg7 $2 21. Ba3 $1 {is even worse}) 21. Bd7+ $1 Kxd7 22. e6+ Nxe6
23. Qxa1 {
doubtful whether he is able to solve the problem of his 'bad' king.}) (16...
Be7 $6 {is also insufficient:} 17. Bd2 Qd3 18. Rc1 Nd4 ({or} 18... O-O-O 19.
Rxc6 Qxd2 20. Qg4 {with a powerful initiative for White}) 19. Rxc7 Ne2+ 20. Kh1
Rd8 21. Be3 $1) (16... Bb4 $2 17. Be3 $1 {.}) ({Therefore} 16... Nd4 {suggests
itself
{or} 17. Rb1 O-O-O {
'Brilliant
analysis I saw this quiet move
whole rook. And we checked the variations on a computer which
slower than today
be regarded as the birth date of computer preparation!} Qxa1 ({'} 17... Nxb3 $2
18. Qxe6+ {is fatal
else' (Zaitsev).}) ({Say
Nxa1 20. Qxh8+ Bf8 21. Qf6 $1 Be7 ({if} 21... Qc6 {there is the knock-out blow}
22. Rd1 $3 Nc2 23. Qh4 $1) 22. Qxe6 Qc4 23. Qxc4 bxc4 24. Rxa1 {with a more
than healthy extra pawn}) 20. axb3 Rf7 21. Qg8+ Bf8 22. Bf4 $1 Qxb3 23. Bh6 $1
Qd5 24. Rad1 Qc5 25. Kh1 $1 {
17... O-O-O 18. Bg5 $1 {.}) 18. Bxe6 $1 Rd8 {Practically the only defence
against the threat of Bd7+.} ({My Informator suggestion} 18... Qc3 {(?) is bad
in view of} 19. Bd7+ Kf7 20. Be3 Bc5 21. e6+ $1 Kg8 22. Qe4 $1 {.}) 19. Bh6 $3
{This instantaneous reply is an impressive final stroke
Black is forced to seek salvation in an ending a pawn down.} Qc3 $6 ({The best
version of going into the endgame was} 19... Qb2 $1 20. Bxg7 Qe2 $1 21. Bxh8
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Qxg4 22. Bxg4 {. In Informator I gave this position the assessment 'and wins'
but here White would still have had some work to do:} c5 ({or} 22... Be7 23. e6
Bxh8 Qg6 ({It would not have helped to play} 21... Ne2+ 22. Kh1 Rd4 ({after}
22... Ng3+ $6 23. hxg3 Qxf1+ 24. Kh2 Rd1 25. Qh5+ {White is the first to give
mate}) 23. Qh5+ ({or} 23. Bf7+ $5 Kxf7 24. e6+ {and Bxd4}) 23... Qg6 24. Qxe2
Qxe6 25. f4 {.}) 22. Bf6 Be7 23. Bxe7 Qxg4 (23... Kxe7 $2 24. Qh4+ $1 Ke8 25.
Bg4 $1 {and wins.}) 24. Bxg4 Kxe7 25. Rc1 $1 {Preventing ...c7-c5. 'The rook
stops Black's counterplay on the queenside. In the concluding phase of the
game Garry plays accurately and unhurriedly' (M. Gurevich). --- Yes
long time since I had been in a situation where over two weeks of an event I
had not once won
brilliant novelty. Anand
heart he had already lost faith in a favourable outcome.} c6 26. f4 a5 ({There
are also no chances of holding out after} 26... Rg8 27. Bd1 Rd8 (27... c5 $2
28. Rxc5 Ne6 29. Bb3 $1 {- Stohl}) 28. g3 (28. Kf2 c5 $1) 28... Nf5 (28... Rd5
29. Kf2 c5 30. Ke3 c4 31. Ke4 Rd8 32. f5 {

passed pawns}) 29. Bg4 Ne3 30. Bf3 {.}) 27. Kf2 a4 28. Ke3 b4 29. Bd1 $1 ({
Avoiding the last traps:} 29. Ke4 $6 b3 $1 30. axb3 axb3 31. f5 Kf7) ({or} 29.
Rc4 $6 a3 $1 {
31. Kxd4 b3 {and Black wins.}) 29... a3 30. g4 Rd5 31. Rc4 c5 ({The illusory
chance} 31... b3 32. axb3 a2 {would have disappeared after} 33. Ra4 Ne6 ({or}
33... Nb5 34. Be2 Nc3 35. Ra3 $1 Rd7 (35... Kf8 36. b4) 36. f5 Nd5+ 37. Kf3 Nb4
38. Bc4 Rd1 39. f6+ $1 {
Nxf4 35. Bc4 Ng2+ 36. Ke4 Rd2 37. b4) (31... Ne6 32. Bc2 $1 {.}) 32. Ke4 Rd8
33. Rxc5 Ne6 34. Rd5 $1 {White offers to give up the pride of his position -
the pair of connected passed pawns
both of Black's queenside pawns.} Rc8 {(despair)} 35. f5 Rc4+ 36. Ke3 Nc5 37.
g5 Rc1 (37... b3 38. Bxb3 $1 {.}) 38. Rd6 ({Or immediately} 38. f6+ Ke6 39.
Rd6+ Kxe5 40. f7 $1 {. But as it was

and
both the best and the theoretically most important in the 64th volume of
Informator. It had a fatal psychological effect on my opponent: right to the
finish Vishy was unable to regain his equanimity after this shock. --- The
scores were only level and half of the match still lay ahead
'floundered' in the very next game
played it for the first time in my life! On again encountering an opening
surprise
attacked too sharply on the queenside and gradually created problems for
myself.}) 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.09.28"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Anand
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B78"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2
Page 70
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Nc6 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. O-O-O Ne5 11. Bb3 Rc8 12. h4 h5 13. Kb1 Nc4 14. Bxc4 Rxc4
15. Nde2 b5 16. Bh6 Qa5 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Nf4 Rfc8 19. Ncd5 Qxd2 20. Rxd2 Nxd5
21. Nxd5 Kf8 22. Re1 Rb8 23. b3 Rc5 24. Nf4 Rbc8 25. Kb2 a5 26. a3 Kg7 27. Nd5
Be6 28. b4 $2 {Anand suddenly imagined that I had blundered the exchange.} ({
The simple} 28. Nxe7 $1 Re8 29. Nd5 Bxd5 30. b4 $1 axb4 31. axb4 Rc4 32. Rxd5
Rxb4+ (32... Rec8 $2 33. c3 $1 Rxc3 34. Re2 $1 {and Rxb5}) 33. Kc3 $1 ({it was
this that I had overlooked
33... Rc4+ 34. Kb3 {would have obliged Black to fight for a draw in a
double-rook endgame a pawn down:} f5 35. Rxb5 Rec8 36. Re2 fxe4 37. fxe4 Kf7 {
White.}) 29... Rc4 30. Nb6 $4 {Hara-kiri!} ({After} 30. c3 $1 Bxd5 31. Rxd5 $1
Rxc3 32. Re2 $1 {and Rxb5 there would still have been all to play for.}) 30...
Rxb4+ 31. Ka3 Rxc2 $1 ({And in view of the elegant} 31... Rxc2 32. Rxc2 Rb3+
33. Ka2 Re3+ {

lead: 6-5. The following day in the 12th game Anand employed not the Open
Variation
'groggy' state and reached a difficult endgame
excellent winning chances.}) 0-1
[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.10.02"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Anand
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B77"]

[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
{In the 13th game my team decided that I should repeat the formidable 'Dragon'
despite the fact that my opponent had had a couple of days for preparation.} 1.
e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. Qd2 Nc6 8. f3
O-O 9. Bc4 {The main line.} ({In the 15th game after} 9. g4 Be6 10. O-O-O Nxd4
11. Bxd4 Qa5 12. Kb1 Rfc8 13. a3 Rab8 14. Nd5 Qxd2 15. Rxd2 Nxd5 16. Bxg7 Ne3
$1 {a draw was agreed.}) 9... Bd7 10. h4 h5 11. Bb3 Rc8 ({Excluding the
insipid variation} 11... Ne5 12. Bh6 Rc8 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 14. O-O-O {
(Anand-Topalov
takes a quiet course

had not yet been probed
had decided to use this defence on just the one occasion?} (12. O-O-O Ne5 {is
far more critical.} 13. -- ({. Now if} 13. Bh6 {there is a sharp exchange
sacrifice -} Bxh6 14. Qxh6 Rxc3 $5 15. bxc3 Qa5 {(Game No.42 in Revolution in
the 70s).}) ({. The 11th game went} 13. Kb1 Nc4 14. Bxc4 Rxc4 15. Nde2 b5 16.
Bh6 Qa5 $1 17. Bxg7 ({if} 17. Nd5 Qxd2 18. Nxe7+ Kh7 19. Bxd2 {
20. b3 Nxd2+ 21. Rxd2 Rc5 $1 22. Rxd6 Re5 {is equal}) 17... Kxg7 18. Nf4 Rfc8
19. Ncd5 Qxd2 20. Rxd2 Nxd5 21. Nxd5 Kf8 {with equality.}) ({. And it was only
in the 17th game
formidable weapon -} 13. Bg5 Rc5 {(Sosonko's defence)} 14. Kb1 $1 Re8 15. Rhe1
(15. Bh6 {is nevertheless more forceful
Qa5 16. a3 {.} -- ({. Here I incautiously played} 16... b5 $2 {(the pawn
separates the queen from the rook!)

18. Nd5) 18. Nde2 $1 {I ran into difficulties.}) (16... Qa6 $1 17. f4 (17. Bh6
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Bh8 $1) 17... Nc4 18. Bxc4 Rxc4 19. e5 Nh7 {was correct
No.49 in Revolution in the 70s).}))) 12... bxc6 13. Bh6 c5 14. Bc4 (14. Bxg7
Kxg7 15. Qe2 Qc7 16. Bc4 Rb8 17. O-O-O Bc6 $1 {is no better for White.}) 14...
Qb6 $1 {A novelty
(Tolnai-Watson
safest was} 16. O-O-O $5 Qb4 17. b3 Be6 18. Nd5 {with equality. 'White is
unable to seize the moment to castle and stabilise the position. All the
subsequent play illustrates Anand's extremely depressed condition after the
two heavy 'knock-downs' in the 10th and 11th rounds of the match' (Zaitsev).})
16... Be6 {(immediately beginning to break up the opponent's 'fortress')} 17.

Nd5 $6 ({'Anand was probably let down by his sense of danger
would have preferred} 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Na4 {' (Makarychev). Indeed
pieces of the same name should have been exchanged
Qc7 $1 {Black has a comfortable game:} 19. O-O-O $6 ({while if} 19. c4 $6) ({or
} 19. O-O {
(an unexpected thrust
take?)} 19. dxe6 ({After} 19. O-O-O) ({or} 19. O-O {Black has a slight but
clear positional plus: the bishop on c4 becomes too 'blunt'.}) 19... d5 20. Be2
(20. Bxd5 $2 Rfd8 {.}) 20... c4 $1 {Psychologically the decisive blow. For the
first time in my life
both sides!} ({My opponent was most probably hoping for} 20... Qxe6 $6 21. O-O
{.}) 21. c3 $2 {Panic.} (21. Rd1 $1 {was essential
Anand grasped that this was the correct defensive idea

badly: emotionally he was not ready for a grand battle
situation on the board changed sharply
Against the rook move
fxe6 {
are more dangerous for him:} 21... fxe6 22. bxc4 $6 ({or} 22. Qd4 $1 Qa5+ ({or
} 22... Qc7 $5 {with the idea of ...e6-e5}) 23. Qd2 (23. Kf2 $2 cxb3 24. cxb3
e5 $1 25. Qxe5 Rc2 {is bad for White}) 23... Qxa2 24. bxc4 Qb2 25. O-O dxc4 {
dxc4 {with an escalating attack}) (21... Rfe8 $5 22. exf7 Kxf7 23. Qd4 Qe6 $1 (
{instead of the Informator} 23... cxb3 24. Qxb6 axb6 25. cxb3 Rc2 26. Rd2 {
with equality}) 24. Qd2 Qe5 (24... c3 25. Qd3 Qe5 {with excellent compensation
for the pawn.})) ({. If} 21... Rce8 {
Rce8 $1 {Vishy simply missed this reply
second move with an already developed rook! Now the invasion of the rooks on
the e-file proves decisive
22. Qd4 {does not work because of} Qxe6 23. Qd2 ({or} 23. Qf2 Re7 {and ...Rfe8}
) 23... d4 $1) ({and} 22. exf7 Rxf7 23. O-O-O {(otherwise ...Rfe7)} cxb3 24.
Bd3 bxa2 25. Qxa2 Rc7 $1 {is no better.}) 22... Rxe6 23. Kf1 ({After} 23. cxd5
Re5 24. Kf1 Nxd5 25. Qd4 Qf6 $1 {
White also has no defence (} 26. Kf2 Nxc3 $1 {).}) 23... Rfe8 24. Bd3 dxc4 {
The most accurate
fxg4 Rf6+ 26. Bf5 hxg4 {
{Such moves are made with great pleasure.} ({In view of} 25... Ne4 26. fxe4 (
26. Qe1 Rd6 $1) 26... Rf6+ 27. Ke1 Rxe4+ 28. Be2 Qf2+ 29. Kd1 Rxe2 $1 {
resigned. A crushing defeat!}) (25... -- {This spectacular miniature caused
Anand another mental trauma. A second successive loss with White! He tried to
fight on
day - at the decisive moment of the 14th game. --- In it after 1 e4 Vishy
'desperately' decided to shock me with the exotic Scandinavian Defence - 1...d5!? 2 exd5
Qxd5 3 Nc3 Qa5 (from the press: 'For the first time in the match Kasparov removed his
jacket. Before that he had only removed his watch.') 4 d4
Nf6 5 Nf3 (later in simuls and blitz games I successfully employed 5 Bd2!? c6
6 Bd3) 5...c6 6 Ne5 Be6! 7 Bd3 Nbd7 8 f4?! g6! 9 0-0 Bg7
achieved a comfortable game
Page 72
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me
Mikhail Gurevich: 'After coming under positional pressure
strong psychological ploy - he offered a draw after 16 Nxd5. Vishy hesitated
and spent several minutes before he replied with 16...exd5 and a natural
refusal. On this he spent some additional energy

confidence. He fought like the devil
together with the challenger...'}) 0-1
[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.10.03"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Anand
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B01"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 c6 6. Ne5 Be6 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8.
f4 g6 9. O-O Bg7 10. Kh1 Bf5 11. Bc4 e6 12. Be2 h5 13. Be3 Rd8 14. Bg1 O-O 15.
Bf3 Nd5 16. Nxd5 exd5 17. Bf2 Qc7 18. Rc1 f6 19. Nd3 Rfe8 20. b3 Nb6 21. a4 Nc8
22. c4 Qf7 23. a5 Bf8 24. cxd5 cxd5 25. Bh4 Nd6 {After gaining complete
control of the e4 point
fight.} 26. a6 $1 b6 $6 (26... Nb5 {would still have retained an advantage.})
27. Ne5 $1 {An unpleasant blow. 'Threatened with a positional squeeze
Kasparov sharpens the situation
Such a procedure
one of which Tal had a brilliant command' (Zaitsev).} Qe6 {This reply was
condemned by many commentators

Ne4 29. Bxd8 Rxd8 30. g4 $1 hxg4 31. Bxg4 {White would have gained a rook and
a protected passed pawn for two minor pieces
the balance with play against the exposed king:} -- (31... Qh7 32. Bxf5 gxf5 ({
if} 32... Ng3+ $6 33. Kg1 Nxf5 {
because of} ({but} 34. Qg4 $1 {with a dangerous attack}) 34... Bb4 $1) 33. Qf3
Kh8 34. Rc2 Bb4 35. Rg2 Rf8 36. Qf4) (31... Bxg4 32. Qxg4 Nf2+ 33. Rxf2 Qxf2
34. Qxg6+ Bg7 35. Qe6+ ({or} 35. Rc7 {with equality}) ({but not Makarychev's}
35. Rg1 $2 Qf7) 35... Kf8 36. Qh3 $1) (31... Bh6 32. Bxf5 gxf5 33. Rc2 Kh7 {
(according to Zaitsev
34. Qf3 f4 35. Rfc1 {
Vishy assumed that the white knight would not run away from him - 28 Nc6?! Rd7
but misfortune strikes from the other side.})) 28. g4 $1 {Initiating wild
complications. 'Wonderful! This sudden thrust imparts a total character to the

play - individual strong or weak squares cease to play a significant role. The
change of scene proved so sharp that Anand
clock (he had 21 minutes left
and in literally two moves he ended up in time-trouble. And the unimaginable
din that arose in the hall penetrated through the sound-proof glass into the
playing 'bunker' and conclusively overcame the challenger' (Makarychev).} hxg4
29. Nxg4 {White has created 'his' play.} Bg7 {Suitable for maintaining the
dynamic balance
29... Ne4 30. Ne3 Re7 $1 ({not the incorrect Informator line} 30... Ng3+ $2 31.
hxg3 Qxe3 32. Bxf6 Rd7 33. Re1 Rh7+ 34. Bh4) 31. Nxf5 Rh7 {
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({so White must play} 32. Bxf6 $1 Qxf6 (32... Nxf6 33. Ng3) 33. Bxe4 dxe4 34.
Ne3 Rxd4 35. Qc2 {(e2) with equality}) 32... gxf5 {the black knight on e4 is
too strong.}) (29... Be7 30. -- ({
({or} 32. Bf2 Bd6 33. Qd2 Rc8 {is unfavourable for White}) 32... Qd6 33. Bg3
Qd7 $1 {.}) (30. Rc7 $2 Bxg4 31. Bxg4 f5 {and ...Ne4.}) ({. Stronger is} 30.
Re1 $1 Ne4 $1 ({not} 30... Be4 $2 {because of} 31. Bxe4 Nxe4 32. f5) 31. Nh6+
$1 Kf8 $5 ({if} 31... Kh8 {(g7) there is the drawing combination} 32. Nxf5 {(+)
} Qxf5 33. Rc7 Qxf4 34. Bxe4 {- threatening Bxg6! -} dxe4 ({but now this is
bad because of} 34... Qxh4 $1) 35. Bg3 Qf5 36. Rxa7) 32. Rc2 $1 Bh3 ({if} 32...
Rc8) ({or} 32... Bd6 {
very complicated play.})) 30. Rc7 $1 {(now it is far easier playing White)} Ne4
{A long-time dream of the knight.} (30... Bxg4 {(?!)} 31. Bxg4 f5 {
me in Informator
({White is also better after} 30... Be4 {(M.Gurevich)} 31. Bxe4 $1 Nxe4 (31...
Qxe4+ 32. Qf3) 32. f5 $1 gxf5 33. Rg1 $1 {etc}) ({while if} 30... Ra8 {there is
} 31. Rxg7+ $5 Kxg7 32. Bxf6+ Kf7 33. Be5 {with very sharp play.}) 31. Ne3 Bh3
$2 {A time-trouble error in a position where it was not easy to find the
correct solution.} ({Thus} 31... Ng3+ $2 {was bad because of} 32. Bxg3 $1 Qxe3
33. Re1) ({and} 31... Qd6 {(?)} 32. Rxa7 Bc8 {
due to an oversight
35. Bxe4 $1 {
exchanged. But after} 31... Rd7 $6 32. Rxd7 Qxd7 33. Nxf5 gxf5 (33... Qxf5 $4
34. Bg4) 34. Rg1 {White retains some initiative: 'the excellently placed
knight does not fully compensate for all the defects of the position' (Zaitsev)
.}) ({Therefore the only correct defence is} 31... Rc8 $1 32. Rxc8 (32. Rxa7 $2
Nc3) 32... Rxc8 33. Nxf5 gxf5 {
control of the c-file secures Black equal chances.}) 32. Rg1 {It is hard to
refrain from such a move.} ({But an unexpected idea
was also very strong:} 32. Bg4 $5 {(exchanging Black's active pieces)} Bxg4 33.
Qxg4 Qxg4 34. Nxg4 {- in the ending with his rook on the seventh rank and pawn
on a6 White has a big
33. Bh5 $1 {is decisive}) ({while my recommendation} 32... Qd6 {(?!)} 33. Rxa7
Qxf4 34. Rxg6 Rd7 35. Rxd7 Bxd7 {is unsuitable on account of} 36. Bg4 $1 ({
better than the earlier} 36. Ng2) 36... Nc3 37. Qf3 Qxf3+ 38. Bxf3 Rxe3 39.
Bxf6 Kf7 40. Bh5 $1 Bxf6 41. Rg3+ {and Rxe3 with a won ending (passed a- and
h-pawns!).}) (32... Rd7 $5 33. Rxd7 Qxd7 34. Rxg6 Kf8 {was far more resilient
but in time-trouble one does not easily sacrifice a pawn 'just like that'.})
33. Bg4 $6 {In Informator this flamboyant move was given an exclamation mark
({although in fact} 33. fxg5 $1 fxg5 34. Rxa7 {would have won more surely
example:} b5 35. Rb7 $1 Kh8 36. Be1 {and a6-a7 (} Qxa6 $2 {is not possible on
account of} 37. Bxe4 Rxe4 38. Rxg7 $1 Kxg7 39. Rxg5+ {).}) 33... Bxg4 34. Qxg4
Qxg4 35. Rxg4 $1 {But here I guessed right: the 'deserving of consideration'} (
35. Nxg4 {(?!) was less good
37. Ne5 Bxe5 38. dxe5 Rf7 39. Bxg5 Nxg5 40. Rxg5+ Kf8 {Black would have had
chances of escaping to a draw a pawn down}) 36. Rxa7 Ra8 37. Rd7 Rxa6 38. Ne3 {
(Wahls)} Rea8 $1 39. Nxd5 Ra1 {.}) 35... Nd6 ({At the press conference after
the game I gave preference to} 35... Rc8 {. If} 36. Rxa7 {Black loses after}
Rc1+ ({to say nothing of} 36... Kf8 $2 37. Nf5) ({after} 36... Ra8 $5 37. Rxa8
Rxa8 38. fxg5 fxg5 39. Nxd5 Rxa6 40. Rxe4 gxh4 41. Rxh4 Ra5 42. Nxb6 Rb5 {and ...Rxb3
he would retain hopes of saving the game Kg2 Rb1 38. Rb7 $1 Rb2+ 39. Kh1 Nd6 40. Rxb6
Nc4 41. Nxc4 dxc4 42. Rg1 $1 cxb3
(42... Rxb3 43. Rc6) 43. fxg5 f5 44. Rd1 {
that the knight did not willingly go from e4 to b5)} 37. Rb7 Re4 ({But here}
37... Nd6 $5 38. Rxa7 Ra8 {was more resilient.}) 38. f5 {I liked this move
burying the g7-bishop for ever
38. h4 {(it is also possible to begin with 38 Nf5 or 38 Kg2)} Rxf4 39. Rxf4
Page 74
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gxf4 40. Nf5 Bf8 41. Kg2 {.}) 38... Rxg4 {There is nothing else: the black
knight has to guard the a7-pawn
Bf8 $2 39. Nxd5 $1) ({and neither can the rook on d8 -} 38... Rc8 $2 39. Nxd5
$1 Rc1+ (39... Rxg4 $2 40. Ne7+) 40. Rg1 Rc2 41. Be3 $1 ({instead of the
Informator} 41. Bg3 Rxd4) 41... Nc3 ({if} 41... Nxd4) ({if} 41... Kf8 {
42. Rg2 $1) 42. Bxg5 $1 fxg5 43. Nxc3 Rxc3 44. Rxg5 {
the time scramble the disorderly rumble of the spectators' voices continued to
carry through to us
supposed sound-proof barrier. Both players nervously flinched and in
perplexity looked first around
vexing mistake on the last move before the time control.} ({It was more
logical by} 40. h4 $1 {to continue the attack on the kingside
dominant:} gxh4 41. Bxh4 Rc6 42. Kg2 {followed by Kg3-f4 and the threat of Rd7
or Rb8+.}) 40... Rc2 $2 ({With his flag about to fall
opportunity -} 40... Rc3 $1 {. After this in Informator I gave a pretty 'win':}
41. -- (41. Rxd5 Rxb3 42. Rd8+ Kf7 43. Rd7+ Kf8 44. Kg2 Ra3 45. h4 $1 gxh4 46.
Bxh4 Rxa6 47. Bxf6 (47. Nxf6 $5 {is somewhat better}) 47... Bxf6 48. Nxf6 Ra4
49. Nh7+ Ke8 (49... Kg8 $2 50. f6 $1 {and wins}) 50. f6 $5 Kxd7 51. f7 Ra2+ 52.
Kg3 Ra3+ 53. Kg4 {
(?) Ra3 and ...Rxa6 with a draw (Wahls)
difficult for Black to win the a6-pawn and inexorably increasing the pressure:}
-- (42... Rb4 43. Nxd5 Ra4 44. Kf3 Rxa6 45. Kg4 {(with the threat of Kh5-g6)}
Ra3 46. Bg3 Nc3 47. Nc7 {and Ne6
(44... Kg8 45. Rd5) 45. Be1 Ra1 46. Kf2 {
intending a decisive assault}) (42... Ra3 43. Rxd5 $1 Nc7 (43... Rb3 44. Kf3)
44. Rd8+ Kh7 45. Rd7 Nb5 46. Ng4 Kg8 47. Rd5 Ra5 48. h4 $1 gxh4 49. Be1 $1 {
winning material and the game.})))) 41. Rxd5 ({In view of} 41. Rxd5 Nc7 42.
Rd8+ {and Rc8.}) (41. -- {At the end of the game this was how I explained my
opponent's failure: 'He was very well prepared personally against me. His
trainers took into account all my habits
openings that I play
individual characteristics of Anand himself. They imposed on Vishy a manner of
play which was uncharacteristic of him
where a priori he was unable to demonstrate what he was capable of through his
talent. Anand as though forgot about his rich intuition
excluded risk
variations in which this was not possible he simply rejected. This was not in
accordance with his style
in five games increased my lead to 8½-5½. To retain my title I only
needed to score another one and a half points.}) (41. -- {The match was
effectively decided
was four draws
joined battle in a Dragon (cf. Game No.21
obtained a better endgame
the fourth hour of play I managed to save the game. --- The following day in
the 18th game the exhausted fighters did not see any point in prolonging the
torture: I offered a draw on the 15th move

35 seconds after the start of play. 'Congratulations'
match concluded ahead of schedule: 10½-7½. --- This was a really
difficult duel
the first time I sensed an ambiguous attitude towards myself: whereas most
chess fans were rooting for me
lose
rid itself of the 'PCA diktat'. --- And I myself was exhausted by the constant
organizational problems
optimism and I stated in an interview that soon the PCA would have a new
Page 75
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two-year contract with the Intel Corporation ('a good contract
which are now being worked out')

and a half million dollars for the unification match
agreement with FIDE. Alas
agreement and the constant attacks on the PCA in the press
mind about signing the contract and pulled out of chess.}) (41. -- {To a
question about the presence in my team of the potential contender for the
title Vladimir Kramnik (suppose you have to play a match against him?)
carelessly replied: 'I don't see any problem here. Volodya and I are on
excellent terms. If we need to play a match
something. He has learned a lot about me
him'. These words were remembered five years later
Despite my fatigue
compete in the third
Super-classic (Horgen
Ivanchuk - 7 out of 10; 3-4. Ehlvest and Short - 6; 5. Kasparov - 5; 6-8.
Yusupov
Timman - 3. --- Another ten days later
complain of a 'bad head' and being 'sick of chess' after New York
decisive
Kiril Georgiev and Anand all 2-0
Lublin for the Sarajevo Bosna team in the European Club Cup (+1=1). --- But on
25 November 1995
violation of all the rules
for the first time a completely new person was elected to the post of its
President - a Russian citizen
Kalmykia
considered himself a friend of both Karpov and Kasparov - and that he could
'bring them to peace'.}) (41. -- {But at first it was unclear whether it would
in fact be possible to overcome the stubborn resistance of those opposed to
the immediate signing of the agreement with the PCA. Thus Makarov
of the Russian Chess Federation
unification process
President faces the very difficult task of unifying the world championship...
The agreement between FIDE and the PCA
for FIDE
G.K.)
the next move.' --- Soon
Praesidium also expressed anxiety: 'The Congress in Paris
agreement between FIDE and the PCA
the Moscow Congress

way the split in chess has not only not been overcome
aggravated still further.' --- However
report arrived from Singapore: the FIDE Presidential Board had approved a
suggestion by Ilyumzhinov to contest the world championship in annual
knock-out tournaments with the participation of 128 leading players and with
an overall prize fund of $5 million
forthcoming Karpov-Kamsky match would be admitted directly into the
semi-finals of the first such tournament.}) (41. -- {But what about the
planned unification match? My reply was expressed in a long interview
entitled 'I am the world champion. Not of a particular version
(a more complete text of it is given in Kasparov vs. Karpov 1988-2009): 'Was
the new FIDE project agreed with me beforehand? No
facts... FIDE faced a dilemma - peace

'Singapore' knock-out project may have been conceived before Ilyumzhinov and
initiated by Karpov and his ally
Page 76
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also a fervent opponent of the agreement with the PCA (Karpov: "These ideas
apart from the financial part
because earlier he discussed them with me." - G.K.). To Ilyumzhinov this
project certainly seems logical as a way of reassuring the chess world - but I
will try to disclose its true sense and the latent threat. --- 'Karpov
understands perfectly well that in a match between the two world champions he
will lose hopelessly
nature of his 'appointed' title. Something must be devised
But money is needed

magician
is conceived
possible to fight for the title
devalued
played for in some annual tournament
tradition. Typical profanation! --- 'The implication of this entire operation
is simple: if I agree to play in the tournament
chances than in a usual match
isolate me and compel me to play a match dictated by their conditions...
However
new FIDE world championship
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Progress Report"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{Euwe Memorial Tournament (Amsterdam
and Kasparov - 6½ out of 9; 3-4. Short and Anand - 5; 5-6. Kramnik and
Lautier - 4½; 7. Seirawan - 4; 8. Gelfand - 3½; 9. Piket - 3; 10. Timman -
2½.} 1. -- {In January 1996 I gave a clock simul' in Rio de Janeiro against
the Brazilian team (5-1)

with an IBM brainchild - the computer Deep Blue (4-2). But in the absence of
Linares (the only year when it did not take place; I missed 1995 because of
the scandal in 1994)
Memorial in Amsterdam. --- This category 18 super-tournament differed from
Linares in that the number of participants was smaller
strong: all the leading grandmasters arrived
as well as Karpov and Kamsky - they faced a match for the title of FIDE
champion (precisely at the time when
Ilyumzhinov came to an agreement with his 'friend' Saddam Hussein and
announced that the venue would be Baghdad!). --- 'For the first time after an
interval of nearly six months Kasparov participated in a strong tournament'
wrote my second Yuri Dokhoian. 'After all
events cannot be compared with full-scale and serious encounters with such
dangerous opponents as Anand
stands apart. Playing against it has its own specific nature and is rather
unpleasant. The slightest inaccuracy
deprives you of any subsequent chances. The machine's iron logic is not
subject to the psychological nuances of the struggle
to upset its equilibrium or confuse it in complications. The match with Deep
Page 77
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Blue took a great deal of emotional and physical strength
any definite significance in Kasparov's preparations for a normal 'human'
tournament. This isolation from competitions with humans told at the very
start
returned.'} (1. -- {My start in Amsterdam was discouraging: I suffered an

opening disaster in the Najdorf with 6 Bc4
is amusing that in the third round Short took 'revenge' on him
my variation cf. Game No.3
interesting King's Indian with Black against Piket
loss the previous year in a Grünfeld
also defeated the second participant in the recent world championship match -
Anand! --- Against the background of these events
Anand acquired particular importance (see the following game).}) *
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.03.24"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Anand
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B14"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
1. e4 c6 {Tired of the 'Spanish torture'
tries the super-solid Caro-Kann as a panacea against all ills.} 2. d4 d5 3.
exd5 ({I also decided to surprise my opponent
{(Game Nos.8
played
with Dokhoian.}) ({Later I also took a look at} 3. e5 {(Game No.77).}) 3...
cxd5 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 ({If} 6. Nf3 {Black most often replies} Bg4 {
(Game No.58 in Part IV of My Great Predecessors)
Be6 {(Nepomniachtchi-Anand
the old-fashioned way
Moscow (rapid) 1996; Morozevich-Anand
7. Bxc4 ({the line with} 7. d5 Ne5 8. Qd4 {faded into the background because of
} h6 $1 {
which has supplanted the unclear} 7... Qxd4 8. Qxd4 Nxd4 9. O-O-O e5) 8. Bf4 ({
or} 8. Bxf6 exf6 9. Nf3 Bd6 {(Ivanchuk-Aronian
holds on}) 8... e6 9. Nf3 Bd6 {(Aronian-Wang Yue
is unfavourable to play} 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Bxf6 $6 Qxf6 9. Nxd5 Qe6+ $5 (9... Qd6
10. Nc3 Nxd4 {with equality is simpler}) 10. Qe2 Bd6 {with excellent
compensation for the pawn (Raud-Flohr
Bd7 $5 8. Bb5 b6 $1 {is good (Psakhis-Granda Zuniga
Topalov-Gulko
Game No.9 in Part II of My Great Predecessors.}) 8. c5 h6 $6 {A novelty at
high level
Bb5 Ne4 10. Bxe7 Nxe7 11. Rc1 {(the source game: Botvinnik-Kmoch
1934)} b6 12. c6 Qd6 13. O-O a6 14. Bd3 (14. Qa4 Bd7 $1 {
Dortmund 2009}) 14... Nxc6 15. Nxe4 dxe4 16. Bxe4 Bb7 17. d5 exd5 18. Qxd5 Rad8
$1 {with equality (Naiditsch-Rodshtein
} 8... Ne4 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. Bb5 Nxc3 11. bxc3 O-O 12. O-O Bd7 {and ...b7-b6.})
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9. Bf4 $1 ({Vishy was probably hoping for} 9. Bh4 Ne4 {.}) 9... Ne4 {Now this
relieving manoeuvre does not achieve its aim: with his e7-bishop still on the
board
development
Bb5 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Bd7 (11... Qa5 $6 {is weak:} 12. Bxc6+ bxc6 13. O-O $1 {
} Qxc3 $2 {is not possible because of} 14. Qa4 {.}) 12. O-O O-O {With the
obvious intention of freeing himself with 13...b6. Here I thought for a long
time
{A deep prophylactic move in the style of Nimzowitsch! This at first sight
strange move (the rook runs up against its own pawn) was one that I was very
proud of. It was my opponent's turn to think: he faced a serious psychological
dilemma - whether or not to play ...b7-b6. In the end the most critical move
seemed too dangerous to Anand
his rook.} Re8 ({If} 13... b6 $5 {there follows} 14. c4 $1 -- ({

event of} 14... dxc4 15. Bxc4 (15. d5 $6 {is less good:} Nb4 16. c6 Nxd5 17.
cxd7 Nxf4 18. Rxc4 Ng6) 15... bxc5 16. dxc5 {White creates a protected passed
pawn. He is also better after} Bxc5 17. Bb5 Qe7 18. Qc2 {
for a rook and pawn.}) (14... Na5 $6 15. Ne5 $1 {.}) (14... bxc5 15. dxc5 $1 {.
}) ({. But the computer trick} 14... Be8 $1 {
interesting
agree to the depressing} Na5 ({but to sacrifice the exchange for a pawn -}
15... dxc4 $5 16. Bb7 b5 {
Qc8 $5 20. Bd6 Bd7 21. Ne5 Bf6 $1 22. Bxf8 Nxe5 23. Bd6 Bc6 24. Qd1 Nd3 25. Rc2
Be4 {with sufficient compensation now for two exchanges!}) 16. cxd5 Qxd5 17.
Qc2) 15... Na5 {
does all he can to counter the development of White's initiative
with the undermining move ...b7-b6.} ({Especially since now in the event of}
14... b6 $6 15. c4 $1 {the position of the rook on e8 would have told: White
is better after both} dxc4 $2 ({and} 15... bxc5 $6 16. cxd5 Nxd4 17. Nxd4 cxd4
18. Bc7 Qc8 {(after 13...b6 here Black would have had the equalizing 17...Qe8)}
19. Be5 $1 Qd8 20. Bxd7 Qxd7 21. dxe6 Qxe6 22. Bxg7 {
Nb4 {(?) no longer saves Black because of} 17. c6 Nxd5 18. cxd7 {- with gain
of tempo!}) 17. Qxd5 {.}) 15. Rb1 $1 {I was also proud of this mysterious move
(the rook has done its job on c1)
} 15. Bd3 b6 16. cxb6 axb6 17. Bb1 {was better 'with a small advantage for
White'. Anand also considered this plan to be more unpleasant for Black
although after} Be7 $1 {(with the idea of} 18. Qd3 f5 {) he would have got
away with a slight fright.}) 15... b6 16. Ba6 Bc8 17. Bb5 Bd7 18. Ba6 Bc8 {
Surely not a draw?} 19. Bd3 $1 {(after repeating moves to gain time on the
clock
paradoxical pawn sacrifice sets Black a difficult practical problem: how to
parry the threatened direct attack on the kingside? 'This sacrifice is of the
'purely Kasparov' category: there can be no doubt about its correctness'
(Makarychev).} Bd7 {A natural developing move
({Black would like to exchange knights and bishops -} 20... Nxe5 $6 21. dxe5 --
(21... Bg5 $6 {
22... hxg5 $2 23. Qh5 $1 {
exchange for a pawn.}) ({. The same misfortune awaits Black after} 21... Be7 $6
22. Qh5 $1 Bg5 (22... Bf8 $2 23. Re3 $1) ({or} 22... Rf8 $2 23. Bxh6 $1 gxh6
24. Qxh6 f5 25. exf6 Rxf6 26. Bg6 {is even worse}) 23. Bxg5 Qxg5 24. Qxg5 hxg5
25. Bb5 $1 Rd8 {(f8)} 26. Bc6 {.}) ({. Black is also not completely happy after
} 21... Bh4 22. Qg4 $1 ({after} 22. Qh5 {now} Rf8 23. Bxh6 gxh6 24. Qxh6 f5 {
is possible
Re5 Rf7 {with equality}) 22... f5 23. Qg6 (23. exf6 Qxf6 24. g3 Rf8 $1 {is
unclear}) 23... Bd7 24. g4 $1 (24. Bxh6 Re7) 24... c4 25. Bc2 Qe7 26. Rb7 Rf8
27. Bxh6 Qf7 28. Qxg7+ {
Page 79
Sheet1
deserved some consideration:} 21. dxe5 Qa5 ({if} 21... f5 {an advantage is
promised not by my Informator} 22. Re3 {(?!)
Qxf6 23. Bb5 Bd7 24. Bd6 c4 ({or} 24... Qxc3 25. Rc1 Qa5 26. Rxc5 {- Stohl})
25. Re3) 22... Qh4) 22. Qg4 ({but after} 22. Bb5 $1 Bd7 (22... Bb7 23. Re3 {he
comes under an attack}) 23. Qg4 Kf8 24. Re3) 22... Kf8 23. Re3 Ba6 $1 {
(exchanging the powerful bishop on d3)} 24. Rg3 g5 25. Bxa6 Qxa6 26. Be3 Reb8 {
(Makarychev)
move condemned by the commentators

Rb7 $1 {(nevertheless forcing the exchange on e5)} Bxe5 (21... Nxe5 $2 {is
fatal after} 22. dxe5 -- (22... Be7 23. Qg4 $1) ({
desperate} 22... Bc6 $5 {there is the very strong} 23. Rxf7 $1 Kxf7 24. exf6
Qxf6 (24... gxf6 $2 25. Qh5+ Ke7 26. Rxe6+ $1 {
25... Qg5 26. f4 {and Re3-g3 - at the cost of the exchange and a pawn
obtains a fearfully strong attack}) 26. Re3 $1 {.})) 22. dxe5 {A critical
point of the game.} Rb8 $2 {The correct idea - to get rid of the white rook on
the seventh rank and seize control of the b-file - but incorrectly implemented.
From the press: 'It was said that the match in New York had left its mark and
that Vishy had not yet rid himself of the negative emotions.' At any event
this game Anand was unable to cope with the constantly arising problems.} ({
But how should Black play? After} 22... Bc8 $2 23. Qg4 $1 {he would not have
been saved by} Bxb7 (23... Kf8 24. Bxh6 gxh6 25. Rxf7+ $1) ({or} 23... Re7 24.
Bxh6 Qf8 25. Rbb1 $1) 24. Bxh6 g6 25. Bxg6 $1 {.}) ({Also dubious was} 22... f5
$6 23. exf6 Qxf6 24. Bd6 $1 ({rather more forceful than} 24. Bxh6 Qxh6 25. Rxd7
{- Stohl}) 24... Red8 25. Re3 $1 {with a dangerous attack}) ({or} 22... Ne7 $6
23. Qh5 c4 ({of course
$1) ({or} 23... Nf5 $2 24. g4 Nh4 25. Re3 $1 {and wins}) 24. Bc2 d4 25. cxd4 {
27. Bxh6) ({or} 25... Nf5 26. Bxf5 (26. Be4 $5) 26... exf5 27. d5 {
Rxe7 $1 Qxe7 27. Bxh6 Qb4 28. Kf1 {is bad for Black}) ({It was essential to
include} 22... c4 $1 {(driving the bishop to a vulnerable position)
the event of} 23. Bc2 ({it would seem that} 23. Bb1 Rb8 24. Rxb8 Qxb8 25. Qc2
g6 26. Qd2 {is more promising for him}) 23... Rb8 24. Rxb8 Qxb8 25. Qg4 Kf8 26.
Re3 Qb2 $1 {White's bishop on c2 is attacked and his back rank is weak
has to force a draw -} 27. Rg3 {

available forces - queen
black king.}) 23. Rxb8 (23. Qg4 Kf8 (23... g5 $2 24. h4 $1 f5 25. exf6 Rxb7 26.
Bxg5 $1 {and wins}) 24. Rxb8 {
23... Qxb8 ({Moving the knight away -} 23... Nxb8 {(Stohl) was bad in view of}
24. Qh5 $1 c4 (24... f5 25. Bxh6 $1 Nc6 26. Bg5 Qc7 {(a5)} 27. Bf6 $1) 25. Re3
$1 cxd3 26. Rg3 {.}) 24. Qg4 {(with the obvious threat of Bxh6)} Kf8 ({There
is nothing else:} 24... Kh8 $2 25. Re3 $1) ({while if} 24... g5 $2 {White
decides matters with the flamboyant} 25. Qh5 $1 gxf4 (25... Kg7 26. Bxg5 hxg5
27. Qxg5+ Kf8 28. Qh6+ Ke7 29. Qf6+ Kf8 30. Bg6 $1 Nd8 31. h4 {
Nd8 27. h4 {.}) 25. Re3 {The rook is aiming for g3.} Qd8 $6 {This definitely
loses.} (25... Qb2 {was more resilient} 26. -- ({
Rg3 $6 {Black would have been saved by} Qa1+ 27. Bf1 Bc8 $3 28. Qxg7+ Ke7 29.
h4 Ba6 30. Kh2 Qxf1 31. Bxh6 Kd7 32. Bg5 Qe2 $1 33. Qxf7+ Ne7 34. Bf6 Qxf2 35.
Rg8 Qf4+ {with perpetual check.}) ({. However
would have retained a powerful attack:} Qxc3 ({my Informator moves} 26... Bc8
$2) ({or} 26... c4 $2 {are less good because of the same move -} 27. Rg3 $1)
27. Rg3 Qe1+ (27... Ke7 28. Qxg7) 28. Kh2 Ke7 (28... g5 $2 29. Qh5 $1 {-
Makarychev}) 29. Qxg7 Kd8 30. Qxf7 Kc7 31. Bxh6 c4 32. Bg6 {
the complications
g5 27. h4 $1 {. Here Anand belatedly realised that he would have to abandon
his kingside and try to save himself by running away...}) 26... Qa5 27. Rg3 Ke7
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28. Qxg7 {How could White not capture the pawn?} ({However
immediate win by} 28. Bg5+ $1 hxg5 29. Qxg5+ f6 30. Qxg7+ Kd8 31. exf6 {.})
28... Kd8 29. Qxf7 Qxc3 30. Bb5 (30. Bf1 $5 Qb2 31. Rg7 Qb7 32. Bxh6 {was
simpler
Bxc6 Bxc6 32. Rb3 {.}) 31. Rg7 ({This makes things somewhat harder for White
in contrast to} 31. Bxc6 $1 Bxc6 32. Bxh6 ({or} 32. Rg7 {. Fortunately
this occasion I nevertheless did not allow Vishy to achieve a miraculous

escape
on Garry Kasparov).})) 31... Ne7 ({The only chance of avoiding a dismal fate
was} 31... Re7 $1 32. Qf8+ Kc7 33. Rxe7 Nxe7 34. Qxe7 Qxb5 {
after} 35. Bxh6 {and Bg5! the outcome would have been decided by the passed
h-pawn.}) 32. Bxd7 ({After} 32. Bf1 $1 {and Bxh6-g5 Black would have had to
resign.}) 32... Kxd7 33. Qf6 {Defending the e5-pawn with the aim of Bxh6-g5
and h4-h5. 33 Rg6 was also strong.} d4 (33... Qxa2 34. Bxh6) ({or} 33... c4 34.
Bxh6 c3 35. Bg5 Qc5 36. h5 c2 {was no better - here
given in Informator
c1=Q+ 38. Bxc1 Qxc1+ 39. Kh2 d4 40. h7 Qc5 41. Rg3 $1 Qc8 42. Ra3 {would have
won.})) 34. Bxh6 c4 35. Bg5 Qc5 36. Rxe7+ ({Although here White had a choice
between} 36. Qf3) ({and} 36. h5) ({I instantly captured on e7 (Vishy even
nervously flinched): the pawn endgame after} 36. Rxe7+ Rxe7 37. Qxe7+ Qxe7 38.
Bxe7 Kxe7 39. Kf1 $1 {is clear without any commentary. Black resigned. A
mind-boggling game!}) (36. -- {After this round a leading quintet emerged:
Topalov
maintained in the fourth round
difficulty in another Sicilian duel with Short (cf. Game No.5
10th move). --- In the fifth round the quintet split up
and I won. The game with Yasser Seirawan
me enormous pleasure.}) 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.03.27"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Seirawan
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D37"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Nbd7 {(Yasser's favourite set-up: an
invitation to a 'Karlsbad' structure after the continuation 5 cxd5 exd5)} 5.
Qc2 {I had studied this move in various similar positions
out to be not fully appropriate.} dxc4 $1 {A logical modern idea of Igor
Ivanov's
are harmless:} 7. d5 exd5 8. exd5 ({after} 8. e5 $6 {apart from} Ng4 ({there
is an unexpected piece sacrifice -} 8... Nxe5 $1 9. Nxe5 Bd6 10. Qa4+ Kf8))
8... Bd6 9. Bxc4 O-O) ({or} 7. Be3 a6 8. e5 Ng4 9. Bxc4 Qc7 {(Wang Hao-Eljanov
Sarajevo 2009).}) 7... Bxc5 8. Bxc4 a6 $1 {And here is Seirawan's novelty.} ({
The premature} 8... Ng4 $6 {allows White to develop his bishop on f4
} 9. O-O {he is better in the event of} a6 (9... Qc7 $6 10. Nb5) ({and} 9...
O-O 10. Bf4 Qf6 11. Bg3 {
$6 {(Gulko-I.Ivanov
Page 81
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e5) 11. Ne2 $1 {.}) 9. a4 (9. Bf4 b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 {is equal.}) 9... Qc7 {
(threatening ...Bxf2+ and ...Qxc4)} 10. O-O {Not wasting time on the defence
or the withdrawal of the bishop.} ({Now} 10. O-O Bxf2+ $2 {is bad on account of
} 11. Rxf2 $1 Qxc4 12. b3 Qc6 (12... Qc7 13. Nb5 $3) 13. Ba3 Ng4 14. Rd2 {and
wins.}) 10... Ng4 ({Or simply} 10... O-O {with the ideas ...Bd6
playing to seize the initiative! Without having time to be upset by this turn
of events
play...}) 11. h3 $5 ({Rejecting the safe
Nge5 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. Bb3 Qxc2 15. Bxc2 Bd7 {. --- 'In the opening the
champion encountered such a surprise
consider: should he make a quick draw
on a romantic sacrifice of the exchange and a pawn. And the result was one of
the most brilliant games of the tournament.' (Makarychev).}) 11... Nxf2 {
Seirawan played this without thinking
this move! After the game he admitted: 'Winning the exchange and a pawn
without visible compensation was so tempting...'} ({The 'faint-hearted'} 11...

Nge5 $5 12. Nxe5 Nxe5 13. Be2 O-O {was much safer
Black. The fighting move 11...Nxf2 is also hard to criticise
an excessively sharp change in the situation - in other words
complications.}) ({But not} 11... h5 $6 12. Ne2 $1 {.}) 12. Rxf2 Bxf2+ 13. Qxf2
Qxc4 14. Qg3 {Here Yasser thought for a long time and he realised that Black
faced quite difficult problems. --- 'Initially Seirawan was probably looking
for an accurate way of converting his extra material
reconciled himself to the forthcoming great technical difficulties
fatigue from the fruitless searches began to set in
to him... Any player will be familiar with such a psychological situation.
Moreover
creative procedure.' (Makarychev).} f6 ({The decision to give up the g7-pawn
and at the same time weaken the king's defences looks very risky (and
the far from obvious} 14... Qb4 $5 15. Qxg7 Qf8 {with the idea of} 16. Qg3 ({or
} 16. Qd4 Qc5 $1) 16... Rg8 17. Qf2 b6 {and ...Bb7 would have been more solid)
but my opponent was hoping that the rapid return of the queen would
consolidate his position}) ({If Black had begun clinging on to the material
he would have been left with a 'bad' king and his development incomplete.
Therefore Yasser was not satisfied with} 14... Kf8 15. Be3) (14... Rg8 15. Be3)
(14... Qc5+ 15. Kh2 g6 ({or here} 15... Rg8 16. e5 $1 {(and if} f5 {
exf6 Nxf6 18. Bg5) 16. Bh6) ({or} 14... g6 15. Bh6 b6 $6 ({also dangerous is}
15... f6 16. Rd1) ({or} 15... Rg8 16. Be3 ({but for a draw} 16. Nd5 $5 exd5 17.
exd5 f6 18. Re1+ Kf7 ({or} 18... Kd8 19. Ng5 $1 {is also sufficient}) 19. Ng5+
$1)) 16. Rd1 Qc5+ (16... Bb7 $2 17. Rxd7 $1) 17. Kh1 Bb7 18. Ng5 $1 {with an
attack.}) ({In Makarychev's opinion
stuck in the centre and the terrible weakness of the dark squares is felt
Black should have acted pragmatically - 'calmly castle
and play for a draw':} 14... O-O 15. Bh6 g6 16. Rd1 $1 b5 ({not rushing with
Bxf8
Re8 $2 17. e5 $1) (16... b6 $6 {is weaker in view of} 17. Kh1 $1 f6 18. e5 $1 {
({White could try his luck with} 17. Bxf8 Nxf8 {(Makarychev)} ({or} 17... Kxf8
18. e5 $1 {with the idea of Rd4 and Ne4
17... Qc5+ 18. Kh1 Qh5 $1 {
deserved consideration- then after} Qf8 17. Qg4 Qg8 18. Qf4 Qg7 {the move} 19.
Be3 $1 {would have gained in strength:} Rg8 ({or} 19... Nf8 20. Rg1 Bd7 21. e5
f5 22. Qb4 Bc6 23. Bg5 {with sufficient compensation for the exchange}) 20. Rg1
{.}) 16... Qf8 17. Qg4 $1 Qf7 $2 {Too slow!} ({He should have defended the
e6-pawn with gain of tempo -} 17... Qg8 $1 {
attacking position. True

Page 82
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({now} 19. e5 $2 {does not work in view of} Rg8 {and ...f6-f5}) ({while if} 19.
Be3 Rg8 20. Rg1 {there is} Qg3 $1) 19... Qe7 20. Qg3 b6 21. b3 $1 {I would
have retained excellent chances
Nh4 Qg3 (24... Ne5 25. Qxb6) 25. Qc6 $1 Kf7 26. Qxa8 Qxh4 27. Bd6 {
e5 $1 {Yasser obviously underestimated the strength of this breakthrough. Here
I began looking to the future with great optimism
firmly seize the initiative.} Rg8 {Voluntarily giving up kingside castling
although after} 18... f5 19. Qd4 $1 O-O ({but not} 19... Qg6 $2 20. Qd6) ({and
not} 19... h6 $2 20. Nd5 $1 exd5 21. e6) ({or} 19... Rg8 20. Bg5 $1) 20. Bh6
Re8 21. Ne2 $1 {Black would also have encountered great problems:} Nf8 ({or}
21... Qh5 22. Bg5 {and Nf4 with mounting pressure}) 22. Nf4 Bd7 23. Ra3 $1 {.})
19. Qc4 $1 f5 ({The black knight cannot move:} 19... Nxe5 $2 20. Nxe5 fxe5 21.
Ne4 Qe7 22. Be3 {and wins}) ({or} 19... Nb6 $2 20. Qd4 $1 {
({All White's trumps would have been thrown away by} 20. Ng5 $6 Nxe5 $1 21. Qe2
Qg7 22. Bf4 Ng6 $1 ({not the Informator} 22... Bd7 {(?!) in view of} 23. Re1 $1
) 23. Nxe6 Bxe6 24. Qxe6+ Ne7 {
difficult position.} (20... b6 $2 21. Qc6 Rb8 22. Nd5 $1 {was totally bad.}) (
20... Nf8 {was essential
$1 Rxg5 23. Nxg5 Qe7 24. Qxb7 Rd8 25. Nf3 Bc8 26. Qc6+ Kf7 27. Rxd8 Qxd8 28.
Ne2 Qd7 29. Qc4 Bb7 30. Ned4 {with a clear advantage for White}) ({
immediately} 21... Rxg5 $1 22. Nxg5 Qh5 {
} 23. -- (23. Nf3 {(or 23 Qf4 Bd7)} Bd7 {(with the idea of ...Bc6 or ...Rc8
and if 24 Rd6
Qxa6 Qh6 $1 {
26. b4 $1 Ng6 27. Nd6+ Kb8 28. Nf7 Rc8 29. Qd6+ $1 (29. Qxd7 Nf4 $1) 29... Ka8
30. Qxd7 Rb8 31. Nd8 ({or} 31. Rf1 {with an extra pawn
21. Bh4 {Not removing the bishop from the important h4-d8 diagonal
} 21. Bxh6 $5 {was also very promising:} Qg6 $6 ({or} 21... Nf8 22. Ne2 $1 {
with a pawn for the exchange and a powerful attack}) 22. Bg5 Nxe5 23. Qc5 $1
Qg7 24. Rd1 {and wins.}) 21... Qg6 (21... Nf8 {was more resilient} 22. -- ({
hoping for} 22. Nd4 {(?)} Bd7 23. Qb4 Bc6 24. Nxc6 bxc6 25. Qb6 {- in
Informator I gave this position the assessment 'clear advantage for White'
but after} Qa7 $1 26. Qxc6+ Kf7 {Black is okay:} 27. Nd5 $5 Ng6 $5 28. Nc7 Nxh4
29. Qxe6+ Kg7 30. Rc1 Qf2 31. Ne8+ Kf8 {
({. However
23. Ne2 $1 ({not the Informator} 23. Qc7 $4 Qg7 {
({or} 23... Bc6 24. Nf4 Ng6 (24... Rg7 25. Nd4) 25. Nxe6 Nxh4 26. Nc7+ $1 Kf8
27. Qb4+ Kg7 28. Qxh4 Kh7 (28... Qxc7 29. Rd6 $1) 29. Nxa8 Qg7 30. Qf2 Rxa8 31.
Rd6 {
offer Black good advice:} 22... Kf7 {(f8)} 23. Nd4 {was unsuitable}) ({as was}
22... Qf7 23. Qc7 Kf8 24. Nd4) (22... Rg7 23. Qd4 $1 {and Ne2-f4.}) 23. Qb4 (
23. Qd4 {was slightly more accurate
there was an immediate win by} 23. Qc7 $1 Rg7 24. Qd8+ Kf7 25. Bf6 Rh7 26. Nh4
Qg3 27. Ne4 $1 fxe4 28. Be7 {and Rf1+.}) 23... Rg7 24. Ne2 {With the decisive
threat of Nf4.} ({alternative was} 24. Qb6 $5 Rd7 25. Nd4 a5 26. Nce2 {
winning. In any case the black bishop remains on c8 and White is totally
dominant.}) 24... b5 (24... Rd7 25. Nf4 Qg8 ({or} 25... a5 26. Qxf8+ Kxf8 27.
Nxg6+ {was also hopeless for Black}) 26. Qb6 $1 {.}) 25. axb5 ({First} 25. Nf4
$1 {was more forceful.}) 25... Rd7 ({Neither} 25... Bb7 26. Nf4 a5 ({nor} 26...
Qf7 27. Nd4 {would not have managed to save the game}) 27. Qa3 {.}) 26. Nf4 Qf7
27. Rc1 {The most obvious move.} ({However
Rc1 {was also convincing.}) 27... Bb7 ({If} 27... Rc7 {White would have won
not only by} 28. Rxc7 ({but also by the sequence} 28. Rd1 $1 Bb7 ({or} 28...
Rd7 29. Rd6) 29. bxa6) 28... Qxc7 29. b6 Rb8 30. Nh5 {.}) 28. bxa6 ({There was
another dual solution -} 28. b6 $5 Rc8 ({or} 28... Bxf3 29. gxf3 Rb7 30. Rd1 $1
) 29. Rxc8+ Bxc8 30. Nd2 $1 {
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aiming to open lines.}) 28... Bxf3 ({If} 28... Bxa6 {
Nd4 {is good})) ({while after} 28... Rxa6 {-} 29. Qb5 $1 Ra8 30. Nd4 ({or the
quiet} 30. Kh2 $1 {with the idea of} Rc8 31. Rxc8+ Bxc8 32. Nd4) ({but not} 30.
Rc7 $2 Bxf3 31. gxf3 Ra1+ 32. Kh2 Qg8 33. Bf2 Rad1 34. Rc8+ Kf7 35. Nxe6 Nxe6
36. Rxg8 Kxg8 {when the win is still in question.})) 29. gxf3 Rda7 30. Rg1 {
Now Bf6 and Rg7 is threatened.} (30. Rc6 Qd7 31. Rd6 {also wins.}) 30... Rxa6
31. Nh5 $1 {(not difficult
Nd5+ (33. Ne4+ $1 {.})) 32. Rg7 Ra1+ 33. Kg2 Qc2+ 34. Bf2 {. The leaders were
now Kasparov and Topalov - 3½ out of 5
drew with difficulty in a King's Indian battle with Timman
defeated Topalov and replaced him in the leading duo - we each had 4 out of 6.
--- In the seventh round I had White against the No.2 in the world rating list
Vladimir Kramnik
account not only the competitive importance of the game
score of our individual meetings in 'classical' play (+1-1=5).} 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.03.30"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Kramnik
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B66"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nge2 {A move order which excludes the Sveshnikov
Variation. But Kramnik readily agrees to the Rauzer Variation
of which he played regularly at that time. One of them we even prepared

together for my match with Anand (cf. the note to Black's 8th move
4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Bg5 (6. Bc4 Qb6 {- Game No.9.}) 6... e6 7. Qd2 Be7 ({
Another of Kramnik's weapons was} 7... a6 8. O-O-O h6 {. This occurred in four
of our games (Moscow (rapid) 1996; Novgorod 1997; 1st and 3rd match games
(rapid)
not as a result of the opening (cf. Game No.121).}) 8. O-O-O Nxd4 ({Not the
experimental} 8... O-O 9. f4 h6 ({Kramnik's favourite set-up was} 9... Nxd4 10.
Qxd4 Qa5) 10. Bh4 (10. h4 $6 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 hxg5 12. hxg5 Ng4 {is unclear
Anand-Kasparov
Game No.39 in Kasparov vs. Karpov 1975-1985}) 11. Nxc6 $1 bxc6 12. e5 dxe5 13.
fxe5 Ne4 14. Nxe4 Bxh4 15. Qf4 {with an enduring advantage for White
(Leko-Kramnik
opponent had chosen only the main line -} 9... O-O {and then} 10. f4 ({or} 10.
e5 dxe5 11. Qxe5 Bd7) 10... Qa5 {(with 8...Nxd4 Black avoids the variation 8...
0-0 9 Nb3).}) 10. f4 b5 ({'Earlier} 10... O-O {occurred
achieve equality. Kramnik tries to develop his queenside' (Dokhoian). On the
next two moves I spent 55 minutes!}) 11. Bxf6 ({There are also other plans
(say
an opportunity
this type of position for both sides.}) 11... gxf6 ({Black loses ignominiously
after} 11... Bxf6 $2 12. e5 dxe5 $2 13. Qe4 Bd7 14. Rxd7 $1 ({but not} 14. Bxb5
$2 axb5 15. Rxd7 Qa5 $1 {
Bxb5+ $1 axb5 16. Rd1+ Ke8 (16... Ke7 17. Qb4+) 17. Rxd8+ Rxd8 18. fxe5 {
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}) 12. Bd3 {As it transpired

alas
equally typical} Qc7 {and ...Qc5 (Dolmatov-Aseev
thought about the 'unclear'} 12. e5 $1 {
White should do after} d5 {.}) ({Then} 12. Be2 {appeared on the scene
which Black played both} Qa5 $6 ({and also} 12... Qc7 $1 13. Bf3 ({or} 13. f5
Qc5 {(Topalov-Kramnik
(Leko-Kramnik
the best here is not the reckless} 15. Nxd5 $6 ({but} 15. Rhf1) ({or} 15. Bh5 {
with the idea of} Rf8 $2 16. Nxd5 $1 {
(blitz) 1999)}) 15... exd5 16. e6 O-O 17. Rd3 {(Shirov-Kramnik
(rapid) 1996) because of} Bd6 $1 {with equality.}) 12... Qc7 ({It is possible
to force the exchange of queens -} 12... Qa5 13. Kb1 b4 14. Ne2 Qc5 {
after} 15. Bc4 {(Vuckovic-Balogh

16. Nxd4 Bb7 17. Rhe1 {White's chances are somewhat better.}) 13. Qe3 {'A
typical Kasparov manoeuvre: the queen moves away from the centre
being exchanged
Qg3 {The threat of Qg7 is rather ephemeral: even if Black should lose his
h7-pawn
Kramnik is aiming for.} b4 ({The alternative is} 14... Bb7 {and ...0-0-0.}) 15.
Ne2 a5 $5 ({The immediate} 15... Kf8 {was more circumspect.}) 16. Kb1 ({If} 16.
Qg7 Rf8 17. Qxh7 -- ({
bxa4 Rxa4 {
(20... Ba6 21. Qh3) 21. Nc3 Ra1+ 22. Kd2 Qf2+ 23. Ne2 {Black's activity does
not compensate for his material deficit:} Rxd1+ ({or} 23... Ra5 24. Ra1 Bd8 25.
exf5 {
26. Qxf5) 24. Rxd1 Qxg2 25. exf5 Qg5+ 26. Kc3 $1 {.}) ({. Therefore the
correct continuation is} 17... a4 $1 18. Kb1 {(in Informator I hastily
assessed this as '+/-')} a3 19. b3 Bb7 {with quite good compensation for the
pawn:} 20. Rhe1 ({or} 20. h4 Kd7 $1) 20... O-O-O {.})) 16... Kf8 ({No longer
risking giving up the h7-pawn with} 16... a4 $5 {.}) 17. Qh3 ({My Informator
recommendation} 17. Rc1 {is no better in view of} a4 18. c3 Rb8 {
(Hartman-Atalik
open the c-file.} ({But} 18. f5 {was more circumspect
18... d5 $6 {Kramnik sensed that a convenient moment to become active had
arrived
strong - the power of this bishop
Black the better prospects:} 19. c4 ({or} 19. exf5 exf5 20. Ng3 Bf6 $1 21. Nxf5
(21. Bxf5 $2 h4) 21... Be6 $1 {
19... Bf6 $1 {.}) 19. exd5 (19. f5 $5 a4 $1 {.}) 19... Qxd5 (19... f5 $5 {
again deserved attention:} 20. dxe6 ({or} 20. c4 Bf6 {with positional
compensation for the pawn}) 20... Bxe6 {with the idea of ...Bf6.}) ({But not}
19... exd5 $6 20. Bf5 {. --- But if Black is hoping for an advantage
21. Rhe1 (21. Rhf1) ({or} 21. c3 {also suggests itself. For the moment in each
case the computer assessment of the position remains 'equal'.}) 21... Rb8 (
21... a3 $1 {was more consistent:} 22. b3 e5 ({or} 22... exf5 23. Qh4 (23. c4
Qe5 $1) 23... Bb7 (23... Ra5 {will also do}) ({but not} 23... Qxg2 $2 24. Rg1
Qd5 25. Qg3 $1) 24. Nd4 {(g3)} Qc5 25. c3 Rd8 $1 26. Rxe7 Qxe7 27. Nxf5 Qe5 28.
Qxb4+ Kg8 29. Ne7+ Kg7 {
Be4 Rd8 {.}) 22. Nf4 Qd6 {'Who can say why in this complicated position
Kramnik offered a draw? But it is easier to explain Kasparov's refusal: his
eternal striving to be first!' (M.Gurevich).} 23. Qf3 {After this silent reply
to the peace offer

$2 {is too late on account of} 24. fxe6 $1 Qd4 25. c3 bxc3 26. b3 $1) ({and}
23... Bb7 $6 24. Be4 {is also dubious for Black.}) ({It looks frightening for
Black to disfigure his pawns and open the position with} 23... exf5 {
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here
b3 $1) ({or} 24. Bc4 Qc7 $1 25. Qe2 Bd6 26. Nd5 Qa7 {
} Qe7 $1) 24... Bb7 25. Bc4 Rd8 26. Rcd1 Qc5 {.}) 24. Nd5 ({Of course
Nxh5 $2 a3 $1 25. b3 Qd4 26. c3 bxc3 {with a complete change of scene.}) 24...
Bd8 ({Going into a position with opposite-coloured bishops deserved
consideration -} 24... Bb7 $5 25. Be4 Bxd5 26. Bxd5 Qb6 {(with the idea of ...Bc5-d4)}
27. Re4 (27. Bc6 a3 28. Rcd1 {
on account of} Rc8 29. Bd5 {(e4)} ({or} 29. Ba4 Qa7 $1 30. Bc6 Qc7 {with
equality}) 29... axb2) 27... Rd8 28. Rc4 Qb5 29. Rd1 Bc5 30. Qe2 a3 31. b3 Ke7
Losing an important tempo.} ({After} 25... Bb6 $1 26. Nxb6 Qxb6 27. Rcd1 a3 $1
28. Re3 ({or} 28. b3 Bb7) 28... Ba6 {Black would have had every chance of
holding the position.}) 26. c3 {A tempting and long-planned advance
the waiting move} 26. Red1 $5 {and only then c2-c3(c4) was more shrewd.}) 26...
bxc3 $1 ({I was more expecting} 26... b3 {(?)} 27. a3 $1 {.}) 27. Rxc3 Qd6 $1 (
{I also underestimated this reply
and a2-a3 (alas
killing Black's counterplay on the b-file.}) 28. Rd1 $6 {Another error!} ({My
hand 'accidentally' failed to move the rook one square further on -} 28. Rec1
$1 {(preventing ...Bb6)} Bd7 (28... Bb7 29. R1c2 Kg7 (29... Bb6 $2 30. Nxf6 $1)
30. Rd3 {with dangerous pressure}) 29. Rd1 $1 {.}) 28... Bb6 $1 {(reverting to
the correct idea)} 29. Nxb6 (29. a3 $5 Bd4 30. Nb4 Bd7 31. Bc6 {was more
promising
situation
Thanks to his superior pawn structure
advantage by} 30. Rd2 $1 -- (30... Kg7 $6 31. Qg3+ Kf8 ({not} 31... Kh6 $2 {
because of} 32. Rc6 $1 Qg1+ 33. Kc2 Rb6 34. Rdd6) 32. a3 $1) ({
31. Bxb7 Rxb7 32. Qd1 Qb4 33. Ka1 {and a2-a3}) (30... Qg1+ 31. Qd1 $1 {.}))
30... Kg7 $1 {At last opening a way for the h8-rook to the queenside.} (30...
Bb7 {was also possible; it was condemned by me in Informator because of} 31.
Qa3+ ({that is also the case after} 31. Bxb7 Rxb7 $1 32. g4 Kg7 $1 33. gxh5 Kh7
34. Rg2 Rg8) 31... Kg7 32. Bxb7 Rxb7 33. Qxa4 {
good compensation for the pawn.}) 31. a3 ({Now if} 31. Qg3+ {there is the reply
} Kh6 $1) ({while if} 31. Bd5 {-} a3 $1 {.}) ({After the game} 31. g4 {seemed
stronger to Dokhoian and me
31... Bb7 32. gxh5 Bxe4 33. Qxe4 {(with the Informator evaluation '+/-')} a3 $1
34. b3 Rbd8 {Black would have maintained the balance}) 32. Qg2 $6 {with the
idea of g4-g5
the threshold of a severe time scramble.}) 31... Kh6 $6 {A sudden lack of
vigilance - the defence of the f6-pawn is weakened!} (31... Bb7 {suggested
itself
Kh6 {
Rhd8 $1 {with equality (} 34. Qxa4 Ra8 35. Qe4 Rxd7 36. Qxa8 Rd1+ 37. Ka2 Qg1 {
that I had already seen a similar idea for sharply improving my position (cf.
the note to Black's 27th move) -} 32. b4 $1 Rd8 (32... axb3 $2 33. Rc6 {and
wins}) ({or} 32... Bb7 33. Bxb7 Qxb7 34. Qe3+ Kg7 35. Qg3+ Kf8 36. Qh4 Qb6 37.
Rcd2 Rc8 38. Rd5 {with unpleasant pressure (} Qe3 39. R5d3 Qb6 40. Ka1 $1 {
threatening b4-b5)}) 33. Rxd8 Qxd8 34. Qe3+ Kg7 35. Rd2 Qc7 36. Bc2 $1 {
aiming at the weak pawns on a4 and h5.}) ({In Informator preference was given
to a tempting 'blow from the right' -} 32. g4 {
Black would have held on.}) 32... Bb7 $2 {A thematic move - made at the most
inappropriate moment.} ({In the given specific situation
against the threats along the sixth rank
his passive rook on h8 for the active rook on d2 -} 32... Rd8 {with equality.})
33. Bxb7 Qxb7 34. Rc6 $1 {Black has nevertheless come under pressure and he is
now forced to seek a way of compensating for the unavoidable loss of his
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f6-pawn.} Rhc8 $1 {The best practical chance.} ({In the event of} 34... Rhd8
35. Rxf6+ Kg7 36. Qxb7 Rxb7 37. Rxf7+ Rxf7 38. Rxd8 Rxf5 39. Kc2) ({or} 34...
Kg7 35. Qg3+ Kf8 36. Rxf6 Qe4+ 37. Qd3 $1 Qxd3+ 38. Rxd3 {Black would have
reached a difficult rook endgame a pawn down.}) 35. Rxf6+ Kg5 $6 {This allows
White an additional resource.} ({After} 35... Kg7 $1 36. -- ({
given by} 36. Qxb7 Rxb7 37. Ra6 Rc4 $1) ({
38. Rg2+ Kf8 39. Rh6 Ke7 40. Re2 Rxa3 41. Rxe5+ Kd7 {with a probable draw.}) ({
. All that would have remained for me was the gambit line} 36. Qg3+ $1 Kxf6 37.
Rd6+ Ke7 ({not} 37... Kxf5 $2 38. Qf2+ Kg5 39. Qf6+ Kg4 40. h3+ Kg3 41. Qxe5+ {
with unavoidable mate}) 38. Qxe5+ Kf8 39. Rh6 {
40. Qxb2 Rxb2+ 41. Kxb2 Rb8+ 42. Ka2 (42. Kc2 Rb3 $1) 42... Kg7 43. Rxh5 Re8 {
a rook ending would have risen
retains hopes of a draw:} 44. -- (44. Rh4 Re2+ 45. Kb1 Rxg2 46. Rxa4 Rxh2 47.
Ra5 Kf6 48. Rd5 ({while if} 48. a4 {Black is saved by rook checks from the
side -} Rh1+ 49. Kc2 Rh2+ 50. Kb3 Rh3+ 51. Kc4 Rh4+ {
but not} 48... Rf2 $2 49. a4 $1 Rxf5 $2 50. Rxf5+ Kxf5 51. a5 {and wins - M.Gurevich})
49. Kc2 Rf4 50. Kb3 Rxf5 {with equality}) (44. g3 Kf6 {
not} 45. g4 ({but} 45. Rh4 $1 Re2+ 46. Kb1 Kxf5 47. Rxa4 Rxh2 48. Rf4+ {'with
some winning chances' (Dokhoian)}) 45... Re2+ 46. Kb1 Re1+ ({the Informator}
46... Rg2 {(?!)} 47. h3 {is weaker}) 47. Kc2 Re3 $1 {(the same plan is also
good after 44 g4)} 48. h4 Rxa3 49. Rh6+ Ke5 50. Rb6 Rh3 {with a draw.}))) 36.
Rxf7 $1 {'Garry was very proud of this unexpected move
(M.Gurevich).} ({The no less flamboyant} 36. Qg3+ {would have forcibly
transposed into the variation with 35...Kg7 (cf. above)
sensed that 36 Rxf7 was more dangerous for Black.}) 36... Qxf3 {'Kramnik is a
person without nerves! After a stunning blow he instantly (!) makes his reply
by intuition
{White would have won by} 37. Qe3+ $1 ({but not the Informator misprint} 37.
Qg3+ $4 {because of} Kh6 $1) 37... Kxf5 ({or} 37... Kf6 38. Rd6+ Ke7 39. Qxe5+
Kf8 40. Rf6) 38. Rf2+ Ke6 39. Rxf7 Kxf7 40. Qxe5 {.}) 37. gxf3 Rc3 $1 {Also an
excellent and unexpected move!} ({After} 37... Rf8 $6 38. Ra7 Ra8 39. Rxa8 Rxa8
40. Re2 Kxf5 41. Re4 {the white rook takes up a very strong position and Black
is unlikely to be able to save the game.}) 38. Rg2+ {It is useful to check
where the king will move.} Kf4 $6 {'The decisive mistake in severe
time-trouble: now it becomes impossible to stop the f-pawn' (Dokhoian).} ({
Indeed
more resilient
Rxf3 42. f7 Rbf6 43. Rxa4+ Kh3 44. Rg5 R3f5 {with a draw}) ({White's advantage
is also ephemeral after the best move} 39. Ka2 $5 Rxf3 40. Re2) 39... Rcb3 $1 (
39... Rxa3 $2 40. f4 $1 {and wins}) 40. Rh7 Rxb2+ 41. Kc1 Rb1+ 42. Kd2 R8b2+
43. Kc3 Rb3+ 44. Kc4 Rc1+ 45. Kd5 Rb5+ {with a 'perpetual' pursuit of the king.
--- However
difficult for Black.}) 39. f6 Rxf3 $2 {But this is already the decisive error.}
({It was essential to play} 39... Kf5 $1 40. Ra7 Kxf6 41. Rxa4 Rxf3 42. Re2 Re8
{with chances of holding out a pawn down
the e-file.}) 40. Re7 {(now the f-pawn costs Black too dearly)} Rf8 41. f7 Kf5
42. Rg8 Kf6 43. Rxe5 $1 {. 'A fantastic clash!' (M.Gurevich).} (43. -- {Thanks
to this important win
the sole leader - 5 out of 7. But hot on my heels was Topalov
Lautier. --- In the eighth round I had Black against Lautier
opponent for me. After ordering lunch in my room
concluding our preparations and preparing to take our traditional walk
there was a sudden phone call from the organisers: 'Where are you?'. I replied:
'In my room.' And then I realised to my horror that we had forgotten to put
our clocks forward by an hour! It was precisely on that Sunday 31st March that
Europe switched to summer time... --- After sprinting to the venue I arrived
half an hour late for the game and rapidly rattled out a King's Indian Defence.
Page 87
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Fortunately
with a pawn sacrifice
the meantime Topalov won a good King's Indian with Black against Gelfand and
caught up with me just before the finish. Kramnik would have tried to give
chase
the final round the burgeoning Topalov had White against Piket. I did not
expect anything good to come of this game
rival I had to win 'to order' against Boris Gelfand. For this I again had to
display exceptional resourcefulness.}) 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.04.01"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Gelfand
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B92"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 ({At that time my
interest in} 6. Bc4 {(Game Nos. 3
set-up with 6 Be2
of which we prepared for this game.}) 6... e5 {My opponent's favourite reply;}
({for} 6... e6 {see Game Nos. 37
winning chances with} 8. Bg5 Be6 {(Game No.11 in Part I of Garry Kasparov on
Garry Kasparov).}) 8... O-O ({The second round Short-Gelfand game went} 8...
Be6 9. f4 Qc7 10. -- ({
10... h6 {(J.Polgar-Anand
Nbd7 $1 {with the idea of} 11. g4 h6 12. g5 hxg5 13. fxg5 Nh7 14. Bg4 Ndf8 $1 {
initiative
12. c4 O-O 13. Kh1 Rfe8 14. Be3 exf4 15. Bxf4 Bf8 16. Rc1 Qb6 {with equality
(Anand-Kasparov
11. f5 Bc4 {- Game No.70 in Part IV of My Great Predecessors}) 11... O-O 12. --
({
in Part V of My Great Predecessors)}) ({
(Korsunsky-Kasparov
promising play}) 13. cxb3 Nc5 14. g5 $1 (14. Bf3 exf4 15. Bxf4 h6 {with
equality
- this was our discovery
Ne6 ({or} 16... Nd7 17. Qc2 $1 ({we studied only} 17. Bf3 f5 18. Be3) 17... f5
18. Nc7 {
18. Qd3 $1 Bxc1 19. Qxe4 Ng5 20. Qg4 {and wins. --- However
Boris quite quickly played 8...0-0.}))) 9. Kh1 Nc6 ({If} 9... b5 $6 {
10. a4 $1 {is unpleasant (Game No.33)}) ({but a year later my opponent

surprised me with} 9... b6 {
(Kasparov-Gelfand
a5 $1 {(Short-Gelfand
$5) 12. Nc1 (12. Nd2 $5) 12... Ra5 $1 {(Ismagambetov-Gelfand
2012).}) 10... a5 $5 {A surprise from Minsk: Kapengut's pupil boldly switches
to play along the lines of the Boleslavsky Variation - 5...Nc6 6 Be2 e5 7 Nb3
Page 88
Sheet1
Be7 8 0-0 0-0 9 f4 a5
he has an extra tempo compared with the well-known variation 10 a4 Nb4 11 Kh1.}
({Earlier only} 10... exf4 {was played
Rd1 leaves White with a small plus}) ({or} 10... b5 $1 {- the strongest
continuation
Perplexed by the unexpected turn of events
extracted from the extra tempo?} 12. Bf3 {White intends a new
plan with g2-g4
on the g-file.} ({The usual} 12. Be3 -- ({
13. Bf3 {(Geller-Reshevsky
Geller-Polugaevsky
Nd2 $1 {(Geller-Spassky
}) (12... Be6 13. f5 Bd7 {with the idea of ...Bc6 and ...d6-d5 is not so clear.
}) ({. And I did not like the immediate relieving manoeuvre in the centre -}
12... d5 $5 13. fxe5 Nxe4 {
the Informator} Nxc3 {(?!)} 15. bxc3 Nc6 {on account of} 16. Qxd5) ({or} 14.
Nd4 Nxc3 15. bxc3 Nc6 16. Nf3 Be6 {it is hard for White to hope for any
particular advantage}) 14... dxe4 ({but simply} 14... Bf5 $1 15. Nd4 Bg6 {with
equality}) 15. Qxd8 Rxd8 16. Bb6 Rf8 {. It was for this reason that I played
12 Bf3 - conceding the c4-square to Black seemed to me to be the lesser evil.})
) 12... Qb6 $5 ({The developing} 12... Be6 13. g4 ({while if} 13. Be3 {
also} Rc8 ({or} 13... Qc7 {
game of the Karpov-Spassky match (Game No.83 in Part III of My Great
Predecessors)})) 13... Rc8 $5 {was also good. However
interesting: by depriving the white bishop of the e3-square
the enemy fire!}) 13. g4 $1 (13. Qe2 Qa6 $5 14. Nb5 Be6) ({or} 13. Re1 Qf2 $5
14. Re2 Qh4 {is unclear.}) 13... exf4 {Black takes urgent measures against
g4-g5.} (13... d5 $2 14. exd5) ({or} 13... Be6 $6 14. g5 Ne8 15. f5 {was
unsuitable.}) ({But} 13... h6 $5 {deserved attention
knight on b3 can embark on the dangerous route b3-d4-f5' (Dokhoian).}) 14. Bxf4
Nd7 15. Nd4 g6 $6 {Gelfand is aiming to play as safely as possible and he

underestimates the positional sacrifice of a piece.} ({The immediate} 15... Ne5
$1 {would have enabled him to hold on after} 16. Nf5 Bxf5 ({while} 16... Re8 $1
{would altogether have solved all his problems:} 17. Be2 (17. Bg2 Be6) 17...
Bxf5 18. gxf5 Bf6) 17. exf5 Nxf3 18. Qxf3 h6 ({but not} 18... Nxc2 $2 19. Nd5
Qd8 20. Qe4 Nxa1 21. Nxe7+ Kh8 22. f6 $1 gxf6 23. Bg5 $1 {and wins.})) 16. Bh6
Re8 ({After the audacious exchange sacrifice} 16... Ne5 $6 {both the romantic}
17. Nf5 $5 ({and the pragmatic} 17. Bxf8 {were possible.})) 17. Nf5 $1 {After
taking a deep breath
count on anything
variations
to maintain the balance and would set my opponent difficult problems.} gxf5 ({
After} 17... Ne5 18. Nxe7+ {White's chances are rather better: his
dark-squared bishop is now very strong.}) ({And if} 17... Bf8 $6 {he would
have replied} 18. Qd2 $1 {
Dokhoian and I condemned this 'King's Indian' move
regains the sacrificed material and has the initiative 'for free'.} ({However
in the variation which we recommended -} 18... Kh8 19. Rg1 Bf8 (19... Rg8 $2 {
is weak in view of} 20. Rxg8+ Kxg8 21. Qg1+ Qxg1+ 22. Rxg1+ Kh8 23. Bh5 {and
wins}) ({but it is not too late for} 19... Bf6 $1) 20. Qd2 {Black might not
have found the narrow saving path:} -- (20... Qd8 $2 21. Bf4 $1 Nf6 (21... Be7
22. Rad1 {is also insufficient}) ({as is} 21... Ne5 22. Nb5 $1 Be7 (22... Nxf3
$2 23. Qg2) (22... Qf6 23. Nc7) 23. Bh5 {and Rad1 with a decisive advantage
for White}) 22. Qg2 $1 {and Rad1} ({this is far stronger than my Informator}
22. Rg3)) (20... d5 21. Bf4 $1 ({in the event of} 21. Be3 Bc5 {White's task is
more difficult:} 22. Bxc5 ({or} 22. Qg2 Qf6 23. exd5 $5 Bxe3 24. Ne4 Qh6 25.
Page 89
Sheet1
Nd6 Qf8 26. Nxe8 Ne5 {
Qf6 {
exd5 Ne5 24. Bh5) 23. Rae1 $1)) 22. Rg2 ({or} 22. exd5 $5 {with a powerful
attack
or 18...Kh8 19 Rg1 Bf6 Black nevertheless has more chances of holding on.})))
19. Rg1+ Kh8 20. Qd2 {Unhurriedly increasing the pressure - it is this
incidentally
positions.} ({The impulsive} 20. e5 $2 Nxe5 21. Ne4 {would have run into} d5 $1
dashed.}) 20... Ne5 $1 {The only defence against the mating threat Qg2 is to
block the g-file with the knight.} ({It would be fatal to play} 20... Qd4 $2
21. Qg2 Qe5 22. Nb5 $1 ({more forceful than the Informator} 22. Rad1)) ({or}
20... Qd8 $6 21. Nb5 Ne5 (21... Ra6 $2 22. Nc7 $1 Qxc7 23. Qg2 {and wins}) 22.
Nxd6 Bd7 ({not my earlier} 22... Ra6 $2 23. Nxe8) 23. Bh5 $1 {- a decisive
stroke:} -- (23... Re7 24. Qg2 Ng6 (24... Qg8 25. Qf2 $1 Qd8 26. Qg3 $1 Qg8 27.
Qf4 Qd8 28. Bg5 $1) 25. fxg6 fxg6 26. Bxg6) ({
after} 24... Rxe8 25. Qg2 {Black has to give up his knight:} Ng6 26. c3 Nd3 27.
fxg6 {and Bf3
29. Qf4 Qe8 30. Rag1 {
Intensifying the pressure by} 22. Raf1 $5 {with the idea of Be2 and fxg6 was
also interesting:} -- (22... Bd4 $6 23. Be2 $1 Bxg1 24. fxg6 fxg6 25. Qf3 $1
Qd8 26. Kxg1 {
22... Be5 {(by analogy with the best continuation on move 23 in the game)} 23.
Be2 $1 Rg8 $1 (23... Qc5 $2 24. Qg5 $1) 24. fxg6 Rxg6 (24... fxg6 $2 25. Bc4 $1
) 25. Rxf7 Qxg1+ 26. Qxg1 Rxg1+ 27. Kxg1 Be6 28. Re7 Rg8+ 29. Kf1 Bh3+ 30. Ke1
Nxc2+ 31. Kd2 Nd4 32. Bc4 {with a favourable endgame.})) 22... fxg6 ({After}
22... hxg6 23. Raf1 $1 {
vulnerability of his f7 point
critical position:} Bd4 (23... Qd8 24. Bh5 $1) ({and} 23... Be5 24. Be2 (24.
Bh5 $5) 24... Be6 25. Nd5 $1 {are all bad for him}) 24. Bg4 $1 {with the
threat of Rxf7.}) 23. Rgf1 ({Here also} 23. Raf1 $5 {deserved consideration} --
({
to White's 22nd move)}) ({
Rxc8 26. Rf3 $1 {and Rgf1 is also depressing}) ({but} 24... Qc7 $5 {is more
resilient}) 25. Qxg4 Qc7 ({if} 25... Qc6 $2 {White decides matters with} 26.
Rf7 $1 Bxc3 ({or} 26... d5 27. Rgf1 d4 28. Qf3 $1) 27. Rxh7+) 26. Rg2 Bg7 (
26... d5 27. Qf3) 27. Nb5 Qe7 28. Bxg7+ Kxg7 29. Rd1 Rad8 30. Qg3 {with the
threat of Nxd6 and an enduring initiative.})) 23... Bg7 $2 {A serious

possibly even decisive mistake: the exchange of bishops at an inappropriate
moment weakens the d6-pawn and allows White a powerful attack on the dark
squares.} (23... Be5 $1 {was essential. If now} 24. Bg4 {
first} 24. Rad1 $1 {is correct
retaining some pressure}) 24... Qc6 $1 {
24... Nxc2 $2 25. Nd5 {
Re7 $1 {with equality (this possibility shows the distinction with the 23 Raf1
variation)}) 25... d5 {.}) 24. Bxg7+ Kxg7 25. Rad1 Bd7 ({White is also better
after} 25... Be6 26. Nb5 Bc4 ({or} 26... Rad8 27. Qg3 {
Be2 $1 ({my earlier} 27. Nxd6 Bxf1 28. Nxe8+ Rxe8 29. Rd7+ {is weaker because
of} Re7 $3 30. Rxe7+ Kf6 31. Qxf1 Kxe7) 27... Bxe2 (27... Bxb5 $6 28. axb5 $1)
28. Qxe2 {.}) 26. Qg3 $1 Re5 ({After} 26... Re7 27. Rxd6 Qc5 28. Bg2 {Black
has no compensation for the pawn.}) 27. Bg2 {A difficult choice from the three
possible bishop moves.} (27. Bg4 Bxg4 28. Qxg4 {was also tempting}) ({but} 27.
Be2 $1 {was even better
Be6 29. Bxe6 Rxe6 30. Nd5 Qc6 31. Qf4 {and wins}) (27... Bc6 28. Rxd6 Qc5 29.
Rd5 $1 Rxd5 30. Nxd5) ({or} 27... Qc7 28. Qf4 {also does not impress}) 28.
Qxe5+ dxe5 29. Rxd7+ {
Page 90
Sheet1
27... Nxc2 $2 {In severe time-trouble Boris cracks under the pressure of a
difficult defence and he decides to 'die happy'.} ({Things were also dismal
for Black after} 27... Qc7 28. Nb5 $1 Bxb5 29. axb5 Nxc2 30. Rc1 Rxb5 31. Qf2
Rc5 32. e5 $1) ({and after} 27... Rae8 28. Qf4 Qd8 ({rather more resilient
than the Informator} 28... Be6 29. Nb5) 29. Rxd6 Qe7 30. Rf6 Bf5 $1 31. Rb6 $1
Bc8 32. Nb5 {with an attack and an extra pawn}) ({or} 27... Rf8 28. Rxf8 Kxf8
29. Rf1+ Kg8 ({not} 29... Kg7 30. Qh4 $1 g5 $2 ({or} 30... d5 31. Qg3 $1 {
winning a pawn}) 31. Qh5 Be8 32. Qf3 {and wins}) 30. Nb5 $1 ({stronger than my
earlier} 30. Qh4 Re8 31. Qf6) 30... Be6 31. Rd1 Nc6 32. Qf4 {
d6-pawn cannot be defended.}) 28. Nd5 ({The most forceful was} 28. Qf4 $1 Be6
29. Nb5 Ne3 30. Nxd6 {- arriving from an unexpected side!}) 28... Qd8 29. Qf2 (
29. Qb3 $5 {.}) 29... Nb4 (29... Rc8 30. Nb6 Bg4 31. Nxc8 Bxd1 32. Nb6 Bg4 (
32... Rc5 33. Rxd1 Qxb6 34. e5 $1) 33. Nc4 $1 {and Qxc2}) ({or} 29... Bxa4 30.
Nb6 Ne3 31. Qxe3 Bxd1 32. Nxa8 Bg4 33. Nb6 {was hopeless for Black.}) 30. Nb6 (
30. Nxb4 {would also have won easily:} axb4 ({or} 30... Bxa4 31. Qf7+ Kh8 32.
Rc1 {with the threat of Rc7}) 31. Rxd6 {.}) 30... Bg4 31. Qf7+ Kh8 32. Nxa8
Bxd1 33. Rxd1 Qxa8 34. Qf6+ (34. Rxd6 $5 {.}) 34... Kg8 35. Rxd6 Re8 36. Rd7 {
. Topalov also won
our nearest rivals. It was an uncommonly fighting tournament: two-thirds of

the games ended decisively. --- Genna Sosonko: 'This was a major success for
the 21-year-old Bulgarian grandmaster
extremely correct. His ability to sit and concentrate is amazing. Topalov is
excellently prepared
a grandmaster of very high class. Not without reason the Dutch press commented
that in the tournament there were two brilliant winners...' --- 'I think that
this was one of my best tournaments in recent years'
'I am very happy with my play
after it I scored 'plus five'. I won all my games with White! There was the
same kind of 'roller' as in my games of some ten years ago: all the white
pieces advance
had nothing to do with my widely advertised opening preparation: not once did
I gain an overwhelming position from the opening

achieved in an exceptionally tense battle! --- 'I often ended up in
time-trouble
I have overcome something of a creative slump
the match with Anand
my dismay that my play had become more sterile and the vivid colours had
disappeared... Here I was fighting with young players
my games
Amsterdam 1996 as a kind of progress report on my ten years as champion. For
me it is very important that I myself have also not forgotten how to play
attacking
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Difficult Opponent"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{International Tournament in Dos Hermanas (20 May - 1 June 1996): 1-2. Kramnik
and Topalov - 6 out of 9; 3-4. Anand and Kasparov - 5½; 5. Illescas - 4½;
Page 91
Sheet1
6-7. Kamsky and Gelfand - 4; 8. Ivanchuk - 3½; 9-10. Shirov and J.Polgar - 3.
} 1. -- {After Amsterdam I also took part in the April 'Kremlin Stars'

rapid-play knock-out tournament in the PCA Grand Prix series. Two years
earlier I had lost in the quarter-final to Kramnik
Anand in the semi-final
defeating Gelfand (2-0) and Dreev (1-1; 1-0)
(Game No.115). In the final Kramnik and I drew 1-1
in the blitz tie-break: I lost the first game with White
repetition of moves (although I had less time and an inferior position!)
in one move I threw away a win in the second. Apparently the Kremlin is not my
territory... --- It stands to reason that I again wanted to get even with
Kramnik
Spanish town of Dos Hermanas. This category 19 super-tournament assembled
almost the entire chess elite
within five days was due to start his long-suffering match with Karpov
had after all been switched from Baghdad to Elista.} (1. -- {My first
appearance in Dos Hermanas was also my last: the playing conditions were not
very impressive. Compared with this hamlet
capital! The playing room was in a small
resembled an air-raid shelter. This
creativity
--- My starting duel with Gata Kamsky turned out to be tense and nervy. In a
slow Ruy Lopez (cf. Game No.2
obtained an obvious positional advantage
I was unable to build on my success - draw. This game proved to be the last of
our eight 'classical' tournament meetings (+4-1=3). --- In the second round I
had a short but very wild Sicilian draw with Anand (cf. Game No.37
White's 6th move). Then in the third I won against Shirov

for the first time I was unable to beat Illescas with White - a warning
signal! At this point the leading five looked like this: Anand - 3½ out of 4
Gelfand - 3; Kasparov and Topalov - 2½; Kramnik - 2.}) (1. -- {In the fifth
round those who were trailing gave chase: Topalov defeated Gelfand
Kramnik
101st move. I gained a draw with Ivanchuk
the King's Indian (cf. Game No.36 in Kasparov vs. Karpov 1988-2009
White's 8th move). The leading group became much more compact: Anand and
Topalov - 3½ out of 5; Kasparov
had White against my 'Kremlin conqueror'
admission
one'
'plus two'.}) *
[Event "27: Dos Hermanas"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.05.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Kramnik
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D48"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
Page 92
Sheet1
1. d4 ({'I do not wish to appear banal
aggressive' (Kramnik). However
I decided to defer the discussion in the Rauzer Variation.}) 1... d5 2. c4 c6
3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. e3 ({Kramnik was expecting my usual} 5. Bg5 {(Game Nos.
couple of fresh ideas in the Meran.}) 5... Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3
Bb7 9. O-O a6 10. e4 c5 11. d5 c4 12. Bc2 Qc7 13. Nd4 {A rare move.} ({The
main battles revolve around} 13. dxe6 fxe6 {(Game No.98).}) 13... Nc5 ({In the
event of} 13... e5 14. Nf5 g6 15. Nh6 Nh5 {my intention was} 16. g3 $1 ({
instead of} 16. Qf3 Nf4 $1 {
Qf3 Rf8 $6 18. Bd2 {with an obvious advantage (Carlsen-Shirov

