diff --git a/Tests/FischerCoreTests/PGN/KasparovPGNFileTests.swift b/Tests/FischerCoreTests/PGN/KasparovPGNFileTests.swift new file mode 100644 index 00000000..87fc9148 --- /dev/null +++ b/Tests/FischerCoreTests/PGN/KasparovPGNFileTests.swift @@ -0,0 +1,28 @@ +import Foundation +import Testing +@testable import FischerCore + +final class KasparovPGNFileTests { + @Test("Kasparov PGN file parses all games") + func parseKasparovPGNFileFromResources() async throws { + let fileURL = try #require( + Bundle.module.url(forResource: "garry-kasparov-on-gk-part-1", withExtension: "pgn") + ) + + let fileContents = try String(contentsOf: fileURL, encoding: .isoLatin1) + let firstTagIndex = try #require(fileContents.firstIndex(of: "[")) + let pgn = fileContents[firstTagIndex...] + let eventTagCount = fileContents + .split(separator: "\n", omittingEmptySubsequences: false) + .filter { $0.hasPrefix("[Event ") } + .count + let games = try BasicPGNParser().parse(String(pgn)) + + #expect(fileContents.contains("% BOOKTITLE = Kasparov on Kasparov 1973-85")) + #expect(eventTagCount == 137) + #expect(games.count == 137) + #expect(games.count == eventTagCount) + #expect(games.first?.tags[.white] == "About this Publication") + #expect(games.last?.tags[.event] == "100: World Championship Match, Moscow") + } +} diff --git a/Tests/FischerCoreTests/Resources/garry-kasparov-on-gk-part-1.pgn b/Tests/FischerCoreTests/Resources/garry-kasparov-on-gk-part-1.pgn new file mode 100644 index 00000000..b6a6136a --- /dev/null +++ b/Tests/FischerCoreTests/Resources/garry-kasparov-on-gk-part-1.pgn @@ -0,0 +1,18839 @@ +% BOOKTITLE = Kasparov on Kasparov 1973-85 +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "About this Publication"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1952.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.10.05"] + +{'Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov' part 1, is the first book in a major new +three-volume series. This series will be unique by the fact that it will +record the greatest chess battles played by the greatest chessplayer of +all-time. The series in itself is a continuation of Kasparov's mammoth history +of chess, comprising 'My Great Predecessors' and 'Modern Chess'. --- +Kasparov's historical volumes have received great critical and public acclaim +for their rigorous analysis and comprehensive detail regarding the +developments in chess that occurred both on and off the board.. This new +volume and series continues in this vein with Kasparov scrutinising his most +fascinating encounters from the period 1973-1985 whilst also charting his +development away from the board.} 1. -- {This period opens with the emergence +of a major new chess star from Baku and ends with Kasparov's first clash with +reigning world champion Anatoly Karpov - a mammoth encounter that stretched +out over six months. It had been known in Russia for some time that Kasparov +had an extraordinary talent but the first time that this talent was unleashed +on the western world was in 1979. The Russian Chess Federation had received an +invitation for a player to participate in a tournament at Banja Luka and, +under the impression that this was a junior event, sent along the fifteen year +old Kasparov (as yet without even an international rating!). Far from being a +junior tournament, Banja Luka was actually a major international event +featuring numerous world class grandmasters. Undeterred Kasparov stormed to +first place, scoring 11½/15 and finishing two points clear of the field. +Over the next decade this 'broad daylight' between Kasparov and the rest of +the field was to become a familiar sight in the world's leading tournaments.} ( +1. -- {Garry Kasparov is generally regarded as the greatest chess player ever. +He was the thirteenth World Champion, holding the title between 1985 and 2000. +His tournament record is second to none, featuring numerous wins in the +world's major events, often by substantial margins. As well as his outstanding +successes, Kasparov has constantly promoted the game; he has done more than +anyone to popularize chess in modern times.}) * + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Foreword"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "2012.09.05"] +[SourceDate "2012.10.09"] + +{The autobiographical three-volume 'Garry Kasparov on Garry Kasparov' is a +continuation of the series 'My Great Predecessors' (Parts I-V) and 'Modern +Chess' (Parts 1-4). --- Initially I was intending simply to annotate about +three hundred of my best games, dividing them into three volumes in accordance +with the stages of my competitive career: the pre-champion period (1973-1985), +the time when I was champion within the FIDE framework (1985-1993) and the +years outside of FIDE (1993-2005). But then I realised that to complete the +picture I needed to include not only the best, but also the most memorable +games and endings, which became landmarks on my chess career (although some of +them have already been annotated in previous books).} 1. -- {Throughout my +life it has been said that I won mainly thanks to deep and comprehensive +opening preparation. Thereby - deliberately or otherwise - my ability to play +creatively at the board itself was disparaged. 'I don't know another player +who would prepare so thoroughly for a match or a tournament. In this respect +he surpasses even the legendary Botvinnik', Anatoly Karpov once said about me. +In fact, without the ability to play creatively at the board, nothing can be +achieved, whereas the art of preparation has been a distinguishing feature of +many world champions and has always furthered the progress of chess thinking. +--- In the 1920s Alekhine worked at chess more persistently than anyone before +him in history, and as a result the entire culture of the 'amateur game' +sharply improved. In the 1940s Botvinnik's methodical mind and scientific +approach assisted the transformation of chess into a genuine profession. In +the 1970s Fischer's fantastic enthusiasm for analytical work forced any player +who did not want to 'miss the boat' to devote more time to theoretical +preparation. In the 1980s, when I became the leader of the new opening +revolution, the need for such preparation was already axiomatic.} (1. -- {I +grew up in an atmosphere of strict discipline, created by my mother. My chess +outlook was formed at the school of Mikhail Botvinnik, and my opening +repertoire developed under the influence of my trainers - the outstanding +analysts Alexander Nikitin and Alexander Shakarov. Apart from an innate +combinative gift, from childhood I possessed an unlimited appetite for +analytical work. I studied all the latest games of the leading grandmasters, +recorded novelties and analysed critical positions, trying to find +improvements. The choice of a particular opening system was always the fruit +of deep creative processing, and certainly not blind imitation. --- Later, in +the period when I was fighting for the world crown, my circle of analytical +helpers expanded, but as before I tirelessly generated my own ideas. And when +personal computers appeared, I was the first player to include machine +analysis in my system of preparation and to make systematic use of playing +programs and databases. Soon I discovered how weak some of my earlier +preparations had been. A useful, sobering discovery! Under the microscope of +powerful computer programs it transpired that at times I had gone along to a +game not with a some kind of Excalibur, but with a blunt pen-knife. --- +Nevertheless, my intensive preparation was invariably rewarded with good +results, even when by no means all the ideas were used. Between labour +invested and success achieved there always exists if not a direct connection, +then some almost mythical one. Probably also a psychological one: after all, +every time when beginning a battle, I thought that I possessed some 'deadly +weapon', and this gave me confidence, even if the weapon was unused or proved +to be altogether ineffective.}) (1. -- {This volume contains one hundred newly +annotated games and endings. It is partly based on my first book 'The Test of +Time' (1986). In the preface to it Botvinnik wrote: 'Kasparov is on the right +path: analyses of games should be published by a player not only to afford +pleasure to the readers, but also, by putting forward the results of his work +to their strict judgement, to be able to use the readers' criticisms to check +the objectivity of his searchings. This is an essential step for anyone who +wishes to become a researcher in chess. In this way creative and competitive +successes can be raised, and the very maximum possible "squeezed" out of his +talent...' --- The large amount of annotation work done then was, of course, +not free of analytical mistakes, and in addition the rapid progress of opening +theory has changed the assessments of numerous variations. Therefore a number +of annotations had to be significantly refined and amplified, and some +shortened. As Botvinnik anticipated, 'not all the games have survived'. But on +the whole my earlier conclusions have withstood the test of time.}) (1. -- {I +should like to express my gratitude to my former trainers Alexander Nikitin +and Alexander Shakarov for their help in preparing the manuscript for +publication.}) * + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "1: Baku University"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.06"] + +{Childhood Years} 1. -- {The chapter title is an adaptation of the +autobiographical 'My Universities', in which Maxim Gorky describes his +experiences of early manhood in the university of life. (Translator's note) +--- It is the spring of 1963. In Moscow, in the Estrada Theatre, the +Botvinnik-Petrosian match for the world championship is taking place, and in +Baku Vladimir Makogonov, trainer in the chess section of the Regional +Officer's Club, is carefully analysing each game with his pupils. --- Valery +Asriyan: 'In early April, when the scores were level, I asked Makogonov who, +in his opinion, would win the match. "Petrosian", he replied without thinking. +"And who will be champion in 10 years time?" I ventured to ask. "Probably +Fischer", said Makogonov after a slight pause. "And in 20 years time?", I +jokingly enquired. Vladimir Andreevich smiled: "You are wanting to look too +far ahead. It is possible that the player who will be world champion in 20 +years time has not yet been born". Of course, it was hard to imagine that just +a few days later, 13th April, would see the birth in Baku of a boy, whom his +parents would name Garry and who within 22 years would become world champion!'} +(1. -- {Strictly speaking, I could have been born a day later, since I came +into this world at a quarter to midnight. In a sense my mother would have +preferred this to happen. But I was nevertheless born on the 13th day of the +4th month of the year 63 (again 4+6+3=13) and, contrary to all superstitions, +for me this has proved a lucky number. So much so, that I even became the 13th +world champion, and, moreover, after an unscheduled match for the title, which +took place in the year of 85 (8+5=13). --- The origin of my name is curious. +This was one of the strong-willed decisions of my father, which influenced my +fate and my character. 'My name is Kim - short, and rather voiceless', said my +father, 'whereas a boy's name should be resounding. Let it be pronounced +firmly, let there be a letter 'r'. We will call our son Garry!' --- Baku was +the capital of Soviet Azerbaijan, a typical outpost of the imperial state. A +kind of large 'Odessa on the Caspian' - a melting-pot of different +nationalities, united by the common Russian language and the dominating +Russian-Soviet culture. My own roots are no exception: my mother was Armenian, +and my father Jewish. This is sometimes called an explosive mixture. At any +event, I think that I inherited both the sensible pragmatism of my mother, and +the capricious, creative nature of my father - and it was a combination of +these traits that determined the atmosphere in our home.}) (1. -- {My father, +Kim Moiseevich Weinstein, grew up in a family of musicians. He had an +excellent ear and he studied the violin at music school, but then he entered +the Azerbaijan Industrial Institute and became an electrical engineer, and +later the author of scientific articles and an almost completed dissertation. +Five years later my mother, Klara Shagenovna Kasparova, completed a course at +the same Institute, but in a different faculty, and after obtaining her +engineer's diploma on the speciality 'automatic equipment and remote control', +in the autumn of 1959 she joined the laboratory where my father was then +working. It was there that they met. --- My parents had a wide range of +interests in common - books, music, theatre, cinema - and chess! Both my +mother and my father had learned to play when they were young, and they loved +solving the studies and problems published in the Baku Vyshka newspaper. In +the early 1960s my father changed jobs and began working in a specialised +construction bureau associated with the oil industry, where chess was also +especially popular. It can be said that, from the first days of my life, chess +fluids were floating around me.}) (1. -- {The biographies of famous chess +players usually begin with some remarkable episode from their early childhood. +Thus the young Capablanca and Reshevsky, without knowing the rules of chess +and by simply watching the game being played in their family, suddenly began +defeating their fathers. Karpov was introduced to chess in the same way, +although his father was a much stricter examiner (this was, after all, the +Soviet Chess School!). --- I will not break with tradition and I will also +begin with my early childhood. My relatives recall that I began walking at 10 +months - and I immediately became resolute and free. But even before that I +displayed exceptional tenacity in achieving a goal. Once my grandmother sat me +down with toys in my cot and went off to the kitchen to prepare dinner. But I +got bored and, overcoming all the obstacles, I gradually crawled my way to the +kitchen, where there was my favourite folding chair. My grandma was surprised +and carried me back. Within ten minutes I crawled in again... My grandma +wondered: 'How many times will he do this?' But in the end she lost count and +merely repeated: 'There's character for you!' --- It is said that I was a very +self-sufficient child: I could play for hours in a sand pit with a bucket and +spade. And when I started talking, I loved a game called 'Why?' The idea of +the game was to put an adult on the spot, by making them unable to find a +reply to this eternal question. And often, cheerfully smiling, I would +exasperate those around by endlessly asking 'Why?'.}) (1. -- {Very early I +learned the importance of numbers and once I surprised my relatives by being +able to distinguish on the street where the even and odd-numbered houses were. +Like all the children, I went to the kindergarten, but I was very unwilling +and I was often unwell - this was obviously a defensive reaction of the +organism. But if I had to go there, I used to display a feeling of +responsibility and innate punctuality. I was usually taken to the kindergarten +by my grandma, and if she were to linger carelessly at home, when the hour +hand on the wall clock inexorably began approaching the figure '8' I would +become terribly nervous and begin crying: 'Grandma, I'm going to be late!' --- +I began reading at the age of four, and I learned to put letters together to +make syllables - from newspaper headlines. I knew that, before we went out for +a walk, my father would look at the newspapers, and I would patiently wait for +him to finish. When a newspaper was put to one side, I would promptly unfold +it and with a most serious expression I would also unhurriedly 'look at it'. +My desire to imitate everything my father did was a source of great amusement +to my parents, and in this way I was introduced to 'reading' newspapers. And +soon, during one of our walks, sitting on my father's shoulders, I saw on the +roof of a building some large neon letters. I pointed with my index finger and +slowly pronounced the syllables: 'Dru-zhba' ('Friendship' - this was our local +cinema). --- When I was unwell, I spent long days in bed, and reading +completely replaced my toys. On one occasion, roughly a year later, I +staggered a visiting friend of my mother, when she saw me reading a newspaper +aloud: 'Po-lo-zhe-ni-e v Ka-i-re' ('Situation in Cairo'). And then the whole +article to the end. When she asked if I remembered what I had read, I told her +everything I knew from the newspapers about the situation in the Middle East.}) +(1. -- {I had an exceptional memory. When I was not yet able to read, I would +remember by heart all the stories that had been read aloud to me, and later I +would enthusiastically retell them. And when I learned to read without +hesitating, I would do this very quickly and grasp everything. A passion for +books, like some kind of spiritual greed, has always possessed me. --- My +innate chess gift revealed itself at the age of five, when my parents, sitting +at the table, were racking their brains over the regular problem in the Vyshka +newspaper. As usual, I was sitting beside them, attentively following the +movements of the pieces. I didn't yet know how to play, but I knew the point +of the Latin letters and numbers along the edge of the board. And at some +point I suddenly suggested the solution of a difficult problem, which greatly +amazed my parents. 'If you know how the game ends, we'll have to show you how +it begins!' my father exclaimed, and he began explaining the rules. Soon I was +inseparable from chess, and a year later I was already beating my father.}) (1. +-- {Had I not shown an ability for chess at that time, I might well have gone +to music school. This is what my paternal grandmother Olga Yulevna, a music +teacher, was very much hoping. Her husband and my grandfather, Moisey +Rubinovich Weinstein, who died prematurely in the summer of 1963, was a +composer, conductor and violinist, and worked as artistic director of the Baku +Philharmonia. They thought that a musical education for a child was essential, +even if he did not have perfect pitch. 'The main thing is a sense of rhythm', +Olga Yulevna used to say. 'That's how it was with Lyona, whose musical talent +only emerged when he was eleven.' --- And how it emerged! In contrast to my +father, his younger brother, my uncle Leonid Weinstein, did not give up music, +but completed a course at the Conservatoire and became a well-known composer, +an Honoured Artist in Azerbaijan. He composed several operas and symphonies, +numerous chamber and vocal works, musical operettas, variety pieces, three +dozen songs, and music for the theatre, cinema and television, and when he was +a student he was a member of the legendary Baku group who in 1967-68 were the +champions of a popular national TV competition. (Incidentally, his son Teimour, +my younger cousin, although he studied medicine, was the artistic director of +the 'Lads from Baku' group, who were famous in the 1990s. Nowadays he is a +prominent Russian TV and film producer.)}) (1. -- {My father was categorically +against me attending the music school. 'The boy has an excellent analytical +brain', he said. 'He will study chess, not music!' --- It was an unexpected +decision: after all, my father had never been a serious chess player, whereas +my mother had a definite talent for the game. At the age of six she used to +beat boys older than herself, and she also competed successfully with adults. +But she preferred more active games. When she was in the eighth class, a +trainer visited her parents and tried to persuade them to allow their daughter +to play for the republic basketball team. But my grandmother would not allow +it: she did not like the idea of the inevitable travelling that it would +entail. So my mother did not take up either chess, or basketball. But she +firmly supported my father's decision to take me to the chess club. --- There +is no doubt that, during the seven short years that fate granted us to live +together, my father managed to exert an enormous influence on my entire future +life. My mother recalls how I literally used to keep watch at the door, +waiting for him to return from work, and with what joy I went for walks with +him. It was during those hours that my father gradually instilled in me his +own perception of life, and laid the foundations of my future outlook on +things. Our relationship was always adult-like.}) (1. -- {My father loved +geography and on my 6th birthday he gave me the best possible present. When I +woke that morning I discovered by my bed an enormous globe. And I even rubbed +my eyes, not believing that it was real. I was so happy! Already then I loved +looking at maps, and above all hearing stories about the journeys of Marco +Polo, Columbus and Magellan. It all began when my father read me Conqueror of +the Seas - the Story of Magellan by Stefan Zweig. From then on our favourite +game was to trace on my globe the routes followed by famous seafarers. --- +Soon I knew the names of the capitals of most countries, their populations, +land areas and masses of other interesting facts. On one occasion at Baku +airport, waiting with my parents to board a plane, I overheard one of the +passengers incorrectly naming the capital of Uruguay - and I politely listed +all, without exception, the Latin American countries and their capitals. It +was only my mum and dad who were not surprised - they, like all our relations, +were already accustomed to my daily questions such as: 'Do you know what the +population of Guatemala is?' --- Real stories about pioneers entranced me more +than any fairy-tales. Although my father did not draw attention to the +terrible misfortunes and hardships associated in those times with seafaring, I +realised that to accomplish such a journey, incredible courage was needed. +These stories awakened the pioneering spirit in me. I have always wanted to +lay new paths, even if, as in childhood, it only meant taking a new way home. +Throughout my chess career I aimed for unexplored tests by challenging +existing stereotypes. This is how important the timely present of a globe can +be... (Later this globe became a relic and was displayed in the geography room +of my former school.)}) (1. -- {Equally early - this time thanks to my mother +- I developed an interest in history. Unable to do anything by halves, I +immersed myself in the history of Ancient Rome, France, Spain and England. It +was those countries that fired my imagination. At the age of eight I read a +book about Napoleon by the Soviet historian Tarle, which made an enormous +impression on me. I have always been attracted by the biographies of strong +individuals who forged their own destinies. --- In the summer of 1970 my +father fell seriously ill. He spent many months in Moscow, at the Oncology +Centre in Kashirka, then he died of lymphatic sarcoma at the age of 39. The +last time I saw him was on 1st January 1971. He gave me a present of a chess +clock - I had just achieved third category rating. After that they would not +let me see him. It was my father's wish: he wanted me to remember him healthy +and cheerful, as I had always known him. They also did not take me to the +funeral, fearing that it might upset me too much. --- I remember saying to my +mother: 'Let's pretend that dad has gone away on business.' And at school for +a long time I continued talking about him as though he was still alive... But +years later there came a bitter realisation. When you're five or six, you +think that's how it will always be: your dad, and your mum, and life the way +it is. But then suddenly you wake up and you realise that your dad is no +longer there.}) (1. -- {My father was a man of firm principles, uncompromising, +and I am glad that I have inherited these traits. I always have with me a +photograph of him. By the age of thirty I became outwardly very similar to him. +My relatives think that, when speaking on the phone, I gesticulate exactly how +my father used to; and like him I easily get worked up, but just as quickly I +come back to normal. --- The two of us were left on our own, so my mother and +I moved in with her parents in Armenikenda - an ancient district of Baku, +where since time immemorial and until the tragedy of January 1990 there was a +large Armenian community. Our address was Yerevan Prospect, block 3. --- My +other grandmother, Susanna Bagdasarovna, completed a course at the Moscow +Finance Institute, but she worked for only a short time in her speciality (for +the State Bank in the 1930s), and she devoted the greater part of her life to +bringing up her three daughters - Klara, Nelly and Zhanna, and then me. She +taught me to be truthful, to trust people, and to appreciate any human +creation. A strict woman of strong character and good sense, my grandmother +enjoyed universal love and respect. Although she had lived through hard times, +she never lost her natural optimism and kindness. When I remember today the +words that she liked to repeat: 'It's wonderful that all my grandchildren are +of different nationalities', I admire her wisdom. Among my cousins there are +Armenians, Azeris and Jews. But my grandmother did not single any of us out, +preserving the right of each of us to her warmth and love.}) (1. -- {My +maternal grandfather, Shagen Mosesovich Kasparov, was an oil worker by +profession. Back in 1949 on the Caspian Sea, 100 km from Baku, they began +extracting oil from the sea bed, for the first time in the world erecting +offshore derricks. And by the end of the 1950s directly on the water, on piles +and stationary platforms, joined by gantries, the unique town of Neftyanie +Kamni had developed. At the age of nine I gave a simul' there against +oil-workers, which gave Shagen Mosesovich particular pleasure: for a good +twenty years he had worked as the chief engineer of a large offshore oil field. +--- After my father died, my grandfather retired and he was with me throughout +my school years. We became very close. He was an old communist, he revered +Marx's economic theory, and he believed that I would live in better times. +Towards the end of the 1970s he spent hours talking to me about politics, and +he introduced me to books on philosophy. We often argued about the various +events occurring in the country and in the world, and it was not always the +older person who won the argument. I was a very inquisitive youth; I read +dozens of books, to say nothing of newspapers, I listened to the seditious +recordings of songs by Vysotsky, Galich and Okudzhava, I asked a mass of +questions and on much I had my own point of view. But my grandfather did not +greatly approve of this spirit of defiance. Although we listened together on +the radio to 'Freedom' and 'Voice of America', he found it hard to accept +criticism of the state ideology. --- We had an especially heated debate at the +end of 1979, after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. But even my 'sincerely +believing' grandfather could no longer understand much of what the country's +leaders were doing. The endless queues and empty shelves in the shops, +resembling the post-war times, became a great disappointment to him...}) (1. -- +{Nikitin: 'I often had occasion to visit the Kasparov home, where the ambience +of Klara's parents reigned - Shagen Mosesovich and Susanna Bagdasarovna. The +time spent with these calm and wise people is remembered now as a joyous dream. +They instilled much good in the heart of their favourite grandson.' --- +Incidentally, my late paternal grandfather was also a convinced communist. It +was no accident that he gave his first son the revolutionary name Kim - in +honour of the Communist Youth International (Kommunisticheskiy Internatsional +Molodyozhi). Despite the fact that in 1937 his older brother, the chief of +medical staff in one of the Baku hospitals, was subjected to repression and my +grandfather himself was a whisker away from being killed, he retained his +ideological convictions and his devotion to the Communist Party. But after the +exposures expressed at the 20th Communist Party Congress, he suffered a severe +heart attack... In the family circle, however, Moisey Rubinovich was +essentially alone. His sons Kim and Leonid (later he too had a great influence +on me), his nephew Marat Altman (a prominent lawyer), and their friends were +typical representatives of the intelligentsia: they always queried the +official viewpoint and were very critical about Soviet propaganda. For them it +was quite natural to have doubts about generally-accepted values. --- My +mother's scepticism was more a consequence of her analytical mind, rather than +mistrust of officialdom. Far more than ideology, she was concerned about +purely practical problems. She did not teach me what I should think, but that +I should have a critical attitude to everything that I read and heard. Her +technical education and work in a scientific research institute instilled in +her the habit of always relying only on concrete, trustworthy facts. After +spending 22 long years advancing from junior technician to section manager and +scientific secretary, in 1981 she left the scientific research institute in +order to devote herself entirely to her son's career. 'My mother plays a big +part in my life', I wrote in a school essay. 'She has taught me to think +independently, and she has taught me to work and to analyse my own behaviour. +She knows me better than anyone else, because I discuss all my problems with +her - school, chess and literary problems. My mother has taught me to +appreciate fine things, and to be principled, honest and frank.' --- It was +probably my father's and uncle's love of freedom, my mother's sensible +thinking and the many years of heated discussions with my grandfather that +determined my interest and serious attitude to politics throughout the entire +politically conscious part of my life.}) (1. -- {My family did not spoil me, +and there was no hint of imitating childish speech. They cultivated conviction. +At that time my mother was trying to restrain my obstinate striving for chess, +and not to pander towards it. When the first successes came and they began +praising me in the press, she gave me 'inoculations' against conceit, +suggesting: 'Everyone has a talent for something, but that talent doesn't +always reveal itself. You are lucky that your abilities have shown themselves +so early. Simply lucky!' And she would give me jobs around the house, like +sending me to the shop for bread and milk, or leaving me to look after my +younger cousins. --- My mother also remembers being summoned to the school and +talking to the teacher of the first-year classes, who reproached me for my +cheeky behaviour in a lesson. I had tried to correct her! And to the comment +that I shouldn't behave like that, since the rest would think that I regarded +myself as the cleverest, I retorted: 'But isn't that so?' Yes, my teachers had +a hard time with me. --- Later, when chess became my profession, I had hardly +any free time. But before this, after lessons I would run around the streets, +and quarrel and fight, like all little boys. At school my closest friend was +Vadim Minasian, with whom I remained friends for many years. The number of +times we got into scrapes together! But our most desperate escapades involved +fires. On one occasion we lit a bonfire in the school itself and began jumping +through it, to impress the girls... True, until I was sixteen I did not pay +any particular attention to girls, treating them disdainfully (although I was +also a little afraid of them). I once asked my mother: 'Why do girls spend so +long preparing for lessons? Why are they so narrow-minded? I hate them!' Now, +when she tells this story, she adds with a gale of laughter: 'Six months later +he fell in love.'}) (1. -- {I remember that in the third year at school a girl +sent me a note: 'I love you. And I want you to marry me.' I'm afraid that my +reply was not terribly gallant. Fortunately (or otherwise), my message was +intercepted by the teacher before it broke my admirer's heart. --- But when I +finally fell in love, the whole situation was reversed. She was younger than +me and was in a different class, so I somehow had to attract her attention. +But how? I gathered my friends and we played out a little show. They met her +on the street and pretended to pester her. It was a critical moment. And then +I appeared - a knight in shining armour, courageous and strong. Later I +arranged a firework display in her honour, with real rockets! --- My health, +or more correctly my illnesses, caused my mother a great deal of concern. At +the age of nine I had my appendix removed. The day after the operation my +uncle arrived at the hospital and found my bed empty. He was alarmed, but the +nurse calmed him down and took him to the staff room. Looking in, he saw me +lying on a trolley, giving a blindfold simul' against the doctors. --- When I +was ten the doctors became concerned about my heart, and diagnosed rheumatic +carditis. They said that I should avoid catching colds, as this might strain +my heart. After that my mother learned how to give injections, and wherever we +travelled she carried a syringe with her, since up to the age of fifteen I had +to take antibiotics. Later, thanks to my sports activities, I was able to lead +a normal life. I swam, played football and badminton, and went cycle racing...} +) (1. -- {I began travelling abroad to chess tournaments from the age of +thirteen. Before every trip I would prepare myself thoroughly for the +unfamiliar country, eagerly absorbing all the information I could find and +discussing it with my school teachers. I would return so full of impressions, +that at first I couldn't sleep. And only after I had released my emotions, and +told my classmates about everything I had seen, did I calm down. I remember +being hugely impressed by the fact that in Paris you could sit on the grass in +the parks. --- With my childish curiosity and the same thoughtfulness that I +applied to chess, I would compare what I had seen with our everyday life. +Occasionally this got me into trouble. Some adults reprimanded me for +criticising my own country. But already then I knew that you should not be +afraid to say exactly what you think. --- At school I found mathematics, +especially algebra, quite easy. I enjoyed solving difficult problems. The +teacher even tried to insist that I should take extra lessons with the aim of +developing my mathematical ability, but my mother was against this. She +thought that the combination of mathematics and chess was unlikely to lead to +me becoming a fully-rounded person, and she wanted me to study literature, and +to read not only prose, but also poetry. Life has shown that she was right.}) ( +1. -- {Deep down I am a romantic, a person of feeling, or at least that is how +I see myself. This may seem surprising, but only to those who think that chess +is mainly a science and that it is played by impassive, computer-like people. +I firmly believe that the game of chess is an art, because, among other +qualities, a chess player must have a well-developed and rich imagination. --- +In view of their abstract character, chess, music and mathematics do not +require a knowledge of the world and a great experience of life. And so at the +age of five Reshevsky used to give simuls' against adults, at the age of four +Mozart was making compositions, the 12-year-old Pascal was drawing proofs of +complex geometry theorems on the walls of his home, and a boy called Kim Ung +Yong from South Korea was solving integral equations. --- There is a +well-known theory that chess, music and mathematical abilities are linked to a +powerful but narrowly specialised zone of our brain, and that in some way this +zone goes into action in early childhood and develops independently of the +brain as a whole. Well, this is quite possible. At any event, this theory +explains the emergence of child prodigies. But to emerge, even their +extraordinary gifts need favourable conditions! If Mozart's father had been, +for example, a painter, and not a music teacher, we might never have heard +about the brilliant composer.}) * + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "First Steps"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.06"] + +{When I arrived for my first day at school on 1st September 1970 I was already +able to read and to write in block capitals. The lady teacher handed everyone +a sheet of paper and invited us to write or draw anything we wanted. And the +first words that I wrote at school were: 'Party, world, mama'. I still have +this sheet at home. --- At that time I was intending to become a medical +officer: an officer - in order to fight, and a doctor - in order to save the +wounded. But soon, when I was accepted into the chess club, such thoughts no +longer entered my head. --- For two years I played chess at school at the +slightest opportunity. And after I began beating my father, my constant +trainer became uncle Kotik - Konstantin Grigorian, the husband of my mother's +sister Nelly. Later I even gave him a book with the inscription: 'To my first +trainer'. My uncle recalls: 'Initially I won more often, but when Garik began +going to the club it became increasingly hard to beat him. He made amazingly +rapid progress, and within two or three months I was no longer able to win a +single game - against a seven-year-old boy! And that was it - we stopped +playing. In the only game we played later, Garik gave me odds (I think it was +a whole rook), and in the end he had just his queen left, while I had my queen, +some piece and a couple of pawns. Here he loudly exclaimed "check!" and made +an unexpected queen move. With the words "well, no one ever died from a check", +I moved my king, but Garik instantly - bang! - took my queen with his and won +the game. It turned out that, in giving check, he had deliberately placed his +queen en prise in the desperate hope that I would not notice. He really hated +losing!'} 1. -- {It was uncle Kotik who on 3rd September went with me on a +reconnaissance to the Pioneers Palace - to find out how and what. And later +uncle Lyonya took me down and enlisted me in the chess club. At that time I +had already moved in with my mother's parents, since my mother had flown to +Moscow, where my father was in hospital. My grandfather proudly informed her +by telephone that 'the trainer discovered Garik has phenomenal capabilities', +but my mother, naturally, was not in the mood for compliments. --- When I +first saw the Baku Pioneers Palace named after Yuri Gagarin - a white, +two-storey building overlooking the Caspian Sea - it looked to me like some +kind of fairy-tale chess castle. I was taken to my first lesson by Rostislav +Korsunsky - he was six years older than me and lived in the neighbourhood. +When I was a child my favourite piece was the bishop, and once Rostik and I +played a unique type of match: in the initial position, apart from the kings +and pawns, the only pieces I had were two bishops, and he had only two +knights! Already in 1975 Korsunsky became a master (alas, in the mid-1990s he +passed away). Incidentally, it should be said that apart from him there was a +whole group of gifted chess players in Baku: the future grandmaster Elmar +Magerramov, future international masters Mikhail Shur, Alexander Avshalumov +and Elena Glaz (and also Boris Sheynin - the future father of the prominent +grandmaster Teimour Radjabov). And earlier the chess section of the Pioneers +Palace had trained more than 300 first category players, 25 candidate masters, +a good dozen masters, the first Baku grandmaster Vladimir Bagirov, and the +challenger for the title of lady world champion Tatiana Zatulovskaya.} (1. -- { +My first real chess teacher was Oleg Isaakovich Privorotsky, a strong +candidate master and later an honoured trainer of the Azerbaijan Republic. He +immediately noticed my chess memory and my ability to shut myself off from the +outside world during a game. And after the first few lessons he remarked in +surprise: 'I don't know whether there have been similar beginners in other +towns, but there has been no one like him in Baku!' Indeed, I easily solved +the exercises given to the older children, within three months I had achieved +third category rating, at the age of eight - second category, and at the age +of nine - first category. --- In addition, in the initial classes I also went +swimming. But on one occasion in the pool the trainer reproached me for +turning up for training only fifty per cent of the time, and he demanded: 'You +have to choose - either chess, or swimming.' On returning home I shouted from +the threshold: 'Mama, I've been told to choose one of two. I'm choosing +chess!' --- Years later Privorotsky recalled: 'Garik mastered all the +rudiments of chess by himself, before he went to school; somehow imperceptibly +he understood the point of the movements of the pieces and the pawns - in this +way many great players are introduced to the ancient game. The boy was +interested not so much in chess puzzles, as in the logic itself of the +construction of combinations. Possibly this forced him to relate very +seriously to chess... I saw a small, sociable boy, who had an exceptional +knowledge of chess history. About the Capablanca-Alekhine match he knew +everything. It seemed that he was simply fanatical about chess... Successes +came quickly. He has an excellent memory. He achieved first category rating in +the second year of studies. When the documents for awarding the title reached +the city sports committee, they phoned me from there and asked: "Why this +forgery? How can there be any talk about first category at his age?" Six +months later they began talking about Garik's talent: everyone was staggered +by his brilliant and confident play in blitz tournaments.'}) (1. -- {I was +awarded first category rating after I reached the final of the Baku adult +blitz championship in June 1972 and my success was first mentioned in the +press: 'Third year pupil Garik Weinstein, playing standing up (when sitting he +can't reach all the pieces), achieved the overall best result in the first +stage - 9 points out of 9.' Or: 'Among the fourteen winners of the second +stage were 13 candidate masters - and a second category player.' And the main +West German newspaper Neues Deutschland unexpectedly published an article +entitled 'Chess wunderkind from Baku'. --- That memorable blitz championship +took place in the Republic Chess Club, where usually serious individual and +team tournaments were held. After triumphantly concluding the quarter-final +and semi-final, I 'lost my rhythm' in the final: nevertheless it was still +hard for me to play without a break against strong adult opponents. --- Vitaly +Melik-Karamov: 'Directly above the chess pieces a tuft of wiry black hair +stuck out on his crown. Garik won, without even having the opportunity to look +at the board from above. He looked at it from the side, the board was +transformed into a battlefield, and the pieces into a live little army, going +into battle with the enemy.' --- Valery Asriyan: 'A thin, lively, dark-eyed +boy stands with his mother, awaiting the moment when the arbiters will invite +the players to take their seats at the board. We - a group of candidate +masters, playing for not the first time in such a tournament - looked with +interest at this "child", who had already caused a stir by qualifying for the +semi-final. We didn't know much about him: he was called Garik, surname +Weinstein, and he was studying in the Pioneers Palace with the trainer Oleg +Privorotsky. And from time to time the anxious thought occurred to each of us: +"Suppose I lose to this boy? They will all laugh at me!" It went ok. The only +one they laughed at (and, as it soon transpired, quite wrongly) was Slava +Gadzhikasumov. Garik lost the remaining eight games in the first nine rounds, +but then he burst into tears, and his mother took him away, not allowing him +to finish the tournament. It was June 1972, and in distant Reykjavik a match +was about to start, a match which would present the chess world with its 11th +champion - Robert Fischer. And you would have had to possess an excessively +rich imagination or a very rare gift of foresight, to guess both Fischer's +departure, which shocked everyone, and the extraordinary fate of that +nine-year-old boy, who on that hot summer day departed in tears from a modest +club on the banks of the Caspian.'}) (1. -- {At precisely that time my mother +was very concerned about the fact that at night I would recite in my sleep: +'King b2, king b2...' etc. She approached a paediatrician, who advised her to +take the child to Kislovodsk. And in August, five of us - my mother and I, my +aunt Nelly (a doctor by profession), uncle Kotik and their five-year-old son +Zhenya - had a holiday there, renting rooms in private flats. In the grounds +of the nearby sanatorium, where we usually went for walks, we immediately +discovered a giant chess set - an invariable piece of equipment at health +treatment establishments in Soviet times. Of course, I promptly went into +battle - and easily defeated the adults, until I ran up against some candidate +master. After losing the game, again I burst into tears... --- And so, in my +third year at school I began playing in the city tournaments, and life +immediately became divided into humdrum days and festive ones. The festive +days were tournaments, while all the others were humdrum. But soon I also +began enjoying daily chess lessons, and there were no longer any humdrum days!} +) (1. -- {In January 1973 I reached a new level by achieving success in the +Baku junior championship - a Swiss event with more than thirty players (in one +of my notebooks the games from this tournament are preserved): 1-2. Korsunsky +and Melkumov - 7½ out of 9; 3-4. Mamedov and Weinstein - 7. I began with +four wins, including one over Korsunsky, but then suffered two defeats and +could no longer catch the leaders, although I won my last three games.}) (1. -- +{The chief arbiter of the tournament, which took place in the regional +officers' club, was my future long-standing trainer Alexander Shakarov. As the +senior trainer of the Azerbaijan junior team, he was looking for players for +his team. And whereas my contact with him at the time was restricted to +handing in scoresheets at the end of games, my mother came to the games and +got to know Alexander Ivanovich. After finishing high up in the championship, +I caught his eye and at the age of nine (!) I was included in the junior team +of the republic. --- In March 1973, as preparation for the all-union junior +games in the summer, the Azerbaijan team made a tour of Latvia and Estonia, +where two matches were played against the teams of each of these republics. +There I 'bagged' 4 out of 4, and the trainers were finally convinced that I +should be included in the team. --- And in May, in the chess club attached to +the 'Veten' (Motherland) cinema in Baku, we played another friendly match +against our Caspian neighbours - the Turkmenistan junior team. There I played +one of my first memorable games (see the following game).}) * + +[Event "1: Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan Match, Baku"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1973.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Weinstein, G."] +[Black "Muratkuliev, S."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "C84"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "63"] +[EventDate "1973.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4 {At that time my opening +repertoire was largely formed under the influence of Privorotsky, who avoided +the main theoretical paths and showed his pupils sidelines such as 5 d4;} ({ +instead of the usual} 5. O-O {- Game Nos. 14, 31.}) 5... exd4 6. e5 Ne4 7. O-O +Be7 8. Re1 ({I also employed} 8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Nc5 10. Bb3 ({the usual +move is} 10. Nc3) 10... Nxb3 (10... O-O {was considered more accurate, and if} +11. Bf4 Ne6 {with equality}) 11. axb3 O-O 12. Bf4 Kh8 $6 ({after} 12... d6 13. +exd6 Bxd6 14. Bxd6 Qxd6 15. Qxd6 cxd6 16. Nd2 {White has only a minimal plus}) +13. Nc3 b6 14. Rad1 Bc5 15. Qe4 Rb8 16. b4 Bb7 17. Qc4 Be7 18. Qd4 Bc6 19. Rd3 +f6 20. Rh3 f5 21. Rd1 Bg5 22. Qe3 Bxf4 23. Qxf4 Qe7 24. Qd4 Rbe8 25. f4 Qe6 26. +Nd5 Rc8 27. c4 {, and White won (Weinstein-Rudyka, Vilnius 1973).}) 8... Nc5 9. +Bxc6 dxc6 10. Nxd4 O-O 11. Nc3 Ne6 $6 {This move surprised me: Black allows +the active Nf5 (I always liked placing a knight on f5), then Qg4 etc.} ({The +position is roughly equal after the old continuation of Janowski and Keres -} +11... Re8 12. Be3 Bf8 13. f4 f6) ({or the more energetic} 11... f5 $1 {with +the idea of} 12. f4 Ne6 {(Kostic-Trifunovic, Zagreb 1946).}) 12. Nf5 Bg5 ({The +ancient} 12... f6 $5 {is slightly better, although here too after} 13. Qg4 fxe5 +14. Nxe7+ Qxe7 15. Rxe5 Qd6 (15... Qf6) 16. Qg3 {White retains some advantage.} +) 13. Qg4 Nd4 {This tactical trick somewhat confused me, and I stopped to +think.} ({Earlier and later Black invariably went into an inferior endgame by} +13... Bxc1 14. Raxc1 Qg5 15. Qxg5 Nxg5 16. Ne7+ Kh8 {. But what now?}) 14. Bxg5 +Bxf5 15. Qg3 $6 {An error.} (15. Qh4 $1 {with the initiative was more accurate: +} -- (15... f6 16. exf6 gxf6 17. Bh6 Rf7 {(Stohl)} 18. Rad1 Rd7 19. Rd2 $1 c5 +20. Bf8 Ne2+ 21. Nxe2) ({, or} 15... Qd7 16. Rad1 c5 17. Be7 Bxc2 18. Bxf8 $1 +Bxd1 ({after} 18... Rxf8 19. Rc1 {White has the exchange for a pawn}) 19. Bxc5 +(19. Bxg7 Qg4 20. Qxg4 Bxg4 21. Bf6 {is also good - Stohl}) 19... Ne2+ 20. Nxe2 +Bxe2 21. Qe4 Qb5 22. Rxe2 Qxc5 23. e6 {etc. 'However, the thinking of a child +is unsophisticated and pure: Garik knew that the main thing in chess is to +give mate to the king, and for the creation of mating threats the queen stands +better on g3' (Nikitin).})) 15... Qc8 $6 ({After} 15... Qd7 $1 16. Rad1 c5 { +with such a fine knight on d4 Black would have had nothing to fear (} 17. b4 b6 +{- Stohl).}) 16. Rad1 Nxc2 17. Re2 $6 Qe6 {An oversight, allowing White to +regain the material with an elegant combination and to obtain an obvious +positional advantage.} ({The prophylactic} 17... Kh8 {was sounder, although +after} 18. e6 $1 fxe6 19. Rdd2 {the knight on c2 would have given Black +problems:} h6 20. Qh4 (20. Bh4 $5 {- Stohl}) 20... Qe8 21. Bxh6 gxh6 22. Qxh6+ +Kg8 23. Ne4 Qg6 24. Qxg6+ Bxg6 25. Rxc2 {with the better endgame.}) (17... Bg6 +$2 18. Rdd2 $1 {.}) 18. Bf6 Bg6 19. Bxg7 $1 Kxg7 (19... Rfd8 20. Bf6 Rxd1+ 21. +Nxd1 Nd4 22. Rd2 Nf5 23. Qf4 {is to White's advantage, when} Qxa2 $2 {is bad +in view of} 24. g4 Ng7 25. Bxg7 Kxg7 26. h4 {. The kingside pawn offensive is +the recurrent theme of the entire game.}) 20. Rxc2 Rad8 21. Rcd2 Qe7 ({In the +event of the more resilient} 21... Rxd2 22. Rxd2 f6 {(Stohl),} 23. exf6+ Rxf6 +24. f3 {would have led to a favourable structure for White. I think that +objectively White already has a technically won position, even against the +opponent's best defence: he can quite quickly create a pair of connected +passed pawns on the kingside, whereas it is far harder for Black to do the +same on the queenside.}) 22. h4 $1 Kh8 {Muratkuliev's last two moves are +frankly amateurish, dictated by the illusion of counterplay on the g-file.} ({ +Again} 22... Rxd2 23. Rxd2 Kh8 24. Qg5 $1 f6 {(Stohl) was more appropriate, +but nevertheless the endgame after} 25. exf6 Qxf6 26. Qxf6+ Rxf6 27. f3 {is +better for White, for example:} Rf7 28. Kf2 h5 29. Ne2 Kg7 30. g3 Re7 31. Nf4 +Bf7 32. a3 b6 33. g4 {with winning prospects.}) 23. Qg5 $1 {I remember being +terribly proud of this far from obvious move. 'It turns out that the h2-h4 +advance also contained a positional threat. White unexpectedly seizes control +of the d-file and takes play into a highly favourable ending. "So young - and +so cunning!", you will say. "Fantastic!", I say as a trainer. For this one +idea - combining the romanticism of attack with the prose of the endgame - one +can immediately enlist a boy in the most prestigious chess school. The level +of understanding of technical subtleties is a good indicator in assessing how +promising a young player is.' (Nikitin)} Qxg5 24. hxg5 Rxd2 ({Things would not +have been changed by} 24... Rde8 25. f4 ({or} 25. g4 {- Stohl.})) 25. Rxd2 Bf5 +26. f4 {Now Black can no longer escape from the vice: he does not have ...f7-f6, +White is threatening Kf2-f3, g2-g4, f4-f5 and so on, and therefore ...h7-h6(h5) has to be played, but then White simply captures on h6 and all the +same he advances his pawns.} Kg7 27. Kf2 h5 ({Or} 27... Rh8 28. Kf3 h5 29. +gxh6+ Rxh6 30. Ne4 {.}) 28. gxh6+ Kxh6 29. Kf3 Rg8 30. Ne4 Bg4+ 31. Ke3 Kg6 $2 +{A blunder.} ({However,} 31... Be6 32. Nf6 Rh8 33. b3 Kg6 34. g4 {was also +hopeless.}) 32. Nf6 {. After the rook moves there follows Nxg4. --- Not a +complicated game, but an interesting one. Nikitin is still astonished by it: +'It is hard to believe that the white pieces were brought into battle by a +ten-year-old commander. There is not a single futile, pointless move, and the +harmony and logic in the actions of the white army are amazing. This little +masterpiece shows with what an enormous chess talent Garik was endowed from +birth.'} 1-0 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Entry into the all-union Arena"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.06"] + +{My first baptism of fire outside of Baku came at the All-Union Youth Games +(Vilnius, 14-24 July 1973). Teams of the fifteen union republics, plus Moscow +and Leningrad, were divided into three semi-final tournaments (6+6+5), from +the results of which the first, second and third final groups were determined +(also 6+6+5). Each team consisted of eight players: four juniors not older +than 18, two not older than 15 (I in fact played on board 5), and two girls. +--- In these Games, as was usual in such events, many future grandmasters +participated - Yusupov, Dolmatov, Alexander Ivanov (on board 2 he scored 8 out +of 8!), Malaniuk, Kochiev, Yermolinsky, Kengis, Lputian, Machulsky, Kantsler +and so on, to say nothing of a future world champion, the future lady world +champion Maya Chiburdanidze, and a challenger to this title, Elena +Akhmylovskaya. --- The top, final group produced the expected results: 1. +Russia, 2. Moscow, 3. Leningrad, 4. Ukraine, 5. Belorussia, 6. Georgia. At +that time the Azerbaijan team was a 'solid second division team' (this was +considered great progress, but from 1974 we began regularly finishing in the +top six), and in Vilnius it confirmed its reputation, finishing 3rd in the +semi-final. In this stage I scored just 2 out of 5, losing in the first round +to the formidable Kiev player Leonid Zaid (within six months he became USSR +junior champion, and soon also a master). What told were the anxiety and +inexperience of a novice: my opponents were four or five years older than me. +But in the final stage I went through undefeated, making four fighting draws, +and my team, finishing ahead of Uzbekistan, Armenia, Lithuania, Moldova and +Latvia, won this tournament and finished in 7th place overall.} 1. -- {The +game that I remember best was the one with the Latvian candidate master Edvins +Kengis, which was later published in Volume 16 of the Yugoslav 'Informator' +(this was our debut in the cult publication of the late 20th century). --- +Nikitin: 'That day I watched Garik's game almost from the very start. My +attention was immediately drawn to the board at which two contestants of quite +different sizes were playing. A small, puny, dark-haired boy was looking +seriously at the board and endlessly fidgeting on his chair. And sitting +immobile opposite him was a tall, good-looking Latvian, who when thinking +would literally tower over the battlefield. Compared with Garik, Kengis looked +not only a giant, but also a highly-experienced fighter, but the events which +occurred on the board forced the age difference to be forgotten.'} * + +[Event "2: All-Union Youth Games, Vilnius"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1973.07.20"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Kengis, E."] +[Black "Weinstein, G."] +[Result "1/2-1/2"] +[ECO "B89"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "108"] +[EventDate "1973.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bb3 Be7 8. +Be3 a6 9. Qe2 {The Velimirovic Attack was fashionable at that time, and it had +also been analysed by the Azerbaijan team.} Qc7 10. O-O-O O-O 11. g4 {This is +what Fischer played against Larsen (Palma de Mallorca Interzonal 1970).} ({ +Later} 11. Rhg1 {came to the fore, with the idea of} Nxd4 $6 12. Bxd4 $1 {. +For details, see Revolution in the 70s (pp.154-155).}) 11... Nd7 {A new move, +employed by Larsen, but before that recommended by Nikitin - my future trainer! +} ({But} 11... Nxd4 $1 12. Rxd4 (12. Bxd4 {involves a dubious pawn sacrifice}) +12... b5 {involves a dubious pawn sacrifice} 13. g5 Nd7 14. Qh5 Rd8 (14... g6 +$5) 15. Nd5 (15. Rg1 {is correct}) 15... exd5 16. Bxd5 Ne5 $1 {.}) 12. g5 ({ +Fischer responded badly -} 12. h4 $6 Nc5 13. g5 b5 14. f3 $2 {, and after} (14. +h5 $1) 14... Bd7 $1 15. Qg2 b4 16. Nce2 Nxb3+ 17. axb3 a5 {Larsen repelled the +premature attack and gained a memorable victory (Game No.42 in Volume IV of +'My Great Predecessors'). This symbolic game influenced an entire chess +generation.}) ({Only later did it transpire that here there is a very +dangerous piece sacrifice -} 12. Nf5 $1 {.}) 12... Nc5 13. Rhg1 Bd7 14. Rg3 +Rfc8 15. Qh5 {(this typical attacking plan looks menacing, but I was prepared +for it)} g6 16. Qh6 Bf8 17. Qh4 Nxb3+ 18. axb3 Be7 {With the idea of 19 Rh3 h5 +- an important defensive device! Shakarov taught us that Black's fortress was +impregnable, and later this confidence came in useful to me in similar +Scheveningen positions.} ({Today it is apparent that} 18... Nxd4 $5 19. Bxd4 e5 +20. Be3 b5 {is also good (Valenti-Paoli, Reggio Emilia 1975/76). But I played +'as I had been taught'. And whereas up till now we had made our moves quickly, +here Kengis stopped to think.}) 19. f4 ({Avoiding the repetition of moves -} +19. Qh6 Bf8 {.}) ({If} 19. Nde2 {either} h5 ({or} 19... Nb4 $1 {is acceptable}) +({but not} 19... b5 $2 20. Nf4 $1)) 19... b5 20. Qh6 {Now White himself +repeats moves - per-haps to gain time on the clock.} ({Black would have been +happy with} 20. Rd2 h5 21. Nxc6 Qxc6 22. f5 b4 (22... a5 $5) 23. fxg6 fxg6 24. +Na4 Rf8 25. Nb6 Rf1+ 26. Rd1 Raf8 {.}) 20... Bf8 21. Qh4 b4 $1 ({Why play} +21... Be7 {, if it is possible to launch a counterattack?!}) 22. Nxc6 $2 {A +serious mistake.} ({We both overlooked the spectacular blow} 22. Nf5 $3 {- in +the event of} bxc3 (22... gxf5 $2 23. Rh3 Bg7 24. exf5 {and wins}) ({although +after} 22... Be8 23. Rh3 h5 24. gxh6 Qd8 $1 {the chances are roughly equal}) +23. Rh3 h5 24. gxh6 {White has the initiative.}) 22... Bxc6 (22... bxc3 $1 { +would have won immediately - because of the weakness of the c2-point White +loses a piece:} 23. Bd4 ({or} 23. Nd4 e5) 23... e5 24. fxe5 dxe5 25. Bxe5 cxb2+ +{and ...Qxc6.}) 23. Rh3 h5 $1 24. gxh6 bxc3 $2 (24... Be7 $1 {would have won, +for example:} 25. h7+ ({or} 25. Qg3 Kh7) 25... Kh8 26. Qg3 (26. Qg4 Bf6) 26... +Bxe4 27. Bd4+ f6 {etc. Now, however, the situation becomes much sharper.}) 25. +Qf6 Kh7 26. Bd4 $1 cxb2+ ({A small plus would still have been retained by} +26... e5 $1 27. fxe5 Qe7 {.}) 27. Kxb2 e5 28. fxe5 Bxe4 29. e6 $2 {Kengis +overrates his chances: this seemingly spectacular blow meets with a refutation. +} ({The balance would have been most easily maintained by} 29. Rf1 $1 Qxc2+ 30. +Ka1 Qd2 31. Qxf7+ Kh8 32. Qf6+ {with perpetual check (pointed out in 1996 by +the 12-year-old Serb Milos Perunovic - at that time a pupil of Nikitin).}) +29... Qxc2+ 30. Ka3 d5+ 31. e7 Bxe7+ 32. Qxe7 Qc7 $1 {This strong reply +(incidentally, the only move!) was overlooked by White: it turns out that +Black is also threatening mate - 34 Qf6? Qa5+ etc. White is forced to seek +salvation in a difficult ending.} 33. Qxc7 Rxc7 34. Rg3 {(Kengis begins acting +very enterprisingly, creating counterplay)} Rc2 35. Rf1 f5 36. h4 Kxh6 $6 { +Having decided that Black was easily winning, I relaxed.} (36... Rf8 {(g8) was +correct.}) 37. Be3+ Kh7 38. Rfg1 $6 ({The immediate} 38. h5 $1 {was more +accurate, with good drawing chances.}) 38... Rc3 39. h5 (39. Kb4 Rd3 40. h5 { +was probably more resilient, although in this case Black's moves would have +been easier to find:} Rb8+ 41. Ka5 Rdxb3 42. hxg6+ Kg8 43. Ba7 R8b5+ 44. Kxa6 +f4 {etc.}) 39... g5 $2 ({Alas, in time-trouble I became frightened by ghosts +of some kind and I missed a win, which could have been achieved by} 39... Rb8 +$1 40. hxg6+ Kg8 41. Bf4 Rbxb3+ 42. Ka2 Ra3+ 43. Kb2 Bd3 $1 44. Be5 Rcb3+ 45. +Kc1 d4 $1 {(from afar it is not easy to find such a move)} 46. Bxd4 Ra2 {.}) +40. Bxg5 Rxg3 41. Rxg3 Rg8 42. Kb2 d4 43. Bf4 {I had thought that this too was +a winning endgame, but when Kengis offered the exchange of rooks, I belatedly +realised that the position was a draw.} Rxg3 44. Bxg3 Kh6 45. Be5 d3 46. Kc3 +Kxh5 47. Kd2 Kg4 48. Ke3 Kh3 ({Black can win the bishop -} 48... f4+ 49. Bxf4 +d2 50. Kxd2 Kxf4 {, but not the game: the queening square of the rook's pawn +is of the wrong colour! It was hard to accept the inevitable...}) 49. Bd4 Kg2 +50. Bc3 Kf1 51. Bd2 Kg2 52. Bc3 Kg3 53. Be5+ Kg4 54. Bd6 Kg5 {. At the +conclusion of the games I received my first ever prize - 'for the youngest +player in the tournament'. But the most important result of this trip was my +meeting with Alexander Sergeevich Nikitin, state trainer of the USSR Sports +Committee - my future friend, mentor and reliable support in the most +difficult periods of my life. He became a master at a very early age and in +his youth he played for the national student team, alongside Boris Spassky. +But then, after qualifying as a radio engineer, he for a long time disappeared +from the chess scene. And yet his love for the game outweighed other things: +early in 1973 Nikitin decided to devote himself entirely to training work (and +later he developed the system of opening preparation by which we studied). --- +Nikitin: 'Playing side by side in Vilnius were 18-year-old youths and boys who +were barely visible above the chess board. That was how, through a gap in the +row of heads, on the first day I "discovered" Garik. At the board he found it +hard to maintain his composure - and he promptly lost it, no sooner had the +game ended. The childish spontaneity of his ideas merely added charm to his +array of obviously outstanding chess qualities. The ability of his pieces to +occupy "correct" positions in the most natural and rapid way was amazing. Also +amazing was his opening erudition and his memory - capacious and sticky, like +blotting-paper. He did not find it at all hard to calculate variations many +moves ahead - for him this was not difficult work, but an amusing game. +Several times during the tournament I managed to talk to this amazing boy. It +turned out that he loved reading and his range of interests was unusually wide. +He had an excellent knowledge of geographical names, historical facts and +dates. He read very rapidly, and his exceptional memory ensured that things +were firmly retained. Attempts to test his erudition often put the questioners +in an awkward position, because it would suddenly transpire that the boy knew +more than the examiner. But most of all I was staggered by Garik's eyes - +intelligent, with a kind of amazing sparkle. At the time I decided purely +intuitively that such eyes were a sign of great talent.'} (54... -- {It was +Nikitin who in August 1973 arranged an invitation for me to Dubna, to the next +session of Mikhail Botvinnik's junior school. It had opened back in 1963, the +year I was born, but at the time it did not function for long - just eighteen +months. Among its first pupils were Karpov, Balashov, Razuvaev, Timoshchenko +and Rashkovsky. The lessons were resumed in 1969, and from around the +mid-1970s Botvinnik's pupils began achieving notable successes. Two or three +times a year, some fifteen boys and girls from various towns assembled for +10-day sessions. They included Yusupov, Dolmatov, Psakhis, Akhmylovskaya, +Akhsharumova, Kharitonov, Ehlvest, Andrey Sokolov, Rozentalis, Nenashev... --- +The Kiev player Borya Taborov and I were summoned to an interview with +Botvinnik and questioned by the famous champion for a couple of hours: we +showed him our games and talked about ourselves. Mikhail Moiseevich asked his +favourite questions, such as 'do you analyse your own games?', or 'do you play +any sports?'. I remember how staggered I was when he suddenly stood up and +supported himself on a chair with just his hands! This particular example +showed what a person is capable of even at the age of 62 (however, he was +still able to do this at the age of 77). --- For some reason only one of us +was accepted into the school. I was a 10-year-old first category player, +whereas Borya was a 12-year-old candidate master, who had just won the board +six tournament at the youth games in Vilnius (7½ out of 9!). His games were, +of course, more substantial than mine, but it was I who was accepted into the +school. A symbolic event! Two years later Taborov became a master (the +youngest in the country!), played for a few more years, but then gave up chess: +his parents wanted him to go to a respectable institute, to study science... +One has to give Botvinnik's intuition its due: he lived chess and he deeply +understood and sensed all its nuances. Something about me caught his fancy - +they say, 'liveliness of mind'.}) (54... -- {Nikitin: 'The great Maestro was +delighted by the contact with Garik. He became visibly younger when chatting +with the boy, who immediately became his favourite pupil. The teacher liked +everything - the smartness of his replies combined with their accuracy, the +speed with which he calculated variations, his staggering memory... Being +enlisted as a pupil of the great Botvinnik stirred his young heart, and Garik +became even more fascinated by the ancient game. As for me, after Vilnius I +returned to my work in the chess section of the Sports Committee. But the link +with Garik was not broken: bulky parcels with chess magazines and books were +sent from Moscow to Baku, and it was a rare week when we did not have +conversations by phone.' --- To come under Botvinnik's wing was undoubtedly a +stroke of good fortune. This fact was also remarked on by the republic +newspaper Sport, which in the autumn of 1973 published an article by Valery +Asriyan, 'Ex-world champion's ten-year-old pupil'. At that same time Botvinnik +wrote a letter to the chairman of the Azerbaijan Sports Committee, where, in +particular, he gave the following directive: 'I consider it advisable to +arrange individual studies for Garry, and for him to play in tournaments with +a stronger line-up. The number of tournament games per year in the period +1973-75 should not exceed 40...' The letter had the desired effect. --- +Privorotsky: 'For two years I gave individual lessons four hours a week in +Garik's apartment. We selected positions, developed the technique of +calculating variations, studied the endgame and the opening, and so on. During +the lessons Garik always raised questions, and sometimes the answers were very +difficult to find. In such cases I promised to reply at the next lesson, and I +gave him a lot of homework which he always carried out...'}) 1/2-1/2 + +[Event "3: Training Match, Baku"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1973.11.18"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Magerramov, E."] +[Black "Weinstein, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "B84"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "70"] +[EventDate "1973.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{Lessons with Alexander Shakarov also continued - for the moment not +individual, but group lessons, as part of the junior team. Thus at the age of +ten and a half I had a full program of commitments, and soon I went to the +Pioneers Palace only to play blitz with the older lads and with my first +teacher, or to play training games. --- One of these games became, as Nikitin +expressed it, 'another high-quality chess canvas, painted by a youthful hand'. +My opponent Elmar Magerramov was five years older than me, but this did not +prevent us being friends. In the 1970s we played numerous training games, in +which there was always a sharp, uncompromising fight. Gradually Elmar +developed into a strong master, and then also a grandmaster - I should remind +you that he shared 1st-2nd places in the last, 58th USSR Championship (1991).} +1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 d6 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Be2 a6 {My +first experience of the classical Scheveningen, which Privorotsky taught me - +it was his favourite defence, along with 2...Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 d6 +(Game No.6). My trainer quite reasonably assumed that two central pawns +against one was a good basis for Black, promising him a favourable endgame. +Nikitin was also a Scheveningen devotee, so that this set-up remained with me +for ever.} 8. f4 Be7 9. O-O Bd7 {A little trick, which I had learned at the +lessons: Black immediately creates the threat of simplifying by ...Nxd4 and ...Bc6.} ({After the usual} 9... O-O 10. a4 Bd7 11. Nb3 {he does not have the +reply ...b7-b5.}) 10. Nb3 $6 (10. a4 {is nevertheless better, and if} Nxd4 11. +Qxd4 Bc6 {, then} 12. b4 $1 {(in the 1970s this was not considered)} O-O 13. b5 +Be8 14. e5 {(an example: Grischuk-Rublevsky, 1st match game, Elista 2007).}) +10... b5 {Now Black is completely alright.} 11. Bf3 Qc7 12. a3 (12. a4 $5 {is +perhaps safer, in order after} b4 {to maintain the balance by} 13. Ne2 ({or} +13. Nb1 O-O 14. Qd3 e5 15. f5 Rfc8 16. N1d2) 13... e5 14. f5 Na5 15. Nxa5 Qxa5 +16. c4 {.}) 12... Rb8 ({The position after} 12... O-O $1 {is the dream of any +Sicilian player. But I decided to launch an immediate attack and I could have +been made to pay for this.}) 13. Qe1 a5 14. Qg3 a4 $6 ({Again} 14... O-O $1 { +was more sensible.}) 15. Nd4 Nxd4 16. Bxd4 b4 $2 ({And here} 16... O-O {was +simply essential, although after} 17. e5 {White has the initiative (and it was +not for the sake of this that I embarked on the attack!).}) 17. axb4 $2 ({ +Elmar also missed the typical stroke} 17. e5 $1 {, refuting Black's premature +aggression.} -- ({. We both overlooked that after} 17... bxc3 $2 {White has +the decisive} 18. Qxg7 {with the pretty idea} Rg8 19. exf6 $3 Rxg7 20. fxg7 {.} +) (17... dxe5 {is also hopeless:} 18. fxe5 Bc5 (18... bxc3 19. Qxg7) ({or} +18... g6 19. exf6 Bd6 20. Qh4 bxc3 21. Bxc3) 19. Ne2 bxa3 20. bxa3 {.})) 17... +Rxb4 18. Ne2 $6 {Again passive (it appears that Elmar was slightly afraid of +me).} ({The} 18. e5 $1 {break would have still enabled White to fight for the +initiative:} dxe5 19. fxe5 Rxd4 20. Qxg7 Rf8 21. exf6 Qe5 22. Ne4 $5 Rxe4 23. +Bxe4 Bc5+ 24. Kh1 Qxe4 25. Qg3 $1 {etc.}) 18... O-O {At last!} 19. Bc3 ({Now +there is no longer any point in} 19. e5 dxe5 20. fxe5 Nd5 {.}) 19... Rc4 20. e5 +$6 {At the most inappropriate moment!} (20. Rfd1 g6 21. Rd4 {was more solid, +aiming to exchange the active black rook.}) 20... dxe5 21. fxe5 $6 ({The +lesser evil was} 21. Bxe5 Qb6+ 22. Kh1 Rxc2 23. Nc3 {with some compensation +for the pawn.}) 21... Nd5 $6 (21... Ne4 $1 22. Bxe4 Rxe4 23. Nf4 Qc4 $1 {(and +if} 24. Nh5 Rg4 {) would have given me an obvious advantage.}) 22. Bxd5 Qc5+ ({ +Not wishing to spoil my pawn structure by} 22... exd5 $5 {.}) 23. Kh1 Qxd5 24. +Nf4 $6 {This plays into Black's hands;} ({although all the same his chances +would have been better after} 24. Rad1 Qb7 25. Nd4 Bb4) ({or} 24. Rfd1 Qb7 25. +Nf4 Kh8 26. Nh5 Rg8 {.}) 24... Qe4 $1 25. Rae1 (25. Qd3 Bb5 $1 {.}) 25... Qxc2 +26. Rf2 Qf5 $2 {Underestimating the opponent's threats.} ({After} 26... Qb3 $5 +{White would not have had sufficient compensation for the pawn:} 27. Nh5 g6 28. +Nf6+ Bxf6 29. exf6 h6 $1 {.}) 27. Ref1 $2 {The losing move.} (27. Nd5 $1 { +would have equalised} -- ({; after} 27... Qg5 {(?) we both missed the strong +reply} 28. Bd2 $1 {, when after} Qh4 29. Nxe7+ Qxe7 30. Bh6 g6 (30... f6 $2 31. +exf6 Rxf6 32. Bg5) 31. Bxf8 Qxf8 32. Qg5 {Black is in difficulties.}) ({. I +don't know whether I would have found the saving queen sacrifice:} 27... exd5 +$1 28. e6 $1 Rxc3 $1 29. bxc3 Qxe6 30. Rxe6 Bxe6 {with a probable draw.})) +27... Bc5 $1 28. Rd2 Bc6 (28... Bb5 {with the threat of ...Rxc3 was also good. +The bishops have begun operating at full power, and Black has not only an +extra pawn, but also a menacing attack. It was possibly under the influence of +this game that Elmar, as far as I remember, never played 1 e4 again...}) 29. +Rdd1 ({If} 29. h4 {the most unpleasant is} Re4 $1 {.}) 29... h5 $5 {(I could +have won 'as I pleased', but I had my own plan, based on a deep calculation)} +30. h3 ({If} 30. Nd3 {, then} h4 $1 31. Rxf5 hxg3 32. Rg5 (32. Rff1 $2 Rh4 $1) +32... Bf2 $1 33. hxg3 Be3 $1 {and ...a4-a3.}) 30... h4 $1 31. Qh2 ({Of course, +not} 31. Qxh4 $2 g5 $1 {. 'Very few at such a young age could conceive the +idea of such a pawn storm: ...h7-h5, and then also ...g7-g5' (Nikitin).}) 31... +Qg5 (31... Qc2 $1 {was more forceful.}) 32. Nd3 (32. Bd2 Qf5 {.}) 32... Bd4 33. +Rf4 Rd8 34. Rdf1 (34. Rg4 Qe3 35. Ne1 Rxc3 36. bxc3 Bb6 {etc. was also +hopeless.}) 34... Rd7 (34... a3 $5 {.}) 35. Be1 Bxe5 ({Or} 35... Rc2 $5 {. But, +as it was, White resigned --- In December, just four months after the first +session of the Botvinnik School, I achieved the candidate master norm, scoring +8 out of 14 in an interesting double-round tournament held on the Scheveningen +system: seven candidate master trainers (including Shakarov) against the seven +best junior first category players. We again played in the club attached to +the Veten cinema - this was one of the training points of the special-purpose +chess school, where lessons were held, as well as competitions with the +participation of the republic junior teams. --- That was how 1973 concluded - +a year which was undoubtedly a turning point in my chess career: first success +in junior chess, a place in the Azerbaijan junior team, emergence into the +all-union arena, and acquaintance with the Moscow trainer Alexander Nikitin +and the great Botvinnik!}) 0-1 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "'He attacks like Alekhine!'"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.06"] + +{The following year, 1974, began for me with a fresh victory. In January the +team from the Baku Pioneers Palace won the qualifying stage in Kiev for the +prize of the newspaper 'Komsomolskaya pravda', and on board 2 I scored 4½ +out of 5. The home team from Kiev were considered the favourites, and they did +indeed defeat all their rivals, including us - 4-3 (that day I made my only +draw). But in the end, thanks to big wins in our remaining matches, we +finished ahead of the Kiev team by 4 points! To many this seemed incredible +luck: the strength of our 'magnificent seven' (which apart from me included +Korsunsky, Magerramov, and Elena Glaz) was clearly underestimated. --- The +final of the All-Union Tournament of Pioneers Palaces took place from 25-31 +March in Moscow. Six teams contested an unusual competition: they did not play +against one another, but in daily simultaneous displays with grandmasters - +the captains of the rival teams. The points scored by the team and the captain +were added together, which determined the result of each 'match'. I remember +that Privorotsky prepared us for this test and advised us to make a careful +study of a small brochure published in Moscow, dedicated to the previous final +(1972). There it was described how Zaid won against Petrosian, Dvoyris against +Spassky, and so on. The trainer said that we had to try and understand how to +play against grandmasters. --- Nikitin: 'In these clock simuls' on seven +boards (six boys and one girl) the grandmasters sometimes had a very hard time +of it. Although they did not play one another and it was only the totals of +their simul' results that were compared, the habit of being first forced the +grandmasters to fight just as in the most prestigious tournament. But for the +youngsters playing in these simuls' it was not so much the result that was +important, but rather the invaluable experience and the impression left by +their formidable opponents.'} 1. -- {On the very first day I experienced a +severe shock, on seeing in front of me a living legend - Mikhail Tal! I could +even shake his hand! I had heard about his intimidating, hypnotic glare with +which he would fix his opponents. True, to overcome me, Tal did not need this... Later, largely under the impression of these feelings, I considered it my +direct duty to take part in these 'tournaments of chess hopes' (as the Pioneer +Palace tournaments were rightly known), as captain of the Baku team, since I +realised how important it was for young players to meet renowned grandmasters +at the board. --- I also failed to cope with my excitement in the 2nd round, +losing to Lev Polugayevsky (whereas Rostik Korsunsky, by contrast, won both +games!). Then I adjourned my game with Yuri Averbakh in a not altogether clear +queen ending with an extra pawn; at these tournaments adjourned games were not +resumed, but were adjudicated by a grandmaster panel, and at the insistence of +our captain Vladimir Bagirov I was awarded a win. In the 4th round came a draw +with Gennady Kuzmin, after which my opponent declared to a reporter: 'It never +occurred to me that a 10-year-old boy could play the endgame so competently.' +Alas, at the finish I lost 'stupidly' to Mark Taimanov and finished up with 1½ out of 5. --- Nevertheless the prominent Moscow journalist Alexander Roshal +drew attention to me: 'It should be said that playing in the Baku team is one +of our most interesting young players. Garry Weinstein is only 10 years old, +but he (like his older colleague Korsunsky) has already achieved the candidate +master norm. Botvinnik, in whose school the boy studies, speaks highly of his +capabilities; national master Dvoretsky, the ex-world champion's assistant, is +also delighted by the youngster. We will not hurry to draw conclusions, which +may harm the young player, but comment that whereas Tal and Polugayevsky +managed to outwit the 10-year-old in complications, Averbakh lost to him! +Curiously, when I asked him whether it was a good game that he had won against +the grandmaster, Garik Weinstein replied: "No, no! Yuri Lvovich simply +blundered a pawn in the opening..."} (1. -- {The tournament was confidently +won by the Leningrad team, who together with Taimanov scored 42½ out of 70, +ahead of Moscow with Averbakh and Chernovtsy with Kuzmin (both 34), Riga with +Tal (33½), Baku with Bagirov and Chelyabinsk with Polugayevsky (both 33). +--- These battles earned the Baku players respect. At the All-Union +Schoolchildren's Spartakiad (Alma-Ata, July 1974) the Azerbaijan team, for +which I played on board 3, reached the main final for the first time and +finished in an honourable 4th place! But we could even have won the bronze +medals, had Korsunsky and I not both lost in the final match with Georgia... +And in general I did not perform very successfully: I started with 3 out of 3, +but then in my game with the Muscovite Baryshev, after obtaining a completely +won endgame, I overlooked an elementary draw - and either through vexation or +fatigue my play sharply declined at the finish (which, however, was excusable +for the youngest player in the tournament).}) (1. -- {During the previous +months I had also attended two sessions of the Botvinnik school. Nikitin: +'Lessons at the school run by Botvinnik, who at that time was helped by the +splendid instructor Mark Dvoretsky, brought much benefit, since the boy had +sufficient time for the homework he was set. I also continued setting him +questions, and Garik not only succeeded in solving all the problems, but even +asked for more. His mother wrote to me, saying that sometimes she had to +forcibly tear her son away from chess. I was afraid of putting too much early +psychological pressure on Garik, and the exercises sent by me were never +obligatory.' --- From the autumn of 1974 I began playing in Baku team +tournaments, as chess life in the city was bubbling over. And I sensed that +adults were already a little afraid of me. Appearing on board 2 for the +Pioneers Palace team in the City Spartakiad, I scored 5 out of 7, and, +moreover, I missed a win in a very interesting endgame with Velibekov of the +Burevestnik team (in adjournment analysis Bagirov found a miraculous saving +line for my opponent).}) * + +[Event "4: City Spartakiad, Baku"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1974.09.17"] +[Round "3"] +[White "Sarkisov, R."] +[Black "Weinstein, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "E90"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "70"] +[EventDate "1973.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{Also memorable for me was the game with Rafael Grigorievich Sarkisov, the +Spartak junior trainer (incidentally, this team was headed by Shakarov, who +battled on the neighbouring board with Korsunsky). It displayed my natural +inclination for Benko-King's Indian positions.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 +4. Nc3 O-O 5. e4 d6 6. Bg5 {A way of getting away from theory.} c5 (6... h6 { +is also good, but I was seized with the idea of undermining the queenside, +even at the cost of a pawn.}) 7. d5 a6 8. Bd3 b5 9. cxb5 axb5 10. Nxb5 (10. +Bxb5 $2 {is weak in view of} Nxe4 $1 {.}) 10... c4 $1 {I was also to make +successful use of this idea in a game against Hernandez (Banja Luka 1979).} 11. +Bc2 (11. Bxc4 $6 Nxe4 $1 {.}) 11... Qa5+ 12. Nc3 Bg4 $1 {In order to exchange +this inactive bishop for the knight on f3 and create pressure on the b-file.} +13. O-O Nbd7 14. h3 Bxf3 15. Qxf3 Rfb8 16. Rab1 {For the moment White has a +sound position, but also Black's chances are no worse than in the Benko +Gambit.} Ra7 17. Qe2 ({Or} 17. a4 Nc5 18. Qe2 Rab7 {.}) 17... Rab7 18. Qxc4 ( +18. Na4 $5 {.}) 18... Rb4 $1 19. Qd3 Nc5 20. Qe3 Rxb2 21. Rxb2 $2 {A mistake.} +({Approximate equality would have been maintained by} 21. Bb3) ({or} 21. e5 {.} +) 21... Rxb2 22. Bb1 $6 {This aggravates White's difficulties;} (22. e5) ({or} +22. Bd1 {was more resilient.}) 22... h6 ({The alternative} 22... Ne8 $5 23. e5 +Bxe5 24. Ne4 Nc7 {would also have given a big advantage.}) 23. Qc1 ({ +Resistance would have been prolonged by} 23. e5 hxg5 24. exf6 Bxf6 25. Ne4 Nxe4 +26. Qxe4 Qc5 {.}) 23... Rxb1 24. Qxb1 hxg5 $1 ({More vigorous than} 24... Qxc3 +{.}) 25. Rc1 g4 (25... Nfd7 {was also good.}) 26. Qb5 (26. e5 Nfd7 {and wins.}) +26... Qa3 27. Rc2 gxh3 28. gxh3 $6 Nfd7 $1 29. Qc4 Ne5 (29... Nb6 $1 {.}) 30. +Qe2 Ned3 31. Nd1 Nf4 32. Qe3 Qa4 33. Rd2 Be5 34. Nc3 Bxc3 $1 35. Qxc3 Qxe4 {. +Times: 1.20-0.50.} 0-1 + +[Event "5: Baku"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1974.11.25"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Gazarian, V."] +[Black "Weinstein, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "D86"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "112"] +[EventDate "1973.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{Then I played for my own, 151st school in the Baku Schools Team Championship. +On this occasion in this normally weak event there were also candidate masters +competing. My opponent in the next game, Viktor Gazarian, playing for the 42nd +school, was a pupil of Shakarov (who worked there as a trainer and teacher), +and later was to become a member of the national Azerbaijan junior team.} 1. d4 +Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 {My sole junior experience of employing the Grünfeld.} +4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 (7. Nf3 {- Game Nos.38, 48.}) 7... +O-O 8. Ne2 (8. Be3 {- Game No.72.}) 8... b6 ({I was always attracted by +fianchettoed bishops, and this set-up (instead of the usual} 8... c5 {) was +one that I copied from either Smyslov or Simagin. But in general at that time +I had only vague notions about the Grünfeld Defence, and I handled it rather +uncertainly.}) 9. O-O Bb7 10. f3 Nc6 ({Smyslov nevertheless played} 10... c5 {. +}) 11. Be3 e6 ({And Simagin} 11... Na5 {.}) 12. Qd2 Re8 {With the +'uncompromising' idea 13 Bh6 Bh8.} 13. Rfd1 Qd6 14. Rac1 Rad8 15. Bf4 Qe7 16. +Bg5 f6 17. Be3 Na5 18. Bb5 c6 19. Bd3 c5 20. Bb5 Rf8 21. Qb2 f5 $1 {Thanks to +his opponent's rather slow play, Black has achieved a good game.} 22. e5 c4 $6 +(22... a6 $1 23. Bd3 b5 {was correct, with equality.}) 23. Qb4 $1 Qc7 $6 ({Not +wanting to go into a depressing end-game (} 23... Qxb4 24. cxb4 {)}) ({or to +give up a pawn (} 23... Qf7 24. Bxc4 {).}) 24. Bg5 a6 {A Petrosian-style +positional exchange sacrifice!} 25. Bxd8 $2 {The culmination of the battle.} ({ +We both overlooked the strong reply} 25. Nf4 $1 {, when both} axb5 ({and} 25... +Kf7 26. d5) 26. Nxe6 Qc8 27. Nxd8 Rxd8 28. Bxd8 Qxd8 29. Qxb5 {are dismal for +Black.}) 25... Rxd8 26. Ba4 ({Here} 26. Nf4 Kf7 27. d5 ({or} 27. Ba4 b5 28. Bc2 +Bh6 {etc}) {, no longer gave anything in view of} 27... exd5 28. e6+ Kf6 $1 {.} +) 26... b5 27. Bc2 Bh6 $1 {Now my idea completely justifies itself: Black is +able to exploit the power of his bishops and his knight on the d5 blockading +square.} 28. Rb1 Nc6 29. Qb2 Ne7 30. a4 Bc6 31. axb5 axb5 32. Ra1 Qb7 33. Kf2 +$2 (33. Rf1 Nd5 34. Ra5 {was correct, still hoping to maintain the balance.}) +33... Nd5 34. Ra2 $2 {(a blunder in a difficult position)} Qe7 $2 (34... Be3+ +$1 35. Kf1 Qe7 36. g3 Qg5 {and ...Qh5 would have been quickly decisive.}) 35. +g3 $2 ({The king should have been urgently brought back 'to base' -} 35. Kg1 { +, although after} Qh4 36. Rf1 Ne3 {the initiative would have remained with +Black.}) 35... Qg5 36. f4 Qh5 37. h4 (37. Rg1 Qxh2+ 38. Rg2 Qh5 {was also +hopeless.}) 37... Bxf4 $1 38. Nxf4 Nxf4 39. gxf4 Qxh4+ {The attack on the +light squares is irresistible.} 40. Kf1 Qh1+ 41. Kf2 Qg2+ 42. Ke3 Qg3+ 43. Kd2 +Qxf4+ 44. Ke1 Qe3+ 45. Kf1 Qh3+ 46. Ke1 Qh4+ 47. Kd2 Qf4+ 48. Ke1 Bf3 49. Ba4 +bxa4 50. Rd2 Qh4+ 51. Rf2 Qe4+ 52. Kf1 Qd3+ 53. Kg1 Be4 54. Qd2 Qg3+ 55. Kf1 +Bd3+ 56. Re2 Rb8 0-1 + +[Event "6: Azerbaijan Spartakiad, Baku"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1974.12.04"] +[Round "1"] +[White "Sarkisov, R."] +[Black "Weinstein, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "B56"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "78"] +[EventDate "1973.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{The year concluded with the Azerbaijan Spartakiad, which differed little from +the City Spartakiad: the teams consisted largely of the same Baku players (it +was simply that these competitions were staged by different sports committees +- city and republic). I again played on board 2 for the Pioneers Palace and +started with 4½ out of 5, beginning with an amusing game which abounded in +mutual tactical strokes and mistakes.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 +Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. f4 ({After} 6. Bg5 {Privorotsky showed us the variation} e6 7. +Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O Bd7 9. f4 h6 10. Bh4 Nxe4 {, which I employed against Polonsky +(Kiev 1974).}) 6... Bd7 7. Nb3 $6 {Sarkisov was not strong on theory and he +again played the opening unpretentiously.} g6 {At that time I fianchettoed my +bishop at the slightest opportunity.} 8. Bd3 (8. Be2 Bg7 9. Be3 {and 0-0 was +more purposeful.}) 8... Bg7 9. O-O O-O 10. Kh1 a6 11. a4 Na5 $1 {Enterprising +play: I already had a good knowledge of Black's various 'Sicilian manoeuvres'.} +12. Nxa5 Qxa5 13. Qe1 (13. Bd2 Qc5 {.}) 13... b5 $1 {This sharp attack +confused my opponent, and he thought that I had overlooked a typical +combination.} 14. Nd5 Qxe1 15. Nxe7+ $2 {Strangely enough, the decisive +mistake.} ({In the event of} 15. Rxe1 bxa4 16. Nxe7+ Kh8 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. exd5 +Rfe8 {Black would merely have had somewhat the better chances.}) 15... Kh8 16. +Rxe1 Rfe8 $2 {An error in reply;} ({after} 16... Rae8 $1 17. axb5 axb5 18. +Nxg6+ fxg6 19. Ra6 Re6 {White would not have had sufficient compensation for +the piece.}) 17. axb5 Rxe7 18. Rxa6 {And this is already a double-edged +position.} Rxa6 $2 (18... Rae8 {(b8) was correct, with favourable prospects.}) +19. bxa6 Bc6 20. e5 Nd5 21. Bd2 dxe5 22. c4 $2 {And now White loses his +advantage;} ({which he would have retained after} 22. fxe5 {(after all, he has +three connected passed pawns!), and he again finds himself on the verge of +defeat.}) 22... Nc7 {The a6-pawn is under attack, and also the bishops on the +d-file are hanging.} 23. b4 $2 (23. Bf1 {was more resilient.}) 23... Nxa6 $2 ( +23... Rd7 {would have won, but I saw a combinative blow that was possible in +three moves time and I could not refrain from capturing the a6-pawn. I quickly +calculated a variation - and promptly rattled it off!}) 24. b5 Nc5 $6 ({Here +too} 24... Rd7 $1 {was better.}) 25. Bb4 $2 ({Overlooking the excellent latent +resource} 25. bxc6 $1 Nxd3 26. Rb1 $1 {with equality.}) 25... Nxd3 26. Bxe7 +Bxg2+ $1 27. Kxg2 Nxe1+ 28. Kf1 $6 (28. Kg3 {is not so clear.}) 28... Nf3 29. +b6 Nd4 30. f5 $2 ({The immediate} 30. b7 Nc6 31. Bd6 {is stronger, but after} +e4 $1 32. b8=Q+ Nxb8 33. Bxb8 Kg8 34. c5 Kf8 {Black has a won endgame: his +king succeeds in stopping the passed c-pawn.}) 30... gxf5 31. b7 Nc6 32. Bd6 e4 +33. b8=Q+ Nxb8 34. Bxb8 Bd4 35. Bd6 Kg7 36. c5 Kf6 37. c6 Ke6 38. Bf4 f6 39. +Bb8 Be5 0-1 + +[Event "7: Azerbaijan Spartakiad, Baku"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1974.12.11"] +[Round "7"] +[White "Weinstein, G."] +[Black "Privorotsky, O."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "B50"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "75"] +[EventDate "1973.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{But in the 6th round I lost to the strong candidate master Karo Askarian, and +he overtook me by half a point. Now, in order to fight for the best result on +my board, I had to win 'to order' in the 7th, last round. --- And here our +match opponents. the Burevestnik team, made a substitution, and put out +against me their reserve player - Oleg Privorotsky! I don't know, perhaps my +first trainer had decided to relive the good old days and give me a 'farewell' +lesson? At any event, initially he did indeed outplay me. But he faltered as +soon as I was able to complicate the play.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. b3 {Avoiding +my opponent's favourite weapon - the Scheveningen.} Nc6 ({If} 3... Nf6 {I +would have replied} 4. e5 {, following the familiar game Westerinen-Tal +(Tallinn 1973).}) 4. Bb2 d6 {I was already confused by this move.} 5. g3 $6 (5. +d4 $1 {is more energetic, as occurred in the ancient game +Kieseritzky-Anderssen (London 1851). But - I liked fianchettoing my bishops!}) +5... Nf6 6. Qe2 {A loss of time.} ({The immediate} 6. d3 {was better, in the +spirit of the King's Indian Attack (although the moves b2-b3 and Bb2 do not +fit in well with it).}) 6... Be7 7. Bg2 O-O 8. O-O Bd7 ({The immediate} 8... e5 +$5 {was more accurate.}) 9. d3 e5 $1 10. c4 $6 (10. c3 {was preferable, trying +for d3-d4 (at least this would somehow justify 6 Qe2). Now Black has slightly +the better game.}) 10... Bg4 11. h3 Bxf3 ({Hardly any stronger was} 11... Nd4 +12. Bxd4 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 cxd4 14. Nd2 ({or} 14. a4 {.})) 12. Bxf3 a6 13. Bg2 Nd7 +14. Nd2 b5 {(the correct plan)} 15. f4 ({It was quite possible to manage +without this thrust:} 15. h4 Nd4 16. Qd1 {, intending the manoeuvre of the +knight to e3 and d5. But I was dreaming of an attack!}) 15... Bf6 16. Nf3 b4 { +Not the best move: it was more advantageous for Black to retain the pawn +tension, threatening a possible ...b5xc4.} 17. f5 a5 18. a4 $1 {Suppressing +the threat of ...a5-a4.} bxa3 ({With the queenside blocked White has nothing +to fear, for example:} 18... Nd4 19. Bxd4 cxd4 20. h4 $1 {(depriving the black +bishop of the g5-square)} Nc5 21. Nd2 {.}) 19. Rxa3 Nd4 20. Bxd4 (20. Qd2 $1 +Qb6 21. Bc3 {was sounder, with equality.}) 20... cxd4 21. h4 $6 ({The immediate +} 21. Rfa1 {was more accurate, with the idea of b3-b4 and the inevitable +exchange of the a- and b-pawns. Here White would probably have maintained the +balance.}) 21... Nc5 22. Rfa1 $6 {With a delay, alas.} ({It would appear that +already I needed to go in for extreme measures:} 22. Nxd4 $5 exd4 23. e5 Bxe5 +24. Bxa8 Qxa8 25. b4 $1 {with sharp play.}) 22... Qb6 {Now White has a +difficult position: he does not manage either to capture on a5, or to create +an attack on the kingside.} 23. g4 $6 {A desperate pawn sacrifice with the aim +of complicating the play.} Rfb8 $6 ({Stronger was} 23... Nxb3 24. Qb2 (24. Rb1 +a4) 24... Rfb8) ({or} 23... Be7 24. g5 (24. Rb1 Qb4 $1) 24... Nxb3 {with an +obvious advantage.}) 24. g5 Bd8 {An interesting psychological moment: +Privorotsky removes all his pieces to the queenside, demonstrating his faith +in his own attack and his lack of faith in White's counterattack.} 25. Rf1 $6 ( +{Objectively} 25. Nd2 Qb4 26. Bf1 {was far more resilient, but that was not in +my style! 'White's timidity in the first half of the game can be explained by +the natural restraint of a boy, playing against an adult, indeed against his +teacher. One should not forget about the colossal psychological pressure on +the boy. Garik cast off the shackles only at the instant when the threat of +defeat was finally hanging over him.' (Nikitin)}) 25... Qb4 26. Ra2 Qxb3 27. +Rd2 ({White would not have been saved by} 27. Nxd4 exd4 28. e5 Nxd3 29. Bxa8 +Nf4 $1 {etc. Here Privorotsky stopped to think: how best to neutralise the +threat of g5-g6 and convert his material advantage?}) 27... f6 ({The most +vigorous was} 27... a4 $1 {and only after} 28. g6 {-} f6 29. gxh7+ Kh8 $1 { +with the ideas of ...a4-a3 and ...Ba5. The move in the game gives White a +ghost of a chance.}) 28. Nh2 $1 {My steadily growing King's Indian experience +came into action: I immediately saw the attacking scheme - Nh2, Qh5, Ng4, Bf3 +and Rg2. Of course, nothing should have come of this, but - it did!} a4 29. Qh5 +{And at this moment, on seeing that the situation was beginning to become +sharper, my teacher unexpectedly panicked...} Be7 $2 {By instinctively wanting +somehow to reinforce the defence, Black throws away the win.} ({After the +fearless} 29... Ba5 $1 30. Rdd1 Nxd3 31. gxf6 Rb7 $1 {White's attack would +have petered out.}) 30. Ng4 {With the threat of 31 g6!.} Nd7 $2 {A +catastrophic mistake: the knight and bishop have blocked the 7th rank and the +black rooks are unable to come to the aid of their king. Indeed, they were +called on to defend the 7th rank (Capablanca's principle!), while on c5 the +knight was carrying out an important function - it was attacking the d3-pawn.} +(30... Ra7 $1 {was essential.} 31. -- ({. Now the hasty} 31. g6 $2 h6 32. Nxh6+ +gxh6 33. g7 {is bad because of} Bf8 $1 34. gxf8=Q+ Rxf8 {.}) ({. However, after +} 31. Bf3 $1 {the attack is good enough for at least a draw:} -- (31... Nxd3 +32. g6 h6 33. Nxh6+ gxh6 34. g7 $1 Nc5 (34... Bf8 {with a draw}) 35. Re1 ({or} +35. Re2 {, and the threat of Qxh6 forces} Bf8 {with a draw})) (31... Bf8 32. +gxf6 $1 Kh8 33. fxg7+ Rxg7 34. f6 Rg8 35. f7 Rg6 36. Rg2 Qxd3 37. Nf6 $1 Qe3+ +38. Kh1 Qh6 39. Rfg1 $1 Kg7 $1 40. Ne8+ $1 Kxf7 41. Nxd6+ Bxd6 42. Rxg6 Qxh5 +43. Rg7+ Kf6 44. Bxh5 Rb7 45. Rg8 {with a draw.}) ({. If} 31... Rf8 $2 {, then} +32. g6 h6 33. Kh2 $1 {is very unpleasant.}))) 31. Bf3 $1 {Now both g5-g6 and +Rg2 are threatened.} Qc3 ({Black would no longer have been saved by either} +31... Kh8 32. g6 $1 Nf8 33. Nh6 $3) ({or} 31... a3 32. g6 $1 Nf8 33. Nh6+ $1 +gxh6 34. Rg2 $1 hxg6 35. Rxg6+ Nxg6 36. Qxg6+ Kh8 37. Qxh6+ Kg8 38. Qg6+ Kh8 +39. Kh1 Qb1 40. Bd1 {with unavoidable mate}) ({or even the most resilient} +31... Bf8 $1 32. Rg2 $1 Kh8 33. gxf6 a3 $1 34. Qf7 Rb7 35. Bd1 $1 Qb6 $1 36. +Nh6 $1 Nxf6 37. Qxf6 $3 d5 $1 38. Nf7+ Kg8 39. Qe6 $1 Qxe6 40. fxe6 dxc4 41. +Ba4 $1 Rc7 42. dxc4 {, and White should convert his extra piece without +particular problems (if} Bc5 ({or} 42... d3 {, then} 43. Bb3 $1 {).})) 32. g6 +$1 ({Privorotsky underestimated this thrust: he was hoping to repel the +assault after} 32. Rg2 $2 Rb2 $1 {.}) 32... Nf8 (32... hxg6 33. Nh6+ $1 {would +have led to mate.}) ({And after} 32... h6 33. Nxh6+ $1 gxh6 34. Qxh6 Nf8 { +White wins by} 35. g7 ({although the immediate} 35. Bh5) ({or} 35. Rfd1 $1 {is +simpler}) 35... Nh7 36. Bh5) 33. Nh6+ $1 ({Or first} 33. Rg2 $1 {is also good.} +) 33... Kh8 ({In the event of} 33... gxh6 34. Rg2 $1 hxg6 (34... Rb2 35. gxh7+) +35. Rxg6+ $1 Nxg6 36. Qxg6+ {White would have given mate:} Kf8 ({or} 36... Kh8 +37. Qxh6+ Kg8 38. Qg6+ Kh8 39. Kh1 $1 Qd2 40. Rg1) 37. Bh5 $1 {(the decisive +blow is struck by this 'blunt' bishop, which has been inactive for the entire +game).}) 34. Nf7+ Kg8 35. gxh7+ Nxh7 36. Rg2 $1 {The finishing touch. +'Nevertheless David outwitted Goliath' (Nikitin).} Qxd3 ({Or} 36... Rb2 37. +Rxg7+ $1 Kxg7 38. Qg6+ Kf8 39. Nh6 {.}) 37. Nh6+ $1 Kh8 38. Rxg7 $1 {Black +lost on time.} ({After} 38. Rxg7 Rg8 39. Nxg8 Kxg7 40. Nxe7 {White's threats +are irresistible. 'A splendid finish, disclosing the strong features of the +future world champion' (Nikitin). Times: 1.45-2.00.}) (38. -- {The final +attack made a big impression on those present, and I was terribly proud of +this win. But when I showed the entire game at the Botvinnik School, I was +rightly criticised by both Botvinnik and Dvoretsky for my 'disgraceful play' +in the opening and early middlegame. --- A year later in a match with +Burevestnik I had one more duel with Privorotsky (I was now playing on board 1, +and on this occasion Bagirov avoided meeting me). This was a crucial battle: +my first trainer was eager for revenge, especially as he had the white pieces. +But I again won, and at that our 'confrontation' came to an end. --- From the +memoirs of an eye-witness - Valery Asriyan: 'Garik's mastery developed +amazingly quickly. One was struck by his astounding combinative talent. +Already then he attacked with enormous power, and he calculated variations +uncommonly quickly and very deeply, astonishing all the Baku players, +including his trainer. In the mid-1970s Garik twice defeated Privorotsky in +team competitions, with both games following one and the same course. In a +positional struggle the trainer outplayed the pupil and began active measures +on the queenside, but Garik succeeded in developing a strong attack against +the opponent's king, which Oleg was unable to parry: Kasparov was already too +strong in such assaults. After the games Privorotsky could only spread his +hands: "What can I do, if he attacks like Alekhine!".'}) 1-0 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Who will be the next Champion?"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.06"] + +{In January 1975 Magerramov and I were dispatched to Vilnius to the USSR +Junior (under-18) Championship - our first individual competition of this +standard. Among the thirty-six participants in this Swiss event were at least +a dozen future grandmasters, and the tournament was won 'with obvious +superiority' by the almost 18-year-old Alma-Ata master Evgeny Vladimirov +(later one of my seconds). --- I made a stunning start - 3 out of 3! Moreover, +in the 2nd round I beat the Kiev player V.Sokolov, who in the end shared +2nd-3rd places. But in the 4th round I suddenly lost without a fight to +Yurtaev (cf. Game No.13, note to Black's 18th move). In the 5th round I made a +confident draw with Black against Vladimirov, and in the 6th, after passing +through a lost position, I overcame Gorelov. In the 7th round I had a peaceful +encounter with Kengis (after 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 I played 3 Bb5+), and in the +penultimate, 8th round, by contrast, a sharp, gripping duel with Dvoyris - but +again a draw.} 1. -- {Soon afterwards Nikitin wrote in the magazine 'Shakhmaty +v SSSR': 'I would like to talk about 11-year-old Garik Weinstein. Mature +beyond his years, a confirmed bibliophile, he at the same time has retained +the spontaneity of his age. Garik is passing through that golden period, when +for him there are not yet any problems, but there is already a mass of +problems for the people taking care of him. Garik's chess development is being +carefully followed by ex-world champion Botvinnik, who is already deciding his +ration of chess studies and playing commitments. I will not praise the boy - +for the moment he is simply playing chess, I repeat - playing.' --- Thus I was +on 5½ out of 8, and in the event of a win in the concluding round I could +have shared 2nd-4th places and on the tie-break won the silver medal. I was +paired with White against the Leningrad player Alexey Yermolinsky, who was +half a point behind. He was five years older than me and proved to be a +difficult opponent (this was also confirmed two years later in Leningrad). +Nikitin: 'That day I did not urge Garik to win, seeing his anxiety and fatigue, +but simply asked him to play a "good" game...' (see the following game).} * + +[Event "8: USSR Junior Championship, Vilnius"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1975.01.15"] +[Round "9"] +[White "Weinstein, G."] +[Black "Yermolinsky, A."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "B05"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "96"] +[EventDate "1973.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 {The expected opening - Yermolinsky's favourite +defence.} 4. Nf3 Bg4 (4... g6 {- Game No.27.}) 5. Be2 e6 6. O-O Be7 7. h3 Bh5 +8. c4 Nb6 9. exd6 ({It is evidently better to play} 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be3 d5 11. +-- ({, and now not} 11. c5 Bxf3 12. gxf3 ({or} 12. Bxf3 Nc4) 12... Nc8 {(the +earlier main line, which was upheld for Black by Alburt and Bagirov).}) ({, +but the new set-up with} 11. cxd5 $5 exd5 ({or} 11... Nxd5 12. Qb3 {, as I +played against Gitsyn (Riga 1977)}) 12. g4 Bg6 13. h4 {(I enthusiastically +analysed these variations with Korsunsky). But Nikitin and I had prepared +something different.})) 9... cxd6 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. b3 {'Garry chose a piece +set-up which he had spotted a week before the tournament, studying 'Informator +Volume 17' sent by me to Baku.' (Nikitin)} Nc6 12. Bb2 Bf6 ({At that time they +usually played} 12... d5 13. c5 Nd7 14. a3) ({but later Alburt's plan with} +12... Bg6 13. a3 a5 {and ...Bf6 was deemed more flexible.}) 13. a3 d5 ({Here +too} 13... Bg6 {is acceptable, not hurrying to increase White's spatial +advantage.}) 14. c5 Nc8 $6 {A new move;} ({not as good as} 14... Nd7 {, which +would have led to a position from the 'Informator' game Torre-Schmid (Nice +Olympiad 1974), where after} 15. b4 a6 16. Rc1 $1 b6 $6 17. cxb6 Qxb6 18. Qa4 +Rfc8 19. Rc3 $1 {White seized the initiative.}) 15. b4 a6 16. Rc1 {The cunning +'Torre manoeuvre'.} ({If} 16. Nb3 {there is the good reply} Bxf3 17. Bxf3 N8e7 +{, but now in the event of 16...Bxf3 White retains a plus by 17 Nxf3!.}) 16... +N8e7 $4 {An unexpected blunder of a piece.} 17. Nb3 $4 {'After this for almost +the whole of 1975 I called Garik not by his name, but only "g4"! Even a +mistake can become a part of useful experience, if you remember about it.' +(Nikitin)} ({Hardly had he made the move when Yermolinsky saw the winning} 17. +g4 $1 Bg6 18. g5 {and his face promptly changed. But I did not notice anything, +since I replied without thinking.}) 17... Bxf3 18. Bxf3 Nf5 {A secondary +drawback to 17 Nb3 is that the move Rc1 has been depreciated; with the rook on +a1 it would have been possible to play Bc3, a3-a4 and Qd3, preparing b4-b5, +but now White is forced to change plan.} 19. Bg4 $1 g6 20. Qd3 Bg7 21. Bc3 Qf6 +{By intensifying the pressure on the d4-pawn, Black provokes the exchange of +the enemy bishop for the knight on f5.} 22. Bxf5 (22. Rfd1 $5 {with the idea of +} Nh6 23. Be2 {was more forceful, but I wanted to deny the opponent any +counterplay.}) 22... Qxf5 23. Qxf5 exf5 (23... gxf5 {was no better.}) 24. a4 { +A standard flank offensive, which, however, does not promise any great +benefits.} Nd8 {Firecting the knight in good time to e6.} 25. b5 Ne6 26. Ra1 { +The rook has to be returned to the 'correct place'.} Rfc8 27. Rfd1 (27. Rfc1 $5 +{was more interesting, intending the c5-c6 breakthrough (and if ...b7xc6, then +b5-b6).}) 27... b6 $2 {A serious mistake, which could have led to defeat.} ({ +The simplest was} 27... Nc7 {, forcing} 28. b6 Ne6 {with equality (} 29. Na5 $6 +{is weak in view of} Nxc5 $1 {). However, the unexpected undermining move +unsettled me: is it really possible to play this?! --- 'The quiet course of +the game has suddenly changed abruptly, and the situation has become sharp and +uncertain. For a player who has just been rejoicing in his position, such a +change is especially unpleasant.' (Nikitin)}) 28. Rdc1 $2 {Again an error in +reply!} ({I saw immediately that after} 28. c6 $2 axb5 29. axb5 Nc7 {the +b5-pawn would be lost.}) ({But I completely overlooked} 28. cxb6 $1 Rxc3 29. +Rac1 $1 ({not} 29. b7 $6 Rb8 30. bxa6 Rxb3) {, when things are bad for Black:} +29... Rxc1 ({or} 29... Rc4 30. b7 Rb8 31. bxa6 Nc7 32. Na5 Nxa6 33. Nxc4 dxc4 +34. Rxc4 Rxb7 35. Rc8+ Bf8 36. d5 {etc}) 30. Rxc1 Nd8 31. Re1 $1 axb5 (31... +Nb7 32. Re7) 32. Re8+ Bf8 33. a5 {.}) 28... bxc5 29. b6 cxd4 (29... c4 $5 {was +also good:} 30. b7 cxb3 31. Bb2 Rcb8 32. bxa8=Q Rxa8 {with full compensation +for the exchange.}) 30. Bb2 (30. Bd2 $5 {was more accurate, with equality.}) +30... Rab8 ({More complicated play would have resulted from} 30... Re8 $5 31. +Rab1) ({or the clever} 30... Rc3 $5 31. Na5 Rb8 32. Bxc3 dxc3 33. Rab1 {.}) 31. +a5 $6 ({After} 31. Rxc8+ Rxc8 32. Rc1 Rxc1+ 33. Bxc1 Be5 34. b7 {with such a +strong passed pawn White is not in danger of losing, despite his material +deficit.}) 31... Rc4 $1 32. Nd2 Rxc1+ ({I would have been set far more +problems by the flamboyant} 32... Rc3 $1 {.}) 33. Rxc1 Kf8 34. Nb3 Be5 (34... +Ke7 {was a little better, although here too the position is one of dynamic +balance.}) 35. Ba3+ Ke8 $2 {A typical time-trouble 'lapse'.} (35... Kg7 36. Kf1 +{with equality was correct, whereas now Black is again on the verge of defeat!} +) 36. Re1 $1 f6 37. f4 $1 {A spectacular blow!} Nxf4 38. Bd6 $1 Rd8 39. Bc7 $1 +{Nikitin: 'The tactical resources in the position stirred the boy's thinking, +and he made several strong moves in succession. In terrible time-trouble and +in a difficult position Black decides on a trick.'} d3 $2 {Strangely enough, +this losing move - wins!} ({'Normal' continuations were insufficient:} 39... +Ne6 40. Bxd8 Kxd8 41. Rc1 Nf4 42. Rc5) ({or} 39... Nd3 40. Re2 Kd7 (40... Nb4 +41. b7 $1) 41. Bxd8 Kxd8 42. Rd2 Nb4 43. Nxd4 {.}) 40. Kf2 $4 {Suicidal!} ({As, +however, was the naïve} 40. b7 $4 Ne2+ 41. Kf1 Bxc7 {.}) ({I again cracked +under the psychological pressure...} 40. Rxe5+ $1 fxe5 41. b7 $1 {would have +been immediately decisive.}) ({But the most annoying thing was that} 40. Kf1 { +would also have retained real winning chances -} Ne2 41. Bxd8 Kxd8 42. Rd1 Ng3+ +43. Kf2 Ne4+ 44. Kf3 {and Rxd3.}) 40... d2 $1 41. Rxe5+ ({Alas,} 41. Nxd2 {was +bad because of} Nd3+ {and ...Nxe1.}) 41... fxe5 42. Nxd2 Nd3+ (42... Ne6 $5 {.} +) 43. Ke3 Nc5 $1 44. Bxe5 Kd7 45. Nf3 Re8 46. Kd4 Nb3+ 47. Kxd5 Nxa5 48. Bf4 +Kc8 {. Nikitin: 'Garik manfully endured the blow of fate and, after signing +the scoresheet, walked away in silence from the board. But his composure did +not last long - only as far as the exit from the tournament hall. Here he went +up to his mother, nestled up to her and quietly sobbed... After becoming a +grandmaster, Garry was to gain fame as the best finisher - a player capable of +winning any decisive game. But the first attempt proved a failure.' --- +Results of the 1975 USSR Junior Championship: 1. Vladimirov - 7½ out of 9; 2. +Kengis and 3. V.Sokolov - 6½; 4-6. Yurtaev, Yermolinsky and Gabdrakhmanov - +6; 7-11. Weinstein, Dvoyris, Pekker, Magerramov and Dolmatov - 5½ etc.} ( +48... -- {Taking into account my age, and the fact that I finished 7th on the +tie-break, this was not a bad result for a debutant. On 24th February Leonard +Barden, chess columnist for the Guardian newspaper, made the following +forecast: 'Whatever happens to the world title in 1975, most experts predict +that Karpov will be Fischer's successor - this year, in 1978, or in 1981. But +who will be world champion after Karpov? In my opinion there is a very clear +favourite for world champion in 1990. He is 11-year-old Garry Weinstein from +Baku, youngest player in the USSR junior championship and youngest candidate +master since Karpov.' Barden was wrong by five years, but the very fact that +he made such a forecast is worthy of note... --- After the battles in Vilnius +I returned to my school studies, where I was at the end of my 5th year, and to +regular chess lessons. Twice, in February and May, I went to Dubna for +sessions of the Botvinnik School. --- Nikitin: 'One spring day in 1975 into +the Kasparovs' flat walked Vladimir Andreevich Makogonov - one of the +strongest Soviet masters of the pre-war period, a player with a subtle, +"Rubinstein" style and a grandmaster understanding of the game. He was already +turned 70, and his meetings with Garik were infrequent, but they continued for +more than two years, to the end of 1977. They took the form of conversations, +and I asked the boy to follow carefully the logic of the Master's thinking and +his approach to the evaluation of individual moves and positions. These +conversations were of invaluable benefit to Garik, they helped him to +systemise his positional knowledge, and in time the +Tartakower-Makogonov-Bondarevsky Variation in the Queen's Gambit and the solid +set-up with 4...Bf5 in the Caro-Kann became reliable weapons for him.' In Baku +everyone learned the Caro-Kann from Makogonov's games! He was indeed a great +master, and I am grateful to fate that I was fortunate enough to have contact +with him.}) 0-1 + +[Event "9: Spartak Junior Ch., Peterhof"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1975.07.27"] +[Round "7"] +[White "Weinstein, G."] +[Black "Kantsler, B."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "A08"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "63"] +[EventDate "1973.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{Early in July 1975 in Tbilisi the Baku Pioneers Palace team easily won the +qualifying event for the final of the next 'tournament of young hopes', and on +top board I scored 3½ out of 4. And in the second half of July I made my +debut in the junior championship of the all-union Spartak sports society. --- +This was an important moment: while retaining the right to play for the +Pioneers Palace, I finally became a Spartak member, like my trainer in the +republic's junior team, Alexander Shakarov (true, our individual lessons began +only a year later). My mother and I lived quite modestly, and it proved most +opportune when Botvinnik and his friend, the prominent chess official Yakov +Rokhlin, were able to 'procure' Spartak food coupons for me, as well as a +monthly stipend of 120 roubles. Nikitin: 'Such support by the Teacher became +increasingly necessary with each new chess success by Garry, and each time it +was timely and effective.' --- That junior tournament took place in Peterhof, +the famous suburb of Leningrad. The fourteen contestants were divided into two +all-play-all semi-finals, and the four winners of each went through into the +final. Here the results of the semi-final games between them were carried +forward, and after the four final rounds the overall scores were determined. +Nikitin, who regarded this event as a preparation stage for future serious +tournaments, asked me to try and avoid any set-backs and to finish in the +first six. --- Endeavouring to fulfil my trainer's objective, I became +over-anxious and began with a loss, but I was able to take myself in hand and +score three successive wins. But in the 5th round I lost with White to the +16-year-old Kharkov player Mikhail Gurevich, in the future a grandmaster and +one of my seconds. And although I then defeated his contemporary, Leonid +Yudasin from Leningrad - also a future grandmaster, my starting position in +the final eight was very modest - only 1 out of 3. Now everything would be +decided by the games with the four players from the other semi-final. --- My +first opponent in the final, Boris Kantsler from Kirgizia, was just a year +older than me and was reputed to be a promising young player. A few years +later he was the winner (1979) and a prize-winner (1980) in the USSR Junior +Championship, but later his chess development slowed sharply, his family +emigrated to Israel - and at the very end of the century Boris nevertheless +became a grandmaster!} 1. e4 ({After looking at Fischer's victorious games, +for this tournament I prepared the King's Indian Attack and I successfully +employed it in the 3rd round, but in the 5th Mikhail Gurevich obtained a +comfortable game after} 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Bd6 5. d3 Ne7 6. e4 +Nbc6 7. Re1 Qc7 $6 (7... O-O) 8. Nbd2 $6 (8. exd5 $1) 8... O-O 9. b3 f6 10. Bb2 +d4 11. a4 e5 {.}) ({I also did not achieve anything in a simultaneous game +with Polugayevsky:} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 d5 4. Nbd2 Nc6 5. g3 Bd6 6. Bg2 +Nge7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 Bc7 9. Qe2 b6 {, etc.}) 1... e6 2. d3 {'I called this +way of playing the opening with White "a set-up for a lazy-bones". Soon it +found its way on to the list I compiled of set-ups which were temporarily +forbidden, and against the French Garik had to switch to the more active 2 d4. +' (Nikitin)} d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. g3 Nc6 5. Bg2 g6 {With this set-up Kantsler +surprised me;} ({I did not know its subtleties and was expecting only the +popular} 5... Nf6 6. Ngf3 Be7 {(an example: Fischer-Miagmarsuren, Sousse +Interzonal 1967).}) 6. Ngf3 Bg7 7. O-O Nge7 8. Re1 O-O 9. Qe2 $6 ({The +immediate} 9. e5 {is more popular, and only if} Qc7 {-} 10. Qe2 {with +double-edged play after} b5 {(b6),} (10... a5) ({or} 10... g5 $5 {.})) 9... b5 +10. e5 a5 {As a result, Black has gained a tempo for his thematic offensive on +the queenside.} 11. Nf1 Ba6 12. h4 b4 13. N1h2 {(2)} h6 $1 {The key idea of +the defence - otherwise Bg5 and Ng4. Here I felt rather dismayed, since I did +not see how to breach the opponent's fortress.} 14. Bf4 Kh7 15. Bh3 $6 {(3) A +dubious undertaking: control over the f5-square is of no use.} (15. Ng4 Nf5 16. +Qd2 {with the idea of h4-h5 was correct, in order after ...g6-g5 (although in +fact this is not obligatory) to sacrifice the knight on g5.}) 15... c4 16. Kg2 +{(3)} Nf5 17. Bxf5 $6 {(2) Risky, but at the least consistent - everywhere +Black has a comfortable game.} gxf5 (17... exf5 $5 {.}) 18. g4 $1 {White has +to continue in the same vein. 'Garik remembered his game with Yermolinsky and +the jocular nickname "g4". But the deliberate making of such moves is an +indicator of the boy's precociously mature thinking.' (Nikitin)} fxg4 $2 { +Releasing the 'animal' from the cage - strangely enough, this is already the +decisive mistake.} ({Black had several good replies, in particular} 18... cxd3 +19. cxd3 d4) ({or first} 18... Ne7 {with the intention of ...cxd3, ...d5-d4 +and play on the long light-square diagonal.}) 19. Nxg4 {Building up the +pressure.} Ne7 (19... cxd3 $1 {was far more resilient:} 20. cxd3 (20. Qd2 $6 h5 +$1) 20... Ne7 {, and in the event of} 21. Bg5 $3 hxg5 22. hxg5 Ng6 $1 ({not} +22... Rh8 23. Nf6+ $1 {(as in the game)}) 23. -- ({, with the pretty idea} 23. +Nf6+ Bxf6 24. Rh1+ Kg8 25. gxf6 Nf4+ 26. Kf1 Bxd3 $1 {, forcing} 27. Rg1+ { +with perpetual check.}) ({. But here too after the computer variation} 23. Qd2 +$1 Bh8 $1 24. Rh1+ $1 ({if} 24. Nf6+ Kg7 {, then ...Rg8 and ...Kf8}) 24... Kg7 +25. Rh6 $1 Bxd3 $1 26. Rah1 Rg8 27. Nh4 $1 Rc8 28. Nxg6 Be4+ $1 29. f3 Bxg6 30. +Qf4 Bf5 ({or} 30... Rc4 31. Qf6+ Qxf6 32. exf6+ Kf8 33. Rxh8 {Black's problems +are too great}) 31. Ne3 Bg6 32. b3 $1 {. --- It only remained to play 20...Nf5, +and White's attack would die out after hardly managing to begin...})) 20. Bg5 +$3 {(18) A sudden, purely intuitive bishop sacrifice. Of course, I did not +see all its consequences, but I sensed that White should be alright: his +pieces are so well placed! At that time I did not yet realise that most of my +opponents had a different attitude to material. And Kantsler probably believed +that with his extra piece Black would somehow be able to defend himself.} hxg5 +{A difficult choice.} ({White also has a terribly strong attack after} 20... +Rg8 21. Kh3 $1 {followed by Bf6 and Rg1}) ({or} 20... cxd3 {(alas, too late)} +21. Qd2 $1 hxg5 (21... Rh8 22. Bf6 $1) ({or} 21... dxc2 22. Qxc2+ Kg8 23. Bf6 +$1 {is also insufficient}) 22. hxg5 Rh8 (22... Nf5 23. cxd3) 23. Nf6+ $1 Kg6 +24. Rh1 {, and Black has no defence.}) 21. hxg5 Rh8 {This loses by force;} ({ +as does} 21... Ng6 22. Nf6+ $1 Bxf6 23. Rh1+ $1 Kg8 24. gxf6 Nf4+ 25. Kf1 cxd3 +({or} 25... Nxe2 26. Kxe2 cxd3+) 26. Qd2 {(e3) with unavoidable mate.}) (21... +cxd3 22. Qd2 $1 {(cf. the previous note)}) ({or} 21... Bh8 22. Rh1+ ({or} 22. +Qf1 $5 Nf5 23. Qh1+ Kg6 24. Qh3 Rg8 (24... Bg7 25. Nf6) 25. Rh1 Kg7 26. Nf6 { +and wins}) 22... Kg7 23. Nd4 Ng6 (23... Rg8 24. Qf3) 24. Qe3 $1) 22. Nf6+ $1 +Kg6 ({It turns out that} 22... Bxf6 {is not possible because of} 23. Rh1+ $1 +Kg8 24. gxf6 Ng6 25. Rxh8+ Kxh8 26. Rh1+ Kg8 27. Qe3 Qf8 ({or} 27... Kf8 28. +Nh4 $1 {with crushing threats}) 28. Ng5 {.}) 23. Rh1 $1 Nf5 ({Nothing would +have been changed by} 23... cxd3 24. cxd3 Nf5 25. Rxh8 Bxh8 26. Rh1 {.}) 24. +Rxh8 Bxh8 25. Nd4 $5 (25. Rh1 $1 {was simpler.}) ({However, I picked up the +knight on f3, in order to play} 25. Nh4+ {(?), but at the last moment I saw +that Black would capture the knight with check! I was forced to sacrifice it +on d4...}) 25... Nxd4 ({If} 25... Bxf6 26. gxf6 Nh6 {White decides matters with +} 27. Rg1 ({or} 27. Rh1 Qg8 28. Rg1 {.})) 26. Qh5+ Kf5 {The black king goes +for its last walk.} 27. g6+ {(2) This is not only the shortest, but also the +most spectacular way to the goal.} Kf4 28. Re1 $1 Bxf6 29. f3 $1 {Threatening +Qg4 mate. A pretty combination with the sacrifice of three pieces and lethal +quiet moves! This conducting of the enemy king into my own camp was +undoubtedly a prototype for my game with Topalov (Wijk aan Zee 1999).} Nxf3 30. +Qxf3+ {(4)} Kg5 31. Qg3+ ({Alas, I did not see the mating} 31. Rh1 $1 {.}) +31... Kh5 $2 {Nevertheless blundering into a mate.} ({However,} 31... Kh6 32. +exf6 Qxf6 33. Rh1+ Kg7 34. Rh7+ Kg8 35. Rxf7 Qxf7 36. gxf7+ Kxf7 37. Qc7+ Kf6 +38. Qc6 $1 Ra7 39. Qb6 Ra8 40. Kf2 cxd3 41. cxd3 {etc. would also have been +hopeless.}) 32. exf6 ({And in view of} 32. exf6 Qxf6 33. Rh1+ {Black resigned +(1-0). Times: 0.50-0.42.}) (32. -- {After this I scored a further 2 out of 3, +beating the Leningrad player Yuneev and at the finish drawing with Black +against the leader - Desyatkov from Kurgan, a strong candidate master, who, +however, did not break through to the USSR Junior Championships (in Russia the +qualifying tournaments were incredibly tough). The results of the Spartak +championship: 1. Desyatkov - 5½ out of 7; 2-4. Weinstein, Yuneev and M.Gurevich - 4 etc. On the tie-break I was placed second, and everyone +considered this a great success. --- This tournament was the last in which I +played under the surname Weinstein. In August 1975, at a family council of the +Weinsteins and Kasparovs, it was decided that I should take the surname of my +mother, which she had not changed when she married. It seemed natural to +become a Kasparov: for nearly five years I had been brought up in my mother's +family, and had grown up under the care of my grandfather Shagen, who had no +sons. But the real implication of what happened was revealed to me much later. +--- Nikitin: 'Changing surname is a delicate process. While normal with women, +it very rarely occurs with men and only, as a rule, when it is obligatory. The +main burden in the fight to carry out the juridical formalities and, more +important, to convince all the relatives and friends of the correctness of the +decision, fell on Garik's mother. How many unpleasant hours Klara had to +endure, how many tears were shed... A year before that, with Botvinnik's +agreement, I began insistently trying to convince her of the need to change +her son's surname. I had no doubts about the boy's brilliant chess future. +From my work in the USSR Sports Committee I knew what inexplicable problems, +not at all to do with chess, could suddenly be encountered by a youth with an +"incorrect" surname, and how his sports career could be imperceptibly hindered +or even altogether ruined. My fears were justified: much has now been written +about the latent anti-Semitism, especially in the upper echelons of Soviet +power. (I should remind you: in those times diplomatic relations with Israel +were broken off and there was a mass emigration of Jews from the USSR - G.K.) +I am convinced that Garry Weinstein would not have got through to a world +championship match with Anatoly Karpov either in 1984, or in 1987. They would +not have allowed it. He would have been eliminated at the distant approaches. +At that time the system worked meticulously.'}) 1-0 + +[Event "10: 'City Cup' Final, Baku"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1975.10.??"] +[Round "1"] +[White "Pavlenko, O."] +[Black "Weinstein, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "E71"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "68"] +[EventDate "1973.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{When in 1989, as three-times world champion and winner of the World Cup, I +overtook Fischer's old rating record and reached the 2800 mark for the first +time in history, Tal made one of his unforgettable jokes: 'Garry is playing so +well, that now he can calmly perform under his previous surname!' --- I +carefully carried the memory of my father through all the turbulent years, and +I am absolutely sure that the Garry Kasparov, who became leader of the chess +world, professed the same values as Garik Weinstein, who once, following the +example of his father, became fascinated by chess... --- In October 1975, +appearing for the first time under the surname Kasparov, I also achieved my +first success among adults: in Baku I won the 'City Cup', a knock-out +tournament with a shortened time control - an hour each for the entire game. +At that time, on the initiative of David Bronstein, rapid chess had become +fashionable (but it soon died away; its time had not yet come). --- There were +128 contestants: the strongest first category players, candidate masters, and +one master - the highly-experienced Oleg Pavlenko, the No.2 in the republic +team. His entry for the tournament was a surprise, and many thought the +question of 1st place was already decided. The players met in mini-matches of +two games: in the event of 1-1, two additional five-minute games were played. +But I did not need these: all my matches, and there were seven (the tournament +lasted exactly a week), I won by 1½-½ or 2-0. --- The culmination of the +race was the final match with Pavlenko. My 33-year-old opponent was a +heavily-built man, and compared with me he was a genuinely 'big chess player' +(only Bagirov was taller than him). In addition, during the game he smoked +incessantly - one cigarette after another. And in the 1st game I had to employ +a 'prepared variation': as soon as my opponent sat down at the board and, +after making a couple of moves, lit up, I immediately took from my pocket some +chewing-gum, removed its wrapper, shoved it in my mouth and began vigorously +chewing! I think that this made an impression on the master: he had not +expected such impudence from a youngster. At any event, this entire game, +which proved to be decisive, Pavlenko conducted at blitz speed.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. +c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 {This was the first year of my employing the King's +Indian (beginning with Game No.4).} 5. h3 {A rare variation, but a popular one +in Baku: this is what Makogonov himself played!} ({Before this at a session of +the Botvinnik School (Dubna 1975) Yusupov chose against me} 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 +e5 7. d5 {and after} Nbd7 8. O-O Nc5 9. Qc2 a5 10. Bg5 h6 11. Be3 Nh5 12. g3 +Bh3 13. Rfe1 Nd7 $6 14. Nd2 f5 $2 15. exf5 Bxf5 16. Nde4 $2 (16. Qd1 $1) 16... +Ndf6 17. f3 Qd7 18. c5 g5 $2 (18... Nxe4 19. Nxe4 Nf6 {is equal}) 19. Bd3 (19. +Qb3 $1) 19... Nxe4 20. Nxe4 g4 $6 (20... Nf6 $1) 21. fxg4 Bxg4 22. Rac1 {he +gained an obvious advantage. But here I recklessly sacrificed my knight -} Nf4 +$2 23. gxf4 exf4 24. c6 $1 bxc6 25. dxc6 Qc8 {, and my opponent faltered:} 26. +Nxd6 $2 (26. Bd2 $1 Bf3 27. Bc4+ $1 Kh8 28. Nf2 {was correct, when White wins}) +26... cxd6 27. Qc4+ (27. Bb6 $5 Bf3 $1) 27... Be6 28. Qe4 Bf5 (28... Rf7 $1 { +with equality}) 29. Qd5+ (29. Bc4+ $5 Kh8 30. Qxf4 {was slightly better}) 29... +Be6 30. Qe4 {- draw! Botvinnik was unhappy with my play: it reminded him of +his ill-starred game with Tal (6th match game, Moscow 1960), where out of +nothing with ...Nh5-f4 Black also placed his knight en prise to the g3-pawn +(Game No.128 in Volume II of 'My Great Predecessors'). My teacher strictly +told me that I needed to study the heritage of the 'King's Indian classics' - +Boleslavsky, Bronstein, Geller, Gligoric, Petrosian, Fischer, Stein... And +when I arrived home, from all possible sources I began copying model games +into a special notebook, and later I looked at them. I also kept up with +official theory. I tested variations in practice, and I gradually accumulated +King's Indian experience.}) 5... O-O 6. Be3 e5 7. d5 Nh5 $6 {I did not yet +know the finer points of this variation; I simply wanted to avoid the typical +bind with g2-g4 and to carry out ...f7-f5 at any price.} 8. Be2 ({After} 8. g3 +{Gerusel-Bukic, West Germany v. Yugoslavia 1973, went} a5 9. Be2 Na6 $5 10. +Bxh5 gxh5 11. Qxh5 f5 {with compensation for the pawn.}) 8... f5 $6 {Now this +sacrifice is incorrect.} ({After} 8... Nf4 9. Bf3 f5 10. g3 fxe4 11. Nxe4 { +White has only a minimal advantage.}) 9. Bxh5 $6 {Pavlenko played this without +thinking;} ({although more was promised by} 9. exf5 $1 Nf4 10. Bxf4 exf4 11. +fxg6 {, then Nf3 and 0-0.}) 9... gxh5 10. Qxh5 f4 (10... Na6 11. Bg5 {.}) 11. +Bd2 Nd7 12. O-O-O Nf6 (12... a6 $1 {and ...b7-b5.}) 13. Qe2 Qe8 {Again a +non-essential move;} (13... c6 $5) ({or} 13... a6 $5 {was more interesting.}) +14. Nf3 c5 $6 {Reducing the opportunities for counterplay;} ({the immediate} +14... a6 {was better.}) 15. Kb1 $6 {Typical rapid chess: this merely deprives +the knight of the b1-square and presents Black with an important tempo.} (15. +Rhg1 a6 16. g3 $1 {would have given an appreciable advantage.}) 15... a6 $1 { +At last!} 16. g4 $6 Bd7 $6 ({An exchange of mistakes:} 16... fxg3 $1 {and ... +b7-b5 was correct, when Black succeeds in creating counter-chances.}) 17. Nh4 +b5 18. Nf5 $2 {An unexpected blunder of a piece.} ({Instead of the promising} +18. Rdg1 $1 {and Nf5.}) 18... b4 {At the sight of this move Pavlenko flinched.} +19. Nxd6 Qe7 20. Nf5 Bxf5 21. exf5 $6 {White is rattled;} (21. gxf5 $1 bxc3 22. +Bxc3 {was stronger.}) 21... bxc3 22. Bxc3 Nd7 $6 (22... Ne8 $1 {was more +accurate. Now White has good compensation for the piece.}) 23. d6 {White could +have managed without this move.} Qf7 24. f3 (24. Rhe1 $5 {.}) 24... Rab8 25. +Rd5 $2 {Another slip - and this time the decisive mistake.} (25. b3 {would +have maintained the balance.}) 25... Nb6 26. Rhd1 ({Desperation:} 26. Rd3 Nxc4) +({or} 26. Rdd1 Na4 $1 {.}) 26... Nxd5 ({The immediate} 26... e4 $5 {would also +have won:} 27. Bxg7 Qxg7 28. f6 Rxf6 $1 29. Qxe4 Nxd5 30. Qxd5+ Kh8 {.}) 27. +Rxd5 e4 $1 28. f6 ({Or} 28. Bxg7 exf3 29. Qxf3 Qxg7 30. b3 Rbe8 {.}) 28... Bxf6 +29. Rf5 Bxc3 30. Rxf7 Rxb2+ 31. Qxb2 Bxb2 32. Re7 ({After} 32. Rxf8+ Kxf8 33. +Kxb2 exf3 {the black pawn queens.}) 32... exf3 33. Re1 f2 34. Rf1 Bd4 {. In +the 2nd game there was quite a lively battle; I tried to play as solidly as +possible, but in a completely drawn endgame I suddenly blundered a piece! +However, in his haste Pavlenko missed a win - it was obviously not his day. I +remember not only my opponent's grief, but also the reaction of the crowd of +fans: they were as though benumbed - no one could believe in the sensational +defeat of the local maestro. --- A few days later the Moscow weekly '64' +published an article about the Baku Cup by the well-known chess arbiter +Vladimir Dvorkovich: '...The tournament created great interest among Baku +chess fans. Seven candidate masters and the master Oleg Pavlenko reached the +quarter-finals, and in the final the higher-titled player met 12-year-old +Garry Kasparov (earlier we knew him as Weinstein, but he now uses his mother's +surname). A sharp battle ended in victory for the 6th class pupil by 1½-½. +Within two weeks the young holder of the Baku Cup will be leading the Pioneers +Palace team of the Azerbaijan capital in the all-union tournament for the +prize of the Komsomolskaya pravda newspaper.'} 0-1 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Meetings with the Greats"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.06"] + +{My first chess idol was Boris Spassky. It was in 1969, when I was beginning +to play chess, that he became world champion, and my dad was one of his fans. +The match collection 'Petrosian-Spassky 1969' with excellent commentaries by +the players' seconds, Boleslavsky and Bondarevsky, was my first chess book. +Apparently, this was a sign of fate: its special editor was - Alexander +Nikitin! But when in 1972 Spassky lost the match in Reykjavik, my interest in +him cooled - and I developed a childish admiration for Bobby Fischer (however, +at that time who didn't admire him!). And when I began studying chess +seriously, my idols became Alekhine and Tal, whose play excited the +imagination. My favourite chess reading was a book about Tal and Petrosian by +Viktor Vasiliev, and a simultaneous game with Tal in the spring of 1974 was +one of the most memorable events of my childhood. --- I keenly followed the +sharp rivalry of the young Karpov with the 'old hand' Korchnoi - first in the +Interzonal Tournament (1973), and then in the final Candidates match (1974). +And the 21st game of this match was one that I even saw live: I was passing +through Moscow, returning home from a session of the Botvinnik School, and +Nikitin took me with him to the game. For the first time in my life I became +absorbed in the amazing match atmosphere - that reverential quiet in the hall, +occasionally broken first by murmurs of delight, and then of disappointment; +to the seething of the press centre, where my trainer took me to 'look at the +thinking giants'. Then he took me back to the hall and left me there. Staring +at the enormous demonstration board, I was stupefied: Korchnoi had a winning +sacrifice! While the grandmaster was considering his 13th move, Nikitin +returned. I whispered to him: 'Knight h7!' And he replied only 'Y-yes...' +Obviously others had also noticed this: the spectators became animated. +Korchnoi played this - and won quickly. This first, brief encounter with +top-level chess left an indelible impression on me. Of course, I did not yet +imagine that within a year I would be meeting both stars at the board...} 1. -- +{This happened in November 1975 in Leningrad, at the final tournament of the +Pioneers Palaces. The line-up of the Baku team had changed significantly: +Korsunsky and Magerramov were now too old, and of the 'old-timers' in the +seven, only myself and Elena Glaz remained. The line-up of the captains giving +the simuls' was also half renewed: among them now were Smyslov, Karpov and +Korchnoi! --- Although I was already playing much more strongly than in the +previous such tournament, I again began with a loss to an ex-world champion - +the imperturbable Vasily Smyslov. And I was terribly upset, since first I +squandered an advantage, and then in one move (26 Nd4? instead of 26 Ng3!) I +lost an equal position. The next day I gained an enormous advantage with Black +against the Alma-Ata master Boris Katalymov, but I 'did everything' to avoid +winning. By the time that the game was adjourned my opponent appeared to have +some saving chances, but I was nevertheless awarded a win on adjudication. --- +In the 3rd-round match against the Kuybyshev team I had an interesting game +with Lev Polugayevsky. From the opening I did not achieve anything (cf. Game +No.9, note to White's 2nd move), but I was able to initiate tactical +complications. Thinking over his 14th move, the grandmaster sat down at my +board - and 'went to sleep' for 40 minutes! As a result - a rare occurrence in +a simul' - his clock was going on all seven boards! Usually the simultaneous +player does not allow this, but Polugayevsky was trying to solve a difficult +problem: it turned out that the reply he had been intending would have lost a +piece. In the end he found the only way of maintaining the balance and on the +26th move he offered a draw. I agreed, not seeing any real chances of success +in a slightly better endgame. Polugayevsky breathed a sigh of relief - and won +all the remaining games!} * + +[Event "11: Pioneers Palaces, Leningrad"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1975.11.08"] +[Round "4"] +[White "Karpov, A."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "B92"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "89"] +[EventDate "1975.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In the 4th round I finally made the acquaintance of Anatoly Karpov, who was +performing the role of captain of the Chelyabinsk team. He was 24 years old, +and not long before he had inherited from Fischer the title of world champion. +Even so, the first meeting with Karpov did not provoke in me the same +trepidation, as in the previous year's game with Tal. But the other lads in +the team were nervous and they went along to the game as though they were +already lost. In the foyer of the hotel, where the tournament was being held, +I said: 'What are you afraid of? Karpov is the world champion, but even he can +make a mistake.' Apparently these words were overheard, and the following day +one of Karpov's backers, the secretary of the local regional party committee, +Tupikin, said to my mother: 'Bear it in mind: Karpov is unforgiving.' --- In +its report on this round Soviet Sport wrote: 'During Anatoly Karpov's simul' +with the juniors from Baku there came a moment when the world champion was +left with only one opponent - 12-year-old candidate master Garik Kasparov. +Karpov sat down opposite the young player and, naturally, the photographers +did not miss this moment. The point is that Garik is one of our most talented +young players, and who knows, perhaps sometime in the future there will be +another Karpov-Kasparov encounter...' --- Who could then have imagined that +years later, over a period of six years, we would have to play some hundred +and fifty games against each other and spend more than 600 hours at the board?! +} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 {I think this was the +first time I played the Najdorf Variation.} 6. Be2 ({Before the game Nikitin +showed me the latest subtleties of the Polugayevsky Variation: after} 6. Bg5 e6 +7. f4 b5 $5 8. e5 dxe5 9. fxe5 Qc7 10. Qe2 Nfd7 11. O-O-O Bb7 12. Qg4 {one +should play not} Qxe5 ({, but} 12... Qb6 {. I remember that I tried to find +out from my trainer: 'But what about this, and what about that?' And he said +to me: 'Work it out at the board!' However, Karpov chose his favourite 6th +move...})) 6... e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Bg5 ({Although this move was occasionally +employed by Fischer and Tal, it offers fewer chances than the usual} 8. O-O { +. But here} Be6 9. f4 {would have led to a well-known position from the recent +Karpov-Polugayevsky Candidates match (1974). And the champion did that which +simultaneous players always do: he tried to deviate and take me away from my +home preparation.}) 8... Be6 {(4)} ({Earlier} 8... Nbd7 9. a4 $1 {was in +fashion (Fischer-Olafsson, Reykjavik 1960; Karpov-Balashov, 38th USSR +Championship, Riga 1970).}) 9. f4 {In the aforementioned match Karpov played +this with his bishop on c1, and in the event of 9...exf4 he would have gained +an important tempo for development. And after 9...Qc7 he used the tempo saved +to squeeze Black on the queenside - 10 a4 (Game Nos.54, 56, 57 in Volume V of +'My Great Predecessors'). Now, however, Black is forced to capture on f4, and +Karpov could have hoped that I would complicate matters unnecessarily, when he +would be able to outplay me, even a tempo down.} ({Firm control over the +d5-point -} 9. O-O O-O 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. Qd3 ({after} 11. Nd5 {Petrosian and +Fischer replied} Nd7 $5) 11... Nc6 12. Nd5 {- leads to a roughly equal +position in the spirit of the Chelyabinsk Variation:} Bg5 {and ...Ne7 (a +manoeuvre, known from the game Taimanov-Boleslavsky, 17th USSR Championship, +Moscow 1949),} ({or first} 12... Rc8 {- as Tal played against K.Grigorian +(39th USSR Championship, Leningrad 1971) and Hübner (Tilburg 1980).})) (9. Bxf6 +{is of more current interest:} Bxf6 10. Qd3 Nc6 (10... Be7 11. O-O-O Nd7 {is +also played}) 11. O-O-O $1 ({but not} 11. Nd5 Bg5 12. O-O $6 Ne7 $1 { +Arnason-Kasparov, Dortmund 1980}) 11... Nd4 ({or} 11... Be7 $5 12. Kb1 O-O 13. +Nd5 Bg5 14. h4 $5 Bxh4 15. g3 Bf6 {with sharp play (Kramnik-Anand, Wijk aan +Zee 2004). This line has now acquired a large amount of practice}) 12. Nxd4 +exd4 13. Nd5 Bxd5 14. exd5 O-O {.}) 9... exf4 10. Bxf4 {Thus, Karpov has +carried out the first part of his plan.} Nc6 11. O-O O-O 12. Kh1 {In the +variation with 8 0-0 this move would already have been made, and White would +retain chances of seizing the initiative by 12 Qe1. --- Ironically, a position +has been reached from the very line of the Neo-Scheveningen - 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 +3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nc6 5 Nc3 d6 6 Be2 Nf6 7 0-0 Be7 8 Be3 0-0 9 f4 e5!? 10 Nb3 +exf4 11 Bxf4 Be6 12 Kh1 - which later I was intending to play against Karpov +in our first two matches (1984/85 and 1985), only here Black has played the +additional move ...a7-a6, giving him an interesting possibility apart from 12...d5.} b5 $5 {(2) An active 'Sicilian' thrust (incidentally, it did not occur +any more in practice)} ({although perhaps it would, nevertheless, have been +better to maintain the balance with the typical} 12... d5 13. e5 Ne4 ({or} +13... Nd7 14. Nxd5 Ndxe5) 14. Bd3 f5 {. In the Neo-Scheveningen, with the pawn +on a7, these positions are problematic even today (cf. 'Revolution in the 70s' +p.151).}) 13. Bf3 $6 {After conceiving the rook manoeuvre via f2-d2, Karpov +clears the necessary space for it.} ({However, for the moment there is nothing +for the bishop to do on f3, and the inactive knight should have been +immediately brought into play -} 13. Nd4 $1 {.} -- ({. The exchange} 13... Nxd4 +14. Qxd4 {gives White some advantage in the centre}) ({, while after} 13... Ne5 +{both} 14. a4 ({and} 14. Nf5) 14... b4 15. Nd5 Bxd5 16. exd5 Qd7 17. Bf3 {are +possible.})) 13... Ne5 {Now there is a much more point to this move.} 14. Nd4 +Bc4 {(9)} 15. Rf2 $6 {The start of a standard manoeuvre, but in the given +instance it proves unsuccessful: the rook will not find any work on d2, and +the coordination of the rooks is disrupted.} (15. Re1 {would have retained +equal chances - it looks more passive, but in variations similar to those in +the game the rook is obviously better placed. Thus, it was not I who +complicated matters unnecessarily, but Karpov...}) 15... b4 $1 {(10)} 16. Nd5 +Nxd5 17. exd5 Bf6 18. Rd2 {Despite the weakness of the c6-square, Black feels +very comfortable, and White already has to think about how to equalise.} (18. +Nc6 $5 {came into consideration, and if} Qb6 {the sharp exchange sacrifice} 19. +Bxe5 -- (19... Qxf2 20. Bxd6 Rfe8 21. Bg3 Qc5 22. d6 Bb5 23. Qd5 {.}) ({. It +is safer to play} 19... Bxe5 20. Nxe5 dxe5 21. Rd2 (21. Qe1 f5) 21... Qd6 {, +blocking the passed d-pawn and planning ...f7-f5, ...e5-e4 and so on. +Objectively here too Black's chances are better.})) 18... Qb6 ({I did not even +consider} 18... Nxf3 {: it is too early to exchange such a strong knight!}) 19. +Be3 Qc7 $1 {(2)} ({'The position is a tense one, and at any moment a +combinative explosion may occur. Great complications would have resulted from} +19... Qb7 20. Nf5 Nxf3 21. Qxf3 Bxb2 22. Rb1 Bc3 23. Bd4 Bxd2 24. Bxg7 f6 25. +Qg4 ({and if} 25. Qg3 {both} Rf7 ({and} 25... Qd7 {are possible - everywhere +White has no more than a draw})) 25... Bg5 {', wrote Viktor Khenkin. It is +easy to see that after} 26. Bxf8 $1 Rxf8 (26... Bxa2 27. Rxb4) (26... Bxd5 27. +Bxd6) 27. Qxc4 {White has an overwhelming advantage:} Qd7 28. Qg4 Kh8 29. Rxb4 +{etc. Therefore 25...Rf7! is correct, not fearing the discovered check. --- +But why provoke the dangerous knight leap to f5? With the queen on c7 it +clearly does not work (the d6-pawn is defended) and Black continues to build +up his initiative.}) 20. Be4 ({White's problems would not have been solved by} +20. b3 Bb5 21. Be2 ({after} 21. Nxb5 axb5 {Black also has pressure on the +a-file}) 21... Bd7 22. a3 Qc3 23. Qg1 bxa3 (23... a5 $5) 24. Rxa3 Rfe8 {- the +powerful knight on e5 and the weaknesses in the enemy position give Black the +advantage (although it is unclear how great it is).}) 20... Rfe8 {(it becomes +uncomfortable for the white bishops on the e-file)} 21. Bg1 ({If} 21. b3 $6 { +, then} Bb5 {is again good,} ({but it is also possible to play} 21... Ng6 22. +Bxg6 (22. Qf3 Nh4) 22... hxg6 23. Qf3 {, when Black has a pleasant choice +between} Bb5 (23... Bxd5 24. Qxd5 Qc3) ({and} 23... Bxb3 24. cxb3 Qc3) 24. Bf2 +Bd7 25. Rad1 Rac8 {, in every case with the better chances. Now he is again at +a cross-roads.})) 21... g6 {(4) A logical move, killing White's counterplay +on the kingside. Black prepares ...Bg7 and ...f7-f5, and at the same time 22... +Bg5 23 Rf2 Be3 is threatened.} ({It also looks quite good to play} 21... a5 22. +a3 ({Khenkin's recommendation} 22. Rf2 {is worse in view of} Ng6 $1) 22... Ba6 +23. Rf2 Nd7) ({or immediately} 21... Nd7 {with the intention of ...Nb6, +attacking the d5-pawn. --- In either case Black continues to exert appreciable +pressure on the opponent's centre and queenside.}) 22. a3 $6 {White needs to +do something, and Karpov sacrifices the exchange.} (22. b3 Bb5 {is more solid. +Now in the event of the gambit move} 23. a3 $6 ({. There only remains} 23. a4 +Bd7) ({, or} 23. Nxb5 axb5 24. Bd4 Nd7 (24... Bg7 $5 {, when White's position +is inferior with the material equal})) 23... Bg5 24. Rf2 (24. axb4 Qc3 $1) +24... Be3 25. axb4 (25. Rf6 Nd7 $1) 25... Bxf2 26. Bxf2 Qc3 $1 27. Qe1 (27. g3 +Ng4) 27... Qc8 {the compensation for the exchange is insufficient and Black +has every chance of winning:} 28. Nxb5 (28. c4 Nd3 $1) ({or} 28. Qd2 Ng4 29. +Bf3 Nxf2+ 30. Qxf2 Qc3 {etc}) 28... axb5 29. Rxa8 Qxa8 {.}) 22... a5 $6 {(6)} ( +{When you are playing the world champion for the first time it is no great sin +to fear the complications after the strongest continuation} 22... Bg5 $1 23. +Rf2 Be3 $1 ({but not} 23... bxa3 24. b3 Bb5 25. c4 $1) {, which enables the +exchange to be won without any particular compensation for White:} 24. axb4 ( +24. Rf6 Qe7 $1) ({or} 24. b3 Bxf2 25. Bxf2 Bb5 26. axb4 Qc3 $1 {(cf. the +variation from the previous note)}) 24... Bxf2 25. Bxf2 f5 26. Bf3 Nxf3 27. +Qxf3 Qb7 28. Nc6 Re4 {. --- Now, however, Black's advantage is greatly reduced, +although the initiative is still on his side.}) 23. axb4 axb4 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 25. +b3 Ba6 26. Nc6 Nxc6 $6 {(18) I was carried away by the idea of invading with +my rook on the e-file, but this exchange is fundamentally incorrect, since it +activates the enemy rook on d2, which hitherto has been trying in vain to find +work for itself.} (26... Bb5 $1 {would have retained the better chances for +Black, for example:} 27. Bd4 ({or} 27. Nd4 Bd7 28. Nc6 Bg7 (28... Ng4 $5)) +27... Bg5 28. Rf2 Nxc6 29. dxc6 Bxc6 30. Qf3 Re8 $1 31. Bxc6 Re1+ 32. Rf1 Rxf1+ +33. Qxf1 Qxc6 {with an extra pawn.}) 27. dxc6 {Attacking the d6-pawn.} Re8 $2 { +'And this is already a mistake - Black tries for too much.} ({The rook on the +a-file was coordinating excellently with the bishop on f6, and all he needed +was to give it scope by} 27... Bb5 {, after which it would not have been easy +for White to guard the 1st rank and simultaneously maintain his c6-pawn. Even +so, after} 28. Bd4 (28. Qf3 Bc3) {, he would have gained a draw:} 28... Bxd4 +29. Rxd4 Bxc6 30. -- (30. Rc4 $2 d5 $1 31. Bxd5 Qe5) (30. Rxb4 Bxe4 31. Rxe4 +Qc3 32. Re1 Ra2 33. h3 {.' (Khenkin) --- However, here Black has the thematic +stroke 31...Qxc2!.}) ({. Therefore instead of 30 Rxb4? White must play} 30. +Bxc6 Qxc6 31. Rxb4 {, avoiding major problems and with accurate play attaining +the haven of a draw:} Qc3 ({now} 31... Qxc2 $2 {is refuted by the spectacular} +32. Rb8+ $1 Kg7 33. Qd4+) 32. Ra4 Re8 33. Ra1 {and h2-h3.})) 28. Bd5 $2 {A +blunder in reply, typical of a simultaneous player: the fruit of not very deep +penetration into the position when playing against several opponents.} ({White +was suddenly granted an opportunity to win a pawn and gain an overwhelming +advantage -} 28. Rxd6 {, but he did not do this, apparently because of} Bc3 29. +Rd7 Qf4 {, overlooking an elegant refutation:} 30. Re7 $1 {. Now the situation +is again entirely favourable for Black.}) 28... Bc3 29. Rf2 Re1 $6 {But this +is a mistake typical of a young player: also the fruit of a shallow +penetration into the position. Through inexperience I did not realise that it +was not yet time for such a stroke!} ({First the threats on the f-file should +have been neutralised:} 29... Re7 30. Qf3 Kg7 31. g4 f6 32. g5 f5 33. Qh3 Kf8 { +etc. The position had become extremely sharp, and it was not surprising that +Karpov was spending the lion's share of his time on my board. Alas, my team +colleagues were unable to support me: the score was 5-0 in favour of the +simultaneous player plus a strategically hopeless position for Lyosha +Eppelbaum. Soon Lyosha also resigned, and Karpov and I were left face to face...}) 30. Qf3 ({My 'subtle' calculation -} 30. Rxf7 $2 Rxd1 31. Rxc7+ Kh8 32. Bf3 +Rc1 {with the irresistible threat of ...Bd4 said something about my +inventiveness, of course, but it proved to be a simple little problem for the +world champion. To the logical question 'why has Black's vitally important +f7-pawn been left undefended?' the answer was found immediately.}) 30... Bd4 $2 +{A further error, which this time does not go unpunished.} ({When I showed +this game to Taimanov (after the tournament my mother and I, together with +Nikitin, visited him at his home) he said: 'Of course,} 30... Re7 $1 {should +have been played. Here Black has nothing to fear - all his pieces are in play. +' And although after} 31. Qf4 Bb5 32. Qh4 Be1 {he would have lost a pawn -} 33. +Rxf7 Rxf7 34. Qxe1 Bxc6 35. Bxf7+ Qxf7 36. Qxb4 {, he would have been in no +danger of losing:} Qd5 ({or} 36... Qf1 37. Qb8+ Qf8 38. Qb6 (38. Qxf8+ Kxf8 { +with a draw}) 38... Qf3 $1 {with the unavoidable exchange of queens and a +drawn ending with opposite-colour bishops}) 37. Qg4 Qe4 {.}) 31. Bxf7+ Kg7 {(4) +} 32. Bc4 $1 {Here is the punishment. In my preliminary calculations I missed +this decisive retreat: mate at f8 is threatened, and the bishop at a6 is +attacked.} Rxg1+ {(9)} ({'Black is rattled. The exchanging operation should +have been carried out in a different order -} 32... Bxf2 33. Qxf2 -- (33... +Rxg1+ 34. Kxg1 Qxc6 35. -- ({, although here too after} 35. Qd4+ Kh6 36. Bxa6 +Qxa6 37. Qxb4 Qe2 38. Qc3 {White would remain a pawn up.' (Khenkin).}) ({. +This is too modest a summary!} 35. Qa7+ $1 Bb7 36. Qd4+ {is far stronger and +prettier. Now} Kh6 ({and} 36... Kf8 {to the loss of two pawns:} 37. Qh8+ Ke7 +38. Qxh7+ Kd8 39. Qxg6) 37. Qe3+ Kg7 38. Qe7+ Kh6 39. Qf8+ Kg5 40. h4+ {leads +to mate})) (33... Bxc4 34. Qxe1 Bd5 {was more tenacious, trying to draw with +the queens and opposite-colour bishops. This is more like a middlegame, where +White is the first to begin a victorious attack on the king:} 35. Qh4 $1 Qxc6 ( +35... Bxc6 36. Bd4+ {and Qf6}) 36. Qe7+ Kg8 37. Bd4 Bf7 38. h3 $1 {etc.})) 33. +Kxg1 Bxf2+ 34. Kxf2 Bxc4 35. bxc4 {The queen endgame with the white pawn on c6 +is completely hopeless.} Qa7+ {(2)} 36. Ke2 Qd4 {(3)} 37. Qd5 Qf6 38. Qe4 b3 { +(3)} 39. cxb3 Qb2+ 40. Kf1 {Now the assistance of the king is not needed, and +Karpov wins by hiding it in the corner.} Qc1+ 41. Qe1 Qf4+ 42. Kg1 Qd4+ 43. Kh1 +Qb6 44. Qe7+ Kh6 45. Qf8+ {. A fighting game! A comment in the press: 'Garik +Kasparov was very upset at losing to the world champion. "I had such a good +position!" he lamented. The young Baku player was right. He held the +initiative throughout almost the entire game, but he used it uncertainly, and +in the end he made a fatal mistake.' --- I had the following dialogue with a +journalist from the Baku sports newspaper: 'How do you explain your defeat at +the hands of the world champion?' --- 'Perhaps by the fact that I remained one +to one with him. Just imagine, sitting opposite you is the best player on the +planet. And so I overlooked his combination.' --- 'And what lesson did you +learn from this meeting?' --- 'You have to fight to the last, even if you are +in a winning position.'} 1-0 + +[Event "12: Pioneers Palaces, Leningrad"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "2012.11.12"] +[Round "7"] +[White "Korchnoi, V."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "1/2-1/2"] +[ECO "E80"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "84"] +[EventDate "1975.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In the next round I played a draw with Gennady Kuzmin. And at the finish we +met the home team, from Leningrad, who were in keen competition with Moscow +for 1st place. In addition, their captain Viktor Korchnoi was fighting for the +best result by the captains. From the very start of the simul' he was +obviously very keyed up, nervously smoking one cigarette after another. I was +angered when on the 2nd and 4th boards after 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 our lads played 3 +exd5!? against him. But I, as usual, chose the King's Indian.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 +g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 Nc6 (5... O-O {(Game Nos.51, 81) is more natural, +but at that time against the Sämisch I liked to save a tempo by delaying +castling.}) 6. Be3 a6 7. Nge2 (7. Qd2 {- Game No.15.}) 7... Rb8 8. Nc1 (8. Qd2 +{- Game No.87.}) 8... e5 9. d5 Nd4 {On seeing this move, Korchnoi looked at me +and made a puzzled expression.} 10. Bxd4 $6 {Accepting the gambit at the cost +of the exchange of this important bishop.} ({I very much liked the idea of} 10. +N1e2 c5 11. dxc6 bxc6 $6 (11... Nxc6 {is more tedious}) 12. Nxd4 exd4 13. Bxd4 +$6 (13. Qxd4 $1 {is correct, with the idea of} Rxb2 14. O-O-O $1 Nh5 15. e5 $1 +{, when Black is in trouble}) 13... Rxb2 14. Nb5 $2 ({in the semi-final of the +Baku Cup (1975) Gazarian played} 14. Rb1 {against me, but after} Rxb1 {and ...0-0 all the same he had an inferior position}) 14... Nxe4 $1 {(Platonov-Shamkov +Platonov-Shamkovich, 39th USSR Championship, Leningrad 1971).}) ({But it is +even better to play} 10. Nb3 $5 Nxb3 ({killing Black's desire for} 10... c5 11. +dxc6 Nxc6) 11. Qxb3 c5 {with the initiative. --- But Korchnoi always used to +capture pawns, if he did not see a direct refutation (thus, in the event of 7...0-0 instead of 7...Rb8, if 10 Bxd4? exd4 11 Qxd4 there would have followed 11. +..Nxe4! and wins). Nevertheless, the grandmaster's choice surprised me: I was +sure that the power of the activated bishop on g7 would more than compensate +Black for his small material deficit.}) 10... exd4 11. Qxd4 O-O {(now +threatening ...Nxe4!)} 12. Qd2 ({(after} 12. Be2 {there would have followed} +Nh5 {, and if} 13. Qf2 {, then} c5 $1 {and ...b7-b5)}) 12... c5 {Depriving the +white knight of the d4-square and intending ...b7-b5 or ...Nh5 and ...f7-f5. I +was very happy with my position: such activity, and for just a pawn!