C/IESS

STARS
Editoral Panel: Oleg Βίήukοv, Ilja Manakov
Technical Editor: Olga Κrylova, Semko Semkov

Translation by: Natalia Alexeeva

Kate Κrylova
Vasily Sergeev
Alexey Yuneev

Cover design by Rustam Taichinov, Kaloian Nachev

© Sergei Soloviov, 2001

Pήnted in Bulgaria by ''Semko'' - Sofia

ISBN 954-8782-19-7
 1Μ Sergei Soloviov

Super Toumaιnents
2000

With annotatίons by
Internatίonal Grandmasters

Alexander ΚHALIFMAN
Sergei IVANOV
Alexander KOCHYEV
Konstantίn SAΚAEV
Leonid YUDASIN
 ACΚNOWLEDGEMENTS

Editorial staff (info@gmchess.com ) ofthe S.Petersburg Grandmaster School

(www.gmchess.com) for materials about the tournaments,

J an van de Mortel
for aftergame comments and interviews with participants of the "Corus"
tournament; the interview with A.Κhalifman ίη Hoogeveen.

Oliver Breisacher (www.schachfestival-biel.ch)

for the interview with P.Svidler ίη Biel

Denis Bilunov (www.kasparovchess.com)

for the interview with E.Bareev ίη Montecatini Terme

Dmitry Novitsky (www.kaspal"Ovchess.com)

for the interview wjth B.Gelfand ίη Polanica Zdroj

Ilya Goredetsky (www.kasparovchess.com)

for the interview with A.Dreev ίη Shenyang

GM Valery Salov (http://w.p.c.tripod.com)

for the interviews with participants ofNew Delhi World Championship

ΙΜ Damir Levacic (www.cannes-echecs.org)

for the interviews with participants ofNew Delhi World Championship
 CONTENTS

Preface .............. .................................................. 7

CORUS (Wijk aan Zee) ................................................... 10

"Sαme gαlne, new nαme"

LINARES ............................................................. 49
Khαlifmαn:"Old notebook story"

JAPFA CLASSIC (Denpasar, Bali) ........................................ 86

Khαlifmαn: "Ίιυο debuts αnd "French fries"

LEONID STEIN MEMORIAL (Lviv) . .................................... 104

Iuαnchuk: ''In our country people αre uery interested in this gαme"

BOSNA (Sarajevo) . ................................................... 123

Shirou αnd Co. hαue lαgged behind Kαspαrou

TORNEO MAGISTRAL de AJEDREZ MERIDA (Mexico) .................. 146

The strongest tournαment in the history of Mexico

"DORTMUNDER SCHACHTAGE" (Dortmund)............................. .161

''Junior'' in Dortmund

BIEL ................................................................ 204

Suidler: "Biel is α trαdemαrk in the chess world"

MONTECATINI TERME . ............................................. .244

Bαreeu: ''Iuαnchuk scored his +3 eαsily"

RUBINSTEIN MEMORIAL (Polanica Zdroj) ........................... .252

Gelfαnd: "The tournαment is uery strong, one of the strongest this yeαr"
1 st FIDE WORLD CUP (Shenyang, China) . ............................ .297
Anαnd: "1 like the knockout system"

ESSENT (Hoogeveen) . ................................................ .351

Khαlifmαns: 'Ά Yeαr αfter Lαs Vegαs"

WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP (New DelhifI'ehran) . ................ . 370

Anαnd - the 15 t1ι World Chess Chαmpion!

Epilogue .............................................................. .434

Index of Openings .................................................... .442

Index of Opponents ................................................... .444

 7

Preface

What interesting things did the year 2000 bring to chess players? That year was
rich ίη eνents: the 34th Chess Olympiad, first European Championship, first World
Cup, World Championship, match between Kasparoν and Κramnik ...
Ιη this book you will find detailed comments of games from Wijk aan Zee, Linares,
Lνiν ... and other super tournaments. Of course, it is hard to draw a distinction be-
tween a strong tournament and a super tournament. Here you can find tournaments
with a category not less 16, with a normal time control and without computer's help.
That is why we haνe not considered some ofthe most interesting highest -leνel eνents
of 2000 and they will be mentioned briefly below.

Matches

Ιη 2000 a lot ofmatches were played, but two ofthem attracted eνerybody's atten-
tion: one - with the participation ofthe new World Champion A.Kahlifman, the other
- with the strongest player oflast years G.Kasparoν. Both ofthem lost these matches.

Budapest, 3-9.01.2000
Κhalifman - Leko =3-3

London, 8.10-4.11.2000
Kasparoν - Κramnik =13-2

Υου can read more about this match ίη Epilogue.

Advanced Chess

This is a new type of competitions, where eνery player can use his computer's help.

Α small tournament ofthe adνanced chess was held ίη Leon (1-5.06.2000) with the
participation of Anand, Shiroν, Polgar, Illescas.
Anand beat Shiroν 1.5-0.5 ίη the final.

Internet Chess

The Kasparoνchess Grand Prix was the first major sponsored eνent of the
Kasparoνchess web site. The knockout took place February 9th - 20th 2000 oνer the
Internet. Players from all oνer the world had one hour for all their moνes. The first
prize was $ 20,000. Jeroen Piket who beat Garry Kasparoν 1.5-0.5 ίη the final won the
eνent.
8

Blitz
The Plus GSM World Blitz Cup took place ίη the Warsaw Polonia Chess Club οη
Sunday 9th, January. Anand won first prize ($ 10.000 + Plus GSM CUp), Gelfand -
second (5.000 + Nokia Communicator) and Karpov - third (2.500 + Nokia Communica-
tor). 1. Anand (2769) - 17.5,2. Gelfand (2692) - 17, 3. Karpov (2696) - 17,4. Akopian
(2660) - 17, 5. Ivanchuk (2709) - 17, 6. Adams (2715) - 17, 7. Epishin (2667) - 17,8.
Tkachiev (2670) - 16.5, 9. Kozul (2597) - 16.5, 10. Svidler (2672) - 16.5, 11. Shirov (2751)
- 16.5, 12. Shchekachev (2509), 13. Manik (2469) 14. Vaganian (2618) - 16.5, 15.
Kempicski (2528) - 16.5, 16. Korotylev (2477) - 16.5 ... Therε' were over 500 players
from 25 countries including 50GMs.

Rapid Chess
There were a lot ofrapid chess tournaments, as usual. Here are the most noticeable
ofthem:

Wydra Memorial Rapidplay (Haifa), 3-5.02.2000 cat. χνι

1. Anand (2769) - 9.5, 2. Gelfand (2692) - 9, 3. Svidler (2672) - 9, 4. Psakhis (2599) -
7, 5. Huzman (2574) - 6.5, 6. Avrukh (2620) - 5.5, 7. Greenfeld (2563) - 5, 8. Bareev
(2709) - 4.5

Amber (Monaco) 16-28.03.2000 cat. χνιιι

Ιη this tournament each participant had to play 2 games with his opponents: blind-
fold and rapid.
1. Shirov (2751) - 15 (of 22), 2. Ivanchuk (2709) - 13.5, 3. Topalov (2702) - 13.5, 4.
Κramnik (2758) - 13.5,5. Anand (2769) - 12.5,6. Gelfand (2692) - 12, 7. Piket (2633)-
10.5, 8. Wan Wely (2646) - 10.5, 9. Karpov (2696) - 10, 10. Lautier (2632) - 7.5 11.
Ljubojevic (2559) - 7, 12. Nikolic (2659) - 6.5

chess@iceland rapidplay tournament (Kopavogur, Iceland) 1-2.04.2000

The participants were divided into 2 groups. The winners ofthese groups Kasparov
and Anand played a mini-match. Two games they ended ίη a draw, and 2 additional
blitz-games were won by Kasparov.

"Fujitsu-Siemens Giants" (Frankfurt), 22-25.05.2000 cat. ΧΧΙ (!)

(M.Adams could not participate because his rating was οηlΥ 2715!).
1. Anand (2769) - 7.5 (of 10),2. Kasparov (2851) - 6, 3. Κramnik (2758) - 5, 4. Shirov
(2751) - 4.5,5. Leko (2725) - 3.5, 6. Morozevich (2748) - 3.5

"Fujitsu-Siemens Masters" (Frankfurt), 22-25.05.2000 cat. XVII.

1. Adams (2715) - 10.5 (of 14), 2. Ivanchuk (2709) - 9.5, 3. Bareev (2709) - 8, 4.
Rublevsky (2662) - 6.5, 5. Topalov (2702) - 6.5, 6. Jussupow (2628) - 5.5, 7. Van Wely
(2646) - 5.5, 8. Rabiega (2477) - 4.

Ivan Sokolov became the 1st European Rapid Champion. This event took place ίη
 9

the Hotel Zenit ίn Neum (Bosnia and Herzegovina), 4-5.10.2000. There were 82 play-
ers, among them 52 grandmasters, competing ίn the 11-rounds Swiss tournament. 1.
I.Sokolov (2611) - 8, 2. Dreev (2676) - 8, 3. Azmaiparashvili (2673) - 8, 4. Chernin (2572)
- 7.5, 5. Brodsky (2532) - 7.5, 6. Filippov (2593) - 7.5, 7. Rublevsky (2670) - 7.5 ...

1st European Chess Championships

The 1st European Chess Championships took place ίn Saint Vincent 3-14.07.2000.
There were 109 entries 45 of whom were rated over 2500 and 16 over 2600. Pavel
Tregubov won the 1st European Chess Championships.

1. Tregubov (2615) - 8, 2. Aleksandrov (2606) - 8, 3. Markowski (2531) - 8, 4. Κharlov

(2616) - 8, 5. Lutz (2587) - 7.5 6. Smirin (2666) -7.5,7. Malakhov (2593) - 7.5, 8 Chernin
(2583) - 7.5, 9. Fedorov (2684) - 7.5,10. Galkin (2566) - 7.5,11. Tiviakov (2567) - 7.5,12.
Hertneck (2571) - 7,13. ΜίΙον (2653) - 7,14. Κrasenkow (2661) - 7,15. Timman (2655)
- 7,16. Κi. Georgiev (2677) - 7,17. Azmaiparashvili (2675) - 7,18. Fressinet (2501) - 7,
19. Beliavsky (2640) - 7, 20. Bauer (2517) - 7, 21. Romanishin (2578) - 7, 22. Miles
(2579) - 7 ...

Olympiad

The 34th Chess Olympiad took place ίn Istanbul, 28.10-12.11.2000

HAMILTON RUSSELL CUP (Men's Olympiad Trophy)

Gold - RUSSIA:
Κhalifman, Morozevich, Svidler, Rublevsky, Sakaev, Grischuk.

Silver - GERMANY:
Jussupow, Huebner, Dautov, Lutz, Bischoff, Luther.

Bronze - υΚRAINE:
Ivanchuk, Ponomariov, Baklan, Eingorn, Romanishin, MalHkhatko.

VERA MENCHIK CUP (Women's Olympiad Trophy)

Gold - CHINA:
Xie Jun, Zhu Chen, Χυ Yuhua, Wang Lei.

Silver - GEORGIA:
Chiburdanidze, Ioseliani, Κhurtsidze, Gurieli.
David Gurgenidze

Bronze - RUSSIA:
Galliamova-Ivancuk, Kovalevskaya, Matveeva, Stepovaia-Dianchenko.
10 Super Tournaments 2000

Corus
Wijk aan Zee 15.01-30.01, cat.21

2851~Ι
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

1 Κasparov = 1 = = 1 1 = 1 1 = 1 9.5
2 Κramnik 2758 = = = = 1 = = = 1 = = 1 = 8
3 Leko 2725 = = Ι!,ιι = = = = = 1 = = 1 1 = 8
4 Anand 2769 = = = = = = = 1 = = 1 1 = 8
5 Morozevich 2748 Ο = = - [1= = Ο 1 = 1 = 1 1 7.5
6 Adams 2715 = Ο = = i;i,[;i'~ = 1 Ο 1 = = = 1 7

r~1i:
7 Piket 2633 = = = = = - Ο 1 = 6.5
8 Timman 2655 Ο = = = 1 Ο = 1 1 6.5
9 P.Nikolic 2659 Ο = Ο Ο Ο 1 1 -- -
--- 1 = = 6
10 Short 2683 = Ο = = = Ο Ο = = 1 = = = 5.5
11 Ju.Polgar 2658 Ο = = = Ο 1 = = Ο i = Ο = 5

=~=
12 Κorchnoi 2659 Ο = Ο Ο = = 1 = Ο = 5
13 Lputian 2605 = Ο Ο Ο Ο = Ο Ο = = 1 1 4.5
14 Van Wely 2646 Ο = = = Ο Ο = Ο = = = Ο =<λ 4

CORUS - the Wijk aan Zee Chess Festival with a New Name

The chess festival ίη Wijk aan Zee consists of a lot of simultaneous and different
tournaments: open, closed, children's and even parliamentary. ΑΠ of them take place
ίn the same sports hall. The atmosphere is very friendly. Ιη 2000 the festival was for
ηd
the 62 time. From the very beginning, the sponsor ofthe festival was Hoogovens, the
Dutch steel making giant. The festival that ίη 1938 was a tournament for Hoogovens
employees gradually had grown into the most popular tournament ίη Holland.
This year the festival had a new slogan: "Same game, new name". The same
tournament, ίη the same place, with the same competitors (and as always the most
important - Kasparov) but the name is new. The huge companies British Steel and
Koninklijke Hoogovens united and formed a new company: Corus. Henceforward the
traditional chess festival ίη Wijk aan Zee will be named "Corus Chess Tournament".
Οη the opening ceremony Mr. Fokko van Duyne, the joint-chairman of Corus guaranteed
that the tournament would be held ti1l2002 at least. It was interesting to hear how the
organizers of the competition would introduce Garry Kasparov. The matter is that
several months earlier at the Dutch tournament, Anatoly Karpov was angry when he
was introduced as "Former World Champion". Kasparov was presented as "The World's
highest rated chess player".
If Kasparov, Κramnik and Anand play ίη one tournament, they usually are main
competitors ίη the struggle for the first prize. At last year's super tournament ίη Wijk
aan Zee G.Kasparov was the winner with 7 points, VAnand had 6.5 and other players
Corus 11

1agged far behind. Of course, eνeryone was interested, whether a new race of the
strongest p1ayers wou1d be he1d.
That was the first Κasparoν's tournament after 6 - month break but he won it again!
Ιη the beginning the absence of practice to1d οη his p1ay. The νictory oνer Korchnoi ίη
the first round (game 1) seemed rather unconνincing. Mter getting a 1arge adνantage
thanks to his home preparation, Garry p1ayed not νery accurate1y ίη this game. Then
there were difficu1t draws by B1ack ίη second and fourth rounds against Piket and Adams.
Howeνer using the adνantage of p1aying White, Kasparoν easi1y defeated Van We1y ίη
the 3 rd round (game 6) and Morozeνich ίη the 5th (game 9), and oνertook Κramnik, who
had won with White 1St, 3 rd , and 5th rounds and made draws with B1ack. Ιη the 7th round
the game between Kasparoν and Anand took p1ace. At that moment Kasparoν had +3
(as well as Κramnik), and Anand had +2 (as well as Leko and Picket). Kasparoν had an
adνantage, but the game ended ίη a draw. Then Kasparoν continued to strengthen his
p1ay and defeated Timman ίη the 9th round (game 13) and Niko1ic ίη the 10th, but Anand
and Κramnik ended all their games ίη draws. ΒΥ the 12th round, when Κramnik and
Kasparoν shou1d p1ay with each other to define the winner ofthe tournament, Κramnik
was a1ready a point behind. Mter some unp1easant moments for Garry the game ended
ίη a draw (game 18). Haνing defeated Judit ίη the 1ast round, Kasparoν was the on1y
Wlnner.
The winner gained +6 ίη this tournament, once again haνing demonstrated his
superiority oνer the strongest chess p1ayers of the p1anet. Kasparoν became the first
winner ofthe new Corus Crown Group haνing receiνed 90,OOO-gui1der (45,OOO-dollar)
prize.
At the Corus tournament a 10t ofp1ayers (4 of14!) did not resign. Besides Kasparoν,
three p1ayers who shared 2-4 p1aces: Vladimir Κramnik, Peter Leko and Viswanathand
Anand finished the tournament without defeats. ΑΠ of them }lad + 3, that wou1d add
some points to their ratings.
From these three p1ayers, Κramnik's resu1t was the most unusual: he had begun
excellent1y, haνing 4 points of 5, but then he seemed to 10se interest to the tournament
and ended all the rest games ίη draws.
One cou1d expect more from Viswanathan Anand, but he caught an influenza νirus.
ΒΥ the end ofthe tournament he got better and ίη 1ast round he defeated 5mbat Lputian
(game 19), who had p1ayed unsuccessfully during the festiνal.
Peter Leko continues making great progress ίη p1aying, proνing that he has the
right to be ίη the top-ten p1ayers of the wor1d. Though his sty1e is usually compared
with brilliant Capab1anca's p1ay, he has a1so some games ίη Ta1's manner, for examp1e,
his due1 with Lputian (game 7). There was an impression that ίη Wijk aan Zee Leko
p1ayed easier than the others; he practically had ηο bad positions and won a1most all
games, where he had an adνantage.

Interviwe with Vladimir Kramnik

ΒΥ Jαn vαnde Mortel

Q: How was your tournament?

Α:I'm not νery satisfied. Somehow Ι 10st energy ha1fway through the tournament
and was unab1e to get something out of the opening ίη most of my games, eνen as
White.
12 Super Tournαments 2000

Q: Will Linares be next?

Α:
Yes, now 1 haνe three weeks to get ready for Linares. 1 will haνe time to prepare
and regain energy.
Q: How do you see yourself compared to Kasparov and Anand, who are
trying to get a match together?
Α: "1 don't really agree with this match being the world championship, because
there is ηο real "second player" ίη the world. It might be something if there would be
someone standing out, or two players haνing a rating aboνe 2800. For now 1 think
there should be some kind of qualification for the world championship."

Interviwe with Loek Van Wely

ΒΥ Jαn vαnde Mortel

Q: Can Ι bother you for some post tournament comments?

Α:Of course my tournament already ended a few rounds ago. I'm actually νery
ashamed of some of my games, but you can be νery sad or still see something positiνe
ίη a bad tournament like this. Eνen though 1 lost so many games, if 1 had been sharp Ι
really could haνe been collecting big time!
Q: How come you were not 'sharp'?
Α: It's clear that my opening preparation should be much better next time. Now I'm
losing quite some rating with οηlΥ one serious tournament to go before July, the Dutch
Championship [Jan Timman said he was not going to participate]. But ίη the second
half of the year Ι will play at least 70 games. This way your rating will really show
what's you're worth. 80, July 2001 will be my goal!

1 D85 10.~d4 (with the idea of f2-f4) 10 ... c5!

Korchnoi - Kasparov
Round 1 15.01
1.d4 tiJf6 2.c4 g6 3.tiJc3 d5
Korchnoi used to play the Gruenfeld
Defence for Black when he was at the top
of his career.
4.cxd5 tiJxd5 5.jLd2
Korchnoi's faνourite νariation.
5 ... ~g7 6.e4 tiJb6!
ΟηΙΥ this way allows Black to resist
White's original formation.
7.jLe3 ο-ο 8.~e2 tiJc6 9.tiJf3
It is not so easy for White to manage
his beautiful centre. The ΡΟΡuΙaήtΥ ofthis
soon pawn adνance decreased considerably
after a brilliant game by 8νidler: 9.d5 tiJe5
1l.~xc5 tiJec4 12.~xc4 (12. ~b3 tiJxb2
13.J:.c1 ~xc3+; 12.~xb6 ~xb6 13.~xc4
~xb2) 12 ... tiJxc4 13.~b3 tiJxb2!! 14.~xb2
~c7 15.,i,b4 (15. ~a3 b6 16.,i,b4 a5 17.~c1
axb4t) 15 ... a516.tiJge2 axb417.~xb4 jLg4
18.f3 ..Itd7 19.0-0 b5!~ Kacheishνili -
8νidler, 8zeged 1994
9 .....Itg4 10.d5 ~xf3 11.gxf3 CLJa5!
The knight wants to get to c4. Ιη the
game Korchnoi - 8νidler, Bad Homburg
1998, Black chose a worse way to do this:
11 ... CLJe5 12. ~b3! c6 13.0-0-0.
12 ...Itd4 ~d6!
Α nice option for Black ίη this position.
12 ... c5 was not so good here, and after
13.,i,xg7 Φχg7 14.~c2 e5 15.tiJd1 CLJd7
16.~c3! a6 17.f4± White gained a big ad-
Corus 13

vantage ίη the game Korchnoi - J.Polgar, ~c4#) 22 ... ~xf2+ 23.Φg4 (23.~e5 ~f6+
Dos Hermanas 1999. 24.~d5 ~d6#) 23 ... h5+ 24.~h3 ~f3+
13 ..txg7 ~xg7 14.f4?! 25.~h4 ~g4#.
IfWhite refrains from this move, Black 17 ... CZΊac4!
will obtain a good counterplay οη dark Black continues to reinforce his pres-
squares, meanwhile destroying the white sure. After 17 ... CZΊxc6 18.0-0 CZΊd4 19.Ji.d3
pawn centre by means of c7-c6 or e7-e6, e5 20.fxe5 CZΊf3+ 21.~h1 CZΊxe5 22 ..te2 CZΊec4
e.g. if14:~d4, then 14 ... e5! However, there 23.Ji.xc4 CZΊxc4 24. '§e2+ Black οηlΥ would
is an interesting manoeuvre of 14. ~c1!? stand slightly better.
with the idea ofh4-h5 or CZΊb5, ~c3. 18.'§c5
14 .. :~f6! 15:~d2 After the exchange of the knight by
18 ..txc4 CZΊxc4 19. ~e2 (now there is ηο
19. ~c5?! CZΊxb2 20.cxb7? because of CZΊd3-
+) 19 ... ~xc6 20.~d1 ~xd1+ 21.CZΊxd1
(21.~xd1 CZΊxb2 22.~d4+ f6+) 21 ... ~d8+
Black threatens to launch a strong attack
by 1:td2.
18 ... ~ac8
An incautious 18 ... CZΊxb2?! produces an
unclear position after 19.cxb7 (19.c7 CZΊd3+
20 ..txd3 ~xd3+) 19 ... .:ι:tab8 20.~c7ao.
19.c7 ~d7 20 ..txc4 ~cxc7 21. ~g5
~xc4
15 ... c6! Black could have had a much better
Now Kasparov's novelty comes! There endgame ifhe had made use ofthe weak-
was a quick draw ίη the game I.Sokolov - ness the far advanced kingside pawns. Af-
Shirov, Las Vegas 1999, after 15 ... CZΊac4 ter 21 ... ~xg5!? 22.fxg5 CZΊxc4 23.CLJd5!
16 ..txc4 CZΊxc4 17.~e2 CZΊb6 18.~e3 CZΊc4 (23.CZΊb5? ~c5 24.CZΊxa7 CZΊxb2-+J 23 ... ~c6
19.~e2 CZΊb6 20.~e3. White should play 24.b3 (24.~b1 CLJxb2J,
16.dxc6 and now after 24 ... CZΊe5! (if 24 ... CZΊd6, then
Νο doubt, Kasparov had analysed all just 25.f3; and Κrasenkow believes that the
the consequences of a more principal16.e5. line 24 ... CZΊb2?! 25.0-0 e6 26.CZΊf6 J:td2
Black apparently had ηο problems after 27 .~fc1 hardly deserves attention - White
16 ... ~h4. is still alive.) White is unable to control all
16 ... ~fd8! the weak points ίη his position (f3, d3,
Black does notjust recapture the pawn pawns οη e4 and g5). For example: 25.f4
but continues his attack ofthe b2- and f4- (25.h4 ~c2) 25 ... CZΊd3+ 26.~e2 (26.Φd2?
pawns. This is more active than 16 ... CZΊxc6 CZΊxf4) 26 ... CZΊc5 27.~e3 (27.CZΊc3?! CZΊxb3
after which the white queen would be quite 28.axb3 ~xc3 29.llxa7 ~xb3~) 27 ... CZΊxe4!
safe οη e3. 28.~xe4 .:ι:te6+. However, Black still may
17:~e3 encounter difficulties ίη the achievement
After 17. CZΊd5 CZΊxd5 (17 ... ~xc6? 18. '§xa5 of his extra pawn.
CZΊxd5 19.exd5 ~xd5 20. '§c3+-) the move 22. ~xf6+ ςt>xf6
18.cxb7 is losing because of 18 ... CZΊxf4!! 22 ... exf6!? 23.f3 J:ιb4 24.:l.b1 CZΊc4 (Kas-
19.bxa8'§ (19.~xa5 '§xb2-+) 19 ... ~xd2 and parov).
now: 20.~xd2 (20.Ji.f3 CZΊc4-+; 20 ..tg4 23 ..ί:Icll:tcd4!
CZΊg2+ 21.Φχd2 ~xb2-+) 20 ... '§xb2+ 21.Φe3 Black controls the d-file; besides, his
~xe2+ 22.Φχf4 (22.~d4 ~d3+ 23.ςt>c5 king is active and the white king stands
14
rather unsafe.
24.b3
White restricts the activity of Black's
knight. But for this move Black could de-
velop his initiative successfully, for ex-
ample: 24.~c2 tιJc4 25.b3 (25.f3 tιJe3)
25 ... tιJa3+; or 24.f3 tιJc4 (24 ... ~d3 25.~Ω)
25.tιJd5+ (25.tιJe2 J::ι.d2) 25 ... rt>g7 26.b3
tιJb2+. However, now the black rook enters
the white camp along the 3rd rank.
24 ... J::ι.d325.rt>e2
It is not easy to find a useful move for
White, but, anyway, it does not look wise
to remove his king from the central e1-
square. Astrange move 25.J::ι.gl!? deserved
a close attention (with the idea to engage
the rook ίη the fight via g3). Ιη case of
25 ... J::ι.f3 Black just responds with 26.tιJe2,
again threatening to exchange White's ac-
tive rook by 27.~g3
25 ... J::ι.d2+ 26.φf3
There is ηο way back: 26.rt>el? J::ι.b2, and
Black threatens both with 27 ... J::ι.dd2 and
Iιd3-f3.
26 ... Iι7d3+ 27.rt>g2 e6 28.J::ι.hel
28.1:Ihd1?? (trying to exchange the
rooks) loses immediately because of~xc3.
28 ... rt>e7
Preparing 29 ... tιJd 7, but allowing White
to get rid of his weak f4-pawn. Ιη case of
an immediate 28 ... tιJd7?! there is already
29 ..ί:ted1!, and now 29 ... 1:Ixc3? is bad be-
cause of30.I::!.xd2 .!::rxc131 ..ί:txd7. Preparing
the knight's transfer to the kingside.
29.f5!
There is ηο rook exchange after 29.rt>fl
SUJJf!r Tournαments 2000
Iιf3 (with the idea of 30 ..!::re2. Αη immedi-
ate 29.J::te2? is impossible because of
29 ... .ί:txc3) as then Black has 29 ... :lf3, and
ίη case of 30.~e2 he just plays 30 ... 1:ϊd7,
winning the f4-pawn. But the possibility
of 29.:lcd1!? deserves attention, as after
29 ... .ί:txd130.tιJxd1 f5!? 31.exf5 gxf5 32.tιJe3
Φd6 White should not exchange the rooks:
33.:ld1? 1:ϊΧd1 34.tιJxd1 tιJd5 35.rt>f3 rt>c5
36.a3 rt>d4, and Black breaks through,
White οηlΥ has to bring up his king. White's
chances to draw are higher than Black's
to win.
29 ... tιJd7 30.fxe6 fxe6 31.Φf1!
White manages to exchange his weak
f4-pawn, and now he is ready to offer the
exchange by 32.J::ι.e2. White can not restrict
the mobility ofBlack's knight by 31.e5 be-
cause of 31 ... I::!.b2 to be followed by J::ι.dd2.
31 ... tιJe5 32.1:ϊe2!
White managed to consolidate his posi-
tion; however, the holes οη the dark squares
don't let him equalize.
32 ... g5 33.tιJa4
33.1:ϊc2!?
33 ... J::ι.dl+ 34.~el .!::rxel+ 35.rt>xel J::ι.d7
Black prepares to rearrange his pieces:
the knight from d3 attacks a more active
f4-square, and the king goes to f6 and then
to e5. Kasparov writes that 35 ... rt>f6 36.tιJc5
(36.J::ι.c7 ~d7) 36 ... b6 was better.
36.Φe2
36.tιJc5 did not aid ίη view of 36 ... ~c7
37.Φe2 rt>d6 38.b4 b6 39 ..!::rd1+ Φe7 40.tιJb3
1:ϊc2+ 41 ..!::rd2 1:ϊc3 (Κrasenkow) and White
is helpless.
36 ... tιJd3 37 ..!::rc3 tιJf4+ 38.Φf3 rt>f6?!
Black fulfils his plan, although 38 ... e5!
is stronger ίη this position with the idea
that after h5, g4 and Φf6-g5 Black will
develop his initiative οη the kingside.
39.tιJc5
White has ηο moves! 39.tιJb2 .!::rd2
39... J::ι.c740.h4?
40.tιJa4 was probably better, although
the knight endgame after 40 ... .!::rxc3+
41.tιJxc3 rt>e5 42.Φe31οοks also difficult for
White: 42 ... g4 43.f3 h5.
Corus 15

40 ... e5 46.CLJb2 (46.CLJc5 I;.dl) 46 ... ~d2 47.MC5! mak-

The move 40 ... b6!? deserved attention, ing use of the weak e5-pawn, White cre-
allowing Black to activate his king and to ates a counterplay which is quite enough
advance the h-pawn rather quickly. If for draw. After 45 ... Mf7! Black got the same
White answers with 4ι.t2Ja4 (better than position he could have reached if he had
41.hxg5+ ~xg5 42.~c1? Mf7! 43.~gl+ played 40 ... b6!?
-;t>h6-+; 42.CLJa4 42 ... ~f7 43.~e3 h5), then 46.<J;>e3
after 41 ... ~f7! (threatening with ~e5) An attempt to stop the advance of the
42.1::c6 ~g6 (42 ... <J;>e5!?) 43.~g3 Black h-pawn with the king does not work, for
forces an exchange οη g5 and obtains the example: 46.<;tog3 h5 47.CLJc5 h4+ 48.~h2 h3
desired position: 43 ... <J;>h5! 44.hxg5 ~xg5, (48 ... ~g4 49.a3! bxa3 50.~a4 CLJe2 51.CLJd3)
and the advance of the h-pawn becomes 49.a3 (49.J:!.c2 <;tog4 Δ.t!.g7, <;tof3) 49 ... bxa3
inevitable. 50.1:ta4 wh4 51.J::t:xa3 CLJe2-+
41.hxg5+ <J;>xg5 46 ... CLJg2+ 47.~e2 CLJf4+ 48.We3 h5
49.!!c5 CLJg2+ 50.~e2 h4!
With his a4-knight out of play, White
is unable to stop this pawn.
51.J::!.xe5+ Φg4 52.J::t:e8
52.f3+ J::t:xf3 (the simplest) 53.J::t:g5+
~xg5 54.Φχf3 CLJe1+ 55.<J;>f2 CLJd3+ 56.~f3
CLJe5+ 57.<;tog2 Φg4 58.CLJc5 h3+ 59.<;toh2
~h4-+ ΔCLJg4, ~g3 (Κrasenkow). 52.J::t:xa5
h3 53.f3 ~h4 54.Φf2 (54.J::t:a8 h2 55.Φf2
'iith3-+) 54 ... CLJe155.J::t:a8 J::t:h7 56.Φg1 CLJxf3+
57.Φh1 J::t:c7-+.
52 ... CLJf4+ 53.We3 h3 54.f3+ ~h4 0-1
42.lic4? The game could have continued by
White missed the last opportunity to 55.J:J:h8+ CLJh5 56.Wf2 J:J:g7 57.C2Jc5 h2
exchange the rooks. After 42.~c1 <J;>f6 58.CLJe6 h1~ 59.CLJxg7 ~h2+ 60.wfl ~h3+
(42 ... 1::f7 43.~gl +) 43.CLJd3 ~xc1 44.CLJxc1 61.Φe2 ~g2 with Black's victory.
White still could resist his opponent.
42 ...b5
Black decides that it will be easier to 2 Ε42
promote the h-pawn with the help of his Timman - Anand
rook. 42 ... b6!? 43.CLJa6 ~xc4 44.bxc4 CLJe6=t=; Round 1 15.01
42 ... h5!? Notes by A.Kochyeu
43.~cl b4 44 ..ί:!.c4!
Black wins easily ίη case of 44 ..:!:ig1 + <J;>f6 l.d4 CLJf6 2.c4 e6 3.CLJc3 ~b4 4.e3 c5
45.CLJa4 .:!:ic8! (45 ... 1::c2 46 ..:!:ig8 x:i:xa2 47.J::t:f8+ 5.CLJge2 cxd4 6.exd4 ο-ο 7.a3 Jιe7 8.CLJf4
<J;>g5 48.J::t:a8p) 46 ..:!:id1 h5 (Κasparov); or af- 8.d5 was the other opportunity to
ter 44.CLJd3? ~xc1 45.CLJxc1 h5 46.~g3 h4 struggle for an opening advantage to be
47.~f3 (47.<;toh2 ~g4 Δ~f3-+) 47 ... a5 48.a4 followed g3 and ~g2.
bxa3 49. CLJa2 CLJd3-+. 8 ... d5 9.cxd5 CLJxd5 10.CLJcxd5 exd5
44 ... a5 45.CLJa4 J::t:f7! 11.Jιd3 CLJc6 12.0-0
Now after 45 ... J::t:xc4 46.bxc4 White ob- The line 12. ~h5 g6 (or 12 ... f5!?) 13.
tains counterplay thanks to his passed c4- CLJxg6 hxg6 14.Jιxg6 fxg6 15. ~xg6 draws
pawn. Also 45 ... h1d7? (with the idea to mate the game by means of perpetual check.
by 46 ... I::td3#) is insufficient because of 12 .•• Jιf6 13 ..1ιe3 g6
16
There was ηο 13 ... Cbxd4?! because of
14 ...Itxd4 ..Itxd4 15 ..i.xh7+ <;t>xh7 16.~xd4
with White's eνident adνantage.
14.!ίcΙ
Threatening with the manoeuνre l:!.c5
which is standard for this νariation. Οη the
whole, White managed to mobilize his
pieces ίη the opening and gained a better
play.
14 ... ..Itg7 15 ..1ιbΙ
Α typical manoeuνre. At an opportune
moment the bishop will be transferred οη
a2, increasing the pressure upon the d5-
pawn.
15 ... Cbe7 16.Sel !ίe8 17.~f3 ~b6
18.b4
Step by step White increases his pres-
sure, and right now Black has ηο 18 ...
..Itxd4? because of19 ...Itxd4 '§xd4 20.Cbxd5.
'18 ... ..Ite6 19.h4 ..Itd7
Black could not haνe solνed his prob-
lems with 19 ... ..Itxd4 as well.
20 ..i.a2 .i.c6 21.lt:Jxd5 Cbxd5 22 ..i.xd5
..Itxd5 23.~xd5 ~ad8 24.~c5 ~a6
As the result of the operation, White
wins a pawn. There was ηο 24 ... ..Itxd4? be-
cause of 25 ..1ιΧd4 ~xe1+ 26.l:txe1 l:txd4
27.1::!.e8, White making use ofthe weakness
of the back rank.
25 ...Itg5?!
Α strange decision. 25.b5 was better,
maintaining the material balance.
25 ... ttxel+ 26.ktxel ..Itxd4 27.~c7 nf8
28.jLe3 jLxe3 29.z:txe3 h5
The consequence of White's 25th moνe
is that he lost nearly all his adνantage.
Super Tournαments 2000
30.g3 b5 31.l:!.f3 ~g7 32.~g2 ~g8
33.<;t>h2 Φg7 34.<;t>gl Φg8 35.~g2 <;t>g7
36.~c3 ~e8 37 ..'gf3 ~f8 38.<;t>h2 <;t>g8
39.l:!.c3 l:!.e8 40.~c6 ~xc6 41.Mxc6 Se6
42.Sxe6 112 - 1f2
The pawn game is drawing.
3 Ε97
Lputian - Piket
Round 1 15.01
1.Cbf3 Cbf6 2.c4 g6 3.Cbc3 ..Itg7 4.e4 d6
5.d4 ο-ο 6 ...Ite2 e5 7.0-0 Cbc6 8.d5 Cbe7
9.Cbd2 a5 10.~bl Cbd7 11.a3 f5 12.b4 ~h8
13.~c2 Cbf6 14.f3 axb4 15.axb4 c6
16.Cbb3 fxe4
ΒΥ his actiνe moνes Piket tries to cre-
ate a counterplay οη the queenside. Α
straight attack brought ηο success ίη the
game Sitnik - Rechel, Olomouc 1999 after
16 ... f4 17.dxc6 bxc6 18.b5 g5 19.bxc6 g4
20.fxg4 Cbxg4 21 ...Itxg4 ..Itxg4 22.Cbd2 Cbxc6
23.Cbb5 J::!.f6 24.Cbf3t with White's slight but
lasting adνantage. White was also supe-
rior ίη manoeuνres after 16 ... Cbh5 17 ...Ite3
(after 17.dxc6 Cbxc6 18.b5 Cbd4 19.Cbxd4
exd4 20.Cbd5 jLe6 21.exf5 gxf5 22 ..i.d3 Mc8
23. '§f2 Black offered a sacrifice of the ex-
change: 23 ... ~c5! 24 ...Ita3 ..Itxd5 25 ..i.xc5
dxc5 26.cxd5 Cbf4 27 ...Itc4 Cbxd5~ ίη the
game Mueller - Gallagher, Switzerland
1995, and had a sufficient compensation)
17 ... cxd5 18.cxd5 Cbf4 19.Cba5 '§c7 20 ..1ιd3
..Itd7 2U::tfc1.i.h6 22.'§d2 '§b8 23 ...Itb5 ~d8
24.g3 lZJh3+ 25.<;t>g2 f4? (25 ... ..Itxe3) 26 .
..Itb6± Lenz - Taggatz, Germany 1995.
Black's initiatiνe οη the queenside reached
a deadlock, and after a mistake οη the 25th
moνe his position was lost.
17.fxe4 cxd5 18.cxd5 ~b6+
Ν ot οηlΥ deνeloping the queen and
sparing a tempo, but also threatening with
an opportune Cbg4.
19.<;t>hl .i.d7
White's pawn is poisoned, and 19 ...
'§xb4? is bad because of 20 ...Ite3! (threat-
ening to win the queen after Cbd2). Mter
Corus
the οηlΥ possible 20 ... ~a3 White gains a
great adνantage by 2I.CiJb5 Uxb3 22.~xb3
~xe4 23. ~xe4 CLJxe4 24.Uxf8+ i,xf8 25.
~f3±.
20.CLJa5?!
This was too careless. White does not
feel his king is endangered. 20. ~d3 was
the correct continuation driνe then Black's
queen away from the diagonal gl-a7 by
~e3. Ιη this case Black's idea of20 ... CLJg4?!
(20 ... Uac8 is better) encounters a strong
response 21.Uxf8+ Uxf8 22.i,xg4!, and af-
ter 22 ... i,xg4 23.i,e3 White has a strong
initiatiνe both ίη case of23 ... ~d8 24.Ual t
and 23 ... ~xb4 24.h3 .sιc8 25.CLJd2 ~a5
26.CLJc4 ~d8 27.~b6t
20 ... CLJg4! 21.h3
An attempt to coνer the f2-square with
the knight fails. For example, ίη case of
21.CLJdl? Uxf1+ 22 ..sιxf1 ~d4 (threatening
with ~dl; 22 ... Uf8 23.~d3!) 23.~g5 CLJxd5!?
24.CLJb3 (24.exd5? .sιf5-+) 24 ... Mf8 25.~c4
~b6 26.exd5 ~f5 27 ..sιd3 (27.~b2 i.xbl
28.~xbl ~xb4-+) 27 ... ~a6! 28.CLJb2 i.xd3
29.CLJxd3 ~xd3 30.~xd3 CLJf2+ 31 ...t>gl
CLJxd3+ Black has a great adνantage ίη the
endgame. The same happens after a pre-
liminary rook exchange: 21.Mxf8+? Uxf8
22.CLJdl, and after 22 ... CLJf2+ 23.CLJxf2 ~xf2
24.i.g5 CLJxd5 White's attempt to create
some counterplay by 25.CLJxb7? (better is
25.exd5 ~f5 26 ..sιd3 ~xc2 27.1ιχc2 .sιxc2
28.J::tcl e4 29.CLJxb7 .sιb2+ Huzman) allows
Black to finish his mating attack: 25 ... J::tc8
26.~b2 CLJf4 27 . .sιxf4 exf4 28.~d2 f3!
29.gxf3 i,e5-+.
21 ...J::txf1+ 22.i.xf1 Uf8 23.i.g5?
The decisiνe mistake. White oνerlooks
Black's astonishing 24th moνe. Despite his
mistake οη the 20th moνe, White still could
maintain the balance by 23. ~e2! with the
idea that when the knight retreats by
23 ... CLJf6 he driνes away the queen by
24.~e3. Ιη case of 23 ... Mf2? Black might
lose by an exchange: 24. ~el CLJh6 (24 ... CLJf6
25.i,d3+- Δi.e3) and now 25.i,b5!, for ex-
17
ample: 25 ... i.xb5 26 ..sιe3 J::tf1+ 27.~xf1
~xe3 28.CLJxb5 ~xe4 29.CLJxd6 ~xd5 30.
.ϊ::tdl±. The idea which was used ίη the game
did not work as well: 23 ... CLJf2+ 24.'it>h2
CLJxh3, and White gains an adνantage by
the same 25.i.e3, for example after
25 ... ~c7 26. ~c4! (26.CLJb5 .sιxb5 27. ~xb5~)
26 ... ~xc4 27.CLJxc4 CLJf2 28.i.xf2 1,1xf2
29.CLJxd6±. Mter 23 ... ~d4! 24.hxg4 ~xc3ao
the whole play would be still ahead.
23 ...CLJf2+ 24.'it>h2
24 ... CLJxh3!! 25.i.b5
There was a funny mating net ίη case
of25.i.xe7 ~gl+ 26.ι;t>g3 .sιh6-+
25 ... CLJxg5 26.i'~xd7 Mf4!~
Black's pieces are aimed at White's un-
protected king.
27.CLJc4 ~c7
There was a less complicated way to win
after 27 ... ~d8! 28 ..sιb5 CLJg8!-+ with the
idea to transfer this knight by the route
f6-g4 with a mating attack. Howeνer, the
position ofWhite's king is so weak now that
there are surely many winning ways for
Black.
28.i.b5 CLJg8 29.'it>gl CLJf6 30.Uf1 Mg4!
Black wins another pawn. The rest was
simple, eνen though Black had to be quite
accurate.
31.~a2 CLJgxe4 32.CLJxe4 Uxe4 33.
~a5?! Mxc4 34. .sιxc4 ~xc4 35. ~d8+ CLJg8
36.~xd6 e4! 37.1:tel ~d4+ 38.ΦhΙ i,e5
39.~c5 e3 40.~xd4 i.xd4 41.d6 CLJf6
42.g4 CLJxg4 43.d7 .ib6 44.Φg2 'it>g7
45.Udl i.d8 46.ktd4 CLJf6 0-1
18
4 Α90
Anand - Nikolic
Round 2 16.01
V. Anand: "Well, it wαs α nice win, Ι
think, it wαs quite eαsy for White to ρΙαΥ. Ι
guess 10.il.f4 wαs α new move here, but Ι
wouldn't mαke α big deαl out of such α
nαturαl move. 11. ~b3 is nice, hitting the
weαkpαwn."
1.d4 f5 2.g3 cuf6 3.1ιg2 e6 4.c4 d5
5.cuh3 c6 6.0-0 il.d6 7.~c2 0-0 8.cud2 il.d7
Apart from this development of the
queen's bishop, quite usual ίη this system,
also the following possibility deserved at-
tention: 8 ... cubd7!? 9.cuf3 cuh5, not allow-
ing the h3-knight to enter the play.
9.cuf3 il.e8
It is rather difficult for Black to take
the initiative in this variation. For ex-
ample: 9 ... CUe4 10.CUe5 il.e8 11.cud3 cud7
1-2.f3 cuef6 13 ..1f4 (White's wish to ex-
change the dark-squared bishops is typi-
cal ofthe Stone Wall) 13 ... ~e7 14.c5 1ιb8
15. ~c3 h6 16. ~b4 t with a strong initia-
tive οη the queenside and an advantage ίη
the centre, Efimov - Kovacevic, Formia
1995.
10.SΙf4
The most natural continuation with the
idea to make use of the weakness of dark
squares in the opponent's camp.
10... h6
Black maintains the possibility of an
active g7-g5, but following events will
show that he οηlΥ weakens his kingside
this way. 10 ... 1ιh5 deserved attention here,
although after 11.SΙxd6 ~xd6 12.cue5t
White would have saved his f3-knight
from an exchange, and, as soon as he acti-
vated the h3-knight, he would gain an
advantage ίη the centre owingto the weak-
ness ofBlack's dark squares.
11.~b3
Attacking Black's queenside, while
there is ηο bishop οη c8 and the knight is
undeveloped. Ιn case of 11.1ιχd6 ~xd6
12.cuf4 cubd7t Black would have less prob-
Super Tournαments 2000
lems with his development.
11 ...b6
11 ... b5 would not be as good because of
12 ..txd6 ~xd6 13.c5 ~e7 14.cuf4± to be
followed by an attack οη Black's weakened
flank after cud3, a4.
12.1Hcl SΙe7
Ιη case of 12 . .. SΙh5 13.cxd5 cuxd5
14.CUe5 White would have gained a notice-
able advantage ίη the centre.
13.cxd5 cuxd5
Perhaps it was worth to play 13 ... exd5
14.CUe5 g5 15.il.d2 a5!t (15 ... CUe4 16.il.b4±;
15 ... ~d6 16.cud3 with the threat of il.b4),
though the probleIll with the development
of the queenside would have remained
anyway.
14.1ιd2
Preparing an activization of the h3-
knight (cuh3-f4) to reinforce the pressure
οη Black's position.
14... g5
Resulting in a weakening of the king-
side. Ιη case of 14 ... il.d6 15.cuf4 ~f6t
Black's position would be more defensible,
though still unpleasant.
15.CUe5 a5
Ιη case of 15 ... il.f6 White's response
would be the same: 16.e4.
16.e4!
White's advantage in space and devel-
opment, as well as the presence of weak
points in his opponent's position, allow him
to proceed to decisive actions.
16... fxe4 17.1ιχe4 .a:a7
Feeling that the play is going to open
Corus
up. and White's attack οη the kingside is
inevitable, Black transfers the queen's
rook to this flank. Ιη case of 17 ... iιf6 18.f4
. also a gradual reinforcement of pressure
by 18.1:!.e1 was possible to be followed by
~a-d1, f4 with an attack) 18 ... gxf4 19. \t>h1
\Yhite's initiative would develop similarly
το the game.
18.f4 gxf4 19.\t>h1
Preparing to take οη f4 with the knight:
of course, an immediate 19.CLJxf4?? was bad
because of 19 ... lLJxf4.
19 ... i.f6 20.CLJxf4 '§d6
Ιη case of 20 ... lLJxf4 21.i.xf4 '§xd4
22.~xe6+ \t>h8 23.lLJf3 ~d7 24. '§b3± Black
hardly could have avoided materiallosses.
21.lLJfg6
After 21.lLJc4 '§d7 22.CLJxb6 lLJxb6 23.
~xb6 1:!.b7 24. ~xa5 ~xd4fZ Black still
would have a certain counterplay. 21.1:!.e1
deserved attention, preparing an active
play.
21 ... i.xg6 22.lLJxg61:!.ff7 23.i.f4
White continues his attack, though af-
ter 23.i.xd5!? ~xd5+ αη case of 23 ... exd5
24.i.f4 ~d8 25. '§d3 the c6-pawn would
perish. Also 25.~xb8!? ~xb8 26.1:!.xc6
would be possible.) 24. ~xd5 exd5 25.~f4
~ab7 26.lLJe5± he could have achieved an
endgame with numerous weak points in
Black's position: the .b8-knight, pawns οη
c6 and h6.
23 ... lLJxf4 24.gxf4
24 ... i.g7?
The presence of the opposite-coloured
bishops οη the board emphasizes the weak-
19
ness ofthe kingside light squares ίη Black's
position. Black should be very careful. 80,
there was ηο sen"e ίη 24 ... i.xd4 25. ~h3
i.xb2 26.1:!.d1 i.d4 27 ..:td3 to be followed
by I:ta-d1 and 1:!.g3 with a fatal attack. The
line 24 ... a4 25.'§h3 a3 26.b3 (better than
26.bxa3 1:!.xa3 27.'§g2 1:!.g7 with unclear
play) 26 ... iιxd4 27 ..ί:ld1± looked somewhat
better, though White's initiative still would
be stable and dangerous. The move ίη the
game gave White a decisive advantage.
25.'§h3 klf6 26.~c3 '§xd4 27.'§g2
Threatening with l:ld3.
27 ... .ί:ld7 28.~gl
White's attack is developing as ifby it-
self. 28 ..ί:ld3?! '§c5 would be not so good
here.
28 ... b5 29.Mg3
Now the threat is lLJe5.
29 ... '§a7 30.lLJe5 .ί:le7 31.'§d2
31.iιxc6+- waf. possible to be followed
by iιd7, blocking υρ the 7th rank.
31 ... '§c732.Md3
Black still has other weak points apart
from the g-file and light squares, namely
the d-file, the b8-knight and the back
rank.
32 ...1:!.e8 33.1:!.d6
33.iιxc6 1:!.ef8 34. ~g2+- looked nice to
be followed by .ϊ::ί.d7.
33 ... c5 34.CLJg4 ~ίί8 35.CLJxh6+ \t>h8
36.CLJg4 .ί:!.d8 37.'§g2! Mxd6 38.'§h3+ Φg8
39.'§h7+ Φπ 40.~g6+ 1-0
5 D37
Κramnik - Short
Round 3 18.01
Kramnik: "[ played α good game and
managed to get an advantage from the
opening. After ~b3 Short had problems.
'§b6 was α mistake; he probably overlooked
the strong tactical blow Jιg5 and after that
[ played very precisely. He had not real
chance to save the game."
l.lLJf3 d5 2.d4 lLJf6 3.c4 e6 4.lLJc3 iιe7
5.iιί4 ο-ο 6.e3 c5 7.dxc5 iιxc5 8.cxd5
20
The chiefidea ofthis continuation is to
preνent Black's actiνity, and it proνides
White with a slight but lasting adνantage
owing to Black's isolated pawn. Α νery
sharp plan with castling queenside and an
attack οη the kingside is more popular ίη
this νariation, for example: 8. ~c2 CLJc6 (af-
ter 8 ... dxc4 9.i.xc4 CLJbd7 10.0-0 ~e7 11.e4
e5 12 ..tg5 CLJb6 13.CLJd5 CLJbxd5 14.i.xd5;t
White gained a more actiνe position ίη the
game Kramnik - Andersson, Monaco
1997)9.a3 ~a5 10.0-0-0 i.e7 11.g4 dxc4
(11 ... l:td8 12.h3 a6 13.CLJd2 e5?! 14.g5 CLJe8
15.CLJb3 ~b6 16.CLJxd5± Speelman - Short,
London 1988) 12 ..txc4 e5 13.g5 exf4
14.gxf6 i.xf6 15.nd5 ~c7 16 ..uh5 g617.1::i.g1
CLJe7 18.CLJe4 ~b6 19.~b5 ~c6 20.CLJe5 ~xe5
2U::txe5~, White's initiatiνe ίη the centre
and οη the kingside is a fair compensation
for the pawn, Bagaturoν - Vaganian,
Vissingen 1999.
8 ...CLJxd5
As a rule, exchanges are beneficial for
the defending side. After 8 ... exd5 White
would be able to deνelop his pieces conνe­
niently and fix up Black's isolated pawn,
so that to play against it later οη, for ex-
ample: 9.~e2 CLJc6 10.0-0 i.e6 1U::tc1 i.b6
12.CLJb5 CLJe4 13.CLJbd4 i.d7 14.CLJxc6 i.xc6
15.b4 a616.a4 ~e8 17.a5 i.a7 18.CLJd4 i.a4
19. ~d3;t Κengis - Boensch, Germany 1999.
9.CLJxd5 exd5 10.a3
White does not want to allow a check
from b4 which will cost him a castling and
tries to win back the tempo with his 11th
moνe. Howeνer, it would be not at all so
bad: after 10.i.d3 ~b4+ 11.We2 CLJc6
12. ~c2 g6 13.a3 .te7 14.h3 .tf6 15.klac1
a5 16.l:thdH White managed to imitate the
castling and gained a stable adνantage ίη
the game I.Sokoloν - Van der Sterren,
Rotterdam 1997.
10... CLJc6 11.i.d3
Threatening with i.xh7, ~c2+ and
~xc5, so Black has to spend a tempo to
defend against this threat.
11 ... ~e7
Also 11 ... i.b6 deserνed attention with
Super Tournαments 2000
the idea of d5-d4, for example 12.0-0 d4
13.e4 i.g4 14.h3 ~f6!? 15.i.h2 i.xf3
16.~xf3 ~xf3 17.gxf3 CLJa5ro with an un-
clear play, Saloν - Beliaνsky, Linares 1992.
12.0-0 i.f6
12 ... i.e6 was possible, fortifying the
centre.
13.~b3
The alternatiνe plan of deνeloping
White's initiatiνe was 13.l:tc1 .te6 (after
13 ... .txb2?! 14.i.xh7+ ΦΧh7 15.~c2+ Wg8
16. ~xb2± White's adνantage would be ob-
νious) 14.b4 a6 15.1::i.c5!? (preparing an at-
tack οη the queenside by ~b1, 1::i.fc1, a4,
b5) 15 ... g6 (15 ... .te7 16.~c2 k!c8 17.CLJe5;t)
16.~b1 ~e7 (16 ... .tg4 17.l:td1! i.xf3
18.gxf3 i.e7 19.k!c2 .td6 20.i.xd6 ~xd6
21.~e4±) 17 ..1::tfc1 t, proνiding quite an easy
method for White's play οη the queenside,
M.Gureνich - Peelen, Netherlands 1998.
13 ... ~b6?
Α doubtful idea. At the cost ofthe pawn
Black hopes to make use ofthe insufficient
defence ofWhite's queenside and his hang-
ing pieces οη the d-file. But Short seems
not to haνe taker: into consideration the
danger, connected with the weakness ofthe
important squares f7 and h7 ίη his camp,
as well as the underdeνelopment ofhis own
queenside. Black tried here 13 ... g6, block-
ing up the b1-h7 diagonal, but after
14.l:tad1 CLJa5 (ίη case of 14 ... ~b6 White
could haνe played 15. ~xb6 axb6 16.l:td2
with a stable adνantage ίη the endgame
owing to White's better pawn structure.
The line 15. ~xd5 ~xb2 16.l:td2 ~c3100ked
not as clear) 15.~a4 .te6 16.~h6 l:te8
17.~b5l:te7 18 ..tg5;t White gained an ad-
νantage owing to the superior actiνity of
his pieces, Van der Sterren - Boensch,
Munich 1992.
14.~xd5!
Α fundamental and strong moνe! Bet-
ter than 14. ~xl'6 axb6 15.l:tab1 1ιe6
16 ..tc7 i.d8 17 ..td6, because ίη this line
White's chances to win would be less than
ίη the game.
14... l:td8
Corus
Black has nο time to win back the ma-
terial, because after 14 .. .'~xb2? 15.~ab1
~c3 (15 ... ~xa3 16.Sιxh7 It>xh7 17.Sιd6+-)
16.1:ιfc1 ~xa3 17.Sιxh7+ ι;t>xh7 18.Sιd6+­
White would simply win.
15.~e4 g6
The moνe 15 ... h6 (hoping to ensnare
White's queen) was also losing because of
16. ~h7 + Φf8 17 .1::tad1 ~xb2 18 ..1ιe4 to be
followed by .1ιd6.
16.Sιg5!
White makes use of the weakening of
Black's kingside without fail.
16... ~xb2
The weakness of Black's king and un-
happy position ofhis pieces do not let him
play 16 ... Sιf5. Mter 17.~h4 Sιxd3 (17 ...
Sιxg5 18.CΔxg5+-) 18.i..Χf61:ιd6 19.1::tfd1 +-
White would go through the complications
with a material adνantage.
17.Sιc4 Φg7
There was nο 17 ... Sιf5? 18.~h4 !td6
(18 .. .'~g719.e4+-) 19.e4 i..c8 20.~ab1 ~c3
21.~fc1+-.
18.~h4 h5
Neither 18 ... !td6 19.~f4 !td7 20.i..h6+
Φg8 21.!tab1 ~c3 22.J1fc1+-, nor
18 ... i..f5 19.e4+- could haνe saνed
Black. Now a beautiful strike comes.
19.i..xf7!
There was also a more prosy method:
19.1lab1 i..xg5 (19 ... ~c3 20.11fc1 i..xg5
21.CΔxg5 ~f6 22.i..xf7+-; 21 ... ~xa3 22.
CΔxf711f8 23. ~f4+-) 20.CΔxg5 ~xa3 21.CΔxf7
!tf8 (21 ... Iιd2 22.~f4+-) 22.~f4+-. Black's
pieces would not be able to help his king
21
ίnthis line as well.
19... Sιxg5
Ιn case of 19 ... Φχf7 20.1::tab1 ~xa3
21.Sιxf6 ktd6 22 ..1ιe5 White's attack οn
dark squares would deνelop without any
problems.
20.CΔxg5 ~f6
Ιn case of 20 ... CΔe5 White would win
after 21.Sιe6.
21.e4 J1d4
Αn attempt to display an actiνity by
21 ... CΔd4 22.f4 CΔc2 23.1::tac1 CΔxa3 (23 ... CΔe3
24.e5 ~f5 25.Iιc7+-) 24.e5 ~f5 25.~c7+­
did not work as well. ΑΠ White's pieces are
engaged ίn the attack, and Black's king is
actually protected only by the queen.
22.1::tael
Νο 22.f4? because of !txe4!.
22 ... Sιd7
Νο 22 ... Sιf5 23. ~g3 Sιxe4 24.CΔxe4 ~xf7
25.CΔg5+-.
23.f4 1::tf8 24.Sιa2
Αstraight-forward 24.e5 ~e7 25.e6+-
was possible already.
24 ... ~d6
Well, Black has made a certain progress
(he has engaged the queen's rook ίn the
play), but his position still remains losing,
because ίn case of24 ... 1::td2 there is a simple
25 ..1ιd5+-.
25.ΦhΙ ~xa3 26 •.1ιbΙ
The possibility of 26 ..1ιe6 deserνed at-
tention here.
26 ... ~e7
After 26 ... a5 27.e5 ~e7 28. ~g3 .1ιf5
29.CΔf3 1:ιΧf4 (29 ... 11b4 30.i.xf5 Mxf5
31.CΔh4+-) 30.~xf4 .1ιΧb1 31.~c4 i..f5
32.CΔd4 CΔxd4 33. ~xd4 White would haνe
to make more efforts to win.
27.~g3 Φh6
Black's last chance was 27 ... 1::th8!? 28.e5
(28.CΔf3 h4 29.~f2 Ii.b4 30. ~d2±) 28 ... h4
29. ~e3, although White most likely would
haνe won this position too. But now his
knight joins the attack and decides the
game.
28.CΔf3 1::tb4 29.CΔh4!
Black is unable to protect his king's last
22
pawn bulwark, the g6-pawn.
29 ... iιe8
29 ... ~ί? 30.e5+-; 29 ... :ϊg8 30.ttΊf5+ iιxf5
31.exf5+-.
30.e5 ~xbl 31.~xbl ttΊd4 32.~g5+!
1-0
ΑηΥ further opposition was senseless:
32 ... ~xg5 33.fxg5+ Φg7 34.~xb7+ Φg8
35.~f6+-
6 Β80
Kasparov - Van Wely
Round 3 18.01
l.e4 c5 2.ttΊf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.ttΊxd4
ttΊf6 5.ttΊc3 a6 6.iιe3 e6 7.f3 b5 8.g4 h6
9.~d2 ttΊbd7 10.0-0-0 iιb7 11.h4 b4
12.ttΊa4 d5?!
It seems that Van Wely himself con-
cluded finally that 12 ... d5 is too sharp and,
following Gelfand, switched to 12 ... ~a5!?
Mter 13.b3 ttΊc5 14.a3 the game Anand -
Gelfand, Monaco 2000 continued by
14 ... ~c8!? (with the threats of 15 ... d5,
15 ... e5, 15 ... ttΊb3) 15.~xb4 ~c7 16.ttΊxc5
(White was defeated ίη the game De La
Riva - Van Wely, Mondariz 2000 after
16.Φb1 ttΊfd7 17.ttΊb2 d5 18. ~e1 dxe4
19.iιc4 e5 20.ttΊf5 g6=t=) 16 ... dxc5 17.~a4+
ttΊd7 18.ttΊe2 c4 19.b4 (19.~xc4?! iιxa3+
20.Φb1 ~xc4 21.bxc4 ~xc4=t=) iιc6 20.~xa6
~a8 21. ~xc4 ~xa3 22.iιf4 ~b7(Z with
counterplay. Tiviakov tried to reinforce
White's play here, but without any particu-
lar success: 19.bxc4 iιc6 20. ~b3 (20. ~xa6?
a,a8-+) 20 ... ttΊc5 21.iιxc5 iιxc5~ Ti viakov
- Van Wely, Rotterdam 2000. Black be-
lieves ίη positional compensation for his
two pawns.
13.iιh3 g5
Now 13 ... ~a5 comes too late as White
showed ίη the game Korneev - Van Wely,
Spain 1998: 14.b3 g5 15.hxg5 hxg5 16.e5!
ttΊxe5 17.iιxg5t with initiative.
14.iιg2
Kasparov's 'home laboratory' soon pro-
vided this position with correct solution:
Super Tournαments 2000
14.hxg5! hxg5 15.~5 ttΊxe5 (15 ... ~a5 16.b3
ttΊxe5 17.iιxg5 ttΊtd7 18. ~e2 ~g8 19.~h4
..th6+ 20.g5 J:Ixg5 21.f4 J:Ig7 22.Φb1 iιxf4
23.iιxe6 fxe6 24.~h5+- Kolev - Iglesias,
Barcelona 2000) 16.iιxg5 Ug8 17.ttΊb6 ttΊc4
18.ttΊxc4 dxc4 19.iιxf6 ~xf6 20.ttΊxe6 iιh6
(20 ... fxe6?? 21.~d7#; 20 ... ~xb2+ 21.Φχb2
c3+ 22.Φb3 cxd2 23.ttΊc7+-) 21.g5 fxe6
22.~d7+ Φf8 23.gxh6+- Kasparov - Wojt-
kiewicz, Kopavogur 2000.
14 ... gxh4?
Bad is also 14 ... dxe4 15.hxg5 exf3
16.iιxf3 iιxf3 17.ttΊxf3 ttΊxg418 ...td4~ with
an attack, but after 14 ... Ug8! (now 15 ... de
is threatening) 15.hxg5 hxg5 it is White
who should play accurately to maintain the
balance, for example: 16.e5 (16.iιxg5
~a5(Z) 16 ... ttΊxe5 17 ...txg5 ttΊe4! 18.iιxd8
ttΊxd2 19.iιc7 ttΊdc4 20.ttΊb6 ttΊxb6 21.iιxe5
ttΊc4=
15.~xh4 dxe4
The capture οη e4 after the preliminary
15 ... ~a5? 16.b3 dxe4 results ίη an imme-
diate crush by 17.g5 ttΊd5 18.ttΊxe6 fxe6
19.fxe4+-. After 15 ... ttΊxe4? White can sac-
rifice an exchange: 16.fxe4 ~xh4 17.exd5
e5 (17 ... exd5? does not work because of
18.iιxd5! iιxd5 19.ttΊf5 ~d8 20.~xd5+-),
and now the knight comes under an attack:
18.ttΊe6! It can't be captured because of
18 ... fxe6 19.dxe6 ttΊf6 20.iιxb7+-, and af-
ter 18 ... ~c8 White assails the king with
all his might: 19.ttΊb6 ttΊxb6 20.d6! (20.
iιxb6 iιd6 21.ttΊg7+ Φf8 22.ttΊf5 ~f6)
20 ... fxe6 21.iιxb6 'Iitd7 22.iιxb7 ~b8
23.~xb4+-
16.g5
Mter Black's mistake οη the 14th move
Kasparov's launches a headlong attack.
16 ... ttΊd5
Ιη case of 16 ... exf3 17.ttΊxf3 ttΊd5 (17 ...
ttΊe4? 18.~d4 ~g8 19.~xe4+-) 18.iιd4~
Black's king is comfortless as well.
17 .~xe4 hxg5
Ιη case of 17 ... ttΊxe3 there is a thematic
blow 18.ttΊxe6! fxe6 (18 ... iιxe4 19.ttΊxd8
ttΊxd1 20.ttΊxf7+-) 19.~xe6+ <JJf7 20.~xe3,
winning the game. White's task might be
Corus
more difficult ίη case of 17 .. .'~a5!? Also
after the standard 18.lΔxe6 fxe6 19.1:ιχe6+
cJi;f7 White wins both by 20. '§d3 cJi;e6
21. '§e4, and by 20. '§d4, for example
20 ... '§xa4 21. '§e4 lΔe7 (21 ... 1ιg7 22.!lxd5
1ιχd5 23.g6+-) 22.g6+ cJi;g8 23. '§xb7+-; or
20 ... 1ιg7 21. '§e4 '§xa4 22.!lxd5 !lhc8
23.!le7+-; or 20 ... Φχe6 21.'§e4+ (21.1ιh3+
<Jie7 22.1ιχd7 <Jixd7 23.lΔb6+ <Jic7 24.'§c4+
1ιc6 25.!lxd5 '§xb6 26.1ιχb6+ cJi;xb6 27.
'§d4+ cJi;c7 28.!lf5+-) 21 ... lΔe5 (21 ... Φf7
22.g6+ <Jig7 23. '§e6+-) 22.1ιh3+ <Jid6
23.1ιc5+ '§xc5 24.lΔxc5 <Jixc5 25.1ιe6+-.
This move clearly helps White to tighten
the mating net around the black king.
18.1ιχg5 ~a5
If Van Wely knew what was going to
happen to him just ίη several moves, he
might have preferred 18 ... '§xg5!? 19.'§xg5
.Il.h6 20.lΔxe6! 1ιχg5+ (20 ... fxe6 21.!f.xe6+
cJi;f7 22.1:txh6+-) 21.lΔxg5+ cJi;f8 22.1ιh3. Of
course, Black's position is not sugar, but
still. ..
19.f4!
Α very strong move. Most likely Van
Wely overlooked it ίη his calculations, but
Kasparov didn't. Now White's οηlΥ passive
piece, the g2-bishop, is activated. Right
now there is ηο sacrifice οη e6: 19.1Δxe6?
fxe6 20.!f.xe6+ <Jif7-+
19... .ί:ι.h2
Black's position is already losing as the
following variations show:
19 ... '§xa4 20.lΔxe6 fxe6 21 ..ί::txe6+ lΔe7
(21 ... Φf7 22.1ιχd5+-) 22.1ιχb7lΔc5 23. '§d5
lΔxe6 24. '§xe6+-; 19 ... lΔ7f6 20.1ιχf6 lΔxf6
23
21.lΔxe6 1ιχe4 (21 ... fxe6 22 . .ί::txe6+ cJi;f7
23.kIxf6+-) 22.1ιχe4 1:tc8 23.lΔxf8 '§xa4
24.1ιίΕ+-; 19 ... e5 20.lΔb3 '§b5 (20 ... '§xa4
21.1:!.xe5+ lΔxe5 22.1ιχd5+-) 21.fxe5 '§xa4
22.e6 lΔ7f6 (22 ... fxe6 23.!lxe6+ cJi;f7 24.
1ιχd5+-) 23.1ιχf6 lΔxf6 24 ..ί::tf4+-
20.lΔxe6!
It is easy to make this move at home,
while staring at your monitor. Well, any of
the participants of the main tournament
ίη Wijk aan Zee would find the move
22. '§d3, the point of the whole combina-
tion, without fail.
20 ... fxe6
White wins easily after 20 ... 1ιe7 21.
lΔg7+ cJi;f8 22 ..Il.xe7+ cJi;xg7 (22 ... lΔxe7
23.I:txe7+-) 23 ..1:lg1 +-
21.!lxe6+ cJi;f7
21 ... 1ιe7 22.I:txe7 +-
22.'§d3!
Αη impressive attacking move, Black's
king is suddenly very lonesome ίη the face
ofnumerous white pieces.
22 ... 1ιg7
22 ... ~xe6 23.1ι~{d5+ 1ιχd5 24.'§g6+ lΔf6
25. '§xf6+ cJi;d7 26.Ϊ1Χd5+ '§xd5 27.lΔb6+-
23.,§f5+ cJi;g8
23 ... lΔ7f624.1ιχf6+-
24.!lxd5 ~xa4 25.!le7 1-0
7 Α34
Lputian - Leko
Round 4 19.01
l.lΔf3lΔf6 2.c4 c5 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5lΔxd5
5.1ιg2 lΔc6 6.lΔc3
White could have tried to open υρ the
play ίη the centre by 6.d4 (ίη order to profit
from the insufficient support of the d5-
knight), but the endgame after 6 ... cxd4
7.lΔxd4lΔdb4 8.lΔxc6 '§xd1+ 9.cJi;xd1lΔxc6
10.1ιχc6+ bxc6 11.1ιe3= would not be dan-
gerous for Black despite the weakness οη
c6, thanks to his bishop pair.
6 ... lΔc7
ΒΥ this manoeuvre Black prepares the
advance e7-e5.
24
7.d3 e5 8.lZJd2 iιd7 9.0-0 1ιe7 10.lZJc4
f6
The other opportunity was 10 ... 0-0, giv-
ing υρ the e5-pawn after the preliminary
exchange οη c6 for the advantage of hav-
ing a bishop pair and forcing a certain
weakening ofWhite's kingside.
11.f4 b5 12.lZJe3 J:ιc8
Black prefers to suspend ίη the centre,
removing the rook from the diagonal, oc-
cupied by the g2-bishop. Also there was a
fundamental line 12 ... exf4 13.lZJf5!? b4!?
14.lZJxe7 'li:!xe7 15.itxf4 bxc3 16.itxc7 Iιc8
17.itf4 cxb2 18.Mb1°o with an unclear ρο­
sition, Akopian - Leko, Ubeda 1997.
13.a4
Defining the queenside pawn structure.
Pressing οη Black's central pawns with
pieces made ηο sense here, for example:
13.lZJf5 ο-ο 14.lΔxe7+ 'li:!xe7 15.f5 a.fd8
16.ite3lΔd4 17.g4 SΙe8 18.MC1 itfΊ 19.'li:!d2
c4~ Hickl- Almasi, Melk 1999 or 13.fxe5
lΔxe5 14.lΔf5 ο-ο 15.~h1 Me8 16.lZJe4 itc6
17 ...1ιf4 itf800 Illescas Cordoba - Topalov,
Linares 1994. Ιη both lines Black's posi-
tion ίη the centre was not worse at least.
13 ...b4
Creating a strong base for White's
knight after c4, and seizing more space οη
the queenside at the same time. Not so
good was 13 ... a6?! 14.axb5 axb5 15.lZJed5
lΔxd5 16.lZJxd5 ο-ο 17.J::ta6t with White's
considerable initiative οη the queenside,
Kochyev - Forintos, Budapest 1978.
14.lZJb5
Ιη principle, to exchange the c7-knight
which defends the light squares ίη the cen-
tre is a correct decision. This could have
been performed as follows: 14.lZJcd5 ο-ο
15.lΔc4!? exf416.lΔxc7 'li:!xc717.itxf4lΔe5?!
18 ...1ιχe5! fxe5 19.iιd5+ ~h8 20.!ixf8+ J::txf8
21.'li:!d2 ..1ιh3 22.'li:!e3t with a slight advan-
tage owing to the weakness oflight squares
ίη Black's position, Granda Zuniga -
Estremerd Panos, Leon 1997.
14 ... exf4
Better than 14 ... a6 15.lΔxc7+ 'li:!xc7
16.lΔd5 'li:!d817.a5t exf4 (17 ... lΔxa5? 18.fe5
Super Tournαments 2000
with an attack) 18.iιxf4lZJxa5 19.e3t with
threats from both flanks.
15.gxf4
There was an opportunity of 15.lZJc4!?
lZJxb5 16.axb5 lZJd4 17.J::txa7 itg4?! (better
would be 17 ... lZJxb5! 18.Mb7 fxg3 19.iιf4!
gxh2+ 20.SΙxh2~, the activity of White's
position is a fair compensation for Black's
two extra pawns) 18.Mf2! ο-ο 19.b6!t with
a perceptible initiative οη the queenside,
Lautier - Leko, Batumi 1999, as well as
15.J::txf4!? lZJe6 16.lZJf5 ο-ο 17.J::te4 Φh8
18.1ιe3t. exerting pressure υροn the cen-
tre, Granda Zuniga - Illescas Cordoba,
Madrid 1998.
15 ... lΔxb5!?
Mter 15 ... a616.lZJxc7+ 'li:!xc7 17.lZJc4 (ίη
case of 17.lZJd5 lZJa5 18.a5 'li:!d8 the c1-
bishop would be e]iminated from the play)
17 ... 0-0 18.itd5+ ~h8 19.e4 SΙd6 20.iιe3
lZJa5°o there was an unclear position ίη the
game Bellon - Izeta, Spain 1989.
16.axb5lZJd4 17.J::txa7lZJxb5 18.J::ta6
White is trying to gain the most from
his control over the a-file, but he forgets
that Black's pieces are active enough to
resist his straight threats. Ιη case of 18.J::tb7
Mc7 19.J::txc7 'li:!xc7 20.lZJd5 'li:!d6 21.lZJxe7
Wxe7 White would have ηο opportunity to
make use ofBlack's inability to castle. Per-
haps 18.Iιa1 better was.
18... 0-0 19.f5
Mter 19.1ZJc4 itg4 or 19.1ZJd5 1ιg4 Black
would have time to create counter threats.
19... lZJd4 20.J::tf4
White could have gained a stable posi-
Corus
tion ίη the centre by 20 ..Il.b7!? ~b8 21 ..Il.d5+
~h8 22 ..Il.d2 'ff:Ic7 23.tΔc4.
20 ... Φh8
Αη important prophy1actic move, pre-
paring the forthcoming p1ay οη 1ight
squares.
21. 'ff:If1 .Il.b5
The unhappy position ofthe rook οη a6
begins to tell.
22.~a7?!
White goes οη p1aying active1y, but now
the rook suffers straight b1ows. Better was
22.~al ~d6 (22 ... lbb3?! 23 . .Il.d5 lbxal
24.~h4 h6 25. 'ff:Ih3 ~h7 26.tΔg4 'ff:Ixd5
27.~xh6+ gxh6 28. 'ff:Ixh6+ 'ίt>g8 29. 'ff:Ig6=;
22 ... 'ff:Id7!?) 23.~g4 'ff:Id7+, a1though White
wou1d be forced to switch to defence any-
way.
22 ... c4!
Opening up the a7-g1 diagona1 and
breaking the pawn chain c4, d3. B1ack's
pieces begin to dominate over the who1e
board.
23.dxc4
Νο 23.~xd4 because of 23 ... 'ff:Ixd4
24.~xe7 cxd3 25 ..Il.d2 (25.exd3 'ff:Ic5-+)
25 ... dxe2 26. 'ff:Iel ~fe8-+.
23 ....Il.xc4
Ιη case of 23 ... .Il.c5 24.~xg7 (24.~b7
.ia6-+) 24 ... 'ίt>xg7 25.cxb5 lbxb5+ White
wou1d have got some chances to ho1d οη
despite the 10ss of an exchange thanks to
the weakness of B1ack's dark squares and
worsening of his king's position.
24.lbxc4?
8poi1ing White's position irreversib1y.
White shou1d have p1ayed 24.~xd4 'ff:Ixd4
25.~xe7 .ixe2 26. 'ff:Ixe2 (26. 'ff:Iel 'ff:Ic5
27.'ff:Ixe2 'ff:Ixe7-+) 26 ... ~xcl 27 ..Il.fl, still
posing obstac1es to the further deve1op-
ment of B1ack's initiative. 80, ίη case of
an active 27 ... ~fc8 White wou1d have
28.'ff:Ih5.
24 ... ~xc4 25 ..Il.e3
After 25.'ίt>hl ~xcl 26.'ff:Ixcl lbxe2
27.'ff:Ie3 lbxf4 28.'ff:Ixf4 .ic5+ White wou1d
stay a pawn down and wjth hjs king
underdefended.
25
25 ... tΔc2!
The position of the rook οη a 7 tells οη.
26.1:ta8
26.1:txc4 was 10sing at once because of
26 ... lbxe3-+
26 ... ~xί4!
There was 26 ... 'ff:Ixa8 27.SΙxa8 tΔxe3
28.'ff:If3 ~cl+ 29.\1;;>f2 ~c5 with multiple
threats, but the move ίη the game was even
simpler.
27.j,xf4 'ff:Id4+ 28.ΦhΙ
There was ηο use of28.e3lbxe3 29. ~xf8
.ixf8 30 ..ixe3 'ff:Ixe3+ 31.~hl .Il.c5-+
28 ... ~xa8 29.j,xa8 'ff:Ixb2
Now the passed b-pawn decides.
30. 'ff:Id 1
30.e4 b3 31 ..Il.d5 'ff:Ic3-+
30 ...b3 31 ..Il.e4 'ff:Id4 32:~xd4
32 ..I1ιxc2 'ff:Ixf4 33 ..ixb3 'ff:Ie4+ 34.~gl
.Il.c5-+.
32 ... lbxd4 33..Il.cl lbxe2 34.SΙb2 .Il.c5
35.j,d3lbd4 36.h3lbf3 37.SΙc4 .Il.d4 0-1
8 Ε07
Κramnik - Lputian
Round 5 20.01
l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.lbf3 lbf6 4.tΔc3 ~e7
5.g3lbbd7
The a1ternative continuation was 5 ...
ο-ο 6 ..Il.g2 dxc4 7.lbe5 lbc6 with a sharp
p1ay.
6.j,g2 ο-ο
Ιη case of 6 ... dxc4 after 7.lbd2 tΔb6
8.tΔxc4 tΔxc4 9. 'ff:Ia4 White might retul'll
the materia1 and gain a more active posi-
26
tion.
7.0-0
White chooses a gambit continuation,
hoping to increase his initiative owing to
the creation of a mobile pawn centre and
superior activity of his pieces. Other ορ­
portunities were less committing: 7. ~b3 or
7.b3.
7 ... dxc4 8.e4 a6
Black is going to protect the c4-pawn
by b7-b5, reserving a possibility to deliver
a strike ίη the centre by c7-c5 later. Α dif-
ferent plan ίη the spirit ofthe 81av Defence
was also possible: 8 ... c6!? 9.a4 e5!? 10.dxe5
tLJg4 11.i.f4 ~a5 12.e6 fxe6 13.~e2 tLJge5
14.tLJd4 tLJd3! 15.tLJxe6 1::J:f6 16.i.c7 ~b4
17.tLJd4 i.c5!, Black took the initiative,
Topalov - Kramnik, Linares 1997. Also
Black could try an immediate blow ίη the
centre by 8 ... c5 9.d5 exd510.exd5 (10.e5!?)
10 ... tLJb6 11.tLJe5 i.d6 12.f4~ with White's
superior activity for the sacrificed pawn.
9.a41::J:b8
8upporting the advance b7-b5. Mter
9 ... c5!? 10.d5 exd5 11.exd5 (11.e5!?)
11 ... tLJb6 12.tLJe5 i.d6 13.f4 a5 14.h3 1::J:e8~
Black organized a counterplay against
White's centre ίη the game Mochalov -
Nielsen, Minsk 1993.
10.a5
This way White decreases the efficiency
ofb7-b5, since resulting pawn weaknesses
οη Black's queenside has become conve-
nient targets for white pieces. Continuing
by 10.tLJd2 b5 would be not so good, for ex-
ample: 11.e5 tLJd5 12.i.xd5 exd5 13.tLJxd5
i.b714.tLJxe7+ ~xe715.tLJf3?! ~e6 16.i.e3?
~d5 0-1 Gruenberg - Stelting, Germany
1979.
10 ...b5 11.axb6 tLJxb6
The capture 11 ... cxb6?! looked doubtful,
because after 12.SΙf4 1::J:a8 13.d5!?S or
13.tLJd2 White would have a considerable
initiative due to his mobile pawn centre
and the threatening activity of his minor
pleces.
12.~e2
Aiming at the c4-pawn and freeing d1
Super Tournαments 2000
for the rook.
12 •.• SΙb7
Ιη case of 12 ... c5 13 ...\Η4 1::J:b7 14.1::J:fd1
kιd7 15.dxc5 i.xc5 16.tLJe5 1::J:xd1+ 17.~xd1
~e7 18.tLJc6 ~b7 19.tLJa5t White would
take the initiative.
13.~dl i.b4 14.tLJe5 a5
Although White's position appears very
nice, Black shows there are problems to
be solved. 80, ifWhite wins back the pawn
οη c4, then his queen and knight will be
situated οη the same diagonal, and Black
will make use of this fact.
15.tΞJa2
White failed to gain an advantage ίη
following lines: 15.i.g5 h6 16.itf4 ~e7
17.tLJa4 tLJxa4 18.1::J:xa4 c3 19.bxc3 i.xc3
20.1::J:c4 i.b4 21.tLJc6 i.xc6 22.1::J:xc6 nfc8
23.~c4~ Ulibin - Aseev, Elista 1994, as
well as 15.i.f4 tLJfd7 16.tLJf3 1::J:c8 17.tLJa2
SΙd6 18.i.d2 na8 19.tLJc3 i.b4 20.i.g5 ~c8
21.tLJa2 c5 22.nac1 cxd4 23.tΞJxb4 axb4
24.tLJxd4 ~c5 25.i.e3 ~e7 26.tLJb5~ 8katch-
kov - Brodsky, Russia 1998. Ιη both cases
White οηlΥ had a compensation for the
missing material.
15 ...1::J:a8
Also 15 ... i.e7 was possible, but Black
demonstrated he did not fear White's last
move.
16.i.g5.iιe7
17.tΞJxc4
The immediate return ofthe pawn gives
Black an active play, as it happened ίη the
game. IfWhite activated his a2-knight by
17.tΞJc3 (ίη order to stop Black's a-pawn),
Corus
then after 17 ... CL\fd7 18 ..ltxe7 'l:ixe7 19.
CL\xc4 .lta6 20.b3 'l:ib4~ Black would haνe
a real counterplay.
17 ... .lta6 18.b3 a4~
Undermining the support of the c4-
knight and getting rid of a weak point.
19..ltxf6
The initiatiνe is still White's, but he
must play νery accurately, so 19.CL\c3 would
be bad because of 19 ... axb3 20.~xa6 .1:txa6
21.CL\e5 'l:ia8-+
19 ... axb3
Ιη case of 19 ... .ltxf6 20.CL\b4 White's
knight would be actiνated. The moνe ίη the
game allows White to remoνe the queen
from under the binding.
20.'l:ig4 .ltxf6 21.CL\xb6 cxb6
An intermediate 21 ... .ι::i.b8 could haνe let
White deνelop a dangerous initiatiνe in the
position with opposite-coloured bishops
after 22.e5 .lte7 23.CL\b4!? (23.CL\a4 bxa2
24 ..ι::i.xa2 .ltc4oo) 23 ... .ltxb4 24 ..ι::i.xa6 .ι::i.xb6
25 ..ι::i.xb6 cxb6 26.d5t
22.e5 .lte7 23.d5
After 23 ..ltxa8 'l:ixa8 24.CL\c3 b2 25 ..ι::i.ab1
(25 ..ι::i.a2 .ι::i.c8~) 25 ... 'l:ic6 26.CL\e4 .ltb7 27.f3
~c2~ Black would haνe chances to create
counter threats owing to the weak position
of White's king, as well as his own strong
b2-pawn and bishop pair.
23 ... exd5 24 ..ltxd5 bxa2 25 . .ι::i.xa2
After 25 ..ltxf7+ .ι::i.xf7 26 ..ι::i.xd8+ .ι::i.xd8-+
Black would haνe many pieces against
White's queen.
25 ... 'l:ib8 26 ..ltxa8 'l:ixa8 27 . .ι::i.d7
27 ..ι::i.da1? 'l:ic8-T was losing.
27 ... h5! 28.'l:if4
Black defends according to classical
patterns, trying to use eνery chance to take
the initiatiνe. 80, ίη case of28. 'l:ixh5 Black
would continue by 28 ... 'l:ic6 29 . .ι::i.xe7
(29 . .ι::i.ad2 .ltb7 30.f3 g6 31. 'l:ig4 .ltc8)
29 ... 'l:ic1+ 30.~g2 .ltfl+ 31.~f3 'l:id1-+.
28 ... .ι::i.e8 29 ..ι::i.al 'l:ic8!
After 29 ... b5 bad was 30. 'l:id4 (threat-
ening with .ι::i.a7 and 'l:ib6) 'l:ic6 31 ..ι::i.xa6
'l:ixa6 32 ..ι::i.xe7 .ι::i.xe7 33.'l:id8+ 'it>h7 34.'l:ixe7
'l:ie6+ , and it would be White who would
27
haνe to equalize already. Howeνer, White
could gain a great adνantage by 30 ..ι::i.c7!,
depriνing Black's queen ofthe c6-square.
For example: 30 ... b4 (if30 ... 'l:ib8, then any-
way 31.e6!) 31.'l:if5 'l:id8 (31 ... 'l:ib8 32.e6!)
32.e6 fxe6 33. 'l:ie6 'it>f8 34.gd7 .ltc8 35. 'l:if5
.ltf6 36. 'l:ic5 iιe7 37 .~xd8 iιxc5 38.gxe8
'it>xe839.gcl±
30.e6!
Opening up the 7 tI1 rank and winning a
tempo, thus increasing the power of the
d7-rook.
30... fxe6 31 ..ι::i.c7 'l:id8?
This major blunder loses Black's game.
His excellent defence certainly deserνed a
draw after 31 ... 'l:ia8! 32.'l:ia4 (32.'l:ie5 .ltf6
33.'l:ih5.ι::i.f8 34.'l:ig4 .lta1=) .ltf6 (32 ... 'l:id8?
33.'l:ic6 .ltc8 34 ..ι::i.a8) 33 ..J:!.a7 (33.'l:ixa6?
.ltxa1 34 ..J:!.a7 'l:if3 35.'l:ixa1 e5+> 33 ... 'l:ic8
(33 ... 'l:ixa7 34.'l:ixe8+ 'it>h7 35.'l:ixh5=)
34.'l:ixa6 .ltxa1 35.'l:ixa1 e5 36.'l:ib1 'l:ic6
37.'l:if5.ι::i.f8 38.'l:ixe5 'l:ic1+ 39.~g2 'l:ic6=.
32 ..ι::i.xa6.ι::i.f8 33.'l:ic4
Now Black has ηο resources to oppose
to White's actiνe major pieces.
33 ... 'l:id1+ 34.'l:if1 'l:ixf1+ 35.Φχf1.1tc5
36.f4 g5
Other continuations did not promise
any better chances to escape: 36 ... e5
37.gaa7; 36 ... .ltd4 37.~d7 .ltf6 (37 ... e5
38.gaa7 ~h8 39.gxg7 exf4 40.ggf7 gxf7
41.gxf7 fxg3 42.hxg3+- to be followed by
.ι::i.f5) 38.l:Ixb6 e5 39.~e2 exf4 40.gxf4+-
37 ..ι::i.aa7 iιd4 38.gd7 .lth8 39 ..ι::i.a4 e5
40.f5 .1:txf5+ 41.<.t>e2 .ltg7 42 . .1:ta6 b5
43 ..ι::i.b6 g4 44.'it>e3 <.t>h7
28 Super Tournαments 2000

After the rook exchange by 44 ... ~f'7 pair ofbishops.

45.l;Ixf'7 Φχf'7 46.Φe4 b4 (46 ... .tf6 47.Φf5) 11 ...Itg2
47.Φf5+- White would win easily as well. Ιη the game Beliavsky - Haba, Koszalin
45.Φe41::!.g5 46.nxb5 Φg6 47.~bb7 ..\tf6 1998 the position was unclear after 1.Ct:Jxe5
48.k!h7 h4 Ct:Jxe5 12.a5 f6 13.a6 ..\tc5 14 ...Itg2 ~d8
Mter 48 ... ~f5 49.~h6+ ΦΧh6 50.Φχf5+­ 15. 'ffib3 b5 16 . ..Itxe5 fxe5 17 .0-0 ~d4
or 48 ... ..\td8 49.~bg7+ Φf6 50.~d7 Φg6 18.Macl 'ffib6 19.Ct:Je4 ..Ite7 20.Ct:Jc3 'ffixa6
51.~hg7+ Φh6 52.~gf7 .iιa5 (52 ... ~g8 21 ...\txc6+ 'ffixc6 22.Ct:Jxb5 'ffib6 23.Ct:Jxd4
53.~d6+ Φg5 54.nf5#; 52 ... Φg6 53.~f2 ..\ta5 exd4 24. 'ffid5~.
54 .na2+-) 53 .~f5+- White would exchange 11 ... g5
the rooks and win very easily. Trying to free from the ρίη by a tactical
49.~xh4 ..\tg7 50.~a7 1-0 trick, but weakening own kingside consid-
erably, as a result. 11 ... f6 the most ρορυ­
lar continuation, though Black has ηο easy
9 D17 play after 12.0-0 anyway (also ίη the line
Kasparov - Morozevich 12.Ct:Jxe5 Ct:Jxe5 13.a5 a6 14.0-0 .iιd6 15.Ct:Je4
Round 5 20.01 .iιe7 16. 'ffib3 ..\tg6 17 .~fdl ..\tf'7 18. 'ffic3 ο-ο
19.Ct:Jg5!t Black had problems ίη the game
l.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Ct:Jc3 Ct:Jf6 4.Ct:Jf3 dxc4 Van Wely - I.Sokolov, Rotterdam 1998)
5.a4 ..Itf5 6.Ct:Je5 Ct:Jbd7 7.Ct:Jxc4 'ffic7 12 ... Ct:Jc5 13.Ct:Je3 ..Ite6 14.b4 ~d8 15.'ffic2
The most popular continuation, prepar- Ct:Ja6 16.b5 Ct:Jb4 17. 'ffie4± White repelled the
ing e7-e5. Also an attempt to exchange opponent's threats and gained an advan-
White's active knight deserved attention: tage owing to his better development and
7 ... Ct:Jb6 8.Ct:Je5 e6 9.f3 Ct:Jfd7 10.a5 Ct:Jxe5 activity ofhis pieces, Anand - Morozevich,
11.axb6 Ct:Jd7 12.e4 .tg6 13.bxa7 (ίη case of Wijk aan Zee 2000.
13.~xa7 Ct:Jxb6 14.~xb7 ~al! Black could 12.Ct:Je3
have taken the initiative, for example: The most fundamental continuation,
15.Φf2 .iιd6 16.'ffib3 ~xcl 17.'ffixb6 ο-ο producing a position with opposite-
18.e5 'ffixb6 19 ..::;ιΧb6 ~b8 20.~xb8+ .iιxb8 coloured bishops and thus securing White
21.Ct:Je2 ~bl+ Lutz - Meduna, Porz 1988) a lasting initiative because of the weak-
13 ... 'ffib6 14 . ..Ite2 nxa7 15.~xa7 'ffixa7 ness of light squares ίη Black's position.
16 ...Ite3 e5 17.0-0 exd4 18 ...Itxd4 'ffixd4+ There was ηο advantage ίη case of 12 ..iιxe5
19. t~[Xd4 ..Itc5 20. 'ffixc5 Ct:Jxc5 21.b4 Ct:Jd7 Ct:Jxe5 13. 'ffid4 f6 (ηο 13 ... Ct:Jxc4 14. 'ffixh8
22.f4 f6 23.~al Φe7 24.Φf2 Φd6 25.h4..1tf7 0-0-0 15. 'ffif6±, Black has ηο compensation
26.Φe3 Ct:Jb6 27 ..td3 ~a8=. Black managed for the exchange) 14.0-0 ..\te7oo.
to hold οη ίη this slightly worse position, 12 ... gxf413.Ct:Jxf5 0-0-0 14.'ffic2 Ct:Jg4?!
Piket - Kobalija, Elista 1998. This activity gives nothing. It was bet-
8.g3 e5 9.dxe5 Ct:Jxe5 10 ...Itf4 Ct:Jfd7 ter to try to make use of the slight weak-
10 ... ~d8 was the other way to get rid of ening ofWhite's queenside by 14 ... ..\tb4. For
the ρίη along the b8-h2 diagonal, but af- example, 15.gxf4 Ct:Jc4 16.'ffib3 (16.e3 Ct:Jc5)
ter 11.'fficl .td6 (ηο 11 ... Ct:Jfd7? 12 ..iιxe5 16 ... ..\txc3+ 17. 'ffixc3 'ffixf4°o with an unclear
Ct:Jxe5, because after 13. 'ffif4! ..Itd6 14. 'ffixf5 position.
Ct:Jxc4 15. 'ffie4+ Ct:Je5 16.f4± Black would 15.a5 fxg3
suffer mateήaΙΙοsses inevitably) 12.Ct:Jxd6+ Ιη case of 15 ... a6 16.~a4 h5 17 .~xf4
'ffixd6 13 ...Itg2 a5!?(otherwise White would 'ffixa5 18.0-0± White would have a real
play a4-a5 himself, gaining more space οη advantage owing to opportunities to play
the queenside) 14.0-0 White would have against the opponent's weak points (pawns
gained a certain space advantage and a οη f'7, h5) immediately, and after 15 ... ..\tc5
Corus
16.0-0 (16/t"Je4 iιb4+) 16 ... fxg3 17.hxg3 a6
(17 ... iιxf2+ 18 ..:::!.xf2 CLJxf2 19.Φχf2t) 18.
4Je4t White's knights could haνe occupied
νery strong and safe stands.
16.hxg3 a617.J;ίa4 4Jdf618.4Je4 4Jxe4
Black's wish to exchange a pair of
knights is quite natural, but maybe it was
worth to suspend it for a while by 18 ...
4Jd5!? 19.iιh3 4Je5!? (19 ... iιb4+?! 20.~xb4
4Jxb4 21. ~c5t) 20.~fit, although the less
νulnerable position ofWhite's minor pieces
would giνe an adνantage to him ίη this
position too.
19.iιxe4 h5 20.Φf1 ~b8 21.~g2 iιe7
The possibility of 21 ... 4Jf6!? 22.iιf3
~e5t deserνed attention, keeping the ορ­
posite-coloured bishops οη the board.
22.4Jxe7 ~xe7 23.iιf3 4Je5?!
80 far there was ηο necessity to giνe up
the pawn. Better was 23 ... ~e6 24.~c3 (ηο
24.J;ίxh5 J;ίxh5 25.iιxg4 ~d5+ 26.e4 ~c5
27.J;ίc4 ~xa5 28.iιxh5 ~xh5p) 24 ... f6
25.J;ίd4t, eνen though ίη this line Black
would haνe to yield the d-file to White,
allowing him to deνelop his actiνity oνer
the whole board.
24.iιxh5 ~e6
25.~c3!±
Α strong moνe, as the queen fulfils both
attacking and defensiνe functions οη c3.
25 ... f6 26.J;ίah4 ~f5
Bad was 26 ... J;ίd6? 27.iιg4+-. Ιn case of
26 ... J;ίhg8 27.iιf3 4Jxf3 28. ~xf3 .:::!.d5
29.J;ίh8± White would haνe not οηlΥ an
extra pawn, but also a more actiνe posi-
tion.
29
27.iιf3 J::'!xh4 28.J::'!xh4 ~bI29.1:.hl ~dl
Mter 29 ... ~f5 30.b4± Black would haνe
ηο counterplay as well, but his defensiνe
resources would not be so poor.
30.1:.xdl ~xdI31.b4 ~c7 32.~c5 ~d6
Αη exchange of"the queens was obliga-
tory, otherwise White's queen would haνe
come to e7 or f8, and Black would be un-
able to protect the f6-pawn.
33. ~xd6+ ~xd6 34.iιe4 4Jc4
Α bishop has a decisiνe adνantage oνer
a knight ίη such positions with uneνen
quantities ofpawns οη flanks.
35.iιd3 4Jb2 36.f4 4Jdl
36 ... c5 37.bxc5+ Φχc5 38.g4T -
37.g4 4Je3+ 38.Φf3 4Jd5 39.Φe4 4Jxb4
40.iιc4 c5 41.g5 fxg5 42.fxg5 ~e7 43.Φf5
4Jc2 44.Φe5 4Je3 45.iιe6 c4 1-0
Both 46.g6 and 46.Φe4 were winning
here.
10 Cll
Anand - Korchnoi
Round 6 22.01
V.Anand: "ΜΥopponent plαyed 15 ...
iιxg2. Ι mαde ιωme moues αnd thαt wαs it.
If lle llαdn't tαken, the gαme would hαue
just begun. Ι hαd some ideαs with g4 αnd
White wαs fine."
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4Jc3 4Jf6 4.iιg5 dxe4
5.4Jxe4 4Jbd7 6.4Jf3 iιe7 7.4Jxf6+ iιxf6
8.h4 h6 9.iιxf6 4Jxf6
This moνe allows White to deνelop com-
fortably and then, relying οη his adνan­
tage ίη the centre, to arrange an attack οη
the kingside. Black's h6-pawn facilitates
opening up of the position after a possible
g2-g4-g5. This is why 9 ... ~xf6 deserνed
attention, keeping the knight οη d7 ίη or-
der to perform thE freeing adνance e6-e5,
for example: 10.~d2 ο-ο!? (10 ... c5 11.0-0-
Ο ο-ο 12.iιb5!? cxd4 13. ~xd4 ~xd4
14.J;ίxd44Jf6 15.4Je5 a6 16.iιe2 b5 17.iιf3t
Arancibia - Dumas Aνiles, Esucomex 1998)
11.0-0-0 e5 12.dxe5 (12. ~e3 exd4 13.J;ίxd4
4Jb6 14. ~e5 ~xe5= Moroνic - Miles, Cuba
30
1997) 12 ... CΔxe5 13.CΔxe5 ~xe5 14.~c4
~f6= without any White's advantage, Har
2νί - Soffer, Israe1 1998.
10.~d2b6
It's hard for B1ack to create a counter-
p1ay here: 10 ... ~d5 11.c4 ~e4+ 12.~e2 b6
13.0-0-0 ~b7 14.CΔe5! ~h7 15.f3 to be fo1-
10wed by g2-g4-g51'. K1ing - Saraiva,
Elista 1998.
11.0-0-0 ~b7 12.CΔe5 ο-ο 13.~d3 c5
Ιη case of 13 ... ~d5 14.c4 ~d6 15.ZIhel
ZIfd8 16.g4 CΔd 7 17 .g5-t White wou1d be the
first to begin an attack.
14.dxc5 ~c7?
Α major mistake. Better was a natura1
14 ... bxc5 15 ..a:hel CΔd5!, even though White
wou1d still be ab1e to transfer the p1ay to
an ending, quite unp1easant for B1ack:
16.c4 CΔb4 17.CΔd7 ZIe8 18.CΔc5 CΔxd3
19.'b'fxd3 'b'fxd3 20.J::ιxd3 ~xg2 21.J::ιgl ~c6
(21 ... ZIec8 22.b4 a5 23.ZIg2 axb4 24.CΔb3
ZIxc4 25.Φb2 ZIxh4 26.ZIdM;) 22.h51'
15.ZIhel ~xg2
Now ίη case of15 ... bxc5 White's attack
wou1d have deve10ped free1y: 16.g4 ZIfd8
17.g5 hxg5 18. ~xg5 to be followed by ZIgl.
16.J::ιe2!
Α
very strong move. White is going to
doub1e his rooks οη the g-fi1e.
16... Φh8 17.ZIgl ~d5 18.~f4!
Α poor position of B1ack's queen allows
the white one to enter the attack with an
extra tempo. CΔg6+ ίδ threatening right
now.
18... ~xc5 19.ZIe3! 1-0
B1ack was abso1ute1y unab1e to repe1
Super Tournαments 2000
White's attack. The following 1ine provides
an illustration that speaks well for this
decision 19 ... Mac8 20 . .ί'!eg3! CΔh5 21.
~xh6+!! gxh6 22.~g8+! ZIxg8 23.CΔxίΊ#
11 C82
Leko- Piket
Round 7 23.01
P.Leko: ''/ plαyed 16. ~4, insteαd ο{g4,
becαuse the bislιopmight αΠΠΟΥ Piket! Sure
enough Piket mαde α sligllt inαccurαcy
plαying 15 ... ~g6?!. Suddenly he llαd to
/ϊght hαrd to keep the gαme going. He did
it so well ... "
l.e4 e5 2.CΔf3 CΔc6 3 ..1ιb5 a6 4 ..ia4 CΔf6
5.0-0 CΔxe4 6.d4 b5 7 ..ib3 d5 8.dxe5 .ie6
9.CΔbd2 CΔc5 10.c3 .ie7 11 ..ic2 .ig4
After a fundamenta1 response 11 ... d4
12.cxd4 CΔxd4 13.CΔxd4 ~xd4 14.CΔf3 tIxdl
15.ZIxdl .ig4 16 ..ie3 ο-ο 17.h3 .ixf3
18.gxf3 J::ιfd8 19.f4;1: White gained an ad-
vantage owing to his bishop pair and a cer-
tain weakening ofB1ack's queenside ίη the
game Leko - Κha1ifman, Budapest 2000.
12.ZIel
12.h3 was possib1e, forcing B1ack to
define the position of his bishop. Ιη the
game Leko - Kor,~hnoi, Groningen 1996,
White gained a stab1e advantage after
12 .. .ih5 13.ZIel ο-ο 14.CΔΩ [6 15.exf6 ~xf6
16.CΔg3 .ig6?! 17 ..ixg6 hxg6 18.~c2;!:.
12 ... ~d7
B1ack does not hurry to castle, he wants
to fortify his position ίη the centre first.
Αη immediate 12 ... 0-0 after 13.CΔb3 CΔe4
14 ..if4 [6 15.exf6 CΔxf6 16. ~d3 'l1d 7 (ηο
16 ... CΔe4? because of17 ..ixc7! ~d718.CΔe5!
CΔxe5 19 ..ixe5+- Alekhine - Nimzowitsch,
Petersburg 1914) 17.CΔe5!? CΔxe5 18 ..ixe5
g6 19. ~d4 c6 20.f3 .if5 21.~xf5 ~xf5
22. 'l1b6 'l1d7 23.a4± allowed White to
weaken B1ack's position ίη the game
A1masi - Korchnoi, Linz 1997.
13.CΔb3
Ιη
the game Nisipeanu - Marin, Sovata
1999, White triedto p1ay against B1ack's
Corus
light-squared bishop, but after 13.CLJf11:td8
14.CLJe3 ~h515.~f5 CLJe616.g4 ~g617.~c2
ο-ο 18.~d1 d4 19.cxd4 CLJcxd4 20.CLJxd4
CLJxd4 21.~e4 c5!+ it proved to be very dif-
ficult to weaken Black's position οη the
kingside, whereas Black gained a clear
advantage ίη the centre. 80 White pre-
ferred playing against weak dark squares
ίη his opponent's position ίη our case.
13 ... CLJe6 14.h3 ~h5 15.~ί5 ~g6?!
Αη attempt to cover dark squares and
start then a pawn attack ίη the centre de-
served attention: 15 ... CLJcd8 16.~e3 tLJb7
(this knight transfer, supporting the ad-
vance c7-c5, is a standard manoeuvre for
such sort of positions) 17 .g4 ~g6 18.CLJfd4
c5 19.CLJxe6 fxe6 20.~xg6+ hxg6f2 Zarnicki
- 81ipak, Buenos Aires 1996.
16.~g4
Keeping the light-squared bishop οη
the board is advantageous for White. Af-
ter 16.g4 ο-ο 17.~e3 ~ad8 18.~e2 a5
19.:Iad1 lHe8 20.Wg2 a4 21.CLJc1 CLJa5
22.CLJd3 CLJc4f2 Black got prospects for a real
counterplay ίη the centre and οη the
queenside, Bologan - Kotronias, Debrecen
1992.
16...h5!?
Black insists οη exchanging White's
dangerous bishop. Ιη case of 16 ... CLJcd8 af-
ter 17.CLJfd4 it would not be so good already:
17 ... h5 18.~f3 CLJb7 19.CLJc2 c6 20.~e3 a5
21.a4 bxa4 22.~xa4 c5 23.1:ta1 CLJc7 24.
~f4t, White avoided an exchange of his
pieces and Black got weak points ίη his
position to be attacked, 8htyrenkov -
31
Κharitonov, U88R 1987.
17.~xe6 fxe618.~e3
Emphasizing the weakness of Black's
dark squares. Also an attempt to exchange
dark-squared bishops after 18.iιg5 de-
served attention.
18 ... 0-0 19.tLJc5 iιxc5 20.iιxc5 ~ί4
It is necessary to keep the rook οη the
f-file, and f4 is the οηlΥ suitable square,
since 20 ... ~f7? would be bad because of
21.CLJh4.
21.tLJd4
The unprotected position of the black
rook can't be utilized: if21.~d2, then 21 ...
~e4.
21 ... ~e4
Naturally, exchanges are favourable for
Black.
22.CLJxc6
Αη immediate 22.~xe4 was possible,
and Black would be able to take οη e4 with
the pawn οηlΥ. White did not hurry with
the capture, allowing Black to make his
choice οη the 23 rd move.
22 ... ~xc6 23.~xe4 dxe4!?
Black creates another stronghold ίη the
centre, d5, which will serve as a support-
ing point for the forthcoming exchanges.
Ιη case of 23 ... iιxe4 after 24. ~d4;f; White
would have a stable advantage owing to
the superior activity of his major pieces
and the weakness of Black's kingside.
24.~d4 ~e8!
Α necessary prophylactics against an
advance ofWhite's e-pawn, because after
an immediate 24 ... ~d5?! 25. ~xd5 exd5
26.e6 ~e8 27.e7± the e7-pawn would re-
strict Black considerably, thus determin-
ing White's undeniable advantage.
25.~dl ~d5!
After this temporary pawn sacrifice
Black has every chance to hold οη.
26.~xd5
After 26.b3 ~d8 White would not be able
to reinforce his position any more.
26 ... exd5 27.~xd5 iιf7 28.e6
The line 28.~d7!? Iιxe5 29.iιd4 ~g5
30.~xc7 iιxa2 deserved attention, main-
32
taining difficulties for Black ίη drawing the
game because of the superior actiνity of
White's pieces and the weak points ίη his
own camp.
28 ... i::rxe629.b3
29.Md8+!? Me8 30.Md7 was possible, al-
though after 30 ... ~xa2 31.Mxc7 ~fΊ to be
followed by Me6 Black would haνe a solid
position.
29 ... e3!
Sacrificing the pawn, Black forces an
exchange ofthe rooks, thus getting a draw-
ing ending with opposite-coloured bishops.
30.Md8+
There was ηο use of 30.fxe3 Mxe3
31.Md8+ Me8=
30... i::re8 31.Mxe8+ ~xe8 32.~xe3 ~g6
33.<;:t>h2 ~b1 34.a3 <;:t>f7 35.<;:t>g3 <;:t>e6
36.~h4 g6
Black's blockade of light squares can't
be broken.
37.<;t>g5 c6 38.g4 hxg4 39.hxg4 ~c2
40.f4 ~b1 41.b4 ~d3 42.<;:t>h6 Wf7 43.f5
gxf5 44.g5 f4!
Now White's g-pawn can not be ad-
νanced any farther. His extra pawn be-
comes absolutely unimportant ίη this ρο­
sition.
45.~xf4 ~g6 46.~e5 lh-lh
12 D85
Lputian - Kasparov
Round 8 24.01
1.d4 4.Jf6 2.c4 g6 3.4.Jc3 d5 4.cxd5
4.Jxd5 5.e4 4.Jxc3 6.bxc3 ~g7 7.~e3 c5
8.tM2 cxd4
The alternatiνe to an immediate ex-
change ίη the centre was 8 ... ~a5, support-
ing the strain and preparing a piece attack
οη White's pawn centre. After 9.Mb1 b6
10.~b5+ ~d7 11.~e2 ~c6!? (a more natu-
ral 11 ... 0-0 was tested as well, and after
12.Mc1 Md8 13.d5 ~a4 14.f3 4.Ja6 15.~g5
[6 16.~h6 e6! 17.h4 4.Jc7 18.h5 g5 19.~xg7
~xg7 20.h6+ Wh8 21.~d1 ~a3!?p White's
lag ίη deνelopment allowed Black to orga-
Super Tournαments 2000
nize a counterplay, Volkoν - Dνoirys, Sa-
mara 1998) 12.~d3 4.Jd7! 13.h4 (after
13.4.Je2 Md8 14.h4 h5 15.m ο-ο 16.~g5 Mfe8
17.Mc1 ~b7 Black exerted a noticeable
pressure οη White's centre, Shaked -
Kasparoν, Tilburg 1997) 13 ... Md8 14.h5
4.Je5! (making use of the insufficient de-
fence of White's pieces οη the d-file)
15.dxe5 c4 16.~d4 cxd3 17.4.Jf3 ~xe4 18.h6
~f8 19.4.Jg5 ~xg2 Black's counterplay ίη
the centre balanced out White's attacking
actions οη the kingside, Timman - Shiroν,
Wijk aan Zee 1999.
9.cxd4 4.Jc6 10.~d1 ~g4
The simplest solution of the opening
problems. Actually, Black does not want
to attack the d1-rook, his idea is not to let
White deνelop his kingside pieces nor-
mally. Black's play would be not so easy if
he went for an endgame after 10 ... ~a5
11. ~xa5 4.Jxa5 12.~d3 ο-ο 13.4.Je2 [5 (also
after 13 ... ~d7 14.~b1!? b6 15.~d2 Mfc8
16.~a6t Black was forced to defend pas-
siνely because ofWhite's pressure along
the c-file, Jussupow - Κhalifman, Ubeda
1997) 14.0-0 fxe4 15.~xe4 ~f5 16.~f3
~ac8 17.d5! Mc2?! (17 ... 4.Jc4! looked better,
promising an approximately equal play
after exchanges) 18.4.Jd4 ~xd4 19.~xd4
4.Jc4 20kιfe1 ~fΊ 21.d6!t and White had a
pair ofbishops ίη the open position, Volkoν
- Semeniuk, St.Petersburg 1999.
11.~e2
After a natural 11.f3 ~d7 12.d5 4.Je5
13.~d4 ο-ο 14.f4 4.Jg4 15.~xg7 Wxg7 16.
~d4+ Wg817.h3 e5! 18.~d3 ~a5+ 19.~d2
~xd2+ 20.~xd2 4.Jf6p the underdeνelop­
ment of White's kingside did not let him
extinguish Black's counterplay ίη the cen-
tre successfully, Vasileνich - Tseitlin, Ber-
Ιίη 1997.
11 ... ~xe2 12.4.Jxe2 4.Ja5
Preparing the knight's transfer to c4,
where it would put pressure οη White's
position quite unpleasantly. Perhaps it was
worth continuing with the deνelopment by
12 ... 0-0 13.0-0 e6! Α characteristic moνe,
allowing Black to aνoid tightness and cre-
Corus
ation of a weak point οη e7 after the ad-
vance d4-d5. After 14.d5 exd515.exd5li:Ίe5
16. ~b4 ~d7 17. ~b3 .tι.fe8 18.h3 b5 19.1i:Ίd4
a6 20.Jί.f4 CUc4=o there was an even posi-
tion ίη the game Kozul- Avrukh, Belgrade
1999.
13.~b4
The possibility of 13 ..tι.c1 deserved at-
tention here. Ιη case of a standard 13 ... b5
(maybe 13 ... 0-0 would be better to be fol-
lowed by b6, t!.c8) 14. ~b4 a6 15.d5 CUc4
16 ..td4 ο-ο 17.Jί.xg7 cJJxg7 18.0-0 (18.cud4
e5) 18 ... .tι.c8 19.1i:Ίd4;!;; White's position
would be preferable owing to his space
advantage.
13 ... 0-014.0-0 b6
Black is going to engage the f8-rook ίη
the play, which means that he must de-
fend the a5-knight and remove the queen
first. 80, ίη case of 14 ... t!.c8 15.I.tc1 Black
could have encountered problems with the
defence after d4-d5.
15.d5 ~d6 16.~b5
White need not exchange his active
queen. After 16.~xd6 exd617.Jί.d4 (17 ..tι.c1
.tι.fc8 18.cud4 ~c400) 17 ... I.tac8 Black's posi-
tion would not be worse: the weakness οη
d6 could be protected easily, and also he
would have an advantage οη the queen-
side.
16 ... ~e5
Attacking the e4-pawn, Black brings a
certain discord into White's position. Α
passive 16 ... l:!.fc8 17.I.tc1 ~e5 18. ~a6!
would be not so good, Black would be forced
to yield the c-file. Οη the other hand,
16 ... ~ac8!? 17 ..tι.c1 ~e5 deserved attention
with the idea that if18. ~a6, then 18 ... l:!.xc1
19.~xc1 ~xe4.
17.l:!.d4
Ιη case of 17.f3 .tι.fc8 18.1ιd4 (18.1ιf4
~b2) 18 ... ~d619.Jί.xg7 r!;xg7 to be followed
by ~c5 Black would force exchanges, mak-
ing use ofthe weakness of dark squares ίη
White's position, and develop then his ίηί­
tiative οη the queenside.
17 ... ~b818 ..tι.a4?!
33
White had ηο advantage ίη this posi-
tion, so 18.l:!.dd1=ο should have been pre-
ferred. White's aggressive move results
inevitably ίη the development of Black's
initiative οη the queenside.
18 ... .tι.c8 19.cud4 .tι.c5 20.~d7l:!.c7
White's attempt to attack can be easily
repelled.
21.~b5 ~c8 22.h3 l:!.c5 23.~b1 ~d7
24.l:!.b4
The poor position of the rook οη a4
makes 24.li:Ίc6? impossible because of
24 ... CUxc6 25 ..txc5 cud8.
24 ... .tι.ac8?
This natural move οηlΥ leads to ex-
changes. 24 ... li:Ίc4!+ was much better with
the idea of exch~nging the e3-bishop.
Black's g7-bishop, pawn advantage οη the
queenside and control over the c-file would
define his indisputable advantage. Α pos-
sible intrusion of White's knight to c6
would be of ηο sense since Black would be
able to undermine its support οη d5 by e7-
e6. IfWhite tήed a tactical trick of25.cub3,
then after 25 ... I!:cc8 to be followed by a7-
a5 he would be unable to avoid an irre-
versible weakening of his position.
25.CUc6!
8implifying the position and leading to
a draw.
25 ...CUxc6 26 ..txc5 CUxb4 27 ..txb4
The weakness ofthe e7-pawn does not
let Black retain control over the c-file and
avoid further exchanges.
27 ... Jί.c3 28.l:!.c1 1ιχb4 29.l:!.xc8+ ~xc8
30.~xb4 ~c11h-~I:!
34
13 C45
Kasparov - Timman
Round 9 25.01
l.e4 e5 2.lLJf3 lLJc6 3.d4 exd4 4.lLJxd4
lLJf6 5.lLJxc6 bxc6 6.e5 t!ie7 7.t!ie2 lLJd5
8.c4lLJb6
8 ... ~a6 is considered the main continu-
ation ίη this position, maintaining a bind-
ing along the a6-fl diagonal.
9.lLJc3 t!ie6 10.t!ie4 iιb4 11.iιd2 Sιa6
12.b3 iιxc3 13.Sιxc3 d5
Black's chiefidea ίη this variation is to
undermine White's centre, making use of
the unprotected position ofhis queen.
14.t!ih4!
White retreats to this square, maintain-
ing control over c4 and preparing to gain
from the ρίη οη the a6-fl diagonal later
σπ.
14 ... dxc4 15.iιe2 lLJd5
Mter 15 ... 0-0 16.0-0 lLJd517.iιxc4 iιxc4
18. ti'xc4 a5 19.~ac1 ~fb8 20.~fdH White
had a stable advantage owing to the bro-
ken pawn structure οη Black's queenside,
Mikhalchishin - Onischuk, Batumi 1999.
16 ..txc4
If 16.iιd4, then after 16 ... t!if5! (ίη case
of 16 ... c5 17.Sιxc5 lLJc3 18.iιxc4 t!ixe5+
19.iιe3 lLJe4 20.0-0 Sιxc4 21.bxc4 ο-ο
22.~feH the advantage ofWhite's bishop
over Black's knight ίη the open position
with mutual weaknesses was indubitable
ίη the game Kasparov - Adams, Sarajevo
1999) 17.0-0 lLJf4 (17 ... t!if4!? 18. t!ixf4lLJxf4
19.iιf3 0-0-0 20 ..Jιxa7 lLJd3!+) 18.iιf3 ο-ο
19.~fe1!?(after 19 ..I;tfd1?! cxb3 20.~e1 ~fd8
21.iιe4 ~xd4 22.iιxf5lLJe2+ 23.~xe2 .I;txh4+
White lost material, Morozevich - Piket,
KasparovChess 2000) 19 ... .I;tfd8 20.~ad1
lLJd3 21.iιxc6 cxb3 22.iιxa8 ~xa8 23.axb3
lLJxe1 24.~xe1ao Black stands none the
worse.
16 ... g5!?
Α primary decision, but after a more
natural16 ... iιc417.t!ic4 Whitewouldhave
a stable advantage anyway. With the move
ίη the game Black wants to induce an ex-
8uper Tournαments 2000
change ofthe queens, using the f4-square
he has supported by 16 ... g5 for his knight.
17.t!id4
Ιη case of 17.iιxd5 ti'xd5 18. ti'xg5 ~d8
(after 18 ... ti'e4+?! 19. ti'e3 t!ixg2 20.0-0-0±
to be followed by e5-e6 it would be hard
for Black to defend his king) 19.~gl ti'b5
20. t!ig4 h5 21. t!ie4 J::td3 22.~c1 ~h6~ Black
would be able to put an unpleasant pres-
sure οη light squares at the cost of the
pawn.
17 ... iιxc4 18. t!ixc4 lLJf4 19. t!ixe6+
lLJxe6
20.0-0-0
Despite the exchanges, White still
maintains a lasting advantage, mainly
owing to Black's damaged pawn structure,
especially οη the kingside. Right now
White can perform the manoeuvre :i.h1-
e1-e4-a4 to increase the pressure οη
Black's position substantially.
20 ... We7 2u::rhel ~hd8 22.~xd8 ~xd8
23.~e4 ~d5
23 ... lLJf4 deserved attention here with
the threat of lLJd3. After 24.~a4! lLJxg2
25.~xa7 Wd7± White's positional advan-
tage would be still great, but Black would
be able to begin a play against weak points
οη White's kingside.
24.Wc2
Απ immediate 24 ..I;ta4 was possible, but
White preferred to reinforce his position
ίη the classical style instead, engaging his
king ίη the play.
24 ... c5
There was already ηο 24 ... lLJf4 25.h4 h6
Corus
26.g3±, οηlΥ creating more weak points ίη
Black's position.
25.Ma4 CLJd4+ 26 ..ltxd4 cxd4 27.~xa7
Φd7
None the better was 27 ... d3+ 28.Φd2
Φd729.b4±
28.Φd3 J::txe5 29.Ma4! c5 30.b4! Φe6
Ιηcase οf30 ... Φc6 31.bxc5 Mxc5 a tran-
sition to the pawn ending by 32.MC4!+~ was
decisiνe. Maybe Black could haνe contin-
ued the struggle after 30 ... c4+!? 31.Φχc4
Me2 32.Ma5!? MXf2 33.MXg5 Mxa2 34.ΦΧd4,
but his attempt to queen the d-pawn en-
countered an efficient refutation ίη the
game.
31.Ma6+ Φf5
Also White would haνe won easily ίη
case οf31 ... Φd5 32.~a5 Φd6 33.':xc5 Mxc5
34.bxc5+ Φχc5 35.g4+~
32.b5 Md5 33.MC6 c4+ 34.Φχc4 d3
35.Φχd5 d2 36.g4+! 1-0
Ιf36 ... Φχg4, then 37.Sc4+ to be followed
by Md4.
14 Β80
Timman - Van Wely
Round 10 27.01
l.e4 c5 2.CLJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.CLJxd4
CLJf6 5.CLJc3 a6 6 ..lte3 e6 7.f3 b5 8. Ί~M2
8.g4! is more accurate, depriνing Black
of an apportunity to play 9 ... CLJb6.
8 ...CLJbd7 9.g4 h6
The weakening of the kingside could
haνe been aνoided if Black had made use
ofthe moνe order, chosen by his opponent,
and played 9 ... CLJb6, freeing d7 for a retreat
ofthe f6-knight after g4-g5.
10.0-0-0 .iιb7 11 ..ltd3
White decided to gather his forces ίη the
centre before attacking the black king. The
other possible plan implied an immediate
attack οη the king, starting with 11.h4.
11 •. .lLJe5 12.Mhel ~c8
Black's intentions concerning the white
king are not less aggressiνe. The alterna-
tiνe was 12 ... b4!? 13.CLJa4 d5 opening up
35
the position ίη the centre with a νery sharp
play.
13.ΦbΙ
Considering tbe fact that an exchange
οη d3 he must take with the pawn, White
retreats with the king from the file οη
which Black's c8-rook stands.
13 ... CLJfd7 14.f4 CLJc4 15:~e2
Since the e4-pawn'is weakened (after
14.f4), White has to retain his light-
squared bishop. Mter 15 ..iιxc4 Mxc4 16.f5
e5 17.CLJf3 t;ra8 18.b3 ':xe4 19.CLJxe4 .ltxe4
20.CLJg1.1te7 21 ..ltf2 ο-ο 22. t;re3 CLJf6+ Black
gained an adνantage ίη the centre ίη the
game Korneeν - Topaloν, Cala Galdana
1999. Now an exchange of the important
dark-squared bishop will be compensated
by White's deνelopment adνantage, allow-
ing him to create threats to the opponent's
king.
15 ... CLJxe3 16.t;rxe3 t;rb6
Binding the d4-knight because of a
queen exchange, but allowing the subse-
quent sacrifice. Ιη case of 16 ... b4? White's
response 17.CLJd5! would be eνen stronger,
for example: 17 ... g5 18.CLJf5 k!.g8 19.t;ra7
CLJc5 20 ..iιxa6 .ltxa6 21.e5 dxe5 22.CLJde7
t;rxe7 23.CLJxe7 ~xe7 24.Mxe5 gxf4 25.Itxc5
.iιxc5 26. t;rxa6+~ with White's νictory,
Morozeνich - Topaloν, Frankfurt 1999. Α
straight attack could haνe been preνented
by 16 ... .iιe7, preparing to eνacuate the king
from the centre.
17.CLJd5!
Α typical Sicilian style sacrifice, justi-
fied by White's great deνelopment adνan-
36
tage and his dominance ίη the centre, as
well as by the unsecured position ofBlack's
king. The continuation 17.f5 e5 18.4Jb3
t;ιxe3 would be not as good, since after the
queen exchange Black would not stand
worse, at least. After 19.1:txe3 4Jc5 (19 ...
~e7!?) 20.4Ja5 1ιa8 21.4Jd5 1ιχd5 22.exd5
..Φ..e7 23 ...te2 ..tg5 24.I:ιc3 e4 (24 ... ~d7!? de-
served attention with Black's slight advan-
tage) 25.4Jc6 ..Φ..f6 26.:ta3 ~d7 27.4Jb4 I:ιa8
28.4Jxa6 b4 29.4Jxc5+ dxc5 30.I:ιe3 ~d6
31.fιxe4 there was a draw ίη the game
Anand - Van Wely, Wijk aan Zee 2000. Also
the possibility of 17.e5 dxe5 18.fxe5 ..tb4!
19.4Jxe6 t;ιxe3 20.4Jxg7+ ~f8 2U;:rxe3
<iixg7 22.1ιf5 4Jb6= was not dangerous for
Black.
17... exd5
If Black rejected the sacrifice, then
White would have redirected his attack to
the f-file, for example 17 ... t;ιa7 18.t;ιf2 e5
(other continuations would impede Black's
development) 19.fxe5 dxe5 20.~f1.
18.exd5+ ~d8 19.1ιχb5!!
This is the finest point ίη White's com-
bination. Ιη case of a straightforward
19.~e8+? after 19 ... ~c7 20.~xf7 ~xd4!
21 ...tf5 ~f6 22. ~xd7 + ~b8 23.I:ιe8 I:ιxe8
24.t;ιxe8+ ~c7 25.t;ιd7+ ~b6 26.a4 g6=t
White would only have an insufficient com-
pensation for the piece.
19 ... axb5
Ιη case of 19 ... ~c7 20.1ιχd7 ~xd7 the
manoeuvre 21.t;ιe4 to be followed by ~f5-
f7 would allow White to create a strong
attack.
20. t;ιe8+ Φc7 21. t;ιxΠ g5!
This looks like the best possible deci-
sion. Black returns the extra material, but
engages the kingside pieces ίη the play. Ιη
case of 21 ... :td8 after 22.4Je6+ ~c8 23.
4Jxd8 ~xd8 24.b4 to be followed by I:ιd1-
d3-c3 White's attack would hardly be re-
sistible.
22.4Je6+ ~b8 23.t;ιxd7
There is an approximate material
equality ίη this position, but White has an
obvious positional advantage. His knight
Super Tournαments 2000
is particularly strong, cutting Black's camp
into two parts.
23 ...gxf4
23 ... h5 was till another possible way of
trying to open υρ the kingside play and
free Black's pieces. However, complications
after 24.fxg5 hxg4 25.:tf1 I:ιxh2 26.J::txf8
I:ιxf8 27/iJxf8 1ιχd5 28.4Je6 (threatening
with g6-g7-g8~) 28 ... 1ιe4 29.~e8+ ~a7
30.t;ιf7+ ~b8 (30 ... ~a6 31.tΔc7+ ~a5
32.b4+ ~xb4 33. t;ιb3+ ~c5 34. t;ιc3#)
31.t;ιf8+ Wa7 32.~g7+ ~b8 33.tΔd4± would
end ίη White's favour.
24.I:ιf1 f3 25.a3
25.I:ιd4 deserved attention with the idea
of~b4xb5.
25 ••. t;ι e3 26.I:ιfe 1 t;ιb6
Ιη case of 26 ... ~f2 27.4Jd4:t the queen
would be cut off from the king's defence.
27.I:if1 ~e3 28.1:He1 t;ιb629.I:ιe4
White is going to activate this rook af-
ter I:ιb4 or I:if4-f7.
29 ... I:ic4?
Despite White's strong play, Black's
position is not too bad, so ίη case of29 ... f21
after 30.I:if4 (30.I:ιb4 1ιa6 31.I:ιf4 ~e3
32.~f7 ~b6 33.tΔd4 ..tb7 34.~xf2 1ιχd5οο)
30 ... t;ιe3 3U;:rf7 (31.I:ixf8? Ithxf8 32.~xd6+
~a7 33.4Jxf8 ~e2-+) 31 ... ~b6 White would
have ηο concrete threats, though he has
an eνident advantage. For example, 32.I:ιd2
(as good as 32.~a2 b4~ or 32.h4 b4 33.a4
b3~) 32 ... 1ιg7 33.4Jxg7 f1 t;ι + 34.I:ιxf1 ~c7
35. t;ιe6 I:ixg7:t with certain White's advan-
tage, mainly because of the weakness of
Black's king.
30.4Jd4?
Giving Black a chance of success. Bet-
ter was a mere 30.I:ixc4 bxc4 31.~e8+ ~a7
32.tΔxf8 f2 33.I:if1 iιxd5 34.~d7+ ~a6
35. t;ιf5± with an extra pawn and a better
position.
30... I:ic5?
Αη advance of the f-pawn promised
more to Black again: 30 ... f2! 31.4Jc6+ (the
alluring 31.I:ie8+ could have given a draw
only: 31 ... ~a7 32ΌtΔΧb5+ ~a6 33.b3 Itf4
34.4Jc7+ ~a7 35.4Jb5=; 32.4Jc6+ I:ιxc6
Corus
33.dxc6 ~xc6 34.~f7 ~g2!! 35.1:.xf8 .ί:txf8
36.~xf8 ~gl 37.~c1 ~e1 38.~f7 ~a8=;
37 ..ί:tc1 Sιg2 38.~e7+ ~a8 39.~e8+ ~b7
40.~xb5+ ~c7 41.~c4+ ~d7=; 39.~d8+
~b7 40.~d7+ ~a8 41.~c8+ ~a7 42.~c7+
~a8 43.~a5+ ~b7 44.~xb5+ ~c7=) 31 ...
.ί:txc6 32.dxc6 ~xc6 33. ~xc6 Sιxc6 34.1:.f4
Jιe7 35 ..ί:txf2 .ί:th7, White's adνantage is not
big.
31 ..ί:te8+?!
Betterwas 31.tιJc6+! 1:lxc6 32.dxc6 ~xc6
33 ..ί:te8+ ~a7 34.~d8 f2 35.~b8+! ~a6
36 ..ί:txf8 .ί:txf8 37.~xf8+-, depriνing Black
of any hope to hold οη.
31 ... ~a7 32.tιJc6+ .ί:txc6?
32 ... ~a6! was the last opportunity to
continue the struggle. For example, 33 ..ί:tb8
f2 34. ~f7 .ί:tc4 35.~xf8 !!xf8 36. ~xf8 .ί:txg4
37.tιJM+ ~a7 38.tιJd3 (ηο 38.~xh6? .ί:tg1
39. ~c1 Sιc8!-+ with White's νictory after
Jιg4) 38 ... .ί:tg2 39. ~xh6 Jιxd5±. But now
White wins easily.
33.dxc6 ~xc6 34.~d8 ~c4 35.~b8+
~a6 36 ..ί:txf8 .ί:txf8 37.~xf8 1-0
15 COO
Morozevich - Lputian
Round 11 28.01
Α.Morozevich: 'Άfter 20 .. .f4 Ι could
hαue just resigned! If Ι went 19 ..iιg7 'fJg8
20. iιd4 Lputiαn could ρΙαΥ this tremendous
moue 20 ... Φf8!!"
1.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3.~e2 dxe4
There was an interesting set-up for
Black: 3 ... tιJf6 4.tιJf3 Jιe7 5.g3 b5!? 6.iιg2
de4 7.de4 b4 8.a3 iιa6, andBlack managed
to make use ofthe position ofWhite's queen
to create a counterplay ίη the game
Timman - Korchnoi, Wijk aan Zee 2000.
4.dxe4 b6
Ιη case of 4 ... e5 White could haνe put a
noticeable pressure upon Black's centre,
deνeloping his pieces ίη the Κing's Indian
style, for example: 5.tιJf3 tιJd7 6.tιJbd2 c6
7.b3 ~c7 8.Jιb2 a5 9.g3 tιJh6 10.Sιh3 [6
11.a4 Jιb4 12.0-0 ο-ο 13.tιJc4 tιJf7 14.tιJe1
37
I!.e8 15.tιJd3 i.f8 16.Jιc3 b6 17.i.d2 tιJd6
18.tιJxd6 iιxd6 19.i.e3;t with a more har-
monious position ofWhite's pieces, Moro-
zeνich - Nikolic, Wijk aan Zee 2000.
5.tιJd2
Other continuations would allow Black
to simplify the position by exchanges, al-
though he would not achieνe an easy solu-
tion of his opening problems ίη this case
anyway, for example: 5.tιJf3 jιa6 6.~d2
~xd2+ 7.jιxd2 tιJf6 8.tιJc3 SιxΩ 9.l:ιxΩ CLJc6
10.0-0-0 i.d6 11.nde1 tιJg4 12.tιJb5 0-0-0
13.CLJxd6+ cxd6 14.tιJg5 ~d7 15.f3 tιJge5
16.iιc3;t with White's slight but lasting
adνantage because of the superior actiν­
ity of his pieces (the pressure of the c3-
bishop is particula.rly unpleasant) and his
slightly better pawn structure, Morozeνich
- Volkoν, Samara 1998 or 5.c3 i.a6 6. ~c2
i.xfl 7.~xΩ CLJc6 8.CLJf3 ~d7 9.iιe3 CLJf6
10.h3 e5 11.CLJbd2 iιe7 12.b4 a6 13.~e2 0-
Ο 14.I!.hd1 ~ad8 15.a4 CLJh5 16.~Ω ~f6
17 ..ί:!.ab1 ~c818.b5 with a lasting initia-
tiνe οη the queenside, Leko - Bunzmann,
Hamburg 1999.
5 ... Jιa6 6.CLJc4 CLJf6 7.CLJf3 CLJc6 8.c3 i.e7
Also 8 ... CLJa5!? 9. ~c2!? jιxc4 10.iιxc4
CLJxc4 11. ~a4+ ~d7 12. ~xc4;t was possible,
simplifying the position and thus reduc-
ing White's adνantage.
9.e5 tιJd7
Beginning to play against the e5-pawn
which restricts Black's position. Ιn case of
the apparently more actiνe 9 ... CLJd5 10. ~e4
iιb7 11. ~g4 t the position ofWhite's pieces
ίη the centre would be more solid, allow-
ing him to deνelop his initiatiνe more
freely.
10.~e4 iιb7 11.~g4 g6 12.jιh6! b5!
Undermining the support of the e5-
pawn. Α sharp play is going to begin now,
and both sides should act most accurately,
Black ίη order to aνoid a straight attack
οη his king, and White ίη order not to fail
ίη the centre because ofthe unstable posi-
tion of his pieces. Black would not gain
much by 12 ... ~f8 13.~xf8 (13.~g5!?)
13 ... ~xίB14.0-0-0;!;
38
13.CL\e3
There was an opportunity of 13.CL\cd2!?
CL\cxe5 14.CL\xe5 CL\xe5 15.iιxb5+ (15. ~g3
i.d6 16.f4 CL\c4 17.CL\xc4 bxc4 18.i.xc4;!;)
15 ... c6 16. ~e4 ~d5 17. ~xd5 exd5 18.iιe2;!;
with White's adνantage ίη the endgame
owing to his better pawn structure and
greater freedom ofhis pieces. The moνe ίη
the game is more aggressiνe, but White's
pieces take chances of suffering straight
blows.
13 ... CL\dxe5 14.CL\xe5 CL\xe5 15.iιxb5+
c616.~e4 "f:ic7 17.Jιe2 f5 18."f:ia4 CL\f'1
19.iιf4
The forced line produced a position ίη
which White can either continue mutually
sharp attacking play or simplify it by
19.Jιg7 .b1g8 20.Jιd4 f4 (20 ... e5 21.CL\d5! "f:id7
22.CL\xe7 ~xe7 23.Jιe3±) 21.CL\c4 e5 22. "f:ia5
"f:ixa5 23.CL\xa5 exd4 24.CL\xb7 .b1b8 25.Jιa6
(25.CL\a5 .b1xb2 26.CL\c4 dxc3 27.CL\xb2 cxb2
28 ..ι:lbl Jιf6+) 25 ... dxc3 26.bxc3 f.3oo with an
approximately equal position, but after
20 ... Φf8!! (Morozeνich) Black seizes the ίηί­
tiatiνe.
19... e5 20.Jιg3 f4
Black is eager to punish his opponent
for his impudence, so he considers the con-
tinuation 20 ... 0-0 21.f4 (21.Jιh4 g5 22.CL\xf5
gxh4 23."f:ig4+ Jιg5=t=) 21 ... Jιc5 22.CL\c2 e4=
as insufficient, though it would allow him
to aνoid a 'straight attack.
21.CL\d5 "f:id6
21 ... ~d7?! 22.0-0-0 CL\d6100ked doubt-
ful because of 23.CL\xf4 (or slightly worse
23.CL\xe7 fxg3 24.CL\xg6 hxg6 25.hxg3 .b1xhl
Super Tournαments 2000
26.J::!.xhl~) 23 ... exf4 24.Jιxf4 The actiνity
of White's pieces, the poor position of
Black's king and pieces would be more than
sufficient compensation for White's mate-
riallosses.
22.0-0-0
Νο 22.CL\xe7? because of 22 ... fxg3!-+,
and ίη case of 22.CL\xf4 exf4 23.i.xf4 ~e6
24.i.e3 0-0+ Black would manage to hide
his king and gain a normal position of
pleces.
22 ... fxg3 23.CL\f4 ~f6 24.CL\d5 "f:id6
Ιη case of 24 ... ~xf2 25.CL\c7! (25.CL\xe7
~xe2; 25.i.a6 Jιg5+ 26.ΦbΙ ~f5+ 27.ΦaΙ
~c8) 25 ... Φf8 26 ..b1hf1 "f:ixe2 27.~b3 Jιg5
(27 ... Φg7 28.~xf7+ Φh6 29.~xe7+-)
28.ΦbΙ Jιf4 29."f:ixb7 ~e4+ (29 ... Φg7
30.CL\e6+ Φf6 31."f:ixc6±) 30.ΦaΙ Φg7
31.hxg3± White would deνelop a strong
attack, despite the loss of a piece.
25.CL\f4 "f:ib8
Νο wonder that Black, being a piece up
and seeing ηο straight threats to his posi-
tion, rejects a draw by repetition ofmoνes
and tries to win.
26.CL\e6 CL\g5 27.Jιc4 CL\xe6 28.Jιxe6
gxh2
28 ... gxf2 deserνed attention, lingering
with the introduction ofWhite's rook for a
while.
29 ..b1xh2 iιd6
Blocking up the d-file. 29 ... ~c7 was
possible with the idea of neutralizing
White's pressure along the d-file by .b1d8,
and after 30.z::rd7 ~xd7 (30 ... ~b6 31.~c2
~a6! 32 ..b1xh7 "f:if1+ 33 ..b1dl Jιg5+ 34.ΦbΙ
"f:ixdl+ 35.~xdl .sxh7 36.~g4 Mh5=t=;
31. ~g4 "f:ixf2 32.MXh7 .b1xh7 33. "f:ixg6+ ΜΠ
34. ~g8+.b1f8 35. "f:ig6+ "f:if'7! 36 ..b1xe7 + Φχe7
37.JιxΠ MXf'7=t=; 32 Mxb7 ~g133.Φc2 ~xh2
34.Jιd5!? ~h4!; 33."f:idl 33 ... ~xdl+ 34.
ΦΧdΙ 00 ) 31.Jιxd7+ ΦΧd7 32.~g4 (32.Mhl
Mad8 33.~xa7 Φc8=t=) 32 ... Φc7 33."f:ie6 Mae8
White's actiνe queen would mess up
Black's position to some extent, yet Black's
material adνantage would remain enough
to estimate the position ίη his faνour.
30.f4 e4?
Corus
Α major mistake, giving White an ex-
tra tempo ίη the attack. The attack could
have been repelled by 30 .. .'~c7!, for ex-
ample after 31.fxe5 .lί.xe5 32.J::rh4 I:rd8 (also
32 ... .lί.c8 33.'~c4 <JiJe7 deserved attention,
Black still would have good chances for
opposing the attack and maintaining his
material advantage) 33.~e1 .lί.f6 34 ..lί.b3+
<JiJf8 35.I:rf4 I:rd6 (35 ... r.t>g7 36.~xf6+-)
36.I!.ef1 r.t>g7 37.I!.xf6 I:rxf6 38.J::rxf6 r.t>xf6
39.~h4+ r.t>g7 40.~d4+ <JiJh6 41.~h4+
(41.~xh8 ~f4+ 42.r.t>c2 ~f2+) 41 ... r.t>g7
42. ~d4= White would be forced to go for a
perpetual check to rescue.
31.g3!
Α very strong move. The h2-rook sud-
denly joins the attack, deciding the final
result of the game.
31 ... ~c7 32.~d4!
Now Black's king can not escape from
the centre where it is exposed to White's
attack and also impedes the co-operation
of the own rooks. Of course 32. ~xe4 would
be worse because of 32 ... I!.d8!~.
32 ... nf8
There was ηο use ίη 32 ... Φe7 33 ..lί.c4
I:rae8 34.I!.hd2+- as well.
33.~xe4!
White is merciless. Α poor-spirited
33. ~xd6? after 33 ... ~xd6 34.I!xd6 r.t>e7
35.I:rd7+ Wxe6 36 ..t!xb7 h5t would still
leave Black certain hope.
33 ... ~e7
Black can't engage his a8-rook ίη the
play, because after 33 ... I:rd8 White would
win by 34 . .lί.f7+! ~xf7 35.I:rxh7+ r.t>f6
39
36.~d4+ .lί.e5 37.fxe5+ ~xe5 38.I:rf1+ r.t>e6
39.!:te7 + r.t>xe7 40. ~xe5+-
34.I:rxh7!
Also 34.I!.xd6 ~xd6 35.I!.xh7 was win-
ning, but the move ίη the game is more
showy and wins quicker.
34... ~xh7 35.I:rxd6 ~c7
Allowing a mating final, but other con-
tinuations would not make the struggle
longer too: 35 ... .ί:tω 36 ..lί.f7+! <JiJxf7 37.I:rd7+
'itg8 38.I:rxh7 r.t>xh7 39. ~e7+- or 35 ... ~e7
36.~xg6+ I:rf7 37 ..lί.xf7+ ~xf7 38.I:re6+-
36 ..lί.f7+! 'itxf7 37.~xg6+ 1-0
37 ... Φe7 38.~e6#
16 C42
Adams - Timman
Round 11 28.01
1.e4 e5 2.tbf3 tbf6 3.tbxe5 d6 4.tbf3
tbxe4 5.d4 d5 6 . .lί.d3 tbc6 7.0-0 .lί.e7 8.c4
tbb4 9.SΙe2 0-0 10.tbc3 .lί.e6
Apart from this move, fortifying Black's
centre, a more active 10 ... .lί.f5 is a widely
used continuation ίη this position, threat-
ening with 11 ... lbc3 12.bc3 lbc2, so, after
11.a3 (or maybe 11. ~b3 tbf6 12.c5 a5
13.lbe1 ~d7 14.a3 tbc6 15.tbf3 tbe4?! -
unjustified actiνity-16.tbxd5 a417.lbxe7+
~xe7 18. ~xb7 tba5 19. ~d5±, Black had a
sufficient compensation for the missing
material, Morozevich - Polgar, Frankfurt
1999) 11 ... lbxc3 12.bxc3 lbc6 13.I:re1 .lί.f6
14 ..lί.f4 I:rc8 15.cxd5 ~xd5 16.CLJd2 ~d7
17.CLJb3 nce818.CLJc5 ~c819.~a4 a5 20 ..lί.f3
White developed a noticeable pressure οη
the queenside, Shirov - Κramnik, Monte
Carlo 1999.
11.CLJe5
Ιη case ofll.a3 after 11 ... CLJxc3 12.bxc3
CLJc6 Black has a counterplay ίη the cen-
tre, for example: 13.cxd5 SΙxd5 14.CLJd2
CLJa5. This manoeuvre is standard for posi-
tions of this sort, Black is going either to
deliver a blow ίη t:Ιe centre by c7-c5 after
a preliminary b7-b6, or to blockade White's
centre and queenside from light squares
40
after a7-a6, b7-b5. So, after 15.Jιd3 b6
16.~c2 h617.Jιb2 iιb7 18.CΔe4 b5 19.a4 a6
20.axb5 axb5 21.Jιxb5 [5 22.CΔc5 Jιxc5
23.dxc5 ~d5f2 White did not manage to
extinguish his opponent's counterplay ab-
solutely ίη the game Leko - Kramnik,
Dortmund 1999. The move ίη the game
creates the threat of 12.CL:Jxe4 dxe4 13.a3
(or 13.d5 first), forcing Black to retreat
with the knight to a6 to avoid a deteriora-
tion of his pawn structure.
11 ... f6
Repelling the stated threat, but also
weakening light squares to some extent.
Αη active 11 ... c5 did not work here, and
after 12.CL:Jxe4 dxe4 13.d5 Jιd6 14.a3 Jιxe5
15.axb4 Jιd7 16.bxc5 ~c7 17.Jιe3! Jιxh2+
18.Whl Jιe5 19.Jιd4 !ife8 20.b4± it was
difficult for White to achieve his advantage
ίη the centre ίη the game Wahls - Pava-
sovic, Dresden 1998.
12.CL:Jf3
Tactical manoeuvres after 12.Jιg4 Jιxg4
(also good was 12 ... Jιc8 13.Jιxc8 !ixc8
14.CL:Jd3 CL:Jxc3 15.bxc3 CL:Jxd3 16.~xd3 c5f2
Zulfugarli - Motylev, Poland 1999) 13.CL:Jxg4
dxc4 14.CL:Jxe4 [5 15.CL:Jd2 fxg4 16.CΔxc4 c5
17.a3 CL:Jc6 18.dxc5 ~xd1 19.~xd1 Jιxc5
20 ...te3 ..txe3 21.CL:Jxe3 h5 22.!id5= resulted
ίη mass exchanges and a draw ίη the game
Anand - Kramnik, Frankfurt 1998, al-
though White still maintained a slight ad-
vantage owing to certain weakness of
Black's pawns.
12 ... Φh8
Preventing the possibility of ~b3. If
Black did nothing about it and played
12 ... c6, then after 13.!ie1..tf5 14.CL:Jh4 Jιe6
15.a3 CL:Ja6 16.cxd5 CL:Jxc3 17.bxc3 ~xd5
18.!ibl ~d7 19.Jιd3t White could have
gained good chances to make use of the
weakening of Black's kingside like ίη the
game Malikov - Gagloshvili, Orel1996. Το
a more aggressive 12 ... c5 White responded
with 13.~b3!? (after 13.Jιe3 !ic8 14.dxc5
Jιxc5 15.CL:Jd4 CL:Jxc3 16.bxc3 Jιxd4 17.Jιxd4
CL:Jc6 18.c5 Jιf7 19.!ie1 !ie8 20.Jιd3 !ixel+
21.~xe1 !ic7 22. ~b1 h6 23.~b3 !ie7 24.h3
Super Tournαments 2000
~a5f2 Black had a good play, Leko -
Anand, Wijk aan. Zee 2000) 13 ... CΔxc3
14.bxc3 CΔc6 15.cxd5 CΔa5 16.~c2 ~xd5
17.Jιd3t, having gained some profit from
the weakness ofBlack's kingside again, Νί
Hua - Ribshtein, Budapest 2000.
13. ~b3 CL:Jxc3
Αη attempt to keep pieces οη active
positions by 13 ... a5!? deserved attention,
for example: 14.c5 Jιf5 15.Jιf4 (ηο 15.a3
because of 15 ... CL:Jxc5!-+; but 15.CΔh4!?
would be interesting here) 15 ... CL:Jxc3 (ηο
15 ... CL:Jxc5?! because of16.dxc5 Jιc217.~a3
Jιxc5 18.CL:Jb5 d4 19.CL:Jxc7 d3 20.Jιdl or
18 ... CL:Jd3 19. ~c3 CΔxf4 20. ~xc2 with
White's material eιdvantage ίη both lines)
16.~xc3 (16.bxc3 Jιc2 17.~b2 CL:Jd3oo)
16 ... !ie8°o with mutual play.
14.bxc3
The variation 14. ~xc3?! dxc4 15 ...txc4
Jιxc4 16. ~xc4 c6 was not so good, yielding
the advantage to Black because ofthe cre-
ation ofthe isolated pawn ίη White's posi-
tion.
14 ... dxc4
Bad was 14 ... CL:Jc6 was bad, because af-
ter 15. ~xb7 CΔa5 16.~a6 Black would have
ηο time to take οη c4, since his e6-bishop
would have stayed undefended then, and
after 16 ... c6 17.cxd5± Black would have ηο
compensation for the missing material.
15.Jιxc4 iιxc4 16.~xc4 ~d5
White's advantage would be stable af-
ter 16 ... CL:Jd5 17.!ib1 (17.a4 c6 18. ~b3
~b6=) 17 ... CL:Jb6 18. ~b3 c5 19.a4 c4 20. ~b5
!ic8 21.Jιd2 !ic7 22.~fe1t
Corus
17.~b3 ~xb3 18.axb3
Transferring the game to an ending,
White hopes to make use of his mu1tip1e
advantages: right now he takes contro1 of
1arger space, has a strong and mobi1e pawn
centre, puts pressure upon the a-fi1e, his
minor pieces are more active than B1ack's,
and B1ack is forced to conduct a passive
defence. However, B1ack's position is still
quite solid.
18... CLJd5 19.Mel Mfe8 20.Jιd2 c6
20 ... a5? bad was because of 21.c4 CLJb4
22.Mxe7! ':xe7 23.Jιxb4+- and White wins
the game.
21.c4 CLJb6 22.CLJh4 Φg8
22 ... g6!? deserved attention, restricting
White's knight.
23.CLJf5 Φf7 24.'itf1
A1so 24.CLJxe7 ':xe7 25.Mxe7 + Φχe7
26.i.b4+ Φf7 27.ΦΩ;!; was possib1e, pro-
ceeding to an ending bishop vs. knight with
rooks οη the board and White's a steady
advantage, though the exchanges wou1d be
beneficia1 for B1ack anyway.
24 ... Jιf8 25.Mxe8 'itxe8 26.CLJe3 g6
27.Φe2 f5?!
Weakening the kingside without creat-
ing any obstac1e to the reinforcement of
White's pressure. 27 ... a6!? deserved atten-
tion here, freeing the rook from the sup-
port ofthe a7-pawn, for examp1e: 2θ.Φd3
(ίη case of 2B.c5 CLJd5 29.CLJxd5 cxd5 30.b4
Φd7 31.Φd3 - 31.b5? l:teB=t= - 31 ... .:eB;!;
White wou1d have ηο time to occupy the
e-fi1e, so his advantage wou1d not be great)
2θ ... Φd7 29.Jιa5 CLJcB;!;, and White wou1d
have to make many more efforts to break
B1ack's defence.
28.c5 CLJd7
Now ίη case of 2B ... CLJd5 29.CLJxd5 cxd5
30.Φd3 a6 White wou1d have manage to
take the e-fi1e: 31.l:tel+ 'itd7 32.Me5 Φc6
33.h4± to be followed by h5.
29.CLJc4 Jιg7 30.~a4 'itf8?!
Α substantia1 inaccuracy, the threat of
31.CLJd6 shou1d have been repelled by
30 ... JιfB 31.jιf4 (ηο 31.Φd3? because of
31 ... i.xc5; and ίη case of31.CLJa5 b5 32.cxb6
41
CLJxb6 33.Ma2 'itd7;!; the king wou1d man-
age to defend the weakness οη c6) 31 ... Φf7
32.CLJa5 b5 33.cxb6 CLJxb6 34.J::!.a2 CLJd5
35.Sιd2 c5, so the fina1 resu1t wou1d be not
at all as c1ear as ίη the game.
31.'itd3 Sιf6
Both 31 ... a6 32.CLJa5± and 31 ... :ωθ
32.CLJd6± were not better, materiallosses
are almost inevitable for Black.
32.CLJa5 b6
32 ... ~b8 33.Sιf4+-
33.cxb6 CLJxb6 34.1::ta2!
Ν ow the pawn οη c6 can not be de-
fended: Black's king is too far away.
34 ....:c8 35.~c2 J::!.d8
There was a slight1y better possibi1ity
of 35 ... 'itf7 36.CLJxc6 .ί:tc7 37.Jιf4 nb7±, 10s-
ing the pawn.
36.CLJxc6 I::!.d7 37.Jιb4+ 'itf7 38.Jιc5
Black is going to lost the a7-pawn too.
38 ..• CLJd5
The 1ast hope.
39.~c4!
Α
straightforward 39.CLJxa7? was ofno
sense because of39 ... CLJb4+ 40.Jιxb4 Mxd4+
41.Φc3 Me4+ 42.Φd2 ~xb4 43.~c7+ Φe6;!;
39... CLJf4
Νο 39 ... CLJb6+ because of 40.~b5+-
40.g3 CLJe6 41.l:ta2 1-0
There is ηο defence against Ma 7.
17 Ε15
Nikolic - Adams
Round 12 29.01
l.d4 CLJf6 2.c4 e6 3.CLJf3 b6 4.g3 Sιa6
5.CLJbd2 Jιb4 6.~c2 Sιb7
Apart from this attempt to establish his
piece contro1 over e4, B1ack can choose
among the following continuations here:
6 ... c5 with the idea to p1ay a hedgehog ρο­
sition: 7.Jιg2 CLJc6 8.dxc5 Jιxc5 9.0-0 ο-ο
10.a3 Jιb7 11.CLJb3 Sιe7 12.e4 ~c7 13.i.f4
d6 14.Macl Mac8 15.~e2 CLJe5 16.CLJfd4 a6
17.CLJd2 Mfe818.h3 Jιf8 19.Jιe3 CLJed7<x:> with
a comp1ex p1ay, Nemet - Shariyazdanov,
Bie11999, or a more risky 6 ... b5, trying to
42
blockade White's light squares ίη the cen-
tre and οη the queenside. Ιη this line after
7.b3 i.b7 8.i.g2 i.e4 9.'~b2 bxc4 10.bxc4
4:Jc6 11.0-0 i.xd2 12.'~xd2t White gained
an adνantage with his pair of bishops ίη
the open position ίη the game Van Wely -
Christiansen, Wijk aan Zee 1993.
7.i.g2 i.e4
Black managed to establish control oνer
e4 with his pieces, and now White has to
spend time to run the blockade and, as far
as possible, to aνoid exchanges. Α transi-
tion to the hedgehog structure was still
possible 7 ... c5 8.dxc5 i.xc5 9.0-0 i.e7.
White could continue by 0.b3 d6 11.i.b2
4:Jbd7 12.e4 ο-ο 13.4:Jd4 f1c7 14.Iιac1 a6
15.4:Jb1, transferring the knight to c3,
where it would preνent Black from b5 or
d5. 15 ... Iιfe8 16.4:Jc3 i.f8 17. f1d2 ~ad8
18 ..t!.fel f1b8 19.h3 g6 20.1:tcdl jιg7 21.jιal
4:Jc5 22.4:Jc2t (to be followed by b4). This
way White preνented a possible pawn
break-through ίη the centre and gained a
space adνantage ίη the game Dautoν -
Andersson, Ter Apel1995.
8.f1b3
Defining the position of the b4-bishop
at once and preparing to play with the
queen actiνely when chasing Black's
pieces. Ιη case of 8. f1d1 i.xd2 9. f1xd2 ο-ο
10.0-0 a5 11.b3 (11.f1e3!? deserνed atten-
tion, struggling for e4) 11 ... a4 12.i.a3 d6
13.~fd1 4:Jbd7 14.i.f1 ~e8 15.4:Jh4 i.b7
16.f3 d5 17.f1c2 c5 18.i.b2 cxd4 19.i.xd4
f1c7 20.~ac1 e5 21.i.f2 axb3 22.axb3 d4ao
there was a position with mutual chances
ίη the game Topaloν - Adams, Dortmund
1999, Black had neither real weak points,
nor bad pieces.
8 ... i.xd2+ 9.i.xd2 0-0 10.0-0 d6
There was an interesting actiνe con-
tinuation 10 ... 4:Jc6!? 11.~fd1 h6 12. f1e3 ~e8
13.4:Je5 (perhaps 13.i.c3!? would be better
with the idea to remoνe the g2-bishop and
the f3-knight from the long diagonal, thus
preνenting exchanges) 13 ... i.xg2 145~(xg2
4:Je7 15. f1f3 d6= with a equality ίη the
game Ftacnik - Korchnoi, Brno 1992.
Super Tournαments 2000
11.nfd1
Also a standard way of 11.f1e3 4:Jbd7
12.i.c3 f1b8 13.jιh3 b5 14.b3 a5 15.4:Jd2
jιg6 16.i.g2t deserνed attention. White
chased the opponent's pieces and gained a
stable adνantage owing to his bishop pair
and larger space, Dizdar - Bistric, Zadar
1999.
11 ... 4:Jbd7
The struggle had a similar character
also after 11 ... f1e7 12. f1e3! 4:Jbd7 13.Sιc3
J::rfe8 14.~ac1 h6 15.b3 ~ac8 16.i.h3 c6
17.Sιb2nc7 18.4:Jd2 i.g6 19.4:Jb1! (with the
idea of CLJc3 and d5) 19 ... a6 20.jιg2 1:tec8
21.i.a3t Karpoν - Andersson, Reggio
Emilia 1991.
12.1:tac1
The aboνe mentioned plan was still pos-
sible after 12 ...Ith3 f1e7 13.CLJh4 c5 14. f1e3
cxd4 15. f1xd4 ~fd8 16.~ac1 h6 17.i.c3CLJc5
18. f1e3 a5 19.f3 Sιh7 20.CLJf5 ..Itxf5 21.jιxf5:t
Manninen - Veingold, Tampere 1992.
12 ...h6
White's adνantage was stable ίη the
following lines as well: 12 ... f1e7 13.Sιh3
(13.f1a3 a5 14.i.h3 ~fe8 15.i.e3 h616.CLJd2
jιb7 17.c5t Timn'an - Saloν, Rotterdam
1989) 13 ... c514.f1e3 ~fe8 15 ..tc3 a5 16.b3
Sιb7 17. f1d3 d5 18. f1e3 CLJe4 19.5ιb2 a4
20.cxd5 i.xd5 21.4:Jd2 f1g5 22.f1xg5CLJxg5
23.i.g2 i.xg2 24.Wxg2 f6 25.CLJc4t Rib-
shtein - Van den Doel, Antwerp 1999.
13.i.h3 ~e8 14.i.e3 a5
14 ... c5?! was risky, weakening the d6-
pawn. After 15.dxc5 CLJxc5 (15 ... dxc5
16.jιf4! f1c8 17.~d6 f1b7 18.~cd1 CLJf8
19.CLJe5±) 16.f1c3t to be followed by b4S
White had a formidable initiatiνe ίη the
game Nikolic - Spraggett, Elista 1998.
15.CLJd2 i.b7 16.CLJf1
The position would be not as clear if
White opened it υρ immediately: 16.c5 Sιd5
17.f1a3 f1e7 (17 ... dxc5 18.dxc5 b5 19.c6t;
18 ... f1e7 19.cxb6 f1xa3 20.bxa3 cxb6
21.CLJc4t) 18.cxd6 cxd6 19.~c7 ~ec8 20.
~dc1 ~xc7 21.nxc7CLJe8=, and Black would
manage to perform exchanges, simplifying
the position.
Corus
16... a4 17:i;;Ilc2 ~e7 18.f3 c5 19..tf2
~ec8
Ιη case of 19 ... cxd4 20 ..txd4 d5 21.4Je3
e5 22.4Jf5 ~f8 23.~f2 d4 24.f4 t White
would destroy Black's unstable pawn cen-
tre and open up the play, thus securing
himselfwith a lasting initiatiνe thanks to
his pair ofbishops.
20.~d2 d5?!
Creating a substantial weakness ίη
Black's camp. Better was 20 ... cxd4 21 .
.txd4 d5 22.4Je3 ~d8 (Black would haνe
ηο 22 ... e5 here because of 23.4Jf5 ~f8
24 ..tf2 d4 25.f4 4Je4 26.~e14Jxf2 27.~xf2,
the pressure along the h3-c8 diagonal and
upon the d4- and e5-pawns was rather
perceptible. After 22 ... dxc4 23.4Jxc4 b5
24.4Je3;J; Black's position would be quite
solid despite White's bishop pair) 23.~c2,
White's adνantage was still bearable.
21.dxc5 bxc5 22.cxd5 .txd5
After 22 ... exd5 23.4Je3± it would be
hard for Black to defend his central pawns.
Ιη case of 22 ... 4Jxd5 23.e4 4J5b6 (23 ... 4Je5
24.~g2 4Jf6 25.~c3±) 24.~c3± the weak-
ness οη c5 would tell οη.
23.~al
Of course, there was ηο 23.a3? because
of23 ... .tb3+
23 ... 4Je5 24.~c3 4Jfd7 25.4Je3 .tb7
26 ..tg2
The position has settled down to White's
adνantage due to his pair of bishops and
good prospects for an attack οη the c5-
pawn. Now Black fails to make use ofthe
temporary passiνity of White's minor
pieces to organize a counterplay against
the b2-pawn.
26 ... .!::ι.ab8 27.~d2
Preparing to double the rooks οη the c-
file for an attack οη the c5-pawn, and pro-
tecting the b2- and e2-pawns, at the same
time.
27 ... f6 28.J:.cl 4Jb6 29.~dc2 4Jed7
29 ... c4!? deserνed attention: after
30. ~a5 4Jd5 31.4Jxd5 .txd5 32.~d4 4Jc6
33 ..tc5;J; White would haνe a stable adνan­
tage anyway, but the exchange ofWhite's
43
knight would decrease his pressure upon
Black's position to some extent.
30.~a3!
An ideal place for the queen, from which
it attacks Black's weak points but can not
be attacked itself.
30 ... ~a8
Ιη case of30 ... .ta6 White would answer
with the same 31.4Jfl to be followed by 4Jd2
and e2-e4.
31.4Jf1! ~a5 32.4Jd2 e5 33.e4 Φh8
34.~h3
The c5-pawn is doomed. Α mere 34.
4Jc4!? 4Jxc4 35.~xc4± was possible too, but
White does not need to hurry, since Black
has absolutely ηο counterplay.
34... ~d8
If 34 ... ~c7, then 35.4Jc4 4Jxc4 36.1:ίχc4,
winning a pawn.
35.4Jf1
Το be followed l)y 4Je3, transferring the
knight to a more actiνe position.
35 ... ~aa8?!
Most likely it was better to keep to the
waiting tactics by 35 ... ~c8, forcing White
to win the c5-pawn οηlΥ after an exchange
of the knight: 36.4Je3 ~c7 37.4Jc4 4Jxc4
38.~xc4 .tc6±
36 . .txc5 4Jxc5 37. ~xc5 ~xc5+ 38.
':xc5 .ta6 39.4Je3 tίab8
The poor position ofBlack's pieces pre-
νents him from actiνe play. 80, ίη case of
39 ... ~d2 40.~1c2 ~ad8 41.~c6+- he would
haνe to exchange the rooks to White's sat-
isfaction.
40.tίlc2 .td3 41.~d2 ~d4
44 Super Tournαments 2000

There was ηο sense ίη 41 ... .tb1 42. ~d8~) 11 ... b6 12.lιe2 1:Id8 13.0-0 ~a6
1:!.xd8+ 1:!.xd8 43.1::tc6 :!b8 44 ..te6+-, B1ack 14.lιxa6 ~xa615.jιh6 cxd416 ..txg7 'ίt>xg7
was abso1ute1y he1p1ess with his pieces so 17.cxd4 ~a5 18.d5 ~xd2 19.1:lxd2 Cbb4
restricted. 20.a3 ttJa6= Idigoras - Marini, Argentina
42.j,e6 j,bl 43.1:!.dl 1:!.xdl + 44.ttJxdl 1955. B1ack's position is not worse at 1east,
a3 45.ttJc3 1-0 owing to his advantage οη the queenside.
If 45 ... ..td3, then 46.b4 to be followed Αη intrusion ofWhite's knight to c6 is not
by 'it>f2-e3 and an attack οη the a3-pawn dangerous, as B1ack can undermine its
after 1:!.a5. support, the d5-pawn, by e7-e6, and or-
ganize then a p1ay against the d5-pawn.
9 ... b5
'18 D85 B1ack is trying to gain the most from
Kramnik - Kasparov the opening, but he allows a slight weak-
Round 12 29.01 ening of his queenside, thus providing
White with targets for his own p1ay. There
1.d4 Cbf6 2.c4 g6 3.Cbc3 d5 4.cxd5 is a more popu1ar continuation of 9 ... Cbc6
Cbxd5 5.e4 ttJxc3 6.bxc3 .tg7 7.Cbf3 c5 10.lιe3 cxd4 (in case of10 ... b611.0-0 cxd4
8.h3 12.cxd4 ..tb7 13.1:!.cl ~c8 14.d5t B1ack has
This move prevents j,g4, as otherwise ηο time to begin a counterp1ay οη the
White might have prob1ems with the de- queenside and Ends himse1f quite re-
fence οη the d4-pawn, but a1so it 10ses a stricted because of White's advantage ίη
tempo. There were more aggressive con- the centre. There is a1so an interesting
tinuations of 8. 1:!.b 1 or 8 ..tb5. opportuni ty of 1 ο ... ~ a5!? 11. ο-ο ~xc3
8 ... 0-0 12.1:!.cl ~a3 13.1:!.xc5 ~xa2°o with a stan-
B1ack cou1d have tried to make use of dard p1ay for this opening: B1ack is a pawn
White's 10ss of tempo immediate1y to put up, White has the initiative) 11.cxd4 ~a5+
more pressure οη d4 by 8 ... Cbc6. (11 ... f5 deserves attention with the idea of
9.j,e2 a b10ckade οη 1ight squares) 12.lιd2 ~a3
Ιη case of a more active 9.j,c4 after 13.d5 Cbe5 14.ttJxe5 j,xe5 15.0-0 ~d7 (ίη
9 ... ttJc6 10 ..te3 cxd4 11.cxd4 B1ack wou1d the game Bannik - Ilivitsky, USSR 1954
be ab1e to use the bishop's position οη c4 B1ack accepted the sacrifice of an exchange
to accomp1ish the advance b7-b5: 11 ... b5 by 15 ... .txal, but after 16. ~xal f6 17.l:lbl
12.j,d5 .tb7 13.1:!.c11:!.c8 14.0-0 (better was ~d6 18 ..tb4 ~d8 19.j,c4 'ίt>g7 20.e5 it
14.j,xc6 1:!.xc6 15.1:!.xc6 .txc6 16.d5 with proved to be difficu1t to neutra1ize White's
unc1ear p1ay) 14 ... e6 15 ..tb3ttJa5+ . Ιη this initiative οη the kingside and ίη the cen-
position White experienced difficu1ties tre. 15 ... f5 deserved attention here.) 16.1:!.bl
with the defence ofthe centre in the game, ~xa2 17.1:!.xb7 lιa4 18. ~el k:ι.fb8 19.1:lb4
Rack - Schnitzspan, Wiesbaden 1988. Also 1:!.xb4 20 ..txb4 ~ι;8 21 ..ta6 k:ι.c7 22.~bl
9.~e3, supporting the centre, was possib1e ~xbl 23.l:lxbl .tc2~ with mutua1 oppor-
though B1ack wou1d still be ab1e to deve10p tunities, Onischuk - Ftacnik, Germany
his pressure by 9 ... ~a5 (after 9 ... b5 White 2000.
wou1d have 10 ..txb5!? ~a5 11. ~b3, a1- Perhaps the most consistent decision
though ίη the game Ca1derin - Arencibia, wou1d be to make use ofWhite's 8th move,
Cuba 1988 B1ack got substantia1 chances that is to deve10p the light-squared bishop
for taking the initiative after 10.1:tb1 a6 to the 10ng diagona1 without weakening the
11.~d3 Cbc6 12 ..tc2 Cba5 13.0-0 Cbc4~) queenside by 9 ... b6. The game Gaw1i-
10.~d2 Cbc6 11.1:!.d1 (there was ηο sense in kowski - Taimanov, Szczawno Zdroj 1950,
11.~e2?! cxd4 12.cxd4 ~xd2+ 13.'ίt>xd2 continued by 10.0-0 .tb7 11.e5?! (result-
Corus
ing ίη a blockade ofthe centre and Black's
adνantage owing to his queenside superi-
οήtΥ, δΟ the usual11.'§d3G would be stron-
ger here) 11 ... cxd4 12.cxd4 lΔa6 13. '§a4
lΔc714.3ιa3 '§e815.'§b3 '§d716.1.Iad1 iLd5
17 ...Iic41:'!:ac8 18.lΔd2 iLh6 19.iLxd5lΔxd5+
10.iLe3
10.3ιχb5 was bad because of 10 ... '§a5.
10... i,b711.'§d3
Protecting the e4-pawn ίη this way,
White clears υρ the first rank for an easy
actiνization ofhis rooks and also puts pres-
sure οη Black's queenside.
11 ... cxd4
Α further adνance ofthe pawn by 11 ... b4
after 12.cxb4 cχd413.3ιχd4 ..Iixd4 14.'§xd4
'§xd4 15.lΔxd4 1.Id8 16.0-0-0 iLxe4 17.f3
lΔc6 18.CLJxc6 iLxc6 19.b5 3ιd5 20.~b2 could
haνe produced an endgame with White's
stable adνantage owing to his strong
queenside.
12.cxd4 CLJd7
Αη actiνe 12 ... b4!? 13.0-0 a5 with the
idea of 3ιa6 deserνed attention, but ίη this
case Black would haνe to reckon with a
possibility ofundermining a2-a3.
13.0-0 lΔb6
The knight's transfer to the queenside
ίδ a typical manoeuνre here. Also there was
an interesting possibility of 13 ... a6!? with
the idea to pit pressure οη White's centre
after lΔd7-f6. The adνance d4-d5 could be
opposed by e7-e6.
14.'§b1!
Now Black has real problems with the
defence ofhis queenside and must νenture
45
οη a forced line.
14 ... lΔa4!?
Ιη case of 14 ... a6 there would be an
unpleasant 15.a4, emphasizing the poor
position of Black's pieces along the b-file,
and then 15 ... bxa4 16.d5 (also a mere
16.Iιa2~ could be appropriate) 16 ... 3ιχa1
17.'§xa1 (threat3lling with 18.Iιb1. If
17 ...Iixb6 '§d6 18 ..i.e3, then 18 ... .i.g7? ίδ bad
because of 19.'§xb7 1.Ifb8 20.'§c6 '§xc6
21.dxc6 a3 22.c7 1.Ic8 23 ..i.b6 a2 24.e5±, but
after 18 ... .i.c3 19. '§xb7 1.Ifb8 20. '§c6 '§xc6
21.dxc6 a3~ Black manages to set υρ for a
counterplay) 17 ... l:tb8 18 ...Iih6. White wins
back the exchange and maintains the ίηί­
tiatiνe owing to his space adνantage and
the superior actiνity ofhis pieces.
15.'§xb5 CLJc316.'§xb7lΔxe2+ 17.'ίth1
CLJxd4 18.1:!.ad1
The binding along the d-file looks dan-
gerous for Black, but it can not lose him
more than a pawn after all exchanges.
White's achieνements would be less ίη case
of 18.iLxd4 iLxd4 19.Ϊ!.ad1 (19.CLJxd4 '§xd4
20.'§xe7 .ί::tfe8=) 19 ... '§b6 20.'§xe7 (20 ..ί::tb1
'§xb7 2U:txb7 e5=? 20 ... .i.xf2 21 ..ί::td6 .i.c5=.
18... e5 19.CLJxe5
Ιη case of 19.1Δxd4 exd4 20 ..i.xd4 3ιχd4
21. '§b4 .ί::tb8 22. '§xd4 '§xd4 23 ..ί::txd4 .ί::tb2!?
24 ..ί::ta4 .ί::tc8 25 ..ί::txa7 1.Icc2 26.a4 .ί::te2 Black
would manage to organize the co-opera-
tion of his rooks οη the second rank, thus
compensating White's mateήaΙ adνantage.
19 ....i.xe520.f4
Again, there was ηο sense ίη 20.iLxd4
i,xd4 21. '§b4 1.Ib8 22. '§xd4 '§xd4 23 ..ί::txd4
1.Ib2~
20 ... iLg7
Now 20 ... .ί::tb8?! would not be δΟ good
already because of21. '§a6, and if21 ... i::rb6?
(21 ... iLg7 would be better, but after 22.e5
White would win back the piece, and the
queenside pawns would remain), then
22.'§xa7 .Jιιb8 23.t!a4+-
21.e5 '§b6! 22.'§xb6 axb6 23.i,xd4
.ί::txa2 24 ..Jιιxb6 .ί::te8
White managed to stay a pawn up, but
Black's defence ίδ not νery difficult with
46 Super Tournαments 2000

the given set of pieces and pawns οη one ance ofweak points. After 6 ... CLJc6 7.~g4!?
flank οηlΥ. Black's immediate plans imply ~f8 8.dxc5! CLJxe5 9. ~g3CLJg6 10.0-0-0 CLJf6
further exchanges after the undermining 11.f3 .ltd712.CLJge2 iιc713.~f2 b6! 14 ..lte3
f7-f6. CLJe7 (Black wants to play CLJf5, trying to
25.iιd8 J::ta6 induce an exchange of White's dark-
White can't prevent the advance f6. squared bishop)15.g4 bxc5 16 ..ltxc5 1ιb6
26.Jιc7 J::tae6 17.h4 1ιχc5 18.~xc5 ~b6 19.~xb6 axb6
Black managed to hold out ίη a slightly
Αη immediate 26 ... f6 27.J::td6 J::te6'= was
possible, but there is ηο hurry with this. worse position, Kasparov - Κhalifman,
27.g4 g5! Linares 2000.
8plitting White's pawns to play against 6 ... cxd47.CLJb5
them more successfully. 27 ... f6 28.f5 J::tc6 Αη attack οη the kingside was still pos-
was possible again, but the move ίη the sible, but now Black would be able already
game is more accurate. to arrange an active counterplay ίη the
28.f5 centre. 80, after 7.~g4!? CLJe7 8.bxa5 (ίη
Ιη case of28.fxg5 iιxe5 White would not case of8.CLJb5 1ιc7 9.~xg7 J::tg810.~xh7 a6
be able to avoid exchanges as well. 11.CLJxc7+ ~xc7 12.CLJe2 ~xe5 13 ..ltb2 ~c7
28 ... J::tc6 29.J::td7 iιxe5 30.J::te1 f6 14.CLJg3 e5~ Black's activity ίη the centre
31 ..ltxe5 J::txe5 32.~xe5 fxe5 33.J::te7 h5 let him have an even play as well, Timman
Exchanging the pawns one after an- - Κhalifman, Bali 2000) 8 ... dxc3 9. ~xg7
other. J::tg8 10. ~xh7CLJbc6 11.CLJf3 (ίη case of a pri-
34.~g2 hxg4 35.hxg4 J::tc4 36.~f3 J::tf4+ mary 11.f4 Black might play rather sharply
37.'.t>g3 e4 lh-lh too, not fearing even material sacrifices,
for example: 11 ... ~xa5 12.CLJf3 1ιd7 13.
J::tb1!? 0-0-0 14.~d3 a6 15.CLJg5 J::txg5
19 C17 16.fxg5CLJf5 17 .1ιf4 ~xa3 18.J::tb3 ~a4 19.93
Anand - Lputian d4~. Black's advantage ίη the centre, the
Round 13 30.01 activity of his pieces and the unsafe posi-
tion of White's king compensated White's
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.CLJc3 iιb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 slight material advantage Anand - Κhalif­
.lta56.b4 man, Dortmund 2000) 11 ... ~c712.1ιf4 1ιd7
The main continuation ofthe variation. 13.1ιd3 0-0-0 14.1ιg3 ~xa5 15.0-0 J::th8!?
White is going to play CLJb5, emphasizing 16. ~xίΊ (16. ~g7 d4 17. ~g4CLJf5 18.a:fb1?!
certain weakening of the dark squares ίη CLJxg3 19. ~xg3 ~c7! t Polgar - Κhalifman,
Black's position which appeared after his Hoogeveen 2000) 16 ... a:df8 17.~g7 J::thg8
bishop has moved away from the diagonal 18.~h6, and now 18 ... ~xf3!? after 19.9xf3
a3-f8. Then, White also can try to gain CLJd4 20.~f4CLJef5 21.~h1.1tb5!?~ produced
profit from the absence of this bishop οη a position ίη which White's material ad-
the kingside by an immediate attack there vantage was simply unnoticeable because
like ίη the game Leko - Κhalifman, Linares ofhis broken pawn structure and the pas-
2000: 6. ~g4CLJe7 7.dxc5 .ltxc3+ 8.bxc3CLJg6 sivity of his pieces Galkin - Κhalifman,
9 ..ltd3 CLJd7 10.CLJf3 ~c7 11.0-0 CLJdxe5 Hoogeveen 2000.
12.CLJxe5 ~xe5 13 ..ltb5+ .ltd7 14.iιxd7+ 7 ... 1ιc78.f4
~xd7 15.~a4+! ~e7 16.~b4 J::tab8 17.f4 8.CLJf.3 was tested here with the idea to
~e4 18.f5t. White managed to keep his maintain the piece control of the impor-
initiative ίη this game despite his broken tant e5-square. 8 ... CLJc6 9 . .ltf4 CLJge7
pawn structure. The alternative was a 10.CLJbxd4 (after 10.CLJxc7+ ~xc7 11.iιd3
preliminarily 6 ..ltd2, avoiding the appear- CLJg6 12 ..ltg3 a5 13.h4 axb4 14.axb4 J::txa1
Corus
15.~xal ο-ο 16.0-0 tbxb4 17.h5i.O White
still had to prove his activity was worth
the sacrificed material, Horvath - Lputian,
80chi 1985) 10 ... ..id7 11.tbxc6 tbxc6 12.b5
tbe7 13 ...id3 tbg6 14 ...ig3 ..ia5+ 15.ΦΩ ~e7
16.h4! 1ιc3 17.h5!? (Uhlmann - Κnaak,
Dresden 1995), and now 17 ... 1ιχaΙ with a
complex play.
8 .....id7
Ιη case of 8 ... a5 after 9.1ιd2!? tbh6
10.1ιd3 (good was also 10.tbf3 axb4 11.axb4
~xaI12. ~xal ο-ο 13.tbxc7 ~xc7 14.tbxd4
tbf5 15.tbxf5 exf5 16.~c3 ~xc3 17.1ιχc3;t,
White gained a pair of bishops, a better
pawn structure and an active king ίη the
ending, 8vidler - 8.Ivanov, 8t.Petersburg
1997) 10 ... tbf5 11.tbf3 ο-ο 12.0-0 tbc6
13.tbxc7 ~xc7 14.b5 tbce7 15. ~e2 1ιd7
16.g4 tbe3 17.1ιχe3 dxe3 18. ~xe3;t White
had a position with initiative, and Black's
pieces remained passive, Leko - 8.Ivanov,
Budapest 1996. But the possibility of
8 ... tbh6 9.tbf3 1ιd7 10.tbbxd4 tbc6 11.c3
1ιb6 12.1ιd3 tbxd4 13.cxd4 (13.tbxd4 ~c8
Δtbf5) 13 ... a6 14.a4 tbf5 15 . ..ib2 tbe3
16. ~e2 tbc4 17.0-0 1d.c8 18 ...icl ~e7 19.a5
Jιa7°o deserved attention, Black's position
was not worse ίη this line despite White's
space advantage, Minasian - Lputian,
Lvov 1990.
9.tbxc7+!?
Quite logically, White wants to ex-
change the good dark-squared bishop of
his opponent. Ιη case of9.tbf3 Black would
be able to exchange his light-squared
bishop, usually quite passive ίη the French
Defence, thus achieving a solid position.
80, after 9 ... 1ιΧb5 10 ...ixb5+ tbd7!? 11.0-0
tbe7 12.tbxd4 (the weakening 12.g4?! af-
ter 12 ... a6 13.1ιd3 h5! 14.h3 hxg4 15.hxg4
tbb6 to be followed by tbc4-e3 let Black
hope to take the initiative ίη the game Van
den Doel - Lputian, Wijk aan Zee 1999)
12 ... 0-0 13.1ιd3 g6!? 14.1ιb2?! (it was pref-
erable for the bishop to remain οη the a 7-
gl diagonal, so 14.1ιe3!?with a space ad-
vantage would be better here) 14 ... tbb6
15. ~f3 tba4 16.1ιcΙ Jιb6 17 .1ιe3 tbb2~
47
Black managed to create counterplay οη
the queenside, Gallagher - Lputian,
Luzern 1997.
9 ... ~xc7 10.tbf3 a6
Preparing to exchange the light-
squared bishops after 1ιd7-b5.
After a sharper 10 ... a5, followed by
11.1ιd2! axb4 12.axb41:!.xaI13.~xal tbh6
14.1ιd3 tbf5 15.tbxd4 tbxd4 16.~xd4 tbc6
17.~f2;t, White's pair of mighty bishops
defined his advantage ίη the game Novik
- Lputian, Russia 1992.
An attempt to create a counterplay οη
light squares by 10 ... 1ιa4!? 11.1d.a2 (11.
1ιd3!?) 11 ... tbc6 12.1ιd3 tbh6 13.1ιb2 tbf5
14.~d2 ~b6 15.1ιΧf5 exf5 16.1ιΧd4 ~b5
17.e6!? fxe6 18.1ιχg7 ~g8 19.1ιd4 ~c4 20.c3
1d.g4fi deserved attention, like ίη the game
Van den Doel- B~\.rsov, Dieren 1998.
11.a4!
Of course, White refused the exchange.
11 ..• tbe7 12.1ιd3 tbf5 13.0-0 tbc6
14.~e1i.O
White completed his development suc-
cessfully, having kept his space advantage
and avoided exchanges that would have
allowed Black to simplify the position.
Black can not hold his extra pawn for any
long because ofthe unstable position ofhis
pleces.
14... ~b615.~b1
Preparing b5 to restrict the opponent's
pieces.
15 ... tbce7 16.b5 axb5 17.axb5 tbe3
18.~f2 tbc4 19.h3 tbf5
Ιη case ofthe alluring 19 .. .1ιΧb5?! after
48
20. '§b4 kIa5 2Uuxd4 tUc6 (21 ... '§xd4 would
not be better because of 22.Jι.xc4 Jι.xc4
23. '§xa5±) 22.tUxc6 bxc6 23.Jι.xc4 dxc4
24 ..te3 '§c7 25.Ϊtd2± Black would haνe
great problems with the king's defence and
the deνelopment of the h8-rook.
20.Ϊte2 h5
Again, after 20 ... .txb5 21. '§b4 Ϊta5
22 ..td2 '§a7 23.'§b3!? .ta4 24.'§xb7 '§xb7
25.kIxb7 .s:a8 26 ..tb4± the same problems
with the king and the co-ordination of
pieces would haνe arisen.
21.'§f2Ϊta4
Now 21 ... Jι.xb5 was simply a losing
moνe: 22 ..txf5 exf5 23.tUxd4 kIa5 24 ..td2!
tUxd2 25.MXd2+-; and ίη case of an appar-
ently actiνe 21 ... tUfe3 White would haνe a
mere 22.Me1!? Ma5 (if 22 ... .txb5?, then
23.tUxd4+-; and ίη case of22 ... .s:a4 the ρο-
sition would be reduced to the line after
2U;~a4) 23.c3 .s:xb5 24 ..s:xb5 .txb5 25.tUxd4
tUf5 26 ..txf5 exf5 27.e6 White would haνe
a dangerous attack.
22.Ϊte1 g6 23.Jι.xf5 exf5 24.tUxd4
White won back the pawn and main-
tained his adνantage ίη the centre, so the
ending with the opposite-coloured bishops
giνes ηο reliefto Black because ofthe seri-
ous weakness of dark squares ίη his posi-
tion.
24 ... 0-0 25.c3 .s:c8 26 ..te3 tUxe3
Black prefers to simplify the position
by exchanges, since ίη case of 26 ... '§a5 af-
ter 27.tUb3 there would be an unpleasant
threat of tUc5.
27.Mxe3 Jι.e6 28.Φh2
Ν ecessary prophylactics to the subse-
quent actiνe play.
28 ... Ma3 29.Ϊtc1 1:ιc4 30.Ϊtc2 Φh7
31.Mf3 '§c7 32.'§h4 '§d7
There was ηο 32 ... 1:ιaχc3?, because af-
ter 33 ..s:cxc3 .s:xc3 34.tUxe6 fxe6 35.b6 '§c6
36.'§e7+ Φh8 37.'§d8+ Φg7 38.~xc3 '§xc3
39.'§c7+- both the weakness of Black's
dark squares and White's far adνanced b-
Super Tournαments 2000
pawn would be too perceptible.
33.k1g3 Ma8 34. '§f6 .s:e8
Trying to aνoid the threats οη the
queenside (tUxe6, and if'§xe6, then Ϊtxg6),
Black prepares to exchange the queens.
The character of the struggle would not
change ίη case of 34 ... '§d8 35. '§xd8 Mxd8
36.Ϊta2 Ϊtdc8 37.Ϊta7 Ϊt8c7 (37 ... Ϊtxc3
38 . .s:xc3 Ϊtxc3 39.Ϊtxb7 Φh6 40.b6+-)
38.b6±.
35 ..a:a2!
Implying Ϊta7.
35 ... '§e7 36.'§xe7 kIxe7 37.b6!± Ϊte8?!
Black's last chance was 37 ... h4!? 38.Ϊtd3
Φh6 to be followed by g5, but now he can
not oppose a further reinforcement of
White's position.
38.h4!
Preνenting the aboνe stated possibility.
38... Φg7 39.Ma7 Mb8 40.Φg1
Transferring the king to the queenside.
40 ... .td7 41.Φf2 Φf8 42.Φe2 Φe8
43.Φd2 Mcc8 44.kIe3 Φe7 45.1:ιe1 .tc6
46.Ϊtea1
Το be followed by the decisiνe reinforce-
ment of ~a5-c5.
46 ... .td7 47 ..a:1a5 Jι.e6 48.g3 Φd8
49.Φc2 Φe7 50.Φb2 Φd8 51.Ϊtb5 Ϊtc4
52 ..a:aa5!
ΡreΡaήηg a rook exchange to moνe then
the king into Black's camp.
52 ... J::!.bc8 53.Ϊtb3 !tb8 54.J:!.b4! Ϊtcc8
Ιη case of 54 ... Ϊtxb4+ after 55.cxb4 Ϊtc8
the solution was 56.Ϊtc5 Ϊtxc5 (56 ... 'It>d7
57.Φc3 Φd8 58.tUb5 Φd7 59.Ϊtxc8 Φχc8
60.tUd6+ Φb8 61.Φd4+-) 57.bxc5 Jι.d7
58.Φc3 to be followed by tUc2-b4, winning
the d5-pawn.
55.J::!.bb5 Φe7 56.Ϊtc5 Φd7 57.J::!.xc8
Mxc8 58.Ϊta7 Ϊtb8 59.Φb3 'lt>d8 60.Φb4
'lt>d7 61.Ma5 1-0
After 61 ... .s:c8 62.MC5 It>d8 63 ..s:xc8+
Φχc8 64.'It>c51t>d7 65.tUb5 Φc8 66.\t>d6 Φd8
67.tUc7+- Black would haνe suffered ma-
teriallosses ineνitably.
Linαres 49

Linares
28.02-10.03, cat.21

3 4 6

1 Κramnik 2758 1= 1= 6

2 Κasparov 2851 -- 1= 6

3 Leko 2725 -- -- 4.5

4 Κhalifman 2656 0= 4.5

5 Anand 2769 - - 0=

6 8hirov 2751 0= 0=

Notebook Story
ΒΥ Alexαnder Khαlifmαn

J anuary match with Peter was just a disaster for me. Ι didn't manage to find enough
time and money (sorry, Κirsan Nikolayevich, Ι got my Las Vegas prize οηlΥ οη 30.12.1999
- may be just ίη time to celebrate Υ2Κ with caviar and champagne but rather late to
invest it into the preparation for the event which was scheduled to start οη 2.01.2000) to
prepare myself properly - who cares? At least now Ι know for sure that playing the
match with well-prepared and motivated 2700+ player when one's opening preparation
consists οηlΥ of some tricky lines ίη the Gruenfeld for White and "let's see what hap-
pens" for Black isjust a hopeless business. 80 ίη order to avoid widely predicted massive
suffering ίη Linares ("chamber of horrors" as one of my e-mail friends wrote to me) Ι
really had to do something ίη remaining 1,5 months. 8urely the problem Ν 1 was to find
some playable (οη Linares level, Ι mean) opening system for Black against 1.e4 as all
my so-called "repertoire" systems brought me everything but trouble recently. Ι took
this problem seriously and wanted to start my studies checking some old books. Ιη the
usual chaos (I've got plenty of old books but unfortunately since Chessbase era came Ι
didn't use them often) Ι found rather an old notebook. Remark for the younger or "tech-
nically advanced" readers: it's not about portable computer. Ιη this case "notebook" means
some sheets of paper bound together. Ιη pre-historical era (about 10 years ago) people
used the things like this to collect the useful data. 80 Ι found there some opening lines
analyzed by myself - sometimes together with some friends of mine during the period
1984-1989. I'm not sure Ι have the right to name the full names ofthose who was doing
this titanic work together with me, but anyway thanks a lot, Boris, Alexey, Vladimir - it
was a great time! There was a strange nostalgic feeling when Ι saw the myriads oflines
written down ίη this notebook. Ι was both curious and sceptical about the subjects and
quality of these analytical works - actually Ι supposed 90% of the lines to be tactically
unsound - nobody heard about FRITZ those days and ''Errare humanum est". Can one
50 Super Tournαments 2000

imagine my shock when the accurate check with the help of modern equipment proνed
the opposite? Right, many lines are oflittle interest nowadays but some ideas might be
νery useful eνen now and the quality of analysis was quite good - only ίη rare cases
some corrections were necessary. Oh, my goodness, how fanatical and naiνe we haνe
been - eνeryone looking for "bright future". What happened then? Nothing special- just
months and years of neνerending open tournaments where the opening secrets from
the old notebook could hardly be useful. 80 up to January 2000 it was buried ίη the
usual chaos of my working room together with old "Chess Informants" and the other
stuff. 80rry, dear readers, this story is getting too long - ΟΚ, let's play some moνes ...

20 D85 80 this is one of many positions which

Κhalifman - Leko was thoroughly analyzed ίη the old note-
Round 8 8.03 book. I'm sorry but I'd like to miss the
Notes by A.Khαlifmαn analysis of the most critical opening lines
till the certain moment - Ι really hope some
l.d4 CΔf6 2.CΔf3 g6 of them might be practically useful ίη the
Ιη the last round of Linares (after this future.
game) Peter played 2 ... c5 against Vladimir 8 ... 0-0 9.i.e2 cxd4 10.cxd4 ~a5+
Κramnik. Although it's hard to belieνe that 1l ...Itd2 ~xa2 12.0-0 .iιg4
'ΌΙd notebook secret" made him feeling Although this moνe was put into the
uncomfortable ίη his faνourite Gruenfeld, centre of public aatention only ίη summer
it still means something. 1990 after the games M.Gureνich - Iνan­
3.c4 .iιg7 4.CΔc3 d5 5.cxd5 chuk and Gelfand - Iνanchuk from Manila
Ιη the January match Ι played 5.~b3 Interzona11990, from the νery beginning
two times ίη this position. Ijust didn't want we were sure that it's one ofthe most criti-
to play my repertoire lines against ex- callines ίη the entire νariation. 80 it was
tremely well-prepared opponent. 80mehow one of the main subjects to analyze al-
after Ι found the old notebook Ι was really though some other 'ΌΙd notebook" lines
impressed by the depth of analysis ίη some haνe something to add to the 'ΌffίcίaΙ"
lines with 5.cxd5 & 8.~b1 - so it was the theory as well.
reason to try. Ι can foresee the logical ques- 13 ..iιg5 h6 14 ..iιe3
tion: it was my second Gruenfeld game ίη 14 ..iιh4 lines are also νery interesting
Linares; so why didn't Ι try it ίη the 2nd but just too weird for Linares.
round with Mr. Kasparoν? The answer iS 14 ...CΔc6 15.d5 CΔe5
fairly simple and honest: Ι haνe some rea- This is one of the key moments ίη this
sons to think that when the opening knowl- game. Although the text is by ηο means
edge of Peter Leko and the other "Linares refuted ίη the game the alternatiνes took
players" differs greatly from the one of much more pages ίη the old notebook. Eνen
"mere mortals" (the old notebook just the unnatural "computer moνe" 15 ... Nd8?!
brought me some steps closer to them) the was analyzed with great accuracy.
opening knowledge of"Gary The Greatest" 16.Iιxb7 e6 17.d6
is something incomparable eνen with Right from this moment this pawn be-
them. 80 Ι didn't want to check his analy- comes the key factor ofthe position. Black
sis - Ι wanted just to play the game. has many tactical possibilities as his pieces
5 ... CΔxd5 6.e4 CΔxc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.:tbl are rather actiνe. But ίη general ifWhite
Linαres
is able to defend from all temporary dan-
gers his d-pawn will be worth the whole
point.
17... z:rfd8 18.l:tel ~xf3 19.9xf3 'ι'1a5
After 19 ... 'ι'1a3 was brilliantly refuted
by Boris Gelfand this tactical move (the
main novelty of ''Informant'' Ν 68) was
found by Miguel Illescas ίη order to reha-
bilitate the entire line. When Ι saw the
game Lautier-Illescas for the first (?) time
Ι was very impressed just like everybody
else. Despite the strange feeling of "deja
vu" Ι took it seriously and tried to find the
refutation - with ηο special success; just
some playable ideas - not more. 80 one can
imagine the shock when Ι suddenly saw
some pages of analysis οη 19 ... 'ι'1a5 writ-
ten by my own hand not less than 10 years
ago.
20 ..:!.fl
Ιη the stem game Lautier was caught
by surprise and preferred to repeat the
moves: 20.~Ω? tιJxf3 21.~xf3 'ι'1a6+ 22.~gl
'ι'1χb7 23.e5 'ι'1b4 24.~xa8 .:!.xa8+; 20.~d2
'ι'1a2 21.~e3 'ι'1a5 22.i.d2 'ι'1a2 23.~e3
Draw agreed Lautier - Illescas, Wijk aan
Zee 1997.
20... i.f8
Ι don't think this position might be the
object of discussion ίη future - so from this
moment I'd like to offer your attention the
"old notebook" lines. 80rry if there are too
many - Ι did some work to reduce the origi-
nal analysis but as the position is very com-
plicated and both sides have many tacti-
cal resources some lines are really neces-
51
sary ίη order to understand what's going
οη. Most of these lines are annotated ίη
''Informant'' - style - ifthere were also some
verbal comments we would met serious
risks to run out of a book format. 20 ... ~d7
is another try - Black wants to stop the d-
pawn οη its current position and to ex-
change the active rook. This move, how-
ever, has its drawbacks - the d-pawn is not
under attack anymore - so White has some
time to regroup his pieces retaining the
advantage. 2U:txd7 tιJxd7 22.f4! White has
better chances, too: 22 ... .:!.b8 (22 ... 'ι'1b4
23.'ι'1c2! a5 24 ..:!.b1 'ι'1c3 25.'ι'1χc3 i.xc3
26 ..:!.b7±; 22 ... g5 23.fxg5 hxg5 24. 'ι'1c2±;
22 ... 1:!.c8 23.'ι'1b31:!.b8 24.'ι'1c4;±;) 23.'ι'1c2 'ι'1d8
(23 ... z:tb2 24. 'ι'1c8+ i.f8 25.i.f3 'ι'1b5 26.e5
tιJb6 27.'ι'1b7±) 24.e5 g5 25.'ι'1e4 gxf4
26.i.xf4;±; or 22 ... e5 23.f5 gxf5 24.exf5 e4
25.~h1! tιJf6 (25 ... 'ι'1Χf5 26.J:rg1 ι;t>h7 27.i.g4
'ι'1b5 28.'ι'1b1! 'ι'1Χb1 29.1:!.xb1 tιJe5 30 ..Il.f5+
~g8 31.d7 i.f6 32.1:!.c1+-) 26 ..:!.gl ~h7
27 ..Il.c4 'ι'1χf5 (27 ... 1;tf8 28.d7 1;td8 29.i.xf7
1:!.xd7 30.i.g6+ <t>h8 31.'ι'1cΙ 'ι'1d5 32.'ι'1c8+
.:!.d8 33. 'ι'1a6±) 28.iιxf7 rJth8 29.iιg6;±;.
21.d7
21 ..:!.b5 'ι'1a2 22.1:!.xe5? .Il.xd6 23 ..:!.b5
i.xh2+ 24.'it>xh2 .:!.xd1 25 ..Il.xd1 'ι'1c4-+
(Kasparov).
21 ... 'ι'1a2
21 ... ~db8 22.1::!.xb8 .ϊ::txb8 23.f4 CL:Jc6
24.'ι'1c2±
22.iιb5 a6
80 Black is going for the pawn as 23.Ba4
seems to be the οηlΥ critical answer. Α little
detail: the b6-square is not protected any-
more so Black would be always ready to
sacrifice the exchange now. Will his black-'
square counterplay be enough? Let's have
a look. Anyway the alternatives are not too
impressive, e.g.: 22 ... i.g7 23.f4 (23.'ι'1a4
CL:Jxf3+ 24.rJtg2 tιJh4+ 25.~g3±; 23 ... 'ι'1χa4
24.~xa4 CL:Jxf3+ 25.rJtg2 CL:Jd4 26 . .ί:tcl±;
23 ... 'ι'1b2! 24.f4 a6ao) tιJc4 (23 ... a6 24.fxe5
axb5 25.'ι'1d3 .Il.xe5 26.i.b6 'ι'1a6 27.i.xd8
'ι'1χb7 28.i.e7 .Il.c7 29.d8'ι'1+ .ixd8 30.
.Il.xd8+-; 27 ... .:!.d8 28. 'ι'1b5 'ι'1d6 29. 'ι'1a5+-)
24.~c1! (24.'ι'1a4 'ι'1e2 25.h3 tιJb2 26.iιxe2
52 Super Tournaments 2000

tΔxa4 27.i.xa7+-; 24 ... ~xa4 25.i.xa4 tΔxe3 25 ... ~d6 26.1:tdl tΔf4+ 27.~hl ~e5)
26.fxe3 i.c3 27.jLc6 1:tab8±) 24 ... tΔa5 a) 25 ... 1:rab8 26.1:rxb8 .ί:rxb8 27. ~a4±;
25.~c7 a6 26.i.a4 l::tab8 27.~c2 ~xc2 b) 25 ... tΔc5 26.1:!.bl 1:1:a7 27.~d4! e5
28.i.xc2 jLd4 (28 ... .ί:tb7 29.~xb7 tΔxb7 (27 ... ~a5 28.1:rfcl ~c7 29. ~f6 .ί:rxc6 30.i.d4
30.i.a4 tΔc5 31.i.c6±; 28 ... tΔb3 29.jLa3 e5 31.~xe5 f6 32.~d5+-; 27 ... 1:rc7 28.~f6
tΔd4 30.i.e7±) 29.l::tdl i.b6 30.~c3 f5 1:tdxd7 29 ..txd7 tΔxd7 30.~d8+-) 28.~xe5
(30 ... .ί:rb7 31.i.a4 .ί:rc7 32.I:txc7 i.xc7 33. tΔxd7 29. ~d5 ~c7 30 ..ί:rfdl±;
jLa3+-) 3U:td6 Φf7 32.exf5 gxf5 33.jLa3 c) 25 ... ~c3 26.1:!.b6 .ί:rab8 (26 ... l:ra 7
1:tb7 34.jLa41:tc7 35.1:txc7 jLxc7 36.Mxa6±. 27. ~b3! ~xb3 28 ..ί:rxb3 tΔc5 29 ..ί:rc3 .ί:rc7
23.i.a4! 30.i.a4 jLd6 3UHcl tΔxa4 32.J:!.xc7 .txc7
This pawn sacrifice is the only try if 33.nxc7+-) 27.~al! ~e5 (27 ... ~c2 28 ..ί:rxb8
White wants to play for win. 23.f4 axb5 1:!.xb8 29.~f6 ~xc6 30 ..td4+-; 27 ... ~c4
24.fxe5 ~a6 25.1:tc7 ~a5 26 ..ί:ι.b7 ~a6= 28.1::txb8 .ί:rxb8 29. ~f6+-) 28. ~xe5 tΔxe5
29.1::txb81::!.xb8 30.i.a4+-;
d) 25 ... ~d6 26 ..ί:rb6 (26. ~c2 tΔc5) 1:tab8
(26 ... .ί:ra7 27.i.a4 tΔf4+ 28.~hl ~e5 29 ..ί:rb3
1;ιc7 30.~al! i.g7 31.~xe5 .te5 32.i.b6+-;
27 ... ~a3 28. ~b3 ~xb3 29.1:rxb3 tΔc5
30.i.xc5 .txc5 3U::!:cl .td4 32.1:rb8!+-)
27 ..ί:rxb8 .ί:rxb8 28 ..ta4 .ί:rd8 29.~d2 ~a3
(29 ... tΔc5 30.~xd6 i.xd6 3U:tdl±) 30.1:tdl
tΔb2 (30 ... tΔel+ 31.l::txel ~xa4 32 ..ί:rdl±)
31 ..tb6 i.e7 (31 ... tΔc4 32.jLxd8 tΔxd2
33.1::ιχd2+-) 32.i.xd8 i.xd8 33.1::tcl tΔxa4
34.nc8 ~f8 35.e5 tΔb6 36. ~d6+-
23 ... tΔxf3+ 24.Φg2
Α pawn is a pawn and what's eνen more 24.~xf3 ~xa4 25.~dl ~c6 26.l::tb6 ~c7
important the white king's position is get- 27.e5 .ί:rxd7! 28 ..ί:rxd7 ~xd7 29. ~xa8 ~dl+
ting more νulnerable now. 30.Φg2 ~g4= (Kasparoν).
23 ... ~a3 (23 ... tΔc4 24.i.f4! e5 25.i.b3 24 ... tΔe5
25 ... ~a3 26.i.g3! tΔd6 27.~d5 i.g7 28.1:tb6 Technically speaking, only this moνe is
l:rab8 29.1:txb8 1:txb8 30.f4+-; 25 ... ~a5 a noνelty. It has a good strategical basis -
26.i.xc4 exf4 27.i.d5! ~c5 28.~b3 ~e7 the knight controls many important
29.z:!:b6l::ta7 30.l::txg6±) 24.Φg2 (24.f4 tΔg4 squares and attacks the d7-pawn from e5.
25.~b3 tΔxe3 26.~xa3 i.xa3 27.fxe3 ~ab8; 24 ... tΔg5? is simply bad: it combines the
24.i.b6 tΔxf3+ 25.ΦhΙ i.d6 26.i.xd81:rxd8; drawbacks of both other knight retreats -
26 ... tΔxh2 27. ~xd6 ~xd6 28.i.c7 ~d3 Black loses time and moνes his knight off-
29.l:Hbl ~f3+; 27.~b3 ~c5 28.i.h4 tΔxf1 side. 25. ~c2 ~a3 (25 ... ~xc2 26 ..iιxc2 i.e7
29.~f3 f5 30.d8~+ 1:txd8 31.i.xd8 tΔd2 27.i.b6 .ί:rf8 28.e5±; 27 ... .ί:rdb8 28.:rxb8+
32. ~g2 g5 33 ..td7 ~cl+ 34. ~gl ~c3 1:txb8 29 ..tc7 l::tb2 30.l::tcl +-; 29 ... .ί:rb4
35.i.xe6+ Φf8) tΔd3 (24 ... tΔc4 25.i.cl ~c3 30.i.d6 .ί:rb7 31 ..txe7 l::txd7 32 ..txg5 hxg5
26.~b3 ~xb3 27.1:txb3±) 25.i.c6! The only 33.1::tal+-; 29 ... :rf8 30.f4 tΔh7 3U:tdl i.d8
way to the adνantage (the similar geo- 32.i.d6+-; 29 ... l::ta8 30.f4 i.d8 31 ..ί:rcl!
metrical motiνe happened later ίn the i.xc7 32.i.a4+-; 30 ... tΔh7 31.i.a4±) 26 ..ί:rdl
game) but good enough (25. ~c2 tΔc5; ~e7 [a5 (26 ... f6 27.i.b3 Φh7 28. ~c4+-;
25.~al ~xal 26.l::txal tΔc5 27.i.xc5 .txc5 26 ... e5 27.i.b3! a5 28. ~c6 Φg7 29.h4+-;
28.1:rcl i.d6 29.~b3 Φf8 30.I:tbc3 i.f4 26 ... f5 27.exf5 gxfB 28.i.b3 ~h8 29.h4 tΔe4
31.1:tlc2 Φe7 32.1:tc8 1:tb8; 25. ~b3 ~xb3; 30.i.xe6+-; 26 ... i.e7 27.h4 tΔh7 28.I:tbbl!
Linαres
Sιf6 29.Sιc5 ~c3 30.~xc3 Sιxc3 31.Sιc6+-;
26 ... Sιg7 27 ...tc6 ~e7 28 ..tc5 ~f6 29 ..1:1.b3
lIab8 30.e5 ~f4 31.1::txb8 .1:1.xb8 32.d8~ 1::txd8
33 ..1:1.xd8+ Φh7 34.z:td4 ~xe5 35.h4+-)
27 ..tc6 ~e7 (27 ... a4 28.e51::ta6 29.~c4l:Ia5
30.h4 CLJh7 31 ..tb6+-; 28 ... .1:1.a5 29.h4 CLJh7
30 ..tb6 .1:1.aa8 31.1::td4+-) 28 ..1:1.b5 I:!.ab8
(28 ... ~a6 29.e5+-) 29 ..1:1.xb8 .1:1.xb8 30.f4 CLJh7
(30 ... ~a3 31.~d3+-) 31 ..tb6 ~h4 32.d8~
.1:1.xd8 33.~xd8 ~g4+ 34.~hl ~f3+ (34 ...
~xf4 35.~d1+-) 35.~g2 ~xf4 36.1:tdl+-]
27.e5 CLJh7 (27 ... f5 28.Jιb3 CLJf7 29.~c6
CLJxe5 30. ~xe6+ ~xe6 31.Jιxe6+ \t>h7
32.Jιb6+-) 28.Jιc6 ~h4 29.~e4 ~xe4+
(29 ... ~h5 30 ..1:1.bbl CLJg5 31. ~c4 ~h3+
32.~hl ~h5 33 ..txg5 ~xg5 34.Jιxa81:txa8
35. ~c8+-) 30 ..txe4±
Howeνer, 24 ... CLJh4+ is the serious al-
ternatiνe - check saνes a tempo. The ques-
tion "What's better: 24 ... CLJe5 or 24 ... CLJh4+?
is mainly of theoretical interest. Accord-
ing to 'ΌΙd notebook" lines ίη both cases
precise play giνes White good winning
chances and ηο losing prospects at all. 80
Ι would be rather surprised ifthis position
happens ίη practice later. 24 ... CLJh4+
25. ~h3 was played ίη Haba - 8kytte,
Cappelle la Grande 2000. Black didn't suc-
ceed ίη finding any special counter-re-
sources and lost quickly. After my game
with Peter was oνer Ι was asked ίη the
press-center ίΠ had known this brand-new
game. Well, Ι knew it. As a matter offact,
Ι knew eνen a bit more. Ι wouldn't imag-
ine myselfbeing so braνe to moνe my king
to h3 - g6-g5 belongs to Black's plan any-
way so the h4-knight would be hardly ίη
any danger. White's king h3 just oppositely
might become an object of mating attack.
Fortunately the quieter retreat to hl is
good enough for White. 25 ... ~c4 (25 ... Jιe7
26.~c2 ~a3 27.~b3 ~d6 28.f4t; 25 ... g5
26.~c2 ~a3 27.Jιc6 ~ab8 28 ..1:1.xb8 .1:1.xb8
29.1:tdl Jιe7 30.Jιb7 .1:1.d8; 27.lIdl Jιd6
28.1:td3 ~al 29.~dl ~xdl 30 ..!:!.xdl Jιe7
31.Jιb6 ~f8 32 ...tc7±; 27 ... CLJg6 28.Jιc6
~a500) 26.f3 g5! [26 ... .te7 27 . .1:1.f2 Jιg5
28 ..tb6t; 27 ... e5 28.Jιb3 ~c6 29.iιd5 ~d6
53
(29 ... ~f6 30.1:tb6+-) 30.f4±; 27 ... ~c3
28.~d4 ~a5? (28 ... ~xd4 29.Jιxd4±) 29.
Jιxh6 Jιf8? (29 ... e5 30.~c4 was quite poor
anyway) 30.Sιxf8 I:ι.xf8 31.Φχh4 ~h7
32.Φh3 1-0 Haba - 8kytte, Cappelle la
Grande 2000] 27 ..1:1.f2 (27.Jιb6 Jιd6 28.Sιxd8
.1:1.xd8 29 ..1:1.f2 Sιe5~; 27 ... CLJg6! 28.Sιxd8 CLJf4+
29.~g3 .1:1.xd8 30.~f2 Jιg7) 27 ... e5 (27 ... Sιd6
28. ~xd6 ~xa4 29.Sιb6 CLJg6 30 . ..I1ιxd8±;
27 ... Sιg7 28. ~c2 ~xc2 ~ ...I1ιxc2) 28. ~b3
(the queen is trapped!) 28 ... ~xb3 29 ...I1ιxb3
the endgame is better for White, e.g.:
29 ... l:Iab8 (29 ... ..I1ιe7 30.l::tc2 and Black is
completely tied up.) 30.l::txb8 .1:1.xb8 31.J:ιc2
.1:1.xb3 (31 ... .!:!.d8 32 ...I1ιa4) 32 ...I1ιxg5! (32.d8~
.1:1.xe3 33.I:tc8 tι.xf3+ 34.Wg4 J:!.f4=) 32 ... CLJxf3
(32 ... .J:;ίd3 33.d8~{ ~xd8 34.iιxd8 CLJxf3
35.z:!.a2±) 33.d8~ CLJxg5+ 34.\t>g4±;
27 ... ~c3!? needs further inνestigation.
Black seems to hold his ground: 28.Jιd4
(28. ~d2 ~al; 28. ~d4 ~el) 28 ... ~a3
29.Jιb6 (29.Sιb2 ~e7 30.f400) 29 ... CLJg6
30.Jιxd8 CLJf4+ 315~tg3 I:txd8~
25.~hl!
a) 25 ... ~a3 (25 ... Sιe7 26.Jιxh6) 26. ~b3
~d6 27.Jιb6
a1) 27 ... ~e5 (27 ... tH4 28.~e3 Jιd6
29.~xf4 Jιxf4 30 ...I1ιxd8 .s.xd8 31 ..1:1.d1 ~f8
32.J:!.d3+-) 28 ...tc6 (28. ~d3 .td6 29.f4 ~b2
30.~c2 ~xc2 31 ..ixc2 .1:1.f8 32.l:!.d1 iιe7
33.~gl a5 34.Jιa4 g5 35.fxg5 hxg5;t)
28 ... .id6 29.f4 ~h5 30.e5 iιe7 (30 ... ~e2
31.~d1 ~c4 32.~cl+-) 31 ..txd8 .1:1.xd8
32.~d3 (32.Jιe4 ~e2 33.~d3 ~a2±) 32 ... g5
(32 ... CLJf5 33.Sιe4 a!~ 34. ~f3+-) 33.fxg5 hxg5
34 ..te4+-;
a2) 27 ... Jιe7 28 ..ixd8 .1:1.xd8 29. ~c3 a5
(29 ... e5 30.Ϊtfbl ~f6 31.~g3 ..I1ιc5 32 ..1:1.b8
iιe7 33.I:t8b6+-) 30.1:td1 ~f4 31. ~e3 ~e5
(31 ... ~g4 32 ..1:1.g1 ~h5 33 ..1:1.b5+-) 32.f4 ~h5
33.J:!.b5+-;
a3) 27 ... .1:1.db8 28.J::txb8 .1:1.xb8 29 ..1:1.dl ~e5
(29 ... ~f4 30.~e3 ~xe3 31.fxe3 .ie7 32.
d8~+ ..I1ιxd8 33 ..1:1.xd8+ .1:1.xd8 34 ...I1ιxd8+-)
30. ~e3 ..I1ιd6 (30 ... iιe7 31.d8~+ .txd8
32.iιxd8 g5 33.Jιe7+-) 31.f4 ~b2 32 ..1:1.d2
~bl+ (32 ... ~cl+ 33.Jιdl+-) 33.iιd1 Jιe7
34.d8~+ ..txd8 35.Jιxd8 g5 (35 ... I!.b3
54 Super Tournαments 2000

36 ..tf6 'it>h7 37.~e2 g5 38.~d7 ~f.3 39.fxg5 30 ..tι:f1 ~e7 [30 ... ~m 31 ..tc6 ~a3 (31 ... ~c3
Φg6 40.nd8 hxg5 41 ..td4 [6 42 ..tf2+-) 32.~xc3 Sιxc3 33.lιc5+-; 31 ... ~d6 32 ..tc7
36.fxg5 hxg5 (36 ...1:[b3 37 ..tf6+-) 37.lιxg5 ~d4 33.~d1 ~e3 34.1:!.b3+-) 32 ..tc5 ~a5
4Jg6 38.lιf6 e5 39.h4+-; 33.nd1.tf4 (33 ... tbxf.3 34 ..ib4 ~d8 35 ..ixm
b) 25 ... ~c4 26.f.3 g5 [26 ... lιe7 27 ..txh6 ~xm 36.2:Ib3+-) 34 ..tb4 ~d8 35 ..ixm ~xm
g5 28.1:[g1 [6 (28 ... 4Jxf.3 29. ~xf3 ~xa4 36 ..sa7 J::rd8 37.~c3+-; 30 ... ~a3 31.Sιc5!
30 ..txg5 .txg5 3U::rxg5+ Φm 32.1:[g1 ~a5 (31.~b3 ~d6! 32.1:!:d1 ~e7 33 ..ixd8 nxd8
33. ~g3 rjJe7 34.nf1 +-) 29 .e5 ~f4 (29 ... ~d5 34.z:!:c1 ~f6~ 35.1:[c8? ~f4!+) 31 ... ~c3
30. ~xd5 exd5 31.exf6 .txf6 32 ..tc6+-) 32. ~xc3 .txc3 33 ..ie7 .id2 34.1:[f2+-]
30.exf6 (30 ..ic6 ~xe5 31.kIe1 ~c5 32.~xe6 31 . .txd8 1:[xd8 32.1:[b3! (32. ~d3 ~c5
4Jf5 33. ~d5 ~xd5 34 ..txd5±) 30 ... .txf6 33. ~xa6 ~c3 34. ~b6 rjJg7 35. ~f2 ~c4
(30 ... 4Jxf.3 31.1:[g3! ~xf6 32.1:[xf3 ~xh6 36 ..tb5 ~c3 37.~e2 tbg6; 37.~e1 ~b3;!;)
33 ..tb3 g4 34.1:[g3 rjJh8 35. ~xg4+-) 31 ..tc6 32 ... ~f6 33.~e2 (33.~d2 rjJg7) 33 ... ~f4
4Jf5 (31 ... rjJh8 32.1:[g4 ~e5 33.~c1+-) 34.1:!:b4 Φg7 (34 ... tbf5 35.exf5 ~xb4 36.fxe6!
32.1:[g4 ~d6 33.~xd6 4Jxd6 34 ..txg5±] .tf6 37.exf7 rjJxf7 38. ~e8+ rJi2g7 39 ..ic2 ~f4
27 ..tb6 [27.1:[f2 .ie7 (27 ... g4 28. ~c2! ~xc2 40.~g6 Φm 41.~xh6+ .tg7 42.~xa61:[xd7
29.1:[xc2 gxf3 30 ..ib6 [5 31 ..tb3! Φh8 43. ~c8+ Φe7 44.1:[e1+ .te5 45. ~c5+-)
32.1:[c8! ~axc8 33.dxc8~ .ί::1.χc8 34 ..td4+ 35.MC4±
.tg7 35.1:[xg7+-) 28.~d4!? (28.~c2 ~xc2 c) 25 ... g5! 26 ..tb6 ~c4 27.1:[e1 (27 ..txd8
29.Mxc2 4Jxf.3 30 ..tb6 Mm 31.Mbc7 Mab8=t=; ~xe4+ 28.f.3 ~xb7 29 ..tf6 tbf5 30.~c1! ~b6
28 ..tb6 1:[m 29.Mb2 ~c3!oo; 28.~b3 ~xb3 31.~c8+-; 29 ... ~c7 30.d8~ ':xd8 31 ..txd8
29.MXb3 Mdb8 30.Mfb2 Ϊtxb3 3U:rxb3 rjJg7 oo ; ~f4 32 ..tc2+-; 27 ... ~xd8 28.f.3 .tg7 29.~f2
29 ... a5 30.MC2 [5 31.1:!:bc3 ~ab8 32.~c8 tbg6 30 ..ί1d2;!;) 27.ι.te7 (27 ... .tg7 28.~b3!
Φf700) ~xd4 29.SΙxd4 Mab8 (29 ... Mdb8 ~xb3 29 ..ixb3 1:[m 30.j"c5 1:[fd8 31.Jte7
30.J::rfb2 Mxb7 31.J::rxb7 4Jxf.3 32.J::rc7 J::rd8 tbg6 32 ..ixd8 z:!:xd8 33.MC1 tbe7 34.1:[bc7
33 ..tb6 tbe5 34.J::rc8 J::rf8 35.d8~ .txd8 Φh7 35.j"a4+-) 28.j"xd8 .a:xd8 (28 ... Jtxd8
36.J::rxd8 J::rxd8 37 ..txd8 Φg7 38.Sιc7±; 29. ~c2 ~xc2 30.j"xc2 Φf8 31.1:[c1 tbg6
29 ... a5!?) 30.Mfb2 ~xb7 3U::txb7 4Jxf3 32.j"a4 tbe7 33.1:[b2+-; 29 ... ~d4 30.1:[e3±)
(31 ... rjJh7 32 ..tc3) 32.j"c3 Φh7 (32 ... f5 29. ~c2 ~d4 (29 ... ~xc2 30 ..ixc2 Φf8
33.exf5 exf5 34 ..ί::1.b6+-; 32 ... g4 33.MC7 [6 31.Jta4 tbf.3 32.MC1 +-) 30.1:[d1 ~e5 31. ~e2
34 ..ia5 Mf8 35.MC8±) 33.MC7 4Jxh2 34.MC8 Sιc5 32.f.3;!;
tbf3 (34 ... tbg4 35 ..ia5 ~g8 36.J::re8 .if6 25.j"b6
37 ..ic7 e5 38.'it>g1 h5 39.lιd1+-) 35 ..ta5 25.~a1 ~c4 26.~xe5? Sιg7;
Mg8 36.1:[e8~] 27 ... .id6 [27 ... .ig7 28.1:[c7 25.1:[e1 tbc4? 26.Jtd4 ~a3 (26 ... e5
~a2 (28 ... ~b4 29.1:[c6 Sιf6 30 ..ixd8 J::rxd8 27.Jtc3 ~a3 28.Jtb3 ~c5 29 ..txc4 ~xc4
31. ~c2) 29.J::rf2 ~a3 (29 ... ~a1 30.~xa1 30.Sιa5+-; 27 ... .tc5 28.1:[e2 ~a3 29 ..tb3
.ta1 31.kIc1 SΙf6 32 ..txd81:[xd8 33.1:[c8+-) ~a7 30.Sιb2! tbxb2 31.~d5 z:!:xb7 32.~xf7+
30.MC4 nab8 (30 ... ~e7 31.1:[fc2+-; 30 ... tbg6 Φh8 33. ~f6+ 'it>h7 34 . ..ITιf7+-; 31 ... 4Jd3
31 ..tc5 ~a1 32.~xa1 .txa1 33 ..tb6 J::rdb8 32.~xf7+ Φh8 33.~f6+ Φh7 34.~xd8 tbf4+
34.J::rd2 .tf6 35 ..tc7±) 31 ..txd8 (31 ..tc5 ~a1 35.Φf1+-; 26 ... tbd6 27.1:[b1 ~c4 28.~c1 ~b4
32. ~xa1 .txa1 33.1:[f1 .te5 34 ..te7 J::rb2!=; 29 ..tc5 ~b8 30.~c6+-; 27 ... e5 28 ...ITιb3
33.J::rc1.tf6 34..td6 J::rb7 35 ..tc7 tia8; 32.1:[c1 ~xb1 29.~xb1 exd4 30.e5 tbf5 31.e6±) 27.
~f6 33 ..td6 l1a8 34 ..tc6 J::ra7 35.e5 ~f4 ~c2 e5 (27 ... tba5 28.~c7 ~e7 29.~c3+-)
36 ..te71:[dxd7 37 ..txd7 .txe5 38.1:[c8+ rjJh7 28 ...ITιa1 tbd6 (28 ...tbd2 29.j"c3 4Jc4 30.Jtb3
39.~d3+ tbg6; 39.1:[d8 1:[c7~) 31 ... l:Ixd8 ~c5 31.Sιb4+-; 28 ... tba5 29 . .sc7 ~d6
32.MC8 j"f6 33.e5 .te7 34 ..ic2±] 28.~f2 .te5 30. ~c3+-; 28 ... Jtb4 29.1:[xb4 ~xb4 30.
29. ~c2! ~b4 (29 ... ~xc2 30.J::rxc2 .ί::1.f8 1:[bl±) 29.j"b2! (29 ..ί1b6 tbb5 30.j"xe5 ~e7oo;
31.j"c5 .sfb8 32.llxb8+ Mxb8 33 ..tgl+-) 29 . .ί1c7 Jtg7 30.1:[d1 tbb5 31.1:[c8 ~f8
Linαres
32.1:!.xa8 1:!.xa8 33 . .1xb5 axb5 34. t'fc7±;
29 ... LΔb5 30 . .1xb5 axb5 31 . .1xe5 t'fe7
32 . .1b2 t'fg5+ 33.ιJth1 i.b4) 29 ... t'fa2
(29 ... t'fxa4 30.t'fxa4 LΔxb7 31.t'fc6 LΔc5
32.1:!.dl+-) 30.i.b3 t'fa5 31.J::!:a1 LΔxb7
(31 ... t'fxa1 32.i.xa1 LΔxb7 33.t'fc6+-)
32.1:!.xa5 LΔxa5 33. t'fc7!+-;
25 ... t'fc4! 26.i.b6 (26. t'fd4 t'fxd4 27.
.1xd4LΔd3=) 26 ... LΔd3 27.J:.e3LΔb2 28.t'fb3
t'fxa4 29 ..1xd81:!.xd8 30.t'fxb21:!.xd7=.
25 ••. t'fc4?!
Surprise, surprise! At the very moment
Ι was fee1ing 1ike winning the game with-
out p1aying at all (it happens sometimes
to the other "Linares guys", especially the
big one, why cou1dn't it happen to me?) But
the text move was not ana1yzed ίη the old
notebook extensive1y - un1ike the a1terna-
tives. It 100ks active and 10gica1 but ίη the
old notebook it was rejected with the gen-
era1 assessment: "B1ack's οη1Υ chance is the
counterp1ay against White weakened king
- so if White manages to exchange the
queens without immediate 10ss of the d-
pawn ίη most cases he's just c10se to win".
Easy to say - hard to prove. The other
moves are not much better objective1y as
the 1ines be10w can prove but White wou1d
p1ay with great precision then. Dear
reader, I'm once more sorry for the never-
ending 'Ό1d notebook" 1ines be1ow. But this
ana1ysis is just some hand-made product
ofthe 80th with very 1ittle corrections from
March 2000 - so I'm really proud of it.
25 ... g5 26.i.xd8 1:!.xd8 27. t'fa1 t'fc4
28. t'fxe5+-;
55
25 ... jιe7 26.jιb3 t'fa3 27.i.xd8 'sxd8
28.f4LΔc6 29.1:!.c7±;
25 ... jιg7 26.i.xd8 1:!.xd8 27.'sc7! i.f6
28.1:!.c8 ςtJh7 (28 ... LΔg4 29. t'fxg4 t'fxa4
30.J:ι.d1 cJ;;g7 31.J:ι.xd8 i.xd8 32. t'ff3±)
29.ktxd8 i.xd8 30. t'fd4 t'fa3 31.f4 LΔd3
32.i.d1! t'fa2+ (32 ... ςtJg8 33.i.e2 LΔb4
34. t'fd2) 33.ιJth1 t'fd2 34 ..1f3 t'fc2 (34 ... i.h4
35.l:td1! LΔf2+ 36.ςtJg2 t'fxf4 37.t'fxf2 i.xf2
38.d8t'f+-; 34 ... e5 35.fxe5 jιh4 36.d8t'f!
.1xd8 37.e6! 38"~xf6 LΔf2+ 39 ..ίϊΧf2 t'fxf2
40.t'fxf7+ ςtJh8 41.h4 t'ff1+ 42.ςtJh2 t'ff2+
43.ςtJh3 t'ff1+ 44.ςtJg3+-) 35.f5! gxf5 (35 ...
LΔf4 36.fxg6+ fxg6 37.e5+-; 35 ... i.c7
36.fxg6+ fxg6 37 ..1e2+-; 35 ... e5 36. t'fd5
CLJf2+ 37.z:txf2 t'fxf2 38.t'fxf7+ ςtJh8 39.t'ff8+
ςtJh7 40.fxg6+ cJ;;xg6 41. t'fg8+-) 36.exf5 e5
(36 ... exf5 37.i.e4! LΔf2+ 38.J::!:xf2 t'fxe4+
39.t'fxe4 fxe4 40.1:I.xf7+ Φg8 41.1:I.f4+-)
37.t'fe3! (37.t'fd5 LΔf2+ 38.z:txf2 t'fxf2
39.t'fxf7+ ςtJh8 40.t'fe8+ ςtJg7 41.t'fg6+
Φf8 00 ; 37 ... cJ;;h8 38. t'fxf7 LΔf2+ 39.klxf2
t'fc1!=) 37 ... LΔf4 (37 ... i.f6 38.d8t'f! .1xd8
39.f6+-; 37 ... i.g5 38.f6+-) 38.f6 LΔg6
(38 ... cJ;;h8 39.t'fxe5LΔe6 40.t'fe3+-) 39.i.e4
t'fc440.klf3+-.
25 ... t'fa3 26.'se1! One more quote:
"When White puts his bishop οη b6, he
doesn't need to be ίη hurry capturing the
rook. Ιη some cases b1ack-squared bishop
might bejust more va1uab1e than the rook".
The genera1 assessments like this ίή the
annotations are quite often - but when the
idea is confirmed by the variations be10w
it really means something. [26 ..1xd81:!.xd8
27. t'fb3 (27 ..ίϊc7 jιe7 28.1:!.c8 ςtJh7 29.J::!:e1 g5
30.1:!.e3 t'fb4oo) t'fc5! (27 ... t'fxb3 28.1:!.xb3
i.e7 29.1:!.d1+-; 27 ... LΔd3 28.t'fxa3 i.xa3
29.1:!.b3 LΔf4+ 30.ςtJf3 .1d6 31.1:!.c1 e5 32.
~c8+-; 27 ... t'fe7 28.f4 LΔg4 29.t'ff3 LΔf6
30.e5 LΔd5 31 . .1c6 LΔb4 32.'sd1 LΔxc6
33. t'fxc6±) 28.~d1 (28.1:!.b8 i.e7! 29.1:!.d1
LΔg4 30.J:txd8+ i.xd8 31.t'fg3 LΔf6 oo ; 29.
1:!.xd8+ .1xd8 30. t'fb8 t'fa5 31.1:!.a1 LΔd3iii)
.i.e7 29. t'fc2 t'fa5 (29 ... LΔc4 30.ςtJhl+-;
29 ... t'fa3 30 ..i.b3 a5 31. t'fc7 .1ffi 32.1:!.b8LΔc6
33. t'fd6 t'fxd6 34.~xd8+ CLJxd8 35.J::!:xd6+-)
30.jιb3 (30.h3 g5 31 ..1b3LΔg6 32.t'fc7 CLJf4+
56
33.Φh2 ~a3oo) tbg4 (30 ... .i.g5 31.~c7 ~xc7
32.11xc7 Φf8 33.iιa4+-; 30 ... .i.c5 31.~b2
iιe7 32.~d2+-) 31.h3 (31.~c7 ~h5oo)
31 ... tbf6 (31 ... ~g5 32.hxg4 ~xg4+ 33.<bf1
~h3+ 34.Φel±) 32.f4 tbh5 33.Φf3 g5
34.fxg5 ~e5oo] ~e7!? [26 ... tbd3 27.1:te3 ~b4
28.iιxd8 ~xb7 29.iιf6 tbc5 30.d8~ .ί:txd8
31.iιxd8 tbxe4 32. ~d7+-; 26 ... iιe7 27.!te3
~a2 (27 ... ~d6 28.~xd6 iιxd6 29 ..i.xd8
1:txd8 30.1::tc3 Φf8 31.f4+-) 28.iιb3 ~a3
(28 ... ~b2 29 . .i.d4) 29 ..i.xe6+-; 26 ... g5
27.~e3 ~e7 (27 ... ~d6 28. ~xd6 .ixd6
29 ..i.xd8 .sxd8 30 ..sc3 Φf8 31 ..sc8 <be7
32 ..sa7+-) 28.:ι:ϊ.b3 g4 29 ..ixd8 :ι:ϊ.Χd8 30.1::tb8
tbf3 31 ..sxd8 ~xd8 32 ..sb8 ~xb8 33.d8~
~xh2+ 34.<bf1+-; 26 ... .i.c5 27 ..i.xd8 .sxd8
28.~b3 tbd3 (28 ... ~xb3 29 ..::!.xb3 <bf8 30.f4
tbc4 31.1:tcl tbd2 32 ..ί:txc5 tbxb3 33.1::tc8 <be7
34 ..ί:txd8 ΦΧd8 35.iιxb3 <bxd7 36.h4+-)
29.~b8! tbxe1+ (29 ... Iίxb8 30.~xb8+ ~h7
31.d8~ tbxe1+ 32.<bf1+- 30.Φf1 ~a1
(30 ... ~c1 3U:txd8+ Φg7 32.ktg8+ Φh7
33.d8~ tbd3+ 34.~d1 ~f4 35.!!h8+ <bg7
36.~g8+ Φf6 37.~e2+-) 31 ..1:!:xd8+ Φh7
32.~d1 ~f6 33.~h8+! ~xh8 34.d8~+-;
26 ... tbc4 27.iιxd8 .sxd8 28.~c2 ~c5 29.~Ω
tbd2+ 30.~xd2 ~c4+ 31.~g2 ~xa4 32.
~d3±; 26 ... .i.g7 27 ..i.xd8 .sxd8 28.~b3 ~c5
29 ..sdl±] 27 ..i.xd8 .ί:txd8 [27 ... ~xd8 28.~b3
~f6 29. ~g3 Ild8 30.f4 tbc4 31.e5 ~e7
(31 ... ~f5 32.J::ιc7 tbd2 33.iιc2 ~h5 34 ..i.d1
~f5 35 ..i.g4 tbe4 36 ..i.f5 tbxg3 37.hxg3+-;
32 ... .i.b4 33 ..1:!:xc4 1ιχe1 34. ~xe1 ~g4+
35.Φh1 ~f3+ 36.Φgl+-) 32.~c3! (32 ..sc1
~c5 33 ..sc3 ~d4 34.~d3 tbe3+ 35.~xe3
~xa4 36.1::td3 ~c2+ 37.~h1 a5oo) ~h4
33 ..se4 tbxe5 (33 ... iιc5 34. ~g3 ~h5 35 ..sc7
tbd2 36 ..se1.i.b6 37 ..sc8+-) 34. ~xe5 ~g4+
(34 ... iιg7 35.f5 ~g5+ 36. ~g3 ~xf5 37.
.i.c6+-) 35.Φf2 ~h4+ 36.Φe3 ~h3+ 37.Φd2
~g2+ 38.ΦcΙ ~h1+ 39.~c2 ~g2+ 40.~b1
~h1+ 41.Φa2 .ig7 42 ..sb8 .ixe5 43.J:rxd8+
<bh7 44.~xe5 ~xh2+ 45.~a3 ~xf4 46 ..sc8
~xe5 47.d8~+-] 28.f4 tbc4 29.~d3 tbd6
(29 ... ~c5 30 . .seb1 tbe3+ 31.<bf3 tbc4
32 ..sb8+-; 30 ... 1ιe7 31 ..sb8 Φf8 32 ..sc8
.sxc8 33.dxc8~+ ~xc8 34 ..sc1 ~b8 35 ..sxc4
~xf4 36.~c3+-; 30 ... iιd6 31 ..s7b4! tbe3+
Super Tournaments 2000
32.Φf3 ~h5+ 33.~xe3 1ιc5+ 34.~d2 ~xh2+
35.Φd1 iιxb4 36.nxb4 ~xf4 37.nc4 ~b8
38. ~c3+-; 29 ... ~h4 30.~Ω tbd6 31 ..ί:tb6 a5
32.Φh1 ~h5 33 . .ί:tfb1 .i.e7 34 . .sb8+-;
30 ... iιd6 31. ~xc4 .i.xf4 32. ~d3 ~xh2+
33.Φf3 iιe5 34.1:tf2±) 30.1:tb6 <bh7 (30 ... e5
31.fxe5 ~xe5 32.z:txa6+-) 31.l:rdl ~h4
32. ~g3 ~h5 (32 ... ~xg3+ 33.hxg3 tbxe4
34.~c6 .i.e7 35 . .ί:tc8 tbc5 36 . .i.c6 <bg7
37.!!bl+-) 33 ..sbxd6 .i.xd6 34 ..uxd6 ~e2+
35.Φg1 ~c4 (35 ... ~xe4 36 ..i.dl ~b4 37.
~d3±) 36. ~a3 ~xe4 37 ..i.dl ~xf4 38.
~xa6±
26.~d4!
Α key moνe. Otherwise Black has good
counterchances. Mter the text moνe the
queen exchange is practically forced - and
in a higher sense White's position is tech-
nically won. 26.f3 tbd3 27.iιxd8 .sxd8ZΌ
26 ... ~xd4
26 ... ~e2 is the οηlΥ way to keep queens
οη the board. Howeνer, the refutation is
rather easy: 27.'i;t:xe5 ~g4+ 28.'~·g3 ~xe4+
29. §'f3 §'xa4 30.!!cl!+-. The same idea:
White will always haνe time for .i.xd8, so
he plays the useful moνe at first. The
threat .sc8! is decisiνe. (30.iιxd8 .sxd8
31 ..sd1 .i.g7 32.J::ιc7;\;) 30 ... .i.e7 31 ..sc8!
(31.iιxd8 ~xd8 32 ..ί:tc8 Φg7 33 ..sxd8 .i.xd8
34.§'c3+ Φh7=) 31 ... Iιaxc8 32.dxc8§' ':xc8
33 ..sxe7 ~f8 (33 ... §'c6 34 ..ί:.χf7! §'xb6
35. §'f6 §'c6+ 36.f3 §,c2+ 37.Φg3+-) 34.I:tc7!
(34.iιc5 §'a5 35.1ιe3 g5±) 34 ... f5 (34 ... f6
35.iιe3 §'h4 36.h3 f5 37.§'c6+-) 35.1ιe3 g5
(35 ... f4 36 . .i.c5+-; 35 ... §'h4 36.h3+-)
36. §'h5 .sf6 (36 ... §'e4+ 37.f3+-; 36 ... §'g4+
Linαres
37.t;rxg4 fxg4 38.MC6+-) 37.h4!+-
27 ..1ιχd4 CZJd3
Here we are: queens are exchanged - so
it must be won somehow. But how? The
positional threat 28 ... CZJc5 is very unpleas-
ant. Mter 30 minutes thought Ι managed
to calculate the lines carefully and found
the οηlΥ solution. 27 ... CZJc4 28 ..1ιf6 CZJd6
29.Sc7 CZJxe4 30 ..1ιχd8 Mxd8 31.MC8 JLe7
32.Sb1+-
28 ...tc6!
Very logical: the knight fork is threat-
ening and Ι can't defend the square c5
(28.MC7 is not good due to some trivial rea-
sons - see below). 80 Ι have to move either
rook b7 or bishop a4. Rook moves don't
change anything - so what remains? How-
ever, Ι had to calculate alllines very care-
fully as even after 28 ..1ιc6! White's win is
not automatic. 28.Mbb1 CZJc5 29.JLc6
CZJxd7=; 28.MC7 .1ιd6 29.MC4 CZJe5 (29 ... ~f8
30 ...tb6 CZJb2 31 ...txd8 CZJxc4 32 ...tf6 ..te7
33.e5) 30 ...txe5 .1ιχe5=; 28.~d1 CZJc5 29.
..txc5 ..txc5 30.MC7 (30 ... .1ιd4 31 ..tι.bc7±; 30.
.tι.c1 .1ιd6 3U~b3 ςt>f8 32.Mbc3 r:J;;e7 33.MC8
Mb8=) 30 ... .1ιb6 (30 ... .1ιb4 31.Mdcl+-)
31.11c6.1ιa5=
28 ... CZJc5
What else? Otherwise ΓΗ just win the
exchange οη d8 and then bring all my rooks
to c8. It might take some time but ηο con-
centration at all. 28 ... CZJb4?! 29.MXb4 .1ιχb4
30 ...txa8 Mxd7 31 ...te3+-; 28 ... ..td6 29 ..1ιf6
CZJc5 30.Md1! CZJxb7 31 ...txb7+-; 28 ... ..tc5
29 ..1ιf6 ςt>f8 30.Mb3 CZJf4+ 31.~f3 CZJh5
32 . .1ιχd8 Mxd8 33.Ma1 ςt>e7 34.Mxa6+-;
28 ... e5 29 ...tb6 CZJf4+ 30.~hl CZJe6 (30 ... a5
31.JLxd8 Mxd8 32.Mb5 iιb4 33.Mxe5 CZJe6
34.f4+-; 32 ... a4 33.Mxe5 a3 34.Me8 CZJe6
35.f4+-) 31 ..1ιχd8 Mxd8 (31 ... CZJxd8 32.MC7
CZJxc6 33.MC8 Ma7 34.Md1 +-) 32.Ma7 CZJc5
33.MC7 c:l;g7 34.MC8 .1ιe7 (34 ... CZJe6 35.Ma1
c:l;f6 36.Mxa6 ..td6 37 ...ta4 c:l;e7 38.ςt>g2+-)
35.Mbl CZJe6 36.Mbb8 c:l;f6 37.na8+-; 28 ...
..tg7 29 ..1ιb6 Mf8 30.Mdl! (30.f4±) 30 ... CZJe5
(30 ... CZJb4 31 ...ta4 iιf6 32.iιc5 a5 33.e5 ..tg5
34.f4+-) 31 ..1ιa4 iιf6 32.iιc5 Mfb8 (32 ... Mfd8
33.f4 CZJc4 34.e5+-) 33.MXb8+ Mxb8 34 ...td6
57
!;td8 35.iιc7 ςt>f8 36.f4 CZJc4 37.e5 JLh4
(37 ... CZJe3+ 38.c:l;f3 CZJxd1 39.exf6 !;txd7
40.JLxd7+-) 38 . .ί:.d4 CZJe3+ 39.r:J;;f3 CZJd5
40 ..1ιa5 !;tb8 41.!;tc4 !ιb2 42.!ιc2!+-.
29.MC7! iιd6
29 ... !Ϊ.ab8 30.iιf6 iιd6 31 ..1ιχd8 Mxd8
32.1:I.c8 iιe7 33.~b1 +-.
30.JLxc5! iιxc7 31 ..1ιχa8 Mxa8
31 ... Mxd732.iιe3+-
32 •.1ιe7!
The point of White's combination. Ιη
spite of his extra pawn, Black has ηο de-
fense against 33.!ιc1.
32 ...1:!.d8!
Once more Peter finds the best resource.
The natural 33 ...txd8 might be a serious
mistake now as after c:l;g8-f8-e7 it's hard
to see how White can reach more than
theoretically drawish ending 1'ι+3p-iι+4p.
At this moment Ι got slightly nervous - ίη
Budapest match Ι missed the win ίη the
ending M+p-..t+p. B,epeating the same pro-
cess would be just too much. 80 ... 32 ... f6
33.1'ιcΙ ~f7 34.J::ι.xc7 ~xe7 35.MC8+-;
32 ... JLa5 33 . .tι.c1+-; 32 ... f5 33.MC1 ςt>f7
34.Mxc7 c:l;xe7 35.MC8+-; 32 ... .1ιd8 33.Mcl!
.fιxe734.Mc8+-.
33.1::tdl!
Now White wants to play e5 and then
Black king will remain in the cage forever
when his White's counterpart would be
able to choose any route across the board
(to c6, for example). 80 the answer is more
or less forced. 33 ..1ιχd8 .1ιχd8 34.c:l;f3 ςt>f8
35.ςt>e2 ςt>e7 36.Mdl g5;!;.
33 ... f5
33 ... a5 34.e5! c:l;g7 (34 ... a4 35 . .1ιχd8
iιxd8 36.Ma1 ςt>f8 37.Mxa4 ~e7 38.Ma7+-)
35. ςt>f3 c:l;g8 36. ςt>e4 r:J;;g7 37 ..fιxd8 .1ιχd8
38.ςt>d4 c:l;f8 39.r:J;;c5 ςt>e7 40.c:l;c6+-.
34 . .fιxd8 JLxd8 35.exf5 gxf5 36.Md6
ςt>f7 37.Mxa6 ςt>e7
Here we are. White's just an exchange
up but the win is not obvious even now. 80
Ι had to calculate everything once more up
to the won pawn ending. This pawn end-
ing brought me some confidence: as old
masters used to say: "Won pawn ending is
58
much better than mate ίη 4".
38.Φg3!
38.1::ta7?! is the kind ofmoνe which can
be played automatically, especially ίη time-
trouble. Fortunately Ι wasn't ίη time-
trouble: after 38 ... ~d6 39.Φg3 h5 40.Φf4
.if6t White's win is not easy ifpossible at
all.
38 ... iιc7+
Peter was, howeνer. Ν ow the game is
oνer. After the best moνe 38 ... Φχd7 he
could check my technical skills for some
more moνes:
39.1:!.a7+ ~e8 (39 ... .ic7+ 40.Φh4+-;
39 ... ~c6 40.~h7 iιc7+ 41.f4 e5 42.~xh6+
'iiιd5 43.fxe5 Φe4 44.h4 ..txe5+ 45.Φf2
iιd4+ 46.~f1 [4 47.h5+-; 39 ... Φd6 40.~h7
iιg5 41.f4 iιf6 42.h4 h5 43.l:[xh5 Φe7 44.
~h7+ ~f8 45.h5+-; 41 ... iιd8 42.!Ixh6 Φe7
43.1:ιh8 iιb6 44.~h4! Φf6 45.~h5 iιc5 46.
1:!.c8 iιd6 47 .1:tc4 e5 48.fxe5 Φχe5 49.h4 iιe7
50.Φg6 [4 51.h5 f3 52.h6 f2 53.1::tcl+-)
Once more the natural 40.1::th7?! iιg5
(40 ... iιf6 41.~xh6 Φf7 42.~h7+ iιg7
43.~h4) 41.f4 iιf6 42.1:!.xh6 ~f7 43.~h7+
Φg6 allows Black to build some kind offor-
tress: (43 ... iιg7 44.~h4 Φg6 45.~xg7+
~xg7 46.~g5+-) 44.~c7 (44.~d7 iιb2
45.~d6 ~f6 46.~c6 iιd4 47. Φh4 iιe3 48.~c4
~g6; 47.h3! <j;}f7 48.<j;}h4 <j;}f6 49.~h5;
44 ... .ic3 45.!Id6 ..te1+ 46.Φf3 ~f7) e5
45.!Ic6 e4 (45 ... <j;}f7 46.h3 <j;}e7 47.fxe5
..txe5+ 48.Φf3 <j;}f7 49.h4 iιf6 50.h5 iιg5
51.h6 ..ITιd2 52.<j;}g3 ..ITιe3 53.<j;}h4+-; 49 ... <j;}g7
50.h5 50 ... ..ITιh2 51.~g6+ Φf7 52.1:!.g5 Φf6
53.~g2 iιe5 54.h6 Φf7 55.Φe3+-; 50 ... Φf7
Super Tournαments 2000
51.~c5 ~f6 52.h6 iιd4 53.~c6+ ~f7 54.
~f4+-) 46.h4 ~f7 47.h5 iιb2 (47 ... ..ITιd4
48.h6 48 ... iιf6 49.h7 iιh8 50.1:tc8 Φg7
51.~h4 ~xh7 52.Φg5 iιd4 53.~xf5 e3
54.1:tc2 Φg7 55.~e4 iιb6 56.'iiιd3+-; 48 ...
iιb2 49.Φh4 e3 50.~g3+-) 48.h6 iιd4
49.~d6 iιc3 50.h7 ~g7 51.<j;}h4 <j;}xh7
52.~g5 e3 53.1::te6 iιd2 54.~xf5 ~g7 55.~e8
Φf7 (55 ... iιc1 56.1:te7+) 56.~e4 iιc1 (56 ...
~g7 57.~e6+-) 57.~c4 iιd2 (57 ... iιb2
58.~g4+-) 58.1:tc7+ ~e8 (58 ... Φg8 59.~g6
~f8 60.Φf6) 59.~e6 ~f8 (59 ... Φd8 60.1:!.c2
iιb4 61.f5+-; 59 ... iιa5 60.~c8+ iιd8
61.1:!.c2+-) 60.Φf6 Φg8 (60 ... ~e8 61.f5 ~d8
62.~e7+-; 61 ... iιb4 62.~e6 ~d8 63.~c2+-)
61.~c8+ Φh7 62.1:te8 e2 (62 ... iιc1 63.Φf7
iιd2 64.~d8!+-; 62 ... iιc3+ 63.~f7 .id4
64.1:te6+-) 63.1::txe2 iιxf4 64.~e6!+-;
44 ... iιb2 45.~c6 Φf7 46.h4 iιg7 47.h5
~f6 48.~f3 (48.~c7 iιh6 49.~h7 iιf8)
48 ... ..th6 49.~c7 (49.J:ιc2 iιf8 50.~g2 iιg7
51.Φe3 Φf7 52.~d3 iιh6 53.~f2 iιf8 54.Φc4
iιh6 55.~f1 Φf6 56.~c5 e5 57.fxe5+ Φχe5)
49 ... iιf8 5ω:ι.h7 (50.~e3 iιh6 51.~h7 iιf8)
50 ... iιc5 51.h6 (51.~h8 ~g7 52.~c8 iιd4
53.~c6 Φh6 54.~xe6+ Φχh5 55.~c6 iιh8
56.Φe3 iιg7 57.J:::!:e6 iιc3 58.Φd3 iιg7)
51 ... Φg6 52.~c7 λd4 53.h7 iιg7 54.~e7
Φχh7 55.!Ixe6 Φg8 56.Φe3 ~f7 57.~c6 iιb2
58.Φd3 ~e7 59.~a6 iιc1 60.~a4 Φe6;
46.Φh4! 46 ... Φf6 47.Φh5 iιa3 (47 ... iιd4
48.h4 iιf2 49.~c3 iιd4 50.~g3 iιc5 51.~h6
iιf8+ 52.Φh7 iιd6 53.~f3) 48.Φh6 iιb4
49.h4 iιd2 50.~c4;
44 ... iιd8!
40.Φf4! Moνe 40! Luckily Ι wasn't ίη
time-trouble - so most probably Ι could find
it. 40 ... iιb6 (40 ... iιf6 41.~h7 h5 42.1:ιχh5
~f7 43.~g5! iιd4 44.1:tg2 ~f6 45.h4 e5+
46.Φf3 iιb2 47.h5 iιc148.~g6+ ~f7 49 ..a:c6
iιd2 50.h6+-) 41.~h7 iιd4 (41 ... iιxf2
42.~e5) 42.~xh6 ~f7 (42 ... Φe7 43.f3 iιg7
44.~g6 iιc3 45.Φg5 iιd2+ 46.f4+-) 43.~g5
iιxf2 44.~h7+ ~f8 45.~f6+-
39.Φh4 Φχd7
39 ... iιxh2 40.~xe6+ ~xd7 41.~xh6+-
40.~a7!
The pawn endgame with an outside
Linαres 59
passed pawn is the simplest way to win.
40 ... Wc6
Finally Ι could relax while checking my
calculations of the pawn ending. Ι did it
again and again what caused my team (my
second GM Alexey Lugoνoi and "the spe-
cialist" ICCF-GM Gennady Nesis) feeling
a bit uncomfortable. Anyway: when one is
so close to beat the player who was not
defeated in his last 60 games some extra
accuracy can't do any harm. 40 ... e5 41.Wh5
e4 42.Wxh6 f4 43.Wg5 e3 44.fxe3 fxe3
45.I!.a2 We6 46.h4 Άe5 (46 ... jLd8+ 47.Wg4 41.k!.xc7+! Φχc7 42.Φh5 e5
Wf7 48.h5+-) 47.h5 .i.c3 48 ..ϊ:ί.e2 Wf7 49.h6 42 ... Wd6 43.Φχh6 Φe7 44.Φg6+-
43.Φχh6 Φd6 44.Wg5 Φe6 45.h4 {4
i.d2 50.h7 <ttg7 51.l:th2 e2+ 52.Φf5 wh8
53.kίxe2+-
46.h5 f3 47 .'.tg4 1-0

Epίlogue
The morning before Ι left 8t. Petersburg for Linares was extremely chaotic. E-mails,
phone calls, some other urgent things to be done immediately... That's right, after Las
Vegas (and especially Budapest) Ι was forced to reduce my GM 8chool actiνities - but
anyway Ι felt certain responsibility and had to do something before one month break.
80 Ι was packing in a hurry - and when Ι unpacked my luggage in Linares - oh, Lord!!!
- the old notebook was not ill. It's not necessary to add that my entire opening preparation
for Linares was based οη the 'Όld notebook" lines and unfortunately Ι didn't haνe enough
time to copy most of them to my new notebook (now Ι mean Pentium-III portable
computer). For the νery first moment Ι was in real panic - well, Ι checked these lines
accurately but still Ι couldn't remind most ofthem automatically - so ''How are you, Mr.
Κhalifman? Out ofyour opening preparation again? Welcome to Linares - your 'chamber
ofhorrors". Ι started producing some crazy ideas like calling home and asking my wife
to send this old notebook to Linares by express-post but then suddenly stopped. 80
what happened? Ι left the old notebook at home, but who told ii1e that these lines were
worth Linares? Who told me that Linares was worth these lines??? That's true - these
analysis might be able to bring me some points there. But what can it change? What
can it change in my life??? When we speak from the materialistic point ofνiew - playing
well or badly in the eνent where the budget lion's share is the appearance fee for the
Greatest Chess Player of ΑΙΙ Times doesn't make some special difference - in the World
Championship it does.Is good or bad result there important for the inνitation to the
next Linares tournament? Hard to belieνe - the inνitations to the super-eνents don't
depend οη one's results. 80me months ago Ι read the funny article in some Russian
newspaper. There is an exact quote: "The traditional chess super-tournament ίη Linares
will take place ίη February 2000. According to the demand by the World Champion
Garry Kasparoν 6 highest-rated players are inνited to play there". Then Alexander
Morozeνich declined the inνitation - ηο further demand followed - somehow Ι was inνited.
Probably it was not exactly this way and Linares organisers weren't following any
demands - so the whole story bejust the fantasy ofthejournalist who wrote that article.
60 Super Tournαments 2000

But anyway if nothing seems to be wrong with the situation when the players are
inνited to the eνent due to the demand of another player who's supposed to play there
as well then something is really wrong with the chess world.Would good or bad result
ίη Linares produce some positiνe or negatiνe influence οη my image ίη chess media?
Most probably not - the words written about me by this or that author after Las Vegas
didn't depend οη my play or my results but mainly οη the membership ofthe author ίη
this or that fan-club. When Ι understood clearly all aboνe-mentioned facts Ι decided
that it was a good sign - let my old notebook sleep ίη peace at home till the next World
Championship (or at least the eνent with the good prize fund which is not compiled due
to someone's demand). Ι felt fine then - ίη a couple of games Ι eνen tried the old notebook
lines - when these lines were not of some critical importance. 80 let's wait for the next
World Championship. Will it happen - who knows? The chess players can only hope (or
pray if someone is able to). If unfortunately the worst happens and the chess world
returns back to pre-FIDE chaos then ΓΗ probably publish these lines step by step at
www.gmchess.com. Future will show...