18. Ng4 $5 {.})) 14. b4 {An energetic attempt to open up the game
White's superior development.} (14. Qe2 Rd8) ({or} 14. Bg5 {(Chernin-Topalov
Budapest 1993)} Bd6 15. f4 h6 {is unclear.}) 14... cxb3 15. axb3 b4 16. Na4
Ncxe4 17. Bxe4 $5 {A novelty!} ({The source game Yakovich-Sorokin (Calcutta
1991) went} 17. dxe6 Rd8 $6 (17... Bd6 $1 {was more accurate}) 18. exf7+ (18.
Bxe4 $1 Nxe4 ({or} 18... Bxe4 19. Be3) 19. Bb2 {favours White}) 18... Kxf7 19.
Be3 Bd6 20. h3 Rhe8 {with equality. This was why I played 17 Bxe4 immediately
setting my opponent concrete problems.}) 17... Nxe4 18. dxe6 Bd6 $1 {The only
move
$2 19. Bb2 {and Rc1
21. Kh1 Qf4 22. Nc5 {was suitable.}) 19. exf7+ {(aiming to prevent Black from
castling)} Qxf7 $1 ({Kramnik: 'This involves the following piece sacrifice
but I did not want to concede the initiative - after} 19... Kxf7 20. Qh5+ g6
21. Qh3 {the black king feels uncomfortable'. And
position after} Rae8 (21... Qc8 22. f3 Nc3 23. Qh4 {seemed to Dokhoian and me
to be more promising for White}) 22. Bb2 {.}) 20. f3 Qh5 $1 {If the knight
moves
22. Qxf1 Bxh2+ 23. Kxh2 Rxf1 24. Nc5 {White has an excellent endgame.}) 21. g3
$1 ({Nothing is given by} 21. h3 Qe5 $1 22. f4 Qf6 {.}) 21... O-O $6 {
Strangely enough
brought Kramnik an unexpected success
tournament
volume of Informator!} (21... Nxg3 $1 {was stronger (Baramidze-A.Braun
Saarbrücken 2009):} 22. hxg3 (22. Re1+ $2 Ne4 $1 23. Ra2 O-O 24. fxe4 Qh4 {and
wins}) 22... O-O 23. Ra2 $1 Bxg3 ({or} 23... Rad8 $5 24. Rh2 Qg6 25. Qc2 Be5 $1
26. Ne6 $1 Qxe6 27. Qxh7+ Kf7 28. Qh5+ Kg8 {

check}) 24. Rg2 Be5 25. Nc5 Rad8 26. Be3 Bc8 $1 27. f4 $1 Qxd1 28. Rxd1 Bxf4
29. Bxf4 Rxf4 30. Rgd2 $1 {(Kramnik)} Rg4+ $1 (30... Bg4 $2 31. Nc6 $1) 31. Kf2
Rf8+ {with sufficient compensation for the piece.}) 22. fxe4 Qh3 $2 {The
decisive mistake! --- The culminating point of the game
entire tournament.} ({Black would also have lost after} 22... Rxf1+ $2 23. Qxf1
-- (23... Qe5 24. Qc4+ Kh8 25. Nf5 $1) (23... Bxe4 24. Bf4 $1) ({
Bxg3 24. hxg3 Bxe4 25. Ra2 $1 Qh1+ 26. Kf2 Qh2+ 27. Ke3 Qxa2 28. Kxe4 {
(Kramnik).} (28. --))) ({But} 22... Qe5 $1 23. Re1 Bb8 $3 {with the idea of ...Ba7 would
have retained compensation for the material deficit (the knight on a4 is out of play!) and left
the outcome unclear:} 24. Qd3 ({or} 24. Bf4 Rxf4
$1 25. gxf4 Qxf4 26. Ra2 Ba7 27. Rf2 Qe5 28. Nf5 Rf8 {
Rad8 26. Rad1 h5 {.}) 23. Nf3 $4 {The opponent's desperate play unsettled me.
Makarychev: 'When he was considering his move
subconsciously envied both his opponent's liberated state

power of his pieces. After all
({Meanwhile
the attack.' And of converting his extra piece:} -- (23... Bxe4 24. Bf4 $1 Bxf4
25. Rxf4 ({even better than} 25. Qxe4 Bxg3 26. Qe6+) 25... Rxf4 26. gxf4 Re8
27. Nc5 Bg6 28. Nce6 {and wins.}) ({. If} 23... Rae8 {
25. Qf1 {is good.}) (23... Bxg3 24. Nf5 $1 {(Kramnik: 'During the game we both
Page 93
Sheet1
overlooked this strong move')} Rxf5 ({or} 24... Be5 25. Bb2 $1 Bxb2 ({if} 25...
Rae8 {
27. Nd3 {'with an obvious advantage
sufficient for a win' (Kramnik).} ({But after} 27. Nc4 $1 {(threatening Rf3)}
Qc3 28. Ncd6 {everything is clear: Black can resign})) 25. Rxf5 Re8 (25... Bxe4
$6 26. Qxe4 Qxh2+ 27. Kf1) ({or} 25... Bxh2+ 26. Qxh2 Qg4+ 27. Kf2 Qxe4 28. Qe5
$1 Qc2+ 29. Ke1 {is hopeless for Black}) 26. Qc4+ Kh8 27. Ra2 {.})) ({It is
curious that
gave only a continuation favourable for Black:} 23. Ra2 $6 Bxe4 24. Re1 {(?)}
Rae8 ({if} 24... Bb7 $2 {there is} 25. Qe2 $1 {with the idea of} Bxg3 26. Qe6+)
25. Re3 {(this is bad because of} h5 $1 ({or} 25... Re5 $1 {) and he
altogether kept silent about the 23 Qe2! resource - why spoil the picture with
some inconvenient 'trifles'? But years later he nevertheless mentioned it in
his book of selected games. --- To this day I don't understand how I could
fail to make this very obvious move...})) 23... Bxg3 24. Nc5 ({This knight
jump was condemned by all the experts
For example:} 24. Ra2 Bb8 $1 25. Nc5 Ba7 26. Be3 Rac8 27. Raf2 Rxc5 $1 28. Qd6
Qc8 $1 29. Ne5 Rxf2 30. Kxf2 Bxe4 {

Bxc1 Qxc1+ 33. Qd1 Qc3+ 34. Qd2 Bb8 $1 35. Nd7 Bd6 36. Ke2 Be7 37. Qxc3 bxc3
38. Ne5 c2 39. Nc4 Bb4 {Black has a won ending.}) (24. Qe2 Bd6 $1 ({Kramnik
gives only} 24... Rxf3 25. Rxf3 Bxh2+ {
Kf2 ({and} 26. Qxh2 Qxf3 27. Qg2 $1 Qd1+ 28. Kh2 Rd8 29. Bb2 {are suitable}))
25. Bb2 ({if} 25. Ra2 Qg4+ $1) ({while after} 25. Qg2 Qxg2+ 26. Kxg2 Bxe4 {the
pin on the knight is unpleasant}) 25... Rf4 $1 26. Qc4+ Kh8 27. Bxg7+ Kxg7 28.
Qd4+ Rf6 29. Ra2 Raf8 30. Rg2+ Kh8 {with a powerful attack and equal material.}
) 24... Rxf3 $1 25. Rxf3 $2 {A black-out.} ({It was essential to find the far
from obvious defence} 25. Ra2 $1 {
of a rook -} Rxf1+ (25... Rc3 $2 26. Nxb7) 26. Qxf1 Qxf1+ 27. Kxf1 Rc8 28. Be3
-} 29. Nxb7 ({or in an ending with opposite-coloured bishops one or two pawns
down -} 29. Bxf4 Rxc5 30. Bd6 Rc3 31. Ra4 $1 {and Rxb4 (the best chance)})
29... Bxe3 30. Rxa6 {(although
a very difficult endgame for White').}) 25... Qxh2+ 26. Kf1 Bc6 $1 {With the
threat of ...Bb5+. 'A quiet move of crushing strength
Kasparov. It is surprising that
defenceless' (Kramnik).} 27. Bg5 ({If} 27. Ra5 {
28. Ke2 Qg2+ 29. Ke3 Bc7 $1 {.})) 27... Bb5+ 28. Nd3 Re8 $1 29. Ra2 {
Desperation.} Qh1+ ({In time-trouble Kramnik overlooked} 29... Bxd3+ $1 30.
Rxd3 Qh1+ 31. Ke2 Qg2+ 32. Ke3 Rxe4# {.}) 30. Ke2 Rxe4+ 31. Kd2 Qg2+ 32. Kc1
Qxa2 33. Rxg3 Qa1+ 34. Kc2 Qc3+ 35. Kb1 Rd4 {. Picking up the knight on d3.
White resigned.} (35... -- {This was my only loss after 1 d4 in almost 19
years
of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov) to the end of my career in 2005! And it
was no accident that I suffered it against Kramnik - my most awkward opponent

since the mid-1990s. The vexation and bitterness of this painful reverse took
a long time to pass: after all
have won the tournament. --- In the meantime Topalov snatched a win against
Kamsky
became the sole leader - 4½ out of 6. Despite my sorry state
compose myself and make a reasonable finish. True
Polgar played after the free day I was a little lucky. After obtaining an
easily won ending
away the greater part of my advantage. But then I nevertheless contrived to
win a textbook endgame with rook and knight against rook.}) 0-1
Page 94
Sheet1
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.05.29"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Polgar
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B82"]
[PlyCount "180"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f4 e6 7. Qf3 Qb6 8. a3

Nc6 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. b3 Bb7 11. Bb2 d5 12. Bd3 c5 13. exd5 exd5 14. O-O-O O-O-O
15. Na4 Qc7 16. Bf5+ Kb8 17. Be5 Bd6 18. Qc3 d4 19. Bxd6 Qxd6 20. Qxc5 Qxf4+
21. Kb1 Rd5 22. Rdf1 Qe5 23. Qc4 Rb5 24. Qxf7 Bd5 25. Qxg7 Rg8 26. Qh6 Bxb3 27.
cxb3 Rxb3+ 28. Kc1 Qc7+ 29. Bc2 d3 30. Qf4 Rc8 31. Qxc7+ Rxc7 32. Rf2 Ne4 33.
Rf8+ Ka7 34. Rf7 Rbb7 35. Rxc7 Rxc7 36. Rd1 Rxc2+ 37. Kb1 Rxg2 38. Rxd3 Rxh2
39. Rd7+ Kb8 40. Re7 Nd2+ 41. Kc1 Nb3+ 42. Kd1 h5 43. Re3 Nd4 44. Nc5 a5 45.
Nb3 Nc6 46. Rc3 Kb7 47. Ke1 Kb6 48. Kf1 Rh4 49. Kg2 Nd4 50. Nxa5 Kxa5 51. Rc5+
Kb6 52. Re5 Kc6 53. Kg3 Rh1 54. Kg2 Kd6 55. Ra5 Rh4 56. Kg3 Rg4+ 57. Kh3 Ne2
58. Rxh5 Rg3+ 59. Kh4 Rxa3 60. Kg4 Ke6 61. Rb5 Rg3+ 62. Kh4 Rg1 63. Rg5 Rf1 64.
Ra5 Kf6 65. Ra8 Rg1 66. Rf8+ Ke5 67. Re8+ Kf4 68. Rf8+ Ke4 69. Re8+ Kf3 70. Kh5
Ng3+ 71. Kh6 Nf5+ 72. Kh7 Kf4 73. Rb8 Rg7+ 74. Kh8 Rd7 75. Re8 Kg5 76. Re6 Nd4
77. Re1 Kf6 78. Rd1 Rd5 {Starting from the 60th move
eliminated
king
'the guard was tired'.} 79. Ra1 $2 ({There was now only one way to draw -} 79.
Rf1+ $1 {.}) 79... Ne6 $1 {(the trap snaps shut)} 80. Ra6 Kf7 81. Ra7+ Kg6 82.
Ra8 Rd7 ({The precise plan was} 82... Rd6 $1 {followed by the manoeuvre of the
knight to f6
away from the king
} 83. Kg8 Nc7 84. Rb8 Nd5 85. Kf8 Rd7 86. Ra8 Nf6) 83... Kf7 84. Rb8 Ng5 85.
Rf8+ Kg6 $1 86. Rg8+ Kh6 {and ...Nh7-f6.}) 83. Rb8 Rc7 84. Kg8 Rc5 85. Ra8 Rb5
86. Kh8 Rb7 (86... Rb6 $1 87. Kg8 Ng5 88. Kf8 Re6 $1 89. Ra7 Nh7+ {.}) 87. Rc8
Nc7 (87... Rb6 $1 {.}) 88. Rg8+ Kh6 $1 89. Rg1 {Capitulation.} ({Otherwise I
would have still have had to find the correct plan:} 89. Rc8 Ne6 90. Kg8 Kg6
91. Kh8 Rb6 $1) ({or} 89. Rf8 Rb6 $1 ({but not} 89... Nd5 $2 90. Rf6+ $1 {.}))
89... Rb8+ 90. Rg8 Ne8 ({In view of} 90... Ne8 91. Rf8 Kg6 92. Rg8+ Kf7 {.})
0-1
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.05.30"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Topalov
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B85"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]

Page 95
Sheet1
{In the eighth
Sicilian
things with a ridiculous queen retreat.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4
Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e6 7. O-O Be7 8. a4 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. f4 Qc7 11. Kh1 Re8
12. Bf3 Na5 13. Bg1 Bf8 14. Qe1 Rb8 15. h3 Nd7 16. Bh2 Nc6 17. Rd1 Nxd4 18.
Rxd4 b5 19. axb5 axb5 20. e5 f5 21. exd6 Bxd6 22. Nd5 Qa7 23. Rd1 b4 24. Bg1
Qa5 25. Bh5 g6 26. Qg3 Kf7 27. Bf3 Bf8 28. Rfe1 Bg7 29. Ne3 Kf8 30. Nc4 Qc7 31.
Nd6 Re7 32. Bd4 Bxd4 33. Rxd4 Nf6 34. Red1 Ba6 35. Qh4 Nd7 36. Qe1 $2 ({I
could have decided matters not only with the line I gave in Informator -} 36.
Qg5 Qxc2 (36... Rg7 37. Re1 $1) 37. h4 (37. Nc4) ({or} 37. Ne4 $1 {is even
stronger})) ({but also with the frontal attack} 36. g4 $1 {. For example
({or} 36... Rg7 37. gxf5 exf5 38. Qh6 {with the threat of Nxf5!}) 37. hxg4 {
with the threat of f4-f5.}) 36... e5 $1 37. fxe5 (37. Rxb4 e4 38. Rxb8+ Nxb8 $1
{is equal.}) 37... Nxe5 38. Qg3 Nxf3 39. gxf3 Ra8 {And a draw was soon agreed.}
40. Qf4 Be2 41. R1d2 Ra1+ 42. Kg2 Bf1+ 43. Kg3 Ba6 44. Rd1 Rxd1 45. Rxd1 Qxc2
46. Qd4 Kg8 47. Qd5+ Kg7 48. Qd4+ {. After this miraculous save Veselin
retained the lead
Anand. --- At the very finish I was fortunate to win with Black from a
hopeless position against Gelfand
time control
'completely lost'. Thanks to this I caught Anand
of the challengers' to the aggressively inclined Kamsky
finished half a point behind the winning pair - Kramnik and Topalov.} 1/2-1/2
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Emerging from a 'Groggy' State"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{32nd World Chess Olympiad (Yerevan
- 38½ out of 56; 2. Ukraine - 35; 3. USA and 4. England - 34; 5-7. Armenia-1
Spain
Sweden and Iceland - 33
comprised Kasparov (7 out of 9)
Svidler (8½ out of 11)
out of 9).} 1. -- {In the summer before the 1996 Yerevan Olympiad
relaxing and preparing for the new season
champion finally took place in Elista
Immediately after the closing ceremony
the FIDE President Ilyumzhinov stated: 'I am not giving up my plans to stage a
world championship with the participation of the 100 best players in the world
and with a prize fund of five million dollars. In addition
Kasparov-Karpov match 'for the absolute championship' will be held. The
agreement in principle of the contestants has been obtained. The prize fund
will be not less than two million dollars.' --- In view of FIDE's rejection of
the traditional world championship system
a unifying event
champion was due to meet a worthy opponent
qualifying system. And whereas earlier
forward the usual condition - 'with a 10-10 score the world champion retains
Page 96
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his title'
But Karpov too had to make a compromise in return
been unable to come to an agreement.} (1. -- {On the joint initiative of
Ilyumzhinov and Makarov
agency in Moscow. Almost immediately the two of us were left alone
face-to-face and later correspondence discussions led within three weeks to

the production of a very important (at that moment) unofficial agreement to a
match
things
champion'
official organisations
the match are world champion and FIDE world champion'
of a drawn match
if they too result in a draw
until the first victory
game will be played in which White must win but he has a time handicap' (the
full text of this memorandum and an account of its subsequent fate are given
in Kasparov vs. Karpov 1988-2009). --- But at the time
early September
Grand Prix was organised by the Crédit Suisse Bank in Geneva. After beating
Graf (2-0)
to Anand (1-1;½-1½). In this match my nervous system again let me down:
after brilliantly winning the first game with Black (Game No.116) and
achieving an overwhelming position in the second
and in the decisive blitz game
where literally any move would have won
This was a very severe shock.}) (1. -- {The Olympiad in Yerevan coincided with
a sharp political crisis in Armenia. They even brought tanks into the city -
so fierce was the battle for the post of President of the country... A stern
struggle was also expected on the sixty-four squares of the chess board. ---
Russia again did not look the clear favourites
The team line-up was almost the same as in 1994

Tiviakov. And on the whole the Olympiad went far more calmly for us than two
years earlier in Moscow. Makarychev: 'Kramnik
Olympiads
some with difficulty. On the other hand
and Bareev (6½ out of 7!) were rampant. Dreev and Rublevsky soon reached a
plus score
rounds
crushed Finland and Bangladesh (both 3½-½). In the third round I turned
out for a 'white' game with Lautier
after the shock in Geneva. In this condition the heightened attention of the
fans was an added stress: I had not been in Yerevan since 1976 and I was there
for the first time as world champion. After playing the opening badly (cf.
Game No.22 in Kasparov vs. Karpov 1975-1985

to fight for a draw. But nevertheless Russia overcame France: 2½-1½. ---
In the fourth round we confidently beat Germany 3-1
difficult draw - with Yusupov (cf. Game No.77 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on
Garry Kasparov
Armenia (both 2½-1½)
against Akopian and I flamboyantly forced a draw by perpetual check (cf. Game
No.98
that this was a mark of respect for the Armenian community
a forced measure.}) *
[Event "30: World Chess Olympiad
Page 97
Sheet1
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.09.23"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Hracek
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B66"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
{In the seventh round I was finally able to concentrate and open my score with
a win. My opponent was the 26-year-old Czech Grandmaster Zbynek Hracek.} 1. e4

c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O
Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Be7 10. f4 b5 11. Bxf6 gxf6 {Following my Amsterdam game with
Kramnik
combative novelty!} ({Against Kramnik I chose the quiet} 12. Bd3 {(Game No.25).
}) 12... d5 {Necessary;} ({after} 12... fxe5 $6 13. fxe5 d5 14. Bd3 {the
Achilles' heel of Black's position - the f7 point - is exposed}) ({in the
event of} 12... dxe5 $2 13. Qe4 Bd7 14. Rxd7 Kxd7 15. Bxb5+ axb5 16. Rd1+ {
White already has a decisive advantage:} Ke8 ({or} 16... Bd6 17. Nxb5 Ke7 18.
Nxd6 Qb8 19. fxe5 Rxa2 20. exf6+ Kf8 21. Rd4 $1 Qxb2+ 22. Kd2) 17. Rxd8+ Rxd8
18. Nxb5 exf4 19. a4 Rg8 20. a5 {
continuation
most correct.} ({After} 13. f5 O-O {with the intention of ...fxe5 and ...Bf6
Black has good play.}) 13... b4 ({Dokhoian: 'Over-optimistic. It was not

possible to block the position completely by} 13... f5 $6 {on account of} 14.
g4 $1 fxg4 15. f5 {with an attack.} ({Or first} 15. h3 $5 {- G.K.})) ({But}
13... Bb7 {deserved consideration
shelter on the queenside'. --- After this we did an analysis
before the match with Kramnik:} 14. f5 fxe5 15. Qxe5 Bf6 16. Qg3 Qe7 17. fxe6
fxe6 18. Be2 {
equal
Qg6+ Qf7 21. Qg4 $1 {(Akopian-Mamedyarov
insufficient for Black}) 19. Bg4 h5 20. Bh3 h4 21. Qf4 {(Kasparov-Ivanchuk
Frankfurt (rapid) 1998).}) ({Easy equality is also not promised by} 13... Bd7
14. Bd3) ({or} 13... Rg8 14. Be2 {(when} b4 $2 ({or} 14... Rxg2 $2 15. Bf3 Rg8
16. Nxd5 $1 {is bad for Black}) 15. Ne4 $1 {). However
drives the knight along the desired route c3-e2-g3-h5.}) 14. Ne2 ({Not} 14.
exf6 $6 Bxf6 15. Qxb4 Qc7 {when Black has active play for the pawn.}) 14... a5
({A difficult choice - White is better after} 14... fxe5 15. fxe5) ({or} 14...
Rb8 15. f5 (15. Qe3 $5 {and Nd4 is 'more positional'}) 15... Qb6 (15... O-O $6
16. Rd3 $1) 16. fxe6 fxe6 17. Qh4 {with an initiative
very dangerous one.}) 15. Ng3 {(intending an attack on the f6 point)} f5 (15...
h5 $6 16. Be2 ({or} 16. f5 {is worse.})) 16. Nh5 (16. Bb5+ $6 Kf8 $1 {is not
so clear.}) 16... Rb8 ({If} 16... a4 {again} 17. g4 $1 fxg4 18. f5 {is strong
exploiting Black's backward development and the vulnerability of his king.})
17. g4 $1 ({After} 17. h3 Qb6 $1 18. Qxb6 Rxb6 19. g4 Rg8 {the queens would
have been exchanged and a slightly better endgame reached - not at all what
White was hoping for.}) 17... fxg4 18. f5 {(I was happy with my attacking
position
The alternatives were unsuitable:} 18... Qc7 $2 19. Qxg4 Qxe5 20. Bc4 $3 exf5 (
20... dxc4 21. Rhe1) 21. Qg2 {(f3)}) ({or} 18... exf5 $6 19. e6 Rg8 20. exf7+
Kxf7 21. Bg2 Rb5 ({the Informator} 21... Bb7 {(?)} 22. Rhf1 Rg5 23. Ng3 {is
Page 98
Sheet1
even worse}) 22. Rhf1 ({or} 22. Nf4 {with serious threats.})) 19. Nf6+ {A
tempting check.} ({But the developing} 19. Bd3 Qb6 20. Qf4 exf5 21. Rhf1 {was
more interesting}) ({or else the clamping} 19. f6 $1 Bf8 20. Ng7+ Rxg7 $5 (
20... Bxg7 $6 21. Qxg4) 21. fxg7 Bxg7 22. h3 $1 {
compensation for the exchange:} Qg5 23. Re1 h5 24. Bd3 Bd7 25. Rhf1 {
19... Bxf6 20. exf6 Qd6 {(again the best defence)} 21. Bg2 {'A key move. White
leaves the central d- and e-files open for his rooks.} ({The routine} 21. Bd3 {
was worse on account of} exf5 $1 22. Rhe1+ ({or} 22. Qe3+ Kd8) 22... Kf8 {with
unclear play' (Dokhoian).}) ({And the exchange} 21. fxe6 {is pointless in view
of} Bxe6 $1 {(pointed out by Stohl} ({instead of the Informator} 21... fxe6 {
(?)} 22. Be2 {.})) (21. Bc4 $5 {was more shrewd
} 21... Kd8 $1 22. fxe6 Bxe6 23. Bxd5 Bxd5 24. Qxd5 Qxd5 25. Rxd5+ Kc7 26. Rxa5
Rg6 $1 {it is unclear whether White can win this favourable double-rook endgame
}) 22. Rhe1 {.}) 21... Rg5 $2 {This
game
21... Rb7 {(?!)} 22. Qe3 {(?!)} (22. Rhe1 Kd8 23. Re5 $1 Rb5 24. Qa7 {is
stronger
$5) 22... Kd8 23. Qh6 {
evaporates.}) ({But after} 21... Rb5 $1 {(over-protecting the d5-pawn) Black
would have managed to consolidate
me to achieve success:} 22. Rhe1 ({nothing is given by either} 22. fxe6 Bxe6) (
{or} 22. Qd3 Rc5) 22... Kd8 $1 23. Qa7 ({or} 23. Rc1 Bd7 24. fxe6 (24. c4 $6
bxc3 $1) 24... Bxe6 25. c4 bxc3 26. Qxc3 Bf5+ {
. Now
combination.}) 22. Bxd5 $1 Bd7 (22... exd5 23. Qe3+ {and Qxg5}) ({or} 22...
Qxd5 23. Qf4 $1 {is fatal}) ({as is} 22... Kf8 23. Qa7 (23. Qe3 $5) 23... exd5
24. Rxd5 $1) ({or} 22... Bb7 23. Bxb7 (23. Qe3 $5) 23... Qxd4 24. Bc6+ $1 {.})
23. Rhe1 h6 (23... Rc8 24. Qe4 {and fxe6}) ({while if} 23... Rxf5 {
Bxe6 Qxd4 25. Bxf5+ {and Rxd4 is decisive.}) 24. fxe6 (24. Qe4 $5 {.}) 24...
fxe6 25. Qa7 {. In view of the murderous threat of Bxe6.} (25. -- {As a result
Russia crushed the Czechs (3½-½) and the team consolidated its leading
position. --- After this the quality of my play sharply improved. In my game
from the next round with Alexey Shirov
I was able to carry out both an unusual positional idea in the opening and a
pretty combinative stroke in the middlegame (see the following game).}) 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.09.24"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Shirov
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B52"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ ({Shirov far more often played} 3. d4 {
avoiding sharp disputes in the Najdorf Variation (Game Nos.40
However
check.}) 3... Bd7 (3... Nd7 {is more risky
} 4. d4 ({and after} 4. O-O Ngf6 5. Re1 a6 6. Bf1 b6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bb7 9.
f3 e6 {
Page 99
Sheet1
Qxd4 e5 7. Qd3 h6 $1 {
$5 {
({instead of} 8... h6 $6 {
(Rublevsky-Bologan
d2-d4 and after the exchange on d4 set up a 'Maroczy bind'.} ({If} 5. O-O {
then} Nf6 ({or immediately} 5... Nc6 {(excluding the variation 5...Nf6 6 e5)})
6. Re1 Nc6 {.}) 5... Nc6 6. Nc3 (6. O-O) ({or} 6. d4 {is also played
allowing that which occurred in the game.}) 6... g6 7. d4 Bg7 $5 {An
interesting idea
Sergey Rublevsky.} ({After the usual} 7... cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bg7 {apart from} 9. Be3
({the dangerous} 9. Nde2 Nf6 10. O-O {followed by Bg5 is possible
} O-O ({soon instead of 10...0-0
11. Nd5 Qxe4 12. Nc7+ Kd7 13. Nxa8 Qxc4 $1 14. Nb6+ $5 axb6 15. Nc3 Ra8 (15...
b5 $5) 16. a4 Ne4 {with quite good compensation for the exchange (Kasparov-The
World
Kh1 Nd7 (14... Qa5 15. Bh4 {is no better
15. b3 {
Qd8 14. Kh1 Nd7 15. Bg5 {(Kramnik-Gelfand

)) ({In any event
his bishop at e3 (} 8. Be3 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nf6 {
which is what my surprised opponent did.}) 8. d5 Bxc3+ $1 {The point of
Black's idea! He unexpectedly exchanges his strong bishop
spoils White's pawn structure and hopes to set up a blockaded position
for example
Shirov - for the sake of an attack he does not spare his pawns!} (10. Nd2 $5 {
is more practical
} 11... f6 12. f4 exf4 13. Rxf4 O-O-O 14. Qe2 Qa4) 12. f4 exf4 13. Rxf4 Nh5 14.
Rf1 O-O {Black's defences are solid:} 15. e5 $6 dxe5 16. Ne4 f5 17. Nxc5 {
(Rublevsky-Vescovi
({or} 19. g4 Ng7 $1) 19... Ng7 $1) 11. f4 O-O-O (11... Nh6 12. e5 $1) 12. O-O
b6 $2 13. a4 $1 {and Nb3 (Rublevsky-Ehlvest

Shirov called this move 'very strong'
11. -- (11. Qe2 Ne5 {(?)} ({but after} 11... Qa4 $1 {Black is quite okay: if}
12. e5 {
dxe5 13. f4 {would have allowed White a dangerous initiative.}) ({. Therefore}
11. a4 $5 Nf6 (11... e5 $6 12. dxe6 $1) 12. Qd3 Na5 13. c4 {is better
sufficient compensation for the pawn.})) 11. Nd2 (11. a4 $5 {with the idea of}
Nxc4 12. Qd3 Na5 13. c4 {was a possibility.}) 11... b6 ({Here} 11... Nh6 $6 {
is bad on account of} 12. Nb3 $1 Nxb3 13. axb3 {.}) 12. Qe2 $2 {A serious
positional mistake: the black queen should not have been allowed to go to a4.}
(12. h3 {(Ganguly-Sasikiran
({or} 14. Rf2 Nf7 {and ...Kg7}) 14... Nf5 {and ...h7-h5.}) ({Of course
most energetic move was the immediate} 12. f4 $1 {
of} Nh6 $1 {. Now if} (12... O-O-O $2 13. a4 $1 {

game}) 13. e5 {
Rf3 $1 {the black queen becomes uncomfortable:} O-O 15. e6 Nf5 16. Qf1 $1 {
etc}) 14... Qd7 15. Qc2 Qf5 {with equality would seem to be good. Black's
position seems rather dangerous
12... Qa4 $1 {(blocking up White's queenside and paralyzing his development)}
13. f4 ({If} 13. Rb1 {
13... Qxa2 $2 {in view of} 14. Rb5 $1 {with the threat of Bb2 and Ra1.})) 13...
Nh6 14. e5 O-O-O ({Sharper than} 14... O-O {. After sinking into thought
Shirov realised that White's attack had come to a standstill
decided to at least make an active move with his rook.}) 15. Rb1 Nf5 ({After
the game I lamented that I did not play more forcefully here -} 15... Rhf8 $5 {
with the idea of} 16. e6 f5 $1 {and ...Ng4(g8)-f6
Page 100
Sheet1
would be threatening either ...Ne4
or ...h7-h5
and wait'. However
create at least some semblance of play. 'Risky but necessary.} ({After} 16. e6
h5 {White cannot do anything against the plan ...Kc7
all his advantage.} (16... Ng7 $1 {with the threat of ...h7-h5 was far
stronger (for example
afraid of and 'without much confidence' he was intending to reply} 17. exf6 {
(?)} exf6 18. f5 {. Indeed
17. exf6 exf6 18. Qf2 $1 g5 19. Ne4 $1 {Suddenly the white pieces have come
alive and it transpires that Black also has weaknesses - the pawns on d6 and
f6. Not knowing what to do next

found a lengthy drawing combination.} Qe8 $5 ({In my opinion
interesting than} 19... h5 20. gxh5 Qxc4 {
Qe1 ({or} 21. Nxf6 Rdf8 22. fxg5 Rxf6 23. Bf4 Rxf4 24. Qxf4 Qxf4 25. Rxf4 Rxh5
Rbd1 Qf5 27. Qg2 Rd5 $1 {.}) (19... Qxc4 $6 20. Nxf6 {is worse for Black -
Shirov.}) 20. Re1 Qg6 $1 21. fxg5 $1 ({With just 20 minutes left to the time
control
do so: of course
22. Ng3 h5 $1 ({Shirov mentions only} 22... Nxc4 23. Nh5 Qf7 24. Re6 Ne5 25.
Qe2 $1 {
gxh5 Nxc4 {with excellent play for the exchange:} 25. Re4 ({or} 25. Re6 Qb7 $1
{and ...Qxd5}) 25... Ne5) 22. Nxg5 fxg5 23. Bxg5 Rdg8 {(Shirov)
24. Re7 $1 Qf8 25. Qxh4 {and wins.}) 21... Rhe8 {According to Shirov - 'the
only move'.} ({But} 21... Nxc4 $5 {was also playable -} 22. Qxh4 Rhe8 23. Nd2
fxg5 24. Qf2 Rxe1+ 25. Qxe1 Re8 26. Qf1 Ne3 {
his extra piece:} 27. Qf3 {(defending both pawns
Kd8 {(d7)} ({or} 28... Re4 {(e5)
Bf4 Nxc4 $1 24. Bxd6 Nd2 $1 25. gxf6 (25. Rxe8+ Qxe8 {
Ndf3+ $1 26. Kh1 Nxe1 27. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 28. Qxe1 Qd3 $1 {
check.}) 23... Qxe8 24. Bf4 $1 ({Only not} 24. Qxh4 $2 Qe4 25. Ra1 Nxc4 {and
wins. After the intermediate bishop move Alexey was already mentally
celebrating victory
from a clear sky!' (Shirov).} (24... Qe4 $6 25. Rf1) ({or} 24... Rd7 $6 25.
Qxh4 Qe4 (25... fxg5 26. Re1 $1) 26. Rf1 fxg5 27. Qxg5 Nxc4 28. Qg8+ {was much
weaker.}) ({And after} 24... Qg6 25. Rf1 $1 {
endgame after} (25. Re1 Rd8 $1 {- Shirov}) 25... Rd8 ({or} 25... fxg5 26. Bxd6
Qxd6 27. Qf7 Ng6 28. Qxh7 Nf4 29. Re1 Qd7 30. Qf5 Qxf5 31. gxf5 Nxc4 32. f6 $1
Nd6 33. Re7 Kd8 $1 34. Rxa7 Ke8 35. Re7+ Kf8 36. Rd7 Ne4 37. c4 Nxf6 38. Rd6
Ke7 39. Rxb6 {
Bf4 Qxg4+ 29. Qxg4+ Rxg4+ 30. Bg3 {.}) 25. Bxd6 Nd2 $1 26. Rd1 {According to
Shirov
game was over. But...} Qe4 $3 {A unique situation: Black is the exchange and a
pawn down
amazing move
spoiled my original positional idea.} ({By} 26... Ndf3+ $2 27. Kf1 Qd7 28. Bg3)
({or} 26... Nhf3+ $6 27. Kh1 Qe4 28. Qg2 $1 {Black could have saved his
knights
caution.}) 27. Bg3 ({It transpires that after} 27. Rxd2 {all the material is
regained with checks:} Qb1+ 28. Qf1 Nf3+ 29. Kf2 Qxf1+ 30. Kxf1 Nxd2+ {(it was
this that Shirov had not seen)} 31. Ke1 (31. Ke2 $6 Ne4 {is worse}) 31... Ne4 {
Shirov offered a draw. I replied: 'But I have a perpetual
while?'. And after five minutes I satisfied myself that after} Nhf3+ 28. Kh1
Ne1+ 29. Kg1 Ndf3+ $5 ({instead of} 29... Nef3+) 30. Kf1 Nc2 {White is saved by
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Sheet1
} 31. d6 $1 ({there is also the computer method -} 31. Re1 $5 Nfxe1 32. gxf6)
31... Kd7 32. Bf4 fxg5 (32... Qxf4 33. Qxc2) 33. Rc1 $1 Nce1 (33... Qxf4 34.
Rxc2) 34. Qe2 $1 {
27. -- {We overcame the Spanish (2½-1½) and then continued our winning
streak
In the ninth round I had another sharp Sicilian duel with Topalov
playing White
certainly (cf. Game No.37
as the press wrote
over the Bulgarian team (3½-½) essentially decided the destiny of the
gold medals
a Scotch I overwhelmed Ivan Sokolov - cf. Game 38
and Ukraine.}) 1/2-1/2
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.09.29"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Smirin
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
{In the 12th round I met the now mature and already very experienced leader of
the Israeli team Ilya Smirin
a USSR Championship (Game No.42 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov)
.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 ({The other
prelude to the English Attack is} 6. f3 {
interesting (Game No.76)}) 7. Be3 {(Game Nos.56
transposition of moves.}) 6... Ng4 {When I first saw this move in 1993 I was
genuinely amazed: is it really possible to play this?} ({And up to the summer
of 1996 I replied only} 6... e6 {(Game Nos.66
45
regularly employing 6...Ng4
greatly enriched its theory and gained several memorable victories with it.})
7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Bg7 10. Be2 ({At that time this was the main
continuation along with} 10. Qd2 {(Game No.54)}) ({but later} 10. h3 {came to
the fore (Game No.63).}) 10... h5 11. Bxg4 (11. h4 gxh4 12. Rxh4 $6 Nc6 {is
weaker (Topalov-Kasparov
exf5 {(Kasparov-Topalov
(Shirov-J.Polgar
(Kordovich-Sanakoev
Later I switched to} 11... hxg4 {- Game No.51.}) 12. f3 Bd7 13. Bf2 Nc6 14. Nd5
(14. O-O {(Game No.40)}) ({or} 14. Qd2 {(Game No.116) was nevertheless more
solid. 'Smirin optimistically decided to improve White's play compared with
the recent rapid games between Anand and Kasparov. But did Ilya really think
that Garry would go in for this complicated position without serious home
preparation?' (Makarychev).}) 14... Rb8 $1 {The most useful move
of evicting the annoying knight by ...e7-e6: after Nxc6 and ...bxc6 the b-file
is opened and the b6-square will be defended.} 15. O-O e6 16. Nxc6 {Trying to
justify his 14th move;} ({After} 16. Nc3 Ne5 {Black has a comfortable game.})
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16... bxc6 17. Ne3 (17. Nc3 $1 {(with the idea of 17...d5?! 18 Bd4) is safer:}
Be5 (17... Rxb2 18. Na4 {and Qxd6}) ({or} 17... Bc8 18. Rb1 {with equality is
no better}) 18. Bd4 Rxb2 (18... Bxd4+ 19. Qxd4 Qb6 20. Qxb6 Rxb6 21. b3 Ke7 {
with equality is simpler}) 19. Na4 Rb5 20. Bxe5 dxe5 21. Qd6 Qb8 ({or} 21...
Qe7 22. Qc7) 22. Qd2 {with sufficient compensation for the pawn.}) 17... d5 {
A critical moment on the emergence from the opening.} 18. Rb1 $6 ({White
should already have thrown caution to the winds and given up the exchange by}
18. b3 $1 {
19. Qxa1 O-O 20. Bg3 Rb7 21. Bd6 Re8 22. Be5 {he has good play on the dark
squares.}) 18... O-O $6 ({The crude} 18... Rxb2 $1 19. Rxb2 Bxb2 {was stronger
since Black is better after} 20. exd5 (20. Qd3 {(suggested by me and Dokhoian)}
O-O 21. Qxa6 Qa8 $1) ({or} 20. c4 d4 21. Nc2 e5 22. Nb4 {(recommended by
Makarychev)} Bc3 23. Nd3 {(Korneev-Wojtkiewicz
20... cxd5 21. c4 Bf6 22. cxd5 Bb5 23. Re1 Bc3 {winning the exchange.}) 19. c4
$2 {'A serious mistake.} (19. c3 {was necessary
and ...f7-f5 Black also has the initiative' (Dokhoian).}) 19... d4 20. Nc2 e5
21. Ne1 {When Ilya played 22 Nd3 he was hoping to exploit the weakening of my
kingside
Setting up a barrier with} 21. g4 {
would not
and ...Rb6.}) 21... f5 $1 22. Nd3 g4 $1 {'This move was overlooked by Smirin.
There is no reason for Black to waste time on the 'King's Indian' ...f5-f4.
Kasparov begins an immediate attack on the key points of White's defences -
the f3-e4 pawn pair.' (Dokhoian)} 23. Nc5 ({'The best practical chance; White
would have lost after} 23. exf5 $2 Bxf5 {' (Makarychev).}) ({The attempt to
prolong the resistance by} 23. Bg3 {did not work on account of} f4 24. Be1 gxf3
25. Qxf3 Bg4 26. Qf2 Qg5 $1 27. Bb4 Rf7 {with the threat of ...f4-f3 and a
powerful attack (} 28. Kh1 h4 {
have lost ignominiously after} 24. gxf3 fxe4 25. Nxe4 ({or} 25. Nxd7 Qxd7 26.
fxe4 Qe8 $1 ({more forceful than the Informator} 26... Qh3) 27. Kh1 (27. Qd3
Rf4 $1) 27... Qg6 28. Qe2 Rf4 29. Rbe1 Qf6 {(threatening ...Rf8)} 30. Bg3 Rxf1+
31. Rxf1 Rxb2 $1) 25... Bh3 26. Re1 Qe8 $1 27. Kh1 Qg6 28. Rg1 Bg4 $1 29. Nd2
Rxf3 $1 30. Nxf3 Qe4 31. Rg3 Rf8 {.}) 24... fxe4 25. Qxh5 Qe8 $1 {'A brilliant
solution!' (Makarychev). 'The most accurate continuation
harmony of the white pieces' (Dokhoian).} ({White would have had much better
chances of a draw after both} 25... e3 $2 26. Bh4 {(Stohl)} Rxf1+ 27. Rxf1 Qe8
28. Qf3 Rxb2 29. Bf6 $1) ({and} 25... Rf5 $2 26. Qg6 Rg5 ({or} 26... Rf6 27.
Qxe4 Bf5 28. Qe2 Bxb1 29. Rxb1 {
26. Qg5 ({Things are hopeless after} 26. Qxe8 Bxe8 27. Nxe4 (27. Ne6 e3 $1)
27... Bg6 28. Nc5 (28. Rfe1 Rf4) 28... e4 $1 ({stronger than the Informator}
28... Bxb1) 29. Bg3 ({or} 29. Nd7 e3 30. Bxe3 Rxf1+ 31. Rxf1 Rd8 {
piece and the game}) 29... Rbe8 {(Stohl).}) 26... Rf5 (26... e3 $2 27. Bg3 {.})
27. Qd2 e3 $1 {The simplest: Black transposes into a won endgame
unconnected but nevertheless unstoppable passed pawns.} 28. Bxe3 Rxf1+ 29. Rxf1
dxe3 30. Qxd7 Qxd7 31. Nxd7 Rxb2 32. Nf6+ (32. Nc5 e2 33. Re1 e4 34. Nxe4 Bd4+
35. Kh1 Rxa2 {was even worse.}) 32... Bxf6 33. Rxf6 Rxa2 34. Rf1 (34. Kf1 Rf2+
$1 {.}) 34... a5 35. Re1 e2 36. Kf2 a4 37. Rb1 a3 38. Rb8+ Kf7 39. Ra8 Ra1 40.
Kxe2 a2 ({In view of} 40... a2 41. Kf2 e4 {. --- Thanks to this win we
defeated Israel
against Yermolinsky (revenge for the 'childhood injury'!) also the Americans.
At the finish Russian beat Iceland by the same 2½-1½ score and by a
respectable margin took first place. --- The best results on board 1 were
posted by Al Modiahki (8 out of 10)
out of 11). I commented as follows on this paradoxical picture: 'In announcing
the best results on individual boards

difficult battle I can defeat Ivanchuk
Page 103
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from Qatar
not even of simultaneous standard for me or Ivanchuk. And in the end the
winner of this 'tournament' is declared the prize-winner on board 1! This is
some kind of naïve joke with respect to the top-class grandmasters fighting
one another.'}) (40... -- {At the FIDE Congress taking place at the same time
Ilyumzhinov consolidated his hold on the Presidential post. It was then that
his coalition with Kouatly and Karpov broke up
finally decided that he had no need to organise a unification match
it was better to get rid of the 'champion's diktat' by means of the knock-out
world championship. But for the moment this did not greatly concern me
an 'unscheduled' match with Karpov was already taking shape: for our sixth
duel some excellent sponsors had been found - the organisers of the December
super-tournament in Las Palmas
to hold there a match 'for the absolute championship'. --- Soon Karpov stated
in an interview: 'Of course
millions of chess fans
chess relations with Garry. Therefore
again became the legitimate world champion
entered into discussions with my old opponent.' --- I also commented on this
topic: 'Whether Karpov likes it or not
considered a match for the title of world champion. Today
or not
negotiations with Karpov

my obvious opponent in a match for the chess title. In my view
forfeited the moral and financial right to the world championship
has simply opted out of staging it.' --- Towards the end of the Olympiad I
again sensed my former chess strength
and Linares. By that time order had been restored to my chaotic
the early 1990s
Chess Federation
and my every-day life was stabilised. Back in the spring of 1995
concluding banquet of the Tal Memorial Tournament
Volk. In 1996 she moved to my place in Moscow
was born.}) 0-1
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Supreme Court"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{Double-Round Super-Tournament in Las Palmas (8-21 December 1996): 1. Kasparov
- 6½ out of 10; 2. Anand - 5½; 3-4. Topalov and Kramnik - 5; 5-6. Ivanchuk
and Karpov - 4.} 1. -- {Las Palmas 1996 was undoubtedly an historic chess
event
AVRO Tournament (1938)

young pretenders to the title. True
the highest
eight
Kramnik
lacking Kamsky (after losing his match to Karpov
Page 104
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a long time)
review of all the real challengers compared with the 'old champions'
the Russian journalist Yuri Vasiliev. 'However
prototypes
intending soon to play a match against each other. To avoid possible false
rumours
comparison of this "tournament of six" with the world championship was unfair since by
tradition the chess title can be won only in a match.' --- But the
importance of victory in such a tournament was exceptionally high
players felt the weight of responsibility. But
fans were intrigued by the performance of the two 'Ks'
light of our negotiations with the Spanish organisers about our forthcoming
match
-- {In this ridiculously nervy atmosphere I was fortunate to start well - with
Black I outplayed Topalov
an equal position. On the 25th move Veselin went wrong
I lost my advantage and got into severe time-trouble. Nevertheless my opponent
did not play accurately enough to extinguish the activity of my pieces in an
interesting rook ending. --- In the second round I again had Black and I
easily gained a draw with Ivanchuk. In the third round Kramnik surprised me
with a King's Indian Defence
also easily gained a draw. That day Anand beat Ivanchuk
sharing the lead with me - we each had 2 out of 3. --- And then came the
fourth round
(to avoid anyone playing three successive games with the same colour
fourth and fifth rounds were interchanged). Makarychev: 'The game of last
year's opponents in the match for the world championship was the focus of
attention. Garry played the opening simply splendidly.'}) *
[Event "33: Las Palmas"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.12.12"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Anand
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B92"]
[PlyCount "126"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 {As in our 1995
match
following my example
trainers and I studied this set-up during that match

later it occurred in the game Short-Kasparov (Novgorod 1994).} b5 $6 {This is
what I played
10. a4 $1 ({Short replied} 10. Nd5 {
13. Qd1 Rb7 {Black achieved a reasonable game. Analyzing that game
the conclusion that the preparatory 10 a4 was stronger.}) 10... Bb7 ({Also
after} 10... b4 11. Nd5 Bb7 (11... Nxd5 $6 {is worse in view of} 12. Qxd5 Ra7
13. Be3 Be6 14. Qd2 Rb7 15. f4 {
13. f3 {White has a minimal advantage:} Qc7 (13... d5 $6 14. Nc5) 14. Be3 d5
15. exd5 Rd8 16. a5 $1 Rxd5 17. Qe1 {(Istratescu-Gallagher
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) 11. Nd5 $1 {(an idea of Tseshkovsky)} bxa4 (11... Nxe4 $2 {is bad in view of}
12. Na5 $1 Qxa5 13. Nxe7+ Kh8 14. f3 Qd8 15. Nf5 g6 16. fxe4 gxf5 17. Rxf5 Bxe4
18. Bd3 $1 {with an attack.}) ({White is better after} 11... Nbd7 $6 12. Nxe7+
Qxe7 13. f3 bxa4 ({or} 13... b4 14. Na5 Rfb8 15. Be3 {
Petersburg 1996}) 14. Na5 Nc5 15. Nxb7 Nxb7 16. Rxa4 {(Khalifman-Loginov
Petersburg 1995)}) ({Black is also not completely comfortable after} 11... Nxd5
12. exd5 b4 13. a5) (11... Bxd5 12. exd5 b4 13. f4) ({or} 11... b4 {(cf. 10...b4).}) 12. Rxa4
Bc6 {This quickly-played move was a novelty by the Anand team.
'Black wants to accept the sacrifice of the e4-pawn
not ventured' (Makarychev).} (12... Nbd7 {has been played
satisfied with this:} 13. Na5 ({or} 13. Nxe7+ Qxe7 14. f3 d5 15. exd5 Nxd5 (
15... Bxd5 16. Rxa6) 16. Na5 {
Nb6 15. Ra3 Nbxd5 16. Bf3 e4 17. Bxe4 Nxe4 18. Qxd5 Nf6
{Tseshkovsky-Nevostruev
It soon transpires that for the pawn White gains the opportunity to mount a
powerful bombardment of the kingside with his heavy pieces.} (13... a5 {was
nevertheless preferable
Bg6 17. c4 {Black is worse.}) 14. Na5 {In our preparations Dokhoian and I also
looked at this variation and here we cut it short
difficulties. That proved to be the case.} Nf6 (14... Bg5 15. f4 $1 exf4 16.
Bxf4 {also held little joy for Black.}) 15. Nxc6 {(removing an important
defender of the light squares)} Nxc6 {Here I stopped to think
correct way to develop my initiative.} 16. Bc4 $5 {'A splendid move
concluding the opening dispute: now Black is in a difficult position' - that
is what I thought
exclamation marks to this move: the bishop occupies an attacking diagonal and
establishes control over the key d5-point.} ({However
threat of Bc4 also deserved consideration - this would have denied Black a
defence which he had in the game (16...Rc8)
({or} 17... Qd7 18. c3 {with an appreciable advantage for White}) 18. Bd3 g6
19. f4 $1 {. But
king
as soon as I placed the bishop on c4
something will happen...}) 16... Nd4 $2 {And it happened: this obvious move
loses by force! In vain the knight hurries to take part in the defence of the
kingside.} (16... Rc8 $1 {was necessary} 17. -- ({
$6 Nxd5 18. Bxd5 Bg5 {
regain the material -} 17. Bxa6 {in the hope of} Ra8 $6 ({but after} 17... Rb8
$1 18. c3 (18. Rh3 $2 Nxd5 19. Qxd5 Nb4) 18... Na7 19. Rb3 {he has no attack
on the king
and the outside passed b-pawn}) 18. Nxf6+ Bxf6 19. Rh3 $1 {(when} Rxa6 $2 {is
not possible because of} 20. Qd3 {).})) 17. Rh3 $1 {'A truly fearsome rook!'
(Makarychev). Suddenly the h7 point becomes very vulnerable.} g6 (17... h6 $2 {
is ruinous in view of} 18. Bxh6 ({or} 18. Qd3 $1 {immediately}) 18... gxh6 19.
Qd3 $1 Ne6 (19... Nxd5 20. Rxh6 f5 21. Qh3 Kg7 22. Qg3+ {does not help}) 20.
Rxh6 Kg7 21. Nxf6 $1 Rh8 (21... e4 22. Rh7+ Kxf6 23. Qxe4 {
$1 Kxf6 23. Qf3+ Nf4 24. Rxf7+ Kg6 25. Qg4+ Bg5 26. Rd1 {with an irresistible
attack.}) 18. Qd2 $1 {This move
I made quickly and confidently. Against the threat of Qh6 Black has only one
defence.} Nf5 (18... Nh5 $2 19. g4 Rc8 20. b3 $1 {and wins.}) 19. Nxf6+ Bxf6 {
The first critical moment of the game. I sank into thought for half an hour...}
20. Bd5 $2 ({Of course
$1 {.} -- ({. After satisfying myself that Black would lose after} 20... Nh4 $2
21. g5) ({
({. I concentrated on the main variation -} 20... Qc8 21. Bd5 Nh4 22. Rg1 $1 {
with the deadly threat of Qh6 and g4-g5. Since} Rb8 ({there only remains} 22...
g5 23. Rxh4 $1 gxh4 24. g5 Bg7 25. g6 $1 -- ({
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25... hxg6 26. Rxg6 Qh3 (26... Qf5 27. Qh6) 27. Rxg7+ $1 ({or} 27. Kg1 {
immediately}) 27... Kxg7 28. Qh6+ Kg8 29. Qg6+ Kh8 30. Qh5+ Kg8 31. Kg1 $1 {
when there is no defence against Bh6 and Qg6+}) ({
27. Rxg7 $1 Kxg7 28. Qh6+ Kh8 29. Qf6+ Kxh7 30. Be4+ {.}) ({. But I couldn't
find what to do after} 25... Kh8 26. gxf7 Qf5 {
Bxa8 Rxa8 28. Qd5 Rf8 {I didn't see the only knock-out blow} 29. Bh6 $1 {.
This was
did not see it). This missed spectacular win was pointed out after the game by
Dokhoian
24. c4 $1 {is bad for Black}) 24. c4 {. --- I myself sensed that 20 g4 should
have won
But the difficulty of the given situation was that I also had another tempting
move - 20 Bd5 with an attack on the rook: the threat of g2-g4 forces Black to
give up the exchange
Nevertheless
psychologically upset
rejecting 20 g4.})) 20... h5 $1 {An instant reply: while I was thinking about
my 20th move
down somewhat.} 21. Bxa8 ({Little is changed by} 21. Be4 Qd7 $1 22. Bxa8 Rxa8 {
.}) 21... Qxa8 22. Ra3 Rc8 23. c3 Qb7 ({After} 23... Rc4 $6 24. Rd1 {White
takes control of the d5 point.}) 24. Qd3 Rc6 {The second critical moment in
this topsy-turvy game. Here
obviously incorrect move.} 25. Rd1 $6 {Anything would do
For example
Qxb6 29. c4 $5 d4 ({or} 29... dxc4 30. Qxc4) 30. b3 {
weakness of the a-pawn and slowly but surely converting the advantage of the
exchange for a pawn.}) 25... d5 $1 {The point: Black immediately gets rid of
his weak backward pawn (26 Qxd5? is not possible because of 26...Rd6)
White's positional advantage is reduced.} 26. Ra5 d4 27. cxd4 ({Alas
$2 {will not do
this capture is slightly better than the alternative continuation} 27... Nxd4
28. Be3 {.}) 28. b4 $1 {The correct plan: the exchange of the queenside pawns
expands the operational scope of the heavy pieces.} Nh4 29. f3 {Gradually
beginning to prepare g2(g3)-g4. I realised that I couldn't manage without this

advance
29... Nf5 30. Bd2 {.}) 30. Rxa6 Rxa6 31. Qxa6 Bg7 32. Qd3 $6 {Another slip.} ({
The accurate} 32. Qa8+ $1 Kh7 33. Qd5 Qa4 34. Rg1 $1 {would have disrupted the
harmony in the opponent's ranks:} -- (34... Qa7 $6 35. g4 $1 hxg4 36. fxg4 f6 (
{or} 36... d3 37. Bg5 Qf2 38. Bxh4 Qxh4 39. Qxd3) 37. Bd2 Qa3 38. Be1 Qf3+ 39.
Qxf3 Nxf3 40. Rf1 Ne5 41. h3 {
Qe8 35. Qe4 $1 Qd8 $1 ({after} 35... Qxe4 $2 36. fxe4 {the threat of Bg5 is
decisive}) 36. Rf1 $1 ({the Informator} 36. g4 {(?!)} hxg4 37. fxg4 {is weak
in view of} Qa5 $1) 36... Nf5 (36... Qf6 37. Kg1 $1) 37. g4 $1 hxg4 38. fxg4
Nd6 39. Qd5 Qe7 40. Kg1 {
exchange of queens:} Qe6 41. Qxe6 fxe6 42. Re1 e5 43. Kf2 e4 44. Bf4 e3+ 45.
Kf3 {
event
control I decided not to make any sharp advances.} 33. Bf4 Qb2 34. g3 Kh7 35.
Rd2 Qb7 36. Qe4 Qb5 37. Qd3 Qb7 38. Qe4 Qb5 39. Kg1 Qa5 40. Qd3 Ne7 {
Time-trouble was over
pieces. The position is still far from drawn
burden of negative emotions...} 41. Rd1 Nd5 42. Bd2 Qa7 43. Re1 Qd7 44. Kg2 (
44. Ra1 $5 {.}) 44... Qa7 45. Kg1 Qa2 46. Re2 Qa1+ 47. Re1 Qa4 (47... Qa2 48.
g4 $1 {.}) 48. Rc1 Nc3 49. g4 $1 {(at last!)} Qa5 50. Re1 Qc5 51. h3 (51. Re8
$5 {.}) 51... Bf6 52. f4 h4 ({After the inferior capture} 52... hxg4 $6 53.
hxg4 {White would also have acquired the h-file.}) 53. Qf3 Qb5 {Covering e8;} (
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53... Nb5 $5 {and ...Nd6.}) 54. g5 Bg7 55. Re7 $1 {Just before the second time
control
by either the players or the commentators.} Qb1+ $2 (55... Qb4 $1 {was far
more resilient:} 56. Qe4 $1 ({if} 56. Rxf7 {there is the double attack} Qb1+ {
and ...Qa2!}) 56... Qc4 57. Qe1 Qd3 $1 58. Rxf7 Ne2+ 59. Kg2 Ng3 {and the
outcome remains unclear.}) 56. Qf1 $2 {An error in reply.} ({It would appear
that White could have won with the paradoxical} 56. Kh2 $1 Qc2 57. Qg2 -- ({;
after} 57... Nb1 $6 58. Be1 d3 59. Rd7) ({
Bf2 {things are completely bad for Black}) ({
the strong} 58. Rd7 $1 Qc5 59. Qf2 {(g4)} Kg8 60. Rd8+ Bf8 61. Qe2 Qa3 ({or}
61... Nc7 62. Rc8) 62. Be1 {
material advantage. However
these nuances.})) 56... Qf5 {(having arranged his pieces well
created sufficient counterplay)} 57. Qe1 (57. Kh2 Bf8 $5 58. Re5 (58. Re8 Bd6
$1 {was no better}) 58... Qc2 $1 {.}) 57... Qxh3 58. Rxf7 Qg4+ 59. Kh2 h3 $1
60. Qf1 Ne4 61. Be1 d3 $1 62. Qxh3+ Qxh3+ 63. Kxh3 d2 {. A mind-boggling game!
--- It was a pity that I did not manage to create a 'canvas' and crush a
direct rival
the first cycle I had to play Karpov with Black (see the following game). At
that moment nearly all the contestants still retained chances of overall
victory: Anand and I had 2½ out of 4
--- Our game was preceded by two free days
be unjustifiably diverted. With the tournament in full swing he flew to Paris
for the opening of a junior tournament! From the competitive point of view
this was a suicidal step
Leningrad during the 1925 Moscow International Tournament - it will be
remembered that the Cuban gave a difficult simultaneous display in the city on
the Neva
lose to me
1/2-1/2
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.12.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Karpov
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "D43"]
[PlyCount "89"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. Qa4+ c6 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qd3 Bb7 8. a3
a6 9. e3 c5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 12. Bd2 Ke7 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. Ke2 Bd6
15. Rhd1 Rac8 16. Rac1 Nb6 17. Be1 Nc4 18. Rc2 Bxf3+ 19. gxf3 Ne5 20. h3 Nxd3
21. Rxd3 Rhd8 22. Rcd2 Bc7 23. Rc2 Bb6 24. Rxd8 Kxd8 25. Rd2+ Ke7 26. Rd1 g6
27. f4 Rc4 28. f3 Nd7 29. b3 Rc6 30. Ne4 Rc2+ 31. Rd2 Rxd2+ 32. Bxd2 Bc5 33.
Nxc5 Nxc5 34. Bb4 Kd6 35. Kd2 a5 36. Bxc5+ Kxc5 37. Kd3 f6 38. h4 Kd5 39. b4
axb4 40. axb4 h6 $2 {Time-trouble haste!} ({With the last move before the time
control Black wastes his important reserve tempo and throws away the win -}
40... e5 $1 41. -- (41. fxe5 fxe5 $1 42. Kc3 Ke6 43. Kd3 Kf5 {
41. e4+ Kd6 42. fxe5+ (42. Ke3 Ke6) ({or} 42. f5 gxf5 43. exf5 Kd5 {is no
better}) 42... fxe5 43. Ke3 Ke6 44. Kf2 (44. f4 h6 $1) 44... Kd6 45. Kg3 (45.
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Kg2 h5 $1) 45... h6 $1 {(an essential tempo!)} 46. Kh3 h5 $1 47. Kg3 g5 {
creating an outside passed pawn. I discovered this soon after the game
the following day the entire press centre was amazed by my 'blindness'.})) 41.
e4+ Kd6 {(for a win Black now lacks that very tempo)} 42. Ke3 e5 43. fxe5+ fxe5
(43... Kxe5 44. f4+ {.}) 44. Kf2 Ke6 45. Kg2 $1 ({The only move (} 45. Kg3 $2
Kf6 46. Kg4 h5+ 47. Kg3 g5 {and wins)}) ({with the idea of} 45. Kg2 Kf6 46. Kg3
g5 ({again mutual zugzwang:} 46... h5 $2 47. f4 {and White wins}) 47. h5 {with
a draw.}) (45. -- {After this we spent a long time analyzing our 164th game on
the empty stage... Of course
it was of great competitive and psychological significance. Many even
considered it to be the key game of the entire event

White and in the event of success he could have fought for first place.
Therefore our 'thoughtfulness' and our mutual mistakes can be put down to the
exceptional importance of the result. I most probably missed the winning move
40...e5 for the reason that sub-consciously I was happy with a draw: after
three games with Black
to be quite a decent result. --- Meanwhile
exchanging the queens
giving a press conference
FIDE Presidential Board meeting. Finally it was officially declared that the
new-formula world championship (on the knock-out system) would take place in
exactly a year's time
sponsor would be Kalmykia. --- From the press: 'The championship has again
been deferred - now from spring 1997 to December

Karpov and Kasparov to decide on their match
topic are avoided very simply by the professional diplomat Ilyumzhinov: "I am
the President of FIDE and I answer only for my organisation".'}) (45. -- {In
the meantime Anand had also drawn
defeated Kramnik. The leading trio was on 3 out of 5. --- The next day the
second half of the tournament began
with Karpov
the unexpected 1...e5 (cf. Game No.14
before the end
Ivanchuk and I had 3½ out of 6
need hardly be said how competitively important was my next encounter with
Vassily Ivanchuk
three years. --- Dokhoian: 'Understandably

experienced extreme pressure.'}) 1/2-1/2
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.12.17"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Ivanchuk
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B04"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]

1. e4 Nf6 {A surprise!} ({Vassily had employed} 1... e5) (1... c5) (1... c6) ({
and} 1... e6 {against me
which I was not specially prepared.}) 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 g6 ({Before
Page 109
Sheet1
this Ivanchuk had only a couple of times tried} 4... Bg4 5. Be2 {
also occurred in one of my games (Game No.8 in Part I of Garry Kasparov on
Garry Kasparov).}) ({Another line goes} 4... dxe5 5. Nxe5 g6 ({or} 5... c6 6.
Be2 Bf5 7. g4 $5 (7. O-O Nd7 8. Nf3 e6 9. c4 {is steadier}) 7... Be6 8. c4 Nb6
9. b3 f6 10. Nd3 Qxd4 11. Bb2 Qd8 12. Nc3 {with quite good compensation for
the pawn (Kasparov- Short
O-O 9. Bb3 Nd7 10. Nf3 N7f6 11. c4 Nc7 12. h3 c5 13. Nc3 cxd4 14. Nxd4 Ne6 15.
Be3 Nxd4 16. Qxd4 $1 Be6 17. Qh4 $1 Qa5 18. c5 $1 {and White seized the
initiative (Kasparov-Adams
more often played - Game No.27 in Part I of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov.})
6. O-O Bg7 7. h3 ({In general I was intending} 7. exd6 Qxd6 (7... exd6 8. Re1+)
8. h3 $1 ({not} 8. Nbd2 Bg4 {
O-O 9. Bb3 ({or} 9. Re1 {with a small but enduring advantage for White
(similar to the afore-mentioned game with Adams). However
confused state after 1...Nf6
In this version there are also arguments in favour of} 8. Qe2) ({or} 8. Re1 {.}
) 8... exd6 $5 ({Surprise 'number two' - a novelty instead of the usual
recapture} 8... Qxd6 {. Black maintains the pawn symmetry.}) 9. Re1 {After
some thought
Bxd5 cxd5 10. Nc3 Be6 11. Ne2 Nd7 12. Nf4 Nf6 {with equality.}) 9... Nc7 10.
Bg5 Bf6 11. Bh6 ({In the event of} 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 {(here the queen is well
placed)} 12. Bd3 Ne6 13. c3 Nf4 14. Nbd2 d5 {the position is roughly equal.})
11... Re8 ({If} 11... Bg7 {it is now possible to exchange bishops -} 12. Bxg7
Kxg7 {
16. Na3 {with some advantage.}) 12. Rxe8+ Nxe8 13. Bb3 {After spending quite a
lot of time
questionable plan with c2-c4 and the sacrifice of the d4-pawn.} (13. Nc3 d5 14.
Bd3 {suggested itself
$1 Nf5 (15... Bf5 $2 16. Bxd6) 16. Ne2 Qb6 $1 {White simultaneously has two
pawns en prise.} 17. -- ({. I was concerned that the following variation was
harmless for Black:} 17. Rb1 Nxd4 18. Nexd4 Bxd4 19. Nxd4 (19. Qe2 Be6) 19...
Qxd4 {.}) ({. However
$2 18. Nfxd4 Nxd4 19. Bxg6 $1 {is bad for Black}) ({while after} 17... Nxd4 $6
18. Nexd4 Bxd4 19. Bxb8 $1 Rxb8 20. Qf4 $1 Bxf2+ 21. Kf1 Ra8 22. Ng5 Bf5 23.
Qxf2 Qxb2 24. Re1 {the white knight is worth more than the black pawns}) (17...
Be6 {is more solid
plus thanks to his better development}) 18. Re1 Na6 19. Bg5 $1 {.})) 13... d5
14. c4 {(starting with this move I began playing very quickly
great impression on my opponent)} dxc4 (14... Be6 $5 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. Nc3 Nc6
16. Bb3 Nf5 17. Qd2 $1 {'A non-routine reply
into lengthy thought' (Makarychev).} Nd7 {makes things more difficult for
Black.} (17... Nxd4 18. Nxd4 Qxd4 {would have equalised more easily
example:} 19. Qxd4 ({or} 19. Qe1 Qe5 20. Nc3 Be6 $1 {
advantage after either} ({Dokhoian's move} 20... Bf5 {is inferior because of}
21. Qd2 $1 {and Re1}) 21. Qxe5 ({or} 21. Bxe6 Qxe6 22. Qxe6 fxe6 23. Ne4 Bd4
24. Rd1 e5 (24... c5 $5) 25. Nf6+ Kf7 26. Nxh7 Nd7 {
Na6 23. Bxe6 fxe6 24. Ne4 b6) 19... Bxd4 20. Nc3 Be6 21. Re1 Na6 22. Bxe6 fxe6
23. Rxe6 Rd8 $1 ({more accurate than Makarychev's variation} 23... Kf7 24. Rd6
{.})) ({But not} 17... Bxd4 $2 18. Bg5 Qd6 19. Bf4 $1 Qf6 20. Nc3 {and wins.})
18. Nc3 (18. Bf4 Nf8 $1 {.}) 18... Nxh6 19. Qxh6 Nf8 20. Rd1 $1 {The position
that has arisen is of the same type as in a line of the Queen's Gambit
known to me from games with Karpov (Game No.75 in Kasparov vs. Karpov
1975-1985; Game No.22 in Kasparov vs. Karpov 1986-87) and Short (Game No.25 in
Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov). White has conceded the advantage
of the two bishops
Page 110
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the potential threat of the d4-d5 breakthrough.} Be6 {The most logical.} ({My
Informator suggestion} 20... Qa5 {(?) is incorrect because of} 21. Qf4 $1 Qf5
22. Qe3 $1 Be6 23. d5 Bxd5 (23... cxd5 $2 24. g4) 24. Nxd5 cxd5 25. Rxd5 {
when White has a dangerous initiative.}) 21. d5 {Continuing the series of
instant moves (virtually the longest in my 'classical' career). After this
thrust Vassily became nervous: he thought that by ...Be6 Black had neutralised
the pressure
Having a decent advantage on the clock (30-40 minutes)
thinking for long periods and soon he was in desperate time-trouble.} cxd5 22.
Nxd5 Rc8 {For the second time in the game Black does not capture a pawn
makes a 'simple' developing move.} (22... Bxb2 $5 {was more resolute:} 23. Qf4
Rc8 24. Qb4 ({my Informator} 24. Ne5 {(?!) is weaker in view of} Bxe5 $1 25.
Qxe5 Bxd5 26. Bxd5 Ne6) 24... Bf6 25. Qxb7 Bxd5 26. Bxd5 Qc7) ({or immediately
} 22... Bxd5 $5 23. Rxd5 Qe7 {in each case with equality.}) 23. Qe3 b6 (23...
Bxb2 $2 24. Qxa7 {was now unfavourable for Black}) ({but to fight for a draw
he could have gone into a slightly inferior endgame by} 23... Bxd5 24. Bxd5 Qb6
25. Qxb6 axb6 26. b3 Rc7 {.}) 24. Ne5 $1 {A strong move
unpleasant domination of the white knights.} Rc5 {Ivanchuk now had only five
minutes left on his clock.} ({According to Makarychev
consideration
Qf3+ Kg8 29. Qg4 Re8 30. Re1 {and Rxe6 White is a pawn up and Black's only
hope is the opposite-coloured bishops.}) ({Exchanges would have been more
radical -} 24... Bxe5 25. Qxe5 Bxd5 26. Rxd5 (26. Bxd5 Qe8 $1) 26... Rc1+ 27.
Kh2 Qc7 28. f4 Qxe5 29. Rxe5 Rc7 {with an acceptable endgame
bishop is far more active than the knight. But my opponent assumed that for
the moment there was no need for this.}) 25. Ng4 $1 {(creating new problems
for Black)} Bxg4 {It is time to eliminate one of the knights

alternative was} 25... Bxd5 26. Bxd5 Qe7 {.}) ({But} 25... Bxb2 $2 {would have
been strongly answered by both} 26. Ndf6+ ({and} 26. Nf4 $1 Qe7 27. Nd3 {
winning the exchange for a pawn}) 26... Bxf6 27. Rxd8 Bxd8 28. Qd4 $1 {
(Makarychev).}) 26. hxg4 Kg7 27. f4 $1 {Building up the pressure. 'White is
planning to squeeze the black pieces - in particular the knight on f8 and the
bishop on f6' (Dokhoian).} h6 (27... Bxb2 $2 28. Qf2 $1 {driving the black
bishop off the long diagonal.}) 28. f5 g5 $6 ({On this occasion} 28... Bxb2 $2
{is bad because of} 29. f6+ $1 Bxf6 (29... Kh7 30. Qe7 $1) 30. Nxf6 Qxf6 31.
Rf1 {and wins.}) ({But the move in the game is also unsuccessful. Real chances
of a successful defence were offered by} 28... gxf5 $1 {
({or} 29. gxf5 Bxb2 30. Qe2 Bf6 31. Nf4 Qe7 32. Qg4+ Kh7 33. Nd5 Qe5 34. Qh5
Kg7 $1 35. Nxb6 Rc7 36. Nd5 Rd7 {with equality}) 29... Qe7 $1 30. Nh5+ Kg8 31.
Qxh6 Bxb2 32. g5 Rc1 $1 {. However

time-trouble
The insipid} 29. Kh1 $6 {would also have given Black an important tempo to
consolidate with the unexpected move} Rc8 $1 {(and if} 30. Qe2 {
Qa6 Qb8 {
{with the threat of Nf4: after} Kg8 ({or} 29... Qb8 30. Nxf6 Kxf6 31. Bd5 {
White has an obvious advantage}) ({therefore perhaps the best chance would
have been a queen sacrifice -} 29... Rc8 30. Nf4 Qxd1+ $1 31. Bxd1 gxf4 32.
Qxf4 Nd7 {with the desperate hope of constructing a fortress}) 30. Qa4 $1 {.
But to find this in extreme time-trouble would have been practically unreal!
This is also confirmed by the opponent's reaction to my somewhat mysterious
move.}) 29... Nh7 $2 {'The culminating moment. After passing through numerous
mined squares unharmed Ivanchuk
pressure and commits an irreparable mistake' (Dokhoian). Possibly this

occurred precisely due to the lightning speed of my moves.} (29... Qd6 $2 30.
Qe8 {was also bad}) ({but} 29... a5 {would have enabled Black to hold on
if} 30. a4 {(fixing the weakness of the b6-pawn)
Page 111
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then} Rc8 $1 {.}) ({Or the immediate} 29... Rc8 $1 {
with the intention of ...Qd6 and ...Nd7(h7). Then} 30. Qa6 {is parried by} Bxb2
31. Qxa7 -- ({
Kg8 34. Ne7+ Kh7 (34... Kh8 $2 35. Ng6+ $1) 35. Nf5 $1 ({Dokhoian and I looked
only at the variation} 35. Bc2+ Kh8) ({or} 35. Ng6 Qd4+ 36. Kh1 Qxf6 37. Nxf8+
Kg8 {
obvious advantage for White.}) ({
Rc1 $1 ({not even thinking about} 32... gxf4 33. Qxd7) 33. Rxc1 Bxc1 34. Ne6+
fxe6 35. fxe6 Be3+ 36. Kh1 Bf4 ({of course
wins}) 37. Qxd7+ ({or} 37. exd7 Bc7) 37... Qxd7 38. exd7 Bc7 {with a drawn
opposite-coloured bishop ending.})) 30. Nxf6 Qxf6 31. Rd7 Re5 {(there is
nothing else)} 32. Rxf7+ $1 Qxf7 33. Qxe5+ Qf6 34. Qc7+ Kh8 35. Kh1 {An
entirely human move: because of the mate threat Black cannot reply 35...Qxb2.}
({The machine move} 35. Bf7 $1 {was also decisive}) ({only not the greedy} 35.
Qxa7 $2 {
a5 (35... Qf8 36. Qxa7) ({and} 35... Qg7 36. Qb8+ ({or} 36. Bf7 $1 {are also
hopeless for Black.})) 36. Be6 ({Here a good dozen moves would have won. Black
lost on time
followed} 37. Qxb6 {
a dangerous rival: after this Ivanchuk was as though substituted and he scored
only one more half-point. In this blood-thirsty round there were no draws:
Anand crushed Karpov in spectacular style
Topalov. A decisive separation of the leading group occurred: Kasparov - 4½
out of 7; Anand - 4; Ivanchuk - 3½; Topalov
Then
'sounded the retreat' in the Lasker Defence to the Queen's Gambit
end I saved the game literally by a miracle. My 'white' duel with Karpov in
the ninth round also took a very difficult
Roshal: 'An interesting intrigue developed around virtually the main game of
the entire tournament. The sceptics asserted: Kasparov will not risk his sole
leadership
of damaging the prestige of the future match between them. The meticulous
Kasparov appeared in his full regalia
imposing and even complacent... The game proved unforgettable

finish
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.12.20"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Karpov
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E32"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 7. Bg5 Bb7 8.
e3 d6 9. f3 Nbd7 10. Nh3 c5 11. dxc5 bxc5 12. Be2 Qb6 13. O-O d5 14. Rad1 Bc6
15. Nf2 h6 16. Bh4 Ba4 17. Rd2 Bb3 18. Ng4 Nxg4 19. fxg4 Rab8 20. g5 hxg5 21.
Bxg5 Rb7 22. Be7 Re8 23. Bh4 Nf8 24. Bg3 Rd8 25. Bh4 Rdd7 26. cxd5 Rxd5 27. e4
Rxd2 28. Qxd2 Ba4 29. Bh5 Be8 30. Bf2 Qb5 31. Qd8 Bc6 32. Bg3 Rd7 $4 {This
instinctive defence against Bd6 is a fatal mistake in a good position. 'Black
Page 112
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is the first to crack under the enormous tension' (Dokhoian).} ({Karpov had
only one minute left and he no longer had time to look for a different
defence:} 32... Bxe4 33. Bd6 Qxb2) ({or} 32... c4 $5 33. Bd6 Qxh5) ({or best
of all -} 32... Qxb2 $1 33. Bf3 (33. Bd6 $2 {does not work because of} Qd4+ 34.
Kh1 Qxe4 35. Qxf8+ Kh7 36. Bf3 Qd3) 33... e5 {
sufficient compensation for the pawn:} 34. Qc8 Qd4+ 35. Bf2 Qd7 36. Qxd7 Nxd7 {
itself in mortal danger.} Qxf1+ ({There is nothing else:} 33... g6 34. Bd6 $1 {
.}) 34. Kxf1 Rd1+ 35. Bxd1 Bxe8 36. Bf2 (36. Bd6 $1 {was more accurate.}) 36...
Bb5+ $2 (36... Nd7 $1 {was necessary
but} 37. Ke2 {is also good - it is unlikely that Black would be able to resist
the combined onslaught of the king and the mobile bishops.})) 37. Be2 $1 {Now
Black's queenside pawns cannot be defended. 'Remembering the missed win (also
in a time scramble) in the game from the first cycle
does not let his advantage slip.' (Dokhoian).} Bxe2+ 38. Kxe2 Nd7 39. Kd3 {
(the king heads for the booty)} a6 40. Bg1 $1 ({But not immediately} 40. Kc4
Ne5+ {
40... f5 41. exf5 exf5 42. Kc4 Ne5+ 43. Kxc5 Nd3+ 44. Kb6 ({After} 44. Kb6 Nxb2
45. Kxa6 {the game is decided by the a-pawn.}) (44. Kb6 {Roshal: 'The nine
culminating moves in this game literally shook the chess world
supporters of the two contestants. Right to the end of the tournament in the
press centre
It is simply pointless to talk here about good or bad luck: Karpov was indeed
in poor form.' --- Makarychev: 'Yes
did at 25 is practically impossible.' --- A round before the finish I had
moved a point ahead of Anand and was assured
first place. And on the last day I had Black against Vishy and I quite
confidently gained a draw in a sharp branch of the Scheveningen (cf. Game No.
37
first place
not to score a single win. As a result the Kasparov-Karpov match was sharply
devalued: the sponsors were unwilling to invest several million dollars on the
clash between the winner of the tournament and an outsider. --- This veritable
supreme court led to a realignment at the top of world chess and drew the line
under the 'two Ks' era. The era of my confrontation with the young began.}) 1-0
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "2: Second Peak"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{Battle for Prestige: International Tournament in Linares (3-16 February 1997):
1. Kasparov - 8½ out of 11; 2. Kramnik - 7½; 3-4. Adams and Topalov - 6½;
5. J.Polgar - 6; 6. Anand - 5½; 7-8. Ivanchuk and Gelfand - 5; 9. Nikolic -
4½; 10. Dreev - 4; 11-12. Shirov and Piket - 3½.} 1. -- {Despite the
dramatic outcome in Las Palmas
sixth Kasparov-Karpov match. --- 'After Karpov's failure the number of those
wishing to stage our match has diminished: perhaps this will also affect the
prize fund'
possible way of contesting the champion's title
Page 113
Sheet1
more lawful challenger than Karpov. He has to his credit successes which today
no one can match: from Linares 1994 to the match with Kamsky. I hope that our
match will take place in the autumn of 1997 and that by the end of February
after the super-tournament in Linares
final conditions.' --- But the attitude of potential sponsors to this match
was also influenced by the next 'chess Wimbledon'
year's break (in honour of this a super-prize for the winner was even wheeled
into the hall of the Anibal Hotel - a Sukuzi jeep).} (1. -- {All the Las
Palmas contestants arrived in Linares
numerous invitations
to the FIDE champion
interesting for me to see how you intend to sell your match with Kasparov for
400 million pesetas. After all
in Linares. The fact that you are not playing in Linares is bound to have
consequences: thus Cadilso Insular (the government of the Canary Islands - G.K.
) will not sponsor you.' --- For Vishy Anand and me the start in Linares was a
continuation of the finish in Las Palmas: we again played with the same
colours - and again it was a tense duel in a Scheveningen!}) *
[Site "?"]
[Date "1997.02.04"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B85"]