} 13. a4 { +An attempt to set up a bind.} ({After} 13. Bd3 Nd7 14. O-O b5 $1 15. cxb5 axb5 +16. Nxb5 c4) ({or} 13. Nb3 Bd7 14. Be2 b5 15. O-O bxc4 16. Bxc4 Rb4 {Black has +no reason for complaint.}) 13... Nh5 {(3)} (13... Nd7 {was more circumspect.}) +14. g4 $1 {A bold, typically Korchnoi move, without prejudices!} Qh4+ {(4) I +did not want to retreat my knight immediately...} 15. Kd1 $6 {But this +'playing for a win' is dubious.} (15. Qf2 {was more solid, although after} +Qxf2+ 16. Kxf2 Bd4+ 17. Ke1 Nf6 {(f4) Black has good compensation for the pawn. +}) 15... Nf6 {(8)} (15... Qf6 $1 16. Be2 Nf4 {and ...Bd7, keeping the queens +on the board, would have been far more unpleasant for White.}) 16. Qe1 Qxe1+ ({ +Now nothing would have been given by} 16... Qg5 {, for example:} 17. h4 Qf4 18. +Be2 Nd7 19. Nd3 Qe3 20. Qg1 {, nevertheless exchanging the queens.}) 17. Kxe1 +Nd7 18. Be2 Ne5 {(10)} 19. Rg1 f5 {(3)} ({A crucial choice: after} 19... g5 { +Black would have had equal chances thanks to his powerful knight on e5 and the +dark-square blockade, but I preferred more complicated and dynamic play.}) 20. +exf5 ({Or} 20. gxf5 gxf5 {and ...Kh8.}) 20... gxf5 21. g5 {Continuing to +believe in the worth of the extra pawn.} Bd7 {(7) A natural developing move;} +({but} 21... Re8 $5 {(not allowing f3-f4)} 22. Kd1 {(d2)} Ng6 {and only then ...Bd7 was more subtle - this would have maintained the favourable tension.}) 22. +Kd2 $6 ({It was sounder to play the alternative} 22. f4 $1 Ng6 ({or} 22... Ng4 +23. Bxg4 (23. h3 $2 Bd4) 23... fxg4 24. N1e2) 23. Rf1 Rfe8 24. Kd2 {with +approximate equality.}) 22... b5 $1 {(12) A completely unexpected thrust: +after all, White is attacking b5 with many pieces! From this point Korchnoi +switched almost entirely to the game with me, and the two other draws which he +made in the simul' were to some extent a result of the chronic problems he +faced here.} 23. axb5 ({In the event of} 23. cxb5 axb5 24. a5 (24. f4 bxa4 $5) +24... c4 {Black has an unpleasant initiative:} 25. Kc2 ({or} 25. a6 Rb6 $5 { +and ...Ra8}) 25... b4 26. Na4 b3+ $1 {. Therefore White reconciles himself to +simplification, hoping to defend in an inferior endgame.}) 23... axb5 24. cxb5 +Bxb5 $1 {(this was deeply calculated)} 25. Nxb5 Rxb5 26. Bxb5 Nxf3+ 27. Kc2 +Nxg1 28. Nd3 ({The attempt to imprison the knight on g1 by} 28. Ra3 {would not +have succeeded after} Rb8 29. Rb3 f4 {.}) 28... Nf3 29. Bd7 Nd4+ {(6)} ({ +Nowadays, without thinking, I would have played} 29... Nxg5 $1 {, obtaining a +sound extra pawn:} 30. Rf1 (30. Ra4 Nf3 {etc}) 30... c4 $1 31. Nc1 f4 {.}) 30. +Kd1 f4 31. Be6+ ({Seeking practical chances -} 31. Ra6 f3 32. Ke1 Nc2+ 33. Kd2 +f2 34. Be6+ Kh8 35. Bh3 Nd4 {was clearly advantageous to Black.}) 31... Nxe6 { +(7) The correct reply.} ({Nikitin's recommendation} 31... Kh8 {would have +left White with more hopes of saving the game.}) 32. dxe6 f3 33. Ra7 Re8 {(11)} +({Safely avoiding a pitfall:} 33... f2 34. Nxf2 Rxf2 35. e7 Kf7 36. e8=Q+ $1 +Kxe8 37. Rxg7 Rxh2 38. b3 {with real prospects of a draw.}) ({But} 33... c4 $5 +34. e7 Re8 35. Nf4 Bxb2 36. Nd5 Kf7 {would have retained a serious advantage.}) +34. Rf7 c4 {(2)} 35. Nf4 $6 (35. Nf2 Rxe6 36. Rxf3 Bxb2 37. Ng4 {was more +resilient.}) 35... Bxb2 $6 {(4)} ({The sudden exchange of rooks would have +been decisive -} 35... Rf8 $1 {.}) 36. Nd5 Rxe6 37. Rxf3 Kg7 $6 {(4) This +move suggests itself;} ({but} 37... Re4 $1 {was more energetic. In such +situations all the participants in the simuls' - and I was no exception - +dreamt, without spoiling anything, of reaching the time control at move 45, +adjourning the game and having it adjudicated. And there a win would be found +by the grandmasters... But to make a dozen normal moves in a position with +dynamic factors was not at all easy!}) 38. Ne3 c3 $2 ({Alas, the text cuts off +the bishop on b2 and throws away the winning chances which would still have +remained after} 38... Re4 $1 {.}) 39. h4 Re5 (39... Kg6 40. Nd5 {with a draw.}) +40. Nf5+ Kg6 {(2)} 41. Ng3 $1 {A very strong manoeuvre, creating adequate +counterplay.} Re6 {(4)} 42. Rd3 h6 {(3) Draw agreed on Black's proposal. --- +Of course, I was terribly annoyed: to be one step away from victory over none +other than Korchnoi - and I stumbled... My opponent was also upset: this game +proved very difficult for him, and three draws against the Baku team deprived +him of 1st place among the simul' givers. --- Their 'tournament' ended as +follows: Smyslov - 38 out of 42; Korchnoi - 37½; Karpov and Polugayevsky - +37 (I should mention that it was rather easier for the first two, since the +remaining captains had to play both of the strongest teams - Moscow and +Leningrad). The overall tournament was also won by the Muscovites, who +together with Smyslov scored 54 out of 84 and finished ahead of Leningrad with +Korchnoi (49½), Kuybyshev with Polugayevsky and Chelyabinsk with Karpov +(both 42), Baku with Bagirov (39), Voroshilovgrad with Kuzmin (37½) and +Alma-Ata with Katalymov (30). --- My performance, 2½ out of 6, was deemed +comparatively satisfactory. Despite the fact that in the games with +Polugayevsky, Karpov and Korchnoi I scored only one point, the character of +the play showed that any result could have been possible! --- Nikitin: 'The +hand of the little fighter was not yet firm, but in games with him +grandmasters had to endure considerable difficulties. Not without reason, +after the tournament Karpov, Korchnoi and Polugayevsky remarked on Garik's +play. The world champion liked his "serious approach to the game", and +Korchnoi - "his quite sober understanding of complicated positions". It has to +be agreed that praise of this sort addressed to a twelve-year-old boy is an +indication of his outstanding talent. To me it was evident that his first, +timid steps along the road to top-level chess would soon be replaced by a leap. +..'} 1/2-1/2 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Young Champion"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.06"] + +{My second USSR Junior (up to 18) Championship took place in January 1976 on +the stage of the Tbilisi Chess Palace, which from then on became a noteworthy +place for me. I was not expecting to win, since I was again the youngest +player, some three to five years younger than my opponents. But in the depths +of my heart there was nevertheless a glimmer of hope - and, as it transpired, +not without reason. --- I had gained experience and I no longer felt even +slightly intimidated by my elders. I started confidently - 4½ out of 5, +including wins over Lputian and Yudasin. It appeared that the fight for the +title would be between me and another pupil of Botvinnik's school - +16-year-old Rafael Gabdrakhmanov from Kazan, with whom I drew after a sharp +King's Indian in the 3rd round.} 1. -- {In the 6th and 7th rounds I slowed +down - I made draws with Sturua and Vasilenko. But in the 8th, penultimate +round, with Black I won a very complicated and tense Sicilian against Yurtaev, +gaining revenge for my defeat the previous year in Vilnius. Thus before the +finish Gabdrakhmanov and I had 6½ out of 8, the 16-year-old Georgian adult +champion Zurab Sturua was on 6, with Lanka, Vasilenko and a number of other +contestants on 5½. --- In the concluding round, the fight for first place +unexpectedly became much sharper! Sturua had White against Gabdrakhmanov, and +I - against the new hope of Latvian chess, the 15-year-old Zigurds Lanka. We +all knew that, in the event of a share of first place, Gabdrakhmanov would +have the best Buchholz score, Sturua would have a good one, and I would most +probably have the worst. Therefore I needed to win, but I was already very +tired and, as ill luck would have it, I played dreadfully. It was a strange +thing: for the second time in a year I floundered in one of the fashionable +lines of the Maroczy.} * + +[Event "13: USSR Junior Championship, Tbilisi"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1976.01.17"] +[Round "9"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Lanka, Z."] +[Result "1/2-1/2"] +[ECO "B39"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "119"] +[EventDate "1976.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Ng4 8. +Qxg4 Nxd4 9. Qd1 Ne6 10. Qd2 Qa5 11. Rc1 b6 12. Be2 Bb7 13. f3 f5 14. exf5 gxf5 +15. O-O Rg8 16. Rfd1 d6 17. a3 $6 {(7)} (17. Nd5 $1 Qxd2 18. Rxd2 {is far +better (and above all - safer!), and if} Rc8 {, then} 19. Re1 $1 {(Jansa-Reeh, +Gausdal 1990).}) 17... f4 $1 18. Bxf4 {A repetition of my game with Yurtaev +(Vilnius 1975).} Qf5 $5 {A novelty, specially prepared by Lanka (previously he +had not employed this variation).} (18... Qh5 $1 19. Nd5 (19. Be3 $2 Be5) 19... +Nxf4 20. Nxf4 Qc5+ {and ...Bh6 is even better, with excellent play for the +pawn.}) ({Yurtaev preferred} 18... Bd4+ $6 19. Kh1 Qf5 {and after} 20. Nd5 $6 +Bxd5 21. cxd5 Nxf4 22. Bb5+ $6 (22. g4 {is equal}) 22... Kf7 23. Qxd4 $6 (23. +g4 Rxg4 24. Qc2 {is more resilient}) 23... Rxg2 24. Bd7 $2 (24. Rd2) 24... +Rxh2+ $1 25. Kxh2 Qh5+ 26. Kg3 Ne2+ {he won. However, as later analysis showed, +the accurate 20 Be3! could have set Black difficult problems.}) 19. Be3 {(6)} +Be5 $5 20. Nd5 $2 {(3) A blunder.} ({The fearless} 20. g3 $1 {was correct:} +Bxg3 21. hxg3 Rxg3+ 22. Kf2 Rxf3+ $1 23. Ke1 $1 Rh3 24. Bf1 {etc.}) 20... Qh3 +$1 21. Bf1 Qxh2+ {White's hopes have been dashed. However, Lanka did not play +energetically enough, and after his inaccurate 27th move the situation became +completely unclear. The time control was 45 moves in 2 hours 15 minutes, and +we made the last moves in a wild time scramble. We each had literally a minute +left, and on the 38th move I committed another blunder... --- Meanwhile, on +the neighbouring board Sturua beat Gabdrakhmanov in good positional style and +went half a point ahead. Now everything depended on the outcome of my game +with Lanka. Alas, at that moment I was a hair's breadth away from defeat: +Lanka could have won immediately on the 40th, 42nd and 43rd moves, and on the +46th he could still have retained serious winning chances. With fearful speed +we passed the time control unnoticed, and the game was adjourned only after +White's 49th move. --- The game was resumed two hours later. I analysed the +adjourned position with my Baku trainers Oleg Privorotsky and Alexander +Aslanov and their Yerevan colleague Alburt Arutyunov. The mood was not a +cheerful one: it wasn't really believed that I would manage to save the game, +and besides, everyone thought that even in the event of a draw I would catch +Sturua but would still finish second because of an inferior Buchholz score. +--- And although the situation with the Buchholz was not completely clear - +not all of the last round games had finished - the home supporters were +exulting in anticipation of a 'golden double': on the same stage Maya +Chiburdanidze had just become girls champion of the country, and it appeared +that Zurab Sturua would be about to join her.} 22. Kf2 Qh4+ 23. Ke2 Rc8 24. b3 +Nc5 25. Bf2 Qh2 26. Qc2 Rg6 27. Re1 Re6 28. Kd1 Qh6 29. Be3 Qh5 30. Bxc5 Rxc5 +31. b4 Rc8 32. Qe4 Kf7 33. Bd3 Rh6 34. g4 Qg5 35. f4 Qxg4+ 36. Be2 Qh4 37. Bf3 +e6 38. Rh1 Qxf4 39. Rxh6 Qxh6 40. Bg4 exd5 41. Qf5+ Qf6 42. Qxh7+ Qg7 43. Qf5+ +Bf6 44. Qd7+ Kg8 45. Be6+ Kh8 46. Qxg7+ Bxg7 47. Bxc8 Bxc8 48. cxd5 Bg4+ 49. +Ke1 Bb2 $6 {Not the best sealed move.} ({If} 49... Bf3 {we were planning} 50. +Rc8+ $1 Kh7 51. Rc7) ({but} 49... b5 $5 50. Rc6 Be5 {was better, when no one +could see a sure way to draw.}) 50. Rc2 $1 {An excellent defence, found by +Arutyunov.} ({After} 50. Rc4 Bf3 {White has no good continuation:} 51. Rc8+ Kg7 +52. Rc7+ Kf6 53. Rxa7 Bc3+ 54. Kf1 Bxd5 {.}) 50... Bxa3 $6 {Lanka was tired +and he captured the pawn without any particular thought.} ({Some chances of +success were still offered by} 50... Be5 51. Kd2 {etc.}) 51. Rh2+ {(1)} Kg7 52. +Rg2 {(it turns out that Black loses one of his bishops)} Bxb4+ 53. Kf1 $1 ({ +Apparently it was this move that was missed by Zigurds, who was expecting to +win after} 53. Kf2 $2 Bc5+ 54. Kf1 Kf6 55. Rxg4 Ke5 {. But now he does not +manage to bring his king to e5.}) 53... Kf6 54. Rxg4 Bc3 55. Re4 {(1)} (55. Ke2 +{was also possible. The draw is now obvious, but here, for no earthly reason, +Lanka thought for a long time. --- That day, for the first time, we played on +the stage, and while my opponent's clock was ticking, I looked out into the +auditorium where all our delegation was sitting. And suddenly I saw how +Aslanov obviously became excited and began quickly writing something down. Of +course, I immediately grasped what was going on: Aslanov had made a mental +calculation with incredible accuracy (he had a phenomenal memory), and had +unexpectedly discovered that I had a better Buchholz score than Sturua. Not +believing such good luck, he decided to calculate it all once more - on paper. +And, realising that he was right, he began energetically gesticulating...}) +55... Kf5 56. Re7 Be5 57. Rxa7 Ke4 58. Rb7 {(1)} Bd4 59. Ke2 Kxd5 60. Kd3 {. +Times: 2.20-2.50.} (60. -- {What happened in those seconds is forever engraved +in my memory. Hardly had Lanka and I shaken hands, when the tall and corpulent +Aslanov dashed from the seventh row to the stage and with the cry: 'Garik, +Garik, you're the champion!' lifted me up in his arms. Unable to believe what +had happened, for a full hour I kept repeating to myself: 'I'm the champion, +I'm the champion...' --- It transpired that during the adjournment session a +miracle had indeed occurred. In this round my previous opponents played well, +whereas Sturua's opponents did less so. But the last to 'let him down' was his +compatriot Zurab Azmaiparashvili, who won his adjourned game against Zaid. A +draw in that game would have given us identical Buchholz scores, and then +Sturua would have been declared champion on the greater number of wins. +However, the Georgian trainers were so confident about the older Zurab's score, +that they overlooked the game of the younger, and my final Buchholz turned out +to be half a point higher! --- Thus for the first time I became junior +champion of the Soviet Union - previously no one had done this at the age of +12 (and later only Gata Kamsky achieved this in 1987). At the closing ceremony +Anatoly Bykhovsky, the senior trainer of the USSR junior team, read out the +results, congratulated Maya Chiburdanidze and all the prize-winners on their +success, and concluded his speech with these words: 'What can be said about +Garik Kasparov? When you become under-18 champion of the country at the age of +12, there is nothing more to say!' --- Today I still have this famous +photograph hanging up in my house: Maya Chiburdanidze and I stand happily on +the stage of the Chess Palace... 17th January was in fact Maya's birthday - +she was 15. And her trainer Eduard Gufeld invited everyone 'to drink to the +future world champions' (and indeed, just two and a half years later +Chiburdanidze won a match for the crown against the great Nona Gaprindashvili!) +. After this Gufeld insisted that Maya and I should play a blitz match. I +don't remember the exact score, but it was such that Maya burst into tears and +said that she needed to go not to rest, but to work...}) (60. -- {Results of +the 1976 USSR Junior Championship: 1. Kasparov and 2. Sturua - 7 out of 9; 3. +Gabdrakhmanov and 4. Vasilenko - 6½; 5-8. Lanka, Lputian, Kharitonov and +Yurtaev - 6; 9. Yusupov - 5½; 10-16. Azmaiparashvili, Dvoyris, Kengis... - 5, +24-28. M.Gurevich, Magerramov, Yudasin... - 4 etc. (altogether - 38 +participants).}) (60. -- {Nikitin: 'A pleasant surprise! I felt that Garik +might play well, but I did not expect such a result. On this occasion after +the end of the tournament it was not a boy shedding tears of grief, as a year +earlier, but his mother shedding tears of happiness. After congratulating the +champion on his win, I immediately, so that he would not become conceited, +reminded him of the large number of deficiencies in his "champion's" play.' +--- From the magazine 'Shakhmaty v SSSR': 'Only one player went through +undefeated. Twelve-year-old candidate master Garik Kasparov demonstrated +outstanding independence in his assessments and conclusions. His play is +interesting and aggressive, and the young player is improving from tournament +to tournament. Of course, Garik's play is not without certain deficiencies, +but he is very self-critical, and this is a guarantee of future successes.' +--- My victory in the all-union arena was greeted euphorically by the Baku +sports officials: they were expecting me to make an immediate further surge, +and thought that I was already capable of becoming a master. And, barely +having celebrated my 13th birthday, I was included in an adult master +tournament - a memorial to the first Azerbaijan chess master, Sultan +Khalilbeyli (Baku, 11-28 May 1976). The line-up comprised four candidate +masters and ten masters: the Baku players Pavlenko, Morgulev, Listengarten, +Shakarov, Sideif-Zade and Korsunsky, plus a touring quartet - Kayumov, +Nikolaevsky, Murey and A.Donchenko.}) (60. -- {Nikitin advised me not to play +in this tournament: he felt that my nervous system was not yet ready for such +a severe test. But I very much wanted to battle against masters! Alas, my +trainer was largely right... A crisis came as early as the 2nd round, in my +game with Magerramov. After equalising in the Open Variation of the Ruy Lopez, +on the 20th move Elmar suddenly left a pawn en prise. By the 28th move I was +already just a step away from winning, but here I 'carried out a spectacular +combination with a piece sacrifice' - I made two terrible moves in a row, +overlooked a deadly counter-blow by the opponent - and capitulated! --- I was +in fact unable to recover completely from this heavy blow (whereas the +18-year-old Elmar, by contrast, quite confidently achieved the master norm, +scoring the cherished 'plus four' - 8½ out of 13). Pulling myself together, +after a draw with Shakarov I even won against Aydyn Guseynov, but then I +cracked under the fierce adult pressure, ran short of time, and lost to +Velibekov (altogether ignominiously) and Korsunsky. After the game with +Velibekov I returned home feeling crushed, lay on the divan with my face to +the wall, and burst into inconsolable sobbing. Then my mother made 'her' move: +she quietly went out to a neighbour's house and from there phoned Botvinnik in +Moscow. Within a few minutes the phone in our flat rang, and my mother called +me: 'Garinka, it's Mikhail Moiseevich, he wants to speak to you.' After a +conversation with the Teacher I calmed down and said to my mother: 'Mikhail +Moiseevich admitted that he lost games that were even worse!'}) 1/2-1/2 + +[Event "14: Khalilbeyli Memorial, Baku"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1976.05.25"] +[Round "11"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Donchenko, A."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "C97"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "75"] +[EventDate "1976.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{Realising that the chance of becoming a master had been lost, I stopped +feeling nervous and finished the tournament more than convincingly. First I +won good, fighting games against Kayumov (a future winner of the Memorial) and +Murey, and after a loss to Nikolaevsky I overcome the experienced Moscow +master Anatoly Donchenko in 'iron' positional style.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. +Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 {(2)} Nf6 5. O-O {(6) My hesitation was due to the fact that at +that time I also used to employ both 4 Bxc6 (the influence of Fischer - and +Shakarov!)} ({and} 5. d4 {(Game No.1). However, Nikitin nevertheless insisted +that I should learn to play the 'normal Spanish'.}) 5... Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 +d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Qc7 12. d5 {(6)} ({I always liked +closing the centre, and besides, I had only a vague impression of the +variations with} 12. Nbd2 {.}) 12... c4 $6 {The master made this seemingly +natural move almost without thinking;} ({although} 12... Bd7) (12... Ne8) ({or +even} 12... Nc4 {is preferable, as Kuzmin played against me (Game No.31).}) 13. +b4 $1 {(13) My opponent was surprised by this set-up, which I prepared on my +own for this game, having noted Black's problems with his 'bad' queen's knight. +} cxb3 (13... Nb7 14. a4 {is also depressing for Black.}) 14. axb3 {At first +sight, Donchenko has achieved quite a good position: White has a backward pawn +on the c-file. However, he has a clear plan for mobilising his forces - Bd2, +Bd3, Na3 and so on, and if ...Nb7, then b3-b4, preventing ...Nc5 and +threatening a possible c3-c4. Gradually Black begins to suffocate due to the +congestion of his pieces and lack of space.} Bd7 (14... Nb7 {is no better:} 15. +b4 $1 Nd7 16. Be3 Nb6 17. Na3 Bd7 {(Kayumov-Dydyshko, Moscow 1979)} 18. Qe2 $1 +Na4 $6 ({or} 18... Rfc8 19. Rec1) 19. c4 {with an enduring advantage.}) 15. Bd2 +Rfc8 ({Or} 15... Nb7 16. b4 $1 a5 17. Bd3 Rfb8 18. Na3 Nd8 19. Qe2 {, +Kasparov-Crisofari, Bastia simul' 2008.}) 16. Bd3 {(3)} ({It is probable that} +16. Na3 $5 {was slightly more accurate.}) 16... Be8 17. Bf1 {(7) A solid, +although non-essential move (I am not sure that the bishop stands better at f1 +than at d3).} (17. Na3 $5 {was more consistent}) ({or} 17. Be3 $5 {with the +ideas of Re2-a2(c2) and Nfd2.}) 17... Nb7 $6 {Here the knight's prospects are +very obscure.} ({It would have been better to leave it at a5 and play, for +example,} 17... Bd8 $5 18. Na3 Qe7 {(b7) with the typical idea ...Bb6, +defending according to the principle 'stand and wait'. Donchenko clearly +underestimated the dangers of the impending squeeze.}) 18. b4 $1 {(2)} Nd7 19. +Na3 Nb6 20. Be3 {(8)} Bd8 ({If} 20... Bd7 {, then} 21. Qb3 $1 {and Rec1 is +strong - here} Nc4 $6 {is also unfavourable because of} 22. Bxc4 $1 bxc4 23. +Qc2 {.}) 21. Rc1 $1 {The storm clouds are gathering over Black's position: +there is the threat of Nd2 and c3-c4.} Nc4 $6 {Black no longer knows what to +do.} 22. Bxc4 $1 {I was very proud of this unexpected exchange of bishop for +knight. Black's replies are forced.} bxc4 23. Nd2 Bb5 24. Ra1 {(3) With the +unavoidable exchange on b5 and the seizure of the a-file. And the knight on b7 +is still dead - White effectively has an extra piece. The conversion of the +advantage, beginning from the 18th move, makes this game a textbook example.} +h6 {(with the idea of ...Bg5, but the exchange of the dark-square bishops does +not bring Black any relief)} 25. Nxb5 {(2)} axb5 26. Nf1 Bg5 27. Re2 $1 {(2)} +Bxe3 28. Nxe3 Qd8 29. Rea2 Rab8 {Conceding the a-file in the desperate hope of +creating at least a semblance of counterplay on the kingside.} ({It did not +help to play} 29... g6 30. Ra7 Rcb8 31. R1a6 Rxa7 32. Rxa7 Qb6 {(f8)} 33. Qa1 { +with a decisive invasion}) ({or} 29... Rxa2 30. Rxa2 Ra8 31. Qa1 Rxa2 32. Qxa2 +Kf8 33. Qa6 Qd7 34. Nc2 {and Na3, winning the b5-pawn, and with it the game.}) +30. Ra7 {(4)} Rc7 31. R1a6 {(2)} Rd7 32. Qa1 {(7)} Kh7 33. g3 {(2)} g6 34. Rc6 +h5 35. h4 {(2)} g5 $6 {Desperation: now White also has an attack on this wing.} +36. Qd1 {(2)} Kg6 37. Nf5 {(2)} Qf6 38. Qd2 {. Times: 1.24-2.12. --- Two +draws at the finish summed up my first battle with masters: 50% - 6½ out of +13. And although this was a comparative failure, I gained valuable experience. +Nikitin: 'Every cloud has a silver lining. There were several pleasing games +by Garik, in which a new and strong aspect of his playing style was revealed - +an ability to build up positional pressure move by move. This was a sure +indication that the rise of a new star was not far off...'} (38. -- {In July +1976 I went abroad for the first time - I took part in the World Cadet Cup +(for juniors no older than 17), which was held in the small French town of +Wattignies, outside Lille. Botvinnik was against this trip, but... according +to Nikitin 'it transpired that, alas, there were no 16-year-old players of +comparable standard to our 13-year-old champion'. No other player had +represented the USSR in the international arena at such a young age! But this +was my sole achievement, and otherwise the trip brought me nothing but +disappointment. Beginning with the results of this Swiss event: 1. Grinberg - +7½ out of 9; 2. Chandler - 7; 3-6. Rogers, Petursson, Kasparov and +Groszpeter - 6 etc., followed by a few other future grandmasters - van der +Wiel, Nikolic, Hodgson, Morovic and Pia Cramling (altogether - 32 participants) +. --- I supposedly didn't perform badly: I shared 3rd-6th (although on the +tie-break the 'bronze' went to Rogers). This was how the weekly chess +newspaper 64 assessed my play: 'not bad'. But my own verdict was more severe. +I felt that I had conducted the tournament weakly and that I could have played +much better against the leaders - this upset me. The main problems when facing +older opponents were the demanding schedule and the unfamiliar surroundings. +Of course, I was excited and I experienced a certain confusion on finding +myself in a capitalist country (to put it simply, on another planet!). With me +was neither my mother, nor Nikitin - instead of one of them, the person the +Sports Committee sent with me was the Lvov trainer Viktor Kart. --- I was also +disappointed that the tournament left hardly any time to see something of +France. Before the trip I tried to find out everything about its history and +customs, and carefully studied my grandfather's map of the country. And what +happened? We simply swept past all the historical monuments I had been so +looking forward to seeing. But I couldn't help noticing that things were +substantially different to the Soviet way of life, although I was too young to +draw any conclusions from this. I simply accepted it as a fact of life, as a +result of our troubled history.}) (38. -- {At the very end of the summer, in +the Orlenok pioneers camp on the banks of the Black Sea, the next session of +the Botvinnik School was held. Nikitin: 'The teacher strictly made Garik +responsible for his oversights in Wattignies and as a sparring-partner he gave +him one of the strongest pupils - 17-year-old Sergey Dolmatov, so that the +latter would demonstrate that in the school they played better than in various +foreign championships. But the "Massacre of the Innocents" did not take place: +Garry scored 1½ out of 2, demonstrating that the concept of nervous +depression after a failure was not yet known to him.'}) (38. -- {I have +already described how Mikhail Botvinnik conducted the lessons - for example, +in Volume II of 'My Great Predecessors' (in the chapter 'My Teacher'). Here is +another sketch, from the pen of the prominent journalist Viktor Khenkin: Garik +Kasparov, the 13-year-old candidate master from Baku, is showing his game, +rattling off variations. One is struck by his erudition and general knowledge, +which are amazing for his age. But when he states that he saw all this during +the game, he is obviously making it up. --- "Don't rush, Garik, give us time +to think," Botvinnik stops him. "You can calculate variations so quickly, but +I cannot." --- Garik falls silent and gives Botvinnik a searching look. The +analysis begins. Botvinnik finds a mistake in the lad's play. --- "Why did you +play that?" --- "This move has previously occurred, and Black achieved a good +position!" --- Garik instantly gives the names of the players, the year and +the place where they met. He has a wonderful memory. --- "Never take anything +on trust", says Botvinnik. "Always question, and seek the truth. There you see, +a well-known move, and it turned out to be bad. Analyse this situation +independently, without quoting the experts. Send the analysis in writing." --- +In the meantime Garik's mother writes down the homework in a notebook. Apart +from parental duties, she also performs the role of "second trainer".}) (38. -- +{From our first lessons Botvinnik sensed my striving for a dynamic, attacking +style, and in my homework he included an analysis of Alekhine's games. And at +the age of 13 I wrote an essay on the topic 'Games of the early Alekhine'! But +Botvinnik warned me against being carried away by complexity for its own sake, +and on one occasion he said: 'You'll never become an Alekhine if the +variations control you, and not the other way round.' This upset me, but of +course the Teacher was right. Later he wrote about this episode: 'Kasparov +stood out among the other pupils by his ability very skilfully to calculate +variations many moves ahead. But Garry was an excitable lad, and I had to +insist that he thought about a move before making it on the board. And I often +said to him that there was a danger of him becoming a new Larsen or Taimanov.'} +) 1-0 + +[Event "15: Trans-Caucasian Youth, Tbilisi"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1976.10.16"] +[Round "2"] +[White "Lputian, S."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "E80"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "76"] +[EventDate "1976.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In October 1976 the Trans-Caucasian Youth Games were held in Tbilisi. There +was a match-tournament of four teams: Azerbaijani, Armenian and two from +Georgia. In this event I was fortunate enough to gain one of my most brilliant +King's Indian wins. --- My opponent was 18-year-old Smbat Lputian, with whom I +was later on friendly terms. We had been competing at the board since the +spring of 1973, when in a friendly Azerbaijan-Armenia match Smbat lost with +White, but twice defeated me with Black in the French Defence. But those were +his first and last victories! That same summer we drew in the All-Union Youth +Games in Vilnius, and then I began beating him game after game (Lputian made +his next draw with me - in 2000, when he had already long been a grandmaster). +Of course, on that memorable autumn day my friend and rival was dreaming of +revenge.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 Nc6 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 ({ +Korchnoi replied} 7. Nge2 Rb8 8. Nc1 {- Game No.12.}) 7... Rb8 8. Rb1 ({The +usual line is} 8. Nge2 {(Game No.87). But Smbat sees that for the sake of +creating counterplay on the queenside Black is delaying castling, and he tries +to get his attack in first.}) 8... O-O {(3)} 9. b4 ({After} 9. Nge2 b5 (9... +Re8 $5) 10. cxb5 axb5 11. b4 e5 12. dxe5 (12. d5 Ne7 13. Ng3 {(c1) is more +solid, with hopes of an advantage}) 12... Nxe5 13. Nd4 Bb7 14. Bxb5 d5 $1 15. +exd5 Nxd5 16. Nxd5 Bxd5 {Black has excellent compensation for the pawn +(Lputian-Lanka, Baku 1979).}) 9... e5 {(25) Impatience!} ({Later I discussed +this position with Gufeld and we came to the conclusion that the waiting move} +9... Bd7 $5 {was more subtle:} 10. Nge2 Re8 (10... b5 $6 {is premature in view +of} 11. cxb5 axb5 12. d5 Ne5 13. Nd4) 11. a3 e6 {, and if the white knight +moves from e2, then immediately ...e6-e5 and if d4-d5 - ...Nd4.}) 10. d5 Nd4 { +(2)} 11. Nge2 {This is Lputian's idea: White places his knight on e2 straight +away, without losing time on Nge2-c1-e2.} c5 $1 {What else?} (11... Nxe2 12. +Bxe2 {would merely have assisted White's development.}) 12. dxc6 bxc6 ({It +would appear that} 12... Nxc6 $5 {is also acceptable:} 13. b5 ({Stohl's +recommendation} 13. Bg5 {is ineffective because of} h6 $1 14. Bxh6 Nxe4 $1 15. +Nxe4 Qh4+ 16. g3 Qxh6) 13... Na5 14. Ng3 {(Crouch)} axb5 15. Nxb5 Be6 {. +However, I felt that the pawn sacrifice was more in the spirit of this +variation, even if it was for problematic compensation.}) 13. Nxd4 exd4 14. +Bxd4 Re8 $5 {(5)} (14... c5 15. bxc5 Nxe4 $1 {suggested itself, but I did not +like the endgame arising by force after} 16. fxe4 Rxb1+ $1 ({all the +commentators began with} 16... Qh4+ $2 {, allowing} 17. Ke2 $1 {, which is +advantageous to White}) 17. Nxb1 Qh4+ 18. Kd1 (18. Ke2 $2 Bg4+) 18... Qxe4 19. +Bxg7 Qxb1+ 20. Qc1 Bg4+ 21. Kd2 Qxc1+ 22. Kxc1 Kxg7 23. cxd6 Rd8 24. c5 Rc8 25. +Bxa6 Rxc5+ 26. Kb2 {- suggested by Gufeld in 'Informator' and continued by +Crouch as far as} Rc6 27. Bb5 Rxd6 28. Kc3 {, when 'the outside passed pawn +presents something of a problem for Black'. However, one which is by no means +fatal:} Kf6 {(f8)} 29. a4 (29. Re1 Be6) 29... Ke7 30. a5 Kd8 31. a6 Kc7 {, +gaining a draw. --- At any event, I decided for the moment to defer any blows +in the centre, the ideas of which had already taken vague shape in my mind.}) +15. Be2 $6 (15. b5 $6 axb5 16. cxb5 d5 $1 {is dubious for White (Stohl).}) ({ +But Lputian had two stronger and safer continuations:} 15. Bd3 {(Gufeld)} d5 $1 +16. cxd5 cxd5 17. e5 Nd7 18. f4 f6 {(Stohl)} 19. O-O fxe5 20. Ba7 $1 Rb7 ({or} +20... Ra8 21. Bxg6 $1 Rxa7 22. Bxe8 Qxe8 23. Qxd5+ Kh8 24. Rbe1 {with very +complicated play, quite favourable for White}) 21. Bf2 Ra7 22. Rbe1 {.}) (15. +a3 a5 16. b5 cxb5 17. cxb5 d5 18. Bxf6 Qxf6 19. Nxd5 Qd6 20. Bc4 ({after} 20. +a4 f5 $1 21. Bc4 Kh8 {Black has good counter-chances}) 20... Qxa3 21. Qe3 Qxe3+ +22. Nxe3 {(Crouch) with an extra pawn and a safe position for White (although +Black's powerful bishop on g7 and his passed a-pawn compensate for the slight +material deficit).}) 15... c5 $1 16. bxc5 ({In the event of} 16. Be3 cxb4 17. +Nd1 (17. Nd5 $2 Nxd5 18. Qxd5 Be6 {- Stohl}) 17... Qa5) ({or} 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. +O-O cxb4 (17... Be5 $5) 18. Nd5 Bg5 $5 ({Stohl's move} 18... a5 {is also good}) +19. f4 Bh6 {Black has no reason for complaint. But now he solves his problems +with an unusual dynamic possibility, breaking through at virtually the most +fortified point in the opponent's position.}) 16... Nxe4 $3 {(1) A stunning +blow, exploiting the overloading of the knight on c3. 'It is interesting that +from the 10th to the 24th move Garik spent only 15 (!) minutes, although the +entire lengthy combination with the transition into a won endgame was not +prepared at home. But the ideas implemented were not new to him: they had +become a technical weapon after his persistent independent work on the study +of classic King's Indian games.' (Nikitin)} 17. fxe4 Qh4+ 18. g3 $2 {Smbat +made this move quite confidently. It stands to reason that, if he had seen +what awaited him, he would have played differently.} ({He had three other +possibilities:} 18. Kd1 $2 Rxb1+ 19. Nxb1 Qxe4 20. Bxg7 Qxb1+ 21. Qc1 Qxc1+ 22. +Kxc1 Kxg7 23. Kd2 dxc5 {, and Black is a sound pawn to the good}) (18. Kf1 $6 +Rxb1+ 19. Nxb1 Qxe4 20. Bxg7 Qxb1+ {and now:} 21. Bd1 (21. Bd1 Kxg7 22. cxd6 +Re6 23. Qd4+ Kg8 $1 ({Stohl's move} 23... Rf6+ {is unclear because of} 24. Ke1 +$1) 24. Kf2 (24. c5 $2 Re4 $1 {and wins}) 24... Qxa2+ 25. Kg3 Qa3+ 26. Bf3 Rxd6 +27. Qe5 Re6 28. Qd4 Qe7 {also with an extra pawn, the conversion of which, +however, is not easy}) (21. Qd1 Qf5+ 22. Bf3 Kxg7 23. cxd6 ({Crouch's move} 23. +Qd4+ {(?!) is weaker in view of} Kg8 24. cxd6 Bb7 $1) 23... -- ({, and now not +} 23... Be6 $6 24. Qd4+ Kg8 25. Kf2 $1 Qc2+ 26. Kg3 Qxc4 {with a draw +(Quigley-Henry, Chicago 1987)} (26... --)) ({, but} 23... Qe5 {(here Stohl +considers} 24. Kf2 {(?)} Qe3+ 25. Kg3 {to be 'drawn', overlooking the deadly} +Re4 $1 {)}) ({, or} 23... Qf4 {(c5) with an unpleasant initiative for the pawn} +))) (18. Bf2 $1 {(the only move to maintain the balance)} Bxc3 19. Bxh4 Rxb1+ +20. Kf2 Bxd2 21. Rxb1 dxc5 22. Rb8 ({this is rather more forceful than Stohl +and Crouch's move} 22. Bd3) 22... Bf4 ({or} 22... Bc3 23. Bg5) 23. Ra8 Be5 24. +Bg5 Bd4+ 25. Be3 {and the endgame is a draw.}) 18... Rxb1+ 19. Kf2 ({Of course, +not} 19. Nxb1 $2 Qxe4 {. I remember that after this move Smbat was about to +stand up from the board (indicating that everything was clear - it was time +for Black to resign), but I did not allow him to stand up, instantly moving my +rook one square.}) 19... Rb2 $3 {One of my trademark combinations, conceived +thanks to very rapid calculation and a sharp feeling for dynamics: I used to +see such tricks immediately! Stohl associates this finish with the brilliant +win by the 13-year-old Fischer over Donald Byrne (Game No.50 in Volume IV of +'My Great Predecessors'). --- During a game Lputian was normally imperturbable, +but at that moment, on seeing my move, his face changed - it was clear to him +that disaster had struck. Nevertheless Smbat found comparatively the best +chance, involving an exchange sacrifice.} 20. gxh4 ({Of course, not} 20. Qxb2 +$2 Bxd4+ 21. Ke1 Bxc3+ 22. Qxc3 Qxe4 {and wins.}) 20... Rxd2 21. Bxg7 Kxg7 22. +Ke3 Rc2 {(2)} ({Here I realised that I would have to return the exchange: after +} 22... Rb2 $2 23. cxd6 f5 24. c5 {White's passed pawns are too strong.}) 23. +Kd3 Rxc3+ $1 {(2)} ({Again in the event of} 23... Rb2 $2 24. cxd6 f5 25. Bf3 ({ +or} 25. Rc1 fxe4+ 26. Ke3 {Black cannot break through.})) 24. Kxc3 dxc5 25. Bd3 +Bb7 {(2) Although material is equal, White's pawn weaknesses make his +position lost.} 26. Re1 (26. Rb1 $6 Bxe4 27. Rb6 Bxd3 28. Kxd3 Re6 {- Stohl.}) +26... Re5 $1 {This accurate move is 'the last nail in the coffin' (Nikitin).} ( +{And indeed, Gufeld's suggestion} 26... f5 {(?)} 27. e5 Be4 28. Bxe4 Rxe5 { +after} 29. Kd3 {would have led only to a draw:} Kf6 30. h3 h6 31. Re2 fxe4+ 32. +Rxe4 Kf5 33. Rxe5+ Kxe5 34. Ke3 Kf5 35. Kf3 a5 36. h5 $1 g5 37. a4 Ke5 38. Ke3 +{.}) 27. a4 (27. Re2 Rh5 28. e5 Bc8 $1 {and wins - Stohl.}) 27... f5 {(12)} 28. +Rb1 Bxe4 {So, Black has won a pawn and White's counterplay on the queenside is +too late, since the passed f-pawn advances swiftly towards the queening square. +} 29. Rb6 (29. a5 Bxd3 30. Kxd3 f4 {, etc., was also hopeless for White.}) +29... f4 $1 {(3) Nearly all Black's moves from the 15th to the end of the +game are the first line given by the computer!} 30. Rxa6 f3 $1 (30... Bxd3 $2 +31. Kxd3 f3 {was inaccurate because of} 32. Ra7+ Kf6 33. Ra8 {- Stohl.}) 31. +Bf1 ({Or} 31. Ra7+ Kf6 $1 32. Bxe4 (32. Bf1 Bf5) 32... Rxe4 33. Ra8 Ke7 34. +Ra7+ Ke6 35. Ra8 Rxh4 36. Rf8 Rh3 37. a5 Ke7 $1 38. Rf4 g5 39. Rf5 g4 {and ...Rxh2, winning.}) 31... Bf5 $1 {With the threat of ...Re1.} 32. Ra7+ Kh6 33. Kd2 +f2 34. Be2 Bg4 35. Bd3 Re1 36. Rf7 Bf5 $1 37. a5 Bxd3 {(2)} 38. Rxf2 Rf1 $1 { +. Times: 1.46-1.10. --- Nikitin: 'The complexity of the young player's ideas, +the accuracy of implementation and the broad range of techniques employed +create a great impression.'} 0-1 + +[Event "Simultaneous, Tbilisi"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1976.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Romanishin, O."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "A03"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "32"] +[EventDate "1976.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In November my Pioneers Palace team failed by a miracle to win the next +qualifier for the final 'tournament of young hopes', although on top board I +scored 6½ out of 7. Perhaps this was for the best: I was already facing +other tasks. During the qualifying tournament the Lvov grandmaster Oleg +Romanishin gave a demonstration simul' against the leading young players. +Against me he played} 1. f4 {, but after} d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 Bg4 4. b3 Nbd7 5. +Bb2 c6 6. Be2 Qc7 7. O-O Bxf3 8. Bxf3 e5 9. d3 Bd6 10. g3 O-O-O 11. c4 dxc4 12. +bxc4 h5 $1 13. Qc2 h4 14. Nc3 hxg3 15. hxg3 exf4 16. exf4 g5 $1 {, Black won +with a direct attack on the king. --- At the end of 1976 a noteworthy event +occurred in the life of Alexander Nikitin - a clash with the all-powerful +Anatoly Karpov (this is described in Volume IV of My Great Predecessors). At +the demand of the world champion my Moscow trainer was dismissed from the +chess section of the USSR Sports Committee. Nikitin: 'When I left, I publicly +promised to dethrone Karpov! Everyone knew what would be done for that. From +then on my training work with the young candidate master acquired a new, +powerful stimulus.' --- That year is also memorable for me in that I began +individual lessons with Alexander Shakarov, who, in contrast to Privorotsky, +placed the emphasis on opening preparation. We did a great amount of work on +expanding and renovating my opening repertoire. For White we thoroughly +prepared 1 d4, for Black - the Caro-Kann Defence, and so on. By the end of +December I had the feeling that I was moving on to some new level. The results +were soon seen...} 0-1 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Two-Times Champion!"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.06"] + +{In January 1977 I set off to Riga for my third USSR Junior Championship. It +is well known that it is always more difficult to defend a title than to win +it: against the champion everyone plays with redoubled energy. Especially +since among the participants in the traditional Swiss there were, as usual, a +number of experienced fighters, including masters - my rival of the previous +year, Sturua, as well as Taborov and Yusupov, who had only just achieved the +title. --- I made my usual good start - 3½ out of 4. I remember my win with +Black against the Yerevan player Eolian in what was a new opening for me - the +Caro-Kann Defence. Tal: 'Soon after it had finished, I happened to analyse +with Kasparov his game with Eolian. And again I was staggered by the wealth of +variations and ideas that the junior from Baku put into effect during this +rather tense encounter.'} 1. -- {After four rounds I was leading the race +together with 15-year old Evgeny Pigusov from Kemerovo, one of the strongest +young players in Russia, a future grandmaster and, incidentally, one of my +seconds in the match with Anand (1995). In the 5th round the crucial duel +between the leaders took place (see the following game).} * + +[Event "16: USSR Junior Championship, Riga"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1977.01.11"] +[Round "5"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Pigusov, E."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D36"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "73"] +[EventDate "1977.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 {This was the third time I tried this move in a serious game (I first +played it in team competitions at the end of 1976 against Eolian and Sturua). +I don't remember who first advised me to adopt 1 d4 - Botvinnik or Makogonov. +But the result was that the closed games began to dominate in my repertoire, +although periodically, especially in the 1990s, I almost exclusively played 1 +e4.} d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 Nbd7 {A surprise.} ({After the usual} 4... +Be7 {at that time I used to employ the variation with} 5. Bf4 {. But now the +Karlsbad Variation arises.}) 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 Be7 7. e3 c6 8. Bd3 O-O 9. O-O +Re8 10. Qc2 (10. h3 Nf8 11. Bf4 {followed by 0-0-0 is also possible (Game No. +42 in Volume III of 'My Great Predecessors').}) 10... Nf8 11. Rae1 (11. Rab1 { +and b2-b4-b5 is a routine and age-old plan. But I used to treat my favourite +Karlsbad Variation like Marshall and Botvinnik - I prepared Ne5, f2-f4 and an +attack on the kingside.}) 11... Ng6 $6 ({The classical tabiya after} 11... Ne4 +12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. Nd2 f5 (14... b6 15. Qa4 $1 {, +Botvinnik-Robatsch, Amsterdam 1966}) 15. f3 $1 exf3 16. Nxf3 Be6 17. e4 fxe4 +18. Rxe4 {(Marshall-Rubinstein, Moscow 1925) seemed to me to be quite +promising for White, but modern practice has shown that Black is close to +equality.}) 12. Ne5 {(4)} Nd7 ({One of my 1976 games went} 12... Nxe5 13. dxe5 +Ng4 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. f4 Qh4 $6 16. h3 Nxe3 17. Rxe3 d4 18. Re4 $1 dxc3 19. f5 +{with an attack.}) ({If} 12... Ng4 {there would also have followed} 13. Bxe7 +Qxe7 14. f4 $1 ({but not} 14. Nxg4 Bxg4 15. f3 Bd7 16. e4 Qb4 17. Qf2 Nf4 { +with equality, Bagirov-Zilberstein, Baku 1972.})) 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 {Here the +theory came to an end, and we began creating at the board.} ({In the event of} +13... Rxe7 14. f4 Ngf8 (14... Ndxe5 $6 15. fxe5 {is weaker}) 15. -- ({, White +should not rush with} 15. e4 $6 {(Udovcic-Robatsch, Maribor 1967), in view of +the relieving manoeuvre} dxe4 16. Nxe4 Nf6 {.}) ({. However,} 15. Qf2 {is +quite good, with the idea of} f6 16. Nf3 {, when Black has an unpleasant +position.} (16. --))) 14. f4 {(15)} Ngf8 $6 {With the queen on e7 this is not +the best choice;} ({although White's chances are also better after} 14... Ndxe5 +15. fxe5) ({or} 14... Nf6 15. h3 $5 {.}) 15. e4 $1 {(9)} ({Now the +breakthrough in the centre suggests itself, since both} 15. e4 dxe4 $6 ({and} +15... Nf6 $2 16. exd5 $1) 16. Nxe4 Nf6 $2 17. Nxc6 $1 {followed by Nxf6+ are +bad for Black.}) 15... Nxe5 ({If} 15... Qb4 {, then simply} 16. Qf2 {.}) 16. +fxe5 ({The initiative would also have been retained by} 16. exd5 $5 Nf3+ 17. +gxf3 Qd8 (17... Qxe1 $6 18. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 19. Kf2 Re8 20. f5 {is worse for Black}) +18. f5 Bd7 19. Kh1 {etc.}) 16... Be6 17. exd5 Bxd5 18. Nxd5 $6 {(8) A +premature exchange, opening the c-file for Black. The bishop was nicely but +ineffectively placed, and it could not move in view of the threat of Ne4-d6.} ( +{Thus White should have considered} 18. Rf4 $5 {.}) 18... cxd5 19. Bf5 {This +move, taking control of the c8-square, was one that I was proud of at the time. +} ({Nothing would have been given by either} 19. Qb3 Ne6 $1) ({or} 19. Rf3 Qh4 +$1 {.}) ({However,} 19. Re3 $5 {was sharper and more interesting, with the +idea of} Qh4 ({or} 19... Qb4 20. Qf2) 20. Qa4 {.}) 19... Qb4 {By attacking the +d4-pawn, Black diverts the queen from c2 and prepares ...Ne6.} 20. Rd1 {(6)} h6 +(20... g6 21. Bg4 Ne6 {was also possible. It is now apparent that White has +delayed somewhere.}) 21. Qf2 {(2)} Re7 {A solid move, after which I stopped to +think: what to do next?} (21... Ne6 {was also suitable, not fearing} 22. Bxe6 ( +{here} 22. Bg4 {(b1) is better, still with hopes of an advantage}) 22... fxe6 +23. Qf7+ Kh8 {.}) 22. Rd3 {(31)} Rc7 ({After} 22... Ne6 $5 {it would have been +harder for me to find an effective plan for strengthening my position.}) 23. +Rb3 $1 {(7) The start of 'grand manoeuvres' by the white rook and the black +queen.} Qe7 $6 (23... Qa4 {is more active, eyeing the a2-pawn and continuing +to attack the d4-pawn, although after} 24. Rc3 $5 Rxc3 25. bxc3 Re8 26. Bc2 Qd7 +27. Bb3 ({or first} 27. Qf3 {White has some pressure.})) 24. Rg3 {(3)} Ne6 ( +24... Rc6 $6 25. Qd2 $1 {.}) 25. Qe3 {(5)} Kh8 26. h3 {(4) With the intention +of Kh2. White's threats on the kingside are mounting.} Qb4 $2 {(reckless - the +rook on a8 should have been brought up to the defence)} 27. Rg4 $2 {(2)} (27. +Bxe6 fxe6 28. Rf6 $1 {with an attack was very strong, but again I did not want +to exchange my bishop...}) 27... Qxb2 28. Kh2 {(7) In the future such a +'quiet' preparatory king move was to become one of my favourite devices.} Qb4 +$2 {An unfortunate retreat by the queen;} ({here every instant is precious!} +28... Rc3 $1 {would have led to sharp play:} 29. Qe1 ({the commentators +recommended} 29. Bd3 {, but after} Qa3 ({or} 29... Rf8 {Black holds on})) 29... +Ng5 $1 {(with the threats of ...Rxh3+ and ...Nf3+!)} 30. Rf2 ({or} 30. Rgf4 Rg8 +) 30... Qb4 $1 {.}) 29. Bd3 $2 {(5)} ({Again rejecting} 29. Bxe6 fxe6 30. Rf6 +$1 Qe7 (30... Kh7 31. Rh4) 31. Rxh6+ gxh6 32. Qxh6+ Qh7 33. Qf6+ Rg7 34. Rh4 { +with a straightforward win.}) 29... Qe7 $2 {The decisive mistake - Pigusov +overlooked my reply.} ({If} 29... Rac8 {there was the unpleasant} 30. Rf6 $1 +Ng5 31. Rd6 {with the threats of Rxd5 and h3-h4.}) ({But} 29... Qf8 {was more +resilient.}) 30. Rf6 $1 Ng5 (30... Qf8 {was now too late in view of} 31. Qf3 $1 +{with the threats of Rxh6+ and Qf5.}) 31. Rxg5 $1 {(2)} hxg5 32. Qxg5 Kg8 33. +Qh4 ({Or} 33. Qf5 {(h5), also with an irresistible attack.}) 33... Qa3 {The +poor queen cannot find anywhere to go.} ({However, things would also have been +hopeless after} 33... g6 34. Bxg6 $1 fxg6 35. Rxg6+) ({or} 33... Qd8 34. Qh7+ +Kf8 35. Qh8+ (35. Rf3 $5) 35... Ke7 36. Qxg7 Qg8 37. Qh6 $1 {.}) 34. Rf3 {More +than good enough to win;} ({although} 34. Qh7+ Kf8 35. Qh8+ Ke7 36. Qxg7 Rf8 +37. Rd6 $1 {was more forceful.}) 34... g6 35. Bxg6 Qxf3 36. Qh7+ Kf8 37. gxf3 { +. Times: 2.05-2.13. --- Despite the mistakes, this was an important win for +me, after which I sensed the first signs of approaching chess maturity, and +the forming of my trademark style: increasing pressure and a sudden mating +finish! Nikitin: 'This game was one of those that evoked happy memories in +Botvinnik: this was roughly how he used to win during the years of his chess +supremacy.'} 1-0 + +[Event "17: USSR Junior Championship, Riga"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1977.01.12"] +[Round "6"] +[White "Lanka, Z."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "B19"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "74"] +[EventDate "1977.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{After taking the sole lead, the next day I again employed the Caro-Kann +Defence with Black, this time against my previous year's 'tormentor' Zigurds +Lanka. This is what Tal wrote about my play in this game: 'A big impression +was made by his queen manoeuvres on moves 18-19, prepared together with his +second, the thoughtful master Alexander Shakarov, and then the elegant +'cavalry dance'. After exchanging all White's active pieces, the Baku junior +broke through with his rook into the enemy rear, and the loss of material for +White became inevitable.'} 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 {In my +choice Tal keenly discerned the influence of Makogonov and Botvinnik. But the +main point was that the Caro-Kann Defence was a favourite of Shakarov, who had +discovered several 'holes' in Boleslavsky's opening analyses. It was while +studying the complicated positions, arising here deep in the middlegame, that +I developed a liking for long forcing variations.} 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 ({In the +4th round Eolian played} 6. Bc4 {against me, but after} e6 7. N1e2 Nf6 8. O-O ( +{or} 8. Nf4 Bd6 {, Tal-Botvinnik, 17th match game, Moscow 1960; 2nd match game, +1961}) 8... Bd6 9. f4 Qd7 $5 {recommended by Boleslavsky;} (9... Qc7 10. f5 $1) +10. Kh1 $6 h5 $1 11. f5 exf5 12. Nf4 Bxf4 13. Rxf4 h4 $1 14. Qe1+ Kf8 15. Ne2 +h3 {he did not gain the desired compensation for the pawn.}) 6... h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 +8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 {(2)} 11. Bd2 Ngf6 12. Qe2 ({At that time a +popular line, which had temporarily supplanted the usual} 12. O-O-O Qc7 13. Qe2 +({or} 13. Ne4 {(Game No.29).})) 12... Qc7 13. c4 Bd6 $1 (13... O-O-O 14. Ne5 ({ +or} 14. c5 {, Karpov-Hort, Ljubljana 1975.})) 14. Nf5 O-O $5 {(2)} ({An +analytical development with respect to the 8th game of the Spassky-Karpov +Candidates match (1974), which went} 14... Bf4 15. Bxf4 Qxf4 16. Ne3 {(Game No. +62 in Volume V of 'My Great Predecessors').}) (14... O-O-O $6 {is less good:} +15. Nxd6+ Qxd6 16. Ba5 $1 Rde8 17. Ne5 $1 {(Karpov-Pomar, Nice Olympiad 1974). +--- 'Kasparov employed a paradoxical continuation which, to all appearances, +was a marked improvement for Black' (Tal). For those times this was a rather +revolutionary conception: Black castles into mate! However, according to our +analyses, after an early ...b7-b5 he had adequate counter-chances.}) 15. Nxd6 +Qxd6 16. Rh4 ({Black is not caused any problems by} 16. Bc3 b5 $1 17. cxb5 cxb5 +18. Qxb5 Nd5 19. Ne5 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Nxc3 21. bxc3 Qc7 {(Beliavsky-Bagirov, Baku +1977; Kapengut-Kasparov, Daugavpils 1978).}) (16. O-O-O {is more critical:} b5 +$1 17. g4 $1 (17. cxb5 cxb5 18. Kb1 b4 19. Ne5 Nd5 {with counterplay on the +queenside, Lukin-Gorshkov, Chelyabinsk 1975}) 17... bxc4 (17... Nxg4 $5 18. +Rhg1 f5 {is also unclear}) 18. g5 hxg5 19. h6 g6 20. h7+ Nxh7 21. Nxg5 Nxg5 22. +Bxg5 {, but here too after} c3 $1 (22... f6 $2 23. Qe4 {with an attack, +Mnatsakanian-Bagirov, Kirovakan 1978}) {, White has no more than a draw:} 23. +Qe5 $5 cxb2+ 24. Kb1 Qxe5 $1 25. dxe5 f6 $1 26. Rxd7 fxg5 27. Rhh7 {. --- On +encountering a new variation for the first time, Lanka made a rather mediocre +move with his rook. White's idea is understandable: avoiding 16 0-0-0 b5!, he +wants to hide his king on f1 and play g2-g4-g5 or Ne5. But nothing useful +comes of this.}) 16... b5 $1 {(10)} 17. Kf1 bxc4 {(3)} 18. Qxc4 Qd5 $1 {(10) +By offering to go into an endgame, Black emphasises White's main problem in +such positions - the weakness of the h5-pawn. After some thought, Lanka +decided to give it up immediately, but to keep the queens on.} 19. Qe2 $6 (19. +Rc1 {was nevertheless better.}) 19... Qb5 $6 {(5) Insisting on an endgame - +that is what Makogonov taught!} ({The 'Greek gift' could perfectly well have +been accepted -} 19... Nxh5 $1 {, not fearing} 20. g4 Nhf6 21. g5 hxg5 22. Bxg5 +Qb5 {(f5)} ({or} 22... Rfb8 $5 {with a good game. But I didn't use to capture +such pawns: why open lines for the enemy pieces?})) 20. b3 a5 {(4)} 21. Ne5 a4 +{(6)} 22. Rh3 $6 {A poor move.} ({White could still have maintained equality by +} 22. Nxd7 Nxd7 23. b4) ({or} 22. b4 $1 {with counterplay on the c-file.}) +22... Rfd8 $1 {(2) A very strong reply;} (22... Rfd8 {excluding} 23. b4 $2 ({ +White is forced to exchange queens - immediately or after} 23. Be1 Nd5) 23... +Nxe5 {, in view of} 24. dxe5 Rxd2 {.}) 23. Qxb5 cxb5 {(getting rid of the +weakness on c6)} 24. Nc6 {Lanka forces a modest withdrawal by the black rook. +But this temporary activity does not compensate for the defects of White's +position: the d4- and h5-pawns are weak, and the d5-point is under Black's +complete control.} Re8 25. bxa4 bxa4 $6 {(2)} (25... Rxa4 $1 26. a3 ({or} 26. +Rb3 Nb8 $1) 26... Nd5 {was more accurate, driving the knight from c6 and +beginning a pursuit of the white pawns.}) 26. Rc1 Nb6 {(4)} 27. Ne5 $6 ({The +knight should not have been moved away -} 27. Ke2 $1 {was more sensible.}) +27... Rec8 {(13) Now White's position deteriorates.} 28. Rb1 ({Possibly it +made sense to sacrifice the h5-pawn -} 28. Rhc3 $5 Rxc3 29. Rxc3 {with the +idea of} Nxh5 ({although after} 29... Nbd5 $1 {all the same Black would have +retained the advantage}) 30. Rc7 $1 {.}) 28... Nc4 (28... Nbd5 $5 29. Be1 Rc2 { +was even more unpleasant, but as it is White has a difficult position, and +Lanka loses it very quickly.}) 29. Be1 Nd5 {(8)} 30. Rb7 ({Solid moves such as +} 30. Rd3) ({or} 30. Nd7 {were more resilient.}) 30... Nd6 {Zigurds obviously +overlooked this retreat.} 31. Rb2 $6 (31. Rd7 Ra6 32. Nd3 $1 {really was +better, although after} Nf6 33. Nc5 Nxd7 34. Nxa6 Nb5 {White would have faced +a difficult defence.}) 31... Rab8 $6 ({Missing} 31... Rc1 $1 {with a quick win. +}) 32. Rxb8 Rxb8 33. Nd7 $2 {The decisive mistake.} (33. Ra3 Ra8 {was the only +way to resist.}) 33... Rb1 $1 {(8)} 34. Ra3 Nc4 $1 {The triumph of the black +knights!} 35. Rd3 (35. Rxa4 Nd2+ $1 36. Ke2 Nc3+ $1 {.}) 35... Ra1 {(2)} 36. g3 +Rxa2 37. Nc5 a3 {. Times: 1.55-1.25. --- An important game, showing that my +play was becoming more profound and that with Black I could successfully +employ not only the Sicilian, but also a comparatively quiet positional +opening. Behind this stood both intensive sessions with Shakarov, and +conversations with Makogonov... The broadening of my opening repertoire also +did not escape the attention of the experts and the press.} (37... -- {That +which happened at the finish was not expected by anyone: in a tense struggle I +managed to win all my remaining games - against Kengis, Yusupov and Sturua - +and to finish ahead of the second prize-winner by two points! The results of +the 1977 USSR Junior Championship: 1. Kasparov - 8½ out of 9; 2. Chernin - +6½; 3. Yusupov, 4-6. Eolian, Lanka and Taborov - 6; 7-10. Sturua, Kuporosov, +Pigusov and Gabdrakhmanov - 5½, followed by Kengis, Yurtaev, Ehlvest, +Epishin and Rozentalis, etc. (altogether 36 participants).}) (37... -- {A +second successive victory in the junior championship of the country, and with +a record score - at the age of 13 no one had achieved this! Tal called it a 'a +highly promising announcement'. Petrosian and Korchnoi, who did the 'golden +double' in 1946 and 1948, were almost 17 years old... --- Pavel Dembo, the +'Sovietsky' sport correspondent: 'Kasparov confidently retained his champion's +title. It was not just that the first time he won it thanks to the better +tie-break, and the second time "cleanly", conceding only half a point in nine +rounds. It was his qualitatively different play: the 12-year-old Garik, like +most of his contemporaries, saw before him only one target - the enemy king - +and he played for mate, whereas the 13-year-old Garik, now in contrast to most +of his contemporaries, has a confident mastery of many types of chess weapon, +which at the championship he convincingly demonstrated.' --- Anatoly Bykhovsky: +'Kasparov's play was wide-ranging: he conducted an excellent attack in his +game with Pigusov, won in purely positional style against Lanka and Sturua, +resourcefully and tenaciously defended in his game with Yusupov, and caught +Gitsyn in the opening. This wide-ranging and diverse arsenal of playing +methods was demonstrated by a boy of just thirteen years old!'}) (37... -- { +Azerbaijan sports journalists unanimously named me the 'January laureate' in a +competition for the best sportsmen of the republic. Regarding this ex-world +champion Mikhail Tal wrote an article for the Baku Sport newspaper: 'Back in +1974, at the opening of the All-Union Tournament of Pioneers Palaces, I +noticed a likeable, bright, dark-eyed boy. I was told that he was the youngest +participant and that his name was Garik. At the time I did not know him. But +two days later, "battling" in the capacity of Riga captain against the young +Baku players, I was able to assess this young talent. In the end I managed to +beat him, but I have to admit that it was very pleasant to observe how at the +board he quickly and easily found the most unexpected tactical blows. Some +time passed. Frankly speaking, we, the players of the older generation, relate +to our young colleagues with a certain degree of scepticism. This made it all +the more unexpected when many experienced Moscow masters began saying things +like: "In Baku there is a boy - Garik Kasparov, who makes an excellent +impression". I heard this from the mouths of international master Dvoretsky +and national master Nikitin. Both of them, so to speak in their line of duty, +have worked with the Baku player and have the right to make their judgement. I +remember that when in Holland I was analysing an opening variation with +Dvoretsky, he literally took me aback by showing a very unexpected move, at +the same time clarifying: "This is Garik's idea". --- 'Now it is hard to say +towards what kind of positions Garik has a leaning. Naturally, he likes to +play actively, continually calculating the most intricate combinative +variations. Together with this purely "age-related" leaning Kasparov has also +acquired a taste for positional play. However, this is not surprising, since +for a long time the Baku player has been studying at the Botvinnik school... +Of course, there are fears that the young player's head may be turned. But, as +far as I know, this 7th-year pupil of the 151st Baku school has so many +passions (music, theatre, books), that for this "illness" he simply does not +have time.' --- Yes, this was my most significant victory to date, one that +was especially pleasant after my not very successful debut abroad. Early in +April 1977 the name 'Kasparov' appeared for the first time in the Soviet +rating list: against it stood the number '2309', and in front of it was the +line 'Karpov 2709'. On 1st July these became '2320' and '2739' respectively. +Nikitin: 'From then on the alphabet firmly linked these two names, as if +formally registering their rivalry, which with interest and impatience was +anticipated in the chess world.'}) 0-1 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Turning Point"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2009.12.06"] + +{From 1977 FIDE began staging two official world junior championships: apart +from the usual one, up to the age of 20, there was also a cadet championship - +for players not older than 17. In connection with this the Soviet Chess +Federation organised a double-round qualifying tournament of the eight +strongest young players in the country (Leningrad, 7-25 April 1977). Anatoly +Bykhovsky: 'Seven of them had the master title or had already achieved the +master norm, and the only candidate master Kasparov was included as USSR +junior champion of the last two years. The 18-year-old Dolmatov and Kharitonov, +and the 19-year-old Zaid, Yermolinsky and Magerramov were fighting only for +the one place in the "up to 20" championship, whereas the 14-year-old Kasparov +and the 17-year-old Lanka and Yusupov were, in addition, contesting the one +place in the cadet championship.' --- It is amusing that initially they wanted +to arrange the qualification of each championship separately, so that the +young players would not 'get under the feet' of the older ones. And indeed we +endeavoured not to do this: the three youngest players, changing places in +turn, led throughout the tournament!} 1. -- {On this occasion I started badly: +as White I drew with Yusupov without any particular fight, and as Black I left +a piece en prise and lost from an excellent position to Kharitonov. In the 3rd +round I was opposed by my long-standing bKte noire Leonid Zaid, the 1974 USSR +junior champion and already a master for three years. In the tournament +situation only a win would satisfy me, and I was in a highly determined mood.} +* + +[Event "18: Qualifying Tournament, Leningrad"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1977.04.10"] +[Round "3"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Zaid, L."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "B97"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "83"] +[EventDate "1977.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 (6. Be2 {- Game No. +11.}) 6... e6 7. f4 Qb6 {Zaid accepts the challenge! Since childhood I liked +this variation for its mind-boggling complexity, and I subsequently played it +many times as Black.} 8. Qd2 ({Not even contemplating the pragmatic} 8. Nb3 { +, as was played against me by Topalov (Novgorod 1997) and Leko (Linares 2001). +Now the value of every move is very high, and if White's attack should peter +out, without his 'base' b2-pawn he will be in trouble.}) 8... Qxb2 9. Nb3 {The +fashion of those years, following the Spassky-Fischer match (1972).} ({The +main line} 9. Rb1 {will be described in the next volume.}) 9... Qa3 10. Bxf6 +gxf6 11. Be2 {One of the critical positions. It occurred later in some of my +'White' training games with Magerramov, and I gained a couple of good wins. +The experience gained unexpectedly came in useful in the 1990s when playing +Black against Short.} Nd7 {At that time this was a rare move (with the idea of +...Nc5 or ...b7-b5 and ...Bb7).} (11... Nc6 12. O-O Bd7 {suggests itself, with +the idea of} 13. -- (13. Bh5 $6 Bg7 {(Tal-Platonov, Dubna 1973)}) ({, or} 13. +f5 $6 Ne5 {(Tal-Portisch, Varese 1976; Game No.41 in Volume III of 'My Great +Predecessors')}) ({, while if} 13. Kh1 {possible is} Rc8 ({or} 13... h5))) ({ +transposing into the variation} 11... h5 12. O-O Nc6 ({because of the +immediate knight retreat, and under the influence of my game with Zaid, after +11...h5 12 0-0 I preferred} 12... Nd7 $5 {(cf. the following note)}) 13. Kh1 +Bd7 14. Nb1 {(Spassky-Fischer, 11th match game, Reykjavik 1972)} ({or} 14. Nd1 +{(Short-Kasparov, 4th match game, London 1993) and at the same time avoiding +the dangerous 13 Nb1!.})) 12. O-O h5 13. Qd4 $2 {(36)} ({After encountering a +surprise, I thought for a long time and realised that now after} 13. Nb1 Qa4 { +the black queen would simply return home via c6, but nevertheless I was unable +to part with Spassky's tempting idea Nc3-b1.}) ({The typical} 13. Kh1 {is +better, although here too after} h4 $1 {Black feels quite secure:} 14. -- (14. +Bg4 h3 $5 15. Bxh3 Rxh3 16. gxh3 b5 {with excellent compensation for the +exchange}) (14. Rad1 h3 $1 15. g3 b5 16. Nb1 Qa4 {(Gashimov-Palac, Kusadasi +2006)}) ({, or} 14. h3 Be7 (14... b6 $5) 15. Rad1 {(Short-Kasparov, Riga 1995)} +Qb4 $5 {.})) 13... b5 14. Nb1 {(26) It is hard to devise anything better.} ({ +Alas,} 14. Bxb5 $2 {is incorrect:} axb5 15. Nxb5 Qa4 16. Nc7+ Kd8 17. Nxa8 Qxa8 +{.}) 14... Qa4 15. c4 {(2)} b4 16. f5 {(15) Trying to expose the king as soon +as possible and to tie down Black's forces by the need to defend the +weaknesses in his position.} Be7 ({The immediate} 16... Qc6 17. fxe6 fxe6 { +with the idea of} 18. N1d2 Qb6 $5 {was also not bad.}) 17. fxe6 {(4)} fxe6 18. +N1d2 Qc6 ({Zaid correctly does not hurry with} 18... Ne5 {, to avoid making it +easy for White to break through with c4-c5.}) ({But} 18... h4 $5 {also came +into consideration.}) 19. a3 $1 {(7) The start of play over the entire board. +Although from the opening I had not gained real compensation for the pawn, I +was inspired by the insecure position of the black king!} bxa3 20. Kh1 Rb8 21. +Rxa3 {(10)} Qb6 22. Qa1 $5 {It turns out that in the corner the queen can be +no less useful than in the centre.} Ne5 {It would appear that the powerful +outpost at e5, the two bishops and the extra pawn should sooner or later +secure a win for Black. But the weaknesses in his position give White chances +of confusing matters.} 23. c5 $5 {(12) Sacrificing a second pawn! From this +point a new phase of the game commences: White unexpectedly launches an attack, +and Black begins losing his strong points.} dxc5 24. Nc4 Qc7 (24... Nxc4 25. +Bxc4 Qd6 $1 {was far stronger, with the threat of ...h5-h4-h3 (} 26. Bxa6 $2 ({ +while if} 26. Rd1 Qf4) 26... c4 $1 {is bad for White).}) 25. Nbd2 $1 {Just one +second-rate move by Zaid - and the position has suddenly become much sharper! +White has coordinated his forces: now his knight will go to c4, from e2 his +bishop is attacking the h5-pawn, and the rook at a3 will come into play along +the 3rd rank. For the moment Black's extra material is not felt, whereas the +problems with his king are obvious.} Nxc4 (25... h4 $5 {.}) 26. Nxc4 Rb4 $2 { +And this is already a serious error.} (26... h4 $1 {was essential, although +after} 27. h3 (27. e5 $6 {is dangerous in view of} h3 $1) 27... O-O $1 28. Raf3 +$1 {with the idea of Qe1 White has sufficient counterplay against the weak +black pawns.}) 27. e5 $1 {(5) This breakthrough in the centre - the sacrifice +of a third pawn! - changes the position in White's favour.} (27. Rxf6 $2 Bxf6 +28. Qxf6 {did not work because of the weakness of the back rank:} Rb1+ 29. Bf1 +Rf8 {.}) 27... fxe5 ({Black also has major problems after} 27... f5 28. Nd6+ +Kf8 29. Bxa6 {.}) 28. Qd1 $2 ({A virtually irresistible attack would have been +given by} 28. Nxe5 Rd4 $1 (28... h4 29. Bd3 $1) 29. Nf3 $1 Rf8 (29... e5 $6 30. +Nxd4 exd4 ({or} 30... cxd4 31. Rc1) 31. Bxa6) 30. Bxa6 {, and if} Bd7 {, then} +31. Be2 $3 {. --- But 28 Qd1, which loses White the greater part of his +advantage, very much appealed to me... --- Nikitin: 'Garry, who since +childhood loved beauty in chess, was tempted by the pretty geometry of the +manoeuvre Qd1-d4-a1-d1. It is amazing how mistakes are sometimes repeated. In +the decisive, 24th game of the match in Seville (1987), instead of a crude win +by 33 Qb5! Garry was again tempted by a similarly spectacular and completely +unexpected manoeuvre 33 Qd1??. Fortunately, in time-trouble Karpov did not +find the refutation, which would have secured him the chess crown'.}) 28... Bd7 +29. Rxa6 h4 $2 {There was no longer time for this!} ({Only} 29... Rf8 $1 { +would have enabled Black to defend, although after} 30. Ra8+ Rb8 31. Rxf8+ (31. +Rxb8+ Qxb8 32. Bxh5+ Kd8 33. Bf7 Kc7 {is not so clear}) 31... Bxf8 32. Ra1 $1 { +White would have retained a dangerous initiative.}) 30. h3 {(5)} ({It is +natural that White should want to make an escape square for his king, but he +would also have won by} 30. Qd3 {(c2) with the threat of Nd6+ and Qg6+}) ({or +even} 30. Bh5+ Kd8 31. Na5 $1 {.}) 30... Rg8 {Allowing a powerful stroke.} ({ +However, also} 30... Rf8 {would no longer have helped in view of} 31. Bh5+ Kd8 +32. Rxf8+ Bxf8 33. Ra8+ Rb8 34. Qf1 {(f3)} Be7 35. Qf7 $1 {.}) ({Or} 30... e4 +31. Ra8+ Rb8 32. Qa1 $1 Rh7 33. Ne5 {etc.}) 31. Rxe6 $1 {(4)} Kd8 ({Of course, +not} 31... Bxe6 $2 32. Bh5+ {.}) 32. Rxe5 {(2) While continuing his attack, +in passing White restores material equality.} Rxc4 ({It is hard to offer Black +any good advice:} 32... Rg6 33. Rf7 $1) ({or} 32... Rg7 33. Rh5 $1 {.}) 33. Qd5 +$1 {A spectacular intermediate stroke - it is not often that one sees such an +attack by the queen on two rooks!} ({In time-trouble Zaid was counting on the +saving line} 33. Bxc4 $2 Qxe5 34. Bxg8 Bd6 {.}) ({But now Black is lost - as, +however, is also the case after} 33. Rxe7 $5 Rd4 34. Qb3 $1 Re8 (34... Rg3 $2 +35. Rxd7+ $1) 35. Rxe8+ Bxe8 36. Qg8 Qg3 37. Qh8 $1 Qe3 38. Bb5 {.}) 33... Rxg2 +$5 {(a desperate sacrifice; in other words, a 'psychic attack')} 34. Bxc4 {(2)} +({White would also have won with} 34. Kxg2 Rd4 35. Qa8+ $1 Qc8 ({or} 35... Bc8 +36. Ba6 $1) 36. Qa5+ {. The move in the game is even better, although it also +looks more risky.}) 34... Rg3 35. Qa8+ ({Here I was also beginning to run +seriously short of time, and in my haste I missed some simpler ways to the +goal -} 35. Rd1 $5) ({or} 35. Rf7 $5 {.}) 35... Qc8 36. Qa5+ $1 ({Avoiding a +naïve trap -} 36. Qxc8+ $2 Kxc8 $1 37. Rxe7 $2 Bc6+ 38. Kh2 Rg2+ 39. Kh1 Rg7+ +$1 40. Kh2 Rxe7 {, when it is White who has to fight for a draw.}) 36... Ke8 ({ +(now} 36... Qc7 37. Qxc7+ Kxc7 38. Rxe7 {is hopeless for Black)}) 37. Bf7+ {(2) +} Kf8 38. Be6+ $6 ({It is a pity that I did not give the 'correct check' -} 38. +Bd5+ $1 Ke8 39. Rf7 Rxh3+ 40. Kg2 Rg3+ 41. Kf2 {, and Black can resign. Now, +however, there is precisely only one way for White to win.}) 38... Kg7 39. Qa1 +$2 {Since after 38...Kg7 I did not like any of White's replies, I decided to +return my queen to the corner - to place it waiting in ambush. And although +objectively this move was bad, in practice it won the game for me, since it +threw my opponent into a panic: the threat of a discovered check by the rook +on e5 seems especially terrible in time-trouble.} ({The only decisive line was +} 39. Rf7+ Kg6 40. Qa2 $3 {- it is very hard to see this at the board, even +when the flag is not about to fall!} ({but not} 40. Rxe7 Bc6+ {.})) 39... Kh6 +$2 ({Only a series of obligatory moves would have saved Black -} 39... Bc6+ $1 +40. Rd5+ Kg6 $1 (40... Kh6 $2 41. Rf6+ $1) 41. Qb1+ Kh6 $1 {, and if} 42. Qc1+ +{there is now a choice between} Rg5 ({and} 42... Bg5 {with a draw.})) 40. Qc1+ +Bg5 ({Or} 40... Rg5 41. Rxg5 Bxg5 42. Rf6+ {.}) 41. Rxg5 Qc6+ 42. Bd5 {. +Times: 2.34-2.30. --- An extremely tense encounter! Nikitin: 'After looking +through this fantastically pretty game, one can see what a great chess talent +was possessed not only by Garry, but also by his opponent. Leonid Zaid lived +initially in Kiev, and then in Lvov - cities with no less chess tradition than +Baku. In those years the remarkable trainer Viktor Kart was working actively +with young players in Lvov, and he fostered a whole group of grandmasters +headed by Beliavsky. But for some reason he did not "set eyes" on Zaid. I saw +how the youngster was unsuccessfully trying to make progress on his own. It +was a desperate struggle, and Leonid lost it. Not wishing to accept the +failure of his hopes, he moved to Israel and tried there to break into the +chess elite. But, alas, his time had passed...'} (42. Bd5 {. In the 4th round +I drew with Dolmatov, who was on 'plus one' thanks to a win over Yusupov. Then, +unfortunately, Sergey fell ill and withdrew from the tournament, and the +results of all his games were annulled. From the press: 'Had this not happened, +it is quite possible that the final arrangement of the places would have been +different.' But as it was, after the first half the leading group looked as +follows: Yusupov - 4½ out of 6; Kasparov, Lanka and Kharitonov - 3½. --- +The second half of the tournament saw some serious bloodshed. First Kharitonov +fell behind, after losing to Zaid and me. But Lanka, by contrast, burst ahead +by beating Magerramov and Yermolinsky. At the same time Yusupov suddenly came +to a halt, losing two games - to the same opponents Magerramov and Yermolinsky. +And, although I lost with Black to Zaid, in the 12th round I defeated Lanka - +and at last I was leading the race! But in the 13th, penultimate round Yusupov +beat Zaid and caught me. We each had 6½ out of 11, with Lanka on 6 and +Kharitonov on 5½. --- In the last round Yusupov played Black against +Kharitonov and gained a draw. Lanka had White against Zaid - and he lost his +third game in a row! I had White against Yermolinsky, who was in last place on +his own, and I arrived with the intention of 'giving mate' - but I also lost. +Alas, the Vilnius catastrophe of two years earlier (Game No.8) repeated itself. +Bykhovsky later said that I 'was badly prepared for the concluding game, both +in the psychological sense, and in the choice of specific opening variation' +(cf. Game No.25, note to White's 15th move). I was able to get even with +Alexey only in the second half of the 1990s, when he was already a well-known +American grandmaster...} -- {The results of the qualifying tournament for the +junior world championships: 1. Yusupov - 7 out of 12; 2. Kasparov - 6½; 3-6. +Kharitonov, Lanka, Magerramov and Zaid - 6; 7. Yermolinsky - 4½ (Dolmatov +withdrew, having scored 2½ out of 4). Thus Yusupov won the right to play in +the 'up to 20' championship, and I in the 'not older than 17' championship.} ( +42... -- {Nikitin: 'Although all of his opponents were at least three years +older than him, and all were masters of sport, Garry had no doubts that he +would succeed, and no words from me could shake his confidence. But there was +to be no new triumph. In such a tournament one could not expect a guaranteed +success, since battling against him were experienced lads, who were aware of +his strength and were able to exploit his childish impetuosity. Garik finished +just half a point behind the winner, his friend Artur Yusupov, and by the same +half point he also missed the master norm... For the first time I was with him +during an entire tournament and I saw how difficult it was to work with Garik +when he overestimated his possibilities. It was here that our serious problems, +connected with chess psychology, began.' --- Bykhovsky: 'The intensity of the +play was the cause of excessive anxiety and, as a consequence, bad mistakes, +the percentage of which exceeded the usual norm. This also explains the +uncertain play of the leaders towards the finish... Every appearance by Garik +Kasparov naturally creates particular interest, and his result in Leningrad +created big debates. Many, among them Kasparov himself, were not satisfied +with the competitive outcome. Others, and they include me, think that 2nd +place was a quite honourable result. But if one talks about the quality of +play, three months ago in Riga at the USSR Junior Championship, where Kasparov +scored 8½ out of 9, it looked better. Two days after the tournament, +Botvinnik, in whose chess school Kasparov studies, carefully looked though all +Garik's games with him. He praised him for his achievement, but at same time +he severely criticised him and gave his diagnosis: "There is a noticeable +desire to solve all problems by means of tactics alone, and an excessive +fascination with lengthy, ill-considered opening variations." Well, every +player, especially a 14-year-old, has the right to make mistakes. It is +important to learn from them and correct them as soon as possible.'}) (42... -- +{Four months later, early in September 1977, I again travelled to France - +this time to the first official World Cadet Championship. On this occasion we +played in the picturesque resort of Cagnes-sur-Mer on the famous French +Riviera, which with its boulevards resembled summer-time Baku. The schedule +for this Swiss event was very demanding: a round in the evening, completion of +adjourned games the following morning, the next round in the evening, and so +on throughout the tournament, without a single free day. --- I was accompanied +by Anatoly Bykhovsky, state trainer of the USSR Sports Committee. Again the +sports authorities did not allow Nikitin to travel abroad with me, and he had +to limit himself to a number of written instructions for the tournament, for +example: 'Try and obtain points using your positional understanding and +endgame technique, which have become much better after a year of independent +work and study at sessions of the Botvinnik School. Play solidly, with a +minimum of risk. In play based "on understanding" most of your opponents will +create problems for themselves...'})) 1-0 + +[Event "19: World Cadet Ch., Cagnes-sur-Mer"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1977.09.15"] +[Round "8"] +[White "Arnason, J."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "B85"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "80"] +[EventDate "1977.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{I made a good start - three wins, but the American Whitehead and the Pole +Weider began in similar fashion. In the 4th round I lost an undistinguished +game to an opponent who was by no means the strongest - Kappe from West +Germany, while Weider suffered such a heavy defeat against Whitehead that he +fell out of contention for the lead. I was able to recover quickly from my +loss and after a draw with Whitehead I won a further couple of games. --- +However, the lead was seized by the Icelandic player Jon Arnason, the adult +champion of his country and a future grandmaster - 6½ out of 7! In the 8th +round I faced a very difficult task: trailing Arnason by a point and playing +Black against him, I had to win without fail in order to retain chances of +victory in the tournament.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 +6. Be2 a6 (6... Nc6 7. Be3 {- Game No.3.}) 7. a4 Nc6 {(2)} 8. Be3 Be7 9. O-O +O-O 10. f4 Qc7 (10... Bd7 11. Nb3 $1 {.}) 11. Kh1 ({Another tabiya of the +classical Scheveningen is the line} 11. Qe1 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 e5 {(Game Nos.59, 60 +in 'Revolution in the 70s').}) 11... Rd8 {(5) At that time I liked this move +with the idea of 12 Bf3 Ne5!, and the e8-square may come in useful for the +knight.} ({But later I exclusively played} 11... Re8 {and I developed this +set-up in detail in my first two matches with Karpov (cf. 'Kasparov vs. Karpov +1975-1985').}) 12. Qe1 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 e5 14. fxe5 (14. Be3 exf4 15. Bxf4 Be6 16. +Qg3 Nd7 17. Bd3 Ne5 {is also harmless (Karpov-Ribli, Leningrad 1977).}) ({But +that same year Geller demonstrated a more unpleasant plan for White -} 14. Bg1 +$1 exf4 15. a5 $1 {(Game No.61 in 'Revolution in the 70s').}) 14... dxe5 15. +Be3 Be6 {(2)} 16. Qg3 Qa5 {(21) Avoiding the bind with a4-a5, although there +was nothing terrible about that;} ({and} 16... Rd7) ({or} 16... Kh8 {would +have been quite alright. Black's position is not bad, although it should not +be overestimated.}) 17. Rad1 $6 {Unusual passivity for this opponent - +apparently, the burden of leading affected him.} (17. Bg5 Kh8 18. -- (18. Qh4 +$1 {, was far more energetic, with the threat of Rxf6, which is by no means +decisive, but promises White the initiative - say,} Rg8 19. Bd3 Qb4 20. Nd5 +Nxd5 21. exd5 Qxh4 22. Bxh4 Bxh4 23. dxe6 {with a favourable ending.}) ({. In +the final, 11th round Santo Roman played the weaker} 18. Bd3 {against me, but +I too replied not very successfully -} Rd7 (18... Qb4 $5) ({or} 18... Rd4 $5 { +was stronger}) {, and after} 19. Nd5 $1 Bxd5 20. exd5 Rxd5 21. Bxf6 Bxf6 22. +Qh3 (22. Qf3 $5) 22... e4 23. Bxe4 Rh5 24. Qf3 {White gained a draw without +any trouble. A pity: if I had won this game I would have finished 2nd... --- +Arnason plays more simply, thinking only about a draw. 'But the Sicilian +Defence is an insidious opening, and not without reason is it said: White +either gives mate, or loses in the endgame. And here, on encountering the +opponent's obvious intention to "stifle" the play, Garry does not become +nervous and does not endeavour to sharpen the game "at any price", but looks +for ways to accumulate small gains, not fearing the transition into an endgame. +' (Nikitin)})) 17... Rxd1 {(12)} 18. Rxd1 Rd8 19. Rxd8+ Bxd8 {The exchanges +have clearly been to Black's advantage: there are many weaknesses in White's +position - the e4-pawn and his entire queenside.} 20. Bh6 g6 {(8) A useful +move. Without the rooks White has no chances of an attack, whereas Black will +soon activate his dark-square bishop, and when his queen goes to b4 White's +position will come under pressure.} 21. h3 Bb6 $1 {(4)} 22. Be3 Bd4 {(7) Both +defending the e5-pawn, and pressing on the knight. As often happens in the +Sicilian, White has ended up in a difficult position without making any bad +mistake.} 23. Qf2 Bxe3 {(3)} 24. Qxe3 Qb4 25. b3 Qd4 $1 {(2) An unpleasant +surprise for Arnason: Black himself initiates the exchange of queens! 'Wisdom, +unusual for a 14-year-old. White unexpectedly finds himself in zugzwang. I +flatter myself with the hope that during the game Garik remembered my +instructions.' (Nikitin)} 26. Qd3 Kg7 $1 27. Bf1 ({Also after} 27. Kh2 h5 28. +Bf1 Qf2 $1 {White would have had problems finding useful moves.}) 27... Nh5 $1 +{(2) An active sortie with a tactical point.} ({Also interesting was} 27... +Nd7 $5 28. Qxd4 exd4 29. Nb1 Nc5 30. Nd2 f5 31. e5 Kf7 {with the better +endgame:} 32. Nf3 d3 33. Bxd3 Bxb3 $1 {.}) 28. Qf3 $2 {Arnason gives in to the +'queen war' and he allows a decisive invasion.} (28. Qxd4 $2 {was bad because +of the interposition} Ng3+ $1 {, leading after} 29. Kg1 exd4 30. Ne2 Nxe2+ 31. +Bxe2 Kf6 32. Kf2 Ke5 {and ...Bd7-c6 to a won bishop ending.}) (28. g4 $6 {was +also insufficient:} Nf4 29. Qxd4 exd4 30. Nd1 (30. Ne2 Nxe2 $1 31. Bxe2 Kf6 { +and wins}) 30... d3 $5 ({or} 30... h5 $5 31. Nf2 (31. gxh5 f5 $1) 31... Kf6 { +etc.})) (28. Kh2 {was comparatively more resilient, after which Black in turn +could avoid the queen exchange -} Qf2 $1 29. Nd1 Qf4+ 30. Kg1 Ng3 31. Nf2 h5 { +with powerful pressure.}) 28... Qd2 $1 {(2)} 29. Qd3 {(not seeing any other +way of defending the c2-pawn)} Qf2 $1 {(2)} 30. Kh2 (30. Be2 Bxh3 $1 {.}) 30... +Nf4 31. Qf3 Qxc2 {(2)} (31... Nxh3 32. Qxf2 Nxf2 {would also have won, but it +is simpler to retain the active queen.}) 32. Nd5 Bxd5 {(2) A minor blemish.} ( +{The immediate} 32... Qd2 $1 {was more forceful, and if} 33. Nxf4 Qxf4+ $1 {.}) +33. exd5 Qd2 34. Bc4 {It would appear that Arnason's will to resist was +already broken.} ({White's last chance was} 34. d6 $1 Qxd6 35. Qxb7 {, +although after} Nd3 $1 36. g3 (36. Bxd3 e4+) 36... a5 {Black has a technically +won position.}) 34... f5 $1 35. Qg3 h6 $1 {(2) By depriving the queen of the +g5-square, Black puts his opponent in zugzwang.} 36. d6 Qxd6 {The rest is +agony.} 37. Qc3 Nh5 38. Be2 Nf6 39. Qc8 e4+ 40. Kh1 Qe7 {(2) After rattling +off the moves to the time control, White resigned. --- Times: 2.29-1.33.} ( +40... -- {After this important win there was now a trio of leaders: Kasparov, +Arnason and Whitehead on 6½ out of 8. Bykhovsky: 'It appeared that Garry was +now in a good position for a finishing burst, but in fact he had run out of +steam. In the last three games his play was much weaker; he made frequent +oversights and managed only three draws. Success went to the 16-year-old - an +older and physically stronger player.'}) (40... -- {Results of the 1977 World +Cadet Championship: 1. Arnason - 9 out of 11; 2. Whitehead - 8½; 3. Kasparov +- 8, followed by the likes of Morovic, McNab and the 12-year-old Short, who +also weakened at the finish (altogether - 30 participants). It is a curious +fact worth noting that Arnason actually became the first Icelandic world +champion not only in chess, but also in the entire history of sport in that +country!}) (40... -- {Why, as the tournament favourite, did I obviously not +play up to my potential? Apparently, as in Wattignies the year before, what +told was the tiring schedule and the unaccustomed surroundings - alongside +there was no one close to me, and I was quite unable to concentrate fully on +my play. Three years later, after winning the world under-20 championship in +Dortmund, I commented in an interview: 'In those cadet competitions perhaps +objectively I was somewhat stronger than my opponents, but I had an incorrect +impression of tournament strategy as a whole. However, now I have behind me +the experience of some strong adult tournaments. I have more strength for the +finish, and I have become more stable psychologically.' --- This comparative +failure was especially distressing when compared with the triumph of my friend +and rival Artur Yusupov, who in those same autumn days became world under-20 +champion. The many years of rivalry between me and Mark Dvoretsky's pupils - +Yusupov and Dolmatov - continued to the end of the 1982 Interzonal Tournaments, +although in the 1981 USSR Championship it was already evident that I had moved +ahead.}) (40... -- {Incidentally, in the mid-1970s Dvoretsky assisted +Botvinnik with the lessons in his school, and he also made a valuable +contribution to my chess development. Nikitin: 'While being a player of +grandmaster standard, Dvoretsky found his true calling in research and +training - he developed innovative methods for the teaching of chess strategy +and the endgame, and he created a card index of test positions, now known to +all professionals. The juniors who came to the sessions of the school had to +solve these problems. Garry always tried to get to the essence of the position, +and this essence was engraved in his memory, gradually improving his technique. +For his endgame knowledge Garik is greatly indebted to Dvoretsky. Alas, the +growth of his assistant's independence did not greatly please Botvinnik, and +early in 1978 they parted. Together with Dvoretsky, Yusupov and Dolmatov also +left the school...' --- After the return from Cagnes-sur-Mer I had a lingering +feeling of dissatisfaction. It was a critical moment, perhaps one of the +turning points in my life. --- Trips to tournaments and chess training +sessions took up much of my time, and left increasingly less for contact with +my contemporaries. This was my fate - an early contact with people older than +me: adult men who as though replaced my lost father, introducing into my +upbringing a male basis and thereby balancing the strong influence of maternal +love. But even so, I led a rather unnatural life for my age, and already then +I sensed that I was being partly deprived of my childhood. Occupied with +mysterious events and adult problems, for my contemporaries I was as though +from another planet. And at times I had a terrible desire to become a normal +boy, like all the others... Soon I would be 15 years old, and I thought that +if in the near future I did not gain the master title, it would be time to +think about another profession. How long could I go on being considered +promising; wasn't it time to achieve 'adult' results?}) (40... -- {Russian +honoured trainer Boris Postovsky recalls: 'In October 1977 the USSR +Championship First League was held in Baku, and I was seconding grandmasters +Yuri Razuvaev and Boris Gulko, who, incidentally, qualified for the Premier +League and two months later became USSR champion. Several times young Garik +Kasparov looked in at my room - to discuss chess topics, and at the same time +pass on presents from his mother (an exotic jam made from feijoa berries was +especially tasty). Watching Garik pouring out variations, Razuvaev was unable +to conceal his admiration, but on one occasion Gulko sadly lamented: "There it +is, our ruin in the not too distant future..." These were prophetic words! But +it is amusing that, against Razuvaev and Gulko, Kasparov has been left with a +negative score.'}) 0-1 + +[Event "20: Training Game, Baku"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1977.12.10"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Magerramov, E."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "D58"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "60"] +[EventDate "1977.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In November my trainers began an intensive search for a tournament where I +could again try to achieve the master norm. It would have been most convenient +to do this on my home ground, but for the moment nothing appropriate in Baku +was anticipated. Nikitin: 'The next such tournament was due to begin the +following January in Minsk, but there the young Baku player was certainly not +expected - they had enough of their own competitors. And here Botvinnik came +to our aid, by writing to the Belorussian Chess Federation. They could not +refuse him, and early in December the desired invitation was received. We +began preparing for the trip to Minsk.' --- Right to the end of the year I +worked intensively, studying new opening set-ups and playing training games. I +especially remember one of these, with my old friend and rival Elmar +Magerramov, played in the republic chess club. --- It should be said that at +that time I often followed the opening ideas and discoveries made jointly with +Elmar. We both played the Scheveningen, instilled in us by Privorotsky, but +Elmar also employed the Najdorf Variation with 7...Qb6 - later I also included +it in my repertoire. Under the influence of my old friend I also began playing +both the flexible 'Hedgehog' set-up, and the sharp Modern Benoni... But that +day, for virtually the second time in my life, in a serious game I decided to +go in for a Queen's Gambit.} 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. d4 e6 3. c4 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O +6. e3 h6 7. Bh4 b6 {The only reason I chose the +Tartakower-Makogonov-Bondarevsky Variation was that I had prepared an +interesting novelty in a line employed by Elmar. But later, before my matches +with Korchnoi (1983) and Karpov (1984/85), I made a genuinely deep study of it, +paying particular attention to a number of model games by Spassky and Geller +(cf. Volume III of 'My Great Predecessors', pp.321-327).} 8. Qb3 { +Polugayevsky's favourite plan.} ({In the 1980s I also tried} 8. Qc2 {(Game No. +41)}) ({or, most often,} 8. Be2 {.}) 8... Bb7 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. cxd5 exd5 11. +Rd1 c5 $5 {Here is my invention - a pawn sacrifice! It is hard to imagine a +more audacious and paradoxical move: after all, White has done everything in +his powers to prevent ...c7-c5.} ({Later a related variation became more +popular:} 11... Re8 12. Bd3 c5 $5 13. dxc5 Nd7 $1 14. c6 (14. cxb6 $6 Nc5 $1 { +and ...Nxd3+}) 14... Bxc6 15. O-O Nc5 {(Gulko-Radashkovich, Rostov-on-Don 1971; +Kasparov-Beliavsky, 46th USSR Championship, Tbilisi 1978). Things even reached +the stage that White began anticipating ...c7-c5 with 12 a3 (Korchnoi-Kasparov, +10th match game, London 1983; Kramnik-Kasparov, 3rd match game, Moscow 2001).}) +12. dxc5 Nd7 $1 13. c6 $5 {A pragmatic reply.} ({Of course, in the first +instance I considered the variations with} 13. cxb6 Nc5 14. Qc2 (14. Qb4 $6 Qd6 +$1) 14... -- ({, and I was intending to play the crazy gambit} 14... d4 $6 15. +Nxd4 $1 Qxb6 {'with pressure for the two pawns'. However, Makogonov (in +contrast to Stohl) disapproved of this idea, and he was probably right: by +returning one of the pawns -} 16. Be2 Bxg2 17. Rg1 Bb7 18. Nf5 Kh8 19. Rd6 $1 +Qc7 (19... Qa5 $2 20. Rxf6 $1 gxf6 21. Nd6) 20. Nd5 Bxd5 21. Rxd5 {, White +retains prospects of an attack - for example, if} Qxh2 $6 22. Rf1 Ne6 {, then} +23. Nxh6 $1 {.}) ({. In Stohl's opinion,} 14... Qxb6 {(?!)} 15. Nxd5 Bxd5 16. +Rxd5 Rac8 17. Bc4 {is insufficient for Black}) ({, as is} 14... axb6 {(!)} 15. +Be2 ({after} 15. Nd4 Bxd4 $1 16. exd4 Ne4 {White is also unable to retain his +material advantage}) 15... Bxc3+ $1 {( but in fact this is good for him)} 16. +bxc3 (16. Qxc3 Rxa2 {with equality}) 16... Qc7 17. O-O Ne4 {, regaining the +pawn.})) 13... Bxc6 14. Nd4 $6 {Again erring on the cautious side.} (14. Be2 +Nc5 {was also inappropriate}) ({but} 14. Nxd5 $5 {was stronger and more +critical:} Nc5 15. Nxf6+ Qxf6 16. Qc3 $1 Qxc3+ 17. bxc3 {, reaching a +perfectly safe endgame with an extra pawn, although after} Bxf3 18. gxf3 Na4 { +(Stohl) Black has sufficient counterplay.}) 14... Bxd4 $1 {In the 4th game of +my second match with Karpov (1985) in a similar position I wrongly avoided +this non-routine exchange, but here its advantages are far more specific and +obvious.} 15. Rxd4 $6 ({A difficult choice: in the event of} 15. exd4 Qg5 $1 +16. g3 Rfe8+ (16... Qf5 $5) 17. Be2 Qg4 {(h5) Black also has a dangerous +initiative, although here it is more difficult for his c6-bishop to display +its strength. Elmar was hoping somehow to defend, but he unexpectedly +encountered a unique series of moves, consisting of eleven successive attacks!} +) 15... Nc5 $1 16. Qd1 Ne6 $1 17. Rd2 d4 $1 {(the weak isolated d-pawn has +suddenly been transformed into a formidable battering-ram)} 18. exd4 $6 ({The +'ugly'} 18. Ne2 $1 {was more resilient, when} Qd5 {(Stohl) is good,} ({or else +} 18... Qe7 $5 19. Nxd4 Nxd4 20. Rxd4 Rad8 {with an attack.})) 18... Re8 {An +ambush!} ({However,} 18... Nf4 {came into consideration:} 19. d5 $1 Qe7+ $5 20. +Be2 Nxg2+ 21. Kf1 Bd7 22. Rg1 (22. Kxg2 $2 Qg5+ 23. Kf1 Bh3+ 24. Ke1 Qg2 25. +Rf1 Rae8 {and wins}) 22... Nf4 {, and White does not have the resource} 23. Bg4 +f5 24. Rd4 $2 {because of} fxg4 {(the rook comes in useful on the f8-square!).} +) 19. f3 $2 {A decisive mistake;} ({as was} 19. Qg4 $2 h5 $1 20. Qg3 h4 21. Qg4 +f5 {.}) ({It was essential to} 19. d5 $1 Nf4+ 20. Be2 Nxg2+ 21. Kf1 Bd7 $1 22. +Rg1 $1 ({but not Stohl's 'cooperative' variation} 22. Kxg2 $2 Qg5+ 23. Kf1 Bh3+ +24. Ke1 Qg2) 22... Nf4 {( and although this position is unpleasant for White, +at least he is not losing by force)} (22... Nh4 {is also not bad}) 23. Bg4 $1 +f5 24. Rd4 $1 fxg4 25. Rxf4 Qh4 26. Kg2 Re5 27. Kh1 {, still somehow holding +on.}) 19... Bxf3 $3 {To be honest, I did not even especially calculate the +variations, since I had no doubts about the correctness of the piece sacrifice. +} 20. gxf3 (20. Qxf3 Ng5+ {.}) 20... Qh4+ 21. Rf2 Nxd4+ ({The alternative was} +21... Nf4+ $5 22. Ne4 ({or} 22. Be2 Ng2+) 22... f5 23. Bc4+ Kh8 24. O-O fxe4 { +etc.}) 22. Be2 (22. Ne4 Rxe4+ $1 {.}) 22... Nxf3+ 23. Kf1 Qh3+ 24. Rg2 Nh4 ({ +First} 24... Rad8 $1 {was more accurate, for example:} 25. Bxf3 ({or} 25. Nd5 +Nh4) 25... Rxd1+ 26. Bxd1 f5 27. Rhg1 g5 {and wins.}) 25. Rhg1 Rad8 26. Qe1 ( +26. Qa4 $1 {(with the idea of Qg4) would have prolonged the resistance.} -- ({ +. After this there could have followed} 26... Nxg2 27. Rxg2 Qe3 {(Stohl)}) ({ +, or the more energetic} 26... Nf5 $5 {(Nikitin)} 27. Ke1 $1 (27. Qf4 Rd4 $1 { +and ...Ne3+}) 27... Qe3 28. Qc2 {- in Stohl's opinion 'the defences still +hold', but in my view after} Re5 $1 {Black has an irresistible attack.})) 26... +Rd3 $1 {Now it all ends very quickly.} 27. Qf2 (27. Nd1 Nf3 {.}) 27... Nf3 $1 { +I remembered this picturesque position for a long time: rarely do you see such +a large number of stalemated pieces!} 28. Rh1 ({It would have been suicidal to +play} 28. Nd5 {(b5)} Rd1+ $3 29. Bxd1 Nxh2# {!}) ({or} 28. Qg3 Nd2+ $1 29. Ke1 +Rxg3 30. Rxg3 Nf3+ 31. Kf2 Nxg1 32. Rxh3 Nxh3+ {etc.}) 28... Rde3 29. Rhg1 Kh8 +({Of course, the computer demands the simple} 29... Rxc3 $1 {, since if} 30. +bxc3 {there follows} Nxh2+ ({but I had already seen} 30... b5) 31. Ke1 Qxc3+ { +and mate in 12 moves.}) 30. Rh1 b5 $1 ({And in view of} 30... b5 31. a3 a5 { +with the unavoidable ...b5-b4 White resigned. --- Times: 1.50-0.40.}) (30... -- +{This crushing win over a master played an important psychological role, +regaining me my former confidence, and I now travelled to Minsk full of hope. +--- This game summed up the year 1977, concluding the first, learning stage of +my chess career - my 'Baku universities'. No one, myself included, guessed +that I was on the threshold of a qualitative leap in my chess development.}) +0-1 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "2.1: Adult Games: 1978-1980"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2009.12.07"] + +{Master Class: Sokolsky Memorial Tournament (Minsk, 08.01-02.02.1978): 1. +Kasparov - 13 out of 17; 2. Kupreichik - 12½; 3. Shereshevsky - 11; 4-6. +Kapengut, Klovans and Mochalov - 10½; 7-8. Dydyshko and Lutikov - 9½; 9. +Yuferov - 9; 10-11. Roizman and Zakharov - 8½; 12-13. Begun and Smirnov - 8; +14-15. Mariasin and Litvinov - 7; 16. Kagan - 4; 17. Veremeichik - 3½; 18. +Lyuboshits - 2½.} 1. -- {This tournament in memory of the well-known master, +teacher and theoretician Alexey Sokolsky (1908-1969) was the main chess event +of the year in Belorussia. From outside only distinguished masters were +invited, but for me an exception was made - not so much because I was +two-times USSR junior champion, but out of respect for Botvinnik. --- Early in +January 1978 I flew in with my mother to frosty, snowy Minsk (Shakarov and +then Nikitin arrived later). Here everything was unusual: the severe winter, +the cold hotel on the outskirts of the city, and the freezing tram in which +the players travelled to the playing venue - the republic chess club. After +settling in, we set off to look for a canteen: it was time for dinner. However, +no sooner had I made one uncertain step on the pavement, when I fell into a +deep hole, covered by a thick layer of snow. I was able to get out only with +my mother's help. I was completely soaked, and I had to rush back to the hotel +to change. My mother was seriously alarmed, but later she laughed: 'It's +better to take a tumble before the start, than in the tournament itself!'} (1. +-- {During the drawing of lots I looked round with a certain trepidation at my +formidable opponents: Anatoly Lutikov (a grandmaster!), several times a +finalist in the championship of the country, Albert Kapengut (an outstanding +theoretician and trainer), Viktor Kupreichik, Yanis Klovans and Alexander +Zakharov, and, apart from them, a dozen solid masters, practically the entire +cream of Belorussian chess. I remember saying to my mother: 'How difficult it +will be to score this "plus two"...' (that was the master norm - 9½ out of +17). Our small 'team' was also looked at with interest: what surprises will be +caused by this audacious youth from distant Baku? Nikitin: 'All were expecting +something exotic, but that which happened was not anticipated by anyone'. --- +I prepared well, especially with regard to the openings: I already had my own +preparations in the most seemingly well-studied positions, assessed by theory +as equal. As a result I was able to create sharp, unusual situations, which +were to my taste. Strictly speaking, it was only here that my battle at the +board began. --- In the first round I was paired with Black against the 1977 +Armed Forces champion Sergey Yuferov, who was famed as an opening theoretician +and who successfully played the King's Indian Defence with both colours. This +was the favourite opening of my youth, which served me faithfully for almost +my entire career. And I decided to throw down a challenge to the experienced +master! This game opened a new page in my competitive biography - it signified +my entry into the world of adult chess.}) * + +[Event "21: Sokolsky Memorial, Minsk"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1978.01.08"] +[Round "1"] +[White "Yuferov, S."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "E99"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "120"] +[EventDate "1978.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Nf3 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 +Ne7 {One of the King's Indian tabiyas.} 9. Ne1 {This continuation was popular +in those times;} ({but in the late-1980s} 9. Nd2 {came to the fore}) ({and in +the mid-1990s -} 9. b4 {.}) 9... Nd7 {Impeding the typical c4-c5 breakthrough.} +(9... Ne8 {is also acceptable, as I played against Shirov (Olympiad, Manila +1992) and Korchnoi (Debrecen 1992).}) 10. Nd3 {The main line.} ({Later, +largely through the efforts of Korchnoi, the old plan with} 10. Be3 f5 11. f3 { +was rehabilitated (Game No.39 in Volume V of 'My Great Predecessors').}) 10... +f5 11. Bd2 (11. exf5 {has long been out of fashion - Game No.64 in Volume IV +of 'My Great Predecessors'.}) 11... Nf6 (11... f4 $2 12. Bg4 $1 {.}) 12. f3 f4 +{At that time everyone made this direct move with the idea of a pawn storm on +the kingside.} ({Later many began to prefer Geller's more flexible plan with} +12... Kh8 {(or 11...Kh8), for example:} 13. Rc1 c5 14. g4 a6 $5 15. Nf2 h6 { +with the idea of ...Neg8, ...Nh7 and ...Bf6 (Gelfand-Kasparov, Linares 1990).}) +13. c5 ({White must act energetically! The classic game Najdorf-Gligoric (Mar +del Plata 1953) went} 13. b4 $6 g5 14. c5 h5 15. Nf2 Ng6 $1 16. Rc1 Rf7 17. +cxd6 cxd6 18. a4 Bf8 $1 {(defending the 'base' pawn on d6)} 19. a5 Rg7 20. h3 +Nh8 $5 {(the knight goes by a roundabout way to h6, to support the ...g5-g4 +breakthrough)} 21. Nb5 (21. Be1 $5) 21... g4 $1 22. fxg4 hxg4 23. hxg4 a6 24. +Na3 Bd7 $1 25. Nc4 Rc8 26. Nb6 Rxc1 27. Bxc1 Be8 28. Ba3 Nf7 29. Qc2 Nh6 {, +and in the end Black won with a direct attack on the king.}) 13... g5 {This +position is topical even today: using the 'Gligoric method' can Black succeed +in creating sufficient counterplay to neutralise the opponent's offensive on +the queenside?} 14. cxd6 ({Now} 14. Rc1 Ng6 15. Nb5 {is again fashionable, +delaying the exchange on d6 and in some cases sacrificing a piece:} -- (15... +a6 16. cxd6 $1 (16. Na3 $6 g4 $1 {Pachman-Padevsky, Dresden 1956}) 16... axb5 +17. dxc7 {(Shariyazdanov-Klimov, St. Petersburg 1997)}) ({, or} 15... Rf7 16. +Ba5 $1 {(the point of White's idea is to provoke weaknesses)} b6 17. cxb6 (17. +cxd6 {is also possible, since} bxa5 $2 18. dxc7 {is bad for Black}) 17... cxb6 +(17... axb6 18. Be1 $1 {Najdorf-Uhlmann, Moscow 1956}) 18. Be1 a6 19. Nc3 h5 ({ +but the modern} 19... a5 $1 {is not so clear}) 20. Nb4 {- in this way Yuferov +defeated Dydyshko (Minsk 1978).})) 14... cxd6 {To the surprise of the +spectators, all these and the next eight moves were made quite quickly by us.} +15. Nf2 {Yuferov demonstrates a new plan, which had been successfully employed +by Sosonko against Kavalek (Wijk aan Zee 1977). We had both seen this game: it +was published in 'Informator' Volume 23. White wants to play Qc2 and Rfc1, in +order to intensify his onslaught on the queenside, and to defend his kingside +with minimal forces - by holding the g4-point. The master was apparently +hoping that his young opponent would not cope with the difficult problems, but +I had prepared, as it seemed to me, a lethal novelty!} ({The usual +continuation is} 15. Rc1 Ng6 16. Nb5 Rf7 17. Qc2 -- ({, and since} 17... g4 $6 +18. Nc7 gxf3 19. gxf3 Bh3 {(Larsen-Tal, 5th match game, Eersel 1969) is +dubious because of} 20. Ne6 $1) ({, the black knight is forced to retreat -} +17... Ne8 {. After} 18. a4 h5 19. Nf2 Bf8 20. h3 Rg7 {the following +continuations are all unclear:} 21. Nxa7 {(Averkin-Kasparov, Moscow 1979),} ( +21. a5 {(Polugayevsky-Tal, 7th match game, Alma-Ata 1980)}) ({and} 21. Qb3 Nh4 +22. Rc2 {(Ivanchuk-Timman, 4th match game, Hilversum 1991; Ivanchuk-Cheparinov, +Sofia 2008). At any event, I always happily went in for these complicated +positions with Black.}))) 15... Ng6 16. a4 (16. Qc2 Rf7 (16... h5 17. Nb5) 17. +Rfc1 {is an attempt to refine the move order} -- ({, hoping to gain an +advantage after} 17... Ne8 18. a4 h5 19. Ncd1 Bf8 20. Ra3 $1 a6 21. Qc3 Bd7 22. +Qa5 $1 b6 23. Qb4 Rg7 24. Rac3 Nh4 25. h3 Be7 26. Be1 {(Aronian-Nakamura, +Bursa 2010)}) ({, but} 17... a6 18. a4 h5 19. h3 g4 $1 (19... Nh4 $6 20. a5 $1) +20. fxg4 hxg4 21. hxg4 Bh6 22. a5 Bg5 23. Na4 Bh4 {gives chances for both +sides (my old analysis!).})) 16... Rf7 17. Nb5 h5 18. h3 Bf8 {Almost +completing the 'Gligoric-style' regrouping. Each side carries out his own plan, +and White, while preparing a queenside invasion, must be extremely attentive +to the opponent's threats on the kingside.} 19. Qc2 a6 {(2) The first step to +the side!} ({In the afore-mentioned Sosonko-Kavalek game Black immediately +rushed into the attack -} 19... g4 20. fxg4 hxg4 21. hxg4 a6 22. Na3 Rg7 23. +Rfc1 ({after Ligterink's recommendation} 23. Nc4 {there follows} Nh4 {- cf. +the note to White's 21st move}) 23... Nh4 24. Qd1 Bxg4 $6 ({the unclear} 24... +Bd7) ({or} 24... Nh5 $5 {was better}) 25. Nxg4 $1 ({not} 25. Bxg4 $2 Nxg4 26. +Nxg4 Nxg2 $1 27. Kxg2 Qh4 28. Kf1 ({or} 28. Qh1 Rxg4+ 29. Kf3 Rg3+ 30. Ke2 Qg4+ +31. Kf2 Be7 $1 {and wins}) 28... Rxg4 29. Ke2 Rg3 $1) 25... -- (25... Nxg4 $2 +26. Bxg4 Qg5 (26... Nxg2 27. Kf1 $1 {was more resilient}) 27. Be6+ Kh8 28. g4 +$1 {he lost.}) (25... Nxg2 {is stronger (with the idea of 26 Kxg2? Nxg4 and ...Qh4), as had occurred in the game Carbrera-Browne (Las Palmas 1977), which +Yuferov and I did not know. There after} 26. Rc3 $6 ({but here too the +cool-headed} 26. Kf1 $1 {(Stohl) would have set Black difficult problems:} Nh4 +27. Be1 Nxe4 28. Qd3 Nc5 29. Rxc5 $1 {etc}) 26... Nxg4 (26... Nh4 $5) 27. Bxg4 +Ne3 28. Bxe3 Qh4 {sharp, roughly equal play developed.})) 20. Na3 Rg7 21. Rfc1 +$2 {A by no means obvious but serious mistake.} (21. Nc4 {was correct, for +example:} -- (21... Nh4 22. Qd1 ({Crouch's recommendation} 22. Ba5 Qe8 23. Qd1 +{leads to variation 'b1' after} g4 $1 24. fxg4 hxg4 25. hxg4 Qg6) 22... g4 $1 ( +{Crouch's idea} 22... Rb8 23. a5 g4 24. fxg4 hxg4 25. hxg4 Nxg4 26. Nxg4 Qg5 { +runs into} 27. Nce3 $1 Qg6 ({or} 27... Be7 28. Rf2 $1 Qg6 29. Rc1 fxe3 30. Nxe3 +{with an obvious advantage for White}) 28. Be1 $1 fxe3 29. Nf6+ Kh8 30. g4 $1) +23. fxg4 (23. Ba5 $6 Nxf3+ $1 {- Crouch}) 23... hxg4 24. hxg4 Nxg4 $1 { +transposing into variation 'b2';} ({Crouch gives only} 24... Rb8 25. Ra3 $1 {.} +)) (21... g4 {, and White faces a choice - whether or not to include Ba5, but +in both cases Black has sufficient counterplay:} 22. -- (22. Ba5 Qe8 23. fxg4 +hxg4 24. hxg4 Nh4 25. Qd1 Qg6 (25... Nxg4 $5) 26. Nb6 Bxg4 27. Nxg4 (27. Bxg4 +Re8) 27... Nxg2 $1 (27... Nxg4 $6 {is weaker:} 28. Bxg4 Re8 29. Bf3 $1 Nxg2 30. +Kf2 {, Chovanec-Lührig, correspondence 2000}) 28. Kxg2 Qxe4+ 29. Kg1 Nxg4 30. +Bxg4 f3 31. Kf2 Qxg4 ({or} 31... Be7 {with equality})) (22. fxg4 hxg4 23. hxg4 +Nh4 24. Qd1 Nxg4 $1 25. Nxg4 Qg5 26. Nce3 $1 Be7 $1 27. Rf2 (27. Qc2 Nxg2) +27... Qg6 28. Rc1 fxe3 29. Nxe3 Bd7 $1 30. Rc7 (30. Rc4 Rf8) 30... Bg5 31. Ng4 +Bxg4 32. Rxg7+ Kxg7 33. Bxg5 Bxe2 34. Qb3 (34. Qc1 Bf3 $1 {- this is not +possible with the rook on b8}) 34... Qxg5 $1 35. Qxb7+ Kh6 36. Qxa8 Qe3 $1 {, +spectacularly forcing a draw.}))) 21... Nh4 {(3)} 22. Qd1 {Now Yuferov is +intending to play Nc4, Ba5 and Nb6, but - too late!} Bd7 $6 {(4)} ({This is my +novelty (replacing} 22... g4 23. hxg4 hxg4 24. fxg4 Bxg4 $6 25. Nxg4 $1 {- cf. +the note to Black's 19th move).}) ({It could have been regarded as an +improvement, had it not been for a fantastic stroke found in the computer era - +} 22... Nxf3+ $3 {. For the piece Black has a very dangerous attack:} 23. gxf3 +({or} 23. Bxf3 g4 24. Be2 gxh3 25. Bf3 Bg4 $1) 23... g4 24. fxg4 (24. hxg4 { +will not do:} hxg4 25. Nxg4 Nxg4 26. fxg4 Bxg4 27. Bxg4 Qh4 $1) 24... hxg4 25. +Nc4 g3 $1 26. Ng4 Nxg4 27. Bxg4 Bxg4 28. hxg4 Qh4 29. Qf3 Rc8 $1 {etc. Well, +there is logic in this: for an instant White has weakened his defences, and +his forces are stuck on the other side of the board.}) 23. Nc4 ({After the +prophylactic move} 23. Be1 {(Stohl) White has to reckon not only with} g4 ({ +but also} 23... b5 {.})) 23... g4 {Now is the time!} ({Black cannot bring +himself to play} 23... b6 $6) ({while} 23... Nxf3+ $5 24. gxf3 g4 {no longer +promises more than equality after} 25. fxg4 hxg4 26. Ba5 $1 Qe8 $1 (26... gxh3+ +$2 27. Kh1 $1) 27. hxg4 (27. Nb6 f3) 27... Qh5 $1 28. Kf1 Bxg4 29. Ke1 Bxe2 30. +Qxe2 f3 31. Qd3 b5 32. Nd2 {etc.}) 24. hxg4 ({If} 24. Ba5 Qe7 25. Nb6 $2 { +Crouch gives} Nxg2 ({although the decisive} 25... gxh3 $1 {is simpler.})) 24... +hxg4 25. fxg4 ({Now the inclusion of the moves} 25. Ba5 $6 Qe7 $1 (25... Nxf3+ +$6 26. Bxf3 Qe7 {(e8)} 27. Be2 {is not so clear}) 26. fxg4 Nxg4 {, could have +proved fatal for White:} 27. Nxg4 Nxg2 28. Kxg2 Bxg4 29. Bxg4 Qh4 30. Qh1 Rxg4+ +31. Kf3 Rg3+ 32. Ke2 Qg4+ 33. Kf2 (33. Kd2 b5 $1 {with irresistible threats}) +33... Be7 $1 {.}) 25... Nxg2 $6 {This piece sacrifice was the fruit of home +analysis, but there was something that I failed to take into account.} ({First +} 25... Nxg4 {was more accurate, for example:} 26. -- (26. Nxg4 $2 Nxg2 $1 27. +Kxg2 Bxg4 28. Bxg4 Qh4 {. An already familiar situation with the sacrifice of +two pieces. With his knight on c4 White has somewhat better chances than +before, but even so his defence is extremely difficult:} 29. Qh1 ({or} 29. Kf1 +Rxg4 30. Ke2 Rg3 $1) 29... Rxg4+ 30. Kf3 Rg3+ 31. Ke2 Qg4+ 32. Kf2 b5 $1 ({not +now} 32... Be7 {in view of} 33. Ra3 $1) 33. Nxe5 ({if} 33. axb5 $2) ({or} 33. +Nb6 $2 {there is the decisive} Ra7 $1) 33... dxe5 34. Rc7 Bg7 {, and 'Black +has regained the piece, and still has a strong attack' (Crouch)}) (26. Bxg4 +Nxg2 27. Kf1 $1 Bxg4 28. Nxg4 Qg5 29. Nf2 (29. Kxg2 $2 Qh4) (29. Nb6 Re8) 29... +Ne3+ (29... Nh4 {is also not bad}) 30. Bxe3 fxe3 31. Qf3 exf2 32. Kxf2 { +(Crouch)} Qh4+ 33. Ke2 Qh2+ 34. Qf2 Qxf2+ 35. Kxf2 Be7 {with a roughly equal +ending.})) ({But not} 25... Bxg4 $2 26. Nxg4 Nxg2 27. Kf1 $1 {- Stohl.}) 26. +Kxg2 {Played after considerable thought;} ({White was wondering whether Black +would have been set more problems by the interposition of} 26. Ba5 {, and only +after} Qe7 {-} 27. Kxg2 Nxg4 28. Bxg4 Bxg4 29. Qxg4 $1 ({Crouch gives only} 29. +Nxg4 $2 Qh4) 29... Rxg4+ 30. Nxg4 Qh4 31. Rg1 $1 {.} -- ({. Now Black does not +have the defence} 31... Qg3+ $2 32. Kf1 Qd3+ 33. Kf2 Bg7 {as in a variation +from the game; because of the simple} ({if} 33... Qxc4 $2 34. Nxe5+) 34. Nxd6) +({, but after} 31... Kf7 $1 {he is able to neutralise the opponent's slight +plus:} 32. Kf3 ({or} 32. Nf2 Qg3+ 33. Kf1 Qb3) 32... b5 33. axb5 (33. Nb6 Qh3+ +34. Ke2 Qb3 $1 {with equality}) 33... axb5 34. Nd2 Qh3+ 35. Ke2 Be7 36. Nf3 Rg8 +37. Nf2 Rxg1 38. Rxg1 Qc8 39. Kd2 Qc4 {etc.})) 26... Nxg4 27. Bxg4 ({Of course, +not} 27. Nxg4 $2 Bxg4 28. Bxg4 Qh4 {.}) 27... Bxg4 28. Qxg4 $1 {An unpleasant +surprise - a counter queen sacrifice!} ({My over-optimistic analysis concluded +with a pursuit of the king:} 28. Nxg4 {(?)} Qh4 29. Qh1 ({or} 29. Kf1 Rxg4 30. +Ke2 Rg3 $1) 29... Rxg4+ 30. Kf3 Rg3+ 31. Ke2 Qg4+ 32. Kf2 b5 $1 {etc. (as in +the note to 25...Nxg2). This is what I was aiming for, and the opponent's +unexpected reply shocked me: now White has chances not only of repelling the +attack, but also of converting his material advantage! --- On the preceding +moves I had spent only 23 minutes, but now for the first time I stopped to +think: my swift attack had not succeeded, and I had to retune myself for a +more complicated fight.}) 28... Rxg4+ {(7)} ({Things are obviously worse after +} 28... Qh4 $2 29. Qxg7+ Bxg7 30. Rg1 $1 {(Stohl).}) 29. Nxg4 {What next?} Rc8 +$2 {(7) This seemingly natural, developing move, to which I previously +attached an exclamation mark, proves simply to be a loss of time at a critical +moment of the battle.} ({The immediate} 29... Qh4 {would have enabled Black, +albeit not without some difficulty, to solve his problems and maintain +equality:} 30. Rg1 $1 Qg3+ $1 31. Kf1 $1 ({Stohl's variation} 31. Kh1 Qh3+ 32. +Nh2+ {is worse because of} Kf7 $1) 31... Qd3+ 32. Kf2 Bg7 $1 33. Nh6+ (33. b3 +Qd4+ $1 ({but not} 33... Qxb3 $6 34. Rac1 Kf8 35. Nxd6 $1 Qb6+ 36. Ne3 $1 { +with a powerful attack})) 33... Kf8 34. Nf5 Qxc4 ({it is bad to play} 34... Rc8 +$2 35. Rxg7 $1 Rxc4 36. Rh1) ({or} 34... Bf6 $6 35. Rg6 Bh4+ 36. Nxh4 Qd4+ 37. +Kf3 Qxc4 38. Rag1 $1) 35. Rxg7 {, and after} Qc2 $1 36. Rh1 Qxd2+ 37. Kf3 Qd3+ +38. Kg4 Qe2+ 39. Kg5 Qg2+ 40. Kf6 Qxh1 {(Crouch) White has only perpetual +check.}) 30. Nh2 $2 {An error in reply: Yuferov cracks under the pressure and, +to his misfortune, decides to switch his knight to the blockading square f3 +(although in principle the place for it is at f2 - defending the e4-pawn!).} ({ +It was also bad to play} 30. Be1 $2 Qg5 $1 31. Kf3 Qh5) ({or} 30. Na5 $2 Qh4 $1 +31. Nf2 Qg3+ 32. Kf1 f3) ({while} 30. Nf2 Qg5+ 31. Kf1 Qg3 32. Ra3 f3 33. Ne3 +Rxc1+ 34. Bxc1 Be7 {(Stohl) would have given Black sufficient counterplay.}) ({ +However, with} 30. Kf3 $1 {White could have parried the attack and +strengthened his position:} Bg7 ({the queen on its own cannot do anything -} +30... Qh4 $2 31. Rg1 $1 Qh3+ 32. Ke2 {with the threat of Nf2+ or Ngxe5+}) 31. +-- ({, when in the event of} 31. Rc3 {(Crouch) Black drives the knight to the +edge of the board -} b5 $1 ({not immediately} 31... Qh4 $2 32. Rg1) 32. axb5 +axb5 33. Na3 {(a5)} Rxc3+ 34. Bxc3 Qh4 35. Rg1 Qh3+ 36. Ke2 Kf8 {with equality} +) ({, and therefore it is better to play} 31. Be1 $1 {(defending the h4-square +and vacating d2)} b5 32. axb5 axb5 33. Nd2 Rxc1 34. Rxc1 Qg5 (34... Kf7 35. Ke2 +$1 {and Nh2-f3}) 35. Bf2 {and Rg1, with the hope of successfully regrouping +and exploiting his superiority in number of pieces.})) 30... Qh4 {(9) The +picture has suddenly changed in Black's favour. The bishop on d2 is taking +away this square from the knight, hindering the defence of the weak e4-pawn.} +31. Rc3 $2 {Mistakes come in pairs...} (31. Be1 $2 {is also hopeless in view of +} f3+ $1 32. Nxf3 Qxe4 33. Ncd2 Qe2+ 34. Kh1 ({or} 34. Kg3 Re8 {etc}) 34... +Rxc1 35. Rxc1 e4 {(Crouch)}) (31. Ra3 $2 Qh7) ({but the tension would have +been retained by} 31. Ba5 $1 f3+ 32. Nxf3 Qxe4 33. Ncd2 {, although after} Qg4+ +$1 34. Kf2 Rxc1 35. Rxc1 Qxa4 {Black's chances are clearly better.}) 31... Rc7 +$1 {(8) The decisive manoeuvre: a mating attack on the g-file is threatened.} +32. Rg1 {A sad necessity.} ({If} 32. Kh1 Rg7 33. Rf3 {, then} Qg5 34. Rf2 Qg3 +35. Raf1 Qd3 {and wins (Stohl).}) 32... Rg7+ 33. Kh1 Rxg1+ 34. Kxg1 Qh7 $1 {It +would appear that this 'long' queen move, emphasising the undefended state of +the e4-pawn, was not expected by Yuferov: here he thought for nearly all of +his remaining time before the control.} 35. Bxf4 ({A practical chance - a +sacrifice of the bishop for the sake of saving the e4- and d5-pawns, which +would have fallen in quick succession after} 35. Nf3 Qxe4 36. Kf2 (36. Nb6 Qe2 +$1 {and ...e5-e4}) 36... Qxd5 {(Stohl).}) 35... exf4 36. Nd2 Qd7 {(3) The +queen is carrying out an enormous amount of work: it both attacks the a4-pawn +and keeps an eye on the c-file and the g4-square.} ({However,} 36... Qg7+ 37. +Kf1 Qd4 {(Stohl) was also not bad.}) 37. Rc4 Bg7 {(6)} ({An experienced master +would probably have simply captured the pawn -} 37... Qg7+ $5 38. Kf1 Qxb2 {, +but I was carried away by the idea of activating my bishop to continue the +attack!}) 38. b3 Bd4+ $1 {(11) This unexpected and spectacular check prevents +White from coordinating his pieces.} 39. Kh1 (39. Rxd4 $2 Qg7+ {.}) 39... Bc5 +40. Ndf3 {(there is nothing better)} b5 $1 {(22) I took my time over the last +move before the control. Black breaks up the enemy fortifications on the 4th +rank. --- Here the game was not yet adjourned, since with a time control of 2½ hours for 40 moves I had used just 1 hour 28 minutes, and although I still +had more than an hour in reserve, I continued playing very quickly.} 41. Rc2 ({ +If} 41. axb5 Qxb5 42. Nd2 Be3 43. Nhf3 {Black decides matters with} Bxd2 44. +Nxd2 Qb6 {- Stohl.}) 41... Qe8 {(8) Trying to restrict White's potential +activity;} ({although again it would have been simpler to grab material:} 41... +bxa4 42. Rg2+ Kf8 43. Ng5 (43. bxa4 Qxa4) 43... Ke8 44. Ne6 Qh7 {and wins +(Stohl).}) 42. Rg2+ Kf8 43. Ng5 Qh5 (43... Qe5 $1 {(centralisation!) was more +forceful:} 44. Nhf3 ({or} 44. Rg4 Qa1+ 45. Kg2 Qb2+) 44... Qa1+ 45. Kh2 Qh8+ +46. Nh3 bxa4 47. bxa4 Ke7 48. Nfg5 Qe5 $1 {and wins. However, my plan does not +greatly lengthen the winning procedure.}) 44. Ne6+ Ke7 45. Rg7+ (45. Rg4 f3 $5 +{.}) 45... Kf6 $1 46. Rg4 bxa4 47. bxa4 ({There was similarly little comfort in +} 47. Nxc5 a3 $1) ({or} 47. Rxf4+ Ke7 48. bxa4 Qd1+ {.}) 47... Be3 48. Nxf4 +Bxf4 49. Rxf4+ Ke7 50. Kg2 (50. Rg4 a5 $1 {.}) 50... Qd1 {(7)} 51. Ng4 Qxa4 52. +Ne3 a5 {The outside passed pawn decides the game.} 53. Nf5+ Kd7 54. Rh4 Qc2+ ( +54... Qb4 $1 {was more accurate.}) 55. Kf3 a4 {(10)} 56. Rh7+ Kd8 {Before the +end of the five hour session the players also managed to reach the second time +control!} 57. Ra7 ({It would not have helped to play} 57. Rh6 Qc3+ 58. Kg4 a3 +59. Rxd6+ Kc7 60. Ra6 Qd3 61. d6+ Kb7) ({or} 57. Nxd6 a3 58. Nb7+ Kc8 $1 59. +Nd6+ (59. d6 Qb3+ {and ...Qxb7}) 59... Kb8 60. Rh8+ Ka7 61. Nb5+ Ka6 62. Ra8+ +Kxb5 63. Rxa3 Qd1+ $1 64. Kf2 Qg4 65. Re3 Qf4+ 66. Ke2 Kc4 {, destroying the +fortress.}) 57... Qd3+ 58. Ne3 a3 59. Kf4 Qb3 {(4)} 60. Nf5 Qb2 {. Times: 3. +18-2.30. --- Not a bad win with Black, especially for the starting game. Of +course, with a computer to hand the mutual mistakes are very apparent, but the +character itself of the play - with some Tal-like strokes! - made a great +impression on the public. Later events in the tournament should have shown +whether this was a chance happening (the opponent was successfully caught by +some opening preparation), or indeed the result of creative improvement.} 0-1 + +[Event "22: Sokolsky Memorial, Minsk"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1978.01.09"] +[Round "2"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Roizman, A."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "C61"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "53"] +[EventDate "1978.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In the second round I was tested by the highly experienced Abram Roizman, the +author of some well-known collections of chess miniatures. In a Ruy Lopez he +quickly diverged from the main theoretical paths by choosing the rare Bird +Defence. However, this did not disturb me, and I passed this next test. The +result was in fact almost a miniature, which so appealed to Botvinnik that he +even briefly annotated it for the Yugoslav Informator and a number of Soviet +publications.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 {I did not have any deep +knowledge of the Bird Defence, but here the first few moves for White simply +suggest themselves.} 4. Nxd4 exd4 5. O-O Bc5 ({Avoiding the variation} 5... c6 +6. Bc4 -- (6... Nf6 7. Re1 d6 {(Tsarenkov-Roizman, Moscow 1974), possibly +because of} 8. c3 $1 {.}) ({. And the direct} 6... d5 {(instead of 6...Nf6)} 7. +exd5 cxd5 8. Bb5+ Bd7 9. Re1+ Ne7 {is very risky in view of} 10. c4 $1 a6 {(it +is already hard to offer Black any good advice)} 11. Bxd7+ Qxd7 12. d3 O-O-O $6 +13. Nd2 Kb8 14. b4 $1 {with a winning attack (Kasparov-Khalifman, Moscow +(rapid) 2002).} (14. --))) 6. d3 ({Against Kupreichik (Daugavpils 1978) I +tried the immediate} 6. Bc4 {(with the threat of Bxf7+) and after} d6 {-} 7. b4 +$5 ({instead of the usual} 7. d3) 7... Bb6 ({somewhat sounder than} 7... Bxb4 +8. Qh5 Qd7 9. Bxf7+ $1) 8. a4 a6 (8... a5 $5) 9. d3 Ne7 10. Qh5 O-O 11. Bg5 Be6 +12. Nd2 {with slightly the better game for White, but that was at the finish +of the tournament and I was satisfied with a draw.}) 6... c6 7. Bc4 {(7)} (7. +Ba4 $1 {is considered more unpleasant for Black, and if} Ne7 {, then} (7... d6 +8. f4 f5 $1 {became topical, when it is not clear how White can gain an +advantage (Novik-Meister, 48th USSR Championship, Moscow 1991)}) 8. f4 {with +the threat of f4-f5;} ({the more modest} 8. Nd2 d5 {was played in +Karpov-Kupreichik, 44th USSR Championship, Moscow 1976}) 8... f5 9. Bb3 $1 d5 +10. exd5 Nxd5 11. Re1+ {beginning a direct attack on the king (Kamsky-Ivanchuk, +Tilburg 1990). --- But I withdrew my bishop to c4 without particular +hesitation, since I had already played this, and - more importantly - I +remembered a game recently published in the Riga magazine 'Shakhmaty', where +White quickly advanced e4-e5. This idea was imprinted in my mind, and I +decided to employ it.}) 7... d6 ({Black solves his opening problems with} 7... +d5 $5 {(this has been played several times by Kupreichik and Tseshkovsky, and +back in 1876 - by Henry Bird himself!). However, as I anticipated, in a game +with a junior Roizman was aiming for more complicated play.}) 8. f4 {(3) +'Typical of Kasparov's style: he begins active play at the first opportunity' +(Botvinnik).} ({It would appear that the master was expecting} 8. c3 Nf6 {, as +in my game with Gorelov (Vilnius 1975), where White did not achieve anything +from the opening.}) ({Lothar Schmid's move} 8. Qh5 $5 {is objectively stronger, +but I was aiming for 'the position from the magazine'.}) 8... Nf6 9. e5 {(2)} ( +{This breakthrough, rather than} 9. f5 {, when} d5 $1 10. exd5 cxd5 {is good.}) +({Even so, more chances of an advantage are promised by the developing} 9. Nd2 +{(a move of 1998).}) 9... dxe5 $6 ({Of course, '} 9... Nd5 {was more cautious, +not allowing the opening of the f-file' (Botvinnik). After} 10. Bxd5 cxd5 { +Black has a solid position (Barle-Stoica, Bucharest 1976).}) ({The sharper} +9... Ng4 {is also interesting:} 10. h3 ({it is bad to play} 10. Bxf7+ $2 Kxf7 +11. e6+ Bxe6 12. f5 Qh4 $1 13. fxe6+ Ke7 14. h3 Ne3 {and wins, Bashkov-Meister, +Taby 1991}) 10... -- ({, and now} 10... Ne3 $6 11. Bxe3 dxe3 12. d4 Bb6 13. c3) +({, or} 10... d5 11. hxg4 dxc4 12. Nd2 {(} h5 13. f5 $1 {) is better for White} +) ({, but} 10... Nh6 {(Stohl)} 11. exd6 {(otherwise ...d6-d5)} O-O 12. Nd2 (12. +g4 $5) 12... Bxd6 13. Ne4 Nf5 {is not so clear.})) 10. Bxf7+ $5 {I could not +resist the temptation to land a spectacular blow at this weak point.} ({ +However,} 10. fxe5 $1 Nd5 (10... Bg4 $2 11. Bxf7+) 11. Nd2 {(Stohl) was +stronger, with rapid development and excellent attacking prospects, for +example:} O-O (11... Ne3 $2 12. Bxf7+) 12. Ne4 Be7 13. Qh5 Be6 14. Bg5 Kh8 15. +Rae1 {, and if} Qc7 $2 {, then} 16. Bf6 $1 {. This is why Black should not +have opened the f-file.}) 10... Kxf7 11. fxe5 {'Now Black is deprived of the +right to castle, and White will have the superior pawn formation, but most +importantly - great complications begin. However, Roizman succeeds in +repelling the first onslaught.' (Botvinnik)} Qd5 $1 ({After this Black +practically equalises (in contrast to Stohl's variation} 11... Be7 $6 12. exf6 +Bxf6 13. Bg5 {), and it is comparatively easy for him to defend.}) 12. exf6 +gxf6 13. Nd2 Rg8 {'Black demonstrates that he has his own play - on the +g-file' (Botvinnik). Roizman was apparently relying on this and on his two +bishops, assuming that these factors would fully compensate for the defects of +his pawn structure.} 14. Ne4 Be7 15. Bf4 {(6)} Rg6 16. Qe2 {(13)} (16. Qd2 $5 { +was slightly more accurate - White could have gained a tempo for his +development, since} Bg4 {would not have attacked anything.}) 16... Bg4 17. Qf2 +Rag8 {'Black himself plays for an attack, but he leaves his king in a +dangerous position.} (17... Kg7 {followed by ...Kh8 suggests itself' +(Botvinnik).}) ({Or} 17... Kg8 18. Rae1 Be6 {and ...Re8.}) 18. Rae1 {Also +completing his development. 'White displays enviable coolness: he does not +fear an attack on the g2-pawn, since he can block the g-file with a minor +piece. Therefore Black includes his h7-pawn in the play.' (Botvinnik)} h5 $6 { +Overestimating his attacking possibilities, Roizman forgets about the weakness +of his own king!} ({'After} 18... Kg7 {Black must reckon with the unpleasant} +19. c4 ({or} 19. c3 $5 {.})) ({However,} 18... Be6 $1 {is more in keeping with +the previous move; then} 19. Bg3 h5 20. Qf4 ({the game is also roughly equal +after} 20. Re2 h4 21. Bxh4 Rxg2+ 22. Qxg2 Rxg2+ 23. Rxg2 f5 24. Bxe7 Kxe7 25. +Rg7+ Kd8 26. Rxb7 Qxa2) 20... f5 {gives chances for both sides' (Stohl). Say,} +21. h4 (21. Qc7 Ke8 $1) 21... R8g7 {(with the idea of ...Kg8)} 22. Qb8 Rg8 23. +Qc7 Qd7 {with equality} ({but not now} 23... Ke8 $2 24. Ng5 $1 {. --- It +seemed to Roizman that Black had no serious problems and that he would be able +to play ...Be6 a move later, but my reply threw him into confusion.})) 19. Bg5 +$1 {(9) Blocking the g-file and piling up on the weak f6-point. --- Here my +opponent sank for a long time into agonising thought...} ({'Just when the +opponent was beginning to feel confident, White lands an unexpected blow -} 19. +Bg5 $2 Rxg5 $2 {, fails to} ({or} 19... Bh3 $2 20. Nxf6 $1 {- G.K.}) 20. Nxf6 +$1 {, when Black's position collapses. The insecure position of his king +begins to tell.' (Botvinnik)}) ({The tempting} 19. Bd6 $6 {would have been +much weaker in view of} Be6 $1 20. Bxe7 Rxg2+ 21. Qxg2 Rxg2+ 22. Kxg2 Kxe7 23. +Rxf6 (23. Kg1 Kd8 $1) 23... Qxa2 24. Rh6 Kd8 {, when Black is alright.}) 19... +Qd8 {(67) A psychologically difficult decision - withdrawing the queen from +the centre to the rear.} ({The commentators recommended} 19... Be6 {as the +lesser evil, but then} 20. Kh1 $1 {is strong, for example:} Qd8 ({or} 20... Bh3 +21. Qf3 Be6 22. Bh4) 21. h4 Bg4 22. Ng3 Kg7 23. Bd2 {with the threat of Nf5+ +(and if} Qd7 {, then} 24. Re4 $1 {), and Black has a difficult position.}) 20. +Qf4 {(5) Audaciously leaving the bishop on g5 (from where it can no longer +retreat!).} ({What told was childish euphoria after my previous day's win over +Yuferov - absolute recklessness...} 20. Bh4 $1 {(Stohl)} Be6 21. Ng3 Rg4 22. +Re4 $1 {was better, with a clear advantage: by exchanging a pair of rooks +White relieves the pressure on g2, whereas the f6- and h5-pawns are +chronically weak.}) 20... Be6 ({After} 20... Kg7 $6 {I would have probably +'thought better of it' and played} 21. Bh4 {.}) 21. h4 $5 {(37) 'Burning his +boats behind him - the bishop will have nowhere to go. But what happens next?' +(Botvinnik).} ({The no less garish} 21. Qe5 $5 {also came into consideration - +but after} Bd5 (21... Qd5 $2 22. Bxf6 $1) 22. h4 $1 Kg7 $1 23. Qxd4 Kh7 {Black +somehow holds on.}) ({Therefore the strongest was} 21. g3 $1 {, killing the +counterplay on the g-file and retaining a loophole for the bishop at h4 +(although here White's advantage is not so obvious as after 20 Bh4!).}) 21... +Bd5 ({Moving the bishop out of range (} 21... Kg7 $2 22. Nxf6 {).} ({'Black +evidently suspected that there was only one danger:} 22. Bxf6+ Rxf6 23. Qh6+ $1 +{with irresistible threats. But there now follows a new blow!})) ({The only +possibility of continuing the fight was} 21... Bg4 {' (Botvinnik). And indeed, +after} 22. Nf2 (22. Bh6 Re8 $1) 22... Bd6 (22... Be6 $2 23. Re5 $1) 23. Qd2 Bf5 +24. Ne4 {White's advantage, although enduring, is not so great. However, 21... +Bd5 is also not a bad move.}) 22. g4 $5 {(5) This pawn thrust, immediately +following h2-h4, shook both Roizman and those present in the auditorium: is it +really possible to play like this?! 'A move, shocking in its audacity, and at +the same time logical and highly effective' (Nikitin). 'Played contrary to +routine positional dogmas - White himself opens up the position of his king. +But what is important is that the rook on g6 turns out to be in danger, and +this decides the game' (Botvinnik). --- Alas, here my Teacher was exaggerating: +after the correct reply by the opponent, White would have had nothing decisive. +} ({And, perhaps,} 22. Qe5 {should have been tried - although after} Kg7 $1 23. +Qxd4 Kh7 {Black could still have defended (as after 21 Qe5) and happily +avoided the crushing defeat which he soon suffers. --- I think that after 22 +g4 my opponent literally fell into a stupor and was no longer in a condition +to fight, especially with time-trouble approaching.}) 22... Kg7 $2 {A fatal +mistake.} ({'A belated retreat. If} 22... hxg4 $2 {there would have followed} +23. h5 $1 {.}) ({Black could hardly have prolonged the resistance by} 22... +Bxe4 {on account of} 23. gxh5 -- (23... R6g7 24. Rxe4 {' (Botvinnik).}) ({. It +was also bad to play} 23... Rh6 24. Rxe4 Rxh5 25. Qg4 {etc. (Stohl)}) ({, but} +23... Rxg5+ $1 {was far more resilient:} 24. hxg5 Qd5 $1 {(threatening ... +Rxg5+!)} 25. g6+ Bxg6 26. Rxe7+ Kxe7 27. Qxf6+ Kd7 28. hxg6 Qe6 29. Qf7+ $1 ( +29. Qxd4+ Kc7 {with equality}) 29... Qxf7 30. Rxf7+ Ke6 31. Rxb7 Rxg6+ {with +drawing chances in the rook endgame a pawn down.})) ({True, if} 22... Bxe4 {, +then} 23. Rxe4 $5 hxg4 24. Qe5 {(f5) looks strong.}) ({But it is something +else that is important: Black could simply have defended his attacked h5-pawn +by} 22... Rh8 $1 {. Against this I had prepared} 23. Bxf6 Bxf6 (23... Rxg4+ $2 +24. Qxg4 hxg4 25. Bxe7+ Kxe7 26. Nc5+ $1) 24. g5 Bxe4 25. Rxe4 -- (25... Kg7 { +(?)} 26. Kh2 $1 ({but not} 26. Re6 $2 Re8 $1) 26... Rf8 27. Re6 {, and White +is on the verge of winning.}) ({. However - oh horrors! - the computer move} +25... Rf8 $1 {, pointed out by Stohl in the 21st Century, would have refuted +my idea and led to equality:} 26. -- (26. Rxd4 Qe8 $1 27. Kh2 ({also nothing +is given by} 27. Rd6 Kg7) ({or} 27. Re4 Qd8 $1) 27... Kg7 ({or} 27... Kg8) 28. +gxf6+ Rfxf6 29. Qc7+ Kh6 30. Re4 Qxe4 31. dxe4 Rxf1) (26. Kh2 $2 Kg8 {and wins. +}) (26. Qf5 Kg7 27. Re6 Qd5 $1 28. Qxd5 cxd5 29. Kh1 Rf7 30. gxf6+ Rgxf6 {.}))) +({It is also not possible to find an advantage for White after} 22... Rh8 23. +gxh5 (23. Qe5 hxg4 $1) 23... Rxh5 24. Ng3 ({or} 24. Qg4 Rhh6 25. Ng3 Rh7 26. h5 +Rgg7 27. Qf4 Kg8 $1 28. Rxe7 Rxg5 29. Rxh7 Kxh7) 24... Bd6 ({and} 24... Rh7 25. +h5 {(a variation by Stohl) is highly dubious, since Black does not have the +resource} Rxg5 $2 26. Qxg5 Rg7 {on account of} 27. Rxe7+ $1 Qxe7 28. Qxg7+ Kxg7 +29. Nf5+ {and Nxe7}) ({but on the other hand} 24... Rh8 $1 {is quite suitable +- if now} 25. h5 {, then} Rxg5 $1 26. Qxg5 Rg8 27. Qh4 Bd6 28. Rf4 Bxf4 29. +Qxf4 Qd7 {with equality}) 25. Qxf6+ $1 Rxf6 26. Nxh5 Bh2+ $1 27. Kxh2 Qb8+ 28. +Nf4 Rf5 {is unclear.}) 23. gxh5 {(2)} fxg5 24. Qe5+ Kh6 (24... Rf6 25. Nxf6 +Bxf6 26. h6+ $1 {.}) 25. hxg6 gxh4 26. Rf5 $1 {The most accurate solution.} +Kxg6 {This leads to instant death;} ({but Black would not have saved the game +with} 26... Rxg6+ 27. Kh2 {(f2)}) ({or} 26... Bxe4 27. Rxe4 Rxg6+ 28. Kh2 Bf6 +29. Rxh4+ $1 Kg7 30. Rxf6 Qxf6 31. Qc7+ {, picking up with checks the pawns on +b7 and a7, and then also on d4.}) 27. Kh2 {. My favourite 'Spanish' move, in +this case vacating a square for the rook. In view of unavoidable mate, Black +resigned. --- Times: 1.45-2.16. --- 'A dynamic game!' (Botvinnik). --- This +second crushing win conclusively stifled the gossip on the topic 'why has a +boy been allowed into this strong tournament?' Everyone was intrigued - did I +have sufficient powder in my keg?!} 1-0 + +[Event "23: Sokolsky Memorial, Minsk"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1978.01.11"] +[Round "3"] +[White "Shereshevski, M."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "A48"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "64"] +[EventDate "1978.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In the 3rd round I played Mikhail Shereshevsky, a subtle positional master, +later a well-known trainer, and the author of some interesting books on the +endgame. He treated our game more seriously than my two previous opponents, +and he decided to altogether avoid theoretical debates, trying to outplay his +comparatively inexperienced opponent in a rare opening scheme. This plan +almost succeeded, but at the decisive opponent, when a direct clash ensued, +the master flinched...} 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4 {One of Shereshevsky's two +favourite schemes (the other was 2 Bg5), where subsequently he did not employ +the standard c2-c3 and Nbd2, but the unusual Nc3 - with his pawn on c2!} Bg7 ({ +Against Kagan in the 12th round I played more originally and again 'in +Gligoric style' -} 3... d6 4. e3 Nh5 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 g5 7. Nfd2 Ng7 $1 8. Bg3 +Nf5 {, nevertheless exchanging knight for bishop.}) 4. e3 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. O-O +(6. h3 {would have led to a position from the game Sturua-Kasparov (Riga 1977), +where after} b6 7. O-O c5 8. Nbd2 Ba6 $5 {Black achieved good play. However, +the master has a different idea.}) 6... c5 {(4)} 7. Nc3 {This move somewhat +embarrassed me;} ({everyone almost exclusively played} 7. h3) ({or immediately +} 7. c3 {. The position of the pawn at c2 looks strange, but at least the +knight is developed at an active position.}) 7... b6 {(2)} 8. h3 {Here I +stopped to think: how does Black best complete his development?} Na6 {(13)} ({ +A more committing move than the simple} 8... Bb7 {(hindering d4-d5) and then ...Nbd7 or ...Nc6 (this is what I would probably play now).}) 9. Re1 $6 { +Over-modest, but this 'non-contact battle' was the point of Shereshevsky's +play. 'White chose a waiting opening strategy, denying his energetic opponent +specific targets to attack' (Nikitin).} ({White should have considered the +cramping} 9. d5 $5 Nc7 10. a4 $1 ({but not} 10. e4 b5 $1 11. e5 dxe5 12. Bxe5 +b4) {, although all the same Black has a normal 'Indian' set-up (White has +lost a tempo on e2-e3), and in order to avoid e3-e4 even} 10... Nh5 11. Bh2 f5 +{is possible.}) 9... Nc7 {(9)} 10. Bf1 ({Having said 'A', White must also say +'B', especially as it is now too late for} 10. d5 {because of} b5 $1 {.}) 10... +Bb7 {As a result Black has very comfortable development and the more flexible +position, giving him chances of seizing the initiative. It is now up to White +to devise something.} 11. Bh2 $6 ({Taking into account the further +developments in the game,} 11. Bg3 {was more accurate, and if} Nd7 ({Black +would have had the good reply} 11... cxd4 $5 12. exd4 Ne6) 12. a4 $1 {, then} +Bxf3 13. Qxf3 cxd4 14. exd4 Bxd4 15. Rad1 Ne6 16. Nd5 Bxb2 17. c3 {with sharp +play.}) 11... Nd7 {(13)} ({Here too} 11... cxd4 $5 12. exd4 Ne6 {came into +consideration. But 11...Nd7 seemed far more energetic to me, since it +immediately creates a threat to the d4-pawn.}) 12. a4 $1 {A clever and +provocative reply, the strength of which I underestimated. After sacrificing +the d4-pawn, White obtains appreciable pressure in return. Shereshevsky's +psychological reckoning was correct: it was far more unpleasant for me to +suppress the opponent's initiative than for me myself to attack.} ({Besides,} +12. Be2 Rc8) ({or the 'Sicilian-like'} 12. e4 cxd4 13. Nxd4 Rc8 {would have +been altogether tedious for White.}) 12... Bxf3 ({Perhaps the waiting move} +12... a6 $5 {should have been preferred - to see what White will do next +(which is not very clear). But I played, and quite quickly, as ordained by the +classics: if no immediate danger is apparent, you should capture a pawn! And +the more so if it is a central one...}) 13. Qxf3 cxd4 14. exd4 Bxd4 15. Rad1 +Ne6 {(7)} 16. Bg3 $1 {Both defending the f2-pawn, and possibly including the +bishop in the attack via h4. The position turned out to be very complicated, +and it was unclear to me what Black should play here.} Rc8 {(13)} ({Also in +the event of} 16... Ndc5 17. Bh4 ({or} 17. Nd5 $1 {White has excellent +compensation for the pawn.})) 17. Nd5 $1 {(the sacrifice of a second +infantryman!)} Bxb2 $5 {(45)} ({Of course, not} 17... Rxc2 $2 18. Qe4 {.}) ({ +But also after the cautious} 17... Bg7 18. c3) ({or} 17... Nf6 18. c3 Nxd5 19. +cxd4 Nb4 20. d5 Nc5 21. Qe2 $1 Re8 22. Qd2 a5 23. Bb5 Rf8 24. Bf4 {Black has a +rather unpleasant position and his extra pawn is not felt. Therefore after a +long think - a record one for me in those years - I decided to take a risk.}) +18. c3 {Now the bishop is cut off and White's threats are genuinely dangerous.} +Ne5 $2 {For a long time I considered this to be an excellent move (a queen +sacrifice!) and my trainer Nikitin, annotating the game for ChessBase and his +book, awarded it an exclamation mark. But in fact after it Black is on the +verge of defeat!} ({The unsophisticated} 18... Ba3 {was correct, and although +after the energetic} 19. Bh4 Ne5 20. Qg3 g5 21. f4 $1 {White retains the +initiative, the situation remains double-edged:} Kh8 22. fxe5 Rg8 23. Ba6 Rb8 +24. Kh1 Rg7 25. Ne3 Qg8 26. Nf5 gxh4 27. Qxh4 dxe5 28. Nxg7 Qxg7 {- Black has +two pawns for the exchange and his pieces are active.}) 19. Bxe5 dxe5 20. Rxe5 +$2 ({It stands to reason that} 20. Nf6+ $2 {is weak in view of} exf6 21. Rxd8 +Rfxd8 22. Qxf6 Bxc3 23. Rc1 Bd4 {, when White's f2-point begins to 'creak'.}) ( +20. Re2 {is also unfavourable:} Ba3 21. Nf6+ exf6 22. Rxd8 Rfxd8 23. Qxf6 Bf8 { +(d6) with equality.}) (20. Rd2 $2 Bxc3 $1 {.}) ({However, the unexpected, +typically computer-like 'backwards leap'} 20. Ne3 $1 {would have led to the +trapping of the misplaced bishop:} Qc7 (20... Qe8 $2 21. Bb5) 21. Nc4 Bxc3 ( +21... e4 22. Qe3) 22. Qxc3 {, and the three black pawns are inadequate +compensation for the piece. It would appear that White has a technically won +position.}) 20... Kg7 {(5) After making this prophylactic move, I promptly +offered my opponent a draw, which surprised many people. With time-trouble +imminent (I had about 30 minutes left for 20 moves) I decided that White's +activity fully compensated for the sacrificed pawn and that a draw with Black +after two wins would be an excellent result. --- But, to all appearances, +Shereshevsky interpreted my draw offer as an indication of uncertainty or even +weakness: he immediately launched into an attack - and miscalculated somewhere. +} 21. Nf4 $2 (21. Ne3 $2 Qc7 22. Nc4 {no longer works because of} Ba3 {- the +rook at e5 is attacked.}) ({The best continuation was probably} 21. Ba6 Rc5 ({ +it is also possible to avoid cutting off the bishop's retreat from b2 -} 21... +Rc6 22. Nxe7 Rxc3) 22. Re2 Nc7 $1 23. Ne3 (23. Bb7 $6 Nxd5 24. Rxb2 e6 $1) +23... Qe8 24. Bb5 Nxb5 25. axb5 Bxc3 26. Nd5 {, regaining the material with a +draw:} Qc8 ({or} 26... Qa8 27. Rxe7 Kh8 $1 28. Rxf7 Bg7) 27. Rxe7 Qf5 $1 {.}) +21... Rxc3 $1 {(5) An interposition, which changes the situation in Black's +favour: he wins a pawn and seizes the initiative.} ({Whereas} 21... Qe8 $2 { +would have lost a piece:} 22. Bb5 $1 Rxc3 23. Qe2 Nxf4 24. Qxb2 {(a pin on the +long diagonal!)} Qa8 25. f3 Rfc8 (25... Nxh3+ 26. Kh2 $1) 26. Re3 Nd5 27. Rdd3 +{etc.}) 22. Nxe6+ ({If} 22. Qg4 {, then} Qc8 ({but not} 22... Qc7 $2 23. Rxe6 +$1)) ({The exchanging operation} 22. Rxd8 Rxf3 23. Nxe6+ fxe6 24. Rxf8 Rxf8 25. +Rxe6 {would have led after} Ba3 26. Bb5 Bc5 27. Re2 Rd8 {to a difficult (but +perhaps not lost) endgame where White is a pawn down.}) 22... fxe6 23. Qe2 $2 ( +{If not} 23. Rxd8 $5 Rcxf3 {(cf. above)}) ({then} 23. Qg4 {was correct, +although after} Qc7 {(c8) all the same White is a pawn down and can only pin +his hopes on the opposite-colour bishops.}) 23... Qc7 $1 24. Rxe6 Ba3 $1 { +Beforehand Shereshevsky overlooked this simple defence: it is not just that +White is a pawn down - his f2-point is also catastrophically weak.} 25. Qd2 { +Other moves are no better.} Rf4 $6 {(5) A seemingly logical move. 'The black +heavy pieces have suddenly become amazingly coordinated and effective' +(Nikitin).} ({But later I came to the conclusion that} 25... Rc6 {would have +been simpler, with an extra pawn and an obvious advantage (} 26. Qd4+ Rf6 {).}) +({And only when I was preparing this book, now with the help of a computer, +did I discover a staggering trick -} 25... Rxf2 $5 26. Qxf2 (26. Kxf2 $2 Rc2) +26... Bc5 27. Rd4 Ra3 $3 {(after the a-pawn!)} 28. Kh1 (28. a5 Ra4 $1) 28... +Rxa4 29. Bc4 Ra1+ 30. Bf1 a5 $1 {followed by} 31. -- Rxf1+ 32. Qxf1 Bxd4 {with +three pawns for the exchange and real winning chances.}) 26. Rde1 $2 { +Strangely enough, the 'logical' rook lunge to f4 brought me a quick win: my +opponent simply cracked.} (26. g3 $1 {was necessary, and if} Rxa4 {(?), then} +27. Rde1 $1 {. It is not so easy to see such a quiet move in time-trouble in +the fifth hour of play. White has every chance of saving the game:} a6 ({or} +27... Rc6 28. Qd1 $1 Rc2 29. Qa1+ Kg8 30. R6e3 $1) 28. Qg5 Kh8 29. Rxg6 {. +Therefore Black would have had to retreat - 26...Rf7!, nevertheless retaining +the advantage. --- But Shereshevsky played the immediate 26 Rde1, which +seemingly looks natural: why waste time on g2-g3?}) 26... Rc2 $1 {(2) This +was overlooked by White.} ({Incidentally, here too after} 26... Rxa4 {(?) he +would have been saved by} 27. g3 $1 {as in the previous note, although it +remains an open question how Shereshevsky would have played.} (27. Qg5 $2 Qf4 +$1 {.})) 27. Qd1 (27. Qd3 Bd6 $1 {.}) 27... Qc5 $2 {(5) Again a spectacular, +but second-rate move and, alas, not a 'fearful blow, shattering White's +defences' (Nikitin).} ({Later we discovered some far more convincing ways to +win -} 27... Bd6 $1) ({or} 27... Rcxf2 $1 28. Qa1+ Bb2 $1 29. Rxe7+ Qxe7 30. +Rxe7+ Kh6 {(f6), and there is no way of saving the game.}) ({But not} 27... +Rfxf2 $2 28. Qa1+ {.}) 28. Rxe7+ Kh6 29. R7e2 (29. Qd7 {(launching a desperate +attack)} Qxf2+ 30. Kh2 Bxe7 31. Rxe7 {came into consideration, although after} +Qd4 $1 32. Rxh7+ Kg5 33. Qxd4 (33. Qe7+ $2 Rf6) 33... Rxd4 34. Rxa7 Rdd2 { +White has a difficult ending.}) 29... Rxf2 30. Kh1 $2 {The final mistake.} ({ +The only chance was} 30. Rxc2 Rxc2+ 31. Kh1 {, when Black would have had to +overcome considerable technical difficulties: the attack peters out, and left +on the board are opposite-colour bishops with their drawing tendencies.}) 30... +Rfxe2 $1 {(2)} 31. Bxe2 (31. Rxe2 Rc1 32. Qd2+ Qg5 33. Qxg5+ Kxg5 34. Rf2 Bc5 +35. Rf7 Ra1 36. Kh2 h5 $1 {was also hopeless. 'White does not want to go down +on his knees and he dies standing up' (Nikitin). By allowing a genuine +knock-out blow...}) 31... Qf2 $1 32. Kh2 Qf4+ {. Times: 2.20-2.23. --- My +third successive win made an even greater impression. Unexpectedly I became +the tournament leader! I remember how on the tram on the way back from the +game I was discussing variations with my opponent, and Shereshevsky asked me +in surprise: 'Listen, but how did you contrive not to win the world under-17 +championship?!'} (32... -- {But in the 4th round I lost with Black to Dydyshko, +and I was immediately caught by five players, including Lutikov. However, the +grandmaster was not in the lead for long: soon he fell away, after losing in +the 7th round to the second favourite - Kupreichik (who had started sluggishly +with four draws). Whereas I scored another three successive wins - over +Kapengut, Veremeichik and Begun, reached 6 out of 7 and again assumed the sole +lead, this time to the end of the tournament. --- From the press: 'After +Kasparov won yet another game, one of the spectators said despairingly: +"Somehow in Belorussia we've forgotten how to play. Our masters are losing to +a boy." Standing alongside, the normally taciturn Latvian master Yanis Klovans +could not refrain from responding: "There's no need for you to be upset. +You'll very soon be hearing about this boy".'}) (32... -- {In the 8th round I +made a short draw with Black against Zakharov. But in the 9th, against the +local candidate master Valery Smirnov, in the most vexing fashion I let my +opponent off the hook, and for a long time I could not forgive myself. A few +moves before the time control I had a completely won endgame, but while I was +strolling about on the stage, Albert Kapengut amicably whispered in my ear +that awaiting me in the hotel was the second volume of The Count of Monte +Cristo (the book had been brought by a relative of Kapengut - Tamara Golovey). +I was so overjoyed that I immediately began to 'flounder', and instead of an +elementary win the result was a draw. --- True, the following day I won +against Lyuboshits and, with 8 points out of 10, I was able to maintain the +high tempo adopted at the start. Of great importance for the outcome of the +tournament was the result of the 11th round game with my main pursuer - +Kupreichik, who had now warmed up. It was adjourned in an ending with some +advantage for my eminent opponent, but I managed to gain a draw. Then in the +12th round I defeated Kagan and five rounds before the finish I had achieved +the cherished master norm - 9½ points!}) (32... -- {This greatly exceeded +our initial plan. Alexander Nikitin recalls: 'Before the tournament I +suggested to Garry the following "optimal" spread of results, which would take +him slightly over the master norm: 1) A cautious start (3½ out of 6) - he +needed to become accustomed to the completely new atmosphere of a fierce, +purely adult event; 2) A vigorous middlegame, which would determine overall +success; 3) A restrained finish (2½ out of 5) - it was not known how Garry +would stand up to the rigours of 17 games. --- 'However, his very first games +staggered everyone - the fans, trainers and, above all, the players themselves. +The tournament immediately became a notable event in the sporting life of the +city. Spectators came along to see Kasparov. The play of the young man from +Baku was distinguished by its unusual freshness and a kind of mysterious +strength. The clever manoeuvres of his pieces literally caused the heads of +his opponents to spin. He conducted the event in inspired fashion...'}) (32... +-- {In the 13th round I made a quick draw with Klovans, and then I won against +Mariasin and Litvinov - 12 out of 15! The second-placed Kupreichik was 1½ +points behind. But in the 16th, penultimate round he defeated Smirnov, whereas +I lost ignominiously to Mochalov (what evidently told was the accumulated +psychological fatigue). And the competitive situation suddenly sharpened: now +the leaders were separated by just half a point.}) 0-1 + +[Event "24: Sokolsky Memorial, Minsk"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1978.02.02"] +[Round "17"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Lutikov, A."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "A41"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "113"] +[EventDate "1978.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{Everything was decided by the last round. There was no doubt that Kupreichik +would beat the outsider Lyuboshits - and he won. Thus in order to occupy sole +first place I needed to win 'to order' against Lutikov - my first one-to-one +game with a grandmaster! His best chess years may have been behind him, but +his enormous experience made him a very dangerous opponent... I didn't know +exactly what I would do, and I simply went along to play 'good' chess: I had +already become a master, and now I wanted to win the tournament. It is hardly +surprising that this far from faultless game is one that I have remembered all +my life.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d6 ({The King's Indian move} 2... g6 {is more +flexible, since the d7-pawn retains freedom of choice (} 3. Nc3 d5 $1 {), +whereas now White acquires an additional opportunity to fight for the centre +with e2-e4. But the 'sideways' move chosen by Lutikov is not really so bad: +Black wants in the first instance to solve the problem of developing his +queen's bishop.}) 3. Nc3 Bg4 ({Subtlety against subtlety: Black avoids the +Pirc-Ufimtsev Defence (} 3... g6 4. e4 Bg7 {)}) ({or the Philidor Defence (} +3... Nbd7 4. e4 e5 {), against which I did not object.}) (3... Bf5 4. Nh4 Bd7 { +is also interesting (Azmaiparashvili-Lutikov, Kutaisi 1978).}) 4. e4 {Already +a turning-point in the game!} Nbd7 $2 {Either carelessness, or provocation: +after all, to try and refute the opponent's risky idea I was obliged to decide +on the sharp advance of my e-pawn, in a situation where I could not afford to +lose. --- Meanwhile, as has been known since the start of the last century, +Black has two comparatively sound continuations:} (4... c6 {(a compatriot of +Lutikov, the Moldovan master Chebanenko, was a great expert on this variation)} +5. h3 Bh5 ({Petrosian upheld} 5... Bxf3 6. Qxf3 Nbd7 7. Be3 e6 {and ...d6-d5}) +6. Bd3 e6 7. Qe2 d5 {, and Black has an acceptable game (Deep Blue-Kasparov, +4th match game, New York 1997)}) (4... e6 5. Be2 ({or} 5. h3 Bh5 6. Qe2 $5 a6 +$5 7. g4 Bg6 8. h4 h5 9. g5 Nfd7 {with sharp play (Su.Polgar-Anand, Amsterdam +1990)}) 5... Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Be3 (7. h3 Bh5 8. Be3 c6 {and ...d6-d5 leads to +variation 'a', Ponomariov-Grischuk, 2nd match game, Khanty-Mansiysk 2005}) 7... +Nbd7 8. Nd2 Bxe2 9. Qxe2 c5 {with a solid position (Kasparov-Short, 5th rapid +match game, London 1987). --- This rare, somewhat passive set-up still +attracts Black, since it enables him to avoid the well-studied main opening +lines. However, the move 4...Nbd7?, which was quickly made by Lutikov, allows +a very dangerous breakthrough in the centre. Initially I even did not believe +my eyes! But, after calculating some simple variations, I accepted the +challenge.}) 5. e5 $1 {(2)} Ng8 ({Black is forced to retreat, since} 5... dxe5 +6. dxe5 Bxf3 7. Qxf3 Nxe5 8. Qxb7 {is unacceptable for him.}) 6. h3 Bxf3 ({If} +6... Bh5 {both} 7. g4 Bg6 8. h4 ({and the immediate} 8. e6 $1 fxe6 9. Ng5 {are +good, when Black's position is unenviable}) {, with the idea of} 8... h5 9. e6 +$1 {.}) 7. Qxf3 c6 {It is apparent that White has already achieved much, but +what next?} 8. Bf4 {(6) With the intention of provoking ...d6-d5 and only +then carrying out the impeding pawn sacrifice e5-e6, although now it is no +longer so effective - Black has gained a respite.} ({Therefore serious +consideration should have been given to opening up the game by} 8. exd6 $5 exd6 +(8... e6 9. Bf4 {- cf. the following note}) 9. d5 ({or} 9. Bf4 {and 0-0-0 with +a powerful initiative.})) 8... d5 {Falling in with my idea.} ({After both} 8... +dxe5 9. dxe5 e6 10. O-O-O) ({and} 8... e6 9. exd6 Ngf6 (9... Ndf6 $6 10. d5 $1) +10. Be2 Nb6 11. Qg3 Qd7 ({or} 11... Nfd5 12. Nxd5 Nxd5 13. Be5 f6 14. c4 $1 { +White also has an obvious advantage}) 12. O-O O-O-O 13. Be5 Bxd6 14. Qxg7 {.}) +9. e6 $1 {Otherwise ...e7-e6.} fxe6 10. Bd3 {(3)} Ngf6 11. Qe2 {(2) For the +moment Black's extra pawn is only hindering his development, and it is +obviously doomed.} g6 {A sensible move.} ({The attempt} 11... Qb6 12. O-O-O +O-O-O {(?)} 13. Qxe6 Qxd4 {(?) would be refuted by the pretty but routine +stroke} 14. Qxc6+ $1 bxc6 15. Ba6# {.}) 12. Qxe6 Bg7 13. O-O $6 {(2) A +questionable and rather flippant decision - White thinks that all roads lead +to Rome. I judged that the opponent's defences would not be cracked by crude +pressure on the e-file, I was outlining a pawn offensive on the queenside, and +therefore I hid my king on the opposite wing.} ({However,} 13. O-O-O $1 {was +both more logical, and stronger - after} Nh5 14. Bg5 {(h2) White would have +retained an obvious advantage.}) 13... Nh5 14. Bg5 $2 {(5) When I played 13 +0-0 I was intending this active bishop move, assuming, mainly on general +grounds, that it would be difficult for Black to decide on 14...Bxd4.} ({Of +course, the pawn should have been defended -} 14. Be3 {, still with the better +chances.}) 14... Nf8 $2 {Lutikov took me 'at my word' and played this without +calculating the variations. But this is a serious mistake, leading to a +difficult position.} ({After the cool-headed} 14... Bxd4 $1 {Black could have +repelled the attack.} 15. -- ({. At the board I was naively hoping that in the +variation} 15. Nxd5 {(?)} cxd5 16. Bb5 -- (16... Nhf6 {(?)} 17. Rad1 {the +white rooks would find suitable employment on the central files}) ({, but in +home analysis I found} 16... a6 $5 17. Rae1 axb5 18. Bxe7 Qb6 19. Qxd5 Be5 $1 { +, when it is now White who has to display exceptional resourcefulness:} 20. +Rxe5 Nxe5 21. Bc5 $1 Qc6 22. Qxe5+ Kf7 23. Qe7+ Kg8 24. Rd1 Qe8 $1 25. Qxb7 { +with a mass of pawns for the rook and an unclear game.} (25. --)) ({. But +later it transpired that after} 16... Bf6 $1 {White does not have compensation +for the piece.})) ({. Obviously, instead of 15 Nxd5? the simple} 15. Rfe1 {is +correct, for example:} Bf6 16. Bxf6 Nhxf6 (16... Ndxf6 $2 17. g4) 17. Na4 { +with quite good play for the pawn, but - within the bounds of equality (} Rf8 +18. c4 Rf7 {etc.).})) 15. Qg4 Nf6 ({Or} 15... Bf6 16. Rae1 {.}) 16. Qe2 Qd6 17. +Rae1 {(4) Black's forces are still scattered, his development is incomplete, +and the threat of trouble along the e-file has by no means disappeared. The +problem of deploying the rooks was solved very simply by White: after the pawn +advance f2-f4-f5 the opening of the f-file is very much a reality, and +therefore the rooks stand best at e1 and f1.} e6 {Black prevents the advance +of the white f-pawn, but at the same time he condemns himself to passive +defence, by denying himself the resource ...Ne6.} ({However,} 17... Kf7 18. Bh4 +$1 Ne6 ({if} 18... Re8 {with the idea of 19 Bg3 Qb4, then} 19. Qe3 $1) 19. Bg3 +Qd7 (19... Nxd4 $2 20. Qe3 Qb4 21. a3) 20. Be5 {looks dangerous for him - +f2-f4-f5 is threatened.}) 18. Na4 {(5) In this way White opens a second front +on the queenside, trying also there to create targets to attack.} (18. Qe3 $5 { +was also good, retaining various possibilities.