21 C42 ιίJc3 27.~xc3 V2 Topaloν - Akopian, Madrid

Kasparov - Shirov
Round 1 28.02
1.e4 e5 2.Ct:Jf3 Ct:Jf6 3.ιίJxe5 d6 4.ιίJf3
Ct:Jxe4 5.d4 d5 6.iιd3 ~d6 7.0-0 0-0 8.c4
c6 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.ιίJc3 ιίJxc3 11.bxc3
~g4 12.Mbl ιίJd7 13.h3 ~h5 14.Mb5 ιίJb6
15.c4 ~xf3 16."f!ixf3 dxc4 17.~c2 "f!id7
18.a4 g6 19.~d2
19.~h6 is not used by many players al-
though White got an adνantage ίη the
game 8νidler - Akopian, Ereνan 1996.
19 ... c3 20.~xc3
There was some equality after 20. "f!ixc3
Uac8 21."f!ib3 Mc7 22.iιd3 :i:fc8 23.Ue1 ~f8
24.a5 Ct:Jc4 25.~xc4 Mxc4 26.MXb7 "f!ixd4 Α.
80koloν - Finegold, Reykjaνik 1990.
20 ... J::ι.ac8 21.~e4
Also there was an interesting 21 ..i.b3
"f!ic6 22.MC1 a6 23.d5 and White succeeded
ίη getting an adνantage Α. 80koloν -
Hernandes, Linares 1999.
21 ... Uc422.Mbb1
Α noνelty. Ιη case of 22.k'Hb1 the weak-
ness of the first file gaνe Black an oppor-
tunity to clear the air: 22 ... 1Hc8 23.~5b3
Ct:Jxa4 24.iιd2 J::txd4 25 ..i.e3 Mxe4 26."f!ixe4
1997. But 22.~b2·claimed attention too.
22 ... ~xa4 23.~xb7 IZa3 24.Mfcl "f!ic7
Black solνed aH opening problems.
25.~al
White tries to release from the disagree-
able rook.
25 ... ~b8
Ιη case of 25 ... Mxa1 26.Mxa1 Mb8 it is
not good to play 27.'ΊJ.xa7? Ct:Jc8. But 27.iιe4
is possible and White can resist.
26.~e4 Mb3
The rook οη a3 is too strong.
27.iιd2
That is the last attempt to improνe the
matter. And there is little chance after
27 ..i.b4 ..Ith2+ 28.Φh1 MXf3 29.J::ι.xc7 ~xc7
30.iιxf3 Ct:Jc4 31.Mxa7 MXb4 32.Mxc7 ιίJd2
too.
27 ... ~h2+ 28.'.i>hl MXf3 29.Mxc7 MXf2!
That is eνen better than 29 ... ~xc7
30.~xf3 Ct:Jc4.
30.Φχh2 Mxd2 31.~axa7 ιίJc8?
We can only conjecture the cause ofthis
blunder. The line 31 ... Uxd4 32.MXf7
(32 ..i.c2 ιίJc8!) 32 ... Mxe4 33.Mg7+ \tJf8
34.MXh7 Φg8 35.Mag7+ Φf8 with the el-
ementary draw seems to stick out.
Linαres
32.1:!.ab7!
Now Black loses the knight.
32 ... Iιxb7 33.llxc8+ 'it>g7 34.SΙxb7
1:i:xd4 35.g4 h5 36.g5 h4 37.I:!.c7 .tϊf4
38.SΙc8 1:tf2+ 39.c.t>gl I:!.f4 40.cJtg2 Wf8
41.SΙg4 'it>g7 42.J::!.c5 'it>f8?
42 ... f6 43.1:tc7+ 'it>h8 44.gxf61:txf6 is not
good enough too, but it is more insis-
tent and ίη this case White has to play νery
carefully.
43.SΙf3 c.t>g7 44.c.t>f2 1:I.a4 45.'it>e3 k1a3+
46.c.t>f4 1:I.a4+ 47.c.t>e5 I:!.a3 48 ...id5 .:ίe3+
49.'it>f4 1:td3 50.~c4 J:ld7 51.J:lc6 J:le7
52..:ίf61-0
22 Β17
Leko-Anand
Round 1 28.02
l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.tΔc3 dxe4 4.tΔxe4
tΔd7 5.tΔg5 tΔgf6 6.i..d3 e6 7.tΔlf3 i..d6
8. ~e2 h6 9.tΔe4 tΔxe4 10. ~xe4 ~c7
11.~g4 cJtf8 12.0-0 c5 13.c3 b6 14.~h4
SΙb7 15.i..e4 SΙxe4 16.~xe4 cJte7
There is an equal position after 16 ... 1:td8
17.dxc5 tΔxc5 18.~e2 rJJe7 too, Illescas -
Karpoν, Dos Hermanas 1997.
17.dxc5 bxc5 18.~el tΔf6 19.
~e2 .:ίhd8
That is quite ίη order. Ticking oνer did
not giνe success: 19 ... tΔd5 Hossain - De
Wachter, Calicut 1998.
20.h3 Φf8 21.tΔd2 SΙh2+ 22.rJJhl SΙf4
23.tΔc4 i..xcl 24.~axcll:td5 25.tΔe3 1:td7
26.~cdl ~ad8 27.nxd7 J::!.xd7 28.rJJgl tΔd5
29.tΔc4 tΔb6 30.tΔe5 J::!.d6 31.~e4
61
The οηlΥ weakness Black has is the c5-
pawn. Maybe it must be fixed: 31.c4!?
31 ... rJJg8 32.g3 c4! 33.~f4 :td5 34.I:!.e4
l:Ib5 35.tΔxc4
White can not decline absolute ex-
change because 35.1:te2 f6 36.tΔg6 ~xf4
37.tΔxf4 e5 38.tΔg6 tΔa4 is bad for him.
35 ... ~xf4 36.~xί4 tΔxc4 37.I:rxc4 !!xb2
38.:ta41:tc2 39.1:txa7 1h - 112
23 Ε59
Κhalifrnan - Κramnik
Round 1 28.02
l.d4 tΔf6 2.c4 e6 3.tΔc3 jιb4 4.e3 ο-ο
5.~d3 c5 6.tΔf3 d5 7.0-0 tΔc6 8.a3 jιc3
9.bxc3 ~c7 10.~b2 dxc4 1l.jιc4 e5
12.i..e2 1:!.d8 13. ~c2 SΙg4 14.dxe5 tΔe5
15.c4 tΔf3 16.gxf3 SΙh3 17.!!fdl ~c6
The change of οηlΥ one rook is not good
for Black. Here is a possible line: 17 ...
~xd1+ 18.I:rxd11ld8 19 ..tϊb1! and the left-
oνer rook can not be changed! White gained
an adνantage both the case of 19 ... ~c6
20.rJJh1 h6 2U:tg1 ~e6 22.~c3 rJJf8 23.e4
Jussupow - Van ·der Sterren, Germany
1998 and ίη the case of 19 ... ~d7 20.rJJh1
i..f5 21.e4 SΙg6 22. ~c3 Taimanoν - Sliwa,
Moscow 1956.
18.~c3 tΔe8 19.c.t>hl J..e6
This order ofmoνes is perhaps the most
correct. Ιη case of 19 ... f6 after 20.Iιd5!?
~e6 2U:tad1 ~xd5 22.cxd5 Black is not
good. 19 ... ~f6 is bad because of 20.I:rd5!
~xc3 21.SΙxc3 :tdc8 22.:tad1. White gets
the d-line and adνantage. Also the e3-e4
adνance is not necessary: 19 ... J..g4 20.e4
SΙe6 21.l:Ig1 f6 22.Iιg3 1::td7 23.I:tag11:tad8
24.~e3 rJJh8 25.h4 ~d6 26.SΙc3 ~f8 27.f4
tΔd6 28.e5 with White's attack Anapolsky
- Ostojic, corr. 1991. Kramnik choose
the position that was met before: 19 ... f6
20.e4 SΙe6 21.~e3 jιf7 22.Itg1 ~d7 23.~g2
jιg6 24.1:tag1 1::tad8 Ibragimoν - Alek-
sandroν, Ukraine 1991. Ιη this game
Black made his profit οη the d-file and
the pawn weakness at the queenside. That
62
is why White should change one pair of
rooks.
20.~gl f6 21.~g3 IId7 22.1::!.agl I:tad8
ΑΙΙ natural moves have been made by
White. And now some original move is to
be found.
23.iιcl
Now Black possesses the d-line. The
white bishop concedes the active position
to turn away a possible incursion οn the
d2-square. Maybe there made sense to get
the initiative by 23.e4, 24. ~e3, 25.h4. Ιn
this case the instant response 23 ... z:td2
loses because of 24.Uxg7+! with a mating
attack.
23 ... iιf5 24.e4 iιg6 25.h4 tΔc7 26 ...Itf1
There is an interesting line offered by
Κramnik: 26 ...Ith6 tΔe6 27.h5 ..Itxh5 28. ~xf6
..Itg6 29.Uxg6 hxg6 30.~xg6 with a little
compensation.
26 ... tΔe6 27.z:th3?
27.iιh3!?
27 ... iιh528.1::!.hg3
These is the second blunder. Being ίn a
mad rush White did not venture οn the key
line: 28. ~xf61::!.f8 29. ~e5 iιxf3+. Although
after 30.iιg2 iιxg2+ 31.~xg21::!.d1+ 32.1::!.g1
J::ιxgl+ 33.Φχg1 tΔd4 Black beyond doubt
has an advantage some intention main-
tains.
28 ... Φh8 29.~e3
29 ..lί.h3 is bad because of 29 ... J::ιd3.
29 ... tΔd4 30 . ..Itg2 J::ιe8 31.J::ιh3 ~a4
32..lί.f1 ~dI33 ..lί.g2 ~c2 34.f4 tΔe2 35.J::ιf1
J::ιdl0-l
Super Tournαments 2000
24 D18
Kramnik - Anand
Round 2 29.03
l.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.tΔf3 tΔf6 4.tΔc3 dxc4
5.a4 iιf5 6.e3 e6 7 . .lί.xc4 .lί.b4 8.0-0 ο-ο
9.tΔh4 tΔbd7 10.tΔxf5 exf5 11:~c2 tΔb6
This is a rare move. Mter 11 ... g6 12.f3
~b6 13.Φh1 J::ιae8 14.~f2 c5 15.~h4 J::ιc8
16 ..lί.a21::!.fd8 17.iιd2 White gets initiative,
Jussupow - Κramnik, Riga 1995.
12...Itb3
Α novelty. The result was a draw after
12 ...Iie2 ~d7 13.a5 tΔbd5 14 ...Iif3 J::tfe8 15.a6
b6 Sambuev - Poliakov, St.Petersburg
1998.
12 ... ~d7 13.a5 tΔbd5 14.f3 .!He8
15.tΔxd5 tΔxd5 16.e4 tΔf6 17.~c4 iιf8
White was successful ίn moving e4. Μ­
ter that he had a good position, although
Black's position is firm enough.
18.exf5
18.iιg5 deserved attention.
18... J::ιad8 19.ΦhΙ ::ι.e7
Black gets back the pawn but White has
some advantage due to the bishop pair.
20:~c2 1f2 - 1/2
25 C42
Shirov - Leko
Round 2 29.03
l.e4 e5 2.tΔf3 tΔf6 3.tΔxe5 d6 4.tΔf3
tΔxe4 5.d4 d5 6 ..lί.d3 ..Itd6 7.0-0 0-0 8.c4
c6 9.~c2 tΔa6 10.a3 ..Itg4 11.tΔe5 ..Itxe5
12.dxe5 tΔac5 13.f3 tΔxd3 14.~xd3 tΔc5
15.~d4 tΔb3 16.~xg4 tΔxal 17.iιh6 g6
18.tΔc3!?
Α novelty. If 18.cxd5 then 18 ... ~xd5
19.tΔc3 ~c5+ 20.Φh1 tΔb3 21.iιxf8 J::ιxf8
22. ~f4 with White's slightly better play,
Gipslis - Gerts, Biel 1996. The computer
played better: 18 ...Itxf8 ~xf8 19.cxd5 ~c5+
20.Φh1 ~xd5 21.tΔc3 ~b3 22.~d7 ~xb2
23.e6! fxe6 24.~xe6+ Φh8 25.~e5+ Φg8
26.J::ιb1 ~c2 (26 ... ~xa3 27.tΔe4 tΔc2 28.
Linαres
tbf6+ 'it>f8 29.tbg4) 27.1::txa1 and White had
an extra piece, Genius-4 - Rebel-9, Hun-
gary 1998. It is curious that Rebel-9 did
not know the game Ljubojeνic - Hort,
played 10 years ago at Amsterdam. Black
had got the adνantage after 19 ... cxd5
20.~d4 tbc2 21.~f2 Ϊlc8 22.~xa7 d4. Al-
though after 20.1::tc1 White seemed to keep
a small opening adνantage.
18... ~b6+ 19.1:H'2
It was risky to play 19.'it>h1 ~xb2 be-
cause the line 20. ~h4 f6 21.1::tb1 ~xc3
22.1::txb7 was easily refuted by 22 ... ~xc4,
but the more solid 20. ~f4 f5 21.tba4
~xa3 also did not look too good.
19...1::tfe8 20. ~f4 f5 21.cxd5 tbb3 22.e6
cxd5 23.tbxd5 ~xe6 24.tbc7 ~c6 25.tbxe8
1::txe8
The position has been simplified, but
White keeps the adνantage:
26.g4! ~c5?!
26 ... ~b6 was a stronger moνe. Now af-
ter 27. ~a4 White could get an extra pawn,
keeping his threats to the black king:
27 ... Ϊle1+ 28.~g2 tbd4 (28 ... ~d5 29.gxf5
gxf5 30.~xa7) 29.~d7 tbe6 30.gxf5 gxf5
31.~xb7.
27.'it>g2 tbd4 28.b4 ~e5 29.~d2 ~xf4
30.iixf4 tbe6
Mter all simplifications White keeps his
initiatiνe.
31.lιe3 a6 32.gxf5 tbg7!?
Mter 32 ... gxf5 Black gets a new weak-
ness. The hero ofthe battle (it is the black
knight. His run from g8 to a7 and back to
g7 is impressiνe.) begins his last tour.
63
33.iic5 tbxf5 34.a4 tbe3+ 35.~f2 tbc4
36.nd7 tbe5 37.1::txb7 tbd3+ 38.'it>g3 tbxc5
39.bxc5 ~c8 40.~b6l:txc5 41.l:txa6
Although White has got the extra pawn,
an eνentual win for him is problematical.
41 ... 'it>g7
41 ... l:Ig5+ only leads to difficulties af-
ter 42.~f4 1::th5 43.J::!.a7 1::txh2 44.a5 Ϊla2
45.~e5, and White's king actiνity could
become too dangerous. For example ifthere
is a careless 45 ... J::!.f2? then 46.a6 1::ta2
47.Wf6 and White wins.
42.1::ta7+ Wh6 43.J::tb7 ~g5+ 44.'it>h3
1::th5+ 45.'it>g2 J::!.h4 46.a5 1::ta4 47.!:ϊ.b5 g5
48.Ϊlb6+ 'it>h5 49.a6 g4 50.f4 1::ta2+!
The moνe 50 ... ~xf4? could giνe Black
trouble after: 51 ..ί:I.b5+ ςJ,;>h4 52.1::ta5.
51.~g1 g3! 52.h3 1::tc2 53.1::tb7 ~a2
54.1:!.g7
The continuation 54.~xh7+ ~g6 55.1:ιa7
~f5 is not good enough either.
54 ...1::txa6 55.~g2 h6 56.~xg3 ~a3+
57.~g2 Ua2+ 58.~f3 ςJ,;>h4 59.f5 ~xh3
Black won back the pawn and now he
only has to be exact ίη his playing.
60.f6 Ma1 61.Wf4 J:.f1+ 62.~e5 h5
63.1:ιg5 h4 64.1:ιf5 ~e1+
Mter 64 ... 1:ιxf5+?? 65.~xf5 ~g2 66.f7 h3
67 .f8~h2 and a series of checks the white
queen goes to e2 and White wins after ~g4.
65.~f4 .ί:I.f1+ 66.~g5l:Ig1+ 67.'it>h6 1:ιg8
68.1:ιg5 ~f8 69.~g7 1::ta8 70.f7 ~h2
The draw is eνident. Eνen after 71.f8~
1:ιχf8 72.~xf8 h3 73.~f7 ~h1 74.~f6 h2 the
white king is away off.
71.~f6 1:ιf8 1fz - 1fz
26 D97
Khalifrnan - Kasparoν
Round 2 29.03
1.d4 tbf6 2.c4 g6 3.tbc3 d5 4.tbf3 iig7
5. ~b3 dxc4 6. ~xc4 ο-ο 7.e4 tba6 8.iie2
c5 9.d5 e6 10.0-0 exd5 11.exd5 iif5
12.lιe3 ~b6 13.b3 1:ιfe8 14.1::tad1 1:ιad8
Α noνelty. The line 14 ... tbg4 15.iid2
~ad8 16.1:ιfe1 tbb4 17.tba4 ~d6 18.iif4
64
with adνantage, Ree - Chandler, Salonika
1984, didn't giνe the equal position; nei-
ther an exchange sacrifice did: 14 ... .ί:txe3
15.fxe3 tZJg4 16.tZJa4 '§a5 (16 ... '§d6 17. '§f4
'§xf4 18.exf4 tZJb4 19.a3 tZJc2 20.~d2 b6
21.i..d3±) 17.e4 tZJe3 18. '§c1 tZJxd119.exf5±
15.h3 '§a5 16.l:ifel tZJd7 17.tZJa4 tZJb4
18.i..g5
Subsequent game showed it was not the
best choice. It was not good 18.tZJxc5 tZJxc5
(this interesting line was suggested by
Shipoν: 18 ... b5 19.tZJb7 bxc4 20.tZJxa5 cxb3
21.axb3 tZJc2) 19.i..xc5 tZJc2 20.b4 '§a4
21 ..a:f1 b6 22.~d4 tZJxd4! (22 ... '§xb4 sug-
gested by Kasparoν was worse because of
23.i..xg7 ~xg7 24.tZJd4!) 23.tZJxd4 kιe4 with
different threats. Maybe there 18 i..d2!?
suggested by Kasparoν was better. For ex-
ample 18 ... Me4 19. '§c1 ~de8 20 ~f1 with
threats 21.a3, and a piece is lost after
21.i..xb4 cxb4 22.g4.
18 ... tZJc2! 19.~xd8 '§xd8 20.Mf1
20.tZJxc5!? deserνes attention.
20 ... tZJd4
20 ... tZJa3 gaνe the best νictory chance.
Mter a forced 21.'§c1 ~xe2 22.'§xa3 i..e4
there are many treats οη the kingside.
23.~fe1 ~xf3 24.gxf3 ~xe1+ 25.~xe1 '§g5+
26.~f1 '§xd5 and Black has a compensa-
tion. After 23.tZJxc5 ~xf3 White is ίη dan-
ger. 24.tZJxd7 loses because of 24 ... '§xd7
(there was an amusing draw after 24 ... '§g5
25.g3 '§xg3+ 26.fxg3 ~g2+ 27.~h1 kIf2+
with the perpetual check) 25.gxf3 '§xh3
and Black has a νery strong attack: 26.kIfe1
(26.f4 i..h6; 26.kId3 i..e5 27.f4 '§xd3 28.fxe5
Super Tournαments 2000
~xe5) 26 ... ~e5 27.~xe2 '§h2+. The moνe
24.gxf3 is better, 24 ... tZJxc5 25. '§xc5 '§g5+
26.~h1 '§ίΕ 27.Wg2 and Black has οηlΥ a
draw.
21.tZJxd4 i..xd4 22.1:Ixd4!
22.b4 is too gamble and giνes Black a
good attack, for example: 22 ... z:te4 23.bxc5
'§h4 24. '§c2 z:If4 25 ..iιd3 .I1ιxh3.
22 ... cxd4 23.i..g4
23.J::ω1? a6-+
23 ••. i..xg4 24.hxg4 &!.e4?!
24 ... b5! 25.'§xb5 tZJf6 deserνed attention
and Black has a slight adνantage. Now the
situation eνens.
25.f3 tZJe5 26.'§b4
26. '§b5 Me3 27. '§xb7 tZJd3 28. '§xa7 tZJf4!
with the attack.
26 ...tZJd3
The position is not clear after 26 ... .a:e2
27.'§xd4 '§f6 28.'§d1 .ί:[χa2 29.tZJc3 '§b6+
30.~h1 ~a3 31.'§e1. But it was draw after
26 ... '§g5 27.fxe4 '§e3+ 28.!tf2 '§c1+. Feel-
ing the lack of time the opponents run to
repetition of the position:
27.'§c4 tZJe5 28.'§b4 tZJd3 29.'§c4
lh-lh
27 C42
Kasparov - Kramnik
Round 3 1.03
Notes by KSαkαev
1.e4 e5 2.tZJf3 tZJf6 3.tZJxe5 d6 4.tZJf3
tZJxe4 5.d4 d5 6.i..d3 tZJc6 7.0-0 i..e7 8.c4
tZJb4 9.~e2 0-0 10.tZJc3 b6
This is an interesting noνelty. Ι think,
Kasparoν would not tense the game.
11.tZJe5 or 11.a3 is possible.
11.a3 tZJxc3 12.bxc3 tZJc6 13.cxd5
'§xd5 14.~el ~b7 15.Jiιd3
15.c4 '§d6 is possible here.
15 ...~ae8
Κramnik cannot play 15 ... '§h5? 16.d5!
and Black loses a piece
16.'§c2
If 16.i..f4 then 16 ... Jiιd6. And if 16.i..e4
then '§h5.
Linares 65
16... h6 31. ~e2 loses: 31 ... ~xf2! 32. ~xf2 .!::ί.Χf2
16 ... ~h5!? 33.J::txf2 ~f8 34 ...tf7 (or 34.d6 c2 35.l1c7 ~f2
17.~h7+ ~h8 18.~e4 ~d8 19.iιb2 ~f6 36.d7 1:td2+ 37.~f1 .tf6 38 ...tb3 I:ι.d1+ and
20.c4 CLJa5 21.~xb7 CLJxb7 112 - 1/2 39 ... c1~) c2 35.ac7 ~xf2 36.~xf2 ~f7
White has a slight adνantage after 31 ... ~f3 32.~h2
22.CLJe5. Now it is impossible to play 32 ... iιf2
because of 33. ~e5 J::tf6 34. ~c7

28 C42
Anand - Shirov
Round 3 1.03
Notes by KSakaev

l.e4 e5 2.CLJf3 CLJf6 3.CLJxe5 d6 4.CLJf3

CLJxe4 5.d4 d5 6.~d3 iιd6 7.0-0 0-0 8.c4
c6 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.CLJc3 CLJxc3 11.bxc3
.tg4 12.1:iblCLJd7 13.h3 ~h5 14.J::!.b5CLJb6
15.c4 ~xf3 16.~xf3 dxc4 17.~c2 ~d7
18.a4 g6 19.~e3 kιac8 20.~bl c3 21.a5
CLJc4 22.~b7 ~e6 23.~al!
The idea of this strong moνe is to pro-
tect the a5-pawn and the first rank. 23.I:!.c1
was played in the game Kazhgaleeν -
Arencibia, Elista 1998. This should not
result ίη White's adνantage. 23.kι1b5 is not
suitable, if 23 ... CLJa3 then 24.~b3 c2! If
23.Sxa7 then 23 ... lΔd2! 23.lΔb3 is probably
the strongest.
23 ... ~b8
23 ... a6 and White has a slight adνan-
tage.
24 ...tb3
24.~g5 ~d6 25.g3 ~d4, if24.~h6 then
24 ... ~fd8! (24 ... ~fe8 25.g3) or 24 ..tf4 .txf4
25. ~xf4 ~e2.
24 ... ~d6
24 ... c2 25.1:!c1 ~d6 26.J::!.c2. Interesting
is 24 ... ~d6 25.g3 c2
25.g3CLJxe3 26 ..txf7+ ~h8 27.~xe3
If 27.~d7 then 27 ... ~c6. White has an
adνantage.
27 ... ~f6 28.~e6 J::!.ce8 29.d5 ~e5
30.~a2
If30.~xa7 then 30 ... .ί:!.χe6. Anandneeds
to play 30.~f1. White is better. 30.1:!.b4!?
(Lugoνoi).
30 ....td4 31.~el?
31.~f4!?; 31.~h6!?; 31.~d3!? (Lugoνoi).
32 ... ~xd5!
Α strong moνe - Black has a chance to
win. It was possible to force a draw:
32 ... ~xe6 33. ~xe6 (33.dxe6 ~xb7) ~xf2
34.nxf2 J::!.xf2 with a perpetual check. It
seems that 30.J::ιa2 was a mistake.
33.~xd5 ~xel
Black is better, but the draw is prob-
able.
34.~g2
Anand made a desiciνe mistake here.
Mter 34.f4 :!:rfe8 White had some chances.
34 ... ~xf2 35.kIf7 1:txf7 36.~xf7 ~c5
37 . ..\tb3 Wg7 38.1:tc2 ..td4 39.a6 'Otf6
40.1:!.a2 We5 41.h4 We4 0-1
Then 42 ...tg8 h6 43 ..th7 Φe3 44 ...txg6
ZΙe2 45.J::te2 Φe2 was possible with further
Φd2, c2 and a νictory.
C17
Leko - Κhalifman
Round 3 1.03
Notes by S.Ivanov
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.CLJc3 ..tb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3
~a5
Very long this line stayed in the back-
ground ofthe theory. We owe its reνiνal to
66
M.Botνinnik who began to appIy it ίη the
forties and had seνeral conνincing wins.
Ιη 1954 M.Botνinnik succeeded ίη uphold-
ing this system ίη the match with ν.
SmysIoν for the title of the World Cham-
ρίοη. At present the main apologists ofthe
moνe 5 ... ~a5 are Armenian grandmasters
R.Vaganian and S.Lputian.
6.~g4 tΔe7 7.dxc5
This is not the basic continuation, yet
it is rather maIicious. 7.~g7 z:tg8 8.~h7 cd4
9.b4 Ieads to a position that will be re-
garded beIow; 7.b4?! is unfortunate here
because of 7 ... cb4! 8.tΔb5 b3! 9.c3 tΔf5
10.~d2 ο-ο 11. ~h3 a6 12.g4 ~h4!;1;
Timman - Vaganian, Horgen 1995.
7 ...~xc3 8.bxc3 tΔg6
BIack can chose now from a νariety of
opportunities:
a) 8 ... tΔd7 9.tΔf3 (9. ~g7 occurred al-
ready ίη one offounder games ofthe νari­
ant: 9 ... J::i.g8 10.~h7 tΔe5 11.~e2 ~a5!
12.~d2 ~c5 13.tΔf3 tΔf3 14.~f3 e5 15.~h5
~f5!+ Resheνsky - Botνinnik, Moscow
1946)
al) Yugoslaνian EncycIopaedia recom-
mends 9 ... tΔg6 10.h4 h5 11"~g3 tΔc5 with
uncIear pIay. Ιη the game Spirieν -
Mueller, Budapest 1991, 12.tΔg5 ~c7
13 . .ίl.e3 tΔd7 (13 ... 4:Je4!?) 14 ...Itd4 4:Jde5
15.SΙb5 ~f8 16.0-0 f6 17.J::i.ae1 followed,
White haνing good attack prospects. How-
eνer, White can reduce it to the main line
with 10.~d3.
a2) 9 ... 0-0 10.~d3 f5 11.ef6 4:Jf6 12.'~h4
The control of the key square e5 ensures
White's opening adνantage. Further oppor-
tunities: 12 .. .'~Jc6 (or 12 ... ~c7 13.~f4 ~c5
14 ...Ite5 4:Jf5 Κing - Lputian, Dortmund
198815.~b4± D.Κing) 13.c4!? ~a514.~d2
~c5 15.0-0 dc4 16 ...Itc4;!; Lau - Lputian,
AItensteig 1989.
a3) 9 ... ~c7 is recommended by P.Keres.
After 10.~g7 J::i.g8 11.~h7 tΔe5 12.~h5!
(12.~b5 ~d7 13.~d7 tΔd7 with uncIear
pIay is weaker) 12 ... tΔf3 13. ~f3 ~d7 14.sιf4
§'c5;1; White's chances are somewhat bet-
ter owing to the possession oftwo bishops.
Super Tournαments 2000
b) 8 ... ~a5!? Attacking white pawns,
BIack contains his opponent's forces and
preνents him from a quick deνelopment of
his initiatiνe. 9.~d2 tΔg6 10.h4! (10.4:Jf3
4:Jd7 11.c4 ~c7! 12.cd5 ο-ο! 13.d6 ~c5
14. ~b4 tΔge5= Tseshkoνsky - Lputian,
Podolsk 1990) 10 ... h511.~g5 (11.~b4 §'b4
12.ab4 tΔe5 13 ..sιf4 4:Jbc6 14.b5 4:Jg6 15 ..sιc7
tΔce5 with uncIear pIay, Filipenko -
Tondiνar, Groningen 1993) 11 ... 4:Jd7 12.c4
~a4 (12 ... ~c5!? 13.tΔf3 dc4 14.~b4 ~d5fZ
15.J::i.d1 ~e4 16 ..sιe2 f6 17.ef6 gf6 18. ~e3
~e3 19.fe3 4:Jb6 20.4:Jd2 4:Je5 21.4:Je4 ~f'7
22.0-0 4:Jd5, and White's initiatiνe, at most,
makes up for the missing pawn, Κruppa -
Lputian, Moscow 1991) 13.cxd5 tΔde5 (an-
other opportunity is 13 ... ~e4 14.4:Je2 §'d5
15.f4 4:Jc5 16.tΔc3 ~d4 17 ..ί::ι.b1;1; Short -
Lputian, ManiIa 1990) 14.~e2 Short -
Timman, Amsterdam 1991 14 ... ed5!?
15.4:Jf3 (15.SΙh5 nh5! 16. ~h5 Sιg4 17. ~g5
~c2 with a compensation - L.Ftachnik;
15.f4 f6 16. ~g3 4:Jg4) 15 ... f6 16. §'e3 ο-ο
with a complex play.
9.~d3
This is stronger than 9.h4 which was
pIayed before (Sakaeν).
9 ... 4:Jd7
9 ... 0-0 10.4:Jf3 f5 11.ef6 ~f6 12. ~d4 de-
serνes attention (12.0-0 e5 13.~h5 ~f5!
With a counterlpay) 12 ... tΔc6!? 13. ~f6 gf6
14.c4 d4 15.~e4 nd8 with a counterlpay
(V.Saνon).
10.4:Jf3 ~c7 11.0-0
White is forced to sacrifice the central
pawn: after 11.~g3 there is 11 ... b6 (11 ...
tΔc5 is not bad, too) 12.h4 4:Jde5 13 ..sιg6
4:Jf3 14.gf3 ~g3 15.~f'7 ~f'7 16.fg3 bc5,
equalizing the game (S.Atalik).
11 ... tΔde5
ΑΙΙ BIack's preνious play was based οη
the attack of the e5-pawn, but maybe it
was worth to change it and play 11 ... 4:Jc5?
Of course White has an initiatiνe after
12.~e3 (or 12.h4 ) 12 ... 4:Jd3 13.cd3 §'c3
14.d4, but Black has an extra pawn and a
solid position.
12.4:Je5 ~e5 13.~b5 ~d7 14.~d7
Linαres
White should grab at d7, otherwise
Black will haνe a good position (Sakaeν).
14.~a4 ~c7
Both 14.l:ιb1 j.b5 15.~b5 ο-ο! and
14. ~a4 ~c7 are weaker, White gains noth-
ing.
14...Φd7 15. ~a4!
This natural moνe is be a noνelty, and
a νery unpleasant one this time. 15.J::tb1
occurred preνiously, and Black had time
to introduce the h8-rook into the game:
15 ... ~hb8 16.f4 (16.c4 ~e4 17. ~h3 d4
18.~h7 ~h8 19.~g7 l:ιag8 20.c6? 'itod6!-+
Fogarasi-Atalik, Budapest 1998) 16 ... ~f5
17. ~e2 tΔe7 18.g4 ~e4 Hachian - Lputian,
Panormo 1998 19.~e4 de4 20.f5 with υη­
clear play.
15 ... 'itoe7
Probably 15 ... 'itoc7 16.~b1 1:thb8 de-
serνed to be chosen, though now Black's
way is not all roses, too. Black wants to
exchange queens, while White wants to
open υρ files and get to the opponent's
king. S.Atalik recommends 17.~d2 (17.
~e3 ~c3; 17.c4 ~d4 18.~a5 b6) 17 ... ~e2
18.1:ιfd1 ~c4 Black seems to be holding out,
though it is not excepted that White's play
can be reinforced.
16.~b4!
Α dangerous position. Leko seems to
haνe a large adνantage (Sakaeν).
16 ... 1:ιab8
Now 16 ... 1:ιhb8 already does not help
because of 17 .c6 ~d6 18.cb7 ~b4 19.ba8~!
~b6 20.~e3 with White's win. 16 ... Φf6
17.~e3 a5 (17 ... ~e4 18.~d4 e5 19.1:ιae1
67
~c2 20.f4!) 18.~b7 ~c3 19 . .ϊ::ι.ad1 with
White's dangerous attack appears to be
dubious, too.
17.f4
White acts rather νigorously. Of course,
now there is ηο sense to play 17.c6?! ~d6,
because Black has ηο particular problems
ίη the endgame. Α quiet moνe 17.1ιe3!?
deserνes attention too, making it uneasy
for Black to coordinate his pieces.
17 ... ~e418.f5 ~b4
An exchange of queens is usually not
ίη Black's faνour ίη here: White's pawn
structure improνes, while his rook begins
to work οη the opened a-file. 18 ... ef5
19.1ιg5 ~f8 looks rather dangerous, but
White seems to haνe nothing concrete
here.
19.axb4 exf5 20.1:ιχf5
White has a clear adνantage after
20.1:ιa7 'itoe6 21 ..ϊ::ι.e1 tΔe5 22.~f4 [6 23.h4±
as well.
20 ...~e6 21.~f2?
Missing a considerable part of his ad-
νantage. 21.g4 [6 should haνe been played
(21 ... a6 is bad because of 22.1ιf4 tΔf4
23.1:ιe 1! - White is depriνed of this oppor-
tunity after the moνe ίη the game) 22.1:ιa7
tΔe5 23.~f4 g6 24.j.e5 fe5 25.~f1 +-
21 ... a6 22 ..if4 tΔf4 23.J::!.f4 f5 24.J::Id4
~bd8 25.~el 'itof6 26.l:ιedl 1:the8 27.c4
1:ιe2 28.lIxd5 1:ιde8 29 . .ϊ::ι.Ιd2 lIxd2 30.
:Ixd2 ~el+ 31.~f2 ~e4 32.lId7 I!xc4
33.J::txb7 a5 34.bxa5 1:!xc5 35.a6 J::!.xc2+
36.'itof3 .ί;!c3+ 37.~e21::tc2+ 1fz-1fz
Black has actiνated his forces and man-
aged to bring the game to a draw owing to
his precise defence. We can conclude that
this game has brought υρ a number of
problems to Black.
30 C02
Shirov - Κhalίfman
Rοu:ιd 4 3.03
Notes by S.Iuαnou
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 tΔc6
If Black is not going to allow the struc-
68
ture that was introduced into practice by
V.Kupreichik (5 ..1ιe3 t;ιb6 6. t;ιd2) to appear,
he can play 4 ... t;ιb6 at first, and then get
the needed position with rearranged order
of moves after 5.4:Jf3 4:Jc6. ΒΥ the way,
Κhalifman chose this very order ίη the
game we are regarding: he still got the
position he wanted, having restricted the
resources ofhis opponent at the same time.
5.4:Jf3 ~b6
5 ... ~d7 was another possibility with
further exchanging ofbishops 6 ... .1ιb5.
6.a3
The chief ideologist of this system,
grandmaster E.Sveshnikov, plays so at
present. Ιη the lines with 6.~d3 and 6 ..te2
there were found fairly sound ways to gain
an equal play for Black.
6 ... 4:Jh6!?
This is our counterblow. The black
knight aims at the key square f5 ίη order
to attack the d4-pawn, yet it gets there by
a not quite traditional route (because
6 ... 4:Jge7 would be followed by 7.dc5 with
the initiative). This plan was introduced
into modern practice by grandmaster
S.Lputian, and the theory of this line is
based chiefly οη his games. Ιη those years
Black used to continue 6 ... c4, 6 ... a5 or
6 ... .td7 without real equalization.
7.b4
7 ..1ιh6? t;ιb2 8 ..1ιc1 t;ιa1 9. t;ιc2 c4! would
be a mistake, to be followed by 4:Ja5, .1ιd7,
4:Jb3, and the black queen breaks free.
Neither 7.~d3 cd4 8.cd4 4:Jf5 9.iιf5 ef5
lo.ciJc3 ~e6= can give anything to White.
7 ... cxd48.cxd4
At the early stage of the development
ofthis variant it was considered that White
gained an advantage by mere 8 ..1ιχh6 gxh6
9.cxd4. However, later οη it was proved
that the gained opportunities for activat-
ing black pieces (the rook can enter the
game by means of ~h8-g8-g4, while the
bishop puts pressure οη White's centre af-
ter .tf8-g7 and f7-f6) gave a sufficient
compensation for the spoiled pawns
"hairdo". It can be developed as follows:
Super Tournαments 2000
9 ... .1ιd7 (an immediate 9 ... ~g8 lo.cΙJc31:ι.g4
11.h3 J::tf4 12 ..1ιb5 a5 13.0-0! ab4 14.ab4
~a1 15. ~a1 is possible as well: White has
an initiative Keitlinghaus - Blauert,
Budapest 1998) Mter 10.iιe2 (now the
natural 10.4:Jc3? will be encountered with
10 ... 4:Jb4! 11.ab4 - 11.!'!.b1 ~c7+ - 11 ... .tb4
12.~d3 1:ι.c8 13.!'!.c1 t;ιa5 14.<;!od2 ο-ο
15.iιe2 ~c3 16.':c3 ~b5-+) the move
10 ... 1:ι.g8!? looks good (10 ... 1:ι.c8 11.0-0 ~g7
12.~d2 ο-ο 13.1:ι.a2 f614.b54:Ja515.ef61:ι.f6
16.4:Je5 iιe8 with complicated play is pos-
sible, too Bosch - Lputian, Wijk aan Zee
1999) 11.0-0 1:tg4 12.h3 1:ι.f4 13.g3 1:ι.f3
14.iιf3 4:Jd4 15.iιh5 iιg7 16.1:ι.e1 !'!.c8 with
a compensation for the sacrifice of an ex-
change Nikitin - Flohr, Moscow 1957.
8 ... 4:Jf5 9.~b2
9.iιe3 is another opportunity.
Now it is hardly worth to recommend
9 ... f6 10.iιd3! (Black's calculation was
based οη 10.b54:Je5! 11.de5 4:Je3 12.fe3 ~e3
13. t;ιe2 t;ιc1 14. t;ιd1 1ΙΖ Romanishin -
Lputian, Erevan 1988) 10 ... 4:Je3 11.fe3 fe5?!
(11 ... iιd7t is better) 12.b5 4:Jd4 (or 12 ... e4
13.bc6 .td614.0-0 0-0 15.4:Jg5!± L.Hansen
- Antonsen, Farum 1993) 13.ed4 e4 Otero
- Nogueiras, Santa Clara 1999, because
after the right 14 ..i.e4! dxe4 15.4:Je5 g6
16.0-0 White gains a considerable devel-
opment advantage that repays with inter-
est the missing p'lW. 9 ... g6!? 10.Jιd3 4:Je3
11.fxe3 iιh6 12. ~e2 4:Je7 13.4:Jc3 iιd7 14.
ο-ο 1:ι.c8 15.J:ιac1 4:Jf5 with an equal play
Wall - Lputian, Montecatini Terme 1999,
appears to be more reliable for Black.
9 ... .1ιe7
This is more precise than 9 ... iιd7, be-
cause 10.g4! forces the black knight to re-
treat: 10 ... 4:Jh6 (or 10 ... 4:Jfe7 11.4:Jc3 h5
12.g5 4:Jf5 13.4:Ja4 t;ιd8 14 ..i.d3 h4 15.~c1,
White had a noticeable space advantage
Shirov - Κramnik, Monaco 1997) 11.h3 f6
12.iιd3 4:Jf7 13.4:Jbd2 fe5 14.de5 ~e7
15.!'!.cH Sveshnikov - Lputian, Tilburg
1992; 9 ... a5!? is interesting too. Ιη the game
Sveshnikov - Bareev, Moscow 1995, White
obtained an advant~after 10.b5 a4 11.g4
Linαres
CL:Jfe7 12.CL:Jc3 CL:Jb8 13.~d3 CL:Jd7 14.0-0 CL:Jg6
15 ..sc1 ~e7 16.CL:Ja4. Later οn Black man-
aged to reinforce his play: 11 ... CL:Jh6!? 12.h3
~e7 13.CL:Jc3 CL:Ja5 14.CL:Ja4 \'tfd8 15.:c1 CL:Jc4!?
16.~c4 dc4 17.0-0 ο-ο 18.!1c4 b6 19.CL:Jc3
~b7 20.a4 f5 with a sufficient compensa-
tion for two pawns Johnsen - Kallai,
Budapest 1999.
10 . .ιid3
Now 10.g4 is less convincing because of
10 ... CL:Jh4; while 10.h4 appears to be too
pretentious, because White is fairly under-
developed. After 10 ... .ιid7 11.g4 CL:Jh6
12 ..sg1 f6 13.ef6 gf6 14.~d3 CL:Jf7 15. \'tfe2
Svidler - Beliavsky, Novosibirsk 1995,
Black can favourably complicate the play
with 15 ... e5!? Of course, an unassuming
development of the bishop 10.~e2 is pos-
sible too, but then Black has simply nο
problems. There are several good plans for
him:
10 ... ~d7 11.0-0
a) 11 ... h5!? 12.b5 (or 12.\'tfd2 g5! Strug-
gling for the square d4! 13 ..sd1 g4 14.CL:Je1
.sg8 15.CL:Jc2 ~g5 16. \'tfe1 ~c8+ Relange -
Berend, Brussels 1993) 12 ... CL:Ja5 13.CL:Jc3 a6
14.CL:Ja4 \'tfd8 15.ba6 ba6 16 . .ιic3 .ιib5=
Kozak - Dolmatov, Elista 1997;
b) 11 ... 0-0 12. \'tfd2 (preventing CL:Jc6-a5)
12 ... f6 (also 12 ... a5 13.b5 CL:Ja7 14.a4 CL:Jc8
15.CL:Jc3 \'tfd8 is possible to be followed by
CL:Jb6, ~c8, .ιib4, etc.) 13.g4 CL:Jh6 14.ef6 .sf6!
15.g5 kIf3 16.~f3 CL:Jf5 17.1:td1 1:tf8 with a
fierce initiative for the sacrifice of an ex-
change Cools - Motwani, Vissingen 1996.
10••. a5!
69
Only this way Black can count οn an
equal play. 10 ... ~d7 is worse because af-
ter 11.~f5 ef5 12.CZJc3 Black has to spend a
tempo for 12 ... ~e6
11.~f5
Black's idea is tactically based οn the
following line: 11.b5 CL:Jcd4 12.CL:Jd4 CL:Jd4
13. \'tfg4 CL:Jf5! 14 . .ιif5 \'tfb5! 15.~d4 ef5
16.\'tfg7.sf8 17.CL:Jc3 \'tfc4 18.4Je2 Haba -
Glek, Stare Mesto 1992, now Black gains
a decisive advantage with 18 ... ~d7! 19.1ίc1
\'tfd3! 20.1:!.d1 \'tfb5 21.CL:Jc3 \'tfc4! (I.Glek).
11 ... exf5 12.4Jc3 ..te6 13.b5 a4!
This is an important moment: Black
wants to gain more space οn the queenside
and reserve the a5-square for manoeuvres
of his pieces.
14.bxc6
Α new idea. Continuations that oc-
curred previously not only promised White
ηο advantage, they often could not ensure
a parity: 14.0-0 4Jb8 (14 ... 4Ja5!? 15.\'tfa4
ο-ο with the idea of .sfc8, 4Jc4 with a com-
pensation is interesting too) 15 ...tc1 4Jd7
(15 ... h6!?) 16.~b1 (16 . .ιig5!?) 16 ... 0-0
17.4Ja4 \'tfa5 18.4Jc5 4Jc5 19.dc5 ..tc5;1;
Campora - Dokhoyan, Wijk aan Zee 1989;
14. \'tfd3 4Jb8 15 . .ιic1 h6! 16.4Jg1 4Jd7
17.4Jge2 \'tfc7 18.~d2 4Jb6;1; Sveshnikov -
Moskalenko, Norilsk 1987; 14.l:ϊa2 4Jb8
(14 ... 4Ja5!?) 15.0-0 4Jd7 16.4Ja4 \'tfb5
17.4Jc3 \'tfc4 18.\'tfb1 ο-ο 19.~c1 ~fc8=
Grosar - Tabernig, Montecatini Terme
1997.
14 ... \'tfb215.0-0
White does not stop at the sacήfice of a
piece. He had yet another interesting ορ­
portunity: 15.4Ja4 J:ιa4 16.cxb7 The white
pawn that has got to b7 is very strong. The
play should be forced now with 16 ... \'tfc3
(16 ... 0-0? 17.0-0! is a mistake, as there is
nο defence from 18.l:ϊb1, winning the game)
17.CL:Jd2 ο-ο 18 ..sb1.sd419.b8\'tf l:ϊe4 20.Φf1
\'tfd3 21.Φg1 J:ιb8 22.kIb8 ~f8 that brings
to a position where Black, having lost an
exchange, has a good compensation, con-
sisting ίn active stands ofhis pieces.
15..•bxc6
70
Why does not Black take a piece -
15 ... '§c3? It proνes that after 16.cb7 l::ϊb8
17.'§a4 .Jtd7 18.'§a7. 18 ... '§c7 (18 ... 0-0
19.J:tfc1 '§b2 20.Mcb1!? - 20.l:rab1 '§a2
21.I!a1 forces to repeat moνes - 20 ... '§c3
21.a4 with initiatiνe) White has an impor-
tant resource of 19.e6!, introducing the
knight into the play (19.I!ab1 .J:ιc6 20 ..a:fc1
l::ϊb7!+ would be a mistake). Ν ow White has
a serious initiatiνe ίη all lines: 19 ... .Jte6
20.!ϊab1 ο-ο 2U:tfc1 '§d6 22.a4 with com-
pensation; 19 ... fxe6 20.~ab1.Jtd6 (20 ... .Jtc6
21.tΔe5 ο-ο 22. '§a6 .J:ιb7 23. '§e6 'it>h8
24 ..a:fc1) 21 ..a:fc1 '§d8 22.'§a6 .tf4 23.l::ϊc5
ο-ο 24.a4 with a compensation; 19 ... .J:ιb5
20.!ifb1 '§b7 21. '§a5 .Jtd8 22. '§e1 with an
initiatiνe. With the moνe ίη the game Black
secured himself against any troubles and
got eνen a more pleasant play.
16.tΔa4 '§b5 17.tΔc3
17.tΔc5!? .Jtc5 18.dc5 '§c5 19.tΔd4 with
a positional compensation for the pawn is
interesting.
17... '§c418.tΔe2 ο-ο
After 18 ... !ia3 19.Ma3 .Jta3 20. §'a1 ο-ο
21. §'a3 '§e2 Black should not count οη an
adνantage.
19.!icl '§a6 20.J:tc3 J:tfc8 112 - lh
Owing to the adνantage oftwo bishops
and the weakness of the white a3-pawn
Black has minimal adνantage, but ηο real
grounds to play for a win. Thus we can con-
clude that Shiroν's noνelty has not en-
feebled Black's position, and we can con-
tinue to consider this νariant reliable
enough.
31 Β33
Leko - Κramnik
Round 4 3.03
Notes by A.Kochyev
l.e4 c5 2.tΔf3 tΔc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.tΔxd4
tΔf6 5.tΔc3 e5 6.tΔdb5 d6 7 ..Jtg5 a6 8.tΔa3
b5 9 ..txf6 gxf6 10.tΔd5 .tg7 1l.g3
It was also possible to play 1l ..J:ιd3 with
further ο-ο.
Super Tournαments 2000
1l ...f5 12.exf5.Jtxf5 13 ...tg2 .Jte6 14.c3
0-0 15.0-0 !Ib8 16.tΔc2 a5
16 ... '§d7 17.'§h5 f5 18.!iad1 e4 19.f3
.J:ιxd5 20.!ixd5 tΔe7 2U:rd2 d5 22 ..Jth3 !ib6
Iνanchuk - Κramnik, Moscow 1995.
17.'§e2
17.!ie1 '§d7 18. '§h5 f5 19.!iad1 e4
20.tΔce3 Short-Kramnik, Noνgorod 1994.
17 ... tΔe7 18.1:i:adl f5 19.tΔce3 ~h8
20.a3'§d7
If 20 ... f4?! then 21.tΔxe7 '§xe7 22.tΔd5
and White's chances are preferable.
21.tΔxe7 '§xe7 22.tΔd5 '§f7 23.I!d2 e4
24.1:tfdl .te5 25.f4 exf3 26. '§xf3 .txd5
27.1:txd5 '§g7 28.!iΠ f4 29.g4 Mg8 30.h3
h531.'§e4
The position of a dynamic balance is οη
the board. If 31.gxh5, b5-b4 break-
through should be considered.
31 ... '§f6
If 31 ... hxg4 then 32.!ixf4 .Jtxf4 33. §'xf4
threatening with !ih5.
32 ..Jtf3 I!g7 33.I!f2 '§h4 34.J:tdd2 .a:bg8
35.!ih2 !ie7
Black threatens with moνing the bishop
and has the initiatiνe.
36.!ide2 b4 37.axb4 axb4 38.!ihg2
If 38.cxb4 then 38 ... J:tc8, threatening
with 1:tc1.
38...bxc3 39.bxc3 1:ta7 40.1:ta2 I.!:ag7
If 40 ... ~xa2 41.J:txa2 '§h3 then 42.!ih2.
41.gxh5 J:txg2+ lh _112
If 41 ... §'xh3, !ig6 should be seήοuslΥ be
considered
32 Β92
Anand - Kasparov
Round 4 3.03
Notes by A.Kochyev
l.e4 c5 2.tΔf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.tΔxd4
tΔf6 5.tΔc3 a6 6 ..Jte2 e5 7.tΔb3 .Jte7 8.0-0
.Jte6 9.f4 '§c7 10.tΔd5 .Jtxd5 11.exd5
tΔbd712.c40-0 13.'it>hl!ife814..Jte3 exf4
Another possibility is 14 ... .Jtf8 15.fxe5
tΔxe5 16 ..td4 '§e7 17.J:tel tΔfd7 18.!icl
Mac8 19 ..Jtg4 Hamid - Arnason, London
 Linαres
1984.
15.j"xf4 j"f8 16.~cl ~b6 17. .&ι.c2
Α nove,lty. 17.j"d3 CLJe5 18 j"b1 CLJfd7
19.'~d2 g6 20.CLJa5 ~c7 21.b4 b6 22.CLJc6
CLJxc6 23.dxc6 ~xc6 24. ~f2 Glek - Sνidler,
Elista 1995.
17 ... g618.j"f3 ~ac8 19.CLJcl CLJe520.b3
The opening part is over, Black does not
have any seήοus problems.
20 ...h5! 21.h3?!
21.~e2 (Lugovoi).
21 ... i.g722.CLJe2
If22.CLJd3, then 22 ... CLJxd3 23.~xd3 CLJd7
and Black has a good position.
22 ... CLJxf3 23.gxf3?!
If 23.~xf3, then 23 ... CLJe4 and Black is
slightly better.
23 ... ~c5 24.~cl
White has defended from the threat
Nxd5, but Black's chances are preferable.
24 ... b5 25.~d2 bxc4 26.bxc4 h4!
27.i.g5 CLJh5 28.i.xh4 ~b8!
Black has a compensation for the pawn
threatens with ~c8.
29.CLJgl I!b2 30.~c2 ~xc4! 31.I:ί.xc4
1:!.xd2
Black has a dominating advantage.
32.f4 ~xd5 0-1
'"33 D97
Kasparov - Leko
Round 5 4.03
Notes by A.Kochyeu
l.d4 CLJf6 2.CLJf3 g6 3.c4 j"g7 4.CLJc3 d5
5. ~b3 dxc4 6. ~xc4 0-0 7.e4 a6 8.j"e2 b5
71
8.j"e2 is one of the basic moves here.
8.a4 is bad because of8 ... b5! 9.axb5? axb5!
9.~b3 c5 10.dxc5 ~b7 11.0-0 CLJxe4
12.CLJxe4 CLJxe4 13 ...tg5 CLJc6 14.~e3 ~d5
14 ... ~d5 is relatively new. The main
move here is SΙe4-ffi. Asample line: 15 ..ih6
j"xb2 16.nad1 ~c7 or 16 ... ~a5.
15.~adl ~e6 16.j"h6 ..tf5
Black defends from a possible attack
move CLJg5, but after exchanging bishops
the position should be estimated as slightly
better for White.
17..ixg7
If 17. ~xe6, then 17 ... ..txe6 18 ..ixg7
~xg7 and the white a2 pawn is under at-
tack, that gives Black an important tempo
for consolidation of the position.
17... ~xe318.fxe3 ~xg719.a3
19.a3 is a move which is useful ίη any
case. Kasparov enters a good ending (due
to the c5-pawn).
19 ... ~fd8 20.b4 ..tc2 21.~xd8 1ιΧd8
22.1ιcΙ j"e4 23.~f2
Still there is an endgame with White's
slight advantage οη the board.
23 ... Wf6 24.g4 h6 25.h4 ~e6
25 ... g5, stopping white pawn at the g4-
square looked fine. Probably, Black did not
like 26.hxg5 hxg5 27.~h1 CLJe5 28.~h6+
~g7 29.CLJxe5! ~xh6 30.CLJxf7 and then
CLJxd8.
26.1::tdl ..txf3
This exchange is dubious.
27.1::txd8 i.xe2 28.1:Ic8 Φd7 29.1:rxc6
~xc6 30.~xe2
Mter exchanging all pieces, there is an
72
pawn endgame with only one question: wiH
Leko be able to gain a draw or not? Here is
a possible plan of defence: black should
play g5 and built a fortress e6-f6, and to
Leko's luck, this should work.
30...f6 31.Φd3 e6 32.Φd4 g5 33.h5 Φd7
34.e4 Φc6 35.e5 f5 36.gxf5 exf5 37.e6 f4
38. Φe4 'iJc7 112 - lh
34 D 17
Kramnik - Shirov
Round 5 4.03
Notes by A.Kochyev
1.ct:Jf3 d5 2.d4 c6 3.c4 ct:Jf6 4.ct:Jc3 dxc4
5.a4 iιf5 6.ct:Je5
6.e2-e3 is another possibility is with
further iιxc4. White has a more comfort-
able game here.
6 ... e6 7.f3 iιb4 8.e4 1ιχe4
This is the beginning of a long well-
known theoreticalline.
9.fxe4 ct:Jxe4 10.iιd2 ~xd4 11.ct:Jxe4
~xe4+ 12.~e2 iιxd2+ 13.Φχd2 ~d5+
14.'.t>c2 ct:Ja6 15.ct:Jxc4 b5
15 ... b5 is a weH-known moνe ίn theory.
Other moνes are also possible, like 15 ...
0-0-0.
16.axb5 ct:Jb4+ 17.Φc3 cxb5 18.Mdl
~c5 19.~e5 ct:Jd5+ 20.1::txd5 b4+
20 ... ~xd5 21.ct:Jd6+ Φf8 22. ~xd5 exd5,
Florian - Mirzoeν, Calicut 1998, and a bal-
ance was kept ίn the further struggle.
21.Φb3 ~xd5
22.1ιe2! ο-ο 23. ~xd5! exd5 24.ct:Ja5
Super Tournαments 2000
Mfe8 25.1ιf3
Despite the fact that White's pieces
haνe actiνe location, Black has a rook and
three pawns for two pieces and therefore
has good counter chances.
25 ... Mac8
25 ... Me3+ was preferable here. White
cannot play 26.Φχb4 because of26 ... 1::tb8+
and further Mxb2.
26.Mdl Me3+ 27.Φa4 b3
Black is looking for counter game and
fixes the white pawn at b2-square, as it is
easier to attack it at this square.
28.1::txd5 g6 29.:J:d7 Mc2 30.Φa3 Φg7
31.l:ϊxa7 h5
Black made seνeral poor moνes and
White's position looks better.
32.h3 h4 33.Mb7 .!:!.c5 34.Φb4 Mf5
35.MC7 g5 36.ct:Jxb3 Mf4+ 37.MC4 Mxc4+
38.Φχc4 f5 39.ct:Jd4 Φf6 40.b4 ~el
Κramnik increased his adνantage ίn
time trouble ofthe opponent's and now he
has all chances to win.
41.b5 Φe5 42.ct:Jc6+ Φd6 43.b6 Mcl +
44.Φb5 g4
If 44 ... Mb1 then 45.ct:Jb4
45.b7 ~bl+ 46.ct:Jb4 Φc7 47.hxg4 fxg4
48.1ιe41-0
35 D18
Khalifman - Anand
Round 5 4.03
Notes by A.Kochyev
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.ct:Jf3 ct:Jf6 4.ct:Jc3 dxc4
5.a4 1ιf5 6.e3 e6 7.iιxc4 iιb4 8.0-0 ct:Jbd7
9.~e2
9.~b3 is another popular moνe here.
9 ... 1ιg4 10.lIdl ~a5 11.e4 ct:Jb6
1l ... ~xc3 is νery dangerous here for
Black, 11 ... ~h5 is a possible moνe here.
12.iιb3 1ιχc3 13.bxc3 ~xc3
Black plays the opening ίn a νery risky
way. Νο doubt, White has a good compen-
sation for the pawn.
14.:J:bl ο-ο
Mter a natural14 ... ~a5 Black should
Linares
consider d4-d5 break-through. Here is a
line: 15 ... cxd5 16.exd5 CLibxd5 17.1ιχd5
CLixd5 18.l:.b5 with further 1:i.xd5.
15.h3
If 15 ..td2, there was an intermediate
moνe 1ιχf3, then ~xd4, driνing Black's
queen from an uncomfortable position.
15 ... ~xf3 16.~xf3
16.gxf3 aνoiding a queen exchange was
worth serious attention. Ν ow, after the
queen exchange White still has an initia-
tiνe, but for Black an extra pawn is an ex-
tra pawn.
16 ... ~xf3 17.gxf3 CLibd7 18..ta3 I:ι.fc8
Black intends to demonstrate some ac-
tiνity by c6-c5.
19.~c4 CLib6
Black did not take a risk to open the
game by 19 ... c6-c5, though it was possible.
20.~b3 CLibd7 21 •.lTιc4 CLib6 22.~b3
V2 -1f2
The position of a dynamic balance is οη
the board.
'36 D58
Κrarnnik - Κhalίfrnan
Round 6 5.03
Notes by A.Kochyev
1.CLif3 CLif6 2.c4 e6 3.d4 d5 4.CLic3 1ιe7
5 ..lig5 h6 6.~h4 0-0 7.e3 b6 8 ..lie2 .lib7
9 . .lixf6 Jιxf6 10.cxd5 exd5 11.0-0 c5
12.dxc5
Α well-known line which leads to a dy-
namic struggle, usually with White's slight
adνantage.
12 ....lixc3
If 12 ... bxc5, then Black should consider
13. ~b3 with a strong pressure οη the cen-
tre. 13 ... ~b6 is bad because of14.CLixd5 and
White has better chances.
13.bxc3 bxc5 14.I:ι.b1
Looks logic, but 14.c4 looked nice,
breaking Black's centre. But White may
do this later, ifhe wishes.
14... ~c7
Sometimes Black locates his queen at
73
e7-square.
15.CLie5
This was played ίη the game Timman -
Vaganian, Riga 1995 15 ... 1:.e8 16.CLid3 CLid7
17. ~a4 I:ι.e4 18. ~a3 1ιc6 19.CLif4 I:ι.a4
20.~b3 l:i.b8 21.~c2 and the opponents
agreed to a draw.
15 ... CLid7 16.CLixd7 ~xd7
This position is slightly better for
White. He can locate his bishop at f3-
square threatening with c3-c4 ίη some
cases.
17.~b3 jιc618.~a3
White tries to disturb Black's centre and
still has some positional adνantage. White
may increase the pressure by Bf3 and Rfd1.
18... ~e7 19.jιf3 1:!fd8 20.~fd1 I:ι.ac8
21.h3 ~f8 22.l:Id2 d4
Black attempts to free himself
23.~xc6l:Ixc6 24.cxd4 cxd4 25. ~xe7 +
~xe7 26.1::tb7+ <ϊt>f8 27.exd4 I:ι.c4
Now after 28.I:ι.xa7l:Icxd4 29.1:Ixd4 I:ι.xd4
it will not be easy for white to realize the
extra pawn. If 28.b1e2 then 28 ... .:cxd4
29.J::ι.ee7 ':f4.
28.I:ι.e2 1::tcxd4 29.~xa7 ':d1+ 30.~h2
l:.1d2 31.I!.xd2 ':xd2 32.<ϊt>g3 g5
Ιη spite of an extra pawn, it is problem-
atic for White to win this game.
33 ...t>f3 <ϊt>g7 34...t>e3 I:ι.b2 35.g4 ~g6
36.I:ι.a6+ f6 37 .f4gxf4+ 38...t>f4 h5 39.a3
hxg4 40.hxg4 I:ι.f'2+ 41.~e3 I:ι.a2 42.I:ι.a5
I:ι.a143.a4 I:ι.e1+ 44.<ϊt>f3 I:ι.f1+ 45.<ϊt>g3 I:ι.g1+
46 ...t>h3 I:ι.hl+ 47 ...t>g2 I:ι.a1 48 ...t>f2 I:ι.a3
49.<ϊt>g2 1f2 - 1f2
74
37 Β90
Shirov - Kasparov
Round 6 5.03
Notes by A.Kochyev
l.e4 c5 2.ctJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.ctJxd4
ctJf6 5.ctJc3 a6 6.J..e3 ctJg4 7.~cl
7.J..g5 is another popular possibility
here.
7 ... ctJf6 8.f3 ~b6 9.ctJb3 e610.~e2ctJc6
11 ..i.e3 ~c7 12.0-0-0 b5 13.g4
Α well-known position. 13 ... .i.e7,
13 ... J..b7 and 13 ... ctJd7 are usual moves
here. Ιη this structure White plays actively
in the centre and an the kingside, Black
plays οη the queenside.
13... ctJe5 14.g5ctJfd7 15.f4ctJc4 16..i.d4
White's position looks rather strong. He
has a possibility of an active game ίη the
centre and οη the kingside. It is possible
to move the h-pawn or to break through
f4-f5 (this should be made ίη the right
moment, in order to keep control over e5-
square and not to giνe it to Black's
knights).
16... ctJdb6
Black prepares b5-b4.
17.h4 J..b7 18.h5 e5
Black makes a typical counter moνe in
the centre ίη reply to White's actiνity οη
the kingside. 18 ... b4 was worth attention.
19.ctJd5 1ιχd5 20.exd5 1ιe7
Black tries to finish his deνelopment.
The position is νery sharp and indefinite,
White should be νery actiνe, sacrificing ίη
order to keep the initiatiνe.
21 ..i.xb6
It is a pity to lose a bishop, but any
tempo is important for White.
21 ... ~xb6 22.~h3
White protects the e3-square threaten-
ing with g5-g6 in some cases. The posi-
tion is still sharp.
22 ... 0-0
Looks risky, White may play 23.~e4
threatening with J..d3.
23:~e4 ~f2
Νο other choice. White threatened with
Super Tournaments 2000
24.J..d3 g6 25.hxg6 fxg6 26.~xh7.
24.:!.f3 ~h4
The forced move. Now Black threatens
with .i.xg5.
25.~d3 g6 26.1:rgl
Probably, it is not the best choice.
26 ... exf4
Now 27.~xe7 is bad because of 27 ...
1Iae8 and White cannot defend the el-
square. 27.1H4 is not good because of27 ...
1ιχg5. Mter a possible 27.~xf4 ~xf4 28.
k!.xf4 Black has the important e5-square
at his disposal and his position is solid.
27.hxg6 hxg6 28 ..i.xc4 bxc4 29.~xc4
29.ctJd4 was interesting. After 29 ... .i.xg5
something like 30.ctJe6 or 30.ctJf5.
29 ....i.xg5
The position is sharp, but it seems not
dangerous for Black.
30.ctJd4
Now 30 .. .ί:!.ae8 looks fine for Black,
threatening with ~el+. If 31.tHl, then
31 ... k!.e3 is possible.
30 ... ~ae8 31.~f1 ~e3 32.~hl ~g4
33.1:1g1 ~h4 34.1:thl
This is strange, but black has a possi-
bility of 34 ... I!.fe8.
34 ... ~g4 35 ..tIgl ~h5 36.~hl ~g4
lh- 1h
38 D85
Anand-Leko
Round 6 5.03
Notes by A.Kochyev
l.d4 ctJf6 2.ctJf3 g6 3.c4 .i.g7 4.ctJc3 d5
Linαres
5.cxd5 CΔxd5 6.e4 CΔxc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.J:tbl
ο-ο 9.SΙe2 cxd4 10.cxd4 ~a5+ 11 ..id2
~xa2 12.0-0 CΔd7 13.I:!.el
This position occurred ίη Leko's tour-
nament game: 13.SΙb4 CΔb6 14.CΔe5 f6
15.CΔd3 ~f7 16.d5 f5 17.CΔc5 fxe4 with a
complicated game, Shirov - Leko, Dor-
tmund 1998. 13.J::ϊ.e1 is not a novelty -
Chernin played so with Leko (Budapest
1997).
13 ... CΔb6 14.J::ί.al
Chernin played 14.h3 SΙd7 15.1::ta1 ~e6
16.SΙd3 and soon the game resulted ίη a
draw.
14 ... ~b2 15.h3 ί5
This active pawn counter move is usual
here. Black should be active, as his queen
is far from main sources.
16.1:tbl ~a2 17.~cl
White threatens with 18.J::ϊ.xb6 and then
SΙc4, winning the game.
17 ... Wh8 18.J::ί.al ~g8
Such position of queen and king can be
seen rarely ίη the games of leading chess
players.
19.5Ιa5 fxe4 20.iιxb6 exf3 21.SΙxf3
Mter a forced tactic duel there is a com-
plicated position οη the board with mutual
chances, and Black seems to have ηο prob-
lems here.
21 ... SΙxh3 22.l:txa7 SΙxg2
Αη unexpected strike. Mter 23.SΙxg2 it
is possible to play 23 ... J::ί.xa7 24.SΙxa7 ~a2.
If23.Φχg2, then 23 ... ~b3.
23.Φχg2 ~b3 24.~dl ~xb6 25.1::txb7
~ί6 26.J::ί.exe71::tal 27.1::txg7
75
This magnificent tactic struggle seems
to result ίη a draw.
27 ... lίxdI28.J:txh7+ Wg8 29.Sιd5+ I:tf7
30.I!.bxf7
30.SΙxf7+ is another possibility here
30 ... Φh7 31.SΙb3+ and then SΙxd1.
30 ... ~g5+ 31.Φh3 ~d5 32.J::ϊ.hg7+
1/2 - 112
39 Α25
Leko - Shirov
Round 7 7.03
Notes by S.Ivαnov
l.c4 e5 2.g3 CΔί6 3 ..ig2 CΔc6 4.CΔc3 g6
5.e3
5.CΔf3 with further d4 is another pos-
sible plan here.
5 ... SΙg7 6.CΔge2 h5
Black immediately declare his aggres-
sive intentions for the kingside. 6 ... 0-0 is
a usual move here.
7.h3 d6 8.d4 SΙd7 9.d5
White close the centre and switches to
the Κing Indian structure, i.e. after h7-h5
Black weakened the g5-square and f7 -f5
is now less strong.
9 .... CΔa5 10. ~d3 0-0 11.e4
1l.b4 gave nothing because of 1l ... e4
but now White threatens with 12.b4 win-
ning the a5-knight.
11 ... c5
Now White may play 12.dxc6 forcing
12 ... bxc6, (as 12 ... SΙxc6 13.b4 wins the
knight), 13.~xd6 CΔxc4 14.~c5 and White
has a certain advantage.
12.dxc6 CΔxc6:
An unexpected move. White may grab
a pawn by 13. ~xd6 or just play 13.iιe3
with a positional advantage.
13.SΙg5
Due to Black's weak d6-pawn and a
kingside, White has a steady advantage.
13 •.. SΙe6 14.CΔd5 ~a5+ 15.SΙd2 ~a6
16.CΔxf6+ .ixf6 17.b3
The estimation is the same - White still
has his positional advantage, Black has the
76
weak d6-pawn, weak kingside and the
position of the queen οη the a6-square is
poor.
17...h418.0-0 hxg3 19.fxg3 ~g7 20.g4
~ab8 21.a4
ΒΥ his last moνes, Black managed to
improνe his position and now he has some
counter chances, but still White's position
is preferable.
21 ...tLJa5 22.~f2 ~b6 23 ..ί:tbl a624.tLJg3
f625 ...tf3
Now White plans, promoting h4-h5 and
starting the game οη the kingside. Due to
Blak's time trouble we estimate the situa-
tion to the White's adνantage.
25 ... tLJc6 26.ς1;ιg2 ~d4 27. ~f1 b5
28.cxb5 axb5
Black tries to break up the game οη the
queenside as White will just carry out his
plan οη the kingside if the game deνelops
ίη a quiet way.
29.axb5 tLJb4 30 ...txb4 ~xb4 31.h4
~xb5
After the queen exchange, Black orga-
nizes an attack οη White's b-pawn and has
good counter chances due to his bishop pair
thus keeping the position equal.
32.~hl
Rather a risky moνe. White escape the
queen exchange, hoping to deνelop an at-
tack οη the kingside. We think, that by
32 ... d5 Black open up the position ίη the
centre and also starts to trouble White's
king.
32.....th6 33.h5 ~e8 34.b4 ..te3 35.1::tc2
g5 36.~dl ~a4 37...te2 .i.d4 38..i.c4 ..txc4
Super Tournαments 2000
39.~xc4 ~xdl 40.J::txdl .ί:[a8 41.tLJf5 ~a2+
42 ...t>hl
Black played not ίη the best way ίη the
time trouble; White changed bishops and
then queens. Now White has all chances
to win.
42 ...Me2 43.Mdcl?
43.tLJxd4 ':xe4~ gaνe nothing too, but
White could win by 43.tLJxd6 Md8 44 ..sdc1!
as it was not possible to play 44 ... MXd6
45.~c8 'it>f7 46.1Hc7 ..t>e6 47 . .se8# or
45 ... ..t>g7 46 ..s1c7 ..t>h6 47.Mh8#. Now black
manages to saνe the position.
43 ... Mxe4 44.MC8 Mxc8 45 ..sxc8+ 'it>h7
46.MC7+ 'it>h8 47 ..sc8+ ..t>h7 48.MC7+ 'it>h8
49.tLJxd6 J:tf4
Black cannot play 49 ... .sxg4? because
he losses a rook - 50.tLJf7 ..t>g8 51.tLJh6+-
or 50 ... Φh7 51.tLJxe5+-.
50.J::td7
White preνents the moνe 50 ... e4, that
will be followed by 51.tLJf7 ..t>g8 52.tLJh6 and
53.MXd4+-.
50... ~b6 51.tLJc8
51.b5 e4 52.Mb7 ..tc51eads to an unclear
situation, as Blaclc's passed pawn is νery
dangerous as well.
51 ....i.e3
Simple 51 ... MXb4 is also possible.
52.tLJe7 ~f1+ 53.'it>g2 J::tf2+ 54 ...t>g3 e4
55.tLJg6+ 'it>g8 56.h6 1:!.f3+ 1f2 - 1h
White made a checkmate net around
the black king, but Black escaped it by
means of the perpetual check.
40 C42
Anand - Κramnik
Round 7 7.03
Notes by S.Ivαnov
1.e4 e5 2.tLJf3 tLJf6 3.tLJxe5 d6 4.tLJf3
tLJxe4 5.d4 d5 6 ..i.d3 tLJc6 7.0-0 ~e7 8.c4
tLJb4 9.cxd5 tLJxd3 10.~xd3 '§xd51l.1:tel
~f5 12.tLJe5
At the rapid chess tournament (Frank-
furt, 1999) Anand tried 12.g4 two times νs.
Κramnik.
Linαres
12 ... g613.f3
Before it was played here 13. '§f3 '§xd4
14.Cbc3 '§xe5 15 . ..if4 '§a5 16.b4 '§a3
17.Cbd5 Beliaνsky - 8mysloν, Reggio
Emilia 1986 and the game resulted ίη a
draw after a stubborn struggle.
13 ... Cbf614.'§e3!?
This is an interesting idea. Now White
threatens with Cbxg6.
14... 0-0-0 15.Cbc3 '§xd4 16.'§xd4
Now if 16.Cbxf7, the following is pos-
sible: 16 ... ..ic5! 17. '§xd4 ..ixd4+ 18 ...ie3
~he8, equalizing the game.
16 ... ~xd4 17.lιe3
Mter 17.Cbxf7 ~e8 there is an equal
position οη the board.
17 ... ~b4 18.b3
An interesting idea. White did not grab
the f7-pawn immediately and was trying
to utilize the adνanced position ofthe black
rook. NowWhite threatens with 19.94 with
further Cbd3 and Black's rook is ίη danger.
18 ... lιe6
If 19.Cbd3 black plays 19 ... ~d8 with an
idea 20.Cbxb4 ..ixb4 21.~ec1..ixc3 22.~xc3
Cbd5 23.~d3 ..if5, getting back the ex-
change
19 ...if2!
Α strong moνe. White threatens not
οηlΥ Cbd3 (which will follow 19 ... ~e8) but
also Cbxf7 ίη case 19 ... ~d8.
19 .....id6
Κramnik did not find any opportunity
to keep an exchange and had to accept
20.Cbd31:tb6
20.Cbd3 ~d8 21.Cbxb4
77
It is possible here 2u::ted1 ~b6 22 ...ixb6
axb6. Black has a compensation for an ex-
change (a strong bishop pair).
21 ... lιxb4 22.~ec1 ..ixc3 23 ..ί1χc3 Cbd5
24.~d3 b6
IfBlack manages to play c7-c5, a7-a5
and moνes the king to the centre, it will be
hard for white to win this position. It
makes sense for White to play 25.a3 with
an idea 25 ... c5 26.b4 ίη order to open files
for his rooks.
25.~ad11f2-1f2
80, White seemed to offer a draw due
to Black's play c7-'-c5, a7-a5, I.t>c7-c6, and
White could not break through, so he de-
cided that there were ηο chances to win.
~41 C17
Kasparov - Κhalίfrnan
Round 7 7.03
Notes by S.Ivαnov
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Cbc3 Xιb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3
..ia56.Xιd2
Α quiet continuation with ideas like ίη
the line after 5.Xιd2.
6 ... Cbc6
The most precise moνe order. 6 ... Cbe7 is
not good (being the chief reaction to 5 ...id2)
because of 7.dxc5! Sιc3 (7 ... Cbbc6 8.b4 lιc7
9.f4±) 8 ...ic3 '§c7 9.Cbr.3 Cbd7 10.lιd3 with
White's positional adνantage, Damianoνic
- 8toyanoν, Belgrade 1993; ECO recom-
mended 6 ... cxd4 7.Cbb5 Cbc6?! (7 ... Sιc7 is
better), which practically was disproνed ίη
the game Milos - 8.Iνanoν, France 2000,
8.Sιa5 '§a5 9.b4! '§d8 10.f4 Cbh6 11.Cbd6
1.t>f8 12.Cbf3 f6 13.lιd3! fe5? (better 13 ... Cbf7
14.Cbf7 1.t>f7 15.0-0±) 14.fe5 Cbe5 15.Cbe5
'§d6 16. '§h5 I.t>g8 17.0-0 '§e7 18.~f3 lιd7
19.~af1 Cbf5 20.Cbd7 '§d7 21 . ..if5 ef5
22.~f5+-
7.'§g4
CuήοuslΥ enough, this natural moνe
has not occurred ίη this position before.
7.Cbb5 is the usual continuation, yet after
7 ... Cbd4! 8.Cbd4 (8.Cbd6?! Φf8=t=; 8.Sιa5 '§a5
78 Super Tournαments 2000

9.b4 t;rb6 10.tΔd4 cd4 11.tΔf3 tΔe7 12.t;rd4 rally) can take very convenient stands.
t;rd4 13.tΔd4 tΔg6= Tseshkovsky - Budni- Ιη case of a natural 7 ... tΔge7 there is
kov, Vladivostok 1990) 8 ... cd4 9 . .1ιb5 already 8.dc5 (but ηο 8. t;rg7 ':g8 9.t;rh7 cd4
(9 ...ta5?! t;ra5 10.t;rd2 t;rd211.'it>d2 f612.f4 with an initiative) 8 ... 0-0 9.tΔf3 tΔg6
fe5 13.fe5 tΔh6 14.tΔf3 0-0+ Diaz - Aren- 10 ..1ιd3, and Black has problems.
cibia, Cuba 1990; 9.tΔf3?! .1ιb6 10 ..1ιd3 tΔe7 8.dc5 tΔe5 9:~g3 tΔg6 10.0-0-0
11.tΔg5 h6 12. t;rh5 g6 13. t;rh3 tΔc6 14.f4 10.tΔf3 suggests itself, but after 10 ... .1ιc7
t;re7 15.0-0 .1ιd7 16.tΔf3 0-0-0+ Richmond 11. t;rg4 e5! it is not so easy for White to
- Hug, Debrezen 1992) 9 ... .1ιd7 10 ..1ιd7 find a safe position for his queen. After the
Φd7 1l.tΔf3 ..tb6! (stronger than 11 ... ..td2 concerned game was played 10 ..1ιd3 .1ιc7
12. t;rd2 t;rb6 13.0-0 tΔe7 14.tΔd4 ':hc8 15.c3 11.f4 tΔf6 (11 ... t;rf6!? 12.tΔge2 ..td7 13.0-0
h6= Rogers - Korchnoi, Biel 1986) Black tΔ8e7) 12.tΔge2 .1ιd7 13.h3 .1ιc6 14. t;rf2 oc-
can face future fearlessly, notwithstanding curred Mitkov - Zaja, Pula 2000 14 ... tΔe4!?
the "centralised" king, because his d4- with an unclear play.
pawn (which is an extra pawn, ίη addition) 10...tΔf6 11.f3
hampers the development of White's ίηί­ White takes the e4-square under his
tiative rather seriously. Further opportu- control and prepares a retreat to f2 for his
nities are: 12.0-0 (12.c3 dc3 13. t;ra4 <tIc7 queen. After 11 ..1ιd3 there is again the
14 ..1ιc3 ':c8 15. t;rg4 tΔe7 16. t;rg7 t;rg8! unpleasant 11 ... ..tc7, while 11.tΔf3? just
17. t;rg8 ':hg8= Chabrilo - Dimitrov, Cavala loses because of 11 ... ..tc3 12 ..1ιc3 tΔe4-+
1990) 12 ... tΔe7 (12 ....:c8 13.':c1 'it>c7 14...tg5 11 ••. .1ιd7 12.tΔge2
tΔe7 15.tΔd4 'it>b8= is good, too Abdullah- 12.h4 .1ιc7 13. t;rf2 h6 14.h5 can be par-
Hug, Biel 1990) 13.a4 a6 14.tΔg5 t;re8 ried with 14 ... tΔf4.
15.t;rf3 .1ιc7 16.t;rb3 (16.t;rf'7 t;rf'7 17.tΔf'7 12••• .1ιc7 13. t;rf2
I:thf8 18.tΔg5 h6 19.tΔf3 tΔc6 20 ..iHe1 J:If3!?
21.gf3 tΔe5 with a compensation, Madl -
Luether, Hastings 1994) 16 ... h6 17.tΔf3
tΔc6 with mutually critical play, Κing -
Neverov, Baku 1986.
7.tΔf3 was tested, too for example
7 ... tΔd4 (7 ... tΔge7 8.dc5 tΔg6 9 ...tb5 .1ιd7
10.t;re2 t;rb8 11 ...tc6 bc6 12.0-0 with an
unclear play Gurgenidze - Bronstein,
Leningrad 1960) 8.tΔd4 cd4 9.tΔb5 ..tc7
10.f4 tΔh6 1l ..1ιd3 ο-ο 12. t;rh5 f5 13 ..1ιb4
':f'7 14.h3 .1ιd7 15.tΔd4 ..tb6 with a com-
plex play, Ehlvest - Lputian, Minsk 1987. 13 ...b6!
At the same time, it is hardly worth to The hampering c5-pawn should be ex-
recommend 7.dc5 tΔe5 8.tΔb5 .1ιc7! 9 ..1ιc3 changed.
(better is 9.tΔc7 t;rc7 10 ..1ιf4 tΔd3 11. t;rd3 14 •.1ιe3 tΔe7
t;rf4=) 9 ... tΔf6 10.tΔf3 tΔed7!+ Zlotnik - 14 ... 'it>g8 deserves attention, to be fol-
Legky, USSR 1988. lowed by h6 (or h5) and 'it>h7.
7 ... 'it>f8 15.g4 bc5 16 •.1ιc5 .1ιb6 17.h4 ..ic5
The move c,t>f8 is seldom good ίη 18.t;rc5 t;rb6 19.t;rb6 ab6
"French" positions, but now it is an exclu- The game has proceeded to the ending.
sion from the rule. The point is that White Black has a strong centre, but the h8-rook
is forced to surrender the centre now, and is still out ofplay. The chances are approxi-
Black's pieces (except the h8-rook, natu- mately equal. Thus, White's novelty
Linαres 79

(7. f! g4) is rather interesting, but Black has
good counterchances after the right answer
7 ... ~f8.
20 ...th3 tΔe8 21.f4 h5 22.g5 g623.tΔd4
~g7 24.CL\f3 CL\c7 25.CL\e5 J::!.hd8 26.CL\e2
CL\c6 27.CL\d4 CL\xd4 28.k1xd4 iιe8 29.l:thdl
29 ...tf1!?
29 ... 1:tdc8 30 . ..tf1 ςi(f8 31.l:lb4 b5
32.1::tbd4 CL\a6 33.iιd3 CL\c5 34.'>t>d2 CL\b7
35.1:ιaΙ 1::ta7 36 . .ί:tel CL\d6 37.c3 CL\c4+
38.~cl CL\a5 39.iιc2 CL\c6 40.CL\xc6 iιxc6
41.'it>d2 iιd7 42.I:ι.b4 z:tca8 43 ...td3 1:ta5
44.':e3
44.ςi(e3 ςi(e7 45.ςi(d4 'it>d6=
44 ... ..tc6 45 . .ί:td4 iιd7 46.Iιb4 iιc6
47.iιc2 iιd7 48 ...tb3 iιc6 49.Iιd4 z:t5a7
50.iιc2 iιd7 51.Jιdl iιc6 52.iιf3 ':a4
53.Jιdl 1:ι4a7 54.iιb3 J::!.a5 55.~e5 nd8
1f2 - 1/2
42 C42
Shirov - Anand
Round 8 8.03
Notes by Β.Ιυαπου
tions. Ifhe accepts the sacrifice -15 ... bxc5
16. f!a4 c6 17 ..ϊ:I.b1, White will capture the
initiative - for instance: 17 ... f6 18.~xb7!
fxe5 19.1::txe7 f!xe7 20. f!xa5 with better
chances.
16.I:ι.el ..tf6 17.tΔg4 ..tc8 18.cxb6
Now the position equalizes completely.
But White has also nothing ίη case of
18.CL\xf6 f!xf6 19. f!a4 ..tf5 - there is ηο
space for his bishops to act and his pawn
structure is weakened.
18... axb6 19.a4 tΔc4
The black knight occupied an ideal ρο­
sition at the c4-square. Black has ηο prob-
lems.
20.CL\xf6+ f!xf6 21 ...ta3 CL\xa3 22.~xa3
iιe6 23. f!b3 1f2 - 1f2
Ιη this game, as ίη Kasparov - Κramnik
game, Black managed to solve problems
of the variation with the help of the new
move 10 ... b6. Mter the opening, White of-
fered a pawn sacrifice, but Black wisely
rejected it and after that there was a glo-
bal exchange ofpieces and the position got
completelyequalized.

1.e4 e5 2.CL\f3 CL\f6 3.CL\xe5 d6 4.CL\f3

CL\xe4 5.d4 d5 6.iιd3 CL\c6 7.0-0 iιe7 8.c4 '43 Α30
CL\b4 9 ...te2 0-0 10.CL\c3 b6 Κramnik - Kasparov
Anand decided to repeat a new move Round 8 8.03
10 ... b6 (Κramnik achieved a draw with Notes by Β.Ιυαπου
Kasparov ίη Round 3 with the help ofthis
move). 1.CL\f3 CL\f6 2.c4 c5 3.g3 d5 4.d4 dxc4
11.CL\e5 5.f!a4+
Kasparov played here 11.a3 CL\xc3 This is a rare position ίη practice of
12.bxc3 CL\c6 13.cxd5 f!xd5 14.1::!.e1 and got modern grandmasters. It is even hard to
a slightly better game here. determine what is the opening: English,
11 ... iιb7 12.a3 CL\xc3 13.bxc3 CL\c6 Catalon, or Queen's Gambit . 4 ... cxd4 is
14 ...tf3 CL\a5 played more often here.
It was also possible 14 ... CL\xe5 15.dxe5 5 •.•iιd7 6.f!xc4 iιc6
c6, and if 16.cxd5 cxd5 17.c4 Black was The most natural move - Black devel-
saved by 17 ... f!c7. ops his bishop to the big diagonal. It is
15.c5 strange, but according to our database, this
An interesting move - White offers a position has never been played. Of course,
pawn sacrifice. Ιη case of 15.cxd5 ..txd5 White can grab the c5-pawn (7.dxc5 or
16.':e1 Iίe8 the position is equal. 7.f!xc5), but ίη this case he is late with
15... c6 development.
Black prefers not to go into complica- 7.dxc5 ..td5 8.f!a4+ ..tc6 9.f!c4 iιd5
80
Black keeps attacking the white queen
till other White's pieces are at the starting
position.
10.~c2 e6 11 ...ig2 ..ie4
It was also possible here 11 ... l2Ja6
12.l2Jc3 ..ic6, grabbing then the c5-pawn
with a knight.
12:~c4 ..id5 13:~h4 ..ixc5 14.l2Jc3 kc6
15.0-0
Black has got the pawn back, but he is
late with his development. At the same
time, his pieces are located harmonically,
and the position maybe estimated as ap-
proximately equal.
15 .....ie7
Black is not ίη a hurry with castling. It
seemed more natural here to play 15 ... 0-0
16.kg5l2Jbd7.
16.~dl ~a517.kd2l2Jbd7
18.g4
Απ original idea. The black's king is ίη
the centre, and White moves the g-pawn
with the purpose to push the black knight
from his legitimate f6-square.
18...h6 19. ~g3 ~a6
Black moves the queen from the ορρο­
sition with the white bishop. Probably, he
did not like 19 ... 0-0 because of20.h4 with
the initiative.
20.h4 ~c4 21.kf4 ~b4
Black is too engaged with queen's ma-
neuvers. At the moment, he had an inter-
esting opportunity at his disposal: 21 ... g5!?
- using that the king of the opponent was
not castled. Mter 22.hxg5 hxg5 23.l2Jxg5
(23 ...ixg5 ~xg4) kxg2 24.Φχg2 e5! Black
Super Tournαments 2000
could seize the initiative, for instance
25 ...ixe5l2Jxe5 26. ~xe5 ~xg4 27. ~g31:ι.g8!
22.a3 ~xb2 23.l2Jd4 g5
However, Black makes the counterblow
g7-g5, but ίη a worse version, at the mo-
ment when his queen is stuck at the
queenside.
24.l2Jxc6
Also the simple 24.hxg5 hxg5 25 ...ixg5
..ixg2 26.~xg2 ~b6 27.~ab1 is possible,
with White's better game.
24... gxf4 25. ~d3 bxc6 26 ...ixc6
Ιη case of 26.~db1 both lines are pos-
sible: 26 ... ~xa1 27.~xa1 l2Jxg4 28 ...ixc6
~d8, and 26 ... l2Je5 27.~d4 ~c2 28.~xe5
ο-ο with an unclear game ίη both cases.
26 ... 0-0
Finally (οη the move 26th) black castles!
Maybe, he should try 26 ... ~d8, turning the
game to the above line, as now White wins
the material.
27 ...ixa8l2Je5
Black has to move forward, because the
following is bad: 27 ... ~xa8 28.~db1 l2Je5
29.~xb2l2Jxd3 30.~b7! with a clear advan-
tage ίη the ending.
28.~d4 .sxa8 29.~xe5 ~c8 30.Macl
l2Jd5
It seems that Black, achieved every-
thing that was possible, but now White can
trade the queen for two rooks and a knight.
However, the posiιion of the white king is
weak and that gives Black resources for
the counter game.
31.l2Jxd5 ~xe5 32.l2Jxe7+ ~g7 33.~xc8
Alsoin case of33.l2Jxc8 ~xe2 34.g5 ~g4
35.~f1 hxg5 36.hxg5 f3 Black's counter
play is quite real.
33... ~xe2 34.~g8+ ~f6 35..sd7 ~el+
36.Φg2 ~e4+ 37.~h2 ~c2 38.Φg2 ~e4+
39.~h2 ~c2 40.g5+ hxg5 41.~xg5
41.hxg5 ~e5 changes nothing.
41 ... ~xf2+ 112-%
Finally White did not escape the per-
petual check. The game was tense and
non-standard. Despite the fact that White
managed to win a material, Black's counter
play was enough for a draw.
Linαres 81
44 C 17 18. '§c3 with unclear play) 16 ... CLlf5 17 ...Itc5
Anand - Khalifman J:!.e4 18.Φd1 J:!.c4 19.'§f5 J:!.c5 20.'§f7 d4
Round 9 9.03 21 ...Itd3 CLle5 22.CLle5 J::re5 with a compen-
Notes by S.Iuαnou sation, Ricardi - Forster, Elista 1998.
11 .•. '§a512.CLlf3
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.CLlc3 ..Itb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 12.l:tb1 Black can meet with 12 ... CLld4!?
..Ita56.b4 13. '§d3 CLlef5 14.CLlf3 CLlf3 15. '§f3 ..Itd7
This basic method for struggling 16.l:tb7 ..Itc6 17.J:!.b4 '§c5 18. '§f2 d4, getting
against the system 5 ... ..Ita5 was introduced a strong counterplay, Sax - Vaganian, Wijk
by A.Alekhine ίη the twenties. aan Zee 1989.
6 ... cxd47.'§g4 12.....Itd7
The most critical way, inνolνing mutual 12 ... d4 with the idea of 13.CLlg5 J:!.g5
destruction of flanks. The game has a tac- 14.fg5 '§e5 with a compensation has not
tical character, and Black can hope for a been proνed ίη practice.
good counterplay ifhe defends successfully. 13.~bl
Recently 7.CLlb5 ..Itc7 8.f4 occurred νery fre- There is a νery keen play after 13.CLlg5,
quently. One of the latest examples is as Black can chose any of the following
8 ... ..Itd7 9.CLlc7 '§c7 10.CLlf3 a6 11.a4 CΔe7 lines: 13 ... .:g5 14.fg5 0-0-0 15 ...Itd3 '§c5
12 . ..Itd3 CLlf5 13.0-0 CΔc6 14. '§e1 '§b6 16. '§h4 d4 17.0-0 CLle5, 13 ... ΙΗΕ 14.~b1 0-
15.J:!.b1 CLlce7 16.b5 ab5 17.ab5 CΔe3 with ο-ο 15.CΔf7 J:!.f7 16.'§f7 ..Ite8 17.'§e6 ..Itd7
an unclear play, Anand - Lputian, Wijk aan 18.'§f6 jιf5 or 13 ... 0-0-0 14.CLlf7 CΔf5
Zee 2000. 15.CLld8 '§d8 16. '§h3 CLlcd4 17. '§c3 Φb8
7 ... CLle7 with unclear consequences ίη all three
7 ... Φf8 seems to be illogical ίη this ρο- cases.
sition: 8.ba5 dc3 9.CΔf3 tΔe7 10 ...Itd3 tΔd7 13 ... 0-0-0 14.'§d3 tΔf5
11. '§b4 '§c7 12.0-0 tΔc5 13. '§c3± Unzicker Black used to continue with 14 ... d4, for
- Botνinnik, Amsterdam 1954. example: 15.g3 tΔf5 16 ...Itg2 '§c7 17.0-0
8.bxa5 Shiroν - Romero, Spain 1998 17 ... tΔce7!
Αη alternatiνe continuation 8.tΔb5 is 18.CLlg5 ..tc6 19.tΔf7 jιg2 20.Φg2 kId5 with
regarded below. a compensation (A.Shiroν). With the moνe
8 ... dxc3 9.'§xg7 1:Ig8 10.'§xh7 tΔbc6 ίη the game Black tries to weaken the ρο-
10 ... CLld7 has been out ofuse for a long sition ofhis opponent, yet he loses seνeral
time, because the knight is not actiνe here, . tempos at that. The question is, what will
hindering the deνelopment ofpieces only: proνe to be more important.
11.f4 '§a5 12.tΔf3 CLlf813.'§d3 ..Itd714.tΔg5 15.J:!.gl
1:Ic8 15.J:!.b1 b6 16.h4± Gligorich - Dueck- 15.J:!.b5 '§a4 16.'§c3 ':g2 17 ...Itg2 '§b5
stein, Zagreb 1955. 18 ...Ith3 d4 19. '§d3 '§c5 with a counterlpay
11.f4 is weaker, Rudolf - Vaganian, Germany
Black can get more chances from 11.CLlf3 2000. Ιη case of 15.g3 Black can turn the
'§c7 12.jιf4 (12 ...tb5 ..Itd7 13.0-0 tΔe5! game to a theoretical position with 15 ... d4
14.tΔe5 '§e5 15 ...Itd7 Φd7 16.'§d3 J::!.ac8! or prefer 15 ... tΔce7.
17. '§b5 CΔc6 18.g3 d4 19.':b1 '§b5 20.J:!.b5 15 ... d4 16.g4
e5!+ Wach - Kindermann, Ptuj 1995) Α natural reaction: the f5-knight is
12 ... jιd7 13.a6 (13 . ..Itd3) 13 ... 0-0-0!? hanging oνer White's position, and he
14.axb7 (14.jιd3 f5!? 15.ef6 '§f4 16.fe7 takes an opportunity to chase it away.
~de8 17 ...Itg6 tΔe5!? 18.jιe8 J:!.g2! Dolmatoν 16... tΔfe7
- S.Iνanoν, Kazan 1995) 14 ... Φb8 15.'§d3 This position is νery complicated, it is
J:!.g4 16 ...Ite3 (better 16.g3 tΔg6 17.h3 tΔf4 hard to estimate it. At the moment White
82
has several plans, for instance 17.ng1 and
18 ...I1..g2 or 17. ~e4 and 18.1ιd3 (Sakaev).
17.~g3
Α demonstratively firm move. 17.liJg5?!
z:tg5 18.fg5 liJe5 with initiative is danger-
ous, but 17.t;re4, to be followed by .td3 or
17.h4 with an advance of the h-pawn ίη
prospect, deserved attention, too.
17 .•.iιe8
Κhalifman found a very interesting and
strong plan. He intends to play 18.iιg2 f6
19.exf6 ..I1..g6
18.h4
18.Φf2 can be met with 18 ... liJd5, plan-
ning f6 or liJe3.
18... liJf5 19.1!g1
The exchange sacrifice 19.Φf2?! does
not work: 19 ... liJxg3 20.'it>xg3 f6! and
21 ... .tg6 (Sakaev).
19 ... liJe3
Black sacrifices the pawn, but the white
king will feel uncomfortable after the files
open up.
20..te3 de3 21. t;re3 liJe7!
If21 ... t;rxa3 then 22.iιd3 and White has
an advantage (Sakaev). Contemplating
liJd5 and .tc6.
22 ...I1..c4 ..I1..c6?!
Now Black loses the mostimportant c3-
pawn 22 ... Φb8! should have been played,
to be followed by 23 ..ί:tb3 l:rc8, Black hav-
ing a sufficient compensation this way.
23.1:ib3 wb8?
Α dubious move. 23 ... ..\txf3 23. ~xf3liJc6
with a fine compensation for the lack of
mateήaΙ (Sakaev).
Super Tournαments 2000
24.t;rc3
White has decreased down Black's ίηί­
tiative and achieved his material advan-
tage. But it should be taken into account
that Black's position was very promising
after the opening, so the concerned vaή­
ant appears to be quite viable.
24 ••. t;rc7
24 ... ~c5 25.~b4.
25 ...\te2liJd5
Black has a certain compensation, but
it is not enough (Sakaev).
26.t;rc4 t;ra5+
26 ... liJb627.t;rc5.
27.Wf2 ..\ta4 28.l!b2 .ί:tc8 29.t;rd41:ic3
29 ... liJc3 30. ~b4 t;rc7 31 . ..I1..a6 is to
White's advantage. 29 ... 1:igd8 30.c4 is
worth attention - 30.1:tgb130 ... b6 is strong
with further liJc3 (Sakaev).
30.~d3
30.~gb1 ..\tc6 or 30.h5 ..\tc6 31.h6 with
an unclear position. If 31 ... t;rxa3 then
32.l!b3 (Sakaev)
30 ... J::Igc8 31.1:rc1
31.h5 seems better (Sakaev).
31 ... .!:Μ8 32 ..!::!:cb1 XΙc6 33.1:ib3 .ί:!:Χb3
34 ..ί:txb3 liJf6 35. t;rb4
35 ...liJxg4+?
Necessary here was 35 ... t;rd5 36.XΙe2
liJg4 37.Φe1 (37.Φg3 1:ig8 38.t;rd6+ t;rxd6
39.exd6liJf6+ and Black has good chances
for a draw) and White has an advantage
(Sakaev).
36 Φg3 t;rd5 37...\th7 t;rd1 38.wg4 i1d2
39.Φg5 ..\txf3 40.XΙd3 ~g2+ 41.Φf6 a6
42.l:.b11-0
Linares
45 Β90
V Leko - Kasparov
Round 9 9.03
Notes by κ.Sαkαev
1.e4 c5 2.CΔf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.CΔxd4
CΔί6 5.CΔc3a6 6 ..ie3 CΔg4 7 ..ig5 h6 8 ..ih4
g5 9 ..ig3 iιg7 10.h3 CΔe5 11.f3 CΔbc6
12.Sιf2 Sιe6 13:~d2 ~a5
13 ... J::!.c8 was played here 14.0-0-0 ~a5
15.CΔb3 f1c7 16.a3 .ixb3?! (16 ... CΔa5 de-
serνed attention) 17.cxb3 CΔa5 18. f1c2 CΔg6
19.Φb1 and White has an adνantage,
Topaloν - Gelfand, Bugoino 1999. Maybe,
Kasparoν did not like 13 ... 1::rc8 because of
14.CΔd5.
14.CΔb3
Now if14.0-0-0, then 14 ... .ixa2 is pos-
sible.
14 ... SΙxb3 15.cxb3 CΔb4
Α sharp and risky moνe. White can play
16.a3 with further 17.1::td1 or 16.Sιe2 with
further ο-ο. White stants better - Black's
position is rather dangerous strategically.
15 ... e6 is worth attention here - seems to
be the best moνe (not letting the knight to
d5-square). 16. f1d6 is not possible because
of 16 ... CΔxf3+.
16.a3 CΔg6 17.~d1 CΔc6 18.CΔd5
Now 18.b4 f1e5 19.iιc4 White should
haνe better chances ίη this complicated
position.
18 ... f1xd2 19.1::rxd2
White has a slight adνantage.
19 ... 0-0 20.b4
20.CΔb6 ~ad8 21 ..ic4 e6 22.0-0 with
further 23.~fd1 deserνed attention.
83
20 ...b5!
Α strong moνe. It does not let 21.b5.
Probably, 20.b4 was a wrong choice. 20.CΔb6
was better, blocking the b7-pawn.
21.CΔc7 ~ab8 22.CΔxa6 .!::!.b7 23.kId5
23.a4 bxa4 24.b5 with unclear game.
23 ...CΔa7 24.Sιxa7 J::!.xa7 25 ..ixb5 Sιxb2
The position is unclear.
26.0-0 Sιxa3 27.Iιb1
The position is νery complicated, Black
is running risks.
27 ... ~c8
27 ... ~fa8 28.~d3 l:Ixa6 29 ..ixa6 ~xa6
30.J::ta1 Ub6 31.bIdxa3 .ί::i.xb4 with a draw.
28.iιf1 .ic1 29.bIb3 .if4 30.J::td1
If 30.b5 then 30 ... J::!.c1
30... e631.b5
Black should not lose but he stands
worse.
31 ...1:!.b7 32.CΔb4 h5 33.Φf2 h4
The position is close to a draw.
34.~a3 Iιc5 35 ..ie2 CΔe5 36.J::tb1 ~g7
37.J:tab3 .ig3+ 1/2 -%
46 Β33
'Shirov - Κramnik
Round 9 9.03
Notes by κ.Sαkαev
1.e4 c5 2.CΔf3 CΔc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.CΔxd4
CΔί6 5.CΔc3 e5 6.CΔdb5 d6 7 ..ig5 a6 8.CΔa3
b5 9.iιxί6 gxf6 10.CΔd5 .ig7 11.iιd3 CΔe7
12.CΔxe7 f1xe7 13.0-00-0 14.c4 f5 15. f1f3
~e8
Black's idea is to play 16 ... bxc417.CΔxc4
d5 18.exd5 e4 and it is impossible to play
19.f1e3 as the queen at the e7-square is
protected by the rook. 15 ... J::!.e8 was rarely
played here. Normally they play here
15 ... bxc4 16.CΔxc4 d5.
16.Ufe1 b417.CΔc2 ί4
Αη interesting but dubious idea. If
18.CΔb4 then 18 ... f1g5 or 18 ... f1h4 with fur-
ther !!b8.
18.Sιe2 1::rb8 19.b3
19.a3 a5 (19 ... b3 20.CΔb4; 19 ... bxa3
20. f1a3 and White has an adνantage)
84 Super Tournαments 2000

20.axb4 axb4 21.~a4 with White's has an 16... ~d8

adνantage. 16 ... ~d8 100ks stronger than 16 ... ~h5.
19 ... 'it>h8 20.~h5 d5! B1ack has all chances to equa1ize.
Α strong moνe. 17.d5 4'Jb8 18.~c2
21.cxd51:tb6 After 18.Jιb2CL\d7 19. ~c2 h6 B1ack has
B1ack has a fine compensation for the ηο prob1ems here.
sacrificed pawn. 18... g6
22.1::rad1! If 19. Jth6, then 19 ... Jιf6 will fo1-
Α strong moνe. If 22 ... 1::[h6 then 23.d6 10w. 18 ... h6 - the sequence of moνes also
and White is better here. maybe 1ike ίη the game.
22 ... a523.d6 19.CL\e5 .1ιf6 20.SΙb2 CL\d7 21.f4 JLg7
Α preνentiνe moνe 23.h3 is possib1e, if 21 ... CL\c5 22.~e3 is probab1e moνe here.
23 ... ~h6 or 23 ... ~g6 then 24.d6. White has a certain (minimal) pressure.
23 ... ~xd6 24.~xd6 ~xd6 25.~d1 ~g6 22.~f2
26.~xg6 hxg6 27.Jtc4 22 ..tte3 is possib1e. 22 ... f6 23.CL\xd7 ~xd7
27 ..1ιb5 z:tf8 is possib1e. The endgame is (23 ... .ί:txe3 24.CL\xf8) 24.~ael
near1y equal. 22 ... CL\c5 23.SΙc2 ~d6 24.~e3
27 ... .1ιe6
The knight at c2 needs too many tem-
pos to occupy a better position. 80, the ρο­
sition is drawn.
28 ..1ιχe6 ~xe6 29.l::td5 ~c6 30.4'Je1 ~c1
31. 'it>f1 f5
The position is still equa1, but sharp.
32.f3 Jtf6
32 ... fxe4 33.fxe4 ~c3 - White's adνan­
tage is not enough for a νictory.
33.ςtof2 1h - 1/2
33 ... fxe4 34.fxe4 .1ιh4+ 35.g3 fxg3
36.hxg3 .1ιχg3 37.'it>xg3 ~xel 38.~xe5 I:!.e2 24 ...f6!
with a draw. 24 ... .:te7 25 ..:tael .t[fe8 26.~h4 Jtc8??
27.CL\xg6! ~xe3 28.CL\e7+! and White has a
decisiνe attack, as 28 ... ςtof8 29 ..1ιχg7 ςtoxg7
C42 30.~h7+ ςtof8 31.1::rxe3+-, or 28 ... .t[8xe7
47
Kasparov - Anand 29.~h7+ ςtof8 30.~g7+ ςtoe8 31.~g8+ ςtod7
Round 10 10.03 32 ..1ιαι+ with a winning attack. The follow-
Notes by KSαkαev ing does not solνe prob1ems: 26 ... f6 27.CL\g4
~xe3 28.1:txe3 ~XE:3 29.CL\xe3 ~e7 30.'it>f2,
1.e4 e5 2.4'Jf3 4'Jf6 3.4'Jxe5 d6 4.4'Jf3 or 29 ... f5 30.JLxg7 'it>xg7 31.SΙxf5; 26 ... Jιf6
4'Jxe4 5.d4 d5 6.SΙd3 4'Jc6 7.0-0 .1ιe7 8.c4 27.~g3.
4'Jb4 9 . .1ιe2 ο-ο 10.4'Jc3 b6 11.a3 4'Jxc3 25.4'Jg4 ~xe3
12.bxc3 4'Jc6 13.cxd5 ~xd5 14.1::re1 JLb7 25 ... .1ιc8 26.f5
15 ..iιd3 ~ae8 16.c4 26.~xe3
After 16 ... ~h517.d5 B1ack shou1d sac- 26.CL\xe3 f5 was good.
rifice a piece by 17 ... .iιd6. It seems really 26 •..JLc8 27.f5
dangerous to accept the sacrifice, but af- 27.CL\f2 Jιh6! (27 ... Jιd7 28.f5) 28.g3 Jιd7
ter a simp1e 18 ..1ιb2 White keeps his ad- 30. ~d4 .iιg7 and B1ack has a solid position.
νantage. 27 ... .iιxf5 28.JLxf5 gxf5 29.CL\f2CL\e4
Linαres
Α possible moνe as well. 29 ... f4 is good
now. Black is οκ.
30.CLJxe4 lh - 1/2
Kasparoν would probably make a draw
after 30 ... fxe4 31. ~e4 f5 32. ~c2 i..xb2
33.~xb2 ~c5+ 34.Φh1 ~xc4 35.~e5. If
30.CLJd3, then 30 ... c6 or 30 ... b5. The posi-
tion is approximately equal.
48 D19
Khalifman - Shirov
Round 10 10.03
Notes by KSαkαev
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.CLJf3CLJf6 4.CLJc3 dxc4
5.a4 i.f5 6.e3 e6 7.i.xc4 i.b4 8.0-0 CLJbd7
9.~e2 ο-ο 10.e4 i.g6 1l.i.d3 h6 12 ...\tf4
Me813.h3 a6
An equal position is οη the board. White
has not achieνed an adνantage ίη the open-
ing. This position is known rather well-
known.
14.e5 CLJd5 15.CLJxd5 i..xd3 16.~xd3
cxd5
Κhalifman should not try to work some-
thing out of this position - probably
17.i.d2, equalizing the game, is best choice
here.
17.Mfcl 1/2 - 112
Further οη, White will haνe to change
bishops. 17 ... ~b6 is a probable moνe ίη this
position.
49 Α43
Κramnik - Leko
Round 10 10.03
Notes by KSαkαev
1.d4CLJf6 2.CLJf3 c5 3.d5 g6 4.CLJc3 i..g7
5.e4 d6
Leko plays this line for the first time,
so probably he is not well-oriented ίη this
opening, 5 ... 0-0 is a normal moνe not let-
ting to check at the b5-square, as 6.e5 is
85
not dangerous for Black. ΒΥ 6 ..tb5+ White
brings Black's piece to the d7-square. ΑηΥ
piece there, eνen a knight (b8 is better) will
haνe a bad location, as it will make ob-
stacles for a7-a6 and b7-b5 plan. For this
purpose Black often use the following ma-
neuνer: CLJb8-a7-c6.
6 ...\tb5+ ..\td7 7.a4 ο-ο 8.0-0 ..\txb5
8 ... ..\txb5 looks strange. Normally
8 ... CLJa6 it is played here with further CLJc7
or 8 ... ..\tg4 with further CLJbd7. At the mo-
ment, after a dubious pieces exchange at
the b5-square, White has a solid positional
adνantage.
9.axb5 CLJbd7 10:itfe2 CLJe8 11 ...\tf4
Threatening the e4-e5.
1l ... CLJc7 12 ..1:ι.fdΙ
With further e5.
12 ... a6 13.bxa6 CLJxa6 14.e5 dxe5
15.CLJxe5 CLJxe5 16.i..xe5 ..\txe5 17.~xe5
~d6
Κramnik could play 18. ~xd6 and then
moνe CLJb5. Black has a hard endgame, for
example: 18. ~xd6 exd6 19.CLJb5 Mad8 with
further ~d7 and tΔc7 but still Black's posi-
tion is worse (19 ... CLJb4 20.c4!) 20.c4 Mfe8
21.~f1 Md7 22.Ma3 CLJc7 23.CLJc3 with fur-
ther Mb3. Eνen a rook endgame will be dif-
ficult for Black.
18.~g5!
White also has an adνantage here
(probably this is eνen stronger than enter-
ing the aboνe stated ending). Κramnik
wants to play a more dynamic position.
White threatens with 19.CLJe4.
18 ... CLJc7 19.CLJe4?!
19.CLJe4?! is dubious. Now Black is close
to equalizing. Better is 19.Mxa8 Mxa8
20.h4! and White has a great adνantage
19 ... Mxal 20.Mxal f6 21.CLJxd6 fxg5
22.CLJxb7 ~b8
Ν ow White has minimal chances for a
νictory ίη this endgame, for instance:
23.CLJxc5 l::ι.xb2 24.~c1 (24.c4 Mc2) CLJxd5.
23.CLJa5 Mxb2 24.c4 Mc2 25.h3 CLJe8
26.CLJc6 lh - 112
86 Super Tournaments 2000

Japfa Classic
Denpasar (Bali) 22.04-2.05, cat.16

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 Ju. Polgar 2658 1 1 1 = = 1 6.5

2 Κhalifman 2656 = 1 1 = = 1 6

3 Κarpov 2696 1 1 1 6

4 Milos 2620 Ο = = = 1 1 1 5.5

5 Seirawan 2647 = = 1 5

6 Timman 2655 Ο Ο = = 1 4

7 Adianto 2584 Ο Ο Ο = = 1 4

8 Ehlvest 2622 = Ο Ο = = Ο 3

9 Gunawan 2507 Ο Ο Ο

10 ZawWin Lay 2633 Ο Ο = Ο Ο = Ο

The tournament of category 16 Japfa Classic, Bali 2000 was the strongest tourna-
ment ever held ίη Indonesia. It took place ίη spectacular Grand Bali Beach Hotel ίη
Bali, Indonesia, οη one ofthe most beautiful islands ίη the world. The tournament was
sponsored by the Japfa food company. The opening ceremony was very beautiful; every-
one enjoyed watchingthe graceful Balinese dancers. Megawati Soekarnoputri, the Vice-
president of Indonesia, delivered a speech of welcome. The prize fund of the tourna-
ment was US $ 56,500.
The participation of a local "super-grandmaster" Zaw Win Lay with his rating 2633
excited everyone's curiosity. Players all over the world could not help but notice that a
lot of players from Myanmar had got high ratings. Once again the result of the
tournament (Zaw with 2,5 points took last place) confirmed that miracles do not happen.
Four leaders played among themselves ίη the last round. J.Polgar with Black won
an excellent victory over Milos and gained the first prize of US $ 20,000. This result
together with her victory over A.Karpov ίη Rapid Chess is the best ίη her brilliant
career. It seemed that the 14th World Champion A.Kahlifman had a fair chance to defeat
A.Karpov and to overtake Polgar, but the 12th World Champion managed to keep half a
point with a difficult defence.
Jαpfα CΙαssic 87
Ί\vo debuts and "French fries"
ΒΥ Alexαnder Khαlifmαn

Ί\νο debuts took place ίη Round 1 of Japfa Classic cat.16 round-robin ίη Denpasar,
Bali. The first one is my own ίη the 80uthern hemisphere - never before have Ι crossed
the equator. 1t's rather Ρήvate and has some interest mainly for my fήeηds and me.
The second one - just oppositely - was expected by the chess world. Τορ gun of
Myanmar "chess wonder" Zaw Win Lay (rating 2633) for the very first time plays ίη
round-robin GM tournament (by the way, the first ever cat.16 tournament ίη Asia).
There was wήtteη a lot about this "wonder" - so I'd better not repeat previous authors.
Ι see some way to stop (or, at least, to reduce) the discussions about the ratings of
Myanmar players (6 ofthem are suddenly ίη World top 100 ίη the list 01.2000). 1fthe
events where these guys had such massive rating gains were rated by F1DE there must
be the games' texts somewhere. 80, F1DE, please let the rest of the world look at these
texts or just let Myanmar Chess Federation tell us that those texts unfortunately were
not compiled up to now.
These missing scores made my life a bit unpleasant yesterday when Ι was preparing
for this game. 1η the massive GM school database which οήgiηates from all possible
sources and contains a bit less than 2 000 000 games Ι found οηlΥ 60 games by Zaw Win
Lay - rather a low number for 2600+ player. Even worse - οηlΥ 14 ofthem were dated
1999 when his rating increased from 2465 to 2633. Most of these games were against
some unrated or rated about 2200 players so it was rather hard to understand what
kind of player Zaw Win Lay was.
ΜΥ first conclusions based οη his games from 1997-1999 were that he is an aggres-
sive player of a solid master level (about 2450).
80rry, dear readers, this game (despite its outcome - 0:1 ίη 21 moves) doesn't give
the clear answer if Zaw Win Lay is overrated or (less probable) underrated. Let's wait
for the next rounds as the following game confirms οηlΥ 2 facts:
1) Zaw Win Lay knows modern opening theory quite well;
2) After "Black disaster" ίη my match with Peter Leko Ι tried to do my best to repair
my Black opening.
80 the French defence, which worked rather well for me ίη Linares, finally scores the
full point!
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen - "French Fήes from Bali"!

50 C07 ficial" theory could be enough to reach a

Zaw Win Lay - Κhalifman
Round 1 22.04
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.tZJd2 c5 4.exd5 ~xd5
5.tZJgf3 cxd4 6.1ιc4 ~d6 7.0-0 tZJf6 8.tZJb3
tZJc6 9.tZJbxd4 tZJxd4 10.tZJxd4 a6 11.l:te1
~c7 12.~b3 1ιd6
Frankly speaking Ι felt rather confused
at this moment. Entering a complicated
long line where the good knowledge of''of-
draw with almost anonymous opponent
(2633??? but who knows what is his real
strength? 2300? 2800?) was a bit suspi-
cious. Anyway after some thought Ι re-
minded wise words by old Russian master
Vassily Panov: "Ι consider every opponent
to be the strong player until he proves the
opposite" and decided to play quite nor-
mally - just like Ι would play ίη Linares.
13.tZJf5
88'
The modest alternative 13.h3 ο-ο
14 ..i.g5 .th2+ 15.Wh1.i.f4 presents ηο dan-
ger for Black.
13 ....i.xh2+ 14.ΦhΙ 0-0 15.lZJxg7 'ud8
16.~f3 Φχg717 ..i.h6+
17.g3? b5! is just bad for White - some
games ίη the early nineties proved this fact
extensively. 18.Φχh2 (18.~f4 .i.b7 19 ..i.xc7
i..xf3+ 20.l!>xh2 lZJg4=t; 18 ..th6+ Φg6 19.
I!>xh2 iιb7 20. ~f4 ~c5+) 18 ... ~b7 19. ~e2
~d4 20.Φh3 (20.~g5 lZJg4+ 21.'it>h3 ~e4
22.~f3 ~c5=t) 20 ... ~e4 21 ..te3 lZJg4=t; 19.
~f419 ... ~c6 20.J:!.g1 ~d121.iιe3 (21.~h6+
Wg8 22. ~g5+ Φf8 23.i..e3) 21 ... ~xa1
22.~g5+ Φf8 23.~c5+ Φe8 24.~xc6+ ~xc6
25.~xa1lZJg4+ 26.Φh3lZJχe3 27.fxe3 1:ϊd8=t
Wolff - Gulko, USA 1992.
17... Φg618.~adΙ?
"Fresh idea" according to GM Lev
Psakhis' comments of the game Ροηο­
mariov - Sadvakasov (see further). It was
also assessed as an interesting one by GM
Sergey Ivanov ίη his extensive article οη
this sharp line ίη one of the last "Ν ew ίη
Chess" yearbooks. Well, that's really fresh
and interesting - it was played οηlΥ twice
according to the GM School database -
both times ίη grandmaster games and with
100% success for White by now. Somehow
Ι feel that we'll hardly see any new game
οη "fresh and interesting" 18.~ad1 after
this game.
This move hasjust one very little draw-
back - it loses immediately! 18.c3 lZJh5 is
the main line with abovementioned
drawish tendencies.
18 ...~xdl 19.~xdl
Super Tournαments 2000
19 ... e5!
The novelty. Actually now the game is
over. Black opens his French c8-bishop and
remains just a piece up for ηο compensa-
tion. It's just incredible that neither GM
players who had this position οη the board
nor (even more incredible) GM commen-
tators gave any attention to this winning
move. 19 ... .i.d7 20.1:ϊd4 ~e5 21 ..i.e3 i,c6?
22.~g4+! CL\xg4 23.~xg4+ Φf6 24.~h4+
I!>g7 25.i,d4± Korneev - Vakhidov, Ubeda
1997;
19 ... ~e5 20 ..te3 ~h5. It is difficult to
find another answer, but now White gets a
clear and stable advantage ίη the ending.
21.~xh5+ Wxh5 22.l!>xh2 CL\g4+ 23.l!>g3
CL\xe3 24.fxe3± Ponomariov - Sadvakasov,
Lausanne 1999;
19 ... .i.e5 20.~e3 CL\e4! is οηlΥ a draw
after 2:J.. ~xe4+ Wxh6 22. ~h4+ ςj;>g6 23.
~g4+Φf6=.
20.l!>xh2
Zaw Win Lay spent about 40 minutes
here but ... The other moves don't promise
anything - Black just completes his de-
velopment and wins. ΟΚ, after 20.g3 CL\g4
Black's extra bishop looks rather strange
οη h2 but it feels fine there and a piece is
still a piece after all. 20.c3 ..Iif4 21 ...Iixf4 exf4
22 ..i.c2+ Φg7-+; 20.g3CL\g4 21 ..i.e3 (21.i..f8
.i.f5 22.iιd6 ~c6-+) i.f5 22.i.d5 (22.c3 e4
23.~e2 ~d8-+) 22 ... ~xc2 23 ..i.xf7+ ΦΧf7
24. ~xb7 Φg6 25.~d6 Φh5 26. ~f7 i.g6-+
20 ... CL\g4+ 21.Wgl ςj;>xh6! 0-1
21 ... CL\xh6? 22.~g3+ ..tg4 23.f3=t
Now Zaw Win Lay resigned. Τοο early?
Probably just ίη time. When Ι showed
19 ... e5! to GM Alexey Lugovoi ίη Linares
he was rather impressed and couldn't be-
lieve that the idea 18.~ad1 might be re-
futed 80 easily. So ίή the final position he
tried different moves but then stopped say-
ing just: "Why should we look at that?
Black is a piece up - that's all". This ver-
dict seems to be completely right. So, 0:1
21 ... l!>xh6 22. ~h3 (22. ~g3 i,f5 23.1:ϊd4
I!>g5!-+) I!>g7 23.~h5 (23.~g3 a5!?-+) h6
24.1:ϊd6 (24.1:ϊd3 e4-+) 24 ... ~e7-+; 22.i,d5
Japfa Classic
Φg7 23.c4 (23.~g3 ~xc2-+) 23 ... a5 24.~g3
l:ι.a6 25.f3 ~c5+ 26.~Ω ~e3-+; 22.~xΠ
22 ... e4 23. ~h3+ Φg7 24.~h5 (24. ~h4 ~e5
25.1::rd8 liJf6-+) 24 ... liJf6 25. ~h4 ~e5-+
51 Β19
Polgar - Adianto
Round 2 23.04
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.liJc3 dxe4 4.liJxe4
~f5 5.liJg3 i.g6 6.h4 h6 7.liJf3 liJd7 8.h5
~h7 9.i.d3 ~xd3 10.~xd3liJgf611.j,f4
This is one ofthe basic 1ines ofthe Caro-
Kann, where B1ack manages to solve the
prob1em of his bishop, but he is 1ate with
his deve10pment and White gets the ad-
vantage ίη space. ΒΥ her 1ast move, Po1gar
prevents moving the black queen to the c7-
square, but still B1ack will manage to do
this by the "shutt1e" manoeuvre of the
queen.
11 ... ~a5+ 12.~d2 ~c7 13.0-0-0 e6
14.liJe4 i.d6 15.g3 liJxe4 16.~xe4 0-0-0
17:~[e2 J::rhe8 18.~b1 b5?!
The position after White's move 18 is
not a new one. Ιη one of games by Adianto
he managed to solve B1ack's problems by
18 ... e5, and after 19.dxe5 liJxe5 20.LΔxe5
~xe5 21.~e3 b6 22.a3 Wb7 the game equa1-
ized. But now he probab1y fears any im-
provement οη the part of his opponent (ίη
J.Po1gar's ορίnίοη after 21.J::rhe1!? J::re6
22. ~g4 Whites cou1d get an advantage)
and decides to choose the other way. His
1ast move prepares the manoeuvre liJd7-
b6, but his idea does not have a success
because ofWhite's strong answer:
89
19.c4!
White breaks the chain ofblack pawns
οη the queenside and creates a very weak
point at the c6-square for his opponent.
19...bxc4 20.~xc4 liJb6 21.~c2 LΔd5
22.J::rc1 Φb7 23.LΔe5!
White is ready to exchange his knight
for a bishop at the e5-square, as after the
pawn goes away from d4, the bishop will
have good prospects at the gl-a7 diago-
nal.
23 ... ~xe5
B1ack cou1d not refuse the exchange of
his bishop because of 26 ... ~c8? and the
protection of the c6-pawn does not work
owing to 25. ~b3+
24.dxe5 .ί:tc8 25.J::rhe1 ~b6 26.~e3
~b5
B1ack cannot go for an exchange. Mter
26 ... liJxe3? 27.Ϊtxe3 the white rook enters
the 3rd rank with a decisive effect.
27 ...ic5 .tted8 28.1::te4 J:td7 29.l:ι.d4
White starts to bound B1ack's pieces,
1eaving him ηο chances for a counter game.
Another promising 1ine 29.i::i.g4!? f5 30.exf6
gxf6 31 ..ί:tg6, which was shown after the
game by J.Po1gar, a1so 1ed to White's 1arge
advantage. Probably, White did not 1ike
29 ... liJb6 (if29 ... Φa8 then 30 ...id6, increas-
ing the pressure), but ίη this case the fo1-
10wing is possib1e: 30.~g4 J::rg8 31.a4 ~a5
(if 31 ... ~d3 then this 1ine gives the deci-
sive advantage: 32. ~xd3 J:.xd3 33.J::rb4 Φc7
34 ...id6+) 32.~xb6 ~xb6 and now 33 ..ί::ι.b4!
~xb4 34.~xc6+ Φb8 35.~xd7 ~e4+ 36.
~a1 ~xe5 37.~c3 is very strong, with a
1arge advantage.
29 ... Φa8 30.~d2
Now (and οη the next move a1so)
30 ...id6 100ks fine, preventing B1ack from
increasing the pressure a10ng the b-fi1e.
However, B1ack has ηο rea1 counterp1ay
after the move ίη the game:
30...J::rb7 31.f4 J::rcb8 32.b3 ~a6 33.~b2!
It is a preventive move against the
b1ack rock's possib1e sacrifice οη the b3-
square. For examp1e, ίη case of the care-
1ess 33.~d6?, there wou1d be 33 ... J:Ixb3+
90 Super Tournαments 2000

34.axb3 1:txb3+ 35.Φc2 ~b5! and White 52 Ε12

wou1d not have any satisfactory defence. Tirnrnan - Polgar
33 ... ~b5 34. ~d3 ~a5 35.iιd6 Mc8 Round 3 24.04
36.Mdc4 CLJb6?
B1ack is ίη a hard position and is short 1.CLJf3 CLJf6 2.c4 b6 3.d4 e6 4.a3
of time, so he tries to save the game by The Queen's Indian Defense chosen by
tactics, but, as it often happens, this just the p1ayers here is one of quiet openings.
makes things go faster. 36 ... I:ι.b6 was bad White's 1ast move, se1ecting the Petrosian
because of37.f5! ~b5 (after 37 ... exf5 B1ack Variation, shows that he is not ru1ing out
has mateήa11οsses - 38. ~xf5 ~a6 39.iιc5 more active tήes for advantage 1ater οη.
~bb8 40. ~xf7) 38.fxe6 fxe6 and now the 4 ... iιb7 5.CLJc3 d5 6.cxd5 CLJxd5 7.~c2
preventive 39.Φb1 with an idea to p1ay CLJxc3 8.bxc3 iιe7 9.e4 ο-ο 10.iιd3 c5
~d3-g6 (if39.~g6 then 39 ... CLJe3 shou1d be 11.0-0 ~c8 12.~e2
considered) wou1d make B1ack face hard White's pawn centre is the chieffeature
prob1ems. Probab1y, the best solution was of this position. Thus, p1ans of both sides
a passive 36 ... ~b6.It did not solve all the are c1ear: White will try to concentrate a
prob1ems but at 1east White could not force fistfu1 of pieces ίη the centre, ίη order to
the game to his advantage immediate1y. stήke a b10w at his opponent's kingside,
37.~xc6 .uxc6 38.~xc6 ~d5 39.~c3 whi1e B1ack will try either to simp1ify the
~d2+ 40.ΦcΙ! position as much as possib1e, or to put pres-
The simp1est solution ίη this situation sure οη White's centre pawns. 80 White's
is the best one. White cou1d follow more 1ast move, removing his queen from pos-
risky way - 40.Φb1 ~xa2+ (the ending af- sib1e exchange, 100ks quite 10gical. The οη1Υ
ter 40 ... ~xc3 41.1::!.xc3 is hope1ess for B1ack, question is where exact1y to remove her.
and if 40 ... ~xa2 then the following is deci- At the c10se of the 90's, the continuation
sive: 41.1::!.c8+ <Jtb7 42.11c7+) 41.Φc1 .1:ίh2 12. ~a2 gained some popu1arity for a short
(after 41 ... ~d5 White checkmates by 42. time but J. Timman decides to choose a
~xb6 axb6 43. ~c8+ Φa7 44.iιb8+ <Jta8 more approved way.
45.iιc7+) 42.ktc8+ Φb7 43.l:.c7+ Φa6 (if 43 ... 12...Xιa6 13.I:!dl cxd4
Φb8 then 44 ..ί::txf7+) 44.~d3+. However all Po1gar trusts ίη her p1an, and begins
this beauties are use1ess. Ιη case of the simp1ification ofthe position. The im-
40 ... ~d5! White has not a forced win. mediate 13 ... SΙxd3 might have been a trifle
40 ... ~xc3+ 41.1:txc3 nxa2 42.l:tc7 ~g2 more accurate. The point is that, as 10ng
ΒΥ means of 42 ... CLJd5 43.kixf7 .1:ίe2 as there are still c-pawns οη the board,
44 ..ί:txg7 CLJc3 B1ack cou1d try to make a White is hard1y 1ike1y to deve10p his bishop
draw with the he1p of the nearest moves to b2. White has slight1y more 1atitude.
CLJa2+ and CLJc3+. But 45.MC7! destroys this 14.cxd4 1ιχd3 15.~xd3
p1an easi1y. 15.1:txd3 CLJd7 was the alternative and
43.:txf7 nxg3 44.f5! now 16.iιb2 1ed after 16 ... ~a6 17 .~ad1
The comp1ete domination at 7th rank I:ι.fe8 18.h4 to a comp1ex game with mu-
and the passed e-pawn gives ηο chances tua1 chances ίη Rib1i - Alma$i, Altensteig
for B1ack to save the position. 1994.
44 ... exf5 45.e6 .ι:!gl + 15 ... ~a6 16.iιb2?!
Mter 45 ... -Uc3+ 46.Φb2 .uc8 47.e7 CLJd5 As 10ng as B1ack's knight was undeve1-
48.-Uf8 CLJxe7 49.iιxe7 an extra piece is oped, White cou1d have e1iminated any 10s-
enough for White to win. ing possibi1ities by means of 16.d5 ~xd3
46.Φd21:tg2+ 47.Φd3 CLJc8 48.1ιe5 I:ι.gl 17.Mxd3 exd5, and now either 18.!Ixd5
49.e71-0 CLJa6, with equa1ity, or a sharper 18.exd5
Japfa Classic
ct:Jd7, with chances for both sides. After the
moνe ίη the game, Black, at least, does not
stand worse.
16.. :~xd3 17.1::txd3 ct:Jd7 18.I:tcl
Now, with the black knight deνeloped,
18.d5 is ηο longer so attractiνe ίη νiew of
18 ... ct:Jc5 19.~e3 Itfd8.
18 ... I:tfc8 19.1ldc3 Itxc3 20.llxc3 ct:Jf6
21.ct:Jd2
21 ...b5!
White has secured control of the open
c-file, but has ηο targets. Now Black's
queenside pawn majority may become a
more important factor ίη the struggle for
an adνantage.
22.lIc6
Inνading the 7th rank by 22.llc7 giνes
Black ηο great worries after 22 ... Φf8
23.I:tb7 a6 24.llc7 (24.ΦΩ? llc8) 24 ... Φe8.
22 ... ΦίΒ 23.f3
White should bring the king to the cen-
tre quickly (23.'it>fl), ίη case there are fur-
ther exchanges.
23 ... Φe8 24.ct:Jb3 ct:Jd7 25.Φf1
Black's last moνe gaνe White an oppor-
tunity for a central pawn break - and it
may haνe been justified. Mter 25.d5 exd5
26.exd5 ct:Jb6 27.d6 (Black is clearly better
after 27.~xg7 ~xa3) 27 ... ~f8 28.ct:Jd4 ct:Jc4
29.ct:Jxb5 (White still has problems after
29.~c3 ct:Jxd6 30.~b4 lld8) 29 ... ct:Jxb2
30.1ιc2 1ιb8 31.llxb2 Φd7 32.llb3 ~xd6,
White has an unenνiable situation, chiefly
because his king is so far from the centre.
25 ... ct:Jb6 26.ct:Jc5?
Α terrible mistake. Mter 26.ct:Ja5 Φd7
91
(Black gets nothing from 26 ... ct:Ja4 27.~cl
J::td8, due to 28.lIc7) 27.1ιc2, White does
stand a bit worse, but things are not seri-
ous yet. Now he must surrender a pawn.
26...ct:Jc4 27 ...icll;:ϊ.d8 28.a4
White seeks complications. Mter 28.
ct:Jb3, Black can select either the pawn-up
rook ending after 28 ... ~xa3 29 ...ixa3 ct:Jxa3
30.~a6 ct:Jc2 31.l:txa7 ct:Jxd4 32.ct:Jxd4 Itxd4
33.1::tb7 J::tb4, or the further strengthening
ofher position by 28 ... a5! 29.'it>e2 a4, which
would be eνen more unpleasant for White.
28 ...llxd4 29.ct:Jb3?
White goes to pieces. His 26th moνe cost
him a pawn, and this moνe would cost him
a piece. Ιη all honesty, though, it should
be pointed out that 29.Φe2 ~xc5 (οη
29 ... bxa4, Black must consider 30.1:i:c8+
~d8 31.ct:Jb7 ct:Jb6 32.l!b8, when White defi-
nitely has a counterplay) 30.1:i:xc5 bxa4
31.~e3 ct:Jxe3 32.Wxe3 lldl 33.1:i:a5 1:i:al is
most likely lost fOT White.
29 ... 1::td3 30.axb5 ct:Je5 31.1::tc8+ 'it>d7
32.~a81::txb3 33.1::txa7+ Φe8 0-1
53 C92
Milos - Zaw Win Lay
Round 4 25.04
l.e4 e5 2.ct:Jf3 ct:Jc6 3.~b5 a6 4.~a4 ct:Jf6
5.0-0 ~e7 6.Uel b5 7 ...ib3 d6 8.c3 ο-ο
9.h3 ~b7 10.d4 lle8 11.ct:Jbd2 ~ίB 12.d5
The players selected one of the most
popular lines ίη the Ruy Lopez: the Zaitseν
Variation. With his last moνe, White de-
cided to close the centre with a tempo, let-
ting Black's knight choose between seνeral
possible retreats.
12... ct:Je7
Experts ίη the Ruy Lopez consider
12 ... ct:Jb8 the most solid continuation. This
could not haνe been a secret to Zaw Win
Lay, as witnesses the following: 13.ct:Jfl
ct:Jbd7 14.ct:Jg3 ct:Jc5 15.~c2 c6 16.b4 ct:Jcd7
17 .dxc6 ~xc6 18.~b3 Onischuk - Zaw Win
Lay, Jakarta 1997. Neνertheless, he de-
cided to play differently ίη this game.
92
13.CLJf1 CLJg6
The prophylactic 13 ... h6 is quite fre-
quent ίη this position.
14.a4!
White wants to create a target οη the
queenside. Another possible line, 14.CLJ3h2
'i:!fd7 15.CLJg4, is worse ίη view of15 ... CLJxe4!
16.~xe4 f5, Rodriguez - Arencibia, Cuba
1994. ~ solve all Blacks problems, ίη view of the
14 ... c6
Ιη order to increase the radius of activ-
ity of his light-squared bishop, Black un-
dertakes this central break. An unavoid-
able consequence ofthis plan is the weak-
ening of the d5-square -:- and now every
White's piece will be looking ίη that direc-
tion.
15.dxc6 iιxc6 16.iιg5
Here Black feels the absence ofthe pro-
phylactic h7-h6. Now, there will be one less
defender of the d5-square.
16... h6 17.iιxf6 'i:!fxf6
18.CLJe3!
Very strong, although not new. White's
knight takes the shortest route to the d5-
square.
18 ... CLJf4
Black could not bring himself to take
the e4-pawn, and he was probably right
not to. Mter 18 ... ~xe4, White has a very
powerful continuation 19.CLJg4! (19.CLJd5 is
weaker, because of 19 ... iιxd5, or 19.~d5,
because of 19 ... ~xf3) 19 ... 'i:!ff4 20.~xe4!
'i:!fxe4 21.iιd5 'i:!ff4 22.iιxa8 ~xa8 23.axb5,
and White is close to a winning position.
19.CLJd5 iιxd5 20.iιxd5ktab8 21.axb5!
Super Tournαments 2000
And here is a novelty. Ιη Asrian -
Virovlansky, St.Petersburg 1999, White
continued: 21.b4'i:!fg6 22.g3 CLJxh3+ 23.~Ω
J:Ie7 24.axb5 axb5 25.l:Ia6, and Black could
have obtained a completely acceptable ρο­
sition by playing 25 ... 'i:!fh5.
21 ... axb5
The intermediate 21 ... 'i:!fg6 does not
temporary pawn sacrifice 22.g3! (White
gets nothing from 22.CLJh4 'i:!fg5) 22 ... CLJxh3+
23.~f1 axb5 (after 23 ... ~xb5, White recov-
ers the pawn by 24.b4 ~b6 25. 'i:!fe2) 24. 'i:!fb3
.ί::re7 25.~a5, when White recovers his ma-
terial and maintains all his advantages
besides.
22.Wh2 b4?!
Black is ίη a most dangerous situation,
where every move could be fatal. He had
to venture οη 22 ... CLJxd5 23. 'i:!fxd5 (not
23.exd5?, because of 23 ... b4, followed by
e5-e4) 23 ... ~ec8, with a definite counter-
play. For example, οη 24.1::ra7 there might
follow 24 ... ~c5! 25. 'i:!fd2 d5. True, after the
quiet 24.~ed1!?, White still has very a
much better position.
23.c4 ~e7
Mter 23 ... CLJxd5 24. 'i:!fxd5 b3, a good
move is 25.~g1, defending the f2-pawn
and freeing the knight to attack the b3-
pawn.
24.~a6 ~ec8 25. 'i:!fd2
25.b3 appears tighter.
25 ... ~c5
Οη 25 ... b3, ίη order to weaken the c4-
pawn, White could play 26.~ea1 CLJxd5
(26 ... ~c5 27.CLJe1) 27.'i:!fxd5 ~c5 28.'i:!fd3!
(but not 28. 'i:!fxc5 dxc5 29.1:rxf6 iιxf6 30.1:ra5
iιe7 31.~b5 ~xb5 32.cxb5 c4 33.b6, ίη view
of 33 ... c3 34.b7 iιd6 35.bxc3 b2 36.CLJd2
~f8), and Black is οη a bad way, since
28 ... :ϊb4 is met by 29.~a8+ ~h7 30.CLJd2
'i:!fxf2 31.:ϊf1, with a decisive advantage.
26.b3 CLJxd5
When the boat is breaking up, any wind
is a bad wind. After 26 ... ~h8 there is
27.1::ra7, and 26 ... 'i:!fg6 is strongly met with
27.g3 'i:!fh5 28.CLJg1 iιg5 29.'i:!fc2, ίη both
Jαp{α Clαssic
cases with White's oνerwhelming position.
27.exd5
Threatening with the killing 28.liJxe5
27 ... ~f5 28.liJd4!
Effectiνely winning.
28 ... exd4
Οη 28 ... ~c8, simply 29. ~a2.
29.1:ϊχe7 ~f6 30.1:ϊe4 d4 31.1:ϊe3 ~cc8
32.MXd3 Mxc4 33.bxc4 b3 34.1:ϊΧb3 1-0
Mter 34 ... MXb3 35.Ma8+ Wh7 36.~c2+,
he loses a rook.
54 Ε15
Karpov - Adianto
Round 5 27.04
l.c4liJf6 2.d4 e6 3.liJf3 b6 4.g3
This quiet νariation of the Κing's Ιη­
dian, starting with 4.g3, has been a
faνourite weapon of the ex-champion.
4 ....i.a6 5.b3 .i.b4+ 6 ..i.d2 .i.e7 7 ..i.g2
c6 8 ..tc3 d5 9.liJe5 liJfd7 10.liJxd7 liJxd7
11.liJd2 ο-ο 12.0-0 J::!.c8
The position after White's 12th moνe
may be considered a starting point. Now
Black has to choose, what path to follow ίη
the opening. Ιη the match for FIDE World
Champion title (Elista, 1996), G. Kamsky
played νs. Α. Karpoν 12 ... 1::!.b8 ίη games 3
and 13. When playing Black, Karpoν him-
self used to choose between 12 .. .liJf6 and
12 ... J::i.c8.
13.e4 dxc4
This way Black gets an extra pawn.
13 ... c5 is another possibility to struggle for
equalization. It serνed fatefully many
times to Κarpoν. For instance: 14.exd5 exd5
15.dxc5 dxc4 16.c6 cxb3 17.1:ϊe1 b2 18 ..txb2
liJc5 Van der Sterren - Karpoν, Wijk aan
Zee 1998.
14.bxc4 b5 15 ..ί:ίeΙ bxc4
Ιη game 6 ofthe unlimited match with
Kasparoν ίη 1984 which is actually the
beginning of the history of this line start-
ing from 13 ... dxc4, the 12th World Cham-
ρίοη chose not the best option 16 ... liJb6?!.
93
Later, he demonstrated himselfthe adνan­
tages ofWhite's position after 17.c5! ίη his
game with J.Van de Wiel ίη Amsterdam ίη
1987.
16.~c2
Another possibility is 16. ~a4, which
was also played ίη many Karpoν's games.
16... c5?!
Black plays ίη a νery sharp manner.
16 ... Me8 or 16 ... ~c7 is played more often,
Karpoν - Kasparoν, London/Leningrad
1986.
17.d5 exd5 18,exd5 .tf6
If 18 ... liJb6 then 19.a4!? would probably
follow. Ιη case of 19.Mad1 White should
consider 19 ... .i.b5.
19.~adlliJb6
It is worse to play 19 ... .i.xc3 20. ~xc3
liJb6 because of 21. ~a5 and White has an
adνantage
20 ..i.xf6 ~xf6 21.a41:ϊfd8 22.liJe4 ~g6
23.d6
White's adνanced passed pawn is a good
compensation for Black's small material
adνantage.
23 ....ί:!.b8 24.~c3 .i.b7?!
Black tries to bring his bishop back to
life, refusing from capturing one white
pawn more. Mter 24 ... liJxa4 25. ~a3 (ίη
case of25.~a5 .tb5 26.~xa7 c3 Blackgets
a counterplay that secures him equality)
25 ... .i.b5 26.liJxc5 a6 White has a full com-
pensation for the pawn, but still the final
result is unclear.
25.a5!
White plays the rest of the game ίη a
νery powerful way.
25 ... liJa4
Mter 25 ... liJd7 26. ~xc4 White just has
a good position.
26.~a3liJb2
The situation after 26 ... ~c6 27.liJxc5
liJxc5 28.~xc5 .txg2 29.ςJ;>xg2 will be νery
hard for Black. Ιη order to aνoid this he
goes for tactical complications, but White
plays ίη the best manner.
27. ~xb2 iιxe4
94
------------------------------------------------
28.~xb8!
This is a νery strong moνe. Mter the
queen's sacrifice White's d-pawn gains a
huge power and brings to nothing all
B1ack's actiνe possibilities. At the same
time, after 28.i.xe4?! J::txb2 29.i.xg6 hxg6
B1ack wou1d easi1y keep the ba1ance ίη the
rook ending.
28 ...~xb8 29.~xe4 f5
The same was ίη case of29 ... ttd8 30.d7
f5 as it was not possib1e to p1ay 30 ... Wf8
because ofthe winning 3U:tde1
30.J::!.xc4 J::td8 31.d7 ~a6 32.~xc5 ~e2
33. .ί::!ccΙ r;t;f'7 34 ...Il.d5+ Wf6
If 34 ... Φf8 then 35 ...Il.c6 and White will
get to the b1ack rook νia the e8-square.
35.J:.el ~d3 36.~edl?!
Ιη time troub1e White starts to p1ay ίη­
accurate1y. Mter 36.J:.e6+ r;t;f7 (the moνe
36 ... r;t;g510ses at once owingto 37.h4+ '>t>g4
38.i.c4 ~d2 39 ...Il.e2+ Wh3 40 ...Il.f1+ r;t;g4
4u::tc4+) 37.J:.e8+ ~xd5 38.I\.xd8 Φe7
39.l:(dc8 ΦΧd7 40.M8c7+ r;t;d6 4U:txa7 ~d2
42.J:.b1 ~a2 43.J:.d1+ White wou1d rea1ize
his 1arge adνantage.
36 ... ~e2?!
It wou1d be better to p1ay 36 ... ~a3 but
eνen ίη this case, after 37.J..c6 (37.J:.a1
giνes nothing because of 37 ... ~c3) 37 ...
~xa5 38.J:.e1 f4 (38 ... ~c7 is he1p1ess ow-
ingto 39.Sιa4 ~b7 40.J:.cd1 ~c7 41.l:(e8 and
after the exchange οη the d8-square
White's second rook, making its way to e8,
will bring a νictory to White) 39.J:.cd1! (the
immediate 39.J:.e8 remains B1ack some
chances to escape after 39 ... ~d2 40.J:.a1
J:.xd7) 39 ... ~c7 40.J:.e8 White puts into
Super Tournαments 2000
practice the same idea as ίη the game, be-
cause the a-pawn's 10ss cannot influence
his p1ans.
37...Il.c6 g6 38.J:.el ~d2 39.J::tcdl ~c2.
If 39 ... ~xa5 then White wins easi1y ίη
the following 1ine: 40 ..ί:!.e8 Φg7 41.1:!.xd8
~xd8 42.J:.e1.
40.J:.d6+ ΦίΊ 41.J:.e8 ... 1 - Ο
55 Β17
Timman - Karpov
Round 6 28.04
l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.tLJd2 dxe4 4.tLJxe4
tLJd7 5.tLJg5 tLJgf6 6.i.d3 e6 7.tLJlf3 J..d6
8.~e2 h6 9.tLJe4 tLJxe4 10.~xe4 ~c7
1l.~g4 r;t;f8 12.0-0
The opponents chose one of the most
popu1ar 1ines ίη the Caro-Kann Defence,
which had been the major weapon of the
former Wor1d Champion against 1.e2-e4.
Two rounds ear1ier Po1gar had p1ayed
12.tLJd2 ίη this position against Karpoν and
had not gained any adνantage from the
opening.
12 ... c5 13.~h4 b6 14.J..e4 J:.b8 15.b3
Timman tries to improνe White's p1ay.
The moνes that were p1ayed ear1ier:
15 ...Il.g5, 15.c3 and 15.1::td1 gaνe nothing
specia1 to White. Before Karpoν demon-
strated what B1ack shou1d p1ay against
15.J:.d1: 15 ... c4 16.tLJe5 tLJf6 17.i.f3 ..Il.b7
18.Sιxb7 J:.xb7 Sadνakasoν - Karpoν,
Hoogeνeen 1999.
15 ... tLJf6?!
Ιη the game Kuczynski - Ga1kin, Saint
Vincent 2000, was shown a simp1e antidote
for J.Timman's noνe1ty 15.b3: 15 ... i.e7
16. ~f4 ·Sιd6 17. ~h4 J..e7 18. ~f4 .id6
19. ~h4 J..e7 with a draw. This game had
not passed unnoticed for Karpoν and ίη
autumn 2000 at the tournament ίη Buenos
Aires his opponent R.Leitao, who p1ayed
White, accepted a draw a ha1f ofthe moνe
ear1ier.
16.dxc5 bxc5 17.Sιb2 tLJxe4 18.~xe4
.ib7 19.~g4 f5 20.~h5 i.xf3 21:~xf3
Jαp{α CΙαssic
<!lf7?!
B1ack decided not to grab the pawn of-
fered by the opponent, but he probab1y
shou1d have taken it. After 21 ... i.xh2+
22.<!lh1 i.d6 (if 22 ... i.e5 23.i.xe5 ~xe5
24 ..ί:tfe1 ~d5 25. ~xd5 exd5 26 ..ί:te5 the rook
endgame is difficult for B1ack) 23.J::i:fe1 Φπ
24. ~h5+ g6 25. ~h4 White has a 10t of com-
pensation for the pawn, but this position
is quite p1ayab1e for B1ack. 21 ... <!lf7 allows
Timman to gain strong initiative for noth-
ing.
22. ~h5+ g6 23. ~h4
Ιη J.Timman's ορίηίοη 23. ~h3!? was an
interesting move.
23 ... .te7 24. ~h3 i.f6 25.i.xf6 ι;toxf6
26.1::tael e5 27.~c3 J::!.he8
B1ack is not ab1e to prevent the push of
the f'-pawn. For examp1e, 27 ... g5 28.f4 gxf4
29.MXf4 and the b1ack king does not fee1
comfortab1e ίη the centre ofthe board, be-
ing attacked by White's pieces.
28.f4 Mb4
B1ack is going to b10ck the white queen
with the move Mb4-d4.
29.g4!
White is trying to expose the b1ack king
as much as possib1e. Mter 29.fxe5+ ':xe5
the move 1::b.b4 wou1d be very he1pfu1 for
B1ack.
29 ... ~d4
Timman's recommendation here is
30 ... 1:te7.
30.~h3 ~g7?!
Another possibi1ity - 30 ... e4. After
31.gxf5 (after 31.~xh6 ~g7 White wou1d
95
a1so have difficu1ties with rea1izing the
materia1 advantage.) 31 ... ~d7 32.~h4+
'i,;g7 33.fxg6 ~f5 34.<!lh1 e3 B1ack wou1d
have some counter p1ay. The move 30 ... ~g7
allows White to use all his pieces for at-
tacking B1ack's king which is too much
centra1ized.
31.fxe5+ Mxe5 32.Mxe5 <!lxe5 33.~g3+
Ιη case of 33. ~e3+, it is possib1e that
Timman did not 1ike the escape of B1ack's
king to the kingside after 33 ... ι;tof6.
33 ... f4
33 ... <!lf6 is bad because of 34.gxf5 and
34 ... gxf5 is impossib1e because of35.MXf5+.
34.~el+ ι;tod6 35.c3 Md3 36.~e4 ~xc3
37.~xg6+ <!lc7 38.~f7+ <!lb6 39.~xf4 '.t>a5
40.~c7+?!
Perhaps this check was not necessary.
White forces the b1ack king to go where he
himse1f is trying to get. White shou1d have
taken a brief pause before striking deci-
sive b10ws οη Β1aι:k's king. Mter 40.'.t>h1!
it is hard to find a good move for B1ack.
For examp1e, 40 ... ~d4 (if 40 ... J:Id4, then
41.~c7+ wins)41.~c7+ <!la6 (41 ... <!lb4 does
not work because of 42.Mf4) 42. ~c6+ ι;toa5
43. ~b7 ~d5+ 44. ~xd5 J::!.xd5 45.J::!.f5 and
B1ack is not ab1e to ho1d οη ίη the rook
ending.
40 ... '.t>b4
Mter 40 ... ι;toa6 41.<!lh1! the ana1ogous
position arises that is ίη the note to White's
40th move.
41.~b7+ ι;toa3 42.~xa7+
Το take the other pawn by 42. ~a6+ Φb2
43. ~xh6 is not better than the continua-
tion ίη the game. Mter 43 ... <!lxa2 (ίη case
of 43 ... ~d4+ 44.1Η2+ ~b1 45. ~g6 or
43 ... J::!.f.3 44.MXf.3 ~xf.3 45. ~d2+ <!la3 46.g5
B1ack cannot avoid a 10ss) 44. ~a6+ Φb2
(44 ... ~xb3? 10ses because of 45. 1::b.b 1+ '.t>c2
46.~a2+) 45.~a1+ ~xb3 46.~b1+ ι;toc4
47.1:!.c1, it seems that White wins a queen
and has to win easi1y. But ίη B1ack's dis-
posa1 there is 47 ... J::!.d1+!! 48.':xd1 ~e3+
49.~g2 ~e2+ 50.~h3 ~e3+ with a per-
petua1 check.
42... Φb2
96
The black king hadjust enough time to
get behind the white pawns and, eνen
though White has two extra pawns, it is
not so easy to find the winning continua-
tion for White.
43 ..ί:1:f2+
White decides to simplify the position.
After 43. tH7 one should worry about
43 ... tι.g3+! 44.Φh1 (44.hxg3 ~xg3+ lead to
a perpetual check) 44 ... tι.xg4, and 43.Φh1
would be met by the unpleasant 43 ... l:td1!
43 ... .ί:1:d2 44.Itxd2+ ~xd2 45. ~xc5
~d1+ 46.Φf2 ~xg4
47.~d5?!
White has two extra pawns, but he will
haνe to giνe up at least one of them. After
47.~a7 ~f4+ 48.Φg2 ~g4+ 49.Φf1 ~d1+
50.Φf2 ~d2+ 51.Φg3 ~d3+ 52.Φf4 ~d2+
the black queen would not calm down un-
ti1 it grabs the pawn οη h2. Playing for a
win was possible after 4 7. ~e3 Wxa2
48. ~xh6 ΦΧb3 49.h3. The queen endgame
is most likely drawn, but Timman has a
successful experience of realizing an extra
pawn. Twenty years ago at the tournament
ίη Bugojno he managed to beat S.Gligoric
ίη a similar endgame. After the game
Timman said that the biggest chance to
win for White had been after 47.b4!? Φχa2
48.b5; the moνe 47.~d5, faνouring the
black king to near the b-pawn, had been
feeble.
47 ... ~h4+ 48.We3 Φχa2 49.b4+ Φa3
50.b5
White decides to rely οη his passed b-
pawn.
Super Tournαments 2000
50 ... ~xh2 51"~c6 Φb4 52.b6 Φa5
53.b7 h5 54.~c8
The white queen is οη the edge of the
board and therefore it is not surprising
that Black finds a perpetual check.
54 .. :~e5+ 55.Φd3 ~d5+ 56.Φe3 ~e5+
57.Φf3 ~d5+ 58.Φf4 ~d2+ 59.~f5 ~f2+
60.Φg6 ~g3+ 61.'>-t>f6 after 61.Φχh5 ~e5+
the white king would not escape from a
perpetual check.
61 ... ~h4+ 62.Φf7 ~f4+ %-%
56 Ε15
Karpov - Ehlvest
Round 7 29.04
1.d4 4:Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.4:Jf3 b6 4.g3 iιa6
5.b3 .ib4+ 6 ..id2 .ie7 7 ..ig2 c6 8 ..ic3 d5
9.4:Je5 4:Jfd7 10.4:Jxd7 4:Jxd7 11.4:Jd2 ο-ο
12.0-04:Jf6
Two rounds before U.Adianto played
with the ex-champion 12 ... .ί:1:c8, but did not
manage to stand. J.Ehlνest decides to
choose another way hoping to equalize
soon, but A.Karpoν has prepared some-
thing new here as well.
13.e4 b5 14.1::te1 dxe4 15.~c2 .ί:1:c8
16..ί:1:ad1 4:Jd5
This piece sacrifice is well-known ίη
theory and it was introduced into tourna-
ment practice by L.Portisch.
17.1ιχe4
It is dangerous to capture the piece.
After 17.cxd5 cxd5 18.a3 .ixa3 19.~a2 b4
20 ..ixb4 .ixb4 21.~xa6 .ί:1:c2 22.1::ί:e2 ~b6
Black at least is not worse. Running a few
steps forward, one may say that later
Karpoν apparently dissatisfied with
opening's results for White ίη this game,
will resort to the other continuation. Ιη the
game Karpoν - J.Polgar, Buenos-Aires
2000 there was 17 ..ib2!? and after an un-
expected 17 ... f5! (before, ίη the game
Dydyshko - Huznlan, Batumi 1999 there
was 17 ... 4:Jb4 18. ~xe4 bxc4 19.bxc4 4:Jxa2
20 ..ί:1:a1 4:Jb4 21 ..ic3 l:tb8 and haνing re-
fused from 22 ..!:1:eb1!? White missed a pos-
sibility to keep his initiatiνe) 18.cxd5 cxd5
Jαp{α CΙαssic
19. '§b1 b4 20.lbfl '§b6 21.f3 Jtf6 22.lbe3
J:::!.c3! some complications began.
17 ... lbxc3 18.'§xc3 iιf6 19.c5!?
White decides to sacrifice a pawn ίn the
struggle for an adνantage. After 19. '§c2 g6
20.lbf3 bxc4 21.bxc4 '§a5 22.c5 by means
of 22 ... iιb5! (the following is worse:
22 ... 1:!.fd8 23.'§c1 ~d7 24.h4 and White has
an initiatiνe Karpoν - Adams, Dos Her-
manas 1999) 23. '§c1 '§xa2 24. '§f4 iιg7
Black equalized and White had to agree to
a draw: 25.1:!.a1 '§b2 26.~eb1 '§c3 27.l:!:c1
'§b2 28.~ab1 '§a2 29.1:!.a1 112 -lj2 Κarpoν­
Timman, Hoogeνeen 1999.
19... iιxd4
19 ... '§xd4? does not work because of
20.'§a5 ~b7 21.'§xa7 and White has a
large adνantage.
20.'§c2 f5
If 20 ... '§a5 then the following would be
annoying for Black: 21.iιxh7+ Φh8 22.1::!.e4
and White has an initiatiνe.
21.iιg2 ~f6
22.b4!
Α surprise is coming! It was played be-
fore 22.lbf3 iιc3 23.!ιΘ3 b4 24.~d6 klfe8
25.a3 and here, ίn the game Van der
Sterren - Hoeksema, Netherlands 1993 for
Black there was 25 ... ~cd8! with the idea
of 26.~xc6 by means of 27 .. .iιb7 28.~c7
iιΘ4 to achieνe a strong counterplay.
22 ...1::!.cd8!
~k has to be νery precise. For ίn­
stance, after a natural 22 ... ~c3 there was
a risk for him to lose νery soon. Sample
ΙίnΘ: 23. '§b3 ~fe8 (it is bad to play 23 ... ~fd8
97
24.~xΘ6 '§f7 25.iιxc6 ~xd2 and now the
decisiνe is 26.1:te8+! ~XΘ8 27.iιd5 winning
the queen) 24.~Θ3 ~d4 25.~d3 ~b7 (if
25 ... iιΘ5 then 26. '§a3 looks strong, and if
25 ... ~b2 - 26.~d7 makes problems for
Black) 26.lbe4! and Black's position is poor.
It is possible to add that after 22 ... e5
23.lbf3 ~ce8 24. '§b3+ Φh8 25.lbxd4 exd4
26.~xΘ8 ~xΘ8 27.'§f3 iιb7 28.'§f4 ~d8
29.'§c7 ~a8 30.1:!.e1 White also has enough
compensation for the pawn.
23.lbf3
White did not play 23. '§b3 most likely
because of23 ... iιc8 24.iιxc6 iιc3.
23 ... iιc3 24.~e3 ~xdl +
If 24 ... iιb2 then Black should consider
25.l::tde1 iιc8 26.1::tb1 iιd4 27.lbxd4 J::::!.xd4
28.iιxc6 and White has an adνantage.
25. '§xdl ~c8!
Black chooses a solid moνe. The greedi-
ness ίn this position would be punished.
Ιn case of 25 ... iιxM? 26. '§b3 [4 (it is bad
to play 26 ... iιxc5 because of27.nxe6 '§a1+
28.!i:e1+ or 26 ... '§a1+ 27.iιΩ iιxc5 because
of 28.~Θ1! '§f6 29.~xΘ6 '§f7 30.lbe5 and
White wins ίn both cases) White has a νery
strong moνe here - 27.~Θ5! and Black will
scarcely keep his bishop. For instance, af-
ter 27 ... fxg3 28.hxg3 iιa5 29.1::txe6 '§f7
30.lbg5 '§xf2+ 3Ui,h1 Φh8 White has a
decisiνe attack: 32. '§d3 g6 33. '§d7
26.'§b3 iιal 27.lbel?!
Ιn Karpoν's ορίnίοn, it should be better
for White to straggle for an initiatiνe by
means of 27.nd3!? nd8 28.!i:xd8+ '§xd8
29.lbh4.
27 ... Φh8
Now, if 27 ... f4, Black besides 28.gxf4
'§xf4 29.lbd3 has to take into consideration
28.z:ι.f3 g5 (if28 ... iιe5, then 29.lbd3) 29.gxf4
gxf4 30.1:!.d3 with a compensation for the
pawn.
28.lbc2
White did not play 28.~xc6 probably
because of 28 ... f4 29.1::tf3 (if 29.gxf4, then
29 ... e5 30.iιxb5 iιd4 is not so bad) 29 ... e5
and now if 30.~xb5, then 30 ... iιg4! looks
νery strong.
98 Super Tournαments 2000

28... f4!? White's pieces start to predominate ίη

Black is trying to seize the initiatiνe. the centre of the board.
29.gxf4 41 ... ~g7 42. ~c6
If 29 ..ί:tf3, then 29 ... lιe5 looks not bad. Now there was νery interesting 42.
29 ... g5 ~b6!? lιd8 43 ..t[b8 lιc7 44.~a8 with White's
This is a game "for three possible re- chances to win.
sults" Black makes a νery demanding moνe 42 ... ~f7 43 ...t>el lιg4 44.a3 Jtxf3
ίη the struggle for a success. 29 ... lιb2! Black intends to win and is planning a
looked nice and now if 30.lιxc6, then counter pawn sacrifice ίη order to open the
30 ... lιcl. way for the black bishop. 44 .. .lιc8 is an-
30.lιxc6 otherway.
White refuses the other principal way 45.lιxf3 e4
connected with 30.fxg5!? ~xf2+ 31.<;tohl Looks νery strong but the simplest pos-
J::td8 32.1:tel, probably, with a draw. sibility is 45 ... ~a2! and if 45.~xf6, then
30 ... gxf4 31 ..ttd3 ~g6+ after 45 ... ~g8 46.lιg4 ~bl+ 47 ...t>e2 ~c2+
If31 ... I:ι.g8, White had to play like it was the game could end with a perpetual check.
ίη the game - 32.~Ω, as it was bad to play 46.lιxe4 ~c4 4:7. ~d5
32.Whl?! because of a spectacular tactic
strike 32 ... Jtb7! 33 ...txb7 ~g7.
32.~f1 ..tg7
32 ... Jtf6!? was νery interesting also.
33.I:td6
White did not like 33 ...txb5 because of
33 ... e5.
33 ... ~h5 34. ~f3 ~xh2
Of course, Black would not exchange
queens.
35.tLJel
White did not take a risk to get the
pawn back by 35.lιxb5. Probably, after 47 ... lιc3+?!
35 ... e5 36.lιd7 the moνe 36 ... e4 looked This is a critical moment ίη the game.
strong and now it is not possible to play Black sacrificed one pawn but did not take
37.~xe4? because of 37 ... ..txd7 38.1:txd7 a risk to sacrificeanother. Mter 47 ... ~cl+,
~h3+. the moνe 48 ...t>e2 was bad owing to 48 ... f3 !
35 ... a6?! 49 ...t>xf.3 (49.~f3? .ic3! 50.~dl ~e8 5U;iJd3
The alternatiνe is 35 ... e5! and if ~xa3) 49 ... Jte7! 50.~e2 ~b2+ 51.~d2 ~e5
36.lιxb5, then 36 ... Jth3+ 37 ...t>e2 ~f5 with and Black had to win after 52.Itd4 ~f6.
the following e5-e4. Mter the inaccurate ΟηΙΥ 48 ...t>dl! ~xa3 49 ...t>fi ~h3+ (ίη case
moνe ίη the game White manages to con- of 49 ... ~xM after 50 ..ϊ::ιχf6 ~xf6 51. ~d8+
solidate again. <;tog7 52.~e7+ J:::tf7 53.~g5+ the game ends
36...t>e2 ~h6 37.~e4 ~f6 38.tLJf3 ~e7 bya perpetual check) 50.lιg2 ~c3 51.lιe4
Black refuses an actiνe 38 ... ~al, prob- keeps the balance because Black cannot
ably being afraid of 39.tLJg5, but after improνe his position. Mter the moνe ίη the
39 ... f3+! 40.tLJxf3 lιc3 41. ~h4 ~b2+ game, οηlΥ White keeps some chances.
42.tLJd2 lιxb4 43 ..t[d8 ~xd8 44.~d8+ ..t>g7 48.<;todl ~f1+ 49 ...t>c2 .iιg7 50.f3
45.~e7+ the struggle has to finish by a If 5ω::Ιχa6, there is the οηlΥ way to a
perpetual check. draw: 50 ... f3 51.~a8 ~e2+ 52.ΦcΙ ~b2+
39:~d3 e5 40 ..te4 .tf6 41:~d5! 53.ΦdΙ ~e2+
Japfa Classic
50.. :~e2+ 51:~d2 ~c4+ 52.<;t>dl ~b3+
53.Φe2 ~c4+
If 53 ... ~xa3, then 54.1:ιd8 is possible and
if 54 ... ~b3, then 55.c6!? looks nice and
Black remains with his problems. The
other way to try to win was shown after
the game by Karpov himself: 55.1:ιχf8+
..I1.xf8 56.~xf4 ~c4+ 57.<;t>g3. Probably
Black had to venture οη 53 ... ~xa3 because
he could not improve his play further.
54.~d3
Now White by means of 55.Φf2! could
tilt the balance to his advantage, because
after 55 ... ..I1.c3 (ίη case of 55 ... .ltf6? after
an unexpected 56.I:txf6! I:txf6 57 ..ltd5 the
black queen is ίη a trap ίη the centre of
the broad under so small number of
pieces!) the favourite method of Karpov,
namely a play for domination 55. ~d5! a
most welcome. Mter, for example, 55 ...
~xd5 56 ..ltxd5 a5 57.c6 1:ιc8 58 ...I1.e6 I:tc7
59.a4! White gets a pair of pawns that is
supported by all his pieces.
54 ... ~a2+ 55.'it>f1 ~al+ 56.~bl ~c3
56 ... ~xa3 is bad here because οf57.1:ιd3!
and if 57 ... .ltc3 (57 ... ~a1 58.~xa1 .ltxa1
59 ...I1.b7+-; 57 ... ~a4 58 . ..I1.xh7!?, or 58.
..I1.b7!), then 58.c6!? (now 58.jιb7 is not so
convincing because of 58 ... ~xb4 59. ~xb4
..I1.xb4 60.c6 ~a5 61.1:ιd7 1:ιd8 62.c7 ~xc7
63.1:ιχc7 Jld6) 58 ... ~xb4 59. ~c2! ..I1.f6 60.c7
~c4+ 61.~xc4 bxc4 62.1:ιd7 c3 63.<;t>e2 and
White wins.
57.~d3 ~f6 58.'it>e2 ~h6 59.l::!.d7 ~e8
If 59 ... ~h2+, then 60.'it>d3
60. ~d3 ~f6 61. ~d5 ~b2+ 62.'>t>f1
~cl+
Ιη case of 62 ... ~xa3 the decisive is
63. ~f5 and White wins.
63.~dl ~c4+
63 ... ~xa3, and White wins by 64.~xg7!
~xe4 (ίη case of 64 ... Φχg7 - 65.~d7+)
65.1:ιg4 and Black cannot escape the check-
mate.
64.'it>f2 ~a2+ 65.~d2 ~e6
Mter 65 ... ~xa3 White's c-pawn plays a
decisive role, as it happened ίη the game.
66.c6 ~h6 67.~d3!
99
The White's pieces οη light squares pro-
tect each other depriving Black of a slight-
est hope for a counterplay.
67 ... ~h2+ 68.Qf1 '§hl+ 69.Φe2 ~h2+
70.ΦdΙ ~gl+ 71.Φc2 ~al 72.kί.d8
An immediate 72.c7 also led to a win.
72 ... ~b2+ 73.ΦdΙ ~al+ 74.Φe2 ~b2+
75.Φf1 ~al+ 76.'it>g2 ~a2+ 77.ΦhΙ ~al+
78.Φh2 ~a2+ 79.~d2 ~xd2+ 80.1::!.xd2
..I1.e5 81.tιd7 J:tc8
If 81 ... h5, then 82.c7.
82.J:txh7+ 'it>g8 83.J::!.a7 1-0
57 Β12
Κhalifman - Adianto
Round 7 29.04
Notes by A.Khalifman
l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5
Ιhad to win this game to keep chances
for a victory ίη the tournament. 80 the
Closed 8ystem of the Caro-Kann Defence
suited me very well. From the very first
move White gains certain space advantage
ίη this system and keeps the whole set of
pieces οη the board, preventing Black from
forcing a draw by exchanges .
3 ... jιf5 4.4Jc3 e6 5.g4 ..I1.g6 6.4Jge2 c5
7.jιe3
This continuation is less drastic than
7.h4, still it is rather venomous too.
7 ... 4Jc6 8.dxc5 4Jxe5 9.4Jd4 4Jf6?!
Black's choice is far from the best. Well,
ίη such a complex position Black has vari-
ous opportunities to make a mistake. 80,
there was ηο 9 ... jιxc5? because of10 ..ltb5+
4Jd7 11.4Jxe6. The move 9 ... a6? has a bad
reputation because of10.f4! 4Jc4Cafter 10 ...
4Jc6 11.f5 4Jxd4 12. ~xd4! exf5 13. ~a4+
~d7 14 ...I1.b5 Bla'ck loses immediately)
11.jιxc4 dxc4 12.f5 exf5 13.gxf5 ~e7
14.Φd2. Ιη the game Van der Wiel -
Timman, Wijk aan Zee 1982, Black failed
to get a sufficient compensation for the
piece and soon lost. Α quick defeat is pos-
sible also after 9 ... 4Je7 because ofthe same
headlong advance ofWhite's f-pawn: 10.f4
4J5c6 11.4Jcb5 4Jc8 12.f5 exf5 13.gxf5 ~h4+
 100 Super Tournαments 2000

14 ...if2 ~e4+ 15. ~e2 SΙh5 16. ~xe4+ dxe4 materia110sses after 19 ... ~xd2+ 20.J::txd2
17.lLJxc6 bxc618.lLJc7+ 'lt>d719.lLJxa8+- Van lLJf6 21.gxf5 as there was ηο 21 ... ..ixf5 be-
der Wie1- Ljubojeνic, Brusse1s 1987. The cause of22.lLJe7+, White capturing B1ack's
most persistent continuation is 9 ... lLJc6 bishop οη f5.
10 ...ib5 IJ:c8, but eνen this 1ine is not abso- 15.~e2!
1ute1y c1ear. An important intermediate moνe.
10.f4lLJed7?! 15 ... ~d6
Α new moνe, but rather dubious. B1ack Of course there was ηο 15 ... axb5?? be-
did not νenture to p1ay the position after cause of the check 16 ...I1..b6+. Ιη case of
10 ... lLJexg4 11 ...ib5+ Φe7 which occurred 15 ... lLJe4 White continued the attack with
ίη the game Braga - Timman, Mar de1 16 ...ia4! 1ike ίη the game.
P1ata 1982. White's erroneous moνe 16. ..ia4 ί4
12.SΙg1? allowed B1ack to gain a good p1ay B1ack wants to reanimate his 1ight-
after 12 ... ~c713.c6 b614.~e2 ~xf4. Much squared bishop and decrease White's at-
stronger was 12. ~e2! to be followed by tacking potentia1 by a queen exchange. Α
13.0-0-0 with White's good attacking pros- greedy 16 ... fxg4 wou1d be punished at once.
pects. As for the retreat 10 ... lLJc4 which White might deνe10p his attack with
J. Timman had recommended 18 years ago, 17 ...ig5+ lLJe4 (17 ... .lte4 was 10sing because
it was tested recent1y ίη the game Roeh1- of 18 ..ltxf6 ~xf6 19.1LJxe4 dxe4 20. ~xe4+
Ordonez, Va1encia 2000. ~e6 21.lLJe5 as well as 17 ... ~e6 owing to
18.lLJe5 0-0-0 19.1LJxd7 ) 18.0-0-0! (the 1ine
18.k:!.d1 ~e6 19.1LJe5 was 1ess c1ear because
of19.lLJec5 20.lLJxd5 Jιd6) 18 ... ~e6 19.1LJxd5
(there was a1ready ηο 19.1LJe5 ίη this 1ine
due to 19 ... lLJxc3) 19 ... ..I1..d6, now para1ys-
ing the b1ack king abso1ute1y with 20.Jιe7!.
The tactica1 trick 20 ... .ltf4+!? was use1ess
because οf21.Φb1! (ηο 21.lLJxf4?? to be fo1-
10wed by 21 ... ~xa2) 21 ... lLJec5 22.1:ιhe1.
B1ack gained nothing a1so with 16 ... lLJe4
as after 17.lLJxe4 fxe418.0-0-0 White soon
opened up the position with c2-c4, thus
1l.f5! getting a decisiνe adνantage.
Α standard but still efficient continua- 17.Jιxί4+ ~e6 18.g5!
tion which allows to b10ck up B1ack's 1ight- B1ack's pieces can haνe ηο rest. Mter
squared bishop and destroy the centre. 18.lLJe5 0-0-0 he got offlight1y.
1l ... exf512.c6! 18... ~xe2+ 19.'it>xe2lLJh5
White prepares a conνenient square for B1ack's knight is forced to retreat to the
his knight οη the queenside which has got edge of the board, 1eaνing the d5-pawn
weakened without the 1ight-squared undefended.
bishop. 12.gxf5 was weaker because of 20 ...ie3 ..if5
. 12 ... ..ih5 13.SΙe2 ~e7 Mter 20 ... ..id6 2Ulad1 lLJf4+ 22.Jιxf4
12 ...bxc6 13.lLJxc6 ~c7 14 ...ib5 a6 ..I1..xf4 23.Φf3 White's major pieces οη cen-
B1ack cou1d haνe tried to accomp1ish tra1 fi1es wou1d shaot down the black king
has deνe10pment with 14 ... Jιd6, but after right at home.
the forced 15.lLJxd5 lLJxd5 16. ~xd5 ο-ο 21.lLJxd5
17.0-0-0 ..if4 18 ...ixf4 ~xf4+ White had a White got one more fighter ίη the cen-
strong retort of 19. ~d2!, leading Black to tre of the board.
Jαpfα Clαssic 101

21 ... .I1ιd6 22.'it>f2 .I1ιh3 tournament ίη Linares White struggled for

There was ηο 22 ... 0-0? because of an adνantage with 8. bxa5 dxc3 9. ~xg7 .tig8
23.CL:Jce7 +- 10. ~xh7 CL:Jbc6 11.f4 ~xa5 12.CL:Jf3 jιd7
23.:tadl ί6 13.1:ϊb1. Well, this opening duel was con-
tinued later at Dortmund 2000.
8 •.. .I1ιc7 9.~xg7 1;lg8 10.~xh7 a6
11.CL:Jxc7+ ~xc7 12 ..I1ιb2 ~xe5+ 13.CL:Je2
~c7 14.CL:Jg3?!
Α dubious noνelty. Probably my ορρο­
nent did not like both 14.CL:Jxd4 and
14.jιxd4 because of 14 ... e5, but it was
worth attention to play here 14.f4 CL:Jbc6
15. ~d3 CL:Jf5 16.0-ό-0 as ίη the game Νunη
- Κinsman, London 1993.
14 ... e5
Now Black has a powerful centre and a
24.CL:Jb6! νery attractiνe position.
Mter this strong response Black should 15.jιe2
suffer great materiallosses ineνitably. If 15.CL:Jh5, threatening with CL:Jf6+, then
24 ... CL:Jxb6 25 ..I1ιxb6 ο-ο it is possible to play 15 ... ~d6. Ν ow ifWhite
Black parts with the piece ίη order to continues with 15.0-0-0, then Black can
preνent a mate from White's two bishops
answer with 15 ... jιe6 as ίη the game be-
after 25 ... iιf4 26.CL:Je5+ We7 27 ..I1ιc5+ <;t>e6 cause there is ηο 16.CL:Jh5? because of
28 . .I1ιd7+ <;t>xe5 29 ..I1ιd6+ We4 30.Mhe1+ 16 ... jιf5 .
.I1ιe3+ 31.Mxe3#
15 .•. jιe6 16.f4?
26.1':!:xd6 fxg5+ 27.'it>e31':!:ae8+ 28.<;t>d2 White is trying to break Black's centre.
White's king made without trouble a Howeνer he chose an improper moment.
short journey and found a safe shelter οη After 16.CL:Jh5 it was possible to play
the queenside. The rest was not at all dif- 16 ... CL:Jd7, and if 17.CL:Jg7+ (ίη case of the
ficult, an extra piece guaranteed White's relatiνely better 17.1:tc1 Black had a last-
νictory.
ing ίηί tia ti νe after 17 ... 0-0-0), then
28 ••• CL:Jf6 29.nd8 h5 30.nxe8 CL:Jxe8 17 ... 1':!:xg7 18.~xg7 ~xc2 with Black's ex-
31 •.I1ιc5 1':!:ί4 32.CL:Je7+ 'it>f7 33 ..I1ιb3+ .I1ιe6 cellent position. For White to play 16.0-0
34..I1ιxe6+ <;t>xe6 35.1:tel+ 'it>d7 36.CL:Jg61':!:f5 was better. 80 after 16 ... CL:Jbc6 (the posi-
37.1':!:e7+ 'it>c6 38.1:txe8 1-0 tion was unclear ίη case of 16 ... CL:Jd7 17.f4
CL:Jf6 18.~d3) 17.f4 exf4 18.CL:Jh5 0-0-0
58 C17
19.CL:Jxf4 Mh8 20. ~d3 CL:Jf5!? (Black gains ηο
Timman - Khalifman
particular adνantage with 20 ... .I1ιf5 because
Round 8 30.04
Notes by A.Khαlifmαn of21. ~d2) 21.b5 CL:Je5 22. ~b3 axb5 23. ~xb5
(if23.a4, then after 23 ... CL:Je3 the knight ίη
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.CL:Jc3 jιb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 the opponent's camp reinforces Black's at-
jιa5 6.b4 cxd4 7:~g4 CL:Je7 8.CL:Jb5 tacking potential) 23 ... CL:Jg6 Black had cer-
The French Defence is nowadays one of tain chances to organize an attack οη the
the sharpest possible ways to struggle white king, but the main struggle was still
against e2-e4. For this game it was an ideal ahead.
choice (ίη the situation when Ι was 0,5 16... exf4 17.CL:Jh5 ~e5!
point behind the leader). Ιη the game Of course complications after 17 ... Mxg2
V.Anand - A.Khalifman at the recent 18.CL:Jf6+ Φd8 19 ..ixd4 did not suit me.
102
18.0-0?
Actually, this loses immediately. Also
18. ~h6 was bad for White because of
18 ... tLJg6! as there was ηο satisfactory de-
fence against 19 ... J:!:h8. Then, White had
ηο 18.0-0-0 because of 18 ... i.f5 19.i.xd4
(ίη case of 19. ~h6 J:!:g6 20. ~xf4 ~xe2
White also lost a piece) 19 ... ~xe2, and for
the bishop he οηlΥ had two quite useless
checks 20.tLJf6+ <t>d8 and 21.i.b6+ 'it>c8. The
matters were a bit more complicated ίη
case of 18 ..ί:[f1 .ί:tg2 19.tLJxf4 i.g4 20.0-0-0,
but eνen here after 20 ... i.xe2 21.tLJxe2
~xh2 22.l:Id1 tLJbc6 Black's adνantage was
most likely enough to win the game. ΟηΙΥ
a quiet 18.<t>f1! maintained the struggle,
though Black still had a considerable ρΙ us
after 18 ... tLJbc6 (18 ... J:::!.xg2 was weaker be-
cause of 19.i..f3) 19.11e1 ~h8 20.i.d111xh7
21.~xe5 tLJxe5 22.tLJf6+ 'it>d8 23.tLJxh7 tLJf5
18 ....tf5!
This refutes White's idea. Α rash
18 ... ~xe2? made a draw possible for him
by means of a perpetual check: 19.tLJf6+
'it>f8 20.~h6+ tίg7 21.tLJh7+ <t>g8 22.tLJf6+
19.~h6l:Ig6 20.~xf4 ~xg2+!?
Black does not giνe a sign of counter-
play for the opponent. After 20 ... ~xe2
21.tLJg3 ~g4 22. ~c7 tLJbc6 Black won eas-
ίΙΥ, haνing an extra piece.
21.\t>xg2 ~xe2+ 22.'it>g3
If22.1:!:f2 or 22.~f2, then 22 ... ~xh5 was
enough for a νictory.
22 ... ~xh5
It's oνer now, Black has a decisiνe ma-
terial adνantage, his king's position is
much safer than his counterpart's, and the
Super Tournαments 2000
undeνeloped queenside pieces willjoin the
attack in a couple of moνes. 80 ifformally
this game can't be called a miniature -
objectiνely it is. White might resign ήght
now, instead ofthis seνeral moνes followed:
23.i.xd4 tLJbc6 24.J:::!.ael
Ιη case of 24.c3 the solution was
24 ... tLJxd4 25.cxd4 ..I1..e4 to be followed by
26 ... tLJf5+
24 ... tLJxd4 25.~xd4 ~h3+ 26.<t>f2
~xh2+ 0-1
8urely J.Timman did not want to play
the position after 27.<t>e3 ~c8. The follow-
ing νariation looks more than conνincing:
28.~e2 ~g3+ 29.~f3 (if 29.'it>d2, then
29 ... Mxc2+ 30.\t>d1 ~xe2 31.'it>xe2 ~xa3)
29 ... ~gl+ 30.1Hf2'l:ί.c4 31.~h8+ 'it>d7, and
a mate to White's king can be delayed οηlΥ
with great materiallosses.
59 Β87
Milos - Polgar
Round 9 2.05
l.e4 c5 2.tLJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.tLJxd4
tLJf6 5.tLJc3 a6 6 ...I1..c4 e6 7.i.b3
The 80zin Attack is one of the keenest
responses to the NajdorfVariation, chosen
by Black. It will be hard for her to com-
plete the deνelopment and preνent White's
blows from e6, d5 and f5 at the same time.
7 ... b5 8.0-0 ..I1..e7 9.~f3 ~b6 10.i.e3
~b7 11.~g3 tLJbd7 12.f3
White made a solid moνe, probably eνen
too solid. There was ηο sense ίη the cap-
ture 12. ~xg7 for White as it οηlΥ increased
the actiνity ofBlack's pieces after 12 ... 1:!:g8
13.~h6 b4 14.tLJce2 i.f8 15.~h3 ~xe4. If
he wanted, White could haνe proνoked
great complications right now with 12.tLJf5
exf5 13.~xg7 ~f8 14.tLJd5 or play 12.1He1,
preparing a crafty strike for the natural
12 ... tLJc5?! (12 ... b4 or 12 ... 0-0 would be
more acceptable for Black), namely 13.
tLJf5!, as after 13 ... tLJxb3 (in case of13 ... exf5
there was 14.~xg7 .ί:tf8 15 ..txc5 dxc5
16.exf5 with an attack) 14.tLJxg7+ he orga-
nized a νery dangerous attack οη Black's
Jap{a CΙassic
king.
12 ... tZ'Jc5!
B1ack rejected 12 ... 0-0 because of
13.tZ'Jd5! exd5? 14.tZ'Jf5. An intermediate
12 ... b4 after 13.tZ'Jce2 ο-ο 14 ...Ith6 tZ'Je8
15 ...Ita4 (threatening with i.a4-c6) allowed
White to open up the c-fi1e for his queen-
side pieces with c2-c3.
13 ..ϊ:ι.fdΙ
White does not try to comp1icate the
p1ay. There was an interesting opportunity
of 13. 'ff:fxg7 1:tg8 14. 'ff:fh6 with the following
exemp1ary νariations: 14 ... e5 (B1ack had
a1so 14 ... b4!? 15.tZ'Ja4 tZ'Jxb3 16.cxb3 e5
17.tZ'Jc21:tg6 18.'ff:fh4 d5 19.exd5 ..Itf5 with a
compensation for the sacήficed material)
15.tZ'Jf5 (ηο 15.tZ'Jde2? because of 15 ... tZ'Jxb3
16.axb3 Itg6 17. 'ff:fh4 tZ'Jg4, B1ack winning
the game, but 15.tZ'Jd5 or 15 ..lid5 deserνed
attention) 15 ... i.xf5 16.exf5 tZ'Jxb3 17.axb3
b4 (an immediate combination 17 ... ,Uxg2+
18:it>xg2 tZ'Jg419.'ff:fxh7liJxe3+ 20.'it>h1liJxf1
21.1:txf1 does not 1et B1ack gain anything)
18.tZ'Ja4 (ίη case of 18.tZ'Jd1 there was
18 ... 'ff:fc8, attacking f5 and g2) 18 ... J:.xg2+!
19.Φχg2 tZ'Jg4 20. 'ff:fxh7 tZ'Jxe3+ 2U~(h1 tZ'Jxf1
22.Ϊίχf11:tc8 with a νery keen position.
13 .....Itd7 14.'it>hl
Now the capture of the pawn 14.
'ff:fxg7 100ked a1ready more risky. After
14 ... ki.g8 15. 'ff:fh6 b4 16.tZ'Jce2 tZ'Jxb3 17.cxb3
(there was ηο 17.tZ'Jxb3 because of 17 ... Iig6
18.'ff:fh3 e5 19.94, and now 19 ... tZ'Jxg4!)
17 ... e5 18.tZ'Jf5 (ίη case of 18.tZ'Jc2 B1ack had
a νery strong 18 ... tZ'Jxe4!) 18 ... ..Itxf5 19.exf5
'ff:fxf3 B1ack had a dangerous attack.
14...b4 15.tZ'Jce2 ο-ο
B1ack arranged her pieces ideally οη the
queenside (tZ'Jc5+i.d7), and now the pas-
siνe position ofthe b3-bishop becomes eνi­
dent.
16...Ith6 tZ'Je8 17.c4?!
As a matter of fact, with this moνe
White parts with the pawn. Ιη case of
17.1:td2 B1ack cou1d haνe reinforced his
position still more with 17 ... a5, though
without any concrete threats to White.
17 ...bxc3 18.tZ'Jxc3 .lif6 19...Itg5 .lixd4
103
2ω::tχd4 tZ'Jxb3 21.axb3 f6 22 ...Itd2
There was a1so 22 ...Ith6 to be followed
by 22 ... Wh8 23 ...Itc1 ti'xb3.
22 ... 'ff:fxb3
B1ack has a hea1thy extra pawn, how-
eνer the presence ofthe opposite-co1oured
bishops οη the board makes the achieνe­
ment ofhis adνantage somewhat difficu1t.
23.tZ'Jdl a5 24. ti'el ti'b6 25.1:td3 a4
26...Itb4 Itf'127.'ff:fd2?!
J.Mi1os considers 27 ...Ita3 more precise.
27 ... .ib5 28.1:td4 e5 29.1:td5 1:tb7 30.
..Itc3
The capture 30 ...Itxd6 after 30 ... .ic4
31 ..lic5 'ff:fc7 32 ..lid6 'ff:ff7 resulted ίη a 10ss
of an exchange.
30.....Itc6 31.~d3 ti'a6
Ιη case of 31 ... ..Itb5 32 ..sd5 ..Itc4 33.~a5
the position gets just simp1er.
32.tZ'Je3 .lib5 33.1:td5
There was ηο tactica1 b10w 33.b3 ..Itxd3
34.1:txa4 because of 34 ... ~xb3! 35.1:txa6
.sxa6 36.'ff:fxd3 .sa1+ with a νictory.
33•.. 'ff:fb6 34.tZ'Jf5 1:ιa6 35.1:ιdΙ?!
There was a more persistent 35.~c1.
35 •.• ..Itc4!
Α simp1e combination decides the game
ίη B1ack's faνour.
36.tZ'Jxd6 tZ'Jxd6 37 .~xd6 'ff:fxd6 38.
'ff:fxd6 nxd6 39.1:txd6 a3!
The who1e combination was based οη
the insufficient protection ofthe c3-bishop.
40.b4 1:tc7 41.Wgl .ib5 42 . ..Itd2 a2
43.I:ι.d8+ r;t>f'1 44.1:ta81:tc2 0-1
If 45 ...Ite3, then 45 ... .ί:tb2, and White
10ses a piece for B1ack's passed pawn.
104 Super Tournαments 2000

Leonid Stein Memorial

Lviv 12.05-22.05, cat.17

4 5 6

1 Iνanchuk 2709 1= 1= 11 - - 7

2 Κrasenkow 2661 1= 1= 1= 6

3 Beliaνsky 2640 0= -- 0= 5

4 Gelfand 2692 0= 0= =1 4.5

5 Κorchnoi 2659 00 0= - - 4.5

6 Romanishin 2578 -- 0= 10 =0 3

Ιn this international tournament dedicated to the talented Ukrainian GM Leonid

Stein only players from former USSR participated: two representatiνes of Lνiν (the
Ukraine) - Iνanchuk and Romanishin, the Lνiν born - Beliaνsky - played for Sloνenia,
Gelfand from Minsk represented Israel, Korchnoi from Leningrad - Switzerland,
Κrasenkow - Poland.
Iνanchuk and Κrasenkow made a good start: both won two games ίn the first rounds.
The game between them ίn the third round ended ίn a draw. Ιn the fourth round
Κrasenkow won again (game 63) and Iνanchuk drew. And only after the fifth round
when Beliaνsky defeat oνer Κrasenkow (game 65), Iνanchuk led the tournament (game
64). Both the leaders finished the first half ofthe tournament a breakaway: Iνanchuk-
4 points (out of 5), Κrasenkow -3.5, Beliaνsky, Κorchnoi and Romanishin - 2, Gelfand-
1.5. The result ofthe tournament was almost the same, only Gelfand bettered his posi-
tion and gained fourth place.