[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 ({In Dos Hermanas
1996 Vishy chose against me} 6. Be3 e6 7. g4 h6 8. f4 e5 9. Nf5 {and after} Nc6
Shirov-Kasparov
g6 11. O-O-O gxf5 12. exf5 {with very sharp play.}) 6... e6 (6... e5 {- Game
No.26.}) 7. O-O Be7 8. a4 Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. f4 Qc7 11. Kh1 Re8 12. Bf3 {The
main line of my matches with Karpov (1984/85 and 1985).} ({In my match with
Anand (1995)
then} Rb8 {is acceptable (Game No.62 in Kasparov vs. Karpov 1975-1985)
12... Bd7 13. Nb3 b6 14. Bf3 Rab8 15. Qe2 {(Tseshkovsky-Kasparov
Bc8 $5 {.})) 12... Rb8 ({The immediate} 12... Na5 $6 {is rather premature in
view of} 13. g4 $1 {(Anand-Topalov
also good after 12...Rb8
12... Bf8 13. Qd2 (13. g4 $5) 13... Na5 14. Qf2 ({but} 14. b3 $1 {is better
(Almasi-Portisch
15. Bc1 e5 16. Nde2 d5 $1 17. fxe5 Nxe5 18. Bf4 dxe4 {with sharp play
(Sutovsky-Kasparov
14. Nxa5 Qxa5 15. Qd3 Rad8 {is more tedious
New York 1995}) 14. g4 Bc8 15. g5 Nd7 16. Bg2 Bb7 17. Qh5 ({but} 17. Rf3 $1 {
is more promising}) 17... Nb4 18. Rf2 g6 19. Qh3 Bf8 20. Raf1 Bg7 $1 {with
equality (Anand-Kasparov
1996 Anand played} 13. g4 $5 -- ({

dxe5 16. Ba7 Ra8 17. g5 Rd8 18. Qe2 Ne8 19. Be3 Be6 20. Qf2 (20. Nd5 $5) 20...
Page 114
Sheet1
Rdc8 $1 ({against Topalov at the 1996 Olympiad I replied} 20... Qc4 {
this is worse because of} 21. Nd5 $1 Bxd5 22. b3 Qc3 23. exd5 {with a clear
advantage}) 21. Rad1 Bc5 {with} 22. Nd5 $1 ({instead of} 22. Bxc5 Qxc5 {with
equality
could have retained some advantage.}) ({. Today more topical lines are} 13...
Bf8) ({
{(Svidler-Kasparov
) 14... Bf8 {.})) 13... Na5 {This comparatively fresh continuation with the
threat of ...Nc4 is an attempt to exploit the queen move to d2.} ({If} 13...
Bd7 {I was not afraid of the well-known} 14. Nb3 ({nor of} 14. Rad1 Na5 $5 15.
b3 Rec8 16. Nde2 Be8 17. Ba7 Ra8 18. Bd4 Nc6 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Qxd6 {
(Kamsky-Kasparov
rather of the modest variation with} 14. Qf2 {(Game No.54 in Kasparov vs.
Karpov 1975-1985)
(Game No.7 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov).}) 14. Qf2 ({If} 14.
b3 {
intended} 14... Nc6 {is questionable on account of} 15. a5 $1 (15. e5 $5) 15...
Nxa5 (15... Bd7 16. Nde2 $1 {
17. fxe5 Bb4 $1 18. Nde2 Nd7 19. Nb5 $1 {
Nde2 exf4 ({This move is better than its reputation and
problems after} 16... Bd7 17. b3 Na5 18. Bb2 {(Huzman-Novikov
({or} 16... d5 {(here this is weaker than in the aforementioned game with
Sutovsky)} 17. fxe5 (17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. exd5 Bc5 19. Qg3 e4 20. Bh5 {is also
good
Be6 18. b3 {Only this is a novelty. 'Without trying to be too clever
completes his development. The drawback to this move consists in the resulting
insecurity of the knight on c3 and the general weakening of the queenside'
(Dokhoian).} ({Previously} 18. Be2 {was played
usual} Ne5 ({I was planning the original reply} 18... Bd8 $5 {- the bishop
operates on both wings
Bb2 Rbc8 20. Rac1 $1 {A quick and logical move in Anand's style: White defends
the c2-pawn
activation with gain of tempo
for White.} (20... Ng6 21. Nce2 Nd7 {with the idea of ...Bf6 also deserved
consideration.}) 21. Qg3 g6 {A typical move with the idea of ...Bf8-g7
Black does not succeed in playing this and he is left with his king's defences
weakened.} ({In Informator I condemned} 21... Qb4 {(!?)} 22. Nce2 Nxe4 {(?!)
because of} ({things are also not so clear after} 22... Bd7 23. Nd4 Bf8 24. Nf5
Kh8 25. Qh4 Qa5) 23. Bxe4 Qxe4 24. Nd4 {
26. Ndxe6 fxe6 27. Nxe6 Bh4 $1 28. Qxh4 Rxe6 {White's advantage is
insignificant.}) ({Things are also not so clear after the immediate} 21... Qa5
$5) ({or} 21... Bf8 $5 {.}) 22. Nce2 {The correct plan
given by} 22. Nxe6 fxe6 23. Qh3 Bd8 {(f8).}) ({But now Black is slightly
discomforted: Nxe6 is threatened
which was standing like a granite rock in the path of the b2-bishop.} 23. gxf3
({Necessary: after} 23. Qxf3 $6 Bg4 24. Qd3 Nxe4 $1 25. Ng3 (25. Qxe4 $2 Bf6 $1
) 25... d5 26. Nxd5 Nxg3+ 27. hxg3 Be2 $1 28. Qxe2 Qxd5 {it is White who has
to think of how to equalise. --- 'Black has managed to block the f-file
White has acquired another trump - play on the g-file. It is also important
that now the e4-pawn is securely defended.' (Dokhoian).}) 23... b5 {Preventing
c2-c4
by me in Informator)} 25. Nf4 $1 Qh6 (25... Qg5 26. c4) 26. Nxe6 fxe6 27. f4 {
White has slight but enduring pressure.}) 24. axb5 axb5 25. Bd4 {Driving the
queen off the fifth rank.} ({There was little to be gained by} 25. Nd4 Nh5 (
25... Bd7 $5)) ({or} 25. c4 Nh5 $1 26. Nxh5 Qxh5 27. Nf4 Qg5 {with drawing
Page 115
Sheet1
simplification.}) 25... Qc6 ({Dynamic equality would have been maintained by
interposing} 25... Nh5 $1 {
fxe6 29. Be3 Qg7 ({or even} 29... Qf8 30. Nd4 b4 31. Nxe6 Bh4 $1) 30. Nd4 Qe5 {
. But I was attracted by a tactical idea - the sacrifice of my knight on e4.})
26. Qg2 ({Anand is alert to the idea: if} 26. Nxe6 fxe6 27. Nf4 {
$1 28. Qg4 (28. fxe4 Qxe4+ 29. Rf3 Rf8 $1 {etc}) 28... Ng5 $1 29. Nxe6 Qd7 {
with equality.}) ({And yet} 26. Rfe1 $5 {with the idea of h2-h4-h5 was more
active}) ({or the immediate} 26. h4 $1 {
Qg2 $1 (28. Kg1 Rxc2 $1) 28... Bf5 29. Ng3 Qxg2+ 30. Kxg2 Rxc2+ ({not the
Informator} 30... Bxc2 {(?) because of} 31. Nd5 $1 Bxh4 32. Bf6 $1) 31. Kf3
Rxc1 32. Rxc1 Be6 $1 33. Nxe6 fxe6 34. h5 {with the threat of Rc7-b7xb5
White is left with too few pawns and Black retains real chances of a draw.})
26... b4 $2 {An oversight.} (26... Bd7 $2 27. h4 $1 Bd8 28. c3 {and h4-h5}) ({
or} 26... Nd7 $6 27. Ba1 $1 {and Nd4 was also insufficient.}) ({The correct
solution was} 26... Bd8 {
and ...Nf8 with a more or less solid defence.}) 27. Ng3 $2 {With more time for
thought than me
player acts!) and completely kills his attack on the kingside.} (27. Nxe6 fxe6
28. Nf4 {was far more energetic} -- ({
} ({but also his b4-pawn (and after} 29... Kg8 30. Nxb4 Qb7 31. Nd3 e5 32. Bb2
{he has no real compensation for it)}) 30. Ra1 {not only are Black's king's
defences weak.}) ({. Both Anand and I thought that the best reply was} 28... e5
{(?)} 29. Nxg6 hxg6 30. Qxg6+ Kh8 (30... Kf8 $2 31. Rg1 $1) 31. Rg1 Rg8 32.
Qh6+ Nh7 {
33... Rxg8 $2 34. Bxe5+) 34. Rg1+ Bg5 35. Be3 Qc3 36. Qh3 $1 {(the only way!)}
Rf8 ({or} 36... Qxe3 37. Qxc8+ Kf7 (37... Kg7 38. Qg4 {and h2-h4}) 38. Qf5+ Ke8
39. Qg6+ $1 {
we both thought that} 27. h4 {had lost its strength because of} Qb5 {
noticing} 28. c4 $1 bxc3 {(otherwise h4-h5)} 29. Nxc3 {. In view of the threat
of h4-h5 Black would have had to give up the exchange for a pawn -} Rxc3 30.
Bxc3 Nh5 31. Nxe6 fxe6 32. Qg4 Qxb3 {and engage in a depressing fight for a
draw.}) 27... Qb5 28. Nxe6 fxe6 29. f4 e5 $1 30. Bb2 (30. Be3 {was more
accurate
simultaneously defending and attacking.' (Dokhoian).} 31. f5 $2 {Anand played
this quite quickly (possibly under the influence of 30...Rc5)
serious positional mistake.} ({All the commentators
recommended} 31. Nf5 Qc6 ({but after} 31... Bf8 $5 32. fxe5 dxe5 33. Rcd1 Qc6
34. Nd6 Rd8 35. Rxf6 Rxd6 {Black's chances are nevertheless slightly better})
32. Nh6+ Kg7 33. Nf5+ {with a probable draw.}) 31... g5 $1 {This is the point!
'The strongest and most unexpected move in the game' (Makarychev). 'After
shutting all his active pieces out of the game
typical Sicilian weaknesses (the pawns on c2 and e4). Strategically the game
is decided: White has no way of opposing the inexorable strengthening of
Black's attack' (Dokhoian). --- At this point we each had about 10 minutes
left. Glancing at my opponent
to Anand! And since the time of our match I knew that after a sharp change of
scene he would no longer be able to play at full strength...} 32. Rce1 $6 {
Very submissive.} ({If} 32. Qd2 {
of} ({but simply} 32... h6) ({or even} 32... Qc6 $5 33. Qxg5+ Kf7) 33. Qh6 {.})
({The best chance was} 32. h4 $1 {with the idea of} g4 (32... h6 $5 {
maintaining the tension
Qxg4 (35. Rfd1 Qc6 $1) 35... Rxc2 {(in Informator I assessed this in favour of
Black)} 36. Rg1 $1 Qd3 37. Rxc2 Qxc2 38. Bc1 Qxb3 39. Bg5 {
counterplay. But in this case White could still have held on
position goes rapidly downhill.}) 32... Qc6 33. Re2 Kf7 $1 34. Bc1 Rg8 (34...
h6 {followed by ...Rc8 was also good
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counter-offensive on the kingside.}) 35. Be3 ({White's position is also very
difficult after} 35. Rfe1 h5 36. Nf1 g4 {
$1 {.}) 36... Rxc2 37. Bxb4 Rxe2 38. Qxe2 h5 $1 {'The decisive resource. Now
the bulwark of White's position - the e4-pawn - inevitably falls
his entire set-up collapses.' (Dokhoian)} 39. Nxh5 $2 {Time-trouble confusion
- the capture of the pawn loses instantly!} (39. Re1 g4 40. Bd2 {
essential
Qxc4 41. bxc4 Rc8 {and wins}) 40... h4 41. Nf1 Ra8 {with the threat of ...Ra2
Black has an overwhelming advantage.}) 39... Nxe4 40. Qf3 (40. Qg2 Rh8 $1 {.})
40... g4 41. Qg2 Rh8 $1 ({A knock-out:} 41... Rh8 42. Ng3 (42. f6 Bd8 {
42... Nxg3+ {. 'A brilliant finish
victory in the tournament!' (Makarychev).}) (41... -- {This loss sapped

Anand's energy
for me
a halt - I made three draws. In the second round
escaped with difficulty against Dreev
Gelfand
employed a novelty with a pawn sacrifice (cf. Game No.77 in Part II of Garry
Kasparov on Garry Kasparov
[Site "?"]
[Date "1997.02.09"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Nikolic
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C45"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
{By the free day after four rounds I had just 'plus one' and was half a point
behind the leaders - Kramnik
I urgently needed to break the sequence. The basis of my winning run was laid
by the game with Predrag Nikolic.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 {(to cheer myself
up
14.}) 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. c4 Ba6 ({The alternative is} 8...
Nb6 {(Game No.61).}) 9. b3 ({In my game against I.Sokolov (Yerevan Olympiad
1996) I tried} 9. g3 g6 10. b3 Bg7 11. Bb2 O-O 12. Bg2 Rfe8 $6 ({but} 12...
Rae8 {is more accurate:} 13. O-O Bxe5 14. Qxe5 Qxe5 15. Bxe5 Rxe5 16. cxd5 Bxf1
17. Kxf1 cxd5 18. Nc3 ({now if} 18. f4 Re3 19. Bxd5 {Black equalises with} Rd3
$1 20. Bf3 Re8) 18... c6 {with an unclear and non-standard ending
(Rublevsky-Nikolic
Bxe5 14. Qxe5 Qxe5 15. Bxe5 Rxe5 16. cxd5 Bxf1 17. Kxf1 cxd5 {there is} 18. f4
$1 Re3 19. Bxd5 {(with gain of tempo!)} Rae8 20. Nd2 {
Ubilava's aggressive move
game
Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov)}) ({or} 9... g6 {(Game No.65) was mainly
played.}) 10. g3 $5 (10. h4 $5 {(Palac-Giorgadze
problematic}) ({whereas my New York} 10. Ba3 d6 11. exd6 Qxe2+ 12. Bxe2 Bg7 $1
13. cxd5 Bxe2 14. Kxe2 Bxa1 15. Rc1 O-O-O $1 16. Rxc6 {gave White only
compensation for the exchange and not an advantage.}) 10... Bg7 11. Bb2 O-O $6
({After ...g7-g5 it is more logical to play} 11... O-O-O $1 {
Page 117
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12. Nd2 Nb4 13. Nf3 Rhe8 14. a3 g4 15. Nh4 Bxe5 16. O-O-O Na2+ 17. Kc2 Qf6 18.
Bxe5 Rxe5 19. Qd2 Rde8 {with sufficient counterplay (Rublevsky-Karjakin
Poikovsky 2010).}) 12. Nd2 {Natural development with the idea of 0-0-0 and
h2-h4 or f2-f4.} ({It is weaker to play} 12. Bg2 $6 Rae8 13. O-O Bxe5) ({but
the immediate} 12. h4 Rae8 13. Kd1 $1 {
interesting.}) 12... f6 (12... Rae8 $6 13. O-O-O $1 {is now not good for Black.
}) (12... Nb4 $5 {is more critical} 13. -- ({
Kb1 Nb4 15. h4 {to be in White's favour

and the immediate} 15... Bc8 $1 {is even better
or} 16. Ne4 g4 {with equality}) 16... d5) 16. exd6 (16. hxg5 $6 Bc8 $1) 16...
Qxe2 17. Bxe2 cxd6 18. hxg5 Bc8 {both sides have chances.}) ({. However
instead of queenside castling
15. O-O {is stronger. It is hard to say how much weaker 12...f6 is than this
move
{Played in accordance with our analysis.} ({White has only a small plus in the
endgame after} 13. exf6 Qxe2+ $1 ({not the Informator} 13... Bxf6 14. Qxe7 Nxe7
15. Bxf6 Rxf6 {because of} 16. Ne4 $1 Re6 17. f3) 14. Bxe2 Bxf6 15. Bxf6 Nxf6
16. O-O Rae8 {.}) ({But} 13. O-O-O $5 fxe5 14. Qh5 ({or} 14. h4 {deserved
consideration.})) 13... Nb4 14. h4 $1 {The crux of White's plan. At this we
concluded our analysis
attack.} ({Whereas in the event of the timid} 14. Kd1 $2 {Black would have
seized the initiative:} fxe5 $1 15. a3 e4 16. axb4 Bxb2 17. Rxa6 Rxf2 18. Be2
e3 19. Ra2 (19. Rf1 $2 Rxf1+ 20. Nxf1 Qe4 $1 {and wins}) 19... exd2 20. Rxb2 a5
$1 {
sense to offer the exchange of queens -} 14... Qe8 $5 {.} 15. -- ({. After} 15.
Qxe8 Raxe8 16. O-O-O Nxa2+ 17. Kb1 Nb4 18. Ne4 fxe5 19. Rxd7 $1 ({if} 19. Bc3 {
with equality})) 19... Bc8 20. Rxc7 Bf5 21. Bg2 gxh4 (21... Nd3 $2 22. Ba3) 22.
Rxh4 Rd8 {Black would have equalised.}) ({. And yet} 15. hxg5 $1 Qxh5 16. Rxh5
fxe5 17. Ke2 {with the intention of Bh3 would have left White with the better
prospects:} Nc2 ({or} 17... e4 18. Bxg7 Kxg7 19. Bh3 ({my earlier} 19. Bg2 d5
20. Rah1 {is also good}) 19... d5 20. Rh6) 18. Rc1 Nd4+ 19. Bxd4 exd4 20. Re1
$1 {.})) 15. Kd1 $1 {An unexpected reply
the knight;} ({now} 15. Kd1 fxe5 $2 16. a3 e4 {no longer works because of} 17.
Qxg4 Nd3 18. Bxd3 exd3 19. Re1 Qf7 20. Rc1 {and Qxg7+
the game.}) 15... c5 ({Or} 15... Bb7 16. a3 c5 $1) 16. a3 Nc6 $2 {Nikolic
cracks under the pressure.} ({Interposing} 16... Bb7 $1 {was far more
resilient
f5 $2 19. Bxf5 {
position which could have occurred in the game
and} 19. Qg6 {is now weak}) 19... Bxf6 20. Qxg4+ Kh8 21. Re1 Qf7 22. Bxf6+ Qxf6
23. Rb1 Ne5 24. Qe2 Nxd3 25. Qxd3 Qxf2 26. Kc2 Rae8 {with a slightly inferior
but perfectly acceptable game}) (17. axb4 $5 Bxh1 18. Bd3 {- this exchange
sacrifice was suggested by many commentators
the threat of f2-f3;} ({the Informator} 19. Qg6 fxe5 {
weaker}) 19... Bb7 20. exf6 Rxf6 21. Bxf6 Qxf6 22. Ra5 cxb4 {a lengthy battle
lies ahead
f5 $2 ({The resistance would have been prolonged by} 17... h6 18. Qg6 $1 {
(this is the whole point: in parrying the threat of Qh7+ and exf6
his bishop on a6!)} Nxe5 19. Bxe5 (19. Qh7+ Kf7 20. Re1 d6 21. Bg6+ Nxg6 22.
Rxe7+ Nxe7 {is unclear}) 19... fxe5 20. Qxa6 e4 $1 21. Bxe4 $1 Bxa1 22. Bxa8
Rxa8 23. Re1 {
} 23... Qf6 24. Qb7 Rf8 25. Qxc7 Qxf2 26. Qd6) 24. Qxd6 cxd6 25. Re4 h5 26. Re7
{and Ne4.}) 18. Bxf5 Bxe5 19. Re1 d6 20. Be4 $1 ({The decisive stroke:} 20. Be4
Bxb2 $2 21. Bd5+ {.}) 20... Bb7 ({Also bad is} 20... Qg7 21. Bxc6 Bxb2 22. Ra2
Rab8 23. Rxb2 Qxb2 24. Bd5+ $1 Kh8 25. Re7 {
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27. Kc3 Qa1+ 28. Kd3 Qd4+ 29. Kc2 {the checks come to an end.}) 21. Qxg4+ ({
Here there is already more than one way to the goal - say
} 21. Bd5+ Kh8 22. f4 {. But I simply captured a pawn and transposed into a
won ending.}) 21... Qg7 ({If} 21... Kh8 {
23. f4 {.}) 22. Bd5+ Kh8 23. Bxe5 dxe5 24. Qxg7+ Kxg7 25. Ne4 Rad8 26. Nxc5 Bc8
27. Ra2 $1 {. The final touch
Polgar defeated Dreev and became the sole leader - 4 out of 5. Kramnik
and I remained half a step behind.} 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "1997.02.10"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Topalov
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D35"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
{The next day I had Black against an aggressively inclined Veselin Topalov.} 1.
c4 ({Earlier Topalov played only} 1. e4 {against me}) ({but in Las Palmas 1996
he suddenly went} 1. d4 {
also decided to surprise my opponent with a rare (for me) reply.}) 1... e6 2.
Nc3 d5 3. d4 Be7 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 Nf6 6. e3 (6. Qc2 O-O 7. e3 c5 $1 {- Game
No.72 in Kasparov vs. Karpov 1975-1985.}) 6... Bf5 $5 {Ubilava's gambit
variation
Karpov (1987).} ({Before that attention was focused on} 6... O-O 7. Nf3 {(Game
No.74 in Kasparov vs. Karpov 1975-1985)} ({or} 7. Bd3 {(Game No.14 in Part II
of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov).})) 7. Qb3 {Topalov accepts the challenge.
} ({The insipid} 7. Nge2 O-O {would have been a psychological concession on
White's part (Game No.39 in Kasparov vs. Karpov 1986-87).}) 7... Nc6 {As I
played this I feverishly tried to remember the variations with the sacrifice
of the b7-pawn.} 8. g4 $5 {'This position was thoroughly studied during the
Karpov-Kasparov match (1985)
(Ubilava). Through surprise I fell into a slight stupor: 'Is it really
possible to play this?' I wondered. It turns out that it is!} ({If} 8. Qxb7 {
advantage for White after either} 9. Rc1 ({or} 9. Bb5+ Kf8 10. Kd2 a6 {
Salov-Timoshchenko
}) ({Probably the most solid is} 8. a3 Na5 {(Gavrikov-Ubilava
9. Qa2 $5 {(an old idea of Timoshchenko

Nice 2000). However
9. h3 {is worse (Morozevich-Onischuk
Bxg4 {(which I rejected intuitively
remain on f5)} 9. Qxb7 -- ({
Bd7 10. Bxc7 {(Fridman-Azarov
$1 {
2008)} 11. a3 $1 Rb8 12. Qxa7 Nc2+ 13. Rxc2 Ra8 (13... Bxc2 14. Bxc7) 14. Bb5+
Kf8 15. Qxc7 Bxc2 16. Nge2 {with excellent compensation for the exchange}) (
10... Rb8 11. Qxc7 Qxc7 12. Bxc7 Rb7 13. Be5 Ne4 14. f3 Bh4+ 15. Bg3 Nxg3 16.
hxg3 Bxg3+ 17. Kd2 Bf5 18. Bb5+ Kd8 (18... Ke7 $6 19. a3 $1) 19. Nge2 Bd6 20.
a3 Na2 21. Rcg1 {
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better after} 9. a3 $2 {(Aleksandrov-Azmaiparashvili
10. Bg3 O-O ({or} 10... Bxg3 11. hxg3 Ne7)) ({while} 9. Qxb7 {is harmless in
view of} Nb4 10. Bb5+ Kf8 11. Bxc7 Qc8 12. Bc6 Nxc6 13. Qxc6 Rb8 14. Nxd5 Rxb2
15. Nxe7 Nxf2 $1 {and ...Nd3+.}) ({But} 9. Qxd5 $1 {is stronger
-- (9... Qxd5 10. Nxd5 Bb4+ ({or} 10... O-O-O 11. Nxe7+ Nxe7 12. Rc1 Nd5 13.
Bg3 {
(Wojtaszek-Onischuk
better endgame}) (9... Qc8 {(recommended by me after the game)} 10. Qg2 O-O (
10... Nf6 $5) 11. e4 (11. O-O-O $5 {
11... Bxe4 $5 12. Nxe4 Bb4+ 13. Nc3 $1 Qf5 14. Be2 Rfe8 $2 ({but} 14... h5 $1
15. Qg3 Nxd4 {is correct
complications}) 15. Kf1 $1 {
(blindfold) 2011). At any event

it leads to very complicated play.})) 9... O-O $1 {Playing for a lead in
development.} ({Perhaps Topalov was expecting} 9... Be4 10. Nxc7+ Kf8 11. Be2 (
{or} 11. f3 Nxd4 12. exd4 Qxd4 13. Nh3 Bb4+ 14. Ke2 {with wild play}) 11...
Bxh1 12. Bxg4 {with compensation for the exchange. But now the unpleasant pin ...Be6 is
threatened favour.}) 10. Bg2 ({Not} 10. Nxe7+ $6 Qxe7 11. Be2 g5 $1) ({or} 10. Bxc7 $6
Qd7
11. Bg2 (11. Nxe7+ $2 Qxe7 {and wins}) 11... Be6 12. h3 (12. Nxe7+ $2 Nxe7 $1
13. Qxb7 Bd5 {and wins}) 12... Nxe3 $1 13. fxe3 Bh4+ 14. Kf1 Rac8 15. Bf4 Na5
16. Qd1 Bxd5 {with an obvious advantage for Black.}) 10... Bh4 $1 {(the bishop
moves away with gain of tempo)} 11. Bg3 ({After} 11. Nh3 $5 Be6 12. O-O Nxd4 $1
13. exd4 c6 {Black would have regained the piece and remained a pawn up
it would appear that this was the lesser evil for White.}) 11... Be6 12. Kf1 {
Forced
White.}) 12... a5 {I was dazzled by the mass of possibilities.} (12... Re8 {

was also tempting}) ({but} 12... Na5 $1 {was even better
(13. Bxh4 Qxh4 14. Qc2 {(given by me in Informator)} Qd8 $1 15. Nc3 Bc4+ 16.
Ke1 Qh4 17. Nd1 Rfe8 18. Qd2 Nc6 19. Nf3 Qh5 {(h6) with an overwhelming
advantage}) (13. Qd1 {(a more resilient defence)} Nxf2 ({simpler than} 13...
Nc4 $5) ({or} 13... Re8 $5 {with the threat of ...Nxf2}) 14. Kxf2 Bxd5 15. Bxd5
({not the Informator} 15. Qh5 {(?)} Bg5 {and wins}) 15... Qxd5 16. Qf3 Qd8 ({or
} 16... Bxg3+ 17. hxg3 Rad8 18. Rh5 f5 {
}) 17. Rc1 Nc6 {.})) 13. Nh3 a4 14. Qc4 Na5 15. Qc5 $6 (15. Qe2 {was essential
although after} Bxg3 16. hxg3 Nxf2 $1 17. Kxf2 Bxd5 18. Bxd5 Qxd5 19. Nf4 Qd6 {
Topalov would have faced a difficult defence a pawn down.}) 15... b6 $1 {The
most forceful: White has no good square for his queen
into a lost endgame.} 16. Bxh4 bxc5 17. Bxd8 Raxd8 $1 (17... Rfxd8 $5 18. Nhf4
Rab8 {also had its points.}) 18. Ne7+ ({If} 18. Nhf4 {
19. -- ({
after} 19. Ne7+ Kh8 20. Ne2 (20. h3 $2 Nxe3+ $1) 20... cxd4 21. h3 {
decides matters with both the quiet} (21. Nxd4 c5) ({or} 21. exd4 Bc4 {is no
better}) 21... Ne5 ({and the sharp} 21... Nxf2 $5 22. Kxf2 dxe3+ 23. Ke1 (23.
Kxe3 $2 Rfe8 $1) 23... Rd2 24. Be4 Rb8 {
appeared to Topalov that the worst was over for him. But even with his broken
queenside pawns Black retains a terribly strong initiative: White's downfall
is caused by his retarded development and the glaring weakness of his b2-pawn.}
) 20... c4 {(whereas this is more of a strength!)} 21. Ng5 ({Also insufficient
is} 21. Ke2 Rb8 22. Rc2 Rfe8 23. Nc6 Nxc6 24. dxc6 Bf5 25. e4 (25. Rd2 a3 $1)
25... Bxe4 26. Bxe4 Rxe4+ 27. Kf3 Rd4 28. Re1 f6) ({or} 21. Rc2 Rfe8 22. d6
cxd6 23. Nd5 Rb8 24. Ng5 Bf5 25. e4 (25. Rd2 a3 $1) 25... Bg6 26. f3 Ne5 {and ...f7-f6.})
21... h6 ({The immediate} 21... Rb8 $1 22. Rc2 a3 23. bxa3 Ba4 {was more energetic:} 24.
Rc1 ({or} 24. Re2 c3 $1) 24... Rb2 {.}) 22. Nf3 (22. Ne4 {
was more resilient
things are bad for White.}) 22... Rb8 23. h3 Nf6 24. Nd4 (24. Rc2 $2 {did not
work because of} Rfe8 25. Nc6 Nxc6 26. dxc6 Bf5 27. Rd2 Bd3+ {and ...Ne4.})
24... Rxb2 {Black now has a completely won position
Page 120
Sheet1
relaxed and began 'performing miracles'.} 25. Bf3 (25. Rc2 Rxc2 26. Nxc2 Re8 {
and wins.}) 25... Rxa2 26. Kg2 Re8 (26... Rb8 27. Nec6 Bxc6 28. Nxc6 Nxc6 29.
dxc6 a3 $5 ({more forceful than the Informator} 29... Rbb2) 30. Rxc4 Rd2 $1 {
and ...a3-a2 would also have been decisive.}) 27. Nec6 Bxc6 28. Nxc6 Nxc6 (
28... Nb3 $5 29. Rxc4 Nd2 30. Rd4 Nde4 {would also have won
of knights is technically simpler
in the form of his c6-pawn.}) 29. dxc6 Rxe3 ({Here there were a good dozen
ways to the goal
29... Ne4 30. Bxe4 Rxe4 31. Rhd1 Rxe3 (31... Re6 $5) 32. Rd7 Re6 $1 ({instead
of the unclear Informator line} 32... Ree2 {(?)} 33. Rxc7 Rxf2+ 34. Kg3) 33.
Rxc4 Rf6 34. Rxc7 Rfxf2+ 35. Kg3 Rfc2 $1 {
acquired ephemeral counterplay against the c7-pawn
(30... Re5 $1 31. Rb1 Rg5+ 32. Kf1 Kh7 {was more accurate
{in view of} Ra1+ 34. Ke2 Ra5 35. Rxc7 a3 {and wins.}) 31. Rd4 ({If} 31. Re1 {
I was intending} Rbb2 {
{A loss of time.} ({There was a quicker win by} 31... g5 $1 32. h4 ({or} 32.
Rd8+ Kg7 33. Rc8 Raa3 $1 34. Bd1 Rb1 {and ...Nd5!}) 32... Kg7 {.}) 32. Rf1 ({
Pursuing the c7-pawn by} 32. Rd8+ Kh7 33. Rf1 Rb5 $1 34. Rc8 {did not help in
view of} Ra3 $1 {(threatening ...Rg5+)} 35. h4 Rf5 36. Bd1 Rc3 37. Rxc7 Nd5 38.
Ra7 Rf6 $1 ({not the Informator} 38... a3 {(?) in view of} 39. Bg4 $1 Rf4 40.
Bd7) 39. Re1 (39. Rxa4 Nf4+ $1) 39... a3 {and wins.}) 32... Rd2 $2 {And this
is already a mistake: Black should not have allowed the exchange of his
hyper-active rook and moved it off the b-file

bad)
Ra3 $1 {(cf. the previous note).}) 33. Rb4 (33. Rxd2 $5 {also deserved
consideration:} Rxd2 34. Ra1 Rd4 35. Rb1 ({not the Informator} 35. Bd1 $2 {in
view of} a3 $1 36. Bb3 Rd3 37. Rxa3 Ng8 $1 {and ...g7-g6
36. Rb8+ Kh7 37. Ra8 Rd3 ({or} 37... Nd5 38. Rxa3 Nf4+ 39. Kg3 {with hopes of
saving the game a pawn down}) 38. Ra7 Kg6 39. Rxc7 Ne8 40. Ra7 Rc3 41. Rd7 {.
At any event
$5 Nd5 35. Be4+ g6 36. Bxd5 Rxd5 37. Rc8 {and Rxc7 is also interesting.}) 34...
Ne8 35. Kg3 $2 {The effect of time-trouble - White loses a very important
tempo.} ({The only justification for his 33rd move was} 35. Bg4 $1 a3 $5 (35...
Kg6 36. Bd7 Nf6 37. Rxc7 Nd5 38. Ra7 Ne3+ 39. Kg1 Nxf1 40. c7 Rdc2 {
in Informator
Rxc7 Rac2 38. Ra7 a2 39. c7 {

39... g5 40. Kg1 Kg6 41. Ba4 Rc3 42. Ra1) 40. Ba4 Rc3 41. Ra6 {.}) 35... g6 {
With the threat of ...Nd6-f5+
(35... Kg6) ({or} 35... g5 {would also have won.}) 36. Re1 Nd6 37. Rxc7 Kg7 $1
(37... Rxf2 {was also good
opponent who is in severe time-trouble.}) 38. Rd7 Nf5+ (38... Rac2 $5 {.}) 39.
Kf4 Rxf2 ({And White lost on time. If} 39... Rxf2 40. c7 Rac2 41. Re8 Rc4+ 42.
Ke5 {Black easily wins by both} Rxf3 ({and the simple} 42... Rfc2 {.})) (39...
-- {After six rounds the leading group comprised Kasparov
- 4½; Adams - 4. But the 'crunch' seventh round finally determined the two
leading contenders for first place: Kramnik beat Polgar
Adams
(cf. Game No.35
row I was also eager for 'blood' in the eighth round

Ivanchuk
in a time scramble I overstepped the mark and allowed a very strong tactical
stroke. Yuri Vasiliev: 'Kasparov was crushed and dismayed. He lost on time in
what was now a completely hopeless position. In an impotent rage Garry
clenched his fists
and again and again cursed himself under his breath.' --- Meanwhile Kramnik
made a draw and moved half a point ahead. The following day I cleanly
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outplayed Judit Polgar
quo. Two rounds before the finish Kramnik had 7 out of 9
0-1

[Site "?"]
[Date "1997.02.15"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Shirov
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
{In the tenth round my opponent was Alexey Shirov - by general opinion a
highly inventive and brilliant player
allowed himself to be caught by a counterattack. I remember having a terrible
night before the game: in a local restaurant there was an incredibly noisy
wedding
my fighting mood.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 {
Shirov's usual plan against the Najdorf Variation;} (6. f3 Qb6 {- Game No.76.})
6... Ng4 ({At that time I used to play this more often than} 6... e5 {(Game
Nos.45
Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Bg7 10. Be2 (10. Qd2 {- Game No.54}) (10. h3 {- Game No.63.})
10... h5 11. Bxg4 Bxg4 {This and the other opening moves were made quite
quickly by us.} ({At that time I did yet even contemplate} 11... hxg4 {(Game
No.51).}) 12. f3 Bd7 13. O-O ({An attempt to improve on the play of both
Smirin -} 13. Bf2 Nc6 14. Nd5 ({and Anand -} 14. Qd2 Ne5 {(Game No.116)}) 14...
Rb8 $1 {(Game No.32).}) 13... Nc6 14. Bf2 e6 $5 ({Recommended by Bologan in
the commentary to his game with Ribli (Bundesliga 1996)
15. Nd5 e6 16. Nxc6 (16. Nf5 exf5 $1 17. Bb6 Qxb6+ 18. Nxb6 Bd4+ {and ...Bxb6
is unclear}) 16... Rxc6 17. Bd4 $1 {White gained a slight advantage.}) ({He is
also better after} 14... Ne5 15. Nf5 $1 (15. Nd5 {is less good in view of} e6
$1 16. Nb6 Qxb6 17. Nxe6 Qxf2+ {and ...Bxe6}) 15... Bxf5 16. exf5 {
Qd7 17. Nd5 Rd8 {(Zontakh-Ilincic
{.}) 15. Nce2 ({If} 15. Nxc6 Bxc6 16. Bd4 {I was planning} Be5 $1 {
Black has a solid position (which was confirmed in Short-Topalov
1997). But Shirov
and moved his knight from c3
(Lanka-Rogozenko
Taking away a square not only from the black knight

on d4
Petersburg 1997).}) 16... g4 $1 17. f4 h4 $1 {Unexpectedly the e5-knight is
left en prise and an attack on the king is threatened. This upset Shirov's
equanimity - he never liked such scenarios.} 18. Be3 ({In the event of} 18. c4
$6 g3 $1 19. hxg3 hxg3 ({but not the Informator} 19... Ng4 {(?) because of} 20.
Qd3) 20. Bxg3 Ng4 21. Qd2 Qf6 {Black seizes the initiative.}) ({And after} 18.
fxe5 dxe5 19. c4 exd4 20. Bxd4 Qg5 21. Bxg7 Qxg7 22. Qd4 {(there is nothing
better)} Qxd4+ 23. Nxd4 Rh5 {he has a comfortable Sicilian endgame.}) 18... h3
{(as in Game No.116
close to the enemy king)} 19. g3 Nc6 20. Qd3 O-O ({I prefer this to the
computer suggestion} 20... Qc7 {(a5) and ...0-0-0.}) 21. Rad1 (21. Nxc6 Bxc6
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22. Nd4 Bd7 23. Rad1 f5 $1 {would also have led to approximate equality.})
21... f5 $1 {Opening lines
event of an endgame to exploit the pawn wedge driven into White's kingside.}
22. c4 {Carrying out his plan of setting up a bind.} ({If} 22. Qd2 {
{.}) ({And} 22. Nxc6 Bxc6 23. Qxd6 $6 (23. exf5 exf5 24. Qxd6 Qe8 $1) 23...
Qxd6 24. Rxd6 Bxe4 {is altogether unfavourable for White.}) 22... Qa5 $1 {With
an attack on the a2-pawn followed by ...Rae8.} ({My Informator suggestion}
22... Qe8 {(?!) is less good because of} 23. exf5 exf5 24. Nc2 {.}) 23. Nc3 (
23. Qd2 $1 {was more circumspect
dubious}) 24. Rxd2 Rae8 {with the idea of ...e6-e5 and an equal ending - thus
25. exf5 e5 $1 26. fxe5 Bxe5 27. Bf4 Nxd4 28. Nxd4 Bxd4+ 29. Rxd4 Re2 {
immediately forces a draw.}) 23... Rae8 {A turning-point of the game.} 24. Rfe1
$6 {Allowing a thematic counter-stroke. 'White is forced to wait

difficult! The last five or six moves took Alexey more than an hour
was beginning to run short of time' (Makarychev).} ({The problems would have
been solved by the cool-headed} 24. exf5 $1 exf5 25. Bf2 {(Stohl).}) 24... e5
$1 {(played with pleasure
$6 (25. Nde2 {was more resilient
Bf2 $1 {.}) 25... Bxc6 {The bishop has become fearfully strong
hard to offer White any good advice.} 26. b4 $6 {Attempting to muddy the
waters.} ({A pawn would have been lost after} 26. fxe5 fxe4 {
$2 Qxe5 $1 {is bad for White
26. Nd5 $1 exf4 27. Bxf4 Qxa2 {(threatening ...Qg2 mate!)} 28. Re2 (28. Rd2 Qa3
$1) 28... fxe4 $1 29. Qe3 Qa5 {(Stohl)} 30. Bxd6 Rf3 31. Qg5 Bxd5 32. b4 $1
Qb6+ 33. Bc5 Qd8 34. Qxd8 Rxd8 35. Rxd5 Rxd5 36. cxd5 e3 $1 37. d6 Kf7 38. d7
Bf6 {
({I was wrong to condemn this continuation - it is stronger than} 26... Qxb4
27. Rb1 fxe4 28. Nxe4 Qa5 29. Ng5 ({but not the Informator} 29. Nxd6 $2 exf4
30. Nxe8 fxg3 $1 {and wins}) 29... e4 30. Qe2 Qf5 31. Rbd1 {with some
counterplay for the pawn.}) 27. b5 exf4 ({It is too early for} 27... fxe4 $1
28. Qxd6 {with equality.}) 28. Bxf4 (28. bxc6 $2 fxe3 {.}) 28... axb5 (28...
fxe4 $5 {was also good:} 29. Qxd6 (29. Qe2 axb5 30. Nxb5 Qf3 $1) 29... Qxc3 $1
({Informator gave only} 29... Qxd6 {(?!)} 30. Bxd6 Bxc3 31. bxc6 Bxe1 32. Bxf8
Qg6 (31. Qxc6 $2 Bd4+) ({while if} 31. Be3 {
32. Rd2 e3 33. Rde2 Re4 {and wins.}) 29. cxb5 Qc5+ $6 {This allows White an
additional resource.} (29... Qxc3 30. bxc6 bxc6 {would have led to a
technically won ending
Rxe4 {
essential to play} 30. Re3 Bxe4 31. Bxd6 $1 {
Qxd6 32. Bxd6 ({or} 32. Rxd6 Bf3 {is rather worse - Stohl}) 32... Bc2) 31...
Bxd3 32. Bxc5 Rxe3 33. Bxe3 Bc4 34. Bd4 Bh6 $1 {White has a difficult endgame
he would still have a glimmer of hope of saving the game.}) 30... Qxc3 {(now
it is all over)} 31. bxc6 Qxc6 (31... bxc6 $5 {.}) 32. Qxd6 Qxe4 33. Qd5+ Qxd5
34. Rxd5 Bc3 35. Re2 Re4 36. Kf2 (36. Rd3 Bf6 37. Kf1 (37. Red2 f4 $1 {did not
help}) 37... Rfe8 {.}) 36... Rfe8 37. Rd3 Bf6 38. Red2 (38. Re1 f4 $1 {.})
38... Rxe3 $1 {. 'Inspired play!' (Makarychev). --- After this win I caught up
with Kramnik (he quickly drew with Anand). We now had 7½ out of 10 - one
and a half points more than our closest pursuers. --- Mikhail Gurevich: 'The
last round became the culmination of Linares 1997. The fate of the first two
places in this exceptionally prestigious tournament was decided in the game
between the two leaders. I am sure that money was not the main thing at stake
in this game: it was not the Suzuki jeep or the $10
prizes that the players were thinking about before the start. Above all it was
a battle for prestige!' --- In the event of a draw and a share of first place
the tournament winner was to be decided not by the Berger coefficient
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simply by discarding the results against the player who finished last. Before
the 11th round this player was Shirov
Kramik. Therefore in his game with me it seemed that Kramnik should be
satisfied with a draw (in the course of the round
turned on its head: Shirov was caught by Piket
satisfied with a draw)
difficult opponent
with seven draws.} 0-1
[Site "?"]
[Date "1997.02.16"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Kramnik
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E59"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]

1. d4 ({In the preceding rounds I played only} 1. e4 {
afraid of the drawing tendencies of the Petroff Defence
in fact just begun employing (Hübner-Kramnik
Nf6 2. c4 e6 {A surprise! Of course
usual openings - the Meran (Game No.27) and the King's Indian which occurred
in Las Palmas 1996. But the Nimzo-Indian had not previously occurred in his
games. It is probable that my opponent's second
flexible defence in mind when before the game he expressed his confidence:
'Volodya will make a draw'. --- Incidentally
splendid psychologist and he always keenly sensed his opponent's state of mind.
Thus here
variations he deliberately chose an opening of which he even had less

knowledge
clear initiative.} 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 {A surprise in reply
five minutes (after the game with Ivanchuk I forced myself to play more
quickly).} ({My opponent was probably expecting} 4. Qc2 {
that time (Game Nos.4
Game No.39 in Part I of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov.}) 5. Bd3 c5 (5... d5
{- Game No.26 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov.}) 6. Nf3 d5 7.
O-O {An old 'modern variation'
largely thanks to the efforts of Yusupov.} Nc6 (7... cxd4 {- Game No.69.}) 8.
a3 Bxc3 9. bxc3 dxc4 {On encountering a surprise
line.} ({Later he successfully played} 9... Qc7 {
after} 10. Qc2 {
line -} dxc4 11. Bxc4 e5 12. Bd3 (12. Ba2 Bg4 $1) 12... Re8 {(Game No.52).})
10. Bxc4 Qc7 ({A well-known tabiya of the Nimzo-Indian Defence
} 10... Qc7 11. a4 {was played
} 11. Bd3) ({or} 11. Bb2 {(cf. Game No.52
Although I had not previously employed this variation
analysis of one of the comparatively rare lines...})) 11. Ba2 {'In order to
conclusively take the opponent away from his analysis' (Makarychev). In
playing this
feel uncertain and would play cautiously where he needed to show more
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initiative. That was indeed what happened
game the popularity of the variation rose sharply. --- Here Kramnik thought
for a long time: he was obviously not prepared for this turn of events.} b6 {
A rare move - and precisely in the spirit of 'avoiding a direct confrontation'.
} ({In Gelfand-Korchnoi (Horgen 1994)
topical} 11... e5 12. h3 $1 {occurred
and I looked at the old reply} 12... e4) ({and the currently fashionable} 12...
Bf5) 13. Qc2 $6 ({but mainly Korchnoi's 12...b6
became} 13. d5 $1 e4 (13... Rd8 14. e4 {
dxc6 exf3 15. Qxf3 Be6 $5 ({after} 15... Qe5) ({or} 15... Ba6 {White also has
a small plus}) 16. Bxe6 fxe6 17. c4 Rac8 18. Bb2 Qxc6 19. Qxc6 Rxc6 {
this somewhat inferior endgame (Yakovich-Tiviakov
Ng5 Ba6 {Black seized the initiative (Game No.46 in Part V of My Great
Predecessors).}) 12. Re1 {(there is nothing for White to invent: he needs to
prepare e3-e4)} e5 ({Black nevertheless needs to attack the centre -} 12... Bb7
$6 13. e4 Ne7 14. Bb1 {

natural
} 13. h3 e4 14. Nd2 {(Knaak-Korchnoi
13. d5 e4 14. dxc6 exf3 15. Qxf3 Be6 {(Yakovich-Aleksandrov
13... Bg4 $6 {Not a very successful novelty: Kramnik decided not to open the
position
better to play} 13... cxd4 14. cxd4 exd4 $1 (14... Bg4 $6 15. d5 $1 Nd4 16. Bb2
Bxf3 18. Qxf3 Qe5 19. Rad1 Rac8 {with equality (Knaak-Cs.Horvath
}) ({
Qxd4 Nc5 20. Rh6 ({or} 20. Rd6 Ne4 {is equal}) 20... Bf5 21. Bf4 Rad8) 17...
Kh8 18. Nxd4 Nxd4 19. Qxd4 Nc5 20. Ba2 {
after} 20... Be6 $1 {(we had not seen this)} 21. Bxe6 Nxe6 {things head for a
draw -} 22. Rxe6 Rad8 $1) 21. Bb2 Rad8 22. Qh4 {with an attack.})) 14. dxc5 $1
({White aims to create scope for his bishops and for the sake of this he
disregards the academic advantage after} 14. d5 Na5 15. c4 (15. h3) ({
spent a very long time calculating the variation} 15. d6 $6 Qd8 16. h3 Bxf3 17.
gxf3 {
} 18. Qd5 Nxd6 19. Qxe5) 18... Qxd6 {.})) 14... bxc5 15. h3 Rad8 16. Qe2 Bxf3 (
{'The retreat} 16... Bh5 $6 {is dubious in view of the constant threat of
shutting this bishop out of the game by g2-g4 and Nd2' (Kramnik). Both} 17. Rb1
({and} 17. Bg5 {are good}) ({as well as the immediate} 17. g4 Bg6 18. Nd2 {.}))
17. Qxf3 Rd6 {An interesting attempt to dig himself in - both defending the
knight on f6 (in the event of Bg5) and preparing ...Rfd8.} 18. Bg5 ({After my
Informator recommendation} 18. Be3 {there is the reply} Na5 $1 {with the idea
of shutting in the a2-bishop with ...c5-c4 and exploiting the weakness of the
a3- and c3-pawns (} 19. Rab1 Rd3 {).}) ({But} 18. Rb1 $5 {did indeed deserve
consideration. --- After obtaining two bishops against two knights I
overestimated the benefits of my position. 'Having worked for several years
with Garry
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24. cxd4 $1 Qb4 25. Qd3 {with a powerful attack}) 22. exd6 b3 23. Bd3 $1 {.})
21. Bb1 Qb6 $2 ({Black's last chance was the counter-sacrifice} 21... Nb4 $1
22. Qxd4 Nc2 23. Bxc2 bxc2 24. Rxc2 Bd5 {, reaching a difficult position a
pawn down, but at least not losing immediately. Now, however, White begins a
decisive offensive.}) 22. Qd3 g6 (22... Bxd6 23. Nxd6 g6 24. Rfe1 $1 {and Re4,
winning.}) 23. Nc5 (23. Qd2 Kh7 24. h4 $1 {was also strong.}) 23... Bc8 (23...
Nb4 24. Qxd4 {no longer helped}) ({and} 23... Bc6 $2 24. Nxf7 $1 {was even
worse.}) 24. h4 $1 (24. Qxd4 {was far more prosaic.}) 24... Nc6 {Allowing a
spectacular finish.} ({However, things were also hopeless after} 24... h5 25.
Qxd4 Nb7 (25... Rd8 26. Qd3 {with the threat of Nxf7!}) 26. Be4 Nxd6 (26...
Nxc5 27. Rxc5 {and wins}) 27. exd6 Bxd6 28. Bxd5 $1 ({more accurate than
Stohl's variation} 28. Nxe6 Bxe6 29. Qxb6 Nxb6 30. Bxd6) 28... exd5 ({or} 28...
Bxc5 29. Rxc5 exd5 30. a5 Qe6 31. f3 $1 {and Re1 with an irresistible attack
on the dark squares}) 29. Bxd6 Qxd6 30. Ne4 $1 {and Nf6+.}) 25. a5 $1 {A
diverting pawn sacrifice;} (25. h5 $2 Nxe5 $1 {was incorrect.}) 25... Qxa5 ({Or
} 25... Nxa5 26. h5 $1 Bxd6 (26... Nb4 27. Qxd4) 27. exd6 Nb7 28. hxg6 {with
crushing threats.}) 26. Nxf7 $1 Rxf7 27. Qxg6+ $6 (27. Nxe6 $1 Bxe6 28. Qxg6+ {
was more accurate, when it is all over.}) 27... Kf8 $6 (27... Rg7 28. Qe8+ Bf8
29. Qxc6 Rb8 {was more resilient, after which good is} 30. Bf5 $5 ({or} 30. Ne4
$1 Bd7 31. Qc4 {, and if} Bb5 32. Qxb3 Qb4 {, then} 33. Qf3 $1 Bxf1 34. Rxf1 {
with an irresistible attack (} Kh8 ({or} 34... Qb7 35. Ba2 $1) 35. Qh5) 30...
Nc7 31. Nxe6 Rb6 32. Qxb6 Qxb6 33. Nxg7 Bxf5 34. Nxf5 {.}) 28. Nxe6+ Bxe6 29.
Rxc6 Bd7 30. Qxh6+ ({In view of} 30. Qxh6+ Ke8 31. e6 {.}) (30. -- {Since
Svidler could only gain a hard-won half-point against Adams, I again became
the sole leader - 6½ out of 8! But then with Black I only just made a draw
with Adams, and with White I was again unable to beat Kramnik (cf. Game No.90,
note to Black's 7th move). Fortunately, my rivals also did not greatly
accelerate. --- These were the leading positions before the last round:
Kasparov - 7½ out of 10; Svidler and Kramnik - 7. At the finish Kramnik
fully expectedly won against van Wely with White, Svidler unexpectedly easily
beat Onischuk with Black, and with Black in an English Opening I did not
achieve anything against JoQl Lautier. But here something extraordinary
occurred. --- Makarychev: 'The champion, after losing his big aim (to improve
his rating by scoring 9-10 points), played out the tournament obviously
without any great enthusiasm and at the very last moment he missed a unique
opportunity to take sole first place.'}) 1-0
[Event "47: Tilburg"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1997.10.09"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Lautier, J."]
[Black "Kasparov, G."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "A34"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nb4 6. Bb5+ N8c6 7. d4 cxd4 8.
a3 dxc3 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 10. axb4 cxb2 11. Bxb2 e6 12. O-O Bd7 13. Bxc6 Bxc6 14.
Ne5 Ke8 15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. Ra4 f6 17. Rfa1 Kf7 18. Rxa7+ Rxa7 19. Rxa7+ Be7 {In
this equal position White has a good dozen moves leading to a draw. Therefore,
when Joel played} 20. Rc7 $2 {and offered a draw, I agreed - without looking
at the board!} ({But this was a mistake: after} 20. Rc7 c5 $5 (20... Rb8 21.
Rxc6 Rxb4 22. Rc2 Rxe4) 21. b5 (21. bxc5 $2 Rb8 $1 {and wins}) 21... Rb8 {and ...Rxb5
Black would have remained a pawn up and with winning chances.}) (20. --
{Well, I was evidently not destined to win this tournament on my own: with
Kramnik and Svidler I shared 1st-3rd places. Her
they exclaimed in surprise in the press centre.' --- On the 31st move
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Ponomariov suddenly gave up his g5-pawn for the a5-pawn
a dangerous pair of connected passed pawns
overstepped the mark and ended up in a lost position.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4
cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e6 7. Be3 Nc6 8. Qd2 Be7 9. g4 O-O 10. O-O-O
Nxd4 11. Bxd4 b5 12. a3 Nd7 13. h4 Rb8 14. f4 Bb7 15. g5 Nc5 16. Bg2 a5 17.
Bxc5 dxc5 18. Qxd8 Rfxd8 19. Nxb5 Bxe4 20. Bxe4 Rxb5 21. Rxd8+ Bxd8 22. f5 exf5
23. Bxf5 g6 24. Re1 Kg7 25. Bd3 Rb7 26. Re5 Be7 27. c3 h6 28. Kc2 hxg5 29. hxg5
Kf8 30. Rd5 Rb8 31. Rd7 Bxg5 32. Bc4 Be7 33. Ra7 g5 34. Rxa5 g4 35. Bd5 f5 36.
Be6 g3 37. Bd5 Rd8 38. Bf3 Kf7 39. b4 Rh8 40. Kb3 Rh2 41. Bd5+ Kf6 42. Ra8 Rd2
43. Bf3 Kf7 $2 ({After the simple} 43... cxb4 44. axb4 Rf2 $1 45. Bd5 {(c6)} f4
{the black pawns are the first to break through to the queening square:} 46.
Ra2 $6 ({or} 46. Rg8 Bd6 47. c4 (47. Be4 f3 48. Rg6+ Ke7 $1 {is no better})
47... f3 48. c5 Be5 49. b5 Rf1 50. b6 f2 51. Bg2 Rg1 52. c6 Rb1+ {and ...Rxb6})
46... Rxa2 47. Kxa2 Kg5 {
{If} 44... Rd3 $5 {White is saved by} 45. c6 Bf6 46. Bg2 Rxc3+ 47. Kb4 Rc2 48.
Bd5+ Ke7 49. Rg8 {and if} f4 ({or} 49... Be5 {
it is an immediate draw in view of 45 Ra5 and Rxf5+.})) (44... -- {A third
missed win
c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 (since I was psychologically not prepared for the
Sveshnikov Variation)
draw on the 26th move. But nevertheless I ended the first cycle as the leader:
Kasparov - 3½ out of 6; Ponomariov
Anand - 2½. --- At the start of the second cycle I nevertheless won with
White against Vallejo

considerable advantage
particular compensation for it. However
went wrong
full point.}) 1/2-1/2
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.03.09"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Ponomariov
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C10"]

[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
{In the ninth round I was free
beating Adams. In the tenth round
Black against Anand and I seized the initiative in a sharp branch of the
Najdorf (cf. Game No.93
opponent held out - a draw on the 40th move. It need hardly be said how happy
Vishy was: for the first time after our 1995 match he did not lose to me in
Linares! --- Then I made two further Sicilian draws: with White against
Ivanchuk and with Black against Adams. And two rounds before the finish I was
caught by Ponomariov: we both had 6 out of 10

just 50%. Thus my second duel with the new FIDE champion became the decisive
game of the tournament.} 1. e4 e6 {(a surprise: Ruslan played this for
virtually the very first time!)} 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 (3... Nf6 {- Game No.10})
(3... Bb4 {- Game No.12.}) 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 {The main line.} ({At that time
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White was also successful with} 5. Bd3 Ngf6 6. Qe2 c5 7. Nxf6+ Nxf6 8. dxc5
Bxc5 9. Bd2 $5 ({instead of} 9. Nf3 Qc7 10. O-O O-O 11. Bg5 b6 {with equality
Ivanchuk-Karpov
so much to the true strength of this opening weapon
that at that moment players with Black were unprepared for the
forcefully-devised tactical battle imposed by the opponent' (Zaitsev).}) 5...
Ngf6 6. Nxf6+ ({Possibly my opponent had prepared for} 6. Bg5 Be7 (6... h6 $5)
7. Nxf6+ Bxf6 8. h4 O-O 9. Bd3 c5 10. Qe2 $5 cxd4 11. Qe4 g6 12. O-O-O {
played against Anand (2nd match game (rapid)
(Frankfurt (rapid) 2000)}) ({or} 6. Bd3 Nxe4 7. Bxe4 Nf6 8. Bg5 Qd6 9. Bd3 $5
Qb4+ 10. Bd2 Qxb2 11. O-O {with quite good compensation for the pawn
(Kasparov-Anand
influence of Adams I had taken a fancy to a different plan.}) 6... Nxf6 7. c3 {
A rare and fresh move (Dokhoian and I always looked for such continuations!)
which from 2002 became popular.} ({The classical line is} 7. Bd3 c5 {
(Maroczy-Rubinstein
Bad Pistyan 1912.})) ({If} 7. Bc4 {Black plays} Be7 (7... c5) ({or even} 7...
a6 {and ...c7-c5 - Ivanchuk-Anand
} 7. Ne5 {
(Reti-Mieses
centre -} 7... Be7 {and ...0-0 broadens White's options.}) 8. Ne5 $5 ({An
attempt to improve on the variation} 8. Be3 Qc7 (8... cxd4 9. Bxd4 {is less
good}) 9. Ne5 a6 10. Qa4+ Nd7 {
Adams-Anand. In it after} 11. O-O-O ({Black is also not too afraid of} 11. Bb5
cxd4 12. Bxd7+ Bxd7 13. Qxd4 Bb5 14. a4 Bd6 15. Nxf7 Kxf7 16. axb5 axb5 {
example: Ponomariov-Akobian
12. Nxd7 Qxd7 $6 {
$1 13. Qxd4 Bc6 {with equality is more accurate}) 13. Qa5 $1 {.}) 8... Nd7 $2 {
The rare variation disconcerted Ruslan
If} 8... Be7 {(d6)}) ({or} 8... cxd4 {there is the unpleasant} 9. Bb5+ Bd7 10.
Nxd7 {.}) ({If} 8... Qc7 {- again} 9. Bb5+ {(Topalov-Milov
2002)} ({or} 9. Bf4 Bd6 10. Bb5+ {.})) ({White is also better after} 8... Qa5
$6 9. Qb3 $1 {(again threatening Bb5+)} a6 10. Nc4 Qc7 11. Qb6 {

(Doring-Grabliauskas
when} 9. Be3 ({while
Qa4+ Bd7 10. Nxd7 Qxd7 11. Qxd7+ Kxd7 12. dxc5 Bxc5 {is almost drawn -
Kasimdzhanov-Dorfman
from the previous note (9 Bg5 Qc7 is no better).}) 9. Bb5 $1 {This is the
point: the pin on the knight combined with the threat of Qf3 puts Black in a
difficult position. Here Ponomariov realised that he had gone wrong somewhere
and he sank into thought...} Bd6 {Already the only move.} ({It is bad to play}
9... a6 $2 10. Qf3 Qe7 {(f6)} 11. Bxd7+ {and Qxb7}) ({or} 9... cxd4 $2 10. Qf3
Qe7 (10... f6 $2 11. Qh5+) (10... Qf6 $2 11. Bf4 $1) 11. Bg5 $1 f6 (11... Qxg5
$2 12. Bxd7+) 12. Rd1 $1 fxg5 13. Rxd4 Qf6 14. Qh5+ g6 15. Qe2 Bc5 16. Bxd7+
Bxd7 17. Nxd7 Qe7 18. Nxc5 {
10. Bf4 $1 {is also promising}) (10. Be3 O-O) (10. O-O a6 $5 11. Bxd7+ Bxd7 {
little-trodden path!} ({If} 10... O-O {I spent a long time calculating the
variations with} 11. Bxd7 $1 (11. Bh6 Qf6 12. Nxd7 Bxd7 13. Bg5 Qg6 14. Bxd7
Rad8 {is less good
12. Bh6) ({or} 11... f5 $2 12. Qd1 $1 {is fatal}) 12. Bxc8 cxd4 {
end I came to the conclusion that after} 13. cxd4 $1 Bxd4 14. Bxb7 Rb8 15. Bf3
{Black does not gain sufficient compensation for the piece:} Qa5+ 16. Kf1 Bxb2
(16... Qc5 $2 17. Qe4) 17. Bxb2 Rxb2 {(Shipov)} 18. Qd4 Rd2 19. Qe3 Rb8 20. Rc1
$5 ({more forceful than the Informator} 20. g4) 20... g6 ({or} 20... h6 21. Kg1
$1 Rxa2 (21... Rbb2 22. Rc8+ Kh7 23. h4 $1) 22. h3 {and Kh2 with good winning
Page 128
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chances}) 21. h4 $1 Rbb2 (21... Qxa2 22. g4 $1 h6 23. Kg2) 22. Kg1 Rxf2 23. h5
Rbc2 24. Rb1 $1 Rb2 25. Kh2 {.}) 11. O-O $5 {'True to his attacking manner
Kasparov goes in for a pawn sacrifice
initiative' (Zaitsev).} ({However
tempting alternatives:} 11. Qh5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Be7 13. O-O ({Zaitsev's
flamboyant trick} 13. Bh6 $6 {with the idea of} gxh6 $2 ({is parried by} 13...
Qb6 $1) 14. Rd1) 13... h6 $1 ({my Informator} 13... Qc7 {is worse because of}
14. Bg5 $1) 14. Rd1 Qa5 {intending ...g7-g6 and ...Kg7;} (14... Qc7 $2 15. Rd3
$1) 15. Bd3 Bd7 16. Be4 Qc7 17. Qf3 {with appreciable pressure for White
Black retains defensive resources}) (11. Bf4 $1 {(the best solution)} Nf6 (
11... Nxe5 12. Bxe5) (11... h5 12. Qd1 $1 {is also depressing}) 12. Qf3 cxd4
13. O-O {
15. Qd3) 15. Rac1 $1 Qd5 (15... Qxb2 16. a4) 16. Qe2 a6 17. Ba4) ({
g5 14. Nd7+ Bxd7 15. Bxd6+ Kg7 16. Bxd7 Nxd7 17. Rad1 Qf6 (17... dxc3 $2 18.
Bb4 $1) 18. Qxb7 e5 19. Ba3 Rhd8 20. cxd4 exd4 21. f4 $1 g4 22. f5 {
11... Nxe5 12. dxe5 Bxe5 13. Bg5 ({After} 13. Rd1 $6 Qc7 14. Qh4 Bf6 15. Bg5
Ke7 {White would have been in danger of selling his advantage too cheaply.})
13... Bf6 {A difficult choice.} ({If} 13... h5 $2 {I was planning} 14. Rad1 $1
{with the pretty idea of} Bxh2+ (14... Qb6 15. Qh4 $1) 15. Kh1 Qb6 16. Be7+ $1
Kg8 17. Qg5 Bf4 18. Qxf4 Qxb5 19. Rd8+ Kh7 20. Rfd1 {and wins.}) ({And in the
event of} 13... f6 14. Rad1 {Ruslan would have had to find a place for his
queen:} -- (14... Qc7 $6 15. Qh5 Qe7 (15... Ke7 $2 16. f4 $1 Bd6 17. f5 $1 {
with crushing threats}) ({while the Informator} 15... g6 {(?)} 16. Qh6+ Kf7 17.
f4 $1 Bd6 18. f5 $1 exf5 {is bad because of} 19. g4 $3) 16. Be3 g6 17. Qh6+ Kf7
18. Rd2 a6 19. Be2 {with a dangerous attack}) (14... Qe7 15. Be3 Kf7 16. Bc4
Bc7 17. f4 h5 18. Qh3 {
In Informator I gave the variation} 14... Qe7 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 {(avoiding the
spoiling of the pawns)} 16. Qg3 {(?!)} (16. Qc4 $1 g6 (16... Qe7 $2 17. Qd3 $1
{and Qd8+}) 17. Qxc5+ Kg7 18. f4 {is far stronger
enduring initiative}) 16... g6 17. Qc7 Kg7 18. Qxc5 {with a '+/-' evaluation
but after} e5 {White's advantage is only slight.}) 15. Qh4 (15. Bxf6 $5 {
deserved serious consideration:} gxf6 16. Qh4 $1 Ke7 17. f4 $1 ({more
energetic than the Informator} 17. Rfe1) 17... Rd8 ({if} 17... c4 $6 {there is
a spectacular win by} 18. f5 $1 Qc5+ 19. Kh1 Qxb5 20. fxe6 Qg5 21. Qxc4 Bxe6
22. Qb4+ Ke8 23. Qxb7 Rc8 24. Rfe1 $1) 18. f5 e5 19. Rxd8 Qxd8 20. Qxh7 {with
an enormous advantage:} Bd7 21. Rd1 Bxb5 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. h4 $1 Rd1+ 24. Kh2 {
account of the bad position of his king.}) 15... Bxg5 {The only move.} ({I was
tempted by the variation} 15... Ke7 $6 16. f4 a6 17. f5 $1 {with a decisive
attack:} -- (17... axb5 $2 18. fxe6 Qe5 19. Bxf6+ gxf6 20. Rde1 Ra4 (20... Qg5
21. exf7+ {and Qe4}) 21. Qh6) ({
Bb7 $6 20. Bxb7 Qxb7 21. Bxf6+ gxf6 22. Rfe1 {

(20... Kf8 21. Be6 $3) ({or} 20... Rf8 21. Be3 {with the threats of Qxh7 and
b2-b4 is no better}) 21. Be3 Bb7 22. Be6 $5 ({or simply} 22. Rd2 {
) 16. Qxg5 f6 17. Qh5 g6 ({If} 17... Ke7 {the most natural is} 18. Rfe1 -- (
18... g6 19. Qh6 Kf7 20. Re3 $1) ({
Bxe6) 20. Qh3 $1 f5 21. Qh6 Kf6 (21... Kf7 22. g4 $1) 22. Rd5 $1 Kf7 (22...
exd5 $2 23. Qh4+) 23. Rde5 {with unbearable pressure:} Qe7 {(d6)} 24. g4 $1 {.}
)) 18. Qh6+ Kf7 ({Of course
19. Rd3 $2 {Carried away by the faulty idea of switching the rook to h3
blocked the bishop's path to e2.} ({An overwhelming advantage would have been
retained by the normal doubling of rooks on the d-file -} 19. Rd2 $1 {
(Dokhoian)} a6 20. Be2 $1 ({more accurate than my Informator} 20. Bd3) 20...
Qe7 ({there is nothing better:} 20... b5 $6 21. Rfd1 f5 ({or} 21... Ra7 22. h4
$1) 22. g4 $1) 21. Rfd1 Qf8 22. Qf4 Qe7 23. Qa4 Qe8 24. Qa5 Qe7 25. Rd6 {
}) 19... a6 $1 20. Rh3 (20. Ba4 b5 {with equality.}) 20... Qe7 (20... Bd7 $1 {
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is more elegant
22. Rd1 Qe5) ({while} 21. Bxd7 Qxd7 22. Qxh7+ {leads to an equal rook ending})
21... Rag8 22. Rd1 b5 $1 ({instead of the Informator} 22... Rg7 {(?!)} 23. Rhd3
{.})) 21. Bd3 f5 {At this moment I realised to my distress that White now
merely had decent compensation for the pawn. Black is about to complete the
development of his queenside
to force a draw by 22 Qxh7+. But I developed an irresistible desire to ruffle
the opponent's forces - it was a pity to part with such a promising attacking
position!} 22. g4 $5 {This risky move
scramble
confidently
the thread of the game.} Qf6 ({The immediate} 22... b5 $5 {was more subtle
and only if} 23. Re1 {-} Qf6 {with double-edged play.}) 23. Rd1 $1 {The
appearance of the rook on the d-file creates certain problems for Black.} b5 (
23... fxg4 $6 24. Rg3 e5 $2 25. Bc4+ Ke8 {is suicidal in view of} 26. Rgd3 $1 (
{this is even better than the Informator} 26. Rd5 {.})) ({But to maintain
equality} 23... g5 24. Qh5+ Qg6 25. gxf5 Qxh5 26. Rxh5 exf5 27. h4 (27. Rxg5
Be6 $1 {- Stohl}) ({or} 27. f4 Be6 28. fxg5 Rad8 {is quite sufficient}) 27...
Kg6 28. Rxg5+ Kf6 {.}) 24. Be2 e5 ({It would appear that Ruslan was already
imagining he had winning chances - otherwise he could have restricted himself
to one of two more modest continuations:} 24... Ra7 {(with the idea of ...Rd7)}
25. Qxh7+ ({if} 25. Rhd3 {
28. fxe6 Bxe6 {and ...Rf7 is possible}) 25... Rxh7 26. Rxh7+ Qg7 27. Rxg7+ Kxg7
28. Rd8 (28. g5 Rd7) 28... Bd7 $1 ({if} 28... Rc7 {Stohl recommends} 29. g5 {
of ...Be6 and ...Rd7}) 29... fxg4 30. Bxg4 Kf6 {with a slightly inferior
objectively drawn endgame}) (24... g5 25. -- ({
Qg6 26. gxf5 exf5 ({Stohl's 'drawing' variation} 26... Qxh5 {(?!)} 27. Bxh5+
Kg7 {is dangerous on account of} 28. fxe6 Bxe6 29. Re3 $1 Bf5 ({or} 29... Bxa2
30. Rd7+ Kh6 31. Rh3 $1 g4 32. Bxg4+ Kg5 33. Be2) 30. Re5) 27. Rd6 $5 ({my
Informator} 27. Re3 {is parried by} g4 28. Qh4 Qf6 29. Qh5+ Qg6 {with equality}
) 27... Qxh5 28. Rxh5) ({
) 27. Rh5 h6 28. f4 {White retains a slight initiative
it all ends in simplification and a draw.})) 25. Rhd3 {Intensifying the
pressure.} ({I didn't play g2-g4 in order to go in for the colourless} 25. g5
Qg7 26. Rd5 Qxh6 27. Rxh6 Ke6 28. Rxc5 Kd6 29. b4 Be6 {with equality.}) 25...
Ra7 $2 {An over-insipid 'prophylactic' move

of the white rooks.} ({It was essential to play} 25... fxg4 $1 26. Rd6 Qf4 27.
Rxg6 (27. Qh4 g3 $1) ({or} 27. Rd7+ Bxd7 28. Rxd7+ Ke8 29. Qg7 Qf8 30. Re7+
Qxe7 31. Qxh8+ Qf8 32. Qxh7 Rb8 $1 {is unfavourable for White}) 27... Qxh6 28.
Rxh6 Bf5 29. Rd5 Kg7 30. Rc6 (30. Rhd6 c4) 30... Rhc8 31. Rcd6 $1 ({after} 31.
Rdxc5 $6 Rxc6 32. Rxc6 Rd8 $1 33. Rxa6 Rd2 34. Bxb5 Be4 $1 35. h3 h5 {Black
suddenly creates a mating attack!}) 31... c4 32. f3 (32. Rxe5 Re8 {is equal})
32... gxf3 33. Bxf3 Re8 {
merely have comfortable equality.}) 26. Rd6 Qg7 ({After} 26... Be6 27. Rc6 g5
28. Qxf6+ Kxf6 29. Rdd6 Re7 (29... Re8 $2 30. gxf5 Kxf5 31. Bh5 Ree7 32. h3 $1
{and wins}) 30. Rxa6 $1 {with the threat of Bxb5-c4;} ({my Informator} 30. Rxc5
{is weaker because of} Ra8) 30... -- (30... Rb8 31. gxf5 Kxf5 32. h3 $1) ({
} 30... e4 31. Rdc6 $1 Rd8 (31... c4 32. Rab6 {and Rxb5}) 32. h3 $1 Ke5 33.
Rxc5+ Rd5 (33... Kf4 $2 34. Rxe6 $1 {and Rxf5 mate}) 34. Rxd5+ Bxd5 35. Bxb5 {
the black ship would also have sunk.})) 27. Qe3 {This return of the queen with
gain of tempo suggests itself
example:} -- (27... Be6 28. gxf5 $1 ({but not} 28. Rxe6 {(?)} Kxe6 29. Qd5+ Kf6
{as given in Informator
Kh1 Rg8 ({or} 29... h5 30. Rxe6 $1 Kxe6 31. Qd6+ Kf7 32. Bf3 e4 33. Qxc5 Re7
34. Qxf5+ Qf6 35. Bxh5+) 30. Bh5+ Kf8 31. Rd8+ Ke7 32. f3 {(f4).}) (27... Re8
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28. Qd5+ Kf8 (28... Be6 29. Qxc5) 29. c4 $1 {(breaking up Black's queenside)}
b4 30. Rd8 Qe7 31. Rxe8+ Qxe8 32. Qxc5+ Re7 33. g5 Kf7 34. Qxb4 Rd7 35. Qb6 {
and wins}) (27... Re7 28. g5 $1 {(here also this clamping move is decisive)}
Re6 (28... Be6 29. Rxa6) 29. Qd5 Rhe8 30. a4 Qf8 31. Rc6 {
mopping up.})) 27... Rc7 28. a4 $1 {A spectacular undermining move also on the
other wing.} ({In principle} 28. gxf5 Bxf5 (28... gxf5+ $6 29. Kh1 {and wins})
29. Rxa6 {is equally good}) ({as is my Informator} 28. Bf3 {
fxg4 $2 ({nor} 28... e4 $2 29. Bxe4 $1 fxe4 30. Qf4+ {is possible}) 29. Bd5+ {.
}) 28... e4 ({Hopeless is} 28... Rf8 29. axb5 axb5 30. Bxb5 Kg8 31. Bc4+ Kh8
32. Rd8 $1 h6 (32... e4 $2 33. Qf4 Re7 34. Qb8 {- Stohl}) 33. Rxf8+ Qxf8 34.
Qxe5+ Rg7 35. Rd5 {(d6)
gxf5 {was also suitable.}) 29... axb5 30. Bxb5 Qe5 31. Qg5 {In severe
time-trouble I simply threw my queen closer to the black king.} ({The game
could have been concluded by} 31. R1d5 $1 f4 ({if} 31... Qe7 {
gxf5 ({or} 32... Bxf5 33. Qf4) 33. Bc4) 32. Qc1 ({simpler than the Informator}
32. Qh3 Qe7 33. Qh6) 32... Qe7 33. Qxf4+ Kg7 34. g5 $1 {.}) 31... Qe7 (31...
Be6 32. Bc4 $1 Re8 33. R1d5 Qf6 34. Qf4 {was also fatal.}) ({However
31... Ra7 32. R1d5 Qe7 33. Qh6) ({nor} 31... Rb7 32. Ba6 Ra7 33. Bxc8 Rxc8 34.
Rd7+ {would have helped}) ({and nor would the most resilient} 31... e3 $5 32.
fxe3 Qe7 ({Black loses ignominiously after the Informator} 32... Re7 {(?)} 33.
Bc4+ Kg7 34. gxf5 Bxf5 ({or} 34... Qxe3+ 35. Qxe3 Rxe3 36. f6+ Kh6 37. f7) 35.
Re6 $3) 33. Qh6 Qe4 34. Be2 $1 Re7 35. gxf5 Bxf5 36. Ra1 {with an extra pawn
and a powerful attack.}) 32. Qh6 {(threatening Rxg6)} Be6 33. Qf4 {A good
dozen moves would now have been decisive
with the idea of} Bxf5 ({or} 33... gxf5 34. Be2 $1 {and Bh5+}) 34. Bc4+ {.})
33... Bc8 ({If} 33... h6) ({or} 33... Rb8 {
if} 33... Rhc8 {I would have had to play} 34. gxf5 gxf5 35. Kh1 $1 {
(threatening Rxe6)} c4 36. Qh6 {and wins.}) 34. Qh6 (34. gxf5 $1 {
created the threats of Rxg6 and Bc4+.}) 34... Be6 35. gxf5 {(at last!)} gxf5 (
35... Bxf5 36. Bc4+ {.}) 36. Be2 $1 Qf6 37. Bh5+ Ke7 38. Rxe6+ $1 {(the final
stroke) --- A very important win

finish I surged one point ahead: Kasparov - 7 out of 11
Ivanchuk
Anand
Alexey Shirov (see the following game). Before this the score of our decisive
games in 'classical' play was 13-0 in my favour
launched into a tactical fight
cabbalistic computations that at the number '13' his misadventures should come
to an end.} 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.03.10"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Shirov
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B33"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 ({After the usual} 2... d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6
{a severe test would probably have awaited me
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slightly surprise my opponent.}) 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7.

Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 {Before this I had employed the Sveshnikov Variation only in
simuls
studied it a lot for White
be played with Black.} 9. Bxf6 {An indication of Shirov's determined mood: he
captured on f6 quite firmly and quickly
prefer the quieter} 9. Nd5 {(Game Nos.11
{When I played 10...f5
capture with his bishop on b5: he had already played this
{Later I twice played} 10... Bg7 {- here the topical line is still} 11. Bd3 Ne7
12. Nxe7 Qxe7 13. O-O O-O 14. c4 (14. c3 f5 15. Nc2 {is more modest
Linares 2000; Shirov-Topalov
Sofia 2009; Wijk aan Zee 2010.})) 11. Bxb5 {A piece sacrifice rich in chances
which periodically causes Black problems.} ({The typical plans - either} 11.
Bd3 Be6 12. c3 (12. Qh5) ({or} 12. O-O)) ({or} 11. c3 Bg7 ({if} 11... fxe4 $6 {
the move} 12. Bxb5 $1 {gains in strength}) 12. exf5 Bxf5 13. Nc2 {and Nce3 -
were very familiar to both players.}) 11... axb5 12. Nxb5 {After picking up
two pawns
normal defence - only to give up material.} Ra4 $1 {A counter-attacking idea
of the Moscow master Sergey Gorelov.} ({Initially} 12... Ra7 13. Nxa7 Nxa7 {
was played
14. exf5 {(Vitolins)} ({and} 14. c3 {- say
15. exf5 Nc7 16. Ne3 Bb7 17. Qa4+ Qd7 {
16. a5 {
of cutting off the aggressive rook or opening lines on the queenside
the black king is hoping to hide. This dramatic move
since 1979
Vitolins - a great lover of unfathomable complications
pre-computer era did not lend themselves to accurate assessment even in home
analysis.} ({The source game Levchenkov-Gorelov (Jurmala 1977) went} 13. Nbc7+
Kd7 14. -- (14. exf5 $6 Ne7 $6 (14... Re4+ $1) 15. O-O $2 Rd4 {and Black won.})
(14. O-O {is better:} Rxe4 15. Qh5 Ne7 16. Qxf7 Kc6 17. c4 Qd7 18. Na8 $1 Ng6
$1 {with dynamic equality (Game No.18 in Revolution in the 70s). The 13 b4
thrust was an attempt to breath new life into the 11 Bxb5 gambit.})) 13... Qh4
{A fresh idea of McShane's
of attempts to refute the piece sacrifice in the opening and an agreement to a
quick draw. Of course
13... Nxb4 14. Nbc7+ Kd7 15. c3 {is considered to be dangerous - after} Nxd5 ({
or} 15... Ra7 16. cxb4 Rxc7 17. O-O {Black is alright as regards material
the open position of his king causes him masses of problems} (17. Qa4+ $5)) 16.
Qxa4+ Kxc7 17. exd5 {.}) (13... Rxb4 14. Nbc7+ Kd7 15. O-O {leads to a more
complicated situation.} -- ({. After} 15... Rxe4 16. Qh5) ({
Qh5 Ne7 17. Qxf7 Rxc7 (17... Kc6 $2 18. Rab1 {and wins
Carlo (blindfold) 2000}) 18. Nb6+ Kc6 19. Rab1) ({
15... Qg5 16. Nxb4 Nxb4 17. Rb1 ({or even} 17. Qb1 $6 {
Kherson 1990
sacrifice of the queen for three minor pieces is interesting -} 15... Qxc7 16.
-- (16. Nxc7 Kxc7 17. Qh5 Rxe4 18. Qxf7+ Be7 19. a4 (19. Rfb1 $1 Rf8 20. Qb3
Rb4 21. Qd5 Rxb1+ (21... Rd4 $2 22. Qb5 $1) 22. Rxb1 Bd7 23. a4 {is stronger
(M.Rychagov-Ripari
with a draw after a lively battle (Baljon-Dolmatov
Rd4 $5 {. Incidentally
and trainer of Shirov's.})) ({. It appeared that this risky idea was knocked
down by the 'advanced chess' game Shirov-Topalov (Leon 2001):} 16. c3 $5 {
(being two bishops down
16... Qb7 17. cxb4 {and Rc1!}) 17. Qh5 Kd8 18. Nxc7 Kxc7 19. Qxf7+ Be7 {
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(reaching the 'Dolmatov position'
black pieces of the b4- and d4-squares)} 20. Rab1 Ba6 21. Rfd1 Rf8 22. Qb3 Rb8
23. Qe6 Rxb1 ({after} 23... Bc4 $1 24. Qxf5 Rxb1 25. Rxb1 Bd3 26. Rf1 d5 {
Black's chances are not worse (Naiditsch-Jakubiec
Bd3 25. Rd1 f4 $2 26. Qd5 Bc2 27. Rc1 Re2 28. a4 {
victorious.})) ({. But the most popular line is} 15... Rg8 $5 16. Nxb4 Nxb4 17.
Nd5 ({after} 17. c3 {
or} 18... Qb7 {is good})) 17... Nxd5 18. Qxd5 Ke7 19. -- ({
better after} 19. Rab1 Be6 20. Qb7+ Kf6 {(Vitolins-Kishnev
exf5 Bxf5 (19... Rg4 20. Rab1 {is less clear
the 2000s). --- However
with 13...Rxb4 had been far from resolved when the move 13...Qh4 appeared on
the scene.}))) 14. O-O Rg8 {Here
pushed forward his f-pawn.} 15. f4 $5 {A novelty!} ({In the event of} 15. c3 f4
$1 {a draw results from both:} 16. -- (16. Qxa4 Rxg2+ {(Luther-McShane
Lippstadt 2000)}) ({
fxg3 19. hxg3 Qh4 {with the transparent aim of ...Rxg3+}) 18. g3 Qh4 {. The
ambitious 15 f4 looks threatening: White prevents ...f5-f4 and opens up the
position (if 15...exf4? 16 c3 Black is in trouble). At any event
deliberations over the resulting position took me about an hour (my opponent
was burning with impatience!). Initially

around there appeared to be terrible threats. However
piece
literally by the method of elimination I found a worthy reply.}) (16. Kh1 $2
Rg6 $1 {.})) 15... Kd8 $1 {It is curious that the computer immediately
suggests this move
coordinate his pieces
(for example
d8! It is now White who has a difficult choice.} 16. c3 {As was planned. True
a move later Shirov not only fails to gain an initiative compensating for the
piece
more cheerful?} ({We will discard the reckless} 16. Nxd6 $2 Bxd6 17. Nb6 Nd4 $1
18. Nxa4 fxe4) ({or} 16. fxe5 $2 Nxe5 17. Rf4 (17. Nbc3 Rxb4 $1 18. Nxb4 Ng4) (
{or} 17. Qd4 Ra6 {is also weak}) 17... Qg5 18. Qf1 fxe4 19. Rxe4 (19. Qf2 Ra6)
19... Bb7 {
16. c4 $6 Ra6 17. exf5 Bb7 $1 {with the ideas of ...exf4 and ...Ne7 - here
White has his problems compared with the similar position with the pawn on c3
(cf. the note to White's 17th move).}) ({But the manoeuvre} 16. Nb6 $5 {
recommended by me in Informator
(a move earlier
17 Nxd6+ Bxd6 18 Qxd6 Nd4
18 Nxd6 he would have to resign!)} 18. Qd5 Kd7 $1 ({avoiding} 18... Nd4 $6 19.
Qa8+ Kd7 20. Qb7+ {.}) 19. -- ({. Now} 19. Qxf7+ $2 Ne7 20. Nxd6 Qg4 $1 21. Rf2
Kxd6 {is bad for White.}) (19. exf5 $6 Be7 $1 20. Qxf7 Qg4 21. Qe6+ Kd8 22. Qd5
Rxb5 23. Qxc6 e4 $1 24. Qxe4 Qxf5 {is also insufficient - the bishop is
superior to the weak pawns!}) ({. All that remains is to mobilise the rook:}
19. Rad1 Rg6 $1 (19... Qf6 $6 20. Qc5 $1 {

) 20. -- ({
21. Qxf7+ (21. h3 Rxf4) 21... Be7 {(the combination} 22. Rxd6+ Rxd6 23. Nxd6
Kxd6 24. fxe5+ Kc7 25. f6 {is refuted by} Qd4+ 26. Kh1 Qf2 $1 {) is weak}) ({
material after} 20... Qh3 21. fxe5 Rxe4 22. Qxf7+ Be7 23. Rxd6+ Rxd6 24. exd6
Re2 25. Qxf5+ Qxf5 26. Rxf5 Bxd6 27. Rd5 {with equality}) 21. hxg3 Qxg3+ 22.
Kh1 Qh3+ 23. Kg1 Qg4+ 24. Kh1 Qh5+ 25. Kg2 Qg6+ 26. Kh1 exf4 27. Rd2 $1 f3 28.
Rh2 fxe4 (28... Rxe4 29. Nc3 $1) 29. c3 $1 Ra4 30. Nd4 $1 Nxd4 31. Qb7+ {and
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cxd4
} 20... Nd8 21. Nc3 fxe4 22. Rf1 $1 Bh6 23. Nxe4 Rg6 24. f5 Be3+ 25. Kh1 Rh6
26. h3 {
Ra6 {Threatening to clear the long light-squared diagonal

attack the white king. Here it was Shirov's turn to think for a long time. He
sat almost motionless
trance. It would appear that at that moment he sensed that the history of our
bloodshed would not be restricted to the unlucky number '13'...} 17. a4 $2 {
The decisive mistake!} ({Also unsuitable were both} 17. Ndc7 $2 fxe4 ({or}
17... Rb6)) ({and} 17. exf5 $2 Bb7 $1 18. Nbc7 Ne7 $1 {(the g-file plus the
long diagonal!)} 19. Rf2 Bh6 20. b5 (20. Nxe7 $2 Bxf4 $1 21. Nxg8 Bxh2+ 22. Kf1
Kxc7 23. b5 Bg3 $1 {is fatal}) 20... Rb6 $1 21. f6 (21. a4 Bxf4) (21. Nxb6 Kxc7
22. fxe5 d5 $1 {does not help}) 21... Nxd5 22. Nxd5 Bxf4 23. Nxf4 exf4 24. a4
Qxf6 25. c4 Qe5 $1 26. Qf1 (26. a5 Qc5) 26... f3 $1 {
} 17. Ne3 $6 Na7 $1 18. Nxa7 Rxa7 19. Nxf5 Bxf5 20. exf5 Qh3 21. Qd2 Rc7 22. g3
Qxf5 {White would face a difficult battle to save the game - a piece is a
piece!}) ({And only by} 17. Nbc7 $1 Ra7 18. b5 $1 Rxc7 19. Nxc7 Kxc7 20. bxc6 {
could he have maintained the balance
black king:} exf4 ({or} 20... Qg4 21. Qd2 $1 Bh6 22. c4 Bxf4 23. Rxf4 $1 exf4
24. Rd1 Rg6 25. c5 $1 {
fxe4 {Now Black has both an extra piece
18. Ne3 $6 {(Pym-Harley
20. Rxf4 Bh6 21. Rxe4 (21. Kh1 Qe6 $1) 21... Bxe3+ 22. Kh1 (22. Rxe3 Rxg2+)
22... Nd4 $1 23. Nxd4 Rxg2 $1 24. Qxg2 Qxg2+ 25. Kxg2 Bb7 26. Kf3 Bxd4 27. cxd4
f5 {and wins.}) ({But nevertheless there was the more resilient} 18. Ndc7 Qh3 (
18... Rb6 $5) 19. Qe2 (19. Qc2 $2 e3 $1) ({or my Informator} 19. Ra2 $2 Bg4 $1
20. Qc2 Bf3 {is worse}) 19... exf4 20. Qxe4 Ne5 21. Kh1 Qe3 22. Qxf4 Qxf4 23.
Rxf4 Bh6 24. Rf2 ({or} 24. Rd4 Bb7 $1 {
advantage}) 24... Rc6) ({or the prophylactic} 18. Ra2 $1 {with the idea of} Bg4
19. Qb1 {.}) 18... Bb7 $1 (18... Ne7 $1 {

d5-knight
nothing to move:} 19. Nbc7 Ne7 $1) (19. Ne3 Na7 $1) ({and} 19. Qe1 Qxe1 20.
Rfxe1 Ne7 $1 {were all cheerless.}) 19... e3 $1 {'the most human'
there was also} 19... Nd4 $1 {.}) 20. Nxe3 (20. Ndc7 Nxb4 $1 21. cxb4 Qc4 {and
wins.}) 20... Qe4 21. Re1 ({There was also no future with} 21. Re2 Nd4) ({or}
21. Qe2 Ne7 $1 {.}) 21... Nxb4 $1 22. cxb4 Bh6 {Black has temporarily returned
the piece
created only in one's dreams...} 23. Kh1 (23. Nxd6 Bxe3+) ({while after} 23.
Ng4 Qxg4 24. Nxd6 {there is also} Be3+ $1 {
(desperation)} Rc6 25. a5 (25. Rd2 Rxg2) 25... Qxb4 {Not bad
$1 {was more drastic.}) 26. Nxd6 Rxd6 27. Qxe3 Qd4 ({Here I spent a long time
calculating the transition into a pawn endgame -} 27... Rxg2 28. Rxg2 Qd2 (
28... Rd2 $1 {wins}) 29. Qxd2 Rxd2 30. Reg1 f6 $6 (30... Ke7 31. h4 Ra2 32. Kh2
Bxg2 33. Rxg2 Rxa5 {is more correct}) 31. h4 Kc7 32. Kh2 Rxg2+ 33. Rxg2 Bxg2
34. Kxg2 Kb7 35. Kf3 Ka6 36. Ke4 Kxa5 37. Kd5 Kb6 38. Ke6 e4 39. Kxf6 e3 40.
Kg7 e2 41. f6 e1=Q 42. f7 Qe7 43. Kg8 Qe6 44. h5 h6 45. Kg7 Qd7 46. Kh8 {with
a draw! But in the end I abandoned these 'sadistic experiments' and made a
safe move.}) 28. Qc1 Qd5 {. That was how my record three-year series of ten
'classical' tournament victories concluded. 'Kasparov once again
steam-rollered his way through Linares'
'By a margin of one and a half points he won his fourth successive Andalucian
trophy and decisively demonstrated who in the chess world is still 'number
one'. There is no disputing both his superiority in the current Linares
the fact that Garry has won 13 of the last 15 super-tournaments. Today only
the elusive Kramnik remains a dangerous opponent for him.' --- Immediately
after the tournament I stated in an interview that Kramnik was concerned only
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about his own interests and was neglecting his obligations to the chess world:
'The champion's title had a sacred meaning only because it belonged to the
strongest player. It is ridiculous when Kramnik talks about some 'official'
title
led to a devaluation of the traditional title
strongest player. He had no other way of demonstrating that he is the
strongest
Kramnik has done everything he can to avoid the most dangerous opponents
not only me. (In the Candidates Tournament held in July 2002 I did not
participate
staggering that Anand and Kramnik did not want to play a match against each
other. On becoming champions
preferred to retain their split achievements and not place them under threat.'}
0-1
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Last Olympiad Triumph"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{35th World Chess Olympiad (Bled
38½ out of 56; 2. Hungary - 37½; 3. Armenia - 35; 4. Georgia - 34; 5-12.
China
Switzerland - 33½
Kasparov (7½ out of 9)
Morozevich (7 out of 11)
of 7).} 1. -- {By early 2002 the London firm 'Brain Games'
my match with Vladimir Kramnik
it sold the rights to staging the next world championship to the 'Einstein
Group' financial company. Foreseeing serious problems in attracting major
sponsors 'under Kramnik'
suggested a plan for uniting the world championships under the aegis of FIDE.
This idea was supported by me

Kramnik. --- I spent the whole of March and April on setting up this new
concept of unification
for the world championship: all the illusions with regard to Kramnik had
already been dispelled. At the cost of enormous nervous expenditure a
compromise with the FIDE board was reached. --- On the eve of these seemingly
historic decisions Bessel Kok arranged an excellent rapidplay knock-out
tournament for the Eurotel Trophy (Prague
beating Milos (2-0) and J.Polgar (2-0)
battle to Ivanchuk (1-1; 1-1; 0-1)
The other finalist was Karpov
But in the final Anand defeated Karpov
Lausanne 1998.} (1. -- {On 6th May 2002 the FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
together with the 13th and 14th champions

Prague Agreement - 'Resolution on the Unification of the Chess World'. From
then on FIDE became the sole custodian of the World Chess Championship title
and the only organization staging official world championships. But at the
same time it was obliged to become a management organization
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Sheet1
precise schedule which would satisfy potential sponsors (essentially this was
an attempt to carry over into the 21st century the positive experience of the
GMA and PCA)
champion Ponomariov had to play a match with the leader of the world rating
list Kasparov
'Einstein Group' candidates tournament
were to meet in a unifying match for the world championship. --- The agreement
admitted that 'the unification plan is not perfect and will not satisfy
everyone'. Indeed
Lautier
letter: 'our concern about the violation of sports principles' and called on
all parties to 'resolve the injustice'
reunification'. Possibly there were indeed other ways
signed by people who conceived the unification process in completely different
ways
press conference devoted to the opening of a stage of the FIDE Rapidplay Grand
Prix (Moscow
letter do not want any unification at all. Since it demands not only
sacrifices
calendar
enormous work which is now being carried out needs the support of grandmasters
and not its torpedoing!' --- On this occasion I managed to concentrate on
playing and I won this rapid knock-out tournament
(both 2-0)
Radjabov (1½-½). 'My immediate plans are associated with the world
championship. I also intend to play for Russia in the Olympiad'
the concluding press conference. 'But in general the year will be dominated by
rapid chess: unfortunately
--- Meanwhile
return match with me
the unification plan. The 'Einstein Group' Candidates Tournament (Dortmund
6-21 July 2002) was memorable for the absence of four favourites
participation of the '2600' player Lutz and the ridiculous format. The eight
grandmasters were divided into two double-round mini-groups
players from each played semi-final mini-matches of four games
winners met in a final mini-match. Success went to Peter Leko
second in his group
continued my involvement in organizational work
discussions
clear that all FIDE's plans were 'up in the air'. This hectic regime led to a
disaster for me in the rapid match Russia vs. Rest of the World (Moscow
September 2002). In each team there were ten players
other team members on the Scheveningen system
An unprecedented failure and with a nightmarish quality of play! Kramnik also
did not distinguish himself (4 out of 9)
After this serious failure I very much wanted to rehabilitate myself at the
2002 Olympiad which began six weeks later in the Slovenian town of Bled
unforgettable triumphs were achieved in their time by Alekhine (1931) and Tal
(1961). Kramnik declined to play for the team - evidently he realised that
with my much higher rating
this occasion the Russian team did not have any great problems: nearly all
played well
Rica and Belarus (both 3½-½) - by tradition I did not play in the first
round
trainer Naum Rashkovsky wrote about this: 'Garry defeated Aleksandrov in
simply classical style: his opponent did not even understand what had happened
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with what strength of player he had encountered! He lost without a whimper

without making a single move that at least somehow would have sharpened the
play. After this game Kasparov was full of self-confidence. We all also
breathed an obvious sign of relief
of the leader...'}) (1. -- {In the third and fourth rounds we confidently
defeated India and Georgia (both 3-1)
Sasikiran and Mchedlishvili. 3 out of 3! In a difficult fifth round match with
Armenia (2-2)
crushed Bosnia and Herzegovina - again 3½-½! --- After scoring 18½ out
of 24 we were leading the race by a margin of three points over our closest
pursuers - the Hungarians. And it was they who proved to be our main rivals.
We only needed to slow up slightly in matches with Poland (3-1; I beat
Krasenkow) and Holland (2½-1½)
reduce the deficit to one and a half points. And in the ninth round the
Hungarians also beat us - 2½-1½. --- Playing Black against Leko (cf. Game
No.93
an enormous lead on the clock and a somewhat better endgame
score standing at 1-1 Svidler suddenly made an incredible blunder of a pawn
and lost
all my winning chances
in desperate time-trouble Leko missed a win
draw. --- And so
Olympiad 'gold' intensified! In the tenth round I won a tense Sicilian duel
against Ye Jiangchuan
China (3-1) and increased the lead over the Hungarians to a point.}) *
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.11.06"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Lutz
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B85"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
{The destiny of first place was decided by the eleventh round
Hungary were paired against England and Russia against Germany. My opponent
was the 31-year-old champion of the country Christopher Lutz
the recent Candidates Tournament. Before this I had beaten him in Horgen (1994)
but Olympiad encounters are distinguished by their completely special
intensity.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e6 (6...
e5 {- Game No.26.}) 7. a4 Nc6 8. Be3 Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. f4 Qc7 11. Kh1 Re8 12.
Bd3 (12. Bf3 {- Game No.37.}) 12... Nb4 13. a5 Bd7 14. Nf3 Rac8 $1 {The
Scheveningen tabiya of my match with Anand (1995).} ({In the third game I
played} 14... Bc6 $6 {
Bb6 it is important to have the reply ...Qb8 - hence the developing rook move.}
) 15. Qe1 {A comparatively rare
unsuccessfully tried against me both} 15. Qe2 Bc6 16. Bb6 Qb8 {(5th game)}) ({
and} 15. Bb6 Qb8 {followed by} 16. e5 ({while I
any advantage after} 16. Bd4 Bc6 17. Qd2 Nxd3 18. cxd3 Nd7 {
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dxe5 17. fxe5 Nfd5 18. Nxd5 exd5 19. Re1 h6 $5 20. c3 Nxd3 21. Qxd3 Bc5 $1 {
(7th game).}) 15... Bc6 16. Bd4 (16. Bb6 Qb8 17. Bd4 {is perhaps slightly more
accurate
the most natural moves.} Bf6 $5 {An idea from the time of the 1995 match.} (
17... Bf8 {is also perfectly sound
cxd3 dxe5 20. fxe5 f5 $1 {
Khanty-Mansiysk 2007}) 18... Nxd3 19. cxd3 e5 20. fxe5 dxe5 21. Bc3 Qd6 {
(Svidler-Anand
18. Bxf6 ({Black is better after} 18. e5 $6 dxe5 19. -- (19. Nxe5 Nxd3 20. cxd3
Qd6) ({
Kxh7 20. fxe5 {he has the decisive} Kg8 $1 ({but not
} 20... Be7 {(?)} 21. Ng5+ Bxg5 22. Qxg5 Kg8 {because of the unclear} 23. Rf4
$1 {.}))) 18... Nxf6 19. Nd4 (19. e5 {was again unfavourable in view of} dxe5
20. fxe5 Nxd3 21. cxd3 Nd7 22. d4 f6 {. White puts the powerful c6-bishop
under attack and vacates the f3-square for his rook.}) 19... Red8 {(hindering
e4-e5 and vacating e8 for the bishop)} 20. Qh4 Nxd3 (20... Be8 $5 {with the
idea of ...Qc5-h5 (Stohl) deserved consideration.}) 21. cxd3 Qe7 $5 ({
Forestalling the attack which is possible after} 21... Be8 {(d7)} 22. Rf3 h6
23. g4 $1 {and g4-g5
indecisive and unnecessary move
(22. Rf3 $1 {was more energetic
Qe1 {(f2)} Nxc3 24. bxc3 d5 $1 ({avoiding the bind} 24... Bd7 25. c4) 25. e5
Bd7 {with a roughly equal game: the strength of the d4-knight is balanced by
the weakness of the c3-pawn. On the other hand

perfectly comfortable and safe position.}) 22... Be8 23. Rfc1 {Openly playing
for equality.} ({In the event of} 23. g4 {(Stohl) I would also have replied}
Nd5 $1) ({but} 23. Qf2 {would have led to more complicated play.}) 23... Nd5 $1
24. Qxe7 ({Avoiding the unclear} 24. Qg3 Nb4 {- a good place for the knight!})
24... Nxe7 {Lutz was apparently confident that a draw was not far off. I also
thought that the endgame was equal. But nevertheless the black bishop is more
mobile than the knight
grounds White centralises his king.} ({Nothing good was promised by} 25. g4 e5
26. Nde2 $6 ({or} 26. Nf5 Nxf5 27. gxf5 Bc6 ({not Stohl's move} 27... exf4 {
because of} 28. Nd5 {with equality}) 28. Kg2 Re8 {
slight edge}) 26... d5 27. fxe5 dxe4 28. d4 Rc4 {.}) 25... e5 $1 {(opening the
position
move
was at the least no worse}) ({but the most subtle was} 26... f6 $5 {with the
idea of ...d6-d5 or} 27. d4 Bf7 28. d5 f5 $1 {.}) 27. exf5 (27. Kf2 {could
have been met by} Bd7 {(c6)} ({or} 27... fxe4 28. dxe4 Bf7)) ({and the sharp}
27. g4 {by} fxg4 ({or} 27... fxe4 28. dxe4 Rc5 $5 ({more cunning than my
Informator} 28... exf4 29. Nxf4 Bf7 30. Rd1 Rc4) 29. b4 Rcc8 {
Black has some pressure}) 28. hxg4 d5 {.}) 27... Nxf5 28. Nd5 ({If} 28. Ne4 $6
29. Kf2 $5 ({Stohl's move} 29. d4 {is weaker in view of} Rc4) ({and my
Informator move} 29. f5 {- because of} d5 30. d4 Nc6) 29... Bc6 30. Kg3 {
maintaining the tension in the centre.}) 28... Rc5 $1 {(this sets White a
concrete problem: what to do with the knight on d5?)} 29. Nb6 $6 (29. Rxc5 $6
dxc5) ({or} 29. Ndc3 $6 exf4 30. Nxf4 Nd4 {etc. also does not impress.}) (29.
Nec3 $2 Bf7 {.}) ({'The critical moment in the game. Now White can no longer
manage to drive the black pieces from the centre. It was essential to begin
pursuing the black bishop -} 29. Nc7 $1 Bc6 (29... Bf7 30. Rxc5 dxc5 31. fxe5
Rc8 32. e6) ({or} 29... Rc8 30. Rxc5 dxc5 31. Nxe8 Rxe8 32. Rc1 {also leads to
equality}) 30. g4 Ne3 {(e7)} 31. d4 {with a probable draw.' (Dokhoian).}) 29...
Bb5 {The bishop breaks out into the open. The white knight on b6 looks well
placed
Page 138
Sheet1
end up.} 30. fxe5 $6 {Lutz was obviously 'floundering'.} (30. Rxc5 dxc5 31.
fxe5 Rxd3 32. Nc3 (32. Rc1 $6 Re3 $1 {- Stohl}) 32... Bc6 $1 {(threatening ...Rd2
unattractive
30... Rxe5 31. Nf4 Nd4 $6 ({I rejected the sharp} 31... g5 $6 {because of} 32.
Nfd5 (32. Nh5 $5 {.})) ({But the infiltrating} 31... Rf8 $5 {deserved
consideration}) ({or else the pressurizing} 31... Bc6 $5 {
c-file.}) 32. Rc8 $1 ({Not} 32. Rc7 $2 Bc6 {; White exploits the opportunity
to exchange a potentially dangerous rook.}) 32... Rxc8 33. Nxc8 Bc6 ({The
variation} 33... g5 34. Nh5 (34. Nd5 Nc6 $1 {- Stohl}) 34... Re6 ({not the
Informator} 34... Re2 {(?!)} 35. Nxd6 {with equality}) 35. Rf1 h6 {also
promised merely a small advantage.}) 34. Rf1 $2 {The decisive mistake. 'What
could be more natural than this move?} ({Apparently it was hard for Lutz to
agree to} 34. Nxd6 Ne2+ 35. Nxe2 Rxe2 36. Ne4 (36. g4 $1 {is more resilient:}
Rxb2 (36... Rg2+ 37. Kf1 Rh2 38. Re1 Rxh3 39. Re7 Rxd3 40. Nxb7 {is unclear})
37. Re1 Rg2+ 38. Kf1 Rg3 {
game}) 36... Rxb2 {' (Dokhoian).}) 34... Re8 $1 {This shocked Lutz. 'With one
move Black unexpectedly contrives to attack all the white pieces: neither of
the knights on c8 and f4 nor the rook on f1 feels safe

king on g1 - it comes under check from e2!' (Dokhoian).} 35. Na7 {Sadly
necessary;} ({White loses after both} 35. Nxd6 $2 Rf8 $1 36. g3 g5) ({and} 35.
Nb6 $2 Rf8 $1 36. g3 Nf3+ {. A pretty rook manoeuvre!}) 35... Bd7 ({Stronger
was} 35... Rf8 $5 36. Nxc6 bxc6 37. g3 Rf5 {winning a pawn (I saw this at the
board)} ({or} 37... g5 38. Nh5 Rxf1+ 39. Kxf1 Kf7 {
is difficult for White. But I very much wanted to cut off the knight on a7.}))
36. Nd5 {The only move.} ({If} 36. Rc1 $2 {there is the decisive} g5 $1 {
(White's downfall is caused by his errant knight)} 37. -- (37. Rc4 gxf4 38.
Rxd4 Ra8 39. Rxd6 Be8 $1 {and ...Rxa7} ({more accurate than the Informator}
39... Bf5)) ({
40... Rxb2 $2 41. Nc8 $1) 41. -- {
41. Rd8+ $6 Kf7 42. Rd7+ (42. Nc8 Nf5 $1 {
Ke7) 42... Ke6 43. Rxb7 {(h7)} Nf5 {

with a quick mate}) (41. Rxb7 $6 Nf5 42. Nb5 {(desperation)} h5 $1 ({of course
not} 42... axb5 $2 43. a6 {with equality}) 43. Na3 ({or} 43. Nc3 Ne3+ $1 44.
Ke1 Nxg2+ 45. Kf1 Ne3+ {and ...f4-f3}) 43... Ng3+ $1 44. Ke1 Re2+ 45. Kd1 Rxg2)
(41. Rxd6 Nf5 42. Rf6 Ne3+ {and now} 43. Kg1 ({or} 43. Ke1 Nxg2+ 44. Kf1 Kg7
45. Re6 f3 {(setting up the winning construction)} 46. d4 Nh4 47. Re3 Kf6 48.
Rc3 Rxb2 49. Nc8 Ra2 50. Nd6 Rxa5 {
Re6 Rxb2) 45... Kg7 46. Rb6 f3 47. Rxb7+ Kg6 48. Nd6 Rf1+ 49. Kh2 f2 50. Rf7
Nd1 {followed by ...Re1 and ...f2-f1Q.}))) 36... h5 ({It was simpler to send
the knight after the a5-pawn -} 36... Nb3 $5 37. Nb6 Be6 {. But I had the idea
of creating an unusual attack on the king with a small force.}) 37. Nb6 {A
difficult choice.} (37. Kh2 {was dangerous:} Nb3 38. Nb6 Be6 39. Rf2 ({after}
39. Re1 {which I gave in Informator
more forceful than} 39... Nxa5) 40. Re2 Nc1 41. Re3 d4 42. Re4 Nxd3 43. Rxd4
Nxb2 {
Rf2 Re5 39. Nb6 g6 40. Nbc8 (40. Nac8 $6 Nb5) 40... Re6 {White would also have
had to conduct a gruelling defence.}) 37... Bf5 38. Kh2 $6 (38. b4 $1 {planning
} g5 39. b5 {was more resilient.}) 38... g5 $1 39. Rc1 $2 {In time-trouble
White blunders.} ({The last saving chance was} 39. Nc4 {after which there are
two tempting options:} -- (39... Bxd3 40. Nxd6 Re6 41. Rd1 Rxd6 42. Rxd3 Nb5
43. Rxd6 Nxd6 {
cool-headed} 39... Rd8 $5 40. Nb6 g4 $1 41. hxg4 (41. b4 Re8) ({or} 41. Nd5 Kg7
{followed by the activation of the king is no better}) 41... hxg4 42. Kg3 Kg7
43. Re1 Kf6 {and wins}) ({
Re4 $1 {.})) (39. b4 $6 g4 $1 {.}) 39... g4 $1 40. hxg4 ({The alternatives did
not help:} 40. Rc4 Re3 $1 {(an elegant mating finish!)}) (40. Nd5 g3+ $1 41.
Page 139
Sheet1
Kh1 Kg7) ({or} 40. Nac8 g3+ $1 41. Kh1 Re2 42. Nd5 Bxc8 43. Rxc8+ Kg7 44. Rc1
Rxb2 {
$1 {was also hopeless.}) 41... g3+ 42. Kh1 Re6 {(with the threat of ...Rh6+)
--- 'A splendid example of domination play' (Dokhoian).} (42... -- {This was
my last
Hungary beat England only by the minimum margin and three rounds before the
finish they were now trailing us by two points. --- In the 12th round we
maintained the margin by beating Croatia (2½-1½). The 13th round matches
Russia-Israel and Hungary-Armenia and the 14th round match Russia-Yugoslavia
quickly ended in draws. My draw with Gelfand (cf. Game No.82
9th move) produced the final score in our 'classical' meetings (+8=8) and also
a pleasing result: by scoring 7½ out of 9 (+6=3)

Olympiad podium as the possessor of the highest performance (2933). --- 'I can
say that I was very happy to hold the gold medal in my hand. This is already
the sixth victory for Russia in Olympiads and my eighth'
concluding press conference in Bled. I made four appearances for the USSR and
four for Russia
+50-3=29. After 2002 I did not play in the Olympiads
not finish first for more than a decade... --- The sham FIDE presidential
elections
the Kirsan Ilyumzhinov team remained in charge. With the benefit of hindsight
I have to admit that Bessel Kok and I made a serious mistake
with Seirawan's tempting unification plan and concluding peace with
Ilyumzhinov. It should have been foreseen that this plan would collapse
battle should have been begun for a change in the FIDE leadership. Kok should
undoubtedly have been put forward for the post of president: in 2002
Ilyumzhinov was weakened (his power base in Kalmykia had become shaky)
Bessel would have had excellent chances of winning. The 2006 attempt
was too late... --- Despite the Olympiad triumph
year marked the end of my period of domination in the chess arena. This was
confirmed in an exhibition match of four rapid Kasparov-Karpov games (New York
19-20 December 2002)
Karpov 1988-2009
problems. In particular
situation regarding my forthcoming match with the computer program Deep Junior.
It was twice postponed
game that Ilyumzhinov informed me by telephone that within a month the
encounter with the machine would nevertheless take place.}) 0-1

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Borderline Condition"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{Double-Round Tournament in Linares (21 February - 9 March 2003): 1-2. Kramnik
and Leko - 7 out of 12; 3-4. Kasparov and Anand - 6½; 5. Ponomariov - 5½;
6. Vallejo - 5; 7. Radjabov - 4½.} 1. -- {Linares 2003 saw the meeting of

all the participants in the expected Ponomariov-Kasparov and Kramnik-Leko
matches
of Wijk aan Zee 2003. Somewhat apart from this ensemble were two '2600'
Page 140
Sheet1
players: the local representative Vallejo and the 15-year-old debutant Teimour
Radjabov - the hope of Azerbaijan chess. And much depended on which of the
favourites would score the most points against the outsiders. --- I hardly
prepared for this category 20 super-tournament
after my ultra-tense New York match with the computer program Deep Junior (3-3)
and experienced clear signs of nervous exhaustion. --- David Lyada: 'The
anxiety for Kasparov began with the drawing of lots
in the first round he would have Black against Kramnik. And the latter
figuratively speaking
before the drawing of lots Garry was very sociable and amiable
face changed. Suddenly he became very serious
of the Cervantes Theatre (where the opening ceremony took place) to the
Hanibal Hotel
ceremonial dinner. He went off to prepare for the game
for a meal to be brought to his room. The stellar duel between Kramnik and
Kasparov turned out to be short...' --- We continued our duel in the Queen's
Gambit Accepted
Moscow 2001)
Kramnik offered a draw
[Site "?"]
[Date "2003.02.23"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Radjabov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C11"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2003.??.??"]
{In the second round I had White against Radjabov and
contemplating any result other than a win. I gained some advantage in a French
Defence (cf. Game No.10
rather complicated. The critical moment arrived on move 21.} 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5
3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 a6 8. Qd2 b5 9. a3 Qb6 10. Ne2
c4 11. g4 h5 12. gxh5 Rxh5 13. Ng3 Rh8 14. f5 exf5 15. Nxf5 Nf6 16. Ng3 Ng4 17.
Bf4 Be6 18. c3 Be7 19. Ng5 O-O-O 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Be2 ({After attacking the
knight with Bf1-e2
({or} 21... Nxh2 22. O-O-O {
account of} 23. Kf2 $1 {with the threat of Rh1}) 22. O-O {. But Teimour
astounded me with a knight sacrifice.}) 21... Ngxe5 $6 {'An excellent
practical chance'
one of Radjabov's trainers - the indomitable Viktor Korchnoi - had instilled
in him all his fighting spirit' (Lyada). After thinking for some five minutes
I suddenly saw the reply 22 Qe3 and I decided: that will be calmer.} 22. Qe3 $2
({The accurate} 22. Bxe5 $1 Nxe5 23. dxe5 Bc5 24. Bf3 (24. Bg4 Be3 25. Qg2)
24... Be3 25. Qe2 g5 26. a4 $1 {would have given White a piece for a pawn and
every chance of winning
definite sharpness.}) 22... Nd7 $2 {A very weak move
had already chalked up the point.} (22... Bd6 $1 {was essential
of} 23. dxe5 $2 ({so that White would have had to restrict himself to the
modest} 23. O-O-O Nd3+ 24. Bxd3 Bxf4 25. Qxf4 cxd3 26. Rxd3 {with a minimal
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advantage}) 23... Bc5 24. Qf3 Rhf8 $1 ({far stronger than the earlier} 24... g5
25. Bd2 $1) 25. Qg4 Bf2+ 26. Kd1 {(d2)} d4 {.}) 23. Qxe6 Bh4 24. Qg4 $4 {An
inexplicable black-out.} ({Initially I had been intending to play simply} 24.
Qxd5 Nf6 (24... Rde8 $2 25. O-O-O) ({or} 24... Rhe8 $6 25. Bg5 $1 {is worse})
25. Qf5+ (25. Qg2 $5) 25... Kb7 26. O-O-O {
geometry of the piece coordination - I overlooked that the queen on d5 was
defending the rook on h1. And after thinking here for nearly 15 minutes
some reason I decided that 24 Qg4 would also win.}) 24... g5 $1 {The point: I
missed the fact that 25 Bxg5? was not possible because of 25...Rdg8. Now
the first time
in Black's favour
accurate to say that the position is dynamically balanced.} 25. Bd2 Rde8 (25...
Na5 26. O-O $1 {.}) 26. O-O-O Na5 27. Rdf1 $4 {For the first time in many
years I committed two blunders in the course of just three moves!} ({After} 27.
Kb1 -- ({
planning
after} (28... Nb3) (28... Kc7) 29. Rhf1 $1 ({my earlier} 29. Bf3 {is weak on
account of} b4 $1 30. cxb4 Re3 $1 31. Bxe3 c3 32. Rb1 Qb3+ 33. Ka1 Nc4 34. Bc1
c2 35. Bxg5 $1 Nxa3 $1 {with a probable draw}) 29... -- (29... Rh7 30. Nf5) ({
} 30. hxg3 $4 Re4 {.})))) 27... Nb3+ 28. Kd1 Bxg3 {And 29 hxg3 is not possible
in view of 29...Qg6 with the deadly threat of ...Qb1+. After a desperate but
hopeless resistance
Rf7 Rd8 30. Bxg5 Qg6 31. Qf5 Qxf5 32. Rxf5 Rdf8 33. Rxf8+ Nxf8 34. Bf3 Bh4 35.
Be3 Nd7 36. Bxd5 Re8 37. Bh6 Ndc5 38. Bf7 Re7 39. Bh5 Nd3 {. A terrible defeat
which ruined the entire tournament for me. The press labelled the game 'a
surprise
Linares for 62 games (since my defeat against Ivanchuk in 1997)
longer since I had lost with White (since my defeat against Kramnik in Dos
Hermanas 1996 - Game No.27)
opponent. I was very indignant when at the end of the tournament the 'experts'
awarded the brilliancy prize to this game (with such terrible blunders!)
I nevertheless congratulated Radjabov himself. --- The day after this severe
shock I decided to engage Peter Leko in a real battle (see the following game).
I deliberately chose a sharp and very dangerous variation of the Sicilian (cf.
Game No.17
proved justified. For almost 40 moves Leko persistently attacked
terrible time scramble he faltered
and suffered the loss of material.} 0-1
[Site "?"]
[Date "2003.02.24"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Leko
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B80"]
[PlyCount "171"]
[EventDate "2003.??.??"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. f3 e6 7. Be3 Nc6 8. Qd2
Be7 9. O-O-O O-O 10. g4 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 b5 12. g5 Nd7 13. h4 Qc7 14. Kb1 b4 15.
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Na4 Bb7 16. b3 Bc6 17. Nb2 a5 18. h5 Ne5 19. Be2 a4 20. Nc4 Bb5 21. Nb6 Rab8
22. h6 Bxe2 23. Qxe2 g6 24. f4 Nc6 25. Nxa4 Nxd4 26. Rxd4 e5 27. Rc4 Qa5 28. f5
Bxg5 29. Rc6 Rfd8 30. Qg4 Be7 31. Rd1 Qa7 32. c3 Bf8 33. fxg6 hxg6 34. h7+ Kh8
35. cxb4 Rxb4 36. Qf3 Rdb8 37. Nc3 Qb7 38. Rcxd6 Rxb3+ 39. Ka1 Rxc3 40. Qf6+
Kxh7 41. Rb6 {The only defence. When Peter made his 40th move he had just four
seconds left on his clock
41st move.} Qc7 42. Rh1+ $2 {But this is already losing.} ({It was essential
to play} 42. Rxb8 Rc1+ 43. Rxc1 Qxc1+ 44. Rb1 Qc3+ 45. Rb2 Kg8 46. Qd8 (46. Kb1
$2 Qd3+ 47. Rc2 Ba3 {and wins}) 46... Kg7 47. Qd2 $1 Bb4 $1 48. Qxc3 Bxc3 49.
a4 g5 50. a5 g4 51. a6 g3 52. a7 g2 53. a8=Q g1=Q+ 54. Ka2 Bxb2 55. Kxb2 {with
hopes of saving the queen endgame a pawn down.}) 42... Bh6 43. Rxb8 Rc1+ 44.
Rxc1 Qxc1+ 45. Rb1 Qc3+ 46. Rb2 Qe1+ (46... Kg8 $1 {.}) 47. Rb1 Qc3+ 48. Rb2
Kg8 $1 49. a4 Bc1 50. Qb6 Kg7 ({The immediate} 50... g5 $1 {was more resolute
for example:} 51. Ka2 ({or} 51. Kb1 Bxb2 52. Qd8+ (52. Qxb2 Qe1+ {and ...Qxe4})
52... Kh7 53. Qxg5 Qd4 $1 54. Qh5+ Kg7 55. Qg4+ Kf6 {
escapes to the queenside}) 51... Bxb2 52. Qxb2 Qc4+ 53. Ka3 Qxe4 54. a5 g4 {
and wins}) 51. Ka2 (51. Qb4 {was no better:} Bxb2+ 52. Qxb2 Qe1+ 53. Qb1 Qd2 $1
54. Qb5 $1 Qc1+ $1 55. Ka2 Qc2+ 56. Ka3 Qxe4 57. a5 g5 58. a6 g4 {and wins.})
51... Bxb2 52. Qxb2 Qc4+ 53. Ka3 Qxe4 {It was incomprehensible how I contrived
not to win this endgame with two extra pawns and three connected passed pawns!}
54. a5 g5 55. Qd2 Qf4 56. Qd8 ({After} 56. Qd6 -- ({
g4 57. a6 Qc1+ $1 58. Ka4 ({or} 58. Ka2 Qc2+ 59. Ka3 {(a1)} Qc3+ {and ...g4-g3}
) 58... Qa1+ 59. Kb5 g3) ({
) 58... Qf3 $1 ({avoiding the insidious trap} 58... e3 $4 59. Qxf4 gxf4 60. Kc3
$1 {
)) 56... Qc1+ $2 {There is no point in driving the white king to the aid of
the a-pawn.} ({The simple} 56... g4 {would have been decisive:} 57. a6 g3 58.
a7 Qf3+ $1 ({after} 58... Qe3+ $2 59. Kb4 Qxa7 60. Qg5+ {White is saved by
perpetual check}) 59. Kb4 g2 60. Qg5+ Kh7 61. Ka5 f6 {
down.}) 57. Kb4 Qb2+ 58. Kc5 Qc3+ 59. Kb5 Qb3+ 60. Kc5 Qc3+ 61. Kb5 Qb3+ 62.
Kc5 Qe3+ 63. Kb4 ({Of course
Qd3+ $1 {.}) 63... Qe4+ 64. Kc5 Qc2+ 65. Kb5 Qe2+ 66. Kb6 Qe3+ 67. Kc6 g4 68.
a6 g3 69. a7 g2 ({Alas
a8=Q Qxa8 72. Qg5+ Kf8 73. Qh6+ Ke7 74. Qd6+ {
{In time-trouble again
ground!} ({After} 71. Kc7 $1 Qxa8 72. Qg5+ {it would all have concluded in
perpetual check.}) 71... Qg6+ (71... Qxd5+ 72. Kxd5 g1=Q 73. Kxe5 Qg5+ 74. Kd4
Qd2+ $1 75. Ke5 f6+ $1 76. Kf5 Qg5+ 77. Ke6 Qe5+ 78. Kd7 f5 {was more
methodical
picturesque position: can Black convert his extra pawn with four queens on the
board?} Qf6 $2 ({Again missing a win
f6 $1 74. Qe7+ Kh6 75. Qaf8+ (75. Qef8+ Qg7+ $1) 75... Kg5 {
nothing better than} 76. Qc5+ Qxc5+ 77. Qxc5+ Qf5 78. Qg1+ Qg4 {
Qh8+ $1 Kxh8 75. Qxf6+ Qg7 76. Qh4+ Kg8 77. Kd6 Qg6+ 78. Ke5 Kg7 79. Qe7 $1 {
(the only move)} Qg3+ 80. Kf5 Qg6+ 81. Ke5 Qh6 82. Kf5 Qg6+ 83. Ke5 Kh7 84.
Qh4+ Kg8 85. Qd8+ Kg7 86. Qe7 {. At the end of the game an unpleasant incident
occurred. I had five minutes left
claim a draw in view of the three-fold repetition of the position. But he did
this incorrectly: with me to move he suddenly stopped the clocks and appealed
to me and the arbiters
time (as if he had not done this with Kramnik in an endgame with rook against
bishop
me terribly angry
the draw. A little later Peter apologised to me - apparently his trainer and
father-in-law Arshak Petrosian had had a few words with him... --- Lyada:
'Kasparov again left the stage in a very bad mood. In the end did this waste
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of energy affect his performance in the tournament?'} 1/2-1/2
[Site "?"]
[Date "2003.02.27"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Ponomariov
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E18"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "2003.??.??"]
{In the fourth round I was free
fifth round came a crucial duel with Ruslan Ponomariov. The FIDE champion had
started with 1 out of 4
preparations for this 'white' game
to decide what to play on this important occasion.} 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. d4 e6 3. g3 {
An unusual move order. 'White invites Black to choose: either the Catalan
Opening
restrict himself to variations with the development of his bishop on b7'
(Dokhoian).} ({That is
Moscow (rapid) 2002).}) 3... b6 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. c4 Be7 6. Nc3 Ne4 7. Bd2 {I have
managed to obtain one of the Queen's Indian tabiyas
occurred in my opponent's games.} Bf6 8. O-O (8. Qc2 {- Game No.99 in Part V
of My Great Predecessors.}) 8... O-O 9. Rc1 (9. Qc2 Nxd2 10. Qxd2 d6 {has not
frightened Black since the times of the games Korchnoi-Karpov (23rd match game
Moscow 1974) and Petrosian-Karpov (2nd match game
been changed by} 11. Rfd1 Nd7 12. b4 ({instead of the previous} 12. d5 e5)
12... g6 13. a4 a5 14. b5 Bg7 15. Rac1 Qe7 {(Vallejo-Ponomariov
14th round).}) 9... d5 {Quite a solid move.} (9... d6 10. d5) ({or} 9... c5 10.
d5 {(Game No.46 in Part I of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov) is
strategically risky.}) 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Bf4 Nxc3 {A slightly premature
exchange.} ({As has been known since back in the 1980s
{followed by ...c7-c5 is more flexible.}) 12. bxc3 $1 {It would appear that
Ruslan underestimated this reply
with the pawn changes the character of the play: now c3-c4 or e2-e4 is on the
agenda
already a mistake: with the white pawns on c3 and d4
danger of being stranded on the edge of the board.} ({However
was not promised by either} 12... Re8 13. c4 (13. Ne5 $5) 13... dxc4 14. Rxc4
Na6 15. Qc2 (15. Qd3 $5) 15... c5 $2 16. Ng5 $1 {(Kochiev-Qvortrup
1991)}) ({or} 12... Nd7 13. Nd2 c5 $6 ({or} 13... Re8 14. c4) 14. e4 (14. Nc4
$5 {.})) ({And even after the best move} 12... Nc6 $1 13. c4 (13. Nd2 {
suggested by me in Informator
dxc4 14. Rxc4 b5 15. Rc2 Nxd4 16. Nxd4 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Qxd4 18. Qxd4 Bxd4 19. Rb1
a6 20. Rxc7 {Black would have had to defend accurately.}) 13. e4 $1 {'The most
energetic: with one move White is able simultaneously to include several of
his pieces in the play. The proposed arena of battle is the centre and the
kingside
(Dokhoian).} dxe4 $6 {This exchange aggravates Black's difficulties
was not an easy choice.} ({After} 13... c5 {there were several tempting
options:} 14. e5 (14. Re1) ({
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({or} 15. Nh4 $5 Qd7 16. Bxb7 Qxb7 17. Nf5) 15... Qf5 16. Nh4 Qd7 17. d5 {
any event retaining the initiative.})) 14. Nd2 g5 $6 {A desperate step.} ({The
unfortunate position of the black knight tells in all variations:} 14... c6 15.
Nxe4 Be7 16. Qb3 {with the idea of} Nc7 17. Nc5 $1) ({and} 14... Bg5 15. Bxg5
Qxg5 16. Nxe4 Bxe4 17. Bxe4 Rae8 18. Qd3 $1) ({or} 14... Re8 15. Re1 g5 ({or}
15... Be7 16. Nxe4 c6 17. c4 Nc7 {- seemingly the lesser evil
here after} 18. c5 Nd5 19. Be5 Bxc5 20. Nxc5 bxc5 21. dxc5 {Black is in
difficulties}) 16. Nxe4 Bxe4 17. Bxe4 gxf4 18. Qa4 $1 {.}) 15. Be3 $5 ({I had
to spend a long time choosing between this move and the very tempting
continuation} 15. Nxe4 Bxe4 16. Bxe4 gxf4 17. Qh5 Re8 18. Qxh7+ Kf8 19. Bb7 $1
c5 (19... Rb8 $6 {is worse:} 20. Bxa6 b5 21. a4 $1 {
with the incidental threat of Qh6+ and Qxf4}) 20. Bxa6 cxd4 {- at the board
this reply concerned me most of all
with an extra pawn
Qe7 {
there appears to be no defence against Nxe4 and Bxg5: if} h6 {
{wins.})) 16. f4 $1 {A deadly idea: White hits on the Achilles' heel in the
opponent's position - the f7 point!} ({Ponomariov was shocked: he had
considered only} 16. f3 $6 c5 $1 {.}) 16... exf3 ({'} 16... c5 17. fxg5 Bg7 18.
Qh5 Re7 19. Nb3 {would hardly have improved the situation' (Dokhoian). Indeed
cxd4 $2 {
Rf6 $1 Bxf6 21. gxf6 Qxf6 22. Bg5 Qe6 23. Rf1 $1 {and wins}) (19... Nc7 20.
dxc5) ({or} 19... Qe8 20. Rf4 $1 {
Nf5.}) 17. Bxf3 Bd5 $1 ({The alternatives were unsuitable:} 17... c6 {(with
the idea of ...Nc7)} 18. Be4 $1 {
Rxc3 19. Nb3 $1 Rxc1 20. Qxc1 Rb8 21. Bxa6 {
to the pawns (} Bxd4+ 22. Nxd4 Qxd4+ 23. Rf2 $1 {
'White needs to act energetically. One wrong move
come into play -} 18. Qe2 $2 c6 {' (Dokhoian).} ({Or even} 18... Nb4 $5 {.}))
18... Qxd5 19. Rxf6 Rxe3 {Here I again stopped to think

move my queen - to f1
is effectively playing with an extra knight.} 20. Qg4 {'In view of the
impending lack of time for thought
to say the least: his following moves are understandable and clear' (Dokhoian).
} ({My Informator suggestion} 20. Qf1 {(?!) is weaker on account of} Nc5 $1 21.
Rf5 Qxa2 22. Rxg5+ Kf8 23. Qf6 {(Stohl)} Re6 $1 24. Qg7+ Ke7 {
still holds on.}) ({Objectively the most forceful winning move was} 20. Qh5 $5
{with the threat of Nf3xg5
Qxc3 23. Qxf7+ Kh8 24. Qe7 $1 {with an irresistible attack:} Qg7 ({or} 24...
Rg8 25. Ne4) 25. Rf7 Qd4+ 26. Kh1 $1 {- the triumph of White's strategy!
However
leaves White a comfortable choice.}) 20... Re6 {This loses conclusively and
irrevocably.} ({But the more resilient} 20... Rae8 {would also not have saved
Black after} 21. Rf5 (21. Rcf1) ({or} 21. Nf3 {is also possible}) 21... Qe6 22.
Qxg5+ Qg6 (22... Kh8 23. Nc4) 23. Qf4 h6 24. Rf1 Re1 (24... Qd6 25. Qh4 $1) 25.
Nc4 {
playing unconvincingly
great difficulty: there was the pressure of the tournament situation
was afraid of squandering my advantage... On seeing the 28 a3 resource (cf.
the note to Black's 23rd move)
attack} 22. Rcf1 $1 {would have been immediately decisive
{or} 22... Rf8 23. Rxg5+ Rg6 (23... Kh8 24. Rxf7 $1) 24. Ne4 {with the threat
of Nf6+}) 23. Rxf7 Qe3+ (23... Rg6 24. Qe4) 24. Kh1 {.}) 22... Rg6 23. Qh5 Rf8
({For the moment the unfortunate knight is unable to come into play:} 23... Nb4
$6 24. Rcf1 $1 Qxc3 25. Rxf7 Qxd4+ 26. R1f2 Rg7 27. Rxg7+ Qxg7 ({or} 27... Kxg7
28. Nf3 {(b3)}) 28. a3 $1 {

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Qe4 {the most effective is} 25. Ng5 $1 Qe3+ 26. Kg2 Rg7 (26... Qd2+ 27. Kh3)
27. Rcf1 {
by} 28. R1f4 {and Nxh7!.}) 25. Nh4 {(now the place for the knight is at f5)}
Rg7 26. Qh6 (26. Rf4 $1 {and Nf5 was stronger.}) 26... Nb8 27. Rh5 ({And here}
27. Rf3 {(f2) followed by Rcf1(e1) and Nf5 was preferable.}) 27... f5 {Black
tries to save himself in an endgame a pawn down.} ({He would have lost
immediately after} 27... Nd7 28. Nf5 Rgf7 29. Rg5+ $1 Kh8 30. Rg7 {.}) ({If}
27... Qe4 {
better
Ng6 $1 {.})) 28. Qf4 (28. Qxc6 $1 Nxc6 29. Nxf5 Rd7 {(g6)} 30. Re1 {was a
simpler way to win.}) 28... Qe4 29. Rf1 Qxf4 30. Rxf4 Rg4 31. Rfxf5 Nd7 32.
Rxf8+ Nxf8 33. Kf2 {The endgame is a technical win for White
conversion of the extra pawn demands considerable accuracy.} Nd7 34. Nf5 (34.
Kf3 $1 Rg7 35. Nf5 Rf7 36. c4 {was more energetic.}) 34... Kh8 ({The following
knight ending is also hopeless:} 34... Nf6 35. Kf3 Nxh5 36. Nh6+ $1 ({not the
simple-minded} 36. Kxg4 $2 {due to} Nf6+ 37. Kf3 Nd5 38. c4 Nc3) 36... Kg7 {
(f8)} 37. Nxg4 {
Rh6 $1 {. By now I had calmed down: White wins with the advance of his pawns.})
35... Rg8 36. Rh6 Rf8 37. g4 Nf6 38. c4 Kg8 ({If} 38... a6 {the most correct is
} 39. Kf4 b5 40. c5 ({or} 40. g5 Ng8 41. Rxa6 bxc4 42. Ke5 {.})) 39. Kf4 Rf7
40. g5 Ne8 41. Ke5 Rd7 42. Ke6 Rf7 43. Rf6 Nxf6 ({And without waiting for}
43... Nxf6 44. gxf6 {with the threat of Nh6+
This win gave me some momentum
sixth round I employed the Slav Defence against Vallejo (cf. Game No.62
to Black's 7th move)
endgame very creatively. It all ended with opposite-coloured bishops and a
draw on the 42nd move. The leading positions before the seventh round
last of the first cycle
Leko - 3; Kasparov - 2½. The competitive importance of my 'white' game with
Anand need hardly be explained... --- After 1 e4 Vishy chose 1...c6 2 d4 d5 3
Nd2 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5 and on the 17th move he offered the exchange of queens
hoping to draw without any problems
under some pressure. Gradually I gained a marked advantage
the time control I lost it by a premature exchange of bishops. In turn
threshold of a draw in a straightforward rook endgame
to go wrong and after the fatal 57...Kh8? he lost. This was my last win over
Anand - later we played four more draws

'classical' meetings +15-3=30 (in Linares: +7=10).}) (43... -- {For Vishy this
game was a real tragedy and it ruined the entire tournament for him. I suspect
that under its impression he later also lost a rook endgame against Leko. And
yet initially he was playing better than anyone and could have taken first
place - if I had not been in Linares... --- And so
things did not look so bad for me: Kramnik - 4 out of 6; Kasparov
Anand - 3½. However
fought as hard as I could. I had real winning chances only in the penultimate
round with Vallejo
fighting draw with Anand at the finish was also memorable: we were both half a
point behind the leaders
unsuccessfully to seize the initiative. --- Despite everything
gave soon afterwards was full of optimism. 'After my loss to Radjabov I set
myself a minimum program: to win the tournament of the strongest players (i.e.
without Radjabov and Vallejo). Against the main players I scored 'plus two'
and
just half a point behind first place
things aren't so bad? Is it not rather early for me to be buried - as usual
if I miss out on first prize - by some well-wishers?'}) (43... -- {Linares
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2003 brought to an end my long series of tournament victories. For me this was
a warning before the planned match with Ponomariov: I needed to prepare more
seriously and revise much anew. However
irritatingly dependent on decisions of the FIDE board
difficult to reach a new peak. --- Evgeny Bareev: 'To judge by this tournament
(although from it one cannot make any judgements) before his match Leko is in
excellent form
are in decline. But
months ago
peak form. And Garry too is quite capable of preparing brilliantly for an
individual event and of returning to the proper level of his physical and
psychological condition. There are two very interesting matches in prospect.
In them the strongest players in the world are indeed coming together!
Incidentally
in fighting
of playing in the unifying cycle were not destined to be realised...}) 1-0
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Instead of Yalta - to Crete"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{European Club Cup (Rethymnon
- 13 out of 14; 2. Polonia (Warsaw) and 3. Kiseljak (Bosnia) - 12; 4. Norilsk
Nikel - 11; 5. Ladya Kazan-1000 (Kasparov - 4½ out of 6) - 10
(altogether - 45 teams).} 1. -- {Initially FIDE planned to hold my match with
Ruslan Ponomariov in the summer of 2003 in Buenos Aires

September in Yalta
planned. It was even announced that the symbolic first moves would be made for
the players by the presidents of Russia and Ukraine. --- However
was in no hurry to sign the match contract: together with his manager Silvio
Danailov he put forward some twenty corrections
rights of the world champion should not be encroached upon'. Then the list of
corrections was reduced to four. After accepting two of them
final date for the signing of the contract - midday on 28 August. Ponomariov
suggested continuing the discussions in Kiev
President Ilyumzhinov suddenly held a press conference at the Interfax News
Agency and cancelled the match. Here is an extract from the official press
release: 'FIDE shall not allow the selfishness of any one player to cause a
hindrance to the unification process... It is with deep regret that FIDE has
to cancel the Ponomariov-Kasparov match. However
proceed with the unification process. A proposal shall be placed to the
forthcoming FIDE Congress in Halkidiki
winner of the FIDE World Championship in December 2003 shall be crowned World
Champion and he shall play Grandmaster Garry Kasparov next year. The winner of
this match shall then play the final unification match.'} (1. -- {My reaction
to the cancelling of the match was predictable: 'The situation shocks me - I
find myself in an idiotic position. I expected that my opponent would try my
nerves
opponent would simply escape! I have suffered serious moral damage
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unimportant
six months I have had to decline various invitations and I have invested a lot
of time and money on preparing for the match with Ponomariov.' --- My team of
helpers comprised Dokhoian
grandmaster Viorel Bologan. --- Later I said: 'I should like to know who in
fact wrecked this match. The Ukrainian side complicated the situation by
raising obstacles in the form of some ridiculous conditions
the 19-year-old Ponomariov was a puppet in the hands of influential chess and
political officials
intrigues.' --- It was rumoured that the Ponomariov team received part of the
prize fund in advance
matches with Morozevich and Short (years later Nigel showed me one of the
games from the match
or the organisers
{The curtain over the secret cancellation of the match could some day be
opened by Ilyumzhinov himself
opinion of my opponent's representative - Silvio Danailov
President of the European Chess Union: 'I can firmly say that the Ukrainian
side was not to blame: neither Ruslan
why FIDE fought so fiercely against our proposals. We had a very great desire
to play the match. Who in fact wrecked it? It is very possible that something
happened at a high political level in Russia. We all know who Kasparov
constantly criticises in his articles about politics... I think that Kasparov
and Ilyumzhinov know perfectly well who in Russia wrecked the match and why.
--- 'We have absolutely trustworthy information that the day before the
cancellation of the match Kasparov phoned Ilyumzhinov and said directly:
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strolled between the boards - in dark glasses, hands in his pockets and
nonchalantly chewing gum; he would glance at the score sheets and stand for a
long time by positions that interested him. And he looked completely different
- a genuine bird of prey, ready to tear its victim to pieces - on days when he
was playing: the arbiters strictly ensured that the public did not crowd
around the board at which Kasparov was playing... He arrived, as for any event
that was important for him, with his team - trainer and family. And all the
remaining stars were to some extent overshadowed by him. The hall was
electrified by his presence - as soon as Kasparov finished his game, this
intensity disappeared, and around they were only playing chess.'}) (27. -- {
After four rounds, having won all their matches, the leaders were Ladya (20½)
and NAO (18½). In view of the short tournament distance (just seven rounds),
the central match between the leaders, which took place in the fifth round,
could have been decisive. And it was a grandiose battle! I had White against
Alexander Grischuk and towards the end of the first time control I held the
initiative, but my team was losing 1-2 (on board 2 Bologan lost to Svidler).
--- Atarov: 'Soon Smirin also appeared in the hotel foyer - he had drawn with
Lautier and he sadly reported to Klara Shagenovna: "We would appear to be
losing..." At this moment Kharlov had a difficult position against Vallejo,
and even Kasparov's heroic efforts against Grischuk should not have been
enough to save the match. --- 'Fenced in by two rows of chairs against the
spectators, who were pressing in from every side, Garry, as though in a cage,
kept walking from corner to corner - from his board to Kharlov's, from time to
time wiping his brow with a handkerchief and rapaciously glancing first at
Grischuk, and then at Vallejo. And here a minor miracle occurred, one of those
that usually occurs with Kasparov: "He had nothing, but what a merry-go-round
he has set in motion!" said the Belgian grandmaster Chuchelov in delight. "How he plays! It
is something incredible...
Page 149
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[Event "91: Rethymnon"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2003.10.02"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Grischuk
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E32"]
[PlyCount "125"]
[EventDate "2003.??.??"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 ({I again played this
{- Game Nos.41
Game No.90.}) 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 7. Bg5 Bb7 (7... c5 {- Game No.106.}) 8.
e3 (8. f3 {- Game No.68.}) 8... d6 {Grischuk replied to 4 Qc2 in the best way.}
9. Ne2 {At the time this plan was rare and was only just coming into fashion.}
(9. f3 Nbd7 10. Bd3 c5 11. Ne2 Rc8 {occurred more often.}) 9... Nbd7 10. Qd3 ({
It all began with} 10. Qc2 {(I studied this idea before my 1987 match with
Karpov
Amsterdam 1996; Ivanchuk-Topalov
} 11. Rd1 {(I.Sokolov-Gustafsson
2003 that 10 Qd3 became popular
games with this variation.})) 10... Ba6 $1 {A novelty!} ({In the event of}
10... h6 11. Bh4 c5 12. Nc3 {(Bareev-Karpov
10... c5 11. Nc3 {(I.Sokolov-A.Sokolov
development problems and it is more difficult for Black to equalise. The
virtues of 10...Ba6 were known to me
opponent on the queenside.}) 11. b4 $6 {The position hardly gives White
grounds for such an aggressive and risky advance.} (11. e4 $6 h6 12. Bh4 d5 $1
13. e5 g5 {is also not good.}) ({Meanwhile little is promised by} 11. Qc2 {
(transposing into the 7...Ba6 8 e3 d6 9 Ne2 Nbd7 10 Qc2 variation)} c5 {
(Agrest-Korchnoi
11. Nc3 d5 12. Qc2 Bxc4 13. Bxc4 dxc4 14. Qa4 h6 15. Bh4 c5 16. Qxc4 ({but
soon in place of 16 Qxc4 came} 16. Rd1 $1 {
16... cxd4 17. Qxd4 {
achieved the same with} 17... g5 18. Bg3 Nc5) ({or} 17... Qc7 18. O-O Rfc8) 18.
Bxf6 Qxf6 19. Qxf6 gxf6 {with accurate defence Black gained a draw
(Ivanchuk-Kasparov
bxc5 13. b5 {there emerged} Ne5 14. Qc3 Bb7 {.}) 12... Bb7 13. Nc3 a6 {
Immediately attacking the pawn chain.} ({Later Black tried} 13... h6) (13...
Qe7) ({and} 13... Rc8 {(Rowson-Beliavsky
(preparing Be2 and 0-0)} h6 15. Bh4 Qe7 (15... axb5 $1 16. Nxb5 d5 {was more
energetic
17. Be2 Bc6 18. O-O (18. Nc3 Ra5 $1 19. O-O Qa8) 18... Bxb5 19. cxb5 Re8 {
followed by ...c5-c4 and ...e6-e5}) 17... exd5 18. Be2 c4 19. Qd2 Bc6 20. Nc3
Re8 {and ...Qe7 with an attack on the weak e3- and a3-pawns.}) 16. Be2 cxd4 (
16... axb5 17. Nxb5 d5 18. O-O {is now unclear (Stohl). By delaying
allowed me to disentangle myself.}) 17. Qxd4 {(not blocking the d-file)} e5 ({
A responsible decision
more accurate that my Informator} 18. Rd1) 18... Rfd8 {
White's chances are slightly better.}) 18. Qd1 {In Informator I gave this move
an exclamation mark
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after} 18... Nc5 19. bxa6 $5 ({instead of my earlier} 19. Rd1) 19... Rxa6 20.
Ra2 Rfa8 21. O-O {Black still has to defend accurately}) 19. Bg3 axb5 $6 20.
Nxb5 d5 {is unfavourable on account of} 21. cxd5 Bxd5 ({or} 21... Nxd5 22. e4
Nf4 23. Qd6 $1) 22. O-O {.}) 18... g5 {Exploiting the position of the queen on
d1
Stohl's move} 19. f4 {because of} axb5 $1 20. Nxb5 d5) 19... exf3 20. gxf3 {
was dangerous for Black}) ({while after} 18... Nc5 $5 19. O-O axb5 20. Nxb5 {
White would gain what he wanted: he has the two bishops
weakness of the a3- and c4-pawns is not felt
are fixed.}) 19. Bg3 axb5 20. Nxb5 d5 21. O-O ({Of course
Nxd5 {. White finally completes his development with the hope of exploiting
his strategic pluses - the advantage of the two bishops and the weakness of
squares in the opponent's position (especially in the vicinity of his king) -
and the possible invasion of his knight on d6. --- But for the moment the play
is double-edged and White's position is merely somewhat the more promising: he
first needs to stabilise the situation in the centre and on the queenside
without squandering his advantages

pieces are active.}) 21... Rac8 (21... Rfc8 $1 {
a-file
Bxd5 23. Qd2) ({
Nxc8 {(there would not have been this resource after 21...Rfc8)} Nxg3 (26...
Rxc8 27. Bxf1) 27. Ne7+ Kg7 28. hxg3 {with a favourable endgame.})) 22... Qe6
$6 {Here the queen comes under attack.} ({After the better} 22... Nc5 {White
would have retained some pressure with} 23. Qb2) ({and if} 22... dxc4 23. Bxc4
Nc5 {
have been exploited in one of three ways: by the simple} 23. Rac1) ({or} 23.
cxd5 Bxd5 (23... Nxd5 $6 24. Bc4 Qc6 25. Rfc1 $1 Nc5 26. Qa2) 24. Qb2) ({and
also by the gambit} 23. Rfd1 dxc4 24. Qb4 Rc6 ({or} 24... Rc5 25. e4 Ba6 26.
Nd6) 25. Rac1 Nd5 26. Qd2 {
as long as diagonals have not been cleared for them

yet so serious.}) 23... Rc5 ({Not} 23... dxc4 $6 24. Rfd1 $1 {cf. above;} ({my
Informator line} 24. e4 Ba6 25. Nd6 {is worse:} Rc6 $1 {.})) ({After} 23... Ba6
$1 24. Rfd1 Bxb5 25. cxb5 {White's position is also more pleasant.}) 24. a4 ({
Grischuk underestimated my leaving the c4-pawn en prise
} 24. cxd5 Nxd5 25. Qd2 {- objectively this was indeed stronger.}) 24... Rfc8 (
{If} 24... dxc4 {
After} 25. Bf2 {not only my Informator} e4 {would have done
Ba6 {. But now a critical moment has arrived.})) 25... Ba8 $2 {The wrong
square!} (25... dxc4 $2 26. e4 Nh5 ({or} 26... c3 27. Bf2 c2 28. Rdc1 {was
also incorrect}) 27. Rd6) ({But} 25... Ba6 $1 {with the idea of ...Bxb5 would
have maintained the balance
}) 26... Nxd5 27. Qd2 ({or} 27. Qb3 Nc3 28. Qxe6 Nxe2+ 29. Kf2 fxe6 30. Rxd7
Nf4 31. exf4 exf4 {with a drawn endgame}) 27... Bxb5 28. Bxb5 N7f6 {
(threatening ...e5-e4)} 29. e4 Nc3 {. Now
have deteriorated sharply.}) 26. Ra3 $6 (26. Bf2 $6 {is also inaccurate in
view of} e4 27. cxd5 Bxd5 $1 ({instead of the Informator} 27... Nxd5 $2 28.
Qxe4 $1) 28. Nd4 Qe8 {.}) ({The strongest was a difficult move to find
prophylactic} 26. Qa3 $1 {with the threat of cxd5 and e3-e4
$6 (26... e4 27. f4 $1) ({or} 26... dxc4 27. e4 g4 28. Nd6 gxf3 29. gxf3 R8c6
30. Nf5 {
Nxd5 28. e4 Nf4 29. Bxf4 gxf4 30. Nd6 {.}) 26... g4 ({In sharpening the play
Grischuk again misses a chance to exchange the powerful knight -} 26... Bc6 $5
27. Be1 (27. Nc3 e4 $1) 27... Bxb5 28. axb5 Kg7 {
play for.}) 27. cxd5 Rxd5 (27... Bxd5 $5 {.}) 28. e4 $1 {Restricting the
bishop on a8
modest:} Bxd5 ({this is even better than my Informator} 28... Nxd5) 29. e4 Rc1+
Page 151
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30. Be1 Bb3 $1 31. Rxb3 Rxe1+ 32. Qxe1 Qxb3 {
the opponent with the development of his pieces!}) 28... Rxd1+ 29. Bxd1 gxf3
30. gxf3 Nc5 ({The only way: after} 30... Nh5 $2 {the white knight leaps
across to the kingside -} 31. Nd6 Rc6 ({or} 31... Rc1 32. Qd2 Rb1 33. Nf5 Nc5 (
{more resilient than the Informator} 33... Nxg3 {(?)} 34. hxg3 {and wins}) 34.
Qc2 Rb4 35. Be1 Rc4 36. Qg2+ Kh7 37. Bd2 {with a growing initiative}) 32. Nf5
Kh7 33. Be2 {.}) 31. Qb2 $1 {Although White has been left with a worrying
weakness on a4
now obviously aiming at the king.} Nfd7 ({If} 31... Rd8 {
33. Ra1 $1 {and Rd1.}) 32. Qd2 $1 Bc6 $6 {Allowing the knight to go to d6 and
f5
{or} 33... Rd8 34. Nf5 {is also weak
36... Qxf5 $6 37. Rf3 Qg6 38. Qe7 $1 {and wins}) 37. Ne3 Rd4 38. Qb5 {
is also insufficient}) 34. Be2 Rg6 35. Nf5 {(Stohl).}) (32... Nf8) ({or} 32...
Rc6 {was more resilient
one will not go far. The dormant bishops are awaiting their hour!}) 33. Nd6 Ra8
({If} 33... Rd8 {
(here I began to 'smell blood'
34... Nb3 $2 35. Rxb3 $1 Qxb3 36. Bc4 Qxf3 (36... Qb1+ 37. Kg2) 37. Nxf7 $1 {
would have led to immediate disaster.}) 35. Nf5 {Allowing Black to regroup his
knights.} (35. Bc4 $5 {deserved attention:} Ne6 ({after the passive} 35... Rf8
$1 {is worse}) 37. Nf5 Nc5 ({in Informator I gave} 37... Rxa4 {(?)
overlooking the murderous} 38. Rd3 $1 Ra2 39. Qc1 $1 Ba4 40. Nxh6+ Kh7 41. Nf5
{and wins}) 38. Bxe5 $1 Kh7 $1 39. a5 Rg8+ 40. Bg3 bxa5 41. Qf4 {with a
growing initiative - most probably Black cannot hold out.}) 35... Kh7 36. Bc4 {
(threatening Bxf7)} Ne6 ({Of course
$1 Ne6 (38... Qxf7 $2 39. Qxh6+ Kg8 40. Bh4 $1) ({or} 38... Qg5 $6 39. Qd6 $1 {
is even worse}) 39. Kf2 Ng5 40. Bd5 {
$6 37. Bxf7 $1 {
Qxf5 40. Be6 Qg6 41. Rf3 Ndf6 ({or} 41... Nef6 42. Qc6 {with a triumph for the
white bishops}) 42. Qxe5) 37. Rd3 $1 {Into the thick of the battle!} (37. Bxe6
$6 fxe6 38. Nd6 Rxa4 {is now pointless}) ({and} 37. Qd6 Rxa4 ({rather better
than the Informator} 37... Nf4) 38. Qxc6 Rxa3 39. Qxd7 Rc3 $1 {is also not so
clear.}) 37... Ndc5 $1 ({There is nothing else:} 37... Nd4 $2 38. Bxf7 $1 ({
more resolute than my earlier} 38. Nxd4) 38... Nxf5 39. exf5 Qxf7 40. Rd6) ({or
} 37... Rxa4 $2 38. Bxe6 Ra1+ 39. Kg2 Qxe6 40. Qe3 {(c3) and Rd6
38. Rd6 Bxe4 $1 {This piece sacrifice is the only counter-chance!} ({After}
38... Bxa4 $6 {the simple} 39. Rxb6 ({or} 39. Bxe5 Qg5+ 40. Kf2 {is possible})
({but the best is} 39. Qc3 $1 {(threatening Bxe5)} Nd7 40. h4 {
hard to offer Black any good advice:} Rc8 41. Qb4 Ndc5 42. Qxb6 Be8 43. Bd5 {
and wins.})) 39. Bxe6 ({The alternative is} 39. fxe4 $5 Nxe4 40. Rxe6 $1 {
gaining two minor pieces for a rook:} -- (40... fxe6 $6 41. Qd7+ Kh8 42. Qc6
Rg8 43. Bxe6 Nxg3 44. hxg3) ({
41... Qxf5 42. Bd3 {and Bxe4 is no better}) 42. Ne3 {(Stohl)} Qc6 43. Bd3 $1 (
43. Qd3 Kg8 {is unclear}) 43... f5 (43... Qxc2 44. Bxc2 Rxc2 45. Nxc2 f6 46.
Bf2 Nc3 47. Bxb6 Nxa4 48. Bc7 {is unlikely to save Black - the bishop is
superior to the pawn pair}) 44. Qxc6 Rxc6 45. Bxe5 {with winning chances.}))
39... Bxf5 40. Bxf7 $2 {Played on the last move before the time control with
an illusory hope of creating an attack!} (40. Bxf5+ $1 Qxf5 {was correct

example:} 41. -- (41. Rxh6+ Kg7 ({if} 41... Kg8 $2 {
Rg4+ Kh7 44. Qc2+ e4 45. Rxe4 $1 {is decisive}) 42. Rh4 $1 ({the previous} 42.
Rxb6 Ne6 43. Qd5 Rxa4 44. Qxe5+ {is weaker
Rh8 $1 ({not} 42... f6 $2 43. Rg4+ Kh7 44. Qd5 Rf8 45. a5) 43. Rg4+ Kf6 44. Qb2
Ke7 45. Qxb6 Rc8 46. Bf2 Qc2 {and
drawing chances}) (41. Qxh6+ $1 Kg8 42. Rf6 $1 {- a resource not noticed by
Page 152
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anyone:} Qb1+ ({or} 42... Qh7 43. Bxe5 Rxa4 44. Rxb6 Qxh6 45. Rxh6 Kf8 46. Bf6
Ke8 47. Kg2 {
pieces and an extra passed pawn}) 43. Kg2 Qc2+ 44. Kh3 Qh7 45. Bxe5 Rxa4 46.
Qxh7+ Kxh7 47. Rxf7+ Kg8 48. Rg7+ Kf8 49. Rc7 {.})) 40... Qg5 {Instinctively
simplifying the play in time-trouble

40... Qg7 $1 41. Kh1 $1 Ra7 $1 ({only not} 41... Rxa4 $2 42. Bxe5) 42. -- {
would have led to a dynamically balanced position:} (42. Ba2 Bg6 43. Rxb6 (43.
Rd8 Rd7) 43... e4 $1 44. Qd5 (44. Rb8 Qa1+) 44... Nd7 45. Rd6 Qa1+ 46. Qd1
Qxd1+ 47. Rxd1 Nc5 48. Rd8 Bh5 49. Bg8+ Kg6 50. fxe4 Rxa4 51. e5 Ne4 {and ...Nxg3})
(42. Bxe5 Ne4 $1 {(a phenomenal computer move to a human)} 43. Bxg7 Nxd2 {
{or} 44. Be8 Re7 45. Bb5 (45. Rxd2 Rxe8) 45... Ne4 $1 46. Bf8 Nxd6 47. Bxe7
Nxb5 {and ...Bd7(d3)}) 44... Ne4 $1 45. fxe4 Bxe4+ 46. Kg1 Rxf7 47. Rxb6 Ra7 {.
})) 41. Qxg5 hxg5 42. Bxe5 ({In view of the limited number of pawns
chances of success only with the rooks on: after} 42. Rxb6 Rxa4 43. Rf6 $6 Bh3
$1 44. Bxe5 Nd7 45. Bb3 Nxf6 46. Bxa4 Kg6 {the position is a draw. The time
control had passed
Fatal!} (42... Nxa4 $2 43. h4 $1 ({or} 43. Rf6 $1 {was also bad})) ({but after
} 42... Rxa4 $1 43. Rxb6 (43. Rd8 Kh6) 43... Nd7 44. Rb7 $1 Ra3 $1 ({instead
of the 'cooperative'} 44... Nxe5 $2 45. Bb3+ {and Bxa4
Black would have retained quite good drawing chances
have had to work hard. Incidentally
missing a win against Kharlov.}) 43. Bc3 $1 {Engaging an interesting mating
mechanism. It is surprising that White is able to create deadly threats even
deep in the endgame! It was not easy to foresee this...} Nc5 (43... Rxa4 $2 {
is now too late in view of} 44. Be8 Ra7 45. Rd5 $1 Be6 {(h3)} 46. Rxg5 {wins.})
44. h4 $5 {After hitting on the decisive combinative idea
was unable to select the most precise move order.} ({If} 44. Bd2 {I was
concerned about} g4 $1 {.}) (44. Rf6 $5 {looked tempting.}) ({And after the
game I tried to uphold the flamboyant} 44. a5 $5 bxa5 45. h4 $1 {
Black a possibility which he had on the 45th move (although
transpired
Rd5 {and wins.}) 45. a5 $1 (45. Rd4 $2 Rxa4 46. Rd8 Kh6 47. Rh8+ Bh7 {is equal.
}) 45... bxa5 ({Grischuk and I
Black could have saved himself with} 45... Na4 46. Bd4 -- (46... Ra7 $1 {
then there is the decisive} 47. Rf6 $1 Rxa5 48. Kh2 {
a surprising zugzwang:} h3 (48... Bd3 49. Rf4 $1) (48... Rb5 49. Rd6 $1 {and
Rd8 is hopeless}) 49. Kg3 Rb5 50. Rd6 Rb4 51. Bf6 $1 {and Rd8
not} 46... bxa5 $2 47. Rf6 $1 Rd8 48. Be5) ({
Kh6 48. Rh8+ Bh7 ({or} 48... Kg5 49. Kf2 $1 Nc5 50. Bc3 $1 {
$1 {.})) 46. Rd5 $1 Na4 ({After} 46... Bg6 47. Bxg6+ Kxg6 48. Rxc5 a4 49. f4 {
Black is simply a piece down.}) 47. Bd4 $1 Bg6 48. Be6 $1 Bc2 ({If} 48... Be8 {
both} 49. f4 ({
49. Rg5 $1 Ra6 50. Rg7+ ({apart from the Informator} 50. Bf5+) 50... Kh6 51.
Re7 $1 Bh5 52. Bf5 $1 Kg5 53. Bc2 {

the mating net.})) 49. f4 (49. Rd7+ $1 Kh6 50. Bf7 $1 {(with the threat of
Rd5-h5 mate)} Kg5 51. Rd5+ Bf5 52. Be6 Rf8 53. Bd7 {was more elegant
unexpectedly trapping the knight. But for safety's sake I decided simply to
advance my passed pawn.}) 49... Rb8 50. Rh5+ Kg6 51. Rg5+ ({Ignoring} 51. Rxa5
{.}) 51... Kh6 52. Bf7 (52. Bg7+ Kh7 53. Be5 Rd8 ({or} 53... Rb7 54. Bg8+ Kh6
55. Bd6) 54. f5 Kh6 55. Rg6+ Kh5 56. Rg2 {would also have been decisive.})
52... Bd1 53. Kh2 ({Again} 53. Rxa5) ({or} 53. Bg7+ Kh7 54. Be5 Rd8 55. Be6 $1
{would have won.}) 53... Rd8 54. Bf6 (54. Bg7+ $5 {.}) 54... Rc8 ({If} 54...
Rd7 {there could follow} 55. Be8 Rd6 56. Rg6+ Kh7 57. Rg7+ Kh6 58. Rf7 {with
the threat of Bg5+.}) 55. Be6 (55. Bg7+ $1 Kh7 56. Be5 {was simpler.}) 55...
Rc6 (55... Rc7 56. Be5 Re7 (56... Nc5 57. Bg4 $1) 57. Bf5 Rf7 (57... Rxe5 58.
Rg6+) 58. Kh3 {and Kxh4 would also not have helped.}) 56. Bg7+ Kh7 57. Bf5+ Kg8
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58. Be4 (58. Bd7 $5 Rc5 59. Be6+ Kh7 60. Be5 {would have quickly settled
matters.}) 58... Rc5 59. Bd5+ ({An error in the time scramble
vexing for the reason that I saw an astounding winning idea and pointed it out
immediately after the game:} 59. Bd4+ $1 Rxg5 60. fxg5 Bb3 61. g6 Kf8 62. Bb1 {
to play for domination and zugzwang
Kh3 Ke7 63. g7 Kd6 64. Bc2 $1 {is also possible}) 62... Ke7 63. g7 Kd6 64. Bc2
$1 {.}) 59... Kh7 (59... Rxd5 $5 60. Rxd5 Kxg7 61. Rxd1 {was more resilient
although here also White would have overcome some technical problems by
retaining his f-pawn:} Kf6 ({or} 61... Nc3 62. Rd7+ Kf6 63. Kh3 Kf5 64. Rf7+
Ke6 65. Rf8 {(c7)
(62... Nc3 63. Rd3 Ne2 64. Kg4) 63. Rd5+ $1 Ke4 64. Rxa5 Nb6 65. f5 {.}) 60.
Bd4 Rc2+ ({Or} 60... Kh6 61. Kh3 {and Kxh4.}) 61. Kh3 Rc7 62. Be4+ Kh6 63. Rg8
{. Mate is unavoidable
little finish! Despite the mistakes
century. --- The scores became level
draw with Vallejo
decided by the two final rounds. But whereas NAO managed to win both matches
Ladya stalled. --- The next day we were unable to beat the Israeli team Beer
Sheva - strangely enough
which had taken a great deal of effort
was desperately in need of a rest
to play! And I went into battle
committed a terrible blunder.} 1-0
[Event "92: Rethymnon"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2003.10.03"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Huzman
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D45"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[EventDate "2003.??.??"]
1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 a6 6. b3 Bb4 7. Bd2 O-O 8. Bd3
Nbd7 9. Qc2 Bd6 10. Ne2 c5 11. O-O b6 12. cxd5 exd5 13. Ng3 Bb7 14. Nf5 Bc7 15.
dxc5 bxc5 16. b4 c4 17. Be2 Ne4 18. Bc3 Nxc3 19. Qxc3 Nf6 20. Rfd1 Bc8 $4 ({
Instead of the simple} 20... Re8 {and ...Bc8 with an excellent position.}) 21.
Rxd5 $1 Qe8 ({Alas
Ne7+ {and Nxd5 is possible.}) 22. Bxc4 {. Had it not been for this catastrophe
and the drawn match (3-3)
place... In the seventh
lost to Polonia (2-4)
note to White's 11th move). --- As a result we finished only fifth and in my
six games I scored 'plus three'. Not bad
tragic blunder remained. 'It will be interesting to see if conclusions will be
drawn and will those
for the poor performance of the team?'
the Respublika Tatarstan newspaper. Of course

sponsors decided that since the team leader had not taken first place
altogether not necessary to pay him for appearing! Such are our Russian
customs... --- The FIDE Congress
Page 154
Sheet1
moved the world knock-out championship to the second quarter of 2004 and
selected as its venue the Libyan capital Tripoli (this immediately brought to
mind the 1996 Karpov-Kamsky match
awaiting a new match opponent
and Leko were also not in a hurry to play their match
sponsors... --- I concluded this extremely nervy year with another match
against a chess program - Fritz X3D (New York
also ended in a draw: 2-2. The historic moment was inevitably approaching
when it would become pointless even for world champions to fight against the
computer.} 1-0
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Different Sorts of Draws"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{Double-Round Super-Tournament in Linares (18 February - 5 March 2004): 1.