}) 18... Kf7 19. b4 b6 ({Not} +19... Qxb4 $2 20. Nc5 {.}) 20. Qd2 {(3)} Re8 ({In the event of} 20... N8d7 21. +Bf4 Qe7 22. Re3 Rhe8 23. Rfe1 {White would have combined pressure on the +e-file with the threat of opening the game on the queenside.}) 21. Bf4 {To +where should the queen move?} Qe7 ({In the event of} 21... Qd7 {, apart from +my earlier recommendation} 22. c4 {, White also has two other strong +possibilities:} ({the prophylactic} 22. Bh2 $5 {with the idea of} c5 23. Nc3 $1 +) ({and the combinative} 22. b5 $5 cxb5 23. Nc3 a6 24. a4 b4 $1 25. Ne2 a5 26. +Bb5 {, winning the exchange, and then, most probably, also the game.})) 22. b5 +(22. Re3 $5 {also suggests itself.}) 22... Qa3 {A difficult choice: at e7 the +queen was preventing the other black pieces from regrouping.} ({After} 22... c5 +{I was planning} 23. dxc5 bxc5 24. c4 {, and if} d4 {, then} 25. Re2 {and Rfe1, +increasing the pressure.}) 23. Nc3 c5 24. Nb1 $1 {(2) The return home of the +knight is perhaps the strongest move in its career (a similar manoeuvre was +familiar to me from the Sicilian). It transpires that the black queen's sortie +to a3 has not prevented the opening of the centre.} Qa4 ({If} 24... Qb4 {, then +} 25. c3 $1 {is good;} ({but not} 25. Qxb4 $6 cxb4 26. Bd6 {, as given in 'The +Test of Time', because of} N6d7 $1 27. Bxb4 Bxd4) 25... Qa5 26. Qb2 {, and the +black queen suffers a sad fate}) ({while after} 24... Qxa2 $2 25. Nc3 {it is +altogether trapped.}) 25. dxc5 bxc5 26. c4 $1 {(of course!)} N8d7 (26... dxc4 +$2 {is not possible because of} 27. Nc3) ({while after} 26... d4 27. Qe2 ({or} +27. Bc7 {Black's queen is again incarcerated and his position is very +difficult.})) 27. Nc3 {(4)} Qa5 28. Qc2 ({The flamboyant} 28. Ne4 $5 Qxd2 29. +Ng5+ Kg8 30. Bxd2 {would have given an overwhelming advantage, but I did not +want to exchange the queens. White's problem is that he has many tempting +moves, but he still has to win the game, i.e. overcome certain difficulties.}) +28... Qd8 {There is not now anything for the queen to do on its own wing.} ( +28... e5 $2) ({or} 28... Nb6 $2 {was bad because of} 29. Bd2 $1) ({but} 28... +Rd8 {and ...Rhe8 deserved some consideration.}) 29. Bg5 {(13)} Nb6 30. a4 $1 { +(4)} dxc4 ({The threat of the a-pawn's further advance does not allow Black +time to regroup, e.g.} 30... Qc7 31. cxd5 exd5 ({or} 31... Nfxd5 32. Ne4 c4 33. +a5 cxd3 34. Qxc7+ Nxc7 35. Nd6+ {etc}) (31... Nbxd5 $2 32. Bc4 $1) 32. a5 Nbd7 +33. Nxd5 Nxd5 34. Bc4 {.}) 31. Be4 Re7 ({If} 31... Rhf8 {the most decisive was +probably} 32. Bc6 $5 Qd3 33. Qc1 $1 Rd8 34. a5 Nbd5 35. Nxd5 {with the ideas +of Re3-f3 and b5-b6.}) 32. a5 {(4)} ({Here too} 32. Bc6 $5 {(} Qd3 33. Qc1 $1 { +) was good}) ({as well as} 32. Rd1 Rd7 33. Bc6) ({or} 32. Re3 {.}) 32... Nbd7 +33. Bc6 {(8)} ({The solid} 33. Qa4 {was also possible, but I was already +looking for decisive continuations.}) 33... Nb8 ({The pawn capture} 33... Qxa5 +{would have been suicidal in view of} 34. Ne4 (34. Re3 $5) 34... Nxe4 35. Bxe7 +(35. Qxe4 {is also not bad}) 35... Nd2 36. Bg5 $1 Nxf1 37. Qd1 $1 {with +crushing threats.}) 34. Rd1 {(7)} ({Although} 34. Re3 Qxa5 $6 35. Rf3) ({or} +34. Ne4 Qxa5 $6 35. Nd6+ {would also have been decisive, I continued playing +in my usual style. The pawn sacrifice was not essential, but it appealed to me! +}) 34... Qxa5 35. Ne4 Rf8 {At last the h8-rook has come into play, making way +for the king to go to g8. Black has acquired a real prospect of consolidating +his position, while White is restoring the material balance. But here I +noticed a drawback to the placing of the black rooks.} 36. Bf4 $1 {(11) Like +a pendulum, the white bishop has been oscillating throughout the game between +f4 and g5, each time further disrupting the opponent's defences. This last +oscillation makes Black's position critical. Since 36...e5? is not possible +because of 37 Qxc4+, he is forced to allow the invasion of the white pieces.} ( +{Even now I am proud of the elegant bishop move, although the computer +suggests the 'inflexible'} 36. Nd6+ Kg8 37. Nxc4 Qc7 38. Rd6 Nbd7 ({or} 38... +Nxc6 39. bxc6) 39. Rfd1 Nb6 40. Be3 {and wins. The winning method chosen by me +is more human: there is no reason to drive the black king into a safe shelter.} +) 36... Nxc6 37. bxc6 Ne8 $6 {In defending the d6-square, Black allows a +tactical stroke.} (37... Nxe4 38. Qxe4 Rc8 {, was somewhat more resilient, but +here White would have concluded the fight by} ({not} 38... Bd4 39. Bd6) 39. Bg5 +$1 Bf6 (39... Ree8 40. Rd7+ Kg8 41. Bd2 $1 {with the threat of Rxg7+}) 40. Bxf6 +Kxf6 41. Qh4+ Kf7 42. Qxh7+ Kf6 43. Qh4+ Kf7 44. Rd6 ({or} 44. Rfe1 {, and the +heavy piece attack is irresistible.})) 38. Rd7 $1 {(5)} Rxd7 39. cxd7 Nf6 40. +Nd6+ (40. Ng5+ {and Qxc4 was more energetic.}) 40... Ke7 41. Nxc4 Qa6 42. Bd6+ +Kxd7 43. Bxf8 (43. Qe2 $1 {(threatening Ne5+)} Qa4 {(b7)} 44. Bxf8 Bxf8 45. Re1 +{would have won more quickly.}) 43... Bxf8 {Despite the nominal material +equality (two pawns for the exchange), Black's position is lost: it is +impossible for him to defend his king and preserve all his weak pawns.} 44. +Qd3+ (44. Rd1+ $5 {.}) 44... Ke7 (44... Nd5 $2 45. Ne5+) (44... Ke8 {(c7)} 45. +Rb1 {etc. is also insufficient.}) 45. Rd1 (45. Rb1 $5 {.}) 45... Nd5 46. Qe4 +Kf7 (46... Nc3 $2 47. Qh4+ {.}) 47. Ne5+ Kg8 48. Nd7 $1 {An accurate move to +decide proceedings.} c4 49. Rb1 {(with an unavoidable invasion)} Qd6 50. Rb7 { +(2)} ({Black parries the threat of Rb8, and in passing he sets the 'trap'} 50. +Nxf8 Nc3 $5 (50... Kxf8 51. Qxc4 {is hopeless}) 51. Qa8 $1 {(into which White +could well have fallen)} Nxb1 52. Nxe6+ Kf7 53. Ng5+ Ke7 54. Qb7+ {and Qxb1, +winning. But since, in the heat of the battle, we had rushed past the time +control, and neither of us was taking the initiative in adjourning the game, I +followed another path, planned beforehand, where it was the activity of the +rook that nevertheless decided matters.}) 50... c3 51. Nxf8 Kxf8 52. Rxh7 Qf4 { +By the threat of perpetual check Black exchanges the queens and saves himself +from a mating attack, but not from defeat.} 53. Qxf4+ (53. Qb1 Nb4 54. g3 c2 +55. Qxc2 $1 {was also good.}) 53... Nxf4 54. Kf1 a5 55. Ra7 Nd5 56. Rxa5 Kf7 ({ +With a final trap -} 56... Kf7 57. Ke2 Nf4+ 58. Kf3 $4 c2 59. Rc5 Nd3 $1 60. +Rxc2 Ne1+ {, and it is Black who wins, but...}) 57. g3 {. Times: 2.07-2.29. +--- This first tournament win over a grandmaster also brought me my first +triumph in adult chess. By confidently taking first place in a strong field +and surpassing the master norm by 3½ points, I also reached a new level in +public perception. As Botvinnik commented, this was the greatest success ever +achieved by such a young player in the Soviet Union! The newspapers began +writing about me, many chess fans took an interest in my play, and I acquired +an army of supporters. Not for nothing did the chairman of the Belorussian +Chess Federation state at the closing ceremony: 'We hope that Kasparov will +return here, in order to get even with Mochalov and Dydyshko!'} (57. -- {From +the newspaper Sovietsky sport: 'The eighth Sokolsky Memorial was a particular +success. The fighting intensity was unusually high: out of 153 games, only 60 +ended in a draw. The hero of the tournament was the USSR junior champion Garik +Kasparov from Baku. As it turned out, it was not the masters who tested the +schoolboy, but the schoolboy who gave lessons to the masters! In his play one +senses the influence of ex-champion Botvinnik, who already for several years +has been advising the young player from Baku.' --- At that same time, on the +eve of the Karpov-Korchnoi world championship match (Baguio 1978), the +newspaper Sotsialisticheskaya industriya [Socialist Industry] wrote: 'Karpov +has every reason to hope for a favourable outcome to this encounter. But some +time will pass, and he will have to battle against new challengers. Who are +they? It is probable that the dangerous rivals to the present world champion +are among those who today are 15-16 years old... Some three years ago a +talented young player from Baku, Garry Kasparov, first drew attention. Two +years running he won the title of USSR junior champion. "In the hands of such +youths is the future of chess", Botvinnik spoke about his pupil. Very recently +an important landmark in Kasparov's career was reached - he became a master. +In the tournament table he had 13 points! The quality of his games is also +staggering.'}) (57. -- {Botvinnik: 'The fact that Garik may develop into a +world-class player is something I have been convinced about for a long time. +But the skill is to steer him towards this cautiously, by degrees. When we +were sure that he was capable of withstanding great stress, we decided to test +his capabilities in more serious tournaments. In Minsk he performed simply +excellently, demonstrating by his victory that he is quite ready to be +elevated to the master rank. He also had the moral right to this earlier, when +for the second successive time he won the junior championship of the country. +Now he has also gained the juridical right to this.' --- Valery Asriyan: 'In +January 1978 I began working for the Azerbaijan Information Agency and in the +performance of my duties I had far more frequent contact with Kasparov than +before. Precisely at that time the Sokolsky Memorial took place in Minsk. +Garik played brilliantly... I regularly phoned Minsk and, as soon as news of +Kasparov's success became known, I passed on the information to TASS under the +heading "The youngest master", since Garik had become the youngest chess +master in the world'.}) (57. -- {That is how this unforgettable tournament +concluded, for me a genuinely momentous one. Directly from Minsk I hastened to +the Botvinnik School, where my strict mentor offered words not only of +congratulation. At that same session Mikhail Moiseevich for the first time +invited me to be his assistant. I was filled with a feeling of pride - it +meant that I was already able in some way to help the great Botvinnik. --- +Nikitin: 'Garry reported back on his accomplishment, and at the same time, in +place of Dvoretsky, who had left the school, he performed the duties of +assistant - at a session where half of the pupils were older than him. I am +not sure that this was a pedagogically correct move by the ex-champion. To +push the self-assertion of the newly-fledged master was risky. However, the +teacher had conclusively broken off with his previous assistant and he decided +to show that he could also conduct lessons without him. Which he did. One +session, which, as it turned out, was the last one.' --- Unfortunately, the +school closed due to the removal of financial support, and its work was +renewed only eight years later, when I became world champion, now as the +'Botvinnik-Kasparov School'.}) 1-0 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Smile of Fortune"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2009.12.07"] + +{All-union Qualifying Tournament (Daugavpils, 27th June - 16th July 1978): 1. +Kasparov and 2. I.Ivanov - 9 out of 13; 3-7. Kupreichik, Mikhalchishin, +Kapengut and Tseshkovsky - 8½; 8-13. Alburt, Makarychev, Dolmatov, +Rashkovsky, Lerner and Palatnik - 8 etc. (altogether - 64 participants, +including 7 grandmasters, 9 international masters and 42 masters).} 1. -- { +After my victory in Minsk, some said that the tournament was not a significant +one, whereas coming up in the summer was the all-union qualifier for the next +men's USSR Championship - that would indeed be a serious test! I gained the +right to play in it thanks to my successes in junior events. The tournament +was held on the currently fashionable Swiss system, then very rare in +high-level competitions, which allows qualifiers to be quickly selected from a +large number of contestants. Here there were 64, and only the winner would go +through directly into the Premier League, while the next six would have to +play again in the First League. So that for everyone there were seven +qualifying places, plus one or two reserve places, and no cash prizes! --- +Botvinnik very much disliked Swiss tournaments and thought that it was harmful +for me to play in such 'lotteries': it is difficult to prepare beforehand (it +is not known who you will be paired against), and express preparation before +games is chaotic. The maestro said to Nikitin: 'Neither I, nor your beloved +Fischer played in such tournaments, but this did not prevent us becoming world +champions'. Botvinnik even suggested to the Sports Committee that they should +make a 'castling' move - send me instead of Artur Yusupov to the Amsterdam IBM +'B' Tournament with a grandmaster norm, and, by contrast, include Yusupov in +the all-union qualifying tournament (although Artur, as world junior champion, +already had the right to play in the First League!). Fortunately, this did not +happen... --- In the end Botvinnik reconciled himself to my participation in +the unusually strong Swiss tournament, which was to start at the end of June +in the Latvian town of Daugavpils. It was my mother who persuaded him to +'forgo his principles'; in the words of Nikitin, 'her diplomatic skill had an +irresistible effect on Mikhail Moiseevich'. After this the Teacher severely +asked me whether I was hoping to finish among the leading places in Daugavpils. +I gave a vague reply. Then he said that with such a mood there was no point in +going to the tournament, which was to be held on the Swiss system and would be +ineffective as a training event.} (1. -- {Well, the audacious thought of +qualifying for the First League did occur to me, of course. I prepared very +thoroughly with Nikitin and Shakarov: we worked a great deal on both the +opening and the endgame, we studied the origin of my mistakes, and we also +tried to solve psychological problems. Before the tournament I was in a +fighting mood and I sensed that I was capable of a new qualitative leap. Now I +was no longer a 'dark horse', as in Minsk, and the other players were rather +wary of me, but the line-up of the qualifying tournament in Daugavpils was far +more impressive: the most promising young players and some fifteen chess +die-hards, battle-hardened in high-level battles. Therefore initially my +trainers set me a comparatively modest objective - to score 'plus two', and in +the first half of the tournament I played quietly. --- At the start I was +paired against the talented 24-year old Chelyabinsk player Alexander Panchenko, +the USSR young masters champion, who was soon to become a grandmaster and +later a well-known trainer and the author of some substantial chess books (see +the following game).}) * + +[Event "25: All-Union Qualifier, Daugavpils"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1978.06.28"] +[Round "1"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Panchenko, A."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "B67"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "69"] +[EventDate "1978.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. e4 {At that time this was my main move - I was only just becoming +accustomed to 1 d4.} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 ({One of +Panchenko's favourite set-ups, along with the Chelyabinsk Variation (} 5... e5 +{).}) 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O Bd7 9. f4 (9. f3 {was also fashionable, but +I didn't play that.}) 9... b5 10. Nxc6 {(7)} ({Nowadays the main line is} 10. +Bxf6 gxf6 {.}) 10... Bxc6 11. Bd3 {(6) Natural development;} ({although} 11. +Qe3 {(e1) has also been employed.}) 11... Be7 12. e5 (12. Qe1 Nd7 $1 {is +ineffective for White (Browne-Tukmakov, Hastings 1972/73; Mecking-Polugayevsky, +6th match game, Lucerne 1977)}) ({while after} 12. Rhe1 O-O 13. e5 dxe5 14. Qf2 +{there is an interesting queen sacrifice -} h6 $5 {(Karpov-Tal, 44th USSR +Championship, Moscow 1976).}) 12... dxe5 13. fxe5 Nd7 ({(White has more +chances after} 13... Nd5 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Ne4 {, J.Polgar-Dreev, Linares 1997) +}) 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Be4 $5 {An old sacrifice of the central pawn. --- This +novelty was still awaiting its hour, but Panchenko had also prepared something: +he decided to 'treat himself' to the e5-pawn, relying on his resourcefulness +in defence.} (15. Qf4 Nc5 16. Ne4 Bxe4 17. Bxe4 Rc8 {is too harmless +(Mecking-Polugayevsky, 8th match game, Lucerne 1977).}) ({Both players had +aimed for this position, having in mind the game Kasparov-Yermolinsky +(Leningrad 1977), where after the cautious} 15. Be4 Qc5 $5 16. Rhe1 Ra7 $6 ( +16... Rc8 $1 {has also been analysed}) 17. -- (17. Bxc6 $6 Qxc6 {Black easily +solved his opening problems.}) ({. But in a 'debriefing' at home I had found +an improvement -} 17. b4 $1 {. This looks risky (the king is exposed), but it +creates unpleasant pressure:} Qb6 (17... Qc4 $2 18. Qe3) 18. Qd6 ({or} 18. Qf4 +O-O 19. Rd6 {etc.}) ({but not} 18. Qg5 $6 O-O 19. Rd6 Qf2 $1 {with equality, +Salov-Yermolinsky, Yurmala 1983.}))) 15... Bxe4 (15... Rc8 $6 16. Bxc6 Rxc6 17. +Ne4 Nxe5 {is weaker because of} 18. Nd6+ Kf8 19. Rhe1 $1 {with an enduring +initiative for White:} f6 ({if} 19... Ng6 $2 20. Nf5 $1) ({while if} 19... Nc4 +{, then} 20. Nxc4 bxc4 21. Qd8+ Qe8 22. Rd6 $5) 20. Nxb5 $1 axb5 21. Rxe5 $1 +fxe5 22. Qd8+ Qxd8 23. Rxd8+ Kf7 24. Rxh8 Kg6 ({or} 24... Rd6 25. Rxh7 e4 26. +Rh4 $1) 25. Rb8 Rc5 26. Kd2 {(Sax-Kozul, Radenci 1998).}) ({But the pawn could +have been taken immediately -} 15... Nxe5 {.} 16. -- ({. After this there +would not have followed} 16. Bxc6+ $2 Nxc6 17. Nd5 Qb7 $1 {(Khasin-Taimanov, +23rd USSR Championship, Leningrad 1956)}) ({, and not} 16. Qf4 Bxe4 $1 17. Qxe5 +Bg6 18. Qxg7 Qg5+ (18... Qf8 {has also been played}) 19. Rd2 Ke7 20. h4 Qe3 21. +Rh3 Qf4 (21... Qg1+ $2 22. Rd1 {, Solak-Ivanesevic, Petrovac 2004}) 22. Rf3 +Rhg8 $1 {with equality}) ({, but most probably} 16. Qd4 $1 -- ({, since} 16... +Qg5+ $2 17. Kb1 Rd8 18. Qc5 {(Gligoric)} (18. --)) (16... Qc7 $2 17. Bxc6+ Nxc6 +18. Qxg7) ({, and} 16... f6 $2 17. Qxe5 $1 fxe5 18. Bxc6+ Kf7 19. Rd7 {are all +bad for Black}) ({, all that remains for him is} 16... Bxe4 17. Nxe4 {, +transposing into a position from the game.}))) 16. Nxe4 Nxe5 {Here I thought +for a long time - this line was unknown to me. It is clear that White has +excellent compensation for the pawn: the black king will be prevented from +castling and for a long time the rook at h8 will be shut in the corner. +However, it is necessary to act energetically.} 17. Qd4 {(22)} (17. Qc3 {is +also interesting:} f6 18. Nd6+ Kf8 19. Rd4 g6 {weakening the f6-point;} ({ +according to Stohl,} 19... h6 20. Nc8 Qe8 21. Nd6 Qe7) ({or} 19... h5 $5 {is +safer}) 20. Nc8 {(Sutovsky-Blehm, Ohrid 2001), but after Gofshtein's suggestion +} Qb7 $1 21. Rf4 Kg7 22. Rxf6 Nd3+ $1 23. Qxd3 Qxg2 {Black holds on.}) 17... f6 +18. Nd6+ Kf8 19. Rhf1 {(6)} ({After} 19. Rhe1 {Black has time to make a 'vent +hole' for his rook -} h5 $1 20. a4 h4 21. h3 Rh5 {with good play +(Aseev-Yermolinsky, Vilnius 1984).}) 19... Kg8 ({One does not want to move the +knight from its strong position at e5, but nevertheless} 19... Nf7 20. Qb6 (20. +Qe4 $6 Rd8) (20. Ne4 Rc8 $1) 20... Nxd6 (20... Rd8 $2 21. Ne4 $1) 21. Rxd6 Kf7 +{was playable, releasing the rook at h8 from imprisonment:} 22. -- (22. Rfd1 +Rhb8 23. Qd4 Rb7) ({, or} 22. Re1 e5 {, and here in 'Informator' Gufeld +recommended} ({bolder than} 22... Rhb8 $6 23. Rdxe6 Qd7 {, Ad.Horvath-Gonda, +Budapest 2002}) 23. Qc6 {(?!) with a '+/-' sign,} (23. Red1 Rhb8 24. Qc6 Kg8 +25. Rd7 Qb4 26. b3 {is correct, with approximate equality}) 23... Rhc8 $1 {, +but after} 24. Qd5+ Kf8 {it is White who has problems.})) {After the game +continuation White's compensation for the sacrificed pawn is also sufficient +only to maintain a dynamic equilibrium.} 20. g4 $1 {(15) Beginning a direct +attack on the king - g4-g5 is threatened (undermining the support of the +knight at e5!), and at the same time the freeing move ...h7-h5 is prevented. +However, for the moment Black's difficulties are largely of a psychological +nature (the unresolved problem of the rook on h8 is unnerving).} h6 {Panchenko +halts the g4-pawn and prepares the evacuation of his king, believing in the +soundness of his defences.} ({If} 20... Nf7 {there is the resource} 21. Qe4 $1 +Rb8 ({after} 21... Rd8 $2 22. Nf5 $1 {Black's lack of an escape square is felt} +) 22. Nf5 $1 {, and although after} Qe8 {nothing terrible is yet apparent, +White retains the initiative.}) 21. h4 {(4) Insisting on the further advance +of the g-pawn. Meanwhile, this menacing pawn storm also has an important +drawback: in the event of g4-g5 and ...h6xg5 the h-file is opened and the +imprisoned rook at h8 breaks free!} Nf7 $6 {Perturbed by the bold aggression +of his young opponent, Panchenko decided to play 'solidly' - to get rid of the +annoying knight on d6.} (21... Rd8 $6 {was insufficient in view of} 22. Nf5 $1 +Rxd4 23. Nxe7+ Kf7 24. Rxd4 Kxe7 25. h5 {etc.}) ({But Black had better ways of +defending:} 21... Qc7 22. -- ({, and if} 22. g5 {, then} hxg5 23. hxg5 Rh2 $1 +24. c3 Qc6 $5 (24... b4 {will also do}) 25. Qg1 $1 ({but not} 25. gxf6 $2 Qg2 +$1 26. Qd2 Nd3+ $1) ({or} 25. Rg1 Qf3 $1 26. Ne4 (26. gxf6 $2 Qe2 $1) 26... f5) +25... Rg2 26. Qe3 Rxg5 {, and after} 27. Qh3 {White still has to demonstrate +that his attack compensates for the material given up.}) ({. He can also play +for a bind by} 22. Rfe1 Rd8 23. h5 {and if} Qc6 {sacrifice the exchange -} 24. +Rxe5 fxe5 25. Qxe5 {, but, although the rook at h8 is offside, he does not +have the forces for a successful offensive})) (21... Rf8 22. -- ({, when} 22. +h5 Qc7 23. Rfe1 (23. Rf2 Qc6 $1 {and ...Kh7}) 23... Nf3 24. Qe3 Nxe1 25. Qxe6+ +Kh7 26. Qf5+ {gives only perpetual check}) ({, while in the event of the +cautious} 22. g5 hxg5 23. hxg5 Rh5 $1 ({Gufeld's move} 23... Ng6 {is weaker +because of} 24. gxf6 Rxf6 25. Kb1) 24. Ne4 (24. gxf6 Rxf6 $1) 24... Ng4 25. +gxf6 Nxf6 {Black escapes from all his problems.})) 22. Qe4 $1 {(8) This +strong interposition, creating the threat of Nf5, was probably overlooked by +Panchenko - at any event, he became rattled and was unable to find the correct +reply.} Rf8 $2 {A serious mistake, if not the decisive one. Paradoxically, +just a move ago Black would have equalised with this move, whereas now it puts +him in a very difficult position.} ({The defence could still have been held by +exchanging a pair of rooks and returning the extra pawn:} 22... Rd8 $1 23. Nf5 +Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1 Qc7 $1 (24... Qe8 {is less good in view of} 25. Nd4) 25. Qxe6 +Kh7 26. Rd4 Rd8 27. Qe4 Rxd4 28. Nxd4+ Kg8 29. Nc6 Kf8 {, and White's +advantage has almost evaporated.}) 23. Nf5 $1 {(23)} Qe8 ({Now it is bad to +play} 23... Qc7 $2 24. Qxe6 Qe5 (24... Kh7 25. Nxg7 $1) 25. Qxa6 Kh7 26. Rde1 { +and wins.}) 24. Nd4 $1 {(3) The white pieces have suddenly developed such +activity that it is difficult for the opponent to avoid the creation of new +weaknesses in his pawn formation. It is already hard to offer Black any good +advice - both his rooks are miserably placed.} e5 $6 {An irreparable weakening +of the f5-point. But what instead?} ({Black's defence is very difficult after} +24... Ne5 25. g5 hxg5 26. hxg5 -- (26... Rh7 $2 27. gxf6 $1 gxf6 28. Rg1+) ({ +, or} 26... Rh5 $6 27. gxf6 Rxf6 28. Rxf6 gxf6 29. Qb7 $1 {is bad for him}) ({ +, while after} 26... Qg6 27. Qxg6 Nxg6 28. Nxe6 Re8 29. Rd6 $1 ({or} 29. gxf6 +$5 {(Gufeld)} Rxe6 30. f7+ Kh7 31. Rh1+ Nh4 32. Rxh4+ Rh6 33. Rf4 Rf8 34. Rf2) +29... fxg5 30. Nxg5 Ne5 31. Rxa6 {White has an endgame with an extra pawn and +winning prospects}) (26... Qa8 $1 {is more resilient} 27. -- ({, although here +too White can transpose into a better ending -} 27. Qxa8 Rxa8 28. gxf6 Rh6 $5 +29. fxg7 Kxg7 30. Rde1 $1 {(with the idea of} Rd8 31. Nxb5 Nd3+ 32. cxd3 axb5 +33. Re5 {, etc.)}) ({, or continue the attack -} 27. Qe2 Qc8 28. gxf6 gxf6 29. +Qe4 {, which, however, after} Rh7 (29... Qa8 $2 30. Qe3) 30. Rg1+ Rg7 31. Rxg7+ +Kxg7 32. Rg1+ Kf7 33. Qh7+ Ke8 34. Rg7 Nf7 35. Qe4 Qc4 36. b3 Qd5 37. Qxe6+ +Qxe6 38. Nxe6 Rh8 39. Nc7+ Kf8 40. Rg2 {and Nxa6 also leads to an endgame with +an extra pawn.}))) ({'} 24... Nd8 {was perhaps preferable' (Abr. Khasin). +However, it is unclear how Black can extricate himself from the vice after} 25. +h5 {: if} Rf7 $6 {there is the decisive} 26. Nf5 $1 Rd7 27. Nh4 {and Ng6.}) 25. +Nf5 {Now, although Black has retained his extra pawn, he will die from +suffocation.} h5 $6 {A desperate attempt, which could have proved successful +only in the event of an obvious mistake by White.} (25... g6 $4 26. Ne7+ $1 +Qxe7 27. Qxg6# {would have led to a pretty epaulette mate}) ({but the patient} +25... Qe6 {also offered little chance of saving the game:} 26. b3 Rh7 (26... +Re8 27. Rf3 $1) 27. Qb7 Kh8 ({or} 27... g6 28. Ne7+ Kg7 29. h5 gxh5 30. gxh5 +Re8 31. Nd5) 28. h5 Qc8 29. Qa7 {and wins.}) 26. Rg1 $6 {(5) Intending to +attack along the g-file.} ({However, I had two forcing ways to win immediately: +} 26. g5 $1 fxg5 27. hxg5 Nxg5 ({after} 27... g6 $4 28. Ne7+ {it is again mate} +) 28. Rg1 $1 (28. Qe3 $5) 28... Ne6 29. Qxe5 Rxf5 {(there is nothing else)} 30. +Qxf5 Qf7 31. Qe5 Qf4+ 32. Qxf4 Nxf4 33. Rd8+ Kh7 34. Rxh8+ Kxh8 35. Kd2 {, and +the rook quickly deals with the knight}) (26. Qb7 $1 {(with the threats of +Ne7+ and Rd7)} Qa8 (26... Kh7 27. gxh5 $1) 27. Qd7 Rd8 28. Ne7+ Kf8 29. Qc7 Rh6 +30. Nc6 {(f5), and Black has no defence.}) 26... Rh7 (26... Nh6 $2 27. Nxg7 $1 +{.}) 27. Qb7 $2 {(12)} ({Alas, if} 27. g5 fxg5 28. hxg5 {there is now} g6 29. +Nh4 Nh8 $1 {(Gufeld)} 30. Rd6 Rhf7 {, and Black defends.}) ({But a strong +attack would have been retained by both} 27. Qb4 $5 g5 28. gxh5 Rxh5 29. Kb1) ( +{and} 27. gxh5 $5 Nh6 28. Nd6 Qxh5 29. Rdf1 Nf7 30. Nf5 {etc.}) 27... Kh8 $2 { +But this loses.} (27... Nd8 {was essential, with the ideas of} 28. Qxa6 ({or} +28. Qd5+ Kh8) 28... hxg4 {.}) 28. gxh5 {(5)} Qe6 ({Of course, not} 28... Nd8 $2 +29. Rxd8 $1 Qxd8 30. Rxg7 Rxh5 31. Rg5 $1 {and wins (Abr. Khasin).}) 29. Nxg7 +$1 {(6) This is what Panchenko overlooked!} ({He was probably expecting} 29. +Ne7 Re8 30. Ng6+ Kg8 {, although here too after} 31. Kb1 $1 {White has a big +advantage.}) 29... Qxa2 $6 {Desperation.} ({True, a more resilient defence +would also not have saved Black:} 29... Qc4 30. Qe7 $1 ({this is more forceful +than Gufeld's suggestion} 30. Kb1) 30... Rc8 31. Kb1 $1 Qxc2+ (31... Rxg7 $6 +32. Qxf6 Qxc2+ 33. Ka1 Qh7 34. Rg6 $1) 32. Ka1 Qc7 33. Nf5 $1 Qxe7 34. Nxe7 Re8 +35. Ng6+ Kg8 {(comparatively best)} 36. Nxe5+ Rg7 37. Nd7 Re6 38. Rgf1 {with a +won endgame}) (29... Rxg7 30. Rxg7 Kxg7 31. Qg2+ $1 ({but not} 31. Rg1+ $2 Kh7 +$1 {, when after} 32. Qg2 Ng5 33. hxg5 fxg5 34. Qxg5 {Black has} Qh6 $1) 31... +Ng5 (31... Kh7 $2 32. Qg6+ {and Rg1}) 32. hxg5 fxg5 33. Qxg5+ Kh7 34. Qg2 ({or +} 34. Kb1 {- thanks to his extra pawn and the open position of the enemy king, +White must win.})) 30. Qe7 $1 Rg8 31. Qxf6 Qa1+ (31... Rgxg7 32. Rxg7 Rxg7 33. +h6 {.}) 32. Kd2 Qa5+ 33. Ke2 Rgxg7 34. Rxg7 Rxg7 35. Rg1 {. Times: 2.20-2.29. +--- This crushing win over a high-class opponent inspired me, but the very +next day there followed a cold shower: in my favourite Caro-Kann I was unable +to make a draw with Ratmir Kholmov - the experienced grandmaster gave me an +excellent lesson in positional play. However, I was not too upset and in the +3rd round I again moved onto a plus score by defeating Rostislav Korsunsky in +a crucial 'Baku duel'.} 1-0 + +[Event "26: All-Union Qualifier, Daugavpils"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1978.07.01"] +[Round "4"] +[White "Nikolaevsky, Yu"] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "1/2-1/2"] +[ECO "E60"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "61"] +[EventDate "1978.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{Now I had to hold out with Black, especially since in the 4th round I +encountered an opponent to whom two years earlier I had lost ignominiously in +Baku - the Kiev player Yuri Nikolaevsky, a three-time Ukrainian champion and a +finalist in three USSR Championships.} 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. b3 ({Our previous game +(Baku 1976) went} 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. d4 d6 6. b3 c5 7. Bb2 Nc6 +8. d5 {. On this occasion Nikolaevsky began with 2 b3, but I was now aiming +not for ...c7-c5, but for a thematic King's Indian set-up with ...Nbd7 and ...e7-e5.}) 2... g6 3. Bb2 Bg7 4. c4 ({The usual} 4. g3 O-O (4... c5 {- Game No.44 +}) 5. Bg2 d6 6. d4 {is nevertheless more accurate, and in the event of} Nbd7 7. +O-O e5 8. dxe5 {Black has to play} Ng4 {, after which it is no longer +favourable for him to capture on e5 with the pawn, while after the capture +with a piece White retains some pressure in the centre.}) 4... O-O 5. g3 d6 6. +d4 Nbd7 7. Bg2 e5 {Solving Black's opening problems.} 8. e3 ({If} 8. dxe5 {, +then simply} dxe5 $1 9. O-O ({the pawn is taboo:} 9. Nxe5 $2 Ng4 10. Nd3 $2 +Bxb2 11. Nxb2 Qf6 $1 {and wins}) 9... e4 10. Ne1 Qe7 {and ...Rd8 with an +excellent game (Eliskases-Pachman, Mar del Plata 1962).}) ({And if} 8. O-O {, +then both} exd4 ({and} 8... e4 9. Ne1 d5 $5 10. Nc3 Nb6 {(Petrovs-Boleslavsky, +Moscow 1940) are good. Therefore for the moment White chooses to reinforce his +d4-pawn.})) 8... Re8 {(6)} 9. O-O e4 {Aggression in the spirit of the then +fashionable King's Indian Attack (cf. Game No.9), which demands precise +follow-up action.} ({To maintain the balance it was quite sufficient to play} +9... Ne4) ({or} 9... exd4 $5 10. exd4 ({after} 10. Nxd4 Nc5 {the move e2-e3 is +depreciated}) 10... Ne4 $1 11. Nbd2 Ndf6 {, analogous to the way that I +earlier played in a clock simultaneous against Katalymov (Leningrad 1975).}) +10. Nfd2 Nf8 {A typical manoeuvre with the attacking idea ...Bf5, ...h7-h5, ...N8h7-g5 and so on.} ({However,} 10... c6 $1 {was more natural - after +reinforcing his e4-pawn by ...d6-d5, Black would have retained a solid and +comfortable position.}) 11. Nc3 Bf5 12. f3 $1 {I underestimated this +undermining move. The experienced master immediately eliminates the threatened +bind on the kingside.} ({After} 12. Qc2 Qe7 ({or} 12... c6 {this can no longer +be played!})) 12... exf3 $6 {(2)} ({Black could still have retained more or +less equal chances, if he had found the by no means obvious tactic} 12... Bh6 +$1 {, exploiting the momentary weakness of the e3-pawn:} 13. Ndxe4 (13. f4 Bg7 +$1) 13... Bxe3+ 14. Kh1 N8d7 15. Re1 (15. g4 Bxe4 16. fxe4 c6 $1) 15... Bh6 16. +f4 Nxe4 17. Nxe4 Bg7 18. Qd2 d5 $1 {, and no advantage is given by either} 19. +cxd5 ({or} 19. Nc3 Rxe1+ 20. Rxe1 dxc4 21. Nd5 Be6 $1) 19... Bxe4 20. Bxe4 (20. +Rxe4 Rxe4 {and ...Nf6}) 20... Nf6 21. Bf3 Rxe1+ 22. Rxe1 Nxd5 {.}) 13. Qxf3 c6 +14. e4 {After his modestly played opening White has unexpectedly made a strong +claim to an advantage - he has seized space, created a powerful pawn centre, +and opened the f-file, along which he can press on the f7-pawn. Black still +has sufficient defensive resources, but the sharp change of situation on the +board almost led me to disaster.} Bg4 $1 {With gain of tempo.} (14... Be6 15. +Rae1) ({or} 14... Bd7 15. Na4 Qe7 16. Rae1 {would have been worse.}) 15. Qf2 +Qa5 $2 {(23) This queen sortie, which has the psychological intention of +frightening the opponent with the variation 16 h3 Qh5, proves to be a losing +move.} ({The knight should have been urgently activated -} 15... Ne6 $1 {, for +example:} 16. Na4 ({or} 16. h3 Ng5 $1 17. hxg4 Nxg4 18. Qe2 Bxd4+ 19. Kh1 Ne3) +16... Ng5 17. d5 Nfxe4 $5 (17... Nd7 {is also not bad}) 18. Nxe4 Rxe4 19. Bxg7 +Kxg7 {with double-edged play.}) 16. c5 $2 {My reckoning proves justified!} ({ +In fact after} 16. h3 $1 -- ({, Black did not have the reply} 16... Qh5 $2 { +because of the sudden blow} 17. e5 $1 dxe5 18. Nce4 {, winning a piece.} (18. +--)) (16... Bd7 {(c8)} 17. c5 $1) ({, or} 16... Be6 17. d5 $1 {would also have +been fatal}) ({, while after} 16... Qc7 {again} 17. d5 $1 {is strong, and if} +Bc8 {(h5), then} 18. Nb5 $1 {and Bxf6.}) ({. Nikolaevsky (following me) did +not notice the refutation of} 16... Qh5 {and was relying on a rapid +breakthrough in the centre. But he did not take account of all the tactical +nuances! Whereas from the 10th to the 15th move I played uncertainly, here I +literally gained a new lease of life, and I suddenly saw one of the longest +combinations in my career.})) 16... Be6 $1 {(5) Strictly the only move, which +was clearly underestimated by my opponent. Black defends the f7-pawn in good +time and creates the threat of ...Ng4, not allowing White to capture the +d6-pawn.} 17. h3 {White is forced to waste a tempo.} ({The attempt} 17. Nc4 +Bxc4 18. bxc4 dxc5 19. e5 {is no better on account of} Ng4 $1 20. Qxf7+ Kh8 21. +Ne4 cxd4 22. Bxd4 Bxe5 23. Bxe5+ Qxe5 {with equality.}) 17... dxc5 {(8)} 18. e5 +{After playing 18 e5, Nikolaevsky looked very happy with his position. But +within five moves the expression on his face changed...} (18. d5 $6 {is risky +in view of} Ng4 $1 19. Qf4 (19. hxg4 Bd4) 19... Bd4+ 20. Kh1 Ne5 $1 21. dxe6 +Nxe6 22. Qf6 Rad8 {with excellent compensation for the piece.}) 18... cxd4 $1 { +(16) It is interesting that this entire chain of moves by Black, from the +16th to the end of the game, came to my mind somehow immediately, without any +particular effort.} (18... Nd5 {(or 18...N6d7) was also acceptable, but I +wanted to demonstrate the elegant way to draw that I had found.}) 19. exf6 Bh6 +$1 ({Of course, not} 19... dxc3 $2 20. fxg7 Nd7 21. Nc4 {.}) 20. Qxd4 Rad8 21. +Nc4 $1 {This move was also made with obvious pleasure by Nikolaevsky ('the +young man has probably missed something'), but I replied equally confidently +and quickly.} Bxc4 22. Qxc4 Qb6+ {(3)} (22... Rd2 {is also highly rated by the +computer, but humans don't play that way.}) 23. Kh1 Rd4 $1 {The crux of the +entire idea. To save his queen, White has to allow the invasion of the 2nd +rank by both enemy rooks. By his own admission, my opponent was staggered, +when it transpired that in the complicated middlegame position after 16 c5 +there was a forced draw!} 24. Na4 (24. Nd5 Rxc4 {would have come to the same +thing.}) 24... Rxc4 25. Nxb6 Rc2 26. Nc4 Ree2 {(4)} 27. Bf3 Rh2+ 28. Kg1 b5 29. +Be4 ({Or} 29. Bc1 Rxh3 30. Bxh6 Rxg3+ 31. Kh1 Rh3+ {.}) 29... Rce2 30. Bf3 Rc2 +31. Be4 {. Draw agreed in view of 'perpetual check' to the rook. --- Times: 2.05-2.07.} (31. -- {A fairy-tale combination! The tournament spectators and +contestants, who observed the kaleidoscopic finish to the game, merely nodded +their heads: 'This youth is indeed very dangerous'. The most important result +of this sharp tactical skirmish was that I gained complete confidence in +myself. --- Nikitin: 'Before Daugavpils it was not difficult to convince Garik +that during the tournament he should play, rather than sit reading reference +books and wisdom-filled notebooks. And our preparation for games took place in +unhurried conversations during strolls through parks or streets, while the +specific opening system to be adopted was decided during dinner, a couple of +hours before the start of play. Naturally, such a method was effective only +after thorough preparatory work...'}) (31. -- {In the 5th round I defeated +Smbat Lputian, an old opponent in junior battles, and in the 6th round, with +Black in a Caro-Kann, I beat the experienced Mark Tseitlin, a genuine chess +filibuster: over-rating his chances, he avoided a three-fold repetition of the +position and in time-trouble went down in flames. Regarding this it was +written that 'the 15-year-old schoolboy managed to win a very interesting +psychological duel'. --- Rather unexpectedly I found myself among the leaders: +Palatnik - 5 out of 6, Kasparov, Alburt and Faibisovich - 4½. And I became +nervous when for the first time I saw my result highlighted in red in the +tournament table. The original 'plus two' target would have brought me +somewhere in the region of 15-20th place, but now Nikitin corrected his +initial plan: I had to try and cling on to a place in the top seven and +qualify for the First League!}) 1/2-1/2 + +[Event "27: All-Union Qualifier, Daugavpils"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1978.07.05"] +[Round "7"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Palatnik, S."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "B04"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "73"] +[EventDate "1978.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In the 7th round I was paired with White against the player half a point +ahead of me, Semion Palatnik from Odessa, who that year became a grandmaster. +Before the game with me he had scored four successive wins, but here, as they +say, he met his match. This competitively important game was judged to be one +of the best in the 26th volume of 'Informator'.} 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 +4. Nf3 g6 (4... Bg4 {- Game No.8.}) 5. Bc4 Nb6 6. Bb3 a5 {This set-up was +often employed by Odessa players, and it was not hard for me and Nikitin to +prepare a good continuation.} ({After} 6... Bg7 {they usually played (and +still play)} 7. Ng5 ({but} 7. a4 a5 {has also occurred, i.e. the inclusion of +these moves was initiated by White!}) 7... e6 8. Qf3 {.}) 7. a4 ({Although +theory judged} 7. e6 Bxe6 8. Bxe6 fxe6 9. Ng5 Nc6 10. Nxe6 Qd7 11. Qe2 {to be +in White's favour, after} Nd8 12. Nxf8 Rxf8 {Black achieves a viable position +(Kapengut-Palatnik and Lukin-Alburt, Beltsy 1977).}) 7... Bg7 ({I would have +been only too pleased with} 7... d5 8. O-O {(the source game: Kavalek-Larsen, +Manila 1973).}) 8. Ng5 ({Too little is promised by} 8. exd6 cxd6 { +(Ree-Palatnik, Kiev 1978).}) 8... e6 {This move, which had not occurred +previously, was made by Palatnik without any particular thought, which +somewhat threw me into confusion.} (8... d5 {would have led to a well-known +position with the inclusion of the moves a2-a4 and ...a7-a5. In the main +variation with} 9. f4 {the weakening of the b4-square (after the exchange of +c-pawns) may give Black counterplay.} ({However, I was planning} 9. O-O O-O 10. +Re1 ({more chances are given by} 10. Nc3 $5 {with the idea of} f6 $6 ({or} +10... Nc6 11. Nb5) ({but Black can reply} 10... c6 {and then ...Na6-c7-e6}) 11. +Nge4 {, activating the knight}) 10... Nc6 11. c3 f6 12. exf6 exf6 13. Ne6 { +'with a slight advantage', which, alas, evaporates after} Bxe6 14. Rxe6 Qd7 { +and ...Rae8.})) 9. f4 {(20) A sensible plan of action - there was not a lot +of choice.} ({I quickly realised that it was not possible to refute Black's +idea immediately by} 9. Qf3 Qe7 10. Ne4 dxe5 (10... d5 $5) 11. Bg5 {because of} +Qb4+ $1 {- the inclusion of the moves a2-a4 and ...a7-a5 has denied White the +possibility of} 12. c3 {.} ({Later it seemed to me that} 12. Nbd2 {would +nevertheless give White a dangerous initiative:} -- (12... Qxd4 $2 13. Nf6+ Kf8 +14. O-O-O) ({, or} 12... exd4 $6 13. c3 $1 {.}) ({. But after} 12... N8d7 $1 { +Black succeeds in consolidating -} 13. Nf6+ Nxf6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Qxf6 O-O 16. +Qxe5 (16. c3 Nd7 $1) 16... Nd7 17. Qe3 c5 18. dxc5 Qxc5 {with rapid equality.}) +)) 9... dxe5 10. fxe5 {(14)} c5 11. O-O $1 {The strongest and most natural +move, although in earlier commentaries, fearing the reply 11...Qxd4 I consided +castling to be an inaccuracy and} ({since} 11. dxc5 Qxd1+ 12. Kxd1 N6d7 {is +harmless}) ({I recommended the 'simple'} 11. c3 cxd4 12. O-O $1 {- after} O-O +13. cxd4 Nc6 {the position is slightly better for White, and could have +occurred in the game (cf. the notes to Black's 12th).}) 11... O-O ({Palatnik +was right! In 'The Test of Time' I wrote that after} 11... Qxd4+ {(?)} 12. Qxd4 +cxd4 13. Nxf7 ({or} 13. Rxf7 {(!)} Bxe5 14. Rf1 {(?!)} ({but} 14. Bf4 $1 {is +far better, with an obvious advantage:} Nc6 15. Bxe5 Nxe5 16. Rc7 Nd5 17. Bxd5 +exd5 18. Na3 O-O 19. Re1 {etc.}) 14... Nc6 {'Black would have escaped from all +his difficulties'}) 13... O-O 14. Nd6 (14. Nh6+ $5) 14... Rxf1+ 15. Kxf1 Bd7 +16. Nxb7 Na6 $1 {.}) 12. c3 ({Here} 12. dxc5 Qxd1 13. Rxd1 {was slightly more +attractive than on the previous move, but I did not even consider exchanging +the queens so early, especially as after} N6d7 14. Ne4 {(Stohl)} ({or} 14. Be3 +Nxe5 15. Nc3 Na6) 14... Nxe5 15. h3 Na6 16. Be3 Bd7 {White would have been in +danger of selling his advantage too cheaply.}) 12... Nc6 $2 {A positional +blunder, after which White's initiative becomes threatening.} (12... cxd4 $1 +13. cxd4 {was essential and only now} Nc6 {. I was intending to continue} 14. +Nf3 f6 15. Nc3 $1 fxe5 (15... Nd5 16. exf6 $1) 16. Bg5 {with good compensation +for the pawn; moreover, I did not especially calculate the variations and I +was sure that White was risking far less than Black.} -- ({. Thus} 16... Qe8 { +(?)} 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18. Nxe5 Rxf1+ 19. Qxf1 Bxe5 {is bad because of} 20. Rd1 $1 +Bd7 ({or} 20... Nd7 21. Ne4) 21. Bf6 {and wins.}) (16... Qd7 17. dxe5 Nxe5 18. +Nxe5 {is more acceptable for Black} -- ({, here many have played} 18... Rxf1+ { +(?)} 19. Qxf1 Qd4+ 20. Kh1 Qxe5 {, although after} 21. Bd8 $1 {White has a +powerful attack:} Qc5 (21... Ra6 22. Rd1 $1) 22. Ne4 Qc6 (22... Qb4 $2 23. Ng5 +$1 Kh8 24. Qf7 {and wins, Grischuk-Ponomariov, Torshavn 2000}) 23. Ng5 Nd5 24. +-- ({, and now not} 24. Qf7+ {(?)} Kh8 25. Rf1 {(Berelowitsch-Gerzhoy, +Coulsdon 2008)} Ne3 $1 26. Ne4 (26. Rg1 Nd5) 26... Bd7 $1 27. Bf6 Rg8 {with +equality}) ({, but the forceful} 24. Rc1 $1 Qe8 ({or} 24... Qd7 25. Nxe6 $1 +Qxe6 26. Re1 Be5 27. Bc7 {, demolishing Black's defences}) 25. Bxd5 exd5 26. +Re1 $1)) ({. Therefore Black has to go into the endgame -} 18... Qxd1 19. Raxd1 +Rxf1+ $5 (19... Bxe5 20. Rfe1 $1 {Korneev-Janev, Cutro 2002}) 20. Kxf1 Bxe5 { +with an extra pawn for Black, although after} 21. Be3 {he faces a struggle for +a draw;} (21. Bd8 Bxc3 $1 22. bxc3 Nd5 {is not so clear.})))) 13. Ne4 $1 {(3) +An unpleasant surprise, which wrecks Black's plans. To avert a conflagration +on the f6-square, he is forced to make an awkward move, forgetting about +counterplay in the centre.} Nd7 ({Alas! The capture on d4 would have lost +quickly:} 13... cxd4 $2 14. Bg5 Qd7 (14... Qc7 15. cxd4) 15. Nf6+ Bxf6 16. Bxf6 +h5 (16... dxc3 17. Qc1 $1 {and Qh6}) 17. Qc1 Kh7 18. Rf3 $1 {with the +murderous threat of Rh3xh5+.}) 14. Be3 {(17) Reinforcing the centre and +preparing Na3-b5(c4).} ({The attempt to take the black position by storm could +have ended in failure -} 14. Bg5 $6 Qb6 15. Nf6+ $2 (15. dxc5 Nxc5 16. Be3 Qxb3 +17. Bxc5 {really is better}) 15... Bxf6 $1 16. exf6 cxd4 17. Kh1 Nc5 18. Bc4 ({ +or} 18. Nd2 e5) 18... e5 {etc.}) 14... Ne7 ({If} 14... Qb6 $6 {, then} 15. Na3 +cxd4 16. Nc4 {is strong}) ({or if} 14... cxd4 15. cxd4 Qb6 $6 {-} 16. Rf3 $1 { +. Black is hoping to overcome his difficulties by covering his weakened +kingside with the knight and fianchettoing the light-square bishop.}) 15. Bg5 +$1 {(21) This unexpected reply disrupts Black's plans. To get rid of the pin +on his knight at e7 he is forced to go in for a further weakening of his +kingside.} cxd4 {It never rains but it pours!} ({It turns out that the bishop +cannot be driven away without first freeing the best square c3 for the white +knight: if} 15... h6 16. Bh4 g5 $2 {White has the decisive} 17. Bxg5 $1 cxd4 ( +17... hxg5 18. Qh5) 18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19. cxd4 f6 20. Nbc3 fxe5 21. d5 $1 {, +whereas the exchange in the centre eliminates this danger.}) 16. cxd4 h6 17. +Bh4 g5 18. Bf2 {(3)} ({Not now} 18. Bxg5 $2 hxg5 19. Qh5 Nxe5 $1 20. dxe5 Qd4+ +21. Nf2 Qxb2 22. Ra3 Ng6 ({or} 22... Qxe5 {.})) 18... Ng6 19. Nbc3 Qe7 {(Black +tries to free himself by ...f7-f5; understandably, White prevents this)} 20. +Bc2 $1 {(9) Aiming at the g6-knight.} b6 ({If} 20... f5 {there is not only} +21. Nd6 ({but also} 21. exf6 Nxf6 22. Nxg5 $1 {.})) 21. Be3 {(6) Thanks to +the efforts of this bishop Black's position has an unattractive appearance, +and one senses that the decisive blow is not far off.} Ba6 {(alas, belated +development)} 22. Rf2 {(3)} (22. Nb5 $5 {was a worthy alternative.}) 22... Nh8 +$2 {Both a delay, and an ugly 'corner' move. Palatnik is consistent in his +desire to free himself - Black again prepares ...f7-f5, and therefore he +removes his knight from the oppressive glare of the bishop on c2. But White +already has everything prepared.} ({Good or bad, the immediate} 22... f5 $1 { +was esential, since} 23. exf6 Nxf6 24. Nxg5 {is not so clear in view of} Nd5 { +(Stohl)} ({or even} 24... Nh4 {. However, after 23 Nd6 White would retain an +overwhelming positional advantage.})) 23. Bxg5 $5 {(17) In the period of my +chess youth I rarely refrained from such spectacular blows. And for a long +time, under the impression of the rout which followed, I considered this move +to be the shortest way to the goal. Indeed, the subsequent events develop by +force, and in all variations the sacrifices are correct. But I couldn't help +thinking that it was possible to manage without 'brilliance'.} ({When, on my +return to Baku, I showed this game to Vladimir Andreevich Makogonov, he +suddenly asked: 'But wouldn't it have been simpler to play h2-h4?' Thus +another solution to the position was found, one not involving any sacrifices:} +23. h4 $1 gxh4 ({or} 23... f5 24. exf6 Nxf6 25. hxg5) 24. Qh5 $1 f5 25. exf6 +Nxf6 26. Nxf6+ Rxf6 27. Nd5 exd5 28. Qxd5+ {and Qxa8. This continuation is +undoubtedly more practical, but then there would not have been the fireworks +with the sacrifice of both bishops, and an attack in which all (!) the white +pieces participated. Later, the experience acquired from tournament battles +would have suggested to me 23 h4. But, in any case, the vigorous, 'emotional' +implementation of this game afforded me a great deal of pleasure. And not only +me...}) 23... hxg5 24. Qh5 f5 ({It is not possible to withstand the onslaught +after} 24... f6 25. Nxg5) (24... Rfc8 25. Nxg5 Ra7 ({or} 25... Nf8 26. Nce4) +26. Re1 {.}) 25. Nxg5 Rf7 {The most resilient defence.} ({Black would have +lost more quickly after both} 25... Bxe5 26. dxe5 Nxe5 27. Re1 Nhg6 28. Bb3 Bc8 +29. Nd5 $1 {(Stohl)}) ({and} 25... Rfc8 {(d8)} 26. Bxf5 exf5 27. Nd5 $1) ({or} +25... Nf6 26. Nd5 $3 {. --- After making this move, Palatnik unexpectedly +offered a draw! I was very surprised: it is patently obvious just how strong +White's attack is. Perhaps the tournament leader, realising that his position +was hopeless, was trying a last chance? At any event, my silent reply was a +new sacrifice.}) 26. Bxf5 $1 {(4) The crux of the combination. The sacrifice +of the second bishop conclusively destroys the black king's defences.} (26. d5 +$5 Bxe5 27. Nxf7 {would also have won, but the move in the game is both +prettier, and better.}) 26... Rxf5 ({If} 26... exf5 {, then} 27. Nd5 Qe8 28. +Nc7 {is decisive.}) 27. Rxf5 exf5 28. Nd5 {Things have unexpectedly become +tight for the black queen. There remains only one square where, not for long, +it finds salvation.} Qe8 29. Qh7+ Kf8 30. Qxf5+ Kg8 ({Or} 30... Nf7 31. Ne6+ +Kg8 32. Qg6 {.}) 31. Qh7+ Kf8 32. Ra3 {(2) Aiming to conclude the game by a +direct attack.} (32. Nf4 $5 Bc4 33. Rf1 $1 {(Stohl) was also good.}) 32... Rc8 +({Or} 32... Qg6 33. Rf3+ Ke8 34. Qg8+ Bf8 (34... Nf8 35. Rxf8+ $1 Bxf8 36. Nf6+ +) 35. Nc7+ Ke7 (35... Kd8 36. Nge6+) 36. Rf7+ $1 Qxf7 37. Nxf7 {etc.}) 33. Rf3+ +{(4)} Nf6 {A time-trouble gesture of despair;} ({after} 33... Nf7 34. Rxf7+ +Qxf7 35. Nxf7 Rc1+ ({or} 35... Kxf7 36. Qf5+) 36. Kf2 Rf1+ 37. Kg3 Rxf7 38. Qh4 +$1 {Black would have lost material.}) 34. h3 ({The immediate} 34. Rxf6+ Bxf6 +35. Nxf6 {was also possible.}) 34... Qg6 35. Rxf6+ Bxf6 36. Ne6+ Ke8 37. Nxf6+ +{. Here Palatnik froze for an instant, made a despairing gesture as if to show +that there was nowhere further to go, and stopped the clocks. --- Times: 2.15-2.28. --- Around the table where we were playing, as usual there was a +crowd of many experienced spectators, including the other contestants. There +were even more of them during analysis after the game... From the press: 'A +crushing defeat. The methods of conducting an attack in Kasparov's games are +apparently evoked by the wonderful creative heritage of the great Alekhine'. +--- After this inspirational win I reached 5½ out of 7 and I was leading the +tournament together with Alburt, who on the neighbouring board defeated +Faibisovich. Then Nikitin, seeing my condition, decided again to make a +correction to the 'obligations undertaken': perhaps the idea of qualifying for +the Premier League should not be dismissed?!} 1-0 + +[Event "28: All-Union Qualifier, Daugavpils"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1978.07.06"] +[Round "8"] +[White "Alburt, L."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "E74"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "112"] +[EventDate "1978.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{But in the next round I faced a very dangerous opponent, Lev Alburt, the +winner of the same tournament the previous year. Like Palatnik, he was from +Odessa, but now both of them have long been Americans. It is noteworthy that +this fighting game was published both in the weekly 64 (with notes by Alburt) +and in the magazine Shakhmaty v SSSR (with my commentary), but it was removed +from the book The Test of Time: in the summer of 1979, following Korchnoi's +example, my opponent defected...} 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 +O-O 6. Bg5 {Although Alburt constantly employed the Averbakh Variation with +White, I had a rather vague impression of its subtleties, since I had only +just risen to that level of competition where genuinely professional +preparation, including that in the opening, was needed. I knew about a +comparatively fresh idea 12...Qa5, which had briefly appeared in the chess +press - this was the extent of my knowledge before the game.} c5 {According to +Geller, the most critical continuation (an immediate attack on the centre), +but at the same time a strategically risky one.} ({Later I played} 6... Nbd7 { +(Game No.76)}) ({but when I had matured as a King's Indian player I arrived at +} 6... Na6 {(Bareev-Kasparov, Linares 1992).}) 7. d5 h6 ({I have also played} +7... b5 $6 8. cxb5 a6 {- Game Nos.58, 67.}) 8. Bf4 {An attempt to hinder the +undermining move ...e7-e6.} (8. Be3 e6 9. Qd2 exd5 10. exd5 {is more harmless +- here Black can play in various ways, for example:} Kh7 11. h3 Re8 12. Nf3 Bf5 +{with equality (Dydyshko-Kasparov, Minsk 1978).}) 8... e6 {Nevertheless!} ({ +Another try is} 8... Qb6 9. Qd2 e6 10. dxe6 Bxe6 {, excluding} 11. Bxd6 $6 {in +view of} Rd8 12. e5 Ne8 {, but allowing 11 Bxh6 or 11 0-0-0.}) 9. dxe6 Bxe6 10. +Bxd6 ({Now if} 10. Qd2 {not only} Qb6 {is possible,} ({but also} 10... Qa5 $5 { +.})) 10... Re8 11. Nf3 Nc6 ({From the early 1980s} 11... Qb6 $5 {became +popular:} {or} 12. Bxb8 (12. e5 Nfd7) 12... Raxb8 13. Qc2 Nh5 {with +double-edged play.}) 12. O-O Qa5 $6 {We played all this at lightning speed, +and I 'rattled out' the prepared queen move, which at the time appealed to me +more than the frequently-played 12...Nd4. I thought that the d-file was needed +for a black rook, to emphasise the drawbacks to the placing of the white +pieces on this file.} ({Besides, one of the recent games on the '} 12... Nd4 { +' theme -} 13. e5 Nd7 14. Nxd4 cxd4 15. Qxd4 Nxe5 16. Bxe5 Qxd4 17. Bxd4 Bxd4 +18. Rac1 Rad8 19. b3 Bxc3 20. Rxc3 Rd2 21. Bf3 Rxa2 22. Bxb7 Rb8 {had +proceeded and concluded favourably for White (Alburt-Timoshchenko, Beltsy 1977) +. However, subsequent games showed that Black has quite adequate compensation +for the pawn - here I myself gained a draw against Polugayevsky (Bugojno 1982), +while later I spent a long time analysing this complicated endgame and I found, +as it seemed to me, an accurate way to maintain the balance. --- As for the +queen sortie, I never repeated it again, since it transpired that it was +dubious and perhaps even deserving of a question mark.}) 13. Nd2 $1 {A novelty +from a 1977 game that was unknown to us. The grandmaster made the knight move +with unconcealed pleasure - he 'had analysed it a great deal and come to the +conclusion that White should gain an advantage' (Alburt).} ({At the board I +now had to solve a difficult problem. At home I had made a quite detailed +analysis of the variations} 13. e5 Nd7 14. Nd5 Bxd5 {(L.Popov-Cebalo, Zagreb +1973)}) ({and} 13. a3 Red8 $1 (13... Rad8 14. b4 $1) 14. b4 cxb4 15. axb4 Qxa1 +16. Qxa1 Nxe4 {with good compensation for the queen (Azmaiparashvili-Lanka, +Sochi 1978). This helped me to quickly find the correct arrangement of the +pieces (although initially, on seeing the dangers present, I felt sad - but I +did not let on!).}) 13... Red8 {(10) Only this rook! The e8-square must be +free for the retreat of the knight.} ({After} 13... Rad8 $6 14. e5 Nd7 15. f4 { +White achieves everything: both an extra pawn, and a positional advantage.}) ( +13... Nd4 $6 {is also insufficient:} 14. Bd3 (14. e5 $5) 14... Rad8 15. Nb3 +Nxb3 16. axb3 Qb6 17. Bf4 g5 18. Bc1 Ng4 {(Farago-Perenyi, Budapest 1977)} 19. +Nd5 $1 Qd6 20. f4 $1 {etc. --- After this and right up to the 25th move my +opponent continued playing at high speed, as though demonstrating his +knowledge to me.}) 14. Nb3 $6 ({In the event of} 14. e5 Ne8 $1 15. Nb3 Qb6 { +Black escapes from his difficulties:} 16. -- (16. Nd5 $6 Bxd5 17. Bxc5 Be6 $1 ( +17... Qc7 $6 18. cxd5 Bxe5 19. g3 {and Bf3}) 18. Bxb6 Rxd1 19. Rfxd1 axb6 20. +f4 f6 $1) ({, or} 16. Na4 Qb4 17. Nbxc5 Bxc4 $1 ({of course, not} 17... Bxe5 $2 +18. a3) 18. a3 Bxe2 19. Qxe2 (19. axb4 Bxd1 20. Rfxd1 b5 {is equal}) 19... Qf4 +20. Rad1 b6 21. g3 Qf5 {with a good game.})) ({But a year later Uhlmann +improved White's play by} 14. Bf4 $1 {with the idea of} Nd4 ({or} 14... Ne8 15. +Nd5 $1 {(Ivkov-Torre, Rio de Janeiro Interzonal 1979)}) ({It is possible that} +14... Qb6 {is better, but this is a largely theoretical question, since the +variation with 12...Qa5 has almost gone out of use}) 15. Nd5 $1 {, as in his +games with Ghitescu, Peev (Bucharest 1979) and Sznapik (Berlin 1979).}) 14... +Qb6 {Forcing events - the threat is ...Ne8.} 15. Na4 ({The undefended pawn +cannot be taken immediately -} 15. Nxc5 $2 Rxd6 $1 16. Qxd6 Ne8 {, but it +needs to be taken, as otherwise Black will soon make short work of the bishop +on d6.}) 15... Qb4 16. Nbxc5 ({Despite the approximate material equality, the +position in the variation} 16. Naxc5 Ne8 17. a3 Qb6 18. Na4 Rxd6 $1 19. Nxb6 +Rxd1 20. Nxa8 Rd8 21. Nc5 Nd4 {is advantageous to Black in view of the +activity of his pieces. 'He traps the errant knight, and White has no +advantage' (Alburt).}) 16... Bxc4 {(9)} 17. Bxc4 ({Nothing was given by +including the moves} 17. a3 Qb5 {, for example:} 18. Bxc4 ({or} 18. Nc3 Bxe2 +19. Nxb5 Bxd1 20. Rfxd1 b6 21. Nb7 Rd7 22. Rac1 Rxb7 23. Rxc6 Nxe4) 18... Qxc4 +19. Rc1 (19. Nxb7 Nxe4) 19... Qb5 20. Nc3 Qb6 21. b4 Ne5 $1 {, forcing} 22. +Bxe5 Rxd1 23. Rfxd1 Rd8 {, in each case with equality.}) 17... Qxc4 18. Nxb7 +Nxe4 {(2) The first result of the white knight's leap to a4 - a valuable pawn +has fallen. There now begins the concluding stage of the complications, which +Black had to foresee when he made his 13th move. Moreover, as in the game with +Nikolaevsky, the picture of the final position (after the 24th move) formed in +my mind almost immediately, and this gave me confidence that there should not +be any unpleasantness for Black.} 19. Rc1 Qb5 {(2)} 20. Nxd8 $6 {The most +obvious move;} ({but nevertheless} 20. Nac5 {was safer, after which there +would have followed} Nd4 $1 {.} 21. -- ({. Now} 21. Nxe4 Qxb7 {(suggested by +Gufeld in 'Informator')} 22. Re1 Nf5 {causes White some problems}) ({, but the +preparatory} 21. a4 $1 {(safeguarding the pawn in advance) leads after} Qb6 22. +Nxe4 ({or first} 22. a5 Qb5) ({if White does not like the questionable} 22. +Nxd8 Nxd6 23. Nxf7 Nxf7 24. Nd3 Rd8 25. Re1 {with a rook and a couple of pawns +for two minor pieces}) 22... Qxb7 23. Re1 {to approximate equality - Black +easily regains the pawn, but he can hardly hope for more (} Nf5 24. Rc2 {etc.). +})) 20... Rxd8 21. Qc2 $1 Nd4 $1 {Two forced moves.} 22. Qxe4 Ne2+ 23. Kh1 Nxc1 +24. Rxc1 Rxd6 {After a short battle the ranks of the two sides' forces have +been greatly thinned. The opening balance - extra pawn for White, activity for +Black - has remained. --- Alburt: 'On these 24 moves I spent about 15 minutes, +and my opponent - about an hour. Everything seemed to be alright. The +resulting position was well known to me - I had analysed it a few years +earlier and had come to the conclusion that White has the advantage - he is a +pawn up and there does not appear to be any danger... To all appearances it +seemed that the young player was not familiar with the subtleties of the +variation, and he was having to solve the problems at the board. In short, I +had been given a start: a time advantage in a very familiar position.' --- But +Lev had assessed incorrectly the prospects of the two sides - there is some +danger for White: his knight is obviously inferior in mobility to the bishop +(and it is also stuck on the edge of the board!), and his king has no escape +square. I was happy with my position, reckoning that Black had full +compensation for the pawn, but at that moment I would not have objected to a +draw.} 25. Qc2 {This, the last move of White's home preparation (as my +opponent informed me after the game), is not altogether accurate;} ({he would +have done better to free his queen of minor concerns and play} 25. b3 $5 Rd2 +26. Qa8+ Kh7 27. Qxa7 {, when Black's activity is insufficient for a win:} -- ( +27... Qf5 28. Qc5 Be5 29. Kg1 $1 Qd3 30. Qxe5 $1 Rd1+ 31. Qe1 Rxe1+ 32. Rxe1 +Qc2 33. g3 Qxa2 34. Re3 {, creating a fortress}) (27... Qd5 28. Rf1 Bd4 29. Qc7 +{(a6)} Qf5 30. Qc4 Rxf2 (30... h5 31. b4 $1 h4 32. h3) 31. Rxf2 Qxf2 32. Qc1 +Qxa2 (32... h5 33. b4) 33. Qd1 Qf2 34. b4 $1 {and Nc5, when White gains a draw +by activating his knight (it is important that he has succeeded in picking up +the a7-pawn).})) ({But, of course, not} 25. Qa8+ $6 Kh7 26. Qxa7 $2 Ra6 {.}) +25... Qg5 $1 {(5) Playing on the weakness of the 1st rank. From the reaction +of my opponent I realised that he had not considered this at home. Alburt: 'I +underestimated the queen move - ...Rd2 is threatened.'} 26. Rd1 $2 {A tactical +oversight, and essentially the decisive mistake.} ({Earlier I advised 'seeking +a draw' with} 26. Qc5 {(?!), but after} Qxc5 (26... Qd2 27. Rf1 Qe2 28. Qc1 Rd2 +{and ...Bd4 is also interesting}) 27. Nxc5 Bxb2 28. Re1 Rd5 $1 29. Nb3 a5 {it +is not easy to find.}) ({However,} 26. g3 {would have enabled White, with +accurate defence, to hold this slightly inferior position:} Rd4 ({or} 26... Rd2 +27. Qc5 Rxf2 28. Qxg5 hxg5 29. Rc8+ Kh7 30. Rc7 {and Rd7!}) 27. b3 Qd5+ (27... +Rd2 {is no better:} 28. Qc5 Qxc5 29. Nxc5 Rxa2 ({or} 29... Rxf2 30. a4) 30. f4) +28. Kg1 Rd2 29. Qc5 Qf3 (29... Qd4 30. a3) 30. Qe3 $1 Qxe3 31. fxe3 Rxa2 32. +Rc7 {etc.}) 26... Qf5 $1 {Eliminating the important f2-pawn. Later I +remembered for a long time this hard-working queen, which in the end +demolished the opponent's defences.} 27. Qc1 Rxd1+ 28. Qxd1 Qxf2 {Material +equality has been restored, and the difference in the activity of the pieces +has become dangerously threatening for White.} 29. Qg1 $2 {In his distress my +opponent makes another, final mistake.} ({It is amusing that in '64' and then +also in 'Informator' a different move order was given, one that would have led +to a position from the game, but a move earlier:} 29. b3 {(Alburt: 'I decided +to give up a pawn immediately, in order to drag back the knight from its +offside position at a4')} Qxa2 30. Nc5 Qf2 31. Nd3 Qe3 32. Qf1 Bd4 33. Qd1 h5 +34. Nb4 h4 {etc.}) ({It was more resilient to try and preserve the queenside +pawns by} 29. Qc1 {and although after} Be5 30. h3 h5 31. Nc3 ({if} 31. Qd1 { +there is also} g5 $5 32. Qc1 Kh7 {with the idea of ...g5-g4}) 31... h4 { +White's position is unenviable, I would still have had to work pretty hard.}) ( +{After} 29. Qb1 Be5 {Black is threatening ...Qf4.}) 29... Qc2 {(2)} 30. b3 ({ +Of course, not} 30. Qxa7 $2 Qd1+ 31. Qg1 Qxa4 {and wins.}) 30... Qxa2 {(2) It +is now Black who is a pawn up, and this is by no means all.} 31. Nc5 ({Again +White cannot play} 31. Qxa7 $2 Qxb3 32. g3 ({or} 32. h3 Be5) 32... Qd5+ {and ...Bd4.}) 31... Qd2 $6 {(2)} ({'} 31... Qc2 {was simpler, not releasing the +knight at all', I wrote in 1978.}) ({More than that -} 31... Qa3 $1 {would +have led to the quick win of a piece or the b-pawn.}) 32. Qb1 Bd4 {(5)} 33. Nd3 +Qe3 {(5)} 34. Nb4 h5 {(3)} ({It was possible to pursue the knight -} 34... a5 +$5 35. Nd3 (35. Nc6 Bb6) (35. Nc2 Qd3) 35... Qe2 36. Nf4 Qd2 37. Nh3 g5 {etc. +But I had already planned the advance of the h-pawn, and I was ready not only +for an attack, but also for mass exchanges.}) 35. Qd1 h4 (35... a5 $5 {.}) 36. +Nc2 $6 {Falling in with my wishes. Alburt apparently sensed that I had missed +the strongest continuation, and he visibly revived on seeing a 'saving chance'. +} (36. h3 {would have delayed the end, but after} Bc5 (36... Be5 37. Nc6 {is +not so clear}) 37. Nd3 Bb6 38. Qb1 (38. b4 Bc7 $1 {with the threat of ...Qg3}) +38... a5 {White would have lost because of zugzwang:} 39. Qd1 Qd4 40. Qb1 Kh7 +$1 (40... Bc7 41. Ne1 $1) 41. Qf1 Kg7 42. Qb1 (42. Ne1 Qd1 $1) 42... Kg8 43. +Qf1 Bc7 $1 44. Nc1 Qd6 45. Kg1 Qh2+ 46. Kf2 Qe5 47. Kg1 Qd6 {, soon winning +the b3-pawn.}) 36... Qxb3 37. Qxd4 Qb1+ $1 {'Garik drives the enemy queen from +the centre - this is useful!' (Alburt).} ({It was not yet too late to throw +away the win:} 37... Qxc2 $2 38. Qd8+ Kg7 39. Qd4+ f6 40. Qxa7+ Kh6 41. h3 {.}) +38. Qg1 Qxc2 39. Qxa7 Qd1+ 40. Qg1 Qxg1+ 41. Kxg1 {'The pawn endgame is won +for Black, but he has to play accurately' (Alburt). In preparations for one of +the sessions of the Botvinnik school I had done some thorough work on pawn +endings, and therefore I knew the winning method here. --- The time control +was reached, but the game was not adjourned, because the end of the playing +session was still a long way off: both of us, and I especially, had played +quickly and accumulated an enormous time 'surplus'.} Kg7 42. Kf2 Kf6 {(3)} 43. +Ke3 Ke5 {(3)} 44. Kf3 f5 45. Ke3 g5 46. h3 (46. Kf3 {was bad because of} g4+ { +followed by ...f5-f4, ...g4-g3 and if hxg3 the symmetric ...hxg3!. 'Alas, 46 +h3 also does not save White: Black employs an outflanking manoeuvre' (Alburt).} +) 46... Kd5 $1 ({'The masters tightly surrounding the board had time to +calculate the variation} 46... g4 $2 47. hxg4 fxg4 48. Kf2 Ke4 (48... Kf4 49. +g3+ $1) 49. Ke2 g3 50. Kf1 Ke3 51. Kg1 Ke2 52. Kh1 h3 53. Kg1 $1 {with a draw, +but Garik interrupted their searches by continuing his series of moves.' +(Nikitin)}) 47. Kd3 Kc5 (47... f4 48. Kd2 Kd4 49. Ke2 Ke4 50. Kf2 f3 51. gxf3+ +Kf4 {would also have won. However, I went my own way.}) 48. Kc3 g4 49. Kd3 gxh3 +({Or} 49... g3 50. Ke3 Kc4 51. Kf4 Kd3 {and wins.}) 50. gxh3 Kd5 51. Ke3 Ke5 +52. Kf3 f4 53. Kf2 Ke4 54. Ke2 f3+ 55. Kf1 {And here to all those present I +had the pleasure of demonstrating the famous 'triangulation' - a way of giving +the opponent the move.} Kf5 $1 ({(only not} 55... Ke3 56. Ke1 f2+ $2 57. Kf1 +Kf3 {- stalemate!)}) 56. Kg1 Ke5 {. It is not especially difficult to find the +last two moves, if you know the principle of the distant opposition or the +ending of the old game Fahrni-Alapin, which is given in books on the endgame.} +({White resigned: After} 56... Ke5 57. Kf1 Ke4 58. Kf2 Kf4 59. Kf1 Kg3 {the +h3-pawn is lost. --- Times: 1.52-1.10.}) (56... -- {Alburt: 'Garik's play in +this game created a strong impression on me. At the board he easily figured +out the tactical subtleties of the variation, accurately assessed the position, +and then demonstrated excellent technique in converting his advantage.' --- +Suddenly, after winning four successive games, I became the sole leader of the +tournament - 6½ out of 8! The last two wins over the Odessa duo effectively +brought me into grandmaster company. I did not have to wait long for the +formal confirmation of my playing strength... --- However, hard on my heels +was another rival - the talented master Igor Ivanov, formerly from Leningrad, +then living in Uzbekistan. Around that time he won several Soviet tournaments +and in the 1979 Spartakiad he defeated none other than the world champion +Karpov, but a year later he followed Korchnoi and Alburt, in becoming the +third chess defector (and in the end - a grandmaster). Ivanov began the +qualifying tournament in Daugavpils with two losses, but then he scored six +successive wins! We met in the 9th round and, after not achieving anything +with White from the opening, I complicated the play with a pawn sacrifice. In +a roughly equal position, not wishing to tempt fate further against a +formidable opponent, I offered a draw, but encountered a refusal. And - I +promptly developed a dangerous attack! However, at a critical moment I +released the black queen, and the draw became obvious.}) (56... -- {Nikitin +was unhappy with my 'pacifism' (he later had to speak more than once about +this psychological defect): 'On seeing a way of making his opponent force a +draw, Garry did not bother to look for a stronger move. Such a situation of +fighting with yourself was once described by Karpov, who drew this apt +conclusion: "It's not possible to play for a win, when in your heart you are +agreeable to a draw". To overcome yourself in such a position you have to love +chess madly - for example, like Fischer'. --- But my reserve of nervous energy +was already exhausted. In the 10th round literally in one move I threw away my +advantage in a game with Kapengut, whereas Ivanov won against Palatnik and +caught up with me - we both had 7½ out of 10 ('plus five'!). In the +concluding three rounds the contenders for finishing in the cherished first +seven endeavoured not to lose their precious 'pluses', and the leading group +was seized by a drawing epidemic. --- And so I reached the finish together +with Ivanov, sharing 1st-2nd places. Fortune favoured me: I had the better +Buchholz score. Nikitin: 'Garik jumped for joy. Where had the tiredness gone? +Despite such an insipid finish he unexpectedly won the only qualifying place +to the Premier League - a stunning success!' I remember that, when there were +no places on the participants' bus for me and my mother and we had to get off, +the inveterate wit Eduard Gufeld shouted after us: 'Yes, mother, we are going +a different way!' Everyone laughed loudly, but these were prophetic words: +subsequently I never played again either in the qualifying tournament, or in +the First League... --- Apart from Ivanov, those who qualified for the First +League were Kapengut, Kupreichik, Mikhalchishin, Panchenko and Tseshkovsky, +and later, after Panchenko withdrew, Alburt and Makarychev were also allowed +in. And, incidentally, three prize-winners in the qualifying tournament - +grandmasters Tseshkovsky, Mikhalchishin and Makarychev managed to break +through into the Premier League, and later Tseshkovsky even became champion of +the country (cf. the next chapter).}) (56... -- {From the magazine Shakhmaty v +SSSR: 'The main examinations of any young player's maturity are the +championships of the country. It was such an examination that Kasparov took in +Daugavpils. The confident play he demonstrated indicates that, under the +guidance of Botvinnik, Garik has already passed his first tests. A qualitative +leap has occurred in his play, one which it will be possible to evaluate +conclusively only during the USSR Championship Premier League in Tbilisi. +Kasparov's victory in Daugavpils was no accident. For the first time a +15-year-old player will perform in the main tournament of the country - Garik +has established a record of its kind'. --- From the Riga magazine Shakhmaty: +'Modern chess is increasingly becoming a young man's game. But even so, when a +15-year-old boy demonstrates an encyclopaedic knowledge of the openings, rich +imagination, rapid calculation in highly complicated middlegame situations, +and a possession of good technique for converting an advantage in the endgame +- all this cannot but cause astonishment'. --- Bagirov: 'I did not exclude the +possibility of Kasparov qualifying for the First League. But that which he +accomplished exceeded all expectations. From my heart I congratulate my young +compatriot, and I hope that in the elite too he will not prove "out of place". +' --- Botvinnik: 'During the six months since the Sokolsky Memorial, Kasparov +has made a huge leap forward. I realised this when playing through his games +from the qualifying tournament. I am in no doubt that in the Premier League +Kasparov will certainly not look a timid novice. I like the fact that in every +game, irrespective of the standard of his opponent, he puts his heart into it +and always aims only for a win. At his 15 years he thinks at the board and +calculates variations better than I did at his age. At the age of 12, when +Kasparov was already a candidate master, I had only just begun playing chess... +For Garik I have one wish - don't become conceited! This is now the main +thing'. --- So, in two leaps I jumped straight into adulthood. I was full of +energy and any doubts about my future disappeared. From now on my life would +be devoted to chess!}) 0-1 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "High Society Debut"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.07"] + +{46th USSR Championship Premier League (Tbilisi, 1-27 December 1978): 1. +Tseshkovsky and 2. Tal - 11 out of 17; 3. Polugaevsky - 10; 4. Georgadze - 9½; 5-8. Sveshnikov, Geller, Romanishin and Beliavsky - 9; 9. Kasparov - 8½; +10-13. Gulko, Timoshchenko, Bagirov and Makarychev - 8; 14-16. Razuvaev, +Tukmakov and Mikhalchishin - 7½; 17. Dorfman - 6½; 18. Kuzmin - 6.} 1. -- { +From the Baku Sport newspaper (July 1978): 'Garry Kasparov, a star pupil in +the 8th class of Baku school No.151, has put aside chess matters for a time +and is relaxing on the banks of the Caspian Sea. But at the end of the year, +for the first time in his life, he is due to meet some famous grandmasters in +the championship of the country in Tbilisi. Kasparov does not hide his joy, as +he awaits his December rendezvous with the best players in the country, but at +the same time he is very cautious in assessing his chances: "I should like to +finish no lower than 14th, to avoid returning back into the qualifying +tournament. To finish in the top nine, thus booking my place in the next +premier league, will be very difficult".'} (1. -- {When preparing for my first +USSR championship final, I did not set myself any ambitious targets, thinking +that first and foremost I should demonstrate good play and gain experience. +Nikitin always used to say that the main thing was to play well, and the +successes would follow. True, I later learned that back in 1975 he had shown +my mother a schedule of my future results. Against the year 1978 was marked: +USSR Championship Premier League. --- Not long before, at the tournament in +Minsk, I had been anxiously awaiting my first meeting with a grandmaster, +whereas now I was opposed by as many as 16 holders of the top title. +Botvinnik's strategic directive was extremely clear: 'Play 17 good games, +without thinking about the overall result'. Of course, I couldn't help +thinking about the result, but I didn't set my sights too high: not to drop +below the First League. But the start of the championship went well for me. +--- On arriving at the wonderful Tbilisi Chess Palace, where the tournament +was to be held, I suddenly remembered that I would not be playing for the +first time on that stage: in January 1976 it was here that the concluding +round of my victorious USSR Junior Championship took place (cf. Game No.13). +But now I would have to come on to the stage every day, and under the intense +gaze of numerous spectators battle with the 'big boys'. And whirling around in +my mind was the agonising question, whether I would be able to survive in a +competition with the titans, from the games of whom I had learned and whom +until quite recently I was able to meet only in a simultaneous display.}) * + +[Event "29: 46th USSR Championship, Tbilisi"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1978.12.02"] +[Round "1"] +[White "Geller, Ye"] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "1/2-1/2"] +[ECO "B19"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "83"] +[EventDate "1978.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In the 1st round I was paired with Black against the great Yefim Geller. The +difference in experience was vast: as yet I had none, whereas he had already +participated three times in the Candidates events (and later he would do so a +further three times!). 'Has Garik prepared for fumigation?', they asked my +mother, who, of course, was very anxious that evening. After all, Geller not +only smoked a lot, but he also played excellently with White... --- Viktor +Khenkin: 'The pairings brought together the youngest and the oldest +participants in the tournament. Kasparov - 15, and Geller - 53. Almost 40 +years separate the opponents - such a thing can only happen in chess. This +game was at the centre of attention. Apart from the character of the game +itself and the accompanying talk about the "passing of the baton from one +generation to another", everyone was intrigued by the question: how would the +young player adapt to the classical environment of the Premier League? I will +say straight away: both on the stage and at the chess board Garik conducted +himself as though all he had been doing throughout his life was to appear in +finals of the USSR Championship. And yet this was his first genuinely strong +tournament. The first stage, the first floodlights, and the first auditorium, +filled with hundreds of fans. Even highly experienced players are sometimes +unable to suppress the anxiety caused by the unusual circumstances. Remember +how in 1963 Petrosian lost the first game of his match with Botvinnik +effectively without a fight (and in 1949 the young Petrosian began with five +zeroes in his first USSR Championship, whereas another debutant - Geller - +shared 3rd place! - G.K.). Kasparov was certainly no less anxious. But even so, +he succeeded in focusing on customary chess images.' --- Yes, before the first +tournament game in my life against a world-class grandmaster I felt extremely +nervous. But when the arbiter started the clocks, the anxiety quickly subsided. +} 1. e4 c6 {At a reception at the end of the tournament, Gufeld laughingly +said to me within earshot of everyone: 'Why do you play the Caro-Kann all the +time?! Look at yourself in the mirror - you're just like one of the Mafia! You +should play only the Sicilian Defence!' And I myself began inclining towards +this under the influence of my games with Geller and Tseshkovsky, played in +Tbilisi.} 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 ({In Daugavpils +Kholmov successfully employed against me the rare plan with} 6. Nf3 Nd7 7. Bc4 +{, and later he explained: 'After looking at the games of my opponent, I +concluded that he had an excellent knowledge of the main variations with 6 h4. +' After this lesson I endeavoured to expand my knowledge in 'my' variations.}) +6... h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Qc7 (10... e6 {- Game No.17.} +) 11. Bd2 Ngf6 12. O-O-O e6 13. Ne4 {Geller's patent: White immediately +exchanges the knight which has no particular future on g3.} ({We had also +spent much time looking at another classical line -} 13. Qe2 O-O-O ({or the +sharper} 13... c5 14. Rh4 Rc8 {(Mikhalchishin-Kasparov, Daugavpils 1978)}) 14. +Ne5 {(Spassky-Petrosian, 13th match game, Moscow 1966)} Nb6 {.}) 13... O-O-O { +In those times this was a virtually obligatory move;} ({but later the flexible +} 13... Be7 {, retaining the option of kingside castling, also came into its +own.}) 14. g3 {With the intention of Bf4.} Nxe4 {(4) The natural reply.} ( +14... Ng4 $6 15. Qe2 Ndf6 $6 16. Bf4 Qa5 $6 (16... Qd7 17. Ne5) {, is +unsuccessful on account of} 17. Nxf6 $1 gxf6 (17... Nxf6 18. Ne5) 18. Nd2 $1 f5 +{(Geller-Petrosian, Moscow 1967)} 19. f3 $1 Nf6 20. Nb3 {with the threat of +Qe5.}) ({And if} 14... Nc5 15. Nxc5 Bxc5 {(I.Zaitsev-Petrosian, Moscow 1968), +then} 16. c4 {and Bc3 is good, although Black still plays this way.}) ({ +Against Tseshkovsky in the 16th round I tried} 14... c5 $2 15. Bf4 c4 {(an +idea, generated in the hurly-burly of the tournament), and after} 16. Qe2 ({ +after} 16. Bxc7 cxd3 17. Bxd8 $1 Nxe4 18. Rh4 $1 Nxf2 19. Rf1 {(d2) Black has +insufficient compensation for the exchange}) 16... Qc6 17. Nxf6 gxf6 18. d5 $1 +exd5 19. Nd4 Qa6 20. Kb1 {I agonised terribly over the search for the best +defence.}) 15. Qxe4 {One of the tabiyas of the entire variation.} Be7 {(2) To +me and my trainer this seemed the most accurate move;} ({but later we gave +preference to the natural and still fashionable} 15... Nf6 16. Qe2 -- ({, and +now not} 16... c5 $6 17. dxc5 Bxc5 18. Rh4 $1 {(Geller-Foguelman, Santiago +1965; Tal-Hübner, Montreal 1979 - Game No.143 in Volume II of 'My Great +Predecessors')}) ({, but} 16... Bd6 17. c4 c5 18. Bc3 cxd4 19. Nxd4 (19. Bxd4 +Qa5) 19... a6) ({, or even} 16... Rd5 {(Stein-Korchnoi, Sousse Interzonal 1967) +.})) ({The immediate} 15... Bd6 {is also not bad, with the idea of} 16. Kb1 ({ +or} 16. c4 c5) 16... Rhe8 {, and if} 17. Qh7 {, then} Rg8 {(Kramnik-Leko, 12th +match game, Brissago 2004).}) 16. Kb1 ({Black would also have been satisfied +with} 16. Bf4 Bd6) ({as well as} 16. c4 c5 17. Bc3 Bf6) ({or} 16. Ne5 Nxe5 17. +dxe5 Rd5 {.}) 16... Rhe8 {(4)} 17. Qe2 $5 {A novelty! Removing his queen from +possible attacks, White prepares Rhe1 or Ne5.} ({The earlier continuation} 17. +c4 c5 18. Bf4 Bd6 19. Ne5 {(Geller-Hort, Skopje 1968) faded because of} Re7 $1 +{(Gheorghiu-Hort, Olympiad, Lugano 1968).}) 17... Bd6 {(36) A difficult +choice: the longer I thought, the more obscure the way to equalise appeared.} ( +17... Bf8 18. c4 {was no better (Balashov-Hübner, Wijk aan Zee 1982)}) ({and +again} 17... c5 $6 {was inappropriate in view of} 18. Bf4 Bd6 19. Bxd6 Qxd6 20. +dxc5 Qxc5 21. Rd3 {.}) 18. Rhe1 {White completes his development;} ({although} +18. c4 {also suggests itself, with the idea of} e5 ({or} 18... c5 19. Bc3) 19. +Rhe1 {.}) 18... Nf6 {(24)} ({After} 18... e5 {in 'Informator' Geller +recommended} 19. dxe5 ({and I -} 19. Bc3 e4 20. Nh4 {(underestimating} Nf6 {)}) +({although later in our opening monograph Shakarov and I suggested} 19. c4 $1 { +(I should add that if} e4 $6 {, then} 20. c5 {is strong).})) ({In the event of +} 18... Re7 19. c4 c5 20. Bc3 Nf6 21. Ne5 (21. dxc5 $5) 21... cxd4 { +(Kasparov-Vukic, Skara 1980) White retains an enduring plus with} 22. Bxd4 {.}) +19. Ne5 c5 20. dxc5 $6 {Geller had also spent a lot of time in thought and he +was beginning to grow tired.} ({Otherwise he would have found the strong +manoeuvre} 20. Bc1 $1 {, of which I was afraid at the board, since I couldn't +see any clear response: I didn't want to exchange} Bxe5 ({while after} 20... +Nd5 21. c4 Nb4 22. a3 Nc6 23. Nxc6 Qxc6 24. Be3 {White has a small but +enduring advantage (if} Qe4+ 25. Qc2 {)}) 21. dxe5 {condemning my kingside to +a bind.}) 20... Bxe5 $1 {(5)} ({Apparently Geller was counting on exerting +pressure after} 20... Bxc5 21. f4 {, and he underestimated this reply: with a +temporary pawn sacrifice Black greatly simplifies the position.}) 21. Qxe5 Qxe5 +22. Rxe5 Rd4 {(20) After another long think I did not make the best choice.} ( +{After} 22... Ng4 $5 23. Re2 Rd5 {the draw would have been achieved without +any particular problems, for example:} 24. -- (24. Kc1 Red8 ({apparently} 24... +Rxh5 $5 25. f3 Nf6 26. b4 Rd8 {is simpler}) 25. f3 Ne5 26. Rf1 Rxc5 ({and now +not} 26... Nc4 {(?)} 27. Bc3 {'with an excellent game for White' (V.Khenkin} ( +27. Bb4 $5 {)})) 27. Bc3 Nc6 28. Bxg7 ({or} 28. g4 Nd4) 28... Rxh5 {, and +Black is alright}) (24. b4 Red8 25. Kc1 a5 {(it is useful to exchange a pair +of pawns)} 26. a3 axb4 27. axb4 Rxh5 28. Bc3 Rxd1+ 29. Kxd1 Rf5 30. Ke1 g5 { +with equality.})) 23. Kc1 Red8 {(2)} 24. f3 Nd7 {(5)} ({White is also slightly +better after} 24... R8d5 25. Rxd5 Rxd5 26. g4 Rxc5 27. Bb4 {.}) 25. Ree1 ({My +'Informator' recommendation} 25. Re2 Nxc5 26. Rde1 {is harmless in view of} +R4d5 27. g4 R8d6 28. Bc3 f6 {etc.}) 25... Nxc5 26. Bc3 ({Geller suggested the +preparatory} 26. g4 {, but after} Na4 27. Ba5 b6 28. Rxd4 Rxd4 29. Bd2 Rd6 {no +achievements for White are apparent.}) ({Perhaps it was slightly better to play +} 26. Be3 $5 {(to hinder a potential ...g7-g6)} Rxd1+ 27. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 28. Kxd1 +Nd7 29. g4 a6 30. Ke2 {, retaining a small plus, although here too Black +should be able to hold the position.}) 26... Rxd1+ {(3)} 27. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 28. +Kxd1 f6 29. Bb4 ({In the event of} 29. Ke2 {(Geller)} Kc7 {and if} 30. Bb4 { +Black has} Kc6 {.}) 29... Nd7 30. Ke2 {The trumps of White's position are +almost worthless.} ({Thus if} 30. Be7 $5 {(trying not to allow the black king +across to 'its' wing), then} f5 $1 31. Ke2 Nf6 32. Bxf6 gxf6 {is good, with a +probable draw.}) 30... Kd8 $1 {(a sound plan)} 31. g4 (31. Bd6 Ke8 ({or} 31... +f5 32. g4 Ke8 {.})) 31... Ke8 32. f4 $6 ({The last chance of fighting for an +advantage was} 32. Ke3 Kf7 33. Kf4 (33. Bd6 f5 $1) {, but after} 33... Nb6 34. +Be1 Nd5+ 35. Ke4 {Black would be saved by} f5+ $1 36. gxf5 Nf6+ 37. Ke5 exf5 { +and ...Nxh5. Because of the undermining move ...f6-f5 and the weakness of the +h5-pawn, White would not have time to create a passed pawn on the queenside +and exploit the advantage of bishop over knight.}) 32... Kf7 33. Bd2 ({Of +course, not} 33. f5 $2 Ne5 {. Geller was hoping to immobilise Black's kingside +and then set about creating a passed pawn on the queenside.}) 33... g6 $1 {(4) +An unpleasant surprise: Black is threatening to seize the initiative.} ({There +was an acceptable, but passive alternative:} 33... f5 34. g5 g6 35. hxg6+ Kxg6 +36. gxh6 Kxh6 37. Be3 a6 38. Bd4 Kh5 39. Kf3 b5 {etc.}) 34. f5 $1 {In his +traditional time-trouble Yefim Petrovich is equal to the occasion!} ({White +could no longer delay this advance: if} 34. hxg6+ $2 Kxg6 35. f5+ exf5 36. +gxf5+ Kxf5 37. Bxh6 Ke4 {he has a very difficult position}) ({and also after} +34. Bc3 f5 $1 35. gxf5 exf5 36. hxg6+ Kxg6 {only Black has winning chances.}) +34... g5 ({It made sense to create a passed pawn -} 34... exf5 $5 35. gxf5 gxh5 +36. Bxh6 Ne5 {, when a certain accuracy would still have been required of +White. Now, however, complete calm ensues.}) 35. Bc3 Nb6 {(5)} (35... exf5 36. +gxf5 Ne5 37. b3 Ke7 38. Bb4+ Kd7 $1 {(} 39. Bf8 Ke8 {) was also convincing.}) +36. Bd4 Nc8 37. Kf3 b6 38. fxe6+ Kxe6 39. c4 Ne7 40. Bc3 (40. c5 Nc6 $1 {.}) +40... f5 {(5)} 41. Bg7 Ng8 {Here the game was adjourned, and before sealing +his secret move, Geller offered me a draw. However, this was politely declined. +The eminent grandmaster was very unhappy about this, but I wondered whether +Black might be able to 'latch on' to the weak h5-pawn. --- Home analysis +showed that after any sensible reply by the opponent, including the sealed move +} 42. b4 {, my chances of success were short-lived. And we agreed a draw +without resuming the game, this time on the proposal of Black.} 1/2-1/2 + +[Event "30: 46th USSR Championship, Tbilisi"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1978.12.06"] +[Round "4"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Polugayevsky, L."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "B43"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "91"] +[EventDate "1978.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In the 2nd round I had White against my compatriot, grandmaster Vladimir +Bagirov. The first tournament encounter with the long-standing leader of the +Azerbaijan team! My opponent also chose the Caro-Kann, but with 4...Nd7. In a +slightly better position, on the 18th move I did not risk sacrificing my +knight on e6 and I castled kingside, which led to simplification and a quick +draw. Later we spent a long time analysing the game in the players' room, and +this was described in the sports press: 'Ex-world champion Mikhail Tal leaned +over Garik and with unfeigned admiration in his voice commented on the +variations he was demonstrating - "one more biting than the other". And +everything reduced to the fact that these variations "ended in Bagirov being +mated, or completely crushed". One of the grandmasters standing alongside +quietly remarked that "White should have sacrificed the piece" and asked the +youngster why he didn't do this. Garik replied seriously: "There were too many +variations. I couldn't calculate them all." To this Tal instantly responded +with his disarming smile: "You should first sacrifice, and then calculate".' +--- The knight sacrifice did indeed look very promising (it was only many +years later that the sole defence for Black was found, one that none of us had +seen). And I reproached myself for my excessive timidity in relation to the +experts, especially since the move earlier I could have played 17 Bc4, in +order to sacrifice not the knight, but the bishop on e6. Bagirov, by contrast, +was happy with the result of the game and he even prophetically stated: 'The +time will come when everyone will regard a draw with this boy as a blessing... +' --- In the 3rd round I made a quiet draw with Black against Makarychev - +this also quite satisfied my opponent. And in the 4th round I was paired +against one of the tournament favourites, Lev Polugayevsky, many times a +participant in the Candidates matches, who had also started with three draws. +A few years earlier we had met in a clock simultaneous, but never one-to-one.} +1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 ({Polugayevsky prepared seriously for the game, and instead +of his patent but dangerous variation in the Najdorf (} 2... d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. +Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 b5 $5 {) he decided to choose a reserve +weapon - the Paulsen Variation. As he himself explained: 'Why should I do that +which is expected of me?'}) 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Nc3 {(5)} ({In the 21st +Century I tried} 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Qc7 ({the new fashion instead of} 6... Bb4) +7. a3 {- against Kramnik (2nd match game, Moscow 2001), Vallejo and Ivanchuk +(Linares 2002).}) 5... Qc7 ({Also avoiding the variation} 5... b5 6. Bd3 {, +which in the mid-1960s occurred in my opponent's games, and in the late-1990s +in mine.}) 6. Be2 {(4)} b5 ({Here it is, the opening surprise of the +experienced fighter: my basic preparation for White was mainly directed against +} 6... Nf6) ({or} 6... Nc6 {.}) 7. Bf3 {(14) A solid move, but rather an +awkward one;} ({and less energetic compared with} 7. O-O {, as I played later:} +-- (7... b4 8. Na4 Bb7 9. c3 $5 {a sharp pawn sacrifice;} (9. Bf3 Bd6 10. e5 $5 +{is also interesting, Efimenko-Volokitin, Bundesliga 2007}) 9... Nf6 (9... Bxe4 +10. Bf3 ({or} 10. Be3 $5) 10... Nf6 11. Bg5) 10. cxb4 Bxb4 11. Be3 {, and +White has good prospects (Kasparov-Topalov, 4th rapid match game, Sofia 1998)}) +(7... Bb7 8. Re1 $1 Nc6 ({after} 8... b4 $6 {I long ago devised a knight +sacrifice -} 9. Nd5 $1) 9. Nxc6 dxc6 10. e5 $1 Ne7 (10... Qxe5 $2 {is weak +because of} 11. Bh5 $1 Qd6 12. Bxf7+ $1) ({in this topical line} 10... Rd8 11. +Bd3 c5) ({or the more recent} 10... Bb4 {is not so clear}) 11. Bd3 Ng6 ({or} +11... Rd8 12. Bg5 h6 13. Qh5 {, Kamsky-Lutz, Dortmund 1993}) 12. Qh5 {with the +initiative (Kasparov-Ye Jiangchuan, Batumi (rapid) 2001).}) (7... Nc6 8. Nxc6 +dxc6 9. Bg5 $6 {Anand-Leko, Dortmund 1996.})) 7... Bb7 ({The alternative is} +7... Nc6 8. Nxc6 dxc6 {, and if} 9. O-O Bd6 {.}) 8. O-O (8. Qe2 {is no better:} +Nc6 (8... b4 9. Nd5 $5) 9. Nxc6 dxc6 10. e5 Ne7 {with equality (Tal-Gheorghiu, +Moscow Interzonal 1982).}) 8... Nc6 9. Nxc6 {(5)} dxc6 $1 ({After} 9... Bxc6 $6 +{Black has to reckon with the typical sacrifice} 10. Nd5 $1 {, which promises +White an obvious advantage:} exd5 ({or} 10... Bxd5 11. exd5 Rc8 12. c3 Nf6 { +(Barua-Bischoff, Calcutta 1997)} 13. g3 $1 Be7 (13... Bd6 14. Bg5) 14. Re1 { +etc.}) 11. exd5 Bb7 12. Re1+ Kd8 13. d6 $1 Bxd6 14. Bxb7 Bxh2+ 15. Kh1 Qxb7 16. +Kxh2 {(Crouch).}) 10. e5 $5 {(35) This unclear pawn sacrifice was a novelty, +devised after agonising hesitation at the board.} ({I very much wanted to +activate my bishop on f3. In the old game Estrin-Polugayevsky (Moscow 1964) +after} 10. a4 Bd6 11. axb5 (11. g3 Nf6 {is equal}) 11... cxb5 12. e5 Bxe5 13. +Nxb5 axb5 14. Rxa8+ Bxa8 15. Bxa8 Bxh2+ $5 ({the equalising} 15... Nf6 16. h3 +O-O {is more modest, Nisipeanu-Ivanchuk, Khanty-Mansiysk (rapid) 2007}) 16. Kh1 +Bd6 17. Qd3 b4 18. Rd1 Ke7 19. Be3 Nf6 20. Ra1 Bc5 21. Qc4 Rc8 {White did not +gain full compensation for the pawn.}) 10... Qxe5 (10... b4 {is hardly any +better:} 11. Ne4 (11. Na4 $5) 11... Qxe5 12. c3 $5 {(Stohl).}) 11. Re1 Qc7 ({ +In the event of} 11... Qd6 {(Barle-Miles, Bled/Portoroz 1979) the black queen +comes under attack with gain of tempo:} 12. Qe2 Nf6 13. a4 $1 b4 14. Ne4 Nxe4 +15. Qxe4 Qc7 (15... O-O-O 16. Be3 $1) 16. Bf4 Bd6 17. Bxd6 Qxd6 { +(Hambardzumian-Alvarado, Najdorf Memorial 2007)} 18. Rad1 $1 {with excellent +compensation for the pawn.}) 12. Bh5 $1 {(11) Creating the threat of Rxe6+.} ( +{The less vigorous} 12. a4 Nf6 13. axb5 axb5 14. Rxa8+ Bxa8 15. Nxb5 cxb5 16. +Bxa8 Bd6 17. g3 O-O 18. Bg2 b4 19. Bg5 Be5 {leads to equality +(Velimirovic-Rublevsky, Herzeg Novi 1999).}) 12... Be7 $1 {My opponent also +sharply reduced his speed of decision-taking - he had plenty to think about. +It is clear that Black has to return the pawn, but he would like to find the +best way of doing this.} ({Let us consider the other possible replies:} 12... +g6 $2 13. Qd4 f6 14. Rxe6+ Kf7 15. Bf4 c5 16. Qe3 Qd7 17. Bg4 f5 18. Re1 fxg4 +19. Ne4 {with a very strong attack}) (12... Bc8 $2 {(a strange +'Steinitz-style' recommendation by Crouch)} 13. Ne4 $1 Be7 (13... g6 14. Bf3) +14. Qf3 Nf6 ({or} 14... g6 15. Qc3 e5 16. Bf3 {, and Black is in trouble}) 15. +Bf4) (12... Rd8 13. Rxe6+ Be7 14. Qf3 g6 15. Bf4 $1 {(Stohl)} Qd7 16. Re3 $5 c5 +$1 ({not} 16... gxh5 $2 17. Qxh5 c5 18. Rae1) 17. Bg4 Bxf3 18. Bxd7+ Kxd7 19. +Rxf3 Kc6 20. Re1 {, retaining pressure in the endgame}) (12... Ne7 13. Qf3 ({ +after} 13. Rxe6 g6 $1 14. Re4 ({or} 14. Ne4 fxe6) 14... Rd8 15. Qe2 c5 16. Bf4 +Qb6 {no way to gain an advantage is apparent}) 13... Ng6 14. Qh3 Bc8 $1 { +(Crouch)} 15. a4 $1 b4 16. Bxg6 fxg6 17. Ne4 Be7 (17... e5 $6 18. Qb3) 18. Bg5 +$1 {with the initiative}) (12... Nf6 $5 13. Rxe6+ Be7 {, transposing into a +position which could have arisen in the game - cf. the note to Black's next +move.}) 13. Rxe6 {(6)} g6 {This at first sight strong reply (Black is +threatening to win material) gives White new possibilities.} ({The developing} +13... Nf6 {was safer, after which I was intending to fight for the initiative +with the unexpected move} 14. Ne4 $1 {.} -- ({. Thus, in the event of} 14... +O-O $6 {there is the unpleasant} 15. Nxf6+ Bxf6 16. Rxf6 $1 gxf6 17. Bh6 ({or} +17. Qg4+ Kh8 18. Bd2 {.})) ({. Instead,} 14... Nxh5 15. Qxh5 O-O 16. Bf4 Qd7 { +is correct, when White is at a crossroads:} 17. -- (17. Re5 f6 $1 ({but not} +17... Rad8 $6 18. Re1 Bb4 $2 19. Nf6+ $1 gxf6 20. Rg5+ $1 {with a spectacular +mate, Gild.Garcia-Zapata, Medellin 1992}) 18. Rd1 Qe8 19. Nd6 (19. Nxf6+ $6 +gxf6 20. Qg4+ Kh8 21. Rd7 $1 fxe5 $1 22. Bxe5+ Rf6 23. Rxb7 Qf7 {- Stohl}) +19... Qxh5 20. Rxh5 Rad8 {with equality}) (17. Ng5 $1 Bxg5 $1 (17... h6 $6 18. +Rd1 Qe8 $2 19. Rxh6 $1 {, and wins - Crouch}) 18. Rd6 $1 Qf5 19. Qxg5 Qxg5 20. +Bxg5 c5 (20... Rfe8 21. Rd7) 21. Be3 c4 22. f3 {- White has somewhat the +better endgame, but in view of the opposite-colour bishops a draw is the most +probable result.}))) 14. Re1 $2 {(34) An important moment in the game, not +mentioned by the commentators.} ({Alas, despite the time spent, I missed} 14. +Re4 $1 {with the idea of Bf4 - this would have set Black difficult problems:} +-- (14... gxh5 $2 15. Bf4 $1 Qd7 16. Qxh5 Nf6 17. Qe5 $1 Qe6 18. Rae1 Rf8 19. +Qc7 $1 Nxe4 20. Nxe4 Rd8 {- Black is a rook ahead, but after} 21. h3 $1 {(an +escape square!) he loses his queen:} Ba8 ({or} 21... f5 22. Nd6+ Rxd6 23. Rxe6 +Rxe6 24. Qxb7 {with a decisive material advantage}) 22. Re3 {and Nd6+}) (14... +c5 15. Bf4 $1 Qd8 $1 ({after} 15... Qd7 $6 16. Qxd7+ Kxd7 17. Bg4+ f5 18. Rd1+ +Ke8 19. Ree1 {White has powerful pressure}) 16. Qe2 $5 (16. Re3 b4 $1 17. Bf3 ( +{or} 17. Qe2 gxh5 18. Rd1 Qb6 {is unclear}) 17... Qxd1+ 18. Nxd1 Bxf3 19. Rxf3 +f5 {and ...Nf6}) 16... gxh5 17. Rd1 Qb6 18. Rd6 Qa5 19. Re3 Rd8 $1 (19... b4 $6 +{is weak in view of} 20. Nd5 Bxd5 21. Rxd5 Qxa2 22. Rd1 $1) 20. Qxh5 b4 21. Ne4 +Bxe4 22. Rxe4 {with splendid compensation for the piece}) (14... Rd8 $1 {(the +immediate inclusion of the rook eases the defence)} 15. Qe2 c5 16. Bf4 Qb6 17. +Bf3 $1 Bxe4 18. Nxe4 {with sufficient initiative for the exchange (} Kf8 19. +Re1 ({or} 19. a4 {). Thus my sacrifice of pawn and bishop was completely +correct, and only the faulty rook retreat to e1 casts doubts on it.}))) 14... +Rd8 $2 {Timidly played, and after a long think.} ({Immediately after the game +I asked my opponent why he hadn't taken the bishop -} 14... gxh5 $1 15. -- ({ +, and the grandmaster candidly admitted that} 15. Qd4 f6 16. -- (16. Qd1 { +seemed dangerous to him - 'the king is rather weak...'. Gufeld, who was +standing alongside, picturesquely exclaimed: 'Are we hearing this from the +author of the Polugayevsky Variation?!' Indeed, after} Rd8 $1 ({this is safer +than Timman's move} 16... b4) 17. Qxh5+ Kf8 {with the intention of ...c6-c5 +(and if} 18. Be3 {there is also} Bc8 {) Black would have parried the attack, +retaining his extra piece and every chance of winning.}) ({. Instead of 16 Qd1 +it is possible to play} 16. Bf4 c5 $1 17. Qe3 Qc6 18. Qh3 {, and here} Kf8 ({ +but the accurate} 18... b4 $1 19. Ne4 Rd8 {secures Black's advantage}) 19. Re6 +Qe8 20. Rb6 $1 Bc8 {(Crouch)} 21. Qf3 {etc. leads to a sharp game.})) ({. What +then should be done after the capture of the bishop? White loses after} 15. +Qxh5 $2 O-O-O) ({, and} 15. Bg5 c5 {(Stohl) does not look any good.}) ({. In +the game Wojtkiewicz-Ionov (Yurmala 1980) White made the attempt} 15. Ne4 -- ({ +, and after} 15... Kf8 $2 16. Qd4 $2 ({but by} 16. Qxh5 h6 $1 {(Sveshnikov)} +17. b3 $1 {and Bb2 he would have achieved a good game}) 16... f6 17. Nc5 Bc8 +18. Bf4 Qd8 19. Qe3 Qd5 20. b4 Bxc5 21. bxc5 Bd7 $1 {he was left empty-handed.} +) ({. True, Black too could have played more strongly -} 15... c5 $1 {(Stohl)} +16. Nd6+ Kf8 17. Nxb7 Qxb7 18. Qxh5 Rd8 $1 {with hopes of converting the extra +piece.}) (15... Rd8 $6 16. Qf3 $1 c5 17. Bf4 {is unclear.}))) 15. Qf3 {Now the +position is again one of dynamic balance.} c5 ({Here too} 15... gxh5 {was +possible, although in their time both Speelman and Crouch condemned this +capture because of} 16. Bf4 {'followed by Be5'.} -- ({. And indeed,} 16... Qc8 +$2 17. Be5 c5 18. Ne4 $1 {is nightmarish for Black}) ({, while in the event of +} 16... Qd7 $6 17. Qxh5 $1 c5 18. Be5 $1 (18. Rad1 Qc6 19. Rxd8+ Kxd8 20. f3 +Ke8 $1 21. Qe5 Qe6 $1 22. Qb8+ Qc8 {is equal}) 18... Qc6 $1 19. f3 Nf6 20. Qh6 +Kd7 $1 (20... Rg8 $2 21. Bxf6 Rxg2+ 22. Kh1 $1 {- Stohl}) 21. Bg3 $1 {(with +the threat of Rxe7+!) Black has to fight to survive:} Nd5 $1 22. Qxc6+ Bxc6 ( +22... Kxc6 $5 23. Nxd5 Bg5 $1) 23. Rad1 Bf6 $1 ({not Crouch's variation} 23... +Ke8 $2 24. Bh4 {and wins}) 24. Nxd5 Bxd5 25. Rxd5+ Kc6 26. Rf5 Bxb2 27. Rxf7 b4 +{etc.}) ({. However,} 16... Qb6 {is safer, not fearing either} 17. Be5 ({or} +17. Qg3 c5 {transposing into a position from the game}) 17... c5 18. Qxh5 Nf6 +19. Qh6 Kd7 $1 20. Qh3+ Ke8 {, when White has only a draw by repetition -} 21. +Qh6 {.})) 16. Bf4 $1 {I think that Polugayevsky had underestimated this move.} +Qb6 ({Black would like to simplify the position -} 16... Bxf3 {(?)} 17. Bxc7 +Bxh5 18. Bxd8 Kxd8 {, but after} 19. f3 $1 {the bishop at h5 is trapped and he +is literally one move short of being able to free it:} g5 ({or} 19... f5 20. +Rad1+ Ke8 (20... Kc8 21. Nd5 $1 {- Crouch}) 21. Rd6 Kf8 22. Rxa6 Bh4 23. Ra8+ +Kf7 24. Re2 {and wins}) 20. Rad1+ Kc8 (20... Ke8 21. Rd6 {- Timman}) 21. Nd5 +Bd6 22. Nb6+ $1 Kc7 23. Re8) ({Crouch drew attention to the possibility of} +16... Qd7 {, intending} 17. Bg4 ({but Black may have been frightened by the +irrational continuation} 17. Qg3 $5 gxh5 18. Qg7 Qg4 19. Be5 $1) 17... Bxf3 18. +Bxd7+ Kxd7 19. gxf3 Kc6 {with equality.}) 17. Qg3 gxh5 18. Bc7 $1 {(5)} ({Of +course, not} 18. Be5 $2 Nf6 $1 19. Bc7 (19. Qf4 Kd7 $1) 19... Qc6 20. Bxd8 Rg8 +$1 {and wins (Timman)}) ({or} 18. Qg7 $2 Qg6 $1 (18... Qf6 $4 19. Rxe7+ $1 Kxe7 +20. Bg5) 19. Rxe7+ Nxe7 $1 20. Qxh8+ Kd7 21. Rd1+ Bd5 22. Qxd8+ Kxd8 23. Nxd5 +Nf5 $1 24. c3 Kc8 {, and White cannot hold the position.}) 18... Qg6 {The only +move. Already both players had used most of their time on the clock, and the +rest took place in a time scramble.} 19. Bxd8 Qxg3 20. hxg3 Kxd8 21. Rad1+ Kc7 +22. Nd5+ Bxd5 23. Rxd5 {In this ending, which has arisen by force, in contrast +to the variation with 16...Bxf3 the white rooks do not have their knight +assistant, and hence there are no mating threats. It only remains for Black to +complete his development.} h6 $1 24. Rxh5 Rh7 {Now the bishop can be moved +from e7 and the sleeping knight brought into play. --- Material is roughly +equal - rook and pawn against bishop and knight, but in addition the black +pawns are targets for the rooks. At the board I optimistically reckoned that +my chances, at the least, were not worse.} 25. Rhe5 {(5)} (25. a4 $5 {was also +interesting:} b4 26. Kf1 Rg7 27. Rf5 Kc6 28. b3 Bf6 29. Re8 Bd4 30. Ra8 Kb6 31. +Rf8 {with equality.}) 25... Kd7 {Aiming for safety in time-trouble.} ({The +immediate} 25... Bd6 $5 {was more logical.}) 26. R5e3 {(3)} Rg7 27. Rd3+ Kc7 +28. Ra3 Rg6 29. Rf3 (29. Rf3 {after this I offered a draw, having in mind the +repetition of moves -} Rg7 30. Ra3 {. However, instead of replying the +grandmaster moved his bishop. Incidentally, in my next game with Polugayevsky, +in the USSR Team Championship (Moscow 1979), in a similar position I also +offered a draw, and on this occasion my opponent replied that he wanted to +'play on for a bit', but - he again lost.}) 29... Bf6 $6 {This is not yet a +mistake, and yet it plays into White's hands, allowing him to activate his +rooks.} 30. c3 $1 (30. Re8 Bxb2 31. Rxf7+ Kd6 32. Ra7 Kd5 {with equality - +Stohl.}) 30... Kd7 31. Rd3+ Kc7 32. Re8 {Here Polugayevsky grew nervous, +evidently regretting that he had allowed the enemy rook into his camp. +Meanwhile, the playing time was rapidly expiring: for the last moves to the +time control we had literally seconds remaining...} Ne7 $2 ({By bringing back +his bishop -} 32... Be7 $1 {, Black could then have activated his knight in +time and maintained the balance by dynamic play:} 33. Ra8 (33. Rf3 Rg7) ({, or +} 33. b3 Bd6 34. Ra8 Nf6 35. Rxa6 Ng4 36. Ra7+ (36. Rd1 Rf6) 36... Kb6 37. Rxf7 +Ne5 38. Rg7 Rxg7 39. Rxd6+ {and Rxh6, with three pawns for a piece and a +probable draw}) 33... c4 34. Ra7+ Kb6 35. Rdd7 Re6 36. b4 Bd6 37. Rdb7+ Kc6 38. +Rxf7 Nf6 39. Rxa6+ Kd5 40. Kf1 Ne4 {with equality (Crouch).}) 33. Red8 Nc6 $6 { +With his flag about to fall, Black becomes rattled.} ({His position is already +very unpleasant - say,} 33... Bg5 $6 34. f4 Bf6 35. R8d7+ Kc8 36. Kh2 $1) ({or +} 33... c4 $6 34. R3d7+ Kc6 35. Rd6+ Kc5 36. Rxa6 {.}) ({However,} 33... Nc8 $5 +{was more resilient:} 34. R8d7+ Kc6 35. Rxf7 b4 36. f4 $1 Nd6 (36... c4 $2 37. +f5 $1) 37. Ra7 Bd8 $1 ({but not} 37... Kb6 $6 38. Rxa6+ $1 Kxa6 39. Rxd6+ Kb7 +40. f5 Kc7 41. Re6 $1) 38. Rxa6+ Bb6 39. cxb4 Kb5 40. Rxb6+ Kxb6 41. bxc5+ Kxc5 +42. Kh2 {- four pawns for the knight guarantee White the advantage, but it is +still a long way from a win.}) 34. R8d7+ Kb6 35. Rxf7 Be7 36. Re3 {(3)} Bd6 37. +f4 c4 38. Kh2 ({I saw the more vigorous move} 38. f5 $1 {with the possible +sequel} Rg8 39. Re6 Rd8 40. Rff6 Kc5 41. Rxh6 {, winning, but in the time +scramble I didn't want to spoil anything before the adjournment and I played +as solidly as possible.}) 38... Bc5 39. Re2 b4 ({The waiting move} 39... Bd6 { +is hardly any better - objectively Black has little hope of saving the game.}) +40. Re4 $1 {Depriving the opponent of counterplay.} bxc3 ({To Stohl's move} +40... b3 {there is the strong reply} 41. a4 $1 {.}) 41. bxc3 Bf2 {Alas, the +g3- and c4-pawns are not of equal value.} 42. Rxc4 ({Again} 42. f5 $5 {was +more energetic, for example:} Bxg3+ 43. Kh3 Rg5 44. Rxc4 Bd6 45. Rf6 Kc7 46. g4 +h5 47. Kh4 Rxg4+ 48. Rxg4 hxg4 49. Kxg4 Ne5+ 50. Kh5 {with a quick win. --- +Here the game was adjourned. From the press: 'According to Botvinnik's +preliminary assessment, White has good winning chances.' The adjournment +session took place only after the 6th round.}) 42... Bxg3+ {The sealed move.} +43. Kh3 Be1 44. a4 $1 {The crux of the straightforward home analysis: the +black king is deprived of the b5-square, so that it cannot drive the rook from +c4, and now g2-g4 and f4-f5 is threatened.} Na5 ({Things are also dismal for +Black after} 44... h5 {(Stohl)} 45. Rf5 $1 h4 46. Rg5) ({or} 44... Rg3+ 45. Kh2 +Rg6 ({no better is} 45... Rxc3 46. Rxc3 Bxc3 47. g4) ({or, as pointed out by +Stohl,} 45... Rd3 46. g4 $1 Bxc3 47. Rh7) 46. g4 Rd6 47. Kg2 Bh4 48. Kf3 {etc.} +) 45. Rb4+ {(4)} Kc5 $2 {Blundering a piece. It is probable that Polugayevsky +no longer believed it was possible to save the game (especially after 44 a4). +At any event, when I replied 46 Rf5+, he stopped the clocks without any +visible sign of vexation.} ({It is amusing that, after} 45... Kc6 46. -- ({, +'64', Shakhmaty v SSSR and 'Informator' all gave one and the same 'way to win' +-} 46. Rf5 {(?)} Bxc3 {(?)} ({Stohl and a computer easily refuted this +variation by} 46... Rg3+ 47. Kh2 Rxc3 $1 48. Rxa5 Bg3+ 49. Kh3 Be1+ 50. Kg4 +Rg3+ 51. Kf5 Bxb4 {with a draw (} 52. Rxa6+ Kd7 {etc.)}) 47. Rxa5 {with the +idea of} Bxb4 48. Rxa6+) ({. In fact White has at least two completely safe +ways to the goal:} 46. Rb1 -- (46... Re6 47. f5 Re3+ 48. Kg4 Bxc3 49. Ra7 { +(Stohl)}) ({, or} 46... Rg3+ 47. Kh2 Re3 48. Rf6+ $1 ({Stohl's move} 48. g4 { +is parried by Crouch's reply} Nc4 $1) 48... Kc7 49. f5 $1 Bg3+ (49... Bxc3 50. +Rxh6) 50. Kg1 Bd6 51. Rxh6 Nc4 52. f6 Nd2 {and now not Crouch's move} 53. f7 { +(?)} ({but} 53. Rd1 $1 Bc5 54. Kh2 Bd6+ 55. Kh1 Re6 56. g4 Ne4 57. Kg2 Rxf6 58. +Rxf6 Nxf6 59. g5 {and wins}) 53... Bc5 $1 {with a draw.}) (46... Bxc3 $2 47. +Rc1 {.})) (46. Rb8 Rg3+ 47. Kh2 Rxc3 ({or} 47... Re3 48. Rf6+ (48. g4 $5) 48... +Kc7 {(d5)} 49. Rg8 {followed by Rxh6 etc.}) 48. Rc8+ Kd5 49. Rxc3 Bxc3 50. Ra7 +{.})) 46. Rf5+ {. Times: 2.35-2.44. --- From the press: 'Kasparov's first win +over one of the strongest players in the world'. --- An uneven, but +interesting and very tense game, with an original treatment of the opening. It +was and still remains an object of my pride. --- Nikitin: 'The fight is +intensifying with every round. At times the hall in the Chess Palace resembles +an agitated beehive, and then a brightly flashing sign "Quiet!" helps to +restore order. In this difficult situation the young Kasparov feels very much +at home. He has already adapted, and become acquainted with his rivals - in +short, he has become a man on the stage.' --- Viktor Khenkin: 'It somehow +turned out that the 15-year-old master was not only immediately taken +seriously, but they also began to be afraid of him. The Odessa player Tukmakov, +playing White against him in the 5th round, so diligently exchanged the pieces, +that a draw became inevitable as early as the 21st move. "Out of harm's way", +the grandmaster explained his tactics. But Garik is aiming for a fight; he +needs to gain in strength, and test himself.'} 1-0 + +[Event "31: 46th USSR Championship, Tbilisi"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1978.12.08"] +[Round "6"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Kuzmin, G."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "C97"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "81"] +[EventDate "1978.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In the 6th round I played another strong Ukrainian grandmaster - Gennady +Kuzmin, twice a prize-winner in USSR Championships and a participant in +Interzonal Tournaments. The successful start had given me confidence, and +before a game with another chess authority I no longer experienced any +timidity (especially since our two previous games in simultaneous displays had +ended in draws).} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O (5. d4 {- +Game No.1.}) 5... Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 +Qc7 12. d5 {(6)} ({My knowledge in the main lines of the Chigorin Variation -} +12. Nbd2 -- (12... cxd4 13. cxd4 Nc6 ({or} 13... Bb7 {- was as yet +insufficient, and I immediately closed the centre})) ({, since here I had some +slight but pleasant experience (} 12... c4 $6 13. b4 $1 {- Game No.14).})) +12... Nc4 ({An alternative is} 12... Bd7 13. b3 ({if} 13. Nbd2 {, then} g6 ({or +} 13... c4 {with the idea of ...Nb7-c5}) 14. Nf1 Nh5) 13... Nb7 14. c4 b4 15. +Nbd2 Ne8 {(Rubinstein's old plan)} 16. Nf1 g6 17. Bh6 Ng7 18. g4 f6 19. Ng3 { +½-½ (Kasparov-Matanovic, Banja Luka 1979). The draw secured me victory in +the tournament, otherwise I would have played on:} Nd8 20. Qd2 Nf7 21. Be3 { +etc.}) ({The immediate} 12... Ne8 {is also possible, for example:} 13. b3 Nb7 +14. Nbd2 g6 15. a4 Rb8 16. axb5 axb5 17. Nf1 Ng7 {followed by ...f7-f6 and ...Nd8-f7 (Sion Castro-Beliavsky, Leon 1994).}) 13. a4 $1 {(12)} Bd7 14. b3 Na5 ({ +In my view, this is better than} 14... Nb6 15. a5 Nc8 16. -- ({, which gives +White somewhat the better chances after both} 16. b4 c4 17. Nbd2 { +(Kasparov-Ivanchuk, Prague (rapid) 2002)}) ({, and} 16. c4 $5 g6 ({or} 16... b4 +17. Nbd2 {(Adams-Kasimdzhanov, 5th match game, Tripoli 2004)}) 17. Nc3 Nh5 18. +Ne2 {(Topalov-Shirov, Linares 2004).})) 15. axb5 {(7)} axb5 16. Nbd2 Nb7 ({The +'bad' knight should not have been moved away immediately (nor in the variation +} 16... c4 17. b4 Nb7 18. Bb2 {).}) ({It was more logical to play} 16... Rfb8) +({or} 16... g6 17. Nf1 Nh5 18. Bh6 Rfe8 {(Psakhis-G.Kuzmin, Krasnoyarsk 1980).} +) 17. Bb2 g6 ({Now if} 17... c4 {, apart from} 18. b4 {,} ({there is also} 18. +bxc4 bxc4 19. Ba3 {with play against the c4-pawn.})) 18. c4 {(5)} Nh5 $2 (18... +b4 {was correct (and if} 19. Nh2 Nh5 {), maintaining a closed and quite +tolerable position.}) 19. cxb5 $1 {(4)} Bxb5 20. Nc4 {Unexpectedly the knight +has acquired an excellent post;} (20. Nc4 {since the exchange} Bxc4 $2 21. bxc4 +{is unacceptable for Black in view of the invasion of the white bishop via a4. +White has an easy game - his next few moves are obvious, whereas Black's +knight at b7 is a big headache: in this half-open position it is not easy to +bring it back to life - he lacks time and space.}) 20... f6 {Kuzmin is relying +on the typical idea of ...Rfb8 and ...Nd8-f7, but here this does not help.} ({ +After} 20... Ng7 $6 21. -- ({, in 'Informator' I gave} 21. Nfxe5 dxe5 22. Bxe5 +{, but after} Bd6 {it is only a question of compensation for the piece -} 23. +Nxd6 Nxd6 24. Bb2 {, etc.}) (21. Qd2 $1 {is far stronger, and in the event of} +f5 $2 {there is the decisive} 22. Rxa8 Rxa8 23. exf5 Nxf5 ({or} 23... gxf5 24. +Nfxe5 $1 (24. Qh6 $5) 24... dxe5 25. Bxe5 Bd6 26. Nxd6 Nxd6 27. Qf4 {followed +by Re3}) 24. Bxf5 gxf5 25. Ncxe5 $1 {.})) (20... Bf6 $5 {was perhaps the +lesser evil, temporarily 'forgetting' about the fate of the knight on b7, +although all the same Black would have faced a depressing and passive defence.} +) 21. Qd2 Rfb8 22. Bc3 Bf8 (22... Nd8 {is more consistent, when} 23. g3 Nf7 24. +h4 {is good, retaining unpleasant pressure.}) 23. Nh2 {(7)} Nf4 {This proves +to be a blank shot.} 24. Ng4 {(6)} Bg7 {It is not clear what Black has +achieved by switching his bishop from e7 to g7. Most probably he has simply +lost time, whereas White has gradually strengthened his position.} 25. h4 {(2)} +Qc8 26. Nge3 {(11)} Bxc4 {Kuzmin is no longer able to tolerate the knight on +c4.} ({If} 26... Rxa1 27. Rxa1 Ra8 {there could have followed} 28. Rxa8 Qxa8 +29. g3 Nh5 30. Bd1 $5 {with the threat of Bxh5 or Bg4.}) 27. bxc4 Bh6 ({Also +after} 27... Nd8 28. g3 Nh5 {in various lines there is the attractive idea Bd1. +}) 28. Rxa8 {(21)} Rxa8 29. Bd1 $1 {Black's problems are continuing to +snowball. His two knights - both the 'bad' one and the 'good' one - are in a +kind of impasse.} Ra3 $6 {The final oversight in a very difficult position.} ( +29... f5 $6 30. exf5 gxf5 31. Qc2 e4 {would have lost ignominiously to} 32. g4 +$1 ({or even} 32. Bg4 $1)) ({but nevertheless} 29... Nd8 {was somewhat more +resilient.}) 30. g3 {(5)} Nh5 31. Qb2 {(4)} Qa8 {(alas, the control of the +a-file is of no importance)} 32. Bxh5 Bxe3 33. Rxe3 gxh5 34. Kg2 {The exchange +of a couple of pairs of minor pieces has not brought Black any relief. To his +'bad' knight has been added a catastrophic weakening of the pawns covering his +king.} Nd8 ({Black avoids the invasion of his position after} 34... Ra2 35. Qb5 +Qc8 36. Be1 ({or} 36. Rf3 Kg7 37. Rf5) 36... Ra8 37. Rb3 Nd8 38. Qe8+ {etc., +but he goes from the frying pan into the fire.}) 35. Qe2 $1 Nf7 36. Qxh5 Qa6 +37. Rf3 {(2) Emphasising the hopelessness of the attempts by the opponent to +somehow divert White from the final attack.} Qb7 ({The black queen cannot move +far away from its king:} 37... Qxc4 38. Qg4+ Kf8 39. Rxf6 ({or} 39. Qc8+ Kg7 +40. Qf5 {with crushing threats.})) 38. Qg4+ {(2)} Kf8 39. Qf5 Qe7 40. Qxh7 Ra4 +41. Bd2 $1 {A timely inclusion of the bishop.} ({If} 41. Bd2 Rxc4 {, then} 42. +Bh6+ ({or the spectacular} 42. Bg5 $1 {. Times: 2.02-2.27.})) (41. -- {Not +the most brilliant game, but an important one in the competitive respect: +after it I burst into the leading trio (Beliavsky - 4½ out of 6, Kasparov +and Tal - 4), whereas the distraught Kuzmin was unable to find his form and in +the end he finished in last place. --- This lively start made me euphoric, and +I made a decision - I would stay in the Premier League! But here I was hit by +a cold shower - 'Black' losses to Timoshchenko and Razuvaev, and a 'White' +draw with Georgadze dampened my optimism. In the championship bulletin I read +the following dialogue: 'Should you be congratulated on winning against a +15-year-old schoolboy?' Yuri Razuvaev was asked. 'I think I should', the +Muscovite smiled in reply. 'This was probably my last chance of winning +against him.' Prophetic words! However, at the time this hint at my guaranteed +future was a faint consolation. --- 'Things became difficult for Kasparov', +wrote Nikitin in the Baku Sport newspaper. 'His place among the leaders after +the first six rounds, and the heightened attention of the spectators and +journalists, proved a difficult psychological test for the young master. He +became nervous and his play, although interesting, suffered from set-backs. +Garik should not be reproached for the fact that he fell behind the leaders. +He will no doubt play many times in the Premier League, and for him this +tournament was an invaluable school of chess knowledge.'}) (41. -- {But +fortune again smiled on me. In the 10th round I scored a difficult win over +Beliavsky (in the adjourned position he resigned without resuming), in the +11th I adjourned with winning chances against Gulko, and in the 12th I gained +a powerful position against Mikhalchishin. At this point I pictured myself +finishing in the dizzy heights of the top three! Then retribution followed +swiftly. In my excitement I messed up the game with Mikhalchishin and lost! +That evening, a tragic one for me, was captured in his report by the Soviet +sport correspondent Viktor Vasiliev: 'Five rounds before the finish Garik +could have been in the leading group... In a sharp battle with Mikhalchishin, +where the players castled on opposite sides, Kasparov seized the initiative +and after winning rook for bishop he gained a decisive advantage. The outcome +would hardly have been in doubt - if Mikhalchishin had had more time. But for +his last ten moves he had a little more than a minute left, and Kasparov, +looking out of the corner of his eye at the opponent's quivering flag, and +expecting it to fall at any moment, was simply unable to force himself to +think. And he had heaps of time - a whole hour! But the young player, +repeating the mistake of many, many others, began playing on the opponent's +time-trouble and, of course, he himself made several errors, after which the +advantage passed to Mikhalchishin. Did Kasparov know that in the other +player's time-trouble you shouldn't rush? Of course he knew! But the mistakes +of others do not cost anything; you only pay a real price for your own... --- +'After the round I glanced at Kasparov. To say that the youth was upset would +be putting it mildly. "But what about the promise to Botvinnik - to play 17 +good games, not thinking about the result?" I asked. Garik gave a weak smile. +And one can understand him. Because competitive ambition and the fervour of +the struggle - they take their toll (besides, is it really bad to play 17 good +games and finish high up?). I am sure that the wise Botvinnik, whom the youth +phones in Moscow after every round, will guess his state of mind and will not +reproach too severely his temperamental protégé for his hot-headedness. The +mistakes of youth - who has not made them?...'}) (41. -- {Then, on the +adjournment day, I was unable to win against Gulko. However, in the 13th (!) +round I defeated another of the previous year's USSR co-champions - Dorfman. +And in the 14th round I engaged in a tactical battle with Sveshnikov. From the +press: 'The round turned out to be unusual and highly entertaining. It began +with Georgadze setting fire to a cigarette packet in an ash-tray (the reality +of those times! - G.K.). "A fiery round", remarked Razuvaev, who had gone down +into the auditorium (his opponent, Tal, was having a long think), and at this +point the lights went out in the hall. And when they came back on, the +astonished spectators found that the aforementioned Tal and Razuvaev were no +longer on the stage: in the darkness, no longer able to see the position, they +had agreed a draw.' I also offered a draw in the darkness, but Sveshnikov +agreed only when the lights came on... --- On 'plus one', I still cherished +hopes of clinging on to the 'bronze', but in the 15th round I missed a certain +win against Romanishin, and in the 16th, penultimate round, I lost hopelessly +in a Caro-Kann to Tseshkovsky and came down to earth - to 50%. Nevertheless, +after a quick concluding draw with the leader Tal, which suited us both (in +the event of various shared places, I had the better Berger coefficient), I +managed to finish in sole 9th place and retain my 'pass' to the Premier League. +--- That same evening, in one of the quiet rooms behind the stage, I played a +blitz match with Mikhail Tal, who had just won his sixth gold medal as USSR +champion. Our tense encounter ended, to my delight, in a 7-7 draw. On +returning to the hotel, for form's sake, I wrote down all 14 games from memory. +I also recall with what rapt attention the play was followed by two Alexanders +- Bakh and Roshal, people from Karpov's circle. They were probably already in +agreement with Tal, who in an interview gave a very complimentary assessment +of my play: 'Kasparov is undoubtedly a unique phenomenon in chess. I can name +only two players who at the age of fifteen performed so successfully in major +tournaments - Fischer and Spassky. It is clear that whatever place the young +player takes in the next championship, it will no longer be a sensation.'}) ( +41. -- {Asriyan: 'Mikhail Botvinnik, whom I interviewed immediately afterwards, +judged Garik's 9th place to be an undoubted success. True, Makogonov, with +whom, on Botvinnik's advice, Kasparov was studying at that time, thought that +the young player could even have finished 5th, but he was suffering from a +cold (he could not restrain himself, and against the advice of his trainers, +he ate some ice-cream). Incidentally, in this championship of the country, for +the first and last time, the paths of two Baku players - Bagirov and Kasparov +- crossed, and Garik, who finished half a point ahead of his compatriot, as +though took from him the baton of the best player in Azerbaijan, which in his +time Bagirov had taken from Makogonov.' --- From the magazine Shakhmaty v SSSR: +'For the first time such a young player - 15-year-old Garry Kasparov - took +part in the USSR Championship Final. His performance was, of course, the chief +sensation. A successful start, wins over highly-experienced grandmasters... +Despite isolated set-backs, explained by inexperience, he played interesting +chess, and boldly accepted a fight, not fearing the exalted titles of his +opponents. With White he fought splendidly - 6 points out of 8. He was less +successful with Black - 2½ out of 9. Kasparov's virtues, as well as his +deficiencies, are clearly apparent. There can be no doubt that with further +serious work he can expect great successes.' --- And the successes were not +long in coming.}) 1-0 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "'This is the new Fischer!'"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.07"] + +{International tournament in Banja Luka (10-30 April 1979): 1. Kasparov - 11½ out of 15; 2. Smejkal - 9½; 3-4. Andersson and Petrosian - 9; 5. Adorjan +- 8½; 6. Knezevic - 8; 7-8. Matanovic and Browne - 7½; 9-10. Bukic and +Marjanovic - 7; 11-13. Marovic, Garcia and Vukic - 6½; 14-15. Kurajica and +Hernandez - 6; 16. Sibarevic - 4.} 1. -- {Today it is hard to imagine: despite +my success in the previous championship of the country, in 1979 I had no +expectation of a single 'adult' tournament, apart from the USSR Team +Championship in July and the next Premier League in December. And yet it was +already high time that I became both an international master, and a +grandmaster! It should be remembered, however, that the appearances of Soviet +chess players abroad were strictly rationed, and many languished for long +months or even years in the Sport Committee's queue for international +tournaments. --- 'The 16-year-old Garry would have been stuck with this, had +not Botvinnik again come to the rescue,' Alexander Nikitin recalls. 'On +learning of the strong grandmaster tournament planned for the spring in +Yugoslav Banja Luka, he had intensive discussions with the organisers. And +they, unable to resist the enormous prestige of the ex-world champion, agreed +to the participation of the young Soviet master, who had neither an +international title, nor a rating. Campaigning for his pupil, Botvinnik gave +assurances that the youngster played very well and if anyone would have +regrets about his inclusion in the tournament, it would be his opponents. --- +'The Sports Committee did not take any part in Botvinnik's diplomatic +discussions, but when it saw that, apart from ex-world champion Petrosian, the +organisers had also invited Kasparov to play, it categorically refused to +allow his mother or his trainer to travel with him. This was a blessing in +disguise: the tournament brought together the youngster and the +highly-experienced ex-champion.'} (1. -- {And indeed, in my first 'adult' +international tournament I was fortunate to play under Petrosian's paternal +care. I remember how before this my mother and I went to meet him at his home, +and his wife Rona Yakovlevna said to my mother: 'Don't you worry; in 1953 +Tigran also played in the first foreign tournament of the 16-year-old Spassky. +This is a good omen!' The help of 'Iron Tigran' proved invaluable. His humour, +genuine benevolence and wise advice created a good atmosphere, and I quickly +adapted to the unfamiliar situation. In our free time we talked a lot, and not +only about chess topics, we went for walks together, gave simuls', analysed +and discussed games we had played. --- The line-up of the tournament in Banja +Luka was very strong: of the 16 contestants, 14 were grandmasters, a third of +whom were then among the world elite. We were warmly greeted by our hosts. +Yugoslav appeared to be a genuine chess Mecca: where else were so many +international tournaments held and so many international masters and +grandmasters produced! Petrosian always had many fans there, and I too soon +sensed the sympathy of the chess enthusiasts - and I caught fire! Although, of +course, I was anxious, I was hoping for a high place (after all, few of the +opponents were capable of scoring 50% in the USSR Championship Premier League), +and to achieve the grandmaster norm (10½ out of 15), to say nothing of the +international master norm (7½). --- I was a little fortunate with the +pairings: in the first round I made a draw with White against Petrosian, and +the prospect of playing the ex-world champion no longer weighed on my mind. In +the evening I asked Tigran Vartanovich what I should play in the 2nd round +after 1 e4 against Sibarevic - the only Yugoslav master in the tournament. +Perhaps the Caro-Kann? Petrosian replied: 'In the Caro-Kann White has a safe +position, and there is a protracted struggle. Against such an opponent you +should play the Sicilian Defence!' The following day that is what I did - and +I scored a convincing win. Over dinner Petrosian was triumphant: 'Well, what +did I say! The Caro-Kann?! You'd be sitting here now, analysing an adjourned +position...'}) (1. -- {After the 2nd round there was a free day, which +coincided with my birthday. The organisers decided to give me a 16th birthday +present - a respectable suit (which was not surprising, since in Banja Luka I +was strutting around in my Baku clothes), and we set off to the supermarket. +By Soviet standards it was a fairytale spectacle, the choice of goods - +including suits - being incredible. And they said to me: 'Choose whichever one +you want!' I hesitated, and here the genuinely experienced Petrosian took the +initiative. Pushing me away, he carefully examined all the suits, chose one of +the most expensive, in a fine check, and solemly pointed to it: 'This one!' +--- From the following day my motto at the board was 'Full speed ahead!'. In +the 3rd round I was opposed by the 30-year-old Walter Browne, several times +USA champion and a participant in Interzonal tournaments - one of the +noteworthy western players of that time. This was a serious test, although, +with the Premier League already behind me, I did not experience any particular +trepidation.}) * + +[Event "32: Banja Luka"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1979.04.14"] +[Round "3"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Browne, W."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "E12"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "77"] +[EventDate "1979.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 {(4) My first experience of employing the +Petrosian Variation, which later became a favourite of mine and brought me +numerous memorable wins. At that time I did not yet have any deep knowledge +here and I was only just starting to develop my grandmaster opening repertoire. +} c5 ({This continuation leads to a more complicated game than the traditional +} 4... Bb7 5. Nc3 d5 (5... Ne4 {- Game No.61}) 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. e3 {(Game Nos. +43, 52, 85)} ({or} 7. Qc2 {(Game Nos. 73, 75, 98). Perhaps Browne was hoping +to exploit my youthful impulsiveness and inexperience? I stopped to think.})) +5. d5 {(14)} Ba6 6. Qc2 exd5 ({Timman's move} 6... Qe7 {, which was +fashionable at that time, proved to be dubious because of the reply which I +found together with Magerramov:} 7. Bg5 exd5 8. Nc3 $1 Bxc4 9. e4 $1 { +(Kasparov-van der Wiel, Graz 1981).}) 7. cxd5 d6 (7... g6 {- Game No.68.}) 8. +Nc3 Nbd7 $6 ({It is hard to say why my opponent did not play} 8... g6 {and ...Bg7, with normal play in the spirit of the Modern Benoni. 'It is from such +imperceptible errors that an advantage for one of the sides is often +generated' (Nikitin).}) 9. Bf4 $1 {(8) Now, because of the weakness of the +d6-pawn, Black is forced to develop his bishop more modestly - at e7, and he +has a rather passive position.} Be7 10. g3 {(7) Whereas White develops his +king's bishop at g2.} O-O 11. Bg2 Re8 12. O-O Nh5 ({If} 12... b5 {I was +planning} 13. b4 $1 {.}) 13. Bd2 {(6)} Nhf6 {Browne was evidently checking +whether there would again follow 14 Bf4. But, of course, I had no intention of +repeating moves.} 14. Rfe1 {(5) Beginning preparations for the typical pawn +breakthrough e2-e4-e5.} ({The prophylactic} 14. a4 {would have allowed the +opponent to make successful use of the transit point e5 after} Bb7 15. e4 Ng4 { +.}) 14... Bf8 $6 {Again slightly passively played.} ({Now if} 14... Bb7 15. e4 +Ng4 {White had the reply} 16. h3 Nge5 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. f4 Nc4 19. e5 {with +the initiative.}) ({But perhaps Black should have initiated counterplay on the +queenside -} 14... b5 $5 {, although here too after} 15. b4 $1 {White's +chances are better:} Rc8 16. bxc5 (16. Bh3 $5) 16... Rxc5 17. Qb3 {etc.}) 15. +a4 {(4) Playing for a bind and to restrict the opponent's possibilities. +White is threatening also to play h2-h3, and so Browne tries to improve the +placing of his minor pieces, before he becomes too cramped.} Ng4 16. Nb5 {(9)} +Bb7 ({White's offensive develops smoothly after} 16... Nge5 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. +f4 {and e2-e4.}) 17. e4 {(4)} a6 18. Na3 $1 {With the intention of creating a +striking force with Nc4 and Bc3, exploiting the fact that the black bishop is +not on the long diagonal. White's advantage is becoming increasingly obvious +- in the words of Nikitin, 'he has succeeded in consistently accumulating +small positional pluses'.} Rb8 ({If} 18... g6 {, then again} 19. h3 {, for +example:} Nge5 ({or} 19... Ngf6 20. Rad1 Qc7 21. Nc4) 20. Nxe5 Nxe5 21. f4 {.}) +19. h3 {(10)} Ngf6 ({After} 19... Nge5 {in 'Informator' I gave} 20. Nh2 {with +the idea of f2-f4.} (20. Nh4 {is also good.}) ({. But perhaps} 20. Nxe5 $5 {is +simpler - if} Nxe5 ({while after} 20... dxe5 {(seemingly the lesser evil)} 21. +Nc4 Qc7 {all the same White dominates in the centre and Black's position is +unpleasant}) 21. f4 Nd7 22. Bc3 {the threat of e4-e5 is very strong.})) 20. Bc3 +{(9) Continuing to prepare e4-e5.} (20. Nc4 b5 21. Na5 Qb6 {was not so clear, +whereas now Black is deprived of counterplay.}) 20... Qc7 21. Nd2 (21. Bf1 $5 { +.}) 21... Bc8 22. Bf1 $1 {An accurate prophylactic move, again not allowing ...b6-b5. Black is almost paralysed.} g5 $2 {Browne's reaction staggered me: is +such a weakening really possible?! 'However, Modern Benoni devotees often do +this, and they are rarely punished for a positional sin of this kind.' +(Nikitin)} ({I was expecting the natural move} 22... g6 {and I would probably +have replied} 23. f4 {(intending e4-e5)} Nh5 24. Kh2 Ndf6 ({or} 24... Bg7 25. +Nac4) 25. Qd3 {with an obvious advantage.}) ({The problem of the f8-bishop has +to be solved -} 22... Ne5 $6 23. f4 Ned7 24. Qd3 {merely plays into White's +hands.}) 23. Nf3 $1 {(5) White, exploiting his opponent's 'hole-creating' +play, promptly changes tack and begins a swift attack.} h6 ({Also after} 23... +g4 24. Nh4 h5 $6 ({or} 24... Ne5 25. hxg4 Nfxg4 26. f3 Nf6 27. Nc4) 25. Qd2 Ne5 +26. f4 gxf3 27. Nc4 {Black's position is unenviable.}) 24. Nc4 {The most +aggressive;} ({although nothing would have been spoiled by some useful waiting +move - say,} 24. b3) ({or} 24. Bd3 {.}) 24... b5 25. axb5 axb5 26. e5 $1 ({Of +course, White also has an excellent position in the event of} 26. Ba5 Qb7 27. +Na3 c4 28. Nd4 Ne5 29. b3) ({or} 26. Na5 $5 b4 27. Bxf6 Nxf6 28. Nc6 {, but +the strike in the centre is far more flamboyant and vigorous. Intuition and +specific calculation suggested to me that Black's counterplay was too late.}) +26... Nxd5 {A difficult choice.} ({Black would have lost the exchange without +sufficient compensation after} 26... dxe5 27. Ncxe5 Nxe5 (27... Nxd5 $2 28. +Nxf7 $1) (27... Rb6 28. Ba5) 28. Bxe5 Rxe5 29. Nxe5 (29. Rxe5 $5) 29... Nxd5 +30. Rad1 {etc.}) (26... bxc4 27. exf6 Rxe1 28. Rxe1 {was also unsatisfactory +for Black - in 'Informator' I assessed this position as winning for White, and +this is correct:} -- ({, if} 28... Nb6 {he decides matters with the thunderous} +29. Nxg5 $3 hxg5 30. Qd2 Bf5 31. Qxg5+ Bg6 32. Bg2) ({, while after} 28... Qd8 +{(attacking the f6-pawn) there is the no less deafening stroke} 29. Re6 $3 { +(threatening Qf5 and Nxg5)} Rb3 {(with the idea of ...Rxc3)} 30. Nxg5 $1 hxg5 +31. Qf5 Bh6 32. Qe4 $1 Ne5 (32... Bf8 33. Qe3 $1) ({or} 32... Nf8 33. Re8 Qd7 +34. Bxc4 {does not help}) 33. Bxe5 dxe5 34. Bxc4 Rb4 35. Re7 Ba6 36. Qxe5 Bxc4 +37. Re8+ Qxe8 38. Qxe8+ Bf8 39. d6 {with a pretty win.})) 27. Nxd6 {(4)} Bxd6 { +(after other replies too Black has a very difficult position)} 28. exd6 Qd8 29. +Ne5 {(6) A logical move: White needs to exchange pieces, to clear the way for +the d-pawn.} ({However, there was also a combinative solution -} 29. Rxe8+ { +(or first 29 Nxg5!)} Qxe8 30. Re1 Qf8 31. Nxg5 $1 hxg5 ({or} 31... N7f6 32. Re5 +$1 b4 (32... Nxc3 33. Qxc3 {and wins}) 33. Bd2 Qxd6 34. Nf3 {, and Black has +no defence}) 32. Qf5 Nxc3 33. Qxg5+ Kh8 34. bxc3 Qxd6 35. Bd3 $1 {.}) 29... Nb4 +({There is nothing else:} 29... Nxc3 $2 30. Nc6 $1 {.}) 30. Qd2 (30. Qc1 $1 { +was rather more forceful, keeping the c5-pawn under fire.}) 30... Nxe5 31. Rxe5 +Rxe5 32. Bxe5 Nc6 33. Qe3 {Probably the simplest: the power of the passed +d6-pawn is irresistible.} Nxe5 ({Of course, not} 33... f6 $2 34. Bxf6 $1 Qxf6 +35. Qe8+ {and Qxc6.}) 34. Qxe5 c4 35. Bg2 Be6 ({If} 35... Bb7 {White would +have won by} 36. d7 $1 Bxg2 37. Kxg2 {.}) 36. Ra7 {(5)} b4 $6 {The final error, +now in severe time-trouble.} (36... Qf8 {was more resilient, although after} +37. Bd5 (37. d7 Rd8 38. Bc6 b4 {is not so clear}) {, all the same Black has a +lost position:} 37... Bxd5 (37... Re8 38. Rc7 $1) 38. Qxd5 Rd8 39. d7 Kg7 40. +Qe5+ f6 41. Qxb5 {etc.}) 37. Be4 $1 {An elegant stroke: Bh7+ is threatened.} c3 +({Alas,} 37... Qb6 38. Re7 {is bad for Black.}) 38. Bh7+ $1 Kxh7 39. Qxe6 {. +Times: 2.08-2.29. --- Although Browne's play in this important game was far +from perfect, the rout I inflicted on him impressed both the spectators, and +the contestants. By scoring 2½ out of 3 I took the lead, and I sensed that +they had begun to respect me.} 1-0 + +[Event "33: Banja Luka"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1979.04.16"] +[Round "5"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Marovic, D."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D61"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "69"] +[EventDate "1979.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{The following day I easily defeated the Cuban Roman Hernandez with Black - in +a King's Indian Defence, although events developed more in the spirit of the +Benko Gambit. And in the 5th game came a meeting with one of the home players +- the experienced Drazen Marovic, the editor of the Yugoslav magazine +'Sahovski glasnik'.} 1. c4 ({In Banja Luka my steady drift from} 1. e4 {to the +closed games continued. I don't remember why I played this rather than 1 d4 +(evidently to avoid something), but the result was a classical Queen's Gambit.} +) 1... e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 (6... h6 {- +Game Nos. 20, 41, 54, 92.}) 7. Qc2 {Intending queenside castling and a direct +attack on the king - this plan always attracted me, and I analysed such +positions a great deal.} c5 ({In the game Kasparov-Portisch (Brussels 1986) +Black played} 7... h6 {, expecting the usual} 8. Bh4 ({, or} 8. h4 c5 9. O-O-O +{(Portisch-Barcza, Budapest 1961)}) ({, but even in the Queen's Gambit I used +to seek romanticism, and therefore I replied} 8. cxd5 $5 {. The sudden piece +sacrifice threw the venerable grandmaster into an almost irrational panic, and +he preferred to go into an inferior, but typical position -} exd5 (8... hxg5 $5 +{is more critical - after} 9. dxe6 fxe6 10. Nxg5 Nb6 11. h4 $1 {and h4-h5 +White has two pawns for the bishop and chances of an attack, but it is unclear +how serious they are}) 9. Bf4 $1 c5 10. Be2 b6 11. O-O Bb7 12. Rfd1 Rc8 {(but +already on the 14th move he made a serious mistake and lost).})) 8. O-O-O ({ +The simplifying} 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. Nxd5 exd5 11. Bd3 h6 ({or} 11... +g6 {(Alekhine-Capablanca, 10th match game, Buenos Aires 1927) was not at all +to my taste. But, by contrast, the variations with 8 0-0-0 fascinated me (and +if something is interesting, let's play it!), although now I take a rather +ironic view of my attacking bursts...})) 8... Qa5 {The main reply.} 9. Kb1 { +This move of Keres and the associated scheme of development was what I was +counting on.} ({In the old game Rotlewi-Teichmann (Karlsbad 1911) after} 9. +cxd5 exd5 10. dxc5 Nxc5 $6 (10... h6 $1 11. h4 ({or} 11. Bh4) 11... Qxc5 {is +more solid}) 11. Nd4 $6 ({but in the event of} 11. Nxd5 $1 Nxd5 12. Rxd5 f6 $1 +13. Bc4 $1 Kh8 14. Bf4 {(h4)} Bd7 {he would have had to show that he had +sufficient compensation for the pawn}) 11... Be6 12. Kb1 Rac8 {Black gained +excellent play.}) 9... h6 ({I think that there is also nothing terrible for +Black after} 9... dxc4 10. Bxc4 cxd4 11. exd4 Nb6 12. Bb3 Bd7 {(Keres-Fichtl, +Prague 1943). Of course, I had not prepared killer variations for all +eventualities, but I had a strong desire to create a war-like atmosphere on +the board.}) ({Or} 9... cxd4 10. exd4 dxc4 {.}) 10. h4 {(6) A standard method +of attack. Possibly, so as not to provoke its development, Black should have +managed without the moves ...h7-h6 and h2-h4.} dxc4 ({Up to here Marovic had +followed the Yugoslav 'Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings' of that time, which +recommended} 10... cxd4 11. exd4 -- (11... hxg5 {(?)} 12. hxg5 Ne4 13. Nxe4 +dxe4 {(14 Qxe4 Qf5). But at home I had found the deadly move} 14. c5 $1 -- ({ +, for example:} 14... f5 15. gxf6 $1 Rxf6 (15... Nxf6 16. Ne5) 16. Qxe4 Nf8 17. +Bd3) ({, or} 14... Nxc5 15. dxc5 Rd8 (15... Qxc5 16. Qxe4 Qf5 17. Qxf5 exf5 18. +Rd4 $1) 16. Rxd8+ Qxd8 17. Bc4 Bxg5 18. Qxe4 Bf6 19. Ne5 {with a fearfully +strong attack.})) ({. Alas, this preparation never in fact saw the light of +day. However, instead of 11...hxg5? Black has the forceful reply} 11... Bb4 $1 +{and then} 12. Bd2 dxc4 13. Bxc4 Nb6 14. Bb3 Bd7 15. Ne5 Bc6 16. f3 Bd5 17. g4 +Bxb3 18. Qxb3 {(Piket-Condie, Kiljava 1984)} Rfd8 {with a normal game.})) 11. +Bxc4 {(10)} Nb6 ({For a long time I considered this 'sideways' move to be +dubious and I gave preference to another defence:} 11... cxd4 12. exd4 Nb6 13. +Bb3 Bd7 14. Ne5 (14. d5 $5 Rfc8 $1) 14... Rac8 15. Rh3 {(a variation from +'Informator')} Bc6 $1) ({or} 11... Rd8 $5 12. dxc5 (12. g4 $6 b5 $1 13. Bxb5 +Bb7) 12... Nxc5 13. Rxd8+ Bxd8 14. Bf4 Bd7 {with equality. However, as we will +see, the text is not yet a mistake.}) 12. Bxf6 (12. Bd3 Bd7 $1 {.}) 12... gxf6 +$6 {Afraid of losing a pawn, Marovic breaks up his king's fortress.} ({It +would have been much safer to play} 12... Bxf6 $1 13. Ne4 $1 -- ({, and now not +} 13... Be7 $2 14. dxc5 {(Cvitan-Toth, Lugano 1984), since} Bxc5 {is bad +because of} 15. Nfg5 $1 g6 16. Bb3 {, winning}) ({, but the cool-headed} 13... +Nxc4 $1 14. Nxf6+ gxf6 15. Qxc4 cxd4 16. Nxd4 ({if} 16. exd4) ({or} 16. Rxd4 { +there also follows} e5 $1) 16... e5 17. Nb3 Qb6 18. Nc5 Rd8 {, and it is hard +for White to exploit the weakness of the enemy king.}) ({. And even after the +less suitable move order, given by me in 'Informator' -} 13... cxd4 14. Nxf6+ +gxf6 {, allowing} 15. Rxd4 Nxc4 16. Rg4+ $1 Kh8 17. Rxc4 e5 18. Ng5 $6 fxg5 19. +hxg5 {, Black has the defence} Kg7 $1 ({instead of the losing} 19... e4 $2 20. +Rc5 Qb4 21. a3 $1) 20. Rc5 Qa6 21. gxh6+ Kh8 {.})) 13. Be2 {(6)} cxd4 14. exd4 +$6 {(5) An important moment. At the board the capture with the pawn seemed to +me to be the most logical: it is seemingly easier for the queen to attack the +black king (Qd2 with the threat of Qxh6).} ({But in fact} 14. Nxd4 $1 Bd7 15. +Qe4 {was stronger, with play on both wings:} Rab8 ({while in the event of} +15... Rfc8 {both the 'greedy'} 16. Qxb7 ({and the 'creative'} 16. Rh3 $5) 16... +Rab8 17. Qa6 {are in White's favour}) 16. Bd3 f5 17. Qf4 {, and Black is in +trouble (} Kh7 18. Nb3 Qb4 19. Bxf5+ $1 exf5 20. Rd4 {and wins).}) 14... Bd7 +15. Rh3 {(the point of White's plan)} Na4 (15... Rfc8 {is risky:} 16. Qd2 $1 ({ +if} 16. Rg3+ {, then not} Kf8 $2 ({but} 16... Kh8 $1 17. Qd2 Bf8 {with unclear +play}) 17. Ne5 $1 fxe5 18. Qh7 $1 Ke8 19. Rg8+ Bf8 20. Bh5 {and wins}) 16... +Bf8 17. Ne4 Qxd2 (17... Qf5 $2 18. Bd3) 18. Nxf6+ Kg7 19. Nh5+ Kh8 20. Rxd2 { +and Black is a pawn down, although he has some compensation for it.}) 16. Rg3+ +{(34)} Kh8 17. Qd2 ({Realising that} 17. Nxa4 Bxa4 18. Qc1 Kh7 19. b3 Bb5 {was +unpromising, I decided to allow a weakening of the pawns defending my king.}) +17... Nxc3+ 18. bxc3 Kh7 {The correct move.} ({In the event of} 18... Qf5+ $2 +19. Bd3 Qh5 {there is the sudden and very powerful stroke} 20. Rg6 $3 fxg6 21. +g4 Qxg4 22. Qxh6+ {. I saw this at the board, although later in 'Informator' I +assessed the position after} Kg8 23. Rg1 Qxg1+ 24. Nxg1 Rf7 {as unclear. In +fact} 25. Bxg6 Rg7 26. Ne2 $1 {gives White good winning chances:} Bf8 ({or} +26... Be8 27. Bxe8 Rxe8 28. Nf4 {etc.}) 27. Ng3 {.}) 19. Bd3+ {(16) Here I +could not altogether imagine what to do next.} ({After} 19. d5 {the simple} f5 +({or} 19... Rg8 {is possible, and the frontal attack does not succeed.})) 19... +f5 20. Ne5 Bb5 $1 {(the only move)} 21. Rf3 $6 {(4) This move, to which I +previously attached an exclamation mark, has only one advantage - a +psychological one: it creates a new threat (g2-g4), which scares the opponent!} +({It is clear that if} 21. Bc2 {Marovic would have replied} Ba4 $1 {, +insisting on the exchange of bishops.}) ({Therefore the best chance was} 21. +Re3 $1 {(defending the e5-knight and intensifying the threat of g2-g4)} Bxd3+ +22. Qxd3 Kh8 $6 ({or} 22... Kg7 23. g4 $1 {, nevertheless retaining the +initiative}) 23. Qe2 {.}) 21... f6 $2 {A serious positional mistake - an +irreparable weakening of the e6-pawn, and with it a whole complex of light +squares.} ({It was essential to play} 21... Bf6 {(d6)} 22. g4 (22. Nc4 Bxc4 $1) +22... Bxe5 23. gxf5 Bxd3+ 24. Qxd3 Bd6 $1 {, parrying the attack} ({but not} +24... Rad8 $2 {which I gave in 'Informator', because of} 25. fxe6+ Kh8 26. e7 { +and wins})) ({or} 21... Bxd3+ 22. Qxd3 Bd6 $1 {with the same threat of ...Bxe5; +} ({bad is} 22... h5 $2 23. g4 $1 hxg4 24. Rxf5 $1) ({or} 22... f6 $2 23. Rxf5 +$1 {- it was these tactical strokes that I was hoping for}) 23. Nc4 Qb5+ 24. +Ka1 Be7 {, maintaining the dynamic balance (for example,} 25. Rb1 Qa6 26. g4 +Rac8 27. Ne5 Qxd3 28. Rxd3 Rc7 29. gxf5 Bxh4 {etc.). --- Well, the nature of +this mistake is perfectly explicable: the grandmaster, accustomed to the quiet +treatment of the Queen's Gambit with kingside castling, was suddenly forced to +play a sharp position rather like a Sicilian - and he cracked under the +pressure.}) 22. Nc4 Qc7 ({The situation has changed sharply: now after the +exchange} 22... Bxc4 $2 23. Bxc4 {the white bishop is rampant.}) (22... Qa4 23. +Qe2 {was only a small improvement for Black.}) 23. Qe2 {(3)} Bxc4 ({And this +is desperation: if} 23... Qd7 {there is the decisive} 24. d5 $1 {.}) 24. Bxc4 +e5 25. Rxf5 {Black has been left empty-handed - he is a pawn down and without +any counterplay.} Ba3 26. Qe4 {(6)} (26. dxe5 $1 fxe5 27. Qg4 {would have won +more quickly.}) 26... Kh8 27. Rh5 Qh7 28. Qxh7+ (28. Bd3 Qxe4 29. Bxe4 {, etc. +was also good.}) 28... Kxh7 29. dxe5 Kg6 (29... Rac8 30. Rd4 {.}) 30. g4 fxe5 +31. Rd7 $2 {A vexing lapse! In my opponent's severe time-trouble I relaxed, +having about 15 minutes in reserve and thinking I could win 'as I pleased'.} ({ +The simple} 31. Rxe5 {would indeed have concluded things quickly, since} Rxf2 +$2 {is not possible because of} 32. Rd7 $1 {.}) 31... Rae8 $1 {Unexpectedly +the situation has again become sharper. Here I became nervous and I hurriedly +captured a pawn.} 32. Rxb7 $6 {(10)} ({I should have taken myself in hand and +found} 32. Bd5 $1 {with the threat of Be4+, which would still have maintained +real winning chances:} e4 $6 ({or} 32... Re7 33. Be4+ Kg7 34. Rd2 {followed by +g4-g5}) 33. Rxb7 Rxf2 34. Bc6 $1 Re7 (34... Re6 35. Rf5 $1) 35. Rxe7 Bxe7 36. +Bxe4+ Kg7 37. g5 {.}) 32... Rxf2 33. Rxa7 {I hurriedly grabbed another pawn.} ( +{Now after} 33. Bd5 Re7 {White would have had little chance of success.}) 33... +Bf8 $2 ({With his flag hanging, Marovic missed the saving intermediate move} +33... Rd8 $1 {- after the forced} 34. Bf7+ $1 Rxf7 35. Rxa3 {the win for White +would have been highly problematic:} Rf1+ 36. Kc2 Rf2+ 37. Kb3 Rb8+ 38. Kc4 +Rf4+ 39. Kc5 Rxg4 40. Rxe5 Rxh4 41. Ra6+ Kf7 {etc.}) 34. Ra6+ Kh7 35. Rf5 {. +And in this again hopeless position Black lost on time. --- Times: 2.17-2.30. +--- A fourth successive win! An uneven game, and by the highest standards by +no means a masterpiece. Nevertheless it also made a big impression - by its +daring: it was a long time since 0-0-0 had been played against this line of +the Queen's Gambit. The enormous intensity of the play excited the spectators +- the audience was buzzing, and as soon as I had won, some man in the middle +row wearing a military uniform leaped up from his seat and exclaimed: 'This is +the new Fischer!'. Later it transpired that this was the famous Yugoslav +journalist Dmitri Bjelica (at that time he was involved in military training). +--- From my telephone interview with a '64' correspondent: 'The tournament in +Banja Luka has begun rather unexpectedly for me. Of course, I was hoping to +perform successfully, but I thought that the fight for the lead would be +sharper'. After a difficult draw in the 6th round with Jan Smejkal, one of the +heroes of the 1973 Leningrad Interzonal Tournament, I happily disposed of a +quartet of Yugoslav grandmasters - Marjanovic, Knezevic (although I had a +rather dubious position), Bukic and Vukic! 9 out of 10!!} (35. -- {The most +crucial encounter was the one with Milan Vukic. Before the start of the +tournament, like the opponents of the young Capablanca in San Sebastian 1911, +he had been openly complaining that the organisers had invited a player whom +no one knew. 'Kasparov doesn't even have an international rating!' he +complained. 'The Russians are sending us children. They are insulting us.' +However, the spectators apparently thought differently and they were on my +side. They gave me especially strong support during my game with Vukic. The +grandmaster took offence at the audience and even began arguing with them, but +someone shouted to him: 'You should be playing chess, not disputing rights'. +My win created a storm of delight in the auditorium. Never before had I +enjoyed such enthusiastic support! --- Incidentally, not only Vukic, but also +some of his colleagues were afraid of losing rating points playing against an +opponent who did not yet have a rating, and they expressed their +dissatisfaction with my participation in the tournament. However, as in Minsk +1978, as soon as I began gathering points all these conversations died down. +--- Strictly speaking, I had earned an international rating of 2545 back in +the 1978 USSR Championship Premier League. However, although by FIDE rules a +rating should be assigned to a player on the result of his first rated +tournament, no one was in a hurry to give me an Elo rating. The Moscow chess +officials cynically stated: 'There's plenty of time for that'. But if I had +been assigned a rating starting from scratch on my result in Banja Luka, it +would have been 2695, while after ten rounds it even reached 2800, higher than +Fischer's record! I remember how at the time Andras Adorjan said with a laugh: +'Don't worry: now they will quickly assign you your Soviet rating'. And that +is what happened: towards the end of the tournament suddenly I at last +received my lawful 2545, and then an additional 30 points for Banja Luka.}) ( +35. -- {A few years later, with 9 points out of 10, I would have fought for a +super-result. But then, after making quick draws with Andersson, Matanovic and +Guillermo Garcia, two rounds before the finish I had already guaranteed myself +sole first place in the tournament and had achieved not only the international +master norm, but also my first grandmaster norm! My fighting spirit evaporated. +The concluding games, with Kurajica and Adorjan, also took place 'in a spirit +of peace and mutual understanding', and all the same the margin over my +nearest rivals remained two points. I was happy with my performance, although +later I slightly regretted that I had not tried to squeeze the maximum... --- +From a telephone interview with Petrosian: 'Garik is undoubtedly a great +talent. His dynamic, interesting play was a particular feature of the +tournament. Many chess fans came specially to the Large Hall of the House of +Culture to see Kasparov. In Yugoslav newspapers he is constantly compared with +Robert Fischer.' --- Bozidar Djurasevic: 'The results of the tournament in +Banja Luka were sensational: by a wide margin, victory was gained by a +16-year-old schoolboy from Baku, Garik Kasparov. Our experts assess +exceptionally highly the creative and competitive potential of this talented +master. Kasparov certainly has a great future. There can be no doubt that very +soon Garik will be joining the fight for the world chess crown'. --- Robert +Wade: 'Kasparov's remarkable performance here should forever enshrine the +tournament among the epics of chess. Is there such a precedent in chess +history? Robert J. Fischer at Zurich 1959 (3rd to Tal)? Boris Spassky at +Bucharest 1953? Both were 16.'}) (35. -- {When I returned to Baku, another +event occurred that was important for my career: on 14th May 1979 my mother +and I were invited to meet the leader of Azerbaijan, Geidar Aliev. One of the +participants at this meeting, the journalist Valery Asriyan, recalls: 'This +was some news - Aliev invites Kasparov! A genuine sensation. True, after his +victory in Banja Luka Garik was a hero... Nevertheless, the very fact that the +First Secretary of the Azerbaijan Communist Party Central Committee and +Candidate Member of the Politburo meets a ninth-year schoolboy could not help +be a surprise. This had never happened before!' --- Nikitin: 'From this moment +the Azerbaijan sports authorities began providing all the assistance needed +for the further improvement of the swiftly-rising chess star. Kasparov +resorted to Aliev's assistance only in extreme cases, when nothing else could +restore deliberately flouted justice. I have no doubt that without the support +of this outstanding leader, Garry would never have got through to the match +with Karpov in 1984.' --- I had only a short rest after successfully +completing the ninth class at school. While still in a state of victorious +euphoria, I did not play my best for Azerbaijan in the USSR Team Championship +(Moscow, July 1979) - in the semi-final, although I again defeated +Polugayevsky, I scored just 2 out of 4, and our team only qualified for the C Final. There I scored 3½ out of 4, but this was faint consolation - not the +same standard of opponent... The lesson received forced me again to get down +to serious work on chess. I had to prepare for the Premier League.}) 1-0 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "First 'Bronze'"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.07"] + +{47th USSR Championship Premier League (Minsk, 29th November - 27th December +1979): 1. Geller - 11½ out of 17; 2. Yusupov - 10½; 3-4. Kasparov and +Balashov - 10; 5-7. Makarychev, Georgadze and Kupreichik - 9½; 8. Vaganian +- 9; 9. Lerner - 8½; 10-13. Rashkovsky, Beliavsky, Razuvaev and Romanishin +- 8; 14-15. Tal and Dolmatov - 7½; 16. Sveshnikov - 7; 17-18. Anikaev and +Tseshkovsky - 5½.} 1. -- {In the autumn of 1979, before the championship of +the country, I played three games in Baku in a local team tournament and, by +tradition, a training match with Magerramov. The preparation was serious. Two +months before the championship Botvinnik wrote to me: 'What concerns me most +of all is your play with Black. After your success in Banja Luka they will be +pulling out all the stops against you, especially with White. Therefore with +Black you should play solid variations, without any risk. However, passive +play is not for you - the variations must without fail have opportunities for +counterplay'. --- Nikitin: 'The three-month work plan which I compiled +included chess, physical and psychological preparation, including +auto-training. A major repair of variations already tested plus excellent +competitive form enabled Garry to conduct the first half of games more +intensively than earlier, without fearing tiredness in the fifth hour of play. +And, as a result, we had no particular opening problems.'} (1. -- {After the +Sokolsky Memorial I considered Minsk to be a lucky city for me and I again +travelled there with great hopes, intending not only to consolidate my place +in the Premier League, but also to endeavour to improve on my previous year's +result. Incidentally, this Premier League promised to be especially +interesting: the participation of the world champion was expected. But +literally just before the drawing of lots, Karpov pulled out, referring to the +recent birth of his son... And so a reserve participant was allowed into the +tournament - 19-year-old Artur Yusupov, who fully justified the saying about a +player included at the last moment doing well: he won the silver medal and the +title of grandmaster! --- Initially I played very cautiously - so much so, +that the chief arbiter Salo Flohr, an old friend and rival of Botvinnik from +back in the 1930s, was surprised by my unusual restraint. 'No sacrifices - +more in the style of Karpov or Petrosian,' he said about my first round win +over Tamaz Georgadze, one of the heroes of the previous championship, who on +his home ground in Tbilisi had not suffered a single loss. But other experts +thought that 'this game is of undoubted interest, revealing features of the +chess character of the young player from Baku.'}) * + +[Event "34: 47th USSR Championship, Minsk"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1979.11.30"] +[Round "1"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Georgadze, T."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "C24"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "79"] +[EventDate "1979.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. e4 ({A year earlier I opened} 1. d4 {, but did not achieve anything in a +Queen's Gambit - the game ended in a quick draw, and so this time I decided to +try 'serving from the right'.}) 1... e5 2. Nf3 d6 {The Tbilisi grandmaster's +first two moves came as a surprise to me. Before this Georgadze was faithful +to 1...c5, and, in particular, he used to employ (like, incidentally, my 3rd +round opponent - Yusupov) the Chelyabinsk Variation, for which my trainer and +I had prepared. And suddenly the Philidor Defence!} 3. Bc4 {(8) After some +thought I made a psychologically strong move - I avoided the main line, with +which my opponent was more familiar.} ({If} 3. d4 {there could have followed} +exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. g3 (6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O a6 {(Tseshkovsky-Georgadze +Tseshkovsky-Georgadze, 7th round)}) ({or} 6. Bf4 O-O 7. Qd2 d5 $5 {with very +sharp play, demanding extensive preparation}) 6... d5 {(Geller-Georgadze, 3rd +round).}) 3... Be7 4. d3 ({Finally avoiding} 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Nc3 O-O +{(Oll-Georgadze, Malaga 1991). White answers a surprise with cunning, by +choosing a rare development set-up, after which for a long time Black has to +manoeuvre without any concrete aim, in a situation unfamiliar for a Sicilian +player, which should cause him definite discomfort. As in fact happened!}) 4... +Nf6 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O c6 ({A more flexible set-up than} 6... Nc6 {, transposing +into a 'pianissimo' Two Knights.}) 7. Bb3 {(6)} Be6 8. Bc2 {(8) This bishop +retreat apparently distressed Georgadze (here I recall that in the ancient +'Kurs debyutov' against 3 Bc4 Vasily Panov recommended the immediate 3...Be6), +although it is a logical consequence of White's opening strategy: he is +playing the Ruy Lopez. But what is Black playing?} h6 {Naturally, Black +strives to preserve his bishop from exchange by the knight.} ({In the event of +} 8... Nbd7 9. Re1 (9. Ng5 Bg4) 9... Qc7 10. d4 Rfe8 11. h3 {all the same +there does not appear to be a more suitable move than} h6 {.