V. Ivanchuk: "The tournament is organized νery well, there are lots of spectators.
Ιn contrast to the last Linares-2000 this tournament has a lot of effectiνe games ... Of
course, public likes all that. The idea ofthe tournament has been suggested a long time
ago, but they haνe not managed to collect enough money. This time the money were
collected with the help of Lνiν Grand Hotel and the sponsors from Poland. Ι wish that
this tournament would not be only one. Ifit is annual, that will stimulate the deνelop­
ment of chess. Ιn our country people are νery interested ίn this game. It was quite
noticeable ίn this tournament eνery day the playing hall was oνercrowded and the spec-
tators did not walk away until the last moνe. As to Europe, che~~s deνelops actiνely only
ίn Spain and Holland. Ι hope that chess will be more popular ίn the Ukraine also."
Leonid Stein Memoriαl
60 Α17
Κrasenkow - Romanishin
Round 1 12.05
l.tΔf3 tΔf6 2.c4 e6 3.tΔc3 i-b4 4.g4!?
This is a relatiνely quiet line of the
Nimzowitsch νaήatίοη ofthe English open-
ing, where White chooses a new-fashioned
and νery aggressiνe plan, which was intro-
duced into practice at FIDE World Cham-
pionship ίη Gronningen ίη 1997.
4 ... 0-0
Α bold decision. Black castles his king
to the part ofthe board that may go under
a serious attack. It is usual to make here a
cautious moνe 4 ... h6, to which White usu-
ally strengthens the threat g4-g5 by 5.ng1
with further h2-h4.
5.g5 tΔe8 6:~c2 d5 7.b3 Jιe7
Α new moνe. 7 ... tΔc6 has been played ίη
this position before.
8.~gl c5
8 ... d4 made it possible for White to play
9.exd4 cxd4 10.tΔe4 bήηgiηg the knight
closer to the black king.
9.e3 tΔc6 10.Jιd3 f5
It turns out that Black has to weaken
his position οη the queenside. The tactical
solution 10 ... tΔb4 11.i-xh7+ ~h8 12.'~b1
and now 12 ... d4 (it is not possible to play
12 ... g6 because of 13.Jιxg6 fxg6 14.tΔe5
with an attack) with an idea to adνance the
d-pawn ίη case the knight retreats, White
destroys Black's plans by 13.~e4! with a
decisiνe attack. If10 ... g6, white would play
11.a3 with further moνing the h-pawn.
11.gxf6 tΔxf6 12.a3 ~e8
Ιη case of 12 ... d4 13.tΔe4 tΔxe4 14.i-xe4
d3 White after 15.~b1 and further J::!.g1-g3
attξlcks the d3-pawn.
13.Jιb2 ~h5 14.Jιe2 d4
Now, when the white bishop has moνed
from the attacking position at the d3-
square, Black starts the tactical com-
plications.
15.tΔxd4!
The introduction to some interesting
tactical complications.
105
15 ... tΔxd4 16.exd4 ~xh2 17.0-0-0
cxd4 18.tΔe4 ~f4
This moνe looks νery dangerous. It is
not possible to grab the h-pawn after the
preliminary 18... tΔxe419.~xe4 by 19 ... ':xf2
(not 19 ... ~xf2 because of the mortal
20.1:txg7+!) owing to 20.Jιxd4 Jιxa3+
21.~bl 1:tf7 22.1:thl 1:tf4 23. ~e5 ~g3
24.1:thg1! and White comes to the black
king.
19.Jιd3 tΔxe4 20.Jιxe4 h6 21.Jιxd4
Jιf6?
The culmination of the whole game.
Black had to play 21 ... Jιxa3+ 22.~b1 e5
23.Jιe3 (if 23.JιΙ7+ ~h8 24.Jιe3, then
24 ... Jιf5) and then he found a νery strong
reply 23 ... ~xe4! which after 24. ~xe4 i-f5
25. ~xf5 kί.xf5 26.Jιxh6 J::tf7 would lead to
an equal endgame.
22.Jιe3 ~d6
Mter 22 ... ~c7 23.d4 Black's position is
not easy as well.
23.c5 ~a6 24.a4 ~a5
Clouds gathered oνer the black king.
Mter 24 ... Φh8 25.1::!.h1 there is ηο defence
from the h6-strike.
25.Jιxh6 ~b4
26.kί.xg7+!
The rook destroys the black king's posi-
tion and results ίη the White's νictory.
26 ... Jιxg7 27.Jιh7+ Φh8 28.i-xg7+
Φχg7 29.~g6+ Φh8 30.~h51:txf2
Mter 30 ... ~a3+ 31.Φc2 ~a2+ 32.Φc3
the white king easily escapes from the
checks of the black queen.
31.i-e4+ Φg7 32.kί.gl+ Φf8 33.~h6+
106
Φe7 34.z:tg7+ ~π
The quick end was coming also after
34 ... 'ίt>e8 35.~h5+.
35.~g5+Φe8 36.l::tg8+ 1-0
The checkmate is inevitable: 36 ... 1:ιf8
37.~h5+ Φe7 38.1:ιg7+ Φd8 39.~g5+ 'ίt>e8
40.~e7#.
61 Α31
Gelfand - Ivanchuk
Round 2 13.05
l.tΔf3 c5 2.c4 tΔc6
The most fashionable way to struggle
with 1.tΔf3.
3.d4
White advances the d-pawn imme-
diately. Ifhe postpones it by 3.tΔc3, Black
will prevent it for a long time by 3 ... e5 or
3 ... tΔd4.
3 ... cxd4 4.tΔxd4 tΔf6 5.g3 ~b6 6.tΔb3
e6 7 ..ίιg2 tΔe5 8.~c2
Ιη case of 8.tΔ1d2 Black combines the
development of his pieces with the pres-
sure οη the white c-pawn by 8 ... d6 9.0-0
.ίιd7 10. ~c2 rιc8 11. ~c3 ~a6 as it was
played ίη the game Korchnoi - Zagorskis,
Hamburg 1997.
8 ... ~a6
8 ... d6 is the alternative to this move.
9.c5
Ιη case of 9.tΔ1d2 d6 the game would
result ίη the above line.
9 ... d5 10.cxd6 .txd6 11.0-0 .td7
12.tΔc3 'sc8 13.1:ιdΙ iιe7
Black cautiously retreats by his bishop.
Ιη case of 13 ... 0-0?! he would have played
without a pawn after 14.iιxb7 ~xb7
15.1:ιΧd6.
14 ..tf4 tΔc4 15.tΔd2 tΔxd2 16.~xd2
ο-ο 17.iιd6 iιxd6 18.~xd6 iιc6 19.'sd4
White is looking for chances to sharpen
the game. It was possible to protect the b2-
pawn by 19..!::rd2. Mter 19 ... ~a5 (the end-
game after 19 ... iιxg2 20. ~xa6 bxa6 21.
Φχg2 gives White better chances) 20.z:tad1
iιxg2 21.Φχg2 and now the preventive
21 ... h6!? with further J:.c8-c6 makes it pos-
Super Tournαments 2000
sible for Black to keep the balance. At the
same time, the attractive tactical blow
21 ... 1:ιχc3?! 22.bxc3 tΔe4 after 23. ~b4!
(23. ~d8 gives nothing because of23 ... ~f5)
23 ... ~xb4 24.cxb4 tΔxd2 25.~xd2 would
result ίη a hard rook ending for Black.
19... ~b6
Threats of z:tf (a)-d8 and ~b6xb2 force
White to further simplifications.
20.~b4 ~xb4 21.l::txb4 b6 22.l::tdl h6
23 ..txc6l::txc6 24.l::ta4l::ta8 25.1aad4l::tcc8
26.e4
White is playing for a victory and ίη­
tends to push the black knight from the f6-
square by e4-e5. 26.f3!? was worth atten-
tion; it could prepare a path for the king to
the centre of the board.
26 ... tΔg4!?
Α bold move. Black had to calculate all
the consequences. There was a way to re-
sist by 26 ... e5 27.'sd6 'sc4 28.f3 Φf8 and
moving the king to the centre.
27.f4
White does not intend to let the knight
to the e5-square, but now it has another
route.
27 ... tΔe3 28.1:ιΙd3 tΔc4 29.b3?!
White has to pay a lot for this dubious
move. Mter 29.tΔd1 Φf8 (if 29 ... 1:ιc7, then
30.1:ιd8+ should be considered) 30.'sd7 'ίt>e8
with further 1:ιc8-d8 Black could equalize
the game step by step.
29 ... tΔb2!
The black knight makes a brave cruise
over the white's rear. Anyway, Black has
ηο choice. Mter 29 ... tΔa3? 30.1:ιd7 his posi-
Leonid Stein Memoriαl
tion would become rather embarrassing.
Another thing is that Black should haνe
considered this moνe when he played lZJf6-
g4.
30.~e3
30.~d2 ~xc3 31.nxb2 J:ιac8 would result
ίη the same position as it was ίη the game.
30... ~c5 31.~d2 ~ac8 32.1:!.xb2
Mter 32.lZJe2 ~c2 33.~d7 a5 (it is also
possible to play 33 ... 'itf8 with the following
idea: if 34.~xa7 then 34 ... ~d8 with further
~d2) and now it is not good to play 34.lZJd4
because of 34 ... ~d2.
32 ...~xc3 33.nxc31:!.xc3 34.'itf2 g5!
Now it is obνious that the rook ending
is not easy for White. Probably he will not
manage to pass the appearing of weak-
nesses οη the kingside. The moνing of
pawns οη the kingside had negatiνe results,
as it can be seen from the game.
35.~e2
Ιη case of 35.fxg5 hxg5 the black king
would go to e5, for the e4-pawn.
35 ... Wg7 36.J:ιe3 ~cl 37.J::tel J::!.c5
38.~f3 ~g6
39.~e2?
Not long before the 40th moνe White
makes a decisiνe mistake. Ιη case of39.h3!
it seems that he could aνoid defeat. The
point is that after 39 ... nc3+ 40.J:te3 J:Ic2
41.J:te2 J:txe2 42.~xe2 gxf4 43.gxf4 'ith5
44.'itf3 a drawn pawn ending appeared. Of
course Black could try to find some chances
with rooks by 41 ... J:tcl, but White, howeνer,
was bound to end the game ίη a draw, play-
ing accurately.
107
39 ... J:ιc3+ 40.~e3
Ιη case of 40.Wg2 gxf4 41.gxf4 ~h5
Black's king has a direct route νia the g4-
square to thoughtlessly pushed out central
White's pawns or to the white h-pawn, if
he νentures οη thl~ adνance h2-h3.
40 ... J:tc241.J:td3
White has to giνe the pawn away. Mter
41.J:te2 J:txe2 42.~xe2 gxf4 43.gxf4 ~h5
44.~f3 'ith4 the pawn ending is hopeless.
Ιη case of 41.fxg5 Black has a νery pleas-
ant choice between a technically winning
rook endgame after 41 ... J:ιxa2 42.gxh6 J:txh2
and a possible pawn ending after 41 ... hxg5
42.J:te2 g4+! 43.~e3 J:txe2 44.~xe2, which
is also winning for Black - that is confirmed
by the following small analysis: 44 ... Φf6
45.Wd3 'ite5 46.'ite3 b5 47.b4 a6 48.a3 f5
49.exf5 ~xf5 50.Φd4 e5+ 51.'ite3 (Black's
taskis easier after51.Φd5 ~f6 52.Φe4~e6)
51 ... 'ite6 52.~e4 'itf6 (52 ... ~d6?? is bad be-
cause of53.~f5) 53.'ite3 '<ite7! (Black passed
round the mined e6-square) 54.'itf2 (Black
does not haνe anydifficulties after 54.Φd3
~d6 55.'ite3 '<itd5 or after 54.Φe4 'it>e6
55.Φe3 ~d5) 54 ... 'itd6 55.~g2 (planningto
make a distant passed pawn) 55 ... ~d5
56.h4 gxh3+ 57.~xh3 'ite4 58.'itg2 ~e3
59.~h3 (ίn case of 59.g4 'itf4 60.'ith3 e4
White loses his g-pawn) 59 ... 'itf3 60.g4 e4
and after the appearance of both queens,
the Black one moνes οη the hl-square with
a decisi νe effect.
41 ... J:txh2!
Black has a nice choice here. Probably
41 ... J:txa2 also led to a win, because after
42.J:td7 a5 43.J:tb7 J::ta3 44.J:txb6 there is
44 ... a4. Still Black's moνe, barring the
white rook's actiνization, should be ad-
mitted more accurate.
42.a4 J:tb2 43.nc3 h5 44.fxg5 'itxg5
45.J:ιd3 f6 46.~e2 e5 47 .nc3 a6 48.J:td3
.ι:!.c2 49.J:te3 b5 50.a5
The final is close. Mter 50.axb5 axb5
51.nd3 b4 the threat of exchanging rooks
J:tc2-c3 is decisiνe.
50...b4 5U:ίd3 ~c5
Ιη this situation with White's pawn οη
108 Super Tournαments 2000

the a5-square 51 ... 1::[c3? was a blunder ίη position. Ιη case of 20 ... c5 21.ctJd5 §d8
νiew of 52.~xc3 ~xc3 53. Φe3 Φg4 54. b4 and 22.bxc5 bxc5 23.tt4d2 ..Iι.b7 Black's position
the ending should result ίη a draw. is dubious due to eternal weakness of the
52.~M8 z:ι.xa5 53.Mg8+ Φh6 54 ..a:b81:!.c5 d5-square, though he managed to escape
55.1:ιΧb4 1:!.b5! the straight strategic danger.
White cannot exchange the rooks, and
this means that he will haνe two pawns
less.
56 ..ί:Ia4 1::[xb3+ 57.Φf2 .ί:ib6 58.Φf3 Φg5
59..ί:ia3 1::[c6 60.tta4 ttc3+ 0-1
Mter 61.Φf2 Φg4 62.ttxa6 1::[f3+ two ex-
tra pawns is enough for Black to win.

62 Ε12
Korchnoi - Romanishin
Round 3 14.05

l.d4 ctJf6 2.c4 e6 3.ctJf3 b6 4.ctJc3 .tb7 21.f4!

5.1ιg51ιe7 6.~c2 d6
It is always possible to find something
ίη a good position. This case is not and ex-
Commonly Black prefers here the plan
ception.
ofplaying against the centre starting from
21 ...ctJg6
moνes 6 ... h6 7 ...Iι.h4c5. There are a lot of
Of course it is not possible to capture
such games, for example, Ree - Korchnoi, 21 ... §xf4 because of 22.ctJf5 and the black
Wijk aan Zee 1985. queen is ίη a trap. 21 ... ctJd7 does not work
7.1::[dl ctJbd7 8.e4 h6 9.1ιcΙ because ofthe obνious 22.e5.
There is ηο point for White to go for 22.ctJg4 §e7
9.iιh4 because of the possible bishop ex- Actually, the following changed nothing:
change - this is one more reason to the 22 ... §h4 23.g3 §e7 (not 23 ... §h3 because
faνor of 6 ... h6.
of 24.f5 ctJe5 25.12Sf2 and we see the poor
9 ... ~c810.1ιe2 e5 11.0-00-0 12.ctJh4 destiny of the black queen again.) 24.e5
As a result of an original Black's inter- §d7 and now after 25.c5 (White should not
pretation of the Queen's Indian Defence, be greedy: after 25.exd6? c5 26.I:t4d2 ~xe2
he has not a chance for equality. Now White 27.I:txe2 §xg4 Black has a fine position)
has to choose: what is better - to transfer White has a huge positional adνantage.
the knight to the f5-square or just to get a 23.e5 dxe5?
closed position ίη the centre after 12.d5 Black feels abashed. Mter this moνe, he
ctJh7. But it is impossible to get both ways will haνe a piece less. Instead, he had to
together. tangle the game somehow, e.g., by 23 ... §d7.
12 ... exd4 13.ctJf5 1::[e8 14.1::[xd4 1ιf8 Now, for instance, after 24.ctJf2 (24.exd6 c5
15.1::[fdl ctJe5 16.ctJd5 ~d8 17.f3 ..Iι.c8 also giνes Black counter chances) there is
18.ctJfe3 c6 a possibility for 24 ... c5 25.bxc5 bxc5
Black has to abide White's knights at 26.I:t4d3 ctJh4 with a counter game. Due to
his own territory and therefore he tήes to this reason, to 23 ... §d7, the simplest way
simplify that looks quite logic, consi- for White is to get satisfied with a large
dering the adνantage ofWhite ίη space. positional adνantage after 24.c5!?
19.ctJxf6+ ~xf6 20.b4 ..Iι.b7? 24.1:ιd7 §xb4 25.1::[xb7 exf4 26.Φf1
Black misses a tactical blow, which is not !:!.e7 27.ttxe7 §xe7 28.J.f3 h5 29 ...Iι.xc6
a surprise, if we consider his constrained J:1d8
Leonid Stein Memoriαl
29 ... ~c8 is not a problem for White be-
cause of 30.iιd5! hxg4 31.'~xg6.
30.~xd8 ~xd8 31.1ZΊf2 ~h4 32 ..id5
iιc5 33.CΔh3 CΔe7 34 . .ixf4 ~f6 35.g3
~a1 + 36.~g2 CΔxd5 37.cxd5 ~d4 38.CUg5
~xd5+ 39.~e4 ~xe4+
Black could not avoid the queen ex-
change. Mter 39 ... ~d840.~h7+ ~f8 White
has a simple 41.CUe6+! fxe6 42.~h8+ ~e7
43 ..ig5+ and Black loses the queen.
40.CUxe4 iιd4 41.cud6 a6 42.~f3 .tc5
43.cub7 .ia3 44.~e4 f6 45.Φd5 1-0
63 D30
Gelfand - Krasenkow
Round 4 15.05
1.CUf3 d5 2.d4 c6 3.c4 e6 4.~c2
Black threatens to capture the c4-pawn,
and after 4.e3, M.Κrasenkow uses to play
4 ... f5, as he played with Bareev.
4 ... dxc4
Ιη case of 4 ... CΔf6, White probably would
transfer the game to the Semi-Slav De-
fence by 5.e3. Mter the move ίη the game,
White's queen becomes the object of attack
for black pawns οή the queenside.
5.~xc4 cuf6 6.iιg5 b5 7.~c2 iιb7 8.e3
More aggressive 8.e4 is also played here,
and M.Κrasenkow resorted to this conti-
nuation by himself against T.Markowski ίη
the Poland Championship ίη 2000. One
more interesting opportunity for White con-
nected with 8 ..txf6!? should be noted as
well. Now if 8 ... ~xf6, then after 9.e3 CΔd7
10.CUc3 a6 11.iιd3 it is uneasy for Black to
accomplish the programmed c6-c5, and ίη
case of 8 ... gxf6 then 9.e4 is stronger.
8 ... cubd7 9 ..id3 a6 10.a4
Α new move. Commonly played 10. ~e2
does not make any problems for Black af-
ter 10 ... c5.
10... iιb4+ 11.CUc3
If 11.cubd2, then Black would most
likely play ίη the same way - 11 ... c5. Glo-
bal exchanges after 12.axb5 axb5 13.~xa8
~xa8 14.iιxf6 gxf6 15 ..txb5 iιxf3 16.
iιxd7+ ΦΧd7 17.gxf3 ~a1+ 18.'~d1 iιxd2+
109
(if18 ... ~xb2, 19. ~a4+ perpetual check, but
18 ... ~a5!? deserves attention) 19.Φχd2
~xb2+ 20. ~c2 resulted ίη equalizing.
11 ... c512.i.xf6
Ιη case of an immediate 12.dxc5, Black
may play 12 ... CUxc5 threatening to the d3-
bishop.
12 ... CUxf6?!
Α risky move. Mter 12 ... gxf6 13.iιe4 (it
is not possible to grab a pawn 13.axb5 axb5
14.~xa8 ~xa8 15.iιxb5? because of 15 ...
~a1+ 16. ~d1 ~xb2 and White may resign)
13 ... .txe4 14. ~xe4 bxa4 15.~xa4 the posi-
tion was still a kind of equal.
13.dxc5 ο-ο
It is impossible to play 13 ... .txc5 be-
cause of 14.axb5 and White has an extra
pawn.
14.axb5 axb5 15.0-0 iιxf316.gxf3 ~c8
17.CUxb5?!
White misses an attractive opportunity
17.~fd1! Mter 17 ... ~e7 (if 17 ... ~c7, then
just 18.CUxb5) White has 18.c6 and if
18 ... ~xc6 then there is an unpleasant sur-
prise for Black - 19.cud5.
17 ... ~xc518.~e2
White should be cautious despite ofthe
extra pawn. For instance, after 18.CUc3
Black develop the initiative by 18 ... ~c7
19.~fc1 ~g5+ 20.~h1 z:!.h5 21.f4 CUg4.
18...1::!:h5 19.f4
19... e5!
Black sacrifices the second pawn and
unexpectedly develops a strong initiative
οη the kingside, utilizing White's weak
pawn structure.
110
20.fxe5?
White decides to test the p1an of the
opponent. It shou1d be better to switch the
al-rook to the game. Mter 20.1::i:a4! exf4 (if
20 ... ..Itc5 then it is possib1e to p1ay 21.fxe5
and the g4-square is protected by a rook
from a4) 21.Ϊtxb4 f3 22. ~xf3 ~xd3 White
shou1d resist the attack.
20 ... liJg4!
That's the who1e point of B1ack's p1an.
The threat to the h2-pawn is supp1emented
with sett1ing down to the attack νia the h4-
square of B1ack's queen.
21.f4
If21.f3, then 21 ... ~xh2, wins, and after
21.h3 there is a νery strong 21 ... ~h4. Ιη
M.Κrasenkow ορίηίοη, the queen's sacri-
fice 21.~xg4!? 1::i:g5 wou1d haνe been the
best decision for White. After 22. ~xg5
~xg5+ 23.~hl ~e5 24.liJd4 ..Itd6 25.liJf3
~xb2 his position would be νery difficu1t
but the presence ofthe pawns οη one flank
on1y wou1d 1eaνe him some hopes for sa1-
νation.
21 ... ~h4 22.liJd4liJxh2 23.liJf5 liJf3+!
Α simp1e, but nice b1ow. White has to
giνe away an exchange ίη order to escape
the checkmate.
24.!:1:xf3 ~hl+ 25.Φf2 ~xal 26.J::!:g3
.ltel+ 27.Φg2 !:1:xf5
Of course, not 27 ... ..Itxg3?? because of
28.liJe7+ Φh8 29.~xh5 and White wins.
28.1::i:h3?!
Α strange moνe. Mter 28.Jl.xf5 Jl.xg3 (an
intermediate 28 ... 1::!:b8? does not work be-
cause of29.Jl.xh7+! ~xh7 30.1::i:xg7+! ~xg7
31.~g5+ ~f8 32.~h6+ ~e8 33.~c6+ with
a perpetua1 check) 29.~xg3 B1ack wou1d
haνe to work hard to rea1ize the mateήa1
adνantage. The point is that after the on1y
possib1e 29 ... J:ιb8 30.e6 1::i:xb2 White has
31.e7! and B1ack shou1d not will. Probab1y,
the best way of rea1ization was 29 ... g6!?
30 ...Itd7 ~gl+ (if30 ... 1::i:b8, then after 31.e6
~gl+ 32.Φf3 [5 White has 33.~d2! and
Black cannot win) 31.Φf3 h5 32.e6 (ίη case
of 32.b4 the line 32 ... ~hl+ 33.Φg3 h4+
34.~g4 ~gl+ 35.~xh4 Φg71eads to a νic-
Super Tournαments 2000
tory and the threat of36 ... 1::!:h8+ is irresist-
ib1e, and ifWhite does not take the h-pawn
and p1ays 35.Φf3, then Black sett1es his
rook down to the attack by 35 ... J:ιa8!, and
36.e6 does not he1p due to 36 ... f5 with a
threat of mate οη g3) 32 ... ~g4+ 33.~f2
~xe2+ 34.Φχe2 fxe6 35.i..xe6+ ~g7 36.i..c4
(if 36. ~f3, then B1ack at once creates a pair
of passed pawns by 36 ... g5, and ίη case of
36 ...Itd5 ~f6 37.~f3 g5 you cannot p1ay
38.fxg5? because of the bishop's 10ss
38 ... ~e5+!) 36 ... ~h6! 37.b4 g5 and after
38.fxg5+ ~xg5 White's king is cut offfrom
B1ack's passed pawn, otherwise by 38 ... g4
B1ack gets a pair of passed pawns.
28 ...J:ιb8?
B1ack not οη1Υ 10ses great chances for a
νictory. 28 ... 1::i:d8! was correct. Mter 29.Φf3
(you cannot p1ay 29.Jtxf5? because of
29 ... 1::i:d2) 29 ... g6 30.J:ιhl M.Krasenkow
thinks that to B1ack's win must 1ead
30 ... 1::i:h5!? 31.1::i:xel ~a7. Maybe he is right
and this is the best way, because ίη case of
30 ... 1::i:xd3 31.~xd3 ~a5 32.e41::i:h5 33.1::i:xh5
gxh5 34.e6! fxe6 35. ~d7 White has some
chances, for B1ack can't saνe the e6-pawn
(after 36 ... ~b6 White by 37.~e8+ ~g7
38.~e7+ makes a perpetua1 check), and
after the 10ss ofthis pawn B1ack's king be-
comes accessib1e for the white queen. Prob-
1ems with an extra piece's rea1ization ίη this
case are aggraνated because usually it is
impossib1e for B1ack to exchange the
queens for his bishop turns out to be υη­
able to contro1 the corner hl-square.
29.Jl.xf5 1::i:xb2?!
Leonid Stein Memoriαl
Mter this move Black has to defend
himself. Much stronger is 29 ... g6 30.i..c2
J:txb2 though ίη case of31.e6! (31.'~d3 i..b4
leaves Black some chances for an attack
due to the opposite coloured bishops and
precarious position of the white king)
31 .. .'~a2 (ίη case of31 ... fXe6 32.'~c4 White's
position is stable) 32.exf'7+ Φf8 (if32 .. .'~xf'7,
then by 33.ιth2 White consolidates) 33.
t;ιxe1 1:txc2+ 34.Wg3 J:tg2+ 35.Wf3 Black
does not have a decisive continuation ofthe
attack and 36 ... 1:tb2 37.Φg3 makes Black
reconcile himse1f to a draw.
30.~xh7+ Φf8 31.~c2 g6
Probably it was better to agree οη an
ending with one pawn 1ess after 31 ... t;ιc1
32.1:th8+ ~e7 33.1:tc8 t;ιd2 34. t;ιxd2 ..Itxd2
because with the queens B1ack's king posi-
tion is not safe, as well as White's king.
32.t;ιc4
32.1:th8+!? ~g7 33.1:tc8 cou1d give B1ack
more troub1es.
32 ... t;ιa8+?
This check cou1d 1ead Black to a ca-
tastrophe. 32 ... t;ιd1! is correct. Now after
33. t;ιc8+ (ίη case of 33.':h8+ Φg7 White
does not have anything better then the
perpetua1 check by 34.1:th7+ ~xh7 35.
t;ιxf7+ ~h8) 33 ... ~e7 34.t;ιc5+ (if 34.t;ιc7+
Φf8 35.t;ιc8+, then 35 ... ~e7) 34 ... ~d7 (of
course ηο 34 ... ~e8?? because of 35.1:!.h8+)
35.e6+ (it is better not to respond to
35. t;ιb5+ and simp1y retreat 35 ... r.t>e7, for
36.t;ιxb2 t;ιe2+ 37.Wh1 t;ιΩ+ 38.~h2 t;ιf2+
1eads to the perpetual check) 35 ... ~xe6
(there is ηο 35 ... fxe6?? 36.1:th7+ and White
mates οη the next move) 36.t;ιe5+ Φd7
37.t;ιxb2 t;ιe2+ 38.Φh1 t;ιΩ+ 39.Φh2 t;ιf2+
the game had to end ίη a perpetua1 check.
33.Φf1?
Α return gift caused by the 1ack oftime.
Mter 33. ~g1 Black cannot escape. This is
not because White has an extra pawn, but
because the position of B1ack's king is un-
safe. There is the threat 34.1:!.h8+ and it is
hard to find defense. For examp1e, after
33 ... ~g7 (if33 ... t;ιa1, then there is a forced
win: 34.t;ιc8+ <Jile7 35.t;ιc7+ <Jilf8 36.t;ιd8+
111
~g7 37.t;ιf6+, and if 33 ... t;ιa7, 33 ... t;ιb7 or
33 ... Φg8 then34.e6100ks very strong) the
1ine 1eads to a forced win: 34.~h7+ Wxh7
35.t;ιxf7+ Φh8 36.t;ιf6+ Φg8 37.t;ιxg6+ Φf8
38. t;ιh6+ and if Balck does not part with
his queen, retreating to the 8th rank, then
after 38 ... We7 39.t;ιd6+ Φί? 40.i..g6+ Φg8
41. t;ιe6+ Φh8 42. ~f6+ there is a check-
mate.
33 ... i..h4!
Surely White did not see this move. ΒΥ
tactics B1ack does not 1et the white rook to
the h8-square.
34.t;ιe4?
White finds himse1f at a 10ss. It was not
possib1e to p1ay 34.kIxh4? because of
34 ... t;ιf3+ 35.~el(gl) t;ιg3+ and B1ack cap-
tures the h4-rook. But there was a defence
34.t;ιd3 with the idea - if 34 ... t;ιa1+ then
35. t;ιd1.Maybe 34.f5! shown by M.Κra­
senkow after the game, is even more accu-
rate. After 34 ... t;ιa1+ (in case of 34 ... gxf5
35.J:txh4 t;ιf3+ 36.Φe1 t;ιxe3+ 37.Φd1 t;ιg1+
38.Φd2 t;ιf2+ 39.Φc1 after 39 ... ~xc2+!
40. t;ιxc2 t;ιxh4 41. t;ιxf5 there is an equal
queen ending) 35.Φg2 t;ιd1! (35 ... t;ιc1? 10ses
because of 36.t;ιc8+) 36.t;ιb4+ (now if
36. t;ιc8+ there is 38 ... i..d8) 36 ... 1:txb4
37 ...Itxd1 the position is equal.
34 ... t;ιal+ 35.Φg2
35.~e2 changes nothing because of
35 ... t;ιc1 36.~xh4 ':xc2+.
35 .•. t;ιcl 36.1:txh41:!.xc2+ 37.Wh3
White cou1d pro1ong his resistance οη1Υ
by queen's sacrifice: 37. t;ιxc2 t;ιxc2.
37 ... t;ιf1+ 0-1
112
64 D43
Korchnoi-Ivanchuk
Round 5 16.05
l.d4 CΞJf6 2.c4 e6 3.CΞJf3 d5 4.CΞJc3 dxc4
5.'itfa4+ c6
5 ... CΞJbd7 has been met ίη VIvanchuk's
practice before. Ιη the game Xu Jun -
Ivanchuk, Luzern 1993 there was 6.e4 a6
7.~χc41:ι.b8 8.'itfc2 b5 9.~e2 ~b7 with dif-
ficult play. Buy the way it was Viktor
Korchnoi who had annotated this game ίη
due time.
6.'itfxc4 b5 7.'itfd3 CΞJbd7
Α year ago V.Ivanchuk ίη his blindfold
game against P.Nikolic (Monaco) chose
7 ... ~b7.
8.e4
Recently the preventive 8.a3 has come
into use.
8 ... b4 9.CΞJa4 'itfa5 10.b3 c5 11.~g5
~b7
Here are some explanations. The con-
tinuation 11 ... cxd4 12.~xf6 gxf6 13. CΞJxd4
Jiιb7 14.CΞJb5 has led to a very sharp and
complicated position ίη the game Filippov
- Κharlov, Kemerovo 1995.
12 ..Jιxf6 gxf6 13.d5?!
White has made a break throw ίη the
center. But it is early to resume the open-
ing battle. Α bishop pair and good pieces'
development let Black be optimistic.
V.Ivanchuk thinks that despite 13.d5 has
already been met ίη practice, it is not good.
For our part as an alternative we can sug-
gest 13.~e2 from the game Karpov -
Gelfand, Linares 1993. There after 13 ...
0-0-014.0-0 Φb8 White realized a break-
throw 15.d5 ίη a better way.
13 ... 0-0-0 14 ..i.e2
If 14.dxe6 then 14 ... CΞJb6 is possible (ίη
case of 14 ... fxe6, 15.'itfc4 is an eventuality
to be reckoned with) 15.CΞJxb6+ ~xb6 16.e7
~xe7 17. ~e3 and Black opens the center
ofthe board: 17 ... f5.
14 ...f5!?
Α novelty. 14 ... CΞJb6 was found before.
15.exf5
Super Tournαments 2000
Mter 15.dxe6 it is better to continue
15 ... LΔb6! like ίη the game.
15 ...LΔb6 16.LΔxb6+ 'itfxb6 17.0-0?
Mter this move White loses a pawn
without any compensation. Ιη ΥΙ vanchuk's
ορίηίοη White was obliged to play 17.fxe6
fxe618.LΔe5! (ίη case ofl8.d6 ~xd619.'itfc4
.Jιg7 20.~cl ~c3+ White will have to lose
the exchange) 18 ... ~d5 19.CΞJc4.
17... ~xd5 18. 'itfe3 ~xf5
Despite Black's extra pawn, ορρο­
sitesided castlings give White certain
counter-chances. But the game ended ίη
several moves.
19.CΞJe5??
Mtet 19.a3 the struggle promises to be
long.
19... ~g8 20.g3
It is difficult to give White an advise.
20.~f.3 fails to 20 ... nxe5! If White tries to
correct his mistake and moves back 20.CΞJf3,
he has ηο more play at all after 20 ... ~c6
21.ΦhΙ ~g7 22.~adl ~d4 23.~d3 ~fg5
24.~gl ~5g7 25.ndfi e5. Even 26.CΞJxd4 is
impossible because of26 ... ~xg2+!
20 ... ~g7 0-1
If21.f4 then 21 ... ..txe5 22.fxe5 'itfc6.
65 Α14
Κrasenkow - Beliavsky
Round 5 16.05
l.c4 e6 2.g3 d5 3 ...tg2 LΔf6 4.CΞJf3 ..te7
5.0-00-0 6.b3 c5 7.cxd5 CΞJxd5 8.~b2 b6
9.CΞJc3 ~b7 10.CΞJxd5 ~xd5 11.~bl CΞJd7
12 ..i.c3
Leonid Stein Memoriαl
The riνals played the Reti opening.
White prepares d2-d4 by his next moνes.
Usually it was made by 12.1:td1, although
the immediate 12.d4 is possible.
12 ... J::!.e8 13.J::!.dl J::!.c8 14:~b2 1ιf815.d4
"f1c7 16.Ilacl "f1b7 17.CLJel?!
White plays carelessly. Mter 17.dxc5 the
most ofthe pieces would be exchanged and
the draw was οη the cards.
17... 1ιχg2 18.CLJxg2
18•.. c4!
An excellent moνe. Black gets the pawn
majority οη the queenside. But the white
pawns are fixed ίη the center.
19.CLJe3
\laybe 19.bxc4 J::!.xc4 20.CLJe3 is slightly
more accurate.
19 ... cxb3 20."f1xb3 "f1a6!
Again a νery good moνe. Black begins
to attack the white e2-pawn.
21.J::!.c2 J::!.c6 22.J::!.dcl J::!.ec8 23.1ιeΙ
1::ί.χc2 24.J::!.xc2 J::!.xc2 25. "f1xc2 CLJf6
Mter this simplification Black has re-
ally some adνantage.
26.CLJc4 "f1c8 27."f1d3?!
White's queen should be taken away
from the ρίη to bar the actiνization of
Black's pawn οη the queenside.
27 ...b5
Black's pawns start moνing.
28.CLJe5 a6 29.f3 h6 30. "f1b3?!
Maybe it was better to play 30.e4 with
the idea of making riνal's knight less ac-
tiνe. But after 30 ... "f1c1 31. "f1c3 the ex-
change ofthe queens could follow. This con-
tinuation ofthe game seems to be the lesser
113
oftwo eνils.
30... "f1c131.~f2
The enforced moνe. White can't allow
queens' exchange 31. "f1c3 "f1xc3 32.~xc3
because of 32 ... CLJd5 33.1ιb2 (if 32 ... CLJd5
33.SΙb2 is good) 33 ... CLJb4 34.a3 CLJc2 and
White's queenside is a target for the black
pieces. Mter 31.~f1 CLJd5 32.e4 Black pen-
etrates easily: 32 ... CLJe3+ 33.~e2 CLJc2
34.~f2 1ιb4.
31 ... CLJd5 32.e4 "f1al!
An excellent quiet moνe that gets White.
33.CLJc6
White can't play 33.exd5? because of
33 ... "f1xd4+ 34. "f1e3 SΙc5 and Black has an
extra pawn.
33 ... CLJb6 34.'it>e2 h5?!
Some claims can be laid to this moνe.
Mter 34 ... CLJc4! Black would haνe a clear
adνantage.Now if White plays the same
moνe as ίη the game 35.CLJb8, he loses after
35 ... "f1xd4 36.CLJxa6 "f1b6 37.CLJb4 "f1g1. The
text moνe giνes White great drawing
chances.
35.CLJb8 "f1xd4 36.CLJxa6 CLJc4 37.CLJc7
"f1g1 38.1ιf2 "f1g2?!
It seems that by this moνe Black lost a
good chance to win the game. A.Beliaνsky
refused from the continuation 38 ... "f1xh2!
ίn νiew ofthe νariation 39. "f1xb5 (39.CLJxb5?
does not work because οf39 ... 1ιc5 40."f1xc4
"f1xf2+) 39 ... h4 40. "f1g5 h3 41.CLJe8! Φh7
42. "f1h7 with a draw. But Black has a νery
strongmoνe 39 ... i.d6!! (instead of39 ... h4),
that was discoνer~d by Zoltan Ribli. Mter
40.CLJxe6 (ίn case of 40. "f1xc4 1ιχg3 41. "f1c5
1ιχf2 42. "f1xf2 "f1xc7 White has a losing
queen endgame without a pawn) 40 ... 1ιχg3
(40 ... fxe6 is bad due to 41."f1xc4 1ιχg3
42. "f1e6 Φh8 43. "f1b6 and despite the ρίη of
the f2-bishop, White's defence can't be bro-
ken through) 41."f1e8 'it>h7 42.CLJg5 (ίn case
of 42.CLJf8+ 'it>h6 43. "f1c6+ g6 44. "f1c5 CLJe5!
45.a4 "f1g2 46."f1e3+ Φg7 Black soon will
take the lost white knight) 42 ... Φg6
43. "f1xf7 ςt>xg5 44. "f1xg7 (44."f1ffi is senseless
ίη νiew of 44 ... Φh6) 44 ... 'it>h4 45."f1e7 ςt>h3
46."f1e6+ 'it>g2 47."f1xc4 the heroic march of
114
Black's king is summed υρ by 47 ... ~h1!!,
which forces White to part with a piece.
39. ~xb5 tΔd2 40. ~xh5?
ΒΥ this last moνe White lets an ορρο­
rtunity of the draw slip away. After
40. 'itxd2 ~xf2+ 41. ~e2 ~d4+ 42. ~d3 Black
could striνe for a νictory: 42 ... ~g1!? 43.~e2
~b1 44.tΔb5 (also deserνes attention
44.tΔa6!? ~xa2 45.Φe3, of course ίη this
case White's knight is νery limited ίη his
possibilities, but one cannot see at once how
Black can use this circumstance) 44 ... ..tb4+
45.~e3 Sιc5+ 46.Φd2 ~xa2+. Very likely
the result will be a draw.
40 ... ..tb4!
Black weaνes a mate web.
41.ltJxe6
There was the threat of 41 ... ~f1+
42.Φe3 e5 with the mate ttJd2-c4#. If
41.e5 then Black wins after 41 ... ~f1+
42.Φe3ltJc4+ 43.Φd4. And now 43 ... ltJb2.
41 .. :~f1+
Not 41 ... fxe6? because of42.~e8+ with
a draw.
42. 'ite3 ltJc4+ 43. Φί4
If 43.Φd4 then 43 ... ttJd6 44.Φe3 fxe6.
43 .. .'~·xf2 44.~b5 ..td6 45.Φg5 ~xf3
0-1
The mate 46 ... ..te7# is aνoidless.
66 D30
Romanishin - Κrasenkow
Round 6 18.05
l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.tΔf3 c6
One ofthe most νenomous νariations at
Super Tournαments 2000
the border between the Slaν Defence and
the Queen's Gambit. Black wants to win
an extra pawn (c4) without much trouble.
4.g3
o.Romanishin does not fear the possi-
bly to lose the c4-pawn. Well, two rounds
ago B.Gelfand preferred a more cautious
4.~c2 ίη his game with M.Κrasenkow.
4 ... dxc4 5 ...tg2b5 6.a4 ..tb7 7.0-0 tΔd7
8.ltJc3 a6
The unnecessarily aggressiνe 8 ... b4?!
allowed White to deνelop a considerable
initiatiνe after 9.ltJe4 c5 10.ltJe5 ..td5
1l.ltJxf7!! Φχί7 12.tΔg5+ ~e8 13.e4, aiming
at the black king which stayed too long ίη
the center of the board ίη the game
Mikhaleνski - Rabinoνich, Israe11999.
9.tΔe5 ltJe7
Another knight's moνe 9 ... tΔgf6?! is con-
sidered unlucky after the game Fominyh -
Filippoν, Elista 1996, where White gained
an adνantage by 10 ...txc6! .lixc6 1l.tΔxc6
~c8 12.ab5 ab5 13.ltJa7! ~b7 14.ltJcb5. The
latest popular line ίη this νariation is
9 ... ltJxe5 10.dxe5 to be followed by 10 ...
ltJe7!?, so, after 1l.Sιg5 h6 12 ...txe7 ,i,xe7
13.axb5 axb5 14.tΔxb5 J::!.xa115.~xa1 cxb5
16.i.xb7 ο-ο the position was equalized ίη
the game Mikhaleνski - Treguboν, Cappelle
la Grande 2000.
10.axb5 axb5
There was also 10 ... ltJxe5, and after
1l.dxe5 (the piece sacrifice by 1l.bxa6ltJd7
12.tΔe4 ltJf5 13 ...ig5 f6 14.axb7 k1xa1
15.~xa1 fxg5 giνes ηο sufficient compen-
sation to White) 1l ... axb5 12.ltJxb5 cxb5
13. ~xd8+ 'itxd8 14.1::txa8+ Sιxa8 15.,i,xa8
'itc7 White gained the adνantage of the
bishop pair but ΒΙ ack still had a counter-
play owing to his pawn adνantage οη the
queenside ίη the game Filippoν - Burma-
kin, St.Petersburg 1998.
11 . .ί::txa8 ,i,xa8 12.tΔxd7 ~xd7 13.e4
White could haνe returned the pawn by
means of 13.ltJxb5 cxb5 14.,i,xa8, but after
14 ... ltJd5 15.b3!? (15.e4?? was bad because
of 15 ... ltJb6, White losing a piece) 15 ... SιM
16.bxc4 bxc4 Black would haνe a sufficient
Leonid Stein Memoriαl
counterplay with his mighty knight and the
passed c-pawn.
13... CΔg6?!
Α new move but hardly a good one. ΟηΙΥ
13 ... g6 was seen previously ίη the game
Solozhenkin - Tregubov, Maikop 1998.
14.h4
White attempts to make use of the ρο­
sition ofBlack's knight and create his own
play οη the queenside.
14 ... iιb4
Ιη case of 14 ... e5 White had a cool
15.Jιe3 (after 15.h5 there was 15 ... exd4
16.hxg6 hxg6 with an excellent compen-
sation for the piece), and then after
15 ... exd4 he continued with 16.Jιxd4, so
that Black eΧΡeήeηced problems with the
development of his kingside.
15.h5 CΔe7 16.h6 gxh6?!
Ιη case of 16 ... g6 17.iιg5 ο-ο it would
be more difficult for Black to develop his
initiative.
17.iιxh6 Mg8 18.iιe3
Black's kingside is ruined, and White
obviously has an excellent compensation for
the pawn.
18 ... CΔg6 19. t;[h5 iιb7 20.Mal
There was ηο 20. t;[xh7 because of
20 ... Mh8 21. t;[g7 t;[d8! with an unpleasant
threat of iιb4-f8. Nowin case of20.e5 with
the idea CΔc3-e4 Black took the initiative
by 20 ... c5! 21.iιxb7 t;[xb7 22.dxc5 iιxc3
23.bxc3 t;[e4, forcing White to struggle for
an equalisation.
20 ...ι;t>d8
21.d5!
115
White does not need to spend time for
the capture 21. t;[xh7 as the central files
where Black's king is hiding are much more
important.
21 ... iιxc3
Black should not extend the diagonal for
White's light-squared bishop. Mter 21 ...
cxd5? 22.exd5 iιXι~3 Black would have se-
rious problems because of 23.dxe6 fxe6
24.Iιa7!
22.bxc3 ι;t>c8
Το open up the centre is ηο good for
Black. After 22 ... cxd5 23.exd5 exd5 (of
course ηο 23 ... iιxd5? because of 24.iιxd5,
allowing White's rook to get to a8 and de-
cide the game) 24.iιb6+ rJ;;e7 (ηο 24 ... Φc8?
because of 25.iιh3, Black losing the queen)
25.z:te1+ rJ;;d6 26.t;[g5 Black's king can'thold
for a long time ίη the centre ofthe board.
23.t;[xh7 1:Ih8 24.dxe6
An important intermediate move. Mter
24. t;[g7 Black had already 24 ... cxd5 25.exd5
iιxd5
24 ... t;[xe6 25. t;[g7 Md8 26.Jιb6 Me8
27.t;[h6
White's position isjust fine. He οηlΥ has
to choose the correct moment for a deci-
sive blow. Probably he considered the ad-
vantage after 27.iιh3!? t;[xh3 28.t;[xf7 t;[d7
29. t;[xg6 Me7 (if 29 ... t;[e6 30. t;[xe6+ I:i.xe6,
then 31.J::td1..ia8 32.f3, and ίη case of29 ...
c5 there was a mere 30.f3!) 30.iιc5 to be
insufficient, though ίη our ορίηίοη it was
enough to win.
27 ...1:!h8 28.Itdl ..ia8
Of course there was ηο 28 ... Mxh6?? be-
cause of29.z:!.d8#
29.t;[g5
White could have won easily by means
of29 ..ί:I.d8+ ~xd8 (after 29 ... Φb7 30.J:ιxh8
z:txh8 31. t;[xh8 'it>xb6 32. t;[xa8 Black sim-
ply lost a piece) 30.iιh3 with the queen
against Black's rook and minor piece. Still
the move ίη the g·ame does not spoil the
position.
29 ... 'it>b7 30.Jιd4 Me8 31.t;[c5 rJ;;c8
32.Jdal
White could have won by force with
116
32. ~a7! as after 32 ... .i.b7 a transfer ofthe
bishop to d6 by 33 ..i.c5 Cbe5 34 ..i.d6 decided
the game because ίη case of34 ... Cbd7 there
was 35.~a5. Howeνer White's position was
so good already that White could afford to
moνe the rook as well.
32 ....i.b7 33.~a7 Cbe5
34.1:txb7!
This blow could haνe won White's game.
34 ... Φχb7 35.~b6+?
An awful blunder. White put the queen
just before the required square. After
35.~a7+ ~c8 36 ..i.xe5 ~xe5 (ίη case of
36 ... IIe7 37. ~b8+ It>d7 38.~d4 White wins
quickly too) 37 ..i.h3+ ~e6 38.~xΠ Black
had nothing to do but resign.
35 ...Φc836 ..i.χe5?!
Losing the rest of White's adνantage.
Mter 36.~a6+! Φd8 37.~a5+ lt>e7 (we haνe
already seen the case with 37 ... lt>c8?
38.~a8+ It>c7 39.~a7+ Φc8 40.i.xe5 ~xe5
41.~h3+ ~e6 42.~xΠ) 38.~a3+ c5 (38 ...
Φd7? was losing because of39.~a7+ as well
as 38 ... ~f6? because of 39.f4) 39.~xc5+
~d7 40.~xb5+ White kept good winning
chances.
36 ... ~xe5 37.~h3+ ~e6 38.~xc6+
~b8 39..i.xe6 fxe6 40. ~b6+ Φc8 41. ~c6+
It>b8
80 White has an extra pawn but can't
win the game.
42. ~b6+ Φc8 43. ~e3 b4!
The mighty passed pawn οη the c-file
will compensate Black the lack of two
pawns.
44.cxb4 c3 45.f4
Super Tournαments 2000
Black was ΟΚ ίη case of 45. ~d3 ~c7
46.~c2 ~c4 47.b5It>c7.
45 .. :~c7 46.1t>f2 ~c4 47.f5 c2 ΥΖ - ΥΖ
Mter the οηlΥ response 48. ~c1 Black
arranges a perpetual check with 48 ... ~d4+.
67 Ε61
Beliavsky - Rornanishin
Round 7 19.05
1.Cbf3 Cbf6 2.c4 d6 3.Cbc3 g6 4.d4 ~f5
5.Cbh4
8uch moνe is already usual ίη this posi-
tion. Neνertheless, different treatments are
possible as well. 80 ίη the game Gelfand -
Dizdareνic, New Delhi 2000 White per-
formed a νery interesting plan and gained
an eνident adνantage after 5.d5 c5 6.Cbd2
.i.g7 7.e4 .i.d7 8 ..i.e2 ο-ο 9.0-0 Cba6 10.f4
Cbe8 11.Cbf3 Cbac7 12.e5 ~b8 13.a4 b6
14. ~e1 e6 15 ..i.e3 ~e7 16 ..i.f2 [6 17 ..i.h4
5 ... .i.d7 6.e4 e5
Black wants to get a position similar to
the Κings' Indian Defence but with the
bishop οη d7 instead of c8, though his profit
is far from eνident ίη this case. The bishop
οη d7 might be more useful if Black at-
tempted to get something of the Benoni
Defence with 6 ... c5 or 6 ... itg7 followed by
c7-c5.
7.Cbf3 exd4
Black could haνe lingered with this cap-
ture. Mter 7 ... ~g7 the pawn e5 is protected
indirectly. At the same time, 7 ... Cbc6?! can't
be adνised as after 8.d5 Cbe7 White gains a
good play οη the queenside with 9.c5!
8.Cbxd4 itg7 9 ..i.e2 0-0 10.0-0 Cbc6
It would be good for Black to include
10 ... ~e8 11.f3. Well, probably the bishop οη
d7 instead of c8 does not play an impor-
tant part, but at least it does not spoil
Black's position.
11 ..i.e3 a6 12.Cbxc6 .txc6?
Black counts οη the adνance b7-b5 but
probably he makes a mistake. After
12 ... bxc6 with the idea to play c6-c5 οη the
next moνe he would haνe had a νery solid
Leonid Stein Memoriαl
position. An attempt to prevent these plans
with 13 ... Me8 fails as in this case the weak-
ness of the e4-pawn becomes perceptible
and there is ηο 14.f3?! because of 14 ... d5.
13.f3 ~e8 14.Mcl Mc8
Black begins to realize that the plan to
advance b7-b5 was incorrect. 80 in case of
14 ... b5 15.lbd5 Mc8 16.SΙd4 Black's advance
resulted in the increased actiνity ofWhite's
pieces οηlΥ.
15.b4 b6
White threatens to play b4-b5 himself
οη the next move, so Black takes preven-
tive measures. Ιη case of an active 15 ... b5
White would probably answer with 16.SΙd4
and gain profit from the unloading.
16.1:!.el jιb7 17.jιf1 ~e618.~d2 Mfe8
19.a3lbd7 20.lbd5lbf6 21.Mc2lbxd5?!
Well, the white knight οη d5 was really
rather unpleasant for Black, but now the
pawn structure in the center becomes more
favourable for White. 21 .. .lbd7 was cer-
tainly more prudent.
22.cxd5 ~d7 23.J:::recl b5
Ιη case of an immediate 23 ... f5 24.exf5
gxf5 White had both 25.SΙd4 and 25.SΙc4.
24.SΙd4 f5
White's pressure upon the c7-pawn
soon can become unbearable, so Black at-
tempts to complicate the matters. The
move 24 ... c6? leads Black to a disaster af-
ter 25.jιxg7 ι;;t>xg7 26.~d4+ ι;;t>g8 27.~b6.
25.exf5 gxf5
26.~g5!
White activates his pieces maximally.
26 •.• SΙxd5 27 ..id3 jιe6
117
27 ... Mf8? was still worse because of
28 ..ixg7 ~xg7 29.~xg7+ ι;;t>xg7 30.Mxc7+
Mxc7 31.Mxc7+ Φg6 (32 ... ι;;t>f6 33.Iιxh7)
32.Ma7 Iιa8 33.Md6, White winning a pawn.
28 ..ixg7 ~xg7 29. ~xg7 + cj;;>xg7 30.
Mxc7+ ~f6 31.M7c6 Med8?!
Mass simplifications brought Black to
a hard endgame. White is threatening to
play Scl-c2, forcing Black to part either
with the a6- of d6-pawn. Perhaps Black
had to try to complicate the struggle by
31 ... Mxc6 32.Mxc6 Mc8 33.Mxa6, followed by
33 ... jιc4 or 33 ... cj;;>e5. However, for 33 ... SΙc4
White has a very strong response 34.~f2!
(after 34.jιxc4 bxc4 35 ..ί:ϊ.Χd6+ cj;;>e5 36.Mdl
c3 the activity of Black's pieces is worth
the sacrificed pawns) 34 ... cj;;>e5 35.cj;;>e2 d5
36.cj;;>d2, and White has time to co-ordinate
his forces. Ιη case of 33 ... cj;;>e5 White plays
34.SΙxb5 (34.~f2 is unclear now because of
34 ... MC3 35. ~e2 SΙc4) 34 ... Mcl + 35. cj;;>f2 Mc2+
36.~f1 Scl+, and his task is more difficult.
32.cj;;>f2 h6 33.cj;;>e3 cj;;>e5 34.f4+ ~f6
35.cj;;>d4 cj;;>e7 36.1Hc3 h5
The pawn could have been kept by
36 ... Mxc6 37.J:::rxc6 jιc8, but after 38.MC7+
~f6 39.g3 Black's pieces would be arranged
awfully.
37.SΙe2
White need not haste to acquire the
mateήal.
37 ... h4 38.Mxa6 Mxc3 39.~xc3 Mg8
40.jιf3 jιc4
Ιη case of 40 ... MC8+ White had 41.Sc6
1:!.a842.Mc7+
41.Ma8 Mg6 42.a4 h3 43.g3 Me6
44.axb5 .ixb5
Black had ηο time for 44 ... Me3+ because
of 45.cj;;>xc4 MXf3 46.b6 as White would ad-
vance his pawn up to the back rank ίη this
case.
45.~d2 jιf1 46.z:!.a3 SΙg2 47.SΙe2 d5
48.b5
White's f1ank passed pawn is much
more dangerous than Black's pawn ίη the
centre.
48 ... d4 49.lιc4 Md6 50.Ma7+ ι;;t>d8
5U:ta6 z:!.d7 52.Mf6 .id5 53.lιd3 SΙe4
118
54.b6 Φe7 55.lϊ:h61:i.d8 56.b7 .a:b8 57.~a6
~d7
There was ηο 57 ... ~xb7 because of
58.lιh7+.
58.I:rxh3
White's pawn advantage increased.
58 ... ~c7 59 . .a:h6 .a:d8 60.~g6 'lt>b8
61.h4 'lt>a7 62.h5 1-0
68 Ε17
Romanishin - Korchnoi
Round 8 20.05
l.d4 lbf6 2.lbf3 e6 3.g3 b6 4.~g2 ~b7
5.c4 ~e7 6.lbc3 0-0 7.d5
One month before this game Victor
Korchnoi suffered a bitter defeat ίη this
variation of the Queen's Indian Defence.
He played then White and chose 7. ~c2, but
after 7 ... c5 8.d5 exd5 9.lbg5 h6 10.lbh3 b5!
Black got a convenient play ίη the game
Korchnoi - 8tefansson, Reykjaνik 2000.
This time it's the Ukrainian grandmaster
who has to solve the same opening prob-
lem.
7 ...~b4 8.0-0
White agrees to a considerable deforma-
tion of his pawn structure. There was also
another continuation 8.~d2 which implied
a pawn sacrifice but still was less obliging.
8 .•. iιxc3 9.bxc3 lba6 10.lbh4 .ϊ:ιb8
11.e4 d6 12.iιe3 .a:e8 13 ..ϊ:ιeΙ lbd7 14.f4
White plays with the utmost aggression.
Previously the grandmaster from Lvov
played 14.lbf3 ίη this position Romanishin
- Markowski, Biel1995.
14... lbac5 15.~f2 ~a6 16.lbf3
White demonstrates his willingness to
sacrifice the pawn for initiative, this is
Romanishin's favourable technique. Per-
haps White rejected 16.~Ω because he did
not ~nt to lose control over e4. 80 it re-
mained a secret how Black was going to
make use of the pluses of his position ίη
this case. Probably he would try to get his
knight to the central e4-square as soon as
possible with 16 ... exd5 17.exd5 .uxel
Super Tournaments 2000
18.~xel ~αι 19.1bf5 J::!.e8 20.~dl g621.lbd4
lbe4 or maybe he could prefer simply to
keep the tension ίη the centre ofthe board.
16... e5
Black takes control over the important
central square d4. He did not want to cap-
ture the pawn with 16 ... ~xc4?! because of
17.lbd4, but White's response ίη case of
16 ... exd5!? stayed unknown to us. After
17.lbd4 (ίη case of 17.cxd5 .ί:::txe4 18.J::!.xe4
lbxe4 19.~el lbdc5 20.lbd4 ~b7 White
missed a pawn without any particular com-
pensation) 17 ... dxe4 18.lbc6 ~c8 19.1bxb8
~xb8 Black had an excellent compensation
of two pawns and an awful weakness of
White's queenside for the missing ex-
change.
17.f5
The pawn could not have been kept with
17.lbd2? because of17 ... exf418.gxf4lbd3.
Ιη case of 17.fxe5 lbxe5 18.lbxe5 .uxe5
19.~d4 .a:e8 20. ~g4 f6 the material balance
was maintained, but Black's huge posi-
tional advantage was indisputable.
17... ~xc4
80 Black got an extra pawn but now he
must contain White's mighty onset οη the
kingside.
18. .ϊ:ιe3 b5 19.94 f6 20.h4 .ί:::tc8 21.lbel
c6
Black needs open files ίη the centre like
aιr.
22.dxc6 .ϊ:ιχc6 23.lbc2 1:tc7 24 ..ϊ:ιg3
With 24.~xd6 White could have re-
turned the sacrificed pawn, but after 24 ...
lbb6 a queen exchange was ineνitable; that
Leonid Stein Memorial
would depriνe him of any chance to
organise an attack οη Black's king and
would make his position hopeless because
ofthe weakness ofhis queenside.
24 ... CiJb6 25.g5
White could haνe transferred the knight
into the centre by 25.CiJb4 a5 26.CiJd5, but
without profit: after 26 ... CiJxd5 27.exd5 e4!
Black would haνe begun a decisiνe counter-
attack.
25 ... fxg5?
Black made a serious mistake, haνing
exchanged the pawn which was a solid base
for his pawn chain οη the kingside. An im-
mediate 25 ... d5! was correct as ν.Κοrchηοί
showed after the game. He commented this
continuation as follows: "The οηlΥ way to
cause some problems for Black would be
26.~xc5! (Bad was, for example 26.gxf6
CiJxe4 27 .~xe4 dxe4 28. ~h5?! CiJd5 with
adνantage to Black: 26.exd5 CiJxd5 27.
.txd5+ .txd5 28.gxf6 CiJe4 29.z:td3 CiJxf2
30.'it>xf2 ~xf6 3U:txd5 ~xh4+ and White
is ίη trouble.) 26 ... .1:ιχc5 27.~h5 (and we
haνe to pay a credit to Romanishin - he
was going to play exactly this way!). Now
27 ... Φh8 28.CiJe3 (28.1::tdl may lead to trans-
position of moνes) 28 ... ~e7 29.J::tdl d4
30.cxd4 exd4 3U~xd4 (31.CiJg4 1l.e2 32.iιf3
iιxf3 33.~xf3 CiJd7 and Black successfully
defends his position 34.g6 h6 35.J:ιg3 CiJe5
36.CiJxh6?! gxh6 37.g7+ <;t>g8 38. ~xh64JfΊ)
31 ... CiJd7= Making a long speech short: af-
ter 25 ... d5 chances were almost equal."
26.hxg5 d5
The pressure ofWhite's pieces gets more
tough. According to classical patterns,
Black meets the flank attack with a
counterstrike ίη the centre. Still now this
continuation is less efficient than it would
haνe been one moνe ago.
27.iιxc5!
Ιη this way White not οηlΥ decreases the
influence ofBlack's pieces ίη the centre but
also frees the e3-square for a transfer of
his knight to the kingside. Ιη case of27. ~h5
CiJxe4 28.~xe4 dxe4 29.l:th3 g6 30.fxg6 J::tee7
31.CiJe3 J:ιg7 Black can resist the attack of
119
White's pieces.
27 •.• 1:txc5 28.~h5 CiJd7
Black tήes to get the knight to f8 to haνe
a defence ίη case of 29.lIh3.
29.f6?
White hurήes to demonstrate his actiν­
ity οη the kingside, but, as a result, the plan
he began to perform by 27.~xc5! stays un-
fulfilled. 29.CiJe3! would be a consistent con-
tinuation now, making White's attack most
dreadful. Ιη case of 29 ... d4 White had
30.CiJxc4 bxc4 31.f6, and ίη case of29 ... CiJf8
there was 30.CiJg4, threatening to win the
game with 31.CiJf6+!.
29 ... d4!
Well done! Black deΡήνes his opponent
of the e3-square, thus preνenting the
knight transfer to the kingside.
30.fxg7
White begins to lose the tempo of the
attack. Mter 30.1::th3 CiJf8 31.fxg7 <;t>xg7 he
had a strong continuation 32.g6!, still main-
taining serious threats to Black. Probably
Black's best reaction was 32 ... J:c7!? 33.cxd4
exd4 34.1:tdl d3 with a mutually keen posi-
tion. At the same time, ίη case of32 ... hxg6?!
33.~h8+ ΦfΊ 34.J:ιf3+ <;t>e7 35.cxd4 exd4
36.CiJxd4 Black's king feels rather uncom-
fortable ίη the center of the board.
30... iιf7
31.~h3?
White was simply obliged to go for 31.g6!
1l.xg6 32.J:xg6 hxg6 33. ~h8+ <;t>fΊ 34.1:tf1
CiJffi 35.lIxf6 ~xf6 36.~xe8+! <;t>xe8 37.g8~+
<;t>d7 (an immediate 37 ... We7 is worse be-
cause of 38.CiJb4) 38.~h3+ 'it>e7 39.4Jb4
120
'§g5+, making both kings open and avail-
able so that the game most likely would be
drawn with a perpetual check ίη this case.
31 ... !lxc3 32.!lxc3 dxc3 33.'§xc3
'§xg5 34.tΔe3 tΔf6 35.~f1
Korchnoi considers 35. '§d3 more persis-
tent though even now Black seems to be
able to achieve his advantage after 35 ...
~g6.
35 ... tΔxe4 36.'§a3 tΔg3 37.!l~ '§xg7
Black could have suspended for a while
with 37 ... a6!? now, and after 38.tΔd5 Φχg7
39. '§xa6 he would have 39 ... tΔe4!.
38.'§xa7 !lf8 39.'§b6 '§g5 40.'§a7?!
Perhaps the move 40.tΔd5!? maintained
better chances for a draw. After 40 ... tΔe2+
(ίη case of 40 ... tΔe4 White had a crafty
41 . .1:Η5!) 41.~xe2 SΙxd5 42. '§xb5 '§cl+
43.Φh2 there is ηο forced victory for Black.
40 ... SΙe6 41.tΔd5 1:i:x~ 42.Φx~ tΔh5
43.'§b8+ rJ;;g7 44.'§xb5
44 ... tΔf6!
An excellent move. Black set up the co-
ordination of his pieces ίη the best way.
44 ... tΔf4 is not so clear as after 45.'§b7+
'ith6 46.tΔxf4 '§xf4 47.rJ;;gl Black can't cap-
ture the a2-pawn with the bishop because
of 48. '§a6+.
45.'§b7+ rJ;;h6 46.tΔxf6
Th~point of Black's brilliant inanoeu-
vre is'that ίη case of 46. '§b6 (ηο 46. '§c6? to
be followed by 46 ... '§xg2+! and 47 ...
jιxd5+) 46 ... '§d2+ 47.ΦgΙ '§dl+ 48.Φh2
tΔg4+ 49.rJ;;g3 '§el+ 50.Φh3 50 ... Φg5!! (if
49.Φg3, then after 49 ... '§el+ 50.Φh3 Black
had afine opportunity οf50 ... Φg5!!) threat-
Super Tournαments 2000
ening to mate with the queen οη h4 and
thus winning a piece after 51. '§ffi+ tΔf6+
52.Φh2 '§h4+ 53.ΦgΙ '§d4+ 54.Φh2 iιxd5.
46... '§xf6+ 47. '§f3
After 47.ΦgΙ jιxa2 48.jιe4.tf7 Black's
two extra pawns are enough for him to will.
47 ... '§xf3 48.rJ;;xf3 iιd5+ 49.Φg3 .txa2
50.~e4.tf7 51.rJ;;g4 jιg6 52.SΙb7 Φg7 53.
Φg5 h6+ 54.rJ;;g4 'itf6 55.SΙc8 ~f5+ 0-1
69 C08
Ivanchuk - Korchnoi
Round 9 21.05
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.tΔd2 c5 4.exd5 exd5
The Tarrasch Variation of the French
Defence often produces positions with an
isolated black pawn. Instead Black can get
freedom for his pieces.
5.tΔgf3 a6 6 ..te2 tΔc6 7.0-0 cxd4 8.1:i:el
.te7 9.tΔb3 tΔf6 10.tΔfxd4 ο-ο 11.SΙf4
jιd6
Αη exchange of the dark-squared
bishop is favourable for White ίη this struc-
ture but what can Black do with this,
White's pieces are positioned ideally. Black
tested both 11 ... tΔe4 and 11 ... ~e8, but nei-
ther continuation gives parity.
12.iιxd6 '§xd6 13.c3
The most natural continuation which
somehow did not occur previously. White
takes control over d4 which is the key
square ίη these positions. Black's play is
much easier after 13.tΔxc6 bxc6 14.c4 a5
Marjanovic - Raicevic, Belgrade 1982.
13...!le8 14.'§c2 SΙg4 15.SΙxg4
Perhaps White should not have let Black
exchange the light-squared bishops. He
had more chances to keep his microscopic
advantage after 15.SΙd3!? tΔe5 (ίη case of
15 ... .th5 White's knight from d4 got to f5,
a traditionally vulnerable square ίη Black's
camp ίη this variation) 16.h3 SΙd7 17.!ladl,
gathering his pieces ίη the centre and aim-
ing at the isolated d5-pawn. Ιη this case
White does not need to fear that Black can
exchange the e5-knight for the d3-bishop
Leonid Stein Memoriαl
as Black's dark-squared bishop becomes
just a burden for him after this exchange.
It can be traded for the b3-knight οηlΥ, but
this plan takes time, and besides White can
capture οη b3 with the a-pawn, thus im-
proνing his position.
15 ... CLJxg4 16.CLJf3 CLJce5
Black plays rather primitiνely. The
moνe CLJc6-e5 would be much stronger if
Black's queen were οη f4 as it would not
block the diagonal b8-h2 then. This is why
the moνe 16 ... ~f4!? deserνed attention.
This continuation would giνe Black more
chances for an actiνe counterplay than the
moνe ίη the game.
17.CLJbd4 CLJxf3+ 18.CLJxf3 ~c5
Now 18 ... ~f4 was not already so good
because of 19.~b3!.
19.h3 CLJf6 20.~b3 b6
Ιη case of 20 ... CLJe4 21.CLJd4 a:e7 22.a:e2
a:ae8 23.a:ae1 the opposition of the rooks
οη the e-file was certainly not ίη Black's
faνour.
21 ..1:lad1 a:e4 22.CLJd2 nxe1+ 23.l:txe1
a5 24.a3 h6 25.CLJf3
The d4-square must stay under control.
Α transfer ofthe knight to e3 with 25.CLJf1
is inefficient right now because of 25 ... a:d8
26.CLJe3 d4.
25 ... I:ιe8
Black is willing to exchange the major
pieces as their absence would make the
weakness of the single d5-pawn less per-
ceptible.
26 ..t1xe8+ CLJxe8 27.CLJe5 CLJf6
It seems that Black did not want to play
27 ... b5 because of28.a4 (ίη case of28.CLJd3
there was 28 ... ~c4 29.~d1 CLJd6, and if
30.CLJe5, then 30 ... ~e4 31.CLJc6 CLJc4 with an
equality). Neνertheless, this line was most
probably the best opportunity as the knight
endgame after 28 ... b4 29.CLJd3 ~c4 30.
~xc4 dxc4 was drawing, for example
31.CLJe5 bxc3 32.bxc3 CLJd6 33.CLJc6 CLJb7.
28.~a4 ~h7 29.CLJc6 g6
Black begins to weaken his position.
29 ... <,t>g8!? was possible, preνenting the
adνance of his own kingside pawns for a
121
while.
30.CLJe5 Φg7 31. ~f4
31 ... g5?!
This moνe was hardly necessary. Now
the weakness of the f5-square makes the
νery residence ofBlack's king unsafe. There
was a more natural continuation 31 ... ~b5
32. ~d4, and if Black did not like the line
32 ... ~xb2 33.CLJd7 ~b1+ 34.<,t>h2 ~f5
35.CLJxb6 <,t>h7, he had an alternatiνe of
32 ... ~c5 with a defensible position.
32.~d2
Of course White does not want to play
the pawn endgame to appear after 32.
~xf6?! ~xf6 33.CLJd7+ ~f5 34.CLJxc5 bxc5.
32 ... CLJe4 33.~e2 ~d6 34.CLJg4!
White's knight makes his way to e3
which is most unpleasant for Black as from
that point it attacks both the d5-pawn and
the disastrously weakened f5-square at the
same time.
34 .. :§e6 35:§d3 h5 36.~d4+ ~g8
37.CLJe3 CLJf6 38.f3 ~f8 39.<,t>f2 ~e8 40.b4
White chooses the queenside to be the
battle field, trying to create a remote
passed pawn. He had also 40.g4!? hxg4
(40 ... h4 41.CLJf5) 41.hxg4, fixing the chronic
weakness οη f5.
40 ... axb4
Νο 40 ... a4? because of 41.b5!.
41.cxb4 ~d7 42.a4
White really has prospects of creating a
remote passed pawn οη the a-file.
42 ... ~c8 43.~e2 h4
Black weakens his position himself
again and without necessity. Οη the other
122
hand, after 43 ... '>itb7 44.'>itd2 '>itb8 White
probab1y wou1d νenture οη 45.h4 himse1f
Howeνer, ίη this case B1ack had 45 ... gxh4
(to p1ay 45 ... g4?! 46.fxg4 hxg4, adding a
passed pawn οη the h-fi1e to White's
queenside adνantage wou1d be most foo1-
ish), and then 46 ... §'e5 to actiνate the
queen.
44.'>itd2 '>itb7 45.'>itd3 ~a6 46.'>itc3 §'c6+
47.'.ti'b3 §'e6 48.c,t>b2 ~b7 49.~a3 §'d6
50.'>itb3 §'e6
There was ηο 50 ... '>ita6 because of the
manoeuνre 51.§'d3+ Wb7 52.§,f5.
51.a5!
Super Tournαments 2000
Ιη case of a knight endgame White has
a remote passed pawn but under the
queens - an uncoνered B1ack's king. What
e1se can be expected from one moνe?!
51 ...bxa5 52.bxa5 c,t>a6 53.c,t>b4 §'d6+?!
This moνe seems to be B1ack's decisiνe
mistake. Mter 53 ... §'e7+ 54.§'c5 §'b7+
55.'it>c3 tιJd7 56. §'d6 (in the knight endgame
after 56.§'xd5 §'xd5 57.tιJxd5 '>itxa5 58.'it>d4
'>itb5 White's king can't break through to
the opponent's kingside at once) 56 ... '>itxa5
57.tιJxd5 there were still some chances to
ho1d the position.
54.§'c5 §'b8+
The knight endgame after 54 ... §'xc5+
55.'it>xc5 '>itxa5 56.tιJxd5 is abso1ute1y hope-
1ess for B1ack because of the fata1 differ-
ence ίη the position of the kings.
55.Wc3 §'bl
The same fina1 after 55 ... §'e5+ 56.~d2
§'b2+ 57.tιJc2.
56.tιJc2 1-0
57.tιJb4+ was threatening, and ίη case
of56 ... Wb7 the solution was 57.§'e7+.
Bosnα 123

Bosna
Sarajevo 16.05-29.05, cat.19

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

1 Κasparov 2851 = = = = 1 1 1 = 1 1 1 8.5

2 Adams 2715 = = 1 1 = 1 = = = 1 1 8

3 Shirov 2750 = = = 1 1 = Ο 1 1 1 1 8

4 Morozevich 2748 = Ο = Ι:····,; = = 1 Ο = 1 1 = 6

5 Topalov 2702 = Ο Ο = = = = 1 = 1 1 6

6 Bareev 2709 Ο = Ο = = = = 1 1 = 1 6

7 I.Sokolov 2637 Ο Ο = Ο = = 1 = = = = 4.5

8 Movsesian 2668 Ο = 1 1 = = Ο = Ο Ο Ο 4

9 Short 2683 = = Ο = Ο Ο = = = = = 4

10 Κi.Georgiev 2675 Ο = Ο Ο = Ο = 1 = = = 4

11 M.Gurevich 2694 Ο Ο Ο Ο Ο = = 1 = = 1 4

12 Bacrot 2594 Ο Ο Ο = Ο Ο = 1 = = Ο 3

Vladiιnir Kramnίk refused to partίcipate ίn the tournament for the second tίιne. Ιη 1999 he changed
hΊS pIans because ofthe ΝΑΊΌ bombardments ofYugosIavia, ίn 2000 - because he began an ίntensive
preparatίon for the autumn match WΊth Garry Kasparov. So, N.Short repIaced him twice.
The finaI outcome οί the tournament was not unexpected: aΠ pIayers with ratίng > 2700 defeated
those whose rating was about 2600. Kasparov (2851) was the winner; Bacrot (2594) occupied the
Iast pIace.
But it was not easy for Kasparov to win the tournament. It happened that final
results depended οη how the leaders played against Movsesian. Kasparov won against
him, Adams drew, both Shirov and Morozevich lost. The fact was that after the 8th round
Shirov was the leader with 6 points, three players: Kasparov, Adams and Morozevich
were half a point behind. Ιη the 9th round Movsesian defeated Morozevich, ίη the 10th
round he beat Shirov (game 80), and ίη the 11th round he lost to Kasparov (game 81).
TopaIov's trainer S.Danailov saίd about the tournament:
''!η Bosnia they love chess and made everything to organize the tournament οη a
high level. And the participants were rather bellicose. Of course, for debutants Movsesian
and Bacrot it was as hard as it was for Topalov when he had started to play ίη super
tournaments. It is easy to criticize top-players for their errors. sitting at home, but ίη
reality it is so difficult to play against them. They have another level ofthe theoretical
 124 Super Tournaments 2000

preparation, their resistance is much more persistent. Ι belieνe that both Bacrot and
Moνsesian haνe great future, but still they should admit that elite plays better now and
can teach them .
... Does somebody think ofhow much first prize is in Linares or Sarajeνo? Certainly,
not. Participants' fees, as a rule, are higher than prizes, and sometimes considerably
higher."
The game Shiroν - Topaloν (73) can be called one ofthe most beautiful games ofthe
year. Alexey gained a νictory with a swift attack.

70 C45 18.J::te1 with a decisiνe adνantage) 16.SΙxαι

Kasparov - Bacrot J::td8 17. ~b2, and White kept an extra piece.
Round 1 17.05 11.i.d2 ~b612.~e4
12.lLJc3 has occurred much more fre-
l.e4 e5 2.lLJf3lLJc6 3.d4 quently. Well, the situation may change
Since 1990 the Scotch Game has become after this game.
a regular part of G.Kasparoν's opening 12 ... f5
repertoire. Α short reference: before this Following the latest theoretical recom-
game he had won more than half of 20 mendations, Black tries to keep his knight
games he had played in this opening. in the centre ofthe board. When he played
3 ... exd4 4.lLJxd4 lLJf6 12 ... lLJb4 ίη the game D.Paνasoνic -
4 ... ..tc5 is another uniνersally recog- B.Rogulj, Dresden 1998, White quickly
nised equalization method. chased his knight to the edge ofthe board
5.lLJxc6 bxc6 6.e5 ~e7 7.~e2lLJd5 8.c4 by 13.lLJc3 (in case of13.a3 Black has a little
i.a69.b3 trick of13 ... ~d4!) 13 ... i.b7 14.a3.
Black has a certain deνelopment adνan­ 13.~f3
tage, but his pieces are positioned not Ιη case of 13.exf6+ rJi;f7 Black obtains a
ideally: the light-squared bishop is blocked strong play along the e-file.
up by the well protected c4-pawn, and the 13 ... tM4
position of the c5-knight may turn out Ιη case of 13 ... tιJb4 White probably was
quite unstable later. going to play 14 ..td1, forcing the black
9 ... g610.f4 knight to continue his wandering.
At the tournament in Amsterdam ίη 14.lΔc3 lLJxc3 15..ixc3
1994 G.Kasparoν tested the continuation Oh, this is the long-expected reinforce-
10.Ba3 against ν.lνanchuk, also 10.g3 oc- ment. Mter 15. ~xc3 ~xc3 16.i.xc3 i.g7
curred in chess practice. 17.0-0-0 c5 18.\t'c2 0-0-0 Black managed
10... ~b4+ to equalize in the game V.lνanoν - Μί­
The moνe 10 ... f6 after 11 ..ia3 (the other shuchkoν, USSR 1993.
option is 11.exf6lLJxf6 12.SΙb2 0-0-0 13.lLJd2 15.....tb4 16.~cl ..txc3+ 17.,ί;Ixc3 0-0-0
d5 14.0-0-0, Beliaνsky - Almasi, Niksic If Black had known what was waiting
1997) 11 ... ~f7 12. ~d2 lLJb6 13.c5 .ixf1 for him, he might haνe considered also
14.cxb6 in the game Kasparoν - Karpoν, 17 ... ~c5!?, and if18.~e3, then 18 ... ~xe3+
. Tilburg 1991 allowed White to gain a deci- 19.Iιxe3 c5.
siνe adνantage after Black's mistake 18.c5!
14 ... axb6? (the correct continuation is Α standard moνe for this νariation.Now
14 ... .ixa3 15.b7 !Ib8 16.lLJxa3 .ib5, and that the knights are exchanged, White can
nothing is clear) by 15.e6! dxe6 (if 15 ... loosen his control of the d5-square.
~xe6+, then 16.\t'xf1.ixa3 17.lΔxa3 ~xa3 18... i.b7?!
Bosnα 125

Now Black's bishop is locked υρ by his οη the kingside by h4-h5.

own pawns. It was better to get rid of it at 22 ... d5
once by 18 ... ~xf119 ..u.xf1 (if19.'~xf1, then Ιη case of 22 ... dxe5 23 ..ti.xe5 !Ihe8
there is 19 ... ~d2). This line might continue 24.l:!.xe81:txe8+ 25.Φf2 the difference in the
as follows: 19 ... g5 (in case of 19 ... d5 positions ofthe white and b1ack bishops is
20.cxd61:rxd6 21.1:rf2 ~e8 22.g3! 1:rd5 23.'it>f1 especially prominent.
White's king finds a safe stand, whereas 23.~d3
the disastrous weakness ofB1ack's queen- Mter the game G.Kasparoν supposed
that 23.~e2! h5 24.b4 cou1d haνe been eνen
side pawns remains) 20. ~d3 (a1so 20 ..!::!.c4!?
deserνes attention as White need not be more accurate.
afraid of losing a pawn after 20 ... ~a1+?! 23 ... h5
21.';~"f2 ~xa2 22. ~gl owing to the unp1eas- Α ηecessaΓΥ moνe. If 23 ... Φe6, then
ant threat of 1:rc4-a4, howeνel' aftel' 20 ... 24.h5! ~dg8 25.hxg6 hxg6 26 ..ti.eh3, and
~b2 the p1ay wou1d be reduced to a rook White wins.
endgame anyway) 20 ... ~xd3 21.~xd3 with 24.IIg3 IIh6
a rook endgame, slight1y better for White. Ιη case of 24 ... ~hg8 B1ack was afraid of
19.~e3! 25.~g5!, possib1y ω be followed by g2-g4.
25.b4
One weakness exists a1ready οη g6, and
now White is going to create another weak
point in his opponent's camp, this time οη
the queenside.
25 ... ~e6
B1ack cou1d haνe tried to free himse1f
by means of25 ... a5, but in this case White
wou1d haνe 26.b5! cxb5 27.~xb5+ c6
(27 ... ~c6? is 10sing immediate1y because
of 27.e6+!) 28.~a4 ~a6 29.~b3 to be fo1-
10wed by the rook transfer to b6, thus
19... ~xe3+? maintaining a great adνantage.
As G.Kasparoν commented after the 26.'it>d21:ra8 27.~bl a6
game, B1ack shou1d not haνe agreed to Haνing preνented a break-through οη
exchange the queen. Ιη the ending White's the queenside, B1ack got one more weak
king fee1s quite comfortably in the centre, point οη a6. White's following p1ay in this
and an undermining of White's centra1 game can be regatded as a mode1 of p1ay-
pawns is much 1ess efficient. B1ack shou1d ing against two weak points οη different
haνe p1ayed 19 ... ~b4, eνen though after flanks.
20.~e2!? (a1so 20.Φf2 d6 21.1:rc4 is possib1e) 28.~b3 ~f'1 29.~a3 .i.:thh8 30.1:rg5 1:rh6
20 ... d6 (20 ... d5?! is worse because of B1ack's rook shou1d stay οη the h-fi1e,
21. ~d2!) 21.cxd6 cxd6 22.0-0 dxe5 23.fxe5 otherwise, for examp1e after 30 ... l:!.hb8,
White's chances still would be better. White accomp1ishes a winning break-
20.nxe3 d6 21.~c4 'it>d7 through: 31.g4! hxg4 32.h5
The capture 21 ... dxc5 wou1d οη1Υ in- 31.'it>c3
crease the importance ofthe white e-pawn. Το deνe10p a winning p1an for White is
Mter 22.e6 1:td4 23.e7 Φd7 24.~Π B1ack but a question of time now. 80, there was
wou1d haνe to resign. 31.I!a5!?, preparing to doub1e the rooks οη
22.h4 the a-fi1e to increase the pressure οη the
White wants to weaken B1ack's position a6-pawn. If B1ack followed White's ex-
126 Super Tournαments 2000

ample (what else could he do?), then the advances towards the back rank without
opposition of two pairs of rooks along the any obstacles.
a-file would let White play b4-b5. After the 39. .!ί.Χh5! 1-0
inevitable exchange ofBlack's c6-pawn for
White's b5-pawn Black would have to play
c7-c6 to prevent White's bishop from com- '71 Α29
ing to c6, thus provoking a disastrous Gurevich - Shirov
weakening of the b6-square which would Round 2 18.05
become accessible for White's rooks then.
31 ... J:Ib8 32.J:Ia5 ~a8 33.Φd4 l.c4 tLJf6 2.tLJc3 e5 3.tLJf3 tLJc6 4.g3 d5
5.cxd5 tLJxd5 6.jιg2 tLJb6 7.d3 iιe7 8.a3
iιe6 9.0-0 ο-ο 10.b4
The opponents played one ofthe popu-
lar variations of the English opening. Ac-
tually, this is the Dragon Variation from
the 8icilian Defence, οηlΥ with reversed
colours and, correspondingly, with an ex-
tra tempo οη White's side.
10... tLJd4 11.iιb2
Of course, there is ηο 11.tLJxe5? because
of 11 ... .!ί.f6, and White's pieces hang along
the a1-h8 diagonal.
Α showy position. White's monarch oc-
11 ... tLJxf3+
cupies a dominating position ίη the centre Right now Black can not gain profit
ofthe board before the decisive rearrange- from the knight's position οη d4. Ιη case of
ment of forces. 11 ... jιb3 12. t'ι'c1 it is better for him to agree
33 ...:!.hh8 34.jιc2 J:Iab8 35.jιd3 J:Ia8 to the position after 12 ... tLJxf3+ 13.iιxf3 c6,
36.iιe2 J:Ihb8?!
because ίη case of 12 ... c5 13.jιxc5 .!ί.χc5
Now Black loses ίη a forced line. The 14.tLJxd4 .!ί.Χd4 15.jιxb7 J:Ib8 16.iιg2 the
rook should not have left οη the h-file. 80, compensation for the pawn is insufficient,
ίη case of 36 ... J:Ihg8 White would win by Kasparov - A.80kolov, U88R 1988.
37.J:Ig3! (37.J:Ia3 is not as good because of 12.iιxf3 c6 13.t'ι'c2 tLJd7 14.tLJe4 iιd5
37 ... i.c8, maintaining control over the e6- M.Gurevich used to defend this position
square) 37 ... J:Ia7 38.iιxh5! gxh5 39.e6+ for Black. However, there was ηο particu-
~f8 40.e7+. The most persistent move is lar structure ίη the game Yudasin -
36 ... J:Iab8, but ίη this case White has M.Gurevich, Bern 1989. Mter 15.tLJd2 .!ί.d6
37.J:Ig3 J:Ia8 38.J:Iga3 J:Ihb8 39.Φc3, return- 16.tLJe4 .!ί.e7 17.tLJd2 iιd6 18.tLJe4 the ορ­
ing to the winning plan, described ίη the ponents agreed to a draw by repetition of
note after White's 31st move. moves. Ν ow that Gurevich plays White, he
37.J:Ia3! J:Ih8 tries to develop a πιοre complex struggle.
If 37 ... .!ί.c8, then 38.J:Iag3! J:Ixb4+ 15 ..!ί.c3 J:Ic8 16. ~b2 J:Ie8 17. .!ί.g4 J:Ic7
39.Φc3 J:Ixf4 40.J:Ixg6 d4+ 41.Φd3 J:Ixh4 Black experiences certain difficulties,
42.J:If6+! Φe8 43.J:Ig8+ with a decisive at- connected with the necessity to protect the
tack οη the black king. e5-pawn. It should be noted that the ex-
38.J:Iag3 J:Iag8 change 17 ... iιxe4 is too early now. Mter
38 ... J:Ih6 can't change anything because 18.dxe4 J:Ic7 White doubles his rooks οη the
of 39.J:Ixg6! J:Ixg6 40.jιxh5 J:Ig8 41.J:Ixg6 d-file by 19.J:Iad1 iιf6 20.J:Id3 t'ι'e7 21.J:Ifd1
Mxg6 42.e6+ ~f6 43.e7, and White's pawn and thus gains an advantage.
Bosnα 127

puts his rook before the queen to attack

the e5-pawn.
27.l::ι.f3 t'fe8 28.ΙΜ3 h6
The air was just necessary for Black.
An immediate capture ofWhite's e5-pawn
was impossible namely because of the
weakness of his back rank.
29.t'fd2 ι;t>h7 30.iιc5 ':xe5 31.J::td7
1::td5?!
Αη οήgiηal decision, but hardly a good
one. Black allows his opponent to take the
18.f4 initiatiνe. Well, after a self-suggesting
White attempts to ram the opponent's 31 ... b6 32 ..a:xc7 (if 32.iιf2, then 32 ... 1:ιe7)
defence ίη the centre, making use of the 32.gjxc5 White has 33.t'ff4!? (ίη case of
insufficient protection of the g7-pawn. If 33 .... xc5 .a:xe4 34. t'fd3 f5 White stands
he tries to win the pawn at once by worse) 33 ... cxb4 34.axb4 ~g8, and now he
18.SΙxd7 1:!.xd7 19.5Ιxe5, then Black will can equalize by 35.1:ιχΠ.
maintain the balance by 19 ... SΙxe4 20.dxe4, 32.exd5 t'fxd7 33.t'fd3+
and now 20 ... SΙf8! (better than 20 ... ι:Id2 White anyway can't do without the ad-
21.t'fc3 jιf8 because of 22.1:tfel) 21.f3 (if νance e2-e4, he should haνe done this right
2U:tfe1, then after 21 ... f6 22. t'fb3+ ~h8 now or with the next moνe. Ιη this case
23 ..rιb21:txe4 White's position is not worse, White's chances would be preferable.
at least) 21 ... t'fb6+ (ίη case of 21 ... ~d2 33 ...<;t>g834.d6?!
22. t'fc3 1:txe2 Black should reckon with Α νery important moνe. The d-pawn has
23 ..rιd4, making his rook feel quite uncom- lost contact with White's main forces, and
fortable ίη White's camp) 22.~g2 J::ted8, and the control of light square is loosened.
Black has a sufficient compensation for the 34.e4 was stronger.
missing pawn owing to his control oνer the 34 ... iιd8 35.h3 ~e6!
d-file. Haνing coνered the a2-g8 diagonal,
18... .rιxe4 19.dxe4 .rιf6 20.1:tadl t'fe7 Black prepares the adνance f'7-f5.
21 ..rιxd7?! 36.e4
Hardly it was νery useful for White to Ιη case of36.d7 Black has 36 ... f5, main-
release the tension ίη the centre. He could taining control oνer the light squares ίη
haνe tήed to double his major pieces οη the centre and preparing the king's en-
the d-file now by 2U::td3, but ίη this case trance.
Black would equalize by 21 ... exf4 22.J::!.xd7 36...b6 37 ..rιf2 ~f8 38.g4 ~e8 39.Φf3
~xd7 23 ..txf6 gxf6 24 ..txd7 ~xd7. Also re- b5 40 ..te3 t'ff6+ 41.<;t>e2 Φd7
leasing after 21.ffi?! allowed him to arrange White's d-pawn is safely blocked, and
his pieces conνeniently by 21 ... .rιg5! 22.1:td3 now Black can pay attention to flank ορ­
lLJb6. erations.
21 ...l:Ixd7 22.nxd7 t'fxd7 23.fxe5 .rιd8 42 ..rιd4 ~g6 43.iιe5 h5!
As a result of White's exchange opera- Black creates one more potential tar-
tion he won a pawn, yet its price was too get for White.
high: sooner or later Black's pieces will get 44. t'ff3 hxg4 45.hxg4
to the tripled pawns οη the e-file. Of course, White can't exchange the
24.Φg2 iιc7 25.iιd4 a6 26.t'fc3 J::te6 queens.
According to the classical model, Black 45 ...iιf6
128
46.1ιΧf6?
Αserious mistake. Of course, White
should not have exchanged the bishops.
After 46.1ιg3 it would be still unclear
whether Black would manage to gain profit
from his advantage. 80, ίη case of 46 ... 1ιb2
White has 47.g5!? (ifWhite plays passively,
then Black gets to the d-pawn by f7-f6 and
then -tb2-e5), and after 47 ... 1ιc1 48.1ιe5
~e6 (ίη case of 48 ... 1ιχg5? there is a very
strong response of 49. §g4+ ~d8 50.1ιd4)
49.1ιχg7 ~a2+ 50.ΦΠ -txa3 51. §h3+ 'it>xd6
52.§d3+ White's pieces break free.
46... ~xf6 47.~e3 ~xd6 48.~a7+ 'it>e6
49.~xa6
White manages to maintain the mate-
rial balance temporarily, but οηlΥ for a
short time οηlΥ. Practically, all his pawns
are weak, and Black's king travels safely
ίη the opponent's camp.
49 ... 'it>e5 50.~a7 ~e6 51.'it>f2 ~a2+
52.Φg3 'it>xe4 53.~c5 ~d5 54.~cl g5
55.~el+ 'it>d3 56.a4 bxa4 57.~dl+ 'it>c3
58.~xa4 ~d3+ 0-1
An exchange ofthe queens is ineνitable.
72 Cll
Kasparov - Gurevich
Round 3 19.05
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.tZJc3 tZJf6 4.1ιg5 dxe4
5.tZJχe41ιe7't.~xf6 gxf6 7.tZJf3 a6 8.g3
The variation of the French Defence,
chosen by Black, assumes a complex
struggle, conditioned by White's slight de-
velopment advantage, οη the one hand,
and by the so called advantage of Black's
Super Tournaments 2000
bishop pair, οη the other hand. With his
last move White prepares to transfer his
bishop to g2 to oppose the opponent's light-
squared bishop. Ιη the game 8hirov -
Topalov, 8arajevo 2000, played ίη the same
round, White demonstrated his under-
standing ofthe variation with 8.c4.
8 ...b5 9.1ιg2 -tb7 10.~e2 tZJd7 11. ο-ο
ο-ο 12.Itfdl
Α short reference.Four months before
this game Black managed to obtain a con-
venient play after 12.lIad1 -td5 13.Itfel
Φh8 14.tZJfd2 c6 15.c4 bxc4 16.tZJxc4 a5 ίη
the game J.Polgar - Morozevich, Wijk aan
Zee 2000.
12 ... 1ιd5 13.c3f5 14.tZJed2 c515.dxc5
tZJxc5 16.tZJf1
White's knight goes to e3, leaνing Black
actually ηο choice.
16 ... ~c7
17.~xd5!?
ΒΥ the exchange sacrifice White man-
ages to break the opponent's pawn chain
and bring his knight to strategically im-
portant squares ίη the centre ofthe board,
weakened because ofthe absence ofBlack's
light-squared bishop.
17... exd5 18.tZJe3 SΙf6
First of all, Black maintains his control
over the important transit d4-square ofthe
white knights. Mter 18 ... ~ad8 19.tZJd4 tZJe4
20.tZJdxf5 ~f6 21 ..ti:d1 ~c5 22. ~h5 White's
pressure οη his position might become
quite unpleasant.
19.tZJd4
Black was ready for 19.tZJxd5. After
Bosna
19 ... ~d6 it would not be easy for the f3-
knight to break-through the barrier ofthe
opponent's dark-squared bishop.
19 ... SΙxd4 20.cxd4CLJe4 21.CLJxd5 ~d6
22.CLJe3 ~ί6
According to the basic chess principles,
Black keeps his pieces οη dark squares
since his opponent has a light-squared
bishop. If he broke the rule and tried to
prevent the activation ofWhite's queen by
22 ... ~g6, then the play could have contin-
ued as follows: 23. ~f3 (Black is ΟΚ ίη case
of23.CLJxf5 ~xf5 24.jLxe4 J::!:ae8 25.J::!:e1 ~d7
26.~h5 f5) 23 ... CLJd6 24.jLh3 .ι::ί.fe8 25.CLJxf5
CLJxf5 26 ..ltxf5 ~g7 27 ..ι::ί.d1, with a certain
initiative οη White's side.
23.~h5
An exchange ofthe knights by 23.CLJxf5
~xf5 24.jLxe4 would weaken White's at-
tacking potential seriously. After 24 ...1:tae8
25.~e1 ~d7 26.~h5 f5 27.jLd5+ ~h8 Black
would feel relatively safe.
23 ... J::!:ad8
Black hurries to withdraw one more
piece from the light square. After 23 ... ~xd4
24.CLJxf5 ~xf2+ (ίη case of24 ... ~xb2 the so-
lution is 25.J::td1 ~xf2+ 26.~h1, and Black
is unable to defend the king and the knight
at the same time) 25.'it>h1 ~xb2 Black's
greediness would be punished severely -
White would develop an irresistible attack
by 26 ..ι::ί.f1 CLJd2 27.CLJh6+ ~h8 (27 ... ~g7
28.ktxf7+! .ι::ί.χf7 29.~g5+ ~f8 30.~g8+)
28.CLJxf7+ .ι::ί.χf7 29 ..ι::ί.Χf7 ~c1+ 30.nf1
24.CLJxf5 CLJd6 25.CLJe3?!
It is evident that White needs to keep
his knights alive, but he seems to be eager
to sacrifice. After 25.CLJh6+!? 'it>g7 26.CLJg4
~g6 (26 ... tH5 27.~h6+ ~h8 28.CLJe3)
27.~e5+ [6 28.~e2 he would have a suffi-
cient compensation and certain initiative.
25 •.. ~xd4 26.1:tdl ~g7
Black did not venture to take the pawn
by 26 ... ~xb2!?, and perhaps this was a mis-
take. After 27. ~c5 ~f6 (there is ηο
27 ... CLJc8? because of 28 ..Mxd8 .ί::!.Χd8 29.
~g5+ with a victory) 28.CLJd5 ~e5 29.f4
~e6 (ίη case of 29 ... ~e2? the solution is
129
30.CLJf6+ ~h8 31 ..ι::ί.Χd6) 30.~c3 f5 White has
nothing decisive despite Black's appar-
ently hard position, yet he is well compen-
sated ίη case of 31. ~c6.
27 ..ι::ί.d5
27 .•. ~h8?!
Black is too generous. After 27 ... ~xb2
28. ~g5+ (Black has every chance to hold
out ίη case of 28.~g5+ ~h8) ~h8 (there is
also an interesting option of 28 ... ~g7!?
29.~xg7+ ~xg7 30.Itxd61:!xd6 31.CLJf5+ ~f6
32.CLJxd6 ~e5 33.CLJe4 .ι::ί.c8, and White's ρο­
sition is very dubious) 29. ~f4 CLJb7 White
would still have to demonstrate his com-
pensation for the sacrificed material.
28. ~dl CLJb7 29.b4!
White is not going to expose the b-pawn
once more.
29...1:txd5
The less men are there οη the board,
the less is the chance to blunder some-
thing.lfBlack wished and had enough time
he might keep up the strain, for example,
by 29 ... ~f6.
30:~xd5 CLJd8 31.~d6 CLJe6 32.~xa6
CLJd4
White got two pawns against exchange,
but, at the same time, Black's activated his
pieces.
33.h4 ί5 34.CLJd5CLJe2+ 35.~f1 ί4!
Black continues the combination he has
started with the previous move, trying to
get the white king out from his safe resi-
dence.
36.~xe2 fxg3
M.Gurevich could have drawn the game
130
now by 36 ... t'i'e5+ 37.~d3 (ίη case of37.'it>f1
fxg3 38.f.3 t'i'd4 White's king has great prob-
lems) 37 ... f.3 38 ...txf.3 .s:xf.3+ 39.l2Je3 .!:!.xf2
40.t'i'c8+ Φg7, and the black king has ηο
place to hide away from checks.
37.t'i'd6!
White wants to engage his queen ίη the
play as soon as possible. Ιη case of an ίη­
cautious 37.fxg3? Black had 37 ... t'i'g4+
38.~d3 (the same after 38.'it>e3 l::!:e8+
39.Φf2 t'i'd4+) 38 ... t'i'c4+ 39.Φe31;Ιe8+
40.Φf2 t'i'd4+ 41.~Ω t'i'dl+ 42.Φf2 t'i'el+
43.~f.3 t'i'e2+ 44.Φf4 t'i'f2+, thus trapping
the white king into a mating net.
37... t'i'b2+?
Black made a bad choice. White was
ready for 37 ... t'i'g4+?, and after 38.~d3
t'i'c4+ 39. ~e3 kte8+ he would win by
40.l2Je7, but after 37 ... ,Uxf2+! 38.~d3 .!:!.xg2
he would have to go for a perpetual check
himselfby 39.t'i'd8+ t'i'g8 40.t'i'f6+
38.Φd3 ':xf2 39.t'i'b8+ Φg7 40.t'i'xg3+
Φh8 41.t'i'b8+ Φg7 42.t'i'c7+ ~ίB
There was ηο 42 ... ~h8 because of
43.t'i'd8+ Φg7 44.t'i'g5+, as well as 42 ... Φh6
because of 43. t'i'd6+.
43.t'i'e7+ Φg8 44.t'i'g5+ Φh8
If 44 ... φαι, then 45 ...te4.
45 ...te4 t'i'c2+ 46.Wd4 t'i'd2+ 47.~c5
t'i'xg5 48.hxg5l:rxa2 49.Φχb5 ne2 50.l2Jc3
.a:e3 51.~c4 .s:g3 52.b5 .s:xg5 53.b6 1-0
73 C 11
Shirov - Topalov
Round 3 19.05
Notes by L. Yudαsin
Α great game, very typical of Shirov.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.l2Jc3 ctJf6 4 ...tg5 dxe4
5.ctJxe4 ..te7 6 ...txf6 gxf6
Also the unpopular 6 ... ..tf6 is interest-
ing .
. 7.l2Jf3 a6
7 ... c6?! 8. t'i'd2 f5 9.l2Jg3 b6 10 ...tc4l2Jd7
11.0-0-0 ..tb7 12.'uhel l2Jf6 13.Φb1 t'i'c7
14.ctJe5± Kozma - Fichtl, Prague 1953.
There is ηο logic ίη 7 ... t'i'd5?! 8 ...td3 ctJd7
9.0-0 l2Jf8 10.c4 ~h5 l1.~d2 ~g8 12.tΔg3
Super Tournαments 2000
t'i'g4 13.l:Hel ..td7 14 ...te4t Aronson -
Hanov, USSR 1957
8.c4
This move deserves very seήοus atten-
tion, it looks like a refutation ofthe varia-
tion. Also there is an interesting opportu-
nity of 8.g3 b5 9 ...tg2 ..tb7 10. t'i'e2 ..td5
11.l2Jc3 c612.l2Jxd5 (12.0-0-0 l2Jd7 13.ΦbΙ
l2Jb6 14.1:ιheΙ t'i'c7 15.l2Jh4 h5 16.f4 f5
17.l2Jf.3 0-0-0 18.l2Je5t Leko - Morozevich,
Frankfurt 1999) 12 ... cxd5 13.c3l2Jc6 14.a4
ο-ο 15.0-0 t'i'b6 16.b4 ktfc8 17.!Hdlt Lutz
- Morozevich, Frankfurt 1999, but less ag-
gressive.
8 ...f5
Of course, 8 ... b6 just loses time. 8 ...
..tb4+ 9.l2Jc3 ..txc3+ 10.bxc3 b6 11 ...td3
gives a stable initiative to White.
9.l2Jc3 ..tf6
Obviously better than 9 ... c5 10.d5 ..tf6
11.t'i'c2! e512.0-0-0 ο-ο 13.'~Jd2 ..tg714.f.3
t'i'f6 15 ...td3 b5 (Wang ΖίΙί - Dreev, China
1999) 16 ..s:hf1! with the idea of g4. White
is more active owing to the great position
ofhis queen οη c2.
10.t'i'd2 c5?!
Α strange option of 10 ... 0-0 11.0-0-0
b5!? 12.1Igl! ..tb7 gives the play to Black,
but after 13.d5 to be followed by g4 White's
chances are still preferable .
11.d50-O 12.0-0-0 e5
What else can Black do? 12 ... exd5?!
13.l2Jxd5±; 12 ... b5 13.dxe6 t'i'xd2+ 14.'uxd2
fxe6? 15.cxb5±; 14 ... ..txe6t
13.h4!
An excellent move, preparing a kingside
Bosnα
attack and securing the g5-square for
White's pieces. It looks like the variation
needs a serious revision.
13 ...b5
An active 13 ... e4?! only creates targets
ίη Black's camp: 14.CL:Jg5 b5 (14 ... ~d6
15.f3±) Now there is ηο 15.d6? ..Itd4!
16.~f4? ~f617.1::!:h3 ..Ite5 (17 ... !ld8? 18.l::tg3
ι;t>h8 19.~xd4 cxd4 20.CL:Jxf7+-; 17 ... ..Ite6
18.Ug3 ι;t>h8 19.1!xd4! cxd4 20.CL:Jgxe4 ~d8
21.~h6 ~g8 22.CL:Jf6+-) 18.~d2oo; and 15.f3!
destroys the centre and opens υρ files for
future attack.
14.d6!?
Also 14.~h6 ..Itg7 15.~h5 is good; as
well as 14.cxb5!? axb5 15 ...Itxb5 e4 16.CL:Jg5
~d6 (16 ... ~a5 17 .1::!:h3!~) 17 ...Itc4;!; or even
17.f3!?
14... CL:Jc6?
Now the play develops ίη a forced way.
Bad was 14 ... CL:Jd7 15.CL:Jd5±. The best pos-
sibility for Black was 14 ... ..Itb7! 15. ~h6 ..Itg7
16.~h5 ~d7 (16 ... ~f6!? 17.cxb5 CL:Jd7fZ),
even though White's advantage after
17.cxb5± was obvious.
15.d7!
Cutting Black's position ίη two halves
and penetrating via d6 and d5.
15 .....Itb7
15 ... e416.dxc8~ ~xd2+ 17.~xd21::!:fxc8
18.CL:Jd5+-
16.~d6! e4
There was ηο use of 16 ... ..Ite7 17. ~h6 f6
18.~h3 (18.cxb5!? is sharper: 18 ... axb5 19.
..Itxb5 CL:Jd4 20.1:th3~) 18 ... 1ϊf7 19.1ϊg3+ ι;t>h8
20. ~h5 1ϊf8 21. ~xf5+-. Bad is 16 ... ~e7
17.~c7! 1ϊab8 18.CL:Jd5 ~d8 19.~d6 ..Itg7
20.1ϊh3t (also 20.g4 fxg4 21.CL:Jg5~ with the
idea ofCL:Je4-f6(c5), ..Itd3 ίη 8hirov's style is
possible), but White might tangle ίη the
variation 20 ... e4 2U:lg3 ~h8 22.CL:Jg5 h6°o.
17.CL:Jd5! ..Itg7
Νο 17 ... ..Itxb2+ 18.ι;t>xb2 exf3 19.9xf3
bxc4 20 ..txc4+-
18.CL:Jg5 CL:Jd4?!
The last mistake. 18 ... h6! 19.cxb5 axb5
20 ...Itxb5, and now 20 ... ~a5! (Black loses
after 20 ... CL:Jd4 21.CL:Je7+ ι;t>h8 22. ~g6!! fxg6
131
23.CL:Jxg6+ ι;t>g8 24 ...Itc4+-) still allowed to
maintain some tension. 80, White would
gain nothing by 21.CL:Jf6+ ..Itxf6 22.~xf6
~xb5 23.~xh6 ~c4+ 24.'it>d2 ~fd8 25.~h7+
~f8=, but the simple 21 ...Itxc6 would let
him win very soon: 21 ... ..Itxb2+ (21 ... ~xa2
22.CL:Je7+ 'it>h8 23.CL:Jxf7+ ~xf7 24.CL:Jg6+ ~g8
25 ...Itxb7 ~c4 26.'it>d2+-) 22.ι;t>xb2(22.ι;t>c2?
~xa2 23.CL:Je7+ ι;t>g7 24.CL:Jxf5+ 'it>g8 25.
CL:Jxh6+ ι;t>g7 26 ...Itd5 Sιxd5 27.CL:Jf5+ ι;t>g8
28.~xd5 c4=) 22 ... ~xa2+ 23.'it>c1 ~c4+
24.~d21ϊa2+ 25.ι;t>e3 ~e2+ 26.'it>f4+-
19.CL:Je7+! ι;t>h8 20.!lh3!
20.b4!? is another solution, driving the
knight away from the centre, for example:
20 ... f6, and now White wins both by
21.bxc5 ~a5 22.~xd4 (22.CL:Jf7+ !ιxf7
23.~xd4 ..Ith6+ 24.'it>b2 24 ... ~M+=; 24.ι;t>d1
~a4 25.ι;t>e1 ~a5=) 22 ... fxg5 23.~d2 ..Itc3±
24.~c2 z::ι.ab8 25.1ϊh3 e3! 26.~d3 (26.1ϊχe3??
~a3+ 27.<t>b1 Sιe4 28.Sιd3 bxc4-+) 26 ...
..Itd2+ 27.l::txd2! exd2+ 28.~xd2 ~xd2+
29.'it>xd2 llf7 30.1ϊe3 ~d8 31.c6 Sιxc6
32.CL:Jxc6 ~fxd7+ 33.<t>c3+- and by the less
complicated 21.CL:Je6! CL:Jxe6 22. ~xe6+- with
the idea of CL:Jf5 and h5.
20 ...f4
20 ... h6 21.b4 f6 22.CL:Je6 CL:Jxe6 23.
~xe6+-; 20 ... ~a5 21. ~xc5 ~xa2 22.1ϊΧd4
~a1+ 23.ι;t>c2 ~xf124.~xf5+-
21.~bl!
From this moment Black has ηο more
chances for a cour.terplay.
21 •.. b4
It's always bad to block υρ bishops .
21 ... f6 22.CL:Je6 CL:Je6 23. ~e6 l:1b8 24.CL:Jf5+-.
Mter 21 ... h6 22.b4 e3 23.bxc5 e2 24 ...Itxe2
CL:Jxe2 the solution was 25.c6!+-
132
22 ..1ιe2!
Α beautifu1 trick of calling ίη 1ast re-
serves via a square which seemed inacces-
sib1e. Topa1ov's king οη h8 has very feeb1e
defence.
22 .•. f3
The f7 -pawn can't move, and the queen
shou1d not be allowed to come to f5:
22 ... CLJxe2 23.~xc5 f5 24.CLJe6 ~b8 25.d8~
1:txd8 26.1:txd8+ ~xd8 27 .CLJxd8 ~xd8
28.~c7 .a:d1+ 29.'it>c2 .ί:Ic1+ 30.Φd2+-. The
variation 23 ... CLJd4 24 ..a:xd4 .1ιχd4 25. ~f5
'it>g7 26.CLJg8!!+- is simp1e and particu1ar1y
e1egant, but there are other winning 1ines
too. 22 ... e3 a1so 10ses after: 23 ..1ιh5 [6
24.CLJe6 CLJxe6 25. ~xe6 exf2, and now, for
examp1e, 26 . ..tf3 1:tb8 27 . .1ιχb7 .a:xb7
28 ..a:f3+-
23.gxf3 CLJxe2
[23 ... exf3 24 ..1ιd3 ~a7 25.CLJxh7+-
24. ~xc5 CLJf4
24 ... f5 25.CLJe6+-
25.~f5CLJg6 26.h5! t;[xe7 27.hxg6 1-0
27 ... h6 28.gxf7+-; 27 ... ~f6 28.~xh7+
'it>g8 29.gxf7+ I:txf7 30.d8~+ I:txd8 31.
1:txd8+ ~xd8 32. ~xΠ#
Strict1y speaking, the game had been
won at home, by the correct estimation of
the variation with 8.c4.
74 Α26
Bareev - Bacrot
Round 4 20.05
1.c4 e5 2.CLJc3 CLJf6 3.CLJf3 CLJc6 4.g3 g6
5 ..1ιg2 .1ιg7 6. ο-ο ο-ο 7.d3 d6 8 ..a:bl a5
9.a3 h6
The variation of the Eng1ish Opening,
chosen by the opponents, suggests a slow
deve10pment of events. With his 1ast move
B1ack wants to prevent binding of the f6-
knight ίη order to maintain firm contro1
over the strategically important d5-square.
10.b4 axb4 11.axb4 .1ιe6 12.b5 CLJe7
13.~b3 c6
E.Bareev considers 13 ... CLJd7! to be the
most unpleasant continuation for White.
Super Tournaments 2000
Well, ίη the game Hodgson - Jussupow,
Ti1burg 1993, B1ack really got a convenient
p1ay after 14.CLJd2CLJc5 15.~c2 ~d7.
14 ..1ιa3
Since there is ηο job οη the d8-h4 di-
agona1, White's dark-squared bishop comes
to the adjacent a3-f8 diagonal. Also 14.CLJd2
was tested ίη this position before.
14....a:e8 15.1:tfcl
Α new move. Usually White p1ays here
15.CLJd2.
15 ... g5?!
Whi1e the position stays c1osed, defects
of this advance are imperceptib1e. But as
soon as it opens up, White will be able to
make use of the ho1es ίη B1ack's pawn
chain. Better was 15 ... Φh7 or 15 ... 1:tc8.
16.e3 .1ιf5 17.CLJel .1ιe6 18.CLJc2 d5
An important move. 18 ... 1:tc8 was more
re1iab1e. After the move ίη the game
White's dark-squared bishop annihilates
one of the important defenders of the d5-
square.
19..1ιχe7 .ί:txe7
20.CLJb4!
Α brave move, connected with a tem-
porary pawn sacrifice. Α timid continua-
tion 1ike 20.bxc6 bxc6 21.CLJb4 wou1d en-
counter a refutation of21 ... 1::tb7.
20 ..• dxc4 21.dxc4 cxb5 22.CLJbd5
Better than 22.CLJxb5, probab1y to be fo1-
10wed by 22 ... 1:td7.
22 ... ..txd5
B1ack tries to get rid ofWhite's centra1-
ized knight as soon as possib1e. He cer-
tainly did not want to suffer ίη case of
Bosnα
22 ... ~d7 23:~xb5 ~a5 24:~b4
23.lbxd5lbxd5 24.cxd5 e4?
Black opens up the long diagonal for his
bishop, but the price he pays for it is per-
haps too high as he weakens his pawn
struggle even more. After 24 ... t:fd6 25.
t:fxb5 f5 26.e4 White would maintain a
strong pressure οη light squares. Perhaps
the apparently ugly move 24 ... ~a5!? was
the best possible decision with the idea to
simplify the position by an exchange ofpair
ofrooks.
25 ..1:!:c5 ~c8
Now the move 25 ... .1:!:c8 is already late
because of 26.t:fc2!, and if 26 ... i.f8, then
White wins by 27.~c8 ~a2 28.~xd8 ~xc2
29.d6 Me5 30.~d1.
26.MXb5 Me5
Black's position is already very hard.
80, after 26 ... ~c3 27. t:fa4!? (E.Bareev rec-
ommended after the game another worthy
line: 27. t:fb4 f5 28.d6 ~f7 29.g4!) 27 ... f5
28.MXb7 Mxb7 29.~xb7 t:fxd5 White wins
by 30.t:fa8+ lιf8 31 ..1:!:g7+!, trapping the
queen.
27.~dl Mc7 28.lιh3 t:ff6
28 ... lιf8 was ofno use because of29.d6!,
but after 28 ... t:fd6 29.Itxb7 ~xb7 30. t:fxb7
the game could have lasted much longer.
29.d6!
The d-pawn decides.
29 ... ~xb5 30. t:fxb5 ~c2 31.lιf5 lιf8
32.d7 lιe7 33.d81:!.+ lιxd8 34.t:fe8+ rJ;g7
35.MXd8 ~cl+
There is ηο 35 ... t:fxf5 because of 36.
t:fh8+ rJ;g6 37.Md6+ f6 (after 37 ... rJ;h5
38. t:fxh6+ rJ;g4 39.h3+ rJ;f3 40. t:fh5+ White
mates) 38.t:fg8+ rJ;h5 39.t:ff7+ cJtg4 (after
39 ... t:fg6 40.g4+ White is a queen up)
40.h3+, and Black may resign.
36.rJ;g2 t:fxf5 37.~f8 rJ;g6 38.Md6 1-0.
75 C42
Kasparov - Sokolov
Round 5 21.05
l.e4 e5 2.lbf3 lbf6 3.lbxe5 d6 4.lbf3
lbxe4 5.d4 d5 6.SΙd3 ~e7 7. ο-ο lbc6 8.c4
133
lbb4 9.lιe2 ο-ο 10.lbc3 lιf5
The played Petroff Defense is consid-
ered to be one of the most reliable begin-
nings against 1.e2-e4. However, recently
White has got some achievements ίη this
field. For example, at the event ίη Indone-
sia (finished ίη May, 2000) the other popu-
lar line 10 ... lιe6 11.lbe5 f6 12.lbf3 c5
13.~e3 Mc8 14.dxc5 lιxc5 was met by
15.i.xc5! ~xc5 16.t:fb3 a5 17.~ad1, and
White succeeded to get the advantage ίη
the game Κhalifman - Karpov, Bali 2000.
The fresh line 10 ... b6 was also successfully
parried after 11.a3 lbxc3 12.lιxc3 lbc6
13.cxd5 t:fxd5 14.Me1 i.b7 15.i.d3 ~ae8
16.c4 t:fd8 17.d5, Kasparov - H.Olafsson,
Kopavogur 2000.
11.a3lbxc3 12.lιxc3lbc6 13.Mel
The other possibility is 13.cxd5 t:fxd5
14.c4. Let me remind that a year ago at
Bosna 8uper - 1999 A.Morozevich defeated
A.8hirov with this line.
13 ... lιf6 14.lιf4 lbe7?!
This is a new but unsuccessful way.
Here the prospective Kasparov's opponent
at the match ίη Autumn 2000, VΚramnik,
used 14 ... Mc8 (Monaco 1999). This position
also appeared ίη I.80kolov's games, for ίη­
stance, 14 ... lba5 15.cxd5 t:fxd5 16.lιf1 b6
17.lbe5, Anand - Ι 80kolov, Kopavogur
2000 and White succeeded to win that
game.
15.t:fb3 b6 16.cxd5lbxd5
There was not other move. After
16 ... t:fxd517.lιc4 t:fd818.lbe5 Black would
run into problems with the f7-square.
17.i.e5!
Α strong move, interrupting the coor-
dination of Black's pieces.
17... i.g4?
Black had a very difficult choice here
and his mistake is quite understandable.
The immediate bishop's retreat 17 ... i.e7
would be strongly met by 18.~5. Ιη case
of the exchange 17 ... ~xe5 Black would
come to the unpleasant ending after
18.lbxe5 t:fd6 19.1ιf3 ~ad8 20.lιxd5 t:fxd5
21. t:fxd5 Mxd5 22.lbc6. Ιη case ofthe rela-
134
tively more reliable 17 ... c6 18.c4 ctJc7 Black
probably would not like 19.1:tad1 ctJe6
20. ~e3 with a rather disturbing threat of
the break ίη center d4-d5.
18.l:Iadl iιe7 19.h3 iιh5
The exchange 19 ... iιxf3? was not ac-
ceptable for Black. After 20.iιxf3 it would
not be possible to keep the knight ίη cen-
tre with the move 20 ... c6 because of21.c4,
with Black's hopeless position.
20.g4!
This resolute move νirtually terminates
the game ίη White's favor.
20 ... iιg6 21.iιg3 ctJf6
It is hard to give Black a good advice.
Mter 21 ... c6 22.ctJe5 !tc8 23.iιa6 he would
miss the exchange.
22.ctJe5 ctJe4
There was ηο escape after 22 .. .iιe4
23.iιc4 iιd5 because of24.g5 iιxc4 25.~xc4
ctJd5 26.ctJc6 ~d7 27.~xd5!, and White
would win the piece.
23.iιf3 ctJxg3 24.ctJc6 ~d6 25.ctJxe7+
Φh8 26.iιxa8 1-0
76 Α26
Gurevich - Bacrot
Round 6 23.05
l.c4 e52.ctJc3 ctJf6 3.ctJf3 ctJc6 4.g3 g6
5.iιg2 iιg7 6. ο-ο ο-ο 7.d3 d6 8.Mbl a5
9.a3 Me8
Ιη Round 4 ίη the game Bareev -
Bacrot, Sarajevo 2000, 9 ... h6 was played,
but after 10.b4 axb4 11.axb4 iιe6 12.b5
Super Tournaments 2000
ctJe7 13.~b3 c6 14.iιa3 Black ran into cer-
tain troubles. Perhaps, that made the
French grandmaster use the other ap-
proved line.
10.iιg5
White is going to eliminate one of the
main defenders of the squares d5 and e4
to enforce the pressure along the diagonal
a8-h1
10 ... h6 11.iιxf6 iιxf6 12.b4 axb4
13.axb4 iιg7 14.b5 ctJe7
The retreat to the center - 14 ... ctJd4
would give Black certain problems after
15.ctJxd4 exd4 16.ctJd5 since it would be υη­
easy to get rid ofthe d5-knight smoothly.
15.~b3
The natural move 15.ctJd2 is out offash-
ίοη because of 15 ... e4! 16.~c2 (16.ctJcxe4?
f5) 16 ... e3! 17.fxe3 ctJf5, and Black had a
splendid play Vaganian - Lautier, Manila
1990.
15 ... c6
Black is intending to build a barrier οη
the diagonal a8-h1 against White's bishop
as soon as possible.
16.ctJd2 iιe617.J:tfcl d5 18.~b4
Ιη case of an immediate pawns' ex-
change 18.bxc6 bxc6 19.cxd5 cxd5 White
would have ηο advantage as it was shown
ίη the game Bischoff - Smejkal, Munich
1988. But 20.~c2!? deserved attention,
leading immediately to the position that
happened ίη the game later οη.
18 ... iιf8
Α good waiting move. Black continues
keeping the tension ίη the centre. Earlier
18 ... dxc4 was tried, and after 19.bxc6 bxc6
20.ctJxc4 ctJd5 21.ctJxd5 cxd5 22.ctJb6 ~b8
23.~c5 White managed to get a bit more
pleasant play ίη the game J.Hickl -
S.Κindermann, Altenkirchen 1999.
19.~b2 iιg7 20.~c2 ι;,i)h7
The position is equal and Black is still
waiting, virtually staying motionless. Yet
his last move has uncovered a bit the f7-
pawn f7 to give the opponent a cause to
start the actions. Black did not want to
close the center ,vith 20 ... d4 because of
Bosnα 135

2l.lLJce4 and White's knight was making move 28 ... tιJd5! and after 29.J::!.cxd5 ~e7 he
its way to the c5-square, and ίη case of would have real chances to balance the
20 ... f5!? (with an idea of e5-e4) this line position gradually.
could sharpen the play 21.e4 fxe4 22.dxe4 26.z:txb7 I:Ϊ.c8
d4 23.tΔa4 d3 24. ~b3. The two terrible threats l::tb7-d7 and
J::lb7xf7 could not be parried simulta-
neously. Mter 26 ... tιJd4 27.~c4 the both
threats are actual and ίη case 26 ... ~f6
27.J..d5 tΔd6 28.liJe4 liJxe4 29.~xe4 1:f8
30.1::rc6 Black would also come to the di-
saster.
27.l!xf7 tΔd4?!
Ιη case of 27 ... J::le7 White had to play
28.l!xf5 (ίη case of28.~xe7?! ~xe7 it turns
out that it is not so easy for White to get
rid of an unpleasant ρίη along the c-file)
28 ... gxf5 (after 28 ... l1ec7? 29.~f3 l1xc5
21.tΔb3!
30.~xc5 ~xc5 31 ..'g.xc5 Black's position is
Α brave move. White sacrifices a pawn
hopeless) 29.~xf5+ Φh8 30.lιe4 ~g8 and
to send his knight to c5. White got two pawns for an exchange. Still,
21 ... dxc4 this development of events was better than
The extra pawn is worth taking. If the one would happen ίη the game.
Black tried to cover c5 with 21 ... ~d6, then 28.~a2 I:Ϊ.e7
after 22.bxc6 bxc6 23.cxd5 cxd5 24.tΔb5 If 28 ... ~d6 then there is a strong
White's knights would torture Black's 29. ~a7! l!g8 30.J..f1 with an idea of e2-e3 ..
queenside. 29.l!xe7 ~xe7 30.tΔd3 J::!.xcl 31.tΔxcl
22.dxc4 lιxc4 23.tιJc5 cxb5 e4
Black is trying to cause further simpli- Black is trying to disclose the diagonal
fications. After 23 ... ~c7 24.bxc6 bxc6 al-h8 for his bishop.
25.~b7 ~a5 26.tΔ3e4 Black would have 32. ~bl e3 33.f4
much troubles to eliminate the activity of Of course, White does not need to ex-
White's pieces. Another opportunity was change. The e3-pawn will become a source
23 ... b6, but after 24.tιJ5a4 iιd5 (ίη case of ofBlack's troubles.
24 ... tΔf5 there is a very strong 25.lιxc6! 33 ... ~c7 34.c,t>f1
tΔd4 26. ~dl showed by M.Gurevich and White is not going to miss the stroke
ίη case of exchange οη c6 the passed c-pawn 34 ... ~xcl! followed by 35 ... tΔxe2+
would bring Black a lot of problems ίη fu- 34... Wh8
ture) 25.l1dl ~b8 26.bxc6 lιxg2 27.Wxg2 Black gets his king out of harm, al-
tιJxc6 28.tΔxb6 tΔd4 29. ~e4 White would though he could have demanded here an
also keep his slight initiative. immediate exchange of the queens -
24.tΔxb5 iιxb5 25.gxb5 tΔf5? 34 ... ~c2.
After this move Black unexpectedly 35.tΔd3
misses a pawn. Preferable would be Now White could have prevented the
25 ... Ϊta7. Ιη case of 26.tΔxb7 (any ex- further simplifications with 35 ...te4!. The
changes are ίη Black's favour, and 25 ..ί:tdl opposite-coloured bishops οη the boardjust
~c7 26.i:td7 is well met by 26 ... Iιal+) promote the attack against Black's king.
26 ... ~d7 Black can parry 27 ..I:c5 .ί:Ixb7 We must note that ίη this moment White
28.I:Ϊ.dl with the important intermediate was already pressed for time.
136
35.. :~c2 36:~xc2lbxc2
B1ack makes a safe 1ife for his king with
the exchange of the queens. Το reach the
full happiness he ought to exchange the
knights, but White is not going to permit
it.
37 ...Ite4 g5 38lbc5lbd4 39.fxg5 hxg5
40 ...Itbl..1tf8?!
Here B1ack does not find right p1aces
for his pieces. The idea1 arrangement for
B1ack wou1d be the position of his knight
οη e5 and bishop οη d4. Still, it wou1d be
not so easy to reach since the g5-pawn
cou1d be missed οη the way to that arrange-
ment. B1ack cou1d try to app1y this idea
with 40 ... lbc6 41 . ..Itf5 lbe5 (41 ... ~d4?
42.lbe4) 42.'it>g2 3ιf8, to meet 43.lbe4 or
43.lbe6 by 43 ... ..Ite7, with the following
transfer ofhis king to the g5-pawn.
41:lbd7 ..Itg7 42 ...Ite4 lbb343 ...Itd5lbd4
Ιη case B1ack did not 1et White's king
to the e3-pawn with 43 ... lbd2+ 44.<t>g2
..Itd4, he wou1d have great prob1ems with
the g5-pawn after 45.'it>h3 'it>g7 46.<;.i;g4 'it>h6
47.lbf8
44.lbb6
44 ...lbf5?
Black has to 1eave the d4-square for his
bishop ίη view of the threat lbb6-c4, but
among severa1 possible retreats he has
chosen not the best for the knight. Mter
44 ... lbb5 45.lbc4 ..Itd4 White's king cou1d
not reach the e3-pawn so easi1y. A1so
44 ... ..Itb4 is possible with the follσιwing
king's approaching to the g5-pawn.
45.lbc4 .td4 46.'ιtig2 'ιtig7
Super Tournαments 2000
B1ack cou1d temporari1y prevent
White's king coming to the centre with
46 ... g4 4 7 .~e6lbh6, but after 48.lbd6! <t>g7
49.lbf5+ he 10st the g4-pawn inevitab1y.
47.~e6lbe7
Mter 47 ... <;.i;f6 48 ...Itxf5 <;.i;xf5 49.lbd6
(49.<t>f3 wou1d be immature ίη view of
49 ... g4+) 49 ... <t>e5 50.lbb5 ..Itc5 51.<t>f3
White wou1d capture the e3-pawn.
48.<;.i;f3 <;.i;f6 49.<;.i;e4 .ta1 50...Itd7 ~c3
51.lbxe3
The aim has been achieved.
51 ... ..Ital 52 . ..Ita4 ..Itb2 53.lbc4 ..Ita1
54.lbb6 ~b2 55.<t>f3 j,d4 56.lbd7 <t>f5
57 .~c2 <t>e6 58.lbf8 1-0
The 10ss ofthe third pawn is inevitab1e
for him.
77 Β12
Shirov - Bareev
Round 7 24.05
l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 ..Itf5 4.c3 e6 5 ...Ite3
~b6 6.~b3 h5
The opponents are p1aying rather a
smooth line ίη the Caro-Kann. With his
1ast move B1ack is trying to conquer some
space at the kingside. As a ru1e, decisions
of such kind are taken 1ater οη, after
White's advance f2-f4. It shou1d be men-
tioned that two years ago at Russia cham-
pionship E.Bareev preferred 6 ... lbd7.
Mter 7.lbd2 lbe7 8.f4 :ϊ.c8 9.lbgf3 c5 10.
dxc5 lbxc5 11. ~xb6 axb6 12.3ιb5+ and
White managed to get an advantage Aseev
- Bareev, St.Petersburg 1998. A.Shirov
recently was to p1ay against the simi1ar
1ine with 6 .. .lbe7 at his successfu1 tourna-
ment, Amber 2000. Mter 7.lbd2 ..Itg6 8.f4
lbd7 9.lbgf3 a5 10. ~xb6 lbxb6 11.a4 lbf5
12 ...Itf2 h5 13.g3 CZ,d7 14 ..te2 f6, with mu-
tua1 chances, Shirov - Anand, Monaco
2000.
7.lbd2lbh6
The position after 7.lbd2 was p1ayed ίη
practice, but B1ack has made a new move.
8 ..te2 h4
Bosnα
Α forced move. Ιη case of 8 .. .lιg6 there
is an unpleasant 9.liJh3!.
9.h3 lιe7 10.liJgf3 liJd7 11. ο-ο lιg6
12.lιg5
Negative consequences of an early
prophylaxis with h7-h5 are now being
sound.
12...liJf5
The ending after 12 .. .'§'xb3 13.axb3
would be a concession οη the part of
Black's, but his position ίη that case would
be as passive as solid.
13.lιxe7 liJxe7 14:§'a3!
Οη the previous move Black had his last
opportunity to exchange the queens. His
refusal permits White to struggle ίη the
middle game. Also, it is important that
Black's rooks are disconnected and the cas-
tling is hardly possible. While the position
is closed the bad cooperation of Black's
pieces is not so appreciable, but it can be-
come the decisive matter if the play dis-
closes.
14...liJf5
Ιη case of 14 ... c5 Α. Shirov was going
to continue 15.1:tac11ike ίη the game.
15.1:tacl a5
Black is compelled to stay motionless.
The last move is intended to prevent c3-c4
indirectly. An immediate 15 ... c5 could be
followed by 16.c4!.
16.1::tfelliJe7 17.lιdl
The essence ofthe prophylaxis with a7-
a5 would be understandable ίη case of an
immediate 17 .c4. Then Black would have
17 ... '§'b4. However, instead ofthe last move
ίη the game, ίη A.Shirov's ορίηίοη 17.lιf1
was stronger with an idea ofb2-b3 and c3-
c4.
17 ...1:ta7
Since any Black's action is harmful for
him (for instance ίη case 17 ... c5? 18.lιa4
liJc6 19.c4 Black will have troubles), Black
is waiting for White's activity.
18.lιc2
18.b3!? was an alternative to the move
ίη the game.
18 ... liJf8 19.1iJg5 lιxc2 20.1::txc2 liJf5
137
21.c4!
Ν ot resigning himself to the equalizing
of the game after 2U:tcc1 '§'d8 22.liJgf3
(22.liJdf3? 1::th5) 22 ... '§'e7 A.Shirov begins
interesting complications. White sacήfices
the pawnjust to open up the play.Besides,
Black has a opportunity to take it with a
tempo. Still, White's plan should be cor-
rect for at least 99% thanks to the ugly
position ofBlack's a7-rook.
21 ... liJxd4
Mter the exchange ofthe light-coloured
bishops 21 ... '§'b4 doesn't work because of
22.'§'d3, but here an eager move 22 ... dxc4
23.1:txc4 '§'xb2 would be easily refuted with
24.d5!. The other capture of the pawn -
21 ... '§'xd4 would result ίη opening of the
play and White's strongest attack after
22.liJdf3 '§'b6 23.cxd5 exd5 24.e6
22.~ccl1::th5
Black's pieces are misplaced οη the di-
agonal a7 -gl and it is not easy to take them
away luckily from this position. For ex-
ample, 22 ... '§'b4 would be strongly met
with White's queen transfer to the kingside
by 23.'§'e3 c5 24.a3 '§'b6 25.'§'f4. After
22 ... liJd7 or 22 ... liJf5 White would answer
23.cxd5 exd5 24.e6. The defensive move
22 ... 1::ta6 would permit White to develop the
decisive attack by 23. '§'d31::th5 24.c5 '§'xb2
(after 24 ... '§'d8 it is possible to play
25.liJxf7) 25.1::tb1 '§'c2 26. '§'xd4 1::txg5
27.1:txb7 '§'g6 28.liJe4.
23. '§' e3 liJe2?!
Black is trying to get rid of the active
White's g5-knight quickly. Mter 23 ... Ba6
24.'§'f4 liJf5 25.cxd5 White would develop
 138
the initiative. Ιη case of23 .. .'~Jg6 (not per-
mitting the queen to f4) it would be pos-
. sible 24.cxd5 exd5 25.tbxf7! <;i;xf7 26.e6+
<;i;g8 27. tbb3, taking back the sacrificed
piece. Mter 23 ... tbd7 24.cxd5 cxd5 (same
positions would arise in case of 24 ... tbf5
25. t:'lf4) 25 ..1::tc8 <;i;e7 26. t:'lf4 tbf5 Black
should take into consideration with the
idea to advance 28.g4!, for instance
27 ... t:'lxb2? 28.g4! Ιη case of 27 ... t:'ld4,
White would play just 28"~c1 with a good
compensation for the pawn. Still, Black
should have ventured οη 23 ... tbd7 because
after the move ίη the game White could
give him serious troubles by means of a
forced line.
24. ~xe2 .uxg5 25.tbf3 ~h5 26.cxd5
exd527.e6?!
27.tbd4! was much stronger. Ιη this case
after 27 ... g6 (27 ... ~g5 is not better due to
28. '§d2 ~h5 29.e6) 28. t:'lg4 Ϊta8 29.e6 Black
could hardly escape a quick defeat.
27 ...fxe6
Ιη case of27 ... tbxe6 28.tbd4 I:th6 29.t:'le5
Black would have to parry two unpleas-
ant threats: 30.tbf5 and 30.'§xg7.
28.tbd4 Uh6 29.tbf5 !:!.f6
After 29 ... :th 7, 30. t:'l e5 would be strong,
and if 29 ... .a:g6, then 30. t:'lh5 was good.
30.tbxg7+ ~d7
Ιη case of 30 ... <J;;;f7 White was going to
continue the attack by means of 31.tbh5
~f5 32.hϊc3.
31.tIc3 t:'lb4?!
Ιη A.Shirov's ορίηίοη, this move is not
accurate. 31 ... z:ra8 is stronger.
32.t:'le3 b6
32 ... d4 would be met with 33 ..!:td1.
33.a3!
Again White is ready to sacrifice his
material.
33 •.• t:'le7
Mter 33 ... t:'lxb2 34.I:tb3 d4!? the play
would become the exchange of blows -
35.~d1! (the queen must not leave e3 be-
cause of vulnerability of the f2-square)
35 ... Φc8 36.I:txd4 t:'la1+ 37.<J;;;h2 1:[xg7
38.kιxb6 and White has the decisiνe attack
$uper Tournαments 2000
despite he is a piece down.
34.'§xb61:Ic7 35 ..ί:Iecl e5
35 ... '§xg7 is prohibited because of
36.~xc6.
36.tbh5?!
White does not look for some easy ways.
After 36.tbf5! followed by 37.tbxh4 he
would get an extra pawn ίη the luxurious
position. After the move ίη the game
White's knight will appear into the υη­
pleasant company of the Black's pieces.
The explanation of it is that in this mo-
ment both the opponents were short of
time.
36... J:th6 37.b4 axb4 38.axb4 t:'lg5
The knight is tabooed: 38 ... .ί:Ixh5 39.
~xc6.
39.b5 c5
40.t:'la5!
40.t:'lb8?! t:'ld8!.
40 ... tbe6?
Being in a time trouble, E.Bareev
makes a decisive mistake. Black could
make a threat of mate with 40 ... z:rg6!. Μ­
ter 41.g4 hxg3 (in case of 41 ... ~xh5 42 ..16
J:lxg4+ 43.Φf1! White would have the deci-
sive attack) 42.tbxg3 tbe6 43.b6 .!:tb7
White's task would appear to be much
more difficult.
41.b6 :rb742.~a6!
White is preparing the decisive blow
υροη Black's position trying to involve
Black's king onto c6, under attack of all
White's pieces, and the h5-night is of ηο
importance.
42 •.. tbd8
Bosnα
Mter 42 ... Φc6 White would reach his
aim with 43. ~a8 ~g6 (after 43 ... l!hh7
White wou1d have a sufficient reply 44. ~c8
Φd6 45.1:!.xc5) 44.l!xc5 liJxc5 45.~c8 Φd6
46.~xc5 '.t>e6 47.~c6 Φf5 48.~c8 '.t>e4 (if
48 ... 1:!.e6, then 49.1:!.c6) 49. ~c2 Φd4 50.1:!.d1,
and White is mating.
43.~xc5 l!hxb6
If 43 ... '.t>e8, then 44.~a4+ Φf8 45.~a3
'.t>g8 46. ~b3! 1eads to a victory.
44.1:!.xd5+ Φe7
Mter 44 ... Φe6 wins 45.~a2! Z1b2 (45 ...
~xc146.J:tdl) 46.nxe5+! Wxe5 47.f4+ ~xf4
48.~c5+.
45.~a3+ Φπ 46.~f3+ '.t>g6 47.~c41-0
White's rook will transfer to g4 with a
decisive effect.
78 C89
Topalov - Adams
Round 8 25.05
1.e4 e5 2.liJf3liJc6 3.i..b5 a6 4 ...ta4liJf6
5. ο-ο i..e7 6.k'tel b5 7 •.1ιb3 ο-ο 8.c3
VTopalov demonstrates that he is ready
to start the theoretical dispute οη the
Marshall Attack, which is one ofthe sharp-
est variations ίn the Ruy Lopez.
8 ... d5
Adams accepts the challenge.
9.exd5 liJxd5 10.liJxe5 liJxe5 11.~xe5
c6 12.d4 i..d6 13.1::!.el ~h4 14.g3 ~h3
15.~e4 g5!
This move is well known and very
strong. B1ack takes under his control the
h4-square. English grandmaster tried
15 ... i..b7?!, but after 16.~h4 ~e6 17.liJd2
f5 18.~h5! h6 19.1iJf3 Black had some
troubles Leko - Adams, Dortmund 1999.
16.~f3
16.i..xg5? is bad because of16 ... ~f5, and
the rook with the bishop are attacked
16 ... .1ιί5 17.Jιc2 Jιxe4
B1ack simply takes the exchange. The
ingenious move 17 ... ..tf4!? according to J
Nunn would lead to some White's superi-
ority after 18.liJd2 liJf6 19.1:!.e1 .1ιχc2
139
20.gxf4.
18.i..xe4 ~e6 19.i..xg5 f5 20.i..xd5?
This is the case when the new move is
worse than the old one.Frank1y speaking
it is a pity to give up the 1ight-co1oured
bishop. The frequently tried move 20.SΙd3
looks more consistent. Ιn case of 20 ... f4
B1ack would be compelled to play the end-
ing with two pawns compensating White
for the exchange after 21. ~e4 ~xe4
22.i..xe4. Or perhaps M.Adams was going
to try the recommendation of his compa-
triot J.Nunn: 20 ... h6! 21.i..d2 21 ... J:ta7 fo1-
lowed by 1:!.g7 and f5-f4.
20 ... cxd5
B1ack takes the bishop with the pawn,
and it 100ks correctly since f5-f4 will gain
more effect when Black's queen is οη e6.
After 20 .. .'~xd5 2ι.tiJd2 21 ... f4?! White
would reply 22. ~g4.
21.liJd2
21 ... f4!
It is impossib1e to linger. After 21 ...
1!ae8 21 ..1ιf4 White is οκ.
22.Jιxf4
White is going with the stream that will
bring him to a very difficult ending. The
attempt to resist to the fate with 22.g41:!.a7
(22 ... 1:!.ae81ooks here too smooth) 23.h31:!.g7
24.Jιh4 h5 25.g5 i..e7 wou1d 1ead to the 10ss
ofthe pawn.
22 ... i..xf4 23.gxf4 ~a7 24.ΦhΙ
M.Adams thinks that 24.Φf1 is more
persistent.
24 ... 1:!.e7
B1ack improves his contro1 over e-file.
140
After 24 ... .ί:laf7 25.1:tg1 + '>t>h8 26. ~e3 White
would haνe been playing.
25.':gl+ '>t>h8
Black's queen inνasion to e2 is threat-
ening.
26.tbfl ~e4!
Here 26 ... ~e2 27.~g2 ~xb2 28.tbe3
would not be reasonable since White would
get some counter play. But after the
queen's exchange White's position becomes
hopeless.
27.ςt>g2?!
It is hard for White to hold οη after
27.~xe4 ':xe4 28.tbe3 k:!.exf4 29.tbd1
aswell, but that's his best chance.
27 ... ~xf3+ 28.'>t>xf3 .ί:lel 29 ..ί:lhl .ί:le4
30.tbd2 .ί:lexf4 31.ςt>e3 1:txf2 32.a4 1:tg2
Black refused to play 32 ... .txa4, per-
haps ίη νiew of 33.c4.
33.axb5 axb5 34..t3 ':ff2 35.tbf3 ~b2
36 ..t4 .ί:lgc2 37.ςt>d3 ~f2 38.'it>e3 .ί:lbe2
39.ςt>d3 .ί:la2 40.ςt>e3 ~ae2 41.ςt>d3 .ί:le4
42.tbe5
42.tbd2 was more stubborn, but it would
change nothing ίη the game result. Mter
42 ... ~h4 43.h3 .ί:lf6 44.ςt>c2 .!:!fh6 45.J:ιa1
J:ιxh3 46.Ita8+ '>t>g7 47 .l:!.xb5 Itf6 Black
mustwill.
42 ... .ί:tfe20-l
43.tbg4 is the οηlΥ defense from the
mate, but after 43 ... h5 this defender would
not liνe long.
79 D17
Georgiev - Shiroν
Round 9 26.05
l.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.tbf3 tbf6 4.tbc3 dxc4
5.a4 iιf5 6.tbe5
The main line ofthe Slaν Defense is one
of the tough arguments for the system
Black has used.6.e3 willlead to a slower
play.
6 ... e6 7.f3 .tb4 8.e4 .txe4 9.fxe4 tbxe4
10 ..td2 ~xd4 11.tbxe4 ~xe4+ 12.~e2
iιxd2+ 13.ςt>xd2 ~d5+ 14.ςt>c2 tba6
15.tzJxc4 ο-ο
Super Tournαments 2000
This is the most natural way. Black is
going just to complete the deνelopment.
Three month before this game ίη Κramnik
- Shiroν, Linares 2000 the other known
moνe - 15 ... b5 - was tried. Mter 16.axb5
tbb4+ 17.'it>c3 cxb5 18.l:td1 ~c5 19. ~e5
tbd5+ 20 ..a:xd5 b4+ 21.'>t>b3 ~xd5 22.iιe2
Black had certain troubles.
16.~f3
Ιη July of 2000 the νariant with the
moνe 16. ~e5 ~ab8 was fashionable again.
Ιη the game Iνanchuk - Bareeν, Monte-
catini Terme 2000, White by 17.a5!? man-
aged to giνe his opponents a number ofnew
problems.
16... ~c5 17..te2 tbb4+ 18.ςt>bl .a:ad8
19.~cl .a:d4
Black would like to transfer his queen
to the diagonal b1-h7, but it is not easy to
do it now. After 19 ... ~g5 20. ~g4! ~c5
21 ..sa3 .sd4 22. ~h5 Beliaνsky - Shiroν,
Belgrade 1997 White got an adνantage.
20.l:Ia3 l:Ifd8
21.a5
It is a noνelty. Mter this moνe Black
cannot support his b4-knight with the a-
pawn. But White should be ready to pay
for it: Black pieces could ίη some cases
touch the separated a5-pawn. Ιη case of
21.g4 ~g5 22 ..a:b3 a5 23.h4 Black forced
the draw: 23 ... ~g6+ 24.Φa1 CLJc2 25.ςt>a2
tbb4 26.ςt>a1 CLJc2, Van Wely - Κramnik,
Wijk aan Zee 1999. Here 21 ..ί:le3 ~g5 was
also seen ίη practice.
21 ... ~g5 22 ..sb3 ~g6+
22 ... c5! looked stronger, because after
Bosnα 141

23. ~xb7 ~g6+ 24.<;,t>al Black would have White kept some advantage.
a very good reply 24 ... ~c2!, and 25.1:!.xc2? 39 ... 1:tdd2 40.lbc4 1:!.d4 41. ~a8 'it>g7
is impossible ίη view of25 ... 1:!.dl+ with the 42.~a7
mate. White is playing to will.lf he liked he
23.ΦaΙ ~g5 could have forced a draw by 42.1:ta7 ~xg3
Black has already missed the proper 43.1:txf7 \t>xf7 44. ~e8 Wg7 (44 ... c.t>f6??
moment for c6-c5. Here 23 ... c5 would be 45.~f8#) 45.~e7+ Φh6 46.~f8+ with the
met with 24.lbe5. perpetual check.
24.~e3 ~b5 42 ... ~xa7 43.1:txa7 ~g2 44.1:ta3
Black does not want to exchange the White is defending while he could have
queens without any necessity or profit. attacked by 44.lbe5!? to make Black's rook
25.~c3 c5 26.~a3 ~d7 27.~f3 ~e7 pass οη to defense with 44 ... 1:tf2.
28.1:te3 44 ... lbd3 45.~f1
Perhaps Black was going to prepare the
advance ofhis e-pawn, and White was try-
ing to prevent this idea.
28 .•.b5
This move A.Shirov considers an υη­
happy one. Ιη his ορίηίοη, Black's chance
would be slightly preferable after 28 ... ~g5!
29.axb6 axb6 30.lba3
Not 30.lbxb6?? because of30 ... ~a7+.
30... l:ιd2
Black's king needs some air. That is why
30 ... g6!? deserved attention.
31.g3 ~d7 32.h4 ~d4 33.1:tec3 ~e5 45 ...lbxb2?
Mter 33 ... ~d5 White does not need to There was ηο need ίη playing for com-
exchange the queens οη d5 and can pro- binations. After 45 ... f5!? 46.1:tb3 ~xg3
pose to do it with 34 ..1i.c4 ίη more fa- 47.lbxb6 e5 Black's position would have
vourable situation. been just more pleasant.
34.SΙb51:th2 35.lbc4 ~c7 46.lbe3
This is the full confession. Black was If 46.lbxb2, Black was going to play
prohibited to play 35 ... ~d5? because of 46 ... ~b4.
36.~xd5 exd5 37.lbxb61:tb8 38.Uxc5, and 46 ...1::txg3!?
the weakness of the last rank would be Black would have great difficulties also
decisive. ίη case of 46 ... 1:!.b4 47.lbxg2! (after 47.1:ta7
36.'it>bl1:td5 37.~a3 h5 38.~e4 lbc4 48. <J?c llbxe3 49 .1:tfxf7 + 'it> g8 Whi te has
. 38.l:ίf1 was also possible. After 38 ... c.t>h7 οηlΥ a draw) 47 ... ctJc4+ 48.\t>a2 ctJxa3
(38 ... f6 is weaker because of 39.1:ta8 1:td8 49 ..lte8 ctJb5 (ίη case 49 ... ctJc4 5ω::i:Χf7+
'it>h7 40. ~e4 as well as 38 ... ':Η5 ίη view of 'it>h6 51.ctJf4 ctJd6 52.1:te7 ctJf5 53.1:txe6lbxh4
39.~4a8 'it>h7 40.1:txf5) 39.lbe3 (if 39.~e4 54.ctJd3 l:ιd4 55.ctJe5 or 49 ... 1:tg4 50.1:txf7+
g6 40.lbxb6, then 40 ... 1:tf5 would be υη­ 'it>h6 51.ctJf4 lbc4 52.ctJxe6 Black does not
pleasant) 39 ... ~e5 40.1:tc3 ~dd2 41.lbc4 have a chance to escape) 50.1:txf7 + 'it>g8
Black would have an amazing 41 ... 1:!.de2! 51 ..t:H3.
and taking Black's queen would lead to the 47.1:ta7?
perpetual check. White commits a gross error and misses
38•.. g6 39.lbe3 five pawns for the piece. Mter 47. <J?xb21:!.b4
Mter 39. ~e3!, ίη A.Shirov's ορίηίοη, 48.'it>c2 I:txb5 49.ctJf5 (49.~a7!? is also pos-
142
sible with a draw) 49 ... exf5 5o.J:ixg3l:txh4
5U:ixf5 he could haνe gained the rook for
the same Ρήce.
47...~xh4 48.naxf7 Φh6 49.J:t7f3
Perhaps White should haνe played
49.Φχb2 ':xe3 50 ..te8 to try to hit the g6-
pawn g6.
49 ... ~xf3 50.~xf3 ~b4 51 ..te8 lbd3+
52.Φa2
White is not able eνen to moνe his king
into the centre: 52.Φc2? lbe1+.
52 •.. lbf4 53.lbc2 1:!.e4 54 ..tc6 lbd5
55.Φb3 h4 56 . .tb5 Φg5 57 . .td3 r!f4
58.~h3 Φf6 59.lbel b5 60.Φc2
Black's pawns at the queenside haνe
started. White must not play 60 ..txb5 be-
cause of 60 ... ~b4. The armada of Black's
pawns should ineνitably decide the game
ίη his faνour.
60 ... c4 61 ..te2 g5 62.l:th2 e5 63.Φd2
b4 64.ΦcΙ c3 65.lbd3 Ϊίd4 66.lbc5 lbf4
67 . .tf3 Φf5 68 . .tb7 e4 69.lbb3 l:td8
70.Φc2 e3 71 ..ta6 h3 72.1:thl g40-1
80 Β85
Shirov - Movsesian
Round 10 27.05
l.e4 c5 2.lbf3 lbc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.lbxd4
'f!1c7 5.lbc3 e6 6 ..te2 a6 7. ο-ο lbf6 8.i.e3
iιe7 9.f4 d6
The play has come to the Scheνeningen
νariation of the Sicilian Defence with an-
other moνe order.
10.'f!1el ο-ο 1l.'f!1g3lbxd4 12.i.xd4 b5
13.a3 iιb7 14.ΦhΙ .tc6 15.1:tael 'f!1b7
This is the main line ίη this νariation.
The Spanish grandmaster also played
against 15 ... ~ae8. After 16.e5 dxe5 17.
.txe5 'f!1d7 18 ..ιtd3 g6 19. 'f!1h3lbh5 20.lbe4
f6 21.iιc3 iιd5 Black retained the position
Shiroν - Portisch, Biel 1993.
16.i.d3 b4 17.lbdl
The line 17.axb4 'f!1xb418.lbe2 was also
tried many times. The game Shiroν -
Iνanchuk, Linares 1993 is one of the ex-
amples.
Super Tournαments 2000
17....b::a3
Mter 17 ... g6 18.lbf2 (18.axb4? lbxe4)
18 ... .txa3 19 ..txa3 lbh5 20. 'f!1e3 lbxf4
21. 'f!1xf4 e5 22.lbg4 White deνeloped the
strong attack upon Black's king Shiroν -
Benjamin, Horgen 1994.
18..ixa3 ~ac8
The other moνe 18 ... 1:tad8 led to the
complicated play with the mutual chances
after 19.c3 g6 20.lbf2 lbh5 21. 'f!1e3 f6,
Shiroν - Kabatianski, Germany 1996.
19.1bf2
After 19.1be3 .txe4 20 ..txf6 iιxf6
21.lbg4 .txd3 22.lbxf6+ Φh8 23.~b1 'f!1e7
24. 'f!1xd3 'f!1xf6 25. 'f!1xd6 ~fd8 26. 'f!1xa6
~xc2, Lautier - Moνsesian, Malmo 1999
White came into the problems.
19... lbh5 20.'f!1f3 g6 21.lbg4 f6
22.f5
White starts the direct attack ofBlack's
king and is ready to giνe the pawn for it.
There was an alternatiνe to this plan:
22.l:tb1 'f!1a8 (22 ... 'f!1d7 23 ..txa6 .a:a8 24.
.tc4) 23.l:tb6 with White's initiatiνe.
22 ... exf5
Mter 22 ... e5 23 ..ιte3 White would get
the adνantage.
23.lbh6+ Φh8 24.lbxf5
White is destroying the pawn shelter
of Black's king. Ιη case of 24. 'f!1e2?! J.xe4
25.iιxa6 'f!1c6 26 ..txc8 ~xc8 Black would
stay not bad ίη spite ofthe exchange down,
since the knight is misplaced οη h6.
. 24 ... gxf5 25.'f!1xh5 fxe4 26.'f!1g5?!
White misses the strongest continua-
tion of the attack, connected with 26. ~h4!
Bosnα 143

The matter is that ifBlack answers like ίη end ίη a draw because Black realize the
the game 26 ... 1:tf7, White has a simple extra pawn owing to defects of the pawn
27.iιxe4 with an advantage. 26 ... d5 also structure and bad position of pieces.
does not help Black ίη νiew of 27.iιxa6!! 34 ... ~g5 35.h4?!
~xa6 28.~xf6 iιxf6 29.~xf6+ Φg8 (29 ... This move isjust weakening ofWhite's
ttxf6 30.~xf6+ Φg8 3U~e3+-) 30.~g5+ position. After 35.1:tb2 White would still
Φπ 31.~g7+Φe6 32.~e7+ Φf5 33.g4+! and have same compensation for the pawn.
the Black king's travel to the center ofthe 35....a:gg7 36.i.b2 ~d6 37.1:.!.d2
board does not go unpunished. Finally, ίη Ιη case of37.iιh51:If8 38. ~h6 .iιe5 Black
case of a recommended by S.Movsesian would have to win gradually, but after the
26 ... cxd3 27 .l:i.xe7 ~xe7 28.nxf6 ~e5 move ίη the game he may win by force.
29.iιxe5 dxe5 White easily achieve a suc-
cess by means of 30. ~h6! (30.cxd3 ttg8!)
30 ... Φg8 31.~g5+ Φh8 32.~xe5 Φg8
33. ~g3+ Φh8 34.~xf8+ ~xf8 35. ~xd3 and
Black can resign.
26 ... ttf7
26 ... exd3 27.~xe7 ~xe7 28.!Ixf6+-.
27.~c4 ttg8
27 ... d5 does not work ίη view of 28.
iιxa6! ~xa6 29.l:txf6 ~xf6 30.iιxf6 ~xf6
31. ~xf6 Φg8 32.1:te3 and White would cre-
ate the mating attack.
28.~e3 d5 29.iιb3 ~d7 30.ttf4?!
37... ~g3! 38.i.f3
After an immediate 30.c4 kIg6 (ίη case If 38.~d4, then 38 ... z:!.h3! 39.Φg1 (or
of 30 ... dxc4 31.~xc4 iιd5 32.iιxd5 ~xd5 39.gxh3 ~xh3 40.Φg1 .ί::tg7, and Black
wins) 39 ... ~h2 40.Φf1 (40.Φf2 ~f5) 40 ...
33.ttf4 White would retain the advantage)
~c4 with the win Black's victory.
31.nd1 ~e6 32.cxd5 i.xd5 33.iιxd5 ~xd5
Black would keep the balance. 38...1:txf3
38 ... 1:!:fg7 would also bring an easy win.
30... kIg4 31 ..a:f2 Φg8 32.c4 ~e6
39.~xf3
Perhaps 32 ... f5 is stronger, although
39.gxf3 would be met by 39 ... ~h3
after 33.ttef1 White would have a compen-
40.Φg1 ~g7.
sation for the sacrificed pawn.
39... exf3 40 ..I:!xe6 ~xe6 0-1
33.cxd5?!
White takes off the tension ίη the cen-
tre without any particular profit for him.
Β80
Better was 33. ~h3 ~fg7 (after 33 ... f5 81
34.cxd5 i.xd5 35.~xf5 ~xf5 36.iιxd5 ~f4 Movsesian - Kasparov
Black could also play) 34.iιxf6 ~xf6 Round 11 29.05
35.cxd5 iιxd5 36.iιxd5 (Black would be ΟΚ
ίη case of 36.1:ιef1 It7g6 37.~xd5 ~xd5 l.e4 c5 2.1Δf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.lΔxd4
38.l:txf6 I:ιxf6 39. ~xg4+ Φf7) 36 ... ~xd5 lΔίβ 5.lΔc3 a6 6.i.e3 e6
37.1:txf6 h5 eand Black is inferior, but has Black is taking to the path of the
not to lose the game. Scheveningen Variation.
33...i.xd5 34.i.dl? 7.f3
It was possible to play 34.~xd5!? ~xd5 With his last move White supports the
35.h3 klg6 36.~xe4 ~xe4 37.1:txe4 ~xa3 e4-pawn and intends to throw away the
38.g4! (38.1:ιa2?! f5) and the game should ffi-knight from his important defending ρο-
144
sition with the advance g2-g4-g5. There is
one more sharp line - 7.g4 frequently and
successfully tήed by A.8hirov.
7 ...b5 8:~d2
This natural move permits Black to de-
velop without any problems his pieces at
proper positions. The immediate 8.g4 is
tougher. The idea of this move is to pre-
vent the transfer ofthe b8-knight onto b6
at this moment. Ιη the game Anand -
Kasparov, Kopavogur 2000 there was
8 ... CLJfd7 9. 'f;i'd2 CLJb6 10.a4 with a compli-
cated position with mutual chances.
8 ... CLJbd7 9.0-0-0 1ιb7 10.g4 CLJb6
11.'f;i'f2
Taking his queen from d2 White him-
self provokes the typical "Sicilian" ex-
change sacrifice οη c3.
11 ... CLJfd7 12.'.t>b1
12.1ιd3 looks more reliable with an idea
after 12 ... I:tc8 to continue 12.lbce2.
12 ... .ί:!.c8 13.~d3
13 ... Jlxc3!
With this exchange sacrifice Black an-
nihilates one of defenders of the white
king, demolishes his pawn shelter and -
what is also important - simplifies the re-
alizing ofthe advance d6-d5 since White's
control over the centre will become less
after the sacrifice.
14.iιxc3 'f;i'c7 15.CLJe2 1ιe7 16.g5 ο-ο
17.h4lba4
This is the improvement. Ιη the game
Zagrebelny - Lingnau, Berlin 1993 an im-
mediate 17 ... d5 was played here, but after
18.h5 dxe4 19.1Lxe4 1Lxe4 20.fxe4 White's
Super Tournαments 2000
light-coloured bishop entered the play and
Black had to pay for it with a more active
piece.
18.1ιc1
Ιη case of 18.h5 Black would probably
react, as ίη the game 18 ... lbe5, as it would
be wrong to part with the knight after such
a long route just to win the pawn.
18 ...lbe5 19.h5
Mter 19.f4 Black would prepare 19 ...
CLJxd3 20.cxd3 and then a very strong move
20 ... d5.
19... d5
This is the proper move to include ίη
the play the idle dark-coloured bishop.
20.'f;i'h2
Ιη case of 20.exd5 .itxd5 White's light-
coloured bishop will not enter the play
since 21.1ιe4 would be met with 21 ... 1ιc4.
20 ... ~d6!
Ιη case of a careless 20 ... b4? after
21.exd5 ~xd5 22.1ιχh7! ς,t>xh7 23.g6+ Φg8
24.h6! Black will suffer a defeating attack.
24 ... 'f;i'c4 does not safe him ίη vieVlt of
25.~xd5 'f;i'xe2 26.1:txe5lbxc3 27.'it>a1 'f;i'xh2
28.!'rxh2 1ιχd6 29.hxg7 cJJxg7 30.1ιh6+ cJJg8
31.gxf7+ ~xf7 32.1ιχf8 iιxe5 33.f4!
21.'f;i'h3?!
21.i.f4 could hamper the development
ofBlack's initiative though ίη this case as
well after 21 ... b4! 22.cxb4 ~c8 23.~c1 d4
ίη G.Kasparov's ορίηίοη, Black's attack is
dangerous enough.
21 ... lbxd3
Black is going to prepare b5-b4. Mter
an immediate 21 ... b4 Black would have to
take into consideration 22.exd5 lbxd3
23 ..ttxd3
22.cxd3 b4!
Black is disclosing the files at the
queenside where White's king is hidden.
23.cxb4
This move opens new ways for Black's
pieces, but it is not easy to find a satisfac-
tory defence. Ιη case of 23.h6 g6 24.cxb4
~c8 25.cJJa1 dxe4 26.fxe4 the blow 26 ...
Jtxe4! decides. Mter 23.c4 dxc4 24.g6 cxd3
25.~xd3 ~c8 26.~d2 1ιe5 27.1:thdl 1ιc6!
Bosnα 145

Black carries out the manoeuvre Xιc6-b5- 26...~xhl 27. ~xhl ~xb4 28.gxf7 ~f8!
d3 wich must lead him to a success. Ιη case 28 ... φxfΊ 29.Xιb2lίJxb2 30.1:!.c1
23 ...1::rc8 24.ΦaΙ dxe4 White got some counterplay.
24 ... Xιxb4! (with the idea of 25 .. .Xιc3) 29.~g2
lead Black to the victory at once, and if Mter 29.1ιb2lίJχb2 30.1::rc1 (there is ηο
25.~c2, then 25 ... ~c2!. 30.'ιt>xb2 because of 30 ... ~c2) 30 ... ~c5
25.fxe4 31.d4 (or 31.'ιt>xb2 ~e5) 31 ... lbd3 32.J:ίc2
~xf7 33.dxc5 ~f6 34.lbc3 lbxc5 Black
would win.
29 ...1::rb8 30.~b2
If30.~d2, then even 30 ... Xιxd2 31 ..nxd2
~a5 32.J:ίd1 ~b4 would be sufficient for the
Wlll.
30... lbxb2 31.lίJd4
If 31.1:rc1, then this line decides:
31 ... ~e5 32.d4 ~d5 33. ~g4lίJc4 34.1:tg1 g5
35.hxg6 hxg6 36. ~xg6 (36. ~h4 Xιa3
37.~h8+ We7 38.'~:xb8 1ιb2+ 39.Φb1 ~e4#)
25 ... ~xe4! 26.g6 36 ... ~xd4+ 37.lbxd4 Xιc3#
26.dxe4 is not allowed ίη view of 31 ... lbxdl 32.lbxe6 Wxf!7 0-1
26 ... ~e5 27.lίJd4 ~xd4 28.1::rxd4~xc1 After 33. ~xg7 <t>xe6 34. ~xc7 Xιc3 Black
29.l::txc11::rxc1# wins.
146 Super Tournαments 2000

Torneo Magistral de Ajedrez Merida

Merida (Mexico) 13.06-20.06, cat.17

1 Shirov 2751 4

2 Ju.Polgar 2658 3.5

3 Gi.Hernandez 2560 2.5

4 Akopian 2660 2

Chess Organizers of Merida arranged the strongest tournament ίη the history of

Mexico. The average rating ofits participants exceeded 2650. There were A.Shirov and
VAkopian who need not to be presented, J. Polgar who had managed to win two tourna-
ments ίη succession (Japfa and Malme) and the best Mexican grandmaster Gi. Hernandez
among the participants.
UNESCO made Merida with its 800,000 inhabitants and many beautiful buildings
the cultural capital of the Americas ίη the year 2000, thus there were numerous festi-
vals, exhibitions and concerts.
The First "Torneo Magistral de Ajedrez Merida 2000" concluded with a victory by
GM Alexey Shirov of Spain, who won with White against the Armenian Vladimir Akopian
ίη the hard last round (game 93).
Akopian used an Armenian specialty (5 ... ~a5) ίη the Winawer variation ofthe French
Defense and got an interesting position that had been played successfully before. Shirov,
using homemade analysis (or perhaps using his natural talent for playing complicated
positions), neutralized his opponent's attack and realized his material advantage ίη the
queen endgame. With this win, Shirov got the first prize of $10,000.
Alexey began the tournament badly, having lost ίη the first round to Gilberto
Hernandez. This made his victory even more meritorious, since ίη a tournament ofjust
6 rounds it is difficult to overcome an adverse result at the start.

82 Cl1 only 10 ... cxd41UiJxd4 ~c5 12 ..txd7+ ~xd7

Polgar - Akopian
Round 1 13.06
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.liJc3liJf6 4.1ιg5 dxe4
5.liJxe4 tLJbd7 6.tLJf3 h6 7.tLJxf6+ tLJxf6
8.1ιd2 c5 9.kb5+ kd7 10.~e21ιχb5
Black leads to the endgame. Previously
13.tZJb3 occurred ίή this position, and Black
could have a convenient play both after
13 ... .te7 14.0-0-0 ~a4 15.Wb1 .ί:ϊc8 Hellers
- Speelman, Ν ονί Sad 1990 and after
13 ... kb6 14.0-0 ο-ο 15 ..ί:ϊad1 ~a4 Furhoff
- Korchnoi, Copenhagen 1996.
11:~xb5+ ~d7 12.~xd7+ tLJxd7 13.
Torneo Mαgistrαl de Ajedrez Meridα
dxc5 i.xc5 14..tc3 f6 15.h4 h5 16.lΔd2
.te7
Certain accuracy is necessary. Ιη case
of 16 ... Φe7 Black would be forced to ex-
change his bishop for White's knight after
17.lΔe4.
17.0-0-0 lΔc5 18 ..td4 0-0-0 lh-lh
83 Α08
Shirov - Hernandez
Round 1 13.06
l.e4 e6 2.d3
The French Defence became very popu-
lar ίη the high-level chess lately. With his
last move White attempts to fortify the e4-
square as much as possible before black
pieces begin to attack it. ΒΥ this way the
position transforms into a structure that
is close to the Κings' Indian Defence, but
with reversed colours.
2 ... c5 3.g3 lΔc6 4.i,g2 d5 5.lΔd2 g6
6.lΔgf3 i.g7 7.0-0 lΔge7 8.h4 h6 9.1:!.el b6
10.exd5
It is not good for White to lock up the
central structure with 10.e5 before castling,
because Black has a convenient play after
10 .. .'~c7 1U';'fe2 g5! 12.hxg5 hxg5 13.lΔxg5
lΔxe5.
10... exd5
Τοthe capture with the knight White
could answer with 11.lΔc4 or an immedi-
ate 11.d4.
11.d4 cxd4
Black takes the sacήficed pawn, agree-
ing οη a deterioration of his pawn struc-
ture ίη the centre of the board. An imme-
diate castling can be an alternative to the
move ίη the game.
12.lΔb3 iιg4 13.i..f4 0-0 14:~d2 i,xf3
15.i..xf3 'it>h7
This position occurred previously. Ιη the
game Nevednichy - Anapolsky, Bucharest
1994, White had a sufficient compensation
for the pawn after 15 ... lΔf5 16.i.g2 Itc8
17.a3 '§'d7 18.i..h3, though he lost the game
after all.
147
16.J:'1e2 '§'d7 17.!ιael 1::tfe8 18..tg2 a5
19.a3 1:lad8 20.'§'d3 a4 21.lΔd2 lΔa5
22.Φh2lΔb723.i,h3
It is evident that the active position of
white pieces is a fair compensation for the
sacrificed pawn. White οηlΥ has to use well
his opportunities.
23 ... f5
24:~a6??
Just to the wrong place. The white
queen was wanted ίη another direction.
White could have gained a great initiative
after 24.h5! lΔc5 (there is ηο 24 ... g5? be-
cause of 25.1:!.xe7!) 25. '§'f3 lΔe4 (25 ... g5? is
bad for the same reason as οη the previous
move, to be followed by 26.i,xg5! hxg5
27.1:!.xe7 .ί:ι.χe7 28.stxf5+, and White wins,
while ίη case of 25 ... d3 26.cxd3 i,xb2
27.i..e5! i.xa3 28.i..f6 black pieces ίη the
centre prove to be confined rather strictly)
26.hxg6+ lΔxg6 (ίη case of26 ... ~xg6 Black
has to reckon with 27.g4) 27.'§'h5.
24 ... lΔc5 25. '§'xb6 d3!
Quite unexpectedly, the condemned
pawn gets οη.
26.!ϊ.e5
26.cxd3 loses because of 26 ... lΔxd3
27 ..ί:ι.d1lΔc8 28. '§'a6 lΔc5, 26.!ϊ.e3 loses too
because of 26 ... d4.
26 ... i..xe5 27.!ϊ.χe5 dxc2 28.h5 cl'§'
With an extra queen, Black must win.
29.'§'f6lΔc6
Black engages the c7-queen ίη the de-
fence ofhis king οη the 7th rank, the num-
ber oflost pawns is absolutely unimportant
now, as Black has a titanic material advan-
148
tage.
30. ~xg6 <;t>h8 31.I1xe8 J:txe8 32. ~xh6+
~g8 33.~g6+ <;t>h8 34.~h6+ ~h7 35.~f6+
~g8 36.~xc6 ~xh5 37.tbf3 ~c2 0-1
84 Β85
Hernandez - Akopian
Round 2 14.06
l.e4 c5 2.tbc3 tbc6 3.tbf3 d6 4.d4 cxd4
5.tbxd4 e6 6 ..te2 tbf6 7.0-0 .te7 8 ..te3
ο-ο 9.f4 a6 10.<;t>hl ~d7 11.~el tbxd4
12..ixd4 ..tc6 13.~g3 b5 14.a3
The opponents played the Scheνeningen
Variant of the Sicilian Defence. Αη im-
portant feature of this line is that, unlike
in most other νariants, the black queen still
stays at its starting square, hindering
White from the policy adνance e4-e5 be-
cause the bishop οη d4 would be unde-
fended then.
14... ~d7!
Right here! Black's queen supports an
adνance ofthe queenside pawns, οη the one
hand, and still keeps an eye οη White's
dark-squared bishop, οη the other hand.
15 ..id3 a5 16.~ael b4 17.tbdl
Α risky moνe. White accepts the pros-
pect that his position οη the queenside will
be crushed. Mter the exchange 17.axb4
axb4 and 18.tbdl Black, has an additional
opportunity of 18 ... 1::ra1!, besides the moνe
18 ... ..tb5.
17....ib5
17 ... bxa3 18.bxa3 and οηlΥ then 18 ...
.ib5 appears to be more natural.
18.tbf2?!
White could haνe exchanged a pair of
pawns οη the queenside without any per-
ceptible damage ofhis position by the way
of 18.axb4 axb4 and οηlΥ then moνe his
kni'ght to the centre - 19.tbe3. After
19 ... ..txd3 20.cxd3 ~b5 21.tbc4 l:tfd8 22.f5
Black had problems ίη the game Mednis -
SiguIjonsson, Barcelona 1980.
18 .....txd3 19.tbxd3?
Super Tournαments 2000
With this moνe White simply giνes up
the pawn without any compensation. Μ­
ter a normal 19.cxd3 bxa3 20.bxa3 ~a4
21 ..ib2 l:tab8 22.~e2 the position οη the
board would be close to equality.
19...bxa3 20.bxa3 ~a4!
The pawns a3 and c2 are attacked, as
well as the d4-bishop. White is goingto lose
something ineνitably.
21.c3 ~xa3 22.~al
Mter 22.e5 dxe5 23.tbxe5 ~d6 (defend-
ing from 24.tbd7) White would haνe prob-
lems showing a compensation for the pawn.
22 ... ~b3 23.l:tfbl ~c4 24.z:tb7 .id8
25.e5 tbe4 26.~e3 ~c6 27.:ι.abΙ tbxc3
28.~cl Mc8 29 ..ixc3 ~xc3 30.exd6 g5
31.~dl
After 31.fxg5 ~xc1+ 32.tbxc1 .ixg5
33.tbd3 a4 Black's a-pawn would decide the
case ίη his faνour.
31 ... ~d4 32.tbe5 ~xf4 33.tbd7 Me8
34.tbb8?
The Mexico grandmaster just has
passed his luck by. White would be ΟΚ af-
ter 34.tbe5! ~xe5 (ίη case of 34 ... MC3
35.tbxf7 Mf8 36.tbxd8 :ι.Χd8 37.d7 the white
d-pawn would hinder any Black's actiνity)
35.d7 .ic7 36. ~h5 Mf8 37.dxc8~ Mxc8
38.J:.7b5.
34... z:tc3 35.h3 .if6 36.tbd7
Ιη case of 36.MXf7 <;t>xf7 37. ~h5+ <;t>g7
38. ~xe8 (if 38.1::rb7 +, then 38 ... .ie7) 38 ...
Mcl + Black mates.
36 ....td4 37.~a4 .!:Icl+ 38.Mxcl ~xcl+
39.~h2 ~f4+ 40.<;t>hl ~f1+ 41.~h2 ..tgl+
0-1
Torneo Mαgistrαl de Ajedrez Meridα
Ιn case of the forced 42. ~g3 the White
king can get his mate after 42 ... t'ff2+
43.~g4 ~xg2+ 44.~h5 ~xh3+ 45.~xg5
~f5+ 46.Wh6 ~g6# or 46.~h4 .Yιf2#
'85 Β42
Shirov - Polgar
Round 2 14.06
1.e4 c5 2.lίJf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.lίJxd4 a6
5 ..Yιd3 ~b6 6.lίJb3 ~c7 7.f4
Ιn the game Shirov - Topalov, Linares
1998 White had a beautiful win after 7.~e2
lίJf6 8.lίJc3 d6 9.f4 .Yιe7 10.e5 dxe5 11.fxe5
lίJfd7 12 ..Yιf4lίJc6 13.0-0
7 ... lίJf6
7 ... d6 is the usual continuation.
8.~e2
The variant with 8.e5 lίJd5 is not very
troublesome for Black.
8 ... d5
J.Polgar decided firmly to get out ofthe
theoretical way. The game could have been
reduced to the theory after 8 ... d6 9.lίJc3
lίJc6.
9.e5 lίJfd7 10.0-0 lίJc6 11 ..Yιe3
This pawn structure is more typical of
the French Defence than of the Sicilian.
11 ... g5!?
Playing passively, Black would have
problems with convenient stands for his
pieces. With the development of the game
White's space advantage could become a
very seήοus argument for his position. This
is why Black undertakes an attack of
White's centre, which appears to be risky
149
enough, as his own king is ίn the centre of
the board.
12.f5!
White tries to open υρ the centre as
much as possible. Mter 12.fxg5 lίJdxe5 or
12 ... .Yιg7 the position would be more or less
settled.
12... lίJdxe5 13 ..Yιxg5 kig8 14 ..Yιf4 .Yιd7
Black has to sacrifice the pawn ίn order
to develop his pieces faster.
15.fxe6 .Yιxe6
There is nο other way. Black would per-
ish after 15 ... fxe6 16. ~h5+.
16 ..Yιxh7 ~h8 17. .Yιf5 0-0-0 18.1ιχe6+
fxe6 19.1ίJ1d2 .Yιd6
White's extra pawn is not noticeable for
a while because the opponents have castled
οn different sides.
20.g3 ~h7 21.c3 lίJd3 22 ..Yιxd6
There is nο 22. ~xe6+? because of
22 ... !:td7 - Black's fureats to the white kihJ
are irresistible.
22 ...!:txd6 23.~f6
23.lίJf3!? !:tg8 (after 23 ... e5 24.!:tad1 ~.
there is 25.lίJg5, unpleasant for Blac ;
24.lίJfd4 deserved attention, enabling
White to consolidate his position.
23 ... lίJxb2 24.l1af1?!
White gives υρ his extra pawn wrongly.
Mter 24.!:txe6 !:txe6 25. ~xe6+ ~b8 26.lίJf1
the threats of27.~xd5 and 27.lίJc5 would
be rather perceptible for Black.
24 ... lίJa4 25.ki1f3 ~b8 26.!:t6f4
White had an alternative of26.c4.
26 ... lίJb6 27.lίJc5 lίJd8 28.lίJdb3 lίJc4
The black knight has occupied a con-
venient position ίn the centre ofthe board;
it seems that J.Polgar is taking the initia-
tive little by little.1
29.1:I:h4 ~g7 30.1::txh8 ~xh8 31. ~f2
~g7
Black has delayed 31 ... e5.He probably
did not want 32.!:tf6 or 32.1:1:f8.
32.lίJd4 ~c7
Ifthe white knight steps back, then the
black e-pawn can advance. It appears that
black knights have raced quicker than the
white ones.
150
33.LΔcxe6!
Abruptly A.Shirov changes the cha-
racter ofthe play. Mter 33.LΔcb3 e5 34.lΔf5
.I:tf6 Black would still have better chances.
33 ... l:txe6
There is ηο 33 ... lΔxe6? because of
34.LΔxe6 ~xe6 35.1:rf8+ with White's will.
34.LΔxe6LΔxe6 35.~f5 ~h7 36.g4
Of couise one cannot play 36 ..ί:!.Χd5??
because of36 ... ~b1+ 37.~g2 ~e4+ 38.~f3
LΔe3+
36... ~c8?!
Thinking about the endgame, Black
wants to bring his king closer to White's
passed pawns but not at the very best mo-
ment. Black's position after 36 ... ~h6 37.g5
~g6 38. ~f3 LΔe3 would look better.
37.h4 ~g6 38.~f3 LΔe3 39.l:tf6 ~bl+
40.Φh2?!
Α return blunder οη the control move.
Mter 40.~f2! ιiJd1+ 4l.\~tg3 LΔd8 42.~f5+
~xf5 43.~xf5 White's passed pawns would
be irrepressible.
40 ... ~eI41.~h3
Black is ΟΚ after 41.l:txe6 ~xh4+
42.Φg1 ~e1+.
41 ... ~d7 42.g5
If 42.l:tf7 + Φe8 43.1:rxb7, then a draw can
be achieved by 43 ... LΔf4+! 44.~xf4 ~h1+
45.~h2 ~f3+.
42 ... ~gl?
Black had to venture οη 42 ... ~xc3. The
point is that after 43.g6 ~d4 44.~ίΊ+ ~c6
it is not easy for White to strengthen his
position somehow. If 45. ~g3 (there is ηο
45.h5?? because of 45 ... lΔg5+) 45 ... ~e4
46.g7, then a perpetual check comes to
Super Tournαments 2000
Black's aid, to be achieved by 46 ... LΔg5+!
47.~xg5 ~h1+ 48.~g3 ~g2+.
43.g6 LΔc5?!
This move loses immediately. Still, it's not
easy to find a good continuation. So, after
43 ... Φe7 44.1::tf7+ ~e8 the solution is 45.g7!
LΔxg7 46.J::ι.xg7 ~xg7 47.~xe3+ Φf7 48.
~f4+, and the pawn endgame is ννοη by White
after an exchange οΥ the queens. Probably the
waiting move 43 ... a5!? could keep some chances
to escape.
44.I(f7+
Αη immediate 44.g7 wins too: 44 ... lΔe6
(there is ηο 44 ... LΔe4 because of 45.1H8
~xg7 46.1:rf7+) 45.g8~ ~xg8 46.~xe3
44 ... Φc6 45.~g3 ~hl+ 46.~h2 ~cl
If 46 ... ~e4, then 47.l:tc7+ 'it>b5 48.~b2+
Φa4 49.~b4+ wins.
47.g7 ~xc3 48.~g3 1-0
86 C07
Akopian - Shirov
Round 3 15.06
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.LΔd2 c5 4.exd5 ~xd5
5.LΔgf3 cxd4 6 ..ltclί ~d6 7.0-0 LΔf6 8.lΔb3
LΔc6 9.lΔbxd4LΔxd4 10.~xd4
This variant of the French Defence
became unusually popular ίη the last
decade. With his last move White offers to
exchange the queens, thus reducing
attacking opportunities for both sides.
Another opportunity - 10.LΔxd4 is a more
fundamental continuation and often leads
to a very keen, dynamic play.
10... ~xd4
Many experts of the French Defence
resort to the waiting 10 ... .ltd7.
11.LΔxd4 iιc5
The usual continuation 1l ... i..d7 and
12 ..lte2 can lead to the position that will
arise ίη the game, too.
12.lΔb3 iιe7
Another retreat 12 ... i..b6 can encourage
White to advance the a-pawn later οη.
13.i..f4
After an immediate transfer of the
Torneo Mαgistrαl de Ajedrez Meridα
1ight-squared bishop to the diagona1 a8-
h1 by means of 13.~e2, followed by
13 ... ~d7 14.i-f.3 J::tc8 15.i-xb7 ~xc2 16.tιJd4
l:tc7 17.i-a6 tιJd5, B1ack got a powerfu1 sup-
porting stand οη d5 for his knight ίη re-
turn for White's pawn adνantage οη the
queenside ίη the game Shainiuk - Ba1ber,
Simferopol1991.
13... ~d7 14.~e2 tιJd5
This moνe turns the game ίη an origi-
na1 way. Mter 14 ... ~c8 the p1ay cou1d be
reduced to positions that had occurred pre-
νious1y, on1y with another order of moνes.
15.i-g3 h5 16.h3
Α more or 1ess eνen position cou1d be
achieνed after the actiνe 16.c4, to be fo1-
10wed by 16 ... h4 17.~e5 (there is ηο
17.i-xh4? because of 17 ... tιJf4, and White
10ses, whi1e after 17.cxd5 hxg3 18.hxg3
exd5 B1ack has an extra pawn ίη the cen-
tre of the board, because White's pawn
structure οη the kingside suffers a dam-
age) 17 ... i.f6 18.~xf6 tιJxf6.
16...h4 17.i.h2 0-0-0 18.1:Ifdl
B1ack need not troub1e about the con-
tinuation 18.c4 tιJb4 19.a3, reckoning οη
19 .... tιJc2 20.~ac1 i-a4.
18...tιJb6 19.tιJa5
Α b1ank shot, as it proνes to be. White
cou1d rehabi1itate his bishop by 19.~e5 f6
20.~d4 e5 21.i.e3, keeping tense, or he
cou1d engage his 1ight-squared bishop with
19.i.f.3, because 19 ... tιJc4 he can meet with
20.~d4, and there is ηο 20 ... tιJxb2? consi-
dering 21.l:ιb1.
19... ~b4 20.tιJc4?!
Giνing all the initiatiνe to B1ack. Mter
20.tιJb3 both sides wou1d haνe chances.
20 ...tιJxc4 21.i.xc4 f6 22.c3
Mter 22.i.d6 i.xd6 23.1:!.xd6 e5 White
wou1d haνe a not νery bright prospect of a
bishop endgame with 1ight-squared bi-
shops.
22 ... ~a5 23.Φf1?!
Centra1ization ofthe king is neνer bad,
it can be untime1y. Ν ow White shou1d haνe
returned his dark-squared bishop to the
centre: 23.i-d6, before his opponent puts a
151
barrier of the e5-pawn οη its way.
23 ... e524.f3
White cou1d gain the big diagona1 a8-
h1 at once by the moνe 24.~d5, and ίη case
of 24 ... i.b5+, he has to continue 25.
Φe1 (25.c4? is bad because of25 ...1:txd5!) but
after 25 ... i-a4! increases White's prob1ems.
24 ... i-b6 25.i.gl i.xgl 26. ~xgl
26 ... i.a4!
Α νery good moνe. Now White is forced
to weaken his position οη the queenside.
27.b3
The on1y moνe. White wants to keep the
d-fi1e, and the pawn endgame after 27.i.b3
i-xb3 28.axb3 ~xd1+ 29.1:I.xd1 ~d8 30.
1:I.xd8+ ~xd8 is 10st for White because the
the doub1e pawns don't 1et him make a
passed pawn οη the queenside.
27 ... i.c6 28.Φf2 Φc7 29.~d3 1:ιd6
30.i.e4
Haνing 10st a tempo, White returns to
the idea of an exchange of the 1ight-
squared bishops, but now it resu1ts ίη an-
other White's pawn is1and.
30 ... i.xe4 31.l:ιxd6 ΦΧd6 32.fxe4 J::tc8
33.1:ΜΙ + ~e6 34.I:td3?!
White shou1d haνe νentured οη 34.c4.
Mter 34 ... b5 35.cxb5 ~c2+ 36.~f1 ~xa2
37.~d8 it wou1d be νery hard to get to his
pawn weak points owing to the actiνity of
the rook.
34 ...b5!
B1ack fixes the white c3-pawn. Now
White has to defend it all the time with
the rook, and the fact that his rook occu-
pies the sing1e open fi1e ίη the centre ofthe
152
board is nothing but a poor consolation for
him.
35.g3?!
Α νery important moment. White had
to chose between the moνe ίη the game and
a passiνe waiting for the deνelopment of
eνents. Mter 35.Φf3 he probably did not
want 35 ... f5 (if35 ... g6, then 36.Φg4 is pos-
sible), as then Black would retain an eνi­
dent adνantage both after 36.exf5+ ΦΧf5
and after 36. Φe3 g6, though the question,
whether it would be enough for a win,
stayed unanswered. Mter the moνe ίη the
game A.Shiroν demonstrated adνantages
ofhis position rather clearly.
35 ...hxg3+ 36.~xg3 g5 37.1::rt'3 b4 38.c4
White creates a defended passed pawn
that can be helpful ίη the pawn endgame.
Ιη case of 38.cxb4 J::tc2+ 39.Φe3 ~xa2
40.Φd3 !!b2 41.Φc3 ~e2 42.Φd3 ~e1 his
position would be dubious, but as a matter
of fact it was his last chance for an actiνe
counterplay.
38 ... ~h8 39.Φe3 ~h4 40.Φd3 !:tf4
41.Φe3
White cannot exchange the rooks with
4U::txf4. The pawn endgame is hopeless for
White after 41 ... exf4 42.c.ifd4 (otherwise the
e4-pawn perishes owing to the zugzwang)
42 ... Φd6 43.c5+ Φc6 44.Wc4 a5 45.Φd4 Φb5.
41 ... Φd6
Black, ίη his turn, cannot exchange the
rooks because White possesses the de-
fended passed pawn οη the c4-square.
42.~f2 Φe6 43.kIf3 a6 44.1If2 lIh4
45.1Η3 ~h7 46.Wd2 a5 47.Φc2 .l:ih8
48.Φd2 .ί:th6 49.We2 I;th7 50.Φd2 J::th8
51.Φc2 l::th6 52.Φd2 Φd6 53.J::td3+ Φc6
54.i:H'3 Φc5 55.1:Μ3 a4!
White will haνe problems aνoiding a
new weakness, now οη the queenside.
56.~d5+ Φc6 57.:!b5
White caηήοt stand the pressure ofhis
opponent and stakes eνerything, sacrific-
ing the pawn. Α passiνe 57.~d3 could be
followed by 57 ... axb3 58.axb3 ~h4 59.~f3
Φc5 (59 ... ~f4 60.Φe3 Φc5 is a blank shot
because of6U:tf2) 60.We3 (if60.Sxf6 Sxh3
Super Tournαments 2000
61.~f5 Φd4 62.kϊxg5 ~xb3, then White
hardly can escape, notwithstanding the
paucity of material οη the board) 60 ... ~h7
61.Φd3 !!h8 62.Φe3 (62.J::txffi ~xh3+ 63.Φc2
is entirely bad because of 63 ... g4) 62 ... ~a8
63.Φe2 ~a2+ 64.Φf1 Φd4 65.~xf6 gb2
66.~f3 Φχe4 67.I:ι.g3 Φd4, White's position
being nearly lost.
57... ~xh3 58.~xb4 axb3 59.axb3 Φc5
60.~b8 g4 61.~g8 J::tg3 62.Φe2 Φd4 63.Φf2
~f3+ 64. Φg2 ~f4 65.~d8+ Φχe4 66.~d2
If 66.c5 ~f3 67.b4 ~c3 68.~c8 f5 69.b5
f4 70.c6 ~c2+, then the white king can get
into a mate trap, οη top of eνerything.
66 ...~f3 67 .~b2 ~c3 68.b4
White sacrifices another pawn ίη order
to create a play for himself
68 ...~xc4 69.b51:tc7 70.b6 ~b7 71.Φg3
f5 72.~b4+ Φd5 73 ..ί:tb5+ Φe6 74.Φh4 φf6'
75.l:tbl e4 76.~b5 e3 77.Φg3 Φg5 78.Φg2
e2 79.Φf2 !!e7 80.'~el g3 81.z:tb3
If 81.b7, then 81 ... g2 82.b8~ g1~+
solνes.
81 ... f40-1
87 Cll
'Polgar - Hernandez
Round 3 15.06
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.CLJc3CLJf6 4.e5 CLJfd7
5.CLJce2 c5 6.c3 cxd4
The line 6 ... CLJc6 7.f4 b5 8.a3 cxd4
9.CLJxd4 Cί1xd4 10.cxd4 b4 11.a4 ~a5 12 ..td2
.te7 13.CLJf3 ο-ο 14 ..tb5 CLJb6 15.b3 was
tested ίη the final match of an adνanced
chess tournamen1; Anand - Shiroν, Leon
2000, and White managed to keep some
adνantage.
7.cxd4 f68.f4
Those who used to prefer another con-
tinuation: 8.CLJf4 .tb4+ 9 ..td2 are now
afraid of9 ... ~b6 10.i.xb4 (10.exffi CLJxffi and
1O.z:tc1 ο-ο occurred too) 10 ... ~xb4+
11.~d2 ~xd2+ 12.Φχd2 Φe713.eΧf6+ gxf6
that was played ίη one ofthe games ofthe
final match for the Russia Champion title
Bezgodoν - Sakaeν, Moscow 1999.
Torneo Mαgistrαl de Ajedrez Meridα
8 ... fxe5 9.fxe5
Another way to capture 9.dxe5 led to a
νery keen play after 9 .. .'~jc6 10.ttJf3 Jιb4+
11.ttJc3 ttJc5 12.Jιe3 '§a5 13. '§c2 ο-ο ίη the
game 8hiroν - Iνanchuk, Tilburg 1993.
9 ... Jιb4+
Mter 9 ... '§h4 10.ttJg3 j,b4 11.<;~;f2 ο-ο
12.ttJf3 ttJc6 13.j,e3 White has a more pleas-
ant position.
10.Φf2
There is ηο 10.Jιd2? because of 10 ...
'§h4+ 11.ttJg3 (if 11.g3, then 11 ... '§e4)
11 ... '§xd4, and Black wins.
10... 0-0+ 11.ttJf3 ttJc6 12.a3
The German grandmaster R.Κnaak rec-
ommended 12.j,e3.
12 ... ttJdxe5!
Black sacrifices a piece for an attack of
the king that is stuck ίη the centre.
13.axb4
Ιη case of 13.dxe5 iιc5+ 14.~e1 (there
is ηο 14.Jιe3 because of 14 ... d4, and if
14.Φg3, then simply 14 ... ttJxe5) 14 ... ttJxe5
Black gets two pawns for a piece and a
promising position, because White cannot
take another piece with 15.ttJxe5 because
of 15 ... Jιf2+ 16. Φd2 '§g5+.
13 ... '§h4+ 14.Φg1
If14.ttJg3, then 14... ttJxd4 15.Jιe2 ttJxe2!
16.'§xe2 Jιd7.
14 ... ttJxf3+ 15.gxf3 J::txf3 16.ttJg3 ttJxd4
17.j,g2 J::tf'7?
Black has oνerlooked the strongest con-
tinuation of the attack. Mter 17 ... ttJe2+!
18. '§xe2 '§d4+ 19.j,e3 J::txe3 20. '§f2 J::td3
(20 ... Jιd7 21.ttJe2 '§b6 22.J::ta3) 21. '§xd4
153
1:!xd4 22.Φf2 J::txb4 23.l;Ia2 j"d7 24.lIclj"c6
Black's chances would appear to be better
with four pawns against a piece.
18.Jιe3 ttJf5 19.ttJxf5 !:ι.Χf5 20.b5 j"d7
21.b6 a6 22.'§d4 '§h5 23.h3 Jιc6 24.~h2
e525.'§g4!
White brings Black to a hard choice.
25 ... J::td8?
This was a not νery fine choice. Now the
black rook will haνe to take a νery bad
stand οη the side of the board, and Black
will lose quickly. If Black wanted to ex-
change the queens, he should haνe done it
at once 25 ... '§xg4 26.hxg4 J:::!.f6, otherwise
it would be better to aνoid it by 25 ... '§f7.
26. '§xh5 ~xh5 27.l1hf1 g6
Ιη case of 27 ... e4 28.j"d4 Black's posi-
tion would be hopeless because ofthe long-
lasting weakness of black squares ίη the
centre ofthe board. 80, the game ends ίη a
forced way.
28.j"f3 ~f5 29.j"g4 !:ι.xf1
If29 ... 1:ιff8, then the solution is 30 ...th6
I;Ife8 (after 30 ... ~xf131.kIxf1 White mates)
31.1Η6, and the tF1reat of iιg4-e6 is fatal
for Black.
30.llxf1 Φg7
There is ηο 30 ... ~f8 because of31.Jιe6+
Φg7 32.j"h6+, while 30 ... Jιd7 should be
answered with 31.i.g5.
31.i.e6 i.e8 32.i.c5 1-0
Mter 32 ... i.c6 (if 32 ... d4, then 33.Jιf8+
Φh8 34.Jιe7 ~d7 35.Jιf6+ wins, and 32 ... h5
is to be parried with mere 33.Jιe7 1:Ia8
34.j"xd5) 33.J::tf7+ Φh6 34.h4, threatening
to mate with i.e7-g5+ and ~f7xh7#.
88 Cll
Hernandez - Shirov
Round 4 17.06
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.ttJc3 ttJf6 4.Jιg5 dxe4
5.ttJxe4 Jιe7 6.i.xf'6 i.xf6 7.ttJf3 0-08.Jιc4
ttJc6 9.c3 e5 10.d5
ΟηΙΥ this way White can struggle for
an adνantage. Mter a timid 10.dxe5 with
the idea to exchange eνerything Black got
a considerable adνantage after 10 ... ttJxe5
154
11.l2Jxf6+ 'iffxffi 12.l2Jxe5 'iffxe5+ 13. ~e21:Ie8
14.'iffxe51:txe5+ 15.Φd2 i.e616.i.xe6 with
the help of an intermediate manoeuvre
16 ... 1:Id8+! 17.Φc2 1:Ie2+ 18.'it>b3 fxe6
19.1::tad1 ~d6 ίη the game Spassky - Shirov,
Paris 2000.
10... l2Jb8
Later, ίη an exhibition match with
V.Anand during the Olympic Games ίη
Sydney, A.Shirov preferred another retreat
-10 ... l2Je7. After 11.l2Jxffi+ gxf612.l2Jh4l2Jg6
13. 'iffd2 '>t>h8 14.0-0-0 .ig4 15 ..ie2 'iffd6
16.l2Jh4 Iϊg8 Black managed to keep the
balance.
11. 'iffe2 i.f5
This position was played repeatedly ίη
2000.
12.0-0
It will be recalled that ίη the game Leko
- Κhalifman, Budapest (m/4) 2000 White
won thanks to the continuation 12.0-0-0
l2Jd7 13.l2Jg3 i.g6 14.i.d3!. But apparently
the Hungarian grandmaster wanted to
define the move order more exactly, so ίη
the end of June ίη the duel Leko - Shirov,
Frankfurt (active) 2000 he played 12.l2Jg3
.ig4 13.h3 .ixf3 14.'iffxf3l2Jd7 15.l2Je4 .ie7
16.0-0-0 .1ιd6 17.g4 with White's initiative.
However, it is not all. Ιη the game Short -
M.Gurevich, Shenyang 2000 after 12 ...td3
.ixe4 13 ..ixe4 l2Jd7 14.0-0-0 ..te7 15.g4
.td6 16.Φb1 I:tb8 17.h4 b5 18.l2Jg5 g6
19 ...tc2 b4 20.c4l2Jc5 21. 'iffe3 'ifff6 22.h5 h6
23.l2Je4 l2Jxe4 24 ...txe4 White showed the
chess world a real masterpiece, that proved
White's advantage despite the presence of
opposite coloured bishops οη the board.
12... l2Jd7
Ιη the zone tournament ίη Croatia ίη
April 2000 Black decided not to delay the
exchange of his bishop for White's knight
ίη the game Sutovsky - Psakhis, Pula 2000,
and after 12 ... i.xe4 13. 'iffxe4 ~d6 14 ..ί:ϊad1
l2Jd7 15.i.b5 l2Jb6 16.J::He1 a6 17.i.d3 g6 a
complex position with mutual chances ap-
peared οη the board.
13.1ϊad1 i.xe4 14.'iffxe4 l2Jc5 15.'iffe3
§'d6 16.Sfel a5?!
Super Tournaments 2000
This generosity is not quite clear. Prob-
ably A.Shirov didn't want 16 ... .!:!.fe8 because
of 17.b4, while after 16 ... e4 White would
keep some advantage after 17.l2Jd4 .ixd4
18.~xd4 (if 18.cxd4, then after 18 ... l2Jd3
19 ..ixd3 exd3 20. 'iffxd3 'iffxd5 the game is
close to a draw) 18 ... f5 19 b4.
17.a3
White behaves capriciously, Ιίηgeήηg with the
blow οη e5.
17... a4
Black, ίη his turn, is very persistent and
doesn't want to take care ofthe undefended
the e5-pawn. Ιη case of 17 ... e4 the play
could have developed close to the lines that
were regarded ίη the comment to Black's
sixteenth move.
18.l2Jxe5 ~fe8 19.f4 l:te7 20. §'f2 h5
Black gets a minimal compensation for
the pawn ίη the form of certain play οη
black squares, nothing more.
21.g3 g6 22.i.f1 b6 23.l2Jc4 1::[xe1
24.1:rxe1 'iffd725.d6
White is going to get rid ofthe d5-pawn
ίη order to open υρ white diagonals for his
pieces .
25 ...~d8
Of course there is ηο 25 ... cxd6? because
of26.l2Jxb6.
26. ~f3 b5 27.dxc7 'iffxc7 28.l2Je3
l2Jb3?!
One more move that is hard to explain.
Mter 29 ... l2Jd3 30.I:ι.e2 (ίη case of 30.i.xd3
.ί:ϊΧd3 all black pieces that stay οη the board
are rather active) 30... '>t>g7 Black would still
have certain counterplay ίη exchange for
the missing pawn.
Torneo Mαgistrαl de Ajedrez Meridα
29 ...tg2?
White shouldn't haνe refused to take
another pawn. After 29 . ..txb5 '§b8 (if
29 ... J::td2, then 30.J::te2 is enough, because
30 ... 4Jd2 can be met with 30. '§c6 '§xc6
31 ...txc6 J::tb8, and now both the simple
32.4Jdl 4Jc4 33.J::te2 and more heaνy
32.4Jd5!? plus three passed pawns oνer­
weigh Black's extra exchange) 30.'§c6 (if
30.'§e2, then Black retains a counterplay
after 30 ... 1id2, while ίη case of30 ..txa4lbd2
31. '§c6 J:.d6 White has problems defending
the b5-pawn and the f3-square at the same
time) 30 ... ..td4!? (after 30 ... J:Id6 31.'§e8+
'§xe8 32.iιxe8 4Jc5 33.4Jc4 White's extra
pawns will tell οη the situation later)
31.~c4! (after 31.cxd4 4Jxd4 32.'§c4 4Jxb5
Black keeps the counterplay for the sacri-
ficed pawn) it is not easy to preνent a cap-
ture οη g6, because White wins after
31 ... ~d6 32.'§xa4.
29 ... '§c5 30.'it>h11:te8 1h - 1h
With the extra pawn White could play
for a win, ifhe had time and desire.
89 Ε12
Akopian - Polgar
Round 4 17.06
1.d4 4Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.4Jf3 b6 4.a3 iLb7
5.4Jc3 d5 6.cxd5 4Jxd5 7.jιd2
The Petrosian Variation of the Queen's
Indian Defence is frequently used ίη mod-
ern tournaments. The sense ofWhite's last
moνe is that ίη case of an exchange of the
knights οη c3 he wants to take with the
bishop, not with the pawn.
7 ... lbd7
Νο matter how passiνe White's seνenth
moνe may look, it is malicious enough. 80,
after a careless 7 ... c5?! White could take a
great initiatiνe haνing sacrificed a pawn
with 8.e4! Ιη case of the most natural
7 ... ..te7 White would go 8.'§c2 thus re-
ducing the position to a νaήatίοn that is
well-known and used to be popular once
because it guarantees Black against quiet
155
life. This is why Black chooses a moνe,
which, apart from deνeloping his pieces,
supports the adνance c7-c5 maximally. It
can be added that another efficient measu-
re against 7 ...td2 is the moνe 7 ... lbf6!?
8.4Jxd5
Black was ready to meet the conti-
nuation 8.e4 with 8 ... lbxc3 9.~xc3 c5!.
8 ... exd5
Ιη spite of general rules it is better for
Black to close now the diagonal a8-hl
which is usually meant for the light-
squared bishop. Ιη case of 8 ... iLxd5 White
would be able to deνelop a strong initia-
tiνe: 9. '§c2 c5 10.e4 .tb7 11.d5!
9.g3..td6
Ιη the 1/8 final of the FIDE World
Championship 1999 the Armenian grand-
master managed to take the initiatiνe af-
ter 9 ... ..te7 10 ...th3 ο-ο 11.0-0 a5 12.Iίcl
c6 13 ...tg5! and as a result won an im-
portant game, Akopian - Κir.Georgieν, Las
Vegas (m/2) 1999.
10.jιg5..te7
This looks more natural than 10 ... f6,
which would haνe weakened the white
squares.
11 ...txe7 '{:fJxe7 12.J::tc1 c5 13 ..th3
Α small noνelty. Black had a pleasant
play ίη the game Lputian - Komaroν,
Reggio Emilia 1998: haνing preνiously ex-
changed 13.dxc5 bxc5, he played then
14 ...th3 that was followed by 14 ... 4Jb6
15.'§c2 .tc8! 16 ...tg2 ..ta6 17.0-0 1:!.c8.
13 ... 0-Ο!
Unlike ίη the game cited ίη the comment
156
ofWhite's thirteenth rnoνe, Black possesses
ηο conνenient square for a retreat of his
knight, so he νentures οη a pawn sacrifice,
gaining a sufficient play as the white king
is now stuck ίη the centre.
14.dxc5 bxc515.SΙxd7 ~xd716.1:txc5
~h3
Now the short castling is not possible
for White.
17.~d3
If ~c7, then the rnere 17 ... 1:tab8 retains
all pluses ofBlack's position.
17...1:tac8 18.1:txc8 1:txc8 19. ~b5?
White loses the thread of the garne. Ιη
case of a passiνe 19.kJ:g1? with the idea of
g3-g4 and 1:tg3 Black keeps a strong initia-
tiνe for the sacrificed pawn playing 19 ... d4!
(there is ηο 19 ... l:!.c1+?! 20.r;t>d2 ~h6+ 21.e3
1:txg1 22.tbxg1 ~xh2? because of 23. ~b5!
with White's win) 20. ~xd4 ~h6 21.r;t>f1
~xh2. The co-ordination ofthe pieces could
still haνe been restored with 19.r;t>d2!? Μ­
ter 19 ... ~g2 (19 ... d4!? also deserνes atten-
tion, with the idea after 20. ~xd4?! ~h6+
21. ~e3 ~d6+ 22.Φe1 to continue the at-
tack by rneans of 22 ... ~d7! 23.r;t>f1 .ti:e8
24.~b3 ~h3+ 25.r;t>gl1:tc8 26.~e3 h6 and
White plays practically without his rook)
20.1:tc11:txc1 21.Φχc1 ~xf2 22.'it>d2 Black
rnaintained the rnaterial balance while
White escaped frorn a rnate.
19 ... SΙc6 20.~d3 .ta4 21.~e3 h6
Black threatens to inνade to c2, secur-
ing the safety ofthe eighth rank.
22.tbd4 ~g2 23 ..ti:f1 .td7!
Αη incautious capture 23 ... ~xh2??
would lead Black to a sudden defeat after
24.tbf5! Α knight fork οη e7 threatens, and
after 24 ... 1:tc2 25. ~e5 Black gets big prob-
lerns with his king.
24.tbf3 d4!
Now White cannot escape.
25.~f4
There is ηο 25.tbxd4?? because of
25 ... .th3, while after- 25. ~xd4 the rnoνe
25 ...1:tcl+ solνes.
25 ... g5
Black is putting more and more pres-
Super Tournαments 2000
sure οη White's position.
26.tbxg5
White has lost his patience and he tries
to exacerbate the situation sornehow. Natu-
rally, v.Akopian di.d not want to suffer tor-
rnents with his stalernated pieces οη the
first rank after 26. ~d2 1:te8! (if 26 ... SΙg4,
then 27.1:tgl) 27.tbg1 (ίη case of27.~d3 .tg4
28.tbg11:tc8 29. ~d2 d3 30. ~e3 the solution
is 30 ... r;t>f8 with the idea to engage the rook
frorn the e8-square, Black rnating after
31.f.3 .th3 32.tbxh31:tc1+! 33. ~xc1 ~xe2#)
27 ... ~e4 28.b3 (White can resign after 28.f.3
~e3 29.~xe3 dxe3) 28 ... .te6 29.b41:tc8.
26 ...hxg5 27. ~xg5+ Φf8 28. ~h6+ Φe8
29.f3 1:tc6 30. ~f4
The checks cannot repeat endlessly. Μ­
ter 30.~h8+ Φe7 31.~h4+ f6 32.~h6 (if
32.~h7+, then 32 ... r;t>d8) 32 ... .th3 33.~g7+
r;t>d8 34.~f8+ r;t>c7 35.~e7+ .td7 the threat
of 36 ... 1:tc1 would rnake White to resign.
30... ~xh2 31.~b8+ Φe7 32.Φd21:tc2+
33.Φχc2 ~xe2+ 34.r;t>b3 ~xf1 35.~b4+
Φe60-1
90 Cl1
"Polgar - Shirov
Round 5 18.06
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.tbc3 tbf6 4 ..tg5 dxe4
5.tbxe4 tbbd7 6.tbf3 .te7 7.tbxf6+ SΙxί6
8.~d2
Α rnore tensed situation would haνe
arisen after 8.h4.
8 ... 0-0 9.0-0-0 .txg5 10.tbxg5 tbf6
11 ..te2 ~d6 12 ..tf3
Torneo Mαgistrαl de Ajedrez Meridα
12 ... 1ιd7!?
Nearly ίη eνery game A.8hiroν finds an
opportunity to sacrifice something. 8ince
the game Karpoν - Bareeν, Tilburg 1991
12 ... l:Ib8 13.CLJe4 CLJxe4 14.1ιχe4 has been
regarded to be a safe continuation, main-
taining an equality. This estimation was
confirmed ίη particular by the recent game
Rausis - Komaroν, France 2000.
13 ..ixb7 1:!ab8 14 ..if3 1ιc615.1:!he1 h6
16.1ιχc6
There is ηο 16.CLJe4 because of 16 ... CLJxe4
17.1ιχe4 .ixe4 18.1:!xe4 tjrd5, and White's
rook and a2-pawn are attacked at the same
time.
16 ... tjrxc6 17.CLJf3 CLJd518.tjra5
White should be careful. 80, he cannot
play 18.'>t>b1? because of 18 ... CLJc3+, while
after 18.CLJe5 there is a νery strong 18 ...
tjra4, and White has problems ίη case of
19.a3 (there is a similar combination after
19.'it>b11:!xb2+! 2ω,t>χb2 :ι:i:b8+ 21.Φa1 CLJb4,
too, with Black's win), the solution is
19 ...1:!xb2! 2ω,t>χb2 1:!b8+ 21.'>t>a2 CLJb4+, and
Black's attack is irresistible.
18 ... 1:!b6 19.CLJe5 tjrb7 20. tjra3 1:!a6
21.tjrb3 1:!b6 lh-1J2
'91 Α45
Akopian - Hernandez
Round 5 18.06
1.d4 CLJf6 2 ..ig5
This method often helps to leaνe all the
theoretical preparation far behind.
2 ... c5 3.1ιχf6 gxf6 4.d5 tjrb6 5.tjrc1 f5
6.g3 1ιg7 7.c3 d6 8.CLJd2 CLJd7 9.CLJh3 CLJf6
10.1ιg2.id7
Νο matter how much the opponents
tried, they did not manage to go far from
the theory. ΟηΙΥ Black's last moνe intro-
duces something new into the game. Pre-
νiously 10 ... 0-0 11.0-0 e5 12. tjrc2 tjra6 13.c4
1ιd7 14.a4 b6 15.f3 1ιh6 16.1:!a3 with a com-
plex play occurred ίη the game J.Armas-
Izeta Txabarri, Alcobendas 1994, recently
there was played a game ίη England which
157
deνeloped as follows: 10 ... tjrd8 11.a4 ο-ο
12.0-0 1:!b8 13.CLJc4 D.Collier - J.Bellin,
England 2000.
1l:~c2 tjra6 12.0-0
White shows that he is ready to νenture
οη complications.
12... 0-0
Ιη case of 12 ... tjrxe2 13.1:!fe1 tjra6 White
would gain a sufficient compensation for
the pawn with 14.CLJf4 or 14.CLJf1 because
he would be able to put pressure οη the
semi-opened e-file where the black king
stands.
13.e4
White is going ahead regardless of ma-
terial sacrifices. The position could haνe
been strengthened with 13.c4, and if
13 ... b5, then simply 14.CLJf4.
13 ...fxe4 14.CLJxe4 CLJxd5 15.CLJhg5 1ιf5
16.1:!ad1
White wants to use king's rook οη the
f-file, be that a chance.
16... e6
Α critical moment. Black has to find a
continuation that would let him use maxi-
mally his defending resources. 16 ... CLJc7?!
looks shady ίη νiew of 17.g4 1ιg6 18.f4 f5
(ίη case of 18 ... f6 19.f5 White has llOJIHa~ a
compensation for the pawn) 19.CLJg3! fxg4
20.f5 1ιe8 21. tjrxe4 or eνen 21.f6!? 1ιg6
22 ..ie4! with White's dangerous initiatiνe
ίη both cases. 8trange as it may seen, it is
not so easy to disproνe another opportu-
nity -16 ... tjrxa2 because after 17.1:!a1
(there is ηο 17.(~4? CLJb6 18.CLJf6+ exf6
19. tjrxf5 fxg5 20.1ιe4 because of the mere
158
retreat ofthe b1ack rook 20 ... l:tfd8) 17 ... ~c4
18.1:ta4 (otherwise, for examp1e after
18 ..t[fc1, the b1ack knight simp1y escapes
to 18 ... liJc7) 18 ... liJb4 (if 18 ... ~b5 19.c4
liJb4?, then White wins with 20.liJf6+)
19.1iJf6+ (after 19.~d1 Sιd7 20.cxb4 Sιxa4
21.~xa4 h6 B1ack has too many pawns)
19 ... exf6 20. ~xf5 fxg5 21.cxb4 .ί:!ae8
22.1:rxa 7 White οη1Υ has a sufficient com-
pensation for the pawn.
17..ί:!Χd5 exd5
It seems that B1ack took the pawn a bit
hasti1y. After 17 ... h6! White cou1d get
troub1es with the deνe10pment of his at-
tack.
18.liJf6+ .txf6 19. ~xf5 .J1.xg5 20.
~xg5+ 'iilh8 21. ~f6+ 'it>g8 22.~d1 l:ae8
23.iιf1 ~c6 24.~g5+ 'iilh8 25.~f6+ 'it>g8
26 ..th3
White preνents the moνe 26 ... .:e6,
though he cou1d make the perpetua1 check
immediate1y as well.
26 ... ~a4 27.~g5+ lh-%
92 Β92
Hernandez - Polgar
Round 6 19.06
1.e4 c5 2.liJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.liJxd4
lΔf6 5.liJc3 a6 6.iιe2 e5 7.liJb3 iιe7 8.0-0
ο-ο 9.Φh1 b6 10.f3 i..b7 11.a4 lΔc6
12 ..tg5
Mter 12.liJd5 liJxd5 13.exd5 lΔb4 14.c4
a5 15.iιd2liJa6 B1ack got a conνenient p1ay
ίη the game J.Po1gar - lfopa1oν, Dos
Hermanas 1999.
12 ... ~c8
The moνe 12 ... liJb4 occurred many
times. White managed to keep some ίηί­
tiatiνe ίη the game Iνanchuk - Topa1oν,
Monte Car10 (rapid) 1998 after 13.liJb1 h6
(if 13 ... l::tc8, then 14.liJa3 is possib1e as it
was ίη the game Pa1ac - Boric, Pu1a 1999)
14.iιxf6 iιxf6 15.lΔa3 ~c7 16.~d2 (ίη the
1/16 fina1 of the FIDE Wor1d Champion-
ship 1999 there was ηο strugg1e after 16.c3
tίJc6 17.tίJc4 J:iad8 18.'!1d3 i..g5 19.1Δe3 ίη
8uper Tournαments 2000
the game Psakhis - Topa1oν, Las Vegas (m/
1) 1999) 16 ... liJc6 17.liJc4 l:tfd8 (ίη case of
17 ... l:tad8 White obtained a better p1ay by
18.~e3 b5 19.axb5 axb5 20.~b6 Pa1ac -
Hracek, Batumi 1999) 18.a5 bxa5 19.
liJbxa5.
13.Sιxf6 iιxf6 14.lΔd5 iιg5 15.liJd2
liJd4 16.iιd3liJe6 17.liJc4 iιxd5 lh - lh
The οη1Υ weakness ίη B1ack's position
οη the d5-square was coνered, and the ορ­
ponents found ηο grounds to continue the
strugg1e.
The next game defined the winner ofthe
tournament.
93 C17
Shirov - Akopian
Round 6 19.06
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.liJc3
The French Defence was permanent1y
ίη requisition ίη Merida. The same ορρο­
nents chose another popu1ar continuation
3.liJd2 ίη the first round-robin with the
difference that they p1ayed with reνersed
co1ours.
3 ... iιb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Sιa5 6.b4 cxd4
7.~g4 lΔe7 8.bxa5 dxc3 9.~xg7 1::!.g8
10.~xh7liJbc6 11.liJf3
11.f4 is another continuation ίη this ρο­
sition is that occurs ίη the highest rated
eνents as we11.
11 ... ~c7 12.Sιf4 Sιd7 13.iιg3
This is the main continuation for this
position, though White used to try other
opportunities, too: 13.a6, 13.h4, 13 ..td3. Ιη
the 1ast case the game comes frequent1y
with other order of moνes to the position
that will arise ίη this game after 13 ...
0-0-0 14.Sιg3. White's wish to spare a
tempo with 14.0-0 not moνing the bishop
first resu1ted ίη the 10ss ofthe white queen
after 14 ... 1::!.h8 15.~g7 1::!.dg8 16.~f6 d4
17.iιg3 liJd5 18.~xf7 liJd8 ίη the game
Hjartarson - L.Hansen, Reykjaνik 1995.
13 ... 0-0-0
Torneo Mαgistrαl de Ajedrez Meridα
The move 13 ... tιJxa5 is not popular,
though after 14 ..td3 tιJc4 15.0-0 tιJb2
16 ..ί:tfb1 tιJxd3 17:ι;,γχd3 tιJf5 18.1::tb3 l:tc8
19.1:tab1 b5 20.~b4 ~c5 21.1Hb3 a5 22.1:ι.f4
Black performed a showy sacrifice of the
queen and won the game with 22 ... ~c4!
Wang Zili - Lputian, Beijing 1991.
14..td3
When the d3-square is occupied,
White's queen often has problems to get
free. After 14. ~xf7 ndf8 15. ~h7 tιJf5
16 ..td3l::ϊh8 17. ~g6 1:ifg8 18. ~f6 Black set
a trap for the strongest white piece by
means of 18 ... tιJce7 19.0-0 .ί:I.h6 20.iιxf5
tιJxf5 21. ~f7 ~d8 22 ..tf4 l:tf8 ίη the game
T.Ernst - L.Karlsson, Sweden 1993.
14... ~xa5 15.0-0 ~c5
A.Κhalifman managed to gain a victory
over A.Galkin and J.Polgar with the help
of 15 ... 1:th8! ίη Hoogeveen ίη the end of
2000.
16.~xf7
The evacuation of the queen with
16. ~h4 allowed Black to obtain a good play
after 16 ... a6 17.tιJg5 .te8 18.~f4 tιJd4
19.J::!.fe1 tιJef5 20.a4 J::tg7 ίη the game
J.Polgar - Vaganian, Groningen 1993.
16 ...1::tdf8 17. ~h7
17 ...~xf3!?
Black could limit himself to a calm
17 ... J::th8 18.~g7 l::ϊhg8, if he wanted to,
though ίη A.Shirov's ορίηίοη after 19. ~h6
tιJf5 20 ..txf5 J::!.xf5 21. ~e3 White kept some
advantage. The sacrifice of the exchange
that was performed ίη the game allowed
V.Akopian to develop his initiative, but he
159
should have remembered that the white
queen, residing ίη his camp, caused
troubles with the co-ordination ofthe black
pieces. It is worth to be noted that a simi-
lar idea was performed ίη the game Lutz -
Lyrberg, Κatrineholm 1999 with the differ-
ence that the white queen was οη h6, and
the black queen occupied the a5-square.
18.gxf3 tιJxe5 19..te2
Mter 19.f4 tιJf3+ 20.Φg2 tιJd2 21.J::tfe1
d4 Black has a good play owing to the
threats οη the diagonal a8-h1.
19... d4 20.1:ί.fe1
Now 20.f4 would not be very good again
because of 20 ... tιJ5g6.
20 ....tc6 21.~f1
If 21 ..td1, then Black could make a
threat to the f3-square with 21 ... Φd7 and
after 22.~h5 he would continue 22 ... tιJf5.
21 ...tιJxf3
21 ... .txf3!?
22 ..txf3 .txf3 23.~e5 .td5 24. ~gl Φd 7
25.J::!.dl ~xa3?!
25 ... b5 was more exact.
26.~h4?!
Black had serious problems ίη case of
26.J:Ixd5! exd5 27.~e1!
26 ... ~a4?
This was the k(~y moment ίη the game.
Ιη case of a break-through ίη the centre
26 ... d3 Black would have to reckon with
27.1:!.xd5+!, as now after 27 ... exd5 28.l::ϊxd3
~c1+ (Black's position would not be better
after 28 ... ~c5 also because of 29.~f6 ~c8
30.J::!.e3) 29.Φg2 ~xc2 30.~h7 White would
suddenly develop the most dangerous at-
160 Super Tournαments 2000

tack of the black king which Black would ~xc2 38 ..ϊ::ί.e5+ Φb4 39.~xc6 ~bl+ 40.Φh2
hardly be able to repulse. 80, after 30 ... Φe8 ~a2+ 41.Φh3 ~c4 the result of the game
Whitewins with 31.~h5+ .ί:!.g6 (ίf31 ... Φd7, would be unclear despite White's extra
then 32.1::!.xd5+ solνes) 32.Ϊ!.e3 Φd7 33. ~e5. rook.
Howeνer, there is a stronger νaήatίοη: 26 ... 36 ... Φc6 37.~f6+ Φc5 38.~e5 Φc6
~a2!? 27.~xd4 lΔc6 28.1::!.xd5+ ~xd5 29. 39.Ϊ!.χd4 ~al+ 40.Φf2 ~hl
~xd5+ exd5 30 ..t!.xd5 ~e6 31 ..!:d3 a5 and
despite White's extra pawn Black has a fair
chance of a draw.
27.Ϊ!.χe6!
The defenceless position of the e7-
knight allows White to accomplish a win-
ning combination, whereas Black would
haνe strong drawing chances after 27. ~xd4
~xd4 28.1::!.xd4 4Jc6 (and ίη case of 28 ... b5
29.~d3 4Jc6 30.J.:!.el b4 Black's passed
pawns οη the queenside shouldn't be un-
derestimated) 29.Ϊ!.eχd5+ exd5 30.~xd5+
Φe6 31.~d3 a5 32.Ϊ!.χc3 a4. 41 . .ϊ::ί.Χd5!
27 ...1::txg3+ The last blow that answered the questi-
There is ηο 27 ... ~xe6? because of οη who is the winner. White forced the tran-

28 ..ϊ::ί.eΙ+ ..t>d7 29.~xe7+, while 27 ... .i.xe6?
is impossible owing to 28.J.:!.xd4+.
28.hxg3 4Jf5 29.~h7+ Φχe6 30.~g6+
Φd7 31.~xf5+ Φc6 32.~f6+ Φc5 33.~e7+
Φc4 34. ~e5 Φc5 35.f4 b5 36.f5!
White stakes οη his passed pawns οη
the kingside. Ιη case of36.~c7+ .i.c6 37.l:Iel
sition to the winning pawn endgame.
41 ... ~xd5 42.~xc3+ ..t>d6 43.~d3 a5
44.Φe3 a4 45.~xd5+ ..t>xd5 46 ...t>d2 b4
47 ...t>cll-0
Black's pawns οη the queenside will be
stopped now by the white king, and then
the blow with the c-pawn will solνe.
Dortmund 161

"Dortmunder Schachtage"
Dortmund 7.07.16.07, cat.19

2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10

1 Κramnik 2770 Ο 1 = 1 = = = 1 6

2 Anand 2762 = = = 1 = 1 1 6

3 Adams 2755 1 = = = 1 = 5

4 Leko 2743 = = Ο = 1 = 1 5

5 Akopian 2660 Ο = = = 1 1 = 5

6 Junior 6 χχχχ
Ο = = Ο 1 4.5

7 Κhalifman 2667 = Ο = = = = = 4

8 Bareev 2702 = = = Ο Ο = 1 4

9 Piket 2649 Ο Ο Ο 1

10 Huebner 2615 Ο Ο = = Ο Ο =

The organizers of the 28th "Dortmunder Schachtage" wanted to attract everyone's

attention to the tournament, so the computer program Junior 6, worked out by Israeli
specialists, running οη the eighth processor Fujitsu Siemens Primergy, was among the
participants. But ηο computer had ever faced such strong opponents. It was quite un-
clear how it would fare, with its 2.8 million position per second but facing players with
ratings well over the 2700 mark. The computer was given the rating 2700, it turned
out to be rather a strong rival.
The start and prize funds came up to 200,000 marks; the Stadtsparkasse Dortmund,
the city of Dortmund, Mercedes Benz, Holiday Ιηη, Sysdat, ChessBase and Schach
Niggemann were the main sponsors. Games took place οη the stage of the national
theatre ίη Dortmund, οη five boards with giant computer projections, which allowed
the public to follow every move. The theatre was always quite full, οη the last day it
was ίη fact packed, so that there were spectators sitting οη the stairs ίη the aisles.
The first round turned out to be unexpectedly effective. Κramnik, Anand, Adams
and Leko gained victories. They were competing for the first place, but ίη the last
round the computer suddenly joined their struggle. Mter three rounds Anand was the
first - 2.5; Adams, Κramnik and Leko were half-point behind. Then the leaders started
playing with each other. At first ίη the fourth round Adams defeated Κramnik (game
109), then ίη the fifth round Anand defeated Adams (game 114), but ίη the next round
Κramnik won a victory over Anand (game 119)! Before the last round Κramnik took
162 Super Tournαments 2000

the lead - 5.5 points, Anand and Leko had 5.0 points each. Ιη the last round Κramnik
quickly drew the game with Κhalifman, Anand won against Huebner and Leko lost to
Junior (game 135)! Now it is not so easy to gain a victory over a program even for a
high-level grandmaster. Κramnik showed how to play against a computer (game 118).
Picket was also well prepared for the struggle with the machine (game 133). But Leko
tried to sacrifice something and that was wrong tactics to play positions where the
computer could calculate all variations.