Kramnik - 7 out of 12; 2-3. Kasparov and Leko - 6½; 4-5. Radjabov and
Topalov - 6; 6-7. Shirov and Vallejo - 5.} 1. -- {Failing to find an outlet
for my effervescent energy on the chess board
politics and I headed the Committee-2008 'Free Choice'
2004. For the whole year we made public statements about the current political
situation and the need to unite democratic forces
human rights and the character of political trials in Russia to the US
Commission for security and collaboration in Europe and at the Baltic
Development Forum in Hamburg. Then in December I took an active part in the
organization of a Citizens' Congress 'For democracy
--- For the super-tournament in Linares in February 2004
usual category 20
successfully as I had hoped. What nevertheless told were my involvement in

other matters
was an exact copy of Linares 1998: eleven draws and just one win. Only on this
occasion there was no Anand
was unable to come to an agreement with the organisers (the press wrote that
he wanted to avoid meeting me). --- But there are different sorts of draws
and if you look at some ten games of mine from this tournament
with what passion I battled
strongest player in the world.} *
[Site "?"]
[Date "2004.02.19"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Shirov
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B90"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "2004.??.??"]
Page 155
Sheet1
{In the first round I had another serious battle in the Najdorf with Alexey
Shirov. As we took our seats at the board before the game
surprise on the spectators: for the first time after a three-year interval we
shook hands.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 ({
I more often employed} 6... Ng4 {against Shirov (Game Nos.40
this set-up became too hackneyed.}) 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3 Nbd7 ({Instead of} 8...
Be7 {(Game No.45)
counterplay on the queenside.}) 9. Qd2 ({The alternative is} 9. g4 {. The reply
} h6 {weakens the kingside (Kasparov-Huzman
Kasparov-Ivanchuk
b4 {is better
a5 13. Ng3 Nxg3 14. hxg3 a4 15. Nc1 Qa5 {
Nxd5 12. exd5 Bf5 13. Bd3 Bxd3 14. Qxd3 Be7 {(Leko-Kasparov
Bled Olympiad 2002)}) ({
played in Linares 2004 against Leko (3rd round) and Vallejo (14th).})) 9... b5
{Planning 10...Nb6. From there the knight aims for c4

reckon with ...b5-b4
a4 {In turn
switching the weight of the struggle to the queenside.} ({Other topical lines
are:} 10. g4 Nb6 11. -- ({
internet (blitz) 1998)}) ({
Wijk aan Zee (blitz) 1999) is not good for White}) ({
advantage by} 11. g5 Nfd7 12. Na5 $5 (12. f4 g6 $1 {
1999}) (12. Nd5 Rc8 $1 {
or} 12... b4 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. exd5 Qxa5 15. dxe6 fxe6 16. Bh3 Qd5 17. Qe2 {
Inarkiev-Dvoirys
15. h4 {(Morozevich-Karjakin
({if} 11... Nfd7 {
$5 {- Bologan's move
(San Luis 2005) and Gelfand (Wijk aan Zee 2006).}) 10... b4 11. Nd5 Bxd5 12.
exd5 Nb6 13. Bxb6 Qxb6 14. a5 (14. O-O-O g6 $1 {
1982.}) 14... Qb7 15. Bc4 {With the long-known idea of Ra4 and Nc1-a2
attacking the b4-pawn which is cut off from its forces.} ({If} 15. O-O-O {
then not only} g6 {is good (Sax-Ftacnik
15... h5 $5 {and ...g7-g6 (Sandipan-Sutovsky
novelty which I had already tried against Shirov (Frankfurt (rapid) 2000)
giving Black good counterplay in return for the inevitable loss of the b4-pawn.
} (15... Be7 {is weaker in view of} 16. Ra4 Rb8 17. Nc1 $1 {(Game No.33 in
Revolution in the 70s). Now
diagonal h6-c1
evacuation of the white king to the queenside. In view of the fact that the
black queen is ready to occupy the a7-g1 diagonal

White's king remaining in the centre.}) 16. Ra4 Rb8 17. Qd3 ({Not rushing with
} 17. Nc1 {.}) 17... Ra8 18. Qd2 Rb8 19. Nc1 ({In the aforementioned rapid
game Shirov forced a draw -} 19. Qd3 {. Now
tested in some thirty games (Shirov himself had even played it!)
to fight for an advantage.}) 19... h5 $1 {(disclosing colossal tactical
nuances)} 20. Nd3 ({No better is} 20. Na2 Bh6 21. Qe2 ({or} 21. Qxb4 Qa7 22.
Qxd6 Qe3+ 23. Kf1 Rxb2 24. Rb4 Ng4 $1 {
({and so White has to force a draw by} 25. Rb8+) ({or} 25. Qb8+ {
Karjakin-Naiditsch
2nd match game (rapid)
capture of the b4-pawn.} ({The faint-hearted} 20... Nxd5 {would have left
Page 156
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White with a positional advantage:} 21. Bxd5 Qxd5 22. Nxb4 Qb5 23. b3 {.}) 21.
Qe2 $1 ({More subtle than} 21. Qxb4 {.} -- ({. Here} 21... Qa7 $2 {no longer
works (as with the knight on e2) because of} 22. Qxd6 Qe3+ 23. Kf1 Rxb2 24. Ra1
$1) ({
$1 {
e4 $1) 23... Bc1 24. Nd3 Be3 25. Kd1 {(J.Polgar-Shirov
26. Re1 Bh6 {with the threat of ...e5-e4 and excellent compensation for the
pawn.})) 21... O-O $1 {Again 'voting' for a complicated middlegame a pawn down
} ({instead of an inferior endgame with equal material in the event of} 21...
Nxd5 22. Bxd5 Qxd5 23. Nxb4 Qb5 24. b3 $1 {
pawn been given up? White will now castle
a6
clear that Black must reveal his trumps immediately.} Qd7 $1 {And here is my
preparation: such 'strange' moves very much appealed to me - the computer does
not find them!} ({Here} 22... e4 {was played several times
Qd7 $2 ({while after} 23... exf3 24. Qxf3 $1 Ng4 25. Nc6 Qxb2 26. Nxb8 Qxb8 {
(Shirov-Gelfand
his activity is not worth the exchange})) 24. Nc6 Rxb2 25. fxe4 Ng4 26. Ra3 $1
Re8 {(Gelfand-Topalov
badly.}) 23. Nc6 ({Of course
sacrifice -} Qxa4 $1 24. bxa4 Rxb4 {. Rook and knight against queen and pawn -
this would appear to be an unfavourable material balance for Black (that is
also what the computer thinks). But on looking more deeply
} 25. O-O ({while after} 25. Bb3 Ra8 26. O-O Nd7 $1 {(suggested by Dokhoian)
his pieces occupy comfortable and solid positions
possibilities for White are very limited}) 25... Rxa4 {Black altogether has
nothing to fear. Therefore Shirov does not take the queen and even gives up
the b2-pawn
O-O {This looks very attractive: the a6-pawn is doomed
rook on b2
weakening of the white king's defences is Black's best chance! The swift march
of the h-pawn to h3 (h6) was one of my favourite attacking devices - remember
among others
(Game Nos.40
Re8 27. Bxa6 Qf5 $1 {(an unexpected reply)} 28. Qxf5 gxf5 {
the h3-pawn
pieces will acquire the f4-square)} e4 $1 {Black has to hurry: the rook on b2
and the a6-pawn are in danger. Note that the rook in the opponent's rear is
not only a weakness

an enormous strength. --- 'It is obvious that in the opening duel Black has
gained the upper hand. Once again Kasparov shows that as regards opening
knowledge in the Najdorf Variation no one in the world can compete with him'
(Bareev). However
fxe4 ({If} 27. f4 Re8 28. Qxa6 {
Nxe2 Nd7 {and ...Nc5.}) 27... Qg4 $5 ({A draw would have resulted from} 27...
Ng4 28. e5 (28. Kh1 $6 Re8 $1) 28... Be3+ 29. Kh1 Nf2+ 30. Kg1 ({but not} 30.
Rxf2 $2 Bxf2 31. Ra1 {because of} dxe5 $1 32. Qxf2 $6 Rxb3 $1 {winning}) 30...
Ng4+ {with perpetual check. But I decided to fight on.}) 28. Qd3 $1 {Shirov
meets me half-way
Nf2+ 31. Kg1 dxe5 32. Rfa1 {with a draw} ({but not} 32. Nxe5 $2 Nd1+ 33. Kh1
Rb1 $1)) ({and evading a trap:} 28. Qxa6 $2 Be3+ 29. Kh1 Rb1 $1) ({or} 28. Qe1
$2 Rb1 $1 {(precisely that which was mentioned earlier!)} 29. Qxb1 (29. Qf2 Qd1
) 29... Be3+ 30. Rf2 Qf3 31. Qf1 Ng4 {
Kh1 Ng4) ({or} 29. Re1 Re8 30. e5 dxe5 {would not have changed the evaluation.}
) 29... dxe5 30. Rh4 {With the crude idea of Rxh3.} ({But} 30. d6 {was more
solid:} e4 31. Qc3 ({White loses after} 31. Qd4 $2 Ng4 $1 32. d7 ({or} 32. Ne7+
Page 157
Sheet1
Kh7 33. Nd5 Bg7 34. Qd1 f5 35. Rc4 Rb1 $1) 32... Qe3+ 33. Qxe3 Bxe3+ 34. Kh1
Nf2+ 35. Kg1 Nd1+ $1 36. Kh1 Rb1 $1 37. Ne7+ Kg7 38. Nd5 Bc5 $1 {and ...Nf2+})
31... Qe3+ ({or} 31... Bg7 32. Qxb2 (32. Rd4 Kh7 $5) 32... Qe3+ 33. Rf2 Qe1+ {
with a draw}) 32. Qxe3 Bxe3+ 33. Kh1 Bd2 $1 34. Kg1 Be3+ {.}) 30... e4 31. Qd4
$2 {This could have put White in a dangerous position.} ({After} 31. Qd1 Qe3+
32. Kh1 Qd2 $1 {accuracy would have been demanded of him in the endgame: if}
33. Qxd2 $6 ({but also after} 33. Rxh3 Qxd1 34. Rxd1 Ng4 35. Kg1 Be3+ 36. Kf1
Bg5 {(c5) with the threat of ...Ne3+ Black's chances are slightly better})
33... Bxd2 34. d6 {there is the unpleasant} e3 $1 35. Rhf4 Bc3 36. Nd4 Kg7 {.})
({In analysis after the game I tried to uphold the exchange sacrifice} 31. Rxe4
{(?!)} Nxe4 32. Qxe4 {
centre White should be able to hold out:} -- (32... Qe3+ 33. Qxe3 Bxe3+ 34. Kh1
Bc5 35. Ne5 Rb8 $5 (35... Rd8 36. Rd1 $1) 36. Nd3 R2xb3 37. cxb3 Bd6 ({also
after} 37... Be7 {-} 38. Rd1 $1) 38. Nf2 Rxb3 39. Nxh3 Rb5 40. Ng5 $1) ({
32... Qd2 33. Qf3 Kg7 34. Rd1 $1 Be3+ 35. Kh1 Re8 $1 36. d6 Rxb3 $5 ({more
aggressive than the Informator} 36... Bf4 37. Ne7 Qg2+) 37. d7 (37. cxb3 $6 Bg5
$1 38. Ne7 Qb4 39. Rf1 Rf8 {is worse}) 37... Qxd7 38. Rxd7 Rb1+ 39. Rd1 Rxd1+
40. Qxd1 Bf2 41. c4 Re1+ 42. Qxe1 Bxe1 43. Kg1 {
However
variation I gave in Informator -} 33. Qd4 Qh5 34. -- (34. Qd1 {after} Be3+ $1
35. Kh1 Qg5 {condemns White to a difficult defence (} 36. Qf3 Bc5 $1 37. g4 Bd6
38. Qxh3+ Kg8 {)}) (34. Qe5 $2 Qg4 $1 {.}) ({. He also does not equalise after
} 34. Qe4 f5 35. Qe7+ Bg7) ({
Nd3 (41. Nxg6 Bd6) 41... Bc7 $1 {
alas
{Correct was} 31... Qe3+ $1 32. Qxe3 Bxe3+ 33. Kh1 Bg5 $1 ({far better than
the Informator} 33... Bd2) 34. Rxh3 Ng4 35. Re1 (35. d6 Ne3 {and ...Nxc2})
35... Kg7 $1 36. Kg2 f5 {with an obvious advantage: the rook on h3 is horribly
placed
This maintains the balance without difficulty
Re1 ({but not the colourful} 33. Qxe4 $2 Qxh4 $1 34. gxh4 ({or} 34. Rxf7+ Kh8
$1 35. Nxg6+ Kg8 36. d6 Rb1+ $1 37. Rf1+ Kg7 38. Rxb1 Qg5 {and wins}) 34...
Be3+ 35. Kh1 Nf2+) 33... Rb8 34. Rxh3 Qxe7 35. Qxb2 Qc5+ 36. Kh1 Nf2+ 37. Kg2
Nxh3 38. Kxh3 Qf2 39. Qa1 $1 {with a draw.}) 32... Nxh6 $1 (32... Qxh6 $2 {is
not good on account of the forcing line} 33. d6 Ne3 (33... Qe3+ $6 34. Qxe3
Nxe3 35. Rc1 {and wins}) 34. Ne7+ Kh7 35. Bxf7 Rxc2 36. Bxg6+ Qxg6 37. Rxf8
Rc1+ 38. Kf2 Nd1+ 39. Qxd1 Rxd1 40. Nxg6 Kxg6 41. Rd8 {
out.}) 33. Qxb2 $1 {For safety's sake
having to solve problems after} 33. d6 Nf5 34. Ne7+ (34. Qxb2 $2 Nxg3) 34...
Qxe7 35. dxe7 (35. Rxf5 $2 Rb1+ 36. Kf2 e3+ $1) 35... Nxd4 36. Bxf7+ $1 ({
again the only move:} 36. exf8=Q+ $2 Kxf8 37. Rxf7+ Ke8) 36... Kg7 37. exf8=Q+
Kxf8 38. Bxg6+ Nf3+ 39. Kf2 Nxh2 40. Rc1 Ng4+ 41. Kg1 e3 42. Bf5 Nf2 43. Re1
Rb5 44. Bc8 {
h3 Black has perpetual check)} 34. Rf2 Qe1+ 35. Rf1 Qe3+ {. The missed
opportunity 31...Qe3+! did not seriously spoil my mood. In the second round I
was eager to 'repay the debt' to Radjabov for the previous year's Linares
(Game No.87)
excellent winning chances. But just before the control - in my opponent's
time-trouble! - I threw away the advantage with my ridiculous 39th move. This
draw was the first painful blow. --- In the third round I had a very
complicated Najdorf in my game with Leko (cf. Game No.93
move). After a mistake on the 25th move I was on the verge of defeat and I
saved myself only with a series of difficult moves. In the fourth round I was
free
Queen's Indian with a2-a3 (cf. Game No.101 in Revolution in the 70s
Page 158
Sheet1
Black's 7th move). Then with Black I confidently repelled Topalov's attack in
a Slav and with White I won a decent game against Vallejo in an Anti-Meran.
--- That same day Kramnik also scored his first win (against Topalov)
Leko his second (against Shirov). This unusually decisive round concluded the
first cycle
Kasparov and Kramnik - 3½; Shirov - 3.} 1/2-1/2
[Site "?"]
[Date "2004.02.28"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Radjabov
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C45"]

[PlyCount "115"]
[EventDate "2004.??.??"]
{In my eighth round game with Shirov a rare misfire in my opening preparation
occurred. In an 'anti-Marshall' with 8 h3 (cf. Game No.2
move)
2003) and I played 19 Nh2
thinking for a whole 80 minutes (which had not happened since the 1987 match)
I made the poor move 20 Ng4?! and after 20...h5! I quickly ended up in a
difficult position
Fortunately
expressed it
I gained a draw with energetic play. But it was a pity that so much nervous
energy was spent on this... --- The next day I had Black against Radjabov.
This was a festive Saturday - the Linares people were marking Andalucia Day
and there were many people in the hall. When Teimour played 1 e4
for 10 minutes while I assessed my playing condition (in a Najdorf I could
expect 6 Bg5)
the Scotch an equal endgame was quickly reached (cf. Game No.65
Black's 10th move). Then my young opponent gave up a pawn
he had compensation for it
'flounder' and with his 45th move he made a serious mistake
position became easily won.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6
bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. c4 Ba6 9. b3 g6 10. f4 f6 11. exf6 Qxe2+ 12. Bxe2
Bb4+ 13. Bd2 Bxd2+ 14. Nxd2 Nxf4 15. Rf1 Nxe2 16. Kxe2 Kf7 17. Kd3 Rae8 18.
Rae1 Rxe1 19. Rxe1 Kxf6 20. Ne4+ Kg7 21. Nc3 Kf7 22. Rf1+ Ke7 23. Re1+ Kf7 24.
Rf1+ Ke7 25. Re1+ Kd8 26. Rf1 Bb7 27. Ne4 Ke7 28. Re1 Kf7 29. Kd4 h6 30. b4 d6
31. c5 Rd8 32. Re3 g5 33. Ra3 a6 34. Rf3+ Kg7 35. Re3 Bc8 36. Rc3 dxc5+ 37.
Kxc5 Be6 38. Kxc6 Bxa2 39. Nc5 Rb8 40. Ra3 Bc4 41. Ra4 Re8 42. Kxc7 Re2 43. g4
Rxh2 44. Nxa6 Rb2 45. Kb6 Be2 46. Nc5 Bxg4 47. b5 Be2 $6 (47... h5 $1 {would
have been quickly decisive
) 48... Kh6 $1 49. Nd3 (49. Ra3 h4) 49... Rb3 50. Nc5 Rb1 {with the victorious
advance of the h-pawn.}) 48. Ne6+ Kf6 49. Nd4 h5 50. Kc5 g4 51. b6 g3 $1 52. b7
g2 53. b8=Q ({Things were also hopeless for White after} 53. Nxe2 Rxe2 54. Ra1
(54. b8=Q $2 g1=Q+) 54... Rb2 55. Rg1 Rxb7 56. Rxg2 Rd7 ({or even} 56... h4 57.
Rh2 Kg5 58. Kd4 Rb3 {.})) 53... Rxb8 54. Nxe2 Rb2 55. Ng1 Rf2 $4 ({I spent a
long time calculating the elementary} 55... Rb1 56. Nf3 {(h3)} g1=Q+ 57. Nxg1
Rxg1 {- if} 58. Kd5 {Black wins by} Kf5 (58... Rg4) ({or} 58... Rg5+ 59. Kd6
Page 159
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Rf5 {.})) ({Then suddenly I impulsively made the 'brilliant' move} 55... Rf2 {
with the idea of} 56. Kd5 {(?)} Kf5 {and ...Rf1
would succeed in bringing up his king...}) 56. Ra6+ Kf5 57. Kd4 $1 Rf1 58. Ke3
({In view of} 58. Ke3 Rxg1 59. Kf2 {.}) (58. -- {This was a genuinely severe
blow: I could not believe that I had contrived not to win such a position!
Vasiliev: 'It was painful to look at Garry. White as a sheet
way through the noisy festive crowd
front of him - for autographs.' --- After the shock I had experienced I
thought it best to make a 19-move draw with Leko
next round
won a fateful game with Black against Leko. From the press: 'Three rounds
before the finish a change of leader occurred: Kramnik 'jumped' over Leko and
reached the 'plus two' mark. Last year this was sufficient for a share of
first place. This year - for sole first place!'}) 1/2-1/2
[Site "?"]
[Date "2004.03.04"]
[Round "13"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Topalov
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C88"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2004.??.??"]
{In the 12th round
against Kramnik the Queen's Gambit Accepted. On the 7th move my opponent chose
a variation with the exchange of queens
was agreed. --- And so
Kramnik by half a point. In the 13th round Kramnik was free
a 19-move draw with Vallejo
against Veselin Topalov - I needed to win! In a Spanish 'anti-Marshall' I did
not play 8 h3
note to Black's 13th move)
change my fate. --- By the 29th move I had less than ten minutes left
the board a storm was brewing: I concentrated nearly all my pieces against the
black king
fighting style
my attack I had to sacrifice a piece. My heart was thumping in my chest
pumping adrenalin around my body. I felt that a decisive blow was imminent
and that I only needed to give a discovered check. But where to move my knight
- to e6 or to e4
O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. Nbd2 Nd7 11. c3 Nc5 12.
axb5 axb5 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14. Bc2 b4 15. d4 bxc3 16. bxc3 Nd7 17. Nf1 Bf6 18. d5
Ncb8 19. h4 Nc5 20. Ng3 Bc8 21. Ng5 h6 22. Nh5 Be7 23. Nh3 Qa2 24. Re3 g6 25.
Rg3 Nbd7 26. Bxh6 Bxh4 27. Rg4 Be7 28. Bg5 Bxg5 29. Nxg5 f5 30. exf5 gxh5 31.
Rg3 Nf6 32. Ne6+ $6 {A consequence of tiredness and time-trouble - I had just
two minutes left on my clock

have been prettily and quickly decided by} 32. Ne4+ {(eliminating the
f6-knight - the key defensive piece)} Ng4 ({or} 32... Kf7 33. Nxf6 Kxf6 34.
Qxh5 {
Ke7 36. f6+ $1 ({more forceful than the Informator} 36. Qg7+) 36... Kd8 37. Qg7
Page 160
Sheet1
Re8 38. f7 {. --- At the board I suddenly imagined that Black's queen was on
a3
after the game Topalov said to me that 32 Ne4+ would have won
'But what about the queen check on c1?' And from the perplexed expression on
his face I realised to my horror that this move was not possible
was no way for the queen to reach c1. A complete black-out!}) 32... Kf7 {(an
instant reply)} 33. Rg7+ $2 ({Also missing the simple} 33. Nxf8 $1 Qxd5 (33...
Kxf8 $2 34. Qd2 {(c1) with the murderous threat of Qh6+}) 34. Qxd5+ Nxd5 35.
Nh7 Nf4 36. Kh2 {- White should be able to convert his exchange advantage
without particular difficulty.}) 33... Ke8 34. Nxc7+ (34. Nxc5 Rf7 $1 {-
Shipov.}) 34... Kd8 35. Ne6+ Ke8 ({Of course
and wins.}) 36. Nc7+ {During my remaining seconds I was only able to give
checks.} ({To be fair
earlier} 37... Qd5 {(?)} 38. Bd3 {(!)} Rf7 39. Rg8+ Rf8 40. Bb5+ Kf7 41. Qa4
Kxg8 42. Bc4 Qf7 43. Bxf7+ Rxf7 {is dangerous in view of} 44. Qh4 $1)) (36.
Nxf8 Kxf8 37. Rg6 Kf7 38. Qc1 Ng4 39. f6 Nd3 $1) ({and} 36. Qc1 {(d2)} Rf7 37.
Qh6 ({or} 37. Rxf7 Kxf7 38. Qg5 Nxe6 39. fxe6+ Bxe6 40. dxe6+ Kxe6 41. Bf5+ Ke7
Bd3 Qd2 $1 {.}) 36... Kd8 37. Ne6+ Ke8 38. Nc7+ {. After again missing a
certain chance of catching the leader and at the least sharing victory in the
tournament
anything I was distressed by such a blunder in tactics
one of the strongest aspects of my play. --- Nevertheless in the last round I
chose against Vallejo the same complicated line of the Najdorf as against Leko
(cf. Game No.93
before the first time control was close to my goal. But I squandered an
obvious advantage
after either Leko or Kramnik had been on the stage. --- Nikolai Fuzik: 'A
drawing epidemic struck practically all the competitors... The chess 'gods'
suffered especially from short 'grandmaster' draws. In Linares 2004 the
players who flourished in this occupation were Leko and especially Kramnik.
True
However
whereas for Leko and Kramnik it was 379 (32) and 321 (27) respectively.
Moreover
Kramnik)
the result that was expected of Kasparov
unwillingness to fight.' --- Sergey Shipov: 'Kasparov's performance in Linares
left mixed feelings. On the one hand
achieved a decent plus score and first place. He fought and outplayed his
opponents
the fourth hour! I think that he lacked concentration and his former
confidence in his powers. Or perhaps he was simply unfortunate! One lucky win
could have provided a new impulse for the next one. But as it was
half point after another
led to fresh losses. In his game with Topalov he attacked in his

characteristic style and was close to a win
problems that prevented him from 'not strongly
gates'. He confidently won such positions when he was a 13-year-old youth...'}
(38. -- {After Linares 2004 my self-confidence was shaken
the time had again come to readjust somehow. At the age of forty I was much
older than most of my opponents
was beginning to affect my results and my tactical play was misfiring
long could I remain at the top? I needed to thoroughly analyse all aspects of
my game
I was still in quite good form
Page 161
Sheet1
time-trouble mistakes themselves
time-trouble. At critical moments a lack of practice told. This manifested
itself in indecisiveness and a lack of trust in the accuracy of my
calculations: precious minutes were wasted on re-checking variations
should have been played very quickly. Time-trouble is a direct consequence of
uncertainty... --- A couple of weeks after Linares I won
of luck
the young Magnus Carlsen (Game No.131). And in the summer I took part in the
Tigran Petrosian Memorial (Moscow
Svidler
system with a Petrosian team (Kasparov
Lputian). --- At the start I beat van Wely
employed the Sveshnikov Variation against Anand

canonical 10...f5 (Game No.85) I chose 10...Bg7
exclaimed: 'Wrong move!'. Here I could not refrain from responding: 'What to
do
and the world team beat the Petrosian team 18½-17½. --- That same summer
after lengthy delays
took place in Tripoli. None of the previous winners (Karpov
and Ponomariov) took part
2003 chess 'Oscar'. The 24-year-old Uzbek grandmaster Rustam Kasimdzhanov
became the new knock-out champion
and Adams (true
remained absolutely unclear when my match with Kasimdzhanov would take place
and this uncertainty played on my nerves.}) (38. -- {In the autumn
nothing else to do
October 2004)
losing to my former Ladya team-mate Rublevsky
leader of the Bosna Sarajevo team (this game produced a final score in our
'classical' games of +15=13) and made four draws - 3 out of 6. The results of
the Cup: 1. NAO - 12 out of 14; 2. Bosna
Finally
Congress in the Spanish town of Calvia
Moscow
place from 7 to 30 January 2005 in Dubai under the patronage of the UAE
Ministry of Defence. The FIDE President confirmed that 'this match will be
held within the framework of the Prague Agreement'
of 2005 a unification match will take place - probably
couldn't help thinking: a fresh commitment

on 15 October I was obliged to decline an invitation to Wijk aan Zee in
January 2005
was replaced by Judit Polgar). And a week later I wrote to the FIDE Congress
mentioning a more realistic offer by the Turkish Chess Federation to take on
the organisation of the Kasimdzhanov-Kasparov match. However
declined to consider this question
Meanwhile
champion retained his title with great difficulty: for almost half the
distance Kramnik was losing 'minus one'
the 14th
ephemeral unification match had been determined.}) 1/2-1/2
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Russian 'Gold'"]
Page 162
Sheet1
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{57th Russian Championship Super-Final (Moscow
Kasparov - 7½ out of 10; 2. Grischuk - 6; 3. Dreev - 5½; 4-7. Morozevich
Motylev
11. Tseshkovsky - 2½.} 1. -- {Against the background of the preceding
failures and the agonisingly awaited match with Kasimdzhanov
Championship was exceptionally important for me: I needed to rehabilitate
myself! In addition
son Vadik
to him. This was an old dream of mine - when at the opening of the
super-tournament in Novgorod in 1997 I was asked what I still wanted to
achieve in chess
me on the stage in the capacity of champion.' --- Initially it was planned to
hold a super-tournament with 14 players in which
years
Kasparov and Kramnik
But before the start

it
(14... 13... 12... 11...)
first to disappear was Kramnik
his match with Leko and had not yet recovered
insistence of his doctors
competitions to the end of the year'. After this the executive committee of
the Russian Chess Federation apparently considered the number '13' to be
unlucky: it reduced the number of players to 12
had been personally invited - Khalifman! A third unpleasant surprise was
sprung by Karpov: on 12 November together with me he took part in a press
conference devoted to the forthcoming Russian Championship
he suddenly withdrew
even issued a call: 'Take care of Kasparov!'} (1. -- {My task was made more
difficult by the uneven line-up of this category 18 tournament
resembled Wijk aan Zee or Sarajevo: six rating favourites (Kasparov
Morozevich
Talented young players predominated - I was the second oldest competitor after
the 60-year-old Vitaly Tseshkovsky
the very centre of Moscow
one of the restaurants in the gigantic Russia Hotel. At one time I had lived
there with my team for the five long months of my first match with Karpov...
Soon this vivid symbol of the 'developed socialism' era was deemed to be
severely dilapidated and in 2006 it was demolished (like another historic
chess hotel - the Sport
the first round I won a very nervy game with White against Bareev in a
Caro-Kann with 4...Bf5: I had a somewhat better endgame

occurred only in the time scramble before the first control. Then with Black I
shared the point with Korotylev. In the third round I was free
fourth I suffered a great disappointment in my game with Motylev. In an
endgame arising from the Petroff Defence (cf. Game No.82
move)
nothing and seized the initiative. In search of counter-chances Black gave up
the exchange and ended up in a hopeless position. I could have won several
times
Page 163
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provoked
colleagues).}) *
[Event "96: 57th USSR Championship

[Site "?"]
[Date "2004.11.21"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Dreev
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D43"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2004.??.??"]
{In the fifth round I had another draw in a tense battle with Epishin. My
tournament position at the mid-distance did not inspire particular optimism
(Grischuk and Dreev - 3½ out of 5; Kasparov and Timofeev - 2½ out of 4)
especially since the most difficult opponents were still to come. --- The next
day I had White against one of the leaders - the 35-year-old Moscow
grandmaster Alexey Dreev
Olympiad 'gold' for Russia. A win was desperately needed
join battle in one of the main lines of the Slav Defence
by Dreev.} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 (5. e3 {- Game Nos.27
98.}) 5... h6 ({Avoiding the sharp Botvinnik Variation} 5... dxc4 6. e4 b5 {
(Game No.6)
} 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. e3 Nd7 {.}) 6... dxc4 7. e4 g5 ({It is not possible to get
by without this weakening:} 7... Bb4 $6 8. Bxc4 Bxc3+ $6 ({here also} 8... g5 {
is better
dangerous initiative
9. bxc3 Qa5 10. O-O Nxe4 11. Ne5 $1 {with an attack (Kasparov-Korchnoi
1995).}) 8. Bg3 b5 9. Be2 $1 ({In one of the first games on this theme
Spassky-Pachman (Moscow 1967)
a spectacular win
Part III of My Great Predecessors).}) 9... Bb7 {A tabiya of the Anti-Moscow
Gambit - virtually the most complicated and risky variation in modern chess.
--- Black is a pawn up
particular problems. But in such positions White's compensation for the
sacrificed material is not immediate
by the moves ...b7-b5 and ...g7-g5: pawns don't move backwards
easy for Black to castle. However
demanded.} 10. h4 ({A modern plan

supplanted} 10. e5 {
I of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov
O-O Nbd7 11. Ne5 {
Nxb5 a6 $1 14. Nd6+ Bxd6 15. Bxd6 Qb6 16. Bg3 Rc8 17. Rc1 c3 18. Ne5 cxb2 19.
Rxc8+ Bxc8 20. Qc2 O-O {(Bareev-Dreev
10... g4 11. Ne5 h5 {Initially the most popular reply.} ({Bad alternatives are
} 11... b4 $6 12. Na4 Nxe4 13. Bxc4 Nxg3 ({or} 13... h5 14. Qe2 $1 {
Stohl-Pavasovic
(Khalifman-Dreev
Nbd7) ({or} 11... Rg8 {became fashionable
f3 $5 {A comparatively rare move
White plays} 12. O-O Nbd7 13. Qc2 {
Page 164
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Spassky-Pachman game in an improved version. However
15. Rad1 O-O {the chances are roughly equal:} 16. f3 ({or} 16. Bg3 Nd7 17. f3
c5 $1 (17... Qb6 {is also good
complicated play (Aronian-Anand
fxg4 Qxh4 19. gxh5 Ng5 20. Qd2 Nh3+ $1 21. gxh3 Qg3+ {with perpetual check.})
12... Nbd7 13. fxg4 hxg4 ({The variation} 13... Nxe5 14. Bxe5 hxg4 {could have
led to a simple transposition of moves after} 15. O-O {
the additional chance} 15. Bxg4 {(an example: Beliavsky-Kobalia
game
14. Nxd7 Nxd7 15. Bxg4 Rg8 $1 {is harmless.}) 14... Nxe5 ({Of course
14... b4 $6 15. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 16. e5 bxc3 17. Bxc4 {with an attack}) ({and not}
14... Bh6 $6 15. Nxf7 $1 {(Malinin-Shestakov

15. Nxf7 $1 {(Vitiugov-Kobalia
novelty by Dreev: Black unexpectedly sacrifices the exchange and launches a
counterattack!} (15... Be7 $2 16. Qd2 Rxh4 17. Qf4 {is hopeless for him
(Nechaev-Maksimenko
15... Rh6 16. Bf4 b4 $6 (16... Rh7 {is better}) 17. Bg5 $1 bxc3 18. bxc3 Rg6
19. Rxf6 Rxf6 20. e5 Be7 $6 21. exf6 Bxf6 22. Rb1 $1 {(Erdos-Baramidze
2008).}) 16. Bxh8 ({There is no choice:} 16. Bg3 $6 Rxh4 $1 {.}) 16... Qxh4 {
(threatening ...g4-g3)} 17. Bxg4 Qxh8 18. e5 $1 ({'Cutting off the black queen
from the d4-pawn' (Shipov). I played this on general grounds
feeling that this was the correct decision (in contrast to} 18. Qd2 b4 19. Qf2
O-O-O $1 {). --- It would appear that Dreev was not prepared for 18 e5: after
some thought he suddenly gave up his knight
$6 {Also flamboyant
Qe2 c5 {was much stronger
20. -- (20. d5 Nxe5 21. dxe6 Nxg4 22. Qxg4 Qd4+ 23. Qxd4 cxd4 24. Nxb5 fxe6 {
Poikovsky 2005)}) ({
Rxd7 (23... Kb8 24. Bxb5 Bc5 $1 {is also suitable}) 24. Qg4 Bc6 25. Rxd7 Bxd7
26. e6 d3 $1 27. exd7+ Kd8 28. Qg5+ $1 Be7 29. Qd5 (29. Qxb5 Qd4+ 30. Kh1 Qh4+
{with perpetual check}) 29... Qxb2 30. Re1 Qb4 {(S.Ivanov-Shimanov
2012).})) 19. dxe5 Bc5+ 20. Rf2 Qxe5 $6 (20... Bxf2+ 21. Kxf2 Qxe5 {
retaining the queens
22. Bf3 $5) ({or} 22. Qd2 $5 {but with the queens on Black would have had
chances of exploiting the open position of the white king}) 22... Qd4+ $1 {.})
21. Qe2 $1 {Forcibly transposing into a favourable endgame
results are now possible.} ({Things are unclear after} 21. Qe1 $6 Qf4 $1 22.
Ne4 Bxf2+ 23. Nxf2 O-O-O 24. Bf3 e5 $5 (24... Qd2 {

is weaker because of} 25. Qe5) 25. a4 a6 {with the intention of ...f7-f5.})
21... Qxe2 ({Now} 21... Qf4 $6 22. Qf3 Bxf2+ 23. Kxf2 Qd2+ 24. Kf1 $1) ({or}
21... Bxf2+ 22. Qxf2 $1 O-O-O 23. Re1 {
Rd8 23. Kf1 ({The exchange} 23. Rd1 Rxd1+ 24. Bxd1 {would have eased the
opponent's defence - in the first instance White needs to centralise his king.}
) 23... Bxf2 24. Kxf2 {'Black has three pawns for a piece - nominally material
is equal. But in fact White has an obvious advantage: for the moment there are
no passed pawns and none are anticipated
also important is the presence of the doubled c-pawns
queenside two white infantrymen are restraining four of Black's. Any active
move by Black may lead to the creation of weaknesses.' (Shipov)} Ke7 (24... Rd2
$6 {would have been a blank shot on account of} 25. Ne4 {(} Rxb2 $2 26. Nd6+ {)
}) ({or} 24... a6 25. Rh1 c5 $6 26. Bf3 $1 Bxf3 27. Rh8+ Ke7 28. Rxd8 Kxd8 29.
Kxf3 {
tempted by simplification
Rh1 would also have set Black many practical problems.}) 26... Rxd1 27. Bxd1 f5
(27... c5 28. g4 $1 {.}) 28. g4 $1 {(threatening 29 gxf5 exf5 30 Kf4 with an
Page 165
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attack on the weak f5-pawn)} fxg4 29. Bxg4 {An entertaining ending: White has
good winning chances
is still not altogether clear.} Kd6 30. Ne4+ Kd5 31. Bf3 $2 {A very important
moment in the game.} ({In Informator I approved of this move and gave the
'dubious'} 31. Bxe6+ {(!)} Kxe6 32. Nc5+ Kd5 33. Nxb7 c5 {with an 'equality'
evaluation
he needed to 'stand
here White has a clear win! After} 34. Nd8 Ke5 (34... b4 35. Kd2 $1 Kd6 36.
Nf7+ {
he needs to give his opponent the move -} 38. Nc3+ Ke5 39. Kd2 Ke6 40. Ne4 Kd5
41. Ke3 {
{(threatening Ke4)} b4 43. Ne4 Kd5 (43... c3 $6 44. bxc3 bxc3) 44. Nd2 a5 45.
Ne4 Kc6 46. Kd2 Kd5 47. Nf2 Kd4 48. Ng4 Kd5 49. Kc2 a4 (49... Kd4 50. a4 $1)
50. Kd2 Kc6 51. Ne3 Kb5 52. Kc2 {
Instead of this
Black's sufferings with his 'bad' bishop
{Dreev now had little time left
Ng5+ Kc5 {(} 33. Ke4 $6 c3 {with a draw)
gradual strengthening of my position. At any event
question.}) 32... a5 33. Bf3 e5 34. Ng5+ (34. Bg2 {

tactics
and therefore} 34... Bd7 {is correct}) 35. a3 $1 {.}) 34... Kc5 35. Ne4+ $6 (
35. Be4 {was better.}) 35... Kd5 $6 ({In the time scramble we simply repeated
moves
or} 36. Nc3 Be6 37. Ke4 b4 38. Na4+ Kc7 39. Kxe5 c3 $1 40. bxc3 Bxa2 {with a
draw}) 36... Bf5 37. Be4 Bxe4 38. Nxe4 a4 {.}) 36. a3 {It would have been
better to leave the pawn on a2 - as far away as possible from on exchange!} ({
and to play} 36. Bg2) ({or} 36. Ng5+ Kc5 37. Be4 {
of success.}) 36... Ba6 ({There was no reason to leave the long diagonal:}
36... Bd7) ({or} 36... b4 37. a4 Be6 {was simpler.}) 37. Bh5 (37. Bg4 $5 {was
stronger
drawing haven:} Bb7 38. a4 Ba6 39. Bd7 c3 $1 40. Nxc3+ Kc5 41. axb5 ({or} 41.
Kd2 bxa4 42. Nxa4+ Kb4 43. Bxc6 e4 {

Bc8 38. Bf3 Ba6 {(another move repetition in the time scramble)} 39. Ng5+ (39.
Bg4 $5 {.}) 39... Kc5 40. Be2 ({A solid last move before the control - the
immediate} 40. Nf7 {would have allowed} b4 {and ...c4-c3 with exchanges and a
draw.}) ({No win is also apparent after} 40. Bg4 b4 41. a4 c3 42. Ne4+ Kb6 43.
bxc3 bxc3 44. Bd1 Bf1 45. Bc2 Ba6 {
41. Bg4 $1) ({or} 40... Kd5 41. Bf3+ Kc5 42. Bg4 $1 {
another problem.}) 41. Nf7 $1 {At last I hit on an idea which promises at
least something
with his knight
simple-minded} 41. Ke4 b4 42. Kxe5 {
42... Kb5 $1 {(it would appear that this is what Dreev was hoping for)} 43. a4+
Kxa4 44. Bxc4 b3 {to a quick draw:} 45. Nf7 ({or} 45. Ne4 Kb4 46. Kd4 a4 47.
Nc5 a3) 45... Kb4 46. Nd6 a4 47. Bd3 c5 {.}) 41... b4 ({After} 41... Kd5 $6 42.
Bf3+ Kc5 (42... Ke6 $2 43. Nd8+) 43. Nxe5 {Black would have advanced} b4 {with
the loss of a tempo
chances.}) 42. Nxe5 Be6 (42... c3 $2 {no longer worked because of} 43. bxc3
bxa3 44. Bc4 {.}) 43. a4 (43. Kd2 Bd5 {was also unclear.}) 43... c3 $2 {The
illusion of a quick draw!} (43... Bd5 $1 {was essential
chances - at any event
or} 44. Bd1 b3 45. Bh5 {(g4)} c3 $1) ({or by} 44. Kd2 Kd4 45. Nf3+ Kc5 {
44... Kd6 45. Nf6 Kc5 {.}) 44. Nd3+ $1 {The prelude to a pretty refutation.} ({
Black was hoping for} 44. bxc3 $2 Bb3 $1 45. Nd3+ Kc4 46. cxb4 Bxa4 47. bxa5
Kb5 {with a draw.}) 44... Kb6 ({If} 44... Kc4 {White would have won by} 45.
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Nc1+ $1 (45. Nf4+ $2 Kb3) 45... Kc5 46. bxc3 bxc3 47. Nd3+ Kd6 48. Bd1 c5 49.
Bc2 {.}) 45. bxc3 Bb3 46. c4 $1 {Flamboyant
continuation was also appropriate -} 46. Kd4 $5 Bxa4 ({or} 46... bxc3 47. Nc5
Bf7 48. Bd1 {and wins}) 47. c4 {.}) 46... Bxa4 {'Being in a second and very
severe time-trouble
Perhaps having had time to notice that} 46... Bxc4 47. Kd4 Bb3 {(f7)} 48. Nb2 {
single pawn
methodically steals up on the enemy pawns.} Kc7 49. Bf3 Bb3 ({If} 49... Ba4 {
}) 50. Be4 (50. Ne5 $5 {.}) 50... Ba4 51. Kc4 Bc2 52. Bf3 Ba4 53. Ne5 $1 Kb7 (
53... Bb5+ 54. Kb3 Kb7 55. Nc4 {(f7)
Ba4 57. Bc2 $1 Bxc2 58. Nxc2 Kd8 59. Nd4 ({In view of} 59. Nd4 Kc7 60. Kb3 {
and Ka4xa5.}) (59. -- {Thus I reached the 'plus two' mark and became one of
the two leaders
--- However
following day I played appalling against Tseshkovsky
one of my favourite lines of the Sicilian (cf. Game No.37
12th move). I simply could not decide what to do: equalise or nevertheless
play for a win? As a result I came under an attack and almost lost
traditional desperate time-trouble Tseshkovsky threw away both his advantage
and a draw... This ultra-sharp duel became the turning-point of the entire
championship! --- Litus: 'At the end of the game
awaited in the press centre occurred. Kasparov came in and began commenting on
the game. And he did this with such enthusiasm
suddenly sensed it was then that he gained his second wind. To all the
questions the future Russian champion answered instantly and he gave an
exhaustive reply with variations
Kasparov was bursting with energy. Then Garry Kimovich went into the
auditorium and with his colleagues he began discussing the remaining games
something he does very rarely.' --- Of course
my optimism. In the eighth round after 1 d4 Svidler unexpectedly chose the
Slav Defence - 1...d5 2 c4 c6
dxc4 4 e4 b5 5 a4 b4 6 Na2 Nf6 7 e5 Nd5 8 Bxc4 e6 9 Nf3 Be7 10 Bd2 a5 11 Nc1
Nd7 12 Nb3. In this way I had once beaten Ivan Sokolov (Sarajevo 1999)
now in a multi-piece endgame I also overcame Svidler.}) (59. -- {That was not
all
against Timofeev
reaching 6½ out of 8
whom I had to play with Black in the last
tenth round I had White against Morozevich and after a highly original opening
I gained a big advantage

opponent's tenacious resistance. That day I as though played two games
attentively following events on the adjacent board
Korotylev-Grischuk game was taking place. In the end Grischuk rather overrated
his position
point and a half more than him and ahead of schedule I became Russian champion.
--- Nevertheless my finishing battle with Grischuk in a Najdorf (cf. Game No.
76
spectators. In a time scramble I managed to hold a dangerous position
concluded the tournament without any mishaps
At the closing ceremony my son at last saw me being presented with a
champion's gold medal. He was with me and I happily hung the medal round his
neck. It was joked that Vadik deserved it: every time he came to the
tournament I was lucky... Suddenly the 12th world champion

disappeared two weeks earlier
Page 167
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and he handed me a valuable prize - a chess set made out of mammoth ivory (!)
in the 'Karpov Workshop'.}) (59. -- {The Russian 'gold' helped me to overcome
the inner crisis and restore the confidence in my powers. For the first time I
became sole champion of the country (in 1981 and 1988 there was a share of
1st-2nd places). The success was based on a certain adjustment to my playing
style: now I expended my time more rationally and did not place such an
emphasis on the opening
battle in the middlegame and the endgame. --- 'All year in tournaments I did
not win more than one game
Hotel very much helped me to prepare. Twenty years ago I came here
standing at 'minus five' in my first match with Karpov. Now I have scored
'plus five' - as it is said
reflection'
regained the right to vote'. And in another interview I added: 'Now I have
nothing more to dream about: champion of Russia is the last title which was
not in my collection.' --- As for the match with Kasimdzhanov
Russian Championship it was clear that in January 2005 it was not going to
happen. And
the match was being postponed until the spring
financial guarantees
it was possible that Turkey would take part. And Ilyumzhinov himself expressed
the hope that 'in April when financial guarantees are made by the Turkish
government the Kasimdzhanov-Kasparov match will take place

2005 its winner will play Kramnik.'. --- However
bothered about the obvious sabotage of the Prague Agreement. The impasse in
the battle for the world championship had brought me to the idea of ending my
chess career.}) 1-0
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Finishing Line"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{Double-Round Super-Tournament in Linares (22 February - 10 March 2005): 1-2.
Kasparov and Topalov - 8 out of 12; 3. Anand - 6½; 4. Leko - 6; 5. Adams -
5½; 6-7. Kasimdzhanov and Vallejo - 4.} 1. -- {Late in 2004 FIDE finally
entered into discussions with the Turkish Chess Federation about the
Kasimdzhanov-Kasparov match
the necessary financial guarantees
was later extended to 18 January
informed that the guarantees could not be made early than 25 January. ---
After waiting so long for this match for the FIDE title an enormous fatigue
and disillusionment had accumulated. My patience snapped
2005 I declared that I was ceasing discussions and was opting out of the FIDE
world championship cycle

with FIDE in Prague to try and unify the world championship. Over the past two
and a half years
time the deadlines have come and gone while the financial guarantees were
ignored. --- 'Four times I have put my life on hold to schedule three months
for preparation
Page 168
Sheet1
understand
cancelled events have been deeply unsettling to me both professionally and
personally. Our global chess federation has rarely thought enough to even keep
me informed
repeated frustrations. --- 'I called a halt to negotiations last night
resentment at my treatment by FIDE has been building for the past three months.
My life has been totally disrupted for two and a half years thanks to this
on-again
--- 'Perhaps the last straw was watching the Corus tournament in Wijk aan Zee
currently underway in the Netherlands. I was forced to give up my invitation
to play in this event when FIDE insisted that the match would take place in
Dubai on conflicting dates. It breaks my heart to watch such a great event
from the sidelines. It hurts me
have no financial guarantee
documents can take considerable time... --- 'It's not about money or winning
the title; it's about my disillusionment with the process and the others on
which it depends. In 2002 I dreamed of a legitimate chance to revive - and
reclaim - the real world championship title. That no longer seems to be
possible. Even if by some miracle the match is held and I win

great deal of responsibility and still have no opportunity to unify the title.
FIDE has proven itself incapable of the task while others are unwilling. ---
'As for unification
who saw me as an obstacle
I had not yet taken a final decision to leave the chess scene
keenly that it was time to change my life. This decision began to crystallise
after the cancellation of the match with Kasimdzhanov in Dubai
precisely
a cherished dream was realised: my son saw a competitive triumph of mine with
his own eyes. But in February
definitely that this was my last tournament
psychologically. --- I wanted to finish on a high note
not won in Linares for two years

However
already embarked on a new path. Much time was take up by political battles
within and around the Committee 2008. My personal life had also undergone a
transformation: I had left my previous family situation and was planning to
marry Daria Tarasova
took place
I needed to bring my chess career to a worthy finish
get ready.}) (1. -- {In Linares everything was as usual: category 20
participants
Kasimdzhanov. Of the favourites
he had supposedly failed to come to an agreement with the organisers (or
perhaps he had not yet recovered after Wijk aan Zee 2005: 1. Leko - 8½ out
of 13; 2. Anand - 8; 3. Topalov - 7½; 4-7. J.Polgar

Kramnik - 7). --- I made a rather difficult start
warm up. In the first round Leko put pressure on my position in an English
Attack (cf. Game No.66
all his chances - a draw on the 26th move. In the second round I now put
pressure on Kasimdzhanov in a Petroff Defence (cf. Game No.82
14th move)
without a degree of luck
the Queen's Gambit Accepted.}) *
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
Page 169
Sheet1
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4: Experiments"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{Simuls' against Professionals:} 1. -- {As has already been mentioned
throughout my chess career I have aimed for unexplored experiments and I have
tirelessly blazed new trails. Thus in 1996 and 1997 I conducted an
unprecedented experiment 'man against machine' - two matches with the
super-computer Deep Blue. And even earlier I was the first in the world to
began giving simultaneous displays with clocks against masters and

grandmasters - entire Olympiad teams from various countries! The current
section is about these displays. --- But first
them. Simuls' with clocks were practised in the USSR
priceless experience back in childhood
pioneers palaces (1974 and 1975)
simuls' against grandmasters - the captains of the opposing teams (cf. Part I
of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov). Later I also gained experience in giving
simuls': three times at these tournaments I was the captain of the Baku team
and each time I gave five simuls'. The games were not preserved
pity: among my opponents were Khalifman
grandmasters. But I remember the results: +26=9 (1981)
+30-1=4 (1987). --- Also memorable was the first simultaneous display in
history where the moves were transmitted through space by satellite. This was
on 30 June 1984. Play was on ten boards: I and the five best English juniors
were in London
opponents - Adams
grandmasters
on Garry Kasparov). There was almost the same result in another 'cosmic'
simul'
Canada
+8-1=1 (a loss to Adams and a draw with Ulibin).} (1. -- {From London 1984 I
set off to pick up another chess 'Oscar' in Barcelona
against seven solid Spaniards: +3=4 (among those I beat was Illescas). And in
December 1985
of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov)
professional team in a simul'. I was opposed by the Hamburg club from the West
German Bundesliga
sleepless night
Hamburg. I began the simul' just two hours after landing and snatching a meal
- I didn't even have time to draw breath! --- To this day I remember the
ironically sceptical smiles of the German public: the things that the young
world champion would do in order to popularise chess. My opponents were ready
to play Black on all eight boards
on four was greeted with joyful surprise. In the end I managed to win just one
game with White
[Event "101: Simultaneous Display
[Site "?"]
[Date "1985.12.23"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Behrhorst
Page 170
Sheet1
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D93"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "1985.??.??"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 {(my first public experience of employing the
Grünfeld)} 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bf4 O-O (5... c5 $6 {- Game No.1 in Kasparov vs.
Karpov 1986-87.}) 6. e3 {A harmless variation.} ({Later} 6. Rc1 dxc4 {came to
the fore (Game Nos.48
Ne4 (7... Be6 {is also played}) ({but most often -} 7... Qa5 {.}) 8. Qb3 $2 (8.
Rc1 Nxc3 9. bxc3 dxc4 {is correct
this in the Catalan
initiative.} 9. cxd5 Naxc5 10. Qc4 b5 $1 {(this suggests itself)} 11. Nxb5 $6 (
11. Qxb5 {was unpromising:} Ba6 12. Qb4 Bxf1 13. Kxf1 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Qxd5 {with
powerful domination for the pawn (look alone at the restless king on f1)
the move in the game is even worse.}) 11... Bxb2 12. Bc7 $1 {A desperate
interposition.} a6 $6 {Here I decided to play 'brilliantly'
wrong!} (12... Qd7 $1 {(threatening ...a7-a6) would have been decisive after}
13. Be5 (13. Ne5 Qf5) 13... Bxa1 14. Bxa1 Ba6 15. Qd4 f6 16. a4 Rfb8 {with the
idea of 17...Bxb5 18 axb5 a6!. The rapid conclusion of the game would have
made it easier for me on the other boards
the flamboyant queen sacrifice.}) 13. Bxd8 axb5 14. Qc2 ({After} 14. Qxb5 $2
Bc3+ 15. Kd1 Rxd8 {White is completely defenceless.}) 14... Bc3+ 15. Qxc3 ({
The queen has to be returned:} 15. Nd2 Bxd2+ 16. Qxd2 Nxd2 17. Bxe7 Ncb3 $1 18.
axb3 Rxa1+ 19. Kxd2 Re8 20. d6 Bd7 21. g3 Rea8 {was worse.}) (15. Kd1 $2 Rxd8 {
.}) 15... Nxc3 16. Bxe7 Nb3 $1 {A picturesque position: the knights have
trapped the rook!} 17. Rd1 $2 {Now a little work of art occurs: the
undeveloped state of White's kingside causes his downfall.} ({The correct
continuation was} 17. Bxf8 -- (17... Nxa1 18. Bd3 $1 (18. Bc5 $6 Ne4 $1) 18...
Rxa2 (18... Kxf8 $6 19. Kd2) 19. Bd6 $1 Bf5 20. Bxf5 gxf5 21. O-O Nxd5 22. Be5
Nc2 23. Rd1) ({
Nxd1 20. axb3 ({or} 20. Kxd1 Rxa2 21. Rf1 Bd7 $1) 20... Nxe3 $1) 18... Nxb1 19.
axb3 Nc3 20. Rg1 Bb7 21. Kd2 Ne4+ 22. Kc2 {
Rxa2 18. Bxf8 (18. d6 $6 Nxd1 19. Kxd1 Bg4 $1 {and wins.}) 18... Kxf8 19. Nd4 {
Returning the pawn.} (19. Ne5 Nxd1 20. Kxd1 Nc5) (19. Rg1 b4 $1 20. Bc4 Ba6 $1
21. Bxa6 Rxa6 22. d6 Ke8 {was also depressing - the black knights are dominant!
}) 19... Nxd1 20. Nxb3 Nxf2 21. Rg1 Ng4 (21... b4) ({or} 21... Ne4 {was also
good.}) 22. d6 $6 (22. e4 {was more resilient
{the evaluation of the position is clear.}) 22... Nxe3 {(beginning the
conversion stage)} 23. Nc5 Bg4 (23... Be6 $1 24. Be2 ({or} 24. h3 b4 {was more
forceful}) 24... Bc4 {.}) 24. h3 ({The capture} 24. Bxb5 {was weak on account
of} Nxg2+ ({but not the 'elegant'} 24... Ra5 $2 25. d7 $1) 25. Kf1 Ne3+ 26. Ke1
Nc2+ 27. Kf2 Nd4+ 28. Kg3 Nxb5 29. Kxg4 Nxd6) 24... Rc2 $1 25. Na6 (25. Ne4 Bf5
{.}) 25... Be6 {The rest is elementary
Black still has to be careful and accurate.} 26. Be2 Bc4 27. Bf3 Nf5 28. d7 Ke7
29. Nb8 Rc1+ 30. Kf2 Rxg1 31. Kxg1 Nd4 32. Be4 f5 33. Bb1 Be6 34. Kf2 Bxd7 {
And on the 51st move White resigned.} 35. Ke3 Nc6 36. Nxd7 Kxd7 37. g4 fxg4 38.
hxg4 Ke6 39. Kf4 Kd5 40. Ba2+ Kd4 41. Kg5 Ne5 42. Bg8 b4 43. Bxh7 b3 44. Bg8 b2
45. Ba2 Kc3 46. Bb1 Kd2 47. Kf4 Kc1 48. Be4 Nc4 49. Bxg6 Na3 50. g5 Nc2 {. But
in the other 'black' games I lost (including to Chandler and Wahls) and for
the only time over all the years I was defeated in a simul': 3½-4½ (+2-3=3)
. --- This severe test taught me an excellent lesson: I realised that such
Page 171
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simuls' demanded serious preparation! The main reason for my failure was not
so much exhaustion
opponents
this
correctness of my diagnosis. --- I obtained additional practice at

simultaneous displays with clocks in 1986-87
Botvinnik-Kasparov school. These were both good training
studying live the pupils' styles
deficiencies. The simuls' on five or six boards were notable for the strength
of the line-up: among those playing
young Kramnik
Serper
here
Landa and Oratovsky - not the most dangerous of the opponents). ---
Unfortunately
were of undoubted value for chess. I will give one of the rare games that was
published - with the 14-year-old Vladimir Akopian
of the school (see the following game). In that very first simul' which
the astonishment of my young opponents and their trainers
score 6-0.} 0-1
[Site "?"]
[Date "1986.04.01"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Akopian
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E97"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "1986.??.??"]
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 O-O 5. Nf3 d6 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5
Ne7 9. Nd2 ({At that time Volodya regularly played the King's Indian
decided to choose a less fashionable move than} 9. Ne1 {(Game Nos.58
in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov).}) 9... Nd7 (9... a5 10. a3 Nd7
11. Rb1 f5 12. b4 Kh8 $1 {is sounder - Game No.80 in Part II of Garry Kasparov
on Garry Kasparov.}) 10. b4 a5 $6 {Mixing up the plans!} (10... f5 11. c5 Nf6
12. -- (12. f3 f4 {is better
has both} f4 {(Kramnik-Nakamura
g5 {
13. a4 f5 14. f3 f4 $6 ({Nevertheless there is more life in} 14... Kh8 {with
the idea of ...Ng8 and ...Bh6.}) 15. a5 $1 {Akopian looked perplexed: my swift
offensive on the queenside obviously outstrips his counterplay on the kingside.
} ({More accurate than} 15. Ba3 b6 (15... g5 $6 16. c5 $1 {
West Berlin 1971.})) 15... g5 (15... b6 16. Nb5 $1 {.}) 16. Ba3 Rf6 17. c5 {
(threatening 18 cxd6 cxd6 19 Nb5)} dxc5 18. Nxc5 Nxc5 19. Bxc5 Bf8 20. Qb3 Kh8
21. Nb5 {White's pressure has reached the critical mark.} Bd7 ({A difficult
choice:} 21... Ng6 22. Bxf8 Nxf8 23. Qb4 Bd7 24. Rfc1 {is also bad.}) 22. Rfc1
b6 (22... c6 {did not work after} 23. Bb6 Qc8 24. Qb2 $1 Ng6 25. dxc6 Rxc6 26.
Na7 {
Rxa8 Qxa8 25. Nc7 Qd8 26. Bf2 Ng6 27. Ne6 $6 (27. Bb5 $1 {was more forceful
in order after the exchange of the light-squared bishops to establish the
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knight on e6.}) 27... Bxe6 28. dxe6 Qe8 $6 (28... Qd6 29. Bc4 Qa3) ({or} 28...
Qd2 29. Ra1 Qb4 {was more resilient
although also in the endgame there are few saving chances.}) 29. Bc4 Bc5 {This
hastens the end
Qa3 {
Bxe6 Qxe6 34. Rd5 Ng6 35. Qb7 {And immediately after the time control Black
resigned. Quite a complete
Qf7 38. Rd8+ Nf8 39. Qxe5 Qa7+ 40. Qd4 Qa5 41. Qd5+ 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "1986.05.24"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Lutz
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D88"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "1986.??.??"]
{In May 1986 in a simul' against the West German junior team I confidently won
6½-1½ (+5=3). This team was definitely somewhat weaker than the one from
Hamburg
Stangl
Modern Benoni
15-year-old Christopher Lutz proved more complicated.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3.

Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 c5 8. Ne2 O-O 9. O-O Nc6 10.
Be3 cxd4 ({Deviating from the well-known} 10... Qc7) ({or} 10... Bg4 {(Game No.
28 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov).}) ({Currently the immediate
} 10... b6 $5 {is in fashion
b6 12. Rc1 Na5 ({Avoiding} 12... Bb7 13. Bb5 Rc8 ({or} 13... Na5 14. d5 {
Spassky-D.Byrne
17th USSR Championship
14... Bb7 15. h4 $5 {(Knaak's aggressive move)} Qd7 16. Bh6 (16. h5 $5 {.})
16... Nc6 $6 {The initial cause of Black's problems.} (16... Bxh6 17. Qxh6 Nc6
{with the idea of} 18. Bb5 a6 $1 {is more accurate (P.Cramling-Andersson
Haninge 1989).}) 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. Bb5 $1 a6 $6 ({And here the lesser evil was
} 18... Qd6 19. d5 $1 Na5 {.}) 19. Bxc6 (19. d5 $1 axb5 20. Qc3+ Nd4 ({or}
20... Ne5 21. Qxe5+ f6 22. Qxe6 Qxe6 23. dxe6) 21. Nxd4 Kg8 22. Qc7 {was
stronger
guarantees White an enduring advantage.}) 19... Bxc6 20. d5 $1 Bb5 (20... exd5
$2 21. Qc3+ {.}) 21. Rfd1 (21. Qb2+ $5 Kg8 22. Rfd1 {.}) 21... e5 22. h5 Rac8 (
22... Qd6 $5 {.}) 23. h6+ {(this pawn is worth a piece!)} Kg8 24. Rxc8 (24. Nc3
$5 Bc4 25. Nb1 {with the threat of Na3 or Rc3 and Rdc1 was more creative
I tried to play simply and solidly.}) 24... Rxc8 25. Nc3 Qd6 {Allowing an
unfavourable exchange;} ({if} 25... Bc4 {
unpleasant.}) 26. Nxb5 axb5 27. Qb2 b4 28. Rc1 (28. Qe2 $1 {and Qa6 was more
forceful.}) 28... Rc5 29. Rc2 Qc7 30. Rd2 Qd6 ({After} 30... Rc1+ 31. Kh2 Qc3
32. d6 $1 Qxb2 33. Rxb2 Kf8 34. f4 $1 {Black has a difficult rook endgame
this was the best practical chance.}) 31. a3 $1 {(after the opening of lines
Black is helpless against the invasion)} Rc4 32. axb4 Rxe4 33. Qc1 $1 Rxb4 ({If
} 33... Kf8 {
been decisive
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39... Kc8 40. g3 $1 Rxb4 41. Rd7) 40. b5 ({or} 40. Rd7+ Kxc6 41. Rxf7 {
Rxh7-h8 and h6-h7}) 40... Rh4 41. Rd7+ Kc8 42. Rxf7 Rxh6 43. Rb7 {and Rxb6.})
34. Ra2 $1 Qf8 35. Ra7 $1 Qd8 $6 ({The more resilient} 35... Rd4 {would also
not have saved Black in view of} 36. Rd7 {and g2-g3
zugzwang.}) 36. g3 {(now all roads lead to Rome)} Qb8 37. Qg5 Qe8 38. Qf6 Rb1+
39. Kg2 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "1987.02.11"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Wahls
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B33"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "1987.??.??"]
{Developing the correct strategy for this simul' was helped by competent
preparation - a study of my future opponents' games. This success made me more
confident that in this way I would also subsequently be able to impose 'my
play' on my simul' opponents and take them away from those positions in which
they felt comfortable. --- And
convincing revenge against Hamburg: 7-1 (+6=2). On this occasion Chandler was
not competing
the line-up was stronger. During the play I not only make use of my
'pin-point' preparation
was then preparing for world championship matches. In particular
publishable game with Black against the 19-year-old Matthias Wahls.} 1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 {(I had already played this in a
1985 simul' against Chandler
Chandler did in fact reply} 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. e5 Nd5 8. Ne4 Qc7 9. f4 Qb6 10. c4
Garry Kasparov}) 11. Ke2 f5 12. Nf2 (12. exf6 Nxf6 13. Be3 Qd8 {is also unclear
}) 12... Ba6 13. Kf3 Ne7 14. Be3 Bc5 15. Bxc5 Qxc5 {a sharp battle developed.
But Wahls follows the main line.}) 6... d6 7. Bf4 e5 8. Bg5 a6 9. Na3 b5 10.
Nd5 ({If} 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. Nd5 {there could have followed} f5 12. Bd3 (12.
Bxb5 {- Game No.85}) 12... Be6 13. Qh5 Bg7 14. O-O f4 15. c4 bxc4 16. Bxc4 O-O
{(Koch-Kasparov
1985 with Timoshchenko
Sveshnikov himself preferred the usual response} 10... Be7 {(Game Nos.11
49).}) 11. Bd2 Qd8 12. Bg5 (12. c4 $1 {- cf. below.}) 12... Qa5+ 13. Bd2 Qd8
14. Nxf6+ {After repeating moves
rejoinder is} 14. c4 $1 Nxe4 15. cxb5 Be6 $1 16. Bc4 $1 Ne7 17. Be3 $1 {
Black loses material
Bb6 $1 (18. Nb6 d5 $1 {
19. bxa6 $1 Rxc4 20. a7 Bxd5 ({things are not so clear even in the wild
variation} 20... Nxd5 $6 21. a8=Q+ Rc8 22. Qaa4 Nxb6 23. Qxe4 d5 24. Qxe5 Bb4+
25. Kf1 O-O {
pieces
23. Nxe5 Qe6 {
Be7 17. c3 {A novelty.} ({We had analysed} 17. f4 exf4 $1 {(Sideif-Sade-Gorelov
Sideif-Sade-Gorelov
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f3 {
19. Qxe2 Nd4 20. Qd3 O-O {
position.}) 17... d5 $1 {(exploiting the undefended position of the bishop on
d3)} 18. Qe2 (18. exd5 Qxd3 19. dxc6 O-O {favours Black.}) 18... Bg4 (18... d4
$5 19. c4 ({or} 19. Nc2 Bh3) 19... Bh3 {deserved consideration
attracted by the possibility of giving the opponent a weak e4-pawn.}) 19. f3

dxe4 20. Bxe4 Bf5 21. Nc2 ({After} 21. Bxf5 Qxf5 {Black is threatening ...Bxa3.
}) 21... O-O (21... Bxe4 $5 {.}) 22. a4 (22. Bxf5 $5 {.}) 22... Bxe4 23. fxe4 (
{In the event of} 23. Qxe4 Qxe4 24. fxe4 Na5 {Black has a favourable endgame.})
23... Rad8 $6 ({The immediate} 23... b4 $1 {was more accurate
plus.}) 24. Be1 $6 ({The equalizing} 24. b4 {would have emphasised the
drawback to my move.}) 24... b4 $1 25. Bf2 (25. cxb4 Nd4 $1 {.}) 25... b3 $6 (
25... Rb8 {was obviously stronger
not have arisen on the board.}) 26. Ne1 $6 ({Avoiding the sharp variation} 26.
Ne3 $1 Qxe4 27. Qxa6 Rd2 28. Rae1 Qg6 29. Nc4 Rc2 $5 {and ...h7-h5 with
unclear play
idea.}) 26... Na5 27. Nd3 Qe6 28. Nb4 Nc4 29. Nd5 ({This suggests itself
since after} 29. Rfd1 Rxd1+ 30. Rxd1 Rc8 31. Nd5 a5 {Black's chances are
somewhat better.}) 29... Rxd5 $1 30. exd5 Qxd5 {(for the exchange Black
obtains a fine knight and a passed e-pawn
is rather weak)} 31. Rfd1 Qc6 32. Rd3 f5 33. Rad1 Qe4 $1 {Wahls was obviously
relying on his occupation of the d-file
cold shower for him.} 34. Re1 ({The trouble is that White loses after} 34. Qxe4
$2 fxe4 {.}) 34... Qxe2 ({Black is not satisfied with a draw after} 34... Nxb2
$5 35. Qxb2 Qxd3 36. Qxb3+ Kh8 37. Rxe5 Bf6 38. Re3 {.}) 35. Rxe2 Rd8 $1 {Also
exchanging the rook - usually this favours the side who is the exchange up
but here the knight on c4 completely paralyses White!} 36. Rxd8+ Bxd8 37. Re1 (
37. g4 g6 $1 {
38. Rd1 Bd6 $1 {Restricting the rook and planning to activate the king.} ({
After} 38... Nxb2 39. Rb1 Ba3 40. g3 g5 41. Kg2 {Black's knight and bishop
would have lost their mobility.}) 39. Kf1 Kf7 40. Ke2 Ke6 41. Be3 $1 {
(hurrying to the defence of the b2-pawn)} f4 ({For the moment nothing was
given by} 41... Nxb2 {because of} 42. Rb1 Nxa4 ({or} 42... Ba3 43. c4 $1) 43.
Rxb3 {.}) 42. Bc1 g5 {It is clear that Black is playing for a win
only question is whether White can save himself. Wahls grew nervous...} 43. g4
$2 {The decisive mistake: the two connected passed pawns are now irresistible!}
({After} 43. Rd3 g4 44. h3 h5 45. hxg4 hxg4 46. Rd1 Be7 $1 47. Rh1 Bg5 {White
would have faced a difficult struggle for a draw.}) 43... Bc5 $1 44. Rd8 ({Or}
44. Kf3 Nd6 45. Re1 Kd5 {.}) 44... e4 $1 45. Re8+ (45. Rc8 f3+ {
Kd5 46. Rd8+ Nd6 (46... Bd6 $1 {.}) 47. Rd7 ({After} 47. Rf8 e3 48. Kf3 {the
quickest way to the goal would have been} Nc4 49. Rd8+ Bd6 $1 {.}) 47... f3+
48. Ke1 e3 49. c4+ Ke6 50. Bxe3 Bb4+ {. An unshowy positional masterpiece 'in
Petrosian style'. --- After this triumph I decided to take on national teams
and for a starter in May 1987 I crushed the Swiss team 5½-½ - without
Korchnoi
first got my hands on a powerful weapon for purposeful preparation - the
program ChessBase
then on I could efficiently and conveniently study the play of my opponents
in order then to exploit their weak points. --- Inspired by these new feats
in December 1988 in the Parisian suburb of Evry I defeated the French team 4½-1½ (+4-
1=1). True 15-year-old Lautier
a local club player. Therefore the score did not satisfy either me (I was
vexed by my loss to Sharif)
line-up their chances would have been by no means worse. --- And in June 1989
a 'return match' took place in Evry - a repeat clock simul' against the French
Page 175
Sheet1
national team. Playing now were not only Bachar Kouatly
Renet (instead of the club player)
with the role of team mentor performed by none other than Boris Spassky!
However
and Kouatly with Black
course (see the following game).} 0-1
[Site "?"]
[Date "1989.06.09"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kouatly
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E92"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "1989.??.??"]
1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. e4 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. d5 a5 8. h4 ({
In the Petrosian Variation White usually plays} 8. Bg5 {(Game No.47 in Part II
of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov)
exotic plan with h2-h4
advance.}) 8... Na6 (8... h5 9. Bg5 {
1988.}) 9. Nd2 Nc5 ({Allowing h4-h5
f3 c6 11. Nf1 Nc5 12. Be3 {(Kouatly-Martin del Campo

1988).}) 10. g4 {A novelty
(Kouatly-Cvitan
followed} a4 {
11... c6 {I did not like} 12. g5 {
12... Nxh5 13. Bxh5 Nd3+ 14. Kf1 Qb6 15. Rh2 a3 (15... gxh5 $6 16. Qxh5 {
Aleksandrov-Kotronias
Nc3 {in the interesting complications White retains a minimal advantage:} Nb2
20. Nxa2 Nxd1 21. Bxd1 cxd5 22. exd5 {
position would have been emphasised by} 11... h6 $1 12. g5 ({while if} 12. f3 {
attracted by a risky idea
{or} 12... Bh6 {.})) 12... Ng4 {(it appears that Black is committing hara-kiri)
} 13. Nf1 ({If} 13. b4 {
17. f3 e4 $1 18. fxg4 hxg4 19. Be3 c5 {with sufficient compensation for the
piece.}) 13... f5 14. f3 {At this moment Kouatly was radiating deep
satisfaction with the course of the game.} Nf2 $6 {A flamboyant move
I was terribly proud
14... fxe4 $1 15. fxg4 Bxg4 16. Bxg4 (16. Be3 Nd3+ 17. Kd2 Nf2 {is no better})
16... Nd3+ 17. Kd2 Qxg5+ 18. Kc2 Qxg4 19. Qxg4 hxg4 {with a mass of pawns for
the knight and the hope of} 20. Nxe4 ({but after} 20. Be3 $1 {White's chances
are slightly better}) 20... Nf2 $1 {.}) 15. Kxf2 fxe4 16. Kg2 $2 {A collapse!}
({Now the scales tip in Black's favour
a3 (17... e4 $6 18. Ncxe4) 18. Nce4 $1 {he would not have gained sufficient
compensation for the piece.}) 16... a3 $3 {(a highly picturesque position: 17...axb2 18 Bxb2
Qxg5+ is threatened)} 17. Rxh5 ({Or} 17. Ng3 exf3+ 18. Bxf3 e4 $1
{.}) 17... exf3+ 18. Bxf3 e4 $1 {The King's Indian bishop begins operating at
full power!} 19. Be2 Bf5 {A solid developing move;} (19... Qe7 $5 {with the
idea of} 20. Ne3 Qf7 $1 {was also strong.}) 20. Qd2 ({White would not have
escaped from his difficulties after} 20. Ne3 Bg6 21. Rh3 Nd3 22. Bxd3 exd3 {
Page 176
Sheet1
etc.}) 20... Bg6 (20... Qe7 $5 {.}) 21. Rh3 $6 {This hastens the end
21. Rh4 Qd7 22. Bg4 ({or} 22. Ng3 Rae8) 22... Qe7 {also did not promise White
anything good.}) 21... Qd7 22. Rg3 (22. Qe1 Rae8 {and ...Nd3! was no better.})
22... Qf7 $1 ({Avoiding being diverted by} 22... Be5 $5 {.}) 23. Qe1 Rae8 {
With the irresistible threat of ...Nd3.} ({The immediate} 23... Nd3 24. Bxd3
exd3 25. Qe6 Rae8 26. Qxf7+ Rxf7 {would also have been decisive.}) 24. Be3 Nd3
25. Qd2 axb2 26. Rb1 Be5 $1 27. Rg4 Nf4+ $6 {An annoying error.} (27... Bh5 $1
{would have won immediately
29. Bxg4 Bxg3 30. Kxg3 Ne5 ({or} 30... h5 $1 31. gxh6 Ne5 {with crushing
threats})) 28... Bxe2 {is bad for White.}) 28. Bxf4 $6 ({The resistance would
have been prolonged by} 28. Rxf4 Bxf4 29. Rxb2 {
$1 {and ...Bh5 White cannot hold out.}) 28... e3 $1 {The g6-bishop also goes
into operation! Again a picturesque position: for an instant White has two
extra pieces
Qe1 Bxb1 30. Qxb1 Bxf4 31. g6 hxg6 32. Rxg6+ Kh8 {.}) 29... Bxc3 30. Qxc3 Bxb1
31. Rf4 (31. Qxb2 Rxe3 $1 32. Nxe3 Qf2+ 33. Kh1 Qxe3 34. Qxb1 Qxe2) ({or} 31.
Nd2 Qe7 $1 {
coordination of the black pieces in this game inspired me throughout the
entire display in the battles on the other boards. --- This was also a notable
event: after this simul' I realised that I could compete successfully against
the strongest national teams. The way was open to even more serious tests
in the next couple of years I had no time for simuls' against professionals.
--- On 19th January 1992 I finally made the next step: in Baden-Baden I played
against the German team. For the first time four grandmasters played
simultaneously against me - Hort
conference before the start I said that I had analysed 900 games of my
opponents! --- The display took place in the presence of 1
was broadcast on TV. The prize for a winner was a BMW car
received nothing. The tension was enormous
accurately carrying out my own aim of quickly making two draws and
concentrating on the two remaining games. As a result I beat Wahls with White
and
grabbing a poisoned pawn. My confident 3-1 win provoked a furore.} 0-1
[Site "?"]
[Date "1997.09.06"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Panno
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E32"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
{In the autumn of that same year I played a simul' against the Argentine
national team headed by Panno. In general this team was weaker than the German
one
won the first round 4-2
round I gained revenge against him and won 5-1. The overall score was 9-3
(+7-1=4). --- After an interval of more than three years I again found time
for clock simuls'. In January 1996 in Rio de Janeiro I won against the
Brazilian national team headed by Milos - 5-1 (+4=2). And in September 1997
Page 177
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there came a return match with Argentina. I remember that at the start of the
display I was very nervous: sitting opposite me there were now five
grandmasters (Panno
easy to keep firm control simultaneously on six boards. But it all ended well:
4½-1½ in the first round and 4-2 in the second

hands of Spangenberg. The overall score was 8½-3½ (+6-1=5). --- In the
first round game with the legendary Oscar Panno I had the good fortune to
employ a very interesting novelty.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 (4. e3
{- Game Nos. 41
Game No.90.}) 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 7. Bg5 c5 {There is also this plan
although} 7... Bb7 {is far more often played (Game Nos.68
Usually} 8. dxc5 bxc5 9. e3 {leads merely to a transposition of moves.}) 8...
d6 ({If} 8... Bb7 {
{If} 9. Bd3 {
not} 9... cxd4 10. exd4 d5 $6 11. cxd5 Qxd5 12. Bxf6 $1 gxf6 (12... Qxg2 $2 13.
O-O-O $1 Bb7 14. Ne2 Rc8 15. Qxc8+ $1 Bxc8 16. Rhg1 Qxf2 17. Bxg7 Ba6 $1 18.
Bh6+ $1 Kh8 19. Rdf1 {
15. Be4 {and wins (Kasparov-Timman

10. O-O-O $5 ({Instead of the odious} 10. Bd3 Nbd7 11. Ne2 {and 0-0.}) 10...
Ne4 {(of course!)} 11. Qd3 $1 {The point of my idea.} ({After} 11. Qc2 Nxg5 12.
h4 f5 13. hxg5 Qxg5 14. Rxd6 Qe7 {Black is fine - the wrong piece has captured
on d6!}) (11. Bxd8 $6 Nxc3 12. Rxd6 Ne4 13. Be7 Re8 {.}) 11... Nxf2 {The
critical reply
} 11... Nxg5 12. h4 -- ({
12... g6 $6 13. hxg5 Qxg5 14. Qxd6 Nd7 15. Qh2 $1 h5 16. f4 Qe7 17. g4 {are
bad for Black}) ({
15. Rxd5 exd5 16. Qxd5 Rd8 17. Qe4 Qd6 18. Qd5 Qb6 {with equality}) 14... Bb7 {
is possible:} 15. Qd3 {(Vigorito-J.Friedel
gxf3 Nc6 {and ...Rab8 with sufficient counterplay}) 15... d5 $1) ({
logical than} 12... Nh3 13. Nxh3 {.})) 12. Bxd8 Nxd3+ 13. Bxd3 Rxd8 14. Be4 d5
15. cxd5 Bb7 ({Simpler than} 15... f5 16. Bf3 e5 17. e4 {

Schandorff-Stefansson
surprise
f5 18. Bf3 Nc7) ({or} 16... exd5 17. Nc3 Nc6 18. Bxd5 Na5 19. Bxb7 Nxb7 {
(Kasparov-Timman
(this is the whole point!)} Re8 {Immediately attacking the dangerous passed
pawn.} ({In the event of} 18... Rdc8 19. Rxd7 Bf5 (19... Bc6 $6 20. Rd6 $1) 20.
Rd6 Re8 21. Ng3 Be6 22. Ne4 c4 23. Rhd1 {White would have retained a material
advantage by exchanging the e7-pawn for the c4-pawn.}) 19. Rxd7 f6 {This also
suggests itself: ...Kf7 and ...Rxe7 seems unavoidable.} ({The greedy} 19...
Bxg2 $6 {would have led after} 20. Rg1 {to a very difficult endgame:} Bf3 $6 ({
or} 20... Bc6 21. Rc7 Rec8 22. Rxc8+ Rxc8 23. Rd1 Re8 24. Rd6 Be4 25. Rd7 {
etc}) 21. Ng3 Bg4 22. Rb7 {(c7)} f5 23. Ne4 $1 {.}) 20. Ng3 $1 {An accurate
manoeuvre.} ({After} 20. Nc3 $6 Bc6 21. Rc7 Rec8 22. Rxc8+ Rxc8 23. Rd1 Re8 24.
Nd5 Kf7 {White has merely a minimal plus (Jurasek-Bazant
}) 20... Bg6 (20... Bxg2 $6 {was worse in view of} 21. Rhd1 $1 g6 22. R1d2 Bf3
23. Rf2 {
{Black would have remained a pawn down
Re8 ({or in a rook endgame -} 23... Kf7 24. Rd8 Rc7 25. Nf5 g6 26. Rh8 Ke6 27.
Rxh7 Rc8 28. e8=Q+ Bxe8 29. Ng7+ Kd5 30. Nxe8 Rxe8 31. Kd2 {with winning
chances}) 24. Rd6 Bb5 (24... Bxg2 $2 25. Nf5) 25. Rd8 g6 26. Ne4 Kf7 27. Nd6+
Kxe7 28. Nxe8 Kxd8 29. Nxf6 h5 30. Kd2 {.}) 21. h4 $1 {(since the bishop
cannot move to f7 because of Ne4
After} 21... h5 22. Rhd1 Kf7 23. R1d5 {the weakness on h5 would have told:}
Rxe7 24. Rxe7+ Kxe7 25. Rxc5 a5 (25... Kd6 26. Ra5) 26. e4 Kd6 27. Rb5 Kc6 28.
a4 {and Nxh5.}) 22. h5 Bh7 23. Rh4 {(but now the rook unexpectedly steps
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sideways)} Kf7 24. Rc4 ({Stronger was} 24. Rg4 $5) ({or the activation of the
knight -} 24. Ne4 $1 Rxe7 25. Rxe7+ Kxe7 26. Nxc5 {followed by b2-b4 and Rg4
(d4).}) 24... Rxe7 25. Rxe7+ Kxe7 26. Rxc5 Kd6 (26... a5 27. e4 $1 {.}) 27. b4
Re8 28. Kd2 Re5 $5 {Panno tries to complicate my task by exchanging rooks
exploiting the poor position of the knight on g3. But the extra pawn is bound
to bring White victory.} 29. Rxe5 Kxe5 30. a4 Bg8 31. b5 $2 {A natural mistake
for a simul'
Kd3 $1 {(with the threat of e3-e4)} f5 32. Ne2 Bd5 ({or} 32... Bf7 33. Nd4) 33.
Nf4 Bb7 34. g3 {the win would not have presented any great problems.}) 31...
Bb3 32. a5 Bc4 $2 ({By wasting an important tempo
offered draw:} 32... Ba4 $1 33. b6 axb6 34. axb6 Bc6 35. Kc3 ({or} 35. e4 Kf4
36. Nf5 Bxe4) 35... Bxg2 36. e4 (36. Kc4 Bb7) 36... Kd6 {and ...Kc6.}) 33. b6
axb6 34. axb6 Bd5 $6 {Now it all concludes quickly.} (34... Ba6 {was more
resilient
my pawns:} Bc8 ({or} 35... f5 36. Ne2 {
Kf2 Kd6 (36... Bb7 37. e4 $1) 37. Kf3 Kc6 38. Kf4 {and Nf5.}) 35. e4 Bb7 36.
Ke3 Bc6 37. Nf5 Bxe4 38. g4 {. Panno overlooked this resource. Black resigned.}
1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "1998.05.19"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Smirin
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B43"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
{In May 1998 I achieved my greatest success in such displays
Israeli Olympiad team. This double-round match simul' took place in Tel Aviv
and was the major event in a grand chess festival
anniversary of the local Kasparov Chess Academy and 50 years since the
founding of the Israeli state. --- The young Israeli team was even stronger
than the German one: I was opposed by four '2600' grandmasters at the height
of their powers - Alterman

2600 at the end of the last century was far more impressive than it is today).
Of course
bounds of possibility. Makarychev: 'And on the first day their opening play
was simply exemplary: they obtained three very complicated positions
of which Smirin began outplaying his formidable opponent with Black!' ---
Before this I had twice played Ilya Smirin one to one (Game No.42 in Part II
of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov and Game No.32). Our third game also
turned out to be very publishable.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 {The expected 'Paulsen'
} ({although Ilya also played} 2... d6 {.}) 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 b5 ({
After} 5... Qc7 {I usually played} 6. Be2 {(Game No.30 in Part I of Garry
Kasparov on Garry Kasparov)
2001) I prepared} 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. Nxc6 bxc6 ({or} 7... dxc6 8. f4 e5 9. f5) 8.
O-O Nf6 9. Qe2 Bd6 ({or} 9... d5 10. Bg5 {

Mallorca 1969}) 10. f4 e5 11. Kh1 {with slightly the better game.})) 6. Bd3 Qb6
7. Nb3 Qc7 8. O-O Nf6 {This disconcerted me.} ({Dokhoian and I had looked a
lot at the sharp variation} 8... Bb7 9. Re1 $5 b4 10. Nd5 exd5 11. exd5+ {with
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an attack for the sacrificed piece.}) 9. Re1 ({In a normal game I would have
played} 9. f4 $5 b4 10. e5 bxc3 11. exf6 {with promising play
I tried to head for the same idea with Re1.}) 9... Bd6 (9... b4 $6 10. Nd5 ({or
} 10. e5 {.})) 10. g3 {(now Bxb5 is threatened)} b4 {A novelty!} (10... h5 $2
11. e5 $1 Bxe5 12. Rxe5 Qxe5 13. Bf4 {is fatal for Black}) ({and} 10... Bb7 $6
11. Bxb5 $1 {(Ligterink-Piasetski
b4 12. Nb1 $1 {with the threat of N1d2-c4 and f2-f4 is also not good.}) 11. Ne2
$6 {Losing the initiative.} (11. Na4 $1 {

more energetic:} Nc6 (11... Qc6 $6 12. Nd4 $1 Qxa4 13. e5 {with a dangerous
attack}) 12. Be3 Rb8 {
f4 e5 14. f5) ({or} 13. Nd2 {and Nc4.})) 11... Nc6 12. Ned4 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 h5 $1
({Instead of the quiet} 13... Bb7 {with equality
order to create problems for the simultaneous player.}) 14. Bf1 {Switching the
bishop to g2 strengthens the king's defences.} (14. Qe2 Ng4 {was little better.
}) 14... h4 15. Bg2 hxg3 16. hxg3 Bb7 17. Bd2 {An unprepossessing move
preparing c2-c3.} ({I also considered} 17. a3 bxa3 18. b3 $6 {
$1 {White has problems:} 19. Re3 Qc5 ({or} 19... e5 20. Nf5 g6 {. Now also he
has to suffer the consequences of his unfortunate knight retreat.})) 17... Bc5
18. c3 ({After} 18. Nb3 $6 Nxe4 $1 19. Nxc5 Nxf2 $1 (19... Nxc5 20. Qg4 $1) 20.
Qe2 Qxg3 21. Qxf2 Rh1+ 22. Kxh1 Qxf2 23. Bxb7 Qxd2 24. Bxa8 Qh6+ 25. Kg1 Qg5+ {
and ...Qxc5 the armada of black pawns is too strong.}) 18... Qb6 19. Qe2 d5 {
It is unclear whether this should have been played;} ({perhaps} 19... Rc8 $5 {
was more unpleasant for White.}) 20. e5 ({The balance would have been
maintained by} 20. exd5 Bxd5 21. Bxd5 Nxd5 22. Qg4 {
Qf3 {(e4). But I myself was now playing for an advantage.}) 20... Ne4 21. Be3 {
(a pawn sacrifice!)} Qc7 $5 {With the idea of ...Qxe5-h5.} ({If} 21... bxc3 22.
bxc3 Nxc3 {there would have followed} 23. Qg4 {with good compensation.}) 22. c4
{'A desperate struggle for the initiative' (Makarychev).} ({There was also an
argument for} 22. cxb4 $5 Bxb4 23. Rac1 Qxe5 24. Red1 {with excellent play for
the pawn (Bf4 and Rc7 is threatened).}) 22... Qxe5 $6 (22... dxc4 23. Rad1 (23.
Qxc4 Qxe5 24. Nf3 Qd5 $1) 23... Rd8 24. Qxc4 Qxe5 {was safer - by} 25. Nc6 {
(f3) White would merely have maintained the balance.}) 23. Nb3 $6 {The knight
moves away from the 'hot spot'
would have gained a tiny plus with} 23. Nc6 $5 Bxc6 24. Bxc5 {
then} 25. Bxd4 Qxd4 26. Rad1 $1 Qc5 {(e5)} 27. Bxe4 {.}) ({But the strongest
was} 23. cxd5 $1 Bxd4 ({not} 23... exd5 $6 24. Nb3 $1) ({or} 23... Bxd5 24.
Nxe6 $1) 24. Bxd4 Qxd4 25. Qxe4 Qxe4 26. Bxe4 e5 27. Bg2 f6 28. f4 {with the
better endgame.}) 23... Bxe3 24. Qxe3 Qh5 $5 {Smirin again complicates matters
- from the practical point of view
solve very difficult problems
dxc4 25. Bxe4 ({but not} 25. Nd4 $2 Qh5 26. Bxe4 Qh1+ $1) ({or} 25. Nd2 $2 Nxd2
$1 26. Qxe5 Nf3+) 25... Bxe4 26. Qxe4 Qxe4 27. Rxe4 cxb3 28. axb3 Ke7 29. Rxb4
Rhb8 30. Rxa6 {could have led to a draw.}) 25. Qb6 $1 ({Avoiding a transparent
trap:} 25. cxd5 $2 Bxd5 26. Bxe4 Qh1+ $1 {.}) 25... Rb8 26. c5 ({Again} 26.
cxd5 $2 {is bad
29. Kxg2 Bxd5+ {and Rxb6.}) ({I was relying on my passed c-pawn
problems would have been more forcefully solved by} 26. Rxe4 $1 dxe4 27. Nc5 e3
28. Nxb7 Qh2+ 29. Kf1 e2+ 30. Kxe2 Qxg2 31. Nd6+ Kd7 32. Qd4 {- the exposed
position of the black king would have guaranteed a draw.}) 26... Qh2+ 27. Kf1
O-O {The rook is no longer needed on the h-file: the queen is already on h2
and now ...f7-f5-f4 is threatened.} (27... Nxg3+ $2 28. fxg3 Qxg3 {would have
been parried by} 29. Re2 $1 {.}) 28. c6 Ba8 29. Qxa6 f5 {Over-hasty!} ({White
would have been set more difficult problems
by} 29... Rbc8 $1 30. Rac1 f5 31. c7 (31. Re2 $6 f4) 31... d4 $1 32. Qxe6+ Kh7
33. Rxe4 $1 Bxe4 34. Bxe4 fxe4 35. Qxe4+ Kg8 36. Qxd4 Rf7 {
37. Qe3 $1 {a draw would have remained the most probable outcome.}) 30. c7 Rbe8
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{A reflex defence of the e6-pawn.} ({More practical chances were offered by}
30... Rbc8 $6 31. Qxe6+ Kh7 32. Nd4 Rxc7 {