}) 9. Re1 {(3)} +Nbd7 10. Nbd2 {(10)} Qc7 11. d4 {Of course, the ...d6-d5 advance should not be +allowed. By being the first to advance his d-pawn, White retains a slight +initiative.} Rfe8 ({Black could have played} 11... Bg4 {(after which there +would have followed} 12. h3 Bh5 13. Nf1 {), but he chooses a restrained +continuation, which for the moment does not oblige him to disclose his plans.}) +12. h3 {(11)} Nf8 {A typical knight manoeuvre to g6.} ({After} 12... Rad8 {, +completing Black's development, I would also have replied} 13. c4 {.}) 13. c4 +$5 {(6) After first denying Black the g4-square, White unexpectedly changes +the general pattern of the position and seizes space in the centre.} ({The +quiet} 13. Nf1 Ng6 14. Ng3 Rad8 15. Bd2 {also promised him slightly the better +chances.}) 13... Ng6 ({Black allows the further advance of the d-pawn, +possibly fearing} 13... exd4 14. Nxd4 Qb6 $1 15. N2f3 $5 ({White has to +sacrifice a pawn: after} 15. Nxe6 Nxe6 16. Nf3 Nd7 {he cannot expect anything}) +15... Bxc4 16. Nf5 Rad8 17. b3 Be6 18. Nxe7+ Rxe7 19. Bb2 {with fair +compensation for the minimal material deficit.}) 14. d5 Bd7 15. Nb1 $1 {(7)} ({ +The routine} 15. Nf1 {would have weakened White's fighting potential on the +queenside -} cxd5 16. cxd5 Rac8 {etc. But now he is planning an offensive with +Nc3, Bd2, b2-b4 and so on. --- Incidentally, among my memorable games this is +the third where the return of the queen's knight to b1 occurred (cf. Game Nos. +18 and 24).}) 15... Bf8 $6 {Black does not sense the danger.} ({In the quest +for counter-chances he should have opened the c-file -} 15... cxd5 16. cxd5 { +and after} b5 {begun 'Spanish' counterplay on the queenside, with, for example, +the following piece arrangement in mind: ...Rec8, ...Qb7, ...Be7-d8-b6(a5) and +in some cases ...Nh5.}) 16. Nc3 c5 $2 {And this is already a serious +positional mistake (Tarrasch would have written 'decisive'), the direct +consequence of Black's discomfort and psychological problems. Georgadze was +aiming to avoid the 'dangerous' opening of the position, and to play as +solidly as possible, but here 'solidly' signifies passively. Even with a loss +of time, he should have reverted to the plan with ...cxd5.} 17. Ba4 $1 {(4) +With this central pawn structure it has become advantageous for White to +exchange the light-square bishops, especially since the prospects for the +remaining dark-square bishops are so different.} a6 18. Bxd7 Nxd7 $6 {A loss +of time.} (18... Qxd7 {was more logical, after which I liked} 19. a3 ({after +the constricting} 19. a4 {White has to reckon with} a5 {, when he has only one +wing remaining, although even here after} 20. Kh2 {and g2-g3 his chances are +clearly better}) 19... b5 20. Be3 {, not preventing the opponent from opening +the queenside. After} Reb8 21. Nd2 Be7 22. Qe2 {sooner or later White would +have advanced b2-b4, and with enormous effect, since on this part of the +battlefield he has more pieces. Even so, for Black this was the lesser evil.}) +19. g3 {(7) Now White also begins cramping the enemy forces on the kingside.} +Be7 20. h4 Nf6 21. Nh2 Qd7 22. a4 Qh3 {This demonstration of activity was +accompanied by - a peace offer!} ({I should mention that here the blocking of +the queenside by} 22... a5 {was now unattractive in view of} 23. Qf3 {and +Nd1-e3 (preventing ...f7-f5), when Black begins to suffocate.}) 23. Qf3 {(3)} +Qd7 {And this 'backward spurt' is explained by a sober assessment of the +situation after White's declining of the draw.} (23... Bd8 24. a5 Rb8 {and ...b7-b6 (in order to answer axb6 with ...Rxb6) was possibly more resilient, but +in time-trouble it is not easy to take such a committing decision. Georgadze +gives up ideas of counterplay and switches to exclusively passive defence, +relying on the solidity of his pawn chain.} ({Or} 24... b5 25. axb6 Bxb6 {.})) +24. a5 {(2) It becomes obvious that Black has wasted too much time. White +dominates on both wings.} Nf8 ({If} 24... Bd8 {, then} 25. Kg2 {, and} b6 $2 +26. axb6 Bxb6 $2 {is no longer possible because of} 27. h5 {and Bxh6.}) 25. Bd2 +{(5)} Rec8 26. Nf1 {(11) Black's problem is that, with extremely restricted +space for manoeuvring, he has to parry threats by the far more mobile white +army. Now 27 Ne3 is threatened.} Ng4 {A forced reply: to allow Ne3 would be +too dangerous (and ...g7-g6 would be a new weakening). But now the black queen +is tied to the d7-square, and the switching of the f8-knight to the vicinity +of the queenside has become impossible, which White exploits by immediately +opening up the play on that wing.} 27. Na4 {(7)} Bd8 28. Rec1 Rab8 29. b4 $1 { +The start of the decisive offensive. As they say in such cases, the rest is a +matter of technique.} cxb4 30. Bxb4 h5 ({The quest for success in an open +battle} 30... b5 $2 31. axb6 Bxb6 32. c5 dxc5 33. Bxc5 Bxc5 34. Nxc5 Rxc5 { +would have ended in failure for Black after} 35. Rxc5 Rb2 36. Ne3 Nxf2 37. Rc2 +$1 {.}) ({And if the knight deserts its post with} 30... Nf6 31. Ne3 g6 {both} +32. Rcb1 ({and the immediate} 32. c5 $1 {are good.})) 31. Nb6 {A perfectly +safe continuation in the opponent's time-trouble: I did not want to allow +Black even a hint of counterplay.} ({The line I give in 'The Test of Time' -} +31. Qd3 {(?)} b5 32. axb6 Bxb6 33. Nxb6 (33. c5 Ba7 $1) 33... Rxb6 34. Ba3 {is +less good in view of} Qa7 $1 {with unnecessary complications (} 35. c5 ({or} +35. Ne3 Nd7) 35... dxc5 36. Rxc5 $6 Nxf2 $1 {).}) ({But} 31. Qa3 $5 {was the +most 'computer-like' way to win:} Bc7 ({or} 31... b5 32. axb6 Bxb6 33. Nxb6 ( +33. Bxd6 $5) 33... Rxb6 34. f3 Nf6 (34... Rcb8 35. Bxd6 $1) 35. c5 dxc5 36. +Bxc5 {etc.}) 32. c5 dxc5 33. Nxc5 Qb5 34. f3 Nf6 35. Nd3 Ng6 36. Kg2 {.}) 31... +Bxb6 32. axb6 {Now, if the c-file is opened, the b6-pawn ensures White an +outpost at c7.} Qe7 ({If} 32... Qd8 {again} 33. Qa3 $1 {was very strong;} ({ +but not} 33. c5 Nd7 $1) 33... Qxb6 34. Ra2 Rd8 35. Ba5 {and wins.}) 33. Qa3 Rd8 +({When your flag is hanging it is hard to decide on a positional exchange +sacrifice -} 33... Rc5 $5 34. Bxc5 dxc5 {, but this would have prolonged the +resistance. However, after} 35. Ne3 (35. f3 Nf6 36. Ne3 {will also do}) 35... +Nxe3 36. Qxe3 Nd7 37. Rcb1 ({or} 37. Qg5 {(the computer)}) ({or perhaps even} +37. d6 $5 {(my recommendation from 'The Test of Time') White would have +gradually destroyed the opponent's defences.})) 34. f3 {(9)} Nh6 (34... Nf6 35. +Ne3 ({or} 35. c5 {.})) 35. c5 dxc5 36. Bxc5 Qf6 37. Kg2 Re8 38. Be3 Nd7 39. +Rab1 Qe7 {This leads to a loss of material;} ({but it was also impossible to +hold the position after} 39... Rbc8 40. Rc7 Rxc7 41. bxc7 b5 42. Rc1 {.}) 40. +Qxe7 ({And here, without managing to play} 40. Qxe7 Rxe7 {, Black lost on time. +But even without this the obvious} 41. Rc7 {would have led to the immediate +collapse of his position. --- Times: 2.18-2.30.}) 1-0 + +[Event "35: 47th USSR Championship, Minsk"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1979.12.02"] +[Round "3"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Yusupov, A."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "C83"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "81"] +[EventDate "1979.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{My next win, in the 2nd round against Sveshnikov, was also achieved by solid +positional play, in an 'insipid' endgame with symmetrical pawns (it is true +that I made an error, but my opponent failed to exploit it and I transposed +into a winning pawn ending). --- But in the 3rd round I came out of hiding and +won against Yusupov (who had also started with 2 out of 2) in a style which +one commentator even compared with that of Alekhine. My own commentary was +closer to reality: 'Artur and I are friends; we both studied in Botvinnik's +school. Before this we had played each other only in junior competitions. And +now - our first "adult" encounter, and immediately in the championship of the +country! In Minsk Artur was making his debut in the Premier League, and it +turned out that I, as an "old-timer", was examining him. But I won +surprisingly easily.'} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 {Before the autumn of that year +Yusupov's repertoire comprised the sharp Chelyabinsk Variation and the quiet +Petroff Defence. But in the First League Artur had already employed the Open +Variation of the Ruy Lopez, which became fashionable after the Karpov-Korchnoi +match (Baguio 1978).} 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. +dxe5 Be6 9. Be3 {At the time this was a rare, little-studied continuation, +which my opponent might not even have looked at in his preparations.} ({The +'main' variations with} 9. c3) (9. Qe2) ({or} 9. Nbd2 Nc5 10. c3 {were +certainly well known to Yusupov.}) 9... Be7 ({The 'Encyclopaedia of Chess +Openings' (1974) promised Black easy equality after} 9... Na5 {, but the game +Kupreichik-Slutsky (Moscow 1979) shook this assessment:} 10. Nd4 Qd7 11. Qe1 +Nxb3 (11... Nc6 $5) 12. axb3 Be7 13. b4 c5 14. Nxe6 fxe6 15. f3 {with +advantage to White.}) ({In the early 1980s the move 9 Be3 became popular, and +the 2nd edition of 'ECO' no longer recommended} 9... Na5 {.}) ({On the other +hand,} 9... Bc5 {often occurs, for example:} 10. Qd3 (10. Qe2 $5 O-O 11. Rd1 { +leads to a tabiya of the variation with 9 Qe2}) 10... O-O 11. Nc3 Nb4 12. Qe2 +Nxc3 13. bxc3 Bxe3 14. Qxe3 Nc6 15. a4 Na5 (15... Qe7 $5 {, Svidler-Carlsen, +Baku 2008}) 16. axb5 (16. Nd4 {is more interesting}) 16... axb5 17. Qc5 ({or} +17. Nd4 Qe8 18. f4 c5 {(Kasparov-Kramnik, 4th match game, Moscow 2001)}) 17... +c6 {(Kholmov-Antoshin, 35th USSR Championship, Kharkov 1967) in both cases +with equality.}) 10. Nbd2 ({The theory of this line was in its infancy, and it +was only later that} 10. c3 $1 {was deemed more accurate. After this, apart +from 10...0-0 11 Nbd2 (transposing into a position from the game), Black has +two other possibilities - one more solid ('classical') and one more sharp +('modern'):} -- (10... Qd7 11. Nbd2 Rd8 (11... Nxd2 12. Qxd2 Na5 13. Bg5 $5 { +, A.Sokolov-Yusupov, Montpellier Candidates 1985}) 12. Re1 O-O 13. Bc2 f5 ( +13... Bf5 $5 {is more solid, Dolmatov-Yusupov, 1st match game, Wijk aan Zee +1991}) 14. exf6 Nxf6 15. a4 $1 Ng4 $6 16. axb5 axb5 17. Bd4 Nxd4 { +(Kasparov-Shirov, Izmir 2004)} 18. cxd4 $1 {with advantage to White}) (10... +Nc5 11. Bc2 Nd7 (11... Bg4 12. Nbd2 {with the idea of Qb1}) 12. Re1 ({not} 12. +Bf4 g5 $1) 12... Ndxe5 ({more risky, but more principled than} 12... O-O 13. +Bf4 {, Dolmatov-Yusupov, 7th match game, Wijk aan Zee 1991}) 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. +Bd4 f6 ({or} 14... Ng6 {(a fresh example: Balogh-Mikhalevsky, Olympiad, +Khanty-Mansiysk 2010), and for the moment Black parries all the attacks.}))) +10... O-O (10... Nc5 $1 {is more accurate, and if} 11. c3 Nd3 $1 {, +Panchenko-Tukmakov, Tashkent 1980.}) 11. c3 {(19) And so after all the game +transposes into a line of the old variation with 9 c3.} (11. Nxe4 {is +altogether harmless:} dxe4 12. Bxe6 fxe6 13. Qxd8 (13. Nd2 Qd5 14. Qg4 Nxe5 15. +Qxe4 Rad8) 13... Raxd8 14. Nd2 Nxe5 15. Nxe4 Nc4 {.}) 11... Bg4 (11... Nxd2 12. +Qxd2 Qd7) ({or} 11... Qd7 {is considered more or less reliable. However, in my +opinion, the bishop move is also better than its tarnished reputation.}) 12. +Nxe4 {(5)} (12. h3 {is interesting:} Nxd2 13. hxg4 $5 ({instead of the ancient +} 13. Qxd2 Bxf3 14. gxf3 Nxe5 {, Leffmann-Gunsberg, Nuremberg 1883}) 13... Nxf1 +({after} 13... Nxf3+ 14. gxf3 Nxe5 15. Qxd5 {the two bishops give White some +advantage}) 14. Kxf1 Na5 15. Bxd5 c6 16. Be4 {with compensation for the +exchange (Smagin-Kotliar, Philadelphia 1989).}) 12... dxe4 13. Qd5 ({White has +no particular choice:} 13. Bd5 Nxe5 $1 {is equal (Geller-Korchnoi, Curaçao +Candidates 1962).} ({As it later transpired, the further lines with} 13... exf3 +) ({and} 13... Qxd5 {were briefly considered in the 'ECO' of that time. But at +the board, both players, beginning with 10 Nbd2, were playing 'at sight' and +with each move were 'reinventing the wheel'...})) 13... exf3 ({After the game +Artur maintained that the endgame after} 13... Qxd5 14. Bxd5 exf3 15. Bxc6 fxg2 +{was safe for Black. This is not altogether so: in the event of} 16. Kxg2 (16. +Rfc1 Rab8 $1 {, Sadvakasov-Korchnoi, 2nd match game, Astana 2003}) 16... -- ( +16... Rad8 {the typical undermining move} 17. a4 {gives White a small but +enduring advantage (Alekhine-Teichmann, 4th match game, Berlin 1921).}) (16... +Rab8 $5 {is more interesting} 17. -- ({, with the idea of} 17. a4 bxa4 $1 18. +Rxa4 Be2 {with equality}) ({, while if} 17. h3 {(Adams-Fressinet, Bastia 2005), +then} Be6 $1 18. f4 f6 {.}) ({. Or} 17. b4 f6 $1 18. Bd5+ $5 (18. f4 Rbd8 { +with equality, Kosteniuk-Ernst, Wijk aan Zee 2005}) 18... Kh8 19. f3 Bf5 20. e6 +Bd6 21. Rfe1 Rfe8 {, and White is probably unable to break through.}))) 14. +Qxc6 fxg2 15. Qxg2 Qd7 16. Bh6 $1 {(12) After some thought, I found this +garish move;} ({without it White has no hopes of an advantage:} 16. Qg3 Rad8 +17. f3 Bf5 {with equality (Wolf-Tarrasch, Mährisch Ostrau 1923). The +unexpected turn of events - now a kind of tactical commotion begins - +unsettled Artur: he sank into thought and on the next move but one he +committed a fatal mistake!}) 16... gxh6 17. f3 (17. e6 {is unproductive:} fxe6 +18. Qxg4+ Kh8 19. Qxe6 Qxe6 20. Bxe6 Bc5 21. Rae1 Rae8 {with equality +(Michel-Najdorf, Mar del Plata 1941).}) 17... h5 $2 {This leads to disaster +(how high the value of a move is in an open position!). Intuitively I realised +this immediately, on seeing the main weakness of Black's position - the +vulnerability of his bishop on e7 and his f7-point.} (17... Bc5+ $6 18. Kh1 +Rae8 {(suggested in 'ECO') is also inadequate:} 19. Rae1 Qc6 20. Re4 $1 {and +fxg4 with powerful pressure}) ({as is} 17... Kh8 $6 18. fxg4 h5 (18... Rg8 19. +h3 h5 $2 20. Rad1 $1) 19. Rxf7 $1 Bc5+ 20. Kh1 Qxg4 21. Qxg4 hxg4 22. Rxc7 { +with an extra pawn.}) ({However, the accurate} 17... Rae8 $1 {(completing +development and threatening 18...Bc5+ 19 Kh1 Rxe5)} 18. Rae1 $1 h5 (18... Bh4 +$6 19. Re2) 19. Kh1 Qc6 {would have enabled Black to fight for equality:} 20. +-- (20. fxg4 Qxg2+ 21. Kxg2 Rd8 $1) ({, or} 20. Re4 Rd8 ({but not} 20... Bd6 $2 +21. exd6 Rxe4 22. fxe4 {and wins, Nunn-Heidrich, Bundesliga 1985}) 21. fxg4 Rd2 +$1 {.}) ({. Therefore} 20. Re2 {is better, although here too after} Kg7 21. +fxg4 Qxg2+ 22. Rxg2 h4 23. Rgf2 f6 24. e6 Rd8 {White's achievements are slight. +--- It follows that not only 13...Qxd5 but also 13...exf3 is acceptable for +Black, but here psychology played its part: after this game the variation +disappeared from grandmaster play.})) 18. Rad1 $1 {(3) Only this, it turns +out, is a novelty.} ({Too little is given by} 18. fxg4 $2 Qxg4 19. Qxg4+ hxg4 +20. Rf4 {(Acosta-Szmetan, Bogota 1978)} Rae8 {with equality.}) 18... Qf5 ({ +After} 18... Qc6 19. fxg4 Qxg2+ 20. Kxg2 Rad8 (20... hxg4 $2 21. Rd7) 21. Rxd8 +Bxd8 22. gxh5 c5 23. Bd5 {Black has an extremely difficult endgame (} Bc7 $2 +24. e6 $1 {, Cs.Horvath-Zlatohlavek, Gausdal 1986).}) 19. fxg4 Qxe5 {It is +hard to attach a question mark to this move;} ({the defence after} 19... Qxg4 +20. Rd7 Rae8 21. Rxc7 {must have seemed very thankless to Yusupov.}) 20. Rde1 +$1 {(16) The decisive move.} ({In contrast to} 20. Rxf7 $2 Kh8 $1) ({or} 20. +Rf5 $2 Qe3+ 21. Kh1 hxg4 22. Qxg4+ Kh8 {with equality. --- Black's downfall is +caused by the open position of his king and the uncoordinated state of his +pieces. Surprisingly, although he would appear to have a tempo for the defence, +it is no longer possible to do anything.}) 20... Qc5+ (20... Qd6 21. Rxf7 $1) ( +{or} 20... Qg5 21. Rf5 Qh4 22. Re4 $1 Kh8 23. g5 {is bad for Black)}) 21. Kh1 +Rad8 {This loses a piece, but what can Black play?} (21... Rae8 {will not do:} +22. Rf5 Qb6 23. gxh5+ Kh8 24. Rxf7 Rxf7 (24... Bf6 25. Rxh7+) ({or} 24... Rg8 +25. Rexe7 $1 Rxe7 26. Qg7+ $3 {is more picturesque}) 25. Bxf7 Rf8 26. Rg1 Qxg1+ +{(otherwise mate)} 27. Qxg1 $1 Rxf7 28. h6 {.}) ({White also has a decisive +attack after} 21... Bh4 22. Rf5 Qd6 23. Ref1 {(g1)}) ({or} 21... Bd6 22. Rf5 +Qa7 23. gxh5+ Kh8 24. Rg1 Rg8 25. Rg5 {.}) ({And after} 21... c6 {, which is +slightly more resilient} 22. -- (22. Rf5 Qd6 23. gxh5+ Kh8 24. Bxf7 {is good +for White}) ({, as is} 22. Qe4 Bh4 ({or} 22... Ra7 23. Rf5 Qd6 24. Rd1 Qh6 25. +gxh5) (22... Bd8 23. Rxf7 $1 Rxf7 24. Bxf7+) 23. Rf5 Qd6 24. Ref1 Qe7 (24... +Ra7 25. gxh5) 25. Qc2 $1 {, also with crushing threats.})) 22. Rf5 Qd6 23. Rd5 +Qg6 24. Rxe7 {Already here the curtain could have been lowered, but Artur, +dismayed by such a blitzkrieg, played on through inertia.} Rxd5 25. Bxd5 hxg4 +26. Qe4 {(4)} Qxe4+ 27. Bxe4 Rd8 28. Rxc7 h5 29. Bc2 {(3)} Rd5 30. Bb3 Rf5 31. +Kg2 a5 32. Rxf7 $1 {(10) Not essential, but flamboyant and effective: +transposing into a pawn endgame is the quickest way to force capitulation.} +Rxf7 33. Kg3 a4 34. Bxf7+ Kxf7 35. Kh4 Kg6 36. b3 a3 37. c4 bxc4 38. bxc4 Kf5 +39. Kxh5 Ke4 40. Kxg4 Kd4 41. h4 {. White's pawn queens two moves earlier. --- +Times: 2.14-2.24. --- A hat-trick, as in Minsk 1978! From the press: 'The +championship of the country began with a sensation - after three rounds the +leader was Kasparov with a 100% result! His initial three convincing wins +largely set the tone of the entire competition.' --- Then Kupreichik burst +ahead, scoring five successive wins. Meanwhile I slowed down, making six draws +- with Rashkovsky, Geller, Romanishin, Makarychev, Razuvaev and Tseshkovsky, +although the play in these games was far from peaceful. --- Nikitin: 'The +congratulations with which we were showered after this stunning start put the +youngster in a state of euphoria, and working with him became difficult. His +following opponents displayed great tenacity in defence, and after six +successive draws the euphoria was replaced by irritation. Directives and calls +for a little patience did not help.'} (41. -- {After nine rounds there were +four leaders - Kasparov, Kupreichik, Balashov and Yusupov. On the rest day I +tried to divert myself from my tournament misfortunes - first I gave a +'planned' simul' in the Polytechnic Institute, and then in the evening Nikitin +and I went to the cinema and watched an old American classic The Vikings +(later my mother complained that it had 'over-excited' me). --- For the +10th-round game with Lerner I arrived in a fighting mood and in a complicated +battle I gained a decisive advantage. But in my opponent's desperate +time-trouble I suddenly became nervous and, although I still had nearly 50 +minutes (!) on my clock, with my impulsive 36th move I ruined the fruits of +the preceding intensive work, and then I altogether lost control over the +situation and contrived to lose. --- This cruel defeat signified the onset of +a crisis, similar to that which occurred with me a year earlier in Tbilisi, +between rounds 7 and 9. It is evident that at the age of 15-16 the burden of +leading such a super-tournament as the USSR Championship Premier League was as +yet more than my nervous system could bear. My play went to pieces, and the +result of each subsequent game become unpredictable.}) 1-0 + +[Event "36: 47th USSR Championship, Minsk"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1979.12.22"] +[Round "14"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Kupreichik, V."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D15"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "89"] +[EventDate "1979.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In the 11th round I should have lost to Vaganian, but by some miracle I +managed to hold out and then win in the endgame. In the 12th round I had an +overwhelming advantage against Anikaev, but I again went wrong and earned a +second nought. In the 13th round I obtained a good position with Black against +Beliavsky - and I lost literally in one move! A disaster! --- The crowning +point of this nightmarish period was my 14th-round game with Viktor Kupreichik, +in which with White I rushed headlong into battle.} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 +Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. e4 b5 6. e5 Nd5 7. a4 e6 8. axb5 Nxc3 9. bxc3 cxb5 10. Ng5 +Bb7 11. Qh5 Qd7 (11... g6 12. Qg4 {- Game No.1 in Volume III of 'My Great +Predecessors')}) 12. Nxh7 $2 {(2)} ({Oh horrors: in a new variation for me I +forgot to include the obligatory} 12. Be2 $1 {and only after} Bd5 ({while if} +12... h6 {, then} 13. Bf3 $1 {(Kasparov-Petursson, Olympiad, Malta 1980)}) 13. +Nxh7 {.}) 12... Nc6 13. Nxf8 (13. Be3 Qd5 $1 {with the idea of} 14. Be2 Qxg2 +15. Rf1 Nb4 $1 {was little better for White.}) (13. Qh4 Nxd4 $1 {.}) ({ +Alexander Nikitin describes the acute sufferings he experienced that evening: +'The demonstrator, after removing the bishop from f8, had only just placed the +white knight there, when I felt a shiver down my spine: the move} 13. Nxf8 Qxd4 +$3 {immediately came to mind. The inevitability of White's defeat after} 14. +cxd4 Rxh5 {seemed so obvious, that my heart missed a beat and I reached in my +pocket for a vasodilator. "What a terrible run of misfortune the ill-fated +game with Lerner has produced", I thought to myself. I looked at the stage, +glanced at the culprit of my sufferings, and I immediately realised that he +too had seen the opponent's knock-out blow. --- 'However, when he saw this +Garry unexpectedly quickly composed himself and took the psychologically +correct decision. He did not jump up and walk around the stage, as he would +have often done before, but with an imperturbable and perhaps even +self-confident appearance he remained seated, demonstrating his readiness to +continue the 'blitz'. Five minutes passed, then ten... Kupreichik sat and +thought. Although after his brilliant start he had also become becalmed and +was now almost on his last legs, it was hard to believe that this +sharp-sighted and clever tactician would not notice the queen sacrifice... --- +'A further ten tiring minutes passed, and I was now almost reconciled to the +inevitable. Sitting alongside me in the hall was Borya Gelfand, the future +famous grandmaster, but then a young first category player, whom I had been +recommended to watch at the Petrosian school, and he suddenly asked in a +perplexed whisper: "But what if Black takes the pawn with his queen?" Oh God! +I went out into the foyer. Another half hour of torment rushed by +imperceptibly, but when I returned to the hall Kupreichik had still not made a +move. He was sitting calmly at the board, like a sphinx, hardly changing his +pose. Only now he looked less cheerful, and in his bearing there was a hint of +uncertainty. Perhaps he might not see it?! And indeed, without satisfaction +Viktor finally made a move - he took the queen with his rook...'}) 13... Rxh5 +$2 14. Nxd7 Kxd7 15. Rb1 $1 a6 16. Bxc4 Na5 17. Bf1 {(8) And on the 45th move +Black resigned...} Be4 18. Rb4 Bd5 19. f3 Rc8 20. Bd2 Bc4 21. g4 Rh4 22. Bg5 +Rhh8 23. Bxc4 Rxc4 24. Rxc4 bxc4 25. Kf2 Nc6 26. h4 Rb8 27. Ra1 Rb2+ 28. Ke1 a5 +29. Ra4 Rb1+ 30. Kf2 Rb2+ 31. Kg3 Rb3 32. Rxc4 Ra3 33. Kf4 a4 34. Ke4 Na5 35. +Rc5 Nb3 36. Rb5 Kc6 37. Rb4 Ra1 38. Be3 Na5 39. c4 a3 40. d5+ Kd7 41. Ra4 Nb3 +42. Ra7+ Ke8 43. d6 a2 44. d7+ Ke7 45. Bg5+ {. Times: 2.00-2.31. --- When in +analysis after the game I showed Kupreichik 13...Qxd4, he almost jumped out of +his seat! A real chess drama... Nikitin: 'Some four hours later we met Garik, +who had not yet recovered from his sufferings, but was happy and content after +an accurately conducted ending and a much needed win. "Well done, Garinka, you +didn't let on", said his mother about the oversight on the 13th (!) move. +"You're growing up, lad", I added intentionally rather crudely. Yes, that +evening the chess goddess Caissa graciously gave her young knight a helping +hand...' --- After this win the tournament no longer seemed so brutally +exhausting. Three rounds before the finish, the slump suddenly came to an end. +The following day without any particular anxiety I drew with Black against +Balashov.} 1-0 + +[Event "37: 47th USSR Championship, Minsk"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1979.12.24"] +[Round "16"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Dolmatov, S."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D14"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "129"] +[EventDate "1979.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{But in the 16th round, to be in contention for a medal I had to beat another +acquaintance from the Botvinnik School and junior competitions - the +20-year-old debutant in the championship Sergey Dolmatov, the winner of the +First League and the world junior champion the previous year. Although in this +tournament he was not performing very successfully, any kind of surprise could +be expected of him.} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. cxd5 ({Why not} 4. Nc3 { +(Game Nos. 36, 65, 66, 82, 93)? At that time many ideas were floating about in +the Exchange Variation and it was not a drawing line, but a way of avoiding +the Meran Variation, which for the moment the Dvoretsky-Yusupov-Dolmatov team +knew better than I did.}) 4... cxd5 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Bf5 (6... e6 {is more +passive}) ({while transposing into the Chebanenko Variation by} 6... a6 $5 { +acquired 'citizen's rights' only in the 1980s.}) 7. e3 e6 8. Bb5 Bd6 (8... Bb4 +$6 9. Ne5 {is less good for Black (Game No.75 in Volume II of 'My Great +Predecessors')}) ({while the main defence is} 8... Nd7 9. Qa4 (9. O-O Be7 {- +Game No.74 in Volume III of 'My Great Predecessors'}) 9... Rc8 (9... Qb6 10. +Nh4) 10. O-O ({little is promised by} 10. Bxc6 Rxc6 11. Qxa7 Qc8 $1) 10... a6 +11. Bxc6 Rxc6 12. Rfc1 Be7 13. Nd1 ({if} 13. Ne2 {, then} Qb6 $1 14. Rxc6 bxc6 +{with equality}) 13... b5 14. Qb3 Qc8 ({or} 14... Rc4 {with double-edged play. +However, the move in the game is also, perhaps, not so bad.})) 9. Ne5 {(10)} +Rc8 {In principle this is a loss of time, and Black should try to solve the +problem of the c6-point in other ways.} (9... Bxe5 10. Bxc6+ ({after} 10. Bxe5 +Rc8 {White's only hopes lie with his two bishops}) 10... bxc6 11. Bxe5 O-O 12. +Bxf6 $5 (12. O-O Nd7 13. Bd6 Re8 {is equal - Kottnauer-Trifunovic, Beverwijk +1962; Andersson-Yusupov, Linares 1983}) 12... Qxf6 13. O-O e5 {(Vera-Bellon, +Malaga 1981)} ({or} 13... Rab8 {and ...e6-e5 - despite the chronic weakness of +his c6-pawn and the c5-square, Black is close to equality})) (9... O-O $5 {(an +interesting pawn sacrifice)} 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. Nxc6 Qd7 12. Bxd6 (12. Ne5 Qb7 +$1) 12... Qxd6 13. Ne5 (13. Qa4 Nd7 $1) 13... Rab8 14. g4 $5 ({if} 14. Qd2 {, +then} Qb4 15. b3 Rfc8 {is good}) 14... Bg6 15. Nxg6 fxg6 $5 16. Rb1 e5 {with +active play, although for the moment White retains his extra material.}) 10. +Bxc6+ {(14) Giving Black a backward pawn.} ({After} 10. O-O {there can follow} +Bxe5 11. Bxe5 O-O {(H.Olafsson-Yusupov, Reykjavik 1985).}) 10... bxc6 11. O-O +O-O 12. Rc1 Qe7 ({The attempt to get rid of the weakness by} 12... c5 $2 {does +not work because of} 13. Nb5 {.}) 13. Na4 {(14)} Bxe5 14. Bxe5 Nd7 15. Nc5 { +(11)} (15. Bg3 {would nevertheless have allowed} c5 {.}) 15... f6 ({The strong +bishop should probably have been exchanged -} 15... Nxe5 16. dxe5 -- ({, and +now after both} 16... Rb8 17. Qd4 h5 ({or} 17... Rb5 {(Malinichev-Zargarian, +Volodarsky 2007)} 18. f3 $1) 18. b4) ({, and} 16... f6 17. Qd4 fxe5 18. Qxe5 +Qc7 19. f4 ({or} 19. Qxc7 Rxc7 20. f3 {Black merely has slightly the worse +chances, whereas the move in the game adds to his problems. Dolmatov was +hoping to set up a counterattack on the kingside, but White's attack on the +queenside develops more quickly.}))) 16. Bg3 e5 17. Qd2 {(with the obvious +intention of Rc3 and Rfc1)} Nb6 $6 {All in the same risky, 'counterattacking' +spirit - Black also avoids the exchange of knights.} (17... Rfe8 {was better.}) +18. b3 e4 $6 ({Black somehow cannot bring himself to return his knight with} +18... Nd7 {.}) ({In 'Informator' I recommended} 18... h5 {, since in the event +of} 19. h4 {Black would have subsequently gained an opportunity to exploit the +weakening of the kingside. But after the immediate closing of the centre he +has an objectively difficult position.}) 19. Na6 (19. Rc2 $5 {.}) 19... h5 20. +Qb4 {(8)} Qb7 21. Nc5 Qe7 22. a4 {(6)} g5 $6 ({It was more resilient first to +minimise the threat of a4-a5, by prophylactically defending the queen and +vacating the f8-square for the knight:} 22... Rfe8 23. a5 Nd7 24. Na6 Nf8 {, +and if} 25. Bd6 {then} Qf7 26. Nb8 Bd7 27. Rc2 h4 28. h3 Ne6 29. Rfc1 Nd8) ({ +or even better} 22... Rf7 $5 23. a5 Nd7 24. Na6 Nf8 {, practically forcing the +transition into an endgame -} 25. Qxe7 (25. Bd6 $6 Qb7 $1) 25... Rxe7 {, +although even here after} 26. Nb4 Bd7 27. Rc2 {and Rfc1 Black would face a +cheerless defence. Therefore in search of counter-chances Dolmatov aimed at +any cost to keep the queens on.}) 23. a5 Na8 ({Now after} 23... Nd7 24. Na6 $1 +{the exchange of queens is fatal for Black (the knight on d7 has taken the +square for the bishop, from where it could defend the c6-pawn), while in the +event of} Qf7 25. Bc7 ({or} 25. Bd6 Rfd8 26. Qb7 {it is also hard to offer him +any good advice.})) 24. Na6 $1 Qe8 $6 25. Rc2 h4 26. Bd6 Rf7 27. Rfc1 { +(threatening Nb8 - White already has a decisive advantage)} Rg7 28. Nb8 $1 Bd7 +29. Qb7 {(10)} Kh7 $1 {A brilliant reply!} ({I was sure that the game was +decided:} 29... Qe6 30. Nxd7 Qxd7 31. Qxd7 Rxd7 32. Rxc6 {etc. But all is not +yet so simple.}) 30. Qxa8 {(4)} ({It was also possible not to lose time on the +capture of the 'dead' knight, for example:} 30. b4 {(threatening b4-b5)} -- ( +30... Qe6 31. Nxd7 Rd8 (31... Qxd7 32. Qxd7) 32. Nxf6+ ({but} 32. Rxc6 $1 {is +simpler}) 32... Qxf6 33. Be5 Qxe5 34. Qxa8 {suggested by me in 'Informator'}) ( +{, or} 30... Qd8 31. Qxa7 ({only not} 31. b5 $4 Bg4 $1) 31... Be8 32. Qc5 Rxb8 +(32... Rb7 33. Na6) 33. Bxb8 Qxb8 34. b5 Nc7 35. bxc6 {and wins})) (30. Qxa7 $5 +Qe6 31. Ba3 {(the most accurate: White has won a pawn and retained his +powerful bishop)} h3 ({or} 31... Be8 32. Qxa8 h3 33. g3 Qf5 34. f3 exf3 35. Kf2 +) 32. Nxd7 Rxd7 33. Qa6 Rdc7 34. gxh3 {, repelling the desperate attack (} Qxh3 +35. Bd6 $1 {) and winning.}) 30... Qe6 31. Qxa7 $1 {White is obliged to return +the piece, giving up his fine bishop.} ({It would be suicidal to play} 31. Rxc6 +$4 Bxc6 32. Rxc6 Rd8 $1 {, when he cannot disentangle himself without losing +material (} 33. Bc7 Qg4 34. Rc1 Rc8 $1 {).}) ({And if} 31. Bc5 $2 {, then} Be8 +$1 {with dangerous counterplay:} 32. Bxa7 (32. Bf8 Rf7) ({or} 32. Rf1 h3 33. f4 +exf3 34. Rxf3 hxg2 35. Rxg2 Bg6 $1 {and ...Be4}) 32... h3 33. Bc5 Qg4 34. f3 +exf3 35. g3 Qe4 $1 36. Kf2 f5 {and f5-f4.}) 31... Qxd6 32. Nxd7 Rxd7 33. Qb6 ( +33. Qa6 $5 Rdc7 34. h3 Qd7 ({or} 34... f5 35. Qe2 Kg6 36. Rc5) 35. b4 {was +also good.}) 33... Rdc7 34. a6 {(6)} (34. b4 Qe6 {(d7)} 35. b5 $1 {etc. would +have won more simply.}) 34... Qd7 {Sergey was already in serious time-trouble.} +({If} 34... h3 {the correct reply is} 35. b4 $1 {.}) 35. Ra1 $2 {(2) A +serious delay.} ({There was still a win by} 35. b4 h3 36. gxh3 (36. g3 Qg4 37. +Kf1 Qf3 38. a7 $1 {is also possible}) 36... Qxh3 37. b5 Qg4+ 38. Kf1 Qh3+ ( +38... Kg6 39. a7) 39. Ke1 Qxh2 40. Qa5 Qh1+ 41. Kd2 Qh2 42. Kd1 {and b5-b6.}) +35... h3 {'Black has defended cleverly and created real counterplay.' +(Yudovich)} 36. gxh3 {(9)} Kg6 $5 {Vacating the h-file for the rook and +leaving the queen to defend against the advance of the a-pawn.} ({In the event +of} 36... Qxh3 37. -- ({, nothing would have been given by either} 37. Rca2 f5 +$1 {and ...f5-f4}) ({, or} 37. b4 Qg4+ 38. Kf1 Qf3 $1 39. Rca2 (39. Rac1 f5 $1) +39... Kg6 $1 40. a7 Rh7 41. Qb8 $1 Rch8 $1 {(with the threat of ...Rxh2)} 42. +Kg1 Rxa7 $1 {.}) ({. However,} 37. a7 $1 Qd7 {(there is nothing else)} 38. h3 +Ra8 (38... Rb7 39. Qa6) 39. Kg2 Kg6 40. Ra6 {and Rxc6 (while if} Rh8 {, then +first} 41. Kf1 $1 {) would have led after exchanges to a rook endgame with an +extra pawn for White (and drawing chances for Black).})) 37. f3 {(12) An +impulsive advance with the opponent's flag about to fall.} ({After} 37. b4 Rh8 +$1 {I could no longer see a win:} 38. -- (38. b5 Rxh3 39. f3 exf3 40. a7 Rc8 +41. a8=Q (41. bxc6 Qg4+ 42. Kf1 Rg3 $1) 41... Rxa8 42. Rxa8 f2+ 43. Rxf2 Qg4+) +({, or} 38. Rac1 Rxh3 39. Rxc6 (39. Kf1 Rxh2) 39... Rxc6 40. Qxc6 Qg4+ 41. Kf1 +Rxe3 $1 42. Qe8+ Kh6 {with a draw.}) (38. a7 {was also very unclear:} Rcc8 $5 +39. h4 Rxh4 40. Qb8 Rhh8 41. Qg3 Rh3 $1 42. Qg2 Rh4 43. f3 Ra8 44. Rca2 Qf5 { +with counterplay.})) ({Apparently the immediate} 37. a7 $5 {was better, and if} +Ra8 38. Kg2 Raxa7 39. Rxa7 Rxa7 40. Qxc6 {, although after} Qf5 41. Qe8+ Rf7 +42. Rc1 Qf3+ 43. Kg1 Qxh3 {the open position of White's king makes it +extremely hard for him to convert his extra pawn.}) 37... exf3 38. Rf2 {(4)} +Ra7 $2 {An error in reply.} (38... c5 {(?), given by me in 'Informator', is +also insufficient in view of} 39. Rxf3 Rc6 40. Qb5 cxd4 41. Qd3+ $1 {.}) ({ +However,} 38... Qxh3 $1 {would have led to a draw:} 39. a7 Qg4+ ({or} 39... Re7 +{immediately}) 40. Kf1 (40. Kh1 $6 {is worse:} Rh7 $1 {- with the threats of ...Rxh2+ and ...Qg3 -} 41. Qb8 $1 Rhh8 42. Qd6 Qe4 $1) 40... Qh3+ 41. Ke1 Re7 $1 +42. a8=Q Rxa8 43. Rxa8 Qg4 44. Kf1 Rxe3 45. Qb4 Qh3+ 46. Kg1 Qg4+ {with +perpetual check.}) 39. Rxf3 {Now Black is simply 'one and a half' pawns down +and without any counterplay.} Rca8 40. b4 {With the terrible threat of b4-b5.} +Qc7 $1 {With his last move before the time control Dolmatov demonstrates +tenacious defence. --- Here the game was adjourned and the arbiter asked me to +seal my move. The resumption took place the following day.} 41. Qc5 $2 {(17)} ( +{I had not yet calmed down after the time scramble, and with this sealed move +I again put in jeopardy the win, which could have been achieved in the rook +endgame after} 41. Qxc7 Rxc7 42. e4 $1 Rca7 $1 (42... dxe4 43. Rc3) 43. Raf1 +Rf8 44. e5 Rxa6 (44... f5 45. h4 $1) 45. Rxf6+ Rxf6 46. Rxf6+ Kg7 47. b5 Ra4 +48. Rxc6 Rxd4 49. b6 Rb4 50. Kf2 {(say,} Rb3 51. Ke2 Kf7 52. Kd2 Rxh3 53. Rc8 { +and wins). --- The only plus point of my decision was that it came as a +surprise to my opponent, whereas I was armed 'to the teeth' and during the +adjournment session I spent only 9 minutes!}) 41... Rxa6 42. Raf1 Ra2 ({If} +42... Qd8 {my trainers and I had prepared} 43. h4 $1 {with the idea of} gxh4 +44. Qc2+ Kg7 45. Qg2+ Kf7 46. Qg5 {and wins.}) 43. Rxf6+ Kh5 44. R1f2 Rxf2 ({ +After} 44... Qh7 45. Qxc6 {White wins.}) 45. Rxf2 Qh7 46. Qc2 Ra1+ $2 {This +attempt to create counter-chances in the rook ending proves unsuccessful.} ( +46... Qe7 $1 {was far more resilient - this was the only problematic spot in +our adjournment analysis. Here I did not see a clear win, neither do I see one +now, although after} 47. Qd1+ Kg6 (47... Kh6 $6 48. Qf3 $1) 48. Qc1 {White has +a clear advantage.}) 47. Kg2 Qe4+ (47... Qe7 {is too late in view of} 48. Qf5 +$1 {with the idea of Rc2 or Rf4.}) (47... Qxc2 {is also hopeless:} 48. Rxc2 Re1 +(48... Ra6 49. Kg3) 49. Kf2 Rh1 50. Rxc6 Rxh2+ 51. Kg3 {.}) 48. Qxe4 dxe4 {'A +rook endgame has been reached. To win, first and foremost White needs to +activate his forces.' (Yudovich)} 49. d5 $1 {The key idea of our home analysis, +of which I was very proud.} ({However, there was also a win by} 49. Rc2 Kh4 50. +d5 $1 cxd5 51. Rb2 Ra6 52. b5 Rb6 53. Rb4 g4 54. hxg4 Kxg4 55. h3+ {.}) 49... +cxd5 50. Rb2 Ra6 51. b5 Rb6 52. Kg3 Kg6 53. Kg4 Kf6 54. Rb4 $1 Kg6 55. h4 { +White creates another passed pawn, on the opposite wing, and he will be +prepared to sacrifice it at a convenient moment, in order to divert the +opponent's forces.} gxh4 56. Kxh4 Kf5 57. Kg3 Rg6+ ({Two other lines from our +analysis:} 57... Ke5 58. h4 Kd6 (58... Rg6+ 59. Kh3) 59. Kf4 Kc5 60. Rb1 d4 61. +Kxe4 (61. exd4+ {is also good}) 61... Re6+ 62. Kf5 Rxe3 63. b6 Re8 64. b7 Rb8 +65. Ke4) (57... Kg5 58. h4+ Kf5 59. h5 Kg5 60. h6 $1 Rxh6 61. b6 Rh8 62. b7 Rb8 +63. Rb5 Kf6 64. Kf4 Ke6 65. Rb6+ Kd7 66. Ke5 Kc7 67. Rb4 {and in each case +White wins.}) 58. Kf2 Rh6 59. b6 $1 Rxh2+ 60. Ke1 Rh8 61. b7 Rb8 62. Kd2 Ke5 +63. Kc3 d4+ ({I was especially proud of the following precise variation which +we found:} 63... Kd6 64. Kd4 Kc6 65. Rb1 Kd6 66. Rb6+ Kc7 67. Kc5 (67. Rb5 $5) +67... d4 68. Rc6+ $1 Kd7 69. Kb6 $1 dxe3 70. Rc4 $1 {and wins.}) 64. exd4+ Kd5 +(64... Kf4 {would not have saved Black:} 65. Kc4 (65. Rb6 $5) 65... Kf3 66. d5 +e3 67. Kd3 e2 68. Re4 Rxb7 69. Re3+ Kf4 70. Rxe2 {.}) 65. Kd2 {. Times: 2. +55-3.07.} (65. -- {Just like a year earlier in Tbilisi, I concluded the +tournament with a game against Mikhail Tal. On top of the previous year's +'gold', in 1979 he had also gained triumphal victories at the 'tournament of +stars' in Montreal (together with Karpov), and at the Interzonal Tournament in +Riga. However, in this championship the ex-world champion (and a Candidate in +the current cycle!) was unrecognisable and he looked exhausted from his +efforts in the tournament. Up to the 14th round Tal was still holding out and +he was on 'plus one', but he was struck down by a very bad cold (he was +coughing so terribly on the stage, that with a smile he even asked the chief +arbiter: 'Salo Mikhailovich, put up a curtain, so that I don't infect the +public'), and after three successive losses he dropped into the lower half of +the tournament table. --- The placing of the leaders before the 17th round was +as follows: Geller - 11, Yusupov - 10, Balashov, Kasparov and Makarychev - 9½. On the concluding day all drew their games, apart from Makarychev, who lost +with Black to Beliavsky and finished half a step behind. --- From the press: +'The hero of the second half of the tournament was Geller. Going through +undefeated, he repeated his success of nearly quarter of a century earlier and +he established an unusual record: never before in the championships of the +country had the winner been older than fifty! (In 1937 Levenfish was 49.) +Kasparov, who shared 3rd-4th places, scored as many wins as the tournament +winner - six, but he also lost three games. His result is also a record - +never before in the championships of the country has a schoolboy won a medal.'} +) (65. -- {Soon afterwards grandmaster Salo Flohr wrote this in the magazine +'64': 'Regarding our brilliant talent (wunderkind?) Garik Kasparov I have +heard many good words, and I know his games. Here for the first time I had the +opportunity and the great pleasure of seeing him play. Garik is like a fire at +the chess board. He is impulsive (to his misfortune, sometimes excessively). +He passionately loves chess, and he clearly prefers to play for a win. But how +he suffers after a loss! He loses his appetite and he can't sleep, which, +however, is not good. --- 'Kasparov and Yusupov are good lads (and not only +because they occupied high places). I very much liked it when Kasparov would +not agree that he could have finished first. He objected: no, no, Geller +played more strongly. Yusupov had this to say: for everything that I know +about chess I am indebted to my trainer Mark Dvoretsky. Kasparov very +flatteringly and with gratitude referred to his prestigious chess teacher +Mikhail Botvinnik. --- 'Incidentally, the youngster's current helpers did not +hide the fact that the ex-world champion gave Kasparov valuable long-distance +consultation and directives. According to Botvinnik's plan, Kasparov should +have finished in the top six. The young man violated this directive by sharing +3rd-4th places with Balashov. Will Kasparov get into trouble from his strict +teacher for this "violation"? In the 46th championship he was ninth, and in +the 47th - 3rd-4th. What leap will Garry perform in the current, Olympic year? +The following expression exists: five minutes away from being a grandmaster. +In my opinion, this expression is not appropriate for Kasparov, and about him +it would be more correct to say: five seconds away from being a grandmaster.'}) +(65. -- {And on the pages of the magazine 'Shakhmaty v SSSR' the championship +was reviewed by another veteran of the chess scene - international master +Mikhail Yudovich: 'A number of games were excellently conducted by Botvinnik's +pupil Garry Kasparov. Of course, this is a player who has a brilliant future. +Of Kasparov's deficiencies we must mention effusiveness typical of his age, a +striving to force events, and at times a certain recklessness. But in time all +this will calm down and be put into place. I think I will not be wrong if I +say that each new appearance by Garik will attract the attention of the entire +chess world. It is probable that at the age of 16 no one has ever achieved +such results, demonstrating versatile and resourceful play, such as that, for +example, against Dolmatov. --- 'When in the games of a young player we see +swift attacks, sacrifices and combinations, this pleases, but does not +surprise us. Such bursts are natural and are even to be expected. But when a +16-year-old player conducts a heavyweight battle, demonstrating strategic +accuracy, tactical resourcefulness and fine technique - this is clear evidence +of his exclusivity. The same was seen when Capablanca, Botvinnik, Fischer and +Karpov were young...' --- And so, in my second championship of the country I +not only consolidated my place in the Premier League, but won a bronze medal, +after which for the first time, but once and for all I was included in the +USSR team. Over a period of six months my international rating rose by 50 +points and by the start of 1980 it had reached 2595. Not bad, but still a +whole 130 points behind Karpov...}) 1-0 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "European 'Gold'"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2009.12.07"] + +{7th European Team Championship (Skara 19-27 January 1980): 1. USSR - 36½ +out of 56; 2. Hungary - 29; 3. England - 28½; 4. Yugoslavia - 28; 5. +Bulgaria - 27½; 6. Czechoslovakia - 26; 7. Israel - 25; 8. Sweden - 23½. +Victory for the Soviet team was gained by Karpov, Tal (each 2/5), Petrosian +(2½/5), Polugayevsky (4½/7), Geller, Balashov, Romanishin (each 4/6), +Vaganian (4½/6), reserves Yusupov (3½/4) and Kasparov (5½/6).} 1. -- {I +never again had such a triumphal year as 1980: I became a grandmaster and I +won four gold medals - three championship medals plus one for the successful +completion of my schooling! As the press commented, I 'began my course to the +"medal" year as a chubby, likeable lad, but approached the end as a lean youth +with narrow shoulders and a slim neck'. --- Three weeks after the championship +of the country, Yusupov and I made our debuts for the USSR team in the +European Team Championship, which took place in the small Swedish town of +Skara, close to Gothenburg. Playing in the same team as Karpov, Tal and +Petrosian was a great honour for a 16-year-old schoolboy. Although I was only +the second reserve, I felt on top of the world and I did my utmost to justify +the trust shown in me. Artur and I shared a room and together we scored more +points than any other pair of contestants... --- Nikitin: 'Here for the first +time Karpov saw Kasparov in action. They occupied diametrically opposite +positions in the team line-up and played diametrically opposite roles in its +performance. For various reasons, our three leaders at that time - Karpov, +Petrosian and Tal - performed extremely poorly: out of 15 games they scored 13 +draws and 2 losses. And the convincing final victory of the Soviet team (by a +margin of 7½ points) was in fact not easily achieved. After four rounds we +were only half a point ahead of the Yugoslavs. I know how difficult it is to +take risks in such situations, the more so for a young debutant in such a +star-studded team. But in the 5th round match with Czechoslovakia, Garry +boldly sharpened the play - barely out of the opening, he sacrificed a pawn +for the initiative and won in brilliant style.'} * + +[Event "38: European Team Championship, Skara"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1980.01.24"] +[Round "5"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Pribyl, J."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D85"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "61"] +[EventDate "1980.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 ({At +that time the standard move was} 7. Bc4 {(Game No.72), but under the influence +of a Korchnoi-Miles game (Vienna 1979) I began employing the innovatory set-up +with the development of the knight on f3, which had not yet accumulated any +theory. --- I have to admit that in my youth I considered the Grünfeld Defence +to be a not altogether correct opening: White creates a passed pawn in the +centre and advances it towards the queening square, at the same time building +up an attack on the king (for this reason the Queen's Indian with a2-a3 also +appealed to me). It was in this mood that I went along to the game.}) 7... b6 +$6 {'The original cause of Black's defeat' (Nikitin).} ({The usual and most +critical reply is} 7... c5 {(Game No.48).}) ({The plan with ...b7-b6 usually +occurred after} 7... O-O 8. Be2 {. --- 'Now, however, White hampers the +opponent's attack on his pawn centre.' (Pribyl)}) 8. Bb5+ $1 c6 ({After} 8... +Bd7 9. Be2 {the move ...b7-b6 is made worthless.}) 9. Bc4 {(16) This was the +first game on this particular theme, and I spent some time considering where +it was best to retreat the bishop.} O-O 10. O-O {(3)} ({The exchange of the +light-square bishops could have been prevented by} 10. Qe2 {, but} b5 $5 11. +Bb3 b4 {seemed unclear to me, and, besides, White has quite good prospects +even without these pieces.}) 10... Ba6 {'Since ...c6-c5 is not possible, this +is Black's best plan' (Pribyl).} ({And indeed, if} 10... Bb7 {, then} 11. Qe2 +c5 12. Bf4 {(g5) is good.}) 11. Bxa6 Nxa6 12. Qa4 {(3) Earlier I though that +this move was an inaccuracy;} ({and I recommended 'the simple} 12. Bg5 Qd7 13. +Qd2 {with a solid centre and a stable advantage'. However, the queen sortie is +probably no worse.}) 12... Qc8 13. Bg5 Qb7 ({Pribyl is correct not to hurry +with} 13... c5 {- after this there would not have followed} 14. d5 ({and not} +14. Bxe7 Re8 15. Bd6 Rxe4 16. Rfe1 {(Stohl)} Rxe1+ 17. Rxe1 cxd4 18. cxd4 Nc7 { +(} 19. Rc1 Qe8 $1 {)}) ({but simply} 14. Rac1 $1) 14... Bxc3 15. Bxe7 Qe8 $1 +16. Qxa6 Qxe7 {.}) 14. Rfe1 {(12) Developing and creating the threat of Bxe7.} +e6 ({At the board it was not easy to decide which was better - 14...e6 or} +14... Rfe8 {. Apparently the two moves are roughly equivalent. Black prepares ...c6-c5, and the only visible defect of his position is the 'bad' knight at a6. +}) 15. Rab1 {(11) The prelude to a tempting pawn sacrifice.} ({Otherwise I +could have also chosen the more straightforward variation} 15. Rad1 c5 16. h4 { +, retaining the initiative with material equal.}) 15... c5 {The natural move, +but also practically forced: 16 c4 was threatened, with the idea of 16...c5 17 +d5.} ({The preparatory} 15... h6 $6 {would have run into the unpleasant reply} +16. Be3 {, again hindering ...c6-c5 and threatening c3-c4. --- This is the +first critical position. Pribyl: 'At last Black has managed to attack the +centre. It appears that the advance d4-d5 is not possible on account of the +loss of the c3-pawn. However...'}) 16. d5 $5 {(10) After weighing up the +variations, I firmly resolved to give up the pawn. 'One of the candidatures +for Kasparov's chess coat of arms is a white d5-pawn, straining to advance +towards the queening square' (Nikitin).} ({If the preparatory move} 16. Red1 { +is made} -- ({, then} 16... h6 $6 17. Be3 $1 {is again unfavourable for Black}) +({, but there is a risk of White conceding the initiative after} 16... cxd4 17. +cxd4 Rac8 {(Stohl)}) ({, as well as after} 16... f5 $5 17. Qc4 ({or} 17. exf5 +Rxf5 18. Qc4 Re8) 17... cxd4 18. cxd4 Qc8 19. Qe2 fxe4 20. Qxe4 Qd7 21. Ne5 Qd5 +{.})) ({Even so, it was possible to manage without any sacrifices - by trying +to provoke a further weakening of Black's kingside, exploiting the absence of +his knight from f6:} 16. h4 $5 h5 $6 ({or} 16... Rac8 17. h5 {, continuing to +fight for an advantage}) 17. Qb5 Rac8 18. a4 {, and Black is passively placed +(without the inclusion of 16 h4 h5 this did not work because of 17...cxd4 18 +cxd4 Bxd4! 19 Nxd4 Rc5).}) 16... Bxc3 {And why not?!} 17. Red1 exd5 ({A more +uncompromising reply than} 17... Bg7 {, expressing a readiness to 'return the +loot':} 18. dxe6 ({after} 18. d6 Nb4 $1 {it may be possible to give up the +exchange for the d-pawn}) 18... fxe6 19. Rd7 ({or} 19. Rd6 Nb4 $1 20. Rxe6 Qc8 +21. Rd6 Qe8 $1 22. Qb3+ Qf7 {, and by accurate play Black achieves equality}) +19... Qc8 20. Rbd1 c4 $1 {(Stohl).}) 18. exd5 {Now the play is more dynamic +than after 17...Bg7. White's obvious positional pluses - his strong passed +d5-pawn and the unfortunate knight at a6 - fully compensate for his material +deficit. But Black's defence is fairly simple, and all that is required of him +is precise, accurate play. True, this is the present-day view, whereas at the +time I rated my chances ultra-optimistically - the passed pawn in the centre +inspired me!} Bg7 $6 {It made sense first to attend to the knight.} ({After} +18... Nb4 $2 {in 'Informator' I gave} 19. a3 {(?!)} ({whereas in fact it is +correct to play} 19. d6 Bg7 20. d7 {(Crouch)}) ({or} 19. Qb3 Bg7 20. a3 Na6 21. +d6) 19... Nxd5 20. Qc4 {, overlooking} Bd4 $1 21. Nxd4 cxd4 22. Rxd4 Ne7 {with +equality.}) ({In the event of} 18... Nb8 $6 {White promptly regains the pawn -} +19. Rdc1 ({or} 19. Qc4 Bg7 20. Qxc5) 19... Bg7 20. Rxc5 {.}) ({But} 18... Nc7 +$1 {was correct} 19. -- ({, since my recommendation} 19. Be7 Rfe8 20. Qd7 {is +parried by} Rab8 ({or even} 20... Reb8 $5 21. Bg5 {(h4)} Bg7 $1 (21... Ne8 {is +also possible})) 21. Bh4 (21. Bd6 $2 Na6) ({or} 21. Bg5 h6 $1 22. Bxh6 $2 Red8 +{is bad for White}) 21... Na6 22. Qb5 Nc7 $1 {.}) ({. The regaining of the +pawn is sounder -} 19. Qc4 Bg7 20. Qxc5 {, although after} Rac8 $1 { +(threatening the fork ...Ne6)} 21. Bh4 $1 Na6 22. Qe7 Rc7 23. Qe2 Rd7 {the +d-pawn is blocked and Black is on the verge of equalising.})) 19. d6 {(7)} f6 { +Black naturally wants to take control of the d8-square.} 20. d7 $3 {(13) 'A +bold piece sacrifice, giving White a dangerous attack' (Pribyl). 'The d7-pawn +cuts off half of the black army from the king's fortress' (Nikitin).} ({After} +20. Bf4 {White undoubtedly has sufficient compensation for the pawn.} -- ({. If +} 20... Rae8 {(?), recommended by me in 'Informator', there follows} 21. Re1 $1 +Rxe1+ 22. Rxe1 {with an invasion at e7.}) ({. It is also bad to play} 20... Nb8 +$2 {(!? - Stohl)} 21. d7 $1 Rd8 ({or} 21... Nc6) 22. Rd6 $1 {and wins.}) ({. +After Pribyl's suggestion} 20... Rad8 21. Qc4+ Kh8 {'with very unclear play' +again;} ({and therefore it is better to play} 21... Rf7 $1 {(this also follows +after Stohl's move 21 Re1)} 22. Re1 $6 Nb4 {with the idea of ...Qd5}) 22. Re1 +$1 {is promising (} Rd7 23. Re6 {).}) ({. But the most accurate was the +immediate} 20... Nb4 21. Qb3+ (21. d7 Rad8 {- Crouch}) 21... Rf7 $1 {, +surrounding 'with warmth and care' the audacious d-pawn. --- Therefore I +preferred a more energetic and interesting continuation, intuitively sensing +that the bishop sacrifice was quite correct and that it would be not at all +easy for the opponent to work things out at the board.})) 20... fxg5 $2 {The +critical but incorrect decision, and not 'the best chance', as Pribyl thought.} +({Apart from this, there were also other possibilities open to the two players: +} 20... h6 $2 {(a fatal weakening)} 21. Qc4+ $1 Kh7 22. Bf4 Rad8 23. Qe6 {, +and Black is in trouble:} Nc7 24. Bxc7 Qxc7 25. Rd6 Rf7 26. Rbd1 Kg8 27. Nh4 $1 +Bf8 28. R6d5 Kg7 29. Nxg6 $1 Kxg6 30. R1d3 {and wins}) (20... Nb4 $6 {(this +was suggested after the game by Karpov)} 21. Qb3+ Kh8 {, and here there is the +flamboyant} 22. Ne5 $5 ({but a more obvious advantage is given by the prosaic} +22. Bf4 $1 {(Stohl)} Rad8 23. Qe6) 22... fxe5 23. d8=Q Raxd8 24. Rxd8 Rxd8 25. +Bxd8 {.}) (20... Kh8 {leads after} 21. Qc4 $5 ({but allows White the +additional resource} 21. Bf4 {, which, however, is unclear because of} Rad8 $1 +({the 'Informator'} 21... Nb4 $2 {is premature}) 22. Rd2 Nb4 {with +double-edged play}) 21... Rad8 {to variation 'd'.}) (20... Rad8 $1 21. Qc4+ ( +21. Bf4 $2 Rf7) 21... Kh8 22. Ne5 $1 {. Offering a choice of either of two +pieces:} -- (22... fxe5 $2 23. Bxd8 Rxd8 24. Qe6 $1 -- ({, and now Black is +not saved by either} 24... Nc7 25. Qe7 Qa8 ({or} 25... Qb8 26. Rb3 $1 e4 27. +Re3 $1 ({but not} 27. Rd6 $2 Ne8 $1 28. Rc6 Qe5 {with equality})) 26. Rb3 $1 e4 +27. Rd6 $1 {(} Ne8 28. Rc6 {and wins)}) ({, or Crouch's suggestion} 24... Qc7 +25. Rd6 $1 Bf8 26. Qxe5+ Kg8 27. Qe6+ Kg7 28. Rbd1 $1 Bxd6 29. Rxd6 c4 30. Qe7+ +Kg8 31. Rf6 $1 Qxd7 32. Rf8+) ({, or even} 24... Qb8 25. Rb3 $1 e4 $5 { +Crouch's improvement;} ({instead of my variation with} 25... c4 $2 26. Rh3) 26. +Ra3 $1 Nb4 (26... Nc7 27. Qxe4) 27. Re3 $1 {and Rxe4, winning})) (22... fxg5 +23. Nf7+ Rxf7 24. Qxf7 Qc6 $1 25. -- ({; Pribyl rejected this because of} 25. +Re1 -- (25... Nc7 {(?)} 26. Re7 {'and wins' (probably, after} Qf6 27. Re8+ $1 { +)}) ({, not noticing the simple} 25... Qxd7 $1 26. Qxd7 Rxd7 27. Re8+ Bf8 28. +Rxf8+ Kg7 29. Re8 ({or} 29. Rc8 Nb4) 29... Nc7 {with two pawns for the +exchange and at least equal chances.})) (25. Rb3 $1 {is far stronger, for +example:} -- (25... Nc7 $6 26. Re3 h5 27. g4 $3 ({but not Crouch's variation} +27. Re7 Qf6 28. Re8+ Nxe8 29. dxe8=Q+ Rxe8 30. Qxe8+ Kh7 {with a draw}) 27... +h4 (27... hxg4 $2 28. Rdd3 $1 {with the murderous threat of Rh3+}) ({or} 27... +Qa4 28. Rd6 $1 Qxg4+ (28... Qf4 29. Qe7 $1) 29. Kf1 Qf4 30. Qxg6 Rf8 ({if} +30... h4 {, then} 31. Re8+ {is decisive}) 31. f3 $1 Qxe3 (31... Qc4+ 32. Kf2 +Qh4+ 33. Kg2) 32. Qxh5+ Kg8 33. d8=Q $1 {(again the triumph of the d-pawn!)} g4 +34. Rd3 Qc1+ 35. Kf2 Qb2+ 36. Rd2 Qc3 37. Qxg4 {and wins}) 28. h3 $1 Qf6 (28... +a5 29. Rde1 $1 {and Re7}) 29. Re8+ Nxe8 30. dxe8=Q+ Rxe8 31. Qxe8+ Kh7 32. Rd7 +{, and Black's downfall is caused by the weakness of his kingside pawns.}) ( +25... Qf6 26. Qe8+ Qf8 27. Re3 Nc7 28. Rde1 Nxe8 ({or} 28... Bf6 $1 29. Qxf8+ +Rxf8 30. Re8 Kg7 31. Rc8 Nd5 $1 (31... Nb5 {is weaker:} 32. Rxf8 Kxf8 33. Re8+ +Kf7 34. d8=Q Bxd8 35. Rxd8 {- Crouch}) 32. Rxf8 Kxf8 33. Rd1 $1 ({if now} 33. +Re8+ Kf7 34. d8=Q Bxd8 35. Rxd8 {, then} Ke6 $1) 33... Nc3 34. d8=Q+ Bxd8 35. +Rxd8+ Ke7 36. Rh8 a5 37. Rxh7+ Ke6 {(f6), and Black is nevertheless saved by +his queenside pawns}) 29. dxe8=Q Bf6 30. Qa4 $1 Qf7 31. Re8+ Rxe8 32. Rxe8+ Kg7 +33. Ra8 a5 34. Qb3 {(e8). --- But my opponent was unable to resist the +immediate win of a piece, which made things easier for me: now White no longer +has to think about what to do with his bishop, and in addition his knight is +greatly activated.})))) 21. Qc4+ Kh8 22. Nxg5 Bf6 {The only move.} ({Black +would have lost at once after} 22... Nc7 $2 23. d8=Q) ({or} 22... Bd4 $2 23. +Rxd4 cxd4 24. Qxd4+ Kg8 25. Ne6 {.}) 23. Ne6 Nc7 {Again forced.} ({It was +clearly bad to play} 23... Qc6 $2 24. Nxf8 Rxf8 25. Qxa6 Bd4 26. Qxa7 $1) ({or +} 23... Rad8 $2 24. Rd6 $1 Rxd7 (24... Qb8 25. Rbd1) 25. Rxd7 Qxd7 26. Nxf8 { +etc.}) ({while if} 23... Nb4 $2 {there is the decisive} 24. Rd6 $1 {with the +threat of Nxf8 and Rxf6;} (24. Qf4 $6 Qb8 $1 25. Qf3 Bd4 $1 {with equality}) +24... Nc6 (24... Be7 25. Re1 $1) 25. Nxf8 Rxf8 26. Re1 {(threatening Rxf6!)} +Kg7 27. Re8 $1 {and wins (Crouch).}) 24. Nxf8 Rxf8 25. Rd6 $1 {(8) A curious +moment.} ({At first sight I had a tempting opportunity to go into an endgame - +} 25. Qxc5 {(?)} Qxg2+ $1 26. Kxg2 bxc5 27. Rb7 Ne6 28. Rd6 {, but here Black +would have held on:} Nf4+ ({but} 28... Nd8 $5 {is even better:} 29. Rxa7 Bd4 { +and ...Kg7 with active counterplay}) 29. Kf1 (29. Kf3 Be7 $1) 29... Bd8 30. +Rxa7 {(previously I assessed this position in favour of White)} Kg7 $1 31. a4 ( +31. Rc6 Rf5) 31... Kf7 32. Rc6 Nd3 33. a5 Ke7 {with equality. --- But after +the non-standard 'pitching' of the rook it suddenly transpires that White is +completely dominant. I didn't see all the consequences of this, but I sensed +that I was on the right path: the black pieces were just too uncoordinated. I +remember that later Pribyl and I spent a long time analysing the game, and we +were joined by Karpov, Vaganian and other players. They were perplexed as to +how I had won so dashingly. They all tried to find a defence for Black, but +every time they were rebuffed, which is not surprising: White's attacking +potential is very great.}) 25... Be7 {This allows a spectacular development of +the attack.} ({However, all the same Black is in a calamitous position:} 25... +Qb8 26. Rbd1 Qd8 27. Rc6 $1 Kg7 (27... Bg7 28. Qe4) ({or} 27... Bg5 28. Qc3+ +Kg8 29. Qg3 {is no better}) 28. Qf4 $1 Nb5 29. Rc8 Qe7 30. Rxf8 Qxf8 31. d8=Q +Bxd8 32. Qxf8+ Kxf8 33. Rxd8+ Ke7 34. Ra8 {and 35 a4, winning}) (25... Bd8 26. +Rb3 $1 ({we only looked at} 26. h4 $5) 26... Qa6 27. Qc3+ Kg8 28. Qc2 $1 {(not +allowing the black queen to escape, and threatening Rxg6+)} Rf6 ({it is no +better to play} 28... Rf5 29. Re3 Qb5 30. a4 $1 Qb4 31. Re8+ Kg7 32. g3 c4 33. +Rd4) ({or} 28... Rf4 29. Rxg6+ $1 Kf8 30. Rd6 Qc4 31. Rc3 Qe4 32. Qd1 $1) 29. +Rxf6 Bxf6 30. Rf3 Qb5 {(there is nothing else)} 31. Rxf6 Qxd7 32. g3 {with a +technically won ending. --- Instead of this Pribyl made the most obvious move +- he attacked the annoying rook. But now White can advantageously regain the +material.}) 26. d8=Q $3 {(2) This move shocked Pribyl: the pride of White's +position - his passed d-pawn - sacrifices itself! 'A completely unexpected +idea of amazing beauty!' (Nikitin).} Bxd8 (26... Rxd8 27. Rxd8+ Bxd8 {loses to} +28. Qf7 ({or} 28. Rd1 $1 Qc8 29. Qf7 {(Nikitin)}) 28... Qd5 {(otherwise mate)} +29. Qxd5 Nxd5 30. Rd1 {.}) 27. Qc3+ $1 Kg8 28. Rd7 $1 Bf6 29. Qc4+ {'A very +important check;} ({if} 29. Qg3 $4 {there would have followed} Qe4 $1 {, when +Black wins.' (Pribyl)}) 29... Kh8 30. Qf4 $1 {The tempo play has concluded - +White wins the knight and remains with the exchange for a pawn and a solid +positional advantage. But here another opponent of mine cracked under the +pressure...} Qa6 $2 {'A mundane oversight, which loses immediately.} ({A pity, +since after} 30... Bg7 $1 {Black would have retained practical saving chances' +(Pribyl). Indeed, in the endgame after} 31. Qxc7 Qxc7 32. Rxc7 Bd4 {I would +have had to play} 33. Rf1 $1 ({but not} 33. Rxa7 $2 Rxf2 $1 34. Kh1 c4 35. Re1 +Rf8 {and ...c4-c3}) 33... a6 (33... a5 34. a4 $1) 34. Rc6 $1 {(both attack, +and defence against ...c5-c4), in order nevertheless to convert my advantage +into a win. Black would lose quickly after} Rf6 ({while in the event of} 34... +Rb8 35. Re1) ({or} 34... b5 35. Rxa6 {the rest would have been a matter of +technique}) 35. Rxf6 Bxf6 36. Re1 {and Re6.}) 31. Qh6 {. Mate is unavoidable. +--- Times: 1.42-1.41.} (31. -- {The game with Pribyl, along with one of +Karpov's wins, was judged the best in the 29th volume of Informator. 'Every +chess player has his favourite game. For the moment this is mine', I said a +year later. 'Once I even called it "my evergreen" game. I like it for the fact +that it is so pretty, with a piece sacrifice! Such a sacrifice is sometimes +called controversial, but even now I am convinced that it is correct.' --- +When Yusupov and I were analysing the game in our hotel room, with a sad smile +Artur said something along the lines of 'I could not do things like that...' +He probably had in mind the degree of risk and the intensity of the play. But +if one recalls certain games by Yusupov, for example, from his matches with +Timman (1986), Karpov (1989) and Ivanchuk (1991), it is readily apparent that +Artur very much 'could'! --- In the end I achieved the best result in the team, +and we returned from Sweden with the gold medals. From the western press: 'It +is very probable that in the next few years Kasparov will become one of the +top grandmasters in the world. If not in the next cycle, then in the one after +it, this highly talented youth will take a direct part in the fight for the +world championship.' --- Immediately after my arrival in Baku I began a +training match with Tal, who was preparing for his Candidates match with +Polugayevsky. However, after two encounters (I was leading 1½-½) and a +series of blitz games, Mikhail Nekhemevich was obliged to fly urgently to Riga +- his uncle, to whom he was very close, had died. Tal lost his previous form, +but not his sense of humour - after losing his match to Polugayevsky in the +spring, he joked: 'Now I am Polutal!' (literally, 'Semi-Tal' - Translator's +note). But I faced other examinations, the first being an international +tournament in my native Baku.}) 1-0 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Grandmaster"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2009.12.07"] + +{20th International Tournament of the USSR Central Chess Club (Baku, 29th +March - 18th April 1980): 1. Kasparov - 11½ out of 15; 2. Beliavsky - 11; +3-5. Gufeld, Mikhalchishin and K. Grigorian - 8½; 6-8. Csom, Torre and +Chiburdanidze - 8; 9-10. Lechtynsky and Magerramov - 7½; 11. Padevsky - 7; +12. Antoshin - 6½; 13-14. Vogt and Zaitsev - 6; 15. Martinovic - 4; 16. S.Garcia - 3½.} 1. -- {With foreign trips at a premium, the international +tournaments of the USSR Central Chess Club, held nearly every year, were a +good opportunity for a player to gain a higher title in his own country. In +the spring of 1980 the tournament was held for the only time in Baku and it +became a notable event in the sporting life of Azerbaijan - there had been no +international tournaments here since 1964. Of course, I awaited this test with +particular anxiety: I needed a second grandmaster norm, and I had no intention +of missing my chance. --- Eduard Gufeld, the trainer of the young lady world +champion Maya Chiburdanidze and also a participant in the Baku tournament, +wrote in the 64 magazine: 'The organisers were able to assemble a strong and +evenly-matched field. Among the 16 players who started the event, there were +11 (!) grandmasters from eight countries of the world, and the others - +Chiburdanidze, Kasparov, K.Grigorian, Lechtynsky and the rapidly progressing +Magerramov - fought on equal terms with their higher titled colleagues. The +numerous forecasts by the experts were unanimous: the main battle for victory +in the tournament should be between Kasparov and Beliavsky. These forecasts +were fully confirmed.'} (1. -- {Alexander Beliavsky was indeed one of the best +tournament players of that time. He won the gold medal of 1974 USSR champion +(together with Tal), achieved impressive successes in Alicante 1978 (13 out of +13!) and Bogota 1979 (12½ out of 14), and a few days before his arrival in +Baku he scored a brilliant victory in Bucharest (12½ out of 15). And, +incidentally, he did not slow down after Baku - he won a tournament in Baden +(with Spassky), the USSR Championship First League, then also the Premier +League (with Psakhis), and at the age of 27 he became champion of the country +for the second time! --- Therefore before the start I was not aiming in +particular for first place, but for the cherished 10 points out of 15. My +rating was already close to 2600, and everyone realised that it was time for +me to become a grandmaster. But the tournament exceeded all my expectations. +We were playing in the Sailors' Club, on the stage of a comfortable hall with +seating for about two hundred. The organisers created the atmosphere of a +genuine chess festival. I played freely and easily - it can indeed be an +advantage playing at home. How the people of Baku supported me!}) (1. -- { +Nikitin: 'All those days Garry was persistently shadowed by the anxious world +champion - among those included in the tournament was Karpov's trainer, +grandmaster Igor Zaitsev. The chess head of the USSR Sports Committee flew in +to assess "on site" the degree of support for Kasparov by the local +authorities. He took back bad news to Moscow: with the support for Garry +everything was in order.' --- The tone of my entire performance was set by an +interesting first round game with the Hungarian grandmaster Istvan Csom, a +participant in one of the 1976 Interzonal Tournaments (view the following game) +.}) * + +[Event "39: USSR Central Chess Club, Baku"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1980.03.30"] +[Round "1"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Csom, I."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "E42"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "57"] +[EventDate "1980.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 ({In those years I regularly played either} 3. Nf3 b6 +4. a3) ({or, as in the given instance,} 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 {and Nge2 - this +variation attracted my attention after the match in Baguio (1978).}) 3... Bb4 +4. e3 c5 ({Or} 4... O-O 5. Nge2 ({later I also played} 5. Bd3) 5... d5 6. a3 +Be7 (6... Bd6 $1 {is stronger, as Kurajica played against me (Banja Luka 1979) +and I myself played against Epishin (Moscow 2004)}) 7. cxd5 exd5 (7... Nxd5 $5 +8. g3 Nxc3 9. Nxc3 c5 {, Kasparov-Tal, 1st match game, Baku 1980}) 8. g3 a5 ( +8... c6 9. Bg2 Na6 ({or} 9... Bd6 {was also tried against me})) 9. Bg2 Re8 10. +O-O c6 11. h3 $5 {(a new plan of mine, instead of the traditional f2-f3)} Bd6 +12. g4 h6 13. f4 Na6 14. Ng3 b5 15. Qf3 b4 16. axb4 axb4 17. Nce2 Ne4 18. Nxe4 +dxe4 19. Qf2 {with the initiative on the kingside (Kasparov-Lerner, 47th USSR +Championship, Minsk 1979).}) 5. Nge2 {Rubinstein's old variation, revived by +Korchnoi.} ({Later I also tried both} 5. a3) ({and} 5. Bd3 {.}) 5... cxd4 ({I +would also have been satisfied with} 5... d5 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. Nxc3 cxd4 8. exd4 +dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nc6 10. Be3 O-O 11. O-O b6 {(Korchnoi-Karpov, 5th match game, +Baguio 1978)} 12. Qf3 $1 Bb7 13. Bd3 Rc8 14. Rad1 Rc7 15. Qh3 Ne7 16. Bg5 { +(Kasparov-Psakhis, 6th match game, Murcia 1990).}) ({But the unexpected +continuation} 5... b6 6. a3 Ba5 {proved quite acceptable for Black +(Kasparov-Romanishin, 47th USSR Championship, Minsk 1979).}) 6. exd4 O-O {A +surprise at the very start! Csom made a move which had an indifferent +reputation.} ({The usual line is} 6... d5 7. c5 Ne4 8. Bd2 Nxd2 9. Qxd2 a5 $1 ( +{the old} 9... b6 $6 {is weaker:} 10. a3 Bxc3 11. Nxc3 bxc5 12. dxc5 { +Reshevsky-Najdorf, Dallas 1957; Kasparov-Tal, Brussels (blitz) 1987}) 10. a3 +Bxc3 11. Nxc3 Bd7 (11... a4 $5) 12. Bd3 a4 {with a solid position +(Korchnoi-Karpov, 3rd match game, Baguio 1978).}) 7. a3 Be7 {Another +revelation: it was thought that this was bad for Black.} ({Magerramov and I +looked at} 7... Bxc3+ 8. Nxc3 d5 9. c5 Ne4 10. Nxe4 ({not} 10. Qc2 Nc6 11. Be3 +e5 $1) 10... dxe4 11. Bf4 Nc6 12. Bd6 {etc., judging this to be the lesser +evil.}) 8. d5 {(5) The critical continuation;} ({otherwise Black may get away +with his 'sins' (6...0-0 and 7...Be7) after, say,} 8. g3 d5 ({during the game +I also did not like} 8... Qc7 $5 {.})) ({But nowadays White is often satisfied +with a small advantage -} 8. Nf4 d5 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Ncxd5 $1 (10. Nfxd5 exd5 { +with equality, Capablanca-Keres, AVRO Tournament 1938}) 10... exd5 11. Bd3 Nc6 +12. O-O {, and Black has some problems equalising (Timman-Anand, Wijk aan Zee +2000; Kramnik-Leko, 9th match game, Budapest (rapid) 2001).}) 8... exd5 9. cxd5 +Re8 {Previously this half-forgotten move had occurred only three times, and +those were in the 1960s.} ({There was more experience with another problematic +reply -} 9... Bc5 {, after which the most critical is} 10. Na4 {(Evans-König, +Hastings 1949/50),} ({although White has also played} 10. Nd4 {(Botvinnik-Averbakh, 2nd match game, Moscow 1956)}) ({or} 10. b4 Bb6 11. Na4 { +(Miles-Adorjan, Wijk aan Zee 1984; Torre-Karpov, London 1984).})) 10. g3 {(5)} +({A year later I made a new try -} 10. Be3 -- ({, and after} 10... d6 11. h3 ( +11. Ng3 $5 Ng4 12. Bd4 {deserves consideration}) 11... Nbd7 12. Ng3 Bf8 13. Be2 +Rxe3 $6 14. fxe3 g6 15. O-O Qe7 16. Qd4 {I achieved an obvious advantage, +although I was unable to convert the extra exchange (Kasparov-Andersson, +Moscow 1981).}) ({. But soon it transpired that} 10... Ng4 $1 11. Bd4 Nh6 $1 { +is stronger, with good play - the threat of ...Nf5 practically forces White to +go in for extreme measures:} 12. g4 ({or} 12. Ng3 Bxa3+ 13. Be2 Bxb2 { +(Ree-Ligterink, Wijk aan Zee 1984)}) 12... d6 13. h3 f5 $1 {(Groszpeter-Adorjan +Groszpeter-Adorjan, Hungary 1983).})) ({On the other hand, the gambit} 10. d6 +$5 Bf8 11. g3 {, hindering the development of the opponent's queenside, gives +White a promising position:} Re6 ({or} 11... Qb6 12. Bg2 Bxd6 13. Be3 { +(Korchnoi-Miles, Wijk aan Zee 1984)}) 12. Bg2 (12. Bf4 $5 Nh5 13. Be3 {, +Korchnoi-Kindermann, Beer Sheva 1984}) 12... Rxd6 13. Qc2 {(Gligoric-Karpov, +Bugojno 1980). --- That is how White should fight for an advantage, but, on +encountering this variation for the first time, I restricted myself to the +developing move 10 g3.}) 10... Bc5 ({There is no sense in Black playing} 10... +d6 {, leaving himself with a passive dark-square bishop.}) 11. Bg2 {Here Csom, +who up till then had played quickly, stopped to think. Strangely enough, the +bishop move was a novelty!} ({The 'Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings' of that +time cited the game Polugayevsky-Kholmov, (29th USSR Championship, Baku 1961), +where after} 11. Na4 -- (11... Bf8 12. Bg2 d6 13. O-O {White gained slightly +the better position.}) ({. But} 11... d6 $5 {is far more effective (with the +idea of} 12. Nxc5 dxc5 13. Bg2 Qa5+ {)}) ({, or else} 11... b6 $5 {, when} 12. +Nxc5 $6 ({and so there remains only} 12. Bg2 Ba6 13. Bf3 {, but here the +bishop is badly placed, and Black achieves a comfortable game by} Bf8 14. O-O +d6 {and ...Nbd7-e5. It was probably something along these lines that my +opponent had in mind}) 12... bxc5 13. Bg2 Ba6 14. Be3 (14. Bf3 $2 d6 {and ...Nbd7-e5}) 14... Ng4 {is unfavourable for White.})) 11... d6 {Realising that a +direct attack on f2 does not bring any benefit, Csom continues to develop.} ({ +Indeed, if} 11... Ng4 $6 12. O-O {Black has a depressing position after} Qf6 $2 +({while after} 12... Qb6 {White can choose between a tempting pawn sacrifice -} +13. Ne4 Rxe4 14. Bxe4 Nxf2 15. Rxf2 Bxf2+ 16. Kg2 {with a wealth of +possibilities (} d6 17. Bxh7+ $1 {) and simple defence - 13 Qe1 and h2-h3}) 13. +Nf4 Nxf2 14. Rxf2 Bxf2+ 15. Kxf2 g5 16. Ne4 Qb6+ 17. Be3 Qxb2+ 18. Kg1 {.}) 12. +h3 {(8) An important move.} ({The exchange of the bishop on c8 for the knight +on e2 (} 12. O-O Bg4 {) should not be allowed. The knight has a more promising +future than may be apparent at first sight.}) 12... Bf5 {Potentially this +gives me tempi for developing a pawn offensive on the kingside (White's only +active plan).} (12... a6 $1 {is better:} 13. O-O Nbd7 14. Nd4 Ne5 15. -- (15. +Nce2 Bd7 {with excellent play (Chandler-Andersson, Olympiad, Malta 1980).}) ( +15. b4 $2 Bxd4 16. Qxd4 Bxh3 $1 {.}) ({. Also, nothing is promised by} 15. g4 +h6 {(} 16. g5 $6 hxg5 17. Bxg5 Bxd4 18. Qxd4 Bxh3 $1 {)}) ({, or} 15. Nf3 Nxf3+ +16. Qxf3 h6 {.} (16... --))) 13. O-O Nbd7 {Black's position looks completely +safe, and Csom continues playing routinely, making the most natural developing +moves.} ({Apparently he should have preferred} 13... Ne4 $5 {, allowing the +exchange of his bishop at c5 after} 14. Na4 Nd7 {, but obtaining lively piece +play (Zilberman-Zhidkov, Moscow 1981). 13...Nbd7 can be called the initial +cause of Black's subsequent difficulties, although objectively things are not +yet so bad.}) 14. g4 $1 {(9) The advance of the kingside pawns is fully +justified - it seriously cramps the black knights (which in any case have +restricted manoeuvring possibilities), and in addition the bishop on c5 will +be unable to take part in the forthcoming battle. For me g3-g4 was an obvious +move, but on Csom it had an oppressive effect. From this point on the +grandmaster began increasingly often thinking for a long time over his moves. +White's plan of attack came as such a surprise to him that he was unable to do +anything to oppose it.} Be4 (14... Bg6 {was correct. In 'Informator' and 'The +Test of Time' I judged the variation} 15. Ng3 Ne5 ({in addition, Black has the +move} 15... h6 {and then, for example,} 16. Kh2 ({but not} 16. Kh1 $2 Ne5 17. +f4 Nexg4 $1 18. hxg4 Nh5 $1) 16... Bb6 17. f4 Rc8 18. f5 Bh7 19. Bf4 Ne5 20. +Nce4 {with unclear play, although White's position appeals more}) 16. g5 Nfd7 +17. Nce4 {to be in my favour, but analysis shows that after} Qb6 {the position +is one of dynamic balance (the direct} 18. h4 {is parried by} Bxe4 19. Nxe4 f5 +$1 {).}) 15. Ng3 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 {The situation has changed sharply to White's +advantage: the exchange of bishops has benefitted him, facilitating his +offensive on the kingside.} Nf8 $6 {Avoiding the cramping g4-g5 and not +obtaining anything in return - all the same the knight does not reach g6.} ( +16... h6 {was better, although after} 17. f4 $1 {White has unpleasant pressure: +} a5 (17... Nh7 $6 18. b4 Bb6 19. Nf5) ({or} 17... Rc8 18. h4 {and g4-g5 (} h5 +19. g5 Ng4 20. Nxh5 Ne3+ 21. Bxe3 {does not give Black full compensation for +the pawn)}) 18. g5 (18. h4 b5 $5) 18... hxg5 19. fxg5 Nh7 20. Nge4 Ne5 21. h4 { +and h4-h5.}) 17. g5 N6d7 18. h4 {Black now faces difficult problems.} (18. b4 +Bb6 19. f4 {was also quite good, and if} Ng6 {, then} 20. Nce4 Qc7 21. f5 {.}) +18... Ne5 ({Previously I thought that the last opportunity to gain counterplay +was} 18... Rc8 {'followed by ...Bb6 and ...Nc5, not conceding the e4-square +without a fight'. However, here too after} 19. h5 {White has a clear advantage +(if} Bb6 $6 {, then} 20. h6 {,} (20. f4) ({and} 20. Nf5 {are all strong).})) +19. h5 $1 {The black pieces are greatly restricted, and now White's threats +clearly take shape - Nce4 and then h5-h6 or b2-b3 and f2-f4. After half an +hour's thought Csom realised that further passivity would lead to a rapid +defeat, and he decided to undermine my pawn pair.} f6 20. Nce4 $1 {(13) White +has an overwhelming advantage in force on the decisive part of the battlefield. +Many of those watching the game were surprised at how quickly, without making +any obvious mistakes, Csom found himself in a lost position: up to the 14th +move he had nothing to be concerned about, but after the 20th he could already +have resigned with a clear conscience! This is how my forcing style took shape. +..} fxg5 {The lesser evil.} (20... Nfd7 {is very strongly met by both} 21. b4 ( +{and} 21. f4 Nc4 ({or} 21... Nf7 22. g6) 22. Qd3 b5 23. b3 {.})) 21. Bxg5 Qb6 +22. h6 Nf7 ({(or} 22... gxh6 23. Bxh6 Nfd7 24. b4 $1 Bd4 25. Nf5 $1 {, and if} +Bxa1 {, then} 26. f4 {etc.)}) 23. hxg7 Nd7 {Defending against the immediate +threats, but Black is helpless against the transfer of White's army to the +kingside.} 24. Nf6+ {(14)} Nxf6 25. Bxf6 {Among other things, 26 b4 is +threatened, winning the ill-starred bishop.} Qb5 26. Rh1 {(5)} Bb6 27. Qf3 $1 { +White simply prepares to double rooks on the h-file.} Ne5 ({Black would also +have lost ignominiously after} 27... h6 28. Rxh6 $1 Nxh6 29. Rh1) ({or} 27... +Bd8 28. Bxd8 Raxd8 29. Rxh7 $1 {.}) 28. Nf5 $1 {(the e2-knight also has its +say, creating the threat of Nh6 mate)} Nf7 29. Rxh7 $1 {. Times: 1.38-2.27.} ( +29. -- {In the 2nd round I employed the Modern Benoni against Karen Grigorian +and obtained a promising position. However, in the opponent's severe +time-trouble I went wrong, and after my impulsive 28th move Grigorian could +have won immediately. In this amazing position only one move would win, +whereas all the others would lose! With his flag hanging, White missed his +chance and two moves later he resigned. Later the classic phrase 'lucky like +the first prize-winner' involuntarily came to mind. --- So, 2 out of 2. But in +my 3rd round game with my main rival, Beliavsky, I didn't know what to do with +White, and I felt very uncertain. I didn't want to play either a 'Spanish', or +a Queen's Gambit, and in the end I employed some fuzzy hybrid of the English +and Catalan Openings, allowing Black to gain a draw with ease (1 c4 e6 2 Nf3 +d5 3 g3 dxc4 4 Bg2 Nd7! 5 Qa4 a6 6 Qxc4 b5 7 Qc6 Rb8 8 Qc2 Bb7 etc.). What +told was my lack of experience: the ability to beat players of the class of +Beliavsky was to come later. --- In the 4th round with Black I shared the +point with Gufeld (he played openly for a draw). And in the 5th round my +opponent was the well-known Filipino grandmaster Eugenio Torre, a friend of +Fischer, the winner of a four-player tournament in Manila 1976 (where he +sensationally defeated Karpov), and a participant in several Interzonal +tournaments - in 1982 he even qualified for the Candidates matches.}) 1-0 + +[Event "40: USSR Central Chess Club, Baku"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1980.04.04"] +[Round "5"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Torre, E."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "A44"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "113"] +[EventDate "1980.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{For some valid reason Torre flew into Baku with a delay of two rounds and his +postponed games were played later on the days for adjournments. The +grandmaster began splendidly - before the game with me he had 2½ out of 3 +and one game in reserve (which in the end he also won). Therefore our game was +of particular competitive significance. Torre played a slow version of the +Benoni and ended up in a cramped position (} 1. d4 c5 2. d5 d6 3. c4 e5 4. e4 +Be7 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Nbd2 Na6 7. Be2 Nf6 8. a3 {etc.). White gradually increased +his spatial advantage, and after the first time control the following curious +position was reached.} O-O 9. O-O g6 10. Ne1 Bd7 11. Nd3 Ne8 12. b4 Rc8 13. Bb2 +Bf6 14. Qb3 b6 15. Kh1 Bg7 16. f4 Bh6 17. Rf2 f6 18. b5 Nb8 19. Bf1 Rc7 20. g3 +Bc8 21. Bg2 Rcf7 22. a4 Ng7 23. Bc3 Nh5 24. Qd1 Ng7 25. a5 Ne8 26. Qe2 Bg7 27. +axb6 axb6 28. f5 Bh6 29. h4 Rg7 30. Nf1 Rff7 31. Ra8 Bb7 32. Ra2 Bc8 33. Bh3 +Ra7 34. Qf3 Rgb7 35. Nh2 Qc7 36. Kg2 Bg7 37. Bg4 gxf5 38. Bxf5 Bxf5 39. Qxf5 +Qd7 40. h5 Qxf5 41. exf5 {. Almost without thinking, Torre played} Bh6 {.} ({ +Instead of this he could have tried to set up a fortress with} 41... h6 {- the +pawn palisade looks impassable, but White carries out the following plan (I +will omit Black's moves: they do not change the position): Ng4, Rfb2, Bd2 +(here the black king goes to h7), Kf3-e4, Nd3-e1-f3-h4-g6, the king moves +across to b3 and all the rooks are exchanged, then the king returns to the +centre and after Ng6-e7-c6 (the black knight is at d7), Ng4-h2, g3-g4, +Nh2-f3-h4-g6 White places his knights at c8 and e6 and his king at d3, after +which the sacrifice on b6 is decisive (Nxb6 Nxb6, Ba5 Nd7, b5-b6-b7, Ne6-d8-c6 +and Kd3-a7). Black has no way of opposing this multi-move plan.}) 42. Ng4 { +Here the game was adjourned, and Torre sealed his next move. The analysis of +the position, carried out together with Nikitin and Shakarov, proved not only +very interesting, but also uncommonly protracted: the game was resumed only +after the 11th round - it was moved from 7th April (Torre was playing a +postponed game) to the 13th, i.e. to my birthday!} (42. Ng4 {It is obvious +that Black is not able to prevent the white pawn from reaching h6, after which +the knight on e8 will be crippled.} {At first the winning plan seemed simple +after both} Bg5 {(cf. the game continuation)} ({and} 42... Kg7 43. Nxh6 Kxh6 +44. Bd2+ Kg7 ({of course, not} 44... Kxh5 $2 45. Kh3 {with mate}) 45. h6+ Kf7 +46. Bc3 {(c1), when the knight is transferred to e4, and after Kf3 and Rg2 the +advance of the g-pawn decides the outcome.} ({However, soon it transpired that +} 46. Bc1 {allows Black counterplay:} Nd7 47. Rfc2 $1 ({defending the c4-pawn: +} 47. Rfe2 $6 e4 48. Nf2 {is inaccurate on account of} Ne5 ({or} 48... e3 {and +...Ne5})) 47... e4 48. Nf2 e3 49. Ng4 {(in order to answer 49...Ne5 with 50 +Nxe3)} e2 $5 {a desperate lunge.} 50. Rxe2 {(?)} ({it was only much later that +I discovered} 50. Kf2 $1 Ne5 51. Nxe5+ dxe5 52. Kxe2 Nd6 53. g4 Rxa2 (53... Re7 +54. Be3) 54. Rxa2 Nxc4 55. Ra8 Ke7 56. g5 fxg5 57. Kd3 {and wins}) 50... Ne5 +51. Ne3 Nd3 {, wreaking havoc in the white ranks.}) 46... -- {But at the time +we settled on 46 Bc3 - although the exchange of the bishop for the knight on +e5 is undesirable (the knight on e8 returns to life), even so it is useful to +keep the dangerous knight under fire.} ({. It became obvious that Black cannot +delay the advance of the e5-pawn:} 46... Nd7 47. Rfe2 {(threatening Nf2-e4, +Kf3, Rg2 and g3-g4-g5)} e4 48. Nf2 Ne5 49. Bxe5 fxe5 50. Nxe4 Ke7 51. Ra6 $1 +Rxa6 52. bxa6 Ra7 53. Ra2 {with a straightforward win (} Nc7 54. g4 Rxa6 55. +Rxa6 Nxa6 56. g5 {).}) ({. The path for White is far more tortuous after} 46... +e4 $1 47. Nf4 Nd7 {(?!)} 48. Ne6 Ke7 {.} 49. -- ({. Now he fails to achieve +his goal with} 49. Rfe2 Ne5 50. Rxa7 Rxa7 51. Rxe4 Ra3 52. Bxe5 dxe5 53. Rg4 +Ra2+ 54. Kh3 Ra1 {.}) ({. White can consolidate his advantage only with the +far from obvious manoeuvre} 49. Rae2 $1 {, conceding the a-file, but retaining +both rooks. For example:} -- (49... Ra3 50. Rxe4 $1 Rxc3 ({or} 50... Ne5 51. +Bxe5 dxe5 52. Rg4 Kd6 (52... Rba7 53. Rg8 Rc3 54. Rh8 Raa3 55. d6+ Nxd6 56. +Rxh7+ Nf7 57. Rg7 {is no better}) 53. Rg8 Re7 54. Ng7 $1 Kd7 55. Nxe8 Rxe8 56. +Rg7+ Re7 57. d6 $1 Rxg7 58. hxg7 Ra8 59. Kf3 Rg8 60. Ra2 Kxd6 61. Ra7 h5 62. +Rf7 $1 ({but not} 62. Ke4 h4 63. gxh4 $2 Rxg7 $1 {with a draw})) 51. Nxc5+ Ne5 +52. Nxb7 Ra3 53. c5 $1 dxc5 (53... bxc5 54. b6) 54. d6+ Nxd6 55. Rxe5+ fxe5 56. +f6+ {.}) (49... Ra4 50. Rxe4 Ne5 {, and here the march of the g-pawn proves +decisive -} 51. g4 $1 Rxc4 ({a little ruse -} 51... Ra3 {- also does not help +Black.} 52. g5 $1 ({now after} 52. Bxe5 dxe5 {the white rook's path to g8 is +blocked}) 52... Rxc3 {(breaks through the defence)} (52... fxg5 {is also bad +because of} 53. Rxe5 $1 Rxc3 (53... dxe5 54. Bxe5 Raa7 55. f6+ Kf7 56. Nxg5+ +Kg6 57. f7) 54. f6+ $1 Nxf6 55. Rxg5 Ne8 56. Rg7+) 53. g6 Rb8 (53... Nc7 54. +Nd8 $1) 54. Ra2 {, and, despite his extra piece, Black is helpless}) 52. Rxc4 +Nxc4 53. g5 Ne3+ 54. Kg3 Nxd5 55. g6 {.}))) ({. All that then seemed to be +needed was to polish up some sidelines, and to go long to the resumption for a +certain point. But for this I had to wait a whole week. 'Resuming' the game +mentally, I suddenly thought: 'But what if Black should disrupt the +coordination of the white pieces after} 46... e4 47. Nf4 {by advancing his +doomed pawn -} e3 {?' After} 48. Rfe2 {(48 Rfb2!?)} Nd7 49. Ne6 ({at the time +we underestimated} 49. Kf3 $5 Ke7 ({or} 49... Ne5+ 50. Bxe5 dxe5 51. Ng2 {and +Nxe3 with good winning chances}) 50. Ng2) 49... Ke7 {White has no favourable +regrouping, whereas Black carries out his plan. We promptly got down to work, +but everywhere a defence for Black was found. After analysing the variation} +50. Ra6 Rxa6 51. bxa6 Ra7 52. Rxe3 ({if} 52. Ra2 Ne5 53. Ra4 {Black is saved by +} e2 $1 54. Kf2 Ng4+ 55. Kf3 Nxh6 56. g4 Nf7 57. Kxe2 Ne5 58. Bxe5 dxe5) 52... +Ne5 53. Bxe5 dxe5 54. Ra3 Nd6 55. Ra4 Nxf5 {, I began inclining towards the +view that the adjourned position was probably drawn. There remained the hope +that Torre had either sealed 42...Bg5, or he would not find 47...e3!. --- But +it is all very well hoping, and I still had an idea that White's play could be +improved somewhere (seeing as there was ample time for analysis). And, indeed, +soon it transpired that in the last variation after 55...Nxf5 White has the +excellent move} 56. Nc7 $1 {. --- We again sat down at the board, not yet +imagining where this new path would lead us. Black has three sensible replies +- 56...Nd6, 56...Kd7, 56...Nd4 - and each of them requires a thorough +examination. Many hours of analysis, during which we had to make our way +through a maze of intricate variations, gave the following results:} -- (56... +Nd6 57. Nb5 Ra8 (57... Nxb5 58. cxb5 f5 59. g4 $1) 58. Nxd6 Kxd6 59. Kf3 ({ +smoother than} 59. g4 e4 $5 60. Kg3 $1 Ke5 61. a7 $1 {and wins}) 59... f5 ({or +} 59... Kc7 60. Ke4 b5 61. cxb5 Kb6 62. Kf5 Kxb5 63. Ra1 c4 64. d6) 60. g4 e4+ +61. Kf4 fxg4 62. Kxg4 ({apart from 62 Kxg4, both} 62. Ra2 {(a1)}) ({and} 62. +Kxe4 g3 (62... Kc7 63. Ra3 $1) 63. Kf3 Kc7 64. Ra1 {etc. are also decisive}) +62... Kc7 (62... Ke5 63. a7 $1 Kd4 64. d6 e3 65. Kf3 $1 Kd3 66. Ra3+ Kd2 67. +Rxe3 Rf8+ 68. Ke4 $1 Re8+ 69. Kd5 {, and the pawns are stronger than the rook}) +63. a7 $1 b5 64. cxb5 Kb6 65. d6 Kxb5 (65... e3 66. d7 e2 67. Re4) 66. Rxe4 +Rxa7 ({or} 66... Kc6 67. Re7) 67. Re7 Ra6 (67... Ra1 68. Rxh7 Kc6 69. d7) 68. +d7 Rd6 69. Rxh7 c4 70. Re7 c3 71. h7 c2 72. h8=Q c1=Q 73. Qb8+ {. This is the +longest variation, although it is not obligatory.}) (56... Kd7 57. Nb5 Ra8 58. +a7 Nd4 (58... Nxh6 59. Ra6) ({or} 58... Nd6 59. Nxd6 Kxd6 60. Kf3 {is also +hopeless for Black}) 59. Nc3 $1 ({the line given by me in 'The Test of Time' +also wins:} 59. Ra6 Nxb5 60. cxb5 f5 61. Kf3 {etc.}) 59... Nf5 60. Ne4 Nxh6 ( +60... Ke7 61. Kf3 Nxh6 62. d6+ $1) 61. Nxf6+ Kc7 62. Nxh7 Kb7 63. d6 Rxa7 64. +Rxa7+ Kxa7 65. d7 Nf7 66. Nf8 {and wins}) (56... Nd4 57. Nb5 Ra8 {. The most +resilient.} 58. d6+ $6 ({later the winning} 58. Nc3 $1 Nf5 ({or} 58... Ra7 59. +g4) 59. a7 {was found}) 58... Kd7 59. Nc7 Ra7 60. Nd5 Kxd6 $1 61. Nxb6 Kc6 62. +Nc8 Ra8 63. Ne7+ {, and here} Kb6 $1 ({but in my analysis I overlooked this, +restricting myself to the cooperative variation} 63... Kd6 {(?)} 64. Nd5 Ra7 +65. Nxf6 Nf5 66. Nxh7 Nxh6 67. Nf6 Nf5 68. Ne4+ Kc6 69. Ra5 {and the résumé: +'The white knight's acrobatic pirouettes make a strong impression'}) 64. Nd5+ +Ka7 65. Nxf6 Rb8 $1 {gives Black real saving chances. --- So I went along to +the resumption confident now of victory, and eager that 42...Kg7 should have +been sealed, in order to demonstrate the beauty of our deep analysis. But alas. +..})))) 42... Bg5 $6 43. h6 Re7 (43... e4 44. Nf4 Bxf4 (44... Nd7 45. Ne6) 45. +gxf4 Nd7 46. Rfe2 {was no better for Black - then White picks up the e4-pawn, +plays his king to d3 and his knight to h5, moves his rook from a2 to e2 and +wins either by Nh5-g7, or by doubling rooks on the e-file.}) 44. Rfe2 Kf7 45. +Ndf2 Bc1 46. Ne4 Red7 47. Kf3 ({The exchange of all the rooks would also have +been decisive:} 47. Rxa7 Rxa7 48. Re1 Ra2+ 49. Kf3 Bg5 (49... Rc2 50. Re2) 50. +Ra1 Rxa1 51. Bxa1 Bc1 52. Ke2 Nd7 53. Kd1 Ba3 (53... Bg5 54. Bb2 {followed by +Ke2-f3 and at a convenient moment Nxg5}) 54. Bc3 Bb4 55. Bb2 {- the black +bishop is shut out of the game, and White without hindrance prepares the +g3-g4-g5 breakthrough (from g4 the knight goes to h5, the king to f3, the +bishop to c1, and so on). But I decided to remove my king from a possible +check on a2 and to set a pretty trap, which I had noticed during the +resumption.}) 47... Ke7 (47... Ba3 {was more resilient, after which the +invasion on the a-file would have won -} 48. Ra1 Bb4 49. Rea2 Ra5 $6 50. Rxa5 +bxa5 51. Bxb4 axb4 52. b6 $1 Ke7 53. Ra7 {, when Black is almost stalemated, +for example:} b3 54. Ngf2 b2 55. Nc3 Kd8 56. Nfe4 Kc8 ({or} 56... Ke7 57. Ke3 { +followed by Kd3-c2 etc.}) 57. g4 $1 {and g4-g5.}) 48. Rxa7 Rxa7 49. Re1 Bg5 50. +Nxg5 fxg5 51. Nxe5 $1 dxe5 ({Or} 51... Ra3 52. Nc6+ Kf8 53. Re3 Nxc6 (53... g4+ +54. Kf4) 54. Bg7+ Nxg7 55. hxg7+ Kxg7 56. bxc6 {.}) 52. Bxe5 Nd6 ({There was +no good defence against the threatened discovered check (} 52... Ra3+ 53. Kg4 +Nd7 54. Bb2+ {), but now the white pawns have the final say.}) 53. f6+ Kd7 54. +Bxd6 Kxd6 55. Re6+ Kc7 56. f7 Ra1 57. Ke2 {. After adjourning this game, the +next day I drew with Magerramov (who, incidentally, in the end achieved the +international master norm). After six rounds, taking account of adjourned and +postponed games, I was on +3, along with Beliavsky and Torre, while +Mikhalchishin had +2. However, the latter two soon dropped out of the battle +for the lead: Mikhalchishin drew all his remaining games, while, even before +the day that our game was resumed, Torre suffered three defeats.} 1-0 + +[Event "41: USSR Central Chess Club, Baku"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1980.04.06"] +[Round "7"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Zaitsev, I."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D58"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "60"] +[EventDate "1980.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{But before the 7th round the competitive intrigue was still very sharp, and a +timely win over Igor Zaitsev, who had begun the tournament with six draws, +helped me to burst half a step ahead.} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 +5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 h6 7. Bh4 (7. Bxf6 {- Game Nos. 54, 92.}) 7... b6 8. Qc2 {(2)} +({At that time searches for an advantage against the +Tartakower-Makogonov-Bondarevsky Variation were mainly associated with} 8. Qb3 +{(Game No.20). But, as also in other Queen's Gambit set-ups, here I far +preferred the double-edged plan with castling on opposite sides.}) 8... Bb7 9. +Bxf6 Bxf6 10. cxd5 exd5 11. O-O-O c5 $1 (11... Nd7 {is more modest:} 12. h4 $1 +c5 (12... g6 $6 13. h5 g5 14. Qf5) 13. g4 {, beginning an attack, but after} +cxd4 14. exd4 Qc7 $1 {White has not yet discovered an advantage.}) 12. dxc5 ({ +Now after} 12. g4 {(or 12 h4)} cxd4 13. exd4 Nc6 {Black is even more +successful in creating counterplay (the source game: Uhlmann-Spassky, Moscow +1967).}) 12... Nd7 $1 {This splendid pawn sacrifice was a fresh idea, which +before this had occurred literally only twice.} ({Usually Black played +differently:} 12... Bxc3 13. Qxc3 Nd7 ({or} 13... Qe7 14. Qe5 Qxc5+ 15. Kb1 Nd7 +{(Ovechkin-Bologan, Moscow 2003)} 16. Qf4 $1 {with slightly the better chances +for White}) 14. c6 Bxc6 15. Kb1 Rc8 16. Qd4 {(Polugayevsky-Ivkov, Beverwijk +1966).}) (12... bxc5 13. Nxd5 Bxd5 14. Bc4 Nd7 15. Rxd5 Rb8 16. b3 {- this +position had been considered promising for Black, but by the time of the +tournament in Baku White had refuted the earlier assessment:} Qe7 ({or} 16... +Qc7 17. Kd1 Rfc8 {, and now not} 18. Ke2 $2 ({but} 18. Nd2 $1 {(the blockade +on c4!)} Nb6 19. Rd3 {and Ke2 also with an advantage (I found and analysed all +this before the games cited)}) 18... Nb6 19. Rd2 Nxc4 20. Qxc4 Rb4 21. Qa6 c4 +22. bxc4 Bc3 23. Rc2 Rb6 24. Qa4 Rb4 {½-½ (Gavrikov-Lputian, Riga 1980)}) +17. h4 $1 Nb6 18. Re5 $1 Qc7 (18... Bxe5 $2 19. Ng5) 19. Re4 $1 {, retaining +the extra pawn and maintaining the blockade at c4 (Lapenis-A.Petrosian, Moscow +1979). --- Naturally, Black began pinning all his hopes on the move 12...Nd7. +When analysing this position earlier, I had come to the conclusion that the +capture of the d5-pawn would allow White to fight for the initiative.}) 13. +Nxd5 {(7) A novelty.} ({In the event of} 13. cxb6 $6 Qxb6 {Black's activity +more than compensates for the pawn deficit (Lapenis-Klovans, Moscow 1979).}) ({ +Play against an 'isolani' -} 13. c6 Bxc6 14. Nd4 Bb7 {also did not appeal to +me, since White could have quickly ended up in an inferior position:} 15. -- ( +15. Be2 a6 $1 16. Kb1 b5 17. Bf3 $6 Rc8 {(Lputian-A.Petrosian, Yerevan 1980)}) +(15. Kb1 a6 $5 (15... Nc5 {is also good, Borisenko-Adashev, Tashkent 1969}) 16. +g4 b5 17. Bg2 (17. h4 b4 $1) 17... Rc8 {(Nikolic-Lputian, Sarajevo 1983)}) (15. +g4 Ne5 $1 (15... Nc5 {is also suitable}) ({or even} 15... a6 16. h4 b5 17. g5 +b4 18. gxf6 $1) 16. Be2 Nc6 $1 {(Ubilava-Kharitonov, Tallinn 1983)}) (15. h4 +Nc5 ({apart from} 15... Ne5) ({or} 15... a6) 16. g4 {(Nguyen Chi Minh-Chau, +France 2004)} Bxd4 $1 17. exd4 (17. Rxd4 Ne6 18. Rd1 d4) 17... Ne4 {, and +Black is perfectly alright.})) 13... Nxc5 ({At home I had also analysed} 13... +Rc8 {.} 14. -- ({. Now} 14. Kb1 $6 Rxc5 15. Qf5 {(Dreev-Leko, Moscow (blitz) +2007) is dangerous because of} Rxd5 16. Rxd5 g6 $1 {, seizing the initiative:} +17. Rxd7 (17. Qxd7 Bxd5) ({or} 17. Qd3 Qa8 $1 18. e4 Nc5 19. Qc4 Nxe4) 17... +gxf5 18. Rxd8 Rxd8 {.}) ({. It is stronger to play as follows:} 14. Nxf6+ Qxf6 +15. Rxd7 Bxf3 (15... Rxc5 $2 16. Qxc5) 16. gxf3 Rxc5 17. Bc4 Rfc8 ({after} +17... Qxf3 $2 18. Rhd1 {Black loses a piece}) ({and in the event of} 17... Qc6 +$6 18. Rd4 b5 19. Rg1 {- a pawn}) 18. Rhd1 {, when an equal queen endgame is +reached after this move.} ({but I was intending to follow a different, more +risky course:} 18. b3 $5 b5 19. Rhd1 bxc4 20. b4 Rb5 21. R7d6 {which leads to +very sharp play}) 18... Rxc4 19. Rd8+ Rxd8 20. Rxd8+ Qxd8 21. Qxc4 Qg5 $1 {½-½ (Ghitescu-A.Petrosian, Bagneux 1982). --- However, Black has no reason +to go in for such excitement: after 13...Nxc5 he has a very promising position. +})) 14. Bc4 {(22)} (14. e4 $2 Rc8 15. Kb1 Re8 {is bad for White}) ({while the +tempting} 14. Qf5 {is parried by} Qc8 $1 15. Nxf6+ gxf6 16. Qxc8 Raxc8 17. Kd2 +(17. Kb1 $6 Ne4) 17... Ne4+ 18. Ke1 Rc2 {, when after} 19. Rb1 {White can draw +at best.}) 14... b5 $1 (14... Rc8 15. Kb1 b5 $1 {is also possible.}) 15. Nxf6+ +{(9)} ({The incautious} 15. Bxb5 $2 Bxd5 16. Bc4 {runs into a spectacular +queen sacrifice -} Be4 $1 17. Rxd8 Rfxd8 {with a decisive attack:} 18. Qe2 Nd3+ +19. Bxd3 Bxd3 {and ...Rac8+.}) ({Black also has an excellent game in the +variation} 15. Bb3 Rc8 16. Kb1 Re8 $1 17. Rhe1 Nxb3 18. Qxb3 Rc5 {(evicting +the knight from d5)} 19. e4 Rxe4 20. Rxe4 Bxd5 {.}) 15... Qxf6 16. Bd5 ({After +} 16. Bxb5 $2 Rfc8 {(not the only way)} 17. Bc4 Be4 18. Qc3 Na4 19. Qxf6 Rxc4+ +20. Qc3 Nxc3 21. bxc3 Rb8 22. Kd2 Rb2+ 23. Ke1 Rxc3 24. Nd4 Rxa2 {White cannot +defend himself.}) 16... Rac8 17. Kb1 {(3)} Na4 ({Later I discovered that} 17... +Ne6 $5 {is also favourable for Black:} 18. Qb3 ({or} 18. Qe4 Rc4 $1 19. Nd4 ( +19. Qe5 Qg6+) 19... Bxd5 20. Qxd5 Nxd4 21. Rxd4 Rxd4 22. exd4 Rd8 $1) 18... +Bxd5 19. Qxd5 Qg6+ 20. Qd3 Qxg2 {.}) 18. Qe2 Bxd5 19. Rxd5 {The menacing +position of the knight at a4 together with the not altogether secure position +of the white king promises Black counterplay, with which, however, he has to +hurry, as otherwise in a move or two White will consolidate his position.} Rc4 +$1 {A brilliant move, which immediately changes the picture.} ({In my analyses +I had considered only} 19... Qg6+ 20. e4 {and I had judged} Qxg2 {(?)} ({or} +20... Rfe8 21. Re1 Qxg2 {(?!)} 22. Rxb5 {to be in my favour}) ({overlooking, +alas,} 20... Rc4 $1 21. Rd4 Rfc8 22. Rg1 a6 {with excellent play for Black}) +21. Rg1 Qh3 22. Rg3 Qe6 23. Nd4 Qf6 24. Nf5 {. --- But now, while intensifying +the threat of ...Qg6+, Black has also created two more - ...Rfc8 and, above +all, ...Rb4. On seeing all this, I became despondent...}) 20. Rd4 {(14) This +reply is forced.} ({The pawn capture} 20. Rxb5 $2 {allows Black a terribly +strong attack after} Rfc8 21. Ne5 Qa6 $1 22. Nxc4 Qxb5 23. Rc1 Rxc4 $1 {(} 24. +Rxc4 $2 Nc3+ {, winning the queen).}) (20. Nd4 $6 {is also weak because of} +Qg6+ {and ...Qxg2.}) 20... Rfc8 {It is now completely clear that Black has +full compensation for the sacrificed pawn. But despite the failure of my +opening, I managed to take myself in hand - the battle was only just beginning, +and Zaitsev had little more than 20 minutes left on his clock.} 21. Rhd1 {(15)} +({Not} 21. Rxc4 $2 bxc4 {and ...Rb8}) ({while} 21. Qd3 $2 {(with the idea of +21...Rc2 22 Rd8+) is strongly met by the unexpected} Nc5 $1 22. -- (22. Qd1 +Qg6+ 23. Ka1 Qxg2) ({, if} 22. Qe2 Qg6+ 23. Ka1 {, then} Rc1+ $1 24. Rxc1 Nb3+ +$1 25. axb3 Rxc1+ 26. Ka2 Qb1+ 27. Ka3 a5 $1 {with unavoidable mate}) ({, or} +22. Rxc4 Nxd3 23. Rxc8+ Kh7 24. Rc3 (24. Rc2 Nb4 $1) 24... Nxb2 $1 25. Rhc1 Nc4 +26. R1c2 Qg6 {, and White's position is unenviable.})) ({Therefore with} 21. +Rhd1 {he agrees to give up his queen for two rooks. At first sight, the +position after} Rc2 $1 22. Qxc2 {forced;} ({after} 22. Rd8+ $2 Kh7 {Black wins} +) 22... Rxc2 23. Kxc2 {is clearly in Black's favour: he destroys the +opponent's kingside -} Qg6+ $1 ({the weaker} 23... Qe6 24. R1d3 Qxa2 25. Rb3 { +leads to equality}) 24. e4 $2 ({however,} 24. Kd2 $1 {is correct:} Nxb2 25. Rc1 +Qxg2 26. Ke2 Qg6 $1 ({if} 26... Nc4 {, then} 27. a4 $1 a6 28. axb5 axb5 29. Rb1 +Qg6 30. Rxb5 {with equality, Ghitescu-Lputian, Berlin 1982}) 27. Rc7 $1 Qa6 $1 +(27... a5 28. Rd8+ {and Rdd7}) 28. Kf1 $1 Qxa2 29. Rd8+ Kh7 30. Rdd7 {, and +White nevertheless gains a draw}) 24... Qxg2 25. Ne5 Nc5 $1 26. Kb1 Qxf2 {. +--- The critical moment of the game. Not seeing any real benefits after 21... +Rc2, Zaitsev, who up until now has played splendidly, overrates his chances +and commits a serious mistake.}) 21... Qg6+ $2 22. Qd3 {(3)} Qxg2 {Black has +restored material equality, but... Apparently the preceding part of the battle +had cost the grandmaster too much effort, and he overlooked my reply.} 23. Qf5 +$1 {(3) Unexpectedly the position has again changed sharply: White has +succeeded in lining up his forces, and things have become uncomfortable for +the black king, even behind its sound pawn defences.} Rf8 $2 ({To avoid my +counterattack, Black should have exchanged the queens -} 23... Qg6 24. Qxg6 +fxg6 {, agreeing to an unpleasant endgame after} 25. Ne5 {, in which his +chances of a draw and a loss would have been roughly equal. Zaitsev avoids +defending in an ending and decides to try his luck with the queens on, setting +some clever traps on the way.}) 24. Rd8 $1 {(4)} (24. Rg1 {(?) looked very +tempting, hoping for} Qxf2 $2 ({but it was here that Black's first 'bomb' +would have exploded -} 24... Rc5 $1 25. Qe4 Qh3 {, and all dangers are behind +him}) 25. Rd2 Qxe3 26. Rxg7+ $1 {with mate.}) 24... Rc7 $2 {The decisive +mistake.} (24... Nb6 {was necessary, although after} 25. Rxf8+ (25. Ne5 $5) +25... Kxf8 26. Nd4 {Black would have faced a difficult defence.}) 25. Rxf8+ { +(13)} ({The game would have been concluded more spectacularly by} 25. Qe5 $1 +Qg6+ 26. e4 Rc8 27. Rxc8 Rxc8 28. Rg1 Qh7 29. Nd4 {and Nf5.}) 25... Kxf8 26. +Nd4 $1 {(the simplest)} Re7 ({Or} 26... Kg8 27. Nxb5 g6 28. Qf4 {.}) 27. Nxb5 { +(3)} ({Avoiding the last trap, set by the opponent who was now in severe +time-trouble:} 27. Qxb5 $4 Nc3+ $1 {.}) 27... Rxe3 $6 {A desperate chance;} ( +27... g6 28. Qf6 $1 Qe4+ 29. Kc1 Qc4+ 30. Nc3 Re8 31. Rd4 Qf1+ 32. Nd1 Rc8+ 33. +Kd2 Nb6 34. Qh8+ Ke7 35. Re4+ Kd7 36. Qd4+ {etc. was hopeless for Black.}) 28. +Nd6 (28. Rd8+ $1 Re8 29. Rxe8+ Kxe8 30. Qe5+ {would have led to mate.}) 28... +Rf3 ({After} 28... Kg8 29. Qxf7+ Kh7 30. Qf5+ Kg8 31. Qc8+ Kh7 32. Qc2+ {Black +would have lost his stray rook.}) 29. Qc8+ Ke7 30. Qe8+ Kf6 ({And Black +resigned in view of} 30... Kf6 31. Qxf7+ Kg5 32. Rd5+ {with a quick mate. The +once menacing knight on a4 remains merely as a reminder of that beautiful song, +which Black cut short when he was tempted by the g2-pawn. --- Times: 1.52-2.28. +--- This game, along with a number of others (with Beliavsky etc.), showed +that my 'junior' opening preparation did not fully match up to the level of +the 'adult' tournaments in which I was now participating. The transition +period was to last two years and it ended in Tilburg 1981. By that time my +opening repertoire was completely formed, I had a clear understanding of what +and why I was playing, and from late 1981 a new surge would begin. --- After +my win over Zaitsev I somewhat unexpectedly slowed down, making three draws +(moreover, in the 8th round I only just saved a rook ending a pawn down in my +game with Mikhalchishin: with one nervy time-trouble move my opponent lost all +his advantage), and I was caught by Beliavsky. Five rounds before the finish +we both had 7 points out of 10, with Chiburdanidze on 6½. To achieve the +grandmaster norm, I needed to win (and definitely not lose!).}) 1-0 + +[Event "42: USSR Central Chess Club, Baku"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1980.04.12"] +[Round "11"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Chiburdanidze, M."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "E92"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "80"] +[EventDate "1980.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{The 11th round game with Maya Chiburdanidze was one of my best, and in +general one of the most interesting games in the tournament. That day I had to +withstand an unusual psychological pressure: it was difficult playing the lady +world champion in my native Baku, before the eyes of numerous fans who +expected only victory of me.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 {At that time, +under the influence of her trainer Gufeld, Maya used to employ the sharp +King's Indian (my opening!), and playing against the lady world champion was +psychologically difficult, since Gufeld had warned everyone beforehand: 'You +will be afraid!' (and playing White against Maya in the last round, he himself +appeared to be trembling with fear).} 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 ({Against me before this +they had played this move,} 5. h3 {(Game No.10)}) (5. f3 {(Game Nos. 12, 15)}) +({and} 5. Be2 O-O 6. Bg5 {(Game No.28), whereas my 'White' experience was +considerably more modest.}) 5... O-O 6. Be2 e5 ({In a game with me (Banja Luka +1979) Vukic had problems after} 6... Bg4 7. Be3 Nfd7 8. Ng1 $1 Bxe2 9. Ngxe2 e5 +10. O-O a5 $6 ({the immediate} 10... exd4 {is better}) 11. Qd2 Nc6 12. f3 exd4 +13. Nxd4 Nc5 14. Rad1 Ne6 $6 15. Ndb5 $1 {with a clear advantage.}) 7. Be3 {(3) +} ({Not yet knowing exactly what to do as White in the main lines with} 7. O-O +{(Game No.21), I chose a set-up that I had discussed with Magerramov.}) 7... +Qe7 ({Later, after trying virtually all the possible replies against Karpov, I +came to recommend the double-edged} 7... Ng4 8. Bg5 f6 9. Bh4 ({if} 9. Bc1 {, +then} Nc6 ({or} 9... exd4 10. Nxd4 f5)) 9... g5 10. Bg3 Nh6 {(Speelman-Kasparov +Speelman-Kasparov, Madrid (rapid) 1988).}) 8. d5 (8. dxe5 dxe5 9. Nd5 $1 {is +better, as Karpov played against me in the 3rd game of our 1990 match (Game No. +10 in 'Kasparov vs. Karpov 1988-2009'). It was because of this that 7...Qe7 +practically went out of use.}) 8... Ng4 9. Bg5 f6 10. Bh4 h5 $6 {A second-rate +move, weakening the pawn structure.} (10... Qe8 11. h3 Nh6 {has also been +played (Tal-Sax, Olympiad, Malta 1980)}) ({but the immediate} 10... Nh6 {is +best, for example:} 11. Nd2 a5 12. a3 Bd7 13. b4 g5 14. Bg3 f5 15. exf5 axb4 +16. f6 Bxf6 17. axb4 Rxa1 18. Qxa1 e4 {(Ivanchuk-Ehlvest, 55th USSR +Championship, Moscow 1988).}) 11. h3 {(3)} ({Later I played} 11. Nd2 { +immediately, with the idea of} Nh6 ({or} 11... c5 12. dxc6 $1 bxc6 13. b4 Be6 +14. O-O Nd7 15. Nb3 {with unpleasant pressure for White (Kasparov-Morrison, +Graz 1981)}) (11... a5 {is better}) 12. f3 {and then b2-b4 (Tukmakov-Stein, +39th USSR Championship, Leningrad 1971).}) 11... Nh6 12. Nd2 c5 {(trying to +impede White's offensive on the queenside)} 13. Nf1 {(22)} ({Already then I +was considering the interesting} 13. dxc6 $5 bxc6 14. b4 {, but as yet I was +not ready for a sharp change in the pawn structure and I restricted myself to +a good knight manoeuvre.}) 13... Nf7 $6 {'An untimely move, assisting the +exchange of bishops which is strategically favourable for White.} (13... Na6 { +was more advisable, with the standard idea of ...Nc7, ...Bd7, ...a7-a6 and ...b7-b5' (Nikitin). To this I would have replied} 14. Ne3 {, continuing to +prepare g2-g4 and all the same retaining the better prospects.}) 14. g4 {(11)} +hxg4 ({Closing the flank by} 14... g5 15. Bg3 h4 16. Bh2 Nh8 {would have left +Black with a 'dead' bishop on g7, and after} 17. Ne3 Ng6 18. f3 Nf4 {(here the +knight looks well placed, but it is ineffective)} 19. Bf1 {followed by Bg1, +Rh2, a2-a3, b2-b4, Rb2 and a possible Nf5 the play would all have been one way. +After Nf5 White could have played Be3, Kf2-g1-h2 and calmly attacked on the +queenside.}) 15. Bxg4 $1 {This capture was underestimated by Maya and she +clearly became rattled.} g5 $2 {The decisive mistake - a fatal weakening of +the light squares.} (15... Bxg4 $6 16. Qxg4 g5 {was also bad in view of} 17. +Ne3 ({or immediately} 17. Bg3 Nh6 18. Qe2 {(h5)}) 17... Nh6 18. Qh5 Qf7 19. +Qxf7+ Rxf7 20. Bg3 {(Stohl).}) ({Also after} 15... Nh6 16. Bxc8 Rxc8 17. Rg1 +Kh7 {(Stohl)} 18. Ne3 {followed by Qe2, 0-0-0, Rg2 and Rdg1}) ({or} 15... Nd7 +$5 16. Rg1 Kh7 17. Ne3 Bh6 18. Qf3 {Black's defence is difficult, but she +could still have resisted.}) 16. Bxc8 {(6)} ({Perhaps Maya was expecting} 16. +Bg3 f5 {(to activate the bishop on g7), when after the possible} 17. exf5 ({or +} 17. Bxf5 Bxf5 18. exf5 Nd7 19. Ne3 e4 20. Qc2 {(h5) things are also not easy +for Black, but she has at least a gleam of counterplay}) 17... e4 18. Qc2 {. +--- However, I found a combinative solution to the position.}) 16... Rxc8 17. +Ne3 $1 {(6) 'What was staggering was not so much the boldness of this +unexpected knight jump, but the speed with which the decision was taken to +sacrifice the bishop' (Nikitin).} ({Especially as the prosaic} 17. Bg3 f5 18. +exf5 (18. Ne3 $5) 18... e4 19. Qc2 {was also unpromising for Black.}) 17... +gxh4 ({There is no longer anything else:} 17... Nh6 18. Bg3 f5 19. exf5 e4 20. +h4 $1 {- Stohl.}) 18. Nf5 {I sensed that White's attack along the g-file would +be irresistible: Black's downfall is caused by the uncoordinated state of her +pieces. Incidentally, in the aforementioned game with Morrison the outcome was +also decided by a knight invasion at f5.} Qd8 ({Or} 18... Qd7 19. Qh5 $1 Ng5 +20. O-O-O {and Qxh4, while if} Bf8 {, then} 21. Qg6+ Bg7 22. f4 $1 exf4 23. Nb5 +{and Nbxd6 with crushing threats.}) ({Or if} 18... Qf8 $5 {(without a loss of +tempo) I was planning} 19. Qg4 Na6 {(d7)} ({or} 19... Rc7 20. Rg1 Ng5 21. Nxh4 +{followed by Nf5, h3-h4, 0-0-0 (or Ke2) and the doubling of rooks on the +g-file, although here it would have been more difficult to breach Black's +defences than in the game.}) ({In 'Informator' I gave only} 19... Ng5 20. Nxh4 +Na6 21. Nf5 Nc7 22. h4 Nh7 {, which is worse because of} 23. h5 $1 Ng5 24. h6 { +and wins - Stohl.})) 19. Qg4 Ng5 20. Nxh4 $1 ({In the event of the thoughtless +} 20. Nxd6 $6 Na6 21. Nxc8 $2 (21. Nf5 $1) 21... Qxc8 22. Qh5 Qe8 {White would +have lost all his advantage.}) 20... Rc7 21. Nf5 a6 ({If} 21... Na6 22. h4 Nh7 +23. Rg1 Qf8 {, then} 24. Nb5 {- Stohl.}) 22. h4 Nh7 23. Rg1 {(5)} Qf8 {On this +occasion the widely-publicised 'Gufeld bishop' makes a pitiful impression - +right to the end it does not move from g7.} 24. Ke2 (24. O-O-O $5 {.}) 24... +Ra7 25. a4 {Killing any counterplay.} b6 26. Qh5 Kh8 27. Rg6 Rd7 28. Rag1 { +After completing the mobilisation of my forces, I thought that I would win +automatically. However, to breach the opponent's defences a final effort is +still required of White.} Rab7 29. Qg4 Rbc7 30. Rg2 ({A rapid capitulation +would have been forced by} 30. h5 $1 Ng5 31. h6 Bxh6 32. Rh1 $1 Rh7 33. Nxh6 +Rcg7 ({or} 33... Nd7 34. Rh5) 34. Rxf6 $1 {. But for some reason I decided +first to safeguard my king.}) 30... Rb7 31. Kf1 ({Once again} 31. h5 $5 {.}) +31... Ra7 32. Kg1 Rf7 33. Ne2 $1 {(unexpectedly the second knight is also +included in the attack - via g3)} Qc8 (33... Qg8 {would also not have helped:} +34. h5 Nf8 35. Rh2 $5 {(one of many possibilities: h5-h6 is threatened)} Qh7 +36. Neg3 Rad7 37. h6 Nxg6 38. hxg7+ {etc.}) 34. f4 {(5)} ({'The harvest after} +34. Nxd6 $6 Qxg4 35. Nxf7+ Rxf7 36. R6xg4 {is too miserly for such an +overwhelming position' (Nikitin). With the move in the game I wanted to win +with maximum comfort: to deprive the black knight of the g5-square before +playing h4-h5.}) ({However, the simplest was} 34. Neg3 $1 {with the threat of +Nh5, and if} Nf8 {, then} 35. Qh5+ Nh7 36. Nxd6 Qf8 37. Nxf7+ {and Nf5.}) 34... +b5 (34... exf4 35. Nxf4 {is even worse for Black.}) 35. axb5 axb5 36. cxb5 { +(it was for the sake of this opening of the position that I played my king to +g1, in order to hide it at h2)} Rab7 37. h5 $1 {(2) With the murderous threat +of h5-h6. There follows a brief agony for Black.} Nf8 38. Qh3 {Once again +ignoring the d6-pawn.} Nxg6 ({There is no salvation:} 38... c4 39. h6) ({or} +38... Qd8 39. R6g3 $1 {and h5-h6 (Stohl).}) 39. hxg6+ Kg8 40. gxf7+ (40. Qh7+ +$1 Kf8 41. gxf7 {would have mated more quickly.}) 40... Kf8 {. And Black +resigned without waiting for 41 Rxg7. --- Times: 1.33-2.28. --- 'A terrible +rout!' (Nikitin).} (40... Kf8 {. Inspired by this win, I won two more games in +crushing style - against Silvino Garcia and Antoshin, took my score to 10 out +of 13, and two rounds before the finish achieved the grandmaster norm for the +second time. The spectators applauded, and Gufeld, who came up to congratulate +me, exclaimed: 'Remember this historic moment - you have become a +grandmaster!' --- Now I had to avoid conceding 1st place: Beliavsky was just +half a point behind. In the 14th round we both drew, and everything was +decided by the last, 15th round. With White, as expected, Beliavsky +confidently defeated Garcia, and I beat Martinovic (in the variation 1 d4 Nf6 +2 Nf3 g6 3 Bg5 Bg7 4 Nbd2), which enabled me to become the sole winner of the +tournament.} 41. -- {Gufeld: 'Towards the end of the tournament the gap +between the leaders and the remaining participants increased with every round, +Beliavsky all the time having to perform the role of pursuer, and in the end +having to be satisfied with 2nd place. The winners achieved very high scores, +and succeeded in remaining undefeated throughout this difficult tournament. +Kasparov's name is well known in the chess world. In recent times the young +player has achieved a number of remarkable successes, and in Baku he exceeded +the international grandmaster norm. The play of the talented Baku player is +characterised by a wonderful knowledge of opening theory (?! - G.K.), a broad +arsenal of tactical and technical techniques, and notable progress in deeply +penetrating into the secrets of strategy.' --- Asriyan: 'By winning the +international tournament in Baku, the 17-year-old Kasparov became the youngest +grandmaster in the world. On the evening when this remarkable event occurred, +I was able to report this by express telegram to TASS, and it was broadcast on +the TV program Vremya two hours after the new grandmaster appeared. Kasparov +was staggered by such efficiency - I was congratulated as though I myself had +become a grandmaster.'} (41. -- {Two months after the tournament I passed my +final exams and left school with a gold medal (which the newspapers also did +not fail to report). Nikitin: 'A significant part of this gold medal belonged +to Garik's mother, who all these years was his main and very skilful trainer +in his studies at school.' --- Now, to enter the Institute, I only needed to +pass one exam - on my main subject. And on 14th June 1980 (the day of the +storming of the Bastille!) I passed this exam with an 'excellent' mark and +entered the Azerbaijan Institute of Foreign Languages. My school teachers vied +with one another in advising my mother to choose their subjects for my further +education, the mathematics and literature teachers being particularly +insistent. We also considered the History and Law Faculties. But in the end we +quite reasonably decided that a knowledge of foreign languages would be the +most useful for my chess future.})) 1-0 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Chess Prince"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2009.12.07"] + +{World Junior Championship (Dortmund, 16th August - 1st September 1980): 1. +Kasparov - 10½ out of 13; 2. Short - 9; 3. Morovic, 4-5. Negulescu and +Bischoff - 8½; 6-14. Akesson, Tempone, Danailov, Karolyi, Hjorth, Züger, C.Hansen, Arnason and Barua - 8, etc. (altogether 58 participants).} 1. -- {The +invitation to take part in the World Junior Championship in the summer of 1980 +pleased me: that which I had failed to do at the World Cadet tournaments in +Wattignies (1976) and Cagnes-sur-Mer (1977) might now be achieved in Dortmund. +--- However, this led to my first serious dispute with Botvinnik, who, as +usual, was categorically against my participation in a Swiss tournament. The +maestro stated forcibly: 'You don't need this! All the same you won't win any +laurels, and in the event of a failure there will be any amount of +unpleasantness. Why subject yourself to an unnecessary trial?!' And, indeed, +there seemed to be no one there to compete with me: already with a rating of +over 2600, I was rapidly approaching the top ten in the world. But I had +certain obligations to the Sports Committee and I did not want to let down +Anatoly Bykhovsky, the trainer of the USSR youth team. It wasn't good to +refuse, and I disobeyed the Teacher - I went to the championship.} (1. -- {For +the first time in my life I tried keeping a diary of a tournament. Alas, my +enthusiasm sufficed only to describe the events before the start: 'Day one - +14th August. The flight from Moscow to Frankfurt passed off without any +particular anxiety. There was only one memorable moment, when Bykhovsky took +out of his bag the current issue of the magazine Yunost and invited me to read +an article by Mikhail Botvinnik. "The strength of his combinative talent puts +him (i.e. me) on a par with the great Alekhine", Bykhovsky once more savoured +this line. "I wonder what the Patriarch will say if you finish third in the +world championship?" Later Bykhovsky himself picturesquely depicted the +situation that was most probable in the event of my failure. The three hours +passed imperceptibly, and we were already in Frankfurt... --- 'Day three - +16th August. From the very start the day promised to be interesting. In the +morning at breakfast someone greeted Bykhovsky. The "people" gradually began +arriving. Half of the participants were present at lunch. Most gazed at me in +surprise: "What's he doing here?" (such puzzled looks would accompany me +throughout the tournament). I also saw an "old acquaintance" - the Pole Weider, +whom I had played in Cagnes-sur-Mer. After loitering about the whole day with +nothing to do, at about 6 we went down into the foyer. We were led out of the +hotel, loaded into buses and taken to some unknown destination. On the way, in +English and German, we were briefly acquainted with some of the sights of +Dortmund. From the guide's description I understood only three words: beer, +steel and corporation. Apparently the description was based on using these +three words in various combinations. Soon we arrived at some building. We were +unloaded, and the bus set off for the "second party". From the outside it was +hard to determine the function of this building, but when we went inside it +turned out to be a beer factory (the main sponsor of the championship - G.K.). +--- 'The opening ceremony took place in an enormous hall - probably the +tasting-room. There was a lot of noise, rumpus - and beer. (They also provided +lemonade, but most of the players preferred beer. However, I, as usual, tried +to be different.). The tournament was opened by Lothar Schmid. After a mass of +welcoming speeches (again beer, steel etc.), the pairings were made. From a +drum some "Miss" drew numbers on which the names were written. I was assigned +No.36, while No.35 went to some obscure Dutchman. "That means, White in the +first game," I remarked to myself. Incidentally, Schmid singled me out at the +drawing of lots, emphasising my titles. When Benjamin was drawn, Bykhovsky was +horrified: "Since he's so puny, he's bound to play brilliantly..." Then there +were oceans of beer and cola and a buffet for 250 people. We went back in high +spirits. I was eager for the fight, while Bykhovsky was looking forward to +more bottles of Dortmund beer - there are about 500 types in the city...'}) (1. +-- {Among the participants in the championship there were many future +grandmasters and international masters, well-known in the chess world. There +were the experienced 19-year-old 'old men': the Icelander Jon Arnason (the +world cadet champion of 1977), the Swede Ralf Akesson (European junior +champion 1980/81 - 11½ out of 13!), the Romanian Adrian Negulescu (who +shared 3rd place at the 1979 world junior championship), the German Klaus +Bischoff, the Yugoslav Branko Damljanovic, the Bulgarian Silvio Danailov (now +Topalov's manager, and also President of the European Chess Union), and the +Hungarian Tibor Karolyi (the author of some books on my games). And the +audacious youth: the 17-year-old Chilean Ivan Morovic (who played in five +world junior championships!), the Argentinean Marcelo Tempone (world cadet +champion 1979, who not long before had scored a sensational win over Petrosian +at a tournament in Buenos Aires), the nearly 16-year-old Dane Curt Hansen, the +Turk Suat Atalik, the 15-year-old American Joel Benjamin, the Indonesian Utut +Adianto, the Englishman Nigel Short (the new hope of the West, who was to +challenge for the world crown in 1993), and the 14-year-old Indian Dibyendu +Barua. --- I too was only seventeen, but I was regarded as the clear favourite, +and everyone was expecting me to win. However, such expectations can turn to +nothing, especially if, after becoming used to the way in which adults play, +you don't readjust in games with your contemporaries. --- Bykhovsky: 'In the +history of junior championships there have been instances when a clear +favourite underestimated his opponents and altogether finished outside the +prize-winners. On this occasion this did not happen: Garik took the event very +seriously. Before the tournament some advised the young grandmaster to play +"on technique", exploiting his superiority in class. Fortunately, Kasparov did +not follow their advice and in all the games he went in for complicated play +with chances for both sides. His games were always interesting, and usually +most of the spectators crowded around his board (the seats were occupied long +before the start of play).'}) (1. -- {I began with three wins, and after four +rounds I had 3½ points and was leading together with Arnason, Akesson and +Negulescu, half a point ahead of Short, Tempone and another three players. +Then, 'by Swiss custom', the most important clashes between the rivals began. +In the 5th round Akesson won against Negulescu, Tempone against Short, and +after an adjournment I beat Arnason in an interesting ending (two bishops and +a-pawn against bishop, knight and f-pawn). Thus Akesson and I reached 4½ out +of 5 and our individual meeting occurred in the next round. This crazy game +was probably my best creative achievement in Dortmund (see the following game). +}) * + +[Event "43: World Junior Championship, Dortmund"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1980.08.22"] +[Round "6"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Akesson, R."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "E12"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "71"] +[EventDate "1980.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 (3. Nc3 {- Game No.39.}) 3... b6 4. a3 {Again my +main weapon of that time;} (4. g3 {- Game Nos. 45, 46.}) 4... Bb7 ({I was also +not concerned about} 4... Ba6 {(Game Nos. 32, 68)} 5. Qc2 Bb7 6. Nc3 c5 7. e4 +cxd4 8. Nxd4 {, for example:} Bc5 9. Nb3 Nc6 10. Bg5 a6 11. O-O-O { +(Kasparov-van der Wiel, Amsterdam 1988).}) 5. Nc3 d5 (5... Ne4 {- Game No.61.}) +6. cxd5 Nxd5 {A popular response to the set-up with a2-a3.} ({The capture with +the pawn -} 6... exd5 {is hardly any worse, but it is slightly more passive +and it creates a different pawn structure, which is not to everyone's taste; +against Bukic (Banja Luka 1979) I successfully replied} 7. Bg5 Be7 8. Bxf6 $5 +Bxf6 9. g3 {, and against Antoshin (Baku 1980) and A.Ivanov (Moscow 1981) - 7 +g3 immediately. Now, however, White gains the opportunity to create a mobile +pawn centre.}) 7. e3 (7. Qc2 {- Game Nos. 73, 75, 98.}) 7... Be7 {The most +natural move;} ({but} 7... g6 $5 {is more perplexing for the opponent - as +Korchnoi played against me in the 1st game of our Candidates match (Game No.38 +in Volume V of 'My Great Predecessors').}) 8. Bb5+ c6 9. Bd3 Nxc3 {(6)} ({After +} 9... O-O {White has the additional resource} 10. Qc2 ({while} 10. e4 Nxc3 11. +bxc3 c5 12. O-O cxd4 (12... h6 $2 13. Bf4 {, Kasparov-Marjanovic, Banja Luka +1979; Game No.100 in 'Revolution in the 70s'}) 13. cxd4 Nc6 14. Be3 Rc8 { +transposes into the main line (cf. the note to Black's 10th move).})) ({But +the most radical solution to Black's opening problems is} 9... c5 $5 10. Nxd5 +exd5 {with a solid enough position.} ({Even} 10... Qxd5 {, a move criticised +by theory, is acceptable (Petrosian-Smyslov, 28th USSR Championship, Moscow +1961; Game No.14 in Volume III of 'My Great Predecessors')}) ({or} 10... Bxd5 +11. dxc5 bxc5 {(Karpov-Najdorf, Mar del Plata 1982; Kasparov-Karpov, Zurich +(blitz) 2006). This deprives White of a traditional trump - his mobile pawn +centre, although each of the captures on d5 has some drawbacks, and 9...c5 has +not had many supporters.})) 10. bxc3 Nd7 (10... c5 {is more energetic:} 11. O-O +Nc6 $1 (11... O-O 12. Qc2 {- Game No.52}) 12. e4 (12. Bb2 $5 {- Game No.85}) +12... O-O 13. Be3 cxd4 14. cxd4 Rc8 15. Ra2 $6 (15. Qe2 {- Kasparov-Najdorf, +Bugojno 1982}) 15... Bf6 16. Bb1 g6 17. Qd3 Qd7 18. Rd2 Rfd8 {with excellent +play for Black (Kasparov-Karolyi, 13th round). It was because of this game +that I suffered a temporary crisis in the 4 a3 variation, and three months +later at the Olympiad I played only 4 g3.}) 11. e4 c5 {(3)} 12. O-O {(4)} cxd4 +{(4)} (12... O-O {is more accurate, maintaining the tension in the centre at +least until White determines the position of his queen's bishop. After} 13. Qe2 +(13. d5 $6 exd5 14. exd5 c4 $1 15. Bxc4 Nf6 {, picking up the passed d-pawn}) +13... Qc7 14. Bb2 {a fashionable tabiya arises (a joint one with the 7 Qc2 +variation), where Black has tried} Rac8 {(Kasparov-Kramnik, Linares 2004),} ( +14... Rfe8 {(Agrest-Akesson, Sweden 2006)}) (14... Rfd8 {(Ponomariov-Leko, +Moscow 2006)}) ({and Polugayevsky's old move} 14... c4 $6 {(Carlsen-Aronian, +5th match game, Elista 2007).})) 13. cxd4 O-O 14. Qe2 {A typical move with the +intention of Bb2, Ra(f)d1 and d4-d5. To me this seemed to be the optimal +set-up, but I underestimated Black's defensive resources.} ({Little is +promised by} 14. e5 {with the idea of Be3 and Nd2-e4 (this cramps Black, but +relieves him of the potential threat d4-d5)}) ({or} 14. Be3 Rc8 { +(Petrosian-Geller, Curaçao Candidates 1962).}) ({However, as also in the 7 Qc2 +variation, with the knight on d7 serious consideration should be given to} 14. +Bf4 $5 Rc8 15. Qb3 Nb8 ({or} 15... Nf6 16. Rfe1 {(Khalifman-Blatny, Groningen +1985), retaining the initiative}) 16. Rad1 {(Portisch-Korchnoi, Montpellier +Candidates 1985).}) 14... Rc8 {(8)} 15. Bb2 {(2) A tempting post for the +bishop (in view of the planned d4-d5). All the white pieces are ideally placed, +whereas Black still has to find a comfortable place for his queen.} Qc7 {(16)} +16. Qe3 {(6) It is unclear whether White needs to take control of the +f4-square.} ({If} 16. a4 {there is} Bb4 {- therefore he should not be in a +hurry to advance his a-pawn.}) ({In 'Informator' I suggested} 16. Nd2 $5 {(up +until now this has only occurred in the game Mamedyarov-Sargissian, Reykjavik +2006).}) (16. Rad1 Qf4 17. Nd2 $5 {is also interesting, with the idea of e4-e5 +and Ne4 (transposing into a position from the game Bareev-Lutz, Olympiad, +Turin 2006).}) 16... Nf6 {(10)} ({The alternative was} 16... Qb8 {(with the +same idea} 17. a4 Bb4 {)}) ({or} 16... Bd6 {, in order by the threat of Bf4 to +force e4-e5, although after} 17. Rfc1 Qb8 18. e5 Be7 19. Ng5 h6 20. Ne4 { +White's chances are somewhat better.}) 17. Ne5 {(2)} ({Again if} 17. a4 {there +is the good reply} Bb4 {and ...Qe7 - this is how Black defended in my +aforementioned game with Kramnik.}) 17... b5 $1 {(10) Resourceful play: +exploiting the weakness of the e4-pawn, Black opens a loophole for his queen +and deprives the white pieces of the c4-point.} ({In 'The Test of Time' I +suggested that Black shouldn't have reconciled himself to the knight on e5 -} +17... Nd7 {, but after} 18. Rfc1 $1 (18. f4 $6 Nxe5 {is equal}) 18... Qd6 19. +Nc4 Qb8 20. a4 {and e4-e5 White would have retained the advantage (say,} h6 21. +e5 Qa8 22. f3 Bg5 23. f4 Be7 24. Qe2 {etc.).}) 18. f4 {(3)} Qb6 {(4) The +natural move;} ({but} 18... Bd6 {would also have impeded White's attack.}) 19. +Kh1 $1 ({White is forced to engage in prophylaxis - if immediately} 19. f5 {, +then} Bd6 $1 {, and after} 20. Rae1 exf5 $5 21. Rxf5 Bxe5 22. dxe5 Qxe3+ 23. +Rxe3 Nd7 24. Bxb5 Nc5 {(Stohl) he cannot count on anything.}) 19... b4 $6 {(14) +Over-hasty. In striving to weaken the opponent's attacking potential by +exchanging a pair of bishops and obtaining counterplay, Black loses control of +the c4-point and opens the b-file, which proves advantageous only to White.} ( +19... Rc7 {, for example, was better, with the idea of} 20. f5 exf5 21. Rxf5 +Ne8 {and ...Nd6-c4. 'On the last six moves Akesson spent more than an hour, +which was far more than Garry. Such a disproportion is usually an indication +of the difficulties encountered by the more pensive side in seeking +counterplay.' (Nikitin)}) 20. axb4 {Of course!} Bxb4 21. Rab1 $1 {Preventing ...Bb4-c3 and creating the threat of Bb2-a3.} ({Again nothing was given by} 21. +f5 exf5 $1 ({but not} 21... Bc3 {(?), as given in 'Informator', on account of} +22. Bxc3 Rxc3 23. Rfb1 {and wins}) 22. Rxf5 Bc3 23. Bxc3 Rxc3 {(Stohl)} 24. +Raf1 Bc8 25. R5f3 ({or} 25. Rg5 Nd7) 25... Ng4 {with equality.}) (21. Nc4 {was +interesting, forcing a sacrifice of material: either the exchange for a pawn -} +Rxc4 ({or a pawn (this is better for Black) -} 21... Qd8 22. e5 Nd5 23. Qh3 g6 +24. Rxa7 Qc7 25. Raa1 {, and White retains some advantage}) 22. Bxc4 Nxe4 23. +Bd3 {. But the move in the game is stronger.}) 21... a5 {(5)} 22. Qe2 $1 {(9) +Also preventing ...Bb7-a6. The d3-bishop must be preserved - in the attack it +will play a no less important role than the b2-bishop.} (22. f5 Ba6 $1 23. fxe6 +fxe6 {was harmless, for example:} 24. Rxf6 Rxf6 25. Nd7 Bxd3 26. Nxf6+ gxf6 27. +Qg3+ Kh8 28. Qxd3 Bc3 $1 29. Qc2 Kg7 {with equality.}) 22... Qa7 {(5) +Defending against Ba3 and switching to a8 to put pressure on the e4-pawn, but +the queen moves too far away from its king.} (22... Qd8 $6 23. f5 Rc7 {would +appear to be more solid, but after} 24. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 25. fxe6+ Kg8 $1 26. d5 { +White has excellent compensation for the piece.}) ({After} 22... Ra8 23. f5 Ba6 +24. fxe6 fxe6 {, suggested by me in 'The Test of Time', White has the +unpleasant} 25. Rxf6 $1 (25. Nc4 Qb7) 25... gxf6 ({or} 25... Rxf6 26. Nd7 Bxd3 +27. Nxf6+ gxf6 28. Qxd3 {(Stohl)}) 26. Nd7 Qd6 27. Nxf8 Bxd3 28. Qxd3 Rxf8 29. +d5 {with a slight but enduring advantage, but 24 Nc4! is even better.}) ({The +computer also considers a variation with an exchange sacrifice -} 22... Rfd8 +23. f5 $1 exf5 24. Rxf5 Rxd4 $1 25. Bxd4 Qxd4 {, but here too after} 26. Rd1 { +White's chances are better.}) 23. f5 {(3)} Qa8 {(13)} ({Not} 23... Bc3 $2 {in +view of} 24. fxe6 fxe6 25. Bc4 $1 {, winning. Black's hesitation was probably +caused by anxiety over the defensibility of his king's fortress.}) {The first +critical position: how should White continue his attack?} 24. d5 $6 {(5) +'Judging by the time spent, in his choice of move Garry was guided by +intuition, rather than precise calculation. He decided to give up the +attractive e4-d4 pawn pair, in order to clear the diagonals for his bishops. +But this interesting idea does not give White any real advantage' (Nikitin).} ( +{Let us consider the other possibilities:} 24. Ng4 {, and after} Nxe4 ({ +however,} 24... Nxg4 $1 25. Qxg4 exf5 26. Rxf5 Ba6 {is sounder, maintaining +the balance}) 25. d5 $1 Nc3 $1 {(the only defence, which I pointed out in +'Informator')} 26. Bxc3 $1 {White's chances are rather better:} Rxc3 ({or} +26... Bxc3 27. dxe6 Rc7 28. e7 Rxe7 29. Qxe7 Bxg2+ 30. Kg1 Bd4+ 31. Nf2 Bxf1 +32. Kxf1 Qf3 33. Qe2 Qf4 34. Kg2) 27. f6 Bxd5 28. Nh6+ Kh8 29. fxg7+ Kxg7 30. +Qg4+ Kh8 31. Nxf7+ Rxf7 32. Rxf7 Bxg2+ 33. Qxg2 Qxg2+ 34. Kxg2 Rxd3 35. Rc1 Kg8 +36. Rb7 {.}) (24. Nc4 Rc7 (24... Rc6 $5) ({the exchange sacrifice does not +promise full equality -} 24... Bxe4 25. Nb6 Bxd3 26. Qxd3 Qe4 27. Qxe4 Nxe4 28. +Nxc8 Rxc8 29. fxe6 fxe6 30. Rfc1 {etc.}) 25. e5 Nd5 (25... Ne4 26. Rbc1 $1) 26. +Nd6 a4 $1 {with the hope by accurate play of neutralising White's initiative}) +(24. fxe6 fxe6 25. d5 ({against Stohl's move} 25. Nc4 {there is the adequate +reply} Rc7 $1) ({in 'The Test of Time' I recommended the pressurising} 25. Rf4 +$5 {with the idea of} Bd6 {(Stohl)} ({or} 25... a4 26. Nc4) 26. Rh4 $1) 25... +exd5 26. Ng4 Nxg4 (26... Nxe4 $2 27. Nh6+) 27. Qxg4 Rc7 $1 (27... Rxf1+ $2 28. +Rxf1 Bc3 29. Bxc3 Rxc3 30. Qe6+ Kh8 31. Qe7 $1 Rc8 32. Rf7 dxe4 33. Bc4 $1 { +and wins}) 28. e5 {, and White has good compensation for the pawn, but after} +Qc8 29. e6 Ba6 $1 {nothing more is apparent. --- Thus it was possible to +calmly build up the pressure on Black's position. The impatient move in the +game allows him to repel the first wave of the attack.}) 24... exd5 {(3)} 25. +Ng4 Nxg4 {(4)} ({If} 25... Nxe4 $2 26. Bxe4 dxe4 {White would have won, not by +the 'Informator' line} 27. Nf6+ ({but by the accurate} 27. Nh6+ $1 Kh8 28. +Bxg7+ $1 Kxg7 29. f6+ Kxh6 (29... Kh8 30. Qg4) 30. Rf5 {with mate (Stohl)}) +27... Kh8 28. Qh5 $2 ({it is not yet too late for} 28. Qg4 $1 Rc7 ({or} 28... +Ba3 29. Ba1 Rc7 30. Qh3 h6 31. Ne8 {and wins}) 29. Ne8) 28... h6 29. Ng4 {in +view of} f6 30. Nxf6 e3 $1 {.}) 26. Qxg4 f6 $1 {(3) To be honest, I +overlooked this obvious, only reply, when I played 24 d5.} ({Now the thematic} +26... f6 27. e5 {encounters the simple reply} Bc3 $1 {, for example:} 28. e6 +Bxb2 29. Rxb2 Ba6 {with a sound position. And in seeking a way to win, after a +long think I decided to go in for extreme measures.}) 27. Bxf6 $3 {(44) By +sacrificing the bishop, White clears the way for his pawns, which become +formidably strong. 'White's attack can now be parried only by accurate defence, +which is difficult to find. The bishop sacrifice changes the character and the +tempo of the play, and above all - the value of every move is sharply +increased. This, in view of Akesson's lack of time for thought (he had just 35 +minutes left), was especially unpleasant for him.' (Nikitin)} Rxf6 28. e5 Rh6 +$2 {(16) Black promptly makes a mistake, moving his rook to the wrong square.} +({The best defence was offered by} 28... Rf7 29. f6 Rcf8 $1 {. Here - both at +the board, and in later analysis - I have been able to 'calculate' only as far +as a draw (such is the price of the impetuous 24 d5 breakthrough):} 30. -- (30. +Rf3 Bc8 $1 (30... Kh8 $2 31. Rh3 gxf6 32. Qg6 $1 {and wins}) ({it is also less +good to play} 30... d4 31. Rg3 $1 g6 32. Bxg6) ({or} 30... Qc8 31. Bf5 Qc4 32. +Bxh7+ $1 Kxh7 33. Qh5+ Kg8 34. Rh3 Rxf6 35. Qh7+ Kf7 36. exf6 Ke8 37. Qxg7 Qe4 +38. Rc1 d4 39. Rh4 $1 {, etc.}) 31. Qg5 $1 Qa7 $1 (31... Be6 32. Rg3 g6 {is +good enough for a draw}) ({as is} 31... Kh8 32. Rxb4 $1 gxf6 $1 33. Qh6 axb4 +34. Bxh7 Bg4 $3 35. Rxf6 $1 Bh5 $1) 32. Rbf1 $1 {, and White has good +compensation for the piece:} -- (32... g6 33. Qh6 Rd8 ({not} 33... Be6 34. Rg3 +Kh8 $6 35. Bxg6 Rd7 {(c7)} 36. h3 $1) ({or} 33... Kh8 34. Bxg6 Rg8 35. Bxf7 +Qxf7 36. Qe3 $1 {and the rook and pawn are at least as strong as the two +bishops}) 34. Bxg6 Bf8 35. Bxf7+ Qxf7 {(Petrosian)} 36. Qd2 $1 {.}) ({. If} +32... Be6) ({, or} 32... Qd4 {there is the drawing combination} 33. fxg7 Rxg7 +34. Rxf8+ Bxf8 35. Rxf8+ $1 Kxf8 36. Qd8+ {.}) (32... Qc7 33. Rc1 $1 ({but not +immediately} 33. Rf4 $2 g6 $1 34. Rh4 Be6 $1 35. h3 Kh8) 33... Qb7 34. Rf4 $1 +Kh8 (34... g6 35. Rh4) 35. fxg7+ Rxg7 36. Rxf8+ Bxf8 37. Qd8 Rf7 38. Qxc8 Qxc8 +39. Rxc8 {with a roughly equal endgame})) (30. Rf4 $1 {, a discovery by +Nikitin.} -- ({. Now} 30... Bc8 $2 {loses to} 31. Bxh7+ $1 Kxh7 32. Qh5+ Kg8 +33. Rh4 {.}) ({. This threat relieves White of any risk, for example:} 30... d4 +31. Rbf1 $1 (31. Rg1 {is also possible}) ({or else the immediate} 31. Bxh7+ +Kxh7 32. Qh5+ Kg8 33. Rh4 {with a draw}) 31... Kh8 32. Bxh7 Bxg2+ 33. Kg1 Bxf1 +34. Be4 $1 Qxe4 35. Rxe4 gxf6 36. Kxf1 fxe5+ 37. Ke2 {, and the black king is +in danger}) (30... Qc8 31. Bf5 $1 Qc7 32. Bxh7+ Kxh7 33. Qh5+ Kg8 34. Rh4 $1 +Rxf6 35. Qh7+ Kf7 36. exf6 Kxf6 37. Rhxb4 $1 axb4 38. Rf1+ Ke5 $1 39. Qh5+ $1 +Kd4 ({or} 39... Kd6 40. Qg6+ $1 Kc5 41. Rxf8) 40. Qd1+ Kc5 41. Rxf8 {, +remaining with the exchange for a pawn}) (30... Bd2 $5 31. Bxh7+ ({or the more +cunning} 31. Qh3 $5 h6 32. Qg3 $1 Ba6 $1 33. Bf5 ({not Nikitin's move} 33. Rg4 +{(?) because of} Bg5 $1 34. Bg6 Rb7) 33... Bc8 $1 34. Bd3 {with a draw}) 31... +Kxh7 32. Qh3+ $1 Kg8 33. fxg7 $1 ({Nikitin gives only} 33. Rh4 $2 Bh6 {when +Black wins}) 33... Rxg7 (33... Rxf4 34. Qh8+ {and gxf8Q+}) 34. Rh4 $1 Kf7 $1 +35. Qd7+ Kg8 36. Qh3 {with a draw.})) ({. The direct} 30. Bxh7+ $2 Kxh7 31. Rf5 +{is weak in view of} Bd2 $1 {. --- Of course, many of the given variations are +difficult to calculate (especially in time-trouble), and the move 28...Rh6? is +easy to explain. 'Akesson decided to conduct the defence on the basis of +common sense: in the first instance he defended his h7-point (and in some +cases, after e5-e6 and ...Qb8, Black can gain a tempo by threatening mate on +h2). I think that this would have been played by the majority of players, not +possessing a heightened sense of danger' (Nikitin). But my opponent +underestimated the consequences of the breakthrough by the white pawns.})) 29. +f6 Rc7 (29... Bf8 $6 30. e6 $1 Qb8 31. h3 {and wins.}) 30. e6 $1 {(4)} ({With +the seemingly tempting} 30. Rbc1 $2 {White would have lost his entire +advantage:} Rf7 $1 (30... Qd8) ({or} 30... Qb8 {is also not bad}) 31. Bf5 ({or +} 31. Qe6 Qb8 32. Bb5 Be7 $1) 31... d4 $1 32. Rf2 Kh8 {.}) 30... Qd8 $1 {(13) +After using almost all of his remaining time, Akesson found the only way of +parrying the direct threats - by giving up his rook for the two dangerous +pawns.} ({Other moves would quickly have led to a spectacular rout:} 30... Qf8 +$2 31. f7+ Kh8 32. Rxb4 $1 axb4 33. Qxb4 $1 {with a quick mate}) (30... Qb8 31. +Qg3 $1 {(threatening e6-e7)} Bd6 32. Qxd6 Rxf6 33. Bb5 $1 {(Stohl), and the +e-pawn decides matters}) (30... Kh8 31. Qg3 $1 d4 ({avoiding the mate after} +31... Qc8 32. Rbc1 $1 Bd6 33. fxg7+ Kg8 34. Qxd6 {- Stohl}) 32. Qxc7 Bxg2+ 33. +Kg1 gxf6 34. e7 Qg8 35. e8=Q Qxe8 36. Kxg2 {with an extra rook}) (30... Bc6 31. +e7 Rxe7 32. fxe7 Bxe7 33. Qf5 $1 Kh8 (33... Bd6 34. Rbc1 $1 Rxh2+ 35. Kg1 Rh6 +36. g3 $1) 34. Rf3 $1 Qe8 35. Qe5 $1 Bd6 36. Qxe8+ Bxe8 37. Rb8 Re6 38. Rd8 { +and Bb5, picking up the bishop.}) 31. e7 {(3)} Rxe7 32. fxe7 Qxe7 33. Rbc1 $1 { +Not allowing the opponent any respite, especially with him being in +time-trouble. The threat is Rc8+. --- The last critical position: is Black +able to save himself?} Qd8 $2 {(3) Now, however, things do not get as far as +an endgame.} ({Other 'simple' defences against the deadly check would also +have failed:} 33... Bc6 $2 34. Qc8+ Be8 35. Bb5 Re6 36. Rc7) ({or} 33... Rc6 $2 +34. Rxc6 Bxc6 35. Qh5 g6 36. Bxg6 {etc.}) (33... Rd6 {would also not have +helped:} 34. Qf4 $1 g6 (34... g5 35. Qf5 $1) 35. Bb5 $1 {(threatening Rc7 or +Rce1)} g5 36. Qg3 {and wins (Stohl).}) ({With his flag about to all, Akesson +failed to find the best reply} 33... Qe6 $1 {, leading to an endgame +favourable for White:} 34. Qxe6+ $1 ({after} 34. Bf5 $2 Qe5 35. h3 Bd6 {the +initiative is now with Black}) 34... Rxe6 35. Rc7 Re7 {, and here instead of +my previous variation} 36. Rxe7 ({White has the much stronger} 36. Rfc1 $1 Kf7 +$1 37. Rxe7+ Bxe7 38. Rc7 Ba8 39. Bxh7 {(Stohl)} Ke6 ({after} 39... a4 $2 40. +Rc8 $1 Bb7 41. Bg8+ Kf6 42. Rb8 {Black loses his bishop}) 40. Ra7 Bc6 41. Rxa5 +{with a technically won position}) 36... Bxe7 37. Bxh7+ Kxh7 38. Rf7 Bb4 39. +Rxb7 d4 40. Rd7 Bc3 41. Kg1 {, which is not altogether clear in view of} Bb2 $1 +{(intending ...a5-a4-a3)} 42. Ra7 Bc3 {intending ...d4-d3-d2.}) 34. Qf5 $1 Qb8 +({Avoiding the spectacular} 34... Bd6 35. Qf7+ Kh8 36. h3 $1 (36. Qxb7 Rxh2+ +37. Kg1 Rh1+ $1 {is not so clear - Stohl}) 36... Bc8 37. Rc7 $1 {.}) 35. Qf7+ +Kh8 36. Rc7 {. Times: 1.43-2.29. --- A fighting game! Nikitin: 'A genuine +victory for indomitable mind over matter. Already then by no means every +grandmaster could withstand the pressure of the young Kasparov. The two +players displayed exceptional ingenuity and produced a highly complicated +chess creation. The brilliance and freshness of their ideas were so attractive, +that Garry several times returned to an analysis of the mind-boggling events +which occurred on the board. Among those who took part in the analytical +searches were Petrosian and young candidate masters from the school I ran with +him. I also spent many hours trying to understand the intricate turning-points +of this wonderful chess spectacle.' --- After this win I at last took the sole +lead in the tournament - 5½ out of 6, a point ahead of my three closest +pursuers. Among them was the ambitious Tempone, with whom I was paired with +Black in the next round (see the following game).} 1-0 + +[Event "44: World Junior Championship, Dortmund"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1980.08.23"] +[Round "7"] +[White "Tempone, M."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "A38"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "86"] +[EventDate "1980.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 (2. b3 g6 3. Bb2 Bg7 4. c4 {- Game No.26.}) 2... g6 3. b3 ({ +In my youth I often encountered this 'venomous' set-up - my opponents also +played} 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. b3 d6 6. d4 e5 ({instead of} 6... c5 7. Bb2 +Nc6 8. d5 {, Nikolaevsky-Kasparov, Baku 1976}) 7. dxe5 dxe5 8. Bb2 e4 9. Ng5 +Bf5 {with equality (Kappe-Kasparov, Cagnes-sur-Mer 1977).}) 3... Bg7 4. Bb2 (4. +Bb2 {here theory promised Black equality after} d6 {and then at a convenient +moment ...e7-e5, but my experience had shown that all was not so simple: in my +game with Yusupov (Leningrad 1977) after} 5. d4 O-O 6. Bg2 e5 7. dxe5 Nfd7 8. +Nc3 Nxe5 9. Nxe5 Bxe5 10. O-O Nc6 11. Rb1 Be6 12. Qd2 Re8 13. Nd5 {I +definitely suffered. Therefore I devised and began employing another +development set-up, which proved to be quite a good rejoinder to the 'double +fianchetto'.}) 4... c5 {(7) With the intention of creating a strong centre by +5...d5. White prevents this.} ({If immediately} 4... d5 {, then} 5. c4 $1 {.}) +5. c4 d6 6. Bg2 {(2) The attempt also to prevent 6...e5, restricting the +bishop on b2, is dubious;} ({after} 6. d4 $6 {Black has the unpleasant} Ne4 $1 +{, for example:} 7. -- (7. Bg2 Qa5+ 8. Nfd2 Nxd2 9. Bc3 {, and here not the +dubious queen sacrifice} Nxb3 $6 ({but} 9... Qb6 $1 {(a move of the 1990s)} 10. +dxc5 Nxb1 $1 11. Bxg7 Qb4+ 12. Kf1 Rg8 13. Bb2 (13. Bh6 Na3 $1) 13... Nd2+ 14. +Kg1 Nxc4 15. Qd4 Na6 $1) 10. Bxa5 Nxa5 {(Psakhis-Magerramov, Baku 1978)}) ({. +Or} 7. Qc1 Qa5+ 8. Nbd2 Nxd2 ({but} 8... O-O $5 {deserves consideration}) 9. +Qxd2 Qxd2+ 10. Kxd2 Nc6 11. e3 Bg4 12. Be2 {, and White holds on +(Korchnoi-Kasparov, Paris (blitz) 1990).}) (7. Nfd2 $6 Ng5 $1 {.})) 6... e5 7. +O-O Nc6 8. Nc3 O-O {(two of my earlier games also reached this position)} 9. d3 +{(2)} ({In the event of} 9. e3 Bf5 $1 10. d4 $6 (10. d3 $1 {is better}) 10... +e4 $1 11. Ng5 Re8 12. dxc5 dxc5 13. Nb5 Re7 $1 {Black has a promising position +(Webb-Kasparov, Skara 1980).}) 9... Ne8 $5 {(2) An important link in the plan. +The knight is better placed at c7 than at f6: it clears the way for the f-pawn, +without losing control of the d5-point.} (9... Nh5 $6 10. Nd2 {is less good +for Black (Petrosian-Portisch, 9th match game, Palma de Mallorca 1974).}) 10. +Nd2 {(3)} (10. Qd2 Nc7 11. Ne1 Be6 12. Nd5 Qd7 13. e3 Rab8 {with equality +(Kharitonov-Kasparov, Moscow 1977). Tempone chooses a similar course, but is +unable to control comfortably the d5-point.}) 10... Nc7 {(5)} 11. e3 $6 {(13) +An inaccuracy.} ({The immediate} 11. Nd5 {is better (Gipslis-Ftacnik, Tallinn +1981)} Bg4 $5) ({or} 11. a3 {, trying to provoke either the weakening} a5 { +(Cvitan-Gallagher, Geneva 1994)} ({, or} 11... Be6 $6 12. b4 ({instead of} 12. +Nd5 Qd7 {with equality}) 12... cxb4 13. axb4 Nxb4 14. Bxb7 {with the initiative +}) ({, and therefore} 11... Bg4 $1 12. h3 Be6 {is correct.})) 11... Be6 {(3)} +12. Rc1 {(28)} ({White is forced to prevent the freeing advance ...d6-d5 in +this artificial way: if} 12. Nd5 $2 {, then} Bxd5 13. cxd5 Nb4 {, winning a +pawn.}) 12... Qd7 {(5)} 13. Re1 {(2) Not an essential move - White values his +g2-bishop too highly.} ({He should have considered, for instance,} 13. Nde4 h6 +14. f4 exf4 15. gxf4 f5 16. Nf2 {(g3), although here too Black has a +comfortable game.}) 13... Rad8 {(25) In choosing from several attractive +continuations, I decided in the first instance to complete my mobilisation and +intensify the threat of ...d6-d5.} 14. Nde4 {(10) White is already in some +difficulties.} ({It is obvious that the variation} 14. a3 d5 15. cxd5 Nxd5 16. +Nxd5 $6 ({the lesser evil is} 16. Nce4 b6) 16... Bxd5 17. Rxc5 (17. Ne4 $6 b6 { +and ...f7-f5}) 17... Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Qxd3 {cannot satisfy him.}) 14... h6 {(2)} +15. f4 f5 {(6)} 16. Nf2 exf4 {(2)} 17. gxf4 {One of the critical positions in +the game.} Qf7 $6 {By beginning preparations for ...g6-g5, Black deviates from +the correct course - play in the centre.} ({Nothing was promised either by the +immediate} 17... d5 {in view of} 18. cxd5 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 Bxb2 20. Rxc5 Ba3 21. +b4 $1 Nxb4 22. Rc7 $1 ({my earlier recommendation} 22. Ra5 {is less good +because of} Nxd5 23. Rxa3 b6) 22... Qd6 23. Qa1 $1 Rd7 24. Rxd7 Bxd7 25. Qe5 { +with equality}) ({or by the immediate} 17... g5 18. Qd2 $1 ({the exchange} 18. +fxg5 hxg5 {would increase White's problems.})) ({However, the prophylactic} +17... b6 $1 {would have given Black very promising play, for example:} 18. Qd2 +d5 19. cxd5 (19. Ne2 Rfe8 ({or} 19... d4 $1)) 19... Nxd5 20. Nxd5 Bxd5 21. Bxg7 +Qxg7 22. Bxd5+ Rxd5 {, intending ...g6-g5.}) 18. Qd2 g5 {(2) It was safer to +'stand still'. Underestimating the opponent's possibilities, I made a series +of routine and largely weak moves (perhaps the psychological tiredness told +after the difficult game with Akesson), and step by step the situation changed +in White's favour.} 19. Ne2 {(2)} (19. d4 {looks more energetic, and if} d5 { +, then} 20. cxd5 Nxd5 21. fxg5 hxg5 22. Nh3 $1 cxd4 23. exd4 {, emphasising +what a risky venture ...g6-g5 was. But Tempone preferred to take control of +the f4-point and exchange the dark-square bishops. After consolidating in the +centre, White has achieved a flexible position. Now the opening of the +kingside may rebound on Black: his king's defences are less secure.}) 19... d5 +{(18) Black does not sense the danger, although he already needs to be +cautious.} ({Thus after the 'Informator' suggestion} 19... Ne8 $6 {White has +the awkward} 20. d4 $1 {.}) ({If I had been aiming only for a draw, I would +possibly have played} 19... Bxb2 20. Qxb2 Qg7 {.}) 20. Bxg7 {(6)} Qxg7 21. Kh1 +{(4) Here I at last examined the situation critically, and I drew some painful +conclusions.} ({It is sensible to avoid the complications after} 21. cxd5 $6 +Bxd5 22. fxg5 ({or} 22. Rxc5 Bxg2 23. Kxg2 gxf4+ 24. Kh1 Qe7) 22... Ne5 $1 {.}) +({In 'Informator' and then in 'The Test of Time' I recommended} 21. Ng3 {with +the cooperative variation} gxf4 {(?)} ({but after the calm} 21... b6 {there is +nothing terrible for Black}) 22. Nh5 fxe3 {(?)} 23. Rxe3 {and wins.}) 21... +dxc4 $6 {(20) It seemed to me that, because of the poor placing of his pieces +and the vulnerability of his centre, Black's position was already difficult, +and after prolonged thought I decided that the course of events could only be +changed by the rapid return of the knight to f6. To carry out this idea I was +forced to weaken my queenside and concede the centre, but I considered that +the creation of counterplay on the kingside (instead of temporising, and +manoeuvring) was the most important task.} ({Meanwhile, both} 21... b6) ({and} +21... Qe7) ({or perhaps even} 21... Kh8 $5 {(} 22. fxg5 hxg5 23. cxd5 Bxd5 24. +Rxc5 Bxg2+ 25. Kxg2 Ne6 {with counterplay worth a pawn) would still have +enabled Black to maintain approximate equality.}) 22. bxc4 Ne8 $6 {From f6 the +knight will take control of the central squares, forestall the unpleasant +manoeuvre Ng3-h5 - and take part in the spectacular finish to the game!} ({But +the patient} 22... Rd6 23. Rg1 g4 {was objectively better}) ({or even} 22... +Bc8 23. Bxc6 (23. Rg1 Qf6) 23... bxc6 24. Ng1 Ne6 25. Nf3 Kh7 26. Rg1 Qf6 {and +...Rg8, although I did not like the 'brittle nature' of Black's pawn structure +and this all looked rather suspicious.}) 23. Qc3 $6 {(4)} ({The unexpected} 23. +fxg5 $1 hxg5 24. Nf4 $1 {was far stronger, for example:} Bd7 (24... gxf4 $6 25. +Bxc6 $1 Kf7 $1 26. exf4 $1 bxc6 27. Nh3 {with a powerful attack}) 25. Bd5+ Kh7 +(25... Kh8 26. Rg1 Nf6 27. Rg3 ({or} 27. Qb2 $5)) 26. Rg1 {with the initiative: +} Nf6 ({or} 26... Nc7 27. Rg3 g4 28. h3) 27. h4 $1 g4 28. N2h3 {.}) 23... Nf6 { +(6)} ({I was continuing to play for a win, and I did not even contemplate the +depressing} 23... Qxc3 24. Rxc3 Bd7 25. d4 $1 {.}) 24. d4 {(4) White does not +stand still - his chances are now better, and energetic measures are required +of Black to create counterplay.} Bc8 ({Previously I suggested} 24... Ne7 {(?!)} +25. -- ({, with the idea of} 25. Bxb7 Ned5 $1 26. Bxd5 Nxd5 27. cxd5 $2 ({but +after} 27. Qd3 $1 {Black still has to demonstrate that he has sufficient +compensation for the pawn}) 27... Bxd5+ 28. e4 fxe4 {and wins}) ({. Moreover, +in the variation} 25. d5 {(25 Qa3!?)} Bc8 {(?!)} 26. Qa3 Ng6 {I considered only +} 27. Qxc5 {(?)} ({although after} 27. Qxa7 $1 {White is a sound pawn to the +good}) 27... Nh4 28. Rg1 b6 29. Qd4 ({or} 29. Qb4 Rde8 {'with fair +counter-chances'}) 29... b5 $1)) ({The computer insistently recommends} 24... +Nb4 25. Ra1 (25. Qd2 $5) 25... Bc8 26. a3 Na6 {, but it is hard for a human +player to play his knight to such a 'bad' square, especially as after} 27. d5 ( +{or} 27. Nd3 {all the same Black does not have equality.})) 25. Rcd1 $2 {(10) +Losing the greater part of his advantage.} ({I thought that the strongest was} +25. dxc5 {(?!) with the idea of} Ne7 ({or} 25... Nd7 26. Qa3 Qe7 27. Nd3) ({ +but after} 25... Qe7 $1 26. Nd4 Qxc5 {Black would have extricated himself:} 27. +Nd3 Qa5 28. Nxc6 Qxc3 29. Rxc3 bxc6 30. Bxc6 Ne4 $1 31. Bxe4 fxe4 32. Ne5 Rd2 +33. Ra3 Rfd8 {with equality}) 26. Rcd1 Ng6 27. Rd6 $1) ({Therefore} 25. d5 $1 { +was correct:} Nb4 (25... Ne7 $6 26. Qa5 Ng6 27. Qxa7 {can hardly be correct}) +26. Qb3 {with the better prospects. --- However, Tempone did not want to part +with his fine 'hanging' centre and, after making his move, he unexpectedly +offered a draw. I stopped to think and while realising that for the moment +Black had no real grounds for optimism, I nevertheless decided to take a risk.} +) 25... cxd4 {(7)} 26. exd4 {(2)} ({It was this natural move that I was +counting on, assuming that} 26. Nxd4 {would have been better for White. +However, even here after} Nxd4 27. exd4 Rfe8 {he does not have anything at all +serious. --- By taking with the pawn, Tempone was hoping for d4-d5 followed by +Nd4, when Black does not have even have a hint of any counterplay. But at this +moment my opponent's pleasant thoughts were interrupted by a manoeuvre which +abruptly changed the evaluation of the position.}) 26... Ne7 $1 {The most +interesting stage begins. The manoeuvre of the knight to h4 may cause White +serious problems: one of his most important pieces - the bishop on g2 - will +be under attack.} 27. d5 {(8)} ({Prophylactic measures (such as} 27. Qc1 $1 { +, hindering ...Ng6) should have been considered, but Tempone does not display +any signs of disquiet.}) 27... Ng6 28. Nd3 $6 {(8) White is already finding +some difficulty in choosing his moves.} ({The black pawns would have become +dangerously active in the event of} 28. fxg5 hxg5 29. d6 (29. Nh3 $2 Qh6 $1) +29... f4 30. c5 Rde8 31. Nd4 g4 {.}) ({But if Tempone had foreseen the coming +events he would probably have played} 28. a4 {.}) 28... Nh4 {The black knights +are positioned menacingly close to the white king's residence, and Black only +needs to bring into play his last reserve - the bishop on c8.} 29. Rg1 $2 {Not +an obvious mistake, but apparently the decisive one.} (29. Nd4) ({or} 29. Rb1 { +was essential, although in both cases after} Rfe8 {the initiative is with +Black.}) 29... b5 $1 {The triumph of Black's plan! The white centre collapses, +and Black's minor pieces, which for a long time were huddled together in their +own camp, become fearfully strong.} 30. Ne5 {(4)} (30. cxb5 {was hardly any +more resilient:} Nxg2 (30... Rfe8 $5) 31. Rxg2 Nxd5 32. Qxg7+ (32. Qb3 Be6 $1) +32... Kxg7 33. Rg3 (33. Nc5 Ne3) 33... Rfe8 34. Ne5 Bb7 35. Nc6 Nc7 $1 36. Rxd8 +Rxd8 37. a4 Rd2 {with a won ending.}) 30... bxc4 {(2)} 31. Qxc4 Bb7 {(9)} 32. +d6+ {(9) Equivalent to capitulation, but what else was there?} (32. Nd4 {is +bad:} Nxg2 33. Nxf5 Qh7 $1 34. Nxh6+ Kh8 $1 35. Rxg2 Rxd5 {and wins.}) ({White +would also have lost, although not so quickly, after} 32. Qb3 Kh8) ({or} 32. +Nc3 Rc8 33. Qb3 Kh8 {.}) 32... Kh7 {(3)} (32... Kh8 $5 {was tempting, since if} +33. Bxb7 Qxb7+ 34. Qc6 {there was the spectacular zwischenzug} Ne4 $1 {. Here} +35. Rge1 {seemed unclear to me, but after} Qg7 $1 {White would have been +unable to save the game:} 36. Qc7 Nf2+ 37. Kg1 Nxd1 38. Qxg7+ Kxg7 39. Rxd1 +Rfe8 {(f6) etc.}) 33. Bxb7 Qxb7+ 34. Qc6 Qxc6+ 35. Nxc6 Ne4 $1 {By creating a +rare mating construction, Black picks up the d6-pawn.} 36. Rgf1 ({The last +chance was} 36. Rge1 $5 -- ({, this would have justified itself after} 36... +Rc8 $2 37. Ned4 $1 ({but not the earlier suggestion} 37. d7 $2 Rxc6 38. d8=Q +Rxd8 39. Rxd8 Rc2 $1 40. Nd4 Rg2 $1 {and wins}) 37... Nf2+ (37... Nxd6 $2 38. +Ne6 $1) 38. Kg1 Nxd1 39. Rxd1 Nf3+ 40. Nxf3 Rxc6 41. Ne5 {, and the d-pawn +will cost the rook}) ({, or} 36... Nf2+ $6 {(for the moment there is no need +to exchange such a powerful knight for the passive rook)} 37. Kg1 Nxd1 38. Rxd1 +) ({, but after} 36... Rxd6 $1 37. Rxd6 Nxd6 38. Ned4 Ne4 ({or} 38... Rf7 { +Black would have retained an obvious advantage.}))) 36... Rxd6 ({(here too} +36... Rc8 $2 {was weak:} 37. Ned4 $1 Nxd6 38. Ne6 {)}) 37. Rxd6 Nxd6 38. fxg5 +hxg5 39. Rd1 Re8 $1 {A pretty rook manoeuvre. The retreat of the knight would +have given White some chances, but Black does not even think of moving it, and +he continues his attack.} 40. Ned4 Re3 $1 41. Kg1 {(3)} Ne4 {The black pieces +(especially the knights!) have taken up dominating positions, and have created +an unusual cage around the white king. Now the win is achieved either by +transferring the rook to the 2nd rank, or by advancing the f- and g-pawns.} 42. +Rb1 {(9)} Rd3 {(2)} 43. a4 Rd2 {. Times: 2.35-2.19. --- After beating Tempone +I reached 6½ out of 7 and stretched my lead to one and a half points. +Although there was still nearly half of the tournament to come, the destiny of +first place was practically decided. --- The only player not to reconcile +himself to this was Akesson: in the 8th and 9th rounds he scored two wins and +reduced the gap to the minimum, since I made two draws. But in the 10th and +11th rounds our paths conclusively diverged: Ralf faded, losing to Short and +Morovic, whereas I crushed Hjorth and won a textbook ending against Danailov. +--- At the end I made two more draws and finished first, one and a half points +ahead of the silver medal winner Short. Five years later Nigel said that he +still remembered the impression that I made on him across the board (we played +a draw in the 9th round): 'I have never faced such an intense player, never +felt such energy and concentration, such will and desire to win burning across +the board from me.'} (43... -- {Incidentally, in our preparations for the +tournament my trainers and I considered Short to be one of my main rivals and +we carefully analysed his games. At the age of 12 Nigel became the +youngest-ever participant in the adult British Championship, at 14 he shared +1st-3rd places in it, and then also 1st-2nd places in the World Cadet +Championship (conceding the title to Tempone only on the tie-break). Some +English chess commentators even predicted that the then youngest international +master would be a future adult world champion. In Dortmund, initially Short +was pretty lucky on a couple of occasions, but then he warmed up and showed +that he did indeed possess great chess potential. --- Bykhovsky: 'Before the +championship it was said that Kasparov should not take part in it, since the +player from Baku was obviously stronger than his opponents. Now it can +definitely be said (and Garik himself is of the same opinion) that the +tournament was useful for him. And it is not just that Kasparov's name has now +joined the ranks of the "chess princes". It was important to rid himself of +the complex arising from his not so successful performances in the world cadet +championships. Those failures are now not so bitter. In the creative respect +too the tournament was instructive - Kasparov's strengths became clearer, and +deficiencies came to light, on the elimination of which he needs to work. The +young grandmaster has all the attributes to be one of the top chess players in +the world: talent, capacity for work, and sense of purpose. But for great +victories you also need strength of character. Whether Garik can develop this +will be decided in the next few years.' --- Nikitin: 'Kasparov's superiority +was enormous. At times it appeared that he was playing a different kind of +chess, of which his contemporaries were not yet capable. The chess world +realised that the new chess prince was on course for the chess summit. At the +time grandmaster Hort wrote: "Of the well-known players, the only one who can +realistically threaten Karpov is Kasparov, and that within a few years when he +gains experience of participating in top-level international events." To +questions about his long-term plans, Garry himself would avoid these with +pre-determined protestations that he only planned one year ahead.'