94 D43 19 ... ~f5 20.~d2 ~g6 21.fxg4 hxg4

Κramnik - Akopian
Round 1 7.07
ι.ttJf3 d5 2.d4 lίJf6 3.c4 c6 4.lίJc3 e6
5 ..tg5 h6 6 ..th4
White ventures οη a gambit continua-
tion. Formerly 6 ...txf6 ~xf6 was played
most often ίη the Moscow Variation of the
Slav Defence, but the advantage of two
bishops which Black gains ίη this line hin-
ders White seriously from developing his
initiative. It should be mentioned that
Vladimir Κramnik is one of those players
who used to defend Black's position ίη this
variation successfully.
6 ... dxc4 7.e4 g5 8 ...tg3 b5 9 ...te2 ~b7
10.h4 g411.lίJe5 h5 12.0-0 lίJbd713.~c2
lίJxe5 14 ...txe5.tg7 15.~ad1
15.b3!? from the game Goldin - 1. Νο­
vikov, NewYork 2000 also deserves atten-
tion.
15 ... 0-0 16..tg3
Mter 16.f3lίJh7 17 ..txg7 ~xg7 18.fxg4
~xh4 19.9xh5 Black forced a draw with
the help of a perpetual check after 19 ... lίJg5
20. ~d2 lίJh3+ 21.gxh3 ~g3+ 22.Φh1
~xh3+ 23.'it>gl ~g3+ 24.~h1 ~h3+ ίη the
game Van Wely - Lautier, Monaco 2000.
16... lίJh7
16 ... lίJd717.e5 c5 18.lίJe4 ..txe4 19. ~xe4
~b6 occurred previously Goldin - Κhen­
kin, New York 2000.
17.e5 f5 18.exf6 ~xf6 19.f3
From ν.Κramηίk point ofνiew, 19.b3!?
with the purpose of proνiding his pieces
with the d3-square, would be interesting.
22.~e31:tf5
An exchange ofthe rooks by 22 ... ~xf1+
23 ..ί:Ixf1 ~f8 would let White keep his ίηί­
tiative after 24.~xf8+ lίJxf8 (if 24 ... 'it>xf8,
then 25. ~f4+ is unpleasant, and after
24 ... ..txf8 Black has to reckon with 25.
~e5!) 25.i.e5, so that the sacrificed pawn
would be fully compensated.
23.lίJe4 c5
Black parts with the extra pawn ίη or-
der to engage his light-squared bishop ίη
an active play and take the initiative. Μ­
ter 23 ... ~af8 24.lίJc5 ..tc8 25.b3 cxb3
26.axb3 ~xf1+ 27.i.xf1 White would keep
a lasting pressure.
24.lίJxc5 i.d5 25.a4 ~af8!
Black tries to gain as much as possible
from the activity of his pieces without
counting sacrifices. Ιη case of 25 ... a6
26 ...te5 White would still keep the pres-
sure οη Black's position.
26.axb5
26 ... I!.f3!
Practically this new blow was prede-
Dortmund
termined by Black with his preνious moνe.
27.gxf3 gxf3 28.'ith2 tLΊf6?
It seems that Akopian does not deriνe
a maximal benefit from the situation. Μ­
ter 28 ... ..th6! it would be νery hard for
White to defend against the opponent's
threats. 80, ίη case of 29. ~c3 (if 29. ~t2,
then 29 ... tLΊf6 is already νery unpleasant,
and after 29. ~a3 fxe2 30.~xf8+ ..Iiιxf8
31.1:.e1 ~g4 ..Iiιd6! Black's attack is nearly
irresistible) 29 ... fxe2 (Black's attack seems
to be νery strong also ίη the line that was
pointed out by V. Κramnik after the game:
29 ... ..Iiιf4!? 30.!ig1 tLΊg5!) 30.~xf8+ ..txf8
31.~c1 tLΊg5! (now there is already ηο
31 ... ~g4 because of32.tLΊd7! i..d6 33.tLΊe5)
32.hxg5 ..txc5 33.dxc5 ~e4 34.'it>h3 ~f5+
35.'it>h2 (if35.Φh4, then 35 ... ..Iiιf3) 35 ... ~π,
the white king is doomed. Probably the
best what White could do ίη this position
was repeating the moνes after 29. ~ e5 ..Iiιg7
30.~e3.
29.i..xf3 ..txf3 30.~xe6+ Φh8
Another retreat of the king 30 ... 'ith7
had its shortcomings too. 80, after 3U:txf3
~c2+ White could choose 32.iιt2 ~xd1
33. ~f5+ Φh8 34.tLΊe6 I:!.f7 35.tLΊg5 to be fol-
lowed by 36. ~g6 destroying Black's posi-
tion.
31.I:!.xf3 ~c2+ 32.1:.f2 ~xdl 33.'it>g2
~xd4
33 ... ~e8 giνes nothing because of
34.~c6.
34.~e5 ~d5+
An immediate exchange of the queens
34 ... ~xe5 35 ...txe5 is not better because
Black's pieces οη the diagonal a1-h8 turn
out to be under X-rays ofthe white bishop.
35. ~xd5 tLΊxd5 36.1:txf8+ ..Iiιxf8 37.tLΊa4
iιg738.'itf3
Mter 38 ...tb8 ..td4 39.'it>f3 tLΊf6 black
pieces would haνe put a barrier οη the way
ofthe white king.
38 ...tLΊb6
Now 39 . ..tb8 would be already ex-
tremely unpleasant for Black.
39.tLΊxb6 axb6 40.Φe4 .txb2 41.Φd5
1-0
163
Mter 41 ... c3 42.iι.e5+ Φh7 43.'it>c4 Φg6
44.iι.xc3 ..Iiιc1 45.Φd5 White's king and
bishop would provide a safe way to the
eighth rank for the b-pawn.
95 C17
Anand - Κhalifman
Round 1 7.07
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.tLΊc3 ..tb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3
..Iiιa5 6.b4 cxd4 7.~g4 tLΊe7 8.bxa5 dxc3
9.~xg7 J:.g8 10.~xh7 tLΊbc6 1l.f4 ~xa5
12.tLΊf3 ..td7 13.~bl 0-0-0 14.~d3
14... a6
The opening duel that began this year
ίη Linares has continued. That game de-
νeloped similarly until Black's last moνe.
Mter 14 ... tLΊf5 White engaged the black
knight οη f5 at once with 15.1:tg1 (ίη case
of an immediate 15.~b5 ~a4 16. ~xc3 there
is 16 ... 1:.xg2 17 ...txg2 ~xb5 with a conνe­
nient play for Black, Rudolf - Vaganian,
Forchheim 2000) 15 ... d4 16.g4 tLΊfe7 17.~g3
whereupon rather a complicated position
arose οη the board Anand - Κhalifman,
Linares 2000. Ιη the game 8hiroν -
Romero, Holmes, 8alamanca 1998, 14 ... d4
was played, and White used the fact that
the diagonal a7-g1 proνed to be closed,
which let him complete the deνelopment
ofhis kingside with 15.g3 tLΊf5 16 ...Iiιg2 ~c7
17.0-0. With the prophylactic moνe ίη the
game Black wanted to find out White's ίη­
tentions before he would haνe to make
something definite ίη the centre himself.
164
15.tιJg5?!
Α risky way, but it's not so easy to com-
prehend the shortcomings of the moνe
14 ... a6. Απ answer like 15.g3 would be fol-
lowed by 15 ... tιJf5, while the moνe 15.~gl
made little sense as there was ηο knight
οη f5. Howeνer, 15.I;:[b3!?, making Black
take the path of gambit as ίη the game,
deserνed attention.
15 ... ~xg5!
Α standard but quite effectiνe method
for the νariation ofthe French Defence was
chosen by the opponents.
16.fxg5 tιJf5
Preνenting ίη case of16 ... tιJxe5 the con-
tinuation 17. ~e3.
17 .1ιf4 ~xa3 18.~b3
Ιη case of 18.g4 Black by means of
18 ... tιJb4 19. ~d1 (if 19.':xb4 ~xb4 20.gxf5
~xf4 21. ~xc3+ 1ιc6 then White loses)
19 ... tιJd4 20.1ιd3 ~a4 could organize a
massed pressure οη ·the c2-pawn.
18 ... ~a4 19.93 d4 20.1ιe2 tιJa5 21.~bl
1ιb5 22.~xb5!
White is forced to counter-sacrifice the
exchange. After 22. ~d1 tιJe3 23.jLxb5
(23.jLxe3 dxe3 24.1ιd3 jLxd3 25.cxd3 ~a2
26.~f1 e2) 23 ... tιJxc2+ 24. Φf1 axb5 25. ~d3
tιJc4 his position would collapse ίη seνeral
moνes.
22 ... axb5 23.0-0 tιJc4 24.g4 tιJe7?!
Black does not use all opportunities of
his position. Showed after the game by
A.Κhalifman 24 ... tιJfe3! was much stron-
ger. Ιη this case after 25.jLxe3 tιJxe3
26.~xf7 tιJxc2 White would haνe hardly
eνaded defeat. Here is an approximate
νariation: 27.~e4 ~a7 28.1ιf3 d3+ 29.Φg2
tιJe3+ 30.Φg3 c3 3U::txb7 tιJf1+ 32.~g2 ~a6
and the black c-pawn, haνing turned into
a queen, will protect the c7-square near
the king.
25.1ιg3 tιJb2
Black wants to perform the adνance
d4-d3 as soon as possible. Concentrating
efforts οη the e5-pawn by 25 ... tιJc6 looks
less promising as ίη this case after 26. ~h7
(there is neither 26. ~e4 because of
Super Tournaments 2000
26 ... tιJd2, nor 26.l:!:xf7 because White's com-
pensation for the exchange after 26 ...
tιJ4xe5 27.~h7 tιJxf7 28.~xf7 e5 is insuffi-
cient) 26 ... tιJ4xe5 27.h4 the strength of
White's dark-squared bishop would grew
and he would still maintained his counter-
play. But 25 ... tιJe3!? deserνed serious at-
tention. The fact is that ίη case of 25.~xf7
Black has 25 ... b4! 26.~xe7 b3 27.cxb3 ~c6!
and White loses the game. And after
26.~c1 b4, which is relatiνely better for
White, Black has a νery strong initiatiνe.
26.~h7
If the white queen went to the left
26. ~xb5, then Black would haνe kept some
good winning chances after 26 ... ~xb5
(there is ηο 26 ... ~xc2? because of 27.~xf7
~d7 28.jLf3 with White's win) 27.jLxb5 d3
28.cxd3 tιJxd3 29.1ιΧd3 l::!.xd3.
26 ... d3 27.cxd3
27.jLxd3 is bad because of 27 ... tιJxd3
28.cxd3 ~xg4 29.~xf7 tιJc6.
27... tιJxd3?!
Απ important moment. 27 ... ~d4+ sug-
gests itselfbut ίη this case White can keep
the tension of the position by 28.jLf2 (if
28.I:tf2, then 28 ... c2 solνes, and ίη case of
28.'it>h1 there is an unpleasant 28 ... ~e3)
because after 28 ... ~xe5 29. ~xf7 ~xe2
30. ~xe7 ~xg4+ 31.jLg3 the actiνity of
White's queen and dark-squared bishop
would giνe a lot of trouble for the black
king ίη the absence of the pawn οη e5.
Probably it was worth to alert the reserνes
with 27 ... tιJc6!. Then after 28.~xf7 (there
is ηο 28.J:!.xf7 because of 28 ... c2) 28 ... lbd4
Dortmund
29.SΙf3 tιΊxf3+30 ..ί::!.xf3 Black's queen and
knight would be able to damage White's
forces by 30 .. .'~d4+ 31.SΙf2 'l::fxg4+ 32 ..ί::!.g3
'l::fd1+ 33.'.t>g2 tιΊxd3 and then ίη case ofthe
threat to their king with 34.SΙb6 they
would have time to defend against White's
attack with the manoeuvre 34 ... 'l::fe2+
35.'.t>h1 'l::fe4+ 36.~g1 'l::fc6, and now if
37 ..ltxd8, then simply 37 ... c2.
28.'l::fxf7 'l::fd4+ 29.'.t>hl 'l::fd5+ 30.SΙf3
'l::fd7 31.g6 tιΊc6?!
31 ... c2 was probably Black's best chance
even though White would get a good com-
pensation for the exchange after 32.g7 (not
so clear is 32 ..lth4 .ί::!.e8 33.g7 tιΊxe5! 34. 'l::ff8
or even 34. 'l::fxe7) 32 ... c1'l::f 33.Mxc1+ tιΊxc1
34.SΙh4 tιΊg8 35. 'l::ff8 Me8 36. 'l::fc5+ '.t>b8
37.'l::fxc1 'l::fxg7 38.SΙf2.
32.SΙe4 tιΊc5
There is ηο 32 ... tιΊcxe5 because of the
forced line 33. 'l::fxd7+ '.t>xd7 34 ...txe5 tιΊxe5
35 ..ί::!.d1+ '.t>e7 36 ..ί::!.xd8 '.t>xd8 37.g7.
33 ...th4 tιΊxe5 34.~xd7+
Ιη case of 34 ...txd8 Black could still
struggle by 34 ... tιΊxf7 35.gxf7 ~xd8 36.f8~
tιΊxe4.
34 ...MXd7 35 ..ltg3 4Jxg6
Black parts with the piece. After
35 ... 4Jc6 36.~f8+ 4Jd8 (there is ηο 36 ... ~d8
because of 37.g7) 37.SΙc2 b4 White would
ensure his win by means of 38.SΙh4 b3
39.SΙxd8 ~xd8 40.MXd8+ ~xd8 41.g7
36 ..ltxg6 .ί::!.g7 37.SΙe84Jd7
Ιη case of 37 ... b4 38 . .ltb5 1::!.g8 (if
38 ... '.t>d8, then 39.SΙd6! threatening with
a mate) 39 ..ί::!.a1 (now if39.iιd6, then there
is 39 ... b6) 39 ... 4Ja6 40 ...tc4 Black's pawns
would be tied.
38.SΙxd7+ ~xd7 39 . ..te5 kIxg4 40.
iιxc3 b4 41 ..ltf6 b3 42.iιb2 .ί::!.e4 43.~f3
~b4 44 ..ί::!.e3 1:lb5 45.Wg2 Wd6 46.h4 e5
47.h51-0
96 C12
Leko - Huebner
Round 1 7.07
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.tιΊc3 tιΊf6 4.SΙg5 SΙb4
165
5.e5 h6 6.SΙd2 ..txc3 7.bxc3 4Je4 8.~g4
Wf8 9 ...td3 4Jxd2 10.~xd2 c5 11.4Jf3
The opponents played the so-called
Mac Catchon Variation ίη the French De-
fence. Ιη case of an immediate capture
11.dxc5 there was 11 ... 4Jd7.
11 ... 4Jc6
Black allows White to open up the play
ίη the centre. After 11 ... c4 12.SΙe2 4Jc6
13.h4 b5 14.a3 ..td7 15.h5 a5 16 ..ί::!.hb1 .ί::!.b8
17. 'l::ff4 ~e7 18.g4 ~f8 19. ~e3 '.t>d8 20.4Je1
'.t>c7 Black managed to get a reliable posi-
tion and even win ίη the game Chri-
stiansen - Korchnoi, Reykjavik 2000.
12.dxc5 ~a5 13. ~f4 ~xc5 14.4Jd4
SΙd7 15.kIhbl b6
15 ... 4Jd8 occurred twice, ίη the game
Morozevich - Vallejo, Pamplona 1999
White answered with the move 16.a4,
while ίη the recent game Mikhaletz -
Mchedlishvili, Alushta 2000 White pre-
ferred 16.SΙb5.
16.a44Ja5 17.SΙa6 SΙc8
Black did not want to agree to the posi-
tion after 17 ... 4Jc4+ 18.SΙxc4 ~xc4 19.a5
.ί::!.c8 (an immediate 19 ... b5 was bad because
of 20.1::!.b4, and there was ηο 20 ... ~c5 be-
cause of 21.1:lxb5!) 20.~g3, but he could
just stay where he was with 17 ... ~e7!?
18.SΙb5 ~e7?!
White's next move should have been
prevented. Better'was 18 ... ~c7.
19.4Jc6!
White drives away the black king that
has blocked the queenside.
19.•. 4Jxc6 20 ...txc6 1:tb8?
166
There were more drawing chances af-
ter 20 ... ~b7 21 ...txb7 ~xb7 22.a5 ~b8. For
instance, after 23.axb6 axb6 24.~b4 'it>g8
25.~ba4 ~c6 26.~a7 ~b7 Black held the
position. The light-squared bishops make
οηlΥ additional troubles for Black until
they stay οη the board.
21.a5 ~g5 22.~xg5 hxg5 23.axb6
axb6
23 ... ~xb6 was bad because of 24.l:!.xb6
axb6 25.~a7!
24.1:ι.a7 f6
If Black had captured the pawn 24 ...
~xh2, then after 25.~ba1 ~h8 (ίη case of
25 ... l:!.xg2 the solution was 26.:!:!:a8) 26.~c7
~h4 27.~aa7 (Black still held somehow
after 27 .g3 ~c4 28.1:ι.aa7 Wg8) 27 ... ~f4 28.f3
all his pieces would have been paralysed.
25.c4!
Leaving ηο respite for Black.
25... ~h4
If25 ... dxc4, then 26.Wc3 with the idea
of 27.~d1 is strong.
26.cxd5 J::!.d4+ 27.'it>c3
27.'it>e3 with the idea after 27 ... fxe5 to
continue 28.~ba1! was more accurate.
27 ... fxe5 28.~b4!
White exchanges the οηlΥ active Black's
piece.
28 ... exd5 29.~xd4 exd4+ 30.Wxd4
ite6 31.'it>e5 itf7 32.~a8
Practically the struggle is over after the
exchange of the rooks. Mter a careless
32.itxd5? Black would get the draw by
means of32 ... ~e8+ 33.Wd4 itxd5 34.Wxd5
~e2
Super Tournαments 2000
32... nxa8 33 ..txa8 d4 34.Wxd4 'it>e7
35.'it>e5 ~e6 36o.te4 .td7 37.c3 .te6
38 ..tg6 .tc8 39 . .th5 .td7 40.f3 .te6
41 ..tg4 iιf7 42.Wf5 'it>d6 43.'it>xg5 'it>c5
44.f4 'it>c4 45.f5 'it>xc3 46.f6 gxf6+ 47.'it>xf6
iιc4 48.h4 b5 49.h5 b4 50.h6 b3 51.h7
b2 52.iιf5 iιd3 53 ..txd3 1-0
97 C42
Adams - Piket
Round 1 7.07
l.e4 e5 2.lΔf3 lΔf6 3.lΔxe5 d6 4.lΔf3
lΔxe4 5.d4 d5 6.itd3 lΔc6 7.0-0 .tg4
7 ... ~e7 occurs more frequently.
8.c4lΔf6 9.cxd5 iιxf3 10.~xf3 ~xd5
1l.~xd5
11. ~e2+ ~e7 12.~b5 would allow
White to struggle for an advantage as well.
1l ...lΔxd5 12.lΔc3 0-0-0 13 ..tc4lΔce7
14..td2 g6
Black brings his bishop to the diagonal
a1-h8 ίη order to control directly the pawn
οη d4. Previously 14 ... lΔxc3 15.bxc3 lΔd5
16.J::!.fe1 c6 17.~b3 iιa3 18.c4 occurred ίη
the game Dvoirys - Schwartzman, Gro-
ningen 1992 with White's advantage, ίη
the game Dvoirys - Schieder, Oberwart
1996 White was also better after 14 ... f6
15.!He1 c6 16.':e4 lΔc7 17 ..te2 lΔed5
18.iιg4+ 'it>b8 19.J:::tae1
15.J:::tfel .tg7 16.iιg5 J:::td7 17.itxe7
lΔxe7 18.itxf7 'it>b8!
Black freesthe square for his knight
and soon wins back the sacrificed pawn.
19.~e2
19.J:::tad1lΔc8 would change nothing.
19 ... lΔc8 20.itb3 l:txd4 21.g3 a5
Black now wants to win the game. ~hd8
would look more natural now or οη the next
move.
22.~ael lΔd6 23. 'it>g2 b5 24.a3 ~f8
25.lΔd5 iιh6
Ιη case of25 ... lΔf5 Black has to reckon
with 26.lΔe7 lΔxe7 27.~xe7, and after
27 ... iιf6 28.~xh7 ~d2 29.~f7 ~xf7 30.itxf7
g5 31.b3 itd4 32.~f1 White had time to
Dortmund
defend everything and kept the extra
pawn.
26.f4 c5
27.k!e6
This move was a mistake. After 27.
CL:Je7!? <tJc7 28.3ιg8! Black would have en-
countered serious problems.
27 ... .ί:1d8 28.CL:Je7 Φc7 29 . .td5 SΙf8
30.SΙf31:td2+ 31.~6e2 ktxe2+
Black exchanges his most active piece
himself. 31 ... Nc4 was much stronger.
32 ..1:::!.xe2 .txe7 33.k!xe7+ ~d7 34.~e5
~b6 35.~d5 ~d8 36.g4 c4 37.~f2 CL:Jf7
1-0
Black run out of time.
98 D46
Bareev - Junior 6
Round 1 7.07
1.c4 e6 2.CL:Jc3 d5 3.d4 c6 4.e3 CL:Jf6 5.b3
CL:Jbd7 6.1ιb2 SΙd6 7.CL:Jf3 0-0 8.SΙd3 'f!1e7
9.0-0 e5 10.SΙe2
10.dxe5 has already occurred.
10... e4 11.CL:Jd2 a6 12.cxd5 cxd5
167
13.b4?
Probably White overlooked the conse-
quences ofBlack's 14th move.
13 ... 1ιχb4 14.'f!1b3 CL:Jb8! 15.CL:Ja4 'f!1d6
The computer defends calmly. It was
evidently dissatisfied with the prospects
after 15 ... ~xd2 16.CL:Jb6 1:ta7 17.3ιa3 'f!1d8
(if17 ... 'f!1c7, then J8.SΙxf8 Φχf819.~ad1 is
strong) 18.~xf8 Wxf8 (there is ηο 18 ... 'f!1xf8
because of 19. 'f!1c2) 19.k!ad1.
16.J::!.fdl CL:Jc6
As a result, the hardware player kept
the extra pawn but still failed to achieve a
win.
17.3ιc3 3ιχc3 18.'f!1xc3 3ιg4 19.~xg4
CL:Jxg4 20.CL:Jf1 b5 21.CL:Jc5 ~fc8 22.~dcl h5
23.~c2 CL:Jf6 24.~acl CL:Je8 25.a4 b4 26. 'f!1el
h4 27.h3 'f!1h6 28.CL:Jb3 ~c7 29:~e2 ~aa7
30.'f!1g4 Wf8 31.CL:Jfd2 CL:Je7 32.kIxc7 ~xc7
33.CL:Jc5 ~a7 34.CL:Jdb3 Φg8 35.'f!1e2 CL:Jc7
36.a5 CL:Jb5 37. 'f!1d2 CL:Jc6 38.CL:Ja4 'f!1f6
39.~c5 ~c7 40.'f!1e2 g6 41.'f!1c2 <tJg7
42. 'f!1e2 Φh8 43. 'f!1c2 'f!1d6 44. 'f!1e2 f5
45.'f!1dl <tJh7 46.'f!1e2 ~f7 47.f4 exf3
48.'f!1xf3 CL:Je7 49.'f!1f4 'f!1xf4 50.exf4 1:tf6
51.CL:Jb6 ~d6 52.~f2 Φh6 53.CL:Jc8 CL:Jxc8
54.I:txc8 <tJg7 55.Φe3 !!e6+ 56.Φd3 1:tel
57.k!cl ~xcl 58.CL:Jxcl Φf6 59.CL:Ja2 b3
60.CL:Jb4 ~e6 61.CL:Jxa6 ~d6 62.CL:Jb4 CL:Jxd4
63.Φc3 CL:Je2+ 64.~xb3 CL:Jxf4 65.a6 <tJc7
66.~c3 g5 67.Wd4 g4 68.Wc5 d4 69.Φχd4
CL:Jxg2 70.CL:Jd3 gxh3 71.CL:Jf2 h2 72.Φe5 f4
73.Φe4 Φb6 1f2 - 1f2
99 Ε04
Bareev - Adams
Round 2 8.07
1.d4 CL:Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.CL:Jf3 dxc4
5.~g2 CL:Jc6 6. 'f!1a4 3ιb4+ 7.3ιd2 CL:Jd5
8.SΙxb4 CL:Jdxb4 9.a3
The principal way. Mter a quiet 9.0-0
ktb8 10.CL:Jc3 a6 11·CL:Je5 ο-ο 12.CL:Jxc6 CL:Jxc6
13.3ιχc6 bxc6 14.'f!1xc6 J::txb2 15.l:tabl ~b6
it would be very hard to break Black's ρο­
sition.
9 ...b5 10.'f!1xb5 CL:Jc2+ 11.Φd2 CL:Jxal
168
12. ~xc6+ .ltd7 13. ~xc4 c5!
This move was introduced into the tour-
nament practice by ν.Κοrchnοί.
14. ~a2 ~a5+ 15.tΔc3
Ιη the game Ivanchuk - Korchnoi,
Tilburg 1989, which was the first one to
restore the whole variation, the opponents
played 15.b4 cxb4 16.~xa1 Mc8 17.tΔe5
.tb5.
15 ... cxd4 16.tΔxd4 Md8 17.Mxal
17.b4? was weaker because of 17 ... ~b6
18.e3 19 ..ltxc6+ ~xc6 20.Mxa1 e5, where-
upon White was very bad ίη the game
Gasimov - Doroshkievich, St.Petersburg
1994.
17... e5
There is ηο 17 ... ~b6 18.e3 e5 because
of 19.tΔd5.
18.b4 ~b6 19.tΔc2 ~xf2 20.tΔe3 .te6+
21.tΔcd5
21 ... 0-0
Black is over with his development. The
position of White's king is too open, pre-
venting him from making use of the ρο­
tential activity ofhis light pieces.
22.~c4
White has surrounded the black queen,
but an attempt to win it by 22.Mf1 must
fail because of22 ... .txd5 or even 22 ... ~xg2
23.tΔxg2 .txd5 24. ~a1.1txg2+ which is still
stronger, Black having more than suffi-
cient compensation.
22 ....txd5 23 ..ltxd5 ~xh2 24. ~h4 ~f2
25.Mhl h6 26.Mh2
With the king centralized ίη the mid-
dlegame, White dared not try to win the
Super Tournαments 2000
game and forced a draw.
26 ... ~gl 27.Mhl 1h - 1h
100 Ε34
Khalifman - Leko
Round 2 8.07
l.d4 tΔf6 2.c4 e6 3.tΔc3 .tb4 4.~c2 d5
5.cxd5 ~xd5 6.e3 c5 7 ..td2 .txc3 8 ..txc3
cxd4 9 ..txd4 tΔc6 10 ..tc3
10... .ltd7!?
Ρ. Leko aims at the development of the
queenside pieces first of all. U sually they
play here 10 ... 0-0 or 10 ... ~c5. There are
two instances from the games belonging
to one of the participants of the tourna-
ment: 10 ... 0-0 11.tΔf3 ~c5 12.MC1 tΔd5
13 ..td2 ~xc2 14.Mxc2 Md8 15.a3 h6 16.b4
a6 17 ..tc4 e5 18.0-0 .tf5 19.Mcc1 e4= Κir.
Georgiev - Adams, Sarajevo 2000 and
10 ... ~c5 11.Mc1 .td7 12.tΔf3 0-013.~b1
~e7 14 ..td3 tΔb4 15 ..txf6 tΔxd3+ 16. ~xd3
gxf6= Seirawan - Adams, Bermuda (m/8)
2000.
11.tΔf3 Mc8 12.a3
Ιη case of 12. ~d1 there is a line, showed
by A.Κhalifman after the game, that leads
to the full equalization: 12 ... tΔe7 13 ..te2
tΔe414.~xd5lbxd5 15 ..td4 (complications
after 15 ..txg7 Mg8 seem not to give White
an advantage as well) 15 .. .lbb416.0-0 lbc2
17.Mad1lbxd4 18.MXd4lbf6.
12 ... lbe7 13 ..te2 0-0
If 13 ... .tb5, then 14.e4!? should be
taken into consideration.
Dortmund
14.0-0 i,b5
The conflict is settled after White loses
the so-called advantage oftwo bishops.
15.~fd1 1f2 - 112
Let's note that instead of 15.J::tfd1 it iS
impossible to use the programmed 15.e4?!
ίη view of 15 .. .liJxe416.i,xb5lΔxc3 16.i,d3
lΔe4!
101 Ε59
Piket -Kramnik
Round 2 8.07
1.d4 lΔf6 2.c4 e6 3.lΔc3 i,b4 4.e3 ο-ο
5.i,d3 c5 6.lΔf3 d5 7.0-0 lΔc6 8.a3 i,xc3
9.bxc3 '1f1c7 10.Xιb2 dxc4 11.i.xc4 e5
12.i,e2 e4
We would remind you that ίη February
2000 ίη the game Κhalifman - Κramnik
ίη Linares 12 ... 1::ω8 was played. Despite
the successful play, ν.Κramnίk decides to
change slightly the pattern of the game
this time.
13.lΔd2 J::td814.'1f1c2 i,f515.lΔb3 cxd4
16.cxd4 .:I.d6 17.ι:tfc1 J::te8 18.lΔc5
18.lΔd2 '1f1d7 19.1Δf1 .tg4 20 ..ί::!.ab1 oc-
curred ίη the game Taimanov - Zaichik,
Riga 1975.
18 ••• '1f1e7 19:~b3lΔd81f2-1f2
102 D46
Akopian - Anand
Round 2 8.07
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.lΔc3 lΔf6 4.e3 e6
5.lΔf3lΔbd7 6.i,d3 i,d6 7.e4 dxe4 8.lΔxe4
lΔxe4 9.Xιxe4 e5
After 9 ... 0-0 10.0-0 the move 10 ... e5?!
would be less attractive because ofll.dxe5
lΔxe5 12.lΔxe5 i,xe5 13.Sι.xh7+.
10.0-0 exd4 11.'1f1xd4 '1f1f6 12.Xιg5
12 ..1:i.d1 that will be played ίη the game
Bareev - Anand two rounds later, is stron-
ger.
12 ... '1f1xd4 13.lΔxd4 lΔc5 14.Xιf5 ο-ο
15..1:i.ad1 .ί:Ie8 16.i,e3 16.i,e3 1f2 - 112
169
This position was already seen. The
game Ghitescu - Van Geet, Beverwijk 1967
lasted not much longer and had the same
result: 16 ... Sι.f8 17.i,xc8 1::taxc8 18.lΔb3lΔa4
19.1:'!.d2 .ί:Icd8 20 ..ί:Ifd1 Xιe7 2U:txd8 J::txd8
22 ..ί:Ixd8+ i.xd8.
103 C04
Junior 6 - Huebner
Round 2 8.07
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.lΔd2lΔc6 4.lΔgf3lΔf6
5.e5 lΔd7 6.lΔb3 i,e7 7.i.b5 ο-ο 8.0-0
lΔcb8 9.c3 b6 10.lΔbd2
10.lΔe1 c6 1l ..lte2 .ta6 12 ..txa6 lΔxa6
13. '1f1g4 occurred ίη the game D.Yanofsky
- L. Portisch, Munich 1958.
10 ... i.a6 11.a4 c6 12 . .txa6 lΔxa6
13.'1f1e2lΔc714.b3 c5 15 ..ί:Ie1lΔb816.i.a3
lΔc617.tM3 .ί:Ic818.a5 J::ta819.Φh1 '1f1d7?
Ιη case of 19 ... lΔxa5 Black has to reckon
with 20.Sι.xc5. The simplest for Black was
19 ... cxd4 20.axb6 axb6 21.i.xe7 '1f1xe7
22.cxd4lΔb4 with an equality.
20.dxc51-0
R.Huebner did not want to play a worse
position. After 2O ... bxc5?! (Black stands
worse after 20 ... lΔxa5 21.cxb6 axb6 22.
i,xe7 '1f1xe7 23.lΔd4, but it is the best deci-
sion for him) the move 21.lΔe4 should be
considered, and though the pawn would
be retaken after 21 ... Ϊi:fb8 22.lΔfg5 (ηο
22.Ϊi:eb1? because of 22 ... c4!, and Black
wins) 22 ... g6 (even worse is 22 ... .txg5
23.lΔxg5 g6 24.i,xc5 ~xb3 ίη view of
170
25.tbe4! tbe8 26.'~d2 Φg7 27.iιf8+!! ΦΧf8
28. t'fh6+ tbg7 29.tbc5 π 30.tbxb3), the prob-
lems connected with the weakness ofblack
squares οη the kingside would remain un-
solved and that a110ws White to develop
an attack by means of23. t'fh3! h5 24.tbxc5
t'fe8 (it's dangerous to play 24 ... iιxc5
25.iιxc51:[xb3 because of26.g4!) 25.tbgxe6!
fxe6 26.tbxe6.
104 C78
Anand - Piket
Round 3 9.07
l.e4 e5 2.tbf3 tbc6 3.iιb5 a6 4.iιa4 tbf6
5.0-0 b5 6.iιb3 iιc5
This variation of the Ruy Lopez was
introduced into high-level chess owing to
successful games played ίη the mid nine-
ties by A.Onischuk, A.Shirov and V.
Tkachiev.
7.a4 ~b8 8.axb5 axb5 9.c3 d6 10.d4
iιb6 11.tba3 0-0 12.tbxb5 exd4 13.cxd4
iιg4 14.I:Ia4
White engages the rook ίη the defence
of the pawn οη d4. Other methods to
struggle for an advantage were tested too:
14.iιc2, 14.iιa4, 14.~e1. The Indian grand-
master himself used previously the last of
the listed opportunities. Ιη the game
Anand - 011, Belgrade 1999 White man-
aged to win the keenest struggle after
14.J::te1 d5 15.exd5 tbxd5 16.h3 iιh5 17.g4
(17.iιc4 t'fd7 was played ίη the game
Shirov - Piket, Monte Carlo (blindfold)
1999) 17 ... iιg6 18.tbc3 tbdb4 19.iιg5 t'fd7
20.d5 t'fd6?! (stronger was 20 ... tba5!
21.I:lxa5 iιxa5 22.iιa4 t'fd6 23.iιe7= Kolev
- Campos Moreno, Castellar 1999) 21.'it>fi!
14...l:le8
Bad was' 15 ... ~xe4? 16.l:txe4 tbxe4 be-
cause of 17 .iιd5! t'fe8 18. t'fc2 iιxf3 19.9xf3
tbe7 20.tbxc7 iιxc7 21.iιxe4 or 14 ... tbxe4
15.iιd5 t'fe8 16. t'fc2 tbe7 17.iιxe4 t'fxb5
18.iιxh7+ Φh819.iιe4 with a considerable
White's advantage.
15.1:tel h6?!
Super Tournαments 2000
This novelty will hardly find any follow-
ers. The usual continuation ίη this position
is 15 ... t'fd7, taking aim at the b5-knight or
the a4-rook. Mter 16.i.c2 d5 17.e5 tbe4
18.tbc3 tbxe5 19.dxe5!? (ίη case of 19.tbxe4
dxe4 20.tbxe5 Iιxe5 21. t'fd2 .ϊ:td5 Black
maintains the balance, whereas after
19.tbxd5 t'fxd5 20.iιxe4 tbxf3+ 21.gxf3
l:txe4 22.nxe4 t'fxe423.fxg4 t'fd5 he has a
compensation for the pawn) 19 ... iιxf3
20.t'fxf3 (ίη case of 20.gxf3 tbxf2 21.t'fxd5
tbd3+ 22.1::te3 t'fxd5 23.tbxd5 i.xe3+ 24.
iιxe3 tbxe5 the position would be approxi-
mately equal) 20 ... iιxf2+ 21.Φh1 which was
played ίη the game Bologan - Tkachiev,
France 1999, Black could keep the equal-
ity by 21 ... iιxe1! 22.tbxe4 dxe4 23.t'fxe4
iιd2 24. t'fxh7+ 'i.t>f8 25. t'fh8+ cJJe7 26. t'fh4+
Φf8 27.t'fh8+. Probably Anand was going
to strengthen White's play ίη this line but
his opponent avoid it.
16.iιc2 d5 17.e5 tbe4 18.tbc3
18... ttxe5?
Looks too pretentious. Black could look
for a chance to attack the white king by
18 ... iιxf3 19.9xf3 tbg5 20.f4 (ίη case of
20.iιe3 there is an unpleasant 20 ... iιa5)
20 ... tbe6 21.tbe2 t'fh4 22. t'fd3 whereupon
he could attempt to drive the king away
from his house as follows: 22 ... tbexd4!?
23.tbxd4 (23. t'fh7 +? Φf8 gives White noth-
ing but problems) 23 ... tbxd4 24.ι:Ixd4 iιxd4
25.t'fxd4 t'fg4+ 26.'it>fi t'fh3+ 27.'it>e2 t'fh5+.
If White did not want to draw, then he
would have to venture οη 28. 'it>d2 t'fxh2
29.b4, so that his two bishops would out-
Dortmund
weigh Black's rook and pawn despite the
νulnerable position of the white king ίη the
centre of the board.
19.4Jxe4!
Rather a simple solution, but it looks
as if Black's rook could just be taken. Af-
ter 19.dxe5 .ixf3 20.gxf3 4Jxf2 21. ~xd5
4Jd3+ 22.'it>fl ~xd5 23.4Jxd5 4Jxe124.~xe1
Black had ηο compensation for the piece.
Neither could Black get anything by
19 ... .ixf2+ 20.'it>h1 or 19 ... 4Jxf2 20.~xd5
4Jd3+ 21.ΦΩ.
19... J:ιxe4 20 ..ixe4 dxe4 21.d5 .ixf3
22.gxf3 ~h4 23.l1axe4 ~xf2+ 24.ΦhΙ ί5
25.1:[c4!
This small combination let White catch
the black queen that brought Black to a
quick death.
25 ... 4Ja5 26.l:!.f1 4Jxc4 27.l:!.xf2 i,xf2
28.~e2 1-0
105 Cll
Leko - Akopian
Round 3 9.07
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4Jc3 4Jf6 4 ..ig5 dxe4
5.4Jxe4 i,e7 6.i,xf6 i,xf6 7.4Jf3 ο-ο
8.~d2 4Jd7 9.0-0-0 b610.~e3
10.i,c4 and 10. ~f4 are well studied con-
tinuations ίη this position, yet the moνe
ίη the game was seen ίη the tournament
practice as well.
10 ....ib7 11.itd3
Usual1y they played 11.4Je5 i,e7 12 .
.ib5.
11 ... ite7 12.4Je5
171
12... f5!
Equalising the game fully.
13.4Jc3 4Jxe5
Naturally there was ηο 13 ... .ixg2? be-
cause of 14.J::!.hg1 .ib7 whereupon White
would haνe a thematic continuation
15.l:!.xg7+! Φχg716 ..!:!.gl+ Φh817.~h6 wίth
critical threats for the black king.
14.~xe5 .id6 15.~xe6+ 1;2 - 1;2
White's extra pawn is a mere illusion.
He is not able to keep it. Black would re-
store the mateήaΙ balance after 15 ... ~h8
16.~Ω (if16.f3, then 16 ... ~g5+, and ίη case
of 16.1:[hg1 there was 16 ... ~g5+ 17.~b1
l:!.ae8 to be followed by 18 ... .ixh2) 16 ...
iιxg2 17.iιxg2 ~g5+
106 D17
Kramnik - Bareev
Round 3 9.07
l.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.4Jf3 4Jf6 4.4Jc3 dxc4
5.a4 .if5 6.4Jh4
The central νaήatίοη of the Slaν De-
fence, introduced with the moνe 6.4Je5, is
also one of Κramnik's opening weapons.
6 ... e6 7.4Jxf5 exf5 8.e3 .ib4 9 ..ixc4 0-
Ο 10.0-0 4Jbd7 11.~c2 g6 12.f3 1::tc8
13.'it>hl
Α helpful prophylactic moνe that takes
away the king from any possible threats
οη the diagonal a7-g1. There occurred at-
tempts to gain an adνantage with other
moνes too: 13.1:[d1; 13. ~f2 and eνen an
immediate 13.e4.
13... 4Jb6
4η immediate 13 ... c5 was seen as well.
Ιη the game Ι. Sokoloν - Shiroν, Sarajeνo
2000 after 14.4Ja2 (14.d5 4Jb6 15 ...ta2 c4
16.e4 fxe4 17.fxe4 4Jg4 18. ~e2 4Je5 that
occurred ίη the game Lautier - Sakaeν, Las
Vegas 1999 led to a play with mutual
chances) there were interesting tactical
complications: 14 ... .ia5 15.dxc5 ~e7 16.b4
..txb4 17.4Jxb4 ~xc5 18 ...tb3 ~xb4 19 ..ia3
~h4 20. ~a2 4Jc5, as a result White got a
compensation of the adνantage of the
172
bishop pair for the missing pawn.
14.Jιb3 c5 15.a5 cxd4
Other continuations could result into
certain problems for Black both after
15 ... l2Jbd5 16.l2Jxd5 l2Jxd5 17. ~c4 and
15 ... c4 16.axb6 cxb3 17.~xb3 ~xb6 18.
Jιd2.
16.axb6
The line with 16.exd4 l2Jbd5 was trou-
blesome for White οηlΥ.
16... dxc317.bxa7 cxb218.~xb2 ..Itc3
19.Jιxf7+ ~xf7
Black lost a pawn after 19 ... Φχf7
20.a8~ ~xa8(if20 ... Jιxb2, then 21.~xb7+)
21.~xb7+ ~d7 22.~b3+.
20.~xc3 ~xc3 21.a8~ ~xa8 22.~xa8+
Φg7 1/2 - 1/2
107 D47
Huebner - Khalίfman
Round 3 9.07
1.d4 l2Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.l2Jf3 d5 4.l2Jc3 c6
5.e3l2Jbd7 6 ...Itd3 dxc4 7 ...Itxc4 b5 8 ...Ite2
White prefers to aνoid the keenest lines
ofthe Meran System which are connected
with 8.Jιd3.
8 ... Jιb7 9.0-0
Again White does not want to play the
most principal continuation 9.e4 b4 10.e5.
9 ...b4 10.l2Ja4 i,e7 11.b3
Did not promise much to White the line
11.a3 a5 12.~c2 ο-ο 13.J::ίd1 ~c7 14.axb4
axb4 15 ...Itd2.kIa5 16.~ac1 ~b8 17.b3 ..Ita8
18.e4 c5 with an equal play Gelfand -
Lautier, Monaco 2000.
11 ...0-0 12.Jιb2 c5 13.:Ιc1
Mter 13.dxc5l2Jxc5 14.l2Jxc5 Jιxc5 there
was an equal play too.
13 ... .!::tc814.~d3
14.dxc5 l2J'Xc5 15.l2Jxc5 Jιxc5 16. ~xd8
J::ίfxd8 occurred preνiously, maintaining
the balance Ζ. Polgar - Knaak, Stara
Zagora 1990. The moνe made by R.
Huebner ίη the game would hardly breathe
new life into this absolutely νapid position.
14.. :~a515.~b5 ~xb516 ...txb5 cxd4
Super Tournαments 2ΡΟΟ
17.Jιxd4
If17.l2Jxd4, then 17 ... l2Jb8, coνeringthe
c6-square is the simplest answer.
17 ... a6 18.Jιe2 l2Je4 19.12Je5 l2Jxe5
20.Jιxe5 f6 21 ...Itb2 ~xc1 22.~xc1 ~c8
23.Ilxc8+ ..Itxc8 24.f3 l2Jc5 25.l2Jb6
White still attempts to gain something
from this position. After 25.l2Jxc5 ..Itxc5
there will be a draw.
25 ... Jιb7 26.l2Jc4 e5 27.Jιc1..1td8 28.e4
'it>f8
Black should haνe protected the squa-
res οη the queenside by 28 ... iιc7 29.iιe3
(29.i.d2 a5) 29 ... Jιc7. Mter the moνe ίη the
game the coordination of black pieces is
broken.
29.i.e3 Jιe7 30.l2Ja5 i.a8 31.i.d2 l2Jb7
32.l2Jc4?!
White do not continue the struggle. It
was possible to do that by 32.CLJc6!. Mter
for instance 32 ... i.c5+ 33.'it>fl a5 34.i.c4
i.b6 35.i.d5 'it>e8 (the problem here is that
it is not possible to retreat by the knight
35 ... l2Jd8? because of 36.CLJxb4!) and the
position ofblack pieces - the a8-bishop and
the b7-knight is νery poor.
32 ... Jιc5+ 33.Φf1 CLJd8 34.l2Ja5 CLJb7
35.CLJc4 CLJd8 36.CLJa5 CLJb7 1f2 - 1,4
108 C68
Adams - Junior 6
Round 3 9.07
1.e4 e5 2.CLJf3l2Jc6 3.Jιb5 a6 4.Jιxc6
Playing with people Μ. Adams prefers
4 ...ta4.
Dortmund
4 ... dxc65.d4
The usual continuation is 5.0-0. The
moνe ίη the game reminds of how they
played ίη the beginning ofthe 20th century.
5 ... exd4 6. '§xd4 '§xd4 7.4:Jxd4 c5
8.4:Je2 ..id7 9 ...ie3 4:Jf610.f3 0-0-0 11.4:Jd2
h612.0-0-0
The game Albin - Marco, Monte Carlo
1903 can confirm the note to the 5th moνe:
its main eνents deνeloped after 12.Nf4 b6
13.0-0-0 Bd6 14.Nd3 Ne8 15.c4.
12 ... g6 13.h4 b6 14.4:Jf4 iιg7 15.4:Jf1
J:the8 16.4:Jg3 a5 17 ..id2 h5 18.c4 iιa4
19.b3 .ic6 20.Wc2 4:Jd7 21 . ..tc3 ..th6
22.4:Jh3 a4 23.J:thel4:Je5 24.J:txd8+ Wxd8
The position gets simpler while its es-
timation remains "equal".
25.4:Je2 Wc8 26.4:Jef4 iιd7 27.J:tdl4:Jc6
28.4:Jg5 f5 29.e5
Ιη case of 29.4:Jxg6 Black is ready to go
29 ... fxe4.
29 ... 4:Jxe5 30.iιxe5 J:txe5 31.4:Jxg6
J:te2+ 32.l:Id2 J:te8 33.4:Jf4 ..tg7 34 ..J:te2
:xe2+ 35.4:Jxe2 axb3+ 36.axb3 iιe8
The pair ofthe Black's bishops compen-
sates White's pawn adνantage οη the
kingside.
37.'it'd3 Wd7 38.4:Jh3 ..if6 39.g3 ..te5
40.4:Jhf4 ..if7 41.We3 wd6 42.4:Jd3 Jιf6
1/2 - lh
109 Β31
Adams - Κramnik
Round 4 10.07
1.e4 c5 2.4:Jf3 4:Jc6 3 ...ib5 g6 4 ...ixc6
dxc6 5.d3 ..ig7
Ιη positions with such pawn structure
usually it is not easy for Black to get an
actiνe counterplay. One year ago White
deνeloped an unpleasant pressure οη
Black's position ίη the game Adams -
Gelfand, Dos Hermanas 1999 after 5 ... ..tg4
6.4:Jbd2 ..tg7 7.0-0 4:Jf6 8.h3 .ixf3 9.'§xf3
ο-ο 10.'§e2 e5 11.4:Jc4 4:Jd7 12.a4 and lost
his chance with his last moνes only.
6.h34:Jf6
173
Ιη the FIDE World Championship 1999
the game between the same opponents de-
νeloped ίη a slightly different manner. Μ­
ter 6 ... b6 7.4:Jc3 e5 8 ..ie3 4:Je7 9.'§d2 h6
10.4:Jh2 ..te6 11.0-0-0 '§d7 12.Φb1 0-0-0
13. '§ e2 f5 the gamθ was drawn soon Adams
- Κramnik, Las Vegas 1999.
7.4:Jc3 4:Jd7 8.0-0 e5 9 ..ie3 0-0 10.'§d2
~e8 11.4:Jh2 '§e7 12...th6 ..ih8
13.4:Jg4!
Α new moνe. White wants to make
Black go f7 -f6 in order to perform then the
adνantage f2-f4, as the diagonal a1-h8 will
be closed for Black's dark-squared bishop.
Another participant ofthe Dortmund tour-
nament, Ρ. Leko, acted differently two
weeks ago: after 13.Φh1 4:Jf8 14.f4 exf4
15 ..J:txf4 ..ie6 16.~af1 4:Jd7 17.b3 4:Je5
18.4:Jd1 a5 19.4:Je3 a4 Black managed to
arrange a good counterplay Leko - Anand,
Frankfurt 2000, and Black's dark-squared
bishop played an important part ίη achieν­
ing this.
13 ... 4:Jf8 14 . ..tg5 f6 15.4:Jh6+ Wg7
16.Jιe3 4:Je6 17.4:Je2 4:Jg5 18.4:Jg4 h5?!
Black should not haνe weakened his
position οη the kingside. Most probably he
had to make a choice between the passiνe
defence by 18 ... iιxg4 19.hxg4 J:tad8 20. '§c3
4:Je6 or seeking chances after 18 ... 4:Jf7 with
the idea that an immediate 19.f4 would let
him begin an actiνe play after 19 ... ..ixg4
20.hxg4 c4!?In this case Black would get
a counterplay for a pawn: 21.fxe5 (after
21 ... dxc4 exf4 22.~xf4 4:Je5 23.'§c3 Wg8 he
would be compensated also) 21 ... fxe5
174
22.dxc4 ~e6.
19.tLJh2 1:td8 20. ~c3 tΔe6 21.f4 tΔd4
22.1:tael Wh7 23.tΔf3 ..ie6 24.fxe5 fxe5
25.tΔg5+ Φg8 26.tΔxe6 tΔxe6
Mter Black's light-squared bishop left
the board he was condemned to a passiνe
defence.
27.~b3 Φh7 28.J::if2 .ί::tf8 29.1:ιef1 ..ig7
Αη exchange of the rooks 29 ... 1:[xf2
30.1:ιχf2 Zϊf8 31.1:[xf8 tΔxf8 would not solνe
all Black's problems as then after 32. ~a4
(forcing 32 ... a6) the weakness of Black's
pawns οη the queenside would tell.
30.Φh2 b6 31.tΔgl tΔd4
Again after 31 ... z:ι.xf2 32 ..1:Ixf2 1:[f8
33.1:[xf8 tΔxf8 34.tΔf3 ..if6 35. ~a4 White
could began to prepare a play οη the
queenside with a2-a3 and b2-b4 keeping
a stable adνantage.
32.~a4 b5 33.~a3 a5 34.~c3 a4
35.tΔf3 tΔe6 36.b3
M.Adams thinks that White's adνan­
tage after 36.tΔg5+ lίJxg5 37 . ..ιtxc5 1:ιΧf2
38 ...ixe7 1:ιΧΩ 39.Φg3 1:ιΧΩ 40.gxf3 is not
enough for him to win. Howeνer, instead
ofthe moνe ίη the game, 36.b4! was stron-
ger, because the position after 36 ... cxb4?!
37. ~xc6 could not satisfy Black, and the
continuation 36 ... axb3 37.cxb3 led to the
position, analogous to the one that had
happened then ίη the game.
36... Φg8 37.~d2 axb3?!
It is ηο use for Black to play according
to White's plan. 37 ... tΔd4 was stronger.
38.cxb3!
Α non-standard decision. White wants
to get to the black c5-pawn and opens up
the c-file for his heaνy pieces. This costs
rather dearly. Οη occasion he can also haνe
a distant passed pawn οη the a-file. As to
some weakening of the d3-pawn, White
can easily defend it.
38... 1:ιad8 39.~c3 g5?
39 ... ~d6 was better and after it Μ.
Adams was going to continue 40.tΔe1.
40.g3 J::ιd7 41.h4 gxh4
Ιη case of 41 ... g4 after 42.lίJg5 1:[xf2+
43.1:[xf2 tΔxg5 44.hxg5 ~d6 45 ..Jl.xc5 ~xd3
Super Tournαments 2000
46. ~xd3 1:ιΧd3 the distant passed a-pawn
decides - 47 .a4! because like ίη case of
48 ... 1:[xb3 48 ... 1:ιc3 it can boldly continue
the journey to become a queen by 49.a5.
42.tΔxh4 1:[xf2+ 43.~xf2 ~d6 44 ..1:Id2
tΔd4 45.~cl ..if6?!
Black pieces lose their co-ordination.
45 ... ..ih6 was better, though ίη that case
after 46.Zϊf2 ..ixe3 47. ~xe3 .ί::tg7 48. tΔf5
tΔxf5 49.1:[xf5 ~g6 50. ~f3 White also has
an obνious adνantage.
46 ...Itxd4..ixh4?!
Looks like despair, but ίη case of
46 ... exd4 47.tΔf5 ~e5 ίη νiew of 48.1:ιc2 c4
49.bxc4 h4 50.cxb5 hxg3+ 51.Φg2 Black
cannot escape.
47 ...Itxc5!
This intermed~ate moνe proνes to be
enough to win the game. Μ. Adams breaks
the unbeaten series of V. Kramnik ίη
Dortmund tournaments that has lasted
since 1993.
47 .. :~h6
Mter 47 ... ~f6 48.gxh4 ~xh4+ 49.ΦgΙ
.1:Ig7+ sω::tg2 ~xg2+ 51.Φχg2 White's king
would escape checks easily, and White
would keep the extra bishop.
48.gxh4 ~f4+ 49.ΦhΙ ~g7 50.~dl
1-0
110 Α34
Piket-Leko
Round 4 10.07
l.tΔf3 tΔf6 2.c4 c5 3.tΔc3 d5 4.cxd5
tΔxd5 5.e4 tΔb4 6:..ib5+ tΔ8c6 7.a3
Dortmund
The variation with 7.d4 became notori-
ous as a drawn deadlock after the tense
game Lautier - Kasparov, Tilburg 1997 as
the well-known moves 7.d4 cxd4 8.a3 dxc3
9.~xd8+ ι;,i;>xd8 10.axb4 cxb2 11 ...txb2 e6
12.0-0 were followed by 12 ... i.d7! 13.j.xc6
..txc6 14.ίίJe5 Φe8 15.ίίJxc6 bxc6 16.1::ta4 [6
17.J:Ha1 ι;,i;>f7 18.1::txa7+ ~xa7 19.~xa7+
j.e7= and Black equalized easily.
7 ... ίίJd3+ 8.Φe2 ίίJf4+ 9.ι;,i;>f1 ίίJe610.d3
g611.h4
White tήes to gain something from the
cIumsy position of the rook οη h1. Ιη the
game Sunye Neto - Milos, Bogota 1991
Black managed to get a good compensa-
tion for the sacrificed pawn after 11.j.e3
..tg7 12.ίίJa4 ~a5 (12 ... 0-0! is stronger ίη
J.Piket's ορίηίοη) 13.j.c4 ίίJcd4 14.ίίJxd4
i.xd4 15.b4 ~d8 16.ίίJxc5 ίίJxc5 17.bxc5
ο-ο
11 ... 1ιg7 12.h5 ο-ο 13.hxg6 hxg6
14.j.c4 ίίJed4 15.ίίJxd4 cxd4
BIack decides to take οη d4 with the
pawn, cIosing the diagonal for his bishop
οη g7, whereupon Iong manoeuvres should
begin. The capture 15 ... ίίJxd4 had its short-
comings, too.
16.ίίJd5
16.ίίJe2!? looks more organic.
16 ... e617.ίίJf4 ίίJe5 18.1ιa2 b619.~h3
a5 20.j.d2 I;'1e8 21.Iιcl j.a6 22 ..tbl ~d7
23.ίίJe2 .!:Iac8 24.1:ιχc8 Iιxc8 25.~b3 ~c6
26.ΦgΙ
The move 26.ίίJxd4?! did not attract
White because of 26 ... ~xe4.
26 ... ίίJd7
Looking for some winning chance BIack
begins to worsen very slightly the positions
of his pieces. Οη e5 the knight was an ίη­
superabIe obstacle which prevented the
white queen from coming to the kingside.
The pawn οη d5 could have been defended
very well with 26 ... ~c5.
27.~dl ίίJc5 28.ίίJf4 j.b5
An attempt to attack White's queenside
with 28 ... ίίJa4 would turn out a disaster for
BIack οη the opposite side ofthe board af-
ter 29.~g4! ίίJxb2 30.ίίJxg6 fxg6 31.~xg6.
175
29.j.a2 ίίJd7 30.~g4 ίίJίB 31.I:tg3 ~d6
ΑΙΙ BIack's pieces are hurrying home to
heIp their king. Any activity would be pun-
ished by White immediately, for instance
31 ... ~c2 32.ίίJxg6! ίίJxg6 33.j.xe6 with a
crushing defeat .
32.ίίJh5!
Ιη cοmΡaήsοη with the previous dia-
gram the position of white pieces is much
better. White hastens to make use of his
advantageous position and is ready to sac-
rifice.
32...!Ic2 33.j.f4!
The performance ofthe fine plan is con-
tinued. Now he cannot stop. Mter 33.ίίJxg7
Iιxd2 34.~g5 ~d1+ 35.Φh2 Φχg7 36.~xb5
~f4 White kept a material balan~e but
then BIack would have to concern with his
king more cIosely.
33... e5
BIack wins a piece, still another dan-
gerous assailant is engaged ίη the attack
now, namely the a2-bishop.
34.j.g5 gxh5
The hunt for the other bishop 34 ... 1:txb2
would bring Black to a mate after 35. ~h4!
~xa2 (there was also ηο 35 ... gxh5 because
of 36.j.f6 ίίJg6 37 ..:txg6) 36.ίίJf6+ j.xf6
37.j.xf6 ίίJh7 38.~xh7+!.
35.~f5!
White's onslaught is getting more fierce
with every move.
35 ....!:Ic7
It's not easy for Black to find a good
defence. Mter 35 ... ~g6 (a similar situation
arose after 35 ... ~d7 36 ..tf6 too) 36.j.f6
176
'§xf5 White had a quiet 37.exf5! (an inter-
mediate 37.Iixg7+?! was weaker, after
37 ... Φh8 38.exf5 Black was saνed with
38 ... 4Jd7!, so that now in case of 39.k!xf'7+
4Jxf6 40.MXf6 ~xd3 41.k!xb6 ~xf5 Black's
pawns in the centre would oνerweigh all
White's achieνements) 37 ... 4Jd7 38.~xg7
Iίxb2 39.~d5, whereupon his two bishops
together with the rook would haνe sma-
shed Black's kingside.
36.~ί6 4Je6 37.~xe5 'f1e7
37 ... !ίc1+38.Φh2 '§e7 giνes nothing be-
cause of 39.i.xe6 fxe6 40. '§f4!.
38.i.xc7?
Haνing carried out the grand work,
White made a mistake when he wasjust a
step away from the νictory. Mter 38.~xe6
fxe6 39. 'f1f4 Black's position would be ab-
solutely lost.
38... 4Jxc7 39.'f1xh5 ~e8 40.f4?
It was not too late to improνe by means
of 40.'§h6! 4Je6 41.f4 because if 41 ... 'ιtαι,
then 42 ..ί::Ixg7 decided.
40 ... 'f1f641.k!g5?!
Despite the mistakes he made before
the control moνe, White still could haνe
struggled for a win if he played 41.'§g6
'§xg6 42.!!xg6 ~b5 43 ..!:!:xb6 ~xd3 44.e5.
41 ... '§xf4 42.'§g6 '§cl+ 43 ...t>h2 ,§f4+
44 ...t>gl '§cl+ 45.Φh2 ,§f4+ lh-lh
111 D46
Bareev - Anand
Round 4 10.07
l.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.4Jf3 4Jf6 4.4Jc3 e6
Super Tournαments 2000
5.e3 4Jbd7 6.~d3 ~d6 7.e4 dxe4 8.4Jxe4
4Jxe4 9.1ιχe4 e5 10.0-0 exd4 11.'f1xd4
'§f6 12.Iίdl
Ιη the game Akopian - Anand from the
second round Bla\~k managed to equalize
νery easily after 12.~g5 '§xd4 13.4Jxd4
4Jc5 14.1ιf5 ο-ο 15.Mad1 Iίe8 16.Sιe3=::.
Bareeν did not giνe such an opportunity
to the Indian grandmaster.
12 ... ~e7
12 ... '§xd4 13.4Jxd4 ~c7 14.4Jf5 g6
15.4Jd6+ ~xd6 16.l:txd6 4Jc5 17.i.f3 ~e6
18.1ιg5 occurred in the game Bagaturoν -
Anastasian, Protνino 1993, and though
Black managed to draw he had to solνe
problems with neutralization of White's
bishop pair.
13.i.e3 'f1xd4 14.4Jxd4 4Jf6 15.i.c2
0-0 16.h3 Iίe8 17.4Jf5 ~xf5 18.~xί5 ~ί8
19.i.c2 a6 20.Iίacl
Looks as ifWhite had lost a tempo. Αη
immediate 20.g4 suggested itself.
20... !ίad821 ..:!Χd8
IfWhite played at once 21.g4, then he
would haνe to reckon with 21 ... 4Jd7.
21 ...Iίxd822.g4
An exchange of the second rook pair is
not good for White. The adνantage of two
bishops can be realized most conνeniently
in the presence of the rooks οη the board.
22 ... g6
There was ηο 22 ... 4Jd7? because of
23.!ίd1.
23.'ιtg2 4Je8 24.f4 ~e7 25.Φf3 4Jg7
26.f5 4Je8 27.!ίeΙ Iίd7 28 ..!:!:e2
The light-squared bishop is White's
most dangerous piece. It has ηο opponent
οη the board. As a rule, White tries to open
diagonals namely for this bishop when
playing such positions. Ιη this connection
a moνe like 28.g5!? deserνed attention.
Then after 28 ... ~b4 29 ..!:re2 4Jd6 White
could make a choice between 30.a3 ..ta5
31.~M Φαι 32.f6 and 30.fxg6 fxg6 31.a3
~a5 32.b4 ..tc7 33.c5. As for the moνe in
the game, now V. Anand can restrict the
opportunities of his opponent's light-
squared bishop.
Dortmund
28 ... g5!
Now White is faced with a hard di-
lemma. Should he νenture οη a position
with bishops of different colours plus an
extra pawn or keep trying to achieνe the
adνantage of two bishops ίη the situation
that became already slightly worse for
him?
29.b3
White chose the second way. Ιη case of
29 ..ixg5 .ixg5 30.Itxe8+ ~g7 the moνe
31.Jιe4!? deserνed attention. Mter 31 ...
1:!.d2 32.1:!.b8 1:!.xb2 33 ..ixc6 Itxa2 34.Itxb7
or 32 ... b5 33.cxb5 cxb5 34.I!.b7 the position
with the bishops of different colours would
tend to a draw, still Black would constantly
haνe to reckon with the danger that
White's bishop would get to the diagonal
a2-g8 and then arrange serious threats to
the f7-square.
29 ... f630.c5
Probably White had to choose 30.Jιd2
with the idea of a4-a5, because now the
d5-square would be weakened consider-
ably.
30... a531.Itd2
Α transfer ofthe black knight to d5 was
threatening, so White had to agree to the
exchange ofthe rooks which was non-prof-
itable for him.
31 ...Itxd2 32.Jιxd2 jLxc5 33.jLxa5 tιJd6
As a matter of fact, Black has managed
to build a fortress that became an insur-
mountable barrier for the white king. He
controls all the important squares ίη the
centre (c5, e5, c4, d4, e4). White's further
attempts to get oνer this barrier were fu-
177
tile.
34.a4 .id4 35•.ic7 Jιc5 36.Jιa5 Jιd4
37.Jιel Φf8 38.Φe2 Φe7 39.Φd3 Jιgl
40.b4 h6 41.Jιb3 Jιa7 42.Jιe6 Jιgl 43.h4
Jιa7 44.h5 Jιgl 45.Jιc3 .if2 46.Jιb2 Jιgl
47.Jιa3 iιf2 48.Jιc4 Jιel 49.b5 cxb5
50.Jιxb5 Jιf2 51.Jιb4 b6 52.Jιc6 Jιgl
53.~e2 Jιd4 54.~d3 .igl 55.Jιd5 .if2
56.Φe2 iιgl 57.~d3 iιf2 58.iιf3 Jιgl
Jιf2 60 ..'ta3 .igl 61 . .ib4 Jιf2
59 ..ie2
112 - 1/2
112 D27
Akopian - Huebner
Round 4 10.07
1.tιJf3 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 tιJf6 4.Jιxc4
e6 5.0-0 c5 6.d4 a6 7 ..ib3 tιJc6 8:~e2
White agrees to play with an isolated
pawn. Another popular opportunity ίη this
position was 8.dxc5.
8 ... cxd4 9.~dl iιe7 10.tιJc3 ο-ο 11.
exd4 tιJb4 12.tιJe5 .id7
The time for 12 ... tιJbd5 had not come
yet. Mter 13.~d3 (not bad was also 13. ~f3
h6 14. ~h3 .id6 15.J:.d3 tιJxc3 16. bxc3 tιJe4
17 ...Itxh6!, ίη the g,3.me Vaulin - Danielian,
Noνgorod 1999 White arranged irrefutable
threats for the black king ίη this .way)
13 ... Jιd7 14 ..!::ί.g3, both 14 ... g6 15 ..ih6 ne8
16.h4, Filip - Conrady,Varna (01) 1962 and
14 ... .ί:!.e8 15.Jιh6 .if8 16.~f3, Ρ. Nikolic-
Ricardi, Buenos Aires 1992 gaνe White a
strong initiatiνe.
13 ..ig5 Jιc6 14.I!.acl
It's hard to pierce into Black's position
with positional methods. Ιη the game
Agzamoν - Velikoν, Frunze 1985 White
acted more actiνely. Mter fierce complica-
tions 14.tιJxf7 J::[xf7 15.~xe6 tιJfd5 16.a3
iιxg5 17.axb4 ~f618.iιxd5 ~xf2+ 19.~h1
iιxd5 20.~xd5 ~f5 21.~xf5 J::[xf5 White got
an extra pawn.
14 ... iιd5 15.tιJxd5 tιJbxd5 16. ~f3 J::[c8
17.J::[xc8 ~xc8 18.J::[cl ~d8 19.93 ~d6
20.h4 h6 21.iιxf6 iιxf6 22.~e4
ΑΙΙ that White could get after 22.iιxd5
178
exd5 was worsening of his position.
22 ... l:td8 23.~c4 ~b6 24.4Jg4 i..e7
25.4Je5 i..f6 26.4Jg4 .iι..e7 27.4Je5 1h - 1h
'113 Β08
Junior 6 - Κhalifrnan
Round 4 10.07
1.e4 g6 2.d4 i.g7 3.4Jc3 c6 4.4Jf3 d6
5 ...ie3 4Jf6 6:~d2 b5 7.i..d3 i.g4 8.e5 b4
9.4Je4
The position was equal after 9.exf6 bxc3
10.bxc3 exf6 that occurred ίη the game J.
Polgar - Ehlvest, Bali 2000.
9 ... tΔxe4
9 ... 4Jd5 was worse because of 10 ...ih6
ο-ο 11.h4 ..ixf3 12.gxf3 dxe5 13.h5, Short
- Irzhanov, Elista (01) 1998.
10 ...ixe4 d5 11 ...id3..ixf3 12.gxf3 ~b6
12 ... a5 was weaker: 13.h4! 4Jd7 14.h5
~b6 15.c4 followed ίη the game Leko -
Beliavsky, Madrid 1998.
13.h4
13.a3 bxa3 14.b4 4Ja6 15.c3 4Jc7 16 .
.ϊ:!.χa3 ο-ο 17 ..!:ta5 with a better play for
White deserved attention, Nguyen Anh
Dung - Postny, Budapest 2000.
13 ... 4Jd7 14.h5 c5 15.dxc5 4Jxc5
16..te2 ο-ο
Ιη case of 16 ... e6 the pawn should be
given away after 17.a3 b3 18.~c3 with a
bad position for Black.
17.~xd5 z:tac8 18.hxg6 hxg6 19.~d4
19... g5!!
Αη excellent move, Black prevents a
Super Tournαments 2000
transfer of the white queen to h4.
20...ixg5
Α human probably would have pre-
ferred 20. ~g4. The computer went for the
black pawns and got nothing.
20 ...4Je6 21.~xb6 axb6 22 ..iι..xe71::tfe8
23 ..td6
If 23 ...ixb4, then there was a strong
23 ... 4Jd4
23 ...4Jd4 24 ..iι..d3 .iι..xe5 25.0-0-0 ..ixd6
26 ..iι..h7+ ΦίΒ 27.kIxd4 ..ic5 28.1::tg4 ςJ;e7
29.!Iel+ Φd6 30..ί:tdl+ Φc7 31.Jtd3 ~cd8
32.1::tf1 l:td4 33.Jte4 1::te5 34.kIhl .::ιe7
35.1:!.g5 .ί:td6 36 ..::ιg2 .::ιed7 37 ...if5 kIe7
38.1:ΗΙ l:te5 39 . .iι..e4 1:ιe7 40.1;::th2 1::ted7
41.f4 ~d4 42.f3 .iι..d6 43.kIh4 ..ic5 44.lIhhl
l:td2 45.ςJ;bl kIg2 46.f5 .td4 47.~dl .tc5
48 ...id3 z:tg3 49.lIdf1 1::te7 50...ie4 kId7
51.~al ..id4 52 ..td3 1::te7 53 . ..ic4 f6
54.ΦbΙ ~eg7 55.1::th4 ..ic5 56.~e4 kIgl
57..!::rcl.J:!7g5 58...ie2l:txcl+ 59.ΦχcΙ.ϊ:!.xf5
60.Φd2 1::td5+ 61 ...id3 ..id4 62.ΦcΙ ..ic5
63.~e61::td6 64.kIe2 Iιd7 65.1ιg2 1h-1h
114 C89
Anand - Adarns
Round 5 12.07
1.e4 e5 2.4Jf3 4Jc6 3 ..tb5 a6 4 ...ia4 tΔf6
5.0-0 .te7 6.kIel b5 7..tb3 0-0 8.c3
V Anand allows the English grandmas-
ter to apply his favourite opening weapon,
the Marshall Attack. Thus the game be-
comes a curious opening duel between two
leading grandmasters ofthe world.
8 ... d5 9.exd5 4Jxd5 10.4Jxe5 ctJxe5
11.1::txe5 c6 12..:tel .iι..d6 13.d3
Ιη days of old they advanced the pawn
one square farther: 13.d4.At present this
continuation is analysed thoroughly υρ to
the draw. Still, ίη the game Topalov -
Adams, Sarajevo 2000 the line 13 ... ~h4
14.g3 ~h3 15 ..:te4 g5! 16. ~f3 .tf5 17.iιc2
.i.xe4 18 ...ixe4 ~e6 19 ...ixg5 f5 was played
and after White's unfortunate novelty 20.
Bxd5? Black gained a strong initiative with
20 ... cxd5 21.4Jd2 f4 and won.
Dortmund
13 ... ~h4 14.g3 ~h3 15.1:te4 ~f5
Now as the white pawn is οη d3 instead
of d4 the rook οη e4 is well defended and
Black is depriνed of the tactical opportu-
nity connected with the adνance g7-g5.
16.CLJd2 ~g6 17.~el f5 18.a4 l:tb8
19.axb5 axb5
20.CLJe4!
There is White's expected noνelty.
20.CLJf3 was played ίη the game between
the same opponents ίη 1999, and after
some complications 20 ... f4 21.CLJe5 ~xe5
22.Mxe5 fxg3 23.fxg3 lιg4 24.~e1 lιh3
25.Sι.e3 1:!.Ω+ 26.~xΩ lιxΩ 27.1:!.χΩ l:tf8
28.J:!xf8+ the game was drawn, Anand -
Adams, Dos Hermanas 1999. An important
nuance should be featured here. If White
attempts to use the strength of his Ruy-
Lopez-like bishop to win material with
20.c4, then after 20 ... f4! 21.cxd5 fxg3
22.dxc6+ \th8 23.fxg3 i,xg3 he gets under
Black's strongest attack.
20 ...fxe4
The result of this game which was un-
fortunate for Black made us look for a
different opportunity already ίη this posi-
tion. Neither 20 ... f4 was good because of
21.CLJxd6 fxg3 22.hxg3, nor 20 ... i,e7 be-
cause of 21.i.f4.It's interesting what was
planned by V. Anand ίη case of 20 ... i.c7.
Probably 21.c4. After 21 ... bxc4 (the moνe
21 ... f4 would cost Black too much as the
knight οη e4 defended the pawn οη a3 quite
reliably) 22.dxc4 fxe4 (after 22 ... CLJf4
23.i,xf4 i.xf4 24.c5+ with a subsequent
intrusion ofthe white knight to d6 Black's
179
position becomes really unpleasant)
23.cxd5 'ith8 (ίη case of 23 ... 'l=i'f7 24 ..1e3
White had an extra pawn and defended
eνerything, while -:;he moνe 23 ... Sι.g4 would
deΡήνe Black of mateήaΙ after 24.d6+ ~h8
25.dxc7 ~xd1 26.cxb8~ 1:!.xb8 27.lιxd1)
24.lιe3 lιg4 25. ~c2 .tf3 26.dxc6 ~f5
27.lιc4 White expired the attack and kept
the extra pawn.
21.dxe4 i,g4 22:~d4 ~f3 23.exd5 c5
24. ~h4 1:tbe8
After 24 ... c4 25.~d1 ~xd5 26. ~g5 or
26. ~h5 Black remained without the attack
as well as without the pawn.
25.~e3
Αη interesting moment. Ιη case of
25.!Ixe8 !Ixe8 26 ..te3 Black achieνes a
draw by means of26 ... Mxe3 (Adams thinks
that 26 ... ~d3! with the idea 27 ... Mxe3 is
more accurate) 27.fxe3 ~d3 28.~d8+ (this
line leads to a draw as well: 28.k!.a8+ \tf7
29. ~g5 h6 30.Ma7+ \te8 31.Ma8+ \tf7)
28 ... .tf8 29.1::ω ~xe3+ with a perpetual
check. Howeνer, ίη the FIDE World Cham-
pionship that took place after fiνe month
the Indian grandmaster did not play ίη the
former way and preferred 25 ...td2. As a
result, after 25 ... lιe4 26.Me2 ~f5 27 ..tf4
c4 28.Mxe4 1:txe4 29 ..tc2 lιxf4 30.lιxe4
~xe4 31.gxf4 the game Anand - Kha-
lifman, Ν ew Delhi (m/l) 2000 ended ίη a
draw.
25 ... ~f5?!
Black had a possibility to play the νari­
ant 25 ... lIe5! 26. ~h3 c4 27 ..td1 lιxd5, win-
ning back one of the sacήficed pawns and
getting a control oνer the a8-h1 diagonal
as a compensation for the other.
26.Macl lιe4 27 ..tdl lιxd5 28.i.c2
~f3??
This moνe is hard to understand. After
28 ... Me4?! 29.i,xe4 .txe4 30.i,f4 lιa8
31.MCd1! Black would not get a sufficient
compensation for the material losses be-
cause his queen could not come to be οη
the a8-h1 diagonal without difficulty, but
the moνe 28 .. .lιe4 Black has to make. The
point is that after the forced 28 ... jιe4
180
29.j"xe41:!:xe4 30. ~g5 ~e6 White cou1d not
rea1ize the materia1 adνantage easi1y.
Anand noted after the game, that ίη this
case he was going to continue 31.~h5!,
because a care1ess 30.J::tcd1? ίη νiew of
30 ... lιe5! 31.~h4 iιe7 cou1d eνen 1ead
White to a 10ss ofthe queen.
29.~xh7+ <tJf7 30.~f5+ <tJg8 31.~xf3
iιxf3
White's two extra pawns 1eaνe B1ack ηο
chance for a draw.
32.iιd3 c4 33.j"f1 lIe5 34.iιg2 iιh5
35.iιd4 1:txel+ 36.1:!.xel iιf7 37.~al b4
38.cxb4 j"xb4 39.1::ta8 .!:!:xa8 40.iιxa8 g5
41.<tJg2 ι;t>h7 42.j"e4+ <tJh6 43.iιe3 ι;t>h5
44.h3 iιe6 45.g4+ 1-0
115 Β19
Leko - Bareev
Round 5 12.07
l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.liJc3 dxe4 4.liJxe4
iιf5 5.liJg3 iιg6 6.h4 h6 7.liJf3liJf6
Usually Ε. Bareeν prefers a more tra-
ditiona1 7 ... liJd7. Still, the moνe 7 ... e6
which is re1atiνe to the 1ine with 7 ... liJf6
has been seen ίη his tournament practice
as we11. After 8.liJe5 iιh7 9.iιd3 iιxd3
10.~xd3 liJd7 11.iιf4 ~a5+ 12.c3 liJgf6
13.0-0 iιe7 14.1:tfe1 ο-ο 15.liJf5 White took
the initiatiνe ίη the game Iνanchuk -
Bareeν, E1ista 1998.
8.liJe5 iιh7 9.iιd3liJbd7
Ρ. Leko knows well the 1ine 9 ... iιxd3
10.~xd3 from his own practice. Ιη the
game Adams - Leko, Linares 1999 he ex-
Ρeήeηced a νery strong attack after 10 ... e6
11.iιd2 liJbd7 12.f4 iιe7 13.0-0-0 ο-ο
14. ~e2 c5 15.dxc5liJxc5 16.j"c3 ~c7 17.f5!.
10.iιxh7liJxe511.dxe5
11.iιf5 liJed7 12.iιd3 e6 13.~e2 ~c7
14.iιd20-0-0 15.0-0-0 c5 with an approxi-
mate equa1ity occurred ίη the game
Fontaine - Magem Bada1s, France 1999.
1l ... ~a5+
Why not depriνe the white king of his
cast1ing if there is an opportunity here?
Super Tournαments 2000
Ιη the endgame to come after 11 ... ~xd1 +
12.<tJxd1liJxh7 13.<tJe2 (B1ack has to reckon
a1so with 13.e6 fxe6 14.h5, hampering the
deνe10pment ofthe dark-squared bishop)
13 ... 0-0-0 (ίη case of 13 ... e6 there is an
unp1easant 14.l:Ldl) 14.iιe3 B1ack's 1ight
pieces wou1d occupy not νery good posi-
tions.
12.<tJf1liJxh7 13.~e2
Mter 13.e6 fxe6 14. ~d3 comp1ications
with mutua1 chances were possib1e.
13 ... 0-0-0
There was a reason to chose 13 ... e6 too.
14.e6 ~d5 15.exf7 ~xf7 16.iιe3 a6
If 16 ... ι;t>b8, then 17.1::rd1! was νery
strong. At the same time, the combination
17.iιxh6 gxh6 18. ~e5+ <tJc8 19. ~xh8 to be
followed by 19 ... liJf6 20.liJf5 e6 wou1d 1et
B1ack catch the white queen into a trap.
17.b4 e6 18.iιb6 ~d7 19..:tblliJf6 20.c4
iιd621.1::rh3
21 ... iιxg3 22.fxg3 liJe4+ was threaten-
ing.
21 ... iιf4 22 ..a:b2 ~g6 23.b5 ~d3
White's initiatiνe οη the queenside
grows stronger, and B1ack hurries up to
exchange the queens.
24.bxc6 bxc625.<tJgl ~xe2 26.1:!.xe2
1::rdl+ 27.liJf1
27 ...liJg4!?
B1ack decides to sacrifice the pawn ίη
order to preνent the white h3-rook from
entering the game. Mter 27 ... ι;t>d7 28.1::rb3
l:tb8 29.g3 iιd6 3u.ι;t>g2 White cou1d gain
gradually a slight1y better p1ay haνing
three pawn is1ets against B1ack's four.
Dortmund
28.Itxe6 h5
Having seized the initiative, Black wait
for an opportunity. Mter 28 ... 1ιh2+ 29.
J:!.xh2 CLJxh2 30.'>t>xh2 J:!.xfl 31.J:!.xc6+ ~b7
32.J:!.g6 White had two pawns vs. exchange
and, respectively, a certain advantage.
29.g3
Α questionable decision. White's rook
just stepped out. After 29.J:!.xc6+ ~d7
30.J:!.g6 or 29 ... '>t>b7 30.J:!.g6 the position
would have remained very keen. So, ίη the
last case 30 ... J:!.e8!? 31 ...ia5 J:!.e2 would be
possible, with all Black's pieces rushing to
White's kingside.
29 ... 1ιe5 30.J:!.xc6+
Both opponents started playing inaccu-
rately because of time trouble. Instead of
taking the pawn the move 30 ...ic5 was
more careful.
30 ... ~b7?!
Appears to be not the very best solu-
tion. Mter 30 ... ~d7! 31.J:!.g6 (if31.J:!.c5, then
31 ... J:!.b8 32.1ιa5 J:!.b2 was very strong)
31 ... ..if6 32.~g2 (after 32.f4l:!.b8 33.c5l:!.e8
White had ηο redemption) 32 ... CLJe5 Black
would catch the g6-rook, while the other
white rook h3 would still be ίη its volun-
tary seclusion.
31.l:!.e6 J:!.h6!
Black exchanged White's οηlΥ active
piece.
32 . .ί:!.Χh6 gxh6 33 ...ie3 J:!.al 34.~g2
J:!.xa2 35.'>t>f3 1ιc3
35 ... 1ιd6! was more accurate. After
36.CLJh2 (ίη case of 36.CLJd2 CLJxe3 37.'>t>xe3
1ιc5+ White still has some problems for
38.'>t>e2?? is impossible because of 38 ...
1ιb4) 36 ... CLJxe3 37.fxe3 (White also would
have to struggle for a draw after 37.'>t>xe3
1ιc5+ 38.~e4 J:!.xf2) 37 ... a5 or 37 ... '>t>c6
White was still faced with making a draw.
36.CLJh2CLJxe3 37.~xe3 1ιb4?
Again, the move was not too good. Black
is losingtime. 37 ... a5 or 37 ... ~c6 suggested
themselves to be followed by 38 ... '>t>c5,
keeping the balance.
38.f4 1ιc5+ 39.\te4 J:!.a3 40.CLJf3!
Well, this move seems to be overlooked
181
by Black. White pieces begin to liven up.
40 ... J:!.e3+ 41.'.td5 i.b4
After 41 ... J:!.xf3 42.<;.t>xc5 ~c7 43.J:!.h2
J:!.xg3 44.J:!.f2! J:!.g6 45.f5 J:!.f6 46.<;.t>d5 there
was a material balance οη the board, how-
ever the difference ίη positions of pieces
and pawns was really huge.
42.CLJe5 a5
Ιη case of 42 ... ..iel White had 43.~d4!
J:!.xg3 44.I!xg3 1ιχg3 45.CLJg6, opening a free
way for the f-pawn.
43.J:!.h2 a4
Mter 43 ... Itxg3 44.f5 1:tgl 45.f6 Black
could hardly stand his ground.
44.J:!.b2 !'!.b3 45.J:!.xb3 axb3 46.CLJd3
1ιeΙ
Neither 46 ... 1ιa3 47.~e6, nor 46 ... '>t>c7
47.~e6 <;.t>d8 48.f5 could have saved Black.
47.f5?
ΒΥ the end of the game the opponents
began to make mistakes again. This line
led to the victory: 47 .CLJc5+ ~c8 (ίη case of
47 ... ~c7 48.CLJxb3 1ιχg3 48.CLJd4! 1ιΧh4
49.CLJe6+ '>t>d7 50.CLJg7 ..id8 51.CLJxh5 despite
the paucity of the material οη the board
White had to win) 48.CLJxb3 ..ixg3 49.f5
1ιΧh4 (49 ... ~d7 also did not help ίη view
of 50.f6 1ιΧh4 51.CLJc5+ ~e8 51.~e6 1ιΧf6
52.'>t>xf6 h4 53.~e6 h3 54.CLJe4 and after
stopping Black's h-pawns with the knight,
the white c-pawn had to settle the outcome
of the game) 50.~e6 Φc7 and thanks to
51.CLJc5! Φc6 52.CLJe4 ..id8 53.f6 1ιχf6
54.'>t>xf6 h4 55.~e5 h3 54.~d4 h2 55.CLJf2
White managed to distribute responsibili-
ties between his king and knight ίη time.
182
47 ... j"xg3 48.Φe6 j"xh4?
Black's reciprocal courtesy. After
48 ... \t>c6 49.f6 (ίη case of 49.\t>e7? ..ixf6!
50.Φχf6 h4 White even loses) 49 ... j"d6
50.f7 j"f8 50.c6 \t>c7 51.Φd5 \t>d7 52.Φc4
(52.c6+ Φc7 53.ctJb2 also does not help
White ίη view of53 ... 'it>b6) 52 ... Φe6 53.c6
Φd6 54.Φχb3 Φχc6 55.ctJf4 Φd7 56.ctJg6
'i.t>e6 57.ctJxf8 'i.t>xf7 58.ctJd7 'i.t>e6 59.ctJc5 'i.t>f5
Black achieves a draw.
49.'i.t>d7!
Finishing the longest game of the tour-
nament.
49 .....ie7 50.c5 1-0
116 D39
Huebner - Piket
Round 5 12.07
l.d4 ctJf6 2.c4 e6 3.ctJf3 d5 4.ctJc3 dxc4
5.e4..ib4
The Vienna Variation of the Queen's
Gambit was popular ίη the most represen-
tative tournaments for several decades.
6 ...ig5 c5 7 •.1ιχc4 cxd4 8.tίJxd4 .1ιχc3+
9.bxc3 "i;ra5 10.iιb5+ .1ιd7 11 ..1ιχί6 gxf6
12. "i;rb3 a6 13 •.1ιe2 ctJc6 14.0-0 "i;rc7
15."i;ra3
The game Ivanchuk - Piket, Monaco
(active) 2000 with 15.ctJf3 ο-ο 16.l:ίfd1 was
drawn ίη three half-moves. Mter 15.Ϊiab1
ctJa5 16. "i;ra3 Ϊic8 17.c4 ctJxc418.j"xc4 "i;rxc4
19 ..t:tfd1 "i;rc3 20. "i;rd6 "i;rc7 White got ηο suf-
ficient compensation for the pawn ίη the
game Κramnik - Van Wely, Monaco (ac-
tive) 2000.
15 ... ~c8 16.Mfcl
16.1:rad1 was seen ίη the practice ofthe
Holland grandmaster when he played for
both colours. Ιη the game Van Wely - Piket,
Monaco (active) 1999 Black equalised af-
ter 16 ... ~g8 (the line 16 ... ctJa5 17."i;rc1 'i.t>e7
18. ~h6 Jl.c6 brought White to a victory ίη
the game Piket - Topalov, Groningen 1997
owing to 19.ctJxe6!) 17.f4 ctJxd4 18.cxd4 "i;rc3
19.Mf3 ~xa3 20.Mxa3 Mc2.
16 ... h5 17.~abl h4 18. "i;rb2 "i;rf4
Super Tournαments 2000
Now it's already evident that Black's
chances are better.
19.1:tel b5
20.~cl
This was practically a forced solution.
Ιη case of 20.a4? Black had a tactical dis-
proof 20 ... ctJxd4 21.cxd4 h3! 22.g3 "i;rxe4.
20 ..."i;rxcl 21.~excl Φe7 22.ctJb3 ctJe5
23.ctJd2 .t:thd8
Looks like a small hitch. 23 ... 1:tc7! was
more accurate.
24.'i.t>f1 ~c7 25.ΦeΙ1:tdc8 26.~b3 ..ic6
27.13 j"d7
Α transfer of the rooks to the d-file
promised nothing as well. Mter 27 ...1:td7
28.ctJf1 Mcd8 29.MC2 White still could main-
tain the balance.
28.f4 ctJc6 29.ctJf3 e5 30.fxe5 fxe5 _
31.~a3 ctJd4 32.ctJxe5 b4 33.ctJxd7 ~xd7 .
34.Mxa6 Mxc3 35.~dl
The continuation 35.~xc3 bxc3 was
clearly not good for White, but 35.~b1 ~c2
36.j"g4 Mxg2 37.j"xd7 ~g1+ 38.'i.t>d2 ~xb1
39 ..1ιg4 with a balance was quite admis-
sible.
35 ... Ϊic2 36.j"g4 Mxg2 37.Jl.xd7 ctJc2+
38.\t>f1 ctJe3+ 39.wel ctJxdl 40.'i.t>xdl
White reduces the game to a drawn
rook endgame. Mter 40.~a7 ~g1+ 41.\t>d2
ctJc3 the position would still be tense.
40 ... 'i.t>xd7 41.h3 ~g3 42.~b6 ~xh3
43.~xb4 ~h2 44.~b6 \t>e7
Black is complicating the matters un-
necessarily. Ifhejust had taken the pawn
with 44 ... Mxa2, then after 45.~h6 Mh2
46.\t>e1 the game would have ended with
Dortmund
a draw anyway. And now Black has sim-
ply nothing.
45.a4 f6 46.'it>el 11a2 47.z:tb7+ <;t>e6
48 ..ί::i:h7 .!:ίχa4 % - %
117 C02
Khalifrnan - Akopian
Round 5 12.07
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 CίJc6 5.CίJf3
CίJh6 6.~d3
The line 6 . .sιxh6 gxh6 7.dxc5 .sιxc5
8 ..sιd3 f6 is out of fashion for a long time
already.
6 ... cxd4 7.cxd4 CίJf5 8.iιxf5 exf5 9.CίJc3
iιe6 10.h4 h6 11.h5 iιe7 12.CίJe2 t'ι'a5+
Preνiously οηlΥ 12 ... t'ι'b6 and 12 ... t'ι'd7
has occurred ίη this position.
13.'it>f1 1:tc8 14.'it>gl ~d7 15.CίJf4 ~c7
16.1:th3 .ί::i:hc8 17..ί::i:g3 ~ίB
Black has built solid redoubts οη both
flanks.
18.~d2 t'ι'a6 19 ..sιc3 ι;;t>e8 20.CίJel t'ι'b6
21.CίJc2 .ί::i:d7 22. t'ι'd2 a5 23.CίJe3 a424.CίJc2
112 -112
118 DOO
Kramnik - Junior 6
Round 5 12.07
l.d4 d5 2.e3 CίJf6 3.iιd3 e6 4.f4 iιe7
5.CίJf3 c5 6.c3 0-0 7.CίJbd2 CίJg4
Computer's apprehension of closed ρο­
sitions is definitely not too good. Ιη the 19th
century people preferred playing 7 ... b6. For
example, 8.CίJe5 .sιb7 9.t'ι'f3 CίJbd7 10.0-0
t'ι'c7 11.g4 g6 12. t'ι'h3 CίJe4 13.1::tf3 CίJxe5
14.dxe5 CίJxd2 15 ..sιxd2 d4 from the game
D. Janowsky - J. Mieses, Paris 1895 with
winning position for Black.
8.t'ι'e2 c4 9 ..sιc2 f5 10.l::tgl CίJc6 11.h3
CίJf6 12.g4 CίJe4 13.t'ι'g2 g6 14.t'ι'h2 'it>h8
15.h4!
White begins a straight attack of the
black king, using the time that was lost by
Black and the closed type of the position.
183
15 ... CίJxd2
15 ... fxg4 changed nothing because of
16.CίJg5.
16.~xd2 fxg4 17.CίJg5 t'ι'e8
Ιη case of 17 ... h6 White had 18.h5!.
18.h5 gxh5 19.11xg4 Z1f6
If 19 ... h6, then there was a νery strong
20.12:h4.
20.Ii.h4 ~h6 21.0-0-0 a5 22.Ii.hl b5
23 ..tdl1:Ia7 24.~xh5 t'ι'ίB
25.e4!
White intensifies his attack with his
dark-squared bishop. Ifhe won the queen
with 25.CίJf7 + t'ι'xf7 26.i..xf7 .txh4 he would
still haνe to achieve his adνantage.
25 ....td8
Ιη case of 25 ... dxe4 the solution was
26.~g6 .!:ίΧh4 27. t'ι'xh4.
26.f5 b4 27 ..sιg6 1:txh4 28. t'ι'xh4 bxc3
29.bxc3 .sιf6
Mter 29 ... t'ι'a3+ 30.'it>d1 t'ι'xa2 White
could chose between a mere 31 ..sιf7 t'ι'b1+
32.<;t>e2 t'ι'd3+ 33.'it>e1 t'ι'b1+ 34.'it>f2 t'ι'xh1
35.t'ι'xh1 .sιxg5 36.~xg5 .ί::i:xf7 37.f6 and a
νery long forced line 31. t'ι'xh 7 +! .ί::i:xh 7
32.l::!.xh7+ 'it>g8 33.~f7+ 'it>f8 34.CίJxe6+ ~e7
(there was ηο 34 ... ~xe6 35.i..h6+ ~e7
36 ..txe6+ 'it>d6 37.'1:!d7#) 35.i..g6+ ~d6
36.iιf4+ CίJe5 37.dxe5+ 'it>c6 38.~e8+ iιd7
(if 38 ... ~b6, then 39.i..e3+ 'it>a6 40.11a7#)
39.~xd7+ 'it>b6 40.~e3+ ~b7 41.CίJxd8+
~b8 42.i..e6 with a huge material adνan-
tage. '
30.t'ι'xh7+!
With a simple elegance.
30...Jhh7 3Uh:h7+ 'it>g8 32.~Π+ 'ffixf7
184
33.~xf71-0
119 Α17
Kramnik - Anand
Round 6 13.07
ι.tiJf3 CΔf6 2.c4 e6 3.CΔc3 Jtb4 4:~c2
0-0 5.a3 SΙxc3 6:~xc3 b6 7.e3
This is not the first duel ofthese ορρο­
nents ίη the Anti-Nimzowitsch Variation.
It's curious to compare this game with a
game that was played two years ago. It
developed then as follows: 7.b4 SΙb7 (later
ίη another game the Indian grandmaster
acted much tougher: 7 ... a5 8.SΙb2 axb4
9.axb4 ~xa1+ 10.SΙxa1 c5 11.e3 d6 12 ...te2
e5 13.d3 l:ϊe8 14.0-0 CΔc6 15.bxc5 bxc5=,
and Black managed to get a solid position
Κramnik - Anand, Dortmund 1998) 8.SΙb2
d6 9.e3 a5 10.SΙe2 axb4 11.axb4 ~xa1+
12 ...txa1 CΔbd7 13.0-0 'lfie7 14 ...tb2 Ma8
15.d4 c5 16.CΔd2 'lfif8, Κramnik - Anand,
Frankfurt 1998.
7 .....tb7 8.Jte2 d6
Ιη the quarter-final ofthe FIDE World
Championship 1999 White failed to break
through the fence of black pawns οη the
fifth rank after 8 ... c5 9.b4 d6 10.Jtb2 e5
11.0-0 ~e8 12.d3 CΔbd7 13.~fe1 a5 ίη the
game Κramnik - Adams, Las Vegas 1999.
9.0-0 CΔbd7 10.b4 a5 11.Jtb2 'lfie7
Ιη comparison with the above men-
tioned game played ίη Frankfurt ίη 1998
there is a difference which can be esti-
mated as White's certain advantage. Μ­
ter 11 ... axb4 12.axb4 Mxa1 White had
13.1:txa1.
12.d4
White returns the play to a position,
which is quite typical of the Classical
Variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defence.
Previously οηlΥ 12.~fc1 and 12.d3 have
occurred.
12 ... axb4 13.axb4 kιfc8
13 ... c5 could possibly be followed by
14.CΔd2.
14.~xa8 kιxa8
Super Tournaments 2000
Ιη case of 14 ... ..txa8 Black obviously did
not want 15.kιa1.
15.d5!
White closes the diagonal a8-h1 for
Black's light-squared bishop.
15 ....CΔf8
White's idea is tactically based οη the
fact that ίη the line 15 ... exd5 16.cxd5 Jtxd5
17. 'lfixc7 Black's c7-pawn turns out to be
undefended. Ιη case of15 ... e5 16.CΔd2 b5!?
17 .e4 bxc4 18. 'lfixc4 (if 18.Jtxc4, then Black
has 18 ... CΔb6 19 ...Itb3 CΔa4) 18 ... CΔb6 19. 'lfic2
..ta6 20 ...Itxa6 kιxa6 White had the route
CΔb3-a5-c6 οη hand.
16.1dd1 ..tc8 17.CΔd4 e5 18.CΔb3
Now 18.CΔc6 was already a blank shot.
Mter 18 ... 'lfie8 to be followed by 19 ... ..Itb7
White was forced to advance b4-b5 so that
one of Black's knights might occupy the
c5-square.
18 ... ..td7 19.::3 'lfid8 20.CΔd2 CΔg6
21 ...Itf1 h6 22.e4 CΔh7
Mter 22 ... CΔh5 23.c5 bxc5 24.bxc5 White
had ηο 24 ... f5? because of 25.exf5 SΙxf5
26.g4 'lfig5 27.Φh1
23.c5 bxc5 24.bxc5 f5 25 ...Ita3 .ι::!:c8
Black decides to sacrifice the pawn. The
material balance could have been kept
with 25 ... CΔg5!? The point is that ίη case
of 26.cxd6 cxd6 27.SΙxd6? Black had
27 ... ..ta4 28 ...tc7 and then a very strong
intermediate move 28 ... CΔh3+!
26.cxd6
26.c6 ..te8 27.exf5 Black met with a
mere 27 ... CΔe7, however, 26. 'lfie3 deserved
attention.
Dortmund
26 ... cxd6 27.~b4?!
Leads to winning the pawn, but ίη re-
turn for it diνes Black a strong counterplay
οη the kingside. The preνentiνe 27.~e3!
showed by Κramnik after the game, is
much stronger and does not let the black
queen to g5. As to the d5-pawn, it will not
run away anywhere. Ιη case of need the
white knight from c4-square can be en-
gaged ίη the attack of this point.
27 ... ~g5 28.~xd6 CLJf6 29.~c5
Despite White's extra pawn and the
adνantage oftwo bishops he has to be νery
careful. With his last moνe he took control
oνer the important diagonal a7-g1. If he
played 29.exf5 at once, then after 29 ... ~xf5
(29 ... ~e3+ 30.~h1 1ιχf5 was untimely be-
cause of 31.CLJc4) 30.CLJc4 Black might haνe
found 30 ... CLJh4! (ίη case of30 ... e4 good was
31.~g3 ~h5 32.1ιe2), and now ίη case of
31.CLJxe5 (if 31.~h1, then 31 ... ~xc4!) there
would be a νery strong tactical blow
31 ... CLJxf3+!! 32.CLJxf3 ~e3+ 33.\t>h1 CLJe4,
which would be possible because of the
undefended diagonal a7-g1.
29•.. ~h7
Α necessary moνe. There was ηο
29 ... 1ιa4 30.1::ta1 ~xd2 because of31. ~e6+,
but now this threat exists.
30.exf5
Mter 30.~b6 1ιa4 31.l::!.a1 1ιc2 the e4-
square could not be held. If 32.exf5, then
there was 32 ... CLJf4.
30 ... ~xf5 31.CLJc4
31 ... e4!
Black wants to acquire new squares for
185
his pieces closer to the white king. Mter
31 ... CLJh4 32.'iithl there was nο 32 ... tlJxf3
33.gxf3 CLJe4 because of 34. ~xe5 CLJxc5
35.CLJd6!
32 •.1ιe3
Naturally ηο 32.fxe4 because of 32 ...
CLJxe4, and White's bishop οη c5 perished.
32 ... ~h5 33.~g3
There was ηο 33.g4? because of 33 ...
CLJxg4 34.fxg4 ~xg4+, and if 33.CLJd2, then
after 33 ... exf3 34.CLJxf3 .1ιe4 Black would
take the d5-pawn. Taking into account
that after the moνe ίη the game White be-
gan to experience some difficulties,
33.CLJd2!? should haνe been preferred.
33 ... exf3 34.gxf3 CLJh4 35.CLJd2?
Α mistake. 35.CLJe5 was correct and if
35 ... :ι;re8, then by means of 36.:td4! White
kept the balance.
35... ~c2
Black is eνidently playing for a win.
Mter 35 ... CLJxd5 36.1ιd4 .1ιg6 37.1ιd3 White
would haνe held if he had exchanged
pieces.
36 •.1ιe2
Mter 36.d6 1::txd2 37.l;ιxd2 CLJxf3+ 38.
c.t>h1 CLJxd2 39.1ιχd2 CLJe4 40. ~f4 ~g6
41.~e3 CLJxd6 Black not οηlΥ took the pawn
back but acquired another one, though
White's adνantage of two bishops com-
bined with the lack of material οη the
board made the position close to a draw.
36•.. CLJxd5
Mter 36 ... ~e8!? White probably could
repel Black's attack with 37. ~f2 CLJxd5
38.1ιd4 CLJf4 39.1ιf1 ~g6+ 40. ~g3! (ίη case
of 40.\t>h1 CLJxf3 41.~xf3 J::!.xd2 42.1::txd2 1ιe4
Black wins) 40 ... ~xd2 41.~xd2 CLJxf3+
42.\t>f2 CLJxd2 43. ~;xf4, though exactly this
deνelopment of Black's attack was the
most unpleasant for White.
37.1ιd4 1ιg6 38.~g4 CLJf5??
Α major mistake. Τοο many black pieces
haνe been put οη the diagonal bl-h7. Μ­
ter 38 ... ~xg4+ 39.fxg4 the game would be
drawn, though White still needed some
accuracy. 80, ίη case of39 ... CLJf4 40.c.t>f2 ~e4
41.\t>e3 CLJxe2 it is impossible to play
186
41.Φχe4? because after 41 ... lίJxd4 42.Wxd4
J:ιxd2+ 43.~xd2 lίJf3+ 44.Φe3 lίJxd2 45.
Φχd2 Φg6 46.r.!te3 (if 46.h4, then 46 ... h5!
wins) 46 ... Φg5 47.r.!tf3 Wh4 48.Φg2 φχg4
Black wins the pawn ending thanks to the
fact that none of his pawns has not yet
moνed. Let's illustrate it: 49.Wf2 Φh3
50.Φg1 g6! (50 ... h5 is also possible, but a
hasty 50 ... g5? Leads to a draw) 51.r.!th1
g5 52.Φg1 h5 53.Φh1 g4 54.Φg1 h4 55.r.!th1
g3 56.hxg3 hxg3 57.Φg1 g2. The correct
continuation was 41.lίJxe4 lίJxd4 42.l'1xd4
1:!.xh2 and despite the absence ofthe pawn,
White had to make a draw.
39. ~xh5 SΙxh5 40.~d3 ~g6 41.j.xc2
lίJxd4 42.SΙxg6+ Φχg6 43.Wf2
White's extra exchange makes his ρο­
sition winning despite ofthe fact that οηlΥ
few pieces haνe remained οη the board.
43 ... lίJe6 44.lίJe4 lίJef4 45.1:!.al lίJh5
46.~a6+ Φf7 47.lίJd6+ r.!te7 48.lίJf5+ r.!tf7
49.lίJe3 lίJdf4 50.lίJg4 lίJd5 51.lίJe3 lίJdf4
52.lίJf5 lίJd5 53.ΦeΙ lίJdf6 54.r.!td2 lίJd5
55.J:ιa5 Φe6 56.lίJe3 lίJdf4 57 ..!:!:f5 Φe7
58.lίJg4 r.!te6 59.Ϊte5+ Φf7 60.r.!te3 r.!tg6
61.Φe4 lίJh3 62.lla5 lίJg5+ 63.Φe3 lίJe6
64.lίJe5+ Φf6 65.lίJd3 1-0
Mter 65 ... Φg6 (ίη case of 65 ... g6 there
was 66.I:ta6 Φe7 67.lίJe5) 66.f4lίJc7 67.f5+
Φαι 68.lίJf4lίJxf4 69.r.!txf4lίJe8 70 ..ί:!.a6+ r.!tf7
71.Φe5 lίJf6 72.1:'ιΧf6+! gxf6 73.Wd6 the
white king would enter Black's fortress
without excessiνe efforts.
120
Bareev - Huebner
Round 6 13.07
l.c4 e5 2.g3 lίJf6
3.i.g2 d5 4.cxd5
lίJxd5 5.lίJf3 lίJc6 6.0-0 lίJb6
Black preνented decisiνely the oppor-
tup.ity of d2-d4 which would be possible
after 6 ... j.e7, probably because he did not
want to play the line 7.d4 e4 8.lίJe5 f5 f5
9.lίJxc6 bxc6.
7 .d3 ~e7 8.a3 SΙe6 9.lίJbd2
Now that the black knight left d5 οη
Super Tournαments 2000
his own White didn't need to deνelop his
knight to c3.
9 ...f6
Mter 9 ... a5 10.b3 f6 11:~c2 ο-ο 12.j.b2
~d7 13 ..ί:ϊfd1 J:Iab8 14.lίJc4 .ί:tfc8 White took
the initiatiνe with the moνe 15.d4! ίη the
game Milos -Assumpcao, Sao Paulo 1991.
10.b4 0-0 11.j.b2 ~d7
11 ... a5 12.b5 tΔa7 13.d4 lίJxb5 14.dxe5
fxe5 15.lίJxe5 c6 16.a4 lίJd6 17.e4 with
White's initiatiνe was seen ίη the game
Κharloν - Mashinskaya, Russia 1997.
12.~c2 .ί:Iac813.1:!.fdl il.f714.lίJe4 ~e6
15.J:ιabl .ί:lfd8 16.j.allίJd7
Ιη case of 16 ... ~a2 Black had to reckon
with 17.~c1 as there was ηο 17 ... ~xe2?
because of 18.l'1d2, catching the black
queen.
17.d4
White performs the planned adνance.
17... exd4 18.b5 lίJce5 19.1ίJxd4 ~a2
20.~h3!
White deνelops his initiatiνe notwith-
standing any sacrifices.
Α20
20 ... ~xc2
Αη important moment. Could Black
take the pawn with 20 ... il.xa3 and escape
the punishment? Most probably, he could
not. He would lose some material ineνita­
bly after 21.f4! lίJg6 22.j.b2 (there was ηο
22. ~xa2 il.xa2 23.j.e6+ il.xe6 24.lίJxe6 be-
cause of 24 ... .ί:!.e8 as then after 25.lίJxg7
!:txe4 26.Itxd7 ..tlack had 26 ... lίJf8) 22 ...
SΙxb2 (if 22 ... ~d6, then 23.l'1a1 ~c4
24. ~xc4 j.xc4 25.1:tdc1, and now 25 ... ..td5
would be followed by 26.lίJxd6 cxd6
Dortmund
27.~xc8 .uxc8 28 ..ixd7, White winning a
piece) 23.MXb2 ~a3 24.CLJe6 ~e3+ 25.'it>g2
:te8 26.CLJxg7 ~xe4+ 27.~xe4 1::txe4 28.
:txd7! (ηο 28 ..ixd7 because of 28 ... nd8
29.CLJh5 ne7 30.CLJxf6+ Φg7 ΒΟ that the bind-
ing οη the d-file left White ηο chance for a
win) 28 ... 'it>xg7 29.J::txf7+ ΦΧf7 30 ..ltxc8.
21.CLJxc21:!.a8 22.f4 CLJc5!
Black ίΒ looking for counter chances.
Mter 22 ... .ig6 23.fxe5 .ixe4 24.~xd7 ~xd7
25 ..ltxd7 .ltxc2 26.ncl he would get into a
trouble.
23.CLJxf6+ gxf6 24.fxe5 fxe5 25.CLJe3?!
Α questionable moment, it seems that
White was mistaken when he refused to
take the pawn. Mter 25.Jιxe5 .ig6 26.
~xd8+ ~xd8 27.~cl CLJb3 (ίη case of
27 ....:d2 there was 28.CLJd4, and if27 ... .ltg5,
then 28 ..if4) 28 ..lte6+ .ltf7 29 ..ltxb3 .ltxb3
30.CLJd4 .ig5 31.':c3 Black would still haνe
to proνe that the adνantage of two bish-
ops compensated him White's extra pawn.
25 ... CLJb3!
Just fine. Black preferred an actiνe
moνe to a timid 25 ... .ltd6.
26 ..1ι,χe5 .ic5 27 ..ltf4 .ϊ:!.e8?
Spoiling the whole idea. White would
encounter great problems ίη case of
27 ... CLJd2!.So, he lost by an exchange after
28.nbcl CLJc4 29.'it>f2 (ίη case of 29.1:!.xd8+
~xd8 30. 'it>f2 White had to reckon with
30 ... .id4!, and if he escaped the binding
with 31.'>t>f3, then he got immediately υη­
der the crushing 31 ... CLJxe3! 32.iιxe3 .id5+
33.«t>f41:ιf8+) 29 ... 1:ιΧdI30.1:!.ΧdΙ ~f8 3UΙd3
.ixe3+! 32.1:ιχe3 (there was also ηο 32 ..ixe3
because of 32 ... iιg6+) 32 ... CLJxe3 33. 'it>xe3
.ic4.Mter the moνe ίη the game the bind-
ing could not be used ΒΟ simply.
28.«t>f2 .ltb6 29.iιg2 1:ιe7 30•.id5 CLJd4
31.'it>f1 ~ae8 32.~b41:!.xe3 33 •.ltxe3 ~xe3
34.1:!.bxd4 Jιxd4 35.1:!.xd4 .ixd5 36.1:!.xd5
1:!.xa3 37.1:!.d8+ 'it>f7 38.1:!.d7+ 'it>g6 39.~xc7
All complications are oνer, the game
proceeds to a rook endgame.
39... b640.'>t>f2?!
Α serious omission before the control
moνe. ΒΥ means of 40.1:!.d7! 1:!.a5 41.1:!.d5
187
White appreciably hampered Black's
counterplay οη the queenside because if
41 ... a6, there ίΒ 42.1:td6+ Φg7 43.~xb6 axb5
44. 'it>f2 and ίη νiew of the poor position of
Black's a5-rook, White had to win.
40 •.. h5?
Despite White's extra pawn his win ίη
the rook endgame was not a sure thing at
all. Haνing created a passed pawn οη the
queenside with 40 ... ~a5! Black would haνe
real drawing chances. With the moνe ίη
the game he did not οηlΥ lose his time, he
also weakened his position οη the kingside.
41.1:ic6+ 'it>g7
41 ... Φg5 was not better because of
42.h4+, as well as 41 ... Φf5 42.':d6 ':a5 be-
cause of 43.':d5+.
42.1:!.d6!
Black's pawn οη b6 depriνes the white
rook of the important c5-square. Οη the
adjoining file it looks much better.
42 ..•h4
If 42 ... .ί:[a5, then 43.l1d5 'it>g6 44.h4, pre-
paring a base for the rook οη the g5-
square.
43.':d3 1:!.a5 44.1:!.b3 hxg3+ 45.hxg3
'it>f6 46.«t>f3 «t>e5 47.g41:!.al 48.1:!.e3+ «t>d4
48 ... 'it>f6 ίΒ more persistent, though af-
ter 49.«t>f4lιf1+ 50.nf3 ~bl 51.«t>g3+ Φg6
52.11f5 it cannot influence the result.
49.«t>f4 a5
49 ... 1:!.f1+ 50 ..ί:[f3 .ϊ:Ibl did not help be-
cause of 51.g5 1:!.xb5 52.g6 Mc5 53.g7 1:!.c8
54.'it>g5 whereupon White's g-pawn would
cost Black a whole rook.
50.bxa6 b5 51.g5 1:!.xa6 52.Mg3 1-0
188
121 C65
Adams-Leko
Round 6 13.07
1.e4 e5 2.lbf3 lbc6 3 ..ib5 lbf6 4.0-0
~c5 5.lbxe5
The English grandmaster does not
want to find out what has been prepared
by his opponent ίη the line 5.c3 ο-ο 6.d4
.1ιb6 7.~g5 h6 8.Jιh4 d6 9.~d3. It can be
mentioned that ίη the tournament ίη
Frankfurt ίη 2000, Ρ. Leko lost to ν. Anand
and Α. Shiroν ίη this νariation.
5 ... lbxe4
Another line of the νariation implies
5 ... lbxe5 6.d4 a6 7 ..ia4 lbxe4 8.'~e2 .1ιe7
9.'~xe4 lbg6.
6. ~e2 lbxe5 7. ~xe4
White acted νery purposefully seνeral
months later, ίη the FIDE World Champi-
onship ίη the game Shiroν - Gήschuk, New
Delhi (m/l) 2000. Mter 7.d4!? .ie7 8. ~xe4
lbg6 9.f4 c6 10 ..id3 d5 11. ~e2 f5 12.lbd2
ο-ο 13.lbf3lbh8 14.~d2 a5 15.c4 he seized
the initiatiνe and finally won the game.
7 ... ~e7 8.lbc3 lbg6 9.~xe7+ lbxe7
10.lbe4 ~b6 11 ..ί:!e1
11 ... 0-0!
Α νery precise moνe. Black is not afraid
of ghosts. Ιη the game Howell - Macieja,
Hastings 1990 White took the initiatiνe
after 11 ... Φffi 12.b4 d5 13.lbc5 c6 14.~d3
f6 15.~a3 Φf7 16.b5.
12.lbd6
Ιη case of 12.lbf6+ gxf6 13.Irxe7 ~c5
14 ..!';Ie1 c6 to be followed by d7-d5 Black
Super Tournαments 2000
had a reliable position because his double
pawns were beyond Black's reach.
12 .•.lbc6 13.lbxc8 1:taxc8 14.c3 ,!:[fe8
15.~xe8+ I;Ixe8
Το make use of the adνantage of two
bishops is not easy when there is a whole
army of pawns οη the board.
16.Φf1 lbb8 17.d4 c6 18.i.d3 i.c7
19.a4 d5 20.a5 a6 21.~d2lbd7 22.g3 g6
23.b3lbf8 24.Φg2lbe6 25.b4 f5 26.f4 ΦΠ
27.'iitf3 'iitf6 28 ..!:[e1 ~d6 29.h3 h5 30..ί::ί.h1
1:th8 31.z:te1 z:te8 32.1:th1 lh - lh
122 D48
Piket - Khalifman
Round 6 13.07
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.lbc3 lbf6 4.e3 e6
5.lbf3lbbd7 6.~d3 dxc4 7.~xc4 b5
The Meran System ofthe Slaν Defence
occurrs indispensably ίη modern high-
leνel tournaments.
8.~d3 ~b7 9.0-0 a6 10.e4 c5 11.d5
~c7 12.dxe6 fxe6 13.i.c2 ~d6 14.lbg5
lbf8 15.f4 0-0-0 16.~e1 e5
17.lbd5
The position has been seen many times
preνiously. Ιη the game Sadler - Dreeν,
Groningen 1997 the line 17.a4 b4 18.lbe2
h6 was checked out, whereas ίη the \tour-
nament ίη Leon (ESP) where opponents
were allowed to use computers Black got
a conνenient play after 17.f5 h6 18.lbf3
lb8d7 lb8d7 19.Jιd2 c4 20.z:tc1 ~c6 21.a4
lbc5 ίη the game Illescas Cordoba - Shiroν,
Dortmund 189

Leon 2000.
l7 ...~xd5
Ιη case of 17 ... lΔxd5 18.exd5 .txd5
Black had to reckon with the possible con-
tinuation 19.~d2 which was c11ecked soon
ίη the game Κrasenkow - Almasi, Polanica
Zdroj 2000.
l8.exd5 exf4 19 ..td2 Me8
There was a reason to play 19 ... lΔxd5
too, but Black probably did not want to
open the long light-squared diagonal a8-
h1 that could possibly get under the con- 29 ..te4?
trol ofWhite's pieces. White overlooked the winning continu-
20.~h4lΔg6 ation. Mter 29 ..txg6! ttJxf1 (there was a
Ιη case of 20 ... lΔxd5 White probably similar situation ίη case of 29 ... lΔxd1
would continue 21.a4. 30.Sxd1 .te5 31.~e8! too) 30.MXf1 ~e5 he
21.~h3+ 'it>b8 22.a4 b4 23.Sad1 c4 had 31.i.e8! and Black would have lost a
23 ... lΔxd5!? deserved attention. The piece without a sufficient compensation.
point is that ίη case of 24. ~d3 which was 29 ... ~xe4 30.J:txd6lΔxf131.1:!.b6+ rJ;;;a8
planned by White there was a rather un- 32.1:!.xa6+ Φb8 33.1:!.b6+ ~a8 34 ..Jaa6+
pleasant response 24 ... Me5!. 'it>b8 1f2 -1f2
24.lΔe6 ~b6+ 25.'it>hllΔxd5 26.lΔxg7
Se3 "123 ΒΟΟ
Mter 26 ... Meg8 27.lΔf5 .tc7 both sides Junior 6 - Akopian
had chances. Ν ow the game proceeds to Round 6 13.07
the stage of tactical complications.
27 ..txe3lΔxe3 28.a5 ~c6?! 1.e4 b6 2.d4 .tb7 3 . .td3ttJf6 4.~e2 e6
The fact that Black's queen occupies the 5.ttJf3 d5 6.e5ttJfd7 7.ttJg5 .te7 8.~g4 h5
white square could tell οη later as a tacti- Playing with the computer, Akopian
cal nuance. Mter 28 ... ~xa5 29.~xg6 (ίη attempts to get a position with as much as
case of 29 .:ι:!.Χd6 lΔxf1 30. 'tfi e6lΔe3 31.Mxa6 possible long pawn chains. It helps to re-
Black had 31 ... ~d5 32.~b6+ Φc8 where- duce at most any concrete tactical play at
upon the weakness of the first rank and which the computer is especially strong,
the threat of a mate οη g2 would not let and shortcomings of its positional appre-
White win the game) 29 ... i.e5! White hension will have a chance to tell οη its
would have problems ίη finding a decisive play now.
continuation notwithstanding his extra 9. ~g3 lΔf8 10.0-0
rook. For instance, after 30. 'tfih5 (ίη case 10.h4 has occurred ίη this position pre-
of30.Sa1 there was 30 ... ~b6 maintaining viously.
all Black's threats) 30 ... ~c7! (there was ηο 10 ... i.a6 11.~xa6 lΔxa6 12.c3 c5
30 ... ttJxf1 31.MXf1 :ι:!.g8 because of 32.~e4! 13.Md1 c4 14.Se1 .Jac8 l5.h4ttJh7 16.ttJf3
Mxg7 33. 'tfie8+ with White's win) 31.ttJe6 Mg8 l7 . .tg5lΔxg5 18.lΔxg5lΔb8 19.ttJd2
(Black was ΟΚ ίη the endgame after lΔc6 20.b3 ttJa5 2U::te3 .txg5 22.hxg5 g6
31.Sd7 ~xd7 32.~xe5+ ~c7 33.~xc7+ Both sides have got rid of their poten-
rJ;;;xc7) 31 ... hxg6 32. 'tfig5 'tfia5 33.lΔd8 ~c7 tially bad pieces: Black ofhis light-squared
Black still kept the balance by some bishop and νice versa. Ν evertheless, White
miracle. has a certain positional advantage as he
190
can open up the play οη both flanks.
23.~f3 .ί:!.c7 24.~ί6 ~c8 25.~ί4 ~ί8
26.b4 4Jc6 27.4Jf3 ~e7 28.4Jh4 .!:Ig8 29.a4
.ί:Ig7 30.~cl
Απ attempt to open up the play οη the
kingside in order to put more pressure οη
the d7-pawn had sense for White. This
could haνe been done with 30.f3 ~c7 31.g4
hxg4 32.fxg4 to be followed by ~a1-fi.
30... ttc7 31.a5 b5 32.~e3 ~d7 33.ΦhΙ
a6 34.k!:dl ~e8 35.Φh2 4Je7 36.':hl 4Jg8
37.':f3 4Je7 38.':h3 'Δί5
Mter the exchange of the knights the
game becomes absolutely equal.
39.4Jxf5 exf5 40.~el ~c6 41. ~f3 ~e6
42.~hl .tJ:c8 43.~e3 ~e7 44.~ί4 ~e6
45 ..tJ:el 1f2 - 1f2.
124 C42
Leko - Κramnik
Round 7 14.07
l.e4 e5 2.4Jf3 'Δί6
V. Κramnik wants to play reliably and
chooses one ofthe most solid openings, the
Petroff Defence.
3.4Jxe5 d6 4.4Jf3 4Jxe4 5.d4 d5 6.j"d3
4Jc6 7.0-0 j"e7 8.c4 4Jb4 9.j"e2 ο-ο
10.4Jc3 Sιe6 1l.4Je5 ί6 12.4Jf3 Φh8
The line 12 ... c5 13.j"e3 ':c8 lost its
popularity after the game Κhalifman -
Karpoν, Bali 2000 where White took the
initiatiνe, haνing continued 14.dxc5 j"xc5
15 ..ιtxc5 ~xc516.~b3 a5 17.~ad1.
13.a3
White is the first who leaνes the theo-
Super Tournaments 2000
retical path. 13. ~b3 occurred ίη the game
Adams - Timman, Wijk aan Zee 2000. Μ­
ter a series of exchanges with 13 ... 4Jxc3
14.bxc3 dxc4 15.Sιxc4 j"xc4 16.~xc4 ~d5
17. ~b3 ~xb3 18.axb3 4Jd5 19.':e1 the Εη­
glish grandmaster got a more pleasant
position. Now 13 ..tJ:e1!? is more popular.
13 ... 4Jxc3 14.bxc3 4Jc6 15.4Jd2
M.Adams thinks that 15.cxd5 Sιxd5
16.~e1 is stronger.
15 ... f5
Black hurries up to place his dark-
squared bishop οη the diagonal a1-h8.
16.~elj"f617.j"f3 j"g818.cxd5 .ιtxd5
19.4Jb3
Ιη case of 19.':b1 the simplest answer
was 19 ... ~b8 (if 19 ... b6, then 20.4Jc4!?), and
now ifWhite had sent his knight to e3 with
20.4Jfi, then Black would haνe been ΟΚ
after 21 ... 4Je7 21.4Je3 b5.
19... b6 20.j"f4 4Je7
The knight should be transferred to g6
to guard the νulnerable e5-square, and c6
can be occupied with Black's pawn as well.
21.j"e5 c6 22.j"xf6 1:rxf6 23.4Jcl 4Jg6
24.4Jd3 h6 25.4Je5 4Jh4 26.j"xd5 ~xd5
27.f3 c5 28.dxc5 lh-1f2
125 D39
Akopian - Piket
Round 7 14.07
1.4Jf3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.d4 'Δί6 4.4Jc3 dxc4
5.e4 j"b4 6.j"g5 c5 7.j"xc4 cxd4 8.4Jxd4
~a5
The Holland grandmaster chooses the
Vienna Variation of the Queen's Gambit
again like ίη the fifth round. But now Black
goes another way, refusing from 8 ... j"xc3+
which was played by R. Huebner in that
game.
9.j"d2 ο-ο
Mter the game Κasparoν - Morozeνich,
Sarajeνo 2000 Black's last moνe seems to
come into fashion. Formerly 9 ... ~c5 was
the usual continuation.
10.~e2
V. Akopian spares his pawns. Let's re-
Dortmund
mind you that ίη the mentioned game
Kasparov - Morozevich after 10.ltJc21ιχc3
11.iιxc3 ~g512.~e2 ~xg213.0-0-0 ~xe4
14.1:rhg1 g6 15.ltJe3 e5 16.f4 iιe6 17.i.d3
~xf4 White parted with three pawns with-
out getting a sufficient compensation.
10 ... 1:rd8 11.ltJb3 ~c7 12.0-0 ltJc6
13 ..ί:.ad1 tΔe5 14.i.b5 i.d7
Ιη case of 14 ... a6 White had an inter-
mediate 15.f4! which let him get an adνan­
tage after 15 ... axb5 (if 15 ... ltJg6, then
16.1ιd3 was possible already) 16.fxe5 i.xc3
(there was ηο 16 ... ~xe5? because of
17.1ιf4!) 17.i.xc3 1:rxd118.1:rxd11tJd7 19.a3.
15.i.xd7 i.xc3
There was ηο 15 ... ltJexd7? because of
16.ltJb5 ~c2 17.1tJ5d4, Black 10sing a piece.
The same trick was applicable after
15 ... ltJfxd7 or 15 ... 1:rxd7. Ιη case of 15 ...
~xd7 Black probably did not want to go to
troubles of 16.i.g5 with a binding οη the
diagonal d8-h4.
16.1ιχc31:rχd7
Ιη case of 16 ... ltJfxd7 Black had to
reckon with the line 17.f41tJc4 18.1::!.d3.
17.~c11tJc618.ltJc5 1:re7 19. ..Iί.xf6 gxf6
20.1:rc3 Φh8
Black has to be careful. There was ηο
20 ... ~f4? because of 21.ltJxb7! ~xb7
22.~xc6, leaνing him without a pawn.
21.f4 :!:!.g8 22.'.1th1
22. ~f2 deserνed attention now with the
idea to transfer the queen to h4.
22 ... ~d6
23.e5
Looks good, but is this adνantage
191
enough to win? Ιη the game this question
stayed unanswen~d. 23.~f2 stilllooked to
be rational. Ιη case of 23 ... ~d4 White had
a transfer 24. ~h4, whereas 23 ... b6 could
be followed by a decisiνe 24.e5!, as now
24 ... fxe5 25.ltJe4 ~d4 26.~h4 ~xe4 ίη­
νolνed 27. ~f6+ ~g7 28.~g3.
23 ... fxe524.ltJe41tJd4??
Still another Piket's blackout ίη this
tournament. Mter 24 ... ~b8 25.ltJf6 ~g6
26.fxe5 ~xe5 (of course ηο 26 ... ltJxe5? be-
cause of 27. ~h5 h6 28:~xe5!, White just
mating) 27. ~xe5 ltJxe5 28.~c8+ Φg7
29.ltJe8+ Φh6 30.ltJf6 '.1tg7 White hardly
had anything but repeating the moνes.
25.~f21-O
Νο wonder. Positions of all Black's
pieces were awkward after 25 ... ~d8
(25 ... ~b8 was a forced 10ss because of
26.~h41tJf5 27.~f6+ ~g7 28.g4, as well as
25 ... ~b6 because of 26.ltJf6 1:rd8 27.~h4)
26.fxe5 ltJc6 (ίη case of 26 ... ltJf5 there was
an immediate solution with 27.ltJf6 1:rg7
28.1:!.fcl) 27. ~f6+ !!g7 28.tΔd6 (after 28.1:!.g3
~f8 29.ltJd6 Φg8 30.I:!.ff3 1:ί.g6 Black still
held) 28 ... <;t>g8 29.b4.
126 Ε15
Huebner - Adarns
Round 7 14.07
1.d4 ltJf6 2.c4 e6 3.1tJf3 b6 4.g3 i.a6
5.~a41ιb7 6.i.g2 c5 7.dxc5
The opponents play a quiet νariation
of the Queen's Indian Defence. With his
last moνe White attempts to keep some
pressure οη the board. Ιη case of 7.0-0
Black had an opportunity to begin simpli-
fying the play with 7 ... cxd4.
7 ... i.xc5 8.0-00-0 9.ltJc3 i.e7 10.1:td1
ltJa6 11.i.f4 ltJc5 12. ~c2 ~c8 13.1:rac1
ltJce4 14.ltJd4 tΔxc3 15:~xc3 a6 16.1ιf3
Another participant ofthe tournament,
the Holland grandmaster J. Piket tried
more than once to break through Black's
position after 16. ~b3 i.xg2 17. Φχg2 ~b7 +
18.~f3 1:ra719.~xb7 J::txb7 20.f31:tc8 21.e4.
16....ί:.a7
192
The continuation 16 ... lΔe4 17. ~e3 f5
18.lΔb3 ~c6 which was seen ίη the game
Al-Thani - Umansky, corr. 1998 proved to
be evidently unlucky for Black. After
19.Jιxe4 fxe4 20.c5 bxc5 21.lΔxc5 White got
a very big advantage.
17.lΔb3 1ιχf3 18.~xf3 ~b7 19.~xb7
.a:xb7 20.f3 .a:c8 21.e4lΔe8 22.e5 f6
Black wants to get rid of the restrict-
ing pawn οη e5 as soon as possible to get a
more convenient play.
23.~c2 rJ.ιf7 24.g4 fxe5 25.1ιχe5 lΔf6
26.J:tccl-S:c6 27.1ιg3 g6 28.<bg2 1ιf8 29.h3
h5 30.lΔd4 .a:c8 31.a4 d6 32.lΔe2 .a:c6
33.lΔd4 .a:c8 34.lΔe2 .a:c6 35.lΔd4 -S:c8
36.ciJe2 l:ιc6 1h - lh
127 D47
Khalifrnan - Bareev
Round 7 14.07
l.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.lΔc3 lΔf6 4.lΔf3 e6
5.e3lΔbd7 6.1ιd3 dxc4 7.Jιxc4 b5 8.1ιd3
1ιb7 9.0-0 b4
Ιη the previous sixth round Α. Κha­
lifman defended Black's position after
9 ... a6. His present opponent Ε. Bareev
chooses another way.
10.lΔe4 1ιe7 11.lΔxf6+ lΔxf6 12.e4 ο-ο
13.e5lΔd7 14.iιe4 ~b8
Black is preparing c6-c5. White dem-
onstrates a method how to prevent this
advance.
15.a3 bxa3 16.b4
16... f5
Α new move. Previously 16 ... a5 (16 ...
Super Tournαments 2000
1ιχb4 would be followed by a standard
17.iιxh7+) 17.bxa5 ~xa5 18.iιxa3 was
seen, like ίη the game ΥΜϊΙον - C.Hansen,
Essen 2000 where Black preferred 18 ...
~d8, agreeing to have a slightly worse
play, because in case of 18 ... 1ιχa3 he took
chances of White's strongest attack after
19.1ιχh7+! rJ.ιxh7 20.lΔg5+ 'it>g6 (20 ... rJ.ιh6
21.~d3 'it>xg5 22.f4+ 'it>h6 23.~h3+ Φg6
24.f5+ exf5 25. ~xf5+ 'it>h6 26. ~h3+ rJ.ιg6
27.-S:xa3) 21.~d3+ f5 22.lΔxe6 -S:a8 23.Mfb1
iιc8 24.~b3! Kasimdzhanov - Lesiege,
Istambu12000.
17.iιd3
Mter 17.exf6lΔxf6 the white bishop was
attacked again.
17... lΔb6
The black knight wants to get to d5 as
soon as possible. Ιη case of 17 ... 1ιχb4 there
was a strong 18.lΔg5! (18:~b3 was weaker
because of 18 ... c5 19.~xe6+ 'it>h8 with an
unclear position), because after 18 ... ~e7
19. ~b3 .a:fe8 White struck with 20.lΔxe6!.
18.1ιχa3
Here White's dark-squared bishop oc-
cupies rather an lL"1fortunate position. But
ίη case of 18.1ιd2 after 18 ... lΔd5 (worse is
18 ... g5 19.~b3 ~d5 20.~xd5 lΔxd5 21.
lΔxg5 or 18 ... a5 19.bxa5 lΔd5 20.a6 1ιa8
21.1ιc4 with White's advantage in both
cases) 19.1ιc4 (if19 ..1:xa3, then 19 ... lΔxb4)
19 ... ~b6 (now 19 ... lΔxb4 already will be
followed by 20.1ιχe6+ <bh8 2U:rxa3 c5
22.dxc5 1ιχc5 23.lΔg5 with White's strong
attack) 20.~xa3 Jιxb4 21.iιxb4 ~xb4
22 ..a:a4 ~b6 23.lΔg5 1ιc8 Black still holds
his ground.
18 ... lΔd5 19.1ιc4 ~b6 20:~d3 ~fd8
21 ..a:tbl h6 22.1!b3 'it>h8 23.~abl lΔc7
24.h3
The opponents do not undertake any
active attempts to breach each other's for-
tifications.
24 ...lΔd525.'it>h2
It is not easy for White to improve the
position of his dark-squared bishop. 80,
25.1ιc1 was impossible because of 25 ...
lΔxb4.
Dortmund
25 ... iιc8 26 ..i~td1 fic7 27.Φg1 J:tb6
28.tiJe1 iιa6 29.iιc1 1h -1/2
128 D05
Anand - Junior 6
Round 7 14.07
1.d4 d5 2.tiJf3 tiJf6 3.e3 e6 4.iιd3 c5
5.c3 tiJc6 6.tiJbd2 iιe7 7.a3 fic7
7 ... 0-08.0-0 has occurred previously to
be followed by 8 .. .'~c7 or 8 ... b6.
8.fie2 0-0 9.0-0 I:td8 10.l:.e1 a6
As a matter of fact we have a position
from the Anti-Meran Variation here but
with reversed colours and, respectively,
with an extra tempo by White.
11.h3 b5
The computer plays reliably. Ιη case of
a more active 11 ... e5 the game would still
be equal after 12.dxe5 tiJxe5 13.tiJxe5 fixe5
14.e4.
12.dxc5 iιxc5 13.e4 tiJh5 14.tiJb3 tiJg3
15.fic2 dxe416.tiJxc5 exd317.tiJxd3 tiJf5
18.iιf4 1/2 - 1/2
The position is approximately equal.
129 D27
Kramnik - Huebner
Round 8 15.07
1.d4 d5 2.tiJf3 tiJf6 3.c4 dxc4 4.e3 e6
5.iιxc4 c5 6.0-0 a6 7.~b3 cxd4 8.exd4
tiJc6 9.tiJc3 ~e7 10.:e1 ο-ο
11.h4!?
The diagram shows one ofthe standard
modern opening positions of the Queen's
193
Gambit Accepted. Usually White contin-
ues 11.a3. Ιη this game V.Κramnik proves
another way to struggle for an advantage.
11 ... tiJa5
Perhaps this move was necessary. Ιη
case of 11 ... b5 Black had to reckon with
12.d5 exd5 13.tiJxd5 tiJxd5 14.~xd5 iιb7
15.~g5 with White's dangerous initiative.
12.~c2 b5 13.fid3 iιb7 14.h5 ~xf3 .
Black takes the offered pawn and White
acquires the advantage of bishop pair as
compensation. If he had refused he could
have suffered very soon a crushing attack
ofwhite pieces. 80 after a passive 14 ... tiJc4
Black's kingside would have been smashed
immediately with 15.tiJg5 g6 16.hxg6 hxg6
17.~xe6!, and ίη case of 14 ... h6 there was
a strong 15.tiJe5 with the most unpleasant
threat of tiJe5-g4.
15.fixf3 fixd4 16.~f4 b4
Later ίη the game Bareev - Rublevsky,
Montecatini Terme 2000 Black played
stronger. After 16 ... h6! 17 .Uad1 fic5
White's activity was enough only for mak-
ing a draw.
17.J:tad1 fic4
Mter 17 ... fi c5 18.J::!.e5 .fib6 (ίη case of
18 ... fic6 White continues also 19.fig3!)
19. fig3! a careless 19 .... bxc3?! (ίη Κram­
nik's ορίηίοη 19 ... .!:Ifd8 is better) allowed
White ίη the game Yermolinsky - Kai-
danov, 8eattle 2000 by means of 20.~h6
g6 (20 ... tiJe8 is not better because of
21.iιxg7! tiJxg7 22.h6 iιf6 23.hxg7) 21.hxg6
fxg6 22.iιxg6 Φh8 23 ...Itxh7! ~f7 24.iιg6
~g8 25 ...Ite3 to develop the strongest attack
for a sacrificed piece.
18 ...Itd3 fic6 19.tiJe4 tiJd5 20.iιe5 f5?!
Black continues to weaken his position.
Ιη case of 20 ... f6 it would be much harder
to break Black's defence.
21. fig3 ~f7 22.tiJd2!
Many players might possibly have pre-
ferred 22.tiJg5 ..Itxg5 23. fixg5 with a good
compensation for the pawn, but the inten-
tion ofV.Κramnik is much more insidious.
His knight is going to get to d4.
22 ... tiJb7?!
194
Black does not feel any danger. He is
tardy with the transfer of the knight into
the centre ofthe board. Black should pre-
vent White's plan by 22 .. .'~d7, immedi-
ately making the c6-square free for his
knight. Generally, the position after
Black's 22 nd move is quite remarkable. ΑΠ
black pieces except the dark-squared
bishop are occupying light squares (ίη the
absence ofthe light-squared bishop!).
23.lίJf3 lίJc5
, Probably 23 ... J..c5 was better with the
idea that after 24.lίJd4 White's dangerous
knight could have been annihilated:
24 ... J..xd4 25.J..xd4. Mter the move ίη the
game White wins by force.
24.lίJd4 ~b6
Other retreats were none the better. For
example, after 24 ... ~a4 the solution was
25.lίJxe6lίJxe626 ..tc4.
25.lίJxί5!
As it was expected. Ιη the sixth round
Anand managed to hang not a few of his
men οη the diagonal b1-h7, and now the
German grandmaster has to pay for the
crowding of his pieces οη light squares.
25 ... exf5 26 ..tc4 lίJί6
If 26 ...:te8 27.J..xd5 lίJe6, then 28. ~b3
wins.
27.J..c7! 1-0
130 Β33
Anand-Leko
Round 8 15.07
l.e4 c5 2.lίJf3 lίJc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.lίJxd4
Super Tournαments 2000
lίJf6 5.lίJc3 e5 6.lίJdb5 d6 7.J..g5 a6 8.lίJa3
b5
The Hungarian grandmaster plays the
Sveshnikov Variation with Black not very
often. Nevertheless, even ίη this keen
variation οηlΥ a very few players managed
to break through Leko's defence.
9.lίJd5 J..e7 10.J..xf6 J..xf6 11.c3 ο-ο
12.t2Jc2 J..g5 13.a3
13.a4 is much more popular.
13 ... lίJe7
Α new move. Previously 13 ... 1:tb8 and
13 ... J..b7 have occurred.
14.t2Jcb4 ..Ite6 15:~d3
White is ready for complications. Mter
a quiet 15.t2Jxe7+ ~xe7 16.t2Jd5 ~b7 Black
had ηο problems as well as White.
15 ... f5 16.h4 .th6 17.~dl fxe4 18.
~xe4 a5 19.t2Jxe7+ ~xe7 20.t2Jd5
Ιη case of 20.J..d3 Black had a choice
between a guaranteed draw after 20 ... axb4
21.~xh7+ ~f7 22.~g6+ ~g8 and a keen
continuation with mutual chances which
would arise after 20 ... g6 21.t2Jc2.
20... ~a7 21.f3 .tf4 22.J..d3
If White captured the pawn with
22 ...Itxb5, then after 22 ... J..g3+ 23.~d2
.ί:tab8 24.c4 ~f2+ Black would have got a
better play.
22 ... J..f5 23.~e2
23 ... e4!?
Black wants to open υρ as many files
ίη the centre as possible. Having deprived
the white king of castling with 23 ... ..Itg3+,
Black would not get much because of
24.Φd2 (24.Φf1? was dangerous to be fol-
Dortmund
lowed by 24 ... e4) 24 ... lιxd3 25.'~xd3 ~f2+
26.~e2 ~xe2+ 27.~xe2 e4 28.Iih3.
24.lιxb5
Opening υρ the play ίη the centre with
24.fxe4 appears to be dangerous for White.
Neνertheless, the position would still re-
main equal after 24 ... i.xe4 25.lίJxf4 (there
was neither 25.lιxe4? because of25 ... i.g3+
26.~d2 Iif2, nor 25.~xe4? because of
25 ... Iiae8) 25 ... jιxd3 (eνen after 25 ... 1:txf4
26.lιxe4 :te8 27 ..ί:ld4 ~xd4 28.i.xh7+ ~xh7
29.cxd4 Iixe2+ 30.~xe2 J::!.xd4 there was an
equal rook endgame) 26.J::!.xd31:txf4 27.J::tf1
.I1xf1+ (27 ... J::!.xh4? was dangerous because
of28.~e6+ ~h8 29.lidf3!) 28.~xf1.
24 ... exf3 1f2 - 1fz
The peace treaty was signed at the
moment when a real struggle was just go-
ing to begin. Mter 25.gxf3 (25. ~xf31ooked
ήskΥ because of25 ... i.e5) there were both
25 ... lιg3+ 26.~d2 J::!.ab8 27.~c1 ~h8 and
25 ... .id7, Black had a sufficient compen-
sation for the pawn ίη both lines.
131 Ε41
Bareev - Akopian
Round 8 15.07
1.d4 lίJf6 2.c4 e6 3.lίJc3 i.b4 4.e3 c5
5.lιd3 d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.lίJge2 lίJc6 8.a3
cxd4 9.axb4 dxc3 10.b5 lίJe5 11.lίJxc3
i.g4
The νariation which was chosen by
Black ίη the Nimzo-Indian Defence can-
not guarantee him a full equalization eνen
though positions with bishops of different
colours are common for this opening. Let's
note that an early break-through ίη the
centre 11 ... d412.exd4 ~xd413.jιe2 ~xd1+
14.lίJxd1 .if5 15.J::!.a3 ο-ο 16.lιf4 J::!.fe8
17.lίJe3 ίη the game Sashikiran - Plaskett,
Hampstead 1998 gaνe ηο equality to Black
as well. Αη immediate exchange of the
knight for the opponent's bishop with
11 ... lίJxd3+ 12. ~xd3 ο-ο has its meήts and
5upporters too.
12.f3lίJxd3+ 13.~xd3 .ie614.~d4 a6
195
It's better to adνance exactly the a-
pawn. Mter 14 ... b6 White got a great ad-
νantage by 15.0-0 ο-ο 16.b3 ~e7 17.i.b2
.!:!.fd8 18 ..t!.fc1 lίJe8 19.1::!.a4 f6 20.1:tca1 ~f7
21.lίJe2 with a subsequent transfer of the
knight through e2-d4-c6 ίη the game
Raiceνic - Marjanoνic, Nis 1985.
15.bxa6 bxa6
Now we see the results ofBlack's wast-
ing tempo for the manoeuνre with the
light-squared bishop and rejection of cas-
tling. There was ηο exchange ofrooks with
15 ... 1:!.xa6? 16.J::!.xa6 bxa6 because of
17.~a4+.
16.lιd20-O 17.lίJe2 J::te8 18.jιc3 .id7
19.1ίJf4!
White can neglect his castling. It's much
more important to withdI'aw his pieces
from light squares, saνing them from pos-
sible attacks ofBlack's bishop.
19....ib5 20.Wf2 ~c8 21.b3
21 ... ~e4!?
Haνing receiνed the slightest adνan­
tage, Black wants to make the play keener.
Ιη case of a passiνe play, for instance after
21 ... J::!.e7 22.1:thd1 ~ec7 23.J::!.ac1 ~d7
24. ~d2, he would suffer pressure of
White's pieces.
22.fxe4
The refuse from taking a sacrifice by
22. ~d2?! allowed Black by means of
22 ... d4!! 23.exd4 1:txf4 24.exf4 J::!.c2! 25.
~xc2 ~xd4+ 26.~g3 lίJh5+ to deνelop a
νery strong attack.
22 ... lίJxe4+ 23.~g1 lίJxc3 24.h4 lίJe4
25.J::!.d1
196
Το take the pawn with the knight
25.CLJxd5 was risky because of 25 ... CLJg3
26. ~e5 CLJe2+! (there was ηο 26 ... CLJxhl?
with 27.CLJe7+) 27.~f2 (27.~h2?? ~xh4#)
27 ... nc2 28.CLJe7+ ~h8, B1ack maintaining
a dangerous initiative. Still, there was
25. ~xd5, though after 25 ... ~e8 or 25 ... ~e7
to be followed by 26 ... 1:rd8 White had to be
carefu1 about B1ack's p1ay.
25 ... ~e8 26.CLJxd5 h5
This way, as there was ηο 26 ... CLJg3?
because of27.CLJf6+! gxf6 28.~g4+.
27.CLJf4 CLJg3 28 ..t:th3 CLJe2+ 29.CLJxe2
..ιtxe230.nd2
After the exchange of the knights
B1ack's attacking potentia1 decreased con-
siderab1y.
30.....tg4 31.kthl ~e6 32.Φh2
White wants to introduce the hl-rook
into the p1ay as soon as possib1e. After
32.~d3 1:rc2 33. ~d5 ~g6 or 32.b4 !lc4
33.~d8+ '>t>h7 he cou1d have suffered an-
other peak of activity ofB1ack's pieces.
32 ... ~xb3 33.nb2 ~e6 34.nhbl Φh7
35..t:tb6 ~e7 36.'>t>g3 ..Ιί.ί5
Ιη case of 36 ... J:ιe8 37 . .1:1.1b3 ~c7+
38. ~d6 ~cl B1ack had to reckon with
39.~d3+ g6 40.~c3.
37.nn..lί.g6
Black gives away his last pawn οη the
queenside. He could try tokeep it with
37 ... nd8 38. ~f4 ..tg4 as there was ηο
39.nxa6? because of 39 .....te2, but he fo1-
lows another strategy. He wants to arrange
a safe she1ter for his king οη h7 first of all,
having the bishop οη the diagona1 bl-h7.
38.Mxa6 nd8 39.'ua7 ~e8 40. ~ί4 ~d5
41.e4
The time contro1 is over. Can White take
the fortress, which was erected by B1ack?
The an~wer is far from evident. It's οη1Υ
c1ear that any simp1ifications are good for
White, but forcing them is not an easy task,
considering the weakened positions ofhis
king and e4-pawn.
41 ... kId4 42.~el ~c6 43.I:tc7 ~b6
44.Φh2 ktb4 45.l:[e7 ~d8 46 ..I!a7!?
White wants to stimu1ate complica-
Super Tournαments 2000
tions, otherwise he'd have preferred
46. ~g5 because there was ηο 46 ... f6?? to
be followed by 47.~xf6.
46...ktb2!
B1ack does not allow White to provoke
him and holds to the same position out-
1ine. If he had taken White's pawn with
46 ... f5 47.~g3 nxe4 48.nxe4 fxe4, then
White wou1d have obtained a number of
definite p1uses ίη the continuation: he
would have exchanged a pair of rooks,
B1ack's g7-pawn would have become vul-
nerable, and the main thing, an exchange
of the queens wou1d mean a 10sing end-
game for B1ack.
47.Ma3 ~d4 48.I:ι.f3 ~b4 49.ktee3 ~d2
50.~g3 .a:bl 51 ..a:f2 ~cl 52.~ί4 ~gl+
53.~g3 ~cl 54 . .I:ιfe2 ~c5 55.1:td2 ~cl
56..ί:ree2 ~b3+ 57.Φh2 ktbl 58.~e3 ktb4
59.Md5 ~c7+ 60.~g3 ~c4 61.~f3 ~c7+
62.g3 ~cl 63 ..!:ed2 nb8 64 ..ί:!:ί2 ~c4
65.~e2 ~c7 66.~e31:!.bl
67.~c5??
White failed to gain anything with his
1ast twenty moves and now he makes a
serious mistake.
67 .....txe4!
Α surprise.
68.nxh5+?
Black's queen is invulnerable. Mter
68. ~xc7?? the solution was 68 ... nhl#. Nei-
ther the move ίη the game can be called
good. However, an attempt to keep the ex-
change by 68.Φh3?! does not work because
Black has a way to win: 68 ... g5!! (68 ... nhl+
gave nothing because of 69.:th2) 69.hxg5
Dortmund
~b7 70.~dd2 ~h1+ 71.~h2 ~c1! (distract-
ing) 72.g6+ (there was ηο 72.~xc1 because
of 72 ... .iιf5+ 73.Φh4 ~e4+, Black mating)
72 ... fxg6 73. ~d4 (after 73. ~g5 Black could
win with 73 ... .iιf5+ 74.g4 ~e4 75.Φh4 ~gl)
73 ... .iιf5+ 74.g4 i.xg4+ 75.Φh4 (ίf75.Φg3,
then 75 ... ~f3+ 76.~h4 lagl) 75 ... ~e7+
76.'it>g3 ~g5, so Black's attack was irresist-
ible. ΟηΙΥ a cool 68.J:ιg2! led to a draw. Μ­
ter 68 ... ~xc5 69.~xc5 g6!? (theI'e ίδ a full
balance οη the board ίη case of 69 .. ..iιxg2
70.Iιxh5+ Φg6 70.~g5+) even ίn case of
White's losing the exchange a drawn rook
ending arose.
68 ... Φg8 69.~g2
Ιη case of 69.Φh3 Black won very sim-
ply with 69 ... ~d7+ 70.g4 (if70.~hf5, then
70 ... g6) 70 ... ~d3+.
69 ... ~d7 70:~f2 ~dl 0-1
132 Α08
Adams - Khalifman
Round 8 15.07
l.e4 e6 2.d3
White avoids main lines of the French
Defence, preferring to reduce the play to
the Κing's Indian Defence.
2 ... d5 3.liJd2 liJf6 4.liJgf3 c5 5.g3 liJc6
6 ..iιg2 g6 7.0-0 i.g7 8.c3
8.J::te1, 8. ~e2 and 8.exd5 were seen ίη
this position as well.
8 ... 0-0 9.e5 tιJd7 10.d4 b5 11.J::tel b4
12.liJf1
12.liJb3 c4 13.liJbd2 ~a5 which occurred
previously caused nο serious troubles for
Black.
12 ... .iιa6 13.h4 bxc3 14.bxc3 ~a5
White plays as tough as he can. Another
Black's opportunity was connected with
14 ... lab8 as ίη case of 15.i.g5 (if 15. ~a4,
then 15 ... i.b5) there was 15 ... ~a5.
15 ..iιd2 liJb6!?
Black continues to play actively; he ίδ
even ready to sacήfice the pawn.
16.c4
197
White has to take the sacrifice, other-
wise Black had an excellent play ίn case of
16.liJe3 liJc4.
16 ....~a4 17.cxd5 ~xdl 18.J::taxdl
liJxd5 19.dxc5 ~ac8 20.a3
Νο other way. Ιη case of 20.liJe3 White
had to reckon with 20 ... liJdb4.
20 ...1:tc7 21.liJe3 liJce7 22.liJxd5 liJxd5
Haνing occupied the central d5-square,
the knight almost compensates the miss-
ing pawn to Black.
23.i.b4
23.~c1 could not have changed the situ-
ation because of 23 ... J::tfc8 24 ..iιb4 .iιf8.
23 ... Iιb8 24.l:!.d4 i.f8 25.1:ιcΙ 1:ιbc8
26.liJg5 i.xc5 27 .~xc5 J::txc5 28.i.xc5
~xc5
Black takes back the sacrificed pawn.
29.J::ta4 liJc7 30.f4 ~cl+ 31.~h2 ~c4
32.~a5
Adams thinks that 32.~xc4 .iιxc4
33 ..iιc6 could give Black more troubles.
32...ttc2 33.Φh3 h5 34.liJe4
34... i.e2!
Sacήficίηg the pawn, Black rushes with
all his pieces to the attack ofthe opponent's
king.
35.tιJf6+ ~f8 36.~xa7 liJd5 37.J::ta8+
~g7 38.~g8+ Φh6 39.~h8+
White has to play the perpetual check
either now or after 39.a4 .iιg4+ 40.Φh2
i.f3.
39...~g7 40.~h7+ ~f8 41.~h8+ ~g7
Of course ηο 41 ... 'it>e7?? because of
42.~e8#.
42.l:!.g8+ Φh6 43.~h8+ 1f2 - 1f2
198
133 Β15
Junior 6 - Piket
Round 8 15.07
l.e4 g6 2.d4 ~g7 3.lbc3 c6 4.lbf3 d5
5.h3 a6 6.~ί4 4:Jf6
Like most of his predecessors, J. Piket
tries to partition the chess board with
pawn chains.
7.e5lbfd7 8:~d2
Ιη Piket's opinion 8.h4! was the most
dangerous move.
8 ... e69 ...tg5
9 ...th6 was suggesting itself.
9 .. :~·b6 10.0-Ο-0?
This move is a fine example ofthe typi-
cal stupid computer-like play. It should not
have castled οη the kingside. There was a
natural 10.4:Ja4 here.
10 ...h6 11.jLe3 'ffic7 12.h4 b5 13...tf4
4:Jb6 14.a3 4:J8d7 15.~bl a5 16.4:Ja2 'ffia7
17.g4 jLf8 18.c3 ..ta6 19. 'ffiel 4:Jc420 ...td2
J..e7
The Holland grandmaster gathers
gradually his reserves for an attack οη the
white king. The computer has ηο real
counterplay.
21.4:Jcl 4:Jdb6 22.h5 g5 23.4:Ja2 ~d7
24 ...tcl ~hb8 25.ΦaΙ
25 ... b4!
Like a bolt from the blue. White's posi-
tion wrecks in several moves.
26.4:Jd2
Το take the sacrificed pawn with
26.cxb4 axb4 27.4:Jxb4 was dangerous: af-
ter 27 ... 4:Ja4! 28.4:Jxa6 (ίη case of28 ...txc4
Super Tournαments 2000
the solution was in the intermediate
28 ... J..xb4! 29.axb4 ..txc4) 28 ... 'ffixa6 29.
iιxc4 (the threat of the capture οη b2 is
more than real) 29 ... dxc4 the advance c4-
c3 was threatening along with the capture
οη b2.
26 ... 4:Jxd2 27.ii_xd2 ..txf128.1::rxf14:Jc4
29.~bl b3 30.4:Jcl ..txa3 31.'ffidl
If 31.bxa3 b2+ 32.Φa2 bxcl'ffi 33.'ffixcl
~xbl 34.Φχb1 I:ιb8+ 35.Φc2, then the
quickest method was 35 ... 'ffia6 (after
35 ... J:tb2+ 36. 'ffixb2 4:Jxb2 37.'it>xb2 'ffib7+
38.Φc2 'ffib5 39.ttel the opposition was still
possible) 36.1::rel 'ffib5, White's position is
still not absolutely hopeless.
31 ..• 'ffib6 32.bxa3 b2+ 33.'it>a2 bxcl'ffi
34.'ffixcl 'ffixbl+ 0-1
134 Ε08
Huebner - Anand
Round 9 16.07
l.d4 4:Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.4:Jf3 d5 4.g3 c6
5.'ffic2
White is overcautious. Mter 5 ...tg2 the
threat ofthe capture 5 ... dxc4 was not very
dangerous because of6.4:Je5.An attempt to
gain a material advantage from the posi-
tion to come after 6 .....tb4+ 7 ...td2 by force
with 7 ... 'ffixd4? 8 ...txb4 'ffixe5 would be
smashed by 9.4:Ja3!, White getting a fήght­
ful initiative for the sacrificed pawns.
5 ... 4:Jbd7
White's last move allowed Black to be-
gin an active counterplay immediately
with 5 ... dxc4 6.'ffixc4 b5, but V Anand is
holding to a different policy.
6 ...tg2 iιe7 7.0-0 ο-ο 8.b3 b6 9.~dl
White is waiting. If Black's dark-
squared bishop comes to b7, then White
will play 4:Jc3, and ifto a6, then 4:Jbd2.
9 ....ta6 10.4:Jbι12 c5
Mter 10 ... ~c8 1l.e4 there would be one
ofthe basic positions ofthe Catalan Open-
ing οη the board. Κnowing about White's
plan to advance e2-e4 Black blows a
counterstrike in the centre first.
Dortmund
11.e4
The German grandmaster shows his
seήοus attitude. Ifhe had dreamt of a draw
he could haνe held νery well his position
after 11.i.b2 J::tc8 12.I!ac1.
11 ... dxc4 12.bxc4
Α new moνe. White takes control oνer
the important central d5-square at once.
Ιη case of 12.4Jxc4 cxd4 13.4Jxd4 (if 13.e5,
then 13 ... 4Jd5) 13 ... !!c8 which occurred ίη
the game Filippoν - Galkin, St.Petersburg
1998 there were great complications after
14. ~e2 (again, the moνe 14.e5 to be fol-
lowed by 14 ... 4Jd5 led to a νery keen play
with mutual chances) 14 ... ~c7 15.i.f4
j,xc4 16.bxc4 e5.
12 ... cxd4 13.e5 4Jg4 14.~e4 h5!
Black is not going to leaνe White's half
of the board for ηο particular reason.
15.h3
There was ηο 15.4Jxd4? because of
15 ... 4Jc5 16. ~xa8 and 16 ... ~xd4.
15 ... 4Jc5 16. ~xd4 4Jh6
And now it is possible to retreat. Ιη case
of16 ... 4Jxe5? 17. ~xe5 i.f6 Black might run
up against 18.~xh5! (much weaker was
18. ~e1 i.xa119.4Jb3 because of 19 ... i.c3!
20.1::txd8 i.xe121.nxa81::txa8 22.4Jxe1 ~d8,
Black's chances better) 18 ... g6 (there was
ηο 18 ... i.xa1 because of 19.4Jg5) 19.~h6
i.g7 20.4Jf1! i.xh6 (if 20 ... ~xd1, then
21. ~xg7+! cJ;txg7 22.i.b2+ [6 23.~xdl)
21.~xd8 Mfxd8 22.i.xh6, Black has serious
problems, as a result.
17.i.a3 ~c7
Black should make the natural moνe
17 ... 4Jf5! There was ηο 18.tH4? because of
18 ... g5!, catching the white queen, and ίη
the endgame after 18. ~xd8 naxd8 Black's
chances were definitely better. And after
18.~c3 ~c7 he keeps an obνious adνan­
tage.
18.i.xc5!
White subtly notice Black's inaccurate
17th moνe.
18 ... bxc5
Black decides consciously to spoil
slightly his pawn structure. Ιη case ofthe
199
suggesting 18 ... i.xc5 19. ~f4 (19. ~h4 was
a blank shot, because after 19 ... tΔf5 the g3-
pawn was hung) 19 ... 4Jf5 Black would haνe
had to reckon with the moνe 20.4Je4!, be-
cause White would haνe deνeloped a con-
siderable activity for the sacrificed pawn
after i.xc4 21.4Jxc5 ~xc5 22.ttac1 1::tac8
23.Md7.
19.~c3
Now White's queen is forced to move to
a much less actiνe position. Ιη case of
19. ~f4 ~ad8 White had already ηο 20.4Je4
as there was ηο compensation for the pawn
after 20 ... i.xc4.
19...1::tad8 20.4Je4 4Jf5
21.g4?!
The position is approximately equal,
but White continues to moνe ahead, prob-
ably still influenced by his active opening
plan. Mter 21.1::tab1 i.b7 22.~c2 it was
much more complicated to upset the bal-
ance of power.
21 ...hxg4 22.hxg4 4Jh6 23.4Jh2
Α transition to the defence. 23. ~c2 com-
plied better with White's 21st moνe, where-
upon Black's best answer was probably the
same as ίη the game: 23 ... MXd1+! 24.!!xd1
~d8. IfBlack took the sacήficed pawn with
23 ... 4Jxg4?!, then both sides would haνe
mutual chances ίη the position to arise af-
ter 24.4Jeg5 i.xg5 25.4Jxg5 ~xd1+ 26.J::ι.xd1
g6 27.~e4! (there was ηο 27.4Jxe6 fxe6
28.~xg6+ ~g7 29.~xe6+ ~h8 30.~xa6
because of 30 ... ~h7 31.J:td2 ~h2+ 32.~f1
~xe5) 27 ... f5 (if27 ... 4Jxe5, then White had
a draw at the least after 28. ~h4 ri;;g7
200
29.'§h7+ Φf6 30.'§h4) 28.exffi '§h2+ 29.ΦΩ
tZJe5 30.f7+ 1::!.xf7 31.tZJxf7 ~xc4+ 32.ΦeΙ
ΦΧf7.
23 ... .:xd1+ 24.':xd1 ':d8 25.':xd8+
~xd8 26.~f3 ~b7 27.~g2
Ιη Anand's ορίηίοη 27.tZJd2 was stron-
ger.
27... ~xe4!
Very reasonable. Black plays without
illusions. His adνantage of a bishop pair is
hardly worth mentioning since White has
a mighty knight οη e4. After its capture
Black's dark-squared bishop will be a real
power, haνing a number of conνenient
squares οη the kingside owing to the ad-
νance g3-g4.
28.~xe4 ~g5 29.Φg3
White hurries υρ to coνer the f4-
square. Ιη case of29.~f3 he had to reckon
both with an immediate 29 ... ~d2 and with
a prophylactic 29 ... g6, postponing ~d2
until a more conνenient situation. Ιη case
of 29.~d3 after 23 ... ~xd3 24.~xd3 ~f4
White also would haνe to part with the
pawn, but the absence ofthe queens would
secure his king.
29 ... ~d2 30.~b2 g5 31.f3?
LosingWhite's game. Mter 31.tZJf3 ~f4+
32.Φh3 ~g7 33.'§bl '§h8 34.'§b5 the posi-
tion ofthe white king appeared to be νery
dangerous, still there were ηο fatal threats
by Black. 80, White was ΟΚ ίη case ofthe
natural 34... tZJf5+ 35.~g2 tZJh4+ 36.tZJxh4
~xh4 37 ..if3.
31 ... ~f4+ 32.~g2 '§c7 33.tZJf1 ~xe5
White loses a pawn as a result of his
Super Tournαments 2000
mistake οη the 31 st moνe.
34.~e2 ~f4 35.~b1 ~f8 36.~b2 tZJg8
37.~h8 ~e5 38.~h5 ~d8 39.~h7 ~f4
0-1
Black's queen threatens to occupy a fine
square ίη the centre of the board with the
moνe ~d4, whereas its opponent isjust out
ofplay.
135 C48
Leko - Junior 6
Round 9 16.07
1.e4 e5 2.CLJf3 tZJc6 3.CLJc3 CLJf6 4.~b5
CLJd4 5.~c4 ~c5 6.d3
The Ηuηgaήaη grandmaster aνoids the
keen continuation 6.tZJxe5 d5 which oc-
curred, for instan,~e, ίη the game 8hiroν -
Κramnik, Cazorla (m/6) 1998, as he does
not want to get inνolνed into complications
ίη the game with the computer.
6 ... c6
The computer proνes to be rather per-
sistent, a positional 6 ... d6 did not suit it.
7.tZJxd4
Ιη case of 7.CLJxe5 White had to reckon
with 7 ... d5.
7 ... ~xd4
There was also 7... exd4 8.tZJe2 d5 9.exd5
CLJxd5 10.0-0 ο-ο with an approximate
equality.
8.~f3 h5?!
80me obscure tricks haνe begun. This
moνe οηlΥ weakens Black's kingside. 8 ... d5
9.exd5 ~xc3+ 10.bxc3 cxd5 1l.~b3 '§c7
was suggesting it:-;elf, as ίη the game.
9.h3 d510.exd5 ~xc3+ 11.bxc3 cxd5
12.~b3 ~c7 13.0-0 0-0
The computer refused to take the pawn
with 13 ... Qxc3 as it.did not want to suffer
White's attack after 14.~g5 e4 15.~g3.
14.~g3 a5
Now the capture 14 ... ~xc3 was still
worse because of 15.:tbl!
15.a4 ~e6 16.~h6 CLJe8 17.~d2 f6
18.f4 exf4 19.~xf4 CLJd6 20.1::!.ae1 ~f7
21.~d4
Dortmund
White queen occupies a splendid posi-
tion οη the pawn pedestal ίη the centre of
the board.
21 .. :~c6 22.~e7 1:tfe8
23.krxf7!
Having overwhelmed the computer ίη
the positional play, Ρ. Leko begins a tacti-
cal realisation ofhis positional plan.
23 ...lΔxf7 24.Jιxd5 ~d7 25.~bl .ί:ϊ.ad8
26.c4 ~xa4 27.ΪIxb7 ad7 28.~xd7?
What a pity. The last-year winner of
the Dortmund super-tournament could
have caught hold ofthe first place this year
too ifhe had played 28 ...Itxf7+! 1:txf7 29.~d5
now. Black would hardly be able to defend
from the threats of White's pieces ίη the
presence of a horrible binding οη the di-
agonal a2-f7, so White had an extra piece
after 29 ... 1:!ef8 (not better was 29 ... ~a1+
30.~f2 1:tef8 31.Jιf4 ~a3 with 32.c5! ~c3
33.Jιd6) 30.Jιf4! ~e8 (if 30 ... ~xc2, then
31.Jιd6) 31 ..ltd6 ~e1+ 32.<.t>h2 h4 33.c5 (af-
ter 33.Jιxf8 ~g3+ there was οηlΥ a draw)
33 ... f5 34.kre7 ~f2 35.c6 [4 36.c7 [3
37.~xf7+ 1:txf7 38.c8~+ <.t>h7 39.~g4.
28 ... ~xd7 29.Jιxa51:te2 30.Jιb6
White could have kept the pawn if he
had played 30.c3.
30... ~e8 31.Jιc7
Now 31.c3 was already late because of
31 ... 1:te1+ 32.<.t>h2 (if32.<.t>f2, then 32 ... ~e2+
33.<.t>g3 1:td1 was unpleasant) 32 ... ~b8+
33.g3 h4.
31 ... krxc2 32.c5 <.t>h8 33.Jιg3 ~d8
34..ltf2 1:!cl+ 35.<.t>h2 ~b8+ 36.g3
If36.Jιg3, then 36 ... ~b1.
201
36 ... lΔh6 37.<.t>g2 ΪIc2 38.Jιe4 h4
39:~e3
Ιη case of 39.gxh4 ~f4 40.~g1 llJf5
41. ~d8+ <.t>h7 42. ~d4 White had to reckon
with42 ... ~h6
39 ... f5 40.SΙd5 hxg3 41.~xg3 ~b5
42. ~e3 ~b4 43.d4 ~b2 44.c6 <.t>h7 45. ~f4
~a3 46 ..Jte4!?
Ιη general, the position can be esti-
mated as approximately equal. White's
advantage oftwo bishops and extra pawn
are a sufficient compensation for the ex-
change. White could have fixed the posi-
tion with 46 ..ltf3. With the move ίη the
game he begins a combination, trying to
advance his passed pawns.
46 ...1:txf2+ 47.~xf2 fxe4 48.c7
White hurries too much. He should take
the e4-pawn also, if he wanted a draw.
Mter 48. ~xe4+ g6 49.d5lΔf5 (if 49 ... ~xh3
50.~e7+ <.t>g8 51.c7, then the draw is more
or less evident) 50. ~e5 Black had ηο con-
venient ways to strengthen his position.
48 ... ~a8 49.d5
49.<.t>e3 looked 'not bad.
49 ... ~a7+ 50.<.t>g2 ~a2+ 51.~f2 ~c4
52.d6 ~c6 53.~f8?!
Another untimely move. Mter 53.ΦΩ
Wg6 (with the idea to introduce the knight
into the play) 54.~f8 ~c1+ 55.<.t>e2 ~c2+
Black had nothing but a perpetual check
both after 56.~e1 and ίη case of 56.<.t>fi.
Mter the move ίη the game the situation
got much more complicated.
53 ... e3+!
Black's e-pawn is introduced into the
play against the white king.
54.~f3
Νο other way. If 54.Wg1, then 54 ... e2.
Ιη caseof 54. <.t>g3 the move 54 ... e2! was also
very strong (after 54 ... ~xd6+ 55. ~xd6
lΔf5+ 56.<.t>f4llJxd6 57.<.t>xe3 <.t>g6 58.<.t>f4 a
draw was the mos~ probable result), Black
would win after 55.<.t>f2 ~e4 56.<.t>e1 ~c2
57.~e8 ~d1+.
54 ... ~c2+ 55.~f1?!
Mter 55.<.t>g1 ~cl+ (ίη case of 55 ... e2
there was a good 56.<.t>f2) 56.<.t>g2 ~c2+
202
57.'ίt>gl there was ηο evident winning so-
lution for Black.
55.. :~c4+ 56.Φg2 ~e6!
Suddenly Black managed to co-ordi-
nate his pieces.
57.~c6?
This seems to be the crucial mistake.
After 57.~e2 lbf5 58.~h5+ 'ίt>g8 Black's
knigl1t had time to get to the white passed
pawns. After 57. ~b7 ~a2+ the play would
have developed similarly. But after
57.\t>f1!? lbf5 58.~h5+ 'ίt>g8 59.~g4 \t>f7
(with an idea 60 ... lbxd6) 60.~f4! (neither
60.~h5+ helps because of 60 ... 'it>f6, ηοτ
60.d7 because of 60 ... ~xd7 61. ~c4+ r;t>g6
62.c8~ ~d1+ 62.ι.t>g2 ~d2+ 63.Wf3 ~f2+
64.\t>e4 lbd6+) 60 ... g6 61.h4! Wg7 62.h5
t2Jxd6 (if62 ... gxh5, then 63.~g5+) 63.c8~
lbxc8 64. We2 despite Black's extra piece
the game stiIl should be drawn.
57... ~a2+ 58.ΦhΙ lbf5 59.~e4 ~al+
60.Wh2
Ιη case of 60. \t>g2 the solution was
60 .. .'~b2+ 61.ι.t>f3 ~f2 62.Wg4 g6 63.Φg5
~g3+ 64.~g4 ~xg4+ 65.Φχg4 (if65.hxg4,
then 65 ... lbxd6) 65 ... e2 66.c8~ e1~
60 ... ~b2+ 0-1
Ιη case of 61.Wg1 (if 61.Wh1, then
61 ... g6)the solution was 61 ... ~f2+ 62.Φh1
e2
136 Ε05
Κhalίfman - Κramnik
Round 9 16.07
l.d4 lbf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4 ..tg2 ~e7
Super Tournαments 2000
5.lbf3 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.~c2 a6 8.a4 .td7
9.~xc4 .tc6 10.~g5 ~d5 11:~~M3 .te4
Α well known variation of the Catalan
Opening was played. UsuaIIy Black
struggles for an equality ίη this variation
with 1l ... c5 12.lbc3 .tc6 13.1:tfd1 cxd4
14.lbxd4.txg2 15.\t>xg2lbbd7!.
12.~dl
After 12.~e3 ~c6 13.lbc3 Black had
more grounds to struggle for an advantage.
Ιη particular, the FIDE World Champion
Α. Κhalifman played so himself against J.
Lautier ίη the inter-zonal tournament ίη
Biel ίη 1993.
12 ...c513.dxc5
After 13.lbbd2 Black equalized the
game easily with the super-precise
13 ... ~d5! with the idea that if 14.dxc5
lbbd7 15.b4, then 15 ... a5! Miles - Ribli,
Szeged 1997.
13 ... ~xdl?!
Α strange move, all the more that it was
made by V Κramnik. Α draw could have
been achieved with 13 ... .txc5 14.lbc3 .tc6
15.lbe5 ~xg2 16.'it>xg2 h6 17. ~xd8 like ίη
the game Polugaevsky - Geller, Leningrad
1977.
14.~xdl ~xc5 15.lbc3lh-lh
The last round has its OWll rules. Ob-
jectively, White's position is more pleasant.
White's chances are preferable after
15 ... ~c6 16.lbe5 ~xg2 17.Φχg2 ~e7 (it's
not easy for Black to develop his queenside,
because ίη case of 17 .. .lbc6? there is
18 ..txf6 gxf6 19.1bd7) 18.tιac1 h6 19 ..txf6
.txf6 20.lbc4 lΔc6 21.lbe4
Dortmund
137 Α30
Akopian - Adams
Round 9 16.07
ι.tbf3 lbf6 2.c4 c5 3.g3 b6 4.Jιg2 Jιb7
5.0-0 e6 6.lbc3 iιe7 7.J::ϊ.el lbe4 8.lbxe4
.1ιχe4 9.d3 iιb7 10.e4 ο-ο
The opponents played a νaήatίοn ofthe
English Opening. Αη exchange of the
knights, that is possible ίη case of 10 ... lbc6
11.d4 lbxd4 12.lbxd4 cxd4 13. ~xd4, can-
not guarantee an easy equalization for
Black after 13 ... 0-0 14 ..1ιf4 d6 15. ~d2 ~c8
16.b3 as it was shown ίη the game Ehlvest
- Lindberg, Stockholm 1998.
11.d4 cxd4 12.lbxd4 lbc6 13.b3
If White wanted to get more than a
draw he had to continue with 13.lbb5!?
13 ... lbxd4 14. ~xd4 .1ιc5 15. ~c3
112 -1f2
There were at least three games where
opponents continued to play ίη this posi-
tion, and not all of them had a peaceful
result. Still, as it was already noted, the
203
last round has its own rules.
138 D47
Piket - Bareev
Round 9 16.07
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.lbf3 lbf6 4.lbc3 ~6
5.e3lbbd7 6.Jιd3 dxc4 7.iιxc4 b5 8 ..1ιd3
Jιb7 9.0-0 b4 10.lba4
Two rounds ago Ε. Bareev defended his
position after 10.lbe4 .1ιe7 11.lbxf6+ lbxf6
12.e4 ο-ο 13.e5 lbd7 14.iιe4 1:1b8 15.a3
bxa3 16.b4 f5! 17.Jιd3 lbb6 18 ..1ιχa3lbd5,
Κhalifman - Bareev, Dortmund 2000.
10... c5 11.dxc5 iιxc5 12.lbxc5 lbxc5
13 ..1ιb5+ Φe7 14.iιd2 a5 15.lbd4 ~b6
16.a3
16. ~e2 has occurred ίη this position
previously. The move ίη the game does not
create any problems for Black, however, it
does not spoil White's position either.
16 ... b3 17.1:tc1 J:!:hd8 18.~e2 e5 19.
lbf5+ 'it>f8 20 . .1ιc3 lbce4 21.lbg3 112 - 1f2
204 Super Tournαments 2000

Biel
24.07-4.08, cat.16

2 4 6

1 Svidler 2689 1= 1= 11 7.5

2 Van Wely 2643 - - - - =1 5.5

3 Ροnοmaήοv 2630 - - 11 5.5

4 Milov 2626 0= 5

5 Gelfand 2681 0= - - 5

6 Gallagher 2514 00 =0 00

Interview with Biel Winner Peter Svidler

ΒΥ Oliver Breisαcher

First time ίη Biel, first crushing win. Second time ίη Switzerland, second win, after
the Team World Championship ίη Lucerne, 1997. Peter Svidlel' was the overwhelming
winner of the Grandmaster tournament (category 16), played this summer ίη Biel.
With five wins and 5 draws, he achieved victory ίη an impressive fashion, beating all
his opponents at least once, except Ruslan Ponomariov. The Russian took first place
alone the first day and never shared it with anybody else throughout the tournament.
What a great tournament for a player who has waited almost two years to win a big
event, after Tilburg ίη 1997. For the former world number 8 ofthe FIDE ranking, this
should signify a new promising comeback to the top 10.

Q: Peter, how do you feel after having won your second tournament, after
the Category 14 ίn Denmark, injust 14 days?
Α: Ι can just be very satisfied, especially because Ι haven't won anything for a long
time. ΜΥ last tournament win, before this summer, was ίη 1998, when Ι shared first
place ίη Dortmund (category ΧΙΧ), what was a very big achievement for me. This year
Ι tied for first place ίη the Russian Team championship. But for two years since, Ι
haven't really played well.
Q: You didn't just win. Ιn Biel, you won with emphasis ...
Α: Ι let others have their own opinions. But, yes, I'm happy with some ofmy games,
including some of the ones that Ι drew, especially when Ι played with black against
Ponomariov. Ι was faced with a very interesting novelty ίη the opening and Ι think Ι
handled the position quite well. Ι like the way Ι played the opening against ΜίΙον. But
Ι was also lucky at the end of the tournament. This is an old story. Since Ι was very
young, I've been very accustomed to being accused ofbeing lucky. Like ίη 1997, where,
Ι admit, Ι got lucky many times. But it is my belief that luck is something you have to
Biel 205

work for and that you also haνe to deserνe. Ifyou don't work at the board, ifyou resign
when you haνe a bad position, nothing wi11 eνer happen.
Q: How do you explain your lack of success these last two years?
Ι was lacking energy. Ifyou don't haνe the energy, you lose points. Ι was not playing
particularly badly. Don't forget that Ι played νery strong tournaments ίη 1999, ίη Wijk
aan Zee, Linares, Dos Hermanas, at least category XVIII. And it's just much harder to
play at such occasions. Ιη 1998, Ι played Linares, Dortmund, Tilburg. Those tournaments
were much further apart ίη time, Ι had enough time to rest and prepare myselffor the
next one. Ιη 1999, they came more or less one after the other, and maybe Ι was not
prepared enough for the kind of mental strength you need. They exhausted me. And
then, after the Las Vegas World Championship ίη summer 1999, Ι had a long time to
think about my problems. Between August 1999 and the Russian championship ίη
April 2000, Ι played οηlΥ three tournaments. Ι had nine months to decide for myself
what was wrong and what Ι had to do.
Q: You talked about luck. As ίη your ""inning and decisive garne ίη Round
9, against Loek Van Wely?
Α: Yes, exactly. Objectiνely, Ι had a compl~~ely losing position. Ι haνe ηο reason to be
satisfied with my play ίη this game, my opeQ1ng choice was inappropriate, my mistake
was around the 6th moνe, not further οη. But Ι tried to give Loek as many problems as
Ι possibly could, to make his life as difficult as possible. At some point, he started to
make errors after Ι played ~h7. At this time, he could haνe managed a νery clear
option to win with LΔd7. Mterwards, it was not so easy anymore and finally, he made
some mistakes, and time was running short.
Q: Everybody will rernind your win against Boris Gelfand ίη Round 4, with
a novelty ίη the Sicilίan Defense.
Α: It's obνiously the most spectacular game, but υρ to 19.~d2, eνerything was
homework. Ι had had this idea for a long time and Ι decided to try it. But Ι don't know
if it's my best game, because not too much was required from me.
Q: The fight for the first place was expected to be between you and Gelfand.
It never happened.
Α: Ι was indeed surprised, because Boris is an extremely strong player. Ι have great
respect for him, he is one of the deepest and best players ίη the world. But he hasn't
played so well recently, ίη Lνoν (Ukraine) and not particularly well ίη Biel. It's a pity
he was not playing at his normal strength. The tournament would haνe benefited a
lot ...
Q: It was the first category XVI for Ruslan Ponornariov. Are you a bit
surprised by his very good results?
Α: Not rea11y. We a11 knew that the kid can play, he just confirmed it ίη Biel. We saw
that he is a great fighter and that he can play οη a νery good leνel. Defending is obνiously
his strong point. He is νery young ίη his attitude. This is something Ι completely forgot.
Compared to him, Ι am a νery old man. We made two draws, not so long. Mter the
second game, after finishing analyzing, he told me that it's a pity that the game finished
so soon, he could sit down and play another one. Ruslan has so much energy to spare,
he is sti11 ίη a period where eνerything comes easy. Apart from the two games against
me, all ofhis matches were about 60 moνes long.
Q: You are a very relaxed-acting player, not so stressed by the irnportance
of the games. How do you spend your tirne when you are not playing during a
tournament?
206 Super Tournαments 2000

Α: Ι try not to work too much between the games and to relax. Ιη general, Ι just
decide what Ι am going to play ίη the opening. During the rest days, Ι try to find
opponents for playing snooker, but it tires you. Ιη general, Ι like to read a lot. Ι read
different and light stuffthat will not inνolνe me too much. Ι saνe all the serious books
for home, when Ι can really enjoy them. Ιη Biel, Ι read seνen difIerent books during the
two weeks.
Q: This was your first time ίn Biel. What wίll you remember οί the city and
itsfestival?
Α: With all its history, Biel is a trademark ίη the chess world. Ι was ίη Lucerne ίη
1997, for the team world championships. The differences between the two cities are not
that big. Ι feel good ίη 8witzerland, especially ίη the places with a lake. About the
festiνal, it's νery pleasant. Biel is one ofthe strongest tournaments and also a competition
where things run νery smoothly. That's what the players are looking for. Eνerything is
νery well organized, without any problems, you get what was promised, eνerything is
done for you so that you are able to concentrate οη playing.
Q: And now, what are your goals?
Α: I'm not a person to set concrete goals, Ι neνer say to myselfwhat Ι haνe exactly to
do. It's more a question of feeling. Ι just want to work hard and to improνe. But Ι will
play ίη Polanica Zdroj, the World Cup ίη China, the European Club Team, and the
[FIDE] world championship ίη India. The chances that Ι play the Olympiad are not
high, because the Russian federation still owes me, as other players, some money for
two years now.
Q: Next year, will you come to defend your title?
Α: It's impossible to be sure, you neνer know what can happen, but Ι would like to,
that's for sure.
Q: Your ορίnίοn about the mess that is reigning ίn the chess world?
Α: The chess world is a mess! Nobody really understands what is happening right
now. The FIDE World Championship is a νery good tournament, but Kasparoν is still
not playing. It seems to be organized at the end, but the players are not so well informed,
we were told about three different locations, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan. Now, it's India
and Iran. This alllooks a bit strange. Οη the other hand, there is ηο qualification for
the Kasparoν cycle. What eνery sport needs is a clear cut system defining who is best.
This is exactly what the chess world does not haνe.
Q: Do you see any hint οί a solution?
Α: It's hard to see ίη which directions progress could be made, ifKasparoν wins his
match against Κramnik. With Kasparoν still being number one οη the rating list and
winning eνerything, it is νery hard to progress without his agreement. And he is not
the kind ofperson to agree easily to something. 80 we are stuck. But the things could of
course look otherwise if Κramnik wins. Ι don't see Kasparoν agreeing with FIDE right
now. And with Κramnik, we don't know. Ιη the Russian intelligentsia, they haνe two
eternal questions: who is to blame and what to do! Ιη my opinion, the first question is
not so important, because it won't lead you anywhere if you haνe ηο idea what to do.
We can speak for hours to decide who is to blame, but now, it seems that there are ηο
solutions. It's just a waste of time.
Q: Ιn October, Vladimir Kramnik will face ίn London Garry Kasparov. How
do you evaluate the chances of the challenger?
Α: Kramnik is an extraordinary chess player, he has eνerything he needs. Chess-
wise, Κramnik is a νery realistic contender for the championship. Ιη chess strength Ι
Biel 207

don't think he is really weaker than Kasparov at this moment. But the big question is
how tough he is mentally for 16 games. It remains to be seen whether he gets the
mental strength to face Kasparov, who is ξ;Ο used to such long matches. Kasparov feels
at home οη such occasions, Κramnik doe'sn't have this experience. It won't be just a
matter of chess, but also of physical condition, mental work and of course preparation.

Biel, 4th August 2000

139 Β43 Black has not yentured to take White's

Svidler - Μilον
Round 1 24.07
1.e4 c5 2.4Jf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.4Jxd4 a6
5.4Jc3 b5 6 ...td3 .i.b7 7.0-0 ~b6 8 ...te3
i.c5 9.4Jce2 4Jf6
Black attempts to reinforce one of the
lines ofthe Paulsen Variation.9 ... 4Jc6 10.c3
4Jf6 11.b4 ..txd4 12.4Jxd4 occurred previ-
ously ίη the game Rohde - Benjamin, Estes
Park 1987, retaining a certain advantage
to White. Ιη Svidler's ορίηίοη 9 ... ~c7!?, de-
serves attention because after 10 ..i.xb5
Black has 10 ... 4Jf6!
10.b4!
White drives the black bishop away
from the important diagonal a7-g1.
10....i.xd4
The capture ofthe pawn 10 ... ..txb4? was
bad because of 11.4Jf5.
11 ..i.xd4 ~c7 12.c4!
White maintains the tempo, developing
his initiative.For the sake ofhis initiative
he is ready to part with the pawn.
12 ... e5
sacrifice. Mter 12 ... bxc4 13.1::tc1 .Jtxe4 (if
13 ... d5, then 14.exd5 exd5 15.ne1 ο-ο
16 ..i.xf6 gxf6 17 ..i.b1 with the threat of
18. ~c2, beginning the strongest attack of
the black king) 14.1::txc4 .i.c615.4Jg3 White
had a very serious initiative for the sacri-
ficed pawn. Black's problem was that his
king did not feel too safe ίη the centre and
there was ηο 15 ... 0-0 because of 16 ..i.xf6
gxf617 ..Jtxh7+ with White's mating attack.
13 ...tb24Jc6
Ιη P.Svidler's ορίηίοη Black's best pos-
sibility was 13 ... bxc4 14.l::rc1 d5 (Black can
forget about winning an extra pawn, there
was neither 14 ... .i.xe4? because of 15 ..i.xe4
4Jxe4 16.~d5, nor 14 ... 4Jxe4? because of
15.1::txc4, Black losing a piece ίη both lines)
15.exd5 .i.xd5 though after 16 ...txc4! .i.xc4
17.~c2 4Jbd7 18.~xc4 White's position is
preferable.
14.cxb5 axb5?!
Mter this move Black will part with
some material inevitably. He should have
ventured οη 14 ... 4Jxb4 15.J::!.c1 '§b8 (15 ...
'§b6 16.SΙxe5 4Jxd3 17. '§xd3 also does not
save Black trouble) 16.bxa6 .i.xe4 17 ...txe4
4Jxe4 though ίη this case as well White
keeps a considerable advantage owing to
18.a7! and 19 ...txe5 for any taking of the
a-pawn.
15.4Jc3 4Jd4
Black has to part with the pawn. Mter
15 ... 4Jxb4 16.4Jxb5 '§b8 17 ..Jta3 White's
threats would be extremely dangerous.
16...txb5 ο-ο
Ιη case of 16 ... LΔxe4 White would have
played 17. 4Jxe4 4Jxb5 (ηο 17 ... .Jtxe4 be-
208
cause of 18.Άχd4 exd4 19. ~xd4) 18.lιc1
~b6 19.12Jc5, creating serious threats.
17.Άd3 .ί:::tfd8 18.lιel d5 19.exd5 ~xd5
Eνen after 19 ... l2Jxd5 20.l2Jxd5 .ί:::txd5
21.a4 .ί:::tad8 22.~g4 White would haνe
achieνed his extra pawn sooner or later.
20.l2Jxd5 .ί:::txd5 21 ..ί:::tcl
White's position is winning owing to the
adνantage of the bishop pair and the ex-
tra pawn.
21 ... ~b7 22.Άc4 .ί:::td7 23.a3 .ί:::tad8
24.~d3 e4 25:~e3 h6 26.h3 .ί:::td6 27.Άf1
~d5 28.ktc4 l2Jf5 29. ~cl1::i8d6?
Losing immediately. Haνing returned
the knight to the centre ofthe board Black
could haνe struggled for a longer time af-
ter 29 ... l2Jd4.
30.~xf6 ~xf6 31.~cxe4 ~b6 32.~e5
CΔg3 33.~c8+ ~d8 34.~xd8+ 1-0
140 Ε94
Van Wely - Gallagher
Round 1 24.07
l.d4 l2Jf6 2.c4 g6 3.l2Jc3 Άg7 4.e4 d6
5.l2Jf3 0-0 6.~e2 e5 7.0-0 l2Ja6 8.~e3l2Jg4
9.~g5 '!';te8 10.dxe5 dxe5 1l.h3 h6
12.~d2 CΔf6 13.~e3 ~e7
This continuation became popular three
years ago after the games Kramnik -
Shiroν, Monte Carlo 1997 and Piket -
Kramnik, Tilburg 1997 were played.
Black's idea is to take control oνer the c5-
square, because ίη case of 13 ... c6 there
would be 14.c5.
14.a3
The Swiss grandmaster has already got
a successful experience of struggling
against the continuation 14.CΔd5.In the
game Tukmakoν - Gallagher (Basel, 1999)
Black got a conνenient counterplay after
14 ... ~d8 15.~c2 (the line with 15.l2Jxf6+
~xf6 16.c5 was tested ίη the mentioned
Κramnik's games) 15 ... c6 16.l2Jxf6+ ~xf6
17.nfd1 ~e7 18.c5 CΔc7 19.b4 Φh7 20.a4
f5.
14... c6 15.b4 l2Jh5 16.nell2Jf4
Super Tournαments 2000
17.Άχf4
Α crucial decision. Now White will haνe
to make certain effΌrts to neutralize the
dark-squared bishop of his opponent.
17.~Ω looked probably more promising.
After 17 ... ~f6 1&.~a2 ~e8 19.~d2 l2Jc7
20.Φh2 g5 21.g3 l2Jg6 22.c5 l2Je6 23.l2Ja4
l:[d8 24.~xd8+ l2Jxd8 25.CΔb2 Άe6 26.CΔd2
~f8 27.l2Jdc4 White arranged the threat of
an intrusion to d6 with the knight and got
an adνantage ίη the game Topaloν -
Moνsesian, Sarajeνo 2000.
17... exf4 18.e5 ~f5 19.c5
After 19. ~c1 g5 20.c5l2Jc7 21.Άc4 ~fd8
22.l2Je4 Άχe4 23.~xe4 l2Je6 24.~c3 !ίd7
25.~ae1 ~ad8 Black got a conνenient play
ίη the game Sadler - Apicella, Cannes
1995.
19 ... l2Jc7 20.Άc4 ~ad8 21.~cl l2Je6
22.l2Je4 ~xe4 23.nxe4 l2Jg5 24.l2Jxg5
~xg5
After the exchange of the knights it
became obνious that White would haνe to
open the diagonal a1-h8 for the g7-bishop,
because the barrier of the c5-pawn οη its
way was too weak.
25.~el ~fe8 26.e6 ~h7 27.Itdl .:txdl
28. '!';txdl fxe6 29.!txe6 ~xe6 30.~xe6
~e5 31.Άc8 b6 32.cxb6 axb6 33. '!';tcl
lJ2 _lh
141 Β81
Ponomariov - Gelfand
Round 1 24.07
l.e4 c5 2.l2Jf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.l2Jxd4
l2Jf6 5.l2Jc3 a6 6.~e3 e6 7.g4 e5 8.l2Jf5 g6
Biel
9.~g2 d5
Mter 9 ... gxf5 10.exf5 Black could haνe
encountered some troubles despite his ex-
tra pawn as White's g2-bishop was too
strong ίη this line.
10.~g5 gxf5 11.~xf6
Ιη case of 1Ui:Jxd5 Black had a choice
between 11 ... ~a5+ 12.~d2 ~d8 13.~g5
~a5+, then repeating the moνes, and
11 ... ~e7 12.itxf6 .txf6 13.exf5 h5 with a
complex play like ίη the game Tolnai -
Gaνrikoν, West Berlin 1989.
11 ... ~xf6 12.l2Jxd5 ~d6 13.exf5
13 ... l2Jc6!
13 ... J:ιg8 and 13 ... ~h6 occurred preνi-
ously ίη this position. Ιη the 1atter case
after 14.h4 .tf4 15. ~e2 ο-ο 16.!J:d1 l2Jc6
17.c3 ~a5 18.it~4! there was a comp1ex
position with mutua1 chances ίη the game
Sax - Ge1fand, Eupen 1999.
14.~e2 h5!
B1ack tries to en1iνen his 1ight-squared
bishop. If14 ... ~h6 15.!J:d1 ο-ο, then he has
to reckon with 16.h4.
15.0-0-0
Ιη case of 15.h3 P.Sνid1er giνes the fo1-
10wing 1ine: 15 ... hxg4 16.hxg4 J:ιxhl+
17.~xh1l2Jb418.0-0-0 l2Jxd5 19.~d5 ~h6+
20.Φb1 ~f6.
15 ... hxg4!
Now Black returned the piece and kept
the adνantage ofthe bishop pair as his diνi­
dend.
16.l2Jb6
Ιη Ponomarioν's ορίηίοη 16.ite4!? de-
serνes attention, and ίη case of 16 ... ~h6-t-
209
17.'It>b1l2Jd4 18.~c4 'lt>f8 19.c3 b5 20.~d3
l2Jf3 21.l2Jc7 t'fxd3+ 22.I:rxd3 QJd2+ 23.~xd2
~xd2 24.l2Jxa8 .ί:ίh6 25.J:ιg1 ~f4 26 ..ί:ίχg4
J:ιf6 27 .J:ιh4 itxf5 28 ..txf5 J:ιxίE 29.l2Jc7 ~d2
30.J:ιe4 .ί:ίΧf2 31.!{xe5 .tf4 32.J:ιe8+ Φg7
33.l2Jxa6 J:ιΩ+ 34.'It>c2 J:ιf2+ 35.'It>b3 .tc1=
the position is equal.
16...l2Jd417.J:ιxd4 ~xd418.l2Jxa8 .tc5!
Black frees the way for the king and
takes aim at the f2-pawn.
19.12Jc7+
White cannot protect the f5-pawn. If
19 ..te4, then 19 ... .txf5 (19 ... ~xf2!? 20.
~xg4 'lt>f8 with the following 1:!.g8 is inter-
esting) 20.~xf5 ~f4+ 21.~d2 ~xf5+.If
19.f6, then there is 19 ... ~f4+ and 20 ... ~xf6.
19... 'i?tf8 20.l2Jd5
White will haνe to part with one oftwo
f-pawns ίη any case.
20 ... ~xf5 21.l2Je3 ~f4 22.itxb7 J:ιh3
22 ... .te6! was stronger. Mter 23.a3 a5
Black wins back the missing pawn, keep-
ing a large positional adνantage thank to
his bishop pair. And if 23.~d2 (with the
idea to free his knight), then Black still
keeps his large adνantage after 23 ... Φg7
24.l2Jd1 a5+.
23.~d2
Mter a care1ess 23 ..txa6? White can do
little more than surrender ίη νiew of
23 ... g3!
23 ... J:ιxe3
Αη exchange is sacrificed after the
pawn. Meanwhile, a quieter 23 ... ite6!?
would work as well. Ιη this case Black had
a sufficient compensation for the pawn af-
ter 24.l2Jd1 a5 25 ..tg2 J:ιh8.
24.t'fd8+ 'lt>g7 25.fxe3 itxe3+ 26.Φb1
t'fc4 27.t'fd1 ~d4 28.t'fc1 f629.J:ιd1?
Α real gift for Boris Gelfand. After
29.Φa1 ite6 (ίη case of29 ... itxc2 30.itxa6
~c5 31.J:ιe1 White stands better) 30.~b1
itf5 Black eνidently had a sufficient com-
pensation for the exchange, but the ques-
tion whether there was anything more
stayed unanswered. This mistake has a
simple explanation: both players spent a
lot oftime οη the preνious moνes and now
210
have a time troub1e.
29 ... a5?!
Ge1fand over1ooked the way to win im-
mediate1y with 29 ... i.e3t 30.l;td7+ (after
30.b3 'ff:fc7! 31.'ff:fxe3 'ff:fxc2+ 32.Wal 'ff:fxdl+
33.Φb2 'ff:fc2+ 34.Φa3 'ff:fxh2 35.i.xa6 g3-+
B1ack's extra pawns were fair1y enough to
win the game) 30 ... Wg6 31.i.xa6 (if31.i.d5,
then 31 ... 'ff:ff4 32.i.f7+ Φh6) 31 ... 'ff:fc6
30.b3 'ff:fc3 31.I:txd4 'ff:fxd4 32. 'ff:ff1 i.g6
33.'ff:fc4 'ff:fg1+ 34.Φb2 'ff:fxh2 35.'ff:fxg4
'ff:fxc2+
B1ack has an extra pawn and a better
position.
36.Φa3 'ff:fc5+
36 ... f5t? deserved attention. After
37.'ff:fc4 'ff:fd2 38.'ff:fc7+ ι;t>f6 39.'ff:fb6+ (the
endgame to come after 39. 'ff:fc6+ Φg5
40. 'ff:fg2+ 'ff:fxg2 41.i.xg2 i.e8 was hope1ess
for White) 39 ... Φg5 40. 'ff:fgl+ Φh6 B1ack's
king escaped checks easi1y.
37.Φb2 f5 38.'ff:fc4 'ff:fxc4?!
What for did B1ack create a passed
pawn for White ίη the endgame? Ιη case
of 38 ... 'ff:ff2+t (a mere 38 ... 'ff:fe7 a1so de-
served attention) the p1ay cou1d have been
reduced by 39.Φa3 'ff:fd2 to the above re-
garded 1ine or by 39.'ff:fc2 'ff:fxc2+ 40.Wxc2
Φf6 to an ending where it wou1d be much
harder for White to get a counterp1ay than
ίη the game.
39.bxc4 Φf6 40.Wc3
40... f4?
Looks as if B1ack lost all his winning
chances with this move. He cou1d have
kept his pawns ίη a rank οη the fifth rank,
Super Tournαments 2000
trying to transfer the bishop to the b1ock-
ading c6-square, and then he wou1d be
ab1e to begin a pawn advance to the 1st
rank. It cou1d have been conducted as fo1-
lows, for instance: 40 ... We7 41.c5 i.f7 42.a3
(ηο 42.i.c8 because of 42 ... i.e6) 42 ... ι;t>d7
43.i.g2 (after 43.i.hl Φc7 44.i.g2 i.e6
45.Wd3 i.c8 46.Wc4 i.a6+ 47.Wd5 i.b7+
48.ι;t>xe5 .Jί.xg2 49.Wxf5 Φc650.Wf4 Φχc5
51.Φe3 Φc4 52.Φd2 Φb3 53:ΨcΙ Φa2 B1ack
won) 43 ... Φc7 44.~hl (there was ηο way
to bind B1ack's pieces to the f5-pawn, af-
ter 44 ..Jί.h3 '.Jί.e6 45.i.g2 .Jί.d7 46.i.h3 Φc6
47. Φc4 i.e6+ White 10st the game) 44 ... ite8
45.i.g2 i.c6 46 . .Jί.f1 (if 46.ith3, then
46 ... i.e4 to be followed by Φc7-c6) 46 ... Φd7
47.i.d3 Φe6, and B1ack's king came to he1p
his passed pawns and ensured the victory.
41.c5 Φe7 42.a3 Φd7 43.Φc4 itc2
Mter 43 ... Wc7 44.i.g2 i.e8 the simp1est
for White is to fix the draw by the bishop's
sacrifice: 45.Φd5t iιc6+ 46.Φχe5 itxg2
47.Wxf4 Φc6 48.ι;t>e3 Wb5 49.Φd2 Φa4
50.Wc2 Wxa3 51.ΦbΙ=
44.Φd5 e4 45.Wd4 f3
Νο other way than to 1et the white king
b10ck up the advance ofthe passed pawns
as there was a threat of 46.itxe4.In case
of 45 ... e3 46.itf3 .i.a4 47.Φe5 itb5 48.ι;t>xf4
e2 49.itxe2 itxe2 50.Φe3 B1ack's extra
piece was not enough to win because ofthe
bishop's "wrong" co1our as there was ηο
way to drive the white king out from the
corner al.
46.Φe3 Φe6 47.itc6 Φe5 48 ..1ιb7 iιd3
49 ..1ιa8 Wf5 50..1ιb7 Φe6 51 •.1ιc6 lJ2-1h
B1ack cannot reinforce his position.
142 Ε04
Gelfand - Mίloν
Round 2 25.07
1.d4 lΔf6 2.c4 e6 3.lΔf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4
5.iιg2 a6 6.0-0 lΔc6
The opponents p1ay the Gambit Varia-
tion ofthe Cata1an Opening. With his 1ast
move B1ack puts pressure οη the d4-pawn,
Biel
trying to hinder the development of
White's initiative ίη the centre.
7.e3.1:i:b8
Black's last move is not very popular
ίη theoretical studies because it allows
White to take back the sacrificed pawn.
7 ... .td 7 is the highroad. This move oc-
curred ίη the game played by B.Gelfand,
but then he was playing Black. After 8. '§e2
b5 9.CtJc3 .td6 10.e4 .te7 11.d5CtJb4 12.CtJe5
exd5 13.exd5 ο-ο 14.a3CtJd3 15.CtJxd3 .tg4
16.'§e3 cxd3 17.'§xd3 '§d7 18 ..if4 .id6
Black maintained an equality ίη the game
Karpov - Gelfand, Dos Hermanas 1999.
8.CtJfd2
This is the reason why 7 ... 1:.b8 is not
played often.
8 ... '§d7 9.CtJxc4 b5 10.CtJcd2 .tb7
Previously οηlΥ 10 ... e5 occurred ίη this
position. After 11.CtJb3 .td6 12.CtJc3 ο-ο
13.d5 CtJe7 14.e4 c5 15.dxc6 CtJxc6 16 ..ig5
White had a slightly better play ίη the
game Gorelov - Κharitonov, Volgodonsk
1981.
11.a4 Jιe7 12.axb5 axb5 13.CtJc3 CtJd8
14..ixb7CtJxb7
An exchange ofthe light-squared bish-
ops frequently leads to the equalization of
positions ίη the Catalan Opening. But now
there is a different situation. Black still
has some problems, first of all concerning
his retarded c-pawn.
15.CtJf3 ο-ο
Another Balck's opportunity was con-
nected with 15 ... .id6, preventing a blow
from the white knight οη e5 and involving
complications after 16.e4 with 16 ... b4.
16.CtJe5 '§e8 17.~a7
This move allows Black to make the
white knight retreat to the side of the
board. This could have been avoided with
17. '§e2!? b4 (after 17 ... CtJd6 18.Jιd2 b4
19.CtJa4 Black had to spend some time to
close the way to the centre through c5 for
the white knight) 18.CtJb5 c6 19.CtJc7 '§c8
20.CtJa6 ~a8 21.Jιd2 making White's pres-
sure οη the opponent's queenside quite
perceptible.
211
17 ...b4 18.CtJa4 .td6
If 18 ... c5, then Black had to reckon with
the move 19. '§f3, threatening seriously to
get to c6 with the knight.
19.CtJc4
Well, it was a good idea to withdraw the
knight from e5. Mter 19.'§f3 .txe5 20.dxe5
CtJd5 the position ofthe white pawns would
have become considerably worse.
19 ... '§b5 20.b3 ~a8 21.~xa8 .1:i:xa8
22.'§c2CtJa5?!
Black plays a helpful move, ηο doubt,
but what he should have done first was to
take control over the big diagonal.Mter
22 ... '§c6! 23 ..td2 (there was ηο 23.f3? be-
cause of 23 ... .:xa4! 24.bxa4 CtJa5 with
Black's win) 23 ... CtJa5 his chances were
none the worse than White's. Let's note
also Milov's advice, given after the game.
He thinks that Black could most easily
equalize the position by 22 ... .te7 with the
following c7-c5.
23.CtJxa5 .1:i:xa5
24.e4!
White's pawns begin the advance as a
result of Black's inaccuracy οη the 22nd
move.
24 ... e5 25.Jιb2
Ν ow the big diagonal will be open for
White's dark-squared bishop. Ιη case of
25.d5 h6 it was much harder to engage it
ίη the play.
25 ... exd4 26 ..\txd4 CtJg4
Ιη case of 26 ... CtJd7 there was a strong
27 ..1:i:d1!, but οη ηο account 27.f4? because
then Black would have gained the initia-
212
tive with 27 ... c5! 28 ..i.b2 c4.
27.f3lbe5
The line 27 ... lbxh2!? 28.'~xh2 ~d3
29. ~b2 1:!:g5 30.g4 h5 could lead to lots of
com plications.
28 . .i.xe5 ~xe5 29.f4 ~d4+ 30.Φg2
~a7?!
White's queen should not have been
allowed to occupy the diagonal a8-h1. Bet-
ter was 30 ... ~a6 31.~d1 ~c6 32.~e2 ~a7,
and if 33.e5, then there was an unpleas-
ant 33 ... ~b7!
31.~c6 g6 32.e5 .tf8 33.1:!:dl ~e3
34.~c4?!
Missing the advantage. Ιη the endgame
coming after 34.~f3! ~xf3+ 35.Φχf3
White's chances were better.
34 ... c6!
Black's rook enters the play at the cost
of a pawn, allowing Black to get a draw, as
the perpetual check to White's king be-
comes ineνitable now.
35.1:!:d7 Md5 36.MXd5 cxd5 37.~xd5
l/z-1h
143 Β92
Gallagher - Svidler
Round 2 25.07
l.e4 c5 2.lbf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.lbxd4
lbf6 5.lbc3 a6 6 ..i.e2 e5 7.lbb3 .i.e7 8.0-0
0-0 9.ΦhΙ b6
Ιη 1999 the Swiss grandmaster de-
fended with Black this position which ap-
peared from the NajdorfVariation.
10.a4 jLb7 11.f3 lbc6 12 . .i.g5 lbb4
13.lbbl h6 14 ..sιxf6 jLxf6 15.lba3 ~c7
16.c3
Black encountered greater problems ίη
the continuation 16. ~d2lbc6 17.lbc4, both
after 17 ... Mfd8 18.a5 bxa5 19.1bbxa5 lbd4
20.lbxb7 ~xb7 21 ..sιd3 jLg5 22.~f2, Ivan-
chuk - Topalov, Monte Carlo 1998 and ίη
case of 17 ... Mad8 18. ~e3 b5 19.axb5 axb5
20.~b6, Palac - Hracek, Batumi 1999.
16 ...l2Jc6 17.l2Jc4 1:!:ad8 18.l2Je3
Α new move. Ιη the game Psakhis -
Topalov, Las Vegas (m11) 1999 18. ~d3 .i.g5
Super Tournαments 2000
19.1be3 was played whereupon the ορρο­
nents agreed to a draw even before they
began to struggle really.
18 ...lbe7!
Now the white squares d5 and f5 are
well covered.
19.c4jLg5
Black has managed to regroup his
forces successfully; it is obvious that his
chances are none the worse.
20.lbd5lbxd5 21.cxd5 f5 22 ..sιd3
Απ attack of the black king using the
diagonal b1-h7 with 22.exf5 ~xf5 (there
was also 22 ... ~f7) 23 ..i.d31:!:ff8 24.jLb1 was
hardly good because of 24 ... ~c4.
22 ... fxe4 23.fxe4
Ιη case of 23 ..sιxe4 Black would prob-
ably respond with 23 ... ~c4!
23 ... nxf1+ 24.~xf1 1:tf8 25.~e2 .i.c8
26.lbd2
Το take the pawn 26 . .sιxa6?! ii.xa6
27.~xa6 was risky because of 27 ... Mf2
28.~a8+Φh7 29.~c6 ~d8!, and now apart
from White's hanging pawn οη b2, his king
is going to suffer an attack from all Black' s
pieces.
26 ... a5 27.lbf3 .tg4 28.~f1.i.f4 29.~el
~f7 30.lbgl "f1c7 .H.lbe2 "f1c5 32.lbc3
White has not ventured οη 32.lbxf4,
though his queen would have restricted the
opportunities ofhis opponent considerably,
threatening constantly to break through
into his camp both ίη case of 32 ... exf4
33.~h4 jLd7 34.~e7 and ίη the line
32 ... 1:!:xf4 33.MXf4 exf4 34.h3 .sιd7 35.b3
~d4 36.~h4.
Biel
32 .. :~d4 33.iιe2 iιd7
33 ... iιc8!? deserνed attention.
34.iιb5 iιc8
Mter 34 ... iιxb5 35.tΔxb5 ~xb2 36.g3
iιg5 37.tΔxd6! (but ηο 37 . .ί:txf8+ ~xf8
38.tΔxd6 because of 38 ... ~e7 letting the
black king withdraw from the dangerous
area easily) 37 ... .ί:txf1+ 38.~xf1 White's
queen and knight could haνe got to the
black king soon.
35.~e2 g6 36.g3?
After 36.iιa6! White maintained an
equality.
36 ... iιd2!
White's knight is being attacked by the
black bishop.
37..ί:txf8+
There was ηο blow 37.iιe8 because of
37 ... iιxc3! (37 ... .ί:txe8 was bad because of
38. ~f3 iιf5 39.exf5 .ί:tf8 40 . .ί:td1 ':xf5
41. ~e2 .ί:tf2 with 42. ~e4! by White)
38 ..ί:txf8+ ~xf8 39.bxc3 ~xc3 40.iιxg6
iιh3!, and after 41.~f2+ ~e7 42.~Π+ ~d8
43. ~e8+ ~c7 44. ~e7+ ~b8 45. ~xd6+ ~a7
Black's king would haνe hidden ίη a shel-
ter οη the queenside.
37 ...~xf8 38.~d3
The moνe 38.iιa6 is not attractiνe any
more because of 38 ... iιh3!, as then after
39. ~f3+ ~e7 40.g4 Black would proceed
to a winningendgame with 40 ... ~e3! Prob-
ably a more persistent opposition was pos-
sible ίη case of 38. ~f3+ Φe7 39.h4, but eνen
here Black's winning chances were rather
good after 39 ... h5.
38... ~xd3!
213
The beginning of an exchange operation
which should lead to a bishop endgame,
winning for Black.
39.iιxd3 iιxc3 40.bxc3 iιd7 41.iιc2
There was ηο 41 ..tb5, because after
41 ... iιxb5 42.axb5 a4 the black pawn would
haνe passed.
41 ...b5!
The remote passed pawn οη the a-file
should bring BlacK the νictory.
42.axb5 iιxb5 43.~g2 a4 44.c4 a3
45.iιb3 iιa4 46.iιa2 ~e7 47.~f3 iιc2
48.~e3 'ίt>d7 49.~d2
White has to part with the pawn as oth-
erwise the black king would come to
White's camp from the queenside.
49 ... .txe4 50.~c3 iιf3 51.~d3 ~c7
52.~e3 iιg4 0-1
144 Β22
Ponomariov - Van Wely
Round 2 25.07
l.e4 c5 2.c3
Unlike the game which he played ίη the
first round, the Ukrainian grandmaster
chooses a quieter deνelopment system,
playing against tI-ie Sicilian Defence.
2 ...tΔf6 3.e5 tΔd5 4.tΔf3 tΔc6 5.iιc4 tΔb6
6.iιb3 c4 7 ..tc2 "f1c7 8."f1e2 g5 9.e6 dxe6
10.tΔxg5 ~e511.d4 cxd312 ..txd3 ~xe2+
13.iιxe2
All these moνes are well-known.
13.~xe2 h6 14.tΔf3 e5 15.tΔa3 iιd7 16.iιe3
tΔd5 17.iιe4 tΔf4+ 18.~f1 iιg7 19.tΔh4
0-0-0 20.tΔf5 iιxf5 21.iιxf5+ e6 22.iιc2
.ί:td 7
with an equal play occurred already
ίηpractice ίη Ponomarioν's game against
Sadler, Hastings 1999.
13 ... h6 14.tΔe4 e5 15.tΔa3 f5!?
Usually Black plays 15 ... iιf5 ίη this
position. L.Van Wely shows that he has a
more aggressiνe plan.
16.iιh5+ ~d8 17.tΔg3 e6 18.tΔc2 iιd6
19.Jιd2
ΒΥ the moνe
19.b3 White could haνe
preνented the black knight from getting
to c4, but then it was able to occupy an-
214
other good square with 19 ... tΔd5 20.jιb2
tΔf4.
19... tΔc4 20.0-0-0 tΔxd2 21.1::txd2 ~e7
22.l:ιhdl jιc7
The adνantage of two bishops ensures
Black better chances.
23.tΔf1 b5 24.g3 .a:b8 25.b4 .a:d8
26.tΔfe3 .a:xd2 27.~xd2 ~b7 28.a3 a6
29.tΔal ~b6 30.tΔb3 tΔa7 31.~dl tΔc8
32.tΔc5 tΔd6 33 ..a:c2
After 33.tΔxb7 .6!xb7 34.~e2 (ίn case of
34.jιf3 there was a strong 34 ... jιxe3
35.fxe3 Uc7 36.~c2 tΔc4, White losing a
pawn) 34 ... .a:c7 35 ..a:c2 ..ixe3+ (if 35 ... tΔe4,
then 36.c4!, and now 36 ... tΔxf2 could haνe
been opposed with 37.c5 jιa7 38.jιxb5)
36.fxe3 tΔc4 37.Jtxc4 ~xc4 Black had ex-
cellent winning chances ίn a rook end-
game.
33 ... ~xc5
33 ... .ie4!? deserνed attention, because
ίn case of 34.tΔxe4 (if 34 ..a:d2, then after
34 ... ~xc5 35.bxc5 tΔb7 White lost a pawn)
Black had 34 ... tΔxe4 35.c4 tΔxf2 36.c5
tΔxd1. . occurred which allowed White to gain a
34.bxc5 tΔe4 35.c4 .a:c8 36.cxb5 axb5
37.Jtf3 ~d7 38.~b2 .id5 39.~xe4 Jtxe4
40.J:ι.c3 c;t>c6 41.tΔf1
Mter 41.tΔc2 ..ixc2 42.~xc2 .ί:ίd8 White
would haνe to part with the c5-pawn.
41 ....a:d8 42.f3 Jtd3 43.tΔe3 h5 44.c;t>cl
.a:d4 45.tΔdl Jte2 46.tΔf2 .ί:ίc4 47.c;t>d2
.a:xc3 48.Wxc3 Wxc5 49.f4 exf4 50.gxf4
~d5
Αn extra pawn should be enough for
Black to win.
Super Tournαments 2000
51.Wd2 .if1 52.h4 Wc4 53.tΔhl jιg2
54.tΔf2 c;t>b3 55.tΔd3 .id5
Black can delay the capture of the a3-
pawn for a while and reinforce the posi-
tion of his pieces.
56.tΔb4 .ie4 57.tΔa6 ~xa3 58.'>t>c3 .id5
59.tΔb4 'it>a4 60.tΔd3 'it>a5 61.tΔb4 .ic4
62.tΔc2 'it>a4 63.tΔd4 Wa3 64.tΔc6 c;t>a2
65.tΔe5 c;t>bl 66.tΔd7
The pawn endgame to appear after
66.tΔxc4 bxc4 67.rbxc4 c;t>c2 68.~d4 c;t>d2
was winning for Black.
66 ... c;t>cl 67.tΔf6 Jte2 68.tΔe8 c;t>dl
69.tΔg7 .ig4 70.tΔxe6 We2 71.tΔd4+ wf2
72.tΔxb5 Wg3 73 .. t>d2 'it>xh4
White cannot stop the h-pawn.
74.'it>el 'it>g3 75.tΔd4 h4 76.~f1 h3
77.'it>gl h2+ 78.'it>hl c;t>h3 0-1
145 Β06
Svidler - Ponomariov
Round 3 26.07
l.e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.tΔc3 d6 4.jιe3 a6
5.f4 b5 6.jιd3 .ib7 7.tΔf3 tΔf6
This moνe is usually played after a pre-
liminary 7 ... b4 8.tΔe2.In the game Sνidler
- Beliaνsky, Dortmund 1998, White stood
a better chance after 8 ... tΔf6 9.e5 tΔd5
10.~d2 c5 11.c4 bxc3 12.bxc3 cxd4 13.cxd4
ο-ο 14.0-0 a5 15.~bH
8.e5 tΔg4
After 8 ... tΔd5 9.tΔxd5 ..ixd5 10.0-0
White's prospects looked better.
9 ..igl c5!
Α reinforcement. Preνiously 9 ... 0-0 has
better ~lay by 1O.h3 tΔh6 11 ..if2 dxe5
12.dxe5 f6 13.0-0
10.dxc5
If 10.exd6, then there was a strong
10 ... c4! CYudasin).
10... dxe5 11.h3 e4!
Α sacrifice ofthe pawn should let Black
open the diagonal a1-h8 for his bishop and
spare a tempo, at the same time. Mter
11 ... b4 12.tΔa4 e4 13.hxg4 exd3 14.t'txd3
t'txd3 15.cxd3t White stands better.
Biel 215

12.ltJxe4 nity to play οη dark squares.