$1 {White should be able to hold out.}) 31. Nd4 {The knight returns to the
battle
32. Qxe6+ (32. Nd4 {is more resilient}) 32... Kh8 33. Rac1 d4 $1 {with the
mating threat of ...Nxg3+.}) ({But} 31. Rac1 {(threatening c7-c8Q) was
acceptable:} d4 ({or} 31... f4 32. c8=Q Nxg3+ 33. fxg3 fxg3+ 34. Ke2 Qxg2+ 35.
Kd1 {
34. Nxd4 {.}) 31... Nd2+ (31... f4 $5 {deserved attention
suicidal} 32. Nf3 $2 ({at the board I would have had to find the only defence -
} 32. c8=Q $1 Rxc8 33. Qxe6+ Kh8 34. Nf3 Qh5 35. g4 {with the exchange of
queens and a draw}) 32... Nxg3+ $1 33. fxg3 fxg3 34. Re2 d4 35. Ke1 {
here instead of the move given by the commentators -} Bxf3 $4 ({the sudden}
35... Qh6 $1 {is decisive:} 36. Qd3 ({or} 36. Ng1 Bxg2 37. Rxg2 Rf2 $1) 36...
Rc8) 36. Bxf3 {when White wins.}) 32. Ke2 Qxg2 33. c8=Q {This leads to an
unusual perpetual check.} Qe4+ ({Of course
35. Rh1+ {.}) (33... Ne4 {was possible
ensured by} 34. Qcxe6+ $1 Rxe6 35. Qxe6+ Rf7 36. Qe8+) 34... Qxf2+ 35. Kd3
Qxg3+ 36. Re3 Qg6 {White is in trouble (despite the two queens!).}) 34. Kd1 (
34. Kxd2 Qxd4+ 35. Ke2 Qe4+ {
34... Qxd4 35. Qaxe6+ $1 (35. Qc2 $2 {would have been a blunder in view of}
Ne4+ 36. Kc1 Nxf2 37. Kb1 Ne4 {and wins.}) 35... Rxe6 36. Qxe6+ Rf7 37. Qe8+
Rf8 ({Running away with the king ends in disaster:} 37... Kh7 38. Rh1+ Kg6 39.
Qe6+ Kg5 $2 (39... Rf6 40. Qe8+ Rf7 {with a draw}) 40. f4+ Kg4 41. Qg6+ Kf3 42.
Qh5+ Kg2 (42... Kxg3 43. Qg6+) 43. Rh2+ Kxg3 44. Qh4+ Kf3 45. Rh3+ Ke4 46. Qe1+
Kxf4 47. Rh4+) 38. Qe6+ Rf7 39. Qe8+ {. An entertaining battle! --- Makarychev:
'After getting rid of this millstone around his neck and conceding another
half point to Alterman

converted a positional advantage against Sutovsky and he outplayed Huzman
literally out of nothing.' The result of the first day was 3-1. My opponents
were depressed
day...' --- But the next day brought the Israeli team even greater
disillusionment - an incredible 4-0! All the games were interesting
duels with White against Huzman in a Najdorf (cf. Game No.45
12th move) and with Black against Alterman in a Queen's Gambit (cf. Game No.96
in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov
the end of the display
Alterman said: 'Either we don't understand anything about this game
weren't playing a human being.'} 1/2-1/2
[Site "?"]
[Date "2001.10.18"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Movsesian
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B46"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2001.??.??"]
{In October 2001 I faced my last such test - a double-round simul' in Prague
against the Czech national team

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opposite me were young
(2610)
Movsesian had 'old scores' to settle with me (cf. Game No.66)
particular attention to the games with him. After 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 my opponent
chose the Paulsen Variation (cf. Game No.107
after a couple of incautious moves he came under a crushing attack.} 1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. O-O Nf6
9. Qe2 Bd6 10. f4 e5 11. Kh1 h6 12. Bd2 O-O 13. f5 Re8 14. Bc4 a5 $2 {With the
intention of ...Bb4.} ({If} 14... Bb4 $2 {
consolidating} 14... Be7 {was correct
after} 15. Rad1 $1 {White would retain the initiative}) 15... Rd8 16. Rg3 Kf8
17. Rd1 Bb7 {and ...d7-d5.}) 15. Rf3 $1 {(signalling the start of the assault!)
} Bb4 $2 ({Sergey underestimated my 17th move
preferred} 15... Bf8 16. Rg3 d5 17. exd5 cxd5 (17... Bxf5 $2 18. Rf1) 18. Nxd5
Nxd5 19. Bxd5 Ra6 {with dubious compensation for the pawn}) ({or} 15... Kf8 16.
Rg3 -- (16... Qb6 17. Be3 $5 Qxb2 (17... Qb4 $2 18. Rd1) ({or} 17... Qd8 18.
Qd2 $1 {is worse}) 18. Rb1 Qxc3 19. Bc5 Qd4 20. Bxd4 exd4 21. Rh3 Rxe4 22. Qf1
Kg8 {with dubious compensation for the queen}) ({
Bxf7 $1) ({
} 18. Rxg7 $1 {is decisive}) ({or if} 17... Be7 {-} 18. Bxh6 $1 gxh6 19. Qd2 {
the blue! It turns out that there is no satisfactory defence against the
deadly threat of Rxg7 (17...Bxc3 18 Rxg7!).} Ng8 {(forestalling the sacrifice
on g7
Bxc3 ({Or} 19... Ke7 20. Qf2 $1 {(threatening Rxg8)} Qd6 21. Be3 {with the
threat of a2-a3
diagonal as his king.}) 20. Rxg8+ $1 {(a pretty forcing variation with the win
of a piece)} Kxg8 21. Qg3+ Kf8 (21... Kh8 $2 22. Bxh6 Rg8 23. Qh4 Rg6 24. Bxf7
Kxc7 27. exd5 cxd5 28. Bb5 {And on move 43 Black resigned.} Reb8 29. a4 Bd7 30.
bxc3 Bxb5 31. axb5 Rxb5 32. h4 a4 33. Bg7 d4 34. Qf7+ Kb6 35. Qe6+ Kb7 36. Bxe5
Rxe5 37. Qxe5 a3 38. Qd5+ Kb8 39. cxd4 a2 40. Qb3+ Kc7 41. Qc3+ Kd7 42. Qa1 Kd6
43. c4 {. Also with White I outplayed Babula in a complicated ending
Black
hold out against Hracek. In my other 'Black' game
seized the initiative
(32...f5?) and lost. The result of the first day was 2½-1½. --- On the
second day my opponents were eager to get even

tense course. The encounter with Tomas Oral became especially crucial for me
(see the following game).} 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "2001.10.20"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Oral
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A33"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2001.??.??"]
1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 (2... Nf6 3. g3 {- Game No.64.}) 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5.
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Sheet1
g3 ({Avoiding the main line} 5. Nc3 e6 {with the idea of} 6. g3 Qb6 {(Game Nos.
28
5... e6 (5... Qb6 $5 {.}) 6. Bg2 Bc5 ({This leads to a more passive set-up than
} 6... Qb6 {.}) 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Nc3 d6 ({Nowadays} 8... O-O 9. O-O b6 $5 10. Bf4
(10. Nd5 Ba6 11. Nxe7+ Qxe7 12. Nd2 d5 {is equal
10... Bb7 {(a6)
I myself once played against Mikhalchishin (Baku 1980). Black has an
unpleasant position: it is difficult to complete development and he wants to

push back the annoying white bishop from f4.} 11. Be3 Ne5 $6 ({The lesser evil
was} 11... Nf6 12. Rc1 {.}) 12. c5 d5 13. Bd4 Nc6 14. e4 Nxd4 ({Not} 14... dxe4
$6 15. Qxh5 Nxd4 16. Rad1) ({or} 14... Nf6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. exd5 exd5 17. Qxd5
Qe5 $5 {A novelty! - my Informator recommendation of 1980!} ({Mikhalchishin
played} 17. Qf4 {
difficulty gained a draw.}) 17... Bd7 (17... Nd7 $6 18. Qe3 Qc7 19. Nb5 {(d5)
is unfavourable for Black}) ({while} 17... Nd5 $6 {is now a dubious pawn
sacrifice:} 18. Nxd5 exd5 19. Rad1 $1 ({more energetic than} 19. Bxd5) ({or}
19. Qxd5) 19... Bf6 (19... Be6 $6 20. Bxd5) 20. Qxd5 Qxd5 21. Rxd5 {
18. Bxb7 Qb8 19. Qxb8 Raxb8 20. Ba6 $1 Bc8 $1 {Oral gave up his b-pawn in the
hope of restricting the white pieces and soon winning the c-pawn
precisely this passed pawn which in the end will decide the game.} 21. Bb5 $1
Bb7 (21... a6 22. Be2 (22. Bc6 $6 Nd7 $1) 22... Bb7 23. Rac1 Rfc8 24. Rfd1 Rc7
$5 ({instead of} 24... Bxc5 25. Na5 {
Na5 Bd5 26. Nxd5 Nxd5 {is unclear}) 25... Bxc5 26. Rc4 Rbc8 27. Na4 Bd6 28.
Rxc7 Rxc7 29. Rxc7 Bxc7 30. Nbc5 Bd5 31. Nxa6 Bd6 32. Nc3 Bb7 {also did not
guarantee Black a draw
counterplay.}) 22. c6 Ba8 23. Rfd1 ({If} 23. Rac1 Rfc8 24. Rfd1 {
({my Informator} 24... Kf8 {is worse because of} 25. Nd4) 25. Na5 (25. Nd4 Nc7
$1) ({or} 25. Rd7 Bf6 26. a4 Bxc6 27. Rxa7 Bf3 {with hopes of the two bishops})
25... Bb4 26. Nb7 a6 $1 27. Ba4 Bxb7 {
This merely improves White's prospects
25. Ba4 Rc8 26. Nd4 Ne8 (26... Rxb2 $2 27. Bb3) 27. Rc2 {
lines was more resilient:} 23... a6 24. Bxa6 (24. c7 Rbc8 25. Bxa6 Rxc7 {and ...Rb8 with
activity Bf1 $5 ({after my earlier} 25. Nd4 Ba8 26. Bb5 Bc5 27. a4 {Black equalises with
} Ng4 $1) 25... Rfc8) (23... Rfc8 24. Nd4 (24. Rac1 Ne8 {- cf. above}) 24...
Ne8 $1 ({but not the Informator} 24... Bc5 {(?)} 25. Ba6) 25. a4 Bf6 26. Ba6 e5
(26... Rd8 27. Ndb5 Rxd1+ 28. Nxd1 Bxc6 29. Nxa7 Bf3 $1 30. Bb5 Nc7 {will also
do}) 27. Bxc8 exd4 28. Nd5 Rxc8 29. Nxf6+ Nxf6 30. Rxd4 Kf8 $1 31. b4 Bxc6 32.
Rc1 Ke7 33. Re1+ Kf8 34. Rc4 Bd7 {(b7)
24. Nd4 $1 Bxc3 $6 ({After} 24... e5 25. Nf5 Rfc8 26. a3 $1 Bf8 27. Nd6 Rc7 28.
Nc4 {White would have retained a sound extra pawn}) ({but Black should have
preferred} 24... g6 $5 25. Rac1 ({or} 25. a4 $1 Bxc3 26. bxc3 Rbc8 {
with good chances of a defence}) 25... e5 {.}) 25. bxc3 e5 $2 {A tactical
oversight in a difficult position.} (25... g6 $2 26. c4 $1 {was also bad.}) (
25... Nd5 {was essential
exd5 28. Nf5 $1 ({the Informator} 28. Rac1 {is less clear:} Rfd8 $1) 28... Rc7
29. c4 g6 30. Ne3 Rxc6 31. cxd5 {White would have remained with an extra
passed pawn}) ({
27. Rdc1 Rfc8 28. Rab1) ({
while if} 26... Rbd8 {
27. Ne7+ Kh8 28. c7 {(this temporary piece sacrifice produces big dividends)}
Bb7 29. Rab1 (29. Rd8 $1 {would have led more quickly and flamboyantly to the
goal:} Ne8 (29... Re8 30. Nf5) 30. c4 $1 ({or} 30. a4 $1) ({I only considered}
30. Rad1 g6) 30... Rc5 31. c8=Q Bxc8 32. Nxc8 g6 33. Nd6 {
exchange and the game. However
29... Rxb1 30. Rxb1 Ba6 31. Rb8 Re8 (31... Ne8 32. c8=Q Bxc8 33. Rxc8 g6 34.
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Sheet1
Nc6 e4 35. Nxa7 {was also bad.}) 32. c4 (32. a4 $1 h6 33. a5 Kh7 34. Nc6 Kg6
35. Nxa7 {was simpler.}) 32... g6 $2 {Time-trouble panic

a4 $1 Kh7 34. Nc6 {and Nxa7 would also not have helped.}) 33. Nd5 Rc8 34. Nxf6
Kg7 35. Rxc8 (35. Ne8+ $1 {.}) 35... Bxc8 36. Ne8+ {. I also won against
Babula
result of the second day was 3-1
--- Over a period of 14 years I played 11 simuls' against the national teams
of nine countries and I concluded the history of these battles on a high note.}
1-0
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Quickly even more Quickly..."]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[PlyCount "1"]
{Finally
First I must mention a friendly blitz match with Tal (Tbilisi
1978)
tournament (Herceg Novi
Korchnoi - 10½; 3. Tal - 9½; 4. Ljubojevic - 8½; 5. Timman - 8; 6.
Spassky - 7; 7. Sax - 6; 8. Larsen - 5½; 9. Ivanovic - 3½.} 1. -- {My
rapidplay match with Short (London
was the first to be broadcast on TV and heralded the further flourishing of
'rapid'.} *
[Event "110: London (Rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1987.02.04"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Short
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B80"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "1987.??.??"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. f3 Nbd7 8. g4
h6 9. h4 b5 10. Rg1 g6 11. g5 hxg5 12. hxg5 Nh5 13. a4 b4 14. Nc6 Qc7 15. Nxb4
Bg7 16. Nd3 Rb8 17. Ne2 Nc5 18. Nxc5 dxc5 19. Rb1 Bd7 20. c3 Be5 21. Rg4 $6 {
Preventing ...Nf4
any case Black has excellent compensation for the sacrificed pawn.} Ng3 $1 22.
Bg2 (22. Nxg3 Bxg3+ 23. Bf2 {was nevertheless better.}) 22... Rh2 (22... Nxe2
$1 23. Kxe2 Bh2 {planning ...e6-e5 would have emphasised White's errors.}) 23.
Kf2 Nxe2 24. Qxe2 Bxc3 25. Bf4 $2 (25. Qc2 {was essential.}) 25... Be5 (25...
Rxg2+ $5 26. Kxg2 e5 {was also good.}) 26. Bxe5 (26. Bxh2 $2 Bd4+ {and ...Qxh2.
}) 26... Qxe5 27. Kg1 $6 (27. b3 Bxa4 {.}) 27... Rh5 $1 28. Qd2 Bxa4 {
Black converted his advantage.} 29. f4 Qd4+ 30. Qxd4 cxd4 31. Bf1 Bc2 32. Ra1
Page 184
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Bxe4 33. Bg2 Bxg2 34. Rxg2 Rh4 35. Rf2 Rg4+ 36. Kh2 e5 37. fxe5 Ke7 38. Kh3
Rxg5 39. Kh4 Rxe5 40. Rxa6 Rb7 41. Raf6 Ke8 42. Rd6 Reb5 43. Re2+ Kf8 44. Rxd4
Rxb2 45. Rd8+ Kg7 46. Ree8 R7b4+ 47. Kg3 R4b3+ 48. Kf4 Rf2+ 49. Kg4 f5+ 50. Kg5
Rg2+ 51. Kf4 Rg4+ 52. Ke5 Re4+ 0-1
[Event "111: Madrid (Rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1988.12.14"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Speelman
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E92"]

[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "1988.??.??"]
{Soon I won an unofficial world blitz championship (Brussels
1. Kasparov - 17 out of 22; 2. Timman - 15; 3-4. Ljubojevic and Karpov - 12½;
5. Hübner - 12; 6-7. Korchnoi and Short - 11; 8. Tal - 10½; 9-10. Larsen and
Sosonko - 8; 11. van der Wiel - 7½; 12. Torre - 7. Additional match with
Timman: 1½-½. --- I played a memorable game with Jonathan Speelman in a
GMA rapidplay charity match USSR v. Rest of the World (Madrid
of the then fashionable variations of the King's Indian (cf. Game No.42 in
Part I of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov
surprised my opponent with a novelty involving a risky positional pawn

sacrifice.} 1. c4 g6 2. e4 Bg7 3. d4 d6 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. Be3
Ng4 8. Bg5 f6 9. Bh4 g5 10. Bg3 Nh6 11. h3 Nc6 12. d5 Nd4 13. Nxd4 exd4 14.
Qxd4 f5 15. Qd2 f4 16. Bh2 Nf7 17. h4 h6 18. hxg5 hxg5 19. g3 $2 ({My idea
could have been disputed by} 19. f3 {and 0-0-0.}) 19... f3 $1 {(a second pawn
sacrifice!)} 20. Bxf3 Ne5 21. Be2 g4 {Now the white bishop is shut in on h2-g1
and Black is effectively playing with an extra piece.} 22. Bg1 c5 $5 (22...
Nf3+ $5 23. Bxf3 Rxf3 24. O-O-O Bd7 {was good
with the sacrifice of a third pawn!}) 23. dxc6 bxc6 24. O-O-O Be6 25. Qxd6 Qg5+
26. Kb1 Qg6 (26... Qf6 $5 {.}) 27. Ka1 Rab8 28. Rh5 $2 {(cracking under the
pressure
attack)} Qxh5 29. Qxe6+ Kh8 30. Qe7 Nf3 (30... Rf7 $5 {.}) 31. Bxf3 Rxf3 {
and Black won.} 32. Na4 Re8 33. Qxa7 Qe5 34. Qb6 Qxe4 35. Qb4 Qc2 36. Rb1 Rd3
37. Qc5 Re2 38. Qh5+ Kg8 39. Qxg4 Qxb1+ 0-1
[Event "112: Munich (Blitz)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.05.20"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kramnik
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E92"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
Page 185
Sheet1
{Pre-Olympiad double-round blitz tournament in Moscow (28 May 1992): 1.
Kasparov - 11½ out of 14; 2. Bareev - 10½; 3. Tal - 7½; 4-5. Dolmatov
and Smyslov - 6; 6. Vyzhmanavin - 5½; 7-8. Avrukh and Beliavsky - 4½.
Additional match with Bareev - 2½-½. --- CA/Intel World Chess Express
Blitz Tournament (Munich
12½ out of 17; 3. Anand - 12; 4-6. Dreev
Georgiev - 10½; 8. Kramnik - 10; 9. Cvitan - 8½; 10-11. Hertneck and
Nikolic - 8; 12. Hübner - 7; 13-14. Chernin and Wojtkiewicz - 6; 15-16.
Hjartarson and Lobron - 5; 17-18. Leko and Petursson - 4½. Additional match
with Fritz 3/Pentium: 4-1. --- In Munich I was well in the lead
8 out of 8 in the middle of the tournament

better had it not been for a curious incident in my 'white' game with Dreev.
After ...Rh8xh5-h8 my opponent suddenly played 30...0-0!!
and won. In time-trouble I did not notice that he had made an illegal move...
--- Another memorable duel was with my future historic opponent.} 1. d4 Nf6 2.
c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. d5 a5 8. Bg5 (8. h4 {- Game
No.105.}) 8... h6 9. Bh4 Na6 10. O-O Bd7 (10... Qe8 {is more often played -
Game No.47 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov.}) 11. Nd2 Nc5 12. b3
Nfxe4 $5 {(a stunning queen sacrifice!)} 13. Bxd8 Nxc3 14. Qe1 Rfxd8 15. Rc1 $2
(15. Nb1 Nxe2+ 16. Qxe2 e4 17. Nd2 {is correct (Gulko-van Wely
although he has just two pieces for the queen
inevitably leading to a fearfully strong attack on the king.}) 15... Nxa2 16.
Ra1 Nb4 17. Bd1 e4 18. Rb1 Re8 (18... Bd4 $5 {.}) 19. Qe3 f5 20. h4 Rf8 (20...
Ncd3 $1 {was more forceful

Rae8 22. Kg2 (22. Kh1 c6 $1 {.}) 22... Nbd3 23. Rg1 f4 24. gxf4 Rxf4 25. h5 g5
{and Black won.} (25... Re5 $5 {.}) 26. Rf1 Rh4 27. Rh1 Rf4 28. Rf1 Ref8 29. f3
Rh4 30. fxe4 Nf4+ 31. Kg1 Ncd3 32. e5 Nxe5 33. Rc1 Rh3 34. Nf3 g4 35. Nxe5 Rxe3
36. Nxd7 Nh3+ 37. Kg2 Rxf1 38. Kxf1 g3 39. Kg2 Nf4+ 0-1
[Event "113: Paris (Rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.11.12"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Kramnik
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D19"]

[PlyCount "171"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
{I have pleasant memories of Paris
five rapid knock-out tournaments. In the first Immopar Cup (1990)
Speelman (1½-½)
the second (1991) I lost to Timman
then twice (1994 and 1995) I won stages of the PCA/Intel Grand Prix. In 1994 I
beat Arbakov (2-0)
Everything was decided by the semi-final tie-break game with Kramnik.} 1. d4 d5
2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bf5 6. e3 e6 7. Bxc4 Bb4 8. O-O O-O 9.
Qe2 Bg6 10. Ne5 Nbd7 11. Nxg6 hxg6 12. Rd1 Qa5 13. h3 Rad8 14. Bd2 e5 15. Be1
exd4 16. Rxd4 Nb6 17. Bb3 Rxd4 18. exd4 Re8 19. Qd3 Nbd5 20. Bd2 Qb6 $2 {
(anything but this!)} 21. a5 $1 Qc7 22. Nxd5 Nxd5 23. Bxb4 $6 (23. Bxd5 Bxd2
24. Bxf7+ Qxf7 25. Qxd2 {was simpler
Page 186
Sheet1
Qxg6 Nd5 $6 (24... Qf4 $1 {was more resilient.}) 25. Qf5 (25. Bxd5 $5 cxd5 26.
Qd3 {was not bad.}) 25... g6 (25... Nf4 $5 {.}) 26. Qf3 Qd6 27. a6 b6 $2 28. g3
Kg7 29. Rc1 Re7 30. Kg2 (30. Bxd5 $5 {.}) 30... Nb4 31. Qc3 Kg8 32. Re1 Rxe1
33. Qxe1 Kf8 34. Qc3 Nxa6 35. Qc4 Qd5+ 36. Qxd5 cxd5 37. Bxd5 {And after
time-trouble adventures White won.} Nb4 38. Bc4 Nc6 39. d5 Ne5 40. Bb5 f6 41.
f4 Nf7 42. Kf3 Ke7 43. h4 f5 44. Ke3 Nd6 45. Be2 Ne4 46. g4 Nf6 47. gxf5 Nxd5+
48. Ke4 Nf6+ 49. Ke5 Nd7+ 50. Kd5 gxf5 51. h5 Kf6 52. Kc6 Nc5 53. Bc4 Ne4 54.
Bd5 Ng3 55. Bf3 Ne4 56. Kb7 Nd6+ 57. Kxa7 Nc4 58. b4 Kg7 59. Be2 Ne3 60. Kxb6
Nd5+ 61. Kc5 Nxf4 62. Bf3 Kf6 63. b5 Ne6+ 64. Kc4 Nd8 65. b6 Kg5 66. Kd5 Nb7
67. Kc6 Nd8+ 68. Kd7 Nf7 69. b7 Ne5+ 70. Kd6 Nxf3 71. b8=Q Kxh5 72. Qf8 Kg4 73.
Qg7+ Kf4 74. Kd5 Ke3 75. Qg3 f4 76. Qh3 Ke2 77. Qg4 Ke3 78. Qg6 Nh4 79. Qe4+
Kf2 80. Qxf4+ Ke2 81. Qxh4 Kd3 82. Qg3+ Ke2 83. Ke4 Kd2 84. Kd4 Ke2 85. Qg2+
Kd1 86. Kd3 1-0
[Event "114: New York (Rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.06.23"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Ivanchuk
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B90"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
{Also memorable was another victorious stage of the PCA/Intel Grand Prix (New
York
Kramnik (1-1; ½-½ - draw with Black!) and
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nf3 Be7 8. Bc4
O-O 9. O-O Be6 10. Bb3 Nc6 11. Bg5 Na5 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Nd5 Nxb3 14. axb3 Bg5
15. Qd3 Bh6 16. Rad1 Rc8 17. Nd2 b5 18. c3 Kh8 19. b4 Ra8 20. Nb3 f5 21. Na5
Rc8 22. Qh3 Rf7 23. Rfe1 Qe8 24. Qh4 Qf8 25. exf5 Bxf5 26. f3 Bc2 27. Ra1 Bf5
28. h3 Qe8 $1 {(with the threat of ...Qe6-g6)} 29. Qf2 $6 {Weak because of the
X-ray on the f-file;} (29. Rad1 $1 {was correct
}) 29... Qe6 30. Rad1 $2 {Too late!} ({Here} 30. Ne3 {was essential.}) 30...
Qg6 {(Black's attack is now irresistible)} 31. Kh1 (31. Qh4 Bg5) ({or} 31. Kh2
Rcf8 32. Qg3 Qh5 {would not have helped.}) 31... Rcf8 32. h4 ({If} 32. Ne3 {
then} Bxh3 $1 33. gxh3 Rxf3 34. Qg2 Qh5 {is decisive.}) 32... Bc2 33. Rd2 ({
Desperation:} 33. Ra1 Be4 $5 34. Rxe4 (34. Ne3 Rxf3 $1) 34... Qxe4 35. fxe4
Rxf2 {and wins.}) 33... Bxd2 34. Qxd2 Qg3 {
did White resign.} 0-1
[Event "115: Moscow (Rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.04.30"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Anand
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B85"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
Page 187
Sheet1
{Of my rapid games in 1996 I should like to mention two striking wins over
Vishy Anand - in the semi-final of the Moscow event and in the final of the
Geneva stage of the PCA Grand Prix.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e6 7. f4 Be7 8. O-O O-O (8... Qc7 {- Game No.7.}) 9. Be3 Qc7
10. g4 $5 ({Deviating from the standard} 10. a4 Nc6 11. Kh1 Re8 {- Game Nos.37
86.}) 10... Re8 (10... d5 11. exd5 Nxd5 12. Nxd5 exd5 13. Bf3 {favours White})
({but} 10... Nc6 11. g5 Nd7 {is not so clear
f6 Bd8 {.}) 11. g5 Nfd7 12. Bd3 Nc6 13. Qh5 g6 14. Qh4 Bf8 15. Rf3 Bg7 16. Nde2
$1 b5 $6 (16... f5 17. exf5 gxf5 {was the lesser evil.}) 17. Rh3 Nf8 18. f5 Ne5
19. f6 Bh8 {(now I as though have an extra piece)} 20. a3 Rb8 21. b4 (21. Bd4)
({or} 21. Nf4 {was also possible.}) 21... Bb7 $6 (21... Nc4 $6 22. Bxc4 Qxc4
23. Rd1 {was unfavourable for Black (Svidler-Sutovsky
21... h5 22. Bd2 d5 {was sharper.}) 22. Rf1 Rbc8 23. Bd4 Nc6 $2 (23... Nxd3 24.
cxd3 e5 {was correct.}) 24. Be3 ({Missing an immediate win -} 24. e5 $1 Nxe5
25. Bxe5 dxe5 26. Bxg6 $1 fxg6 27. f7+ {.}) 24... Ne5 (24... h5 $2 25. Nf4 {
and Nxh5.}) 25. Rf4 $6 (25. Bd4 $1 {.}) 25... Qd7 $2 (25... h5 {was correct
and if} 26. Bd4 {
Nxd4 28. Nxh5 Qxc3 29. Ng3 Bg7 30. fxg7 Nf3+ 31. Rxf3 Qxg7 {
attack}) 27. cxd3 e5 28. Ng3 $1 {with crushing threats.}) 26. Qh6 Nxd3 27. cxd3
e5 28. Rf1 $6 (28. Rfh4 $1 {was more energetic.}) 28... Rc7 (28... d5 $5 {
deserved attention
exchange -} Rxc5 31. bxc5 Rc8 {.}) 29. Bb6 Rc6 $2 (29... Rcc8 {was essential
not allowing the invasion of the knight on d5.}) 30. Nd5 Bc8 31. Re3 $1 Qb7 $6
(31... Ne6 32. Nec3 {and wins.}) 32. Bd8 $1 Ne6 33. Ne7+ Rxe7 34. fxe7 Qd7 35.
Rh3 $1 {. A spectacular rout!} 1-0
[Event "116: Geneva (Rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.09.01"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[PlyCount "86"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
{The start of the Geneva final also did not herald any problems for me. With
Black I was able to carry out an original plan of a kingside pawn offensive.}
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4
g5 9. Bg3 Bg7 10. Be2 (10. Qd2 {- Game No.54}) (10. h3 {- Game No.63.}) 10...
h5 11. Bxg4 Bxg4 (11... hxg4 {- Game No.51.}) 12. f3 Bd7 13. Bf2 Nc6 14. Qd2 (
14. Nd5 {- Game No.32}) (14. O-O {- Game No.40.}) 14... Ne5 {A tabiya of a
then fashionable variation.} 15. O-O ({Later Vishy improved with} 15. b3 $1 e6
(15... Qa5 $5) 16. Nde2 Rc8 17. Bd4 b5 18. Nd1 {(Anand-Kasparov
(rapid) 1998).}) 15... e6 (15... g4 $1 {was even better
blitz game with Anand:} 16. f4 Nc4 17. Qe2 Rc8 18. b3 Na3 19. Nd5 e6 20. Nb4
Qa5 21. Qe1 h4 22. Be3 h3 $1 23. g3 Nb5 24. Rd1 Nc3 25. Nd3 Qc7 26. Rc1 Nxe4 {
with a winning advantage (but later I contrived to blunder my queen!).}) 16. b3
Ng6 17. Rad1 g4 18. f4 h4 19. Nde2 h3 20. g3 Rc8 21. e5 d5 22. Nd4 O-O 23. Qd3
Page 188
Sheet1
f5 $1 {Blocking the kingside
queenside. The h3-pawn is a mighty force!} 24. Nce2 Rf7 25. Rc1 Bf8 26. c3 Ne7
27. Rfd1 Nc6 28. c4 dxc4 29. Rxc4 Qe8 30. Qd2 b5 31. Rcc1 Nb4 32. Nc3 Rc7 $1
33. a3 Qa8 $1 34. Be3 Nd3 (34... Nc6 $5 {.}) 35. Rc2 b4 $1 36. Na2 (36. axb4
Nxb4 {was no better.}) 36... Nc5 (36... Bc5) ({or} 36... Bb5 $1 {was also
strong.}) 37. Qe2 (37. axb4 Ne4 {.}) 37... bxa3 (37... Nxb3 $1 {.}) 38. b4 Ba4
(38... Nb3 $5 {.}) 39. bxc5 Bxc2 (39... Bxc5 $1 {.}) 40. Nxc2 Bxc5 41. Bxc5
Rxc5 42. Ne1 Rb5 43. Qc4 Rb2 {
[Event "117: Moscow (Blitz)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1998.11.27"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kramnik
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E36"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
{Of the ten rapid PCA knock-out tournaments
by me
1995
the Cosmos Hotel (Moscow
the internet. This fascinating clash ended in a 12-12 draw (+7-7=10)
scales tipping first one way and then the other.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4
4. Qc2 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 dxc4 7. Qxc4 b6 8. Nf3 Ba6 9. Qc2 Nbd7 10. Bg5
O-O 11. e4 Bxf1 12. Rxf1 h6 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. O-O-O Rc8 15. Kb1 Qe7 16. Rfe1
Rfd8 17. Ne5 c5 18. d5 exd5 19. exd5 Qc7 20. Nc6 Rd7 21. Ne7+ Rxe7 22. d6 Qxd6
23. Rxd6 Rxe1+ 24. Rd1 Re7 25. f3 Rce8 26. Rd2 Nd7 27. Ka2 Nf8 28. Qa4 Rc8 29.
h4 c4 30. Rc2 Rec7 31. Rc3 Ne6 32. Qd1 b5 33. Qd6 Rd8 34. Qa6 Rd5 35. Re3 Kh7
36. g4 Rd2 $2 (36... Nd4 {is equal.}) 37. Rc3 $2 (37. Qa5 $1 {.}) 37... Nc5 38.
Qxb5 ({If} 38. Qa5 {
Qxb5 Rd1+ 43. Qb1+ Rxb1+ 44. Kxb1 Rxh4 45. Re5 Kg6 {and wins.}) 38... Rb7 39.
Qxb7 Nxb7 40. Rxc4 Rd7 {
44. Ra5 Ne4 45. Re5 Nf6 46. b4 Nxh5 47. f5 f6 48. Rc5 Ng3 49. b5 Kh5 50. a4
Kxh4 51. a5 Kg4 52. Kb3 Nxf5 53. Kb4 g5 54. b6 axb6 55. axb6 Ne7 56. Rb5 Rb7
57. Ka5 Nc8 58. Rb4+ Kh5 0-1
[Site "?"]
[Date "1998.11.27"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Kramnik
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A39"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
Page 189
Sheet1
1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. g3 g6 6. Bg2 Bg7 7. Nc3 O-O 8.
O-O Ng4 9. e3 d6 10. Nde2 Qa5 11. Nd5 Qc5 $6 12. Bd2 $1 e6 $6 {A mistake
but after} 12... a5 13. Bc3 {White's chances are somewhat better.}) 13. b4 $1
Qxc4 14. Rc1 Qxa2 $2 (14... Qd3 15. Nc7 Rb8 16. h3 {
}) 15. Nec3 Qc4 16. Nc7 Rb8 17. N3d5 $2 (17. Nb1 $1 Qd3 18. Qxg4 {would have
been decisive.}) 17... Qa2 $2 ({Not noticing the saving} 17... Qd3 $1 18. Nf4
Qa3 19. Qxg4 e5 20. Nfe6 Nd8 $1 {.}) 18. Nc3 Qc4 (18... Bxc3 19. Bxc3 {and
wins.}) 19. N3d5 $2 (19. Nb1 $1 {.}) 19... Qa2 (19... Qd3 $1 {.}) 20. Nc3 Qc4 {
(the effect of blitz play: the position is repeated for the third time!)} 21.
Nb1 $1 {(at last)} Nxf2 $6 {(desperation)} 22. Rxf2 {
} Qd3 23. b5 Ne5 24. Rc3 Bd7 25. Rxd3 Nxd3 26. Rf1 Rfc8 27. Bc3 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "1998.11.28"]
[Round "22"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Kramnik
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D46"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. O-O
dxc4 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Bd3 Bb7 11. a3 a6 12. b4 a5 13. Rb1 axb4 14. axb4 Qe7 15.
e4 e5 16. dxe5 Nxe5 17. Nxe5 Bxe5 18. Ne2 Qe6 19. f4 Bc7 20. e5 Ra2 21. Bb2 Nd5
22. Bxh7+ Kh8 23. Bf5 Bb6+ 24. Kh1 Qh6 25. Be4 Ne3 26. Qb3 Nxf1 27. Rxf1 Ra7
28. Rf3 $6 {(a reckless thirst for attack in a roughly equal position)} Bc8 29.
f5 $6 Qd2 $1 30. Ng3 Bf2 $2 ({Kramnik misses his chance -} 30... Bd4 $1 {.})
31. Nf1 Qe1 32. Bd3 Rd7 $2 ({The intensity of the battle would have been
maintained by} 32... Bb6 {.}) 33. e6 $2 (33. Qc2 $1 {wins.}) 33... fxe6 34.
fxe6 ({Not} 34. Qxe6 Qxe6 35. fxe6 Rxf3 36. exd7 Rf8 37. dxc8=Q Rxc8 {with a
probable draw.}) 34... Rxf3 $2 (34... Rdd8 $1 {is equal.}) 35. exd7 Bxd7 36.
gxf3 Be6 37. Qc3 1-0
[Event "120: Wijk aan Zee (Blitz)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1999.01.18"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kasimdzhanov
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B53"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "1999.??.??"]
{Also unforgettable was the blitz tournament in Wijk aan Zee (18 January 1999):
1. Kasparov - 10½ out of 13; 2-3. Anand and Ivanchuk - 9; 4. Kramnik - 8½;
5. I.Sokolov - 8; 6-7. Svidler and Topalov - 6½; 8. Kasimdzhanov - 6; 9-10.
Piket and Bosboom - 5½; 11. Timman - 5; 12. van Wely - 4½; 13. Reinderman
Page 190
Sheet1
- 3½; 14. Yermolinsky - 3. --- I started with 7 out of 7
queen sacrifice.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 a6 5. c4 Nc6 6. Qd2 g6
7. Nc3 Bh6 8. Qc2 Bg7 9. Be3 Nf6 10. Be2 O-O 11. O-O Bg4 12. Rad1 Nd7 13. b3
Rc8 14. a4 Qa5 15. Nd4 Bxe2 16. Ndxe2 Nc5 17. f3 Rfd8 18. Nd5 Rd7 $6 (18... Re8
{was a more solid alternative.}) 19. b4 $6 ({Instead} 19. Bd2 $1 Qd8 20. a5 {
was the correct way to play.}) 19... Nxb4 20. Qd2 Nxd5 $1 21. Qxa5 Nxe3 22. Rb1
(22. Qb4 $5 {.}) 22... Nxf1 23. Kxf1 Rdc7 (23... Nd3 $5 {.}) 24. Nf4 e6 25. g3
h5 {And
Rd1 e5 28. Qb4 Rc6 29. a5 R8c7 30. Ke2 Ne6 31. Rc1 b5 32. axb6 Rxb6 33. Qa4 Kg7
34. Ne3 Bxe3 35. Kxe3 Nc5 36. Qa5 Rb3+ 37. Ke2 Rcb7 38. Rc2 Ne6 39. Rd2 Nd4+
40. Rxd4 exd4 41. Qxa6 Re3+ 42. Kf1 Rb1+ 43. Kg2 Rb2+ 44. Kh3 Ree2 45. Kh4 Kh6
0-1
[Event "121: Frankfurt (Rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1999.07.01"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Kramnik
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B66"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "1999.??.??"]

{Of the three Siemens Giants rapid tournaments (Frankfurt am Main
the most cherished one for me was the victorious 1999 four-cycle battle with
Anand
cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O h6 9. Be3 Bd7 10. f3 b5 11. Nxc6
Bxc6 12. Ne2 Qc7 13. Kb1 Bb7 14. h4 Rc8 15. Rh3 h5 16. Nd4 Nd7 17. Bg5 g6 18.
Rh1 d5 19. exd5 Bxd5 20. Bf4 Qb7 21. Nb3 Bg7 22. Bd6 Qc6 23. Ba3 Nb6 24. Bd3
Nc4 25. Bxc4 bxc4 26. Nd4 Qb6 27. Qg5 {(forcing a further weakening of the
dark squares)} Bf8 (27... Qb7 $2 28. Nf5 $1 {.}) 28. Bxf8 Rxf8 $2 ({The
alternative recapture} 28... Kxf8 29. Qf6 Kg8 {was more resilient
Nf5 gxf5 31. Rxd5 {
b3 $1 Rd8 (30... cxb3 31. axb3 Rd8 32. f4 {and wins.}) 31. Ne2 $1 {
(threatening Nc3(f4)xd5)} cxb3 32. axb3 Rd7 33. Kb2 {(strengthening the
b3-pawn in advance)} Qd8 34. Qf4 $1 Qc7 $2 {Blundering and hastening the end
in a lost position.} 35. Rxd5 $1 exd5 (35... Qxf4 36. Nxf4 {.}) 36. Nd4+ ({In
view of} 36. Nd4+ Kd8 37. Ne6+ {.}) 1-0
[Event "122: Cannes (Rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2001.03.22"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Polgar
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B80"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2001.??.??"]
Page 191
Sheet1
{In the FIDE Rapid World Cup (Cannes
group (1. Kasparov - 5½ out of 7; 2-3. Bareev and Grischuk - 4; 4-6. J.Polgar
Grischuk (1-1; 2-0)
3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. f3 b5 8. g4 Nfd7 $5 9. Qd2 Nb6
10. O-O-O ({Regarding} 10. a4 $5 {(Anand-Kasparov
Reykjavik 2000)
12. Bd3 (12. Kb1 $6 {- Game No.66.}) 12... Rc8 13. Nce2 Nc5 $5 (13... Be7 14.
h4 O-O 15. Kb1 Na4 16. g5 Ndc5 {is also not bad (the earlier J.Polgar-Kasparov
Linares 2001).}) 14. Kb1 Nba4 15. b3 ({If} 15. h4 Qc7 16. Rc1 {(for the moment
not weakening the queenside) Black can reply} b4 (16... Be7) ({or} 16... d5 {
(Grischuk-Kasparov
to a complicated battle with chances for both sides.})) 15... Nxd3 16. cxd3 Nc5
17. Ng3 Be7 $6 ({Better is} 17... g6) ({or} 17... b4 18. Nc2 a5 {
Movsesian-Nielsen
Nh5 $1 (19. Nc2 O-O $1 20. Nxb4 a5 {with a counter-attack.}) 19... Rg8 $1 (
19... g6 $2 20. Nxe6 $1 {.}) 20. Ne2 g6 21. Nhf4 (21. Ng7+ $2 Kd7 {and ...Bf6.}
) 21... a5 22. d4 Nd7 ({After} 22... Nxe4 23. fxe4 Bxe4+ 24. Nd3 Bxh1 25. Rxh1
{Black has the same problem: his king is dubiously placed.}) 23. d5 (23. Rc1 $5
{.}) 23... e5 24. Nd3 Ba6 (24... f5 $5 {was more energetic.}) 25. Qd2 Bf6 $6 (
25... f5 $1 {.}) 26. Rc1 Bb5 27. g5 Bg7 28. Nb2 Ke7 29. f4 {The g7-bishop
should not have been opened up;} (29. h4 $1 Re8 30. h5 {was better.}) 29...
exf4 30. Bxf4 Qb6 31. Be3 Qa6 32. Nd4 Ne5 $6 (32... a4 $1 {.}) 33. Rhd1 $6 ({
Missing a chance to seize the initiative -} 33. Nxb5 Qxb5 34. Bd4 $1 Rgd8 35.
Nc4 {.}) 33... Bd7 34. Bf4 Rxc1+ (34... a4 $5 {.}) 35. Rxc1 Rc8 36. Bxe5 $2 {
This is a fatal transposition of moves.} (36. Rxc8 $1 Qxc8 37. Bxe5 Bxe5 38.
Nc4 {was correct.}) 36... Rxc1+ $1 37. Qxc1 (37. Kxc1 Qf1+ $1 {.}) 37... Bxe5
38. Nc6+ (38. Qd1 Bxd4 39. Qxd4 Qf1+ 40. Qd1 Qg2 $1 {
38... Bxc6 39. dxc6 (39. Qxc6 Qf1+ $1 40. Qc1 Qg2 {.}) 39... Qe2 $1 {A
decisive invasion.} 40. c7 (40. Qc2 Qxh2 {.}) 40... Bxb2 41. c8=Q ({Or} 41. Qc2
Qxc2+ 42. Kxc2 Kd7 43. Kxb2 Kxc7 {and wins.}) 41... Bxc1 42. Qb7+ Kf8 43. Kxc1
Qxh2 (43... Qxa2 $5 {.}) 44. Qa8+ Kg7 45. Qxa5 Qf4+ 46. Kd1 Qxe4 {
won.} 47. Qd8 Qb1+ 48. Ke2 Qxa2+ 49. Kf1 Qa1+ 50. Kg2 Qe5 0-1
[Event "123: Cannes (Rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2001.03.24"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Grischuk
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C96"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2001.??.??"]
{There was also an exciting finish to a Spanish duel in the tie-break with
Alexander Grischuk.} 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 12. d5 Nc4 13. a4 Nb6
14. b3 Bc8 15. Qe2 Bd7 16. c4 b4 17. Nbd2 g6 18. Nf1 Nh5 19. g4 $5 Nf4 (19...
Nf6 {(g7)} 20. a5 Nc8 21. Ng3 {was no better.}) 20. Bxf4 exf4 21. Qd2 (21. e5
$5) (21. a5 $5 {.}) 21... Bf6 $6 (21... Bc8 22. Qxf4 Nd7 {was more resilient.})
22. e5 $1 dxe5 23. Nxe5 Bg5 $2 (23... Bxe5 24. Rxe5 Qf6 {was essential} ({but
not} 24... Qh4 $6 25. Qxf4 f5 ({or} 25... Qxh3 26. Ne3) 26. Qg3 $1 {.})) 24.
Page 192
Sheet1
Nh2 ({More forceful was} 24. a5 $1 Nc8 25. d6 Ra7 26. Nh2 {and wins.}) 24... a5
25. Nhf3 Bh6 26. Rad1 (26. d6 $1 {.}) 26... Qf6 (26... Re8 $5 {.}) 27. h4 Qd6
28. Ng5 $2 (28. g5 Bg7 29. h5 {and Qxf4 would have been decisive.}) 28... Rae8
29. Nxd7 Nxd7 30. Ne4 Qb8 31. g5 Bg7 32. d6 $1 Be5 33. Qd5 Qb6 $2 (33... Qc8 $1
{.}) 34. h5 (34. Kg2 $5 {.}) 34... Re6 $2 {A final mistake.} (34... Qd8 {was
not so clear.}) 35. hxg6 hxg6 36. Nf6+ $1 Rxf6 ({Or} 36... Nxf6 37. gxf6 {and
wins.}) 37. gxf6 Bxf6 38. Bxg6 {
41. Qh3+ Kg5 42. Qg4+ Kh6 43. Rd3 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "2001.12.09"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Kramnik
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D27"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2001.??.??"]
{A short match with Kramnik (Botvinnik Memorial
score in 'classical' play
6½-3½.} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 e6 4. e3 a6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O Nf6 7. Bb3
Nc6 8. Nc3 cxd4 9. exd4 Be7 10. Re1 O-O 11. Bf4 Na5 12. d5 Nxb3 13. Qxb3 Nxd5
14. Rad1 Nxf4 $1 {(another queen sacrifice!)} 15. Rxd8 Rxd8 16. Rd1 Nd5 17. Ne5
{A novelty;} ({with the score standing at 2-4 Kramnik avoids simplification -}
17. Nxd5 exd5 18. h3 b5 19. Rxd5 Be6 20. Rxd8+ Rxd8 21. Qc2 {½-½
(Gelfand-Shirov
is met by} b5 {.}) 18... Rb8 $1 (18... Nxc3 $2 19. Rxd8+ Bxd8 20. Nb6 $1 {.})
19. Na5 $6 (19. Ne4) ({or} 19. h3 {was better.}) 19... Bd7 {Unexpectedly Black
begins to seize the initiative.} 20. Ne4 (20. Nxd5 exd5 21. Rxd5 $6 {is weak
because of the reply} b6 22. Nc4 Be6 {.}) 20... Be7 21. Nc4 Bb5 22. Ne5 Be8 23.
h3 b5 24. Qg3 {From this point White goes wrong on nearly every move.} Rbc8 {
(building up the pressure)} 25. Kh1 a5 (25... f6 $5) ({or} 25... Ne3 $5 {was
stronger.}) 26. h4 a4 27. Ng5 h6 28. Ngf3 Nf6 (28... Bd6 $1 {.}) 29. Rxd8 Rxd8
30. Qf4 (30. Ne1 $1 {.}) 30... Rd1+ 31. Kh2 (31. Ng1 {was more resilient.})
31... Bd6 32. g3 Bc6 $1 33. g4 Rd3 34. Kg1 Bxf3 0-1
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.06.02"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Lautier
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A29"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
{In a stage of the FIDE Rapid Grand Prix (Moscow
Page 193
Sheet1
defeat all my opponents.} 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Nd5 e4 6.
Nh4 O-O 7. Bg2 Re8 8. O-O Bc5 9. d3 exd3 10. Qxd3 Ne5 11. Qc2 c6 12. Be3 cxd5
13. Bxc5 d6 14. Bd4 dxc4 15. Rad1 d5 16. e4 Bg4 17. f3 Bd7 18. exd5 b5 19. Bxe5
$2 {White eliminates the threat of ...Nd3 at too high a price.} ({The
equalizing} 19. Rfe1 Nd3 20. Rxe8+ Qxe8 21. Qd2 {and Bf1 was correct.}) 19...
Rxe5 20. f4 Qb6+ 21. Kh1 Ree8 {(threatening ...Ng4-e3)} 22. h3 Re3 (22... b4 $1
{is more accurate
23... Re7 $5 {.}) 24. Rxe3 Rxe3 25. Kh2 g6 26. Nf3 Bf5 27. Qf2 Ne4 (27... b4 $1
{.}) 28. Qg1 Nd6 29. Nd4 Rd3 (29... Re8 $5 {.}) 30. Rxd3 $2 {The decisive
error
{was essential.}) 30... cxd3 31. Qe3 Nc4 $1 32. Qe8+ Kg7 33. Nf3 (33. Nxf5+ $2
gxf5 {and ...d3-d2
Nxc4 bxc4 {And Black won the bishop ending.} 37. Bf3 d2 38. Bd1 Kf6 39. Kg2 h5
40. g4 Be4+ 41. Kf2 h4 42. Ke3 Bxd5 43. g5+ Ke7 44. Kxd2 Be6 45. Bg4 Bxg4 0-1
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.06.03"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Grischuk
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B30"]
[PlyCount "116"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 b5 7. Bc2 Bb7 8. Qe2
d5 9. e5 d4 10. Be4 Nd5 11. cxd4 Nxd4 12. Nxd4 cxd4 13. a4 b4 14. d3 Qc7 15. f4
Rc8 16. Nd2 Ne3 17. Rf3 Bxe4 $1 18. dxe4 (18. Nxe4 $2 Qxc1+ 19. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 20.
Kf2 Rc2 {and wins.}) 18... d3 $1 19. Qxd3 Nc2 20. Rb1 Ne1 21. Qxa6 Nxf3+ 22.
Nxf3 Qc4 (22... Bc5+ $5 {and ...0-0 was also good
the queens.}) 23. Qb5+ $6 (23. Qxc4 {was more resilient.}) 23... Qxb5 24. axb5
Bc5+ 25. Kf1 O-O 26. Ke2 Rb8 27. Be3 Rxb5 28. Rc1 Bxe3 29. Kxe3 Rbb8 {And
after mistakes by both sides Black converted his exchange advantage.} 30. Nd4
Rfc8 31. Rd1 Rc4 32. g4 Rd8 33. h4 g6 34. h5 gxh5 35. gxh5 h6 36. f5 Kh7 37. f6
Rd7 38. Rd2 Kh8 39. Rd1 Rc2 40. Ra1 Rxb2 41. Ra8+ Kh7 42. Re8 Ra2 43. Nc6 b3
44. Rb8 Ra6 45. Nd4 Ra3 46. Nxb3 Rd1 47. Rb7 Rb1 48. Rxf7+ Kg8 49. Rg7+ Kf8 50.
Kd4 Raxb3 51. Ra7 Rd1+ 52. Kc4 Rb8 53. Kc3 Rc8+ 54. Kb2 Rd4 55. Rh7 Rc6 56. Rb7
Rdc4 57. Kb3 Rc3+ 58. Kb2 Rc2+ 0-1
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.06.04"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Khalifman
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C61"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
Page 194
Sheet1
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 (3... a6 {- Game Nos.2
No.80.}) 4. Nxd4 exd4 5. O-O c6 6. Bc4 d5 7. exd5 cxd5 8. Bb5+ Bd7 9. Re1+ Ne7
10. c4 $1 {A second attempt;} ({an hour earlier Black had successfully
defended after} 10. a4 a6 11. Bxd7+ Qxd7 12. d3 O-O-O 13. b4 Nf5 14. b5 a5 {
(Kasparov-Khalifman
Instead of the previous} 10... Rc8 $6 11. d3 Bxb5 12. cxb5 {
Pardubice 1999.}) 11. Bxd7+ Qxd7 12. d3 (12. Na3 $5 {.}) 12... O-O-O 13. Nd2
Kb8 $6 14. b4 $1 dxc4 15. dxc4 $1 Nc6 $6 (15... Ng6 16. c5 {.}) 16. b5 axb5 17.
cxb5 {(White's attack is already irresistible)} Nb4 18. Nc4 Qf5 (18... Qxb5 19.
Bf4+ Ka7 20. Qb3 Qa6 21. Na3 {(e5) and wins.}) 19. Re5 Qc2 20. Bf4 $1 Qxd1+ 21.
Rxd1 Ka8 22. a3 f6 (22... Nc2 23. b6 {.}) 23. axb4 $1 1-0
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.06.05"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Radjabov
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
{The outcome of the final was also decided by an elegant miniature.} 1. e4 g6
2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 $5 4. Nf3 d6 5. Be3 ({More aggressive than} 5. Be2 {.})

5... Nd7 6. Qd2 Ngf6 7. Bh6 {There is no great point in delaying the exchange
of the g7-bishop.} Bxh6 (7... O-O $5 {.}) 8. Qxh6 e5 (8... Qa5 $5 {.}) 9. O-O-O
Qe7 (9... Ng4 10. Qd2 {was no better.}) 10. h3 a6 $6 {A waste of a tempo;} (
10... b5 $1 {was correct.}) 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Bc4 (12. g4 $5 {.}) 12... b5 13.
Bb3 a5 14. a4 $1 b4 15. Nb1 Ba6 (15... Nxe4 $6 16. Rhe1 $1 Nec5 (16... f5 $2
17. Nbd2) 17. Nbd2 {
$5 {.}) 16... O-O-O $6 ({Or} 16... Nb6 $6 17. Ng5) ({but} 16... Be2 17. Rde1
Bxf3 18. gxf3 Nb6 {was more resilient.}) 17. Qe3 $1 {(threatening Qa7)} Kb7 18.
Bc4 $1 {(exposing the black king)} Nc5 $2 {The decisive mistake
there was also little joy for Black after} 18... Nb6 19. Bxa6+ Kxa6 20. Nb3 $1
{.}) 19. Bxa6+ Kxa6 20. Nc4 Nfxe4 (20... Nfd7 21. Rd6 {.}) 21. Nfxe5 {
(threatening both Nxc6 and f2-f3)} Rd5 22. Nxc6 Qg5 23. Rxd5 Qxd5 24. N4xa5 (
24. Qe2 $5 {.}) 24... Kb6 25. Nxb4 1-0

[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.09.09"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kasparov
[Black "Shirov
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B12"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
Page 195
Sheet1
{In the rapid match Russia v. Rest of the World (Moscow
terribly
d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. Be3 Qb6 5. Qc1 e6 {(a new and natural move)} 6. c4 $1 Ne7 ({
Later other moves became more popular:} 6... dxc4) ({or} 6... Bxb1 7. Rxb1 Bb4+
8. Kd1 $1 ({my improvement on} 8. Bd2 {
8... dxc4 9. Nf3 Nd7 10. a3 Be7 11. Bxc4 Qc7 12. Ke2 {(Kasparov-Jobava
Rethymnon 2003).}) 7. c5 $1 Qa5+ 8. Bd2 (8. Nc3 $5 {.}) 8... Qc7 9. Nc3 Nd7 10.
Be2 h6 11. b4 g5 $6 {A serious weakening;} (11... b6 {was better.}) 12. g4 $1
Bg6 13. h4 Bg7 $6 (13... gxh4 {was more resilient.}) 14. hxg5 hxg5 15. Rxh8+
Bxh8 16. Bxg5 a5 17. b5 $1 Nxc5 (17... Nxe5 $2 18. Bf4 {and wins.}) 18. Bf6 $1
Bxf6 19. exf6 Ng8 (19... Qh2 20. Nf3 Qh1+ 21. Kd2) ({or} 19... Nd3+ 20. Bxd3
Bxd3 21. Qe3 Bxb5 22. fxe7 {would not have saved Black.}) 20. dxc5 d4 21. Nf3
$1 dxc3 22. Qxc3 Qf4 23. g5 Rd8 24. bxc6 bxc6 25. Rd1 Rxd1+ 26. Bxd1 Qe4+ 27.
Kf1 Bh5 (27... Bf5 28. Qe5 $1 {.}) 28. Qb3 $1 {
Qc4+ 30. Ke1 1-0
[Event "130: Panormo (Rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2003.09.23"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Azmaiparashvili
[Black "Kasparov
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D11"]

[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "2003.??.??"]
{There was also a nice finish to the second rapid game of my training match
with Azmaiparashvili (Panormo
that time I played regularly
c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Qc2 Bg4 6. Ne5 Bh5 7. Qb3 Qc7 8. cxd5 cxd5
9. Nc3 e6 10. Bd2 Bd6 11. Rc1 Nc6 12. Na4 O-O 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Qb6 Qe7 15. Bd3
Bg6 $1 16. Bxg6 $6 (16. Qb3 {was essential}) ({but not} 16. Bxa6 $2 Ne4 17.
Qxc6 Nxd2 18. Kxd2 e5 {and wins.}) 16... fxg6 $1 {(opening the f-file with the
threat of ...Ne4)} 17. f3 Ne4 $1 {All the same!} 18. fxe4 Qh4+ 19. g3 $2 {This
loses by force
Kd1 {is also insufficient in view of} Qg4+ $1 22. Kc2 (22. Ke1 $2 Qxg2 {and
wins}) 22... Rab8 23. Qxa6 Ra8 24. Qd3 Rxa4 {
Rg1 Qf3 $1 {.}) 20... Qg2+ 21. Kd3 Rf2 22. Qa5 Rb8 23. a3 Bc7 24. Qxc7 Rxd2+
25. Kc3 Rdxb2 {. In the last 'rapid knock-out' won by me (Reykjavik
March 2004) the pairings were decided by a blitz tournament: 1. Aronian - 13
out of 15; 2. Kasparov - 12; 3. Sutovsky - 10; 4. Dreev - 9½; 5. Karpov - 9½; 6. Nielsen - 9;
7. Timman - 8; 8. Short - 7½; 9. Kristjansson - 7; 10.
Hjartarson - 6; 11. Epishin - 6; 12. Stefansson - 5½; 13. Petursson - 5½;
14. Nataf - 4; 15. Carlsen - 4; 16. H.Olafsson - 3½. Then I defeated Carlsen
(1½-½)
Short (1½-½).} 0-1
[Event "131: Reykjavik (Rapid)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2004.03.18"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kasparov
Page 196
Sheet1
[Black "Carlsen
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E92"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2004.??.??"]
{To complete the picture
Norwegian prodigy
list
Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. Be3 exd4 (7... c6) ({or} 7... Ng4 {is better.}) 8.
Nxd4 c6 9. f3 Re8 10. Bf2 $1 ({Avoiding} 10. Qd2 d5 11. exd5 cxd5 12. O-O Nc6
13. c5 Rxe3 $5 {(Game No.87 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov).})
10... d5 11. exd5 cxd5 12. c5 Nc6 13. O-O Nh5 14. Qd2 Be5 15. g3 Bh3 $6 {The
oldest
minimal plus.}) 16. Rfe1 $1 Ng7 17. Rad1 $1 {A novelty.} ({Weaker is} 17. Bb5
Rc8 18. Rad1 Nxd4 {with equality (Taimanov-Stein
Tallinn 1965)}) ({or} 17. Ndb5 Nf5 $1 {(threatening ...a7-a6)} 18. Nxd5 Ncd4
19. Nbc3 Rc8 20. g4 Rxc5 21. gxf5 Rxd5 22. Nxd5 Qxd5 23. Kh1 Bg4 $1 {.}) (17.
Ncb5 Ne6 {is equal.}) 17... Rc8 $2 (17... Ne6 18. Nxe6 {and f3-f4 is
depressing
After} 18... d4 19. Ne4 Ne6 (19... Nf5 20. Ng5) 20. Ned6) ({or} 18... Nf5 19.
Qxd5 Qxd5 20. Nxd5 a6 (20... Bxb2 $2 21. g4 {and wins}) 21. Nd6 Nxd6 22. cxd6
Rcd8 23. Bf1 $1 {Black is in a sorry state.}) 19. Nd6 Bxd6 20. cxd6 d4 (20...
Qxd6 21. Nxd5 {and wins.}) 21. Ne4 Bf5 (21... Rxe4 22. fxe4 Qxd6 23. Bxd4 Rd8
24. Be3 {
Bxd4 {.}) 22... Bxd7 23. Bxd4 Nxd4 ({If} 23... Rxe4 24. fxe4 Be6 {
b3 {
Qa4 Rxd1 28. Qxd1 (28. Bxd1 $1 Qxb2 29. Qd7 {.}) 28... Qxb2 29. Qb1 Rc2 30.
Qxb2 Rxb2 31. Bc4 Nd4 32. Re3 1-0
Page 197
Sheet1
toppling his great rival

a record
Kasparov
Sarajevo 2 and Astana 1). The games in this volume feature
holding the title between
featuring numerous
often by substantial margins. As well as his
Kasparov has constantly promoted the game; he has done
and also a
as
Page 198
Sheet1
this last period of my career was not inferior to all its
with slight exceptions

against Short (1993) and Anand
I remained the 'historic' champion. But Karpov
he retained his title. The situation at the
and I even had to explain to the public: 'I
but the chess world champion!' --- The
envisaged
breaking
Ilyumzhinov began staging mass world championships
including Las Palmas 1996 and Linares 1997
came to the rescue. He
and then setting up a full qualifying
this plan was also wrecked. First Anand refused to play

money could not be found for my match
I should remind you
this world record
and I chose the most difficult opponent - Kramnik
twice finishing ahead of
and I established another world record -
Kramnik was morally
signed on 6 May 2002 in Prague by the FIDE president
and in return it approved a
according to which Kramnik would play a match with the
the FIDE knock-out world
the No.1 in the rating list
these efforts were in vain:

and then also with the next
Page 199
Sheet1
who did not want to give
I began seriously
after victories in the 2004 Russian Championship Super-Final and
despite enormous efforts
and also to the chess
for their help in preparing
after
the only one who openly
in which he emphasised that he considered it unlawful to stage

since in the qualifying
and in addition the other
who had lost to Timman - had completely
declared Ivanchuk
and the
as the press reported
under the aegis of the PCA and The Times newspaper
with a prize fund of 2½ million
in the course of which I
organizational problems with the PCA
the split with the Russian Chess Federation
and serious family discords (in the end I
and she and her parents with our daughter Polina

Page 200
Sheet1
and my mental state left much to be
but I believed that I would be able to beat Short
the first time I had been there (and after that I went
trying to recreate the atmosphere of the irretrievably lost
with me were my chief trainer Sergey
Alexander Beliavsky
it was they who later
the first two being my official seconds. We
although the greater part of what we found in our
of course
after which both

and less at the Nimzo-Indian
we analysed
unfortunately
whereas in the 1995 match with Anand
which came as an unpleasant surprise for my
now at a training
I looked a little at the French
at the 7...Qb6 variation in the Najdorf
and I met with Geller
how to advantageously avoid the sharp
without any time-outs and with
but things did not come to that). Also for the
immediately after a game the players were obliged to give a short

and my team and I lived ten minutes' drive from
close to Regent's Park. The opening
together with a charity lunch
Simpson's-in-the-Strand
Steinitz
and 142 years later it was reproduced by grandmasters Keene and
robed in 19th century costumes (the former was one of the match
and the latter
the
immediately threatening the Marshall
note to
gradually I completely outplayed my opponent
with more time on my clock

but Black was a pawn up
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white and black
and to start with I
again I managed
allowing
and Short almost saved himself
seeing that I was also making
did not become depressed and was hoping to pull one back in the very
London"]
N."]
G."]
Belgrade 1989; Debrecen 1992).}) 6... e6 ({In the second game
etc. But now I chose the most critical line
I had analysed more and was expecting} 9. Rb1 {
whereas I had
if} 11... h5 12. O-O -- (12... Nc6 {(Spassky-Fischer
} 12...
Riga 1995).})) 12. O-O Bd7 13. Kh1 ({It
Dubna 1973)})
Varese; Game
I preferred to obtain a key position from the Spassky-Fischer

Page 202
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White prepares either the cramping
or c2-c3 and Ne3-c4.}) 14... Rc8 {This natural continuation turned out
and since then it has become the main move.} (14... Qb4 {is worse
Kiev 1963).})) ({But}
which I wrongly criticised in
deserves consideration.}) 15. Ne3 ({Not} 15. c3 $6 Na5 $1) ({or}
Bryson-Pigott
overlooking the unexpected trick} Ne5 $1 17. fxe5 Rc3
when Black regains the piece with advantage (} 18. Qd2 Rxb3 {).}) 16... Qxe4
} ({since I was not attracted by}
maintaining the balance}) 18... Qg6 ({Ftacnik's move} 18... Rc7 {is also
Kotronias-Sasikiran
and my Informator suggestion} Be7 {(?!)
but 20...Rc5! tips
Short decided to play on.
then} 21.
Short
but this will merely be to the advantage of the bishop on
and although after} h3 24. g3 Bg7 {Black has
there would have been complicated
based on a miscalculation.} ({After} 27.
creating a mating net:} 29. Bxd5 ({or} 29. Rc1 Bc6 30.
Nigel was hoping for the flamboyant}
but here he noticed the refutation - 31...Qe7 or 31...Be5!

he nevertheless tried to complicate matters.}) 28... c3 $1 (
although even here after} Qa4 ({or}
} ({but not} 31. Rd1 $2 O-O $1)) 31. Bxd5 Bc6
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with the possible continuation
and White is lost.}) 37... Qc2 $1 {(the only way!)} 38. f5 Rc3
Short failed to find the more
and the outcome was practically
but now there were different times and different
by defeating
Gelfand
became
began getting into time-trouble and making blunders
when Patrick Wolff
he said to me: 'Well
who many regarded as the
Short had not given up hope
but on encountering a
note to White's 11th
whereas on my 18 moves I spent 1 hour
in
I replied 7...Nbd7
but I went wrong and Black's position became
but could only
London"]
G."]
N."]
Page 204
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Adams (Linares 1999)
and Topalov (Linares 2005).}) 8... Bb7 {A popular reply
Moscow (rapid) 2002)
Jakovenko-Tomashevsky
to say nothing
for example:} Na5
Amsterdam 1992). But Geller advised me to play my knight to f1
whereas after Nbd2-f1 it can go to both g3 and e3. In addition
and there is the useful

with the idea of ...Nc5.} ({
Cannes (rapid) 2001)}) ({and} 10... Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nf1
Batumi (rapid)
Linares 2001).}) 11. c3 $1 {Quickly and
} ({but not} 12. Bc2 Ne7 13.
Janosevic-Bisguier
Amsterdam 1996).}) 12... axb5 (12... Nxb3 $2 13. bxc6 $1 {.})
immediately developing counterplay on the queenside. After this I
closing the centre with the hope of
Linares 2004; cf. Game No.95)
for the first time in the game
choosing between two possibilities.} ({After} 14... Ne6 15. Nf1 Ng5 16.
soon forcing Rxe6

Budapest
Budapest
although
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and Short intends to find a new future for it' (Averbakh).}
and although after} 22. Re3
it is difficult for him to prevent
for
in the spirit
} ({although} 19.
and if}
Groningen 1996)} 21. Nh6+ $1 Kh8 22. Ng5 $1 Nxg5 23. hxg5 {
etc.}) 20. h5 Kh8 $6 {An unnecessary move
but this is an illusion: after} 23. Nd5 $1 hxg6 ({or} 23...
}(
White
the cool-headed} 23. Nh2 $5 {(Stohl)
no satisfactory defence for Black being found'
return the pawn and go on to the defensive.}) 24...
for
retaining a persistent initiative
}) ({which also has a tactical point:} 26. Bxg5
winning the exchange and the game. This apparently distressed Short.
to which I would have replied} 27. Nh4 ({or} 27. Bc2 {with an
by no means the sort of advantage I had been hoping for).}

for example:} Qxf5 28. Rh1 Qg6 29. Bd5 Nb8 {(d8)} ({or} 29...
not mentioned by any of the commentators
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and Black is lost.}) 27... Nf6 28. Bxf6 Bxf6 29. Qh5 Kh7 ({If} 29... Kg7
Averbakh gave} 30. Re4 Rh8 {(?)} ({but after} 30... d5 31. Rg4+ Kh7
or else}
and then} Rg8 (30... Re8 31. Bd5 Nd8 32. Kg2 c6 33.
with a big advantage' (Averbakh). Thus
then} 31. g4 Kg7 32. Re3 $1 Qe8 33. d4 {is good (Stohl).}) ({
the knight could also have jumped forward -} 30. Ng6 $1 Rg8 (30... Re8
when Black faces virtually
etc.}) 30... Ne7 31. Ne3 Ng8 ({White's mistake would have
and} 32. Bxf7 Bxe3 33. Bg6+ Kg7 34. Rxe3 Rf6 {(Stohl).}) ({
at the end of this clash he
and not my blunders.' And the press commented on the pretty
not suspecting that Princess Diana was present in the royal
produced a truly royal game'. --- The score rose to 5½-1½. In the
to his credit
London"]
N."]
G."]
but all the
it is correct to attack the e6-point
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as Spanish TV viewers
is weaker}) 16... Bd7 ({but not}
Amsterdam 1996}) 17. Ne7 $1 Bxe7 18. Bxe7 f6 $1 19. Qg4 Be6
thanks to the insecure black king
and although White
ways for him to gain an advantage have
Amsterdam 1996).})) 9... dxe5 ({Analyzing
I came to the conclusion that} 9... Nfd7 $5 {was even better - this
but after} 10. exd6 Nf6 {and ...Bxd6 Black
but
and Black's flexible position very much appealed to
and the knight on c5 both defends
disrupting the smooth

anticipating interesting
Stare
on which
Mikhalchishin
but after} 15. g3 {this is more likely
Internet practice of the 2000s
etc. This is similar to the 12...Nf6 continuation
which hinders Black's ...0-0
this is the only way to play! I was taught that in the opening you
but the opponent didn't develop his
White had no choice:} 15. Bxg5 $2 Nxe5) ({or} 15. Qxg5
etc.}) 15... Qe7 $2 {Alas
with the idea of} 16. Bxg5 $2 Rg6) ({

but the subtle} 16. Be3 $1 Bb7 (16... Nxe5 $2 17. Nc6 $1)
the best reply to the gambit was its acceptance -} 15...
apart from Short: in Informator he gave only} 18. Nd5
and here not the losing} 19... Rc8 {(?)}
Ftacnik)}) (
but} 19... Ra7 $1 {with the idea of} 20. Nd5 ({or} 20. Rhe1 Qe6 21. Qf2 (21.
and White has no more than a draw}) 20... Bc6 21. Nf6+ Qxf6
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but Nigel was inspired and he
White suddenly obtains a decisive attack)} Qxc6 19. Bxg5
etc.}) 20... Bxd6 {The rook has to be taken
} ({missing the
suggested by Short in
will also do}) 26... Kg8 27. Rxe5 {with the irresistible threat of
mating.}) 25.
Black
but with time-trouble approaching Short repeats
which he needs for a win' (Mikhalchishin).}) 33... Kh7 34. Ng5+ ({White
and again mate.}) 36. Nf7+ Kh7 37. Qe7 Qxg2 $2 {A serious
far from obvious move would have maintained the balance:} 38. Qxb7 (
etc.}) 38. Be5 $2 {With his flag about to fall
but the white king
etc. But
and for the first time in the match I
London"]
G."]
N."]
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for which I now had good
order had to be
52
which went
Port Erin 1998)}) ({now} 6... O-O {is
and only after} 7. Nf3 {-} dxc4 8. Qxc4 b6 {(the source game:
Karlsbad 1929)}) 7. Qc2 {(Game No.97).}) 5... exd5 ({
with the idea of} 6. e3 ({or} 6. Nf3 Qf5
as was played against me by Nikolic (Moscow Olympiad 1994)

New York 1995; Frankfurt (rapid) 1999) and Kramnik
Moscow (blitz) 1998; Linares 1999; 2nd match game
Black immediately attacks the
even at the cost of material sacrifices
or exchange Black's active pieces and exploit his pawn
and in avoiding the first one can end up in the second
the
which became the main
but tenable endgame (Kasparov-Timman
but the more we looked at the variations
in practice this is more dangerous for Black than}
Wijk aan Zee 2005).}) 12... O-O {Again the most
Prague (rapid) 2002)}) ({and} 12... Bg6 $2 13. Qd1 $1 {

exploiting the weakness of the light
Kazan 2001)}) ({
Page 210
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regaining the
but on this occasion a
and in more than one
tested in 2003)}) 15... Kg7 16. Nexd5 Bxc3+ 17. bxc3 Rad8 18. Rd1 Nf6
Budva 2009).}) (
Sarajevo 2003}) 15. Nxf5 Ne4+ 16. Kd1 Raxb8 {with equality})
e6).}) (13... Nxc3 {(the sharpest
also with
Khanty-Mansiysk 2005)}) 17. Nxh6+ Kh8 $1
the battles in this unusual set-up are continuing
and this is better than} 14...
when Black has no real
who was more expecting} 18. Nb3
} ({and if} 19... Nd7 $2 {then}
breaking up the
and the culmination of our analysis. 'White is a pawn up
and the white bishop is stronger than the
etc}) 22. fxg3 Rxc5 23. Rab1 Nd7 24. Rb5 {and Rd1.}) 21. hxg5 Nxc5 ({If}
then} 23. Bd3 $1 ({but not the Informator move} 23.
as in the previous note})
but this attempt is refuted.}) 22. gxh6 $1 Ne4 23. c4 $1 Nxf2 24.
etc}) 26. Rxf5 Ng4 27. Rf7+ $1 Kxh6 28. Bd3 Nxe3+
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then} 29. g4 $1 {with a decisive attack:} Nxg4 ({or} 29...
} ({
etc.
alas)} 35. Rd7+ ({Again missing
I decided simply to exchange the
I gradually stopped understanding anything...}) 35... Rxd7
} ({but} 37. e4 $5 {was more
not} 40... Kxf5 $2 41. Be4+ {and Bxc2.})
I would have played} 43. a4 $1 {

} (45. Rh4 $1 {was correct.})
reflecting the
for example:} 46. Ra2 Kf5 47. e4+ Ke5 48. Ke3 Kd6 (48... Ra8 49. a5)
including a book recently published by
one of its co-authors being Speelman
this
or 5-0 with four draws. Short found himself in an even worse
not counting draws
the
and I had to solve numerous
note to
and after 28...Qxh2? 29 Nc6 he
but in his usual desperate time-trouble

Nigel could hardly
employed an interesting novelty and reached an obviously better
Page 212
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almost overstepped the mark
London"]
N."]
G."]
Fischer-Spassky
Reykjavik 1972}) 12... dxe5 13. fxe5 Nd7 ({or} 13... Ne8 14. Ne4 Bb7 15.
and although both times I gained a draw
he first removes his

Bucharest 1992) there was the promising novelty} b4 $1 14.
Bednarski-Adamski
Brno 1991)} Bb7 16. Qf2 $1 {.}
Moscow
in fact} 16... Qxh4+ {is better
Rishon Le
although here also
trainers or
Page 213
Sheet1
which came to
and after} Qe7 (19... Bxe4 $4 20. Rxg6+) ({or} 19... Qxf4
when the knight is stronger than the

transposing into a won bishop endgame.}) ({. After} 18... Bxe4 19. Qxe4
but} 21. hxg6 $1 Rb7 (21... Bxf3 $4
but still by no means a win.}) ({. The
for
and Black succeeds in creating equalizing counterplay}) (19. Rd1 Qxh4 20. Qf2
and thanks to the liveliness of the h- and g-pawns
after 18 Rg3 I could have
whereas now I gained full compensation for the
but I preferred to go into an unusual
Black gives up his f4-pawn' (Averbakh). 'With this balance of forces
since after}
and the continuation recommended by
and the black

but here also} a5 {is
for example:} 27. c4 (27. a4 bxa4 28. Bxa4 Rd5+ 29. Ke4 f5+ (
etc})) 27... a4 28. Bc2 bxc4 29. Bxa4 Rd5+ 30. Kf4 Rf5+
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but after} Kd6 ({or}
also with a probable draw.}))
where it is blockaded by the king)} 34.
and even by
and in other cases
etc.
in the 15th game I scored a sixth win
and the remaining games

ended in draws. --- The match result 12½-7½ speaks for itself
the score in our subsequent
and for the first
Anand and Topalov - 6½; 10. Ivanchuk -
I promptly plunged into the maelstrom of chess life and began
but also as an organiser.
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to qualify via the PCA line for a match with me
although for greater legitimacy
which became the main PCA sponsor. This enabled us to stage both
the Intel World
and also a number of

but above all - a complete world
December 1993) was
and the prize fund here was three times
July 1993). The
whom I had defeated in an official match for the title (1990)
Karpov was experiencing a mental
moreover
while Karpov
respectively
he was openly supported by the organisers
and by television and the press. The
as it
was played by the drawing of lots

and Karpov 11. I remember being pleased that I
but the experienced arbiter Vladimir Dvorkovich
except one
will play the two of you in succession - first you
but they proved to be prophetic. Averbakh: 'It is quite possible
all the players were pretty exhausted when they came to
this alone can hardly explain the miracle which occurred
Karpov was to say after the
when with
knowing his attachment to the
remembered his old love - 1 e4
but five moves before the
now in a dead-drawn ending

we started with two wins and in the third round we
but Karpov played the opening badly against Illescas and stood
and with White between Moscow 1988 and Linares 1994 I contrived to
Page 216
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since the Ukrainian grandmaster's repertoire is
G."]
V."]
why not accept the challenge!} 5. Bg5 (5.
98.}) 5... dxc4 (5... h6 {- Game No.96.}) 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6
but I was also ready for
66
etc.}
Biel
Dortmund 1993)} Rd8 $1 {Black has
but after} Nxc3
Aronian-van Wely
for example:} -- (18... Rh4 19.
when} 19. gxh4 Rg8 20. Nxc4 Qa6 $1 21. Qb3 Nf4 22. f3 Rxg2+ 23. Kh1 Bd5
and} 19. Qd2 Nf4 $1 (19... Rd4 $2 20.
van Wely-Kramnik
Oll-Topalov
Pamplona 2007)}) ({
Rethymnon 2003)} 20. Qe2 $1 Rg8 (20... Nf4 $6 21. Qe5) 21.
Tilburg 1993)} 23.
and in both
Bern 1993).})) 15. Bxf6 {This has
Wijk aan Zee 1983)} ({or} 16... Qb6 {- Graf-Buhmann
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a pawn mass in the centre and the possibility of
I was hoping to
} 17... a6 $1 18. Nc3 exd5 {was necessary
is weak in view of} ({in the second half of the 1990s I studied} 19.
and the unclear} ({and instead of 19...Kb8 they have begun
etc. ---
it is easy to give recommendations
sweeping away everything in its path?}) 18. Nxa7+ Kb8 19. Nb5 {
and the point is not that White has

but that his knight is
then} 20. Re1 $1 {.}) ({After
} ({but} 20. Qe1 $1 Rd7 21. b3
St. Petersburg 1997).})) ({Black also
etc}) (22... Rd5 23. Qf3 $1) 23. Qf5 $1 (
obtaining a knight and three pawns for a rook.}) 20. a4 (20. Qa4 $2
but for a successful counterattack Black is short of precisely one
but this is weak because of} 22. Qd2 $1 {with the threat of Qf4+ or
but the queen
blocks it in.} Bxh4 $6 {Consistent
then} 33. Qf5+ $1 {)}) 24... Rdg8 25. Rfe1 $1 ({but not my
} 23... Rd7 {would have
he would still have had some work to do.}) 24. Qc7+ Ka8 25. Qa5+ {
Page 218
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and a decisive entry of
in so doing I missed the simple} 28. Qa5+ $1 Kb8 29. Qa7+ Kc8
Ivanchuk relaxed and sank back in his chair. At that moment I realised
which brought me a mass of satisfaction
J."]
G."]
who was making her debut in the tournament
} ({although I
with the idea of} 7... Nbd7 8.
Belgrade 1989)}) ({
with double-edged play:} 8. -- (8. a3 Nc6 $5 ({not} 8... Nbd7 9. Nb3

Anand-Kasparov
Lyon 1994; J.Polgar-Kasparov
Debrecen 1992)}) (8. Nb3 Qc7 9. g4
Geneva (rapid) 1996).}))) 7... Be7
then} d5 {(Shirov-Kasparov
Reykjavik (rapid) 2004) is good.})) 8... Qc7 (
when} 9. Kh1 (9. Be3 {- Game No.115}) ({and} 9. Qe1
Wijk aan
Illescas-Kasparov
86).}) 9. Qe1 {After this move I became
Page 219
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I decided to try and take my opponent aback.}) 9...

and
Polgar made this nominally new but typical move very quickly.}
when} h5 $6 {is
New York 1976)} ({
for example:} 11. Kh1 (11. a4 $5) 11...
Elista 1995).})) 10... b6 11. Bf3 Bb7 {Now Black has a
although the queen
Vienna 1947). But the preparatory 12 Kh1 set me another
when} dxe5 14. fxe5 --
or} 14... Nxe5 15. Bxb7 Neg4 16. Nf3 $1
etc}) 16... Qxb7 17. h3 Nh6 18. Bxh6 gxh6 19.
Bundesliga 1996)
as in an old game of mine

it is too early for} 13... Nc5 $2 {on account of} 14. e5 $1 dxe5 15.
but} 13... O-O $1 {is now good
Istanbul Olympiad 2000)} dxe5 15. fxe5 Nxe5 $1 16. Bf4 Bd6 17.
Plovdiv 2010)}) 14... Nxd5 15.
with the sharp idea} Nc5 15. b4 Ncd7 16. b5 {.}) 14... Nc5
but I wanted to retain both knights
since Black can
exploiting the vulnerability of the
was definitely better:} 20. axb5 axb5 21. Qf2 b4 22. Nd5 Bxd5 23. Rxd5
then} Ba3 $1) 22... Nxd5 ({weaker is} 22... Bxd5 $6 23. exd5
and White's chances are better
etc.}) 21... Bf8 22. Bg5 ({I was no longer afraid of} 22.
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and} 26. Bxb6 $2 {is not possible because of} Nxg4 $1) 23... e4 24. Be2 Ne5
regaining the
allowing
and since} Qc4 $2 ({he would have had to restrict himself to the modest}
then} Nc5 {.}
which surrenders the
this would
not} 29... Bxa6 $2 30. Qxa6 {as
and if}
winning.}) 30... Nef6 $6 {Alas
and if} 35. Rxb6 {
remaining with the

} ({but White
which is less clear
White has few chances of saving the game.})
but
but merely releasing my fingers -
when it is now
Page 221
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etc. After a second's
later
but I had no time to calculate the variations.}) 38. Nxf6+ $2
} ({not noticing the saving line} 38. b3
} ({but there
etc}) 43... Rxb2 {.}) 40.
with a pretty attack
when} 45. hxg4 $2 Qxg4+ 46. Kf1 Rf3+
while
then either} Qc4 ({or} 45... Qf4 $5 46. Rxb3 Qh2+ 47. Kf3 Qxh3+
and White
winning the exchange and the game.}) 41. Bd5 $6
when White has 'only' a difficult endgame a pawn
} ({but} 42... Rc7) ({or my Informator suggestion} 42... e2 {
} ({but also after} 46. Qd4 {there
created by the queen
an
rich in adventures. Immediately after it Judit and I sat

and they were joined by Judit's elder sister Susan and her mother Klara.
according to the press
who employed a novelty with White
but suddenly
blundered an important pawn on the 28th move and promptly
while Karpov
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etc.}) (46... -- {Meanwhile
and a colleague of
in which he claimed that in the game with Polgar I had
and then replaced it with another. This had
who observed the time scramble in this game: "At no

who had also watched the
acted resolutely: he put out a press-release
that this
was shown the video tape. An examination of it at normal speed does
but it is impossible to
but also long-term consequences. A recent
one of the players in that tournament
for him it does not count. That is
but my eternal opponent had 6
and Sergey Makarychev and I spent a long time
and twice in
but on this occasion
after which
by the 13th move I already found myself in such an unpleasant position.
a game where things just
to a large extent
and the
but the inspired leader
although initially the latter gained an
on the 24th move he could have set his opponent very
and on the 37th he could at least have maintained equality.
against whom things usually went quite
PCA and FIDE (see
G."]
Page 223
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G."]
Gata replied} 1... c5 {
but now he
this
but now I chose a variation which I had tried against
Kamsky-Karpov
as played both by Kamsky
right up to his match with... Kamsky (8th and 12th match games
and if} g5 $6 ({so there remains only}
then} 14. Re1 $1 {
Dortmund 2003).}) 11... g5 {This move had already occurred
against this Makarychev and I had prepared} ({and after} 12... b6 13. b3
Roquebrune 1998
Gelfand-Speelman
and if} Nf6 {(?!)
Benjamin-Andruet
Eastbourne 1990) is
etc.}) 13... Bf8 $6 {On encountering a new plan
after} 13... c5 {
and after} Rb8 {the black king is stuck in the centre}) 15. Qxh6 {
Budapest 1995;} ({we also analysed} 15. O-O $5)) ({
and here not} O-O-O $2 ({but now} 15... c5 $1 {with hopes
etc}) 16... c4 $1) 16. Bxg5 {
Villa Gesell 1994).}) ({Black could also have considered}
Kiev 1997)} 14. Qxh6 ({or} 14. Qh5 Bf4 15. Ne4
when White's advantage is only slight. Now

he has an easy game}) 14... Bf4 15. Qh5 Nf6 16. Qc5 (16. Qh4 Bg5)
Page 224
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Formia 1995)} ({or} 14... Bg7 15. c3 {is also good}
Zarnicki-Giardelli
of course
with the simple threat of Qxh6 is
also with the ideas of} ({not the Informator} 18. Kh1 $6) 18... Rh8
but the play is still double-edged
etc}) 21. Rxf7 $1 Kxf7 22. Rf1+ Ke8 23. Be2 $1 {.}) 18. Nxf6+ Bxf6 19.
but here he saw the fearful blow}
as usual
then} 31. Qf4 Bxc4

Anand
but here there was the dreadful
apparently in keeping with the ideas of my enemies
when
and in the end I cracked under the
he threw away his advantage with his
this did not help me: aiming at all costs to win with
I played the King's Indian Defence too riskily
came under attack in the endgame
Page 225
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it is true
in which Karpov played Kramnik

G."]
Vi"]
but
and he can defend successfully with
S.Hansen-Svensson
which
the system with 2...d6 and 5...Nc6 has been
but
Manila Olympiad 1992).}) 7... e6 8. Bf4 (
New York 1966)}) ({or
Skopje
in order to then drive it away with f2-f4.}) 8... Ne5
Linares 1993}) 10... Qc7 11. f4 Nc4 12. Bxc4 Qxc4 13. Qf3 {
for example:} Bd7 14. O-O-O Rc8 ({not} 14... b5
trapping the queen}) 15. Bd4 {
Paris (rapid) 1995)} ({or} 15. Bb6 $5 e5 (15... Be7 16. a3
etc.})) (9... Bd7 {is more
since} 10. a4 ({and} 10. g4 Bc6 11. f3 Ng6 12. Bg3 d5 {(J.Polgar-Short
not fearing} 12. Bxc4 Qxc4 13. Qf3 e5
Tivat
Page 226
Sheet1
or} 12. Nb5 $1 {(as I would have played)} Qc6 13. Bxc4 Qxc4 14. Qd3
when too little is promised by} 15. Na5 Qd7 16. e5 (16. Nc4
etc.}) (15. Nxa7 $6 Qxe4 {.}) ({. Therefore Makarychev and
Tivat 1995).
after 16...a6! it is hard for White to achieve an advantage and there
Elista 1995).}))) 12. Bf3 a6
when White is the exchange up with chances of success.}) (15... Nd7 16.
and now not} 17. Na5 $6 Qc7 18. Qf3 O-O 19. Qxa8 Qxa5 {
Minsk 1998)}) ({
then} 19. Rae1) 19. Na4 $1 Rf8 20. Rae1 {with a
and in both cases White has an endgame with an extra pawn.})
his counterplay
then} b5 15. g5
seizing the initiative (Al.Sokolov-Golovin
and he is able 'free of charge' to play g4-g5
Biel 2005; Kasimdzhanov-J.Polgar
or Qh5 and f4-f5 (Alekseev-Movsesian

as ...Na5 with the threat of ...Nc4 (which is
but after} 16. g5 Nd7 17. Bg2 {White does not change his plan of
since on g1 his king is more comfortable than in the similar set-up
for example:} Rac8 18. Rf3 Rfe8 19. Rh3 g6 20. Qe1 $1 Nb4 21. Qh4 h5
at the board I was more concerned about the
and here I examined the
but later I came to the conclusion that after} Bb4 $5 {White has no
and he has immediately begun his
Dagomys 2006).} Re8 {
vacating the f8-square for the bishop or knight.} ({The
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Sao Paulo 1973)}) (

Bundesliga 1984)}) ({and} 18. Kh1 {
Adelaide 1988)}) ({and later both} 18. f5 {(Safarli-Serban
Linares Open 1995).}) ({Anand
although this knight could have come
say
London 1980).}) 19. Rh3 g6 20. Qg4 {White's
Black's army conclusively
etc.}) ({While Vishy was
I looked at the active defence} 20... h5 $6 {
or} 22... Bf8 $2 {White
but} 22... Bb7 {would seem to enable Black to hold on:}
or} 23. f5 Ne5 $1 {etc.}) ({
the computer
and it
the g5-g6 break is also very strong after other replies:} 22...
then} 26. Nf5 $1 {
or} 22... Nxb3 23. g6 $1 Bf6 (23... fxg6 24. Qxg6+ Kf8 25. f5 $1) 24.
or} 22... Bd8 23. g6 f6 24. g7 $1 {
for example:} 20... Bd7 $5 {with the idea of}
} ({although at least not by} 22... Nxc2 $2 23. Bxh5 $1 {.}) (
but then there would have
and White's two bishops
Anand was pinning his hopes on his 25th move - but in vain!
although after} 24. Bd4 $1 e5 25. f5 $1 {all
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winning the queen and the game:} Bxh3 29. Bxf7+ Qxf7 30. Rxf7 Kxf7
and after} Rg8+ 39. Bg3 Rxh3 40. Qxh3+ Qh7 41. Qxh7+
and with the support of the cavalry White's passed pawns
it would not have helped to play} 26... exd4 $2 27.
the white king is also exposed. But how well
supporting the knight on d4
and the white king easily avoids the checks})
Black resigned.} (35. -- {
who had
and was now on 9½
in the next round he lost to Karpov'
who
I was by definition
and in the final
having completely lost my motivation
allowing Shirov to catch me. --- It is unlikely that
he won from almost any position
I said: 'In my view
which by virtue of his personal and
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but my attitude to this is simple: I will endeavour
firstly
was largely exhausted
qualitatively different level was needed. The young generation
and its outcome a kind of historic punishment for the mistake

and he even made a bold statement in the
I would like to play another match with Kasparov
as in the early 1980s
the new President
and grandmaster Averbakh
I went to see Botvinnik in his office on the second floor of the
in fact he was almost blind: he moved about with the help of his nephew.
he knew
after a
he rapped out: 'Rapid chess will be the death of our game!' Or
but this form
colossal damage.' I tried again: 'This is how
11-18 May 1994): 1.