}) (43... -- +{And, indeed, in one of the interviews in September 1980, to the question 'do +you believe that at some point you will contest a match for the world crown +with Anatoly Karpov - in a match which the world is awaiting?', I replied as +follows: 'Alas, such a possibility lies beyond the range of my foresight. +Serious obsessions rarely come true. Let us see how things go, how +circumstances turn out. Too many obstacles still need to be overcome, and +besides my play depends on a mass of factors - form, mood and the weather. In +a couple of years, if all goes well in the Interzonal, it will be worth +returning to this question.' --- I was also asked if I would play in the +following world junior championships. I replied: 'It is tempting to play once +more and, if I am successful, to become the first two-times champion. But I +think that this tournament was my last one in junior chess. I don't want to +give up, but it would appear that this stage has come to an end...' --- Now I +was the chess prince! I was overjoyed. My relatives and trainers were happy, +as were my school teachers and my former class-mates. It is probable that +Botvinnik was also happy, although he was terribly angry that I had disobeyed +him, and for a time we weren't even on speaking terms. But then my mother had +a word with his wife Gayane Davidovna, and relations gradually returned to +normal.}) 0-1 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Olympiad Debut"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2009.12.07"] + +{24th World Chess Olympiad (Malta, 20th November-7th December 1980): 1. USSR +and 2. Hungary - 39 out of 56; 3. Yugoslavia - 35; 4. USA - 34; 5. +Czechoslovakia - 33; 6-7. Poland and England - 32½; etc. (altogether - 82 +teams). This difficult Olympiad gold was procured by Karpov (9/12), +Polugayevsky (3/7), Tal (3½/6), Geller (6½/9), reserves Balashov (7½/10) +and Kasparov (9½/12).} 1. -- {That remarkable 'gold' year concluded for me +with the Olympiad in Malta, the first in my career. 'Which of our grandmasters +does not dream of becoming one of the cherished six Olympiad players!' I +declared two months before this in an interview. --- Nikitin: 'The place +allotted to the novice in the country's main team was the most modest one, but +the youngster was happy and proud. Before this so important appearance, for +the first time we were able to hold a training session in a government +sanatorium in Zagulba - a small resort 40 km from Baku. Starting from that +time, for ten years Zagulba became Kasparov's training base. The wonderful +sandy beaches of the Caspian Sea, the shady avenues in the parks, the general +stillness - all this helped us to prepare for the most serious chess battles.' +--- This is from the notebook of Rimma Bilunova, the trainer of the USSR +women's team (she was entrusted with looking after the youngest players - Maya +Chiburdanidze and me): 'Rome, en route to Malta, 16th November. The most +interesting member of our team is, of course, Garik Kasparov. For all his +chess virtues, he is also a very interesting person. You only need to excite +him a little, and he pours forth poetry, stories, and interesting lectures on +the most varied topics. For the women's team he is the general favourite, +entertainer and saviour during the tiresome bustle of travelling. Today I +would define his essence as follows: passion itself, in the very best sense of +the word. Also interesting are Maya Chiburdanidze and the beauty Nana +Alexandria, and the matron-like Nona Gaprindashvili, but Garik is our treasure, +our sparkle, our joy. The other members of the men's and women's teams are +just people. But during these two days, for me Garik has proved even more +striking than Rome, the Vatican and the Coliseum.'} (1. -- {Malta is a +beautiful island, of course, but playing there was very difficult: apart from +the weight of responsibility, I was also oppressed by the unusual living +conditions. For instance, to have dinner you had to stand in a queue for +something like an hour and a half. We played in the old castle of the Maltese +Order, in a gallery 200 meters long by 14 meters wide, along which were +arranged the chess tables, with a narrow corridor in the middle for spectators +(who by no means always kept quiet). The rounds, and there were 14 of them, +took place from 15.00 to 20.00, with adjournments from 22.00 to 24.00 and, if +necessary, the following morning. --- The main intrigue of the men's Olympiad +was whether the strong Hungarian team would repeat its sensational success of +two years earlier, when it displaced the invariable champions - the USSR team +- from the top of the pedestal. True, on that occasion Karpov and Tal, resting +after the exhausting match in Baguio, were not playing... Now they were, as +well as two 'dark horses' - debutants Balashov and Kasparov. Of course, we +both did our utmost to justify the hopes placed in us, especially since not +all the team was in good form and the tournament race proved exceptionally +difficult.}) (1. -- {For the starting match with Venezuela the Soviet team +fielded its main line-up - Karpov, Polugayevsky, Tal and Geller. It is +incredible, but true: this stellar quartet achieved only a 2½-1½ score +(Karpov won). But the Hungarians crushed the Scots 4-0, and a further 18 +matches ended this way! From the 2nd round Balashov and I successfully joined +the battle, and our team confidently defeated the Greeks and the Austrians +(both 3½-½). However, the Hungarians also did not slow down, overcoming +the Norwegians (3½-½) and the Swedes (3-1). --- In the 4th round the USSR +team met the Yugoslavs, who were always among the contenders for the medals. +Our opponents did their utmost not to lose the match - and they achieved three +draws, but they were unable to implement their plan in full.}) * + +[Event "45: World Chess Olympiad, Malta"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1980.11.23"] +[Round "4"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Marjanovic, S."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "E17"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "45"] +[EventDate "1980.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 {(6)} ({As I have already said, at that +time I had a temporary crisis in the} 4. a3 {variation, and I began adopting 4 +g3 (which came in useful later in my matches with Karpov).}) 4... Bb7 5. Bg2 +Be7 6. O-O (6. Nc3 Ne4 7. Bd2 {- Game No.46.}) 6... O-O 7. d5 $5 {(2) A pawn +sacrifice, which came into fashion three months before the Olympiad - after +Polugayevsky's fine win in the 12th game of his Candidates match with Korchnoi +(1980).} ({The usual} 7. Nc3 Ne4 {is far more modest.}) 7... exd5 8. Nh4 $1 { +A fresh idea, leading to sharp positions, in which the character of the play +was to my liking and seemed favourable for White.} ({The earlier move} 8. Nd4 { +went out of use after} Bc6 $1 9. cxd5 Bxd5 {(Polugayevsky-Korchnoi, 8th match +game, Buenos Aires 1980).}) 8... c6 ({In the event of} 8... Ne4 9. cxd5 Nd6 ({ +or} 9... Bxh4 10. Bxe4 Bf6 11. Qc2 {(Gheorghiu-Unzicker, Wijk aan Zee 1981) +White retains somewhat the better chances}) 10. Nf3 {(as in the source game +Guimard-Pilnik, La Plata 1944).}) 9. cxd5 Nxd5 ({If} 9... cxd5 {, then} 10. Nc3 +Na6 11. Nf5 Nc7 12. Bf4 {with some advantage (Beliavsky-Spassky, Baden 1980).}) +10. Nf5 Nc7 {(2) A sound reply.} ({The sensational Polugayevsky-Korchnoi game +went} 10... Bc5 $6 11. e4 Ne7 ({Black still has problems after} 11... Qf6 12. +Nxg7 Kxg7 13. exd5 Ba6 14. Bd2 $1 {, Dorfman-G.Kuzmin, Tashkent 1980}) 12. Nxg7 +$1 Kxg7 13. b4 Bxb4 14. Qd4+ f6 15. Qxb4 {, and White scored a spectacular win +(Game No.27 in Volume III of 'My Great Predecessors').}) ({And after} 10... Nf6 +11. e4 d5 12. Nc3 dxe4 {(Polugayevsky-Stean, Olympiad, Malta 1980)} 13. Nxe4 $1 +{with the threat of Bg5 is good.}) 11. Nc3 (11. e4 d5 ({and} 11... d6 {seemed +better to me, and therefore I considered 11 Nc3 to be more accurate (as played +by Sveshnikov - cf. the following note)}) 12. Re1 {is currently popular.}) +11... d5 {(6)} ({White is better after} 11... d6 12. Bf4 Ne8 13. Qd2 Na6 14. +Rfd1 {(Sveshnikov-Platonov, Tashkent 1980)}) ({or} 11... Ne8 12. Bf4 Na6 13. +Qd2 d5 (13... Nc5 14. Rad1) 14. e4 Nac7 15. Rad1 Bf6 {, and now not} 16. exd5 ( +{but} 16. Qc2 $5) ({or} 16. Rfe1 $5 {with a very promising game}) 16... Nxd5 +17. Nxd5 cxd5 18. Ne3 Nc7 19. Bxc7 Qxc7 {with a draw in view of} 20. Nxd5 Bxd5 +{(Timman-Karpov, Tilburg 1983).}) 12. e4 {By transposition a position from the +8 Nd4 variation has been reached (Razuvaev-Makarychev, 46th USSR Championship, +Tbilisi 1978).} Bf6 {(39) After lengthy hesitation Marjanovic follows in the +footsteps of Makarychev.} ({If} 12... dxe4 $6 13. Bxe4 {White has strong +pressure.}) ({In the game Kishnyov-Kholmov (Jurmala 1981) Black immediately +returned the pawn -} 12... Nd7 13. exd5 ({but} 13. Re1 $1 {was better}) 13... +Nxd5 14. Nxd5 cxd5 15. Bxd5 Bxd5 16. Qxd5 {and soon equalised. --- The theory +of this variation was only just making its first steps, and so it is not +surprising that both players spent a long time in thought.}) 13. exd5 {(51) +Here is the improvement.} ({Razuvaev tried} 13. Qg4 {, and after} Nd7 { +(intending ...Ne5)} 14. f4 $6 g6 15. Nh6+ Kh8 16. e5 Bg7 {he did not gain +sufficient compensation for the pawn.}) ({But} 13. Bf4 $5 {came into +consideration (Hort-H.Olafsson, Buenos Aires 1980) - as I played in the 2nd +game of my first match with Karpov (Moscow 1984/85) and, although I +encountered the novelty} Bc8 $1 14. g4 $5 Nba6 {(Game No.6 in 'Kasparov vs. +Karpov 1975-1985'), I killed my opponent's desire for 4...Bb7: he then +switched to 4...Ba6.}) 13... cxd5 {(5)} ({After} 13... Nxd5 14. Nxd5 cxd5 {I +was intending to regain the pawn -} 15. Ne3 {and Nxd5,} ({but} 15. Bf4 $5 {is +interesting (Shirov-Adams, 4th match game, Elista 2007). Not surprisingly, +Marjanovic prefers to keep the extra material, especially since for the moment +no particular dangers for Black are apparent.})) 14. Bf4 {(7)} Nba6 15. Re1 { +(20) The most natural developing move;} ({which since then has occurred three +times more often than the alternative} 15. Rc1 {.}) 15... Qd7 $5 {(15) A +perfectly acceptable reply, but not the only one.} ({Initially} 15... Nc5 { +seemed better, but before the 1984/85 match we discovered that after} 16. Bd6 +Re8 17. Rxe8+ Nxe8 18. Bxc5 (18. Bxd5 $5 {is also very interesting}) 18... bxc5 +19. Nxd5 Rb8 20. Nxf6+ Qxf6 21. Bxb7 Qxf5 (21... Rxb7 $2 {is bad in view of} +22. Qd5 $1 Rxb2 $2 23. Re1 Rb8 24. Ne7+ {and Nc6}) 22. Qd5 $1 Qxd5 23. Bxd5 +Rxb2 24. Rc1 {Black has an unpleasant endgame: the white bishop is clearly +stronger than the knight.}) ({However, neither after} 15... Bc8 $5 16. Nd6 (16. +Nd4 Bb7) 16... Bxc3 17. bxc3 Be6 {, nor after the move in the game were we +able to devise anything promising, and in 1984 I rejected 13 exd5.}) 16. Bh3 $1 +{(10)} ({There is little point in playing} 16. Qg4 {in view of} Bc8 $1 17. Re5 +(17. Ne7+ $2 Qxe7) 17... Bxe5 (17... Kh8 $5) 18. Bxe5 f6 19. Bxc7 Nxc7 20. Nxd5 +Kh8 21. Nxc7 Qxc7 22. Bxa8 Bxf5 23. Qxf5 Rxa8 {with equality.}) 16... Kh8 $2 { +(12) A fatal mistake: the opponent 'loses control'.} (16... Qc6 $2 {was bad:} +17. Rc1 {(threatening Ne4)} Nc5 18. Be5 $1 Rfe8 (18... d4 19. Ne4) 19. Nd4 {, +and the queen is lost.}) ({But if Marjanovic had had the sense to move his +queen back -} 16... Qd8 $1 {, the battle would only just have been beginning:} +17. Rc1 ({or} 17. Qg4 Bc8 18. Qf3 Be6) 17... d4 18. Ne4 Bxe4 19. Rxe4 Ne6 20. +Bd6 Re8 {, maintaining the balance.}) 17. Ne4 $1 {Now White's attack develops +unhindered.} Bxb2 {(14) Was there a better defence?} ({Hardly:} 17... Rae8 18. +Nxf6 Rxe1+ 19. Qxe1 gxf6 20. Bd6 Rg8 21. Qe7 Qxe7 22. Bxe7 Rb8 (22... Rg6 23. +Nd6) 23. Bxf6+ Kg8 24. Re1 Ne6 25. Bg2 {and wins.}) 18. Ng5 $1 {(3) The +concentration of white pieces on the kingside clearly exceeds the black king's +defensive possibilities. --- When I was showing the game to my team colleagues +that evening, I emotionally exclaimed: 'Look, all his pieces are on the +queenside, whereas mine are on the kingside, but that's where his king also +is!' This was also the theme of my junior game with Privorotsky (Game No.7) +and it occurred many times in my later games, for example: Kasparov-Yurtaev +(Moscow 1977), S.Garcia-Kasparov (Baku 1980), or the 6th game of my first +match with Karpov (Game No.94).} Qc6 {(15)} ({If} 18... Ne6 {White would have +won with both the simple} 19. Nd6 ({and the combinative} 19. Nxg7 $1 Kxg7 20. +Qh5 {etc.})) 19. Ne7 {(2)} Qf6 {(2)} 20. Nxh7 $1 Qd4 {(4)} 21. Qh5 g6 22. Qh4 +Bxa1 {(8) Instead of resigning, Marjanovic unexpectedly removed my queen's +rook - the only white piece which was spoiling the overall picture, by not +participating in the play. I breathed a sigh of relief: this negligent rook +was getting on my nerves.} 23. Nf6+ ({Black resigned in view of} 23. Nf6+ Kg7 +24. Qh6+ Kxf6 25. Bg5# {. Times: 1.50-2.10.}) (23. -- {This game was later +named one of the most brilliant in the Olympiad. We won the match 2½-1½, +but by the same score the Hungarians defeated Israel. --- In the 5th round +match with Bulgaria I was involved in an unfortunate incident. Playing Black +against Krum Georgiev, I chose a sharp tactical variation of the Sicilian +Defence (Karpov: 'We advised him against doing this: in a quiet technical +battle Kasparov would have had more chances'), but my opponent found a 'hole' +in it.}) (23. -- {Roshal: 'The round lasted longer than usual, because a crowd +gathered around the board of Garry Kasparov and Krum Georgiev, disturbing the +other games (the English even made a protest), and the clocks on the +neighbouring boards had to be stopped. After gaining a big advantage in a +forcing variation, the Bulgarian master grew nervous in anticipation of +victory and he unexpectedly committed, as chess players say, a "fingerfehler" +- he picked up the wrong piece. Chaos ensued.' --- Indeed, on the 21st move +Georgiev wanted to regain the piece by Bg5xe7 and only then capture the +d6-pawn, but instead of this he immediately touched my d6-pawn, after which he +should have taken it with his rook - and promptly resigned. But Krum did not +do this: he quickly took his hand off the d6-pawn and played Bxe7. Karpov, who +was playing on a neighbouring board, later recalled: 'Kasparov rightly +demanded: touch - move! Georgiev denied it. A row broke out. Although there +were no witnesses, the Bulgarian team unanimously took the side of their +compatriot: one would think that they had all been looking only at this board. +But I was in fact looking to one side and I saw nearly everything (besides, +Georgiev is a poor actor - he sat hunched and uncomfortable, but on sensing +support he gradually straightened up), but I was an interested witness, and a +neutral one was demanded. I repeat: there weren't any. And suddenly +grandmaster Kirov brought up the Brazilian Lucena, the president of the +Central American Zone. Here, he said, is a neutral witness who saw everything. +And Lucena, without batting an eyelid, stated: yes, I saw everything; Kasparov +is wrong. But I saw that at the moment when the rules were violated Lucena was +a long way away and he could not have seen anything!'}) (23. -- {To be honest, +I did not remember who testified in my opponent's favour, but to make a +correct judgement on the situation it wasn't necessary to have any witnesses: +it was sufficient to look at Georgiev himself - it was all written all over +his face! Roshal: 'After lengthy discussions, Lothar Schmid, the chief arbiter +of the Olympiad, let this mistake go unpunished. In my view, the Soviet team +acted with tact and magnanimity, but it protested against this decision by the +arbiter.' And this despite the poor start and problems in every match... After +a lengthy, but, alas, hopeless resistance I lost. --- Fortunately, Tal crushed +Radulov, and the match ended in a 2-2 draw. But the Hungarian grandmasters +defeated USA 3-1 and increased their lead over the USSR team to two points. +--- After this set-back, Baturinsky, the leader of the Soviet delegation, did +not want to play me in the 6th-round match against the Dutch, but I was eager +to get even. Then Karpov said that I should play - and he was proved right.}) +1-0 + +[Event "46: World Chess Olympiad, Malta"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1980.11.26"] +[Round "6"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Ligterink, G."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "E18"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "47"] +[EventDate "1980.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 {(7)} Bb7 ({Ligterink usually used to employ +} 4... Ba6 {- in the 8th round Speelman played this against me, and after} 5. +Nbd2 ({later I switched to} 5. b3) 5... Bb4 6. Qb3 Nc6 $6 7. d5 Bxd2+ 8. Bxd2 +Ne7 9. Bc3 {White seized the initiative.}) 5. Bg2 Be7 6. Nc3 {(12)} ({It would +appear that my opponent wanted to repeat some position from my game with +Marjanovic (} 6. O-O O-O 7. d5 $5 {- Game No.45), and so I chose a different +path.}) 6... Ne4 7. Bd2 {A quiet, positional set-up, new for me, which that +day I played simply by intuition.} Bf6 8. O-O {(2)} ({An alternative is} 8. Qc2 +{(Game No.99 in Volume V of 'My Great Predecessors').}) ({And soon an unclear +gambit also appeared:} 8. Rc1 Bxd4 $1 9. Nxd4 $1 Nxc3 10. Bxb7 Nxd1 11. Rxd1 e5 +({or} 11... c6 12. Bf4 O-O 13. Bd6 Re8 14. Bxa8 Qc8 $1 {(Karpov-Salov, +Rotterdam 1989)}) 12. Nf5 g6 13. Ng7+ Ke7 {(Yusupov-Andrianov, Moscow 1981).}) +8... O-O 9. Rc1 c5 ({To me this line seems strategically risky, as is} 9... d6 +10. d5 Nxc3 ({or} 10... Nxd2 11. Nxd2 $1 {(Rashkovsky-Leibovich, Daugavpils +1978)}) 11. Bxc3 {(Gheorghiu-Ligterink, Le Havre 1977).}) ({More solid +alternatives are} 9... Nxd2 10. Qxd2 d6 11. d5 e5 {(Torre-Karpov, Brussels +1987; Kasparov-Salov, Skelleftea 1989)}) ({or} 9... d5 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Bf4 { +, and here not} Nxc3 $6 12. bxc3 Na6 13. e4 $1 dxe4 14. Nd2 {(Kasparov-Ponomariov, Linares 2003), but the typical 11...Na6 and ...c7-c5.}) +10. d5 {(2)} ({The harmless} 10. Nxe4 Bxe4 11. Bc3 Nc6 {leads to equality +(Petrosian-Portisch, 1st match game, Palma de Mallorca 1974).}) 10... exd5 11. +cxd5 Nxd2 12. Nxd2 {(7)} d6 {(2) Black seems to have coped successfully with +his opening problems. He has the two bishops and quite good prospects on the +queenside. But with the next new and unexpected move White reveals his trumps.} +13. Nde4 $1 {White establishes his knight in the centre, in order to exploit +its strength to prepare a pawn offensive and bind on the kingside (to some +extent this resembles the game with Csom - Game No.39).} ({In the event of the +standard} 13. Nc4 Ba6 14. Qb3 Bxc4 15. Qxc4 a6 16. a4 Nd7 {Black is indeed +alright and there is a complicated battle in prospect (Karpov-Portisch, +Tilburg 1988).}) 13... Re8 $6 {(31) Not the best reaction: Black allows the +exchange of his important bishop.} (13... Be7 {was more critical, although +Ligterink possibly did not like the attack} 14. f4 Nd7 15. g4 $1 a6 ({or} 15... +Nf6 16. Nf2 $1) 16. a4 {(Psakhis-A.Sokolov, Moscow 1981) - this theme was +later developed by Karpov (Game No.97 in Volume V of 'My Great Predecessors').} +) ({In the 1990s, following the example of van der Wiel, they also began +playing} 13... Be5 $5 {.}) ({But} 13... Na6 {, which I recommended in 'The +Test of Time', did not in fact become established in practice.}) 14. Qd2 {(2)} +a6 $6 {(10)} ({Again the move} 14... Be7 {should have been preferred. +Ligterink does not sense the impending danger and he considers his position to +be sufficiently solid. But, in defending the d6-pawn against attack by Nb5, he +has taken away a convenient square for his knight and weakened the b6-point. +These drawbacks are emphasised by White's following move.}) 15. b4 $1 {(15) +Unexpectedly White begins play on the opponent's traditional part of the board. +This idea was suggested to me by the poor coordination of the black pieces and +the possibility of an attack on the d6-pawn.} Be7 {(14) A rather belated +retreat, but nothing better is apparent;} ({as the alternatives are weaker:} +15... cxb4 $6 16. Nxf6+ Qxf6 17. Ne4 Qe7 18. Qxb4 Bxd5 19. Qxd6 Qe6 20. Rfd1 +Bxe4 21. Qxe6 fxe6 22. Bxe4 Ra7 23. Rd6) ({or} 15... Bxc3 $6 16. Rxc3 cxb4 17. +Re3 {with the threats of Nxd6 and Qxb4.}) 16. bxc5 $1 {(4)} bxc5 17. Qf4 {(5) +The main aim is not to allow the knight at b8 to come out.} Qc7 $2 {(10) Not +yet realising what is going on, Black tries to bring out his knight to d7: if +this should succeed, things will immediately be better for him.} ({However, it +was essential to play} 17... Bc8 $1 18. h4 h6 {, restraining White's offensive. +Now, however, there follows a lightning attack.}) (17... Ra7 {and ...Ba8 is +more passive - there is nothing for the bishop to do on the long diagonal.}) +18. Na4 $1 {(3) With the threat of Naxc5. Black's position is beginning to +crack, and it all concludes amazingly quickly.} Qa5 {(11)} (18... Qd8 {would +not have brought any relief:} 19. Rb1 Ra7 (19... Bxd5 20. Rfd1) 20. Rb6 g5 21. +Qd2 Nd7 22. Rxd6 $1 {.}) 19. Rb1 $1 Bxd5 {(9)} 20. Nb6 Bxe4 21. Bxe4 Ra7 {It +appears that things are not so bad for Black, but a powerful combinative +stroke puts everything in its place.} 22. Nc8 $1 {Unexpected and very pretty: +nearly all the opponent's pieces are under attack.} Nc6 {(6)} (22... Rxc8 23. +Qf5 Bd8 24. Qxc8 Nd7 25. Bc6) ({or} 22... Rc7 23. Rxb8 Bf8 24. Rfb1 {was also +hopeless.}) 23. Nxa7 Nxa7 24. Bd5 ({Or} 24. Qf5 $1 g6 25. Qd7 {.}) ({But as it +was Black resigned, in view of} 24. Bd5 Rf8 25. Rb7 {. Times: 1.07-1.44.}) ( +24. -- {We confidently defeated the Dutch (3-1), but the Hungarians overcame +the English (2½-1½) and retained a lead of one and a half points. --- In +the 7th round the central match of the tournament, USSR-Hungary, took place. +Our opponents fought to the death and quite quickly gained three draws (Csom +accurately neutralised my attempts to complicate the play in a King's Indian +Defence), while Tal tried to disrupt the balance in his game with Sax and +nearly lost. Alas, the match ended in a draw. At the previous Olympiad we had +even beaten the Hungarians - and all the same we finished a point behind them.. +. --- In the 8th round I won against Speelman and we defeated the English (2½-1½), while the Hungarians drew 2-2 with the Yugoslavs. But in the 9th +round they crushed the Finns (3½-½), while we drew 2-2 with Czechoslovakia +(I was rested that day). Five rounds before the finish the gap behind the +leaders became critical: Hungary - 26 out of 36, USSR - 23½. The question of +first place seemed decided.}) (24. -- {But here the serious pursuit began! At +last Karpov ran into form (at the start he had been slightly unwell), and our +team genuinely united, whereas the Hungarians suffered something of a slump. +--- 10th round: Hungary-Holland - 2-2; USSR-Iceland - 3½-½ (I beat +Petursson with White). --- 11th round: Hungary-Czechoslovakia - 2-2; USSR-USA +- 2½-1½ (I managed to overcome the highly experienced Shamkovich). --- +12th round: Hungary-Romania - 3-1; USSR-Argentina - 3½-½. That day I again +had Black - against the 25-year-old master Sergio Giardelli (see the following +game).}) 1-0 + +[Event "47: World Chess Olympiad, Malta"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1980.12.03"] +[Round "12"] +[White "Giardelli, S."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "A16"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "64"] +[EventDate "1980.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. c4 c6 {(5) My opponent regularly used to choose one and the same set-up +with White: c2-c4, g2-g3, Bg2, Nc3, e2-e3 and Nge2. And I tried to exploit +this, by displaying unusual flexibility.} 2. Nf3 {(3) A minor success for me: +now the knight will not go to e2.} ({After} 2. g3 d5 {this would be altogether +pointless.}) 2... g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nf6 {(4)} 5. O-O O-O 6. Nc3 {(13)} d5 { +(8)} 7. cxd5 {(5)} cxd5 {(2)} 8. d3 $6 {(6)} (8. d4 Ne4 {would have led to a +reasonable version for Black of the Grünfeld Defence. Not being an expert on +theory, Giardelli preferred to proceed along unexplored paths.}) 8... Nc6 9. +Qb3 {White tries to create pressure on d5 and b7, but this turns out to favour +Black, who exploits the early development of the queen.} (9. Bd2 {was more +sensible, although here too after} e5 10. Bg5 Be6 {Black has no reason for +complaint.}) 9... d4 {(38)} 10. Nb5 {(8)} ({The 'sideways' move} 10. Na4 { +would have run into} b6 $1 {, after which the knight has no future, and the +pressure on the long diagonal can be neutralised by ...Be6-d5.}) 10... a6 {(5)} +11. Na3 {(7)} ({If} 11. Qa4 {, then} Nd5 {is strong, forcing} 12. Na3 h6 13. +Bd2 Be6 {with excellent play for Black.}) 11... b5 {(8)} ({The white knight +has nevertheless ended up out of play, and the weakness of the long diagonal +cannot be exploited (} 11... b5 12. Qc2 Bb7 13. Ne5 Nb4 14. Qb3 Nfd5 {) - the +opening has definitely gone in Black's favour.}) 12. Bf4 {(8)} Be6 {(8)} 13. +Qc2 Rc8 14. Qd2 Bd5 15. Rfc1 Nd7 {(9) The preparations for the battle are +complete. Now White has to hurry: if Black should succeed in playing ...e7-e5, +...Qe7 and ...Nb6, his position will become strategically won.} ({But it would +have been even better to leave the knight on f6:} 15... Re8 $6 16. Nc2 e5 17. +Bg5 Qd6 {with a very comfortable game.}) 16. Nc2 {(8)} e5 {(15)} ({The direct +attempt to prevent the white knight from going to b4 by} 16... a5 {is not so +successful, if only in view of} 17. Na3 Qb6 18. Ne5 $1 {.}) 17. Bh6 {(13)} (17. +Bg5 $6 f6 18. Bh6 {is weaker in view of} Bxh6 19. Qxh6 Nb6 {(when} 20. e3 $2 +Na4 $1 {is bad for White) or 19...Nc5!?.}) 17... Qe7 18. Bxg7 {(4)} Kxg7 19. e3 +$1 {(13) Since Nb4 is not possible, White brings his knight into play by +another way, undermining the enemy centre.} ({Marking time would not have +worked well, for example:} 19. a3 $6 Nc5 20. Nb4 Bxf3 $1 21. Bxf3 Na5 {with an +obvious advantage.}) 19... dxe3 ({If} 19... Qf6 {there could have followed} 20. +e4 $1 Be6 21. Nb4 (21. Ng5 $5) 21... Nxb4 22. Qxb4 {, when the weakness of +Black's queenside is rather perceptible - say,} Bg4 23. Nd2 Qb6 ({or} 23... Qg5 +24. h4 $1 {and Nb3 with counterplay}) 24. Nb3) ({If Black didn't want to +capture on e3, then} 19... Qd6 $5 {was better, retaining the initiative after +both} 20. exd4 ({and} 20. e4 Be6 21. Ng5 Nc5) 20... exd4 {, despite the +d4-pawn being somewhat weak}) 20. Nxe3 ({Not} 20. fxe3 $2 Rfd8 {.}) 20... Bxf3 +21. Bxf3 Nd4 22. Bg2 {At first sight the backward d3-pawn and the powerful +knight on d4 give Black a clear advantage, but White also has his pluses: a +strong bishop, the weakness of Black's queenside, and the possibility of +exchanging knights (Nc2) or beginning a fight for the c-file (Rc3). In short, +the position is not altogether clear: with only one weakness for the opponent, +the game cannot be won! And I began looking for tactical ways of solving the +problems.} Nc5 {(5)} 23. Re1 $6 {(5)} ({Now} 23. Nc2 {would have been parried +by} Qd6) ({and} 23. Rc3 {by} Na4 {.}) ({Consideration should have been given to +} 23. Nd5 $5 Qe6 24. b4 Nd7 25. Kh1 {(f1). But Giardelli tries to exploit the +weakening of the e5-pawn.}) 23... h5 $6 {(4) The desire to exclude the threat +of Ng4 was understandable.} ({However, the immediate} 23... Rfd8 $1 {was more +accurate, since neither} 24. Kh1 ({nor} 24. Ng4 f6) 24... Nc6 (24... Qg5 $5) +25. Nd5 Qe6 26. Nf4 Qd7 27. Nd5 Qg4 {was at all promising for White.}) 24. Rac1 +$6 {(5)} (24. Rac1 {his natural move, which also contains a trap (} Ncb3 $2 25. +axb3 Nxb3 26. Nd5 $1 Qe6 27. Qe3 {), is nevertheless not the best.}) (24. Nd5 { +was preferable:} Qe6 ({or} 24... Qd6 25. Rac1) 25. f4 Nd7 26. Rac1 {and +Black's advantage is smaller than in the game.}) 24... Rfd8 {(6) With the +strong threat of 25...Nxd3 or 25...Nc(d)b3.} 25. Rc3 {(7) White does not have +a great choice.} ({If} 25. Kh1 $2 {Black has the decisive} Ncb3 $1 26. axb3 +Nxb3 27. Nd5 Rxd5 $1 28. Rxc8 (28. Qe3 Rxd3) 28... Nxd2 29. Bxd5 Qd6 $1 30. Bg2 +Qxd3 31. Rc3 Qd4 32. Rd1 Qa4 $1) ({while} 25. Nd5 $6 {is now insufficient in +view of} Qe6 {, and the knight has to retreat.}) 25... Qf6 $6 {(13)} ({Not +succumbing to provocation:} 25... b4 $6 26. Rc4 Nxd3 $6 (26... Qe6 27. Rec1 $1) +27. Qxd3 $1 Nf3+ 28. Bxf3 Rxd3 29. Rxc8 Qe6 30. Rc7 Qxa2 31. Be2 {, when the +three pieces are rather stronger than the queen}) ({or} 25... e4 $6 26. Nc2 Qf6 +27. Nxd4 Qxd4 28. Bxe4 ({but not} 28. Rec1 $2 exd3) 28... Nxe4 29. Rxe4 Qxe4 +30. dxe4 Rxd2 31. Rxc8 Rxb2 32. a3 Rb3 33. a4 bxa4 34. Rc6 {with a drawn rook +endgame.}) ({However, only} 25... Na4 $1 26. Nd5 Qe6 {would have retained an +appreciable advantage.}) 26. Nc2 {(8) At last.} ({Before this I spent a long +time calculating} 26. Rec1 {(?).} Nxd3 $3 {, and the black knights demonstrate +miracles of mutual assistance:} 27. Rxc8 Nxc1 28. Rxd8 ({or} 28. Nd5 $6 Rxd5 $1 +29. Bxd5 Qd6 $1 {with gain of material}) 28... Qxd8 $1 29. Kh1 $1 (29. Kf1 Nxa2 +30. b3 ({or} 30. Bd5 Nc6 $1) 30... Qc7 $1) 29... Qc8 $1 30. a3 Nce2 31. h4 a5 { +etc.}) ({In the event of} 26. b4 $6 Nce6 {Black would also have retained the +advantage:} 27. Rxc8 ({or} 27. Nd5 Nf3+ 28. Bxf3 Qxf3 29. Rxe5 Nd4 {with a +powerful attack -} 30. Qb2 ({or} 30. Qe3 Rxc3 31. Nxc3 h4 $1) 30... h4 $1) +27... Rxc8 28. Qd1 Qe7 $1 {.}) (26. Nd5 Nf3+ 27. Bxf3 Qxf3 28. Nb4 {looked +tempting, but here too after} Qg4 29. a3 Ne6 30. Qe3 Ng5 {White's position is +in danger.}) 26... b4 $6 {(4) Previously, not seeing a subtle defence for +White on the 28th move, I attached an exclamation mark to this move. In fact +it is a mistake, conclusively throwing away the advantage.} ({Too little was +also promised by} 26... e4 $6 {(cf. the note to Black's 25th move)}) ({or} +26... Nf3+ 27. Bxf3 Qxf3 28. Rxe5 Nxd3 29. Re3 $1 Nf4 30. Rxf3 Rxd2 31. gxf4 +Rxc2 32. Rxc8 Rxc8 33. Ra3 Rc6 34. Kg2 {with a probable draw.}) ({Apparently I +should have reconciled myself to a small plus after} 26... Nce6 27. h4 Nxc2 28. +Qxc2 Nd4 29. Qd1 Qe6 {.}) 27. Nxb4 $1 {(4) Strictly the only reply.} ({After} +27. Rc4 {(?), which I recommended in 'The Test of Time', the thunderous} Ne4 $3 +{would have been immediately decisive (} 28. Bxe4 Rxc4 {, and} 29. dxc4 $2 {is +not possible because of} Nf3+ {).}) 27... e4 {Here I was already in severe +time-trouble: 6 minutes for 14 moves.} ({If} 27... a5 {, then} 28. Qc1 $1 { +looks quite good. But now, as it seemed to me, Black has complete domination: +his pieces control all the key points, and White would appear to be +defenceless against the combined attack of the queen, rooks and knights...}) +28. Qe3 $2 {(3) Giardelli cracks under the pressure and commits a decisive +mistake.} (28. Qf4 $2 {was also bad:} Qxf4 29. gxf4 exd3) ({as was} 28. Rec1 $2 +exd3 (28... Qb6 $5) 29. Re1 (29. Rxc5 Ne2+ 30. Kf1 Nxc1) ({or} 29. Nxd3 Nxd3 +30. Qxd3 Nb3 $1 {is even worse}) 29... Ne2+ 30. Rxe2 dxe2 31. Qxe2 Na4 $1 32. +Rxc8 Rxc8 33. Nd3 Rb8 {with a technically won ending.}) ({The only way to save +the game was by the paradoxical} 28. dxe4 $3 {(we didn't see this either in +our calculations at the board, or in analysis after the game)} Nf3+ 29. Rxf3 +Rxd2 30. Rxf6 Kxf6 31. Rc1 $1 Rdd8 $1 ({White is better after} 31... Rxb2 $2 +32. Nxa6 Rb5 33. Bh3 $1 Rc6 34. Bd7) 32. Nd5+ {with two pawns for the exchange +and an immediate draw after} Kg7 33. Ne7 Rc7 34. Nd5 Rcc8 35. Ne7 {.}) 28... a5 +$1 {(now Black's onslaught becomes a hurricane)} 29. Nc2 ({White would not +have been helped by either} 29. Rec1 exd3 30. Nd5 (30. Nxd3 Re8 $1) 30... Ne2+ +31. Kf1 Qe6) ({or} 29. Nd5 Rxd5 30. dxe4 Rdd8 31. Rec1 Qb6 {.}) 29... Nxd3 {(2) +} 30. Rxc8 Rxc8 {The simplest. In all variations Black captures the more +'senior' piece.} 31. Qxd4 ({Or} 31. Nxd4 Nxe1 32. Bxe4 Rc4 $1 {.}) 31... Qxd4 +32. Nxd4 Nxe1 ({Here too the e4-pawn is invulnerable:} 32... Nxe1 33. Bxe4 Rc4 +{. Times: 2.27-2.27.}) (32... -- {By crushing the Argentines, we performed a +minor miracle - we caught up with the Hungarians! For the first time in the +tournament there were two leaders. The status quo was maintained in the 13th +round: the USSR-Romania and Hungary-Bulgaria matches produced the same result: +2½-1½. Before the 14th, last round the leading group looked like this: +USSR and Hungary - 35½ out of 52; Yugoslavia - 33; USA - 31½; England and +Czechoslovakia - 31. --- On the concluding day public attention was focused on +the matches in which the fate of the gold medals would be decided: +USSR-Denmark and Hungary-Iceland. At first the Hungarians went ahead - Pinter +won against Hjartarson. Geller restored the balance by spectacularly crushing +Hoi, but Portisch again gave his team the lead. Alas, I was unable to gain +more than a draw, but Balashov won. However, Ribli beat Arnason. And just +before the time control Sax cracked under the pressure and lost his advantage +against Petursson.}) (32... -- {Thus the Hungarians won their match 3½-½ +and after 'normal time' they were a point ahead. But we still had the +adjourned game Karpov-Jakobsen. The world champion's opponent had real drawing +chances, but he sealed an incorrect move. After the adjournment Karpov +accurately converted his advantage into a win, and we again caught out rivals. +--- Now it all depended on the Buchholz scores and, strangely enough, the +destiny of first place was decided by the Greece-Scotland match. One team had +earlier lost to us, and the other to the Hungarians, and the only thing that +would suit us was a win for the Greeks by at least 3-1. I discovered this +myself when, after finishing my game, I studied the table with the last round +pairings. And I set off in search of this match, which was taking place in +another corner of the endlessly long hall. --- A genuine drama was then played +out. The Greeks were leading 1½-½, but in one of the remaining games they +stood no better, and in the other things were altogether hopeless. In +time-trouble, however, everything changed and in the adjourned games the +Greeks could now hope to score 1½ out of 2. During the interval I helped +them with their analysis, which provoked dissatisfaction on the part of our +rivals. But I think that the Greek masters would have been able to cope even +without my help. On the resumption they won one of the adjourned games, after +which everyone's attention was focused on the other. There was a moment when +all of our team members, led by Karpov, were standing by the board of Georgios +Makropoulos (incidentally, a future FIDE vice-president) and, with the most +inscrutable faces of which they were capable, were mentally praying to +themselves that he would advance his d-pawn. And he did so! The Greeks even +won 3½-½, and by a minimal margin we finished with a better Buchholz score +than the Hungarians (449½-448).}) (32... -- {From the press: 'Kasparov's +Olympiad debut proved extremely successful: the 17-year-old grandmaster +demonstrated excellent fighting qualities and he made a substantial +contribution to the team's overall success.' --- After playing, along with +Karpov, more games than anyone in the team - 12, I achieved the best score +among our players - 'plus seven'. It could have been even more, but, after +scoring 8½ out of 10, I felt terribly tired and at the finish I made two +draws with opponents who were obviously inferior in standard. Because of this +I was just half a point short of taking first place on my board with the +overall best result. --- Nikitin: 'When Garry returned to Moscow he agreed +with me that his performance at the Olympiad did not merit an assessment of +more than four out of five. On the play he could well have scored another one +or one and a half points, but the feeding and sleeping regime, to which adult +professionals were accustomed, proved difficult for the young debutant. This +factor, which had nothing to do with chess, led to increased excitability and, +as a consequence, to a loss of easiness in his play and to time-trouble. In +addition, Garry did not always choose the correct opening... But on the whole +he undoubtedly moved on to a new level. Kasparov's brilliant performances +provoked a chess boom in Azerbaijan. At the same time the epochal year of 1980 +was the last quiet one for Garry, when he was able to think only about battles +on the chess board.'}) 0-1 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "2.2: Adult Games: 1981-1982"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2009.12.07"] + +{First Battle with the Champion} 1. -- {Sokolsky Memorial TournamentTeam - 28½ out of 48; 2. Youth Team - 23½; 3. Senior Team - 23; 4. Second Team - 21. +Tournament of top boards: Kasparov - 4 out of 6; Karpov - 3½; Smyslov - 2½; +Romanishin - 2.} (1. -- {By January 1981 I was already rated sixth in the +world and third in my country - 2625, whereas the rating of the leader, +Anatoly Karpov, was 2690. A month later the international association of chess +journalists awarded Karpov the annual 'Oscar' - the prize for the best player +over the past year; second was Korchnoi, the challenger to the crown, and for +the first time I was placed third. We were rapidly converging - the world +champion and the world junior champion. Flohr wrote about this: 'I think that +in the near future Karpov and Kasparov will be meeting frequently, and sooner +or later they will battle in a clash at the very highest level.' --- The +obvious reduction in the gap between us was apparently beginning to concern +Karpov and his entourage. The first signs of this appeared in January. Nikitin: +'From Moscow there came a sudden chill in the air: they demanded from us a +detailed plan of Garry's activities for the year, including those not +concerned with chess. Never had the interest in his affairs been so +comprehensive! Obviously it was not only the Sports Committee that had taken +an interest in them...'}) (1. -- {Something came to light at the end of +February, at the match-tournament of USSR teams 'in honour of the 26th +Congress of the USSR Communist Party', held in the enormous athletics hall of +the Central Army Sports Club. Each of the four teams - first, second, veteran +and youth - consisted of eight players. Among the participants were the world +champion and four ex-champions! The line-up of the first team was Karpov, +Spassky, Polugayevsky, Petrosian, Tal, Beliavsky, Balashov and Geller, the +veterans were led by Smyslov, Bronstein and Taimanov, and the second team by +Romanishin, Tseshkovsky and Vaganian. --- Naturally, I was expecting to play +on board 1 for the youth team, and this was also anticipated by most of the +players. Unexpectedly the Federation officials began insisting that the player +on board 1 should be either Psakhis, who had just shared victory with +Beliavsky in the 48th USSR Championship (I did not take part in it: the +Olympiad had taken too much out of me), or Yusupov - a prize-winner in two +USSR Championships. But my rating was higher than all the members of the first +team, apart from Karpov and Spassky, and significantly higher than any of my +colleagues on the youth team. So what was the problem?}) (1. -- {And I +realised that Karpov, playing on board 1 for the main team, simply did not +want to play against me. There could be no other explanation! It ended in the +members of our team demanding a democratic vote, to decide who should lead it. +The officials did not like this, but they had no choice. In the voting it was +important to formulate the question correctly: if we had been invited to +arrange all eight players by board and decide the first board on the sum of +places, my rivals could have 'killed' me by putting me on a low board. But the +trainers of the youth team, Anatoly Bykhovsky and Vladimir Tukmakov, asked a +clear question: who should play on board 1? In the end I received five votes +(Kasparov, Kochiev, Mikhalchishin, Lputian and Chiburdanidze) against three +(Psakhis, Yusupov and Dolmatov). --- Nikitin: 'Fortunately, this flash of +youthful ambition did not have any unpleasant consequences: by the end of the +match-tournament no one remembered that not long before Garry and his young +colleagues had been at loggerheads.' --- Thus Karpov and I nevertheless ended +up facing each other on the chess board. But this occurred in the 3rd and 6th +rounds, and at the start the 'youths' played the second team. My game with the +Lvov grandmaster Oleg Romanishin, the author of numerous paradoxical opening +ideas, took a very tense course and in the time scramble it resembled a battle +on the edge of a precipice.}) * + +[Event "48: USSR Team Tournament, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.02.23"] +[Round "1"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Romanishin, O."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D85"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "85"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Nf3 ({In +the early 1980s this attractive system almost supplanted other continuations, +including even} 7. Bc4 {(Game No.72).}) 7... c5 (7... b6 $6 {- Game No.38.}) 8. +Be3 ({I also employed} 8. Rb1 $5 O-O (8... Nc6 9. d5 $1) 9. Be2 Nc6 ({but I +myself defended with} 9... cxd4 10. cxd4 Qa5+ {(Game No.40 in 'Kasparov vs. +Karpov 1986-87'; Game No.82 in 'Revolution in the 70s')}) 10. d5 $1 {(Game Nos. +76-80 in 'Revolution in the 70s').}) 8... Qa5 {(5)} ({In my game with Razuvaev +(47th USSR Championship, Minsk 1979) I encountered the novelty} 8... Bg4 {and +instead of improvising with} 9. Qa4+ ({I should have fought for an advantage by +} 9. Rc1 $1 O-O 10. d5 $1 Qa5 11. Qd2 {(Game Nos. 65, 66 in 'Revolution in the +70s').})) 9. Qd2 Nc6 {The most accurate move order, as it transpired later, +only after numerous searches.} ({In the event of} 9... O-O 10. Rc1 -- ({, +Black does not equalise fully with} 10... Bg4 11. d5 $1 {(cf. above)}) ({, or} +10... cxd4 11. cxd4 Qxd2+ 12. Nxd2 $1 {(Game No.68 in 'Revolution in the 70s')} +) ({, or} 10... e6 $6 11. Bh6 $1 Nc6 12. h4 $1 {(Game No.22 in 'Kasparov vs. +Karpov 1989-2009')}) ({, or the modern} 10... Rd8 11. d5 e6 12. Bg5 $5 {, when +the threat of an attack (12...Re8?! 13 d6 Bd7 14 Bh6! and h2-h4, Palo-Ivanchuk, +Skanderborg 2003; Anand-Leko, Miskolc 2009) forces the weakening} f6 13. Be3 ({ +after} 13. Bf4 Qa4 $1 {for the moment Black holds on}) 13... exd5 14. exd5 { +(Kramnik-D.Howell, London 2010).})) ({Also after} 9... Bg4 10. Rb1 $1 { +(threatening Rb5)} a6 (10... Nd7 $5 {is not so clear (Giri-Nijboer, Eindhoven +2010)}) 11. Rxb7 Bxf3 12. gxf3 Nc6 13. Bc4 $1 O-O 14. O-O cxd4 15. cxd4 Bxd4 +16. Bd5 {Black has merely a poor choice from several inferior endings +(Kramnik-Kasparov, 2nd match game, London 2000; Yermolinsky-Azmaiparashvili, +Hyderabad 2002).}) 10. Rc1 {(2)} ({If} 10. Rb1 {, in order after} a6 ({a +clever queen sacrifice is possible:} 10... O-O $5 11. Rb5 cxd4 12. Rxa5 dxe3 +13. Qxe3 Nxa5 {(Game Nos. 72, 73 in 'Revolution in the 70s')}) 11. Rc1 {to +exploit the weakening of the b6-square in the endgame.}) 10... cxd4 {(3)} ({ +Later Black sometimes also tried the rather artificial} 10... Bg4 11. d5 Rd8 +12. Qb2 (12. Be2 O-O 13. O-O e6 {is equal}) 12... Bxf3 13. gxf3 Nd4 { +(Yusupov-Anand, 6th match game, Wijk aan Zee 1994; I.Sokolov-Topalov, Sarajevo +2001).}) 11. cxd4 Qxd2+ 12. Kxd2 {Now White is forced to keep his king in the +centre, and Black exploits this factor to create counterplay: after all, +nearly all the pieces are still on the board!} O-O {(2) Obviously the next +few moves should show what there are more of in White's position - pluses or +minuses.} 13. d5 {(5) Strictly speaking, this and essentially the next move +is an interesting novelty, which Magerramov and I prepared in Baku just before +this match-tournament (the idea itself had occurred to me the previous year).} +({Against the developing} 13. Bb5 {Black replies with a pawn sacrifice -} f5 $1 +{(Smejkal)} 14. exf5 Bxf5 15. Bxc6 (15. Rhd1 Be6 {is equal, Chekhov-Romanishin, +48th USSR Championship, Vilnius 1980/81}) 15... bxc6 16. Rxc6 Rab8 ({or} 16... +Rfb8 17. Kc3 Rb6 {(Seirawan-Mecking, 5th match game, Sao Paulo 1992) with +sufficient counterplay thanks to the two bishops and the insecure position of +the white king}) 17. Kc3 Be4 {(Platonov-Tukmakov, Tashkent 1980).}) 13... Rd8 { +(4)} 14. Ke1 $1 {The crux of my plan! This unexpected move opened a new trend, +one which is topical even today. White disconnects his rooks and loses a tempo, +agreeing to a slight (temporary!) lack of harmony in the placing of his pieces, +but he forces the black knight to leave c6 immediately, and each of its moves +has drawbacks.} Na5 $1 {(25) This reply, which at the time staggered me (in +my home analysis I had discarded it 'on general grounds' - the knight moves to +the edge of the board!), is today judged to be best, neutralising White's plan. +From a5 the knight deprives the white bishop of the c4-square and assists the +undermining moves ...e7-e6 and ...f7-f5.} ({After the 'logical'} 14... Ne5 $6 { +things are much easier for White:} 15. Nxe5 Bxe5 16. f4 Bd6 ({or} 16... Bg7 17. +Kf2 $1) 17. Kf2 e5 18. Bc5 $1 Bxc5+ 19. Rxc5 exf4 20. Kf3 {with advantage +(Kramnik-Leko, 1st match game (rapid), Budapest 2001).}) ({And in the event of +} 14... Nb4 15. Bd2 $1 {all the same the knight is forced to move to the edge +of the board (15...Nxa2? 16 Rc2 is bad for Black), although practice has shown +that after} Na6 {White's achievements are only slight.}) 15. Bg5 {(35) After +a solid think I found a way of confusing Black by attacking the e7-pawn.} ({ +Nothing was promised by} 15. Bb5 f5 $1) ({or} 15. Rc7 e6 16. Bg5 Rd7) ({nor by +the more justified} 15. Bd2 b6 16. Bb4 e6 $1 17. Be7 Rd7 18. d6 a6 19. Bd3 Bb7 +20. Rc7 Rxc7 21. dxc7 Bf8 {(Cyborowski-Krasenkow, Warsaw 2002)}) ({or} 15. Bd3 +b6 (15... e6 $5) 16. Bg5 (16. Ke2 e6 $1) 16... f6 17. Bf4 f5 18. Bc7 Rd7 19. +Bb5 Bh6 $1 {(Ftacnik-Naiditsch, Bundesliga 2008).}) 15... Bf6 {(17) An +enterprising move, leading to sharp play.} ({However, it soon transpired that} +15... Bd7 $1 {is better} 16. -- ({, since} 16. Bxe7 $6 {is not a threat in +view of} Re8 17. d6 Nc6 18. Bb5 Bf8 $1) ({, while after} 16. Bd3 Rdc8 ({it +would appear that Dvoyris's move} 16... f5 $5 {is even stronger, with the idea +of} 17. Rc5 ({or} 17. e5 Be8 $1) 17... Rdc8 $1) 17. Ke2 e6 {Black is quite +alright (20 years later I myself played this against Kramnik - Game No.70 in +'Revolution in the 70s'). --- Since then and to this day White has been +actively seeking an advantage in other directions - say, 10 Rb1 or 8 Rb1.})) +16. Bd2 $5 {(27)} (16. Bxf6 exf6 17. Nd2 {was quieter. Here Black's doubled +pawns could have twice attacked the centre -} f5 18. f3 fxe4 19. fxe4 f5 {, +but White would have completed his development with} 20. Bd3 fxe4 21. Nxe4 Bf5 +22. Ke2 {, retaining slightly the better chances.}) 16... b6 {White has gained +a brief respite. By luring the bishop to f6 he has forestalled the advance of +the f-pawn and hindered ...e7-e6, but after the development of the bishop at +b7 or g4 this undermining move will become a reality. So, for consolidation +White has one tempo available. This is quite sufficient if he acts +energetically!} 17. Rc7 $1 {At first sight White shows a frivolous lack of +concern for his development problems, but in the struggle for the initiative +he has already embarked on a slippery path, where it is not rules that have to +be reckoned with, but exceptions to them.} ({If} 17. Bb5 {both} Bb7 {followed +by ...e7-e6} ({and the immediate} 17... e6 $1 {are good (} 18. e5 $2 {is not +possible because of} Rxd5 $1 {).}) ({The rook move is aimed against both these +possibilities (} 17... Bb7 $4 18. Bxa5) (17... e6 18. e5 {).})) 17... Bg4 $1 { +(20) With the obvious desire to punish the opponent.} ({In 'The Test of Time' +I suggested that Black should have displayed caution and played} 17... Rd7 {, +although after} 18. Rc2 ({or} 18. Rxd7 Bxd7 19. Ba6 {White would have retained +a small plus.})) 18. Ba6 $1 {(17)} e6 $1 {(19) The retribution seems imminent, +but from this point the white pieces, although in a minority (without the rook +on h1), display amazing resourcefulness.} 19. Ng5 $1 {(3) Dynamic play: here +the fight for an advantage is closely connected with safety concerns (after +all, White is behind in development!).} ({In the event of} 19. Bg5 Bxg5 20. +Nxg5 exd5 21. Nxf7 Rd7) ({or} 19. dxe6 Bxe6 20. e5 Bg7 21. Ke2 Bxa2 22. Bxa5 +bxa5 23. Ra1 Bd5 24. Rxa5 Rab8 {the initiative would have passed to Black.}) +19... Be5 $1 {(17)} ({After} 19... exd5 $2 20. Nxf7 Rd7 21. Nh6+ Kg7 22. Rc8 $1 +{Black would lose material.}) 20. Rxf7 $1 {(4) White's 'inflatable castle' +has unexpectedly proved to be made of highly durable material. I think that +this came as a surprise to Romanishin.} exd5 $5 ({Black does not restrict +himself to the modest} 20... h6 21. Nf3 Bxf3 22. Rxf3 exd5 23. exd5 Rxd5 {with +hopes only of equalising after} 24. Bxh6 ({or} 24. Rd3 {(Stohl)} Rxd3 25. Bxd3 +Kg7) ({or} 24. Ke2 Re8 25. Re3 Rxd2+ $1 26. Kxd2 Bf4) 24... Re8 $1 25. Re3 b5 { +and ...Nc4.}) 21. f4 $1 {(12) This pawn is destined to play a leading role in +the destruction of the black king's fortress.} (21. f3 Bc8 $1) ({or} 21. Rxh7 +dxe4 22. Rh4 Bc8 {(Stohl) would have been inaccurate.}) 21... Bg7 $1 {(5)} ( +21... Bd4 $2 {was weak because of} 22. Rxh7 {, for example:} Nc4 ({or} 22... +dxe4 23. Bxa5 bxa5 24. Bc4+ Kf8 25. Rf7+ Ke8 26. Bb5+ Bd7 27. Rxd7 Rxd7 28. +Nxe4 Rb8 29. Bxd7+ Kxd7 30. Ke2 $1 Rb2+ 31. Kf3 Ke6 (31... Rxa2 $2 32. Rd1) 32. +Rd1 Kd5 33. Rd2 {, and again White wins}) 23. e5 Re8 {(with the threat of ...Bxe5)} 24. h3 $1 {, and the rook on h1 is ready to join the battle without +moving from its post (} Bxe5 25. fxe5 Rxe5+ 26. Kf2 Rf8+ 27. Kg3 Nxd2 28. hxg4 +$1 {etc.).}) 22. f5 $1 {(10) An energetic move, intensifying the pressure.} ({ +In 'The Test of Time' I gave preference to the variation} 22. h3 h6 23. hxg4 +hxg5 24. Rc7 Re8 (24... dxe4 $2 25. Bxa5 bxa5 26. Bc4+ {is bad for Black}) ({ +as is} 24... gxf4 $2 25. exd5 Rxd5 ({or} 25... Be5 26. d6 $1) 26. Bxa5) 25. Kf2 +$1 Rxe4 26. Bd3 {with the initiative:} Re6 ({less good is} 26... Rd4 27. Rxg7+ +Kxg7 28. Bc3 Nc6 29. Bb5) ({or} 26... Ra4 27. Bxg6 Rxa2 28. Bf7+ Kf8 29. Ke1 $1 +Nc6 30. Rh7) 27. f5 Rc6 28. Rd7 Nc4 29. Bxg5 Ne5 30. Rxd5 {etc.}) ({But here I +forgot about my own recommendation in 'Informator' -} 22. h3 Bc8 $1 23. Bxc8 +Rdxc8 $1 {, and White has to seek a way to equalise (} 24. Rd7 $5 {). --- Up +until now Romanishin has played excellently, but here, already short of time, +he makes a mistake.}) 22... dxe4 $2 {(10) It is easy to stumble in such a +complicated, highly tactical position without any clear guidelines.} ({After +the best move} 22... gxf5 $1 {I was intending to play} 23. h3 $1 Bh5 24. Rxg7+ +Kxg7 25. Ne6+ Kf6 26. exf5 ({in the endgame after} 26. Nxd8 Rxd8 27. exf5 Nc4 +$1 28. g4 Re8+ $1 29. Kd1 Bf7 {White's chances of an advantage are also slight} +) 26... Re8 27. g4 {with good compensation for the material deficit after} Bf7 +({however, as one of the readers of the magazine 'Shakhmaty v SSSR' correctly +pointed out,} 27... Rxe6+ $1 28. fxe6 Bg6 {and ...Kxe6 would have got Black +out of his difficulties}) 28. Bg5+ $1 Ke5 29. Nc7 Rg8 30. Bh4 Raf8 31. Kf2 { +and Re1+. --- The capture of the e4-pawn looks more promising, but nothing +comes of it for Black.}) 23. Bxa5 $1 {(5)} (23. f6 $2 {did not work because of} +Bxf6 $1 (23... Bh6 $5) 24. Rxf6 e3 $1 25. Bxe3 Rd1+ 26. Kf2 Rxh1 27. Nf7 Kg7 +28. Bd4 Nc6 $1 29. Rxc6+ Kxf7 30. Rc7+ Ke6 $1 31. Rxh7 Rc1 {.}) 23... bxa5 $6 { +(2) Another error.} ({The desperate} 23... e3 $2 {would have been refuted by} +24. Rxg7+ $1 Kxg7 25. Bc3+ Kh6 26. Nf7+ Kh5 27. Nxd8 Rxd8 28. Kf1 $1 {with the +idea of} Rd1+ 29. Be1 {.}) ({However, things would already have been difficult +for Black even after a more resilient defence:} 23... Rd1+ 24. Kf2 Rxh1 25. Bc4 +Rc1 26. Rxa7+ Rxc4 27. Rxa8+ Bf8 28. Ne6 Kf7 29. Rxf8+ Ke7 30. Bxb6 Bxf5 31. +Rxf5 $1 gxf5 32. Nd4 {, and the bishop and knight will overcome the rook}) ( +23... gxf5 24. Re7 $1 {, forcing the variation} Rd1+ 25. Kf2 bxa5 26. Rxd1 Bxd1 +27. Bc4+ Kh8 28. Nf7+ Kg8 29. Nd8+ Kf8 30. Rf7+ Ke8 31. Bb5+ Kxd8 32. Rd7+ Kc8 +33. Rxg7 Rb8 34. Bd7+ Kd8 35. Rg8+ Kc7 36. Rxb8 Kxb8 37. Bxf5 {with a won +bishop endgame.}) 24. Bc4 {(4) In time-trouble Romanishin finds an amazing +resource.} Bc3+ ({He would have lost after} 24... Rac8 $2 25. Rc7+) ({or} 24... +Rd4 $2 25. Rxa7+ (25. Bb3 $5) 25... Rxc4 26. Rxa8+ Bf8 27. Ne6) ({while} 24... +Rd1+ 25. Kf2 e3+ 26. Kg3 Be5+ 27. Kxg4 Rd4+ {would have led to a position from +the game.}) 25. Kf2 e3+ $1 26. Kg3 ({But not} 26. Kxe3 $2 Bd2+ 27. Kf2 Bxg5 28. +fxg6 hxg6 29. Rf4+ Kg7 30. Rxg4 Rd2+ 31. Kg3 Bf6 {with equality.}) 26... Be5+ +27. Kxg4 ({It was not possible to preserve the bishop on c4:} 27. Kh4 $2 Rd4 $1 +28. Rxa7+ Rxc4 29. Rxa8+ Kg7 30. Ra7+ Kg8 $1 {, forcing} 31. Ra8+ {with a draw. +}) 27... Rd4+ 28. Kh3 $1 Rxc4 {(Black appears to have beaten off the attack, +but the f-pawn has not yet had its say)} 29. f6 Bxf6 {White's mating threats +can be eliminated only at the cost of the bishop.} ({There are also few +chances of saving the game after} 29... Rc7 30. Rxc7 Bxc7 31. f7+ Kf8 (31... +Kh8 32. Ne6 Bd6 33. Re1 {is even worse}) 32. Ne6+ Kxf7 33. Nxc7 Rd8 34. Re1 { +etc.}) 30. Rxf6 Re8 31. Re1 {At this the line could have been drawn - but the +miracles have not yet finished! Thinking my position to be won, I relaxed +somewhat.} e2 32. Kg3 $6 {A delay;} ({it was simpler to pick up the e-pawn +immediately:} 32. Re6 Rxe6 33. Nxe6 Rc2 (33... Re4 $2 34. Ng5) 34. a4 Kf7 35. +Nf4 Rc4 36. Kg4 Rxa4 37. Rxe2 {and wins.}) 32... Ra4 33. Kf2 Rxa2 34. Ne6 (34. +Rf4) ({or} 34. Re6 Rxe6 35. Nxe6 Kf7 36. Nd4 {also deserved consideration.}) +34... a4 35. Rb1 $2 {(2) And this is already a serious mistake: the e2-pawn +should not have been left alive.} ({I was continuing to have illusions of +mating finishes...} 35. Nd4 {would have won without any particular problems, +for example:} a3 ({it is the same after} 35... a5) ({or} 35... Kg7 36. Ra6 $1 ( +{my earlier recommendation} 36. Rf3 {is worse because of} a3 37. Rxe2 Raxe2+ +38. Nxe2 Rf8 $1) 36... Rf8+ 37. Nf3 Re8 38. Rxa7+ {etc.}) 36. Rxe2 Raxe2+ 37. +Nxe2 a5 (37... a2 38. Ra6) 38. Rf3 {.}) 35... a3 $1 36. Rb7 {(5)} e1=Q+ { +Allowing White some practical chances.} ({It was safer to force a draw from a +position where Black is even slightly stronger:} 36... Rb2 37. Rg7+ Kh8 38. Re7 +Rbb8 39. Rxa7 Ra8 40. Rxa8 Rxa8 41. Nd4 a2 42. Nb3 Rb8 43. Ra6 Rxb3 44. Rxa2) ( +{or} 36... Ra1 37. Kxe2 a2 38. Rg7+ Kh8 39. Rxa7 Rg1 40. Rff7 ({or} 40. Rf1 { +- Stohl}) 40... a1=Q 41. Rxh7+ Kg8 42. Rag7+ Qxg7 43. Rxg7+ Kh8 44. Rxg6 Kh7 +45. Rf6 Rxg2+ 46. Kf3 {, and Black's two rooks are unable to overcome the rook +and knight.}) 37. Kxe1 Rxg2 38. Rg7+ Kh8 39. Rgf7 {Threats to the king in +time-trouble are especially dangerous, even if there is a possibility of +parrying them.} h5 {With his flag hanging, Black decides to clear the way for +his king, not having time to notice that misfortune will strike from the g5- +and h6-squares.} (39... h6 {was simpler, with a draw.}) 40. Kf1 Rxh2 $2 {A +tragic oversight: suddenly the mating threats are transformed into reality.} ({ +And yet only one move separated Black from safety, the last one before the +time control -} 40... a2 $1 {. After} 41. Rxa7 {he could have unhurriedly +decided that} Rb2 $2 ({but that} 41... Rxh2 $1 42. Rxg6 a1=Q+ 43. Rxa1 Rh1+ 44. +Rg1 {would lead to a draw}) {, was bad because of} 42. Ng5 $1 Rb1+ (42... Re7 +$2 43. Rf8+ Kg7 44. Ne6+ Kh6 45. Rh8+ {and mate}) 43. Kf2 Rb2+ (43... a1=Q $2 +44. Rh7+ Kg8 45. Rxg6+ {and mate}) 44. Kg3 Rb3+ 45. Rf3 {, winning.}) 41. Rxg6 +(41. Ng5 $1 Rh1+ 42. Kg2 {was more forceful, with a rapid mate.}) 41... Rxe6 ( +41... a2 42. Rh6+) ({or} 41... Rh1+ 42. Kg2 Rg8 43. Rxg8+ Kxg8 44. Rg7+ {and +Kxh1 wins.}) 42. Rxe6 Kg8 43. Rxa7 {. Times: 2.29-2.30. --- I may have messed +up the finish of the game, but this win over a strong opponent, achieved in a +fierce, uncompromising battle, inspired me. The mood in the team was also good +- we won that difficult match 4½-3½.} 1-0 + +[Event "49: USSR Team Tournament, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.02.24"] +[Round "2"] +[White "Smyslov, V."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "A30"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "54"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{The next day, for the first time, I played one-to-one with ex-world champion +Vasily Smyslov - previously we had met only six years earlier in a clock +simultaneous display. During the years that had elapsed I had managed to +surpass this legendary player on rating, but certainly not on experience. And, +of course, I felt anxious when I sat down opposite him at the chess board.} 1. +Nf3 c5 {(3)} 2. c4 Nf6 {(6)} 3. g3 {(5)} b6 {(3)} 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O e6 6. Nc3 +Be7 7. b3 {(3)} (7. d4 cxd4 8. Qxd4 d6 $1 {would have led to a tabiya of the +newly-fashionable 'hedgehog' system, which at that time, with the +encouragement of Magerramov, I used to employ often and quite successfully +(Game No.59). But in the later period of his career Smyslov endeavoured to +play solidly, avoiding variations that were too unclear and tense.}) 7... O-O { +(4)} 8. Bb2 d6 ({Rejecting the 'classical'} 8... d5 {, as occurred in the +Smyslov-Karpov game played in the same match-tournament.}) 9. e3 {(4)} Nbd7 { +(4)} 10. d4 {(3)} ({First} 10. Qe2 a6 11. Rfd1 {is slightly more flexible, for +example:} Re8 (11... Qc7 12. Rac1) 12. d4 Ne4 13. Nxe4 ({or} 13. Rac1 Ndf6 14. +Nxe4 Bxe4 15. dxc5 bxc5 16. Nd2 Bxg2 17. Kxg2 Ra7 18. Qf3 Qb8 {with +approximate equality (Gelfand-Ivanchuk, Monte Carlo (rapid) 2004)}) 13... Bxe4 +14. Nd2 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Nf6 16. Rac1 Ra7 {½-½ (Smejkal-Kasparov, Moscow 1981) +.}) 10... a6 {(4)} 11. Qe2 {(3)} ({Black is happy with both} 11. Rc1 b5 $1 { +(Game No.55)}) ({and} 11. d5 exd5 12. Ne1 b5 $1 13. Nxd5 Nxd5 14. cxd5 ({or} +14. Bxd5 Bxd5 15. Qxd5 Nb6 {(Malakhatko-Bunzmann, Zagan 1997)}) 14... Bf6 { +(Taimanov-Yudasin, Leningrad 1987).}) 11... Ne4 $1 {(20) Control over the +light squares in the centre is the most effective means of counterplay.} 12. +Rfd1 {(6) Such positions promise a lengthy manoeuvring battle. This makes all +the more surprising the changes which occur on the board within a short space +of time.} Qb8 $6 {(16)} ({Here, apart from} 12... Re8 {, transposing into a +position from my game with Smejkal (cf. above)}) ({Black also has the simple} +12... Qc7 13. Rac1 Ndf6 {with equality. But I suddenly wanted to 'be a +dare-devil' - to enliven the game somehow! - and I allowed my opponent to +carry out a combination with the win of the exchange. The consequences of this +seemed to me to be not unfavourable for Black, but Smyslov quite reasonably +judged the complications to be in White's favour - and he accepted the +challenge.}) 13. Nxe4 {(8)} Bxe4 14. Ne5 $1 {The critical decision.} (14. Ne1 +Bxg2 15. Nxg2 Nf6 16. Rac1 Qb7 {would have transposed into the analogous drawn +game Ehlvest-Portisch (Reggio Emilia 1989/90).}) 14... Bxg2 15. Nxd7 Qb7 16. +Nxf8 Bf3 $1 17. Qd3 $1 Rxf8 ({Of course, not} 17... Bxd1 $2 18. Qxh7+ {and +mate. In sacrificing the exchange, I was counting on the strength of my +light-square bishop, reckoning that it would play a leading role in the +forthcoming battle.}) 18. Rd2 {(12)} (18. d5 {was more cautious, but why +return the exchange when no immediate dangers are apparent?}) 18... f5 $1 {The +critical position, which is important for evaluating the exchange sacrifice. +Objectively the situation favours White, but to demonstrate this, very +energetic play is required of him. On reaching this position in my preliminary +calculations, I thought that it would not be easy for Smyslov to readjust from +unhurried manoeuvring to specific, calculating play. And that is what happened: +the sharp change in the character of the play discomforted my illustrious +opponent, and he catastrophically underestimated the potential strength of +Black's threats.} 19. Re1 $6 {(3) With the obvious intention of playing e3-e4 +at a convenient moment, returning the exchange, but getting rid of the +dangerous bishop and gaining some advantage thanks to my pawn weaknesses.} ({ +However, this is a loss of time, and it would have been better to immediately +open a 'second front' by} 19. Bc3 $5 Qa8 20. dxc5 bxc5 21. b4) ({or} 19. a3 $5 +{with the intention of dxc5 and b3-b4. In this case it would have been more +difficult for Black to transfer his pieces so quickly for the attack on the +king.}) 19... Qc8 {(24)} ({I was terribly proud of this move (the threat is ...Qe8-h5) and I attached an exclamation mark to it, thinking that} 19... Qa8 { +was weaker because of the breakthrough} 20. dxc5 bxc5 21. b4 {(?!)} cxb4 22. c5 +{(?). However, the cool-headed} dxc5 23. Qd7 Kf7 $1 {would have left White +empty-handed.}) ({Therefore} 19... Qc6 {(a8) was at the least no worse, and +may possibly have been better, since it would not have allowed the freeing +advance} 20. e4 {.} ({True, after} 20. a3 $1 a5 $1 ({the immediate} 20... Qe8 { +is weaker in view of} 21. dxc5 bxc5 22. b4 Qh5 23. bxc5 dxc5 24. Qf1) 21. Bc3 { +White would have continued to claim an advantage, but Black could have +maintained the intensity of the play, relying on his powerful bishop.})) 20. +Qc3 $2 {(24) White loses another important tempo and - most importantly - he +allows the enemy rook to go to f6.} ({If he did not want to open the queenside +by} 20. a3 $1 {etc.}) ({at the least he could have secured clear equality by a +breakthrough in the centre -} 20. e4 fxe4 21. Rxe4 {, for example:} e5 (21... +Bxe4 $6 22. Qxe4 {is unfavourable for Black}) ({or} 21... Bg5 22. Re3 $1 (22. +Rde2 $2 e5 $1 {, threatening ...Qh3}) 22... Bxe3 23. fxe3 {and Rf2 with a +probable draw}) 22. Re3 e4 23. Rxe4 Qh3 24. Qxf3 Rxf3 25. Rxe7 {. But it was +this that constituted the psychological paradox: it was not easy to give up +voluntarily the material advantage and immediately force a draw!}) 20... Rf6 $1 +{(2)} 21. a3 $2 {(7) Here there is no longer time for this. In his confusion +Smyslov makes a third successive weak move, and Black's attack becomes +irresistible.} (21. Qd3 $2 Qe8 22. h4 (22. dxc5 Rh6) 22... Qh5 $1 {was also +bad for White}) ({but after} 21. dxc5 $1 bxc5 22. Qd3 e5 23. h4 {he would have +avoided an immediate rout, although} h6 {and ...g7-g5 would have left me with +a dangerous initiative.}) 21... Qe8 $1 {(2) It transpires that the awkward +placing of the white rooks deprives their king of the last hope of escaping +from the burning house, and the effectiveness of the Qc3 and Bb2 is equivalent +to zero. The concerted actions of the black pieces make for a swift rout.} 22. +dxc5 {(7)} Qh5 $1 {(with the obvious threat of ...Qxh2+)} 23. h4 {(2)} Qg4 ({Or +} 23... Rg6 $1 24. e4 Bxh4 {and wins.}) 24. Kh2 {(13)} bxc5 $1 {(2) Black +does not rush: there is no defence.} 25. Rh1 {(18)} Rg6 $1 {(12)} 26. Kg1 Bxh4 +27. Qa5 {(4)} ({Also after} 27. Rxd6 Bxg3 28. Rd8+ Kf7 29. Kf1 Bh4 {it would +all have ended.}) 27... h6 ({This is no worse than} 27... Bxh1) ({or} 27... Qe4 +{. Times: 2.19-2.00. --- This game made a great impression both on the +spectators, and on the participants. Taimanov asked in surprise: 'How was it +that, a clear exchange up, White lost so quickly?!' Such dynamic play was +unusual even for experienced fighters. This spectacular win made me the leader +of the tournament on the top boards, and our team crushed the senior team by +the record score 6½-1½.}) 0-1 + +[Event "50: USSR Team Tournament, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.02.25"] +[Round "3"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Karpov, A."] +[Result "1/2-1/2"] +[ECO "C42"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "81"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{On the third day my long-awaited meeting with Karpov occurred. The auditorium, +which accommodated about three thousand spectators, was overcrowded: chess +fans were impatient to see how our first encounter would end. Burning with a +desire to genuinely test myself and my powers, I arrived in a state of extreme +concentration, ready for a difficult battle.} 1. e4 {At that time I rarely +made this move, and in my preparations I thought that a little surprise in my +first one-to-one battle with the world champion would not do any harm: I +wanted to catch him unawares. However, it was I who was in for a surprise...} +e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 {Nikitin and I had prepared for the 'Spanish'! As for the +Petroff Defence, precisely at that time it had unexpectedly become very +popular. Karpov was also beginning to master it - two rounds later he also +played 2...Nf6 against Romanishin. Evidently he was testing this opening for +his forthcoming match with Korchnoi (who occasionally employed the Petroff), +and at the same he was beginning a gradual transition to different, +simplifying systems, more solid than the 'Spanish' and fully in accordance +with his style.} 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 Be7 ({Also after} 5... d5 6. Bd3 +Nc6 7. O-O Bg4 {the most energetic is} 8. c4 $1 {(Game No.67 in 'Kasparov vs. +Karpov 1975-1985'; Game No.6 in 'Kasparov vs. Karpov 1986-87').}) 6. Bd3 d5 7. +O-O {(5)} Nc6 8. Re1 {Here I did not yet have any new ideas, and the modern +theory of this system was only just beginning to take shape.} ({As it later +transpired in our first match (1984/85), the immediate} 8. c4 $1 {is better +(Game No.100).}) 8... Bf5 ({While my opponent was thinking, I tried to +remember our old analyses of the 'obligatory' variation} 8... Bg4 9. c4 Nf6 10. +cxd5 (10. Nc3 $5 {- Game No.34 in 'Kasparov vs. Karpov 1975-1985'}) 10... Nxd5 +({the idea} 10... Bxf3 $1 11. Qxf3 Qxd5 {(Game No.32 in 'Kasparov vs. Karpov +1975-1985') was not yet known: Smyslov introduced it in 1983}) 11. Nc3 {with a +slight advantage to White. We examined these positions a great deal in the +1970s, when preparing for games with Yusupov and Dolmatov. --- But Karpov made +a newly fashionable move, which had been successfully employed by Hübner in +his Candidates match with Adorjan (Bad Lauterberg, 10th game, 1980). Black's +idea is to provoke as much simplification as possible.}) 9. Nbd2 {(38) After +a long think I decided to play solidly and follow Adorjan;} ({although at the +board I also studied} 9. c4 Nb4 10. Bf1 {, a possibility which I later +mentioned to Nikitin. Already then I guessed that this was where chances of an +opening advantage should be sought. This is slightly more favourable for White +even than 8 c4 Nb4 9 Be2: the position of the bishop on f1 gives him half a +tempo... The plan with 9 c4! Nb4 10 Bf1! was soon brought into practice by +Karpov himself, who in 1982 won three opening duels against Portisch (cf. Game +No.88 in Volume V of 'My Great Predecessors'), and the move 8...Bf5 lost its +attraction.}) 9... Nxd2 10. Qxd2 Bxd3 11. Qxd3 O-O 12. c3 Qd7 {(10)} 13. Bf4 { +White has a minimal advantage, but in such a symmetrical position he has +nothing in particular, of course. Karpov probably thought that he would easily +gain a draw: all that is required of Black is accuracy.} a6 {An improvement.} ( +{After} 13... Rfe8 14. h3 a6 15. Re3 Bd6 16. Ng5 g6 17. Bxd6 Qxd6 18. Rae1 Qd7 +19. Nf3 Rxe3 20. Qxe3 {Hübner did not gain clear equality, although the game +ended in a draw.}) 14. Re3 {(17)} (14. Ne5 {is no better:} Nxe5 15. Bxe5 f6 16. +Bg3 Rfe8 17. Re2 Bf8 18. Rae1 {½-½ (Anand-Gelfand, Monte-Carlo (rapid) +2005).}) 14... Rae8 {(7)} 15. Rae1 Bd8 $1 {Another accurate move. After +defending his c7-pawn, Black intends to begin exchanging the heavy pieces on +the e-file. At this point Karpov offered me a draw, but after some thought I +declined. And after the game I explained: 'I never hear the audience, but here +I suddenly noticed how many people had arrived for our game. And I realised +that I did not have the right to betray their hopes - no, not of victory, but +of an uncompromising struggle.'} 16. h3 {(8)} Rxe3 17. Rxe3 ({After} 17. Qxe3 { +again} f6 {was possible,} ({but I did not like the activation of the black +queen -} 17... Qf5 {. In any case, it is hard for White to count on anything.}) +) 17... f6 {(10)} ({Seeing that after} 17... Re8 {there is the unpleasant reply +} 18. Qf5 $1 Re6 19. h4 {, Karpov takes a more subtle decision - to exchange +rooks by ...Rf7-e7. The advantages of it are obvious: the e5-square is now +inaccessible to the white pieces, and the king has obtained a non-standard +escape square. And the drawback - the weakening of the e6-square, where the +black knight might have settled in order to suppress the pressure on the +e-file - can hardly be exploited.}) (17... Ne7 {was also recommended, and it +too would have led to inevitable equality, for example:} 18. Ne5 Qf5 19. Rf3 +Qe6 20. Qd1 Ng6 21. Nxg6 fxg6 22. Re3 Qd7 23. Bg3 Bg5 24. Re5 Bf6 25. Re2 Rf7 +26. a4 Re7 {.}) 18. Re2 {(29)} ({Many years later, in a game with Leko +(Dortmund 1999), Karpov again went in for this position with Black and +demonstrated its viability after} 18. Nd2 Ne7 19. Nb3 Qf5 {with a quick draw.}) +18... Rf7 {(14)} ({If} 18... Ne7 {I was planning} 19. b3 {and c2-c4 +(incidentally, in this way Karpov later broke up Korchnoi's position in the +4th game of their match in Merano), for example:} c6 (19... Qf5 20. Qxf5 Nxf5 +21. g4 $1) 20. c4 Qf5 ({but} 20... Ng6 21. Bg3 Bc7 22. Bxc7 Qxc7 23. g3 Qd7 { +and ... Re8 is more consistent, gradually equalising}) 21. Qe3 $1 {.}) 19. Nd2 +$1 {(4)} Be7 {(12)} ({Black evidently did not fancy the endgame with doubled +pawns after} 19... Re7 20. Nb3 Rxe2 21. Qxe2 Be7 22. Qg4 $1 Qxg4 23. hxg4 Bd6 +24. Bxd6 cxd6 25. Nc1 Kf7 26. Nd3 {, although here his chances of a draw are +very considerable. But without necessity Karpov does not double his pawns - it +is not in his style!}) 20. Nf1 {(4) Black has covered the c5-point, and so +the knight changes course and goes to e3, where it will put the d5-pawn under +fire. However, only with the opponent's help is it possible to breath life +into this symmetrical position...} Bf8 {(6)} 21. Qf3 {(6)} Re7 $2 {(4) A +blunder - Black overlooks 23 Bxc7! (or in the variation 22 Ne3 Re4 - the move +23 Kf1!). I remember that this staggered me: the world champion, and he made +such an error?!} ({Of course, he should have begun with} 21... Nd8 22. Ne3 c6 { +, maintaining approximate equality. Now, more than a quarter of a century +later, I find my former optimism regarding White's 'active possibilities' to +be inexplicable: after} 23. Bg3 Re7 {followed by ...Nf7 Black has no problems.} +) 22. Ne3 {(suddenly White's advantage becomes apparent)} Nd8 {Forced.} ({ +There is no other defence against the threat of Kf1, winning a pawn:} 22... Re4 +23. Kf1 $1 ({not} 23. Bxc7 Rxd4 $1) ({or} 23. Qg3 Ne7 $1) 23... Ne7 24. Bxc7 +Rxe3 (24... Qxc7 {is no better:} 25. Nxd5 Nxd5 26. Qxe4 Nf4 27. Re3) 25. Qxe3 +Qxc7 26. Qe6+ Kh8 27. Qf7 Qd8 28. Re6 h6 29. c4 {, and a decisive breakthrough +is unavoidable:} Qc8 ({or} 29... dxc4 30. d5) 30. c5 {etc.}) 23. Bxc7 $1 {(5)} +Qxc7 24. Nxd5 Qd6 {(9)} ({This gives better chances of a defence than} 24... +Rxe2 25. Nxc7 Re1+ 26. Kh2 Bd6+ 27. g3 Bxc7 {, since here the coordination of +Black's forces is disrupted and White begins advancing his pawns with} 28. c4 +$1 {, virtually forcing the win of a piece.}) 25. Nxe7+ Bxe7 26. Qe4 Bf8 {A +critical moment in the game. Now much depends on what plan White chooses. Alas, +lack of time (and, of course, experience!) did not allow me to choose the best +arrangement of my forces.} 27. Qe8 $2 {Intending to restrict still further the +mobility of the black pieces by the advance of the a- and b-pawns. However, +this seizure of space is a fundamentally incorrect plan, since it makes c3-c4 +more difficult, does not change the pattern of the position and in the end +merely reduces White's advantage. As often happens, the window of real +opportunity for playing for a win was very narrow - exactly one move!} ({White +should have played} 27. c4 $1 {and advanced his c- and d-pawns (not the a- and +b-pawns).} -- ({. The creation of a strong passed pawn would have placed Black +on the verge of defeat, for example:} 27... b6 28. g3 Nf7 29. Kg2 g6 30. Rc2 ( +30. Qd5 $5) 30... f5 31. Qf4 $1 Qxf4 (31... Qc6+ 32. Qf3) 32. gxf4 Nd8 33. c5 +bxc5 34. dxc5 Ne6 35. c6 $1 Bd6 36. Rd2 Bxf4 37. Rd7 {and wins}) ({, or} 27... +Nc6 {in the hope of} 28. Qe6+ ({but after} 28. Rd2 $1 {Black has a difficult +position -} b6 (28... Qb4 $6 29. Qd5+ Kh8 30. Re2) 29. a3 a5 30. Rd3 $1 {with +the threat of c4-c5, while if} Qd7 ({or} 30... Nd8 {, then} 31. Rb3 $1)) 28... +Qxe6 29. Rxe6 Kf7 $1 {.})) 27... g6 28. a4 ({After the belated} 28. Re4 Kg7 29. +c4 {there was the resource} b6 $1 {, when it is now difficult for White to +break through:} 30. d5 $6 ({or} 30. a3 a5 31. Qb5 Nf7 {etc.}) 30... a5 31. g3 +Qc7 32. Kg2 Bc5 {.}) 28... Kg7 {(10)} 29. b4 Qc7 {(5)} 30. Re3 Nf7 {(5) Black +has competently regrouped, stealthily activating his knight. In this game +Karpov once again showed himself to be an excellent defender, especially since, +as it seems to me, he always preferred playing with minor pieces against rook +and pawns.} 31. Qe6 Qd8 {(7)} (31... Bd6 {was also possible, but Karpov +methodically carries out his plan, at the same time denying the white queen an +excellent post at d5.}) 32. a5 h5 {(4)} 33. Qe4 Qd7 34. Qe6 Qd8 {White has +carried out in full his planned program, and his pawns look well placed, +restricting the black pieces, but now their advance involves the risk of +losing material.} (34... Qa4 {is dangerous in view of the simple} 35. g3 $1 {.} +) 35. Kf1 {A delay.} ({However, it was hardly any better to play} 35. Re1 Bd6) +({or} 35. h4 Nd6 36. g3 {- here after} Nf5 37. Re4 Qc7 $1 {(an important +nuance)} 38. Qd5 Nxg3 $1 39. fxg3 Qxg3+ 40. Kf1 Qf3+ 41. Ke1 Qxc3+ 42. Kf2 Bxb4 +43. Qxb7+ Kh6 44. Qxa6 f5 45. Qf6 Qd2+ 46. Re2 Qf4+ {it all ends in perpetual.} +) 35... Nh6 36. g4 $6 {I very much didn't want to allow the knight to go to f5, +but if such weakening moves have to be made, it is clear that the worst is +over for Black.} ({However, also nothing special was given by} 36. g3 Nf5 37. +Rd3 Nh6 38. d5 Bd6 $1 (38... Nf7 $2 39. d6 $1) {, for example:} 39. c4 Bxb4 40. +d6 Nf7 41. d7 Bxa5 42. Qd5 Qb6 {, and the d-pawn is halted.}) 36... hxg4 37. +hxg4 Nf7 38. Ke2 {In the centre, behind the barricade of pawns, things are +more peaceful for the king than on the exposed kingside. But now the advance +of the pawns becomes extremely difficult and one can talk about a situation of +dynamic balance.} Ng5 39. Qb6 Qd7 40. Kd3 Bd6 41. Kc2 {. Here, instead of +adjourning the game, I offered a draw: there had already been too much +excitement! I regretted that I had not exploited the chance winning +opportunity (although Karpov could have avoided allowing me it). My opponent +also decided not to take a risk and he accepted my offer. --- Times: 2.33-2.31. +} (41. -- {Nikitin: 'The first reconnaissance in force was a wonderful success. +The world champion's young opponent was not at all his inferior in a +complicated, tense struggle.' But that day our team was comprehensively beaten +6-2 by the first team. --- My second duel with Karpov also took a tense course +and for all five hours it kept the spectators on the edge of their seats (Game +No.3 in 'Kasparov v. Karpov 1975-1985'). Flohr: 'The game was played in the +6th and last round of the match-tournament. Karpov's team - the USSR first +team - was already assured of victory, and Kasparov's team - the youth team - +was also assured of second place. But on this occasion too the tournament hall +of the Army Central Sports Club was crowded with chess fans, and the outcome +of the match, 4-4, was the result of an interesting struggle on nearly all the +boards.'}) (41. -- {The public's enormous interest in the clash of the leaders +was further raised by the fact that it would decide who would finish first in +the individual competition on board one. I was leading in the mini-tournament, +half a point ahead of the world champion: he was on 'plus one' thanks to a win +over Romanishin, while I was on 'plus two', having exchanged wins with +Romanishin and twice defeated Smyslov. Thus Karpov could overtake me only by +winning this game. But after interesting complications the result was again a +draw. As soon as the game ended, spectators poured on to the stage, forgetting +that on some of the other boards play was still in progress... --- Thus, +somewhat to my surprise, I managed to score the most points on board one. Now +Karpov could have been left in no doubt that in me he had a potentially +dangerous opponent. At the closing of the match-tournament, the chairman of +the USSR Chess Federation Vitaly Sevastyanov said (without, however, any +particular enthusiasm): 'We have witnessed the start of an interesting chess +dialogue'. --- Viktor Vasiliev: 'By any standards Anatoly Karpov is still +young: the age of 30 is a golden one for a chess player. But already eyeing +the champion's crown are opponents who are still young, even for the age of +acceleration. Who knows, perhaps in talent and ambition - also an important +trait - 18-year-old Garry Kasparov is not inferior to Fischer? But in +education and breadth of intellectual development he has certainly surpassed +the 18-year-old Fischer. Both games between Karpov and Kasparov were awaited +as the central events of the match-tournament, and both fully justified the +waiting... Kasparov's boldness, his self-confidence, liveliness of thought and +finally, his audacious eagerness for a fight with his formidable opponent - +all this made a big impression, to say nothing about the honourable outcome. +Two draws in two tense battles with the world champion, for whom a win in one +of them would have given the best result on board 1 - the youngster can be +proud of this.'}) 1/2-1/2 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Moscow 'Tournament of Stars'"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2009.12.07"] + +{International grandmaster tournament (Moscow, 4-24 April 1981): 1. Karpov - 9 +out of 13; 2-4. Polugaevsky, Kasparov and Smyslov - 7½; 5-6. Gheorghiu and +Portisch - 7; 7-8. Beliavsky and Balashov - 6½; 9-10. Petrosian and +Andersson - 6; 11-13. Smejkal, Timman and Torre - 5½; 14. Geller - 4.} 1. -- +{My success in the February parade of USSR teams became the decisive argument +in favour of my inclusion in the 'Tournament of Stars', held in the spring of +1981 in the prestigious International Trade Centre in Moscow. This +super-tournament, with the participation of the world champion, two +ex-champions and a further eleven well-known grandmasters from seven countries, +was my first serious test at world level. --- At the start I was paired with +Black against one of the favourites - the two-time USSR champion Alexander +Beliavsky. And although it all ended well for me, this game (and then the +games with Portisch and Timman) highlighted the problems that were still +present in my opening repertoire, which was not yet fully developed (see the +following game).} * + +[Event "51: Grandmaster Tournament, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.04.04"] +[Round "1"] +[White "Beliavsky, A."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "E83"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "80"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O (5... Nc6 {- Game Nos. 12, 15. +}) 6. Be3 Nc6 {These moves were made rapidly: my opponent always chose the +Sämisch Attack, and at that time I played the variation with the development +of the knight at c6. --- Strangely enough, on the next two moves White spent +more than 40 minutes.} ({But two years later I surprised Beliavsky with the +gambit} 6... a6 7. Bd3 c5 {(Game No.81)}) ({while in the 1990s I gave +preference to} 6... e5 7. Nge2 ({or} 7. d5 c6) 7... c6 8. Qd2 Nbd7 {(Game Nos. +36, 38 in 'Kasparov vs. Karpov 1989-2009').}) 7. Qd2 {(21)} ({An alternative is +} 7. Nge2 a6 8. Nc1 e5 9. d5 Nd4 10. Nb3 Nxb3 11. Qxb3 c5 (11... Nd7 $5 12. +O-O-O f5 {, Salov-Dorfman, 51st USSR Championship, Lvov 1984}) 12. dxc6 bxc6 +13. O-O-O Qe7 (13... Be6 $6 {is worse:} 14. Qa3 $1 Ne8 15. h4 $1 {, +Spassky-Korchnoi, 7th match game, Kiev 1968}) 14. Qb6 Bb7 15. g4 Rab8 (15... +Rfd8 $5) 16. h4 Rfc8 $2 (16... Rfd8 {is correct with the idea of} 17. h5 d5 $1 +18. Bc5 Qe8) 17. h5 Nd5 $6 {a desperate chance;} (17... d5 18. Bc5 {favours +White}) 18. exd5 cxd5 19. Rxd5 $2 (19. cxd5 $1 {would have refuted Black's +idea:} Bxd5 ({or} 19... e4 20. hxg6 hxg6 21. Qa5 exf3 22. Ba7 Ra8 23. Bf2 {etc. +}) 20. Qxb8 $1 {and Nxd5}) 19... Bxd5 20. Nxd5 Qe6 21. Qa7 (21. Qa5 Rb5 $1) +21... Ra8 22. Qb7 ({White almost played} 22. Nc7 $2 {, but at the last moment +he noticed the stunning} Qxc4+ $1) 22... Rab8 {with a draw (Timman-Kasparov, +5th round).}) 7... a6 {(2)} (7... Rb8 8. Nge2 Re8 {is hardly any better - in +the event of} 9. Nc1 ({or} 9. d5 Ne5 10. Ng3 e6 $5 11. Bxa7 Ra8 12. Be3 exd5 +13. cxd5 c6 14. dxc6 bxc6 15. Be2 h5 $1 {(Akopov-Kasparov, Baku 1978) Black +has good play for the pawn}) ({but} 9. O-O-O $1) ({or} 9. h4 $1 {is stronger}) +9... e5 10. d5 Nd4 11. Nb3 c5 12. dxc6 bxc6 13. Nxd4 exd4 14. Bxd4 d5 {(both +black rooks are involved!).}) 8. Nge2 {(21)} Re8 $6 {(17) I wanted to take +the game away from the familiar paths, but this, as it later transpired, is a +dubious manoeuvre.} ({It looks to be a waste of a tempo and does not give any +pluses compared with the usual continuation} 8... Rb8 9. Nc1 ({or} 9. h4 $1 b5 +(9... h5 {is more risky}) 10. h5 {, where I have had experience for both sides +(Game No.87)}) 9... e5 10. d5 Nd4 {.}) 9. Nc1 {(8) A solid positional move, +opening the way for the bishop on f1.} ({However, here too the sharp} 9. h4 $1 +{is good:} h5 ({now} 9... b5 {is a dubious pawn sacrifice}) 10. O-O-O b5 11. +Nd5 $1 bxc4 12. Nxf6+ Bxf6 13. g4 $1 hxg4 14. h5 g5 15. Bxg5 e5 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 +17. fxg4 $1 exd4 18. g5 Qf3 19. g6 $1 {with a dangerous attack (Lautier-Piket, +Cannes 1990).}) 9... e5 {(3)} 10. d5 (10. Nb3 {is weaker:} exd4 11. Nxd4 Ne5 +12. Be2 c5 13. Nc2 Be6 {.}) 10... Nd4 11. N1e2 {(10) In his desire to +exchange the knight on d4 in the most convenient way, White grants the +opponent an additional possibility.} ({After} 11. Nb3 $1 {Black would have had +to choose between the dubious pawn sacrifice} c5 ({and an inferior game after} +11... Nxb3 12. axb3 c5 13. g4 ({or, according to Stohl,} 13. b4 $1 cxb4 14. Na4 +)) 12. dxc6 bxc6 (12... Nxc6 $6 13. Rd1 $1 {- Stohl}) 13. Nxd4 exd4 14. Bxd4 d5 +{(at the time it appeared that Black had quite good compensation for the pawn, +but I did not greatly believe this)} 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Nxd5 Bxb2 +18. Rb1 Be5 19. Bc4 {. --- However, after 11 N1e2 White's chances are also +slightly better - for the reason that 8...Re8?! was played instead of 8...Rb8.} +) 11... c5 {(24)} 12. dxc6 Nxc6 {(2) This reply, which is bad with the knight +on b3, is logical here: because of his retarded development it is hard for +White to quickly exploit the defects in Black's position.} 13. Nd5 $1 {(17) +The most energetic: the threat of Bb6 sets Black a difficult choice.} ({The +routine} 13. Rd1 {would have allowed him to develop his forces comfortably with +} Be6 {. --- At this moment Beliavsky looked very happy with his position. For +my part, I established a personal record for the thinking time over one move, +which I broke only in the 2nd game of my fourth match with Karpov (1987). In +the event of 8...Rb8 there would have been the simple reply 13...b5 with +equality, but what to do now?}) 13... b5 $5 {(68)} ({I needed more than an +hour to convince myself that passive defence (with the rook on e8!) was +unpromising after} 13... Nxd5 $6 14. cxd5 Nb8 (14... Ne7 15. Nc3) 15. h4 h5 16. +O-O-O) ({or} 13... Nd7 $6 14. h4 $1 {, and to decide on an exchange sacrifice +with the hope of exploiting White's retarded development.}) ({Alas, although +this audacious move, to which I previously attached only an exclamation mark, +did disconcert my opponent, a move underestimated by me was objectively better: +} 13... Be6 $1 {(natural development!)} 14. Bb6 Qd7 15. Nc7 Bxc4 16. Nc3 Be6 $1 +17. Be2 Nd4 18. Nxa8 Rxa8 19. O-O Qc6 {with quite good piece play, although +after} 20. Bxd4 exd4 21. Nd1 {White retains a minimal plus: he is after all +the exchange up!}) 14. Bb6 {(14) Beliavsky picks up material, assuming that +Black's activity will prove temporary.} ({In 'The Test of Time' I recommended +that White should 'decline the Greek gift, and, in view of Black's approaching +time-trouble, follow a positional course -} 14. Nec3 {, although after} Nd4 ({ +on the other hand, after} 14... Nxd5 $1 15. Nxd5 Rb8 16. Bd3 Nd4 17. O-O Be6 +18. Rac1 Qd7 {and ...Rec8 Black does indeed have an almost equal game}) 15. -- +(15. Bd3 Be6 {Black would have retained a good game.'}) ({. However,} 15. cxb5 +$1 axb5 16. Bxb5 $1 {is stronger:} Nb3 ({or} 16... Nxd5 17. Bxd4 $1 exd4 18. +Nxd5 {with advantage to White (Stohl)}) 17. Bb6) (15. Nxf6+ Bxf6 16. cxb5 axb5 +17. Bxb5 Bh4+ $1 {with good compensation for the pawn.})) 14... Qd7 15. Nc7 { +(2)} ({At first sight,} 15. cxb5 axb5 (15... Nxd5 $2 16. bxc6 Qxc6 17. Qxd5 $1 +{and wins}) 16. Nc7 Bb7 {(?)} (16... Rb8 $1 17. Nxe8 Qxe8 {leads to an unclear +position, which could also have arisen in the game (cf. the note to White's +17th move, variation 'c')}) 17. Rd1 $1 {is much stronger, when Black will +definitely not have sufficient compensation for the exchange.}) 15... Rb8 {(12) +} 16. Nxe8 Qxe8 {Here Beliavsky thought for a long time: White has a wide +choice of tempting continuations, but everywhere Black has considerable +resources.} 17. Be3 $6 {(23) Trying to avoid all dangers, White decides in +the first instance to evacuate his king from the centre, but during this time +Black picks up a pawn and activates his pieces.} ({Let us consider the other +options:} 17. c5 Rb7 $5 (17... dxc5 18. Bxc5 Be6 {is simpler}) ({but not} 17... +Nd7 $6 18. Bc7 dxc5 19. Bxb8 Ndxb8 {because of} 20. h4 $1) 18. Qxd6 Bf8 19. Qd2 +(19. Qxf6 $2 Be7 {, and the queen is trapped}) 19... Be6 20. Nc3 Nd7 $1 ({but +not my earlier move} 20... Rd7 {(?) because of} 21. Qe3 $1) 21. Nd5 Bxd5 22. +exd5 Nd4 23. Ba5 Nxc5 24. b4 Na4 25. Bd3 Rd7 26. O-O Rxd5 {with a pawn for the +exchange and excellent play}) (17. Bc7 $5 Rb7 18. Bxd6 bxc4 19. Ba3 (19. Rd1 $5 +{and Qc1}) 19... Be6 {, and now not} 20. Nc3 $6 ({but} 20. Rd1) ({or} 20. O-O-O +{with a material advantage - but still with development incomplete}) 20... Rd7 +$1) (17. cxb5 $5 -- ({, when I thought that} 17... Rxb6 {(?!)} 18. bxc6 d5 ( +18... Rxc6 19. Nc3 {'gives Black counterplay'}) 19. exd5 e4 20. Rc1 $1 {(Stohl) +he cannot cope with the white pawns.}) ({. There only remains} 17... axb5 18. +Be3 (18. Bf2 b4 19. Rc1 {is possibly more accurate}) 18... d5 $1 19. exd5 Nd4 +20. Kf2 $5 (20. Bxd4 exd4 21. Qxd4 Bb7) ({or} 20. Nc3 b4 21. Ne4 Nxd5 22. Bd3 +Nxe3 23. Qxe3 b3 {is no better for White}) 20... Nf5 21. Nc3 e4 $5 {a bayonet +thrust;} ({if first} 21... Qd8 {, then} 22. a3 $1) 22. Be2 {at last;} (22. Bf4 +Nh5 $5) 22... exf3 23. Bxf3 b4 24. Ne2 Bb7 {, and the 'holes' in the +opponent's position promise Black counterplay, for example:} 25. Bg5 Ne4+ 26. +Bxe4 Qxe4 27. Qf4 Qe8 28. g4 h6 {etc.})) 17... bxc4 18. Nc3 {(2)} Be6 {(2)} 19. +Be2 {(5) A psychologically difficult moment: White reconciles himself to the +loss of his advantage.} ({From afar my opponent had been intending the critical +} 19. Nd5 {, but here he noticed a spectacular further sacrifice:} Nxd5 $1 ( +19... Bxd5 20. exd5 c3 $1 21. bxc3 Nd4 ({or} 21... Ne7 22. Bc4 Qa4 {is also +acceptable}) 22. Bc4 Qc8) 20. exd5 e4 21. dxe6 Qxe6 {. For the rook Black has +just two pawns, but he has a big lead in development, a pawn avalanche in the +centre and strong concrete threats:} 22. Rb1 $2 ({it is also dangerous to play +} 22. Rc1 $6 d5 {(Stohl)} 23. b3 exf3 24. Kf2 c3 $1 25. Rxc3 d4) ({while after +the counter-sacrifice} 22. Bxc4 Qxc4 23. Rc1 Qb5 {White is thinking only of +maintaining the balance}) 22... c3 {. --- This unexpected discovery disturbed +Beliavsky, and he preferred the quiet 19 Be2.}) 19... Nd4 {Now Black has a +pawn for the exchange and a comfortable game.} 20. O-O ({Not} 20. Bxd4 $2 exd4 +21. Qxd4 Nd5 $1 22. Qd2 $2 Rxb2 {and wins (Stohl).}) (20. Rc1 {(an attempt to +prevent ...d6-d5) is hardly any better than the move in the game:} Rb7 21. O-O +Qb8 22. Rb1 d5 {(nevertheless!).}) 20... d5 21. exd5 {(4)} Nxd5 22. Nxd5 Bxd5 ( +22... Bxd5 {. Black has the more active pieces, especially the knight on d4, +which is not so easily dislodged from its powerful outpost (} 23. f4 $2 Nxe2+ +24. Qxe2 exf4 25. Rxf4 Rxb2 {). However, White has some material advantage and +there are no obvious weaknesses in his position, and so the situation is one +of dynamic balance.}) 23. Rf2 {(7)} h5 {(3) Not bad;} ({although} 23... Be6 +24. Rc1 Qa4 {was also possible, after which there could have followed} 25. Bxc4 +({or even} 25. Bxd4 exd4 26. Bxc4 Bxc4 27. b3 Bxb3 28. axb3 Qxb3 29. f4 {with +simplification and a probable draw}) 25... Bxc4 26. b3 Nxb3 27. axb3 Qxb3 28. +Bh6 {. --- On the first 23 moves the two players had used nearly all their +time, and now both had about 10 minutes, or perhaps even less, left on their +clocks. It is this that explains the subsequent uneven play and White's fatal +mistake on the 28th move.}) 24. Rc1 Qe6 25. Bf1 {(3)} h4 {The plan involving +the advance of the h-pawn looks tempting (especially in time-trouble);} ({but} +25... Nf5 {should perhaps have been played, although after} 26. Rd1 {the +evaluation of the position would not have changed.}) 26. Re1 Qc6 ({Here too I +recommended} 26... Nf5 {, although the approximate variation} 27. Rd1 e4 28. +Ba7 e3 29. Qxd5 exf2+ 30. Bxf2 Qxd5 31. Rxd5 Rxb2 32. Bxc4 Rb1+ 33. Bf1 Bh6 34. +Re5 {leads to a drawn endgame.}) 27. Bh6 {This does not yet spoil anything;} ({ +but} 27. f4 $1 {was more energetic, driving back the knight:} Nf5 ({if} 27... +Bf8 28. fxe5 Nf5 {, then} 29. Rxf5 $1) 28. fxe5 (28. Rd1 e4 $5) 28... Nxe3 ( +28... Bxe5 29. Rxf5 $1 gxf5 30. Bd4 $1 Bxd4+ 31. Qxd4 Qb6 32. Re8+ Kh7 33. Rh8+ +Kg6 34. Rg8+ {with perpetual check}) 29. Rxe3 (29. Qxe3 {is somewhat weaker in +view of} Bf8 $1) 29... Bh6 30. e6 $1 Qc5 (30... Bxe6 $2 31. Rxe6 $1) (30... f5 +31. e7 {is equal}) 31. exf7+ Bxf7 32. Re8+ Rxe8 33. Qxh6 Re4 34. Qd2 {with a +draw. The practical advantage of 27 f4 was that Black could no longer have +'marked time', as in the game: he would have had to make a choice and take +some decision, and to calculate all these variations with just 4 minutes for +14 moves was not easy... True, Beliavsky's time-trouble was much more serious.} +) 27... Bh8 {Of course, the important bishop has to be retained.} 28. f4 $4 { +But now this active move, made at the most inappropriate moment, leads to +disaster: Black creates an ultra-powerful passed pawn.} (28. h3 $1 {, +defending against the threat of ...h4-h3, was essential. I over-optimistically +thought that 'even then Black's advantage is obvious'. In fact White has a +fairly solid position and one can still talk about a dynamic equilibrium.}) +28... e4 {(the point!)} 29. Rd1 Be6 ({Or} 29... e3 $5 30. Qxe3 Nf5 31. Qd2 Bd4 +{and wins (Stohl).}) 30. f5 ({In the event of} 30. Bg5 Nf5 {the black pawn +would have advanced unhindered to e3, making White's resistance hopeless:} 31. +Qa5 Kh7 $1 32. Rd8 Rxd8 33. Qxd8 e3 34. Re2 Qe4 35. Bf6 Bxf6 36. Qxf6 Qxf4 { +and wins. To somehow coordinate his pieces, Beliavsky sacrifices a pawn, but +he is no longer able to change the course of events.}) 30... Nxf5 31. Qf4 Re8 { +(3)} 32. Rfd2 $6 {Now the stray bishop is lost.} ({However,} 32. Bg5 e3 { +(Stohl)} ({or} 32... h3 {could also not have satisfied White.})) 32... Qc5+ 33. +Kh1 Be5 34. Qg5 Kh7 $1 {Here White could have resigned, but at this point the +players had only one minute left between them!} 35. Rd8 $6 Rxd8 36. Rxd8 Qf2 $1 +{(an unpleasant interposition)} 37. Rd1 Nxh6 (37... Bd4 {(Stohl)}) ({or} 37... +e3 $1 {was much stronger, but the capture of the bishop does not spoil +anything.}) 38. Qxe5 e3 (38... Ng4 $5 39. Qxe4 Ne3 {.}) 39. Qc3 (39. h3 Bxh3 +40. gxh3 Qf3+ 41. Kg1 Nf5 $1 {was also hopeless for White.}) 39... h3 40. Qe1 +Ng4 $1 {The strongest move.} ({Although} 40... e2 $5 41. Qxf2 exd1=Q {would +have been more spectacular.}) ({The time control was reached, and White +resigned: ...e3-e2 is threatened, and if} 40... Ng4 41. Rc1 {, then} Bd5 42. +Qxf2 exf2 {and ...Ne3, mating. --- Times: 2.41-2.29.}) (40... -- {In the 2nd +round with White against Gheorghiu I gained a clearly better endgame. With +rooks on the board, the presence of opposite-colour bishops merely aggravated +the problems for Black, who had positional defects. However, with my 39th move +in time-trouble I lost the greater part of my advantage, and immediately after +the time control I made another 'weak move': instead of adjourning the game +and seeking ways to win, I offered a draw, which Gheorghiu joyfully accepted. +Later, observing how grandmasters seek the slightest chances in dead-drawn +positions, I frequently regretted making such a hasty peace offer... --- In +the 3rd round, not without some difficulty I gained a draw with Portisch, and +in the 4th I defeated Torre with White. By that time the leading group had +emerged: Karpov - 3½ out of 4; Kasparov and Smyslov - 3.}) (40... -- {In the +next three rounds my rivals restricted themselves to draws, and I gained a +real chance of catching the world champion, by achieving two draws with Black, +against Timman and Smyslov (precisely on my 18th birthday), and adjourning my +game against Andersson with excellent winning chances, although here too I +slightly let my opponent off the hook with my time-trouble 39th move. --- +However, the resumption was due to take place only after the 8th round, in +which for the second time in my life I met at the board with ex-world champion +Tigran Petrosian (see the following game). After our joint trip to Banja Luka +we were on excellent terms, and Nikitin and I had several times visited him +for creative discussions. But on that April day I was thirsting for victory +both in the game, and in the tournament! Later, after being given a masterful +lesson in defence and counterattack, for a long time I was reminded of a +light-minded d'Artagnan, eagerly galloping to conquer Paris, but on the way +suddenly encountering the hardened and cunning 'stranger from Meung'...}) 0-1 + +[Event "52: Grandmaster Tournament, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.04.14"] +[Round "8"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Petrosian, T."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "E12"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "84"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 {Following the example of Petrosian himself! +} Bb7 (4... c5 {- Game Nos. 32, 68.}) 5. Nc3 d5 (5... Ne4 {- Game No.61.}) 6. +cxd5 Nxd5 7. e3 ({The alternative is} 7. Qc2 {(Game Nos. 73, 75, 98).}) 7... +Be7 8. Bb5+ c6 9. Bd3 Nxc3 {(4)} 10. bxc3 c5 (10... Nd7 {- Game No.43.}) 11. +O-O {(9)} O-O {(4)} ({As is well known,} 11... Nc6 $1 {(Game No.85) is more +accurate. Now White succeeds in weakening the black king's defences.}) 12. Qc2 +$1 {(8)} g6 ({After} 12... h6 13. e4 Nc6 14. Bb2 Rc8 15. Qe2 Na5 16. Rad1 cxd4 +17. cxd4 {White also has some advantage (Ribli-Hort, Germany 1991).}) 13. e4 { +(9)} Nc6 {(11)} (13... Qc7 $6 {is weaker:} 14. Qe2 Rd8 15. h4 $1 Nc6 16. Be3 +Bf6 $6 17. e5 Bg7 18. h5 {with an attack (Polugayevsky-Petrosian, 10th round).} +) 14. Bh6 $6 (14. Be3 {is correct.}) 14... Re8 15. Rfd1 {(2)} Qc7 $6 {(11)} ({ +It definitely made sense for Black to part with the exchange: the endgame after +} 15... cxd4 $1 16. cxd4 Nxd4 17. Nxd4 Qxd4 18. Bb5 Qxe4 19. Qxe4 Bxe4 20. Bxe8 +Rxe8 21. Rd7 a5 22. a4 (22. Be3 b5 23. Rc1 $2 {is parried by} Bxa3 24. Rcc7 Bb2 +$1 25. Rxf7 b4 $1 26. Rxh7 Be5 27. Rce7 Rb8) 22... Bc5 {would have promised +him every chance of a draw.}) 16. Qe2 {(6)} Red8 {(6)} 17. Qe3 $1 {(6) In +connection with e4-e5 and h2-h4-h5, White's position begins to look menacing.} +e5 $1 {(12)} ({If} 17... Rd7 {, then} 18. Bb5 $1 {is unpleasant, keeping Bf4 +in reserve. At the cost of positional concessions, Petrosian suppresses the +incipient attack.}) 18. d5 {(58) On this one obvious move I spent nearly a +whole hour!} ({I very much wanted to exploit the opening of the a2-g8 diagonal +by playing} 18. Bc4 $6 exd4 19. cxd4 cxd4 20. Bxf7+ $6 Kxf7 21. Qb3+ {, but +after} Ke8 22. Qg8+ (22. e5 Bf8 $1) (22. Rac1 Qd6 $1) 22... Kd7 23. Qxh7 Kc8 +24. Qxg6 Qd6 {nothing worthwhile would have come of it. Too much time was +wasted in vain, and I soon had cause to regret this.}) 18... Na5 19. c4 $5 {(3) +This weakening of the d4-point gives Black counter-chances;} ({but after} 19. +Ng5 c4 20. Be2 {it is also not easy for White to gain any real advantage:} Bc8 +21. Qg3 f6 22. Nf3 Nb3 $1 (22... Bf8 $6 {is inferior:} 23. Bxf8 Rxf8 24. Nd2 $1 +{and h2-h4-h5}) 23. Ra2 Nc5 24. Nd2 b5 {with a complicated struggle -} 25. a4 +Nxa4 26. Nxc4 a6 27. h4 Bf8 {.}) 19... Nb3 {(2)} ({Yusupov and Dvoretsky +suggested} 19... f6 20. h4 Ba6 21. Nd2 Bf8 {and a possible ...Nb7-d6, but the +move in the game looks more logical.}) 20. Ra2 {(3)} f6 {(6)} 21. h4 Bc8 $6 ({ +To all appearances, the immediate} 21... Bf8 $5 {(Yusupov, Dvoretsky) was +sounder. Now White succeeds in keeping his initiative alive.}) 22. Rb1 $1 Nd4 +23. Nxd4 cxd4 24. Qg3 {(the thematic f2-f4 is now on the agenda)} Bf8 {(4)} 25. +Bd2 $1 {(4)} Bd6 {(8)} 26. Rf1 (26. h5 $5 {.}) 26... Qg7 {(8)} 27. a4 $6 {(5) +Opening a second front! But in Petrosian's opinion this was an inaccuracy: +'White should not have made such a serious weakening of his queenside'.} ({ +However, after} 27. f4 {Black had the reply} Bd7 28. fxe5 (28. Qh2 Rf8 29. Bb4 +Qe7 $1) 28... Bxe5 29. Bf4 Rf8 30. Raf2 Rae8 {with a solid defence.}) ({The +correct solution was the paradoxical} 27. Bb4 $1 {(Yusupov, Dvoretsky). By +preventing ...Bd7, White carries out f2-f4 in a more comfortable situation:} +Qe7 ({or} 27... Ba6 28. Bxd6 Rxd6 29. f4 {etc.}) 28. f4 $1 {.}) 27... a5 $1 { +Fixing the weakness at a4. Now White's task is far more difficult, but I +realised this only later, whereas during the game I was merely staggered by +the boldness of my opponent, since I was sure that Black would be unable to +hold out against the combined pressure on the b-file and on the kingside. At +that time I used to think in concrete, tactical terms, whereas for Petrosian +it was long-term, strategic terms.} 28. Rb2 Bc5 (28... Rb8 $2 29. Rfb1 Bc5 30. +Bxa5 {and wins.}) 29. f4 {(4)} Bd7 {(8)} ({The prophylactic} 29... h6 {is +interesting} 30. -- ({, for example:} 30. h5 g5 31. fxg5 fxg5 32. Kh1 Rf8 { +(Petrosian)} 33. Rxf8+ Kxf8 34. Be2 Bd7 {with equality}) ({, or} 30. Qe1 $5 Ra7 +$1 ({not} 30... Bd7 $2 31. fxe5 fxe5 32. Qc1 $1 Kh7 ({or} 32... Ba3 33. Bxh6 $1 +Bxb2 34. Qg5 Qh7 35. Rf6 {and wins}) 33. Bxh6 $1) 31. Qb1 Rb7 32. fxe5 (32. Bc1 +$5) 32... fxe5 33. Rb5 Kh7 $1 {(Yusupov, Dvoretsky).})) 30. h5 $1 {(4)} Bxa4 $2 +{(8)} ({The more dangerous pawn should have been taken -} 30... gxh5 31. Qh4 +Bg4 ({apart from 31...Bg4, an idea of Bologan's also comes into consideration: +} 31... Rf8 $5 32. Qxh5 Bxa4 33. fxe5 fxe5 34. Rxf8+ Rxf8 $1 35. Bh6 Qg6 36. +Qxg6+ hxg6 37. Bxf8 Kxf8 38. Kf1 Bd7 39. Ke2 a4 {with sufficient compensation +for the exchange}) 32. fxe5 fxe5 33. Bg5 Rf8 $1 (33... Re8 34. Bf6 $1) 34. Bf6 +({if} 34. Rbf2 Rxf2 35. Rxf2 {Black has a good choice between} Re8 ({and} 35... +Rf8 36. Bf6 Rxf6 $1 37. Qxf6 Qxf6 38. Rxf6 Bd7 {with equality}) 36. Bf6 Qg6 $1 +{, recommended by Yusupov and Dvoretsky}) 34... Qh6 35. Rbf2 Rae8 {with +approximate equality. Since} 36. d6 $2 {, is unfavourable;} ({White must play} +36. Qg3 Qe3 37. Bxe5 Rxe5 $1 38. Qxe5 Bb4 $1 39. c5 Be1 40. Qg5+ $1 Qxg5 41. +Rxf8+ Kg7 {, when he has only perpetual check (Yusupov, Dvoretsky)}) 36... Bxd6 +37. c5 Bxc5 38. Bc4+ Be6 39. Bxe6+ (39. Rf5 $2 Bxc4 40. Rg5+ Qg6 41. Qxh5 Kf7 +$1 {and wins}) 39... Rxe6 40. Rf3 d3+ 41. Kh2 d2 42. Rg3+ Qg6 {.}) 31. h6 {(4)} +Qc7 {Petrosian was relying on the solidity of his position and was hoping +subsequently to exploit his passed a-pawn, but White's threats are too strong.} +32. f5 $6 {A tempting move;} ({and yet} 32. fxe5 $1 fxe5 33. Bg5 Rf8 34. Bf6 { +was correct - as shown by later analyses, including by me (both old and new), +Timman, and Yusupov with Dvoretsky, White's attack is irresistible:} -- (34... +Rxf6 35. Rxf6 Rf8 36. Rbxb6 $1 Bxb6 37. d6 $1 Qd8 38. Rxg6+ $1 Kf7 39. Qxe5 +hxg6 40. Qd5+ Kf6 41. g4 $1) (34... Bd6 35. Rbf2 Rf7 36. c5 $5 ({or the crude} +36. Bd8 $1 Rxd8 37. Rxf7 Qxf7 38. Rxf7 Kxf7 39. Qf3+ Ke7 {(otherwise Qf6)} 40. +Qg4 Rd7 41. Qe6+ Kd8 42. c5 $1) 36... bxc5 (36... Qxc5 37. Bxe5 Rxf2 ({or} +37... Bxe5 38. Qxe5 Re8 39. Qg5 {and Rf6!}) 38. Rxf2 Bxe5 39. Qxe5 Qc1+ 40. Bf1 +Qxh6 41. d6 $1) 37. Bc4 Raf8 38. Bxe5 $3 Bxe5 39. Rxf7 Rxf7 40. d6 $1 {(cf. +'New in Chess' 1986 No.4)}) (34... Rae8 35. Rbf2 Bd7 (35... Bd6 36. Rf5 $1 Bd7 +37. Rg5) 36. Bg7 $1 ({this is simpler than my suggestion} 36. Kh2 {- cf. 'New +in Chess' 1987 No.5}) 36... Rxf2 (36... Rf4 37. Bxe5 $1 ({or} 37. Rxf4 exf4 38. +Rxf4 Bd6 39. e5 $1)) 37. Qxf2 Ba4 {(c8)} 38. d6 $1 Bxd6 39. c5 {and in all +variations White wins. --- It was impossible to calculate all these variations +at the board, especially in time-trouble, and I chose what seemed to me to be +a more forcing continuation.})) 32... g5 {(8)} 33. Bxg5 $1 {There is nothing +else.} fxg5 $2 ({In the event of the cool-headed} 33... Kf7 $1 {(I +underestimated this defence) White would have had to be satisfied with a solid +positional advantage after} 34. Bc1 $1 (34. Bd2 Rg8 35. Qh4 Ke7 36. g4 Be8 37. +g5 fxg5 38. Bxg5+ Kd7 39. Kh1 Bf7 {is unclear - Yusupov, Dvoretsky}) 34... Rg8 +35. Qh3 $1 Ke7 36. g4 {(threatening 37 g5 fxg5 38 f6+)} Raf8 37. Rg2 {with the +unavoidable g4-g5 breakthrough (Bologan).}) 34. Qxg5+ Kf8 ({Not} 34... Kh8 $2 +35. Qf6+ Kg8 36. Rf3 {.}) 35. Qf6+ $2 {(3)} ({White's entire preceding play +demanded the breakthrough} 35. f6 $1 Qf7 {(otherwise f6-f7)} 36. Qxe5 {, for +example:} -- (36... Qg6 37. Rxb6 $1 Qxh6 38. Qe7+ $3 Bxe7 39. fxe7+ Kxe7 40. +Rxh6) (36... Bd7 37. Rxb6 $1 Bxb6 ({or} 37... Re8 38. Re6 $1 Bxe6 39. dxe6 Rac8 +40. e7+ Kg8 41. Qg5+ Kh8 42. e5 Bxe7 43. Qg7+ $1 Qxg7 44. hxg7+ Kg8 45. c5 $1 +h5 46. Bc4+ Kh7 47. Bf7 $1 d3 48. Rf5) 38. Qd6+ Kg8 39. Qxb6) (36... Bd6 37. +Qg5 Qg8 38. Qg7+ $1 Qxg7 39. fxg7+ Kg8 40. c5 $1 bxc5 41. e5 $1 Bxe5 42. Rb7 +Bd7 43. d6 $1 Bxg7 44. Bc4+ Kh8 45. hxg7+ Kxg7 46. Rf7+ {and Rxd7}) (36... Re8 +$1 37. Qg5 Qg6 38. Rf5 $1 {, and the pawn avalanche sweeps away everything in +its path:} Bd7 ({not} 38... Ra7 39. Qf4 Rf7 40. Rf2 {and Rg5}) ({or} 38... Qxg5 +39. Rxg5 Kf7 40. Rg7+ $1) 39. Qxg6 hxg6 40. Rg5 Kf7 (40... a4 $2 41. Rxg6) 41. +e5 Bf5 $5 {an idea of grandmaster Vadim Zviagintsev;} ({if} 41... Rxe5 42. Rxe5 +Kxf6 {there is the decisive} 43. Rbe2 a4 44. g4 $1 Bxg4 45. Re8 Ra7 46. Rg2 $1 +Bf5 47. Re6+ $1) 42. Bxf5 d3+ $5 (42... Rxe5 43. Bxg6+ Kxf6 44. Rxe5 Kxe5 45. +Re2+ $1 Kf4 ({or} 45... Kf6 46. Re6+ Kg5 47. Bd3 {and wins}) 46. Re8 $1) 43. +Kh2 $1 {Dvoretsky;} (43. Kf1 Rxe5 44. Bxg6+ Kxf6 45. Rxe5 Kxe5 46. Bxd3 Kd4 47. +Ke2 Re8+ $1 48. Kd2 Rg8 $1 49. h7 Rxg2+ 50. Kd1 Rg1+ {and ...Rh1 is not so +clear}) 43... Rxe5 44. Bxg6+ Kxf6 45. Rxe5 Kxe5 46. Bxd3 a4 (46... Kd4 47. Bb1 +Kxc4 48. g4 $1) 47. h7 a3 48. Rd2 Kd4 49. Bb1+ Kc3 (49... Kxc4 50. d6 $1) 50. +Rc2+ Kb3 51. g4 {and wins.})) 35... Ke8 $1 {(5)} 36. Ra1 {The point of White's +plan. Now, in the event of the bishop retreating, the queen check will be +fully justified, but - the bishop is not obliged to retreat!} Qe7 $3 {This +brilliant defensive move was made by Petrosian almost without thinking. +White's attack peters out, since his rooks are stuck on the queenside.} 37. Qe6 +$2 ({On seeing that the endgame after} 37. Qxe7+ Kxe7 38. Rxa4 Rd6 39. g3 {was +too depressing (although by no means lost:} Rg8 40. Kg2 Rxh6 41. Be2 {etc.), I +tried to confuse matters.}) 37... Rd6 $6 {(4)} ({'Petrosian is again equal to +the occasion: after} 37... Qxe6 38. fxe6 Bd7 ({Black is also better after} +38... Bc6 $5 39. Rf2 (39. dxc6 $2 Rd6 40. c7 Rc6 $1) 39... Ke7 $1 40. Rf7+ Kd6 +41. e7 Re8 42. Rf6+ Kd7 $1 43. Rxc6 a4) 39. exd7+ Rxd7 40. Rf2 {White would +have managed to save the game', I wrote in 'The Test of Time'. But now I am +not so sure:} Rf7 41. Rf5 Rxf5 42. exf5 Kf7 {followed by ...a5-a4-a3, ...Kf6 +and so on.}) 38. Qg8+ ({Ignoring} 38. Qxe7+ {all the more.}) 38... Qf8 39. Qg3 +$6 ({'After} 39. Qxf8+ Kxf8 40. Rxa4 Rxh6 41. g3 Kg7 42. Rh2 (42. Kg2 $5 {and +Be2 - G.K.}) 42... Rxh2 43. Kxh2 Kf6 {White's defence is difficult' (Petrosian) +. And yet objectively this would have given real drawing chances and was the +lesser evil!}) 39... Qxh6 $5 ({In time-trouble Black avoids the +alarming-looking} 39... Bd7 $1 40. Qxe5+ Kd8 $1 {, which would have given him +a chance of converting his extra piece:} ({but not} 40... Kf7 $2 41. Qg3 $1 +Qxh6 42. e5) 41. Qg7 $6 Rxh6 42. Qxf8+ Bxf8 43. e5 Bc5 $1 {etc. Now, on the +other hand, not a trace remains of White's attack.}) 40. Rxa4 $4 {At +completely the wrong time!} (40. Re2 $2 Kf7 $1 {was also hopeless}) ({as was} +40. Rf2 $2 Bd7 41. Qxe5+ Kf7 {with the decisive inclusion of the rook on a8.}) +({But} 40. Qg8+ $1 Qf8 (40... Kd7 41. Qxa8 Qe3+ 42. Rf2 {with equality}) 41. +Qxf8+ Kxf8 42. Rxa4 {would have taken play into a somewhat inferior endgame of +the type that I could have entered on the 37th or 39th move.}) 40... Qc1+ {I +simply overlooked this 'long' move.} 41. Kf2 (41. Kh2 Rh6+ {.}) 41... Qxb2+ 42. +Kf3 Kf7 {. The time scramble ended with a cold shower for me! White resigned. +--- Times: 2.29-2.28. --- This was undoubtedly the turning point of the +tournament, since that evening Karpov crushed Timman and surged ahead with 6 +out of 8. And the following day I conclusively 'fell out of step' - I failed +to win my adjourned game with Andersson. Apparently, after the dramatic loss +to Petrosian I did not have sufficient nervous energy.} (42... -- {In the 9th +round all the games were drawn, but in the 10th I gained an unexpectedly quick +win with Black: Geller, who had lost his previous form, blundered in an equal +position. But Karpov won against Smyslov, maintaining his lead of one and a +half points. I no longer had the strength to give chase, the result of which +was short draws with Balashov and Polugayevsky. --- By the will of the +pairings I played Karpov in the last, 13th round. Many fans had been hoping +that by that stage I would be only a point behind and that the game would have +great competitive significance. Alas, in reality the tournament intrigue was +exhausted: Karpov was still one and a half points ahead of his closest +pursuers and had already secured overall victory. Nevertheless I had the +desire to fight, but... 'The grand struggle, to which Botvinnik and I tried to +tune up the young grandmaster, did not occur', remembers Nikitin. 'The fact +that it was impossible to catch his opponent had a dampening effect on Garry, +and his very first intensive think ended in - an offer of a draw' (Game No.4 +in Kasparov vs. Karpov 1975-1985). Before our marathon match, which began +three and a half years later, Karpov and I did not meet at the board again...}) +(42... -- {At the end of the tournament I was surprised to hear it being said +that my result (a share of 2nd-4th places) was partly explained by good luck. +Taking account of the opportunities that were unconverted in the games with +Gheorghiu, Andersson and Petrosian, one could rather talk about bad luck. Or +more correctly - about a lack of experience of participating in +super-tournaments. An interesting point of view was expressed in the 64 +magazine by Lev Polugayevsky: 'The proximity of Garry Kasparov and Vasily +Smyslov in the results table shows that in Soviet chess a happy period is now +approaching, when young talents are naturally developing and at the same time +veterans are still active. Such a competitive interaction is beneficial to +both sides. (Who could have thought that three years later Smyslov and I would +be fighting it out in the final Candidates match! - G.K.). --- 'During the +last two or three years, in our country a large group of able young players +has emerged, among whom Yusupov, Dolmatov, Psakhis and Kasparov stand out. +These lads are all very different; each has his own character and style, and +each has his own approach. Nevertheless, Kasparov's results are especially +impressive. --- 'Observing his play, you realise that he is not simply strong +and, as they say, that he has spent hours memorising opening theory. No, +Kasparov has made a profound study of chess history and has scrupulously +studied the games of the past masters. And this has impregnated his style, his +chess culture, and, of course, has brought him great benefit. From Kasparov's +games, from the versatile manner of his play, you sense what an enormous +amount of work the young Baku player has carried out. Garry's natural element +is calculation and combination. But also he does not avoid a painstaking +positional struggle. --- 'Kasparov has undoubtedly achieved great, very +significant successes, and has demonstrated original and interesting play. +However, I think it is premature to assert, as some careless voices do, that +Kasparov is now almost ready to fight for the world championship. I think it +is wrong to do this. In my view, in the play of the young grandmaster there +are still numerous gaps, which he needs to work hard to eliminate. Also +important, in particular, is how the young player will pass the test of fame. +This important factor has to be remembered both by Kasparov himself, and by +those who are able to influence him. How he manages to define his position, +whether he will be self-critical and objective in his searches - it is on this +that his further successes largely depend.'}) (42... -- {Vitaly Melik-Karamov: +'In the world there are now 166 international grandmasters, and the youngest +among the elite players is the 18-year-old Baku student Garry Kasparov. He has +grown up considerably over the past year and has become a sturdy young man. +Not much has been written about him yet, but people talk and argue about him +constantly. He looks like a quite normal youth - you will not find any signs +of genius in him. He has a slight stoop, he walks quickly, and he likes a joke +- in general, nothing special. Just like many others. Only, he has a fantastic +gift for chess. "He is the Mozart of chess", a journalist acquaintance said to +me.'}) 0-1 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Audacious Challenge"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2009.12.07"] + +{USSR Team Championship, Second Division (Moscow, 16-30 May 1981): 1. Russian +Federation-2 - 49 out of 72; 2. Moscow-2 - 47½; 3. Ukraine-2 - 42 (all hors +concours); 4. Lithuania - 40½; 5. Armenia - 39; 6. Kazakhstan - 38½; 7. +Azerbaijan - 34; 8. Kirgizia - 25; 9. Tadzhikistan - 23½; 10. Turkmenistan - +21. Tournament of top boards: 1. Kasparov - 6½ out of 9.} 1. -- {The Second +Division of the 1981 USSR Team Championship, in which the Azerbaijan team +participated, took place in the new central trades union chess club, situated +in the Krylatskoe Sports Complex. I remember the light, spacious rooms, +excellent playing conditions - and the complete absence of spectators. Only +six grandmasters were playing, and so even on the top board I mainly played +against masters, and they, for quite understandable reasons, normally aimed +only for simplification and a draw. --- However, there were some rare +exceptions. In the 5th round I was paired against the 32-year-old Novosibirsk +master Anatoly Vaisser, a player with an interesting fate. Although he had a +degree in mathematics and physics, he nevertheless decided to devote himself +to chess, and after working as Psakhis's second at his 'gold' USSR +Championships (1980/81 and 1981), within a few years he himself became a +grandmaster. In the early 1990s he moved to France where he successfully +continued his chess career, and in 2010 he won the world senior championship!} +(1. -- {For both of us this was a crucial encounter. Three years earlier, on +the last day of the all-union qualifying tournament in Daugavpils (1978), when +I had made a quick draw and was awaiting the conclusion of the game of my +rival - Igor Ivanov, Vaisser and I played a blitz match. I won by a small +margin, but the King's Indian games, against which my opponent employed only +the Four Pawns Attack, almost invariably ended in failure for me. Now, of +course, I was fully prepared to meet the onslaught. But an unpleasant surprise +awaited me... --- Vaisser: 'A game with such a brilliant player as Kasparov +was a notable event in a master's life, and so I prepared especially +thoroughly for it. To score a win against the holder of one of the highest +ratings in the world was very tempting, but above all I wanted to play an +entertaining, fighting game.' He must have succeeded, since the magazine +Shakhmaty v SSSR published it - a rare occurrence! - with comments by both +players.}) * + +[Event "53: USSR Team Championship, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.??.??"] +[Round "5"] +[White "Vaisser, A."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "E77"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "81"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 ({In three other games from this tournament I had to +fight against} 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. Nf3 d6 6. O-O -- ({, when neither} 6... +Nbd7 7. Qc2 c5 {(against Slutsky, 3rd round)}) ({, nor} 6... c5 7. -- (7. dxc5 +dxc5 8. Qxd8 Rxd8 9. Ne5 Ne8 $1 {(against Vaganian, 7th round)}) ({, or} 7. Nc3 +Nc6 8. dxc5 (8. d5 {(instead of 8 dxc5) leads to more complicated play:} Na5 9. +Nd2 a6 10. Qc2 Rb8 11. b3 b5 12. Bb2 bxc4 13. bxc4 Bh6 14. Ncb1 e5 $5 15. Bc3 +Bd7 16. Na3 Rb4 $1 (16... Bg7 $6 17. Rab1 $1 {, Zaid-Kasparov, Leningrad 1977}) +17. Bxb4 cxb4 18. Nab1 Qc7 $1 {with quite good play for the exchange +(Timman-Kasparov, Tilburg 1981)}) 8... dxc5 9. Be3 Be6 $5 ({the usual reply is +} 9... Qa5) 10. Qa4 Nd4 11. Rad1 Bd7 12. Qa3 Nc2 13. Qxc5 b6 14. Qg5 h6 15. Qf4 +g5 16. Qe5 Rc8 {(against K.Grigorian, 8th round) gave more than a draw.}))) +3... Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f4 O-O 6. Nf3 c5 7. d5 {'This sharp and little-studied +variation had already served me faithfully for 14 years. Here I was rather +expecting 7...b5, which Kasparov had already played once.' (Vaisser).} e6 {(5)} +8. Be2 (8. dxe6 {- Game No.74.}) 8... exd5 9. e5 $6 {(2) But here is a +surprise!} ({In the aforementioned blitz match Vaisser invariably followed the +main line -} 9. cxd5 {, and I replied} Re8 ({or} 9... b5 {.}) ({But now I had +prepared} 9... Bg4 {, for example:} 10. O-O Nbd7 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Bxf3 Re8 13. +Re1 Rc8 14. Be3 b5 $1 15. Nxb5 Nxe4 16. Bxe4 Rxe4 17. Nxd6 Rxe3 18. Rxe3 Bd4 { +with equality (Nogueiras-Kasparov, Barcelona 1989). In the objective +evaluation of 9 e5 - '?!' - the exclamation mark relates to the field of +psychology: Vaisser correctly reckoned that this exotic continuation would be +a surprise for me and that it would be unpleasant for me to have to change +tune (as my opponent put it, 'this slight change of "register" neutralises +Black's home preparation'). And the question mark, as we will now see, +reflects the purely chess strength of the move.})) 9... Ng4 $6 {(20)} ({'Black +swims into the net, although if he desired he could have practically forced a +draw:} 9... dxe5 10. fxe5 Ng4 11. Bg5 f6 12. exf6 Bxf6 13. Qxd5+ Qxd5 14. Nxd5 +Bxg5 15. Nxg5 Nc6 $1 16. Nc7 Rb8 17. Nge6 Bxe6 18. Nxe6 Rfe8 19. Bxg4 Nd4 20. +O-O-O Nxe6 {(Vaisser-Petrushin, Dnepropetrovsk 1968). However, in a game with +Kasparov you don't have to fear that in the opening the opponent will go into +a drawn endgame.}) ({But if not 9...dxe5, then it is better to play} 9... Nfd7 +10. cxd5 dxe5 11. O-O exf4 12. Bxf4 Nf6 {with complicated play +(Nei-Polugayevsky, 34th USSR Championship, Tbilisi 1966).' (Vaisser)}) ({ +However, the most forceful is} 9... Ne4 $1 10. cxd5 ({as it transpired,} 10. +Nxd5 Nc6 (10... dxe5 $5) 11. Bd3 f5 {f5 is not much better for White (San +Segundo-J.Howell, Gausdal 1986)}) 10... Nxc3 11. bxc3 Nd7 {with advantage to +Black (Nun-Smejkal, Sternberk 1962), but this old game went unnoticed, and the +variation became widely known only after Black's win in the game Li +Zunian-Gheorghiu (Olympiad, Dubai 1986), which found its way into 'Informator' +Volume 42.}) ({Theory was truly 'short-sighted' in regarding} 9... Ng4 {as the +best response to White's audacious 9th move. One of the justifications was the +variation} 10. h3 $2 d4 11. Ne4 Nxe5 $1 12. fxe5 dxe5 {, when Black's pawn +mass in the centre gives him the advantage (Beyen-Barczay, Olympiad, Havana +1966). However, White has a far more promising continuation.}) 10. cxd5 dxe5 +11. h3 e4 12. hxg4 {(2)} ({This capture was not even considered by the +'Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings', which gave only} 12. Nxe4 Nf6 {with +equality.} ({'Apart from the simple 12...Nf6, also} 12... Re8 $5 {is possible' +(Vaisser).})) 12... exf3 13. gxf3 $1 {An interesting attempted improvement.} ({ +The game Vaisser-A.Shashin (Odessa 1977) went} 13. Bxf3 Nd7 (13... Na6 $5) 14. +Kf2 {, and here instead of} Nf6 $6 {(which could have given White the +advantage:} 15. g5 $1 Ne8 16. Be3 {), Black could have equalised by 14...Re8!. +'Although I won that game, I was dissatisfied with the outcome of the opening +- more resolute measures are demanded of White: he must be prepared to +sacrifice to try and get at the black king' (Vaisser).}) 13... Re8 {(51) Here +I thought for a long time. At first it seemed to me that White's threats down +the h-file could easily be parried, and that the insecure position of the +white king would give Black good counter-chances. But on closer examination it +all turned out to be not so simple: the difficulties began to pile up one on +top of another, creating a veritable mountain of problems which was extremely +difficult to scale during the allotted time limit. I was quite unable to find +good squares for the development of my queenside pieces, and Black's position +ceased to appeal to me... --- I shouldn't have thought for so long over this +natural move!} (13... f5 $6 {(preventing f4-f5) would have led to a weakening +of the a2-g8 diagonal, which could have told after} 14. Be3 Re8 15. Qd2 {, +threatening d5-d6 and 0-0-0.}) 14. f5 $1 {(3) Now the queen's bishop will be +developed at h6, harassing Black's only active piece and, more important, the +only defender of his king - the bishop on g7.} Qb6 $6 {(26) In order to +somehow deflect the mounting attacking wave, Black puts the b2-pawn under fire. +In 'The Test of Time' I attached a question mark to the queen move, but it is +not altogether bad.} ({'The trappy} 14... Bd7 {with the idea of} 15. Bh6 $2 ({ +would have been easily parried by} 15. Qc2) 15... Bxc3+ $1 16. bxc3 Bb5 17. Rh2 +Bxe2 18. Rxe2 Qh4+ 19. Kf1 Rxe2 {and ...Qxh6, winning.}) ({but with the same +aim} 14... b6 $5 {made sense' (Vaisser).} 15. -- ({. And indeed,} 15. Bh6 $2 { +runs into} Bxc3+ 16. bxc3 Ba6) ({, but White can look for an advantage after} +15. Ne4 $5 gxf5 16. gxf5 Bxf5 17. Bg5 Qd7 ({or} 17... Qc7 18. d6 Qc6 19. Be7) +18. Rg1 ({or} 18. Qd2) (18. Nf6+ $6 Bxf6 19. Bxf6 Qd6 {favours Black, despite +the loss of his King's Indian bishop})) ({, as well as with} 15. fxg6 $5 fxg6 +16. Kf1 Ba6 17. Ne4 {(Fries Nielsen-Mortensen, Esbjerg 1985).})) ({I was also +not attracted by} 14... Nd7 15. Bh6 Bd4 {(?!)} ({although in this variation +things are by no means so clear after} 15... Bxh6 $5 16. Rxh6 Ne5 17. Kf2 (17. +fxg6 fxg6 $1) 17... gxf5 18. Qc2 Qg5 19. Rh5 $5 (19. Rah1 Qf4 $1 {with +equality, Ravisekhar-Thipsay, Indian Championship 1983}) 19... Qf4 20. Rg1 $1 { +(recommended by Ravisekhar), and now not} c4 21. gxf5+ Kh8 22. Nd1 $1 {(Stohl)} +Bd7 23. f6 h6 24. Rgh1 $1 Ng4+ 25. Ke1 $1 Nxf6 26. Rxh6+ Kg7 27. Qc3 {with the +initiative for White, but the cool-headed 20...Kh8!?}) 16. Qd2 {(c2) and 0-0-0. +}) ({Finally, even the unaesthetic} 14... gxf5 {was possible, for example:} 15. +-- (15. Bf4 Na6 16. Qd2 Nb4 17. O-O-O fxg4 18. a3 Bxc3 $5 {(forcing an amusing +draw)} 19. bxc3 Qa5 $1 20. Kb2 Nxd5 $1 21. Bc4 $1 Nb6 22. Bxf7+ Kxf7 23. Rxh7+ +Kg8 24. Rh8+ $1 Kf7 $1 25. Rh7+ {with perpetual check}) (15. Bh6 {, and here} +Bxh6 ({but the unexpected} 15... Bxc3+ $5 16. bxc3 fxg4 {is stronger, with an +unclear game (Packroff-Grigorescu, European Correspondence Championship 1985)}) +16. Rxh6 Qg5 17. Qd2 $1 Qxd2+ 18. Kxd2 {followed by Rah1 justifiably seemed +dangerous to me.})) 15. Bh6 $6 {(18) White pays no attention to the +opponent's 'pin-pricks' and continues carrying out his long-range plan. Even +so, he should have preserved his b2-pawn.} ({'} 15. Qc2 {was quieter, not +burning his boats, for example:} c4 {(otherwise Bh6)} 16. Bg5 Na6 17. O-O-O Nb4 +18. Qd2 {- although Black has counterplay, White's threats are the more +dangerous' (Vaisser).}) (15. fxg6 $5 hxg6 16. Kf1 {(f2) also came into +consideration.}) 15... Qxb2 $2 {(16) I was aware of the danger threatening +Black, but I decided to be consistent and I took the pawn, thinking: perhaps +I'll be able to defend myself...} ({'} 15... Bxh6 16. Rxh6 Qxb2 {was not so +risky' (Vaisser), for example:} 17. Ne4 {(Stohl)} ({or} 17. Rc1 gxf5 18. Rc2 +Qb4 {with double-edged play}) 17... Nd7 {.}) 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 {'The culmination +of the battle' (Vaisser). The abundance of attacking possibilities available +to White is immediately apparent, but I consoled myself with the thought that +by no means any move would win, and to sense the critical moment and find that, +perhaps only winning move, the opponent would need not to lose his head.} 17. +f6+ $2 {(24) And here he is in too much of a hurry... White cannot resist the +temptation to advance a further assault column up to the walls of the black +king's fortress.} (17. Ne4 {(?) would have been refuted by} gxf5 18. gxf5 Bxf5 +{, when the bishop joins the defence of the denuded king.}) ({In such a +position one does not want to consider the modest} 17. Rc1 $1 {, but this move +would apparently have given White an irresistible attack (the threat is Rc2 +and Qd2, or in some cases Qc1 or Qa1). 'To me it seemed insufficiently forcing, +but a thorough analysis established that Black has very difficult problems' +(Vaisser). Here are some sample variations:} -- (17... Kg8 18. Rc2 Qb6 ({or} +18... Qb4 19. Qc1 Qd4 20. Nb5 Qe5 21. Qh6 Na6 22. Qxh7+ Kf8 23. Qh8+ Qxh8 24. +Rxh8+ Ke7 25. f6+ Kd8 26. Rxe8+ Kxe8 27. Nd6+ Kf8 (27... Kd7 28. Nxf7 {- +Vaisser}) 28. Bxa6 bxa6 29. Rh2 Kg8 30. Re2 Bd7 31. Re7 {and wins}) 19. Qd2 Nd7 +(19... Qf6 20. Ne4 Qe5 21. Qh6 Qg7 22. Qxh7+ $1) 20. Qh6 Nf8 21. Ne4 f6 22. +fxg6 hxg6 23. g5 $1 {and wins (Vaisser).}) (17... Nd7 18. Rc2 Qb6 (18... Qb4 +19. Qc1 $1) 19. Qd2 gxf5 (19... Rh8 20. Qh6+ Kg8 21. Ne4 $1 {and wins}) 20. d6 +$1 Re6 21. gxf5 Rxd6 22. Qg5+ Kh8 ({Vaisser gives} 22... Kf8 23. Rxh7 {, when +mate is not far off}) 23. Nd5 $1 Rxd5 24. Rg1 {and wins}) (17... gxf5 18. Rc2 +Qb6 {given by Vaisser;} ({White's threats are very strong after} 18... Qb4 19. +Qc1 $1 f4 20. Kf1) 19. d6 $1 {, cutting off the black queen from the broken +kingside:} -- (19... Re6 20. Qa1 $1 (20. Nd5 Qxd6 21. gxf5 Re5 $1 22. f6+ Kh8 +23. Ne7 $1 Qxd1+ 24. Kxd1 Nd7 {, given by Vaisser, is not so clear}) 20... Qxd6 +({or} 20... Kg8 21. gxf5 Rxd6 22. Rg1+ Kf8 23. Nb5 $1 Rf6 24. Nc7 $1 Qb4+ ( +24... Bxf5 25. Nd5 $1) 25. Kf1 Qd4 26. Qxd4 cxd4 27. Nxa8 {and wins}) 21. gxf5 +Re8 22. Ne4+) (19... Qd8 20. Qd2 Re6 ({or} 20... Qf6 21. Nd5 $1 Qxd6 22. Qg5+ +Qg6 23. Rxh7+ $1 Kxh7 24. Nf6+ Kh8 (24... Kg7 25. Nxe8+ Kh7 26. Qxg6+ {and Nc7} +) 25. Qh4+ $1 Kg7 26. Nxe8+ {with crushing threats}) 21. gxf5 Rxd6 22. Qf4 $1 { +, and the attack is bound to produce a win (Vaisser)}) (19... fxg4 20. Qd2 Re6 +({or} 20... Bf5 21. Qh6+ Kg8 22. Nd5 $1 Qa5+ 23. Kf1 {Black loses +ignominiously after both} Re6 ({and} 23... Nd7 24. Rc4 $1 Nf8 25. Rxg4+ Bg6 26. +Nf6+ Kh8 27. Qxf8+ Rxf8 28. Rxg6 {'with a pretty mate, but, alas, I was +tempted by another possibility' (Vaisser)}) 24. Ne7+ $1 Rxe7 25. Rc4 $3) 21. +Qg5+ Kh8 22. Qh5 h6 23. Qxf7 {(threatening Qf8+)} Qd8 (23... Qxd6 24. Rd2) 24. +Ne4 Qg8 25. Qf4 $1 {.}))) 17... Kg8 $1 {(2)} ({'I thought that Black was +obliged to capture the pawn -} 17... Kxf6 {, when White gains the advantage by} +18. Ne4+ Kg7 (18... Rxe4 19. fxe4 {is also not fully satisfactory}) 19. Rb1 -- +(19... Qe5 20. Qd2 {and} Kg8 $2 ({or} 20... h5 $2 21. gxh5 Rh8 22. h6+ {is bad +for Black' (Vaisser)}) ({the only move is} 20... Rh8 {, although here too after +} 21. Nxc5 Nd7 22. f4 Qc7 23. Ne4 Re8 24. Qd4+ Kg8 25. O-O {White has +unpleasant pressure}) 21. Qh6 Qg7 22. Qxh7+ $1 Qxh7 23. Nf6+ Kf8 24. Rxh7 {.}) +({. Leaving the pawn on f6 was rather terrifying, but I thought that it could +not be taken because of the given variations. In fact} 19... Qd4 $5 {(instead +of 19...Qe5) is more or less adequate:} 20. Qc1 {(Vaisser)} ({or} 20. Qxd4+ +cxd4 21. Rxh7+ Kxh7 22. Nf6+ Kh6 23. Nxe8 Nd7 {with a somewhat inferior but +defensible position}) 20... Rh8 21. Qh6+ Kg8 22. Rd1 Qe5 23. d6 Nd7 {. --- +After 17...Kg8 the white army only needs to make a last, decisive thrust, but +at this point intuition suggested to me that the worst was behind, and I began +to set my sights on the white king caught in the centre.})) 18. Qc1 $1 {(11) +'The retreat of the king looked bad because of this reply, seemingly forcing +the transition into an ending favourable for White' (Vaisser).} ({It was not +possible to decide the game by a frontal attack -} 18. Ne4 {, for example:} -- +(18... Bxg4 $5 19. Rb1 Qxa2 ({in 'The Test of Time' I considered only} 19... +Qe5 $2 20. Qd2 Nd7 21. Qh6 Nxf6 22. Nxf6+ Qxf6 23. Qxh7+ Kf8 24. Qh8+ {winning +a piece}) 20. Rxb7 Nd7 21. fxg4 Rxe4 22. Rxd7 Qa3 $1 {with perpetual check +after} 23. O-O Qg3+ 24. Kh1 Qh3+ {(Stohl)}) (18... Nd7 $1 19. Rb1 Qe5 ({after +Stohl's move} 19... Qxa2 $5 {the momentum is maintained by} 20. Rh4 $1) 20. Qd2 +Nxf6 21. Qh6 b6 ({or} 21... Nxd5 $5 22. Qxh7+ Kf8 {- Stohl}) 22. g5 (22. Nxf6+ +$6 {is weaker in view of} Qxf6 23. Qxh7+ Kf8 24. Qh8+ Ke7 $1) 22... Nxe4 23. +Qxh7+ Kf8 {, and White's offensive peters out. --- Instead of this Vaisser +offers to go into an endgame, where the opponent's retarded development and +the strong pawn on f6 will be factors 'voting' in favour of White. But now it +is his turn to be surprised!})) 18... Qb4 $1 {(11)} (18... Qxc1+ {would have +been faint-hearted}) ({as would the exchange sacrifice} 18... Rxe2+ $6 19. Nxe2 +Qxf6 {- after} 20. Qc3 $1 Nd7 21. Qxf6 Nxf6 22. Nf4 {White's chances are +better.}) ({'I did not even consider the retreat of the queen. The pawn at f6, +the half-open h-file, the queen ready to leap in at h6, the opponent's pieces +undeveloped, White to move - and to think that with all this there shouldn't +be a mate?!' (Vaisser). It has to be agreed that} 18... Qb4 {seems suicidal, +but} 19. Qh6 $2 {, creating two deadly threats, can be parried by Black:} Qxc3+ +20. Kf2 Qd4+ 21. Kg3 Qe5+ 22. f4 Qxf6 23. Qxh7+ Kf8 24. Bf3 Bd7 $1 {. --- Here +I also made a psychologically winning 'move': I stood up from the board and +began strolling about as though nothing had happened, although for the 22 +moves to the time control I had only 11 minutes left! And my opponent became +agitated...}) 19. Kf1 $2 {(9) In continuing his quest for the holy grail, +White imperceptibly oversteps the fatal mark. He should have readjusted and, +rejecting any ambitious plans, reconciled himself to equality.} ({The +commentators considered two continuations:} 19. Qd2 Nd7 ({after Vaisser's +suggestion} 19... Qd4 {there is the good reply} 20. Rc1 {and Ne4}) 20. Rb1 Qd4 +{, and now one of two options:} 21. -- (21. Qxd4 cxd4 22. Ne4 Re5 $5 (22... Nb6 +{is no better:} 23. Rh4 $1 Nxd5 24. Kd2 {and Rbh1 with counterplay}) ({or my +earlier variation} 22... d3 23. Bxd3 Nxf6 24. Kf2 {'with a probable draw', +which I should like to improve: if} Nxd5 {the correct reply is} 25. Bc4 $1 Rxe4 +26. fxe4 Nc3 27. Rb4 $1 Nxe4+ 28. Ke3 {etc.}) 23. Kf2 Nb6 (23... Rxd5 24. Bc4 +$1) 24. Rh4 $1 Nxd5 25. Rbh1 h5 26. gxh5 Rxh5 27. Rxh5 gxh5 28. Rxh5 Be6 29. +Rg5+ Kh7 30. Rg7+ Kh6 31. Ng5 Nxf6 32. Nxe6 fxe6 33. Rxb7 Nd5 34. Rd7 {with a +draw}) (21. Ne4 $1 Rxe4 (21... Qxd2+ 22. Kxd2 Nb6 23. Rh4 $1 {with the threat +of Rbh1}) 22. fxe4 Qxe4 23. O-O Nxf6 {(Stohl)} 24. Rbe1 $1 Qe5 ({not} 24... +Bxg4 $2 25. Bd1 $1) ({or} 24... Qxd5 25. Qf4 $1) 25. Bc4 Qg3+ 26. Qg2 {with an +initiative, compensating for the material deficit})) (19. Rb1 Qd4 20. Ne4 Nd7 +21. Qh6 (21. Qf4 b6) 21... Nxf6 22. Nxf6+ $1 ({Vaisser's move} 22. Rd1 {(?) is +incorrect because of} Qb4+ $1 23. Kf1 Rxe4 $1 24. fxe4 Qxe4 25. Rh4 Bxg4 26. +Bxg4 Nxg4 27. Qxh7+ Kf8) 22... Qxf6 23. Qxh7+ Kf8 24. d6 $1 Qxd6 25. Qh6+ Ke7 +26. Qg5+ Qf6 27. Qxc5+ Qd6 28. Qg5+ {with perpetual check. --- 'After moving +my king, I was full of joyful hope, especially as Kasparov had very little +time left on his clock. If only I could have foreseen my opponent's brilliant +rejoinder on the 20th move!' (Vaisser)}) 19... Nd7 {(2)} 20. Bb5 {(2) This +looks convincing - it appears that nothing can prevent the white queen from +occupying the cherished square;} ({but... 'In the light of Black's reply, +which dispels the illusion,} 20. g5 {was essential, with chances of resisting', +Vaisser concludes his commentary. However, after} Nb6 21. Qe1 Bf5 22. Rh4 c4 { +there were few such chances.}) 20... Qd4 $1 {(1) In fact Black has no +intention of defending his king, and he launches a counterattack, creating the +threat of ...Re3.} 21. Kg2 {(18)} ({The direct} 21. Qh6 $2 {would have run into +} Nxf6 22. Bxe8 Qxc3 23. Kg2 Bxg4 $1 (23... Qb2+ 24. Kg3 Qe5+ {is also not bad +- Stohl}) 24. Bxf7+ Kxf7 25. fxg4 Re8 {, and White has no defence.}) ({And if} +21. Rh3 {(Stohl) the simplest is} Qxf6 {.}) 21... Re3 $1 ({This is far +stronger than} 21... Qxf6 $2 {, which after} 22. Rb1 $1 {would have given +White serious counterplay, despite the two-pawn deficit:} Rb8 23. Qh6 Qg7 24. +Qh4 $1 {etc.}) 22. Ne2 ({There is nothing else:} 22. Nd1 $2 Rxf3) ({or} 22. Re1 +Rxe1 23. Qxe1 Nxf6 {and wins - Stohl.}) 22... Qe5 23. Kf2 Rxe2+ 24. Bxe2 Nxf6 { +We can assess the results of White's 'blitzkrieg'. His attack has come to a +halt, and the winning of the exchange offers little consolation. Black already +has two pawns for it, and in addition the exposed position of the white king +creates the conditions for various tactical operations.} 25. Qxc5 {(23) There +is nothing else.} ({Thus, if} 25. Rb1 {the bishop sacrifice would have given +Black an irresistible attack:} Bxg4 $1 26. fxg4 Ne4+ 27. Kf1 ({or} 27. Ke1 Qg3+ +28. Kd1 Nc3+ $1 29. Kc2 Nxe2 {with crushing threats}) 27... Ng3+ 28. Kg2 ({if} +28. Kf2 {, then} Re8 $1 29. Bf3 Ne2 $3 {- very pretty!}) 28... Nxe2 29. Qe1 ( +29. Qh6 Nf4+ {, mating or winning the queen}) 29... Re8) 25... Bxg4 $1 {Here I +now had just 6 minutes left.} 26. Qe3 {(6)} ({If} 26. Rae1 {there could have +followed} Rc8 $1 {, for example:} 27. Qe3 (27. Qxa7 $6 Rc3 $1 28. Bd1 Qf4 $1 +29. Rh4 (29. Re3 Bxf3 $1) 29... Rxf3+) 27... Qxe3+ 28. Kxe3 Nxd5+ 29. Kf2 Be6 { +with a won ending. To avoid the worst, White immediately goes into the endgame, +at least with an extra tempo.}) 26... Qxe3+ 27. Kxe3 Nxd5+ 28. Kf2 Be6 {Three +pawns for the exchange is a significant advantage, but White still retains +chances of saving the game.} 29. Rab1 {(5)} (29. Rh4 $5 {came into +consideration, with the idea of} Rc8 ({or} 29... Nc3 30. Bc4) 30. Rc4) ({as +well as} 29. Bc4 $5 Rc8 30. Bb3 {aiming for the exchange of bishops;} (30. Rac1 +$2 Nb4 $1) 30... Rc5 {- in this case I would have had to choose between this +move,} ({and} 30... Kg7 31. Rac1 (31. Rhd1 Rc5 $1) 31... Rxc1 32. Rxc1 Kf6 {, +centralising the king with good winning prospects}) 31. Rac1 Ra5 {.}) 29... b6 +30. Rbc1 Nf4 {By now Vaisser was also running into time-trouble: he had +roughly 10 minutes left.} 31. a3 $2 {(2) The final mistake: White allows the +exchange of his bishop for the knight.} (31. Rc7 Nxe2 32. Kxe2 b5 $1 {would +have been no better}) ({but} 31. Bc4 {was more resilient, with the idea of} Rc8 +{(?!)} ({or} 31... Rd8 $1 32. Ke3 {, and nevertheless things are not +completely clear}) 32. Ba6 $1 ({but not} 32. Bxe6 $2 Nd3+ 33. Ke3 Rxc1 34. Rxc1 +Nxc1 35. Bd5 Nxa2 {and wins}) 32... Rxc1 {(?!)} 33. Rxc1 Bxa2 34. Rc7 {(Stohl). +}) 31... Nxe2 32. Kxe2 b5 $1 {Now Black has a technically won position, and +his victory is merely a question of time.} 33. Rc7 a5 34. Rb1 Bc4+ 35. Kf2 a4 +$1 {Such an 'anti-positional' arrangement of the pawns is justified, since 'a +supported bishop is not inferior in strength to a rook' (one of Botvinnik's +memorable rules).} 36. Re1 Rd8 37. Re3 Rd2+ 38. Kg3 Kg7 39. f4 Rb2 40. Rc5 h5 ( +{Or} 40... Rb3 41. Rce5 h5 {.}) 41. Kh4 {Here the game was adjourned and White +sealed this move.} (41. Kh4 {Black has two clear ways to his goal, and the +choice between them is a matter of taste. The first is} Be6 ({the second +involves exploiting the weakness of the white pawns:} 41... Rb3 42. Rg3 Rb1 $1 +43. Re3 Rg1 $5 44. Rg3 (44. Rg5 Rf1 45. Kg3 f5 $1 {, cutting off the rook from +the queenside}) 44... Rf1 45. f5 Rh1+ $1 46. Kg5 f6+) 42. Kg3 b4 43. axb4 Rxb4 +44. Ra5 h4+ 45. Kxh4 Rxf4+ 46. Kg3 Rb4 {(d4), and the three passed pawns +decide the outcome. --- On encountering Vaisser the next day, I informed him +of these plans, and he decided not to suffer in vain. White resigned without +resuming. --- Times: 2.21-2.29.}) (41. -- {A very interesting and dynamic game. +28 years later Anatoly Vaisser had this to say in an interview on his 60th +birthday: 'One of my most memorable games was played in the 1981 USSR Team +Championship in the Russia-2 v. Azerbaijan match against Kasparov. There is an +amusing story associated with it. As it later transpired, in the event of a +draw I would have shared 1st place with Kasparov on our board. I was asked +before the game whether I would play for a draw with White. I replied: "No! +What for? I will simply play! I want to gain pleasure from playing against a +great player!" That was how I set my objective - not to play for a win, but to +play chess. And it turned out excellently: at the board I found a novelty, and +by the 17th move I was winning; moreover, I was playing easily, whereas he, by +contrast, was under some incredible strain... --- 'It all became clear after +the game. Garik told me that a pretty girl playing for one of the teams, who +half the players, including himself, had been courting, decided to play a joke +on him. She heard me speaking about my intention to play, "exaggerated" what I +had said, and before the round informed him that I had allegedly announced +publicly that I would beat him. One can understand Kasparov's feelings: he was +already one of the strongest players in the world, and here some little-known +master had made such an audacious declaration! --- 'And then in that +favourable situation, when I had an hour and a half left on my clock, whereas +he had only about 10 minutes, I committed an unpardonable mistake: I decided +that matters were settled. It appeared that the game would win itself: Black +no longer had his dark-square bishop, a white pawn would go to f6 and then the +queen to h6... But on no account should the greats be underestimated! Kasparov +found a brilliant defence, after two inaccuracies by me there was no longer a +mate, and on the board was a better endgame for Black. Despite my defeat, this +game is precious to me. It is also a memorable one for Kasparov. As he put it, +in those years it was usually sufficient for him to use 70% of his +capabilities at the board, but here he had to apply all 100%.'}) 0-1 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Confirmation of Class"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2009.12.07"] + +{3rd World Under-26 Team Championship (Graz, 17-29 August 1981): 1. USSR - 32½ out of 44; 2. England - 30½; 3. Hungary - 28½; 4. USA - 26½; 5-6 +France and Israel - 24½; etc. (altogether 34 teams). The winning team +comprised Kasparov (9/10), Psakhis (6½/9), Yusupov (6/9), Dolmatov (4½/7), +reserves Kochiev (1½/3) and Vladimirov (5/6).} 1. -- {Before this Student +World Team Championship few had doubts about the success of the Soviet team, +which was made up of top-class players and was probably also capable of +contending for the medals in the adult Olympiad. Judging by the average +ratings, our main rivals looked to be the Americans with five international +masters, and the English led by grandmaster Jonathan Speelman - the winners of +the first championship (1978). --- Before the start we experienced hardly any +of the usual anxiety: it appeared that everything should go smoothly and that +the main 'problem' would be deciding on the daily team line-up. But in sport +all sorts of surprises are possible, especially in a competition run on the +Swiss System... --- In the 1st round, as is usual in such cases, the +favourites were paired against middle-ranking teams. We were opposed by the +home team, from Austria. I had White against the national master Arne Dür and +I was the first to finish my game (see the following game). It turned out to +be a straightforward one, although it was a good illustration of my opening +searches of those times and my striving to get away from classical principles,} +* + +[Event "54: Student World Team Ch., Graz"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.08.17"] +[Round "1"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Dür, A."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D55"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "49"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 {(5)} d5 4. Nf3 Be7 5. Bg5 {(3)} O-O 6. e3 h6 (6... +Nbd7 7. Qc2 c5 8. O-O-O {- Game No.33.}) 7. Bxf6 {(2)} ({After testing} 7. Bh4 +b6 8. Qc2 Bb7 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. cxd5 exd5 11. O-O-O {(Game No.41), I became +fascinated by a different variant on my favourite plan with the exchange on f6, +queenside castling, and a subsequent attack on the kingside.}) 7... Bxf6 8. Qd2 +{Following my April game with Karpov (Moscow 1981).} ({Before it Nikitin and I +had made a serious study of} 8. Qb3 c6 9. h4) ({but we came to the conclusion +that for the attack on the kingside 8 Qd2 was sounder (but later I also tried} +8. Qc2 {- Game No.92).}) 8... c6 {(3) A standard, but passive reply.} ({ +Karpov played} 8... Nc6 {against me (Game No.4 in 'Kasparov vs. Karpov +1975-1985')}) ({but in the mid-1980s the best was deemed to be Portisch's idea +} 8... dxc4 $1 9. Bxc4 Nd7 {and ...c7-c5 (Game No.58 in 'Kasparov vs. Karpov +1975-1985') - this relieving manoeuvre fully neutralised the move 8 Qd2.}) 9. +h4 $1 {(3) Exploiting the fact that it is difficult for Black to create +counterplay in the centre and on the queenside, White begins storming the +king's fortress and threatens to open lines by g2-g4-g5. Subsequently 8...c6 +almost went out of use, precisely because of 9 h4.} Nd7 $6 {(17) A routine +response, which is not surprising: in a few rare games from the 1960s, after +this move only 10 0-0-0 had been played, allowing Black time for 10...Be7 or +10...g6! 11 g4 Bg7.} ({To avoid the immediate opening of the kingside,} 9... g6 +$1 10. g4 Bg7 {should have been played, when after} 11. g5 ({but after} 11. Ne5 +c5 (11... dxc4 12. Bxc4 c5 13. O-O-O {with the intention of h4-h5 the +initiative is nevertheless with White,} ({or} 13. f4)) 12. cxd5 exd5 13. Be2 $1 +Nc6 14. f4) 11... h5 {Black's defences are solid enough (Spassky-Cvetkovic, +Lugano 1984).}) 10. g4 $1 {A novelty, which stunned my opponent. At a training +session for the Soviet team before the student world championship I won a +number of blitz games with this dashing attack, mainly against Vladimirov +('regretfully', he even began delaying castling - 5...h6 6 Bxf6 Bxf6 7 e3 c6, +after which I now played 8 Qc2!, not fearing ...c7-c5).} Re8 $6 {(9) Another +routine move.} ({White is better after} 10... g6 11. g5 $1 hxg5 12. hxg5 Bg7 ( +12... Bxg5 $2 {is bad:} 13. Nxg5 Qxg5 14. O-O-O {followed by f2-f4, Qh2, Bd3 +and Rdg1, winning - Psakhis}) 13. O-O-O Qe7 ({not} 13... b5 $2 14. cxb5 {, +Psakhis-Bönsch, Lvov 1984}) 14. Rh4 $1 (14. e4 b5 {is now unclear, +Tukmakov-Shmirin, Simferopol 1983}) 14... b6 15. e4 {etc.}) ({But it was still +possible to guard against the opening of lines, by playing} 10... Be7 {with +the idea of} 11. g5 ({however, at e7 the bishop is less well posted than at g7, +and after} 11. O-O-O {Black stands passively (Polugayevsky-C.Hansen, Plovdiv +1983)}) 11... h5 {.}) 11. O-O-O {(3)} ({The immediate} 11. g5 $1 {was more +accurate, but I sensed that after 10...Re8 all the same the opponent would not +play} Be7 {- and I was not mistaken!}) 11... b5 $2 {(16) 'Black is rattled +and he decides to give up a pawn in the hope of counterplay. But he is not +able to exploit the opening of the b-file, and the white bishop at b5 occupies +an attacking position' (Bykhovsky).} ({Of course,} 11... Be7 12. g5 h5 {was +essential, although Black has lost time and his prospects are poor.}) 12. cxb5 +cxb5 {(7)} ({Or} 12... c5 13. g5 hxg5 14. hxg5 Bxg5 15. Nxg5 Qxg5 16. f4 Qf6 +17. Qh2 g6 18. f5 $1 {and White wins.}) 13. Bxb5 Rb8 $2 {(7) This fails +completely.} (13... Be7 14. g5 h5 {was more resilient, although here, apart +from the quiet} 15. Qc2 {(and if 15...g6, then 16 Ne5 Kg7 17 e4),} ({there is +the strong breakthrough} 15. g6 $5 fxg6 16. Rdg1 {with an overwhelming +position.})) 14. g5 $1 {White's further play is obvious: he checkmates the +defenceless black king.} hxg5 {(5)} 15. hxg5 Bxg5 16. Nxg5 {(5)} Qxg5 17. f4 +Qf6 {(9)} 18. Qh2 {(4)} g6 {(12)} ({If} 18... Kf8 {both} 19. f5 $1 ({and} 19. +e4 $1 dxe4 20. d5 $1 {would have been decisive}) 19... Ke7 20. Rdf1 {.}) 19. f5 +$1 {(1) This concludes matters. 'Into a three-fold attack! However, the pawn +is invulnerable' (Bykhovsky).} Qg7 {(20)} ({The alternatives were also +hopeless:} 19... gxf5 20. Rdg1+ Kf8 21. Qd6+ Re7 22. Nxd5) (19... exf5 20. Nxd5 +{(the simplest)} Qg7 21. Bxd7 Bxd7 22. Ne7+ Rxe7 (22... Kf8 23. Qd6) 23. Qxb8+ +{.}) 20. fxe6 (20. fxg6 $5 {.}) 20... fxe6 21. Rdg1 (21. Bd3 $5 g5 22. Rdg1 {.} +) 21... Rf8 {(6)} 22. Bd3 Rf6 {(6)} 23. e4 {(7)} ({Here my eyes were rather +dazzled: captures on g6 and} 23. Rg4 {were also good.}) 23... e5 {(13)} 24. +Nxd5 Rf7 25. Rxg6 {. Times: 0.50-2.21. --- Dolmatov also won, but in his +opponent's time-trouble Psakhis unexpectedly blundered, and as a result we +only defeated the Austrians 2½-1½. Thus the USSR team immediately fell one +and a half points behind eight teams (including England), which had begun the +championship with a 4-0 win. Our pleasant dreams of an 'easy stroll' were +dispelled.} (25. -- {In the 2nd round it was only with enormous difficulty +that we managed to snatch a 2½-1½ win over the Yugoslav team (I won +spectacularly against Klaric, but Dolmatov suddenly lost to Dizdar), whereas +the English maintained their tempo and defeated the strong Brazilian team by a +clean score. After two rounds we were in the middle of the tournament table +and the gap was already three points. --- However, for the moment there was no +reason to lose heart. In the next two rounds the Soviet team crushed both the +Canadians and the French 3½-½ (I won against Morrison and made a draw with +Kouatly), but the English also scored big wins - over the strong Swedish team +(3½-½) and the USA (3-1), so that the gap was reduced by just half a point. +--- All we could do was pin our hopes on the individual meeting. This is what +the trainer of our team, Anatoly Bykhovsky, had to say: 'The 5th round +USSR-England match was the culmination of the championship. In the event of a +draw, or even a loss by the minimal margin, the English would have had very +good chances of the gold medals. As for us, only a convincing victory would do. +There are matches which one never forgets, and this was one of them. All four +of our players battled with great fervour, and with an enormous will-to-win'. +--- And we achieved our aim! Despite committing some inaccuracies, I was able +to overcome the tenacious resistance of Jonathan Speelman (see the following +game).}) 1-0 + +[Event "55: Student World Team Ch., Graz"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.08.21"] +[Round "5"] +[White "Speelman, J."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "A30"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "140"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 e6 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. b3 O-O 8. Bb2 +d6 9. e3 {(16)} Nbd7 10. d4 {(5)} a6 {(3)} 11. Rc1 ({Smyslov's} 11. Qe2 {(Game +No.49) is far more natural. Speelman's move allows me to carry out an +interesting and unexpected counterblow.}) 11... b5 $1 {(16) If now White does +not undertake anything, after ...b5xc4 and ...c5xd4 the slight weakness of the +central white pawns will give Black good play.} 12. d5 {(13)} ({Speelman, who +had no objection to a draw, considered the variation} 12. dxc5 Nxc5 13. cxb5 +axb5 14. Nxb5 Rxa2 15. Bxf6 -- ({, with the idea of} 15... gxf6 16. b4) ({, +but he rejected it because of} 15... Bxf6 $1 16. Nxd6 (16. Qxd6 Nxb3) 16... Ba6 +$1 17. Rxc5 Be2 $1 18. Qb1 Rb2 {when White loses the exchange.} ({if} 18... Ra1 +{, then both} 19. Qxa1 ({and} 19. Nxf7 {will do})) 19. Qc1 $1 (19. Nxf7 {is +also acceptable}) 19... Bxf1 $6 {, it is unfavourable for Black to play this +move;} ({and so there only remains} 19... Qxd6 20. Re1 Qd3 ({or} 20... Bxf3 21. +Bxf3 Rxb3 {with equality})) 20. Nxf7 $1 {, in view of this move} Kxf7 21. Bxf1 +{with excellent compensation.})) 12... exd5 13. Nxd5 Nxd5 14. cxd5 Bf6 $1 {The +exchange of bishops favours Black: after it the e4-e5 breakthrough is hindered, +and in addition his counterplay on the queenside is facilitated.} 15. Bxf6 {(4) +} Nxf6 {The advantages of this capture are obvious - the knight exerts +pressure on the centre, but its drawbacks are less so - White will prepare +e4-e5, and in this case the knight is better placed at d7 (from where, +incidentally, it can also be switched to the queenside).} ({Therefore} 15... +Qxf6 $5 {came into consideration - on the long diagonal the queen could have +supported the pawn offensive ...a6-a5, ...b5-b4 and ...a5-a4.}) 16. Nh4 {(4)} +a5 {(11)} 17. e4 {(5)} Re8 18. Re1 {(3)} g6 $1 {(16) It is important to take +away the f5-square from the white knight.} ({The direct} 18... a4 $6 {would +have run into} 19. e5 $1 Rxe5 20. Rxe5 dxe5 21. Rxc5 {with the initiative:} e4 +({or} 21... axb3 22. Qxb3 e4 23. Nf5 $1 {(when} Bxd5 $2 {is bad in view of} 24. +Rxd5 Nxd5 25. Bxe4 $1 {)}) 22. Nf5 $1 {.}) 19. Qd2 b4 ({And here} 19... a4 $6 { +is inaccurate because of} 20. b4 {.}) 20. a3 $6 {(14) A questionable decision: +in his desire to suppress Black's activity, Speelman advances a pawn in a +place where the opponent is stronger.} ({The logical continuation was} 20. f4 +Qb6 (20... Nd7 21. Nf3 {, insisting on e4-e5}) 21. Kh1 a4 22. Qb2 (22. Rcd1 +axb3 23. axb3 c4 $5) 22... Qd8 23. Rcd1 axb3 24. axb3 Ra3 {with double-edged +play.}) 20... bxa3 $1 {(9) Although weak, the a3-pawn remains alive in +certain variations, and may become dangerous.} 21. Ra1 {(3)} Qe7 $6 {(9) +Black is carried away by the tactical complications, but here the queen may +come under attack by Nf5.} ({He would have gained somewhat the better chances +with both the quiet} 21... a4 22. Rxa3 Qa5 23. Qxa5 Rxa5 24. Rxa4 Rxa4 25. bxa4 +Nxd5) ({and the sharp} 21... Qb6 22. Qg5 (22. Nf5 Bc8 $1) 22... Nd7 23. Rxa3 +Re5 $1 {.}) 22. h3 $6 {(5)} ({The hasty} 22. e5 $2 {would have been parried by} +dxe5 23. d6 Qd7) ({and the preparatory} 22. f4 $2 {by} a4 $1 23. b4 $1 (23. e5 +$2 {is totally bad because of} axb3 $1 24. exf6 Qxe1+ $1 25. Rxe1 Rxe1+ 26. +Qxe1 a2) 23... Rac8 $1 24. Bf3 ({if} 24. e5 $2 {there is a spectacular win by} +cxb4 $3 25. exf6 Qxf6 26. Reb1 ({or} 26. Qxb4 Qb2) 26... b3) 24... Qc7 25. b5 ( +25. Rxa3 $2 Qb6 $1) 25... c4 {, and Black's trumps are higher.}) ({Instead of +this Speelman prepares 23 Re3 (and Rxa3), safeguarding himself against ...Ng4 +and vacating the h2-square for his king. But this is too slow! The immediate} +22. Rxa3 $1 {was far more energetic} -- ({, not fearing} 22... Bxd5 23. Raa1 +Bb7) ({, or} 22... Nxd5 23. Raa1 Nf6 {. Now after} 24. Nf5 $6 ({but} 24. e5 $1 +dxe5 25. Nf5 $1 {gives White counterplay sufficient for a draw:} gxf5 26. Bxb7 +Rab8 27. Qg5+ Kh8 28. Bg2 {and Rxa5}) 24... gxf5 $1 25. exf5 Ne4 26. Bxe4 Bxe4 +27. f3 Qf6 28. fxe4 Rxe4 29. Rxe4 Qxa1+ 30. Kg2 Qf6 $1 {Black remains a pawn +up.})) 22... Qe5 {(6) Aiming for a favourable endgame.} (22... a4 $5 {was +perhaps more natural, for example:} 23. b4 ({or} 23. Rxa3 Bxd5) 23... Rac8 24. +Rxa3 cxb4 25. Qxb4 Bxd5 26. Rxa4 Rc4 27. Qb5 Rxa4 28. Qxa4 Bxe4 {with an extra +pawn (} 29. Bxe4 d5 $1 {).}) 23. Rxa3 {(this is now forced: ...Qb2 was +threatened)} Qd4 $1 (23... Nxd5 $2 24. Nf3 {.}) 24. Qxd4 {(16)} cxd4 {Another +passed pawn - this time on the d-file! True, it too is weak, but it causes a +certain confusion in the opponent's ranks. Also important is the fact that it +is difficult for White to bring his bishop and knight into play - they are +tied down by Black's central pressure.} 25. Ra4 ({With a simple reckoning:} 25. +Ra4 Bxd5 26. Rxd4 Rab8 27. Ra1 {(e3)}) (25. Rd1 Nxe4 26. Rxd4 {looked sounder, +but after} Nc3 {(f6) White would still have had problems.}) 25... d3 $1 {(2)} +26. Rd1 $2 {(4)} ({After} 26. Rd4 Bxd5 ({it would appear that things are even +more unpleasant for him after} 26... Ba6 $5 27. Nf3 Nd7 28. b4 axb4 29. Rxb4 +Rab8 30. Rxb8 Rxb8 {, when the d3-pawn is like a fishbone in his throat}) 27. +Rxd3 (27. Re3 $2 {is weak:} Bxb3 28. Rdxd3 ({or} 28. Rxd6 Nd5 $1 29. Rxd3 a4) +28... a4 29. e5 d5 $1) 27... Rab8 28. Ra1 Bxb3 29. Rxa5 Nxe4 {the fact that +the white rook is at d3, and not at d4 (as in the previous note) is important, +and the regaining of the pawn by} 30. Bxe4 Rxe4 31. Rxd6 {involves a risk:} Be6 +$1 32. Kg2 ({or} 32. g4 Rb3) 32... Rb2 {- although the pawns are on one wing, +it is not so easy for White to make a draw.}) ({However, the lesser evil was} +26. Nf3 Nxd5 27. exd5 Rxe1+ 28. Nxe1 d2 29. Ra1 $1 Rc8 30. Rd1 dxe1=Q+ 31. Rxe1 +Rc5 32. Rd1 {with a somewhat inferior but tenable endgame.}) 26... Nd7 $1 {Now +Black's advantage sharply increases.} 27. b4 {(3)} ({The d-pawn proves to be +very hardy:} 27. Rxd3 $2 Nc5 $1 {.}) 27... axb4 {(3)} 28. Rxb4 Nc5 {(5)} 29. +Nf3 {(4) A belated return of the 'prodigal' knight.} ({If} 29. f3 {there is +the very strong reply} f5 $1 {with the idea of} 30. exf5 {(?)} g5 {, when +things are bad for White:} 31. Rg4 Kf7 32. Rxg5 Ra1 $3 33. Rxa1 d2 {and wins.}) +29... Ra2 {(2)} ({Winning chances were also promised by} 29... Rxe4 30. Rxe4 +Nxe4 31. Ne1 $1 Ra4 $1 (31... Nc3 32. Rxd3 Ra1 33. Rxc3 Rxe1+ 34. Kh2 Rd1 {and +...Bxd5 is weaker - as Tarrasch taught, 'all rook endings are drawn'}) 32. Nxd3 +Nc3 33. Re1 Bxd5 {with an extra, passed pawn.}) 30. e5 {(5) In 'Informator' +and 'The Test of Time' I attached an exclamation mark to this move, although +the break in the centre rather resembles a desperate chance.} ({In the event of +} 30. Nd2 Bc8 $1 {White would have faced an excessively difficult defence:} 31. +-- (31. f3 Bd7 $1 32. Nc4 Ba4 33. Rd2 Rc2 $1 34. Bf1 Ra8 $1 {, and if} 35. Rxd3 +Nxd3 36. Bxd3 {, then} Rc3 $1 {, winning}) (31. e5 Bd7 32. exd6 Ba4 33. Rc1 ( +33. d7 Nxd7 34. Nb3 Nc5) 33... Rxd2 34. Rxc5 Re1+ 35. Kh2 ({or} 35. Bf1 Bd7 $1 +36. Rd4 Rb2 37. Rxd3 ({things are no better after} 37. Kg2 d2 38. Rc7 d1=Q 39. +Rxd1 Rxd1 40. Rxd7 Rxd5) 37... Bxh3 38. Kh2 Bxf1 39. Rf3 Be2 40. d7 Bxf3 41. +d8=Q+ Kg7 42. g4 Rxf2+ 43. Kg3 Ref1 $1 {with a pretty win}) 35... Bd7 36. Rf4 +g5 37. Re4 Ree2 $1 38. Rc1 Rxf2 {.