Worse ίΒ 12.hxg4?! exf3 13.gxf3 because 18.Mxf3
of 13 ....i~fa5! Black's initiatiνe costs more After 18. ~xf3 (18 ... ltJd7 19.<i;h2 -
than the sacrificed pawn. 19.J::tadl?! ltJxc5 20 ..ixf5ltJa4 21 ..ie4 'uad8
12 ...ltJf6 13.iιd4 22.ltJb7 J::txdl 23.~xdl ltJc3+ - 19 ... SΙxa1
Both following lines do not giνe an ad- 20.~xal ltJf6co Ponomarioν) ltJc6 19.a3
νantage: 13. ~e2 ltJxe4 14.iιxe4 iιxe4 .lTιxa1 20.Mxa1 there was an approximate
15.~xe4 ~xb2 16.ι:ω1 ~a5+ 17.Md2 Ma7co equality οη the board.
and 13.ltJxf6+ .lTιxf614.c3 ~c7 15.~d2 ~xf3 18 ..• ltJc6 19.a3
16.gxf3 Sιh4+~ (Ponomarioν).
13 ... 0-0 14.iιxf6
White parts with his dark-squared
bishop of his own accord. Well, he would
be forced to do it later anyway after
14.ltJxf6+ exf6 15.c3 Me8 (15 ... ~c7 16.0-0)
16.'it>f2ltJc6.White's attempt to keep pieces
ίη the centre by 14. ~e2!? deserνed at-
tention.After an approximate 14 ... ltJh5
15.iιxg7 ltJxf4 16.~d2 ltJxd3+ 17.cxd3
~xg7 18.0-0 iιd5 19.b4 ltJc6 Black had a
compensation for the sacrificed pawn.
14 ... exf6 15.ltJd6 ~c7! 16.b4!? 19... a5!
White has an extra pawn and his knight Black attempts to force drawing sim-
is ίη the enemy's camp, but it's not time to plifications. Certainly, it is bad to win the
rest yet. Ιη case of 16.ltJxb7 there was exchange: 19 ... .ixal?! 20. ~xal. White has
a strong initiatiνe and a lot ofthreats: ltJf5,
16 ... Me8+ 17.'.t>f2 ~xb7 18.Me1ltJd7 19.b4
f5 20.Mb1 ltJf6t, and if 16.f5, then after c4 ... White's tasks would be more compli-
16 ... ~xc5 17 .ltJxb7 ~e7+ 18. ~e2 ~xb7 cated after 19 ... ltJd4!? to be followed by
19 ...Jte4 ltJc6 Black got back all the stuff 20 ... ltJe6, creating an unpleasant threat of
that he had giνen before.16.~e2 was also ltJe6xc5. R.Ponomarioν giνes the following
not νery good because of16 ... f5 (16 ... ltJd7!? νariation: 19 ... ltJd4!? 20.Mf1 ltJe6 21.:1:!.b1
17.ltJxb7 ~ae8 18.Jιe4 ltJxc5 19.1tJxc5 ltJxc5 22.ltJxb5 axb5 23.bxc5 ~xc5+ 24.~hl
~xc5+ Ponomarioν) 17.ltJe5 (ίη case of
Mfb8 25. ~e2 :1:!.xa3 26.J::txb5 1::!.xb5 27.
17.0-0-0 the moνe 17 ... ltJd 7 was good) ~xb5=, leading to the full equality.
17 ... ltJc618.c3ltJxe519.fxe5 .lTιxe5 20.~xe5 20.ltJxb5 tfie7 21.c3
Ιη case of 2U:rbl Black had 21 ... axb4
Mfe8.
16...f517.0-0! 22.axb4 ltJxb4.
White's attempt to keep the exchange 21 ... axb4 22.axb4 Mxal 23. tfixal
ltJxb4 24.tfia7 'ί!ixa7 25.ltJxa7 .ixc3
by 17.J::!.b1 .lTιc3+ 18.<i;f1! (18.~f2? is νery
26.ltJb5 .if6 27.Sιc4 Mc8 28.iιxf7! %-lh
bad because of 18 ... ..Jtxf3 19. ~xf3 .lTιxb4+
and it is impossible to play 20.J::!.b4? ~c5) The last precise trait and there is a full
equality οη the board.
can cost him dear. Now ίη Ponomarioν's
ορίηίοη Black gets a strong initiatiνe by
Β07
sacrificing a piece: 18 ... .lTιxb4!? 19.1tJxb7 1.46
SΙc3 20.Mb3 Sιf6 21.ltJd6 ~xc5 22.Sιe2ltJc6t Milov - Gallagher
17... SΙxf3 Round 3 26.07
Mter 17 ... iιxal18.~xal White had a
pawn for the exchange plus an opportu- l.d4 d6 2.e4 ltJf6 3.ltJc3 g6 4.g3 ..Jtg7
216
5 ..tg2 0-0 6.liJge2 e5 7.h3
Ahelpful move, because after 7.0-0 4:Jc6
White had to ease the tension ίη the cen-
tre: ίη case of 8.i.e3 there was 8 ... liJg4, and
then 8.h3 exd4 9.liJxd4 Black had a stan-
dard blow 9 ... liJxe4.
7 ... liJc6 8.i.e3 i.d7 9.0-0 a6 10.f4
Ιη case of 10 ..!:te1 White had to reckon
with 10 ... b5, and after 10.a4 White got a
counterplay against the e4-pawn with
10 ... exd4 11.liJxd4 .!:te8 12 ..!:te1liJb4! 13.g4
c5 14.liJde2 i.c6 ίη the game Svidler -
Hennigan, Oakham 1992.
10... exd4 11.liJxd4 ~e8 12 ..!:telliJa5
Mter 12 ... liJxd4 13 ..txd4 c5 14.i.f2! i.c6
15.a4.:t:e6 16. ~d3 White's position was still
more pleasant Buljovcic - Savicevic,
Herceg Νονί 2000.
13.Jtf2
Ιη case of 13.b3 c5 14.liJde2 i.c6 15. ~d3
b5 Black had a counterplay as well as af-
ter 13.~d3 c5 14.liJde2 b5.
13 ... c5 14.liJf3
Mter 14.liJb3 liJc4 15.e5 dxe5 16.fxe5
liJxe5 17.liJxc5 Black got a good play with
17 ... Jtc6! ίη the game Solozhenkin -
Svidler, St.Petersburg 1995.
14... Jtc6 15.liJd2
Ιη case ofWhite's break-through ίη the
centre with 15.e5 there was 15 ... dxe5
C15 ... Jtxf3 16.~xf3 dxe5 17 ..txc5 was also
possible to be followed by 17 ... ~c7 or
17 ... ~c8) 16.liJxe5 .txg2 17.~xd8 .:t:axd8
18.Wxg2, and Black equalized with 18 ...
liJd5!
15 ...b516.a3
Super Tournαments 2000
16... liJd7!
Α happy novelty. Mter 16 ... ~c7 Black
encountered some problems because of
17.b4! cxb4 18.axb4 Jtb7 19.1iJxb5 axb5
20.l:!:xa5 .!:txa5 21.bxa5liJd7 (there was ηο
21 ... ~xa5 because of22.e5!) 22.liJb3 ίη the
game Maier - Fritz, Germany 1992.
17.~f3liJb7?!
Ιη case of the suggesting 17 ... liJb6
18.~ab1 (if 18.b3, then White had to reckon
with 18 ... b4 19.axb4 cxb4 20 ..:t:xa5 .txc3,
and if 18 ..:t:ad1, then there was an unpleas-
ant continuation 18 ....txc3!? 19. ~xc3liJa4!,
winning a pawn) 18 ... liJac4 19.1iJxc4liJxc4
Black's position was none the worse at
least.
18 ..!:tabl a5 19.1iJd5 Jtxd5 20.exd5
.:t:xel+ 21 ..txel c4 22.b4!
Black wanted to get his knight to c5,
now White prevents him from doing this.
22 ... axb4
Ιη case of 22 ... cxb3 23. ~xb3 the black
pawn οη b5 was very weak.
23.axb4 ~a2 24.c3 ~e7 25.g4 f5
Probably this was played too tough.
25 ... liJb6 to be foHowed by liJa4 complied
better with the plan that would be realised
ίη the game.
26.gxf5 gxf5 27 .liJf1 ~f7 28.liJg3 liJb6
Now that the kingside is already weak-
ened with the advance f7-f5 Black should
not have driven the knight to the opposite
side.28 ... liJf8! was stronger, preventing the
advance h3-h4.
29.h4 liJd8 30.~clliJa4?
Now the f5-pawn cannot be protected.
Mter 30 ... liJc8 31 ..th3liJe7 Black had time
to cover everything.
31 ..th3 ~a7+ 32.Whl liJf7 33.liJxf5
Jtf6 34.4:Jg3 liJh6
Mter 34 ... Wf8 35.liJe4 Black was to lose
as well.
35.liJe4
35. ~h5!? looked not bad also, because
after 35 ... ~g7 (if 35 ... ~a8, then 36 ..te6+
Wg7 37.liJe4 wins) 36.~θ8 there was a fear-
ful threat of liJg3-h5#
 Biel
35... fie7 36...tf2 ..txh4 37...td4!
White has parted with his extra pawn,
yet he has acquired another important
main line that leads right to the headquar-
ters of the black king and this, combined
with the inactivity of the knight οη a4, is
crucial for the result of the game, as now
White will win very soon.
37 ... 'it'f8 38.Mg1 fif7 39 ...te61-0
"147 D19
Van Wely - Gelfand
Round 3 26.07
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.LΔc3LΔf6 4.LΔf3 dxc4
5.a4 ..tf5 6.e3 e6 7 ...txc4 ..tb4
Ιη this variation of the Slav Defence
Black attempts to prevent White from the
advance e3-e4 or at least to minimize its
effect.
8.0-00-0 9.fie2 ..tg6
Black is trying to avoid the line 9 ... LΔbd7
10.e4
10.LΔe5 LΔbd7 11.LΔxg6 hxg6 12.Md1
fia5 13.fic2 Mad8 14.LΔa2 ..td6
15.b4!?
15 ...te2 e5 was seen previously as well
as 15.h3 c5 16 ...td2 fic7 17.dxc5 ..txc5
~18.~ac1 ..te7 19. fib1 fib8 20 ...te2 LΔc5,
Huzman - Anand, Haifa 2000, with Black's
convenient play ίη both cases.
15... fih5
Of course there was ηο 15 ... .txb4? be-
cause of 16.LΔxb4 fixb4 17 ..ta3.
16.g3 e5 17 ..te2 fif5 18. fixf5 gxf5
217
19...tb2 exd4 20 ..txd4 ..te5 21.LΔc3 ..txd4
-22.1::ιΧd4
It seems that White has got an advan-
tage, still B.Gelfand manages to maintain
the balance with his precise play.
22 ... LΔb6 23.Mad1 Mxd4 24.MXd4LΔbd5
25.LΔxd5 cxd5!
Black agrees to play with the isolated
d-pawn, but instead he restricts the ορ­
portunities ofthe white rook. Mter 26 ...tf3
z:td8 27.b5 ~f8 28.bxc6 bxc6 29.MC4 he suf-
fered White's long lasting pressure.
26 ...tf3 ~d8 27.h3 ~f8 28.g4 We7
Now Black pat'ts with a pawn to free
his rook for a more active play. The same
idea could have been performed ίη a
slightly different way by means of28 ... fxg4
29.hxg4 g5 30.e4 We7 31.exd5 (the rook
endgame to come after 31.e5LΔe4 32.Jιxe4
dxe4 33 ..ί::txe4 ~e6 was a draw despite
White's extra pawn) 31 ... Wd6, all Black's
pieces were involved into an active play.
29.gxf5 ~d6 30.Wg2 We5 31 ...tg4 Mc8
32.f4+ Wd6 33...tf3 Mc2+ 34. ~g3 Mc3
The active position ofBlack's rook com-
pensates him the missing pawn.
35.Φf2 Φc6 36.h4 .ί::tc2+ 37.~e1 .ί::tb2
38.h5 .ί::I.b1+ 39.'it'd2 .ί::tb2+ 40.Φe1 .ί::tb1+
41. wd2 1f2-1f2
148 Β81
Svidler - Gelfand
Round 4 27.07
1.e4 c5 2.LΔf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.LΔxd4
LΔίβ 5.LΔc3 a6 6 ...te3 e6 7.g4
This keen continuation, implying a
piece sacrifice, became popular after its
successful performances played by Hun-
garian chess players ίη the middle of the
seventies. The second peak of its popular-
ity ίη the nineties was connected chiefly
with White's victory ίη the game Topalov
- Kasparov, Moscow (01) 1994.White does
not want to waste time for prepari.ng the
move f2-f3 and is going to drive away the
knight from [6 as soon as possible ίη order
to begin then an attack οη the kingside.
218
7 ... e5
The most fundamental way. White's
bishop οη e3 depriνes the knight of an im-
portant retreat resource that is why Black
can moνe the same pawn again.
8.tΔί5 g6 9.g5
White takes the highroad. Ιη the first
round Ruslan Ponomarioν played 9 ..ig2
against Βοήs Gelfand but without success.
9 ...gxf5 10.exf5 d5 1l.gxf6
Another continuation of the attack is
connected with 11. ~f3.
11 ... d4 12.iιc4 ~c7
Black could take neither the bishop
(12 ... dxe3) nor the knight (12 ... dxc3) be-
cause ofthe blow 13 ..ixf7+!.12 ... ~xf6 was
played ίη the game 8hiroν - Gelfand, Wijk
aan Zee 1996, followed by 13.tΔd5 ~c6
14 ..ixd4! .ib4+ 15.c3 '§xc4 16 ...te3! .ia5
17.tΔf6+ ~e7 18.tΔd5+ ~e8 19.tΔf6+ ~e7
20 ...tg5, and Black suffered the strongest
attack and lost.
13.~d3 dxe3 14.0-0-0 exf2
Black takes whateνer he is allowed to
take. Neνertheless, his last moνe is νery
reasonable. It will be hard for White to use
the might of his rooks at most as the f2-
pawn restricts their opportunities οη the
first rank.
15...txf7+!
Νο noνelty, but this moνe looks good.
White sacrifices another piece ίη order to
lure the black king from its shelter. Oth-
erwise Black might haνe completed his
deνelopment with a material adνantage.
15 ... ~xf7
Super Tournαments 2000
Νο other wa}'. If 15 .. .'~xf7??, then
16.'§d8#.
16.~d5+ ~xf6
8ince the game 8hiroν - Ju.Polgar,
Dortmund 1996 they haνe played 16 ... Φe8
17.f7+ rtJe7 ίη this position. Let's suggest
our own method how to gain an adνantage
ίη this case: 18.f6+!? (instead of 18. '§f3
which was played ίη the mentioned
8hiroν's game) 18 ... ~xf6 19.~f3+ ~e6
20.~hfl! ..th6+ (ίη case of20 ... ..tc5 there is
21.b4!) 21.~b1 ..tf4 22.tΔd5 ~xίΊ 23 ..ϊ:ιχf2
tΔc6 24.tΔxf4+ '§xf4 25. '§d5+ ~f6 26. '§d6+
..te6 27.~xf4+ exf4 28. '§xf4+ .i.f5 29.~d6+
~e7 30 ..ϊ:ιχc6 bxc6 31. ~xf5, and now Black
has to defend this forced position, because
his king cannot hide οη the queenside with
31 ... rtJd6 as there is 32.c4!, and Black has
ηο 32 ... ~c7 33.~a5+ Φb7 because of34.c5.
17.tΔe4+ ~e7
Black had ηο other choice. Mter 17 ...
~g7? there was a forced mate by 18.1:!.hg1
fxg~+ 19 . .ϊ:ιχg1 + ~h6 20. ~d2 ~h5 21.
~g5#. If 17 ... ~xf5, then after 18 ..ϊ:ιhf1
.i.h6+ 19.~b1 .if4 20.~xf2 Black had ηο
defence from the sacήfice 1::[f1xf4. 80, ίη
case of20 ... tΔc6 the solution was 21 ..ϊ:ιΧf4+!
ςt>xf4 22 ..ί:f.f1 + ~g4 23. tΔf6+ ~g5 24. '§g2+
~h6 25.~gl with an ineνitable mate.
18.f6+!
Now a νery important noνelty comes.
Ιη case of 18.tΔd6 .th6+ 19.~b1 ~f6
20.~hf1 ~f8 21 ..ϊ:ιχf2 tΔc6 22. '§c4 ~g7! (af-
ter 22 ... .if4 White won ίη the game 8hiroν
- Van Wely, Monaco 2000 with 23.~xf4!
exf4 24. '§c3+ ςt>g5 25.1:1g1 + ςt>h4 26. ~f3)
23.1:1gl+ ςt>h8 24.Mtfg2 ..tg7 25.l;lxg7 '§xg7
26.~xg7 ιJiJxg7 27. ~g4+ ~h8 28. ~g5 ..te6
29.b3 ~ad8 Black managed to repulse the
attack and keep the material adνantage
ίη the game Topaloν - Van Wely, Frank-
furt 2000.
18 ...~e8 19.f7+ <Jite7 20:~d2!
Α fine idea. White's queen retreats ίη
order to stήke a blow then from the g5-
square.
20 ... ~c6?
Black cannot bear the strain and makes
Biel
a mistake. Instead ofthe move ίη the game
much stronger was 20 ... '1tfb6! This move
will appear ίη the game Almasi - Svidler,
Polanica Zdroj 2000 and we will comment
upon opponents' opportunities ίη detail.
21:~g5+ Wxf'1 22.~hf1 iιc5
There is ηο rescue already. After
22 ... CiJd7 23 . .ί:txf2+ We8 24.CiJf6+ CiJxf6
25.I!.xf6 White's three heavy pieces would
tear to scraps the helpless black king like
fierce dogs.
23.CiJxf2
If White can take such a liberty then
the days of the black king are numbered.
23 ... CiJd7 24.CiJg4+ 'it>e8 25.CiJxe5 '1tfe6
26.~fe 1 CiJf6
Mter 26 ... kIg8 27.'1tfh5+ 1:tg6 28.CiJxg6
iιe3+ 29.Wb1 hxg6 30.'1tff3 Black probably
could hold out somewhat longer.
27.CiJd3
Almost every other retreat ofthe white
knight was winningtoo (except 27.CiJf7 and
27.CiJg6).
27 •.. iιe7 28.~xe6 iιxe6 29 ..!::te1 CiJd7
1-0
'149 D91
ΜίΙον - Van Wely
Round 4 27.07
1.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 g6 3.CiJc3 d5 4.CiJf3 iιg7
5.Jtg5 CiJe4 6.Jtf4 CiJxc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.e3
0-0 9.cxd5 cxd4 10.cxd4 '1tfxd5 11.iιe2
'1tfa5+ 12.'1tfd2 CiJc613.'1tfxa5 CiJxa514.iιc7
tLJc6 15.~b1 b6
Α quiet variation of the Gruenfeld De-
fence. 15 ... iιe6 16.1Ixb7 iιxa2 17.Wd2 has
occurred too, leading to a keener play.
16.0-0 Jtb7 17.I:tfc1
Mter 17.d5 CiJa5 18.1:tfd11:tac8 19.I!.bc1
iιb2 20.1:tc2 iιa3 21.tLJe1 iιc6 22.iιxb6 axb6
23.dxc61:txc6 the play was equalized ίη the
game Goldin - Shmuter, Israel 1995.
17...1:tac8 18.Jtg3 CiJa5
Ιη case of 18 ... 1Ifd8 19.iιb5 e6 20.h3 iιf8
21.Jth41:td5 White managed to get an ad-
vantage with 22.iιxc6 J::rxc6 23.1:txc6 iιxc6
219
24.1::!.c1 iιb5 25.CiJe5 h6 26.iιf6 ίη the game
Zvjaginsev - Votava, Stockerau 1993.
19.tLJd2 .ϊ':[χc1+ 20.1:ιχc1 ~c8 21.J::txc8+
Jtxc8
22.CiJe4
ΟηΙΥ this move can be considered a ηον­
elty. After 22.Jtf3 iιb7 23.iιxb7 CiJxb7
which was seen ίη the game Zvjaginsev -
Azmaiparashvili, Portoroz 1997 the ορρο­
nents agreed to a draw after some ma-
noeuvres.
22 ... iιb7 23.CiJc3 Wf8 24.CiJb5 a6
25.CiJc3 b5 26.iιc7 CiJc4 27.iιxc4 bxc4
Having lost contact with the main
forces, the passed c4-pawn can prove to
be both a strong point and a weakness, but
the bishop pair makes up a definite plus
for Van Wely's position.
28.f3 We8 29.Wf2 wd7 30.Jta5 {5
31.iιb6 e5 32.dxe5 iιxe5 33.iιd4 iιd6
34.h3 We6 35.CiJa4 iιc6 36.CiJc3 g537.CiJe2
h5 38.CiJc3 h4 39.CiJe2 iιe7 40.iιc3 iιd7
41.iιd4 Wd6 42.iιb2 iιd8 43.iιd4 iιe7
44.iιb2 cj{c6 45.CiJd4+ Wb6 46.Jtc3 a5
Probably the attempt of a break-
through at once with 46 ... g4 47 .hxg4 fxg4
48.fxg4 iιxg4 made sense.
47.We1 g4
This Black's move will introduces inter-
esting technical complications.
48.hxg4 fxg4 49.fxg4 Jtxg4 50.iιxa5+!
White must have calculated everything
very precisely to venture οη this move.
50... Wxa5 51.CiJc6+ Wa4 52.CiJxe7 cj{a3
53.Wd2 Wb2 54.CiJd5 iιf3!
This tactical trick looks impressive but
220
it cannot give Black anything more than a
draw.
55.gxf3 h3 56.tΔc3 h2 57 .tΔdl + 'i2;>xa2
58.tΔf2 'it>b2 59.tΔdl + <ϊt>b3 60.tΔf2 \t>b2
1/~/2
150 Β06
Gallagher - Ponomariov
Round 4 27.07
l.e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.tΔc3 d6 4 ..ie3 a6
5."iftd2
There was an alternative of 5.f4 b5
6 ..id3 (after 6 ..ie2 b4 7.tΔb1 .ib7 8 ..if3
tΔf6 9."iftd3 tΔbd7 10.tΔd2 ο-ο 11.c4 bxc3
12.bxc3 c5 Black equalized ίη the game
Galkin - Ροηοmaήοv, Lausanne 2000).80,
ίη case of 6 ... .ib7 7.tΔf3 tΔd7 8."ifte2 e5
9.dxe5 dxe5 10.0-0 exf4 11 ..ixf4 tΔe7 12.a4
bxa4 13 ..ic4 White got a better play ίη the
game Yudasin - Kantsler, Israel 2000.
5 ... tΔd7!?
5 ... b5 6.a4 b4 7.tΔd1 a5 8.f4! tΔf6 9.tΔf2
.ib7 10.1i.d3 ο-ο 11.tΔf3~ Ponomariov.
6.a4!?
Now ίη case of 6.f3 b5 7.a4 b4 8.tΔd1
Black has at his disposa18 ... 1:tb8oo Fluvia-
8010νίον, Olot 1994.
6 ... b6
This move is typical of such positions.
Ιη case of a "normal" 6 ... e6 there is 7.a5!
and Black has got problems with the de-
velopment of his queenside.
7.tΔf3 e6 8 ..ic4 h6 9.h3 tΔe7 10.0-0
.ib7
Those, who prefer to play "Uitelky", of-
ten just like that within ten moves (and
literally ίη several seconds) arrange their
pawns (h6, g6, Π, e6, d6, c7, b6, a6) and
pieces (.ig7, iιb7, tΔe7, tΔd7), almost not
turning their attention to White's plan.For
Black the game starts οηlΥ from the 11th
move.
11.~fel
White plays according to classical ex-
amples: he has developed his minor pieces
and has castled.Now it's time to central-
Super Tournαments 2000
ize his rooks ... Α more energetic plan with
11.tΔh2!? preparing f2-f4, also deserved
attention.
11 ... g5!?
Assuredly, the patent for this plan be-
longs to a very ecceηtήc 8t.-Petersburg
master G.Chepukaitis, who often used
such construction ίη his rapid games. Later
οη Black places one knight οη the g6-
square, and forwards the other to f6-h5.
12.tΔh2
R.Ροηοmaήοv recommends to play here
12.h4!? g4 13.tΔh2 h5 14 ..ig5 with an un-
clear game, but not everyone can easily
move pawns (12.h4!?!?) away from the
king.
12 ...tΔg6
12 ... tΔf6 13.f3 tΔg6 14.1::!:ad1 ο-ο 15.tΔg4
tΔh5 16.1i.f2 d5 17.exd5 exd5 18 ..id3 tΔhf4
was seen with Black's good play, Gjokaj -
Glek, Bad Zwesten 1999.
13.tΔf1 tΔf6 14.tΔg3 0-0 15..id3?!
White threatens to move the pawn to
e5 and to capture the g6-knight, but firstly
it is not frightful and secondly, it takes a
lot oftime. Black begins to attack White's
fine position with his next move. It should
have been prevented by 15.d5!?
15... c5! 16.dxc5?!
White should not have yielded the
centre.16.1i.f1 was the correct continua-
tion. Mter 16.1::!:ad1 "iftc7 Black's position is
preferable and White should play with cir-
cumspection not to lose the game quickly.
For example, bad is 17.e5 dxe5 18.dxc5
(18 ..ig6? exd4 is impossible) 18 ... tΔf4
19.cxb6 "iftc6 and it is not so easy to neu-
tralize Black's pressure οη light squares.
Mter 20.tΔge4 (20 ..ie4 tΔe4 21.tΔe4 f5 is
not better) 20 ... tΔ5d5 Black threatens to
set his centre ίη motion by fl-f5.
16...bxc5 17.z:tadl "iftc7
Black prepared everything for d6-d5
and White had to remember "classics" and
to start a counterplay by 18.f4.Mter an
approximate 18 ... gxf4 19 ..ixf4 tΔxf4
20. "iftxf4 c4 21.iιf1 "iftb6 White has 22. "ifte3
(22.Φh1?! "iftxb2+}.Now ίη case of an ex-
Biel
change 22 ... ~xe3+ (22 ... ~b2 is not possible
now because of 23.11b1 - the c3-knight is
protected by the queen) 23.1:txe3 d5 24.exd5
lbxd5 25.lbxd5 J..xd5 White has time to
exchange one ofthe bishops 26.lbf5!, hav-
ing ίη mind that 26 ... J..b2 is bad because
of 27.lbe7 and 28.lbd5.However, after
22 ... ~b4 Black keeps the advantage.
18.~e2?
18... d5!
Black begins an attack ίη the centre.
19.exd5 exd5 20.J..cl J::tae8 21.~d2
21.~Ω ~c6t
21 ... lbh422.1:txe8
Mter 22.b3 c4 23.J..fl White still held
out, as ίη case of22 ... d4 there was 24.lbce2
(but ηο 24.~xd4?? because of24 ...lbe4).
22 ....ttxe8 23.1;!el1::!.xel+ 24.~xel c4
25.J..f1 d4 26.lbce2
26.lbce4 loses because of 26 .. .lbxe4
27.lbxe4 ~e7 28.f3 f5.
26 ... ~c5!
White's pieces are thrown back to the
starting line (..tfl, ..tc1, lbe2, ~e1) and the
victory is not far off.
27.~dl lbe4 28.lbxe4 ..txe4 29.lbg3
J..g6 30.~e2 d3 31.cxd3 cxd3 32.~e8+
Φh733.J..e3
Α better was 33. ~e1 ~c6.
33... ~d5!
Now there is ηο way to defend from d3-
d2 and protect the b2-pawn at the same
time.
34.J..d2 J..xb2
Ιη winning positions carefulness won't
hurt. 80, a hasty 34 ... f5?! dashes against
221
35.~e7!, after which it is possible to lose
by accident: 35 ... f4? 36 ...tc3 'f!!f7 37.'f!!xf7
J..xf7 38.SΙxd3.
35.f3 ..te5 36.lbe4 ..txe4 37.fxe4 ~d4+
38.ΦhΙ ~f2 0-1
'151 D85
Van Wely - Svidler
Round 5 28.07
l.d4 lbf6 2.c4 g6 3.lbc3 d5 4.lbf3 J..g7
5.cxd5lbxd5 6.e4lbxc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.Itbl
0-0 9.J..e2 cxd4 10.cxd4 ~a5+ 11.iιd2
The rivals begin their opposition with
one of the main lines of the Gruenfeld De-
fence. Trying to avoid an exchange of the
queens, White sacrifices the pawn and
hopes to gain sonle profit ίη future from
his better development and mighty pawn
centre.
11 ... ~xa2 12.0-0 J..g4 13.J..g5
Ιη order to understand better the fur-
ther events it is useful to give a look now
at how this position developed ίη the game
Bacrot - Illescas Cordoba, Pamplona
1997.After 13.J..e3lbc6 14.d5 J..xf3 15.J..xf3
lbe5 16.1:txb7 Black played 16 ... a5!, stak-
ing οη the passed a-pawn; and following
complications 17 ..ttxe7 a4 18 ...td4 lbxf3+
19.9xf3 SΙxd4 20.~xd4 a3 21.Φg2 ~b2
22. ~xb2 axb2 23 ..ttb1 J::tfb8 brought him to
a rook endgame where his far advanced
pawn οη b2 defended him quite reliably
from any possible troubles.
13 ... h6 14.i..e3 lbc6 15.d5 i..xf3 16.
..txf3 lbe5 17.:ι:txb7
222
17... a5!
It looks as if this move did not occur
previously ίη this position. You see that the
οηlΥ difference from the above mentioned
game Bacrot - Illescas Cordoba is ίη the
position of Black's h-pawn οη h6 instead
of h7.Previously Black played 17 ... e6 ίη
order to equalise. After 18.dxe6 CΔxf3+
19. ~xf3 ~xe6 20.1:rxa7 J:Ixa7 21.i.xa7 .ί:te8
22.J:Ie1 f5 he usually managed to obtain a
draw without particular problems, but it
seems that ίη case of 18. ~e2!? the posi-
tion would not be so clear.
18.i.c5
After 18 ..ί:txe7 a4 to be followed by
19.i.d4 CΔxf3+ 20.gxf3 i.xd4 21.~xd4 a3
the play could have developed similarly to
the previously mentioned game, and the
difference ίη the position of the h-pawn
would not influence the estimation.
18 ... a4 19.i.xe7 .ί:ttb8 20 ..ϊ::txb8+ .uxb8
21.d6
It occurred to White that his d-pawn is
also passed.
21 ... ~e6 22.~xa4
Practically this move was necessary.
After 22.i.e2 a3 23. ~a4 a2 24.f4 Mb1
Black's a-pawn is passed.
22 ... CΔxf3+ 23.gxf3 ~h3
Απ unpleasant threat of24 ... i.e5 makes
White to part with one of his two extra
pawns and agree to a perpetual check.
24.~a5 ~xf3 25.~d5 ~g4+ 1/2-%
152 Ε94
Gelfand - Gallagher
Round 5 28.07
1.d4 CΔf6 2.c4 g6 3.CΔc3 Sιg7 4.CΔf3 d6
5.e4 ο-ο 6.Sιe2 e5 7.0-0 CΔa6 8.Mel c6
9.i.f1 Sιg4
As for B.Gelfand, ίη this variation ofthe
Κing's Indian Defence he prefers strug-
gling for an equalization with 9 ... exd4
10.t2Jxd4 t2Jg4 11.h3 ~b6 12.hxg4 ~xd4
13.i.f4 ~xd1 14.~axd1 i.e5 15.i.h6 Me8
which he played, for instance, ίη the game
Super Tournαments 2000
Van der Sterren - Gelfand, Wijk aan Zee
1998. .
10.d5 CΔe8
Black hurries to remove the knight as
soon as possible to avoid a binding. Ιη case
of 10 ... c5 1l.h3 i.d7 he had to reckon with
12 ...Itg5! The Swiss grandmaster has al-
ready got some negative experience ίη this
line. Mter 12 ... h6 13 ...Ite3 i.e8 14. ~d2 r;t>h7
15.a3 CΔd7 16.g3 f5 17.exf5 gxf5 18.CΔh4!
Black encountered problems ίη the game
Tukmakov - Gallagher, Lugano 1999.Α
similar situation appears often after
10 ... CΔb4 11.jιe2 a5 12.i.g5!.
11.h3 i.d7 12.dxc6
Α new move.12.Ub1 c5 13.a3 f5 14.b4
f4 which occurred previously provided
Black with a good play.
12...bxc6
13.i.g5!
Α helpful intermediate move. The di-
agonal a1-h8 is locked twice for the g7-
bishop.
13 ... f6 14.i.e3 c5
This move complies with Black's plan
to occupy the d4-square, besides ίη case
of a delay (14 ... f5 or 14... CΔac7) White could
gain an advantage with 15.c5!
15.CΔd5 CΔac7 16.b4
Ιη case of 16.CLxc7 ~xc7 17. ~d5+ <t>h8
18. ~xa8 White won Black's rook, but lost
his own queen after 18 ... jιc6.
16 ... CΔe6
Α capture 16 ... cxb4 made it already
possible to play 17.CΔxc7 ~xc7 (ίη case of
17 ... CΔxc7 the way to an advantage was
Biel
connected with 18. ~xd6) 18. ~d5+ 1:tf7
19. ~xa8, because ίη case of 19 ... i.c6 there
was 20. ~xa7.
17..!:tbl'iith8
Another useful move. Ιη case of 17 ...
cxb4 18.CtJxb4 f5 19.exf5 gxf5 20. ~d5
White's position was preferable, while
17 ... CtJd4 allowed him to get a better play
after18.bxc5 dxc5 19.tiJxd4 cxd4 (19 ... exd4
20.i.f4) 20.i.d2 owing to his knight, occu-
pying a strong position οη d5.
18.CtJd2 f5 19.exf5 gxf5 20.f4
Α standard but rather important move.
20.CtJb3!? deserved attention, not fearing
20 ... f421 ...id2.
20 ... cxb4 21.;gxb4 i.c6 22.CtJf3 ~a5
23.~bl
White begins a combination, longing to
keep the eluding initiative. Mter 23. ~d2
CtJ8c7 24.1:ω1 i.xd5 25.cxd5 CtJxf4 the play
becomes equal.
23 ... CtJ8c7!
Black refuses to take the sacrificed
pawn. Mter 23 ... ~xa2 White had the move
24.fxe5 (Black was ΟΚ after 24.CtJb4 ..ixf3
25. ~xf3 e4) 24 ... dxe5, and then 25.CtJxe5!
i.xe5 26.i.f2 i.h2+ (ίη the endgame after
26 ... i.a4 27.~e2 ~xe2 28.1:!.xe2 White's
chances were also better) 27.cJtxh2 ~xf2
28.J:Ixe6 White had an advantage.
24.fxe5
White surrenders the centre. Probably
he had to agree to the line 24.CtJxc7 ~xc7
25.c5 dxc5 26.tiJxe5 i.xe5 27.fxe5, because
he had a sufficient compensation for the
pawn ίη form of the advantage the bishop
pair and the play οη black squares.
24 ... dxe5 25.CtJe7?!
This move looks too artificial; it can
hardly be absolutely correct. Οη the other
haήd, ίη case of a passive 25.i.f2 Black's
pawns began an advance by 25 ... e4 and he
had an easy play. Ιη Gelfand's ορίηίοη
White had to agree οη the repetition ofthe
position with the help of 25 ..td2!? ~b6
26 ..te3.
25 ....te4 26.CtJh4
White has to continue playing ίη the
223
gambit style, because after 26.Rb3 Rae8
his knight would perish ίη Black's camp.
26 ... CtJf4
Α good continuation, but it is interest-
ing what was White going to do ίη case of
a mere 26 ... ..ixb1!? After 27. ~h5 ;gf6
28.1:!.xb1 (ίη case of 28.CtJhg6+ 1:txg6 29.
CtJxg6+ ι;t>g8 30.CtJe7+ ι;t>f8 31.~xb1 Wxe7
32. ~xf5 h6 White seemed to have ηο suf-
ficient compensation for the piece) 28 ... CtJf4
29.i.xf4 ~c5+! 30.cJth1 ~xe7 3U:re1 (there
was ηο 31.i.g5 because of 31 ... ~f7), and
now a mere 31 ... ~f7 repulsed White's
threats. From the analysis that was given
by Gelfand after the game, it follows that
he had underrated the strength of an ίη­
termediate 29 ... ~c5+! The move 26 ... f4
looked quite reasonable too: after 27. ~h5?!
1:tf6 there was ηο 28.i.b6 (after 28.i.f2
..ixb1 29.kιxb1 kιh6 Black repelled the at-
tack and kept the material advantage) be-
cause of 28 ... axb6 29.~xe4 ~c5+, Black
keeping an extra piece. Though it may be
that after a simple 27.i.f2!? i.xb128. ~xb1
White would have a sufficient compensa-
tion for an exchange ίη view of a good play
οη the white squares.
27.i.xf4 ~c5+ 28 ..te3 ~xe7 29.~h5
~f7?
Black must have ventured οη 29 ... f4
30 ..txf4 (if 30 ...ib6, then after 30 ... i.xb1
3U:txb1 ~f7 he got an extra exchange),
because then he would have 30 ... exf4!, and
after 31 ..td3 .td4+ 32.cJth1.te3 he escaped
all threats and kept the extra material. At
the same time, the capture 30 ... 1:txf4 al-
lowed White to develop the strongest at-
tack by 31.1:!.xe4! ~c5+ 32.cJth2 l:txe4
33 ..td3 ~d4 34.CtJg6+ ι;t>g8 35.CtJe7+ cJtf8 (ίη
case of 35 ... cJth8 there was 36.1:tb3!! with
the threat of 37.CtJf5!) 36.~xh7 ~xd3
37.tiJg6+ Φe8 (there was ηο 37 ... Wf7 be-
cause of38.tiJxe5+ ~xe5 39. ~xd3) 38. ~xg7
30. ~xf7 .!:txf7
The position is approximately equal.
White's chances are probably some better
owing to his passt~d c-pawn and the con-
224
trol oνer the open d-file.
31.IIbd1 Jιf6 32.tιJf3IIg8 33.'it>h2 tιJe6
34.~d6 Jιxf3
Black wants to simplify the position.
Mter 34 ... ~e7 he had to reckon with 35.c5
to be continued with 35 ... 1:[c8, whereupon
White had an unpleasant 36.Jιc4.
35.gxf3 Jιh4 36.k:[e2 f4 37.Jιf2
It is better for White Ιο agree to ex-
change the dark-squared bishops, because
after 37 .Jιg1 ~fg7 38.Jιg2 tιJg5 the actiν­
ity of black pieces can grow considerably.
37... Jιxf2 38.k:[xf2 tιJd4 39.lId51Ig5?
39 ... .!::!.g3 40.Jιg2 .!::!.e7 41.c5 'it>g7 was
stronger, bringing the king up to the c-
pawn.
40.Jιd3 h5
40 ... ~g7 was preferable, because after
41.c5 ~f6 42 ..!::!.d6+ 'it>e7 43 ..!::!.a6 ι;.t>d8 Black
held his ground, though a mere 41.Jιe4
allowed White to keep his adνantage.
41.h4 ~g3 42.Jιe4 ~e7 43.c5 ι;.t>g7
44.J::tg2
The actiνe black rook should be ex-
changed.
44 ... .!::!.xg2+ 45.'it>xg2 ~f6 46.k:[d6+ 1:te6
Mter 46 ... ~g7 47.c6 1:!:c7 48.J::tg6+ ~π
49.J::th6 or 46 ... 'it>f7 47 .1:th6 Black was
doomed as well. But now it is eνen sim-
pler.
47.c6!
Α simple but elegant blow.
47... tιJb5
After 47 ... .l':ι.xd6 48.c7 White's pawn
would haνe passed.
48.1::td81::te7 49.1::th8 .1:!.g7+ 50.Φf1 tιJd6
Super Tournαments 2000
51.J:th6+ 'it>e752.!!xh5 tιJxe4 53.~xe5+
'it>d6 54.~xe4 'it>xc6 55.~xf4
Two extra pawns should be enough for
White to win.
55 ... Wd5 56.J::te4 ~b7 57.ι;.t>f2 J::tb2+
58.~e2 l:!.b8 59.f4 1Ih8 60.'it>g3 1:[g8+
61.~f3 !:!.h8 62.1:te5+ 'it>d6 63.h5 J::tg8
64.J:ιa5 1-0
153 Β43
Ponomariov - ΜΗον
Round 5 28.07
1.e4 c5 2.tιJf3 e6 3.tιJc3 a6 4.d4 cxd4
5.tιJxd4 b5 6.Jιd3 ~b6
The Swiss grandmaster aνoids the un-
happy deνelopment which took place ίη the
first round after 6 ... ~b7 7.0-0 ~b6 8 ..ie3
Jιc5 9.tιJce2 tιJf6 10.b4! ίη the game Sνidler
- ΜίΙον, Biel 2000.
7.tιJf3 ~c7 8.0-0 tιJc6 9.~e1
Α new moνe.ln the game Lanka -
Smirin, Batumi 1999 there was 9.tιJe2.
9 ... d6
White's pawn cannot be allowed to
moνe to e5.After 9 ... tιJf6? 10.e5 tιJg4 11 ..if4
f6 12.Jιg3 fxe5 13.tιJg5 tιJf6 14.Jιxh7 Black
did not hold out for a long time ίη the game
Nikolenko - ν.L.Ινaηον, Moscow 2000.
10.a4 b4 11.tιJa2 tιJf6 12.~d2 a5 13.c3
bxc3 14.tιJxc3 Jιe7 15.tιJb5 ~b8 16.Jιf4
e5 17.~c1 Jιd7 18.Jιg5 ο-ο 19.Jιc4 tιJb4
20.b3
White has a slight adνantage from the
opening.
20 ....ixb521.axb5
Α strange decision. After a mere
21.Jιxb5 White had a lasting adνantage.
21 ... 1:td8 22.~e2 ~b7 23.Jιd2 l:!.d7
24.Jιxb4?!
The moνe 24.tιJg5 Black could haνe re-
pulsed with 24 .. .Jιd8, but there was ηο
necessity to hurry with the exchange οη
b4.There were ways to strengthen the ρο­
sition by 24.h3 with the following tιJf3-h2.
24 ... axb4 25.h3 Jιd8 26.tιJh2
 Biel
26 ...h5!
Black is not going to permit White
27.CLJg4.
27.CLJf3 g6 28.g4
28.J:!:cd1!? is more cautious.
28 ... hxg4 29.hxg4 1:ta3 30.g5 CLJh5
31 ..itd5 ~a7 32.~c8 CLJf4?!
32 ... Φg7!?
33.~e3 ~xe3 34.1:txe3 CLJxd5 35.exd5
~g7 36.J:!:e41:txb3 37.c;t>g2 .itb6
The pawn οη b5 should not be underes-
timated. Ιη case of 37 ... f5 38.gxf6+ ~xf6
39.1:tb8 Φf5 40.1:tc4 1:tb2 41.b6 e4 42.CLJd4+
Φe5 White won with 43.~xd8! 1:txd8
44.CLJc6+ ~xd4 45.CLJxd8 Φχc4 46.b7
38.1:tb8 .ita7 39.1:ta8 .itb6
Ιη case of 39 ... 1:tb7 Black has to reckon
with 40.~c4 and the threat of the second
white rook's penetration to the 8th rank is
νery unpleasant.
40.1:tb8.ita7
If 40 ... .itd8, then after 41.b6 White's
pawn went up to the transformation
square νery quickly.
41.1:ta8 .itb6 lh-1f2
'154 D80
Mίloν - Svidler
Round 6 30.07
1.d4 CLJf6 2.c4 g6 3.CLJc3 d5 4.CLJf3 .itg7
5 ..itg5 CLJe4 6 ..itf4 CLJxc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.e3
ο-ο 9.cxd5 cxd4 10.cxd4 ~xd5 11 ..ite2
CLJc6
It is not an easy task to inνent some-
thing new ίη the beginning of the Gruen-
225
feld Defence. Many lines haνe been
analysed νery thoroughly until endgames.
We already saw such an analysis ίη the
fourth round when the opponents repeated
one of preνiously played games until the
twenty-second moνe: 11 ... ~a5+ 12.'~d2
CLJc6 13. ~xa5 CLJxa5 14 ..itc7 CLJc6 15.1:tb1 b6
16.0-0 .itb7 17.1:tfc1 1:tac8 18 ..itg3 CLJa5
19.CLJd21:txc1+ 20.J:txc11:tc8 21.1:txc8+ .itxc8
22.CLJe4 .itb7, ΜίΙον - Van Wely, Biel 2000.
12.0-0 Jif5 13:~a4 ~a5 14.~b3 ~b4
15.J:tfc1 J:tac8
16..itc4
There was a draw after 16 ..itb5 .ite6
17.'~d3 ~a5 18.a3 .itd5 19.1:tab1 .ita2
20.1:ta1 .itd5 21.1:tab1 .ita2 ίη the game
Bareeν - Kasparoν, 8arajeνo 1999.Vadim
ΜίΙον tries to engage his opponent ίη a
more complex struggle, but he fails as well
as E.Bareeν did.
16 •.• ~xb3 17.axb3 a6 18 ..itd5 .itd3
19.CLJd21:tfd8 20.Jixc61:txc6 21.1:txc6 bxc6
22.1:tc1 .itb5 23.CLJb1
The adνantage ofthe bishop pair giνes
Black a fair compensation for the extra
pawn islet. Well, White eνen has to be care-
ful. 80, ίη case of23.CLJe4? he had to reckon
not just with 23 ... f6 but also with a pos-
sible 23 ... .itxd4! After 24.exd41:txd4 25.1:tel
f5 26 ..ite5 (ίη case of 26.CLJc5 1:txf4 27.1:txe7
1:td4 White still had to proνe that there was
a compensation for the missing pawn)
26 ... 1:txe4 27.1:txe4 fxe4 White had problems
ίη achieνing a draw notwithstanding the
bishops of opposite colours οη the board.
23 ... f6 24.CLJc3 e5 25.dxe5 fxe5
226
Black agrees to get another isolated
pawn ίη order to make his rook more ac-
tiνe. Ιη general there are merits and short-
comings which equalize the positions ofthe
opponents.
26 ..ig5 11d3 27.g4 .if8 28 ..if6 .ia3
29.11c2 .id6 30.Wg2 Φf7 31.g5 Φe6 32.Wf3
Wf5 33.lbe4 We6 34.lbc3 %-%
155 Β92
Gallagher - Van Wely
Round 6 30.07
1.e4 c5 2.lbf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.lbxd4
lbf6 5.lbc3 a6 6 ..ie2 e5 7.lbb3 .ie7 8 ..ie3
Ιη this game the Swiss grandmaster
looks more aggressiνe than ίη the second
round when he chose the continuation 8.0-
Ο ο-ο 9.'it>hl.Black got a conνenient play
then after 9 ... b6 10.a4 .ib7 11.f3 lbc6
12 ..ig5 lbb4 13.lbbl h6 14 ..ixf6 iLxf6
15.lba3 '!!!c7 16.c3 lbc6 17.lbc4 ~ad8
18.lbe3lbe7 and eνentually won Gallagher
- Sνidler, Biel 2000.
8 ... .1ιe6 9.lbd5 lbbd7 10.'!!!d3 .ixd5
11.exd5 0-0 12.g4 lbc5
Ιη case of an immediate 12 ... e4 to be
followed by 13. '!!!d4lbc5 14.h4lbfd7 15.g5
White does not need to care much about
the c5-knight.
13.lbxc5
But now the exchange was necessary
because after 13. '!!!d2 lbfe4 and 14 ... .ig5
Black had a conνenient play.
13 ... dxc5 14.0-0-0 e4
The e5-square serνes as a safety-place
for the dark-squared bishop and knight.
Black was not good ίη case of 14 ... .id6
15.g5 to be followed by 16. '!!!f5.
15:'!!!b3
The Swiss grandmaster has his own
judgement concerning the problems ofthis
position. The future World Champion
played differently ίη the first additional
game of the 1/8 final of the FIDE World
Championship 1999.After 15. '!!!d2 .id6
16.g5lbd7 17.h4lbe5 18.h5 ktc8 19.~h4 c4
20.1:txe4 c3 21.bxc3 '!!!a5 22.ΦbΙ White
Super Tournαments 2000
managed to proνe the merits of his posi-
tion ίη the game Κhalifman - Gelfand, Las
Vegas (ml3) 1999.
15 ....id6
The pawn should be blocked up. Mter
15 ... b5 Black had to reckon with 16.d6
.ixd6 17 ..ixc5, and ίη case of 15 ... b6 or
15 ... '!!!c7 there was 16.f3 to be followed by
g4-g5.
16.'!!!xb7 lbd7 17.'!!!c6 '!!!e7 18.'!!!a4
lbb6 19.'!!!a5 ~tb8 20.~d2 '!!!b7 21.c4
White protects the d5-pawn reliably
and coνers the b2-square at the same time,
howeνer the prospects ofhis light-squared
bishop which has ηο opponent become con-
siderably worse now.
21 ... '!!!e7 22.Itc2lbd7 23.1:ιc3
White wants to extinguish Black's at-
tacking potential with an exchange of the
rook pair.
23 ....ie5 24.J:.b3
24 ... '!!!f6!
Black does not need to hurry with the
exchange; he just reinforces the position
of his pieces instead.After 24 ... J:.xb3
25.axb3 and then 25 ... '!!!f6 (if25 ... J:.b8, then
there was a mere 26.Φc2) White took back
the pawn with 26.g5 .ixb2+ 27.'it>c2 '!!!e5
28 ..ig4lbf8 29 ..ixc5 '!!!xg5 (after 29 ... .Jrιd4
30 ..ixd4 '!!!xd4 31.'!!!d2 White had time to
defend eνerything and kept the material
adνantage) 30.h3 Bf6 31.Rdl and consoli-
dated his position, his passed d-pawn was
νery powerful w~th the support of the
bishop pair.
25.'!!!d2?!
Biel
Most probably this was not the best
opportunity. Playing similarly to the line
giνen aboνe with 25.Φc2 .iιxb2 26.g5 ~e5
27.iιg4lΔf8 28.iιxc5 was less effectiνe here
because of 28 ... .iιd4!, and an immediate
exchange of the bishops was bad as the
pawn οη c4 would haνe stayed undefended.
The position to appear after 25.1:txb8+ .J::txb8
26.b3 ~c3 (if26 ... ~d4, then 27.'itc2) 27.g5
~e5 28. ~xa6 ~al (ίη case of 28 ... ~d4
there was 29 ..ί:ί.Ω) 29. ~a3 looked danger-
ous but really it was not too bad for White
because it allowed him to consolidate his
position by ΦcΙ-bΙ and then ~a3-cl.
25 ... 1:!xb3 26.axb3 a5 27 .g5 ~b6
28.~c2
An actiνe 28.iιg4? was bad because of
28 ... a4! 29.bxa4 (there was ηο 29.~xd7
because of29 ... axb3) 29 ... ~xa4 with Black's
winning position. Ιη case of a passiνe
28.~dl White had to reckon with 28 ... ~d4
29.iιf4 (if 29 ...ic2, then 29 ... a4) 29 ... lΔe5,
Black obtaining a good compensation for
the pawn.
28 ... g6 29 ...ig4
Defending this position is not an easy
task. After 29.h4 f5 30.h5 .ί:ϊb8 31.~dl
White encountered 31 ... a4! anyway.
29 ... f5 30.gxf6 lΔxί6 31.~e6+ Φg7
32.f4 exf3 33.J:.f1
33 ... a4!
The ineνitable has happened. Black has
broken through White's defence οη the
queenside.
34.bxa4 .ί:ϊχa4 35 ..ί:ϊΧf3
There was ηο 35. ~xa4 because of
227
35 ... ~xb2+ 36.ΦdΙ ~e2+ 37.~cl ~xe3+
38.ΦbΙ ~d3+, White losing a piece.
35 ... J:ιal + 36. Φd2 !ϊa2
Mter 36 ... ~b4+! 37.Φd3 ~el White's
tortures would not haνe lasted for so long.
But now the struggle willlinger.
37.ΦdΙ ~xb2 38.~d3 Itxh2 39.J:.f2
tιhl+ 40.'ite2 1:ϊbΙ 41:ffla3 1:tb4 42.~a8
.ί:ϊb2+ 43.Φf1 1:ϊχf2+ 44.~xf2
Ιη case of 44 ..iιxf2 ~d4 45.iιxd4 cxd4
46. ~c8 Φh6 Black had a winning position
too.
44 ... .iιd4 45.iιxd4 cxd4 46. ~a3 d3+
47.c5
If 47.Φf3, then there was a νery strong
47 ... ~d4.
47 ... ~xc5+!
With a tactical trick Black reduces the
game to a simple winning endgame.
48.~xc5 lΔe4+ 49.~e3 lΔxc5 50.~g4
h5 51.~dl Φf6 52.ι;t>d4lΔd7 53.Φχd3 Φe5
54. Φe3 lΔb6 55. Φf3 lΔxd5
Two extra pawns should be enough for
Black to win. He οηlΥ should be careful not
to allow White to sacrifice his bishop for
them or block them up οη white squares.
56.~g3 ι;t>f5 57.~h4lΔf4 58.~c2+
Ιη case of 58.iιf3 Black could haνe be-
gun the adνance of the pawns with
58 ... g5+.
58 ... Φί6 59 . .iιdl lΔg2+ 60.~g3 lΔe3
61 ...ia4 lΔί5+ 62.Φh3 g5 63.iιdl Φg6
64 ...ie2 Φh6 65 ...if3 lΔh4 66.iιdl lΔg6
67.Φg3 lΔe5 68.iιe2 g4 69.Φί4 lΔg6+
70.Φg3
Ιη case of 70.Φf5 the solution was
70 ... g3 71.~Ω g2 72.~xg2 lΔh4+
70 ... Φg5 71.~a6 h4+ 72.Φh2 lΔί4
73.iιc8 g3+ 74.ΦhΙ Φί6 75.ΦgΙ Φe5
76.Φf1 Φd4 77.~g4 Φe3 78.ΦgΙ h3 0-1
156 Β07
Gelfand - Ponomariov
Round 6 30.07
l.e4
Sometimes Boris Gelfand begins to play
with the king's pawn, though not regularly.
228
8till, we can recall his challenger match
with Predrag Nikolic, played ίη 1991,
where the Pirc-Robatsch Defence also oc-
curred seνeral times.
1 ... d6 2.d4 4:Jf6 3.4:Jc3 g6 4.j"e3 c6
5.~d2 b5 6.~d3 4:Jbd7 7.4:Jf3 e5 8.0-0
.1ιb79.a4
An exchange ofthe bishops with 9 ..1ιh6
j"xh6 10. ~xh6 ensured Black a good play
after 10 ... 4:Jg4 11. ~d2 ο-ο 12.h3 4:Jgf6
13.dxe5 4:Jxe5 14.4:Jxe5 dxe5 15 ..ί:tad1 ~e7
ίη the game Νί Hua - Ponomarioν, Artek
1999.
9 ... a6
Α new moνe.9 ... b4 10.4:Ja2 exd4 11.
j"xd4 c5 12 ..1ιΧf6 ~xf6 13.c3 a5 14.~fe1
.1ιg7 15 ..1ιb5 was seen preνiously ίη the
game Moldoνan - Ghinda, 8tara Zagora
1990 with better chances by White.
ιω:~adl .1ιe7
Α natural 10 ... .1ιg7 would be followed
by 11.dxe5 dxe5 (there was ηο 11 ... 4:Jxe5?
because of 12.4:Jxe5 dxe5 13.axb5 cxb5
14.4:Jxb5!), allowing White to bind up
Black's pieces with 12 ..1ιg5.An attempt to
get rid ofthe binding with 12 ... h6 (12 ... b4
was relatiνely better, though Black still
had problems after 13.lbe2 c5 14.lbg3 h6
15 ..1ιΧf6 .1ιΧf6 16.~c4) 13.~xf6 lbxf6 (if
13 ... Jιxf6, then 14.axb5 axb5 15.lbxb5 cxb5
16 ..1ιΧb5!, and the same ίη case of 13 ... ~xf6
14.axb5 axb5 15 ..1ιΧb5!) 14.axb5 axb5 en-
countered a tactical refutation - 15.lbxb5!
11.Jιh6
There is an alternatiνe: 11.dxe5 dxe5
12.Jιh6.
11 ... exd4 12.lbxd4 b4 13.lbce2 c5
14.lbf3 ~c7
Black did not νenture to take the pawn
with the moνe 14 ... lbxe4.Mter 15. ~f4lbef6
(ίη case of15 ... d5 White won with 16.j"xe4
dxe4 17.lbe5) 16.~fe1 d5 17.lbg3 ~b8 (if
17 ... c4, then 18.Jιg7 was extremely un-
pleasant) 18. ~e3 it would be νery hard for
Black's pieces to get rid ofthe bindings.
15.lbf4 lbe5
Again, it was νery νenturesome to take
the sacrifice of the pawn with 15 ... c4
Super Tournαments 2000
16 ..1ιe2 lbxe4 (if 16 ... c3 17. ~d4 ~c5, then
17.bxc3 bxc3 18. ~xc5lbxc5 19.e5!) as there
was 17.lbd5.
16.lbxe5 dxe5 17.lbd5
Mter 17 ..1ιg7 J::tg8 18 ..1ιΧf6 .1ιΧf6 19.4:Jd5
.1ιΧd5 20.exd5 ~d6 Black could haνe put
up a persistent defence οη black squares.
17... lbxd5 18.exd5 c4
Now after 18 ... .1ιχd5 19 . .1ιχa6 .1ιχg2
20 ..1ιb5+ .1ιc6 21. ~d5 ~c8 22.j"g7 Black
still had considerable problems.
19.d6!
Otherwise after 19 ..1ιe4 0-0-0 Black
would haνe managed to withdraw his king
from the centre.
19 ....ixd6
Mter 19 ... ~xd6 20.Jιxc4 ~c6 (ίη case
of20 ... ~xd2 21.~xd2 Black would haνe had
to play a miserable endgame) 21.f3 ~d8
22. ~e2 Black had serious difficulties, and
ίη case of19 ... ~c6 White had 20.~e4! ~xe4
21.f3.
20 ..1ιχc4 0-0-0 21. ~e2 a5 22.~g7
~he8 23.~f6 ~d7 24 ..ib5 Jιc6 25.c3 bxc3
26.bxc3 ~e6 27 ..ig5
80 long the black king had ηο wide
choice concerning the ways ofhis eνacua­
tion from the da;ιgerοus area. The line
27.j"a6+! <;.t>b8 (27 ... .ib7 was bad because
of 28.~b1) 28.j"g5 deserνed attention, en-
suring White a considerable positional
adνantage.
27 •.• .1ιc5 28.~bl f6 29.~c4?
8uddenly giνing an excellent chance to
Black. Better was 29 ..ie3!? .1ιχe3 30. ~e3
with an initiatiνe.
Biel
29... ~d5?
Black ignores his chance. Mter 29 ...
5ιχb5! 30. ~xe6 (if 30. ~xb5, then after
30 ... fxg5 White had neither the attack nor
the piece) 30 ... ..tc4!! 31.~g4 (there was ηο
31. ~xc4? because οf31 ... 5ιχf2+, and ίη case
of31.~xf6 ~f7 32.~h8+ ~f8 White's queen
was caught) 31 ... fxg5 (ίη case of 31 ... ..txf1
there was 32. ~f3) 32.~fd1 h5 33. ~f3
~xd1 + 34.~xd1 '>t>b8 35. ~f6 '>t>a7 Black
could haνe been sure about his future with
his two bishops, exchanged for the White's
rook.
30.5ιe3?!
White misses again a good deal of his
adνantage. Mter 30 ...txc6 ~xc6 31.~b3
~a8 (Black's position also was bad after
31 ... ..ib6 32.5ιe3 ..ic7 33.c4) 32 ...te3 ..ixe3
33.fxe3 ~c7 (if33 ... ~ed6, then the solution
was 34.e4, and ίη case of 33 ... ~dd6 there
was 34.!:ι.fd1 ~b6 35. ~a3, Black's position
becoming νery dangerous) 34.e4 ~dd6
35.'>t>h1 White had an imposing adνantage.
30.....ixe3 31.fxe3 ~dd6 32.~fd1
After 32 . ..ta6+ ~d8 33.~fd1 ~xd1 +
34.~xd1 + 1::rd6 35. ~g8+ ..te8 Black held out
as well as ίη case of32.~b2 ..ixb5 33. ~xc7+
'>t>xc7 34.~xb5 l:!.d3.
32 ... 5ιχb5 33.~xb5 ~xd1+ 34.~xd1
~d6
34 ... Mc6 was dangerous because of
35.~d5.
35.nxd6
Α forced moνe. After 35.~b1 ~xc3
36.~b7+~d837.~xh7~xe3+38.~h1 ~b3!
Black's king escaped White's mating
threats.
35 ... ~xd6 36. ~xa5
White wins a pawn, proceeding to a
queen endgame, still this is obνiously too
little if we consider the huge positional
adνantage that he has had.
36 ... ~d1+ 37.'>t>f2 ~d2+ 38.~f3 e4+
39.\t>xe4 ~xg2+ 40.~d3 ~f1+ 41.~d4 ~f2
42.~c5+ ~d7 43.~d5+ '>t>c7 44.~c5+
Mter 44. ~f7+ Black maintained the
equality with 44 ... \t>d6!, whereas 44 ... \t>c6?!
allowed White to arrange serious threats
229
to the black king by 45.~e6+ '>t>c7 46.~c5
~xh2 47.~e7+ '>t>b8 48.\t>c6, and the line
48 ... ~b2 49.~f8+ '>t>a7 50.~b4 ~xb4
51.cxb4 led the game to a pawn ending,
which was losing for Black because of
51 ... ~b8 52.b5 h5 53.a5 h4 54.a6 h3 55.b6
h2 56.a7+ '>t>a8 57.b7+ '>t>xa7 58.'>t>c7.
44 ... ~d7 45.~d5+ '>t>c7 46.~e4 ~xh2
47.~e7+ '>t>c8 48.~xί6 h5 49.~f8+
If 49.~xg6, th8n after 49 ... h4 the far
adνanced h-pawn was a guarantee against
any big troubles for Black.
49 ... ~d7 50.~f7+ ~c8 51.~ί8+ ~d7
52.~g7+ '>t>c8 53.'>t>d5 ~a2+
53 ... h4 looked not bad as well, because
ίη case of 54.Kc6 there was 54 ... ~g2+.
54.c4 ~xa4 55.~xg6 ~d7+ 56.~e4
~b7+ 57.'>t>f4 ~c7+ 58.'>t>f3 ~xc4 59.~xh5
~f1+ 60.~g3 ~d7 61.~f3 ~xf3+ 62.'>t>xf3
~e7 63.'>t>g4 ~e6lj2-1f2
157 D20
Van Wely - Ponomariov
Round 7 31.07
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 c5 4.d5 ιίJί6
5.ιίJc3 b5 6 ...if4
The moνe 6 ...tf4 began to draw atten-
tion after it had been found out that White
had nothing ίη the line 6.e5 b4 7.exf6 bxc3
8.bxc3 ιίJd7!
6 .....ta6
Looks not too elegant, still this is the
best Black's answer at present. Ιη case of
6 ... b4 there is an unpleasant 7.ιίJb5, after
6 ... a6 White gains an adνantage by 7.e5
b4 8.exf6 bxc3 9.bxc3, and ίη case of6 ... ~a5
that used to be popular, Black has to reckon
with 7.f3, creating a threat of a2-a4.
7.e5
Maybe White can expect to receiνe more
after 7.f3 that was played later ίη the game
Rogozenko - Lesiege, Istanbu12000.
7 ...b4
Ιη case of 7 ... llJfd7 after 8.e6 ιίJb6 (if
8 ... ιίJf6, then 9.5ιχc4) 9.exf7+ \t>xf7 10.~f3
~e8 11.0-0-0 Black got into big troubles
230
for the extra pawn.
8:~a4+
Black is ready to exchange the knights
by 8.exf6 bxc3 9.bxc3.In the garne Κha­
lifrnan - Ponornariov, Neurn 2000 after
9 ... gxf6 10.1::tb1 1ιg7 11. 'f;'[g4 Black by
rneans of 11 ... 'f;'[xd5! 12.1ιe2 'f;'[e4 13.~xb8+
~xb8 14.1ιΧb8 'f;'[b1 + 15.1ιd1 ο-ο got the
strongest initiative for the sacήficed piece.
Mter 8.e6 fxe6 9.'f;'[a4+ 'f;'[d710.dxe6 'f;'[xa4
11.lΞJxa4 1ιb5 12.lΞJxc5 lΞJc6 13.Ϊ!.c1 lΞJd5
14.1ιχc41ιχc4 15.1:t:xc4 Black encountered
insoluble problerns ίη the garne 8akaev -
I.Ibragirnov, Moscow 1999, still there was
also 8 ... 'f;'[a5!? which after 9.'f;'[a4+ 'f;'[xa4
10.lΞJxa4lΞJxd51ed to the sarne position like
ίη the considered garne.
8 .•. 'f;'[d7 9.e6 'f;'[xa4 10.lΞJxa4lΞJxd5
Mter 10 ... c3 11.Iϊd1 Black was not able
to elirninate the white e6-pawn, so he
would have to play with a whole arrny of
paralysed pieces.
11.exf7+ 'it>xf7 12.lΞJxc5 ..Itb5
Black keeps the extra pawn. Ιη case of
12 ... lΞJxf4 13.lΞJxa6lΞJxa6 14.1ιχc4+ e6 15.g3
he had to give it back.
13.1ιg3 e6 14.lΞJe4lΞJd7 15.lΞJf3 1ιe7
It is obvious that Black has got an ad-
vantage frorn the opening. Nevertheless,
White still has sorne counterchances. 80,
ίη case of 15 ... h6, not allowing White to
get the advantage ofthe bishop pair, White
got back the pawn, sacήficed οη the sec-
ond rnove: 16.~c1 ~c8 17.lΞJed2lΞJ5b6 18.b3
Hoang Thahn Trang - Varga, Budapest
2000.
16.lΞJfg5+ 1ιχg5 17.lΞJxg5+ rJ;;e718.lΞJe4
a6 19.1ιd6+ 'it>f7 20.a4
NowifWhite tήed to win back the pawn
with 20.lΞJg5+ 'it>g6 21.lΞJxe6, then after
21 ... J:ιhe8 22.0-0-0 J:ιxe6 23.J::!.xd5 lΞJb6
24.J::!.d4 (ίη case of 24.J:ιdl there was
24 ... 1ιa4) 24 ... ~e1 + 25.'it>c2 b3+ 26.'it>c3
lΞJa4+ he would suffer a dangerous attack.
20 ... bxa3 21.~xa3lΞJ5f6
Ιn case of21 ... ~hc8 Black had to reckon
with the rnove 22.1ιg3, involving an un-
pleasant threat of 23.lΞJd6.
Super Tournαments 2000
22.lΞJg5+ 'it>g6 23.lΞJxe6
23 ... ~he8?!
It seerns that Black has put just the
wrong rook οη e8.Mter 23 ... 1::tae8! 24.Ϊ!.e3
lΞJg4 25.lΞJf4+ (there was neither 25.J:ιe4?
because of 25 ... 'it>f5 nor 25.lΞJc7? because
of25 ... lΞJxe3 26.lΞJxe8lΞJf5 with Black's win,
and ίη case of 25.J::!.e2 there was 25 ... c3)
25 ... rJ;;f7 or 25 ... 'it>f5 White still has serious
problerns. But now the worst has passed.
24.Ϊ!.e3 lΞJg4 25.lΞJc7
White would be deprived of this re-
source ifthe other black rook was οη e8.
25 ... lΞJxe3 26.fxe3 M.xe3+ 27.'it>f2 'uae8
28.lΞJxe8 'uxe8 29.1ιe2
It is evident that the advantage of two
bishops cornpensates the rnissing pawn to
White nearly sufficiently.
29 ... lΞJb6 30.1ιdΙ lΞJd5 31.1ιc2+ 'it>f7
32.:l.dl
There was ηο 32.1ιΧh7? because of
32 ... g6, trapping the white bishop.
32... lΞJe3 33.kld2
Van Wely is not afraid of an exchange
of the black knight for White's light-
squared bishop, because the opposite-
coloured bishops rnake a draw the rnost
probable result of the garne ίη this case.
33 ••• 1ιc6 34•..Itc5
Again, there was ηο 34.1ιΧh7? because
of 34 ... g6 35.1ιc5 (35 ... 'it>g7 was threaten-
ing) 35 ... lΞJg4+ 36.'it>g3 (ίη case of 36.'it>f1
there was a strong 36 ... 1ιb5!) 36 ... lΞJf6
37.~f2 'it>e6! 38.1ιχg6 ~g8, and the bishop
could not have been saved.
34 ... lΞJg4+ 35.'it>g3 lΞJf6 36.1ιd4 h6
Biel
37.h3 iιe4?!
Black could haνe kept a certain adνan­
tage by 37 ... .ί:d8 though White's resources
might suffice νery well to hold this posi-
tion.
38.iιxf6!
The adνantage of the bishop pair con-
sists chiefly in the opportunity to get rid
of them at the proper moment. Now it is
just such a moment for White, whereas
after 38.iιa4 ~d8 he still eΧΡeήeηced some
difficulties.
38 ...<toxf6
Of course Black does not want to split
his pawns with 38 ... gxf6, turning his pawn
chain into miserable remnants. Howeνer,
Black had a symbolic adνantage in this
case, whereas after the moνe in the game
he lost it absolutely. 80, after 38 ... gxf6
39 ...txe4 .ί:χe4 40.<tof3 ~e5 41.J::i:c2 .ί:b5 (in
case of 41 ... .ί:c5 Black had to reckon both
with 42. <toe4 to be followed by <tod4, and
with an eνen tougher continuation 42.b4!?
.6!.c7 43.<toe4) 42.':xc4 1:ixb2, White could
keep the equality notwithstanding Black's
extra pawn. The simplest way to achieνe
this was 43.Iϊa4! ~b6 44.g4 to be followed
by J::!.a5, making the black king watch the
pawns [6 and h6.
39.1::rf2+ <tog5 40.h4+ <toh5
Νο other way. Ιη case of 40 ... <tog6? White
won after 41.k:!.e2 <tof5 42 ..ί:χe4 kixe4 43.<tof3.
41.~e2 ..tc6 42.1Μ2
Enough for a draw, but 42.J::rf2!? de-
serνed attention as well. The point is that
White wants to launch a procedure inνolν-
231
ing bishop's checks from dl and c2, which
works successfully for instance in case of
42 ... .ί:e6 with 43.i.dl+ <tog6 44.iιc2+.An
attempt to preνent him from doing this by
42 ... ~el (there is neither 42 ... iιe4? because
of 43.;g:e2 nor 43 ... g5? because of 44.J::rf6)
allows White to win a piece with 43.1:I.f5+!
g5 44.ΙΗ6 .te8 (if 44 ... gxh4+, then 45.<tof2
.ί:c146.1ιg6+, and in case of 44 ... .i.e4 there
is 45. ~f2) 45.hxg5 hxg5 46. Φf21::rc14 7 .g4+!
<toxg4 (ηο 47 ... <toh4? because of 48.iιf5, and
Black can escape a mate at a νery dear
cost οηlΥ) 48 ..i.f5+ <tof4 (if 48 ... ~h4, then
49.;g:h6+ ..th5 50 ...tg6) 49 ...tc8+ <toe5 50.
':e6+, and though an extra piece is not
enough to win this position, still White can
put many problems before his opponent.
42 ... Iϊe6 43.1ιf5 .ί:tf6 44 ..i.c2 g5
There seems to be ηο other way to free
the king from the imΡήsοηmeηt.
45.hxg5 hxg5
If 45 ... <toxg5, then the pawn would haνe
been got back with 46.~d4.
46.~d4 1ιb5 47.J::rd8 <toh6
4 7 ... ~b6 was not better because of
48 ..6!.h8+ ':h6 49.1::rg8.
48.;g:h8+ <tog7 49.I:th5 ':f1 50.~xg5+
<tof6 51 ..ί:h5 <toe6 52.1ιe4 <tod6 53 ..ί:d5+
~c7 54.<tog4?!
Haνing solνed successfully defending
problems in this hard position, White
makes a blunder at the end. Mter a mere
54.1:id2 he would be none the worse, but
now he has to play without a pawn again.
54 ....ί:f2 55 ..ί:dΙ .ί:χb2 56. <tof4 1ιc6
It is White's luck that there is already
too little material οη the board to punish
him for his negligence. If Black began to
adνance his a-Ρεwη 56 ... a5, then after
57.g4 a4 58.g5 a3 59.g6 White would es-
cape problems owing to his passed g-pawn,
which stayed out ofreach ofBlack's pieces.
57.ItcΙ.ί:b4
Mter 57 ... 1ιχe4 58.<toxe4 Black would
haνe lost soon the c4-pawn.
58.<toe5 a5 59.g4 a4 60.g5 .ί:b5+ 61.<tod4
1ιχe4 62.<toxe4 .ί:χg5 63 . .ί:χc4+ Φb6
64.~d3 <tob5 65.ktc8 ~b4lh-1fz
232
158 Β90
Svidler - Gallagher
Round 7 31.07
l.e4 c5 2.tLJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.tLJxd4
tLJf6 5.tLJc3 a6 6 ..iιe3
White chooses the most aggressive con-
tinuation against the Ν ajdorfVariation ίη
the 8icilian Defence.
6 ... e5 7.tLJb3 .iιe6 8.f3 tLJbd7 9.g4 b5
10.g5 b4 11.tLJd5
The line with 11.tLJe2 tLJh5 12. ~d2 is
more popular, but 8vidler evidently has his
own considerations concerning this prob-
lem.
11 ... tLJxd5 12.exd5 .iιf5 13 ..iιd3 .iιxd3
14.~xd3 .iιe7 15.h4
Mter 15.z:tg1 ο-ο 16.0-0-0 a5 17.tLJd2
f5 18.gxf6 tLJxf6 19.'it>b1 tLJh5 20.z:tg4 ~d7
21 ..J::tc4 ~f5 Black equalized easily ίη the
game Leko - Kasparov, Linares 1999.
15 ... 0-016.0-0-0 a517.tLJd2 f5 18.gxf6
tLJxf6 19.h5 ~c8 20.h6 g6
21.z:tdgl!?
Α reinforcement. Ιη the game 8hirov -
8vidler, Wijk aan Zee 1999, 2U::thg1 ι;t>h8
was played, whereupon White managed to
keep a slight advantage with the help of
22.f4 tLJg4 23.fxe5 tLJxe5 24 . .iιd4 .iιf6
25. ~e3 ~c7 26.tLJe4 z:tac8 27 .z:tg2.Mter that
game P.8vidler told that Black could have
got a convenient play by 21 ... tLJh5! Really,
the sacrifice 22.z:txg6+ hxg6 23. ~xg6+ ~h8
gives White nothing and after 22.z:tg4 ~f5
Black has a convenient play.80, White puts
namely the queen's rook οη g1 ίη order to
Super Tournαments 2000
prevent the black knight from this ma-
noeuvre.
21 ... ι;t>h8 22.f4 'lffa6?!
The idea of Black's opponent should
have been tested thoroughly by means of
22 ... tLJg4 23.fxe5 tLJxe5 24 ..iιd4 .iιf6 25. ~e3
a4 26.ι;t>b1 (ίη case of 26.tLJe4 there was a
very strong 26 ... b3) 26 ... ~a5, Black could
have put a considerable pressure upon the
pawn d5, all the more that White's rook
had left the d-file. 80, Black was ΟΚ after
27.tLJe4 ~xd5 28.tLJxd6Iιxd6 29 ..iιxe5 ~e8
30 ..J::tf1 ι;t>g8.Mter the move ίη the game
Black's major pieces will be engaged ίη the
play, but the light ones will have nothing
to do.
23.tLJc4 ~fc8
If 23 ... exf4, then apart from a dull
24 ..iιxf4 z:tfc8 25.b3 White could have cho-
sen a more definite 24 ..iιd4! z:tac8 25.b3
with excellent attacking opportunities.
24.b3 a4
Ιn case of24 ... exf4 Black had ηο chances
to survive after 25 ..iιd4 a4 26.z:txg6 hxg6
27.~xg6 z:tg8 28.~Π z:tae8 29.z:te1.
25.fxe5 dxe5 26.d6!
White's achievements ίη the centre of
the board outweigh his concessions to
Black οη the queenside.
26... axb3 27.axb3 z:td8
If 27 ... ..\td8, then after 28.z:tn tLJd7
29.~d2 the advantage of white pieces ίn
the centre of the board will be significant.
28 ..iιg5 tLJg8
Ιη case of 28 ... z:td7 29.~f3 ~al+ (if
29 ... z:tf8, then 30.~b2) 30.~d2 ~d4+
31.~e2 White's kingwas relatively safe ίη
the centre, unlike Black's light pieces
which were just hanged.
29. ~e3 .iιxg5 30.z:txg5 z:txd6 31.tLJxd6
'lffxd6 32.~bl?!
White's extra exchange will tell if he
manages to secure the position ofhis king,
but White makes not the best move to
achieve this.32.z:te1!? deserved attention,
putting more pressure upon the e5-pawn.
After 32 ... e4 (if 32 ... z:ta1+ 33.~b2 z:txe1
34.~xe1 ~d4+ 35.~b1 e4, then White also
Biel
won after 36.ab5) 33.'~xe4 ~a1+ 34.'~b2
~f6+ 35.~e5 White would achieνe gradu-
ally his extra exchange both ίη case of
35 ... ~a5 36. ~d4 and after 35 ... .ι:Ixe1
36.~xe1 tΔxh6 37.<t>b1.
32 ... aa5 33.~c1?
33.~e1!? was better, though ίη this case
White had not more than a draw after
34 ... ~a6 34.<t>c1 ~d5 35.Φb1.
33 ... ~f6?
Besides an opportunity to take a pawn
with the moνe 33 ... tΔxh6 as there was ηο
34.~xh6? because of 34 ... ~a6!, Black had
also a νery strong 33 ... tΔf6! with the idea
to get to c3 through d5 or e4.Mter 34.1:ί.d1
(ίη case of 34.~e1 the solution was 34 ...
tΔd5) 34 ... tΔe4! 35.~g3 (35.1:ί.Χd6 tΔc3+
36.<t>b2 ~a2#) 35 ... ~f8! Black won the
game.
34.~g4 tΔxh6??
Black has inνented a way to lose ίη one
moνe. Mter 34 ... ~a6 35. ~b2 ~d6 he could
still haνe struggled quite successfully.
35.~xh61-0
Probably he had reckoned οη 35.Sxh6??
~a6, but eνidently he failed ίη his calcu-
lations.
159 D27
ΜίΙοv- Gelfand
Round 7 31.07
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.tΔf3 tΔf6 4.tΔc3 dxc4
5.e3
Such play cannot promise White any-
thing.
5 ... a6 6.a4 c5 7.1ιχc4 tΔc6 8.0-0 iιe7
9.~e2 cxd4 10.~d1 e5
The game is reduced to a well known
position of the Queen's Gambit Accepted
ίη which the white knight was put οη c3
too early.
11.exd4 exd4 12.tΔxd4 tΔxd4 13.~e5
~d614.~xd4
Boris Gelfand preferred once 14.~xd6
1ιχd6 15.MXd4 1ιe5 16.Mh4 ο-ο 17.1ιf4 ίη
this position, and after an inaccurate
233
17 ... ..Itxf4 (stronger was 17 ... iιxc3 18.bxc3
..Itd7 19.1ιe5 ~fe8 with an equalization like
ίη the game Huzman - S.Iνanoν, Israel
1998) 18 ..ι:Ixf4 iιe6 19.iιxe6 fxe6 20.J:lb4
White got an adνantage ίη the game
Gelfand - P.Nikolic, Tilburg 1990.
14 ... ~xd4 15.lIxd4 iιc5 16.1:ί.d1 ο-ο
17.iιf4
Α more tensed situation could arise af-
ter 17.1ιg5, which was seen many times,
but eνen then Black would haνe ηο rea-
sons to trouble.
17 ... 1ιg4 18..ι:Ie1 ~fe8 19.h3 1;2-1;2
160 D97
Ponomariov - Svidler
Round 8 1.08
1.d4 tΔf6 2.c4 g6 3.tΔc3 d5 4.tΔf31ιg7
5. ~b3 dxc4 6. ~xc4 ο-ο 7.e4 a6
Once again P.Sνidler proνes his fidel-
ity to the Hungarian Variation that is one
of the keenest ways of struggling against
White's mighty pawn centre ίη a popular
line of the Gruenfeld Defence.
8.e5 b5 9.~b3 tΔfd7 10.e6
The line with 10 ...Ite3 c5 1l.e6, which
used to be popular ίη the past, is not played
now because of 1l ... cxd4!.
10 ... fxe6 11.iιe3 tΔf6
Black wants to haνe the knight closer
to the king. Ιη case of 1l ... tΔb6 he took a
chance to suffer a dangerous attack after
12.h4 tΔc6 13.h5 like it happened ίη the
game Kasparoν - Sνidler, Wijk aan Zee
1999.
12.a4
Since Black's knight went to the right,
White strikes a blow οη the left. Later ίη
the game Iνanchuk - Shiroν, Polanica
Zdroj 2000 there was 12.1ιe2.
12 ...bxa4 13.Mxa4 tΔd5
Mter 13 ... tΔc6 14.1ιc4 ab8 White got a
slightly better endgame with the help of
15.iιxe6+ <t>h8 16. ~c4 iιxe6 17. ~xe6 ~d6
18.tΔg5 Mxb2 19.0-0 tΔd8 20. ~h3 ~d7
21.~xd7 tΔxd7 22.Mxa6 ίη the game
234
Karpov - Svidler, Dos Hermanas 1999.
14.Sιc4
The withdrawal ofBlack's knight from
the kingside could have been used by
means of 14.h4 ~d6 15.h5.Mter 15 ... Sιd7
16.hxg6 Jιxa4 17.gxh7+ cJ;>h8 18. ~xa4
ct:Jxe3 19.ct:Jh4 e5 20.fxe3 White gained a
powerful initiative for the sacrificed ex-
change ίη the game Kozul - Ruck, Pula
1999.
14... c6
15.ct:Jg5
Α new way of struggling against the
continuation 12 ... Nd5 which became popu-
lar after Black had solved έιΗ his problems
successfully ίη the game Piket - Shirov,
Monte Carlo 1999 ίη the line with 15.h4
after 15 ... ct:Jd7 16.h5 ct:J7b6 17.hxg6 hxg6
18.Jιd3ct:Jxa4 19.~xa4 ~d6 20.Sιxg6l:txf3
21.ct:Jxd5 exd5 22.Jιh7+ wf8 23.gxf3 1:tb8.
White tried to gain an advantage also with
15.:Ιa3, for instance ίη the recent game
Beliavsky - Ruck, Hungary 2000 where a
keen position occurred after 15 ... ct:Jd7
16.ct:Jxd5 cxd5 17.Sιxd5 ct:Jc5 18.dxc5 exd5
19.0-0 Sιg4 20.ct:Jd4 l:tc8 21.1:txa6 Sιxd4
22.Sιxd4 jιe2 23.1:te6 Sιxf1 24.Wxf1
15 ... h6 16.ct:Jf3
Mter 16.ct:Jxe6 Sιxe617.~b7 White had
to reckon with 17 ... ~d7! (there was ηο
17 ... ct:Jd7? because of 18.~xc6) 18.~xa8
ct:Jb6 19.Jιxe6+ ~xe6 20. ~a7 ct:Jxa4 21.
ct:Jxa4 ~a2 which gave an advantage to
Black.
16... ct:Jd7 17.ct:Jxd5
17 .~d3 is bad because of 17 ... ct:Jc5!
Super Tournaments 2000
18.dxc5ct:Jxe3+, but the line 17. ~c2!? ct:J7b6
18.~xg6 1::ϊ.f6 19.1~c2 ct:Jxa4 20.ct:Jxa4 de-
serves attention (Ponomariov).
17 ... exd5
Ιη case of 17 .Sιxd5+? cxd5 18. ~xd5+
White encountered 18 ... e6 19. ~xa8 ct:Jb6
20. ~c6 Jιd7 and lost a piece.
18.Sιd3 ct:Jb6 19.1:Ib4 ct:Jc4!
ΒΥ means of the series of energetic
moves Black keeps the balance. Ιη case of
a norma119 ... 1:tb8 Black has to pass οη to
the defence, for example: 20.ct:Je5 l:tf6
21. ~c3 a5 22.l:tb3 a4 23.1'1b4 ~d6 24.0-0±
20.~xc4
The balance would have been main-
tained also after 20.Sιxg6 ~d6 21.Sιd3 (ίη
case of21.Sιc2 there was a strong 21 ... i.h3)
21 ... Sιh3 (21 ... ct:Jxe3 22.fxe3 e5 was not
dangerous for White because of a simple
23.0-0) 22.0-0 ~x~ 23.gxf3 i.xf1 24.i.xf1
~g6+ 25.Wh1 ~f5.
20 ... a5!
20 ... dxc4 21. ~xc4+ ~d5 22.ct:Je5± Ροηο-
manov.
21.1:tb6
Ponomariov's recommendation 21.J:tb5
(with threats of 22.~d5! and 22.Sιd5)
hardly deserves attention owing to 21 ... a4!
(21 ... ~e6 22.1:tc5 dxc4 23. ~c2oo Ροηο­
mariov). If now White withdraws the
queen by 22.~a2, then Black has a check
from the a5-square: 22 ... cxb5 23.~xd5+
'tt>h7 24.Sιxa8 ~a5+ 25.ct:Jd2 ~xa8+, and
after 22.~xd5+ cxd5 23. ~xd5+ ~xd5
24.~xd5 J:tb8 Black gets an initiative.
21 ... dxc4 22.~xc4+ Wh7 23.~xc6
Ιη case of 23. ~xc6 White had to reckon
with 23 ... Sιf5 as there was ηο 24.0-0? be-
cause of 24 ... ~f6.
23 •.. Sιb7 24.~c7 24 ... Sιxf3 25.gxf3 ~b8
White's extra pawn has a temporary
effect because his whole pawn chain is ίη­
valid.
26.0-0 I!xb2 27.~c5:Ιf7 28.r!al
28. ~xa5? e5!+ Ponomariov.
28 ...1:tb5 29. ~xb5 'fixc7 30. ~xa5 ~xa5
31.1::ιχa5 ~xf3 32.Φg2 1f2J/2
Biel
161 Α30
Gelfand - Van Wely
Round 8 1.08
ι.cijf3 lΔf6 2.c4 c5 3.g3 b6 4 ..i.g2 .i.b7
5.0-0 g6 6.b3
White responds the Double Fianchetto
System of the English Opening with a
rather quiet continuation, aνoiding the
fashionable line 6.CLJc3 iιg7 7.d4 cxd4
8.~xd4.
6 ... iιg7 7.iιb2 ο-ο 8.CLJc3 d5
Black opens up the position, using
White's sluggish play.8 ... lΔa6! is known to
be the most reliable continuation ίη this
position, howeνer the moνe ίη the game is
not bad at all.
9.CLJxd5lΔxd5 10.i.xg7 ~xg711.cxd5
~xd5
After 11 ... iιxd5 12.d4 CLJd7 13.dxc5
CLJxc5 14.~d4+ [6 15 ..ί:ιfd1 i.xf3 16.~e3 or
15 ... i.b7 16. ~e3 Black encountered some
problems.
12.d4 cxd4 13.~xd4+ ~xd4 14.CLJxd4
~xg2 15.~xg2
Α well-known position; which often oc-
curred ίn the seνenties.The Swedish
grandmaster Ulf Andersson used to play
it especially good.
15... .:::tc8
15 ... CLJd7, 15 ... a6 and 15 ... CLJa6 haνe oc-
curred ίη this position too. The last one is
considered to be not νery good because of
16 ..ί:ιfd1 .:::tfc8 17 ..:::tac1 <;t>f6 18.CLJb5! CLJc5
19.b4 which was seen ίη the game Smysloν
- Castro, Bie11976.As for the first two, Ulf
Andersson had endgame masterpieces ίη
each of them. His νictories after 15 ... CLJd7
16 ..!:Hd1 CLJf6 17.lΔb5! .:::tfc8 18.~ac1 .:::txc1
19 ..:::txc1 a6 20.CLJd4 .:::td8 21.e3 CLJd5 22 ..:::tc6
~d6 23.~xd6 exd6 24.<;t>f1, Andersson -
D.Maroνic, Banja Luka 1976 and after
15 ... a6 16 ..:::tac1 ~a7 17 ..:::tc2 .:::td8 18.e3 e5
19.1Δf3 [6 20.g4 ~d6 21 ..:::tfc1lΔd7 22 ..:::tc6,
Andersson - Robatsch, Munich 1979 can
be called classical.
16 ..:::tac1lΔd7 17 ..:::tfd1lΔf6
The moνe 17 ... lΔc5 can be met with
235
18.b4, Black had serious difficulties after
18 ... lΔe4 19.1Δb5! l:txc1 20.l::txc1 a5 21.1:':tc4!
Lisitsin - Leνenfish, USSR 1948 or after
18 ... lΔa4 19.1Δb5! 1:':txc1 20.1:txc1 a5 21.a3!
Smysloν - Benko, Monte Carlo 1968.
18.e3
White lets his opponent go readily. Μ­
ter 18.lΔb5!? the game would be reduced
to the aboνe mentioned game Andersson
- D.Maroνic, Banja Luka 1976.
18 ... a6 19.~f11h_l/2
19.a4lΔe4 20.lΔc6 occurred preνiously,
whereupon the opponents agreed to a draw
as well, Tal- Saνon, Moscow 1973.
162 Β43
Gallagher - Mίlov
Round 8 1.08
1.e4 c5 2.lΔf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.lΔxd4 a6
5.lΔc3b5 6 ..i.d3 .i.c5 7 ..i.e3 ~b6
8.~g4!
Α νery interesting noνelty.8 ..ie2 is
played usually. So, 8 ... lΔc6 9.lΔxc6 iιxe3
10.fxe3 dxc6 11.~d4 ~xd4 12.exd4 e5
13.d5 .ib7 occurred recently ίn the game
between two participants of the present
tournament Sνidler - ΜίΙον, Frankfurt
2000.
8 ....ixd4 9.e5 ~xe3
It was possible to struggle for a balance
also by means of 9 ... lΔc6!? 10.~xg7 iιxe5
11.~xe5lΔxe5 12 ..ixb6 .ib7.
10.~xg7 iιxf2+ 11.~f1 .ih4 12.g3
iιb7?!
236
12 .. .'~e3!? was interesting too. After
13. ~xh8 (ίη case of 13.i-e4 Black had a
draw with a perpetual check after 13 ... d5!
14. ~xh8 dxe4! 15. ~xg8+ Φe7 16. ~xc8
~xg3 17.hxg3 ~f3+ 18.ΦgΙ ~xg3+) 13 ...
~f3+ 14.'ϊ.tgl i-b7 15.~xg8+ 'ϊ.te7 16.iιe4
~e3+ 17.Φg2 i-xe4+ 18.cuxe4 ~xe4+
19.Φh3.Τhe position would be still unclear,
whereas the moνe ίη the game giνes an
adνantage to White.
13.~xh8 iιxhl14.~xg8+ 'ϊ.te715.~g4
If 15.gxh4, then by means of 15 ... ~e3
16.1:ιeΙ ~f4+ 17.'ϊ.tgl iιb7 18.~g5+ ~xg5
19.hxg5 cuc6 Black achieνes an equality,
because for 20.i-xh7 Black has 20 ... k:!.h8
21.~e4 k:!.h5, winning back the missing
pawn.
15 ... 'ϊ.td8
An extra pawn that Black could haνe
won by 15 ... i-xg3 16.hxg3 ~c6 would be
lost soon, yet White's initiatiνe after
17.~h4+ Φe8 18.CUe4 would remain.
16.~xh4+ 'ϊ.tc717.'ϊ.te2
17.k:!.el!? deserνed attention.
17... i-g2 18.k:!.dl?
White's first mistake ίη this game, the
most interesting ίη the round. After
18.~b4! f6 (18 ... cuc6 was not good for Black
because of 19. ~d6+ 'ϊ.tc8 20.iιxh7 cud4+
21.Φd3, and ίη case of 18 ... f5 there were
both 19.exf6 and a promising 19.a4! bxa4
20.~xb6+ ΦΧb6 21.k:!.xa4, because a natu-
ra121 ... CUc6?! led Black into great troubles
after 22.'it>f2 i-hl 23.l::tal) 19.exf6 (also
19.iιe4 i-xe4 20.~xe4 cuc6 21.exf6 was
possible) 19 ... CUc6 20. ~f4+ e5 21. ~e3 Black
hardly could haνe reckoned οη any suffi-
cient compensation for the missing pawn.
18... cuc6 19.i-e4?!
The position after 19. ~xh7 ~c5 was
worth playing, as after the moνe ίη the
game White could come across serious dif-
ficulties.
19... iιxe4 20.cuxe4
Ιη case of20.~xe4 there was 20 ... b4.
20 ... cud4+ 21.Φd3 cuf5?
Black did not use a chance to gι;t an
adνantage with the help of 21 ... ~c6!
Super Tournαments 2000
22. ~g4 (there is ηο 22.'it>xd4 because of
22 ... ~d5+) 22 ... h5! 23. ~xh5 cuf5 24. ~f3 (if
24.CUf6, then 24 ... J::th8!) 24 ... ~d5+ 25.'ίt>e2
~xe5.
22.~ί4 ~d4+ 23.Φe2 ~c4+?!
Black's disregard for pawns is not
comprehensible.23 ... ~xb21ooked good, all
the more that ίη case of 24.cuf6 there was
24 ... J::td8, and Black's chances were obνi­
ously better.
24.'ϊ.tf3 cud4+ 25.Φg2 ~e2+ 26.CUf2
CUc6
Mter a careless 26 ... CUxc2?! White re-
coνered his adνantage by 27.ΦgΙ.
27. ~xf7 k:!.d8?!
It seems that 27 ... CUxe5 28.~f4 (of
course ηο 28.~xh7? because of 28 ... k:!.f8)
28 ... d6 with an approximate equality was
more natural. Still, now it is again White
who has an adνantage.
28.~xh7 ~xe5
Black rejected the moνe 28 ... CUxe5?!
because of 29. ~e4, as then he would haνe
to play an endgame haνing one pawn less.
29.c3?!
White returns easily the adνantage that
he hasjust gained. Mter 29.b3!? cub4 30.c4
he parted with his extra pawn, but instead
he would open the position of the black
king.
29 ... ~e2 30.~d3 ~xb2 31.l:d2 ~a3
32.h4 d5 33.cuh3 e5 34.CUg5 Φb6 35.cuf7
k:!.d7?
Another blunder ίη this dramatic game.
After 35 ... e4! 36.~e3+ d4 37.~xe4 k:!.d7
38.CUe5 (ίη case of 38. ~f5 there was
38 ... ~xc3, and ηο 39.k:!.c2?? because of
39 ... k:!.xf7!, and if White played 38.CUg5,
then after 38 ... k:!.e7 39. ~f5 dxc3 Black was
ΟΚ) 38 ... CUxe5 39. ~xe5 ~xc3 40. ~e6+ 'ϊ.ta5
Black kept the material balance.
36.CUxe5!
Once more, White has an adνantage of
the pawn.
36 ... CUxe5 37.~d4+ ~c5 38.~xe5 a5
39.h5
White had a wide choice of promising
continuations here. So, there is an attack
Biel
of the black king's position with 39. ~b8+
'it>a6 (39 ... ~b7? is bad because of 40. ~d8+
.i:!.c7 41 ..i:!.xd5) 40. ~a8+ 'it>b6 41.J:Ie2.A rook
endgame to appear after 39.~d4 b4
40.cxb4 axb4 41.g4 ~xd4 42.!':t.xd4 'it>c5
43 ..ϊ::ι.d2 ~c4 44.g5 'it>c3 45 ..ϊ::ι.d1 seems to be
winning for him too, owing to the great
power ofhisjoined passed pawns g and h.
The move ίη the game is also good.
39 ... b4 40.cxb4 axb4 41 . .ϊ::ι.d4 ~c2+
42.'it>h3 ~b143 ..ϊ::ι.f4 'it>a5 44.~d4
An immediate 44.a3! also was not bad,
with the idea to answer 44 ... bxa3 (if
44 ... ~h1 +, then 45.'it>g4 ~d1 + 46.'it>g5, and
White's king is ίη perfect security) with
45.~d4 ~h1+ 46.'it>g4, whereupon Black
failed both to defend his own king and to
arrange any counterthreats.
44 ... 'it>b5
45.a3!
It appears to be absolutely impossible
that Black still will save a half-point after
such a blow.
45 ....ϊ::ι.d8
There was ηο 45 ... bxa3 because of
46.~a4+ 'it>c5 (46 ... 'it>b6 47.J:tb4+) 47.~xa3+
'it>b5 48.~a4+ 'it>c5 49.~xd7 ~hl+ 50.~g4
~dl+ 51.'it>g5 with White's extra rook.
46.a4+?
What for is this show? It is absolutely
evident that after 46. ~xb4+ ~xb4 47.
.ϊ::ι.χb4+ ~c5 48.g4 White's joint passed
pawns g and h would get to the eighth rank
and gain him a victory.
46 ... 'it>c6 47.~h4 ~hl+ 48.~g5 ~el
49 ..ϊ::ι.f6+
237
White forces tlle play. There were rea-
sons for struggling after 49.g4 .ϊ::ι.d6 (49 ...
.ϊ::ι.g8+ was insufficient because of 50.~h6
.ϊ::ι.d8 51.g5 with White's win) 50.~a7 ~e5+
51 ..ϊ::ι.f5 with White's good winning chances.
49 ... .ϊ::ι.d6 50..ϊ::ι.χd6+ ~xd6 51.~f4+ 'it>c6
52.h6 ~e7+ 53.~f6+ ~xf6+ 54.~xf6 b3
55.h7 b2 56.h8~ bl~ 57"~c8+ ~d6
58.~ίB+ 'it>c6 59.~c8+ ~d6 60 ..~d8+ 'it>c6
61.~e8+ ~d6 62"~e5+ ~c5
Ιη case of62 ... 'it>c6 after 63.g4 ~e4 64.g5
White's g-pawn began a headlong ad-
vance.
63.~c7+ 'it>d4 64.a5
The a-pawn moves quickly towards the
eighth rank, creating οη the way a fearful
threat of65. ~b6+.Black's passed pawn οη
the d-file is definitely tardy. ν.Μilοv can
hope for an oppcrtunity of a perpetual
check οηlΥ.
64 ... ~a2 65.~b6+ ~e4 66.a6 ~al+
67.~g6 ~a4 68.~f6!
Α good move. After 68.~e6+ 'it>f3 69.
~xd5+ ~xg3 Black still had some draw-
ing chances, and ίη case of 68.a7 ~e8+
69.~g5 ~e5+ 70.~h4 ~h8+ he had a per-
petual check at once.
68 ... ~a3 69.~f7 ~a4 70.a7?
White has hurried with this. After
70. ~c7! which secured the king against a
perpetual check Black would lose the game
inevitably. The point was that ίη case of
70 ... ~xa6 (if70 ... d4, then the solution was
71.~b7+ ~f5 72.a7 ~a2+ 73.~g7, and if
70 ... ~d1, then 71. ~f4+ ~d3 72. ~f5+ 'it>c3
73.a7) White had 71.~f4+ ~d3 72.~f1+,
winning Black's q:leen.
70 ... ~d7+ 71.~f6 ~f5+ 72.~e7 ~h7+
73.~d6 ~h6+ 74.Φc7 ~g7+ 75.'it>c8 ~f8+
76.Φb7 ~e7+ 77.~c7 ~b4+ 78.'it>c6 ~c3+
79.~d7 ~g7+ 80.'it>c8 ~f8+ 81.~d7 ~g7+
82.'it>c6 ~c3+ 83.~b7 ~b4+ 84.~c8 ~f8+
85. ~d8 ~c5+ 86. ~c7 ~ίB+ 87. ~b7 ~b4+
88.~a8 ~ίB+ 89.~b8 ~c5 90.~f4+ 'it>d3
91.~f1+ ~d2 92.~f4+ ~d3 93.~f5+ 'it>d2
94. ~d7 d4 95.'it>b8 ~b6+ 96.~c8 ~c5+
97.~b7 ~b4+ 98.~c6 ~a4+ 99.~d6 ~a6+
100.'it>e5 d3101.~c7 Φe2102.~b8 ~a5+
238
103.~f4 ~a4+ 104.~g5 d2 105.a8~ ~xa8
106.~xa8 d1~ 107.~e4+ ~f2 108.g4
~d8+ 109.~f4 ~d2+ 110.~f5 ~d7+
111.~e6 ~d3+ 112.~g5 ~g3 113.~e5+
~h3 114.~h8+ Wg3 115.~b8+ ~h3
116.~f4 ~d8+ 117.Φg6 ~g8+ 118.Φf5
~f7+ 119.~e4 ~c4+ 120.~e5 ~c7+
121.~f5 ~f7+ 122.Wg5 ~g7+ 123.Φf5
~f7+ 124.~e4 ~c4+ 125.~e3 ~c1+
126.~f3 ~f1+ 127.Φe4 ~c4+ 128.~f5
~f7+ 129.~g5 ~g7+ 130.~h5 ~h7+
131.~g5 ~g7+ 1;2-1;2
163 Β81
Svidler - Van Wely
Round 9 3.08
1.e4 c5 2.tZJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.tZJxd4
tZJf6 5.CtJc3 a6 6 ..i.e3 e6 7.g4
Ρ. Sνidler does not aνoid a keen strug-
gle, though a draw ίη this game would be
most probably enough for him to win the
tournament.
7 ... e5 8.CtJf5 g6 9 ..ig2
Α step aside ίη comparison with the
game from the first round Sνidler -
Gelfand, Biel 2000 where the topicalline
9.g5 gf5 10.exf5 d5 11.gxf6 d4 12 ..ic4 ~c7
13. ~d3 occurred.
9 ... d5
IfBlack had taken the sacήficed knight
at once then the importance ofthe bishop
οη g2 would haνe grown considerably af-
ter 9 ... gxf5 10.exf5, allowing White to de-
νelop a strong pressure οη Black's position.
10.Jtg5 gxf5 1l.CtJxd5
Black solνed all his problems success-
fully ίη the first round after 11.~xf6 ~xf6
12.CtJxd5 ~d6 13.exf5 CtJc614.~e2 h515.0-
ο-ο hxg4 16.CtJb6 CtJd4 17.Mxd4 ~xd4
18.CtJxa8 ~c5 19.CtJc7+ Wffi, Ponomarioν­
Gelfand, Bie12000.
11 ... Jte7
There was also 11 ... ~a5+, and we do not
know whether White would be satisfied
with the repetition of moνes by 12.Jtd2
~d8 13.iιg5 or would play something new
ίη this case.
Super Tournaments 2000
12..i.xf6 .i.xf6 13.exf5 h5 14.h3 .i.d7
15.~d3?!
Α noνelty. It is hard to tell whether this
was a preparation or a result of Sνidler's
meditation at the board. At this moment
White spent more than half of the time,
which was giνen for the first 40 moνes.
Preνiously this line occurred ίη a game
which was already mentioned ίη our com-
ments of the first round and was drawn
after 15.~e2 hxg416.hxg4 Mxhl+ 17 ..i.xh1
.i.c6 18.0-0-0 .i.xd5 19.iιxd5 iιg5+ Tolnai
- Gaνrikoν, West :3erlin 1989.It should be
noted that White would not part with the
mighty d5-knight eνen to win the third
pawn for a piece, because after 15.tZJxf6+
~xf6 16 ...I1ιxb7 I:I:a7 Black's pieces οη the
queenside would liνen up.
15 ...hxg4 16.0-0-0
Α νery braνe moνe. White, who is al-
ready suffering from material deficiency,
sacrifices a pawn ίη order to complete his
deνelopment. Probably the position after
16.hxg4 Mxh1 + 17 ..ixh1.i.c6 18.0-0-0 did
not attract him much.
16... gxh317.Mxh3 ~xh318.~xh3 ~c6
19.~h7~f8?
Α serious blunder. After 19 ... CtJd7
20. ~g8+ 20.f4 (after 20. ~g8+ CtJffi 21.f4
.i.xd5 22 ..ixd5 ~e7 Black had an extra
piece and a goodposition) 20 ... Mc8 (the
moνe 20 ... CtJffi made Black to reckon with
21. ~h6) 21.Me1 tZJf8 Black had eνery
chance to repulse White's attack and keep
a material adνantage.
20.iιe4 .ixd5
Biel
Α forced moνe. The threat of 21.z:tg1 is
too serious. Ιη case of 20 ... liJd7 the solu-
tion was 21.liJxf6 ~xf6 22 ..ixc6, and after
20 ... .ig5+ White won with 21.f4 as there
was ηο 21 ... exf4 because of22.~h8#.
21.~xd5 ~d7
It was impossible to play 21 ... .ig7 ow-
ing to 22.~xf7 ~g5+ 23.f4!.
22.iιf3 ~c7?!
Making Black's problems eνen worse.
After 22 ... ~e7 23.~gl ~e8 (bad was
23 ... 1ιg5+? 24.~b1 ~f6 because οf25.1ιd5
with an awful threat of 26.!Ixg5) 24.IIg8+
~d7 25.1ιχb7 ~a7 Black still could haνe
continued to struggle as ίη this case there
was ηο 26.!:txb8 because of 26 ... ~c7.
23.~gl ~c4
Α desperate moνe. After 23 ... Φe7
24.1ιh5 ~d6 (24 ... ~c4 was not good be-
cause of 25.b3 ~d5 26.c4) 25.~xf7 Black
encountered great difficulties too, because
two ofhis pieces οη the queenside, the rook
and the knight, were out of play and he
had ηο opportunity to deνelop them be-
cause ίη case of 25 ... liJc6 White won with
26 ..tιg6.
24 ..ixb7 e4 25. ~g8+ ~e7 26.~xa8
~xa2 27.~xb8 ~al+ 28.~d2 ~xgl
Black lost a pawn ίη a forced play; still
this is not the worst for him. Now it is
White's moνe, and he makes Black part "'165
with a piece ίη order to escape a mate.
29.~b4+ ~d7 30.~b7+ 'it>d8 31.~b6+
~e7
The struggle could be dragged out by
means of 31 ... ~e8, though ίη this case af-
ter 32 ..ixe4! White had to win as well.
32.~c5+ ~d8
If 32 ... ~d7, then the solution was
33 ..ic6+ ~c7 34 ..ia4+ ~b8 35.~d6+.
33.~d6+ 'it>c8 34.~c6+ 1-0
164 Β90
Gallagher - Gelfand
Round 9 3.08
l.e4 c5 2.liJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.liJxd4
liJf6 5.liJc3 a6 6.1ιe3 e5
239
The Israeli grandmaster did not νen­
ture to play the line with 6 ... e6 7 .g4 which
occurred ίη the fourth round ίη the game
B.Gelfand - P.8νidler.
7.liJb3 .ie6 8.f4 exf4 9 . .ixf4 liJc6
10.~d2
Α harmless νariation. Black obtains an
equal play easily.
10 ... d5 11.exd5
Mter 11.0-0-0 Black could haνe achie-
νed an equalization both after 11 ... .ib4 and
after 11 ... liJxe4 12.liJxe4 dxe4.
11 ... liJxd5 12.liJxd5 ~xd5 13.~xd5
.ixd5 14.0-0-0 0-0-0 15.g3
This position is not new for Gelfand.
Mter 15 ..ie2 g6 16.~hgl .ie7 17.g3l::the8
18.~gf1 f5 19 ..if3 the opponents agreed to
a draw ίη the game Yudasin - Gelfand, Biel
1993.
15... iιd616 ..ih3+ ~c717.~hf1 iιxf4+
18.!:txf4 liJe5
Preνiously 18 ... .ixb3 19.axb3 !:txd1 +
20.'it>xd1 ~d8+ 21.~c1liJe5 was seen ίη this
position Kloνans - Dνoirys, Budapest
1992, also with a draw.
19.1Hd4 1ιc6 20.1:Ixd8 ~xd8 21.!:txd8
~xd8 22.liJd4 1ιd5 23.b3 g6 24.~d2 f5
25.c4 1ιe4 26.~c3 ~e7lh-lh
Ε73
Milov - Ponomariov
Round 9 3.08
l.d4 liJf6 2.c4 g6 3.liJc3 .ig7 4.e4 d6
5 ..ie2 0-0 6.1ιg5
The Aνerbakh Variation ίη the Κing's
Indian Defence leads often to a νery keen
play.Not this time, though.
6 ... liJa6 7.liJf3 h6 8 ..ie3liJg4 9.1ιcΙ e5
10.0-0 c6
Mter 10 ... ~e8 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.b3 ~e6
13 ..ia3 c5 14.liJd5 liJf6 15. ~c2 b6 16 ..ib2
liJd7 17.a3 .ib7 18.b4 White kept some ίηί­
tiatiνe ίη the game ΜίΙον - Gallagher, Pula
2000.
11.dxe5
Ιη case of 11.h3 Black had to reckon
240
with 11 ... exd4 12.C2Jxd4 C2Jf6, pressing οη
the e4-pawn.
11 ... dxe5
11 ... C2Jxe5 12.C2Jd4 ~b6 13.i.e3 ~xb2
14.C2Ja4 ~b4 15.i.d2 ~a3 occurred preνi­
ously, followed by a draw after the repeti-
tion of moνes Dussol - Apicella, Meudon
1991.
12.h3 C2Jf6 13.~xd81:!.xd8 14.J1ιe3
Taking the pawn with 14.Nxe5 made ηο
sense for White because Black would re-
turn it easily after 14 ... C2Jc5 15 ..tf3 1:!.e8,
haνing deνeloped his pieces νery well at
the same time.
14 ... C2Je8 15.1:!.fd11:!.xd1+ 16.1:!.xd1 i.e6
17.a3 C2Jac7 18.C2Jd2 ..ITιf819.C2Ja4 b6 20.b4
1:!.d8 21.c5 b5 22.C2Jb2 f6 23.C2Jb3 1:!.xd1+
24 ...ITιxd1 Φπ
25.f4
The position has got much simpler, still
White does not want to agree to a draw
and attempts to open up the play.
25 ... exf4 26 ...ITιxf4 .txb3
Probably Black did not want to let the
white knight get to the d4-square. Well,
he could haνe played 26 .. ...ITιg7 as well with
the idea that if 27.C2Jd4, then 27 ... f5.
27 ...ITιxb3+ Φe7 28.C2Jd3 ..ITιg7 29.Φf2 a6
30.Φe3 C2Je6 31 ...ITιb8 h5
The position gets more and more tense
with eνery moνe.
32.C2Jf4 ..ITιh6 33.g3 C2J8c7 34...ITιd1 Φd7
35. Φf3 C2Jg5+
Black prefers to defend actiνely. After
35 ... C2Jf8 Black's redoubts were also well
coνered as 36.e5 gaνe White nothing to be
Super Tournαments 2000
followed by 36 ... fxe5 37.C2Jd3 Φc8 38 ...ITιxc7
φχc7 39.C2Jxe5 ..ITιc1 40.a4, maintaining an
equality.
36.Φg2 C2Jxe4 37.C2Jxg6 Φc8 38. ..ITιxc7
It is better to part with the adνantage
of two bishops now as after 38 ..ta7 .tc1
39.a4 bxa4 40 ...ITιxa4 Φb7 41 ...ITιb6 C2Jd5 black
knights preνailed οη the board.
38 ... φχc7 39..txh5
White managed to win a pawn, but he
will not be able to keep this adνantage
because all his pawns οη the queenside are
weak.
39....tc140...ITιf3 C2Jg5 41.h4 C2Jf'7 42.C2Je7
C2Je5 43.h5 f5 44.C2Jxf5 ..ITιxa3 45.h6 .txb4
46.C2Jd4 ..ITιc3 47.h7 C2Jg6 48.C2Jxc6 b4
49.C2Ja5 C2Jf8 50 ...ITιe4 C2Je6 51.C2Jb3 a5
52.J1ιf5 a4 53 ..txe6 axb3 54.Φf3
Α draw was ineνitable after 54 ...ITιxb3
Φc6 too.
54... Φc6 55.Φf4 b2 56 •..ITιa2 lh-1f2
166 C92
Gelfand - Svidler
Round 10 4.08
1.e4 e5 2.C2Jf3 C2Jc6 3 ...ITιb5 a6 4 ..ta4 C2Jf6
5.0-0 ..ITιe7 6.1:!.e1 b5 7 ...ITιb3 d6 8.c3 ο-ο
9.h3 C2Jd7 10.d4 .tf6
The opponents play one of the most
popular νariations of the Ruy Lopez.
Black's aim is to hinder the deνelopment
ofWhite's b1-knight by means ofpressure
upon the central d4-pawn.
11.a4 ..ITιb7 12.lLJa3 exd4
Black surrenders the centre, hoping to
deνelop a strong pressure upon White's
pawns and get an actiνe play οη the
queenside. Another line of this νariation
is connected with Black's moνe 12 ... C2Jb6.
The Israeli grandmaster encountered this
line ίη the semi-final match of the FIDE
World Championship. After 13.axb5 axb5
14.d5 C2Je7 15 ...ITιe3 c6 16.dxc6 ..ITιxc6 17.C2Jh2
C2Jg6 18.C2Jg4 ..ITιe7 19.~d3 C2Ja4 Black man-
aged to equalize ίη the game Gelfand -
Karpoν, Sanghi Nagar (m/5) 1995.
Biel
13.cxd41:te814.axb5
Usually White tries to gain an adνan­
tage with the moνe 14.~f4 which leads to
a keen play after 14 ... CLJa5 15.~c2 b4.The
complexity of the position after Black's
thirteenth moνe can be illustrated with a
curious miniature where White lost ίη fiνe
moνes.Mter 14. ~d3? CLJxd4! 15.CLJxd4 CLJc5
16. ~f3 1:txe4 17.CLJe2 1:te5 18. ~g3 ..th4
White resigned ίη the game Κr.Georgieν­
Papazoν, Dupnica 1998.
14 ... axb5 15.~f4 CLJa5 16 . ..tc2 b4
17.CLJb5
This actiνe moνe became possible after
the preliminary exchange ofthe a-pawns.
17.....tc618.'l;j{d3!
Α new moνe. Only 18 ...td3 was seen
preνiously.
18... CLJf8
Black's idea is quite simple. He wants
to win the white knight with 19 ... ~d7.
19.d5!
Black's plan failed. Black begins an
adνance of his central pawns.
19 ... ..td7 20.e5 dxe5 21.CLJxe5 b3
22.CLJxd7
Of course the pawn cannot be taken.
After 22 . ..txb3? CLJxb3 23.1:txa8 ~xa8
24.~xb3 (if 24.CLJxc7, then 24 ... ~a5 wins)
24 ... ..txb5 25. ~xb5 CLJg6 Black is to win.
22 ... 'l;j{xd 7 23.1:txe8!
Α good response. After 23.CLJxc7 (23.
..txb3? was totally bad for White because
of23 ... CLJxb3 24.~xb31:txel+ 25.1:txe11:tb8)
23 ... 1:txe1+ 24.1:txe1 .ί:i.b8 (24 ... 1:tc8 was
weaker because of25 ...txb3 CLJxb3 26.~xb3
241
nxc7 27 ...txc7 ~xc7, and two White's pawn
plus the rook outweighed Black's two
pieces.) 25 ...td1 ..txb2 26 ...tg4 ~a4 Black
still could haνe maintained the equality.
23 ....ί1χe824 ...tbι
Two questions haνe stayed unan-
swered: - "What should haνe been done
by Black after 24 ...txb3 or 24.~d1?".In the
first case after 24 ...txb3 CLJxb3 25. ~xb3 .ί1b8
26.1:ta5 by means of26 ... ..td4 (with the idea .
..td4-b6 and then ..tb6xf2+ after the white
rook retreats) Black got a counterplay as
after 27 ...te3 ..txe3 28.fxe3 ~f5 Black's ac-
tiνity was enough to compensate the miss-
ing pawn. Ιη the second case Black's task
was more difficult. Mter 24 ...td1 Black was
not good because the line 24 ... 1:te1 + (both
24 ... CLJe6 and 24 ... CLJb7 were bad because
of25 ...tg4) 25.Wh2 CLJb7 ίη νiew of26.~b3!
presented Black fairly difficult problems.
24 ... CLJb7 25.CLJxc7
Ιη case of25.'l;j{xb3 Black had 25 ... 1:tel+
26.Wh2 ~xb1! 27.1:txb1 ~f5 with a double
attack of the bishop and of the rook.
25 ... ..txb2 26.CLJxe8?!
Now ίη Gelfand's ορίηίοη 26.1:Ia7 giνes
Black the most serious troubles, because
after 26 ... 1:tel+ 27.Wh2 CLJc5 28.~c4 nxb1
29. ~xc5 it is uneasy for him to defend. For
example, if 29 ... kΪa1 then 30.CLJe6!, is νery
strong, and if29 ... ~f5 then 30.~xίB+! wins
immediately.
26 ... ..txal 27. ~xb3 'l;j{xe8 28. ~xb7
'l;j{el+ 29.Wh2 'l;j{xf2 30 . ..tg3 'l;j{e3 31.
..txh7+ wh8!
Το capture is not obligatory ίη chess.
Mter 31 ... Wxh7? White had 32.~b1+, and
ίη case of 31 ... CLJxh7? there was a strong
32.~a8+, White keeps an extra pawn ίη
both cases.
32 ...tc2
The threat of 32 ... ..ta1-d4 is too seri-
ous to let the bishop stay οη the danger-
ous h7-square .
32 ... ..te5!
Now this is eνidently a draw.
33 ...txe5 1f2-1f2
242
167 Β43
Ponornariov - Gallagher
Round 10 4.08
l.e4 c5 2.tZJf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.tZJxd4 a6
5.tZJc3 b5 6.~d3 ~c5 7.tZJb3
Ιη the eighth round after the well
known 7 .~e3 'f;'fb6 White delivered an im-
pressing blow with 8. 'f;'fg4!? ~xd4 9.e5 in
the game Gallagher - Milov, Biel 2000.
Probably the Swiss grandmaster had some
other preparations too, but Ruslan Ροηο­
mariov hurries to avoid this line.
7 ... ~e7 8.'f;'fg4 g6?!
Now Black will surely encounter great
problems. Ιη the game Tiviakov - Bos-
boom, Hoogeveen 1999 he preferred to play
the complicated position after 8 ... tZJf6
9. 'f;'fxg7 :!.g8 10. 'f;'fh6 tZJc6 and eventually
succeeded, having confused his opponent.
9.'f;'fe2 d610.0-0 b411.tZJdl ~b712.a3
tZJc6 13.~d2 bxa3 14.1::txa3 'f;'fc8 15.tZJe3
tZJf6 16.tZJc4
Black will find ηο time to castle ίη the
whole game. At this moment the fork is
threatening.
16 •.. 'f;'fc7 17.tZJca5 tZJe5
This time there was ηο 17 ... 0-0 because
of 18.tZJxb7 'f;'fxb7 19.jιxa6, Black losing a
pawn.
18.tZJxb7 tZJxd3 19.cxd3 'f;'fxb7
20.tZJa5!
Black will not have a respite.
20 ... 'f;'fd7
The pawn could have been taken with
20 ... 'f;'fxb2, but it had been hard to hold this
Super Tournαments 2000
position then.After 2U::tb3 'f;'fd4 (if 21 ...
'f;'fe5, then after 22.1:rfb1 1::tc8 23.!:!.b6 the
problems remained as Black's castling
23 ... 0-0? allowed 24.CtJc6, and if21 ... 'f;'fa2,
then after 22.~fb1 ο-ο 23. 'f;'fd1 'f;'fa4 24.~a1
'f;'fe8 25.jιh6 Black lost) 22.~fb1 1::tc8
23.tZJc4 'f;'fc5 (after 23 ... 0-0 24.jιe3 Black's
queen was trapped ίη the very centre of
the board) 24.~b7 Black still was not able
to solve his castling problem.
21.I!.b3 nc8
The move 21 ... 0-0 is bad again because
of 22.1::tb7 'f;'fe8 (if 22 ... 'f;'fd8, then 23.tZJc6)
23.jιh6.
22.tZJc4 jιd8 23.~h6
ΒΥ this time it is already obvious that
Black's king will spend all his life ίη the
centre of the board.
23 ... d5 24.tZJb6 jιxb6 25.1::txb6
Besides the problems with the king
Black's position has got worse because of
the weak black squares.
25 ... 'f;'fa4 26.'f;'ff3 tZJd7 27.b3 dxe4
28.dxe4 'f;'fa5 29.1::tb7 'f;'fh5
Gallagher attempts to remove the dis-
turbing white bishop, which has settled
itself at the rear ofBlack's camp but fails.
30.'f;'ff4 e5 31.'f;'fd2CtJc5 32.1::ta7 g5
After 32 ... 'f;'fg4 33.~c3 ~e6 34.1::tc1 with
a crucial binding ση the c-file Black also
would not suffer for a long time.
33.'f;'fd61-0
168 D38
Van Wely - ΜΗον
Round 10 4.08
l.d4 tZJf6 2.c4 e6 3.tZJc3 d5 4.tZJf3 jιb4
5.~a4+ tZJc6 6.a3 jιxc3+ 7.bxc3 ο-ο
8.jιg5 h6 9.~h4 g5
Once 9 ... jιd7 was played ίη this posi-
tion very long time ago. Black's move ίη
the game looks more fundamental and
stronger.
10.jιg3 CtJe4 11. 'f;'fc2 h5 12.tZJe5 h4
13.tZJxc6 bxc6 14.f3 tZJd6 15.jιxd6 cxd6
16.e4 'f;'ff6 17.jιd3 dxe4 18.fxe4
Biel
Black has a good play also after 18.
~xe4 d5 19.iιh7+ c;t>h8 20.cxd5 cxd5 21.
ο-ο .ta6.
18 ... c5 19.tH2 ~xf2+ 20.~xf2 iιa6
Black's position is eνidently more pleas-
ant but to gain a real profit from his pluses
is not an easy task.
21.dxc5 dxc5 22.e5 ~fd8
Black wants to get the d-file under his
243
control. He could haνe created a passed
pawn at once with 22 ... f6 23.exf6 nxf6+,
but after 24.ι;t>e3 z:taf8 25.z:thf1 to be fol-
lowed by an exchange of the rooks he
hardly would be able to win the bishop
endgame as the white king would be quite
secure οη e3 and might not fear a zugz-
wang.
23.c;t>e3 J::td7 24.g3 l:tad8
Mter 24 ... hxg3 25.hxg3 .ί:tad8 White had
26.iιe4! (after 26.iιe2 nd2 27.J::th5 z:tc2 he
had problems) 26 ... .txc4 27.1:th5, maintain-
ing the balance.
25.iιe2 Ϊtd2 26.gxh4 gxh4 27.z:thd1
1:txdl 28.z:txdl Uxdl 29..txdl c;t>g7
After 29 ... ~xc4 30.c;t>f4 c;t>g7 3U~,g4
White would haνe taken Black's h-pawn
soon.
30.Wf4 f6 31.iιe2 c;t>g6 32.c;t>g4 fxe5
33.iιd3+ ~f6 34.c;t>xh4 .tb7 35.c;t>g3 iιc6
36.'i.t>g4 iιa4 37.~f3 1,12-1,12
244 Super Tournaments 2000

Montecatini Terme
28.07-6.08, cat.17

4 5 6 8

1 Ivanchuk 2719 = = 1 1 1 5

2 Bareev 2702 Ο 1 1 1 4.5

3 Azmai parashvili 2673 = Ο 1 4

4 8hirov 2746 = 1 = Ο 3.5

5 Rublevsky 2670 = 1 3.5

6 Piket 2649 Ο Ο 1 = 3.5

7 Minasian 2595 Ο Ο 1 Ο

8 Lputian 2598 Ο Ο Ο =

Eight grandmasters played for 7 days without rest at the first super tournament ίη
Montecatini Terme, pompously called the Champions' Tournament by its organizers.
This intense schedule affected the quality of play, first of all, ofthe ELO favourite Alexei
8hirov. 80, ίη the game with Azmaiparashvili (game 169) Alexei blundered a pawn οη
16th move ίη a simple position, then ίη the game with Ivancht::.k (game 170) he should
have lost after his mistake οη 24th move but the game was drawn, and then he lost to
Minosian (game 173). The struggle for first place developed between Ivanchuk and
Bareev. Each ofthem scored 3.5 points after 5 rounds. Ιη round 6 Bareev lost to 8hirov,
and even his victory ίη the final round was insufficient to win when Ivanchuk, after a
quick draw with Rublevsky, defeated Minosian ίη the final round (game 174).

Interview with GM Zurab Azmaiparashvili

ΒΥ Denis Bilunou

Q: How do you estimate your performance?

Α: Ι am quite satisfied. Ι hadn't played for a long time, so when they invited me to
the tournament ίη Montecatini, it was an opportunity to get some training, and also
the 1st European Championship ίη Italy was near. Usually Ι don't play ίη open tourna-
ments, but it was a special case, a good opportunity to practice ίη the same country just
before the event. Third place, and my victory over 8hirov - of course, this is a very good
result.
Montecatini Terme 245

Interview with GM Evgenii Bareev

ΒΥ Denis Bilunov

"Perhaps it's time to wήte a book about chess ... "

Q: It was the first time for almost 10 years that top level chess came to
Italy. How do you estimate this fact from the point of view of a participant?
Α: Of course, the present tournament is an important event ίη some sense, but still
Ι don't think it can be regarded as a super tournament. ΟηΙΥ three players over 2700,
this is not enough. I've heard that, the organisers want to invite stronger players next
year, well, let's see ... Ιη any case, Montecatini is such a pleasant place that one remem-
bers it.
Q: Ιn other words, you are absolutely satisfied with the organisation and
would like to come here again.
Α: I'd like to come here and not to play chess. Ι haven't seen such pleasant sur-
roundings for a long time. Now as for the organisation, there were board and lodging,
a playing hall with air conditioning, chess boards and clocks, so it was οκ.
Q: What about financial issues?
Α: Ι am content.
Q: SO, there were many pleasant moments ...
Α: There were ηο pleasant moments, οηlΥ a very the hard work, preparing ίη the
morning for three hours, then playing the game for six or seven hours, then about an
hour ίη the evening, it came υρ to 12 hours all ίη all.
Q: But it was your usual tournament schedule, or was it something special
this time?
Α: Ι worked here as much as Ι usually do lately, and also Ι worked more than usually
before the tournament.
Q: What happened to Bareev at the tournament? We know him as a very
stable player who may not win much, but who hardly ever loses ...
Α: Ι think the break occurred earlier, ίη 8arajevo. Ι changed my style and returned
to the time when Ι used to win much but Ι lost quite a lot. The point is that Ι play not
much now, and each tournament becomes an important event for me. Ιη a sense, Ι play
each game as ifit was my last one, trying to do my best and get pleasure. This means
that Ι don't wait and defend, thinking about the result οηlΥ (that is about a draw), but
Ι try to win and thus run the risk oflosing, but also get my pleasure.
Q: Was that a deliberate change of style?
Α: Yes, it was it occurred to me once that Ι could perhaps write a book about chess,
and Ι found out there were almost ηο games for it. 80, Ι decided to play some after all. ..
Q: SO, what games from this tournament will be published ίn your book?
Α: I'm very sorry ... ΜΥ result may look good, but there were too many unbalanced
positions at the tournament, Ι could have scored both 50 % or plus 2, and there were ηο
games to be proud of.
Q: What can you say about other participants?
Generally, they all played at their level. Ivanchuk scored his +3 easily. 8hirov didn't
looked well, yet he scored at 50%, so it can't be called a failure. Now tourists (Minosian,
Lputian - RR) are just tourists ... There is a gulfyou canjump over at the World Cham-
pionship οηlΥ, having won your rapid games.
246
169 C60
Shirov - Azmaiparashvili
Round 1 28.07
Notes by A.Kochyev
l.e4 e5 2.tLJf3 tLJc6 3.i.b5 g6 4.d4
The other opportunity was to create a
pawn centre by c3 and d4. Ιη this case the
play would be more quiet.
4 ... exd4 5.i.g5 i.e7
As a matter of fact, this moνe was
forced, because 5 ... f6?! was too dangerous
for Black.
6.i.xe7 ~xe7 7.i.xc6 dxc6 8.~xd4
tLJf6 9.tLJc3 i.g4 10.tLJd2
The exchange Jtxf3 gf had ηο sense for
White, so he had preνented it and, at the
same time, had increased the protection
ofthe e4-pawn.
10 ... c5 1l.~e3 0-0-0 12.h3 i.d7 13.
0-0-0 i.c6
This position is a slightly better for
White owing to his "extra" pawn ίη the
centre.
14.g4
White wants to dήνe back Black's forces
οη the queenside, howeνer there was also
an alternatiνe plan, implying a mere
reinforcement ofthe centre to be followed
by a rook exchange οη the d-file. Ιη this
case White would keep a slight adνantage
ίη the endgame.
14 ...1::!:he8 15.1::!:hel b6
16.f4?!
This moνe seems to be caused by a
miscalculation. Α mere 16.f3 was good
Super Tournαments 2000
here.
16...tLJxe4 17.tLJcxe4
Ιη case of 17.f5 there was 17 ... tLJxc3
18"~xe7 z:ι.xe7 19.~xe7 tLJxd120.'.txd1 i.g2
with Black's adνantage as White had ηο
21.h4? because of i.f3+.
17... f5 18.gxf5 gxf5 19.tLJd6+ ~xd6
20.tLJc4 ~f6 21.1:txd8+ 1::txd8 22.tLJe5 i.e4
Although White managed to get the
knight to a strong stand οη e5, this can't
compensate him the missing pawn. As a
matter of fact, Black has an obνious
adνantage, and the game proceeds to the
stage of its realization. This is the price
White pays for the unhappy 16.f4
23.1:!.gl ~e6 24.b3 ~d5
Black will gradually reinforce his
position, and opportunely accomplish a
queen exchange οη the d4-square which
will make his adνantage decisiνe.
25.tLJc4 '.tb7 26.'.tb2 ~g8 27.~xg8
~xg8 28.~f2 ~d8 29.tLJe5 ~dI30.h4 a5
The rook exchange does not help White,
the endgame is still νery hard for him.
31.a4?!
White was going to play a bishop νs.
knight ending, so he should not haνe put
the pawn οη a light square.
31 ... '.tc8 32.tLJc4 ~d4+ 33.~xd4 cxd4
34.c3 dxc3+ 35.'.txc3 '.td7 36.tLJe3 '.te6
37.ι;tod4 i.f3 38.ςt>c3 i.d5
Ιη this position Black's extra pawn
guarantees his νictory.
39.tLJf1 ~d6 40.tLJg3 Jte6 41.tLJf1 '.tc5
42.tLJe3 c6 43.tLJc2 b5 44.axb5 cxb5
45.b4+ axb4+ 46.tLJxb4 Jtc4 0-1
White was unable to stop Black's king
οη his way to the centre.
170 D46
Ivanchuk - Shirov
Round 3 30.07
Notes by A.Kochyev
l.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.tLJf3 tLJf6 4.e3 e6
5.j,d3 tLJbd7 6.0-0 i.d6 7.tLJc3
There is another well known conti-
Montecαtini Terme
nuation 7.CLJbd2 which allows White to
aνoid the plan with dxc4, haνing intro-
duced the knight into the play νia c4. But
ίη this case it is easier for Black to
accomplish the important adνance e6-e5.
7 ... 0-0 8.e4 dxc4
Black prefers a complex play. Also
8 ... dxe4!? was possible to be followed by
9.CLJxe4 CLJxe4 10 ..!txe4 f5 11 ..!tc2 e5, but not
immediate 1O ... e5? because of 11.dxe5
CLJxe5 12.CLJxe5 .ixe5 13 ..!txh7+ <Jtxh7
14. 'l;th5+, and then 15. 'l;te5 with White's
extra pawn.
9 ..!txc4 e5 10•.!te3
One ofthe main continuations. The idea
is that if Black goes for exd4, then White
captures οη d4 with the bishop. As a rule,
White gains certain opening adνantage ίη
this νariation.
10 ... 'l;te7 11 ..!tb3 exd4 12 ..!txd4 CLJe5
13.CLJxe5 .!txe514..I1ιxe5 'l;txe515.f4 'l;tc5+
16.~hl
Despite exchanges and simplifications,
Black must play νigorously as otherwise
White gains an obνious adνantage owing
to his pawn pair ίη the centre.
16 ... .I1ιe6 17 ..ixe6 fxe6 18.'l;tb3 gae8
19.e5 CLJg4 20.g3 J::!.e7
After 20 ... CLJf2+ 21.<Jtg2 CLJg4 22.Itf3
White has better prospects.
21.~ael 'l;tb6
If 21 ... CLJf2+, then 22.Φg2 CLJd3 23.ge2,
and White's chances should be considered
as preferable owing to the opportunity of
CLJe4.
22.'l;ta3
White had also 22.CLJe4, maintaining
certain strong points of his position.
22 ... gd7 23.CLJe4 gd4 24.'l;te7 c5?
The correct solution was to exchange
seνeral pieces by 24 ... J:ιxe4 25.'l;txe6+ <Jth8
26. 'l;txg4 (ίη case of 26.klxe4 CLJf2+ 27.Mxf2
'l;txf2 Black has a counterplay, for example
28.'l;tc4 'l;tf3+ 29.Φg1 1:td8 30.~e1 !ld2
31.'l;tf1 'l;td5) 26 ... klxe1 27.J:ιxe1 'l;txb2. Ιη
this position White's far adνanced pawns
giνe him better chances (Soloviov).
25.CLJd6 'l;tc6+ 26.~gl 'l;td5
247
If 26 ... 1:td2 then 27. 'l;txe6+ <Jth8 28.
':e4+-
27.'l;txb7
Haνing protected the e6-pawn, Black
threatens to proceed to a counterattack by
27 ... !ld2. Howeνer White still had an
excellent chance to win, ifhe had used the
power ofthe bishop + knight battery. Mter
27.f5!! (threatening with fxe6+- and
'l;txe6+-) Black would haνe ηο defence.
Probably Iνanchuk oνerlooked the fanta-
stic idea: ίη case of 27 ... CLJxe5 there was
28.f6!! gxf6 29.CLJe8 'l;td7. White would haνe
won easily ίη the following lines as well:
27 ... exf5 28.CLJxf5+- ~xf5 29.'l;te8+ 1:I.f8
30.klxf8#; or 27 ... ti.d2 28. 'l;txe6+ 'l;txe6
29.fxe6 CLJxh2 30.e7+-; or 27 ... h6 28.f6 gxf6
29.exf6 CLJxf6 (if 29 ... ~xf6?, then 30.Itxf6
CLJxf6 31.'l;tf'7+-) 30.CLJe8 nxe8 31.'l;txf6 'l;th5
32.kle5+-. Ιη case of27 ... CLJxe5 the solution
is less eνident. The correct response is
28.f6!! gxf6 (28 ... i:lg4 29.Ite5 'l;te5 30.f'7+-)
29.CLJe8 'l;td7 (29 ... nd2?? 30.'l;tg7#; 29 ... i:lxe8
30.'l;txe8+ <Jtg7 31.'l;te7+ ~h6 32.nxe5!+-;
29 ... gf'7 30.CLJxf6+ 1:!.xf6 31. 'l;txf6+-) 30.
CLJxf6+ l:txf6 31. 'l;txf6 CLJg6 32. 'l;txe6+-
(Analysis by Soloviov).
27 ... 'l;txb7 28.CLJxb71:tb8 29.CLJxc5 nxb2
30.gdl1:tc4 3U:Ι:cΙ nd4
Ιη case of31 ... gxc132.nxc1 CLJxh2 there
was 33.ti.c3 with an White's adνantage.
32.CLJxe6 ndd2 33.IIc8+ <JtfΊ 34.CLJg5+
Φe7
If 34 ... ~g6, then 35.CLJf3 1:tg2+ 36.<Jth1,
opportunely threatening with the check
CLJh4.
248
35.J:tc7+ Φe8 36.l2Jf3 l:tg2+ 37.<;t>hl
l2Jxh2 38.l2Jh4
Drawing the game.
38 ... l2Jxf1 39.l2Jxg2 l2Jxg3+ 40.'it>gl
l2Je2+ 41.Φf1l2Jg3+ 42.'it>gllh - lh
171 Α07
Minasian - Bareev
Round 3 30.07
Notes by A.Kochyev
1.l2Jf3 d5 2.g3 J1ιg4 3.J1ιg2 l2Jd7 4.0-0
Another standard plan begins with 4.c4
and the best response is 4 ... e6.
4 ... c6 5.d3 e5 6.h3 iιh5 7.e4 dxe4
8.dxe4 iιc5 9.l2Jbd2 f6
Black wants to aνoid well known lines.
There was a well reputed plan with
9 ... tZJgf6!? to be followed by ο-ο and J:te8.
Then the bishop retreats to the f8-square,
allowing the knight to occupy c5. At the
same time, Black plays actiνely with his
queenside pawns: a7-a5, etc. This plan
allows Black not to haνe any opening
problems.
10.tZJc4 tZJb6 11.tZJa5 'f:ic7 12.iιd2 ~d8
13.'f:ie2 tZJe7 14.b4 J1ιd6 15.c4
White is trying to gain profit from the
unhappy position ofBlack's dark-squared
bishop οη d6.
15 ... c5 16.iιe3 tZJbc8
Νο 16 ... cxb4? because of 17.c5!
17.l2Jb3 b6 18.b5
Depriνing Black's knight of c6, White
hopes to accomplish a break-through
along the a-file ίη the future. 18.bxc5!? was
possible here as well, yet Black has ηο
problems ίη either line. The position
should be estimated as approximately
equal. Ν ow both opponents need to
improνe the position oftheir pieces. White
is going to prepare a knight transfer to d5,
whereas Black is aiming at the d4-square.
18 ... 0-0 19.'f:ic2 'f:id7 20.tZJh4 iιc7
21.J:tfel
The opportunity of 21.Φh2!? deserνed
attention with the idea to play then iιf3,
Super Tournαments 2000
gaining profit from the exchange of the
light-squared bishops.
21 ... l2Jd6 22.tZJd2 'f:ie6 23.a4 iιf7
24.iιf1 g5 25.l2Jhf3 iιg6 26.a5 h6 27.axb6
axb6 28.~a7 1::rd7
Haνing opened up the a-file, White
failed to gain anything from this. Black
rearranged his pieces successfully and now
is threatening with f6-f5.
29.g4
White preνents the adνance f6-f5
safely, howeνer he has permitted himself
a serious weakening, and soon Bareeν will
make use of this fact most skilfully. Ν ow
the position should be already estimated
as more promising to Black.
29 ... h5 30.l2Jh2 hxg4 31.hxg4 iιf7
32.J:tcl tZJg6 33.tZJbl ~fd8 34.J:ta4
Otherwise there is ηο tZJc3-d5.
34 ... Φg7 35.tZJc3 ~h8 36.f3 tZJf4 37.
tZJd5
37 ...'f:ie8
Black's position is better, eνen though
White's knight managed to get to d5.
Black's pieces are more actiνe, and with
his last moνe he freed the e5-square for
the knight to transfer it then to the strong
position οη d4.
38.':a7 'f:id8 39.J:tdll2Je6 40.'f:ia2 tZJd4
41.~bl ~h6 42.iιf2 iιxd5! 43.cxd5
There was ηο use of 43.exd5 because of
43 ... tZJc8! to be followed by e5-e4!
43 ... 'f:ih8 44.iιxd4
Α forced moνe, because ίη case of
44.iιe3 there was 44 ... J:txh2-+, and 44.J1ιg3
would lose the game because of 44 ...
Montecαtini Terme
CL1xf3!-+
44 ... exd4 45.~b2 c4
Emphasizing Black's obvious advan-
tage. White has got into a real trouble.
46.e5 fxe5 47.3ιχc4 e4 48.~f1 e3
49.!tc2 CL1e8 50.!tcxc7
What else could have been done here?
As a matter of fact, everything is clear. Still
the game continued with following moves.
50 ... CL1xc7 51.~b2 ~f7 52.3ιc4 ςj;e7
53. ~a3+ !thd6 54. ~d3 ~e5 55.CL1f1 e2
56.~xe2 ~xe2 57.3ιχe2 CL1xd5 58.!ta1
CL1f4 59.3ιd1 !td5 60.CL1g3 !tc7 61.CL1f5+ ~f6
62.~b3 ~xb5 63.CL1d6 ~xb3 64.CL1e8+ ~e5
65.CL1xc7 d3 66.~a2 !tc3 0-1
172 Β42
Shirov - Rublevsky
Round 4 31.07
Notes by A.Kochyev
1.e4 c5 2.CL1f3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.CL1xd4 a6
5.3ιd3 CL1f6 6.0-0 d6 7.c4 3ιd7
This move occurred ίη many other
games, played by Rublevsky, as well. Its
idea is to prepare CL1c6 and, ίη case of an
exchange, to be able to capture with the
bishop οη c6, because the position after
7 ... CL1c6 8.CL1xc6 bxc6 is ίη White's favour.
8.CL1c3 CL1c6 9.3ιe3 ~e7 10.f4
The most active continuation. There
was also a more quiet possibility of 10.h3
with the idea of ~d2, securing more
freedom to White.
10 ... 0-0 1U!?h1 CL1xd4 12.3ιχd4 ~c6
13.~e2 CL1d7 14.!tadl e5 15.~e3 exf4
16.3ιχf4 CL1e5
Black accomplished a standard plan,
and his position looks quite satisfactory at
first sight. Right now ίη case of 17 .c5 there
is 17 ... ~a5!; and if White plays 17.CL1d5,
then 17 ... 3ιχd5 18.exd5 3ιf6, and Black is
οκ.
17.3ιc2 ~c7
The most natural move, however if
Black had known White's response he
probably would have preferred 17 ... ~a5,
249
even though after 18.CL1d5 3ιχd5 19.~xd5
(or maybe 19.exd5!? 3ιf6 20.3ιg3, threa-
tening with a pOGitional sacrifice by an
exchange ~f6) 19 ... ~xa2 20.c5 White would
have taken the initiative.
18.c5!
Α very interesting move which gives
White a lasting initiative.
18 ... dxc5 19.CL\d5 ~d6
There was ηο other way. Bad was
19 ... 3ιχd5 20.exd5 3ιd6 21.3ιχe5 3ιχe5
22.d6! 3ιχd6 23.~d3 and White was just
winning the game.
20.3ιg3
Threatening with ~h5.
20 ... 3ιb5! 21.~h5 {6 22 ..ί:ιf4
White increases his pressure. The check
22.CL1xf6+? gained him nothing after 22 ...
':xf6 23.!txf6 ~xf6.
22 ... g6 23. ~h6 !tad8! 24.CL1xf6+ J::!.xf6
25 ..ί:ιΧd6 !tfxd6
Threatening with an intrusion along
the d-file. Black's position stilllooks οκ.
26.~f1!
Α strong and unexpected response, and
White keeps the initiative.
26 ... 3ιf8?
Αη unhappy decision. It would be
interesting to test 26 ... g5, disturbing
White's queen (the position is unclear ίη
case of 27.~h5 3ιΧΩ 28.3ιχe5 !te6). Most
likely White should response to 26 ... g5
with 27.3ιb3, maintaining his attack.
27.~cl!? 3ιχf1 28.3ιχe5 !te6 29.~xf1
!txe5 30.3ιb3+
This is the point! Black has ηο time to
250
co-ordinate his pieces.
30 ... c4 31.~xc4+ Φg7 32.~c7+ 1-0
173 Λ07
Minasian - Shirov
Round 5 1.08
Notes by A.Kochyev
ι.t2Jf3 d5 2.g3 ..tg4 3 ...tg2l2Jd7 4.c4 e6
5.cxd5 exd5 6.0-0 l2Jgf6 7.d3 .iιc5 8.l2Jbd2
White plays the opening absolutely
unpretentiously. Such passive play can't
gain him any advantage.
8 ... 0-0 9.h3 .iιh5 10.l2Jb3 ..tb611.a4 a5
12.l2Jfd4 l2Jc5
Perhaps Black rejected the natural
12 ... .ί:!.e8 because of 13.g4.
13.l2Jxc5 ..txc5 14.l2Jb3 ..tb6 15.~c2
1:te8 16.e3 ..tg6 17.l2Jd2 c5!? 18. ~b3
White's position is somewhat worse
owing to his insipid play ίη the opening,
so he has to make his way by shifts as ίη
case ofl8.b3 there would be an unpleasant
18 ... c4.
18...1:rc8 19.1::ta3 c4?!
With this move Black loses more than
gains, and the position becomes unclear.
20.dxc4 ..tc5
21.cxd5!
This is the point. Now White has his
own play too.
21 ... ..tb4
21 ... ..txa3 changed nothing.
22.~al k1:xcl 23.k1:fxcl i-xd2 24.~dl
..tb4 25.1:tacl l2Je4 26 ...txe4
Super Tournαments 2000
Though this decision looks risky, still it
seems to be correct. Black's knight is too
active.
26 ... ..txe4 27.1:td4 ..tf5
Ιη case of 27 .. .'~d7 there was 28. ~c4.
28.d6!?
White has ηο time to waste; Black's
bishop pair is very dangerous.
28 ... ..td7
28 ... ..te6!? was worth trying here.
29..ί:rc7 b6 30.~d5
White's forces are fully centralized.
30 ... ~f8 31.~b7 .iιxh3 32.d7! ~f6
33.1:tc8 i-e7 34.1::txf8+ ΦΧf8 35.~f4 1-0
If 35 ... ~g5, then 36.d8~+ i-xd8 37.
~xf7#
174 Ε60
Minasian - Ivanchuk
Round 7 3.08
Notes by A.Kochyev
1.l2Jf3 l2Jf6 2.g3 g6 3 ..iιg2 j,g7 4.0-0
0-0 5.d4 d6 6.c4l2Jc6 7.d5l2Ja5 8.l2Jbd2
Αη uncommon continuation. ν. Kor-
chnoi used to play so ίη the past. The idea
of this move is tΙat ίη case of a natural
8 ... c5 White plays 9.l2Jel and then tran-
sfers the knight to c2, where it will be very
useful for the opposition to Black's
queenside play.
8 ...b5!?
Αη interestir;g move, however ηο
novelty.
9.cxb5
9.l2Jd4'? l2Jxc4 (if 9 ... bxc4, then 10. ~a4
Montecαtini Terme
with a slight adνantage to White) 10.liJxc4
bxc4 11. ~a4.
9 ... liJxd5 10.~a4
There was an interesting 10.liJb3!? Ιη
case of lo.J:;tbl Black had 10 ... c5 11.bxc6
liJxc6 12.liJb3liJb6 13.liJfd4liJxd4 14.liJxd4
d5 with definite counterchances.
10 ... liJb7 11.~h4
An insipid continuation. Black will haνe
ηο problerns ίη the endgarne.
11 ... e6 12.~xd81:txd8 13.liJb3
The opportunity of 13.liJc4 to be follo-
wed by 5ιg5 deserved attention, corn-
pleting the queenside deνeloprnent.
Instead, White is wasting tirne and
gradually his position becornes quite
troublesorne.
13 ... a614.e4?!
Another dubious rnoνe. 14.liJfd4 was
better.
14... liJb4 15 ..ig5 1:td7!?
Black has an obνious advantage. It is
νery difficult to defend White's queenside.
16.a4.ixb2 17.Mabl 5ιg7 18.liJbd4 a5
19.1iJc6liJc5 20.liJxb4 axb4 21.l:!.xb4 nxa4
22.1:txa4 liJxa4 23.e5
White's position is νery hard, so he is
trying to cornplicate rnatters.
23 ... dxe5 24.CLJd2 h6 25 . ..te3 CLJc3
26.Mal Md8 27.na8 CLJxb5 28.liJc4 Φh7
29.5ιf1 liJc3 30.CLJa5 Mh8! 31.1:ta7 liJd5
32.5ιb5 1:td8 33.1:ta8 CLJxe3 34.fxe3 5ιf6
Much better was 34 ... f5! to be followed
bye4.
35 ..ia4 5ιg5 36.Wf21:td2+ 37.'it>f3 !1a2
38..lTιc6 Ma3
Black dernonstrates a lot ofinaccuracy
at the achieνernent ofhis adνantage. 38 ... f5
251
was stronger here.
39.Mxc8 :Ιχa5 40.l1xc7 Wg8 41.5ιe8
e4+ 42. Φχe4 ~f5
Black has lost rnost of his adνantage,
but he still keeps certain winning chances.
43.h4
An unnecessary actiνity which weakens
White's pawns.
43 ... ..td8 44.:Ιd7 5ιa5 45.1:ta7 ..tel
46.g4 nf6 47.h5 gxh5 48.gxh5 ttf5 49.Φd3
Φf8 50.e4 .ί:!.f4 51.';~te3
It would be better to play an endgarne
with opposite-coloured bishops after
51 ...tc6.
51 ....td2+! 52.'it>xd2 Φχe8 53.Φe3 Mh4
54.!1a5 Φe7 55.Φf3 Wf6 56.1:tb5 e5 57.1:ta5
.ί:!.χh5
The rook endgarne with two pawns
down is hopeless.
58.Φg4 Φg6 59.1:i.a6+ f6 60 ..!:.a8
The pawn ending after 60.~xf6+ ΦΧf6
61.Φχh5 Φg7 did not giνe White ηο chance.
60 ... Ithl 61.l1g8+ Φf7 62.1:ta8 h5+
63.Φf3 .ί;lh4 64.~e3 Φg7 65.1:ta7+ Φh6
66.1:i.a8 Ith3+ 67.~e2 I:!.g3 68.I:!.h8+ Φg5
69.rif8 h4 70.'it>f2 rig4 0-1
252 Super Tournαments 2000

Rubinstein Memorial
Polanica Zdroj (Poland) 17.08-26.08, cat.17

2
Gelfaηd

Shirov
2681
2746
-=
1 2

1
Ο 1I1.Ά .,,,
=
3

1
4

=
=
5

=
1
6

=
1
7

=
=
8

=
9

=
10

1
6.5

3 Vaη Wely 2643 = Ο !.::.\.:;. .• 1 1 = = = 1 1 6

rfΞ Ι'
4 Ivaηchuk 2719 = = Ο = 1 = = 1 5

5 Κrasenkow 2702 = Ο Ο 1 1 Ο 1 1 5

6 Markowski 2568 = Ο = = Ο = 1 = = 4

7 Movsesiaη 2666 Ο = = = 1 Ο Ο = 1 4

8 Almasi 2668 = = = Ο Ο = 1 Ο 1 4

9 Svidler 2689 Ο = Ο = Ο = 1 = = 3.5

10 A.Fedorov 2646 Ο Ο Ο Ο Ο = Ο Ο = Ι;.'· 1

Before the begiηηiηg ofthe tourηameηt amoηg favorites they ηamed: Shirov (the
highest rated player, woη ίη Merida), Ivaηchuk (the wiηηer ofLviv aηd Moηtecatiηi
Terme) aηd Svidler (recently woη the Biel tourηameηt). But Gelfaηd was ηot usually
meηtioηed because he did ηot play very successfully lately. Aηd local fuηs hoped for
fiηe performaηce ofthe Poles: Mikhail Κraseηkow aηd Tomasz Markowski.
From the very begiηηiηg Gelfaηd easily defeated Fedorov iη the first rouηd aηd iη
aη importaηt ηiηety-move game iη the secoηd rouηd maηaged to beat P.Svidler. But
this defeat was the last straw for Peter aηd he could ηot fiηd his owη play.
Mter 4 rouηds Vaη Welywas amoηgthe leaders (excepthim οηlΥ Shirov aηd Gelfaηd
had 3 poiηts), aηd iη the ηext rouηd he defeated Ivaηchuk (game 199)! Oηe of the
competitors lagged behiηd ίη the 6th rouηd: A.Shirov (White) lost to Gelfaηd iη 28 moves
(game 202). But theη Alexey oηce agaiη "helped" Gelfaηd haviηg beateη Vaη Wely ίη
the 8th rouηd (game 210). Ιη the last rouηd Gelfaηd made a quick draw, aηd Vaη Wely
almost for 50 moves (game 215) tήed to realize his advaηtage (rook + bishop agaiηst
rook + pawη), but ίη vaiη.

Interview with Polanica Zdroj Winner GM Boris Gelfand

ΕΥ Dmitry Nouitsky

Q: Boris, first of all, Ι congratulate you with your victory. How do you esti-
mate the tournament?
Α: The tourηameηt, iη geηeral, is very stroηg, oηe ofthe stroηgest this year. Several
Rubinstein Memoriαl 253
points more and it would have 18 category. ΑΙΙ players have had successes achieved.
For example, Markowski recently has played very well at the championship ofEurope;
it is obvious that this young player is οη the rise. Therefore before the beginning ofthe
tournament Ι had already understood that the competition would be one of the most
difficult for me. Especially taking into account that Ι played very bad last year.
Q: How do you appraise your play ίη the tournament?
Α: Ι am satisfied with it; Ι have not played so well for a long time. Ι was very upset
with my last year's play. 80 it was important that from first rounds Ι managed to win
some victories, and this encouraged me. Ι gained 2 points out of 2 though Ι played
Black both games.
Q: What was the most difficult game?
Α: Probably, with Markowski. Ι had a very hard position.
Q: And what was the crucial game?
Α: With 8vidler, probably. After the opening Ι got the winning position, but Peter
was persistently defending and he could make a draw ίη some moment. But all the
same οη the 90th move Ι managed to win. Ιη my ορίηίοη, 8vidler did not understand at
once that the position was not so simple. He could prevent me from realizing my plan,
but everything turned out to be οκ. After this game Ι had confidence of success: to beat
such a strong opponent, playing Black, when a draw was possible. Οη the other hand,
Ι had bad positions twice: with Markowski and with Van Wely, but Ι managed to es-
cape. With the Dutch Ι could lose two times. The position was harmless, but Ι had made
the ineptest move, and he could have a winning endgame. Ι had ηο time for castling
and so he won a pawn, my initiative was temporary; by one exact move Loek could
repel all my counterplay. But Ι escaped. And with Markowski Ι also made a mistake: he
had a large advantage and Ι hardly made a draw. These are the crucial games.
Q: What do you think, why ίη Biel your performance was not as successful
as here? Why is there such a difference?
Α: Ι think this depends οη quantity of energy. Ιη Biel Ι could have had the same
result according to positions but sometimes my head simply was not working and the
positions, which could be won, were not. And here maybe because air is fresher (he
smiles), Ι often went for a walk and the head was able to work. Ι could calculate diffi-
cult variations and strength was enough for the whole game.
Q: What can you say about this tournament ίη general?
Α: The tournament turned out to be battle. It is hard to predict the result of such a
competition; level of all players is high, and everything depends ίη what form every
player is. Α lot ofinteresting games were played, ίη the NajdorfVariation, ίη particu-
lar. Thel'e were many effective games, and one of the reasons was A.Fedorov's play.
Unfortunately, he played very unsuccessfully and that increased "efficiency". This was
his fil'st tOUl'nament at such a high level. The pl'eparation, which had been enough ίη
other tournaments, here was obviously insufficient. Very soon they found a weak spot
ίη his "Black" repertoire, ίη the Dragon. The circumstances were against him; before
the tournament nobody could have assumed that Alexey would have such an unsuc-
cessful performance. Many participants had not played for a long time and had come to
the tournament with some fresh ideas and fighting spirit. The performance ofMikhail
Κrasenkow was surprising: after three defeats running he gained a series offour victo-
ries. Ι cannot recollect anything like that. Usually after such a failure people hardly
crawl to finish. Ivanchuk was not so successful; for him the game with Van Wely was
critical. He played well, had an advantage, but then all went ίη the opposite direction,
254 Super Tournαments 2000

he had played inexactly somewhere, and Van Wely seized the initiative and won. Ι
think, ifhe had won this game he would have continued to struggle for the first place.
And after that defeat there remained not so many games and Ivanchuk already was ίη
ηο mood. He had won two tournaments before and, probably, he was tired as well as
Svidler. Ιη Biel Svidler played successfully but here he simply could not win excellent
positions. He made a blunder playing with Van Wely; ίη some moment he had an ad-
vantage with Κrasenkow, but also made a mistake; with Shirov he did not win with an
extra piece, could not rescue the game with me. Probably, he ran out of his energy. Or
his lucky star did not shine ...

175 Β81 13.~d2

Shirov - Svidler
Round 1 17.08
1.e4 c5 2.CίJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.CίJxd4
CίJf6 5.CίJc3 a6 6.~e3 e6 7.g4
A.8hirov demonstrates his loyalty to
one of the keenest variations of the Sicil-
ian Defence, which is connected with the
sacrifice of a piece, though his opponent is
undoubtedly prepared for this line. Let's
only mention that ίη the recent tourna-
ment ίη Biel P.8vidler, playing White won
two important games against B.Gelfand
and L.Van Wely ίη this variation.
7 ... e5 8.CίJf5 g6 9.g5 gxf5 10.exf5 d5
11:~f3
Α slight deviation. Previously the
grandmaster from Spain played 11.gxf6
invariably, probably the present change
was made owing to the efforts of L.Van
Wely who defends Black's position ίη this
line with an enviable persistence and quite
successfully.
11 ... d4 12.0-0-0 CίJbd7
This move can' be called a step back to
some extent. Still, after the well-known
13.1::rxd4 exd4 14.~xd4 ~c5 15.~xc5 CίJxc5
16.~c4 Black repelled the attack with
16 ... ~e7! 17.gxf6 ~e5 18.1::td1 Jtxf5 19.z::td5
~e1+ 20.I,td1 and got a draw ίη the game
Gipslis - Rastenis, corr. 1988. Another de-
cisive continuation 13 ...txd4 was followed
by 13 ... exd4 14 ..ic4 ~c7 15.Mhe1+ 'ίt>d8
16.Mxd4 .ic5 17.Md3 1;le8 18.J:!ed1 CίJh5
19 ..ixf7 ~f4+ 20.'ίt>b1 ~xf3 21.1;lxf3 CίJg7
22.f6 CίJe6 23.Mf5 which allowed White to
win the endgame despite Black's two ex-
tra pieces S.Farago - Habibi, Budapest
1994. However the defending side acted
not ίη the best way here. Much stronger
was 14 ... .ic5 15.Mhe1 + ~f8 with an unclear
play. And, finally, the line 13 ..ic4 ~c7
14 ..ib3 dxc3 15.g6 fxg6 16.fxg6 hxg6
17. ~g2 ~c6 18.'~xg6+ <t>d8 19.Mhe1 ~c7
brought Black victory ίη the Russian
Championship two years ago ίη the game
A.Sokolov - Svidler, St.Petersburg 1998.
13 ... ~c7
This move is considered the strongest.
Ιη case of13 ... dxc3 14 ..ixc3 Black's oppor-
tunities would be rather restricted. Ιη the
game Chiburdanidze - Cserna, Pristina
1983 which was played ίη the very begin-
ning of the development of this variation
after 14 ... ~c7 (ίη case of 14 ... .ig7 15.Mg1
Black also takes the chance of suffering a
very dangerous attack as it was ίη the
game J.Polgar - Anand, Dos Hermanas
1999) 15.Jl.d3 Jl.d6 16.Mhe1 CίJc5 17 ..ic4
Rubinstein Memoriαl
Black missed his best chance (17 ... lίJfd7!
18. ~d5lίJb6 19 ..Jtxe5lίJxd5 20 ..Jtxd6+ lίJe6!
21 ..Jtxc7 lίJdxc7 with an approximately
equal play) and encountered great prob-
lems as the result of the erroneous
17 ... lίJfe4? 18.I:!.xe4 lίJxe4 19. ~xe4 ~d 7
20. ~d5 0-0-0 21. ~xd6 ~xd6 22.I:ιxd6
~xf5 23 ..kH6.
14.~d3
The exchange of pieces after 14.gxf6
dxc3 15 ..Jtxc3 allows Black by 15 ... ~c6 to
make White either agree οη the queens'
exchange or οη even bigger material sac-
rifices. We will see this continuation ίη the
8hirov - Van Wely ίη the 8th round.
14 ... lίJc5
Black does not want to follow the game
Chiburdanidze - Cserna, Pristina 1983 by
14 ... dxc3 15 ..Jtxc3.
15.gxf6
After 15.~c4 dxc3 16.~xc3 lίJfe4 17.
tthe1lίJxc3 18. ~xc3 ~g7 19.f6 ο-ο 20.1:Ixe5
~e6 21 ..Jtxe6 lίJxe6 22. ~xc7 lίJxc7 Black
managed to repulse all White's threats and
then won ίη the game T.Wedberg- Ι.Νονί­
kov, Kobenhavn 1991.
15 ...dxc3
The line 15 ... lίJxd3+ 16. ~xd3 dxc3
17.~xc3 ..ih6+ 18.'it>b1 ..if4 19.1::the1 .Jtd7
20.~xe5 .Jtxe5 21.f4 0-0-0 22.fxe5 gives
White a fair compensation ofthree pawns
for the piece.
16 ..Jtxc3 ~c6!
P.8vidler is first to leave the theoreti-
callines. 16 ... .Jth6+ 17.'>tb1 ~c6 18.~h5
iιf4 19 ..Jtc4 ~xf6 20.~xf'7+ ~e7 21 ..Jtb4 b6
was seen previously which allowed Black
to get a better play ίη the game Nijboer -
Van Wely, Rotterdam 1999.
17.~e3
Of course White did not want to ex-
fi1ange the queens, all the more that he
Nould lose the important f5-pawn then,
and ίη case of 17.~h3, the line 17 ... ~xf6
18 ..Jtxe5 ~h6+ 19.~xh6 .Jtxh6 20.'>tb1 f6!
21 ..Jtxf61:'1f8 could come next.
17... e4!
After 17 ... lίJxd3+ 18. ~xd3 White kept
255
the f5-pawn, restricting Black's light-
squared bishop considerably.
18..Jtc4
There are many instances which dem-
onstrate with evidence that the main
threat for Black ίη this variation comes
from the diagonal a2-g8 where the white
bishop has just moved. After 18.f3 ~xf5
19.fxe4 .Jte6 Black was more comfortable
with an extra piece.
18.....ixf5 19.J::!.d4 lίJe6
Ιη 8vidler's ορίηίοη 19 ... ..id6! with the
idea of 20 ... 0-0-0 was stronger.
20.~d5 ~b6
21.Iιc4!?
Black's achievements are evident. Nev-
ertheless, White finds a chance to continue
the struggle, and probably this is the οηlΥ
chance.
21 ... ..ic5
It is very interesting to see White's com-
pensation for the missing piece after
21 ... ~xe3+ 22.fxe3 lίJc5! (22 ... b5? was bad
because of 23.~c6+ ..t>d8 24.1::td1+ 'i;c7
25.J::td7 + ~b8 26.~e5+)? It's very likely that
there was simply none. 80, ίη case of23.J::!.f1
~g6 24.b4 Black had 24 ....:ω8 25.1:i.d4 (if
25.Ud1, then 25 ... lίJd3+) 25 ... .Jth6 26.~d2
lίJe6, and his material advantage would tell
soon.
22.~g3 ~xf2 23:~e5 ~e3+ 24 ...t>bl
Black has a pure extra piece and it is
his turn to move, but it is not at all easy to
untangle the pieces ίη the centre of the
board.
24 ... ~f4 25. ~xf4 lίJxf4 26 ..Jtxb7 Ο-Ο!
256
Α forced move. Ιη case of 26 ... ~d8 there
was an unpleasant 27 ..lta5, and if27 ... ~d6,
then 28 ..ltc7.
27.~f1
White wants to keep his light-squared
bishop. Mter 27 ..ltxa8 J::!.xa8 28.J::!.d1 (28.~f1
was still worse because of28 .. .'~Jh3 29.~e1
e3) 28 .. ."iJg6 Black's e-pawn with the sup-
port of two bishops could have become very
dangerous.
27 ... ~ad8 28.b3 .lte3
28 ... CZJh3!? deserved attention.
29.~a5!
White begins another circuit of compli-
cations. After the natural 29.~xe4 Black
had continuous attacks ίη the line 29 ... i..e6
30.~c7 (if 30.~a4 ~d7, then 31.~a5 .ltb5)
30 ... i..h3 31.~e1 i..f2 32.~h1 (ίη case of
32.~c1 there was 32 ... CZJe2) 32 ... CZJd5
29 ... i..h3!
There was not any other opportunity.
Ιη case of29 ... ~d6 (if29 ... ~d7, then30.~c6
~d6 31 ..ltb4) there was 30 ..ltb4 ~xf6
31 ..ltxf8 'it>xf8 32.~xe4 .lte6 33.~c6, and
White's chances were not worse.
30.~xd8
If White had had more time, he prob-
ably would have preferred 30.I:te1!?
30 ...~xf1 31 ..a:xe4 .a:xd8 32 ..a:xe3 h5
33.'it>b2.a:d6?
White's persistence ίη looking for a
chance to escape was rewarded. Black
made a mistake. Mter 33 ... ~f8 with the
idea 34 ..a:f3 ~g2 White's position without
a piece could hardly have been saved.
34..a:f3 .a:xf6
Τννο pieces should be given for White's
rook. There was ηο 34 ... .ltg2 because ofthe
intermediate 35 ..a:g3+.
35 ..a:xf1 CZJd3+ 36.~c3 .a:xf1 37.'it>xd3
a5 38.a4 .a:f4 39.c4
White's pawns οη the queenside are
extremely active. As a matter offact, Black
has ηο time to achieve his extra exchange,
his main task is to get the king to the
queenside as soon as possible.
39... 'it>f8 40.b4 axb4 41.a5 b3 42.a6 b2
43.~c2 .a:xc4+ 44.'it>xb2 .a:a4 45.'it>b3 .a:a1
Super Tournαments 2000
46.'it>c4 ~e7 47.~d5 'it>d7 48.~e5 rJJc7
The task is completed, but now there is
a problem with the defence ofthe kingside
pawns.
49.'it>f6 .a:f1+ 50.'it>g5 .a:gl+ 51.'it>xh5 f5
52.h4 f4 53.~h6 .a:bl 54.i..e4
White's bishop fulfils two functions,
supporting the white passed pawn and
preventing Black from an advance of his
pawn at once.
54 ....a:b6+ %-lh
176 Ε04
Almasi - Movsesian
Round 1 17.08
1.d4 CZJf6 2.c4 e6 3.CZJf3 d5 4.g3
The Catalan Opening, which was cho-
sen, is a quite aggressive opening but with
good defending opportunities for Black.
4 ... dxc4 5.i..g2 c5 6.0-0 CZJc6
This variation was very popular ίη the
middle eighties, but it has been forgotten
since then.
7.CZJe5 ~d7 8.ι1Ja3 cxd4 9.CZJaxc4 .a:c8
9 ... ~c5 was the best continuation here.
Movsesian's move promises ηο easy life to
Black.
10:~b3 CZJxe5 11.CZJxe5 ~c6 12.CZJxc6
bxc6 13.J::!.d1 c5 14.e3 CZJd5
Α new move which hardly is very good.
14 ... ~d6 has been considered the best since
the game Kasparov - Andersson, Belgrade
(mll) 1985 when after 15.exd4 c4 16. tjrb5+
tjrd7 17.a4 ο-ο 18.~e3 .a:c7 19.d5 e5
20 ..a:dc1 .a:fc8 21.i..f1 g6 22.i..xc4 tjrxb5
23.~xb5 CZJxd5 24.~a6 White had a slight
but lasting advantage.
15.~f1!
Black evidently has to give up his plans
concerning a castling.
15... i..d6 16.tjra4+ ~f8 17.exd4
White passed by a very strong continu-
ation. Mter 17.tjrxa7 dxe3 18.fxe3! Black's
tasks would have been much more diffi-
cult.
17 ... cxd418.tjrxa7
Rubinstein Memoriαl 257

Two united passed pawns with the sup- making.

port of two bishops giνe White good
chances. After 18. '§xd4 i.c5 White's
chances to get a considerable adνantage
were less: Black's knight had a good posi-
tion οη d5, and the bishop was rather ac-
tiνe οη the diagonal a7-g1.
18 ... .iιc5 19.'§a6 cJ;;;e7 20 . .iιg5+ f6
21 ..iιd2 '§d6 22.'§d3
The exchange of the queens deserνed
attention.
22 ... g6
Black has to weaken his position ίη or-
der to engage the rook ίη the play. There 34... d3?
was ηο way to disturb the white queen: Black had forborne from this moνe for
after 22 ... CLJb4 23 ..iιxb4 .iιxM 24.'§xd4 a long time but now he made it at the most
inconνenient moment. White encountered
White's passed pawns would be extremely
dangerous eνen though opposite-coloured problems after 34 ... e3! 35 ...\Tιc1 (ίη case of
bishops would remain οη the board. 35.fxe3 there was 35 ... dxe3 36 ..iιxe31:txe3,
23.a3 f5 24.1::!.el the moνe 35.iιxe3 was also bad because of
Maybe White should return to the idea a mere 35 ... dxe3, and after 35.b7 1::!.b8
ofthe queens' exchange by means of24.b4 White's pawns were securely blocked up,
lιa7 25 ..iιg5+ ~π 26.'§a6. still his problems stayed unsolνed) 35 ...
24 ... e5 25.b4 .iιb6 exf2+ 36.cJ;;;xf2 d3+ 37.~f1 (ίη case of
Το withdraw the bishop eνen further
37.cJ;;;g2 there was 37 ... ~xe1 38 ..a:xe1 d2)
with 25 ... .iιa7 was more logical, though 37 ... '§d4, and White's king suffered a
after 26.a4 e4 27.'§b3 White's chances were dreadful attack.
better all the same. 35.b7 t!.cd8 36.iιf4 '§d4 37.iιe3 '§d6
26.a4 e4 38 . .iιf4 ~d4 39.1::!.d2 CLJg4 40.~b2 ~xb2
26 ... CLJxb4 was νery risky because of Mter 40 ... CLJxf2 41. '§xd4+ iιxd4 42.1::!.xf2
27 ..iιxb4 '§xb4 28.1::!.xe5+ ~f6 29.1::!.d5 with e3 43.1::!.ff1 e2+ 44 ..a:f2 1ιc3 45.JTιxd3 White
White's dangerous initiatiνe. 80, ίη case also should haνe won.

of a careless 29 ... 1::!.hd8? an immediate de- 41.1::!.xb2 lιa7

cision was 30.1::!.b1. Now the moνe 41 ... e3 cannot help al-
27.a5lιa7 28.'§b3 cJ;;;f6 29.'§b2 ready. After 42.fxe3 d2 43.1::!.d1 ..\Tιxe3+
Maybe White had to νenture οη 29.b5 44.iιxe3 CLJxe3 45.Ϊtdxd2 ~xd2 46 ..ι:;!Χd2
despite the possible complications after CLJxc4 47.a6 CLJa5 48.1::!.d7+ cJ;;;h6 (ίη case of
29 ... e3 30 ..iιc1. 48 ... cJ;;;f6 49.a7 CLJxb7 50.1::!.xb7 1::!.a8 51.1::!.xh7
29 ... cJ;;;f7 30. '§b3?! Black had a losing rook endgame without
30.b5! was much more stronger. a pawn) 49.b7 CLJxb7 50 ..1:!.xb7 .ι:;!a8 5ι.c.~(f2
30... cJ;;;g7?! g5 52.cJ;;;e3 ~g6 53.cJ;;;d4 White wins the
Α νaήaηt with immuring White's light- game.
squared bishop with 30 ... d3! was worth 42.'it>g2 cJ;;;f6 43.h3 g5
considering. Probably 43 ... CLJe5 44.lιb5 1::!.f8 45.a6 g5
31.1::!.adl1::!.he8 32.b5 CLJf6 33.lιc4 .iιc5 46 . .iιe3 was slightly more persistent.
34.b6? 44.iιc7 CLJe5 45.iιb5 ktg8 46.lιxd8+
Now it's White's turn to be mistaken. Ϊtxd8 47.1::!.cl f4 48.Ϊtc8 1::!.d4 49.1::!.a8 f3+
The moνe 34 ..iιf4! was obνiously worth 50.cJ;;;h2 d2 51.~xa7 1-0
258
177 Α07
Markowski - Van Wely
Round 1 17.08
l.g3 d5 2.tiJf3 g6 3.c4 ~g7 4:~a4+ c6
5.~g2 e6 6.cxd5
Previously the Polish grandmaster had
played differently ίη this position, but ίη
the game Markowski - C.Horvath, Κryηί­
ca 1998, Black got a good play after 6.0-0
tiJf6 7.cxd5 exd5 8.d3 ο-ο 9.tiJc3 ~g4
iO.tiJd4 ~c8 11.tiJb3 :re8.
6 ... exd5 7.tiJc3 tiJf6 8.0-0 tiJbd7 9.d4
After this advance White's position
looks not too good. The light-squared
bishop will stay behind the black d5-pawn,
and the c4- and e4-squares require con-
stant attention, or Black's knights will oc-
cupy them very soon.
9 ... 0-0 10...if4 ~e8 11.~b3 tiJb6 12.a4
a5 13.Iιfdl h6 14.:racl tiJc4 15.tiJe5?!
Now White's pawn chain is seriously
damaged. Α stubborn 15. ~a2 was better
with the idea to drive out the black knight
from c4 with b2-b3.
15 ... g5!
Black's chances are evidently better.
16.~e3 tiJxe3!
Black was not tempted with the oppor-
tunity of 16 ... tiJxe5 17.dxe5 tiJg4 because
after 18 ...tb6 ~e7 19.f4 gxf4 20.gxf4 his
knight οη g4 would be ίη endangered.
17.fxe3 ~d6
Maybe Black was a bit too impatient.
Mter 17 ... ~e718 ..1:tf1 ~e6 Black's knight
retreated from f6 thus accentuating the
Super Tournαments 2000
insecure state of the e5-knight.
18.Zϊf1 ~xe5
According to tlle plan, which began οη
the 17th move.
19.dxe5 ~xe5 20:~b6 'ff1e7 21.e4 tiJd7
Mter 21 ... tiJxe4 22.tiJxe4 dxe4 23.:rcd1
white pieces were released.
22:~b3 d4 23.tiJbl tiJe5 24.tiJd2 ~e6
25. ~a3 ~xa3 26.bxa3 ..if8
26 ... 1::td8!? deserved attention, engaging
the rook and threatening with d4-d3 at a
convenient moment. Ιη this case Black's
chances were preferable. Ιη Van Wely's
ορίηίοη 26 ... g4, depriving White's knight
of the f3-square, promised much more
than the move ίη the game.
27.l:ϊbl ~a7 28.tiJf3 tiJc4 29.tiJxd4!?
White takes the opportunity to simplify
the position and turns the game to a nearly
forced ending with opposite-coloured bish-
ops.
29 ••. tiJd2 30.tiJxe6 fxe6 31 ...th3 ..txa3
32...ixe6+ ~h8 33.~g2 tiJxf134.~xf1..ib4
35.~dl
Every exchange brings White closer to
the draw. It is the turn ofthe rooks now.
35 ...b5 36.~d8+ ~g7 37.~d7+ ~xd7
38.~xd7 bxa4 39...txc6 ..td6
Black tries to find a winning chance ίη
the endgame with opposite-coloured bish-
ops, having fixed White's pawns of the
kingside οη available black squares.
40. ..id5 a3 41.~el g442.e5
Surely the open diagonal a8-h1 will be
useful for the white bishop.
42 .....ixe5 43. ~d2 ~f6 44. 'it>c2 h5?
Despite the presence of the opposite-
coloured bishops οη the board, Black could
have won ifhe hac. played 44 ... ~d4!. Mter
45.'it>b3 .ig1 46.h3 (ίη case of 46.~xa3
~xh2 47.~a4 ..txg3 48.~xa5 ~e5 49 ...tc6
h5 50.~b4 'it>d4 Black's two passed pawns
must decide the game ίη his favour)
46 ... gxh3 47.'it>xa3 ~e5 48 ...tf3 ..tb6 49.~a4
~d4 50.~b5 ~c7 51.g4 ~e3 the black king
had time to render his far passed h-pawn
necessary support.
45.'it>b3 ~d6
Rubinstein Memoriαl
Now 45 ... ~d4 is already late ίη νiew of
46.~g2 ~g147.h3
46.~c6 Φg5 47.Φa2 h4 48.gxh4+
ΦΧh4 49.Φb3 Φh3 50.i.d7 ~xh2 51.Φχa3
~c7
Black has two passed pawns οη differ-
ent flanks. This could haνe been enough
to win if White had not had the e-pawn.
The point is that Black's bishop should
defend the a5-pawn from a square οη the
e-file but there is ηο such square οη the
e-file.
52.Φa4 Φg3 53.~c8 Φf4 54.i.d7 g3
55.i.c6 Φe3 56.i.f3 Φf2 57.Φb5 i.d8
58.Φa4 g2 59.~xg2 φχg2 60.e4 Φf3 61.e5
1/2-%
Αη exchange ofthe last pawns is ineνi­
table.
178 D18
Krasenkow - Ivanchuk
Round 1 17.08
I.CLJf3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.d4 CLJf6 4.CLJc3 dxc4
5.a4 ~f5 6.e3 e6 7.~xc4 ~b4 8.0-0 CLJbd7
9.CLJh4 i.g6 10.CLJxg6 hxg6 11.h3 0-0
Black does not try to gain an adνantage
from the semi-open h-file, he simply
wants to finish his deνelopment.
12.~f3
Many squares haνe been used for the
white queen preνiously: c2, b3, e2, but to
f3 it goes for the first time. Howeνer, this
makes ηο difference for the estimation.
12 ... ~a5 13.~d2 J:Iad8 14.1::tfdl ,§,fe8
15.~el e5
Α programmed moνe which either leads
to an equalization or allows Black to ar-
range threats to the black king οη the di-
agonal a2-g8.
16.dxe5
IfWhite had really wanted to struggle
he probably would haνe chosen 16.CLJe4.
Still, after 16 ... ~xe1 (great complications
arose ίη case of 16 ... exd4 17.~xf7+!? Φχf7
18.CLJd6+ Φg8 19.CLJxb7 ~b6 20.CLJxd8 i.xe1
2U:ixe1 with White's slightly better
259
chances) 17.!Ixe1 ~b4 18.b3 exd4 19.exd4
a5 an equality was kept anyway.
16... CLJxe517.~e2 CLJxc418.~xc4 ~c5
19. ~xc5 %-1/2
179 Β80
Fedorov - Gelfand
Round 1 17.08
l.e4 c5 2.CLJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.CLJxd4
CLJf6 5.CLJc3 a6 6.f3 e6 7.i.e3 b5 8.g4 h6
9.~d2 CLJbd710.0-0-0 ~b7 11.~d3
Α keen νariation ofthe Sicilian Defence
was played. White chose a solid continua-
tion. Ιη the game Anand - Gelfand, Μο­
naco (actiνe) 2000 after well known moνes
11.h4 b4 12.CLJa4 ~a5 13.b3 CLJc5 14.a3
Black applied an excellent 15 ... ~c8! and
thus reanimated this important νariation.
11 ... CLJe512.l:!.hel
12 ... ~a5!
12 ... b4 13.CLJa4 d5 4.exd5 CLJxd5 which
was considered possible preνiously, is risky
because of 15.f4 ~d7 16.b3 CLJxg4 17.CLJb6
CLJxb6 18.CLJxe6 as it was shown ίη the game
Anand - Lautier, Monaco 2000. The moνe
12 ... 1::tc8 also brought Black ηο special suc-
cess this year. Thus Black's noνelty is
rather interesting.
13.CLJb3
Ιη case of 13.Φb1 there was 13 ... b4
14.CLJce2 d5.
13 ... ~c7 14.~f2 CLJxd3+ 15.1::txd3
It is νery important that there was ηο
15.cxd3? because of 15 ... b4.
260
15 ...CiJd7 16.lld2
16.lιd4!? CiJe5 17.1::tdd1, hampering the
deνelopment of the kingside, deserνed at-
tention.
16... lιe7 17.a3 ~c8 18.f4!?
White νentures οη sharpening of the
position, weakening his e4-pawn.
18... CiJc5 19.~xc5?
Ιη case of 19.CiJxc5? there was a strong
19 ... dxc5 20.e5 b4 21.CiJb1 c4, but it was
necessary to play 19.Φb1.
19 .. :dxc5 20 . .!:ί.edΙ b4 21.l:td7 ~b8
22.axb4 cxb4 23. ~b6?
Mter this moνe White loses immedi-
ately. Though also ίη case of 23.CiJa4 lιc6!
24.llxe7 Φχe7 White probably could not
aνoid defeat both after 25. ~c5+ Wf6, and
after 25.CiJb6 .i.xe4 26.CiJxc8 ~xc8.
23 ... ~xf4+ 24.ΦbΙ ..tc6 25.J::txe7+
Φχe7 26.~xb4+ Wf6 27 ..ί:td6 Wg6 28.CiJd4
0-1
180 Β70
Svidler - Gelfand
Round 2 18.08
l.e4 c5 2.CiJc3 d6 3.CiJge2 CiJf6 4.g3
P.Sνidler wants to aνoid the Najdorf
Variation of the Sicilian Defence which
would be played ineνitably ίη case of 4.d4.
4 ... CiJc6 5 ..i.g2 g6 6.d4 cxd4 7.CiJxd4
CLJxd4 8.~xd4 lιg7 9.0-0 ο-ο 10.h3
Very slowly. Now it is White who can
encounter difficulties. After 10. ~b4 a5
11.~b3 lιe6 the struggle would be more
tense.
10... lιe6 11.~b4 ~c8
They played νaήοuslΥ ίη this position:
11 ... ~c7, 11 ... ~d7, 11 ... ~b8, 11 ... CiJd7 and
11 ... a5, but the natural moνe ίη the game
(Black defends himself and attacks the h3-
pawn at the same time) seems to occur for
the first time.
12.Wh2 a5 13.~a3
White had problems after 13. ~b6 k!:a6
14. ~e3 b5 too.
Super Tournαments 2000
13 ...b5!
Black is constantly attacking some-
thing.
14.CLJd5
White has to part with the pawn. There
was ηο 14.CLJxb5? because after 14 ... lιc4,
White losing an exchange. Ιη case of 14.e5
b415.~a4 he had to reckon with 15 ... CLJd7!
16.lιxa8 ~xa8 17.CLJd1 CLJxe5 with a deadly
attack ofthe white king.
14... lιxd5 15.exd5 ~xc2
For the pawn White has a minor com-
pensation of the adνantage of the bishop
pair, but this is eνidently not sufficient.
16.~e3 I:lfe8 17.~el CLJd7 18.Iie2 ~c4
19.b3 ~c3 20.J::tbl J:tac8 21.lιe4 CLJf6
22.lιg2 b4 23.a3 bxa3?!
Black himself makes the achieνement
of the extra pawn more difficult. Mter
23 ... e6 24.axb4 axb4 25.lιd2 (25.dxe6 was
bad because of 25 ... ~xe6 26. ~f3 ~xf3
27.lιxf3 I:lxe2 28 ...Il'.xe2 ~c2, Black winning
another pawn) 25 ... ~xe3 26.1::txe3 CLJxd5
27 ..i.xd5 exd5 he had probably more win-
ning chances.
24.~a2 ~c5 25.~d2 ~b5 26.~xa3 I:lc5
27.1::rbal ~b6 28.~dl ~b5
Of course the position after 28 ... CLJxd5?
29.lιxd5 lιxa1 30.~xa1 suits White.
29.lιe3 ~c7 30.~d3 1::reb8 31.~c4
~d8?!
Most likely this moνe was not the stron-
gest. There was an interesting 31 ... CLJe8
32.~xa5 (ίη case of 32.lHa2 there was
32 ... lιc3) 32 ... ~xb3, and Black had eνery
reason to fight for a win, though White
Rubinstein Memorial
eνidently achieνed a lot after he had won
an extra pawn.
32.~d2 ~b6 33.jLe3 ~d8 34.jLd2 cud7
Black does not want to repeat the posi-
tion, he is striνing for a νictory.
35.ZHa2?
Α strange decision. After 35.~xa5 J:.xa5
36.J:.xa5 ~xa137.J:.xal ~b6 (White was ΟΚ
also after 37 ... CUe5 38.~c3 ~b6 39.f4 cud7
40.J:.el) 38. ~e2 White's problem would
haνe been solνed.
35... CUe5 36. ~a4 J:.b4!
Α nice tactical trick which allows Black
to get rid of his weak a5-pawn.
37.~xa5
There was ηο 37.~xb4?? because of
37 ... axb4, catching the white a3-rook.
37 ... ~xa5 38.J:.xa5 J:.xb3 39.J:.a7 ~f8
40.~g5 f6 41.~f4 CUd3 42.~e3 f5 43.jLf1
~f6 44.:2a3 CUel 45 ..ί:'f.xb3 .ί:Χb3 46.~a6
J:.a3 47 .jιe2 J:.b3 48.~a6 i.g5
Black wants to depriνe White of his
adνantage of two bishops with tactical
methods. Probably there was eνen more
efficient way to achieνe this: 48 ... jLd4!
49.jLh6+ (after 49.i..xd4 lΔf3+ Black gets
the desired exchange) 49 ... ~f7 50.J:.a8 g5!
(isolating White's dark-squared bishop)
51.~gl cuf3+ 52.~g2 l:ιb2, and Black is to
Wlll.
49.1:Ia8+ ~g7 50.~a7 i..f6 51.jLc8 na3
52.~e6 cuf3+ 53.~g2 cud4 54.J::tg8+
Ιη case of 54.i..d7 White had to reckon
with 54 ... f4.
54 ... ~h6 55.~b6
After 55.i..xd4 jLxd4 there was a posi-
tion similar to the one ίη the game.
55... J::ta6
There was an alluring opportunity
55 ... CUxe6 56.dxe6 .ί:!.a4 with the idea to get
to the white e6-pawn, but ίη this case af-
ter 57.iιe3+ ~h5 58 ..ί:'f.b8 the position ofthe
black king was rather dubious, as ίη case
of the planned 58 ... Me4 there was 59.nb5
with a νery unpleasant threat g3-g4.
56.jLxd4 jLxd4 57.f4 .1::ιa2+ 58.~hl .ί:'f.a3
59.~g2 na2+ 60.~hl jLf2 61.g4 fxg4
62.hxg4 i..e3 63 ..!:tf8 Iίa4 64.g5+ ~h5
261
65.l:ιh8 iιxf4 66 ..!:!.xh7+ ~xg5 67 ..ί:'f.xe7
It seems that White has gained much:
there are opposite·-coloured bishops οη the
board and οηlΥ two pawns. Ν eνertheless,
to get a draw is not at all easy.
67 ... ~f6 68.ΖΗ7+ ~e5 69 . .ί:'f.h7 J:.a2
70 ..!:!.h3
If White's rook occupied a square be-
hind the passed g-pawn after 70.Iϊg7 g5
71.~gl ~e4 according to the classical
rules, then the king would take the chance
to suffer a mating attack.
70 ... ~e4 71.~gl jLe3+ 72.~f1 g5
73.~g3 ~f2+ 74.Wgl ~b2+ 75.~f1 ~f4
76 ..ί:'f.g2 J:.bl+ 77.'tte2 J:.b2+ 78.~f1 l:ιbl+
79.~e2 ~e4 80.jLg8 J:.b2+ 81.~f1 J::tbl+
82.~e2 .ί:!.b2+ 83.Φf1 J::tb3 84.~e2 Ma3
85 ..1ιΠ jLf4 86.jLe6
86 ... iιg3!
Black makes a νery unpleasant threat
of 87 ... J:.a2+ to be followed by 88 ... Φf3.
White has ηο satisfactory defence.
87.iιΠ g4 88.~h5 ~e3+ 89.~d2 i..el+
90.~dl g30-1
Αη unpleasant 91 ... jLf2 was threaten-
ing, and ίη case of 91.J:.a2 there was
91 ... ~e5! (a simpler and longer line
91 ... jLf2 92 ..ί:!.a4+ ΦΧd5 93 ..ί:'f.g4 ~c5 was
also enough to win) 92.jLf3 (there was ηο
92.Me2 because of 92 ... ΪΪχe2 93.~xe2 g2,
and the pawn passed, whereas ίη case of
92.jLg4 iιf2 93.jLh3 there was 93 ... J:.el+
94.Wc2 ι:ι.h195.~g2 Mh2 96 ..Jιf1 g2 97 ..Jιxg2
J:.xg2, winning a piece) 92 ... Mxf3 (ηο
92 ... i..f2?? because of 93.Me2) 93.~xel
~xd5, and two extra pawns ίη the rook
endgame ensured Black an easy νictory.
262
181 Β76
Ivanchuk - Fedorov
Round 2 18.08
l.e4 c5 2.tΔf3
d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.tΔxd4
tΔf6 5.tΔc3 g6 6.iιe3 .1ιg7 7.f3 0-0 8:~d2
tΔc6 9.0-0-0
Black chose the keen Dragon Variation,
and White's answer was most fundamen-
tal. Now Black has to venture οη a varia-
tion with a pawn's sacrifice or he may stay
without any counterplay.
9 ... d5 10.exd5 tΔxd5 11.tΔxc6 bxc6
12.tΔxd5 cxd5 13:~'xd5 'ff1c7 14.'ff1c5
After 14. 'ff1xa8 i..f5 15. 'ff1xf8+ ΦΧf8
16.lld2 h5 Black was better.
14 ...'ff1b7
Mter 14 ... 'ff1b8 15.b3 i..f5 16.i..d3 llc8
17.'ff1a5 llc3 18.i..xf5 ~xe3 19.i..e4 'ff1f4
there was a complex position ίη the game
Ivanchuk - Hodgson, Amsterdam 1996.
15.'ff1a3
Mter 15.b3 iιf5 16.i..d3 ~fc8 Black, as
a rule, gets a very good compensation for
the sacrificed pawn.
15 ..• iιf5 16.iιd3 ~ab8 17.b3 J::!.bc8
17 ... llfc8 was seen too.
18.i..xf5 gxf5 19.1::rd3
Α novelty. ΟηΙΥ 19. 'ff1a5 has been played
previously.
19 ..• 'ff1c6
20.c4!
Α brave and strong move. With a long
step forward the white pawn reduces the
influence area of Black's heavy pieces.
20 ... 'ff1f621.llhdlllc6
Super Tournαments 2000
It turns out that an intrusion of the
black queen into White's camp with
21 ... 'ff1 a 1+ is not at all dangerous after
22.ςt>c2.
22.iιd4 e5 23.i..c3 1:ta6 24. 'ff1b2 'ff1h6+
25.ΦbΙ 'ff1xh2
Black returned the pawn, but you can
see how considerably the activity of the
centralized white :'Jieces has grown for this
time.
26.1::rd8 i..f6 27.~8d7 i..g7 28.'ff1c21:tg6
29.1:Hd2 'ff1g1+ 30.Φb2 f4 31.l:i.e2 l:i.g5
32.b4 a5 33.b5 h5
Maybe 33 ... 'ff1c5 was more persistent,
though after 34.'ff1e4 Black's position was
hard too.
34.'ff1dl!
Another excellent non-showy move.
Now the struggle is practically finished.
34 ••• 'ff1c5
Mter 34 ... l:i.xg2 35. 'ff1xgl l:i.xgl 36.c5
White's united passed pawns decide the
game ίη his favour.
35.'ff1d5 'ff1g1
Ιη case of 35 ... 'ff1b6 there was a strong
36.a4 to be followed by an advance of the
c-pawn.
36.1:txf7!
This not complicated tactical blow puts
an end to the game.
36... l:i.xf7 37.'ff1d8+ l:i.f8 38.'ff1xg5 'ff1f1
39.llc21-0
182 D31
Van Wely - Κrasenkow
Round 2 18.08
1.c4 e6 2.tΔc3 d5 3.d4 c6 4.e3 f5
Black transfers the play from the Slav
to the Dutch Defence, safely preventing
White from a possible advance e3-e4.
5.tΔf3 tΔf6 6.i..d3 iιd6 7.0-00-0 8.b3
'ff1e7 9.itb2 i..d7 10.tΔe2
ΟηΙΥ an immediate 10.tΔe5 has been
seen previously.
10 ... ite8 1l.tΔe5 tΔfd7
Α more natural move 11 ... tΔbd7 could
Rubinstein Memoriαl
not make a threat of the exchange of the
knights οη e5.
12.f4 4Jf6 13.c5 iLc7 14.b4 iLh5 15.b5
cxb5 16.iLxb5 4Je4 17.Mbl iLxe5 18.fxe5
4Jc6
The knight οη b8 still proνed to be use-
ful for Black.
19:~el iLxe2 20.~xe2 Ϊ!π 21.Mf3 Maf8
22.Mbf1 ~c7 23.Mcl ~a5 24.a3 f4 25.iLd3
fxe3 26.Mxf7 Mxf7
27.~xe3
The perspectiνe to stay with the bad
dark-squared bishop is not νery tempting
for White. After 27.iLxe4 dxe4 28.~xe3
4Je7 29.Mel (ίη case of29.~xe4 there was
a strong 29 ... ~d2 30.~c2 ~e3+ 31.<;t>hl
Mf2) 29 ... ~b5 30.iLal (if 30.iLcl, then af-
ter 30 ... 4Jf5 31.~xe4 1::!.d7 32.Mdl ~a4
Black also returned the pawn and got a
better position) 30 ... 4Jd5 31.~xe4 ~b3
Black maintained the material balance
again.
27 ... 4Je7 28.~el ~a4 29.~b4 ~d7
30.Mf1 Mxf1+ 31.iLxf1 4Jc6 32.~el ~π
33.iLd3 ~f5 34. ~f1 ~g5
If 34 ... ~xf1+ 35.<;t>xf1 4Jd2+ 36.<;t>e2
4Jc4, then after 37.iLxc4 dxc4 38.<;t>d2 b5
39.cxb6 axb6 40.a4 White could haνe
struggled for a win.
35.~el ~f5 36.iLe2 h5 37.~f1 g6
38. ~xf5 exf5
The endgame is better for Black owing
to his well locked pawn chain, notwith-
standing White's bishop pair and defended
passed pawn.
39.iLd3 Φπ 40.'It>f1 'lt>e6 41.<;t>e2 4Ja5
263
42.iLcl 4Jc4 43.'It>f3
White chooses an actiνe method of de-
fence. 43.iLc2 was also possible with the
idea that ίη case of 43 ... 4Jc3+ 44.';.t>d3 4Ja2
White had 45.iιd2! 4Jxa3 46.iιb3, catch-
ing the black knight οη a2.
43 ... 4Jc3 44.'It>f4 4Ja2 45.iLe3 g5+
Ιη case of 45 ... 4Jxa3 46.<;t>g5 CL\b4 47.iLe2
4Jac2 48.iLf2 4Jc6 49. <;t>xg6 CL\2xd4 50.iLxh5
Φχe5 51.h4 CL\e6 52.iLf3 the passed h-pawn
οη the side ofthe board could haνe brought
a lot of troubles to Black.
46.'It>f3 f4 47.iLf2 CL\d2+
There was a νery interesting 47 ... CL\cl
48.iLxc4 with a strong intermediate moνe
48 ... 'It>f5! (48 ... dxc4 was bad because of
49.Φe4) 49.iLd3+ CL\xd3 50.'It>e2 CL\b2, Black
still keeping a winning chance.
48.<;t>e2 CL\e4 49.'It>f1 CL\ac3 50.'It>el <;t>e7
51.iLgl <;t>d7 52.iLf2 a6 53.Φf1CL\b5 54.a4
CL\c7 55.iLgl <;t>c6 56.'It>el CL\e6 57.a5 g4
58.iLc2!?
Α good plan. White is ready to face the
complications. Mter 58.iLf1 CL\c3 59.<;t>d2
CL\b5 60.<;t>d3 there was an approximate
equality οη the board.
58 ... <;t>b5 59.iLxe4 dxe4 60.d5 CL\c7
61.c6 bxc6 62.d6 CL\e6 63.iLb6 'lt>c4
Black giνes up the piece at once. Oth-
erwise he could haνe lost after 63 ... 4Jf8
64.iιd8 f3 65.gxf3 gxf3 66.iιg5 'lt>xa5 67.d7
CL\xd768.e6.
64.d7 Φd5 65.d8~+ CL\xd8 66.iLxd8
Φχe5
Three extra pawns are a sufficient com-
pensation for the bishop.
67 .iLc7 + Φf5 68. 'lt>d2 c5??
Black found a way to lose the game.
Mter 68 ... h4 69.iιd8 (ίη case of 69.h3 e3+
70. 'lt>d3 c5 it was οηlΥ Black who had some
winning chances) 69 ... h3 70.gxh3 gxh3
71.iLb6 'lt>g4 72.<;t>e2 'lt>f5 the front line of
the black pawns was impregnable.
69.g3
Now it is easy to block up Black's
pawns.
69 ..• f3 70.iLb6 We5 71.iLxc5 <;t>d5
72.iLb61-0
264
183 Α43
Movsesian - Markowski
Round 2 18.08
l.e4 c5 2.tιJf3 g6 3.d4 .i.g7 4.d5 tιJf6
5.tιJc3 d6 6 ..i.b5+ tιJbd7 7.a4 ο-ο 8.0-0 a6
9 ..i.e2 .ttb8 10.tιJd2
10 ..i.f4 looked more natural.
10 ... tιJe8 lU::rel
Ιn case of 11.tιJc4 White had to reckon
with 11 ... tιJb6.
11 ... tιJc7 12.tιJc4 b6 13.f4 i..b7 14..ltf3
14 ..i.f1 has been seen preνiously.
14 ... .i.a8 15.~hl b5 16.axb5 axb5
17.tιJa5 tιJb6 18.J::ra2 e6
19.dxe6
If White has to make moνes like this,
he eνidently willlose the opening fight. Ιn
case of a more pretentious 19.tιJc6 .ltxc6
20.dxc6 b4 21.tιJe2 '{;fe7 Black's chances
looked also better.
19 ...fxe6 20.tιJe2 e5 21.c3 '{;fe7 22.b4
.a:bd8 23.bxc5 dxc5 24.'{;fc2 exf4 25.tιJb3?
Α strange moνe: White giνes up a pawn
for nothing. He had to play 25 ..ltxf4 tιJe6,
though ίn this case Black was still better.
25 ... '{;fe5 26 ..a:a7 tιJc4 27.'{;fa2 ~h8
28.tιJa5 tιJb6 29.tιJb3 tιJa4 30.c4 bxc4
31.tιJd2
The play would be reduced to the posi-
tion ίn the game after 31. '{;fxa4 cxb3
32. '{;fxb3 tιJe6.
31 ... tιJb6 32.tιJxc4 tιJxc4 33.'{;fxc4 tιJe6
34 ..lta3 .a:fe8 35 . .a:b1 .a:b8 36 ..a:dl .i.c6
37.'{;fc2 .a:a8 38..a:xg7?
Losing the game, and quickly. 38 ..a:xa8
Super Tournαments 2000
J::rxa8 39.i..c1 was preferable, because ίn
case of 39 ... i..a4 there was 40:i;Ya2.
38... J::rxa3 39.1:[f7 ~g8
It turns out thHt the white rook has nο
conνenient square to retreat.
40.J::rfd7 jLxd7 41.1:[xd7 .a:al+ 42.tιJgl
.a:d80-1
184 C67
Shirov - Almasi
Round 2 18.08
l.e4 e5 2.tιJf3 tιJc6 3 ..i.b5 tιJf6 4.0-0
tιJxe4 5.d4 tιJd6 6 ..ltxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 tιJf5
8. '{;fxd8+ ~xd8
The Brasilia Variation ofthe Ruy Lopez
acquired a wide popularity for the recent
years.
9.tιJc3 i..d7
An uncommon moνe.
10.h3
Only 10 ..ltg5+ and 10 ..i.f4 has been
played ίn this position preνiously.
10 ... h6 11 ..i.f4 b6 12.a4 a5 13 ..a:adl
~c8 14.b3 .i.b4 15.tιJe4 .i.e6 16.c4 c5
17.g4 tιJe7 18.tιJel .ltd7
Black begins to play for a win. Mter
18 ... h5 he had to reckon with 19.tιJg5 hxg4
20.tιJxe6 fxe6 21.hxg4 with an approximate
equality.
19.tιJg3 g5 20 ..i.e3 tιJg6 21.tιJd3 .i.c6
22.f4 gxf4 23.tιJxf4 .i.c3
If 23 ... tιJxe5, then after 24.tιJd5 ~b7
25 ..ltf4 Black encountered problems ίn
keeping his extra pawn.
Rubinstein Memorial 265

24.CLJfe2?!
White could haνe got into great troubles
this way. After 24.CLJxg6 fxg6 25.1::rf6 'lt>b7
(ίη case of 25 ... ..ie8 there was 26.1ιe6)
26.~xg6 .txe5 27.CLJf5 h5 Black stood
slightly better, nothing more.
24 ....txe5 25.ktxf7 '>t>b7 26.1::rff1 1::rae8
27.1::rd3 1::re6?!
Black lingers. He could haνe looked for
winning opportunities after 27 ... CLJh4! with
an unpleasant threat of the intrusion οη
f3. Probably White planned 28 ..td2 .tg2 20 ..• 1fib6!
29.ΙΗ2 .txh3 30.1::rh2 ίη this case, but then The position before Black's last moνe
Black had 30 ... 1:rd8! 3U:txd8 CLJf3+ (this was seen not long ago. After 20 ... 'l;fc6?
intermediate moνe is νery important) 21. 'l;fg5+ Black suffered a crushing attack
ίη the game Sνidler - Gelfand, Biel (round
32.'>t>h1 Mxd8 33.1::rxh3 1::rxd2 34.1::rxh6 ktb2
with good winning prospects. 4) 2000. Ιη our comments this moνe ίη the
28.Mf2 J:the8 game was pointed out as the strongest.
Now 28 ... CLJh4 could haνe been repelled 21.1fig5+ '>t>xf7 22.z:thf1 .th6 23.~xf2+
with a mere 29 ...id2. 'lt>e8 24.~d8+ 1fixd8 25.1fixh6 1fie7!
29 ..id2 CLJh4 30.'>t>f1 ..id6 This ίΒ stronger than 25 ... 1fid4 which
Ιη Almasi's ορίηίοη 30 ... 1::r8e7! was looks more actiνe, because after 26.1fig7
stronger. 1fixe4 27.1fixh8+ 'lt>d7 28.J::rd2+ '>t>c6 (after
31.CLJc3 .ixg3 32 . .:txg3 1::rd8 33 ..ic128 ... ~c7? 29.1fid8+ '>t>c6 30.z:td6+ White
1::rde8 34 ..id2 J:td8 35 ..ic1 J::td7 36 ..if4mated) 29.1fif6+! (nothing would come out
1::rde7 37 ..td2 1::rd7 38..tc1 J:tde7 39..id2 of 29. 'l;fxc8+ because of 29 ... 'It>b6 30.1::rd6+
1::rd7 40 ..ic1 ~de7 1f2-1f2 CLJc6! 31.1fixa8 'l;fe3+ 32.~d2CLJd4 33.1fid8+
'lt>a7 34.c3CLJf3 with an equality) 29 ... Wb5
185 Β81 30.a4+! '>t>xa4 (30 ... Wc4? was bad because
Almasi - Svidler of 31.b3+ '>t>c3 32.J::td3+ 1fixd3 33.'l;fxe5+
Round 3 19.08 '>t>b4 34. 'l;fe7 + '>t>a5 35.1fic7 + b6 36.cxd3 with
White's win) 31.b3+ 'lt>a3 32.1fie7 + 'l;fb4
1.e4 c5 2.CLJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.CLJxd4 33.'l;fxe5 'l;fxd2 34.'It>xd2CLJc6 35.1fid6+ 'lt>b2
CLJf6 5.CLJc3 a6 6 ..ie3 e6 7.g4 e5 8.CLJf5 g6 (after 35 .. .'>t>a2 36.~c1 the future of the
It was mentioned many times already black king looked rather dubious, for ίη­
that this keen νariation has become νery stance, ίη case of36 ... I:ι.b8 there was 37.1fif4
popular- recently, there is ηο need to re- b5 38. 'l;ff6, winning a piece) 36.1fif6+ '>t>a3
peat it, especially since the chief genera- 37.'l;ff8+ '>t>b2 (if 37 ... '>t>a2, then there was
tor of ideas for White A.Shiroν will play an unpleasant 38.b4 with the fearful threat
soon with two staunch supporters of of39.1fif7+ 'lt>b2 40. 'l;fb3+ 'it>a141.Φc1 mak-
Black's position ίη this line B.Gelfand ing the mate a sure thing) 38.b4! White
(round 6) and L.Van Wely (round 8). still keeps some winning chances owing to
9.g5 gxf5 10.exf5 d5 11.gxf6 d4 the threat of 39.1fif7 or 39. 'l;ff3
12 ..ic4 1fic7 13.1fid3 dxe3 14.0-0-0 exf2 26.CLJf6+ Φd8 27.CLJd5 1fie6 28.1fig5+?!
15 ..txf7+! 'lt>xf716.1fid5+ '>t>xf617.CLJe4+ Ιη case of the strongest play from both
'>t>e7! sides, the game ~hould end ίη a draw.
The οηlΥ moνe. Its author is L.Van Wely. Now White had an opportunity to force a
18.f6+ '>t>e8 19.f7+ '>t>e7 20.1fid2! draw with a perpetual check after 28.1fih4+
266
~d7 29.Itd2 ,§f'7 30.liJb6+ 'ϊ.t>c6 31.'§e4+!
(but ηο 31.liJxa8? because of 31 ... '§f1+
32.I!d1 '§f4+, exchanging queens and win-
ning the game) 31 ... Φχb6 32.'§e3+ Wc7
33. '§xe5+ Wb6 34. '§d4+ Wa5 35. '§c3+.
Howeνer, he wants to get more. Most likely
the position still will stay equal, but the
probability of White's mistake will grow
higher.
28 ... 'ϊ.t>d7 29.'§g7+ Φc6 30.:l.f6 ~xd5
31.~xe6 Wxe6!?
Black is trying to play for a win. Mter
31 ....txe6 32:~xh8 h5 33.a4! to deνelop the
queenside is νery difficult for him. Though
White does not haνe any real serious
threats. 80, the position should be esti-
mated as equal.
32.'§xh8
White cannot mate with his queen οηlΥ,
so the black king can feel relatiνely safe ίη
the centre.
32 ••• liJd7
There is an alternatiνe: 32 ... liJc6 33.h4
~b8 34.h5 .td7.
33.'§xh7?!
Το take the h7-pawn with the prelimi-
nary check 33.'§g8+ Wd6 34.'§xh7 was
more precise.
33 ••• liJf6 34.'§c7 Wf5!
Α good moνe: the king frees the e6-
square for the bishop.
35.h4 .te6 36. '§xb7 .td5 37. '§b6liJg4!
Black positions his pieces νery well,
coνering squares around his king. Α natu-
ral 37 ... 1::[h8 allowed White to draw the
game with 38. '§f2+ Φe6 39. '§b6+.
38.c4?!
White continues his combination.
Maybe the adνance of another pawn was
preferable. Ιη case of 38.a4 ':h8 39. '§xa6
~xh4 40.a5liJe3 a draw would be the most
probable result.
38 ... Jte4
Of course ηο 38 ... .txc4?? because of
39.'§c6.
39.h5
Again 39.a4 ~h8 40. '§xa6 l1xh4 41.Φd2
looked better, maintaining an approximate
Super Tournαments 2000
equality.
39 ... 1::th8 40.'§g6+ Φf4 41.'§f7+ .tf5
42.b4
White's c-pawn will not get any far
alone. Mter 42.c5 e4 43.c6 ~h6 44. '§c4
(44.c7 is losing because of 44 ... .a:c6+ 45.Φd2
e3+ 46.Φe2 l:Ic2+ 47.We1 liJe5) 44 ... liJe5
45.'§f1+ ~g5 46.'§g2+ liJg4 47.'§d2+ e3
48. '§d8+ ~f4 49. '§d4+ Φf3 the black king
escaped checks and after 50. '§c5 Black won
with 50 ... liJe5! 51. '§xe5 I:txc6+ 52.Wd1 Jtg4.
42 ... e4 43.b5 axb5 44.cxb5 e3
45.b6?
Probably this moνe was the crucial mis-
take. Mter 45.'§c4+ Φg5 46.Φb2 ~xh5 (ίη
case of 46 ... liJe5 there was 47.'§e2) 47.b6
~h1 48.Φa3 (bad was 48. '§g8+ Φf4 49.
'§c4+ .te4 50.,§f'7+ Φg3 51.'§c7+ Φh3 as
the black king escaped checks, whereupon
White encountered an insoluble problem
of the e-pawn) 48 ... l:Ib1 49. '§c7 ~e4
50. '§d6 a draw wιo.s still possible.
45 ... liJe5!
The centralized position of Black's
pieces decides the game ίη his faνour.
46.'§e7 ~xh5 47.b7 ~hl+ 48.~b2 ~bl+
49.Wc3 e2 50.'§h4+ .tg4 51.'§h2+ ~f5
52.'§h7+ ιiJg6 53.'§d7+ Φg5 54.'§d2+ \t>h5
0-1
186 Α07
Markowski - Shirov
Round 3 19.08
l.g3 d5 2.liJf3 g6 3.c4 dxc4 4.'§a4+
ιiJc65 ..tg2 .tg7 6.'§xc4 e5 7.liJg5 liJh6
Rubinstein Memorial
8.~xc6+ bxc6 9.tZJc3
Α capture ofthe pawn 9.Qxc6+ was fol-
lowed by 9 ... ~d7 10.'~g2 ο-ο 11.d3 CZJf5
12.CZJc3 CZJd4 13.0-0 h6 14.CZJf3 ~c6 ίη the
game Tukmakov - Kupreichik, Kujbyshev
1986, which gave Black a fair compensa-
tion.
9 ... 0-0 10.d3 CZJf5 11.0-0 CZJd4 12.~e3
h6 13.CZJge4 ~g4 14.f3 ~e6 15:~a4 'f1e7
16.f4 ~g4 17.z:tael
Α necessary move. Mter 17.fxe5 CZJxe2+
(if 17 ... 'f1xe5, then 18.~xh6!) 18.CZJxe2
1ιχe2 19.1ιc5 'f1xe5 20.J:.t2 ~xd3 21.~xf8
z:txf8 Black had an excellent compensation
for the exchange.
17 ... f5 18.CZJf2 ~h5 19.fxe5 'f1xe5
20.~xd4 'f1xd4 21.'f1xd4?
White wavered. After 21.'f1xc6 1::tab8
22.e3 'f1d6 23.'f1c4+ (ίη case of 23.'f1xd6
cxd6 24.z:tb1 z:tfe8 25.z:tfe1 Black had at
least 25 ... z:txb2 26 ..tιxb2 ~xc3 27 ..tιbb1
1ιχe1 28 ..tιxe1 1ιf3 with a slightly better
play) 23 ... 'ίt>h8 Black had a compensation
of two active bishops for the pawn. But
now Black achieves this advantage for
nothing.
21 ... ~xd4 22.e3 ~g7 23.CZJa4 z:tae8
24.d4?!
Mter 24.Φg2 g5 25.b3 .tιe7 White's ρο­
sition was evidently worse, but probably
he should have played like that.
24 ... g5 25.CZJc5?!
Ιη case of 25.CZJd3 White had to reckon
with the continuation 25 ... z:txe3!? 26.z:txe3
~xd4 27.z:tfe1 f4 28.gxf4 gxf4 29.CZJxf4 z:txf4
with Black's extra pawn, but nevertheless
this line deserved attention too.
267
25 ..•f4!
Mter this not complicated blow Black's
position begins to fall to pieces.
26.CZJfe4
26.exf4?! ~e2
26•.• ~g6
Ιη case of a more forced 26 ... fxe3
27.l:txf8+ Wxf8 (if 27 ... :xf8, then 28.CZJd7
1:tf3 29.CZJe5) 28.CZJd7+ Wf7 29.CZJe5+ ~xe5
30.dxe5 .ί':txe5 31 ..ί'lxe3 ~g6 32.1:ί.f3+ '<te7
there was a position similar to the one
which was regarded ίη our comments to
White's 25th move.
27.exf4 ~xd4+ 28.Wg2 gxf4 29.gxf4
29.b4100ked more persistent.
29 ... ~xb2 30.Φf3 ~h5+ 31.Φg3 Φh7
31 ... ~f5 was not bad with the idea of
32 ... Wf7, opening the g-file for the rook.
32.f5 ~g8+ 33.Φh4 ~f7 34.CZJd7 Φg7
35.CZJec5 ~c4 36.CZJe6+
Mter 36.~xe8 ~xe8 37.~f4 ~d5 38.~a4
.tιe2 White was condemned.
36...Φf7 37.z:tf4 ~d5 38.J::tbl?!
The black rook should not have been
allowed to get to the second rank. 38.~t2
was stronger.
38 ... z:tg2 39.Φh3 gd2 40.~gl ~xa2
41.CZJdc5 ~e5 42.CZJe4 ~xe6 43.fxe6+
'ίt>xe60-1
187 D15
Κrasenkow - Movsesian
Round 3 19.08
I.CZJf3 CZJf6 2.c4 c6 3.CZJc3 d5 4.d4 a6
5.c5 CZJbd7 6.~f4 CZJh5 7.iιd2 CZJhf6 8.b4
Ιη case of a prophylactic 8.h3 White
took the chance of encountering 8 ... e5!
8 ... g6
Now 8 ... e5?! is evidently not good be-
cause of 9.dxe5 CZJg4 10.e4 dxe4 11.CZJxe4
CZJgxe5 12.CZJxe5 CZJxe5 13.~c3 with a per-
ceptible advantage for White.
9.'f1cl h6
Ιη case of a natural 9 ... iιg7 there was
10.iιh6.
10.e3 iιg7 11.~d3 ο-ο 12.0-0 e5
13.CZJxe5
268
Another capture 13.dxe5 after 13 ... CDg4
14.e6 allowed Black to develop a very
strong attack with 14 ... fxe6 15 ..\txg61:!.xf3
16.gxf3 CDge5 17 ..\tc2 CDxf3+ 18.'it>g2 ~f6.
If White wanted to avoid a keen play he
had a quiet 13 ..\te2 with an approximately
equal position after 13 ... e4.
13 ...CDxe5 14.dxe5 CDg4 15.CDa4?
This knight is too far from the kingside
here. 15 ..\te2 CDxe5 with Black's slightly
better play was preferable.
15 ... ~h4!
Trying to get as much as possible. Α
slightly better position after 15 ... CDxe5
16 ..\te2 did not suit Black.
16.h3 CDxe5 17.jιe2
17... jιxh3!
Black engages the strength of all his
pieces ίη the attack ofWhite's kingside.
18.gxh3 ~xh3
Black created a fearful threat, disguised
with 19 ... CDf3+! 20 ..\txf3 jιe5.
19.f4
19 ..\tc3 was more stubborn, though af-
ter 19 ... f5 20.f4 (ίη case of 20. ~b2 there
was a strong 20 ... CDg4 21.jιxg4 ~xg4+
22.~h2 f4) 20 ... ~g3+ 21.~h1 CDg4 22 ..\txg4
fxg4 23. ~d2 (if 23.f5, then 23 ... .\txc3
24.CDxc3 ZΙae8) 23 ... t!:f5 24 . .ί:Η2 jιxc3
25.CDxc3 .ί:te8 White's position was still
hard.
19 ... ~g3+
The line 19 ... CDg4 20.1ιχg4 ~xg4+
21.'it>f2 .tf6 22.l:ιh1 .th4+ 23.Itxh4 ~xh4+
24. 'it>g2 ~g4+ 25. '>t>f2 was less promising
for Black.
Super Tournαments 2000
20.'it>hl d4!
Now White already cannot contain
Black's victorious onslaught.
21.~el
It's hard to advise White anything. Ιη
case of21.fxe5 the solution was 21 ... .\txe5
22 ..ί:tf4 dxe3 23 ..txe3 1:tae8, and ίη case of
21.exd4 Black won with 21 ... ~h3+ 22. 'it>gl
CDg4 23 ..txg4 .txd4+.
21 ... ~h3+ 22.Wgl dxe3 23.jιc3 CDg4
24.jιxg4 ~xg4+ 25.'>t>h2 ~fe8 26.~g3 ~f5
27.jιxg7 'it>xg7 28.CDb6 ~ad8
Black's last reserves enter the fight.
29.~ael1:rd2+ 30.'it>gl ~e4 31.a3 ~f6
32.CDc8 ~d4 33.1:tf3 e2+?
When it was but a step from the vic-
tory, Black made a mistake. 33 ... .ί:td1
34 ..ί:txdl ~xdl+ 35 ..1lf1 e2 36 ..ί:te1 and now
36 ... .ί:tc4 or 36 ... 1:rxf4 led to the win.
34.'it>g2?
White did not use the chance to escape
a defeat by means of 34.~f2! ~f6 34.CDd6
.ί:tdl 35.CDxe4 ~al 36.:e3 :xe1+ 37.'it>g2
34 ...J:MI35.CDd6 ~al 0-1
188 Β80
Fedorov - Van Wely
Rour,d 3 19.08
l.e4 c5 2.CDf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.CDxd4
CDf6 5.CDc3 a6 6.f3 e6 7 ..te3 b5 8.g4 h6
9.~d2 CDbd7 10.0-0-0 .tb7 1l ..td3 CDe5
12. .ί:thel :c8
12 ... ~a5 occurred ίη the first round ίη
the game A.Fedorov - Gelfand, Polanica
Zdroj 2000. L.Van Wely prefers to keep to
the beaten track.
13.'it>bl CDfd7 14.f4 CDc4 15.~e2
Mter 15 ..txc41:rxc416.f5 e5 17.CDf3 ~a8
18.b31:rxe4 19.CDxe4 jιxe4 20.CDgl.te7 21.
.\tf2 ο-ο Black got a good compensation of
a pawn and an active position ofthe pieces
for the sacrificed exchange ίη the game
Korneev - Topalov, Cala Galdana 1999.
15 ... CDxe3 16.~xe3 ~b6 17.CDd5
This sacrificeaf a piece already has
been seen more than once. Mter 17.f5 e5
18.CDb3 ~xe3 19 ..!:!xe3 CDc5 20.CDa5 1ιa8
Rubinstein Memoriαl
2l.ι'LJd5 jLxd5 22.exd5 jLe7 Black got even
better chances ίη the game Anand - Van
Wely, Wijk aan Zee 2000.
17.. :~lc5
Taking the sacrifice with 17 ... exd5 can
lead Black to a crushing defeat after
18.exd5+ ~d8 19.bb5 axb5 20. ~e8+ ~c7
21.~xf7 as it happened ίη the game
Timman - Van Wely, Wijk aan Zee 2000.
Also 17 ... ~a7 has occurred ίη this position.
18.b4 ~a7
19.h4
19.CLJb3 was played previously, and af-
ter 19 ... ~xe3 20.CLJxe3 g5 21.f5 jLg7 Black's
chances were preferable Berezovich -
V.Belov, Moscow 2000.
19 ... e5 20.fxe5 dxe5 21.CLJf5 ~xe3
22.CLJfxe3 g6 23.~b2 ~e7 24.~hl?!
Α passive move. The advantage of two
bishops should be taken into consideration.
Better was 24.CLJxe7!? ~xe7 25.c4 bxc4
26.CLJxc4 with an approximate equality.
24 ... CLJf6 25.CLJxf6+ jLxf6 26.c4
Ιf26.Φb3, then after 26 ... ~d8 an intru-
sion to d5 with the knight is dangerous for
White as he can lose a pawn.
26 ...bxc4 27.CLJxc4 I1d8 28.jLc2 ~e7
29.h5 1:!.d4 30.~xd4 exd4 31.~d3 jLc8
32.CLJb6?!
Allowing Black to create a passed pawn
οη the h-file. The defence after 32.~g1 ~e6
was preferable for White.
32 ... ~xg4 33.CLJd5+ ~e6 34.hxg6 fxg6
35.CLJf4+ ~π 36.e5?
White finally spoils the game. After
36.J::ι.g1! h5 37.e5 he probably could make
269
a draw.
36... jLg5 37.CLJxg6 ~b8 38.a3 h5 39.CLJf4
If39.J:!f1+ ~g7 40.CLJf4, then, apartfrom
40 ... a5, White had to reckon with an υη­
pleasant 40 ... J:!f8!? 41.CLJd5 J:!xf1 42.~xf1
h4, as then Black's passed pawns would
cost him dearly.
39 ... jLxf4 40.~f1 ~e6 41.~xf4 ~xe5
42.!le4+ Φd5 43.J:::1e7 a5 44.b5 a4 45.~c2
h4 46.~h7 h3 47.J::!.h4 jLd7 48.~h5+ 'it>d6
49.~f1 ~c8+ 50.Φd21:rc3 51.~h6+
If 51.b6, then after 51 ... ~b3! (51 ... 1:rxa3
was weaker because of52.~h6+ ~e5 53.b7
~b3 54.1::I.h5+ ~d6 55.~b5!) 52.b7 nb2+
53.Φc1 ~xb7 54.~xh3 jLxh3 55.~xh3 'it>d5
White had a losing rook endgame without
a pawn, and after 56.~h5+ ~c4 57.~a5 I1h7
58.~xa4+ Φc3 his position was absolutely
hopeless.
51 ... ~d5 52.b6 ~b3 53.~h7 jLf5 54.1:th5
~e4 55.nh6 ~f4 56.b7 1:txb7 57.~xh3
1'.Ib2+ 58.~cl ~c2+ 59.ΦdΙ ~h2 60.1:td6
~e5
60 ... ~xh3 was also possible with a mate
after 61.J::txd4+ Φe3 62.1:txa4 ~h1#
61.J::txd4 ~c2+! 0-1
189 Α31
Gelfand - Ivanchuk
Round 3 19.08
I.CLJf3 c5 2.c4 CLJc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.CLJxd4
CLJf6 5.g3 "§b6 6.CLJc2
The continuation 6.CLJb3 was tested by
the same opponents ίη the Stein Memo-
rial this year.
6 ... e6 7 .~g2 d5 8.0-0 ~e7
Ιη case of 8 ... dxc4 White could have
struggled for an advantage with 9.CLJca3 or
9.CLJe3.
9.cxd5 exd5
9 ... CLJxd5 was also tested ίη practice ίη
the game Topalov - Ponomariov, Las Ve-
gas (m14 active) 1999 where it was followed
by 10.CLJe3 CLJxe3 11.~xe3 ~xb2 12.~xc6+
bxc6 13.~d4 ~b7 14.~xg7 ~g8 15.~c3
10.CLJc30-0
Α novelty. Black ventures οη a sacrifice
270
ofthe pawn. Ιη case of 10 ... ..te6 White got
a more pleasant play after 11.lΔe3 d4
12.lΔed5lΔd5 13.lΔd5 ..td5 14 ...td5 ο-ο 15.
~b3 ~xb3 16.1ιχb3 ίη the game Skembris
- De Firmian, Vrnjacka Banja 1983.
11.lΔxd5 lΔxd5 12.~xd5 ..te6 13.~e4
.if614.a4
There seems to be ηο other way to com-
plete the development. Mter 14.~e3 'ufe8
Black had an excellent compensation for
the missing pawn, pressing οη White's
queenside.
14...~ac8
The line 14 ... ~fd8!? 15.a5 (the variant
with 15 ..ie3 ~a6 16.lΔb4 ~xe2 was quite
harmless for Black) 15 ... ~b5 16.a6 iιd5
with a good compensation for the pawn
deserved attention too.
15.iιe3!
White still found a way to develop his
pieces of the queenside.
15 ... ~xb2
If 15 ... ~a6, then after 16.lΔb4 ~xe2
17.lΔxc6 ~xc6 18.1ιχa7 White could have
created a dangerous passed pawn οη the
queenside.
16.~ab1 ~a2
16 ... ~c3!? was an alternative.
17.~xb7 a5!
This way οηlΥ. Α passive defence is im-
possible. After 17 ... lΔd8 18.lΔb4 ~a3
19.~b5 ~c4 (19 ... ~xa4? was bad because
of 20.~h5! h6 21.lΔd5) 20. ~b1 ~xa4
21.lΔd5 White's pieces became very active.
18 ..a:b6 lΔe7 19.1Δd4 J:ιc4
19 ... .id5!? 20.~g4 iιxg2 2l.'>~(xg2 lΔd5
deserved attention as well.
Super Tournαments 2000
20.ZΙxe6!
White gets rid of his opponent's active
pieces with the help of a temporary
exchange's sacrifice.
20 ...fxe6 21 ..ih3 'it>h8!
Black is up to the mark and does not
hold to the material balance. Ιη case of a
more indifferent 21 ... e5 to be followed with
22 ..ie6+ 'it>h8 23. ~d3 .ί::!:fc8 24.iιxc8 lΔxc8
25.lΔb3 ~xa4 26 ..!:td1 Black's position was
difficult despite the material balance.
22 ..ixe6 ~xe2 23 ..ixc4 "itfxc4 24. "itfc2
~c8 25.l:f.c1 "itfxc2
Black was losing ίη case of 25 ... "itfd5
26. ~xc8+ lΔxc8 27.J:ιxc8+ 1ιd8 28.lΔc6
"itfd1+ 29.'it>g2 ~d5+ 30.f3 "itfa2+ 31 ..if2.
26.~xc2 Itxc2 27.lΔxc2lΔd5
Now it is evident that the pawns ofthe
queenside will be exchanged, and the
endgame with White's three pawns οη the
kingside against two Black's means a draw.
28.lΔa3
It is curious that after 28.1ιd4 ..txd4
29.lΔxd4 lΔc3 30.lΔc6 lΔxa4 31.lΔxa5 a
knight endgame could have arisen similar
to the one which occurred between the
same opponents ίη the second round-robin
of the above mentioned Stein Memorial.
The difference is that, unlike that game, it
would be B.Gelfand who would have an
opportunity to "torture" his opponent, be-
ing the stronger side ίη this case.
28 ... lΔc3 29 ..id2 lΔxa4 30.1ιχa5 'it>g8
3ι.tZΊc4 tZΊc5 32 ...tb6 tZΊd7 33 ...tc7 'it>f7
34.'it>g2 'it>e6 35.Φf3 ..td4 36.lΔe3 lΔf6
37.iιd8 tZΊd5 38.lΔc4 1ιf6 39 ..ia5 iιc3
40 ..id8 .if6 41.iιb6 ..te7 1/2-%
190 Β33
SvidleI' - Ivanchuk
Round 4 20.08
1.e4 c5 2.tZΊf3 lΔc6 3.lΔc3 tZΊf6 4.d4
cxd4 5.lΔxd4 e5 6.lΔdb5 d6 7 ...tg5 a6
8.lΔa3 b5
The opponents chose the Sveshnikov
Variation to be the field for their opening
fight.
Rubinstein Memoriαl 271

9.l2Jd5 Jιe7 10.Jιxf6 Jιxf6 11.c3 ο-ο 15... '§c6!?