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Short
alas
although without a champion-like
at the start
Short beat Timman with White and took the lead. But the second
in which I played Nigel Short
and at last something from the submerged
G."]
N."]
for the
and on
for example:} 8. Na4 ({or} 8. a3 Nc6 9.
Moscow (rapid) 2002}) 8... Qa5+ 9. c3 cxd4 10. b4 Qc7 11.
and White won (Short-Timman
Svidler-Bareev
Munich (blitz) 1994).}) (7... a6 {was also tried against me
mixing up my moves
Frankfurt (rapid) 1998}) 8... b5 9. a3 $1 (9. h4 Bb7 10. h5
Kasparov-Bareev
seizing the
Linares 2003).}) 8. Nxd4 Bc5 ({After} 8... Qb6
but modern
Svidler-Short
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Sheet1
then Kb1
J.Polgar-Short
and here instead of
Kasparov-Bareev
Hastings 1988/89).}) ({
there was the gambit idea} 12. Qd2 $5 Qxb2 (12... Nc5 13. O-O-O
Kasparov-Timman
and since after} 16. Qb4 a5
Monte Carlo (rapid) 2003)})
I was intending} 16. Rd1 {
Monte Carlo (rapid) 2003).}) ({. Therefore it is better to play
Turin
Mainz (rapid) 2005).}))) 10. O-O-O ({Castling suggests
but the prophylactic move} 10. g3 {is also possible
Astana 2001).}) 10... a6 11. h4 {A fashionable plan at
Manila Interzonal
Linares 2003).}) 11... Nxd4 12. Bxd4 b5 13. Rh3 $5 (13. Kb1 {
in which after}
already then it was known that the immediate} 13... b4 $1 14.
but
Rostov-on-Don 1993)}
or} 14. Na4 Bxd4 15. Qxd4 Qa5 $5 ({
Nunn-Lputian
Gallagher-Barsov
but rather on White's long-term pluses

since in the event of} 14. h5 ({equally unclear
Nijmegen 2002}) ({or} 14. a3 Qe7 {
instead of the concrete Bxc5
which first occurred in Nijboer-Luther
was one that I discussed before the 1993 match at a
a great expert on
Lputian
said: 'Here there is the
and Black has no
Makarychev and I carefully studied this
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which became our preparation for the London match.

and by the will of fate the preparation
it should be
and if} 16. Bb5 Rb8 17. Bd3 {not only is} Qc7 {possible
Kecskemet 1993)
Essen 2001}) ({or} 17... f6 {
not} 16. exf6 Qxf6 {with equality.
in order to obtain a
when a
it transpired that the win was still a long way
exploiting the weakness of the
since ...Qf4+ and ...Qxa4 no longer works) is more effective:} Qxf5 ({or} 19... Ra7 20. fxe6
Nf8 21.
attacking the weak black pawns}) 22. Qxd7 Bxd7 23. Ra3 {.}) 19. Kb1 Rxf5 $2 {
Short makes a decisive mistake.} (19...
for example:} 20. -- (20. fxe6 $2 {(a tactical
Internet 2005)}) (20. Nb6 Ne4 21. Qc7 $1 (21. Qxe5 Rxf5 {
Baklanov-van Hoof
although double-edged endgame}) ({
} Bb7 $5 (21... Rb8 22. Nc3 $1) ({or} 21... Rxf5 22. Bd3 $1
as well as the unclear} 21. g4 $6 Nf2)
or} 21. Rf3 $1 exf5 (21... Nd2+ $6 22. Rxd2 Qxd2 23. a3 $1 {favours White})
but still far from a win. --- Now
Black has an extremely difficult position.}))) 20. Rf3 $5 {After a
} ({
with the assessment '+/-'.} -- ({. After this it is bad to play} 20... Rf4 21. Rf3 $1 Qg6 (21...
Rxa4
and there is no way to save the game.}) ({. Things
etc.
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not} 22... Nf8 $2 23. Nb6 {. Here for the second
selecting the better of two tempting
again creating enormous
also suggested itself
and Black faces a difficult defence}) (24. fxe5 $1 Qxd6 25.
I was afraid of the loss of
winning a pawn)}) 26. Nc5 Rb8
but from afar I did not notice the spectacular} 28. Bxe6+ $1
or} 24. c5 Qe7 {

here} 24. Rg1 $5 g6 (24... Qe7
with the idea of} g5 ({or}
for a
suddenly joins the attack!'
then not} 28. Nxc8 $4 ({but simply} 28. Qxc4 $1) 28... Qb4
energetically conducted game improved my mood. In the
whereas I beat Timman with Black and
overlooking a powerful tactical stroke: 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4
Reykjavik (rapid) 1995) 9 h3 e5?! 10 fxe5 dxe5 11 Bh6!
but I forced myself to play on) 11...Bxh6 12 Qxf6 0-0 13 Nd5 Qa5+ 14 b4
and on the 39th move Black resigned. It was
both leaders won with White: Ivanchuk against
note to White's 12th move). We both reached 3½ out of 5.

while I
but
I decided not to take a risk. --- Despite the successful finish
I did
in order
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situated 500 km. north-west
the
Short
while Kamsky
armed with a high-powered
sought him out in Moscow

saying that he would not play in the
for the first time in the history of chess
this tournament was psychologically difficult for me. From the
there was an energy field surrounding
etc. In the second round came a fighting draw
interchanged with the fifth to avoid a player having the same
I again had White
my '1994 bogeyman'. This was a crucial game.
remembering my three recent
Moscow and New York)
the concrete chess problems left no place for
G."]
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V."]
with which I had a 'difficult relationship'.
from this game things went well
which brought Ivanchuk success in his game with Kramnik
and I quite
Kasparov-Kramnik
Madrid 1998; Karjakin-Radjabov
not without the influence of my 1994 games.}) 13. h4 $5 ({
etc.}) ({After seeing the
and after} 15. Nce3 $6 (15. Nxf6+ $1
Linares
I employed it against Kramnik (Moscow (rapid) 1994). And so here I
Leon 1996)}) ({but later it transpired that} 13... Be7 $5 {
with the intention of ...Qd7 and ...Bd8 (Tiviakov-Yakovich
by
in the Sveshnikov Variation it is customary to fight for control of the
but it turns out that it is also possible to harass the enemy
and after} d5 (15... f5 16. exf5 $1 {
as was confirmed in later practice}) 16. exd5 Qxd5 17. Ne3 Qe6
although here also after} ({but not} 19... Kh8 $6 20. g4 $1 Qg6
Teichmeister-Volodin
} ({less is
Page 236
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then
Kamsky-Benjamin
and White has no more
preventing 16...d5? in view of 17 Ng4. And
then simply} 17. Bd3) 17. Ng4 Kh8 18. Nxf6 {
Bern 1987) is weak in view of} 17. Qh6 $1 Ng6 (17...
then Ne3
especially with the sacrifice of the a2-pawn.
for the moment the black king is far more vulnerable...} e4 $1 {The
transposing into a position from the
but also Rh3-g3+)} Qe6 {
for a long time he defended brilliantly.' (Makarychev).} (
although at the time we did not see a forced win.

where after} exf3 {(there is nothing else)} 23. Bd3 $1 Ng6 24.
but in so doing he spent much effort and time
I saw that my opponent was unhappy with his position
when it is not at
or} 24... Rbd8 $2
found
and he returned the favour when
also during dinner
Page 237
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but
and in the end I put
overlooking after} 24... Rg6 25. Qf4 {the reply} Bd5 $1 {.}))
with excellent play for the exchange:}
all that remained for White was} 24. Bf5 $1 Nxf5 ({Stohl also
but this is bad because of} 25. Rg3 $1 Rbg8 26. Rxg7
when powerful
everything began to look different.}) 24... Rg6
etc.}) 25. Qf4 Re8 $2 {Allowing an
like everyone else
the inferior endgame after} 27. Rxb6 Nxf4 28. Nxf4
especially when the last couple
when it is now Black who is playing for a win: if} 29. Re3 (29. Rg3 $2 Qa5 $1
for example:} 26. Nd4 $5 b4
it is rather White who now has the 'bad' king}) 28. Rd2 Rb6 29. Rg3 {.}) (
when Black has a won endgame.}) 26...

for which we so love chess.}) 27. h5 $3 {
and mate}) 29. Rxh7+ Kg8 30. gxf7+ $1 Kf8 (
} ({
Page 238
Sheet1
but Ivanchuk kept pace
and Ivanchuk with White against Shirov
as well as Makarov
as well as other problems
but in time-trouble by some kind of miracle I
Ivanchuk drew with Kramnik and then with Short. And I
at last moved half a point ahead - 5½ out of 7! In the
as a complicated King's Indian

and in the final
who again defeated
Short
Garry was the same as he has always been."
he said. "I was less nervous at the board.
I did not
I felt the need for a
and in particular of my opening repertoire. However
with his customary
himself realised that a conflict had arisen and he wisely decided
and we began patiently developing a new
which was to bear considerable fruit in the late 1990s.
within just a few days I flew to London to take part in the third
after incompetently losing a dead-drawn position against the
as a result of which I was late for the drawing of lots in
Dr.
Page 239
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Chairman of the board of directors of the Crédit Suisse Bank
a suburb of Zurich. As the press rightly commented
and in class the
which was quite
but my results enabled me to fight for the
but in Horgen was not in his best form)
Korchnoi
Predrag Nikolic (see the

G."]
P."]
94 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov).}) 1... e6 {(as
Kasparov-Short
} ({instead of the experimental} 7. h4 {
} ({but I was also ready for} 7...
Munich (blitz) 1994). Now
and
Reykjavik 1991)} ({or} 11... f6 {
Tilburg 1993)}) ({or} 8. Bd3 Qa5 9. Bd2 Qa4 {(J.Polgar-Nikolic
after which he played} Qa5 ({and since 1997 -} 8... Qc7 $5) 9. a4 Nbc6 10.
London (rapid) 1994).}) 8... Qc7 $1 ({The main
and in the Hübner-Nikolic

after which White usually
Page 240
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when White's position seemed to us to be the more
then} h5 $1 {is unpleasant})
Ponkratov-Fedoseev
Ubeda 1997) is more cautious}) ({or} 9... b6 10. Nf3 Ba6 {
Dresden Olympiad 2008).}) 10. cxd4 Qc3+ 11. Bd2 Qxd4 12. Nf3
Black's king is misplaced and he has problems with his development - it
White has
but after}
but the
and he resigned on the 30th

his activity
for example:} 17. -- (17. Bb4 Nbc6 18. Bd6 {(Stohl)} b5 19. Re1 Qd3
and here the variations show that White's activity is sufficient only to
when} 18... Qf5 19.
or} 18... Qg6 19. Qf3 {still retains the intensity of the battle})
whereas after} 18... g6 19. Nxh7+ Kg8 20. Nf6+ Kg7 {my Informator
etc.
but White nevertheless holds the initiative and there are more
previously only} 17. cxd5 Bxe2 18. Qxe2 {was considered}
here Black defends by} 18... Nxd5 19. Qf3 Nd8 20. Rfe1 Qa4) (18... exd5
or} 18... Nd4 19. Qd1 $1 Nxd5 {
in 2012 the computer found the far stronger move} 17. Re1 $1
and} 17... h6 18. Nxe6+ $1 fxe6 19. Bg4 {with a pretty attack:} -- (19... Nf5
and Black cannot escape from the bind}) (19... Ng6
Page 241
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but Black can still hold on.} (35. --))))) 17. Re1 Qf6
which obviously disturbed Nikolic: the bishop
not opening the c8-h3 diagonal and achieving an obvious advantage
then} 20. Nf3 {is good
or} 21. Rc1 h6 22. Bxc8 (22. Bc3 $2 d4 23. Bxc8 hxg5 $1) 22... Rxc8 {
and since} 23. Bc3 $6 ({White is forced to seek chances with} 23. Nf3 Rd8 ({
then} 24. g4 $1 Kg7 ({or} 24... Qd6 25. Bc3 $1) 25. Bxh6+ $1)
one could say Tal-like piece sacrifice. I realised that
but White is not taking any
when after
if} 23... h5 {-} 24. Rcxc6
and if} 23...
etc.})) 23. Qa4 $6 ({It was
as I recommended
but
and Black is in trouble}) 26. Rf6 Rd8 27.
and with the
etc.)}) (23... Bb7 $6 24. Rc3 $1 d4 (24... Kg8
regaining
and thanks to his two
Page 242
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however
winning the b6-pawn with chances of a win}) 27. Re1 Be2
but the position is easier for Black to play.})) 26... Kg7 $1 ({
when Black
or} 31... Bd7 32. Qb4+ Qe7 ({
nor by} 31... Be8 32. Re4 $1 Kg7 33.
this is the last chance of sharpening the play.}) 28... Rhf8
when White has an attack with
etc.}) (28... gxh5 $2
then} Rhe8 $1) 29... Kxh8 30. hxg6 Qf4 $1 {
not} 29. Bxe8 Qxf2+ {with perpetual check.})
White avoids} 32. f3 Re8 33. Re1 {with equality.})
although after} 36. Qb8 $1 {White can
after} 37. Qh3 $1 h5 38. Rxc4 $1 Re1+ (38... Rxe5 $2 39. Rc8+ Re8 40.
forces the return of the exchange and
and a far from obvious
but
and if} 37. Re3 {(Stohl)
Nikolic leaves his rook open to the f2-f4
} ({but he was also lost after} 37... Rg6 $6 38. Bd4 {(blocking the
etc.})
etc.}) 39. Qd8
Page 243
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Black lost on time. --- A very complicated game and
one of high quality. After it I became the sole leader
and I was caught by Shirov.

with Korchnoi and Yusupov on 5½.}) 1-0
G."]
A."]
and I was fortunate to be able to carry out an amazing
which to this day is not suggested by a single
but now I had prepared for it
avoiding the
49).}) 13.
Linares 1994).}) 13... Nb8 ({
as
hoping for the modest} 14. Be2 ({Black has to reckon not only with
Oakham 1992).}) 14. a4 {A typical undermining move.} ({At
Monte Carlo (blind) 1994)}) ({or} 14. c4 O-O 15. cxb5 axb5 16.
Cordoba 1995).}) (14. Nce3 Nd7 {(?!)}
and if} 15. h4 {
Andorra 1991)} (17... Nb6 $1 {(Shirov).})) ({. However
} 15. a4 $1 bxa4 16. Nxf6+ $1 {(an unexpected exchange of
Tusnad 2004)})
although}
Moscow 1995)}) 16.
Manila Olympiad 1992)} Bxe3 19. Nxe3 Nc5 20.
Page 244
Sheet1
which is possible after} 16. Rb4 Nc5
I froze in
fortunately for me
although this was more of an emotional reaction.} ({To be
I did not see anything special for White after} 16... Rb8) ({and the
Antalya 2001).})
which stunned my opponent
if one digs deeper
and in general the
I strolled about the stage
grandmaster Julian Hodgson
but the knight can go to c4 from the other side.} ({After} 18... O-O {
} ({White acquires the additional resource} 19.
etc.}) 19. Na3 $1 O-O 20. Nc4 a5
} ({but simply
since} Rxf5 {is bad because of} 22. h4 $1 Bxh4 ({or} 22... Be7
to have the possibility
in view of
with the
although in both variations
for
taking away a square from the ill-starred knight?}) ({However
although here also after} 24. g3 {all the chances are
beginning an attack on the king}) 27. b6 Bd8 28.
etc}) 25. O-O Qa4 ({or} 25... Qd4 26. Qc2 {
Page 245
Sheet1
aiming at the king.} ({But the computer chooses the cold-hearted} 26. Qb1
trapping the rook:} Qa7 27. Nc4 Ra2 28. Nc3 Ra6 29. b5 {(Stohl)}
I attacked the
but the only way to win was by the preparatory} 27. Bb5 $1 {
for example:} --
or} 27... Nd8
Shirov returns the exchange
etc.}) ({. Annotating the game for Informator and the Russian press
or} 28... Rf8 $2 29. Bb5 $1 {obtaining
for example:} 30.
and everything reduces to perpetual check}) 30... Kf8 31.
he attaches a question mark to} Qd4 {
although here also Black has a
killing Black's potential activity)} Qa3 ({If} 29... Ne6 {
enabling White to avoid the exchange of

White has an overwhelming advantage in the quality of his pieces. At
not}
and} Qxc4 $2 {is not possible because of} 33. Qg8+ Kd7 34. Nb6+ {
} ({but}
Page 246
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both of his rooks for two minor pieces. And now the
although here} 41. g3 {
but I played simply
but the competitive intrigue was not exhausted
defeated Korchnoi and remained just
penultimate round. I was able to employ some
which led to a colourful

G."]
A."]
61
} ({but far more rare than} 5. Be3 {(Game No.88 in
which I revived in my match with
Frankfurt (rapid)
Las Palmas 1996)} 10. f4 $5 {with
not waiting for the leap of the knight.}) 8.
one of my key discoveries in the Scotch Game
in order to drive the black bishop from its strong
but after} 11. c3
Page 247
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and I soon devised 11 Qa5 - an attempt to cut the Gordian knot
especially the queen. But with gain of tempo White opens the path
and in view of the threats of Qxc7 and Bg5 Black can no
the main thing is that to avoid
he is forced to sacrifice a pawn. From
although here his
but
and now not} 12... g5 $6 13. Qb7 Ne7
Ischia (rapid) 1997)})
but either} 12... Bc8 13. Qa7 b5 14. Nc5 Qe5 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 Nf6 17.
Pavasovic-Dos
Halle 1995}) 18. Qxb7 O-O) 17... Qxb2 $1 (17... O-O 18. Nd3 Qxe4 19.
or} 12... Nh6 13. Be2 {(Pavasovic-Acs

or immediately} 12... Be5 {
it would appear that Black also has excellent
the white queen is shut in on the queenside.
etc.}) 13.
after} 13... Ne7 14.
White retains the initiative with the aid of a
I am ready even to spoil my kingside pawns - the
but now castling is prevented)} Bxe3 16. fxe3 Qe5 ({
he is forced to solve the problem
and if}
then} Qe5 {with the intention of ...0-0.}) ({. In Informator I gave
overlooking the
and the advantage is with White

Page 248
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etc. --- Here Artur again thought for a long time. His clock ticked away
going in for material
more importantly
the
and if} 21. Qa5 ({and even after the
then not
but} 21... Qg5 $1 {(Blatny)
but even then after} 26. Qd3 {
for example:} Ng4 27. h3 Ne5 (27... Nf6 28.
and} Qxc2 $2 {is not possible because of} 29. Rf1 Qc3 30. Rf5 {
but the queen

but on the other hand he has
etc.}) 30. Qc6 Kh8 31. Qxc5 Rc8 {Desperation.} 32. Qxc8+ $1 {The
the
then} 35. Rc7 $1 Qxc7 36. Ne8+
not} 35. Bd5 $2
I declared on my return to Moscow. 'I was especially successful in
which were exceptionally important in the
this tournament was arbitrarily divided into three stages
5-8 and 9-11)
and I took a very active part in saving the 31st World Chess
Page 249
Sheet1
which Greece had suddenly withdrawn from staging.} (36. -- {These

Makarov
and altogether unexpectedly the
thereby dispelling rumours
but for collaboration
Bebchuk and Karpov
it would recognise our federation as the only one acting legitimately
and
which was organised in less than two months
Short and the 'new German' Yusupov - helped our harmonious
as two years earlier in Manila
Holland and USA - 34 etc. (altogether - 124
Kramnik (8 out
Bareev (5½ out of 10)

and I took the opportunity to make
according to
which
was published in Kasparov vs. Karpov 1988-2009). --- From
at the centre of which were the key figures of that
the Russian Chess Federation President Makarov and the FIDE
who was unexpectedly re-elected for a new term
12-23 April 1995): 1.
Page 250
Sheet1
and
a unique situation would have
and he thereby became my next opponent in a match for the world

in addition to the Intel Rapidplay Grand
began contesting the PCA Grand Prix Super-classic
Novgorod (early summer)
thanks
which coincided with my 32nd birthday.
note
and in the third I even more quickly gained a draw with
but in the mid-1990s he regularly played
and I replied either 1...c5 or 1...e5. --- After the initial
Kramnik
Kasparov - 1½ out of 2. I need hardly explain the competitive
G."]
Vi"]
as I declared after the game
but more for pleasure. On one occasion I chose it against my will - in
I really must play the gambit. --- Thus
although a residue of strategic unsoundness remained: White gives up
although even here after} 17. b6 $1 cxb6 18. Qd1 $1 {
Page 251
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Breslau (match) 1867) was also topical in the 2000s.})
but we did not find
an ideal pawn structure and the
McDonnell-La Bourdonnais
with which White declines to return
would appear to contradict the idea of

but Black's knight has gone to a5
but wants to
as
where I gradually seized the initiative
but blundered in time-trouble and Black
although the
also known at that time from
but each of them promises some problems for
and if} Qe7 {
with
Beijing 2000)}) 11. O-O $6 {(Shirov-Timman
Karjakin-Beliavsky
Bonn 2011}) 13. Nxc7+ Qxc7 $1 14. Qxc7 Be5 15. Qxe5
Kharkov
if there
then} Bf8 ({or} 12... d6 {.})) 12... Nb6 $6 (
and if} 13. Bh6 ({first} 13. c4 $1 Nb6 {
relieving the situation})
Krasnodar 1997)} 16. Rad1 $1 {.}) 13. c4 $6 (
Page 252
Sheet1
retaining pressure.})) 13... d6 ({After}
with sufficient compensation for the pawn. However
not only preventing c4-c5
then} 16. Nc3 Bf8 17. Qh3 $1 ({far stronger than my

it would not have helped to
or} 17... c6 18. Bg7 Bf6 (18... Rg8 19.
etc.})) 17. Nc3 ({Anand was hoping for} 17. Bg7
but
denying Black the possible reply} Nd7 {
in the given specific instance
writes Gurevich.} ({'} 17... Bh4
developing the queenside
for example:} 18. Ne4 ({or} 18. Nd5 $5 Nc5 19. Qc3 Rg8 {
although in both cases there is still much play in the position}) 18...
and White has excellent compensation for the
although each of the possible moves had its drawbacks and his king
and if}
then} 23. Qb3 $1) (18... Be6 19. Rab1 $1 {(Stohl)} Rb8 20. cxd6 cxd6 21.
but comes under attack by
etc.}) 21.
Page 253
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winning computer line} 22. Qh4 $1 Kf7 23. Rac1 $1 Be6 ({or}
winning the exchange and the game.}) (23... Bd7 {is hardly any more
Black would also have lost after} 24... Qd7 25. Bb5 $1) ({or} 24...
etc.}) 25. Re1 $1 {Black resigned.} ({The last surprise - an ambush:}
and much will be determined simply by
although I was very proud of this
in the match with Anand I played only 3
10th game (Game No.

while
including the one with me in the sixth round
not
to win with Black against Yusupov and Vaganian
an old
so that our duel in the fourth round took on the status of
and also
alas
the
soon collapsed and was liquidated... --- After Riga and before
Anand played only in two Intel Grand Prix knock-out
whereas I twice took part in 'classical' events. First there was
11-18 May 1995): 1.

two wins
where the price of every move
I declared at that time in an interview. 'Positions such as in
where in a Grünfeld White had a passed pawn on d6
but it has sounded in time. Now the main
where on 20 May I played two 25-minute games
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in a
I made an inexcusable oversight
healthy pawn
but leading to an endgame with winning chances. Fortunately
and I
if you glance if only briefly at the champion's schedule during
simul' in the British Embassy
the 'Kremlin
flights - first to Noyabrsk (1200 km. further north than
then to Orel
a blitz-tournament in the same place
a mini-match with computers in Cologne
who said something to him. The champion turned to his companions
Short
Novgorod stage of the PCA Grand Prix
except that Anand was replaced by
when he lost two games
did not allow Garry any peace'

and another thing to do it.'}
after employing a fresh idea in the King's Indian
I finally achieved an 'historic' victory over Gulko - the only
alas
but in the end it led merely to
who had begun the tournament with two losses
at the same time improving the score of our individual meetings. But I
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A."]
G."]
then} c5 {is good
protracted battle - the game began to turn in Black's

in time-trouble.}) 5. e3 ({After a little thought
when there can follow} Qc7 ({or} 5... Na6 6. Qd4 (6.
Stangl-Hug
St.
but for
but I judged such pawn
non-standard strategic play. The
or} 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 {
when I conceded the e5 point to White. Black intends ...b6-b5
with counterplay compensating for the
rejecting equality after (13)} 14. Nxd7 {and intending to
the position is effectively one from the
with both sides trying to attack.}) 14... Nb6 $5 {A double-edged

creating a 'Dvoretsky effect': the two white knights
begin to get in each other's way.} ({The perfectly sound}
but after} 17.
then} 21. Kc2 {)
for example:} 17. Bh2 ({or} 17. Nh4 Nxf4 18. exf4 Na4
not} 18. O-O-O $6
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but logical reply.} (18. Nxe4 Bxe4 19. f3 Bf5 20. Rh2 f6 {is harmless
then} dxe4 ({as is} 19... Bxe4 {
condemned by me in Informator because of} 20. f3 Bf5 21. Nh6+ Bxh6 22. Rxh6
although Black is saved by} g5 $1) 20. Rb1 Bxg4 21.
} ({although computer analysis has shown that it was more

suggested by a
is worse in view of} 24. a4 $1 Nxd1 25. Kxd1 Bxe5 26.
and now not the Informator}
forcing a draw}) 27... Rg2 $1 28. Kb1
etc.}) ({but} 22. Kd2
but after the
when Black holds this slightly inferior endgame}) 23. a3 $1 {(Stohl)
and in the event of} ({instead of my Informator
and
and here
} ({but
while the black knight has obtained an excellent post
and this is a sufficient price for the pawn.' (Makarychev).} 27. Kd2 ({
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without
straying beyond the bounds of equality)} 28. Kc2 $1 (28. bxc3 $6 Rxa3
which unexpectedly proves successful.} ({
not} 32. Rd1 $2 Raxa3 $1 {.}) 32... Nb6
} ({failing
however
and mate in two moves}) ({or} 36. exf4
White resigned.}) (43... Kg5 {That was my last win
in Horgen 1995 and Yerevan 1996
the 20-year-old Veselin
he was already well known for his bold

and he had beaten me at the 1994 Moscow Olympiad. But
and our final
including the last
in it I won even more games!}) 0-1
V."]
G."]
studying both the main variations with} 2... d6 3. d4 cxd4 4.
58
and I tried} 10... Rb8) ({or} 10...
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and a rather rare plan was worked out - 10...Nxd4
Linares 2003) is
Wijk aan Zee 2004)}) 14. a3
Linares 2002.}) 12... Bb7 13. h4 Rc8 14. g5 Nd7 15. a3 $1
and after} d5 $1 24. exd5 Rd6 25. f4 Rxd5 26. Rd3 Na3+ $1 27. bxa3 Bxd3
but after} fxg6 16. Bh3 e5 {we did not find anything good for White. The
but with the bishop on b7 it is not possible to play
and Black is forced to switch to the plan with ...Ne5-c4.})
Ponomariov-Morozevich
acting in roughly the same way as in his Amsterdam
then} 19. Bf6 $1 {is unpleasant
and White can exploit this
Korneev-Pogorelov
Moscow 1999).}) 20... Ba8 {With the intention of ...Qb8.} ({
Milov-Vogt
when Black remains the exchange down}) 22. Rgd2 $1 ({at that
but after} Bxc5
with equality (} 25. Bxb8 $4
but after 23 Ba3! the initiative is with White. However
Topalov apparently decided that more could be
with chances for
etc})
since the
after} 27.
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then simply} 26. Rgd2 {
etc}) 33... f6 $1 34. gxf6 Bf7 {.}) 28... Kf8 $1 {This move deserves
Black provokes immediate activity by White on the kingside.} ({
although after} Qxc4 31. bxc4 f6
even at the cost of giving him an outside passed pawn. But -
by activating the sleeping bishop on a8.} ({It was better to
with the black king on e7:} 31. Rd2 Ke7 32. f4 $5 ({if}
then} Qc5 $1 {and ...Bc6}) 32... exf4 33. Qd4 Rg8 (
regaining the pawn with approximate equality.
the black king has rushed back
but in Informator I also gave the correct reply -} Re8 $1 {
indeed
when Black has only equality -} Qe8 $1 37. Qxd6 Bxe4
but psychologically the offer to exchange queens
both defending and attacking the

since
and the
not allowing the bishop to
though
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although after} Re8 {and ...Bxe4 Black would be a
in combination with the next one
but also brings me victory.} 39. Rxh6+ Kg8 {White's attack has come to
which has been
that lands the decisive blow.} ({In view of} 40... Bxc2+ $1
White resigned. A
fighting game
whereas Ivanchuk defeated
exhausted
each made two draws
ninth round. Ivanchuk was obviously aiming to repeat his
when he had caught me by winning at the finish
who employed an improvement as late as the 24th move (cf. Game
10 September - 10
the German Chess Union
effectively announced a
at which they besmirched the PCA
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they
despite the
all the same the match would have taken place
in the June days of the
New York stage of the Intel Rapidplay Grand Prix
Rudolf Giuliani
which precisely in September was to be opened anew
where they were eager for this event
like two years earlier
in blessed Croatia. It
in the physical
forty minutes. Almost every day I paddled up to seven
I was helped by Yuri

my
I decided to expand my range of openings
we found
and the Dragon justified itself 100%.}) ({In addition
etc. (cf. Game No.25
but in the match things did not come to this. --- Of course
and 6 Bg5
before this
it was in the Scheveningen that the main
and with 6 Be2 Anand constantly created problems for
Yusupov
Speelman and Wolff. He was also helped by Dvoretsky
who were hoping for my defeat. During

the Open Variation
which he had played in his youth and in the candidates
a new
and which quelled my
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but also
but because Anand is a very dynamic and rapidly improving player'
most important
which
as previously)
genuinely professional. We played four times a week - on Mondays
Thursdays and Fridays
an hour for 20
immediately
11 September (just think:
he made the move 1 c4 for Anand
Anand took back his c-pawn and made his genuine first move - 1
after
replied 1...c5!'
and at the back of the stage a small
less fastidious
the tickets were 15 dollars. "Fischer's
I sadly reflected...'}) *
New York"]
Vi"]
G."]
only once did we make
which Anand nearly won.}
I went off to the rest room and there I suddenly
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I began feverishly wondering how to get out of this
Garry made this
but above all - amazingly quickly. And the
when Black
mating}) ({
and mate}) 24. Qh4 {(threatening Rad1)}
etc}) (21... Qc7 {
but this would have been a psychological concession
indeed
for example
repelling the attack (Makarychev).}) ({
my opponent did not notice a simple transposition of moves -} 20. exf6
etc}) 23. fxg5 $1 Rxf1+ ({worse is} 23... Kg8 $2 24. Rf6) ({or
etc.}) ({. I would have had
this would have given Black some saving chances' (Makarychev).
in the even-numbered games I varied my
probing for weak points in my opponent's preparation and obtaining
1 Nf3
I finally discovered a
which had brought Anand a draw
with the
but then Kasparov would draw level and move ahead'. After the
and
he would then be given a powerful surge
to wake up from the sleep in
that is what
I was so gripped by
that I was unable to
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New York"]
G."]
Vi"]
it was a serious mistake by Anand to repeat the
10th match
Baguio 1978)
86 in Part V of My Great Predecessors;
2nd match game
Dos Hermanas 1999).}) ({But Smyslov's} 11... Qxg5 $5 {is
and now not}
Shirov-Anand
Biel 2004)}) 22. axb5 axb5 23. Rfd1 Ke6 24. Rac1 $1 {
impeding the black king and blocking the passed pawns (Kasparov-Shirov
exclusively with the aim of creating confusion

since this seemed to us to be a blind alley. And only now
I realised how cruelly mistaken we were.'} ({In the sixth game I chose}
but instead of} Qxd1 ({there followed} 14... O-O-O $1 {(an
after the stunning knight move (a sudden sacrifice of
who was famed for his quick reactions.} Nxb3 $2 {Not
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but} (18... Rd8 19. Rfe1 $1 {is slightly more resilient}) 19.
after} Nxe5 (17... Qxe5 18. Re1) 18. Nb3 {
and White's chances are better}
Parnu 1996).}) ({. But} 16... Qxe5 {(!)} 17. Re1 {
is by no means so clear.} Qd5 $2 {(later I learned that this had
and here not} 20. Qxg7 $2 ({

Pamplona 2004).})) ({Therefore
etc}) 18. Qf3 $1
which I pointed
} 19. Bf4 $5 {is also strong}) 19... Rg8 20.
and although Black has rook
and Anand made it quite confidently
etc}) 17... Nxb3 18. axb3 Qxe5 {.}) 17. Qg4 $3 {
but still not yet fully understandable' (Makarychev). When in
I had doubts - after all
although far
confirmed the correctness of White's idea. This moment can
but it is already too late for Black to think of anything
} 17... Be7 18. Be3 $1 Nxb3 19. Qxg7 Rf8 ({or} 19...
intending f2-f4
which staggered Anand.
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etc}) 23. f4 {.}) (19... Qxf1+ $2 20. Kxf1 {is hopeless.}) 20. Bxg7 Qd3 21.
it was a
and so I did not want to spoil everything after such a
by contrast
beginning the advance of the
when the position suddenly becomes sharper:} 30. Rxd4 $4 Rxd4
breaking through to the queening square}) 34. Be2
in order to exchange the rooks and pick up
Black resigned.}) (38. -- {A grandiose

most importantly
but Anand
when the hour of the Dragon sounded. I
Vishy chose a quiet continuation which led to a drawn endgame
New York"]
Vi"]
G."]
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relying only on} 33. Kc1 f5 $1 {with equality})
etc.}) 28... axb4 29. axb4 (29. Nxb4 f6 {and ...Kf7 was unfavourable for
White resigned. --- For the first time in the match I took the
but the Arkhangelsk Variation of the Ruy Lopez. He was clearly in a

but in time-trouble I missed
New York"]
Vi"]
G."]
Madrid 1993).}) 12. Nxc6 {It is noteworthy that Anand again
aiming to avoid any risk. The weak points of the Dragon
and indeed was it worth seeking them - suppose that I
then} Nxe4 $1
after serious analytical work
with the idea of} Bh8 16. g4 $1) 15...
and after} 17. Bxf6 $1 exf6 (17... Bxf6
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with good play (Game
} ({previously} 14... Rb8 15. O-O-O $1 {was played
Kecskemet 1988).}) 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. b3 ({I think that the
otherwise he
the minor
although even here after}
then} d5 $1 {is good}) 19... c4 {.}) 17... Bxd5 18. exd5 e5 $1 {
setting White an eternal problem - to take or not to
with one move I simultaneously prevented castling on
with the intention of Qd4.
but he performed it
and as soon as the
he promptly went to pieces.} -- ({.

in Informator I recommended} 21... c3 {(?!)} 22. Qd4
but after} 23. O-O {White is quite alright.}) ({. Other continuations
retaining some advantage}) 22... e5 $1 23. Qc3 (23. cxd5 $2 Ne4 $1) 23...
then} 22. Qd4 $1 Qxe6 23. Rd2)) 21...
which was a hard one to find - a
and the game quickly concludes.} 22. bxc4 ({Alas
with the threat of ...Rd8 and ...Ne3+
} ({although Black would also have won with} 24... Ng4 $5 25.
and if} 27. Qd4 {
White
but the burden of accumulated misfortunes also told the following
when Black had
and after a series of excessively sharp moves by

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aimed at refuting this 'incorrect opening'
Garry employed a
whereas Kasparov gained
and the scales of fortune began to rock
New York"]
G."]
Vi"]
Anand was already anticipating a swift reprisal - ...Be4
abruptly disturbing the material balance.
setting the opponent a difficult psychological problem
but not by me.} ({After} 27... fxe5 28. fxe5

and would easily have maintained
then not Gurevich's move} 34. Rc3 $2 {
'with the better prospects for Black')} 34. Qg4 ({or}
etc}) 34... Rf8 35. Qh3 {with the idea of Rc6. ---
who also had an advantage on the
against 10 for Kasparov)
} ({although there were also more ambitious continuations:}
and after} 32. Rc2
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and} 30. Nh6+ $6 Kg7 31. Nxf5+ Nxf5 32. Re1
then} 33. Rg2 $1) 33. Rg1 f5 34. Qe1 Rc8 35. Re2 {with
given by
is bad in view of} 32. Re1 $1 Ne4 33. Bxd8 Rxd8 34. Bf3 {.})
which I mistakenly recommended
in view of} 33. f5 $1 g5 34. Qe2 {with the idea of} gxh4
etc.}) ({The dangerous rook on c7 should have been urgently
when the powerful knight together with
not mentioned by anyone
if not decisive advantage:} Rc8 ({or} 34... Ra8 35. Rg1
etc}) 35. Rfc1 {.}) 32... g5 $6 {Desperation.} ({If} 32... f5 $2 {
for
since after} Rc8 ({or} 35... Rf8 $5 36. fxg5 fxg5
although two pawns down}) 37.
etc.}) 36. Bf2 Nb5 {(it is clear

} ({but there was a technically simpler win by}
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} ({the bishop cannot come into play -} 38...
then}
etc.}) 39. Nxg4 Rc8 {In
for the first time in the match penetrating through the
and then at the arbiter...} 40. Rd7 $6 {A
where White is
Anand missed a chance
overlooking a pretty draw -} Rf3 $1 54. Kxf3 Nxd4+ {and ...Ne6.}) ({. But the correct
move is} 41. Ne3 $1 Rxb3 {
} ({but} 42. Kg2 $1 {

winning}) (42... Kf8 43. Nxd5 Ra3 44. Nb4 Ra4
repelling all the attacks and
passions and characteristics
and so on
they squeezed him into a framework
he completely
he aimed to calculate everything to the end
talent and vision of the game.' --- This fourth win
and I again fell into a slight doze. The outcome of this
of which only the 17th game was protracted. Vishy finally
but after mistakes by both sides towards the end of
and we shook hands 13 minutes and

Anand said quietly. The
and for me especially from the third to the tenth game. For
most professionals were openly wanting me to
so that the chess world should finally acquire a 'correct' champion and
but after my win in the match I was filled with
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the details of
and that in it they had already pledged one
envisaged in the Moscow
in December
Intel changed its
I
we will prepare
and I have learned something about
in October 2000... ---
ten days after the taming of the 'Madras tiger' I had to
concluding tournament of the PCA Grand Prix
20 October - 1 November 1995): 1-2. Kramnik and
Korchnoi and Gulko - 4½; 9. Lautier - 4; 10. Vaganian - 3½; 11.
9-12 November
I won the
Paris stage of the Intel Rapidplay Grand Prix
and defeating Kramnik in the final (1-1; 1½-½). And
at a scandalous FIDE Congress in Paris
traditions and juridical norms of FIDE activity

the 33-year-old millionaire and President of
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. In his enthronement speech he said that he
President
who played a prominent role in the
stated immediately after the Congress: 'The new FIDE
with excellent financial conditions
where it is allotted funds for chess development ($300
has been prepared and signed by the PCA. Today it is up to FIDE to make
on 21 December
which wrecked the
effectively violated grossly a decision of
which was unanimously approved in December 1994. In this
but has possibly been

already on 23 December a sensational
and that Kasparov and the winner of the
but of chess!'
I was simply handed the
or war with the PCA. I think that the
the new FIDE first vice-president Kouatly
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belong to Kouatly. I come to this conclusion
and in his heart he also recognises the fictitious
some chance found!
and quite a lot. But there is no money. And then
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov appears. And somewhere behind the scenes a plan

which they will now try to put into effect: if it is not
it has to be eliminated! Or more precisely
reduced to a lottery
which will completely kill the old-age
Karpov will have better
while if I refuse
I am sure that they are seriously mistaken. I will not play in the
irrespective of the prize fund.'}) 1-0
21 March - 1 April 1996): 1-2. Topalov
and in February I played a match in Philadelphia
my first tournament appearance came in March at the Euwe
but they were no less
with the exception of Ivanchuk

on not finding any decent sponsors
isolated games in simuls' or team
Kramnik and Topalov... A match with a computer
to say nothing of a mistake
and it is not possible
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but it did not have
but with each subsequent round his taste for the game gradually
playing Black against Topalov (it
by improving
note to White's 9th move). Then I won an
gaining revenge for my

but Topalov created a new sensation: he
my next game with Vishy
G."]
Vi"]
Anand
and instead of my usual} 3. Nd2
48)
although I had analysed it a little
} ({but sometimes also} 6...
Mainz (rapid) 2009).})) 6... e6 ({Black defends in
avoiding risky lines -} 6... Be6 {(Kasparov-Dreev
Moscow (rapid) 2002)}) ({or} 6... dxc4
Anand-Seirawan
Nice (rapid) 2009)
Linares 2009).}) 7. Nf3 ({It
Parnu 1937).}) ({And if} 7. c5 {then}
Manila Olympiad 1992;
Elenite 1995).}) 7... Be7 {The main line;} ({for} 7... dxc4 {cf.
but hardly a good idea.} ({It is more logical to play} 8... O-O 9.
Leningrad
Naiditsch-Leko
Porto Carras 2011).}) ({Or immediately
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Black has a cramped position. White begins hindering his queenside
doing everything possible to prevent ...b7-b6 and ...e6-e5.} 10.

and
trying to understand how White could retain the initiative...} 13. Rc1 $3
and he preferred to make a waiting move with
and in the
winning two pieces
not noticed by anyone
in order to answer} 15. Re1 {
for example:} 17. Bxa8 Qxa8 18. d5 exd5 19. Qxd5
when if} 16. Ne5 Nxc4 17. c6 Bb4 {.})) 14. Re1 Bf6 {Anand
not rushing
etc}) 16. d5 exd5 (16...
} ({although in Informator I pointed out that
I sprung another surprise on my opponent)} bxc5 20. Ne5 {This

although also slightly passive.}
but after} 22. Bxg5 Qxg5 {
and wins}) 23. Bb5 $1 Rd8 24. Bc6 {wins the
and if} 25. exf6 {
transposing into a better endgame.})) (20... Bxe5 {
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because of} ({but by} 22. exf6 $1
when Black successfully defends. --- Besides
as yet Black is by no means losing.}) 21.
or} 22... Bh4 23. Qh5 $1) (
to say nothing of} 22... Bg5 23. Bxg5 hxg5 24. Qh5 $1) ({
mating}) 25. Be5 Qh4 ({or}

White
in
not} 23... Bc6 $2 24. Bxh6 $1 g6 25. Qg4 Bxb7 26. Bg5
when} Bc6 $2 ({but he also does not equalise with} 25... Qa5 $6 26. Kf1 c3
etc}) 26.
and in
so he
etc. --- Now
rook and two bishops - White assails the unfortunate
etc.
etc}) 26. Qxh6
when in the event of} 26.
the cool-headed} 26. h4 $1 {

and despite all
White should win.})) 26. h4 $1 ({Even better than} 26. Rg3
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there was an
with the intention of Bg5+ and h4-h5.}) 30... Qa5 (30... Qb4 $2 31.
on
as occurred in Linares 1992 (Game No.86 in Part II of Garry Kasparov
but even then
apart from} 37. Qf4 {
} ({both the simple} 37. Bc1) ({and the pretty} 37. h6
Kasparov
in which we all drew - I escaped with

note to White's
since only Topalov
played 'in Tal style'
G."]
Y."]
but here it turns
} ({instead of the old} 5... c6) ({or} 5... Be7 {(b4). A rapid ...c7-c5 promises Black a
comfortable game.}) 6. e4 c5 7. dxc5 ({The alternatives and after
Grischuk-Genba
New York 1994)} ({or} 10... b5 11. Bd3 Bb7 12. h3 Ngf6 13.
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...Ne5
I unexpectedly saw a completely paradoxical way of sharpening the
but dead-drawn} 11. Ne2 Bd6 12. h3
that he was immediately forced to
or... Kasparov chose 'or' - he decided
evidently assuming that I had missed
with excellent play for
but it leads to
to wild
then he unwillingly
and later
and a fatal idea occurred
deliberately creating it for the opponent may even be a distinctive
indeed
then} 17.
since in these variations the king is
give back the exchange
since the rook will not run away:} 16... Rd8 $2 17. Kh1 $1) ({or} 16...
when} f5 $2 {is not possible because of} 19. Qg5 $1) 17. Qh4 (17. Qf4 f5 $1)
retaining the initiative}) 18. Qd6 $1)
etc.}) 15. Qxg7 Qc5+ 16. Kh1 (16. Kh2 $5 {
driving the white queen from its
after} 18. Qf4 (18. Qh4 $6 Qg6) 18... Qg7 19. Qd6 $1
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for example:} Qf8 22. Ba3 Rg8 23. Qc7 Qg7 24.
etc.}) 18.
sensing that White would
} ({
etc.}) 20. Bg5 $1
etc.}) 20... h6 $2 {The decisive mistake in a
and if} 21. Rd1 -- ({
but
still with hopes of saving the game:
then 24...Qh6)} 24. Rxd7 $5 Kxd7 25. Qb4 Ke8 26. Qxb7 Rd8 27.
with counterplay}) (23. Nge4 $1 fxe4 24. Qd4 Bd7 25. Nxe4 O-O-O
but not yet a win.}))))
} ({although
and White has only perpetual check.})
an imposing advantage would have been retained by} 22. Rd1 $1 Bd7
when Black wins}) 23... Ng6
etc}) 24. Bf6 Bc6 25. Rd6 Bd5 26. Qc3 {.})) 22. Rg1 Nf8 ({It is hard to
with the idea of} Bd7 24. Qb4 $1) ({but
first} 27. b6 $5 Bb7 {and now} 28.
and the black army is paralysed. But I was
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then} 29. Ra1 ({or} 29.
but very pretty)} Qc7 (31... Ra1 32. Nf6+ Kd8 33.
Kramnik - 3. In the sixth round I
while Kramnik
and
but also the current

G."]
V."]
various lines
below).} d6
Frankfurt 1999)
Paris (rapid) 1995}) 10... Qb6 $6 {
Belgrade 1995).}) 9. Qxd4 a6 {A surprise!} ({Before this my
but Black did not
} 11. Be2 Bb7 12. Bf3 {)
it is useful to spoil Black's pawn structure. I had studied
Karasev-Aseev
etc.
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this novelty - a simple developing move - is
insufficiently energetic.} ({The typical} 12. f5 {is parried by the
Kemer 1995).}) ({I also
but at the board I didn't see what
after
Monte Carlo (blindfold) 2000)}) 13... Bb7 {
Frankfurt (rapid) 1996)}) 13. e5 $1 fxe5 14. fxe5 d5 {
winning (Svidler-Kramnik
Monte Carlo
but
Novi Sad 2009)} Qxd4 (15... Bb7 16. Qd3 $1)
to avoid
and heads closer to the enemy king.' (M.Gurevich).} Qc5 14.
he has chances of creating queenside counterplay. This is what
I was concerned about} 17... b3 {(?!)} 18. axb3 a4 19.
but after} 20. f5 $1 ({instead of my earlier} 20. Nc3) 20... exf5
etc}) ({now} 23... Ra2 {is bad because of} 24. Ra1 $1 Rxb2 25. Ra8 Kd8
Neum 2000).}) 17... h5 18. Rc1 $6 {In order to play c2-c3 and
not allowing ...f6-f5.})
but he struck from the wrong side!} (18... f5 $1 {and ...Bf6 was very
which has no opponent
and the white king is in serious danger})
then 19...Qxd5 is more suitable.}) 20. f5 $1 {(finally suppressing the f6-pawn)} a4 $1
forcing perpetual check}) 23. c4 Qd7 24. Qe3 Bb7 25.
my opponent experienced a certain discomfort.} e5 (23... a3

but
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strangely enough
and if} 27. Nxf6 {
not} 24.
given by me in Informator
and White has no advantage.}) 25. Be4 (25. Rcd1 $5 {.}) 25... Qc5 $2 {
} ({but
having counted on} 27... Qb5 $2 28. b4 $1 {
} axb3 $2 29. Rxb3 {and wins)
but I did not want to allow the black bishop to go to d4. Now the
and with it Black's defence

White could still have retained some
or} 30... Bb7
but after} Rc8 $1 {Black has
but this is an illusion: by} h4 {
then} Rd8 $1 {. --- At this point the players were already on
for example:} 32. Rd7 (32. Qg3+ Kh6 $1) ({or} 32. Bxb7 Rxb7 $1 33. Qg3+
and Black is out of danger (} 34. Qh4 Rd8 $1 {)}) 32... Bxe4 33. Qxe4
etc).}) 32. Rdd2 $6 ({Blindness in reply
but after} Rg8 $1 {and ...Bb7
in order to defend
Black should have urgently exchanged
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nothing is
or} 36. Rfd6 Qxf3 37. gxf3 Rc3 $1
and after the forced} Qxb2+
where White retains his extra pawn
etc}) 48... Rh4 $1 ({
and here
found in time-trouble'
but I intuitively
with his flag about the fall' (M.Gurevich).} ({If} 36... Qxf7 $2
the unexpected 'leap to the side'} 38... Kh4 $1 {would have been far
for example:} 39. Rg3 ({or} 39. Rg8 Rb6 $1 40. Ra7 Rxa3 41. f6
38...Kf4 does not yet lose
thanks to the strong passed pawn on

for the first time in the entire tournament I became
after beating
an 'awkward'
Dokhoian and I were calmly
when
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the game followed a line I had analysed
and without particular anxiety I gained a draw. --- In
but against Anand he lost from an excellent position with White. --- In
and to avoid falling behind my
G."]
B."]
5
where Dokhoian and I had some new
86.}) 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-O ({There are fewer
and after} 10. Kh1 O-O $6 ({but it was safer to play}
4th match game
Timofeev-Sakaev
}) ({. Black can also be satisfied with} 10. Nd5 Bxd5 11. exd5 Nbd7
Linares 2000).}) ({. But I was planning} 10. a4 Nbd7 11. Kh1 (
and here not the 'hackneyed'} 12. Be3 exf4 13. Rxf4 {(Game Nos.54
but the energetic} 12. g4 $5 {
Baku 1976)} Bxb3 (12... exf4 13. g5 Ne8 14. Bxf4 {with
Anand-Lautier
giving White an enduring

Ivanchuk-Morovic
on this occasion
then}
which became one of the main moves
Linares 1997).}) 10. f4 ({No better is} 10. Be3 Be6 11. Qd2
Budapest 2003)}) ({or} 10. f3 a5 11. Be3 a4 (11... Be6
Astana (rapid)
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despite the fact that White's king is already on h1 and
which after} 11. Bxf4 Be6 12. Qe1 {and
which later was also employed by Gelfand.}) 11. a4 Nb4 {
I sank into thought: what can be

double-edged
trying to make use of the king's position on h1 for an attack
favours White after} 12... Bd7 $6
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal 1970;
Portoroz 1973)}) ({
Moscow 1974; Kavalek-Spassky
when after} 14. Nxe4 ({if} 14. Bf3 {
then
obtaining a comfortable position from the first
the queen move is more
Black provokes
since now 'the inactive
I sacrificed the knight. Since otherwise White cannot

the sacrifice is essentially forced. I did not see all the
of course
insisting on} gxf5 19. gxf5 {.}) 18. gxf5 Bf6 $1 {
since after it White
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etc}) 22... Qxc5 23. exd5 Qf8) 21... Bc5 ({if} 21...
then} 22. exd5 {is strong
more than compensating for the material given up. --- After 18...Bf6
that constitutes the greatest difficulty in playing such
when after} 22. Nxf6 Qxf6 23. Bg7+ Qxg7 24. Rxg7 Kxg7 {White's hopes are
or} 23... Qe7 24. Nxe8 Qxe8 ({
winning}) 25. Qg2 Qg8 26. Qh3 {(f2)} Qe8 27. Rg2 Bc6 28. Qg3 Qg8
and Black cannot hold out.})) 21. Qg2 Ng6 22. fxg6 ({
and White has powerful compensation for the exchange}) ({
because of the opening of the h-file and the
Black would have suddenly found himself in a
with the idea of} 23... Bd4 $6 24. Be2 $1 Bxg1 25. Qf3 $1 {(cf. the note
or} 23... Be5 24. Bg4 $1 Bxg4 (24... Qd8 25. Bxc8
then} ({therefore
and only after} Bd7 {(e6) -} 25. Bg4 {
is good:} ({but not the Informator}
etc}) 25. Rf2 ({or} 25. Rf7 Bxc3 26. bxc3 Rxe4 27. Qf3
winning a pawn}) 27.
with the idea of} Rf8 $2 ({or} 27... Nxc2 $2 28. Bc4
when} Kg8 $2 {is not possible because of} 30. Bc4+ {.})
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when the
and we shared first place
who is always impeccably dressed and
and he may improve still further
I stated soon afterwards.
except
and against this hurricane Black cannot defend. Moreover
but all the wins were
but I still continued to control the situation. I am happy that
which was observed both during
and in last year's 'classical' events

who have grown up with
demonstrating my approach to the struggle. So that I regard
fighting chess.'} 1-0
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and a year earlier to
but on this occasion I reached the final
and spectacularly crushing Anand
but then I played terribly
after avoiding a
and
and an opportunity presented itself at the end of May in the small
including even the FIDE challenger Kamsky

which
modest Linares looked like a world
stuffy semi-basement
to put it mildly
and for me it was a difficult and not very successful tournament.
note to White's 8th move) by the 24th move I
but here I suddenly became stuck and
note to
but in the fourth
and
who had begun the tournament with four draws
after employing another novelty in
note to
Kramnik and Gelfand - 3. --- The next day I
Vladimir Kramnik. By his own
in this game he was ready to do everything to maintain his 'plus
which had been gained with such difficulty. But I was eager to reach
G."]
V."]
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but} 1. e4 {is stronger and more
in our preparations for the game Dokhoian and
96)
Gelfand-Dreev
Biel 2011).} (
to exploit
which Kramnik made quite confidently and quickly.} ({Neither} 18... O-O-O
winning}) ({nor} 18... Rd8 $6 19. Bb2 Bd6 20. Rc1 Bxh2+
indeed
Re1+ is decisive
instead of a defeat
a share of first place in the
and even a win in the competition for the best game in the 66th
and White has only perpetual
and perhaps of the
or} 23...
etc}) 24... Ba7 25. Bb2
it is probable that Kasparov

and the formidable
usually Garry himself plays in this manner...}
after} 23. Qe2 $1 {White would have had every chance of parrying
then} 24. Rxf8+ Bxf8
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then} 26. Qc4+ Kh8 27. Bxe5 Rxe5 28. Qxb4 Rb8 29. Nc5) 26. Nxb2 Qxb3
although it is not clear whether it is
annotating the game in Informator and the magazine 64
but there is no longer anything better.
and after the forced} 31. Ke1 Rc1+ 32.
after which both his suggestion} 26.
forcing the exchange of queens at the cost

in order after} Bf4 $1 {to seek salvation either with knight against bishop
according to Kramnik
which was overlooked by
despite his extra rook
then} Bc7 ({or} 27... Qh1+
from the ill-starred 18th game of the 1986 match (Game No.18 in Part II
if I had won this game
who on the 45th move committed 'hara-kiri' in an equal position
I managed to
in my game with Judit
I suddenly made a 'brilliant' move - 32...Ne4? and threw
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J."]
G."]
when the last pawn was
the harmonious trio of black pieces constantly pursued the white
drove it into the very corner
it being 'important that at the moment when the knight moves
White has no checks' (Bologan)
G."]
V."]
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penultimate round
but when there was already more than one way to the goal
} fxg4
but no longer on his own: he was caught by Kramnik and
who with his 40th move
changed the evaluation of the position from 'completely won' to
who lost out in the 'battle
so that Vishy and I
15 September - 2 October 1996): 1. Russia
and Bosnia and Herzegovina - 33½; 8-12. Georgia
etc. (altogether - 114 teams). The winning team
Kramnik (4½ out of 9)
reserves Bareev (7½ out of 10) and Rublevsky (6
while I was
the match for the title of FIDE

and Karpov defeated Kamsky (10½-7½).
at a press conference on 14 July 1996
in 1997 a
my match with Karpov was no longer
but a purely historic and competitive one: the world
who had gone through the FIDE
after my match with Anand
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now
as otherwise we would have
Karpov and I met on 23 August 1996 in the Kalmykia
and our
signed on 14 September by both contestants. --- In it
it was stated that 'the match will be played for the title of world
that 'the match will be played outside the currently existing
FIDE or PCA'
and that 'in the event
additional rapid games are to be played (4 games in 2 days);
two additional rapid games are to be played
and then
in late August and
the second and
Topalov (1½-½) and J.Polgar (1½-½)
I was unable even to draw
with a lead on the clock

I unimaginably blundered my queen!
but we were aiming for victory.
only with Rublevsky replacing
the hero of the two preceding
was unwell and out of sorts: on this occasion he made nine draws
from the start Svidler (7 out of 8!)
and then Kasparov altogether ran into form.' --- In the first two
while Kramnik and I were being treated for colds
still unwell and in a 'groggy' state
although I had another
note to Black's 13th move). Then Russia defeated China and
but I
note to White's 14th move). The local spectators applauded
but in fact it was
Yerevan"]
Page 294
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G."]
Z."]
but now I was fully prepared for this risky variation.} 12. e5 $1 {A
etc.}) 13. Kb1 {When I analysed this new
I came to the conclusion that this prophylactic move was the
with the idea of finding the black king a
refined in 2000
when both} O-O-O ({and} 18... h5 19. a4 $1 (19. Bf3 O-O-O {is
Anand-Kramnik
Dresden Olympiad 2008) are
the sharp move 13...b4
although perhaps not a
but things were still far from simple)} Rg8 $1 {The best chance.} ({
Page 295
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when Black has insufficient
etc.})
with the idea of} Bd7 ({after
the only obvious mistake by Black in the
proves to be decisive.} ({As the lesser evil Dokhoian and I suggested}
retaining a dangerous initiative (} Qc7 $2 25. Qe3 $1 {)}) (22. fxe6

but here after} Kc7 $1 {White's advantage altogether
and it would indeed not have been easy for
etc}) 23... Qc7 24. Qe3 Qd6 {
however
then} 24.
who was then leading the Spanish team
Yerevan"]
A."]
G."]
not
45
two years before this he had already given me this 'soothing' bishop
although Black holds out both after

Shirov-Kasparov
Page 296
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Yudasin-Kasparov
Ljubojevic-Kasparov
Ivanchuk-Kasparov
Poikovsky 2003).}) 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. c4 {In order to play
not
which I devised at a summer training session in a game with
for example:
a clever resource was found:} 10... Qe6 $5
Internet 1999)}) 11. f3 a6 12. a4 Rfc8 ({or} 12... e6 13. Bg5 Qc7 14.
Oral-Kasparov
and White has some pressure (Shirov-J.Polgar
3rd match game
after} 7... Bg7 {all that remains for White is to develop
etc.) or cramp Black with d4-d5
but permanently
as
in the Nimzo-Indian Defence.} 9. bxc3 Na5 10. O-O $5 {Typical
with the idea of} f6 ({but after} 10... e5 11. O-O Nf6 ({or
Poikovsky 2002) is parried by} Qc8 $1 18. Ne6 Rf7 19. c5 $6
Polanica Zdroj 1997).}) 10... f6 {
} ({pointing out that} 10... Nxc4 {(!)}
then} Qa6 (12... O-O-O) ({or even} 12... Kf8 {is possible})) 12. Nxe5
with
Mumbai 2004) is insipid:} Kf8 $5 13. f4 Nh6 14. e5
the
rejected by Alexey because
as in the Rublevsky-Ehlvest
then} Qg4 {(?!)} (13... Nf5 {is correct
but nothing terrible for him is apparent.})
then} O-O-O {is now acceptable} ({but not the greedy}
and so he
with excellent prospects: I
Page 297
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or ...Kc7
...Rh8 and ...h5-h4

the knight move to f5 is also not bad.}) 16. g4 {Trying to
...Rb8
17 e6 h5!). It was precisely this that Shirov was
here after} Rhe8 {Black has a decisive advantage.})
I thought for a long time and in the end I
this is more
also maintaining the balance:} 21.
etc}) 21... gxf4 22. Bxf4 Qxd5 23. Nxd6+ Rxd6 24. Qxh4 Rxh5 25. Qg4+ Rd7 26.
my opponent rejected the tempting} 21. f5 $6 {. And he was correct to
Black would not have replied} Qf7 $2 ({but rather} 21... Qg7
which gives White compensation for the pawn}) 23. Nxh5 Rxh5 $1 24.
because of}
when White is unable to exploit

on d5 and g4)} Qc2 $1 28. Qe2
etc.})) 22. Nxd6+ $1 Rxd6 23. Rxe8+ ({Or} 23.
as in the game}) 25...
forcing perpetual
but my reply took him aback.}) 24... Nxc4 $1 {'Lightning
Black has a slightly inferior
still with winning chances}) 26. Qxh4 fxg5 27. Bxg5 $1 Rg8 28.
he was absolutely sure that I had miscalculated somewhere and that the
and he also leaves both knights en prise! I was so proud of this
that I even forgot about the vexing lapse 16...Nh4?
but hardly the game. Now
forcing a draw in the minor piece endgame.}) ({After playing} 27. Bg3 {
can I think a
Page 298
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etc. Therefore a draw was agreed. A gripping struggle!}) (
to which I made a fair contribution
who
did not make any obvious mistakes
with a 'Kasparov-style vendetta'. --- This crushing win
and we drew our next two matches
Yerevan"]
I."]
G."]
against whom I had once won a memorable game in
when} e6 ({but} 6... Qb6 {is
58) can lead to a simple
74)}) ({or} 6... e5 {(Game Nos.
93). But beginning with the rapidplay tournament in Geneva I began
fathomed out the ideas of this dynamic variation
Geneva (rapid) 1996)}) ({while if} 11. Nf5 Bxf5 12.
2nd match game
1st match game
correspondence 1994-1999) is quite good.})) 11... Bxg4 ({
with the aim
Page 299
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since in the event of} Bxa1 (18... O-O {and ...f7-f5 is safer})
Linares Open 1997)} Qe7 $1)
although here after} h4 $1 {
but he underestimated the latent dynamics of the position.} ({
recommended by me and other commentators
however
etc.).}) 23... gxf3 24. Qxf3 ({White would
disrupting the
etc}) 27. Qxe4 Bf5 28. Qe2 Bxb1 29. Ne6 {.})
winning a
with
and the following day
Kasparov (7 out of 9) and Ivanchuk (8½

very strange things occur. In a
but I am quite unable to beat a player
Page 300
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who plays in the region of the 80th board with opponents who are
after which Ilyumzhinov
and that
since
who in the autumn of 1997 were also proposing
the match is necessary - it is awaited by
and it should also settle all of the accounts in my
when I won against Kamsky and once
I immediately made contact and

a match without Kasparov cannot be
whether I like it
before any qualifying cycle is organised I have to finalise the
because in the eyes of the public he is regarded as
FIDE has
since it
and this heralded a surge in Las Palmas
crazy life of
when I was battling on several fronts - FIDE
and a protracted divorce process. Finally
at the
I met Riga student Yulia
and on 28 October our son Vadim

comparable with a 'supreme court' and strongly resembling the epochal
where Alekhine and Capablanca were opposed by six
the modern organisers
unprecedented 21st category for the tournament
but only six of the top-rated players in the world - Kasparov
Anand
he left the chess scene for
Page 301
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Gelfand and Shirov. --- 'With them we could indeed have had a
wrote
in contrast to their
the 'upgraded Alekhine' and the 'upgraded Capablanca' are

Kasparov said at a press conference before the start that a
and the
of course
especially in the
which were conducted through our lawyers at the start of the event.} (1.
who surprised me with 1 d4. A closed Catalan led to
but with my 28th move
which he had prepared for the tournament
after which he was
and a crucial encounter with Vishy Anand
the
G."]
Vi"]
Anand again gave me the pleasure of a 'Najdorf'
he played} 6... e6 {.}) 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Kh1 {My
and for both sides. And
} ({but} 9... b6) ({or} 9... Nc6 {is more solid - Game No.26.})
and after} Nxd5 11. Qxd5 Ra7 12. Be3 Be6
I came to
Oll-Piesina
Switzerland 2007).}
Page 302
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Svidler-Loginov
St.
which previously he had

but White is
Saulin-Brikov
Vladivostok 1990)} 19. Qb7 $1 {.}) 13. Ra3 $1 Nxe4 $6 {
although after} 14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. Nxa5 Bxe4 16. f3
deciding that Black was in
looking for the
as did my trainer
} 16. Rh3 $5 {with the
for example:} Nxd5 17. Qxd5 Nd4 $6
carried away by the plan of creating a direct attack on the
I decided to defer for a short time the switching of the rook to h3. And
I suddenly sensed intuitively: now
with the idea of} 17. Rh3

when Black defends.}) ({. Therefore White has to
but 'only' a positional advantage in the form of the two bishops
mating}) 22. Rh7+
which was obviously underestimated by Anand
in the first instance I looked at the obvious} 20. g4
or} 20... d5 $2 21. gxf5 (21. Bb3 $5) 21... dxc4 22. Qh6 {
White has a pretty mate after}
Page 303
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or} 25... Ra7 26. gxh7+ Kh8
since in the variation} 27.
after all
who had looked at it with a computer})) 23. Qh6 Qc5 ({or} 23... Rb4
and had I played this
and White obtains a technically won position. ---
20 Bd5 deserves a question mark. After making it
since I was vexed and unable to forgive myself for
it all became clear to Anand. It was noticeable that he calmed
under duress
only not this!} ({
} 25. Kg1 Ne7 (25... Kg7 26. Re1) 26. Ra4 d5 27. Rb4 Rb6 28. Rxb6
later exploiting the
and
} 27. c4
if only because of} Nd6 28. b3 e4 {.}) 27... exd4 ({Probably
but I was unable to find the most appropriate moment for it.} Qxb4 (
winning a pawn and then also the game}) (34...
continuing the fight for victory and welcoming the
etc.})) 32... Nf5 {White's task has become much more difficult. At any
for the moment Black is holding on. In time-trouble before the first
and I began looking for the optimal arrangement of my
but I was oppressed by the
Page 304
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this is the last critical moment in the game
or} 57... Qd3 $6 58. Be1 Qb1 59.
while if} 57... Nb5 {there is
also with excellent chances of converting the
I had too few minutes left to figure out all

Black has
but there was no time for me to grieve: at the very finish of
with Karpov
and here Karpov allowed himself to
comparable perhaps with Capablanca's trip to
and on his return he suffered a defeat. Miraculously
but he came a cropper in the second half of the tournament...}
A."]
G."]
etc.}) ({
Page 305
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and
it is hard to call it an entertaining game
since Karpov was playing
'plus one' in the first half of the event seemed to me
at the time when we were just
on the floor above the playing hall Ilyumzhinov was
at which he announced the decision of the latest
its prize fund would be 5 million dollars
evidently in order to allow
but searching questions on this
and we were caught by Ivanchuk
and Anand lost to Kramnik
as did I
note to Black's 7th move). Four rounds

the outcome of the tournament was still absolutely unclear:
with Karpov
against whom I had not won in 'classical' play for nearly
both the players and their helpers
G."]
V."]
but here he found a comparatively rare opening
Page 306
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which had
Moscow (rapid) 2002)}) 6. Bc4 c6 7. O-O Bg7 8. Re1
Linares 1997).}) 5. Bc4 c6 (5... Nb6 6. Bb3 {is
Ivanchuk-Vaganian
being in a slightly
I mixed up the move order!})) 7... O-O 8. exd6 ({
I made a logical developing move.} ({Nothing was given by} 9.
and then play} 13. d5 $1 {
I was unable to devise anything more sensible than the
although after} Nd6 {(with the idea of ...Bf5)} 15. Bf4
} 17. Qd2 $1 {is stronger
after which White replies} 18. c3 {and retains a small
and this made a
not allowing the b3-bishop any freedom
after which the opponent sank
for
and White has no

etc}) 21... Bxe5 22. Rd1
well
but he has created pressure on the a2-g8 diagonal and has
Page 307
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and suddenly it transpired that he still had unresolved problems.
Ivanchuk began
but
creating an
} 24... Bg7 {deserved
although after} 25. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 26. Nf4 Qe7 27. Nxe6 Nxe6 28.
although the
} ({the
for example:} 29. Nf4
for a human player
it was difficult to make such a risky decision.}) 29. Qe2 $6 ({
then} Qd6 31.
if there is nothing better).}) ({The most energetic was} 29. Qe4 $1
in terrible time-trouble
and
suggested by Dokhoian and me
Page 308
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covering the eighth rank
and now not} 31... Rc1 $2 32. Rxc1 Bxc1 {because of} 33. f6+ $1
which is equal}) 35... Qxf6 36. Bxf7 Kh8 37. Bc4 Bf4 38. Qb7 {with an
but} 31... Nd7 $1 {
not} 36... Kf6 $2 37. exd7 {and
since after} Qd4+ 36. Kh1 Nf6 {Black would gain counterplay.}) 35...
without managing to play} 36. Be6 Nf8 {(when there would have
etc.).}) (36. -- {A very important win
while Kramnik lost to the resurgent
Kramnik and Karpov - 3. ---
after a free day
but in the
nervy and uneven course. ---
while Karpov (especially with Black) will be inhibited by the risk
whereas without a tie Karpov looked
especially its
which took place in a fearful time scramble.'}) 1-0
G."]
A."]
Page 309
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active
and White does not have
etc.}) 33. Qe8 $1 {A thunderous blow. Unexpectedly the black king finds
when the pin} 37. Ba4 {is unpleasant
on this occasion Garry
when} 41. Kxc5 $2 {is not possible because of} Nd3+ {and ...Nxf2.})
divided into
and much later elsewhere

to play as well at the age of 45 as one
at the least
note to White's 13th move). --- Thus the world champion took his 'lawful'
while the FIDE champion shared last place
the chess world entered 1997 still expecting a
I stated soon afterwards. 'But even so
and at the moment there is no
Page 310
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we will decide on the venue and the
which was revived after a
apart from Karpov
which offended the Spanish organisers. In an open letter

Senor Rentero stated: 'You are hiding... But it is
all the sponsors were awaiting your appearance
Vi"]
G."]
he suddenly sacrificed a knight -} ({later I employed} 9... h5 $5 {
Linares 1998; Timman-Kasparov
} 12. Bd3 {was also tested (Game No.86).}) ({And if} 12. Bg1 {
} ({or}
Moscow 2004)}
Dortmund 1996).}) ({This same thrust is
and because of this I looked for other ways here:}
Hungary 2000; Adams-Topalov
Tel Aviv (simul') 1998)}) (12... Bd7 13. Nb3 b6 (13... Na5
Anand-Kasparov
Frankfurt (rapid) 2000).}) 13. Qd2 ({In Las Palmas
and after} 13... Nxd4 14. Bxd4 e5 15. fxe5
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but
as occurred in the game}) 22... Bxd5 23. Rxd5 Bxe3 24. Qxe3 {he
and} 13... Nd7 14. g5 ({or} 14. Bg2 Bf8 ({but not} 14... b6 15. g5 Bb7
Linares 1998)} 16. Qh5 {
Tilburg 1991)} Bxc3 $1 21. Nxc3 Na5 {with equality}) ({but
where I myself had some ideas for White}) 14... b6 15. g4 {
then} b6 {is not bad (Hübner-Timman
Almasi-Hracek
etc.})) 14... Nc4 15. Bc1 e5 16.
besides
Kherson 1989)})
Emelin-Karalkin
White
after which instead of the
and the e-file is opened for the rook.})) 18... Ne5 19.
intending Nc3-e2-d4 and a bind with c2-c4.} Qc5 {Also logical -
since the exchange of queens is unfavourable
but
although after} h6 $1 25. Rce1 Qh7
} ({as nothing was
and if} 22. Nce2 Bf8 $6 ({or} 22... Bd7 $6 {

then} 23. Nd3 $1 {.})) 22... Nxf3 {Reluctantly exchanging this fine knight
but
} ({since after} 23... Bd7 24. c4) ({or} 23... Nh5 24. Nxh5 Qxh5 {(given
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for example:} 26. Qf2 Qg5 27. Rg1 Qh6 28. Nxe6
then} Nxe4
allowing} Nxe4 $1 27. fxe4 Qxe4+ 28.
but
in order to parry} 27. h4 {by} d5 $1 28. e5 Nd7 {
Vishy again displays caution (this is not how a Sicilian
when after} 28... Kf7 29. Nd3 Qb5 {(b7)
but neither of us saw that here White wins by} 33. Rxg8+ $1 Kxg8 (
etc}) 37. Bxg5 Qxf3+ 38. Qxf3 Rxf3 39. Bh6+ $1 {.})) ({Moreover
not
with equality.}) 30... Rc5 $1 {'An excellent multi-purpose move -
making a
myself included
White has been left with
I saw his face suddenly change. All was clear
then not the Informator} g4 {(?!)
is probably stronger}) 33. Nh5 Kh8 34. Nxf6 Bxf6 35.
obtaining saving
whereas now his
but I had already prepared a
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etc.}) 35... Rc3 36. Bd2 (36. Ra1 h5
and with it
was
although even here after} ({but not the Informator} 40. Qc4+ {(?)}
etc})
and quite a good claim by Kasparov for
and he emerged from a minus score only at the very finish. As
such a striking win should have been inspiring
again playing Black
in the third I failed to finish off
and in the fourth I almost lost to Piket
note to White's 13th move).}) 0-1

G."]
P."]
Adams and Polgar. My play was unimpressive
the non-routine Scotch was chosen)} exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 (4... Bc5 {- Game No.
Polanica Zdroj 1996)}) 13. O-O {with some advantage: if}
etc.}) 9... g5 $5 {
which first occurred in Kasparov-Anand (8th match
New York 1995).} ({Before that} 9... O-O-O {(Game No.70 in Part II of
Pula 1997) is also
for example:}
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defending against ...Bxe5

I judged} 13. O-O-O Nxa2+ 14.
but later I realised that after} d5 ({
with the idea of} 16. hxg5 ({
} 13. Nf3 $1 {(threatening a2-a3)} c5 14. Bg2 d5
but it allows White to begin pursuing the weakened black king.})) 13. Qh5
with the cheerful conclusion: White has a dangerous
etc.}) 14... g4 {Avoiding the opening of the h-file.} ({It also made
then not the Informator} Rf3 ({but} 19... Rb8 $1 20. Rxd7 Bc8 21. Rxc7 Bf5 {
with the threat of a2-a3
winning the d3-pawn and
for example:} 17. -- (17. Rg1 Nc6 18. Bd3 h6 $1 ({instead of} 18...
as given in Informator}) 19. exf6 ({in contrast to the
the bishop has moved from a6

but after} h6 19. Qxg4 $1 {with
allowing equality
and it is unclear whether White will have any advantage.})) 17. Bd3
Black loses
exploiting the weaknesses in the opponent's position:} Qd6 ({or
when after} Qa1+ 26. Kc2 $1 Qa2+
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} 21. f4 {(f3)}) ({or
then White replies} 22. Bxc6 Bxc6
after which Black resigned. --- In the meantime
Adams
V."]
G."]
and now - another surprise! After some thought
which came into fashion after the 12th game of my fourth match with
and 8 g4 was rejected by both teams of trainers'
then} Nb4 {
Irkutsk 1986}) 9... O-O {(Ubilava played this three times).
Tbilisi 1983)}
which was first seen in Flear-Korneev
something unimaginable awaited.}) 8... Nxg4 $1 (8... Bc8
Reggio Emilia 2010/11)}) ({as is} 8...
having decided that the bishop should
and Black fails to equalise after either} 9...
Jurmala (rapid) 2012)}) ({

for example:} -- (10... Bf5 $6 {(Aleksandrov-Dobrowolski
etc.}))) 9. Nxd5 $2 {A serious oversight.} ({Black is also
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Groningen 1997)} Bh4 $1
for example:}
Najer-Azarov
Poikovsky 2012)
Fridman-Prusikin
with two pawns for the piece and unclear
and White won (Aronian-Kramnik
the 8 g4 thrust is currently of interest and
and the assessment of the position changes in Black's

but
alas.} (12. Nh3 Na5 {and ...Bxd5}) ({or} 12. Bf3 a5 $1 {was bad for
for example:} 13. --
and Black is a sound pawn to the good
and he is forced to go
then} g5 $1 {is strong}
since if} 19. Nxe6 $2 fxe6 {the f8-rook comes into play}) ({
Black
etc}) 22. Nxd4 Rb8 23. b3 c5 {and ...axb3.})) 18... Kh8 19. d5 Bd7 20. Rc1 ({Or} 20. Ng5
Rb8 {. For an instant it although even here after} Rb8 23. Rc2 Rfe8 24. h3 Ne5 {
but a few moves later I
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but the exchange
although it allows White a potential chance
from} 29... Rb2 $5) ({or} 29... Ra8 $1) ({to the forcing}
etc.}) 30. Rxc4 {White has
and I became nervous.} Rb3
not fearing} 33. Rb7
and so I answered 31 Rd4 in the same way.}) 31... Rbb2
thereby denying himself the ...Rb5 resource.} ({After the cool-headed} 32... Kh7 $1
{(32...Rb5 is also not White has no worthy alternative to the variation} 33. Rd8 Rb5 $1 34.
Rc8
winning}) 35... a3
I have not found a clear win here.}) 33... Kh7 34. Rb7 (34. Rb8
as given
is weaker in view of} 41. Ra6+ $1 Kh5 42. Bc6) 36. Bd7 Nd6 37.
still retaining chances of a draw:} Kg6 ({or}
including the knight in the attack on the king.}
but a quiet move is always more unpleasant for an
Kramnik and Polgar
and I won against
who
note to Black's 4th move). --- After scoring three wins in a
playing Black against
who was on 'minus three'. And I achieved an excellent position
shook his head
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but my rival defeated Dreev and maintained the status

with me on 6½.})
A."]
G."]
but also uncompromising
and it was quite impossible to sleep. That
93)}) ({or} 6... e6 7. f3 b5 {(Game Nos.56
where after} 14... Rc8
and if}
Belgrade 1996)
when
Novgorod
who was aiming for a large-scale battle
in order to play c2-c4(c3).}) (15. Nde2 $1 {

Kishinev 1998) was a good alternative.}) 15... Ne5 16. b3 {
but also his own knight
which Black exploits.} ({Therefore soon they began trying} 16. Qd2 {(J.Polgar-Sutovsky
fixing the pawn on h2 and exposing the light squares
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in order later to threaten ...Qg2 mate
then} b5
forcing} Qxd2 (23... Qa3 $6 24. Nc3 {is
and this is
and he
although also after considerable thought)} 25. Nxc6

and if} exf4 26. gxf4 Rf7 {(Stohl)
and it is now
when} 27. Nxe4
} ({instead of the Informator} 27... Rxe5)) ({or}
when Black retains chances of a win
but even here there are chances of success after} Ba5 $1) 30. bxc6 bxc6 31.
then simply} Qxc4) 31... Qf3 $1
for example:} 31. Qxc3 ({or} 31. Bxd6 Qxd3 32. Rxd3
etc}) 31... Bxc3 32. Bxd6 Bxe1 33. Bxf8 Rxe4 {.}) 30. Be3 $2 ({It was
and although after} (31. Qxd6
000 difference in the
but
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who had lost to me and drawn with
however
and now it was I who could be
but I was aiming to win 'to order' against this
against whom I had an equal score in 'classical' play: 2-2
G."]
V."]
but that day I was
which my opponent had
Frankfurt (rapid) 1996).}) 1...
Dokhoian and I had prepared for Kramnik's
Sergey Dolmatov
from his youth Kramnik was a
feeling that I was bursting with energy
merely in order to avoid a direct confrontation and not allow me a
which took me just
my usual move at
68
which had then again come into fashion
Kramnik follows the main
as I also once chose
having restricted White's options
where initially
} ({and sometimes} 11. Be2 {(b5)}) ({but mainly
note to White's 10th move).