})) 30... dxe5 {(4)} 31. Rc1 Rc2 $2 {(29) +Returning the favour; with both sides now short of time, Black restricts +himself to transposing into an ending with four pawns against three on the +same wing.} ({After} 31... d2 $6 32. Nxd2 $1 Nd3 33. Rxb7 Nxc1 34. Ne4 {it is +now the white passed d-pawn that would become dangerous.}) ({Also nothing was +achieved by} 31... e4 $6 32. Rxc5 Ra1+ 33. Kh2 exf3 34. Bxf3 Re2 $1 35. Kg2 $1 +{.}) ({But the cool-headed} 31... Ra5 $1 {would have placed White on the verge +of disaster:} 32. Rxc5 $6 ({or} 32. Nd2 Ba6 {etc.}) 32... Rxc5 33. Rxb7 e4 34. +Nd2 f5 {.}) 32. Rxc2 dxc2 33. Rc4 Nb3 {(4)} ({Little better was} 33... e4 34. +Nd4 {(e1)} Nd3 35. Nxc2 Bxd5 36. Rc7) ({or} 33... Nd3 34. Rxc2 e4 (34... Bxd5 +35. Rd2) 35. Re2 f5 36. Nd4 Bxd5 37. f3 $1 Re5 {(e7)} 38. fxe4 fxe4 39. Nb5 { +and Nc3(d6), attacking the e4-pawn with all the forces.}) 34. Rxc2 Bxd5 35. Rc7 +{With his flag hanging, White begins to lose control over the situation.} (35. +Nd2 $1 {was simpler, with a probable draw.}) 35... e4 {(2)} 36. Ne1 Nd4 37. Rd7 +({The line given by me in 'Informator' was also acceptable:} 37. Nc2 Ne6 { +(after the exchange of this knight there is no hope of success)} 38. Rc3 {.}) +37... Re5 38. Nd3 $2 {Clever, but insufficient: Speelman overlooks a tactical +nuance.} ({I thought that 'here it was not to late to return-} 38. Rc7 {', but +then} Bb3 $1 {is unpleasant, when Black dominates.}) ({Only after} 38. Kh2 $1 { +with the idea of} Kg7 $6 ({or} 38... Ne6 39. f4 $1 {would White have gained a +draw without any particular problems}) 39. Bxe4 {.}) 38... exd3 {(3)} 39. Bxd5 +{Thus Black again has a passed pawn - already his third! The question is what +to do with it.} Kf8 $1 {In terrible time-trouble I managed to spot this pretty +winning move.} ({The opponent was obviously hoping for} 39... d2 $6 40. Bxf7+ +Kf8 41. Rxd4 Re1+ 42. Kg2 d1=Q 43. Rxd1 Rxd1 44. Bc4 {with a draw.}) 40. Bc4 ( +40. Bxf7 Re4 $1 {and the d-pawn can be stopped only at the cost of a piece.}) +40... d2 41. Rxd4 {Here the game was adjourned, and two hours later it was +resumed.} Re1+ {The sealed move.} 42. Kg2 d1=Q 43. Rxd1 Rxd1 {(5) The +conversion of the exchange advantage does not present any serious problems.} +44. h4 {(2) One of our team - I think it was Vladimirov - suggested to me a +precise winning plan for Black: he must penetrate with his king into the +opponent's position, force f2-f4, advance ...h7-h6, ...f7-f6 and ...g6-g5, +then drive back the white king and create a passed pawn.} Rc1 45. Bd5 {(3) +Strangely enough, two years later in my game with Nikolic (Niksic 1983) after +White's 40th move exactly the same ending was reached, except that the rook +was on c2 and the black h-pawn already on h6. Two moves before this the white +h-pawn had still been at h3, and I could have played ...g7-g5 (which would +have won easily), but I deliberately allowed h3-h4 in order to win in the same +way as against Speelman.} Rc5 46. Bb3 {(6)} Ke7 47. Ba2 {(3)} h6 48. Bb3 Rc7 +49. Ba2 {(6)} Kd6 50. Kh3 Ke5 51. Kg4 {(6)} Ra7 {(2)} 52. Bb3 Rb7 53. Bd1 ({Or +} 53. Ba2 Ke4 $1 {.}) 53... Rb2 54. Kf3 Kd4 55. Be2 Rb3+ 56. Kg2 Kc3 57. Bf3 +Rb5 58. Bc6 Rc5 59. Be8 Rc7 60. Kf1 Kd2 61. Ba4 Rc1+ 62. Kg2 Ke1 63. Bb3 Rc7 +64. f4 Ke2 {With Nikolic a similar position arose three moves earlier. True, +my rook was on a7, and the white bishop already on d5, which induced my +opponent to play 62 h5, but here too after 62...gxh5 63 Bf3+ Ke3 64 Bxh5 Ra2+ +65 Kh3 f6 66 Be8 Kf2 67 Kh4 Ra8 68 Bc6 Rg8 69 g4 Ke3 70 Kg3 f5 71 Bf3 h5 White +resigned.} 65. Bd5 Ke3 66. Ba8 f6 $1 ({Here it is all very simple, but with +his pawn on h5 Black would have had to play} 66... f5 {and after ...Rc2+ break +through with ...g6-g5. This ending is also won, but it is far more complicated +and demands deep analysis.}) 67. Kg1 Rg7 $1 68. Kg2 g5 69. hxg5 hxg5 70. fxg5 +Rxg5 ({In view of} 70... Rxg5 71. Bb7 f5 72. Kh3 ({or} 72. Bf3 f4) 72... Kf2 { +. Times: 3.35-2.55.}) (70... -- {Back in 'normal time', Psakhis gained a +crushing win in excellent style over Mestel (who before that had won all his +games, and in the end finished with the best score on board two - 8 out of 10), +Yusupov displayed fine endgame technique, outplaying Plaskett in a +'dead-drawn' ending, and only Hodgson managed to hold out against Dolmatov. +And so, we won this key match 3½-½ - and burst half a point ahead! --- In +the next round, the 6th, the Soviet team had to endure another serious test: +the match with the USA team did not go well for us and ended in a draw (I beat +Fedorowicz, but Yusupov unexpectedly lost by blundering against Benjamin). +However, that day the shocked English went down to the Hungarian team - 1½-2½. The lead over our pursuers grew to a whole point.}) (70... -- {None of +the Soviet players lost any more games, and we finished very confidently. A +considerable role in this was played by the friendly atmosphere which +prevailed in our team. The constant feeling of unity and friendly support +enabled us to overcome all difficulties. --- In the 7th round we defeated the +Hungarians 2½-1½ (I drew with Groszpeter), in the 8th and 9th rounds we +crushed the Swedes and the Dutch 3½-½ (I won in quite good style against +Schussler and van der Wiel), and in the penultimate, 10th round, we beat the +Brazilians. There was a memorable finish to my game with the future +grandmaster Jaime Sunye Neto (see the following game), a participant in two +Interzonal Tournaments (in Rio de Janeiro 1979 he shared 5th-6th places).}) 0-1 + +[Event "56: Student World Team Ch., Graz"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.08.27"] +[Round "10"] +[White "Sunye Neto, J."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "D32"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "94"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 e6 4. e3 Nc6 5. d4 d5 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bb5 Bd6 8. +dxc5 Bxc5 9. O-O O-O 10. b3 Bg4 11. Bb2 Rc8 12. Rc1 Bd6 13. Be2 Bb8 14. Nb5 Ne4 +15. Nbd4 Re8 16. h3 Bxf3 17. Nxf3 Qd6 18. Qd3 Ng5 19. Rfd1 Rcd8 20. Kf1 Ne4 21. +a3 a6 22. Qc2 Ba7 23. Bd3 Qe7 24. Re1 Rd6 25. b4 Re6 26. b5 axb5 27. Bxb5 h6 +28. Rcd1 Rd8 29. Qb3 Qd6 30. a4 Bc5 31. Re2 b6 32. Kg1 {In this position, +which is slightly better for White, my opponent offered a draw. However, I was +able to find a tempting way of attacking on the kingside. And, also taking +account of the fact that my opponent was somewhat short of time, I decided to +play on.} Ne7 $5 {Intending to play this knight via f5(g6) to h4, and the rook +to g6, with pressure on the enemy king. 'Kasparov's patent manoeuvre', wrote +Bykhovsky, having in mind my game with Tempone (Game No.44). 'The d4-square +only seems to be weakened. The white knight on this square will be prettily +placed, but that is all.'} 33. Nd4 (33. Nd2 $5 {.}) 33... Rg6 34. Bd3 Qd7 {(5) +So, the first threat has appeared - ...Qxh3.} 35. Kh1 ({The most accurate way +of parrying the attack was} 35. f3 $1 Ng3 36. Ree1 $1 {, forcing Black to +concern himself more with how to equalise:} (36. Bxg6 Nxe2+ 37. Nxe2 Nxg6 {is +equal}) 36... Ngf5 37. Rc1 ({or} 37. Qb5 Nxd4 38. exd4 Qxb5 39. axb5 Bb4 40. +Bxg6 Bxe1 41. Bxf7+ Kxf7 42. Rxe1 Ra8 $1 {etc.}) 37... Ra8 {. However, I would +have preferred the less specific 36...Rd6. But Sunye Neto avoids the slightest +weakening of his position.}) 35... Nf5 $1 {(3)} 36. Bxe4 $2 {(2) In +time-trouble White commits a serious positional mistake, based on overlooking +a tactical blow by the opponent.} ({Understandably, it was not easy to decide +on the audacious thrust} 36. g4 $5 {.}) ({But} 36. Bb5 Qc8 37. Nf3 Qe6 {would +have led to a roughly equal game}) ({while the simplest way of eliminating the +black cavalry was by} 36. Nxf5 Qxf5 37. Bxe4 Qxe4 38. f3 {with equality.}) +36... dxe4 37. Red2 Nh4 $1 38. Ne6 $2 {This also leads to a swift catastrophe!} +({Only here did my opponent discover to his amazement that after the} 38. Nf3 { +(?) an unpleasant surprise awaited him:} exf3 39. Rxd7 fxg2+ 40. Kg1 Nf3# { +mate!}) ({Another knight discovery -} 38. Nf5 {(?) leads to the win of the +exchange, but after} Qxf5 39. Rxd8+ Kh7 {the white king is defenceless. What +then can be done?}) ({The only saving move was} 38. f4 $1 {- after} Qc8 {(e8)} +({or} 38... Rd6) ({(but not} 38... exf3 $2 39. Nxf3 {and wins) White's +position would merely have been somewhat inferior.})) 38... Qxd2 39. Rxd2 Rxd2 +40. Nf4 Rg5 {(2)} 41. Kg1 {(7) Here the game was adjourned and I had to seal +my move. The surprise nature of it served as an overture to one of the most +beautiful combinations in my career. The resumption took place that same +evening.} Nf3+ $1 {(23) Highly spectacular;} ({although Black could also have +won by} 41... Bxe3 $1 42. fxe3 Nxg2 ({apart from} 42... Nf3+) 43. Kf1 Rg3 44. +Qb5 $1 Nxf4 45. Qe8+ Kh7 46. Qxe4+ Rg6 $1 47. Qxf4 Rxb2 {. --- In the +adjournment analysis I demonstrated various mating constructions to my +colleagues, and our whole team refined the possible variations.}) ({Or even} +41... Bd6 {.}) 42. Kf1 ({In the event of} 42. Kh1 {another combination had +been prepared:} Bxe3 $3 43. -- (43. fxe3 Rdxg2 $3 44. Nxg2 Rg3 $1 {. A +fantastic position! Despite his enormous material advantage, White cannot +defend against the mate (} 45. Nf4 Rg1# {mate).}) ({. I have yet to come +across anything similar in a practical game. White would also not have been +helped by} 43. gxf3 Bxf4) ({, or by declining the sacrifices -} 43. Ne6 {, +after which I was planning} Rxf2 44. gxf3 (44. Qc4 fxe6 45. Qxe6+ Kh7 46. Qxe4+ +Rg6 $1 {is also hopeless for White}) 44... Rf1+ 45. Kh2 exf3 $1 46. Nxg5 ({or} +46. Qxe3 Rg2#) 46... Bf4# {mate! - again an amazing mating finish! --- Thanks +to these concluding events, performed with of a kind of special, distinctive +elegance, this game appealed to me more than any of the others that I played +in Graz.})) 42... Bxe3 $3 43. fxe3 {(7)} ({The acceptance of the sacrifice is +forced - after} 43. Ne2 {White would have lost his queen or been mated:} Nh2+ +44. Ke1 (44. Kg1 Rxe2 {etc.}) 44... Rxg2 45. Qxe3 Nf3+ 46. Kf1 Rg1+ $3 47. Nxg1 +Rd1+ {.}) 43... Rdxg2 $1 44. Qc3 {(2) The only defence;} ({if} 44. Qxb6 {, +then} Rh2 45. Ne2 Rgg2 {is immediately decisive. But now in this case White +has perpetual check on c8 and f5.}) 44... Rh2 45. Ne2 {(4)} Kh7 $1 {Renewing +the threat of ...Rgg2. Sunye Neto prevents it in the most primitive way and +overlooks one of the original mating constructions.} 46. Qc8 {(9)} (46. Qb4 { +, retaining control of the d2-square, looks somewhat more resilient. But in +this case too Black has a clear way to win -} f5 $1 {. For example:} 47. Qf8 ( +47. Qd6 Rgg2) ({or} 47. Qb5 Rh1+ ({this is even better than} 47... f4 48. Qb4 +Nd2+ $1 {and ...f4-f3}) 48. Kf2 Nd2 {(threatening ...Rf1 mate)} 49. Ng3 Rh2+ +50. Ke1 f4 {with crushing threats}) 47... Rh1+ 48. Kf2 Nh4 49. Nf4 Rh2+ 50. Kf1 +Rxb2 {.}) 46... Rh1+ {(3)} 47. Kf2 Nd2 $1 {With the threat of ...Rf1 mate.} ({ +In view of} 47... Nd2 48. Ng3 Rh2+ 49. Ke1 Nf3+ {and ...Rxb2, White resigned. +--- Times: 3.07-2.30.}) (47... -- {The 3-1 score in the match with the +Brazilians put us practically out of reach: the English were 2½ points +behind us. In the final, 11th round for the first time I allowed myself to +relax, and victory over the West Germans (2½-1½) consolidated the success +of the USSR team. --- The English, by beating the Yugoslavs (3-1), finished +second - and left a strong impression. They made the best scores on three +boards (Mestel, Plaskett and Davies), whereas the Soviet team did this only on +two (Kasparov and Vladimirov; incidentally, we shared a room, and this was the +start of our close chess collaboration). At one time the American team was in +contention (the 16-year-old Joel Benjamin played well, achieving the best +result on the first reserve board), but because of a poor finish they even +finished without the bronze medals, which went to the Hungarian masters. --- I +was happy with my play in Graz: I created a number of interesting games, and I +achieved the absolute best result among all the participants. The role of +leader is undoubtedly an honourable one, but at critical moments a double +responsibility lies on his shoulders. For this reason I had to play for ten +successive rounds without being substituted.}) (47... -- {Bykhovsky: 'In Graz +the young grandmaster achieved a great creative success. Kasparov likes +complicated play. He sees a lot, he calculates accurately and deeply, he is +extremely inventive, and he has an excellent feeling for the dynamics of a +position. But the strongest aspect of his play, in my view, is his ability to +obtain complicated positions, and his ability to impose his play on the +opponent.' --- At that time the American master Eric Schiller gave a curious +pen-portrait: 'Kasparov's preparation just before the onset of the game is +intense. Arriving early at the board, he plunges into deep concentration, and +starts to get his juices flowing. The face which was calm and peaceful only +moments before becomes creased with tension... Away from the board it is quite +another matter. He enjoys blitz, although quickly bored when faced by weak +opposition. The consensus among some of America's finest blitz players was +that he is simply astounding. Garry told me that there is really only one +interesting blitz opponent for him - Karpov.'}) 0-1 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Tilburg Lessons"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2009.12.07"] + +{International Tournament in Tilburg (1-16 October 1981): 1. Beliavsky - 7½ +out of 11; 2. Petrosian - 7; 3-4. Portisch and Timman - 6½; 5. Ljubojevic - +6; 6-8. Andersson, Spassky and Kasparov - 5½; 9-10. Sosonko and Larsen - 4½; 11. Hübner -4; 12. Miles - 3.} 1. -- {The super-tournaments in the small +Dutch town of Tilburg, which were held from 1977 to 1998, were among the most +prestigious in the world. There were ideal playing conditions and quite high +prizes. Therefore, even for an elite Soviet grandmaster, participation in such +a tournament was an exceptional event. And for me Tilburg 1981 was also an +important stage in my chess development. It gathered all the strongest +grandmasters, apart from Karpov and Korchnoi, who were in Merano playing a +match for the crown, and Tal and Polugayevsky (they were helping Karpov). --- +At the start I was paired against the 38-year-old Genna Sosonko (see the +following game), a highly colourful character on the tournament scene - +previously a Leningrad master, a second of Tal and Korchnoi, who after leaving +the USSR became one of the best grandmasters in Holland, twice champion of the +country and winner of the tournaments in Wijk aan Zee (1977 and 1981), and +also an excellent chess journalist and writer.} * + +[Event "57: Tilburg"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.10.02"] +[Round "1"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Sosonko, G."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D38"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "57"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 {At that time Sosonko was one of the +few supporters of the Ragozin Variation - nowadays the leading players employ +it much more often.} 5. cxd5 {(5)} exd5 6. Bg5 {The natural reply.} h6 7. Bh4 ( +{Leading to an open battle - none of your 'amorphous' captures on f6 (} 7. Bxf6 +Qxf6 8. Qb3 Qd6 9. a3 Ba5 10. Qa4+ Nc6 11. b4 Bb6 12. e3 O-O {with equality, +Kasparov-Kupreichik, Minsk 1978).}) 7... c5 8. e3 g5 9. Bg3 Ne4 {Immediately +trying to exploit the pin on the knight at c3.} ({Now these sharp positions +are already a matter of course - Black plays both this, and even} 9... c4 {.}) +10. Bb5+ {(5) A tempo-gaining developing move.} ({It is unfavourable to play} +10. dxc5 $6 Nxc3 {(and if} 11. Qd4 {, then} Nxa2+ {and ...0-0)}) ({or} 10. Nd2 +Nxg3 11. hxg3 cxd4 12. exd4 Nc6 {with equality (Rashkovsky-Taimanov, 41st USSR +Championship, Moscow 1973).}) 10... Kf8 $5 {This prepared novelty surprised me. +} ({And I stopped to think, since I had only been expecting} 10... Bd7 11. +Bxd7+ {, assuming that the weakness of the f5-square would promise White some +advantage.}) 11. dxc5 $6 {(15) An unexpected exchange sacrifice! I thought +that in return White would gain a fearfully strong attack, but I +underestimated Black's defensive resources.} (11. O-O $1 Bxc3 12. bxc3 c4 $1 { +was more logical. In the game I.Sokolov-Sosonko (Rotterdam 1998) there followed +} 13. Ne5 $5 ({a double-edged struggle also results from} 13. Qc2 Bf5 ({ +Ribli's move} 13... Qa5 $2 {is bad because of} 14. Bxc4 $1) 14. Qb2 Kg7) 13... +Nxc3 14. Qh5 Qf6 {(?!)} ({after} 14... Be6 $1 15. f4 Rh7 $1 {no way for White +to win is apparent}) 15. f4 $1 g4 16. f5 Ne2+ (16... Nxb5 $6 {is weaker in +view of} 17. Bh4 Qg7 18. Ng6+ $1 Ke8 19. Ne7 {etc.}) 17. Kh1 Nxg3+ 18. hxg3 Rg8 +19. Ng6+ $1 Kg7 20. Ne7 Rd8 {, and here} 21. e4 $1 {(Sokolov) would have given +a powerful attack:} dxe4 ({after Ribli's move} 21... a6 $6 {there is} 22. Nxd5 +Rxd5 $6 23. Bxc4 $1) 22. Bxc4 Nc6 23. Nxc6 bxc6 24. Rf4 $1 Kf8 ({or} 24... Kh8 +25. Rxe4 {etc.}) 25. Rxe4 {. --- So it is not altogether clear why 10...Kf8 +went out of use.}) 11... Nxc3 {(11)} 12. bxc3 Bxc3+ {(30)} 13. Ke2 {(2)} Bxa1 { +(8)} ({Sosonko was rather shocked, but he nevertheless took the exchange, +which, in my view, is more critical than} 13... Qa5 14. a4 a6 15. Bd3 Nc6 {, +although here too there is nothing terrible for Black.}) 14. Qxa1 f6 15. h4 { +(3) This looked to be the most vigorous continuation.} ({Nothing particular +was promised by} 15. Bd6+ Kg7 16. Nd4 Bg4+ 17. f3 Bd7 18. Bd3 Nc6 19. Nxc6 Bxc6 +20. h4 Qd7 21. Kf2 Bb5 22. Bc2 b6 {with equality.}) 15... g4 $6 {(6) The +first step towards the precipice.} ({Of course, Black should have preferred} +15... Kg7 $1 16. hxg5 hxg5 17. Rxh8 Qxh8 $1 {(the threat of Nxg5 is illusory)} +18. Nxg5 Nc6 {, when he is alright: White has compensation for the exchange, +but not more (Genna informed me of this possibility the following day).}) 16. +Nd4 {(5)} Kf7 {(9)} 17. Bd3 {(10) With the intention of Nb5-d6. The situation +has rapidly changed to White's advantage. This was one of my main latent +superiorities: I had a very good feeling for the dynamics of such positions +with unbalanced material, whereas my opponents often hesitated for too long.} ( +17. Bd6 $5 Bd7 {and ...Nc6 is unclear.}) 17... Nd7 {(20)} ({White also has an +easy game after} 17... Nc6 18. Nb5 {with the threat of an invasion on d6 (} Nb4 +19. Qc3 {, as in the game). It is not easy for Black to defend: his king is +exposed, and the knight on d6 paralyses his entire defence.}) 18. Qc3 {(7)} Ne5 +{(25)} 19. Nb5 {(2)} Qe7 {(9)} ({It is hard to offer any better advice: if, +for example,} 19... Nxd3 20. Qxd3 Qa5 $6 {, then} 21. Rb1 $1 ({but not} 21. +Qxd5+ $2 Kg7 22. Nc7 b6 $1 {with equality}) 21... Qxa2+ {, and Black is lost (} +22. Ke1 $1 b6 23. Nd6+ Kg7 24. h5 $1 {).}) 20. Nd6+ {(2)} Kf8 {(14)} ({Of +course, not} 20... Kg7 $2 21. Bf5 $1 Bd7 22. Bxe5 fxe5 23. Bxd7 Qxd7 24. Qxe5+ +{etc.}) 21. Rd1 {(6)} b6 $2 {(5) Not yet sensing the impending danger, +Sosonko continues making positional moves.} (21... Nxd3 22. Qxd3 Be6 {was more +resilient, although after} 23. h5 ({or} 23. Rb1 {all the same things are not +easy for Black.})) 22. Bc2 $1 {(9) Now all White's pieces join the attack and, +to the unconcealed surprise of my opponent, the game quickly concludes.} Ba6+ { +(4)} (22... bxc5 23. Rxd5 Be6 ({or} 23... Nf7 24. Bg6 $1) 24. Rxe5 $1 fxe5 25. +Qxe5 {was also hopeless.}) 23. Ke1 Bc4 24. Nxc4 {(4)} dxc4 25. Rd6 $1 {(the +concluding stroke)} Re8 {(5)} 26. Bxe5 {(2)} fxe5 {(2)} (26... Qxe5 {was +slightly more tenacious, but after} 27. Rxf6+ Kg7 28. Rg6+ Kf8 29. Qxc4 bxc5 +30. Qxg4 {Black also cannot hold out.}) 27. Qxc4 Qf7 ({If} 27... bxc5 {the +most forceful is} 28. Bb3 $1 {.}) 28. Qe4 $1 {(3)} g3 {(4)} 29. fxg3 {. Times: +1.31-2.18. --- In the 2nd round I had Black against Portisch, and again, as +six months earlier in Moscow, I chose the Modern Benoni Defence. And again I +sacrificed a pawn! On this occasion I was able to seize the initiative and +even land the spectacular blow 24...Nf3+!!, but Portisch found a way to save +himself and after an interesting struggle things ended in a draw. The result +was the same in a very complicated 3rd round game with Beliavsky. --- In the +4th round against Timman I played a well-known variation of the King's Indian +Defence with an exchange sacrifice and, after employing a strong novelty, I +gained sufficient counterplay (cf. Game No.53, note to White's 3rd move). But +I spoiled everything with the mediocre move 21...Nb7? - after it Black no +longer had compensation for the exchange. Timman accurately converted his +material advantage and, with 3 points out of 4, took the lead together with +Andersson. This loss was the beginning of my 'Tilburg sufferings'.} 1-0 + +[Event "58: Tilburg"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.10.07"] +[Round "5"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Spassky, B."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "E74"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "132"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{My first meeting at the board with Boris Spassky ended tragically for me. I +have to admit that I did not feel inhibited by the ex-world champion. I had 2 +points out of 4 and was in a fighting mood: I believed (and not without +justification) that I would score many more points. And before the game I +cheerfully informed my opponent how it would end: I prepared him for the worst, +and in my usual, natural manner - with a laugh and even using not altogether +literary language. To which Spassky, also in his usual - 'Tolush-like' - +manner, grandly replied: 'I implore you to carry it out!'} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 +3. d5 g6 4. Nc3 {(5)} d6 5. e4 Bg7 {Spassky always made subtle choices in his +openings. I was somewhat startled that he should take the risk of playing a +King's Indian set-up that was very familiar to me. After some thought I +decided to choose the Averbakh Variation - perhaps not the most dangerous for +Black, but one that demands very energetic play and a detailed knowledge of +opening subtleties (which the opponent probably did not have!).} 6. Be2 {(9)} +O-O 7. Bg5 b5 $6 {(14) After some hesitation Spassky decided to sacrifice a +pawn in the spirit of the Benko Gambit, hoping to seize the initiative and +force White to defend accurately, i.e. to give the play a character that was +unpleasant for me.} ({Fischer employed} 7... e6 {(Game No.30 in Volume IV of +'My Great Predecessors')}) ({and I myself - the preparatory} 7... h6 {(Game No. +28).}) 8. cxb5 {(7)} a6 9. a4 $1 Qa5 $6 {(11)} ({The first subtlety:} 9... h6 +$1 10. Bd2 $1 e6 {is better, as I played two months later against Tukmakov +(Game No.67).}) 10. Bd2 $1 Nbd7 $2 {(21)} ({Here play on general grounds is +too passive: Black simply ends up in an inferior version of the Benko Gambit, +as is also the case after} 10... axb5 $6 11. Bxb5 {.}) ({The only chance of +confusing matters is} 10... Qb4 $5 {.}) 11. Ra3 $1 {(15) Now Black's activity +peters out.} Bb7 {(7)} 12. Nf3 axb5 {(5)} 13. Bxb5 {(18)} Qc7 {(11)} 14. O-O { +(2) White's position is already technically won: he is a sound pawn to the +good, without any counterplay for the opponent. Thus Spassky's venture had +failed. However, he carried on playing as though nothing had happened, with a +completely unperturbed appearance (which, I remember, made me laugh somewhat).} +Ng4 {(13)} (14... e6 $2 15. dxe6 fxe6 16. Ng5 Rae8 17. Bf4 e5 18. Bc4+ Kh8 19. +Nb5 Qb8 20. Nxd6 {was completely bad for Black.}) 15. Bg5 {(14) It is hard +not to make this move;} ({although the computer suggests} 15. a5 {.}) 15... +Ngf6 {(2) A pragmatic decision by an experienced campaigner! Black must hold +his ground, be patient, and wait - the opponent may over-press, or make a +second-rate move...} ({The variation} 15... Nde5 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. f4 Nd7 18. +Bxe7 Rfe8 19. Bg5 h6 20. Bh4 Bxc3 21. bxc3 Rxe4 22. c4 {would have led to a +decisive advantage for White.}) 16. Nd2 {(5)} e6 {(4)} 17. Nc4 $1 {(4)} ({ +Things would have been far from clear after} 17. dxe6 fxe6 18. Nc4 (18. a5 $5) +18... d5 19. exd5 exd5 (19... Nxd5 20. a5) 20. Bxd7 Qxd7 (20... dxc4 $6 21. +Be6+) 21. Nb6 Qc6 $1 22. Bxf6 Bxf6 23. Qxd5+ (23. Ncxd5 Rad8 $1) 23... Qxd5 24. +Nbxd5 Bxd5 25. Nxd5 Bxb2 26. Ra2 Bd4 {with drawing chances.}) 17... exd5 18. +exd5 Rad8 {(13)} (18... Nb6 {did not work because of} 19. Nxb6 Qxb6 20. Qf3 $1 +Nh5 21. g4 {and wins.}) 19. a5 {(3) An obvious plan for converting the +advantage. To this day I don't understand how I contrived to lose from such a +position!} h6 {(3)} 20. Bh4 {(3)} (20. Bf4 $1 {was better, and if} Ne5 {-} 21. +Nxe5 ({or simply} 21. Bxe5 $1 dxe5 22. d6 Qb8 23. a6 Ba8 24. Qa4) 21... dxe5 +22. d6 $1 Qxd6 23. Qxd6 Rxd6 24. Bxe5 Re6 (24... Rd2 25. a6) 25. Bxf6 Rxf6 26. +a6 {, with a winning position in both cases. For the moment the move in the +game also does not spoil anything, although Black acquires a hint of +counterplay.}) 20... Ne5 {(3)} 21. a6 Ba8 {(3)} 22. Re1 {(4)} g5 {(2)} 23. Bg3 +Nfd7 $1 {(opening the way for the f-pawn)} 24. a7 $1 {(11)} f5 {(4)} 25. Bxe5 +Nxe5 26. Nxe5 dxe5 $5 {(6) A desperate chance;} ({after} 26... Bxe5 27. Qh5 +Kg7 28. Ra6 $1 {with the threat of Rxe5 or the immediate 27 Ra6!? and Bc6 +White would have won without any trouble. Now too the a7-pawn should decide +the outcome, but at least it is blockaded and Black still has hopes of +exploiting the power of his dark-square bishop.}) 27. Ra6 e4 {(3)} 28. Bc4 {(6) +} ({The computer recommends the 'crude'} 28. d6 $1 Qf7 29. Qe2 {(a4)} ({or} 29. +d7 {.})) 28... Qf7 (28... Qf4 $6 29. g3 $1 {.}) 29. Nb5 {(3)} Kh7 {(5)} (29... +Bxd5 $2 30. a8=Q Rxa8 31. Bxd5 {etc. is bad for Black.}) 30. Re6 {The +situation has clarified, and I began playing more enterprisingly: the knight +has defended the a7-pawn and the rook has invaded at e6. The finishing-off +stage has been reached and Spassky was already in severe time-trouble (perhaps +this was my undoing?).} Qb7 $1 {(5)} ({Black is not tempted by} 30... Qxe6 $2 +31. dxe6 Rxd1 32. Rxd1 Be5 33. e7 Re8 34. Rd8 {.}) 31. Qh5 $6 {(7) The first +move that deserves more serious criticism.} ({I should have simply attacked +the e4-pawn -} 31. f3 $1 {, and the game would have concluded quickly, for +example:} Rxd5 $6 32. Bxd5 Qxd5 33. Qxd5 Bxd5 34. Rd6 Ba8 35. fxe4 Bxe4 ({or} +35... fxe4 36. Rf1 $1) 36. Rb6 $1 {and Rb8. I am amazed that I did not play +this. Commentary is superfluous...}) 31... Rf6 {(2)} 32. Rxf6 {(5)} Bxf6 33. g4 +$2 {Whereas the queen sortie was not so bad, here (in the opponent's +time-trouble!) I simply 'twitched'.} (33. h4) (33. d6 e3 34. f3) ({and} 33. f3 +{(with the threat of fxe4)} exf3 34. Re6 $1 {, etc., would all have given an +elementary win.}) 33... f4 $1 {An instant reply! For the first time Black has +acquired real counter-chances.} 34. h4 $5 {(2) With the opponent in +time-trouble, this 'side' move is not a bad chance in the unexpectedly +sharpened situation.} (34. b3 {would also have done}) ({or else} 34. Rxe4 Rxd5 +35. f3 $1 ({but the over-hasty} 35. Bxd5 $2 {would have led only to a draw:} +Qxd5 36. f3 Qd1+ 37. Kf2 Bxe4 38. Qf7+ Bg7 39. fxe4 Qd2+ {with perpetual check. +Could White really have reconciled himself to such an outcome?!})) 34... Kg7 $6 +{An instinctive move with the flag about to fall!} (34... e3 {would have led +to a position which seemed completely unclear to me.} 35. -- ({. But today I +see that here there was a win by either} 35. fxe3 Rxd5 36. e4 $1 ({but not} 36. +Bxd5 $2 Qxd5 37. e4 Qd3 {with a draw})) ({, or} 35. hxg5 Bxg5 36. fxe3 $1 Rxd5 +37. e4 $1 Rd8 (37... Rd2 38. Qe8 $1) 38. Qf7+) ({, as well as by the merciless +} 35. Bd3+ $1 Kg8 36. b3 $1 {, when the d5-pawn is taboo because of Bc4.})) 35. +Nc3 $2 {(7) A nightmarish reply;} ({White misses an immediate and +straightforward win, which would have been achieved by} 35. d6 $1 e3 36. f3 $1 +{(this is only apparently risky)} Rf8 ({or} 36... Rc8 37. Nc7 Rxc7 38. dxc7 +Qxc7 39. Qe8 Qd8 40. Qf7+ {etc.}) 37. Nc7 $1 Qxf3 38. Ne6+ {, mating.}) 35... +e3 $1 {This leads to an abrupt sharpening of the play.} ({For some reason I +had reckoned only on} 35... Qxa7 $2 36. Nxe4 Qe7 37. Kf1 Bxd5 (37... gxh4 38. +Ng3 $1) 38. Bxd5 Rxd5 39. Nxf6 Qxf6 40. Qe8 {, winning.}) 36. Bd3 {(2)} exf2+ +37. Kxf2 Qxb2+ 38. Re2 $2 {A blunder - now in a mutual time scramble. Indeed, +White gives up a knight for just a couple of checks!} ({After the only correct +move} 38. Ne2 {, strangely enough, White would still have retained an enormous +advantage:} -- (38... Bxd5 $6 39. Qg6+ Kf8 40. Qxh6+ Ke7 41. Kf1 $1 Kd7 42. +Qh7+ $1 ({but not} 42. hxg5 $2 Rh8 $1 43. Qxf6 Rh1+ {with perpetual check}) +42... Kd6 ({or} 42... Bg7 43. Be4 $1 {and Black has problems}) 43. Rb1 $1 { +(Akopian).}) (38... Qe5 39. Kf1 $1 gxh4 40. Qg6+ Kf8 41. Qxh6+ Bg7 42. Qxh4 Rd7 +43. Rb1 $1 Rxa7 44. Qd8+ Kf7 45. g5 $1 {with an irresistible attack}) (38... +Bd4+ 39. Kf1 f3 40. Qg6+ Kf8 41. Qf5+ Kg7 42. Qxf3 Rf8 (42... Bxd5 $2 43. Qxd5 +$1 {and a8Q}) 43. Bf5 {, and Black has an obviously bad position (true, +nevertheless it is still playable).}) (38... Rxd5 $2 {is worse in view of} 39. +Qg6+ Kf8 40. Rb1 $1 {etc.})) 38... Qxc3 39. Qg6+ Kf8 40. Qxh6+ Bg7 41. Qxg5 Qf6 +{(25) The sealed move.} ({At first sight,} 41... Qd4+ {(driving the king back +from f2)} 42. Kf1 Qf6 {was more accurate} 43. -- ({, with a win for Black +after the 'cooperative'} 43. Qxf6+ Bxf6 44. g5 Bd4 45. Bc4 $2 ({after} 45. Re4 +$1 {a draw is highly probable}) 45... f3 $1 46. Ra2 $6 (46. Re4 Rd7 $1 47. Rf4+ +Kg7 48. Rxf3 Rxa7 49. h5 {is more resilient}) 46... Re8 $1 47. Ra3 f2 48. Kg2 +Re1 {.}) ({. But in this case White would have acquired the excellent resource +} 43. Qh5 $1 {for example:} f3 ({or} 43... Qa1+ 44. Re1 Qxa7 45. d6 $1 Qf7 46. +Qxf7+ Kxf7 47. Bc4+ $1 Kg6 48. Re6+ Kh7 49. Bd3+ $1 Kg8 50. Bc4 $1 {, prettily +maintaining the balance}) 44. Re1 f2 45. Rb1 $1 Ke7 46. Rb8 Qa1+ 47. Kxf2 Bxd5 +48. Qg5+ Bf6 49. Qe3+ Kf7 50. Qf4 {with a draw. --- In the adjourned position +the restricted material also leaves White with hopes of a draw. The game was +resumed that same day, two hours later. The sharp change of scene (instead of +a win, I urgently had to find a way to draw!) had a dispiriting effect on me, +and I squandered all my chances.})) 42. Qxf6+ {(5)} Bxf6 43. Bc4 $6 {I thought +that I needed to retain the d5-pawn.} ({Both in my brief analysis, and at the +board, I did not see the most accurate continuation} 43. g5 $1 Bd4+ 44. Kf3 +Bxd5+ 45. Be4 $1 Bxe4+ 46. Kxe4 Ra8 47. Ra2 Be3 48. Ra4 c4 49. Rxc4 Rxa7 50. +Kf3 (50. h5 $5) 50... Kg7 51. Rc6 {(Spassky). In the end this would have led +to the endgame with rook and bishop against rook, which, despite my depressed +state, I would most probably have held.}) 43... Bxh4+ 44. Kf3 Rd7 45. Ra2 $2 { +(5) Another mistake, now reparable only by a miracle.} (45. Rh2 $1 Bf6 46. g5 +$1 {was essential, creating the greatest difficulties for Black, for example:} +Bg7 (46... Be5 47. Re2) 47. Ra2 Be5 48. Ke4 Bc7 49. Rb2 Rd8 50. Kf3 {, and +there is no win (White simply plays Kg4 or Rb3 etc.).}) 45... Bg5 {(now White +is unable to play g4-g5 and his position is lost)} 46. Ke4 Rf7 $1 47. Ra5 Kg7 +$1 {(6)} ({An important moment:} 47... f3 $2 {was incorrect because of} 48. +Rxc5 Rf4+ 49. Ke5 Rxc4 50. Rxc4 f2 51. Rc8+ Kg7 52. Rxa8 f1=Q 53. Rg8+ Kxg8 54. +a8=Q+ {with a draw.}) 48. Rxc5 {(11)} Kf6 $2 {(5)} (48... Rxa7 49. Rc8 ({or} +49. Kf5 Be7 $1 50. Rc8 f3) 49... Bb7 50. Rb8 Ba6 51. Bxa6 Rxa6 52. Rc8 (52. Kf5 +Be7 $1) 52... Bh6 {etc. would also have been decisive. Apparently Spassky +thought that in this way too he would convert his extra piece, but problems +could have arisen.}) 49. Rc8 $1 {(9)} ({The variation} 49. Ra5 Re7+ 50. Kd4 { +was worse because of} Kg7 $1 {with the ideas of ..Bf6+ and ...f4-f3;} (50... +Bh4 51. d6 $1 {is unclear.})) 49... Rxa7 $6 {(2) Another error;} ({only} 49... +Re7+ $1 50. Kd4 Rxa7 {would have retained winning chances, although after} 51. +Kc5 $1 Bb7 52. Rf8+ Kg7 53. Rf5 Kh6 54. Kb6 Ra4 55. Kxb7 Rb4+ 56. Kc6 Rxc4+ 57. +Kd7 {it is possible that White's activity is sufficient for a draw.}) 50. Rf8+ +Kg7 (50... Ke7 51. Rf5 {with a draw.}) 51. Rc8 $2 ({It was essential to play} +51. Re8 $1 {(threatening Kf5)} Kf7 52. Rb8 $1 {with a positional draw. But by +now I was in a complete stupor...}) 51... Kf6 $2 ({A comedy of errors: in his +second time-trouble Black misses} 51... Bb7 $1 {.}) 52. Rf8+ Kg7 53. Rc8 $2 ( +53. Re8 $1 {.}) 53... Bb7 $1 {Now White is finally lost.} 54. Rc7+ (54. Rb8 Ba6 +$1 {.}) 54... Kf6 55. Kd4 Bh4 $1 56. d6 {(6)} Bf2+ {(3)} ({Or} 56... f3 $5 {. +Time-trouble was over and the third time control began.}) 57. Kc3 Be4 $1 {(29)} +({Of course, not} 57... Ke5 $2 58. d7 Be1+ 59. Kb3 Bh4 60. g5 $1 Bxg5 61. Rc5+ +Kd6 62. Rxg5 Kxd7 63. Rg7+ {with a draw.}) 58. Re7 {(18)} (58. Bb5 Rb7 $1) (58. +g5+ Kxg5 59. d7 Ra8 60. Rc8 Bb6 {was also bad for White.}) 58... Rxe7 59. g5+ +Kg6 60. dxe7 Bc6 61. Kb4 Bb6 {(21)} 62. Bb3 (62. Bb5 Bxb5 63. Kxb5 Kf7 $1 {and +wins.}) 62... Bd7 ({The final trap:} 62... f3 $2 63. Bd5 {with a draw.}) 63. +Bd5 {(3)} Be8 64. Bc4 f3 65. Bd3+ Kxg5 66. Bb5 f2 {. Times: 3.45-4.05. --- +The calm and enterprising way in which Spassky fought on in a hopeless +position made a great impression on me. Despite some time-trouble errors, he +splendidly exploited the tactical chances that arose and subtly sensed the +psychological nuances of the struggle. He outplayed me, in particular, +psychologically. In such an ugly position another player would simply have +lost heart, but Spassky fought on to the bitter end under the motto: 'He is +young and hot-tempered - this may tell at some point.' And that is what +happened.} 0-1 + +[Event "59: Tilburg"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.10.08"] +[Round "6"] +[White "Hübner, R."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "A30"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "98"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{Two successive defeats were a heavy blow: such a thing had not happened to me +for a long time! The next day I had Black against Robert Hübner, a finalist in +the previous Candidates cycle. And, pulling myself together, I made every +effort to retain my composure and not lose my optimism.} 1. c4 {Hübner's usual +move.} Nf6 2. Nc3 c5 3. Nf3 ({If} 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 {, then} d5 {is good.}) 3... +e6 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. d4 (7. Re1 {is more cunning}) ({whereas} +7. b3 {is guileless (Game Nos. 49, 55).}) 7... cxd4 8. Qxd4 d6 $1 {This was +one of my first experiences of employing the 'hedgehog' set-up at world level. +I liked the flexibility of Black's position; he can manoeuvre for a long time, +awaiting the moment for ...b6-b5 or ...d6-d5. At that time there were not yet +any clear prescriptions, and Hübner decided to play the opening in the waiting +manner of Uhlmann - the main expert on this set-up for White.} 9. b3 ({The +immediate} 9. e4 {is also played:} O-O ({or} 9... a6) 10. Qe3 Nbd7 11. Nd4 Re8 +$5 12. b3 d5 $1 {(an idea of Gelfand).}) ({An alternative is} 9. Rd1 a6 $1 10. +b3 Nbd7 11. Bb2 (11. e4 $5 Qb8 {- Game No.7 in 'Revolution in the 70s'}) 11... +O-O 12. h3 Qc7 13. e4 Rad8 14. Rac1 Rfe8 {(Renman-Kasparov, Skara 1980)}) ({or +} 9. Bg5 a6 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. Qf4 O-O {(Karpov-Kasparov, Moscow 1981; Game No. +3 in 'Kasparov vs. Karpov 1975-1985'), in both cases with roughly equal +chances.}) 9... O-O 10. e4 {(4)} ({The direct} 10. Ba3 {does not achieve its +aim in view of} Na6 $1 {(Game No.5 in 'Revolution in the 70s').}) 10... Nbd7 { +(2)} 11. Qe3 a6 {(2)} 12. Nd4 {(2)} ({A more accurate interpretation of +Uhlmann's plan than} 12. Bb2 Qc7 13. Rfd1 Rac8 14. Rac1 Qb8 15. Nd4 Rfe8 16. h3 +Bf8 17. f4 $6 e5 $1 18. Nf5 $1 d5 19. fxe5 Bc5 20. Nd4 {(Cserna-Portisch, +Budapest 1975)} Qxe5 $1 {etc.}) 12... Qc7 13. Bb2 ({After} 13. Ba3 Rfe8 $1 14. +h3 Bf8 15. Rfe1 Rad8 16. Rad1 Nc5 17. f3 (17. f4 e5 $1) 17... g6 $1 18. g4 Bg7 +19. Bb2 Ba8 20. Re2 h6 21. Rde1 Qb8 22. Qd2 $6 e5 $1 23. Nc2 b5 $1 24. cxb5 $6 +(24. Ne3 {is better}) 24... d5 $1 {the 'hedgehog' bristles with all is spines +(Uhlmann-Bönsch, Halle 1976).}) 13... Rfe8 $1 14. h3 {(3) Useful prophylaxis;} +({although the immediate} 14. Rfe1 {is also possible, with the same idea of +Re2 and Qd2-e1.}) ({Another of Uhlmann's ideas -} 14. Kh1 Bf8 15. f4 {leads +after} g6 $1 16. Rae1 Bg7 {to double-edged play.}) 14... Bf8 $1 {(2) With the +intention of ...g7-g6 and ...Bg7.} ({This is more harmonious than} 14... Rad8 +15. Rfe1 Qb8 16. Re2 h6 17. Rae1 Nh7 {(Uhlmann-Kuligowski, East Germany v. +Poland 1981).}) 15. Rfe1 {(2)} (15. f4 $6 {again runs into} e5 $1 16. Nf5 d5 $1 +{. 'However, here it is not all so simple:} 17. fxe5 Bc5 18. Nd4 Qxe5 19. Nxd5 +Bxd5 20. cxd5 Nxd5 21. Qf2 N5f6 22. Rad1 {, maintaining the balance.' (Shipov)} +) ({Black also has a good game after} 15. Rae1 Nc5 16. Kh2 Rad8 $1 17. Re2 g6 +18. Nc2 Bg7 19. Ba1 d5 $1 20. e5 Nfd7 21. cxd5 (21. f4 dxc4) 21... Nxe5 22. f4 +exd5 $1 23. fxe5 d4 $1 24. Nxd4 Rxe5 25. Qf2 Nd3 {(Uhlmann-Gheorghiu, Manila +Interzonal 1976).}) 15... Rad8 {(8) Clearly hinting at the ...d6-d5 +breakthrough.} (15... Rac8 16. Re2 Qb8 {is also acceptable, for example:} 17. +Qd2 ({or} 17. Rd1 Qa8 $1 18. Qd2 Qb8 $6 (18... d5 $1 {would have equalised}) +19. Ba1 Ba8 20. Qe1 $1 {(Uhlmann-Ermenkov, Berlin 1982), in both cases with +some advantage to White}) 17... Nc5 (17... Qa8 $1 {with the idea of ...d6-d5 +is more accurate}) 18. Rd1 Qa8 19. Qe1 $1 {(Uhlmann-Vaisser, Berlin 1982).}) +16. Re2 {(5)} ({After} 16. Rad1 g6 ({but} 16... Qb8 $1 {is more subtle:} 17. +Qc1 (17. Re2 $5) 17... Nc5 {and ...Qa8, pressing on the e4-pawn +(Uhlmann-Akesson, Polanica Zdroj 1981)}) 17. Qc1 Qb8 {, White has the good +regrouping} 18. Qa1 $1 Bg7 19. Nc2 $1 Ba8 20. Re2 {and Ne3 (Uhlmann-Vilela, +Halle 1981).}) 16... g6 {(10)} ({Later Dizdarevic and Bönsch tried} 16... Qb8 +$5 {and ...Ba8 against Uhlmann.}) 17. Rae1 {(5)} ({It was still possible to +play} 17. Rd1 {(Uhlmann-Petran, Budapest 1982)}) ({or} 17. Qd2 {, in order to +hide the queen at e1.}) 17... Qb8 {(4)} 18. Qd2 {(16)} Bg7 {(10)} (18... Nc5 +19. Qd1 Qa8 {is also quite good, for example:} 20. Nc2 Bg7 21. Ba1 h5 $5 22. b4 +Ncd7 23. Qxd6 h4 $1 {with lively counterplay (Uhlmann-Adorjan, Budapest 1982). +At any event, the outcome of the opening is very favourable for Black.}) 19. +Qd1 {(10)} Nc5 {(9) 'Everything is ready for the breakthrough. But without +the help of the opponent it is not easy to carry it out. Any attempt by White +to play for a win will provide this help!' (Shipov)} 20. Bc1 $6 {(3) With the +dubious idea of provoking the weakening ...h7-h6.} (20. Qb1) ({or} 20. Rd2 { +was sounder. If White 'stands still', it will be hard for Black to break +through. But who has the courage to 'stand still' for the entire game?! It +seems to me that Hübner was playing in a rather carefree manner, assuming that +he could do anything he wanted within his own territory. He was probably +counting on my depressed state and waiting for me to 'twitch' somewhere.}) +20... Rc8 $1 {(8) Exploiting the fact that the knight at c3 is undefended, +Black intensifies the threat of ...b6-b5 or ...d6-d5.} 21. Bg5 {(2)} h6 {(6)} +22. Bc1 Red8 $1 {Again eying the white queen from afar and, in anticipation of +...d6-d5, moving away from the X-ray of the white rooks on the e-file.} 23. Bb2 +{An inglorious return home: as a result of this loss of time the black rooks +have taken up their optimal positions at c8 and d8, whereas White's are firing +into thin air.} ({In the event of} 23. Rd2 Qa8 {Black would have +advantageously maintained the tension and the threat of ...d6-d5.}) 23... b5 $5 +{(15) I think that this spectacular move and the next one came as an +unpleasant surprise to Hübner.} ({The immediate blow in the centre suggested +itself -} 23... d5 $1 24. -- ({, when} 24. e5 $6 dxc4 25. Bxb7 Qxb7 26. bxc4 ( +26. exf6 $2 Bxf6 27. Ne4 Nxe4 28. Rxe4 c3 $1 {and wins}) 26... Nfd7 27. f4 Nb8 +$1 {and ...Nc6 is to Black's advantage.}) ({. But I was afraid (wrongly, +apparently) of the drawing tendencies in the variation} 24. exd5 exd5 25. cxd5 +Nxd5 26. Nxd5 Bxd5 {, for example:} 27. -- (27. Bxd5 Rxd5 28. b4 Qd6 $1 (28... +Ne6 29. Rxe6 $1 fxe6 30. Rxe6 {is equal}) 29. bxc5 bxc5 30. Qc1 Bxd4 31. Bxd4 +Rxd4 32. Qxh6 Rd1 {and ...c5-c4 with some advantage}) (27. Rd2 Bxg2 28. Kxg2 +Qb7+ 29. Qf3 (29. Kh2 Rd6 $1) 29... Qxf3+ 30. Kxf3 Rd6 $1 (30... f5 $5 {and ...Ne4}) 31. Red1 Rcd8 {, and in view of the pin on the d-file White would still +have had to fight for a draw. --- However, I decided to strike a different, +rather daring blow, but one which sharply changed the character of the play. +My opponent became unsettled and within a few moves he began to 'flounder'!}))) +24. cxb5 {(2)} d5 $1 {(only now!)} 25. exd5 {(17) The complications begin.} ({ +It is unfavourable for White to play} 25. bxa6 $2 Bxa6 26. Rd2 dxe4) ({or} 25. +e5 $6 Nfe4 {, when he loses his e5-pawn.}) 25... Nxd5 26. Nxd5 Bxd5 {Black's +counterplay is based on the opposition of rook and queen on the d-file: ...e6-e5 is a constant threat.} 27. b4 $1 {(2) For the moment Hübner is equal to +the occasion.} ({True,} 27. Bxd5 Rxd5 28. b4 Nd7 29. Qa1 $1 {was also suitable, +eliminating the pin on the knight:} Ne5 $1 (29... axb5 $2 30. Nxe6 $1 {and wins +}) 30. Nc6 $1 Nf3+ 31. Kf1 Bxb2 32. Qxb2 Qd6 33. Qf6 Rxc6 $1 34. bxc6 Nxe1 35. +Rxe6 $1 fxe6 36. Qxg6+ Kf8 37. Qf6+ Ke8 38. c7 $1 {with an elegant draw.}) +27... Bxg2 {(3)} 28. Kxg2 e5 $1 ({But not} 28... Qa8+ 29. Kh2 e5 {in view of} +30. Rxe5 $1 Bxe5 31. Rxe5 Ne6 32. Rxe6 $1 fxe6 33. Qg4 Kh7 34. Nxe6 {with full +compensation for the two exchanges.}) 29. bxc5 {(5)} exd4 {And in this +double-edged position Hübner stopped to think...} 30. Rd2 $6 {(21) An +important moment: White goes on to the defensive!} ({In 'Informator' I +suggested} 30. Qd3 axb5 31. Rc2 {with an 'equality' evaluation, but after} Qa7 +$1 ({this is stronger than} 31... Qa8+ {and ...Qxa2}) 32. c6 (32. Qxb5 $2 d3 $1 +) 32... Qxa2 {Black nevertheless has the better chances.}) (30. bxa6 $6 d3 $1 { +.}) ({The correct decision was the active} 30. Re7 $1 -- ({, since the reply +which I recommended a quarter of a century ago -} 30... Rxc5 31. Qb3 Rf8 $6 ({ +I should add} 31... Qa8+ 32. R1e4 $1 Rf8 33. bxa6) 32. bxa6 Rb5 {does not work +on account of} 33. Qf3 $1 Rxb2 34. a7 Qd8 35. Re8 $1 {, and the a-pawn queens +(to see this at the board was not easy!).}) ({. And if} 30... axb5) ({, or} +30... Qxb5 {there is the good reply} 31. Qf3 {.}) ({. Therefore Black should +include} 30... Qa8+ $1 {, although after} 31. Kg1 $1 (31. R1e4 $2 Bf6) (31. Qf3 +Qxf3+ 32. Kxf3) ({or} 31. c6 axb5 32. Rb7 Rxc6 33. Ree7 Qxa2 34. Rxf7 Qd5+ 35. +Kg1 Qxf7 36. Rxf7 Kxf7 {is also dangerous for White}) 31... Rxc5 ({or} 31... +axb5 32. Qb3 Rf8 33. Ba3 (33. R1e6 {is parried by} Rce8 ({or} 33... Rxc5 34. +Rxg6 Qd5))) 32. Qb3 Rf8 33. bxa6 Qxa6 34. Rb7 {. White does not have even a +hint of any problems})) 30... Rxc5 {(10)} 31. bxa6 ({Not} 31. Bxd4 $2 Qa8+ { +and ...Rcd5.}) 31... Qa8+ 32. Qf3 {(10)} (32. Kh2 $6 Qxa6 33. Bxd4 $2 {is not +possible on account of} Rcd5 34. Be3 Rxd2 35. Bxd2 Qd3 {(d6) with a fatal pin +on the d-file.}) 32... Qxa6 {Now it is not easy for White to combat the passed +d4-pawn - under its cover Black can attack the queen, aiming to seize control +of the a8-h1 diagonal. But for the moment his threats do not look so terrible.} +33. Red1 {(6)} ({Shipov recommended} 33. Re4 {, 'in order if possible to +eliminate the powerful pawn at the cost of the exchange:} Qa8 34. Bxd4 $5 Rcd5 +35. Bxg7 Rxd2 36. Bxh6 {with an almost drawn position.'}) 33... Rf5 {(8)} 34. +Qe4 Qa4 $1 35. a3 (35. Bxd4 $2 Rfd5 $1 {and wins}) 35... Re8 $6 {(14) A +time-trouble error.} (35... h5) ({or} 35... Rc5 {was stronger.}) 36. Qb7 Rd8 $1 +{(14) Reverting to the correct plan.} ({If} 36... Re2 $6 {there was the reply} +37. Rxe2 Qxd1 38. Qc8+ Kh7 39. Qc2 $1 {with equality.}) 37. Rd3 $6 {(2) Not +the best move.} (37. Qe4) ({or} 37. Kg1 {was more solid.}) 37... h5 $1 {(an +unpleasant rejoinder: it is hard to find the correct defence straight away)} +38. R1d2 $6 ({Again it was better to play} 38. Kg1 Qe8 $1 {etc.}) 38... Qe8 $1 +{(2) With the threat of ...Rb8. Somehow imperceptibly White has ended up in a +difficult position.} 39. Kf1 $2 {(12)} ({Not wishing to conduct a cheerless +defence the exchange down after} 39. Bxd4 Rfd5 {, Hübner commits a fatal error. +}) (39. Kh2 {was more resilient, after which I was planning} h4 $1 {.}) ({But +not} 39. Qc7 $2 Rc8 $1 {.}) 39... Rb8 {(3)} 40. Qc7 ({If} 40. Qg2 {Black would +have won by} Qc8 $1 {with the threat of ...Rxb2.}) 40... Rxb2 $1 {(2) A +decisive combinative stroke on the last move before the time control (I still +had about eight minutes left).} 41. Rxb2 Qe4 42. Qc4 {Here the game was +adjourned and then resumed that same evening, a couple of hours later.} Qh1+ { +(8) The sealed move.} 43. Ke2 Qg1 (43... Re5+ $1 44. Kd2 Re6 {(e1) was +simpler, but the move in the game is also good.}) 44. Rb8+ Kh7 45. f4 h4 $1 46. +Rb5 ({Or} 46. Rbb3 Rf6 $1 {, and soon the curtain comes down.}) 46... Rxb5 {(3) +} 47. Qxb5 hxg3 48. Qg5 Qf2+ 49. Kd1 Qf1+ ({In view of} 49... Qf1+ 50. Kc2 ({or +} 50. Kd2 g2 51. Rg3 Bh6 $1) 50... Qe2+ 51. Rd2 d3+ {. Times: 2.32-2.42. --- +After this good win I gained heart. I was on 3 out of 6 - just one point less +than the leading quintet!}) 0-1 + +[Event "60: Tilburg"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.10.10"] +[Round "7"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Petrosian, T."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "D22"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "83"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{Against one of these, ex-world champion Tigran Petrosian, I had White in the +next round - and, naturally, I wanted to gain revenge for the vexing loss in +Moscow in April. But again I ran into an amazing defence by 'Iron Tigran'.} 1. +d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e3 Bg4 {(2)} 5. Bxc4 e6 6. h3 {(4)} Bh5 7. Nc3 { +(2)} ({If} 7. Qb3 {, then} Bxf3 8. gxf3 Nbd7 {(Szabo-Larsen, Portoroz +Interzonal 1958), obtaining reasonable compensation for the pawn after} 9. Qxb7 +c5 {(the same is played after 6 Qb3). Black's successes in this direction +raised the stock of the moves 3 e4 and 3 e3 (instead of 3 Nf3).}) 7... a6 {(3)} +8. g4 {(5)} Bg6 9. Ne5 {The comparatively rare variation chosen by my opponent +came as something of a surprise to me - however, a pleasant one: I though that +White's advantage in space would give me chances of an attack.} Nbd7 {(4)} 10. +Nxg6 hxg6 11. Bf1 $1 {(9)} (11. g5 {is harmless:} Nd5 12. Nxd5 exd5 13. Bxd5 c6 +14. Bb3 (14. Bc4 {is more accurate}) 14... Qxg5 15. Qf3 Nf6 {(Petrosian-Ivkov, +Hamburg 1965)} ({or} 15... Bb4+ {and ...Qf5 (Petrosian-Djindjihashvili, +Olympiad, Buenos Aires 1978). When I made the 'reverse' move with my bishop +and stood up from the board, Spassky approvingly slapped me on the shoulder: a +good manoeuvre!})) 11... c6 {(5)} 12. Bg2 Qc7 13. O-O Be7 {(4)} 14. f4 {(4)} +Nb6 {(3)} 15. g5 {(9)} (15. a4 {also came into consideration.}) 15... Nfd7 ( +15... Nfd5 $6 16. e4 Nxc3 17. bxc3 {is inferior.}) 16. Qg4 {(10)} O-O-O {(3) +In search of counterplay Black must castle queenside;} ({if} 16... O-O $2 {, +then} 17. h4 $1 {.}) 17. Rb1 {(12)} Kb8 {(20)} 18. b4 {(5)} Nd5 19. Na4 $5 ({ +(instead of the quiet} 19. Nxd5 {)}) 19... f5 $1 {(7) Again a surprise;} ({ +when I sacrificed the pawn I was hoping for} 19... Nxb4 $2 20. Bd2 Nd5 21. e4 { +, when White's attack develops without any particular interference - even +after the best} f5 {(Petrosian)} 22. gxf6 N5xf6 23. Qxe6 Nc5 24. Nxc5 Bxc5 25. +dxc5 Rxd2 26. e5 Nd5 27. Qxg6) 20. Qg3 $5 {(8) Insisting on the pawn +sacrifice, although now it is far more risky!} ({The double-edged} 20. gxf6 +gxf6 21. Qxe6 Rde8 $1 {was also unclear (Petrosian). I had to accept the +appearance of an 'eternal' knight on d5.}) 20... Nxb4 {(10)} 21. Bd2 Nd5 22. +Rfc1 {(2) The pressure on the open b- and c-files allows White to look to the +future with optimism, and for the moment, on a board full of pieces, Black's +extra pawn is hardly felt.} Ka7 {(5)} 23. Qe1 {(4)} Ba3 $5 {(14)} 24. Rc2 {(12) +} Qd6 25. Rb3 {(2)} Qe7 {(4)} 26. Qe2 {(9)} ({Serious consideration should +have been given to the immediate} 26. Nb2 $5 Bxb2 27. Rcxb2 Rb8 28. e4 fxe4 29. +Qxe4 {, maintaining the dynamic balance.}) 26... Rb8 {(5)} ({In Petrosian's +opinion,} 26... Ra8 $5 {was more accurate, with the same idea of ...Rhc8 and ...b7-b5.}) 27. Qd3 Bd6 {(2)} ({If} 27... Nb4 28. Bxb4 Bxb4 {there is an +unpleasant piece sacrifice -} 29. Bxc6 $1 bxc6 30. Rxc6 Rb5 31. a3 $1 Nb8 32. +Rc2 $1 Bd6 33. Rxb5 axb5 34. Nc3 {with a powerful attack.}) 28. Nb2 $1 {(2)} +Rhc8 29. Nc4 Bc7 $6 {(5) It would appear that my highly experienced opponent +overestimated the soundness of his position.} ({After} 29... N7b6 $1 { +(immediately clarifying the intentions of the knight on c4) nothing definitely +advantageous for White is apparent.}) 30. a4 $1 {Here I was already +anticipating placing my pawn on a5, then playing Rcb2 and Qb1 - and gaining a +convincing victory!} ({For example:} 30. a4 Rh8 $6 31. a5 $1 Ka8 32. Rcb2 $1 +Qf8 33. Qb1 $1 Qc8 34. Bb4 $1 Nxb4 35. Rxb4 Ka7 36. Nb6 Bxb6 37. axb6+ Ka8 38. +Ra4 {and wins. And indeed, it is not clear what Black can do.}) 30... b5 $6 { +This move staggered me.} ({It looks like a gesture of despair - after the +natural} 30... N7b6 31. Na5 {the first impression is that White's threats +snowball:} Bd8 (31... Bd6 $2 32. Rcb2) 32. Bf1 $1 Qd7 (32... Ra8 $2 33. Nxb7 $1 +Kxb7 34. a5 {is bad for Black}) ({, while after} 32... c5 33. dxc5 Rxc5 {both} +34. Rcb2 ({and} 34. Nc6+ $5 Rxc6 35. Rxc6 Ka8 36. Rc2 Nxa4 37. Rb1 {are +tempting})) 33. Rcb2 c5 34. dxc5 Rxc5 35. Nxb7 $5 (35. Qd4 $5) 35... Rxb7 36. +a5 {with an attack, although after} Rb5 37. Rxb5 (37. Qd4 Rxb3 38. Rxb3 Qc6 $1) +37... axb5 38. Qd4 ({or} 38. axb6+ Bxb6 39. Qa3+ Kb8 40. Bxb5 Qe7 {(c7) Black +retains drawing chances}) 38... b4 39. axb6+ Bxb6 40. Ra2+ Kb8 41. Qe5+ Rc7 $1 +42. Bg2 Bc5 43. Ra6 Kc8 $1 {(with the idea of} 44. Rxe6 $6 Ne7 $1 {).}) 31. +axb5 {(3)} cxb5 {(3)} 32. Ra2 $1 {(3) A strong rejoinder: first and foremost +33 Rba3 is threatened, but that is not all. It appears that the collapse of +Black's defences is now imminent. I remember that I was very proud of my +position and I thought that the game was already over.} Kb7 $6 {(10) But this +move staggered me even more: can such play really go unpunished?!} ({It +appeared that the opponent was obliged to go in for the variation} 32... Bd6 +33. Rxb5 Rxb5 34. Nxd6 Qxd6 35. Qxb5 Rc2 $1 36. Qb3 Rxa2 37. Qxa2 N7b6 38. Bf1 +Nc7 {with chances of a defence, although the long-range bishops would have +left White with an enduring advantage. Sensing that the win was somewhere near +at hand, I began to grow nervous.}) (32... bxc4 $2 33. Rxa6+ $1) (32... Bxf4 $2 +33. Na3 $1 {.}) 33. Bb4 $2 {(6) Strangely enough, this natural move, building +up the pressure, is a serious mistake. I underestimated the opponent's +defensive potential! White should not be circumventing, but attacking Black's +fortifications - at a6, b5 and d5.} ({Firstly, this aim would have been served +by the knight manoeuvre c4-a3-c2-b4. I discovered the grandiose move} 33. Na3 +$1 {immediately after the game.} -- ({. Thus if} 33... Qe8 {there is the very +strong} 34. Nxb5 $1 axb5 35. Qxb5+ Bb6 36. Ra6 $1 Kc7 37. Ba5 $1 Kd8 38. Bxd5 +exd5 39. Qxd5 {etc.}) ({. In my book 'The Test of Time' (1986) I gave} 33... +Bb6 34. Nc2 $1 Ra8 35. Nb4 Qd6 36. -- (36. e4 {(?)} fxe4 ({overlooking the +spectacular refutation, later pointed out by Timman:} 36... Nc5 $3 37. dxc5 +Qxc5+ 38. Kh2 Qg1+ 39. Kg3 Qf2+ (39... Rh8 40. Be3 $1) 40. Kh2 Qg1+ {with +perpetual check}) 37. Qxe4 {as the main variation.}) ({. Even so, with the +computer's help I was able to find the accurate} 36. Rb1 $1 Nb8 (36... Rc4 $2 +37. Qa3 $1) 37. Qb3 Rc4 ({or} 37... Rd8 38. Rc1) 38. Rc1 $1 Rxc1+ 39. Bxc1 Nc6 +40. Nxd5 exd5 41. Bxd5 {and wins.})) ({. The same computer 'friend' brought +some 'joy' in another direction. In that book I stated that after 33 Na3! the +reply} 33... N7b6 {would lose to} 34. Nxb5 axb5 35. Qxb5 -- (35... Ra8 $4 36. +Qxd5+ {, and mate}) (35... Rd8 36. Bb4 $1 Qe8 (36... Qf7 37. Bc5) 37. Qa6+ Kc6 +38. Bc5 Kd7 (38... Ra8 39. Rxb6+) 39. Bf1 $1 {.}) ({. However, it transpired +that} 35... Rh8 $1 {is more resilient - here White still has to display +exceptional ingenuity in attack:} 36. Bb4 $1 Qe8 37. Qa6+ Kc6 38. Bf1 $1 Nxb4 +39. Rxb4 Qd8 (39... Kd6 40. Qa3 $1) ({or} 39... Qe7 40. Bb5+ Kd5 41. Qa3 $1 { +is also bad for Black}) 40. Qb5+ Kd6 41. Qe5+ Ke7 42. Qxg7+ Kd6 43. Qe5+ Ke7 +44. Ra7 {and wins.}))) ({Secondly, after the publication of Volume III of 'My +Great Predecessors' (2004), where this game was published with the majority of +the variations given above, I saw that the 'interesting' move} 33. Qb1 $1 {, +which supposedly 'would not have solved the problems facing White', would in +fact also have given an irresistible attack: after} Re8 (33... Rd8 $6 34. Rxb5+ +$1) ({or} 33... Rh8 {the patient move} 34. Rc2 $1 {is very strong, with the +threats of Na5+, Bb4 and Rxb5+ (and if} Ka7 {, then first} 35. Qa1 $1 {). --- +Thus, to find clear ways leading to a win for White, many years and many +megahertz of computer power were required. But at the board, not suspecting +any dangers, I continued simply building up the pressure. Such a general +approach does not always prove correct, as I came to realise within literally +a couple of moves.})) 33... Qe8 $1 {(3) From here the queen indirectly +defends the b5-pawn.} (33... Qd8 $2 {was much weaker in view of} 34. e4 $1 fxe4 +(34... Nxb4 35. Rxb4 {and wins}) 35. Qxe4 {, when Black is lost:} Qe8 ({or} +35... bxc4 36. Qxe6 N7b6 37. Rba3 $1 {also with a mating attack}) 36. Qxd5+ $1 +exd5 37. Bxd5+ Ka7 38. Rxa6+ $1 Kxa6 39. Ra3+ Ba5 40. Rxa5# {.}) 34. Bd6 $6 { +(3)} (34. Ba5 Qe7 $1 {was also no use}) ({and neither was Petrosian's +recommendation} 34. Nd6+ Bxd6 35. Bxd6 Ra8 36. e4 {, in view of} fxe4 37. Bxe4 +Rc6 {with double-edged play.}) ({But the cool-headed} 34. Ba3 $1 Ra8 35. Rb1 { +with the idea of Qb3 would have left White with much the better chances.}) +34... Ra8 $1 {(5)} 35. Qb1 $6 {(9) White again plays on general grounds, +hoping that an opportunity for him to land some combinative blow will present +itself.} ({After the 'concrete'} 35. e4 fxe4 36. Qxe4 Qf7 {Black, with his +powerful knight on d5, could have felt quite calm.}) ({He would also have had +a comfortable game after} 35. Rb1 Bb6 $1 36. Ne5 Nxe5 37. Bxe5 Qd7 {. But with +the retreat 34 Ba3! White would still have retained reasonable compensation +for the pawn.}) 35... Kc6 $3 {A fantastic defence! This move, which Petrosian +made instantly, threw me into complete confusion: how is it possible to move +the king forward with a board full of pieces?! Who, after Steinitz, had done +such a thing?! The psychological effect of the 30...b5?! thrust and the king +march ...Ka7-b7-c6 was so strong, that I was unable to gather my thoughts, +failed to find a drawing combination, and lost quickly...} 36. Rba3 $2 {(7)} ({ +It was essential to play} 36. Bxc7 $1 bxc4 (36... Kxc7 37. Nb2 Kd8 38. Nd3 { +with compensation for the pawn}) 37. Rb7 $1 ({the over-optimistic} 37. Ba5 $6 +cxb3 38. Qxb3 Rab8 39. Rc2+ {is refuted by} Nc5 $1 40. Rxc5+ Kd7) 37... Rxc7 +38. Rxa6+ Rxa6 39. Qb5+ Kd6 40. Qxa6+ Ke7 $1 41. Bxd5 Rxb7 42. Bxb7 ({not} 42. +Qxe6+ $2 Kd8) 42... Qb8 $1 {with a draw.}) 36... bxc4 37. Rxa6+ Rxa6 38. Rxa6+ +Bb6 39. Bc5 (39. Qb4 Kb7 40. Ra2 c3 $1 {.}) 39... Qd8 40. Qa1 {(4)} ({If} 40. +Qb4 {, then} Kb7 $1 {- this move both suggests itself,} ({and is the only one +to win (} 40... Ra8 $4 41. Be7 $3 {and White wins).})) 40... Nxc5 41. dxc5 Kxc5 +42. Ra4 {. And White resigned. In analysis after the game it was noticeable +how much more deeply my opponent had evaluated the positions that arose. --- +Times: 2.29-2.29. --- Following the one in Moscow (Game No.52), this was +another unforgettable lesson! The games with Petrosian broadened my +understanding of chess. Had it not been for these defeats, I would possibly +not have reached the top in chess. I saw how many latent defensive +possibilities are often concealed in cramped positions! --- After this +dramatic duel I again sank to 'minus one' and lost my last chances of success +in the tournament. The race was led by Petrosian, Timman and Beliavsky on 5 +out of 7, followed by Andersson (4½) and Portisch (4). --- Now I had to try +and extricate myself from a minus score, since my store of energy and my +eagerness for a fight had not yet disappeared. And my next opponent, the +outstanding master of defence Ulf Andersson, was very unlucky: that day I +managed in one game to concentrate my entire offensive power (see the +following game).} 0-1 + +[Event "61: Tilburg"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.10.11"] +[Round "8"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Andersson, U."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "E12"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "59"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Bb7 (4... c5 {- Game Nos. 32, 68.}) 5. Nc3 +Ne4 {(6) At that time this was the Swedish grandmaster's favourite reply to +the 4 a3 variation.} ({In my opinion, the usual} 5... d5 {is more promising +(Game Nos. 43, 52, 73, 75, 85, 98).}) 6. Nxe4 Bxe4 7. Nd2 $5 {An ambitious +continuation.} ({I had also analysed} 7. e3 {with the idea of} c5 ({but Ulf +used to defend with} 7... Be7 8. Bd3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3 d5 {, and I wanted something +more}) 8. Bd3 Bxd3 9. Qxd3 cxd4 10. exd4 d5 11. Bg5 Be7 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. O-O { +, when White has the better prospects.}) 7... Bg6 $6 {(17) A new move, but +hardly a good one.} ({If} 7... Bb7 {Black was probably afraid of the advance} +8. e4 {, but after} Qf6 9. d5 ({only not} 9. e5 $6 Qg6 10. Nf3 f6) 9... Bd6 10. +Bd3 Na6 11. O-O Nc5 12. Bc2 O-O 13. Rb1 a5 14. Nf3 {White's advantage is +comparatively slight.}) 8. g3 $1 {(10) An immediate change of plan: if the +black bishop has moved off the long diagonal, why not occupy it with the white +bishop?} Nc6 {(5)} ({'The same fanciful course', I wrote in 'The Test of Time', +where I recommended the 'normal'} 8... c6 9. Bg2 d5 {(strangely enough, in the +game Black only plays ...d7-d5 just before he resigns), which is the event of} +10. O-O ({but} 10. e4 $1 Be7 11. h4 $1 {is more vigorous, with an unpleasant +initiative (for example,} h6 12. h5 Bh7 13. exd5 exd5 14. cxd5 cxd5 15. Qb3 { +, etc.)}) 10... Be7 11. e4 {'would merely have given White slightly the better +chances'. --- In fact, Ulf adopted a practical approach: he thought that Black +had time for a series of unhurried positional moves, creating long-term +preconditions for counterplay. From this point of view, 8...Nc6 suggests +itself.}) 9. e3 a6 $6 {(5)} ({Black concedes space after} 9... e5 10. d5 { +(Psakhis-Gurgenidze, 52nd USSR Championship, Riga 1985)}) ({or} 9... a5 10. b3 +e5 11. d5 {(Rustemov-Chernyshov, Elista 2001).}) ({Perhaps he should have +remembered about the development of his kingside -} 9... Be7 10. Bg2 O-O {, +although after} 11. b4 ({and} 11. O-O a5 12. Ne4 {and Nc3 Black's position is +unpromising. It was for this reason that Andersson began preparing an advance +on the queenside.})) 10. b4 $1 {(6)} (10. b3 {was also not bad, but I decided +to provoke my opponent into playing actively.}) 10... b5 {(13) Logical!} ( +10... Bd6 11. Bg2 O-O 12. O-O {would clearly have played into White's hands. +But now it appears that Black has achieved some potential positional gains, +which he may subsequently be able to exploit.}) 11. cxb5 {(3)} ({After} 11. Bb2 +$5 bxc4 12. Bxc4 {would also have faced an unpleasant defence.}) 11... axb5 12. +Bb2 ({Consistent development with an attack - now Bxb5 is threatened (} 12. +Bxb5 $2 Nxb4 {).}) 12... Na7 $6 {(6)} (12... Rb8 {was better, although here +too after} 13. Rc1 {White has an appreciable advantage. At this moment Ulf +assessed his position optimistically: after the planned ...d7-d5 Black will +have nothing to fear. But - to the end of the game he is not allowed any +respite!}) 13. h4 $1 {(3) The start of a ferocious assault. A weakening of +Black's kingside must be provoked.} h6 $2 {(5) An imperceptible but possibly +already decisive mistake: Black allows h4-h5, which later allows White to +exploit the weakness of the g6-square.} ({Better defensive chances were +offered by the seemingly risky} 13... h5 {- after} 14. d5 $1 {(the same +obstructive sacrifice as in the game)} exd5 15. Bg2 c6 16. O-O f6 17. Re1 Be7 +18. e4 dxe4 19. Nxe4 ({or} 19. Bxe4 {White also has a dangerous attack, but +Black can still resist}) 19... O-O 20. g4 $5 {Crouch;} ({after Stohl's move} +20. Nc5 {there is the acceptable reply} Bxc5 21. bxc5 Nc8)) 14. d5 $1 {(6)} +exd5 {(11)} 15. Bg2 c6 {(14)} 16. O-O {This is the position for which White +was aiming. The development of the black pieces has been retarded, and the +threat of opening up the game by e3-e4 is essentially unavoidable: although 16. +..f5 parries this threat, after 17 Nf3! the weaknesses in Black's position are +irreparable.} f6 {(6) Andersson tries to castle artificially, but in so doing +he catastrophically weakens the light squares.} 17. Re1 {(13)} ({The immediate +} 17. e4 $5 {was more forceful, with the idea of} dxe4 18. Qg4 $1 Kf7 ({if} +18... Bf7 {(h7), then} 19. Nxe4 $1 {is strong}) 19. h5 Bh7 20. Bxe4 Bxe4 21. +Nxe4 Be7 22. Rfe1 $1 {(Crouch), reaching a position from the game.}) 17... Be7 +$6 {(4) This already loses by force.} (17... Kf7 $6 {was also insufficient in +view of} 18. e4 ({or} 18. Qb3 $5 Be7 (18... f5 19. Nf3 {- Crouch}) 19. e4 Re8 +20. exd5 Kf8 21. Rad1 {etc.} (21. Re3 $5)) 18... dxe4 19. h5 $1 (19. Nxe4 $5) +19... Bf5 20. Bxe4 {.}) ({After} 17... Bf7 18. e4 Be7 19. exd5 O-O {White +would also have retained strong pressure (} 20. Nb3 ({or} 20. Qg4 {), but now +he breaks through on the decisive part of the battlefield.})) 18. Qg4 Kf7 19. +h5 Bh7 20. e4 $1 dxe4 {(2)} 21. Bxe4 {(2)} Bxe4 (21... d5 $2 22. Bxh7 Rxh7 23. +Nf3 $1 {.}) 22. Nxe4 {It only remains to play Rad1, and White will fully +mobilise his forces, whereas the black pieces continue to huddle together on +the back two ranks. The outcome is decided.} Nc8 {(27) The black king is not +destined to find a secure shelter.} ({If} 22... Rf8 {there is the immediately +decisive} 23. Rad1 d5 24. Nxf6 $1) ({while if} 22... Re8 {-} 23. Qg6+ Kf8 24. +g4 {, and there is no defence against Ng3-f5.}) ({Also bad is} 22... d5 23. Nc5 +$1 {Stohl;} (23. Rad1 $5 {- Crouch}) 23... Bxc5 24. Qe6+ Kf8 25. bxc5 {with a +mating attack.}) 23. Rad1 Ra7 {(7)} (23... Nb6 {would have created an opening +for the murderous} 24. Nd6+ $1 ({or} 24. Rd6 $1 {Black has somehow defended +his weaknesses, but with a simple combination White destroys the defensive +fortifications.})) 24. Nxf6 $3 {(6)} gxf6 {(4)} (24... Bxf6 {would have lost +immediately to} 25. Qg6+ Kf8 26. Bxf6 gxf6 27. Re6 $1 {.}) 25. Qg6+ Kf8 26. Bc1 +$5 ({Playing for mate, since} 26. Rxe7 Qxe7 27. Bxf6 Qh7 28. Bxh8 Qxg6 (28... +Qxh8 29. Re1 $1 Ne7 30. Qd6 {and wins}) 29. hxg6 Ne7 30. Bd4 {and Bc5 (Stohl) +would have 'merely' led to a won endgame.}) 26... d5 {(7) Alas, with a great +delay.} ({However, there is no choice:} 26... Qe8 27. Bxh6+ Rxh6 28. Qxh6+ Kg8 +({or} 28... Kf7 29. Qh7+ Kf8 30. h6 Qf7 31. Qf5 $1 Nd6 32. Qf4 {(and if} Ne8 { +, then} 33. Qe3 $1 {, as specified by Stohl, while Crouch adds} Rb7 34. Qxe7+ +Qxe7 35. Rxe7 Kxe7 36. h7 {)}) 29. Re4 f5 30. Rdd4 $1 {(a pretty rook +sacrifice!)} fxe4 31. Rxe4 {, mating the bare king.}) 27. Rd4 $1 {(3) The +clearest way to win;} ({along with} 27. Re4 $1 {.}) ({Black would still have +had some chances after} 27. Bxh6+ Rxh6 28. Qxh6+ Kg8 $1 {-} 29. Rd4 $6 ({but +here too he would not have held out after} 29. Qg6+ $1 Kh8 (29... Kf8 $2 30. h6 +) 30. Rc1 $1 Rc7 31. Re6) 29... Bf8 $1 30. Rg4+ Rg7 {.}) 27... Nd6 (27... f5 +28. Bxh6+ {.}) 28. Rg4 (28. Bxh6+ $1 {.}) 28... Nf7 29. Bxh6+ $1 Ke8 ({Or} +29... Nxh6 30. Qg7+ Ke8 31. Qxh8+ Kd7 32. Qxh6 {.}) 30. Bg7 ({And with his +flag about to fall, Black resigned:} 30. Bg7 Rg8 31. h6 $1 {. Times: 1.05-2. +28.}) (30. -- {This game, which was judged to be the best in 'Informator' +Volume 32, is dear to me for its harmony. Although outwardly strange, in +essence it is absolutely harmonious. White made seemingly ugly, chaotic moves +- in particular with his pawns, but when, finally, his plan also became clear +to the opponent, it transpired that all the white pieces joined in the play as +if by schedule. The game breathes dynamism and is typical of my style at that +time - unrestrained pressure on a solid positional basis; I played very +quickly and made, as it later transpires, almost the ideal moves. For +Andersson this crushing defeat remained a terrible reminder, and later he was +no longer able to play normally against me. --- In connection with this game, +Petrosian commented: 'Kasparov's emergence on the international scene has made +much the same impact as Karpov's emergence once did. Play based on general +considerations does not usually work successfully against either of them... +The ability to mobilise his reserve forces patiently before advancing them is +one of the secrets of Kasparov's success... One can only admire the way that +all his pieces, apart from his king, take part in the attack, and at the same +time the opponent has absolutely no opportunity to exchange even one of them.'} +) 1-0 + +[Event "62: Tilburg"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.10.13"] +[Round "10"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Larsen, B."] +[Result "1/2-1/2"] +[ECO "A54"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "96"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In the 9th round after a complicated battle I drew with Black against +Ljubojevic. And in the 10th round I faced at the board for the first time the +legendary Bent Larsen. I had only 4½ points out of 9, and I was burning with +a desire to distinguish myself at least in some way, to move on to a plus +score, and so I continued acting with determination.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 +e5 4. Nf3 {(8)} Nbd7 5. Bg5 {(2)} ({In Bugojno 1982 against Larsen I chose the +main plan with} 5. e4 {and Be2. But here, on encountering this rare set-up for +only the second time in my life, I played as I had against Morovic +(Cagnes-sur-Mer 1977).}) 5... Be7 6. e3 O-O 7. Qc2 (7. Be2 c6 8. O-O Ne8 $1 { +with equality.}) 7... c6 8. Bd3 h6 {(4)} 9. h4 $5 {(5)} ({Against Morovic I +played more simply -} 9. Bh4 {, after which, incidentally,} Nh5 $1 10. Bxe7 +Qxe7 11. O-O Nhf6 {is good, when White has merely an insignificant advantage. +But in this game my fingers were so itchy, that I was ready to sacrifice +anything. And Larsen accepted the challenge!}) 9... b5 $6 {(7) This showy, +reckless move, immediately creating strong tension, was deemed dubious and did +not occur again in any serious games.} (9... Re8 {is more solid, after which +White has tried} 10. Bxf6 ({as well as} 10. dxe5) ({and even the risky} 10. +O-O-O {(regardless of} e4 $5 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Bxe4 hxg5 {)}) 10... Bxf6 11. +O-O-O {(Alburt-Morovic, Santiago 1981).}) ({Black can also consider} 9... exd4 +10. exd4 d5 {(Cebalo-Fries Nielsen, Plovdiv 1983),} ({or} 10... Re8 11. O-O-O +Nf8 {- in my youth I thought that White was better here, but now I am not so +sure: the black bishop comes out to the weakened g4-square, etc.})) 10. dxe5 { +(19)} ({Of course, no one has refuted the crude} 10. cxb5 $5 cxb5 11. Bxb5 {, +when after the possible} Bb7 12. Rd1 {it is doubtful whether Black has full +compensation for the pawn. But in those times it was considered bad form to +capture such pawns. We were both struggling desperately for the initiative, +and in such a struggle pawns did not count.}) 10... Nxe5 {(3)} 11. Nxe5 dxe5 +12. O-O-O {(5)} Qa5 13. Kb1 {(3) Useful prophylaxis.} ({In analysis after the +game, here Spassky demanded a move 'in the style of Kazimirych' (i.e. Tolush) - +} 13. g4 $5 {.} -- ({. However, in the event of} 13... b4 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. g5 +Be7 $1 16. Na4 (16. Ne4 $5) ({but not} 16. gxh6 $2 bxc3 17. Rdg1 g6 $1 18. Bxg6 +Kh8 {and wins}) 16... h5 $1 17. Bh7+ Kh8 18. Be4 Qc7 {White's slight +initiative evaporates.}) ({. Besides, Black can boldly reply} 13... Bxg4 $5 14. +Rdg1 h5 {. This conclusion was reached in the joint analysis with Larsen and +Spassky, but later I thought that after} 15. Ne4 {White had an obvious +advantage. Now I see that this is an exaggeration, for example:} Kh8 16. Bxf6 +gxf6 17. Kb1 Rad8 {with an unclear game. The development of White's initiative +is hindered by the nail that has been driven into his position - the bishop on +g4.})) 13... Be6 {(7) The most natural reply, and the one that I was counting +on;} ({although} 13... Rb8 $5 {was also possible.}) 14. Bxf6 $1 {(2)} Bxf6 15. +Ne4 Be7 (15... Rfd8 $5 {(not allowing the following tactical stroke)} 16. Nxf6+ +gxf6 {was more steady, with counterplay to neutralise the spoiling of the +kingside pawns.}) 16. Ng5 $1 {(a surprise!)} bxc4 $1 {(6)} ({Of course, not} +16... hxg5 $2 {in view of} 17. Bh7+ $1 Kh8 18. hxg5 g6 19. Bxg6+ Kg8 20. Bxf7+ +$1 Kxf7 21. Qh7+ Ke8 22. Qg6+ {.}) ({Also} 16... Bxg5 $6 17. hxg5 Bxc4 $2 18. +Bxc4 bxc4 19. gxh6 g6 20. Qxc4 {is bad for Black.}) 17. Bh7+ $1 {(10)} Kh8 18. +Bf5 {(5) It is on this nuance that White's entire idea is based.} Bxf5 $6 {(7) +} (18... e4 {was not so clear:} 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. Nxe4 Rab8 21. Qxc4 Qe5 22. +Qd4 Qf5 23. Qd3 Bf6 24. b3 a5 {with counterplay for the pawn.}) ({An +unexpected piece sacrifice was also of interest -} 18... Bd5 $5 19. e4 Rab8 $1 +20. exd5 cxd5 $1 {, and Black is alright;} (20... Ba3 $2 21. b3 cxb3 22. axb3 +cxd5 ({or} 22... g6 23. dxc6 gxf5 24. c7 {and wins}) 23. Be6 $1) 21. Bd7 (21. +Be6 $5 Bxg5 22. Rxd5 Qb6 23. hxg5 Qxe6 {with equality}) 21... e4 $1 22. Bc6 Bf6 +23. Rxd5 Qa6 $1 {.}) 19. Qxf5 Bxg5 {Concrete play begins.} ({In the variation} +19... g6 20. Nxf7+ Kg7 21. Qxe5+ Qxe5 22. Nxe5 Rxf2 23. Rd7 Re8 24. Nxc4 $1 ( +24. Rxa7 c3 $1) 24... Rxg2 25. Rxa7 {and a2-a4 White is a pawn up in the +endgame, but he still has to work hard to achieve a win.}) 20. hxg5 Rab8 21. +Rc1 $1 {(3) The only move that retains an advantage.} (21. gxh6 $2 {was +incorrect on account of} Rxb2+ $1 22. Kxb2 Rb8+ 23. Kc1 Qc3+ $1 24. Qc2 Qa3+ +25. Kd2 Rb2 {.}) 21... Qd2 {(11)} ({If} 21... Qb5 $6 22. Rc2 e4 {, then} 23. +Qf4 $1 {and gxh6 is very strong.}) 22. Rc2 {(5)} Qd3 23. g4 $1 {(3) This was +underestimated by Larsen. I remember that I was very proud of this positional +move, whereas the computer suggests it in the very first second! After giving +up a pawn, White continues the fierce struggle for the initiative.} Qxf5 {(8)} +24. gxf5 Rb4 25. Rh4 {(10)} (25. gxh6 $5) ({or} 25. f6 $5 {also came into +consideration.}) 25... Rd8 {(5)} ({In the event of} 25... Kh7 {Black also has +a rather unpleasant position:} 26. f6 Rh8 27. a3 Ra4 28. Rh5 $1 {, provoking} +e4 29. Rh4 {etc.}) 26. a3 $1 Ra4 {(2)} 27. gxh6 {(5)} g6 $6 (27... Rd6 $1 {was +more resilient.}) ({And} 27... g5 {would have forced the continuation in the +game, without allowing White an additional chance.}) 28. fxg6 {(6) This +capture was criticised, but wrongly so;} ({since the 'immediately winning'} 28. +Rhxc4 $5 Rxc4 29. Rxc4 {is in fact no better: after} gxf5 ({but in the event of +} 29... Rd6 30. Rc5 g5 31. Rxe5 Rxh6 32. f6 Rxf6 33. Rxg5 Rxf2 34. Ra5 Re2 35. +Rxa7 Kg7 {the outcome is not so obvious}) 30. Rxc6 Rd1+ 31. Ka2 Rf1 {(d2)} 32. +Ra6 Rxf2 33. a4 f4 34. exf4 Rxf4 35. Rxa7 {things are indeed difficult for +Black.}) 28... fxg6 29. Rhxc4 Rxc4 30. Rxc4 Rd6 $1 31. Rc5 {(7)} Re6 {(3)} 32. +Ra5 {(3)} Re7 33. Ra6 Rc7 34. Kc2 Kh7 (34... Rf7 $5 {came into consideration, +with the idea after} 35. Kd3 Rxf2 36. b4 Kh7 ({if} 36... Rf7 {, then} 37. Ke4 +Re7 38. Rxc6 Kh7 39. b5 Kxh6 40. a4 {and wins}) 37. Rxa7+ Kxh6 38. Ke4 {(?)} ({ +here} 38. Ra6 $1 {would have remained the only chance of success}) 38... g5 { +of obtaining a position from the game, but avoiding the improvement for White +(cf. the note to White's 36th move).}) 35. Kd3 {To me the endgame appeared to +be an easy win, but here Larsen, as in his former years, began performing +miracles of resourcefulness.} Rf7 $1 {A brilliant move! Black exploits his +last chance - the latent dynamics of the position.} ({He would have lost +quickly after} 35... Kxh6 $2 36. Ke4 Rf7 37. f3 $1 {.}) 36. Ke4 $2 {(7) This +would appear to throw away the win.} (36. Ke2 {was correct, for example:} c5 ({ +or} 36... Rc7 37. Kf3 Rf7+ 38. Kg3 Rc7 39. b4 $1 Kxh6 40. Ra5 Re7 41. e4 Kg5 +42. f3 {, and Black has a difficult position: zugzwang, weaknesses and the +active white rook. It was only after the tournament that I found this winning +set-up with my trainers Nikitin and Vladimirov, when I annotated the game for +'Informator'}) 37. Rc6 Rb7 38. Rxc5 Rxb2+ 39. Kf3 e4+ 40. Kg3 Kxh6 41. Rc7 Ra2 +42. Rxa7 {with the advance of the a-pawn.}) 36... Rxf2 37. Rxa7+ Kxh6 38. b4 g5 +{(2)} 39. Ra6 Kh5 {(2)} 40. Rxc6 Ra2 41. Rc1 $1 {(4) At the board I thought +that all the indicators pointed to a win, but...} g4 $1 {Creating unexpected +counterplay with just a single pawn, supported by the king.} ({If} 41... Rxa3 +$2 {, then} 42. Rb1 Ra6 43. b5 Rb6 44. Kxe5 {and wins.}) 42. Kxe5 {(8)} ({If} +42. Rb1 {Black has time to play} g3 43. b5 g2 44. b6 Rb2 $1 {with a draw.}) +42... Rxa3 43. Kf4 {(12)} Rb3 {(3)} 44. Rc5+ ({It transpires that White does +not have a win:} 44. Rc4 Rb1 $1 {.}) 44... Kh4 45. Rc8 {(3) The last chance - +a pawn sacrifice.} Rxb4+ 46. e4 Kh3 $1 (46... Kh5 $2 47. Rg8 $1 {, and mate - +in 30 moves!}) 47. Rh8+ {(3)} Kg2 48. Rg8 Kh3 $1 ({If} 48... Kh3 49. Rxg4 Rxe4+ +$1 {. Times: 2.35-1.30. --- In this complicated game Larsen's inexhaustible +optimism is again clearly seen. I was very upset that I was unable to win this +superior rook endgame. But Spassky said to me, then an 18-year-old youth: 'Why +are you upset? You should be paying Benya for the lesson!' (Benya was +Spassky's affectionate name for his old friend and rival.)}) (48... -- {In the +11th and final round I pressed with Black on Miles's position, but I was +unable to win. This round was decisive for the allocation of the prize places. +The leading trio, who were on 'plus three', went different ways. Petrosian +made a quick draw and remained the only contestant not to experience the +bitterness of defeat. But the fate of first place was decided in the +Beliavsky-Timman encounter. After employing an improvement in a very sharp +variation of the Sicilian Defence, Beliavsky won the game and became the +tournament victor. Thus ended one of the most memorable events of the year. +--- I may have scored only 50%, but on the other hand I 'played very +interesting chess', as was said by the players who after Tilburg arrived at +the match in Merano. Many grandmasters were now able to assess both my playing +style, and my potential. Public opinion was gradually beginning to incline +towards the fact that in 1984 there would be a Karpov-Kasparov match. --- +Meanwhile in Tilburg I established a personal tournament record in adult chess, +which, fortunately, I have not in fact beaten: I lost three games! The defeats +against Spassky and Petrosian were especially painful. I lacked that +experience in which juniors are usually found wanting when playing world-class +opponents: a completely different, as yet unaccustomed level of resistance! In +an interview given soon afterwards, I expressed dissatisfaction with my play +and said: 'It was partly fatigue that told: after all, I arrived in Tilburg +having only just returned from the world junior team championship in Graz. But +the main thing the tournament showed is that I need to work on my technique. I +still lack professional forcefulness, the ability to 'finish off' opponents. +It was for this reason that I was unable to take better or winning positions +to their logical end.'}) (48... -- {There were also unmentioned reasons for my +uneven play in the tournament. Sosonko and Spassky, with whom I struck up good +relations, held seditious 'anti-Soviet' conversations with me, and also for a +few days Sosonko loaned me a copy of Solzhenitsyn's famous Gulag Archipelago +(which was strictly banned in the USSR), and I read it at night without a +break! And on free days I travelled to a safari park, played football, and +raced up and down the avenues on a stylish Peugeot bicycle, which the +organisers later presented to me. I remember that the customs officers at +Sheremetevo looked at me as if I were mad: everyone was bringing in electronic +gadgets from abroad, and here was some kid with a bicycle... --- Nikitin, who +had followed the tournament from Moscow, recorded in his notebook the +following lessons from Tilburg: 'Garry aimed for a fight in all 11 games. He +did not fear anyone, and not once was he outplayed. Only he did the outplaying +- either of his opponents, or himself. A dangerous one-sidedness in his play +appeared - only against the king, or more accurately - a striving for greater +complexity. In such complexity a player himself can become entangled. Play on +positional lines disappeared. He lacked strength to recover before games - +hence poor play in the fifth hour. Extraneous interests prevented him from +focusing on the games. He lost after the free days (5th and 9th October). +Conclusion: the tournament was lost on the free days! Particular attention +should be paid to ways of relaxing that do not interfere with the play. The +contact with Spassky and Sosonko and the reading of literature gave Garry much +information, which excited his mind. This seriously diverted him from the +business of the tournament and prevented him from focusing on the game in the +necessary way. He arrived in Tilburg aiming to win, but the lack of focus on +the play sharply reduced his chances.'}) (48... -- {Whereas earlier I was +greatly helped by the surprise factor - no one could believe that the +youngster sitting opposite them could present a serious danger, and also my +games were still little-known to foreign players - now the situation had +changed: my name went before me, and opponents began preparing for their games +with me. --- Later I realised how useful and, above all, how timely this +'failure' was, but at the time I experienced something of a shock. After all, +I was not accustomed to losing! Such a result disillusioned me, and I +perceived it as the collapse of my hopes. As usual, I had been aiming to win +at all costs, but the devilish ingenuity of the leading grandmasters punished +me for my excessively risky actions. This was a sobering experience, showing +that there was still much for me to learn and master in chess. I realised that +I needed greater practical experience at the level of foreign grandmaster +tournaments. I needed to learn to play more forcefully, in order to carry +through my plans to their conclusion in battles with the best tournament +players. My trainers and I agreed that this was the main lesson learned in +Tilburg... --- This was the last tournament to which my grandfather wished me +good luck. Before leaving I visited him in hospital. He had just had a serious +operation, but he was already feeling better. Our parting, as usual, was warm +but undemonstrative - my grandad didn't like superfluous words. I left in the +hope of seeing him at home in a month's time... The crisis developed suddenly. +When I was playing my first game, he was no longer alive. I wasn't told of +this: my mother said on the telephone that my grandad was still in hospital +('some complications'). Why was I so uneasy? It was more than ten years since +my father had died, and I somehow didn't think that I would again have to +experience the bitterness and pain of losing someone close.}) (48... -- {It +had become a tradition that after returning from a tournament my mother and I +would go to the Jewish cemetery where my father was buried. On that October +day in 1981 I was taken to the Armenian cemetery. I was convulsed by sobs, but +my mother did not try to comfort me: she realised that her son was now saying +goodbye both to his grandfather, and to his childhood... For a long time I was +unable to get used to the fact that there was only one man in the house. --- I +played a further three times in Tilburg: in 1989 and 1991 I gained two +unforgettable victories, and in 1997 I shared 1st-3rd places. Although the +first attempt was a failure, I was consoled by the creative richness of the +games (in this sense Tilburg 1981 was one of my best tournaments). Moreover, I +sensed that I was on the threshold of another surge.}) 1/2-1/2 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "USSR Champion"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2009.12.07"] + +{49th USSR Championship Premier League (Frunze, 26th November - 22nd December +1981): 1-2. Psakhis and Kasparov - 12½ out of 17; 3. Romanishin - 10; 4-5. +Gavrikov and Tukmakov - 9½; 6-7. Agzamov and Beliavsky - 9; 8-9. Yusupov +and Dorfman - 8½; 10-13. Kupreichik, Sveshnikov, Dolmatov and Tseshkovsky - +8; 14. Yudasin - 7½; 15-16. Kuzmin and Gulko - 6½; 17. Timoshchenko - 6; +18. Mikhalchishin - 5½.} 1. -- {The chess world was still under the +impression of Karpov's convincing victory in Merano, but the qualifying events +for the new world championship match had already begun. For Soviet players the +qualification began at the end of 1981 with the Premier League of the 49th +USSR Championship - there was also a fight for places in the Zonal tournament +which would follow two months later. However, not all were involved in this, +only 13 of the 18 contestants: thanks to our high ratings, Beliavsky and I +were admitted straight into the Interzonal events (July-September 1982), while +Kuzmin, Romanishin and Tseshkovsky, who played in the Interzonals of the +previous cycle, had reservations to the Zonal tournament. --- It was probably +both the qualifying status, and the line-up - the youngest in the entire +preceding history of Soviet chess! - that made this championship exceptionally +tense and uncompromising. Although the 'main people' - Karpov, Tal, Petrosian, +Polugayevsky and Geller - were not playing, the fans were not disappointed. +The number of decisive games exceeded 50%, and the intensity of the fight was +maintained right to the end of the last round. In the words of one of the +hundreds of spectators, the prominent writer Chingiz Aitmatov, 'all the +contestants battled as though it was the most important tournament of their +life.'} (1. -- {For almost a month there was a gripping pursuit race, in which +my rival for the lead was my fellow student team member, the most 'Eastern' +Soviet grandmaster - the 23-year-old Lev Psakhis from Krasnoyarsk. He arrived +in Frunze as 1980 USSR champion, and few imagined that he would be able to do +the 'golden double', as Botvinnik, Bronstein, Keres, Tal, Stein and +Polugayevsky had managed in their time. Such an achievement is a sure +indication of very high class, which for some reason the majority of the +players before the start of the tournament (and during it?) thought that +Psakhis was lacking. But Lev had done an enormous amount of preparatory work +(in particular, he had included 1 d4 in his opening repertoire) and, with a +display of even, confident play, he managed to go the whole distance without +any stumbles. His brilliant results testified to the emergence in the Soviet +chess cohort of yet another outstanding grandmaster. --- For me the tournament +took a more dramatic course, although the fact that I did not need to pass +through the severe Soviet qualifying process for the world championship was a +great psychological help (it will be remembered how Spassky and Stein, and +they were not the only ones, suffered in USSR Zonal Championships). At the +start I played with composure and scored a spectacular win over the +championship debutant Viktor Gavrikov from Lithuania, a future grandmaster and +USSR co-champion in 1985 (see the following game).}) * + +[Event "63: 49th USSR Championship, Frunze"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.11.27"] +[Round "1"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Gavrikov, V."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D34"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "65"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. cxd5 {(3)} exd5 5. g3 Nc6 6. Bg2 Nf6 7. O-O Be7 +{Gavrikov had not played the Tarrasch Defence before, and I stopped to think +what he might have in mind.} ({I had already scored two wins, over Hort +(Dortmund 1980) and Palatnik (Moscow 1981), in the main line -} 7... Be7 8. Nc3 +O-O 9. Bg5 {(Game No.79). But I decided to deviate, choosing a rather +dangerous set-up which had been successfully employed by Timman.}) 8. dxc5 {(4) +} Bxc5 9. Bg5 O-O 10. Nc3 d4 ({I should remind you that} 10... Be6 11. Bxf6 $1 +(11. Na4 {- Game No.45 in Volume II of 'My Great Predecessors'}) 11... Qxf6 12. +Nxd5 Qxb2 13. Nc7 Rad8 14. Qc1 Qxc1 15. Raxc1 {and Nxe6 leads to a small but +enduring advantage for White (Rubinstein-Schlechter, Vienna 1908; +Petrosian-Spassky, 16th match game, Moscow 1969).}) 11. Bxf6 ({Nothing is +promised by} 11. Ne4 Be7 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. Rc1 Re8 14. Ne1 {(Lasker-Tarrasch, +Berlin 1918)} Be7 $5 15. Nd3 Bf8 {with equality (Nikolic-Kasparov, Niksic 1983) +.}) 11... Qxf6 12. Nd5 Qd8 13. Nd2 a6 {A prophylactic move, preserving the +dark-square bishop from exchange for a knight.} ({Later my trainers and I came +to the conclusion that} 13... Re8 14. Rc1 Bb6 {was better, although against +Miles (Niksic 1983) I barely escaped with a draw as Black,} ({or} 14... Bf8 $5 +{(the source game: Timman-Gligoric, Bugojno 1978).})) 14. Rc1 {(6)} Ba7 {(3)} +15. Nc4 {(5) The knight is eyeing the d6-square.} ({There was no longer any +point in playing} 15. Nb3 {, since the d4-pawn is securely defended}) ({but} +15. Nf4 {was interesting, with the idea of} Bd7 16. Ne4 {(Hübner-Budde, +Bundesliga 1983).}) 15... Rb8 {(16)} ({My old 'Informator' recommendation} +15... Bh3 16. Bxh3 Qxd5 {has not in fact found any followers - Black is +unwilling to leave the formidable white bishop without an opponent.}) 16. Nf4 { +(8) By opening the way for the bishop on g2, White hopes to retain slight +pressure.} b5 $6 {(11) Gavrikov moves his b7-pawn away from a possible attack +and forces the exchange of a pair of minor pieces, but he weakens the c-file, +on which White acquires additional invasion squares.} (16... Re8 {was sounder +(Gagunashvili-El Gindy, Dubai 2003)}) ({or} 16... Bf5 {, with a slightly +inferior, but quite acceptable game.}) 17. Nd6 $1 {(17)} Qxd6 {(4)} ({Having +played ...b7-b5, here Black should have preferred} 17... Ne5 $1 18. Nxc8 Rxc8 +19. Rxc8 Qxc8 {- although after} 20. Qb1 {(d2) and Rc1 the weakness of the a6- +and d4-pawns would have left White with some advantage, Black would have faced +less difficult problems.}) 18. Rxc6 Qd8 {(10)} ({If} 18... Qe5 {I was planning} +19. Nd3 ({but} 19. Qc2 {was also good}) 19... Qf5 20. Rd6 {.}) 19. Qc2 {(5)} a5 +$6 {(6) Allowing the complete seizure of the c-file.} ({Black would still +have had difficulties after} 19... Bb7 20. Rc7 Bxg2 ({or} 20... Rc8 21. Rc1 Bb8 +22. Rxc8 Bxc8 23. Nd5 {etc.}) 21. Kxg2 Bb6 22. Rc6 {.}) ({But perhaps it would +have been better to play} 19... Rb6 {(exchanging the active white rook)} 20. +Rxb6 Bxb6 21. Rc1 Bg4) ({or} 19... Bb6 {(with the idea of ...Bb7)} 20. Nd5 Be6 +$1 {.}) 20. Rc1 {(7)} Re8 $2 {(22) Overlooking a veiled threat.} (20... Bd7 $6 +21. Rd6 Qe8 ({or} 21... Rc8 22. Bc6 $1 {was unattractive}) 22. Nd5 {.}) ({ +However, the lesser evil was} 20... Bb6 {, covering the c7-point.}) 21. Bd5 $6 +{(13)} ({Alas, I also missed the pretty} 21. Rc7 $1 Bb6 22. Rxf7 $3 Kxf7 (22... +Re5 23. Nd3 $1) 23. Bd5+ Be6 24. Qf5+ Qf6 25. Qh5+ Kf8 26. Rc6 $1 d3 $1 27. e3 +$1 Qf7 (27... Qh6 28. Qf3 $1) 28. Nxe6+ Rxe6 29. Qxf7+ Kxf7 30. Kf1 {, turning +to the conversion of the material advantage.}) 21... Bb6 {(7)} (21... Bb7 $2 { +was bad in view of} 22. Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 23. Rc7+ Kg8 24. Qb3+ Kh8 25. Qf7) ({or} +21... Bd7 $6 22. Rc7 $1 Rc8 (22... Bb6 $2 23. Bxf7+ $1) 23. Rxc8 Qxc8 (23... +Bxc8 24. Qc7) 24. Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 25. Qb3+ Be6 26. Rxc8 Bxb3 27. Rxe8 Kxe8 28. +axb3 {with a won endgame.}) 22. Qb3 {(21)} (22. Bxf7+ $5 Kxf7 23. Qxh7 {looked +tempting, but after} d3 $1 {the position is unclear:} 24. Nxd3 ({or} 24. e3 d2 +25. Rd1 Rxe3 $1 26. fxe3 Bxe3+ 27. Kf1 Bxf4 28. gxf4 Qd5 $1) (24. Qg6+ Kg8 25. +Rd6 $1 {is stronger, but here too by} Qe7 26. Rxb6 Rxb6 27. Qxb6 dxe2 28. Re1 +Qb4 $1 29. Rxe2 Rxe2 30. Nxe2 Qxb2 {Black emerges unscathed}) 24... Qg5 $1 {.}) +22... Re7 {(8)} 23. Bf3 {(3)} Re5 $2 {(12) This obvious move proves to be the +decisive mistake.} (23... Bb7 $6 24. Nd5 $1 Bxc6 25. Nxe7+ Qxe7 26. Rxc6 {was +also to White's advantage}) ({but} 23... Bf5) ({or even} 23... Re8 $5 {would +still have retained possibilities of a defence.}) 24. Bh5 $1 {(24)} g6 {(5)} +25. Bxg6 $1 {(7)} (25. Nxg6 $5 {will also do} -- ({, since} 25... Be6 26. Rxe6 +$1 Rxe6 27. Nf4 Rf6 28. Qxb5) ({, or} 25... hxg6 26. Rxg6+ Kf8 27. Rxb6 Be6 28. +Rxe6 fxe6 29. Bg4 {is insufficient for Black}) ({, while} 25... a4 {(?), which +I recommended in 'Informator', loses to} 26. Qf3 $1 hxg6 27. Bxg6 {. White's +control of the c-file enables him to attack where he pleases, and not only on +the queenside. Gavrikov underestimated this nuance, and the sudden switching +of my pieces to the kingside caught him unawares.} (27. --))) 25... hxg6 26. +Rxg6+ Kf8 27. Rh6 (27. Rcc6 $5 {.}) 27... Ke7 $6 {(5) A natural human +reaction to the threat of Rh8+.} (27... Kg7 $2 28. Rh7+ $1) ({yet} 27... Rg5 { +was more resilient:} 28. Rcc6 $1 d3 $1 ({but not} 28... Bc7 29. Rcf6 $1) ({or} +28... Rb7 29. Rh8+ Rg8 30. Rch6 $1) 29. Nxd3 ({or} 29. Rhf6 Rg7 30. Nxd3 { +Black cannot save the game}) 29... Kg8 30. e3 {.}) 28. Rcc6 $1 {Unexpectedly +the c6-square has become a transit point for both white rooks, which have +thereby invaded the black position. Hanging over Black are the threats of Rh7 +and Ng6+!.} Rf5 {(7)} ({Also after} 28... Bf5 {there is the strong reply} 29. +Qf3 {,} ({but the simplest is} 29. Rcf6 {, when Black has no way of holding +the f7-point (the queen is tied to the defence of the bishop on b6).})) 29. Qf3 +$1 {(5) The most accurate - switching the queen to the centre;} ({although} +29. Qa3+ {would also have been decisive}) ({or even} 29. Ng6+ fxg6 30. Rh7+ Kf8 +31. Rh8+ Kg7 32. Rxd8 Bxd8 {(in 'Informator' I rejected this variation as +'unclear')} 33. Rxg6+ $1 Kxg6 34. Qg8+ Kh6 35. Qxd8 {with the threat of Qd6+, +and the loss of material for Black is unavoidable.}) 29... Bc7 (29... Re5 30. +Ng6+ $1 {.}) 30. Qe4+ Re5 ({Or} 30... Be5 31. Nd3 $1 {.}) 31. Ng6+ $1 {Both +spectacular, and effective.} fxg6 32. Rh7+ Kf8 33. Qxg6 {. Times: 2.19-2.26. +--- Many were surprised by the speed with which Black's position was +transformed into ruins. The instantaneous switching of attacking forces from +one wing to another became my patent method - a distinguishing feature of my +playing style. --- In the 2nd round I had Black against Psakhis, who had also +started with a win. And, employing the Nimzo-Indian Defence for virtually the +first time in my life, from the opening I obtained an excellent position. But +then, instead of comfortably making a draw, I was suddenly obsessed by some +tactical mirages... More than a quarter of a century later, Lev Psakhis, who +had long since moved to Israel, remembered with pleasure that crazy game: 'The +most important events of the tournament occurred in the 2nd round. I had White +against Kasparov. Just imagine: the Soviet champion against a player who was +rated in the top three or four in the world. We arrived at the game, both +smiling a little, and we shook hands. At the time we were on the most friendly +terms. I began with 1 d4. Kasparov looked at me in considerable surprise. +After all, not long before, at a training session before the junior world team +championship, we had played numerous blitz games, and he roughly imagined what +I would play against him in the King's Indian, which he used to employ at that +time. He thought for some 6-7 minutes and played 1...e6. It was my turn to be +slightly surprised. I thought to myself, what did he have in mind if I were to +play 2 e4? I realised that he wouldn't choose the French, but would play 2...c5, leading either to a Sicilian, or to something closed, where I altogether +had no experience. After about five minutes' thought I played 2 c4, and he +replied 2...Nf6. I didn't know what to do. If 3 Nf3 he would go into a Modern +Benoni, and I would be unable to play the variation which I had prepared +against the Queen's Indian. My knowledge was clearly lacking. I played 3 Nc3, +he went 3...Bb4, and we transposed into a Nimzo-Indian, having each spent +about 20 minutes! After which we both sat feeling sweaty and a little +frightened. But while he was not an expert on the Nimzo-Indian with Black, he +had at least prepared it, whereas I knew absolutely nothing. After ending up +slightly worse with White, I realised in good time that I had to play for +simplification.} (33. -- {'It has to be said that I already knew Garik quite +well and I did not assess him as everyone else did. As a chess player he was a +quite brilliant tactician, but at the same time he remained human and he made +mistakes, which, however, occurred extremely rarely. In positional play +Kasparov acted like a machine, and at the age of 10-11 he already had an +excellent feeling for which piece to play where and at what moment. I think +that he was no weaker as a positional player, which very many people simply +did not realise. To compete with him in tactics was an incredibly difficult +task. Therefore, when in our game he initiated some incredible complications, +the play began to resemble roulette. We both spent a long time calculating +variations, and after the 24th move we each had about two minutes left to the +time control in an incredibly complicated position, with the tension only +increasing. From the 18th to the 24th moves any inaccuracy by either side +could have led to collapse. He sacrificed a piece, some savage pins resulted, +but in the end his position was hopeless, and we were simply bashing the clock. +When by somewhere around move 45 I guessed that the time control had been +reached, I waited for my flag to fall and said that I was adjourning the game. +After this Kasparov resigned.' --- A deserved, but very painful defeat. +Forgetting myself, I had begun playing in the same, excessively 'creative' +manner as in Tilburg! The loss sobered me up: I conducted the following games +in a different, more restrained style, mainly resorting to tactics only 'at +the demand' of the position. No less critical was my 3rd round game with Artur +Yusupov, a rival of mine since junior tournaments. As Black he chose a rare +line of the Bogo-Indian - 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Bb4+ 4 Bd2 a5 (4...Qe7 - Game +No.69) 5 g3 0-0 6 Bg2 b6 7 0-0 Ba6 - and set up a solid defence. Not yet +having come to after the previous day's knock-down, on the 17th move I +committed an unjustified weakening and then 'in desperation' I sacrificed a +pawn.}) 1-0 + +[Event "64: 49th USSR Championship, Frunze"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.11.29"] +[Round "3"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Yusupov, A."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "E15"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "77"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 a5 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2 b6 7. O-O Ba6 8. Qc2 +Nc6 9. Bg5 Be7 10. a3 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Rd1 Qe7 13. e3 Rae8 14. Nfd2 g5 15. +Nc3 Bg7 16. Nb5 Qd8 17. f4 Ne7 18. Nf3 Nf5 19. Qf2 c6 20. Nc3 gxf4 21. gxf4 +Bxc4 22. e4 Nd6 23. Ne5 f5 $6 {(19)} ({After} 23... Ba6 $1 {White's +compensation for the pawn would have been rather problematic, except that after +} 24. Kh1 {, of course, Black should not play} f5 $6 ({but simply} 24... Kh8 { +(h7)} 25. Rg1 Rg8) 25. Rg1 fxe4 $6 26. Bxe4 {(suggested by me in 'Informator')} +({or} 26. Nxe4 {with an attack.})) 24. Nxc4 {(2)} Nxc4 25. b3 (25. e5 $6 b5 $1 +{.}) 25... Nd6 26. e5 {Having cramped Black's position, I gained a new lease +of life, since I realised that his extra pawn no longer played a particular +role and the position was one of dynamic balance.} Nc8 {(6) A logical +positional move: Black prepares ...Ne7 or ...b6-b5 and ...Nb6.} ({After} 26... +Nf7 27. Bf3 {followed by Bh5, Kh1 and Rg1, although the black knight is closer +to its king, White has an excellent game: he simply doubles rooks on the +g-file, and may also be able to attack the b6-pawn by Na4.}) (26... Ne4 $6 27. +Bxe4 $1 {.}) 27. Bf3 Kh7 28. Bh5 {(4)} ({The immediate} 28. Kh1 {and Rg1-g3 +also came into consideration.}) 28... Re7 {(3)} 29. Kh1 Rg8 $2 {(4)} ({In +'Informator' I rightly condemned this move, weakening Black's control of f5, +and gave the variation} 29... Bh8 $1 30. Rg1 Rg7 31. Rxg7+ Bxg7 32. Rg1 Qe7 33. +Qg3 Rg8 34. Nb1 {'with the idea of Nd2-f3-h4'.} ({it is probably better to play +} 34. Na4 $5 Qf8 (34... Qxa3 $2 35. Nc5 $1 {and Bf7}) 35. Rg2 {followed by +Nb2-d3 with an unclear game}) 34... Qf8 $1 {(Stohl)} 35. Nd2 Ne7 {(with the +accompanying threat of ...Bxe5) it is not easy to carry out this idea.}) 30. +Rg1 Bh8 {Now this natural retreat (with the intention of ...Reg7) allows a +very pretty combination. But what was there to do?} ({If} 30... Bf8 {, then} +31. Rxg8 ({against my 'Informator' move} 31. Qh4 {it is dangerous to reply} Qc7 +({but after} 31... Re8 $5 32. Qh3 Re7 {all the same White has nothing better +than} 33. Rxg8 Kxg8 34. Qh4 $1) 32. Bg6+ $1) 31... Kxg8 32. Qh4 $1 {'with a +strong attack' (Stohl), for example:} Qc7 33. Rg1+ Kh7 $6 (33... Rg7 $2 34. Qf6 +) (33... Bg7 $2 34. Ne2 Qb7 35. Bf3 Qa6 {is more resilient, although here too +White retains the initiative}) 34. h3 $1 {followed by d4-d5 or Ne2.}) 31. Ne4 +$3 {(11) A paradoxical stroke, which reminded me of the finish to the game +Fischer-Panno (Buenos Aires 1970), where White landed an equally unexpected +blow with his bishop - 28 Be4!! (Game No.80 in Volume IV of 'My Great +Predecessors'). True, that combination was an entirely winning one, whereas +here, as we will see, Black can still resist.} fxe4 {(5) The knight has to be +taken - otherwise 32 Nf6+.} (31... Rxg1+ $2 32. Rxg1 fxe4 {is incorrect in +view of} 33. Bg6+ Kg8 34. Bf7+ $1 Kxf7 35. Qg2 {(g3) with unavoidable mate.}) +32. f5 $1 {This is the whole point: the f-pawn is included in the attack. When +I was considering 31 Ne4, I did not work out all the possible variations to +the end, but I sensed that here there had to be something!} Rg5 $2 {(10) The +sudden change of scene produced a startling effect: in time-trouble Artur +cracked under the pressure and promptly committed a decisive mistake.} (32... +Reg7 $2 33. Bg6+) ({or} 32... e3 $2 33. Qc2 {would also have been bad.}) ({The +only defence was} 32... Qf8 $1 33. f6 $1 ({the 'Informator' line} 33. Rxg8 Kxg8 +34. f6 {is inaccurate in view of} Bxf6 $1 35. exf6 Rg7 $1 36. Qf4 Rg5) 33... +Bxf6 $1 ({but not} 33... Reg7 $2 34. Rxg7+ Bxg7 ({or} 34... Rxg7 35. Qc2) 35. +f7 $1) 34. Qxf6 $1 (34. exf6 $6 Reg7 $1) 34... Reg7 35. Bg6+ Kh8 (35... Rxg6 $6 +36. Rxg6) 36. Raf1 Qxf6 (36... Qe7 $6 37. Rf4 $1) 37. exf6 Rxg6 38. Rxg6 Kh7 $1 +{(an important resource)} 39. Rxg8 ({or} 39. Rg2 Rxg2 40. Kxg2 Kg8 41. Kg3 Kf7 +42. Kf4 Nd6 43. Ke5 Nf5 44. Kxe4 Kxf6) 39... Kxg8 40. Rg1+ Kf7 41. Rg7+ Kxf6 +42. Rxd7 Ne7 {and with two pawns for the exchange Black can hope to hold out +in this somewhat inferior ending.}) 33. Rxg5 {(3)} hxg5 34. f6 {Now it's all +over.} Kh6 ({Black is also lost after} 34... Qf8 35. fxe7) ({or} 34... Re8 35. +Qe2 $1 {with the threat of Bf7.}) 35. fxe7 {(4) Regaining the material, and +remaining the exchange ahead and with an attack. In addition, Black's minor +pieces are out of play.} Qxe7 (35... Nxe7 36. Qf7 $1 Bg7 ({or} 36... Qg8 37. +Qxe7 Kxh5 38. Qxd7 {was also hopeless for Black}) 37. Rf1 {.}) 36. Bf7 $1 {(2) +There is nothing to prevent White carrying out the final attack with the +inclusion of his queen. The threat is Rf1 and Qe2-h5+.} d6 37. Rf1 g4 38. Bxe6 +{I could not refrain from this tactical stroke;} ({although} 38. Qg3 $1 Qg5 39. +h4 $1 {would also have forced rapid capitulation.}) 38... Qxe6 39. Qh4+ ({And +as he was playing} 39. Qh4+ Kg7 {Black lost on time - but all the same he +would have resigned after} 40. Rf6 {. Times: 1.58-2.30.}) (39. -- {Inspired +by this pretty rout, I made a powerful spurt, confidently winning against +Mikhalchishin, Beliavsky, Tseshkovsky and Dolmatov. Especially important was +the win in a protracted positional battle against one of the tournament +favourites Alexander Beliavsky - 1980 USSR co-champion and the victor at +Tilburg 1981 (however, in Frunze he was not in his best form). --- To my +surprise I discovered that after the loss in the 2nd round I had managed to +repeat the record of Kupreichik, established in the 1979 USSR Championship: +five wins in a row! This, like my ultimate success, was greatly helped by my +avoidance of time-trouble - a terrible enemy, which had pursued me for a whole +year. An excellent start - 6 out of 7, but alongside was Psakhis, ready at any +moment to 'overtake on the bend'.}) (39. -- {I played the next four rounds +beneath criticism: 1½ points against opponents who were not performing very +well in the tournament (I also experienced similar slumps in the USSR +championships of 1978 and 1979). At first - very difficult draws with Kuzmin +and Kupreichik. Both games were adjourned in cheerless positions for me, and +on the resumption, which took place after the 9th round, I saved them with +enormous difficulty. Thanks to this I nevertheless retained the lead: Kasparov +- 7 out of 9; Psakhis - 6½; Romanishin - 5½. --- But in the 10th round I +lost to Gulko, and in the 11th I drew with Agzamov after simply blundering +away an extra pawn. And here I discovered that I was half a point ahead - of +Romanishin, but Psakhis was now a point ahead and was confidently heading for +his second gold medal! --- Fortunately, I was able to make a new spurt, +winning three games in a row: with Black against Yudasin (one of my five +Sicilian wins over Leonid), and then with White against Timoshchenko (see the +following game) and Dorfman. --- In these two twin games there was a sharp +analytical dispute in the Botvinnik Variation, which had been revived +precisely that year. The first to challenge me was Gennady Timoshchenko, the +32-year-old grandmaster from Novosibirsk, who soon became one of my seconds +(but in 1993 he moved to Slovakia).}) 1-0 + +[Event "65: 49th USSR Championship, Frunze"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.12.15"] +[Round "13"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Timoshchenko, G."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D44"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "85"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 +9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 {At a training session before the championship I +analysed this variation a great deal with Vladimirov (at that time our joint +work was beginning), and as a result I decided that the time had come to fight +against it with White. Earlier, like many others, I had avoided this - the +positions arising were just too irrational, demanding thorough preparation. +But the new, modern approach to the opening was the only correct one: if you +want to gain an advantage in critical variations, you need to take a risk, and +play concretely, move by move.} 11. exf6 ({The alternative is} 11. g3 {. More +details of this and other later variations are given in 'Revolution in the +70s' (pp.308-312).}) 11... Bb7 12. g3 c5 13. d5 Qb6 ({Until the spring of 1981 +the main line was} 13... Nb6 14. dxe6 Qxd1+ (14... Bxh1 15. e7 $1) 15. Rxd1 +Bxh1 16. e7 a6 (16... Bc6 $5) 17. exf8=Q+ ({but the game Polugayevsky-Torre +(Moscow 1981) saw the thunderous} 17. h4 $3 Bh6 18. f4 $1 {, when White's pawn +armada proved stronger than the rook (Game No.28 in Volume III of 'My Great +Predecessors'). After this the knight move went almost out of use}) 17... Kxf8 +$1 18. Rd6 Rb8 19. Be3 Rh5 $1 20. Be2 Re5 {with good counterplay on the +queenside.}) 14. Bg2 O-O-O 15. O-O b4 16. Na4 ({In the 6th round game +Yusupov-Sveshnikov} 16. Rb1 Bh6 {, occurred, and later practice showed that} ({ +so that the best defence is} 16... Qa6 $1 17. dxe6 Bxg2 18. e7 $1 Bxf1 {etc.}) +17. Bxh6 Rxh6 18. b3 $1 {is dangerous for Black. As a result, today 16 Rb1 has +the reputation of being a drawing variation, and 16 Na4 is still the focus of +discussions.}) 16... Qb5 ({At that time} 16... Qa6 {was thought to be bad +because of} 17. a3 $1 b3 $2 ({but in the 1990s this line was revived by} 17... +Bxd5 $1 18. Bxd5 Ne5 {(although 16...Qb5 was still considered superior)}) 18. +Nc3 Nb6 19. Qg4 $1 Nxd5 20. Nxd5 Bxd5 21. Bxd5 Rxd5 22. Rad1 {Razuvaev-Vaisser, +Moscow 1981).}) 17. a3 $1 {By opening up the queenside, White emphasises the +insecure position of the black king.} (17. Re1 $6 Nb8 18. Qg4 $2 Bxd5 { +(Zaichik-Timoshchenko, Moscow 1981)}) ({or} 17. dxe6 $6 Bxg2 18. e7 Bxf1 { +(Ubilava-Timoshchenko, Volgodonsk 1981) is unfavourable for him.}) 17... Nb8 ({ +The game Kharitonov-Dorfman, played that October in the USSR Championship +First League (Volgodonsk 1981), went} 17... exd5 18. axb4 cxb4 (18... d4 $6 19. +Nxc5) 19. Be3 ({and recently} 19. Bf4 Bh6 {has also been tried (Giri-Smeets, +Wijk aan Zee 2011)}) 19... Nc5 {with unclear play. Later even the fantastic} +20. Qg4+ Rd7 21. Qg7 $6 {occurred (Ivanchuk-Shirov, Wijk aan Zee 1996). --- 17. +..Nb8 was found during that same First League by the joint efforts of +Sveshnikov and Timoshchenko, and was employed a few rounds later in the games +Anikaev-Sveshnikov and Rashkovsky-Timoshchenko. It was these games that +Vladimirov and I had analysed.}) 18. axb4 cxb4 19. Be3 {Following the source +game.} ({But one of two queen moves was objectively better:} 19. Qd4 $5 {(an +idea of the 1990s)} Nc6 20. dxc6 (20. Nb6+ axb6 21. dxc6 Bxc6 {is also unclear, +Carlsen-Smeets, Wijk aan Zee 2010}) 20... Rxd4 21. cxb7+ Kb8 (21... Kc7 $2 22. +Be3 $1 e5 23. Nc3 $1 bxc3 24. bxc3 Bc5 25. cxd4 Bxd4 26. Rfb1 Qc5 27. Ra6 $1 { +with crushing threats, Kamsky-Kramnik, 1st match game, New York 1994}) 22. Be3 +e5 {, and modern correspondence games, not without the help of computers, +demonstrate equality for Black in the crazy complications after} 23. b3 $1 c3 +$1 24. Rfd1 Bh6 {etc.}) (19. Qg4 $1 Bxd5 (19... Rxd5 $2 20. Rfc1 $1 {, +Dvoyris-Sveshnikov, Sochi 1983}) 20. Rfc1 Nc6 21. Bxd5 Rxd5 22. Rxc4 Rxg5 23. +Qd4 Kb8 24. Rxc6 Rxg3+ 25. fxg3 Qxc6 26. Rd1 {, retaining some initiative +(Yusupov-Tukmakov, Leningrad 1987).}) 19... Bxd5 20. Bxd5 Rxd5 21. Qe2 Nc6 22. +Rfc1 {This critical position, which occurred in both of the aforementioned +games from the First League, was reached on our board within 20 minutes after +the start of play.} ({Following} 22. Rfc1 {,} -- ({, Sveshnikov played badly - +} 22... Kb7 $2 {and after} 23. Rxc4 Na5 24. b3 $1 Bd6 ({not} 24... Nxb3 $2 25. +Qc2) ({or} 24... Rdh5 $6 25. Nb2) 25. Qa2 {he ran into serious problems} (25. +Nb2 {is also strong, and if} a6 {, then} 26. Rxa5 $1 Qxa5 27. Na4 {with a pawn +for the exchange and an attack.})) ({. Timoshchenko tried} 22... c3 $5 23. Qxb5 +Rxb5 {, but with a bold piece sacrifice -} 24. Nxc3 $5 ({perhaps, therefore,} +24. bxc3 $5 b3 25. Rcb1 {is more promising, with very unusual play and +somewhat the better chances for White}) 24... bxc3 25. Rxc3 {Rashkovsky +stunned his opponent, and after} Kd7 (25... Kb7 $6 26. Rac1 $1) 26. Ra6 Nd8 27. +Rxa7+ Ke8 $2 ({but the cool-headed} 27... Nb7 $1 {would have enabled him to +maintain the balance}) 28. Rc8 {Black ended up in a difficult position. --- In +anticipation of 22...c3, I was intending to sacrifice my knight, but +Timoshchenko 'indulged in' another novelty.})) 22... Na5 $5 (22... Ne5 $1 {is +far safer, but the chess world would learn of this only eighteen months later +(Game No.82). --- After making his move, my opponent stood up and with a proud +expression began strolling around the other boards. I had to switch urgently +from my polished home analysis to specific, calculating play. My wavering and +the calculation of variations took a great deal of time. Intuitively I +realised that, to cast doubts on Black's risky play, extreme measures were +needed, i.e. again the sacrifice of a piece. So, forward, into the attack!}) +23. b3 $1 {(53)} ({After} 23. Bxa7 Kb7 24. Be3 (24. Nb6 $2 c3 $1) 24... Nb3 25. +Nb6 Nxc1 26. Rxc1 c3 27. Nc4 cxb2 28. Qxb2 Bh6 {White has no more than +equalising compensation for the exchange.}) 23... c3 {(3)} ({Black would have +lost after} 23... Nxb3 $2 24. Rxc4+ Kb7 ({or} 24... Kd7 25. Bxa7 Nxa1 26. Nb6+) +25. Qc2 $1 {. But now White has to give up his knight, without having any +forced solution to the position.}) 24. Nxc3 $1 bxc3 25. Rxc3+ Kd7 (25... Kb7 $2 +{was bad:} 26. Qc2 Bd6 (26... Qd7 27. Rc1) 27. b4 $1 {with decisive threats (} +Nc6 28. Rxc6 $1 {)}) ({as was} 25... Kb8 $2 26. Qc2 Qd7 (26... Qb7 27. Rc1) 27. +Bxa7+ $1 Kb7 28. Be3 Bb4 ({or} 28... Bd6 29. b4 Bxb4 (29... Be5 30. bxa5 $1) +30. Rb1 Nc6 31. Rc4 Rb5 32. Rc5 $1 Rh5 33. Rxh5 Rxh5 34. Bc5 {and wins}) 29. +Rc4 $1 Qd6 30. Qe4 Nc6 31. Rxc6 $1 {. Therefore the black king makes for the +centre under the cover of its army.}) 26. Qc2 {(3)} Bd6 $2 {(5) Although no +one noticed, this was the decisive mistake!} ({It was only 15 years later, in +a correspondence game (Germany 1996), that} 26... Nc6 $1 27. Rc1 Nd8 {was +played, and after} 28. Rc7+ (28. Rc8 Bd6 29. b4 Be5 30. Rc5 $1 Rxc5 31. Bxc5 { +is more energetic, with an attack compensating for the material deficit, but, +alas, no more than that...}) 28... Ke8 29. Rxa7 Rhh5 $1 {(with the threats of ...Rhf5xf6 and ...Bc5) White gradually lost, after failing to find the deeply +hidden resource} 30. b4 $1 Rhf5 (30... Bxb4 31. Rb1 $1) 31. Ra8 $1 Rxf6 32. Bg5 +$3 Rxg5 33. Rxd8+ Kxd8 34. Qc8+ Ke7 35. Rc7+ Kd6 36. Rc1 $1 {with unavoidable +perpetual check.}) 27. Rc1 {(9)} Qb7 {(3) Both defending, and creating the +terrible threat of ...Rxh2!.} ({If} 27... Qb4 {White wins by} 28. Rc8 $1 Rd1+ +29. Rxd1 Rxc8 30. Qh7 Ke8 (30... Rf8 31. Bh6) 31. Rd4 $1 {etc. Now it appears +that White's attack has come to a standstill, but he has a latent resource - +again, as on the 23rd move, the b-pawn joins the battle.}) 28. b4 $1 {The only +way to win.} ({It transpires that} 28. b4 Rxh2 $2 ({nor does} 28... Rb5 $2 29. +bxa5 Rxh2 {in view of} 30. Rc6 $1 {winning}) {, does not work because of} 29. +Qa4+ $1 {. It would appear that in his analysis Timoshchenko had overlooked +this nuance, since here he stopped to think.}) 28... Qxb4 $1 {(12) Played +without prejudices: Black realises that the check on c7 cannot in itself cause +him any problems (the realisation of this on the 26th move was probably +hindered by him being carried away by the idea of ...Qb7 with the threat of ...Rxh2).} 29. Rb1 $1 {(25)} ({Timoshchenko, like all those watching the game, +was expecting} 29. Rc7+ Bxc7 30. Qxc7+ Ke8 31. Bc5 {. I also studied this +possibility, but came to the conclusion that after} Qb7 $1 32. Qxa5 Rhh5 $1 { +it is hard for White to count on any real advantage:} 33. Qa3 Rhf5 34. Be7 Rd4 +35. h4 Rfd5 36. Kh2 Rf5 {etc. --- However, I couldn't help feeling that there +was something more in the position, and after a long think I conceived an idea +which demanded an introductory move by the rook. Black's reply is forced.}) +29... Qg4 {(6) The forcing play has come to an end, and White's next move +will decide whether he is able to create new threats, or Black will escape +with a slight fright. And I again thought for a long time, thereby +'acknowledging' that the attack was being conducted largely intuitively.} ( +29... Qg4 {. Before making the planned move, it was important for me to +convince myself that other continuations were inadequate:} 30. -- (30. Bf4 $2 +Bxf4 31. Qa4+ Kd6 32. h3 $1 ({weaker is} 32. Qb4+ Ke5 $1) ({or} 32. Re1 e5 $1 +33. Qb4+ Ke6) 32... Qg5 $1 33. Qa3+ Ke5 34. Rb4 Qh6 $1) ({, or} 30. f3 $6 Qf5 +$1 ({but not} 30... Qh3 $2 {on account of the spectacular} 31. Rb7+ $3 Nxb7 32. +Qa4+ Kd8 33. Bb6+ $1) 31. Qa4+ Kd8 32. Rbc1 Qxf6 33. Qa1 Qe5 ({or} 33... Rh6 { +. and the black king escapes from the pursuit. --- As is apparent from this +last variation, Black need not fear the queen check at a4, as long as his king +can calmly retreat to d8. This means that White should not begrudge spending a +precious tempo on the elimination of the a7-pawn, which is depriving his +bishop of the b6-square!}))) 30. Bxa7 $3 {(20) This paradoxical decision +proves to be optimal - the computer decision, it can be said: a simple capture, +although it is not a matter of the pawn, but of the b6-square. Now the threat +of 31 f3 is deadly: if the queen moves off the 4th rank, White gives mate by +32 Qa4+ Kd8 33 Bb6+. By this point I had little more than twenty minutes left +on my clock, whereas my opponent had used less than forty. But now it was his +turn to think...} e5 {(26) The most natural reply: Timoshchenko decided to +use the tempo granted for the creation of an escape square for his king.} ({ +Another try is} 30... Be5 {(Game No.66).}) 31. Qa2 $1 {(3) Again the only +move, an intuitive one! It unexpectedly transpires that Black is unable to +solve a very simple question: what to do with the rook on d5? Here Gennady now +sensed just how dangerous his position was, and he thought for almost an hour +- after his next move he had less than fifteen minutes to the time control.} +Rd1+ {(57) The best chance.} ({Other moves would not have saved Black:} 31... +Ke6 32. f3 Qh5 {(h3)} 33. Rb2) (31... Qh5 32. h4 $1 e4 33. Qa4+) (31... Qh3 32. +f3 Qh7 33. Be3 $1 {(cf. the variation with 31...Qf5)}) (31... Qf5 {(a cunning +move)} 32. -- ({, now} 32. Re1 $2 {is a weak reply in view of} Qh3 $1 ({if} +32... Ke6 $2 {Timoshchenko gave} 33. Rd1 e4 34. f3 $1 Bxg3 ({while if} 34... +Qh5 35. Rd2 $1) 35. hxg3 {and wins}) 33. f4 Qxh2+ 34. Qxh2 Rxh2 35. Kxh2 Bb4 $1 +) (32. Qxd5 $4 Qxb1+ 33. Kg2 Qb7 {.}) ({, as is} 32. Rb7+ $2 Nxb7 33. Qxd5 Qb1+ +$1 34. Kg2 Nd8 35. Rb3 Qf5 $1) ({, but the quiet move} 32. f3 $3 {proves +decisive, for example:} Ra8 (32... e4 $2 33. Qa4+ Ke6 34. fxe4) ({, or} 32... +Qh7 {(the most resilient)} 33. Be3 $1 Qf5 (33... Ke6 34. Rb5 $1 ({but not} 34. +Rd1 $4 Qxh2+ $1)) 34. Bf2 {, and Black has no defence}) 33. Ra1 $1 {with the +simple threat of Qxd5 and Rxa5.})) 32. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 33. Kg2 Qh5 $6 {(2) But +this time-trouble attempt to confuse matters loses by force.} ({A more +resilient defence, which no one saw, was the computer reply} 33... Nb3 $1 { +(interference!), after which White could either go into an endgame -} 34. Qxb3 +({or continue the attack -} 34. Rxb3 Qd5+ 35. f3 Ra8 36. Qa4+ $5 Ke6 37. Rb2 $1 +Kxf6 38. Qh4+ {, condemning the opponent to a difficult defence a pawn down}) +34... Qxb3 35. Rxb3 {, although after} Ke6 {sooner or later Black would pick +up the f6-pawn, retaining drawing chances in view of the limited material. But +the fight would still have continued!}) 34. Qa4+ $1 {(5) Another accurate +move.} (34. h4 $2 {was far weaker in view of} Nc6 $1 {.}) 34... Ke6 35. h4 $1 { +It was this obvious move, killing Black's counterplay, that Timoshchenko +overlooked. Incidentally, whereas up to the 30th move it was White who had +been short of time, now the roles were reversed: Black was in time-trouble, +whereas White still had a whole fifteen minutes on his clock!} Qe2 (35... e4 +36. Qxe4+ Qe5 37. Qg4+ Qf5 38. Re3+ Be5 39. Qa4 $1) ({or} 35... Nb7 36. Rf3 ( +36. g4 $5) 36... Nd8 37. Bb6 {was also hopeless.}) (35... Kxf6 36. Qxa5 Kg7 { +was slightly better, but after} 37. Qd5 $1 {White would build up a decisive +attack.}) 36. Qxa5 Ra8 (36... Qe4+ 37. Kh2 (37. Rf3 $5) 37... Ra8 {is more +resilient, although here too Black's days are numbered:} 38. Qa6 $1 Qd4 $5 39. +Qa2+ $1 Qd5 40. Qxd5+ Kxd5 41. Be3 {etc.}) 37. Qa4 $1 {(2) An invasion on the +light squares! The pursuit of the black king is resumed with renewed vigour.} +Kxf6 38. Qd7 (38. Rf3+ $5 Ke7 39. h5 $1 {.}) 38... Kg7 {(3)} 39. Rf3 {(2)} Qc4 +40. Qxd6 Rxa7 41. Qxe5+ Kh7 42. Rf5 {(2) In search of shelter the king has +crossed the entire board under fire by the white pieces, and there is nowhere +further to run.} Qc6+ {A 'spite' check.} 43. Kh2 {. Times: 2.25-2.29. --- +This spectacular win enabled me to catch Psakhis, who that day played a draw +(we were both on 9½ out of 13). Immediately after the round, debates flared +up: was the piece sacrifice correct, and where could Black have played more +strongly? These questions concerned many of the participants in the +championship. A lively analysis after the game involved not only Timoshchenko +and me, but also Dorfman, and Sveshnikov, who as usual was showing where and +what should have been moved. His voice resounded louder than the others, and +the variations he demonstrated looked convincing enough (no one believed that +the sacrifice 24 Nxc3! was winning, but also no one had seen 26...Nc6!), and +in the end the grandmaster consultation decided that 30...e5 was the decisive +mistake, and that 30...Be5 would have parried the attack. All my attempts to +refute this were unsuccessful, and Sveshnikov publicly declared that he was +prepared to defend the position after 30...Be5 against me in the 16th round! +--- On returning to the hotel, for a long time I was unable to get to sleep. +Thoughts about the game just played would not leave me in peace. Was 30...Be5 +really such a good move that it killed White's entire plan?! Without +interruption I analysed this position in my head, and only by two in the +morning did I find peace: analysis showed irrefutably that 30...Be5 also did +not save Black (I remember even that, when this happened, I said to my mother: +'Found it!'). It only remained to await the penultimate, 16th round, but life +decreed otherwise...} 1-0 + +[Event "66: 49th USSR Championship, Frunze"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.12.16"] +[Round "14"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Dorfman, I."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D44"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "85"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{The next day I played the 29-year-old Lvov grandmaster Iossif Dorfman, USSR +co-champion in 1977 and also one of my future seconds (in the early 1990s he +moved to France). The spectators assembled in the spacious hall of the Sports +Palace followed with mounting astonishment the movements of the pieces on one +of the large demonstration boards. Within 45 minutes the familiar critical +position after White's 30th move was reached.} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. +Nc3 c6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 {(5)} b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 +11. exf6 {(2)} Bb7 12. g3 c5 13. d5 Qb6 14. Bg2 O-O-O 15. O-O b4 16. Na4 Qb5 +17. a3 Nb8 18. axb4 cxb4 19. Be3 Bxd5 20. Bxd5 Rxd5 21. Qe2 Nc6 22. Rfc1 Na5 $5 +(22... Ne5 $1 {- Game No.82.}) 23. b3 c3 24. Nxc3 bxc3 25. Rxc3+ Kd7 26. Qc2 +Bd6 $2 (26... Nc6 $1 {.}) 27. Rc1 Qb7 {(10)} 28. b4 Qxb4 29. Rb1 Qg4 30. Bxa7 { +The chief arbiter of the tournament, Mikhail Yudovich: 'An amazing occurrence! +During many, many years of participating in major competitions, I do not +recall anything similar: up to the 30th (!) move the players repeated a game +played in the previous round.' I too did not believe my eyes...} Be5 {(5)} ({ +This move, suggested instead of} 30... e5 {(Game No.65), was also made quite +quickly by Dorfman. Having taken Sveshnikov's word for it, he had not found +time to delve deeply into the position and, it would seem, he began to see the +light only after my reply.}) 31. Rc5 $1 {(1)} ({Of course, not the suicidal} +31. f3 $4 Bd4+ $1 32. Kh1 ({or} 32. Bxd4 Qxd4+ 33. Kg2 (33. Kh1 Rdh5 $1) 33... +Qd2+ 34. Kg1 Qxc2 35. Rxc2 Rh6 {and ...Rxf6}) 32... Qxg3 33. Qa4+ Kd8 34. Rb8+ +Qxb8 35. Bxb8 Bxc3 {. The move in the game is directed in the first instance +at the exchange of the rook on d5 - the black king's main defender.}) 31... +Rxc5 {(21) Forced;} ({mate would have been unavoidable after, say,} 31... Ra8 +$2 32. Rxa5 $1 Rxa5 33. Rb7+ Ke8 34. Re7+ Kf8 35. Qh7 {.}) 32. Bxc5 $1 {My +night-time discovery!} ({The fact that the quiet 'backwards' capture was +stronger than} 32. Qxc5 {, and that now Black has no defence, was not easy to +grasp (I don't know whether I would have found it at the board if the previous +day Timoshchenko had played 30...Be5). In a joint blitz analysis we only +looked at the pseudo-active} Nc6 $1 33. Rb7+ Bc7 34. Bb6 Rc8 {, when the +attack peters out. --- On encountering this surprise, Dorfman spent a full +hour seeking a way to save the game, but it was already too late...}) 32... Nc6 +{(65)} ({While the opponent was considering his move, I checked my home +calculations (before this I had not reached this position on a board, but only +in my head), and I ascertained that White also wins after other replies:} 32... +Rc8 33. Qd2+ {and Qxa5}) (32... Qc4 33. Qd2+ Kc6 34. Rb6+ $1 Kxc5 35. Qxa5+ Kd4 +36. Rb4) (32... Bc7 33. Qd3+ Kc8 34. Rb4 $1 Qf5 35. Qa6+ Kd7 36. Rd4+) (32... +Rb8 33. Rd1+ Ke8 34. Bd4 $1 (34. f4 {is also strong}) 34... Bd6 35. Ba7 $1 Rd8 +36. Bb6 $1 {.}) ({The computer also considers} 32... Qf5 $5 33. Qd1+ $1 Kc8 34. +Rc1 $1 Qe4 {(ignoring the discovered check)} 35. Bd6+ Kb7 36. Qf1 $1 Qd5 37. +Rb1+ Ka7 38. Rb5 Bxd6 39. Rxd5 exd5 40. Qb5 Nb7 41. Qxd5 {, when the queen and +three pawns overrun Black's scattered army. With a computer White wins easily +in all variations, but at the time this was far from obvious.}) 33. Qd3+ $1 Kc8 +{(6)} ({The lesser evil was probably to go into an endgame two pawns down by} +33... Nd4 34. Rd1 Kc7 (34... Rh4 $2 35. Qb5+ Kc8 36. Qa6+ Kc7 37. Bb6+ $1) 35. +Bxd4 Qxd4 36. Qxd4 Bxd4 37. Rxd4 Rh6 {, although after} 38. Kg2 {all the same +Black's position is hopeless (} Rxf6 $2 39. Rf4 $1 {).}) (33... Bd4 $2 34. Rb7+ +{.}) 34. Rd1 {(22)} ({There was a pretty win by} 34. Qa6+ Kd7 35. Rb7+ Bc7 36. +Rxc7+ $1 Kxc7 37. Qb6+ Kc8 38. Qxc6+ Kb8 39. Qb6+ Kc8 40. Qa6+ Kc7 41. Bb6+ Kc6 +(41... Kd6 42. Ba7+ $1 Ke5 43. f4+ Kxf6 44. Bd4+ {and Bxh8}) 42. Ba7+ $1 Kc7 +43. Qb6+ Kd7 44. Qb5+ Kd6 45. Bc5+ Ke5 46. Bd4+ $1 Ke4 (46... Kxd4 47. Qb4+ { +and Qxg4}) 47. f3+ $1 {. I saw these variations, but I preferred to make a +move which firmly guaranteed a terribly strong attack.}) 34... Nb8 ({If} 34... +Rd8 {White mates by} 35. Qa6+ {.}) 35. Rc1 $1 {Emphasising the helplessness of +the black pieces, which are unable to assist their king.} Qa4 {(6) The +expiatory bishop sacrifice made by Dorfman merely delays the end slightly.} 36. +Bd6+ Nc6 37. Bxe5 Rd8 {(2)} 38. Qb1 $1 {(4) Renewing the mating threats.} Rd5 +{(5)} 39. Qb8+ {(2)} Kd7 40. Qc7+ Ke8 41. Qxc6+ Qxc6 42. Rxc6 Rxe5 43. Rc8+ ({ +In view of} 43. Rc8+ Kd7 44. Rf8 {. Times: 0.55-2.26.}) (43. -- {An +unforgettable two-day battle! As a result I reached 10½ out of 14 and again +burst half a step ahead. But in the 15th and 16th rounds I slowed down, making +far from peaceful draws with Romanishin and Sveshnikov (who 'in the light of +newly discovered circumstances' deemed it wise to avoid the Botvinnik +Variation by playing 5...h6). But Psakhis scored two crushing wins, moved up +to 'plus eight' and before the last round was leading me by half a point. This +was his finest hour! I remember being terribly upset by the fact that my 'plus +seven' would guarantee me only second place. --- Psakhis's position before the +finish was clearly preferable for the added reason that he had White against +the championship debutant Agzamov, whereas I was paired with Black against +Tukmakov, who was also invincible in this tournament, and was two points +behind in third place, while a draw would give him the bronze medal and a +place in the next Premier League! Few doubted that Psakhis would be the sole +winner, but last rounds do not always obey the laws of logic. --- In this +situation Lev took a highly committing and, perhaps, not the most correct +decision - to play for a win against Agzamov. He sacrificed a pawn and +initiated a very complicated, lengthy struggle, which inspired me: now any +result was possible in their game, which meant that my chances of catching my +rival were also improved. Especially since Agzamov parried the onslaught, kept +his extra pawn, and declined the offer of a draw...}) 1-0 + +[Event "67: 49th USSR Championship, Frunze"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1981.12.21"] +[Round "17"] +[White "Tukmakov, V."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "E74"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "58"] +[EventDate "1981.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{And so, in the decisive game I was opposed by the 35-year-old Vladimir +Tukmakov, the remarkable Odessa grandmaster and trainer (without his name it +is impossible to imagine modern Ukrainian chess). I have to admit that I +myself found it hard to believe in the possibility with Black of defeating 'to +order' such an experienced tournament fighter, but - the miracle occurred! --- +In the preparations for the duel an active part was played by Vladimirov, who +had arrived specially from Alma-Ata. Nikitin: 'In just one day we had to find +a set-up which in some way would particularly tempt Tukmakov, forcing him +during the game to oscillate between caution and a desire to punish the +opponent for his excessive risk. The best bait for this would be a pawn +sacrifice. A few hours before the start of the round we found an interesting +and highly controversial game, published in the latest Informator, Volume 31. +After spending a couple of hours, Garry considered himself an expert on the +set-up, calmed down and went off for a meal... It was easier to compile the +battle scenario: the maximum concentration, no interest in the other games, +and the continuous building up of the pressure, bringing it to the boil by the +last, fifth hour of play. An hour before the start we unhurriedly set off on +foot. We walked in silence, occasionally making brief exchanges. Garry's +thoughts were already on the stage of the tournament hall.'} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 +3. Nc3 Bg7 {At this critical moment I turned to the King's Indian Defence - my +old, well-tested weapon.} 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Bg5 {The Averbakh Variation, +which in those years was popular among the leading Odessa players, does not +promise White much, but it restricts Black's active possibilities.} c5 (6... +Nbd7 {- Game No.76.}) 7. d5 b5 $6 {(2) An audacious and hardly correct pawn +sacrifice.} ({But I didn't want to play} 7... h6 {(Game No.28) with a +relatively clear game, which - and this was important - the opponent was +expecting. For me the situation was unambiguous: all or nothing!}) 8. cxb5 a6 +9. a4 $1 {(3)} h6 ({Of course, not} 9... Qa5 $6 10. Bd2 $1 {(Game No.58). +However, my improvement only makes things slightly better for Black.}) 10. Bd2 +{(7) A solid move, dictated by White's desire to retain not so much his extra +pawn, as the invulnerability of his position.} (10. Bf4 {was also not bad, +since} g5 {(?!), recommended by me in 'Informator', together with} 11. Bd2 e6 +12. dxe6 Bxe6 {, suggested in 'The Test of Time', is dangerous because of} 13. +h4 $1 g4 14. Qc1 Kh7 (14... h5 15. Bh6) 15. Bd3 {with the threat of 16 e5+.}) +10... e6 11. dxe6 {(2)} Bxe6 12. Nf3 {(2) White is a sound pawn to the good, +and today I look sadly at my position, not altogether understanding where is +Black's 'active piece play' that was spoken about thirty years ago. But at the +time, sitting opposite Tukmakov, I was radiating composure and confidence.} +axb5 13. Bxb5 ({In 'The Test of Time' I criticised} 13. axb5 $6 {, since after} +Bb3 $1 14. Qc1 Rxa1 15. Qxa1 Qe7 {(?!) 'the e4-pawn is doomed',} ({therefore} +15... Re8 $1 {is more accurate}) 16. O-O Nxe4 {, but in fact here White has +quite good prospects:} 17. Nxe4 Qxe4 18. Re1 {etc.}) 13... Na6 {(3)} 14. O-O { +(5)} Nc7 {(3)} ({The leap} 14... Nb4 {did not appeal to me because of} 15. Be3 +{, preventing ...d6-d5.}) 15. Re1 {(6)} (15. Be2 {would have retained the +bishop, but allowed} d5 16. exd5 Nfxd5 {, although in this case too Black has +only slight compensation for the pawn. With 15 Re1 White tries for more. It +would appear that the draw, which would have satisfied Tukmakov in the purely +competitive sense, had already ceased to be the guideline for him.}) 15... Nxb5 +{(9)} 16. Nxb5 ({The simple} 16. axb5 {would have opened the way to numerous +exchanges and the cherished drawing haven - after, say,} d5 17. exd5 Rxa1 ({or +} 17... Nxd5 18. Rxa8 Qxa8 19. Ne4) 18. Qxa1 Nxd5 19. Qa7 {Black would have +been fighting only for a draw. But, apparently, Tukmakov had been seized by +the fervour of the struggle! 'A first, purely psychological achievement by +Black: the snail has been forced to come out of its shell.' (Nikitin)}) 16... +d5 17. exd5 {(3)} Nxd5 18. Ne5 $1 {(7) A strong, ambitious move.} ({After} 18. +Qc2 Nb4 19. Bxb4 cxb4 {Black would have maintained the balance thanks to the +power of his two bishops.}) ({And after} 18. Rc1 {, which I recommended in +'Informator', both} Nb4 {(Stohl)} ({and} 18... Nb6 19. b3 c4 {are good.})) +18... Re8 {(18) Continuing to reproduce the 'Informator' source game.} ({ +After some thought, I concluded that} 18... Qh4 $6 {was weak because of} 19. +Qc2 $1 {.}) 19. Rc1 {(8) A new and better move!} ({The aforementioned A.Petrosian-Arbakov game (Moscow 1981) went} 19. Qc1 Qh4 $6 20. Qxc5 (20. a5 $5 { +, and in our preparations, not seeing anything promising here for Black, we +found an improvement - 19...Bf5!.})) ({I was also concerned about} 19. Nc4 $5 { +with the threat of an invasion at d6 - for example,} Nb4 {(?)} ({but after} +19... Qb8 $5 {the position would have been unclear}) 20. Ncd6 Re7 21. Bc3 { +(Stohl) with an obvious advantage for White.}) 19... Bf5 $1 {(10) Sharpening +the position further. Tukmakov now cracks under the intense pressure!} 20. Nc6 +$6 {(37)} (20. Ba5 $2 Rxa5 21. Nc6 Rxe1+ 22. Qxe1 {is incorrect because of} Qa8 +$1) ({while after} 20. Nc4 $6 Rxe1+ 21. Bxe1 Nf4 22. Qxd8+ Rxd8 {for the first +time Black acquires unpleasant threats.}) ({However,} 20. f4 $5 {would still +have laid claim to an advantage. In 'The Test of Time' I optimistically +asserted that after} g5 (20... f6) ({or} 20... Nc7 {is more solid}) 21. Qh5 Re7 +{'a position is reached where White's extra pawn does not play any part'. Alas, +it very much plays a part:} 22. b3 (22. Qf3 $5) 22... Ra6 23. Rxc5 Qb6 24. Rec1 +Nxf4 25. Bxf4 gxf4 26. Kh1 {, and Black is fighting only for equality. But +here psychology had an effect: Tukmakov had no wish to cast caution to the +winds, by exposing his king with f2-f4.}) 20... Qd7 $1 {(32)} ({This is better +than} 20... Qb6 {(it is not befitting for the queen to perform the role of +defender of the c5-pawn!)} 21. -- (21. Rxe8+ Rxe8 22. Na5 Rd8 $1) ({, or} 21. +Na5 Rxe1+ (21... Red8 {is also possible}) 22. Qxe1 {- previously I assessed +this position in favour of White, but after} Bd3 23. Nc4 Qc6 24. Ne5 (24. b3 +Re8 25. Qd1 Re2 {is dangerous for White}) 24... Bxe5 25. Qxe5 Re8 26. Rxc5 Rxe5 +27. Rxc6 Re2 28. Rc8+ Kh7 29. Ba5 Bxb5 30. axb5 Rxb2 {his advantage evaporates. +--- By sacrificing a second pawn, Black diverts the white rook, after which a +significant defect in White's position is suddenly revealed - the weakness of +his back rank.})) 21. Rxc5 {(3)} Rxe1+ 22. Qxe1 {(8)} ({Already the only move +- after} 22. Bxe1 $2 Re8 $1 23. -- ({, White does not have} 23. Rxd5 $2 { +because of} Qxd5 $1) ({, and he is not saved by} 23. g3 $2 Nf4 $1) (23. Bd2 Nf4 +$1) (23. Ba5 Nb4 $1) (23. Rc1 Bxb2) ({, or even the most resilient} 23. Ncd4 +Nf4 $1 24. Rc1 Bxd4 25. Nxd4 Qxd4 $1 26. Qxd4 Ne2+ 27. Kf1 Nxd4 28. Rd1 Nb3 { +, when the piece for two pawns should bring Black a win.} (28... --))) 22... +Re8 $1 {Playing for a win;} ({this creates far more problems for White than +the direct} 22... Rxa4 23. b4 (23. b3 Re4 $5) 23... Ra1 24. Rc1 Rxc1 25. Qxc1 +Be4 {with full compensation for the pawn, perfectly sufficient - for a draw.}) +23. Qc1 {(3) Again the only move;} ({after} 23. Qd1 $2) ({or} 23. Be3 {Black +has the decisive} Nf4 $1) ({while if} 23. Qf1 $2 Nb6 $1 24. Be3 Nxa4 25. Rc1 +Nxb2 {with a powerful initiative.}) 23... Nb6 $6 {(5) A vexing error, which +gives the opponent a new chance.} (23... Re2 $6 {is also inadequate in view of} +24. h3 $1 {(an escape square for his king - this is what White lacks for +complete happiness!).}) ({However, the balance would have been maintained by} +23... Re4 $1 {with the terrible threat of ...Bh3!!. If Tukmakov had found the +only defence -} 24. b3 $1 {, I would have had to choose between an immediate +perpetual check -} Bh3 25. gxh3 Qxh3 26. Rc4 Qg4+ {and very unclear play 'for +any of three results' after 24...Kh7!?.}) 24. b3 $1 {(4)} Re2 {(2)} 25. Ba5 $6 +{(2) Here I sensed that Tukmakov was not fully aware of the danger +threatening him.} ({He had two other possibilities:} 25. Be3 $6 Bb2 $1 26. Qf1 +Bd3 27. Bd4 $1 ({there is nothing else:} 27. Qd1 $2 Bxb5 $1) 27... Rd2 ({or} +27... Re8 {(e6)} 28. Qxd3 Re1+ 29. Qf1 Qe6 30. Re5 Rxf1+ 31. Kxf1 Qxc6 32. Bxb2 +Kh7 {with the idea of ...Nd5 and a probable draw}) 28. Qe1 Re2 29. Qd1 $5 Bxb5 +30. Rxb5 Re6 $1 ({not Stohl's variation} 30... Bxd4 31. Qxe2 Qxc6 32. h3) 31. +Rxb6 Bxd4 32. Rb8+ Kh7 33. Rd8 Bxf2+ $1 34. Kxf2 Qxc6 {, and the exposed +position of White's king denies him winning chances.}) (25. Bc3 $1 -- ({, and +in the event of} 25... Rc2 $6 26. Qe1 Bxc3 (26... Be4 $2 27. Ne5 $1 Qe7 28. Rc7 +Qe6 29. Nf3 {and wins}) 27. Nxc3 {the move given by me in 'The Test of Time'} +Qe6 {(?), is bad because of} (27... Qd6 {is more resilient, but after} 28. b4 +$1 Nxa4 29. Nxa4 Rxc5 30. Nxc5 Qxc6 31. h3 {White simply has an extra passed +pawn}) 28. Qd1 $1 Bg4 (28... Qxb3 29. h3 $1) 29. Qb1 $1 Rb2 30. Qa1 $1 Rxb3 ( +30... Qxb3 31. h3 $1 {(threatening Rb5)} Qc2 (31... Be2 32. Qc1 $1) 32. Qe1 $1 +Bd7 33. a5 {, and Black cannot hold out}) 31. Nd4 {(Stohl).}) ({. Therefore +the immediate} 25... Bxc3 $1 {is necessary:} 26. Nxc3 (26. Rxc3 $6 Nd5 $1) +26... Re6 $1 27. a5 Qe8 $5 (27... Rxc6 {is also possible}) 28. Re5 Qxc6 29. +Rxe6 Bxe6 30. axb6 Qxb6 31. Qxh6 Bxb3 {, gaining a draw thanks to all the +pawns being on one wing. --- It is hard to say how the play would have +developed after 25 Bc3. Instead of this, Tukmakov took his bishop out of +harm's way and at the same time attacked the knight, but now the activity of +the black pieces increases sharply.})) 25... Be4 $1 {(14) With the obvious +idea of 26 Bxb6? Qg4.} ({I rejected the safe} 25... Bb2 {because of} 26. Qf1 $1 +{, when to avoid the worst I would have had to force a draw -} Re6 (26... Bd3 +$6 27. Nb4 $1) 27. Nb4 Qd2 $1 28. Nc6 $1 Qd7 $1 {. The move in the game +provokes wild complications, in which it is easy to go wrong. The enormous +energy stored up in the black pieces is about to break out.}) 26. Ne5 {(6) +Again a natural move, but hardly the best in terms of neutralising the threats. +} ({White should have considered} 26. Qf1 Rb2 $5 (26... Ra2 27. Rc1 Nxa4 {is a +simpler way to draw}) 27. Rc1 $1 (27. Bxb6 $6 {is less good:} Rb1 $1 28. Rc1 $2 +Bxg2 $1) 27... Nd5 ({or} 27... Bxc6 28. Bxb6 Rxb3 29. Qc4 {, and Black merely +has good compensation for the material deficit}) 28. Re1 {.}) 26... Qe7 $1 {(8) +Attacking new targets.} 27. Nd4 $2 {(6) By continuing to bring into play the +pieces stuck on the queenside, Tukmakov commits a decisive tactical mistake: +on d4 the knight is subject to various attacks.} ({White had more than one +acceptable defence:} 27. Bxb6 Bxe5 28. Rxe5 $5 Qxe5 29. Bd4 Qe6 30. h3 {with +full compensation for the exchange}) (27. Nf3 $5 {with full compensation for +the exchange} Bxf3 (27... Nd5 $5 28. Nbd4 $1 Ra2 29. Be1 {is equal}) 28. gxf3 +Qh4 {, although after} 29. Qf1 $1 Be5 (29... Ra2 $6 30. Bxb6 Ra1 31. Qxa1 Bxa1 +32. a5 $1) 30. Rxe5 Rxe5 31. f4 $1 Qxf4 32. Nd4 {White is out of danger}) (27. +Qf1 $1 Ra2 $1 (27... Qxc5 28. Qxe2 Qxe5 29. Bxb6 Qa1+ 30. Qf1 {is problematic}) +28. Bxb6 Bxe5 29. Nc3 {, and the best for Black is perpetual check after the +spectacular} Bxh2+ $1 30. Kxh2 Qh4+ 31. Kg1 Bxg2 $1 32. Kxg2 Qg4+ {. --- In +any other game such a draw would have provided enormous creative satisfaction, +but not in this one! Fortunately, my opponent relieved me of the need to seek +illusory chances...}) 27... Ra2 $1 28. Bxb6 {(3)} ({The game ends +catastrophically after} 28. Ndc6 $2 Qxc5 $1) (28. Nef3 $2 Bxd4 29. Nxd4 Qxc5 $1 +) ({or} 28. Ndf3 $2 Nd5 $1 29. Nc6 Qf6 {(with the threat of ...Bxf3 and ...Ra1) +} 30. Nd2 Ra1 31. Nxe4 Qb2 $1 32. Bd2 Nc3 $1 {(Stohl).}) 28... Bxe5 {Black has +managed to get rid of his bad knight on b6, by exchanging it for the active +knight on e5, and suddenly all his pieces have become very aggressively placed. +} 29. Qe3 $2 {(13) Confusion. The mass of threats and shortage of time +provoked this 'inexplicable' blunder, which loses the game in one move;} ({as +does} 29. Qxh6 $2 Qxc5 $1 {- here it is, the weakness of the back rank!}) ({ +True,} 29. Rxe5 Qxe5 30. f3 Bd3 {etc., would also not have saved White}) ({and +the best defence} 29. Qe1 $1 {would merely have prolonged the resistance and +offered practical chances:} -- (29... Qd6 {(?)} 30. Ne2 {(?)} ({but} 30. Nb5 $1 +Qf6 {(e6)} 31. Rxe5 Qxe5 32. Bd4 {gives drawing chances}) 30... Bxh2+ {(?)} ({ +there is a win by} 30... Bb7 $1 31. a5 Bxh2+ 32. Kh1 Be5 33. Nc1 Rxf2 $1) 31. +Kh1 Qxb6 ({or} 31... Be5 32. Nc3 $1 {etc., parrying the attack (The Test of +Time)}) 32. Rc8+ Kh7 33. Kxh2 Bb7 ({not the 'Informator' move} 33... Bxg2 $2 { +in view of} 34. Qc3 $1) 34. Re8 {with equality.}) (29... Qf6 {(?)} 30. Ne2 $1 ( +30. Nf3 $2 Ra1) ({or} 30. Rxe5 $2 Qxe5 31. f3 Qg5 32. g3 Qf6 $1 33. Qxe4 Qxb6 { +is bad for White - cf. variation 'c'}) 30... Ra1 31. Rc1 Qg5 32. Qf1 $1 ({not} +32. g3 $2 Qf6 $1 {with the threats of ...Qf3 and ...Qxb6}) ({or} 32. f3 $2 Bxf3 +33. g3 Ra2 {- Stohl}) 32... Rxc1 33. Nxc1 Qf4 {'with a strong attack' (The +Test of Time), but after} 34. f3 Qxh2+ 35. Kf2 Qh4+ 36. Ke2 {White holds on}) ( +29... Qg5 $5 30. g3 Qf6 $1 31. Rxe5 (31. Rc4 $2 Bd5 $1 32. Rc8+ Kh7 $1 33. Bd8 +Qa6 $1 {and wins}) 31... Qxe5 32. f3 Qf6 {(d6)} 33. Qxe4 Qxb6 34. Qe8+ Kg7 35. +Qe3 Kh7 $1 {, and the power of the black rook is decisive, although I would +still have had to find an accurate way to the goal}) (29... Kh7 $1 {. A quiet +move, creating the threat of ...Bxd4. Now} 30. Rb5 $2 (30. Rc1 $2 Qg5 $1) (30. +Rc4 $2 Bd5 $1) ({but also hopeless is} 30. Nf3 Bb2 $1 31. Rc7 Qe6 $1 32. Qb4 +Be5 $1 {(again the back rank!)}) ({or} 30. Rxe5 Qxe5 31. h3 Rb2 32. Nf3 Qd5 $1 +33. Qc3 Rxb3 34. Qf6 Qe6 $1 35. Qxe6 fxe6 36. a5 Bxf3 37. gxf3 Ra3 {, and in +the ending the rook overcomes the bishop}) {, is weak in view of} 30... Bxh2+ +31. Kxh2 Qh4+ 32. Kg1 Qg4 $1 {.})) 29... Qxc5 $1 {. This position will always +shine for me with the brilliance of my first USSR champion's gold medal! --- +Times: 2.19-1.59.} (29... -- {Nikitin: 'In this titanic battle there was +significantly more psychology than chess.' Some fifteen minutes after my +unexpectedly quick win, the Psakhis-Agzamov game also concluded: in a +complicated position, where Black's extra pawn was compensated by White's +extra minutes, Lev decided not to take a risk and he agreed a draw. --- The +result was that the leaders, who had been exchanging places throughout the +tournament, crossed the finishing line together. Yudovich: 'In the final +result there is a higher competitive justice: Kasparov and Psakhis undoubtedly +deserved to win - they played best of all in the tournament. I don't recall +such a championship of the country in which both winners, I must emphasise - +both winners, finished 2½ points ahead of their nearest pursuer!'}) (29... -- +{Viktor Vasiliev: 'Psakhis and Kasparov once again confirmed that in their +persons Soviet chess now has two young players of the highest class. I think +that Psakhis's rise, which has been somewhat unexpected but is now seen to be +justified, will have a favourable influence on Kasparov. As it seems to me, +Garry should now lose his feeling of exclusivity, which often hinders players +whose talent is revealed so early.' --- Psakhis: 'I can't be unhappy with a +tournament which brought a gold medal, although the first medal gave me +greater joy. In the competitive sense I played more forcefully on this +occasion, trying to exploit every chance. If Kasparov had not been in the +tournament, I would not have scored so many points. By competing, we +constantly drove each other on. Garik played very well, and he won several +brilliant games, including the one in the last round. His play at the World +Junior Championship made a great impression on me, and his success in the +championship does not surprise me.'}) (29... -- {I also paid tribute to my +opponent, and expressed my gratitude to my trainers, while about my +performance I said: 'I conducted the tournament better than I expected. In +Frunze I think that I began to approach a more harmonious way of playing than +earlier.' --- Botvinnik: 'The greatest danger for a young player is dizziness +due to success. After his unsuccessful autumn performance in Tilburg, Garry +Kasparov has begun playing more energetically, evaluating the position more +deeply. The set-back in Tilburg was very opportune for Kasparov. Ahead he has +the Interzonal Tournament...' Many experts, including Botvinnik, thought that +in this cycle three of the participants in the championship of the country - +Kasparov, Psakhis and Beliavsky - had every chance of qualifying as one of the +eight contenders for the crown.}) (29... -- {Meetings with Soviet grandmasters +were a good schooling for me. The rapid improvement in my results in the +Premier League was encouraging: from 9th place I had moved to 3rd-4th, and now +I had shared 1st-2nd. USSR champion at the age of 18 was an impressive record! +Previously the youngest champions of the country were the 20-year-old +Botvinnik (1931) and Tal (1957), and after them the 21-year-old Beliavsky +(1974). --- In Baku my triumph caused a great stir: on 8th January 1982 my +mother and I were invited to a reception for the second time (after May 1979) +with the leader of Azerbaijan, Geidar Aliev. 'My next objective is the fight +for the title of world champion,' I said at that reception. 'And all the +tournaments in which I participate I will regard as preparation for this main +objective.'}) 0-1 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Dress Rehearsal"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2009.12.07"] + +{International Tournament in Bugojno (6-25 May 1982): 1. Kasparov - 9½ out +of 13; 2-3. Polugaevsky and Ljubojevic - 8; 4-5. Spassky and Hübner - 7½; +6-8. Andersson, Larsen and Petrosian - 7; 9. Ivanovic - 6; 10. Timman - 5½; +11-12. Kavalek and Najdorf - 5; 13. Gligoric - 4½; 14. Ivkov - 3½.} 1. -- +{Many people, not only chess players, were asking: who will become the +challenger in 1984? At heart I was hoping for success, but since the time of +Tilburg I knew that I would be unable to get through the Interzonal stage +unless I gained experience of playing in top-class foreign tournaments. --- +Early in 1982 I received personal invitations from the organisers of no less +than three forthcoming and interesting super-tournaments - in London, Turin +and Bugojno. After weighing up everything for and against, my trainers and I +opted for Bugojno: in Yugoslavia I played best of all. It appeared that the +necessary permission of the Soviet Chess Federation and the Sports Committee +was no more than a formality: how could they refuse the young USSR champion? +However, Nikolai Krogius, the head of the Sports Committee Chess +Administration, offered me a run-of-the-mill category 10 tournament in +Dortmund. This was humiliating for one of the strongest five grandmasters in +the world! When I asked Krogius what was the meaning of all this, he replied +with disarming frankness: 'We have a world champion, and we don't need another +one.'} (1. -- {Nikitin: 'After Garry's victory in the championship of the +country, somewhere in the upper reaches of the Party a "directive opinion" was +formed about the need to use all available measures to keep Anatoly Karpov on +the chess throne. For this it was necessary above all to halt the rise in the +competitive achievements of Kasparov, who was considered the most realistic +contender for the crown. The strategy chosen for this was simple. From then on +Karpov and Kasparov were not to meet in the same competition, so as to rule +out a repetition of the embarrassment that occurred in the match-tournament of +USSR teams (1981), when the world champion finished behind Garry on their +individual board. In addition, in order to prevent the steady and rapid +convergence of their ratings, it was deemed advisable to lower the level of +the international tournaments to which the Soviet Chess Federation sent the +young champion of the country.' --- This plan was quite feasible, but... fate +was kind to me. In March 1982 I was invited to speak at a Congress of the +Azerbaijan Komsomol. I don't know who invited them, but Vitaly Sevastyanov, +chairman of the USSR Chess Federation, and Viktor Ivonin, deputy chairman of +the USSR Sports Committee with a special interest in chess, unexpectedly +arrived in Baku. On seeing them at the Congress, I directly appealed to them +and also to Geidar Aliev, who was present too (he knew about this burning +question from our January meeting). The result exceeded all expectations: I +was given permission to play in Bugojno!}) (1. -- {The May super-tournament of +fourteen grandmasters in Bugojno assembled an evenly-matched field and a whole +constellation of big names (but no Karpov: the two-times winner of these +tournaments preferred to play in London and Turin). I was already listed among +the favourites, along with Petrosian, Spassky and Polugayevsky, while of the +foreign participants the main contenders for first place were considered to be +Timman and Larsen, who in the past had scored many memorable tournament +victories. But there was no particular fight for the main prize: my high-tempo +start proved beyond the powers of my rivals. --- In my first round game with +Svetozar Gligoric (see the following game), the living legend of Yugoslav +chess, I played the opening experimentally and, after quickly exchanging the +queens, did not gain any real advantage. But then my opponent went wrong, and +in the end I was as though able to stalemate his pieces (see the following +game).}) * + +[Event "68: Bugojno"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1982.05.07"] +[Round "1"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Gligoric, S."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "E12"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "83"] +[EventDate "1982.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 {My favourite variation provided me with +two more wins in Bugojno - over Najdorf and Ivkov (in rounds 3 and 4), and +also a short draw with Ljubojevic just before the finish.} c5 {I did not +seriously expect this sharp continuation from Gligoric.} (4... Bb7 {was far +more often played against me (Game Nos. 43, 52, 61, 73, 75, 85, 98).}) 5. d5 +Ba6 6. Qc2 exd5 7. cxd5 g6 {Black succeeds in the fianchetto of his bishop.} ({ +Weaker is} 7... d6 8. Nc3 Nbd7 $6 9. Bf4 $1 {(Game No.32).}) 8. Bf4 {A +comparatively new idea, which, however, later faded into the background, since +it does not set Black any great problems.} ({The usual set-up is} 8. Nc3 Bg7 9. +g3 O-O 10. Bg2 d6 11. O-O Re8 12. Re1 {, and here} Qc7 $5 {is interesting +(Kasparov-Fedorowicz, Graz 1981).}) (8. e4 Bxf1 9. Kxf1 d6 {has also been +tried,} ({avoiding the unclear gambit} 9... Bg7 10. e5 $5 Nxd5 11. Qe4 Nc7 12. +Bg5 Qc8 13. h4 {(Rajkovic-Gligoric, Yugoslavia 1981).})) 8... d6 9. Nc3 Bg7 10. +Qa4+ Qd7 {The natural reply.} ({The aggressive} 10... b5 $6 11. Nxb5 O-O {does +not give Black sufficient compensation for the pawn after} 12. Nc3 ({or} 12. +Rd1 {.})) 11. Bxd6 Qxa4 ({Not} 11... Nxd5 $2 {in view of} 12. Qxd7+ Kxd7 13. +Be5 $1 {.}) 12. Nxa4 Nxd5 13. O-O-O ({Before this} 13. e4 {had also occurred:} +Bxf1 14. Rxf1 Nf6 15. O-O-O Nc6 16. Nc3 O-O-O 17. Ng5 Rd7 {with equality +(Vaganian-Tukmakov, Yerevan 1980).}) 13... Ne7 {A solid move;} ({but} 13... Nf6 +14. Nc3 Nc6 {is at least no worse, since after} 15. g3 {, given by me in +'Informator', there is the strong reply} ({while} 15. e4 Bxf1 16. Rhxf1 {leads +to a position from the previous note}) 15... Ng4 $1 {.}) 14. e4 {Accepting the +exchange of the light-square bishops, but at least depriving the black knight +of the f5-square.} Bxf1 15. Rhxf1 Nbc6 16. Nc3 ({Not} 16. e5 $6 Nf5 { +(Darga-Ligterink, Graz 1979).}) 16... Rd8 $6 ({This is not yet a direct +mistake, but an inaccuracy, giving White an enduring initiative, as does} 16... +O-O-O $6 17. Bxe7 ({or} 17. Ng5 Bxc3 ({not the 'Informator' suggestion} 17... +Bh6 $2 18. f4 $1) 18. bxc3 Rdf8 {(Soln-Psakhis, Dresden Zonal 1998)} 19. f4 $5) +17... Nxe7 18. Nb5 {.}) (16... Bxc3 $1 17. bxc3 {is correct, and here Black +initially played} Rd8 {(Browne-Timman, Las Palmas Interzonal 1982)} ({he +switched to} 17... O-O {(Atalik-Fedorowicz, San Francisco 2002)}) ({or my old +recommendation} 17... f6 $5 {(M.Gurevich-Istratescu, France 2003), +endeavouring to nullify White's already modest active possibilities}) 18. Be5 +$1 {(Dreev-Vallejo, Biel 2002).}) 17. Nb5 {Now Black's queenside is under +constant pressure.} Rd7 ({There is no reason to give up a pawn by} 17... Nd4 $2 +18. Nfxd4 cxd4 {, since here apart from the simple} 19. Bxe7 ({there is the +strong} 19. e5 $1 f6 ({or} 19... Nf5 20. Rfe1) 20. Nxd4) 19... Kxe7 20. Nxa7 {. +}) ({After} 17... f6 {the} 18. e5 $5 {breakthrough is also unpleasant - after +the comparatively best} Kf7 19. Rfe1 {the position of the king at f7 causes +alarm.}) 18. Bf4 $1 ({After} 18. Bg3 Rxd1+ 19. Rxd1 O-O 20. Rd7 {Black could +have replied} f5 $1 21. exf5 (21. e5 $6 {is weak because of} f4 $1) 21... Nxf5 +({or} 21... a6 $5 22. Na7 Rxf5 {with chances of equalising}) 22. Nxa7 Ncd4 23. +Nxd4 Nxd4 {with quite good compensation for the pawn.}) 18... Rxd1+ {An +attempt to strengthen the defence.} ({A game played a month earlier, +Ostermeyer-Karlsson (Dortmund), went} 18... Nc8 $6 19. Nc7+ Kd8 20. Rxd7+ Kxd7 +21. Rd1+ Ke7 22. Nd5+ {with advantage to White.}) ({He also stands better after +} 18... Nd4 19. Be5 $1 {, for example:} Bxe5 20. Nxe5 Rd8 21. Nxd4 cxd4 22. f4 +f6 23. Nf3 Nc6 24. Rf2 {etc.}) 19. Rxd1 O-O 20. Rd7 Ra8 ({Now} 20... f5 $2 {is +bad because of} 21. e5 {, when Black begins to suffocate.}) 21. Bd6 (21. Bg5 $5 +f6 22. Bh4 {came into consideration. After the invasion of the white rook at +d7 I needed to find the correct way to develop my initiative, but, alas, this +part of the game, right up to the 27th move, I did not conduct very well.}) +21... Nc8 22. Nc7 {The knight manoeuvre to a6 is interesting, but it needs +White to follow up with energetic and concrete action.} Rb8 23. Na6 (23. Nd5 $5 +{.}) 23... Ra8 24. Bf4 (24. Bc7 $5 {with the idea of b2-b4.}) 24... N8e7 25. +Bd6 ({For the moment repeating moves, although White should have preferred the +unexpected} 25. Nb8 $1 -- (25... Kf8 26. Nxc6 Nxc6 27. Rc7) ({, or} 25... Bf8 +26. Bd6 $1 -- ({, when} 26... Nxb8 $2 {is bad in view of} 27. Rd8 Kg7 28. Re8 ( +{or} 28. Kc2)) ({, and therefore Black faces a difficult choice:} 26... f6 27. +Nxc6 Nxc6 28. Bxf8 Rxf8 29. Rc7 Ne5 30. Rxa7 Nd3+ 31. Kc2 Nxf2 32. Rb7 {and +Rxb6, with hopes of exploiting the speed of the outside passed a-pawn}) (26... +Rxb8 27. Bxb8 Nxb8 28. Rxa7 Nbc6 29. Rb7 Nc8 30. g3 ({or} 30. Rc7 {and the +endgame with rook and pawn against two minor pieces is also in White's favour.} +)))) 25... Nc8 26. Bg3 (26. Bc7 $5 {.}) 26... N8e7 27. Bh4 $6 ({It was not yet +too late to play} 27. Nb8 $1 {.}) 27... Bf8 $2 {Gligoric cracks under the +pressure;} ({by} 27... f6 $1 {he could have practically equalised, since if} +28. e5 {there is the excellent reply} Rd8 $1 {, when my 'Informator' +recommendation} 29. Rxd8+ Nxd8 30. exf6 Bh6+ 31. Kc2 Nf5 32. Bg5 {gives only a +draw:} Nd4+ $1 33. Nxd4 Bxg5 34. Nb5 Nc6 35. b4 cxb4 36. Nxb4 Nxb4+ 37. axb4 a5 +{.}) 28. Bf6 ({Not rushing with the tempting} 28. Bxe7 Nxe7 29. Ne5 {. With a +greater number of pieces it is more difficult for Black to defend.