12.l2Jc2 i-g5 13.a4 bxa4 14.~xa4 a5 Black wants to fight. There was a mere
15.Jιb5 15 ... 0-0 16.0-0 with an approximate equal-
After the well-known game Kasparoν ity.
- Van Wely, Wijk aan Zee 1999, this con- 16.i..xb5
tinuation became especially popular. Ιη case of 16.l2Jd4 Black had 16 ... 1ιa4!,
15...l2Je7 getting a better play.
15 ... i-b7 was played ίη the aboνe men- 16 ... '§xb5 17.l2Jd4 '§c4 18.f3l2Jc6?!
tioned game. Black is ready to part with some ofhis
16.l2Jcb4 jιd7 17.l2Jxe7+ Jιxe7 18. material for an opportunity to play against
Jιxd7 the white king which is lingering about ίη
This led to a quick equalization. Ιη the the centre. Ιη the endgame which could
game Motyleν - Agamalieν, Bydgoszcz haνe appeared ίη case of a more prosaic
1999, the opponents played 18.l2Jc6 Jιxc6 18 ... 0-0 19. '§b3 '§xb3 20.l2Jxb3 or 18 ... e5!?
(probably V.lνanchuk was going to con- 19.12Je2 ο-ο (if 20 ... '§c5, then 20.'§a4+)
tinue ίη another way: 18 .. :§e8! 19:§d5 21. '§d3 the centralized position ofthe king
Jιe6) 19.Jιxc6 J::!.b8 20.J:Ia2 '§b6 21.i-d5 would be not a shortcoming, but, οη the
with a slight but lasting adνantage to contrary, a merit ofWhite's position. Any-
White. way, ίη this situation it was probably the
18... axb4 19.Jιc6 J:Ixa4 20.'§xa4 bxc3 best Black's decision.
21.bxc3 '§b8 22.0-0 jιd8 lh- 1h 19.12Jxc6 J:Ixc6 20.'§f2 '§c5 21.'§g3
l2Jh5 22.'§b8+ J:Ic8 23.'§xb7 ο-ο 24.'§d7
191 Ε34 Other opportunities were none the bet-
Van Wely - Gelfand ter. 80, ίη case of 24.1ιd4 after 24 ... '§g5
Round 4 20.08 25.0-0 (if 25.g4, then 25 ... J::tc2) 25 ... l2Jf4
26.g3l2Je2+ 27.'it>h1 .tIc2 White's king suf-
l.d4l2Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.l2Jc3 i-b4 4.'§c2 d5 fered an unpleasant attack.
Black chose the toughest way of strug- 24 ...f525.'§d4
gling for an equality from a number of White wants to simplify the play, try-
more or less equal opportunities. ing to aνoid worse things. Ιη case of
5.cxd5 '§xd5 6.e3 c5 7.jιd2 jιxc3 25. '§xe6+ 'it>h8 Black's attack was rather
8.Jιxc3 cxd4 9.Jιxd4 l2Jc6 10.Jιc3 1ιd7 dangerous. For instance, after 26.J:Id7 (if
lι.t2Jf3 J:Ic8 12.a3 l2Je7 13.J:::tdl 26.Jιd4, then there was 26 ... '§a5+, and if
After 13.Jιe2 ο-ο 14.0-0 Jιb5 15.J:Ifd1 26.J:Id4 with the idea of castling, then
the opponents agreed οη a draw ίη the 26 ... J:Ifd8 was rather unpleasant) 26 ... .1:lcd8
game Κhalifman - Leko, Dortmund 2000. 27. '§e7 (after 27.l::txd8 ktxd8 White's posi-
13 ... '§c5 14.e4 Jιb5 15.jιe2 tion was extremely dangerous because his
rook οη h1 was out ofthe play) 27 ... '§e3+
28.Φd1 (the line 28.'it>fi ~de8 29. '§h4 fxe4
30.'§xh5 exf3 31.i-xg7+ 'it>g8 32.'§d5+ J:Ie6
was impossible for White as, after all sen-
sible checks to Black's king were oνer, the
mating threats to White's king were still
present) 28 ... J:ixd7+ 29.'§xd7 '§g5 Black's
threats were νery serious.
25 ... '§b526.'§e5?
After a simple 26.exf5! exf5 (after
26 ... 1:rxf5 27.'it>f2 White has an excellent
272
position as well) 27. '{;[e5 Black has big
troubles.
26 ... '{;[xe5 27 .~xe5 fxe4 28.1Η1
Ιη case of28.fxe4 !Ic4 29.~d4 a6 Black's
actiνity was enough to return him the
missing pawn, all the more that White's
rook οη h1 was eliminated from the play.
28 ...tbf4 29.iLxf4 ~xί4 30.'~e2 exf3+
3U:txf3 1:txf3 32.gxf3 c!tf7
The rook endgame is obνiously a draw.
33.1:td7+ c!tf6 34.c!td3 a5 35.1:ta7 1:tb8
36.c!tc31:tc8+ 37.c!td31:tb8 38.c!tc3 %-112
192 Β76
Movsesian - Fedorov
Round 4 20.08
1.e4 c5 2.tbf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.tbxd4
tbf6 5.tbc3 g6 6.iLe3 iιg7 7.f3 ο-ο 8.'{;[d2
tΔc6 9.0-0-0 d5
A.Fedoroν plays the most keen and fun-
damental Dragon Variation again, as he
did ίη the second round.
10.exd5 tbxd511.tbxc6 bxc612.tbxd5
cxd5 13.'{;[xd5 '{;[c7 14.'{;[c5 '{;[b7 15.'{;[a3
iιf5 16 ..iιd3 1:tab8 17.b3
17...1:tfc8
This time Black positions his rook ίη a
slightly different way ίη comparison with
that game Ι νanchuk - A.Fedoroν, Polanica
Zdroj 2000, when 17 ... 1:tbc8 18.iιxf5 gxf5
19.1:td3 '{;[c6 20.c4 '{;[f6 21.1:thd11:tc6 22.iιd4
was played, and White gained an adνan­
tage.
18.iLxf5 gxf5 19.1:td3 '{;[c7 20.c4 a5
Super Tournαments 2000
21.1:thd1 ~a8 22.~d7
Until the last moνe White acted simi-
larly to the aboνe mentioned game, but
now he has to make some corrections be-
cause ofthe threat ofa5-a4.
22 ... '{;[e5
22 ... '{;[xh2 was bad because of23. '{;[xe7.
23.iLd4 '{;[f4+ 24.Φb1 iLf8 25.'{;[c1
'{;[xc1+ 26.c!txc1
Well, Black has a difficult endgame
without a pawn.
26 ... f6 27.Ma7 e5 28.1:txa8 .tιxa8 29 ..iιc3
Φf7 30.1:td7+ Φe6 31.1:txh7 ..ib4 32.c!tc2
e433.a3?!
Α strange decision. Better looked
33.fxe4! fxe4 34.~~.b7 e3 35.J:tb6+ c!td7 (if
35 .. .'~f5, then 36.1:txf6+ Φe4 37.1:te6+ Φf4
38 ..iιd4 ..id2 39.c!td3 with an easy win, and
ίη case οf35 ... Φe7 there was 36.iLxf6+ Φd7
37.c!td3) 36.1:txf6 e2 37 ..iιxb4 axb4 38.Φd2
1:txa2+ 39.Φe1 1:tb2 40.1H3, whereupon
White would win easily the rook endgame.
33 ... iLxa3 34.fxe4 fxe4 35.1:tb7 .iιe7
36.1:tb6+ c!tf7 37.1:tb5 a4 38.b4
Mter 38.bxa4 1:txa4 Black still kept a
chance to escape.
38...1:tg8?
Black does not use the full range of his
opportunities. White would haνe encoun-
tered more difficulties ίη achieνing his
adνantage after 38 ... a3! Probably Black
was afraid of39 ..tι.a5 ίη this case, but after
39 ...1:txa5 40.bxa5 iLc5 41.a6 e3 (there was
ηο 41 ... f5 because cf 42 ..iιb4 a2 43. c!tb2 .iιa7
44.g3, White winning the game) 42.g4 (an
attempt to run after two hares at once
would bring ηο results also ίη case of an
ambitious 42.Φd3 f5 43 ..iιb4 a2 44 ...ic3 [4
45.c!tc2?, and Black would eνen win after
45 ... e2 46.c!tb2 ..id4) 42 ... Φg6 43.h4 [5
44.h5+ Φg5 45.gxf5 ΦΧf5 46.h6 Φg6 White
had ηο way of reinforcing his position.
39.g3 1:th8 40.h4 1:tg8 41 . .te1 ~d6
42.1:tb7 + Φe6 43.1:tb6 Φe7 44.h5 .iιxg3
Black has won back the missing pawn,
but White's three passed pawns are al-
ready irrepressible.
45 ..iιc3 .th4 46.h6 Φf7 47.1:tb7+ c!tg6
Rubinstein Memoriαl
48.h7 ~h8 49.c5 Xιg3
White's pawns passed ίn case of 49 ...
ktxh7 50.~xh7 'ιtxh7 51.c6 ~g3 52.b5 ~c7
53.~d4 a3 54.b6.
50.c6 ~c8 51.b5 e3 52.'ιtd3 a3 53.ktd7
a2 54.'ιte21:ta8 55.b6 ~e5 56.~a7 1-0
193 C67
Shirov - Κrasenkow
Round 4 20.08
l.e4 e5 2.ltJf3 ltJc6 3.~b5 ltJf6 4.0-0
ltJxe4 5.d4ltJd6 6.Xιxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 ltJf5
This time A.Shirov encounters the Bra-
ΖίΙ Variation again, as ίn the second round.
8.~xd8+ 'ιtxd8 9.b3
Dissatisfied with White's achievements
after 9.ltJc3 ~d7 10.h3 h6 11.Xιf4 b6 12.a4
a5 13.~ad1 'ιtc8 ίn the game Shirov -
Almasi, Polanica Zdroj 2000, the grand-
master from Spain looks for another con-
tinuation.
9 ...h6 10.~b2 ~d7
Black plays similarly to the quoted
game.
11.ltJc3 Φc8 12.~adl a5
Later ίn the third game of the match
Kasparov - Κramnik Black played 12 ... b6
at once.
13.h3 b6 14.a4 ~b4 15.ltJe2
If 15.ltJe4, then Black struggles for an
equalization by means of15 ... ~e616.c4 c5!.
15... ~e8 16.ltJf4 g6
Black safely prevents White from ltJf4-
h5.
17.g4ltJg7 18.~d3ltJe6 19.1tJxe6 ~xe6
20.ltJd4 ~d 7
If20 ... ~d5, then 21.c4 ~e4 22.1:re3, COIJ,-
demning Black's light-squared bishop.
21.ltJe2?!
White chose not the best moment for
ltJd4-e2. Stronger was 21.1:rfd1 Φb7 (after
21 ... ~xe5 22.ltJxc6 ~e1+ 23.1:rxe1 ~xe1
24.ltJe7 Φd8 25.~f6 Black loses) and only
then 22.ltJe2.
21 ... ~d6 22.f4!
273
22 ... f5?
Black ruins the game with this move.
Mter 22 ... ~c5+ 23. 'it>h2 f5 to breach Black's
defence would not be easy.
23.exd6 I1xe2 24.dxc7 'it>xc7
Otherwise White has time to defend the
pawn with 25.~e5.
25.~e5+ Φc8 26.1:rfdl ~e6
Ιn case of 26 ... 1:ra7 the solution was
27.1:rd6, threatening with l:txg6.
27.ktd61-0
Ιn case of 27 ... ~d5 White won with
28.c4.
194 D30
Almasi - Markowski
Round 4 20.08
l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.ltJf3 c6 4.~g5
White is not going to allow his ορρο­
nent to play the Noteboom System after
4.ltJc3, neither he is willing to lock υρ the
bishop with 4.e3.
4 ... ~e7 5.~xe7 ~xe7 6.e3ltJf6 7.ltJc3
0-0 8.~c2 b6
8 ... ltJbd7 is the most common continua-
tion ίn this position. Still, after 9.cxd5 exd5
10.Xιd31:re8 11.0-0 ltJf8 12.a3 (also 12.1:rab1
ltJg613.b4 Xιd7 14.b5 occurred ίn the game
Beliavsky - Gelashνili, Saint Vincent 2000)
12 ... ltJg6 13.ltJd2 ~e6 14.b4 1:rad8 15.1:rfc1
a6 16.ltJa4ltJg4 17.ltJf1 ~h4 18.1:ra2 White
created certain difficulties for Black ίn the
game Chernin - Markowski, Budapest
2000.
274
9.cxd5
At the Europe Championship the game
Chernin - Κrasenkow, Saint Vincent 2000,
was drawn right in this position. The
present opponents faνoured their audience
with another fiνe moνes.
9 ...cxd510 ...\id3 ..\ib711.0-0 tΔc612.a3
.!::iac8 13:~a4 a6 14.1:[ac1 b5 15:~b3 112-%
195 Α07
Markowski - Svidler
Round 5 21.08
1.g3 d5 2.tΔf3 g6 3.c4 dxc4 4.tΔa3
Α step aside. 4. ~a4+ wasplayed in the
third round ίn the game Markowski -
Shiroν, Polanica Zdroj 2000.
4 ... ..\ig7 5.tΔxc4 tΔc6 6.d3 e5 7 ...\id2
Probably this is a bit more precise than
7.Sιg5 tΔge7 8.Sιg2 ..\ie6 9.~c1 f6 10.i.d2
a5 11.0-0 ο-ο which occurred in the game
Bricard - Tukmakoν, Andorra 1991.
7 ... tΔge7 8.Sιg2 i.e6 9.l:ιc1 ο-ο 10.0-0
~d7 11.tΔg5 i.d5 12.i.h3 ~d8 13.tΔe4 ί5
14.tΔc3 i.f7 15.i.g2 ~d7
The opening stage is oνer. Black has
gained just a slight adνantage which is
connected with his preνalence in space.
16.i.g5 ~ab8 17.tΔd2 tΔd4 18.tΔf3 c5
19.~d2 .ί:ιbd8 20 ..i.h6
White wants to simplify the position ίn
order to leνel Black's space adνantage.
20 ...tΔec6!?
20 ... tΔxf3+ 21.i.xf3 e4100ked tempting,
but most likely White was ready for this
Super Tournαments 2000
νariant. Mter 22 ..i.xg7 Φχg7 23.i.g2 c4
24.~fd1 cxd3 25.exd3 exd3 White had
26.b3!, preparing 27 ..i.f1 to return the sac-
rificed pawn, and ίn case of26 ... tΔc6 there
was 27.tΔa4.
21 ..i.xg7 Φχg7 22.~d1 b6 23.ne11:[fe8
24.tΔd2 tΔe7
Black is still better, but what plan
should he choose now? Probably the best
method to increase his adνantage was not
to undertake anything himselfbut to watch
closely White's attempts to disengage his
pieces from their somewhat constrained
position. From this point ofνiew the moνe
24 ... tΔa5!? deserνed attention (there were
also great complications after 24 ... ~e7
25.e3 tΔb4!), with the task to preνent 25.a3
(with the idea b2-b4) because of25 ... tΔab3,
and ίn case of 25.b3, meaning to get the
c4-square for the knight, there was
25 ... ~e7 with unpleasant X-rays along the
d-file, and if 26.tΔc4, then 26 ... tΔxc4
27.bxc4 e4.
25.a3 tΔg8
Maybe the position after 25 ... tΔd5
26.tΔxd5 i.xd5 27 ...\ixd5 ~xd5 was worth
playing, as Black kept better chances in
case of 28.b4 tΔe6 or 28.e4 ~π. Mter the
moνe ίn the game the play gets equalized
quickly.
26.b4 cxb4 27.axb4 tΔί6 28.e3 tΔc6
29. ~a4 tΔe7 y2-1ι2
196 D48
Κrasenkow - Almasi
Round 5 21.08
1.tΔf3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 tΔί6 4.tΔc3 e6
5.d4 tΔbd7 6 ..i.d3 dxc4 7.i.xc4 b5 8 ...\id3
The opponents play the Meran Varia-
tion which occurs ineνitably ίn eνery
strong tournament at present.
8 ...i.b7 9.0-0 a6 10.e4 c5 11.d5 ~c7
12.dxe6 fxe6 13.i.c2 ..\id6 14.tΔg5 tΔf8
15.f4 0-0-0 16.~e1 e5 17.tΔd5
Nothing interesting for so long. ΑΙΙ
these moνes haνe been already seen be-
fore.
Rubinstein Memoriαl 275

of25.1:tf7 ~xd6 26 ..sιf4) 25.J::ι.xf3 White had

the most dangerous attack.
23.axb4 axb4 24.CLJe6 ~b6 25.CLJxd8
kIxd8 26 ..ltc4 .sιe5 27.J:ιdl ~d6
Mter 27 ... .ltxb2 28.i..xf4+ CLJxf4 29.~xf4
Black had ηο particular counterplay as
there was too little material οη the board.
28.~e2 f3 29.gxf3
The line 29.1:txf3!? .sιxh2+ 30.Φh1 de-
serνed attention.
29 ... .ltxb2 30.i..xb4 cxb4 31. ~xb2 CLJe5
17... CLJxd5 32.i..e2
Black is first to leaνe the beaten path. Το retreat along another diagonal was
Ιη the game Piket - Κhalifman, Dortmund weaker. After 32.i..a2 i..a6 33.tt.b1 (if
2000, 17 ... .sιxd5 18.exd5 exf4 19 ..ltd2 1:te8 33.~f2, then 33 ... CL\d3 with a fork) 33 ... .sιxΩ
was played. As the deνelopment of this 34.~xb4+ ~xb4 35.1:txb4+ Φc7 36.Φχf1
game will show, Black's unwillingness to White had problems ίη achieνing his ex-
render the adνantage of two bishops to tra pawn.
White will not allow him to escape prob- 32... ~c5+?!
lems. White's task would haνe been more
18.exd5 exf4 complicated after 32 ... i..xd5. There was ηο
The capture of another pawn 18 ... .sιxd5 easy way to gain a perceptible profit from
to be followed by 19.~d2 1:te8 (ίη case of the binding οη the d-file.
19 ... b4 there was an unpleasant 20.a3) 33.ΦhΙ ~c3 34.J::ι.bl ~xb2 35.J::ι.xb2
20.CLJe4 CLJg6 (if20 ... .sιc4, then 21.1:tf2) 21.f5 1:txd5 36.J::ι.xb4 Φc7 37.tt.cl+ .sιc6
also let White deνelop a considerable ίηί­ Ιη case of 37 ... CLJc6 there was 38.f4
tiatiνe for the sacrificed pawn. 38.ΦgΙ Φd7
19..ltd2! If 38 ... 1:td2, then White would haνe won
Α programmed moνe with the threat of after 39.Φf1 ~d7 40.f4 CLJf3 41.1:tc3 CLJxh2+
.sιd2-a5. 42.Φf2 h5 43.~b6 ~a8 44.Φe3 .ί::ιa2 45.~g6.
19...b4 39.f4 CLJd3
Black safely preνents the white bishop The position gets simpler ineνitably. Ιη
from getting to a5. Αη attempt to defend case of 39 ... CLJg6 40.1:tb6 ~d6 (if 40 ... CLJe7,
from the threatening .sιd2-a5 with 19 ... then 41 ..ltf3, and if 40 ... ~a4, then 4U::J:al)
~d7 inνolνed 20 ..sιa5 .sιc7 (if20 ...1:te8, then 41.1:tcxc6 J::ι.xc6 42 ..itb5 White had an easy
21 ..sιf5! was strong) 21.1:td1, creating a ρο­ win.
sition with White's real chances for a suc- 40 ..sιxd3 1:txd3
cessful attack.
20.J::ι.cl Φb8
The continuation 20 ... h6 21.CLJe4 f3
22.CLJxd6+ ~xd6 23 ..ltf5+ Φb8 24.1:txf3
~xd5 25. ~g3+ was hardly good for Black.
21 ..sιb3 a5 22.a3 CLJg6
Black agrees to lose an exchange, hop-
ing to weaken the onslaught of his ορρο­
nent. Ιη case of 22 ... h6 23.CLJe4 f3 (there
was ηο 23 ... g5 because of24.axb4) 24.CLJxd6
~xd6 (24 ... fxg2? lost immediately because
276
41.f5!
Α strong move. White moves the pawn
to a light square where it ίΒ within the
reach of the black bishop, but at the same
time he opens the way to the kingside for
his b4-rook, which becomes the crucial
factor, combined with the absence of the
black king there.
41 ... 1:Μ6
Mter 41 ... ~f3 the solution was 42.kth4
h5 43.::th3 Φe7 44.'ϊ.t>f2.
42.kth4 'ϊ.t>e7
If 42 ... h6, then 43.1::tg4.
43 ..!:ί:Χh7 'ϊ.t>f6 44.l::tc5 ~e4 45 ..!:ί:h8?!
White could have won easier if he had
exchanged the f-pawn for the g-pawn by
means of 45.1ic7 ..txf5 46.z:thxg7.
45 ....ί:!:d7?!
Losing an important tempo. With an
immediate 45 ... .1::ω5 Black could make
White's achievement of the victory more
complicated.
46.'ϊ.t>f2 .ί::td5
46 ... .ί::tf7 47.1:th5 Ita7 48.We3 Me7 Black's
opposition could have been more stubborn,
though the result most probably would be
the same anyway.
47 ..ί::txd5 lιxd5 48. Φe3 Wxf5
Now White will win easily, because af-
ter the exchange of the white f-pawn for
the black g-pawn Black's king will be cut
offfrom White's single pawn. Black at least
could have tested his opponent ίη a well-
known theoretical endgame after 48 ... g6
49.fxg6 Φχg6.
49.::th5+ We6 50.1;Ig5! 1-0
After the g7-pawn will be taken,
White's single pawn wiIl not encounter any
problems οη its way to the seventh rank.
197 C39
Fedorov - Shirov
Round 5 21.08
l.e4 e5 2.f4
Α romantic move ofXVIII - ΧΙΧ centu-
ries, though at present certain interest ίΒ
Super Tournαments 2000
displayed again to the Κing's Gambit ow-
ing to successful games played by A.Fedo-
rov and A.Morozeνich.
2 ... exf4 3.CLJf3 g5 4.h4 g4 5.CLJe5 d6
6.CLJxg4 CLJf6 7.CLJf2 l:!g8 8.d4 Jth6 9.CLJc3
CLJc6 10.CLJd5CLJxd5 11.exd5
ΑIl these moves have been seen already.
11 .. :~e7+!
Previously οηlΥ 1l ... CLJe7 was played
here against A.Fedorov. This move which
probably was prepared by A.Shirov at
home looks very strong and leaves White
practicaIly ηο chance for a successful de-
fence.
12 ...te2 CLJb4 13.c4 Jtf5!
This move ίΒ indissoluble from Black's
11 th move. Ιη order to escape considerable
materiallosses White has to take the sac-
rifice of a piece, offered by Black, but ίη­
stead he will suffer a νicious attack.
14.'~a4+ Wf8 15:~xb4 z:te8 16:~'d2
1:txg2 17.'ϊ.t>f1 1:tg3 18:~dl ..te4
ΑIl Black's pieces contribute actively to
the attack ofWhite's position.
19.1:th2
There was ηο 19.CLJxe4 ~xe4 20 ..ί::th2
because of 20 ... ..tg7, Black winning the
game.
19... f5
Black prepares 20 ... ~g7
20.CLJxe4
Ιη case of 20.CLJh1 the solution was
20 ... ..txh1 21 ..!:ί:χh1 ~e4.
20... fxe4 21 ...tg4 e3 22 ...tf3 0-1
Mter 22 ... ~g7 his position could not
have been saved.
Rubinstein Memoriαl
198 D15
Gelfand - Movsesian
Round 5 21.08
l.d4 ctJf6 2.c4 c6 3.ctJc3 d5 4.ctJf3 a6
5.c5
The most principled way to struggle
against Black's fourth move. 5.a4 was
played ίη the game between the same ορ­
ponents at the Europe Team Champion-
ship ίη Batumi.
5 ... ctJbd7 6.~f4 ιLJh5 7.e3 g6 8.SΙd3
~g7 9.0-0 f6 10.h3 ctJxf4?
Black chose an unlucky move. He
should have played 10 ... e5 11.1ιh2 e4
12.1ιχe4 dxe4 13.ιLJxe4 ο-ο (ίη case of
13 ... 1ιf8 14. ~b3 White would begin a stron-
gest attack) 14. ~b3+ ςt>h8 15.ctJd6 f5
16.ctJf7 + l:ιxf7 17. ~xf7 ~g8, and, despite a
good material equivalent of a rook and two
pawns for two pieces, the estimation ofthe
position would be still not clear because
without open files οη the board White's
rooks would not be able to show their worth
fully.
11.exf4 e5 12.f5!
White sacrifices a piece and stalemates
nearly all Black's pieces.
12 ... e4 13.SΙxe4 dxe4 14.ctJxe4 0-0
Ιη case of 14 ... SΙf8 Black's king experi-
enced a serious attack after 15. ~b3 SΙe7
16.J::!.fe1 ςt>f8 17.l:ιe2 ςt>g7 (if 17 ... gxf5, then
18.ctJg3 f4 19.ctJh5 was unpleasant for
Black) 18.~ae1 ~g8 (ίη case of 18 ... SΙf8
good was 19.ιLJd6) 19.~c3.
15:~b3+ ςt>h8 16.ctJd6 SΙh6 17.l:ιfel!
White gathers up his reserves without
haste. 17.ctJf7+ l:ιxf7 18.~xf7 ~g8 was not
so strong.
17... ςt>g7 18.l:ιe4 ctJxc5
Black returned the extra piece, or oth-
erwise White would win very soon, having
put both his rooks οη the e-file. 18 ... gxf5
would also let White win with 19.1:ιe7+!
~h8 (if 19 ... ~xe7, then a fork: 20.ctJxf5+)
20.~f7!.
19.dxc5 gxf5
277
20.l:i.e8!
The decisive blow.
20 ... ~xe8
If20 ... l:ιxe8, then 21. ~f7 + ςt>h8 22.ctJxe8
SΙe6 23. ~xe6 ~xe8 24. ~xf6+ was winning,
and ίη case of 20 ... ~d7 the solution was
21.J::!.ae1
21.ctJxe8+ l:ιxe8 22.g3 a5 23.l:ιellhel+
24.ctJxel a4 25.~b6 SΙd2 26.~c7+ ςt>g6
27.ctJf3 SΙcl
Ιη case of 27 ... SΙg5 the simplest way to
achieve the victory was 28. ~d8.
28.ctJh4+ ςt>h6 29.~f7 1-0
If29 ... SΙxb2, then 30.~f8+ ~h5 31.~g7
won the game.
199 Β85
Ivanchuk - Van Wely
Round 5 21.08
l.e4 c5 2.ctJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.ιLJxd4
ctJf6 5.ctJc3 a6 6.SΙe2 e6 7.0-0 SΙe7 8.f4
0-0 9.ςt>hl ctJc6
The theory does not favour this move,
9 ... ~c7 with the idea b7-b5 is more popu-
lar.
10.ctJxc6 bxc611.e5 dxe512.fxe5 ctJd7
13.SΙf4 SΙg5 14.1ιg3
The book by G.Kasparov and A.Nikitin
about the Scheveningen Variation of the
Sicilian Defence gives preference to the
move 14. ~d6.
14... 1ιh4 15.SΙf4 i.g5 16.~d2
White tries to achieve something bet-
ter than a draw which was reached ίη the
game Bielczyk - Skalik, Lubniewice 1994,
278 Super Tournαments 2000

after 16.iιg3 iιh4 17 ...if4 ..ig5. he is mistaken. 33.1:ι:e3! was the correct
16 ...iιxf4 17:~xf4 ~a5 18.l::tael ~xe5 move, and Black would encounter prob-
Black wins a pawn only temporarily, lems defending his position ίn this case.
soon he will have to return it because of Mter 33 ... lιd5 (both 33 ...1:te8 and 33 ... e5
White's multiple threats. were bad because of34.CUc4!) Black had to
19.~h4 h6!? reckon with 34 ...Itc4! (nothing could have
Α nice defensive resource, which pre- been gained with 34.c4 ..ib7 35.l:txe6 Itxe6
pares the g5-square for the queen. Ιn case 36. ~e6 because of 36 ... ~f2! 37.ng1 ~d2
of 19 ... g6 there was a mere 20 ...ixa6 with 38. ~d71:If7 39. ~d4l:tf6with a draw) 34 ... f4
White's better chances. 35.1:!.d3 and White would have continued
20.iιd3 to put pressure. After the move ίn the game
White did not want to play the endgame Black's central pawns will begin their ad-
which would arise after 20.iιxa6 ~g5 vance.
21. ~xg5 hxg5 22 ...ixc8 1:i:fxc8. 33 ... e5 34.CUc4 ~e6 35.b4 ~c7 36.CUa5
20 ... ~g5 e4 37...ic4 nef6 38. ~f2?
Ιn case of20 ... ~c7 White's threats were Ιn for a penny, ίn for a pound. White
extremely dangerous after 21. ~e4 g6 should have submitted to a worse position
22.~h4 h5 23.~e7. after 38.CUxb7 ~xb7, but now his knight
21.~e4 g6 22.~xc6 ~b8 23.CUe4 ~a5 οn a5 proves to be out of the play.
24.b3 ~g7 38 ... lιa8 39.lιf1 CUe5 40.c4 f4 41.~b2
Ιn case of 24 ... ~xa2? the solution was e3 42.~gl g4 43.~h5
25.CUd6. White's knight οn a5 and rook οn h5 are
25:~d61:Ib6 26.~e7 ~b4 27.~h4 positioned awfully badly. Νο wonder that
Again White looks for a chance ίn the Black finds a tactical blow which allows
middlegame, having declined another him to win immediately.
endgame which could appear after 27. 43 ... CUf3+! 44.gxf3 gxf3 0-1
~xb4 :txb4.
27 ... f5 28.c3 ~a3 29.CUd2 ~d6 200 Β50
Ιn case of 29 ... ~xa2? 30.CUc4 1:Ixb3 Svidler - Van Wely
31.1:Ia1 Black's queen perished, and after Round 6 23.08
30 ... 1:tc6 31.1:Ib1 it was trapped for the rest
ofher life. l.e4 c5 2.CUf3 d6 3.c3
30.1:If3 g5 31.~f2 ~c5 32.~e2 ..Itb7 White refused from an opening dispute
concerning main lines of the Sicilian De-
fence.
3 ... CUf6 4.iιd3 CUc6 5.iιc2 ..Itg4 6.h3
White reveals the intentions of the
black bishop immediately. There was an
alternative to the move ίn the game: 6.d3
to be followed by CUb1-d2, so that ίn case
of an exchange οn f3 there would be a cap-
ture with the knight, and the control over
the d4-square would be kept.
6 .....Itxf3 7.~xf3 g6 8.0-0 iιg7 9.~e2
0-010.d3
33.1:Ih3? Black's activity οn the queenside can be
White skilfully pressed upon Black's slowed down but there is nο way to stop it.
position during the whole game, but now Mter 10.a4 a6 11.CUa3 e6 12.d3 b5 13.axb5
Rubinstein Memoriαl
axb5 Black got a good counterplay οη the
queenside in the game Heissler - Κha­
lifman, Germany 1992.
10...b5 11.4Jd24Jd7 12.4Jf3 b4 13.SΙd2
J:!b8
The οηlΥ move, but probably 13 .. .'~a5
14 ..ί::ϊfc1 ~b5 15.~ab1 ~ab8 which occurred
in the game 8chubert - 8erper, Gausdal
1991, was more precise.
14.SΙa4!
80, White still has managed to accom-
plish the programmed advance d3-d4.
14 ... ~c7 15.1:tfcl J:ιfc8 16.d4
White got his way in the opening. Now
he will have a slight but lasting initiative.
16...bxc3 17.bxc3 1:tb2 18.~a6 4Jcb8
19.~d3
With the queen's shuttle-like manoeu-
vre White reinforces the d4-pawn to pro-
ceed then to the b2-rook, which penetrated
into White's rear too far.
19... 4Jb6
19 ... 4Jc620.1:tcb1!?
20 ...Itdl 4Jc6 21.~cbl lIxbl 22.l:txbl
cxd4 23.cxd4 d5 24.e5 4Jc4 25.SΙg5 e6
26.h41:tb827.SΙb3
White decides to part with his advan-
tage oftwo bishops because after 27.1:txb8+
~xb8 black knights could have developed
an unpleasant activity οη the queenside.
27 ... 4J6a5 28.h54Jxb3 29.axb34Jb6
Black could have kept the knight active
by 29 ... ~b6, but after 30.hxg6 fxg6 31.
iH6!? SΙh6 32.4Jh4 the overload of the
queenside with Black's pieces would begin
to tell.
279
30.hxg6 fxg6
Mter 30 ... hxg6 White would be able to
arrange pressure οη the kingside, for in-
stance with 31.4Jh2 to be followed by a blow
οη g4.
31.SΙd2
Now 31.SΙf6 gave nothing because of
31 ... SΙxf6 32.exf6 ~f7.
31 ...4Jd7 32.b44Jf8
Black tries to keep the knight close to
his king, probably fearing White's possible
attack, connected with the moves 4Jf3-g5
and ~d3-h3.
33.b5 ~d7
33 ... ~b6!? deserved attention (with the
idea of 34 ... a6), and after 34.~b4 ~a5
35.1::tb3 ~a4 the black queen might under-
take a dangerous raid into White's camps.
34.4Jel h6 35. ~b3 ~f7 36.1:tal g5
37.4Jd3 4Jg6 38.4Jc5 4Jh4 39.1:ta6 1:tb6
40.SΙa5 ~xa6 41.bxa6
The time control is over. As before,
White's chances look a bit better.
41 ... ~f5
42.~h3??
Α terrible move. White's slightly better
position becomes absolutely hopeless in a
single moment. It is clear that the black
queen should not be allowed to get to g4
as it would arrange a lot of trouble for
White from that square. 80, after 42. ~d3?
~g4 43.g3 there was 43 ... ~xd4! But White
could have played 42.f3 or 42.~d1, keep-
ing all his advantage.
42 ... ~xh3 43.gxh34Jf3+ 44. ~g2 4Jxd4
45.4Jd7
280
Ιη case of 45.~b6 there was 45 ... 4:Jb5.
45 ... Φf7 46.~b6 4:Jb5
Now White willloose the e5-pawn too.
46 ... 4:Jc6 was less precise because of
47.~c7.
47.~c5 Φe8 48.4:Jb8 ~xe5 49.4:Jc6 ~f4
0-1
201 C82
Movsesian - Ivanchuk
Round 6 23.08
l.e4 e5 2.4:Jf3 4:Jc6 3.1ιb5 a6 4.1ιa4 4:Jf6
5.0-0 liJxe4
The open νariation ofthe Ruy Lopez lost
a great deal ofits popularity after the tenth
game of the match Kasparoν - Anand, Ν ew
York (m/10) 1995, but still it occurs some-
times ίη practice ofthe strongest players.
6.d4 b5 7.~b3 d5 8.dxe5 ~e6 9.4:Jbd2
liJc5 10.c3 1ιg4
At present White tries to aνoid the com-
plications to appear after 10 ... d4 1l.ltJg5.
11.~c2 ~d7 12.~el ~d8 13.h3 ~h5
14.1iJf1 ~e7 15.g4
Α tough moνe. Usually a quieter 15.liJg3
is played here.
15.....tg616.ctJg3 ~xc2 17.~xc2
One of games which were played ίη the
German League was drawn right ίη this
position.
17 ... liJe6 18.a4 ο-ο 19.axb5 axb5
20.liJf5 ~fe8 21 ...te3 ..tf8 22.~adl
Ιη some lines a rook can be νery help-
ful οη the a-file, so the question about
which ofthem should go to d1 is not clear.
22 ... g6
Super Tournαments 2000
23.4:Jh6+
Apparently, this actiνe moνe has a se-
rious shortcoming: the function of the
knight οη h6 wiil be to engage White's
pawns and pieces ίη its defence. 23.1iJ5d4
was preferable.
23 ... Φh824.g5
As a matter offact, White admitted that
his preνious moνe was a mistake, and he
is ήght. Ιη case of 24.~d2 (if 24.I:Ie2, then
there was 24 ... d4) 24 ... liJa5 25.b3 c5
26.~ed1 ~b7 White's position got consid-
erably worse.
24 ... 1ιΧh6 25.gxh6 b4 26.~d2 bxc3
27.bxc3 Φg8 28.1ιg51iJχg5 29.~xg5 ~e7
30.~f4 ~d7 31.~f6
White proceeds to the endgame where,
despite his spoiled pawn structure, he has
good drawing chances owing to the con-
strained position ofBlack's king, whereas
after an aggressiνe 31.liJh2 to be followed
by 31 ... f5 32.exf6 ~xe1+ 33.~xe1 nxe1+
34. Φg2 z:te4 35. ~g5 Φf7 he failed to get an
attack which would compensate the defects
of his position.
31 ... ~xf6 32.exf6 z:tf8 33.c4
The strongest moνe. Mter 33.liJe51iJxe5
34.~xe5 c6 35.c4 (ίη case of 35.I;ιd3 ~d6
36.l'Η3 there was an unpleasant 36 ... ~e6!)
35 ... ~fd8 36.cxd5 Φf8 Black kept some
chances to win the rook endgame.
33 ... d4 34.liJg5 I:Id6 35.liJe4 ~e6 36.
liJc5 z:te5 37 .~xe5 liJxe5 38.f4 liJxc4
39.:lxd4 4:Jd6 40.4:Ja6 4:Je8!
ΑΙΙ Black's pieces are crowding οη the
eighth rank, and the unpretentious moνe
with the knight allows Black to cause some
material damage to White's position.
41.Φg2 4:Jxf6 42.4:Jxc7 Φh8 43.~d6
4:Jg8 44.f5!
One white pawn which constrained the
black king is changed with another.
44 ... 4:Jxh6
Mter 44 ... gxf5 45.4:Jd5 f646.Φf3liJχh6
47.4:Jxf6 Black had ηο winning chances.
45.f6 4:Jf5 46.~d7 Φg8 47.4:Jd5 ~e8
48.Φf2 h6 49.liJc7 :lb8 50.4:Jd5 ~e8
51.4:Jc7 ~b8 52.4:Jd5 Φf8 53.4:Jc7 ~b2+
Rubinstein Memoriαl
54.Φe1 J::tb1+ 55.\t>f2 z:rb8 56.Φf3 \t>g8
57.\t>e4 ~c8 58.\t>f4 4Jd4 59.4Jd5 Φf8
60.Φe5 4Jf3+ 61.Φf4 4Jg5 62.h4 l:tc4+
63.Φe3 4Je6 64.z:ta7 J::tc8 65.4Jb6 J::te8
66.4Jd7+ Φg8 67.4Je5 4Jg7 68.Φd4 4Jf5+
69.'~d5 4Je3+ 70.Φd4 4Jf5+ 71.\t>d5 1:::!.e6
72.J::!.a8+ \t>h7 73.~h8+!
Α storm ίη a teacup.
73 ...<;t>xh8 74.4Jxf7+ Φg8 75.\t>xe6 Φf8
76.4Je5 4Jd4+ 77.\t>d5 4Je2 78.4Jxg6+ \t>f7
79.4Je5+ ΦΧf6 80.4Jg4+ \t>g6 1/2_1/2
202 Β52
Shirov - Gelfand
Round 6 23.08
1.e4 c5 2.4Jf3 d6 3.lιb5+
Alexei Shirov's main opening weapon
against the NajdorfVariation ίη the Sicil-
ian Defence was beaten ίη the game with
P.Svidler, so he has to choose any other
continuation this time.
3 ... lιd7 4.lιxd7+ ~xd7 5.c4 4Jf6 6.4Jc3
4Jc6 7.d4 cxd4 8.4Jxd4 g6 9.f3
Previously the grandmaster from Spain
played 9.0-0 ίη this position, but after
9 ... lιg7 10.4Jde2 (there was ηο 10.f3? be-
cause of 10 ... 4Jxe4) instead of the tradi-
tional 10 ... 0-0 they play now the com-
puter-like 10 ... ~e6!? 11.4Jd5 ~xe4 12.
4Jc7+ Φd7 13.4Jxa8 '§xc4 14.4Jb6+ axb6
with an absolutely unclear estimation.
9 ... ..Iί.g7 10.lιe3 0-0 11.0-0 ~d8
Most players prefer to transfer at first
the king's rook to the queenside with
11 ... J::tfc8 ίη this position, and οηlΥ then
begin to reinforce the position ofthe queen.
Boris Gelfand has a particular ορίηίοη
about this problem.
12.4Jde2 ~a5 13.J::tc1 a6 14.4Jf4 4Jd7
15.a3?!
Previously 15. ~e2 J::tfc8 16 ..ί:Ηd1 4Jce5
17.4Jfd5 '§d8 18.4Ja4 occurred ίη this ρο­
sition with White's better chances. The
move ίη the game weakens the position of
White's pawns considerably, and Black will
gain profit from this mistake soon.
281
15... e6!
Black covers the d5-square, notwith-
standing that he will lose a pawn ίη this
way.
16:~xd6?
White hardly should have taken the
sacrifice. 16.1:Η2!? deserved attention with
the idea that ίη case of 16 ... 4Jde5 17.b4
~xa3 White got a draw with 18.l:!:a2 ~xM
19.1:::!.a4 ~b2 20.z:ra2
16... 4Jde517.~c5
None the better was 17.b3 z:rfd8 18. ~c5
4Jd3 19.~xa5 (if19.4Jxd3, then 19 ... J::txd3)
19 ... 4Jxa5 20.J::tc2 (after 20.lιb6 4Jxc1
21 ...Iί.xa5 lιxc3 22.lιxd8 lιd4+ 23.Φh1 J::!.xd8
24.z:rxc1 lιe3 White lost immediately)
20 ... 4Jxb3 with an evident advantage οη
Black's side.
17... J::tfc8 18.4Jce2
Ιη case of 18.~xa5 4Jxa5 19.c5 4Jac4
White had problems, as well as ίη case of
18.z:rfd1 ~xc5 19.1ιxc5 4Jxc4.
18... ~a4
Putting more pressure οη the white c4-
pawn and freeing the a5-square for the
knight at the same time.
19.1ιf2
Ιη case of 19.4Jc3 ~xc4 (after 19 ... ~b3
20.4Jd1 White still holds out somehow)
20. ~b6 4Jd7 21. ~xb7 lιd4 22.4Jcd5 (if
22.lιxd4 ~xd4+ 23.Φh1 4Jc5, then the
white queen is caught) 22 ... exd5 23.~xc4
lιxe3+ 24.Φh1 dxc4 25.4Jxg6 (if 25.4Jd5,
then after 25 ... 4Jc5 26.~b8 J::!.ab8 the white
queen is caught again) 25 ... hxg6 26.~xd7
..Iί.d4 White lost material.
19 ... lιf8 20.~e3
282
White hardly could have escaped after
20.4:Jc3 '§b3 21.'§b6 '§xb6 22.j.xb6 4:Jxc4
23.4:Ja44:J6e5.
20 ... 4:Jxc4 21:~c3 4:J6a5 22.4:Jd4?!
White willlose a piece, but after 22.':fd1
or 22.l:tcd1 his position is also poor.
22 ... e5 23.4:Jd5 exd4 24.j.xd4 4:Je5
25:~e3 z:txcl 26.~xcl j.g7 27.b4 4:Jac6
28.j.xe5 iιxe5 0-1
'203 Β40
Almasi - Fedorov
Round 6 23.08
l.e4 c5 2.4:Jf3 e6
Two opening failures ίη the second and
fourth rounds· made the Byelorussian
grandmaster refuse from the Dragon
Variation ίη the Sicilian Defence.
3.d4 cxd4 4.4:Jxd4 4:Jf6 5.4:Jc3 iιb4 6.e5
4:Jd5 7.j.d2 4:Jxc3 8.bxc3 j.e7 9.'§g4 ο-ο
Black sacrifices the exchange. Ιη case
of9 ... 'it>f8 10.iιd3 d6 11.f4 4:Jd7 12.0-0 4:Jc5
13.f5 or 9 ... g6 10.iιd3 4:Jc6 11.4:Jxc6 bxc6
12.h4 he took the chance of suffering a very
strong attack ίη the presence of a mate-
rial balance.
10.j.h6 g6 11.j.xf8
AIso 11.h4 d612.h5 '§a5 13.4:Jb5 a6
14.hxg6 fxg6 15.j.xf8 axb5 16.l:lxh7!! with
a terrible attack υροη the black king was
tested ίη practice more than once, but prob-
ably Black was going to defend ίη some
other way, for instance by 11 ... '§a5.
11 ....txf8 12.'§g3 '§a5 13 ..tc4
Α new move. 13.f4 d6 14.exd6 iιxd6
15.~d1 occurred ίη the game Svidler -
A.Rodriguez, Luzern 1997, 13.iιe2 was
seen also.
13 ... 4:Jc6?
Mter 13 ... iιg7 14.f4 d6 there could be a
fight. But now the game will end very soon.
14.4:Jxc6 bxc6 15.0-0 .tg7 16.z:tael f6
17.exf6 .lί.xf6 18.1::te3 '§g5 19.1:!.bl '§xg3
20.~xg3 .lί.e5 21.l::i:f3 .lί.c7 22.iιe2 'it>g7
23.'it>f1 j.b6 24.c4 iιc5 25.1:rtb3 j.d6
Black is forced to play the whole game
with a single piece - his dark-squared
Super Tournαments 2000
bishop.
26.c5 j.e5
If 26 ... .lί.xc5, then after 27 .~b8 Black
loses a piece οη top of all his misfortunes.
27 .~d3 a5 28.a4 'it>f6 29 ..tιf3+ 'it>e7
Mter 29 ... 'it>g7 30.h4 White would also
ννίη soon.
30. .lί.d3 iιd4 31.nh3 .txc5 32.1:txh7+
Wf6 33.h4 j.f8 34.g4 g5 35.f4 gxf4 36.g5+
Φe5 37.g6 d5 38.g7 1-0
204 Α20
Markowski - Κrasenkow
Round 6 23.08
l.g3 e5 2.c4 4:Jf6 3.iιg2 c6 4.d4 exd4
5.'§xd4 d5 6.4:Jf3 iιe6 7.cxd5
Τοο simple. 7.4:Jg51ooked more promis-
ing for White.
7 ... cxd5 8.0-0 4:Jc6 9"~a4 ..Itc5 10.
tιJbd2 ο-ο 11.tιJb3 .tb6 12.4:Jbd4 '§d7
·ΟηΙΥ 12 ... z:tc8 has been seen previously.
13.4:Jxe6
Reinforcing Black's position ίη the cen-
tre. There was ηο 13.iιe3?? because of
13 ... 4:Jxd4, but 13.4:Jxc6 was preferable.
13 ...fxe614 ..1:tdl?!
Α strange move, all the more that the
white rook will come back nearly at once.
14.'§h4 e5 15.j.h3 was stronger.
14... e515.e3'§f516 ..1:tf1.1:tad817 ..td2
4:Je4 18..1:tadl?
The d1-square should have been left
free for the white queen.
18 ... '§h5!
Rubinstein Memoriαl
Black gains a practically forced win.
19.CDh4
If 19.CDe1, then 19 .. .'~e2 wins.
19 ... g5! 20.~xe4 dxe4 21.CDg2 I:!.d6
22 ..tc3
After 22. ~xe4 z:tfd8 23. ~c2 e4 24. ~c4+
~f7 25.~e2 CDe5 26.~c3 CDf3+ 27.<J;th1 ~h5
28.~c4+ <J;tf8 29.h4 ~g4 White would lose
as well.
22 ... Ith6 23.h4 gxh4 24.~c4+
If 24.CΔxh4, then 24 ... ~g4 25.CΔg2 ~h3
26.CDh4 ~xh4 27.gxh4 'it>h8 with a victory.
24 ... <J;th8 25.CDxh4 ~g4 26.~d5 ~xh4
27 ..txe5+ CDxe5 28. ~xe5+ 'it>g8 29.~d5
.txe30-1
205 D85
Krasenkow - Svidler
Round 7 24.08
l.d4 CΔί6 2.c4 g6 3.CDc3 d5 4.cxd5
CDxd5 5.e4 CDxc3 6.bxc3 1ιg7 7.CDf3 c5
8.Mbl
The opponents begin their duel ίη one
of the most threadbare variants of the
Gruenfeld Defence, theoretical studies
embrace more than thirty moves ίη some
lines of this variation.
8 ... 0-0 9.1ιe2 cxd4 10.cxd4 ~a5+
11 ..td2 ~xa2 12.0-0 .tg4 13.1ιg5 h6
14 ..iιe3 CDc6 15.d5 .iιxf3 16.gxf3
This decision is hardly very good, but
White counts οη the suddenness first of all.
Α normal 16 ..iιxf3 CDe5 17.MXb7 led to a
quick equalization after 17 ... a5! ίη the re-
cent game Van Wely - Svidler, Biel 2000.
16... CΔd4!?
White's sixteenth move would be bet-
ter ifBlack had to play 16 ... CΔe5, but Black
does not need to put his knight οη the way
ofWhite's pawns, he can choose a less dan-
gerous retreat. Α quiet 16 ... CDa5!? was not
bad, as well as the move ίη the game.
17. .iιd3
The continuation 17.1ιχd4 .txd4 18.
~xd4 ~xe2 19.MXb7 ~Xf3 is oflittle inter-
est for White.
283
17... ~a3
At the moment the fate of the b-pawn
is not very significant for Black. Ιη case of
17 ... b6 after 18.:!:tb4!? e5 19.f4 Black had
problems with the d4-knight.
18.f4
The capture 18.MXb7 to be followed by
18 ... ti.fb8 19.:txb8+ J:ιxb8 20.f4 J:ιb3 allowed
Black to gain a big advantage οη the
queenside.
18... ~d6!
Again Black refuses to defend the b-
pawn. If 18 ... b6, then after 19.e5 CΔf5
(19 ... CΔf3+ 20.'it>g2 CDh4+ 21.'it>h3 CΔf5
22 ..txf5 gxf5 23. ~h5 was not better for
Black) 20 ..txf5 gxf5 21. ~h5 White could
get some chances to attack Black's king
owing to the remote position of the black
queen οη a3.
19.I:!.xb7 I:!.fb8 20.~bl CDf3+ 21.'it>g2
CDh4+ 22.'it>hl
It is better for the white king to stay
under its shelter. Ιη case of22.'it>g3 g5 23.e5
1ιχe5 24.fxe5 ~xe5+ 25.'it>h3 CDf3 there was
a rather unpleasant attack from Black's
pieces.
22 ... g5?!
Black is incautious. What is good ίη case
of 22.'it>g3 is not very efficient against
22.'it>h1. Black could have kept good
chances if he turned to the queenside. Μ­
ter 22 ... a5 23.J::!.c1 (ηο 23 ..ttg1 a4 24.Mg4
because of a mere 24 ... a3) 23 ... a4 24.~c6
Itxb7 25. ~xb7 ~b8 26. ~a7 ~b4 Black's
prospects looked even better.
284 Super Tournαments 2000

Suddenly White gains good prospects 34.~g6?!

οη the kingside instead of Black. 34. ~h7!? was preferable. Mter 34 ... ~g5
23 ... gxf4 (there was already ηο 34 ... .Jtg5? because
Ιη case of 23 ... 1:!.xb7 24. ~xb7 .ϊ::ιb8 of35 ..!:Ie6! ~a136.l:txh6+ .Jtxh6 37.~xh6+
25.~xa7 CL\f3 there was a good 26.1:Ig4, Φg4 38.h3# with a mate) 35.l:tc1 'lt>h3
whereupon 26 ... h5? was bad because of 36.~f5+ ~xf5 37.exf5 CL\xh2 38 ..ϊ::ιc4 f3 (ηο
27 ..Jtc5! 38 ... i.e5? because of 39.f6! exf6 40.Jtf5+)
24 ..Jtc5 39.'i.t>gl CL\g4 with a most complicated
This tactical opportunity appeared ow- endgame. White's chances were undoubt-
ing to the strong position of the White's edly better, but the position required a
rook οη the open g-file. deep analysis.
24 ... ~e5 34 ... Sιg535.'It>g2
With this move Black agrees to sacri- Mter 35. ~f5 ~b2 Black won, and ίη
fice the exchange. Mter 24 ... 1:!.xb7 25. §'xb7 case of35.nc1 after 35 ... ~b2 36.~c6 ~xf2
(White could have won the queen with 37. ~c2 CL\d2 38.1::i:g1 ~f3+ 39.1:tg2 ~f1+
25.nxg7+ Φχg7 26.~a1+ ~f6 27 ..Jtd4 CL\g6, there was a perpetual check that most
but Black's material compensation would likely would end the game.
be more than sufficient ίη this case) 35 ...CL\d4
25 ... ~b8 26.~xe7 CL\f3 27.nb1 ~c8 Black Mter 35 ... CL\d2 36.~c1 ~b2 37 ..ϊ::ιe1 ~b3
had every opportunity to defend his posi- 38.Φg2 ~f3+ 39.'i.t>gl ~c3 40.'It>g2 the
tion, because White's king was covered not moves would probably be repeated, reduc-
very good. ing the game to a draw.
25 ..Jtd4 36.f3 ~b8?
At this moment White had an alluring Looking for a winning chance, Black
alternative, connected with 25.Jtxe7!? CL\g6 runs a too great risk and loses. After
26.d6 1:te8 (there was ηο 26 ... CL\xe7 because 36 ... CL\xc6 37.dxc6 ~d4 38.e5 ~d2+ 39.'i.t>f1
of 27.1::rxb8+) 27 ..Jtb5 ~xe7 28.dxe7 CL\xe7 ~d1+ the game would be drawn ineνita­
29. ~b4 with Black's hard defence. bly.
25 ... 1:!.xb7 26.~xb7 ~xd4 27.~xa8+
'it>h7 28 ..Jtbl ~e5?!
It seems as ifBlack has missed the best
chance: 28 ... Ng6!. It was not at all easy for
White to set υρ a harmonious co-opera-
tion of his pieces ίη this case. At the same
time, a greedy 28 ... ~xf2? led to a defeat
after 29.e5+ CL\g6 30.d6 exd6 31 ..Jtxg6+ fxg6
32. ~e4 'lt>h8 33.exd6
29. ~e8 CL\f3 30. .ϊ::ιcΙ Φg6!
Being ίη trouble, P.Svidler finds an ίη­
teresting counterplay opportunity. Mter
30 ... CL\d2 31 ..Jtd3 (there was ηο 31.~xΠ 37.e5!
because of 31 ... CL\xbl) 31 ... f5 32.f3 White Mter this fine move the co-ordination
was very close to a victory. ofWhite's pieces is improved.
31.1Ic6+ Jtf6 32.~g8+ 'lt>h5 33.~xf7+ 37 ... ~xe5 38.~e4 CL\xc6?!
Φh4 Black loses without a fight. After
Α showy position. Black's king has ran 38 ... ~xe4 39 ..Jtxe4 Sιffi 40.1::!:a6 CL\b5 41.~a5
far away from its burning house, but it is CL\d6 42.1::txa7 he could have defended per-
still not easy to beat the final blow. sistently.
Rubinstein Memoriαl
39.dxc6 i..f6
Mter 39 ... §'d6 White won with 40.~e1+
'έt>h5 41.c7 §'xc7 (in case of 41 ... ~d7 the
solution was 42.i..a2 Wg6 43. §'e6+) 42. ~e6.
40.c7 'ftixc7 1-0
There was a forced mate with 41.~e1+
~g5 42.h4+ ~h5 43. §'e6
206 Β72
Fedorov - Markowski
Round 7 24.08
l.e4 c5 2.4Jf3 g6 3.d4 i..g7 4.4Jc3 cxd4
5.4Jxd4 4Jc6 6.i..e3 4Jf6 7.4Jb3 ο-ο 8.Jιe2
d6 9.f4 lh-lh
This short game is interesting only in-
asmuch as it helped the Byelorussian
grandmaster break his long series of 6
losses at a run.
207 D17
Gelfand - Almasi
Round 7 24.08
l.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.4Jc3 4Jf6 4.4Jf3 dxc4
5.a4 1ιί5 6.4Je5
White demonstrates his fundamental
approach, choosing a keen central varia-
tion of the Slav Defence.
6 ... e6 7.f3 i..b4 8.e4 lιxe4 9.fxe4 4Jxe4
10.i..d2 ~xd4 11.4Jxe4 ~xe4+ 12.~e2
1ιχd2+ 13.~xd2 ~d5+ 14.~c2 4Ja6
15.4Jxc4 0-0 16.~f3
Ιn the end of2000 players again showed
their interest for the continuation 16. 'ftie5
l:tab8 in connection with 17.a5!? Suffice it
to say that in four games with this con-
tinuation White scored 3.5 points.
16 ... ~c5 17.~bl 4Jb4 18.5ιe2 l:tad8
19..b1cl !:!.d4
Ιn the game Beliavsky - Shirov, Bel-
grade 1997, where 19. ~f3 occurred for the
first time, Black answered not so good:
19 ... 'ftig5?!, and after 20.~g4 ~c5 2UΙa3
:J::td4 22. §'h5 he encountered difficulties.
20.1::ta31::tfd8 21.~ac3
Mter 21.g4 §'g5 22.!:!.b3 a5 23.h4 ~g6+
285
24.Wa1 4Jc2+ 25.Φa2 4Jb4+ 26.~a1 4Jc2+
the game Van Wely - Κramnik, Wijk ann
Zee 1999, was drawn. White's attempts to
reinforce his position consisted chiefly in
21.:re3, and in a solid tournament in
Bosnia the move 21.a5 §'g5 was tested in
the game Κir.Georgiev - Shirov, Sarajevo
2000.
21 ... ~g5 22.g3 !:!.8d5
22 ... 4Jd5 23.l:tb3 occurred in the game
Gomez Esteban - Alvarez Ibarra, San
Sebastian 2000.
23.~e3lh-lh
As a matter of fact, the game ended
before a real struggle began.
208 D97
Ivanchuk - Shirov
Round 7 24.08
l.d4 4Jf6 2.c4 g6 3.4Jc3 d5 4.4Jf3 lιg7
5. ~b3 dxc4 6. ~xc4 ο-ο 7.e4 a6
The Hungarian Variation ofthe Gruen-
feld Defence is considered one of the best
lines in the system with 5.~b3, chosen by
White.
8.~b3 b5 9.e5 4Jfd710.e6 fxe611.i..e3
4Jf6
One of the topical modern positions.
12.i..e2
With this move White gives a new turn
to the game. 12.a4 is usually played here.
12 ... 4Jc6 13.0-0 ~d6 14.!:!.acl 4Ja5
15.~c2 i..b7 16.!:!.fdl 4Jc417.i..xc4
White decides to simplify the position
286
and to get rid of the troublesome black
knight οη his territory.
17... i.xf3
This intermediate move is very helpful
for Black because after 17 ... bxc4 he had to
reckon with 18.lίJe5.
18.gxf3 bxc4 19.1ίJe4 ~d5 20.~xc4
~f5
Black frees the d5-square for the
knight. Ιη case of20 ... lίJxe4 21.~xd5 exd5
22.fxe4 dxe4 23.~xc7 White's chances were
preferable.
21.lίJxί6+
If21.~xc7, then 21 ... lίJd5.
21 ... .1:txf6 22.~c2 ~xf3 23.~c6 Wf7
24. ~xf3 I!:xf3 25.~xc7
The position is reduced to an equal
endgame after mutual simplifications.
25 ... 1:Η5 26.~dc1 ~a5 27.a3 J::!.b5
28.J::!.1c2 J::!.ab8 29.J::!.a7 J::!.xb2 30.~xb2
nxb2 31.J::!.xa6 ~b5 32.~a4 .a:b3 33.h3 h5
1f2-1/2
209 D39
Van Wely - Movsesian
Round 7 24.08
1.d4lίJf6 2.c4 e6 3.lίJf3 d5 4.lίJc3 dxc4
5.e4 ..tb4 6.iιg5 c5 7.J.xc4 cxd4 8.lίJxd4
iιxc3+ 9.bxc3 ~a5 10..i.b5+ lίJbd7
The opponents go deep into the nice-
ties of the Vienna Variation. When play-
ing it with Black against v.Κramnik ίη
Monte Carlo, L.Van Wely preferred 10 ...
iιd7.
11 ...txf6 ~xc3+ 12.~f1 gxf6 13.h4
The tempting 13.Nxe6 would not give
anything to White. Mter 13 ... ~e5! 14.lίJg7+
Φαι 15.lίJf5? (it was better to agree to the
position to appear after 15 ..i.xd7 i.xd7
16.lίJf5 ..txf5 17.exf5 ~xf5) 15 ... ~xb5+
16.~g1 ~e5 White lost quickly ίη the game
Lobron - Zs.Polgar, Dortmund 1990. Αη­
other opportunity 13.lίJf51ed to a draw af-
ter 13 ... exf5 14 ..a:c1 ~e5 15 ..a:xc8+ J::!.xc8
16.~xd7+ ~f8 17.~xc8+ Φg7 18.~xf5
~a1+ 19.Φe2 ~xh1 20.~g4+ Φαι
Super Tournαments 2000
13 ... a6 14.nh3 ~a5 15.~e2 lίJc5
Black need not hurry with his castling.
Mter 15 ... 0-0 16.l:tg3+ 'it>h8 17. ~c1 .a:g8
18.z:txg8+ 'it>xg8 19. ~h6 White had a good
compensation for the pawn.
16.lίJb3lίJxb3 17.~xb3 b6
The strongest opportunity. Mter 17 ... e5
18.~f3 ~d8 19 ..a:c1 White got a consider-
able initiative and soon won ίη the game
Κramnik - Kaidanov, Groningen 1993. The
move 17 ... ~c7 also let White develop a
strong initiative with 18.lιd1 i.d7 19.~b2
0-0-0 20.J::!.c1 ..tc6 21 ..txa6! ίη the game
Akopian - Cs.Horvath, Niksic 1991.
18.~b1
Α new move. 18.l:tc1 occurred previ-
ously and brought White nothing but prob-
lems.
18 ....i.b7
Black returns his extra pawn. Ιn case
of 18 ... b5 19.~b2 ~d8 (19 ... e5? was bad
because of20.z:ta3 ~d8 21.J.xb5+) 20.~d3
White had a sufficient compensation.
19. ~xb6 ~xb6 20.J::!.xb6 J.xe4 21.
.i.xa6
The game proceeded to an ending with
some winning chances for White owing to
his remote passed pawn.
21 ... f5 22.~c3 Φe7 23.f3 .td5 24.z:ι.c7+
Φf6 25.a4 .tthb8 26..a:xb8 .a:xb8 27 ..tb5 e5
28.Φf2 h5 29.g3 Φe6 30.f4
It is hard for White to reinforce his ρο­
sition, because the king's march beginning
with 30.Φe3 would be stopped at once with
30 ... J::!.g8. Mter the move ίη the game Black
also makes a draw easily.
Rubinstein Memoriαl
30 ... exf4 31.gxf4 ~g8 32 ..te2 1:!.g2+
33 ...t>e3 1:rh2 34 ..txh5 'i.t>d6 35.J:Ic8 l:ίh3+
36...t>e21:i:h2+ 37.'i.t>e31:i:h3+ 38.'i.t>f21:i:xh4
39 ..tf3 ~xί4 40.lίd8+ 'i.t>c6 41.1:!.xd5 ~xf3+
42.'i.t>xf3 'i.t>xd5 43.'.t>f4 'i.t>c5 44 ...t>xf5 ..t>b4
45.'i.t>f6 'it>xa4 46.'it>xf7 %-lh
210 Β81
Shirov - Van Wely
Round 8 25.08
l.e4 c5 2.CtJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.CtJxd4
CtJf6 5.CtJc3 a6 6 ..te3 e6 7.g4
Ιη the duel with Boris Gelfand ίη the
sixth round Alexei Shiroν refused to play
his faνourite νariation ίη the game which
was of fundamental importance for him,
but the result was rather distressful. This
time the grandmaster from Spain shows
his willingness to begin a theoretical dis-
pute ίη one ofthe keenest νariations ofthe
Sicilian Defence.
7 ... e5 8.CtJf5 g6 9.g5 gxf5 10.exf5 d5
11:§f3 d4 12.0-0-0 CtJbd7 13 ...id2 '§c7
14.gxf6
Until the last moνe the opponents re-
peated Shiroν's game from the first round
Shiroν - Sνidler, Polanica Zdroj 2000,
when after 14 ..td3 CtJc5 15.gxf6 dxc3
16 ...ixc3 '§c6 17. '§e3 e4 18 . ..ic4 ..ixf5
19.1:rd4 CtJe6 20.j"d5 '§b6 Black managed
to repel White's main threats and kept his
extra piece.
14 ... dxc3 15..txc3 '§c6
Continuing the manoeuνre, which
Black began οη his thirteenth moνe. Αη­
other opportunity which was connected
with the moνe 15 ... CtJxf6 was less consis-
tent and allowed White to create νery
strong pressure υροη the e5-pawn, which
was the οηlΥ obstacle οη the way to the
black king for White's pieces.
16.t'tg3!
Now the long-expected reinforcement
comes. White aνoids an exchange of his
νaluable rook and turns his attention to
the black e5-pawn first of all.
287
16....th6+
Black does not hurry to decide the fu-
ture ofWhite's h1-rook, delaying this υη­
til the next moνe. Ιη case of an immediate
16 ... '§xh1 White caught the black queen
with 17 ...ig2, but after 17 ... ..ih6+ 18 ..td2
.txd2+ 19.<.t>xd2 '§xd1+ 20.'i.t>xd1 he lost too
many pieces, whereas Black's sluggish
army still had an opportunity to restore
their lost co-operation. It is curious that
ίη seνeral months at the Chess Olympiad
ίη Turkey ίη the game between the same
opponents instead of19 ... '§xd1+ Van Wely
chose an obscure 19 ... '§xg2?! and soon was
defeated. Also after 17 ..txe5!? '§e4 18 ..tc7
h5 19 ...ic4! (19 ..tg2 h4) 19 ... ..ih6+ 20.f4
'§xc4 21. '§e3+ ~f8 22 ...id6+ <ϊt>g8 23.b3
White's attack is rather dangerous.
17.~bl.tf4
So, Black did not νenture οη capturing
the white rook. Mter 17 ... '§xh1 18 ...ixe5
'§e4 19 ...ic7! ha had a crafty 19 ... ..id2!?
(otherwise 20.f3 and 21.:le1 were threat-
ening), but eνen ίη this case White created
serious threats to the black king with
20 ...id3! (after 20 ..tg2 '§d4 21 ..\l.a5 Black
escaped with 21 ... '§e5, and if 20.a3, then
there was 20 ... CtJxf6) 20 ... '§c6 21.a3! So, ίη
case of the most natural continuation
21 ... CtJc5 White won by means of 22.I:lxd2
CtJxc5 23.1:!.e2+ .te6 24.cxd3 '§h1+ 25 ...t>c2
'§c6+ 26.~d1 '§a4+ 27.'it>d2.
18.'§d30-0 19.1:ίgl+ <ϊt>h8 20 ...ib41:rg8?
After 20 ... 1:re8? 21 ...ie7 CtJxf6 22 ...ig2
'§b6 White won with 23.'§b3! '§xb3 24 .
..ixf6+. But 20 ... CtJc5! was much stronger
than the moνe ίη the game. Ιη this case
21.'§c4?!, suggesting itself, turned out to
be not νery good because of 21 ... .txf5
22 ..txc5 1:rfc8 and the ρίη along the c-file
made White's position difficult. An attempt
to free himself by 23 ..tg2 '§xc5 24.1:rd8+
l:txd8 25. '§xc51:rac8 26. '§b4 is not success-
ful because of 26 ... !:tg8! Ιη Shiroν's ορίη­
ίοη the best continuation for White ίη case
of 20 ... CtJc5! is 21. '§h3! '§xf6 22 ..txc5 .txf5
23.'§a3 with an unclear game.
21.1:!.xg8+ 'it>xg8 22 ..te7 h6
288
Black looks for a defence against
23.'~h3. If 22 ... liJxf6,
then 23.'~d8+ liJe8
24 ..Jrιg2 ~b5 25.1::!:gl
23 ..Jrιe2 liJxf6
Other continuations would not have
saved Black as well. 80, after 23 ... ..tg5
White won with 24.l:ιgl Φh8 25. ~h3, and
after 23 ... .Jrιxh2 with 24.~gl+ Φh8 25. ~h3
.I1.f4 26. ~h5 ~d5 (if 26 ... liJxf6, then
27.~xfΊ .I1.g5 28 ..Jrιf3 e4 29 ..ϊ:ί.χg5) 27 ..Jrιf3
(an immediate 27.~g4 gave nothing be-
cause of27 ... jιg5) 27 ... ~c4 28. ~g4, where-
upon the bishop could not close the g-file
as this move would lose Black's queen.
24.~d8+?!
Probably this move is not the strongest.
A.8hirov thinks that White would get
much more after 24 ..11.f3 e4 25. ~d8+ ~e8
26.jιxf6 jιxf5 27 .~gl .I1.g6 28. ~d5 or
24.l:ιgl+ Φh7 25 . .I1.f3 e4 26. ~b3 ~d5
27 ..Jrιxf3 ~xb3 28 ..ϊ:ί.g7+ Φh8 29.axb3 exf3
30.l:ιg4+ Φh7 31.12:xf4
24 ... Φh7
There is ηο 24 ... ~e8 because of25 ..I1.xf6,
and ίη case of24 ... liJe8 25.jιf3 ~b5 the line
26.b3! Φh7 27.a4 ~xb3+ 28.cxb3 jιxf5+
29.Φa2 ~xd8 30.Uxd81et White get a win-
ning endgame.
25.~f8!
Accuracy until the very end. Ιη case of
the suggesting 25.jLxf6 Black escaped all
the problems with 25 ... jιxf5 26.~xa8
jLxc2+ 27.~al jιxdl 28 . .I1.d3+ (after
28.~h8+? ~g6 29 ..I1.d3+ Φh5 he even won
the game) 28 ... e4 29.jLxe4+ ~xe4 30. ~h8+
Φg6 31.~g7+ Φh5 32.~xfΊ+~g4 33.~d7+
Super Tournαments 2000
~f3 34.~xdl+ ~xf2
25 ... .Jrιe6
After 25 ... ~e8 26.~xe8 liJxe8 Black
kept an extra piece for some time, but with
the help of 27.~d8 White put most diffi-
cult problems before him. At most Black
could have agreed to an endgame without
a pawn after 27 ... b5 (both 27 ... liJg7 because
of 28.f6 e4 29.fxg7 ~xg7 30 . .Jrιg4 and
27 ... liJc7 because of 28 ..Jrιd3! were not bet-
ter) 28.Mxe8 J..b7 29.l:Ixa8 .I1.xa8 30.h4.
Another opportunity, connected with a sac-
rifice of the exchange after 25 ... ~xc2+
26.Φχc2 jιxf5+ 27 ..Jrιd3 .Jrιxd3+ 28.MXd3
Mxf8 29.jLxf8 also left little chances for
Black, because after 29 ... jLxh2 there was
30 ..I1.xh6!.
26.~xa8 .I1.xf5 27.~al liJd5 28.~f8
~e6 29.jLc5 .Jrιxc2 30.~gl
White got a material advantage and
managed to keep the initiative.
30... jιg6 31.h4 .Jrιh2 32 ..ϊ:ί.dΙliJf4?
This mistake allows White to end the
game ίη one move, though Black's position
was so bad already that he would not have
escaped after any other move. 80, ίη case
of 32 ... h5 White won with 33 ..Jrιc4 ~g4
34 ..I1.b3, and after 32 ... b5 the simplest way
was 33 ..Jrιe3!? liJxe3 34.fxe3 f6 (ίη case of
34 ... f5, White won Black's queen with
35 ..Jrιc4 bxc4 36.a:d8 .I1.fΊ 37.Md6) 35.~f3
with the decisive threat ~f3-d5.
33.a:d81-0
211 Β44
Almasi -Ivanchuk
ROUEd 8 25.08
l.e4 c5 2.liJf3 liJc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.liJxd4
e6 5.liJb5 d6 6 ..I1.f4
White does not want to play a hedge-
hog position which would appear after 6.c4,
so he decides to weaken Black's pawn chain
at the cost of a tempo.
6 ... e5 7.jLe3liJf6 8 . .Jrιg5 a6
The strongest move. After 8 ... ..te7
9.liJlc3 a6 10.jιxf6 gxf6 1l.liJa3 f5 12.exf5
Rubinstein Memoriαl
White gained a lasting initiative ίη the
game Leko - Ivanchuk, Linares 199.
9. tιJ5c3 ~e7 10.tιJd2
10.~xf6 .txf6 11.tιJd2 ο-ο 12.tιJc4 prom-
isea little to White because of 12 ... b5 13.
~xd6 bxc4 14. ~xc6 ~e6 15.~e2 J::!:b8 16.
ο-ο ~d2 as it was proved οη the highest
level ίη the game Kasparov - Anand,
Frankfurt 1998.
10... ..ig4!
An excellent move, which was intro-
duced into practice not long ago. 10 ... ~e6
and 10 ... 0-0 are the usual continuations
ίη this position. The Hungarian grandmas-
ter encountered both of them already and
managed to get a slight but lasting advan-
tage ίη both times: 10 ... ~e6 11.tιJc4 tιJd4
12.~d3 ~c8 13 ..txf6 ~xf6 14.tιJe3 ~g5
15.tιJcd5 ~xe3 16.tιJxe3 ο-ο 17.0-0 ~b6
(17 ... g6 was better) 18.c3 tιJc6 19.~e2
Almasi - P.Cramling, Pamplona 1996 and
10 ... 0-0 11.tιJc4 ~e6 12.~xf6 ~xf6 13.tιJd5
b5 14.tιJce3 ~g5 15.~e2 ~xe3 16.tιJxe3
Almasi - Emms, Batumi 1999.
11.~e2
The continuation with 11.f3 ~e6 was
not very convenient for White as he prob-
ably would be forced to part with his dark-
squared bishop similarly to the above men-
tioned games.
11 ... .txe212.tιJxe2
The technical nuance of Black's idea is
that after 12. ~xe2? he had 12 ... tιJxe4!
13.~xe7 tιJxc3 with a considerable advan-
tage.
12 ... d5 13.~xf6 ~xf6 14.0-0
289
Ιη the game Fontaine - Nataf, France
2000 where the continuation Bc8-g4 oc-
curred for the first time, the events devel-
oped as follows: 14.tιJc3 dxe4 15.tιJdxe4 ~e7
16.0-0 ο-ο 17.tιJd5 f5 18.tιJec3 ~c5 19.'.t>h1
..id4 with Black's good position. The οηlΥ
difference was that the opponents spent
one move less to achieve the initial posi-
tion of the line: οη the fourth move Black
advanced his e-pawn immediately to the
fifth rank, and, respectively, White man-
aged without ~c1-f4.
14... 0-0 15.c4
At this moment White still could have
returned to the line from the game
Fontaine - Natafwith 15.tιJc3.
15... dxe4
Of course to close the play with 15 ... d4
makes ηο sense for Black because after the
manoeuvre tιJe2-c1-d3 White will be
slightly better.
16.tιJxe4 ~e7 17.c5
Αη important decision, and quite con-
sistent. White puts the pawn οη a vulner-
able square, but instead he restricts the
opportunities ofBlack's dark-squared
bishop.
17 ... ~c7 18.~b3 nad8 19.1:Hdl g6
20.~c4 tιJa5 21.~b4 '.t>g7
22.tιJ2c3?
White makes a blunder, which will cost
him a pawn. 22.lbd6!? should have been
played, and after 22 ... tιJc6 23. ~a3 (there
was ηο 23. ~xb7?? because of 23 .... ~xd6)
23 ... b6 (ίη case of 23 ... f5 Black had to
reckon with 24.tιJc3, makingthe d5-square
290
still more vulnerable) 24. ~xa6 (the move
24.cxb6? lost a piece after 24 ... ~d7)
24 ... bxc5 25.4Jc44Jd4 Black's chances were
not higher than White's.
22 ... 4Jc6!
Α necessary move. After 22 ... f5 23.4Jd6
4Jc6 White had an intermediate 24.4Jd5!.
23. ~c4 f5 24.4Jd6
Ιη case of 24.4Jg3 4Ja5 25.4Jd5 ~xc5
26.~xc5 ..ixc5 27.b4 Black had 27 ... ..id4!.
Ιη Ivanchuk's ορίηίοη White would rather
agree οη the position after 24.4Jd5 l!xd5
25.J:Ixd5 fxe4 26. ~xe4.
24 ... ..ixd6 25.cxd6 J:Ixd6 26.J::ι:xd6
~xd6 27 ..ί:tdl4Jd4 28.f4 b5 29.~d3 .!:!.d8
30.ΦhΙ
Mter 30.fxe5 ~xe5 31.'it>hl b4 White
also would not gain much.
30... b4!
Black transfers the play to a knight
endgame which is easy to win. Of course
there was ηο 30 ... exf4?? because after
31.4Je2 Black lost a piece.
31.4Je2 4Jb5 32.~xd6 I:txd6 33.l:ιxd6
4Jxd6 34.fxe54Jc4 35.b34Jxe5 36.4Jf4 a5
37.h4 'it>f6 38.ΦgΙ 4Jg4 39.4Jd3 Φe6
40.4Jc5+ Φd6 41.4Jb7+ Φc7 0-1
The pawn endgame to appear after
42.4Jxa5 (ίη case of 42.4Jc54Je5 43.Φf2 Φc6
44.4Je6 'it>d5 45.4Jd8 4Jc6 46.4Jb7 Φd4
Black also won easily, bringing his king to
White's pawns οη the queenside) 42 ... 4Je5
43.Φf2 Φb6 44.4Jc4+ 4Jxc4 45.bxc4 'it>c5 was
absolutely hopeless for White.
212 Α20
Markowski - Gelfand
Round 8 25.08
l.g3 e5 2.c4 4Jf6 3 ...ig2 c6 4.d4 exd4
5.~xd4 d5 6.4Jf3 ..ie6 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.0-0
4Jc6 9. ~a4 ..ic5 10.4Je5
Until the last move the opponents re-
peated the game Markowski - Κrasenkow
from the sixth round where White encoun-
tered difficulties after 10.4Jbd2 ο-ο 11.4Jb3
..ib6 12.4Jbd4 ~d7 13.4Jxe6 fxe6
Super Tournαments 2000
10 ... 0-0?!
This move is the reason of Black's fu-
ture problems. Previously 10 ... ~b611.4Jd3
ο-ο has been seen ίη this position. Α mere
10 ... I:rc8 looks also not bad, and White's
underdeveloped queenside would tell οη
his position ίη the future.
11.4Jxc6 ~d7
Incaseofll ... bxc612.~xc6.ί:tc813.~a6
(13.~a4? was bad because of 13 ... ..ixf2+U
Black had ηο particular compensation for
the pawn.
12...ig5 ~xc6
Mter Black has agreed to weaken the
pawn structure around his king he is will-
ing to exchange the queens.
13. ~xc6 bxc6 14 ...ixf6 gxf6
This endgame is obviously favourable
for White, but the bishop pair allows Boris
Gelfand to hope for a successful defence.
15.4Jc31:!:ab8 16. .ί:tacl ..ie7 17.b31:tfc8
18.J:Ifdl ..ia3 19.Άc2 ..if5 20.e4 ..ig4
Mter 20 ... ..ig6 21.'it>f1 Black's light-
squared bishop could have been eliminated
from the play, and ίη case of 20 ... dxe4
21.Jιxe4 the bishop became dangerously
active.
21 . .ί::tdd2 Jιb4
Black agrees to part with the pawn ίη
order to get a position with opposite-
coloured bishops.
22.h3 ..ie6 23.exd5 cxd5 24.4Jxd5
..ixd5 25.ttxc8+ .ί:txc8 26.I:rxd51:[c2 27.a4
..ic5 28 ..ί:tf5 I:rc3 29.g4 <Jilg7 30 ...if1!?
White returns the extra pawn, hoping
to eliminate the black rook from the play.
There was also an alternative: 30 ...ie4..ib4
Rubinstein Memorial
31.k!h5 h6 (also 31 ... :!.xb3 32.1:ϊΧh7+ ..t>g8
33 ..tι.h5 was possible) 32.iιd5 .tι.c2 33 ...ιιc4.
30 ... ..ιιb4 31 ...ιιc4 .tι.xh3 32.Φg2 J:ih4
33 ..i.e2 .i.d6 34.I::td5 ..ιιe5 35.a5 J:ί.h2+
36.~gl.tι.h3 37.f3 .i.f4 38.1Η5 iιd6 39.iιf1
~h4 40.~f2
40 ... h5!
Α counter-sacrifice allows Black to re-
turn his rook to an actiνe play. After
40 ... J;;i.h2+ 41 ...tg2 his position looked dan-
gerous.
41.gxh5 ..te5 42.~e3 ..ιιd4+ 43.'ii.td2
..te5 44 ...ιιc4 'ii.tf8 45.~e3 ..ιιd4+ 46.~e2
..te5 47.~e3 .i.d4+ 48.~e2 .i.e5 49 ..i.d3
It ίδ important that the bishop endgame
after 49.f4 .tι.xf4 50 ..tι.xf4 ..txf4 was a draw
despite White's passed pawns οη different
flanks, because Black would exchange his
bishop for the a- and b-pawns and bring
his king to h8.
49 ... ..t>g7 50 ...ιιe4 ~h6 51.~d3 .tι.xh5
52.J;;i.xh5+ ..t>xh5 53 ...t>c4 ~g5 54.b4 f5
55 ...ιιd5 ..t>f6 56.b5 ..t>e7 57.b6 axb6 58.a6
..ιιb8 59 ...t>b5 .i.a7 60.Φc6 b5 61.Φb7 ..te3
62.f4
After 62.a7 ..ιιχa7 63 ...t>xa7 an extra
piece was not enough for White to win the
game because of 63 ... ..t>d6 64 ...txf7 Φe5
65 ...t>b6 Φf4 66 ..i.d5 b4.
213 Ε90
Krasenkow - Fedorov
Round 8 25.08
l.d4 tbf6 2.c4 g6 3.tbc3 .i.g7 4.e4 d6
291
5.tbf3 0-0 6.h3 e5 7.d5 tba6 8 ...tg5 ~e8
Black did not want to dήνe the white
bishop away witll 8 ... h6 as then White
would haνe an opportunity to perform a
traditional break-through f7-f5. Also
the weakness of the g6-square might tell
οη.
9.g4 tbc5 10.tbd2 a5 11.~f3 tίJfd7 12.
0-0-0 c6
Preνiously 12 ... f5 13.gxf5 gxf5 14.exf5
tbf6 and 12 ... ~h8 occurred ίη this position,
but Black might encounter a sudden trick
ίη both these lines. 80, ίη the first case
there was 15.1:tgl or eνen 15.tbb5, and ίη
the second Black had to reckon with 13.h4.
13.h4 h6 14.iιe3 a4 15.h5 g5 16 ...ιιe2
~d8 17.ΦbΙ ~a5 18.I!cl ~b4 19...t>c2
Now that the b4-square ίδ occupied
with the black queen and the knight can-
not get there this unusual decision be-
comes possible.
19 ... a3 20.b3 tbf6?
Though the most part of the board ίδ
closed, White has an adνantage, as a trans-
fer ofthe knight to f5 may be νery unpleas-
ant for Black. Howeνer, the moνe ίη the
game allows White to demonstrate a showy
trick which decides the game ίη his faνour
at once.
21 ...ιιχg5!
As a matter of fact, Black's game ίδ al-
ready lost.
21 ... hxg5
If21 ... ..ιιχg4, then 22.~g2.
22.h6..ιιh8
Ιη case of 22 ... ..ιιχg4 the simplest way
292
was 23. "§e3, and if 22 ... ..txh6, then 23.
"§xf6.
23.h7+ ~g7 24."§h3 tι\xg4 25 ...txg4
'it>f626.tι\f1!
White finishes accurately. Mter 26.
"§h6+ rtJe7 27 ...Itxc8 ~fxc8 28. "§xg5+ ~f6
there was still some likeness to a struggle.
26 ...~e7 27.tι\e3 f5
Black cannot stand a thought about the
white knight οη f5 after an exchange ofthe
light-squared bishops and hurries to make
a hara-kiri himself.
28...txf5 ..txf5 29.tι\xf5+ l1xf5 30."§xf5
!If8 31."§xg5+ rtJd7 32.f3 tι\a6 33."§e3
1-0
214 Β47
Svidler - Movsesian
Round 8 25.08
l.e4 c5 2.tι\f3 tι\c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.tι\xd4
"§c7 5.tι\c3 e6 6.g3 a6 7...Itg2 d6 8.0-0 lιd7
9.I':iel ..te7 10.tι\xc6 ..txc6 11."§g4 h5
12."§e2 h413.a4 hxg314.hxg3 tι\f615.a5
The blitz game Svidler - Kasimdzha-
ηον, Wijk aan Zee 1999, developed ίn a
slightly other way: 15.lιe31t>f8 16.a5 tι\d7
17.tι\a4 lιb5 18. "§d2.
15 ... I':ic816.lιe3It>f817.z:tedl e5
18 ..ί:ιd2 112- 112
The opponents probably did not want
to torture each other and agreed to a draw.
215 D19
Van Wely - Almasi
Round 9 26.08
l.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.tι\c3 tι\f6 4.tι\f3 dxc4
5.a4 lιf5 6.e3
Struggling for the first prize ίη the last
round L.Van Wely stakes οη the quiet
Dutch Variation of the Slav Defence, hav-
ing rejected two most aggressive continu-
ations 6.tι\e5 and 6.tι\h4.
6 ... e6 7.SΙxc4 lιb4 8.0-0 ο-ο 9."§e2
..tg6
Super Tournαments 2000
Black prefers not to allow the advance
e3-e4 and avoids the most popular line
9 ... tι\bd7 10.e4 SΙg6 1l ...td3.
10.tι\e5 tι\bd7 11.tι\xg6 hxg6 12.tι\a2
For the short time that passed since the
tournament ίη Biel the Dutch grandmas-
ter managed to make some corrections ίη
his opening repertoire. Mter 12.z:td1 "§a5
13."§c2l1ad8 14.4Ja2 ..td615.b4 "§h5 16.g3
e5 ίη the game Van Wely - Gelfand, Biel
2000, White failed to gain more than a
draw, though he had an initiative during
the whole game.
12 .•. iιd6 13.e4
Reinforcement. Previously οηlΥ a dull
13.4Jc3 has been seen ίη this position.
13... e5
14.f4!
This is what for White's thirteenth
move was made.
14... exd415.e5 ~c516.rtJhl
Of course there was ηο 16.exf6?? be-
cause of 16 ... d3+, but 16."§d3 tι\d5 17.b4!
looked none the worse than the move in
the game.
16... 4Jd517.b4!
Another good move which is harmoni-
ously connected with the plan that White
has been performing since the thirteenth
move.
17 ... iιe7
It is very dangerous for Black to take
the second pawn. Mter 17 ... 4Jxb4 18.4Jxb4
..txb4 White gained a serious initiative
with 19.e6.
18.a5
Rubinstein Memoriαl 293

White takes the b6-square under his 33.~xc3 l:!.xd1 34.~f3 1::t:xf1+ 35.~xf1 c5
control, not allowing the black knight to Black's pawns began a νictorious march to
get there. After 18.e6 tZ:J7b6 19.~d3 (if the first rank, the weakness of which dis-
19.exf'7+ nxf'7 20.~d3, then after 20 .. .'~d6 organized the co-ordination of White's
21.a5 tZ:Jd7 Black was ΟΚ) 19 ... f5 20.a5 tZ:Ja4 pleces.
Black's position was quite reliable. 33. .ί:!:Χd71::!.Χd7
18...1::t:e8
Black takes measures ίη case of a pos-
sible advance e5-e6.
19.~d2
After 19.e6 White probably did not want
to encounter 19 ... 1ιf6 whereupon the pawn
οη d4 would give him a lot of troubles.
19 ... 4Jf8 20:~e4 ~d7
Ιη case of20 ... 4Je6 Black feared White's
attack after 21.f5 gxf5 22. ~xf5 ~f8 23.1ιd3
g6 24.~g4.
21.~xd4 ned8 22.~b2 b5 23.~e2
Αη important moment. White decided
34.f5!
that his light-squared bishop had already Now the pawn attack looks fairly seri-
accomplished its mission οη the diagonal ous with the help of two mighty bishops.
a2-g8 and refused from the move 23.~b3, 34 ... gxf5
not wishing to complicate the defence of Black plays into White's hand, opening
the b4-pawn. υρ his position. There were very interest-
23 ... .ί:!:ac8 24.~adl a6 25.1ιf3? ing complications after a more fundamen-
White loses the tempo. After 25.~c1!? tal 34 ... tZ:Jd5!? Now ίη case of 35.fxg6! (af-
~a7 26.1ιg4 1:tc7 27.1:I.f3 he managed ter 35.e6 ~e7 36.fxg6 f6 White's attack was
to cover all the squares ίη the centre helpless) 35 ... tZ:Jxc3 36.e6 Black might wish
which were accessible for Black's knight to keep the extra piece with 36 ... tZ:Jxe6, and
and queen and thus kept an evident ad- after 37 .gxf'7 + ι;t>f8 38. ~h5 1::t:d1 (ίη case of
vantage. 38 ... z:id8 39 ...tg6 tZ:Jd5 40. ~h8+ ~e7 41. ~e8
25 ... ~a7 26.~b3 ~c7 27.1ιe4 Black might encounter difficulties) 39.
Now after 27.Sιc1 tZ:Je6 Black encoun- ~h8+ ~e7 40.f8~+ tZ:Jxf8 41.~xf8+ ι;t>e6
tered problems with the defence ofthe d4- 42.Sιf5+ the game would be most likely
square. drawn with a perpetual check. As for the
27 ... ~d4 28.~f3?! line to begin with 36 ... ~xe6, the white a-
Α ήsky move which makes it difficult pawn became really dangerous after
for White to keep his pawns οη the 37 ..1ιf5 ~c4 38 ..1ιχd7 tZ:Jxd7 39.~xf'7+ ~xf'7
queenside. An approximate equality could 40.1:.xf'7 tZ:Je5 4U::ta7 4Jxg6 42.1::!.xa6.
have been maintained with 28.~c2. 35.1ιχf5 1::!.e7 36.e6 tZ:Ja2?!
28 ...1::!.cd7 29.~c2 ~b2! Ιη case of 36 ... fxe6? Black took the
ΜateήaΙΙοsses are ineνitable for White. chance to encounter 37.Sιc2! tZ:Jxc2 38.
30.1ιbΙ ~xf8+ ι;t>h7 39.~xe7, and after the stron-
If 30.~b3, then 30 ... 4Jc3! gest 36 ... c5 37.~g3 f6 38. ~d6 tZ:Jd5 39.~a1
30 ... Sιxb4 31.4Jxb4 4Jxb4 32.Sιc3 White's two bishops and passed pawn were
~b3?! very powerful.
Black does not use all the merits ofhis 37.jιc2?
position ίη full measure. After 32 ... ~xc3! Another blunder. After 37.exf'7+ ~xf'7
294 Super Tournαments 2000

'lfixf7 (ίη case of 37 ... MXf7 38 ..tc2! Black is White practically could force Black to
lost) 38 ..td2 c5 39 ..te3 Black's position was the position without an exchange by dint
really hard. of 52 ...td8!? <t>g6 53.a6 ..ί:!.a3 (ίη case of
37•.. 'lfixe6 38 ..td2 'lfie2?! 53 ... .ί:!.cι+ 54.<t>f2 ~c2+ 55.<t>f3 Z!xh2 56.a7
Black strives for simplifications. 38 ... J:Ϊa2 57 ..tb6 White's a-pawn will cost Black
'lfid7!? was possible. Mter 39 ..tg5 (ίη case a rook) 54.a 7lΔd5 55 ..ta5 (if 55 ..txg5, then
of 39 ..tb3 'lfixd2 40 ..txf7+ <t>h8 41 ..txa2 55 ... lΔc7!) 55 ... J:Ϊal+ 56.<t>f2 .ί:!.a2+ 57.<t>el
lΔh7 42 ..tbl ~el 43 ...txh7 kIxf1+ 44.'lfixf1 1:!:xa5 58.J:Ϊg8+ <t>h5 59.a8'lfi ':xa8 60.~xa8
'>t>xh7 45.'lfif5+ '>t>h6 46.'lfih3+ <t>g5 47.'lfig3+ lΔf4. Though it is rather doubtful that this
'>t>f5 Black's king happily escaped to the would be enough for White to win. For get-
queenside, and Black won) 39 ... ~e6 (if ting a theoretically drawn position Black
39 ... l:!.e5, then after40 ..tb3 Mxg5 41 ..txf7+ had to place his pawn οη g4, knight οη h5,
'>t>h8 42 ..txa2 lΔh7 43. 'lfif4 the activity of king οη h4 or g5.
the white pieces was dangerous for Black 52...lΔd5 53 ..td8 <t>g6 54.~b8
despite his extra pawn) 40 ..tb3 lΔb4 White refuses to play the position to
41 ..txe6lΔxe6 White got a fair compensa- appear after 54.a6 J:Ϊa3 (ίη case of 54... J:Ϊcl +
tion for the exchange. 52.<t>f2 J:Ϊc2+ White continues 53.<t>g3! Mc3+
39..tb3 'lfixf3 40.gxf3 Md7 41.Mf2lΔc3 54.<t>g4, escaping from checks and keep-
This way οηlΥ, because 41 ... l:!.xd2 ing a material advantage) 55.a7, as after
42 ..:!:!.xd2 lΔb4 43 ..tId8 was dangerous for 55 ... J:Ϊa2 (ίη case of 55 ... '>t>f5 there was
Black. 56 ..te7, and ίη case of55 ... <t>f7 or 55 ... '>t>g7
42 ..txc3 l:!.d3 43 ..ί:!.c2 Black had to reckon with 56.<t>f2, as
56 ...txg5 promised nothing to White be-
cause of 56 ... lΔc7) 56 ..ta5 ~xa5 (a long se-
ries of checks 56 ... kιal+ 57.<t>f2 J:Ϊa2+
58.~el l:tal+ 59.'>t>d2 ~a2+ 60.<t>d3 lΔf4+
61.~e4 J:Ϊa4+ 62.'>t>f3 could not change the
situation considerably) 57.1ιg8+ <t>f5
58.a8'lfi Mxa8 59 ..ί:!.χa8 lΔf4 60.'>t>f2 the
struggle would most probably end ίη a
draw notwithstanding White's extra ex-
change.
54 .....ί:!.cι+ 55.'it>f21:rc2+ 56.<t>f3
Bringing the game closer to a draw. Μ­
43 ...b4? ter 56.'>t>g31:!:c3+ 57.<t>g4 ~a3 (weaker was
Black does his best to complicate his 57 ... J:Ϊc4+ 58.<t>f3 '>t>f5 because of 59.1:!:b3!?)
way to a draw. After 43 ... c5 44 ..ta2 b4 58.kιb5lΔe3+ 59.<t>f3lΔf5+ there were also
45 ...td2 b3 46 ..txb3 l:!.xb3 47.Mxc5 lΔg6! not many winning chances.
(47 ... ..ί:!.χf3?! was much weaker because of 56 ... J:Ϊxh2 57.J:Ϊb5 J:Ϊh3+ 58.<t>f2 J:Ϊd3
48.l:!.c6 48 ... l:!.f6? 49.l:!.c8 or even an imme- 59.a6 lΔb4 60 ..tc7
diate 48.l:!.c8!?) the game would most prob- Mter 60.J:Ϊxg5+ 'it>h6 there was an easy
ably end ίη a draw. draw.
44 ..txf7+ '>t>xf'7 45 ..txb4l:!.xf3 46.l:!.xc6 60 ... lΔxa6 61 ..ί:!.b6+ <t>f5 62.J:Ϊxa6
lΔg6 47 ..:!:!.xa6 White managed to win a piece, but this
Now Black will suffer torments of a is not enough to win the game. More than
hard endgame without a pawn. this: the g-pawn becomes now a real
47 ...lΔf4 48.'>t>gl g5 49 •..ί:!.a8 J:Ϊb3 50..td6 trouble for White because of its closeness
1:!:d3 51 ..tc7 J:Ϊc3 52..tb6 to the eighth rank.
Rubinstein Memoriαl
62 ... l:ι.d5 63.~b6 l:ι.b5 64 ..te3 'it>g4
65.'it>g2 l:ι.b2+ 66 ...tf2 l:ι.b5 67.Ua4+ 'it>h5
68 •.te3 l:ι.e5 69.'it>f3 1:[f5+ 70.Φe4 l:ι.b5
71.1:[al 'it>g6 72 . ..td4 J::tb4 73.tta8 l:ι.b5
74.Md8 'it>h5 75.'it>f3 1:rb3+ 76 ...te3 .ϊ:i:b5
77.l:ι.h8+ 'it>g6 78.'it'e4 l:ι.b4+ 79.'it>e5 I:tb5+
80.'it'e6 kta5 81 ..JTιd4 1:ra6+ 82.'it'e5 l:ι.a5+
83.'it>e4 ~b5 84 ...te5 ~b4+ 85.'it>d5 'it'f5
86.l:ι.f8+ 'it>g4 87.1:[f1 J::tb5+ 88. 'it>e6 l:ι.b6+
89.<bf7 J::tb5 90.'it>f6 1:[b6+ 91.'it>g7 l:tb5
92.~f6 'it>h3 93.1:[f3+ 'it'h2 94.1:[a3 g4
95 ...th4 1:[h5 96 ...tg3+ 'it>g2 97 ..JTιd6 1:[d5
98.1:!.a2+ 'it>f3 99.~b81:[b5 100.1:[a3+ <bg2
101 . ..ta7 g3 102.'it'f6 'it>h2 103.~e3 g2
104.1:[a8 nbll05.1:[h8+ 'it'g3 106.l:tg8+ 'it>f3
107.~c5 ~cl VΙ-VΙ
216 Β70
Movsesian - Shirov
Round 9 26.08
l.e4 c5 2.C2Jf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.C2Jxd4
C2Jf6 5.C2Jc3 C2Jc6 6.g3 g6 7.C2Jde2
White wants to keep as many pieces as
possible οη the board. Mter 7 ..JTιg2 C2Jxd4
8.~xd4 ..tg7 9.0-0 ο-ο 10.h3 ~e6 11.~b4
~c8 12. 'it'h2 a5 Black got a conνenient play
ίη the game Sνidler - Gelfand, Polanica
Zdroj 2000.
7 ... iιg7 8 ...tg2 0-0 9.0-0 1:[b8 10.a4 a6
11.h3
Α necessary moνe. After 11.C2Jd5 b5
12.axb5 axb5 13 ...te3 b4 14.I:ta2C2Jg4 Black
took the initiatiνe ίη the game Iνanchuk­
Κramnik, Horgen 1995.
11 ... b5 12.axb5 axb5 13.~e3 b4
14.C2Jd5 C2Jd7
295
15.~bl
Usually 15.~c1 or 15.Iιa2 is played ίη
this position. For the last νariation we can
mention a curious game I.Marinkoνic -
A.Κoνaceνic, Ulcinj 1997, which deνeloped
as follows: 15 ... e6 16.C2Jdf4 b3 17.cxb3C2Jb4
18.l!a1 ..txb2 19 ..ϊ:!b1 ..te5 20.C2Jd3 C2Jxd3
21. ~xd3 C2Jc5 22. t1c2 ..ta6 23.l:ι.fd1 l:ι.c8. It
should be noted that many chess players
were caught ίη a simple trap ίη the posi-
tion οη the diagram: after 15.C2Jd4?? White
lost because of 15 ... .txd4! 16 ...txd4 e6
17.C2Je3 (17.C2Jf4 e5) 17 ... e5 18 ..JTιa7 1:[b7.
15 ..• e6 16.C2Jdf4 b3
Black plays similarly to the aboνe men-
tioned game Ι.Μaήηkονίc - A.Koνaceνic,
Ulcinj 1997, and most probably he is
wrong. Mter 16 ... C2Jde5 he has a good play
without any adνentures.
17.cxb3 C2Jc5 18.C2JclC2Ja5 19.e5!?
Α cuήοus blow. White wants to get more
than the position after 19 ...txc5 dxc5
20.'~c2 ~b6 would giνe him.
19.....ta6!
Α good response. Ιη case of 19 ... ..txe5
20.b41:[xb4 21.C2Jcd3 C2Jxd3 22.C2Jxd3 an ίη­
cautious 22 ... l:ι.b5? might lose Black's game
after 23.C2Jxe5 dxe5 (23 ... l:ι.xe5 24 ...tf4)
24.b4 C2Jc4 25 ..th6 l:te8 26.iιc6, and eνen
after the strongest 22 ... l:ι.b3 his position
was dubious after 23.C2Jxe5 dxe5 24.~h6
l:ι.e8 25.1:[al.
20.1:[elC2Jaxb3 21.exd6 ~d7
Black will maintain the material bal-
ance soon.
22.C2Jxb3 C2Jxb3 23.C2Je2 ..te5 24.C2Jd4
C2Jxd4 25 •..txd4 iιxd6 26 ...tc3 ~e7 27 .~al
The moνe 27. ~d4 is not dangerous be-
cause of 27 ... e5.
27 ... ~b7 28 ...txb7 bIxb7 29.~f3 bIb5
30.~e3 ..tb4 31.l:ι.a7 1:!.b7 32.~xb7lj2-Vι
217 Β07
Fedorov - Svidler
Round 9 26.08
l.e4 d6
296 Super Tournαments 2000

It is interesting to know how would the '218 Α30

Byelorussian grandmaster play after Gelfand - Κrasenkow
1 ... e5? Round 9 26.08
2.d4 ιί'1f6 3 ..td3 e5 4.c3 g6 5.ιί'1f3 ιί'1bd7
6.0-0 1ιg7 7 ..tg5 h6 8 ..th4 0-0 9.ιί'1bd2 1.c4 c5 2.ιί'1f3 ιί'1ί6 3.g3 b6 4 ..tg2 1ιb7
b610.a4 5.0-0 g6 6.ιί'1c3
Mter 10 ..ί:ϊ:e1 .tb7 11.a4 Black made a At the tournament ίn Biel Boris Gelfand
minor mistake ίn the game De la Villa - did not striνe for a complex struggle ίn the
Shiroν, Leon 1995, haνing played 11 ... a5?! game against L.van Wely and chose a mod-
(11 ... a6! was better), so that after 12.~c2 est 6.b3.
12 ... ~e8 13 ..tb5 ιί'1h5 14.llad1 f6 15.4:Jc4 6 ....tg7 7.d4 cxd4 8.~xd4 ο-ο 9.~h4
.ί:ϊ:f7 he would encounter certain difficulties d6 10 ..th6 4:Jbd7 11.l:Iac1l:Ic8 12 ..ί:ϊ:fd1?!
ίn case of 16.b4! Α strange moνe. Usually White contin-
ues with 12.b3 ίn this position.
12 ... ~c71hJh
Black refused to check White's prepa-
rations for the νariation 12 ... .txh6 13.
~xh6 .ί:ϊ:χc4 where he had a healthy extra
pawn without White's particular compen-
sation.

~19 Β27
Ivanchuk - Markowski
Round 9 26.08

10... a6! 1.e4 c5 2.ιί'1f3 g6 3.d4 .tg7 4.d5 ιί'1ί6

P'Sνidler is alert and does not repeat
Shiroν's mistake.
11.~c2
11 ..ί:ϊ:e1 which occurred ίn the game
Tiνiakoν - Kasimdzhanoν, Groningen
1999, led to a more complicated play.
11 ... .tb7 12.dxe5 ιί'1χe5
Black exchanges the knights and thus
simplifies the position.
13.ιί'1χe5 dxe5 14.4:Jc4 ~e7 15.b4
lhJh
5.e5 4:Jg4 6.ιί'1g5
Α short acrobatic feat with knights be-
gins. Mter 6 ..tf4 d6 7.1ιb5+ 'it>f8 White
encountered problems ίn the game Bellini
- Sibilio, Cesenatico 1986.
6 ... ιί'1h6
If 6 ... ιί'1χe5, then after 7.f4 f6 8.ιί'1Χh7
4:Jf7 Black had to reckon with 9.~g4.
7.ιί'1e4 lh-lh
The game was drawn at the most inter-
esting moment.
FIDE World Cup 297

FIDE World Cup

Shenyang 1.09-13.09

J'here were 24 participants ίn the FIDE Men's World Cup. The prize fund was υ8 $
238.000. The winner ν.Anand (India), who defeated E.Bareev (Russia) ίn the final with
a score of 1.5-0.5, played really excellently and confidently.
ΑΙΙ participants were split into four groups of six players for the round robin stage.
The next stage was knockout matches oftwo games with draws being resolved by play-
off games with faster time controls.
Not everybody was satisfied with the World Cup's schedule and with how the groups
were completed.
A.Khalifman: 'Ί was discussing the format ofthis World Cup with the World Cham-
pionship Rules Committee's Chairman and Ι told him that ίη these groups of six play-
ers, where three players got three Whites and two Blacks, and the other three got two
Whites and three Blacks, the difference was very, very crucial οη the top level. Ι think
it's rather clear, even to amateur players, but he was really surprised like Ι told him
something incredible! Look at the results: the advantage ofWhite's pieces is quite an
important factor! 80 this round robin with six players for qualification is not very objec-
tive. Κnockout is not perfect either, but it's better than this! However, a search for an
alternative format, for a more reliable World Championship system is going on. Lets
hope for the best!"
The drawing lots was held after the opening banquet. The World Champion Alexander
Κhalifman suggested a restricted drawing lots for each grouo instead of the pre-ar-
ranged distribution ofplayers as the Organizing Committee offered. After a voting, the
Chief Arbiter Ignatius Leong conducted the casting lots. The first four players drew for
their groups. Then the next four players drew lots for their groups, etc. The drawing
was organized so that ηο group would have more than two players from the same coun-
try.
B.Gelfand: "In my ορίηίοη some groups were stronger than others. But it is not a
proven fact. Ιη such a tournament even participants with equal rating have different
chances: some play better with strong opponents, others - with weak. Two players with
low ratings also had an inf1uence. I'd prefer to play when there is ηο evident outsider.
As a result, Ι drew the game with him ίη the last round when Ι should have won and Ι
had to play a tie-break."

Interview with Alexey Dreev

ΒΥ ΙιΥαGorodetsky

Q: Ι do not know whether you were keeping an eye οη the play-offmatches,

but still, what can you say about the fact that there we ηο great surprises (as
a whole)?
Α: Though they finished without unexpected result, they went off rather interestingly.
Besides the match Anand - Gelfand there was an exciting duel between Azmaiparashvili
and Bareev. Ιη the second game after Evgeny had lost the first, Zurab with White
played badly ίη the opening and got a difficult position, a nevertheless he had drawing
chances ίη a moment. Everything became not so clear when White got two passed
pawns ίη the ending.
298 Super Tournαments 2000

Q: Ι want to ask you about Morozevich. What were the reasons ofhis failure?
Α: We were communicating a lot: flew together, liνed ίη the next rooms; went back
to Peking from Shenyang by train together. Ι think that Alexander underestimated
acclimatization. Formally the time difference ίη Shenyang is four hours but ίη fact it's
about 7 hours (ίη territory of China uniform time is entered). So there are lots of
blunders. For example, Fedoroν simply gaνe υρ the piece to Bareeν ίη the last round.
Q: It seems Fedorov also has a certain crisis.
Α: Yes, he seemed to oνercome it, he defeated Zhang Zhong and played with Bareeν
rather well. Ifhe had won, then he would haνe participated ίη the additional match to
reach the quarter-final. Of course, Bareeν reached the final deserνedly. He played rather
unstably, but one could see that he took aim at the result. Bareeν could reach that far
thanks to his sporting abilities. Ι think that time difference influenced οη eνeryone.
Morozeνich, for example, seemed to lacking ίη energy. His play produced a strange
impression: the game with Aleksandroν - the Κing Gambit, sacrifice of a piece and ...
struggle for a drawn; with Milos - good beginning of the attack, then a blunder and
again defeat. From my point, of νiew, the reason of Morozeνich's unsuccessful
performance that he continued to play ίη his usual manner which requires colossal
energy and a efforts. His problem is the opening that does not fit his leνel.
Q: And now, please, some words about a the World Cnp's victor Anand.
Α: Anand was νery effectiνe. When it was necessary he spare his strenght, for
example, playing with Treguboν, he did not find dishonourable to offer a drawn. He
played νery practically, ίη his own style. He had come to win the tournament and won
it.
Q: Ιn some people's ορίnίοn he is not simply a favorite, but a future winner
of the coming FIDE World Championship.
Α: That will be difficult, but the halo of inνulnerability has already been created.
This idea is suggested to eνeryone. They are not afraid ofhim as much as ofKasparoν.
But fear, that his opponents feel playing with him, increases his chess power, which is
mighty, without this dread.

GroupA
2 3 4 6

1 Milos 2633

2 Azmaiparashνili 2673

3 Gulko 2643

4 Dreeν 2676

5 Aleksandroν 2591

6 Morozeνich 2756

The only group, ίη which it was not necessary to play an additional much to define
FIDE World Cup
two winners. Partly it was because of the unexpected failure of the group's favourite
Morozevich: three defeats and two draws.
220 Α40
Dreev - Morozevich
Round 1 1.09
1.d4 e6 2.c4 b6
A.Morozevich has quite an original style
of playing chess, which displays itself ίη
particular ίη his predilection for uncom-
mon opening structures. 80, ίη this game
he chose an unpopular hybrid of the
Queen's Indian and Dutch Defences which
is called sometimes the Owen Defence and
a great contribution to its· modern devel-
opment was made by English chess play-
ers.
3.a3 f5
The game Kasparov - Morozevich,
Frankfurt 2000, developed differently and
after 3 ... ~b7 4.tiJc3 f5 5.d5 tiJf6 6.g3 tiJa6
7 ..Jιg2 tiJc5 8.tiJh3 ~d6 9.0-0 .Jιe5 10. ~c2
ο-ο Black got an acceptable play.
4.tiJc3
Ιη the game Piket - 8hort, Wijk aan Zee
2000 White was tougher and managed to
get some advantage after 4.d5 tiJf6 5.g3
.Jιb7 6 ..Jιg2 g6 7.tiJc3 .ig7 8.tiJh3 ο-ο 9.0-0
a5 10.~b1 tiJa6 1l.b4 axb4 12.axb4 c5
13.bxc5 tiJxc5 14.~e3
4 ...tiJf6 5.tiJf3 ~a6
Αη uncommon move. Usually Black
plays an unpretentious ~c8-b7 at once or
ίη several moves.
6.b3 ~e7
Ιη one of the few games which were
played ίη this variation Black acted differ-
ently: 6 ... g6 7.g3 ~g7 8 ..Jιg2 ο-ο 9.0-0 c6
10.a4 d5 11 ..Jιa3 .a:e8 12.cxd5 exd5 13.tiJe5
c5 Novikov - 8habalov, Philadelphia 1999.
7.d5 ο-ο 8 •.Jιb2 .Jιb7 9.g3 tiJe4 10..Jιg2
~f6 11.tiJd4 tiJxc3 12.~xc3 g6?!
Now Black could have played the tra-
ditional 12 ... c5, but probably he had been
confused with the circumstance that after
299
13.dxc6 (the pawn structure and the set of
pieces were favourable for Black ίη the line
13.tiJb5 iιxc3+ 14.tiJxc3 d6 15.0-0 e5)
13 ... tiJxc6 14.0-0 tiJxd4 15.iιxb7 ZΙb8 (after
15 ... tiJxe2+ 16. ~xe2 .Jιxc3 17.J:Iad1 1:tb8
18 ..Jιc6 White returned the sacrificed pawn
and still kept some winning chances, de-
spite the presence ofthe opposite-coloured
bishops οη the board) 16 . .Jιxd4 1:txb7
17 ..Jιxf6 ~xf6 18.~d6 White would have
stood a bit better even after the mass sim-
plifications. Besides, this position without
a definite Black's counterplay would have
been right ofthe kind that A.Dreev played
well.
13.b4 e5 14.tiJb3 e4 15.~xf6 ~xf6
16.0-0 d6
17.f3!
This blow οη Black's pawn wedge ίη the
centre was delivered quite opportunely.
Otherwise White's bishop οη g2 stayed
practically out of the play.
17... exf3 18.exf3 c5
White's knight was threatening to get
to d4 where it would have good prospects,
so Black was forced to play the advance
from which he refused οη the twelfth move.
However, this time the advance loses ίη its
force considerably as now Black's d-pawn
is isolated.
300
19.dxc6 tbxc6 20.f41::[ae8 21:~d2 tbd8
22.~xb7 tbxb7 23.1:tfel
White oνerlooked a nice opportunity,
connected with 23.'~d5+!, whereupon
Black had to answer with 23 .. .'~Π, and
after 24.1:tfe1 tbd8 25.tbd4 he would be soon
inνolνed into a hard endgame.
23 ...tbd8 24:~'d5+ Wg725.tbd4?!
White eνidently does not use all the
merits of his position. At this moment
25.1::tad1 looked good, and if 25 .. :l:'i'c3 or
25 ... ne7 like ίη the game, then 26. '§d4 was
strong.
25 ....!:te7 26.1:Ixe7+ '§xe7 27.tbf3 '§e3+
White's sluggish play allowed black
pieces to become much more actiνe.
28.1t>f1 tbf7 29.'§d4+
White returns to the plan which implies
an exchange of the queens and which he
did not νenture to launch seνeral moνes
ago, but now it will be much less faνourable
for him.
29 ... '§xd4 30.tbxd4 ~c8 31.~cl wf6
32.lt>e2 d5
Another energetic moνe. Black does not
want to suffer White's long pressure after
a quiet 32 ... a6.
33.c5 tbd6 34.c6 1:Ie8+ 35.Wd31t>e7
Ιη case of an erroneous 35 ... tbc4? Black
had ηο chance to escape after 36.tbb5 a6
37.tbc3 l:!.c8 38.tbxd5+ lt>e6 39.I:txc4 'it>xd5
40.c7.
36.1:rel+?!
White refuses to stake all οη his far
adνanced passed c6-pawn with 36.tbf31::!.c8
37.tbe5, and most probably he is wrong.
Super Tournαments 2000
36 ...tbe4 37.tbb5
Now White still could haνe returned to
the plan with 37.tbf3.
37 ... 1:tc8 38.tbxa7 .ί::!:c7 39.tbb5 .ί:Ixc6
40.I:te2 1:rcl
Otherwise Black threatened to force by
41.1::tc2 a knight endgame, faνourable for
him.
41.~c2 ~dl+ 42.We2 .ί:ϊ:hΙ 43.We3
Most probably that after 43 ..a:c7+ Wf8
44.I:txh7 tbxg3+ 45.We3 tbh5 the game
would be ended ίη a draw.
43 ...1::tel+ 44.~d4 ~dl+ 45.Φe3
Α forced retreat, because 45. We5? led
White to a disaster after 45 ... tbf6 46.~c7+
(46.tbd4 was not better because of 46 ...
tbg4+ 47.Wxd5 tbe3+) 46 ... tbd7+
45 ..•tbd6 46.a4 %-112
221 C37
Morozevich - Aleksandrov
Round 2 2.09
l.e4 e5 2.f4
Το play this opening is a νery serious
decision for such a short tournament.
2 ... exf4 3.tbf3 g5 4.d4
Another, more quiet continuation 4.h4
which does not require White's sacrifice of
a piece within the first fiνe moνes suffered
a considerable blow from a fine noνelty
which was demonstrated by A.Shiroν at
the recent tournament ίη Polanica Zdroj.
Mter the well known moνes 4 ... g4 5.tbe5
d6 6.tbxg4 tbf6 7.tbf2 ~g8 8.d4 ~h6 9.tbc3
tbc6 10.tbd5 tbxd5 ll.exd5 Black deνeloped
the strongest attack of the white king by
η ... '§e7+! 12.~e2 tbb4 13.c4 ~f5 14. '§a4+
Φf8 15.'§xb4 ~e8Ί6.,§d2 ~xg2 and won
quickly ίη the game Fedoroν - Shiroν,
Polanica Zdroj 2000.
4 ... g4 5.~xf4 gxf3 6. ~xf3
ΑΙΙ that White gets for the piece is a
pawn, howeνer it is not at all easy for Black
to defend from his threats.
6 ... d6 7.tbc3 tbc6 8.0-0-0
White aνoids 8.~c4 which occurred ίη
FIDE World Cup
the game Fedoroν - Adams, Pula 1997, and
after 8 ... ~h4+ 9 ..tg3 ~f6 10. ~xf6 lΔxf6
11.0-0 gaνe him a good compensation for
the piece, notwithstanding the exchange
of the queens. Probably White was influ-
enced by the circumstance that ίη the line
8 ... lΔxd4!? 9.;ΙΧίΊ+ <ϊt>xίΊ 10.~h5+ Wg7 he
would be able to achieνe only a draw ac-
cording to the modern theory.
8 ...h5!
Black prepares a square to deνelop his
light-squared bishop (g4), and at the same
time he wants to engage his rook ίη the
play through the h6-square after an ex-
change ofthe dark-squared bishops.
9.e5
Α prophylactic 9.h3?! would be an eνi­
dent concession because of 9 ... i.h6, so
White goes ahead braνely.
9 ....tg4 10. ~e4 .th6
Black's excessiνe appetite might bring
him to a disaster νery quickly. After
10 ... i.xd1? 11.exd6+ lΔge7 12.lΔd5 or
10 ... d5? 11.lΔxd5 .Jιιxd1 12.lΔf6+ lΔxf6
13.exf6+ i.e7 14.i.b5 White's attack would
be irresistible. That is why Black prepares
a safe shelter for his king οη the ffi-square.
11 . .Jιιxh6
If 11.exd6+, then 11 ... Φαι.
11 ...lIxh6 12.1:id2 dxe5 13.h3
If13.dxe5, then 13 ... ~g5 was unpleas-
ant.
13 ... .td7 14.d5 lΔce7 15.~xe5 Φί8
16 ..td3 lΔc8 17.1:ΗΙ lΔd6 18.1::ϊdf2 ~e7
19.~d4 ~g5+ 20.Φb1.te8
Though White still keeps the initiatiνe
301
it is obνiously insufficient for the sacrificed
piece.
21.lΔe2 b6?
For so long Black has managed to ex-
tinguish White's initiatiνe quite success-
fully, but now he makes a mistake and has
to begin from the νery beginning again.
21 ... lΔe7! was stronger, increasing the pres-
sure upon the white d5-pawn. Mter 22.lΔf4
(if 22.c4, then 22 ... b6 was already ίη its
place) 22 ... .td7 23.c4 (ίη case of 23. ~c5
there was 23 ... c6) 23 ... b6 Black would keep
both a solid position and an extra piece.
22.lΔί4 .td7 23.~c3!
It turns out that Black will not escape
a materialloss.
23 ...1:ic8
Α forced decision, as 23 ... lΔe8?? was
absolutely inadmissible for Black because
of 24.lΔg6+.
24 ..ta6 ~g7 25.~xg7+ <ϊt>xg7 26 . ..1ιχc8
..1ιχc8
The material balance is nearly main-
tained, but owing to a rather closed char-
acter of the position, Black's pair of light
pieces slightly outweighs White's rook and
pawn.
27.l:!.f3 lΔf6 28.b3 lΔfe4 29.Wb2 h4
The moνe 29 ... lΔd2 would not giνe any-
thing because of 30.l:!.g3+.
30.l:!.e1 a5 31.c4 I!.h8 32.lΔd3
Probably White should not haνe re-
moνed the knight as now Black can engage
his rook ίη the actiνe play οη his next moνe.
32...1:ih5!
Black grabs the offered opportunity at
once and sends his rook to struggle οη the
fifth horizontal.
33.~ί4
If 33.lΔf4, then 33 ... J::tg5.
33....tf5 34.lΔe5lΔc5 35.Φa3?
White should haνe agreed to 35.<ϊt>c3
~g5 36.J::re21:!.g3+, and now his position can
be lost forcedly.
35 ...f6?!
35 ... .Jιιe4! was winning. Mter 36.1:ig4+
(ίη case of 36.lΔxίΊ lΔxίΊ 37.1::ϊfχe4 lΔxe4
38.ktxe4 <ϊt>αι an extra piece was enough for
302
Black to win, and 36.ctJc6 led to the νari­
ants to be considered below both after
~xd5 and after 36 ... b5) 36 ... Φf8 37.ctJc6
whereupon Black had either 37 ... b5!? or
37 ... ~xd5!? with the idea that ίη case of
38.cxd5 he continued with 38 ... ctJb5+
39.'it>b2 ctJd3+.
36.ctJc6 ..te4 37.l::te3
If 37.l::te2, then 37 ... b5! was strong, and
ίη case of 38 ..1:tg4+ 'it>h7 39.ctJxa5 White
suffered considerable materiallosses after
39 ... f5 40 ..ί::ι.f4 b4+.
37... l::tg5
Now 37 ... b5?! was already not so attrac-
tive because of38.ctJxa5 b4+ 39.'it>xb4 CΔd3+
40 . .ί:.χd3 ~xd3 41.a4, and three white
pawns outweighed Black's bishop. At the
same time, Black did not venture οη the
keen continuation 37 ... ..txg2!? 38.l::te7+
~g6 39.~xc7 ..txh3 as the mutual destruc-
tion ofthe flanks would make all three re-
sults possible ίη this case. With the move
ίη the game Black attempts to avoid υη­
necessary complications and still to keep
main pluses ofhis position.
38.~xh4 ~xg2 39.1:!.g4+ .ί::txg4 40.hxg4
'it>g6
The position has become more or less
settled after the first time control, and,
owing to the weakness of the white g4-
pawn, it is better for Black.
41.CΔd4 ~g5 42.~g3 ~g6 43.~gl ..te8
44.CΔe6+!
White has to get any counterplay or he
willlose the g4-pawn as soon as the black
bishop gets to d7.
44 ... CΔxe6 45.dxe6 1ιc6 46.~b2 1ιf3
47.c5
47.e7 would not change anything be-
cause of 47 ... Φg6.
47 ... bxc5 48.e7 ~g6 49.~cl c4 50.
e8~+
The continuation 50.bxc4 Φf7 51.c5 CΔe4
is impossible for White.
50 ... CΔxe8 51.~xc4 Φg5 52.a4 c6
53.~c3 ..td5 54.~c5 Wxg4 55.~xa5 ί5
56..1:ta8 CΔd6 57.l::td8?!
White sharpened the play as much as
Super Tournαments 2000
possible, but the question whether all this
would be enough for a draw stayed unan-
swered until the very last moνe. Ιη case of
57 .a5!? it would be much more complicated
for Black to demonstrate how he would Μη
this game. Mter 57 ... ctJb5+ 58.~d2 (there
was ηο 58.~b4? because of 58 ... c5+, while
58.Φc2 lost after 58 ... f4 59.a6 f3 60.a7
CΔxa7 when the f-pawn cost Black a rook)
58 ... ..txb3 (a struggle after 58 ... f4 59.a6 f3
60.a7 f2 61.~g8+ 1ιχg8 62.a8~ f1~ 63.
~xg8+ led to a draw despite Black's extra
piece) 59.a6 Wf3 60.1::!:b8 (a hasty 60.a7? lost
because of 60 ... ..td5) 60 ... ..td5 6U:tb7 [4
61.a7 ctJxa7 62 ..ί:.χa7 there was a position
where White's rook easily finished off
Black's two parted passed pawns with the
help ofhis bishop.
57...ctJe4+!
Black gets the knight to assist his
passed pawn and wins a tempo.
58.~d4
If 58.'it>b2, then after 58 ... f4 59.a5 f3
60.a6 (ίη case of 60.~αι the solution was
60 ... ctJc5 61.b4 CΔd7!) 60 ... f2 61.~αι c5 62.a7
~g3 63.~f5 1ιc6 its was time to surrender
for White.
58 ... ctJg5
59 ... CΔe6+ was threatening.
59.~e8 ί4 60.a5 ctJe6+ 61.~d3 CΔc5+
62.Φc3 f3 0-1
222 Ε42
Aleksandrov - Milos
Round 3 3.09
l.d4 CΔί6 2.c4 e6 3.CΔc3 ~b4 4.e3 b6
5.CΔge2 c5 6.a3 ..ta5 7.~bl CΔa68.f3
Alexei Aleksandroν applies this aggres-
siνe move regularly. Beside this move, the
continuations 8.lΔg3, 8 ...td2 and 8. ~a4 oc-
cur much more frequently.
8 ... 0-0 9.d5 exd5 10.cxd5 b5 11.~f2
A.Aleksandroν attempts to reinforce his
play. Previously he played 1l.e4 ίη this
position. 80, after 1l ... b4 (1l ... 1:ϊ:e8 also de-
serνed attention as Black got an excellent
FIDE World Cup
play after 12.liJg3 b4 13.axb4 cxb4 14.liJb5
b3+ 15.'ίt>f2 .tb6+ 16 ...te3 .txe3+ 17.~xe3
liJb4 ίη the game Oms - Del Rio, Santa
Clara 1999) 12.axb4 cxb4 13.liJb5 (ίη
Milos's ορίηίοη 13.liJa4! was stronger)
13 ... ~b6 14.liJbd4 b3+ 15.~f2liJc5 16.liJg3
.tb7 17 ...te3 .ixd5 complications began ίη
the game Aleksandrov - Sambuev, St. Pe-
tersburg 1998.
11 .•. b4 12.liJb5 d6 13.axb4 liJxb4
14.liJec3 .ib6 15..ic4?!
Mter this move Black will play the rest
of the game at a single breathing. Prob-
ably White should have preferred 15.liJa3
with the idea to put the knight οη c4.
15... liJd7!
Α dreadful threat of 16 ... ~h4+ aήses.
16.liJe4
16.liJxd61ooks risky because of 16 ... liJe5
17.liJxc8 J::!.xc8 18.1ιe2 (after 18.b3 liJxc4
19.bxc4 ~h4+ Black was ΟΚ) 18 ... c4 with
Black's very dangerous initiative for a
pawn.
16 ... liJe5 17.b3
17 ...f5!
Mter this move White's position, which
looks quite solid at first sight, begins to
fall apart.
18.liJexd6
White goes for complications. If White
refused from the sacrificed pawn with
18.liJg3, then after 18 ... a6 19.1iJc3 ~h4 he
would also suffer a very strong attack from
Black's pieces.
18... a6 19.1iJxc8 axb5 20.liJxb6 ~xb6
21 ...te2 1:tfd8!
303
It is hard to find a sensible response for
White. Α materialloss is inevitable now.
22.f4
There was ηο way to keep the d5-pawn.
Mter 22.e4 fxe4 23.fxe4 c4+ there was a
quick end. If 22. ~f1 .ί:txd5 23.~xb5, then
after 23 ... ~a2+ 24.'ίt>g1 (ηο 24.J::!.b2 because
of24 ... liJbd3+) 24 ... ~d6 Black also won the
game.
22 ... ttxd5 23.fxe51:txdl 24.~xdl ~e6
25 ..ixb5 J:!.a2+ 26.jιb2 ~xb3
The army ofwhite pieces decreased con-
siderably during the last moves.
27.~d8+ ~f'128.~d7+ Φe6
28 ... ~g6 would have brought Black to
his goal sooner.
29.J:!.d6+ Φe7 30.J:!.d7+ ~f8 31.~d8+
~π 32.J:!.d7+ ~g6 33.1:td6+ 'ίt>g5 34.h4+
Φχh435 ...te2
White's agony is over. He will suffer
torments until th<3 time control and then
resign.
35 ... ~g5 36.~d2liJd5 37.J:!.bdl ~xe3+
38.~f1 ~f4+ 39.'~gl ~e3+ 40.~hl ~a4
41 ...tcl0-l
223 D39
Azmaiparashvili - Morozevich
Round 3 3.09
l.d4 e6 2.liJf3liJf6 3.c4 d5 4.liJc3 dxc4
5.e4 ..tb4 6 ...tg5 c5 7 ...txc4 cxd4 8.liJxd4
~a5 9 ..td2 ~c5
Ιη the game against G.Kasparov at the
tournament ίη Sarajevo A.Morozevich
tested the move 9 ... 0-0. This time he goes
a more traditional way.
10.1ιb5+ iιd711.liJb3 ~e7 12.~e2
Usually White removes the bishop by
12.1ιd3 and thus escapes the exchange,
still the move that Z.Azmaiparashvili
made ίη the game have been seen previ-
ously as well.
12 ....txb5!
However strange it may seem, this
natural move occurs for the first time.
Usually Black played 12 ... 0-0.
 304
13:~xb5+ 12Jc6 14.l2Jd4 1:rc8 15.l2Jxc6
1:rxc6 16.0-0 a6 17:~g5 ο-ο 18.a3 .ltc5
It is obνious that Black has equalized
the play, and his position is eνen slightly
better.
19..lte3 h6 20:~g3 .ltxe3 21:~xe3 'ff1.c7
The place for the queen could haνe been
defined later, whereas 21 ... 1:rfc8 would be
helpful ίη any case.
22.h3 12Jd7 23.l2Je2 12Je5 24 ..ί:ϊfd1 12Jc4
25.'ff1.c3 e5 26.a4!
White defends calmly.
26 ...lic827.1::tac1
27 .. :fi.e7
Black returns the queen to the square
where it was standing for seνeral moνes.
His aim is to reinforce the position with
28 ... 'ff1.g5! and White should undertake
something.
28.b312Ja3
Black's knight begins his journey
through White's rear. After 28 ... 4:Jd6
29.'ff1.d3 the tension of the position would
decrease.
29. 'ff1.d3 4:Jc2 30.1::td2 'ff1.c7
Black continues to struggle. Α draw
30 ... 4:Jd4 31.1::txc612Jxe2+ 32. 'ff1.xe2 .ί':!.χc6 eνi­
dently does not suit him.
31.1::tcd1 'ff1.b6 32.'ff1.g31::te8 33.'ff1.d3 4:Jb4
An attempt to repeat the position is re-
jected by Black. As a result, White takes
the initiatiνe.
34.'ff1.d71::tf8
Black begins to defend.
35.4:Jg3 g6 36.'ff1.e7 1::te6 37.'ff1.h4 Φh7
. 38.4:Jf1 4:Jc6 39.1::td3 4:Jd4 40.4:Je3 'ff1.c6
Super Tournαments 2000
41.4:Jd5
With this moνe White loses his slight
initiatiνe. It should be noted that there was
ηο 41.4:Jg4? because of 41 ... g5 as after
42.'ff1.h5 4:Je2+ 43.ΦΩ 4:Jf4 White lost his
queen. 41.ΦhΙ!? deserνed attention, pre-
paring 4:Je3-g4. 80, after 41 ... b5 42.4:Jg4 g5
43.'ff1.h5 'ff1.xe4 44.1:te3 White returned the
pawn and kept the initiatiνe, whereas af-
ter 41 ... f5 42.exf5 gxf5 43.4:Jc4 Black's ρο­
sition ίη the centre was unsteady.
41 ...f542.f31::tf7
The equality of the forces could haνe
been emphasized with 42 ... fxe4 43.fxe4
'ff1.c2.
43.Φh2 b!e8
Now again 43 ... fxe4 44.fxe4 'ff1.c2 with
an equality was appropriate.
44.1::tc3 'ff1.d6 45.1::tdc1
This moνe gaνe nothing particular to
White. Mter 45.nc7 nef8 (there was ηο
45 ... b!xc7?? because of 46.l2Jf6+) 46.4:Jf6+
Φg7 47.1::txf7+ ΦΧίΊ (ηο 47 ... .1:[xf7?? because
of 48.4:Je8+) 48.4:Jd5 (if 48.4:Jh7?, then af-
ter 48 ... 1::tc8 49.'ff1.xh6 Black had 49 ...
4:Jxf3+!) 48 ... ..t>g7 the equality was kept.
45 ... fxe4 46.ίx,~4 12Jc6
47.b4!
Feeling that Black is uncertain, White
attempts to struggle for a νictory.
47 ... 4:Jxb4??
With this moνe Black spoils the whole
game at once. Mter 47 ... J:ref8 48.b5 axb5
49.axb5 4:Jb4 White's slight merits were not
enough for him to win .
48.J:rc7 1::tef8
FIDE World Cup
This way οηlΥ.
49.lΔf6+ r3;g7 50..tIxf7+ ΦχΠ 51.lΔh7
1-0
Ifthe black rook retreated to a8, b8, g8
or h8, then there was a mere 52. ~xh6, ίη
case of 51 ... .a:d8 the solution was ίη
52.1::!.dl!, and ίη case of 52 ... l::re8 there was
a νery strong 53.~c7+! ~xc7 (53 ... l:le7
54.~f2+ r3;g8 55.~f8+) 54.~f6+ 'it>g8
55.~χg6+Φh8 (55 ... ~g7 56.lΔf6+) 56.lΔf6!,
so that a mate to the black king was ineνi­
table.
224 D38
Dreev - Aleksandrov
Round 4 4.09
l.d4 lΔf6 2.c4 e6 3.lΔf3 d5 4.lΔc3 i..b4
5.i..g5 h6 6.i..xf6 ~xf6
A.Aleksandroν plays this νariation of
the Queen's Gambit regularly, so his ορ­
ponent had an opportunity to prepare well
for its lines.
7.~b3 c5 8.cxd5 exd5 9.e3 lΔc6
10.~b5 ο-ο 11.dxc5 d4 12.i..xc6 dxc3
13.~xb4 cxb2 14.~bl bxc6
Ιη case of 14 ... ~xc6 15.0-0 a5 16. ~c3
i..h3 17. ~xb2 ~g6 18.lΔe1 i..e6 19.1::!.cl
Black lost a pawn and got ηο compensa-
tion for it ίη the game Atalik - V.Gaprin-
dashνili, Philadelphia 2000.
15.0-0!
White would like to capture οη b2, but
then ίη case of 15.1::!.xb2 i..a6 he was de-
priνed of the castling. As for 15. ~xb2, af-
305
ter 15 ... ~g6 16.0-0 ~h3 17.lΔh4 ~h5
18.gxh3 ~xh4 19.~d4 ~xh3 20.~e41::!.ae8
Black got a better play ίη the game Najer
- Aleksandroν, St.Petersburg 2000.
15... i..h3
After 15 ... i..a616.ktfe1 z:tab8 17.~a3
..Itc4 18.lΔd41::!.fe8 19.f3 ~g5 20.lΔxc6 .a:bc8
21.f4 ~d5 22.lΔe5 White managed to
achieνe his adνantage ίη the long run ίη
the game Seirawan - J.Polgar, Amsterdam
1995.
16.z:txb2 ~ad8
If 16 ... ~g6, then after 17.lΔh4 White's
queen looks νery good οη the fourth hori-
zontal, unlike the mentioned game Najer
- Aleksandroν where it was positioned οη
the second.
17.lΔd4 ~g5?
This moνe will cost Black a piece,
though after 17 ... ~ g6 18. f3 his posi tion
also is not too good.
18.f4!
Eνerything gets clear after this strong
moνe. Black will suffer materiallosses ίη­
eνitably.
18 ... ~g619.f5 ~g5 20.~f3 ~g4 21.z:tg3
h5 22.h31::!.fe8 23.~c3 ~e4 24.hxg4 hxg4
25.J:ιb4 1::td5 26.~d3 kte8 27.~e2 1::te4
28.~d3?!
White missed the opportunity to win at
once: after 28.lΔe6! ~xf5 (28 ... fxe6 29.
1::!.xe4) 29.lΔxg7 Black would haνe resigned.
28 ....tIe8 29.1::!.b 1?
Now that White let Black escape οη the
preνious moνe he decides to get rid of the
pawn. After a plain 29.1::!.c4 White's νictory
was just a question oftime.
29 ... ~h4 30.r3;f2 1::!.xc5 31.~dl 1::!.e4
32.1::!.b8+ Φh7 33.1::!.b3?
Another bad moνe. After 33. ~b3! 1::!.e7
(a sacrifice with 33 ... .tIxd4 34.exd4 1::!.xf5+
35.Φg1 gaνe nothing to Black) 34.1::!.f8 ~f6
35.1::!.xg4 White could haνe won easily de-
spite all his preνious derelictions.
33 ... 1::!.ce5 34. ~c2 c5 35.liJe2 ~xf5+
36.ΦgΙ ~fe5 37.1::!.c3 g6 38.1::!.c4 ~e7
39.ktxg41::!.xe3 40.liJf4 ~d6 41.<.t>f2
The time control is oνer, and it is eνi-
306 Super Tournαments 2000

dent that to achieνe the material adνan­ shelter ofthe black king.
tage consisting of a piece against two 56.tίJg5 .!:Ia5 57.tίJe4 .tta4 58.tίJf6+ rJ;;g7
Black's pawns will be not easy at all. 59.J::tc6 J::!:a3+ 60.rJ;;h4 J::ta4+ 61.Φh3
41 .. :~f6 42.Wg1 ~d6 43.~h4+ Φg8 If61.g4, then 61 ... Φh6 was the simplest
44.Φh2 a6 45.I!.a4 ΦίΒ νariant.
Black could arouse νery serious aggra- 61 ... J::!:a3+ 62.Φh2 1:ta7 63.1:td6 1:ta4
νations with the help of 45 ... g5, but eνen 64.1:tb6 !:tf4 65.tίJd5 I:ιd4 66.I:ιb5 I:ιd3
in this case after a forced 46. §'h7+ 'iiιf8 67.tίJf4 ~a3 68.1:tb6 .!:ta4 69.Φg3 !:ta3+
47. §'h8+ Φe 7 thanks to 48. §'a8! White was 70.Φg4 rJih6 71.J::tf6 Φg7 72.I:ιd6 Φh6
ΟΚ due to the fact that 48 ... gxh4 49.I!.xa6 73.tίJd3 .!:ta5 74.rJ;;f4 I:ιa4+ 75.Φf3 I:ιa5
gaνe him a νery strong attack. 76.I:ιf6 ~a3 77.rJ;;e4 I:ιa4+ 78.Φe3 Φg7
46.~c41::t3e4 47.~xa6 ~xa6 48.I:ιxa6 79.~d6 I!a2 80.g3 I:ιa5 81.I:ιc6 I:ιg5 82.Φf3
c4 49.~c6 Φg8 50.a4 J::!:e8 51.Φg3 ~d4 1::I:f5+ 83.tίJf4 I:ιa5 84.I:ιc3 1::I:b5 85.I:ιa3 ~c5
86.rJ;;e4 I:ιc4+ 87.Φe5 I:ιc8 88.tίJd5 I:ιc6
89 ..a:a7 .!:Ic4 90.tίJe3 I!c5+ 91.tίJd5 I!c4
92.I!.a81:rc1 93.I:ιa3 I:ιc6 94.g4 rJ;;h6 95.rJ;;f4
I:ιc4+ 96. Φf3 f5
Thus Black exchanges White's last
pawn, and the game proceeds to a well-
known drawn ending ίn which White's ex-
tra piece is not eriough for him to win.
97.gxf5 gxf5 98.tίJe3 .!:Ib4 99.tίJxf5+
rJ;;g5 100.tίJd6 rJ;;f6 10l.I:ιa5 Φe6 102.tίJe4
J::tb1103.tίJd2 J::td1104.tίJc41::1:c1105 ..ί::ϊc5
I:ιh1106.I:ιe5+ rJif6107.1:tb5 We6108.I:ιe5+
52.tίJh3?! Φf6 109.I:ιe4 rJ;;f5 110.tίJe3+ '.t>f6 111.rJ;;f4
Black's chances for a draw get higher rJ;;f7 112.J::ι.e5 J::ι.e1113 ..!:Ia5 Φe6 114.:!.a6+
with eνery following exchange. That is why rJ;;d7115.rJie4 I:ιe2 116.Φd4 I:ιd2+ 117.rJ;;e5
52.I:ιc5!? deserνed attention, and if52 ... ~a8 I:ιe2 118.I:ιa3 I:ιd2 119.tίJf5 I:ιe2+ 120.rJ;;d5
(ηο 52 ... I:ιe3+ 53.'iiιf2 .ί::ϊa3? because of I:ιd2+ 121.tίJd4 Φe7 122.rJie5 rJif7 123.
54.I:ιc8+ Φg7 55.tίJe6+), then after 53.a5 c3 I:ιa7+ Φg6 124.l1a6+ Φf7 125.I:ιa1 rJ;;g6
54.tίJd5 ~xh4 55.Φχh4 c2 56.tίJe7+ rJ;;g7 126.ng1 + Φf7 127 .~f1 + Φe7 128.Φd51:td3
57.tίJc6 White detained his opponent's 129.I!f2 nd1 130.nf3 .!:td2 131.Φe5 1::I:d1
pawn, keeping his own. 132.J::te3 .!:Ia1 133.tίJc6+ Φd7 134.tίJb4
52 ... ~xh4 53.ΦΧh41Ιe4+ 54.rJ;;g3 1:.a5+ 135.tίJd5 1::I:a6 136.tίJf6+ Φe7 137.
White fails to achieνe the goal also with Φf5+ Φf7 138.tίJd5 1::I:d6 139.ne5 I:ιd7
54.g4 because of 54 ... c3 55.a5 J::!:a4 56 ..i::txc3 140.tίJf4 ~d1 141.I:ιe6 Ι:ιf1 142.I:ιe3 I:ιa1
(if 56.'.t>g5, then 56 ... Φg7) 56 ... .ί::ϊχa5 143.1:td3 I:ιa5+ 144.tίJd5 I:ιa1145.1::I:f3 I:ιe1
57.J::!:c8+ (in case of57.g5 Black exchanged 146.J:ιf2 Φe8 147. ιΞ'\f6+ Φe7 148.tίJe4 I:ιa1
White's last pawn after 57 ... .i::tf5) 57 ... Φg7 %-112
58.l::tc7 rJ;;g8 (there was ηο 58 ... rJif6 because
of 59.tίJg5) 59.tίJf.21:!a4, and White fails to 225 Β30
get to f6 with his knight. Morozevich - Milos
54... c3 55.l:ιxc3 l:txa4 Round 5
This endgame is most likely a draw be-
cause to reinforce the position of White's 1.e4 c5 2.tίJf3 tίJc6 3 ...tb5 e6 4.0-0 tίJge7
pieces is hard since there are ηο support- 5.I:ιe1 tίJd4 6.tίJxd4 cxd4 7.d3 g6 8 ..1ιa4
ing squares for the knight close to the pawn The black pawn οη d4 somewhat con-
FIDE World Cup
strains White's play οη the queenside and
at the-same time it reduces the opportuni-
ties ofWhite's dark-squared bishop. Usu-
ally White attempts to annihilate it οη the
eighth move with 8.c3, though not always
successfully. Ιη this game A.Morozevich
chooses another method.
8... 1ιg7 9.ctJd2 ο-ο 10.f4 d6 11.ctJf3 ~d7
12.~b3 a5 13.a4 b5 14.axb5 ~xb5
15.f5!?
Black breaks through οη the queenside,
but the other flank stays for a moment
uncovered without the light-squared
bishop. White hurries to make use of this
circumstance.
15... gxf5
Α forced capture, because ίη case of
15 ... exf5?! there was an unpleasant
16.~g5.
16.ctJg5 h6 17.exf5 ctJxf5 18.ctJxf7
Α piece is sacήficed for the sake of main-
taining the initiative.
18...:!.xf7
Black should not be very greedy. Ιη case
of an erroneous 18 ... ~xf7? 19.5Ιxe6+ ι;t>f6
20.~f3 ~g6 21.~g4+ he might have to re-
sign.
19.itxe6 ~f6 20.~f3 1:!.aa7 21.1ιχf7+
~xf7 22.1:!.f1 ~d7
The stage of complications is over.
White got a rook and a pawn for two light
307
pieces and thus nearly restored the mate-
rial balance.
23.~d2
Νο 23.g4 because of23 ... ~g6.
23 ... a4 24.c4 ~g6 25.~e4 ~h7 26.b4
White could have created tension οη the
queenside by 26.b3, but probably he did
not want to encounter 26 ... ctJe3 27. ~xg6+
'it>xg6 28.1:!.fc1 a3 vvith the idea 29 ... ~f5.
26... ~c8
Now again 26 ... ctJe3!? 27.~xg6+ 'Iitxg6
28.1:tfc1 a3 with the idea 29 ... ~f5 deserved
attention.
27.h3 h5 28.l::ίael1:If7
Black overlooked a promising opportu-
nity: 28 ... 1:!.e7! 29. ~f4 (ηο 29. ~a8?? because
of29 ... ~b7, andin case of29.~f3 there was
29 ... ctJh4 29.~d5 ctJe3) 29 ... :ι.χe1 30.1:!.xe1
(30.SΙxe1? was bad because of 30 ... ctJe3
31.1:!.f2 itxh3) 30 ... ~h6 31. ~f2 ctJe3 where-
upon White would have serious problems
to come from the squares d3, g2 and h3.
29.1:Η'2 ~e5
30.~a8??
This blunder loses White's game. After
a normal 30.1:!.ef1 itg3 3U:re2 :ι.e7 32.~f3
all the struggle could be still ahead, but
now it will be over ίη several moves.
30 ... ~b7 31.~e8 ~g3 32.J::ιef1 j,xf2+
33.1:!.xf2 1:!.g7 34. ~xg6+ 'Iitxg6 35.~f4 h4
36.b5 'it>f6 37.ι;t>h2 Φe6 38.1:!.e2+ Φd7 0-1
308 Super Tournαments 2000

GroupB

1 Ye Jiangchuan 2670

2 Ivanchuk 2719

3 Short 2677

4 Gureνich 2667

5 XuJun 2668

6 Ponomariov 2630

Lately not only women began to play chess well ίn China. Who could expect that
after three rounds the Chinese players would lead? Besides, they had not played with
each other yet. As a result, Ye Jiangchuan gained the first place and Ivanchuk (defeated
Ponomariov ίn the last round) and Short (won ίn the 4th and 5th rounds) got 3 points
each, which was enough for the tie-break. Then Short lost both games to Ivanchuk.

226 Α16 weakness of White's pawn οn e2 can tell

GureVΊch - Ye Jiangchuan οn him ίn the future if White fails to find
Round 1 1.09 an active play.
15.tΔe4 f6 16"~c2 c6 17.~abl tΔd5
l.c4 tΔf6 2.tΔc3 g6 3.g3 d5 4.cxd5 18.a3 ~e7 19:~c5 tΔc7 20.b4?!
tΔxd5 5 ..tg2 tΔb6 6.d3 i.g7 7 ..te3 tΔc6 This active move only weakens the a3-
8.tΔrJ ο-ο 9:~cl e5 10.i.h6 :e8 pawn, which becomes accessible to the
Mter 10 ... i.g4 11 ..txg7 cJtxg7 12.0-0 black knight from b5. Probably 20.e3 dxe3
tΔd4 White got an advantage by dint of 21.fxe3 was better.
13.tΔxd4 exd4 14.'~f4! h5 15.tΔb5! ίn the 20 ... a4 21.e3 dxe3
game Μ. Gureνich - Mikhalevski, Antwerp
1999.
11.i.xg7
Also a more aggressive 11.h4 ffi 12 ..td2
tΔe7 13.h5 g5 14.h6 has been seen.
11 ... cJtxg7 12.0-0 tΔd4 13 . .:tel a5
14.tΔxd4
White did not need to hurry with this
bound exchange, he might have preferred
. 14.tΔe4 which would be really useful ίn
every respect.
14...exd4
With the given pawn structure, the 22.':xe3?
FIDE World Cup
Mter this move White's single pawn οη
d3 is very weak, and the efficiency of the
rook οη the e-file is minimal. He should
have agreed to 22.fxe3, even though after
22 ... l2Jb5 23.~al i.f5 his position was a bit
worse.
22 ... l:ίe5 23:~cl l2Jb5 24:!~lb2 ~d4
25:~xd4 l2Jxd4 26.l2Jd6 l2Jc2!
Mter this move materiallosses are ίη­
evitable for Black.
27 .~xe5 fxe5 28.l2Jc4
Ιη case of 28.~cl after 28 ... l2Jxa3
29.l2Jxc8 ~xc8 30.~al l2Jc2 31.~xa4 ~c7
there was a very unpleasant threat ofb7-
b5.
28 ...i.e6 29.~b2 i.xc4 30.1:txc2 ..txd3
31.~d2 .tf5 32.Φα ~c8 33.ΦeΙ b5 34.~d6
c5 35.bxc5 ~xc5 36.~b6 lIc3?!
Black kept good winning chances also
ίη the rook endgame after 36 ... ~cl +!?
37.Φd2 ~c2+ 38.ΦeΙ i.d3 39.i.f1 i.xf1
40.Φχf1 ~b2, because both ίη case of
41.~e6 b4 42.axb4 a3 43.~a6 a2 44.'it>g2 e4
and after 4U,Ib7+ φf6 42.l:!.xh7 b4! 43.axb4
a3 44.'ua7 a2 45.Φg2 e4 he could win ow-
ing to the second passed pawn οη the e-
file.
37.!f.xb5 ~xa3 38.!f.b7+?!
White did not venture to play the line
with 38.'uxe5!? 'ual + 39.Φd2 a3 40 ..td5
(40.'ue7+ 'it>f6 41.~a710st his game because
of 41 ... i.e6!) 40 ... 'it>f6 4U:te8 g5 where his
drawing chances were higher than Black's
winning chances despite Black's far ad-
vanced a-pawn.
38 ... Φh6 39 . .td5 l:ίd3 40.i.g8 ~d7
41.~b5 i.g4 42.f3 i.xf3 43.1:!.xe5 'it>g7
44.i.c41:td4?
If Black had put his rook behind the
passed pawn with 44 ... l::ta7!, then he would
have had good winning chances, because
an eventual exchange of the bishops (for
instance, if White blocked up an advance
ofthe a-pawn with his bishop οη a2) would
have given him a winning rook endgame.
45.1:!.c5 .tg4 46.Wf2 l:ίe4 47 ...td3 1:te7
48.lia5!
White grabs the opportunity to place his
309
rook behind the passed pawn.
48 .....tdl 49 ...tb5 1:te4 50.lia7+ Wf6
51 ...td3 :e7 52.1:!.a51le5
It is important that Black had ηο 52 ... g5
because of 53.~f5+.
53.1:!.a7 ..tb3 54.h4!
Now White's pawns are positioned ide-
ally.
54 ... h6 55.1:ta6+ 1:te6 56.lia5 iLdl
57 ...tb5 J:.e4 58...td3 lle5 59.~a6+ ~e6
60.~a5 h5 61 ..tb5 Φg7
62.i.xa4!
With the sacrifice ofthe exchange White
reduced the game to a theoretically drawn
endgame, and the fact that White managed
to play h2-h4 ίη advance is very signifi-
cant for the estimation ofthe position.
62 ...~e2+ 63.ΦgΙ ~a2 64 ..txdl .1:txa5
65 . ..tf3 ~a2 66.'it>f1 .1:tb2 67.ΦgΙ Φh6
68.Φf1 Wg7 69.Wgl Φf6 70.Φf1 Φe5
71.ΦgΙ 'it>d4 72 •.i.c6 .1:td2 73 ..i.b7 Φe3
74 ..i.c6 ~d6 75 ..i.b7 :b6 76 ...ia8 ~bl+
77.Φg2 ~b2+ 78.ΦgΙ ~b6 79.Φg2 ~b2+
80.ΦgΙ 1:tb8 81 . .i.c6 lic8 82.i.b7 ~c7
83 ..i.a8 g5
Α siege ofWhite's castle gave nothing,
so Black launches an onslaught.
84.hxg5 l;1g7 85.Φg2 .1:txg5 86.Φh31:!.g4
87...tc6 Φf2 88 ..i.e8 :xg3+ 89.Φh4 Wf3
90.'it>xh5 'it>f4 91.Φh6
White's king is heading for the corner
where he will be absolutely safe.
91 ... Φf5 92.Φh7 Φf6 93 . ..tc6 ~g5
94 . .i.e4 Φf7 95.Wh8 lie5 96.i.d3 ~e3
97 ...tc2 1:tc3 98 ..i.e4 ~h3+ 99 ...th7 ~xh7+
100.Φχh7 lh_ 1h
310
227 D43
Xu Jun - Gurevich
Round 2 2.09
ι.ttJf3 d5 2.d4 ltJf6 3.c4 c6 4.ltJc3 e6
5.iιg5 h6 6.iιh4
White is determined to fight and win.
His choice is the Moscow Gambit.
6,..dxc4 7.e4 g5 8 ...tg3 b5 9.i.e2 i.b7
10.h4 g4 11.ltJe5 .!:!.g8
The continuation 11 ... h5 is also topical,
and M.Gureνich used it ίη his tournament
practice.
12.0-0 ltJbd7
After 12 ... h513.'f{tc2 i.e714.1::tad1 there
was a sufficient compensation for the miss-
ing pawn.
13.ltJxg4
The material balance is restored.
13,..b4
Α new moνe. There was a short game
Glek - Dreeν, Essen 2000, where the ορ­
ponents agreed to a draw after 13 ... ltJh5
14.e5ltJxg3 15.fxg3 'f{tb6 16.a4.
14.ltJa4 ltJxe4 15.iιxc4 'f{ta5
Ιη case of 15 ... ltJxg3?! 16.fxg3 'f{ta5 Black
ίη νiew of 17.1::txf7! ΦΧf7 18. 'f{tf3+ Φe7
19.iιxe6! ran risks of a νery strong attack.
16.b3 ltJxg3?!
16 ... 0-0-0!? deserνed attention and οηlΥ
after 17. 'f{te2 to answer with 17 ... ltJxg3
18.fxg3 and now 18 ... 'f{th5!
17.fxg3 :!g6?!
It is not an easy task for Black to set a
good co-ordination ofhis pieces. The weak-
ness of the f7-square is too perceptible.
With the moνe ίη the game Black intended
to realize f7-f5 and 0-0-0, howeνer after
White's next strong response these projects
would not come true. Let's note also that
17 ... 1::txg3?? was totally bad because of
18. 'f{tf2 or 18.ltJf5. But 17 ... 'f{th5 deserνed
attention, and if 18.i.e2, then 18 ... 'f{tg6.
18.'f{te2! i.g7
Another opportunity 18 ... 'f{th5 could
haνe been met with 19.1::tf4!? (19.1::txf'7 is
Super Tournaments 2000
less clear ίη νiew of 19 ... 'f{txg4 20. 'f{txg4
1::txg4 21.iιxe6 and now 21 ... :!g7!), and if
19 ... iιd6 20.:!e4 SΙxg3, then White had
21.iιxe6! fxe6 22.ltJf6+ ltJxf6 23.Mxe6+ ~d8
24. 'f{txh5 ltJxh5 25.MXg6 with good pros-
pects.
19..1:!.adl h5 20.tΔe3 'f!!c7
Ιη an indirect way Black admits that
οη the fifteenth moνe he chose not the νery
best place for his queen.
21.tΔc5!
White's pieces enter the game, and
Black's position gets worse at once as he
has failed to obtain a co-ordination of his
heaνy pieces.
21,..ltJxc5
There was ηο 21 ... iιxd4 because of
22.ltJxe6! i.xe3+ 23. 'f{txe3 fxe6 24.iιxe6,
and White smashed Black's position using
three open files ίη the centre.
22.dxc51::td8
Both 22 ... 'f{txg3?? (because of 23.ltJf5)
and 22 ... 1::txg3?? (because of23.i.xe6) were
absolutely impossible for Black.
23.ltJf5 i.f8 24. 'f{te3 J::td5
Black tries to demonstrate some kind
of struggle. The same result would be
achieνed also after 24 ... iιc8 25.1::txd8+
'f{txd8 (if 25 ... Φχd8, then 26.1::tdl+, getting
the knight to d6) 26. 'f{te5! or ίη case of
24 ... 1::td7 25.1::txd7 'f{txd7 26.'f{te5!.
25.i.xd5 cxd5 26.ltJd6+ iιxd6 27.cxd6
'f{txd6 28.Φh2 ~f8 29.J::tf4 e5 30.J::tf5 ί6
31.'f{txa7 'f{te7 1-0
FIDE World Cup
228 Β25
Short - Ye Jiangchuan
Round 3 3.09
1.e4 c5 2/bc3
Recently the English grandmaster be-
gan to avoid main lines ofthe Sicilian De-
fence.
2 ... CLJc6 3.g3 g6 4.1ιg2 1ιg7 5.d3 d6
6.CLJh3 e5
Black is preparing to meet White's f-
pawn ίη the centre ofthe board. 6 ... e6 was
another tested continuation.
7.f4 CLJge7 8.0-0 h6
Ιη case of 8 ... 0-0 or 8 ... CLJd4 Black had
to reckon with 9.f5!? Ιη the latter case af-
ter 9 ... gx:f5 10. ~h5 (ίη case of 10.1ιg5 Black
defended from White's main threats with
10 ... f6! 11. ~h5+ Wd7 12.exf5 CLJxc2 13.~ac1
CLJd4 14.CLJe4 ~f8 Trapl - Pribyl, Czecho-
slovakia 1972) 10 ... h6 11.~f2 1ιe6 12.~e3
~d7 13. !:ι.af1 0-0-0 14. tΔd5 White got a
sufficient initiative for the sacrificed pawn
ίη the well-known game Spassky - Hort,
Bugojno 1978. Ιη case of 8 ... exf4 Black
probably did not want to encounter 9.Bxf4,
so he preferred to wait for a while.
9.1ιe3
White refused from a gambit line 9.f5
gxf5 10.~h5.
9 ... exf4
Now that White's dark-squared bishop
has made a move at last Black raises the
tension ίη the centre.
10.CLJxf4 ο-ο 11. ~d2 Wh7 12.:ι:tael :ι:tb8
13.tΔcd5
311
White takes a crucial decision, allow-
ing Black to get rid of the passive knight.
There was an opportunity to delay this
move and play a waiting 13.Wh1 or 13.h3
instead.
13 ... CLJxd5
Το take the sacrificed pawn with the
move 13 ... jιxb2 is more than dangerous.
Mter 14.c3 1ιa3 15.CLJf6+ Φh8 (ίη case of
15 ... Φg7 there was an immediate solution
16.CLJ4h5+) 16.tΔ4d5 White's attack looked
irresistible.
14.exd5
Involving certain strategic risk, because
White's pawn structure is damaged now.
At the same time Black had an easy play
after 14.tΔxd5 1ιe6.
14... CLJe7 15.1ιf2 CLJf5 16.jιe4 b5
An attempt to prepare f5 for the knight
with the help of 16 ... h5? encountered a
tactical blow 17.tΔxh5! gxh5 18.~f4 ~f6
19.1ιe3. The position after 16 ... ~xb2 17.
c3 1ιa3 also looked very dangerous for
Black.
17.g4 ~g5 18:;thl 1ιε5
Νο 18 ... ~xg4?? because of 19.1:!.gl.
19.9xf5 SΙxf4 20.1ιe3 SΙxe3 21.~xe3
gxf5 22.SΙg2
Ιη the four-rook endgame after 22. ~xg5
hxg5 23.1ιχf5+ 1ιχf5 24.I!xf5 Φg6 25.~ff1
(25.~ef1 f6) 25 ... ~be8 Black's chances were
slightly better.
22 ... ~g8 23.1ιh3 ~xe3
If23 ... ~b7, then there was 24.~f3.
24.:ι:txe3 ~g5 25.~e7 Φg6 26.1:!.xa7 b4
27.~c7
27.a4!? bxa3 28.bxa3 ~b2 29.~c7 de-
served attention, keeping better prospects.
27 ... Φf628.d4?
Probably this move was connected with
some miscalculation. Mter 28.a4!? White
was better.
28 ... cxd4 29.1:!.dl?!
Mter 29.1:!.e1 there were better draw-
ing chances.
29 ... SΙa6 30.SΙg2
Νο 30.~xd4? because of 30 ... ~bg8
31.~dl ~e2.
312 Super Tournaments 2000

30...jιe2 31.1:d2 z:te8 32.h4 !:!:g4 33.1:!.c6

Black's knight οη e5.
f4! 16 ...CLJde5 17.CLJxe5?!
White's position is lost after this pre- Despite the deformation of Black's
cise moνe, whereas 33 ... .ί::txh4+ 34.Wgl still pawn structure this moνe is worse for
left him some drawing chances. White's position since a weak d4-square
34.1:!.xd6+ ι:J;;g7 35.1:!.xd4 h5 appears ίη his camp. Mter 17.CLJfd4 jLb7
Now it is eνident that one of Black's f- 18.b3 White kept a positional adνantage
pawns will cost White the bishop. and, respectiνely, an easier play.
36.1:!.b6 f3 37.1:!.xg4+ hxg4 38.1:!.xb4 f5 17.•. dxe518.t;rxd81:!.fxd819.1:!.fdl ι:J;;f6
Νο need to hurry with the capture of 20.f3 h5 21.Wf2?!
the bishop. Black prefers to reinforce his Black's problems get worse after this
position first. moνe. Better was 21 ..:txd8 1:!.xd8 22.1:!.dl
39.d61:!.d8 40.1:!.d4 Wf6 41.c3 We5 42.h5 ~c8 and οηlΥ then 23.Wf2.
f4 43.d7 fxg2+ 44.Wxg2 .iιf3+ 45.ι:J;;gl g3
46.h6 .iιe4 47.J::!.a4 0-1

229 Α40
Xu Jun - Short
Round 4 4.09

l.d4 e6 2.c4 b6 3.a3 g6 4.CLJc3 jιg7 5.e4

CLJe7 6.CLJf3 .iιb7 7 ..iιe3
Ιη case of 7 ..iιe2 Black got a counterplay
after 7 ... 0-0 8.0-0 f5 9.e5 h6 10.h4 d5
11.exd6 cxd6 12 ..iιf4 CLJc8 13. t;rd2 ι:J;;h7 21 ... CLJf4!
Just ίη time. Black preνents an ex-
14.1:!.ael CLJd7 15.jLdl1:!.e8 ίη the game Χυ
Jun - Miles, Beijing 1996. change of the rooks with a tactical trick
7... d6 22.g3
Ιη the game ΜίΙον - Miles, Biel 1996, White missed the time for mass ex-
after 7 ... f5 8.e5 h6 9.h4 d6 10.exd6 cxd6 changes. Mter 22.1:!.xd8 1:!.xd8 23.ιωι (if
11.jLf4 a6 12.jιe21:!.a7 White might deνelop 23.CLJxf4 exf4 24.!::ωι ~xdl 25.jLxdl, then
an initiatiνe with 13. t;rd2! to be followed after 25 ... We5 Black's king came into
by 0-0-0. White's rear) 23 ... ~xdl 24 ..iιxdl White
8. t;rd2 h6 9.jLd3 CLJd7 10.0-0 g5 11.d5 encountered 24 ... CLJd3+.
CLJg6 22 ... CLJxe2 23.Wxe2 g4 24.ι:J;;e3
Α slight reinforcement. Mter 11 ... e5 Probably White should haνe νentured
12.CLJe2 f6 13.CLJg3 h5 14.b4 h4 15.CLJf5 CLJxf5 οη the position to appear after 24.fxg4
16.exf5 g4 17.CLJel t;re7 18.jLe4 White got hxg4 25.We3 ίη which the d4-square was
a more promising position ίη the game defended from an intrusion of Black's
Naumkin - Βίηί, Toscolano 1996. pieces.
12 ..iιd4 ο-ο 13 ..ixg7 Wxg7 14.CLJe2 c5 24 ... gxf3 25.Wxf3 1:!.d4 26.b3 a5 27.
15.dxc6 .iιxc6 16 ..ic2 1:!.xd4
Mter 16.CLJfd4 .iιb7 White had a choice White is forced to surrender his lines.
between a quiet 17 ..iιc2 and a more aggres- Mter 27.We3 ~ad8 28.1:!.f1+ Wg6 29.1:!.adl
siνe 17.f4 CLJxf4 18.CLJxf4 gxf4 19.1:!.xf4 CLJe5 f6 he would haνe to exchange οη d4 or al-
20.1:!.af1 where the actiνity of white rooks low f6-f5 anyway.
was outweighed by the strong position of 27 ... exd4 28.ι:J;;e2 e5 29.1:!.f1+ Wg6
FIDE World Cup
30.ii.d3 f6 31.ςt>d2 ii.d7 32.~cl h4!
Black wants to open up the files ίη or-
der to attack White's camp with his rook.
33.c5
Mter 33.gxh4 ~h8 34.c5 bxc5 35.~xc5
Mxh4 36.Mxa5 Mxh2+ 37.ςJ;;>e1 ~g5 White
lost still quicker.
33 ...bxc5 34.~xc5 hxg3 35.hxg3 Ua7
36.ii.c4 'it'g5 37.ςJ;;>e2 .iιg4+ 38.~f2 ~h7
39.Mxa5 .t:ι.h2+ 40.ςt>el .iι..f3 41 ..ltd3 ~g4
42.~a6 ~h6 43.Wf2 .t:ι.h2+ 44.ςJ;;>el f5!
The appearance of two joint passed
pawns decides the game ίη Black's favour.
45.1:lg6+
If 45.exf5, then 45 ... e4.
45 ... Wh5 46.exf5 e4 47.~g8 ~a2
48 ..ltxe4
48.g4+ .ltxg4 49 ...Itxe4 would not have
helped White because of 49 ... 1::te2+.
48 ... .ltxe4 49.g4+ ~h4 50.Md8 d3
51.I:td4?!
With this move White loses quickly.
51.f6 was more stubborn, though after
51 ... .t:ι.e2+ 52.Wd1 (ίη case of 52.'.t>f1 ςJ;;>g3
Black mated) 52 ... ~f2 53 ..t:ι.d4 ii.g6 Black
would have coped gradually with White's
pawns too.
51 ... ~e2+ 52.'it'dl ~g5 0-1
230 Cll
Short - Gurevich
Round 5 5.09
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.ttJc3 ttJf6 4 ..ltg5 dxe4
5.CZJxe4 ..Ite7 6 ...Itxf6 ..Itxf6 7.ttJf3 ο-ο 8 ...Itc4
CZJc6 9.c3 e5 10.d5 CZJb8 11.~e2 ..Itf5
12..ltd3
Usually White continues 12.0-0-0, 12.
ο-ο or 12.CZJg3 ίη this position. The last one
was played ίη a very interesting game Leko
- Shirov, Frankfurt 2000, which developed
similarly to the present game until the
twentieth move: 12 ... .ltg4 13.h3 ..Itxf3
14. ti'xf3 CZJd7 15.CZJe4 .lte7 16.0-0-0 ..Itd6
17.g4 J:::!.b8 18.g5 b5 19 ..ltd3 b4 20. ti'f5
(20.c4!?) 20 ... bxc3 21.b3 J:::!.b4? with an un-
clear play.
313
12 ... .iι..xe4 13.J1.xe4 ttJd7 14.0-0-0 .iιe7
15.g4!
White gets the strong e4-square, which
allows him to begin an advance οη the
kingside.
15 ....td6 16.Wbl Ub8 17.h4 b5 18.CZJg5
g6 19.ii.c2 b4 20.c4
Unlike the mentioned game Leko -
Shirov White does not allow Black to open
up the files οη the queenside.
20 ... CZJc5 21.~e3 ~f6 22.h5 h6 23.CZJe4
CZJxe4 24 ..iιxe4
Apart from the heavy pieces there are
οηlΥ two opposite-coloured bishops οη the
board, and still White has an obvious and
stable advantage because his bishop cov-
ers both flanks whereas Black's just plays
the role of a supporting pawn. Moreover,
Black cannot defend the h6-pawn and pre-
vent the advantage c4-c5 at the same time.
24 ... g525.c5
White's central pawns begin their ad-
vance. Black's blockade οη the dark
squares was run.
25 ....lte7 26.Uc 1 :tb5?!
26 ... ti'f4 deserved attention, though af-
ter 27.ti'e2 White kept all the merits ofhis
position.
27.iH5!
Now the opportunities of the black
queen are restricted to the minimum.
27 ... e4!?
At the cost of a pawn Black tήes to open
the dark squares ίη the centre for his
pieces.
28 ..ltxe4 J:::!.fb8 29 ...Itd3?
314
White has been conducting the whole
game very well, but with his last move he
gives his opponent a chance to begin an
attack and thus to get out of the difficult
position. After 29.l:thf1 or 29.1::rh3 Black's
position would really poor.
29 ... l::ta5?
Black has missed his chance. After
29 ... .ί:[χc5! 30.1:txc5 .Jtxc5 31. ~xc5 he had
31 ... ~f3! and could equalize the play.
30.1:th3 Jιf8 31.l::tf3 ~e7 32.~xe7!
Notwithstanding the presence of the
opposite-coloured bishops οη the board,
White is not afraid of an endgame. He has
many important pluses: a passed pawn,
active pieces and a damaged pawn chain
of his opponent.
32... Jιxe7 33.d6 cxd6 34.c6 1:tc8 35.c7
35.Jιc4 d5 36 ..Jtb3 Mc7 37 ..ίΗ5 also
looked good.
35 ... ~c5 36.~xc5 dxc5 37.Jιc4 J::txc7
38.J::txf7 'it>h8 39.~c2 J:ιd7
Black loses despite the material bal-
ance. There is ηο way to get rid of the υη­
pleasant binding οη the seventh rank. Ιη
case of 39 ... Jιd6 White had 40 ..1::tf6
40.'it>b3 a5 41.f3
Α useful prophylactic move. Ιη case of
an immediate 41.Ka4 White encountered
41 ... 1:td4 42.J:txe7 (if 42 ..Jte6, then 42 ... .td8)
42 ... .sxc4 43.'it>xa5 J:txg4
41 ...:td4
Black loses his temper and hurries to
cut short his torments. After 41 ... 1:ta7
42.~a4 J::tb7 43.b3 (variations like 43.'it>xa5
.td8+ or 43 ..te6 1:tc7 44 ..iιf5 'it>g8 45.l;'lh7
c4 are unnecessary for White) 43 ... 1:tc7
44.~b5 Black suffers a crushing defeat
soon.
42.1:txe7 a4+ 43.~xa4 ~xc4 44.~b5
1:tc2 45.b3 'it>g8 46.1:te5 nxa2 47.l::txc5 I:ta8
48.Wxb4
Black is hopeless without two pawns ίη
a rook endgame.
48 ... l::!:f8 49.:lf5 z:tb8+ 50.Wc3 1:tc8+
51.~b2 nb8 52.f4 1-0
Super Tournαments 2000
231 Ε90
Ivanchuk - Ponomariov
Round 5 5.09
Notes by L.Yudαsin
Α very complicated game. Unfortu-
nately, Black spoiled the interesting play
because he was pressed for time.
l.e4 g6 2.d4 Jιg7 3.c4 d6 4.liJc3 liJf6
5.liJf3 ο-ο 6.h3
Of course, this system doesn't claim
much, but Black must know details.
6 ... e5
There is an old different line: 6 ... c5 7.d5
e6 8 ..iιd3 exd5 9.exd5 (9.cxd5 steers into
the Modern Benoni) 1:te8 10.Jιe3 Jιh6 11.
ο-ο, giving certain positional initiative to
White.
7.d5 liJh5 8.liJh2!?
Preventing f5 and preparing .iιe2 - but
at the cost oftime.
8 ... liJa6
Also 8 ... ~e8!? 9.Jιe2liJf4 10 ..iιf3 f5 11.g3
liJxh3 (11 ... fxe4 12.liJxe4 liJxh3 13 ..iιg2±)
12 ..iιg2 [4 13.liJf3 g5 14.l::!:xh3 g4 15.1:th1
gxf3 16.~xf3 ~g6 17.Jιh3 fxg3 18.~xg3
~xg3 19.fxg3t (Ponomariov) is good, but
the move ίη the game is sharper.
9.g3
While the queen stands οη d8, there is
ηο 9 . .iιe2?! liJf4 10 ..iιf3 [5 1l.g3? liJxh3
12.Sιg2 [4 13.liJf3 liJg5+ (Ponomariov) be-
cause the g5-square is covered.
9 ... liJc5
Preparing 10 ... a5 with a convenient
play. Ponomariov considers 9 ... c6 10.Jιe2
liJf6 11.h4 liJc5 12.Jιf3 h5!? with the idea
of a5, Jιd7, cxd5, b5 admissible too. But
Bg5 to be followed by ~d2 or liJf1-e3 al-
lows White to develop some positional pres-
sure.
10.b4
White's responBe is forced: 10.Sιe2? liJill
11 ..Jtf3 Jιxh3.
10... liJa6 11.:bl
Leaving the a1-h8 diagonal, but now
 .
FIDE World Cup
the rook ίΒ under attack of the f5-bishop.
Perhaps 11.a3 [5 12.~e2 CLJf6 13.h4 c6!fZ
Vilela - Bass, Alcobendas 1994, was stron-
ger.
11 ...f5
11 ... c6 12.~e2 CLJf6 13.h4 cxd5 14.cxd5
ίΒ less consistent.
12.exf5
This ίΒ the point ofWhite's idea: to pre-
vent his opponent from building a strong
pawn centre and finally get to e4. But now
Black develops a very strong play for his
pieces. 12.~g2 deserves attention to be
followed by 12 ... CLJf6! 13.0-0 (13.exf5 gxf5
14.0-0 ~e8 15.f4 exf4oo) 13 ... CLJxe4 (13 ... fxe4
14.~g5t; 13 ... f4 14.~a3t) 14.CLJxe4 fxe4
15.h4 ..if5 16 ...ig5 ..if6 17.1ιe3t. Α head-
long advance of the black pawn looked
worse: 12 ... f4 13.g4 f3!? 14.CLJxf3 CLJf4
15 ...ixf4 (15.1ιΩ ~f6fZ Ponomariov) 15 ...
exf4 (15 ... !1xf4 16.CLJe2 1:!.xe4?! 17.CLJd2 ίΒ
quite dubious. Ivanchuk considered this
position playable for Black. Ι can't figure
it out: the compensation for the missing
exchange ίΒ obviously insufficient, for ex-
ample: 17 ... !1d4 18.CLJxd4 exd4 19.CLJe4± or
17 ... !1xe2+ 18.~xe2 ~d7 19.CLJe4± with
White's great advantage ίη both lines. Of
course, 16 ... Mf7!?~ ίΒ better, the position ίΒ
unclear, but at White least covers every-
thing.) 16.e5 1ιχe5!? (16 ... dxe5 17.CLJe4±)
17.CLJxe5 !1e8 18.0-0 !1xe5 19. ~d4t, and
White ίΒ better because of Black's bad
knight οη a6. 12.c5? dxc5 13.Bxa6 cxb4+ ίΒ
evidently bad.
12 ... 1ιχf5
315
There was a very sharp option of
12 ... e4!?, but it promised a better chance
to White ίη cοmΡaήsοn with the move ίη
the game.
Black maintained the balance after
13.~b3CLJxb4 14.fxg6 (14.g4 ..ixc3+ 15.gxc3
CLJg7 16.~b2 gxf5 17.gxf5 ..ixf5 oo ) 14 ... hxg6
(14 ... .txc3+ 15.l::ιxc3 ~f6 16. gxh7+ ~h8
17. ~d2 CLJxa2 18 ..tb2!! ίΒ too assured -
Ivanchuk) 15.CLJxe4CLJxa2 16 ...ig5 (16 ...ib2
.Xιxb2 17.MXb2 I:te8 18 ..ί:!.χa2 !1xe4), and now
16 ... ~d7! 17.~c2 (17 ..Xιg2 a5oo) 17 ... ~a4t.
Soloviov: Ι would like to note that Black
has απ interesting opportunity 16 ... ~e8!
that allows him to struggle {or απ advan-
tage, {or example: 17.J:Ie3 ..if5 18 ..tg2
(18.CLJxd6?! .Xιc3+ 19.'.ite2 cxd6 20.!1xe8
!1axe8+ 21 ...ie3 .Xιb4) 18 ... ..ixe4 19.0-0
[19.1ιχe4 ..ic3+ 20.'.ite2 ~e5 (20 ... ..if6
21 ...ixf6 CLJxf6 22.f3 CLJc3+ 23.l::ιxc3 CLJxe4
24.fxe4 ~xe4+ 25.!1e3 ~xc4+ 26. ~d3
~a2+=) 21.CLJf3l::ιxf3 22 . ..ixf3 ~xg5 23. ~c2
..id4 24.!1e6 CLJg7 25.I;!xg6 !1e8t] 19 ... CLJc3
[19 ... ~e5? 20.~xe4 ~xg5 21.h4 ~f6
22.~g4t] 20.~g4 .td4 [20 ... .tIf5?! 21 ..Xιxe4
!1xg5 22.~xg5CLJxe4 23.~h4CLJhxg3 (23 ...
CLJhf6 24.CLJf3t) 24.Mfe1 ~d8 25. ~g4 ~f6
26.Mf3 ~d4 27 ...t>g2t; 20 ... CLJxg3? 21. ~xg3
..ie5 22.~h4 .Xιxg2 23.'.itxg2CLJxd5 24.cxd5
~f7 25.~e4] 21.Mxc3 [21.I;!ee1 ~e5!
(21 ... ~f7? 22 ..Xιxe4 .Xιxf2+ 23.~g2 CLJxg3
24 ...id3CLJxfl 25.1:txfl lίJxd5 26.cxd5 ~xd5+
27 ...ie4±) 22 ...ixe4 ~xg3+ 23. ~xg3 (23.'.ith1
~xg4 24.hxg4 .Xιxf2 25.gxh5 .Xιxe1+)
23 ... CLJxg3 24 ...ixg6 CLJxfl 25 ..ί:!.ΧΩ CLJe2+
(25 ... a5 26. CLJg4 a4 27.Me1 '.itg7 28.~c2
Mfe8+) 26.'.ith1 !1xf2 27.!1xf2 .Xιxf2 28.CLJg4
.id4-+] 21 ... 1ιχg2 [21 ... .Xιxc3 22.1ιχe4lίJf6
23.1ιχf6 !ιΧf6 24.CLJf300] 22. ~xd4 1ιχf1
23.CLJxfl [23.~xf1 Mf5?! 24.f4! (24.CLJf3 ~f7
25.'.itg2 !1f8t) 24 ... c5 (24 ... ~a4 25.CLJg4 ~h7
26.!1e3oo) 25. ~d3 ~d7 26.lίJg4oo ; 23 ... ~e5!
24. ~xe5 dxe5+] 23 ... ~e5 24. ~d2 CLJf6
[24 ... !1ae8 25.!1e3 ~f5 26.g4 ~xg5 27.Mxe8
CLJf4 28.MXf8+ ~xf8=] 25.f4 [25 ...ixf6 .:!.xf6]
25 ... ~f526.~g2CLJh7+
However, a straight 13.lίJb5, aiming at
c7 and d4, promised initiative to White ίη
316
complex variations, for exampIe: 13 ... e3?!
14.~xe3 iιxf5 15 ..a:b3± (Ponomariov) or
13 ... c6?! 14.dxc6 bxc6 15.CLJxd6 ~c3+
16.iιd2 iιxd2+ 17. '{:;fxd2 e3!? 18.fxe3CLJxg3
19 . .a:g1 CLJxf5 20.CLJxc8!? (20.c5 '{:;fh4+
21.<t>d1CLJc7 22.CLJg4;!; (Ivanchuk), aIthough
BIack might get some counterplay after
22 ... iιe6~. SimpIifying the pIay by 20.
CLJxf5? iιxf5 21.:b3 '{:;fh4+; 21. '{:;fxd8 :axd8
22 ..a:b2 c5! 23.b5 CLJb41') '{:;fxc8!? (20 ...
'{:;fh4+?! 21. '{:;ff2 '{:;fe4 22.!1b3 .t!:axc8 23.Sιd3±
Ivanchuk) 21.~b3 '{:;fe6 with the idea of
Rae8 would be a major mistake, allowing
White to create counterplay. Mter 12 ... e4
13.CLJb5 BIack's strongest response 13 ...
iιxf5 still Ied to a big mess: 14.iιe3 c6
15.dxc6 bxc6 16.CLJxd6 iιc3+ 17.<;t>e2 iιxb4 oo ;
14.g4 e3 15.gxf5 exf2+ 16.lt>xf21:txf5+ (don't
hurry: 16 ... '{:;fh4+ 17.ι;,tJg1 c6 18.dxc6 bxc6
19.'{:;fg4) 17.<;t>gl CLJg3~. Now a vulgar
14.CLJd4? was just Iosing: 14 ... ~xd4 15.
'{:;fxd4 e3 16 ..ί:Ib3 exf2~
13.1:tb3 '{:;ff6!
13 ... CLJf6 14.iιg2 (Ponomariov).
14.iιe3
Τοο passive is 14. '{:;fd2 e4 15.CLJd1 e3
16 ..a:xe3 .a:ae8 (16 ... ..ih6 17.f4 CLJxf4 18.
iιb2+-) 17.CLJg4 '{:;fa1 18.a3 J::!.e4~ (Ροηο­
mariov). Then, 14.Sιe2? is obviously bad:
14 ... ..ic2 15.'{:;fxc2 '{:;fxf2+ 16.c,t>d1 CLJxg3
17.CLJe4 '{:;fd4-+; and the consistent 14 ...ig2
is refuted by a tactical trick, but ηο
14 ... ~xh3?! 15.CLJe4 '{:;ff5 16.iιf3 (16.g4!
iιxg2 17.gxf5 iιxe4 18.fxg6 hxg6 19.f3±)
16 ... CLJf6 17.'{:;fe2~; the solution is ίη
14... ~d3! 15.CLJg4 '{:;ff5 16. '{:;fd2 iιxc417.CLJe3
'{:;fd3 18.CLJxc4 '{:;fxc4+. The move 14.g4looks
dangerous, but it is not worse than ίη the
game: 14 .. .iιd3! 15.iιe3 (15. '{:;fxd3? '{:;fxf2+
16.ι;,tJd1 CLJg3 17.CLJe4 CLJxh1!) .txf1 16.CLJe4
(16.CLJxf1 CLJf4 17.~h2 e4 18.CLJxe4 '{:;fh4
19.CLJfg3 J::!.ae81' Ponomariov) 16 ... '{:;fe7
(16 ... iιxc4!? 17.CLJxf6+ CLJxf6 18.11c3 ~xd5~)
17.<t>xf1 (17.CLJxf1CLJf418.CLJfg3CLJg2 19.<;t>d2
CLJxe3 20.fxe3oo) 17 ... CLJf4 18.CLJf3;t. ΑΙΙ ίη all,
BIack's position is very promising.
14... CLJf4?
Oh, youth! Α patient 14 ... iιd7! (Ivan-
Super Tournaments 2000
chuk) gave BIack an advantage: 15.iιg2?
(15.CLJe4?! '{:;fe7 16. '{:;fd2 CLJf4 17.h4 .iιf5
18.CLJg5 .a:ae81') 15 ... CLJf4!~
15.CLJb5?
Α mistake ίη return, and BIack's idea
works. After the brave 15.b5! CLJc5 16.iιxc5
dxc5 17.gxf4 exf4 18. '{:;fd2 (18. ι;,tJd2 '{:;fd4+
19. <;t>c1 '{:;fxf2 20. '{:;fd2 '{:;fh4~) BIack would
have to Iook for a serious attack (for the
piece): 18 ... 1He8+ (18 ... .a:ae8+ 19.Φdl±
Ivanchuk) 19.c,t>d1 a6! 20.CLJg4?! (20.bxa6
Itxa6 21.CLJf3 c6oo) 20 ... '{:;fh4 (20 ... iιxg4+
21.hxg4 axb5 22.cxb5+-) 21.'{:;fxf4 axb5
22.cxb5 .a:f8~ with the idea of 23.'{:;fg3
iιxg4+ 24. '{:;fxg4 '{:;fxf2 25.d6 .a:f4 26. '{:;fe6+
<t>h8 27.<;t>c1.a:d4~. The variations are very
complicated, but White must have an ad-
vantage because of the insufficient mobi-
Iisation of BIack's forces. 15.h4 would be
weaker, and not because of 15 ... .t!:ae8
16.CLJb5 iιd7!~, bLt οη account of 15 ... c6!?
16.dxc6 bxc6 17.c5 dxc5 18 ..txa6 CLJg2+
19.Φe2 CLJxe3 (19 ... .tg4+ 20.CLJxg4 '{:;ff3+
21.ςt>d2 llad8+ 22.CLJd5! ~xd5+ 23.~d3
.a:xd3+ 24.Sιxd3 '{:;fd5 25. '{:;fb3+-) 20.fxe3
.a:ad8 21.iιc4+ <;t>h8 22.'{:;ff1 cxb4l' (Ροηο­
mariov).
15... CLJxh3! 16.'{:;fd2
16.g4 CLJxf2!! 17.iιxf2 .te4-+ (Ivan-
chuk).
16... .a:ae8?!
16 ... h5 was simpIer, supporting the
knight and preparing the attack.
17..te2?!
17.CLJxa7!? was sharper, but there was
an unpIeasant response 17 ... h5 with the
threat of ..ie4.
17... h518.c5
18.CLJxa7 is Ιε.te aIready: 18 ... CLJf4!
19.9xf4 (19.iιf1oo) 19 ... exf4 20 ..txf4 '{:;fa1+
(20 ... iιe4 21.f3 '{:;fxf4 22.fxe4 '{:;fxe4~)
21.'{:;fd1 ~xe2+ 22.<;t>xe2 '{:;fxa2+ 23.~f1..ic2
24.Iίa3 '{:;fxc4+ 25. '{:;fe2 .t!:xf4-+ (Ivanchuk).
18 ... iιd7
AIso it would be good to open up the
centre: 18 ... dxc5!? 19.bxc5 b6 20.c6 .a:d8.
19.CLJc3?!
19.c6 bxc6 (19 ... iιc8 20.CLJxa7!) 20.CLJxa7
FIDE World Cup
tιJb8 21.dxc6 tιJxc6 22.i..b5 looked more
promising, even though Black still was
advantageous: 22 ... tιJb8 23.i..xd7 tιJxd7+.
19 ... tιJf4 20.c6
Now this is too late, White's pieces are
already safe. Α patient 20.i..fl!? was bet-
ter, and if 20 ... tιJb8?! (20 ... h4!?), then
21.cxd6 cxd6 22.i..xa7.
20 ... i..c8 21 ..ιι.χa7!? tιJxe2 22:~xe2 e4
23.0-0 'ffif5?
The new time control tells οη! 23 ... bxc6
24.dxc6°o was unclear (Ivanchuk); but
23 .. .'~f7!+ gave Black an advantage
(Ponomariov). Ιη the variation 24.J::!.d1 bc6
25.dc6 tιJb4 there was ηο check from c4 (but
Black missed this nuance).
24.J::!.dl
Νο 24.J::!.c1? .ιι.χc3 25.J::!.cxc3 'ffixd5 26.b5
tιJc5 27 ..ιι.χc5 dxc5 28.cxb7 .ιι.Χb7 29.'ffie3
1:te5+ Ivanchuk. Now if 30.b6, then 30 ...
J::!.ef5! with an attack.
24 ...ςtJh7
Black is forced to lose tempi: 24 ... bxc6
25.dxc6 tιJxb4 26. 'ffic4+ (26.ttxb4 'ffia5!)
26 ... r;t>h7 (26 ... .ιι.e6 27.'g<xb4±) 27.'ffixb4 e3
28.~xe3 llxe3 29.fxe3 'ffif2+ 30.Φh1 i..h3
3UΙg1+- (Ivanchuk).
25.tιJb5?!
Another mistake. The correct continu-
ation is 25.cxb7! ~xb7 26.'ffib5 ~c8 27.~e3,
and the initiative is White's, for example:
27 ... i..h6 28. 'ffie2 .ιι.χe3 29. 'ffixe3 tιJb8
30.J::!.a3 J::!.f7 31.J::!.a7t
25 ... 'ffif7
Better late than never! The queen at-
tacks now and covers the flank at the same
time. 25 ... bxc6 26.dxc6 ~e6 27.ZΙa3 tιJxb4
28.tιJxc7 tte7°o (Ivanchuk).
26.~d4
26.~e3 bxc6 27.tιJa7 tιJb8 28.dxc6 ~e6+
(Ivanchuk).
26... e3?
Α gross error in time trouble, and Black
starts to lose. There was still 26 ... bxc6!
27.i..xg7 (27.dxc6 i..e6!) 'ffixg7 28.dxc6 e3!
(28 ... ~e6 29.tte3! d5 30.lbd4± tιJxb4? 31.a3
lbd3 32.tιJxe6 1:txe6 33.~exd3) 29.J::!.xe3
llxe3 30.'ffixe3lbxb4 31.lbf3 ZΙxf3 32.'ffixf3
317
i..g4= Ivanchuk; 27 ... ςtJxg7! 28.dxc6 ~e6
29.~c3 (29.l::ιa3 i..c4 30.'ffib2+ ςtJh7 31.lbd4
1:!.b8+) 29 ... J::!.b8 30.a4 (30.a31:!.xb5 31. 'ffixb5
'ffixf2+ 32.ςtJh1 e3) 30 ... tιJxb4+
27.fxe3 bxc6 28.dxc6 .ιι.h6?
Those time troubles ... Black should
have played 28 ... i..e6 29.J::!.fl 'ffie7 30.J::!.bb1
(30.ZΙxf8?! ttxf8 31 . .ιι.χg7 'ffixg7 32.J::!.b1
'ffie5+ Ponomariov) J::!.xf1+ 31.lbxf1 ~g4
32. 'ffid2 i..xd4!? 33.lbxd4 'ffie4 34.ZΙe1 J:ί.f8~
29.e4! i..e6?
This is the end. Black still could have
held out after 29 ... lbb8! 30.tιJa7 .ιι.f5 3UΙf3
'ffig8 32.e5 dxe5 33.i..c5 J::!.f6 34.b5 e4°o
(Ponomariov) .
30.tιJxd6! cxd6 31.ttf3 'ffie7?!
31 ... ~f5 32.'ffixa6 ZΙxe4± (Ponomariov),
but I'd estimate this position more strictly.
32.'ffixa6 ttxf3 33.lbxf3 .ιι.g4 34.'ffid3?!
Both opponents have ηο time. White
wins easily after 34.ttω? 'ffixe4? 35.tte1
'ffixf3 36.'ffib7+
34 ... d5! 35.e5
35.exd5? 'ffid6! 36.ςtJg2 'ffixd5 37.1Η1
'ffixc6~
35 ... nf8?
Missing a chance: 35 ... 'ffixb4 36.lbh4
J::!.e6 37.lab1 'ffia5± (Ponomariov). Νο further
comments needed.
36.i..c5 'ffif7 37.i..xf8 'ffixf8 38.1:ΗΙ
'ffixb4 39.lbh4 'ffie4 40.'ffixe4 dxe4 41.J::!.f7+
Φg8 42.J::!.f6 i..e3+ 43.~f1 i..b6 44.e6 e3
45 ..tIxg6+ ςtJf8 46.Iϊxg4 hxg4 47.lbf5 1-0
Well, new time controls (not to mention
those super new and experimental ones)
aren't made for precise play and fine art ...
318 Super Tournaments 2000

Group C

1 Bareev 2702

2 Movsesian 2666

3 Svidler 2689

4 Zhang Zhong 2636

5 Fedorov 2646

6 Rizouk 2350

There was the most intricate situation ίη this group. Thanks to the win over the
evident outsider Rizouk, three players Bareev, Movsesian and Svidler were ahead with
2.5 points. Fedorov and Zhang, who had to play with Rizouk ίη the last round, were half
point behind. Movsesian and Svidler drew quickly, and Zhang unexpectedly could not
defeat Rizouk. Ιη a dramatic game Bareev - Fedorov (game 236) the latter suddenly lost
his extra piece. ΒΥ the way, Bareev would be lucky many times ίη this tournament: both
with Azmaiparashvili and with Milos.

232 Β76 Movsesian after 17 ... ~fc8 18.i..xf5 gxf5

Svidler - Fedorov
Round 1 1.09
l.e4 c5 2.4Jf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.4Jxd4
4Jf6 5.4Jc3 g6 6.i..e3 i..g7 7.f3 4Jc6 8:~d2
ο-ο 9.0-0-0 d5
Alexei Fedorov has already suffered
much ίη this line of the Dragon Variation
at the recent tournament ίη Polanica Zdroj,
but nevertheless he continues to defend
the main line of Black's play.
10.exd5 4Jxd5 11.4Jxc6 bxc6 12.i..d4
P.Svidler was the first to step aside,
having avoided the continuation 12.4Jxd5
cxd513.~xd5 ~c714.~c5 ~b7 15.~a3 i..f5
16.1ιd3 ~ab8 17.b3 ίη which the Byelo-
russian grandmaster was beaten ίη
Polanica Zdroj twice: by Vassily Ivanchuk
after 17 ... ~bc8 18.i..xf5 gxf5 19.~d3 ~c6
20.c4 ~f6 21.~hdl ~c6 22.i..d4 e5 23.1ιc3,
and then ίη the fourth round by Sergei
19.~d3 ~c7 20.c4 a5 21.~hdl ~a8 22.~d7
~e5 23.i..d4 ~f4+ 24 ...t>bl.
12 ....txd4 13.~xd4 ~c7 14.~c5 4Jxc3
15. ~xc3 .te6 16.i..d3 c5
The game Morozevich - Κir.Georgiev,
Sarajevo 2000, developed differently:
16 ... ~ad8 17.~del c5 18 ...t>bl ~d4 19.h4
~d6 20.h5 g5 21.h6 ~d8 22.b3 ffi 23.g3, still
it is final result (1-0) did not offer any rea-
son for Black's optimism.
17.h4 c4?!
17 ... ~f4+ 18 ...t>bl ~M! was much stron-
ger ίη p.svidler's ορίηίοη.
18.i..e4 Iίad8 19.h5 g5?!
Black probably could venture οη 19 ...
~f4+ 20 ...t>bl gxh5.
20.h6 ί6 21.a3 i..f7 22.':I'hel ~g3?!
Α more stubborn resistance could be put
up by means of22 ... e5, though ίη this case
as well after 23.g3 with the following f2-f4
Black had a hard position.
FIDE World Cup
23.~a5!
This strong move shows how hard
Black's position already is.
23 ... ~f4+
The line 23 ... .ί:txdl+ 24 . .ί:txdl ~xg2
25. ~f5 Jιg6 26. ~e6+.iιfΊ 27. ~xe7 was ab-
solutely hopeless for Black, and after
23 ... ~b8 24.1:!:xd8 ~xd8 25. ~f5 ~f4+
26.~xf4 gxf4 White forced by 27.l:ιdl! a
bishop endgame which was very hard for
Black. Ιη case of a relatively better 23 ... J:!.d6
24.MXd6 ~xd6 Black also encountered
great difficulties after 25 ..ί:tdl! (25.~xa7
was weaker because of25 ... f5! 26 ..iιb7 c3).
24.'it>bl1:!:xdl+ 25 ..ί:txdl g4 26.~xa7 c3
The continuation 26 ... f5 27.Jιd5 .txd5
28 ..ί:txd5 ~xh6 29. ~xe7 did not suit Black
as well.
27.~xe7 ~xh6 28.b3 f5
After this move the game will end very
quickly.
29.Jιxί5 gxf3
The combination 29 ... Jιxb3 30.cxb3
.ί:txf5 is irrelevant because of 31.lId8+
30.gxf3 ~b6 31.Jιxh7+ 1-0
233 C65
Svidler - Zhang Zhong
Round 2 2.09
l.e4 e5 2.4Jf3 4Jc6 3.Jιb5 4Jf6 4. ~e2
P.Svidler refuses to play the Brazilian
Variation which would be possible after
4.0-04Jxe4.
4 ... Jιc5 5.c3 ~e7 6.0-0 ο-ο 7.1:tdl d6
8.h3 .td7 9.d3
319
White plans an exchange of the dark-
squared bishop, this is why he does not go
for a more active 9.d4 Jιb6.
9 ... a6 10 ..1ιa4 .1ιa7 1l . .1ιe3
Previously οηlΥ 11 ..1ιc2 has been seen
ίη this position.
1l ... .1ιχe3 12.~xe3 .ί:tfe8
Black is not ready for 12 ... 4Jd4 because
after 13.cxd4 .iιxa4 14 ..ί:tcl J:!.ac8 the white
knight can get to a good position by 15.4Jc3.
13.i.b3
White's rejection of a natural 13.4Jbd2
can be explained probably by the fact that
after 13 ... 4Jd4 14.cxd4 Jιxa4 15.1:tdcl J:!.ac8
the position of th~ white queen's knight
would get worse.
13 ... 4Ja5 14 •.1ιc2 c5!
Played ίη a good, strict positional man-
ner. At the same time 14 ... d5, increasing
pressure ίη the centre, was to White's
favour after 15.4Jbd2.
15.4Jbd2 b5
16.d4
This programmed advance will not
bring White any special benefit. Black is
prepared for it well, because his pieces are
ready to occupy the squares ίη the centre,
which will be freed after the pawns will be
exchanged.
16... cxd4 17.cxd4 exd4 18.4Jxd4 4Jc6
19.1:!:el ~ac8 20.4J2f3 4Je5 21.1:tadl ~c5
Black positions his pieces conveniently.
22.4Jh4 4Jc4 23.~cl g6 24.b3 4Je5
25.~d2 4Jh5 26.4Jhf3 ~f6 27.J:ιe3 4Jf4
28.J.bl1:tec8 29.'ίt>h2 h6 30.4Jgl?
For the last several moves Black got
320 Super Tournαments 2000

much more than White, but all his micro adherent and advocate of the move 2.c3,
merits could have been cancelled with a prefers here 5.dxe5. This move occurred
mere 30.lίJxe5 dxe5 (30 ... §'xe5? was bad ίη the practice of S.Movsesian: after
because of 31.lίJf3 as well as 30 ... ~xe5? 5 ... dxe5 6.lίJf3lίJc6 7.lίJa3 .te7 8 ..tg5lίJh5
because of3U~f3) 31.lίJf3 (31.lίJe2 was also 9 ..txe7 §'xe7 10 ..tb5 ο-ο 11.lίJd2lίJf4 12.g3
possible, because 31 ... lίJxh3 32.gxh3 §'xf2+ lίJg2+ 13. We2 .th3 14. §'c2 §'g5 there was
33.Wh1 gave Black ηο real attack), main- a keen struggle ίη the game Haba -
taining the balance. Movsesian, Κoszalin 1998.
5 ...lίJc6 6.d5 lίJe7 7 ..tg5
White leaves the path of theory. Mter
7.0-0 g6 8.lίJfd2 .tg7 9.lίJc4 ο-ο 10.f4 b5
11.fxe5 dxe5 12.lίJe3 .td7 13.c4 b4 14.lίJd2
White got better chances ίη the game
Zhang Zhong - Movsesian, Elista 1998.
7 ...lίJg6 8 ..tb5+ .td7 9 ..txf6 gxf610.a4
a6 11 ..txd7+ ~xd7 12.lίJbd2
White would have a fine position if he
had time to prevent the advantage f6-f5,
but he was deprived ofthis opportunity.
12 ... f5 13.~c2 fxe4 14.lίJxe4 iιe7
30... §'h4!
Now the whole army of Black's pieces
is ready to attack the white king.
31.~g3
The rook goes into the very hell to save
the king and as a result, perishes. How-
ever, White did not have already a better
continuation. After 31.lίJgf3 Black won
with 31 ... lίJg4+ 32.Wg1 lίJxh3+ 33.gxh3
§'xh3, and ίη case of31.g3 the solution was
31 ... lίJg4+ 32.Wh1 §'h5.
31 ... lίJh5 32.lίJdf3
There was ηο 32. §'xh6 because of 15.lίJg3
32 .. .'~Jg4+. White sacrifices the pawn ίη order to
32 ... §'f6 block up the advance fΊ-f5. Mter 15.0-0 f5
Obviously White willlose an exchange 16.lίJg3 ο-ο both sides had chances.
now. 15... lίJf4 16.0-0 lίJxd5 17.~adl ~e6
33.lίJxe5 §'xe5 34.lίJf3 §'e7 35.e5lίJxg3 There was an alternative: 17 ... ~c6, but
36.fxg3 .tc6 37.exd6 §'f6 38.~f1 ~d8 after 18.lίJh5 (if .18.lίJf5, then 18 ... lίJf4)
39:~xh6 ~xd6 40.~el ~h5 0-1 18 ... lίJc7 (ίη case of18 ... 0-0-0 Black had to
reckon with 19. §'f'5+, returning the pawn)
234 Β22 19.1:ι:fe1 White was compensated for the
Rizouk - Movsesian pawn.
Round 3 3.09 18.lίJf5
White refuses to play the position after
1.e4 c5 2.c3 d6 3.d4 lίJf6 4 ..td3 e5 18. §'e4lίJf4 19. §'xb7 ο-ο where Black will
5.lίJf3 have an initiative.
Grandmaster E.8veshnikov, the main 18... ~g8
FIDE World Cup
There was ηο 18 ... 0-0-0?? because of
19 ..ί:.χd5.
19:~e4 tΔf6?
Black disposes of his material advan-
tage rather generously. Mter 19 ... tΔf4 20.g3
0-0-0 21.tΔh1 there was a keen struggle
with mutual chances.
20. ~xb7 ~d8 21.tΔxe7 ~xe7 22. ~xa6
Φf8 23.~fel e4 24.tΔd2
White begins to pull back his pieces,
though there still was an opportunity to
struggle for the d4-square by 24. ~b6 d5
25.b4 cxb4 26.tΔd4 or 24.b4 cxb4 25.cxb4.
24 ... d5 25.~e2 .ί:.g6 26.c4 dxc4 27.
tΔxc4 .ί:.d4 28.tΔe3?!
Το play 28. ~c2! first was much better,
and only then 29.tΔe3.
28 ... ~e5?
Mter 28 ... 1:!.xa4 29.J:ιa1 1:!.xa1 30.~xa1
~b7 the material balance was maintained,
and Black's drawing chances were quite
real notwithstanding White's positional
advantage.
29.a5 tΔh5
30.J:ιal?
Now White overlooked an opportunity
to win at once with 30.~b5! J:ιxd1 (30 ... tΔf4
was also losing because of 31.J:ιxd4 ~xd4
32. ~b8+ Φe7 33.tΔf5+ as well as 30 ... ~b4
because of 31 ..ί:.d8+ r:JJg7 32.~e8) 31.~xd1
tΔf4 32.a6 tΔxg2 (if 32 ... ~g5, then there
was 33.a7 tΔxg2 34.a8~+ r:JJg7 35.J:ιd5)
33.tΔxg2 ~g5 34. ~b8+ r:JJg7 35. ~g3, and
Black's attack was stalled.
30 ... tΔf4 31.~f1 J:ιd7!
Movsesian finds a way to complicate the
321
play. The natural 31 ... I!d2 led Black to a
defeat because of 32.a6 tΔh3+ 33.Φh1
tΔxf2+ 34.'~xf2 nxf2 35.a7.
32.a6 ~a7!?
As if with a presentiment of a radical
turn Black refused from a forced draw af-
ter 32 ... ~xb2 33.a7 I!xa7 34.~xa7 tΔh3+
35.Φh1 tΔxf2+ 36.tΔgl tΔh3+.
33.~b5 cj;;g7 34.b4?
It was possible to feel that White was
totally disoriented. 34.kIed1? was also bad
because of 34 ... ~f6, and ίη case of 35 ..!:i.d2,
covering f2, Black had 35 ... tΔxg2! 36.tΔxg2
~g5. White should have played 34.~ec1!
even though after 34 ... tΔd3 (ηο 34 ... ~f6
35 ..!::tc2 ~xa6? because of 36 ..ti.xa6 ~xa6
37.tΔf5+) 35.l:tc2 f5 Black's initiative was
worth a pawn.
34 ... tΔd3 35.J:ιf1 tΔxb4 36.l:tacl tΔd3
37.~al h5 38.tΔc4?
White makes another mistake. Mter
38.~a4 with the idea of f2-f3 White has a
draw, whereas 38 ... ~f6 which is similar to
the move ίη the game could be parried with
38.~e8.
38... ~f6 39. ~b8?
Mter 39.tΔe3 Iίxa6 (ίη case of 39 ... ~f3
White had 40.1:!.a3) White would have lost
gradually. Mter the move ίη the game he
loses immediately.
39 ... ~f3 40.tΔe3 tΔf4 41.tΔf5+ Φh7
42.tΔh41:!.xg2+ 43.ΦhΙ ~gl+ 0-1
235 C45
Svidler - Rizouk
Round 4 4.09
l.e4 e5 2.tΔf3 tΔc6 3.d4
P.Sνidler reminds us that apart from his
usual Ruy Lopez he knows the Scotch as
well.
3 ... exd4 4.tΔxd4 tΔf6 5.tΔxc6 bxc6 6.e5
~e7 7.~e2 tΔd5 8.c4 .i.a6
The system which is chosen by Black is
strategically rather risky, because if he
fails to gain some specific advantage, then
his light-squared bishop which is elimi-
nated by the white pawns will constitute a
322
considerable weakness.
9.b3 g6 10.f4 iιg7 1l.tH'2lbf6 12.iιe2
d6
The line 12 ...lbe4 13.'~e3 f5 14.iιa3 d6
15.lbd2 g5 16.exd6 lbxd6 17.iιh5+ 'it>f8
18. ~xe7+ 'it>xe7 19.0-0-0 gave White a bet-
ter ending ίη the game Goloshchapov -
Moiseenko, Ordzhonikidze 2000.
13.iιa3!
Ιη the game Van der Wiel - Beliavsky,
Groningen 1994, they played 13.iιf3 ο-ο
14.0-0 iιb7 15.iιb2 lbd7 16.exd6 cxd6
17.iιxg7 <tJxg7 18.lbc3 whereupon White
held a slight advantage.
13 ... 0-0 14.lbc3lbd715.0-0 f616.exd6
cxd617.l:i:adl
Now Black's serious problems are evi-
dent.
17 ...lbc5 18.iιf3 ί5
19.1ba4!
Mter this move Black's position will fall
apart like a house of cards.
19... lbxa4 20 ..txd6 ~π 21.iιxf8 1:txf8
22.bxa4 ~xc4 23. ~xa7 Ι:.Π 24. ~b8+ 1:tf8
25.~d6 I:.c8 26.~fel ~xa4 27.~e6+ <tJh8
28.~xc8+! 1-0
White's ordinary combination finishes
the destruction of Black's position. 28 ...
.txc8 29.I:.e8+ iιf8 30.l:i:xf8+ Φg7 31.1::txc8
~a7+ 32.Φh1 ~xa2 33.::tc7+
236 Ε73
Bareev - Fedorov
Round 5 5.09
l.d4 lbf6 2.c4 g6 3.lbc3 iιg7 4.e4 d6
Super Tournαments 2000
5.iιe2 ο-ο 6.iιg5
Ιη this important game E.Bareev chose
his old and tested weapon against the
Κing's Indian Defence, the Averbakh Vaήa­
tion.
6 ... lba6 7.f4 ~e8 8.lbf3 e5 9.fxe5 dxe5
10.d5 h6 11.iιxί6 iιxf6 12.a3 c5
12 ... ~e7 13.0-0 ~d8 14.I:.b1 c5 15. ~d2
iιg7 16.ktfd1 iιd7 17.b4 ~d6 18.~e3 iιf8
19.1bb5 .txb5 20.cxb5 lbc7 21.lbd2 cxb4
22.axb4lbe8 23.lbc4 occurred ίη the game
Mohr - Miles, Bad Wοeήshοfeη 1990, with
White's slightly better chances.
13.0-0 i.d7 14.I:.bl ~e7 15.b4 ~d6
16.lbb5 ~b6
A.Fedorov needed a victory at any cost
ίη this game, so he rejected the line
16 ... iιxb5 17.cxb5 lbc7 18. ~d2 cxb4 19.
axb4, which would be similar to the game
Mohr - Miles.
17.ΦhΙ lIac8 18.~el iιg7 19.~g3
cxb4
There was an opportunity to maintain
tension with 19 ... I:.fe8, but Black decided
that it was the time for action.
20.axb4 iιxb5 21.cxb5 lbb8?!
Probably 21 ... lbc7 22.lbxe5 iιxe5 23.
~xe5 ~ce8! 24.~f4 (24.~f6 ~xf6 25.I:.xf6
!Ixe4 26 ..tf3 was dangerous because of
26 ... 1:!:d4 with a dreadful threat of27 ... lbe8)
24 ... lbxd5 with an equality was more reli-
able.
22.lbxe5 ~d4
23.lbxf7!
White should act decisively or Black can
take the initiative.
FIDE World Cup 323

23 ...1::!.xf7 24.l:txf7 cJιxf7 25.i.g4 1:I.d8 mately equal.

26.i.e6+ cJιe7 27.1:ίη i.f6?! 30.. :~b6 31:~h5
Black defends not ίη the best way. There Generally, an exchange of the queen is
was a better 27 ... Sιe5 28.'~χg6:ι:ι.f8 29.:ι:ι.c1 objectionable, but there are too few re-
(of course ηο 29.11xf8?? because of 29 ... sources for conducting the attack.
~d1 +, and 29 ..1:Η7+ 11xf7 30.~xf7+ cJιd6 31 ... ~xb5 32.:cϊ.dl 1:ίf6 33.~g4 ~d6
31. ~f8+ cJιc7 was impossible, because 34.ΪtcllΔd7 35.~g8 ~xb4
32.~c5+ ~xc5 33.bxc5 a5 lost White's 35 ... lΔf8 looked good too.
game, whereas ίη case of29.Sιf5 there was 36.Sιxd7 cJιxd7 37.~g4+ ~d6 38.~c8
29 ... ~b6) 29 ... ~b2 (incase of29 ... ~c3 there
was a simple 30.~xh6) 30.~xh6 :ι:ι.h8
31.~g5+ cJιd6, and all the struggle was
ahead.
28. ~xg6 Ϊtf8 29.h3?!
29. ~xh6 left better chances for a suc-
cessful attack.
29 ... i.e5 30.Sιf5?
Α major mistake which might lose
White's game.Mter 30.11c1! ~c3 (there is
ηο 30 ... ~e3?? because of 3UΞ'fh7+ ~d6
32.~c7#) 31.~xh6 ~g3 32.~h7+ cJιf6! (ίη 38... ~b6??
case of32 ... Sιg7 there was 33.Sιf5) 33.11Π + Virtually, this blunder defined the win-
Sιf4 (33 ... ~g5? was bad because of34.h4+!) ner ofthe group C. Mter 38 ... Φe7 White's
34.~f5+ cJιg7 35.~g4+ ~xg4 36.Sιxg4 Sιd6 chances for a draw were very low.
the chances of both sides were approxi- 39.~b8+ ~d7 40.~xe5 1-0

GroupD
2 4

1 Anand 2762 3.5

2 Gelfand 2681 3

3 Tkachiev 2657 3

4 Tregubov 2620 2.5

5 Κhalifman 2667 2

6 Tissir 2342 1

The strongest preliminary group. The World Champion, the Champion of Europe
and also Anand and Gelfand played here. The World Champion Κhalifman had ηο luck:
324 Super Tournαments 2000

he missed the drawing opportunity 26 ... ~e5! playing with Anand (game 238), and ίη
the game with Gelfand (game 240) he forgot to make the necessary move 16. ~h5 and
simply lost a piece. Ιη the last round Gelfand, playing White, was very nervous and
could not defeat Tissir (ELO difference is more than 300 points!). 80, he had to play the
tie-break with Tkachev.

237 Β63
Anand - Tissir
Round 1 1.09

l.e4 c5 2.l2Jf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.l2Jxd4

l2Jf6 5.l2Jc3l2Jc6 6 ...tg5 e6 7.~d2 .iιe7 8.0-
ο-ο ο-ο 9.l2Jb3 ~b610.f3lId811.l2Jb51::[d7
12.t'fel t'fd8?!
Black has chose a keen variation ofthe
Rauzer Variation but plays without due
accuracy. 12 ... a6 13 ..iιe3 ~d8 14.l2J5d4 is
the main line of Black's play here.
13.g4
After 13.h4 a5 14.a4 e5 15.g3 l2Je8
16 ..iιe3 d5 17 ...th3 d4 18 ..iιd2 Black also
encountered serious difficulties in the
game Nunn-Pelletier, Germany 1999, and
was forced to lose an exchange.
13...b6
This move looks bizarre for the 8icilian
Defence with castlings οη different flanks.
13 ... a6 14.l2J5d4 was better.
14.h4 ..tb7 15.l2J5d4 l2Jxd4 16.l2Jxd4
J::rc8 17.'it>bl a6 18 ..iιcl1:[dc7 19.95 l2Jd7
20.k:th2!
Black wanted to create a threat to the
pawn οη 2, but White defends easily.
20 ... d5
Since the black bishop has left c8, the
e6-square will be helpless after White con-
ducts a break-through g5-g6. Understand-
ing this, Black tries to annihilate the white
knight οη d4, but at a too dear cost of the
dark-squared bishop. Το be honest, hardly
there are any good recommendations for
Black ίη this position already.
21.e5 ..tc5 22.h5 .iιxd4 23.nxd4 l2Jf8
24 ..iιd3l:!:d7
25.g6! 1-0
Why? Probably because he did not want
to see his position fall apart like a house of
cards after 25 ... fxg6 26.hxg6 h6 27 ..iιxh6!
gxh6 28.12:xh6. There was ηο satisfactory
defence from a mate. 80, in case of25 ... ~g5
(if28 ... ~e7, then 29.g7! solved, and in the
game 28 ... 'it>g7 White won with 29.~h1
~g5 30.1::[h81:tdc7 31.f4) White won with a
plain 29.l:!:dh4 d4 30.J::r4h5 ~d8 31.1::[h8+
ιJJg7 32. ~d2.
238 Β80
Anand - Khalifman
Round 2 2.09
l.e4 c5 2.l2Jf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.l2Jxd4
l2Jf6 5.l2Jc3 a6 6.JTιe3 e6 7.f3 b5 8.g4 h6
9.~d2l2Jbd7 10.0-0-0 .iιb7 11.h4
The opponents play one ofthe most topi-
cal modern variations, the English Attack.
Ιη the tournament practice ofViswanathan
Anand this structure has occurred many
times, whereas Alexander Κhalifman plays
this variation in a serious game with Black
for the first time. As for White's last move,
FIDE World Cup
it brought him many disappointments for
the last half-year, so now the moνe 11 ...Itd3
becomes more popular.
11 ...b4 12.ltJa4 ~a5 13.b3 ltJc5 14.a3
~c8
Owing to this strong moνe, introduced
into tournament practice by Boris Gelfand,
Black scored success ίn this νariation re-
cently. Another Black's opportunity is con-
nected with 14 ... ltJxa4 15.axb4 ~c7 16.bxa4
d5 17.e5ltJd7 18.f4ltJb6.
15.~xb4 ~c7
16.'>t>b1!
After 16.ltJxc5 dxc5 17.~a4+ ltJd7
18.ltJe2 c4 19.b4 (nο better was 19.bxc4 ~c6
20. ~b3ltJc5 21 ...Itxc5 ..Itxc5 22.l:!.d3 ο-ο with
Black's good play, Tiνiakoν - Van Wely,
Rotterdam 2000, but a keen 19 ...Itf4 ~c6
20.~xc6 ~xa3+ 21.'>t>b1 J:ί.xc6 22.ltJd4 Mc8
23.~xc4 e5 24.ltJf5 which occurred ίn the
game T.Ernst - Agrest, Oerebro 2000, is
probably still waiting for a real test)
19 ... ..Itc6 20. ~xa6 l:!.a8 21. ~xc4 ~xa3
22 ...Itf4 ~b7 Black got a promising position
ίn the game Anand - Gelfand, Monaco
2000.
16... ltJcd7
Α new moνe. Only 16 ... ltJfd7 17.ltJb2 d5
18. ~d2 dxe4 19.f4 occurred preνiously
V.Potkin - V.Beloν, Moscow 2000.
17.~d2 d5 18 ...Ith3 dxe4 19.95 hxg5
20.hxg5ltJd521.fxe4?!
V.Anand's coach Elizbar Ubilaνa points
out this line as White's opportunity to de-
νelop an initiatiνe: 21 ...Itxe6! Mxh1 22.
..Itxd7+ ~xd7 23 ..1::ϊΧh1 exf3 24.~f2.
325
21 ... ltJxe3 22.~xe3ltJe5
Mter 22 ... ~xh3 23.krxh3 e5 24.ltJc3 exd4
25. ~xd4 White's rook and two pawns
looked better than Black's two bishops.
23.~hf1 ..Itxa3
23 ... g6!?, preνenting subsequent
White's play, deserνed attention.
24.g6!
The beginning of a grand plan.
24...ltJxg6 25 ...Itxe6 fxe6 26.ltJxe6 ~e7?
Black disregards a νery strong continu-
ation. 26 ... ~xc2+? was impossible because
after 27.'>t>a1 White's threats are irresist-
ible. But ίn case of 26 ... ~e5! White's at-
tack and Black's defence should be equal-
ized. Later it is possible to play 27. ~b6
..Itxe4 28 ..1::ϊd8+ (after 28.ltJxg7+ '>t>e7! there
is nο satisfactory continuation for White's
attack) 28 ... '>t>e7 and now ίn Anand's ορίn­
ίοn ίn case ofthe strongest 29.ltJf8! Xιxc2+
(this line leads to Black's defeat: 29 ... nxd8?
30. ~a7+ '>t>d6 31 ..1::ϊd1 +) 30.~a2ltJxf8!? (this
one leads to a draw by means of the per-
petual check: 30 ... .1::ϊχd6 31. ~b7+ '>t>d6
32.~xa6+) 31 ..1::ϊχc8 ltJd7 32.~xa6 .1::ϊχc8
33.~xc8 ~xb3+ 34.'>t>xb3 ~b5+ 35.'>t>xa3
~xf1 36.ltJc3 despite Black's extra pawn,
ίn νiew of the paucity of the remained
material, the game should end ίn a draw.
27.~b6
Let's regard this position closer. White
is threatening with 28.ltJxg7+ ~xg7
29. ~xe6+ ~e7 30. ~xg6+ with a mate.
Black has to undertake something imme-
diate against this threat.
27 ... ltJf8!?
It is hard to say whether this continua-
tion was the strongest or Black had a bet-
ter resource. There seemed to be nο good
defence for the knight. Mter 27 ... ..Itxe4
there was 28.ltJxg7+! ~xg7 29. ~xe6+
again, and Black suffered because his rook
οn c8 was not coνered, and ίn case of
27 ... .1::ϊh6 there was a strong 28.J::ι.d8+! .1::ϊΧd8
(nο 28 ... ~xd8 because of 29.ltJxg7+ '>t>d7
30. ~xb7+ 'itd6 31.e5+, White mating ίn six
moνes at most) 29.ltJc7+ ~d7 30. ~xb7 'itd6
31.~b6+ Φd7 (after 31 ... Φe5 the solution
326 Super Tournαments 2000

was 32.~a5+ Φd6 33 ..ί:tdl+ ~c6 34.~b6#) lIc7 33.J:tdl+ tΔd7 34.tΔb6 iιxe4 35.Iί:xd7+
32.l::tdl + ~d6 (White mated after 32 ... Jtd6 nxd7 36.tΔxd7+ ΦΧd7 37.~xa3 Jtb7 Black
33.tΔc5+ ~c8 34. ~b7# or 32 ... cJtc8 33. could haνe hoped for an escape as the
~xa6+ Φχc7 34. ~a7+ Φc8 35.tΔb6#) struggle was localized οη the queenside)
33 ..ί:txd6+ iιxd6 34.tΔe6! and the threat of 32 ... Jtd6 33. ~g5+ Φc7 34. ~a5! (it was im-
a check with the knight from c5 decided portant not to allow Black to consolidate,
the game ίη White's faνour. Therefore after 34.tΔxd7 tΔxd7 35.1:tdl1:th6 36.~xg7
there was a choice οηlΥ between 27 ... tΔf8 1:te6 his position could haνe been defended
and 27 ... tΔe5. Ιη the latter case after νery well) 34 ... 1:th5 35. ~xh5 Φχb6 36. ~e8
28.!Id8+! ~xd8 29.tΔc7+ Φd7 30.~xb7 ~g5 Φc7 37.1:txf8 Jtxf8 38. ~xf8, and Black lost
(30 ... ~h4 deserνed attention too) White as there was ηο 38 ... Jtxe4? because of
had not οηlΥ a perpetual check, but also a 39. ~f4+, losing the bishop.
promising 31.b4!! Jtxb4 (after 31 ... ~e7 31 ... Φe7 32.~e5+ tΔe6 33. .ί:tgl Φf7?!
32.tΔd5+ \t>e8 33.tΔc5 White's attack was Black oνerlooked the opportunity to
also νery powerful) 32.4:Jxa6+ Φe8 33.tΔc7+ struggle for a draw: after 33 ... 1:th6 34.
\t>d7 34.tΔd5+ Φe6 (and ίη case of 34 ... Φe8 I:ι.xg7+ Φe8 it seemed that Black's pieces
35.~b5+ 1:!.d7 36.tΔc7+ Φe7 37.~xb4+ the were hanging ίη the air, but there was still
attacking waνe caught Black) 35.tΔxb4 ηο obνiously decisiνe continuation for
~e7 36.~b6+ ~d6 37.tΔc5+ Φe7 38.~b7+ White. Ιη case of a forced 35.1:txd7 ΦΧd7
I:ι.d7 (ηο use ίη 38 ... tΔd7 because of39.tΔc6+ 36.tΔb6+ Φe8 37.4:Jd5 Black held out with
and 38 ... Φe8 was also helpless because of 37 ... Jte7 or 37 ... Jtf8.
39.~xg7) 39.tΔxd7 ~xd7 40.tΔd5+ Φe6 34.4:Jb6 .a:hd8 35.~a2!
41.tΔf4+ Φe7 42.4:Jg6+ tΔxg6 43.1::tf7+ Φχf7 White does not force the eνents. The
44. ~xd7+ a queen and two pawns against longer White's knight stays οη the board,
Black's rook and knight would most likely the less pleasant it is for Black. An imme-
guarantee White a νictory. diate 35.tΔxd7 .ί:txd7 36.J:ιg6!? 1::te7 (ηο
36 ... 1:tdl + because of 37 .~a2 Φχg6 38.
~xe6+ Φh7 39.Φχa3) 37.1:txe6 ~xe6 38.
~f4+ ~e7 (if 38 ... 'it>g6, then 39.~f5+)
39. ~c7+ \t>f6 40. ~xb7 led to a position
where the insufficiency ofthe material οη
the board left some drawing chances for
Black notwithsta"1.ding White's material
adνantage.
35... iιf8?!
Leading to a quick end, though after
35 ... 1:td6 35.tΔc4! Black also had ηο real
chances.
28.1:td8+! 36.tΔxd7 1:txd7 37.~f5+ Φe7 38.l::tf1
The furious storm of Black's position iιc8 39.~f7+ Φd6 40.e5+ 1-0
continues.
28 ...1:txd8 29.tΔc7+ ~xc7
Mter 29 ... Φd7 30.~xb7 Black cannot 239 Ε04
escape despite the extra rook. Khalifman - Tissir
30.~xc71:td7 31.~b8+?! Round 3 3.09
It seems White checked from a wrong
square. Mter 31.~e5+! Φd8 (if 31 ... iιe7, l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.tΔf3 tΔf6 4.g3 dxc4
then 32.tΔc5) 32.tΔb6 (ίη case of 32.~a5+ 5.iιg2 iιb4+
FIDE World Cup
Black played very inconsistently ίη this
game. Ifhe had planned to check with the
bishop he should have made this οη his
fourth move before the capture οη c4.
6 ..ltd2 Jιe7 7.0-0 ο-ο 8:~c2 a6
The check οη the fifth move could make
sense οηlΥ ίη connection with the line
8 ... .ltd7 9.liΊe5 liΊc6, though even ίη this
variation White is better after 10. ~xc4,
according to the theory.
9.~xc4 b5 10:~c2 Jιb7
Now we have a well known theoretical
position (usually it appears after 4 ... Jιe7
5.Jιg2 ο-ο 6.0-0 dxc4 7.~c2 a6 8.~xc4 b5
9.~c2 Jιb7 10.Jιd2), but with a significant
difference: White is to move. It is evident
that White's extra tempo will tell οη very
soon.
11.1::rcl .ltd6 12 ..ltg5
White's first task is not to allow Black
to accomplish the advance c7-c5.
12 ... tUbd7 13.Jιxf6!
Ιη case of 13.liΊbd2 White had to reckon
with 14 ... c5 14.Jιxf6 gxf6 (there was ηο
14... ~xf6? because of 15.liΊe5) 15.liΊe4 Jιxe4
16.~xe4 f5 17.~c6 (if 17.~b7, then 17 ...
~c8) 17 ... ~e7, and White's advantage was
not very large.
13...liΊxf6
Now 13 ... gxf6 gives Black already noth-
ing because of 14.liΊg5! fxg5 15.Jfιxb7 .J::ta7
16.Jιc6 whereupon he can οηlΥ dream
about c7-c5.
14.liΊbd2 .J::tc8 15.tUb3 Jιe4
16:~c3!
However curious it may seem, all this
327
until White's last move occurred previ-
ously. After 16. ~d2 .ιtd5 17.liΊe1 .ιtxg2
18.Φχg2 e5 19.dxe5 .ιtxe5 20.~xd8 J:Ifxd8
2Ulab1liΊd7 22.liΊd3 White got an advan-
tage ίη the game Garcia Gonzales - Vilela,
Havana 1982. The move which was made
by the FIDE World Champion Alexander
Κhalifman is still stronger because it com-
plicates the advance e6-e5 for Black.
16... .ltd5 17.liΊfd2
The exchange of the light-squared
bishop will make the play ίη the centre
more convenient for White and at the same
time it will emphasize the weakness of
Black's queenside.
17... Jιxg2 18.'it>xg2 b4
Black weakens his queenside even more
ίη order to perform e6-e5. Mter 18 ... c6
19.e4, 18 ... liΊd7 19.1iΊe4 or 18 ... liΊd5 19. ~c6
tUb4 20. ~f3 he was also not very good.
19.~c6 e5 20.dxe5 .ιtxe5 21.liΊc4 ~e7
22.e4!
White does not need to hurry to win the
mateήal. Mter 22. ~xa6 c5 Black might get
a counterplay, as all white pieces would be
collected οη the queenside.
22 ...1:!.fe8 23.J::!.f1
Another prophylactic move. After 23.f4
.ltxf4 24.gxf4 liΊh5 25.f5 ~h4 unnecessary
complications were possible.
23 ... ~d7 24:~xd7liΊxd7
Mter the exchange of the queens Black
is deprived of any hope for a counterplay.
25.f4 .ltd6 26.Φf'3 JιίB 27.J:Iacl tUb6
28.liΊba5 .J::tcd8 29.I:!.cdl h5 30.liΊe3 J::!.xdl
Apart from the present problems Black
gives υρ the d-file. Probably he could have
defended more persistently after 30 ... liΊa4,
though the result ίη case of 31.liΊac4 was
still certaill.
31.J:IxdlliΊa4 32.liΊac4 liΊb6 33.e5 a5
Black attempts to show some activity
ίη order not to be strangled ίη his own
camp.
34.liΊxa5 !ιa8 35.liΊc6 I:!.xa2 36.:td8 :ta8
Ιη case of 36 ... g6 37.f5 ~a8 38.l:1xa8
liΊxa8 39.fxg6 (39.f6 was also not bad, Black
played practically without the king ίη this
328
case) 39 ... fxg6 40.e6 il.d6 41.CLJc4 White
would have sent his king into the centre of
the board and win.
37.Itxa8 CLJxa8 38.CLJd5
White's pieces dominate totally.
38... CLJb6
If38 ... b3, then Black lost after 39.We4.
39.CLJdxb4 ~xb4 40.CLJxb4 c5 41.CLJd3
c4 42.CLJc5 CLJd5 43.CLJa4 wh7 44.We4 1-0
240 Β81
Khalίfman - Gelfand
Round 4 4.09
l.e4 c5 2.CLJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.CLJxd4
CLJf6 5.CLJc3 a6 6.1ιe3 e6 7.g4 e5
Not long ago Black had been afraid of
making this important move and preferred
a modest 7 ... h6, but for the last month
there were played several interesting
games of great theoretical importance ίη
this variation.
8.CLJf5 g6 9.g5 gxf5 10.exf5 d5 11:~f3
Ιη case of 1l.gxf6 Black defends his ρο­
sition. 80, the recent game Z.Almasi -
8vidler, Polanica Zdroj 2000, developed as
follows: 1l ... d4 12.1ιc4 'tf:fc7 13. 'tf:fd3 dxe3
14.0-0-0 exf2 15.1ιΧf7+! Wxf7 16. 'tf:fd5+ Wxffi
17.CLJe4+ We7! 18.f6+ We8 19.f7+ We7
20.'tf:fd2! 'tf:fb6! 21.'tf:fg5+ Wxf7 22.J:::!.hfl ~h6
23.MXf2+ We8 24.Md8+ 'tf:fxd8 25. 'tf:fxh6 'tf:fe7,
and still White's attack which looked most
dangerous could not give him more than a
draw.
11 ... d4 12.0-0-0 CLJbd7 13.gxf6
The continuation 13.1ιd2 'tf:fc7 is the
most topicalline ofthis variation today. At
the recent Rubinstein Memorial ίη Pola-
nica Zdroj there were two bright games οη
this subject: 14.1ιd3 CLJc5 15.gxf6 dxc3
16.~xc3 'tf:fc6 17. 'tf:fe3 e4, and White's at-
tack stalled 8hirov - 8vidler, Polanica
Zdroj 2000 and 14.gxf6 dxc3 15.1ιχc3 'tf:fc6
16.'tf:fg3 -ih6+ 17.wb1 -tf4 18.'tf:fd3 ο-ο
19.Mg1 + wh8 20.1ιb4 Mg8? (20 ... CLJc5!)
21.Mxg8+ Wxg8 22.1ιe7, and White's attack
decided the game 8hirov - Van Wely,
Super Tournαments 2000
Polanica Zdroj 2000.
13.•. dxc3 14.1ιc4 'tf:fxf6 15.Mhgl
If 15. 'tf:fh5, then 15 ... Mg8.
15 ...h6
Also 15 ... h5 16. 'tf:fd5 1ιh6 17.1ιΧh6
'tf:fxh6+ 18.Wb1 'tf:ff6 19.Mde1 was seen
8imacek - Kalod, 8vetla 1994. At the same
time 15 ... 1ιh6 was not very good for Black
because of 16.il.xf7+! 'tf:fxf7 (if 16 ... Wxf7,
then 17. 'tf:fh5+) 1'7 .il.xh6 'tf:fxa2 18. 'tf:fxc3
with White's rather dangerous attack.
16.Wbl?
Α new, probably unlucky move. 16. 'tf:fh5
-ic5 (if 16 ...CLJc5, then 17.1ιΧf7+) 17.1ιχc5
CLJxc5 18.1ιΧf7+ We7 (ίη case of 18 ... 'tf:fxf7
White had 19.Md8+) 19.1ιg6 cxb2+ 20.wb1
1ιd7 (if20 ... b6, then after 21.f4 e4 22.Md5
White had certain compensation for the
piece) 21.'tf:ff3 occurred previously ίη the
game Badzharani - Rybincev, U88R 1989,
published ίη ΙηΕ 47/282) and demonstrated
that White's initiative should not be un-
derestimated here.
16... CLJc5!
Now Black has ηο particular problems,
whereas White misses a piece.
17.'tf:fe2
White also could not do anything after
17. 'tf:fd5 ίη view of 17 ... il.d7! 18.1ιχc5 -ic6,
and ίη case of 17.Μge11ιΧf5 18.1ιχc5 -ixc5
19. 'tf:fc3 1ιd6 20.f4 a paradoxical 20 ... 0-0-0
is possible and despite the staying of the
white queen and the black king οη the
same file, White cannot use it.
17 ... 1ιΧf5 18.f4 1ιe6 19.fxe5 'tf:fxe5
20.1ιχe6 CLJxe6 21. 'tf:ff3 'tf:fb5 22.b3 'tf:fc6
FIDE World Cup
23.~ί6 1:th7 24.Ιιgf1.ί::1.d8
Black's pieces are getting engaged ίη
the play, and White is unable to create any
real threat to Black.
25 ..ί::I.del .ί::I.d5 26.~cl iιe7 27. ~f3 iιg5
28.~g3 ~d7 29.h4 Jιxcl 30.~g8 i.d2
31.Mxf7+ 1'lxf7 32.~xΠ+ 'it>d8 33 ..!:!.xe6
Md6 34.~g8+ 'it>c7 35.~g7+ ~b8 0-1
241 Ε04
Gelfand - Tissir
Round 5 5.09
l.d4 d5 2.lZΊf3 lZΊf6 3.c4 e6 4.g3 dxc4
5.iιg2 i.b4+ 6.iιd2 i.e7 7.~a4+
Gelfand refused to follow the game
Κhalifman - Tissir, Shenyang 2000, which
after 7.0-0 ο-ο 8.~c2 a6 (bad was 7 ... b5 8.a4
c6 because of9.axb5 cxb510.CLJg5!) 9.~xc4
b5 10.~c2 iιb7 1U~c1 ~d6 12.i.g5 CLJbd7
13.Jιxf6 CLJxf6 14.CLJbd2 .ί::I.c8 15.lZΊb3 iιe4
16. ~c3 gave White a perceptible advan-
tage. Probably he did not want to encoun-
ter something like 7 ... a6 or 7 ... c6 (Black
trying to keep the extra pawn) while ίη case
of an immediate 7.~c2 he had to reckon
with 7 ... b5.
7 ... iιd7 8.~xc4 ~c6 9.0-0 a5?!
Black is wasting time. Usually Black
struggles for an equality here with 9 ... ~d5
or 9 ... CLJbd7.
10.CLJc3 ο-ο 11 ..ί::I.fel
White's plan implies an advance e2-e4,
and Black has to take some measures
against it.
11 ... CLJe4 12.iιί4 Jιd6 13.Jιxd6 ~xd6
14.~d3 CLJxc3 15.bxc3
Of course ηο 15. ~xc3, because after
15 ... i.e4 Black was Οκ.
15 ... iιxf3?!
Black begins to surrender his lines.
15 ... CLJd7 was possible, though after 16.e4
ίη case of an active 16 ... e5 Black had to
reckon with 17.CLJh4.
16.~xf3 c6
After 16 ... CLJc6 17 ..ί::I.ab1 Black's position
was also poor.
329
17.Mabl ~c7 18.Mb2lZΊd7 19.c4 .ί::I.ad8
20.~a3 b6 21 ..1:iebl1Ib8 22.Jιg2 c5 23.d5
White's centre is set ίη motion.
23 ... lZΊe5
23 ... e5 was totally bad because of
24. ~a4!, and if 24 ... f5, then 25.d6!
24.~c3 exd5 25.i.xd5lZΊc6 26.a3 CLJd4
27.e3 CLJc6 28.1::tb5 lZΊe5 29.f4 CLJd7 30.e4
CLJf6 31.e5lZΊxd5 32.cxd5
Α showy position. It seems to be impos-
sible that the avalanche ofWhite's pawns
ίη the centre will be contained.
32 ... f6 33.~5b2
Not enough was 33.d6 ~c6 34. ~b3+
Φh8 35 ..ί::I.xb6 Mxb6 36. ~xb6 because of
36 ... ~e4! with a perpetual check to the
white king.
33 ... fxe5 34.fxe5 .ί::I.fe8 35.d6 ~c6
36.1Idl b5 37.d7 Med8 38 . .ί::I.d6 ~e4
39.Mf2?
This move loses the most part ofWhite's
huge advantage. After 39.e6! c4 (39 ... b4
was not enough because of 40.~xc5 Iιf8
41.h4) 40.~c2 .1:if8 41.Mc1! White made
Black resign with 42.Me1.
39 ... b4 40.axb4 axb4 41.~xc5 b3
42.1::tdd2
After 42.Mb6 Ma8 43.~c3 J::txd7 44.
~xb3+ ~d5 there was a draw ίη the four-
rook endgame despite White's extra pawn.
42 ... .ί::I.xd7!
Black takes use of his chance, and this
tactical blow rewards him with a draw.
43 ..ί::I.xd7 b2 44 ..1:idl
After 44 ..1:ixb2 ~e1+! 45.Φg2 .ί::I.xb2+
46.Φh3 ~f1+47.~g4 ~e2+ (47 ... h5+?! was
330 Super Tournαments 2000

weaker because of 48.Φg5) 48.'\t>f4 ~Π+ 47.~Π+ ~g6! White even lost the game.
49.~g4 White's king suffered from a per- 44 ...bl~ 45.~χbΙ1:ΪχbΙ+ 46.'uf1 ~xf1+
petual check, and in case of a venturesome 47.~xf1 ~hl+ 48,,~gl ~e4 49.~c5 ~hl+
44.1::rxg7+? ~xg7 45. ~c7+ wh6 46 ..ί:lf6+ wh5 50. ~gl1h-l;2

The two winners of each group were qualified to the two-game quarter-finals as
follows:
Group Α Winner vs. Group C Runner-up was Semifinalist G
Group C Winner vs. Group Α Runner-up was Semifinalist Ι
Group Β Winner vs. Group D Runner-up was Semifinalist Η
Group D Winner vs. Group Β Runner-up was Semifinalist J

Ιη the two-game semifinal matches G would play vs. Ι and Η vs. J. The final would be
a two-game match.