I had done a little
I was hoping that in an unfamiliar situation my opponent would
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and after White's success in this
a game played before my very eyes
and after} b6 $5 ({after 12 h3 Dokhoian
after which the main reply
Iskusnyh-Goldin
holding
Elista 1997)}) 13... e4 14.
etc.
after which Kramnik again stopped to think.} ({No more was promised by
Baden-Baden (rapid) 1995)} Ba6 $5) ({or}
Krasnodar 1997).})
fearing the power of the white bishops.} ({But it would have been
Gulko-Antonio
Dresden 1988)
or} 15. e5 $5 Nd7 16. e6 fxe6 17. Bxe6+ (17. Rxe6 Kh8 18. Nxd4 Nxd4 19.
and if} Bb7 $2 {
but in the end I rejected it because of the radical} Ne8 $5 18. f4 ({or
I know how much he respects bishops. He likes to repeat the joke:
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allowing me to create
and in the time scramble he
etc.}) ({Or first} 43... Rf2 {.}) 44. bxc5 $1 Bxc5 (
then} 50. Rg6 {. Now
and in an important game! The next day I chose against Shirov 1 e4
played unconvincingly and did not achieve anything - a
Ivanchuk
although I again played unconvincingly: I had a
but then I gave up a pawn without gaining any
in time-trouble the young grandmaster
and his game went downhill. The lead over my pursuers grew to a
G."]
R."]
and behind me Ponomariov led the chase by
in which it was Ruslan who was free
with our closest pursuers on
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Las Palmas 1996}) 9... O-O 10. O-O-O {
but rather to the fact
as I
Reykjavik 2000) and Shirov
3rd match game (blitz)
Karlsbad 1907)} ({or} 7... b6 {

1st match game
in contrast to that which occurred in the game
Gothenburg 1920).}) 7... c5 ({A delay in the attack on the
which was tested in the sixth round game
an
2nd match game
White could have gained an advantage by} ({but} 12... Bxd7
and he immediately made a mistake.} ({
Prague (rapid)
Litomysl 1996).}) ({Therefore correct is} 8... a6 $1 {
as became clear a few days later
Bundesliga 2002}) 9... Qc7 {leads to an unclear position
etc.}) 10. Qg4 $1 {A strong move

Mellado Trivino-Bofill Mas
Jeric-Podlesnik
and in the
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hoping in compensation to gain a strong
here I spent too much time studying the
but
and Black is in trouble:} -- (13... Be7 14. cxd4 Qxd4 $6 (14... Qd5
or} 13...
etc.}))
and Black faces difficult problems.})) 14. Rad1 Qc7 ({
regaining the pawn with an

and Black cannot hold out. But as it is
or} 17... e5 18. Bc4 $1 b5 19. Bd5 Ra7 (19...
threatening Rxe5+}) 20. Qh5 Ke8
winning.}))
or} 18... a6 19. Bc4 g6 (19... b5 $2 20.
not} 18... Qg7 $2 19. Rd8+ Kf7 20. Be8+ $1 {.})
etc.
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when no advantage is promised by} 21. Bc4 ({or} 21. Be2 Rad8
and therefore the safest thing would have been
made on the threshold of a time

unsettled Ponomariov. Up until now the young champion had defended
but here he began to be overcome by doubts
then the equalizing} g5 26. Qh5+ Kg7 27. gxf5 h6 $5
and I} ({the preparatory} 29. c4 $5)) 29. f4 (29. g5 e5 {with the intention
but
and although after} 25. Qh5+
or} 25. gxf5 Qxh6 26. Rxh6 Kg7 (26... exf5 27. c4 $5
with accurate defence
allowing the victorious invasion
and White
or
} ({but} 27. Qd2 {would also have won
when White has only perpetual check}) 28... gxf5+ 29.

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and White begins
since neither}
picking up the c5-pawn.}) 29. axb5 (29. Qg3 Re7 30.
then} 32. gxf5
neither}
} ({but in particular} 33. gxf5 $1 {
then} 34. Rxe6 $1 {wins}) ({while
but I have
with enormous tension! Before the very
Ponomariov - 6
Anand and Adams - 5½. --- In the last round Ponomariov drew with
after accurately performing the Marshall Attack. I had Black against
and Shirov fearlessly
having apparently decided with the aid of some
A."]
G."]
and so Dokhoian and I tried to
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blitz games and the 'advanced chess' match with Topalov (1998). We had
and we came to the conclusion that it could also
} ({although up to 2000 he used to
13
I was almost certain that in reply Shirov would

and with success.} (
J.Polgar-Kasparov
Dortmund 2002)} ({or} 15. Qh5 {
White is threatening a check at c7
but later tests showed that White's chances were better after both}
} Nb5 $6 15. a4 $1 ({stronger than}
Mitkov-Shirov
etc.})) 13. b4 {Another sacrifice
where
which has been known
was also employed by Shirov's compatriot
which in the
which
one would like to capture the b4-pawn
but
or} 15... Rb7 16.
Shirov-Lautier
and also in the event of}
Vitolins-Chernyaev
the open b-file does indeed hinder Black's defence.})) ({. The
Saint Vincent 2001)}) 19... Rf8 20. Qb3 Rb4 21. Qd5 Ba6 {
Amsterdam 1979)
the Estonian grandmaster Mikhail Rychagov was a friend
White does not immediately capture the queen!)} Rxe4 (
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but with the pawn on c3
Griesheim 2002)}) 24. Rxb1
after which White emerged
fashionable in the 21st century
and Black is
Jurmala 1981)}) ({
as well as} 19. a4 Qc7 $1 {(threatening ...Bb7)} 20. Rab1 fxe4) ({
} ({but not} 20. f4 $2 Qb6+ {and ...Bb7
all the questions in the controversial variations
after little thought
and} 16. Nf6+ Qxf6 17. Qxa4 f3 ({or} 17... Qg5 18. g3
my
to be honest
Black has an extra
and this must be exploited in some way! Gradually I calmed down
not an easy one for a human to find. Black needs to
defend against the impending checks and other attacks
16 c3)
but he himself comes under a swift attack. But did he have anything
when White has no defence.}) ({Also nothing good is promised by}
deserves consideration:} Rxb4 17. Nxc8 Kxc8 {
after 15 Nb6? Rxb4 16 Nxc8
whereas now
Isaev-Elliott
and here} 20. Qxf7+ $2 Be7 21. Qxf5+ Kd8) ({
but White is saved by} 20. g3 $1 Rxg3+ ({there is insufficient extra

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persistently pursuing the black king})) (19. Rab1 Rxb1 20. Rxb1 Rg6 ({or
also with full compensation for the piece}) 21. Na7 {(c3).})) 16...
play ...Bb7 and
covering his eyes
etc.}) ({In the event of
exploiting the vulnerability of the
etc}) 21. Qd5 $1 Qg5 22. e5 dxe5 23. Rf2 {.}) 17...
and a lot of pawns.} 18. f5 ({After}
Telford 2005) the simplest was} Qh3 $1 19. Qe2 exf4
and Black converts his material
immediately exchanging the

was also strong.}) 19. Ra2 {Too late!} ({But there was already
} ({although
but how rampant his bishops have become! Such an attack can be
with mate.}) 23... Bxe3 24. Qe2 {
} ({but} 25... Qd5
wrote David Lyada in the 64 magazine.
and
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match or qualification. His unwillingness to play a return match has
since today Kramnik is not the
other than to play another match with me... --- 'Unfortunately
and
and neither did Anand
they could have come to an agreement
25 October - 10 November 2002): 1. Russia -
Holland
etc. (altogether - 134 teams). The winning team comprised
Grischuk (7 out of 11)
reserves Svidler (6 out of 9) and Rublevsky (4 out
which had staged
was on the verge of bankruptcy and in February
the well-known American grandmaster Yasser Seirawan
by Bessel Kok
assuming that I had no other chance of playing a match
29 April - 5 May 2002). After

in the quarter-finals I lost a fierce
and he lost in the semi-final to Anand.
who beat Short
gaining mini-revenge against him for
Kok and Seirawan
to set up a
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and to approve a unification plan
the 'historic' champion Kramnik with the winner of the
and the winners of these two matches
soon 22 grandmasters
Yusupov and almost the entire Russian team

since 'there are better ways of
but the letter was
and it looked like an attempt to hinder this process.}) (1. -- {At a
1-5 June 2002)
but also joint energetic work. Without the securing of a five-year
and in particular money for 2003
beating Ehlvest
Grischuk (1½-½)
I stated at
there are now no 'classical' tournaments left...'
Kramnik's friends
organised a 'qualifying cycle'
the
the top two
and the
who finished
but then beat Shirov and Topalov. --- All these months I
and I held endless
on which masses of energy were spent. Already then it became
8-11
who played each of the
and I scored just 4 out of 10!
and the Russian team lost 48-52. ---
where
I was not going to concede board 1 to him. --- On
but especially Khalifman and I. At the start we crushed Costa

but in the second I opened my account with a win. Here is what our team
Page 333
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since in a team much depends on the form
and I won
I drew with Black against Akopian. Then without me Russia
for Hungary to win twice 3½-½ and
but... With the
and I
and then blundered into a two-move fork. Fortunately
and two moves later we agreed a
Russia - 25½ out of 36

taking my score to 6 out of 7
Bled"]
C."]
G."]
in which
an outsider in
and earlier in a simul' against the West German national team (Game No.103)
but after} 15. Bb6 {I encountered problems. Against
although typical manoeuvre.} ({Anand
now with White
16th game}) 16...
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Smirin-H.Olafsson
for example:} 18. Nd1 ({or} 18. e5 Nxd3 19.
Wang Hao-Ponomariov
Linares 1999). But why not exchange the strong white bishop?})
or} 19. fxe5 Nxd3 20. cxd3 Bxf3 $1 {
as I gave in Informator
exploiting the ...h7-h6 advance.}) 22. h3 $6 {An
which takes away the h3-square from the rook.}
after which there could have followed} Nd5 23.
White would have retained a
and the a5-pawn may become weak.} 25. Kg1 {On general
when Black retains a
Black seizes the initiative)} 26. Nde2 f5 {Not the most convincing
although in Informator I attached an exclamation mark to it.} (26... d5 {
and everywhere
then} Bc6 {is unpleasant.}) ({But White should have preferred} 28. g4 Ne7
but it is ineffective
Page 335
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and in addition White has weak pawns on e5 and a5)} 33. Rf1 g6 {was also
but nevertheless this was the lesser evil.}) (30. Rc3 Bc6 $1 {.})
blocking the
when Black wins a pawn
and neither does the
when the knight endgame
or} 37. Rc7 gxf4 38. Rxd7 Re1+ 39. Kf2 Re2+ 40. Kf1 Rc2 $1 (
with the irresistible threat of ...Nf5:} (
and} 43. Nxd6+ {is not possible:}
threatening ...Ne3+ or} 44. Kg1 $2 Ng3 {
etc}) 43... Rxg2+ 44. Kh1 Rf2 45. Nc8 (45.
} Kf7 {and ...Nxa5 is good}) 39... d5 $1 ({
and again Black is a sound pawn to the good.}) ({After} 37. b4 Bf5 38.
when again White has a difficult knight endgame}) ({
but not} 39... Ra8 $4 40. Nxd6 Be6 41. Re1 Rxa7 42.
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etc.}) 40... hxg4 41. Nac8 {Into a mate
50th win in Olympiads. Russia crushed Germany (3½-½)
note to Black's
I stepped on to the
I said at a
including six times on board 1
and in them Russia did
which took place at the Congress in Bled
by going along
and a
and
alas
to some extent the departing
which I unexpectedly lost 1½-2½ (cf. Kasparov vs.
Game Nos.48-51)
I was unnerved and kept in suspense by the unclear

and it was only just before the start of the first
as well as Anand - the No.3 in the world rating list and the winner
Page 337
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which I played just two weeks
when it transpired that
is a kind of thorn in Kasparov's flesh. And whereas
after it his
then he proceeded silently out
and
and his mother asked
begun more than two years earlier (1st match game (rapid)
and in a complicated
which I accepted with alacrity.} *
G."]
T."]
of course
I was planning to develop an initiative after} 21. Be2 Nh6
etc}) ({or} 21... Rxh2 22. Rxh2 Nxh2 {is bad on
Dr. Tarrasch could well have commented. 'It appeared that
although the play would still have retained a
after which mentally I
with the idea
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etc. But suddenly I lost the
for
for
the position becomes sharper. Radjabov judged it to be already
but this is probably going too far: it would be more
with the idea of} 27... Nb3 28. Bf3 {
}) ({
or} 29... b4 30. cxb4 Bxg3 31. Rf7 {Black is in trouble
White failed to make his 40th move and lost on time.} 29.
which will go down in chess history'. And
it was even
and in general I had never lost to such a young
but
but in a
allowed the powerful stroke 38...Rxb3+!
P."]
G."]
Page 339
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and earlier he might not have found this strong
and the black king
Black has not only} 56...
but also} 56... e4 57. Qd4+ Kg6 58. Kb4 (58. a6 e3
when White wins}) 59. Qd8 (59. a6 e3 $1) 59... e3 60. Kc3 g4 {
and the curtain comes

not} 63. Kb5 $2 e4 $1 {with the idea of} 64. a6
there was also no win after} 69... Qf3+ 70. Kc7 g2 71.
etc.}) 70. a8=Q Qe4+ 71. Qd5 $2
Leko obtained a second queen - and stumbled on easy
when White cannot hold out.}) 72. Kc7 g1=Q 73. Qxe5+ {A
which would have been achieved by} 73...
when White has
etc.}) 74.
Leko had ten seconds
stating
10th match game (rapid)
but in the end the arbiters calmed things down and recorded
Page 340
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G."]
R."]
then there was a general free day
so there was no way back for either of us. In our
for a long time Dokhoian and I were unable
or the Queen's Indian Defence. In the latter case Black has to
without} 3. c4 b6 4. g3 Ba6 {(Khalifman-Ponomariov
which had not previously
Milan 1975)
Linares 2003
the typical} 11... Na6
} ({expecting} 12. Rxc3 c5 {. The capture

and ...c7-c5 is no longer so effective.}) 12... Na6 $6 {And this is
the black knight is in
easy equality
Gausdal
is unclear in view of} g5 $5 14. Be3 Re8) 13...
and the knight on a6 requires too much time to reach there.'
but it
and} 14. exd5 Qxd5 (14... Bxd5 15. c4 $1) 15. c4
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in
although even
releasing the bishop

although} 21. Rfd1 {and cxd4 leaves White
an attack and good winning chances.}) 15... Re8 ({If} 15...
for the moment not weakening the f7 point and intending ...c7-c5 and ...Rad8(e8)
then} 18. f4 $1
is bad in view of} ({as is} 19... Qd6 $2 {because of the sudden} 20.
etc.
threatening Qh5}) ({or} 17... Rxe3 18. Bxb7
when the piece is far superior
etc.).}) 18. Bxd5 $1 ({
and the black knight will
deciding where to
g4 or h5. For the moment White is a pawn down

White's decision must be deemed practical
when Black
and if} Rxc3 21. Rxc3 Qxd4+ {
in this case I would have had to find the only moves
etc.}) 21. Rf5 Qc6 22. Qxg5+ {With time-trouble approaching I began
and the game was prolonged. The moves came to me with
and I
I did not think for long.} ({Meanwhile the
for example:} Qxc3 (
when it is trapped.}) 24. Nf3 f6 ({After} 24...
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breaking through to the f7 point

then} 28. Nf5 {is also good
so as in the event of} Rgf7 29. Rf4 Qe2 {to land the crushing blow} 30.
but the
and Black is unable to activate his game.}) 35. Kf3 ({Or} 35.
Black resigned.}) (43... -- {
but nevertheless it was insufficient. In the
note
and my young opponent handled the resulting complicated
the
were as follows: Anand and Kramnik - 3½ out of 5;
but then he played uncertainly
but just before
on the
Anand suddenly began
making the final score of our
after the first cycle
Leko and
I drew all my games in the second cycle
but I squandered them with time-trouble approaching. My
and in an Accelerated Dragon I tried desperately but
an interview I
despite bad luck
after missing much more. So perhaps
Page 343
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at the age of 40
it was far more
and Kramnik is very strong. Whereas Kasparov and Ponomariov
remembering what an incredible surge he had eighteen
Ruslan should be able to overcome the crisis and return to his
at present Anand has no motivation
perhaps because he is not involved in this.' --- Alas
27 September - 4 October 2003): 1. NAO (Paris)
etc.
then from 18th
where a Commonwealth of Independent States summit was
Ponomariov
demanding that 'the lawful
FIDE announced a
but on 29 August the FIDE
FIDE shall endeavour to
Greece
that provocations were possible
and
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material damage
Shakarov
and effectively
while I was a hostage of their behind-the-scenes
that the FIDE champion played poorly in training
which he lost 3½-4½)

decided that it would be better not play Kasparov.}) (1. --
but we can only make conjectures. Here is the
the current
nor myself. It is quite inexplicable
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those around whispered.'}) 1-0
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G."]
A."]
rather than} 4. e3
52
but
Linares 1999)} ({and was then continued with
Calvia Olympiad 2004). It was precisely in
and Bologan and I even played some training
Cap d'Agde (rapid) 2002)}) ({or}
France 2003) White solves his
but I decided to try and squeeze my
Malmö 1996).}) ({In the seventh round a new line appeared -}
Atalik-Gershon
and in the endgame after} Nc5 ({in 2004 Grischuk
Rethymnon 2003).}) 11... c5 12. b5 ({After} 12. dxc5 $6
Calvia Olympiad 2004).}) 14. f3 {
emphasising the drawbacks of White's position:} 17. cxd5 $6 ({or}

Grischuk
but if Black 'stands still' -} 17... Nc5 18. Rb1 $1 ({
then after} 19. O-O {
} ({but} 18. Qd2 {was at the least no worse:} g5 ({while
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Grischuk prepares a counter in the centre.} (18... e4 19. Qd4 $1 ({not
for the moment the
and the black pawns on b6 and d6
not} 21. cxd5 $6
which is difficult
not moving the rook off the
was more accurate.}) 22. Qb3 (22. cxd5 $5 {is also possible:} -- (22...
or} 22... Nxd5 23. e4 Ne3 24. Qd6 $1 Qxd6 25. Nxd6 Nxf1 26.
then} 24. Qa2 Nh5 25. Be1 {and Bb4.}) 23. Qb4 $6 ({Black's error could
trusting in the power of the two bishops. However
White's advantage is not
and was more expecting
then} 25. e4 Nh5 26. Rfd1 {
} ({but also} 25...
for example:} 26. cxd5 (26. Bf2 Bxb5 {and ...e5-e4
however
the
for example:} Bc6
and the miraculously surviving knight joins the battle!}) 27. cxd5
when there is still all to

which Black failed to get rid of in time.} (28. Rxd5 {was too
Page 348
Sheet1
etc. There is no reason to help
he has also been left with the two bishops and active pieces
then} 32. Be2 Nfd7
after which Black's defence is very difficult.} (32... Kh7 $6 33. Nd6 Rg8 (
and} Bxe4 35. fxe4 Nxe4 36. Qb4 Ndc5 (
etc.
although it is understandable that with such moves
then} 34. Nf5 Kh7 35. Bb3 $1 Qf6 36. Bc4 {.}) 34. Be2 $1 {
but soon the time scramble interfered)} Qf6 (
} 36. Nf5 {is now strong}) 36. Bxe6 $1 Qxe6 (36... fxe6 $6 37. Qc2 Nc5 38. a5
not} 36... Rxa4 $2 37. Rxa4 Bxa4 38. Bxf7
when White dominates.}) ({Or} 36... Ra7
and} Bxe4 38. fxe4 Nxe4 {does not work because of} 39. Qd5 $1
winning.})
when it is
or} 40... Qxe6 41. Qc2 Rc8 ({the Informator}
for
then} 42. Rh4 $1 Qf6 43.
above all because of} Kg6 $1) 42...
despite being a pawn down
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and in both cases White has an excellent position with active

} ({although the seemingly dangerous}
inaccessible beforehand
aiming for opposite-coloured bishops:} 44. Bxh6 (
White has
and here Grischuk sank into thought...}) 42... Nd7 $2 {
winning}) 45. Be8 Rd3 {
although he would still
on the 42nd move Vallejo also faltered
for a long time I
denying
as it later
it also would not have saved him).}) 44... gxh4 (44... g4 $2 45.
as well as many commentators

but
putting the opponent in
winning}) ({
and not} 46... Rxa5 $2 47. Rd8
winning}) 49. Bb3
and} 49. Kf2 {would have won}) ({
when the black king cannot escape from
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all the more
forcing Black to give up his knight;} (62.
etc}) 62. Kh3 $1 (62. Rd6+ $2 Kf5 63. Rd5+ Kg4 $1) 62... Kf5
and Black resigned. A tense battle and an impressive

this was one of my best games in the 21st
and a few minutes later Kharlov agreed a
making the result 3-3. Now the destiny of the cup would be
because of me. After four wins in a row
my play suffered an obvious slump. I
but at the team meeting I heard: you have
achieved an excellent position
A."]
G."]
neither} 21... Nxd5 $2 22. Qxg7#) ({nor} 21... Qxd5 22.
we would still have been in the fight for first
concluding round
and I drew with Black against Ivanchuk (cf. Game No.91

but the bitter after-taste of my
who financed the project
inquired the sports correspondent of
a 'scapegoat' was found: the
it was
which took place soon afterwards in Greece
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which nearly took place in Baghdad). And I
was again left in a suspended state. Kramnik
citing the lack of
11-18 November 2003)
I again became involved in

founded on 17 January
and I made speeches about
against dictatorship'.
which was of the
I was quite well prepared
and my lengthy lack of practice. Strangely enough
the winner of Wijk aan Zee 2004: he supposedly
it can be seen
trying to demonstrate that I was still the
A."]
G."]
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we sprung a little
51)
Black tries to sharpen the play immediately by beginning
Tel Aviv (simul') 1998;
Frankfurt (rapid) 1998)} ({
with chances for both sides -} 11. Nd5 ({or} 11. Ne2 Nh5 12. Qd2
Anand-Kasparov
Linares 1999;
or else} 9... Nb6 10. g5 Nh5 11. Qd2 Be7 {
and White also has to
since the c3-knight cannot jump with impunity to d5.} 10.
White aims to exploit the early advance of the b-pawn by
when} 11. Na5 $6 b4 12. Ne2 d5 {(Svidler-Kasparov

or} 11. O-O-O Be7 12. Qf2 Nfd7 {(Svidler-Kasparov
but he can try for an
Leko-Shirov
Adams-Kasparov
St. Petersburg 2012}) 13. O-O-O Qc7 (13... b4 $5) 14. Kb1 Be7
Nice (rapid) 2008)})) (10. O-O-O Nb6 11. Qf2 Nc4
then} 12. f4 {with the initiative}) 12. Bxc4 bxc4 13. Na5
which brought Anand success in games with Kasimdzhanov
Perenyi-T.Horvath
Lucerne Olympiad 1982)
Pune 2004).})) 15... g6 $1 {A
however
where it puts the dark squares under fire and prevents the
there is every chance of
when the 15...g6! idea had been
he was ready
when} 25. fxg4 $2 {
Pamplona 2004}) 25... Qf4+) 21... Qd7 $1 {(Anand-Topalov
Bastia 2003).}) 20... Bh6 $1 {Insistently inviting the
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but double-edged play results from} 21... Qc7 22. Qa3 (22. Qc3 $2 Nxd5
Ivanchuk-Gelfand
Linares 2001)} Qd7 $5
etc.}) 22. Nxb4 {For what has the
when Black will have a weakness on

and in addition the invasion of the knight on c6 is unpleasant. It is
but after} 23. O-O
Monte Carlo (blindfold) 2001)} 27. Kh1 $5 ({or} 27. h3 $5 {
Cap d'Agde (rapid) 2003)} 27. h3 $1 {Black stands very
if} 23. b3 {there would have followed a queen
we discover that if
whereas constructive
pinning his hopes of an advantage on the a-pawn.}) 23... Rxb2 24.
and Bb3
is also threatened.} h4 $1 {A very important part of the plan: the
my games with Shirov and Anand in the variation with 6...Ng4
116).} 25. Bb3 ({Dokhoian and I also analysed} 25. Qd3 h3 26. g3
when
Black has a good endgame.}) 25... h3 26. g3 {(otherwise the black
but also potentially
for the moment the position is dynamically balanced.} 27.
then} Qg4 29. Nd4 Bg7 $1 30. Qe2 Qxe2 31.
} ({avoiding the variation} 28. Qxg4 Nxg4 29. e5 Be3+ 30. Kh1
mating.}) 28... Qg5 $1 29. e5 $5 (29.
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thinking that with his strong passed pawn in the
or}
also gaining a draw.}) ({.
I underestimated the cunning quiet move} 32... Kh7 $5 {. The
or} 34. Qh4 Qxh4 35. gxh4 Be3+ 36. Kh1 Rc8 $1 {
and if} 37. Ne5 {
etc.}))) 31... Ng4 $2 {Over-optimistic:
I forgot about the capture on h6 (the second idea of the move 30 Rh4).} (
and the passed e-pawn is very strong.}) 32. Rxh6 $1 {Of course!} ({
in contrast to} 32. Ne7+ Kh7 33.
and Black cannot hold
Shirov forces a draw
escaping with difficulty.}) 33... Qe3+ {(thanks to the pawn on
and I reached a rook endgame with a powerful passed d-pawn and
note to White's 9th
and in the fifth I was unable to achieve anything against Kramnik in a
note to
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and
after which the leading group was as follows: Leko - 4 out of 6;
T."]
G."]
note to White's 8th
I decided to improve on a variation from my game with Kramnik (Linares
underestimating the simple equalizing reply 19...Nxd5! (such inexplicable 'dead zones' in
analysis sometimes occur). After lost a pawn and also used up nearly all my time!
on the 27th move Alexey went wrong and
'the boomerang whistled past Garry's forehead': in time-trouble
I hesitated
and I preferred the solid 1...e5. In a fashionable variation of

note to
and for a long time
but immediately after the time control he began to
after which my
for example:} 48. Ra7+ ({or} 48. Rd4 Bf3 49. Rd6 h4
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overlooking that now White
he forced his
not noticing the papers being thrust in
even with White
the 11th
G."]
V."]
by a tradition established in the 21st century
and already on the 17th move a draw
two rounds before the finish Leko and I were trailing
Leko rattled off
while I desperately threw myself with White
as five rounds earlier against Shirov
and I fought with all my might
and on
allowing my queenside to be torn apart. When Topalov
replied with the counter-thrust 29...f5?!
forward or back?} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5.
and I was extremely agitated.} ({The game would

and if} e4 {
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and in the last variation he would be saved by 34...Qc1+ 35 Kh2 Qf4. When
I retorted:
since there
not} 35... Bxe6 $2 36. dxe6 $1 {
nothing was given by} 36. Nxc5 dxc5 37. d6 Qa6 $1 ({my
when Black is still afloat}) 37... Rxg7 38. Qxg7 Ncd7 $1 39. Qh8+ Kf7 40.
I experienced a terrible vexation and disappointment. More than
which had always been
and the result was a draw on the 55th move

it was Kasparov who was credited with the greatest number of draws (11).
in his 12 games he made 470 moves (on average about 39 per game)
Kasparov played only two games shorter than 25 moves (with Leko and
whereas Leko played 6 and Kramnik 7. 'Plus one' is
but he cannot be reproached for an
from the positions reached he could have
demonstrating his former energy and assertiveness. But only until
losing one
Kasparov was not in the best frame of mind
and it was only his inner
but accurately striking at the
and I realised that
who were under thirty or even twenty. If age

how
and in particular my tactical vision. --- As later victories showed
and in reality the problem was not the
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but the fact that I was getting into
which
with a fair degree
a rapidplay tournament in Reykjavik
10-15 June 2004): a world team (Anand
Adams
Leko
but that was all. The next day I

and when instead of the
grandmaster Sveshnikov
life is difficult!'. In the end Vishy and I drew
the fifth FIDE world knock-out championship nevertheless
Khalifman
nor did any of the first seven nominees for the
after defeating Ivanchuk
all four only in the 'rapid' tie-breaks). However
having
I again played in the European Club Cup (Izmir
but this time for the Yekaterinburg 'Max Ven' team. After
I won against Shirov
3. Ladya and 4. Max Ven - 11. ---

on 13 October
Ilyumzhinov held a press conference in
at which he announced that the Kasimdzhanov-Kasparov match would take
and that 'before the end
also in Dubai'. --- I
but one hard to believe... However
where I very much wanted to play after a three-year interval (I
the Congress
citing the absence of Ilyumzhinov. ---
on 18 October the long-awaited Kramnik-Leko match concluded. The
and he levelled the scores only in
concluding game. Thus at least one of the two participants in the
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14-27 November 2004): 1.
Svidler and Bareev - 5; 8-10. Epishin
my first Russian
I very much wanted to win in front of my eight-year-old
so that the photographs and cups at home would be more meaningful
I replied: 'I want my six-month-old son to grow up and see
for the first time in many
all three Russian world champions would meet at the board - Karpov
as well as the former FIDE knock-out champion Khalifman.
as the 64 correspondent Vladimir Litus wittily expressed
'the players began disappearing
at the rate of roughly one person a day...' --- The

who reported that he had become unwell during
as a result of which
'he had to refrain from participating in any
excluding one of those who
but the next day
citing other urgent matters... The Russian chess press
which strongly
Svidler
Grischuk
twice a USSR champion. --- We played in
with a view of the Kremlin - in the main hall of
which was pulled down in the autumn of 2004). --- In
and the turning-point

and in the
note to White's 16th
towards the time scramble I outplayed my opponent literally out of
but after a blunder on the 66th move the game ended in a draw (which
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as far as I know
Moscow"]
G."]
A."]
with whom in the 1990s I had three times won
and I decided to
regularly employed
but allowing a no less sharp reply.}) 6. Bh4 $5 ({Not the insipid
although after} 9. Bg3 Nxe4 10. O-O Nxg3 11. fxg3 $1 {White has a
Lputian-Sveshnikov
Horgen
White played} 9. Qc2 {and in the end he gained
but by no means on account of the opening (Game No.54 in
and for the moment he does not experience any
but long-term
and it is not
very accurate and energetic play is
which was introduced by Khalifman and
as I played long ago against Tal (cf. Game No.82 in Part
note to Black's 5th move)}) ({or} 10.

} ({to say nothing of} 11. d5 $6 cxd5 12. exd5 Nxd5 $1 13.
3rd match game
Portoroz 1999}) 14. fxg3 Nd7 $2 15. Nxf7 $1 {and wins
4th match game (rapid). Elista 1998).}) ({But later} 11...
as played many times by Dreev.}) 12.
which seemed interesting to me.} ({Usually
aiming to carry out the plan from the
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after} Nxe5 14. Bxe5 Bg7
Vallejo-Dreev
Mexico 2007)}) 16... Nh7 $1 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18.
} ({but here White has

1st match
Tripoli 2004)
not}
Tula 2002)}) ({or} 14... Bg7 $6
Kazan 2005).}) 15. Bxe5 Nd7 $1 {A brilliant
Alushta 1999)}) ({and things are also depressing after}
Olbia
intuitively
which surprised me.}) 18... Nxe5
but it merely leads to difficulties.} (18... O-O-O $1 19.
maintaining the balance in the wild complications:}
and Black has excellent compensation for the exchange (Bacrot-Dreev
or} 20. Nxb5 a6 $1 21. Rxf7 axb5 22. Bxe6 cxd4 23. Bxd7+
Stockholm
is better -} 22. Qe2 ({therefore I would have replied}
where only two
given by me in Informator
etc.
the bishop on b7 is passive
thanks to which on the
and Black cannot hold out.}) 25. Ke3 a6 26. Rd1 {Nevertheless I was
} ({although} 26. Bf3 $5 Rd3+ 27. Ke2 {followed by
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but in view of the limited number of pawns the outcome
thinking that Black would create a fortress - according to Shipov

stand
etc.
and Black loses
and White begins mopping up the pawns. ---
afraid of squandering my advantage
and wrongly so!}) 31... Bc8 32. Bh5 (
and
I began manoeuvring in search of a
the win for White is under
continuing the waiting
deserved consideration - say
not noticing the unexpected} 35... Kb6 $1 {with the idea of} 36. Ng5 ({
but also without guarantee

but even here with accurate defence Black would have reached the
etc}) 41... Bxb5 42. Kd2 Kb4 {.}) 37...
when if Nxc3 there follows ...Kc5-b4
but running into
precisely with the bishop on e2: White picks up the e-pawn
at the same time bringing it across to the queenside.} ({The
would have led after} (42. a4 c3 $1)
but even in this case he would have retained drawing
with good saving
White is not inspired either by my earlier} 44. Nd7+ ({
etc})
Page 363
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} ({although a prosaic
Alexey goes in for the planned variation' (Shipov).} ({
etc.
which is invulnerable on c5. Now
then} 50. Nb2 Bb5 51. Nc4 a4 52. Ne3 a3 53. Nc2 a2 54. Na1 $1 {and Bd1-b3xa2.
etc.}) 54. Be4 Kc7 55. Nf3 Bd1 56. Nd4
having half a point less than Grischuk but a game in hand.
the win against Dreev had taken too much effort
although the opening was
note to White's
but in his
that which had long been
energy and humour

the spectators listening with great interest.
this smile of fortune increased
and we went in for a rather rare set-up: 3 Nc3
and
for in the ninth round I scored a fourth successive win - with Black
methodically outplaying him in a closed Sicilian. And
I moved a point ahead of my main rival - Grischuk
eleventh round. --- But in the
but then I stalled and was unable to break my
where the important
overstepped the mark and unexpectedly lost. Thus I now had a
note to Black's 10th move) was of a crucial nature and pleased the
and I
with a weighty 'plus five'. ---
who had
appeared on the stage to make the presentations
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as in former times
and here I scored five whole wins! The Russia
every day
the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of
I stated in an interview under the colourful headline 'I have
even before the
indeed
since Dubai had not made

and that in the competition for the organizing countries
and at the end of
I was no longer much
planned for it to start on 25 April and asked for
with a deadline of 29 December. This date
and in the middle of the month I was
and on 18 January
as published in an open letter: 'In 2002 I joined
unification matches have been scheduled four times and each
play
Page 365
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but the hidden damage is psychological. These postponed and

let alone compensate me financially or even apologise for these
but
off-again match and I must go on without this constant interference.
and I believe chess is poorly served as well... --- 'As of today I have no contract with FIDE
signed by either player and I know from experience that drafting these
I would bear a
I cannot see an avenue to contribute further. For those
I will be one no longer...'} (1. -- {At that moment
but I felt very
or more
even slightly earlier
when I set off for Linares 2005
and I accordingly tuned myself up

especially since I had
although I had fought with all my might.
it was rather difficult to prepare for the tournament: mentally I had
a young girl from St. Petersburg (in June our wedding
and on 12 October 2006 our daughter Aida was born). Nevertheless
and I forced myself to
seven
two cycles. One debutant - the newly-fledged FIDE champion
the 14th world champion Kramnik was missing -
Grischuk
and did not immediately
note to Black's
but I was unable to convert an enormous advantage. Then
I beat Vallejo with Black in a sharp variation of
Page 366
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about the history preceding
and I acquired my first
at two all-union tournaments of
where teams of seven juniors played in
which is a
Epishin
+27-2=6 (1985) and
and the five best Americans in New York. Although four of my
Conquest
I won +7=3 (the best game was No.93 in Part I of Garry Kasparov
against ten players who were on five continents - in the USSR
England
where I gave a simul'
immediately after my unofficial match with Timman (cf. Part II
for the first time I took on a
headed by grandmaster Chandler. Before this I had a
a two-hour press conference in Amsterdam and the flight to
and my offer to give them the white pieces
and one
Hamburg"]
F."]
Page 367
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G."]
50 in Kasparov vs. Karpov 1988-2009).}) 6... c5 7. dxc5
with equality.}) 8... Na6 $1 {I also played
but here it is even with gain of tempo! Black seizes the
but
but this was
but I could not refrain from making
or} 17... Kxf8 18. Rb1 ({not now} 18. Bd3 $6 b4 $1 19. Rd1
maintaining the balance.})) 17...
although after} Nxh2 23. Be2 Ng4
although - especially in a simul'! -
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but rather a complete lack of information about my
which prevented me from exploiting their weak points. Appreciating
I aimed for revenge
at sessions of the
and a sure way of
in order to later work on eliminating their
already at the master level
Shirov
Landa
of which I won the majority
I have not kept the scores of these fighting encounters
played at the first session

to
concluded with the
Pestovo"]
G."]
V."]
and I
64
} ({but not} 12... a5 $2 13. bxa5 $1 {
Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad 2010)
Anand-Nakamura
Gligoric-Donner
etc.}) 23. axb6 cxb6 (23... Rxa1 24. Rxa1 cxb6 25. Bf2 {and wins.}) 24.
Page 369
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aiming for the exchange of queens
} ({but} 29... Qc6 30. Qb2 Bc5 31. Bd5 Qd6 32. Bxc5 bxc5 33.
etc.
instructive
Frankfurt"]
G."]
C."]
but playing for it were five future grandmasters - Lutz
Schlosser and Wahls
gaining revenge for my December defeat. --- My game with the
also not rushing to open the c-file.}) 11. cxd4
Palma de Mallorca 1968}) 14. Qa4 Na5 15. d5 {(Furman-Smyslov

Moscow 1949).}) 13. Bd3 e6 14. Qd2 (14. Qa4 $5 {.})
when Black is in difficulties. However
but
then} 26. Rc1 $1 {and Nd1-e3 is
but
then the reply} 34. Qc8+ Ke7 35. Qb7+ Kf6 36. Qc6 {would have
for example:} Ke7 37. Rc2 $1 Qxc6 38. dxc6 Kd8 39. Rd2+ $1 Kc7 (
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then
when he ends up in
Hamburg"]
M."]
G."]
indeed
but the average rating of the team had increased and in general
but I also experimented with opening set-ups which I
I won a
provoking White into playing 6 Nxc6)} 6. Ndb5 ({
and after} Bb4+ (10... Ne3 {- Game No.89 in Part II of Garry Kasparov on
Evry (simul') 1988).}) 10... Qa5+ {I looked at this check in
the co-author of the Sveshnikov Variation.} ({
13
Wahls chooses a quiet line.} ({The main
when
in return for which he gains some counterplay:} Rc8 18.

Gobet-Kasparov
where for the second white queen Black has only two minor
but that is what I was intending to play!}) 21. Nxc4 Ba8 $1 22. f3 d5
etc.}) 14... Qxf6 15. Bd3 (15. c4 Qg6 $1 {.}) 15... Qg6 16. O-O
Aktyubinsk 1985)}) ({or} 17. c4 Bg4 $1 18. Be2 ({if} 18.
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then} Bh3 19. Rf2 Bh4 20. Re2 Nd4) 18... Bxe2 (18... Bh3 $5 19. Bf3 Nd4)
assuming that everywhere Black had a decent
but I was
and if} 24. cxb4
then} Nxb4 25. Nxb4 Bxb4 26. Bxb4 Qb6+ {
but then an interesting configuration would

White manoeuvres his knight to d5
and in addition the white a4-pawn
and this unexpected thrust came as a
and White has the same problems.}) 37... Be7 (37... e4 $5 {.})
and the
etc.}) 45...
but with six international masters. It was before that simul' that I
which already then had an enormous database of games. From
not in the team were one of its leaders
the 1988 world junior champion
or the French: they thought that with a stronger
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but also Olivier
and they held a short training session
I won by the same score 4½-1½ (+3=3)
although this gripping encounter did not take an easy
Evry"]
B."]
G."]
but my opponent used to employ the
making it harder for Black to carry out the ...f7-f5
Kouatly-Gunawan
since I was not impressed by} 9... h5 10.
Thessaloniki Olympiad
} ({instead of the immediate} 10. h5 {

Geneva 1988)
squeezing White's queenside.}) 10... a4 11. h5 gxh5 $6 ({If}
when} Ne8 {is passive
Pula 1997}) 16. bxa3 Qd4 17. Ne2 Qxa1 18. Nb3 Qxa2 19.
etc.})) ({The defects of White's
then} gxh5 13. gxh5 Nh7 {and ...Ng5}) 12... hxg5 13. h6 Bh8 {. But I was
which shocked my opponent...}) 12. g5 (12. gxh5 h6 (
then} axb3 14. Nxb3 Nxb3 15. Qxb3 f5 16. exf5 Bxf5
of which
although objectively it probably loses.} ({Correct was}
whereas after} 16. Ng3 $1 exf3 17. Bd3
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} ({but}
since} 28. Rh4 ({while if} 28. Ng3 {
although even here after} Be5
but enormous loss of material is inevitable.} 29. Bxe3 ({Or} 29.
etc.
but
Wahls
500 spectators and
but a loser
but I managed to withstand it
with the score standing at 2-1
Buenos Aires"]
G."]
O."]
but we played on six boards and in two rounds - with White and Black. I
losing one game - against Ricardi
Page 374
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Ricardi
with one defeat - at the
52
} ({
91).}) 8. e3 ({
then} 9. dxc5 bxc5 10. f3 ({or} 10. Ne2 $5 {.})) 9. dxc5 (
then} Nbd7 $1 {(with the idea of 10 dxc5 Nxc5) is sound
etc}) 13. Ne2 Rd8 $2 14. Ng3 Qxd4 (14... f5 15. Be2 $1)
3rd match game
forcing the transition into an endgame.} ({Now in the variation
both} 12... f5 $2 13. hxg5 Qxg5 14. Qxd6) ({
but} 12... Ne4 $5 13. Qxe4 Qb6 $1 14. Nf3 (14. Qxa8 d5 $1
USA 2008)} ({or} 15. Qf4 Bxf3 16.
more
Reykjavik 1997.}) 16. Ne2 Nd7 $2 ({On encountering a
Panno fails to find the correct way to equalise:} 16... Na6 17. Nc3
5th match game
Czech Republic 1997).
etc.}) ({while after} 20... Bc6 21. Rc7 Rec8 22. Rxc8+ Rxc8 23. Rd1
either with bishop against knight -}
Black is forced to advance his h-pawn)} h6 ({

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where one naturally wants to push a pawn forward.} ({After} 31.
Black throws away the
after which I was planning} 35. Ke1 $1 {
then Kf2
Tel Aviv"]
G."]
I."]
crushing the
timed to coincide with the
Huzman
they were eager to demonstrate that my ambitions were beyond the

in one
} ({but for a simul' game with Movsesian (Prague
Spassky-Petrosian
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but in a simul'
Karlovac 1977)}) ({or} 10... Be5 $6 11. a4
aiming at the weak b6-square
and Black does not have an easy life after} 13. c4 (13.
Smirin sharpens the play
but after} Bb4
and if} Qb7 {
and my position becomes dangerous.} ({White

and if} d4 {
the correct decision: after all
playing simultaneously on four boards.} (24...
this time in view of} Qh2+ 27. Kf1 Nxg3+ $1 28. fxg3 Qxg2+ $1
but my
especially in a simul' situation
although after}
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although even here after} 33. Qe5
shutting in the bishop on a8.} (31. c8=Q $2 {was bad in view of} Rxc8
forcing perpetual check -} Qf3+ {
hoping for the

and
not} 33... Rxc8 $2 34. Qxe6+ Kh7
when after} 34. Qc2 $2 ({but a draw is
and it is now Black who gives perpetual check.})
Garry began playing with inspiration: with Black he
but nevertheless Smirin said: 'Never mind
including
note to Black's
note to White's 10th move). At
which I won with the overall score 7-1 (+6=2)
or we
Prague"]
G."]
S."]
organised by Bessel Kok. Again sitting
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ambitious grandmasters - Movsesian (2631)
Babula (2566) and Oral (2546). Also a serious
and I devoted
then} 15. Bxf7+ $1 {.}) ({But the
with the idea of} 15. Rf3 ({although
otherwise he would have
but not} 16... Bc5 $2 17.
or} 16... Qa7 $2 17. Qd3 $1 {

etc.}))) 16. Rg3 Kf8 (16... Bxc3 17. Bxh6 $1 {.}) 17. Qe3 $1 {A bolt from
but now White breaks through on the f-file)} 18. f6 $1 gxf6 19. Rf1 $1
and Black's downfall is caused by his queen being on the same
mating.}) 22. Rxf6 d5 23. Bxh6+ Ke7 24. Rxf7+ Kd6 25. Qg6+ $1 Be6 26. Rxc7
and with
after an exchange of 'favours' (23...Qd7? and 24 Bd4?) I managed to
with Oral
but then I got myself in a muddle
and the games took a very
Prague"]
G."]
T."]
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30 in Kasparov vs. Karpov 1975-1985)
Morozevich-Leko
etc.
Smyslov-Matulovic
and after} Nd5 18. Nxd5 exd5 19. Rad1 Be6 {I with
etc.})
but it is
given by me in Informator}) 25. Rd4 (25.
although the two bishops would have given him
then} Ne8 $1
regaining the pawn.}) 23... Bb4 $6 {
} ({as does} 23... Rb6 $6 24. Rac1 a6

etc.}) ({One of two
almost compensating for the pawn deficit}) 24... Bxc6 25.
and Black should be able to hold out.})
still
although after} 26. Bc4 $1 -- (26... Rbc8 27. Bxd5
none of} 26... Ne7 $2 27. c7 Rbc8 28. Nxe6 $1) (26... Nxc3 $2
or} 26... Rfc8 $2 27. Rab1 {are possible}) ({
then} 27. a4 ({or simply} 27. Rac1 {.}))) 26. Nf5 Rxb5
winning the
I was attracted by the rook invasion on b8.})
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} ({but} 32... h5 33.

while Movsesian and Hracek managed to save difficult positions. The
and the overall score 5½-2½ (+4-1=3).
here is a brief review of my achievements in rapidplay and blitz.
27 December
which ended in a 7-7 draw
14 September 1983): 1. Kasparov - 13½ out of 16; 2.
4-5 February 1987)
N."]
G."]
but here the rook is in a vulnerable position. However
and
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J."]
G."]
25 April 1987):
1988). In one
but I chose a sharper way -
Speelman gives up the exchange and comes under an irresistible
V."]
G."]
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20 May 1994): 1-2. Kasparov and Fritz 3/Pentium -
Gelfand and Short - 11; 7. Kir.

after scoring
and my result could have been even
repelled the attack
Groningen 1994)
although after} Bxa1 18. Rxa1 Re8 {Black has good play. Now
he has total domination
but I decided to bring up my second rook.}) 21. g3
G."]
V."]
where I took first place in four out of
I beat
Korchnoi (1-1; 2-1) and Short (1-1; 1-0)
in the third (1992) I defeated Anand

Hjartarson (2-0)
with a sound extra pawn.}) 23... Nxb4 24.
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V."]
G."]
20-23 June 1995)
in the final
and if} Qe6 {
and only after} 35. Nb7 $2 Rxb7 {
G."]
Vi"]
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and if} 12. f5 {
Haifa 1996)}) ({but}
then not} Nxd3 $2 ({but} 26... Nc6 {
repelling the
in order after} 29. exd5 Bxd5 30. Bc5 {to sacrifice the
Vi"]
G."]
Frankfurt
as in the decisive
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in order to steal up on the white king from the

and Black won.} 1-0
V."]
G."]
held in 1994-1996
two each by Kramnik
where I did not play). --- The blitz match with Kramnik in the casino of
1998) was the first chess event to be broadcast on
with the
then} Na4 39. Re3 Rxb2+ 40. Ka1 Rd7 41. Qxa4 Rh2 $1 42.
and Black won.} 41. f4 h5 42. gxh5 Kh6 43. Ra4 Nd6
G."]
V."]
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} ({
etc.
and soon Black resigned.
G."]
V."]
R."]
G."]
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beginning with a
despite subsequent mistakes by both sides
G."]
V."]
1998-2000)
Kramnik and Karpov (cf. p.280).} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 d6 4. d4
and if} 30.
then} Qe3 $1 32. Rd6 Rh7 {and ...Rg7.}) 29. Rhe1 Rb8 30.
J."]
G."]
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21-25 March 2001) I won my qualifying
Svidler and Lautier - 3½)
and
1st match game (rapid)

cf. Revolution in the 70s (p.101).}) 10... N8d7 11. Qf2 Bb7
4th match game (blitz)
Bundesliga 2001.}) 18. Qb2 b4 (18... O-O $6 19. Nh5 {.}) 19.
etc.
and Black
G."]
A."]
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and White won.} Kg7 39. Bf5 Nb8 40. Qg2+ Kh6
V."]
G."]
Moscow
3-3 in rapid and a confident win for me in blitz:
2nd match game
J."]
G."]
2002)
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since} 23. Qxc4 $2 Bb5 {is bad for White.}) 23. Rf3 Rae8 (
giving Black a powerful passed pawn.} (30. g4 Rxd1 31. Qxd1 Bd3 32. Qg1
winning.}) 33... Qe3 $1 34. Qxe3 Nxe3 35. Nd2 Nc4 $1 36.
A."]
G."]
but I decided to exchange

G."]
A."]
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19}) (3... Nf6 {- Game
2nd match game (blitz)
Luther-Klip
G."]
T."]
etc.
} ({although
G."]
A."]
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2002) I played
but even so I conducted one game in quite good style.} 1. e4 c6 2. d4
Gelfand-Dreev
and White won.} Qf4 29. Qb7
Z."]
G."]
2003). In a Slav Defence with 4...a6
I was able to carry out a pretty attack.} 1. c4
} ({although Hübner's suggestion} 19. Kd1 Qg4+ 20. Kc2 Qxe4+ 21.
etc.}) 19... Qxe4 20. Ke2 (20.
17-21
Timman (1½-½)
G."]
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Ma"]
I will give the decisive game with the 13-year-old
who by the end of the 2000s was first in the world rating
and in 2013 became world champion.} 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. e4 d6 4. d4
but riskiest line.} ({After} 15... Ng7 16. Rfd1 $1 {White has merely a
33rd USSR Championship
but now things are altogether bad for Black.}) 18. Ndb5 $1 a6 ({
etc.
then} 25.
if there is nothing better.}) 24. Qxd4 Nf5 25. Qxd7 Qb6+ 26. Kh1 Red8 27.
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invariably proceeded upwards
after winning his
the time had come to
and when
who
and 'the
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I was not in fact able
who suggested that the champion's title should
'Ivanchuk's proposal was rejected by FIDE
a Kasparov-Short
the future of which still
caused by
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since the score in
Zurab Azmaiparashvili and Alexander Shakarov
we studied
where I had my own
I lacked flexibility
who gave me a number of pieces of
took place in
where in 1851
Chigorin
along with Kavalek
but in a time
I missed a win on the 35th and 36th
and to be on the
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on the backs
confidently
and again I
but he stumbled
79)}) ({thereby
which I had studied
11th match game
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Edinburgh 1996.}) 15... Qb4 16. c3
Moscow 2004}) 19. Bd3 $6 (19.
when Black wins.
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Karpov and Timman in the candidates cycle
as I once did in
that's it
29 minutes! --- Short also
achieved a good game (cf. Game No.3
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Kramnik (Linares 2003)
then} Nd7 13. Be3 Bf6 {is sound})
Moscow 2005}) 13... Qd7
on f1 the
Birmingham 1975.})) 12. axb5 (12. Bc2
I thought for a long
gives Black a rook and a pawn for

in Averbakh's opinion
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since the active ...f7-f5 merely
although all
was even
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while
Nigel did not lose heart and continued fighting in
although Black is no longer
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White's
but gives
and I had to
here I became nervous and I did not
or} 16. Qxg5 $2 Qxg5 17. Bxg5
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Short also
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69.}) 4... d5 (4... O-O {- Game Nos.68
Moscow
seeing as the black
Novgorod 1995).
the more we liked White's
} 13. Bxb8 $1
or} 14... Bh7 15. Bd3 {
Page 407
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and I would not
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would also not have saved Black})
one of Short's seconds! But
whereas
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but then I squandered my
and after adventures reached the haven
4th match
Polanica-Zdroj 1972.}) 13. e5 Bh4+ 14. g3 Rb8 $1 {
when} 17. Kf1 ({while} 17. Qg3
Page 410
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it is hard for White to achieve even

gives the same result.}) 36. Bg2 Rd2+ (36... f5 37.
and had it
also by no means
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but
in
by 2½ and 1½ points. Now he was
by
which placed us alongside
and then Karpov.
and initiated his favourite
he inexplicably blundered a rook and

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82 in Part I of Garry
Biel Interzonal 1993}) 20. Nxc4 Qa6 $1 (20... Qc7
Biel Interzonal 1993}) 21. Rfc1 $1 Rg8 $1 {is
but after} 19. Rc1 $1 Qa6 {
Bad
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when} 19.
knowing the result of the game.
on
} ({but} 22... Rd7 23. Qa5

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and therefore} 7... Qb6 {is
Paris (rapid) 1992}) 9. Nb3 ({or} 9. Nxc6 bxc6
Dos
Linares 2001)} ({
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as it seemed to me
as is} 10... O-O 11. Kh1 Kh8 $6 (
but I do not like this cramped
not fearing} 14. Nd5 $6 ({or} 14. e5 {
placing
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with time-trouble approaching
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because of this incident
knight and
after a lengthy analysis everyone departed
obtained a
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the Spanish newspaper ABC published a
in which he stated that a

is
his 'code of
in 1994
playing
determined Kasparov's ultimate success
also with Black
Page 420
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Munich 1992}) 13... b6
then} ({but practice has shown that} 14... Bb7 {
Kamsky
recommended by me in Informator
Page 421
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Acassuso 1994.}) 16. Be3 $1 {A critical position.} Be5
he should have captured the
whereas in
to the very end.} 25. Qe5 Qe7 26. Qc7 $1 Bc8 27. Qa5 b6
Beliavsky and Lautier. As in previous years
and lost. It was with
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I began recouping my losses
and I played Vishy Anand. In this
Novgorod 1996) are both acceptable for Black}) 10... Be7 11. a5
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but to the centre -} 17. Nd4 $1 {with two
Kstovo
Bg2
San
Dagomys 2006). --- Now Black
Page 424
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} 18... Na5 $5 19. Rh3 Nc4
after
and} 23.
regaining the rook and
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so to speak
13th round he crushed Beliavsky in a
recklessly attacked with
and in the end he achieved one of the
this competitive triumph
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of nervous energy
and that a
but now he
he endeavoured to avoid meeting me at the
the organiser of
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Karpov and Timman! As the press wrote
after his Linares triumph
to my distress
brought a change of leader. That day I
played
2nd match game
I played} 8. h4 $6 {
Dortmund 1992}) 9... Qb6 10. Ne2 $1 (10.
Dubai (rapid) 2002}) 10... O-O (10...
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Bd3
Buenos Aires 2000}) 11. h4 {
Novgorod 1997})
Horgen 1995
but after} b6 17. Bd3 Qa5 $1 {Black is okay
for example:} Qe7
Manila Olympiad 1992}) 16. b3 Bb7 17.
Bern 1994}) 17... g6 18. Kb1 (18. c3 $6 bxc3
resulting from his
double-edged
Najer-A.Rychagov
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} ({but also} 17... Nb6 18. Nc5 Nd7 {
Langheinrich-Shirov
Internet 2006}) 24...
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for example:} (24. Qc6 Rb8 25. f5 Nf8
on seeing the suffering of my rival on the neighbouring
I was
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Ivanchuk and Shirov
by contrast
but despite all their entreaties the

but I was unable to develop my
this time against the
but as soon as the
Page 432
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and here I was able to score a
Frankfurt (rapid) 2000}) 13... bxa4 14. Ncb4 Nxb4
Baku
Elista 1997; Karjakin-Yakovich
Page 433
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etc.}) 17.
and I ascribed
a few days
he demonstrated the correct defence -} 24... Rfd8 $1
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alas
he saw the mating
Page 435
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defeating Bareev with Black.
the president of the Russian Chess
tenth
who was sitting alongside
with
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'the main
and
Shirov and Yusupov - all on 4½ out of 6. That
Nijboer-Nikolic
Hilversum 1993)}) ({nor by the currently most popular} 8. Bd2 {
Page 437
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and nothing is given by} 20. g3 (
Page 438
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} ({or} 20. Qc1

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the position is again roughly equal.})) 23... Bc4 $1
then} Rg6 $1
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for
for example
then} Nd7 16. g3 Nb6)
as
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Shirov quickly moved his knight.}))

afforded me great
and the leader
came up to me and asked:
and the
Page 442
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not noticing that
I came
assuming that
then} 30. b6
Page 443
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say
since Yusupov
65.}) 5. Nxc6
was a 1993 match
Page 444
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Budapest 1995)}
provoking f2-f4
but the
Page 445
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positional concessions.}) 20... c5 $1 ({The pawn
and White's advantage evaporates:} 22. Kh1 ({or
in each of which a prestigious jury (Dr. Wirth

Page 446
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the recently elected
and were ready to do
secondly
took place in the
to win Olympiad 'gold': 1.
Dreev (5½ out of 8)
alas
gave
Page 447
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which consisted of
and Horgen (late autumn).
in Riga and on such an occasion
by the irony of fate
Page 448
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5th game of the 4th match
then not} ({but}
Warsaw 2005}) 11... Qxe4
Page 449
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} 14. Bh6 d6 15. Re1 $1 {is strong
Anand
but also hampering the

as my new trainer Yuri Dokhoian rightly remarked
logic (his strongest
was more resilient.' However
Page 450
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after
and
the tradition of staging super-tournaments of
loss
were
Page 451
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leading to the loss

or a 'bad'
active
a simul' in the Central Chess Club for veterans of the
the Euwe Memorial
the PCA super-tournament
Ivanchuk and Topalov - 5½; 6. Kramnik - 5;
testifies Yuri Vasiliev. 'In a
I again was unable to do anything with White against Ivanchuk
Page 452
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but now
Altensteig 1994}) 6... Nc7 7. Nbd2 Ne6 8. Qc4 b6 9.
and if} 12. e4 {

which have just
Page 453
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comes an unexpected and
produced
tragic one (Game No.100) were
66
Page 455
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...b7-b5
Moscow
exchanging the dark-squared bishops and
not by launching a
San Sebastian 2000}) 23. h5 Rb8 24. Rgd1 {
after
Page 456
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retaining pressure}) 26. Qf4 $1 {.})
and it is now White who
after} 35. Qa6 Qc8 $5 36. Qxd6 Bxe4 37. Nd3 Rd8 38. Qxb4 Bxg6 {
since Black is by no means obliged to
Page 457
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not only parries the

with a spectacular finish.}) (40... -- {After
and now everything was
and as a result I took first place
who were one of the
Page 458
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since the
the Mayor of New
suddenly displayed extraordinary enthusiasm. The crazy
rather
I again
as well as the
and after} 1. e4 {
for
note to Black's 8th
much
and 6 f4 - everything apart from the
in contrast to me
aggressive scheme of counterplay
a variation of the
etc. --- My opponent arrived for the
Page 459
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the form which I have managed to
was unusually
without time-outs and adjournments
and half an
writes the chess historian Isaak Linder
frail woman
crowded into
Page 460
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or} 21... Bxf3 $2 22. exf6 {and gxf3!}) (
and also after}
} 22.
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 and 3
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not cherishing any particular hopes in the variation} 11.
Linares 1994).}) 11... dxc3 ({The attempt} 11...
4th match game (rapid)
to also point out
17 years
Page 462
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Black does not have
which I
incidentally
knight and pawn for the queen
expecting the 'natural'} 17. Bg5 (
White gives up a
when Black is paralysed.}) (
Page 463
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began playing quickly. I think that at
accurately implemented idea. The game was judged to be
but I
Page 464
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that Vishy employed the most
Page 465
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then} Qb2 $1 {.}) 25. Bxc4 Ne4 $1

Page 466
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he seized the initiative. ---
...Nf5
was
simply became rattled
Page 467
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then}
Page 468
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and now not} 42. Nxd5 {
making it
the
but they did not take account of the
and those
and
Page 469
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because of the torpedoing of this
and devise
while continuing to
smashing Morozevich
finally
suddenly
000 a year -
the Russian Chess Federation
Page 470
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like a
to a chance happening
they will effectively
practically
Page 471
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like Karpov in his time
I chose the Panov Attack
first with Makarychev
Amsterdam 1992}) 7... h6 $5 ({a fashionable move

and Black
Page 472
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is more
with} ({and after} 15. Ba6 {not to
the insidious tactical stroke} (
then} Bxf2+ $1 26. Kh1 Rxf6 27. Qh7+ Kf8 28.
Page 473
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after 20...Bd7
while after the
however
could have come to the same thing.})

Page 474
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Kramnik
also afforded
Khanty-Mansiysk 2011}) 10. Bf4 Qf6
Page 475
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...b7-b6 and ...Bb7 - Black has nothing to complain of. But Seirawan was already
Page 476
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then not} 21... Bd7 $6 22. Qc7
Page 477
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of course
bringing me three draws and one win - and that was
in view of} (10... e5 {-
but this looks the most logical: while there is
St. Petersburg 1995}) 14... Kxd7 15.
Page 478
Sheet1
when
Internet
would have ensured
Page 479
Sheet1
nothing fatal for him is apparent:} 24. Nd5 (24. Rcd1

then
is weaker
creating a passed pawn and
is simplified.}) 29... Qxb6 30. Rc2 ({
and if} ({or}
which was all the more strange
Page 480
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but Black
but merely makes things much more
Page 481
Sheet1
I employed a novelty
79) had cooled and I switched to the
interesting ideas
Mainz (rapid) 2003)}) ({or} 10...
Moscow 2005}) 11. f5 Bc4 12. g4 $1 {White seized the
56
Amsterdam 1996}) 14... Nfxe4 15. Nd5 Qd8 16. b4 $1 {
if not decisive advantage:}
Neum 2000}) 17. f5 $3 Bxg5 (17... N6xg5 18. Qd3)
Page 482
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or} 12... Qc7 $6 13. Rc1 $1 Be6 14.
Manila Interzonal 1976).
then not
but I felt that my attack would be sufficient at least
Page 483
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} ({as is} 22. Bg5 Qe5 $6 ({or} 22... Qg7 23.
or}
Page 484
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one and a half points ahead of
although he is already
of course
this
when I noticed to
Page 485
Sheet1
on the way
who
which
did not promote
'wore out' Anand on the
Page 486
Sheet1
as Kamsky played against him in the fourth round. But I had prepared a
Tilburg 1993}) 16... Bc5 $6 17.
the complicated
} ({while in the event of} 20... O-O $2 21. fxe4 Qxf1+
this and the following daring move

Page 487
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Kramnik
} Bf4 {'would have led to
White is completely
I would probably also
and
Page 488
Sheet1
and here something irreparable occurred -
for example:} 83. Rg8+ ({or
Page 489
Sheet1
I completely outplayed Topalov in a
I spoiled
the last before the
Bulgaria
Dreev (5 out of 8)
I put
Page 490
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to avoid losing my opponent
among other
that 'the status of the participants in
if the parity is still retained
alas
I lost in the final
two extra pawns and
the Russian team
I had
after a day's rest
thinking
Page 491
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Wijk aan Zee 2000}) 19... h4 (19... b4 20. Ne4 $1) 20.
Page 492
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White is able to carry out a spectacular concluding
51
Linares 1994}) 4... Ngf6 5. O-O ({or} 5. Nc3 cxd4 6.
Page 493
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Ljubljana 1995}) 5... cxd4 (5... a6
Amsterdam 1991}) 6. Qxd4 a6 7. Bxd7+ Bxd7 8. Bg5 e6
Linares 1991}) 9. Nbd2 Bc6 $1 {
Prague (simul') 2001})
Vienna 1996)}) 13. b3
Sanghi Nagar 1994).}
with the idea of ...0-0
Page 494
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...Rb8
etc.
...a7-a6
which
however
Page 495
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winning four games in a row. ---
but he acted not altogether
and it all concluded
with Bosnia and Herzegovina (in
Sofia (rapid) 1998)
Prague 1999)} ({or} 12... Nh6 {
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have eased White's situation in view of} hxg4 22. fxg4 c5 {
thanks to my first win with White
Page 497
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the Russian
calm was restored
aiming to achieve
did not invite
Karpov
Topalov and Ivanchuk
Page 498
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the experts and the
and he
my 'Geneva conqueror'
} ({but earlier
Riga Zonal 1995}) 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6
Page 499
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St.
Tula 2004}) 13... Bxd5 14. exd5
who in Informator even attached two
etc.})
Page 500
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the 10th move of the variation (incidentally
the result would have been a brilliant game.
I was
I was 'blinded' and made an
Page 501
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which was not noticed
Kramnik and Ivanchuk on 2.
Karpov did not
or}
Page 502
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but
and the main
who
Ivanchuk drew
to my vexation
Kramnik and Anand on 3. It
for
Page 503
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Manila Olympiad 1992}) 8...
for example:} b5 14. Bf1 Nxd5 15. Bxb5 Qb6
when} Qxb2 $2 ({or} 17... Bxd4
was also quite safe.}) 15. Bxc4 Nd6
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especially one in
cracks under the
Page 505
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for example:} 32. Nf4
which eliminated
all the games ended in draws. Against Kramnik I
Page 506
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} ({
these time-trouble moves were repeated.
of a share of
being the only player
a match is the only
Page 507
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who totally ignored
Wijk aan Zee 1999}) 10. Qf3 $6
Wijk aan Zee 2006)}) 14... Nc4
9th match game
Page 508
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which is judged to favour White})
Tilburg 1985)
Porto Carras 2011}) 16. e5 dxe5

Black has
St. Petersburg 1998}) 17... Nxe5 18. Bf4 {.}) 17. Nxf4
Page 509
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because
Page 510
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but I suddenly came to
who in a King's Indian
and
Page 511
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is
trapping
is
Page 512
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and in numerous analyses in the mid-1980s we did not find any
or} 9... Nb4 10. Rc1
Warsaw (rapid)
Page 513
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Czech League 2013}) 11. Nxb4 Nxb4 12. Rc1 c6 13. a3 {
and in both cases White has slightly the

Bad Wiessee 2012})
Monte Carlo
and
Page 514
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like Ivanchuk in Las Palmas
but
as though wanting to cast off a delusion
Page 515
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who sometimes
however
58
then} 18. f4 $1 gxf4 19. Bh4
avoided exchanges
Hoogeveen 1997)}) ({and} 16. c3 {(Socko-Vaulin
Page 516
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and in the
then} 27.
and White of a draw.}) 26... Qa3 $1
Page 517
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everything was
had this
instead of sharp
90
but
he returned to the main
Page 518
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the
Elista 1995}) 14.
is too dangerous for him.}) 13. e4 {The most
Bled Olympiad 2002}) 15. -- (15. Bg5 Bg4 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. h3
then} ({although
Page 519
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however
Adams
I had
but by some miracle my
Page 521
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which 'testifies not
Reykjavik 2000). But under the
Teichmann-Rubinstein
Moscow 2001.})) ({And after
} Nd7 {is suitable
Khanty-Mansiysk 2009}) 11... cxd4

the endgame after} 9.
} ({although}
Spain 1990
Slovenia 1991}) 11... Bxe5 (11... Bxd7 $2
Page 522
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his position is very difficult on
Page 523
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and he gradually lost
despite the activity of his rooks
for
Page 524
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49
Prague (rapid) 2002}) 14... f5 15. Qf3 {(Shirov-Kramnik
Shirov-Carlsen
against which there is no
France 1994}) 15... Nc7
this time of a pawn
the Latvian master Alvis
it is true
but with what?} (
Monte
} (21...
Page 526
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which deprives the
} Qxc7 18. cxb4 fxe4 ({
or} 19.
F.Vaisman-An.Bykhovsky
Shirov confidently
I was horrified: all
and
and it turns out that the best place for his king is on
Black would have won by 16...Rxb5
with his king on d8

Turin Olympiad 2006}
or} 20. exf5 $2 Rh6
Page 527
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as if he had fallen into a deep
Page 528
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Ponomariov or Ivanchuk - G.K.). It is
but they
England
Khalifman (7 out of 9)
and at the last moment also by
Kramnik
signed the famous
Page 529
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according to which the FIDE
including Anand
expressed in an open
I stated: 'Many of those who have signed this
we will not get anywhere. The
Lautier
Khalifman (1-1; 1½-½) and
in conformity with his aim of not playing a
which now became part of
Page 530
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correspondingly
I gradually gained the initiative
on seeing this
Hungary - 25. The battle for
while our team beat
did not gain
Page 531
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New York 1997.}) 16... Nd7 17. Qg3 {Lutz makes
2nd match game
etc.}) ({. And if} 19. Bxh7+ $2
and it is hard even to imagine where it will

Page 532
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but by no means yet the
or the
Page 533
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} ({but} 41. Rd1 Ne2 42. g3 Nd4
whereas
with an overall score of
were a pure formality:
faltering under the burden of numerous
Page 534
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after giving his apologies
roughly equal position on the 18th move
I was not
but the position remained
Page 535
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which I was initially
I suddenly didn't like} 27... Qg6+ 28. Ka2 Qc2 {(?)
and 28...Nb3 or 28...Kc7 is correct
indeed
came under an attack - and the risk
Page 536
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winning.}
and he decided to
moreover
Budapest 2001). My opponent's behaviour made
Page 537
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and in the
and little has
Page 538
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} 16. Re1 {is convincing
is also insufficient}) 20. Nxd4 {and
but he
then} 22. Rf2 $1
whereas 20 Qg4
Page 539
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since if} Qe8 {(e7) White mates
} ({but first} 28. Rf1 $1 {is even
as though
although I
my 'borderline' condition and poor form
Page 540
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and still
he is simply not interested

my hopes
27 October - 3 November. The
but I could not imagine that my
not
Page 541
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comparable to the prize fund of the match. For
Kobalia and
and that either Danailov & Co.
Page 542
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69.}) 4... O-O (4... d5 {- Game Nos.4
alas
Athens 2004})
Page 544
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since all the black
aiming for d6.}) 25. Rfd1 ({
Black's position could
Page 545
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Black retains
Page 546
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thought that
but the most forceful was}
Page 547
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the last of
and -
Ladya also stood better
be able to find a 'scapegoat'
Page 548
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which
but I did not play as
my result
Page 549
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but in time
and therefore} 9... b5 10. g5
Linares 2002}) 11...
as I
Sarajevo
internet (rapid) 2000}) 12... Rc8 ({
Hungary
} ({but even}
the bishop emerges on to the attacking
even loses after}
Page 550
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Monte Carlo (rapid) 2002}) 22... O-O 23. Nf2 (23. O-O
trapping the
thanks to
in combination with the pawn on h3
Page 551
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then} Rcxc2 38. Bxc2 Rxc2 39. Rxf7+ Kg8 40. Rf1 Bf4 $1 41.
} ({to avoid
Page 552
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as Yuri Vasiliev
Page 553
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and in the
I was free. It was precisely on that day that Kramnik
I employed
but 8 a4 (cf. Game No.2
endeavouring to
true to his
for the success of
then} 35. f4 $1) 33. Rxg4+ $1 hxg4 34. Qxg4+ Kf7 35. Qg6+
Page 554
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doggedly tried to win and just
a long time
of course
which
Page 555
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where for the first time I met
Bacrot
Gelfand
I scored 3½ out of 6
Anand
Grischuk
it
2-9
the
just before the World Chess Olympiad and the FIDE
Page 556
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Korotylev and Timofeev - 4½;
as in a well-known Agatha Christie novel
on the
Bareev and Dreev) and some unpredictable '2600s'.
Page 557
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a mass of sarcastic comments by my 'well-wishing'
52nd USSR Championship
strategic. He is inspired
Wijk aan Zee 1995).}))

Page 558
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Biel 2002}) 18. dxc5 Qe7 {with
after which} b4 $5 16. Na4 Rh7 {is unclear.})) 14. O-O (
is better for White.}) 22. Bxe2
and
Page 559
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and once again stand'. --- But it turns out that
comes to the same thing}) 35. Nf7+ Kd5 36. Ng5 Ke5 37. Ne4 Kd5 {
as is customary
I decided not to relieve
not finding anything concrete after} 32.

} a4 $6 ({or} 34... b4 $6 35. Bf3 $1) ({
...c6-c5 and a possible ...Bc4-b3 with a draw.}) 40... Bc8 ({Avoiding} 40... Kd6
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was hopeless.}) 47. Kd4 Bc2 48. c5+ {Matters are decided by White's
using his extra piece
and the
that I
by
Page 561
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but was ready for a prolonged
soon an assistant of the FIDE President announced that

and recuperation. The loss of earnings is easy to
Page 562
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at the end of the Russian Championship
I already knew
Adams and
but he did not make use of
not
Page 563
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Naumkin and other future
Ilya Gurevich and Wolff - were future

USA
Belgium
- a memorable one - with Black.}) *
Page 564
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and all the subsequent events confirmed the
were the
Akopian
Oratovsky
and lost
which
77
Geller-I.Zaitsev
} ({and} 12...
London 2011.}))) 11. bxa5 {(of course!)} Rxa5 12. Nb3 Ra8
Page 566
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was also hopeless.}) 30. Bxc5 bxc5 31. Rd1 Nf8 32. Qb2 Rxe6 33.
textbook game.} Kg8 36. Qc7 c4 37. Rd6
Brunner
who I spectacularly crushed with White in a
as it is the passed d-pawn
Page 567
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in February 1987 I gained more than
Switzerland (simul') 1987}) 18... Qd7
Page 568
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regaining the piece with a small
and I am able to carry out my
Renet
and on board 6 there was
Page 569
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beating Renet with White
Thessaloniki Olympiad
after which all the same there would have

} ({while after}
Page 570
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then} Bxg4
would also not have saved White.}) 31... Rxe3 $1 {. The
Lobron and Hertneck. At a press
by
in time-trouble Lobron missed a draw by
then in the second
Page 571
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Spangenberg
69.}) 4... O-O (4... d5 {- Game Nos.4

} ({but
Prague 1998).})) 9... bxc5
and}
Prague 1998).}) 17. dxe6 Bxe4 18. e7 $1 {
Page 572
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bringing the king up to
g2-g3
Smirin and Sutovsky (moreover
Palma de
Page 573
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was
in
then} 23.
I had to
Page 574
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etc}) 32. Rxe4 $1 Bxe4 33. f3 Qxg3
tomorrow is another
Page 575
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Hracek
solid team! --- Sergey
and
and if} Bc5 ({or} 17... Qd4 {

at one point I
made an oversight
Page 576
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White first fianchettos his bishop.})
Zug 2013})
is more popular.}) 9. Bf4 O-O 10. O-O Nh5 {This is what
Palma de Mallorca 1967.}) 15. Qxd4 dxe4 16. Qxe4 Nf6 17.
Page 577
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and a very strong double-round blitz
which I won 4-2 (+4-2)
in
Page 578
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however
in the final of
and
Kramnik (1-1; 1-0) and Nikolic (2-0).
Page 580
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where I defeated Adams (2-0)
Ivanchuk (2-0).}
then} 30. f4 {.
Page 581
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then} Nde5 13.
for example:} 27. Ng3
Page 582
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three were won
Anand and Ivanchuk
Page 583
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was more resilient.
Page 584
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Black won.} 26. Ng2 Bd4 27.
Page 585
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and then defeated Tkachiev (1½-½)
in the final
Cannes 2001)
was hopeless.})
Page 586
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2001) produced a 2-2
New Delhi 2000).}) 17... Bf6 18. Nc4 (18. f4 {
I was again able to

Page 587
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Page 588
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Moscow 2002).}) 10... a6 ({
was very dangerous for Black.}) 16. Nbd2 (16. Rhe1
Page 589
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Moscow (rapid) 2002})
which at
Nielsen (1-1; 1-0) and
Page 590
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would also not have helped.}) 22. d7 $5 ({Or immediately} 22.
Page 591
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now it more
Page 593
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as
Lasker
the challenger's official

Page 595
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in the world
the
Page 598
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Shirov (Linares 2004)
Black would have had a 'typical
Page 599
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91
when} Nxc3 $6 {
Page 604
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second-rate.} 10. a4
Page 614
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a quite
Page 616
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something went wrong
this
Page 617
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there is the
Page 618
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but the complex of a
Page 620
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unable to win. This
Page 623
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and
Page 624
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'in this
for the first time in my life I
Elista 1997}) 11... b5 12. Nc5 a5
Page 625
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Rhe1
etc.}) ({
Page 626
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Page 627
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but Kramnik agreed to play only after
Page 629
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Sochi 2007).
Page 630
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not one of them leads to the desired goal.} ({I
Page 632
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burst
Page 633
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Wijk
Page 634
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in Shirov-Illescas (Las Palmas 1994).}) ({And after}
Page 638
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in each case with
Page 642
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it would entrust us with the
reserves Tiviakov (6½ out of 9) and Svidler (5½ out of 8). --- Intuitively I felt that things
was not
Page 644
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this
Page 645
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London 1834}
Page 646
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it would be a
after}
Page 647
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win
Page 648
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74)
Page 652
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...Bb7 and ...Rc8 with the ideas of ...Ne5-c4 and ...b5-b4
Page 653
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a point
Page 655
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Anand had no
Page 656
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with a
who recalls the amazing
the
Page 657
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Mainz 2004}) 23... c2 24. Nxd2 Bxa1
Page 659
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it is
Page 660
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etc. But here White unexpectedly launched into a close-range
Page 664
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on 30 November and 1 December
in
Page 667
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to a transitory title
Page 668
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which I had never previously
and then
Page 669
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with all his
Page 671
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Short and Lautier - 2 out of 3. The status quo was
Page 672
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I was in a fighting mood
Page 675
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in
Page 677
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one
57
Page 679
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the game with Topalov. But
Page 682
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Germany
Page 687
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I decided to make a compromise.
one more
the last stage of the PCA Rapidplay
was unable to win
Page 688
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93).
Page 690
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or} 14. e6 Qb7 15. Qa4+ Kf8 {and ...Kg7}) 14. Qa4+ {(?!)} ({but after} 14.
Page 691
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...a7-a6 and ...b6-b5

and White would only be able to 'stand
...b6-b5 and so on' (Shirov).}) 16... Nh4 $2 {This pseudo-activity loses Black
it is White who has to display
Page 692
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then} h4 {
Page 693
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whereas for a 'full complement' it was
Page 695
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Anand also
Page 698
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with Topalov
Page 700
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} ({whereas my
Page 706
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risked employing the Alekhine Defence
Page 712
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did not affect

66
St.
Page 713
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91
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Vallejo and Shirov - 3;
Page 718
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is not so clear.}) 10... Kf8 {A
Page 719
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would
Page 721
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104).}) 9... gxf6 10. Nd5 f5
with the aim
signifies a rejection by Black
Page 723
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Israel 2007})) 20. Rab1 Be6 {(internet games in
after 17...Rxb5?
Page 724
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Slovakia
Morozevich and Shirov!

Page 726
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Shirov
in the final
Page 727
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against
and had
became nervous
Page 728
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did not even show up for the
Page 732
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although
with complicated play.}) (29... Bxg3 $2 30. Rf7 {
I had not lost in
Page 733
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that Black was trying to win on

Page 734
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} ({as is} 16. Qh5 c5 17. Rce1 $1 {
Page 736
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I finished
Page 737
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for the first time

Page 739
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97}) (4... c5 {-
I did not in fact employ it)} c5 11. Nc3 {(I.Sokolov-Timman
Page 741
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but we
Page 745
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not
Page 752
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Vallejo and van Wely) played on the Scheveningen
Akopian
Topalov
Page 753
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Riga 1985})
Page 755
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because of zugzwang:} Kc6 42. Nc3
Page 757
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he
Page 758
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when
Page 760
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Italy
Page 761
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Tiviakov
Galliamova... Altogether I played 56 simul' games
at different times
37th USSR Championship
Page 763
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or the
Page 766
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Zarnicki and Sorin)

97}) (4... c5 {-
Page 769
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Nd4 and wins}) 36.
a rating of
Page 770
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then
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De Firmian (1½-½)
Page 778
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and one by Adams (in London
Page 780
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Bareev (1½-½).} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6
in each case leading
Page 783
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with incredible luck
Page 787
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Capablanca and Alekhine all
Page 792
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106}) (4... c5 {
is
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secondly
of opening ideas. It was
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but at the end I contrived to lose to Piket and I
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I played two games in
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taking into
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74).}) 7. Bg5 h6 8.
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Israel
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rushed things and first lost
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Switzerland
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Sakaev
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only two (to
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while if} 12. a4 {Black

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Macedonia and
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Japan and Senegal:
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Ulibin
Alterman
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Document Outline
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Garry Kasparov On Garry Kasparov III

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% BOOKTITLE = Kasparov on Kasparov Part III: 1993-2005

[White "About this Publication"]

[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"]

battles played by the greatest chessplayer of all-time. --- Kasparov's series

their rigorous analysis and comprehensive detail regarding the developments in

this series saw Kasparov emerging as a huge talent

occasions. This third volume focuses on the final 12 years of Kasparov's

career up until his retirement from full-time chess in 2005.} 1. -- {This

tournament circuit. He won the Linares super-tournament for four consecutive

years (1999-2002) with the fourth of these victories in 2002 concluding an

Wijk aan Zee 3

many masterpieces of controlled aggression played against the world's absolute

best.} (1. -- {Garry Kasparov is generally regarded as the greatest chess

player ever. He was the thirteenth World Champion

1985 and 2000. His tournament record is second to none

wins in the world's major events

more than anyone to popularize chess in modern times.}) *

[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"]

{This concluding volume of my autobiographical trilogy Garry Kasparov on Garry

during the 12 years after my withdrawal from FIDE (1993-2005)

preceding stages taken together. Whereas earlier the graph of my tournament

of the Professional Chess Association (PCA)

chess summit became complicated

am the world champion. Not a version

arguments should finally have been resolved by a unification match

in a declaration of cooperation between FIDE and the PCA. The guarantor of a

chess world was on the verge of unification. But instead of this

with an historic tradition

on a knock-out system. --- Although at that time I won a number of notable

the permanent organiser of the tournaments in Linares

suggested holding an Anand-Kramnik candidates match in the early summer

world championship match in the autumn

his replacement Shirov defeated Kramnik

period became the second peak of my career (the first

was in 1988-1990). I won six super-tournaments in succession and achieved the

unprecedented rating of 2851 - despite rating inflation

stood for 13 years.} (1. -- {Early in 2000 English organisers suggested

this I scored another four tournament victories

Kramnik (I beat him in Astana 2001)

ten super-tournament victories in succession. In my view

obliged to sign an agreement to a return match. But apparently back in

world championship!}) (1. -- {Particular hopes were raised by a resolution to

unite the chess world

winner of a qualifying tournament in Dortmund 2002

champion Ponomariov would play Kasparov

championship in October-November 2003'. --- Alas

first my match with Ponomariov collapsed

knock-out champion Kasimdzhanov. I was left in a suspended state and I lost

perceived the mood of the chess elite and officials

me a chance to regain the title. After losing my goal

their sense of cooperative solidarity always receded in the face of internal

to repair the mistake of 1993.}) (1. -- {I should like to express my gratitude

to my long-standing trainer Alexander Shakarov

compilers Vladislav Novikov and Yakov Zusmanovich

the manuscript for publication.}) *

[White "1: Short - Anand & Las Palmas"]

[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"]

{Match with Short: World Championship Match Kasparov - Short (London

September - 21 October 1993) - 12½-7½.} 1. -- {On 23 March 1993 an

abrupt zigzag in chess history occurred: the FIDE president Campomanes

depriving me and Nigel Short of the rights of champion and challenger

and Anatoly Karpov. --- Of the leading grandmasters