}) 28... Rd8 +29. Rc7 $1 Re8 {A passive move;} ({but} 29... Rc8 {is also cheerless - after} +30. Bxe7 ({on the other hand, the cool-headed} 30. Rb7 $5 h6 ({or} 30... Re8 +31. Kc2 {retains all the advantages of his position}) 31. h4) 30... Rxc7 (30... +Nxe7 $6 31. Rxa7) 31. Bxf8 Rd7 32. Bh6 {White has two pieces for a rook, but +his knight is stuck at a6, and Black has saving chances.}) 30. g4 $5 ({Perhaps +Gligoric was hoping somehow to hold out a pawn down in the variation} 30. Bxe7 +Nxe7 31. Rxa7 Nc6 32. Rb7 Rxe4 33. Rxb6 {. But White plays for a bind, +exploiting the poor placing of the black pieces, in particular the knight on +e7.}) 30... Bg7 (30... Na5 31. Ne5 $1) ({little is changed by} 30... Rc8 31. +Rb7 {.}) 31. g5 Bf8 32. Kc2 Rc8 33. Rb7 $1 ({After} 33. Bxe7 $2 Rxc7 34. Bxf8 +Rd7 $1 35. Bh6 Re7 {White's two unfortunate pieces - the knight on a6 and +bishop on h6 - would have denied him any hope of success.}) 33... Nd4+ $2 {A +time-trouble check at the most inappropriate moment.} ({However, after} 33... +Re8 34. Kc3 {, with his pieces almost stalemated, Black would also have no +hope.}) 34. Nxd4 cxd4+ 35. Kd3 {Now the mopping-up begins.} Nc6 36. f4 Bd6 37. +e5 Bf8 38. b4 Nd8 39. Bxd8 Rxd8 40. Rxa7 h6 41. h4 h5 42. Nc7 (42. a4 $1 {was +more forceful, but as it was Black resigned.}) (42. -- {Then, after a short +but sharp drawn skirmish with Ivanovic, I faced over the board the famous +Argentine grandmaster Miguel Najdorf - he, like Gligoric, had played in the +epochal Candidates Tournament in 1953! --- I first saw Don Miguel at the 1980 +Olympiad. Sensing a kindred chess spirit in me, he very openly and emotionally +supported me (which unnerved the Soviet sports authorities). Najdorf arrived +in Bugojno as a guest and corespondent - in general he often visited +Yugoslavia, where he had many friends and acquaintances. It suddenly +transpired that one of the invited participants had not arrived. Then Spassky +took the initiative and suggested: 'Listen, Miguel, would you like to play in +the tournament?' You should have seen how the 72-year-old Najdorf's eyes lit +up. Spassky asked the other participants whether anyone objected, but none did. +And Najdorf played in the tournament! After our game, which took place in the +3rd round, I made the following entry in my diary: 'Already at breakfast a +discussion began about the meeting of the oldest and the youngest. It is a +unique instance, when the participants are separated by 53 years!! Najdorf +kept repeating: "He is like my grandchild." He arrived for the game very +grandly dressed: in a three-piece suit and tie. Already in the opening I had +an opportunity to take my opponent by force. I sacrificed two pawns and opened +fire. In analysis it transpired that Black had a draw, but Najdorf cracked +under the pressure and quickly lost. Later he was distressed and sighed +sorrowfully: "I missed a draw, how could I?!" After the game the deputy chief +arbiter Litmanovic reprimanded me for having castled incorrectly, i.e. for +first picking up the rook and then the king, whereas the rules prescribe the +opposite course of action. I courteously agreed, but I thought to myself: +"Litmanovic is after all an old friend of Najdorf."}) (42. -- {'Before going +to sleep, already after midnight, I decided to relax a little and I opened a +volume of Esenin's poems. Suddenly the telephone rang: "Hello, this is Najdorf. +I am interested in a few variations from our game. I am writing a report for +Buenos Aires. You wouldn't like to call in on me?" I excused myself and asked +if we could discuss it on the phone. For some four minutes we discussed one +possible continuation. When Najdorf hung up, I glanced at my watch. One +o'clock in the morning! No, chess is not just a sport!' --- One day after +dinner Najdorf sat down with me and initiated the following conversation: 'Why +do you live in the USSR? Until you move away, you will never become world +champion! Go to America - you'll be a millionaire. Now Karpov does not want to +play you, but when you become an American, a Karpov-Kasparov match will take +place the very next day!' I timidly tried to object: 'But my mother?' 'What +about your mother?' cried Najdorf, gesticulating animatedly. 'You will send +her lots of money, and she will be happy. Come to Argentina, we will arrange +an enormous banquet in your honour. When Petrosian was with us, one and a half +thousand Armenians assembled in celebration. It is easy for you to travel, you +have no family. Ask Petrosian, and he will tell you that I am right. Don't +think about it, just go straight into some embassy and request political +asylum, only, of course, not in Yugoslavia!' and so on, and so forth. Najdorf +realised what Soviet power in fact amounted to. I thanked him for his advice, +but said that, unfortunately, I couldn't use it... --- In the 4th round I +defeated Ivkov and reached 3½ out of 4, but here I ran into a 'dense +atmospheric layer': ahead were three games with my formidable compatriots - +Polugayevsky, Petrosian and Spassky. It was they that decided the outcome of +the fight for first place.}) 1-0 + +[Event "69: Bugojno"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1982.05.15"] +[Round "6"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Petrosian, T."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "E11"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "47"] +[EventDate "1982.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{Against Polugayevsky I gained a draw in a long forcing variation of the +King's Indian Defence (cf. Game No.28, note to Black's 12th move). And in the +crucial game with Petrosian, who had twice beaten me with Black in 1981, on +this occasion I decided to play in quiet manoeuvring style, similar to his own. +I was greatly helped by a useful piece of advice offered by Spassky the +evening before. According to him, the Achilles' heel of 'iron Tigran' was the +defence of slightly inferior positions without counterplay; moreover, the +positional vice should not be squeezed with all one's might, but cautiously, +unhurriedly, and without any abrupt movements.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ +({Avoiding a repetition of the discussion in the} 3... b6 4. a3 {variation +(Game No.52).}) 4. Bd2 Qe7 5. g3 Bxd2+ 6. Qxd2 O-O 7. Bg2 d5 8. O-O dxc4 $6 { +Having decided to play as simply as possible, Petrosian follows in the +footsteps of Andersson, but this is an unfortunate exchange: White obtains a +favourable version of the Catalan.} (8... Rd8 {is more solid, as they began +playing in 1983, for example:} 9. Qc2 ({or} 9. Rc1 c6 10. Qe3 Bd7 11. Nbd2 Be8 +{(an example: Kasparov-Timman, Belgrade 1989)}) 9... Nc6 (9... Na6 10. a3 $5 { +Kasparov-Ljubojevic, Tilburg 1989}) 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Nc3 Bg4 {(Timman-Korchnoi +Timman-Korchnoi, Tilburg 1986).}) 9. Na3 $1 c5 {'Dictated by the conviction +that the resulting tedious position is not to Kasparov's taste and that a draw +agreement is close' (Nikitin).} ({Before this Black held the somewhat inferior +position after} 9... Rd8 10. Nxc4 ({or} 10. Qc2 c5 11. dxc5 Qxc5 12. Rfd1 Nc6 +13. Qxc4 Qxc4 14. Nxc4 {(Ivkov-Andersson, Bugojno 1982)}) 10... c5 11. Rfd1 { +(Speelman-Andersson, London 1982).}) 10. dxc5 Qxc5 11. Rac1 Nc6 12. Nxc4 {An +important moment.} Qe7 $2 {Too slow.} ({After} 12... Rd8 13. Qf4 ({in +'Informator' I suggested} 13. Qc2 Bd7 14. Qb3 {, but then} Na5 $1 {is good}) +13... Bd7 14. Nfe5 {White's advantage would not have been so obvious and I +would have had to make far more creative effort.} ({Or} 14. e4) ({but not} 14. +Nd6 Qb6 $1 {.})) 13. Nfe5 $1 {Now Black's position is difficult, if not +already lost: he is quite unable to develop his queenside.} Nxe5 (13... Bd7 $6 +{was worse:} 14. Nxd7 $1 Qxd7 ({or} 14... Nxd7 15. Bxc6 (15. Qd6 $5) 15... bxc6 +16. Na5 c5 17. Nc6 Qe8 18. Qd6 {etc.}) 15. Qxd7 Nxd7 16. Rfd1 {and Nd6.}) 14. +Nxe5 {White's pieces are far more active, but the conversion of the advantage +is hindered by the absence of weaknesses in the opponent's position. If Black +should succeed in driving the knight from e5, White's initiative may gradually +evaporate. And Petrosian begins preparing ...f7-f6.} Nd5 (14... Rd8 15. Qa5 $1 +{.}) 15. Rfd1 $1 Nb6 16. Qa5 $1 {(paralysing the queenside)} g6 ({Alas,} 16... +f6 $2 {does not work in view of} 17. Nc4 $1 Nxc4 18. Rxc4 {with a decisive +invasion of the heavy pieces (} b6 ({or} 18... Rf7 19. Be4 $5) 19. Qc3 {). +Instead of this Black plans ...Rd8, exchanging a pair of rooks.}) 17. Rd3 $1 +Nd5 ({Now} 17... Rd8 $2 {also does not work because of} 18. Qc5 $1 Re8 (18... +Qxc5 $6 19. Rxd8+ Qf8 20. Rxf8+ Kxf8 21. Rc7 {with crushing threats, similar +to the finish in the game}) 19. Qxe7 Rxe7 20. Rd8+ Kg7 21. a4 $1 a5 22. Rc5 { +, and Black is lost.}) 18. e4 {It doesn't matter that the pawn blocks the +diagonal of its bishop - now it is more important to dislodge the knight from +d5.} Nb6 {The c7-square has to be covered.} (18... Nb4 $2 19. Rc7 {.}) ({Black +would also have lost after} 18... b6 $2 19. Qd2 Nb4 20. Rd6 {(d4)}) ({to say +nothing of} 18... Qb4 $2 19. Rxd5 $1 {. --- Petrosian is again hoping to play ...f7-f6.}) 19. Bf1 {A prophylactic move, of which I was very proud. 'Just a +year ago Garry would have been unable to devise such a move...' (Nikitin).} ({ +I thought that the routine} 19. h4 {would allow the opponent to free himself by +} f6 20. Nc4 Nxc4 21. Rxc4 b6 22. Qc3 Ba6 {(exploiting the undefended rook on +d3)} 23. Rc7 Qxc7 24. Qxc7 Bxd3 {. In 'Informator' I assessed this position as +'unclear', but after} 25. Qd7 ({or} 25. e5 {Black loses a pawn, and with it +most probably the game.})) ({There were some more energetic alternatives:} 19. +Ng4 $5) (19. Rb3 $5 Qd6 20. Ng4) ({or} 19. Rdc3 $5 Bd7 (19... f6 $6 20. Rc7 Qd6 +21. Ng4) 20. Rc7 Rfc8 21. Qd2 $1 {and wins.}) 19... Re8 $6 ({Here Black should +have given up a pawn -} 19... f6 $1 20. Nc4 Bd7 $1 21. Nxb6 axb6 22. Qxb6 Bc6 { +, although after} 23. a3 $1 {(} Bxe4 $2 24. Rc7 {) I would surely have been +able to convert my material advantage.}) 20. Rdd1 ({The number of tempting +rook moves -} 20. Rd2) (20. Rdc3) ({and} 20. Rb3 $5 {- is simply dazzling!}) +20... Rf8 (20... f6 {was again bad in view of} 21. Nc4 Nxc4 (21... Bd7 $2 22. +Nd6 $1) 22. Rxc4 b6 23. Qc3 Rd8 24. Rxd8+ Qxd8 25. e5 $1 Bb7 (25... f5 26. Rd4 +$1 Qe7 27. Qd2 {and wins}) 26. exf6 Rc8 27. Qe5 {when White dominates. --- Now +Black can only hope for a miracle - or the haste and inexperience of his +opponent. On the experience of our previous meetings, the latter seemed more +probable, but the lessons received from Tigran Vartanovich in Moscow and +Tilburg had taught me a great deal.}) 21. a3 $1 {The most important, according +to Spassky, was to avoid sharp advances! Insignificant moves such as this +demonstrate to the opponent just how helpless his position is.} Kg7 ({The pawn +sacrifice} 21... f6 22. Nc4 Bd7 (22... Nxc4 23. Rxc4 b6 24. Qc3 Rd8 25. Rxd8+ +Qxd8 26. e5 $1 {, as in the note to Black's 20th move}) {, has become even +less attractive in view of} 23. Nxb6 axb6 24. Qxb6 Bc6 25. Bb5 $1 {.}) 22. b3 { +(with unhurried haste, I approach my goal: a3-a4 is threatened and, after the +queen moves, a4-a5)} Kg8 ({There is nothing that Black can do: now} 22... f6 +23. Nc4 Bd7 {does not work because of} 24. Nxb6 axb6 25. Qb4 $1 {.}) 23. a4 { +This gradual suffocation was the most unpleasant for Petrosian.} Rd8 $6 ({ +Overlooking a tactical stroke, but even without this the game would not have +lasted long, for example:} 23... Kg7 $6 24. Qc3 Kg8 25. a5) ({or} 23... f6 {- +this should have been played, although after} 24. Nc4 Nxc4 25. Rxc4 b6 26. Qc3 +Rd8 27. Rc7 $1 (27. Rxd8+ $5) 27... Qxc7 28. Qxc7 Rxd1 29. Qc6 ({or} 29. Kg2 { +all the same White would have won.})) 24. Qc5 $1 ({And in view of} 24. Qc5 Qxc5 +(24... Qe8 25. Ng4 $1) 25. Rxd8+ Qf8 26. Rxf8+ Kxf8 27. Rc7 {Black resigned. +--- This was a very important win for me over a difficult opponent, signifying +my emergence onto a new level. Nikitin: 'I don't remember Tigran Petrosian +losing to anyone in such style. After seeing this masterpiece of positional +skill, I realised that there was nothing more I could teach Garry about chess. +All that remained for me was to offer help in preparing for competitions and +the advice of an experienced master.' --- My black game from the 7th round +with Spassky, which ended in a draw, took an extremely tense and fighting +course. After scoring 2 out of 3 in the games with my compatriots, I retained +the lead (Kasparov - 5½ out of 7, Polugayevsky - 5), and I sensed that I +had good chances of first place. And subsequent wins in rounds 8 and 9 +practically resolved this problem.}) 1-0 + +[Event "70: Bugojno"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1982.05.17"] +[Round "8"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Larsen, B."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "A55"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "77"] +[EventDate "1982.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{Bent Larsen played the same line of the Old Indian Defence against me as in +the previous autumn in Tilburg (Game No.62). From the opening I gained some +advantage, but I threw it away with my nondescript 21st move.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 +d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. e4 Be7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. d5 Nc5 9. Qc2 cxd5 +10. cxd5 Qc7 11. Nd2 Bd7 12. a4 Rac8 13. Ra3 Ne8 14. Rd1 Bg5 15. b4 Na6 16. Qb3 +f5 17. Nc4 Bxc1 18. Rxc1 fxe4 19. Nxe4 Bf5 20. Ng3 Qd7 21. h3 Nf6 22. Raa1 Bg6 +23. Ne3 Rxc1+ 24. Rxc1 Rc8 {In this roughly equal position I was able to find +an interesting combinative possibility.} 25. Rc6 $1 {An audacious move, +offering chances of success. The virtue of it is that it does not spoil +anything!} bxc6 $2 {After thinking for 20 out of his remaining 25 minutes, +Larsen resolutely removed the white rook from the board: he was not one of +those who took the opponent 'at his word'. But Black should have simply +ignored the impudent rook!} ({True, in the event of} 25... Bf7 $6 26. Rxc8+ ({ +in 'The Test of Time' I gave} 26. Bg4 Nxg4 27. Rxc8+ Qxc8 28. hxg4 Qc1+ 29. Kh2 +Qd2 $2 ({but after} 29... Bg6 {Black is alright}) 30. Qc4 $1 {and wins}) 26... +Qxc8 27. Ngf5 {White has some initiative.}) ({However,} 25... Nc7 $1 26. Rc3 +Nce8 {was quite safe, improving the position of the knight and maintaining +equality. Now my idea proves justified.}) 26. dxc6+ Qf7 27. Bc4 d5 28. Nxd5 Kh8 +(28... Kf8 {, with the idea of giving up the queen in a favourable version, +runs into an elegant refutation -} 29. Nb6 $1 axb6 ({or} 29... Rxc6 30. Bxf7 +Bxf7 31. Qa3 $1 {with the idea of} Rxb6 32. b5+) 30. Bxf7 Bxf7 31. Qd3 {.}) 29. +Nb6 $1 Qc7 30. Nxc8 Qxc8 31. b5 $1 {Larsen underestimated this move.} ({After +the game he told me that for some reason he had only reckoned on} 31. Bxa6 $6 +Qxa6 {, stopping the passed pawns (although even here after} 32. Qe6 $1 {Black +faces difficult problems). But White has no reason to exchange his strong +bishop.}) 31... Nc5 32. Qa3 (32. Qe3 $5 Qf8 33. c7 {would also have been +decisive:} Nfd7 ({or} 33... h6 34. a5) 34. Qg5 {.}) 32... Nce4 (32... Qf8 {, +attempting to keep the knight on c5, would have been parried by} 33. c7 $1 Nfd7 +34. Be6 $1 {.}) 33. Qe7 Nxg3 34. c7 $1 (34. fxg3 {was also sufficient, but I +decided to play prettily.}) 34... Bf5 35. fxg3 $6 {At this point my attention +was diverted by the flag on my opponent'sclock, which was still holding up by +some kind of miracle, and suddenly I mechanically captured the black knight.} ( +{There was an instant win by} 35. Qd8+ $1 Ne8 36. Bf7 ({or the more elegant} +36. b6 $1 axb6 37. Ba6 $1 {.})) 35... h5 {Larsen promptly makes an escape +square for his king, ruling out the variations given in the previous note. But +the armada of white pawns is still irresistible.} 36. a5 e4 37. b6 axb6 38. +axb6 Kh7 (38... Qb7 {is also hopeless:} 39. Qd8+ Kh7 40. Qb8 Bc8 41. Be6 $1 {.} +) 39. Qc5 ({And as he was playing} 39. Qc5 Bd7 {Black nevertheless lost on +time. However, after} 40. Qa5 ({or} 40. Bb5 {he would have had to resign. --- +Asriyan: 'The super-tournament, which he had striven so hard to take part in, +was conducted brilliantly by Kasparov. I phoned him in Bugojno from the +editorial office after the 8th round, in which he had beaten Larsen. Garik was +in an excellent mood. He was confidently leading, and he was very happy not +only with the result, but also the quality of his games, especially singling +out his win over Petrosian. One sensed that Kasparov was in no doubt that he +would win the tournament.' --- In this positive mood I gained a spectacular +win in the next round over the highly-experienced Ljubomir Kavalek (see the +following game), a participant in several Interzonal Tournaments, two-times +champion of Czechoslovakia, and after 1968 - also of the USA!})) 1-0 + +[Event "71: Bugojno"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1982.05.19"] +[Round "9"] +[White "Kavalek, L."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "E90"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "54"] +[EventDate "1982.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. c4 g6 2. Nc3 Bg7 3. d4 Nf6 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 (5. h3 O-O 6. Be3 {- Game No.10.} +) 5... O-O 6. h3 (6. Be2 {- Game Nos.21, 42.}) 6... e5 7. d5 {An insidious +variation, which Makogonov employed in his time.} Na6 (7... a5 {is also popular +}) ({and in former times there were heated debates over} 7... Nbd7 8. Be3 Nc5 +9. Nd2 a5 10. Be2 ({or} 10. g4 $5 {(an example: Kavalek-Kestler, Bundesliga +1982)}) 10... Ne8 11. g4 f5 {(Makogonov-Boleslavsky, 15th USSR Championship, +Leningrad 1947).}) ({Another tabiya arises after} 7... Nh5 8. Nh2 {(one of the +important ideas of the variation)} Qe8 9. Be2 Nf4 10. Bf3 f5 {.} 11. -- ({. +Now sharp play results from} 11. h4 Na6 12. g3 Nc5 $5 ({Black is not satisfied +with the obvious} 12... Nh3) 13. gxf4 exf4 14. e5 $1 dxe5 15. Be2 Qe7 { +(Kavalek-Quinteros, Bauang 1973).}) ({. After 1976 they began sacrificing a +pawn -} 11. g3 {(Bagirov)} Nxh3 ({more critical than} 11... fxe4 12. Nxe4 Nh5 +13. Ng4 {, Kasparov-Lanka, Leningrad 1977}) 12. Bg2 {, but after} fxe4 $1 13. +Be3 ({or} 13. Nxe4 Bf5 14. Ng4 (14. Be3 $6 Nf4 $1) 14... h5 {the complications +are probably in favour of Black}) 13... Na6 14. Nxe4 Bf5 15. f3 (15. Qd2 $2 Nf4 +$1 {Andreykin-Radjabov, Moscow (blitz) 2010}) 15... h5 ({but not} 15... Nf4 $6 +16. gxf4 exf4 17. Bd4 $1 {, Flear-Strikovic, Mesa 1992.}))) 8. Be3 ({Nowadays} +8. Bg5 $5 {is in fashion (Bronstein-Kapengut, 40th USSR Championship, Baku +1972; Kavalek-R.Byrne, Chicago 1973).}) 8... Nh5 $5 ({White was ready to meet} +8... Nc5 {with the typical} 9. Nd2 {(cf. 7...Nbd7 8 Be3 Nc5), but a surprise +awaits him: noticing the not altogether happy position of the bishop at e3 in +the lines with ...Nh5 and ...f7-f5, Black reverts to this plan.}) 9. Nh2 { +Kavalek follows the new routine;} ({whereas the old one was} 9. Nd2 Qe8 10. Nb3 +(10. Be2 Nf4) 10... f5 {with double-edged play (Uhlmann-Kapengut, Berlin 1967). +}) 9... Qe8 10. Be2 Nf4 ({Possibly it would have been preferable to play} 10... +f5 11. exf5 Nf4 $1 12. Bxf4 $6 ({or} 12. O-O Bxf5 13. Re1 Qf7 $1 {with a +comfortable game (C.Hansen-Kasparov, 2nd match game, Svendborg 1990)}) 12... +exf4 13. fxg6 Qxg6 {with excellent compensation for the pawn (Chernin-J.Polgar, +New Delhi 1990).}) 11. Bf3 f5 12. h4 ({On seeing that the inclusion of the +moves ...Na6 and Be3 has made} 12. g3 $6 Nxh3 13. Bg2 $2 {unacceptable because +of} f4 {(with gain of tempo!), Kavalek 'dug up the past' - again, as he did +against Quinteros, he moved the h-pawn out of range, in order nevertheless to +play g2-g3. This is an ambitious plan, but 12 0-0 is sounder (G.Kuzmin-Gufeld, +40th USSR Championship, Baku 1972).}) 12... Qe7 ({Later Black successfully +tried both} 12... Nb4) ({and} 12... Bd7 {(my 'Informator' recommendation)} 13. +g3 Nb4 $5 ({I considered only} 13... Nh3 14. Rf1 ({and therefore} 14. h5 $1 { +is better, maintaining a shaky equality}) 14... Qe7 ({or} 14... f4 15. Bc1 Qe7 +{favours Black.}))) 13. g3 {The first critical moment.} Nb4 $5 {Impressive! +The idea of leaving the knight en prise seems even more audacious than in the +aforementioned Kavalek-Quinteros game: here the c5-square is under the +observation of the bishop on e3, but there is another way that leads to d3...} +({However, today I am not sure that this is definitely the strongest move. Its +strength largely lay in its surprise value: the opponent was probably only +expecting} 13... Nh3 {.} 14. -- ({. In 'The Test of Time' I then gave} 14. Rf1 +f4 15. Bc1 {, 'when there appears to be no way for Black to develop his +initiative, and his knight remains in an offside position', but after} Bd7 ({or +} 15... Nc5 {(with the idea of} 16. b4 Nd7 {) White would have faced an +unpleasant defence.})) ({. However, the active} 14. h5 $1 {would have retained +an unclear situation:} Nb4 ({or} 14... gxh5 15. Bxh5 Nb4 16. f3 f4 17. Ng4 $1) +15. hxg6 hxg6 16. a3 f4 17. Bc1 Na6 18. b4 {.})) 14. Qb3 $2 {The unexpected +knight sortie apparently dismayed Kavalek, and he immediately made a decisive +mistake.} ({He should have either moved his king, or accepted the Greek gift:} +14. O-O {.} -- ({. After this in 'The Test of Time' I recommended} 14... g5 { +(?!) 'with good prospects for Black', and in 'Informator' I gave a variation +supposedly confirming this:} 15. gxf4 ({he also does not have full equality +after} 15. exf5 Bxf5 16. Be4 {(Stohl)} ({or} 16. Bg4)) 15... gxf4 {(?!)} (15... +exf4 {(Stohl) is better, but here too after} 16. Bd4 Bxd4 17. Qxd4 Nc2 18. Qd2 +$1 Nxa1 19. hxg5 Qxg5+ 20. Kh1 Kh8 21. Rxa1 {things are not easy for Black}) +16. Bc1 ({but the most accurate is} 16. Bd2 $1 Qxh4 17. exf5 Bxf5 18. Ne4 { +with an obvious advantage (Hausrath-Kaminski, Chania 1994)}) 16... Qxh4 17. Kh1 +{(?!)} ({and moreover,} 17. exf5 Bxf5 18. Ne4 {gives him the better chances}) +17... Rf6 18. Rg1 Rh6 19. Rg2 fxe4 20. Nxe4 Bh3 {. However, after} 21. Rg5 $1 +Bf5 22. Rg2 ({or} 22. Qg1 {White is quite alright.})) ({. Therefore castling +should be answered by} 14... Nh3+ $1 15. Kg2 f4 16. Bc1 h5 17. a3 Na6 18. b4 c5 +({or} 18... Bd7 {followed by ...Rf7 and ...Raf8 - here Black does indeed have +quite good prospects})) (14... Nfd3 $2 15. a3 $1 {.})) (14. gxf4 $1 {. In the +pre-computer era I did not rate the capture of the knight very highly because +of} fxe4 ({after} 14... exf4 $6 15. Bxf4 fxe4 16. Bg5 $1 {Black still has to +demonstrate that he has compensation for the piece:} Qe8 17. Be2 Nd3+ 18. Bxd3 +exd3+ 19. Be3 Bxc3+ 20. bxc3 Qe4 21. Kd2 {etc.}) 15. -- {, but here too White +has good counter-chances:} (15. fxe5 exf3 ({or} 15... Nd3+ 16. Kd2 (16. Ke2 $2 +Nxb2) 16... Qxe5 (16... Rxf3 17. Nxf3 Bg4 {, given by me in 'Informator', is +not to be feared in view of} 18. e6 $1 Bxf3 19. Qb3) 17. Qc2 Nxb2 18. Qxb2 exf3 +19. Rae1 {with double-edged play}) 16. e6 ({Stohl's move} 16. a3 {is risky +because of} Bxe5 $1 17. axb4 Qxh4 18. Kd2 Qxc4) 16... Qxh4 17. a3 Nc6 $5 (17... +Na6 18. Qd3 $1) 18. dxc6 Bxe6 19. cxb7 Rab8 20. Qb3 {, and Black merely has +compensation for the piece (} Bxc4 21. Nf1 $1 {)}) (15. Nxe4 $1 {(this looks +somewhat safer)} exf4 16. Bd2 Nd3+ 17. Kf1 $1 ({I gave only the cooperative} +17. Ke2 $2 Nc5 {and wins}) 17... Nxb2 (17... Bf5 18. Ng5 $1) 18. Qc2 Nxc4 19. +Re1 (19. Bc3 Bf5 {- Stohl}) (19. Qxc4 $5 Bxa1 20. Kg2) 19... Nxd2+ 20. Qxd2 +Qxh4 21. Ng4 Qd8 22. Nh6+ {, and although Black now has four pawns for the +piece, his attack has petered out and White has no reason for concern.})) 14... +Nfd3+ {Such a thing is not often seen on the 14th move: the black cavalry, +after by-passing the opponent's advanced centre from the flanks, has begun to +pursue the white king.} 15. Ke2 f4 $1 16. Bd2 fxg3 $2 ({After quickly +achieving a winning position, I became confused by the mass of tempting +continuations, although the only genuinely strong one was} 16... a5 $1 {with +the idea of} 17. a3 ({or} 17. Na4 b5 $1 18. cxb5 Bd7 {with a winning attack}) +17... Nc5 $1 18. Qd1 Nbd3 {.}) ({In 'Informator' and then in 'The Test of +Time' I recommended the 'resolute'} 16... Nxf2 {(?)} 17. Kxf2 Nd3+ 18. Kg2 (18. +Ke2 $2 Nc5 {etc.}) 18... fxg3 19. -- (19. Kxg3 {(?)} Rf4 $1 {, and 'the entire +black army takes part in the decisive offensive'. Indeed, here White is lost:} +20. -- (20. Ng4 Bxg4 $5 (20... h5 $5) 21. Bxg4 Qf6 $1 22. Qd1 (22. Be2 Rf8 $1) +({or} 22. Be3 Rxg4+ $1 23. Kxg4 Nf2+ $1 {and ...Rf8 is no better for White}) +22... Rxg4+ $1 23. Qxg4 Qf2+ 24. Kh3 Qxd2 $1 {and wins}) (20. Nf1 Rxf3+ 21. +Kxf3 Qf8+ ({but not the earlier} 21... Qf6+ $2 22. Ke2 Nc5 {because of the +saving} 23. Bg5 $1 Bg4+ 24. Ke1 Qf3 25. Qd1 $1 Nd3+ 26. Kd2 Qg2+ ({or} 26... +Qf2+ 27. Kxd3 Qd4+ 28. Kc2 Bxd1+ 29. Rxd1 Qxc4 30. Be3) 27. Ne2 $1) 22. Ke2 Nc5 +23. Qc2 Bg4+ 24. Ke1 Qf3 {and wins}) (20. Bxf4 exf4+ 21. Kg2 Qxh4 22. Rhf1 Bh3+ +23. Kh1 Bxf1 24. Rxf1 Nf2+ 25. Rxf2 Qxf2 26. Qxb7 {, Black wins by} Re8 $1 ({ +instead of the previously suggested} 26... Rf8 {(?), which is unclear because +of} 27. Qxc7 $1 (27. Ne2 $2 Qb6 $1) 27... Qxb2 28. Ne2 Qb8 29. Qe7) 27. Qxc7 +Bd4 28. Ne2 Rxe4 $1 {.})) ({. However, if White attacks the knight on d3 -} 19. +Na4 $1 {, then after} Nf4+ ({or} 19... Nf2 20. Kxg3 Nxh1+ 21. Rxh1 Bd7 22. Qd1 +Rf7 23. Nc3 Raf8 24. Bg2 {it is hard for Black to count on any advantage}) 20. +Kxg3 Bh6 21. Qc2 Bd7 22. Nc3 {.})) 17. fxg3 Rxf3 $6 {Again playing for +brilliancy.} ({And again} 17... a5 $1 {was correct, although because of the +impetuous 16...fxg3? White has acquired the important defensive resource} 18. +Be3 $1 {, for example:} Bd7 19. a3 a4 20. Qd1 Nxb2 21. Qb1 N4d3 22. Kd2 $1 c5 +$1 23. Ra2 Nxc4+ 24. Kxd3 b5 {, and Black has an enduring attack, but as yet +by no means a win.}) 18. Nxf3 Bg4 19. Raf1 (19. Rhf1 $1 Rf8 20. Be3 {was more +accurate, since here if} Rf6 {(f7) there is the excellent idea} 21. Kd2 $1 Bxf3 +22. a3 {, immediately solving all White's problems.}) 19... Rf8 {The +culminating moment of the game. --- At first sight, things seem brilliant for +Black: after from the direct ...Qf7 he is threatening a double exchange on f3 +followed by the invasion of his queen (say, 20 a3? Rxf3! etc.). Therefore +White must urgently cover the f2-square. It gradually becomes apparent that +the threat of ...Qf7 is not deadly, if the d2-square is vacated for the king... +} 20. Nd1 $2 ({Cracking under the pressure, Kavalek overlooks the only saving +move} 20. Be3 $1 {, for example:} -- (20... Qf7 21. Kd2 $1 ({previously I +recommended} 21. a3 {(?), not noticing} Nc1+ $1 22. Bxc1 Bxf3+ 23. Ke1 Nd3+ 24. +Kd2 Nc5 25. Qa2 Qe8 {and wins}) 21... Bxf3 22. a3 Qd7 23. Rhg1 {, capturing +the knight, when Black has quite good play with a pawn for the exchange, but +not more}) (20... Bh6 21. -- (21. a3 Bxe3 ({I recommended the 'winning'} 21... +Rxf3 {(?)} 22. Rxf3 Bxf3+ 23. Kxf3 Qf6+ 24. Kg2 Bxe3 25. Rf1 {(?)} ({missing +the defence} 25. Nd1 $1) 25... Ne1+ $1) 22. Kxe3 Bxf3 23. Rhg1 Bg2 $1 24. Rxf8+ +Qxf8 25. axb4 {, maintaining equality not without difficulty}) (21. Nd1 $2 Rxf3 +22. Rxf3 Qf8 $1 {- Stohl}) ({, or} 21. Bxh6 $1 Rxf3 22. Rxf3 Bxf3+ 23. Kxf3 +Qf6+ 24. Kg2 Qf2+ 25. Kh3 Qf3 $1 26. Kh2 $1 ({not my earlier} 26. Rh2 $2 { +because of} Nf4+ $1 27. Bxf4 exf4 28. Ne2 Nd3 $1 29. Rg2 fxg3 {and wins}) 26... +Nf2 $5 27. Rf1 $1 Ng4+ 28. Kh3 Qxf1+ 29. Kxg4 Nd3 $1 30. Qxb7 (30. Nd1 $2 Qe2+ +31. Kh3 g5 $3 {and wins}) 30... Nf2+ 31. Kf3 $1 Nd1+ $1 {with perpetual check +(a very pretty draw!).})) (20... Rf7 $5 {(perhaps the most interesting)} 21. a3 +$1 ({bad is} 21. Nb1 $2 Qf8 $1 22. Nbd2 Nc1+ $1 23. Rxc1 Rxf3 {with the +murderous threat of ...Bh6!}) 21... Qf8 22. axb4 Rxf3 23. Rxf3 Nf2 $5 (23... +Qxf3+ 24. Kxd3 Qxh1 25. Qa4 $1 {is equal}) 24. Kd2 $1 {(an accurate reply, +forcing a draw)} Qxf3 25. Rh2 Nxe4+ 26. Nxe4 Qxe4 27. Qc2 $1 Qf3 28. Rf2 Qxg3 +29. Qa4 $1 h5 30. Qe8+ Kh7 31. Rf7 Qh2+ 32. Bf2 Bf5 33. Rxg7+ {, and again +perpetual check.}) (20... Qd7 $2 21. a3 {. --- It may seem strange that after +20 Be3 Black does not have more, but the efficiency of his pieces is not so +great (in contrast to the position after 16...a5!).})) 20... Qf7 $1 {(now the +white knight is doomed, whereas Black's is immune: 21 Bxb4? Nc1+)} 21. Be3 +Bxf3+ 22. Kd2 Qd7 23. Rhg1 ({Or} 23. Rxf3 Rxf3 24. a3 Nc5 {(Stohl)} 25. Qxb4 +Qg4 {and wins.}) (23. a3 {was more resilient, but after} Bxh1 24. Rxh1 a5 $1 +25. axb4 Nxb4 {the extra pawn plus the exposed position of the white king +assure Black of a win.}) 23... Qh3 24. a3 Bxe4 (24... Qh2+ $5 25. Kc3 a5 $1 {.} +) 25. Rxf8+ Bxf8 26. axb4 Qh2+ 27. Kc3 Nc1 $1 {. An elegant finish, enabling +this game to finish second in the competition for the best game in +'Informator' Volume 33. --- My lead over the second-placed Polugayevsky +reached one and a half points, and after the 10th round, in which I quickly +drew with Ljubojevic, while Polugayevsky lost to Larsen, the fate of first +place seemed to be conclusively decided: Kasparov - 8 out of 10, Polugayevsky +- 6. --- Three rounds before the finish I rather prematurely reckoned that +everything was decided, and I relaxed. My 11th round game with Jan Timman +nearly became that fly in the ointment which spoils the impression of any +success. A frivolously played King's Indian gave me an unenviable position, on +the 15th move I overlooked a veiled pawn thrust - and to avoid the worst I +gave up a whole rook (!), in order to expose the white king. On encountering +this unexpected resistance, Timman became nervous and began throwing away his +advantage. After my spectacular 27th move he went pale - one glance sufficed +for him to realise that there was no longer a win... --- The miraculous escape +in this difficult game with Timman secured me at least a share of first place, +a draw in the 12th round with Hübner put me out of reach of my rivals, and the +finishing touch was a short last-round draw with Andersson. --- This was how +this important 'defence review' concluded - a dress rehearsal before the +Interzonal Tournament starting three months later. On the whole I managed to +avoid the mistakes and the uncertainty that had pursued me in Tilburg. I did +not lose a single game and I won the tournament, finishing one and a half +points ahead of my closest pursuers. --- Botvinnik: 'Whereas previously I +thought that Kasparov might become Karpov's opponent no earlier than the next +cycle, after Bugojno I am inclined to admit that this may possibly happen +sooner.'} 0-1 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "3: Challenger"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.08"] + +{Decisive Finish} 1. -- {Interzonal Tournament (Moscow, 6-25 September 1982): +1. Kasparov - 10 out of 13; 2. Beliavsky - 8½; 3-4. Tal and Andersson - 8; +5-6. Geller and G. Garcia - 7½; 7. Murey - 6½; 8-9. Sax and Christiansen +- 6; 10. Velimirovic - 5½; 11-12. van der Wiel and Gheorghiu - 5; 13. +Rodriguez - 4½; 14. Quinteros - 3.} (1. -- {In the three Interzonal +Tournaments of this cycle, which took place in Las Palmas, Toluca and Moscow, +each had two qualifying places to the Candidates matches. Twelve leading +Soviet grandmasters were admitted: Polugayevsky, Tal, Spassky, Petrosian +(Candidates in the previous cycle), Kasparov, Beliavsky, Balashov (on rating), +Yusupov, Psakhis, Tukmakov, Geller (winners of the Zonal Tournament) and the +61-year-old Smyslov, whom the Soviet Federation gave a place from the USSR +Zone without him having to qualify. --- To us, the young players, the +last-named seemed like a kind of chess dinosaur, a piece of living history, +and in no way a real contender for the world championship. But Vasily +Vasilievich unexpectedly overturned all the forecasts and for the first time +in a decade and a half he reached the Candidates (Las Palmas 1982:1. Ribli, 2. +Smyslov). But the other Soviet participants did not finish in the first two, +either in this or the next Interzonal, held in the summer (Toluca 1982: 1-2. +Portisch and Torre). The only remaining hope was Moscow, where apart from me, +Tal, Geller and Beliavsky were playing. --- My direct preparations for the +Moscow Interzonal Tournament began soon after Bugojno. True, in June I found +time to visit Kislovodsk and play for Spartak in the USSR Team Cup (4 out of 7) +. But I spent July, as usual, on the banks of the Caspian Sea in Zagulba - +nowhere have I been able to work so well! Apart from my mother, who for many +years constantly dealt with all the organisational, and sometimes also +psychological problems, my team then comprised Nikitin, Shakarov, Vladimirov +and Timoshchenko.}) (1. -- {The mornings, naturally, were spent on the beach. +We would swim and play football - crazy beach football, unlike anything else +on earth. I did not join in straight away, but only after my daily run: three +kilometres barefoot along the seashore, on wet sand, which made running +difficult (everyone realised that without physical exercise it was not +possible to withstand the tension at the top level). After returning from the +beach I would always sleep for an hour. I would begin working with my trainers +in the afternoon, after our traditional post-lunch cup of tea. Our optimal +time, found by experience, was five hours. But if we encountered some +fascinating idea, time would naturally be forgotten... --- No less fruitful +was the second, August training session, which took place 350 km to the west +of Baku, at the stunningly beautiful Gek-Gel mountain lake.}) (1. -- {Nikitin: +'July 1982 can be regarded as the starting-point of the powerful, creative +team which worked with Kasparov for nearly four years. For six weeks the four +trainers worked with Garry, far away from crowds and various temptations. In +such a calm atmosphere we were able to do a great deal. At the end of the +session Garry played a training match with Vladimirov. The unexpected result +(3-3) was an excellent antidote against dizziness before the start of the +competition, the outcome of which none of the experts ventured to predict. At +the Interzonal Tournament Garry was helped my me, Shakarov and Valery Chekhov. +As usual, Botvinnik restricted himself to general directives and lengthy +telephone conversations; his general instructions and advice were of great +benefit to Garry, even when he was fighting Karpov for the crown. Roughly five +years of conversations with the Teacher were effective psychotherapy for Garry, +and later they became a kind of ritual.' --- As this was the first time I had +taken part in an Interzonal Tournament, I was naturally nervous, and this told +on my play. Nevertheless the start went well. In the first round my opponent +was the experienced Hungarian grandmaster Gyula Sax (see the following game).}) +* + +[Event "72: Interzonal Tournament, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1982.09.07"] +[Round "1"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Sax, G."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D86"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "75"] +[EventDate "1982.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 Bg7 7. Bc4 {(2)} ( +{Earlier I had regularly employed the variation with} 7. Nf3 {(Game Nos. 38, +48), but Sax was a fervent supporter of the Grünfeld Defence, and he had a +good knowledge of its subtleties and, of course, the latest developments. +Therefore it was decided to choose not the most fashionable continuation.}) +7... O-O {(8)} 8. Be3 ({Also not hurrying with the usual} 8. Ne2 {. In +preparations for the game my trainers and I noticed that in both cases Sax +replied} b6 {, and for the moment we preferred not to block the white queen's +path with the knight, in order to employ a more aggressive development set-up, +championed by the German grandmaster Rainer Knaak.}) 8... b6 {(2) In +principle a rather dubious move, which does not solve the chief strategic +objective of the opening - the undermining of White's pawn centre.} ({The +typical} 8... c5 9. Ne2 Nc6 {is better.}) 9. h4 {(2) It was because of this +attacking thrust that I first developed my bishop at e3.} ({But this plan did +not become popular, and now I regard less optimistically the idea of opening +the h-file and I am inclined towards the solid} 9. Nf3 {(Korchnoi-Gulko, +Manila Interzonal 1990).}) 9... Bb7 ({With the aim of diverting the opponent +from his home preparation, Sax avoids his move} 9... Nc6 {, which he twice +employed successfully against Knaak (Budapest 1977; Tallinn 1979). In the +second of these games after} 10. h5 $1 Na5 11. hxg6 $1 hxg6 ({it is bad to play +} 11... Nxc4 $2 12. Qh5 $1 fxg6 $2 ({or} 12... h6 13. Bxh6 fxg6 14. Qxg6 Rf7 +15. Bxg7 Rxg7 16. Qc6 $1 {etc.}) 13. Qxh7+ Kf7 14. Nf3) 12. Bd3 e5 (12... c5 +13. Qc1 $5) 13. Ne2 (13. Nf3 $5) 13... Re8 14. Qd2 {White retained slightly +the better chances.}) 10. Qf3 {(8)} Qd7 11. Ne2 ({Not} 11. h5 $2 {because of +the double attack} Qc6 $1 {.}) 11... h5 {(12) Forced, otherwise h4-h5, and it +is not apparent how Black can defend. But now a different question arises: how +is White going to attack?} 12. Bg5 {(12) Beginning a regrouping with the aim +of creating a powerful striking force on the kingside and landing a blow +against the black king's defences. This plan was triumphantly realised in the +well-known game Knaak-Uhlmann (Eggesin 1978), which the two players follow as +far as the 15th move.} ({But since after accurate defence White's attack would +have petered out, the simple} 12. O-O $5 {may have been better, with the +possible continuations} c5 ({or} 12... Nc6 13. Rfd1 Na5 14. Bd3 Qa4 15. Rdb1 $1 +{with some claims to an advantage}) 13. Nf4 Qg4 14. Qxg4 hxg4 15. e5 {.}) 12... +Nc6 {(3)} ({Of course, not} 12... b5 $6 {(Knaak-Uhlmann, Gröditz 1975)} 13. Rb1 +$1 {. Black is intending to play ...e7-e5 or ...e7-e6, maintaining the tension +and endeavouring to show that the manoeuvre Be3-g5 was pointless.}) 13. Nf4 { +(4) The time spent in thought, beginning with my 10th move (does not White +have anything better?), proved unproductive.} ({Again} 13. O-O {came into +consideration, and if} Na5 14. Bd3 {.}) 13... e6 $1 ({Of course, not} 13... Na5 +$2 14. Nxg6 $1 Nxc4 15. Nxe7+ {.}) 14. Rd1 {(10)} Na5 {(6)} 15. Bd3 {A +critical moment. White is planning to advance g2-g4 or else destroy the +opponent's defences with a piece sacrifice - Nxh5 and Bf6! followed by Rh3.} ( +15. Bd3 f6 $2 {does not work in view of} 16. Nxg6 fxg5 17. Qxh5 Qf7 18. f3 $1 { +with crushing threats. Looking very nervous, Sax came up with a novelty...}) +15... e5 $5 {(5)} ({Uhlmann attacked the centre from the other side -} 15... c5 +{, but this allowed} 16. Nxh5 $1 gxh5 17. Bf6 Bxf6 (17... e5 {is worse in view +of} 18. Rh3 Bxf6 19. Rg3+ $1 Bg7 20. Qf6 Qg4 21. Rxg4 hxg4 22. Qg5 $1) 18. Qxf6 +Qd8 (18... Rfc8 $2 19. Rh3 $1 Kf8 20. Rf3 {and wins - Knaak}) 19. Qh6 -- ({, +and after} 19... f6 {(?)} 20. Qg6+ Kh8 21. e5 $1 f5 22. Qh6+ Kg8 23. Rh3 $1 Kf7 +24. Rg3 {Black resigned.}) ({. Annotating the game in 'Informator' Volume 25, +Knaak considered} 19... f5 {(!)} 20. Qg6+ Kh8 21. Qxh5+ Kg8 22. exf5 {, +demonstrating a win for White after} ({and} 22. Qg6+ Kh8 23. Qh6+ Kg8 24. Rh3 +f4 $1 25. Qxe6+ Rf7 {is also no better}) 22... exf5 {(?)} ({and} 22... Qe7 {(?) +} 23. f6 $1 Rxf6 24. Rh3) ({the cool-headed} 22... Qf6 $1 23. Rh3 Rf7 $1 { +extinguishes the attack:} 24. Rg3+ Rg7 25. Rxg7+ Kxg7 {etc.}) 23. Qg6+ Kh8 24. +Qh6+ Kg8 25. Bxf5 $1 {. Because of these variations, I (and, apparently, Sax) +erroneously assumed that 15...c5 'would have lost almost by force' and that +after 19 Qh6 'against the threats of e4-e5 and Rh3 there is no satisfactory +defence' (as I gave in 'The Test of Time').})) ({Thus 15...c5 would +nevertheless have led to a draw, although in a practical game it is extremely +unpleasant to come under such a powerful attack. Incidentally, I considered +Knaak's recommendation} 15... Qc6 {to be insufficient on account of} 16. Bb1 { +- for example, if} Ba6 $6 {, then} 17. Qg3 $1 {is strong, with the threats of +Nxh5, e4-e5 and Bf6. Apparently Black is already obliged to play either 15... +c5, or 15...e5.}) 16. dxe5 {(5)} Bxe5 $6 {This move suggests itself;} ({but} +16... Rae8 $1 {is more subtle} 17. -- ({, with the idea of} 17. O-O Rxe5 {, +immediately solving all Black's problems.}) ({. If} 17. Qe2 Rxe5 18. Nxg6 fxg6 +19. Bc4+ {there is an excellent queen sacrifice -} Nxc4 $1 20. Rxd7 Rxe4 21. +Rxg7+ (21. Be3 Bxc3+ 22. Kd1 Bc8 $1) 21... Kxg7 22. Be3 Rfe8) ({, while if} 17. +e6 {there is an interesting exchange sacrifice -} Bxc3+ 18. Kf1 Rxe6 19. Nxe6 +Qxe6 {with good compensation for the small material deficit.})) 17. O-O Qg4 { +(13) The correct idea: finding himself under the threat of an attack, Black +switches his queen to the defence of his kingside.} (17... Qa4 $6 {is risky - +although after my 'Informator' suggestion} 18. g4 ({after} 18. Nd5 $1 {White +can develop a dangerous initiative:} Bxd5 ({or} 18... f6 19. Be3 Bxd5 20. exd5 +Qxh4 21. g3 Qg4 22. Qxg4 hxg4 23. Bh6 Rfd8 24. Bxg6 Bxc3 25. Kg2 {etc.}) 19. +exd5 Qxa2 $6 20. Rfe1) 18... Nc4 $1 {(this is the reply)} 19. Qe2 (19. gxh5 Nb2 +20. hxg6 fxg6) 19... Nd6 20. gxh5 Nxe4 21. Nxg6 $1 fxg6 22. Bc4+ Kh7 23. hxg6+ +Kxg6 24. f4 $1 Qe8 $1 {.}) 18. Qe3 {(3)} Rfe8 {(19)} 19. Be2 {(3)} (19. f3 { +suggests itself, but after} Qg3 $1 20. Ne2 Qh2+ 21. Kf2 Bd6 {White is not able +to exploit the advanced position of the black queen.}) 19... Bxf4 {(5)} ({The +dark-square bishop has to be given up for the knight, since in the event of} +19... Qc8 $6 20. Nd5 Bxd5 21. Rxd5 {White has the two bishops and excellent +prospects.}) 20. Bxf4 {Another critical moment.} Nc4 $2 {A fatal mistake - a +tempting combination, which to Black's misfortune meets with a far from +obvious rejoinder.} ({Intuitively I sensed that Sax would fall into this trap: +as a player with a sharp attacking style, the position with an extra pawn after +} 20... Qxh4 21. e5 Qe7 22. Qg3 Kh7 23. Rfe1 {was clearly not to his taste - +White controls the dark squares and firmly holds the initiative.}) 21. Bxc4 { +(2)} Rxe4 22. f3 $1 Qxf4 {(12)} 23. Bxf7+ $1 {Such a stroke can be overlooked; +Sax saw it, but he overlooked the following cunning move by the white queen.} +Kg7 (23... Kf8 {was completely bad:} 24. Qf2 $1 (24. Qxf4 Rxf4 25. Bxg6 {is +also possible}) 24... Re5 {(e7)} 25. Bxg6 {etc.}) 24. Qd3 $1 Qe3+ {(16) The +weakness of the g6-pawn forces Black to go into an endgame a pawn down, where +White, thanks to the activity of his pieces (his rook, dominating the 7th rank, +is especially strong), the weakness of the g6-pawn and the insecure position +of the enemy king, has every chance of winning.} 25. Qxe3 Rxe3 26. Rd7 Kh6 {(6) +} 27. Rxc7 Ba6 28. Rd1 Bd3 {(2)} ({Also after} 28... Rd3 29. Re1 $1 {there are +no particular problems with the conversion of the advantage.}) 29. Rd2 {(3)} ({ +The immediately winning} 29. Kf2 $1 Re2+ 30. Kg3 Bf5 31. Rd6 {was more +forceful. But also after the solid rook move the white king is ready to enter +the battle, and its black opponent will soon imperceptibly end up in a mating +net.}) 29... Bf5 {(3)} 30. Kf2 Re5 31. Rd5 {(5)} (31. Rd6 $1 Rc5 32. Rxc5 bxc5 +33. Ra6 Bd3 34. c4 {would have won more quickly.}) 31... Rxd5 {(3)} 32. Bxd5 +Rd8 33. c4 {(2)} b5 {(6)} ({The bishop endgame after} 33... Rd7 34. Rxd7 Bxd7 +35. Ke3 g5 36. hxg5+ Kxg5 37. g3 {etc. was also bad for Black.}) 34. Ke3 $1 { +(6)} ({Avoiding the unclear variations possible after} 34. Rxa7 Bd3 $1 {.}) +34... a5 ({Again the exchange of rooks was hopeless -} 34... bxc4 35. Bxc4 Rc8 +36. Rxc8 Bxc8 37. Kf4 Bd7 38. Ke5 $1 {.}) 35. Kf4 {(11)} Bb1 $6 {(3) This +loses immediately;} ({but Black would also have failed to save the game after +the more resilient} 35... bxc4 36. Bxc4 a4 ({if} 36... Rd4+ 37. Ke5 $1 Rxh4 $2 +{, then} 38. f4 $1 {with the unavoidable Bg8 and Rh7 mate}) 37. Bf7 {, +gradually preparing g2-g4.}) 36. g4 $1 {The threat of mate puts an end to the +torture.} hxg4 {(4)} 37. fxg4 Rf8+ 38. Kg3 ({In view of} 38. Kg3 g5 39. cxb5 { +. Times: 1.33-2.20.}) 1-0 + +[Event "73: Interzonal Tournament, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1982.09.09"] +[Round "3"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Murey, J."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "E12"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "51"] +[EventDate "1982.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In the 2nd round I made a draw with Black against Quinteros, and in the 3rd +round I again won with White - this time against an old acquaintance of mine, +the ex-Muscovite Jacob Murey, whom I had met back in my first master +tournament (1976). Since then he had emigrated to Israel, been one of +Korchnoi's seconds at the match in Baguio, and become an international master +(and within a few years, also a grandmaster!).} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. +a3 Bb7 (4... c5 {- Game Nos. 32, 68.}) 5. Nc3 d5 (5... Ne4 {- Game No.61.}) 6. +cxd5 Nxd5 7. Qc2 ({It was after my two wins in the Interzonal Tournament that +this move, instead of the usual} 7. e3 {(Game Nos. 43, 52, 85), became popular. +}) 7... c5 {(3)} (7... Nd7 $6 8. Nxd5 exd5 9. Bg5 {(Game No.98) is dubious for +Black.}) ({The best choice is} 7... Nxc3 8. bxc3 (8. Qxc3 h6 $1 {, +Polugayevsky-Sax, Biel Interzonal 1985}) 8... Be7 9. e4 O-O 10. Bd3 c5 11. O-O +Qc7 {(c8), and here, despite White's ideal pawn centre, as yet he has not +managed to devise a promising plan.} ({But topical at that time was the game +Portisch-Christiansen (London 1982), where after} 11... cxd4 {(?!)} 12. cxd4 +Nc6 13. Bb2 Rc8 14. Qe2 Bf6 15. Rad1 {a tabiya of the 7 e3 variation was +reached (Game No.85, note to Black's 14th move).})) 8. e4 ({The main rejoinder +to 7...c5 has become} 8. dxc5 $1 Bxc5 9. Bg5 Qc8 10. Rc1 {, when White holds +the initiative (an example: Kasparov-van der Wiel, Amsterdam 1988).}) 8... Nxc3 +9. bxc3 Nc6 ({In the 12th round Gheorghiu tried} 9... Be7 $6 {(Game No.75).}) ( +{But six weeks later (Olympiad, Lucerne 1982) Sosonko surprised me with} 9... +Nd7 10. Bd3 ({the situation changed only after the game Portisch-Korchnoi +(Montpellier Candidates 1985), where an excellent pawn sacrifice occurred:} 10. +Bf4 $1 cxd4 (10... Be7 11. d5) 11. cxd4 Rc8 12. Qb3 $1 {with the idea of} Bxe4 +13. Ba6) 10... Qc7 $1 {(threatening 11...cxd4)} 11. Qd2 g6 12. O-O Bg7 {with +an excellent position for Black, and I was happy to agree a draw.}) 10. Bb2 { +(4)} ({Later, when this plan lost its successful reputation, both} 10. Be3) ({ +and} 10. Bc4 {came into fashion (but Black maintained the balance without +particular effort), as well as the more interesting 10 Bd3.}) 10... Rc8 {(11)} +({In the event of} 10... cxd4 11. cxd4 Rc8 {Black also has to reckon with} 12. +Qd2 $5 Bd6 13. Bd3 O-O 14. O-O Re8 15. Rfd1 {(Sakaev-Grischuk, Moscow 2002).}) +11. Rd1 ({It is rather early for} 11. d5 exd5 12. exd5 (12. Rd1 d4 $1 {, +Gelfand-Lautier, 2nd match game, Groningen 1997}) 12... Qxd5 13. Bd3 { +(Agdestein-Lau, Dortmund 1987)} Be7 {, and after} 14. O-O-O {, there is the +strong reply} ({while if} 14. O-O {- at the least} Qh5 {(defending the h-pawn) +and then 15...0-0}) 14... Nd4 $1 {.}) 11... cxd4 {(29)} 12. cxd4 a6 $2 {(10) +It turns out that this defence against Bb5 loses an important tempo.} ({Since +the late-1980s Black began playing} 12... Bd6 $1 {(the source game: +Petursson-Lautier, Marseille 1988), completing his development and intending +by ...Qe7 to attack the a3-pawn (cf. Game No.101 in 'Revolution in the 70s').}) +13. Qd2 $1 {(9) The d-pawn is preparing to march as far as d7!} ({The +immediate} 13. d5 {also looked tempting} -- ({, for example,} 13... Ne5 {(?!)} +14. Qb3 Nxf3+ 15. gxf3 exd5 {(?), recommended by me in 'The Test of Time', did +not work because of the spectacular stroke} 16. Bxa6 $1 {.}) ({. But after} +13... Nb4 {there was a risk of selling the advantage too cheaply:} 14. Qa4+ b5 +{(was this the line Murey was hoping for when he chose 12...a6?)} 15. Bxb5+ +axb5 16. Qxb5+ Qd7 17. Qxd7+ Kxd7 18. dxe6+ Kxe6 {, and after} 19. Nd4+ ({or} +19. Ng5+ Ke7 20. axb4 f6) 19... Kf6 $1 {even a pawn down Black would have +retained real drawing chances.} ({Not} 19... Ke5 $2 {when the reply} 20. O-O $1 +{is very dangerous.}))) 13... Na5 {(6) Murey pins his hopes on counterplay.} ( +{Of course,} 13... Ne7 {stops the immediate breakthrough in the centre, but +after} 14. Bd3 {Black faces the same problems, and his kingside makes a +pitiful impression.}) 14. d5 $1 {(4)} exd5 {(8)} ({After} 14... Nc4 15. Bxc4 +Rxc4 {, apart from the simple} 16. Qe2 ({there is also a pretty combinative +solution -} 16. O-O Rxe4 17. Ng5 Rg4 18. Nxf7 $1 {, and in all variations +Black loses material.})) 15. exd5 Bd6 $2 {This involves an oversight and it +loses quickly.} ({Another counterattacking attempt} 15... Qe7+ 16. Be2 Nc4 { +would have run into} 17. d6 $3 {. After the forced} Nxd6 (17... Qxd6 18. Bxc4) +({or} 17... Nxd2 18. dxe7 Nxf3+ 19. Bxf3 {would have lost a piece}) 18. O-O Ne4 +19. Qf4 {it would have been extremely difficult to defend the king caught in +the centre.}) ({More resilient was} 15... f6 16. d6 Qd7 17. Be2 {and here not} +Rc6 $2 ({but} 17... Nc4 $1 18. Bxc4 Rxc4 {, hoping to play the king to f7 or +d8, using the d6-pawn as a screen and on no account aiming to win it quickly, +although after} 19. O-O {Black's position is unenviable}) 18. Qe3+ Kf7 (18... +Kd8 {is even worse because of the same reply} 19. Ne5 $1 fxe5 20. Qg5+) 19. +Ne5+ $3 fxe5 20. Qf3+ Kg8 (20... Ke8 21. Qh5+ Kd8 22. Qg5+ {etc.}) 21. Qd5+ Qf7 +22. d7 Re6 23. Qxe6 Qxe6 24. d8=Q {and wins.}) 16. Bxg7 {(4)} Qe7+ 17. Be2 Rg8 +18. Qh6 $1 f5 {(5)} ({It is all over: if} 18... Rc2 {there is} 19. Nd4 {.}) 19. +Bf6 {(2)} Qf8 {(5)} ({The exchange sacrifice} 19... Rg6 {would have been most +simply parried by} 20. Qxg6+ hxg6 21. Bxe7 Kxe7 22. h4 $5 Bxa3 23. h5 {.}) 20. +Qxh7 {(2)} Qf7 {(11)} ({If} 20... Rxg2 {, then} 21. Ne5 $1 {is quickly +decisive.}) 21. Qxf5 Rg6 {(2)} 22. Qe4+ {(3)} Kf8 23. Ng5 Rxg5 {(2)} 24. Bxg5 +Re8 25. Bh6+ Kg8 26. Qg4+ {. Times: 0.43-1.43. --- In the 4th round I gained +a difficult draw in a Sicilian with Geller. Then I had two Whites in a row +against two other very dangerous rivals - Tal and Beliavsky. This was the +first key moment of the tournament race. --- Against Tal, who was half a point +ahead of me (3½ out of 4!), I employed the then rare 'Anti-Moscow Gambit' - +an audacious set-up, with a novelty which took him by surprise. Up to the 17th +move it all went well for me. All I had to do was land a combinative blow, +giving White a fearfully strong attack, but I was tempted by another, showy +continuation - and I ended up on the verge of disaster. Fortunately, Tal, with +a piece for a pawn, accepted my offer of a draw (cf. Game No.82, note to +Black's 5th move). Even so I felt shocked, since I had gone wrong in tactical +complications, which I regarded as my natural element! I tried to forget this +game, and to distract myself somehow. But I couldn't rid myself of the thought: +'How could I so miscalculate?!' I had the anxious feeling that I could make +another mistake. And the next day, unsettled by an unexpected move from +Beliavsky, after an hour's thought I blundered a pawn, and then sacrificed the +wrong knight! However, after a sharp battle this nervy encounter also ended in +a draw. --- Shortly before the half-way distance the leading group looked like +this: Guillermo Garcia - 5½ out of 6 (one of the Moscow sensations, who +frayed the nerves of the favourites); Tal and Andersson - 4½; Kasparov - 4; +Beliavsky - 3½; Geller - 3. Over the next few days those last three +launched a desperate pursuit.} 1-0 + +[Event "74: Interzonal Tournament, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1982.09.16"] +[Round "7"] +[White "Christiansen, L."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "E76"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "80"] +[EventDate "1982.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f4 O-O {(4)} 6. Nf3 {The choice of +variation was evidence of my opponent's aggressive intentions. Well, that +evening I was also in a fighting mood.} c5 {(3)} 7. d5 e6 {(3)} 8. dxe6 {A +rather rare set-up (in contrast to 8 Be2 - Game No.53). In exchanging his +strong d5-pawn, White hopes to exploit his superior control over the central +squares and the activity of his e4- and f4-pawn pair.} fxe6 {(7)} ({The natural +} 8... Bxe6 {gives White an easier game after} 9. Bd3 {and f4-f5 +(Murey-Kasparov, Baku 1976). Therefore I chose a dynamic and little-studied +continuation.}) 9. Bd3 Nc6 10. O-O Nd4 $1 {(3) Black immediately exploits the +main advantage of his position - his control of d4.} 11. Ng5 $6 {(10) An +artificial manoeuvre, allowing Black to seize the initiative.} ({White could +also not have been satisfied with} 11. Nxd4 cxd4 12. Ne2 e5) ({or} 11. Ne2 +Nxf3+ 12. Rxf3 e5 $5 (12... Bd7 {is also good.})) ({The prophylactic} 11. Kh1) +({or the developing} 11. Bd2 {(Vaganian-Torre, Buenos Aires 1978) was +comparatively better.}) 11... e5 $1 {(19)} ({More active than} 11... Qe7 {with +the same idea of ...e6-e5 (S.Garcia-Tatai, Bucharest 1971).}) ({There was no +point in Black weakening his kingside -} 11... h6 $6 12. Nf3 $1 {.}) 12. f5 { +(5) 'Consistent;} ({but} 12. fxe5 {would have been more cautious', I stated +in 'The Test of Time'} -- ({, while in 'Informator' I gave} 12... dxe5 13. Nd5 +{with equality. Indeed, after} Qd6 14. Qe1 Bd7 {the game is roughly equal.}) ({ +. However, it is more accurate to interpose} 12... Bg4 $1 {, and after} 13. Qe1 +(13. Nf3 $2 Nh5 $1) 13... Nd7 $5 (13... dxe5 {is also not bad - now} 14. Nd5 $2 +{is weak because of} h6 $1) 14. exd6 Ne5 {Black's unexpected activity more +than compensates for the sacrificed pawn.})) 12... h6 {(4)} 13. Nh3 {(21) Yes, +Christiansen had plenty to think about.} ({After the inglorious return of the +knight to its former post -} 13. Nf3 {Black would have played} gxf5 14. exf5 +Nxf5 {, winning a pawn:} 15. Nxe5 {(?)} dxe5 16. Bxf5 {is bad because of} Qd4+ +$1 17. Qxd4 (17. Kh1 $2 Bxf5 18. Rxf5 Ng4 $1) 17... cxd4 18. Nb5 Bxf5 19. Rxf5 +Ne8 {, when the pair of connected passed pawns in the centre wins for Black. +However, perhaps it is worth seeking compensation for the pawn after 15 Qe1!?.} +) ({In later games the knight sacrifice} 13. fxg6 hxg5 14. Bxg5 {occurred, but +here my 'Informator' recommendation} Be6 $1 {proved good} 15. -- ({, with the +idea of} 15. h4 Qd7 $1) (15. Nd5 Bxd5 16. exd5 Qd7 ({my suggestion} 16... e4 { +(?!)} 17. Bxe4 Qe7 18. Bd3 Rae8 {is, however, unclear in view of} 19. Bf4 $1)) +({, or} 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 16. Qh5 Qe7 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. exd5 Qg7 $1 {. To all +appearances, White does not have full compensation for the piece.})) 13... gxf5 +{(3)} 14. exf5 b5 $6 {A rare flank blow with the aim of gaining predominance +in the centre. It later transpired that this was a novelty.} ({But} 14... Qe8 +$1 {was objectively stronger, and if} 15. g4 ({while after} 15. Nf2 Bxf5 16. +Bxf5 Nxf5 {Black is simply a pawn up (} 17. Nfe4 Qe6 $1 {)}) {, +(Niklasson-Boersma, Ramsgate 1979) there is the unpleasant} 15... e4 $1 {.}) +15. Be3 $2 {(6)} ({It is not possible to reinforce the c4-pawn -} 15. b3 $2 { +(Hausner-Zsu.Polgar, Kecskemet 1983)} b4 $1 {, and the knight has no normal +square to move to:} 16. Ne2 ({or} 16. Ne4 Bxf5 17. Nxf6+ Qxf6 $1 18. Bxf5 Nxf5 +{winning a pawn (} 19. Qd5+ Kh7 $1 {, Glek-Barash, 17th USSR Correspondence +Championship 1986)}) 16... e4 17. Bc2 d5 {.}) ({But the pawn sacrifice should +have been accepted -} 15. Nxb5 $1 {, maintaining approximate equality:} e4 ({or +} 15... Nxb5 16. cxb5 d5 17. Be2 {, and although the powerful pawn centre +gives Black good compensation for the pawn, the position is completely unclear} +) 16. Be2 (16. Bb1 $5) 16... Nxf5 17. Nf4 {, and the 'bad' knight comes into +play.}) (15. cxb5 $6 d5 {is worse for White. --- But Christiansen, like Sax, +was a player with a dynamic style, and he did not like to concede the +initiative. Therefore he did not take the pawn, but tried to solve his +problems by tactical means.}) 15... bxc4 {(6)} 16. Bxc4+ Kh8 $1 {(9)} ({ +Avoiding a transparent trap -} 16... d5 $2 17. Nxd5 $1 Nxd5 18. Bxd4 cxd4 19. +Qb3 {, and threatening both ...d6-d5 and ...Nxf5.}) 17. Bxd4 $6 {(11)} (17. Bd3 +Rb8 $1 18. Rb1 d5) ({or} 17. Be6 Nxe6 18. fxe6 Rb8 $1 19. b3 Bxe6 {was also +unattractive, but now the power of Black's central pawns greatly increases.}) +17... cxd4 {(2)} 18. Nd5 Ba6 $5 {(15) Black sacrifices the advantage of the +two bishops to enable his knight to occupy a dominating post at e3.} ({But it +would appear that} 18... Rb8 $1 {was even stronger, for example:} 19. b3 ({or} +19. Nxf6 Rxf6 20. Qh5 (20. b3 d5) ({or} 20. g4 Rf8 {is also bad for White}) +20... Rxb2 21. Rae1 Qc7 22. Bd3 Qf7 {and wins}) 19... Nxd5 20. Bxd5 Bxf5 21. +Qh5 Bh7 $1 22. Rxf8+ Qxf8 23. Rf1 Qc8 $1 24. Nf2 Qc2 $1 {.}) 19. Nxf6 $6 {(24) +In a search for tactical counter-chances Christiansen sacrifices the exchange;} +({not wishing to conduct a difficult defence after} 19. Bxa6 Nxd5 20. Qh5 Ne3 +21. Rf2 d5 {.}) 19... Bxc4 20. Nh5 Bxf1 {(16)} 21. Qg4 Qd7 22. Rxf1 {It may +seem that White's threats on the kingside are dangerous, but if Black plays +accurately he has no reason for concern.} d3 $6 {The illusion of a quick win!} +({The goal would have been achieved without particular problems after both} +22... Rf7 23. b3 Raf8 24. Qg6 (24. Ng3 d5) 24... Rg8 $1 25. Ng3 Bf8 26. Qh5 d5) +({and} 22... Rac8 23. Nf2 Rc7 24. Nd3 Bf6 {with the intention of ...Bg5.}) 23. +Qf3 $6 {(11)} ({Both players underestimated the defence} 23. Nf2 $1 d2 24. Ne4 +Rxf5 25. Rxf5 d1=Q+ 26. Qxd1 Qxf5 27. Nxd6 Qg6 28. Nxg7 Kxg7 29. h3 {with +hopes of saving the game. Christiansen will not have a second chance.}) (23. +Qe4 $2 d2 $1 {.}) 23... d2 $1 {(2)} 24. g4 {(22)} ({The mercurial d-pawn +denies White the possibility of playing actively:} 24. f6 $2 Bxf6 $1 25. Nxf6 +Qe6 {, regaining the pinned knight.}) 24... Rac8 $1 {(4)} 25. Qd3 {(3)} ({ +White would like to bring the knight into play as soon as possible -} 25. Nf2 { +, but here too after} Rc2 {there is no way of saving the game.}) 25... Qa4 {(7) +} 26. Nf2 Qd4 $5 ({Not the only way to win (} 26... Qb4 $1 {was also strong), +but a sensible one from the practical point of view: with the exchange of +queens White's chances of exploiting the insecure position of the black king +disappear.}) 27. Qxd4 exd4 {Outwardly the tripled pawns make a pitiful sight, +but here the strength of the pawns is determined by their degree of +advancement. The main role continues to be played by the d2-pawn.} 28. Nf4 {(2) +} Rfe8 $1 {(3)} 29. Ne6 {Blocking the entry of at least one of the rooks.} Rc1 +({The immediate} 29... Bf6 $1 30. Nd1 Bh4 $1 {would have been more quickly +decisive, with the idea of} 31. Kg2 Rc1 32. Kf3 $6 Be1 33. Ke2 d3+ $1 {.}) 30. +Nd1 {(3)} Bf6 (30... d3) ({or first} 30... Rb8 {was also tempting.}) 31. Kf2 +Bg5 {(22)} ({It was now too late for} 31... Bh4+ $6 32. Ke2 Be1 {in view of} +33. Rf3 $1 {, when the d-pawn is halted and the black bishop is out of play.}) +({But} 31... Rb8 {was good, with the pretty variation} 32. Ke2 Rxb2 $1 33. Nxb2 +d3+ $1 {.}) 32. Ke2 Rc5 ({The alternative to this regrouping was} 32... Kg8 $5 +33. Kd3 ({or} 33. h4 Bxh4 34. Kxd2 Rec8) 33... Ra1 {.}) 33. Kd3 {(5)} ({If} 33. +h4 {, then} Re5+ 34. Kd3 Re1 35. Rf3 Bxh4 36. Kxd2 Rg1 {and wins.}) 33... Re5 +34. Nxg5 {(2)} hxg5 $1 ({More correct than the showy} 34... Re1 35. Rf2 (35. +Nf7+ Kg8 36. Rf2 Kxf7 ({after} 36... Rxd1 $2 37. Nxd6 {White is out of danger}) +37. Rxd2 R8e4) 35... hxg5 36. Rxd2 R8e4 {.}) 35. Rf2 ({After} 35. Kxd2 {the +crude} Re2+ ({but the black rook could also have performed a 'staircase' -} +35... Re4 $5 36. h3 Rf4 {, and White is essentially stalemated:} 37. Rh1 ({or} +37. Rg1 Rf3 $1) 37... Kg7) 36. Kd3 Rxh2 {would have been decisive.}) 35... Re4 +36. h3 $6 {(3) Allowing a little combination.} ({The resistance would not +have been prolonged for long by} 36. Rg2 Kg7 37. Kxd2 Re1 38. h3 d5 39. Rh2 Rg1 +{and wins.}) 36... Re3+ $1 {(2)} 37. Kxd4 {(4)} ({Of course, not} 37. Nxe3 $2 +dxe3) ({while if} 37. Kxd2 {, then simply} Rxh3 {. But now comes the finest +hour of the d2-pawn, which appeared to be doomed after the impulsive advance +on the 22nd move.}) 37... R8e4+ $1 38. Kd5 Re2 39. Rf3 {(3)} Re1 40. f6 ({Or} +40. Rd3 Rxd1 41. Kxe4 Re1+ {.}) 40... Rf4 {. Here Christiansen took the +envelope to adjourn the game, but after 12 minutes' thought he stopped the +clocks and offered me his hand. --- Times: 2.40-2.25.} (40... -- {No less +important were the wins by Beliavsky over Tal (the Lvov grandmaster was +playing very strongly!) and Andersson over Murey. The position of the leaders +(Garcia - 6 out of 7; Andersson - 5½; Kasparov - 5; Beliavsky and Tal - 4½) pointed to the prospect of a gripping finish. --- In the 8th round I had +White against the unexpected leader at the start - the 28-year-old Cuban +grandmaster Guillermo Garcia. A win in this game could have sharply improved +my chances of overall success, but, alas, things did not work out. I decided +not to try and swim against the tide and on the 24th move, after exhausting +all the fighting resources, I offered a draw. I remember the apt comment made +in passing by Geller: 'It is very hard to win against any grandmaster who is +on a surge.' --- That same day Tal crushed Velimirovic in spectacular style, +Beliavsky won against Christiansen, and Geller, who was beginning his +finishing spurt, inflicted the first and only defeat on Andersson. The battle +for the two places under the sun intensified in the extreme: Garcia - 6½ +out of 8; Kasparov, Beliavsky, Tal and Andersson - 5½; Geller - 4½.}) ( +40... -- {Another key moment in the tournament came in the 9th round. +Beliavsky accomplished a genuine competitive feat - he defeated Garcia with +Black, making it a hat-trick of wins! Geller also won and continued his +pursuit of the leaders, since Tal had to be satisfied with a draw as Black +against Christiansen, as did I against Andersson. --- That day I made a +mistake at the very start of the game, by choosing an incorrect objective: I +was unnerved by the fact that I couldn't get into the lead, and I tried to +play for a win with Black (although, taking account of my comparatively easy +finish, a quiet draw would have been far more sensible!). And in the Classical +Variation of the King's Indian, instead of the customary 6...e5 (7 0-0 Nc6 - +Game No.21), fearing Andersson's favourite exchange 7 dxe5 with the transition +into an endgame, I chose 6...Nbd7 7 0-0 e5, which was alien to me. In this +unfamiliar situation I played extremely uncertainly, then I suddenly launched +a reckless counterattack and lost a pawn. Soon Andersson won a second pawn, +and I ended up in a desperate position. But here my self-preservation instinct +operated: instead of nervously pacing around the stage, I sat at the board +with an imperturbable expression. Not long before, in Bugojno, self-control +had rescued me in my game with Timman, when I gave up a rook. Something +similar occurred on this occasion. In a time scramble, which was more serious +for my opponent, I abruptly played 28...d3!. Ulf put his head in his hands and +sank into thought. The tension became unbearable! Sensing that my opponent +could not see a decisive continuation and was rattled, I offered a draw (a +small violation of the rules: a draw should be offered immediately after +making a move). Beliavsky later said: 'I am sure that, if the game had +continued, its outcome would have been far from clear.' The flag on White's +clock rose inexorably, and after a minute's hesitation Andersson accepted the +draw offer. --- This miraculous save gave me a great charge of positive +emotions and helped me to escape from the crisis, although not immediately. +After nine rounds the situation remained confused: Beliavsky and Garcia - 6½; Kasparov, Tal and Andersson - 6; Geller - 5½.}) (40... -- {Asriyan: +'Garik's tournament position was not very secure. He was obviously nervous, +and he almost lost to Tal and Andersson. At just that time I interviewed +Petrosian, and, despite his liking for Garik, he remarked that up till then +Kasparov had been very lucky. Of course, he particularly had in mind the games +with Tal and Andersson... But at the finish Kasparov developed a furious pace, +and it was no longer possible to stop him.' --- In the 10th round Tal and +Geller drew their games, Garcia continued his decline by losing to +Christiansen, while the Beliavsky-Andersson game was adjourned in a better +endgame for Black. I had White against the Filipino master Ruben Rodriguez, +who was 260 rating points lower than me. After encountering the Cambridge +Springs Defence (cf. Game No.90, note to White's 7th move), I gained only a +slightly better endgame and in the fifth hour of play I became angry: my +opponent was obviously in no hurry to lose! Even so, with his 40th move, the +last before the time control, he moved his king to the wrong square and lost a +pawn. Here the game was adjourned, and now everything depended on the secret +move, sealed by Rodriguez: in the best case for him Black would have retained +real drawing chances... But since the game was due to be resumed only after +the 12th round, at first more urgent problems had to be solved. --- From this +point I stopped feeling nervous - and my form returned! In the 11th round I +easily crushed van der Wiel in 22 moves, Beliavsky adjourned in a winning +position against Rodriguez, while the remaining rivals advanced by only half a +point.}) 0-1 + +[Event "75: Interzonal Tournament, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1982.09.22"] +[Round "12"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Gheorghiu, F."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "E12"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "53"] +[EventDate "1982.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{For my game in the penultimate, 12th round with the highly experienced +Romanian grandmaster Florian Gheorghiu (once also a world junior champion!), I +arrived in an up-beat, fighting mood, realising perfectly well that a win +would practically guarantee me one of the cherished top two places.} 1. d4 Nf6 +2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 {(2) Gheorghiu himself like employing this variation +with White, and now he tried defending it with Black.} Bb7 (4... c5 {- Game +Nos. 32, 68.}) 5. Nc3 d5 (5... Ne4 {- Game No.61.}) 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Qc2 (7. e3 +{- Game Nos. 43, 52, 85.}) 7... c5 {(8)} ({As has already been said, the +quality of this move is somewhere in between} 7... Nd7 $6 {(Game No.98)}) ({and +} 7... Nxc3 $1 {.}) 8. e4 {(11)} Nxc3 9. bxc3 {After my win in the 3rd round +over Murey it seemed incredible that any of the tournament participants would +repeat this variation. Nevertheless, closer to the finish a twin game was +played, similar to the prototype not only in content, but also in length. With +mounting interest I followed my opponent's opening moves - what had he +prepared?} Be7 $6 {It is better to play 7...Be7 with the pawn on c7 (even +allowing 8 Nxd5 or 8 Bd2).} ({But here Black should play either 'à la Murey' - +} 9... Nc6 {(Game No.73)}) ({or 'à la Sosonko' -} 9... Nd7 {.}) 10. Bb5+ $1 { +(4) A strong reply, disclosing the drawback to Black's rather strange move. +However, as we will see, the fears regarding his position were slightly +exaggerated.} Bc6 {(10) The position of the bishop on c6 will provide the +motif for various combinations;} ({but} 10... Nc6 $2 {would have lost a pawn:} +11. Ne5 Qc7 12. Qa4 Rc8 13. Qxa7 {.}) 11. Bd3 $1 Nd7 {(8)} 12. O-O {(2)} h6 $6 +{(22) A non-forced loss of a tempo.} ({After} 12... Bb7 $6 {there is the +unpleasant} 13. d5 $1 exd5 14. exd5 Bxd5 15. Rd1) ({and if} 12... O-O { +Gheorghiu was afraid of} 13. d5 {, but practice has shown that after} exd5 14. +exd5 Bxd5 15. Bxh7+ Kh8 16. Be4 Bxe4 17. Qxe4 Bf6 ({or} 17... Nf6 {White's +achievements are slight, and therefore he has looked for an advantage by 13 +Rd1, 13 Qe2 or 13 Bf4.})) (12... Qc7 {(preventing Bf4) is also interesting:} +13. -- (13. Qe2 O-O 14. d5 Bb7 $1 {(Papin-Motylev, Moscow 2008)}) ({, or} 13. +Re1 $5 {intensifying the threat of d4-d5;} Bb7 14. d5 $1 ({the more modest} 14. +Qe2 O-O {is equal, P.Cramling-Spassky, Copenhagen 1997}) 14... exd5 $2 ({while +after} 14... c4 15. Bf1 {he retains some initiative (Borne-De Sousa, Bagneux +1993)}) 15. exd5 Bxd5 16. Qe2 Be6 17. Qe4 {allows White a powerful attack.}) ({ +. If} 13. Rd1 Rd8 $1 {.})) ({It is amusing that in the event of} 12... cxd4 13. +cxd4 Rc8 14. Qe2 Bb7 15. Bb2 ({but} 15. a4 $1 {is more energetic. In general, +as is readily apparent, nothing catastrophic for Black has yet occurred}) 15... +O-O {a position from my game with Akesson (Game No.43) could have arisen.}) 13. +Rd1 {(41)} (13. Qe2 O-O 14. Bf4 ({or the immediate} 14. e5 {was steadier, +exploiting the unfortunate move ...h7-h6. But I very much wanted to break +through in the centre!})) ({The immediate} 13. d5 $5 exd5 14. exd5 Bxd5 15. Rd1 +{looked very tempting} -- ({, when} 15... Bc6 16. Bf4) ({, or} 15... Qc7 16. +Bb5 Bc6 17. Bf4 $1 {is advantageous to White}) ({, as is} 15... Bxf3 16. gxf3 +a6 {(recommended by Stohl)} 17. Qa4 $1 {.}) ({. However,} 15... Be6 {seemed +unclear to me in view of the exchange sacrifice after} 16. Be4 ({I rejected +the variation} 16. Bf5 $5 Bxf5 17. Qxf5 {because of} Qc8 $1 {, although} 18. +Qg4 $1 {would have given White a strong initiative for the pawn}) ({or} 16. Bf4 +O-O 17. Bh7+ Kh8 18. Be4) 16... Rc8 17. Bf4 O-O 18. Ne5 ({somewhat better than +} 18. Bb7) 18... Bf6 19. Nc6 Rxc6 20. Bxc6 Qc8 21. Bd5 {.})) 13... Qc7 $2 {(7) +The culmination of the game. Gheorghiu does not sense the imminent danger!} ({ +Black's position is also very dismal after} 13... O-O $6 14. d5 exd5 15. exd5 +Bb7 16. c4 {.}) ({However, he should have preferred} 13... cxd4 $1 {. In +'Informator' and then in 'The Test of Time' I parried this with the +'unexpected'} 14. Nxd4 ({after the normal} 14. cxd4 Rc8 15. Qe2 Ba4 16. Re1 O-O +17. Bf4 {White's chances are slightly better, but there is still all to play +for. Now, however, my plan fully justifies itself}) 14... Qc7 15. Nxc6 Qxc6 16. +Qe2 $1 {with the threat of Bb5, and 'the pin on the a4-e8 diagonal may prove +fatal'. Thus} Qc7 17. Bb5 O-O-O {(?!)} ({but after the cool-headed} 17... Rd8 +$1 {the pin does not give anything:} 18. Qg4 ({or} 18. Qd3 a6 $1 19. Bxa6 ({or +} 19. Bf4 Qxf4 20. Bxd7+ Kf8 21. Qxa6 Qc7 {with good compensation for the pawn} +) 19... O-O) 18... Qxc3 $1 19. Be3 O-O $1 20. Bd4 Nf6 {with equality}) 18. a4 { +(Stohl)} ({or} 18. Be3 {is to White's advantage.})) 14. d5 $1 {(7) Here, in +view of White's lead in development, this typical pawn breakthrough in the +centre is especially effective.} exd5 {(3)} 15. exd5 Bxd5 16. Bb5 a6 $2 {(7) +Already the decisive mistake.} (16... Be6 $2 {was also bad:} 17. Qe4 $1 Rd8 18. +Bf4 Qc8 19. Ne5 {, since if} O-O {White wins by} 20. Nxd7 Bxd7 21. Bd3 $1 { +(Stohl).}) ({The only chance was} 16... Bc6 {, although after} 17. Bf4 $1 { +White would have retained an obvious advantage:} -- (17... Qxf4 18. Bxc6 O-O-O +19. a4 $1 {with a powerful attack}) ({, or} 17... Qb7 18. Bxc6 Qxc6 19. Re1 $1 +Kf8 (19... Nf8 $2 20. Ne5 Qb7 21. Qf5 $1) 20. Rad1 Re8 {, and my earlier +continuation} 21. Qf5 {(?)} ({but after} 21. Qe2 $1 {Black would have faced a +difficult defence. Although nominally he is a pawn up, he is effectively +playing a whole rook down:} Nf6 $6 ({or} 21... Qc8 $6 22. Qd3 $1 Nf6 23. Rxe7 +$1 Rxe7 24. Bd6 {(Crouch) is bad for Black}) ({and} 21... g5 {is insufficient +in view of} 22. Bd6 Bxd6 23. Qxe8+ Kg7 24. Qe2 {(e4)}) (21... g6 22. Qa6 $1) +22. Qc4 $1 {(with the threats of Ne5 and Qxf7+!)}) 21... Nf6 22. Ne5 Qc8 {(?)} +23. Nd7+ $1 {is unclear because of 22...Qa4! (Crouch). --- Apparently in these +variations Gheorghiu was concerned about his restless king, but now Black goes +from the frying pan into the fire...})) 17. Bf4 $1 {This forces the opponent +to throw caution to the winds and bring his king into the centre of the board.} +(17. Bxd7+ $2 Qxd7 18. c4 $2 Be4 $1 {would have been too naïve.}) 17... Qxf4 { +(13)} (17... Qb7 {was also hopeless:} 18. Bxd7+ Qxd7 19. c4 Qg4 20. Rxd5 Qxf4 +21. Re1 Ra7 (21... Qf6 22. Ne5 $1 {with the threat of Nd7}) 22. Ne5 { +(threatening Nc6)} O-O ({if} 22... Rc7 $2 {the simplest is} 23. Qa4+ $1 ({ +although the old line} 23. Ng6 $5 fxg6 24. Qxg6+ Qf7 25. Rd8+ $1 {will also do} +) 23... b5 24. Qa5 Rc8 25. Nd7 {(c6)}) 23. g3 Qf6 24. Nd7 Rxd7 25. Rxd7 Bd6 26. +Qe4 {with unbearable pressure.}) 18. Bxd7+ Kxd7 19. Rxd5+ Kc7 ({Earlier I +thought that} 19... Kc8 {with the idea of ...Ra7-c7 would have made it hard +for White to convert his advantage, but the resolute} 20. Rf5 Qc4 21. Re1 $1 +Bf6 ({or} 21... Ra7 22. Re4 $1 Qb5 23. Rxf7 {would have dispelled this illusion +}) (21... Bd6) 22. Rxf6 $1 gxf6 23. Qf5+ Kb8 24. Qxf6 {(Stohl).}) 20. Re1 $1 { +(2)} Bd6 {(12)} ({After} 20... Bf6 21. Re4 {the queen is trapped}) ({while if} +20... Rhe8 {not only} 21. Rde5 {is strong,} ({but also} 21. Rf5 Qd6 22. Rxf7 {. +})) 21. Rf5 Qc4 22. Re4 ({Even in such a position it is not too late to make a +mistake:} 22. Nd2 $2 Rhe8 $1 {.}) 22... Qb5 23. Rxf7+ {(2)} Kb8 24. Re6 {(5)} +Rd8 {(3)} 25. c4 {(2) Remarkably, Gheorghiu later found a follower!} ({The +game Yakovich-Akesson (Stockholm 1999) continued} 25. Qe4 Bc7 26. g3 {, and in +view of} Rd1+ 27. Ne1 Ra7 28. Re8+ {Black resigned.}) 25... Qc6 ({If} 25... Qa5 +{there was the immediately decisive} 26. Qe4 Ra7 ({or} 26... Bc7 27. Re8 (27. +Nd4 $5) 27... Ra7 {, when White has a pleasant choice between} 28. Ne5 $1 { +(Stohl)} ({and} 28. Qe5 $3)) 27. Rxd6 $1 {.}) 26. Ne5 Qc8 {(2)} 27. Qb1 $1 ({ +Not the only way, but the most elegant one:} 27. Qb1 b5 28. cxb5 {with +unavoidable mate. --- Times: 1.22-2.00.}) (27. -- {In the meantime, misfortune +struck the other leader, Beliavsky: with an extra rook and a completely won +position against van der Wiel, in a time scramble he even missed a draw! Tal +too was desperate for a win, but with White he was unable to overcome the +inspired play of Quinteros. But Geller won against Velimirovic and finally +caught up his rivals. The leading positions became: Kasparov 8 out of 11 (plus +one adjourned game), Tal, Geller and Garcia - 7½ out of 12, Andersson - 7 +(+1), Beliavsky - 6½ (+2). --- Next came the highly important adjournment +day before the final round. It immediately transpired that in his adjourned +game with me Rodriguez had sealed a losing move! I quickly converted my +advantage and, by reaching 9 points, secured a place in the Candidates. --- +Beliavsky had to endure far more difficult trials. First, an exhausting +eight-hour adjournment session with Andersson - a draw on the 108th move! Then, +on the day of the last round, a morning adjournment session with Rodriguez, +during which the Lvov grandmaster, when just a couple of steps away from a win, +suddenly left a piece en prise and only by a miracle gained a draw (which gave +me sole first place ahead of schedule: now all five pursuers were one and half +points behind). And after such sufferings, that evening, composed and +imperturbable as always, Beliavsky came on to the stage to join battle against +Gheorghiu with Black. And, by winning, he won the second qualifying place into +the Candidates matches! This was a deserved reward for courage... --- The +other contenders no longer had the strength for a final spurt: Andersson and +Tal agreed a draw on the 17th move, while in terrible time-trouble Geller and +Garcia lost with Black to Sax and Rodriguez respectively.}) (27. -- {At the +finish I had to battle with grandmaster Dragoljub Velimirovic - a legendary +expert on Sicilian attacks. The game did not affect the allocation of places +in the tournament, but Velimirovic had White and he was eager for a fight! He +very much wanted to become the first Yugoslav player to win against me (in +fact it was to be Ivan Sokolov - in 1999!). I did not risk employing the +Sicilian Defence against him, and so I chose the solid Caro-Kann (cf. +'Revolution in the 70s', p.226). But here too a sharp fight developed, in +which fortune was on my side: after passing through a very dangerous position, +I won. And as a result I scored 10 points out of 13 - even more than in +Bugojno! --- Not everything went smoothly for me over the course of this +fierce race, and things were very difficult for me in the games with my main +rivals (in this respect it was one of my worst tournaments!), but the sensibly +chosen tournament strategy helped me to overcome both my excessive anxiety, +and my lack of experience. Closer to the finish I endeavoured above all to +control my emotions, so as not to get carried away and not to end up in +time-trouble. Lack of time was felt occasionally, but not once was I in +serious time-trouble. I also had hardly any adjournments. --- A study of the +experience of the other two Interzonal Tournaments allowed me to conclude that +the main thing was to pace myself correctly. Indeed, in Las Palmas and Toluca +victory went not to the player who had a brisk start (and then was constantly +wondering how not to fritter away his lead), but to the one who retained his +strength for a finishing burst. And when at the end I managed to win four +games in a row, it became clear that I had paced myself correctly.}) (27. -- { +In my view, the Moscow Interzonal was the strongest in terms of the main +contenders, and the most fighting of the three tournaments. There were hardly +any 'grandmaster' draws, and the number of decisive games comprised 54.9%, +against 50.6% in Las Palmas and 46.2% in Toluca. Just think: before the last +round in Moscow no less than five players were in contention for second place! +--- And so, at the end of September all eight grandmasters, who were to meet +in the Candidates matches the following year, 1983, had been determined. In +the 'upper' half of the pairing list were Korchnoi, Hübner (finalists in the +previous cycle), Kasparov and Ribli (outright winners of the Interzonals), and +in the 'lower' half - Portisch, Beliavsky, Smyslov and Torre. The match +pairings were due to be made two weeks later in Lucerne, at the end of the +Olympiad. --- Ahead lay one-to-one battles with top-class players, and I +optimistically awaited these new, unknown tests. However, I was concerned +about the fact that, in nearly all the key games of the Interzonal Tournament, +against the strongest opponents I had dubious positions. A warning signal! +Obviously there was still an enormous field for improvement. Within exactly +two years the match with Karpov was to show that I had not even imagined the +extent of this field.}) 1-0 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "First 'Oscar'"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.08"] + +{25th World Chess Olympiad (Lucerne, 30th October - 16th November 1982): 1. +USSR - 42½ out of 56; 2. Czechoslovakia - 36; 3-4. USA and Yugoslavia - 35½; 5-6. Hungary and Bulgaria - 33½; 7. Poland - 33; etc. (altogether 92 +teams). The winning team comprised Karpov (6½ out of 8), Kasparov (8½ +out of 11), Polugayevsky (6 out of 9), Beliavsky (7 out of 10), reserves Tal +(6½ out of 8) and Yusupov (8 out of 10).} 1. -- {After the achievements of +the Hungarian team at the two previous Olympiads, the forthcoming Olympiad in +the Swiss town of Lucerne was destined to answer a burning question: would the +Soviet grandmasters be able to demonstrate their superiority, or had the times +of the hegemony of one chess power irreversibly passed? --- The USSR team was +undoubtedly the strongest, while the next teams on the rating list - USA, +Hungary, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia - looked roughly equal. However, the +general opinion was that the only teams that could really compete with us were +the Hungarians (led by Portisch and Ribli) and the Americans with their +uniform grandmaster line-up (Browne, Seirawan, Alburt, Kavalek, Christiansen +and Tarjan). True, also with a good line-up were the Yugoslavs (in the end +their leader Ljubojevic scored 11 out of 14!) and the Czechs (Hort, Smejkal +and the swiftly progressing Ftacnik).} (1. -- {In the first found we crushed +New Zealand - 4-0 (I won with Black against Sarapu), and in the second round +Chile - 3½-½. But the race was led by the American team, who won both +matches by a whitewash. The crucial USSR-USA battle took place in the third +round. --- In that memorable match I played for the first time against a +defector - Lev Alburt, and around such games there was always an especially +tense atmosphere. Before the round the managers of the Soviet team insistently +advised me to avoid the traditional handshake with my opponent. Feeling +terribly nervous, I arrived for the game and stood a metre away from the chess +table, to avoid accidentally running into the approaching 'deserter'. But +Alburt fully appreciated my position: he calmly sat down at the board and made +his first move. A few years later Lev told me that before the game he had +discussed this problem with Korchnoi and Igor Ivanov, and they decided not to +put me on the spot (incidentally, before his game with Karpov at the 1980 +Olympiad, Alburt demonstratively held out his hand, but the world champion +equally demonstratively disregarded it). The game began - and all my anxiety +immediately vanished.}) * + +[Event "76: World Chess Olympiad, Lucerne"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1982.11.01"] +[Round "3"] +[White "Alburt, L."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "E73"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "114"] +[EventDate "1982.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. c4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e4 d6 5. Be2 O-O 6. Bg5 Nbd7 ({In Daugavpils +in 1978 I managed to win against Alburt in the problematic variation} 6... c5 +7. d5 h6 ({not} 7... b5 $6 {- Game Nos. 58, 67}) 8. Bf4 e6 {, but later it +transpired that White's play can be improved, and Black's counter-improvement +leads only to a draw (cf. Game No.28). And on this occasion I followed a +different, less forcing course, but again I encountered a surprise!}) 7. Qc1 { +This seemingly artificial move has a logical justification;} ({after the usual +} 7. Qd2 e5 8. d5 Nc5 {, White is forced to defend his e4-pawn with the +unaesthetic} ({and if first} 8... a5 {, then after} 9. Nf3 Nc5 {the white +knight will occupy the vacant d2-square. Here there is nothing terrible for +Black, and he can calmly complete his development, but that was what the +opponent was expecting...}) 9. f3 ({or} 9. Bf3) ({whereas now there is the +simple} 9. b4 $1 {. --- I pondered for a long time over the virtues and +drawbacks of 7 Qc1 and finally decided to act in the spirit of the Benko +Gambit.})) 7... c5 {(48)} 8. d5 b5 $5 (8... Qa5 {is too sluggish:} 9. Bd2 $1 a6 +10. Nf3 {(Alburt-Zapata, New York 1980). At that time information travelled +slowly around the world and I did not know of the existence of this game.}) 9. +cxb5 a6 10. a4 {(11) A well-tested method of play against all varieties of +the Benko Gambit: by reinforcing his b5-point, White restricts the opponent's +counterplay on the queenside.} Qa5 {(2)} 11. Bd2 {The position resembles my +Tilburg game with Spassky (Game No.58), but there the useful move Ra3 had been +made, whereas here White has played the useless Qc1, which Black is able to +exploit.} axb5 $1 {(2) A timely exchange, ruling out the reply a4xb5.} ({After +} 11... Qb4 $6 12. f3 {the queen would have risked being trapped.}) 12. Nxb5 { +(6)} ({This is somewhat stronger than} 12. Bxb5 Ba6 $1 13. Nf3 ({or} 13. Nge2 +Qb4 14. f3 Ne5 15. O-O Nc4 {with adequate counterplay}) 13... Qb4 {.}) 12... +Qb6 {(2)} 13. Qc2 {(2) White wants to develop his pieces harmoniously, +without making any positional concessions. Previously I criticised this move, +which leaves the rook at a1 undefended, but there is nothing better.} ({After +the modest} 13. Qb1 {there would have been the good reply} c4 $5 14. Bxc4 Ng4 ( +14... Nc5 $5) 15. Nh3 Nc5) ({while in the event of} 13. f3 Ne5 {Black also has +excellent prospects:} 14. f4 $6 Ned7 15. Qc2 ({or} 15. Qc4 Ba6 {etc.}) 15... c4 +$1 {.}) 13... Ba6 {(27)} ({The sacrifice of a second pawn looked very tempting +-} 13... c4 $5 14. Qxc4 (14. Nf3 $5 Nc5 15. O-O {with the idea of Be3 and Bxc4 +is safer}) 14... Nc5 {, for example:} 15. e5 ({or} 15. f3 Bd7 {, aiming to +exploit White's retarded development}) 15... Nxd5 $1 16. a5 Be6 $1 17. b4 Nd7 { +. After some hesitation I chose the more traditional course.}) 14. Nf3 {(10)} ( +{I also criticised this natural developing move and suggested the prophylactic +} 14. Ra3 {, after which Black could either play} Rfe8 {and ... e7-e6,} ({or +try to exploit his lead in development by} 14... c4 $5 {.})) ({After} 14. Rd1 { +, which I gave in 'Informator',} c4 $1 {is also strong.}) 14... Bxb5 $1 {(7)} ( +{Successfully avoiding the temptation to sacrifice the queen in another way -} +14... Nxe4 $2 15. Qxe4 Bxb5 16. Bxb5 Qxb5 17. axb5 Rxa1+ 18. Ke2 Rxh1 19. Qxe7 +{would have led to disaster:} -- (19... Nb6 {(e5)} 20. Qxd6) ({, while if} +19... Nf6 {White decides matters with the elegant} 20. b6 $1 Rb1 (20... Re8 21. +Qxe8+ $1) 21. b4 Nxd5 22. Qe4 $1 ({instead of the drawing line} 22. Qxf8+ $2 +Bxf8 23. b7 Nf4+ $1 24. Ke3 Nd5+ 25. Ke2 ({but not} 25. Ke4 $2 Nxb4 $1 26. b8=Q +f5+ {winning the newly-born queen.})))) 15. Bxb5 Qxb5 16. axb5 Rxa1+ 17. Bc1 +Nxe4 {After the fall of this pawn the fate of the d5-pawn is also decided.} ({ +After} 17... Rb8 $6 18. O-O Rxb5 19. Bd2 $1 {White would have consolidated his +position, retaining a material advantage.}) 18. O-O Nef6 {Previously I +assessed this position in favour of Black, who for the queen has rook, knight +and at least one pawn (after ...Nxd5). Also obvious is the weakness of White's +queenside pawns and the great mobility of the black pieces, especially the +knights, which have convenient posts. But now I think that the position is one +of dynamic balance, although it is not easy for White to find the correct plan. +He must aim to create counter-threats or advantageously exchange pieces, in +order to exploit the power of the queen.} 19. b4 $5 {(14) At the cost of the +d5-pawn (which all the same is doomed), White breaks up Black's pawn group in +the centre and increases the value of the passed b5-pawn.} ({However, also +suitable was either} 19. Nd2 Rb8 20. Nc4 {and Bd2(g5)}) ({or the immediate} 19. +Bg5 $5 {with a sound enough position.}) 19... Nxd5 {(4)} ({In the event of} +19... Rb8 20. Bd2 Rxf1+ 21. Kxf1 Rxb5 22. Qc4 Rb8 23. bxc5 Rb1+ 24. Ne1 Nxc5 +25. Qa2 {Black's achievements are also slight.}) 20. Bd2 $1 {(9)} Rfa8 $1 {(13) +} ({Here too I had to resist the temptation of a pretty variation:} 20... Rxf1+ +21. Kxf1 cxb4 22. Qc6 $6 b3 $6 (22... N7b6 {is equal}) 23. Qxd5 $2 ({all the +brilliance is ruined by} 23. Ba5 $1 b2 24. Nd2 {, and earlier by the simple 22 +Qb3!}) 23... b2 24. Qa2 Rc8 {and wins.}) 21. bxc5 ({In 'The Test of Time' for +some reason I recommended preparing a shelter for the king by} 21. g3 {(?!) +and I myself indicated} R1a2 $1 22. Qe4 e6 {with the initiative for Black.}) +21... Rxf1+ {Trying to drive the white king into the centre;} ({although the +immediate} 21... Nxc5 $5 {would have been more 'normal'.}) 22. Kxf1 Ra1+ 23. +Ke2 {(4)} Nxc5 24. Qc4 $2 {(5) Only this mistake changes the character of the +play to Black's advantage.} ({My 'Informator' suggestion} 24. Ne1 Ra3 $1 { +would also have suited him.}) ({However,} 24. Ng5 $1 {(with the idea of Ne4, +which disappears after 24 Qc4?)} Ra4 25. f3 $1 {(the white king's placing is +no worse at e2 than at f1)} Nb6 26. Ne4 Rc4 27. Qb1 Ne6 ({or} 27... Nca4 28. +Ba5) 28. Be3 {would have maintained the dynamic balance.}) 24... e6 {Now, to +all appearances, the b-pawn is doomed.} 25. b6 $5 {(5) Immediately +sacrificing the pawn for the sake of activating the queen.} ({It would also +have been lost after the unhurried} 25. g3 {(of course, it was not for this +that Alburt played his queen to c4)} Bc3 $5 26. b6 (26. Bxc3 $6 Ra4 $1) 26... +Bxd2 27. Nxd2 Ra2 28. b7 Rb2 29. Qc1 Rb4 $1 {followed by ...Nxb7,} (29... Rxb7 +30. Ne4 $1 {.})) 25... Nxb6 {(5)} ({It was tempting not to move the knight +away, but after} 25... Rb1 26. Qa2 $1 Rxb6 $6 (26... Ra1 $1) 27. Qa8+ Bf8 28. +Bh6 Nd7 29. Bxf8 ({or} 29. Qd8 Rb8 30. Qxd7 Bxh6 31. g3 $1 {with equality}) +29... Nxf8 30. Ng5 {White would have achieved his aim - equality thanks to the +maximum activation of his pieces:} Rb2+ (30... Nf6 31. Qd8 $1) (30... h6 31. +Nh7 $1 {is no better}) ({while my 'Informator' suggestion} 30... Kg7 {(?) is +even fatal because of} 31. Qa7 $1) 31. Ke1 Nb4 32. Nxh7 Nd3+ 33. Kd1 Nxf2+ 34. +Kc1 Nd3+ 35. Kd1 Kxh7 36. Qxf8 {, and the queen guarantees a draw.}) 26. Qb5 +Nbd7 27. Be3 {(5)} Bf8 {(9) Black is temporarily forced to retreat, retaining +the hope of gradually advancing his central pawns.} 28. Nd4 {(22) Now White +cannot afford to wait, but with pieces alone Black's position cannot be broken +up.} ({The energetic} 28. g4) ({or} 28. h4 $5 {came into consideration.}) 28... +Ra2+ {(3)} 29. Kf1 Ra1+ {Checks to gain on the clock with time-trouble +imminent.} 30. Ke2 e5 (30... d5 {looks more natural, but I wanted to restrict +the white bishop, assuming that the opponent would be unable to exploit the +weakness of the d5-square.}) ({However, it was not essential to determine the +placing of the pawns immediately: the preparatory} 30... Ra6 {(a7) was also +good.}) 31. Nc6 {(3)} Ra2+ 32. Kf1 {(4)} Ra1+ 33. Ke2 Ra2+ 34. Kf1 Ra6 $5 {(2) +Continuing to look for ways to strengthen his position, Black tries to evict +the knight from c6. Alburt did not like this...} 35. Bxc5 $6 {(9)} ({In the +event of} 35. Nd8 $6 d5 $1 36. Bxc5 Nxc5 37. Qe8 Rf6 $1 {the d5-pawn is taboo:} +38. Qxe5 Rxf2+ $1 39. Kg1 Ne4 {(} 40. Qxd5 $2 Rf5 $1 {and wins).}) ({But} 35. +Nb4 $5 Ra1+ 36. Ke2 Rb1 37. Qa5 {came into consideration, when what Black +should do next is not clear. Possibly he would have had to regret playing 30...e5.}) 35... Nxc5 $6 {An error in reply.} ({At this point, in contrast to the +similar situation on the 22nd move, it was definitely better to interpose} +35... Ra1+ $1 36. Ke2 Ra2+ {, and only after} 37. Kf1 {(e3) -} Nxc5 {.}) 36. g3 +$1 {(now the king acquires a shelter, and Black's chances of success are +reduced)} Ra1+ 37. Kg2 Ne6 38. Qb8 {(6)} Rd1 (38... Kg7 $2 39. Nxe5 $1 {with +equality.}) 39. Qb2 {(6)} Rd5 {(2)} 40. Qb8 {(2)} Rc5 {(2)} (40... Rd2) ({or} +40... Kg7 {, recommended by me in 'The Test of Time', is no better. --- Here +the game was adjourned, and it was resumed two hours later. In a brief joint +analysis with Yusupov and our team trainer Makarychev some promising ideas +were found. However, the position is a 'practical' one, in which what proves +decisive is not so much analysis, as inventiveness during play. To fight for +an advantage it is desirable to exchange the white knight (then the queen is +deprived of support), but this is not easily done.}) 41. Ne7+ {(20) The +sealed move.} ({The superficial} 41. Nb4 $6 {would have allowed} Nc7 $1 { +(threatening ...Rb5)} 42. Nd3 Rc3 43. Nb4 Rb3 $1 {with the unavoidable +exchange of knights, after which White would be forced to passively await the +advance of the black pawns.}) 41... Kg7 42. Nc8 {The only move which preserves +the knight.} (42. Qe8 $6 Bxe7 43. Qxe7 d5 {favours Black}) ({while in the +event of} 42. Qxd6 $2 h5 $1 {White would altogether lose a piece:} 43. Kg1 ({or +} 43. h3 e4 44. Kg1 Kh7 $1 45. Qb8 Bxe7 46. Qe8 Bg5 47. Qxf7+ Ng7 {etc.}) 43... +Kh7 $1 {with the threat of ...Rc7.}) 42... Rd5 43. Qa8 {(5) The struggle +revolves around ...d6-d5.} ({It was also quite acceptable to play} 43. Qb7 Rd2 +44. Qb4 $1 ({previously I considered only} 44. Nb6 {(?)} d5 $1 45. Nxd5 ({or} +45. Nd7 Nc5 $1) 45... Bc5) 44... Rd4 45. Qb8 {.}) 43... Rd2 {(7)} 44. Nb6 {(6)} +Nc5 {(9)} ({The impatient} 44... d5 $2 {would have allowed White to force a +draw by} 45. Qa5 $1 Rc2 (45... Rb2 46. Nc4 $1) 46. Nxd5 Bc5 47. Ne3 $1 {.}) 45. +Nc4 {(2)} Rd4 {(4)} 46. Ne3 Be7 {(2)} 47. h4 {(1) Defending against ...Bg5, +but allowing the fixing of the kingside pawns and weakening the g4-square, to +where the black knight can leap. Nevertheless, White's position is still quite +solid.} h5 {(2)} 48. Nd5 {(3)} Bd8 $1 ({Tactical nuances again help the +overall strategic idea! Black is ready to carry out the manoeuvre of his +knight to f6 (and possibly to g4), as planned in our analysis, for example:} +48... Bd8 49. Qc6 (49. Qxd8 $2 Rxd5 {is suicidal}) 49... Ne4 $1 50. Ne3 Nf6 {.} +) 49. Kf3 $6 {(7) White's thoughts are aimed at parrying the ...Ne4-f6 +manoeuvre, but, despite the limited amount of material remaining, it is +dangerous to bring the king into the centre!} ({After} 49. Nc3 $1 Ne6 (49... +Be7 50. Nd5) 50. Qa7 {it would hardly have been possible for Black to +strengthen his position (} Nc7 51. Qb8 {). --- The move made by Alburt +surprised me: just before the time control White securely sheltered his king, +and suddenly on the resumption he again brought it into the centre - obviously +the wrong place! I was tuned up for a lengthy adjournment session with a +completely unclear result, but the opponent's unexpected 'activity' led +quickly to disaster.}) 49... Ne6 $1 {(3) With the positional threat of ...Nc7. +} ({The previous plan with} 49... Ne4 {would have run into one of two +refutations:} 50. Qxd8 ({or} 50. Qb7 Nc3 (50... Nf6 51. Nb4) 51. Nxc3 Rd3+ 52. +Ke2 Rxc3 53. Qd7 Bc7 54. f4 $1 {, also with sufficient counterplay against the +king}) 50... Nd2+ 51. Ke2 Rxd5 52. g4 $1 hxg4 53. h5 $1 Ne4 (53... Nf3 54. h6+ +$1 Kxh6 55. Qf8+ {and Qxf7}) 54. hxg6 Nf6 55. gxf7 {relying on the open +position of the black king.}) 50. Qc6 $1 {(6)} ({After} 50. Kg2 {, admitting +his mistake, in 'Informator' I gave} Nc7 ({in 'The Test of Time' the more +unpleasant} 50... Bxh4 $1 51. gxh4 $2 ({but} 51. Qc6 $1 Bf6 52. Qxd6 h4 53. Qc6 +{is far more resilient}) 51... Rxd5 {was suggested}) {, but the bold} 51. Nxc7 +Bxc7 52. f4 $1 exf4 53. Qa1 Bb6 54. gxf4 Kh7 55. f5 {gives White drawing +chances. --- Here I sank into thought, staring at my rook - with revulsion! If +it were not on the board, the fork ...Nd4+ would be decisive, and +self-sacrificing attempts are simply ignored by White: 50...Rxh4 51 Qxd6 or 50. +..Rf4+ 51 Ke3.}) 50... Rd2 $1 {(27) When he saw this move, for some reason +Alburt became extremely nervous.} ({Possibly he had mainly been expecting the +dashing} 50... e4+ $6 {, but this would merely have reduced my chances: after} +51. Kg2 Bxh4 52. Qxd6 Bf6 53. Qc6 Be5 54. Ne3 {the weakness of the e4-pawn +would have restricted Black. As we will now see, a similar position (but with +the pawn on e5) could have arisen in the game if White had played 51 Kg2.}) 51. +Ke3 $4 {(4) Preparing Qxd6, White suddenly commits hara-kiri.} ({The immediate +} 51. Qxd6 {would have led after} Bc7 $1 52. Qd7 Bb6 $1 53. Nxb6 Rxd7 54. Nxd7 +f6 55. Ke4 Kf7 {to a problematic knight endgame where Black is a pawn up but +the outcome is not yet altogether clear.}) ({In 'Informator' and then also in +'The Test of Time' I gave the variation} 51. Kg2 $1 Bxh4 $1 52. Qxd6 (52. gxh4 +$2 Rxd5 $1) 52... Bf6 {, in which 'the threat of ...h5-h4 and the weakness of +the f2-point give Black real winning chances'. However, after the approximate} +53. Qc6 Bd8 54. Qd6 Bc7 55. Qc6 Bb8 56. Qb6 Rxd5 57. Qxb8 {, even despite the +exchange of the white knight, a draw is far more real.}) ({Stronger than} 51. +Qc4 Nc5) ({or} 51. Qb7 e4+ 52. Ke3 Rd3+ 53. Ke2 Bxh4 {.}) 51... Re2+ $1 {The +fork nevertheless operated! The instantaneous sobering up proved bitter for +Alburt - the road back is cut off. A brief agony ensues.} 52. Kd3 ({(of course, +not} 52. Kxe2 Nd4+ {and ...Nxc6)}) 52... e4+ 53. Kc4 (53. Kc3 Rc2+ $1 {.}) +53... Rc2+ 54. Nc3 Bf6 55. Qxe4 Rxc3+ 56. Kd5 Rc5+ 57. Kxd6 Be5+ ({After} 57... +Be5+ 58. Kd7 Rc7+ 59. Ke8 Bd6 {(f6) mate is unavoidable. --- Times: 3.10-3.25.} +) (57... -- {I should remind you that the names of Korchnoi and Alburt were +expunged from Soviet chess literature. But in the event of resounding wins +over the 'renegades', exceptions were made. Thus this complicated, fighting +game, and my subsequent duels with Korchnoi were published with annotations in +the Soviet chess press and then in the games collection 'The Test of Time'. +--- By scoring 2½ from the three adjourned games we defeated the American +team 3-1. And in the 4th round we also overcame the Yugoslavs after a tough +fight: 2½-1½ (I won against Gligoric). The fate of this match was also +decided during the resumption - thanks to our superior analysis of the +adjourned games. During the two-hour break we were able to discover resources +which our opponents had not even contemplated. In this way several 'extra' +half-points were gained.}) (57... -- {After four rounds the teams of the USSR +and Czechoslovakia were leading on 13 out of 16. By defeating our main rivals +2½-1½ in the 5th round (I drew with Smejkal), the Soviet team became the +sole leader. The 6th round saw our only drawn match at this Olympiad, with the +Dutch: 2-2 (I had to be satisfied with a draw against Sosonko). In the 7th +round we defeated the West German team 2½-1½. Playing for the first time +on board 1, I drew with Black against a cautious Hübner. --- Mid-way through +the tournament, after winning two matches by a big margin, the Hungarian team +finally moved up (USSR - 20 out of 28; Hungary, USA, Czechoslovakia - 19). The +8th round USSR-Hungary clash was probably decisive in the fight for first +place, and we won 2½-1½. Karpov confidently defeated Portisch with White +(cf. Game No.88 in Volume V of 'My Great Predecessors', note to White's 12th +move), and with Black I found I was able without particular difficulty to +neutralise Ribli's initiative.}) (57... -- {After negotiating the main matches, +we began playing easily and without restraint: 3½-½, 4-0, 4-0 and 3½-½ - these were the results of the Soviet team's matches with some quite strong +teams: England, Switzerland, Argentina and Romania. --- In the 9th round match +against England I again played on board 1, and my opponent was the 27-year-old +John Nunn (see the following game), the only grandmaster in the world who was +a Doctor of Mathematics. The unexpected outcome was an attractive miniature, +which appealed to both the public and the journalists, who attentively +followed my play as leader of the team.}) 0-1 + +[Event "77: World Chess Olympiad, Lucerne"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1982.11.08"] +[Round "9"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Nunn, J."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "A67"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "41"] +[EventDate "1982.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 $1 {(6) The exclamation mark is for the underlying +psychology of this move. Nunn was a Modern Benoni devotee and had even written +an extensive book about it. And, anticipating the reply ...c7-c5, I made the +move which allows White the widest choice of continuations.} c5 4. d5 exd5 5. +cxd5 d6 6. e4 {(7)} g6 7. f4 {I wanted to choose this aggressive variation, +which I had already tried against Kuijpers (Dortmund 1980).} Bg7 8. Bb5+ Nfd7 ( +{Up until now the gambit line} 8... Nbd7 $5 9. e5 dxe5 10. fxe5 Nh5 11. e6 Qh4+ +{etc. has also not been refuted.}) 9. a4 {Magerramov and I considered this +move to be more dangerous for Black than 9 Bd3, which was popular at that time: +now the bishop can retreat not only to d3, but all the same the a2-a4 advance +comes into White's plans.} Na6 {An original idea: Black saves a tempo by not +castling, in order to direct his knight immediately to the weakened b4-point +and play ...a7-a6.} (9... O-O {is more natural, but that is what Kuijpers +played against me, and after} 10. Nf3 a6 11. Be2 Nf6 12. O-O Qc7 $2 13. e5 $1 { +White gained a strong attack.}) ({Another fashionable idea is} 9... Qh4+ $5 10. +g3 Qe7 {(d8), weakening the opponent's kingside at the cost of a tempo.}) 10. +Nf3 Nb4 {(3)} 11. O-O {(10)} a6 $5 {(3)} ({After} 11... O-O 12. Re1 $1 a6 13. +Bf1 Nf6 14. h3 {it would not have been easy for Black to create counterplay.}) +({Nunn's idea looks attractive: both} 11... a6 12. Bc4 {with the intention of ...Nb6 and ...Bg4,} ({and} 12. Be2 O-O 13. Be3 Nf6 {give Black good counterplay. +And so I devised something rather more energetic...})) 12. Bxd7+ $5 {(16) The +justification for this 'illogical' exchange is the inability of the remaining +knight at b4 to take part in the defence of the kingside. Some of the other +black pieces are also seemingly out of it, whereas White's come into play +without hindrance (although it is not at all easy to derive any direct benefit +from this).} Bxd7 13. f5 $1 {Another provocative move! However, it is not easy +for Black to exploit the weakening of the e5-square, and White restricts the +bishop on d7. The character of the play has changed sharply: Black is obliged +to think about parrying the threats that have arisen, and Nunn lost his +composure. True, his initial replies were the most natural...} O-O $1 {(31)} ({ +The black king urgently moves away from the centre, as otherwise it could have +been in serious trouble, for example:} 13... c4 {(an attempt to bring the +knight at b4 into play)} 14. Bg5 ({Nunn thought that the simple} 14. Be3 {was +also quite unpleasant}) 14... Qb6+ 15. Kh1 Nd3 16. f6 Bf8 17. a5 $1 Nf2+ (17... +Qxb2 $6 18. Bd2 $1) 18. Rxf2 Qxf2 19. Na4 {(my previous recommendation)} ({or} +19. e5 $5 {with an obvious numerical superiority on the decisive part of the +board})) (13... gxf5 14. Bg5 f6 ({or} 14... Bf6 15. Bf4 $1 {- I tried to parry +this with} O-O 16. Bxd6 Bxa4 {, but after} 17. Qe1 $1 {with the idea of Qg3+ +things are difficult for Black:} Qxd6 18. e5 Qe7 19. d6 Qe8 20. Nxa4 {etc.}) +15. Bf4 Qc7 {, and in the event of} 16. Nd2 ({but} 16. exf5 $1 O-O-O 17. Rc1 +Bxf5 18. Nd4 $1 Bg6 (18... cxd4 $2 19. Nb5) ({or} 18... Bd7 $2 19. Ne4 {is bad +for Black}) 19. Ne6 {gives White an advantage}) 16... O-O-O $1 ({but not} 16... +Nd3 $2 17. Bxd6 $1 {and Nc4}) 17. Nc4 ({or} 17. exf5 Bf8 {both sides have +chances}) 17... Bf8 {.}) 14. Bg5 {(7)} f6 {(11)} ({After} 14... Bf6 $2 15. Qd2 +$1 {, with the exchange of bishops, the king's defences are weakened too much:} +c4 ({or} 15... Bxg5 16. Nxg5 c4 17. f6 h6 18. e5 $1 dxe5 19. Ne6 $3 {with a +strong attack}) 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. Nd1 $1 {and Ne3,} (17. Ne1 $5 {.})) ({And +the tactical trick} 14... Bd4+ $6 {, hoping for} 15. Qxd4 $2 ({did not work +because of} 15. Kh1 f6 16. Bh6 Rf7 {(e8)} 17. Rb1 Be5 18. Nxe5 {etc. with a +great positional superiority for White}) 15... cxd4 16. Bxd8 dxc3 17. bxc3 Nxd5 +{with equality.}) 15. Bf4 gxf5 {(1)} ({Earlier I attached a question mark to +the pawn capture, thinking that 'this attempt somehow to complicate the game +leads to catastrophe', and recommended} 15... Qe7 {(?) as the lesser evil.} 16. +-- ({. Here Nunn suggested} 16. Re1 {, but this is unclear in view of} c4 $1 +17. Qd2 Nd3 {.}) ({. On the other hand, after} 16. fxg6 $1 hxg6 17. Nh4 { +(exploiting the position of the queen at e7)} Kh7 18. Qf3 $1 {, it is hard to +offer Black any good advice:} ({my earlier move} 18. Bg3 {(?) is bad because of +} c4 $1 19. Qf3 Bh6) 18... f5 $6 (18... Bh6 19. Nxg6 $1 Kxg6 20. Qg3+ Kh5 21. +Bxh6 $1 Rg8 (21... Kxh6 $2 22. Rf4 $1 {and wins}) 22. Qf4 {with an extra pawn +and an attack}) 19. Qh3 $1 {.})) (15... g5 $2 {is even worse:} 16. Bxd6 Bxa4 +17. Rxa4 Qxd6 18. e5 fxe5 19. Nxg5 {and wins (Gheorghiu-Kertesz, Romania 1982). +}) ({However,} 15... Qc7 $5 16. a5 Rfe8 17. Nd2 Bb5 {would have offered +possibilities of a tenacious defence.}) 16. Bxd6 {(6)} Bxa4 $2 {(4) Only this +counter-stroke, on which Nunn was relying, proves to be a decisive mistake.} ( +16... Re8 $1 {was essential.} 17. -- ({. Now little is promised by either} 17. +Nd2 fxe4 18. Ncxe4 f5 $1 (18... b6 $6 19. Ra3 $1 {is dangerous}) 19. Nxc5 Nxd5) +({, or} 17. Bxc5 fxe4 18. Nd4 ({while after} 18. Qb3 $5 exf3 19. Qxb4 fxg2 20. +Rf2 {it is altogether slight}) 18... f5 $1 ({but not} 18... Nd3 {(?)} 19. Nxe4 +$1 {, given by me in 'Informator' and 'The Test of Time'}) 19. Bxb4 (19. Nxf5 +$2 Bxf5 20. Rxf5 Qc8 $1) 19... Qb6 $1 20. Nce2 Qxb4 21. Nxf5 Bxf5 22. Rxf5 Rad8 +23. Kh1 {(in 2008 this is how one of the games went from the championship of +Lower Saxony!)} e3 $1 {, and White's advantage evaporates. --- Thus my plan +with 12 Bxd7 proved to be good mainly for the reason that it set the opponent +difficult practical problems.})) 17. Rxa4 (17. Nxa4 $1 Qxd6 18. Nh4 $1 {was +even stronger.}) 17... Qxd6 18. Nh4 $1 {(1) The knight triumphantly +establishes itself at f5, where its value immediately increases several times +over.} fxe4 {All the lines allowing 19 Nxf5 were hardly any more resilient.} +19. Nf5 Qd7 {Black's resistance has been broken;} ({if} 19... Qe5 {, then} 20. +Qg4 Rf7 21. Nh6+ {.}) 20. Nxe4 Kh8 ({No better was} 20... b6 21. Ra3 $1) ({or} +20... Rae8 21. Qg4 {with the threats of Nh6+ and Nxc5, and in some cases d5-d6. +}) 21. Nxc5 {(2)} ({In view of} 21. Nxc5 Qxd5 22. Qxd5 Nxd5 23. Ne6 {. Times: +1.06-1.14.}) 1-0 + +[Event "78: World Chess Olympiad, Lucerne"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1982.11.09"] +[Round "10"] +[White "Korchnoi, V."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "A64"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "72"] +[EventDate "1982.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{The centrepiece of the 10th round, and of the entire Olympiad, was my game +with the recent participant in the world championship match, Viktor Korchnoi, +the famous defector, who was leading the Swiss team. Karpov diplomatically +avoided meeting him - he would have had to play Black 'on the opponent's home +ground' and he obviously did not want to take the risk. Besides, I could have +come unstuck: this was my first encounter at the board with Korchnoi (not +counting our meeting much earlier in a simul' - Game No.12), it was my eighth +successive game without being substituted, and there was very limited time for +preparing to play Black against the great 'Viktor the Terrible'. However, in +trying to expose me, Karpov miscalculated and, in effect, did me a service. +This very difficult test for me turned into a grandiose battle! --- Again the +problem of the handshake arose. On this occasion I announced to the leaders +that I was intending to shake Korchnoi's hand. And when I was told that I 'did +not understand the Party line', I replied: 'Then let Polugayevsky play instead +of me'. But Polugayevsky had no desire at all to play against Korchnoi. They +tried to win me round literally right up to the start of the round, but I was +unyielding. On arriving in the playing hall, I immediately sat down at the +board and awaited my opponent, who was slightly late. He approached the board +rapidly, and I stood up slightly, ready to respond to his greeting. However, +Korchnoi did not even look at me, but immediately pushed forward his queen's +pawn, and the game began (I should remind you that this course of behaviour +before a game with me was worked out beforehand by Korchnoi together with +Alburt and Igor Ivanov). Our doleful leaders no doubt breathed a sigh of +relief... --- Now all my energy was focused on the game, which was of +exceptional psychological importance. Although the organisers demonstrated it +on numerous television monitors, arranged around the enormous playing hall, +from the very start of the game it was impossible to fight your way through to +the board. Public interest was also roused by the fact that the pairings for +the Candidates matches had not yet been made, and this game was considered to +be between two possible opponents in the semi-final or final. Korchnoi himself +had also added fuel to the fire, by declaring to journalists that he would +'show this boy how to play chess'.} 1. d4 {My opponent advanced his pawn so +resolutely that it became clear: he had only one aim - to win!} Nf6 2. c4 g6 { +Of course, my favourite King's Indian!} 3. g3 Bg7 {(3)} ({The immediate} 3... +c5 {is also possible (Game No.25 in 'Kasparov vs. Karpov 1986-1987').}) 4. Bg2 +c5 {Without hesitation changing tune: the set-up with the fianchetto of the +light-square bishop, which is not very pleasant for Black in the classical +King's Indian, is less effective against the Modern Benoni.} 5. d5 {(10) The +main reply.} (5. Nf3 cxd4 6. Nxd4 {is more cautious, as Ribli played against +me in the 8th round (later I also tried the more original 5...Qa5+!? - Game No. +27 in 'Kasparov vs. Karpov 1986-1987'). But in this game Korchnoi has no +intention of avoiding any crucial disputes!}) 5... d6 {(2)} 6. Nc3 ({In the +event of} 6. Nf3 -- ({, in order after} 6... O-O 7. O-O e6 {to reply with the +advantageous} 8. dxe6 Bxe6 9. Ng5 Bxc4 10. Bxb7 Nbd7 11. Na3 $1 {- earlier +Korchnoi played this against Velimirovic (Sukhumi 1966) and Bouaziz (Sousse +Interzonal 1967)}) ({, various lines of the Benko Gambit are possible:} 6... b5 +7. cxb5 a6 (7... Qa5+ $5 8. Nfd2 Qxb5 {, Korchnoi-Fischer, Curaçao Candidates +1962}) 8. bxa6 O-O 9. Nc3 Bxa6 10. O-O Nbd7 {(Korchnoi-Quinteros, Leningrad +Interzonal 1973)}) ({, or} 6... O-O 7. O-O b5 8. cxb5 a6 9. bxa6 Bf5 $5 { +(Nikolic-Kasparov, 2nd match game (rapid), Paris 1994).})) 6... O-O 7. Nf3 {(4) +} e6 {(2)} 8. O-O ({Now the variation} 8. dxe6 Bxe6 9. Ng5 Bxc4 10. Bxb7 Nbd7 +11. Bxa8 Qxa8 12. O-O d5 {gives Black excellent compensation for the exchange, +as has been known since the time of the game Korchnoi-Scherbakov (Poltava 1956) +.}) 8... exd5 9. cxd5 {At last the game has entered the normal lines of the +Modern Benoni.} a6 {(6)} 10. a4 Re8 {(2) At that time I did not give any +particular thought to the order in which to make the moves which are essential +for this set-up.} 11. Nd2 {Korchnoi confidently follows the main line.} ({If} +11. Bf4 {Black usually played} Ne4 12. Nxe4 Rxe4 13. Nd2 Rb4 {, and if} 14. Ne4 +{, then} h6 {(Savon-Tal, Dnepropetrovsk 1970), but now the sharp gambit 14 +b3!? has been revived (Hausner-Sikora, Czechoslovakia 1982; Aronian-Carlsen, +7th match game, Elista 2007).}) 11... Nbd7 12. h3 {(3)} Rb8 {(2)} 13. Nc4 {The +critical position of the variation.} Ne5 $5 {(16)} ({The plan with} 13... Nb6 +14. Na3 Bd7 {, which Magerramov and I had studied before the Olympiad, is +safer, for example:} 15. a5 ({or} 15. e4 Nc8 16. Qd3 Qc7 17. Be3 Na7 18. Rfc1 +b5 19. b4 c4 20. Qe2 bxa4 {(Korchnoi-Franco, Lucerne Olympiad 1982, 2nd round)} +) 15... Nc8 16. Nc4 Bb5 17. Qb3 Bxc4 18. Qxc4 Nd7 19. e4 Qc7 20. Be3 Na7 21. +Rfc1 b5 22. b4 bxc4 {, in both cases with a complicated battle. But after some +thought I chose a more risky but also more ambitious continuation, demanding +intensive calculating work by both players.}) 14. Na3 Nh5 {Intending by ...f7-f5 to neutralise the opponent's pawn majority in the centre. Therefore +White cannot afford to delay.} 15. e4 {(8)} ({Very few players are willing to +accept the piece sacrifice in the variations} 15. f4 Nxg3 $1 16. fxe5 Bxe5 { +(Donner-Ree, Amsterdam 1979)}) ({or} 15. g4 Qh4 $1 16. Ne4 h6 $1 17. gxh5 Bxh3 +{(Kakageldyev-Tseshkovsky, Ashkhabad 1978).}) 15... Rf8 {(20) A comparatively +fresh idea of Timman's.} ({From the early 1970s attention focused on the +complications after} 15... f5 16. exf5 Bxf5 17. g4 Bxg4 18. hxg4 Qh4 19. gxh5 +Rf8 $1 20. h6 Bh8 {, for example:} 21. -- (21. Ne4 Ng4 22. Qxg4 Qxg4 23. Nc4 +Rbe8 {(Marovic-Kapengut, Yerevan 1971)} ({or} 23... b5 $5 {(Kivlan-Petkevich, +Riga 1974).})) ({. Then a problem-like idea on the theme of diversion brought +White success -} 21. Nc4 $5 Ng4 {(there is nothing else)} 22. Qxg4 Qxg4 23. +Nxd6 Be5 24. Nde4 Rf3 {with the idea of ...Rh3-h2;} (24... Rbe8 $5) 25. Ng5 ( +25. Be3 Rbf8 $1) 25... Rbf8 $2 ({but after} 25... Rf5 {(Stohl)}) ({or} 25... +Rd3 {Black's queen is no weaker than the three minor pieces}) 26. Nxf3 Rxf3 27. +Re1 {(Kovacevic-Nemet, Karlovac 1979).})) ({In Moscow, after the Olympiad, +Nikitin and I also analysed the new, audacious move} 15... Bd7 $5 {, +transforming the knight on e5 into a kamikaze (the source game: Hulak-Nunn, +Toluca Interzonal 1982; a recent example: Aronian-Grischuk, Monte Carlo (rapid) +2011).}) ({The return move} 15... Rf8 {also looks audacious: Black calmly +prepares ...f7-f5, not paying any attention to his opponent's plans. But the +attempt to refute this immediately does not prevent the development of +counterplay:} 16. g4 $6 ({or} 16. Be3 $6 f5 17. exf5 Bxf5 18. g4 $2 Bxg4 $1 19. +hxg4 Qh4 $1 {and wins}) 16... Qh4 17. gxh5 Bxh3 18. h6 Bh8 19. Qe2 (19. Ne2 $2 +f5 $1 {, Scheeren-Timman, Leeuwarden 1980}) 19... f5 20. Nc2 Rbe8 {with an +attack compensating for the piece deficit (Timman).}) 16. Kh2 {(10) White is +all ready to play f2-f4, but what can Black do? There would already appear to +be no way back and only one remains - forward...} f5 $2 {(15) Consistent - +but premature! I had seen this move in the most recent 'Informator', Volume 33, +but I did not have time to check it carefully.} ({At the board I intuitively +considered} 16... Bd7 {to be acceptable, and if} 17. f4 {, then} b5 $1 {with +very sharp play. Later it transpired that all this had already been played in +a little-known game from the West German Correspondence Championship (1980). +True, after} 18. fxe5 {Black overlooked his main trump -} Nxg3 $1 19. Kxg3 +Bxe5+ 20. Kf3 (20. Kf2 Qh4+ 21. Kg1 ({or} 21. Ke2 b4 {is no better}) 21... Bxh3 +) 20... b4 {, regaining one piece and obtaining quite sufficient compensation +for the second one. --- Even so, after some hesitation I decided to make an +'unclear' move, which was suggested by Timman in 'Informator' Volume 30 and +had occurred in two recent games. Alas, after this life for Black becomes +significantly more complicated.}) 17. f4 {This way, since now the retreat of +the knight loses - 17...Nf7? 18 exf5!. But here common sense is forced to +leave the stage, creating scope for flights of fantasy.} b5 $1 {An +instantaneous reply.} ({In 'Informator' Alburt recommended} 17... Bd7 {, +retaining the tension on the queenside, but after} 18. exf5 Bxf5 19. fxe5 Nxg3 +$5 (19... Bxe5 20. Bf4 $1) 20. Rf3 $1 Nh5 (20... Bxe5 21. Nc4 $1) 21. exd6 Be5+ +22. Kg1 Qh4 23. Be3 {Black's attack peters out.}) 18. axb5 $1 {(12)} ({The +acceptance of the piece sacrifice would have suited Black very well:} 18. fxe5 +$6 Nxg3 $1 19. Kxg3 Bxe5+ 20. Kf2 {, and in the event of} Qh4+ $6 21. Kg1 Qg3 +22. Rf3 $1 Qh2+ 23. Kf1 $2 ({But after} 23. Kf2 $1 {the advantage is on his +side:} -- ({, the 'reckless'} 23... Bd7 {(?), recommended by Arnason and me, +is bad in view of} 24. Qh1 $1) ({, as is} 23... Bd4+ $2 24. Qxd4 $1 cxd4 25. +Bf4 $1 fxe4 26. Bxh2 exf3 {(Arnason)} 27. Bf1 $1 ({but not the earlier move} +27. Bxd6 $2 {because of} fxg2+ $1 28. Bxf8 dxc3 {with drawing chances})) ({, +and} 23... b4 {the most resilient, is also insufficient in view of} 24. Qh1 $1) +) 23... Bd7 $1 {(Birnboim-Arnason, Randers 1982) White is forced to seek +salvation with the only move} 24. Bh6 $1 {. However, the immediate 20...b4! +is correct, regaining one of the knights and retaining excellent counterplay.}) +18... axb5 19. Naxb5 {(6)} ({For the moment Korchnoi is equal to the occasion: +again he would have sold his advantage much too cheaply by prematurely +capturing the doomed knight -} 19. fxe5 $6 Nxg3 $1 {(van Wely-Timman, Wijk aan +Zee 2002).}) 19... fxe4 {(2) Again White is at the cross-roads.} 20. Bxe4 $1 { +(31) After a long think Korchnoi makes a new, simple and strong move.} (20. +fxe5 $6 {would have been parried by the simple} Bxe5 ({here} 20... Nxg3 $2 {is +bad because of} 21. Rxf8+ Qxf8 22. e6 $1) 21. Rxf8+ (21. Bf4 $2 Rxf4 $1) 21... +Qxf8 22. Qf1 Bxg3+ 23. Kg1 Bf5 {with sufficient counterplay.}) ({However, +White had two other tempting continuations:} 20. Nxd6 $5 {(during the game I +was afraid of this temporary knight sacrifice)} Nxg3 ({in 'The Test of Time' I +recommended} 20... Qxd6 21. Nxe4 Qb6 22. fxe5 Rxf1 23. Qxf1 Bxe5 {, but after} +24. Qc4 $1 {Black has problems}) 21. Kxg3 Qxd6 22. Nxe4 Qb6 {'with unclear +play' - this, my Informator recommendation, is correct only after} 23. d6 ({ +but not} 23. fxe5 $2 Bxe5+ 24. Kh4 Rxf1 $1 25. Qxf1 h6 $3 26. Bxh6 Qd8+ 27. Bg5 +Qc7 $1 {and wins}) ({whereas after} 23. Be3 $1 Nd7 24. Rf2 {White seizes the +initiative, while keeping his extra pawn (although the insecure position of +his king leaves Black with some counter-chances)}) 23... Nf7 24. d7 Bb7 {.}) ( +20. Na7 $5 {, aiming at the c6-square.} -- ({. The game Alburt-H.Olafsson +(Reykjavik 1982), published in 'Informator' Volume 33, brought White success +after} 20... e3 $2 21. Qe2 ({but} 21. Nc6 $1 Nxc6 22. dxc6 {was even stronger, +winning}) 21... Nxg3 $6 22. Kxg3 {.}) ({. Commenting on that game R.Byrne and +Mednis also condemned the more resilient} 20... Nf3+ 21. Bxf3 exf3 22. Nc6 Qd7 +{in view of} 23. f5 {(?!)} ({on the other hand, my later discovery} 23. g4 $1 +Rb7 24. Rxf3 Nf6 25. Re3 {gives him an obvious advantage}) 23... Rb7 24. g4 { +, but in this case after} Nf6 25. Qxf3 gxf5 26. gxf5 Kh8 {White's extra pawn +is hardly felt.})) 20... Bd7 $1 {(37) Not only leaving the knight at e5 en +prise, but also sacrificing the mainstay of the position - the d6-pawn!} 21. +Qe2 $6 {(18) Temporarily maintaining the knight on b5.} ({Little was promised +by either} 21. Nxd6 $6 Qf6 $1 ({my earlier recommendation} 21... Rb6 {is less +good on account of the far from obvious reply} 22. Bg2 $1) 22. Bg2 (22. Ra6 Nc4 +$1) 22... Nxg3 $1 23. Kxg3 Qxd6 24. Ne4 Qb6 {with double-edged play}) ({or} 21. +Na3 $6 Bc8 $1 ({the modest} 21... Nf7 22. Nc4 Rb4 $6 23. Bd3 $1 {favours White} +) 22. fxe5 Bxe5 23. Rxf8+ Qxf8 {with sufficient compensation for the piece.}) ( +{But} 21. Na7 $1 {was strong, although I condemned it because of} Ra8 {, when +'it is not easy for White to escape from the pin'. In fact he can escape from +it by} 22. Ra2 $1 {(Stohl), when Black has problems:} Nc4 $2 ({or} 22... Qe8 +23. Re1 $1 (23. Bg2 $5) 23... Qf7 24. Bg2 $1 {with the threat of fxe5, and if} +Nc4 25. Qb3 $1) 23. Nc6 $1 Qb6 24. Na4 Qb7 (24... Qc7 25. Qb3) 25. Bd3 Na5 26. +Nxc5 {and wins. --- Korchnoi's solid but slow move allows Black something of a +respite.}) 21... Qb6 $5 {(13)} 22. Na3 $1 ({Now} 22. Na7 $2 {no longer hits +the target:} Ra8 $1 23. Qa6 Qxa6 24. Rxa6 g5 $1 {etc.}) 22... Rbe8 $1 {(2) +Another critical position. --- The intensity of the battle is approaching its +height, and the quality of the next two or three moves will decide the fate of +the game. The difficulty for White lies mainly in choosing from the mass of +available possibilities - it is not clear which of them is best. In addition, +the lack of time for thought was beginning to be felt... --- It is said that +the English grandmaster Keene, on entering the playing hall and seeing this +position on a monitor, decided that it was Black to move, and he declared that +Kasparov faced a very difficult defence, since the white knight would +inevitably go to c4. But on suddenly realising that it was White to move, he +began reassessing the position! Yes, White seems to have an obvious advantage, +but everywhere Black has some counterplay, enabling him to confuse matters.} +23. Bd2 $6 {(14) By giving up the b2-pawn, Korchnoi loses the remainder of +his advantage! After the game he was to say: 'Playing such complicated +positions against Kasparov is exceptionally difficult - all the time you have +to find the only moves'.} (23. g4 $2 {was more than dubious in view of} Qd8 $1 +24. Kg2 (24. gxh5 Qh4 $1) ({also} 24. g5 Nf7 $1 {does not help}) 24... Nxg4 $1 +25. hxg4 Qh4 26. Nab5 Bd4 {and wins.}) ({And after} 23. Be3 $6 Qb4 $1 {with +the threat of ...Nf7 the insecure placing of the bishops on the e-file is felt. +}) ({Again nothing is given by the capture of the knight:} 23. fxe5 $6 Bxe5 24. +Rxf8+ ({after} 24. Bf4 $2 Nxf4 25. gxf4 Bxf4+ 26. Kg2 Qd8 $1 {and ...Qg5+ +White has no defence}) 24... Rxf8 25. Nc4 Bxg3+ 26. Kg1 Qd8 27. Bf3 Bxh3 {with +approximate equality - say,} 28. Ne4 Nf4 29. Bxf4 Bxf4 30. Qe1 Qe7 31. Bg2 Bf5 +{etc.}) ({However, the queen should have been moved out of range of the rook - +} 23. Qg2 $1 {. This move, shown to me immediately after the game by Vaganian, +was for many years considered a confirmation of White's obvious advantage:} -- +(23... Nf7 {(an admission of failure)} 24. g4 Nf6 25. Nc4 {and Bd3}) ({, or} +23... Qb4 24. Nc2 Qb8 25. Ne3 Nf7 26. g4 Nf6 27. Bd3 {and Nc4 with a sound +extra pawn.}) (23... Qd8 $6 24. Bd2 $1 {.}) ({. But the modern computer claims +that after} 23... Qb3 $1 {all is not so simple:} 24. -- ({, after} 24. fxe5 +Rxf1 25. Qxf1 Bxe5 26. Qc4 Qb4 $1) ({, or} 24. g4 Nf6 25. Bc2 (25. fxe5 Nxe4 { +and ...Bxe5+}) 25... Qb4 $1 26. Kh1 Nexg4 $1 27. hxg4 Nxg4 28. Bd3 (28. Ne4 g5 +$1) 28... Bf5 29. Nc2 Qb7 {Black retains compensation for the piece}) ({, and +in the event of} 24. Bc2 Qb4 25. Bd2 (25. Ne4 $5) 25... Nc4 26. Nxc4 Qxc4 { +Sloth-Sterud, correspondence 1984)}) (24. Bb1 $5 Rb8 (24... c4 $6 25. Ba2 $1) +25. Bc2 Qb4 26. Ne4 Nf7 {- some compensation for the pawn.}))) 23... Qxb2 $1 { +(7) The long-awaited turning point! --- The queen fearlessly rushes into the +thick of the opponent's pieces, knowing that in the event of 24 Rfb1? the +doomed knight will land a decisive blow - 24...Nf3+!. Apparently this little +variation, which Korchnoi had overlooked, exhausted his patience...} 24. fxe5 +$4 {(4) At the most inappropriate moment! Now the energy stored in the black +pieces breaks out, sowing death and destruction in the enemy camp.} ({ +Meanwhile White had more than one safe continuation:} 24. Ra2 -- (24... Qb4 25. +Rb1 Qd4 {, and it is safest to go into an equal endgame:} 26. Nab5 Bxb5 27. +Nxb5 Qc4 28. Qxc4 Nxc4 29. Bf3 {.}) ({. Dreaming of victory, in 'The Test of +Time' I recommended} 24... Qb8 {, since again} 25. fxe5 $6 ({while after} 25. +Qg2 Nf7 {'Black has the advantage - the white pieces do not have any strong +points'. But this is an over-optimistic assessment: after} 26. Rb1 Qc8 27. Nab5 +{White has at least equal chances}) 25... Rxf1 {, is unproductive after} 26. +Qxf1 (26. e6 $2 Ref8 $1) 26... Bxe5 27. Qd3 {(Stohl's move, with the idea of +27...Nxg3?! 28 Nc4!)} Bxg3+ $1 28. Kg1 Qd8 (28... Be5 $5) 29. Bxg6 Qf6 $1 { +with equality.})) (24. Nc2 $5 Qb7 $1 {(great resourcefulness is required)} 25. +Rab1 Qc8 26. fxe5 $1 {(at last!)} Rxf1 27. Qxf1 Bxe5 $1 (27... Nxg3 $5 28. Kxg3 +Bxe5+ 29. Bf4 Rf8 30. Ne2 g5 {is also interesting}) 28. Ne2 Qa6 29. Qf3 Bf5 $1 +30. Bxf5 (30. Rf1 Bf6 $1) 30... Qxe2+ 31. Qxe2 Bxg3+ 32. Kh1 Rxe2 33. Be6+ Kg7 +34. Rb7+ Kf6 35. Bc3+ Kg5 36. Ne3 Rxe3 37. Bd2 Bf4 38. Bxe3 Bxe3 {with a drawn +endgame}) (24. Qg2 $1 {, practically forcing} Nf3+ 25. Bxf3 Bxc3 26. Nc4 Qb4 +27. Bxc3 Qxc4 {, when after} 28. Rac1 {White has two active bishops and a +comfortable position.}) 24... Bxe5 {(the g3-point is under more pressure than +ever!)} 25. Nc4 {(17)} Nxg3 {A good move;} ({but there was also a more elegant +win, not noticed by the commentators -} 25... Rxf1 $5 26. Nxb2 Nxg3 $1 {, for +example:} 27. Rxf1 Nxe2+ 28. Kg2 Nxc3 29. Bf3 Na2 {etc.}) 26. Rxf8+ Rxf8 27. +Qe1 $5 {A desperate chance in a time scramble.} (27. Nxb2 Nxe2+ 28. Kg2 Bxc3 { +was too elementary.}) 27... Nxe4+ {(3)} 28. Kg2 Qc2 {(2)} ({It suddenly seemed +to me that the winning path had become more complicated, and I made a simple, +obvious move, overlooking the spectacular stroke} 28... Rf2+ $1 {, which would +have quickly decided the outcome:} 29. Kh1 Rh2+ 30. Kg1 Nxd2 $1 {with the +threat of} 31. -- Nf3+ 32. Kf1 Bxh3#) ({or} 28... Rf2+ 29. Qxf2 Bxh3+ $1 30. +Kf3 Bg4+ $1 (30... Nxd2+ 31. Qxd2 Qxa1 {, given in 'The Test of Time', is also +sufficient}) 31. Kg2 Qxa1 {, and if} 32. Nxe4 {, then} Bh3+ $1 33. Kf3 Qd1+ { +, mating (Stohl).}) 29. Nxe5 ({Again avoiding the obvious} 29. Qxe4 Qxe4+ 30. +Nxe4 Bxa1 {.}) 29... Rf2+ $6 {The blinding proximity of victory... That which +was good on the previous move now turns out to be inaccurate.} ({Black would +have won easily by both} 29... Bxh3+ $1 30. Kxh3 Nxd2 {(White has to lose one +of his knights)}) ({and} 29... Nxd2 $1 {(I saw this, but I thought that the +rook check was even better)} 30. Rc1 ({or} 30. Nxd7 Nf3+ 31. Qe2 Nh4+ $1 32. +Kg1 (32. Kh2 Rf2+) 32... Qxc3 {etc.}) 30... Nf3+ 31. Rxc2 Nxe1+ {.}) 30. Qxf2 +$6 {(5) Previously an exclamation mark was attached to this move, but this +was wrong.} (30. Kg1 $1 {was more resilient. The variation which I hastily +calculated at the board looked convincing -} Rxd2 $1 31. Qxe4 (31. Nxe4 $2 Rg2+ +{leads to mate}) 31... Qxc3 {(?!)} ({the cool-headed} 31... dxe5 $1 {(instead +of 31...Qxc3)} 32. Qxe5 Qf5 33. Qxf5 Bxf5 {would nevertheless have given Black +a technically won endgame}) 32. Ra8+ Kg7 {. Stohl confirmed the win for Black +after} 33. Nf3 $1 Rd1+ $1 (33... Qc1+ 34. Ne1 Rxd5 35. Qe7+ {with perpetual +check}) 34. Kg2 {(?!)} ({but} 34. Kh2 $1 {is better, in order after} Qf6 ({and +if} 34... Qb2+ $1 35. Kg3 Qf6 36. Ra7 Qf7 {there is the splendid resource} 37. +Qc2 Rxd5 38. h4 $3 {, when it is very difficult for Black to destroy the +domination of the white pieces and convert his material advantage}) 35. Ra7 Qf7 +{to force a draw by} 36. Qh4 $1 h6 37. Qd8) 34... Qf6 35. Ra7 Qf7 { +(threatening ...Bxh3+), although even here things are not completely clear +after} 36. Kg3 $1 {. --- The game enters its concluding, most gripping stage. +Each player had roughly five minutes left on the clock.}) 30... Nxf2 $1 { +Hurrah for intuition!} ({Some kind of sixth sense forced me to reject the +plausible} 30... Bxh3+ $2 31. Kg1 $1 Nxf2 {because of} 32. Ra2 $1 {, and later +analysis confirmed my fears:} Qb3 {(the only chance of playing for a win)} 33. +Ra8+ Kg7 34. Ra7+ Kf6 $5 ({avoiding the draw after} 34... Kg8) ({and not +blundering into} 34... Kf8 $4 35. Bh6+ Ke8 36. Ra8+ Ke7 37. Bg5#) 35. Nf3 $1 { +and the seemingly helpless white pieces unexpectedly create mating threats. In +addition the knight on f2 is en prise, and in the event of} Nd3 $2 ({Black was +not obliged to lose, but after the approximate} 35... g5 36. Kxf2 Qc2 37. Kg3 ( +{or} 37. Ne2 {he would also not have had any serious winning chances})) 36. +Ne4+ $1 {(disaster strikes from the other side)} (36. Bg5+ Kf5 37. Rf7+ Kg4 38. +Rf4+ Kh5 ({or} 38... Kg3 39. Ne2#) 39. Rh4#) 36... Kf5 37. Nxd6+ Kg4 38. Nh2+ +Kh4 39. Rxh7+ Kg3 40. Ne4# {mate! In 'The Test of Time' I gave this résumé: +'In the time scramble the game could have ended this way, but then it is +unlikely that this commentary would have been written...'}) 31. Ra2 $1 {I had +overlooked this defence and so I became extremely agitated. But even so, +sensing that 31...Bxh3+? 32 Kg1! was weak (as on the 30th move), I made the +only winning move.} Qf5 $1 {Petrosian: 'I would also not have moved my bishop +off the 7th rank, where it was performing the role of a block in the path of +the white rook. In a time scramble the safety of the king is more precious +than gain of material'.} 32. Nxd7 Nd3 $2 {None of the commentators noticed +that this was a time-trouble blunder!} ({The only way to win was} 32... Nxh3 $1 +33. Ra8+ Kg7 34. Ra7 g5 $1 {(the computer is not afraid of discovered checks)} +35. Nxc5+ Kg6 {, when White would not succeed in coordinating his pieces:} 36. +N5e4 (36. Ne6 g4 $2 37. Be1 Qf3+ 38. Kh2 h6 $1 39. Rg7+ Kh5 40. Rg8 Nf2 {and +wins}) 36... Qg4+ $1 37. Ng3 (37. Kh2 Qg1+ 38. Kxh3 g4+ 39. Kh4 Qg2 $1 {etc.}) +37... Nf4+ 38. Kf2 Nd3+ 39. Kg2 Qd4 $1 {.}) 33. Bh6 $2 {Time, time...} (33. +Ra8+ $1 Kg7 34. Ra7 $1 {was essential, setting up an ambush and prettily +forcing a draw:} Qf2+ 35. Kh1 Qxd2 (35... c4 36. Nc5+ $1) 36. Ne5+ $1 Kf8 ( +36... Kh6 $2 37. Ng4+ Kg5 38. Ne4+) 37. Ra8+ Ke7 38. Ra7+ Kd8 39. Ra8+ $1 ({ +but not} 39. Nf7+ $2 Kc8 $1 40. Nxd6+ Kb8 41. Rb7+ Ka8 42. Ncb5 Nf2+ $1 43. Kg1 +Nxh3+ 44. Kh1 Qxd5+ 45. Kh2 Qxb7 {, destroying the mating construction and +winning}) {, and since} 39... Kc7 $2 40. Nb5+ Kb7 41. Ra7+ Kb6 42. Nc4+ {is +bad for Black, he is forced to return with his king - 39...Ke7 and allow 40 +Ra7+ with perpetual check. --- Yes, in such games it is rarely possible to +avoid mutual mistakes. Immediately after the game I admitted: 'The tension was +so great that by the fifth hour of play my eyes were dazzled, and at times it +seemed that the pieces were shaking, although I love sharp chess of this sort. +I can imagine how tired my opponent must have been...'}) 33... Qxd7 34. Ra8+ +Kf7 35. Rh8 $6 (35. Ne4 {, restricting the black king's mobility, was more +resilient.} -- ({. At the board I imagined all sorts of horrors, and so I was +intending to open an escape square for my king with} 35... g5 $1 {. This +position proved so interesting, that while still at the Olympiad Igor Zaitsev +and I made a thorough analysis of it:} 36. Rf8+ (36. Bxg5 h6 ({or} 36... Nb4 $1 +)) 36... Ke7 37. Rh8 (37. Re8+ Kxe8 $1) 37... Nf4+ $1 (37... Qf5 $4 38. Bxg5+ +Kd7 39. Rxh7+ $1 {, winning the queen}) 38. Kf2 Nxh3+ 39. Kg3 Qf5 (39... Qa4 +40. Rxh7+ Kd8 $1 {is also good}) 40. Bf8+ $1 Kd8 $1 ({not} 40... Kd7 $2 41. +Rxh7+ $1 Kd8 42. Be7+ Kc7 43. Bxd6+ Kc8 44. Rc7+ $1 Kd8 45. Nxc5 {, forcing} +Qf2+ {with a draw}) 41. Bxd6+ Kd7 42. Rxh7+ $1 Qxh7 $1 43. Nf6+ Kxd6 44. Nxh7 +c4 ({or} 44... Kxd5 {with a won knight endgame})) ({. The analysis contained a +number of other branches, but the simple move} 35... Qe7 {, pointed out in +Moscow by Nikitin, made all these subtleties unnecessary:} 36. Ng5+ ({as is +the knight ending after} 36. Rf8+ Qxf8 37. Ng5+ ({or} 37. Bxf8 Kxf8 38. Nxd6 +Nf4+ 39. Kf3 Nxd5 40. Ke4 Nb6) 37... Ke8 38. Bxf8 Kxf8 39. Nxh7+ Kg7 40. Ng5 +Kf6) 36... Kf6 37. Rf8+ Ke5 38. Rf7 Qe8 {is hopeless for White. --- Initially +the unexpected rook thrust to h8 put me into a slight panic: for an instant it +appeared that Black had no good reply. But by the method of elimination I +quickly found a move which not only did not lose, but also won!})) 35... Kf6 $1 +{The king breaks free, and now White has nothing to hope for. For the first +time in the game I could breath freely - all the fears and dangers (apart from +time-trouble!) were now behind me...} 36. Kf3 $2 {A blunder with the flag +about to fall: it would appear that Korchnoi could no longer see the board.} +Qxh3+ {. And White lost on time, without managing to resign. --- Times: 2.30-2.28.} (36... -- {At that moment the spectators and players tightly surrounding +our board gave us a genuine ovation. It need hardly be said that this +ultra-tense game appeared in chess publications around the world. Nikitin: +'The Korchnoi-Kasparov duel went down in the history of the Olympiads as one +of the most dramatic battles, alongside such unforgettable clashes as +Fischer-Tal (1960) and Spassky-Fischer (1970). In the end it was this stunning +win by the Baku player that deprived Karpov of another chess "Oscar" - the +prestigious annual journalists' prize, which he had already become accustomed +to receiving.' --- The well-known photographer Dmitry Donskoy, who was present +at this match, informed me a few days later that he had spoken to many +journalists from various countries and he already realised to whom the 'Oscar' +for 1982 would be awarded. Of course, it was not only my win against Korchnoi +that was taken into account, but also my results in Bugojno, the Interzonal in +Moscow and the Olympiad in Lucerne, where towards the end I won against Suba +and drew with Andersson (an overall score of +19 =18, without any losses). And +if I had also managed to defeat the third defector - the leader of the +Canadian team Igor Ivanov, then, as my colleagues joked, 'Moscow would also +have awarded Dzerzhinsky's personal revolver.'}) (36... -- {As for the outcome +of the Olympiad, the USSR team achieved its best result in recent years, +finishing 6½ points ahead of the second prize-winners! Karpov performed +confidently on board 1, while on board 2 I brought the team the greatest +number of points. Nikitin: 'The names of Karpov and Kasparov were always +adjacent both in the rating list, and in the Soviet team list. At the Olympiad +both endeavoured not to fall behind the other, and this competition of the +leaders was to the benefit of the team. As it was wittily remarked at the time, +the chess ship "USSR" had acquired a powerful KarKas.' (Karkas - from Russian +this would be translated as 'hull' - translator's note) --- There was a very +tough battle for second place between the teams from USA, Yugoslavia and +Czechoslovakia. More confident play in the last few matches enabled the Czech +players to repeat a success of half a century (!) earlier, by winning the +silver medals. This was as much a surprise as the failure of the Hungarian +team, who on this occasion played a secondary role.}) (36... -- {Towards the +end of the Olympiad the FIDE Congress was held, and there an event occurred +which was to have far-reaching consequences for the chess world. With the +support of the USSR, the Soviet bloc and countries of the Third World, the +person elected as FIDE President was the Filipino Florencio Campomanes - a man +with dictatorial ways, who looked down on chess players. It became possible +for small countries to dictate matters, without being restrained by the right +of veto, or by the Security Council, as in the United Nations. During the +times of representatives of the democratic world, such as the Dutchman Max +Euwe or the Icelander Fridrik Olafsson, things were better in FIDE, since +these presidents did not endeavour to rise above chess: they played the role +of intermediary between opposing sides and always took into account the +interests of chess players. In difficult, sometimes deadlocked situations, +both presidents displayed, in the name of chess, both firmness and flexibility, +and above all - objectivity. But the new FIDE leadership began to disregard +grandmasters - after all, they didn't (and still don't) even have the right to +vote! --- I remember one episode, which struck me as being highly symbolic. +After the counting of the votes, but before the declaration of the results, +the chairman was handed a note, and he read out in a sombre voice: 'It is with +great regret that I announce the death of President Brezhnev. I would ask you +all to stand and observe a minute's silence in his memory.' After this, in +deathly silence, Campomanes's victory was announced. It appeared that the +chess world was mourning not Brezhnev's death, but its own future... In this +strange way Campomanes's election and Brezhnev's death became linked in my +memory. The former promised me problems in the chess world, while the latter +promised hopes of favourable changes in my country.}) (36... -- {The pairings +for the Candidates matches, held at the end of the Olympiad, did not turn out +very well for me. I sat with Beliavsky and with baited breath awaited the +results. However, the way that the draw was made was strange. Here is a list +of the pairings and the ratings of the players: Hübner (2630) - Smyslov (2565) +--- Ribli (2580) - Torre (2535) --- Kasparov (2675) - Beliavsky (2620) --- +Korchnoi (2635) - Portisch (2625)}) (36... -- {I considered my most dangerous +rivals to be Beliavsky and Korchnoi, and here I was faced with playing both of +them in succession! Why? Because after the pairings had been decided, it was +simply announced that the winner of the first pair would meet the winner of +the second, and the winner of the third would play the winner of the fourth +(although it was quite obvious that the first two pairs were in general weaker +than the other two). Had lots been drawn, and if so, why was this done without +our participation? My immediate thought was that someone wanted to make it as +difficult as possible for me to qualify for a match with Karpov: after all, at +the start I could have lacked match experience. Beliavsky also looked +distressed - we were on good terms, and we were both hoping to avoid meeting +in the quarter-final, realising that this would be a severe test. And the +indignant Portisch left the hall, accusing those who had organised the +pairings of cheating: it was not just that he had been paired with Korchnoi - +if he won, he would have to play me or Beliavsky... --- This was how the 1982 +'Oscar' year ended, a very important one for my development. Ahead lay the +Candidates matches.}) 0-1 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Match with Beliavsky"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.08"] + +{Quarter-final Candidates match Kasparov-Beliavsky (Moscow, 26th February-20th +March 1983) - 6-3.} 1. -- {This Moscow encounter with Alexander Beliavsky was +the first official match in my career. At that time the quarter-finals were +played to the best of 10 games, the semi-finals - 12 games, and the final - 16 +games, and all with separate days for adjournments, so that they lasted +somewhat longer than present-day matches for the world championship! I had to +adapt urgently to the unfamiliar logic of match play, and the pre-match +preparation had to be especially thorough: for the first time I had to +consider my opening repertoire as applied to a single opponent. True, my +opponent probably experienced similar difficulties. --- I think that the most +important role in my ultimate success was in fact played by preparation, or, +more specifically, a more flexible approach to match strategy, mainly to the +solving of opening problems. In addition, I and my group of trainers (it +included Nikitin, Shakarov, Timoshchenko, Vladimirov, and in Moscow also +Chekhov) studied Beliavsky's games, and noted his strong and weak points. The +strong included his enormous capacity for work at the board, his brilliant +handling of familiar positions, and his exceptional tenacity. However, our +deficiencies are a continuation of our virtues: Beliavsky's adherence to his +own views often transformed into inflexibility, and his excellent knowledge of +certain set-ups gave rise to the desire to get by with the minimum of means in +the opening. On the basis of this, an attempt was made to plan, if only +roughly, the course of the match struggle.} (1. -- {We played in the +conference hall of the 22-storey Sport Hotel, situated on the part of Lenin +Prospect far from the centre. It was there, eighteen months earlier, that the +Interzonal Tournament was held, and that two years later the 48th game of my +first match with Karpov would be played, and Campomanes's notorious press +conference would be held (in 2004, 'in view of its dangerous condition', this +historic chess building was demolished). --- The pairings gave me the white +pieces in the first game. My trainers and I decided that I would play only 1 +d4 and after 1...Nf6 2 c4 e6 allow the Nimzo-Indian Defence with 3 Nc3. +Against 3...Bb4 we had prepared the extremely risky Sämisch Variation - 4 a3!?. +After playing this against Beliavsky in the 1983 USSR Spartakiad, I soon +gained a promising position: my opponent was clearly not prepared for such a +turn of events. But in the match, on encountering the unexpected 3 Nc3 (I used +to play 3 Nf3 far more often), to simplify his preparation Beliavsky +concentrated on the Queen's Gambit - 3...d5, and all the odd-numbered games +(apart from the last, the 9th) led to a 'Karlsbad' structure: 4 cxd5 exd5 5 +Bg5 Be7 6 e3. This line came as a surprise to both of us - the exchange on the +4th move had not previously occurred in my games, while Beliavsky replied with +the rare set-up 6...h6 7 Bh4 b6.}) (1. -- {The battle in the 1st game went in +my favour, but I did not find the correct way of increasing the advantage +gained from the opening (cf. Game No.80, note to Black's 11th move), and by +the adjournment Beliavsky had succeeded in fully neutralising White's +initiative. On the resumption a draw was agreed on the 65th move. --- My +opponent arrived for the 2nd game with big hopes. It has to be said that, +because of our lack of match experience, we both overestimated the importance +of the white pieces, seriously reckoning that with White it was necessary to +play exclusively for a win. And this maximalism did Beliavsky a bad service +(see the following game).}) * + +[Event "79: Candidates Quarter-Final, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1983.03.01"] +[Round "2"] +[White "Beliavsky, A."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "D34"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "74"] +[EventDate "1983.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 {Beliavsky had also decided to use only this move in the match.} ({ +Against} 1. e4 {I had prepared the Scheveningen -} c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. +Nxd4 Nf6 ({or the Sicilian 'hedgehog' -} 4... Nc6 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 Nf6 {etc.}) +5. Nc3 d6 {. But the main problem was the move 1 d4, which my opponent +frequently made. It was time to find something rather more solid than my usual +Modern Benoni and King's Indian (which, however, I successfully employed at a +decisive moment of the match - in the 8th game).}) 1... d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 { +Here is a surprise - the Tarrasch Defence! The idea of adopting it came under +the influence of Nikitin and my childhood memories of the book on the 1969 +Petrosian-Spassky match. Since then the defence had gone out of fashion and by +1983 it was in the backwoods of theory and practice: of the leading +grandmasters, the only one to employ it regularly was Gligoric. But it turned +out that here no clear way for White to gain an opening advantage was +apparent! The weakness of the isolated d5-pawn did not concern me, since it +was compensated by dynamic piece play. And, beginning with this game and right +up to the match with Karpov, the Tarrasch Defence brought me truly fairy-tale +dividends (+5=6). --- My choice clearly stunned my opponent - on the first 14 +well-known moves he spent one and a half (!) hours. This was not surprising: +Beliavsky had not yet encountered the 'Tarrasch' in practice, and he had to +play 'by sight'. But as a result he gave me an enormous time advantage, which +largely decided the outcome of the game.} 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. +Bg2 Be7 8. O-O {(20)} O-O 9. Bg5 {(13) The main line.} ({Less is promised by} +9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. Bg5 d4 {(Game No.63)}) (9. b3 Ne4 10. Bb2 Bf6 { +(Larsen-Kasparov, Niksic 1983)}) (9. Be3 c4 10. Ne5 h6 $1 {, as I played +against Larsen (Brussels 1987) and Hort (3rd match game, Cologne 1988).}) 9... +cxd4 ({The alternative is} 9... c4 10. Ne5 Be6 11. f4 Ng4 $1 ({but not} 11... +Nxe5 $2 12. fxe5 $1 Ne4 13. Bxe7 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Qxe7 15. e4 $1 Qd7 16. a4 {, +Kasparov-Hjorth, Dortmund 1980.})) 10. Nxd4 h6 11. Be3 {(6)} Re8 {(5)} ({Since +1969 this move has supplanted} 11... Bg4 12. Qa4 Na5 (12... Qd7 13. Bxd5 {is +not to everyone's taste}) 13. Rad1 Nc4 14. Bc1 Qc8 15. Qb5 $5 ({more accurate +than} 15. Qc2 Rd8 {, Petrosian-Spassky, 12th match game, Moscow 1969}) 15... +Nb6 16. Bf4 {with a small advantage to White (Kasparov-Palatnik, Moscow 1981).} +) 12. Qa4 {(23)} ({One of the most popular continuations at that time, along +with} 12. Rc1 Bf8 {(here} 13. Na4 $5 {is of current interest).}) ({In his +match with me, Korchnoi was to employ the novelty} 12. a3 {, Smyslov was to +follow suit (Game No.91)}) ({while Karpov, after extensive preparation, was to +play} 12. Qb3 {(Game Nos. 11, 13 in 'Kasparov vs. Karpov 1975-1985').}) ({But +in the 6th game Beliavsky revealed a new plan with} 12. Qc2 Bg4 13. Rfd1 {, +and I failed to find an effective antidote. Even so, after} Bf8 (13... Qd7 $1 +14. Nb3 Rad8 {is more useful}) 14. Rac1 Rc8 (14... Qd7 15. Nb3 $1) 15. Nxc6 $6 +({a premature exchange -} 15. Qa4 $1 {is stronger}) 15... bxc6 16. Bd4 (16. +Bxa7 $6 c5 $1) 16... Bb4 (16... a5 $1) 17. Rd2 ({and here} 17. Bxa7 $5 { +deserved consideration}) 17... Qe7 18. a3 Ba5 19. b4 $6 (19. e3 $1 Bb6 20. Na4 +Bxd4 21. Rxd4 {was more cunning, with some advantage}) 19... Bb6 20. e3 Qe6 21. +Qb2 ({now if} 21. Na4 {there is the acceptable reply} Ne4 $1) 21... Bxd4 22. +Rxd4 (22. exd4 Nd7 $1) 22... c5 $1 {the chances became equal and on the 32nd +move peace was concluded.}) 12... Bd7 13. Rad1 {(24) The most natural move.} ( +{Soon the stock of} 13. Rfd1 {also went up in the world - here in the event of} +Nb4 ({. Black tries both} 13... Na5 14. Qc2 Rc8 ({or} 14... Nc4 15. Nxd5 $1) +15. Nf5 $1) ({, and} 13... Bc5) 14. Qb3 a5 {not only} 15. a4 {is attractive,} ( +{but also} 15. Nxd5 {.})) 13... Nb4 {(3)} 14. Qb3 a5 {Black holds on by +tactical means, threatening by ...a5-a4 to drive the queen from its active +position.} 15. Rd2 $5 {(11) A novelty, devised at the board.} ({White loses +the exchange after} 15. Nxd5 $2 Nbxd5 16. Bxd5 Nxd5 17. Qxd5 Bh3 { +(Vaganian-Ivkov, Odessa 1975).}) ({After this} 15. a4 {became the main move, +when the most interesting reply is} Rc8 16. Nc2 b5 $1 17. Nxb4 bxa4 18. Nxa4 +Bxb4 19. Nc3 (19. Nb6 $2 Rxe3 $1 {, Korchnoi-Kasparov, Herzeg Novi (blitz) 1983 +}) 19... Bxc3 20. bxc3 a4 {with good counterplay. But Beliavsky, convinced of +the need to make maximum use of the white pieces, decided to avoid the known +paths, in order to get me away from my home preparation. Previously 15 Rd2 +seemed to me to be dubious, but now I consider it to be the best continuation.} +) 15... a4 {(15)} 16. Qd1 a3 {(3) Ensuring the safety of the knight on b4, +which is defending the isolated d5-pawn.} 17. Qb1 $6 {(7) Excessively modest;} +({as was the later} 17. bxa3 $6 Rxa3 {with equality.}) ({The return of the +queen to its abandoned post would have been far more unpleasant for Black -} +17. Qb3 $1 {, for example:} axb2 ({or} 17... Qa5 18. bxa3 Qxa3 19. Nxd5 Nbxd5 +20. Bxd5 Nxd5 21. Qxd5 {, also winning a pawn and forcing the opponent to +fight only for a draw}) 18. a3 $1 {(a move which is impossible in the +variation with 13 Rfd1)} Nc6 19. Nxd5 Na5 ({or} 19... Bxa3 20. Nc2 $1 Nxd5 21. +Bxd5 Qe7 22. Nxa3 Rxa3 23. Bxf7+ Qxf7 24. Qxa3 Ne5 {, regaining the exchange, +but remaining a pawn down}) 20. Qa2 {, followed by picking up the b2-pawn. --- +In the resulting unfamiliar situation it was now my time to have a proper +think...}) 17... Bf8 {(42)} 18. bxa3 (18. Nb3 {was no better:} Qc8 19. Rc1 Bf5 +20. Qa1 axb2 21. Qxb2 Rxe3 $1 {(Kunin-Veinzettl, Oberwart 2006).}) 18... Rxa3 +19. Qb2 (19. Ndb5 Rxe3 $1 20. fxe3 Qe8 {(b6) etc.}) 19... Qa8 {(5) Black has +deployed his pieces well, neutralising the weakness of the d5-pawn, and he is +ready for further simplification.} 20. Nb3 {This and the next move indicate +that Beliavsky was unable to readjust in good time and that he was continuing +to try and squeeze some plus from the white pieces.} ({The most sensible would +have been to exchange the knight on b4 by} 20. Nc2 $5 Nxc2 21. Rxc2 {, which +would most probably have led to a quick draw.}) 20... Bc6 {(5)} 21. Bd4 $6 {(8) +White does not yet sense the impending danger and he imperceptibly crosses the +boundary between an imaginary better position and a realistically slightly +worse one.} ({It would have been safer to play} 21. Ra1 {, and if} Ne4 {to +exchange the inactive bishop -} 22. Bxe4 $1 dxe4 23. Nd4 {, maintaining +equality without problems.}) 21... Ne4 22. Nxe4 ({Here too} 22. Bxe4 $5 dxe4 +23. Be3 {was more solid, even with the loss of a tempo.}) 22... dxe4 {Little +by little Black has seized the initiative: his 'isolani' has been transformed +into a strong pawn, while White is beginning to be concerned by the weakness +of his a2-pawn.} 23. Ra1 ({If} 23. Nc1 {, then} Bd5 ({or} 23... b5 {is good.})) +({And in the event of} 23. Nc5 {some advantage is given by} e3 ({but} 23... +Nxa2 $5 24. Rc2 Ra5 $1 25. Ra1 Nb4 26. Rcc1 e3 $1 {is more energetic, for the +moment retaining both the extra pawn, and pressure}) 24. Bxc6 exf2+ 25. Bxf2 +Nxc6 {.}) 23... Bd5 {(17)} 24. Qb1 {(13)} ({Here too after} 24. Nc5 $6 {White +has to reckon with} e3 $1 25. Bxd5 (25. Qxb4 $2 Bxg2 26. fxe3 b5 $1) 25... Nxd5 +{.}) 24... b6 {(23)} ({Perhaps the immediate} 24... b5 $5 {was even better, +also opening the long diagonal for the queen and strengthening the threat of ...e4-e3.}) 25. e3 {(8) White is condemned to passive defence. Beliavsky +radically prevents ...e4-e3, but now the black pieces acquire an excellent +base on d3, for which the knight promptly aims.} Nd3 {Slightly hasty;} (25... +Bc4 $5 {.}) 26. Rd1 $6 {(5)} (26. Nc1 $1 Ne1 $1 {looks dangerous for White} 27. +-- ({, say,} 27. Qxb6 $2 Rb8 28. Qc7 Rc8 29. Qf4 ({or} 29. Qe5 Ra5 $1 30. Qf4 +Nxg2 31. Kxg2 Be6 $1 32. Ne2 Be7 33. Nc3 f5 34. g4 Qc6 $1) 29... Qa5 $1 30. Rd1 +Nxg2 31. Kxg2 Be6 $1 32. g4 Qb5 $1) ({. But he could have tried to hold out +after} 27. Ne2 Nf3+ 28. Bxf3 exf3 29. Nf4 Be4 30. Qxb6 Rb8 (30... Ra6 31. Qb3) +31. Qc7 Rc8 32. Qb6 (32. Qd7 Ra5 $1) 32... Rxa2 33. Rdxa2 Qxa2 34. Qb2 {.})) +26... b5 $1 {(6)} 27. Bf1 {(8) In an unpleasant position Beliavsky no longer +begrudges giving up his bishop, in order to get rid of the second annoying +knight.} ({The other way -} 27. Nc1 {was little better in view of} Nxc1 28. +Rxc1 b4 29. Rc2 Qa5 {and ...Ra8.}) 27... b4 {This pawn, securely defended by +the bishop, will soon become passed, since the a2-pawn is bound to fall.} 28. +Bxd3 $6 {This hastens the end;} ({as does} 28. Bb2 $6 Nxb2 29. Qxb2 Be7 {and ...Bf6.}) 28... exd3 29. Qxd3 Rxa2 30. Rxa2 {(2)} Qxa2 {Black has a technically +won position, although a certain accuracy is still demanded of him.} 31. Nc5 +Bf3 {(2)} (31... b3 $1 {was more resolute:} 32. Rd2 Qa5 33. Bb2 Bc4 $1 34. Qd7 +Rc8 $1 {and wins. In the opponent's desperate time-trouble I delayed slightly, +but did not throw away the win.}) 32. Ra1 (32. Rc1 Bxc5 $1 {and ...b4-b3.}) +32... Qd5 33. Qb3 Qh5 34. Nd3 Bd6 (34... Be4 {(c6, b7)} 35. Ne1 Ra8 {was +simpler, combining an attack on the king along the long diagonal with the +threat of advancing the passed pawn.}) 35. Ne1 Bb7 {(3)} 36. Rc1 Qf5 {(5)} ({ +Again not the highest quality move (} 36... Ra8 $1 {was better), but we both +realised that the game was about to end.}) 37. Rd1 Bf8 ({And White lost on +time, without managing to play} 37... Bf8 38. Qb1 {(after which there could +have followed} Qd5 39. f3 Ba6 {etc.). --- Times: 2.30-2.18.}) (37... -- {After +this unexpected win with Black in the very first game played with a new +opening, I became full of optimism and it could have been thought that +subsequently things would go easily and that success would follow of its own +accord. However, such matches always harbour unforeseen turns, especially for +debutants... --- In the 3rd game Beliavsky somewhat improved Black's play +compared with the 1st, and I made a poor response, which led to rapid +simplification and a draw (cf. Game No.80, note to White's 12th move). Before +the 4th game I was seized by fears and doubts: should I again play the +Tarrasch Defence? Analytically I was ready, but I did not yet have a deep +belief in it, and I was afraid that Beliavsky would devise 'something +terrible'. On the way to the game I nervously discussed this problem with +Valery Chekhov and just before going on to the stage I decided to employ +another opening - the Nimzo-Indian Defence, which we had not seriously +prepared. Such a 'tuning up' for the game quite predictably had dismal +consequences.}) (37... -- {Beliavsky, who the day before had been given a +drawing respite, played with enormous will-to-win, and the position reached +was more familiar to him than to me. He boldly sacrificed two pawns and +developed a dangerous attack. True, on the 19th move he delayed, and Black +could have successfully defended, but I missed this chance. The final part of +the game took place in a fierce time scramble, and my blunder on the 35th move +led to an immediate decision. Strangely enough, failures in the Nimzo-Indian +Defence with 4 e3 pursued me throughout my career: I also suffered memorable +defeats in games with Psakhis (49th USSR Championship, Frunze 1981), I.Sokolov +(Wijk aan Zee 1999), and Kramnik (10th match game, London 2000). --- The match +score became equal - 2-2, and the situation more complicated. Asriyan: 'After +losing the 4th game, Garik became nervous, and those around him had to make +considerable efforts to calm him down. Incidentally, he was phoned by Aliev, +who at that time was already working in Moscow and who also said a few +approving words, emphasising that he had no doubts that his compatriot would +win. And Botvinnik, as usual, was firm and laconic: "You are a man; don't be a +wimp, take yourself in hand!" Garik heeded this advice.'}) 0-1 + +[Event "80: Candidates Quarter-Final, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1983.03.09"] +[Round "5"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Beliavsky, A."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D58"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "76"] +[EventDate "1983.