Quarter-Finals
Ιη 3 matches the play-off was necessary to define the winiler and only Anand de-
feated Ivanchuk at once. One player from Group Α and one from Group C reached the
final, and two players from Group D (Anand, Gelfand) did it as well, confirming the
thesis that this group was the strongest.

1 2

Anand 2762 1 = 1.5

Ivanchuk 2719 Ο = 0.5

242 Β85 14 ... Cbxd4 (in case of 14 ... ~f8 15.l::!.ad1 e5

Ivanchuk - Anand
Game 1 7.09
l.e4 c5 2.Cbf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Cbxd4
Cbf6 5.Cbc3 a6 6.~e2 e6 7.0-0 .i.e7 8.f4 ο-ο
9.'Jthl ~c7 10.a4 Cbc6 11.~e31::re8 12 ...Itf3
1::rb813.~d2
One of well-known positions of the
Scheveningen Variation. Α keener 13.g4
occurs often too.
13... ~d714.Cbb3
White avoids relieving the play in the
centre. So, in case of 14. ~f2 (it seems that
the Ukrainian grandmaster is especially
attached to this queen manoeuvre) after
16.fxe5 Cbxe5 17 ..i.g5 Cbxf3 18.gxf3 .i.e7
19.~gl..1te6 20.iιh6 g6 21. ~h4 Cbd7 22.~g5
White got an initiative οη the kingside ίη
the game Ivanchuk - H.Olafsson, Thessa-
loniki 1988) 15.iιxd4 e5 16.iιe3 Black
could have equalised easily with 16 ... exf4
17.iιxf4 ~e6 ίη the game Karpov - Kas-
parov, Moscow (m/2) 1985.
14...b6 15 ..ί:[aeΙ
Now again after 15. ~f2 Black equalized
with the help of15 ... Cbb4 16.Cbd4 e5 17.Cbf5
iιxf5 18.exf5 e4 19.Cbxe4 ~xc2 20.1::rfc1
~xf2 21.Cbxf2 d5 ίη the game Ivanchuk -
Kasparov, Linares 1993.
15 .....Itc8
FIDE World Cup
16.e5
Haνing crossed the border of the fifth
rank White begins decisiνe actions ίη the
centre. Howeνer this actiνity will require
him to exchange his light-squared bishop
soon and it may tell οη later.
16... dxe5
16 ... CLJd7!? deserνed attention.
17.JLxc6
17.fxe5!? CLJxe5 18.JLf4 is also of inter-
est and if Black does not want to suffer
under an unpleasant ρίη after 18 ... CLJfd7
19. ~e2 i.d6 20.CLJe4, then the sacrifice of
exchange will be possible: 18 ... CLJxf3!?
19.~xf3 ~a7 20.JLxb8 ~xb8
17 ... ~xc6 18.fxe5 CLJd5
Α passiνe 18 ... CLJd7 is fraught with
troubles after 19. ~f2 ~f8 20. ~g3 ~h8
21.CLJd4 ~c7 22.CLJe4 with the following ίη­
νasion of the knight οη d6.
19.~f2
White performs a queen manoeuνre to f2
as he did ίη the two aboνe mentioned
games, played by V.lνanchuk, but ίη this
time it is slightly more efficient, because
after the adνance e4-e5 the weakness of
the f'Ί-square ίη Black's camp is more
obνious.
19 ... ~f8 20.CLJxd5 ~xd5
With this moνe Black νentures οη a
pawn sacrifice ίη order to obtain a play οη
the big diagonal a8-h1. Ιη case of20 ... exd5
two black bishops were already less
mighty, because the light-squared bishop
which had ηο opponent οη the board was
greatly restricted by the black pawn οη d5,
and White's knight obtained a fine d4-
square ίη the centre of the board. Mter
331
21.CLJd4 ~xa4 Black had to reckon with
22. ~g3 Wh8 23.z:txf'Ί! ~xf'Ί 24.e6.
21.JLxb6 JLb7 22 ...tc5?!
An unlucky decision which allows Black
to deνelop a strong initiatiνe. Mter 22.I:ι.g1!
Black's play was more difficult than ίη the
game because White's queen would be ex-
cused from the need to defend the g2-
square constantly
22 ... JLh4 23.~e2
Ιη case of 23. ~g1 Black was going to
deνelop the initiatiνe by means of 23 ...
JLxe1 24.JLxf8 1:!c8! (with the idea of
25 ... 1:Ixc2) 25 ...tc5 JLh4.
23 ...z:tfc8!
Of course 23 ... JLxe1 24.1ιχf8 was inad-
missible for Black.
24.~d1
White already has to be νery careful.
After 24.JLd6 ~xg2+! 25. ~xg2 ..txg2+
26.~xg2 ~xc2+ 27.Wh3 ~xb3+ 28.Wxh4
J:ιxh2+ 29.~g4 1:!.g2+ 30.Φf4 g5+ 31.~e4
~g4+ the game should result ίη a mate to
White's king.
24 ... ~e4!
Despite White's extra pawn Black is
ready to simplify the position as there are
many white targets οη light squares.
25.~xe4
Mter 25.~d2 ~g6 26.~g1 JLe4 27.jιd6
~xc2! (if27 ... ~b7, then 28.CLJc5, and ίη case
of27 ... ~b6 there was 28.'~d4, insufficient
was also 27 ... ~xb3? 28.cxb3 ~c2 29.~c1
JLxg2+ 30.~xg2 ~xg2+ 31.~xg2 ~xcl+
32.~g1 ~xg1+ 33.Wxg1 f5, because after
34.a5 White created a most dangerous
332
passed pawn οη the queenside) 28 ...txb8
.ί:txd2 29 ..ί::ixd2 ..td5 Black's queen with the
assistance of two bishops delivered many
problems to White.
25 ... i.xe4 26.i.d6 ..txc2
26 ... ~c2? did not work first of all ίη νiew
of27.ctJd2! (this line leads οηlΥ to a draw:
27 ...txb8 1:Xxg2 28.ctJc5 ..ta8 29.1:Xd7!)
27 ... 1:Xbxb2 28.ctJxe41:Xxg2 29.z:ι.f3 and now
Black had to think about an escape.
27...txb8 i.xdl 28.~xdl.!:!:xb8 29.ctJa5?
White demonstrates ηο persistency de-
fendingthis hard position. After 29.ctJc5 a5
(ίη case of 29 ... ~xb2 30.ctJxa6 z:ra2 31.g3
..te7 32.~d4 ~f8 33.ctJb8 White was rela-
tively ΟΚ) 30.z:ι.d7 (ίη case of30.ctJd3 there
was a plain 30 ... iιe7) 30 ... .uc8 (ηο 30 ...
~xb2? because of 31.g3 i.g5 32.h4, White
profiting from the weakness ofBlack's last
rank) 31.ctJd3 (after 31.g3lιxc5 32.gxh4 g6
there was nobody to defend the e5-pawn)
31 ... Φf8 32.z:rd4 (the line 32.g3 '>te8 33 ..tta7
..Itd8 gave Black a great advantage)
32 ... iιe7 Black's chances were evidently
higher, still White kept the material bal-
ance at least.
29 ... lιxb2 30.g3 i.e7 31.ctJc6 ..tf8
32.~d8 g5 33.h4
The move 33.ctJb8 was ofno use because
of 33 ... '>tg7 34.ctJxa6 ~e2 35.ctJc7 ~xe5, but
33.z:ι.a8! g4 34.~xa6 i.c5 35.h4 gxh3 36.a5
left some chances for an escape.
33 ... gxh4 34.gxh4 ~c2 35.ctJb8 ~g7
36 ..ί:td4 a5 37.ctJd7 h5 38.ctJxf8 'it>xf8
39.lιd8+ 'it>g7 0-1
243 Β22
Anand - Ivanchuk
Game 2 7.09
1.e4 c5 2.ctJf3 e6 3.c3
Of course with an advantage of one
point and playing White V.Anand tries to
make the play as insipid as he can.
3 ... d5 4.exd5 ~xd5 5.d4 ctJf6 6.i.e2
..te7 7.0-0 ο-ο 8.c4 ~d8 9.ctJc3 cxd4
10.~xd4
Super Tournaments 2000
10.ctJxd4 occurs more frequently, but the
move ίη the game is ΟΚ if White wants a
draw.
10....id7
ΟηΙΥ 10 ... ctJc6 has been seen preνiously.
11.ctJe5 ctJc6 12.ctJxc6 .i.xc6 13.~xd8
z:rfxd8
Black has got a good position, but it is
not enough to play for a win. It will be hard
for him to avoid simplifications οη the d-
file without any concessions to White .
14...te3 'it>f8 15.lιfdl z:rdc8 16.z:racl h6
17.'it>f1 a618.a3 a5 19.ctJb5 ~d8 20.1:Xxd8+
':xd8 21.ctJd4 ..te8 22 ...tf3 b6 23.ctJc2 ctJd7
24.b4 ':c8 25 ..i.e2 !Ia8 26 ...Itf31:tc8 27 ...te2
axb4 28.axb4 .ί:ϊ:a8 29.i.d4 i.f6
With the move 29 ... .ί:ta2 Black could
have delayed the simplifications for one
move οηlΥ, because after 30.i.d3 the threat
of an exchange of the rooks with .ί:ϊ:cΙ-aΙ
recommenced.
30.i.xf6 ctJxf6 31.~al ~xal+ 32.ctJxal
..ta4
Of course the opportunities of White's
knight οη al are considerably restricted,
but Black cannot prevent the white king
from helping it.
33.f3 Φe7 34.'it>f2 ctJd7 35.~e3 ctJe5
36.'>td4 ctJc6+ 37.~c3 e5 38.i.d3 ctJd4
39.ctJc2
Now that the white knight is free we
can drop the curtaill. Α draw will follow
inevitably.
39 ... ..txc2 40.i.xc2 ~d6 41.iιd3 g5
42 ..ie4 f5 43.i.d3 h5 44.h3 h4 45. 'it>d2
~e6 46.'~c3 'it>d6 47.'it>d2 ctJb3+ 48.'it>c3
ctJd4 Ι/'2-1Αι
FIDE World Cup
Bareev 2702
Azmaiparashνili 2673
'244 Β07
Bareev - Azmaiparashvili
Game 1 7.09
1.d4 d6 2.e4 LΔf6 3.LΔc3 e5
Usually Z.Azmaiparashνili prefers
4 ... g6, thus proceeding to main νariations
of the Pirc Defence.
4.dxe5 dxe5 5. ~xd8+ ~xd8 6.iιc4
'lt>e8
Mter 6 ... iιe6 7.lιxe6 fxe6 Black's pawn
chain was weakened and that might be-
come a source of constant cares for him
later.
7.LΔf3 iιd6 8.lιg5
Mter 8.lιe3 a6 9.a4 lιd7 (a more natu-
ral 9 ... LΔbd7 was seen as well) 10.LΔg51:lf8
11.LΔd5LΔxd5 12.lιxd5 c6 13.lιb3 h6 14.0-
ο-ο iιc7 15.LΔf3 lιg4 16.iιc5 1:tg8 17.i.d6
iιxd6 18.1:lxd6LΔd7 19.1:thd1 Black still had
certain difficulties ίη the game J.Hodgson
- Azmaiparashνili, Wijk aan Zee 1993.
8 ...LΔbd7 9.0-0-0 h6
9 ... a6 occurred preνiously. Mter 10.h3
(also 10.a4 h6 11.iιh4 b6 12.LΔd2 c6 13.lιa2
iιc7 14.LΔc4 We7 15.LΔe3 was possible,
White had a slightly better play J.Pribyl-
Roesch, Germany 1992) 10 ... b5 11.i,b3 h6
12.i,xf6 LΔxf6 13.1:lhe1 i,b7 14.LΔd5 LΔd7
15.LΔh4 g6 White performed interesting
complications ίη the game Shtyrenkoν -
Lorenz, Karl-Marx-Stadt 1990, with
16.LΔxc7+ iιxc7 17.i,xf7+ 'lt>d8 18.LΔxg6
1:lh7 19.1ιe6 ~e8 20.lie3.
10.iιh4LΔb611.lιe2
Αη alternatiνe continuation 11.1ιb3
probably did not suit White because of
11 ... lιg4.
11 .. :we7 12.lιg3 LΔbd7 13.i.c4 LΔb6
14.i.e2 LΔbd7 15.LΔd2
333
1 2 3 4 5
Ο 1 1 = 2.5
1 Ο Ο = 1.5
White wants to get more than a plain
repetition of moνes.
15 ... .1l.b4 16.f4!?
Αη actiνe play begins. Mter 16.LΔd5+
LΔxd5 17.exd5 f5 or 16.LΔcb11:ld8 Black was
οκ.
16... i.xc3 17.bxc3 LΔc5
Black did not choose 17 ... exf4, because
after 18.lιxf4 he was forced to play 18 ... c6,
weakening the d6-square while his pieces
were still not fully deνeloped.
18..1l.f3
White had another opportunity: the
moνe 18.lιh4!? forced Black either to step
back with the knight 18 ... LΔcd7 or to go for
complications like 18 ... g5 19.fxg5 LΔfxe4
20.LΔxe4LΔxe4 21.g6+ f6 22.iιd3.
18 ... exf4 19.1ιxf4 lιe6 20.i,xc7 1:tac8
21.lιa5!
White is going to disturb the black king
from the diagonal a3-f8. After 21 ..1l.g3
Black had a simple 21 ... i.xa2, because ίη
case of 22.c4 there was 22 ... b5! (and ηο
23.cxb5?? because of23 ... LΔd3#).
21 ... LΔfd7!
Black dared not to return the missing
pawn with 21 ... i.xa2, and most likely he
was right. The point was that after 22.i.b4
334
..Ite6 (ίη case of 22 ... ltoe8 23.c4 b5 24.e5
LΔfd7 25 ...Itg4 Black's pieces suffered a
crossfire from White's bishops) White could
have gained a decisive advantage by means
of23.e5LΔg4 24 ..txb7 ~c7 (24 ... LΔf2 25.1:!.df1
LΔxhl was also losing because of 26.LΔe4!)
25.LΔe4.
22.LΔb3 b6 23.Sιb4 ~f6 24.kIhf1 Itog6
Black's king strives to run away from
the dangerous area, and White's extra
pawn is useless as his whole pawn struc-
ture is severely damaged.
25 ...Ite2 LΔe5
Mter a careless 25 ... LΔxe4? White could
have gained a considerable material ad-
vantage by 26 ...td3 f5 27 ..txe4 fxe4 28.~d6
~he8 29.LΔd4 LΔf8 30.~xf8
26 ..txc5
It is hard to find a useful job for the
bishop, so White decides to part with it.
26 ... bxc5 27.1:td6 ~h7 28.~fdl 1:tc7
29.h3
Αη important moment. Αη exchange
with 29.~d8 ~xd8 30.1:txd8 may look anti-
positional for White who exchanges his
active rook for his opponent's passive rook,
but the strength ofWhite's king (which is
closer to the centre than the black one)
would grow ίη this case. One way or an-
other, but with his next move Black will
annihilate any opportunity for such an
exchange.
29 ...1:te8 30.1:td81:tee7 31.1:tld6 .ic4!?
Α very crafty move.
32 ..idl?!
White eνidently had not felt any trick
ίη Black's last move, otherwise he would
have preferred 32 ...Ith5!, and only then
32 ... g633 ..idl
32... f5!
Yes, White missed this insidious blow.
33.exf5
White is forced to lose an exchange, as
ίη case of 33.LΔd2 fxe4 34.LΔxc4 LΔxc4
Black's chances will be obviously higher.
33 ... LΔΠ 34 ..ih5 LΔxd8 35 ..ig6+ ~h8
36.1:txd8+ .ig8 37..ih5?
Having missed the blow, White becomes
Super Tournαments 2000
diffident. Mter 37.c4!? 1:te3 38.g4 (also
38.LΔxc5 1:txc5 39.1Η7 kIxf5 40 ..ixg8 with
an approximate equality was possible, as
well as 38 ..th5 whereupon the best way
for Black was 38 ... kIe5!, as after 38 ... kIg3?
39 ...Itf3 his position was most dubious)
Black maintained the balance with 38 ...
1:te5!, because a greedy 38 ... 1:txh3?! might
involve him into a trouble after 39.LΔxc5
1:txc5 40 ...Itf7 ~g3 41.J::.i.xg8+ Itoh7 42.1:ta8 h5
43 ..txh5
37... ί::te538.1:tf8
Mter 38 ..tg6 there was 38 ... 1:te3, and if
39.c41:tg3 40.LΔxc5, then 40 ... 1:txg6!
38 ... g6!
Now after this rnove White will encoun-
ter real problems, because Black's king
gets out from the confinement.
39...txg61tog7 40.J:ιb8 .ί:te3 41 ...Ith5 .td5
42.g4
Mter 42.~d8 Sιxg2 43.~d6 ..Itxh3 (if
43 ... 1:txh3?, then White forced a draw by
44.LΔxc5! 1:txc5 45.f6+ ~h8 46.1:td8+ ~h7
47.~d7+) 44.f6+ ~h7 45.f7 kIc8 46.kIc6 (if
46.1:tffi, then 46 ... 1:tf8) 46 ... 1:tf8 47 ..tIxc5 .te6
Black was close to a νictory, but probably
this was White's best chance.
42 ...1:txh343.l:le8
If 43.~b2, then Black got a decisive
advantage by 43 ... ..te4! 44.1:tb5 (44.1:te8
.ixf5) 44 ... .txf5 45.LΔxc5 .tc8.
43 ... 1:txc3 44.LΔd2 1:td 7 45.1:te5 1:th3
46.c4
If 46.CLJb3, then after 46 ... c4 47.CLJc5
Black had both a quiet 47 ... 1:td6 and a more
active 47 ... c3 48.f6+ Itoh7 49.1:tel1:td6 50.f7
FIDE World Cup 335

~g7 51.J:tf1 .1::!.f6!, whereupon White would Α non-pretentious but quite reliable
haνe lost because of the weakness of the 9.SΙc1 was seen here too.
first rank. 9 .•. SΙd7
46 ... SΙxc4 47.liJe4 SΙf7 48.f6+ Previously they played 9 ... 0-0 ίη this
If 48.liJxc5, then 48 ... k:tc7, and ίη case position. This moνe looks more crafty.
of 48.l:txc5 Black won with 48 ... SΙxh5 10.liJc3
49.gxh5 k:txh5 50.f6+ \t>g6.
48 ... ~f8 49.SΙxf7 ~xf7 50.g5
Black won also easily after 50.liJxc5l:tc7
51.~d2 ΦΧf6.
50 ... k:th5!
The final stage of the game Black
played most precisely. Of course there was
ηο 50 ... hxg5??because of51.liJxg5+, but the
moνe ίη the game is eνidently better than
50 ... k:th1+ 51.Φc2 hxg5 52.~xg5 ~e6.
51 ..!:!.xc5 hxg5 52.Φc2 .ί:I.h2+ 53.Wc3
J::th3+ 54.Wc4 tth4 55.~e5 ttxe4+!
As a matter of fact, the νictory has al- 10...liJe4!
Αgood resource which allows Black to
ready been achieνed. An extra pawn ίη the
rook endgame with the eliminated white reinforce his position ίη the centre.
king will be enough for Black to win. 11.liJa4
Νο other way, White lost both after
56.k:txe4 ~xf6 57.a4 a5 58.Φc5 k:te7
11.liJxe4? dxe4 12.SΙxe7 exf3 13.SΙc5 be-
59.k:td4 k:te5+ 60.Φd6 J::tf5 61.1::te4 ~g6 0-1
cause of 13 ... fxg2 14.il.xb6 gxf1 ~+ 15. ~xΩ
axb6, and after 11.il.xe7? because of
'245 Α46
11 ... liJxc3 12.~c2liJxe2+ 13.~xe2 Φχe7.
Azmaiparashvili - Bareev 11 ... ~a5 12.SΙxe7
Game 2 7.09 Mter 12 ...tc1 b5 White's position οη the
queenside got noticeably worse.
l.d4 liJf6 2.liJf3 c5 3.c3 12... Wxe7!?
White's wish to aνoid a complex play is Blackjoins his rooks as soon as possible.
understandable ifwe take into account the It's νery hard for White to gain profit from
standings ίη the match. the position of BlCick's king ίη the centre
3 ... e64.g3 ofthe board now. Α more natural12 ... Nxe7
Looks not quite consistent. The moνes allowed White to begin the struggle for the
c2-c3 and g2-g3 don't comply νery well. c-file first with 13.1:Ic1.
4 ... d5 5.SΙg2liJc6 6.0-0 SΙe7 7.SΙg5 13.a3
As a matter offact, this is the Schlech- Now ίη case of 13.1::tc1 there was

ter Variation which is a middle line be- 13 ... k:thc8, so White contemplates b3-b4 to
tween the Slaν and the Gruenfeld De- be followed by liJa4-c5.
fences, but of course with reνersed colours. 13 ... b6 14.~d3?
7 ... cxd4 Probably this moνe is the main reason
Black relieνes the tension ίη the cen- ofWhite's defeat. His own queen depriνed
tre, but instead the unlucky position of the knight from an excellent transfer d3-
White's bishop οη g2 behind the d5-pawn square. After 14.liJb2 Black had ηο 14 ...
gets emphasized. liJc3? because of 15.~d3, creating an aw-
8.cxd4 ~b6 9.b3 ful threat ofb2-b4, and ίη case of 14 ... ~c3
336 Super Tournαments 2000

a mere 15.t2Ja4 was enough to make the own passed pawn οη the h-file, but the leν­
black queen return οη a5. els of support of these two pawns are too
14...l:rac815.l:rfcl different.
Now it is already not at all easy to find 39... a5 40.1::tb2 Mb6 41.Φf2 t2Jc8 42.Φe2
an admissible continuation for White. Μ­ Mter 42.g5 t2Jd6 43.h61::tb8 Black ham-
ter 15.t2Jb2 t'ι'c3 16.~ab1 Black won a pawn pered White's pawns οη the kingside eas-
with 16 ... t'ι'xd3 17.t2Jxd3 t2Jc3 18.~b2 t2Jb5 ily.
19.e3 t2Jxa3. 42 ...t2Jd6 43.~c2 ί6 44.Φd31::!.b8 45.1::rc6
15... t2Jb8! b4 46.axb4 axb4 47.Φc2 b3+ 48.Φb2 ~b4
Emphasizing the unlucky position of 49.~cl t2Jc4+ 50.Φc3 J::!.b8 5U::tbl llc8
the a4-knight. 52.Φd3
16.t2Je5 Νο 52.~xb3 because of 52 ... t2Ja5+.
There is ηο way to escape from a4, as 52... b2 53.h6 Φd6 54.h7 Φc5 55.d6
ίη case of 16.t2Jb2 there is 16 ... ~xc1 + :Ih8
17.~xc1 t'ι'xa3, depriνing White of the Black wants to play super-reliably.
pawn. 55 ... Φχd6 56.h8t'ι' .tι.xh8 57.Φχc4 1::tb8
16 ...Mxcl+ 17.~xclllc8 18.1::rdl 58.1::rd1 + Φc7 59.~b1 Φc6 was also possible,
It is obνious that White's fight is lost. and the rook endgame was hopeless for
Ιη case of 18.~xc8? the solution was White despite the material balance. 80,
18 ... t'ι'e1 + 19 ..tfl t'ι'xf2+, Blackmating, and after 60.Φc3 Φc5 61.Φc2 (the pawn
if 18. t'ι'd1, then after 18 ... ~xc1 19. t'ι'xc1 endgame after 61.:gxb2 ~xb2 62.'~xb2 Φd4
t'ι'd2! 20. t'ι'xd2 t2Jxd2 Black's material 63.Φb3 Φe3 was lost for White) 61 ... Φd4
losses were ineνitable and fatal. 62.l:ιd1+ Φe3 63.Φb11:tb6 Black won with-
18 ....txa4 19 ..txe4 out problems.
White attempts to complicate the posi- 56.d7 Φb4 57.f4 exf4 58.e5 t2Jxe5+
tion with the sacrifice of a piece. After 59.Φe4 Φa3 60.g5
19.bxa4 t'ι'xa4 White simply lost a pawn
without any shade of a counterplay.
19... dxe4 20.t'ι'xe4 .tc6 21.t'ι'xh7 t'ι'd5
22.t2Jxc6+ t2Jxc6 23. t'ι'xg7 1:Id8 24.e3 t'ι'xb3
25.~cl
After 25. t'ι'g5+ Φd7 Black's king es-
caped to the queenside.
25 ... t'ι'b2 26.~c4
Νο 26.~xc6? because of 26 ... t'ι'b1+
27.Φg2 t'ι'e4+, Black winning the rook.
26....§bl + 27.rJtg2 ~e4+ 28.f3 ~d5
29.~c2 ~d6 30.h4 t'ι'b3 31.~g5+ Φd7
60 ...f3
32.~f2 ~d5
Black won also after 60 ... Φa2 61.~xb2+
Mter 32 ... t'ι'xa3 Black had to reckon Φχb2 62.Φχf4 (if62.Φf5, then after 62 ... f3
with 33.h5. 63.g6 f2 64.g7 Ωt'ι'+ 65.Φe6 t'ι'h3+ Black
33.t'ι'g8 e5 34.e4 took all White's pawns) 62 ... t2Jxd7 63.g6
The line 34.dxe5 t2Jxe5 35.h5 t2Jc4 did t2Jf8 64.g7 (if 64.Φf5, then simply 64 ...
not suit White ίη any case. t2Jxh7) 64 ... t2Je6+! 65.Φf5 t2Jxg7+ 66.Φχf6
34...t2Je7 35.~g4+ "§e6 36.t'ι'xe6+ Φχe6 ~xh7
37.d5+ Φd7 38.h5 b5 39.g4 61.Φf5 Φa2 62.g6 t2Jxg6 63.Φχg6 ΦΧbΙ
White tries to meet the creation of the 64.Φg7 J::i:xh7+ 65.Φχh7 ΦcΙ!
black passed pawn οη the b-file with his This is probably the simplest way. The
FIDE World Cup 337

far advanced f-pawn ensured Black an easy 66.d8~ bl~+ 67.ι;t>h6 ~ί5 68.~c7+
win ίη the queen endgame. Mter 65 ... f2 ι;t>dl 69.~d6+ 'it>e2 70.~e7+ ~e5 71.~b7
66.d8~ f1 ~ it was a bit more complicated. f2 0-1 •

1 2 3 4

Gelfand 2681 1 Ο 1 = 2.5

Ye Jiangchuan 2670 Ο 1 Ο = 1.5

246 Ε97 20. ~b3 g5 White got a considerable advan-

Gelfand - Ye Jiangchuan
Game 1 7.09
1.d4 4:Jf6 2.c4 g6 3.4:Jc3 ~g7 4.e4 d6
5.~e2 ο-ο 6.4:Jf3 e5 7.0-0 4:Jc6 8.d5 4:Je7
9.4:Jd2
B.Gelfand knows well the niceties ofthe
Κing's Indian Defence both for White and
for Black. For a long time this opening was
one ofthe main items ίη his repertoire for
1.d2-d4.
9 .... a5 10.a3 4:Jd7
The continuation 10 ... ~d7 11.b3 c6,
which has been popular previously is suf-
fering a certain crisis because of 12.~a2!
Black encountered problems both after
12 ... 4:Je8 13.b4 axb4 14.axb4 ~xa2 15.4:Jxa2
cxd5 16.cxd5 f5 17.4:Jc3 fxe418.4:Jdxe4 4:Jf5
19.~b5, M.Gurevich - Babula, Germany
2000, and after 12 ... ~b6 13.~c2 4:Je8 14.dc
4:Jxc6 15.4:Jd5 ~d8 16.4:Jf3 ~g4 17.~g5 f6,
M.Gurevich - Stryjecki, Pardubice 2000.
11.J:!.bl f5 12.b4 Wh8 13.~c2 4:Jf6
14.~b2
Previously they played 14.f3 usually.
White's move ίη the game which allows
him to join his rooks, enriches the play with
new nuances.
14... axb4
Mter 14 ... c6 15.J:!.bd1 axb4 (later, ίη the
fourth active game between the same ορ­
ponents there was 15 ... fxe4 16.4:Jdxe4
4:Jxe4 17.4:Jxe4 cxd5 18.cxd5 axb4 19.axb4
~f5 that gave Black more active play than
ίη this game) 16.axb4 g5 (after 16 ... cxd5
17.exd5 ~d7 18.4:Jdb1 f4 19.4:Ja3 ~f5
tage with 21.c5! 4:Jg6 22.4:Jc4! ίη the game
Portisch - Xie Jun, Marbella 1999) 17.c5
cxd5 18.cxd6 ~xd6 19.4:Jc4 the game Ulibin
- Smirnov, Samara 2000, proceeded to ίη­
teresting complications. Ιη case of a pas-
sive 14 ... b6 15.~bdl 4:Je8 16.4:Jb5 White
also got a better play ίη the game O.Da-
nielian - Nalbandian, Moscow 1998.
15.axb4
15... fxe4
Black begins simplifications, hoping to
get a draw after exchanges. The shortcom-
ing of this plan is that White will occupy
for a long time the strategically important
e4-square.
16.4:Jcxe44:Jxe4
Though 16 ... c6, giνing a certain counter-
play, was coming late, it was still worth
considering.
17.4:Jxe4 4:Jf5 18.~al ~xal 19.~xal
4:Jd4
Black goes for :Ξι definite damage of his
pawn chain ίη ord.er to obtain the advan-
tage of a bishop pair.
20.~xd4 exd4 21.~a8!
338
Α very good move. Potentially Black's
rook οη the semi-open f-file will be more
useful than White's rook οη the open a-file.
That is why White, seizing this opportu-
nity, secures himself the possibility of the
last rook pair's exchange.
21 .. :~e7 22.~d3 i.f5 23.Iιxf8+ i.xf8
24.g3 ~xe4
Another important moment. Black
chooses a position with opposite-coloured
bishops, which looks absolutely safe at first
sight. Maybe his plan could be improved
by a preliminary 24 ... ~h6!? The point is
that after 25.h4 i.xe4 26.~xe4 Black has
26 ... i.d2!, forcing White to answer 27.b5.
25.i.xe4 b6 26.h4!
White tήes to weaken Black's kingside.
26 ... i.g7 27.Φg2 i.f6 28 ..~d3 ~e8
29.~f3 Φg7 30.i.d3 ~d7
30 ... ~e1? was bad because of 31.h5
~xb4 32.hxg6 hxg6 33. ~g4
31.h5!?
Now a weak point will arise οη Black's
kingside inevitably. Despite undeniable
meήts ofthe move 31.h5, B.Gelfand thinks
that it might be even more unpleasant for
Black if White delayed this blow for sev-
eral moves, having strengthened the posi-
tion beforehand by dint of 31. ~e4! ~e7
32. ~g4 with the following f2-f4 and h4-h5.
31 ... ~f7 32.hxg6 hxg6 33.~e4 Φh6
34.~g4 ~e8?!
Again Black had to look for chances
with 34 ... b5!? 35.Φf1 (if 35.cxb5, then
35 ... ~xd5+ 36.~f1 ~g5) 35 ... bxc4 36.~xc4
~g7 which allowed him to hold out.
34 ... g5!? also was interesting.
Super Tournaments 2000
35.c5!
An excellent break-through at the place
which seemed to be most fortified.
35...bxc5 36.bxc5 ~g7
Mter 36 ... dxc5 37.~f4+ .iιg5 38.~xc7
White created a dangerous passed pawn
οη the d-file.
37.c6 ~f7 38.Φf1 ~e8 39.i.e4 d3
Black sacrifices a pawn. Otherwise his
bishop will be eliminated from the defence
of the pawn οη c7 after 39 ... ~f'7 40.~e2
~e8 41.Φd3 ~f'7 42.Φc4 ~e8 43 ..iιd3 ~f'7
44.f4 Φh6 45.~d7 Φg7 46.~b5 g5 47.Φa6.
40.i.xd3 ~c3 41.Φg2 'iiif7 42.SΙe4 ~f6
43.~c8 ..Itd4 44.f3 SΙb6 45.f4 SΙd4 46.~g4
Sιf6 47.~f3 Sιd4 48.~e2 SΙb6?!
Now Black probably should venture οη
48 ... g5 49.Φe3 Φh6 50.Φd3 gxf4.
49.~d7 Φf8 50.~f3 Φg7
Probably, this is a decisive inaccuracy.
Difficulties οη the kingside could be
avoided by 50 ... ~f6!, and the white g-pawn
cannot move ahead because of the black
queen's checks.
51.g4
It is too early for White's king to come
out into the open space. Mter 51.Φe2 ~f8
52.~d3 ~f6 he suffered an attack from
Black's pieces.
51 ... g5
Otherwise White won easily after a long
but almost forced line 51 ... Φf8 52.g5 Φg7
53. ~h3 ~g8 54. ~h6+ Φf7 55.f5 gxf5
56.~xf5 ~g7 57.~e6+ Φf8 58.'~c8+ ~π
59.~g4 ~d4+ 60.Φh5 ~dl+ 61.Φh6 ~hl+
62.~h3.
52.~f5 ..Itd4
If 52 ... gxf4, then after 53.Sιe6 ~xd7
54.cxd7 c5 55.dxc6 Φαι 56 ...Itb3 Φg5 (ίη case
of56 ... ~e5 57.~c2 d5 58.g5 ..Itc7 59.g6 ~f6
60.Φg4 d4 61.i.e4 rJ;;g7 62.Φf5 there was
ηο way to stop White's three passed pawns)
57.Φe4 ~xg4 58.Φd5 .iιc7 59.Φe6 White's
pawns passed οη the queenside.
53.fxg5 Φf8 54.Φe4 .iιb2
Later it was found out that a slightly
more persistent resistance could be put up
by 54 ... .iιf2. The fact is that after 55 ..iιe6
FIDE World Cup 339

"!';rg6+ the move 56.r,;t>f3? does not work (to the impossibility of a castling.
come back with 56.iH5! is correct) because 14 .•.0-0 15.iιe3 ~c7
of 56 ... "!';rd3+ 57.r,;t>xf2 "!';re3+! And capture Το take the sacrificed pawn with
of Black's queen leads to the stalemate. 15 ... iιxh4?! was lllOre than dangerous for
However, to White's victory leads 55.g6 Black. After 16.liJf5 iιe7 17. ~f3 White
"!';re8 56. "!';re6 "!';rxe6 57 .dxe6 with the follow- could have developed a very strong initia-
ing king's transfer to the queenside. tive.
55.g6 "!';rxd7 56.cxd7 r;!;e7 57.g5 iιg7 16.~cl liJc5 17.b3 a4 18.~d2 ~ab8
58.r;!;d3 r;!;d8 59.r,;t>c4 r;!;e7 60.r;!;b5 r,;t>d8 19.h5 axb3
61.r;!;c61-0 Black could not to hurry with the
pawns' exchange. 19 ... iιc8! was better.
20.axb3 iιc8 21.g5 f5 22.f4 iιa6
247 Β91 Having supported the blocking advance
Ye Jiangchuan - Gelfand f7-f5, Black's bishop returns to the duty
Game 2 7.09 position οη a6.
23.iιh3 exf4 24.iιxf4 ~be8 25.ΦdΙ
l.e4 c5 2.liJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.liJxd4 iιd8
liJf6 5.liJc3 a6 6.g3 e5 7.liJde2 iιe7 8.iιg2 25 ... iιc8!? deserved attention as well.
b59.h3 26.~al
White wants to get the g3-square for There was ηο 26.iιxf5?, because after
his knight as soon as possible. Mter 9.0-0 26 ... I:(xf5! 27.liJxf5lΔe4 Black won.
liJbd7 10.h3 iιb7 11.g4 b4 12.liJd5 liJxd5 26 •.• iιb7 27.h6
13.exd5 ίη the game Kamsky - Gelfand, Black did not venture οη 27.iιxf5?!
Tilburg 1990, Black could have gained an again, because after 27 ... iιc8! 28.iιxc8
excellent play at once with 13 ... h5! 14.liJg3 ~xc8 with the following 29 ... lΔe4 Black's
hxg4 15.hxg4 g6. initiative became very dangerous.
9 ... liJbd7 10.g4 b4 27... g6
Previously they played 10 ... liJb6, 10 ... 27 ... gxh6!? was also possible as after
liJc5 and 10 ... 0-0. The move, which was 28.lΔxf5 (if 28.iιxf5, then 28 ... iιc8) 28 ...
made by B.Gelfand, is probably even more lΔe4 29.lΔxh6+ r;!;h8 30. ~d4 Black had a
consistent as it restricts Black's choice. If very strong retort 30 ... iιf6! 31.gxf6 lΔc3+
White had managed to play liJe2-g3, then 32.r,;t>d21:1e4 with an attack.
the c3-knight would have had an addi- 28.iιg2 lΔe4 29.lΔxe4 fxe4 30.na7
tional e2-square for a retreat.
11.liJd5 liJxd5 12.exd5
Ιη case of 12. ~xd51:i.b8 the white queen
would be driven away from d5 soon, and
White would have ηο resources to main-
tain an appropriate control over the stra-
tegically important d5-square.
12... a5
Now 12 ... h5 was irrelevant: after 13.
liJg3 hxg4 14.~xg4 two black pawns were
attacked at the same time, b4 and g7.
13.liJg3 iιa6 14.h4
The blockade character of the position 30 ... ~f7?
ίη the centre allows White to try to orga- Black had to destroy the blockade na-
nize an active play οη the kingside despite ture of the position ίη the centre with the
340
aid of 30 ... k[xf4! 31.'§xf3 e3! Ιη this case
White, ίη view ofobvious threats ~f31 ... e2+
and 31 ... '§c3, would have had to switch to
seeking of a continuation, keeping the ρο­
sition.
31.~e3!
Mter 31.~xd6 e3 32.'§e2 jιb6 33.IΪ.a4
(if 33.1:ta1, then 33 ... l::ta8) 33 ... ~xd5
34.jιxf8 jιxg2 35.'§xg2 e2+ 36.Φe1 '§d7
Black's e-pawn simply split White's posi-
tion. The blockade move ίη the game puts
Black ίη a difficult position.
31 ...1:te7 32.~~b4 '§xd5+ 33.ΦcΙ1:tc7
34.l:!:dl ~c6 35.c4 d5 36.~c3 dxc4?!
This move leads to a soon catastrophe.
Mter 36 ... '§e6!? 37 ...Itf1 '§f5!? 38.'§d2 ~e7
White's play was much more complex.
37.b4!
Milos 2633
Movsesian 2666
248 Β85
Milos - Movsesian
Game 1 7.09
l.e4 c5 2.ctJf3 ctJc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.ctJxd4
~c7 5.ctJc3 e6 6 ...Ite2 a6 7.0-0 ctJf6 8.~e3
~e7 9.f4 d6 10.<t>hl
White does not try to derive benefit
from the early advance ofthe black queen
to c7 with 10. '§e1. They played this way
against 8.Movsesian more than once al-
ready, without any special success. 80, ίη
the game 8hirov - Movsesian at the super
tournament Bosnia 2000 ίη 8arajevo after
10 ... 0-0 11.'§g3 ctJxd4 12.i.xd4 b5 13.a3
i.b7 14.<t>h1 ~c6 15.~ae1 '§b7 16.i.d3 b4
17.ctJd1 bxa3 18.bxa3 1:tac8 19.ctJf2 (after
19.ctJe3 i.xe4 20.~xf6 jιxf6 21.ctJg4 ~xd3
22.ctJxf6+ <t>h8 23.1::tb1 '§e7 24. ~xd3 '§xf6
25. '§xd6 IΪ.fd8 White got a worse position
ίη the game Lautier - Movsesian, Malme
Super Tournαments 2000
8uddenly it turns out that to find an
acceptable continuation for Black is not at
all easy.
37... ~b5
Losing immediately, but other continu-
ations were not better. 80, after 37 ... :re8
38.~f1 jιa6 39 ..a:xc7 '§xc7 40.~h3 White
created a fatal threat with 41 ..a:xd8! 1:txd8
42.jιe6+, and Black had ηο sufficient de-
fence. If 37 ... '§e6, then after 38.jιf1 '§c8
(otherwise the solution was 39.k[xb7! 1:txb7
40.~xc4) 39.<t>b2! Black could have met the
threat of a sacrifice by an exchange οη b7
οηlΥ with a counter-sacrifice οη f1, still this
measure did not save him too.
38...Ith3 ~e8 39..a:a5 '§c6 40.b5 1-0
Black's queen has ηο good square to
retreat.
1 2 3 4 5
= = Ο 1 1 3
= = 1 Ο Ο 2
1999) 19 ... ctJh5 20. '§f3 g6 21.ctJg4 f6 22.f5
White lost despite his fearful attacking
position.
10... 0-0 11.a4 ~d7
The thirteenth World Champion G.Κas­
parov prefers usually to introduce a use-
ful move 12 ... 1:ί.e8. The move which 8.Μον­
sesian made ίη the game also occurs often
at modern tournaments. Its aim ίη case of
12.~f3 is to relieve the position with
12 ... ctJxd4 13.~xd4 i.c6, but it has also an
undeniable shortcoming as White cannot
begin at once an active play οη the kingside
after he has made this move.
12.ctJb3 b6
Black had avoided a4-a5, which would
have squeezed him οη the queenside.
13.g4 i.c8
The bishop is forced to leave d7 because
of the threat to the knight οη f6.
14.g5 ctJd7 15.f5
FIDE World Cup
An important decision. White agrees
that ίη future Black can obtain an excel-
lent e5-square for his knight. 15.i..f3 was
finer.
15 ...1:!.e8
Α programmed moνe. 15 .. .'~jde5? was
bad because of 16.f6.
16.i..g4
Α hasty 16.f6 which occurred preνiously
ίη the game A.Groszpeter - Bosboom,
Haarlem 1997, allowed Black to take the
initiatiνe after 16 ... gxf6 17.i..d3 CL:Jce5
18.'§h5 'it>h8 19.i..d4 1:!.g8 20.i..xe5 CL:Jxe5
21.gxf6 i..f8.
16... 1ιf817.i..h3 CL:Jde5 18.'§e2 g6
Α good moνe. Black's dark-squared
bishop can get to g7 now, and at the same
time the light-squared bishop puts pres-
sure οη the f5-square through the e6-pawn.
19.~f4 i..g7 20.~af1 CL:Jb4 21.'§f2
It was risky for White to close the play
by the moνe 21.f6, because after 21 ... i..f8
22.i..g2 ..tb7 23.~h4 d5 his position ίη the
centre might be broken down.
21 ... 1:ιb8 22.CL:Jd4 CL:Jbc6
23.fxe6
If White decided to clear υρ the situa-
tion ίη the centre slightly, he should do it
by means of 23.fxg6, forcing Black to an-
swer with 23 ... fxg6. Mter the moνe ίη the
game Black get an additional possibility
oftaking οη e6 with his bishop.
23 ...fxe6 24.CL:Jxc6 '§xc6 25.i..d4 1::tb7
26.jιxe5
White cannot find a plan how to rein-
force his position, whereas Black has a
341
clear plan consisting ίη organising his play
with b6-b5.
26 ... dxe5
Of course there was ηο 26 ... i..xe5?? be-
cause of 27.1:ιf8+ Wg7 28.'§f7+ 1::txf7 29.
~lxf7#
27.1:!.f7 wh8 28.l:!.rJ b5 29.axb5 axb5
30.i..g2
White had refused to stop the advance
of the black pawn by 30.b4?! as his posi-
tion οη the queenside would haνe been
weakened considerably ίη this case.
30 ... ~c7 31.'§h4 b4 32.CL:Jdl jιa6
White's acquisitions οη the queenside
ίη case of 32 ... '§xc2 33.1:!.h3 i..f8 34.J::thf3
i..c5 allowed him ίΟ engage the knight ίn
the attack with 35.CL:Je3!, creating unpleas-
ant threats to the position ofthe black king
after 35 ... '§e2 36.CL:Jg4 (if 36.1H7, then
36 ... '§xf1+ 37.1ΪΧf1 jιxe3) 36 ... i..b7 37.
CL:Jxe5 i..xe4 38.l:te1 i..xf3 39.1Ϊχe2 1ιχe2
40.'§f4 Wg8 41.CL:Jg4.
33.1Hf2 1::td8 34.CL:Je3 b3!?
Black is not going to be a passiνe οη­
looker, he tries to undertake something too.
35.c3
The position after 35.cxb3 '§c1 + 36.CL:Jfl
'§d1 or 36 ... ~cd7 kept the dynamic balance
as well.
35 ... 1ιd3 36.1:!.d21:!.dd7 37.CL:Jd5
Probably there was a more precise way:
37.J::th3!? i.f8 38.CL:Jd5 '§a4 (the game would
be drawn after 38 ... .txe4 39.'§xe4 exd5
40.~xd5 ~xd5 41. '§xd5 '§xd5 42.1ιΧd5)
39.~hxd3 exd5 40. '§g3 with an equality.
37... 1ιχe4 38.'§xe4 exd5 39.'§b4 '§c5
1/2-%
Of course there was ηο 39 ... ~b7?? be-
cause of 40.~f8+
249 Β80
Movsesian - Milos
Game 2 7.09
1.e4 c5 2.CL:Jf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.CL:Jxd4
CL:Jc6 5.CL:Jc3 '§c7 6.g3 a6 7 ..tg2 CL:Jf6 8.0-0
d6 9.gel CL:Jd7
342
Ιη this way Black wants to aνoid the
line 9 ... ..te7 10.l2Jxc6 bxc6 11.e5
10.l2Jxc6 bxc6 11.l2Ja4 ..tb7 12.c4 c5
13.b3 ..te7 14 . ..tb2 ο-ο 15. ~d2 ..tc6
16.l2Jc3
White plays too ingenuously. Making a
natural moνe, he allows Black to perform
an exchange of the dark-squared bishops
easily. 16.ttad1 which had occurred preνi­
ously was more tricky. Mter 16 ... ttfd8 (if
16 .....txa4, then 17.e5l2Jxe5 18.~xe5 dxe5
19.~xa8 ttxa8 20.bxa4, White getting a
material adνantage) 17.l2Jc3l2Jf8 18.l2Je2 a5
19.h4 a4 20.l2Jf4 ίη the game Velicka -
Jansa, Ζlίη 1997, Black played incautiously
20 ... axb3? (20 ... l2Jg6 was the correct moνe
with mutual chances) and allowed White
to deνelop a νery strong attack with
21.~xg7!!
16.....tf6 17.l2Je2 ~xb2 18.~xb2 l2Je5
19.ttadl ~b7 20.f4 l2Jc6
21.e5?!
White oνerestimates his opportunities.
It is clear that Black is going to perform
the adνance e6-e5 with his next moνe and
then to put his knight οη d4. Now White
attempts to preνent the fulfillment ofthis
plan. Still, it was better to let Black ac-
complish his plan as after the moνe ίη the
game White's position ίη the centre gets
considerably weakened.
21 ... dxe5 22.fxe5 ttfd8 23. ~c3 h6
24. ~e3 CiJb4 25.~xb7 ~xb7 26.ttf1
White νentures οη the sacrifice of a
pawn. Otherwise after 26.ttd2 ttxd2
27. ~xd2 ~c7 (27 ... ~e4 was insufficient
Super Tournαments 2000
because of28.l2Jf4) 28.CiJf4 ~d8 29. ~f2 ~a5
30.tte2 CiJc6 the adνantage ofBlack's pieces
ίη the centre would haνe become eνident
νery soon.
26 ...CiJxa2 27.l2Jf4
There is already ηο way to return the
pawn. After 27.1::txd8+ ttxd8 28.~a1 (ίη case
of28.~xc5 ~xb3 29.~a7 ttf8 Blackhad an
extra pawn, and White failed to create any
real threats) 28 ... CiJb4 29. ~xc5l2Jc2 30.~f1
~d2 31.CiJf4 g5 Black created quickly seri-
ous threats to the white king.
27 ... ttab8
Also 27 ... ~b6!? deserνed attention, not
allowing the white rook to get to d6.
28 ..!:!:d6 ~c7
Απ exchange οη d6 is bad for Black be-
cause after 28 ... Iϊxd6 29.exd6 ~xb3
30. ~xc5 White created a strong passed
pawn οη the d-file.
29.ttfdll2Jb4 30.ttld2 ~a5 31 ..!:!:xd8+?!
White forces the play, and it is νery
likely for nothing. Ιη case of 31. ~f2 he
probably did not want to encounter
31 ... l2Jc6!? 32.CiJd3 CiJd4 33.1::ta2 ~c3, and his
problems stayed unsolνed, but after the
moνe ίη the game his position became just
hopeless.
31 ... ttxd8 32.ttxd8+ ~xd8 33.~xc5
~dl+ 34.'it>g2 ~xb3 35.~c8+ 'it>h7 36.~b7
~xc4 37.~xf'7 ~e4+ 38.'it>gl ~el+ 39.'it>g2
~e4+ 40.'it>gl ~f5!
Black reinforces his position, throwing
back the white queen from f7.
41.~e8
After 41. ~xe6 ~xe6 42.l2Jxe6 CiJc6
43.CiJc5 a5 44.e6 'it>g6 45.'it>f2 'it>f6 46.We3
'it>e5 Black's remote passed pawn οη the a-
file decided the geme.
41 ... ~bl+ 42.'it>g2 ~c2+ 43.'it>f1
Another retreat of the king was also
bad. After 43. 'it>gl ~c5+ 44. 'it>f1 ~b5+
45.~xb5 axb5 46.l2Jxe6 l2Jc6 47.l2Jc7 b4
48.e6 b3 49.l2Jd5 b2 50.CiJc3 'it>g6 White had
problems to escape ίη the knight endgame
with Black's remote passed pawn.
43 ... ~c4+ 44.'it>el ~e4+ 45.Wf2 ~f5
46.'it>gl
FIDE World Cup 343

Νο use of 46. ~xe6 because of 46 ... tΔd3+ tΔg4+ 54.'it>g2 tΔe3+ 55.'it>f2 tΔg4+ 56.Wg2
47.'it>e3 ~xe6 48.tΔxe6 tΔxe5, and Black's tJte2+ 57.'it>h3 tΔf2+ 58.Φg2 tΔd3+ 59.Wh3
extra pawn ίn the knight endgame wins tJtf1+ 60.ι;t>h4
him the game.
46 ... ~bl+ 47.Wg2 ~c2+ 48.'it>f1
It was already mentioned that the line
48.'it>g1 ~c5+ 495~)f1 ~b5+ 50.~xb5 axb5
51.tΔxe6 tΔc6 was inadmissible for White.
48 ... tΔd5 49.tΔxe6 tΔe3+ 50.'it>el tΔg2+
Now a forced 50 ... ~dl+! 51.'it>f2 tΔg4+
52.Wg2 ~e2+ 53.Wh3 tΔf2+ 54.'it>g2 (54.'it>h4
~g4#) 54 ... tΔd3+ 55.'it>h3 ~f1+ 56.'it>h4
(56.'it>g4 tΔxe5+ 57.'it>h4 tΔf3+ 58.'it>g4
tΔxh2+ 59.'it>h4 tΔf3+ 60.'it>g4 tΔe5+ 61.'it>h4
~h1#) 56 ... tΔxe5 57.tΔf8+ (Black mated
after other continuations, e.g.57.h3 ~f6+ 60... g5+?
58.'it>h5 ~f5+ 59.'it>h4 g5+ 60.tΔxg5+ ~xg5#) Black was just one step away uom a
57 ... ~xf8 58.~xf8 tΔg6+ gave an extra victory. After 60 ... tΔxe5! White's only way
piece to Black and allowed him to win most to escape a quick mate was 61.tΔf8+, but a
quickly, however the move which was plain combination won Black a piece after
played ίn the game did not spoil his posi- 61 ... ~xf8! 62.tJtxf8 tΔg6+
tion either. 61.tΔxg5+ hxg5+ 62.'it>xg5 tJtcl+ 63.
51.'it>f1 tΔe3+ 52.'it>el tJtdl+ 53.'it>f2 'it>f5 tJtf1+ 64.Φg5 tJtcl+ 65.<;.t>f5 tJtf1+ %-1f2

Semi-Finals
The most stubborn struggle developed ίn the match Anand - Gelfand. The first game
ended ίn a draw, and ίn the second one (game 251) Gelfand had an almost winning
position but missed his "hour oftriumph". Three additional games ended ίn draws; the
4th blitz-game was won by Anand.
First two games ofthe match Bareev - Milos ended ίn draws. Then surprising things
happened: ίn the 3 rd game Milos, having an extra piece, gave up his queen, and ίn the 4th
game Bareev was attacked, lost his pawn but managed to draw.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Anand 2762 = = = = = 1 3.5

Gelfand 2681 = = = = = Ο 2.5

344
250 Β70
Anand - Gelfand
Game 1 9.09
l.e4 c5 2.CiJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.CiJxd4
CiJf6 5.CiJc3 a6 6.a4
Αη adνance b7-b5 was preνented by
White ίη the simplest way. This allows
Black to transfer the game into the Dragon
Variation which is conνenient for him.
6 ••.CiJc6 7.i.e2 g6 8.0-0 i.g7 9.i.e3 ο-ο
10.tM2 CiJxd4
Usually Black prefers 10 ... i.d7 or
10 ... ~c7 to this exchange.
11.i.xd4 i.e6 12.a5 Itc8 13.l:.fcl
The continuation 13.h3, which has oc-
curred preνiously, is none the better than
the moνe ίη the game. Probably οηlΥ
13.J:Hd1 could haνe preνented the idea,
which was performed by Black ίη this
game.
13 ... d5!
Mter this moνe the play is fully equal-
ized.
14.exd5
If 14.e5, then after 14 ... CiJe4 15.CiJxe4
dxe416.~e3 (White had to reckon with the
threat of 16 ... i.xe5, and ίη case of 16.1:[d1
Black had 16 ... ~c7, and White's pawn οη
e5 is endangered) 16 ... i.h6! 17. ~xh6 ~xd4
Black took the initiatiνe.
14 ... CiJxd5 15.i.xg7 ~xg7 16.CiJxd5
~xd517.~b4l:.c7 18.c4 ~e519.i.f3l:.d8
20.~el ~d6 21.~c3+ 1f2- 1h
Super Tournαments 2000
251 Ε05
Gelfand - Anand
Game 2 10.09
l.d4 CiJf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.CiJf3 i.e7
Usually y'Anand plays either like ίη the
game or a more aggressiνe 4 ... dxc4, but ίη
the final round of the super tournament
ίη Dortmund when he was struggling for
the first place he chose 4 ... c6 5. ~c2 CiJbd7
6.1ιg2 i.e7 7.0-0 ο-ο 8.b3 b6 9.Itd1 i.a6
10.CiJbd2 c5 11.e4 dxc412.bxc4 cxd4 13.e5
CiJg4 14. ~e4 h5, and after a keen fight
Black achieνed his goal ίη the game
Huebner - Anand, Dortmund 2000.
5.1ιg2 ο-ο 6.0-0 dxc4 7.~c2 a6 8.a4
The line 8. ~xc4 b5 9. ~c2 i.b7 which
used to be popular formerly occurs now
much more seldom as it was analysed prac-
tically until the draw.
8 ...i.d7 9.~xc4 i.c6 10.i.g5 a5
10 ... 1ιd5 is considered to be more reli-
able. After 11. ~d3 i.e4 12. ~e3 (after
12.~d1 c5 Black equalized easily) 12 ...
CiJbd7 13.CiJc3 i.c6 14. ~d3 1ιb4 15.l:.fe1
i.xf3! 16. ~xf3 c6 Black's defence is quite
strong as it was demonstrated ίη the game
Beliaνsky - Almasi, Ubeda 1997.
11.CiJc3 CiJa6 12.i.xf6
White parts with his dark-squared
bishop ίη order to perform the adνance e2-
e4 which will giνe him a mighty pawn cen-
tre.
12 ... i.xf6 13.e4 CiJb4 14.~fdl g6
Black could haνe prepared a hole for
the light-squared bishop οη the queenside
with 14 ... b6, but, as the game Beliaνsky­
Rozentalis, Batumi 1999, showed after
15.CiJe1 g6 16.CiJb5! 1ιg7 17.~ac1 ~c8
18.CiJd3 CiJxd3 19.~xd3 i.xb5 20.axb5 ~e7
21.e5 he might haνe encountered serious
problems eνen though of all minor pieces
οηlΥ opposite-coloured bishops would haνe
stayed present οη the board.
15 ..ί:racl
Α new moνe. Preνiously White played
FIDE World Cup
either 15. ~e2 or 15.h4.
15 ....tte8
16.d5!?
White's pawns ίη the centre start mov-
ing. The advance d4-d5 itself gives White
ηο advantage because Black still keeps a
strong blocking position οη dark squares,
but the whole position becomes very dy-
namic as a result.
16 ... exd5 17.exd5 ~d7 18.liJd4 ,:ιc8?!
Probably 18 ... ite5!? was more cautious.
19.CiJe4 ~e5
Black decided to avoid complications
that could have arisen after 19 ... itxa4. Ιη
Gelfand's ορίηίοη ίη this case White
could achieve an advantage by means
of 20.b3! (20.CiJe6 leads οηlΥ to a draw
ίη view of 20 ... ~e7! 21.b3 fxe6 22.CiJxf6+
~xf6 23. bxa4 exd5 24.~xd5+ CiJxd5
25.~xd5 ~h8 26.~xb7 .ttf8) 20 ... ~xd4 (if
20 ... itd7, then either 21.CiJc6 or 21.CiJe6 is
good) 21. ~xd4 ~xe4 22.~xe4 ~xb3 23.:a:d2
~d6 24.~a7! and despite Black had two
pawns for an exchange his position is
rather hard.
20.CiJc5 b6 21.CiJc6
Mter 21.CiJde6 ~e7 it was a much more
complicated task for White to gain a profit
from his position.
21 ... itxc6 22.dxc6 bxc5!?
Black decided to change the course of
the game sharply. 8acrificing the queen,
he tries to take the initiative. Any retreat
of the black queen allowed White to keep
345
his rather unpleasant initiative. 80, after
22 ... ~g5 23.f4 i.xf4 24.'!';'fxf4 ~xf4 25.gxf4
bxc5 26 ..t!.xc5 ~a8 27.1:te5 Black had a poor
endgame. Ιη case of 22 ... ~f6 23.CiJd7 ~e6
White played 24.CiJxe5 '!';'fxe5 25.~h3ltcd8
26.1:!:d 7, maintaining unpleasant pressure
οη light squares, as well as ίη case of
22 ... ~e7 23.~d7 ~f8 24.CiJe4 ~xb2 25.~cd1,
and though ίη the last line this pressure
cost a pawn to White, it was worth even
more.
23.~xd8 tιcxd8 24.~el ~d4
The object ofthe attack is the f2-square.
25.~xe8+ J::txe8 26. '!';'fb5 ~g7
These preventive measures are aimed
at the exclusion ofWhite's check from the
8th rank.
27.'!';'fxa5?!
Most probably at this moment White
lost a great deal of his advantage. He
should have defellded against the attack
οη f2 with 27.~f1!? Mter 27 ... CiJc2 (ηο bet-
ter was 27 ... ~xb2 28. '!';'fxa5 CiJc2 because of
29.~d5, and if27 ... ~e5 then 28.~f3 is pos-
sible) 28.~d5 .t!.el+ 29.ς,t>g2 .t!.b1 30.'!';'fxa5
.t!.xb2 3l.<1;il'h3 CiJb4 32.i.e4 .t!.xf2 33. '!';'fxc7 it
was much more complicated for Black to
set up a co-ordination ofhis pieces.
27 ... ,:ιe2 28.'!';'fxc7 ,:ιΧf2 29.ΦhΙ CiJd3
30.'!';'fd8?!
The clouds are gathering over the posi-
tion of the black king. White needs to ορ­
pose something to Black's play. Probably
the move 30.itd5!? arranged the greatest
problems for Black, creating a constant
threat οη f7. Mter 30 ... CiJe5 31.h4! (ίη case
of 31.a5 CiJg4 32. ~xf7+ .t!.xf7 33.~xf7 CiJf2+
34.~g2 CiJe4 35.a6 c4 36.~xc4 CiJd6 an
endgame with a non-standard relation of
forces might have appeared οη the board
and the game should result ίη a draw most
likely) White keeps chances for a victory
thanks to a large extent to the fact that ίη
the variation 31 ... CiJg4 32.~g2 h5 he has a
beautiful move 33. '!';'ff4!
346
30... J::ϊc2!
Mter this move Black's pieces begin to
interact excellently. If Black played
30 ... CUe1, then White would continue not
with 31.c7?! J::ϊxg2 32.t\'xd4+ (after 32.h4?
~gl + 33.';t>h2CUf3+ 34.';t>h3 i.e5 White lost
the game) 32 ... cxd4 33.c8t\' l:ιxb2 with
Black's chances for a draw, but with
31.t\'a5!, and after 31 ... CUxg2 32.c7 CUe3
33.t\'e1 White managed to repel Black's
threat to his king. Insufficient was also
30 ... ~xb2 31.c7cuf2+ 32.<;t>glCUg4+ because
Bareev 2702
Milos 2633
252 Cll
Milos - Bareev
Game 1 9.09
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.CUc3 tΔf6 4.i.g5 dxe4
5.CUxe4 .ie7 6.i.xf6 i.xf6 7.CUf3 cud7
8.i.c4 a6 9.~e2
Also 9.0-0 ο-ο 1ω:Ιe1 b5 11 ..ib3 i.b7
was seen very long ago.
9 ... b510 ..ib3
10 ..id5 was tested too: after 10 ... z:ι.b8
11.0-0-0 ο-ο 12.i.c6 ::f.b6 13.d5 exd5
Super Tournαments 2000
of33.t\'xd4+! cxd4 34.c8~ .ttb1+ 35.i.f1CUe3
36. t\'a6, Black's position was just hopeless.
31.i.f1
After 31.c7 Black forced a draw with the
help ofa perpetual check: 31 ... CUf2+ 32.<;t>gl
CUg4+ 33.<;t>f1CUe3+ 34.~e1CUxg2+.
31 ... CUf2+ 32.<;t>g2CUg4+ 33.<;t>f3 tΔe5+
33 ... f5!? was also good, as after 34. t\'e7+
<;t>h6 35. t\'e1CUe5+ 36.<;t>f4 tΔxc6 White had
ηο particular chances.
34.<;t>e4CUxc6 35.~c7CUb4 36.g4
The web, spun by the black pieces ίη
the centre of the board, will not let the
white king off without materiallosses for
his army. Mter 36.b3 h5 37.i.c4 ~f2 38.a5
<;t>h6 Black created a dreadful threat off7-
f5#, and in case of 39.i.xf7 he had a per-
petual check: 39 ... z:ι.e2+ 40.<;t>f31:!f2+.
36 ...!Η'2 37 ..ib5 g5 38.a5 lf2-1f2
The endgame with opposite-coloured
bishops to appear after 38 ... J::ϊxf4 39.t\'xf4
gf 40.a6CUxa6 41 ..ixa6 .ixb2 was a draw.
1 2 3 4
= = 1 = 2.5
= = Ο = 1.5
14 ..ixd5 c6 15 ..ib3 c5 16.i.d5 t\'c7 17.z:ι.he1
i.d8 18.CUeg5 .ixg5+ 19.CUxg5 tΔf6 20. t\'e5
the chances were equalised in the game
Svidler - M.Gurevich, Esbjerg 2000, and
the opponents agreed to a draw.
10... 0-0 11.J::ϊd1 .ib7 12.0-0 c5 13.c3
lh-1f2
The final decision is delayed in this pair
too. It can be noted that 13.dxc5 gave noth-
ing to White because of 13 ... .ixe4 14. t\'xe4
CUxc5 as well as 13.CUxc5 to be followed by
13 ... CUxc5 14.dxc5 t\'c7.
FIDE World Cup
253 Ε32
Bareev - Milos
Game 2 10.09
l.d4 tίJf6 2.c4 e6 3.tίJc3 ~b4 4:~c2 ο-ο
5.a3 ~xc3+ 6. ~xc3 b6 7 .~g5 b6 8.~b4
~a6
Instead of a natural 8 ... ~b7 Black
played 8 ... ~a6, aiming at the pawη οη c4
as a possible object for an attack.
9.tίJf3 d6 10.~c2
Α noνelty. 10.e3 deliνered a conνenient
play to Black after 10 ... tίJbd7 11.b4 c5
12.dxc5 bxc5 13.b5 ~b7 14.~e2 a6 ίη the
game Elbilia - Palac, Montpellier 1997.
10...tίJbd7 11.e4 e5 12.~d3
White refused to relieνe ίη the centre
with 12.d5, because after 12 ... g5 13.~g3
tίJh5 Black got a strong blocking position
οη dark squares.
12 ... exd4 13.t2Jxd4 t2Je5 14.0-0 tίJg6
It's important for Black to annihilate
namely White's dark-squared bishop, be-
cause after 14... tίJxd3 15. ~xd3 the bind-
ing οη the diagonal d8-h4 was quite
troublesome for him.
15 ..tg3 tίJb5 16.~adl ~b7 17.1:tfel
tίJxg3 18.hxg31:Ie8 19.~c3
White is striνing for an endgame,
though he could haνe transferred the
knight to c3 still ίη the middlegame with
19.tίJb5.
19... ~f6 20.tίJb5 ~xc3 21.tίJxc3 tίJίB
22 ..tc2 tίJe6 23.f4 a5
347
24.tίJd5
With this moνe White allows Black to
block υρ his queenside with a5-a4, prob-
ably hoping to attack later the pawn οη
a4. Δη alternatiνe of24.~a41:ted8 25.tίJd5
could haνe been successful ίη case of
25 ... tίJc5?! 26.~b5, as Black would haνe ηο
26 ... c6? because of27.tίJe7+, but there was
a much stronger 25 ... ιot>f8!, and White's
achieνements from the moνe .iιa4 came to
nothing.
24 ... a4 25.e5 dxe5 26.1:txe5 ~ed8 27.f5
~xd5 28.1:teΧd51:ιΧd5 29.cxd5 tίJc5 30.d6
With a bishop against a knight, White
naturally attempts to open υρ the play.
30...c6 31.1:[d4 ιot>ίB 32.~dl ιot>e8 33.d7+
tίJxd7 34.~xa4 tίJe5
Haνing left the conνenient parking
place οη c5, the black knight found another
good square οη e5.
35.ιot>f2 r3;e7 36 ..iιdl c5 37.:d2 tίJc4
lh- 1h
Milos - Bareev
Game 3 25-minute
Ιη the position, where Black could make
a draw (that was not difficu1t), there was a
sudden:
79.tίJd5??
Andafter
79 ... ~b7+
Black soon won.
348 Super Tournαments 2000

FinaI

It seems that Bareeν exhausted all his luck and Anand easily won the match. Soon
after the games were oνer, prize money cheques were handed oνer by FIDE Treasurer
after deducting 20% tax. Anand receiνed $40,000 and Bareeν $24,000.

Bareev: ''1 reached quarter-finals quite by chance. Then Ι was lucky playing with
Azmaiparashνili and with Milos. During the tournament Ι had fantastic luck at eνery
step. But of course Ι wanted to win ίη the final, though Ι am pleased that Ι reached it."

Anand: ''1 like the knockout system. It has a special kind of appeal. Υου need some
special approach. Υου need to ήsk your neck eνery two days. Ι do not like the combined
format beca use you can be eliminated ίη the round robin as well but then you must do it
after six days. Ι like these pure knockouts. Ifyou finish you can go home. It's like a roller
coaster. It's thrilling, the adrenaline, eνeryday fighting for your life. Ι like it νery much."

.-
Ι 2

Anand 2762 = 1 1.5

Bareeν 2702 = Ο 0.5

254 Ε05
Bareev - Anand
Game 1 12.09

1.d4 l2Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.l2Jf3 iιe7

5.iιg2 ο-ο 6.0-0 dxc4 7:f;[c2 a6 8.a4 iιd7
9. ~xc4 iιc6 10.iιg5 iιd5
Ιη the second game of the semi-final
match V.Anand played 10 ... a5 against
B.Gelfand, but failed to gain a full equal-
ity. Ιη this game Black chooses a more re-
liable continuation. 12...h6
1l.~c2 Α new moνe. Black ascertains the ίη­
Another possible line 11. ~d3 iιe4 tentions of White's dark-squared bishop
12. ~e3 was mentioned already ίη our an- rather timely. Mter 12 ... l2Jbd7 13.l2Jc3 iιc6
notation to the game Gelfand - Anand, 14. ~c2 iιb4 15.l:He1 h6 (15 ... iιxf3 16.iιxf3
Shenyang(πJ2) 2000. c6 17 ..ί:!:ed1 ~a5 18.iιf4 e5 19.dxe5 l2Jxe5
1l ... iιe4 12. ~c1 20.iιg21:tad8 21.l2Ja2 which occurred ίη the
FIDE World Cup
game Filippoν - Gutoν, Russia 1998, gaνe
ηο full equalization to Black) 16 ..txf6 tLJxf6
17.e4 White kept good chances for an ad-
νantage ίη the game Ruck - Yu Shaoteng,
Gyula 2000, haνing got a mighty pawn cen-
tre. The line 12 ... tLJc6 13.tLJbd2 tLJxd4
14.tLJxd4 ~xg2 15.tLJxe6 fxe6 16.~xg2 was
also tested recently, but the compact pawn
chain supplied White with better chances
both ίη the game Kaidanoν - C.Bauer, New
York 2000, and ίη the game Tkachieν -
Piket, Cannes 2000·.
13.J.xf6 .txf6 14.tLJc3 J.xf3 15..txf3 c6
16.e3 a5 17.h4 tLJa6 18.h5 'ffie7 19.~dl
~fd8 20.'ffic2 tLJb4
It is eνident that the play is absolutely
equalized. White cannot preνent Black
from the adνance c6-c5.
21.'ffib3 J:ιac8 22.1::tacl c5
The opponents could haνe agreed to a
draw after this moνe quite confidently.
23.dxc5 z:txdl + 24. 'ffixdl J:ιxc525.tLJe4
~c7 26.b3 b6 27.~e21:Ixc128.'ffixcl 'ffid8
29"~c4 .te7 30.'ffib5 tLJd5 31.i..c4 .tb4
32.g4 tLJf6 33.tLJxf6+ lh_%
255 Cll
Anand - Bareev
Game 2 13.09
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.tLJc3 tLJf6 4.e5 tLJfd7
5.tLJce2
This νariation already stood V.Anand
ίη good stead ίη 2000. He won three con-
νincing νictories with it before this game,
though none of them were "serious". ΑΠ
the games were played with shortened
time control, and ίη the Spanish town Leon
where V.Anand played with A.Shiroν the
players were eνen allowed to use comput-
ers.
5 ... c5 6.c3 cxd4
Eνgeni Bareeν goes the way, which was
paνed, ίη the game Bezgodoν - Sakaeν,
Moscow (m/3) 1999, played ίη the final
match ofthe Russia Championship. Other
opponents ofthe Indian grandmaster pre-
349
ferred to play differently: 6 ... tLJc6 7.f4 b5
(7 ... 'ffib6 8.tLJf3 i..e7 9.a3 ο-ο 10.h4 [6 11.1:th3
tLJa5 12.b4! cxb4 13.axb4 tLJc4 14.tLJg3 a5
15.i..d3 f5 16.tLJg5!, and Black suffered a
strong attack Anand - Shiroν, Frankfurt
(actiνe) 2000) 8.a3 cxd4 (8 ... c4 9.tLJf3 tLJb6
10.g4 [5 11.gxf5 exf5 12.i..g2 .te7 13.0-0
h6 14.ΙΗ2 .te6 15.~f1 g5 16.fxg5 hxg5
17.h4! g4 18.tLJg5, and it turned out sud-
denly that it was White, not Black, who
was attacking οη the queenside Anand -
Morozeνich, Frankfurt 2000) 9.tLJxd4 tLJxd4
10.cxd4 b4 11.a4 'ffia5 12 ..td2 .te7 13.tLJf3
ο-ο 14 ..tb5 tLJb6 15.b3 SΙa6 16.SΙxa6 'ffixa6
17.a5 tLJd7 18.'ffie2, and eνen the computer
was unable to help Black to keep the bal-
ance ίη the game Anand - Shiroν, Leon
2000.
7.cxd4 f6 8.tLJf4 .tb4+ 9.SΙd2 'ffib6
lO.i-xb4
The continuation 10. 'ffih5+!? g6 11.tLJxg6
i.xd2+ 12.~xd2 'ffixb2+ 13.~e3 has not
been tested ίη practice yet.
lO ... 'ffixb4+ 11 ..~M2 'ffixd2+ 12.~xd2
~e7 13.exf6+ gxf6 14.J:ιel tLJb6
15.tLJf3!
The aboνe-mentioned game Bezgodoν
- Sakaeν deνeloped according to a differ-
ent scenario. After 15.i.d3 tLJc6 16.tLJf3 <;t>d6
17.tLJh5 J:ιf8 18.SΙxh7 e5 Black got an ex-
cellent play ίη the centre ofthe board. The
moνe, played by V.Anand ίη this game, is
much stronger anι:i can influence the esti-
mation of the whole νariation.
15 ... tLJc6 16..tb5 i-d7 17..txc6!
White gets rid of his bishop properly.
350
Using the circumstance that Black has to
take with the pawn, White restricts con-
siderably the opportunities of his ορρο­
nent's bishop.
17...bxc6 18.~e2 ~ae8 19.~hel 'i,;f7
Ιη Anand's ορίηίοη 19 ... ~d6! was more
precise and if20.tbh5, then 20 ... !tef8 is the
οηlΥ but sufficient, but not 20 ... !thf8? be-
cause of 21.tbg7! ~e7 22.tbf5.
20.~cl tbc4
Most likely Black has already planned
the sacrifice of a pawn which will follow
later. Otherwise this moνe was unneces-
sary.
21.tbd2 tbxd2
Νο sense to retreat. After 21 ... tbd6
22.tbb3 or 21 ... tbb6 22.tbb3 White's knight
intruded to c5.
22.~xd2 c5
It is the sacrifice, which Black meant
when he played 21 ... tbc4.
23.dxc5 e5 24.tbxd5!
White does not want to yield the initia-
tiνe to his opponent and νentures οη a sac-
rifice an exchange. After 24.tbd3 ..ib5
Black's play was much simpler than ίη the
game.
24 .....ib5 25.~c3
Of course ηο 25.~e3? becauseof 25 ...
~d8.
25 ... Jtxe2 26.1::rxe2 1::rc8?
Black commits a fatal blunder. Mter
26 ... 1::rd8! 27.~c4 ~e6 28.~d2 J::td7 White's
adνantage could be not enough for a win.
27.'i,;c4 'i,;e6 28.b4 J::thd8 29.~d2 1::rd7
30.f4!
Another excellent resource, found by
White. It turns out that Black cannot gain
from the binding οη the d-file.
30... e4
Super Tournαments 2000
There was already ηο escape. There was
ηο 30 ... ~cd8 because of31.c6 ~xd5 32.f5 .. !,
and ίη case of 30 ... h5 White played 31.b5
e4 32.c6! :td6 33.a4 1:!.cd8 34.c7 1:!c8 35.a5
~xd5 36.1::rxd5 J:.xc7+ 37.~d4 f5 38.b6 axb6
39.axb6 and then won the rook endgame.
easily.
31.1::rd4 f5
32.g4!
White deliνers one blow after another
to Black's position.
32 ... J:ιg7
If 32 ... fxg4, then after 33.1::rxe4+ ~f7
34.b5 White's pawns οη the queenside are
irrepressible.
33.tbe3 fxg4 34.~d6+ 'i,;f7 35.tbf5
As a matter of fact, this moνe puts an
end to the game. Black's rook has ηο good
square to retreat.
35... e3
There was ηο 35 ... J::tgg8 because of
36.tbh6+, and ίη C'lse of 35 ... ~g6 the solu-
tion was 36.~xg6 ~xg6 (if 36 ... hxg6, then
again a fork 37.tbd6+) 37.tbe7+, and
White's knight has time for eνerything.
36.tbxg7 .ί:[e8 37.tbxe8 e2 38.~f6+ 1-0
Ιη case of 38 ... ~e7 White won with a
simple manoeuνre 39.~f5 el'it! 40.:te5+
'it!xe5 41.fxe5 ~xe8 42.'i,;d5.
Essent 351

Essent
Hoogeveen 15.10-21.10, cat.16

1 Κhalifman 2667

2 Timmaη 2639

3 Galkin 2587

4 Ju.Polgar 2656

During the great chess festival ίη a small but famous Dutch town there was a double
rounded all-play-all tournament with four participants. The home players Jan Timman
with Alexander Κhalifman represented the older generation of chessplayers and
Ju.Polgar with last year's World Champion under 20 A.Galkin - the younger generation.
The results and, to an even greater degree, chess content ofthe games allows to estimate
this tournament as Alexander Κhalifman's triumph.

Fragment of Interview with Hoogeveen Winner Alexander Κhalifman

ΒΥ Jαn υαπ
de Mortel

A.Κhalifman: "Last year was very unusual, a lot of new feelings. Ιη a sense Ι really
enjoyed it, though sometimes it was probably too emotional. Generally, it was really
new and Ι liked it. But it is good for me that Ι won this tournament because, you kηow,
it was a problem for me throughout the year: ίη most ofthe tournaments Ι didn't play
so well, it was almost always like Ι was feeling an obligation to prove something. It
puts a lot of psychological pressure οη you when you play this way. And here, Ι played
just to play. Time passed and Ι forgot about proving something - the obligation to play
like a world champion, and so οη. At last Ι didn't feel this stupid pressure. It used to be
that Ι was thinking about a position οη the board, Ι saw some move, Ι wanted to play it,
but then Ι would think 'This move is nothing special, I'm a world champion, Ι should do
something really ingenious!'. 8uch stupidity. Here Ijust played as Ι play, not as world
champion, but as Alexander Κhalifman. Ι did not care anymore, Ι playedjust to score a
good result ίη the tournament, and somehow it happened ... When Ι play some
tournaments, other players are somehow preparing especially for me. Mter Las Vegas
it always was a special game. They bring some extra inspiration. Kasparov was just
another story. He wanted to destroy me, he was very highly motivated for this game ίη
Linares. He's a great player; he plays chess much better than me, but the difference is
not that big. 80me stupid things were written during Las Vegas, like Garry would beat
Akopian and me ίη a simul. I'm not a stable player, but sometimes Ι can play good
chess ... 80 Ι was very glad to play here. Ι like playing ίη the Netherlands especially, and
Europe ίη general. I'm almost sure the organization is good or almost perfect there. We
352 . Super Tournαments 2000

don't have any strange problems during the tournament, ηο insects ίη beds, ηο problems
with the cuisine; ίη Asia one has to think about these things all the time ... I used some
new underestimated setups, for example, ίη my second game against Galkin, when Ι
played the Slav gambit with White. Before this White hadn't showed anything really
good against this line of the Slav. Ι think 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.e5 and the following plan is
rather dangerous for Black, but it has not been prepared especially for this tournament:
this is the result of my preparation for the World Championship. But some of the new
ideas worked now, some of them are waiting."

256 C17
Galkin - Κhalifman
Round 1 15.10
Notes by A.Khαlifmαn

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.ctJc3 3ιb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3

3ιa5 6.b4 cxd4 7.'{ffg4
The sharpest continuation, connected
with mutual destruction offlanks.
7 ... ctJe7 8.bxa5 dxc3 9. '{ffxg7 1:J:g8
10:~xh7ctJbc6 11.ctJf3
11.f4 is another popular move ίη this
variation.
11 ... '{ffc7 12.~f4 ~d7 13.~d3
The move 13.a6 went out offashion after
Black had found a very unpleasant answer
of 13 ... 0-0-0!
13 ...0-0-0 14.~g3
Ιη case of 14.0-0 my opponent had to
reckon with 15 ... ffi because an incautious
15.exf6? could have brought him to a
crushing defeat after 15 ... '{ffxf4 16.fxe7
1:J:xg2+! 17.Φχg2 '{ffg4+ 18.Φh1 '{ffxf3+ 19.
Φg1 '{ffg4+ 20.Φh11:J:g8
14... '{ffxa5 15.0-0 1:J:h8!?
The idea to make use of the advanced
position ofWhite's queen is not new, but ίη
this very position it was seen οηlΥ once ίη
the game Α. Kovacevic - Β. Stanojevic,
Vrsac 2000, not long before the tournament
ίη Hoogeveen. Usually Black plays here
15 ... '{ffa4 or 15 ... '{ffc5.
16.'{ffxf71:J:df8 17.'{ffg71:J:hg8 18.'{ffh6
White rejects the continuation 18. '{ffh7
1:J:h8 19. '{ffg7 with the repetition ofposition,
thus demonstrating his willingness to fight.
18 ...1:J:xf3!
Continuing the operation Black started
οη the 15th move. Despite White's great
material advantage, Ι had a fair com-
pensation for the sacrificed material as his
pawn chain was fully destroyed not οηlΥ
οη the queenside, but οη the kingside as
well. Besides, my knights obtained excel-
lent stands ίη the centre ofthe board οη d4
and f5. ΒΥ the way, Black's refusal to
sacrifice by an exchange ίη the game
A.Kovacevic - B.Stanojevic, Vrsac 2000,
brought him into a difficult situation after
18 ... '{ffa419.'{ffe3 ..ie8 20.CΔg5 CΔd4 21.f43ιc6
22.1:J:f2
19.9xf3 ctJd4
19 ... ctJxe5? does not work because of
20 ...ih7!
20.'{fff4
Ιη case of 20 Φh1 ctJef5 21. '{ffh7 (if
21.'{fff4, then 21 ... ..ib5 as well as ίη the
game) 21 ... '{ffd8 White's queen restήcts the
mobility of Black's pieces to some extent,
but οηlΥ at the cost of own safety.
20 ... ctJef521.ΦhΙ
Essent
White's d3-bishop is νery important
now. It has to guard the e2-square which is
νery aΙΙuήηg for the black knight. This is
why my opponent did not hurry to moνe
his king away to preνent a knight fork and
get rid of the opposition with the g8-rook.
Ιη case of 2UHd1, implying that White
does not want to exchange the light-
squared bishops, there is 21 ... ~c5 (an
attempt to gain an adνantage by tactical
means of21 ... tίJh4?! does not work because
of 22.~h1! tίJhxf3 23.~f1 ~c5 24.~d3 tίJc2
25. ~xf3 d4 26.~g2, and Black can't win
back the rook because of the threat to the
b7-square) 22.Wh1 (ίη case of22.a4 White
has to reckon with 22 ... tίJxg3 23.hxg3 ~f8)
22 ... a5 with mutual chances. Also instead
of 22 ... a5 there is ηο 22 ... tίJxg3? because of
23.fxg3 ~f8 24.~e3 ~xf3 25.~g1, pinning
υρ the d4-knight.
21 ... ~b5!
An improνement ίη comparison with the
game Lutz - Lyrberg, Κatήηehοlm 1999
which, came to the same position with
slightly reνersed moνes. Black accom-
plished then a similar exchange three
moνes later: 21 ... ~c5 22.~g1 ~f8 23.~g4
~c6 24.~g2 ~b5.
22.~fdl ~xd3 23.MXd3
Now that the light-squared bishops are
gone, Black's position ίη the centre becomes
much stronger, especially ofhis f5-knight,
and White's g3-bishop turns out a sort of
bigpawn.
23 ... ~c5
Also 22 ... tίJc6!? 23. ~c1 d4 deserνed
attention.
24.~cl
White should be νery cautious already.
80, an actiνe 24.~ad1 after 24 ... tίJe2! (ifthe
knight retreats to c2 or c6, then White wins
by 25.~xd5!) 25. ~b4 tίJexg3+!? (also ίη case
of 25 ... tίJfxg3+ 26.fXg3 ~f2 27.~h4 ~xg3!
28.hxg3 tίJxg3+ 29. ~xg3 ~xg3 30.~xc3+
~b8 White is inνolνed into an unpleasant
struggle for a draw) 26.fxg3 ~f2 27.f4 ~h8
28.~xc3+ ~b8 29.h4 tίJxh4 30.gxh4 ~xh4+
31.~h3 ~xh3+ 32.~xh3 ~xh3+ 33.'it>g2
353
Iίxa3forces a rook endgame ίη which Black
1Sapawn up.
24 ...~b8
Despite White's considerable material
adνantage, Black can afford seνeral
prophylactic moνes since it's not easy for
White to reinforce his position as he has to
defend a lot ofweak pawns.
25.~dl ~c8 26.~ί4 tίJc6 27.~el ~c4
The moνe 27 ... d4?! looks ill-based now
as after 28.~e4 the white queen occupies a
dominating position ίη the centre.
28.~g5 tίJcd4 29.~dl ~a4 30.kta2
White has to take care of his c2-pawn.
Ιη case of 30.f4?! after the forced 30 ... ~xc2
31.~xc2 (if 31.~xd4, then after 31 ... ~xf2
32.~d3 c2 33.~c1 ~e2 34.~h3 d4 White is
absolutely helpless despite his extra rook)
31 ... tίJxc2 32.~c1 tίJxa3 33.~dxc3 tίJc4
Black's a- and b-pawns, supported by the
knights, hardly can encounter any serious
obstacles οη the way to the back rank.
30... ~c4 31.Iίal ~a4 32.~a2 tίJb5!?
There was a dynamic balance οη the
board, but Ι wanted to struggle for an
adνantage.
33.f4?
Α weak and untimely moνe. After
33.~a1 it would be much more difficult to
break White's defensiνe redoubts.
33 ... ~e4+ 34.f3
Α forced decision. Now the important e3-
square ίη White's camp is weakened. After
34.~f3? ~e1+ 35.~g2 ~b1 or 34.'it>g1? ~g8
35. ~h5 (an attempt to pay off by 35.Iίg3
does not help because of 34 ... tίJbd4! 35.h4
354
lbxg3 36.fxg3 lbf3+ 37.Wf2 lbxg5 38.hxg5
.!:!:h8 with a deciding attack) 35 ... lbbd4
36. 't!if7 1:rc8 Black gains a winning advan-
tage namely because of the unhappy
position ofWhite's rook οη a2.
34... 't!ia4 35.'t!iel d4
Black prepares the d5-square for his b5-
knight.
36.h4
Mter 36. 't!ie4lbc7 Black transferred the
knight to b5 as there was ηο 37 ..1::txc3?
because of 37 ... 't!ib5! with irresistible
threats to White's rooks (dxc3 and 't!ib1+)
and king ('t!if1#) at the same time.
36 ...lbc7
37.'t!ie4?? 0-1.
Αterrible move which even did not
require Black's eνident response 37 ... lbg3+.
Ιη case of a normal 37.<t>g1 Black would
soon pounce upon the white king with all
his might by 37 ... lbd5 38.'t!ib1l:Ig8! 39.'t>f2
't!ie8
257 C72
Polgar - llmman
Round 1 15.10
l.e4 e5 2.lbf3 lbc6 3.~b5 a6 4.~a4 d6
Black preferred the Advanced Steinitz
Variation in the Ruy Lopez.
5.0-0
White decided to avoid complications to
appear after 5.c3 f5.
5.....td7
Probably J .Polgar was going to meet her
adversary ίη the keen line 5 ....ig4 6.h3 h5
Super Tournαments 2000
which Jan Timman plays sometimes .
6.d4
Α break of the pawn chain and con-
siderable simplifications after the move ίη
the game make Black's task of the equa-
lization of the play much simpler. 6.c3
promised a more complicated play.
6 •.. lbxd4 7 ...txd7+ 't!ixd7 8.lbxd4 exd4
9.'t!ixd4lbf6 10.lbc3 iLe7 11.~g5 h6
The move 11 ... 't!ic6? which has occurred
preνiously does not stand up to criticism,
as after 12.lbd5 't!id7 13.iLxf6..txf6 14. 't!ixf6
gxf615.lbxf6+ We7 16.lbxd7 ΦΧd717.1::rad1
White got an extra pawn for nothing ίη the
game Hurt - Hlozek, Svetla nad Sazavou
1998.
12.iLh4 't!ig413.iLg3 ο-ο 14.~adll:rfe8
15.'t!ic4 ~ac8 16.h3
White is going to advance her kingside
pawns. The move 16.f3 was a more solid
continuation.
16 ...'t!ig6 17.iLh2 lbd7 18.f4 c6
Black would have played much stronger
ifhe had put pressure upon White's central
e4-pawn by 18 ... lbb6!? 19.'t!id3 iLf6.
19. 't!ie2 f5 20.Φhιlbc5
The move 20 ... fxe4 did not suit Black
because of 21.f5.
21.exf5 't!ixf5 22.g4 ~f7 23. ~g2 d5
24.lbe2 lbe4 25.c4 iLd6 %-%
The position got strained. Probably
Black is not worse, but the opponents
preferred not to run ήsks and agreed to a
draw ίη the position which still contained
many opportunities for both sides.
258 C42
Khalifman - Timman
Round 2 16.10
Notes by Khαlifmαn
l.e4 e5 2.lbf3 lbf6
Unlike the first round, this time my
adversary preferred the Petroff Defence
instead of the Ruy Lopez.
3.lbxe5 d6 4.lbf3lbxe4 5.d4 d5 6 ...td3
lbc6
Essent 355

Ιη the late eighties J. Timman often 13.J:lel

played a symmetric vaήatίοη ofthe Petroff The move 13.a3 allowed Black to keep
Defence with 6 ... ..td6, but for the last the balance after 13 ... 4Jxc3 14.bxc3 4Jc6
decade his sympathy has shifted to the con- 15.4Jd2 f5 16.~e1 .Jtf6 17 ...if3 .Jtg8 ίη the
tinuation used ίη the game. game Leko - Κramnik, Dortmund 2000.
7.0-0 ..te7 8.c44Jb4 9 ...te2 ο-ο 10.4Jc3 Another opportunity to struggle for an
..te6 advantage was connected with the move
13.f1b3!? After 13 ... 4Jxc3 (ίη case of13 ... a5
14.c5 i.f5 15.iH4 White maintains his
initiative as well) 14.bxc3 dxc4 15 ..Jtxc4
..txc4 16. f1xc4 f1d5 (M.Adams mentioned
one more Black's reserve, ίη his ορίηίοη
16 ... 4Jd5 gained a slight advantage for
White after the 17.J:lb1 4Jb6 18.f1b3 c5
19.a4 c4 20. f1b5 .ί:!.c8 21 ..i.d2) 17. f1b3 f1xb3
18.axb3 4Jd5 19 . .ί:!.e1 White got some
advantage ίη the ending ίη the game
Adams - Timman, Wijk aan Zee 2000.
13 ... c6?
1l.4Je5! Black reinforced the d5-square, but at
ΟηΙΥ this way allows White to count οη
the same time he deΡήved the b4-knight
an opening advantage. of an important retreat point. After
1l ... f6 13 ... .i.g8 14.a3 4Jxc3 15.bxc3 4Jc6 16.cxd5
There was a worthy alternative ofll ... c5 ..ixd5 17 ..i.b2 (17 ...td3!? deserved attention)
which after 12.4Jxe4 dxe4 13.d5 ..td6 14.a3 17 ... f5 18.4Jd2 i.f6 19.c4.Jtf7 20.4Jb3 b5 the
.i.xe5 15.axb4.i.f5 16.bxc5 f1c7 17.g3 (also play was equalize(l ίη the game Lutz - Van
17 ...ie3!? .i.xh2+ 18.~h1 ..te5 19 ...id4 .ί:!.fe8 Der Sterren, Venlo 2000. Also 13 ... f5!?
20.b4 was good Wahls - Pavasovic, Dresden deserved attention since it let Black keep
1998) 17 ... f1xc5 18 ...ie3 f1d6 19.c5 f1f6 υρ the balance at the FIDE World Cham-
20. f1b3 .i.xb2 21 ..ί:!.a4 allowed White to gain pionship ίη the game Svidler - Adams, New
a considerable advantage at the Europe Deli (m/l) 2000 after 14.a3 4Jc6 15.cxd5
Club Cup 2000 ίη the game Baklan - ..txd5 16.i.d3 .i.f6 17 ..i.e3 4Jxc3 18.bxc3
Timman, Neum 2000. f1d7
12.4Jf3 14.a3 4Ja6 15.cxd5 cxd5 16..Jtd3!
After 12 ..i.g4 Black equalized by 12 ... White emphasizes the unstable position
i.c8! 13 ..i.xc8 .ί:!.χc8 14.4Jf3 c5 15. f1e2 cxd4 of Black's pieces οη the e-file. Ι will gain
16.4Jxd4 .ί:!.e8 ίη the game Anand - Κram­ nothing ίη case of 16. f1b3 because of
nik, Frankfurt 1998. 16 ... 4Jc7! as 17.f1xb7 .ί:!.b81eads to a draw
12 ...~h8 because ofthe perpetual attack ofWhite's
Α solid move. The advance 12 ... c5?! queen by the black rook. Also 16 ..i.xa6 bxa6
which used to be popular once brought 17.4Jxe4 dxe4 18 ..ί:!.χe4 is not very good
Black to a hard position after 13 ...te3 .ί:!.c8 despite the extra pawn because Black can
14.dxc5 .i.xc5 15.i.xc5! .ί:!.χc5 16. f1b3 a5 create a counterplay owing to his pair of
(16 ... 4Jxc3?! 17.f1xc34Jc6 is even worse for active bishops: 18 ... .i.d5 19.I:!:e3 a5.
Black because of 18.b4 .ί:!.χc4 19 ..i.xc4 dxc4 16... f5
20.b5, Lutz - Kutuzovic, Pula 2000) Weakening disastrously the e5-square
17 . .ί:!.ad1 f1e7 18.4Ja4! ίη the game Κha­ ίη Black's camp, but another continuation
lifman - Karpov, Bali 2000. 16 ... 4Jxc3 17.bxc3 4Jc7 17. f1c2 .i.g8 18.a4
356 Super Tournαments 2000

led Black to serious problems anyway. with a considerable positional advantage

17 ...tf4 after 22.CΔe2!? The following exemplary line
White's dominance over the diagonal b8- agrees with this estimation: 22 ... CΔc6
h2 makes the defence ofBlack's queenside 23.CΔxc6 ~xc6 (if 23 ... bxc6, then 24.f3)
a hard task. Ιη case of17.CΔe2 White has to 24.l:txc6 bxc6 25.f3 ~h4 26.l:tf1 CΔf6 (ηο
reckon with 17 ... g5!? However, 17. ~b3 was 26 ... CΔd2? because of27. ~b4!) 27. ~b7 ~h6
possible as Black's most fundamental 28.f4. It should be noted that an immediate
response 17 ... .id6 to be followed by 20 ... CΔb8 encounters 21.it..xffi! (ηο 21.CΔxd5?
18. ~xb7 CΔac5 19.dxc5 CΔxc5 allowed White ~f7 22.~xc8 1:ixc8 23 ..ic4 because of
to maintain his great advantage by 20 ...tg5! 23 ... ~xc4! 24. ~xc4 CΔc6), and Black's best
CΔxb7 21.it..xd8 CΔxd8 22.CΔd4. chance is the ugly 21 ... gxffi because ίη case
17•.• l:tc818.~b3 it..f6 of 21 ... ~xf6 there is 22. ~xb7, and if
The endgame after 18 ... ~b6 19. ~xb6 21 ... CΔxf6, then 22 ..ixf5, and 21 ... l:txf6
axb6 20.CΔa4 .id8 21.l:tac1 was hard for encounters 22.CΔxd5! l:txc1 23.l:txc1 ~π,
Black. White wins after 24.CΔxf6! .ixb3 25.l:tc8+
owing to the weakness of the back rank.
21 ..ixa6!?
White had an interesting resource of
21 ..ixf6! Normal moves like 21 ... ~xf6 or
21 ... l:txffi promised nothing good to Black:
the former because of 22. ~xb7 CΔac5
23.dxc5 CΔxc5 24.CΔxd5 ~d6 25.1:ίχc5 1:ixc5
26.CΔb4 a5 27.CΔa6, the latter because of
22.CΔxd5! l:txc1 (also 22 ... ~e6 was losing
due to 23.l:txc8 ~xc8 24.CΔe7) 23.l:txc1 ~π
(ίη case of 23 ... ~d6 there was a beautiful
solution 24.CΔxf6! .ixb3 25.1;Ic8+, and
19•..te5! 23 ... ~d8 was bad because of24.~xb7 CΔac5
White's bishop gets a stronghold ίη the 25.dxc5 .ixd5 26.~xa7) 24.CΔe5! ~xd5
centre ofthe board. ΙΠ had taken the pawn 25. ~xd5 .ixd5 26.l:tc8+ .ig8 27 ..ic4, Black
with the move 19. ~xb7?!, then after losing his g8-bishop. Well, there was still
19 ... CΔac5! 20. dxc5 CΔxc5 21. ~xa 7 CΔxd3 the unsightly 21 ... gxf6, with White's
22.J::!.xe6 CΔxf4 23.l:tee1 (the line 23.J::!.e3 d4 answer 22.CΔe2, similarly to the deve-
24.J::!.d1 has a refutation by means of lopment ofthe game, or 22.CΔb5!?
24 ... dxe3! 25.l:txd8 exf2+ 26.<Ji>xf2 l:tfxd8) 21 ...bxa6 22.CΔe2 it..xe5
23 ... ~xc3 24.bxc3 .ixc3 Black would have Black did not stand the strain ίη the
survived. centre and made concessions. White would
19... ~e7 20.J::!.ac1 ..tg8?! maintain a big advantage ίη case of
The passive stand of the a6-knight 22 ... .ih4 23.CΔxh4 ~xh4 24. ~e3 or 22 ...1::rc4
suggests an idea to involve it into the game. 23.~e3 as well.
Black could have tried to do this by 23.CΔxe5 J::tb8 24.~h3!
20 ... .ixe5 21.CΔxe5 CΔb8 as there would be Threatening with the fata125.CΔg6#.
ηο showy 22.CΔxd5?! ~d6 23.l:txc8 J::!.xc8 24 ... l:tb6 25.CΔί4
24 ..ixe4 fxe4 25. ~h3!? because of 25 ... The threat still stays actual.
~xd5! 26.CΔg6+ ~g8 27.CΔe7+ <Ji>f7 28.CΔxd5 25 ....if7?!
.ixh3 29.gxh3 CΔc6 30.Iιxe4 IId8, and Black After this move Black loses without
would be more or less οκ. Most likely ίη struggle. 25 ... ~g5 was more stubborn,
this case White would have to be satisfied although even then after 26. ~e3 ~d8
Essent
(Black was bad also after 26 ... ~h6 because
of 27.~c7) 27.f3 CLJd6 28.b3 White would
haνe a huge positional adνantage. Please,
note that White's threat can't be refuted
by 25 ... sff6? because of26.f3 or by 25 ... '[;[e8?
because of 26.MC8! '[;[xc8 27.dxe5 Mxc8
28. '[;[xf5 with White's decisiνe adνantage
both lines.
26.f3!
Now Black's day are numbered since his
knight has ηο retreat because of the
adνance of any ofthe white knights to g6.
26 ... g5
If26 ... '[;[g5, then White wins by 27.'[;[g3!,
and ίη case of 26 ... ~h6 he gains a winning
adνantage by 27. '[;[xf5 ~g8 28. '[;[g4 CLJf6
29.'[;[g3.
27.fxe4 gxf4
Ιη case of 27 ... dxe4 the easiest way to
win is probably 28.CLJfd3! (also White's
adνantage must be enough to win after
28.CLJe2 f4 29.lbc3 e3 or 28. '[;[xf5 gxf4 29.
'[;[xe4 '[;[h4, but ίη these lines Black still has
certain counter chances) 28 ... '[;[d8 29.CLJc6.
28.exf5 '[;[g5
After 28 ... '[;[f6 Black's problems are
connected with 29.~c7! (stronger than the
quiet 29.b4) as then there is ηο 29 ... MXb2
because of 30.lbxf7+ ~xf7 31.~e8+ Φg7
32. '[;[g4+ Φh6 33.Se6, Black losing his
queen.
29.J::ι.c8
Ι chose the most efficient from many
alluring continuations, though Ι was able
to organize also a simple mating attack οη
the black king by 29.CLJxf7+ Sxf7 30.1:tc8+
357
Φg7 31.~ee8! It's obνious that ίη all the
lines with forced 31 ... Φf6 Black either gets
checkmated or loscs the queen: 32.Sg8 Mg7
(32 ... '[;[xf5 33.'[;[h6+ Φe7 34.MC7+) 33.MCf8+
Φe7 34.f6+ 1:txf6 35.Me8+ Φd6 (35 ... Φf7
36.'[;[d7+ Φg6 37.'[;[xg7+) 36.J::!d8+ Φc6
(36 ... Φe7 37.'[;[d7#) 37.'[;[c3+ Φb5 38.'[;[c5+
'i.ta439.'[;[b4#
29 ... '[;[g7
Νο 29 ... Mxc8 because of30.lbxf7+, Black
loses the queen.
30.MXf8+ '[;[xf8 31.CLJd7 '[;[g7 32.f6!
White's position is also winning ίη case
of 32.CLJxb6 '[;[xd4+ 33.Φh1 '[;[xb6 34.'[;[c3+
d4 35.'[;[d2, but the moνe ίη the game wins
eνen simplier.
32 ...1:!.xf6 33.CLJxf6 '[;[xf6 34.ΦhΙ '[;[xd4
35.'[;[c3 '[;[g7 36.l:!.e7 1-0
He had ηο more resources to continue
the struggle.
259 Β20
Galkin - Polgar
Round 2 16.10
l.e4 c5 2.CLJe2
White probably wanted to aνoid the
main lines of the Najdorf System. The
knight moνe which looks a bit clumsy was
used occasionally by P.Keres, A.Karpoν,
Vlνanchuk.
2 ... d6
There was a tougher continuation of
2 ... CLJf6. Well, now White can deνelop his
forces freely.
3.g3 CLJf6 4.~g2lbc6 5.c3 e5 6.d4 cxd4
7.cxd4 '[;[a5+
ΟηΙΥ 7 ... ~g4 and 7 ... '[;[b6 haνe occurred
ίη this position before.
8.CLJbc3 ~g4 9.f3 exd4
Black did not want to allow d4-d5.
10.CLJxd4 ~d7 11.0-0 Jιe7
11 ... d5 is inappropriate before the
deνelopment is completed because after
12.CLJxc6 bxc6 13.exd5 the black king suffers
a strong attack from the open e-file.
12.Jιe3 ο-ο 13. '[;[b3 Sfe8
358 Super Tournαments 2000

Black already lost a great deal of her

advantage.

260 C17.
Polgar - Κhalifman
Round 3 17.10
Notes by A.Khαlifmαn

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.tbc3 iιb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3

iιa5 6.b4 cxd4 7.'i:1g4 tbe7 8.bxa5 dxc3
14.~fdl 9.'i:1xg7 ::tg8 10.'i:1xh7 tbbc6 11.tbf3 'i:1c7
There was ηο 14. 'i:1xb7 because of 12.iιf4 Jι.d7 13.~d3 0-0-0 14.~g3 'i:1xa5
14... tbxd415.~xd4 ::teb8 16.b4 'i:1a3 17. 'i:1c7 15.0-0 Mh8 16.'i:1g7
~xb4 and Black gets a better position. J.Polgar avoids the line 16. 'i:1xf7 I:tdf8
14... ~ίB 15.~f2 17. 'i:1g7 ~hg8 18. 'i:1h6 ~xf3 19.9xf3 tbd4
Again, ηο 15. 'i:1xb7 because of 15 ... tbxd4 20. 'i:1f4 tbef5 21. Φh1 ~b5 which occurred
16.~xd4 ~eb8 17.b4 'i:1a3 18. 'i:1c7 ~c8, and ίη round one in the game Galkin - Κha­
ίη case of 19.'i:1a5 (if 19. 'i:1b7, then White's lifman, Hoogeveen 2000.
queen is trapped by 19 ... Jι.c6) there was 16... d4
19... ~xc3. An attempt to chase the white queen
15 ...tbe5 16.~acl until draw by 16 ... f5?! 17.exf6 ~dg8 18.'i:1f7
Now it seems that here White could Mf8 does not work because of19.tbe5! tbxe5
have afforded 16. 'i:1xb7, as after 16 ... !:reb8 (after 19 ... ~xf7 20.tbxf7 White is more than
he had 17.tbb3! Mter 17 ... 'i:1xc3?! (even ίη compensated for the queen) 20. 'i:1xe7 tbc6
case ofrelatively better 17 ... 1:txb7 18.tbxa5 21.'i:1d6.
~xb2 19.~d4 ~h3 20.~h1 Black had a 17.'i:1g4
worse endgame) 18. 'i:1xa8 (also 18. 'i:1xb8 17.~fe1 brought the game De Firmian
was good because 18 ...tbxf3+ 19.Φh1 tbxe4 - Lyrberg, Denmark 1999, to a draw after
was not dangerous for White owing to 17 ... ~dg818.'i:1xf7 Mf819.'i:1g7 ~fg8 20.'i:1f7
20.~f1!) 18 ... 'i:1xb3 19.axb3 ~xa8 20.f4 tbc6 I:tf8 21. 'i:1g7 ~fg8.
21.e5 Black experienced great difficulties. 17 ... tbf518.~tbl?!
16... ~ac8 17.tbdb5 The exchange 18.~xf5?! exf5 is not good
Once more, ηο 17. 'i:1xb7 because of as it gives Black pleasant play οη light
17 ... ~b8 18.tbb3 'i:1xc3! 19.'i:1xb8 'i:1xc1. squares to Black after 19. 'i:1f4 ~e6. Ηο­
17 ... ~e6 wever, the move ίη the game was not the
This way οηlΥ. best possible choice as well. First of all,
18.'i:1a3?! White had to take care of her position ίη
It looks as ifWhite missed his advantage the centre of the board, and 18.~fe1 was
by this move. Mter 18. 'i:1c2! Black's position the best way to do this. Then after 18 ... ~hg8
was much harder because in case of 18 ... a6 (18 ... tbxg3!?) 19.'i:1f4 tbxg3 20.hxg3 'i:1c5
(18 ... tbc6 was unconvincing due to 19.tbxd6 there would be a position with mutual
~xd6 20.I:txd6 tbb4 21. 'i:1d2 tbxa2 22.1:tal) chances.
White had 19.tbxd6 ~xd6 20.~xd6 ~xa2 18... tbxg3!
21.~a1 ~b3, catching the black queen by White's dark-squared bishop is often out
22.'i:1xb3! 'i:1xa1+ 23.~d1 'i:1a5 24.~b6! of play ίη the French Defence, just look at
18... 'i:1xa3 19.bxa3 a6 20.tbxd6 ~xd6 the game Galkin - Κhalifman from round
21.~xd6 tbc4 22.~ddl tbxa3 112-% one. Ιη the present case the exchange of
Essent
the knight for the bishop, performed by
Black, is quite justified as the e5-pawn, the
pride of White's position, loses one of its
protectors. Ι think it was the best moment
forthe exchange. 80, after 18 ... J::tdg819:~f4
the exchange 19 ... tίJxg3 would not be so
efficient because of 19.fxg3! (19.hxg3 was
very dangerous for White because of19 ... f5!
with a strong attack οη White's position
after 20.tίJxd4 1:ϊg4 21.tίJxc6 iLxc6 22.t:le3
[4 as well as ίη case of 20.exf6 t:lh5) as the
break-through ίη the centre 19 ... f5?! did not
promise Black anything good after 20.exf6
e5 21. t:le4 ~g4 22. t:le2.
19.t:lxg3
Now ίη case of 19.fxg3 Black would
develop a strong initiative after 19 ... tίJxe5
20.t:lxd4 tίJxf3+ 21.gxf3 .ic6 22.t:le3 ~h5
19... t:lc7!
Another subtle move. Instead of pulling
the queen to the f4-square by 19 ... ~dg8,
White makes an ambush. We will soon see
how this circumstance will tell, οη the
game.
20.'it>f1 ?
ΜΥ opponent commited a blunder. 8he
tried to take away the king from the file,
occupied by the queen, thus wasting
precious time. 8he should have ventured
οη 20.t:lf4!? Mter 20 ... f6 (ίη case of 20 ... f5
21.tίJxd4 tίJxe5 22.1:ιb3 there was a keen
position with mutual chances) 21. t:lxf6
1!df8 22. t:lg5 (if 22. t:lg7, then 22 ... 1!fg8)
22 ... !'ιhg8 (sacrificing an exchange by
22 ... I:ιxf3?! is most likely insufficient ίη this
position and gives White certain advantage
359
after 23.gxf3 tίJe5 24 ..ie4) 23. t:lh51:!.h8 led
to a position where Black had a sufficient
compensation for the pawn, but it was not
clear whether it was promising more. Two
other options for the white queen, 20. t:lg5
and 20. t:lg7, are not so good as they enable
Black to develop his initiative by sacrificing
the f-pawn. Ιη the first case Black obtains
a fair compensation for the pawn by 20 ... f5!
21.exf6 1!dg8 22. t:lb5 (if 22. t:lc5, then
22 ... t:lf4) 22 ... ~f8, ίη the second case the
active position of Black's pieces οη the
kingside makes his chances preferable after
20 ... f5 (an irresolute 20 ... 1:ϊdg8?! gives
White the initiatiye 21. t:lf6 t:ld8 22. t:lxd8+
~xd8 23.iLe4) 21.exf6 1:!.dg8 (21 ... tίJe5?
22.tίJxe5 t:lxe5 with the idea to involve the
d7-bishop into an attack οη White's king
from the a8-h1 diagonal does not work
because of 23.t:lg3! t:lxf6 24.J:txb7! 'it>xb7
25.~b1+) 22.t:lf7 (White can't make use of
the far advanced f-pawn by 22 ..ih7as after
22 ... l:!.xg7 23.fxg7 ~d8 24.g8t:l J::txg8 25.
~xg8 t:lf4 Black maintains his initiative)
22 ... nf8 (22 ... tίJe5 is better here, even
though White seems to hold οη after
23.tίJxe5 t:lxe5 24.g3) 23. t:lg6 t:lf4.
20 ... nhg8 21.t:lf4 ί5!
Now the queen οη c7 proves useful to
Black, White can not take en pαssαnt - if
she wants to keep his queen alive. The
continuation 21 ... f6 22. t:lxf6 ~df8 23. t:lh4
is not so clear.
22.h3
The move 22.tίJxd4? costs White a piece
after 22 ... ~g4.
22 .. .';t>b8 23.I;Iel
Again ηο 23.tίJxd4?, this time because
of 23 ... tίJxd4 24. t:lxd4 .ic6, attacking
White's queen and g2-pawn at the same
time.
23 ... iLc8 24.tίJg5?!
White is a little confused and cannot find
a plan how to struggle against Black's
growing initiative. Perhaps 24.l:!.ad1 was
better here, but after 24 ... t:la5 Black's
chances would be still preferable.
24... lld5 25.tίJf3
360 Super Tournαments 2000

White realizes that the manoeuvre she An apparently more active 29 ... -Sxg2?
launched with the previous move was a was erroneous and encountered 30.tιJc6+
mistake. If my opponent tried the funda- Wa8 31 ..ί:txh4! ~xh4 32.~xg2 bxc6 33.Ii:bl,
mental 25.1ιc4, then after 25 ... Ii:xe5 allowing White to take the initiative.
26 ..sxe5 tΔxe5 27.1ιb3 .sg6 28 ..se 1 she 30.-Sebl
would not be able to get out ofthe difficult Mter relatively more persistent 30.-Sdl
position anyway despite the numerous tιJh4 31.1ιe2 ~h6 White is not able to keep'
opportunities because of 28 ... d3!. For back the pressure ofBlack's pieces for any
example, ίη case of 29.cxd3 (29. ~xe5 is long.
losing because of 29 ... d2 30.~xc7+ Wxc7; 30 ... ~d7!
29 ..sxe5 does not work because of 29 ... d2 Now the overload ofthe d-file with white
30.We2 -Sxg5 31.g3 b6; as well as 29.-Se3 pieces should bring to a disaster.
because of 29 ... d2 30.We2 -Sxg5 31.~xg5 31.tιJe2
~d6!) 29.cxd3 tΔxd3 30.~xc7+ r:J;;xc7 31.Ii:e3 Αη intermediate 31.Jtb5 was not dan-
Black finds 31 ... b6!, aggravating White's gerous for Black, as after the coo131 ... ~d8!
hard situation. (the line 31 ... -Sxb5 32.tιJxb5 ~d2 33.~xg2
25 ... tΔe7! -Sxg2 34.r:J;;xg2 is less clear) White ex-
Black's knight, the former defender of perienced difficulties. 80, in case of 32.-Sdl
the d4-pawn, turns into one of the atta- (complications like 32.Jtc6 ~xd4 33.-Sxd4
ckers, besieging the white king. ~xd4 34.Jtxg2 b6 allowed Black to prepare
26.-Sabl a crafty strike frOΏl the a6-f1 diagonal, and
There was ηο 26.tΔxd4? because of in the line 32.tιJc6+ bxc6 33.~a6+ Wc7
26 ... tΔg6 27.~e3 f4 28.~e4 -Sxe5 29.~f3 34.-Sb7+ Jtxb7 35.~xb7+ Wc8 apparently
tιJh4. dangerous discovered check to the black
26 ... tιJg6 27.~h2 king proves to be ofno use) 32 ... a5 33.-Sc4
Perhaps the development of Black's ~d7 34.a4 (nothing particular changes in
attack could have been slowed down by the case of 34.~xd7 ~xd7 35.-Sd3 f4 36.a4 f3)
cool 27. ~g3!? so that Black would have to 34 ... f4 35.-sd3 f3 Black dominates over the
cut off the access of his queen to h7 by whole board. ΑΗ the white men are in a
27 ... -Sg7. sort of zugzwang. Any move can only make
27 ... ~h7 28.-sb4 the bad position worse.
White could have prevented the black
knight from getting to h4 with 28.h4?!, but
after 28 ... -Sh8 (also 28 ... ~h6 is ηο bad)
29.g3 her position was rather ugly, and a
mere 29 ... ~c7! was enough to destroy its
order.
28 ... tιJh4!
Α series of good positional solutions
increased the pressure upon White's
position.
29.tιJxd4
ΜΥ opponent was evidently not going
to suffer torments without any real coun- 31 ... -Sxd3!
terplay after 29 .tιJxh4 ~xh4 30.a4 b6 8acrificing an exchange, Black ruins
31.-Sal 1ιb7, so she decided to complicate White's last weak defence οη the way to
the struggle by tactical means. her king. However, the same idea can be
29 ... tιJxg2 performed in a slightly different way as
Essent
well: 31 ... a5!? 32.1::!.4b31::!.xd3! 33.cxd3 '§xd3
34.1::!.c1 CL\f4!
32.cxd3 '§xd3 33.J:.cl c2 34.J:.d4
34 ... '§ d1 + was threatening.
34 .•. '§f3 35.CL\f4
The capture 35.1::!.xc2 after 35 ... CL\e3+
36.~e1 CL\xc2+ would be punished with
considerable material losses. Ιη case of
35.CL\gl Black wins by 35 ... '§xa3 36.CL\e2 (ηο
36.J::!.xc2 because of 36 ... '§a1+) 36 ... b6!
37.J:.xc2 (ίη ca.ςe of 37.J:.d2 ..ta6 38.J:.dxc2
'§f3 39.1::!.d2 CL\f4 the threats from the a6-il
diagonal decide the game to Black's faνour
as well) 37 ... ..ta6 38.1::!.cd2 f4 39.1::!.d8+ 1::!.xd8
40.1::!.xd8+ cJ;;c7, and there is ηο satisfactory
defence against the numerous threats.
After 35.CL\g3 the solution is 35 ... b6!
36.'§xg2 '§xa3 37.CL\e21::!.xg2 38.Wxg2 ..tb7+
39.cJ;;il ..te4.
35 ...b6!
The threat ofthe appearance ofBlack's
bishop οη the a6-il diagonal decided the
duel ίη my faνour. Howeνer, it's neνer late
to make a mistake. 80, after 35 ... CL\xf4?
36. '§xf4 '§xh3+ 37.cJ;;e2 the position would
become unclear.
36.CL\xg2 ..ta6+ 37.cJ;;gl ..tb7 0-1
261 Β17
Timman - Galkin
Round 3 17.10
l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.CL\d2 dxe4 4.CL\xe4
CL\d7 5.CL\g5 CL\gf6 6 ...td3 e6 7.CL\1f3 ..td6
8.'§e2
The opponents went is for one of the
most topical νariations of the Caro-Kann
Defence.
8 ... h6 9.CL\e4 CL\xe4 10. '§xe4 '§c7
11.'§g4 cJ;;f8 12.0-0 c5 13.'§h4 b6 14 ...te4
1::!.b815.1::!.dl
At the tournament ίη Indonesia the
Dutch grandmaster gained a perceptible
adνantage after 15.b3 CL\f6 16.dxc5 bxc5
17 . ..tb2 CL\xe4 18. '§xe4 ..tb7 19. '§g4 f5
20. '§h5 ..txf3 21. '§xf3 cJ;;f7 22. '§h5+ g6
23. '§h4 ίη the game with Karpoν (Bali,
361
2000), but then conνenient equalization
ways for Black were found, proνen ίη one
of games by the ex-World Champion:
15 ... ..te7 16.'§f4 ..td6 17.'§h4 ..te7 18.'§f4
..td6, Leitao - Karpoν, Buenos Aires 2000.
. 15 ... c416.d5
The Dutch grandmaster tried to play
differently ίη this position: 16.CL\e5 CL\f6
17 ...tf3 ..tb7 18.Rxb7 1:txb7 19.b3 cxb3
20.cxb3 CL\d5 21 . ..tf4 '§e7, but gained
nothing from this position, Timman -
8eirawan, Bali 2000.
16... e5 17 ...tf5 cJ;;g8
18 ...te3
Α new moνe. Ιη the game Wells -
8peelman, Millfield 2000, the line 18.CL\d2
CL\f6 19 ...tc8 .!:!.c8 20.CL\il '§d7 21.b3 cb 22.cb
~h7 23.CL\g3 ..tc5 brought to a tense play.
18 ... CL\f6 19 . ..txc8 J:.xc8 20.a4 '§d7
21.c3 1:tc7 22.CL\d2 CL\g4
Cutting offthe white queen from the c4-
pawn and preparing f7-f5 at the same time.
23.h3 4.Jxe3 24.fxe3 f5 25.e4 f4 26.4.Jf3
g5 27.'§h5 '§f7 28.'§g4 '§d7 29.'§h5 '§f7
30.'§g4 '§d7 31.'§h5 1h-1h
There was a position of dynamic balance
οη the board, and aνoiding a repetition of
moνes was disadνantageous for both sides.
262 D31
Khalifman - Galkin
Rour.d 4 19.10
Notes by A.Khαlifmαn
l.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.CL\c3 e6
 362
Black's idea is plain, he wants to take
the c4-pawn, and if White defends it with
4.e3, it will restrict considerably the
opportunities ofthe c1-bishop.
4.e4
The most aggressiνe answer to the
deνelopment system, chosen by Black.
( 4 ...iιb4
Black refused from the basic positions
ofthe Slaν Defence to appear after 4 ... dxe4
5.CίJxe4 iιb4+ 6.iιd2 ~xd4.
5.cxd5
White raised the pawn tension and
gained certain space adνantage ίη the
centre. The delay of an exchange after 5.e5
CίJe7 6.a3 iιxc3+ 7.bxc3 c5 8.cxd5 allowed
Black to put pressure υροη the d4-pawn
with 8 ... ~xd5! and thus to keep the big
diagonal open for his pieces.
5 ... exd5
Black keeps an opportunity to deνelop
the light-squared bishop οη the diagonal
c8-g4. Ιη case of 5 ... cxd5 6.e5 White had a
space adνantage for nothing.
6.e5 CίJe7 7.CίJf3!?
It looks like this normal deνelopment
moνe was played for the first time. 7.iιd3
is the usual answer. Mter 7 ... c5 8.a3 iιxc3+
9.bxc3 CίJbc6 10.CίJe2 .ltf5 11.iιg5 ~d7 12.
iιxe7 CίJxe7 13.0-0 .!:!:c8 14.CίJg3 iιxd3 15.
~xd3 h5 16.h4 g6 17.f4 CίJf5 ίη the game
Murshed - Dreeν, Ereνan 1996, Black
managed to organize an exemplary blo-
ckade of White's pawn adνantage οη the
kingside.
7 ... c5
Black should not linger with this moνe.
If he delays it and plays 7 ... iιf5?! 8.iιe2
ο-ο 9.0-0 c5, then he allows 10.dxc5! iιxc5
1l.CίJa4 which giνes White a perceptible
adνantage.
8.a3
Before White castles, the moνe 8.dxc5
giνes nothing as after 8 ... CίJbc6 Black has a
counterplay, connected with the threat of
d5-d4.
8 ... iιxc3+ 9.bxc3 CίJbc6 10..te2
Ιη case of 10.iιd3 .tg4 Black's pressure
Super Tournαments 2000
υροη the d4-pawn was rather perceptible.
10 ...iιg4
The moνe 10 ... ~a5 would be but a blank
shot. Mter 1l ..td2 ο-ο 13.0-0 Black would
haνe to remember constantly about the
opposition of his queen to White's d2-
bishop.
11.0-0 ο-ο
An immediate attack of the d4-square
by 11 ... cxd4 12.cxd4 CίJf5 can be interesting.
White has three promising options ίη this
case:
a) 13.1:tb1 .txf3 14.iιxf3 CίJfxd4 (after
14 ... CίJcxd4?! 15 ..1:ι.Χb7 Black finds himself
ίη a hard situation) 15.iιg4 (now 15 ..!:!:xb7
is already less efficient because of15 ... ~c8,
and White should agree to an equal position
after 16.hιb2 CίJxf3+ 17.~xf3 ~e6 or go for
a rook sacrifice by 16 ..1:ι.xf7!? ~xf717.lιxd5+
<t>e8 with unclear consequences) 15 ... nb8
(an actiνe play like 15 ... h5?! 16.lιh3 g5 is
not adνised for Black as after 17.lιb2 g4
18.lιxd4 gxh3 19.e6! his position starts to
fall apart) 16.1ιb2 (ίη case of 16.1ιe3 Black
equalizes after 16 ... CίJe6 17.1ιf3 d4) 16 ...
CίJe6 17.f4 ο-ο 18.f5 CίJg5 19.f6 with a νery
good compensation for the pawn.
b) 13.1ιb2 ο-ο (there is ηο absolute
clearness ίη the line 13 ... CίJh4!? 14.CίJxh4
1ιχe2 15. ~xe2 ~xh4 16. ~b5 ο-ο 17.f4 .!:!:fd8
18. ~xb7 CίJa5 19. ~a6 CίJc4 as Black obtains
certain counterplay for the missing pawn)
14.h3 (ίη case of14 ..!:!:b1 White has to reckon
with 14 ... CίJh4) 14 ... 1ιχf3 15.1ιΧf3 ~b6
16 . .:tb1 CίJfxd4 (another capture 16 ...
CίJcxd4?! after 17.1ιg4 g6 18.1ιΧd4 ~xd4
19.1ιΧf5 ~xd120 . .!:!:fd1 gxf5 21 ..!:!:b7 results
ίη a four rook endgame, which is difficult
for Black) 17 ..ixd4 ~xd4 18 ..!:!:xb7 with
White's slight adνantage.
At last, there is also quiet c) 13 ..ie3 ο-ο
14.~b1 with a slightly better play.
12.~bl
Also 12.h3!? .ixf3 13 ..txf3 cxd4 14.cxd4
CίJf5 15.1ιe3 (15.1ιb2 produced a position
from the aboνe considered νariation Β)
15 ... ~h4 15 ..tg4 deserνed attention with
White's slight but lasting adνantage.
Essent
12 ... ~c7 13.h3 Jιh5
If 13 ... ~f5, then 14 ..ί:!.b2.
14.a4!
White shows that he could develop his
dark-squared bishop to the a3-m diagonal.
14 ... Jιg6
15.Jιd3!?
White ventured οη an exchange of his
good bishop, not allowing his opponent to
dominate over the most important b1-h7
diagonal. Also White could try 15 ..ί:!.b5 a6
16 ..ί:!.b2 cxd4 17.cxd4 lba5 18.lbh4 as an
alternative to the move ίη the game.
15 ...IHd8?!
Black should have gone for the position
after 15 ... Jιxd3 16. ~xd3 c4 17. ~c2 f6!?
18.Jιa3, although White's chances would
have been still preferable ίη this case.
16.Jιg5
There was also 16.Jιa3!? cxd4 (building
obstacles οη the way of White's dark-
squared bishop by 16 ... b6 might result into
serious difficulties for Black after 17 ..ί:!.e1
lba5 18.dxc5 bxc5 because of19.e6!) 17.cxd4
~xd3 (the move 17 ... lba5 is a blank shot as
after 18 ..ί:!.c1 Black's knight can't appear οη
c4 without materiallosses) 18.~xd3 ~d7
19. ~b5 with White's advantage.
16... .ί:!.d7 17 ..ί:!.b5 b6
Α forced move: ίη case of 17 ... a6 White
would sacrifice an exchange by 18 ..ί:!.χc5! b6
19.~xe7 bxc5 20.Jιxc5 and thus gain a
serious advantage.
18..ί:!.eΙ
Now Black will have to reckon with the
possible e5-e6 all the time.
363
18 ... a6 19.1:tbl c4
Also White could gain a serious advan-
tage after 19 ... ~fe8 by 20.e6 fxe6 21 ..ί:!.χe6
Jιf7 22.I:te3.
20.Jιc2 lbd8
Black wants to prevent the break-
through e5-e6 completely, but now prob-
lems come from the adjacent f-file.
21.lbh4!
White's knight gives way to the f-pawn,
and also it is eager to move to f5 ορ­
portunely.
21 ... 1:ιb8?
Mter this unhappy move Black already
can not improve his defence. Much better
was 21 ... Jιxc2 22. ~xc2 lbe6 (ίη case of
22 ... lbec6 23.Jιxd8 ~xd8 24.lbf5lbe7 25.e6!
fxe6 26.11xe6 .ttb8 27.a5 Black's position is
very hard) 23.Jιxe7 (also 23.Jιc1!? b5 24.f4
deserves attention, and the advance of
white pawns ίη the centre looks fairly
unpleasant for Black, but ίη case of24.axb5
instead of 24.f4 there is 24 ... ~a5!?, and
Black creates his own counterplay) 23 ...
1:txe7 24.lbf5 (ίη case of24. ~d21:tm 25.f4 f5
or 24.g3lbg5 25.f4lbe4 26.lbf5 'ud7 27.Φh2
g6 28.lbe3 f5 Black has a counterplay)
24 ... 1:ιd7 25. ~e2, and achieving White's
advantage would be much more difficult
than ίη the game.
22.f4
White starts a headlong advance ofthe
f-pawn.
22 ... Jιxc2 23. ~xc2 b5
If 23 ... lbe6, then 24.~xe7 .ί:!.χe7 25.f5.
24.f5 lbdc6 25.f6
The white f-pawn broke Black's defence
ίη four moves.
25 ..•lbg6
Mter 25 ... gxf6 ~6.exf6 or 26.~xf6 Black
would lose very soon as well.
26.lbf5
Also 26.e6 Iϊd6 (ίη case of26 ... fxe6 White
wins by 27.lbxg6 hxg6 28 ..ί:!.χe6.ί:!.f7 29.~xg6
~d7 30 ..ί:!.be1) 27.lbxg6 hxg6 28.~f4 gxf6
29. ~f2! was possible with a winning
position.
26 ...h627.e6
364
The game could be finished by 27.Jι.c1!?
gxf6 28.~d2 t;rd8 (White wins also after
28 ... CLlce7 29.CLlxh6+ Φh7 30.exf6) 29. t;rxh6
t;rf8 30.e6! ':db7 31. t;rh5 as there is ηο
satisfactory defence against CLlf5-h6 now.
27 ...hxg5
Ιη case of 27 ... fxe6 the solution is
28.CLlxh6+ (28.CLlxg7 is possible too) 28 ...
Φh7 29.fxg7 ':xg7 30.~xe6. After 27 ... ~dd8
the answer is 28.CLle7+! CLlgxe7 29.exf7+
ι;!;xf7 30.fxe7 hxg5 31.exd8t;r 1::txd8 32. t;rh7.
28.exd7 t;rxd7
If28 ... gxf6, then White wins by 29 ..:te8+
Φh7 (the move 29 ... CLlf8 promises Black
nothing because of 30.axb5 axb5 31.~xb8
t;rxb8 32.t;re2 CLlxd7 33.t;rf3) 30.axb5 t;rxd7
3u::rxb8 CLlxb8 32.b6
29.axb5 axb5 30.CLlxg7 b4 31. t;rd2!
Two black pawns are attacked at the
same time.
31 ... CLlf4 32.cxb4 t;ra7
Ιη case of 32 ... t;rd6 the easiest way to
win is 33.CLlh5 c3 (if 33 ... CLlxd4, then
34. t;rxd4 CLlxh5 35.1::te5) 34. t;re3 c2 35.1cl.bc1
CLle6 36 ..1:.xc2 CLlcxd4 37 ..ί:[d2 .ί:[Χb4 38.CLlg7.
33.CLlf5 1-0
Ιη case of 33 ... CLle6 the solution is ίη an
attack οη the king: 34.1::txe6! fxe6 35.t;rxg5
ι;!;f8 (ίf35 ... Φh8, then 36.CLle7) 36. t;rh6, and
ίη case of 33 ... t;rd7 after 34.CLle7 CLlxe7 35.
fxe7 .ί:[e8 36.b5 1::txe7 37.b6 the passed b-
pawn decides.
263 Ε15
Timman - Polgar
Round 4 19.10
l.d4 CLlf6 2.c4 e6 3.CLlf3 b6 4.g3 Jι.a6
5.b3 jιb4+ 6.i.d2 jιe7 7.i.g2 c6 8.1ιc3 d5
9.CLle5 tΔe4
J.Polgar refused to repeat the opening
experiment she tried ίη her game with
A.Karpov ίη Buenos Aires when after the
well known moves 9 ... tΔfd7 10.CLlxd7 CLlxd7
11.CLld2 ο-ο 12.0-0 CLlf6 13.e4 b5 14.~e1 dxe4
15. t;rc2 ~c8 16 ..ί:[ad1 CLld5 17 ...tb2 Black
sacrificed a piece by 17 ... f5 18.cxd5 cxd5
Super Tournαments 2000
and got a good compensation.
10.0-0 CLlxc3 11.CLlxc3 ο-ο
Now Black has a pair ofbishops, but she
has still some problems with the de-
velopment of her queenside.
12.~cl Jι.ί6 13.f4
Anovelty. Preνiously 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.f4
(after 14.b4 jιxe5 15.dxe5 Jι.c4 16.f4 CLlc6
17.a3 b5like ίη the game Hultin - Rytsha-
gov, Stockholm 1937, White can get even a
worse position) 14 ... Jι.xe5 15.dxe5 CLld7
16.~e1 ~c8 17.e4 CLlc5 occurred ίη the game
Van Wely - Adams, Groningen 1997, with
equal chances.
13 ...Jι.xe5?!
ΒΥ this exchange Black hopes to develop
her knight as soon as possible. Ιη case of
13 ... i.b7 White had 14.e4. Still, the most
fundamental refutation for White's thir-
teenth move was 13 ... dxc4, even though
after 14.b4 (after 14.bxc4 j,xe5 15.fxe5
jιxc4 or 14.CLle4 cxb3 15.axb3 J.e7 White
had ηο compensation for the pawn) 14 ...
t;re7 (ίη case of14 ... i.b715.e3 t;re716.CLlxc4
t;rxb4 17.CLle4 White had a full compen-
sation for the pawn, threatening to intrude
to d6, as 17 ... ..te7 did not prevent him
from playing so bε'.cause of 18.CLled6 j,xd6
19.a3! ) 15.CLlg4 (15.b5 was insufficient
because of 15 ... Jι.xe5 16.fxe5 Jι.b7) 15 ...
t;rxb416.CLlxf6+ gxffi, and now 17.e4 or 17.f5
White would have a serious initiative for
the missing material.
14.fxe5 CLld7 15.cxd5 cxd5 16.~f2
Preparing e2-e4.
16... .ί:[c8
If 16 ... Jι.b7, then 17.CLlb5 with an
intrusion to d6.
17.e4 dxe4 18.CLlxe4 ί6 19.j,h3 t;re7
Mter 19 ... ~xc1 20.J.xe6+ ι;!;h8 21.t;rxc1
fxe5 22.jιxd7 .ί:[Χf2 23.tΔxf2 t;rxd7 24.t;ra3!
t;rc8 25.dxe5 White could have won a pawn
ίη a forced line.
20.r!xc8?!
ΒΥ this exchange the Dutch grand-
master lost a great deal of his advantage.
After the strongest 20.exf6! CLlxf6 (if
20 ... gxf6 2U~xc8 ~xc8, then 22.d5!, and if
Essent 365

20 ... Mxc1 21. ~xc1 gxf6, then 22. ~c7)
2UtJg5 Mxc1 22.~xc1 ~c8 23.1:!.c2 lιd7
24.MC7 ~d6 25. ~f4 Black's position was
hopeless as his pieces were absolutely
helpless.
ίηWhite's faνour.
29 ... ~d5 30.~xd5 exd5 31.a5 bxa5
32.bxa5 Cbd7 33.a6 Cbb6 34.lιh3 h5
34 ... d4 did not help because of 35.rJJf2
Φf636.a7.
35.a7 g5 36.lιf5 e3
Black could not take the bishop as white
pawns would queen then.
37.'it>f1 d4 38.Φe2 Φf6 39.'tt>d3 h4
40.lιg4 hxg3 41.hxg3 1-0
Black resigned before his central pawns
were annihilated.

264 Α70
KhalifElan - Polgar
Round 5 20.10
20 ... lιxc8! Notes by A.Khαlifmαn
The only moνe. Mter 20 ... Mxc8 21.exf6
Cbxf6 (21 ... gxf6 was not better because of l.d4 Cbf6 2.c4 e6 3.Cbf3 c5 4.d5 d6
22.d5!) 22.Cbxf6+ gxf6 23.d5 White was 5.Cbc3 exd5 6.cxd5 g6 7.e4 lιg7 8.h3
winning. If White completes his deνelopment ίη
21.Cbd6 fxe5 22.1::txf8+ Cbxf8 this system without adνentures, then will
Black's trick became possible owing to Black encounter great problems with her
the erroneous exchange, performed by light-squared bishop.
White οη the twentieth moνe. The c8- 8 ... 0-0 9.i.d3 a6
bishop is temporarily lost. Mter 22 ... ~xf8 There was a more tough refutation of
23.~xe6+ there would be ηο doubt con- 9 ... b5. ΜΥ opponent applied this moνe two
cerning the possible result of the game. years ago ίη her first and third games of
23.Cbxc8 ~c7 24.Cbxa7 ~xa7 the rapid (30 min) match with A.Karpoν.
The material balance is restored. 10.a4 ~c7 11.0-0 Cbbd7 12.Mel Me8
25.d5 ~d7? 13.lιf4 l:i.b8
Now this was the decisiνe mistake. Bad If Black played 13 ... Cbh5 14.lιh2 Cbe5,
was also 25 ... exd5 26. ~xd5+ Φh8 (if trying to ease her position with exchanges,
26 ... ~Π, then 27.~xe5) 27.~d6!, andBlack then White would haνe an unpleasant
experienced great problems. The correct 15.i..e2!, and the exchange 15 ... Cbxf3+ after
line was 25 ... b5+! 26.'it>hl (ίη case οf26.ΦΩ 16.Bxf3 Nf6 would let him break-through
there was 26 ... ~Π+) 26 ... ~a8! (this is the ίη the centre: 17.e5! dxe5 18.d6.
point) 27 .~g2 ~xa2 28.d6 ~a7 (also 14.i.c4 Cbb6
28 ... b4!? was possible, as there was ηο Το find conνenient stands for Black's
29.d7?? because of 29 ... Cbxd7 30.~xd7 knights is not an easy task. Ιη case of
~al+), and Black held, as ίη case of29.b4 14 ... Cbe5 after 15.Cbxe5 dxe5 16.jιe3 White
(with the idea to use the weakness of the gains a considerable adνantage as the e5-
b5-pawn) White had 29 ... ~d4! 30. ~xd4 pawn blocks up the long diagonal for
exd4 31.jιc6 ΦΠ 32.jιxb5 e5 33.jιc4+ Φe8 Black's g7-bishop, and after 14 ... Cbh5
with an equality. 15.lιh2 Cbe5 White managed to gain a big
26.d6 ~c6 27.a4 e4 28.b4 rJJf'7 29.~f1! adνantage by a manoeuνre, similar to the
The threat of Bfl-b5 decides the game one mentioned ίη the preνious note:
366
16.i.e2! ίη the game Lima - Peralta, Sao
Paulo 1991.
15.i.f1 CΊΊfd7 16.Itcl!
Α helpful move. Mter 16.a5 CΊΊa8 17.CΊΊd2
b5 18.axb6 CΊΊaxb6 19.i.xa6 i.xa6 20.Itxa6
CΊΊe5 21. ~e2 c4 Black got a sufficient
compensation for the sacήficed pawn ίη the
game Karpov - Timman, Kuala Lumpur
(m/6) 1990.
16... CΊΊe517.CΊΊxe5 i.xe5 18.i.xe5 dxe5
Mter the move ίη the game White got a
strong passed pawn οη the d-file. Mter
18".':xe5 19.f4 ':e8 20.e5 i.f5 21.a5 CΊΊc8
22.e6 Black lost soon ίη the game Adler-
Κljako, Bled 1992.
19.~d2
The easiest way to gain a large ad-
vantage was perhaps 19.a5!? CΊΊd7 20.~a4.
19... CΊΊd7
Black could have blocked up the white
d-pawn with her queen (19 ... ~d6) but,
firstly, queen is a bad blocker and, secondly,
after 20.a5! CΊΊd7 21.CΊΊa4 she would have
simply ηο move.
20.d6!?
An important moment. White's pawn
shot ahead, cutting Black's position.
J.Polgar will not cope with this problem
until the end ofthe game. There was also
another, less committing continuation:
20.b4!? Mter 20 ... ~d6 (Black stands still
worse ίη case of 20 ... cxb4 21.CΊΊa2 ~d8
22. ~xb4) 21.b5 a5 22.CΊΊd1 b6 23.CΊΊe3 Black
would have quite an unpleasant position
without any hint of counterplay.
20 ... ~a5
Super Tournαments 2000
20 ... ~a5?! was bad because of 21.CΊΊd5.
21.J:edl Φg7
Ιη case of 21 ... b6 Black had to reckon
with 22. ~h6!? with attacking prospects.
22.~e3
AIso 22.b3!? CΊΊf6 23.f4 i.d7 24. ~b2
deserved attention with White's initiative.
22 ...b6
After 22 ... ~b4?! Black's queen would be
endangered, and White might try to gain
from this by means of 23.CΊΊd5! ~xa4 (if
23 ... ~xb2, then 24.i.c4, and there is ηο
defence against ~c1-b1, catching the
queen), and then by 24.i.b5!! axb5 (if
24 ... ~a2, then White gets to the black king
by 25.i.xd7 i.xd7 26.~f3! ~xb2 27.~f6+
~h6 28.g4, and ίη case of 24 ... ~xb5 the
knight fork 25.CΊΊc7 decides) 25.~a1
23.b3
23.i.c4!? was possible with the idea that
after 23 ... b5 White traps the black queen
by 24.axb5 axb5 26.~a1 ~b4 26.CΊΊd5 ~xc4
27.b3.
23 ... i.b7
White could get a good attacking
position after 23 ... CΊΊf6 24.f4 (24.CΊΊd5 is less
clear because of 24 ... CΊΊxd5 25.~xd5 i.e6)
24 ... i.e6 (if 24 ... exf4, then after 25. ~xf4
i.e6 26.i.c4 White gains still more space
for his activity) 25.i.c4! (25.fxe5 is weaker
because of25 ... CΊΊd7 26.CΊΊd5 i.xd5 27 ..ϊ:ιχd5
~xe5) 25 ... i.xc4 26.bxc4 ~bd8 27.f5, and the
play οη the kingside might be especially
unpleasant for my opponent because ofthe
passive position ofher queen.
24.i.c4
Now that Black had maintained control
over the d5-square with her bishop, the
move 24.CΊΊd5?! would be a mistake, allo-
wing Black to get ~ιη agreeable position by
24 ... i.xd5 25.~xd5 CΊΊf6
24 ... i.c6 25.i.d5 l::tbc8 26.f4!
White is trying to clear a base for an
intrusion ofhis pieces.
26 ...b5
Black wants to involve her queen ίη the
play, but instead he allows White to open
up the a-file which can be used for landing
Essent
pieces ίn Black's camp.
27.axb5 axb5 28.fxe5 J::txe5
Ιn case of28 ... 4Jxe5 White had a forced
νictory after 29.Jιxc6 tIxc6 30.tIa1 ~b6
31.4Jd5 ~d8 32.4Jc7 J::tf8 33.Ua8 ~d7
34.~xf8 Wxf8 35.~h6+ «t>g8 36.~a1
29. ~f4 Jιxd5
Black is forced to agree to this exchange.
Ιn case of an actiνe 29 ... f5 after 30.exf5 J::txf5
31.~h4 ~b6 32.J::te1 her king would suffer
from co-ordinated actions ofWhite's pieces.
Now if she preferred the passiνe way of
29 ... f6, then White would haνe 30.Jιxc6
J::txc6 31.J::ta1!, Black's position would be
almost lost after any retreat of the queen.
For example, after 31 ... ~b6 (if 31 ... ~xc3,
then 32.J::ta7 g5 33. ~g4, and ίn case of
31 ... ~d8 there is 32.4Jxb5) 32.4Jd5 ~d8
(after 32 ... ~b7 White wins by the forced
line 33.4Jxf6 g5 34.4Jh5+ 'it>g6 35. ~f3)
33.4Jc7 Black only can lose by exchange.
30.4Jxd5 ~d8
Black had nothing better than this
moνe. Mter 30 ... ~a6 31.4Jf6 g5 32.4Jh5+
Φg8 (ίn case of 32 ... Wg6, then 33.~f3 1:lf8
34.4Jg3 and if 32 ... 'it>f8, then 33.~f2 J::td8
34.J:H1 f5 35. ~g3 and Black's position is
hopeless) 33. ~g4 J::td8 a queen sacrifice is
possible: 34. ~xd7! J::txd7 35.4Jf6+ 'it>g7
36.4Jxd7 1:le8 37.4Jxc5 ~a2. Now White
should achieνe his great adνantage owing
to his far adνanced d-pawn ίn the centre
by 38.d7 J::td8 39.J::td5 h6 40.e5. Ιn case of
30 ... ~a8 31.J::tf1 f5 (31 ... J::tf8 is losing
because of32.4Jf6) there is a strong 32.4Jb6!
J::txe4 33.4Jxa8 J::txf4 34.J::txf4 ~xa8 35.g4,
and White's extra exchange should be
enough to win eνentually. At last, after
30 ... c4 31.J::ta1 ~d8 32.J::ta7 g5 33.~f3
Black's position is dubious too.
31.4Je7!
Cutting off the black queen from the
kingside. After 3U:la1 ~g5! (ίn case of
31 ... J::ta8 32.Uxa8 ~xa8 33.4Jf6 g5 34.4Jxd7!
gxf4 35.4Jxe5 White's d-pawn, supported by
the knight and rook, decides the game ίn
White's faνour) 32. ~xg5 1:!.xg5 the position
would be unclear.
367
31 ..•.tta8 32.4Jc6
Ιn case of 32.1:!.d5 l:Ϊe6 (32 ... l:txd5 33.
4Jxd5 1:ta3 is bad because of 34.e5! l:txb3
35.l:!fl) 33.e5 f6 (33 ... 4Jxe5 is losing because
of34.~fl! f6 35.l:!xe5) 34. ~g4 ΦίΊ Black still
might fix the defence.
32... ~g5 33. ~xg5 tIxg5 34.~al
34 ••. ~xa1?!
The Ηungaήan grandmaster did not use
all of her opportunities. 8he should haνe
kept the rook aliνe for the defence. 80,
34 ... J::tf8! was much stronger than the moνe
she made. After 35.J::ta5!? (ίn case of35.J::td5
J::txd5 36.exd5 c4 37.bxc4 bxc4 Black
maintains the equality, and ίn case of
35.Wh2 c4! 36.kla7 4Je5 37.~c7 4Jxc6
38.~xc6 J::td8 39.bxc4 bxc4 40.l:txc4 ~e5
White hardly would manage to achieνe his
extra pawn) 35 ... 4Je5 36.4Jxe5 J::txe5 37.
J::txb5 Φf6 38.'it>f2 'it>e6 (38 ... Jaxe4 39.Uxc5
Ud8 40.J::tc7 ~b4 41.~d3±) 39.~b7 J::td8
40.'it>f3 White would haνe to make many
efforts to turn his extra pawn into a νictory.
The other retreat 34 ... J::tc8 did not work as
after 35.J::ta7 J::txc6 (ίn case of35 ... 4Jb6 36.d7
4Jxd7 37.J::tdxd7 J::txc6 38.J::txf7+ Φg8 39.
l:tg7+ Φf8 40.I;Ixh7 Φg8 41.J::tag7+ 'it>f8
42.z:ι.b7 Φg8 43.z:ι.hd7 ~c8 44.J::txb5 White
must win) 36.J::txd7 I;Ic8 (36 ... I;Ia6 37.J:Ic7 (ίn
case of 37 ... ~a2 White wins by 38.g4, and
ίn case of 37 ... .!::tg3 by 38.'it>h2) 37.J:Ie7 .ί:Ld8
38.J::tfl l:!xd6 39.J::tfxf7+ Φg8 40 ..ί::tg7+ 'it>f8
4Ulef7+ 'it>e8 42.J::tb7 Φf8 43.J::txh7 'it>g8
44 ..ί:Lhc7 J:Id8 45.tIxb5+ White wins anyway.
35.J::txal c4
Black's other moνes were losing as well.
368
Mter 35 ... ~g3 36.~a7 tLJf8 White wins by
37.tLJe5! ~xb3 (ίf37 ... Φf6, then White wins
by 38.tLJf3 Φe6 39.Φf2 ~xf3+ 40.gxf3 tLJd7
41.~a6) 38.~xf7+ Φg8 39.d7 tLJxd7 (39 ...
~b1+ 40.Φf2 ~d1 is of ηο use because of
41.~e7 tLJxd7 42.tLJxd7 c4 43.e5! .ί:!.d4 44.ςt>e3
.ί:!.d3+ 45.Φe2 ~d4 46.g3!) 40 . .ί:!.Χd7 c4
41.tLJg4 andjoint actions ofWhite's knight,
rook and e-pawn create a mating net
around the bIack king. AIso 35 ... Φf6 did not
work because of 36.ΖΗ1+ (but ηο 36 ..ί:ta7?
because of 36 ... tLJe5) 36 ... ςt>g7 (if 36 ... Φe6,
then 37 .tLJd8+) 37 .tLJd8, not alIowing BIack
to adνance the f-pawn because ofthe knight
fork from e6.
36.bxc4 bxc4 37.~a7 c3 38.tLJd4 .ί:tc5
Ιη case of38 ... tLJc5 39.d7 tLJxd7 40.~xd7
~e5 41.~c7 ~xe4 42.tLJb5 White's νictory is
but a question oftime.
39.tLJc2!
The Iast subtIety. After 39 ..ί:txd7 c2
40.tLJxc2 ~xc2 41.e5 ~e2 42.~e7 ςt>f8 43.~c7
there wouId be stilI some probIems.
39... J:.b5
If39 ... tLJf8, then White wins with 40.d7
tLJe6 41.J:.a6! tLJd8 (if 41 ... ~c7, then 42 ..ί:txe6
~xd7 43.~c6) 42.Ma8 tLJe6 43 ..ί:!.c8 ~a5
44.tLJd4.
40.~xd7 .ί:!.b2 41.tLJe3 ~e2 42.tLJd5 1-0
265 Β83
Galkin - Timman
Round 5 20.10
l.e4 c5 2.tLJf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.tLJxd4 tLJf6
5.tLJc3 d6 6.~e2
White wants to pIay as soIid as possibIe.
Α transition to the Keres Attack Ieads to a
keener pIay: 6.g4.
6 ... Jl.e7 7.f4 ο-ο 8.0-0 tLJc6 9.~e3 e5
10.tLJb3
Ιη the beginning of the eighties there
was an actiνe discussion of the νariation
10.fxe5 dxe5 11.tLJf5. AIso 10.tLJxc6 bxc6
occurs sometimes.
10 ... exf4 11.~xf4
Ιη case of 11.~xf4 BIack has time to
Super Tournaments 2000
rearrange his pieces adνantageousIy by
11 ... tLJe8 12. ~d2 ~f6 13.J:'!f2 ~e5 14.Jtg5
tLJf6 as the game GeIler - Andersson,
London 1982 showed.
11 ... ~e6 12.ΦhΙ d5 13.exd5 tLJxd5
14.tLJxd5 ~xd5 15.~f3
15. ~xd5 ~xd5 16.~ad1 ~ad8 Ied to an
equaI endgame.
15 ... ~c4 16.Jte2 ~d5
Ιη the game Gunnarsson - Engqνist,
GausdaI1993, BIack lauched a counterpIay,
trying to win by 16 ... ~a4 17.~d3 ~c4.
17.~f3 ~c4 lh-%
ΑΙΙ this stuff occurred aIready ίη the
game GaIkin - Gallagher, Batumi 1999 at
the Europe Team (;hampionship.
266 Β31
Timman - Κhalifman
Round 6 21.10
l.e4 c5
The French Defence with 1 ... e6 has
aIready pIayed its part, haνing brought 2
points of 2 to me.
2.tLJf3 tLJc6 3.~b5
J.Timman preferred a cIosed position to
main νariations of the SiciIian Defence.
3 ... g6 4.0-0 iιg7 5.~el tLJf6 6.tLJc3 ο-ο
7.e5 tLJe8 8.d3 tLJc7 9.a4 b6 1 0.~xc6
Mter 10.iιf4 ~b7 11.tLJe4 tLJe6 12.~g3
tLJcd4 BIack got a conνenient position for
his pieces ίη the ωntre.
10... dxc6
11.a5
Essent
Α new moνe. Ιη the game Ljubojeνic -
Hendriks, Netherlands 1996, there was
11.h3 jιe612.~e2 ~d713.~d2 ..id514.tΔe4
tΔe6 15.~e3 f5 16.exf6 exf6 17.tΔc3 .ί:[ae8
with an approximately equal position.
11 ... ~g4
Black made use of an opportunity to
simplify the play a little.
.
12.h3 ~xf3 13.~xf3 tΔe6 14...ie3 ~c7
Draw, securing second place for J.
Timman.
267 D42
Polgar - Galkin
Round 6 21.10
l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4
White chose the Panoν Attack to strug-
gle against the Caro-Kann Defence.
4 ... tΔf6 5.tΔc3 e6 6.tΔf3 ..ie7 7.cxd5
tΔxd5 8.~d3 tΔc6 9.0-0 ο-ο 10.1:!.el tΔf6
The line 10 ... Άf6 11.Άe4 tΔce7 occurs
now more often.
11.a3 b6 12.~g5 ~b7 13.~c2 tΔd5
14.~d3 g615.Άh6 .ί:[e8 16..ί:[adΙ tΔxc3
369
17.~xc3
White did not νenture οη a pawn
sacrifice which was required by the most
fundamental line with 17.bxc3. After
17 ... ~xa3 (a refusal to capture 17 ... ~d5
after 18.c4 ~h5 19.~c1 ~f6 20.h3 .ί:[ad8
21.d5 gaνe White a better play ίη the game
Larsen - Najdorf, Palma de Mallorca 1969)
18.tΔg5 ~e7 19. ~g3 ~f6 20. ~f4 tΔa5
21.1:!.e3 ~e7 22.1::rde1 ~g7 White managed
to deνelop a decisiνe attack against the
black king with 23.tΔxh7! ίη the game Ι.
Noνikoν - Kourkounakis, Isle ofMan 1996.
17 ... ~f6 18.iιe4 J:c8 19. ~e3 tΔa5
20.tΔe5 ~xe4 21.~xe4 tΔc4 1/2-%
Black at least is not worse here.
370 Super Tournαments 2000

World Chess Championship

New DelhiJTehran 27.11-25.12

100 players (88 αΜ and 10 ΙΜ) participated ίη the Men's FIDE Κnockout World
Championship: 16 representatives of Russia, Armenia - 5 representatives, USA - 5,
France - 4, India - 4, Israel- 4, the Ukraine - 4, Brazil- 3, England - 3, Hungary - 3,
Poland - 3 ...
27 ofthe highest rated players and Nisipeanu (his rating was not high, but was the
participant ofthe FIDE World Championship semi-final in 1999) were exempted from
playing ίη the fist round.
Those who lost in the first round got US $ 6.000 each, ίη the second - 10.800, ίη the
third - 21.600, ίη the fourth - 43.200, ίη the fifth - 86.400, ίη the sixth -172.800, ίη the
seventh - 396.000. The World Champion won the prize of$ 660.000. The players had to
pay 20% oftheir prize money to the FIDE/CACDEC fund.
From the 1st to the 5th round the opponents played two games (one game ίη one day),
ίη the 6th round - four games, ίη the 7th - six.
The mini matches consisted oftwo games with 100 minutes for 40 moves, thereafter
50 minutes for 20 moves and finally 15 minutes for the rest ofthe game with a bonus of
30 seconds per move. Ιη case of equality, there were to follow two rapid games of 25
minutes (+ 10 seconds per move), then two 10-minute games (with the same bonus). If
by then ηο decision was reached, the winner was to be determined by blitz.

At the sαme time with the World Chαmpionship the mαtch Kαspαrov - Krαmnik wαs
held. Here αre some αnswers ofthe fαmous plαyers to the question: "Whαt do you think
αbout the London mαtch Kαspαrov - Krαmnik ?".

Khalifman: "Vladimir Κramnik, ίη all my respect for him (we were always οη the
best ofterms and, Ι hope, they will remain like that), is not a direct successor as it
was written ίη "SPORTS EXPRESS", but only a champion ofthe world by "Brain
Games" company version. That, what was done by Vladimir, is remarkable, this,
perhaps, is one ofthe most outstanding achievements ίη the history of chess, but if
he is a direct successor really, that is only ίη the logical line which was broken
before the World War Second. What took place ίη London was a retreat for half a
century backwards. Figuratively speaking Kasparov has been sitting οη the stove
for five years, and then he pointed a finger who would be his rival. Yes, this rival is
very strong, but there was ηο selection after! What a championship ofthe world is
this, ifthe sports principle was not observed? Ifwe recognize the said contest legiti-
mate then the entire chess world may be plunged into incredible chaos" ("SPORTS
EXPRESS" 2000).

Ivanchuk: "This is purely commercial duel. The duel of very strong chessplayers.
But Ι do not consider it a match for the championship of the world. It determines a
winner between two rivals. The real World Champion is Κhalifman who passed the
hard and thorny way for this title beating all opponents before him ... Ι shall consider
Kasparov to be a champion of the world only then when he takes part ίη a world
World Chess Chαmpionship 371

championship and wins it. Ιη a word, the championship begins οη the 27th of Νο­
νember ίη Deli. According to the last data οηlΥ four chessplayers will not participate
ίη it, Κramnik, Κasparoν, Kamsky, Karpoν". (26.10.2000)

B.Gelfand: "The match Kasparoν-Κramnik", ίη all my respect, cannot be called a

match for the title ofWorld Champion, there was ηο sport selection.

E.Bareev: ''1 consider that we haνe two champions for today, Κhalifman by FIDE
νersion and Κramnik by Braingames, i.e. Ilymzhinoν and the company. And there
are some Iηore strong chessplayers who can fight for the title of world champion ...
Formely we had a common system of selection, Kasparoν passed through it, but
there is ηο such a system now. May be, it will appear one day. Eνery new match is
conducted by a new organization PCA, WCC, BGN; there will be lack ofletters soon.
80 we had thirteen champions, and haνe two now by different νersions, let's agree
to that. The connection of times is broken, although the situation will improνe per-
haps".

A.Grischuk: ''1 think it's possible to consider Κramnik a World Champion contrary
to Kasparoν who has not been a World Champion already for a long time ... Κramnik
has just won a νery tough match against a νery strong opponent, against the best
player, while Kasparoν didn't defend his title for a long time ... Κhalifman is the
fourteenth champion, Κramnik is the fifteenth, and the winner ίη Tehran will be
the sixteenth."

It is αlso very interesting to know the pαrtisipαnts' opinion of the chαmpionship's

system: "Do you like this formαt ofthe World Chαmpionship?"

M.Adarns: ''1 think the system is quite good because there are many strong players
ίη the world these days and it is important that the number ofplayers can partici-
pate. But, of course, 2 games can also be quite short. 80, time will tell."

Z.Azrnaiparashvili: 'Όf course, this is the best one. Ιη any way, one should not go
back to the old system."

A.Kharlov: "This is a νery interesting system, but many people haνen't yet got
used to it. That's why they seem to be not quite happy with it."

B.Gulko: "There are still a lot of drawbacks. It doesn't giνe fair results except maybe
for the winner. For example, Kamsky lost to Κhalifman last year at the νery begin-
ning ofthe championship, and he was, perhaps, the second strongest participant ίη
the tournament. The second drawback is a νery short distance - οηlΥ two games.
Υου haνe one bad day and you are out of the tournament."

B.Gelfand: "The format of the true World Championship is destroyed. Let's not
look for guilty, but it is my personal tragedy and, Ι think, the tragedy ofmany young
372 Super Tournαments 2000

p1ayers - Leko, Morozevich, 8vid1er ... There was se1ection, there were interzona1
tournaments, so we had something to be prepared really. And now what - to be
prepared for knockout tournaments? Everything is decided by whose nerves are
stronger. 1t is necessary to strengthen nervous system, to jog... There were 13 cham-
pions, then the new counting began. Anand won the first such championship ίη
Groningen (οη1Υ then he had to p1ay a match with handicap), that, however, is a
matter of discussion. Κha1ifman is the next. And the history has finished."

P.Tregubov: 'Ίt has both advantages and shortcomings. 1f we consider chess as

sports, this system justifies itse1f If we care οη1Υ about the creative aspect, the
matches, certain1y, are better. But if chess is sponsored 1ike any other kind of sport,
then, probab1y, chess p1ayers have to accept the system, οη which they give money."

B.Macieja: 'Ί 1ike this system and it intrigues me to participate ίn it. 1η the previ-
ous system p1ayed for many years Ι didn't have a chance to qua1ify for high 1aure1s.
Now Ι have οη1Υ to win zona1 tournament. Ι have severa1 chances to qua1ify from
the zona1 tournament to the wor1d championship to participate and p1ay in the
same tournament with Anand and many others."

P.Leko: 'Ί cannot tell that Ι 1ike this system, but, οη the other hand, ifyou want to be
successfu1, you have to start 1iking it. 80, Ι tήed to do some se1f-hypnosis that Ι 10ve
this system and even try p1aying sharp games though hanging a1ways οη the edge to
win the games is maybe not the ήght tactics but what to do? I've a1ready got e1imi-
nated two times very quick1y, so it can't be worse."

N.Short: 'Ί quite 1ike this format. Especially now at this stage of my career when Ι
can't any more p1ay chess proper1y. Because this format offers opportunity to
anybody ... even Ι can p1ay well when Ι have wind behind me, giving me some assis-
tance. Anyway, the wind was not with me ίη this tournament."

J.Ehlvest: 'Ί think that this system is very good for pub1icity. It is much more
spectacu1ar. When peop1e are p1aying against each other for a 10ng time, it becomes
quite bοήηg, for me as we11. Here it is very interesting for me to follow other matches.
But when there's some kind of super-tournament and a 10t of peop1e are p1aying,
then Ι am a1ready tired of it. Ι am not following it. Here p1ayers can follow who is
winning and who is 10sing. Also it is not so important for the p1ayers. Now we have
this tournament every year. 80, ifyou 10se, it is not a big prob1em. Nobody takes it
so tragically."

L.Van Wely: "The prob1em with the system is that you can'trave1 very far and you
may go home very quick1y. That's the prob1em, of course. But if you think you are
going to do well with this system, it is a nice tournament to p1ay."

Κί.Geοrgiev: ''1 p1ay my third championship ίη this format. Ι a1so p1ayed some
years ago ίη the cup. Ι think that this tournament is good. 1fyou are ίn a good form
you can have a big success."
World Chess Chαmpionship
Round 1
Game Ι, November 27
Today the championship has commen-
ced, and 36 male pairs of chess players sat
down to the game. Ιη chess as well is ίη
other eνeryone's faνourite game - football,
is difficult to guess the result. Among un-
expected things of this day we can name
Nataf's νictory oνer Sutoνsky (White) and
the defeat of one ofthe London Κramnik's
seconds Lautier (also White) from the ris-
ing star ofthe Brazil chess Leitao. That is
how it happened:
268 Ε45
Lautier (2648) - Leitao (2567)
Notes by A.Kochyev
l.d4 tΔί6 2.c4 e6 3.tΔc3 i.b4 4.e3 b6
5.tΔge2 i.a6 6.tΔg3
Ιη case of 6.a3 i.xc3+ 7.tΔxc3 d5 Black
manages to strike υρ a keen struggle ίη
the centre.
6 ... c5 7.d5 exd5
This moνe is more consistent than the
line 7 ... 0-0 8.e4 ~e8 9.f3 d6 10 ...Ite2 exd5
11.cxd5 i.xe2 12.tΔgxe2 b5 13.0-0 which
occurred ίη the game Korchnoi - Short,
Madrid 1995, where White got a strong
centre and an adνantage. Now ίη the
present game White has to spend moνes
to remoνe his king while it's still safe.
8.cxd5 ..txf1 9.Φχf1 ο-ο 10.e4 d6
11 ..1ιί4
Preνenting tΔbd4.
11 ... ~e8 12.f3 .1ιχc313.bxc3 tΔfd7
Αη interesting pawn sacrifice, Black
certainly will be fully compensated for it.
The moνe 13 ... g6?! can hardly be recom-
mended because of 14.h4!? with an initia-
tiνe.
14.i.xd6
Otherwise Black played 14 ... Φe5, get-
373
ting a conνenient play.
14 ... ~ί6 15.i.xb8! ~axb8 16. ~c2 tΔe5
17.Wf2 c4 18.J::thb1
It was better to keep this square for the
a1-rook.
18 ... b5 19.Wg1 tΔd3 20.Φh1 b4 21.
cxb4 z:ι.xb4 22.a3
22 ... J::tb3!
The initiatiνe is Black's, owing to the
unhappy position of White's a1-rook. Ιη
case of23~c4 there was 23 ... tΔf2+ 24.Wg1
~b6, threatening with a mate.
23.~f1 ~b2 24. §'xc4 tΔf2+ 25.~xf2
Νο 25.Wg1? because of~b6!
25 ...~xf2 26.1:ιb1 g6 27.a4 h5 28.tΔe2
~g5 29.J:;!.gl ~e32 30.tΔd4 J:;!.b8 31.~c7
There was 31.tΔb5!? as well, still main-
taining certain counterchances despite
Black's initiatiνe.
31 ... J:;!.b6
There was a draw after 31 ... J:;!.bb2
32.~d8+ Wg7 (32 ... Wh7 33.~f6) 33.tΔe6+
fxe6 34.~e7=
32.~d8+ Φh7 33.tΔe6 ~xg2 34.tΔg5+?
Allowing Black to gain an adνantage.
White had to send his king for a trip:
34.Wxg2 ~b2+ 35.Wh3 ~xf3+ 36.~g3 ~f1+
37.Wh4 ι:txh2+ 38.<;t>g5 ~c1+ 39.Wf6 ~f2+
40.<;t>e7
34...1:txg5 35.~xg5 ~xf3+ 36.~g2 ~e3
37.nf1 Wg7 38.1:!.d11:lf6
The poor position ofWhite's king giνes
374
a winning chance to his opponent.
39.d6 Itf2 40:~'g3 ~e2 41.~cl
If 41.~d3, then ~xh2+ 42.'it>g1 ~f2#
with a mate; and ίη case of 41.Wg11:Ig2+
42.~xg2 ~xd1+ 43.~Ω ~xd6-+ Black's
position is winning anyway.
41 ... ~xe4+ 42.c,t>gl1:J:f3 43.~el ~d4+
44. c,t>g2 ~d3 0-1
Among another results there were Rus-
sian Champion 1999 Sakaev's νictory over
Russian Champion 2000 Volkov and the
defeat of the quarter-finalist of Las Vegas
1999 Alexey Fedorov from Alexander
Ivanov.
Game 2, November 28
Vaganian (defeated Hamdouchi), Mala-
khov (defeated Kveinys), Vladimirov (de-
feated Barua), Galkin (defeated Wohl) ,
Lesiege (defeated Vasquez), Benjamin (de-
feated Fiorito) confidently reached the sec-
ond round with the score 2:0.
Surprisingly, many games ended ίη
short draws. We wonder why? Did every-
body think that he would play the faster
version of the game better than his ορρο­
nent?
There was an exciting struggle ίη the
match between Russian Champions S.Vol-
kov and KSakaev. Sakaev won the first
game. But ίη the second game Volkov was
playing White and managed to win. The
score became 1:1 and they would have to
play rapid games.
Bartlomej Macieja started his success-
ful performance ίη this tournament (οηΙΥ
ίη the 4th round he would lose to Anand)
and ίη the second game he defeated
Jonathan Speelman ίη the stubborn
struggle and equalized the score.
Sutovsky and Lautier with Black could
not win. Fedorov ίη the second game, which
he had to win without fail, chose the Κing's
Gambit. But it is not the 18th century and
Alexey had to agree to a draw ίη a bad ρο­
sition, playing with Α. Ivanov (USA).
Super Tournαments 2000
One more sensation happened ίη the
game Dao - Ponamariov. Ruslan Ροηο­
mariov, the new Ukrainian genius, was
knocked out ofthe event. He played Κing's
Indian Defence and got a good position. Οη
move 39 he made a mistake and lost the
game.
269 Ε90
Dao (2555) - Ponomariov (2630)
Notes by Kochyev
l.d4 4:Jf6 2.c4 g6 3.4:Jc3 Άg7 4.e4 d6
5.4:Jf3 0-0 6.h3 e5 7.d5 4:Ja6 8.g4
Αη aggressive plan. They play also
8.Άe3 4:Jh5 9.4:Jh2 ~e8 10.Άe2 4:Jf4 1l ..if3
f5 with a complex play.
8 ... 4:Jc5 9.~c2 a5 10.Άe3 c6 11.g5
Ιη case of 1l.Άe2 Black plays 11 ... cxd5
12.cxd5 4:Je8 and then tήes to accomplish
the advance fΊ-f5.
11 ...4:Jh5 12.0-0-0 cxd5
13.4:Jxd5
There was an interesting opportunity
of 13 ..ixc5!? dxc5 14.4:Jxd5 with a danger-
ous threat of4:Jf6. At the same time, 13 ... d4
was not an absolute solution too, so after
14.Άa3 dxc315.~xc3 the d6-pawn became
a weak point.
13 ... b6 14.4:Jd2
Both sides have suffered losses. There
is a position of dynamic balance οη the
board.
14 ... Άb7 15.h4 4:Jf4 16.c,t>bl ~c8 17.
ΆΧf4?!
World Chess Chαmpionship 375

Now this ίΒ too much. It ίΒ not good to ~xd8+

giνe up such a bishop, opening up the Iong BIack's position ίΒ hopeless. Howeνer
diagonal a1-h8. Ιη case of 17.4Jxf4 exf4 the game continued ...
18.iιxf4 the response was 18 ... f5! 45 ... ~e8 46.~d6+ ~g8 47.~xf4 ~e2+
17 ... exf4 18.iιh3 CLJe6 19. ~b3 ..ic6 48.<;t>c3 J::!.a2 49.CLJc4
20.4Jf3 .a:b8 Why not this way, really?
BIack ίΒ ΡreΡaήηg an attack οη White's 49 ... nc2+ 50.ΦΧb3l::tχc4 51.~xc4 'it>f8
king, and its first step will be the adνance 52.'~c3 ..ixc4 53.'it>xc4 Φe7 54.'it>d5 Φd7
b5. 55.Φe5 ~e7 56.f3 Φf7 57.Φd6 Φf8 58.Φe6
21 ...ixe6 fxe6 22.4Jc3 a4 Φe8 59.~f6 Φf8 60.f4 Φg8 61.Φe7 Φg7
There was also an interesting opportu- 62.h5 h6
nity of 22 ... ..ixc3! 23.~xc3 iιxe4+ 24.~a1 62 ... gxh5 63.f5 h4 64.f6+ ~g6 65.f7 h3
b5, threatening with b4, and ίη case of 66.αι~+-
25.cxb5 BIack had 25 ... ~c8! 63.gxh6+ ΦΧh6 64.hxg6 <;t>xg6 65.Φe6
23.~c2 b5 24.CLJd4!? ..ixd4 25.1::!.xd4 b4 ~g7 66.f5 Φf8 67.~f6 1-0
26.CLJb5! 67.f6?? Φe8=
This moνe ίΒ stronger than 26.4Jxa4
~a5
26 ... b3 27.~d3 d5 28.exd5 exd5 Tie-break, November 29
29.~dl bxa2+ 30.~xa2 ~b6 31.~d2
White has a solid position and pIays ίη This day we could see the main idea of
the centre. the championship - tie-breaks - working.
31 ... ~f7 32.4Ja3 ~e7 For first two games eνery pIayer had 25
BIack has gone too far ίη his striνing minutes per moνe with the 10-second ίη­
for a νictory. crement, for next two games - 15 minutes
33.cxd5 l:rel per moνe with the same increment. Then
Threatening with ~b3. the apotheosis began - blitz, bIitz and bIitz
again. BIack had an extra minute ίη eνery
game, a pIayer, who was first to win,
passed into the next round.
Sakaeν and Volkoν continued their
struggIe. At first KSakaeν (BIack) won,
then his opponent won. Ιη the crucial mo-
. ment Volkoν kept his position with White
and won again with BIack.
The European Champion Paνel Tregu-
boν defeated the other Russian pIayer
Alexander Rustemoν ίη difficult 15-minute
games.
34.b4! There were seν~ral surprises ίη the tie-
It Iooks as ifBIack underestimated this break. Leν Psakhis (White) Iost his "mor-
strong response. tal" 7th game to Emir Dizdareνic. Jonathan
34 ... axb3+ 35.'it>b2 .sιd7 36.d6 .sιe6 SpeeIman drew his 3rd game with Barto-
37.d71:td8 38.~c3 iιf7 39..ί:Id6 ~b7? Iomiej Macieja but Iost the 4th. As to the
39 ... ~a7 was better, and if40.~f6, then rest games, higher rated pIayers were the
~a5. winners, though there were some prob-
40.~f6! ~b8 41.~c6 'it>f8 42 ..ί:!.c8 .ί:Ixc8 Iems, for exampIe, GM AIeksandroν
43.dxc8~+ ~xc8 44.i:ί.d8+ ~xd8 45. (ByeIorussia) defeated ΕΙ Taher (Egypt)
376 Super Tournαments 2000

only in the blitz. games in the first round and it is not so

Conversation with GM Β.
ΒΥ Vαlery Sαlov
Q: Bartlomiej, my congratulations
οη your very nice victory ίη the first
round, because you played against a
very strong opponent GM Jonathan
8peelman. You played a very nice
game. Do you think that high-rated
players should be classified directly
for the World Championship?
Α: Yes, Ι think that this is a good idea
because ifyou have high rating that means
you have been working many years for the
rating. It is a prize and also a way to at-
tract players to participate.
Q: Do you think that the winner of
the World Championship will be the
best player? Do you think it can be
guaranteed?
Α: Such system doesn't make it possible
to guarantee this, because you play only 2
easy to win the match. For example, there
Macieja are many players that are very solid and
it is very difficult to win them. They may
be weaker, but they are still very solid. You
cannot be sure you would win with the
White and you can always lose with the
Black.
Q: 8urely, the element of luck is
present here and you could see it ίn
the first round. Quite a few upsets
especially ίn the Women's champion-
ship. 80, it isn't easy to find the best
system that everyone willlike, is it?
Α: Yes, but Ι think that this system is
good enough to be continued. Ι do like it
very much.
Q: Ι see that it is, perhaps, the ορίn­
ίοη of the majority of players and we
think that changes should be made
οηlΥ ίη case there's financial necessity
ίn it.
Α: Absolutely right.

ROUND 1 PAIRINGS AND RESULTS Gl G2 Fina!

1 PiketJ. NED 2649 VH Hernandez Gi. ΜΕΧ 2572 = = 2.5-1.5
2 Lautier J. FRA 2648 .1\'$' Leitao R. BRA 2567 0-1 = 0.5-1.5

3 Fedorov Α. BLR 2646

I
Vs Ivanov Α. USA 2567 0-1 = 0.5-1.5

4 Van WelyL. NED 2643 Lys_ Asrian Κ. ARM 2566 = 1-0 1.5-0.5

5 GulkoB. USA 2643 IVs. Bezgodov Α. RUS 2557 = = 2.5-1.5

6 Bo!ogan ν. MDA 2641 IVS Stefanssons Η. ISL 2557 = 1-0 1.5-0.5

7 Mi!os G. BRA 2633 VH Kunte Α. IND 2556 = = 2.5-1.5

8 Ponomariov R. UΚR 2630 ν!'; DaoT. ΥΙΕ 2555 = 0-1 0.5-1.5

9 OnischukA. UΚR 2627 v:s. Agrest Ε. SWE 2554 1-0 = 1.5-0.5

10 Sakaev Κ. RUS 2627 ν$ VolkovS. RUS 2554 1-0 0-1 2.5-3.5

11 EhlvestJ. EST 2627 vs Noguieras J. CUB 2552 = = 4-2

12 Κhar!ov Α. RUS 2627 νι,: Hansen S. DEN 2545 = 1-0 1.5-0.5

13 VaganianR. ARM 2623 ",$' Hamdouchi Η. MAR 2541 1-0 1-0 2-0

14 Spee!man J. FNG 2623 VS: Macieja Β. POL 2536 1-0 0-1 1.5-2.5
15 Tregubov Ρ. RUS 2620 ,,$ Rustemov Α. RUS 2534 = = 3.5-2.5
World Chess Chαmpionship 377

16 Bacrot Ε. FRA 2613 νΒ Rytshagov Μ. EST 2529 = = 3-1

17 Psakhis L. ISR 2611 ly~ Dizdarevic Ε. ΒΙΗ 2527 = = 3-4

18 Sutovsky Ε. ISR 2609 WΙ··· NatafI. FRA 2526 0-1 = 0.5-1.5

19 GrischukA RUS 2606 νι! Lima D. BRA 2525 = = 2.5-1.5

20 MalakhovV. RUS 2605 I ys Kveinys Α. LTU 2522 1-0 1-0 2-0

21 Baklan V. υΚR 2599 YS Zaja Ι. CRO 2513 = = 3.5-2.5

22 Lputian S. ARM 2598 νΒ Blehm Ρ. POL 2510 1-0 = 1.5-0.5

23 Vladimirov Ε. ΚΑΖ 2596 .vs Barua D. IND 2502 1-0 1-0 2-0
24 Yermolinsky Α USA 2595 VS Al-Modiahki Μ. QAT 2499 1-0 = 1.5-0.5
25 MinasianA ARM 2595 νΒ Villamayor Β. ΡΗΙ 2495 = = 4-2
i
26 Lutz C. GER 2594 vs Ghaem Maghami IRI 2488 = = 2.5-1.5
27 Iordachescu V. MDA 2594 ΥΒ Godena Μ. ΙΤΑ 2485 = = 2.5-1.5

28 Aleksandrov Α BLR 2591 VS ΕΙ Taher F. EGY 2485 = = 4.5-3.5

29 GalkinA RUS 2587 vs WohlA. AUS 2461 1-0 1-0 2-0

30 Lesiege Α CAN 2584 YS Vasquez R. CHI 2454 1-0 1-0 2-0

31 Adianto U. ΙΝΑ 2583 vs Hakki Ι. SYR 2429 1-0 = 1.5-0.5

32 Nevednichy V. ROM 2582 νΒ Labib Ι. EGY 2426 = 1-0 1.5-0.5

33 BenjaminJ. USA 2577 VS Fiorito F. ARG 2418 1-0 1-0 2-0

34 Serper G. USA 2574 vs Bagheri Α. IRI 2409 1-0 = 1.5-0.5

35 Sasikiran Κ. IND 2573 vs SimutoweA. ΖΑΜ 2322 = 1-0 1.15-0.5

36 CherninA HUN 2572 vs Utnasunov Α. RUS 2257 1-0 = 1.5-0.5

Round2

Game 1, November 30 Svidler, Short, Dreev, Κhalifman, Georgiev,

Beliavsky) made draws or even (Peng, Van
The second round of the World Chess Wely) won.
Championships heralded the entrance of Here is one ofWhite's wins:
the heavyweights of professional chess. Ιη
the Men's section as many as 28 seeded
players joined the field. 270 C02
There were ηο surprises this day; the Morozevich (2756) - Milos (2633)
stronger players with White (Morozevich,
Bareev, Kasimdzhanov, Gelfand, Azmaipa- 1.e4 c5 2.4:Jf3 4:Jc6 3.c3 e6 4.d4 d5 5.e5
rashvili, Movsesian, Tkachiev, Piket) ~b6 6.a3 4:Jh6 7.b4 cxd4 8.cxd4 4:Jf5
gained victories, and playing with Black 9 ...te3
(Anand, Adams, Leko, Topalov, Κrasenkow, White could have developed the bishop
378
to b2 as well. The best thing for Black ίη
this case would be to start a counterplay
οη the queenside immediately, trying to
gain profit from the insufficient protection
of the bishop οη b2: 9. Jtb2 Jtd7 (ίη re-
sponse to 9 ... a5 White captured space οη
the queenside by 10.b5, and after 10 ... a4
1l.g4 tbfe7 12.tbc3 tbb8 13 ..fιd3 tbd7 14.
ο-ο tbg6 15.1:[c1 Jte7 16.tbxa4± Black got
an extra weak point ίη his position,
whereas White won a pawn, Sveshnikov -
Bareev, Moscow 1995) 10.h4 :c8 11.g4 tbh6
12 ..ί::i:g1 tba5!. Making use ofthe weakness
of the b2-bishop, Black transfers his
knight to a strong position. Mter 13.tbfd2
iιe7 14.Jtc3 tbc4!~ Black had a promising
counterplay against White's advanced
pawns ίη the game Kozak - Antonio, Las
Vegas 1999.
9 ... g6
Black is going to exchange οη e3 to per-
form than an active development of his
king's bishop to h6. Other attempts to put
υρ a counterplay were unable to solve
Black's problems as well, for example af-
ter 9 ... f6 10.Jtd3 tbxe3 (ίη case of10 ... fxe5?!
1l.Jtxf5 exf5 12.dxe5± White dominates
both ίη the centre and οη dark squares,
and, taking into consideration the weak-
ness οη d5, Black's position should be esti-
mated as hard) 11.fxe3 fxe5 12.b5 e4
13.bxc6 Jtd6 14.0-0 ο-ο 15.tbg5! h6
16 ..ί:.Χf8+ iιxf8 17.tbxe4! dxe4 18.J1ιxe4
bxc6 19.tbd2± Black's weak pawns, limited
activity ofhis pieces and insecure position
of his king determined White's obvious
advantage ίη the game L.Hansen - Anton-
sen, Farum 1993. Mter 9 ... Jtd7 10.Jtd3
J1ιe7 11.0-0 ~c8 12.tbbd2 White maintained
his advantage ίη the centre easily and was
able to struggle successfully against
Black's possible activity οη the flanks, for
example 12 ... a5 13.b5 tba7 14.a4 tbxe3
15.fxe31:[c3 16.tbb11:Ic7 17. ~e1 ο-ο 18. ~g3
Ε5 19.exf6 .:txf6 20.tbbd21:[c3 21.tbe5;;!;, re-
stήctίηg Black's pieces, Simacek - Koutsin,
Hlohovec 1996.
10.Jtd3 tbxe3 11.fxe3 J1ιh6 12.~d2
Super Tournαments 2000
This move is more precise than the
naturaI 12.~e2. So, after 12 ...tbe7 13.tbc3
i.,d7 14.0-0 :c8 15.1:[ac1 tbf5 16.J1ιxf5 (bet-
ter was 16.tba4 ~d8 17.J1ιxf5 gxf5 18.tbc5
l::ι.c7oo) 16 ... gxf5 an unhappy 17.l::ι.c2? ~a6+
allowed Black a tactical blow and he made
a profit οη the bad position of White's
queen οη e2 ίη the game Wall - Lputian,
Montecatini Terme 1999.
12... J1ιd7 13.tbc3 tbe7 14.g4!
It was quite important not to allow
Black's knight to come to f5, otherwise af-
ter 14.0-0 tbf5 White would have to ex-
change 15.J1ιxf5 gxf5, and Black's chances
would not be worse, at the least.
14... J1ιg7 15.0-0 l::ι.c8
16.a4!
Preparing tbb5 with the idea that after
an exchange of this knight (i.,xb5) White
can take οη b5 with the pawn, thus creat-
ing difficulties with the defence ofthe a7-
pawn for Black.
16... 0-0
16 ... ~xb4 had ηο sense because of
17.tbe4 ~xd2 18.tbd6+ 'it>f8 19.tbxd2+-,
attacking Black's c8-rook and f7-pawn at
the same time.
17.tbb5 iιxb5 18.axb5! f6 19.exf6'uxf6
20. Φg2 !ιcf'8!?
Trying to organize a counterplay
against the b5-pawn and ίη the centre af-
ter the knight's transfer tbe7-c8-d6.
21.~c2 tbc8 22.h4!
ΒΥ this headlong advance White wants
to promote a soon opening υρ of the play
οη the kingside.
World Chess Championship
22 ... tΔd6 23.h5 ~c8 24:~e2 t;{d8?
B1ack is 10sing a pawn and stays with-
out a p1ay now. Perhaps 24 ... gxh5 was bet-
ter, even though after 25.tΔg5!? (the allur-
ing 25.~hl tΔe4 26.~xh5 ~cf8fZ allowed
B1ack a counterp1ay a10ng the f-fi1e) 25 ... h6
26.~xf6 ~xf6 27.tΔxe6 ~e8 28.tΔf4 iιxd4
29.tΔxd5 t;{d8 30.J::thl White had nice pros-
pects for organising an attack οη the un-
defended b1ack king.
25.hxg6 hxg6 26.l:i:xa7±
White is not οη1Υ a pawn up, he is ίη­
creasing his initiative which cannot be ex-
tinguished even by subsequent exchanges.
26 ... t;{e7 27.tΔe5 ~xf1 28.t;{xf1!
This move is more precise than 28.
tΔxg6?! ~g5 29.ςt>xΠ CΔe4fZ, allowing a cer-
tain p1ay against White's king.
28 ... ~xe5
This exchange spoi1s B1ack's position at
a11. There was an opportunity to maintain
certain practica1 chances by 28 ... t;{h4!?,
because after simp1ifications 29. t;{f2 t;{xf2+
30.ςt>xf2 ~xe5 31.dxe5 CΔf7 32.~xb7 CΔxe5
33.~e2 ~c2 34.ςt>ell:i:b2 White wou1d still
have to be accurate when defending his
pawns.
29.dxe5 CΔe4
There was a1ready ηο 29 ... t;{h4 because
of 30.exd6 ~xg4+ 31.~h2 ~f8 32.t;{xf8+!
~xf8 33.M.a8+ ςt>g7 34.d7 t;{h4+ (34 ... ~f3
35.a:g8+ ~h6 36.a:xg6+-) 35.~g2 t;{g4+
36.~f2 ~h4+ 37.~e2 ~g4+ 38.~d2 t;{xb4+
39.ςt>dl ~b3+ 40.~c2+-, and White es-
caped a perpetua1 check. A1so B1ack had
ηο chances after 29 ... CΔc4 30.~f6 t;{xf6
31.exf6 CΔe5 32.~e2 M.c2 33.~f1 ~g7
34.g5+- with fata1 threats from both
flanks.
30.jLxe4 dxe4 31.t;{f6!+-
Βήηgiηg to the goa1 ίη the shortest way.
White wins the endgame with the sup-
ported passed pawn οη [6 easi1y.
31 ... t;{xf6 32.exf6 a:c7 33.g5 ~f7
34.~g3 e5 35.b6 J::td7 36.~g4 ~e6 37.a:a8
~d6 38.a:g8 1-0
5mbat Lputian's easy win over the
379
Olympic Champion Rub1evsky was rather
unexpected.
Ιη the game between Rustem Ka-
simdzhanov (the As.ian Champion) and
Pave1 Tregubov (the European Champion)
the victory was Knsimdzhanov's.
Also there were two contrasting draws:
a short game Gu1ko - Chernin (12 moves)
and a 10ng due1 between two Po1es Bart1o-
miej Macieja - Micha1 Krasenkow (66
moves). Bart10miej was 1ucky again be-
cause Micha1, having severa1 extra pawns,
cou1d not win.
Game 2, December 1
Ιη second games of Round 2 four p1ay-
ers managed to win back, and the Indone-
sian p1ayer Adianto won with B1ack. Nev-
erthe1ess, the hero of the day was Rafae1
Vaganian, who cou1d defeat Bareev, hav-
ing seized the initiative a1ready ίη the open-
ing. Also among the winning back p1ayers
were: Tregubov, who won over Kasim-
dzhanov, and Iodanescu, who defeated
Movsesian.
The major upset ofthe day was the 10ss
of previous year's wor1d #2 V1adimir
Akopian of Armenia. Akopian, who has
undergone an eye surgery recent1y, has not
p1ayed serious chess for quite some time
now and this influenced his p1ay here. He
did reject an ear1y opportunity to force a
draw today (with Aleksandrov) οη1Υ to find
himse1f out of the championship at this
ear1y stage.
The Russian Champion Vo1kov cou1d not
recover from his hard match with Sakaev
and 10st to Leko without a strugg1e.
Conversation with GM Peter Leko
ΒΥ Valery Salou
Q: Congratulations, you have quali-
fied for the next stage. Your today's
game was very interesting.
Α: Yes, it was very exciting. Normally
380
ίη such knockout tournaments you like
some technical victories that you're slightly
better from the beginning and then you
slowly win the game.
Q: But it is not always possible with
a strong opponent.
Α: Yes. That's the problem.
Q: Do you know anything about
new proposals for the changes ίη the
World Championship?
Α: Yes. Ι heard a lot about it, but at the
moment Ι cannot say anything serious,
because Ι am really focused οη my chess
οηlΥ. Ι didn't study those proposals seri-
ously. For myself it wouldn't be good, Ι
think. Mter the championship Ι will think
about it but probably by that time it will
be already decided.
Q: Don't you think that it is very
useful that you share your ορίηίοη οη
time control and other changes, be-
cause otherwise the decisions will be
taken without participation of the
players?
Α: Yes. Οη the other hand, Ι think that
the future is ίη Internet. Ι think ίη the
Internet it doesn't really matters how long
the game is being played. And this is the
future of chess, but it still has to be devel-
oped. Ι think my match with Κhalifman ίη
Budapest was very professionally orga-
nized. We had 9 million visits ίη one week.
Q: Didn't you feel almost lίke a
world champion after winning that
match?
Α: Νο, Ι met already so many champi-
ons personally and not over the board. Ι
really want to win this world champion-
ship. When Ι win a real world champion-
ship, Ι tell that Ι beat this or that player.
But ifit's not official, then nothing's to be
said, not even a thought should cross my
mind about those things.
Q: ΟΚ. At least, you don't claim to
be a World Champion. You are one of
the very few.
Α: Ι will claim it later when Ι feel Ι have
the right to say so.
Super Tournαments 2000
The second draw between Dao Thien
and M.Adams (the difference ίη ratings is
200 points!) was also unexpected. One of
the favourites Alexey Shirov, playing with
the Ukranian Champion Alexander Οηί­
schuk ended both games ίη draws. Alexey,
who would reach the final, would play tie-
break during the whole tournament.
Alexander Grischuk, the main future
troublemaker, having an absolutely win-
ning position ίη the game with Ilya Smirin,
got wrong and dε:ΙaΥed the duel till the
rapid game, ίη which Ilya is particularly
strong.
The gam.e ofthe main favourite Anand
attracted everyone's attention. After a
quick draw ίη the first round it seemed that
ίη the match Anand - Bologan the player
from Moldova had a chance to reach the
rapid games. But Anand was implacable.
The Ruy Lopez turned out to be a real tor-
ture for Bologan. Anand fixed the central
pawns and began to capture space οη the
kingside (according to Nimzowitch).
Bologan met it with a risky breakthrough
οη the queenside but it did not help. The
Indian delivered a blow 37.CΞJf6! and there
was ηο escape.
271 C95
Anand (2762) - Bologan (2641)
1.e4 e5 2.CΞJf3 CΞJc6 3 ...Itb5 a6 4 ...Ita4 CΞJf6
5.0-0 jιe7 6.1:rel b5 7 ...Itb3 d6 8.c3 ο-ο
9.h3 CΞJb8 10.d4 CΞJbd7 11.CΞJbd2 jιb7
12.j,c21:re8 13.CΞJf1 ..Itf8 14.CΞJg3 c5
There was an alternative of14 ... g6, de-
fending f5 from an intrusion of White's
knight and maintaining an opportunity to
undermine White's centre if required, for
example after 15.a4 (ίη case of 15.b3 ..Itg7
16.d5 Black had a good play ίη the centre
and οη the queenside) 16 ... M.c8! 17.j,e3 (if
17.c4, then 17 ... c6) 17 ... c6 18.c4 ~c7!
19 ..!:tcl b4 20.~d2 a5 21 ...Itbl c5! 22.1:rf11:ra8
23.CΞJh2 a4 24 ...Itg5 axb3 25.axb3 .!:ta3=
Anand - Van der Sterren, Wijk aan Zee
World Chess Chαmpionship
1998) 15 ... c5 16.d5 c4 17.lιg5 h6 18.lιe3
CLJc5 19.~d2 h5 20.lιg5 jιe7 21.Ma3 Mb8
22.Mea1 White gained a slight advantage
owing to the weakening of Black's queen-
side ίη the game Svidler - Piket, Wijk aan
Zee,1999.
15.d5 c4 16.jιg5 ~c7 17.CLJf5 ~h8
18.g4!
White's stable position ίη the centre and
active arrangement ofhis pieces allow him
to concentrate οη the attack οη Black's
kingside without fearing to weaken his
own king's position. Attacking with pieces,
he gained nothing, for example 18.CLJh2
CLJg8 19. ~d2 lιc8 20.CLJg4 CLJc5 21.CLJg3 lιd7
22.lιe3 Mac8 23. ~e2 g6 24. ~d2 with
Black's solid position Shchekachev - Piket,
Amsterdam, 2000.
18 ... CLJg8 19. ~d2 CLJc5 20.jιe3 lιc8
21.CLJg3
White moves back his pieces, prepar-
ing to a pawn onslaught which should open
υρ the play οη the kingside.
21 ... Mb8 22.<.t>g2 a5 23.a3 CLJe7
Black tries to make use of weak points
which have appeared οη White's kingside
after f4, however he cannot gain anything
real here because of White's obvious ad-
vantage ίη this area. It was better to keep
the knight defending the kingside and try
to display some activity οη the queenside.
There was ηο straightforward 23 ... ~b6
24.1ιh1 b4?! because of 25.axb4 axb4
26.cxb4 ~xb4 27. ~xb4 MXb4 28.Sιxc5 dxc5
29.jιa4±, yet the following opportunity
really deserved attention: 23 ... lιe7!?
381
24.1::rh1 Sιd8 25.g5 ~a7 to be followed by
jιb6, looking for an exchange ofthe dark-
squared bishops.
24.Mh1 CLJg6 25.g5
Having co-ordinated his pieces well,
White launches a straight attack οη the
hostile king.
25 ...b4?!
Black wants to get a counterplay at the
cost of a pawn. There was already ηο
25 ... Sιe7 because of 26.h4 Sιd8 27.h5 CLJf8
(ίη case of 27 ... CLJf4 28.lιxf4 exf4 29. ~f4±
White stayed with an extra pawn, and his
pieces were very active) 28.Mh2 ~a7
29.Mah1 jιb6 30.g6 with an attack that
could have been irresistible.
26.axb4 axb4 27.cxb4 CLJa6
After 27 ... CLJf4+ 28.Sιxf4 exf4 29.bxc5
fxg3 30.c6± Black's bishops would be re-
stricted considerably.
28.Ma4 CLJf4+
There was ηο play οη the queenside:
28 ... ~b7 29.Mha1 CLJxb4 30.Ma7, and then
30 ... CLJxc2 (if 30 ... ~b5?, then 31.Sιa4+-)
31.Mxb7 CLJxe3+ 32.fxe3 Mxb7 33.Ma4±,
demonstrating White's advantage.
29.Sιxf4 exf4 30.CLJh5 ~b6 31. ~xf4!
White not οηlΥ takes the pawn, he en-
gages his strongest piece ίη the attack as
well. The attack would be slower ίη case of
31.CLJxf4 CLJxb4 32.Mha1 Sιe7±
31 ... CLJxb4
Ιη case of31 ... lιd7 White would accom-
plish the same rook transfer along the 3 rd
rank as ίη the gar:ιe: 32.Ma3±
32.Sιb11::rb7 33.1:.a3!
After this move Black's chances for a
successful defence become almost unreal.
33 ... MC7
Black has ηο time to block the 3 ld rank
with 33 ... CLJd3. After 34.Sιxd3 ~xb2 35.
Maa1 cxd3 36.1::rhb1 ~c3 (if36 ... ~xb1, then
37.1::rxb1 Mxb1 38. ~xf7 with White's deci-
sive advantage) 37.MXb7 .1ιχb7 38.Mc1 ~b2
39.-Uc7, there would be ηο defence against
the threats along the 7th rank.
34.1:td1! CLJa6
Black's οηlΥ chance to hold οη was not
382
to allow White to transfer his rook to the
kingside: 34 ... ~a6!? 35.cbd4LΔd3 36 ...Ik.xd3
cxd3 (36 ... ~xd4 37.1:txa6 cxd3 38.LΔg3 z:ι.b7
39.~a3±) 37.LΔc6±, and White would haνe
to look for a way to deνelop his initiatiνe
despite his extra pawn and actiνe pieces.
35.LΔd4! ~xb2 36.~g3
Nothing can preνent LΔf6 already.
36 ...c3
Ιη case of 36 ... LΔc5 37.LΔf6! z:ι.e5 (37 ...
gxf6 38.gxf6 h6 39.~h1 +-) 38.g6! h6 39.gxf7
g5 40.LΔe8 i.f5 41. ~c1 +- too many Black's
pieces would be attacked.
37.LΔf6! .ϊ:te5
Ιη case of 37 ... gxf6 Black was going to
lose as soon as the g-file opened υρ 38.gxf6
~e5 (the other opportunity to coνer g5 with
38 ... h6 was inefficient as well because of
39.\th1 ~b7 (if 39 ... c2, then 40.i.xc2 .:ι::!xc2
41.Mdgl+-) 40.i.c2+- to be followed by
~dgl) 39.~g1 ~h5 40.\th2 (40.\tf3+-)
40 ... ~xh3+ 41.~xh3 ~xh3 42. ~g3+-,
White's adνantage is decisiνe ίη alllines.
38.g6!
White destroys the shelter ofthe black
king methodically.
38... fxg6
Νο better was 38 ... h6 39.gxf7 g5 (block-
ing υρ the g-file) 40.LΔe8 i.f5 41.LΔxc7 gxf4
42.z:ι.g8+ as the deplorable position of
Black's king would allow his opponent to
continue the attack eνen without queen:
42 ... ~h7 43.exf5 (to be followed by f6)
43 ... f3 44.~xf3 c2 45.i.xc2 ~c3+ 46.\tg2+-
39.LΔd7 ~e7
White cannot be stopped οη his way to
Super Tournaments 2000
the νictory: 39 ...!!f5 40.exf5 g5 41.~xg5
1::txd7 42.f6 g6 43.~xg6+-
40.LΔxe5 dxe5 41.~f7 h6 42.~e8 1-0
Conversation with GM V.Bologan
ΒΥ Valery Salov
Q: Ι think that you were the un-
luckiest participant ofthis champion-
ship, because definitely you got the
strongest opponent ίη the second
round. You had to play against Viswa-
nathan Anand who is not οηlΥ one of
the best players ίn the championship,
but also a very experienced and im-
mensely successful player ίη this kind
offormat.
Α: That's true. It would haνe been bet-
ter to meet him at a later stage, but if Ι
had won Ι would haνe been the luckiest one.
Ι had chances, he is not a machine. Ι am
quite content with my play against him.
Q: Would you comment a little bit
οη the course οί the game? The first
game, Ι think, was going according to
your plan. You got some slight advan-
tage ίη the opening and you were try-
ing to put pressure οη him.
Α: Ιη the first game Ι wasn't νery ambi-
tious ίη the opening, but that doesn't mean
that Ι played for a draw. Ι played for more.
It looked ίη the beginning as a slight ad-
νantage but later it was transformed into
a huge one, a νery strong attack. And Ijust
missed one tempo to get a straight attack.
Q: Which move?
Α: Ι think "a3" was a mistake because
there Ι lost time. And time was important,
because then he managed to arrange de-
fence.
Q: And you were disappointed by
this mistake, Ι gιless. This may explain
your decision to offer a draw.
Α: The truth is that Ι was under a big
pressure all the time during the game. It
was a νery difficult game for me from the
psychological point ofνiew. It was hard for
me to concentrate, to keep οη fighting, and
to find the right moνes. Ι managed to do a
World Chess Chαmpionship
decent play there. But at the moment Ι saw
there was ηο more advantage left, Ι didn't
see any point ίη continuing. Ι had not much
time also.
Q: At the second game Ι was a bit
surprised by your opening choice. Υου
are definitely not a Breyer variation
player.
Α: Ι must admit that it wasn't the best
choice, but Ι didn't have much time to pre-
pare. Οη the contrary, my opponent had
enough time to prepare for the game with
me, as he was entering the tournament at
the second round. For the match with
8tefansson it was a good opening, but
against Anand Ι should have found some-
thing else.
Q: Did you have some experience
with this format before?
Α: Ι played a few times. Ι played ίη
Groningen ίη 1997 World Championship
and Ι played ίη that Elista President's Cup
ίη 1998 that you haνe already mentioned.
Ι also played qualification tournament ίη
Buenos-Aires. 80, Ι have some experience
but it is absolutely different when you have
to play the second round already against
Anand. Ι haνe neνer had such an experi-
ence and that was a problem for me.
Q: Κnockout is a very peculiar sys-
tem. Several Indian players com-
plained that they had ηο experience
with this system and they were not
prepared for this kind of pressure οη
them.
Α: The reason also might be that they
are not from the top hundred, except for
Anand. Maybe they are not yet very strong
players. Besides, they might have been dis-
turbed by so much attention from the me-
dia. Even for Anand it was hard. Ιη the first
game he was νery nervous. He lacked con-
fidence and Ι felt that. He also was under
enormous pressure from the local media.
Q: What is your ορίηίοη about the
proposed changes to the format of the
world championship and new time
control?
383
Α: Yes, Ι would like to say few words
about it. Ι think the system is absolutely
unprepared and not yet normally worked
out. First of all, it is not democratic.
Morozevich (defeated Milos), Gelfand
(defeated Dizdarevic), Piket (defeated
Nevednichy), 8erper (defeated Ivanov), Van
Wely (defeated 8asikiran) confidently
reached the third round with score 2:0.
Tie-break, December 2
This day was laνish ίη sensations. The
ELO-faνourites Ivanchuk (2719), Κrasen­
kow (2702), 8hort (2677) were out of the
tournament!
It's well known that Jaan Ehlνest can
make miracles. The unbending Estonian is
renowned for his indefatigability (he can
play chess for several months without a
break), firmness (he loses very rarely).
Haνing made a short 15-moνe draw with
White, Jaan managed to win over Ivanchuk
ίη the Caro-Kann with Black.
272 Β14
Ivanchuk (2719) - Ehlvest (2627)
Game 4 25-minute
l.c4 c6 2.e4 d5 3.exd5 tΔf6 4.tΔc3 cxd5
5.d4 e6 6.tΔf3 kb4 7.cxd5 tΔxd5 8.~c2
~c7 9.kd2 tΔd7 10.kd3 kxc3!? 11.bxc3
tΔ5f6 12.a4 b6 13.0-0 kb7 14.tΔh4 ο-ο
15.f4 ..I1.d5 16.tΔf3 kc4 17.tΔe5 kxd3
18. ~xd3 ~ac8 19.~f3 tΔd5 20. ~b5 l:ί.fd8
21.~af1 f5! 22 ...I1.el?!
White stands worse already; he should
play 22.~b1 tΔxe5 23.fxe5 ~c4 24.~a1
22 ... tΔxe5! 23.fxe5 ~c4 24 ..ih4 ~xb5
25.axb5 J1d7 26.J1cl I:tc4 27 . ..I1.el tΔc7
28.h3?
It was not Iνanchuk's day! 28.I:tbl 1:.d5
29.~f2 tΔxb5 was better.
28 ...~dxd4! 0-1
384
Conversation with GM J.Ehlvest
Q: Congratulations. What can you
tell about your game?
Α: Actually, Ι felt νery comfortable. Of
course, it is always a big pressure to play
actiνe chess games, where any game can
be the last one ίη the match. Ι controlled
myself quite well and Ι think this is the
most important thing ίη these matches. Ιη
eνery moνe additional 10 seconds should
be used to control your nerνes. When you
are tired and pressure is huge, you can
make a terrible mistake. With Iνanchuk it
is almost impossible to win the game from
the opening. It is a νery tough game, any-
way. Ι thought that ίη the first game with
White Ι should play it safe. And ίη the next
game with Black Ι could play more actiνely
just to keep more pressure. He was a
faνourite and eνery draw put more pres-
sure οη him, not οη me. More people ex-
pected his νictory, not mine. 80 when Ι was
playing White Ι drew, because ifsomebody
is giνing you a chance, you should use it.
Q: Favourites do not necessarίly
win.
Α: Yes. Already ίη the second round
there are ηο weak players. But players
qualifying for top 10 are usually νery
strong. Undoubtedly.
Conversation with GM V.lvanchuk
Q: What is your ορίηίοη about the
knockout system?
Α: This system has a right to exist, Ι
think.
Q: Yesterday you lost to GM Ehl-
vest. Just a few words about it ...
Α: It wasn't an impressiνe game. Ι feel
that Ι haνen't yet warmed up enough by
that moment. 80metimes Ι do not easily fall
into the normal game rhythm. There haνe
been many draws, actually. Ι continued to
play not only to win, but also to get a bet-
ter feeling of a game. ΜΥ opponent had
more of a struggle ίη his preνious matches
and eν-idently had time to enter game
rhythm.
Super Tournαments 2000
Igor Ν ataf again brought a surprise (ίη
the first round he defeated a strong Israeli
GM 8utoνsky) haνing won oνer N.8hort,
the participant ofthe match for the World
Champion's title 1993. Eνen for such a
strong player as N.8hort it was impossible
to draw ίη this νery complicated ending (a
rook νs. rook + bishop) when he had a
time-trouble.
273 CI0
Nataf (2526) - Short (2677)
Game 6 15-minute
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.CLJc3 CLJc6 4.CLJf3 CLJf6
5 . .ltg5 .lte7 6 ..ltd3 dxe4 7.CLJxe4 CLJxe4
8 . .ltxe7 CLJxf2 9 ..ltxd8 CLJxdl 10 ..ltxc7
CLJxb2 11 ..lte2 CLJa4 12.Φd2 Φd7 13 ..ltg3
Φe7 14.c4 1::!.d8 15.~e3 CLJb6 16.1::!.hcl f6
17.Rabl CLJd7 18 . .ltc7 1::!.e8 19.CLJd2 e5
20.d5 CLJd4 21.c5 CLJxe2 22.~xe2 CLJf8
23.CLJc4 b6 24.c6 .lta6 25.~f2 1::!.ac8
26 ..ltd6+ Φf7 27.CLJe3 CLJg6 28 ..lta3 CLJf4
29.d6 CLJd3+ 30.~gl CLJxcl 31.1::!.xcl1::!.ed8
32.d7 1::!.c7 33.CLJd5 1::!.dxd7 34.cxd7 1::!.xd7
35.CLJb4 .ltb7 36.1::!.c2 ~e6 37.~f2 g5
38.CLJc6 a5 39.CLJa7 .lte4 40.1::!.e2 f5 41.CLJb5
.ltd3 42.1::!.b2 .ltxb5 43.1::!.xb51::!.d2+ 44.~e3
1::!.xa2 45.1::!.xb6+ Φd5 46.1::!.b5+ ~e6 47 ..ltb2
e4 48.g4 fxg4 49.~xe4 a4 50.1::!.b6+ Φd7
51 . .lte5 h5 52.Φf5 1::!.e2 53.1::!.d6+ ~c8
54.1::!.a6 h4 55.1::!.xa4 g3 56.hxg3 hxg3
57 ..ltxg3 ~d7 58.1::!.c4 g4 59.1::!.c7+ Φd8
60.1::!.g7 ~c8 61 ..te5 g3 62 . .ltxg3 1::!.d2
63.~e6 1::!.d7 64.Mg8+ 1::!.d8 65.1::!.g7 1::!.d7
66.1::!.g5 1::!.h7 67 ..ltd6 1::!.h6+ 68.~d5 Φd7
69.1::!.g7+ ~e8 70.Φc6 1::!.e6 71.~d5 1::!.h6
72.1::!.e7+ Φd8 73.~c6
World Chess Chαmpionship
73 ... J::ihl??
The first mistake, wich White did not
make use. 73 ... Rg6 or 73 ... Rf6, controlling
the 6 tI1 rank, was correct.
74.J::if7??
Α return gift. 74.J::ie6! threatening with
a mate ίη two moves: i..c7, 1::te8 led to a
victory. It cannot be helped with 74 ... 1::th8
(or 74 ... 1::tcl+ 75.i..c5 X:Ιc2 76.1::tel 1::tc3
77.J::if1+-) 75.i..e51::tg8 76.i..f6+ 'lt>c8 77.J::iel
1::!.f8 78.i..g7 1::!.g8 79.1::!.al ~b8 80.i..e5+ ~c8
81.J::ia8#
74 ... J::iel 75.1::!.f8+ 1::!.e8 76.ΙΗ2 1::tel
77.jιb4 1::!.e6+ 78.~d5 1::!.e3 79.J::if8+ ~d7
80.1::tf7+ ~e8 81.J::ia7 1::te2 82.i..c3 1::te7
83.1::!.a8+ ~f7 84 ..ie5 1::!.b7 85.Φe4 1::tbl
86.'It>f5 1::!.f1+ 87.jιf4 ~e7 88.1::!.a7+ 'lt>d8
89.'It>e5 ~c8 90.1::!.f7 1::tdl 91.~e6 1::!.d7
92.1::!.f5
92 ...1::!.dl?
Black could keep a position, using the
idea of stalemate, for example: 92 ... 1::!.a7
93.1::!.b51::te7+!! or 92 ... 1::th7= 93.1::tb51::!.e7+!!
Το a draw led also 92 ... 1::!.d8, if93.1::tb5 then
93 ... 1::te8!=
93.1::!.b51::!.el+ 94.i..e5 1-0
Conversation with GM I.Nataf
ΒΥ Dαmir Levαcic
Q: Igor, you are very happy, Ι think.
Α very hard garne. It was your sixth
garne.
Α: Yes. Ι was very surprised that Ι could
keep him till so far. Υου know, Ι have al-
ready taken a return ticket back. There
were ηο open tickets and Ι had to say when
385
Ι would go back. Ι said that maybe Ι would
go after the second round.
Q: Did you rnake a reservation for
tonight? Ιη the F'rench newspaper you
said you would becorne the World
Charnpion. 80 why did you take the
ticket for today?
Α: Ι wanted to play reasonably good,
because Ι was totally crushed ίη my game
against him ίη the Olympiad. Ι played
against him 50 days ago and he beat me
very easily like a child. Ι was very moti-
vated this time to show something better. Ι
sacrificed a pawn ίη the opening for last-
ing initiative and finally it was difficult for ι
him to bring his pieces into play. Ι think
that the quality ofthe games was good from
both players.
Q: 80, he defended very well.
Α: It is incredible ifyou see what he got
from the initial position that he had. At one
moment Ι looked ;lt the clock and Ι saw Ι
had οηlΥ 2 seconds, and by the time Ι
realised that Ι had οηlΥ 1 second left. Ι was
shocked. Ι played and Ι banged the clock
very loudly. Because ifit goes to zero, they
do not add time.
Q: At the end, ίη the tirne trouble
with rook and bishop against rook
probably there was a draw.
Α: Ι thought Ι could make him suffer-
ing, but he defended incredibly well with
stalemate ideas. And then at one moment
his king which was οη the border comes
back to the center. Arbiter was writing
down the moves and if Ι don't win ίη these
50 moves, it is a draw.
Q: 80, just after the garne you called
your farnily?
Α: Yes. They wι:;re so delighted, because
they didn't know it yet. When Ι told my fa-
ther that Ι had won, he started shouting
and told me that this was the most beauti-
ful moment ίη my life. Then he gave me
my mother and she was crying.
Conversation with GM N.8hort
ΒΥ Vαlery Sαlov
Q: Your opponent prornised to do
386
better than ίη Istanbul this time to
make a better show. What did you do
to the boy ίη Istanbul to motivate him
so much?
Α: Ιη Istanbul he had a dead lost posi-
tion after about 10 moves. Although actu-
ally he managed to survive for quite a long
time, but he was just totally busted after a
few moves.
Q: With the benefit of hindsight
wouldn't it have been wiser just to
make a quick draw there?
Α: [LaughsJ That was probably a more
intelligent option, but ...
Q: The last game was very curious,
this rook and bishop versus rook
endgame. Did you have any experi-
ence ίη this kind ofposition?
Α: I've lost the same endgame against
Simen Agdestein before.
Q: 80, you have had some experi-
ence [Laughs].
Α: Yes, ίη fact it is quite difficult to hold
such position with the rapid time control,
it is quite confusing. Besides, it was my
fourth game that day. But σκ, Ι don't com-
plain: the situation is the same for every-
body.
Q: Tell me, Nigel, what is your
favourite occupation these days? As Ι
understand, you don't dedicate too
much time to chess now?
Α: Well, ίη fact, this is not quite true. Ι
was playing a lot recently, several events
ίη a row. Ι am also quite fond of playing
cricket. We have an amateur team ίη
Greece and we play regularly. This is one
of the things that Ι am missing here.
Macieja and Κrasenkov produced the
most thήΙΙίng duel ofthe day. Mter 2 draws
with a 25-minute time control Macieja
(White) lost the first 15-minute game. But
ίη the next 65-move game he managed to
win back, after that the blitz started. Ιη
game 10 (it was the fourth blitz game)
Bartlomej Macieja defeated his famous fel-
low-countryman Mikhail Κrasenkow.
Super Tournαments 2000
274 Β45
Macieja (2536) - Krasenkow (2702)
Game 10 5-minute
Notes by A.Kochyeu
1.e4 c5 2.tZJf3 tZJc6 3.tZJc3 e6 4.d4 cxd4
5.tZJxd4 i.b4 6.tZJdb5 tZJf6 7.a3 iιxc3+
8.tZJxc3 d5 9.exd5
This variation is quite uncommon for
the tournament practice. The reason is
that it gives Black's almost ηο chance to
take the initiative. As a rule, White gains
a slight but stable advantage ίη the
endgame.
9 ... exd5
They play 9 ... CL\xd5 as well which does
not change the estimation because White
stands better both ίη case of 10 ..sιd2 and
after 10.tZJxd5.
10 . .sιd3 ο-ο 11.0-0 d4 12.tZJe4 Jιf5
13 ..sιg5 .sιxe4 14.Jιxe4 h6 15.Jιxf6
Ιη case of 15 . .sιh4 g5 16.i.xc6 bxc6
17.Jιg3 Black will be able to arrange his
forces ίη the centre by t;ιd5, c5, 1:ιfe8 etc.
with an acceptable position, despite tbe
weakening of the castling flank.
15 ... t;ιxf6 16.1:ιeΙ
Απ immediate 16. t;ιf3 was possible too
with White's slight advantage.
16... 1:ιad8 17.t;ιf3 t;ιxf3 18 . .sιΧf31:ιfe8
There was an alternative opportunity
of 18 ... d3, getting rid of the weak pawn,
and then 19.cxd,3 1:ιΧd3 20.1:ιad1 1:ιΧd1
21.l::txd1 l:[d8 22.1:ιd5 b6 23.1:ιΧd8+ tZJxd8
24.iιd5 Φf8 25.f4 Φe7 26.Φf2 Aseev -
Sorokin, St.Petersburg 1993, with a certain
World Chess Chαmpionship
advantage of White's bishop over Black's
knight, making Black be very accurate and
precise ίη the defence.
Ί9.1:ιχe8+ 1:ιχe8 2θ.'~f11:ιe5?!
20 ... ςt>f8 was better.
21.1:ιeΙ1:ιb5
The bishop vs. knight endgame after
21 ... 1:ιχe1? 22.Φχe1 was not favourable for
Black since he failed to get rid ofthe weak
d4-pawn ίη due time.
22.1:ιe8+ 'it>h7 23.b3
Note that there was already ηο 23 ... d3?
because of 24.1ιe4+ g6 25.1ιχd3, winning
the game. White's advantage becomes
quite perceptible.
23 ... ί5 24.i.xc6 bxc6 25.<;t>e2 ί4
26.1:ιe41:ιc527.Φd3!
This move is stronger than 27.1:ιΧf4?!
1:ιχc2+ 28.'it>d3 J:!.c3+ 29.'it>xd4 ~xb3.
27 ... 1:ιh5
Ιη case of27 ... f3 28.g3 ~c3+ 29.<;t>d2 c5±
Black seems to have repelled the immedi-
ate threat, still his rook is ίη trouble, and
old problems remain unsolved.
28.1:ιΧί4 1:ιχh2 29.g3 g5 30.1:ιf3 h5
Black tries to organize a counterplay,
creating the passed h-pawn, nowever this
cannot solve all his problems.
31.Φχd4 h4 32.gxh4 gxh4 33.'it>e3
33.'it>c5 looked strorJ:ger. For example,
after 33 ... 1:ιh1 34.<;t>xc6 h3 35.c4 h2 36.
1:ιh3+ <;t>g6 37.c5+- Black would hardly es-
cape a defeat. It should be noted that ίη
the rest of the game White failed to dem-
onstrate a perfect technique.
33 ...h3 34.<;t>f41:ιh135.'it>g3 h2 36.1:ιf7+
'it>g8
The king must retreat to the back rank
as there is ηο 36 ... <;t>g6? because of 37.~c7
to be followed by 38.1:ιc6 with a check.
37.1:ιχa7 J::tf1 38.'it>xh2 J::txf2+ 39.'it>g3
1:ιχc2 40.'it>f4 c5 41.~b7 11a2 42.'~e4 ~xa3
43.'it>d5 ~a5 44.'it>c4 'it>f8 45.1:ιb5 ~al
46.'it>xc5 'it>e7 47.'it>c6 I:!.cl+ 48.1:ιc5 1:ιbΙ
49.1:ιc3 Φd8 50.Φb7 'it>d7 51.1:ιd3+ Φe6
52.Φc61:ιcΙ+ 53.<;t>b7?
White makes a mistake ίη a winning
position. 53.Φb6 was correct, not going to
387
· ..
far away from the b-pawn (Soloviov).
.<;t>• • •~~"
%~
•••••
• •••
.Δ.:.•
•••
• •••
••••
53 ... J:!.bl?
The last and ,fatal Black's mistake.
53 ... Ke51ead to a draw and ifWhite plays
54.κb6 (with an idea to advance the pawn
later), then Black after 54 ... Rc8! will make
a draw proceeding to the defence by
Grigoriev's frontal method (Soloviov).
54.'it>b6 1:ιb2 55.Φb5 11c2 56.b4 1:ιc8
57.Φa61-0
The troublemaker ofthe World Cham-
pionship 1999 Nisipeanu (at that time he
defeated such great players as Azmai-
pashvili, Ivanchuk, Shirov and only ίη the
semi-final he lost to the future champion
Κhalifman) this time was defeated by the
Bulgarian Κiril Georgiev ίη the very be-
ginning.
Κhalifman won over the German GM
Christopher Lutz ίη the 25-minute game.
Also ίη the champion's style (draw with
Black and win with White) Shirov, Kasim-
dzhanov and Peng defeated their ορρο­
nents. As to Adams, Svidler, Grischuk, they
won both games, and Grischuk's (2606) win
over a more experienced Smirin (2677)
deserved to be respected.
It is possible to draw a parallel between
this Championship and the last one. From
four semi-finalists of Las Vegas 1999 now
only two continued the struggle: Κhalif­
man and Adams. And three players: Leitao
(won over Lautier and Benjamin), Macieja
(won over Speelman and Κrasenkow) and
Nataf (won over Sutovsky and Short)
wanted to take the part of Nisipeanu.
388 Super Tournαments 2000

ROUND 2 PAIRINGS AND RESULTS Gl G2 Fina!

33 Bo!ogan V. MDA 2641 γ8 ΟΙ Anand V. IND 2762 = 0-1 0.5-1.5
02 Morozevich Α RUS 2756 ,',vs' 34 Mi!os G. BRA 2633 1-0 1-0 2-0
72 Dao Τ. νΙΕ 2555 ·.vs:: 03 AdamsM. ENG 2755 = = 1-3
04 ShirovA ESP 2746 "8 36 Onischuk Α. UΚR 2627 = = 2.5-1.5
74 Vo!kov S. RUS 2554 νι> 05 Leko Ρ. HUN 2743 = 0-1 0.5-1.5
06 Ivanchuk V. UΚR 2719 ys 38 EhlvestJ. EST 2627 = = 1.5-2.5
39 Κhar!ov Α. RUS 2627 νι> 07 TopalovV. BUL 2707 = 0-1 0.5-1.5
08 BareevE. RUS 2702 ·,Υ8: 40 Vaganian R. ARM 2623 1-0 0-1 4-2
78 Macelja Β. POL 2536 ys, 09 Κrasenkow Μ. POL 2702 = = 5.5-4.5
10 Κasimdzhanov υΖΒ 2690 vs 33 T.regubov Ρ RUS 2620 1-0 0-1 2.5-1.5
43 Bacrot Ε. FRA 2613 νΙ! 11 Svidler Ρ. RUS 2689 = = 1-3
12 GelfandB. ISR 2681 νΙ! 81 Dizdarevic Ε. ΒΙΗ 2527 1-0 1-0 2-0
82 NatafI. FRA 2526 νι> 13 Short Ν. ENG 2677 = = 3.5-2.5
14 Smirin Ι ISR 2677 Υ8 46 GrischukA RUS 2606 = = 1-3
47 Ma!akhov V. RUS 2605 ΥΒ 15 DreevA RUS 2676 = = 2-4
16 Azmaiparashvili GEO 2673 !Yl! 48 Baklan V. UΚR 2599 1-0 = 1.5-0.5
49 Lputian S. ARM 2598 ,YS. , 17 Rnblevsky S. RUS 2670 1-0 = 1.5-0.5
18 AImasi Ζ. HUN 2668 Υ8 50 V1adimirov Ε. ΚΑΖ 2598 = = 1.5-2.5
51 Yermolinsky Α USA 2596 νΒ' 19 Χιι Jun CHN 2668 1-0 = 1.5-0.5
20 Gurevich ΜΙ BEL 2667 ΎΒ 52 MinasianA. ARM 2595 = = 2.5-1.5
53 Lntz C. GER 2595 ΥΒ 21 Κhalifman Α. RUS 2667 = = 1.5-2.5
22 Movsesian S. CZE 2666 νι> 54 Iordachescu V. MDA 2594 1-0 0-1 4-2
55 Nisipeanu L.-D. ROM 2592 γ,. 23 Georgiev ΚΙ BUL 2661 = = 2.5-3.5
24 Akopian V. ARM 2660 'yl> 56 Aleksandrov Α BLR 2591 = 0-1 0.5-1.5
57 GalkinA. RUS 2587 ν8 25 Bellavsky Α SLO 2659 = 0-1 0.5-1.5
26 Tkachiev V. FRA 2657 ν5. 58 Lesiege Α. CAN 2584 1-0 = 1.5-0.5
59 Adianto U. ΙΝΑ 2583 ·:ν.... 27 Peng Xiaomin CHN 2657 0-1 1-0 1.5-2.5
28 Piket J. NED 2649 V8 60 Nevednichy V. ROM 2582 1-0 1-0 2-0
61 Benjamin J. USA 2577 νι> 66 Leitao R. BRA 2567 = 0-1 0.5-1.5
67 Ivanov Α. USA 2567 νΒ 62 Serper G. USA 2574 0-1 0-1 2-0
63 Sasikiran Κ. IND 2573 vs 31 Van WelyL. NED 2643 0-1 0-1 0-2
32 GulkoB. USA 2643 νΙ'! 33 Chernin Α. HUN 2572 = = 3.5-2.5
World Chess Chαmpionship
Round3
Garne 1, Decernber 3
That was the most effectiνe round: οηlΥ
7 games of 16 ended ίη draws. Dreeν, Gulko
and Topaloν, who defeated their opponents
with Black, practically secured themselνes
the participation ίη the next round. Dreeν
playing against Van Wely (White) ίη the
opening had a great adνantage, then οη
moνe 30 won a pawn and technically
brought the game to the νictory. Ιη the
struggle between Leitao - Nataf, the Bra-
zilian was the winner. It seemed that νery
few pairs would play ίη the tie-break.
Of course, the game between the World
Champion Κhalifman and the Hungarian
GM Peter Leko attracted eνerybody's at-
tention. As it is known, ίη the beginning of
2000 ίη Budapest the same opponents had
a match, which was won by Peter with the
score 4.5-1.5. Then ίη the Linares tourna-
ment the World Champion won one game
and drew the other. The winner of their last
duel at the Olympiad ίη Turkey was Leko.
80, Κhalifman had uneasy tasks, includ-
ing a psychological one. Ιη the first game
of the Indian match Leko did not play the
Gruenfeld Defence and chose Queen's Ιη­
dian Defence. Alexander had a νery slight
adνantage ίη the position with Black's iso-
lated d5-pawn. Howeνer, after the series
of exchanges an absolutely drawn ending
appeared.
Ιη the Bulgarian duel between Georgieν
and Topaloν, Veselin, who had a higher
rating, gained a νictory.
275 Β85
Georgiev (2661) - Topalov (2707)
Notes by A.Kochyeu
l.tΔf3 c5 2.e4 d6
3.d4 cxd4 4.tΔxd4
tΔί6 5.tΔc3 a6 6.~e2
e6 7 .ί4 ~e7 8.0-0
ο-ο 9.ΦhΙ ~c7 10.a4 tΔc6 11.i.e3 1::te8
12.~f3
389
Ιη case of 12. ~e1 Black can unload the
centre by 12 ... tΔxd4 13.i.xd4 e5 14.fxe5
dxe5 15. ~g3 i.d8=, thus getting an accept-
able position.
12 ... Jtd7 13.tΔb3 b6 14.g4 lιc8 15.g5
tΔd7 16.Jtg2
This type of positions is well inνesti­
gated. Ιη particular, it occurred ίη the well
known game Karpoν - Kasparoν, Moscow
(m/24) 1985. 8pecialists insist that Black
has good chances for a counterplay here.
16... Jtf8
Alternatiνe continuations were tested
as well, for example 16 ... Jtb7 or 16 ... Mb8.
17.~h5 g6 18.~h3 tΔb4 19.~gl
White plays the opening quite unpre-
tentiously, gradually losing his initiatiνe.
Black has ηο immediate 19 ... tΔxc2? be-
cause of20.Mac1, Ιωweνer chess is not like
draughts, and Black is not obliged to cap-
ture. Instead of the plan with ~h5 - h3
and lιg1 White should haνe kept to the
standard adνance f4-f5.
19 ... tΔc5 20.tΔxc5 bxc5 21.Mf2
21 ... d5!?
This position should be estimated as
faνourable for Black. He has good play both
ίη the centre and οη the queenside. White
certainly will haνe problems with deνel­
oping an initiatiνe and getting to Black's
king.
22.1::taf1 ~b8 23.1:td2 lιg7 24.e5 ~a5
25.tΔdl
390 Super Tournαments 2000

Better was 25.b3 4Ja2 26.4Jbl chances to equalize.

25 ... 4Jc6 26.c3 4Je7 27.4Je3 .ib7 6 ... .ie7 7.0-0 0-0 8.c3 c5
28.1:tal Black wants to start an active struggle
Α passive move, however ίη case of ίη the centre. Α mere 8 ... d5 was also good
28.4Jg4 4Jf5 29.4Jf6+ .ixf6 30.gxf6 d4+ as ίη the game Shirov-Anand, Leon 2000.
Black exchanges the light-squared bishop 9 ..tc2 4Jc6 10.d4 .te6 11.1::tel
and gains an evident advantage owing to White has arranged his forces harmo-
his impregnable knight οη f5. niouslyand, as a result, gained better pros-
28 ... .ic6 29 ..if3 1:ι.b3 30. ~g2 .1:!:eb8 pects. Ιη case of11 ..ig5 there was 11 ... ~b6
31.4Jc4 dxc4 32 ..ixc6 4Jxc6 33. ~xc6 .if8 12 ..ixf6.ixf6 13.d5 ~xb2
Despite exchanges, Black still stands 11 ... ~c8?!
better, because White's queenside cannot An unnatural manoeuvre which gives
be defended easily. nothing. Perhaps it was worth to play
34.~a2 ~d8 35.1M7 ~xd7 36.~xd7 l:rb8 11 ... cxd4!?, getting a slightly worse posi-
37.'it>g2 .1:!:d8 38.~b7 !tdl tion.
There was a strong 38 ... l:rd2+ 39.'it>g3, 12..ig5 4Jd5 13.4Ja3
and then 39 ... ~d8 White reinforces his pressure with
39. ~b8 ~d8 40. ~b71:ι.d2+ 41 ..if2 ~d8 simple moves and gradually increases his
42.~al ~d3 43.a5 advantage.
Although there is a material balance οη 13 ... h6 14.~d3 .if5 15.~xί5 ~xί5
the board, White will have to conduct a 16..txf5 .ixg5 17..te4 4Jc7
hard defence. The a6-pawn is invulner- The knight's retreat to e7 wasjust bad:
able. Ιη case of 43. ~xa6? ~e4+ White's 17 ... 4Jde7?! 18.d5 4Jd8 (18 ... 4Jb8?! 19.4Jb5;
kingside falls apiece, and the f8-bishop 18 ... 4Ja5?! 19.4Jxg5 hxg5 20.b4+-) 19.4Jxg5
joins the attack. hxg5 20 ..ih7+ cJtxh7 21.~xe7. Ιη case of
43 ... tH5 44:~ί3 ~c2 45.l:rf1 ~xb2 17 ... 4Jb6 18.dxc5 dxc5 19 ..ixc6 bxc6
46.'it>gl ~d5 47 ..iel ~bl 48 ..if2 ~c2 20.4Jxg5 hxg5 21.~e5± White had an ad-
49 ..iel h5 vantage as well.
Α useful move, even though Black's 18..ixc6 bxc6 19.dxc5 dxc5 20.4Je5
advantage was already huge. Now ίη case of 20.4Jxg5 hxg5 21.~e5
50.~f2 ~cl 51.~e4 ~d3 52 ..:te2 .:txc3! there was 2r.. 4Je6, and Black held οη.
53.'it>g2 .:td3 54 ..if2 ~dl 55.h3 c3 0-1 20 ... ~fd8 21.4Jac4
The c6-pawn cannot be kept, and
White's victory becomes a question oftime
A.Morozevich played excellently ίη the and technique οηlΥ.
game with E.Vladimirov. 21 ..:-ιι,d5 22.4Jxc6 <t>f8 23.a4 h5 24.a5
4Jb5
276 C42
Morozevich (2756) - Vladimirov (2598)
Notes by A.Kochyev

l.e4 e5 2.4Jf3 4Jf6 3.4Jxe5 d6 4.4Jf3

4Jxe4 5 ..id3 4Jf6
Ιη case of 5 ... tbc5 6 ..ie2 Black's knight
would have to retreat after d4, wasting the
time.
6.h3
Otherwise Black had 6 ... .ig4 with good
World Chess Chαmpionship
25.tΩb6!!
Precipitating Black's surrender.
25 ... axb6 26.axb6l:txa127.1:!.xal tΩd6
28.h4!
Αη important moment. Ιη case of an
immediate 28.I:ι.a8+ after 28 ... tΩΘ8 29.b7
the bishop still had 29 ... lιf4±. But now
the struggle is practically oνer.
28 ... ~e8 29.hxg5 ~d7 30.tΩa5 ~c8
31.c4 I:ι.xg5 32.I;Idl kί.g6 33.I:ι.d5 tΩb7
34.tΩxb7 ~xb7 35.I:1.xc5 I:1.xb6 36.~xh5
I:1.xb2 37.I:1.h7 ~c6 38.I:1.xg7 I:1.b7 39.I:1.g5
~d6 40.I:1.d5+ ~e6 41.~dl I:1.b2 42.I:1.cl
~d6 43.c5+ ~c6 44.g3 I:1.b3 45.~g2 f5?
46.I:1.c4 I:1.d3 47.'ιt>h3 I:1.d2 48.I:1.f4 I:1.d5
49.'>t>h41-0
The game Grischuk - Serper deνeloped
rather interesting. The brilliant rook sac-
rifice οη moνe 17 let Grischuk win ορρο­
nent's queen οη moνe 22. The rook sacri-
fice led to a draw, but οηlΥ with a precise
defence. G.Serper could not make the ρο­
sition out. Probably Grischuk had prepared
this sacrifice at home.
277 Β38
Grischuk (2606) - Serper (2574)
1.e4 c5 2.tΩf3 tΩc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.tΩxd4
g6 5.c4 lιg7 6.lιe3 tΩf6 7.tΩc3 0-0 8.lιe2
d6 9.0-0 lιd7
Black is going to transfer this bishop to
the long diagonal and organize a blockade
οη dark squares by a5 and tΩd7-c5. Black
could haνe arranged a different structure,
aiming at a break-through ίη the centre
by b5, for example after 9 ... a6 10. ~d2 tΩxd4
11.lιxd4 lιΘ6 12.I:1.ad1 I:1.c8 13.b3 tΩd7
14.lιΘ3 tΩc5 15.f3 b5 16.tΩd5 bxc417.lιxc4
a5 18.I:1.c1;!;, but ίη this case White still
maintained his adνantage ίη the centre ίη
the game Marciano - Prie, France 1998.
10.~d2 tΩxd4
Black tried to play actiνely 10 ... tΩg4, but
after 11 ...txg4 1ιχg4 12.~ac1 lie8 13.h3
lιd7 14.tΩd5 he found himself rather
squeezed, and then after 14 ... e615.tΩc3 a6
391
16 ..a:.fd1 tΩΘ5 17.b3;!; he ΘνΘη experienced
difficulties with the defence of the d6-
pawn, v.Popoν - Beshukoν, St. Petersburg
2000.
11.lιxd4 lιc6 12.lιd3!?
Α sharp and uncommon continuation,
White plays so with the idea of putting
pressure upon the opponent's kingside.
12.f3 is a more popular and solid moνe
here. White fortifies his centre before pro-
ceeding to more actiνe operations, and
Black has to begin standard blocking
manoeuνres: 12 ... cι5, and after 13.b3 tΩd7
14.lιΘ3 tΩc5 15.I:1.ab1 ~b6 (15 ... e6?! 16.I:1.fd1
lιe517.g3! ~e718.tΩb5±Korneeν-Cebalo,
Porto San Gioirgio 1997) 16.I:1.fc1 I:1.fc8
17.~h1 ~d8 18.lιd1 tΩΘ6 19.a3 b6 20.tΩd5;!:
White οηlΥ could gain a certain space ad-
νantage and more actiνe pieces, Lautier-
Koch, Bescanon 1999.
12 ... a5 13.I:1.ael!?
Α similar idea was also applicable after
13.I:1.fe1 tΩd7 14.lιxg7 ~xg7 15.I:1.e3 I:1.e8 [ίη
case of 15 ... h6 there was an unpleasant
16.I:1.h3 (or 16.b3 ~b6 17.tΩd5 ~d4 18.I:1.d1
e5 19.tΩc3 tΩf6 20.lιc2 ~xd2 21.I:1.xd2;±: with
White's stable adνantage because of
Black's weakness οη d6, Sorokin - Span-
genberg, Buenos Aires 1994) 16 ... h5?
(16 ... l:th8 was necessary, Black's position
was bad, but still defensible) 17 .I:1.xh5! gxh5
18. ~g5+. The game was drawn ίη this ρο­
sition (Stypka - Walach, Koszalin 1997),
howeνer White was winning there: 18 ...
~h8 19.~xh5+ '>t>g7 20.~g5+ '>t>h8 21.I:1.e1!
tΩΘ5 (21 ... tΩf6 22.e5+-) 22.I:1.e3+-, and
Black was simply helpless] 16.I:1.h3 tΩf8
17 ..a:.d1 ~b6 18.tΩd5;!; with White's more
actiνe play, Sorokin - Raνi, Linares 2000.
13 ... tΩd714.lιxg7 ~xg715.I:1.e3 ~b6!?
Suddenly Black encountered problems
with the defence ofhis king. For example,
ίη case of a standard 15 ... I:1.c8 there was
16.~h3 h5 17 ..a:.xh5 gxh5 18. ~g5+ ~h8
19.~xh5+ ~g7 20.~g5+ ~h8 21.I:1.e1 tΩΘ5
22.1:re3 with a fatal attack. Howeνer, a
transition to a passiνe defence was possible
ίη this position: 15 ... J::te8 16.1:i.h3 tΩf8;!;. ΒΥ
392
the move ίη the game Black tries to create
counter threats alongthe diagonal a7-g1,
maintaining an opportunity to engage the
queen ίη the king's defence through the
d4-square.
16..bth3 h5
17..btxh5!
Α consistent and fine move, and White
draws the game at the least.
17... gxh5 18:~g5+ Wh719:~xh5+ Wg7
20:~'g5+ Wh8 21 ..btelC2Je5?
This mistake lost Black's game, it was
necessary to engage the queen ίη the
struggle as quickly as possible by 21 ... ~d4!
Mter this move an active play from both
sides would have brought them to the most
appropriate result for this game, a draw:
22. ~h6+ (ίη case of 22 ..bte3 ~g7 23 ..bth3+
~g8 24. ~xe7C2Je5+ Black would have man-
aged to defend against the immediate
threat and to keep the extra material)
22 ... ~g8 23 ..bte3C2Je5 24.C2Je2 (White had ηο
time to prevent a consolidating transfer of
Black's knight ίη case of 24.h4C2Jg6 25.h5,
because Black had 25 ... t'th8! 26. t'tg5 ~e5
27 ..btg3 ~xg5 28 ..btxg5 Wg7 29.hxg6 fxg6 3 )
24 ... C2Jg4 25 ..btg3 ~xf2+ 26.Whl ~el+
27.eιJgl ~xg3 28.~g5+ Wh8 29.hxg3C2Jf2+
30.Wh2C2Jxd3 31.~h6+ ~g8 32.t'tg5=
22 ..bte3 t'txe3
Black must yield the queen since there
was ηο 22 ... C2Jg6 23. ~h6+ ~g8 24 ..bth3 .btfc8
because of25.e5+- to be followed by .ixg6.
23.t'txe3
Black's position is losing mainly be-
cause ofthe poor support ofhis king.
Super Tournαments 2000
23 ... C2Jxd3 24. t'txd3 .btg8 25.C2Jd5
.ixd5?!
Perhaps Black's chances were higher ίη
case of25 ... .btae8. It was unclear how White
could have engaged the knight ίη the at-
tack now, but after 26.h4 White most likely
won gradually. Still, now White's queen
just pounces upon Black's position.
26.t'txd5
Black is going to lose another pawn.
26 ... ~g7 27.t'txb7 .btgb8 28.t'td5 a4
29.h4!
Engaging the pawn ίη the attack, White
practically wins the game.
29 ... f6 30.h5 .bta7 31.t'tf5 .btab7
There was ηο counterplay as ίη case of
31 ... .btxb2 32.~g6+ ~h8 33.h6 e5 34.~xf6+
~h7 35.g4 .:::ixa2 36.g5 after ~f5 White's
g- and h-pawns were irrepressible.
32.t'tg6+ wh8 33.t'tf7 .btxb2 34.t'txe7
.:::ixa2 35. t'txf6+ ~g8 36.h6 .:::ib7 37.c5! .btc2
38.cxd6 a3 39.t'tg6+ ~f8 40.h7 .btxh7
41.t'txh7 a2 42.t'th8+ ~f7 43.d7 1-0
Game 2, December 4
Eight of nine yesterday's winners kept
their advantage and reached the next
round. The main tournament's favourite
ν.Anaηd, haνing defeated S.Lputian,joined
them. Lputian proved to be better prepared
ίη the French Winawer today and suc-
ceeded ίη confusing his mighty opponent.
It's a rare occasion to see Anand consum-
ing more time ίη the opening than his ορ­
ponent. When Lputian opened up the game
with 17 ... e5, Anand could have a forced a
draw but he bravely chose to play a sharp
double edged and risky battle. Ιη a superb
display ofboth tactical and technical chess,
Anand managed to outplay his opponent
and moved to the fourth round.
278 C18
Anand (2762) - Lputian (2598)
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.C2Jc3 Jtb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3
World Chess Chαmpionship
j,xc3+ 6.bxc3 tΔe7 7 ..~g4 ο-ο 8.5ιd3
tΔbc6 9:~h5 tΔg6 10.tΔf3 'ff1c7 11.j,e3
Α sharper 11.tΔg5 was tested in this
position as well, but after 11 ... h6 12.tΔxfΊ
'ff1xfΊ 13. 'ff1xg6 'ff1xg6 (there was ηο 13 ...
'ff1xf2+? because of 14.Φd1 to be followed
by 1:I.f1 with White's decisive advantage)
14.j,xg6 cxd4 15.cxd4 tΔxd4 16.j,d3 ..Iί.d7
17 ...Iί.b2 1:I.f4! (preparing to exchange the
light-squared bishops after ..Iί.b5) 18 ...Iί.c1
1:I.fΊ 19.~b2 ~f4 20 ...Iί.c1 Black gained a suf-
ficient counterplay in the centre to equal-
ize the position ίη the game Gelfand -
Huebner, Wijk aan Zee 1992.
11 ... tΔce7
Black avoids weakening of his king's
position that would be possible ίη case of
11 ... c4 12.j,xg6 fxg6, allowing White to
launch a dangerous attack after 13. 'ff1g4
'ff1fΊ 14.tΔg5 'ff1e8 Cin case of 14 ... 'ff1f5 15. 'ff1e2
there was the threat of g4, and after
15 .. tΔxe5?! 16.dxe5 'ff1xe5 17. 'ff1d2 ..Iί.d7
18.0-0 h6 19.f4 'ff1d6 20.tΔf3± Black gained
ηο compensation for the piece Kasparov -
Short, Munich 1994) 15.h4 h6 16.tΔh3 b5
17.h5!? gxh5 18.'ff1e2 a5 19.tΔf4 g6 20.g4.
This way White managed to destroy the
king's pawn shelter ίη the game Svidler -
Bareev, Elista 1997.
12.h4
12.dxc5?! was not good because of
12 ... b6!, attending to White's king ίη the
centre, and after 13.0-0 bxc5 14.tΔg5 h6
15.tΔf3 f5 16.exf6 1:I.xf6+ Black's position
looked more promising owing to his advan-
tage in the centre in the game Gutov -
S.Ivanov, St Petersburg 1999.
12 ... j,d7 13.a4 f5
13 ... c4 was not as good because of
14.j,xg6 fxg6 (ίη case of 14 ... tΔxg6 there
would be a strong 15. 'ff1g4, threatening
with h5Sand a further advance of this
pawn which could destroy Black's kingside)
15.'ff1g4 'ff1a5 16.Φd2 tΔf5 17.h5 j,e8 18.
hxg6 .i.xg6 19.tΔh4~, and White managed
to open υρ the kingside files.
14.exf61:1.xf6 15.0-0 c4 16..i.xg6 tΔxg6
17.'ff1g5 e5?
393
This move is an evidence ofBlack's wish
to take the initiative which becomes some-
times the decisive factor in positions with
opposite-coloured bishops. Perhaps it was
better Csince we know the further devel-
opment ofthe ganle now) to go for a quiet
17 ... h6!?, and after 18.'ff1g3 (or 18.'ff1h5 ..Iί.e8
19.'ff1g4 e5 20.tΔxe5 tΔxe5 21.dxe5 'ff1xe5
22 ..i.d4 'ff1e6αo with a complex position, in
which White's unhappy pawn structure is
compensated with his more active bishop)
18 ... 'ff1xg3 19.fxg3 h5 (better than 19 ... 1:I.af8
20.h5 tΔe7 21 ...Iί.f4 tΔc6 22 ...Iί.d6 1:I.8fΊ 23.g4;!;
to be followed by 1:I.fe1, White maintaining
an advantage in the centre owing to his
control over dark squares) 20.a5= there
was an approximately equal position ίη
which White could not hope to gain much
from his SUΡeήοr activity and space ad-
vantage because of the absence of any con-
siderable weak points ίη Black's position.
18.dxe5
18. 'ff1g3 1:I.af8 19.dxe5 1:I.xf3 20.gxf3
'ff1xe5~ would havt produced the same ρο­
sition with a reversed move order.
18 ...1:I.xf3!?
Black sacrifices an exchange in order
to get an initiative that would let him de-
stroy the pawn shelter of the opponent's
king and organize an attack with the use
of light squares. This decision was forced
to some extent, because after a quiet
18 ... 1:I.f5 19.'ff1g3 tΔxe5 White would have
20.Φh1!?±, making it difficult for Black to
unbind.
19.9xf3 1:1.f8 20. 'ff1g3!
White must play very carefully to avoid
an attack, so ίη case of 20.f4 1:1.f5 21.'ff1g3
'ff1d8 22.1:I.fb1 j,c6~ Black's pressure υροη
light squares and οη the kingside grew
quite perceptible.
20... 'ff1xe5
Ιη case of 20 ... tΔxe5 21 . ..Iί.d4 tΔxf3+
22.Φg2 'ff1xg3+ 23.fxg3 tΔxd4 24.1:I.xf8+
ΦΧf8 25.cxd4± Black would have nothing
to do but watch passively White reinforc-
ing his position.
21.'ff1xe5 tΔxe5 22.1:I.fd1 tΔxf3+ 23.Φf1
394
~f5
Mter 23 ... .i.h3+ 24.~e2 .i.g4 25.J::txd5
4:Jxh4+ 26.~d2 4:Jf3+ 27.ΦcΗWhίte would
transfer his king to the kingside and then
co-ordinate his rooks, thus gaining a seri-
ous advantage.
24 ..i.xa7 ~h5 25.~e2 ..Itg4
At first sight Black must be going to
maintain the balance ίη the endgame ow-
ing to the superior activity of his pieces,
but White's following play will demon-
strate that his chances are still better here.
Ιη case of 25 ... 4:Jxh4 26.J::tdbl .i.c6 27.a5±
Black's bishop would be passive, and the
threat of a6 would make Black's position
just losing.
26.~dbl!
Not fearing the illusory threats.
26... 4:Jxh4+ 27.~d2 4:Jf3+ 28.~cl d4
29.1:tb5!
White plays most accurately, and now
Black is practically forced to exchange the
rook. Much worse was 29 . .1;Ixb7 dxc3
30.~bl .i.f5f:± with Black's counterplay.
29 ... ~xb5
Ιη case of29 ... b!hl+ after 30.Φb2 dxc3+
31.~a2 l:Ixal+ 32.~xal 4:Jel 33.1:txb7
4:Jxc2+ 34.~bl ..Itf5 35.~a2 .Yιe4 36 ..:tb8+
'it>f7 37.a5 h5 38.a6 h4 39 ..tc5!± the a6-
pawn could have decided the game ίη
White's favour.
30.axb5 dxc3 31 ..Yιc5!±
Engaging the rook from the a-file.
31 ....i.f5
Αη advance of the h-pawn gave ηο
counterplay to Black here: 31 ... h5 32.1:ta8+
Super Tournαments 2000
Wf7 33.~b8 h4 34.Ϊixb7+ ~f6 35 ..i.e7+ ~g6
36 ..i.f8+-
32.1:ta4 4:Jd2 33 •.Yιd4 .Yιe6 34.1:ta8+ ~π
35.1:th8 4:Jf3
There was a slightly better opportunity
of35 ... 'It>g6 36 ..i.xc3 CZJe4 37 ..i.d4±, but this
position White would win too as soon as
he transferred his king to a more active
position.
36..i.xc3 4:Jg5
Black is hopeless both ίη case of36 ... h6
37.1:th7+- and aftcr 36 ... 'it>g6 37.~b8 .id5
38.1:td8 .Yιe6 39.~d6 1!;f7 40 . .Yιxg7 h5
41.~b6+-
37.f4 4:Je4 38..Yιe5 h6 39.ktb8 .ltd5 40.f5
Fatally restricting Black.
40 ...CZJf6
There was ηο 40 ... g6 4U::th8 gxf5
42.1::!:xh6 'it>e7 43.~dl+-, Black had noth-
ing to oppose to the further advance of
White's king.
4U::Ι:c8 h5 42.I:tc5 .Yιe4 43.lιc7+ Wg8
44 ..Yιxf6 gxf6 45.'It>d2 1-0
The game between P.Leko and A.Κha­
lifman was very tense and exciting.
Alexander sacrificed a pawn ίη the Sicil-
ian Defence and gained certain compensa-
tion. There was a draw ίη the ending after
all. The next day they would have to play
an interesting tie-break.
The οηlΥ player who managed to win
back was the Russian Svidler. Ιη his duel
with the Chinese Xiaomin Peng as well ίη
6 other matches the tie-break would be
played.
ΟηΙΥ Bareev who defeated Aleksandrov
with 2:0 reached the next round.
Conversation with GM Κί. Georgiev
ΒΥ Dαmir Levαcic
Q: Ι guess, you were not happy to
play against GM Topalov because he
is also from Bulgaria?
Α: Yes. That's true. We played together
some time ago ίη the Chess Olympiad ίη
Istanbul οη the first and second boards for
Bulgaria. Besides, Ι played a very long
World Chess Chαmpionship
tiebreak with Nisipeanu and it took a 10t
of my energy.
Q: Anyway, it is very difficult to
prepare for the game against the
player whom you know very well. He
is your friend.
Α: Yes, of course. Maybe ίη the first
game Ι shou1d haνe p1ayed more solid1y. Ι
chose to p1ay sharp game.
Q: What do you think ίη general
about organisation and format ofthis
tournament?
Α: Ι think that the organisation is νery
nice. Ι p1ay my third championship ίη this
format. Ι a1so p1ayed some years ago ίη the
cup. Ι think that this tournament is good.
If you are ίη a good form you can haνe a
big success.
Q: Now that the round is almost
over, who do you think will be the
favourite?
Α: Ι think Anand and Adams haνe the
biggest chances, as they haνe big experi-
ence. They p1ay νery well ίη c1assica1 and
rapid chess. Ι hope that Topa1oν wiH a1so
win some matches.
Tίe-break, December 5
The most exciting eνent ofthe day was,
of course, the match between the 14th Wor1d
Champion Κha1ifman and Leko. The ορρο­
nents showed a strong p1ay ίη all games
and it was a great p1easure to watch them.
Ιη the first 25-minute game Κha1ifman
(White) made a quick draw ίη the Gruen-
fe1d Defence and that was, probab1y, the
beginning of a psycho10gica1 war. Ιη the
second 25-minute game the champion
outp1ayed his younger opponent, but then
1et him draw. Ιη the first 15-minute game
they p1ayed the keen c1assica1 Dragon
Variation, ίη which Leko sacrificed an ex-
change that gaνe him a sufficient compen-
sation. During the second 15-minute game
the exchange was again sacrificed, by
Κha1ifman now and again successfully -
395
the game ended ίη a draw. Then the b1itz
began. Mter a draw ίη the first b1itz game
Kha1ifman p1ayed an extreme1y sharp
νariation of the Petroν's Defence and won
a νictory.
279 C42
Κhalίfman (2667) - Leko (2743)
Notes A.Kochyev
1.e4 e5 2.4:\f3 4:\f6 3.4:\xe5 d6 4.4:\f3
4:\xe4 5.d4 d5 6.lιd3 ~d6 7.0-0 0-0 8.c4
c6 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.4:\c3 4:\xc3 11.bxc3
.ig4 12.I:tbl 4:\d7 13.h3 .ih5 14.I:tb5 4:\b6
15.c4 .ixf3 16:~xf3 dxc4 17 ..ic2 ~d7
18.a4 ~fe8?!
The opponents p1ayed a well-known
νariation ofthe Pεotroff. B1ack's 1ast moνe
does not occur frequent1y. 18 ... g6 is the
usua1 and probab1y the strongest continu-
ation and B1ack has sufficient counterp1ay
opportunities.
19.~e3 ~ad8 20.ZΙtbl lιc7 21 ..te4
Now ίη case of 21.a5 B1ack had a con-
νenient response of21 ... 4:\d5, that was why
White preferred 21 ..te4, getting contro1
oνer the important d5-square and a full
compensation for the sacrificed material.
21 ... 4:\xa4
Ιη case of 21 ... ~d6 a simp1e 22.g3 a1-
10wed White to maintain all merits of his
position.
22.l:rd5!
Α good moνe which destroys the co-or-
dination ofB1ack's pieces.
22 ... .td6?!
22 ... ~e7 was better.
396 Super Tournαments 2000

23.z:th5! g6 24.~xb7 i.c7 win him the game.

There was ηο other way, in case of
24 ... ~e6 25 ..itd5+- White won the game.
25.z:td5!?
Black eνidently has problems, White's
adνantage is rather impressiνe.
25 ... ~c8 26.~xd8 ~xd8
If 26 ... ~xd8, then 27 ..itc6+-, winning
the game.
27 ..itd5 z:td7
Ιη case of 27 ... Mf8 there was 28.kh6+-
28.~f6 ~d8?
Black might resign right after this
moνe. Ιη case of28 ... ~f8 29.~c6 ~e7there
were still some chances to resist.
29. ~xd8+ l1xd8 30 ..iιc6!
Two pieces are attacked, and nothing
can be done.
30 ... .iιb6 31 . .iιxa4 .iιxd4 32 . .iιxd4
z:txd4 33.z:txa7 c3 34 ..iιb3 z:tb4 35.z:ta3
Sooner or later, White's extra piece will
35 ... Φg7 36.Φf1 f5 37 ..iιc2 .1:!.c4 38.We2
cJtf6 39.Φd3 lϊf4 40.f3 cJtg5 41.cJte3 lϊc4
42.':a4 f4+ 43.cJtf2 ':xa4 44 . .iιxa4 cJth4
45 •.iιc2 cJtg5 46.g3 fxg3+ 47.cJtxg3 cJth5
48.f4 'ith6 49.Φg4 cJtg7 50.h4 h6 51.Φf3
cJtf7 52.Φe4 Φf6 53.cJtd4 g5 54.hxg5+
hxg5 55.f5 g4 56.We3 1-0
A.Shiroν again played the tie-break and
again successfully, though he had to play 4
games withM.Gureνich! M.Adams, who de-
feated A.Yermolinsky and J.Ehlνest, who
defeated S.Moνsesian (that was rather un-
expected) easily won in rapid games.
Bartlomej Macieja continued to aston-
ish eνeryone; this time Alexander Be-
liaνsky (2659), haνing lost both 25-minute
games, was his "νictim". Ιη the next round
Macieja would play against Anand himself!

ROUND 3 PAIRINGS AND RESULTS Gl G2 Final

49 Lputian S. ARM 2598 VS 1 Anand ν. IND 2762 = 0-1 0.5-1.5
25 Beliaνsky Α. SLO 2659 ·νs 78 Macieja Β. POL 2536 = = 1-3
21 ΚhalίfmanA RUS 2667 vs 5 Leko Ρ. HUN 2743 = = 4.5-3.5
66 Leitao R. BRA 2567 vs 82 Nataf 1. FRA 2526 1-0 = 1.5-0.5
51 Yermolinsky Α. USA 2596 ν" 3 AdamsM. ENG 2755 = = 1-3
27 Peng Xiaomin CHN 2657 ν" 11 Svidler Ρ. RUS 2689 1-0 0-1 1.5-2.5
23 Georgieν Κi. BUL 2661 ν" 7 TopaIovv. BUL 2707 0-1 = 0.5-1.5
31 Van Wely L. NED 2643 νΒ 15 DreevA RUS 2676 0-1 = 0.5-1.5
2 Morozevich Α RUS 2756 Vs 50 Vladimiroν Ε. ΚΑΖ 2598 1-0 = 1.5-0.5
10 Κasimdzhanoν υΖΒ 2690 . ν"
~
26 Tkachievv. FRA 2657 = = 1.5-2.5
38 EhlvestJ. EST 2627 VS 22 Moνsesian S. CZE 2666 = = 4-2
46 GrischukA RUS 2606 .ν" 62 Serper G. USA 2574 1-0 = 1.5-0.5
4 ShirovA ESP 2746 ν" 20 Gureνich Μ. BEL 2667 = = 3.5-2.5
12 Gelfand Β. ISR 2681 "vs 28 Piket J. NED 2649 1-0 = 1.5-0.5
8 BareevE. RUS 2702 .NS 56 Aleksandroν Α. BLR 2591 1-0 1-0 2-0
16 Azmaiparashνili GEO 2673 NS' 32 GulkoB. USA 2643 0-1 = 0.5-1.5
World Chess Chαmpionship
Round4
Game 1, December 6
Seven draws of eight first games of 1/8
of the final!
Α. Dreev gained the οηlΥ νictory. He,
playing White, defeated Veselin Topalov,
who had an unsuccessful opening.
Ehlvest was true to his tactics - quick
tireless draws during the main match and
all his strength to rapid games - and agreed
to a draw with Grischuk οη move 14.
Mter a fatiguing tie-break, which had
been played the day before, Κhalifman
quickly ended his game ίη a draw.
Anand (Black), playing against Macieja,
equalized with precise moves.
ΟηΙΥ the draw ίη the game Morozevich
- Tkachiev made spectators be excited. Μ­
ter mutual blows the opponents decided not
to tempt fate and made peace.
Game 2, December 7
This round had a slogan "White begins
and wins!". That was how the games Anand
- Macieja, Κhalifman - Leitao, Topalov -
Dreev, Tkachiev - Morozevich ended. So,
VAnand and A.Κhalifman reached the next
round. Ιη the quarterfinal match, that
would be the culmination of the tourna-
ment, the present FIDE World Champion
and the main favourite would meet.
Vladislav Tkachiev brought a sensation,
having defeated Morozevich. Of course,
Tkachiev is a very strong GM but it is such
a pity that Morozevich, who had played
excellently, did not reach the next round.
280 D10
Tkachiev (2657) - Morozevich (2756)
Notes by A.Kochyev
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.liJc3 liJf6 4.e3 a6
397
This plan has become really popular
recently. Black accomplishes the advance
b7-b5 and, at the same time, prepares his
bad c8-bishop for an exchange.
5.'1~·c2 b5 6.b3
The line 6.cxd5 cxd5 promised nothing
to White.
6 ... 1ιg4 7.liJge2 g6
This move is less popular than 7 ... liJbd7
8.h3 1ιh5 9.liJf4 .i.g6 10.liJxg6 hxg6 11.1ιe2
e6 12.0-0 .i.d6 13.e4 b4 14.exd5 (14.e5?!
liJxe5 15.dxe5 .i.xe5) 14 ... exd5 15.liJa4 ο-ο
16 ..i.f3 ~e8 17.jιg5 with White's slight
advantage Bareev - Shirov, Pardubice
1994.
8.liJf4 jιf5 9.jιd3 jιxd3 10.liJxd3
Black managed to exchange the bishop,
yet he lost time for this. White's pieces are
better developed, and besides Black's
queenside is weak.
10 ... liJbd7 11.0-0 .i.g7 12.cxd5 cxd5
13.a4!
Α strong move, which emphasizes weak
points ofBlack's position.
13 ... ~c8?!
Now the b5-pawn will be too weak. Ιη
case of 13 ... bxa4 14.liJa4 White's knights
would have come to c5, still this was a bet-
ter decision.
14.axb5 axb5 15.1ιd2liJe4 16:~b2 e6
Black goes for a pawn sacrifice to ac-
complish the development. Ιη case of
398
16 ... tΔxc3 17 ..txc3 ο-ο White gained an
obvious advantage after 18 ...Ita5 ~e8
19 ..tb4 or by an immediate 18.':a7.
17.tΔxb5 ~b6 18.':a5 ο-ο
At last Black made castling, yet he still
stands a pawn down, and his position is
hard.
19 ..tb4 .a:fe8 20 ..a:fal! e5 21 ..te1 exd4
22.tΔxd4 tΔdc5 23.tΔf4!
Attacking the d5-pawn. 23.tΔxc5?! was
worse because after 23 ... tιJxc5 there was
the threat of tΔd3.
23 ... :ϊ:ed8 24.b4 g5 25.tΔfe2 tΔe6
25 ... tΔd3 was possible as well.
26.':a6 ~b5
If26 ... tΔxd4, then 27 ..ί:txb6 tΔf3+ 28.gxf3
.txb2 29.I:!.b1 ':c2 30.fxe4 ':xe2 31.exd5
.ί:txd5 32.\tJf1 k!.c2 33.I:!.b8+ cJiJg7 34 ..ί:txb2
':xb2 35 ..tc3, White winning the game.
27.tΔxb5 ..Itxb2 28 ..a:b1 .tf629..ua2
White's advantage is enough to win the
game, he οηlΥ should demonstrate his tech-
nique.
29 ... g4 30.f3 gxf3 31.gxf3! CL'J4g5
32.cJiJg2 CL'Jg7 33.CL'Jbd4 .ί:te8 34 ..tf2 CL'J5e6
35.b5
Starting the victorious march of the
pawn.
35 ... CL'Jxd4 36.tΔxd4 .txd4 37.exd4 CL'Jf5
38.b6 cJiJg7 39.':b5 lIed8 40.b7 .ί:tb8
41 ..tg3
Black has ηο chance to survive ίη the
rook endgame.
41 ... CL'Jxg3 42.cJiJxg3 ':d7 43.1:tab2 \tJg6
44.cJiJf4 {6 45.':b6 ':e7 46.h4 h5 47.':b1
':f7 48 ..ί:tg1+ \tJh7 49.cJiJf5! ':bxb7 50.I:!.xb7
':xb7 51.\tJxf6 .ί:tb3 52.f4 Mh3 53.f5 .ί:txh4
54.\tJe5 ':h2 55.\tJxd5 h4 56 . .ί:tg4 h3
57..ί:tg3!
It was more convenient to capture the
h-pawn with a check. However White wins
easily anyway.
57 ... \tJh6 58.f6 .ί:tf2 59.MXh3+ \tJg6
60.cJiJc5 \tJxf6 61 . .ί:te3! .ί:ta2 62.d5 .ί:ta5+
63.cJiJc6 .ί:ta6+ 64.\tJc7 .ί:ta7+ 65.\tJb6 1-0
Anand got a slight advantage ίη the
opening: he had two bishops vs. two
Super Tournaments 2000
Macieja's knights. Οη move 23 Bartlomlej
made a mistake; Vishy with a tactical blow
gained a deserved victory.
281 Β17
Anand (2762) - Macieja (2536)
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.CL'Jc3 dxe4 4.CL'Jxe4
tΔd7 5 ..tc4 tΔgf6 6.tΔg5 e6 7. ~e2 tΔb6
8 ..tb3 h6 9.CL'J5f3 a5 10.a4
White plays this way, not fearing that
Black can move one of his knights to d5,
so that οηlΥ c4 would be abele to drive it
away then, and the knight would go right
to b4, which White has just weakened by
his last move. There was a more adaptable
10.c3, which after 10 ... c5 1l.dxc5 .txc5
12.tΔe5 ο-ο 13.tΔgf3 CL'Jbd7 14.0-0 tΔxe5
15. tΔxe5 b6 (trying to get the light-squared
bishop to the long diagonal, where it would
put pressure upon White's kingside)
16. ~f3 ~c7 17.CL'Jg4 (ίη case of 17. ~xa8?!
.tb7 after the exchange of White's queen
for two rooks Black had good chances to
organize a successful attack οη White's
king) 17 ... CL'Jxg4 18. ~xg4 f5!? 19. ~f3 .td6
20. ~xa8 .tb7 21 ...Itxe6+ \tJh8 22. ~xf8+
.txffi~ produced a position ίη which the
activity of Black's pieces balanced out
White's slight material advantage Adams
- Seirawan, Bermuda 1999.
10... c5 1l ..tf4
It was better for White to develop this
bishop to the diagonal b8-h2, where it
would prevent an immediate appearance
of Black's queen ση c7 (that was possible
ίη case ofll ..te3 ~c7 12.CL'Je5 CL'Jbd5°o with
an unclear play), thus emphasizing a cer-
tain weakness of dark squares ίη the
opponent's position.
1l ....td612.CL'Je5
Ιη case of an immediate 12 ..tg3 ο-ο
13.CL'Je5 ~e7 14.CL'Jgf3 CL'Jbd5 15.0-0 CL'Jh5
Black exchanged White's dangerous
bishop, and after 16 ..ί:tfe1 ~c7 17.I:!.ad1
CL'Jxg3 18.hxg3 CL'Jf6oo, despite the superior
activity ofWhite's pieces, it was quite dif-
World Chess Chαmpionship
ficult to find a concrete method for the de-
νelopment of his initiatiνe ίη the game
Anand - Karpoν, Linares 1994.
12 ... 0-0 13.tίJgf3 tίJbd5 14.j,g3 't:lc7
15.dxc5 't:lxc5 16.0-0 b6
Black could haνe tried to exchange
White's dark-squared bishop by 16 ...
tίJh5!?, playing similarly to the cited game
Anand - Karpoν.
17.1Hd1 jιa6
Now tίJh5 was already dangerous, hang-
ing up Black's pieces οη the d-file.
18.c4 Mad8
18 ... tίJb4?? was losing because of 19.
tίJd7+-, White's pressure upon the d-file
and the diagonal b8-h2 affecting the esti-
mation fundamentally.
19.tίJd4!
White's knight is heading for b5, and
besides there is the threat of liJxf7. Α
straightforward 19.tίJd3? was worse be-
cause of the counterstrike 19 ... jιxc4
20.Mac1 j,xd3 21.'t:lxd3liJf4! 22.'t:lfl 't:lb4=F,
and White lost a pawn as a result Anand-
Karpoν, Monte Carlo 1994.
19... ~xe5
Ιη case of 19 ... tίJb4? there would be al-
ready 20.liJxf7±. AIso White's prospects
were better ίη the line 19 ... 1:He8 20.tίJb5
Jtxb5 21.cxb5 't:lb4 22. 't:lf3;J; owing to his
bishop pair.
20.~xe5 tίJb4
If Black tried to complicate the play
with 20 ... tίJh5?!, then the simplest response
would be 21. 't:le4!? (better than 21. 't:lxh5?!
tίJf4 22. 't:lf3 't:lxe5 23. 't:le3 't:lg5t, ceding the
initiatiνe to Black; and ίη case of 21 ..ϊ:!.ac1
tίJdf4 22. 't:le4 tίJg600 Black would exchange
White's dark-squared bishop and gain an
equal position) 21 ... tίJhf6 (21 ... jιxc4
22.~ac1 tίJdf6 23. 't:le1 tίJg4 24.~xg7 tίJxg7
25.1:[xc4±) 22. 't:lh4±. If the knight retreats
to d5 now, then White takes οη f6. How-
eνer, there was an interesting opportunity
of 20 ... tίJf4!? 21.jιxf4 (21. 't:le1 jιxc4?
22.jιxc4 't:lxc4 23.b3+-; 21 ... liJ6h5!? 22. 't:le4
liJg6 oo ) 21 ... .ϊ:!.χd4 22.Iιxd4 't:lxd4 23.j,e5
't:lc5 24.Md1 .ϊ:!.c8;J;, and White's adνantage
399
would become quite insignificant because
ofthe absence of obνiously weak points ίη
Black's camp, and an exchange οη [6 would
allow him to simplify the position. But ίη
the present position Black will haνe to con-
duct a passiνe defence, struggling with his
knights against the opponent's strong bish-
ops.
21.liJb5 ~xb5 22.cxb5 J::txd1+
Ιη case of 22 ... liJbd5 after 23.Mac1 't:lb4
24. 't:lf3 I:rc8 25.J::tc6± White would launch
an attack οη the opponent's camp through
the weak c6-square.
23.MXd1 Mc8?
Allowing White to begin his νictorious
attack. The correct moνe was 23 ... tίJbd5;J;,
aνoiding weakening of the kingside and
hoping for the solidity of Black's position
ίη the further passiνe defence.
24.~xf6 gxf6
25.Jtxe6!
Veηtuήηg οη the bishop sacrifice, White
takes into consideration the fact that
Black's queenside pieces are too far away
from the king, unable to help with the de-
fence, and the position of the knight is es-
pecially remarkable ίη this respect: it
seems to be occupying a fine place, but ac-
tually it is out of the play.
25 ...fxe6 26.'t:lxe6+ ~h8
It was not better to moνe the black king
towards the centre: 26 ... Wg7 27.kId7+ ~g6
28.'t:lf7+ Wf5 29.'t:lh7+ Wf4 (29 ... ~e5
30.g4+-; 29 ... We6 30.g4+-) 30.h3 't:lc1+
31.Wh2 (threatening with l:d4) 31 ... 't:lc2
(31 ... 't:lc5 32.kIe7+-) 32. 't:le7+- with irre-
400
sistible mating threats.
27. ,§xf6+ Φg8 28. '§e6+ ~h8 29. '§xh6+
Φg8 30.'§e6+ ~h8 31.h3
Ν ow that White made himself secure
against Black's threats οη the 1st rank,
Black cannot preνent him from engaging
his rook ίη the attack.
31 ... ~ίB 32.'§h6+ 'it>g8 33.'§g6+ Φh8
34. '§g3 '§c2
Ιη case of 34 ... '§f5 after 35.J:!.d4 Zif7
36.~h4+ Uh7 37.'§b8+ ~g7 38.Ug4+ ~h6
White would win it by a quiet moνe
39.'§g3+-
35.Ud41-O
Κhalifman succeeded ίη the game with
Leitao, though the ending was drawn.
282 Α18
Κhalίfman (2667) - Leitao (2567)
Notes by A.Kochyeu
1.c4 CLJf6 2.CLJc3 e6 3.e4 d5 4.e5 d4
5.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3
White can't gain anything by 6.fxg7
cxd2+ 7 ..i.xd2 .i.xg7.
6 ... '§xf6 7.CLJf3 e5
The correct plan, connected with an
actiνization ofthe c8-bishop. But for this
moνe White would haνe played d4 and
then .i.d3, thus gaining better prospects.
8 . .i.d3 CLJa6 9.0-0 .i.d6 10.i.c2 .i.g4
11.d4 i.xf3 12.'§xf3 '§xf3 13.gxf3
White has a mighty light-squared
bishop, yet his spoiled pawn structure al-
lows Black to look for a counterchance.
13 ... 0-0-0
Ιη case of 13 ... exd4 there is 14.Ue1,
spoiling the co-ordination ofBlack's pieces.
14.c5 Jι.ίB 15.c6
Another opportunity was 15.i.g5!? [6
16.Jι.e3.
15... exd4 16.cxb7+ Φb8
If 16 ... ~xb7?, then 17.Ub1 + with an at-
tack.
17.cxd4 CLJb4
Α sensrble decision. Black wants to en
gage the knight ίη the play first of all.
Super Tournαments 2000
18.Jι.e4 CLJd5!?
Ιη case of 18 ... Uxd4 19.i.e3 White ex-
cels his opponent ίη deνelopment.
19.Ubl
The b7-pawn needs to be protected.
Also 19.i.e3!? deserνed attention as there
was ηο 19 ... ~xb7? because of 20.Ziab1+,
and ίη case of 19 ... CLJxe3 20.fxe3 White kept
his extra pawn, howeνer the opposite-
coloured bishops stayed οη the board ...
19 ...CLJc320 ..i.g5
White decides to sacrifice an exchange,
because ίη case όf 20.~b3 there is 20 ...
CLJe2+. The line 20 ... CLJxe4 21.fxe4 Uxd4
22.Jι.e3 is unclear as there is ηο 22 ... Uxe4??
because of 23.i.xa7+ Φχa7 24.b8'§+-,
White winning the game.
20 ...f6 21.i.e3 CLJxbl 22.Uxbl
White is well compensated for the sac-
rificed exchange and threatens with Jι.c6
and then d5.
22 ... Ud6 23.i.f4 Ub6 24.Jι.xc7+ Φχc7
25.Ucl + Jι.c5 26.Uxc5+
Mter 26.dxc5 Ub2 27.c6 Ud8 White's
pawns are blocked up.
26 ... ~b8 27.Jι.c6
Preparing d5.
27 ... Ud8 28.d5 Uxb7
Black returns the extra exchange and
gets real chances to hold the position.
29.Jι.xb7 ~xb7 30.Φg2 a6 31.a4 Ud7
32.~g3 Φb6 33.Uc6+ Φa5 34.d6 ~xa4
35.Uc7
Or 35.Uxa6+ ~b5= with a draw.
35 ... J:lxd6 36.Uxg7 h5 37.Zih7 Ud5
Also a simple 37 ... ~b4!? 38.Uxh5 a5 was
World Chess Chαmpionship
interesting, advancing the passed pawn.
38•.!::!:h6.!::!:g5+
Black goes astray and creates difficul-
ties for himself. G. Kasparov supposes that
38 ... .!::!:f5 gives a draw here, for example
39.f4 a5 40.~f3 'it>b4 41.~e4 .!::!:b5 42.J:!.xf6
a4 43 ..!::!:a6 a3 44.f5 J:!.a5 45.J:!.xa5 ~xa5 46.f6
a2 47.f'l a1~ 48.f8~ ~e1+ 49.'it>d5 ~d2+
50.'it>e6 ~e2=
39.~f4 .!::!:g2
Better was 39 ... J:!.b5 40.J:!.xf6 a5, aiming
at an advance ofthe passed pawn.
40.J:!.xh5 .!::!:xf2 41.h4 a5 42.J:!.h8 ~a3
43.h5 .!::!:h2 44.h6 a4 45.h7
Unlike his opponent, Khalifman ad-
vanced his passed pawn as soon as he got
such an opportunity.
45 •.. .!::!:h5 46.~g4 ~h147.f4 .!::!:h2 48.'it>f5
.!::!:h4 49.'it>e4 J:!.h5 50.f5 'Iita2 51 ..!::!:a8! J:!.xh7
52..!::!:xa4+
Game over!
52 ... ~b3 53 . .!::!:a6 J:!.e7+ 54.J:!.e6 .!::!:f7
55.~d5 'it>c3 56.J:!.e8 .!::!:a7 57.'it>e6 ~a6+
58.'it>f7 ~d4 59.J:!.e6 1-0
Tie-break, December 8
Five pairs of eight played ίη the tie-
break and for four of them two 25-minute
games were enough. The absence of sensa-
tions ίη the tie-break showed that the
strongest players finally started to struggle
with all their might.
M.Adams (Black) carried out a drawn
combination with a perpetual check to
P.Svidler. Ιη the second game Michael man-
aged to win a pawn and then another one.
Gelfand, playing with Shirov, οη move
16 began to realize a wrong plan. Instead
of16 ... a5 the move tΔc41ed to equality. With
a tactical blow 18.tΔc5! Alexey got an ad-
vantage despite the loss of a pawn and soon
he won. Ιη the next game Boris did not
achieve an advantage ίη the opening and
there was a draw οη the 72 nd move.
Grischuk and Ehlvest made a lot of
moves ίη the first game ofthe tie-break. Ιη
401
the deep ending Alexander managed to
smash his more experienced rival. Ιη the
second game J aan either did not notice a
strong move 27.SΙxd5! with White's advan-
tage or he thought that Black would have
a sufficient compensation for the queen (V2,
65).
Bareev (White) squeezed Gulko's pieces
οη the back ranks and by tactical means
transferred the game into a winning rook
+ 2 pawns vs. bishop + knight ending.
The uncompromising struggle was ίη
the match Topalov - Dreev. Νο more draws!
The last two 15-minute (+ 10 seconds per
move) games were won by Veselin. Here is
the last game that brought the Bulgarian
to the quarterfinal.
283 Ε81
Dreev (2676) - Topalov (2707)
Game 6 15-minute
Notes by A.Kochyev
l.d4 tΔf6 2.c4 g6 3.tΔc3 SΙg7 4.e4 d6
5.f3 ο-ο 6.tΔge2 c5
The idea of this move is that ίη case of
6 ... e5 White plays 7.iιg5 with real chances
to gain an opening advantage.
7.d5 e6 8.tΔg3
8.iιg5!? was possible as well to be fol-
lowed by ~d2.
8 ... exd5 9.cxd5 a6
Αη interesting line appeared ίη the
game Dreev - Schekachev, Russia 1998:
9 ... tΔh5!? 10.tΔxh5 gxh5 11.SΙd3 [5 12.0-0
tΔa6 13.iιf4 fxe4 14.fxe4 c4 with the idea
of~b6.
10.a4 h5
Α standard manoeuvre ίη this variation.
Black frees the h7-square for the knight,
and after f'l-f5 he can opportunely disturb
White's knight by h4. Usually these posi-
tions produce a sharp play with White's
certain advantage.
11 ...ig5
Or 11.iιe2 h4 12.tΔf1 tΔh7 13.tΔe3 [5
14.tΔc4 SΙd4 (preventing White from cas-
tling) 15.iιd2 tΔg5 16. ~c1 tΔf'l, covering d5
402
and then engaging the queen's knight. The
play is νery keen here.
11 ... ~c7
Getting rid of the bind and preparing
tίΊh7 and f7-f5
12.~d21::te8
An immediate 12 ... tίΊh7 13 ...Ith6 results
ίη the exchange ofthe dark-squared bishop
which is certainly unfaνourable for Black.
13 ...Ite2 tίΊh714 ...ih6 1ιd415.1ιe3 ..ih8
Black rejects an opportunity to fix a
draw by repetition of the position (15 ...
1ιg7), although objectiνely White has al-
ready got a slight adνantage.
16.0-0 tίΊd7 17.f4
White changes the character of the
struggle suddenly, and the play becomes
keener. He is threatening to play 18.e5 de
19.f5, taking the initiatiνe, so Black's next
moνes should protect him against this
plan.
17 ... tίΊdf6 18.e5 h4!? 19.tίΊge4 dxe5
20.d6 ~a5 21.tίΊxf6+ tίΊxί6 22.fxe5 1::txe5
23.1ιί4 1:te8 24 ...ic4
White's compensation for the extra
pawn ίη this position is his passed d6-
pawn and the arrangement of his pieces,
conνenient for an attack.
24 ... ~b4 25.b3 1ιe6! 26. ~d3
26... ..if5
Black could haνe gained a considerable
adνantage here after 26 ... ~xc4! 27.bxc4 (ηο
27.~xc4? because of ~xc4 28.bxc4 tίΊh5
29 ...id2 I!.ad8). Now White is going to play
28.1:!.ab1, and after the queen retreats to
a5 he will haνe many enticing opportuni-
Super Tournαments 2000
ties: 29 ..ίab7; 29.~g5; 29 ...id2; 29.tίΊd5.
Howeνer, it's Black who is to moνe now:
27 ... CΔg4! The c3-knight is hanging, and
there is a threat of the check ~d4. White
has a choice ofthree moνes, but ίη Black's
chances are higher ίη alllines, for example:
28.tίΊd5?! ~b2 29.tίΊe7+ (29.tίΊc7? ..id4+
30.Φh1 tίΊf2 31 ..ίaxf2 ~xa1+ 32 ..ίaf1 .ίae1-+;
29.~f3 lιd4+ 30.~h1 tίΊf2+; 29.d7 1ιd4+
30.~h1 tίΊf2 31.1:1xf2 ~xa1+ 32.1::tf11::te1-+)
29 ... .ί::txe7 30.dxe7 ..id4+ 31.~h1 ~xa1
32.~f3 ~xa4 (32 ... ~xf1+ 33.~xf1 tίΊf2+
34.~gl tίΊe4+ 35.Φh1 1::te8) 33.~xg4 ~e8
34.lιg5 ~xc4 35.1::te1 ~d5-+;
28.1ιd2lιd4+ 29. Φh1 tίΊe5 30. ~h3 tίΊxc4
(30 ... ~xc4!? 31. ~xh4? ..ixc3 32. ~xc4 tίΊxc4
33.1ιχc3 CΔxd6-+) 31.d7 (31.1::tab1 tίΊxd2
32.~xb4 cxb4 33.d7 tίΊxf1 34.dxe8~+ ~xe8
35.~d7 1::te1 36.~d8+ Φg7 37.~xd4+ f6
38.~d7+ ~h6 39.~gl bxc3-+) 31 ... tίΊxd2
32.dxe8~ + 1::txe8 33.tίΊd5 ~b3 34. ~d7 CΔxf1
(34 ... 1:1f8 35.tίΊe7+ Φg7 36. ~g4 tίΊxf1)
35.~xe8+ Φg7 36 ..!:!:xf1 ~xd5 37.~c8 b5
38. ~xa6?? h3-+;
28.d7 The most unpleasant continua-
tion. Ν ow Black's attempt to play like ίη
the aboνe regarded νariations can turn
fatal for him: 28 ... ..id4+? 29.~h1 1::ted8
30.tίΊd5 ~b2 31.~f3 (3Uiab1 tίΊf2+ 32.1::txf2
~xf2 33.~f1 ~b2) 31 ... tίΊf2+ 32.1:ϊ:Χf2 ~xa1+
33.z:tf1 ~xa4 34.tίΊe7+! Φh8 35.~d5--t. Ιη­
stead of this Black sacrifices by an ex-
change by 28 ... ~xc3! 29.dxe8~+ .!:!:xe8
30. ~xc3 1ιχc3 and takes a strong initia-
tiνe, for example: 31.Zίab1 ~d4+ 32.Φh1
tίΊf2+ 33.Φg1 ne2=t. Now there is ηο
34.~xb7? (or 34.h3? tίΊxh3+ 35.~h1 tίΊf2+)
because it loses a piece: 34 ... CΔd3+ 35.Φh1
tίΊxf4-+ (Analysis by ΒοΙουίου)
27.~f3 ~g4 28.~d3 ..if5 29.~f3 ~g4
30.tίΊd5?
White seems to haνe oνerestimated his
position. 30. ~d3 was the correct continu-
ation.
30.....ixf3 31.tίΊxb4 ..ie2!
Νο 31 ... cxb4? because of 32.z:txf3 with
strong pressure upon the square f7.
32.CΔd3
World Chess Chαmpionship 403

Having lost a11 his advantage, White is must play accurately to win this position ...
trying to complicate matters. Ιη case of 37.h3 4Jd2 38.:f4 4Jxc4 39.bxc4 ~e8
32.kxe2 ~xe2! 33.4Jd3 4Jd7 34.l:taelkd4+ 40 ...tc3 :e3 41.i.f6 ~e6 42.a5 b6
35.'it>hll:tae8=t Black is just better. Black's pieces are too numerous, White
32 ... 4Je4 33.d7 Ited8 34.4Je5 kxe5 cannot resist.
35.kxe5 i.xf1 36.Itxf1 Itxd7 43 ...tc3 Iίd3 44 ...tb2 Iίb3 45 ...tf6 bxa5
The tactical duel is over, Black οηlΥ 0-1

ROUND 4 PAIRINGS AND RESULTS G1 G2 Fina!

78 Macieja Β. POL 2536 vs 1 Anand V. IND 2762 = 0-1 0.5-1.5
66 Leitao R. ΒΗΑ 2567 :vs 21 ΚhalifmanA RUS 2667 = 0-1 0.5-1.5
11 Svid!er Ρ. RUS 2689 ΝS 3 AdamsM. ENG 2755 = = 1.5-2.5
15 Dreev Α. RUS 2676 vS 7 TopalovV. DUL 2707 1-0 0-1 2-4
2 Morozeνich Α. RUS 2756 ΝS 26 TkachievV. FRA 2657 = 0-1 0.5-1.5
38 Eh!vest J. EST 2627 .·.ν~ 46 GrischukA RUS 2606 = = 1.5-2.5
4 Shirov Α ESP 2746 .: ....~: .. 12 Ge!fand Β. ISR 2681 = = 2.5-1.5
:,.
8 BareevE. RUS 2702 ys 32 Gulko Β. USA 2643 = = 2.5-1.5

Round5
Game 1, December 9
Κhalifman demonstrated an exce11ent
opening preparation ίη the Marshall
Counter Attack ίη the Ruy Lopez, playing
against Anand.
284 C89
Anand (2762) - Κhalifman (2667)
l.e4 e5 2.4JrJ 4Jc6 3 ...tb5 a6 4 ...ta4 4Jf6
5.0-0 ..te7 6.~el b5 7 ...tb3 ο-ο 8.c3 d5
9.exd54Jxd5 10.4Jxe5 4Jxe5 11.Iίxe5 c6
12.:el..td6 13.d3 ~h4 14.g3 ~h3 15.~e4
~f5 16.4Jd2 ~g6 17.:el f5 18.a4 Itb8
19.axb5 axb5 20.4Je4 fxe4 21.dxe4 ..tg4
22:~d4 .trJ 23.exd5 c5 24.~h4 1:tbe8
25.i.d2
Ιη the game Anand - Adams, Dortmund
2000, there was: 25.ke3 ~f5 26.l:tacl ke4
27 ..tdl .txd5 28 ..tc2 ~f3 29.~xh7+ 'it>f7
30.~f5+ Φg8 31.~xf3 ~xf3 32.kd3 with
an advantage to White.
25 ... i.e4! 26.Iίe2 ~f5 27 ..1ιf4 c4 28.
Itxe4 Iίxe4 29 ...tc2 i.xf4 30.i.xe4 ~xe4
31.gxf4 1h - 1/2
Conversation with the defending
World Champion GM A.Κhalifman
Q: Are you satisfied with the result
of this game?
Α: Considering the fact that Anand has
won a11 games with White υρ ti11 now ίη
this tournament and cοηsίdeήηg the fact
that he won a11 White games against me
this year, Ι can say that this result is posi-
tive. But as the match is sti11 ίη process, Ι
don't want to discuss it. Tomorrow a new
game wi11 be played and we'l1 see.
Q: Mter 3 losses with Black ίn the
previous matches with Anand, you
must be really happy.
404
Α: Ι am not really happy. Being happy
for me means Ι have won the match. This
ίδ just a positive result. Ν othing to be happy
about.
Q: Excellent opening preparation.
Α: Well, Ι do know something about the
openings. That was quite [υηηΥ, because
Anand had prepared some improvements
οη his game with Adams, which were
played recently this year. But Ι could fore-
see this improvement and Ι reacted just
properly.
Q: Pawn sacrifice was a very nice
move.
Α: Actually, it was a good idea to sacri-
fice the pawn, but the way Ι did it was not
perfect. Ι had some other way to sacrifice
the pawn where it could have been an υη­
pleasant pressure υροη my opponent. Ι
didn't plan to talk much as this match ίδ
very important and it ίδ still ίη process.
Let's see what will happen later.
Οη move 40 M.Adams won a pawn, play-
ing with V. Topalov. Michael managed to re-
alize his slight advantage ίη the rook end-
ing οη move 70.
285 Β84
Adams (2755) - Topalov (2707)
Notes by A.Kochyev
1.e4 c5 2.CLJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.CLJxd4
CLJf6 5.CLJc3 a6 6.~e3 e6 7.iιe2 1!ic7 8.a3
b5 9.1!id2 Jib7 10.f3 CLJbd7
White played the opening quite unpre-
tentiously, δΟ Black got every chance to
equalize the play. Along with the move ίη
the game, a plan with an opportune cas-
tling kingside after 10 ... ~e7!? was possible
here.
11.0-0-0 d5
Α standard pawn blow. Black's pieces
liven up, but White's position ίη the cen-
tre remains strong. Besides, White ίδ bet-
ter developed, whereas Black still has to
develop his kingside and arrange a shel-
Super Tournαments 2000
ter for his king.
12.exd5 CLJxd5 13.CLJxd5 iιxd5 14.'ϊ.t>b1
CLJf6
Of course ίη case of14 ... ~e7?! there was
an unpleasant 15.CΔf5 iιf6 16.1!ib4, but
Black could have played 14 ... CLJb6!? with
the idea of CΔc4.
15.g4 iιc4
White ίδ threatening to play g5, δΟ
Black has to waste time to prepare a re-
treat for the f6-knight, meanwhile his
kingside stays undeveloped ...
16.~f4 1!ib6
Bad was 16 ... e5.? 17.~xe51!ixe518.jιxc4
bxc4, and then 19.1:thel +- with White's νic­
tory.
17.~e5 CLJd5 18.1:the1
White managed to gain a harmonious
position for his forces and has a certain
advantage. Black has some strong points
too, however his underdevelopment ίδ a
serious defect of his position.
18 ... 0-0-0 19.~d3 ~c5 20.CΔb3 Jif2
21.1:tf1 ~xd3 22.cxd3
Black could have played 22.1:txf2!?, win-
ning a pawn after ~g6 23.iιxg7 1:thg8
24.~d4±
22 ... ~e3 23.1!ic2+ wb7 24.d4
There was also an opportunity to cap-
ture οη g7 (24.~xg7!?), however White was
not inclined to let his opponent take the
initiative.
24 ... f6 25.~g3 Wa7 26.1:tfe1
Black's knight οη d5 ίδ excellent, yet
there are too many weak points ίη his ρο­
sition, δΟ White's prospects should be esti-
mated as better.
26 ... g627.1!id3
Ιη case of 27.t1e4 there was 27 ... f5==,
and Black felt οκ.
27 ... ~h6 28.l:ιe2 l:the8 29.1:tc2 J::tc8
30.1:te11:txc2 31.1!ixc2 iιf8
White's chances were better ίη case of
31 ... iιe3 32.1!id3± too.
32.l:rc1 iιd6
Mter 32 ... iιh6 33.Bc7 Black still had
problems.
33.1!ic61::td8 34.~xd6 1:rxd6
World Chess Chαmpionship 405

change and soon he resigned.

Game 2, December 10

The game between v.Anand and Α.

Κhalifman was not long and ended ίη a
draw.

286 Α17
Khalifman (2667) - Anand,V (2762)
35.~e8!
The attack begins. White increases his l.tLΊf3 tLΊf6 2.c4 e6 3.tLΊc3 i..b4 4. ~c2
adνantage, threatening with Rc8 and then 0-0 5.a3 iιxc3 6.~xc3 b6 7.b4 a5 8.iιb2
a knight intrusion. axb4 9.axb4 ~xal+ 10.i..xal c511.e3 d6
35... ~d8 12.iιe2 e5 13.0-0 ~e8 14.d3 tLΊa6
35 ... ki.d8 36. ~f7. VAnand did not want to check υρ what
36.~xd8 ~xd8 37.~c6 tLΊf4 38.tLΊc5 improνement A.Κhalifman had prepared
~xd4 39.~xa6+ Wb8 40.tLΊxe6 tLΊxe6 ίη case of 14 ... tLΊc6, which was played ίη
41.~xe6 the game Κramnik - Anand, Dortmund
White's adνantage is decisiνe now. 1998: 15.bxc5 bxc5 16.h3 i..d7 17:~d2 ~b6
41 ... ~f4 42.~b6+ ~a7 43.~xb5 ~xf3 18.tLΊh4 ~a8 19.i..c3 ~b3 20.~a1 ki.xa1 with
44.~c5 \t>b6 45.~c3 ~f4 a draw.
Of course, the pawn ending 45 ... ~xc3 15.bxc5 bxc5 16.~bl tLΊb4 17.~b3
46.bxc3 was losing too. 1/2 - IJ2
46.h3 f5 47.gxf5 ~xf5 48.Φa2 ~b5
49.1::!.b3+ Φa5 50.~b4 ~f3 51.h4 h5 52.~e4 Conversation with the GM Α. Kha-
J::!.g3 53.ki.e5+ Φb6 54.a4 ~h3 55.~e4 Φa5 lifman
56.b3 ~hl 57.Φb2 Mgl 58.Me5+ ~b6 ΒΥ V.Sαlov
59.Φa3 J:tg4 60.~e6+ ~c5 61.~f6 J::txh4 Q: What can you tell us about your
62.~xg6 J:thl 63.J:tg5+ Φb6 64.a5+ Φc6 today's performance?
65.Φa4 h4 66.~g6+ Φc7 67.~h6 h3 Α: Anand has already demonstrated
68.~b5 h2 69.b4 ~d7 70.~h7+ 1-0 here that he is νery well prepared ίη the
opening for this tournament. It is probably
Grischuk and Tkachieν decided not to νery good for such knockout format to haνe
run risk and quickly agreed to a draw οη νery solid and νery hard to beat opening
moνe 17. with Black. Ι tried some of the opening
Bareeν played the Queen's Gambit Ac- νariations, which he had already played
cepted strongly. And pieces' exchanges did against Κramnik, but then he played some
not improνe Black's position. 1t should haνe little improνement (knight οη a6 instead
been better for Shiroν to choose any other of knight οη c6) and then it became clear
opening. Κramnik's second E.Bareeν had to me that all my actiνe play would lead to
studied this νariant thoroughly, and though nowhere. There are enough pieces ίη the
Alexey οη his moνe 9 turned offthe road of final position but Ι don't haνe any actiνe
the 4th game Κramnik - Kasparoν, London plan. 1Π play actiνely it leads only to some
2000, White gradually got a slight but last- new pieces exchanges and just total draw.
ing adνantage. Pawns of the black queen- Eνerything will be decided tomorrow.
side were weak. Shiroν gaνe υρ an ex- Q: You have already played ίn tie-
406
break before, and Anand will be play-
ing his first tie-break ίn this champi-
onship. Does it give you any advan-
tage?
Α: Ι don't know for whom it can be bet-
ter. Ι haνe a1ready got some experience
here, but he is not that tired. He is νery
good ίη rapid chess. Ι know that.
Q: Did you expect such a quick
draw after 17 moves?
Α: Ι wanted to p1ay. Ι didn't intend to
make a draw ίη 17 moνes. But once again Ι
repeat that he had prepared some good
ideas. We could haνe p1ayed some 5 more
moνes but it wou1d 1ead to a draw anyway.
Q: Are you satisfied that you had to
offer a draw playing with white?
Α: Ι am not satisfied at all, but his open-
ing is νery solid now. It is not so easy to
bring him to troub1e. Ι am not νery much
satisfied with the resu1t, but Ι am not νery
much upset, because when Ι was prepar-
ing for the game Ι could not find a real flaw
ίη his opening preparation. He is really well
prepared for this championship.
Q: Have you heard that ίn the Ιn­
dian game show Kramnik was called
world championship while you were
not even mentioned?
Α: That's νery strange. But it's just up
to you, journa1ists. Α wor1d champion ίη
peop1e's minds is the person whom you
present as a world champion. There has
been a 10t of noise about that Ρήνate match
ίη London between Kasparoν and Κram­
nik. Ιη rea1ity it was just a priνate match.
Α wor1d championship is what we are haν­
ing here.
M.Adams once again p1ayed the Russian
(Petroν's) Defence, which he had success-
fully emp10yed against Peter Sνid1er ear-
1ier ίη the championship. Ίbpa10ν cou1d not
get an adνantage, so the game was drawn
οη moνe 40. The Englishman was the first
semi-fina1ist. His consistency ίη the knock-
out Wor1d Championships is indeed re-
markab1e: fina1ist ίη Groningen, semi-fina1-
ist ίη Las Vegas and now.
Super Tournaments 2000
287 C42
Topalov (2707) - Adams (2755)
Notes by A.Kochyev
1.e4 e5 2.tίJf3 tίJί6 3.lbxe5 d6 4.lbf3
lbxe4 5.d4 d5 6.iιd3lbc6 7.0-0 iιe7 8.c4
lbb4 9.iιe2 0-0 10.lbc3 iιί5
B1ack chose one of possib1e continua-
tions ίη this well studied and popu1ar ρο­
sition, which usually giνes White a slight
but 1asting opening adνantage.
11.a3lbxc3 12.bxc3 tίJc6 13.~e1 dxc4
14.iιxc4 iιd6
White's position was good ίη case of
14 ... iιf6 15.iιf4 as we11.
15.tίJg5
Α good, dynamic moνe. Ιη case of
15.iιg5 '§d7 16.lbe5 iιxe5 17.dxe5 h6
18.'§xd7 iιxd7 19.i.h4 iιe6 20.i.d3 the
exchange ofthe bishops by 20.iιxe6?! fxe6
was certainly ίη Black's faνour. After
20 ... g5 Black was ΟΚίη the game Bo1ogan
- Karpoν, Buenos Aires 2000.
15... '§d7 16.'§f3 ~ae8
Α worthy response. B1ack must play
precise1y ίη this position if he wants to
maintain the equality.
17.~xe8 ~xe8 18.iιd2 tίJd8! 19.iιd3
iιxd3
Ιη case of 19 .. .iιg4 there was 20 .iιxh 7 +
Φh8 21.'§d3 g6, and both 22.iιxg6 fxg6
23. '§xg6 and 22.h3 iιf5 23. '§f.3 f6 24 ...txg6
i.xg6 25. '§xf6+ Yf:fg7 were actually not dan-
gerous for Black.
20.'§xd3 ί5
Mter 20 ... g6 21.tίJe4 iιe7 White's posi-
tion was somewhat better.
21.c4 iιe7 22.tίJf3 .1ιί6 23.~b1 b6
World Chess Chαmpionship
24.c5
Αη attempt to complicate matters, still
Black's counterchances are enough to de-
fend his position.
24 ... ~d5 25.cxb6 cxb6 26.Mb5 ~e4
27.~c4+ 'it>h8 28.h3 h6
Perhaps Black rejected 28 ... lbe6 be-
cause of 29.Iίd5
29.J::ι.b3 ~c6
Also 29 ... lbc6!? 30.J::ι.e3 ~b1+ was pos-
sible, and after the exchange 31.~h2 Mxe3
32 ...ixe3 Black's queen returned to the cen-
tre with 32 ... ~e4
30.~d3 ~d5 31.~b5
After the queen exchange the play pro-
ceeds to an approximately equal ending.
31 ... ~xb5 32.J::ι.xb5 lbe6 33.J::ι.d5 Φg8
34.J::ι.d7 J::ι.d8 35.Mxa7 lbxd4 36.lbxd4
..ixd4 37.Φf1 ~xf2 38.~xh6 ..id4 39...id2
Me8 40.J::ι.d7 J::ι.e4 41.g3 lh-1f2
A.Grischuk and ν.Τkachίeν again
agreed to a draw quickly.
E.Bareev ίη the French Defence made
a short castling and A.Shirov, of course,
made a long one. Evgeny played inaccu-
rately this time, gave up an exchange and
soon he resigned.
288 Cll
Shirov (2746) - Bareev (2702)
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.lbc3lbf6 4 ...ig5 dxe4
5.lbxe4 Jιe7 6.Jιxf6 Jιxf6 7.lbf3 lbd 7
8.~d2 ο-ο 9.0-0-0 Jιe7 10.Jιc4
The other way of development of the
white king's bishop was quite unpleasant
for Black as well: 10.~d3 with the idea to
put pressure upon h7 and provoke a weak-
ening of the pawn shelter of Black's king
to be followed by a pawn attack, for ex-
ample 10 ... b6 11.h4 Jιb7 12.l:th3 lbf6
13.lbxf6+ ..ixf6 14.lbg5 h6 15.lbh7 J::ι.e8
16.lbxf6+ ~xf617.g41', threateningtoopen
up the kingside after g5, Kharlov -
Sakalauskas, Skelleftea 1999.
10... lbf6
407
With the bishop οη c4, the opportunity
of 10 ... c5 looked dubious, because White
would have 11.d5!? exd5 (11 ... lbb6? 12.dxe6
lbxc413.exf7+ ~h814.~c3±) 12 ..txd5lbf6
13.lbxf6+ ..ixf6 14.1:the11', and it would be
rather difficult for Black to neutralize
White's pressure along the central files. Ιη
case of 10 ... b6 there was a strong 11.d5!1'.
However 10 ... a6!? really deserved atten-
tion, to be followed by 11.Jιb3 c6 12. ~f4
b5 13.h4 1::!.a7 14.lbeg5 lbf6 15.c3 ~c7!
16.lbe5 c5 17.~c2 cxd4 18.MXd4 (18.
~xd4!?) 18 ... h6", and, despite the great
number ofWhite's pieces οη the kingside,
it was not easy for him to find a concrete
way for a further attack ίη the game
Κhalifman - Bareev, Belgrade 1993.
11.Mhel
Ιη case ofll.lbxf6+ ..ixf612.J::ι.he1 after
12 ... I:ι.b8 13.lbe5 b5 14.~d3 .tί.b6!? 15.~e3
..ib7 16.g4 a6 17.f4 g6 18.g5 .tg7 19.h4
~d5", Black used non-standard methods
to gain good positions for his pieces ίη the
game Yermolinsky - Bareev, Luzern 1997.
11 ... lbd5?!
Black ignored an opportunity to sim-
plify the position by 11 ... lbxe4 12.Mxe4,
though the fol1owing line 12 ... b5!? 13 ...id3
(13.~xb5? was bad because of~d5 14.Jιd3
~xa2 15.c3 Mb8, Black attacking White's
king) 13 ... Jιb7 14.Me5!? (14.!lee1 c5 15.dxc5
..ixf3 16.gxf3 .txc5",) 14 ... ..ixf3 15.gxf3 a6
16 ..te4 Mb8", could have given him good
chances for extinguishing White's activity.
12.lbe5!
White's centralization enables him to
408
oppose to any demonstration of actiνity
from his opponent.
12 ... f5
The problems would haνe stayed un-
solνed if Black had chosen a more natu-
rally looking continuation. 80, ίη case of
12 ... LΔf6 White had 13.LΔg5!?, threatening
with LΔexf7, and after 13 ... t;ιd6 (13 ... c5 was
not bad because of 14.LΔexf7 with a fatal
attack) 14.f4 Black eνidently suffered prob-
lems, and after 12 ... f6 13.LΔf.3 the weak-
ness of the e6-pawn secured a stable ad-
νantage to White.
13 ...txd5 exd5?!
It seems that the οηlΥ chance to
struggle for an equal play ίη this game was
13 ... fxe4!?, and after 14 ...txe4 ..tg5 15.1:re3
t;ιf6 16.~f.3 (16. t;ιd3? t;ιxf2 17 ...txh7 + 'it>h8
18.LΔg6+ 'it>xh7 19.LΔxf8+ 'it>g8+) 16 ... ~xe3
17.fxe3 c5 18.~bH,though White's position
stilllooked nice and he had a fine compen-
sation for the exchange, consisting of a
pawn, full domination ίη the centre and
underdeνelopment ofBlack's queenside, it
was quite unclear how he could haνe rein-
forced his pressure.
14.LΔc5..tg5?!
Black wants to close up the position and
allows White to take a firm control oνer
e5: 14 ... t;ιd6 was slightly better here, eνen
though after 15.f4 (the νariation with the
seizure ofthe e-file by 15.1:re2 b6 16.LΔcd3
c5 17.1:rdeH deserνed attention as well)
15 ... b6 16.LΔcd3 c5 17.h3 White encoun-
tered ηο problems, opening up the play οη
the kingside by g2-g4.
15.f4 ~f6 16.h3 t;ιd617.LΔcd3 b6 18.g4
c5 19.95 ~d8 20.t;ιg2!
There is ηο defence against g6, and,
combined with the opening up of the g-
file and the threats along the e- and g-
file, this establishes a decisiνe adνantage
to White.
20 ...1:rb8 21.g6 c4
If Black had tried to keep the g-file
closed by 21 ... h6, then after 22.LΔf7 t;ιc6
23.LΔda5 t;ιa8 24.LΔxd8 1:rxd8 25.LΔf7 1:rf8
26.1:re7 the intrusion of White's pieces
Super Tournαments 2000
would haνe secured him an oνerwhelming
positional adνantage.
22.LΔb4! ..Iiιb7
Ιη case of 22 ... t;ιxb4? 23. t;ιxd5+ 'it>h8
24.LΔf7+ 'it>g8 25.LΔh6+ 'it>h8 26.t;ιg8+ 1:rxg8
27.LΔf7# there was a smothered mate there.
23.gxh7+ ~xh7 24.1:rgl t;ιh6
Ιη case of 24 ... 1:rg8, after 25. t;ιf3!?
(25.LΔf7 t;ιxf4+ 26.~b1 g6 27.LΔxd5±) 25 ... g6
26.1:rg2 a5 (26 ... t;ιxb4 27.LΔxg6 ~h6 28.
LΔe5+-) 27.1:rdgl+- Black had ηο defence
against the threats along the g-file.
25.t;ιf3!
This moνe is much stronger than an
immediate 25.LΔd7 ..tc7 26.LΔxf8+ .1:'i:xf8
27.LΔxd5 i..xf4+ 28.'it>b1 l:Id8 29.t;ιxg7+
t;ιxg7 30.1:rxg7+ Φχg7 31.LΔxf4 ~f6±,White
οηlΥ winning a pawn as a result.
25 ... ~f6
Also Black did not hold out ίη case of
25 ... Itc8 26.Itg6 t;ιh4 27.c3 ..Iiιf6 28.Itdg1
Itfe8 29.LΔc2. The next manoeuνre LΔe3
destroyed Black's position completely. Ιη
the actual game White, apart from the ρο­
sitional adνantage, gains an exchange.
26.LΔd7 1:rbd8 27.LΔxf8+ 1:rxf8 28.LΔxd5
~h8 29.t;ιa3 1-0
Conνersation with GM A.Shirov
ΒΥ Dαmir Levαcic αnd Vαlery Sαlov
Levacic: Do you think it is better to
lose the first game or the second one?
8hiroν: It is better not to lose at all, es-
pecially ίη the knockout format. Bareeν is
such a tough opponent that you neνer know
whether you beat him when you need to.
Actually, Ι haνe won many matches against
him. Today Ι won him for the 10th time
while he won 4 games against me. Ιη fact
we haνe many decisiνe games and νery few
draws. But one thing is to win ίη the nor-
mal tournament, the other thing is to win
here.
Salov: Ι think that Bareev was very
well prepared for the yesterday's
game.
Levacic: Are you going to prepare
World Chess Championship
for the tie-break very thoroughly?
Shiroν: Ι played many rapid games and
so far all my matches ended ίη tie-break.
Tie-break, December 11
One can't fail to recall Anand's similar
νictory oνer Κhalifman ίη the 1st knock-
out World Championship at Groningen ίη
1997. Κhalifman was completely winning
with Black pieces ίη the second game but
his nerνes failed him at crucial moment
and he offered a draw ίη a winning rook
ending. Something of that kind happened
ίη India. Khalifman ίη the 25-minute
games stood a better chance, but Anand
managed to hold out. Ιη the 2nd game
Κhalifman was especially close to a νictory.
Again, like 3 years ago, it was a rook end-
ing and again it ended ίη a draw. Α new
FIDE World Champion appeared after the
game with 15-minute control. Alexander
(Black) chose a well-known exchange of a
piece for three pawns ίη the Slaν Defence.
Though the position looks equal, it's harder
to play it with Black. At the Istanbul Olym-
piad 2000 he played this νariation against
Topaloν unsuccessfully. Now Κhalifman
played inaccurately οη moνes 25 and 26,
lost his pawn and the game.
289 D17
Anand (2762) - Khalifman (2667)
Game 5 15-minute
Notes by A.Kochyev
ι.tίJf3 CL\f6 2.c4 c6 3.CL\c3 d5 4.d4 dxc4
5.a4 ~f5 6.CL\e5
This continuation leads to an actiνe
play ίη which White's prospects will be
somewhat better. The line 6.e3 e6 7.~xc4
jιb4 leads to a quieter play.
6 ... e6 7.f3 ~b4 8.e4 ~xe4
Complications which appear ίη this line
seem to be studied thoroughly. The prac-
tice of super tournaments shows that
White's chances are slightly better here.
409
9.fxe4 CL\xe4 10 ...id2 ~xd4 11.CL\xe4
~xe4+ 12.~e2 ..ixd2+ 13.Φχd2 ~d5+
14.Φc2
14.Φc3 b5? 15.~d1 ~c5 16.axb5 cxb5
(16 ... 0-0) 17. ~e4 ο-ο 18. ~xa8 ~xe5+ 19.
Φc2 CL\a6 20.~f3lhb4+ 21.Φb1+-
14 ... CL\a6 15.CL\xc4 ο-ο 16.~e5
ΑΙΙ these moνes occurred many times
already. Black has three pawns νs. a piece,
and White's king is badly protected, how-
eνer the practice oftop players proνes that
it's not so easy for Black to get to it, and ίη
the endgame White's extra piece usually
secures better chances for him.
16 ... ~ab8 17.a5 f6
Black makes his opponent define the
position of his queen. Of course, 17 ... ~e5
18.CL\e5 with White's obνious adνantage
had ηο sense. The line 17 ... Y-fd8 18.~e2 f6,
tested ίη the game Topaloν - Κhalifman,
Istanbul 2000 was not better.
18.~xd5 cxd5 19.CL\e3 Y-bc8+ 20.ΦbΙ
The moνe 20.Φd2 was worse because
of CL\c5 with the t1ιreats of both CL\b3 and
CL\e4.
20 ... CL\c521.Y-a3!
The rook enters the play most success-
fully. As a whole, the position should be
estimated as complex but more promising
to White.
21 ... f5
Ιη case of 21 ... d4 there was 22.CL\g4,
completing White's kingside deνelopment.
22.~e2 CL\e4 23.Y-dl ~c7 24.CL\c2
White reinforces pressure, gradually
improνing his position. The d4-square
looks now as an ideal stand for the knight.
24 ... Φf7 25.CL\d4 CL\d6
There was a threat of CL\b5, and ίη case
of25 ... a6 White had an unpleasant 26.Y-b3.
26.a6 b6
Black might haνe paid attention to the
line 26 ... Y-b8!? 27.Y-b3 Φf6 28.Y-c1 Y-xc1+
29.Φχc1 Y-c8+!?
27.Y-e3 Y-e8 28.~el!? CL\e4
Νο 28 ... e5? because of 29.CL\b5, White
winning the game.
29.CL\b5 ~d7 30.~cl CL\c5
410
3ι.tiJd4!?
Creating the threat of ..ib5 and b4, driν­
ing the black king away. Anand plays bril-
liantly and safely preνents Black from ad-
νancing his central pawns, so his position
is νery hard.
31 ... ~a8 32.b4 tΔe4 33 ...ib5 ~d6
33 ... l:ϊe7 was losing because of 34.tΔc6
l:ϊee8, and then 35.tΔe5+.
34.l:ϊc7 + ~f6 35 ...ic6
Practically, the game is oνer.
35 ... l:ϊf8 36.tΔb51:!.dd8 37.l:ϊxa7 tΔd2+
38.~cl tΔc4 39.l:ϊe2 tΔe5 40.l:ϊc7 .ί':ι.c8
41 ..ib71-0
The pawn cannot be stopped.
Ιη the last game Anand confidently ex-
changed his pieces, and notwithstanding
that Alexander had two bishops against
two knights, he achieνed a draw.
Conversation with GM A.Κhalifrnan
ΒΥ Vαlery Sαlov
Q: First of all, tell me, please, a few
words about the tie-break match with
Anand. Ιη the first game weren't you
slightly worse at the moment when
you proposed a draw after 22:i;td4?
Α: Νο, Ι don't think so. Ι had a blackout
when Ι p1ayed 18 ..ic7. Ι was νery angry
with myse1f: it was a 10ss of a νery impor-
tant tempo. ΜΥ opponent didn't p1ay well
ίη the opening. 18 ...ie5 tΔe5 19.~e5 instead
wou1d haνe led to a stab1e adνantage for
White.
Q: Perhaps, you should have cap-
Super Tournαments 2000
tured οη e5 with your rook anyway?
Α: Quite possib1e. But Ι don't think that
Ι was worse ίη the final position. How?
Because he offers exchange of queens οη
c5 (after 22 ... l:ϊac8 23 ...ib3)? Perhaps, Ι can
play 24. '§f4 after that, there is a1ways some
counterp1ay.
Q: If 24.'§f4, he can play 24 ... '§b6.
ΟΚ. Perhaps it's just a moral advan-
tage.
Α: Ιη this sense you are right, of course,
eνerything changed so quickly ίη Black's
faνour.
Q: What about the second game? Νο
doubt, you had a huge advantage,
even a forced win twice.
Α: Yes. Ι was just destined not to win it.
Q: And the third one?
Α: Just a catastrophe. Ι simply didn't
recoνer after the second game. Hadn't Ι
discoνered the win immediately after Ι had
missed it ... hadn't it been so simple ... Ι cou1d
haνe continued the fight. But this feeling
ofhaνing missed something so simple, the
νictory ίη the match being so c1ose, it just
knocked me down.
Q: It's interesting that ίη this tour-
nament all top rated players except
Morozevich have qualified for the
semi-finals.
Α: Yes, it is true. What can Ι say, they
all p1ayed well and deserνed it.
Bareeν with Black changed the French
Defence into the Caro-Kann, but Shiroν
still managed to get a sharp play.
Conversation with GM A.Shirov
ΒΥ Dαmir Levαcic
Q: Maybe this is the best day of
your life.
Α: Well. .. The day when Ι beat Κramnik
ίη the match was the best day of my chess
1ife. Talking about the best day ofmy 1ife, Ι
think, Ι can remember some other day.
Anyway, Ι am νery satisfied because it is
the first time when Ι qualified for semi-
final.
World Chess Chαmpionship
Q: What can you say about today's
games?
Α: Ιη the first game Ι managed to use
my preparation which was actually my
preparation for the second normal game,
because Ι expected the Caro-Kann De-
fence. Then ίη the rapid game it was diffi-
cult for my opponent, because Ι made all
the moves very quickly and he had not
much time to react. Ιη the second game he
made some real problems, because Ι
thought that position was absolutely ίηηο­
cent, but then Ι made this stupid move c5
and when he played a4, Ι realized that my
position was really very difficult. Ι was lost
because Ι had ηο defence against 'a5' and
then Ι had to change οη d5 anyway. Ι saw
ROUND 5 PAIRINGS AND RESULTS
1 Anand V. IND 2762 ys
3 AdamsM. ENG 2755 vs
46 GrischukA RUS 2606 ΝS
8 Bareeν Ε. RUS 2702 vs
Round6
Game 1, December 12
The game between M.Adams and V.
Anand was mainly a psychological battle.
Michael had employed an interesting theo-
retical sideline 10 ... ..Itfl5 ίη as many as three
important games here. Ananm forced
Adams to be οη the other side of the board
today. Anand's choice certainly worked and
Adams was unable to get much from the
opening. Anyway, he did not succeed to get
much from the opening and the players
agreed to a draw ίη middlegame.
Interview with GM V.Anand
Q: What were your feelings during
the game?
Α: First Ι thought that strong position
of my queen οη d5 and knight οη c4 was ίη
411
that my best practical chance was to go for
the endgame. It looks very dangerous and
may be even subjectively lost, but ίη the
rapid chess Ι had a chance to survive.
Q: Who is your favourite to qualify
for the semifinals?
Α: Ι don't know. Of course, Anand was
ίη a very good form. He didn't play ίη the
Olympiads. He came here fresh. But, who
knows ...
Ιη the second tie-break game Grischuk
(White) transferred the game into a major
pieces' ending, where v.Tkachiev's king's
position was not good. As the first game
ended ίη a draw, Alexander would play ίη
the semifinals with Shirov.
Gl G2 Final
21 Κhalifman Α. RUS 2667 = = 3.5-2.5
7 Topaloν V BUL 2797 1-0 = 1.5-0.5
26 Tkachieν V FRA 2657 = = 2.5-1.5
4 ShirovA ESP 2746 1-0 0-1 1.5-2.5
itself sufficient counterplay. But then Ι
realised that ίη fact it was not satisfactory
for the purpose of counterplay. He shouldn't
have let me swap my e6-pawn for his 'c3'
pawn, for it was clearly a burden to be car-
ried for the whole game. This is probably
not so trivial because he saw some varia-
tion where Ι could collect his queenside
pawns with queen οη c6 and knight οη b6.
Probably, it's not so difficult. ΜΥ position
is worse, but Ι am holding οη. Even if he
takes οη e6 and his knight is favourably
placed, it is οηlΥ good enough for perpetual.
Probably, we have one more game or couple
of games to play.
Q: Did you want to find out how to
play against the Petrov's Defence with
White?
Α: Yes, Ι thought it might be useful.
412
Q: Did you get the answer?
Α: He didn't give me exact1y a book with
all his ana1yses, but I've got some ideas.
Grischuk p1ayed a rare variant of the
Ruy Lopez. Alexey Shirov seized the ίηί­
tiative, but Alexander had some opportu-
nities to draw. But he did not use them and
A1exey de1ivered a strong b10w with his
knight. Grischuk gave his queen for the
rook and the bishop. Shirov chose a genius
p1an to rea1ize his advantage. He returned
the queen and transferred the game to a
winning pawn ending.
290 C65
Shirov (2746) - Grischuk (2606)
1.e4 e5 2.4:Jf3 4:Jc6 3.SΙb5 4:Jf6 4.0-0
.I1.c5 5.4:Jxe5 4:Jxe4
The a1ternative opportunity was 5 ...
4:Jxe5, and after 6.d4 a6 (none the better
was 6 ... c6 7.dxe5 4:Jxe4 8.SΙd3 d5 9.exd6
4:Jf6 10.Me1+! .ie6 11.4:Jc3 ~xd612.~f3 0-
ο-ο? 13.SΙf5 ~d7 14 ..I1.xe6 fxe6 15 ..ie3!±,
and B1ack had prob1ems with the defence
of his weakened queenside and the e6-
pawn ίη the game Fedorowicz - Kaidanov,
USA 1993) 7 ..ie2 .ia7 8.dxe5 4:Jxe4 9.~d5!
~h4 10.g3 4:Jxg3 11.hxg3 ~xg3+ 12. ~g2
~xe5 13.4:Jc3 ο-ο 14.1ιd2 d6 15.l:tae1 ~f5
16.4:Jd5± a position appeared, ίη which
White's centra1ized knight was obvious1y
stronger than B1ack's three pawns owing
to White's considerab1e deve10pment ad-
vantage and the activity of his pieces,
Pav10vic - Jukic, Linares 1996.
6.~e2
6.4:Jxf7!? deserved attention to be fo1-
10wed by ι;t>xf7 7.~h5 g6 8.~d5 c3;g7 9.~xe4
d5 10. ~a4 4:Jd4 (Keres offered an interest-
ing recommendation of 10 ... Mf8iii with the
idea to arrange threats to White's king as
soon as possib1e) 11.c3 4:Jxb5 12. ~xb5 SΙd6
13.d3 J::tf8 14 ..ie3 ~h4 15 ..id4+ Φh6 16.g3
~h5 17.4:Jd2;!;, and the bishop pair was an
insufficient compensation for the pawn to
B1ack because of the position of his king,
Super Tournαments 2000
Ulibin - Vasiukov, E1ista 1996.
6 ... 4:Jxe5 7.d4 .I1.e7 8.~xe4 4:Jg6 9.f4!?
White wants to make a profit οη the
unhappy position of B1ack's knight imme-
diate1y and to seize more space οη the
kingside by f5 to start then an attack. Α
quieter 9.c4 ο-ο 10.4:Jc3 c6 11.1ιa4 f5 12. ~f.3
d6 13.Me1.if6", was 1ess promising to White
because there were ηο rea1 weak points ίη
B1ack's position.
9 ... c6
An outward1y risky 9 ... 0-0!? was inter-
esting: after 10.f5 d5 11. ~e2 4:Jh4 12 ..id3
g6", White wou1d have ηο concrete p1an of
profiting from the weakened position of
B1ack's king and the undefended h4-
knight.
10.SΙd3 d5 1l.~e2 f5
Ιη case of11 ... 0-0 after 12.f5 4:Jh8 (there
was ηο 12 ... 4:Jh4? because of 13.g3) 13 ..if4
B1ack wou1d fee1 quite squeezed.
12.4:Jd2 ο-ο 13.4:Jf3 4:Jh8!?
B1ack wants to transfer his knight by
the route 4:Jf7-d6-e4 ίη order to equa1ize
the chances ίη the strugg1e for the centre,
but it takes too 10ng.
14..id2 a5!?
B1ack takes contro1 over b4. Ιη case of a
straightforward 14 ... 4:Jf7 15.Mae1 .if6
16.SΙb4 4:Jd6 17.4:Je5 Me8 18.SΙxd6 ~xd6
19.c3;!; White wou1d have exchanged
B1ack's bishop and occupied e5 with his
own, thus gaining fine opportunities for a
further deve10pment of his activity ίη the
centre and οη the kingside.
15.c4!
World Chess Chαmpionship
White is better deνeloped, so it would
be adνantageous for him to open υρ the
play. Ιη a less νigorous line 15.CUe5 cuf7
16.Mael itf6 17.c3 cud6= Black equalized
the play ίη the centre.
15 ... CUf716.cxd5 cxd5 17.Macl!
White puts the rook to the open file,
preνenting a transfer of Black's knight to
e4.
17... i.f6
There was ηο 17 ... cud6?! 18.Mc5 CUe4?
because of 19.Mxd5 ~xd5 20.itc4+-
18.b4!
Proνiding the d2-bishop with a job
along the a3-f8 diagonal. 18.CUe5 was not
as good because ofthe same knight trans-
fer 18 ... CLJd6 19.Mfe1 (ηο 19.b4 because of
19 ... ~b6) 19 ... CLJe4°o
18... a4
There was a number of quite useless
continuations: 18 ... b6 19.bxa5 bxa5 20.
Mc5±; 18 ... axb4 19.i.xb4 J:!.e8 20.CLJe5 Ma4
21.a3± with the idea of i.b5; 18 ... 1:te8
19.CLJe5 ~b6 20.i.b5 J:::ι.d8 21.bxa5 ~xd4+
22 ...ie3 ~e4 23.i.d3 ~a4 24 ...ib6±. Ιn all
these lines White maintains his adνantage
because of the better mobilisation of his
pieces.
19.b5 Me8 20.CLJe5 CLJd6 21 . ..I1ιb4 CLJe4
22 ...ixe4 dxe4
This capture creates White's strong
passed pawn ίn the centre. Howeνer, the
alternatiνe capture 22 ... fxe4 after 23. ~h5!
..I1ιe6 24.f5 ..ixe5 25.dxe5 itf7 26. ~g4 Mxe5
27.~g3 ~f6 (ίη case of 27 ... :!:1e8 28.f6 g6
29. ~f4 Me6 30 ...I1ιe7+- Black's king fell υη­
der the mating threats, coming from dark
squares) 28 ...ic3 gaνe White strong attack,
νery dangerous because ofthe presence of
opposite-coloured bishops οη the board.
For example, ίη case of28 ... Mae8 White had
a quiet moνe 29 ...I1ιd4!, and Black suddenly
turned helpless: 29 ... e3 (ίη case of 29 ... h6
the solution was ίη the ίη the intrusion
3ω:tc7 e3 31.Mxb7 e2 32.Me1+-) 30.Mfel h6
3U~c3 e2 32.MC2 ~h7 33.~exe2+-
23 ..i:Hdl ..I1ιe6
The idea of 23 ... e3, trying to obtain a
413
firm control oνer the d5-square, did not
work because of 24. ~xe3 ~d5 25.a3 ~xb5
(otherwise there was Mc5) 26.d5t, Black's
position was hardly defendable here.
24.d5..id7?!
Black had better practical chances ίη
case of 24 ... :!:1c8. After 25.Mxc8 ~xc8 26.d6
(26.CLJc4 ~c7 27.d6 ~f7 28.d7 ..ixd7 29.CLJd6
~e6 30.CLJxe8 ~xe8±) ..ixe5 27.fxe5 ..id7
28.~c4+ ite6 29.~c7 ~d7± Black kept cer-
tain chances to hold out ίn the blockade of
dark squares. It was probably better for
White to go 25.dxe6!?, since after 25 ... Mxc1
26.~xc1 ~d4+ 27.~h1 ~xb4 28.~h5 g6
29.CLJxg6 ~b2 there would be a strong and
non-standard 30.Mg1!? with the idea to
open υρ the g-file by g4, for example after
30 ... Mxe6 (ίn case of 30 ... ~xa2 White's at-
tack was irresistible after 31.g4) 31. ~xf5
(31.g4 hxg6 32. ~xg6+ ιJtf8 33.g5 ~c3
34.gxf6 ~f3=) 31 ... ~xa2 32.Mcl-7, continu-
ing the attack.
25.CLJc6! ~c8
Ιη a more persistent νariation with
25 ... ..I1ιxc6 26.dxc6 ~c7 27.Md7 ~xf4
28.~c4+ ιJth8 29 ...id2 ~g4 30.MXb7 Mad8
31.Md7 White's far adνanced passed pawns
would haνe decided the game ίη his faνour
as well.
26.CLJe7+ ~xe7 27.~xc8 Maxc8 28.
~xe7 1axe7 29.d6 Mf7
If 29 ... Me6, then 30. ~e3 to be followed
by ~b6.
30.Md5 Mcl+ 31.ιJtf2 1:tf8 32.Me5!
White plays his main trump card, the
passed d-pawn, and the following forced
414
p1ay shows that this is the shortest way to
achieve the goal.
32 ...1::tfc8 33.1::te71::tlc2 34.1::txd7 1::txe2+
35.~xe2 b6 36.1::tb71::tc2+
Α passive 36 ... 'it>f8 1eft B1ack ηο hope
after 37.'it>e3. He either would have to part
with his pawns ίη this line or, ifhe removed
the rook from the back rank, White's king
would have come to his camp, supporting
the passed pawn and creating some mat-
ing threats οη the way.
37.'it>e3 I:tc3+ 38.~d41::td3+ 39.~e5 e3
40.~e6 h6 4u::te7 1::td4
Ιη case of 41 ... e2 42.~e8+ 'it>h7 43.<Jtd7
White stopped Black's passed pawn and
queened his own.
42.'it>d7 .se4 43 ..sxe4 fxe4 44.<Jte7 1-0
There was ηο sense ίη any further
struggle because of 44 ... e2 45.d7 e1 ~
46.d8~+ 'it>h7 47.~f7
Conversation with αΜ J.Magem,
second of αΜ 8hirov
ΒΥ Damir Leυacic
Q: 80, are you happy?
Α: Yes, we are happy for the moment
and we hope for more.
Q: Did you prepare specially for
New Delhi?
Α: Yes we had a few sessions before
Istanbul with all Spanish Olympic team.
These sessions were done under excellent
condition οη Mallorca.
Q: You started to work together
there?
Α: Yes, but his main second is GM
Mikhail Rytshagov from Estonia. Mikhail
played and lost to Bacrot ίη the first round
and returned back.
Q: Do you share the pressure?
Α: Very much! It's the first time that Ι
am doing it at such a level. It is very diffi-
cult during the tie-break wherein Ι am not
able to stay and look.
Q: Is the preparation the same for
this match offour games as compared
with previous rounds?
Α: Νο, It's much better now. We have
Super Tournaments 2000
more interest, more discussions about the
variation. We can improve and change! It
is more interesting for the players and
trainers!
Q: Has 8hirov shown his in-depth
opening preparation here?
Α: Ν ot a1ways. But especially with white
pieces he has been a success. He is very
quiet and he doesn't want to run risks 1ike
he did against Nisipeanu ίη Las Vegas ίη
1999.
Q: Has it been difficult to prepare
against young Grischuk?
Α: Yes, he is very young but for the past
two years he is playing ίη many top tour-
naments. He is very strong. Ι compare him
with Bobby Fischer!
Q: Mter this victory ίη the first
game are you already packing your
bags, mentally, to Tehran?
Α: ΑΙΙ the four players have already
made visas for Iran! As for us, it is still very
far!
Game 2, December 13
Although Anand's victory came ίη the
second game, he had already won the psy-
chological battle when he successfully em-
ployed the Petrov's Defence ίη the first
game ofthe match. At 1east Adams played
with B1ack not the Petrov's Defence, but
the Ruy Lopez. The opponents had studied
and played that position for both Black and
White, but ίη this game Anand gained the
advantage. Then the Indian GM seized the
οηlΥ open file, moved his knight to the cen-
tre and Michae1 had to resign.
291 C78
Anand (2762) - Adams (2755)
Notes by A.Kochyeυ
l.e4 e5 2.tiJf3 CΔc6 3.Jιb5 a6 4.Jιa4 CΔf6
5.0-0 i1ιc5
This old variation became recently topi-
cal again.
World Chess Chαmpionship
6.c3 b5 7.iιc2
White cannot gain much from the line
7 .d4 bxa4 8.dxc5 'lfie7 9. 'lfixa4 'lfixc5 10.iιe3
'lfie7, and Black has an equal play as ίη the
fourth game Anand - Adams, New Delhi
(m/4) 2000.
7 ... d6
Αη interesting attempt to play ίη the
spirit ofthe Marshall Attack was made ίη
the game Anand - Shirov, Tehran (ml2)
2000: 7 ... d5 8.a4!? (if 8.d4, then dxe4
9.CLJxe5 CLJxe5 10.dxe5 'lfixdl 11.J:!.xdl CLJg4
12.iιxe4°o with complex play Shirov -
Ivanchuk, Monte Carlo 1998; Shirov -
Onischuk, Luebeck 2000) 8 ... dxe4 9.axb5
iιg4 10.SΙxe4 CLJxe4 11.bxc6 with certain
advantage to White.
8.a4 iιg4 9.h3 iιh5 10.d3 0-0 11.CLJbd2
White can play here J:!.el, CLJf1-g3, and
then opportunely d4, keeping good pros-
pects, however he should be careful not to
allow the cοuηterstήke d6-d5.
1l ...b4
12.a5!
An important move. White fixes Black's
weak point οη a6, and his bishop gets an
opportunity to be enter the play actively
through a4.
12 •.. J:!.b8 13.g4
13.'lfie2 bxc3 14.bxc3 d5 15.d4 exd4
16. 'lfixa6 dxc3 17. 'lfixc6 cxd2 18.CLJxd2 iιd4
19.J:!.a4 dxe4 20.CLJxe4 Svidler - Adams,
Neum 2000. 13.1:lel occurred ίη this posi-
tion as well.
13 ... SΙg6 14.CLJc4 bxc3 15.bxc3 'lfic8
There was ηο 15 ... d5 because ofthe cap-
415
ture 16.CLJcxe5; af· for the move 15 ... 1:le8,
there was an unpleasant ρίη 16.iιa4.
16.iιa4 CLJa7
Black is suffeήηg certain difficulties. Ιη
case of 16 ... CLJe7 he should reckon with
17.iιg5, creating rather an unpleasant
positional threat of iιf6. The move CLJa7
occurs ίη similar positions. The knight's
stand οη the edge of the board can't be re-
garded as absolutely hopeless here, so it
can be activated again through b5.
17.iιe3 iιxe3 18.CLJxe3 c6
Black covers the d5-square and wants
to improve the co-ordination of his pieces
with 'lfic7. This move has a serious defect
because it weakens the important d6-
square.
19.'lfid2 'lfic7 20.c4 c5?!
Α move withoHt a purpose: there was
anyway ηο 21 ... CLJc6? because of22.g5 CLJh5
23.CLJd5 'lfic8 24.iιxc6 'lfixc6 25.CLJe7+- to be
followed by CLJc5.
21.CLJh4 ς,t>h8
Now Black is ready to play CLJc6, and he
would be ΟΚ ifhe made this move, but ...
22.g5! CLJh5 23.CLJd5
Emphasizing White's advantage. He
οηlΥ needs to occupy the b-file and come
to the b6-square to make Black's position
really bad.
23 ... 'lfid8 24.J:!.tbl CLJf4
What else could have been done here?
25.CLJxf4 'lfixg5+ 26.CLJhg2 exf4 27.J::!.b6!
Α strong move, the f4-pawn will not
escape anyway. White's advantage grows
decisively.
27 ... J:!.bd8 28.~xf4 ~e7
Ιη case of a queen exchange by means
of 28 ... 'lfixf4 29.CLJxf4, Black's position is
very hard too.
29.l:tabl CLJc8 30.J:!.b7!
Another good move. Ιη case of 30.J:!.xa6
Black could have organized a certain
counterplay by 30 ... f5!.
30 ... 'lfie631.'lfig5!
Preparing the f4-square for the knight
and almost stalemating Black.
31 ... h6 32. 'lfig3 'lfif6 33.CLJf4 CLJe7 34.
416
Φg2
White eνen ignored the opportunity to
take two pieces for a rook with 34 ..ί:rxe7
'ltixe7 35. 'ltixg6.
34 ...ct::Jg8 35.ct::Jd5 'ltie6 36..tdl ι-ο
The board is fuII ofpieces, and the ma-
terial balance is maintained, howeνer
Black cannot continue the struggle. Anand
wins an exceIIent νictory.
Now one cannot but belieνe ίη omens!
Οη the 13th August 1999 8hiroν lost a cru-
cial game ίη the World Championship to
Nisipeanu and was out of the Champion-
ship. Alexey endured a lot from the 13th
Champion. His loss today - οη the 13th of
December. Grischuk with White played a
keen νariation of the 8icilian Defence.
8hiroν repeIIed his young opponent's at-
tacks, but οη the moνe 28 blundered ίη an
equal position and resigned.
292 Β90
Grischuk (2606) - Shirov (2746)
l.e4 c5 2.ct::Jf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.ct::Jxd4
ct::Jf6 5.ct::Jc3 a6 6.f3 'ltib6
Αη uncommon continuation. Black
makes the actiνe d4-knight leaνe the cen-
tre. Yet, οη the other hand, the early de-
νelopment of Black's queen enables his
opponent to gain an extra tempo later by
deνeloping his bishop to e3.
7.ct::Jb3 ct::Jc6
Α different arrangement of pieces for
Black implied that he deνeloped this
knight to d7, for example 7 ... e6 8. 'ltie2 (also
8.a4 made sense here, and ίη case of
8 ... ct::Jbd7 White could haνe played 9.a5,
making use ofthe absence ofBlack's firm
control oνer the a5-square. Ιη this line af-
ter 9 ... 'ltic7 10 ..te3 ct::Jc5 11.ct::Jd2 e5 12.ct::Jc4
.te6 13.ct::Jd5 ct::Jxd5 14.exd5 .tf5 15.ct::Jb6;1;
White gained an adνantage ίη the game
Bermejo Martinez - 8tolerman, Oropesa
del Mar 1999) 8 ... ct::Jbd7 9 ..te3 'ltic7 10.g4
h6 11.a4 b6 12.f4 .tb7 13 ...Itg2 ..Ite7 14.0-0.
80 White gained a more actiνe position,
Super Tournαments 2000
and Black had to be νery accurate here.
For example, a standard 14 ... g5 would be
untimely, so after the principal 15.fxg5
hxg5 16 ...Itxg5 d5 17.e5 ct::Jxe5 18.~xf6 ct::Jxg4
19.'ltixg4 'ltixh2+ 20.c;t>f2 ~xf6 21.kth1.1th4+
22.c;t>f3 d4+ 23.ct::Je4 ~xe4+ 24.c;t>xe4± White
gained a material adνantage without any
real compensation for Black ίη the game
Korneeν - Sotnikoν, Elista 1995.
8.'ltie2 e6 9 ..lte3 'ltic7 10.g4
There was a more restrained approach
of 10.0-0-0 b5 11. 'ltif2 .ί:rb8 12.c;t>b1 .lte7
13.g4 ο-ο 14.g5 ct::Jd7 15.h4 ct::Jce5 16.h5 b4
17.ct::Je2 ct::Jc4, and though the game Korneeν
- Ljubojeνic, Villarrobledo 1998, was
drawn ίη this position, White's chances ίη
an attack οη the kingside looked prefer-
able ίη comparison with Black's chances
οη the queenside owing to the opportunity
ofg6.
10 ...b5
Black wants to organize a counterat-
tack immediately. ReaIIy, 10 ... h6 was worse
since it οηlΥ delayed White's adνance for a
short moment. Later this fact might οηlΥ
faνour an adνantageous opening up ofthe
play for White, because after 11.0-0-0 b5
12.h4 .ltb7 13 ..ί:rg1 ct::Je5 14.g5 hxg5 15.hxg5
ct::Jfd7 16.f4 ct::Jc417.~d4 Black had problems
hiding his king, and ίη the line 17 ... e5
18.ct::Jd5 ~xd5 19.exd5 0-0-0 20.fxe5 dxe5
21 ..ltf2± these problems οηlΥ grew eνen
more ίη the game Grischuk - Crush,
Thorshaνn 2000.
11.0-0-0 ~b7
Black plays, complying with the coun-
terattack strategy he has chosen earlier,
and eνery tempo is important for him be-
cause White can deνelop his own attack
without suffering any particular difficul-
ties, for example ίη the game Leko -
Topaloν, Batumi 1999, after 11 ... .te7
12.c;t>b1 CΔd7 13. 'ltif2 .tb7 14.g5 .ί:rc8 15 ..ί:rg1
ο-ο 16.h4 b4 17.CΔa4 CΔce5 18.CΔb6 CΔb6
19.~b6 'ltib8 20.~h3 CΔc4 21.~a7 'ltic7 22.h5
a5 23.g6-7 White was first to open up the
position ofthe opponent's king.
12.h4 .ί:rc8 13.c;t>bl ct::Jd7 14 ..ί:rgl
World Chess Chαmpionship
Black managed already to create real
threats to his counterpart by an actiνe play.
80 ίη case of a straightforward 14.g5 he
had 14 ... b4 15.CLJa4 CLJce5, threatening to
play CLJf3 and .ltc6. This was why White
moνed the rook away from the diagonal
a8-h1 ίη the game. Α prophylactic 14.a3!?
deserνed attention, and after 14 ... b4
15.axb4 CLJxb4 16.g5 CLJe5 (ηο 16 ... d5?! be-
cause of 17.exd5 CLJxd5? 18.CLJxd5 iιxd5
19.J:'!.xd5+-; howeνer 16 ... .lte7!? was pos-
sible, maintaining the balance) 17.f4 CLJc4
18. ~xc4 ~xc4 19 ..ltxc4 J:'!.xc4 20.CLJa5 J:'!.c7
21.CLJxb7 J:'!.xb7 22.f5;t with White's adνan­
tage ίn the endgame.
14... CLJce5 15. ~f2
Ιη case of15.f4 there was a nice 15 ... b4!?
(or 15 ... CLJc416 ..ltd4 b4-16 ... e5?! 17.CLJd51'
-17.CLJa4 d5!? 18.exd5 .ltxd5 19 ..ltxg7 .ltxg7
20.J:'!.xd5 ~c6 21.J:'!.g5 .ltf6 22.~xc4 ~xc4
23 ..ltxc4 ~xc4°o with an unclear play)
16.fxe5 bxc3 17.exd6 .ltxd6 18 ..ltd4 .lte5
19.bxc3 o-o~, and the poor position of
White's king compensated Black the miss-
ing pawn, at least.
15 ... b4 16.CLJa4 CLJxf3!
This strike works eνen after the rook
leaνes h1 because the a4-knight is unpro-
tected, and the squares c2 and e4 are pro-
tected insufficiently.
17.~xf3 ~c6
The alternatiνe opportunity of 17 ...
~xc2+ 18.<.t>a1 .ltxe4 19.~e2C() was not so
good. Black had ηο plan for increasing his
actiνity, and White's piece could haνe
turned out to be stronger than Black's
three pawns.
18.CLJac5!
White found his best chance, ίη case of
18.CLJa5? ~xc2+ 19.<.t>a1.1txe4-+ he was go-
ing to lose the game.
18... CLJxc5?
Α substantial inaccuracy. Better was
18 ... dxc5!, because Black needed the
knight if he wanted to preνent White's
bishop from appearing οη the a2-g8 diago-
nal. After 19.CLJa5 ~c7 20.CLJxb7 ~xb7
21.SΙg2 (21.SΙc4 CLJe5) 21 ... SΙeTt White had
417
ηο full compensation for the pawn despite
his bishop pair.
19.5Ιxc5 dxc5 20.CLJa5 ~c7
There was ηο 20 ... ~xe4? because of
21.~g3, threatening with iιg2. Α sharp
play after 21 ... ~f3 22.~e1 b3 (22 ... ~e4
23.~d2 iιd5 24.iιg2+-) 23.axb3 ~e4
24. ~d2 iιd5 25.iιg2 ~b4 26 ..ltxd5 ~xd2
27.J:'!.xd2 exd5 28.J:'!.e1+ iιe7 29.J:'!.de2 J:'!.c7
30.CLJc6 J:'!.xc6 3U~xe7+ <.t>d8 32.J:'!.xf7± would
haνe forced Black into a hard position with
White's rooks οη the seνenth rank.
21.CLJxb7 ~xb7 22 ..ltc4
Now that White's bishop has occupied
a safe and strong position, his plan is quite
simple: he only needs to auνance his
kingside pawns. 8upported by the c4-
bishop, they look quite dangerous, and it's
Black who must think about an equaliza-
tion ίη this position notwithstansing his
extra pawn.
22 ... .lte7 23.~e2 ~c6
There was ηο time for the defence of
the a6-pawn: 23 ... ~a8 24.g5 ο-ο 25.h5~ ,
and it's hard to repel the threat of g5-g6.
24.g5!
Quite naturally, White was struggling
for an adνantage already, so he rejected
24 ..ltxa6, because after 24 ... J:'!.b8 25 ..ltc4
ο-ο 26.g5 J:'!.bd8°o Black decreased his at-
tacking potential ΟΥ exchanges.
24 ... 0-0 25.h5 J:'!.cd8 26.g6 J:'!.xd1+
27.J:'!.xdl fxg6 28.hxg6
Α critical position for this game. Eνen
after exchanges White's threats are still
rather dangerous. 80, ίη case of a natural
418
28 ... hxg6 there was a forced line of29.'~g4
.ί::if630.e5 .ί::if5 31.'§xg6 .ί::ixe5 32.1:tg1 i,f6
(in case of 32 ... i,g5 the non-standard so-
lution for the problem would be to open υρ
the play οη the opposite flank by 33.a3!
bxa3 34.bxa3 '§b7+ 35.'.t>a2 '§e7 36 ..ί::ib1
'§d 7 37 . .ί::ib8+ i,d8 38. '§d3+-; 34 ... i,f6
35.'§xf6 .ί::ie1+ 36.'it>a2! Iιg1 37.i.e6 Φh7
38.i.f5+-; 34 ... i.h6 35.Φa2+-, and, after
White opens υρ one more file (b), Black's
position becomes just losing) 33. '§xf6! Iιe1
34 ..ί::ixe1 gxf6 35 ..ί::ixe6+-, Black's queen had
ηο place to hide away from the theratening
check. Black had to venture οη 28 ... h6!
29. '§g4 Φh8 30.i,xe6 '§c7!? 31.i,f7 c4~
since he had time ίη this case to create a
counterplay with the threats along the a1-
h8 diagonal.
But Black made a blunder at this very
moment.
28 ... .ί::if4??
The game is practically over.
29.'§h21-0
Now if 29 ... .ί::ih4, then 30.'§b8+ i,f8
31.Iιf1 '§d6 32.i.e6+-
Interview with GM A.Grischuk
Q: What can you say about the
opening?
Α: Ι played this variation 10 times and
scored something like 9.5 points. 80, Ι didn't
expect it from him.
Q: Did you sacrifice your f3-pawn?
Α: Νο, of course, Ijust blundered it, but
it turned out to be not so bad for me.
Q: Did you expect 28 ... .ί::if4? from
him?
Α: It's strange but Ι thought he could
playit because the move 29.'§h2 is not easy
to find for a human. For computer it is very
easy.
Q: What defence did you expect af-
ter 26.g6?
Α: Ι didn't expect because it's not my
business, Ι played οηlΥ moves, and it's him
who should find defence.
Q: But what did you calculate?
Super Tournαments 2000
Α: For example, Ι calculated the move
28 ... .ί::if4
Q: What did Shirov say after the
game? Ι saw that you were talking to
him.
Α: He agreed that Ι had a better posi-
tion after 26.g6. It was not easy for him.
Q: You are the only Russian hope
ίn this tournament. How do you feel
about it?
Α: It means that ηο other Russian play-
ers are here. ΟηΙΥ 8hirov and me speak
Russian.
Q: How are you going to prepare
for tomorrow?
Α: Ι will try to play a little bit better
than yesterday.
Game 3, December 14
M.Adams appeared to be much better
prepared in the opening today than the first
game of his match against VAnand. He
gained a slight advantage, but could not
realize it.
293 C42
Adams (2755) - Anand (2762)
Notes by A.Kochyev
l.e4 e5 2.cbf3 Cbf6 3.Cbxe5 d6 4.Cbf3
Cbxe4 5.d4 d5 6.i.d3 Cbc6 7.0-0 i.e7 8.c4
Cbb4 9.i.e2 ο-ο 10.Cbc3 i.f5 11.a3 Cbxc3
12.bxc3 Cbc6 13 ..ί::iel dxc4 14.i,xc4 i.d6
15 ..ί::ia2
First game between these opponents in
New Delhi continued with 15.i.g5 '§d7
16.Cbh4 Cba5 17.i.a2 i.e6 18.i,xe6 fxe6
19.Cbf3 .ί::iae8 20.i,h4. White gained a slight
advantage, however, after the exchange of
the light-squared bishop which was in
Black's favour ίη this variation, a position
with dynamic balance appeared οη the
board gradually, and finally the game was
drawn.
15,..'§d7
Α fundamental move. Ιη case of 15 ...
World Chess Chαmpionship
ctJa5 White plays 16.itd3 because a2 is oc-
cupied, and the bishop can't retreat there,
so White keeps certain freedom ίη his play.
16.ctJg5 i..g6
16 ... ctJa5!? 17.i..d3 Sae8 looks prefer-
able, forcing further exchanges.
17.ctJe4 Sfe8 18.Sae2 i..xe4
This exchange condemns Black to a
worse position throughout the game ίη
which a draw becomes the best thing he
can dream about. Still, οη the other hand,
ίη case of 18 ... ctJa5 19.i..d3 White stands
just better.
19.5xe4 Sxe4 20.Sxe4 Se8 21.f3!?
White wants to get the f3-pawn to e4
to reinforce his position ίη the centre.
21 ... ctJd8 22.i..b3 c6
Black decides to keep to the waiting
tactics. White's advantage is rather insig-
nificant.
23.a4 ctJe6 24.g3 ctJc7 25.Φg2 b6
26.tM3 ctJd5 27.i..g5 itf8 28.h4
Step by step White improves the posi-
tion of his pieces and tries to provoke a
weakening ofBlack's kingside.
28 ... g6 29:§d2
29 ...h6!?
An interesting moment. Although Black
still stands worse, he forces a transition to
the position with opposite-coloured bish-
ops.
30.itf4
If 30.itxh6, then 30 ... itxh6 31.t:fxh6
Sxe4 32.fxe4 t:fg4 33.exd5 ~e2= with an
inevitable perpetual check.
419
30...Sxe4 31.fxe4 ctJxf4+ 32.~xf4 Φg7
There was ηο 32 ... h5? because of 33. ~f6
with the most serious threat of ~g6.
33.h5!? gxh5 34.e5
Well, White stands better, however
Black's resources are enough to organize
an efficient defence, and the following de-
velopment of the game will confirm this
estimation.
34 ... Φg8 35.~f3 i..g7 36:§xh5 c5
37.~f3
Ιη case of 37.d5 there was 37 ... c4
38.i..xc4 ~a4. Black had ηο 38 ... ~c7? be-
cause of 39.e6! fxe6 (39 ... ~xc4 40.~xf7+
~h7 41.e7+-) 40.~e8+ i..ffi 41.~xe6± with
White's considerable advantage.
37 ... cxd4 38.cxd4 ~e7 39. '§c6 i..f8
40.'§g6+ i..g7 41.'§f5 '§e8 42.~h2 '§e7
43.ΦgΙ '§e8 44.~f2 ~ίB 45.Φe3
45.i..c4 a5±
45 ... Φg8
45 ... a646.Φf4±
46.Φd3± 46 ... '§e7 47.g4 i..f8
47 ... '§b7 48.d5 b5 49.a5±
48.itd5 '§a3+ 49.~e4 '§e7 50.'§g6+
itg7 51.'§c6 itf8
The last series of moves showed that
White failed to find a plan that would let
him reinforce his position. With his next
moνe he will offer a queen exchange, how-
ever the bishop ending will result ίη draw
anyway.
52. '§b7 '§xb7 53.i.xb7 i.b4 54.d5 ΦίΒ
55.Φf5 i.e7 56.ita6 i..g5 57.d6 i..h4
58.i.b5 itg3 59.~e4 i.h2 60.Φf5 itg3
61.i.c4 i.h4 62.i.d5 ~e8 63.i..c4 Φf8
64.i.b5 i.g3 65.i.c6 i.h4 66.~e4 itg5
67.i.b5 i.h4 68.Φd5 i.g3 69.e6 fxe6+
70.~xe6 itf4 71.d7 i..c7 72.~f6 itd8+
73. Φg6 itg5 %:112
Ιη the Ruy Lopez Shirov sacrificed a
minor piece for two pawns. The position
became keen and unclear. Οη move 36
Grischuk surpassed his opponent and sac-
rificed a rook, then a bishop. Alexey did not
take the bishop, though. Οη move 44
Alexander made a decisive mistake.
420
294 C96
Shirov (2746) - Grischuk (2606)
1.e4 e5 2.CLJf3CLJc6 3.~b5 a6 4.~a4CLJf6
5.0-0 ~e7 6 . .ί:ι.eΙ b5 7 ...Itb3 d6 8.c3 ο-ο
9.h3 CLJa5 10...Itc2 c5 11.d4 ..Itb7
Black plays 1l ... CLJc6 more often.
12.d5 CLJc4 13.a4
Ιη case of a preliminary 13.b3 CLJb6 af-
ter 14.a4 Black played 14 ... ..Itc8 15 ...Ite3,
and then after 15 ... bxa4 (the line 15 ... g6
16.b4 cxb4 17.axb5 bxc3 18.CLJxc3 CLJfd7
19 ...Itd3 a5 20 ..ί:ι.a2 f5 21.~a1 f4 22 ...Itxb6
~xb6 23.CLJa4 ~b8 24.b6t was less success-
ful, haνing giνen to White a strong initia-
tiνe οη the queenside ίη the game Zagre-
belny - Grischuk, Moscow 1996) White had
to take οη a4 with the pawn: 16.bxa4CLJc4,
and Black managed to reduce White's at-
tacking potential οη the queenside, Anand
- Romanishin, New York (m/2) 1994.
13..• CLJb6 14.~e2
Pressing upon the b5-pawn, White
makes his opponent take οη a4, proνiding
him with targets to be attacked οη the
queenside.
14 ... CLJxa4
Ιη case of 14 ... CLJfd7 15.axb5 axb5
16 . .ί:ι.χa8 ~xa8 17. ~xb5 f5 (Ι 7 ... ..Ita6
18.~a5;t:) after 18 ...Itg5!;t: to be followed by
c4 (after an exchange ofthe dark-squared
bishops) Black would haνe ηο compensa-
tion for the pawn.
15...Itxa4 bxa4 16.c4
Haνing exchanged his light-squared
bishop, White arranges his pawns οη light
squares at once ίη order to restrict the free-
dom ofBlack's light-squared bishop.
16... CLJd7 17..ί:ι.χa4CLJb6
The bishop had ηο job οη b7, so an im-
mediate transfer ofthis piece to the c8-h3
diagonal deserνed attention: 17 ... ..Itc8
18.CLJbd2 CLJb6 19.~a3 a5 20.CLJf1 a4 21.
~d2;t:, though White's adνantage ίη the
centre and οη the queenside was still per-
ceptible, Gazik - Romanishin, Ν ονί
8mokoνec 1992.
18.~a3 a5 19.CLJc3 a4 20.~e3 ..Itc8
Super Tournαments 2000
21.b3!?
Ιη case of 21.CLJd2 ~g5 22 ..ί:ι.b1 ~xe3
23. ~xe3 ~d7 24.b4 axb3 25 ..ί:ι.aχb3;t: White
maintained a certain adνantage owing to
his control of space, but after exchanges
Black's defence looked not νery difficult,
Topaloν - Piket, Groningen (m/l) 1997.
21 ... axb3 22.~xb3 .ί:ι.a6 23.~ebl f5
8ince Black has a bishop pair, he natu-
rally wants to open up the play. Exchanges
by 23 ... CLJa4 24.CLJxa4 .ί:ι.χa4 did not help him
to solνe his problems because ofthe intru-
sion 25.~b8. Now if 25 ... f5, then 26.exf5
.ί:ι.χf5 27.~c2 .ί:ι.a7 28.CLJd2;t:,and the knight
came to e4, keeping a lasting adνantage to
White.
24.~xc5!?
White sacrificed a piece ίη order to keep
his initiatiνe, hoping to improνe his posi-
tion by an adνance of the central passed
pawns next.
24 ... dxc5 25.CLJxe5 CLJa4
Black's wish to exchange his poorly ρο­
sitioned knight is quite natural, but an
outwardly risky 25 ... ..Itb7!? deserνed atten-
tion as well. 80, if White put more pres-
sure upon the b-file by 26. ~b2 (26.CLJc6
..Itxc6 27.dxc6 CLJc8 28.CLJd5 .a:xc6 29.exf5
.ί:ι.χf5=t=) , then Black deliνered a counter-
strike 26 ... ~f6 (ηο 26 ... ~f6 because of
27.exf5 to be followed by g4), emphasizing
the νulnerable positions ofWhite's pieces.
Ιη further mutually keen play after 27.f4
..Itxe5 28.fxe5 CLJxc4 29.~e2 CLJb6 30.exf5
(30. ~b2CLJc4 31. ~e2=) 30 ... ..Itc8 31.g4 ~e8
32.d6CLJd7 33.e6 .a:xd6 34.CLJe4 ~d4 35.exd7
Wor!d Chess Chαmpionship
iιxd7 36.B-e3 c4 37.B-e1 iιc6 38.ctJf6+ gxf6
39.B-xe8+ ~xe8 40. ~xe8+ iιxe8 41.B-xe8+
Wf7= both sides would have exhausted all
their reserves.
26.ctJxa4 B-xa4 27.ctJc6 ~c7 28.e5ii3
Despite Black's slight material advan-
tage, his play is not simple here because
White controls the centre and has a space
advantage. Also Black should be very care-
ful about White's mobile central pawns.
28 ... B-a6
There was ηο 28 ... f4 29.B-b8! f3? because
of30.~xf3, and if30 ... B-xf3?, then 31.Rxc8+
~xc8 32.ctJxe7+-. Ιη case of a passive
28 ... B-e8 White could have developed his
attack easily by 29.B.b8 (29.ctJxe7+ ~xe7
30.f4 iιa6fZ) 29 ... B-b4 30.B-1xb4 cxb4
31. ~f3, creating a very serious threat of
d6.
29.~f3
Amere 29.ctJxe7+!? ~xe7 30.f4 deserved
attention here, squeezing Black consider-
ably. If he tried to free by 30 ... g5, then af-
ter 31.e6t White would have added oppor-
tunities to create threats to the black king
to his space advantage.
29 ...f4
Νο 29 ... B.xc6 30.dxc6 ~xe5 31.J:Ie3 ~c7
32.~d5+ Wh8 33.J:Ibe1 iιd6 34.B-e8+- be-
cause of the weakness of the 8th rank.
30.B-el i.f5 31.B-b5 iιc2
With the threat of iιa4.
32.B-b2 i.g6 33.B-d2 i.e8
Now the simplifying 33 ... J:Ixc6!? was
possible, and ίη case of34.dxc6 Jιe8 35.B-d7
iιxd7 36. ~d5+ Wh8 (36 ... 1ιe6 37. ~xe6+
~h8 38.B-b1 ~d8 39.B.b7 ~d1+ 40.Wh2 1ιh4
41.~d6+-) 37.cxd7 f3 38.g3 ~b8 39.B-e3
~b1+ 40.'Ot>h2 ~f5 41.B-e4 (with the idea to
play B.f4) 41 ... g5t Black blocked up White's
pawns successfully. The move ίη the game
shows that White was looking for counter-
chances.
34.ctJxe7+ ~xe7 35.d6 ~e6 36.~b7
Jιc6!!
Black makes use ofthe fact that White's
queen moved temporarily to the queenside
421
and tries to organize an attack οη White's
king even at the cost of sacrifices. Ιη case
of a timid 36 ... ~xc4 37.d7 1ιχd7 38.B.xd7
B-g6 39.~f3 B-e8 40.B-e4 ~e6 41.Rd6 ~f5
42.B.d5± Black would have lost the game
not at once, but for sure.
37.~xa6 1ιχg2! 38.f3
Engaging the rooks ίη the king's de-
fence. Ιη case of 38.~xg2 f3+ 39.~h2 ~f5
40.~b7 ~f4+ 41.~h1 ~f5!= a draw was
inevitable.
38 ... Jιxf3 39.Wh2
39 ... iιg4!!
Black left ίη peace the f4-pawn and
concentrated his attacking efforts οη the
h3-pawn. The rook must stay οη the back
rank, so ίη case of39 ... :f6? White won the
game by 40.d7+-
40.~b7
The open position of White's king does
not let him hope for a success ίη case of
40.hxg4 ~xg4 41.B-a1 [3 42.1Η2 ~h4+
43.Wgl ~g3+ 44.~f1 ~h4 45.Wel ~e4+
46.'Ot>d1 ~d3= with a perpetual check.
40 ... ~h6 41.~d5+ B.f7!
Once more Black made the οηlΥ move.
There was ηο 41 ... ~h8 42.~g2 f3 43.B.f2!,
Black losing because of the weakness of
his 8th horizontal.
42.Wgl ~xh3 43:~g2
Black could have gained nothing by
43.e6 ~g3+ 44.~f1 .I1ιh3+ 45.~e2 1ιg4=. Α
drawagain.
43 ... ~h4 44.Mf2
If 44.B.a1, with the idea to create threats
οη the back rank, then 44 ... f3 without any
422
winning chances for White, for example
45.t;rh2 t;rg5 46.J::ta8+ .ic8+ 47.Whl (47.'ϊt>Ω
J::tf8 48.d7 .ixd7 49.J::txf8+ 'it>xf8 50.J::txd7
t;rcl+ 51.'it>f2 '§b2=) 47 ... -Uf8 48.J::tb8 (48.d7?
f2-+; 48.J::txc8 J::txc8 49.d7 z:!.d8 50.e6 '§e3=t)
48 ... '§e3 49. '§f2 '§h6+ 50. '§h2 '§e3=
44 ... f3??
Black loses the correct path when he is
only one step away from the goal: 44 ... .ih3!
45.'§h2 f3 46.e6 z:!.f6 47.d7 J::tg6+ 48.'it>hl
1ιg2+ 49.Wgl .ih3=. Ιn this line Black's
resourceful defence would haνe brought
the game to the final he was deserνing. But
now things are absolutely different.
45.e6!
Mter this counterstrike White creates
fatal threats οη the 8th rank with his passed
pawns.
45 ...J:H'8
Νο 45 ... fxg2 because of 46.exf7 + wf8
47.J::te8#
46.e7 J::te8 47.d7 .ixd7 48.t;rxf3 t;rg5+
49.'it>f11-0
Game 4, December 15
The same opening that was ίη the sec-
ond game of the match. Adams improνed
his preνious play and obtained a good
game. His combination ίn the middlegame
starting with 17 ... tιJxe4 was perhaps pre-
mature, as it was good enough οηlΥ for com-
plete equality and nothing more. Anand
transferred the game to an ending and
made a draw.
Super Tournαments 2000
295 C78
Anand (2762) - Adams (2755)
Notes by A.Kochyev
l.e4 e5 2.tιJf3tιJc6 3.1ιb5 a6 4.1ιa4tιJf6
5.0-0 iιc5
There was also 5 ... b5 6.i.b3 .ic5.
6.c3 b5 7.d4
This moνe does not promise much to
White, howeνer positions which can appear
ίη this line are simpler than those which
occur after 7 ..ic2, the moνe played ίη game
2 between the same opponents. Perhaps
Anand chose this moνe, haνing taken into
account the situation ίη the match.
7 ... bxa4 8.dxc5 t;re7 9. t;rxa4 t;rxc5
10..ie3 t;re7 11.h3
Preνenting Black from tιJg4.
11 ... 0-0 12.tιJbd2 .ib7 13.b4 h6
Black arranged his forces conνeniently
and has a good position. His plan implies
preparation of f7 -f5 to actiνate the light-
squared bishop. Οη the other hand, White
has made ηο bad Illoνes so far, and he has
his own play.
14.-Uabl d6 15.c4 t;re6 16.t;rc2
Giνing way to the a-pawn to strike υρ
οη the queenside.
16 ... tιJe717.a4
17... tιJxe4
This exchange giνes a good play to
Black, yet at the same time it simplifies
the position and somewhat releases the
tension. 17 ... eι,jd7!? deserνed attention to
be followed by f7-f5.
18.tιJxe4 t;rg6 19.tιJfd2 f5 20.tιJg3!?
World Chess Chαmpionship
Το return the piece now Black has to
exchange queens, and though his position
will stay preferable anyway, there will be
already ηο real winning chances.
20 ... f4 21.'!~xg6 tιJxg6 22.tιJge4 fxe3
23.fxe3 tιJh4 24.!ϊΧf8+ ~xf8
Or 24 ... !ϊΧf8 25.!ϊf1= with subsequent
simplifications and the king's transfer into
the centre.
25.!ϊf1+ ~e8 26.g3 tιJg6 27.~f2 tιJί8
28.~e2 tιJd7 29.!ϊcΙ
White has created the threat of 30.c5
d5 31.c6, taking the initiative.
29 ... tιJί6 30.~d3
There was also 30.tιJxf6+ gxf6 31.c5, but
the move ίη the game was more solid.
30 ... tιJxe4 31.tιJxe4 ~d7 32.!ϊf1 'it>e6
33.!ϊf2
ΡreΡaήηg tιJc3. Ιη case of33.tιJc3? there
is ~g2.
33... ~c6
Ιη case of 33 ... a5 34.b5 White gained a
slight advantage.
34.tιJc3 ~e8 35.e4 ~g6 36.tιJd5 !ϊc8
37.a5 c6 1/2-112
Strictly speaking, after 38.tιJb6 White's
position would be already slightly better
owing to the opportunity of a break-
through b4-b5.
Alexey Shirov, who needed a draw to
move into the finals, played the solid Rus-
sian defense, something his opponent was
not really prepared for. But still, Grischuk
gained a slight advantage. Besides, Alexey
made a mistake οη the 27th move. However,
ίη the crucial moment Alexander let Shirov
get this important draw. Now he would
struggle ίη the finals with VAnand for the
title ofthe World Champion ίη the Tehran
from 20 to 27 December.
296 C42
Grischuk (2606) - Shirov (2746)
Notes by A.Kochyev
1.e4 e5 2.tιJf3 tιJί6 3.tιJxe5 d6 4.tιJf3
tιJxe4 5.d4 d5 6.~d3 ~d6 7.0-0 ο-ο 8.c4
423
c69.cxd5
This order of moves is considered the
most precise. Before they played at once
9.tιJc3 tιJxc3 10.bxc3 ~g4, for example ίη
the game Capablanca - Marshall, New
York (m/20) 1909. At present it is acknowl-
edged that after 10 ... dxc4 Black has good
chances to equalize.
9 ... cxd5 10.tιJc3 tιJxc3 11.bxc3 iig4
12.!ϊbΙ tιJd7 13.h3 iih5 14.!ϊb5
Νο 14.!ϊΧb7?! because of 14 ... tιJM.
14 ... tιJb6 15.c4
This position occurred ίη practice many
times.
15 ... ~xf3 16.~xf3 dxc4 17.~c2 ~d7
18.a4 g6 19.~e3
They used to develop the bishop to d2
as well, but ίη this case Black gained a
sufficient play with c3 and a further play
along the c-file, that was if 19.iid2, then
19 ... c3.
19... !ϊac8 20.!ϊfbΙ c3 21.a5 tιJc4 22.
!ϊΧb7 ~e6
23.~b3
This position is well known and oc-
curred many times ίη practice. Ιη the game
Anand - Shirov, Linares 2000 White played
23.!ϊa1. As a whole, Black has sufficient
counterchances ίη this dynamic variation.
23 ... ~ί5 24. ~xf5 gxf5 25.!ϊaΙ ί4
There was also 25 ... tιJxe3!? 26.fxe3 !ϊc7
27.a6 !ϊe8 28.~f2 f4.
26.iicl ~fe8 27.f3
Ιη case of 27.'it>f1 White should reckon
with the opportunity of27 ... tιJd2+!?
27 ... c2
424
There was an interesting opportunity
of27 ... ~e7 28.~xe7 (ίη case of28.a6 there
was 28 .. .':1:Jd2) 28 ... 1ιχe7 29 ...Iixf4 1ιf6 with
Black's sufficient counterplay.
28.<;t>f2 a6
Ν ow 28 ... ~e7 is already worse. Ιη re-
sponse White either plays 29.a6 or brings
his king into the centre after the exchange
οη e7, maintaining better chances: 29 ...
iιxe730.<;t>e2
29.1:ta4 t2Jb2!? 30 ...txf7 +
Α simple 30.1ιxb2 was better here.
30...Wf8 31.1ιxb2
Drawingthe game. There was 31.~xb2
'lt>xf'7 32.~aa2, winning the c2-pawn.
31 ...cl'l:I 32.1ιχcΙ1:tc2+ 33.Wf11:txcl+
34.Wf21:tc2+ 35.~f11:tcl+ lhJh
Interview with αΜ A.Grischuk
Q: Despite your loss ίη the match,
let us congratulate you οη your fan-
tastic performance, you are οηlΥ 17
years old!
Α: Yes, Ι turned 17 during the Olympiad
ίη Istanbul.
Q: Congratulations οη the golden
medal ίη the Olympiad as well. Υου
scored a lot as a reserve player for
Russia.
Α: Yes, Ι scored +5 out of 10 games.
Q: Did you participate ίη the World
Junior Championships many times?
Α: Ι was Russian champion ίη all age
categories: under 10, 12, 14, 16 but never
succeeded ίη winning a World Champion-
ship.
Q: Tell us something about your
background, education and famίly.
SEMIFINAL PAIRINGS AND RESULTS
...
1 Anand V. IND 2762 :vs 3 AdamsM.
46 Grischuk Α. RUS 2606 'vs. 4 Shirov Α.
Super Tournαments 2000
Α: Ι was born and live ίη Moscow. Both
my parents are professors of Physics,
though my father had to leave his profes-
sion to become a businessman. Ν ow Ι am a
sophomore student ίη the Russian State
Academy of Physical Culture.
Q: Who is your chess trainer at the
moment?
Α: Now it's ΙΜ Anatoly Bykhovsky, but
here I'm alone.
Q: Are you practicing some other
sports beside chess?
Α: Ι used to play basketball, tried also
to do some jogging to keep fit, but dropped
it.
Q: What do you think about the fi-
nalists of the World Championship?
Α: Ι think that Anand and Shirov were
the players who needed more than others
to win it here: Anand because he played at
home and Shirov because of everything he
went through after his match with Κram­
nik. Ιη Tehran it will be Shirov who will
need it most.
Q: 80, you think it's ΟΚ to have a
few champions at the same time?
Α: Why not? Κhalifman is the four-
teenth champion, Κramnik is the fifteenth,
and the winner ίη Tehran will be the six-
teenth.
Q: Oh, that's cool. And what about
the match between Kramnik and the
winner of Tehran match?
Α: It should notbe a match for the World
Champion's title, just a friendly event.
Q: Thank you very much for shar-
ing your views with us, have a lot of
success ίη future and congratulations
once again.
Gl G2 G3 G4 Final
ENG 2755 = 1-0 = = 2.5-1.5
ESP 2746 0-1 1-0 0-1 = 1.5-2.5
World Chess Championship 425

Final
Game 1, December 20 Petersburg 1999.
8 ... cxd4 9.cxd4 tίJxd4 10.tίJxd4 ~xd4
Unexpectedly after 1.e4 Anand played 11.tίJc3 ~b6
1 ... e6. The Nimzowitch νariation ίη the 11 ... ~xe5 was νery risky, for example
French Defence. Ιη the preνious games after 12.1:te1 ~d6 13.tίJb5 ~b8 14. ~f3 ..Il.d6
Anand had chosen the 8icilian Defence or 15.tίJxd6+ ~xd6 16.i.f4 ~e7 17. ~g3 g6
Petroν's Defence. 18 ...td6 ~d8 (Nemec - Vrbata, Czech Re-
public 1998) the solution would be 19 .
297 C02 .sxe6!+-
Shirov (2746) - Anand (2762) 12.~g4
White must play resolutely here if he
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 tίJc6 5.tίJf3 does not want Black to gain much from his
~b6 6.a3 a5 material adνantage. 80, after 12.'iith1 tίJe7
Preνenting White from gaining space 13.f4 d4 14.tίJb5 tίJd5 15.~a4 ..tc5 16.b4
οη the kingside by b2-b4. Also 6 ... c4 and ..Il.e7 17.i.d2 tίJc3 18 ...Il.xc3 dxc3 19.nfb1 c2+
6 ... tίJh6 deserνed attention here. Black managed to create counter threats
7 ..td3 ~d7 to his opponent, Grosar - Korchnoi, Bratto
Threatening to take οη d4. 7 ... tίJh6 was 1998.
possible as well, trying to transfer the 12... g6
knight to f5 ίη order to put more pressure Black played so, thinking about the
deνelopment of his kingside. He wanted
υροη White's centre. Howeνer, after 8.0-0
cxd4 9.cxd4 tίJf5 White had 10 ..txf5 exf5 to aνoid any considerable weakening ofthis
area which was possible ίη case of 12 ... h5
11.tίJc3 .te6 12.a4!? h6 13.tίJb5 .te7 14.tίJe1
13. ~f4 a4 14 . .te3 ~a5 15.~ac1 tίJe7
ο-ο 15.tίJd3 tίJa7 16.tίJxa7 ~xa7 17 ..te3 b6
16.J:ιfd1 i.c6 17.h4 g6 18. ~f6~ Black had
18.~h5t, and the weakening of Black's
problems with the co-ordination of flanks
pawn structure allowed White to hope for
ίη the game Elyoseph - Alterman, Tel Ανίν
the deνelopment of his initiatiνe ίη the
1987, and after 12 ... f5 13.~h5+ g614.~e2
game Biolek - Votaνa, Olomouc 1997.
i.g7 15.J:ιd1 tίJe7 16 ...te3 ~c7 17.f4 ο-ο
8.0-0!? 18.~ac1 ~b8 19.tίJb5~ he found himself
White chooses an aggressiνe method of squeezed quite perceptibly ίη the game,
deνelopment, without spending time for
Prie - Goldgewicht, Cannes 1995.
the defence of the d4-pawn. Unlike the 13 ...Il.e3
classical νariation 6.~d3 cxd4 7.cxd4 ..Il.d7
8.0-0 (ίη which Black's defence is difficult
too), the present game comprises moνes a3
and a5, and this should be estimated as
adνantageous for White owing to the ορ­
portunity to profit from the weakness of
the d5-square. Α more solid moνe was
8.i.c2, and after 8 ... h5 9.0-0 tίJh6 10.b3
~e7 11.J::ι.a2 cxd4 12.cxd4 J::ι.c8 13 ...txh6
J::ι.xh6 14. ~d2 J::ι.h8 15.h4 'iitf8 16. ~f4;j;
White's adνantage was insignificant since
there were ηο real targets for an attack ίη
Black's position, 8passky - Korchnoi, 8t 13 ...i.c5
426
Ιη case of 13 .. .'~d8?t White played
14.lbb5t with a strong initiative, making
use ofthe weakness ofthe b5-square, and
Black had ηο 14 ... h5? because of 15. ~xg6!
fxg6? 16.Jι.xg6+ r.l;e7 17.Jι.g5+ lbf6 18.
J.xf6#. Also 13 ... ~xb2 made ηο sense for
Black, because after 14.i.d4! ~d2 15.1Hd1
~h6 White would have 16.lbxd5! exd5
17.e6 fxe6 07 ... i.xe6? 18.i.b5+ r.l;d8
19.J.b6+ r.l;e7 20.J.c5+ r.l;d8 2u::rxd5+-)
18.J.xh8 J.d6 19.h3 e5 20. ~g3t, and Black
would have a hard time because ofthe poor
position ofhis king.
14.lba4
14. ~f4!? deserved a serious consider-
ation here, because after 14 ... I:tc8 (14 ... d4
15.b4t g5! 16.~xg5 J.f8 17.bxa5 I:txa5
18.I:tab1 ~a7 19.1bb5 i.xb5 20.i.xb5+ nxb5
21.I:txb5 i.h6 22. ~h5 dxe3 23. ~f3±;
14 ... lbe7 15.~f6 I:tg8 16.i.xc5 ~xc5 17.
I:tac1 ~b6 18.I:tc2 J.c6 19.I:tfc1 I:td8 20.
lbb5~) 15.lba4 i.xa4 16. ~xa4+ r.l;d8 17.
J.xc5 I:txc5 18.b4 t White's queenside ίηί­
tiative threatened to turn into a decisive
attack οη Black's king because of the υη­
derdevelopment ofhis kingside. Also there
was a mere 14.i.xc5 ~xc5 15.nfc1 ~b6
16.b4 t, and Black's development problems
were noticeable ίη this line too. But now
Black would decrease White's pressure by
an exchange to certain extent.
14 ... i.xa4 15.~xa4+ r.l;f8
Leaving the king ίη the centre was dan-
gerous, for example after 15 ... ~d8 16.J.xc5
~xc5 17.I:tac1 ~b6 18.~f4t Black would
have a hard position as White would be
threatening to double his rooks οη the c-
file.
16.J.xc5+
The manoeuvre 16. ~f4!? deserves at-
tention again, and after 16 ... r.l;g7 17.lϊac1
(or 17.i.xc5!? ~xc5 18.I:tac1 ~b6 19.1:tc2 to
be followed by ZΙfc1, !Ic7) 17 ... i.xe3 18.fxe3
I:tf8 19.b4t, though Black repels immedi-
ate threats successfuly and is a pawn up,
White still has opportunities for an active
play οη the whole board for Black has
failed to complete the development of his
Super Tournαments 2000
kingside conveniently (generally, his
knight should have been defending the f6-
square).
16... ~xc5 17.lϊacΙ ~b6 18.~d7
Now there was ηο sense ίη doubling the
rooks along the c-file because after
18 ... lbe7 Black managed to complete
the development: 19.nfc1 lbc6 20.J.b5
r.l;g7 21.i.xc6 bxc6 22.l:txc6 ~xb2 23. ~f4
l:thf8oo
18 ....:::rd8!
This decision should be considered as
forced because ίη case ofa natural18 ... lbh6
there was 19.Mc7t ~xb2 20. ~d6+ (after
20.~e7+ r.l;g8 21.~f6 ~xa3 22.J::rfc1 I:tf8
White had ηο opportunity to reinforce his
pressure υροη Black's position) 20 ... r.l;g8
2U:rb1 ~d4 22.iιc2 b5 (ίη case of22 ... ~d2
23.h3 b5 24.g4 ~g5 25.lϊχb5 I:td8 26.~e7
~xe7 27.I:txe7t White's attack οη the 7th
rank could have developed successfully
even without queens) 23.J::rxb5lbg4 24.I:txf7
~d2 25.g3 ~c1+ 26.r.l;g2 ~xc2 27.~xe6+-,
and Black's king turned out to be defen-
celess.
19.~c7 ~xc7 20.J::rxc7 .ί:b8!
The b-pawn could have been given υρ
ίη this way οηlΥ. 80, ίη case of 20 ... b6
21.I:tfc1 lbe7 22 ..a:b7 I:tc8 23.I:txc8+ lbxc8
24.i.a6 (24.h4!?) 24 ... r.l;e8 25.i.b5+ r.l;f8
26.iιd7 lbe7 27.J::rxb6±, White's passed
pawn οη the queenside could have decided
the position ίη his favour.
21.I:tfcl
Ιη case of21.b4 axb4 22.axb4lbe7 23.b5
lbc8 24.1:!.fc1 r.l;g7= Black had plenty oftime
to organize a good co-operation of his
pieces.
21 ...lbe7 22.f4 lbc6 23 . .ί:!:c5
White could have gained nothing by
23.i.b5, Black would simply attack the
bishop, making it go back: 23 ... lbd4 (bet-
ter than 23 ... r.l;g7 24.i.xc6 bxc6 25 ..ί:!:lχc6
:txb2 26.!txe6) 24 ...td3lΔc6=
23 .•• r.l;g7
An attempt to split White's pawns at
once by 23 ... g5 24.lϊb5! to be followed by
24 ... lbd4 (better was 24 ... r.l;g7 25.g3, pro-
World Chess Chαmpionship 427

ducing a position from the game) made ηο Game 2, December 21

sense because of25.~xa5 gxf4 26.~a7 tLJc6
27.~axb7 ~xb7 28.~xb7 tLJxe5 29.~b8+ 1fig7
30 ..1:txh8 'it>xh8 31.Sιb5!+-, and Black was
helpless against the threatening advance
ofWhite's a- and b-pawns.
24.~b5 g5 25.g3
Shirov chose a rare Meller's system ίη
the Ruy Lopez, which was played ίη the
tournament practice ίη the thirties of the
20th century. Anand transferred the game
to a better ending, but Alexey still had some
chances, which he did not use, though.
Anand gained his first victory ίη the finals.

298 C78
Anand (2762) - Shirov (2746)

1.e4 e5 2.tLJf3 tLJc6 3.Sιb5 a6 4.iιa4 tLJf6

5.0-0 Sιc5 6.c3 b5 7.iιc2
White could not have gained a particu-
lar advantage here by the straightforward
7.d4 bxa4 8.dxc5 tLJxe4 9.tLJxe5 tLJxe5
10. ~d5 1ιb7 11. ~xe5+ ~e7 12. ~xe7 + ~xe7
25 ... h5! 13.~el 1fid8 14.Sιe3 .1:te8=, the play was
Advancing the kingside pawns, Black approximately equal ίη this line, Ehlvest
hopes to decrease the number ofpawns οη - Onischuk, Beijing 1998. There is a more
the board and to engage the h8-rook ίη the widespread move ίη this position, namely
struggle, at the same time. Otherwise 7.1ιb3, which after 7 ... d6 gives a complex
White would take Black's b-pawn and play, for example 8.a4 1ιg4 9.d3 ο-ο 10.h3
stand to win the game owing to the pas- 1ιχf3 11. ~xf3 tLJa5 12.Sιc2 b4 13.tLJd2 1:rb8
sivity ofBlack's pieces and his own passed 14.~e2 1:re8 15.tLJf3 bxc3 16.bxc3 tLJb3
pawn οη the queenside. 17 .iιxb3 ~xb3°o Anand - Karpov, Lausanne
26.~bxb7 .1:txb7 27 .~xb7 h4! (m/2) 1998.
Splitting White's pawns, Black gains 7 ... d5
objects for a counterplay. Black chooses the most aggressive con-
28.'it>g2 tinuation, trying to make use of White's
Α straightforward 28.b4 axb4 29.axb4 insufficient control over the d5-square. The
hxg3 30.hxg3 gxf4 31.gxf4 ~h4~ gave move 7 ... d6 was unable to prevent White
Black a real counterplay against White's from building a mighty pawn centre after
weak pawns [4 and e5. d2-d4.
28 ...hxg3 29.hxg3 gxf4 30.gxf4 ~h4 8.a4
31.'it>g3 ~h1 32.'it>g2 Α new continuation, usually White tries
Ιη case of the alluring 32.1ιb5 after to develop his initiative by an immediate
32 ... tLJd4 33.Sιe8 'it>f8 White had to retreat 8.d4, however, practice shows that after
with the bishop, because there was ηο 8 ... dxe4 Black has certain counter chances,
34.Sιxf7? due to 34 ... ~h7-+, and ίη case of for example after 9.tLJxe5 (ίη case of9.dxc5
32.~c7 tLJd4 33.b4 ~a134.~c3 axb4 35.axb4 ~xdll0.Sιxdl exf3 11.iιxf3 iιb7 12.a4 b4
~a2+ to be followed by ~b2 it was already 13.~el 0-0-0 14.iιxc6 iιxc6 15.cxb4 tLJd5
Black who might have tried to make use 16.Sιd2 [6 17.b3 tLJe7 IS ..!:!.a2 1:rd3~ Black
ofweaknesses ofWhite's pawns, so White obtained a sufficient play for the pawn
had to go for a draw by repetition ofmoves. owing to the weakness of light squares ίη
32... .!:!.h4 33.1fig3 ~h1 34.1fig2 lh-1f2 White's position, De Firmian - Benjamin,
428 Super Tournαments 2000

Salt Lake City 1999) 9 .. .'~Jxe5 10.dxe5 Mter 12 ... tΔxf2 13.J::lxf2 e4!? (13 ... .iιxf2+
~xd1 1U:~xd1 tΔg4 12.~xe4, and now a 14.~xf2 e4 15.1:'ta4 .txf3 16.gxf3:!;:) 14.d4
sharp 12 ... tΔxf2 (better than 12 ... l:tb8 exf3 15.tΔd2 .iιd6 16.tΔxf3 ~e8 17.h3 .iιh5
13 ..tc6+ We7 14 ..tg5+ We6 15.~h4 tΔxe5 18.~a5!?:!;: Black had ηο compensation for
16 ..td5+ Wf5 17.tΔd2 .tb7 18.tΔe4;!;, and the pawn.
White has an adνantages owing to the 12 ... exd4 13.cxd4 .iιb6 14.tΔc3 ~e8
unsupported position of Black's king and 15 ..te3
his unstable minor pieces, Shiroν - Also there was 15.h3!? .iιh5 16.tΔxe4
Iνanchuk, Monte Carlo 1998) after 13. ~xe4 17.~d3 .iιxf3 18.~xf3 ~d5!? (18 ...
.tc6+ ~e7 14.~d5 .tb6 15 ..iιxa8 tΔd3+ ~xd4 19 ..te3 ~d3 20 ..:tad1 .txe3 21.fxe3
16.~f1 tΔxcl17.tΔa3 (17.tΔd2? .te618.~xc1 f6 22.~xd3 ~xd3 23 ..a:d1 ~c4 24.~d7:!;:)
.txd5 19 ..iιxd5 .:td8; 17.~d1 ~f5 18.~xc1 19 ..iιf4 ~xc6 20 ..ί1ae1 f5 21 ..iιe5:!;:. White
~d3+ 19.We1 Mxa8~) 17 ... .te6 18 ..:txc1 parts with his extra pawn in this line, but
.s:xa8 19.~d3 .iιf5 20.~dd1 lιe3 2H~a1.tf4 also he weakens the position of Black's
22.g3 .iιxe5~ despite White's slight mate- king.
rial adνantage brought to an approximate
equality owing to the superior actiνity of
Black's pieces Shiroν - Onischuk, Ger-
many 2000.
8 ... dxe4!?
Black chooses the most principal moνe
again, although 8 ... ~b8 has been possible
as well.
9.axb5 .iιg4!
Ιη case of 9 ... exf3?! there would be a
νery strong response of 10.~xf3!, and af-
ter 10 ... e4 (in case of 10 ... lιb6 11.bxc6 ο-ο
12.d3 .iιg4 13. ~g3 ~d6 14.tΔd2 ~xc6 15 ... ~d6?!
15.tΔc4± the e5-pawn could not haνe been Black creates .difficulties for himself.
kept) 11 ..iιxe4 tΔe5 12. ~e2 tΔd5 13.d4± Stronger was 15 ... tΔxc3!? 16.bxc3 ~d5
Black hardly could haνe aνoided material 17.h3 .tf5 (17 ... .txf3 18.~xf3 ~xf3 19.
losses. gxf3±) 18.tΔe5 f6 19.c4 ~e4 20.tΔd7 ~xc6
10.lιxe4 tΔxe4 11.bxc6 Ο-Ο! 21.tΔxb6 ~xb6 22.d5 ~b4~ with Black's
There was ηο way to create a counter certain counterchances to play against
threat before castling: 11 ... tΔg5 12.d4 lιxf3 White's central pawns.
13 ..txg5 .txd1 14 ..iιxd8 exd4 (14 ... .te2 16.d5
15.~e1+-) 15.~xd1 ~xd8 16.b4 .td6 17. Ιη case of 16.tΔxe4 ~xe4 17.d5 .txe3
.s:xd4+-; 11 ... ~f6 12.d4 exd4 13.~e1 ~xc6 18.fxe3 ~c5°o Black's position would not be
14.~d3+- worse.
12.d4 16... .iιxe3 17.fxe3 ~ad8
The underdeνelopment of White's The exchange 17 ... tΔxc3 reinforced
queenside did not let him go for further White's queenside initiatiνe, and after
material gains right now: after 12.h3 .th5 18.bxc3 ~h6 (18 ... J::lxe3 19. ~d4 .iιxf3
13.g4?! .tg6 14.tΔxe5 tΔxf2 15 ..:txf2 .txf2+ 20. ~xe3 .iιxd5 2U:tfd1 ~xc6 22. ~d4±)
16.Wxf2 ~h4+ 17.~g2 .te4+ 18.tΔf3 f5-+ 19. ~d2 ~xe3+ 20. ~xe3 ~xe3 21 ..:tfb1
Black would haνe an attack. Still, there (21.c41') 21 ... ~f8 22.I:rb71' it was hard for
was 12.d3!?, making White decide about Black to oppose to a further adνance of
his intentions concerning the e4-knight. White's c- and d-pawns.
World Chess Chαmpionship
18.J:txa6
There was an alluring opportunity of
18.tιJxe4 It.xe4 19.It.xa6, using the fact that
B1ack had ηο 19 ... ~xd5?? 20.~xd5+-, but
after 19 ... It.xe3 (the 1ine with 19 ... ~c5
20. ~d2 J:txe3 21.b4 ~e7 22.d6! cxd623.tιJd4
It.e8 24.b5± with a subsequent advance of
White's pawns was evident1y worse)
20.~d2 [a1so there was 20.~d4, quite good
at first sight, but after 20 ... I:!.xf3! 21.gxf3
(21.~xf3 i.xf3 22.gxf3 ~g6+ 23.'Σt>f2 ~c2+
24.'Σt>g3 ~g6+ 25.~g4 ~d6+ 26.~f4 ~xd5=)
21 ... i.h3 22.11e1 (22.It.d1 ~g6+ 23.~f2
~g2+ 24.'Σt>e3 l1e8+ 25.~d3 ~e2-+; 22.11fa1
~g6+ 23.'Σt>f2 ~c2+ 24.~g3 ~g2+ 25.'Σt>f4
It.e8-+) 22 ... ~g6+
23.'Σt>f2 ~g2+ 24.'Σt>e3
~e8+ 25.'Σt>d3 ~xΓ3+ 26.'Σt>d2 (26.'Σt>c4? i.f1+
27.'Σt>c5 ~b8-+; 26.~e3 ~f1+ 27.'Σt>c3 It.b8~)
26 ... ~g2+ 27.~c3 ~f3+ 28.'Σt>d2 (28.~d3
~f6+) 28 ... ~g2= it on1y wou1d be ab1e to
give a draw] 20 ... ~ee8t White's advantage
was rather insignificant.
18 ... tιJxc3 19.bxc3 ~xd5 20.~xd5
It.xd5 21.tιJd4 g6
21 ... h6!? deserved attention, avoiding
an exchange ofthe bishop.
22.~f4
The 1ine 22.h3 1ιίΕ 23.~a7 It.xe3 24.~xc7
~xc3= on1y maintained the equa1ity.
22 ... 1ιf5 23.~a7 ~xe3
24.c4!
This c-pawn is still a1ive, and White
was thinking about this when he made his
22 nd move.
24 ...I:tc5 25.1:txc7 I:!.e4!
Ιη case of 25 ... .:s.xc4 26.J:txf5 (26.tιJxf5
429
J:te127.~f1 ~xf1+ 28.~xf1 gxf5 29.~e2 'Σt>g7
30.Φd3 ~cH) 26 ... 1:te1+ (26 ... ~xd4 27.It.fxf7
1:td2 28.I:!.fe7+-) 27.~f2 gxf5 28.11c8+ 'Σt>g7
29.tιJxf5+ ~f6 30.~xe1 'Σt>xf5 31.'Σt>d2±
White's extra pawn and the weakness of
B1ack's pawns made the defence ofB1ack's
position quite difficu1t.
26.J:txe4 1ιχe4 27 .~e7 1ιf5 28.c7
Bad was 28.tιJxf5 gxf5 29.c7 ~g7= to be
followed by Φf6.
28 ...<.t>f8?!
This inaccuracy will invo1ve serious
consequences. It was better to move the
king towards the centre from the opposite
side: 28 ... ~g7!? with good drawing chances,
for examp1e: 29.tιJb5 'Σt>f6 30.~e1 (ίη case
of 30.It.e8 ~xc4 31.~h8 i.d7 32.Φf2 i.xb5
33.c8~ ~xc8 34.~xc8 i.d7 35.It.c7 1ιe6=
White had ηο victory) 30 ... 1ιd7!? (after
30 ... ~xc4 there was 31.tιJd6!? ~c6 32.tιJe8+
'Σt>g5 33.~e7 i.e6 (if 33 ... 'Σt>f4, then 34.~xf7
~c135.'Σt>f2 I:tc2+ 36.'Σt>e1 I:!.c1+ 37.Φd2 ~c2+
38.'Σt>dl), and now White's king comes
a1ong: 34.'Σt>f2! ~c2+ 35.Φe3 ~c3+ (35 ... h5
36.tιJd6+- with the idea to go J:'!.e6) 36.'Σt>d4
J:'!.c4+ 37.'Σt>e5± to be followed by ~d6, ~xe6)
31.tιJc3 (31.J:'!.e4 1ιχb5 32.cxb5 ~xc7 33.~b4
Φe5 34.b61:lb7 35.~f2 <.t>d5 36.Φe3 ~c5=)
31 ... 'Σt>g7 32.It.e7 (32.tιJd5 1ιe6=) 32 ... ~xc7
33.tιJb5 k!.b7 34.~xf7+ (34.Φf2 1ιχb5 35.
1:txb7 i.xc4=) 34 ... Φχf7 35.tιJd6+ 'Σt>e6
36.tιJxb7 'Σt>e5 37.Φf2 Φd4 38.c5 h6=
29.tιJxf5 gxf5 30.~d7 Φg7 31.~d4!
8upported by the white king, the c4-
pawn becomes quite strong.
31 ... ~xc7 32.Φf2 ~f6 33.~e3 'Σt>e6
34.g3 f6 35.~d3 ~a7 36.'Σt>c3 Φe5
B1ack has ηο active p1ay: 36 ... ~a3+
37.~b4 ~a2 38.~h4±.
37.It.h4 ~b7 38.~f4
38.~h5!? deserved attention to be fo1-
10wed by It.f7 39.c5 (39.g4? Φf4 40.It.xf5+
Φχg4=) 39 ... J:ιb7 40.~c4± with a subse-
quent advance of the c-pawn.
38... It.bl 39.11f2 I:!.cl+ 40.'Σt>b4
Ιη case of 40.I:!.c2 l1xc2+ 41.Φχc2 f4!=
there wou1d be a draw.
40 ... 'Σt>e6 41.~b5 Φd6 42.1::txf5 1:lbl+
430
43.lt>a4 ~b2!
The οηlΥ chance. Ιη case of a passive
43 ... ςi;>e6? the solution would be 44.~h5 ~b7
45.c5 f5 46.c6 ~c7 47.ςi;>b5+-, promotingthe
pawn.
44.nxf6+ ςi;>c5 45.~h6 Wxc4 46.~h4+
rJ;>d5 47.~xh7 rJ;>e5 48.rJ;>a3 ~b8 49.I1:h5+
rJ;>f6 50.1;Ih4 ςi;>g5
Black wants to block up White's pawns
with his king as soon as possible that will
give him quite real chances for a draw. He
puts the king οη one the same file with one
of White's pawns and is going to attack
them with his rook οη the next step, forc-
ing White to advance one ofthem.
51.l:!.b4 ti:h8 52.h4+ ςi;>h5 53.l:!.b5+ ςi;>h6
54.g4 l:!.e8 55.l:!.b4 ςi;>g6?
It was just the moment for an attack
οη White's pawns: 55 ... ti:e3+! 56.Wa4 ti:h3
57.g5+ (White's chances were worse ίη case
of57.h5 ~g5±) 57 ... ~h5 58.rJ;>b5 :!.e3 59.rJ;>c5
~e8 60.~d4 ~e7 61.rJ;>d6 1:ϊe1 62.rJ;>d5 ~e8
63.~e4 ~d8+ 64.rJ;>e5 ~e8+ 65.~f5 ~f8+
66.rJ;>e6 ~e8± (not allowing White's king to
come to f7 where it would be able to sup-
port a further advance of the g6-pawn),
and ίη this line White had ηο evident win-
ning plan.
56.~b6+ ςi;>f7 57.~b7+ rJ;>e6 58.~h7
l:!.b8?
The last chance was to come back with
the king: 58 ... ςi;>f6.
59.g5 ~f5 60.~h6!
Cutting offBlack's king, and thus mak-
ing the advance ofWhite's pawns irresist-
ible: g6, h5, l:!.h7.
60 ... We5 61.h5 Φf5 62.g6 Φf6 63.l:!.h7
l:!.g8 64.Φb3 1-0
Game 3, December 22
Once more Anand changed the opening,
now - the Paulsen's Variation ίη the 8icil-
ian Defence. Alexey was not ready for it.
Ιη this game 8hirov used an unhappy ηον­
elty and after that he could not stop play-
ing for a win and start playing for a draw.
Super Tournαments 2000
With his accurate moves Vishy realized an
extra exchange. 80, 2.5-0.5.
299 Β49
Shirov (2746) - Anand (2762)
Notes by A.Kochyev
l.e4 c5 2.CLJf3 CLJc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.CLJxd4
"f!1c7 5.CLJc3 e6 6 ...Ite2 a6 7.0-0 CLJf6 8.iιe3
iιb4 9.CLJa4
The opponents played a well known
variation ofthe Paulsen 8ystem.
9 ••• iιd6
9 ... 0-0 occurs more often, to be followed
by 10.CLJxc6 bxc6 11.CLJb6l:!.b8 12.CLJxc8 "f!1xc8
13.e5 CLJd5 or 12 ... ~fxc8 13 ..ltxa6 l:!.d8
14 ..ltd3 .id6 15.f4 e5 16.f5 l:!.xb2.
10.g3 b5
10 ... CLJxe4? was dangerous because of
11 ..if3 CLJf6 12.CLJxc6 bxc6 13.CLJb6 I1:b8
14.CLJc4 iιe5 15.CLJxe5 "f!1xe5 16.iιf4.
11.CLJb61:ϊb8
There was ηο risky 11 ... "f!1xb6? because
of 12.CLJxe6 "f!1b8, and then 13.CLJxg7+ with
White's strong attack.
12.CLJxc8l:!.xc813.a4CLJxd414•..Itxd4 e5
15 ...Ite3 .ltc5 16.axb5
Better was 16 ..ltxc5 "f!1xc5 17.axb5 axb5,
and then 18.~a5 or 18 ..ltd3 with White's
slightly better position ίη both lines.
16... .ltxe3 17.fxe3 axb5 18.iιxb5
18... 0-0
Despite the lost pawn Black has excel-
lent prospects. White could have played
19 ..ltd3 now, but he ventured οη a sacri-
fice of the exchange. Black's defence re-
World Chess Chαmpionship
sources, howeνer, are more than enough.
19.~xf6 gxf6 20.SΙxd7 !:!.a8 21. ~g4+
ι;,t>h8 22.~f1 .a:g8 23.~h3 ~c5
This moνe is stronger than 23 .. .'~!xc2?!
24 ..1f5 ~g7 25. ~h6, allowing White to ac-
tiνate his pieces.
24.SΙf5 ~xe3+ 25. \t>g2 h6 26. ~h5 \t>g7
27.~g4+ ~g5 28.~f3 ~gd8 29.h4 ~d2+
30.ι;,t>h3 !:!.d6!
Νο 30 ... ~xc2? because of31.SΙe6!.
31.~t2 ~dI32.ι;,t>g4 .a:a2 33.~xd1.a:xdl
White's position is hard, he is just un-
ab1e to protect his queenside pawns ...
34.c4 !:!.bl 35.!:!.d2 .a:axb2 36..a:d7 .a:b7
37 . .a:d6 .a:c7 38.ι;,t>h5 ~cl 39.g4 .a:7xc4
40 ..a:d7 .a:c7 41 ..a:d8 .a:hl 0-1
The c7-rook will join the attack ineνi­
tab1y, for examp1e by the manoeuνre .a:c3-
h3.
Game 4, December 24
Now A.Shiroν a1so chose the French De-
fence. Οη the 15th move Alexey sacrificed
his knight. Then Anand took his bishop as
we11.
300 Cll
Anand (2762) - Shirov (2746)
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.CLJc3 CLJf6 4.e5 CLJfd7
5.CLJce2 c5 6.f4CLJc6 7.c3 ~b6 8.CLJf3 f6 9.a3
White prevents a check from the diago-
na1 a5-el, because ίη case of9.g3 there was
9 ... cxd4 10.cxd4 fxe5 11.fxe5 SΙb4+ 12.CLJc3
ο-ο 13.SΙf4 .i.e7 14 ..i.h3 ~xb2°o, and B1ack
made use ofWhite's underdeve10pment ίη
the game Anand - Sisniega, Phi1ade1phia
1987.
9 ....i.e7 10.h4
With this advance White prepares the
3 rd rank for the king's rook, which will be
ab1e, both' to attack and to defend from
there. If he had begun an active p1ay οη
the queenside immediate1y by 10.b4, then
after 10 ... cxd4 11.cxd4 ο-ο 12.CLJc3 fxe5
13.dxe5 a standard piece sacrifice wou1d
431
have been possib1e: 13 ... CLJdxe5 14.fxe5
CLJxe5 15 ..1e2 1ιd7~, and the unsupported
position ofWhite's king and B1ack's adνan­
tage ίη the centre wou1d depriνe White of
any hope to achieve his materia1 advan-
tage, Smirin - Psakhis, Las Vegas 1999.
10... 0-0 11.~h3 a5
B1ack is p1anning a counterp1ay οη 1ight
squares οη the queenside by a4, CLJa5-b3.
Ιη case of an immediate 11 ... fxe5 to be fo1-
10wed by 12.fxe5 lΔa5 13.b4 cxb4 14.axb4
CLJc4 15.CLJf4t B1ack wou1d haνe good pros-
pects for an attack after SΙd3, CLJg5.
12.b3
Preventing the mentioned B1ack's p1an.
12 ... ~c7
Now ίη case of 12 ... a4 there wou1d be
13.b4 cxd4 14.cxd4 ~d8 15.CLJg3 CLJb6
16.1ιd3t, and White's space adνantage as
well as his solid and strong centre wou1d
allow him to hope for a further deνe1op­
ment of his initiative οη the kingside.
Apart from the moνe ίη the game, B1ack
a1so had an opportunity of 12 ... ~d8, and
after 13.CLJg3 CLJb6 14 . .1d3 f5 15 . .i.c2
(15 ..i.e3 c4 oo ) 15 ... .i.d7 16.SΙe3 cxd4 17.cxd4
a4 18.b4 CLJa7 19.CLJh5 .1e8 20.CLJg5 ~c8
21 ..a:cl CLJc4°o he gained a counterp1ay οη
1ight squares οη tΙιe queenside and a solid
position οη the kingside ίη the game
Smίήη - Psakhis, Las Vegas 1999.
13.CLJegl!?
White had to engage the Π-bishop ίη
the p1ay and, at the same time, to keep the
f3-knight a1ive as this piece was extreme1y
important for his contro1 over the centre.
So ίη case of a naturall3.CLJg3 B1ack wou1d
have p1ayed 13 ... cxd4 14.cxd4 fxe5 15.fxe5
CLJdxe5 16.dxe5 .a:xf3 17.gxf3 ~xe5-+, de-
stroying White's position comp1ete1y. Ιη
case of 13.h5 b6 14.g4 B1ack cou1d have
forced a draw after 14 ... cxd4 15.cxd4 fxe5
16.fxe5 ~xf3 17.:txf3 .i.h4+ 18.Φd2 .i.g5+
19.ΦeΙ 1ιh4+ 20.Φd2 .i.g5+ 1ike ίη the
game Ajupov - Jaηtuήη, Russia 2000.
13... a4
Α pre1ude to B1ack's attack. Απ attempt
to exchange the 1ight-squared bishop de-
432
serνed attention here: 13 ... b6!? 14.h5 (ίη
case of 14 ...Itd3 after 14 ... cxd4 15.cxd4 fxe5
16.fxe5 there was 16 ... tΔxd4+, allowing
Black to take the initiatiνe. Also a quieter
14 ... ..Ita6 would be fine, and White would
not be able to gain anything by a standard
attacking manoeuνre after 15 . ..Itxh7 +
~xh7 16.tΔg5+ fxg5 17.hxg5+ ~g8 18.
~h5 ..Itxg5+) 14 ... ..Ita6°o. Αη exchange of
light-squared bishops could haνe de-
creased White's attacking potential consid-
erably.
14.b4 fxe5 15.fxe5
15 ... tΔdxe5!
Α preliminary 15 ... cxd4?! was much
worse: after 16.cxd4 tΔdxe5? 17.dxe5 tΔxe5
18 ...Itb2± Black's attack simply stagnated.
16.dxe5 tΔxe5 17 .tΔxe5 ~xe5+ 18.~e2
"ixh4+ 19.'It>d1!
This moνe was necessary since there
was ηο 19.Jdxh4? because of 19 ... ~xc3+
20.~d1 ~xaH
19... ~f6?
Black oνerestimated his attacking ρο­
tential. He had to play 19 ... ~xe2+!?
20.i.xe2 Jtf2 21.I:ι.h1 e5 22.bxc5 I:ι.a5!?
23.tΔf3 e4 24.tΔd4 I:ι.xc5°o . Ιη this position
all Black's pieces are actiνe, and the
chances are equal despite White's slight
material adνantage.
20.tΔf3!
Now the h4-bishop suffers difficulties,
and Black has to go for further material
sacrifices.
20 ... ~xc3
Ιη case of 20 ... e5 21 ..!:rxh4 e4 22. I:ι.f4 !
Super Tournαments 2000
~xc3 23 ..!:rxf8+ ~xf8 24. ~e3 ~xa1 25.
~xc5+ 'lt>e8 26."ib5+ ..Itd7 27 ...Itxd7+ ~xd7
28. ~xd5+- Black's king suffered an irre-
sistible attack.
21."ib2 ~b3+ 22.'It>c1 e5
The bishop is doomed. Ιη case of
22 ... ..Itffi 23 ...Itxf6 .ί:!.Χf6 24.tΔd2+- Black was
going to lose his queen.
23.~xh4!?
White is fully confident and does not
fear to allow Black to show a temporary
actiνity, though he could haνe won by
23.tΔd2 Jtxh3 24.tΔxb3 "ig4!? 25.~xg4!
.ί:!.ΧΩ+ 26.~c2 axb3+ 27.'It>xb3 axa1 (27 ...
c4+ 28.~a2) 28."ixa1 +- as well.
23 ..."if5 24.~d1!
Naturally, it'sonly adνantageous for
White if he manages to exchange Black's
actiνe queen. His problems would be more
serious ίη case of 24 ...Itxe5 cxb4 25 ..!:rxb4
aac8+ 26.~d2 J:Ic2+ 27.'It>d11:rxe2+ 28.J:Ixb3
axe529.I:ι.xb7±
24 ... e4 25. ~xb3 axb3 26.tΔd2!
White did not haνe time to show any
actiνity right now because ίη case of
26.tΔe5 there was 26 ... cxb4 27.axb4 I:ι.ac8+
28.'It>d1 ktc2 29."id4 e3 30."ixe3 b2 31.I:ι.b1
J:Ic3 32.I:ι.xb2 I:ι.xe3±, and he suffered prob-
lems with the achieνement ofhis material
adνantage.
26 ... e3
Ιη case of 26 ... c4 after 27."id4 ~ae8
28."ie2+- Black's passed pawns would be
blocked together and White would be able
to proceed to a gradual improνement ofhis
pieces' positions.
27.tΔf3
The knight is still useful for the defence,
so ίη case of 27.tΔxb3 "ig6 28."ie2 I:ι.f2
29.~d1 I:ι.xg2± Black could haνe actiνated
his forces to some extent.
27 ... I:ι.ae8 28.~d1!
Remoνing the king from the c-file and
threatening to take οη c5. White had been
unable to capture immediately by 28.bxc5
because Black would haνe played then
28 ... e2 29.~d2 exfi~ 30.Ι:ι.χΩ ..Ite4±, and
White would haνe turned out to be far from
World Chess Chαmpionship 433

the final victory.

28 ...c4 29 ...Ite2
Having blocked the opponent's passed
pawns, White can concern himself now
with the improvement of his pieces, look-
ing for more active positions for them.
29 ... ..Ite4 30.ΦcΙ I!.e6 31 . ..Itc3 ~g6
32.~h2 ..Itd3
32 ... .:f4!? deserved attention, but after
33.Wb2! (there was ηο 33 ...ie5 nf5 34...id4
.:ι.f4± because after 35.kxe3? Black had 38.~d3!
35 ... c3+) 33 ... ..ixf3 34 ..1i.xf3 d4 35 ..1i.el+- White is tremendously cool. He annihi-
there was ηο evident method of making a lates the opponent's pieces one after an-
profit οη Black's 4 passed pawns, whereas other, not being afraid of any illusory
White had already a pair of extra bishops. threats.
33..1i.xd3 cxd3 34.~b2 d2 35.~xb3 J:tg3 38 ... g4 39 . ..Ite5 J:tcl 40.J:thl J:txg2
36.~b2 g5 37.~c2 J:tc8 4ι.ttJh41-O

FINAL Gl G2 G3 G4 Final
1.1 Anand V. 1 IND 127621vsJ 3 IShiroν Α. Ι ESPJ 2746 = 1-0 1-0 1-0 3.5-0.5
434 Super Tournαments 2000

Necessary Epilogue to the

World Championship
Karpov - 12, Κasparov - 13, Κhalifman - 14, Anand - 15.
If the previous line does not seem Greek to you, you may safely skip the chapter.

Οη the night of Catholic Christmas the Hindu Viswanathan Anand became the new
World Champion. And where did it happen? As strange as it may seems, ίη not quite
chess-known Iran.
Not so long ago any person, that understood chess to a slightest extent, could name
the reining World Champion and that, who knew a little more, could enumerate all the
champions by the order of their inauguration. Now such a common matter embar-
rasses a lot of people. 1s Anand a World Champion? And what is then Vladimir Κramnik?
An ability to think logically is required for answering such questions, let's admit it.
Nevertheless, Ι will be careful and we will not draw hasty conclusions.

Thus, first premise. Α World Champion and the strongest player ίη the world is
not the same thing. Why have we to prove such an evident thing? Still we shall do it,
moreover it is easy.
Everybody knows (and it can be easily checked out) Hebden was the champion of
England ίη 2000, but who was the strongest chessplayer ofthe foggy Albion? Adams, of
course. Or, Volkov was the champion of Russia ίη 2000 (many rather inexperienced
amateurs would ask: "who was that?", Ι believe), well, and who was the strongest player
ίη Russia?! Right, it is not that simple ίη this case. Everybody can choose to his taste:
Kasparov, Κhalifman, Κramnik, or even Κarpov. But it is not so important ίη our case.
We can see that the strongest player and the titleholder is not the same thing. 1f you
think that it is a unique situation ίη the modern chess, Ι will try to prove that it hap-
pened quite often ίη the past. For, example, A.Alekhine was the World Champion ίη
1941- 46 but he was not the strongest among the chessplayers, especially ίη the last
years ofhis life. Or one more example, B.Spassky was the strongest player ίη 1967 - 68
but the World Champion at that time was T.Petrosian.

Second premise. It is possible to become a World Champion without defeating the

actual one. Let's resort to examples again, especially that one should not go too far. 1η
order to avoid being partial, let's deal with undeniable facts. The 12th World Champion
(we'll return to the ordinary numbers somewhat later) Anatoly Karpov obtained his
title without a fight, i.e. without overcoming the reigning 11th champion Robert Fischer.

Third premise. Not everyone, that wins a match against the strongest player (how-
ever, the notion "strongest" is rather subjective one) becomes a champion. 1n 1903 the
second World Champion Lasker was defeated by M.Chigorin ίn a thematic match by
2.5-3.5 and nothing followed. Ιn the modern times: 14th World Champion A.Κhalifman
lost a match by 1.5-4.5 to the Hungarian GM P.Leko. The third premise contained a
secret question: what did Κramnik become last year? The question is purely rhetorical,
you see, he has only beaten Kasparov, not the World Champion.
And now, Ι hope, the reader together with me will answer such simple questions:
Epilogue 435

what is Κramnik now and what ίη order World Champion is Anand. Let's do the maths
together. Haνing won a match against Kasparov, Κramnik became ... the winner ofthe
match Κasparov - Κramnik, and that is all. Or, perhaps, the strongest chessplayer
among the members of the Braingames, though chessplayers are few ίη this associa-
tion, one or two, ηο more. As to Anand, he became 15th World Champion, Κhalifman
was the fourteenth, Κasparov was the thirteenth. Stop! And what about Karpov, a caus-
tic reader may ask? Didn't he win a match against Anand ίη 1998 ίη Lausanne? How
about your logic and numbering of champions? Well, with ηumbeήηg it is quite simple,
but how could one answer the question: where did the World Champion Κarpov, who
had won the match ίη 1998, disappear? And what was, frankly speaking, Kasparov all
these years officially? Let's plunge into the history ofthe champion's title.

The World Champion - yesterday, today, tomorrow...

Such is the human nature: as soon as the second man learned to play chess, (after
the inventor of chess or God) he became involved ίη the challenge who played chess
stronger. Ifin the old times it might be established who was the strongest chessplayer
ίη town, considerably later they learned to determine who was the strongest player ίη
England, Germany, France ... Then by the end ofthe 19 century they already introduced
(correctly or not is another question) the first World Champion. It was Steinitz.

Before the rnatch Steinitz - Zukertort

The forehistory ofthe first match for the world title is complicated and intricate and
is not a subject of our investigation. But,here, ίη short, is the story. Approximately ίη
the forties of 19th century the strongest chessplayers were Adolf Anderssen (born ίη
Breslau, nowadays Wroclaw, Poland, ίη 1818) and Howard Staunton (born ίη 1810). The
one was winning tournaments and matches, the other matches οηlΥ. Α match between
them nearly took place, and who could know, the winner might have been called the
World Champion. But the match, however, did not take place. Besides, Paul Morphy
(born ίη New Orleans, ίη 1837) soon appeared οη the chess scene. He crushed all, at
first ίη his America, then ίη England and continental Europe. Ιη Ρaήs Morphy won two
matches, including one against Anderssen (8:3 ίη the classical chess, then 5:1 ίη rapid
chess, too). Morphy did not succeed ίη beating Staunton. According to some evidence,
the Englishman, feeling Morphy's SUΡeήοrίtΥ, agreed to play a match, although, under
various pretexts he managed to avoid it. Morphy quit playing chess soon.
One might draw some parallels - Kasparov also beat all and surely he was the
strongest chess player for a long time (and he still may be the strongest one, never
mind), but lately he is not the World Champion, too. But unlike Morphy, Kasparov lost
the match, although, thank God, he did not quit playing chess. But let's come back to
our history, to the forehistory, indeed.
Staunton began seldom to play, and Anderssen has been considered the strongest
chessplayer again for many years. Ιη the sixties he met a merited rival, Wilhelm Steinitz
(born ίη Prague, nowadays Czech Republic, ίη 1836). Ιη 1866 there was a match be-
tween them, won by Steinitz 8:6. But wait, please, it is not yet the historical first world-
436 Super Tournαments 2000

title match. This is only a victory of one very strong player over another, well, for
example, like the victory ofΚramnik ίη London ίη 2000. ΒΥ the way, the match Steinitz
- Anderssen also took place ίη London. Steinitz won the match but he did not succeed ίη
winning a big chess tournament. There is nothing extraordinary ίη it, one can be strong
to play ίη matches with a concrete opponent and another can win tournaments. And
only five years later Steinitz began to achieve victories ίη prestigious tournaments.
And nearly at once Steinitz stopped playing chess and began to develop the theory of
chess. He returned to chess for some time, ίη 1876 he beat Joseph Blackbourne ( born
ίη Manchester, ίη 1841) ίη a match ίη London. And he did notjust beat him, but swept
away scoring 7:0! It is necessary to note, that by that moment Blackbourne was not a
"whipping boy", he had excellent successes ίη tournaments: ίη 1868 Blackbourne be-
came a champion of England, he was the second ίη the international tournament ίη
London,1872, and third ίη Vienna - 1873. Even after the ill-fated match with Steinitz,
υρ to 1910, Blackbourne was the strongest English chessplayer, wining tournaments
regularly. Where does Steinitz play after the match of 1876? Nowhere. Steinitz stopped
playing ίη tournaments and matches for the next six years. Ιη 1882, when he came back
to active chess life, he was met by a whole galaxy of strong chess fighters: Blackbourne,
Bardeleben, Chigorin, Mackenzie, Mason, Winawer, Zukertort ... Ιη the international
tournament ίη Vienna,1982 Steinitz tied for 1 place with Winawer, but next year ίη the
London tournament he was only second, falling whole three points behind Zukertort
(born ίη Lublin, ίη 1842). Steinitz challenged Zukertort for a match and offered to call
the winner a World Champion.

From the first match to the match of 1990

Match negotiations continued for two years and ended ίη 1886.

The match (America, 1886) was headed by a special committee (a FIDE prototype?)
that worked out the rules and the schedule. It was played υρ to 10 wins (the Fischer's
dream!), not counting the draws. At first Zukertort won four games, losing one but
then he did not stand υρ to the severe strain ofthe struggle and lost: -10 + 5. Steinitz
became the first official World Champion. We discussed quite extensively the first match
ίη order to show that determining a World Champion is rather complicated task. Con-
cerning the champion we have got, it is not an easy matter, too.
Should he defend his title or the challenge starts all over again?
Should the champion have privileges defending his title and of what kind? Let's
point out that every champion interpreted this issue differently. There was the rule of
the champion keeping the title ifthe match ended ίη a draw (it was valid nearly always),
and the right ofreturn match (Steinitz, Alekhine, Botvinnik), and a guarantee (often by
the challenger only) for an indispensable prize fund (Capablanca), and a convenient
type ofmatch (Fischer required to play υρ to 10 wins).
How often should a champion be nominated?
And who actually will challenge the titleholder? Ιη the beginning it was easy - the
champion chose a rival himself, somewhat later nearly everybody could play, who would
present the prize fund. And only after the death ofthe fourth World Champion Alekhine
ίη 1946, FIDE succeeded ίη organizing competitions for the World Championship. Α
harmonious system of competitions was established and held out with some updates υρ
to the 1990 match, inclusive. Qualification tournaments took place once ίη three years
Epilogue 437

(the so-called zonals and interzonals), their winners played Challenger matches, and
the last left opposed the World Champion ίη a match for the title.
Ιη total, starting from 1886 (Steinitz - Zukertort) until1990 (Κasparov - Κarpov)
there took places 34 matches for the World Championship and one match-tournament
(1948).
Look closer at the 29th and 32nd lines. They are filled ίη dashes. The reason is that
with the first appearance ofthe names of Anatoly Κarpov (ίη 1975) and Garry Kasparov

Orgaηizators
Date Place Participaηts Champioη
Spoηsors

11.01-29.03 Steiηitz Steiηitz + 1ο-

1 Match Committee USA Ι
1886 Zukertort 5=5

Haνaηa 20.01-24.02 Steiηitz Steiηitz

2 Match Haνaηa 1
Chess Club 1889 Chigoriη +10-6=1

Maηhattaη 9.12.1890- Steiηitz Steiηitz

3 Match New-York 1
Chess CΙub 22.01.1891 Guηsberg +6-4=9

Haνaηa 1.01-28.02 Steiηitz Steiηitz

4 Match Haνaηa 1
Chess Club 1892 Chigoriη +10-8=5

Americaη 15.03-26.05 USA- Steiηitz Lasker

5 Match 2
Chess Clubs 1894 Caηada Lasker +10-5=4

Returη 7.11.1896- Lasker Lasker

6 Bostaηtzoglo Moscow 2
Match 14.01.1897 Steiηitz +10-2=5

Americaη 26.01-8.04 Lasker Lasker

7 Match USA 2
Chess CΙubs 1907 Marshall +8-0=7

Germaη 17.08-30.09 Lasker Lasker

8 Match Germaηy 2
ChessAssoc. 1908 Tarrasch +8-3=5

19.10-9.11 Lasker Lasker

9 Match Nardus Paris 2
1909 Jaηowski +7-1=2

Vieηηa CC 7.01-10.02 Vieηηa- Lasker Lasker

10 Match 2
Berliη CC 1910 Berliη Schlechter +1-1=8

8.11-8.12 Lasker Lasker

11 Match Nardus Paris 2
1910 Jaηowski +8=3

15.03-28.04 Lasker Capablaηca

12 Match Haνaηa CC Haνaηa 3
1921 Capablaηca +4=10

Argeηtiηe 16.09-29.11 Capablaηca Alekhiηe

13 Match Bueηos Aires 4
patroηs 1927 Alekhiηe +6-3=25

Germaηy
6.09-12.11 Germaηy- Alekhiηe Alekhiηe
14 Match aηd Hollaηd 4
1929 Hollaηd Bogoljubow +11-5=9
patroηs

Germaηy 1.04-14.06 Alekhiηe Alekhiηe

15 Match Germaηy 4
patroηs 1934 Bogoljubow +8-3=15

Dutch Chess 3.10-15.12 Alekhiηe Euwe

16 Match Hollaηd 5
Associatioη 1935 Euwe +9-8=13
438 Super Tournαments 2000

Retum Dutch Chess 5.10-7.12 Euwe Alekhine

17 Holland 4
Match Association 1937 Alekhine +10-4=11

Botvinnik,
Match-tou- 2.03-18.05 The Hague- Euwe, Κeres, Botvinnik
18 FIDE 6
maments 1948 Moscow Reshevsky, +10-2=8
Smyslov

15.03-11.05 Botvinnik Botvinnik

19 Match FIDE Moscow 6
1951 Bronstein +5-5=14

16.03-13.05 Botvinnik Botvinnik

20 Match FIDE Moscow 6
1954 Smyslov +7-7=10

5.03-27.Q4 Botvinnik Smyslov

21 Match FIDE Moscow 7
1957 Smyslov +6-3=13

Return 4.03-8.05 Smyslov Botvinnik

22 FIDE Moscow 6
Match 1958 Botvinnik +7-5=11

15.03-7.05 Botvinnik Tal

23 Match FIDE Moscow 8
1960 Tal +6-2=13

Return 15.03-12.05 Tal Botvinnik

24 FIDE Moscow 6
Match 1961 Botvinnik +10-5=6

23.03-20.05 Botvinnik Petrosian

25 Match FIDE Moscow 9
1963 Petrosian +5-2=15

11.04-9.06 Petrosian Petrosian

26 Match FIDE Moscow 9
1966 Spassky +4-3=17

14.04-17.06 Petrosian Spassky

27 Match FIDE Moscow 10
1969 Spassky +6-4=13

11.07-1.09 Spassky Fischer

28 Match FIDE Moscow 11
1972 Fischer +7-3=11

29 ------------- FIDE 3.04.1975 ------------ Κarpov Κarpov 12

18.07-18.10 Κarpov Κarpov

30 Match FIDE Baguio City 12
1978 Κorchnoi +6-5=21

1.10-18.11 Κarpov Κarpov

31 Match FIDE Merano 12
1981 Κorchnoi +6-5=21

19.09.1984- Κarpov
32 Match FIDE Moscow ---------- --
15.02.1985 Κasparov

3.09-9.11 Κarpov Κasparov

33 Match FIDE Moscow 13
1985 Κasparov +5-3=16

Return 28.07-9.10 London- Κasparov Κasparov

34 FIDE 13
Match 1986 Leningrad Κarpov +5-4=15

12.10-19.12 Κasparov Κasparov

35 Match FIDE Sevilla 13
1987 Κarpov +4-4=16

7.10-31.12 NewYork- Κasparov Κasparov

36 Match FIDE 13
1990 Lyon Κarpov +4-3=17
Epilogue 439

αη 1984) ίη world title matches, the harmonious challenger system began to crack and
quite soon tumbled down.
Mter a long supremacy ofthe Soviet chess, the American Robert Fisher became the
World Champion (1972). As many other champions before him he wanted to change the
rules of the world title match (to play υρ to 10 wins - instead of 6, as before; the
champion retained his title at the score 9:9), but FIDE did not agree. As long as the
World Champion (Fisher) refused to defend his title οη FIDE terms, and the Federation
did not want to keep the chess world without a champion for a long time (j.e. to organ-
ize something like the 1948 tournament), then Karpov, the winner ofthe final challeng-
ers' match, was proclaimed a World Champion. For the first time ίη chess history Κarpov
was inaugurated for the World Champion without actually winning a world-title match.
Nevertheless, at that time Karpov was the strongest (if taking Fischer out the list),
what he did prove later, chain-winning tournaments and overcoming Victor Korchnoi ίη
two matches ίη 1979 - 81.
The next story happened already with the participation ofKasparov and Karpov as
well. Their first match, stretching from September 1984 till February 1985, was inter-
rupted by FIDE president Campomanes ίη his own will decision without determining a
winner (at that moment Karpov led by score +5 - 3 = 40). And for the first time ίη chess
history again the world-title match was dropped undecided. Ιη September they did play
a new match, which Kasparov won. But ίη 1986 the fight went οη again ίη the so-called
rematch. Kasparov won convincingly. Το find a more-or-Iess legitimate basis for Karpov
to stay ίη the battle, FIDE thought out the following: the winner ofthe ofthe challeng-
ers' final (Α. Sokolov) obtained the right to meet not the World Champion Kasparov, but
Κarpov (who at that moment had not any official status at all).
Let's glance a little back. Ιη 1983 FIDE took a decision to organize a world-title
match not once ίη three years, but οηlΥ ίη two. Therefore, after the 1984 match, the
World Champion should have defended his title against the winner ofthe final challeng-
ers' match ίη 1986, next ίη 1988 and ίη 1990. But all other chessplayers were deprived
of chances to fight for the chess crown ίη 1985-87. It was true the last episode of the
series Kasparov - Κarpov stood οη legitimate grounds - Karpov beat successively
Hjartarsson, Jussupow and Timman ίη challengers' matches.

From 1993 matches to 2000 World Championship

Ιη 1993 there was an event, somehow reminding 1975. The actual World Champion
Kasparov refused to defend his title under FIDE rules. Α new organization, PCA, was
born by that time and under its aegis a world-title match was played between Kasparov
and Nigel Short, winner ofthe challengers' matches. Nothing exceptional ίη it, after all
nobody forbade any organization to hold world-title matches, especially ifthe challenger
was selected by a fair sporting way.
Suddenly FIDE was left without a champion, but it resolved the problem ίη two
stages: the Federation expelled Kasparov and Short out ofits ranks (ίη truth, it was not
for long) and organized a match between Karpov and Timman (that Karpov won), call-
ing it the world-title match. ΒΥ the way, the match could have been called a match of
440 Super Tournαments 2000

09-1.11 Netherlands Κaτpoν Κaτpoν

37a Match FIDE 12
1993 Indonesia Timman +6-2=13

7.09-21.10 Κasparov Κasparov

37b Match PCA London 13
1993 Short +6-1=13

5.06-11.07 ΚaΓpoν Κaτpoν

38a Match FIDE Elista 12
1996 Κamsky +6-3=9

11.09-10.10 Κasparov Κasparov

38b Match PCA NewYork 13
1995 Anand +4-1=13

Κnockout- 8.12.1997- Groningen- ΚaΓpoν Κaτpoν

39 FIDE 12
Match 8.01.1998 Lausanne Anand +4-2=2

30.07-29.08 Κhalifman
40 Κnockout FIDE Las Vegas Κhalifman 14
1999 Akopian

27.11-25.12 New Delhi- Anand Anand

41 Κnockout FIDE 15
2000 Tehran Shirov +3=1

24.11.2001- Moscow-
42 Κnockout FIDE
13.01.2002 London

the chessplayers beaten by Short: ίn April 1992 Short defeated Karpov +4 - 2 = 4 ίn a

semifinal challengers' match, and beat Timman +6 - 3 = 4 ίn a final ίn January 1993.
One way or another, ίn 1993 the chess world got two champions at once: Karpov ίn
the FIDE version and Kasparov ίn PCA version.
The next screenenig cycle of competitions ίn both versions passed successfully. Ιn
particular, the GMs were satisfied, they could play ίn all tournaments and matches ίn
both versions. The most successful of all was Kamsky, who played a world-title match
with Karpov (FIDE) ίn 1996 and a challengers' final with Anand (PCA) ίn 1994.
Soon after Kasparov became the PCA champion for the second time, this organiza-
tion stopped existing. The last steps ofthe PCA were not triνial. Instead of determining
the strongest challenger by fair sporting selection, a match Κramnik - Shirov was held,
won by the latter with a score 5.5:3.5. Ιn fact, Shirov did not succeed ίn playing with
Κasparov - under various reasons the organization of the match failed. Thus, the
champion's story (PCA version), that began with the match Kasparov - Short ίn 1993,
ended ίn 1995 with the match Κasparov - Anand. As always, many young and strong
grandmasters would like to try there chance crossing swords with the champion, but,
alas, it was not possible. And what a champion is this, if nobody has a chance to play
with him and try to beat him?
Thus, Kasparov as a World Champion was left ίn the past, being, however, the stron-
gest player. From 1995 till 1999 the champion's title (till Κhalifman's victory ίn Las
Vegas) belonged to Karpov by right.
FIDE new leadership, headed by Κirsan Ilyumzhinov, suggested other format of
determining the World Champion, which corresponded more to the rhythm ofthe mod-
ern life.
Once a year hundred ofthe strongest players gather together for a month or two to
determine the champion among their ranks. It is true that Anand, the first winner of
such tournament (Groningen-97), was made to play a match against Karpov. But be-
Epilogue 441

cause of the obvious discrimination (Karpov did not play ίn the tournament and was
much "fresher" than his rival, who just had played many games ίn a hard competition)
the champions were deprived ofthis priνilege ίn future. Karpov did not participate ίn
the next World Championship and Alexander Κhalifman, having defeated Vladimir
Akopian (3.5:2.5) ίn a final match ίn Las Vegas, became the 14-th World Champion.
As any other method of determining the world champion, the Κnockout system has
drawbacks too. Would not devaluation ofthe world champion's title happen (as it took
place with the "Grandmaster" title) if, for example, the Las Vegas tournament had been
won not by Κhalifman but Nisipeanu? Let's all hope together, that the next champion
would be somebody ofthe "merited": Adams, Κramnik, Leko, Morozevich, Shirov... And
perhaps it will be Anand, Karpov, Κhalifman or even Kasparov again?

The list ofWorld Chess Champions:

1st W.Steinitz 29.03.1886 -25.05.1894

2nd E.Lasker 26.05.1894- 27.04.1921
3rd J-R.Capablanca 28.04.1921-28.11.1927
4th A.Alekhine 29.11.1927 -14.12.1935,7.12.1937 - 24.03.1946
5th M.Euwe 15.12.1935 - 6.12.1937
6th M.Botνinnik 18.05.1948- 26.04.1957,26.04.1958- 6.05.1960,12.05.1961-19.05.1963
7th V.Smyslov 27.04.1957 - 25.04.1958
8th M.Tal 7.05.1960 -11.05.1961
9th T.Petrosian 20.05.1963 -16.06.1969
10th B.Spassky 17.06.1969 - 31.08.1972
11th R.Fischer 1.09.1972 - 2.04.1975
12th A.Karpov 3.04.1975 - 8.11.1985,09.1993 - 27.08.1999
13th G.Κasparov 9.11.1985 -08.1993
14th A.Κhalifman 28.08.1999 -11.12.2000
15th V.Anand 24.12.2000 -
442 Super Tournαments 2000

INDEX OF OPENINGS
(Numbers are game numbers)

ΑΟ7 171,173,177,186,195 43,137,161,218 Α30

ΑΟ8 83, 132 61, 189 Α3Ι

ΑΙ4 65 7,110 Α34

ΑΙ6 226 220,229 Α40

ΑΙ7 60,119,286 49, 183 Α43

ΑΙ8 282 91 Α45

Α20 120,204,212 245 Α46

Α25 39 264 Α70

Α26 74, 76 4 Α90

Α29 71

ΒΟΟ 123 31,46,130,190 Β33

ΒΟ6 145, 150 277 Β38

ΒΟ7 146,156,217,244 203 Β40

ΒΟ8 113 85,172 Β42

ΒΙ2 57,77 139,153,162,167 Β43

Β14 272 211 Β44

ΒΙ5 133 274 Β45

ΒΙ7 22,55,261,281 214 Β47

ΒΙ9 51,115 299 Β49

Β20 259 200 Β50

Β22 144,234,243 202 Β52

Β25 228 237 Β63

Β27 219 180,216,250 Β70

Β30 225 206 Β72

Β3Ι 109,266 181,192,232 Β76

Index of Openings 443

Β80 6,14,81,188,238,249 80,84,199,242,248,275 Β85

Β81 141,148,163,175,185,210, 59 Β87

240 37,45,158,164,179,292 Β90

Β83 265 247 Β91

Β84 285 32,92,143,155 Β92

COO 15 97,124,258,276,279,287,293 C42

C02 30,117,270,297 296
C04 103 13,70,235 C45
C07 50,86 135 C48
C08 69 169 C60
CI0 273 121,233,290 C65
Cll 10,72,73,82,87,88,90,105 184, 193 C67
230,252,255,288,300 108 C68
C12 96 257 C72
C17 19,29,41,44,58,93,95,256 104,291,295,298 C78
260 11,201 C82
C18 278 78,114,284 C89
C37 221 53, 166 C92
C39 197 271 C95
C42 16,21,25,27,28,40,42,47,75 294 C96

DOO 118 48,147,215 D19

D05 128 157 D20
DI0 280 112, 129, 159 D27
D15 187, 198 63,66,194 D30
D17 9,34,79,106,207,289 182,262 D31
D18 24,35,178 5 »37
444 Super Tournαments 2000

D38 168,224 122, 196 D48

D39 116,125,209,223 36 D58
D42 267 154 D80
D43 64,94,227 1,12,18,20,38,151,205 D85
D46 98,102,111,170 149 D91
D47 107, 127, 138 26,33,160,208 D97

ΕΟ4 99,142,176,239,241 2,222 Ε42

ΕΟ5 136,251,254 268 Ε45

ΕΟ7 8 23, 101 Ε59

ΕΟ8 134 174 Ε60

Ε12 52,62,89 67 Ε61

Ε15 17,54,56,126,263 165,236 Ε73

ΕΙ7 68 283 Ε8Ι

Ε32 253 213,231,269 Ε90

Ε34 100, 191 140, 152 Ε94

Ε4Ι 131 3,246 Ε97

INDEX OF OPPONENTS
J

Adams 16,17,78,97,99,108,109 2,4,10,19,22,24,28,32,35 Anand

114,121,126,132,137,285 38,40,42,44,47,95,102,104

287,291,293,295 111,114,119,128,130,134,237
Adianto 51,54,57 238,242,243,250,251,254,255
Akopian 82,84,86,89,91,93,94,102 271,278,281,284,286,289,291
105, 112, 117, 123, 125, 131, 137 293,295,297,298,299,300
Aleksandrov 221,222,224 169,223,244,245 Azmaiparashvili
Almasi 176,184,185,194,196,203
207,211,215 70, 74, 76 Bacrot
Index ο{ Opponents 445

Bareev 74,77,98,99,106,111,115 61,64,69,170,174,178,181 Ivanchuk

120,127,131,138,171,236 189,190,199,201,208,211
244, 245, 252-255, 288 219,231,242,243,272
Beliavsky 65,67
Bologan 271 54,55,56 Κaτpoν

1, 6, 9, 12, 13, Ί.§., 21, 26, 21 Κasparov

Dao Thien 269 32,33,37,41,4~45,47,70

"Deep Junior-6" 98, 103, 108, 113, 118, 123 72,75,81

128, 133, 135 20,23,26,29,30,35,36,41 Κhalifman

Dreev 220,224,283 44,48,50,57,58,95,100,107

113,117,122,127,132,136

Ehlvest 56, 272 238,239,240,256,258,260

262,264,266,279,282,284

Fedorov 179,181,188,192,197,203 286,289

206,213,217,232,236 1,10,62,64,68,69 Κorchnoi

5,8,18,23,24,27,31,34,36 Κramnik

Galkin 256,259,261,262,265,267 40,43,46,49,94,101,106

Gallagher 140, 143, 146, 150, 152, 155 109, 118, 119, 124, 129, 136
158, 162, 164, 167 60,63,65-6,178,182,187,193 Κrasenkow

Gelfand 61,63,141,142,147,148,152 196,204,205,213,218,274

156,159,161,164,166, 179
180,189,191,198,202,207 268 Lautier
212,218,240,241,246,247 268,282 Leitao
250,251 7,11,20,22,25,29,31,33,38 Leko
Georgiev Κi. 79,275 39, 45, 49, 96, 100, 105, 110

Grischuk 277,290,292,294,296 115, 121, 124, 130, 135, 279

Gurevich Μ. 71,72,76,226,227,230 3,7,8,12,15,19,278 Lputian

Hernandez Gi. 83,84,87,88,91,92 274,281 Macieja

Huebner 96, 103, 107, 112, 116, 120 177,183,186,194,195,204 Markowski
126, 129, 134 206,212,219
446 Super Tournaments 2000

Milos 53,59,222,225,248,249,252 21,25,28,30,34,37,39,42,46 Shirov

253,270 48,71,73,77,79,80,83,85,86

ΜΗον 139, 142, 146, 149, 153, 154 88,90,93,169,170,172,173,175

159, 162, 165, 168 184,186,193,197,202,208,210

Minosian 171,173,174 216,288,290,292,294,296~00

Morozevich 9,15,220,221,223,225,270 5,228,229,230,273 Short

276,280 75 Sokolov Ι.
Movsesian 80,81,176,183,187,192,198 139, 143, 145, 148, 151, 154 Svidler
201,209,214,216,234,248,249 158,160,163,166,175,180
185,190,195,200,205,214

Nataf 273 217,232,233,235

Nikolic Pr. 4,17
2,13,14,16,52,55,58,257 Timman
Piket 3,11,97,101,104,110,116 258,261,263,265,266
122, 125, 133, 138 237,239,241 ΤίΒΒίτ

Polgar Ju. 51,52,59,82,85,87,89,90 280 Tkachiev

92,257,259,260,263,264 73,78,275,283,285,287 Topalov
267

Ponomariov 141, 144, 145, 150, 153, 156 6, 14, 140, 144, 147, 149, 151 Van Wely
157,160,165,167,231,269 155, 157, 161, 163, 168, 177, 182
188,191,199,200,209.210,215

Rizouk 234,235 276 Vladimirov

Romanishin 60,62,66,67,68 227,229 XuJun
Rublevsky 172 226,228,246,247 Ye Jiangchuan
50,53 ZawWin Lay
Serper 277 233 Zhang Zhong