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In order to regain my composure and prepare properly for the 5th game, I took +a time-out - not an easy decision, since the players were each allotted only +one time-out for the entire match. Knowing Beliavsky's convictions, I was in +no doubt that he would repeat the specific variation of the 'Karlsbad' from +the 1st and 3rd games (especially since in it he had gained a draw quite +easily), and I prepared a strong novelty.} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 +({Before the match I had played} 4. Bg5) ({or} 4. Nf3 {- Game Nos. 41, 54.}) +4... exd5 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 h6 7. Bh4 O-O 8. Bd3 b6 9. Nf3 Bb7 10. O-O c5 $6 ({ +After} 10... Nbd7 11. Qc2 c5 12. Rad1 {White has merely a minimal advantage +(an example: Kasparov-Georgadze, 46th USSR Championship, Tbilisi 1978), but +Beliavsky believed that he would be able to equalise, even after allowing the +white knight to go to e5.}) ({In the 7th game he did this by} 10... Ne4 11. +Bxe7 Qxe7 12. Ne5 $5 Nd7 13. f4 Nxe5 $1 14. fxe5 c5 15. Qe1 Rad8 16. Rd1 Qg5 { +etc.}) 11. Ne5 $1 {The most surprising thing is that at that time this +position was not yet considered in the popular Yugoslav 'Encyclopaedia of +Chess Openings'.} Nbd7 ({In the first game after} 11... Nc6 $6 12. Ba6 $1 Qc8 +13. Bxb7 Qxb7 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Ng4 Bd8 16. Nxd5 Nxd4 17. Ndf6+ $1 Bxf6 18. +Nxf6+ gxf6 19. exd4 {Black suffered because of his hopelessly spoiled pawn +structure and the open position of his king.}) 12. Bf5 $1 {This was the +novelty we had found - the fruit of three days of preparatory work.} ({The +third game went} 12. Qf3 $6 cxd4 $1 13. exd4 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Nd7 15. Bxe7 Qxe7 +16. Nxd5 Qxe5 17. Ne7+ Kh8 $1 18. Qxb7 Nc5 {with a quick draw. --- I remember +how on the eve of the game Botvinnik arrived at the Azerbaijan permanent +representative's residence in Moscow, where our team was living during the +match, and I showed him the main variations that were possible after 12 Bf5. +Botvinnik studied the position carefully and approvingly murmured: 'Hmm... A +good idea!'}) 12... Nxe5 {(25)} ({At just the right time (after} 12... Re8 $6 +13. f4 {the white knight would have been transformed into an impregnable +fortress). Beliavsky made this natural move after a long think, although the +bishop move to f5 is fairly obvious and it could have been anticipated in +careful preparatory analysis.}) ({It was no better to play} 12... g6 13. Bxd7 +Nxd7 14. Nxd7 Qxd7 15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. dxc5 {(Stohl)}) ({or} 12... cxd4 13. Nxd7 +$1 (13. exd4 $5) 13... Nxd7 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Qxd4 {, when Black is condemned +to a cheerless defence, which is especially unpleasant in a nervy match +situation.}) 13. dxe5 Ne8 {(4)} ({After the typical} 13... Ne4 {(?) the +spectacular} 14. Nxd5 $1 {would have been decisive.}) (13... Nd7 $6 14. Bxe7 +Qxe7 15. f4 {was also not good for Black.}) ({Previously I gave preference to} +13... Nh7 {, but here too after} 14. Bxe7 $1 ({Stohl gives only} 14. Bg3 Ng5) +14... Qxe7 15. f4 Rfd8 16. Qg4 {the initiative is with White (if} Nf8 {, then} +17. Rf3 {).}) 14. Bg3 {Now there is no longer any point in exchanging the +bishops: Black is cramped and he has little space for manoeuvring.} Nc7 $2 { +(21) Allowing an aggressive sortie by the white queen, after which all the +same the knight cannot go to e6 and, forced to vegetate on c7, it will be a +source of constant concern for Black.} ({He should first have forced the white +bishop to declare its intentions -} 14... g6 $1 {, for example:} 15. -- (15. +Bg4 {, provoking Black into the win of a piece -} h5 $6 ({and after} 15... Nc7 +16. Bf3 {White would have retained a slight plus}) 16. Bf3 h4 (16... Nc7 17. h3 +Qd7 18. Qc2) 17. Bf4 g5 $6 (17... Nc7 18. h3) 18. Bxd5 $1 {, in order after} +Bxd5 19. Nxd5 gxf4 20. Qg4+ Ng7 21. Rad1 f5 22. Qxf4 {to obtain an +overwhelming advantage.}) (15. Bc2 $5 Qd7 (15... Nc7 {(g7)} 16. Qf3 $1 {- Stohl +}) 16. Qe2 Nc7 17. Rfd1 h5 18. h3 {, and the bishop on c2 may support the +attack on the king (after f2-f4-f5) or the pressure on the d5-pawn (by Bb3). +Even so, 14...g6 was the lesser evil.})) 15. Qg4 $1 {(3)} Qe8 $6 {(17) It is +already hard to offer Black any good advice.} (15... g6 $2 {did not work in +view of} 16. Bxg6 $1 fxg6 17. Qxg6+ Kh8 18. Qxh6+ Kg8 19. Qg6+ Kh8 20. f4 $1 { +and f4-f5 with crushing threats.}) ({But in 'The Test of Time' I recommended} +15... Bc8 16. Rad1 Bxf5 (16... Be6 $2 17. Nxd5 $1 Bxd5 18. e4) 17. Qxf5 d4 { +'in the hope of saving some kind of ending a pawn down', for example:} 18. Ne2 +{(?!)} ({, or} 18. Qg4 Qc8 ({not} 18... Ne6 $6 19. f4 $1 {with a powerful +attack}) 19. Qxc8 Raxc8 20. exd4 cxd4 21. Rxd4 Rfd8) (18. Qe4 $5 {is more +energetic, with the idea of} Ne6 19. f4) 18... Ne6 19. Qe4 Qd7 20. exd4 cxd4 +21. Nxd4 Rad8 {(Stohl).}) 16. Bd7 $1 Qd8 {(4)} ({Our home analysis concluded +with the variation} 16... Bc8 $2 17. e6 $1 {and wins. But in fact it all +turned out to be not so simple!}) 17. Rad1 {(12) Naturally, White brings his +rook to the decisive part of the battlefield.} h5 {(12) In a desperate +situation Beliavsky tries to ease the defence by exchanging the dark-square +bishops, even at the cost of a weakening of his king's defences.} 18. Qh3 {(2)} +h4 19. Bf4 Bg5 ({Weak is} 19... Bc8 $2 20. Nxd5 $1) ({or} 19... g5 $2 20. Qg4 +$1 Kg7 21. Bxg5 $1 Bxg5 22. f4 {and wins.}) 20. Bf5 $1 {(3) Playing White +here is easy and pleasant: clearly visible is the aim of the attack, in which +all his pieces are ready to take part.} g6 {(22) After this Black will hardly +be able to save the game, but what instead?} ({immediate} 20... Bxf4 21. exf4 +d4 (21... Qe7 22. Ne4 $1) {, would have prevented the switching of the white +knight to the kingside, but after} 22. Ne4 Bxe4 (22... g6 23. Qg4 $1) 23. Bxe4 +Rb8 24. f5 Re8 (24... Qg5 25. f4 Qh5 26. Rd3 $1) 25. f4 {White's powerful pawn +group quickly decides the outcome (} f6 26. Qxh4 fxe5 $6 27. f6 $1 {).}) (20... +Qe7 21. Ne4 $1 Ne6 $1 (21... Bxf4 $2 22. Nf6+ $1) (21... dxe4 $2 22. Rd7) 22. +Nxg5 Nxg5 {was somewhat more tenacious, although in this case too after} 23. +Qg4 $1 (23. Bxg5 Qxg5 24. f4 {too is not bad}) 23... Ne6 24. Bh6 {White would +also retain a fearfully strong attack (} Kh8 $2 25. Qh5 $1 {). But now there +follows a decisive combination.}) 21. Ne4 $1 {(3)} Bxf4 {(7)} ({After} 21... +Be7 {my suggestion in 'The Test of Time'} 22. -- (22. Nd6 {(?!)} Bxd6 ({after +Stohl's move} 22... Ba6 {(?) there is the decisive} 23. Qg4 $1) 23. exd6 {is +unclear in view of} Ne8 $1) ({, but} 22. Qg4 $1 Bc8 23. Bg5 $1 Bxg5 (23... Bxf5 +24. Qxh4) 24. Nxg5 {wins outright, for example:} f6 ({or} 24... Kg7 25. e4 $1 +d4 26. f4 Ba6 27. Rf2 Rh8 28. Bxg6 $1 fxg6 29. f5) 25. Ne6 $1 Qe8 26. Nxc7 Bxf5 +27. Qxh4 {.})) 22. exf4 gxf5 $2 {(2) Equivalent to capitulation: Black was +overwhelmed by the threat of Nd6 or Nf6+ and Qxh4. The only way to prolong the +resistance was by declining the sacrifice.} ({True, after} 22... Kg7 23. Nd6 +Ba6 24. Rfe1 Qe7 25. Qg4 Rad8 26. Bb1 Rxd6 {(there is nothing else)} 27. exd6 +Qxd6 28. Qxh4 {White would most probably have been able to convert his +exchange advantage}) ({while in the event of} 22... d4 {Black would have had +to reckon not only with the simple} 23. Nf6+ (23. Qg4 Kg7 24. Nd6 Bd5 25. Bc2 +$1 {and f4-f5}) 23... Kg7 24. Qxh4 {.}) 23. Qxf5 $1 {This leads to the +inevitable demise of the black king.} dxe4 {(11)} ({Black would have lost +immediately after both} 23... Kg7 $2 24. Qg4+ Kh8 25. Ng5 {(Stohl)}) ({and} +23... Ne8 $2 24. Nf6+ $1) ({as well as} 23... f6 $2 24. Qg4+ Kh7 (24... Kf7 25. +Nd6+) 25. Qxh4+ Kg7 26. Qg4+ Kh7 27. Rd3 {, with mate.}) 24. Qg4+ $1 Kh7 {(2)} +25. Rxd8 Rfxd8 26. Qxh4+ Kg8 {Despite the approximate material equality, Black +is lost because of the poor placing of his pieces.} 27. Qe7 {(5)} ({Previously +I attached an exclamation mark to this move, condemning the 'over-hasty'} 27. +f5 {(!) - when after} Rd7 {Black would supposedly have been able to +'coordinate his pieces', but this was a mirage:} 28. Qg5+ Kh7 (28... Kf8 29. h4 +) 29. Qg4 $1 Rad8 (29... Rg8 $2 30. Qh3+ $1 Kg7 31. f6+) 30. e6 {, and the +curtain comes down.}) 27... e3 $1 {A clever resource;} (27... e3 {forcing +White to display a certain accuracy (} 28. Qxc7 $4 e2 $1 29. Qxb7 $2 Rd1 $1 30. +Qxa8+ Kg7 {).}) 28. Re1 {(9) The spurt by the black pawn shocked me slightly, +and I did not immediately find the correct reply.} (28. f3 Ba6 29. Re1 {was +also good, followed by f4-f5 and e5-e6.}) ({There is no sense in getting +involved in} 28. fxe3 $6 Rd2 $1 {.}) 28... exf2+ {(10)} ({In severe +time-trouble Beliavsky missed chances to go fishing in troubled waters:} 28... +e2 29. f3 Rd1 30. Kf2 Ba6 (30... Rad8 31. f5) 31. Qxc7 (31. f5 $5 {- Stohl}) +31... Rad8 32. Qxa7 $1 (32. f5 $2 R8d2 $1) 32... Rxe1 33. Qxa6 Red1 ({after} +33... Rdd1 34. Qxb6 {the e2-pawn becomes a burden and Black is absolutely +helpless}) 34. Kxe2 R8d2+ {. According to Stohl, Black has some drawing +chances, but after} 35. Ke3 Rxb2 36. f5 {the win for White is fairly simple}) ( +28... Rd2 $5 29. f3 $1 Rad8 30. f5 $1 ({avoiding a trap:} 30. Rxe3 $2 R8d7 $1 +31. Qg5+ Kf8 {- Stohl}) 30... R8d7 31. Qg5+ Kh7 32. h4 Rxb2 (32... Rd1 33. Qxe3 +) 33. e6 Rdd2 34. Qh5+ Kg8 35. Qxf7+ Kh8 36. Qh5+ Kg8 37. Qg5+ Kh8 38. Rxe3 +Rxg2+ 39. Qxg2 Rxg2+ 40. Kxg2 {- the triumph of the white infantry!}) 29. Kxf2 +Rd2+ 30. Re2 Rxe2+ 31. Kxe2 Ba6+ 32. Kf2 Ne6 {(3)} 33. f5 Nd4 ({Or} 33... Ng7 +34. e6 $1 Rf8 35. Qxa7 {.}) 34. e6 Rf8 35. Qg5+ Kh7 36. e7 Re8 37. f6 Ne6 38. +Qh5+ Kg8 ({In view of} 38... Kg8 39. Qg4+ Kh7 40. Qa4 $1 (40. Qxe6 $5) 40... +Nc7 41. Qe4+ {(d7). --- Times: 0.50-2.29. --- This win, gained on the day of +Fischer's 40th birthday, was very important in the competitive sense: in the +shortest possible time I regained my lost lead in the match, and with it also +my composure. The game very much appealed to Botvinnik, reminding him of his +own youth: he always especially valued thorough opening preparation and +energetic play in the middlegame. --- Probably the key game in the match was +the 6th, before which I was again gripped by a certain anxiety. On this +occasion I took the risk of repeating the Tarrasch Defence - and Beliavsky was +fully ready for it! Even so, I managed to gain a draw (cf. Game No.79, note to +White's 12th move) and retain the lead with four games to go. This draw +inspired me more than the preceding win. --- But in the 7th game Beliavsky +improved the defence in the same line of the 'Karlsbad' (cf. Game No.80, note +to Black's 10th move), played with great concentration and, by displaying +resourcefulness, succeeded in holding a position that was not without its +dangers. The score became 4-3 in my favour, and the match entered the +finishing straight.}) 1-0 + +[Event "81: Candidates Quarter-Final, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1983.03.15"] +[Round "8"] +[White "Beliavsky, A."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "E81"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "92"] +[EventDate "1983.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{Now, in view of his 'retreating' play with Black, Beliavsky could hope for +success only in the 8th and 10th games. And for the 8th he arrived extremely +eager for a fight, with grounds for optimism, remembering my failure in the +Nimzo-Indian (4th game) and my opening problems in the Tarrasch (6th game). +But I sprang another surprise on my opponent, by employing my favourite King's +Indian Defence.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 {Although before the match +Beliavsky had of course prepared for the King's Indian, that day he least of +all expected it to occur. It was far more logical to assume that in the three +remaining games I would endeavour to play as solidly as possible, not +objecting to a draw. But instead of this Beliavsky was unexpectedly offered a +fierce battle on ground that I had studied before the game, but he had not. It +was I (and not he!) who decided to engage the opponent in a complicated +struggle, at a moment when he had nothing to lose. And apart from this purely +psychological move, I also had up my sleeve an interesting idea in the +variation usually employed by my opponent.} 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O (5... Nc6 {- +Game Nos. 12, 15.}) 6. Be3 a6 ({Instead of the usual move at that time,} 6... +Nc6 {(Game No.51), I chose a cunning continuation: for the moment Black does +not disclose his plans, inviting the opponent to reveal his intentions first.}) +7. Bd3 {(5)} ({If} 7. Qd2 {Black can reply not only} Nc6 ({but also} 7... c6 { +, expressing his readiness for the double-edged} 8. O-O-O b5 {. However, I +suspected that Beliavsky would play 7 Bd3, since this move was considered to +be the best reply to 6...a6 (but incorrectly: 7 Qd2! is nevertheless better).}) +) 7... c5 $1 {A comparatively rare variation with a pawn sacrifice, developed +by Timman. This move, which had not previously occurred in my games, caught +Beliavsky unawares! Again, as in the 2nd game, he felt that he was being 'led', +and when you are playing for a win this is a very unpleasant condition. --- +Black gives up a pawn, in order to weaken and undermine the enemy centre, and +this must be done precisely now, with the bishop on d3: a move earlier, after +7 dxc5 White could have advantageously exchanged queens.} 8. dxc5 {(5)} ({ +Black would be quite happy to transpose into a good version of the Modern +Benoni by} 8. d5 e6 {(Shamkovich-Timman, Netanya 1975)}) ({or} 8. Nge2 Nc6 9. +d5 Ne5 10. a4 e6 {(Romanishin-A.Rodriguez, Cienfuegos 1977).}) 8... dxc5 9. +Bxc5 $6 {(2) Again Beliavsky fell short when faced with a surprise: his nerve +faltered and, as a consequence, his thinking discipline went awry.} ({It was +better to seize space -} 9. e5 Nfd7 10. f4 Nc6 11. Be4 {, but in the +well-known game Hübner-Timman, (Bad Lauterberg 1977) Black was successful after +} f6 12. exf6 ({and to improve White's play (say, by} 12. e6 $5 Nb6 13. Bxc5 +Nxc4 14. Qe2 {), serious analytical work would have been required}) 12... Nxf6 +{.}) 9... Nc6 10. Nge2 $6 {(15) A second inaccuracy, allowing my pieces to +occupy key positions in the centre.} ({The immediate} 10. Be3 {was correct, +after which Black has played} Nd7 {(the source game: Bobotsov-Timman, +Amsterdam 1971),} ({although} 10... Be6 {is also not bad, with the idea of} 11. +Nd5 $6 b5 $1 12. b3 Bxd5 13. cxd5 Nb4 {. In any event, he has a comfortable +'King's Indian' game.})) 10... Nd7 $1 {With gain of tempo! This move seemed +obvious to me, but later I discovered to my surprise that it was a novelty.} ({ +A little earlier} 10... Ne5 11. Nd5 {occurred, and here instead of} e6 $2 ({it +was correct to play} 11... Nxd5 12. cxd5 Nxd3+ 13. Qxd3 Bxb2 14. Rb1 Qa5+ 15. +Qd2 Qxc5 {(Anikaev)} 16. Qxb2 f5 $1 {with counterplay}) 12. Be7 $1 { +(Anikaev-Yermolinsky, Telavi 1982).}) 11. Bf2 {(41) After a long think +Beliavsky moves the bishop close to his king.} ({The other retreats also had +their drawbacks:} 11. Ba3 Nde5 {- here it is even more difficult for White to +defend:} 12. -- (12. Nf4 $6 Qa5 $1) (12. Nc1 Be6 13. Nd5 b5 $1) ({, or} 12. Nd5 +e6 ({or} 12... Re8 $5 13. f4 Qa5+ $1 {with excellent play for the pawn}) 13. +Bxf8 Bxf8 14. O-O exd5 15. cxd5 Qb6+ (15... Nb4 $5) 16. Kh1 Qe3 {, and Black's +activity is threatening})) (11. Be3 {(seemingly the most natural, but at e3 +the bishop is liable to come under attack)} Nde5 12. Nc1 Be6 (12... Na5 $5) ({ +my earlier move} 12... Nb4 {is rather worse because of} 13. Be2 $1) 13. Nd5 b5 +$1 {, forcing} 14. cxb5 axb5 15. O-O Bxd5 16. exd5 Qxd5 17. Be4 Qxd1 18. Rxd1 +Nc4 $1 {with a favourable ending for Black. --- At f2 the bishop does not have +to fear any attacks by the black cavalry, but on the other hand it does not +control the h6-c1 diagonal, which Black immediately exploits.}) 11... Nde5 {(5) +} 12. Nc1 Bh6 $1 {(24) I very much liked making such non-routine and +therefore unexpected moves.} ({Worthy alternatives were provided by the typical +} 12... Be6 13. Nd5 b5) ({or} 12... Nb4 13. Nd5 Nbxd3+ 14. Nxd3 e6 15. N5b4 +Nxc4 16. Qc2 b5 {also with advantage to Black. But my 'sideways' bishop move +came as another unpleasant psychological blow to the opponent.}) 13. Nd5 $2 { +(26) A sign that White is rattled: this over-frisky knight leap leads to +dismal consequences.} ({He should have preferred the modest} 13. Be2 {, +reconciling himself to an inferior multi-piece endgame after} Qxd1+ 14. Nxd1 +Be6 {.} 15. -- ({. The strength of Black's initiative is demonstrated by the +variation} 15. b3 $2 Nb4 16. O-O Nc2 17. Rb1 Na3 $1 18. Ra1 Bg7 19. Bc5 Nc6 $1 +{, winning the exchange.}) ({. However, after} 15. Ne3 {the defensive +resources are far from exhausted:} Nd4 ({or} 15... Nb4 16. a3 (16. Rb1 f5 $5) +16... Bxe3 17. axb4 Nxc4 18. Bxc4 Bxf2+ 19. Kxf2 Bxc4 20. b3 Bb5 21. Ne2 Rfc8 { +, and in both cases, with accurate play, White will apparently escape with a +draw}) 16. Bd1 Rac8 17. b3 b5 18. Nd5 Bxd5 19. Bxd4 Nc6 20. Bf2 Be6 21. c5 Rfd8 +{.})) 13... e6 {(2)} 14. Bb6 {(9)} Qg5 $1 {It rarely happens that the surprise +factor works so effectively - by the 15th move Beliavsky had already used 1 +hour 45 minutes! However, as often happens, lengthy reflection did not improve +the quality of the moves made, and the result is that the loss of material for +White is already inevitable.} 15. O-O {(2) The only move that retains any +practical chances.} ({White would have lost immediately after} 15. Ne3 $2 Nd7 +$1 {.}) 15... exd5 $1 {(14)} ({Depriving the opponent of counterplay, which +was possible after} 15... Nxd3 16. f4 $1 Nxf4 17. Nxf4 Qe5 18. Qf3 (18. Ncd3 +Qxe4 19. Qb3 Nd4 20. Qc3 Nf5 21. Rae1 Qc6 22. c5 {, in both cases with some +compensation for the pawn}) 18... Qxb2 19. Nb3 {.}) 16. f4 {(3)} ({Earlier I +thought that 'White should perhaps have tried his luck playing a piece down' - +} 16. cxd5 Nxd3 17. Nxd3 {, but after} Ne5 {the fine-looking pawn pair in the +centre would not have compensated for the material deficit, for example:} 18. +f4 Qf6 19. Bc5 (19. Bd4 $2 Nf3+) 19... Nxd3 20. Qxd3 Re8 21. Bd4 Qd6 {etc.}) +16... Qh4 {(3) Trying to provoke the weakening advance g2-g3.} ({I was +terribly proud of this move too, but now I think that the immediate} 16... Qe7 +$5 {, with the strong threat of ...Qb4, would have been at least as good, for +example:} 17. -- (17. fxe5 Qb4 $1 18. Qb3 (18. Bf2 $2 dxc4) 18... Qxb3 19. axb3 +Nxe5 {, winning a pawn and retaining the initiative}) ({, or} 17. cxd5 Qb4 $1 ( +17... Nd7 $5 18. Bf2 Nb4 19. Bb1 Bxf4 20. a3 Nf6 $1 21. axb4 Ng4 22. g3 Nxf2 +23. Kxf2 Qxb4 {is also tempting}) 18. Qb3 (18. Bf2 $2 Bxf4 19. dxc6 Ng4 $1 { +with an attack}) 18... Qxb3 19. axb3 Nxd3 20. Nxd3 Nb8 {, and again White does +not have sufficient compensation for the piece.})) 17. fxe5 {(2)} ({In the +event of} 17. g3 Qe7 18. cxd5 -- ({, I was intending to return the piece -} +18... Nxd3 19. Nxd3 Qxe4 $1 20. dxc6 Qxc6 {, hoping to exploit the yawning +weakness of the long diagonal, but after} 21. Qb3 Be6 ({or} 21... Bh3 22. Rf2 +Rfe8 23. Ne5 $1 {it would not be easy for Black to convert his advantage}) 22. +Ne5 $1 Qe4 23. Qf3) (18... Bg4 $1 {is more energetic:} 19. Be2 (19. Qb3 Nd7 $1) +19... Qb4 20. Qb3 ({or} 20. Bf2 Bxe2 ({both} 20... Bh3) ({and} 20... Qxb2 {are +also interesting}) 21. Qxe2 Nd4 22. Bxd4 Qxd4+ {and ...Nd7 with quite good +chances of demonstrating that the piece is worth more than the two pawns}) +20... Qxb3 21. axb3 Bxe2 22. Nxe2 Nd7 $1 23. Bc7 Nb4 {.})) 17... d4 $1 { +Splitting White's position in two and creating an excellent post for the +h6-bishop on e3.} ({In the event of} 17... dxe4 $2 {White would have been +saved by the intermediate move} 18. Bf2 $1 {. Now, however, Black has a stable +advantage, although on the winning path there are still numerous technical +difficulties.}) 18. Ne2 {(7)} ({If} 18. Kh1 {there is the unpleasant} Bf4 19. +h3 Qg3 ({but more is promised by} 19... Nxe5 $5 20. Bxd4 Bxh3 $1 {(exposing +the king)} 21. Rxf4 Bxg2+ 22. Kxg2 Qxf4 {and ...Rad8 with an attack}) 20. Rxf4 +{.}) 18... Be3+ {(5)} 19. Kh1 Nxe5 {(4)} 20. Bc7 {(4)} ({White hurries to get +rid of the powerful black knight, which after} 20. Nxd4 $6 Ng4 21. Nf3 Nf2+ 22. +Rxf2 Qxf2 {could have caused him irreparable damage.}) 20... Qe7 21. Bxe5 Qxe5 +22. Qe1 Bd7 $1 {(8) Black completes his development and begins preparing a +siege of the central e4-pawn. Although this involves the exchange of queens, +Black's strong passed d-pawn and powerful bishop on e3 guarantee him an +excellent endgame.} 23. Qg3 {(5)} Rae8 (23... Qxg3 $5 24. Nxg3 Bc6 ({or} 24... +Rae8 {was somewhat simpler.})) 24. Nf4 {(4)} ({After} 24. Qxe5 Rxe5 25. Rad1 ( +25. Nf4 $2 f5 $1 26. exf5 Bxf5 {and wins}) 25... Bc6 26. Bb1 ({or} 26. Ng3 h5) +26... Bxe4 27. Nxd4 Bxb1 28. Nf3 Re4 29. Rxb1 Rxc4 {White's saving chances are +pretty slight.}) 24... Bc6 $6 {(25)} ({I spent a long time wondering whether I +should play} 24... f5 $1 25. exf5 Bxf5 {, but I decided that here after} 26. +Rad1 {White has more opportunities for resistance: he has got rid of his weak +e4-pawn and maintained material equality. However, the accurate} Rf7 $1 {, +with the idea of} 27. b3 ({or} 27. c5 $1 Kg7 $1 28. Bc4 Rff8 29. Nd5 (29. b4 a5 +$1) 29... Qxg3 30. hxg3 Be6 {would have left Black with an obvious advantage}) +27... Be4 $1 28. Bxe4 $2 Bxf4 {, when White does not have the check Bd5.}) 25. +Nd5 Qxg3 26. hxg3 ({Things would not have been improved by} 26. Nf6+ Kh8 ({an +exchange sacrifice is also interesting -} 26... Kg7 27. Nxe8+ Rxe8 28. hxg3 Re5 +) 27. hxg3 Re5 {followed by ...Kg7, ...Bg5, ...b7-b5 and clear play against +the weak white pawns.}) 26... Re5 {(3)} 27. g4 {(3)} ({White would like to +eliminate the dangerous bishop on e3, but the immediate} 27. Nxe3 $2 dxe3 28. +Rae1 {is bad because of the simple} Bxe4 {(} 29. Rxe3 $2 Bxg2+ $1 {).}) 27... +h5 $5 {(7)} 28. Nf6+ {(2)} ({And again it was dangerous to play} 28. Nxe3 dxe3 +{, for example:} 29. gxh5 $6 (29. Rae1 Bxe4 ({this is probably simpler than my +'Informator' recommendation} 29... hxg4 30. Rxe3 f5) 30. Bxe4 Rxe4 31. gxh5 +gxh5 32. Rf3 Rfe8 {, and White cannot hold out}) 29... Rxh5+ 30. Kg1 f5 $1 {, +retaining the lethal e3-pawn.}) 28... Kg7 29. gxh5 Rh8 $1 {The last +turning-point.} 30. g3 $2 {(4) A fatal weakening of the long diagonal.} ({ +White would also have lost after} 30. g4 $2 gxh5 ({my earlier recommendation} +30... Re6 31. Nd5 gxh5 {is less good because of} 32. g5 $1) 31. g5 ({or} 31. +Nxh5+ Rhxh5+ $1 32. gxh5 f5 {and ...fxe4}) 31... Rxg5 {.}) ({But} 30. Kh2 $1 { +was far more resilient, and although after the approximate} Bg5 31. Nd5 Bd8 32. +Rad1 Rexh5+ 33. Kg3 (33. Kg1 $5 Rh2 $1) 33... Rg5+ {Black has a dominating +position, he is still a long way from a win.}) 30... Rexh5+ $6 {(11)} ({ +Instead of this 'creative' exchange sacrifice,} 30... Bg5 $1 31. Nd5 f5 $1 { +would have led immediately to the goal, creating a pair of connected passed +pawns, since} 32. exf5 {, fails to} (32. Rae1 Rhe8 $1) 32... Rxd5 $1 33. cxd5 ( +33. f6+ Kg8) 33... Bxd5+ 34. Kg1 Be3+ 35. Rf2 Rxh5 {with crushing threats.}) +31. Nxh5+ Rxh5+ 32. Kg2 {(2)} f5 33. Rae1 {(7)} ({Alas, the appearance of a +pair of connected passed pawns cannot be avoided:} 33. Kf3 $2 fxe4+ 34. Bxe4 +Rf5+ {and ...Bxe4. --- 'Here White had just one minute left, and the +spectators were interested in only one thing: would Beliavsky manage to make +seven moves before his flag fell.' (Nikitin)}) 33... fxe4 34. Bb1 Rc5 $1 { +Black's task has become somewhat more complicated, but the powerful pawn pair +in the centre, supported by the two bishops, should nevertheless decide the +outcome in his favour.} 35. b3 b5 36. Rxe3 ({In desperate time-trouble +Beliavsky returns the exchange, realising that passive defence after} 36. cxb5 +{(otherwise 36...bxc4 is decisive)} axb5 {is hopeless: the blockading ...b5-b4 +is threatened,} 37. b4 ({and in the event of} 37. a4 b4 $1 {the weakness of +the b3-pawn causes White's downfall}) 37... Rc3 {(c4) does not help.}) 36... +dxe3 37. Re1 bxc4 38. bxc4 ({There could have been a spectacular finish after} +38. b4 Rf5 $1 39. Rxe3 Rf3 $1 40. Rxf3 (40. Re1 e3) 40... exf3+ 41. Kf2 Ba4 $1 +42. Kxf3 c3 {, when the bishop would have to be given up for this pawn.}) 38... +Rxc4 39. Rxe3 Rb4 $5 (39... Kf6) ({or} 39... a5 {followed by ...Kf6-e5 was +also good. In any event, Black is a pawn up and still has a dominating +position. White's hopes, based on the limited amount of material remaining, +are illusory.}) 40. Rb3 ({Agreeing to go into a lost bishop endgame, since} 40. +Re1 Kf6 {(} 41. Kh3 Kg5 $1 {) was also unattractive.}) 40... e3+ {(2)} 41. Kf1 +Bb5+ $1 {(3)} 42. Ke1 ({Or} 42. Kg2 e2 43. Kf2 Rd4 $1 {and wins.}) 42... a5 $5 +{(6) A piquant touch: to be on the safe side I prevent the white king from +going to c3 (43 Kd1? Ba4);} ({although, of course,} 42... Rxb3 43. axb3 g5 44. +Kd1 Kf6 {etc. would also have won easily. --- But now too the black king +proceeds via a red carpet into the opponent's position.}) 43. Be4 {(8)} Rxb3 +44. axb3 Kf6 45. Kd1 g5 46. Kc2 {(2)} Ke5 ({All the defensive resources are +exhausted (} 46... Ke5 47. Bd3 ({or} 47. Bg6 Kd4) 47... e2 {). --- Times: 2.41-2.10.}) (46... -- {A heavy psychological defeat: White did not in fact +manage to begin active play in a game in which he was prepared to play for a +win. The score became 5-3, and the fate of the match was largely decided. --- +In the 9th game after 1 d4 Beliavsky threw caution to the winds - 1...Nf6 2 +Nf3! (instead of the automatic 2 c4 - a little ruse, to disrupt the opponent's +plans) 2...c5 3 d5 d6 4 Nc3 g6 5 e4 Bg7 6 Bb5+ Bd7?! 7 a4 0-0 8 0-0 Na6. This +set-up resembles the 32nd game of the match in Baguio (1978). After 9 Re1 +Nb4?! (an inaccuracy in an unfamiliar situation) 10 h3! e6 11 Bf4 White gained +an enduring advantage and won on the 32nd move. At the end of the game, hardly +betraying his emotions, Beliavsky stood up and congratulated me on my victory.} +) (46... -- {This was how my first Candidates match concluded, a match which, +in the words of the chief arbiter Vladas Mikenas, took place in an +exceptionally correct and friendly competitive atmosphere. Do not be deluded +by the 6-3 final score: in almost every game there was a very tense and +interesting battle. --- Now, years later, it seems to me that on the whole I +acted quite maturely in this match. The only failure in my preparation, before +the 4th game, when I hastily changed opening, was a quite admissible error for +a 20-year-old debutant. And my opening moves in the 8th and 9th games show +that I had already begun to grasp the psychology of match play. Far more than +me, Beliavsky was hindered by his lack of match experience, which deprived him +of the required flexibility. Although he was the strongest of the possible +quarter-final opponents, for me the most difficult could have been the +highly-experienced Portisch. I thought about this for the first time during my +semi-final match with Korchnoi...}) 0-1 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Riga Novelty"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.08"] + +{USSR Spartakiad (Moscow, 14-28 July 1983), semi-final tournament: 1. Ukraine +- 27 out of 40; 2. Latvia - 26½; 3. Azerbaijan - 19½ (Kasparov - 1 out +of 2); 4. Moldova - 19; 5. Kirghizia - 18½; 6. Turkmenistan - 9½.} 1. -- +{The game given below took place largely by accident, since I had not been +planning to play in the USSR Spartakiad in July. My Candidates semi-final +match with Korchnoi - the most important match of the entire cycle - was due +to begin on 1st August 1983. But where? The choice of venue for the match +provoked a crisis - the first of many accompanying the rule of Campomanes. +This unprecedented intrigue is described in detail in Kasparov vs. Karpov +1975-1985, and here I will merely remind you of the main facts. --- Korchnoi +and I were offered three cities: Las Palmas, Rotterdam and Pasadena, a suburb +of Los Angeles. According to the FIDE rules, each player had to put them down +in order of preference. Korchnoi chose Rotterdam alone. In my list, sent in +the middle of May to the Sports Committee, I also put Rotterdam in first place, +and Las Palmas second. However, the head of the Sports Committee suggested +that I change the cities round. Why? It was explained to me that all the same +Las Palmas would not be chosen (it had the smallest prize fund), but it was +politically important to support it. I did not attach any significance to this +- Rotterdam was in both lists - and I agreed. But this proved to be a mistake: +at that time I did not know (but it must have been known by our sports +leaders!), that if the opinions of the participants even slightly disagreed, +the FIDE President had the personal right to choose any city. And Campomanes +chose Pasadena!} (1. -- {A fortnight later Korchnoi expressed his agreement +with this decision, whereas the Soviet leadership categorically rejected it. +Many did not in fact understand why. The official version was that the safety +of Kasparov and the members of his delegation could not be guaranteed, since +Pasadena was closed to Soviet diplomats. Although at precisely that time the +Soviet swimmer Vladimir Salnikov was setting new records in the swimming pools +of Los Angeles... --- My personal acquaintance with the off-board politics +began on 12th July 1983. I was summoned from Baku to Moscow for discussions +with Campomanes. But first I had a conversation in the Propaganda Department +of the USSR Communist Party Central Committee with Boris Stukalin, the head of +the department, in the presence of a KGB general. I was told that we were a +great country and would not allow conditions to be dictated to us: 'The match +will not take place in America!' As a result, I was forced to refuse to play +in Pasadena, not doubting that soon everything would be sorted out. --- The +meeting with Campomanes took place at 9 p.m. that same day in the Sports +Committee. It was attended by the chairman of the USSR Sports Committee Marat +Gramov, Ivonin, Krogius, Sevastyanov, Karpov, Smyslov and myself. After ninety +minutes of discussions (Gramov pressed, but Campomanes defended himself, and +did not give ground) nearly everyone began raising their voices. I remember +saying to Campomanes: 'Mr President, with your decision you have encroached on +the right of the Candidates to choose the match venue.' He replied: 'That's +true, but why didn't you put Rotterdam in first place?' Here I felt I was +beginning to understand a few things...}) (1. -- {My match with Korchnoi was +left in the air, pending the fulfilment of unrealisable conditions. I returned +home at about one in the morning, tired and depressed. I said to my mother: 'I +don't understand anything, but it would appear that I've been betrayed.' Two +days later, at a press conference in Tunis, Campomanes stated: 'If Kasparov +does not turn up for the match on the appointed day, 1st August, he will be +forfeited.' I phoned the Propaganda Department, where just a few days earlier +they had guaranteed me support. To the question, what would happen with me +next, Stukalin replied: 'As a citizen, you must realise that it is in the +interests of the country.' But when I asked why I was the only one to miss out, +he said (this time addressing me formally): 'You are still young; you can +afford to wait for three years.' --- It was during those days of crisis that I +spoke with Karpov for the first time. The private meeting, which took place at +his home on 15th July, was psychologically very difficult for me. Not knowing +all the complexities of the behind-the-scenes struggle being conducted around +the match, I instinctively sensed the danger. After all, I already knew that +in the Central Committee and the KGB they considered the match in Pasadena to +be a politically incorrect step. It is probable that already then it had been +decided to boycott the 1984 Olympiad in Los Angeles. And Karpov knew about +this. His promise to find in the future some other way of including me in the +Candidates cycle, if the match with Korchnoi nevertheless did not take place, +merely strengthened my suspicions.}) (1. -- {Gramov advised me to return to +Baku, but I remained in Moscow, awaiting some decision. Soon Campomanes +announced that the match was being postponed by five days. --- It was at just +that time that the USSR Spartakiad was taking place in the Druzhba Sports +Complex in Moscow. Since I was in a state of suspension and was in danger of +losing my form, by a special degree the Sports Committee allowed me to appear +for the Azerbaijan team without previously registering. And I played two games +with White on board 1 in the semi-final tournament - on 16th July with Mikhail +Tal (Latvia) and on 21st July with Alexander Beliavsky (Ukraine). Both ended +in a draw, but whereas against Beliavsky I had a completely winning position, +Tal solved all his problems with the help of an excellent novelty in the +topical Botvinnik Variation. --- When I went along to this game, I least of +all expected that within a few minutes the fierce opening dispute from my +double clash with Timoshchenko and Dorfman in the 49th USSR Championship (1981) +would again flare up.}) * + +[Event "82: USSR Spartakiad, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1983.07.16"] +[Round "2"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Tal, M."] +[Result "1/2-1/2"] +[ECO "D44"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "86"] +[EventDate "1983.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 {(2)} 4. Nc3 c6 {(5)} 5. Bg5 dxc4 ({Naturally, I +had prepared for a repetition of our duel in the Interzonal Tournament (1982): +} 5... h6 6. Bh4 $5 ({not the insipid} 6. Bxf6) 6... dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5 9. +Be2 Bb7 10. e5 $5 {a novelty;} ({later both} 10. Ne5) ({and} 10. h4 g4 11. Ne5 +{were introduced}) 10... Nd5 11. h4 Qa5 (11... g4 $5) 12. Rc1 g4 13. Nd2 c5 $1 +14. Nce4 $6 cxd4 15. O-O h5 $6 (15... Nc6 $1) 16. a4 $1 a6 $2 (16... d3 $1) 17. +b4 $2 ({and here instead of the senseless 17 b4 White had the very strong} 17. +Bxc4 $1 bxc4 18. Nxc4 Qb4 19. f3 $3 {- pointed out in analysis after the game +by Petrosian (cf. 'Revolution in the 70s' pp.313-316)}) 17... Qd8 18. Bxc4 bxc4 +19. Nxc4 Nc3 20. Nxc3 dxc3 21. Nd6+ Bxd6 22. exd6 Qf6 23. Qd3 O-O 24. Rxc3 Bd5 +$1 {(when Tal agreed to a draw!). --- But on this occasion Tal unexpectedly +chose the most critical line, by immediately capturing the c4-pawn.}) 6. e4 { +(2)} b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 11. exf6 {(2)} Bb7 12. g3 +c5 {(3)} 13. d5 Qb6 ({Black is following the main line of the Botvinnik +Variation, avoiding} 13... Bh6 {which was fashionable at that time. Where does +the surprise await me?}) 14. Bg2 O-O-O 15. O-O b4 16. Na4 Qb5 {(2)} 17. a3 Nb8 +{It was this continuation that led Timoshchenko and Dorfman to disaster!} ({ +Over the next eighteen months Black's unsuccessful attempts to rehabilitate +the variation were associated with} 17... exd5 {(which has, nevertheless, +become the main move!).}) 18. axb4 {(4)} cxb4 19. Be3 {(16) I had to spend +some time completely restoring in my memory the course of events in the +previously played games. Everything seemed fine, and the next three moves were +made quickly and confidently.} ({It was only after this game that White began +playing} 19. Qd4 $5) ({or} 19. Qg4 $1 {(cf. Game No.65, note to White's 19th +move).}) 19... Bxd5 20. Bxd5 Rxd5 21. Qe2 Nc6 22. Rfc1 Ne5 $1 {This is Tal's +novelty!} ({Both Timoshchenko and Dorfman played} 22... Na5 {, keeping the +knight for the defence of the queenside and threatening a possible ...Nb3 +(Game Nos. 65, 66). But on a5 the knight proved subsequently to be out of play +and it became a convenient target for the white pieces, whereas at e5 it is +actively placed, fulfilling both defensive and attacking functions. --- It is +surprising that for nearly two years such a natural move to the centre as 22... +Ne5 escaped the attention of the leading players and only occurred not long +before the Spartakiad in the little-known game Salov-Shabalov (Leningrad 1983). +'It can be assumed that Tal learned about this idea from his talented young +compatriot from Riga.' (Stohl)}) 23. b3 $5 {(29) This reply did not come +easily to me. After weighing up everything 'for' and 'against', I followed the +familiar path (with the knight sacrifice on a4!), although I sensed the danger +associated with the active knight on e5.} ({The direct} 23. f4 {was rejected +in view of the variation} Nd3 24. Rxc4+ Qxc4 25. Rc1 Qxc1+ 26. Bxc1 Nxc1 27. +Qc4+ Kb8 $1 28. Qxc1 Bd6 $1 {and ...Rc8, in which, in view of the poor +position of the white knight, Black has at least equal chances.}) ({It was +more difficult to reject the capture} 23. Bxa7 {, helping the activation of +the knight on a4. However, after} Kb7 $1 ({but not} 23... Bh6 $2 24. Nb6+ $1 { +, as in the Salov-Shabalov game}) 24. -- ({, it is too early for} 24. Nb6 $6 c3 +$1 25. Qxb5 Rxb5 {, when, since} 26. bxc3 $2 Bc5 ({or} 26... b3 27. Rcb1 Bc5 { +is bad for White, there only remains the inglorious retreat 26 Na4.})) ({. It +appeared that White should first bring his bishop home -} 24. Be3 {(?!)} -- ({ +, with the idea of} 24... Bh6 $6 25. f4 $1) ({, or} 24... Nd3 $6 25. Rc2 $1 { +and the threat of Nb6. But to lose a tempo in such a sharp position seemed +rather frightening...}) ({. I rejected this variation purely intuitively, and +subsequent home analysis confirmed that I was right:} 24... Qc6 $6 {(with the +deadly threat of moving the rook from d5 followed by ...Nf3+)} 25. Nb6 $1 Rc5 +$1 ({the only move:} 25... Rd4 $2 26. Bxd4 Nf3+ 27. Qxf3 $1 {and Nxc4}) (25... +Rd2 $2 26. Nxc4 $1) (25... Rd3 $2 26. Ra7+ $1) ({or} 25... Rd6 $2 26. Ra7+ $1 +Kb8 27. Ra8+ Kb7 28. Nxc4 Nf3+ 29. Qxf3 $1 Qxf3 30. Na5+ $1 Kxa8 31. Rc8# $3 { +- a unique pure mate!}) 26. Bxc5 Nf3+ $1 27. Qxf3 $1 Qxf3 28. Be3 Bh6 29. Nxc4 +Bxe3 30. Nxe3 Qxf6 31. Nc4 Qh6 {, and White has only a draw}) (24... Rd3 $1 { +- the threat of ...Qc6 and ...Nf3+ sets White very difficult problems.} 25. -- +({. White cannot play} 25. Nb6 $2 Rxe3 $1 26. Qxe3 Bc5) ({, or} 25. f4 $2 Rxh2 +$3 26. Kxh2 Rxe3 $1 27. Qd1 Rd3 $1 (27... Re1 $5 {- Stohl}) 28. Qh1+ Nf3+ 29. +Kg2 Qc6 30. Rd1 Re3 $1 {with an irresistible attack (} 31. Kh3 e5 $1 {).}) ({ +. Also, nothing is promised by} 25. Rf1 Qc6 26. f3 (26. f4 Qe4 (26... Ng4 $5) +27. Rae1 Nd7 {with an obvious advantage for Black}) 26... Bd6 27. Kg2 Rb3 $1 { +. It was good that I made this sombre discovery in analysis: to encounter 24.. +.Rd3! during the game would have been far more unpleasant.}))) ({. The attempt +to neutralise this idea by} 24. Qe4 $6 {(instead of 24 Be3) is not very +successful:} Qc6 25. Bd4 Rxd4 $1 26. Qxe5 Qd5 $1 {etc.}) ({. And even after +the comparatively better} 24. h4 Bd6 $1 ({the sharp endgame after} 24... Rd3 +25. Qe4+ Qd5 26. Qxd5+ exd5 $1 27. Nc5+ Bxc5 28. Bxc5 Rb3 {gives drawing +counter-chances}) 25. Be3 (25. Rd1 Ra8 $1) 25... Rd3 {White would have had to +find the only way of maintaining a shaky equality.})) 23... c3 {(2)} 24. Nxc3 +$1 bxc3 25. Rxc3+ Kb8 $1 {(5) Black begins playing for an advantage (although +at the time we did not yet realise this).} (25... Kb7 $2 26. Qc2 $1 {would +have been fatal (Stohl)}) ({while} 25... Kd8 26. -- ({, would have led to +approximate equality -} 26. Qxb5 Rxb5 27. Rxa7 Bd6) ({, or to a draw -} 26. +Rxa7 Bd6 $1 27. Rc2 $1 Bb8 {(there is nothing better)} 28. Re7 Bd6) ({, or} 26. +Qc2 Nf3+ $1 27. Kg2 Qb7 $1 28. Rxa7 $1 Rxh2+ (28... Ne1+ {is also not bad}) 29. +Kxf3 Rf5+ 30. Ke2 Qf3+ 31. Kd2 Rxf2+ 32. Bxf2 Bh6+ $1 33. Ke1 Re5+ 34. Kf1 Qh1+ +35. Bg1 Re1+ $1 {with perpetual check.})) 26. Qc2 {(42) This looks risky, but +for the moment the weakening of the f3-point is not yet fatal.} ({Again much +time was spent studying the variation} 26. Bxa7+ Kb7 {.} 27. -- ({. Of course, +White did not sacrifice the knight in order to continue} 27. Qxb5+ Rxb5 28. Be3 +Bb4 29. Ra7+ Kb8 30. Rc1 Rh7 {with a depressing endgame.}) (27. Qe4 { +(Schneider-Andrianov, Kiev 1983) is also unfavourable in view of} Qb4 $1 28. +Qc2 (28. Rc4 $2 Qxb3 29. Rb1 Nf3+ $1) 28... Bd6 29. h4 (29. Ra4 $2 Nf3+ $3 30. +Rxf3 Qe1+ 31. Kg2 Rxh2+ $1 32. Kxh2 Rh5+ {and mate}) 29... Ra5 30. Rxa5 Qxa5 { +- White does not have his main tactical resource (b3-b4) and Black's extra +piece is worth more than the pawns.}) ({. There would only have remained} 27. +Qc2 Bd6 $1 28. b4 $1 {, as in the game.})) 26... Bd6 {(6)} (26... Nf3+ $2 {is +weak:} 27. Kg2 Ne1+ ({after} 27... Rxh2+ $2 28. Kxf3 Rf5+ 29. Kg4 {the +position of the king on b8 deprives Black of the spectacular} Rf4+) 28. Rxe1 +Bb4 29. Rc1 Bxc3 30. Qxc3 {with excellent compensation for the exchange.}) 27. +Bxa7+ Kb7 28. b4 $1 {There is nothing else. As in my games with Timoshchenko +and Dorfman, this pawn is assigned an important role in the attack (the threat +of Ra5 has suddenly arisen). From the press: 'An excellent resource! Up to +this point it seemed to many, both in the auditorium and in the press centre, +that things were difficult for Kasparov: there appeared to be no concrete play +compensating for his material deficit, and White had spent a great deal of +time looking for the best moves. But now it was Black's turn to think.'} Nc6 $6 +{(27) This reply suggests itself, but it is not the strongest.} ({Black had +some more promising possibilities:} 28... Rd3 $5 {(the threat of ...Nf3+ +forces White to agree to simplification)} 29. Rxd3 Qxd3 30. Qxd3 Nxd3 31. Rd1 +$1 Kxa7 32. Rxd3 Rd8 $1 {, and to gain a draw White still has to display some +accuracy, to avoid losing the f6-pawn:} 33. Kg2 (33. g4 $2 Bxh2+) 33... Bc7 34. +Rf3 Kb6 35. h4 {with the intention of g3-g4-g5}) (28... Ra8 $1 29. Ra5 $1 { +(the only chance)} Qd7 30. Bb6 $1 Ra6 $1 (30... Bb8 31. Qe4 $5 {is not so +clear - Stohl}) 31. Rxa6 Kxa6 32. Bc5 Kb7 {, and exceptional resourcefulness +is required of White to demonstrate that he has serious compensation for the +piece he has given up (true, optimism is inspired by the presence of the three +pawns and the fact that the enemy king will always be exposed).}) 29. Be3 {(10) +Now I am able to coordinate my forces, and it is Black who has to play +accurately. Tal again thought for a long time...} Be5 {(32) In the end the +ex-world champion chose a continuation which was not the most ambitious, after +which White was guaranteed a draw;} ({although initially he was inclined +towards} 29... Rc8 $5 {and he even wrote down this move on his scoresheet.} 30. +-- ({. And indeed, ...Be5 is threatened - say,} 30. Rb1 Be5 ({to my earlier +move} 30... Rc7 {there is the good reply} 31. h4) 31. Rc5 Qd3 {.}) ({. While if +} 30. Rc1 $6 {, then simply} Nxb4 {.}) ({. According to Tal, he did not like +the paradoxical reply} 30. f4 $5 {, depriving the black pieces of the +e5-square and in the event of} Bxb4 ({and second, he can decide on} 30... e5 $5 +{without any particular fear}) 31. Rb1 Bxc3 {(?)} ({but first, Black can hold +on after} 31... Na7 $1 32. Rxc8 Nxc8 33. Rc1 Qd7 34. Rb1 Qb5) 32. Rxb5+ Rxb5 +33. Qxc3 {giving White every chance of success.}) ({. But in a joint analysis +after the game I enthusiastically examined both 30 Rb1, and} 30. Qh7 $1 {- the +queen move would have been the surest and most pretty way of maintaining +equality:} Be5 31. Qxf7+ ({but not} 31. Rxc6 $2 Qxc6 $1 32. Qxf7+ Rc7 33. Ra7+ +Kb8 {, when the mate threat on the back rank causes White's downfall}) 31... +Rc7 32. Qe8 Rd8 (32... Rc8 {with equality is also possible}) 33. f7 Bxc3 34. +Qxd8 Nxd8 ({or} 34... Bxa1 35. Qg8 $1 Rd7 $1 36. f8=Q Rd1+ 37. Kg2 Qf1+ 38. Kf3 +Ne5+ 39. Kf4 Qc4+ 40. Kg5 Qg4+ 41. Kh6 Qh3+ 42. Kg5 Qg4+ {, in both cases with +perpetual check}) 35. Ra7+ Kc8 36. Ra8+ Kb7 $1 37. Ra7+ {. All this remained +off-stage, but that which occurred in the game was no less interesting.})) 30. +Rxc6 Bxa1 31. Rc7+ Kb8 32. Ba7+ {(2)} ({The capture of the pawn} 32. Rxf7 $2 { +would have allowed Black to offer an advantageous exchange of rooks by} Rd7 $1 +{and to set about converting his material advantage (} 33. Re7 $5 Bxf6 34. Rxe6 +Bd4 $1 {etc.).}) 32... Ka8 33. Be3 {White both demonstrates the strength of +his position (all the same Black is forced to return with his king to b8) and +saves time on the clock, of which there was not much remaining.} Kb8 {(2)} 34. +Ba7+ {(3)} Ka8 35. Bc5 $1 {(2)} Kb8 $1 {(2)} 36. Rxf7 $1 {(5) The battle for +a win continues! Black's extra rook is opposed by the enormous activity of the +white pieces and the far-advanced f-pawn.} Be5 $1 {(14)} ({Black would have +lost immediately after} 36... Qd3 $2 37. Ba7+) ({or} 36... Rhd8 $2 37. Bd6+ $1) +({while in the event of} 36... Rd7 $6 37. Bd6+ $1 Kb7 38. Qe4+ Kb6 (38... Ka6 +$2 39. Qxe6 Rxf7 40. Bc5+ $1 {- Stohl}) 39. Bc5+ Kc7 40. Qxe6 Rxf7 41. Qxf7+ +Qd7 42. Qc4 $1 {he would have had to fight for a draw:} Kb7 $1 43. f7 Bg7 44. +Qe4+ Qc6 45. Qe7+ Kc8 46. Qe2 Rd8 47. Be7 Rd4 {etc.}) 37. Ba7+ {(15)} ({At the +board I was no longer able to assess the variation} 37. Re7 $1 Rhd8 $1 (37... +Bxf6 $2 38. Bd6+ $1) 38. f7 Rd1+ 39. Kg2 Qc6+ $1 (39... Qf1+ $2 40. Kf3 Qh1+ +41. Kg4) 40. Kh3 Qf3 $1 41. Qh7 $1 {- the only satisfactory defence against +mate, also creating the strong counter-threat of Re8 and f7-f8Q. Home analysis +enabled a very pretty draw to be discovered -} Bxg3 $1 42. fxg3 {, and here +Black can either give perpetual check himself -} Qf1+ {(Stohl),} ({or force it +by} 42... R1d5 43. Rb7+ $1 Kc8 44. Rc7+ $1 {(fantastic!)} Kb8 45. Rb7+ {. --- +This would have been the most worthy conclusion to the game, but instead of +this I decided to maintain the tension.})) (37. Kg2 $2 Rd3 $1 {.}) 37... Ka8 +38. Be3 Rd7 $1 {(4)} ({Tal also continues the fight, fearing that after} 38... +Kb8 39. Re7 Rhd8 {the switching of the bishop from c5 to e3 would change the +assessment of the position to White's advantage. But this is not so:} 40. f7 ( +40. Ba7+ Ka8 41. Be3 {with a draw is more solid}) 40... Rd1+ 41. Kg2 R1d7 $1 ({ +not my early cooperative variation} 41... Qd5+ $2 42. f3 Rd3 {because of} 43. +Qc5 $1 Qxc5 44. bxc5 Bg7 45. Bf4+ {with crushing threats}) 42. Rxd7 Qxd7 43. +Qc5 Bg7 44. f3 Qxf7 45. Qb6+ Kc8 46. Qa6+ {gaining only a draw.}) 39. Qa2+ $6 { +A time-trouble error.} (39. Qe4+ $2 {would have been even worse:} Qb7 $1 { +(Stohl)} 40. Qxb7+ Rxb7 41. Rxb7 Kxb7 42. f7 Kc6 {, and the rook is obviously +stronger than the pawns.}) ({However,} 39. Rxd7 Qxd7 40. f7 $1 {would have +given real chances of maintaining the dynamic balance.}) 39... Kb8 40. Ba7+ { +This last (the fifth!) check on a7 proved merely to be the prelude to peace +negotiations.} ({It might seem that} 40. Qxe6 {(?)} Rd1+ 41. Kg2 {is to +White's advantage, but after} Rd6 $1 {(Stohl)} 42. Qb3 Rd3 43. Qe6 Rxe3 $1 { +the mirage is dispelled.}) 40... Kc8 $1 ({In the event of} 40... Kb7 41. Qxe6 +Rxf7 42. Qxf7+ Bc7 43. Bc5 Ra8 $1 {Black also has some advantage, but after} +44. Qd5+ Qc6 45. Qd4 Qf3 46. f7 $1 Qxf7 47. Qe4+ Kb8 48. Qc6 {White is close +to equality.}) 41. Qxe6 {(4)} Qd5 $1 42. Qa6+ $1 {(2)} Qb7 $6 ({A sure sign of +fatigue - an unwillingness to get involved in the 'wild complications' after} +42... Kd8 $1 {, although this would have left Black with some winning chances:} +43. Bb6+ Ke8 44. Rxd7 Kxd7 45. Qa7+ Ke6 46. Qe7+ Kf5 47. f7 Bg7 48. h4 Kg6 49. +b5 Qxf7 {etc.}) 43. Qc4+ {(2)} Qc7 ({It was also safe to play} 43... Kd8 44. +Rxd7+ Qxd7 (44... Kxd7 $2 45. Bc5 $1) 45. Bb6+ Bc7 (45... Ke8 $2 46. Qe2 $1) +46. Bc5 Bd6) ({but} 43... Qc7 {is more accurate, since it forces} 44. Qa6+ { +with a repetition. --- Times: 2.35-1.50. --- Thus the variation 19 Be3 Bxd5 20 +Bxd5 Rxd5 21 Qe2 Nc6 22 Rfc1, which White had temporarily buried, was revived +- it turned out that after 22...Ne5! it is not White who is playing for a win, +but Black! And this practically closed the entire line with 19 Be3. --- +Meanwhile, the Moscow days flew by one after another, and the situation with +my Candidates semi-final match was not clarified at all. What could be done? +On 21st July I phoned Geidar Aliev, at that time already a member of the +Politburo, and explained the problem. He reassured me that the match would +take place. Only after this did I return to Baku.}) 1/2-1/2 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Fairy-tale in Niksic"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.08"] + +{International tournament in Niksic (23rd August - 13th September 1983): 1. +Kasparov - 11 out of 14; 2. Larsen - 9; 3-4. Spassky and Portisch - 8; 5-6. +Miles and Andersson - 7½; 7-8. Tal and Timman - 7; 9-10. Seirawan and +Ljubojevic - 6½; 11-12. Gligoric and Petrosian - 6; 13. Nikolic - 5½; 14. +Sax - 5; 15. Ivanovic - 4½.} 1. -- {You can imagine my state of mind during +the early hours of 7th August 1983. At that time in Pasadena, where it was +still 6th August, the match had 'started'. Korchnoi arrived at the hall of the +City College, shook hands with the arbiter, sat down at the chess board and +made the move 1 d4. Then he pressed his clock. According to the 'Los Angeles +Times', for the next hour he paced around the stage, with his hands clasped +behind his back and a deadpan expression on his face. He was awarded a win and +a quarter of the sum he would have received if the match had taken place. +Furthermore, he was told that he was already through to the final. --- That +appeared to be the end of it. Three days later Smyslov was also defaulted in +his match with Ribli - for his refusal to play in Abu Dhabi. The world +championship series was on the brink of collapse at the semi-final stage... +Sympathisers advised us to appeal in writing to the FIDE Congress, which was +due to be held in early October in Manila. Many were of the opinion that the +aim of the intrigue begun in May 1983 was 'to do everything possible' to +prevent Kasparov from qualifying to play Karpov. But the invisible +script-writers took the organisation of the second match too lightly +(evidently considering neither Smyslov nor Ribli to be rivals to Karpov). Yes, +one disqualified Candidate might somehow be justified, but two - that was +going too far!} (1. -- {But in that hot month of August fate again sent me a +saving opportunity in the form of a telephone call from the prominent Yugoslav +player Milunka Lazarevic, an active chess organiser. She told me that I was +invited to Niksic for a super-tournament in honour of Svetozar Gligoric's 60th +birthday, in which all the top players of that time (apart from Karpov and +Korchnoi) were due to take part. Later it was explained to me that in this way +the organisers wanted to demonstrate their attitude to the crisis. --- Of +course, I was happy to be invited to such a tournament, and without hesitation +I agreed to play: this was a way out of my state of 'chess weightlessness'! In +terms of distinguished names, Niksic 1983 could compete with any event of +recent years. It was clear to me that things would not be easy. The fact that +I had the highest rating obliged me to play for first place, but almost half +of the participants were thinking of the same result. In addition, I was +concerned about my four-month break from play (not counting the games in July +with Tal and Beliavsky). Also, the events surrounding the semi-final matches +were hardly conducive to improving my frame of mind. True, on the other hand I +very much wanted to gain revenge for the 'defeat' in Pasadena and to convince +the world that my claims for continuing the battle for the chess crown were +justified.}) (1. -- {At a short training session, held in Moscow with Nikitin, +a general course of play in the tournament was planned. I had to quickly +readjust - a tournament has its specific nature, very different from match +play. I decided to put everything into my play, without any short draws, and +in each game to try to squeeze everything possible from the position (but +without overstepping the mark!), seeking the slightest chances even in +objectively drawn positions. This persistence, which previously was not +characteristic of me, soon bore fruit. Thanks also to the enormous store of +ideas, accumulated during the comprehensive preparations for the match with +Korchnoi, I was in 'super-human' form and from the start I crushed one +opponent after another. --- These preparations made themselves felt in the +very first round. Playing Black against the 1979 world junior champion, the +23-year-old American grandmaster Yasser Seirawan, I again chose my new opening +- the Tarrasch Defence (see the following game). In this first meeting with me +Yasser played cautiously, failed to gain the slightest advantage, and even +gave up a pawn, in order to regain it a dozen moves later in an endgame, which +was slightly better for Black thanks to his active bishop and queenside pawn +majority.}) * + +[Event "83: Niksic"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1983.08.24"] +[Round "1"] +[White "Seirawan, Y."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "D34"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "108"] +[EventDate "1983.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O +O-O 9. Bg5 cxd4 10. Nxd4 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nb3 d4 13. Ne4 Be7 14. Rc1 Qb6 +15. Nec5 Rd8 16. Rc4 Bxc5 17. Nxc5 Qxb2 18. Qc2 Qxc2 19. Rxc2 Rb8 20. Rb2 Rd6 +21. Rd1 b6 22. Nb3 Bb7 23. Rbd2 Rbd8 24. Kf1 Ba6 25. Bxc6 Rxc6 26. Nxd4 Rc5 27. +Nb3 {(2) Simplification always seems the most reliable way to draw;} ({but +the knight on d4 stood well, and therefore Petrosian's recommendation} 27. Ke1 +{and e2-e3 was sensible.}) 27... Rxd2 28. Rxd2 Rc7 {(3)} 29. Rd8+ {(14) +Driving the black king away from the centre;} ({although the immediate} 29. Ke1 +{was simpler, followed by Kd1, Nd4 and e2-e3.}) 29... Kh7 30. Ke1 Bc4 {(4) +Now the rapid switching of the knight to d4 is not possible, and White begins +to experience certain difficulties.} 31. Kd2 {(3)} g6 {(6)} ({The 'routine'} +31... Kg6 32. e4 Kf6 33. f4 Ke7 34. Rg8 g6 {, condemned by me because of} 35. +g4 {(?!) 'with counterplay on the kingside', is in fact no worse. After} Rd7+ +$1 36. Kc3 Be2 {this is to the benefit of the black bishop:} 37. f5 gxf5 38. +gxf5 Rd3+ 39. Kb2 Bf3 40. e5 Be4 {etc.}) 32. Nc1 {(16) The first +mini-achievement by Black - the knight has temporarily taken up a poor +position.} (32. e4 Kg7 33. f4 {was also possible, only if} h5 {White must not +play} 34. h3 $6 {because of the reply} Be6 $1 {, preventing the creation of a +mobile pawn chain.}) 32... Kg7 {(3)} 33. a3 {(2)} Kf6 {(2)} 34. e3 $6 {(4) An +unforced weakening of the d3-square, making it harder for the knight to come +out.} (34. Nd3 Ke7 35. Rd4 {was definitely better, when Black's position is +the more pleasant, but he is unable to undertake anything concrete.}) 34... Ke7 +{(2)} 35. Rd4 {Of course, White did not want to concede the d-file, but on the +threshold of time-trouble it was hardly correct to allow the exchange of rooks, +making the superiority of the bishop over the knight more perceptible.} Rd7 { +(7) A purely practical chance: I sensed that it might not turn up again.} ({ +Apparently,} 35... b5 {was objectively somewhat stronger, keeping the rooks on, +but then White would not have had any particular problems in achieving a draw! +In changing the type of endgame, I took account of the fact that now, towards +the end of the fifth hour of play, my opponent would have to reject play on +general grounds, calculate specific variations and take some responsible +decisions. And Seirawan became anxious...}) 36. Kc3 Rxd4 37. Kxd4 b5 38. Nd3 { +(15) After spending nearly all his remaining time, White took the risk of +allowing a pawn endgame, which at the board was impossible to calculate to the +end.} ({But playing with a knight cut off on c1 was even more unpleasant: after +} 38. Kc5 {apart from} Ke6 ({there is even} 38... a6 {, since} 39. Kb6 $2 Kd6 +40. Kxa6 {is not possible on account of} b4+)) ({while after} 38. a4 a6 39. +axb5 axb5 {Black would have gained an outside passed pawn and a pawn endgame. +Then} 40. Nd3 Bxd3 41. Kxd3 {would have led to a depressing queen endgame:} Kd6 +42. Kd4 f5 43. f3 Kc6 44. e4 fxe4 45. Kxe4 Kc5 46. Kd3 b4 47. h4 (47. f4 $2 h5 +$1 {and wins}) 47... Kd5 48. h5 gxh5 49. Kc2 Kd4 50. Kb3 Ke3 51. f4 h4 52. f5 +hxg3 53. f6 g2 54. f7 g1=Q 55. f8=Q Qb1+ 56. Kc4 Qe4+ 57. Kb3 {- according to +the Tablebase, this is a draw, but after} Qf4 ({or} 57... Qd5+ 58. Kxb4 h5 {a +human player still has some work to do.})) 38... Bxd3 39. Kxd3 Kd6 {(10) Here +Seirawan glanced at the clock (his flag was threatening to fall) and grabbed +hold of his e-pawn.} 40. e4 $4 {The last move before the time control proves +to be a decisive mistake!} (40. Kd4 $1 {was essential, when the pawn endgame +is drawn, despite the possibility of Black creating an outside passed pawn on +the queenside:} f5 {it was this move that my opponent was afraid of;} ({if} +40... g5 {, then} 41. f3 ({or} 41. f4 {and e3-e4 is sufficient})) 41. f4 a5 ({ +or} 41... h5 42. e4 fxe4 43. Kxe4 Kc5 44. h3 a5 45. g4 {with a draw (} h4 46. +f5 gxf5+ 47. gxf5 Kd6 48. Kd4 $1 {)}) 42. e4 $1 fxe4 43. Kxe4 Kc5 44. g4 {. +--- It seemed to Yasser that with his pawn on e4 White had nothing to fear, +but he did not take into account that this was true only with the black pawn +on g6, where it assists the creation of a white passed pawn.}) 40... g5 $1 {(6) +The threat of ...g5-g4 practically forces the next move, which White sealed: +here the game was adjourned. In a brief analysis (the resumption began two +hours after the end of the round) I quickly established a winning plan, +typical of pawn endings with an outside passed pawn.} 41. f4 {(22)} gxf4 {(6)} +42. gxf4 Kc5 {The winning plan is quite simple - to divert the white king with +the passed pawn, after which White's pawns in the centre will become +indefensible. But with a clever defence Seirawan succeeds in making things +difficult for Black.} 43. Kc3 a5 44. Kd3 {(2)} h5 $1 {(4) It is useful to +advance the h-pawn as far as possible.} 45. h4 $1 {(13)} ({Marking time with} +45. Kc3 {is altogether hopeless in view of} b4+ 46. axb4+ axb4+ 47. Kd3 (47. +Kb3 Kd4) 47... h4 $1 {, when it is time to resign:} 48. e5 ({while if} 48. f5) +({or} 48. h3 {, then} f6 $1) 48... Kd5 {.}) 45... b4 {(8)} 46. a4 {White +reconciles himself to the creation of a protected passed pawn;} ({since} 46. +axb4+ axb4 {is completely bad for him.}) 46... f6 $1 {(8)} ({Of course, not} +46... b3 $2 47. Kc3 b2 48. Kxb2 Kd4 49. Kb3 $1 Kxe4 50. Kc4 Kxf4 51. Kb5 {and +Kxa5 (Seirawan).}) 47. f5 $1 {White has completed the construction of an +unusual 'fortress'.} Kc6 $1 ({Again, as on the previous move, little is +promised by} 47... b3 $2 48. Kc3 b2 49. Kxb2 Kd4 50. Kb3 $1 Kxe4 51. Kc4 Kxf5 +52. Kb5 Kg4 53. Kxa5 f5 54. Kb4 {(b6)} f4 55. a5 f3 56. a6 f2 57. a7 f1=Q 58. +a8=Q {leads to a queen endgame with an h-pawn, which theory assesses as drawn. +--- But Black has available a plan involving the creation of a zugzwang +position. For this he needs to give his opponent the move, which is achieved +with the help of the distant opposition. I had already used this method in an +earlier game with Alburt (Game No.28).}) 48. Kc4 Kc7 $1 49. Kd3 (49. Kd4 {is +bad because of} Kd6 {.}) 49... Kd7 $1 {The black king has described a triangle, +and it is now ready for the victorious march to c5. White is in zugzwang (50 +Kc4 Kc6).} 50. Ke3 {(11)} Kc6 51. Kd3 Kc5 {(that's it: the white king is +forced to make way)} 52. Ke3 b3 (52... Kc4 $2 53. e5 $1 {with a draw.}) 53. Kd3 +Kb4 54. e5 Ka3 $1 {. The b-pawn queens. --- Times: 3.22-2.52.} 0-1 + +[Event "84: Niksic"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1983.08.25"] +[Round "2"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Petrosian, T."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "A93"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "101"] +[EventDate "1983.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{My 2nd round game with Tigran Petrosian had an uneven rhythm. On this +occasion against 1 d4 the ex-world champion chose an unusual opening for him, +about which he himself once said: 'If you see that your opponent wants to play +the Dutch Defence, for God's sake, don't stop him!' Petrosian's enormous +practical strength and experience enabled him to solve his opening problems +and almost seize the initiative. But in a tense struggle my formidable +opponent felt uncomfortable, and as a result the initiative ended up on my +side. Petrosian cleverly sacrificed a pawn, but I returned the favour, +initiating a lively tactical skirmish. --- The main events took place in a +time scramble. On the 32nd move Black could have given up queen for rook and +knight with good chances of setting up a fortress. Instead of this he forced +the exchange of queens, relying on the limited remaining material in a +slightly inferior endgame.} 1. d4 e6 2. c4 f5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 d5 5. Nf3 Be7 6. +O-O O-O 7. b3 c6 8. Qc2 Bd7 9. Bb2 Be8 10. Ne5 Nbd7 11. Nd3 Bh5 12. Nc3 Bd6 13. +f3 Bg6 14. e3 Rc8 15. Qe2 Re8 16. Qf2 a6 17. Rac1 Qe7 18. Rfe1 Qf8 19. Rcd1 +dxc4 20. bxc4 c5 21. Bf1 Bf7 22. Na4 cxd4 23. exd4 b5 24. cxb5 axb5 25. Nac5 b4 +26. Rc1 Qe7 27. Bh3 Qd8 28. Nxb4 Qa5 29. Nc6 Qxa2 30. Nxd7 Nxd7 31. d5 Qxd5 32. +Red1 Bc5 33. Rxd5 Bxf2+ 34. Kxf2 exd5 35. Bxf5 Nb6 36. Bxc8 Nxc8 {Strictly +speaking, this is a draw, but White can still fight for a win. Such a +development of events would not have been surprising, had we exchanged places. +But, young and proud as I was, and accustomed to looking for mating attacks, +in Niksic I played on to the end in simple positions, and so here too I tried +to exploit the minimal winning chances against the great master of defence.} +37. Ba3 $1 h6 38. Rb1 {Continuing to play for the restriction of the black +pieces and preparing to invade with the rook.} Re6 $1 {In order to release the +knight on c8 - a similar sufferer to the knight at c1 from the previous +endgame with Seirawan.} 39. Nd4 Ra6 40. Bc5 Nd6 ({Earlier I condemned this +last move before the time control, parrying the threat of Rb8, and suggested +trying to dislodge the bishop from c5 by} 40... Ra5 $5 {. And indeed,} 41. Rc1 +{, allows the activation} ({while after} 41. Rb5 Rxb5 42. Nxb5 Be8 43. Nc7 Bc6 +44. Ke3 Kf7 {White's slight advantage is hardly enough for a win}) 41... Na7 { +and ...Nb5!. But 40...Nd6 is a natural and quite good choice. Its only +drawback is that White retains a more complicated position, and with it +certain practical chances of playing for a win.}) 41. Rb8+ {(2) Here the game +was adjourned and Petrosian sealed his next move. The resumption was due to +take place immediately after dinner. Feeling sceptical about my winning +chances, I did not bother to spend much time on analysis and I went down to +the restaurant. Nearly all the tournament contestants were there and, as usual, +they were discussing the games that had been played. Spassky asked me about +the adjourned position: 'Well, how does it look?' I replied with +disappointment: 'It would appear that I've lost my advantage.' And I began +giving vent to my grief about the forthcoming 'annoying' draw. But suddenly he +said: 'Come on, things are not so simple! The bishops are of opposite colour, +and that is in White's favour: he can create an attack. And look! Petrosian +hasn't come down for dinner - that means he doesn't like his position.' And I +began looking at the adjourned position with new eyes! Thus one sentence by an +experienced fighter replaced a whole lecture on psychology. Yes, Spassky +probably knew better than anyone the habits of his historic opponent... --- I +promptly went up to my room, began analysing the adjourned position, and +quickly ascertained that it was not so unpromising for me and that Black faced +an unpleasant defence - he would have to play extremely accurately.} Kh7 {(10)} +42. g4 $1 {White takes control of the f5-square and at the same time prepares +a shelter for his king. There is an obvious difference in the strength of the +opposite-colour bishops: White's is successfully restricting the mobility of +the black knight and is ready (together with the rook and knight) to take part +in an attack on the g7-point, whereas it is hard for Black's to find +employment. Also important is White's firm control of d4, which has become a +transit point for his minor pieces. All this did not appeal to Petrosian...} +Ra4 {(4) Black begins threatening White's forces in the centre, preventing +him from carrying out a favourable regrouping.} ({He could also have considered +} 42... h5 43. g5 Nc4) ({or the immediate} 42... Nc4 43. Rb7 Ne5 ({but not} +43... Kg8 $6 44. Nf5 {with the threat of Bd4}) 44. Kg3 Nd3 $1 {with the +possible idea of giving up the d5-pawn, but arranging the pieces better. +However, it is unclear whether this is sufficient for a draw, and so Petrosian +looks for other, simpler ways to reach the haven of a draw. The difficulty of +the defence is that for the moment White has no direct threats, and it is not +altogether clear what to defend against (although Black's fears are most +probably exaggerated).}) 43. Ke3 $1 {(5)} Nc4+ {(5)} 44. Kf4 {A critical +moment. Here I realised for sure that Petrosian was extremely unhappy with his +position, and on seeing this I began playing far more confidently. Petrosian +noticed this change in me - and almost immediately he made a mistake.} g5+ $2 { +(4) An irreparable strategic mistake. It is not possible to create real +threats against the white king, and the weakening of the squares on the +kingside proves fatal.} ({Black should have tried to exploit the insecure +placing of the white minor pieces, in order to fight for the d4-point:} 44... +Na3 45. Kg3 (45. Rb7 Nc2 $1) 45... Nc2 $5 ({and now not} 45... Rc4 46. Rb7 $1 +Kg8 (46... Rxc5 $2 47. Rxf7 Kg6 48. Rxg7+ $1) 47. Ba7 Nc2 48. Nf5 {with a +dangerous initiative}) 46. Nxc2 Rc4 47. Nd4 Rxc5 48. Rb7 Kg8 49. Nf5 h5 {, +exchanging another pair of pawns.}) (44... Nd6 45. Rb6 $1 Nc4 $5 ({after} 45... +Rc4 46. Rxd6 Rxc5 47. Rd7 Kg8 48. h4 {Black's defence is more difficult}) 46. +Rb7 Kg8 47. Rb8+ Kh7 48. Kg3 h5 {with drawing chances (} 49. g5 $6 Ne5 {)}) ( +44... Ra5 45. Rb7 Kg8 46. Bb4 Ra2 47. h4 Rb2 48. Nf5 Rb3 {, and the pin on the +bishop hinders White's plans}) (44... h5 {with the idea after} 45. h3 hxg4 46. +hxg4 {of choosing one of the three lines given above. --- But, in any event, +Black's position is much more unpleasant than it appeared at first sight. And, +not wishing to conduct a prolonged and passive defence, Petrosian decided to +force matters.}) 45. Kg3 ({Of course, not} 45. Kf5 $4 Ra6 $1 46. Rb7 Kg7 $1 { +with the murderous threat of ...Rf6 mate.}) 45... Ra2 {(2) It may seem that +Black is alright - the threat of ...Ne3(d2) looks dangerous. But White, +exploiting his numerical superiority in fighting units, launches an attack.} +46. Rb7 {(7)} Kg6 $6 {There is no longer any way of saving the game;} ({ +although White's task would have been made more difficult by the clever} 46... +Ne3 $1 47. Bd6 $1 {defending h2;} (47. Rxf7+ $4 Kg6) 47... Kg8 ({or} 47... Kg6 +$2 48. h4 $1) 48. h4 $1 gxh4+ (48... Nc4 49. Bc5 $1) 49. Kxh4 Nc4 (49... Ra8 +50. Nc6 $1) 50. Bf4 {, winning the h6-pawn and the game.}) 47. Nf5 {(12)} Ra6 { +(7) It is hard to talk about the best practical chance in a hopeless position +(except perhaps the opponent's presumption?!).} ({If} 47... Rb2 48. Ra7 Nd2 { +(threatening ...Nf1+ and ...Rxh2 mate), then simply} 49. Bf2 d4 50. Ra6+ Kh7 +51. Rxh6+ Kg8 52. Rh8+ $1 Kxh8 53. Bxd4+ {and Bxb2.}) ({And the immediate} +47... Nd2 {would have been refuted after} 48. Rb6+ Kh7 49. Rxh6+ Kg8 {by the +aforementioned manoeuvre} 50. Bd6 $1 {, for example:} Nf1+ 51. Kh3 Re2 52. Nd4 +Re8 53. Ba3 {etc. --- Now, however, White's main objective is not to be +confused by the mass of tempting continuations.}) 48. h4 {(9)} ({Not the only +way (} 48. Bd4) ({or even} 48. Ne7+ {is also good), but the clearest one to +the goal.}) 48... gxh4+ 49. Nxh4+ Kg7 ({Or} 49... Kf6 50. Bd4+ Ke6 51. Nf5 {, +and the black king is in a mating net.}) 50. Nf5+ Kg6 {(4)} 51. Bd4 {(2)} ({ +The threat is Nh4+, and the bishop is inevitably lost after} 51. Bd4 Nd6 52. +Nxd6 Rxd6 53. f4 {. Times: 3.07-3.08. --- This equalised the score in my +individual games with 'Iron Tigran' (2-2), but at that, alas, our duels came +to an end.}) 1-0 + +[Event "85: Niksic"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1983.08.27"] +[Round "4"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Portisch, L."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "E12"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "69"] +[EventDate "1983.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In the 3rd round I had Black against Sax and I gained a draw in a sharp line +of the Scheveningen Variation with castling on opposite sides. Then in the 4th +round I was fortunate enough to test successfully a strong piece of home +preparation against Lajos Portisch, and carry out one of the most brilliant +combinations in my career.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. Nc3 Bb7 (4... c5 { +- Game Nos. 32, 68.}) 5. a3 d5 (5... Ne4 {- Game No.61.}) 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. e3 { +(3)} ({On this occasion I gave the expected} 7. Qc2 {a respite (Game Nos. 73, +75, 98).}) 7... Nxc3 {(5)} ({Black chooses the usual course, just in case +avoiding the line which had been tried at the recent European Team +Championship:} 7... Be7 8. Bb5+ c6 9. Nxd5 $5 Qxd5 10. Bd3 O-O 11. Qc2 { +(Miles-Portisch, Plovdiv 1983).}) 8. bxc3 Be7 9. Bb5+ c6 10. Bd3 c5 (10... Nd7 +{- Game No.43.}) 11. O-O Nc6 (11... O-O 12. Qc2 $1 {- Game No.52.}) 12. Bb2 { +(4) The most popular plan: first White comfortably deploys his pieces and +only then does he begin action in the centre, retaining a choice between e3-e4 +and c3-c4.} ({Earlier they played} 12. e4 O-O 13. Be3 cxd4 14. cxd4 Rc8 15. Qe2 +(15. Ra2 $6 Bf6 {, Kasparov-Karolyi, Dortmund 1980}) 15... Na5 16. Rfe1 {, and +here it is not easy for White to achieve any real gains even after} (16. Rfd1 +Rc3 $1) 16... Kh8 {(Kasparov-Groszpeter, Graz 1981)} ({or} 16... Qd6 { +(Kasparov-Najdorf, Bugojno 1982)}) ({but the most convincing is} 16... Rc3 $1 { +(cf. 'Revolution in the 70s' p.285).})) 12... Rc8 {(11) Opening trickery;} ({ +Black first develops his rook, again avoiding the variation} 12... O-O 13. Qc2 +{.}) 13. Qe2 {(6)} ({The immediate} 13. e4 {is effective only in the event of} +O-O $6 ({or} 13... Bf6 $6 14. d5 $1 exd5 15. exd5 Qxd5 16. Re1+ {with a strong +initiative (Kasparov-Ivkov, Bugojno 1982)}) ({but after} 13... cxd4 14. cxd4 +Bf6 $1 {Black is alright (} 15. Qe2 Bxd4 $1 {)}) 14. d5 $1 {.}) 13... O-O 14. +Rad1 {(3) One of the tabiyas of the Queen's Indian Defence with 4 a3, which +at that time was subjected to a thorough analysis. In my youth I was convinced +that White had a clear advantage here, but subsequent practice did not confirm +this.} Qc7 {Incautiously repeating the recent game Polugayevsky-Portisch +(Plovdiv 1983), where after 15 e4?! Na5 16 h3 the players agreed a draw, +leaving an interesting possibility off-stage.} (14... cxd4 $1 {is correct:} 15. +cxd4 $1 (15. exd4 {is weaker in view of} Bf6 $1 16. c4 Na5 17. Ne5 Bxe5 $1 18. +dxe5 Qc7 {, Kasparov-Tukmakov, Kislovodsk 1982}) 15... Bf6 16. e4 $5 {(this +problematic position can also arise in the variation with 7 Qc2)} Na5 {, and +here White has played both the solid} (16... g6 $6 17. h4 $1 {, +Portisch-Christiansen, London 1982}) 17. Rfe1 ({and the pawn sacrifice} 17. h4 +$5 {, with interesting play and some initiative.})) 15. c4 $1 {(5) Here is my +novelty! The position has taken on new colours: d4-d5 is threatened, and the +powerful white bishops begin raking the opponent's practically undefended +kingside. Here Portisch stopped to think. It is strange that he did not +anticipate this: after all, I had already tried to do something similar in my +game with Tukmakov, but, alas, unsuccessfully (cf. the previous note).} cxd4 $2 +{(12) This seemingly natural exchange - an attempt to fight against White's +'hanging' pawn centre - is already virtually the decisive mistake!} (15... Bf6 +$2 {was also unsuitable:} 16. d5 $1 Ne5 (16... Bxb2 $2 17. dxc6) 17. Nxe5 Bxe5 +18. Bxh7+ $1 {etc.}) ({In 'The Test of Time' I recommended} 15... Na5 $1 {, +but I assumed that after} 16. d5 $1 {all the same White had promising play, +having in mind the line given earlier in 'Informator':} exd5 17. cxd5 c4 $1 ( +17... Bxd5 $2 {is worse in view of} 18. Bxh7+ Kxh7 19. Rxd5) 18. Bf5 -- (18... +Rcd8 {(?!)} 19. e4 {with advantage, but here Black has better saving chances +than with the game continuation.}) ({. However, a key defensive idea went +unnoticed -} 18... c3 $1 19. Bxc8 (19. Rc1 $6 Qc4 $1) 19... Qxc8 20. Ba1 (20. +d6 Bf6 $1 {is completely unclear}) 20... Ba6 {(immediately regaining the +exchange)} 21. Qc2 Bxf1 22. Rxf1 Bxa3 {with double-edged, roughly equal play. +--- Now, however, it will be very difficult for Black to curb the rampant +bishop on b2.})) 16. exd4 Na5 {(3)} 17. d5 $1 {(3) The white pieces are ready +to attack, and after the breakthrough in the centre Black's plan suffers a +fiasco.} exd5 $6 {(18) This loses practically by force.} (17... Qf4 18. Ne5 $1 +{was also dangerous}) ({but there was the more resilient} 17... Nxc4 18. Qe4 $1 +g6 19. Bxc4 Qxc4 20. Qe5 f6 21. Qxe6+ Rf7 22. Rc1 Qa6 23. d6 $1 {, and here +not my earlier suggestion} Rxc1 $2 (23... Bd8 $2 24. Ng5 $1) ({but} 23... b5 $1 +24. Rfd1 Bf8 {, after which real winning chances are retained only by the +unexpected supporting of the passed d6-pawn -} 25. Be5 $1 {(Stohl)}) 24. Rxc1 +Bd8 25. Ng5 $1 fxg5 26. Rc7 $1 Bxc7 27. Qe5 {with unavoidable mate.}) 18. cxd5 +Bxd5 ({After} 18... g6 19. Rfe1 {the weakness of the a1-h8 diagonal causes +Black's downfall.}) 19. Bxh7+ $1 ({Disregarding a 'tedious' way to win -} 19. +Nd4 g6 20. Nf5 $1 Rfe8 21. Be5 $1 Bf8 (21... Qd8 $2 22. Be4) 22. Bxc7 Rxe2 23. +Bxe2 Be6 24. Nd4 Rxc7 25. Nxe6 fxe6 26. Bg4 Kf7 27. Rfe1 Bxa3 28. Bxe6+ Kf6 29. +Rd7 {with a technically won endgame.}) 19... Kxh7 20. Rxd5 Kg8 {(4) The only +way of prolonging the resistance.} (20... Qc2 $2 {was completely bad:} 21. Qe5 +Bf6 (21... f6 22. Qxe7 Qxb2 23. Rd7 {, mating}) 22. Qh5+ Kg8 23. Bxf6 gxf6 24. +Rf5 {and wins.}) ({At this point I thought for a long time. White's pieces are +ideally placed, but nothing concrete is immediately apparent. One senses that +he should play actively, but how? Knight moves suggest themselves, but at g5 +the knight is not doing anything -} 20... Kg8 21. Ng5 $2 Qc4 $1 ({but not +Stohl's move} 21... Bxg5 {(?) because of} 22. Bxg7 $1) 22. Qh5 Qc2 23. h4 Rc6 +24. Rc1 Qg6 {, while after 21 Ne5? the fine-looking bishop on b2 remains out +of play (21...Qc2!). But what if it is given up? Yes, yes, sacrifice it, so +that the knight on e5 should not worry that it is blocking the bishop's path! +A unique situation: I suddenly realised that the bishop on b2 was of equal +value to the g7-pawn, and its sacrifice would carry out the set strategic +objective without loss of time.}) 21. Bxg7 $5 {(27) Previously this move - +sacrificing the second bishop! - was invariably accompanied by two exclamation +marks. White's entire combinative attack was considered exemplary, and I was +very proud of it.} ({But when modern computers joined the chess analysis, it +turned out that White had two other worthy candidate moves:} 21. Nd2 $5 {(the +start of a melancholic dance by the knight)} -- (21... Qb7 22. Rh5 Qd7 23. Ne4 +Nc4 24. Bf6 $3 gxf6 25. Rh3 $1 Qf5 26. Rf3 $1 Qg6 27. Rg3 {and wins}) (21... +Qc2 $2 22. Bxg7 $1) ({, or} 21... Qc6 22. Rxa5 {and Qxe7 is worse for Black}) ( +{, or} 21... Rcd8 {(the most resilient)} 22. Rh5 $1 Qd6 ({after} 22... Qd7 $2 +23. Nf3 Nc6 24. Qc2 f5 25. Nh4 $1 Bxh4 26. Qc4+ {Black succumbs to the attack}) +23. Qg4 Qg6 24. Qh3 f5 25. Nf3 $1 Nc6 26. Re1 Qg4 27. Rh7 Bf6 28. Bxf6 Qxh3 29. +Rxg7+ Kh8 30. Rg3+ Rxf6 31. Rxh3+ Kg7 32. Ng5 {with an extra pawn in the +ending and excellent winning chances})) (21. Rh5 $1 Qc2 ({if} 21... Rfe8 $2 { +, then} 22. Bxg7 $1 Kxg7 23. Ne5 {is now immediately conclusive}) 22. Qxe7 Qxb2 +23. Ne5 $1 {- a computer move, sharply improving the earlier 'thorough' +analysis. Black has a difficult choice:} -- (23... Qd4 24. g3 $1 ({after the +showy} 24. Ng6 $6 {there is the stupendous counter} Qxf2+ $3 25. Kxf2 fxg6+ $1 +26. Kg3 gxh5 27. Rxf8+ Rxf8 28. Qxa7 Rf6 29. Kh4 Rh6 {, when Black most +probably has a fortress!}) 24... Qd8 (24... Rce8 25. Qd7 $1) 25. Qb4 Rc7 26. +Qg4 $1 g6 27. Nxg6 $1 fxg6 28. Qxg6+ Rg7 29. Qe6+ Rgf7 (29... Rff7 30. Rc1 $1) +30. Qg4+ Rg7 31. Qh3 $1 {with a winning attack}) (23... Rc1 24. g4 $1 {(a far +from obvious pawn advance)} Rxf1+ 25. Kxf1 Qb1+ 26. Kg2 Qe4+ 27. Kh3 $1 { +(hiding from the checks)} Qb1 28. Rf5 $1 {(this removal of the rook from its +aggressive position is also unlikely to occur to everyone)} Qb3+ (28... Qf1+ { +is hopeless in view of} 29. Kh4 $1 Qg2 30. h3 $1) 29. f3 Qe6 30. Rxf7 Qxe7 31. +Rxe7 {, and White has a won endgame. --- But, it will be agreed, the human 21 +Bxg7!? is far more spectacular - and, as we will see, effective enough. The +positional bishop sacrifice completely exposes the black king, and the +remaining white pieces become furiously active.})) 21... Kxg7 22. Ne5 $1 { +White has just one pawn for the piece and no direct threats, but he is +excellently placed - largely thanks to the 'bad' knight on a5.} Rfd8 {(16) +The only chance.} ({Black would have lost quickly after both} 22... f5 $2 23. +Rd7 Qc5 24. Nd3) ({and} 22... Rh8 $2 23. Qg4+ Kf8 24. Qf5 f6 25. Re1 $1 Nc6 ( +25... Rh6 26. Qe6 $1) 26. Nd7+ Kf7 27. Rxe7+ $1) ({as well as} 22... Qc2 $2 23. +Qg4+ Kh7 24. Rd3) ({or} 22... Rcd8 $2 23. Nd7 $1 Qc6 24. Qe5+ f6 (24... Kh6 25. +Rd3 $1) 25. Qxe7+ Rf7 26. Rg5+ $1 fxg5 27. Qxg5+ Qg6 28. Qxd8 Qf5 29. Nb8 {.}) +23. Qg4+ {(14)} Kf8 24. Qf5 $1 {(6) This visibly distressed Portisch;} ({he +had reckoned only on} 24. Nd7+ {(?)} Rxd7 25. Rxd7 Qc4 $1 {with unclear play.}) +24... f6 {(36) Again the only move.} ({Black is forced to weaken his king's +defences still further, as otherwise disaster awaits him:} 24... Bd6 $2 25. Qf6 +$1 Nc4 (25... Kg8 26. Nd7 $1) 26. Ng6+ Ke8 27. Re1+ Kd7 28. Re7+ (28. Rh5 $5)) +({or} 24... Bxa3 $2 25. Nd7+ Rxd7 26. Rxd7 Qc4 27. Rfd1 Nc6 ({or} 27... Re8) +28. Qf6 $1 {and wins.}) 25. Nd7+ {(2)} ({Earlier I condemned} 25. Ng6+ {(!?)} +Kg7 ({of course, not} 25... Ke8 $2 26. Qh5 ({or} 26. Re1)) 26. Nf4 $1 Rxd5 27. +Nxd5 (27. Qg6+ $2 Kh8 28. Ne6 {is bad in view of} Rg5 $1) 27... Qe5 $1 ({if} +27... Qc5 $2 {, then} 28. Qg4+ $1 Kf7 29. Nxe7 Kxe7 30. Qg7+ Kd6 31. Rd1+ {is +decisive}) 28. Nxe7 Qxf5 29. Nxf5+ Kh8 {, thinking that White has 'nothing +special', but in fact it would also have given good winning chances:} 30. g4 $1 +Rc4 31. h3 Ra4 32. Re1 $1 Rxa3 (32... Nc4 33. Re6) 33. Re8+ Kh7 34. Re7+ Kg8 +35. Rg7+ Kh8 36. Rxa7 Rxh3 37. Rf7 {etc.}) 25... Rxd7 {(2)} 26. Rxd7 Qc5 $6 { +In the end Portisch was worn out by the difficult defence.} (26... Qe5 $1 {was +more resilient, although here too after} 27. Qh3 $1 {White has a strong attack +with equal material (rook and pawn against bishop and knight):} f5 ({or} 27... +Rc7 28. Rd3 f5 29. Qh6+ Qg7 30. Qh5 $1 f4 (30... Qf7 31. Qh8+ {and Qe5}) 31. +Re1 Nb7 32. g3 $1 {, and Black is most probably unable to hold out}) 28. Qh6+ +Kg8 29. Rd3 $1 f4 (29... Rc3 {leads to the loss of the f5-pawn}) 30. Qg6+ Kf8 +31. Rg3 $3 Bf6 32. Qg8+ Ke7 33. Qh7+ Ke6 34. Rd1 $1 Rd8 35. Rgd3 Rxd3 36. Qxd3 +{.}) 27. Qh7 $1 {(19)} Rc7 {(4)} 28. Qh8+ $1 {(2)} ({Avoiding the trap for +which Portisch was hoping:} 28. Rd3 $2 Qxf2+ $3 29. Kxf2 (29. Rxf2 $2 Rc1+) +29... Bc5+ 30. Kg3 Rxh7 31. Rxf6+ Ke7 {, when the endgame is now rather more +pleasant for Black.}) 28... Kf7 29. Rd3 Nc4 {(9) A belated return of the +knight.} (29... Nc6 30. Rg3 Ke6 31. Qg8+ Kd7 32. Rd1+ Bd6 33. Rgd3 {(Stohl) +was even worse}) ({while if} 29... Bf8 {White would decide matters with} 30. +Qh7+ Bg7 31. h4 ({or} 31. Rfd1 {.})) 30. Rfd1 $1 {(10) An important move, +connecting the rooks for combined actions.} Ne5 {A final error;} ({but Black +would also not have saved the game by} 30... Bd6 31. Rf3 $1 ({rather more +forceful than my earlier} 31. Rd5) ({and Nunn's move} 31. Rh3) 31... Qg5 32. +Rh3 $1 {with crushing threats}) ({or} 30... Nd6 31. Rg3 Ke6 32. Re3+ Kd7 33. +Qg7 Kd8 34. Qg8+ Kd7 35. Re6 Qc1 (35... Qxa3 36. Rdxd6+ $1) 36. Ree1 Qc5 37. h4 +{and wins.}) 31. Qh7+ Ke6 ({Avoiding the immediate mate (} 31... Kf8 32. Rd8+ { +), the black king sets off on its farewell journey.}) 32. Qg8+ Kf5 (32... Nf7 +33. Re1+ {.}) 33. g4+ $1 Kf4 ({Or} 33... Nxg4 34. Rf3+ {.}) 34. Rd4+ Kf3 35. +Qb3+ ({In view of} 35. Qb3+ Qc3 36. Qd5+ Ke2 37. Qe4+ {. Times: 1.52-2.11. +--- This fairytale game became the highlight of the tournament; it appeared in +chess publications around the world and later it was judged to be the best in +'Informator' Volume 36. --- Inspired by this win, in the 5th round I crushed +Ljubojevic with Black and in the 6th round - Ivanovic (both resigned as early +as the 26th move).}) 1-0 + +[Event "86: Niksic"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1983.09.01"] +[Round "7"] +[White "Larsen, B."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "D34"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "112"] +[EventDate "1983.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{More difficult was my 7th round game with Bent Larsen, in which numerous +interesting events occurred. After again playing the Tarrasch Defence and +employing a novelty on the 12th move, I obtained good play and soon, after an +unfortunate manoeuvre by a white knight, I gained an advantage (incidentally, +in Niksic the Tarrasch brought me 3½ out of 4!). After a mistake by my +opponent on the 22nd move I could have landed a decisive blow, but I took the +wrong course and by clever defence Larsen equalised. Although subsequently he +committed a couple of inaccuracies and I again obtained some winning chances, +the adjourned position did not give any particular grounds for optimism. +Nevertheless I decided to play on to the logical end.} 1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 +c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. b3 Ne4 10. Bb2 +Bf6 11. Na4 Re8 12. Rc1 b6 13. dxc5 Bxb2 14. Nxb2 bxc5 15. Na4 Ba6 16. Re1 c4 +17. Nh4 Qa5 18. Nf5 g6 19. Nd4 Rac8 20. h4 Ne5 21. Bh3 Rc7 22. Nc2 cxb3 23. +axb3 Bc8 24. Bg2 Ng4 25. Rf1 Bd7 26. Ra1 Bxa4 27. Rxa4 Qc3 28. Bxe4 dxe4 29. e3 +Qxb3 30. Rxe4 Rxe4 31. Qd8+ Kg7 32. Qxc7 Rc4 33. Nd4 Rxc7 34. Nxb3 Rc2 35. Nd4 +Ra2 36. e4 Rd2 37. Nc6 a6 38. e5 Re2 39. Ra1 Rxf2 40. Rxa6 Rc2 {The drawbacks +of White's position are obvious: the king cut off on the back rank and pawn +weaknesses at e5 and g3. But Black is seriously short of fighting units to be +able to exploit these factors effectively.} 41. h5 {(6) With this sealed move, +which suggests itself after five hours of intense play, Larsen provokes +another exchange, but again makes things more difficult for himself.} ({A draw, +especially after home analysis, would have resulted from} 41. e6 $1 fxe6 42. +Nd4 Rc1+ 43. Kg2 e5 44. Ne6+ Kf6 (44... Kh6 45. Ra7) 45. Ng5+ Kf5 {- I +condemned this continuation in both 'Informator' and 'The Test of Time', +thinking that 'the activity of the black pieces is dangerous'. However, after} +46. Ra3 $1 {with the threat of Rf3 mate White is alright:} Rc2+ 47. Kg1 Nh2 ( +47... e4 48. Ra5+) 48. Nxh7 Kg4 49. Ng5 {with a draw.}) (41. Rb6 $6 Ne3 $1 {.}) +41... Kh6 $5 {(16) Without the help of his king Black cannot hope to achieve +anything, but for Larsen this reply came as a surprise.} ({Perhaps he was +expecting} 41... gxh5 42. Nd4 $1) ({or} 41... Ne3 42. hxg6 hxg6 43. e6 $1 fxe6 +44. Nd4 Rg2+ 45. Kh1 e5 46. Nf3 e4 47. Rxg6+ {with an easy draw.}) 42. hxg6 { +(2)} hxg6 43. Ra4 {(12)} ({Again White would have been saved by} 43. e6 $1 fxe6 +({instead of this, by luring the king to g5 (} 43... Ne3 44. Nd8 $1 {with a +draw), White prepares further simplification}) 44. Nd4 Rc1+ 45. Kg2 e5 46. Nf5+ +Kg5 47. Nh4 $1 {, when Black cannot win:} Rc2+ 48. Kf3 Nf6 49. Ke3 Rc3+ 50. Ke2 +$1 e4 (50... Rxg3 51. Nf3+) 51. Ra5+ Kg4 (51... Kh6 52. Ra6) 52. Nxg6 Rxg3 53. +Re5 {etc.}) 43... Kg5 $1 {(15)} 44. Nd4 {(2)} Rc3 ({In the event of} 44... Rc1+ +45. Kg2 Nxe5 46. Nf3+ Nxf3 47. Kxf3 {a drawn rook endgame is reached. +Therefore Black tries to win the e5-pawn by more cunning means.}) 45. e6 $1 { +(9)} ({After} 45. Kg2 $6 Nxe5 {the presence of knights on the board would have +allowed Black, without the slightest risk, to try and 'starve' the opponent +into surrender (say,} 46. Ra5 Kf6 47. Ra6+ Kg7 48. Ra5 f6 49. Ra2 g5 {etc.). +Defending such a position is highly unpleasant, and so Larsen decided to +complicate the play by sacrificing his g3-pawn, hoping for a more certain draw +with an advanced e-pawn against a pair of connected passed pawns.}) 45... Rxg3+ +{(3)} 46. Kh1 $6 {An inaccuracy, after which White is not yet losing, but he +again makes it harder for himself to gain a draw.} ({The natural} 46. Kf1 $1 f5 +47. e7 Re3 48. Nc6 {would have solved all his problems:} Nf6 49. Ra8 Kh6 (49... +Re6 50. Rf8 $1 f4 51. Kf2 {with a draw}) 50. Kf2 f4 51. Ra4 g5 52. Ra5 Ng4+ ( +52... g4 53. Rf5 {with a draw}) 53. Kf1 Re6 54. Ra8 Ne5 55. Nd4 $1 {, and +Black is unable to strengthen his position. But the king in the corner of the +board gives him an opportunity to launch a dangerous attack with his small +army.}) 46... f5 $1 {(2)} 47. e7 {(8)} Re3 {(2)} 48. Nc6 f4 $1 {(5) +Signalling the start of the attack - the direct consequence of Kh1. The +problems, which had arisen literally out of nothing, caused even such an +experienced fighter as Larsen to become nervous. And time-trouble, +imperceptibly stealing up, did nothing to assist the concentrated working of +his mind...} 49. Ra5+ {(10)} (49. Ra8 $2 {was obviously bad:} Re1+ 50. Kg2 Re2+ +$1 51. Kf3 ({or} 51. Kf1 f3 $1) ({but not} 51. Kh1 $2 f3 $1 {with a rapid mate} +) 51... Re3+ $1 52. Kg2 f3+ 53. Kf1 Re2 54. Rf8 (54. e8=Q $2 Nh2+ 55. Kg1 f2+) +54... Ne3+ 55. Kg1 f2+ 56. Rxf2 Re1+ 57. Kh2 Ng4+ 58. Kg3 Nxf2 59. Kxf2 Re6 { +and wins.}) ({A study on the theme of interference was also extremely risky -} +49. Ne5 $2 Rxe5 50. Ra5 $1 Rxa5 51. e8=Q {, since after} Rf5 52. Qd8+ Nf6 53. +Qd2 Kh6 $1 {it is hard for the queen to restrain the onslaught of the black +pawns.}) ({But, apart from the move in the game, White had two other +acceptable options:} 49. Nd4 $1 {- this paradoxical move, one which is hard to +find, was suggested after the game by Timman. Although scattered over the +entire board, the white pieces coordinate amazingly harmoniously:} Rxe7 ({or} +49... Nf6 $1 50. Ra6 $1 Rxe7 51. Ne6+ $1 Rxe6 (51... Kg4 52. Nxf4 $1) 52. Rxe6 +Kf5 53. Ra6 {, and the defence holds}) (49... Kh4 50. Kg2 $1) 50. Nf3+ Kf5 51. +Nh4+ Kf6 52. Rxf4+ Kg5 53. Nxg6 {.}) (49. Ra3 $1 {- a reliable defence, found +by me while working on this book and also not without its elegance:} Re6 50. +Ra5+ Kh4 51. Ra8 Nf6 52. Kg2 Rxc6 53. Rf8 $1 {(threatening Rxf6)} Rc2+ 54. Kf1 +Rc1+ 55. Kf2 $1 Ne4+ 56. Kf3 Nd6 57. Kxf4 Rc5 58. Kf3 Re5 59. Rd8 {and Rxd6 +with a draw.}) 49... Kh4 50. Ra8 $1 {(4) Already the only move;} ({White does +not succeed either with interference -} 50. Ne5 $2 Kg3 $1) ({or} 50. Re5 $2 +Rh3+ $1 51. Kg1 f3) ({or diversion -} 50. Ra3 $2 Rxa3 ({his idea has become +clear: by depriving the f4-pawn of support, he has neutralised} 50... Re1+ { +(?!)} 51. Kg2 Re2+ {(?!) in view of} 52. Kf3) 51. e8=Q Re3 $1 52. Qd8+ Kh3 $1 +53. Qd2 f3 $1 {and wins. On the other hand, now the black king becomes active.} +) 50... Nf6 $1 {With the threat of ...Kg3, when its white colleague is in a +mating net.} 51. Kg2 $4 {(5) A fatal error!} (51. Kh2 $1 {was essential, for +example:} Re2+ ({or} 51... f3 $1 52. e8=Q $1 Nxe8 53. Ra4+ Kh5 54. Kg3 g5 55. +Nd4 {, regaining one of the pawns and achieving a draw (although Black could +still have tormented his opponent a little)}) 52. Kg1 Kg3 53. Kf1 f3 54. Nd4 $1 +Rh2 (54... Rxe7 55. Ra3 $1 {with a draw}) 55. Nxf3 Kxf3 56. Ra3+ Kf4 57. Ra6 +Ne8 58. Rxg6 {with a draw.}) 51... f3+ 52. Kf1 {(2)} Kg3 53. Nd4 {(2) A +desperate and, alas, belated attempt to save the king at the cost of the +e7-pawn (53...Rxe7? 54 Ra3!).} ({Mate would have been inevitable after} 53. Rf8 +Ng4 54. e8=Q Nh2+ 55. Kg1 Rxe8 {etc.}) 53... Ng4 {(5)} 54. Nxf3 ({Otherwise +the pawn cannot be stopped:} 54. e8=Q Nh2+ 55. Kg1 f2+ {.}) 54... Rxf3+ 55. Kg1 +Nh2 $1 ({Avoiding the last trap:} 55... Nf2 $2 56. Rh8 $1 Ra3 57. Kf1 $1 {with +a draw.}) 56. Rf8 Rc3 ({In view of} 56... Rc3 57. Rf1 Re3 {(c8) with a rapid +mate.}) 0-1 + +[Event "87: Niksic"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1983.09.03"] +[Round "8"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Spassky, B."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "E84"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "66"] +[EventDate "1983.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{My three wins in the endgame - against Seirawan, Petrosian and Larsen - +probably made no less an impression than my usual combinative attacks: the +chess world saw a 'new' Kasparov, ready to accumulate small advantages little +by little. --- In the 8th round, with 6½ points out of 7, I met Boris +Spassky, to whom I had lost in Tilburg. And, of course, I was burning with the +desire to exact revenge and continue my winning streak. The commentary to this +game, published in Volume III of 'My Great Predecessors', has had to be +substantially refined and revised.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 {Again a +King's Indian - this is a challenge! Well, such a turn of events suited me and +I decided to choose the Sämisch Variation, which around that time I had +examined at training sessions with Timoshchenko (true, from the black side).} +4. e4 {(7)} d6 5. f3 {(4)} Nc6 (5... O-O {- Game Nos. 51, 81.}) 6. Be3 {(9)} ({ +The harmless} 6. d5 $6 Ne5 7. f4 Ned7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Bd3 c6 {leads to equality +(Yusupov-Spassky, Linares 1983).}) 6... a6 {(3)} 7. Nge2 (7. Qd2 Rb8 8. Rb1 { +- Game No.15.}) 7... Rb8 8. Qd2 (8. Nc1 {- Game No.12.}) (8. h4 $5 {.}) 8... +O-O (8... b5 {is more lively, although} 9. cxb5 axb5 10. d5 Ne5 11. Nd4 b4 12. +Ncb5 {promises White somewhat the better chances.}) 9. h4 {(3) Attack!} ({The +following line, which was fashionable at that time, is too insipid:} 9. Nc1 e5 +10. d5 Nd4 {, and here after} 11. Nb3 ({while if} 11. N1e2 {-} c5 12. dxc6 Nxc6 +) 11... Nxb3 12. axb3 {, there is the good reply} c5 {.}) 9... b5 {(11)} ({ +After} 9... h5 {Spassky himself successfully played both} 10. O-O-O {against +Keene (Dortmund 1973),} ({and} 10. Bh6 {against Fischer (8th match game, +Sveti-Stefan/Belgrade 1992).})) 10. h5 {(2)} bxc4 $6 {(13) Objectively a +second-rate move;} ({but Spassky deliberately avoided the best move} 10... e5 +11. d5 Na5 {: in the well-known game Timman-Kasparov (Bugojno 1982) after} 12. +Ng3 bxc4 13. O-O-O Nd7 $6 (13... Rb4 {is obviously stronger, although against +Loginov (Manila Olympiad 1992) I was able to demonstrate the plus points of +White's position:} 14. Bh6 Bxh6 15. Qxh6 Qe7 (15... Kh8 $5) 16. Be2 Bd7 17. Nf1 +Rfb8 18. Rd2 c5 19. Bd1 Ne8 20. hxg6 fxg6 21. g4 {etc.}) 14. hxg6 fxg6 15. Nb1 +$1 {White gained an advantage.}) ({Not} 10... Nxh5 $2 11. g4 Nf6 12. Bh6 {with +an attack.}) 11. g4 $1 {(35) The most energetic and useful move. The knight +at e2, in expectation of ...e7-e5, guards the d4-square for the moment. But +now 12 hxg6 fxg6 13 Nf4 and Qh2! is threatened.} ({The immediate} 11. hxg6 fxg6 +12. Nf4 {is not so dangerous after} e6 13. Bxc4 d5 14. Bb3 Rxb3 $1 15. axb3 +dxe4 16. O-O-O exf3 17. gxf3 Ne7 $1 18. Nd3 Nf5 19. Ne5 Bb7 20. Bg5 Qe8 {with +good counterplay (Weih-Spassky, Germany 1983). --- Here the ex-world champion +sank into thought...}) 11... Bxg4 $5 {(40)} ({Having seen that in the event of +} 11... e5 12. d5 {followed by Ng3 and 0-0-0 Black is deprived of any +counterplay (the g-pawn has advanced to g4!), Spassky realised that he had to +do something, since otherwise he might be suffocated and quickly mated. And he +took a decision which, from a purely chess standpoint is perhaps dubious (it +is clear that the piece sacrifice is not fully correct), but from the +practical, psychological standpoint it is the best, since it sharply changes +the character of the play. White will no longer have a direct attack, and he +has to readjust to the conversion of a material advantage, while Black +acquires some counterplay.}) 12. fxg4 Nxg4 13. O-O-O $1 {(29)} ({I think that +Spassky underestimated this reply and was reckoning on} 13. hxg6 $2 Nxe3 $1 14. +Qxe3 Rxb2 $1 15. gxf7+ Rxf7 16. Qh3 h6 17. O-O-O Qb8 $1 {with a dangerous +counterattack. White does not allow the rook to go to b2, and Black's +difficulties increase.}) 13... Nxe3 {(13)} (13... e5 {is also insufficient, +when the correct reply is not} 14. d5 ({but only} 14. hxg6 $1 fxg6 15. Bh3 Nxe3 +16. Be6+ $1 Kh8 17. Qxe3 Bf6 18. Qh3 h5 19. d5 {with an obvious advantage}) +14... Nd4 15. Ng1 Nxe3 16. Qxe3 c5 $1 17. Bxc4 (17. dxc6 $2 Qb6) 17... Rb4 18. +b3 Qa5 {and Black is still alive.}) 14. Qxe3 e6 $6 {A characteristic moment!} ( +{After} 14... e5 $1 15. d5 (15. hxg6 fxg6) 15... Nd4 16. Nxd4 $1 exd4 17. Rxd4 +Bxd4 18. Qxd4 {Black's position is not easy, but he has some counter-chances. +Spassky, however, chose a move which, though perhaps objectively indifferent, +did not fix the pawn structure and did not allow me a clear line of play: as +if to say, go on, attack, and let's see what happens...}) 15. hxg6 {(8)} hxg6 ( +{The imprudent} 15... fxg6 $2 {would have lost to} 16. Qh3 $1 Qg5+ (16... Qf6 +17. Qxh7+ Kf7 18. Bg2 $1 Rh8 19. Rdf1) 17. Kb1 Rxb2+ $6 (17... Rf6 18. Bg2 {is +also insufficient}) 18. Kxb2 Rb8+ 19. Ka1 Nb4 20. Qxe6+ Kh8 21. a4 $1 Nc2+ 22. +Ka2 Nb4+ 23. Kb2 {(b1) etc. After taking with the h-pawn, Black is hoping that +his g7-bishop will defend him against mate - as in the 'Dragon'!}) 16. Rd2 ({ +The immediate} 16. Ng1 $1 {and Nf3 was more accurate.}) 16... Re8 $2 {(3) By +allowing the switching of the knight from e2 to f3, Black comes under an +irresistible attack.} ({However, my recommendation} 16... Qf6 {also did not +promise an easy life in view of} 17. Nf4 $1 {, when} Nxd4 $2 18. Rf2 $1 {with +the threats of Nh5 and Qh3 is bad for Black.}) 17. Ng1 $1 {(5)} d5 ({(after} +17... e5 $6 18. d5 {the bishop on g7 is inactive)}) 18. Nf3 {(4) It is +evident that White has succeeded in unravelling his pieces and that Black has +lost any initiative. The threat of Rdh2 is imminent: White has sufficient +force to mate the enemy king.} a5 {(2) Played because everything else is +hopeless. But from this point incredible things begin to happen.} 19. e5 {(16)} +({I also calculated} 19. Rdh2 $1 -- (19... dxe4 20. Nxe4 Nxd4 21. Rh8+ $1 Bxh8 +22. Rxh8+ Kxh8 23. Qh6+ Kg8 24. Nfg5 {, mating}) ({, as well as} 19... e5 20. +Nxd5 exd4 {, but here I saw that nothing was given by} 21. Rh8+ ({and I failed +to find the decisive move} 21. Qf4 $1 {. Becoming agitated, and thinking that +I could win as I pleased, I did not even bother to calculate this line to the +end and I chose 19 e5.})) ({. And it was only later, in a conversation during +a communal evening walk, that it suddenly dawned on me: hang on, after} 19... +e5 {there is the decisive} 20. Rh7 $1 exd4 21. Rxg7+ $1 Kxg7 22. Qh6+ Kf6 23. +Nxd5+ Ke6 24. Ng5+ Kd7 25. Nxf7 {etc. --- I became terribly upset - I remember +Milunka Lazarevic saying to me: 'You're just like Fischer: after a game he +also used to get in a right state!' But how couldn't I be upset? Fancy missing +such a simple win! It was staggering that I did not calculate this variation +at the board... The Tilburg story repeated itself and the diagnosis became +obvious: giving vent to my emotions, I lost my accuracy.})) 19... Ne7 $1 {(7) +It transpires that Black has some counterplay: ...c7-c5 and ...Nf5.} 20. Bh3 { +(2)} ({Again} 20. Rdh2 $1 {(threatening 21 Rh8+!)} Nf5 21. Qf2 {was very +strong, with an overwhelming advantage - say,} c5 22. dxc5 Qc7 23. Bh3 Nh6 24. +Bxe6 $1 {.}) 20... c5 $1 21. dxc5 Qc7 {(the situation has become sharper: +White's centre has been demolished and it is more difficult for him to attack)} +22. Qf4 $2 {(3)} ({I should have gone one square further -} 22. Qg5 $1 {with +the murderous threat of Bxe6!, for example:} Qxc5 ({or} 22... Nc6 23. Bxe6 $1 +fxe6 24. Qxg6 Nxe5 25. Qh7+ Kf8 26. Rf1 {, and Black's position is in ruins}) +23. Bxe6 $1 fxe6 24. Qh4 {and Ng5.}) 22... Nc6 $1 {(2) Now this is a strong +move: the 'bridgehead' pawn at e5 is under attack!} ({Black would have lost +ignominiously after} 22... Qxc5 $2 23. Qxf7+ $1 Kxf7 24. Ng5+ Kf8 (24... Kg8 +25. Bxe6+ Kf8 26. Nh7#) 25. Nxe6+ Kg8 26. Nxc5 {.}) 23. Re1 $6 {(2) Losing +the remnants of White's advantage.} (23. Bxe6 $1 Nxe5 24. Nxd5 Nd3+ 25. Rxd3 +Qxf4+ 26. Nxf4 cxd3 27. Bd5 $1 {would still have left him with the better +chances in a sharp multi-piece ending.}) 23... d4 $1 {(5)} 24. Rxd4 {(4)} ({If +} 24. Nxd4 {I did not like} Nxe5 {, although after} 25. Kd1 $1 Qxc5 26. Ne4 { +an unclear battle could have ensued.}) 24... Nxd4 25. Nxd4 $1 {(2) This is +still correct.} (25. Qxd4 $2 Qb7 (25... Red8 $5) 26. Qf2 Bh6+ 27. Kb1 Red8 $1 +28. c6 $1 (28. Na4 $2 {is bad in view of} Qb4 29. Nb6 c3 30. b3 Bd2) 28... Qxc6 +{is advantageous to Black.}) 25... Qxc5 26. Nf3 $6 (26. Bg2 $1 {was better.}) +26... Red8 $6 ({Missing a chance to seize the initiative by} 26... Qb6 $1 27. +Re2 Red8 28. Ng5 (28. Bg4 $6 Rd3 $1) 28... Qg1+ 29. Bf1 Rb7 {etc.}) 27. Ng5 $1 +Qe7 {(3) The start of a wild time scramble.} ({After} 27... Rd7 {White would +have been unable to win even after the best move} 28. Bxe6 $1 fxe6 29. Qh2 Bh8 +30. Qh6 {- it is a draw both in the event of} Qf2 ({and after} 30... Qc6 31. +Qxg6+ Rg7 32. Qh6 Rgb7 {(} 33. Rg1 $2 Qb6 $1 {)}) ({or} 30... Qb6 31. Na4 Qc6 +32. Nc5 Qb6 $1) 31. Qxg6+ Kf8 32. Nxe6+ Ke7 33. Re2 Qf1+ 34. Kc2 Qf7 {(a1).}) +28. Qh4 Rd3 29. Qh7+ ({Rather more practical winning chances were offered by} +29. Nce4 $5 -- ({, with the idea of} 29... c3 $2 30. Rf1 $1 cxb2+ (30... Qb4 +31. Qh7+ {, mating}) 31. Kb1 Rb6 32. Qh7+ Kf8 33. Nxf7 $1) ({, or} 29... Bxe5 +$1 30. Qh7+ Kf8 31. Rf1 Bxb2+ $2 ({instead of 31...Bxb2+ it would not be easy +for him to find} 31... Rc3+ $3 32. bxc3 Qa3+ 33. Kd1 Rd8+ 34. Nd2 Rxd2+ 35. +Kxd2 Qxc3+ {with perpetual check}) 32. Kc2 f5 33. Qxg6 {, and Black has no +defence.})) 29... Kf8 30. Nxe6+ $6 {(3) Again I missed my way!} ({Here too} +30. Nce4 $1 {would still have retained a good game:} Rxh3 $6 (30... Rxb2 $2 31. +Nxe6+ $1 {etc.}) ({or} 30... Bxe5 $1 31. Rf1 Rc3+ $3 {with the same draw as in +the previous note}) 31. Qxh3 Bxe5 32. Rf1 $1 Bxb2+ 33. Kc2 f5 34. Rb1 $1 (34. +Nc5 Bf6 $1) 34... fxe4 35. Qh6+ Ke8 36. Qxg6+ Kd7 37. Rd1+ Kc8 38. Nxe6 Rb6 39. +Qg8+ Kb7 40. Rd7+ $1 Qxd7 41. Nc5+ Kc7 42. Nxd7 Kxd7 43. Qd5+ Kc7 44. Qxa5 { +with winning chances. --- In any event, it would have been easier playing +White: Black would have had to find the only moves to save himself. But I +wanted to do everything with checks...}) 30... fxe6 31. Rf1+ Ke8 32. Qg8+ Bf8 +33. Qxg6+ $2 ({The most annoying thing is that even here White could still +have saved himself with the fantastic study-like move} 33. Nd5 $3 {. For +example:} Kd7 $5 (33... exd5 34. Rxf8+ $1 Qxf8 35. Qe6+ Qe7 36. Qg8+ {with +perpetual check}) 34. Nxe7 Bh6+ 35. Kc2 Rxg8 36. Nxg8 Rxh3 37. Rd1+ $1 Kc7 ( +37... Ke8 38. Nf6+) 38. Nxh6 Rxh6 39. Rd4 {with a draw (I discovered this only +later).}) 33... Kd8 $1 {White lost on time.} ({After} 33... Kd8 34. Bxe6 Qb4 +35. Nd1 Qd2+ 36. Kb1 Rf3 $1 {he would have lost, although not immediately. --- +Times: 2.30-2.29. --- My only defeat in the tournament - and a highly annoying +one! Spassky again displayed remarkable resourcefulness, and although he was +inaccurate in some details, on the whole he proved more cunning (it was some +time before I was able to equalise the score in our individual games, which I +did only by defeating Spassky in Barcelona 1989 and Linares 1990).}) (33... Kd8 +{. In my anger the next day I defeated Nikolic with Black (cf. Game No.55, +note to White's 45th move). Then I made draws with Tal, Miles and Andersson, +and before the end I also defeated Timman and Gligoric - and I finished two +points ahead of the 2nd placed Larsen! Nikitin: 'Here too Karpov's protectors +did their favourite a disservice: after this tournament the ratings of the two +Ks finally became equal.' --- But in Niksic for the first time I also had to +display my organisational skills. To save the matches took some doing: I +organised a letter from the grandmasters to FIDE and opened negotiations with +Korchnoi. The players in the tournament responded favourably to my request to +sign a letter demanding that the semi-final matches be held: the desire to see +them was universal (the text of the letter is given in Kasparov vs. Karpov +1975-1985). This was quite possibly the first petition in chess history to be +signed by nearly all the world's leading grandmasters. Some of them (Timman, +Seirawan and Miles) expressed surprise: 'Why didn't you go to Pasadena? How +could you risk your entire chess career just because they chose the wrong town. +..'} 34. -- {It remained to come to an understanding with Korchnoi, who could +have used his formal right to go through to the final. But 'Viktor the +Terrible' took the noble decision to replay the semi-final match, thereby +showing that his criticism of the 'championship on paper' was not just empty +words. Closer to the end of the tournament he travelled specially to Niksic. +Negotiations about the match, sanctioned by Moscow, were initially carried out +through intermediaries and proved very difficult. But the stumbling-block was +removed when it was promised that Korchnoi's chief and lawful demand would be +met - the termination of the boycott by Soviet players, begun in 1976. --- Our +personal relations were helped by the grandmaster blitz tournament in Herzeg +Novi, organised on 14th September, immediately after the main tournament in +Niksic. I won this event by a solid margin (13½ out of 16!), twice defeating +Korchnoi, who finished 2nd (10½). Possibly he was impressed by the fact that +I was willing to play with him in the same tournament, even though the +negotiations were still in progress. For him this blitz tournament was the +first breakthrough of the seven-year blockade! We were able to have several +frank talks about the coming match, which we were both impatiently awaiting. +--- Thus the 'miracle' had occurred. It was due to be completed by the FIDE +Congress in the autumn. A key role at that time was played by the English +grandmaster Raymond Keene, who in FIDE held the post of Secretary of the +Players' Union. After flying to Moscow for discussions, he was surprised when +he was met at the airport by Krogius himself, the head of the Chess Section (a +rare honour!), and when they all began vying with one another to tell him how +they were helping Kasparov (this was something new!). He stated that he could +quickly arrange both matches in London, but on condition that the Soviet side +publicly acknowledged that, in choosing Pasadena, Campo had not exceeded his +authority as FIDE President, and that they pay the required compensation. The +total penalty demanded was $160,000 - far more than the prizes in the wrecked +matches! --- The tournament in Niksic showed that my play had become deeper +and more diverse. I sensed my growing strength and realised that this was the +direct result of my serious preparation for the Candidates matches. And with +even greater enthusiasm our team continued its analytical work.}) 0-1 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Match with Korchnoi"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.08"] + +{Semi-final Candidates match Kasparov-Korchnoi (London, 20th November - 17th +December 1983): 7-4.} 1. -- {A couple of weeks after Niksic, at the very end +of September, I was invited to Barcelona to be presented with the chess +'Oscar' for the previous year, 1982 (in the preceding nine years this +prestigious prize had been won eight times by Karpov and once, in 1978, by +Korchnoi). I received 1021 votes, and Karpov 943. A remarkable feature of the +trip was that for the first time my mother was able to travel with me. It was +rare for a Soviet chess player to be allowed to take a close relative abroad +with him, and in my case this was especially important, since there were +persistent rumours that I was going to defect to the West. It is possible that, +deep down, my opponents wanted this - so that I too could be branded a traitor, +like Korchnoi, and then every effort would be made to help Karpov... When we +returned, my mother gave a detailed account of this memorable trip in an +article entitled 'The cloudless Spanish sky', published in the Baku chess +newspaper. --- A further week later, at the FIDE Congress in Manila, a +confessional letter from the Soviet Federation was read out, and Campomanes +stated with satisfaction that he was ready to organise the semi-final +Candidates matches anew. The text of the resolution adopted on Keene's +proposal read: 'The General Assembly unanimously extols the sportsmanship of +Grandmaster Korchnoi and Grandmaster Ribli in agreeing to play their +semi-final matches, and urges that all boycotts, especially that of Mr +Korchnoi, should be lifted forthwith.' This was the biggest concession of the +USSR Chess Federation in the entire history of its relations with FIDE. --- +Now the two Candidates matches, Korchnoi-Kasparov and Smyslov-Ribli, which +initially had been scattered to different corners of the world, were due to +come together on 20th November 1983 in the Great Eastern Hotel in London.} (1. +-- {I concluded my last pre-match training session at the start of November. +Although nearly all the press and the experts were predicting victory for me, +I realised that, despite the enormous age difference (32 years), Viktor +Korchnoi was a very dangerous opponent, with a mastery of numerous chess +techniques. It was assumed that he would avoid complications (perhaps, also +remembering our game at the Olympiad in Lucerne) and place the main emphasis +on the concluding stage of the game, where he would endeavour to do everything +to exploit his enormous experience and my impulsiveness. I knew that I must +not allow him to dictate the play in simple and technical positions, and so +earlier, at the summer training session before the 'match' in Pasadena, +together with my trainers I did a great amount of work not only on the opening, +but also the endgame, paying particular attention to a study of practical +endings. In the match this was repaid with interest! --- I was accompanied on +the flight to England by my mother, the leader of our delegation Azer Zeynally, +his deputy 'on security matters' Viktor Litvinov (from then on he would +accompany me on trips abroad right up to 1987), my doctor Khalid Gasanov and +my trainers - Nikitin, Timoshchenko and Vladimirov. Unfortunately, we were +able to arrive in London only on 18th November, and the two days, which were +also filled with organisational problems, were insufficient for normal +acclimatisation. --- The atmosphere at my match with the 'defector' proved +much calmer than had been expected. My relations with Korchnoi were normal. +Even so, I was not quite at ease, as I had not yet recovered from the stormy +pre-match tensions which for six months had kept me in suspense, and when I +sat down at the chess board it was difficult to appreciate the reality of what +was happening. The result of the 1st game was partly predetermined by the fact +that I was psychologically unprepared for an uncompromising battle.}) (1. -- { +Playing White, without hesitation I employed my favourite variation in the +Queen's Indian Defence - 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 b6 4 Nc3 Bb7 5 a3 d5 6 cxd5 +Nxd5 7 e3, but here I encountered a surprise - 7...g6! (instead of the usual 7...Be7 or 7...Nxc3 - Game Nos. 43, 52, 85). This move was already known (it had +been played by Short and Adorjan), but I had not studied it seriously. And I +gave insufficient attention to the five-minute game Tal-Korchnoi (Herzeg Novi +1983), which went 7...Nxc3 8 bxc3 g6. Something similar had also been tried +against me by Sosonko in the variation with 7 Qc2 (cf. Game No.73, note to +Black's 9th move). But my trainers and I had missed the idea of ...g7-g6. --- +Black's reply abruptly changed the pattern of the position: it led to a kind +of Grünfeld Defence, which was part of Korchnoi's armoury long before I was +born. Now it is hard for White to build up a combined attack in the centre and +on the kingside (which is precisely with what I had been very successful!), +and he has to seek other paths. My highly experienced opponent keenly sensed +that I would become nervous - especially in the first game of the match - and +that I would lose my aim. More than that: the effect of the surprise proved +stunning! I lost this game ignominiously, and it has remained for ever my only +defeat against Korchnoi (Game No.38 in Volume V of 'My Great Predecessors').}) +(1. -- {Before the match Viktor Lvovich gave the following description of me: +'Kasparov is a player with a single knock-out blow. But if you can +successfully parry his fierce assault and be the first to land a blow, +Kasparov may lose confidence and begin to falter.' After the first game it +could have seemed that he was right. My play in it was depressing. I also +remembered a grim statistic - in all of the 12 Candidates matches that +Korchnoi had won (and altogether, incidentally, at that point he had played 15, +as well as two matches for the world championship), once he gained the lead he +never relinquished it. However, as Vladimirov philosophically remarked, 'there +is always a first time for everything...' --- In the 2nd game Korchnoi met my +Tarrasch Defence with quite a dangerous novelty, but I managed to neutralise +it (cf. Game No.91, note to Black's 12th move), and on the 31st move I +accepted my opponent's offer of a draw. The 3rd game was again a Queen's +Indian with a2-a3, where I chose the rare move 7 Qa4+, but the +originally-played opening did not bring White any dividends and a draw was +agreed as early as the 18th move. --- In the 4th game after 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 +Nf3 I gave the Tarrasch a rest by playing 3...Nf6, and for the first time in +my career I defended the main variation of the Catalan Opening - 4 g3 Be7 5 +Bg2 0-0 6 0-0 dxc4 7 Qc2 a6 etc. Of course, in this new position I had much to +fear, but after Korchnoi wrongly offered the exchange of queens on the 21st +move I conducted the ending confidently. The game was adjourned, but before +the resumption I accepted the opponent's draw offer. --- We were already one +third of the way through the match. Korchnoi was leading 2½-1½ and still +held the initiative. To change the character of the battle, radical measures +were required. I needed to properly compose myself, become fully accustomed to +the working rhythm and endeavour to think carefully about my subsequent steps. +In view of the seriousness of the position, we decided to use the only +allotted time-out.}) (1. -- {Alas, searches during the match for improvements +for White in the Queen's Indian with a2-a3 proved unsuccessful, and from the +5th game after 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 I had to switch to an 'emergency airport' - 3 +g3 d5 4 Bg2 (cf. Game No.89, note to Black's 5th move). However, there was no +great fight, and on the 22nd move the players agreed a draw. Incidentally, +since the Catalan Opening was also employed by Korchnoi, it unexpectedly +became the main opening of the match, and decided its outcome (with Black I +gained two draws, and with White I scored 2½ out of 3). --- The score became +3-2 in Korchnoi's favour. At first sight, things were going badly for me. 'The +time-out did not help Kasparov', spitefully commented one of the English +newspapers. Naturally, another feeble failure to exploit the white pieces +influenced the opinions of chess commentators regarding the outcome of the +match. For the first time the Western press began predicting a win for +Korchnoi. Thus in the New York Times the English grandmaster Michael Stean +gave a detailed verbal description of the first five games, from which it +followed that, having managed to impose his play, Korchnoi's advantage would +be irreversible. --- However, it is a thankless task making forecasts in such +matches. After all, Korchnoi had not managed to build on his success, and a +lead of one point does not give any guarantees when there are still seven +games to go. Also, the opening of the 5th game had forced my opponent to +realise that in the 7th, 9th and 11th games things would not be easy for him - +of course, on condition that the standard of my play improved, but at some +point this was bound to happen! It was not surprising that Korchnoi was in a +hurry to land a second blow, aimed at breaking my resistance.}) (1. -- {The +morning of 4th December, the day of the 6th game, began for me with an +unexpected telephone call: 'Moscow on the line...' The subsequent conversation +with Botvinnik was the starting-point of the changes which occurred in the +match. Mikhail Moiseevich literally flabbergasted me with the question: 'Do +you remember what event occurred 50 years ago?' Half-awake, it was not easy to +get my bearings, but I extricated myself: 'In 1933 you played a match with +Flohr.' 'And how did the battle go?' a new question promptly followed. I had +to strain myself. 'I think that you lost the 1st and 6th games, but then +gained revenge in the 9th and 10th', I replied. 'Well, see now what a +favourable position you are in: you haven't yet lost the 6th game!', Botvinnik +unexpectedly concluded. After a slight pause he added: 'But in general, +everything is alright. A little more composure, and you should win the match.' +I was filled with positive emotions: at this difficult moment it was pleasant +to learn that my chess mentor had no doubts about a successful conclusion to +the match. --- But neither my most ardent fans, nor Korchnoi's most +pessimistic supporters, could have predicted the course of the subsequent +events: the degree of misfortune that struck my opponent in the second half of +the match was just too great. However, initially the 6th game developed +favourably for Korchnoi.}) * + +[Event "88: Candidates Semi-Final, London"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1983.12.04"] +[Round "6"] +[White "Korchnoi, V."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "D30"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "156"] +[EventDate "1983.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 {During the time-out we neutralised the opponent's +novelty that he employed in the 2nd game, and I was ready to continue the duel +in the 'Tarrasch'.} 4. cxd5 exd5 5. g3 Nc6 ({Later, in order to avoid the +variation which occurred in the game, I played only} 5... Nf6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O +O-O {, intending} 8. Be3 ({or} 8. Nc3 Nc6) 8... b6 $5 {and ...Bb7, transposing +into a solid Queen's Indian set-up, where Be3 is not considered dangerous for +Black.}) 6. Bg2 Nf6 7. O-O Be7 8. Be3 ({Avoiding the usual} 8. Nc3 O-O 9. dxc5 +({or} 9. Bg5 {(Game Nos. 79, 91), Korchnoi surprises me with a rare move of +Taimanov's}) 9... Bxc5 10. Bg5 {(Game No.63).}) 8... c4 {I made this reply +without any particular thought, since I had studied the similar variation 8 +Nc3 0-0 9 Be3 c4 10 Ne5 h6! (which later I successfully played against Larsen +and Hort) and I did not see that it made any great difference where White's +queen's knight was - at c3 or b1).} 9. Ne5 O-O 10. b3 $1 {The idea of delaying +the development of the knight on b1 becomes clear: the open c-file gives White +additional resources.} cxb3 11. Qxb3 {And here is a novelty!} ({Black has far +fewer problems after} 11. axb3 Nb4 {(Hartston-Bennett, London 1978). The +resulting unexplored position naturally put me on my guard.}) 11... Qb6 $6 { +The exchange of queens gives White a slightly better ending.} ({Two other +continuations, which occurred later, are more interesting:} 11... Na5 12. -- ( +12. Qa4 a6 (12... Be6 $5) {, and here I was afraid of} 13. Bd2 $1 {, but after} +Nc4 $1 14. Nxc4 b5 {Black has an acceptable position (} 15. Qa5 bxc4 16. Qxd8 +Rxd8 17. Ba5 Rd7 ({or} 17... Re8 $5 18. Nc3 Be6 {with equality}) 18. Nc3 Bd8 $1 +) ({, or} 12. Qd3 $5 g6 13. Nc3 Bf5 14. Qd2 (14. Qb5 a6 $1) 14... Rc8 15. Bg5 +Nc4 16. Nxc4 Rxc4 {with counterplay (Bischoff-Dittmar, Böblingen 1994).})) ( +11... Bd6 $5 {(as yet the queen's knight has not come out to c3, attacking the +d5-pawn, and Black tries to drive the other knight from the centre)} 12. f4 ({ +after} 12. Nxc6 $6 bxc6 {the effect of keeping the knight on b1 is lost}) 12... +Na5 (12... Bf5 $5) 13. Qd3 {(Klimov-Lasin, St. Petersburg 2003)} g6 $1 {, and +if} 14. f5 {, then simply} Nc6 {with approximate equality.}) 12. Rc1 $1 { +Exploiting the absence of the knight from c3.} ({However,} 12. Nc3 $5 {is also +not bad.}) ({After} 12. Qxb6 axb6 {Black's activity would compensate for the +spoiling of his pawn structure:} 13. Rc1 (13. Nc3 Be6 {and ...Rfc8}) 13... Nb4 +14. Nc3 Bf5 {with equality. But now he is forced to exchange queens on b3, +which activates the rook on a1.}) 12... Qxb3 13. axb3 Nb4 14. Na3 $6 {An +original move, temporarily preventing the development of the c8-bishop +(because of Rc7), but the awkward position of the knight at a3 prevents White +from exploiting the tempo gained.} ({The natural} 14. Nc3 {would have set +Black quite difficult problems, for example:} -- (14... Rd8 15. Nb5 (15. Na4 +Bf5 $1) 15... a6 16. Nc7 $1 ({my earlier move} 16. Rc7 {is worse because of} +Bf8 $1) 16... Rb8 17. Bd2 Bf5 (17... Bd6 18. Ra4 $1) 18. Ra4 Nc2 19. e3 Bd6 20. +g4 $1 Nxg4 21. Nxd5 {with a continuing initiative}) (14... Be6 $2 15. Nb5 $1) ( +14... Bf5 15. g4 $1 Be6 ({the defence is more difficult after} 15... Bxg4 $6 +16. Nxg4 Nxg4 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Bxd5 Nxe3 19. fxe3 Rfd8 20. Rc7 Rxd5 21. Rxe7) +16. g5 Ne8 17. Nb5 a6 18. Bd2 Rb8 19. Na7 $5 f6 (19... Ra8 20. Ra4 $1) 20. gxf6 +gxf6 21. Ra4 {, and Black has not yet achieved full equality}) (14... a6 15. +Na4 $1 Bf5 16. Nb6 $1 (16. Rc7 Bd6 17. Rxb7 Nc2 18. Rd1 {is also not bad,} ({ +but not my earlier suggestion} 18. Rc1 $6 {because of} Nxe3 $1 19. fxe3 Rae8 { +with equality})) 16... Rad8 17. Ra4 Nd7 (17... Nc2 18. Bg5) 18. Nexd7 Bxd7 19. +Nxd7 Rxd7 20. Bd2 Nc6 21. e3 {with the two bishops and some advantage.})) 14... +a6 $1 {Emphasising that at a3 the knight stands worse than at c3. Now Black +has a quite reasonable position.} 15. Bd2 (15. Nb5 Bf5 $1 {with equality}) ({ +while if} 15. Nc2 {the simplest is} Nxc2 16. Rxc2 Bd6 $5 17. Nd3 Be6 18. Nc5 +Rfc8 {.}) 15... Rb8 {With the intention of seizing the initiative by ...Bf5. +Therefore White has to do something.} 16. Bxb4 $5 {The start of a clever +strategic plan, which I did not see through immediately. White exchanges his +ineffective bishop for the important knight, which is fulfilling both +defensive and attacking functions.} Bxb4 17. Nd3 {At c5 the knight will +immobilise Black's queenside.} Bd6 {After obtaining the advantage of the two +bishops, I did not want to part with them and I was happy with my position, +but I failed to take into account the static weakness of the d5-pawn.} ({The +alternative was} 17... Bd2 $5 18. Rc2 Bh6 {.}) ({But if I had discarded my +prejudices and played} 17... Bxa3 {, I could have equalised easily:} 18. Rxa3 +Bf5 $1 ({my 'Informator' move} 18... Bg4 {is worse because of} 19. f3 $5 Bf5 +20. Nc5 Rfe8 21. Kf2) 19. b4 (19. Nc5 a5 $1 {and ...b7-b6}) 19... Rbc8 20. Rac3 +Rxc3 21. Rxc3 Rc8 $1 22. Rxc8+ (22. Nc5 b6) 22... Bxc8 23. Nf4 Be6 {with a +quick draw.}) 18. Nc2 {Unexpectedly for me, Korchnoi transfers his knight to +e3, to intensify the pressure on the d5-pawn, and then advances b3-b4 and +supports his other knight at c5, or plays b4-b5. In this case, alas, Black has +no real counterplay.} Bg4 {A futile waste of time: the place for this bishop +is at e6.} ({After} 18... Be6 $1 19. Ne3 Rfc8 {compared with the continuation +in the game Black would have had two extra tempi and he would have held the +position without any problems, for example:} 20. b4 Rxc1+ 21. Rxc1 g6 22. Rb1 +Rd8 23. Nc5 Bc8 {.}) 19. Kf1 Bf5 $6 {Another strange, 'futile' move.} ({The +obvious} 19... Rfc8 20. Ne3 Be6 {would have saved a tempo. After playing 19... +Bf5 I offered a draw, but this was quite reasonably refused - the initiative +is now with White.}) 20. Nc5 Rfc8 ({The panicky double exchange} 20... Bxc5 $6 +21. dxc5 Bxc2 22. Rxc2 {would have condemned Black to a cheerless defence.}) +21. Ne3 Be6 22. b4 Kf8 23. Rc2 Ke7 ({The weak} 23... b6 $2 {would have allowed} +24. Nxe6+ fxe6 25. Rxa6 {, winning a pawn:} Bxb4 26. Bh3 $1 Ke7 27. Rxc8 Rxc8 +28. Rxb6 Bd6 29. Bf5 $5 {and Bd3.}) 24. Ke1 h5 {A useful move with the hope of +either initiating play on the kingside by ...h5-h4, or of possibly playing ...Ng4.} ({In 'The Test of Time' I criticised} 24... b6 {(!?) in view of} 25. Nxa6 +Rxc2 26. Nxc2 Ra8 {(?!)} ({but} 26... Rc8 $1 {is more accurate:} 27. Ne3 (27. +Kd2 Ng4) 27... Ra8 28. Ra2 (28. b5 Bb4+ $1) 28... Rc8 {with compensation for +the pawn (thanks to the poor position of the knight on a6). So that Black had +an interesting opportunity to change the character of the play}) 27. b5 Ne4 28. +Rb1 {.}) 25. Rb2 Rc7 ({Not hurrying with} 25... h4 {(for the moment this would +have made little change). From c7 the rook defends the b7-pawn and keeps the +knight at c5 under attack (in the event of b4-b5), while the other rook can be +switched along the back rank to where the battle is the most intense.}) 26. Nd3 +{After completing all his preparations, White has created the threat of b4-b5. +At this point I felt depressed, sensing that I had succumbed to the opponent's +pressure.} Ra8 $1 {Now b4-b5 loses its strength because of ...a6-a5. In my +view, this was a turning point not only in the game, but also in the match: up +until then all the events had been dictated by Korchnoi.} 27. b5 $6 {Although +he appreciated the riskiness of this step, Korchnoi could not deny himself the +pleasure of winning a pawn.} (27. Rba2 {with the idea of Ra5 was stronger, for +example:} -- (27... Rd8 28. Ra5 ({or} 28. b5 $5 axb5 29. Ra5 Bd7 (29... b4 30. +Bxd5) 30. Nxd5+ Nxd5 {with some pressure}) 28... Rc3 $5 {(threatening ...Rxd3 +and ...Bxb4)} 29. Rb1 ({of course, not} 29. Nxd5+ $2 Bxd5 30. Bxd5 Rxd3 {and +wins}) 29... Bc7 30. Rc5 Ne4 31. Bxe4 Rxc5 32. Nxc5 dxe4 33. Rd1 Bd6 $1 34. d5 +Bc8 35. Nc4 f5 {, and White's achievements are modest.}) (27... Rc6 $5 {(with +the idea of ...Rb6)} 28. b5 Rb6 29. Ra5 g6 {, and Black's defences hold. --- +But my opponent, burning with a desire to achieve immediate gains, was +over-hasty...})) 27... a5 {With the threat of ...b7-b6. The situation has +changed sharply: it is clear that White has taken on increased obligations.} +28. b6 Rc6 29. Rb5 (29. Ra4 {is harmless:} Ra6 (29... Rc3 $5) 30. Rb5 Rcxb6 31. +Rxb6 Rxb6 32. Rxa5 Ne4 ({or} 32... Bc7 {.})) 29... a4 {There is nothing else.} +30. Nxd5+ $6 (30. Nc5 $6 Bxc5 31. dxc5 Rcc8 $1 {is also in Black's favour.}) ({ +But it was not yet too late to reconsider - the simplification after} 30. Nb4 +$1 Bxb4+ 31. Rxb4 a3 32. Rb3 a2 33. Rb2 Kd6 34. Rbxa2 Rxa2 35. Rxa2 Rxb6 { +would have led to a draw.}) 30... Nxd5 31. Bxd5 Bxd5 32. Rxd5 Rxb6 33. Rxh5 { +And so, White has won the longed-for pawn, but in return he has granted the +opponent two connected passed pawns on the queenside and excellent counterplay. +In the end, Korchnoi's downfall was caused by his eternal penchant for +material!} ({However, he can have had no great desire to suffer for free after +} 33. e4 Rb3 ({or} 33... a3 34. Ra2) ({or} 33... g6 34. Kd2 {with chances of +blocking the powerful black pawns}) 34. Kd2 ({not my earlier variation} 34. e5 +$6 Ba3 $1) 34... Bb4+ $5 (34... b5 35. Rc1 $1) (34... g6 35. f4 $1) 35. Nxb4 +Rxb4 36. Kc3 {. --- The subsequent moves, up to the 40th, were made in a time +scramble (which was more acute for Korchnoi).}) 33... Rb3 $6 {With the +tempting idea of advancing the b-pawn.} ({However, both} 33... Bb4+ $5 34. Kd1 +Bc3) (33... g6 $5 34. Rd5 ({or} 34. Rg5 Bb4+) 34... a3 {came into +consideration.}) 34. Kd2 ({The less obvious} 34. Kd1 $5 {would have enabled +White to parry} b5 ({nothing is changed by the inclusion of} 34... g6 35. Rg5) +35. Nc1 {, with the perpetual pursuit of the rook.}) 34... b5 ({Now after} +34... g6 35. Rg5 {the king would have been brought up to the defence - 36 Kc2 +with equality.}) 35. h4 $6 (35. e4 $2 {did not work in view of} Rc8 36. e5 Bb4+ +37. Nxb4 Rxb4 {, when the black pawns are irresistible.}) ({But accurate +equality could still have been secured by the psychologically difficult move} +35. Rc1 $1 {, for example:} b4 (35... g6 36. Rg5) 36. Rb5 $1 a3 37. Kc2 $1 Rc3+ +38. Kb1 {.}) 35... Rc8 ({Although this suggests itself,} 35... Bb4+ $5 {came +into consideration.}) 36. g4 $2 {Another 'natural' time-trouble move.} ({In +fact it was essential to play} 36. Rg5 $1 g6 37. g4 (37. h5 {(?!), given in +'The Test of Time', is worse because of} gxh5 38. Rxh5 Rc4) 37... a3 (37... Kf6 +38. Nc5) (37... Rcc3 38. Ke3 Kf6 39. f4 {with double-edged play}) 38. h5 $1 {.} +) 36... a3 $1 37. f4 {Black now has a winning position;} ({thus,} 37. Rg5 {did +not save White in view of} b4 $1 38. Rb5 Rc4 $1 39. e3 Kd7 {, and if} 40. h5 { +, then} Rcc3 $1 41. Nxb4 Rc4 $1 {.}) 37... Rcc3 $6 {With the erroneous idea of +sacrificing the exchange on d3, which in time-trouble seemed very promising to +me. However, it is unwise to undertake such committing and unforced operations +just before the time control.} ({For the moment Black needs both his rooks, +and therefore} 37... Rc4 $1 {was more accurate} 38. -- ({, after} 38. Ke3 Rc2 +$1 39. Rh8 b4 40. Ra8 Rbc3 {and ...b4-b3}) ({, or} 38. e3 b4 39. Rb5 Kd7 $1 40. +Rc5 $5 Bxc5 41. Ne5+ Ke6 42. Nxc4 Rc3 $1 43. dxc5 Rxc4 {the a- and b-pawns +would have decided matters}) ({, while after} 38. Rd5 {(other rook moves are +met by ...b5-b4)} Ke6 39. e4 Rcc3 40. Nc5+ Bxc5 41. Rxc5 Rh3 $1 {White comes +under attack.} (41... --))) 38. Rd5 (38. Rh8 b4 39. Ra8 Rc4 $1 {would hardly +have been any more resilient.}) 38... Ke6 39. Rh5 b4 $2 {But this is a serious +error, allowing the rook at h5 to come into play.} ({It was not yet too late +to bring the rook back -} 39... Rc4 $1 {, retaining every chance of winning.}) +({Previously I thought that after the immediate} 39... Rxd3+ {(?!)} 40. exd3 +Bxf4+ 41. Ke2 Rb2+ $1 (41... Bd6 42. Ke3 $1) 42. Kf3 Bd6 {'Black could have +set his opponent insoluble problems', but here too White is saved by the +switching of his rook from h5 to the a-file:} 43. d5+ $1 Kd7 44. Rh8 b4 45. Ra8 +Rc2 ({or} 45... Be5 46. d4 $1 Bxd4 47. Ke4 Bc3 48. Rd1 {with equality}) 46. Ke4 +Rg2 (46... Kc7 47. Ra6 $1) 47. Ra7+ Kd8 48. Rc1 $1 {(with the ideas of Rc6 and +Ra8+).}) 40. Ra5 Rxd3+ ({Now this is the only winning chance, not counting the +other exchange sacrifice -} 40... Rb2+ 41. Nxb2 Bxf4+ (41... axb2 $6 42. f5+ $1 +) 42. e3 Bxe3+ 43. Ke2 axb2 44. Rb1 {with a probable draw:} Bxd4 ({or} 44... +Bc1 45. Rb5 b3 46. d5+ (46. h5 f6 $1) 46... Ke5 47. Rb7 Kxd5 48. Rxf7 Re3+ 49. +Kd1 {etc.}) 45. Rxb2 Re3+ 46. Kd2 Rg3 47. Rb1 {.}) 41. exd3 {Here the game was +adjourned, and I sealed the obvious move.} Bxf4+ {After a detailed analysis it +became clear that the position was one of dynamic balance: as a counter to the +passed pawns, White creates play against the enemy king. Of course, I was +upset about the missed win. But Korchnoi, apparently also thinking that a draw +was not far off, did not analyse the position thoroughly enough, and on the +resumption interesting events occurred.} 42. Ke2 Rc3 $1 {With the idea of ...Bc1, shutting in the rook on a1 and preparing ...b4-b3.} (42... Rb2+ 43. Kf3 +Bd2 {is too slow in view of} 44. Ke4 Bc3 45. Ra6+ Ke7 46. Rf1 $1 {followed by +Kd5 and Ra7+}) ({while the 'subtle'} 42... Bc7 $6 {allows a counterattack -} +43. Ra6+ Bd6 ({or} 43... Kd7 44. Rf1 $1) ({or} 43... Kd5 $6) 44. Rc1 $1 {.}) +43. g5 $6 {In our analysis we did not seriously consider this move.} ({A +straightforward draw would have been ensured by} 43. Kf3 Bc1 ({it is no better +to play} 43... Bd6 {(d2)} 44. Ke4) (43... Bc7 44. Ra4) ({or} 43... Rc1 44. +R1xa3 $1) 44. Ke4 Kd6 45. Ra6+ Kc7 (45... Kd7 46. Ra7+ {etc.}) 46. d5 {. But +when resuming a game Korchnoi always like to try and startle his opponent with +an unexpected move...}) 43... Bc1 $1 44. h5 b3 {Forcing White to return the +exchange.} 45. R5xa3 Bxa3 46. Rxa3 b2 47. Ra6+ Kf5 48. Rb6 ({(it was not +possible to save the pawns -} 48. Ra5+ $2 Kf4 $1 49. Rb5 Rc2+ {)}) 48... Rc2+ +49. Ke3 Kxg5 {In this sharp ending, which demands precise calculation by both +sides, White is running considerably greater risks.} 50. d5 $1 {The most +energetic.} ({White is saved by a miracle after} 50. Rb5+ f5 ({or} 50... Kf6 $5 +51. Rb6+ $1 Ke7 52. d5) 51. d5 Kxh5 52. d6 Rc5 53. Rxb2 Rd5 54. Rb6 g5 55. d4 +Kg4 56. Rc6 (56. Kd3 $2 Kf3) 56... Kg3 57. Rc5 $1 Rxd6 58. Rxf5 {with a draw.}) +50... Kxh5 51. Kd4 (51. d6 $6 {is too risky:} Rc6 $1 52. Rxb2 Rxd6 53. Rf2 f6 +54. d4 g5 {.}) 51... g5 (51... Kg4 52. Rb7 $1 {.}) 52. Rb8 {In order to +activate his passed pawn.} (52. Ke5 g4 ({or} 52... Re2+ 53. Kf5 Rf2+ 54. Ke5 +f6+ 55. Ke6 Kg6 56. d6 Re2+ 57. Kd5 Kf7 58. Rb8 {etc. would also have led to a +draw}) 53. d6 Rc5+ $1 54. Kf4 $1 {.}) 52... g4 53. d6 {Here I stopped to think. +..} Rc6 $5 {The last chance of achieving a turning-point.} ({I saw that after} +53... Rc8 54. Rxb2 (54. Rxc8 $2 b1=Q 55. d7 Qb6+ 56. Kc3 Qa5+ 57. Kc4 Qa4+ { +and ...Qxd7}) 54... g3 55. Ke3 $1 {White would succeed in eliminating the +danger -} Kg4 56. Rb4+ Kh3 57. Rb5 ({or immediately} 57. Kf3 {with an +inevitable draw.})) 54. Ke5 $1 ({Black's idea consisted in} 54. Kd5 Rc8 $1 55. +-- (55. Rxb2 $2 g3 56. d7 (56. Ke4 Kg4) 56... Rd8 57. Kd6 f5 58. Ke7 Rxd7+ 59. +Kxd7 f4 {, when the pawns cannot be stopped.}) ({. But after} 55. Rxc8 $3 b1=Q +56. d7 {White is nevertheless saved by the threat of d7-d8Q -} Qb5+ $1 (56... +Qxd3+ 57. Kc6 Qc4+ 58. Kd6 {with a draw}) 57. Kd6 Qb6+ 58. Ke7 Qe6+ 59. Kd8 g3 +({if} 59... Qe5 {there is the saving} 60. d4 $1 Qxd4 61. Ke7 {with a draw}) 60. +Kc7 {, for example:} -- (60... Qe7 61. Re8 $1 Qc5+ 62. Kb7 Qd5+ 63. Kc7 f5 64. +d8=Q Qxd8+ 65. Rxd8 f4 66. Rg8 {with a draw.}) (60... g2 61. Rh8+ {and d8Q.}) ( +60... Qe5+ 61. Kc6 g2 (61... Qc3+ 62. Kb7 Qb4+ 63. Kc7 {with a draw}) 62. d8=Q +Qe6+ (62... g1=Q $2 63. Qh8+ $1) 63. Kb7 g1=Q 64. Qh8+ Qh6 65. Qe5+ Qgg5 66. +Qe2+ $1 ({not} 66. Qh2+ $2 Kg6 67. Rg8+ ({or} 67. Rc6+ f6) 67... Kh7) 66... Kh4 +(66... Qg4 67. Rc5+) 67. Qh2+ Kg4 68. Qg2+ (68. Rc4+ $2 Kf3) 68... Kh5 69. Qe2+ +{with perpetual check in this position with a rare material balance.}))) 54... +Rc5+ 55. Kf6 $6 {Playing with fire! Korchnoi's idea is hard to understand: +surely he wasn't looking for winning chances?!} (55. Kd4 Rc8 56. Rxb2 {was +simpler with a clear draw, as in the variation from the note to Black's 53rd +move.}) 55... g3 $1 56. Rxb2 Rd5 57. Kxf7 Rxd6 58. Rd2 Kg4 {After speedily +passing the second time control, White again faces a difficult choice.} 59. d4 +$1 {The only move;} ({White would have lost after} 59. Ke7 $2 Rd4 $1 60. Ke6 +Kf4 $1 {. But now he can give up his rook for the g-pawn, since for the d-pawn +Black will have to pay the same price.}) 59... Kf5 $5 {This cunning route for +the king sets White new problems;} ({whereas} 59... Kf4 {would have allowed +him a simple draw:} 60. Ke7 Rg6 (60... Rd5 61. Ke6) 61. Rg2 $1 Ke4 62. Kf7 Rg4 +63. Ke6 Kxd4 {(f6)} 64. Kf5 {. The amount of work carried out by the black +king during the resumption is impressive!}) 60. Ke7 Rd5 61. Rd3 $1 {The only +way.} (61. Rg2 $2 Kf4 62. Rd2 Ke4 63. Rg2 Kf3 64. Rd2 g2 {and wins.}) 61... Kf4 +62. Ke6 Rg5 63. d5 $2 ({A fatal mistake when literally a step away from a draw +-} 63. Rd1 $1 -- (63... g2 64. Rg1 Ke4 65. d5 Rg6+ 66. Kf7) (63... Rg6+ 64. Kf7 +Rd6 65. Ke7) ({, or} 63... Ke4 64. d5 $1 Rg6+ (64... Re5+ 65. Kd6 g2 66. Re1+ +Kd4 67. Rd1+) 65. Ke7 $1 Ke5 66. d6 Rg7+ 67. Kf8 Rd7 68. Rd3 Kf4 69. Rd4+ {, +when a peaceful outcome is inevitable (} Ke3 ({or} 69... Kf3 70. Rd3+ Kg4 71. +Ke8 g2 72. Rd1) 70. Rg4 Kf3 71. Rg6 g2 72. Rf6+ Ke2 73. Rg6 {). --- Korchnoi +splendidly conducted a difficult defence, but at the very end he no longer had +the strength to find the last accurate move.})) 63... Rg6+ $1 ({Denying the +opponent the illusory hope of interposing a check -} 63... g2 $2 64. Rd4+ $1 +Ke3 65. Rd1 {with a draw.}) 64. Ke7 ({Or} 64. Kf7 g2 65. Rd1 Rd6 66. Ke7 Rxd5 +67. Rxd5 g1=Q {and wins.}) 64... g2 65. Rd1 Ke5 $1 {As they say in such cases, +the rest is a matter of technique.} 66. d6 Re6+ 67. Kd7 Rxd6+ 68. Rxd6 g1=Q 69. +Re6+ Kf5 70. Rd6 Qa7+ 71. Kd8 Ke5 72. Rg6 Qa5+ 73. Kd7 Qa4+ 74. Ke7 Qh4+ $1 75. +Kf8 Qd8+ 76. Kf7 Kf5 77. Rh6 Qd7+ 78. Kf8 Kg5 0-1 + +[Event "89: Candidates Semi-Final, London"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1983.12.06"] +[Round "7"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Korchnoi, V."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "E04"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "91"] +[EventDate "1983.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{And so, to the surprise of both players, the match score became equal: 3-3. +The psychological initiative was now on my side. Korchnoi's oversight in such +a significant game (and after so much effort!) broke his will and undermined +his confidence and composure. Such a defeat was too cruel a trial, even for a +highly-experienced fighter. Besides, Korchnoi was bound to sense that I was +gradually gaining in confidence and that the time was not far off when I would +be operating at full strength. --- However, it should not be forgotten that in +the semi-final match of the previous cycle with Polugayevsky (1980), after a +crushing defeat in the 12th, concluding game, Korchnoi nevertheless managed to +snatch victory in the additional games. Indeed, when a player is behind, he +aims in the first instance to level the scores, and on achieving his aim he +often relaxes involuntarily, although the entire struggle still lies ahead. +Therefore only the 7th game could decide how real were the changes that had +occurred during the course of this bitter struggle. --- I think that Korchnoi +made a mistake by not taking a time-out after his defeat in the 6th game. The +7th game was scheduled to be played the following day, less than 24 hours +later. Memories of the disaster during the adjournment session were still too +fresh, and my opponent looked depressed.} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 { +The favourite opening of Korchnoi himself, whereas before the match I had +employed it only once - against Andersson (Niksic 1983), and that when I knew +almost for sure which system of defence my opponent would choose.} dxc4 5. Nf3 +Bd7 $5 {Korchnoi did not arrive for the game empty-handed. The effusive Miguel +Najdorf tried to convince everyone in the press centre that he had played this +50 years earlier. But in the early 1980s this move had not found its way into +the 'Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings' and for me it was a novelty, which I had +to figure out at the board.} ({It would have been naïve to hope that my +opponent would repeat the dubious experiment from the 5th game, where after} +5... c5 6. O-O Nbd7 $6 ({avoiding the main lines with} 6... Nc6 7. Qa4 ({or} 7. +Ne5 Bd7 8. Na3 cxd4 9. Naxc4 {, Kasparov-Andersson, 1st and 3rd match games, +Belgrade 1985}) 7... cxd4 8. Nxd4 Qxd4 9. Rd1 {, as in the aforementioned game +with Andersson}) 7. Na3 Nb6 8. Nxc4 Nxc4 9. Qa4+ Bd7 10. Qxc4 {White gained a +small but enduring advantage.}) ({In the 9th game Korchnoi chose another +little-studied continuation -} 5... Nbd7 6. O-O Rb8 $6 {. But this plan was +familiar to me from a training game with Vladimirov (1982), and after} 7. a4 b6 +8. Nfd2 $1 e5 $5 9. Nxc4 $1 exd4 10. Qxd4 Bc5 11. Qd3 O-O 12. Nc3 Bb7 13. Bxb7 +Rxb7 14. Qf3 Qa8 15. Bf4 {White gained the initiative.}) 6. Qc2 {On +encountering a surprise, I decided for safety's sake to regain the gambit pawn +immediately. Apparently, in my sub-conscious the thought occurred to me: 'The +scores are level - is it worth taking an unnecessary risk?!'} ({Significantly +more complicated play results from} 6. Nbd2 Bb4 {(Sosonko-Korchnoi, Wijk aan +Zee 1984; Zurich 1984)}) ({or the most critical line} 6. Ne5 Bc6 7. Nxc6 Nxc6 +8. O-O (8. Qa4 Qd7 $1 {, Hulak-Korchnoi, Sarajevo 1984}) 8... Qd7 9. e3 $5 (9. +Nc3 Nxd4 10. Bxb7 Rb8 11. Bg2 Be7 {with equality, Yusupov-Karpov, Belfort 1988} +) 9... Rb8 10. Qe2 b5 11. b3 $1 cxb3 12. axb3 {with good compensation for the +pawn (Beliavsky-Karpov, 55th USSR Championship, Moscow 1988). It was because +of this that the move 5...Bd7 did not become widely established.}) 6... c5 $1 +7. O-O {Again a solid, but rather insipid move.} (7. Ne5 {is harmless in view +of} Nc6 $1 {(Vaganian-Portisch, 3rd match game, Saint John 1988)}) ({but +chances of gaining an advantage were offered by} 7. Qxc4 $5 {- this position +was reached by transposition in the 8th game, and after} Bc6 8. dxc5 Nbd7 9. +Be3 Bd5 $1 10. Qa4 Bc6 11. Qc4 Bd5 12. Qb4 Qc8 (12... a5 $1 {with equality}) +13. Nc3 Bxc5 14. Bxc5 Qxc5 15. Nxd5 Nxd5 16. Qd2 Rc8 17. O-O O-O 18. Rac1 Qb6 +19. Qd4 Rfd8 20. Rfd1 Qxd4 21. Nxd4 {White had a slight edge.}) 7... Bc6 8. +Qxc4 Nbd7 {The opening has turned out favourably for Black - he has achieved +the maximum he can hope for in the Catalan: his minor pieces are controlling +the centre, and the advanced position of the white queen gives him tempi for +development. It is already White who has to play accurately.} 9. Bg5 (9. Nc3 { +is satisfactorily answered by the energetic} b5 ({or the developing} 9... Rc8 { +(Bacrot-Korchnoi, Odessa (rapid) 2007)}) 10. Qd3 b4 11. Nb1 Be4 { +(Kochiev-Lputian, Pavlodar 1982).}) 9... Rc8 (9... cxd4 10. Nxd4 Bxg2 11. Kxg2 +Be7 {was simpler, with equality (Lerner-Dorfman, Tallinn 1983), since now +White creates a certain lack of harmony in the opponent's position.}) 10. Bxf6 +$5 {A somewhat unexpected but quite justified exchange of bishop for knight.} ( +10. Nc3 cxd4 {is harmless. All the same the bishop has no future, and in +addition each of the three possible recaptures has its drawbacks. Korchnoi +hesitated for about half an hour, but in the end safety considerations +outweighed, and he went in for simplification.} (10... b5 $5 {.})) 10... Nxf6 +$6 {The most natural continuation - and the least good!} ({After} 10... gxf6 $5 +{Black's two bishops compensate for the defects of his pawn structure +(Inkiov-Pinter, Zagreb Interzonal 1987).}) ({But from the standpoint of +seizing the initiative, the best was} 10... Qxf6 $1 11. Nc3 Be7 {- this +recommendation of mine was analysed in 'Informator' Volume 36.}) 11. dxc5 Bxf3 +{It is a pity to part with this strong bishop, of course, but without +detriment to the position the pawn cannot be regained.} (11... Qd5 12. Qxd5 +Nxd5 (12... Bxd5 13. b4) 13. Nd4 ({there is also no rapid equality after} 13. +Rc1 Bd7 14. Nc3 Nxc3 15. Rxc3 Rxc5 16. Rxc5 Bxc5 17. Ne5) 13... Bxc5 14. Nxc6 +bxc6 (14... Rxc6 $6 15. Nc3) 15. Nd2) ({or} 11... Bxc5 12. Qxc5 Bxf3 13. Qb5+ +Bc6 14. Bxc6+ bxc6 15. Qa4 {, and thanks to the weakness of the c6-pawn +White's chances are slightly better.}) 12. Bxf3 Bxc5 {It only remains for +Black to castle, in order to feel completely safe. At this moment I noticed +that Korchnoi, expecting that peace negotiations would soon begin, relaxed +somewhat. But it turns out that even such a seemingly lifeless position +conceals a number of subtleties.} 13. Qb5+ ({Little is promised by} 13. e3 Qd7 +14. Qb3 O-O 15. Nc3 Rc7 {.}) 13... Qd7 14. Nc3 $1 {White completes his +development with gain of tempo, whereas Black is still faced with the problem +of defending his queenside.} Qxb5 ({Black himself is forced to activate the +enemy knight: after} 14... O-O $6 15. Qxb7 $1 Qxb7 16. Bxb7 Rb8 17. Ba6 $1 Bd4 +(17... Rxb2 $2 18. Na4 Rc2 19. Bd3 $1) 18. Rfd1 Bxc3 19. bxc3 Ne4 20. Rd7 Nxc3 +21. Rc7 Nd5 22. Rxa7 {White has an obvious advantage.}) 15. Nxb5 Ke7 {After +the exchange of queens the black king has taken up a comfortable position in +the centre of the board, and it would seem that no dangers should be +anticipated.} 16. b4 $1 {An original decision, called by Petrosian 'an oasis, +unexpectedly found in a barren desert'. In itself this move is not so strong, +but its psychological effect was enormous: Korchnoi became nervous - instead +of the expected draw offer the opponent set him a new problem!} ({Black is +satisfied with} 16. Bxb7 $6 Rb8 17. Ba6 (17. Rac1 $2 Rxb7 18. Rxc5 Nd7 19. Rg5 +h6 {and wins}) 17... Rb6 18. Rac1 Nd7 19. Nc7 Rxb2) ({or} 16. Rac1 Bb6 $5 ( +16... Nd5 {will also do}) 17. Bxb7 Rxc1 18. Rxc1 Ng4 19. e3 Nxe3 $1 {. But the +tempo available to White can be used more effectively.}) 16... Bxb4 (16... Bb6 +$2 {is dangerous, not because of} 17. Bxb7 ({but in view of} 17. a4 $1 a6 18. +a5 Bc7 19. Bxb7 $1 axb5 20. Rac1 {, and for the passed a-pawn Black has to +give up a piece}) 17... Rc4 18. a3 Ng4 $1 19. e3 Rb8 20. Bf3 Ne5 21. Be2 Rc2 +22. Bd1 Rd2 {with active play for the pawn.}) 17. Nxa7 Rc7 $2 {A blunder, +which can only be explained by extreme nervous tension.} (17... Ra8 $1 {would +have maintained the balance, for example:} 18. Nb5 ({or} 18. Rfb1 Rxa7 19. Rxb4 +Rb8 20. a4 {, and in 'The Test of Time' I wrote that 'Black faces a gruelling +defence', but in fact the a4-pawn is also weak and after} b6 {followed by ...Nd7 White has no real chances of success}) 18... Ra5 19. a4 Rc8 $1 ({more +active than my 'Informator' suggestion} 19... Rb8) 20. Bxb7 Rc4 $1 {the +a4-pawn is lost.}) 18. Rfc1 $1 {It would appear that Korchnoi underestimated +this move, thinking that Black had the reply 18...Rhc8. It is not often that +one sees scattered pieces coordinating so successfully: it suddenly turns out +to be impossible to defend the b7-pawn!} Rd7 $2 {But this is already confusion. +} ({All the same the b7-pawn cannot be saved, but one pair of rooks should +have been exchanged -} 18... Rxc1+ 19. Rxc1 {, although after} Nd5 ({or} 19... +Ra8 20. Rc7+ Kf8 21. Rxb7 Bc5 22. Nc6 Bd6 ({after} 22... Rxa2 $2 23. Ne5 $1 { +the f7-point comes under pressure:} Ra7 $2 {is not possible because of} 24. +Rb8+ $1) 23. Ra7 Rxa7 24. Nxa7 {Black's further plan, in the words of Nikitin, +'would have resembled slow torture before the carrying out of the death +sentence'. And yet here there would still have been chances of a draw, whereas +now they quickly evaporate}) 20. Bxd5 exd5 21. Rc7+ Kf6 22. Rxb7 {.}) 19. Rab1 +{The extra pawn, activity of his rooks and the unexpected vulnerability of the +black king on e7 make White's advantage decisive.} Bd2 20. Rc2 Rhd8 21. Bxb7 $1 +{The right way: there is point in going in for simplification. In just five +moves the position has changed beyond recognition - Black's queenside has been +devastated, and his pieces are unable to coordinate their actions. The outcome +of the game is decided, but on his way to winning White still had to overcome +the fierce resistance of an opponent who had absolutely no desire to lose a +second game in a row.} Kf8 {This retreat from the centre is forced.} 22. Nc6 +Rc7 {There is no longer any choice;} ({if} 22... Re8 {White wins easily by} 23. +Ne5 Rdd8 24. Rc7 ({to say nothing of} 24. Nc4 Bh6 25. a4 {or the immediate 23 +a4!.})) 23. Rbb2 $1 {Inspired by such a turn of events, I made the most +accurate moves, as they now say 'following the first line of the computer'.} +Rd6 {Again the most resilient move.} ({If} 23... Rd5 {, then} 24. e4 $1 Nxe4 +25. Na7 {(d4) and wins.}) ({After} 23... Rdd7 24. Ne5 $1 {Black also suffers +further loss of material:} Re7 25. Bc6 $1 Ba5 26. Rb5 {etc.}) 24. a4 $1 {The +time has come for the swift advance of the passed pawn.} ({The main thing is +not to be in a hurry to disentangle the amusing cluster of pieces: thus} 24. +Rxd2 $6 Rxd2 25. Rxd2 Rxb7 {would have given Black some saving chances.}) 24... +Be1 {A desperate attempt to divert White's attention from the queenside, if +only for an instant.} 25. Rb1 {The threat of ...Ng4 could have been ignored;} ( +{after} 25. a5 Ng4 26. a6 $1 Bxf2+ 27. Kg2 {White would also have won (} Ba7 +28. Nxa7 Ne3+ 29. Kf2 Nxc2 30. Nb5 {etc.). But I firmly decided not to allow +Black the slightest counter-chances.}) 25... Nd5 {Still hoping to go fishing +in troubled waters.} 26. Ba8 {White does not rush, and just in case he gains +time by repeating moves.} Rc8 27. Bb7 Rc7 28. Rc4 $1 {This accurate manoeuvre +effectively puts an end to all Black's hopes. Now it is the turn of the a-pawn. +} Ne7 {An attempt to exchange the knights, when it might be possible to save +the ending with opposite-colour bishops.} 29. Ne5 $1 {Again the best move;} ({ +although the following elegant line was also sufficient:} 29. a5 Nxc6 30. a6 +Ba5 31. Rxc6 Rdxc6 32. Bxc6 (32. a7 $2 Ra6 33. Bxa6 Rxa7 {with a draw}) 32... +Ra7 33. Bb7 {and wins.}) 29... Ba5 30. Rb5 ({A simple combination -} 30. Rxc7 +Bxc7 31. a5 $1 Bxa5 32. Nc4 Bc7 33. Nxd6 Bxd6 34. Rd1 {- would have led to a +technically won endgame. But White, not concerning himself with material gains, +paves the way for his a-pawn with an 'iron hand'.}) 30... Ng6 {Again trying +for the exchange!} 31. Nc6 {The knight is back where it started, but now Black +does not have even a hint of counterplay.} (31. Rxa5 Rxb7 32. Nc6 {was also +strong.}) 31... Rd1+ 32. Kg2 Be1 33. a5 ({The unexpected} 33. Ba6 $1 {would +have won more spectacularly after} Kg8 34. Rb8+ Nf8 35. Bb5 g6 (35... Ra1 $2 +36. Ne7+ $1 Rxe7 37. Rxf8+ $1 {, mating}) 36. a5 {etc.}) 33... Ne7 34. a6 Nxc6 +({If} 34... Ra1 {, then} 35. Na5 {and 36 a7!. The knight, which has caused +Black so much trouble, has nevertheless been exchanged, but the a-pawn is +already too far advanced...}) 35. Rxc6 Rxc6 36. Bxc6 Ra1 {Opposite-colour +bishops often favour the weaker side, but here the black bishop presents a +pitiful spectacle.} 37. Rb8+ Ke7 38. Rb7+ Kd6 ({In the event of} 38... Kf6 39. +a7 {and Rd7 Black would have had to part with a whole rook.}) 39. Bb5 Bc3 40. +Rxf7 {Here Korchnoi could have resigned, but he decided to drink the bitter +cup right to the bottom.} Bf6 41. Rd7+ Kc5 42. Bd3 h6 43. Rb7 Ra3 44. a7 Kd5 +45. f3 Kd6 {Instant death.} 46. Rb6+ {. In view of Ra6 (after all the bold +a-pawn achieves its cherished goal!).} (46. -- {Thus within literally 24 hours +the match had been turned on its head. The roles were reversed: the chasing +player had become the leader (4-3), and the recent leader had fallen behind. +Two successive defeats were enough to unsettle anyone, even the most +experienced match fighter. It was no surprise that at this point Korchnoi made +use of his one time-out. The changed situation obliged him to go on to the +offensive, but, on the other hand, the time for taking reckless risks had not +yet arrived. --- In the 8th game Korchnoi remained true to his initially +chosen strategy and pinned his hopes on the endgame (cf. Game No.89, note to +White's 7th move), but without success - a draw on the 40th move. This +unpretentious duel also played a significant role: whereas Korchnoi could have +regarded his failure in the 7th game as accidental, the draw in a better +endgame in the 8th game clearly showed that it was unpromising to continue his +strategy of simplification. --- And in the 9th game Korchnoi went in for +complicated play in a Catalan middlegame (cf. Game No.89, note to Black's 5th +move). But the psychological initiative was now on my side, I had more +strength left, and an open battle led to a crushing defeat for Black on the +30th move. As if to confirm Korchnoi's description of me given before the +match, the finish of this game resembled the direct knock-out blow of a boxer. +True, in a chess match one 'knock-out' is not enough for overall victory...}) ( +46. -- {In a desperate situation, trailing by 'minus two', Korchnoi +nevertheless found the strength to continue the fight, and the 10th game +became the fiercest in the match. On this occasion my opponent avoided the +Catalan in favour of the Queen's Gambit. I chose the +Tartakower-Makogonov-Bondarev-sky Variation (cf. Game No.20, note to Black's +11th move) and in wild complications I parried the last attack by the 'wounded +animal'. --- The score became 6-4, and I only needed another half point. +However, I wanted to conclude the match not with a full-stop, but an +exclamation mark! The situation obliged Korchnoi to complicate the play, and +after 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 instead of 3...d5 he chose 3...c5 4 d5 exd5 5 cxd5 +b5 (also avoiding 5...d6: my opponent preferred to play this set-up with White +- Game No.78) 6 Bg2 d6, but the unexpected 7 b4! (7 Nf3 is more solid: 7...g6 +8 Nfd2 Nbd7 9 Nc3 a6, Portisch-Korchnoi, Olympiad, Lucerne 1982) 7...Na6 (the +'Benko Gambit' 7...cxb4 8 a3! bxa3 9 Nxa3 favours White, Zaichik-Vladimirov, +Krasnoyarsk 1981) 8 bxc5 Nxc5 9 Nf3 followed by Nd4-c6 enabled White to seize +the initiative and win on the 32nd move - 7-4! --- Thus on 16th December 1983 +this victory in the semi-final Candidates match concluded an important stage +in my chess career, which had given me valuable experience in match play. That +same day, by gaining a draw, Smyslov confidently won his match against Ribli - +6½-4½. There was something symbolic about the fact that both Soviet +grandmasters, who had been disqualified in the summer, in the end became the +finalists in the Candidates cycle.}) (46. -- {Robert Byrne: 'The impetuous +youth from the Caucasus showed staggering patience and composure, displaying +wonderful psychological stability in a difficult situation. In the course of +the match he was able to readjust and, curbing his imagination, acquire a +taste for the simple positions imposed by his opponent with a small number of +pieces, for which Kasparov always harboured a dislike.' --- Raymond Keene: +'Kasparov played like Karpov, mainly exploiting his opponent's mistakes. He is +by nature a skilful and resourceful player, but in this match he has shown +little of his true skill.' --- Viktor Korchnoi: 'After the 6th game I lost +faith in my technique and my seconds. The score was equal, but psychologically +the match was lost. My pre-match impression of Kasparov as a player with one +knock-out punch was wrong. Kasparov is very practical for his age. He takes +risks only when he is sure that they are justified.'}) (46. -- {Some western +commentators suggested that I should thank Korchnoi for accelerating my chess +development and for helping me to grasp the subtleties of positional play. +Indeed, the benefit from this match with an exceptionally strong opponent is +hard to overestimate. For me, a 20-year-old youth, it was a kind maturity test. +Ahead lay the most difficult trials, and not only at the chess board... --- On +the results of 1983, thanks to my wins in the matches with Beliavsky and +Korchnoi, and also the super-tournament in Niksic, I received my second +'Oscar'. Journalists gave me 984 votes, and the world champion Karpov - 918. +By the end of the year my rating was now higher than Karpov's - the first time +this had happened in the entire post-Fischer decade!}) 1-0 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Match with Smyslov"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.08"] + +{Final Candidates Match Kasparov - Smyslov (Vilnius, 9th March - 11th April +1984): 8½-4½.} 1. -- {Vilnius, the White Hall in the Art Museum. It was +here in the spring of 1984 that the final Candidates match took place, between +two opponents who bore absolutely no resemblance to each other. During the +match one of them celebrated his 63rd birthday, while immediately after it the +other celebrated his 21st. Before the start of the Candidates series people +were asking: 'What chance do they have at that age?!' The evergreen Vasily +Smyslov had to show that he still had sufficient strength for a fierce and +uncompromising battle, while I had to find some other qualities to compensate +for my lack of experience. The Interzonal Tournament, the quarter-final and +the semi-final were for each of us a victory against time. The age limits for +the contenders for the crown were stretching in both directions at once. --- +Smyslov's competitive feats staggered the imagination: after passing through +the crucible of fighting Botvinnik for many years, he became world champion +six years before I was born, and a quarter of a century later he reached the +final Candidates match! This was a genuine sensation! Towards the end of his +brilliant career it appeared that the great player was now playing only for +pleasure. But, by tradition, in high-quality positional style. Smyslov's +strength always consisted in his ability to accumulate microscopic advantages +by seemingly unpretentious exchanges and manoeuvres, and in the endgame he was +considered an unsurpassed virtuoso. Apart from his phenomenal technique, his +trumps were his colossal experience and unprecedented emotional drive (which +was noticeable during the London semi-finals). And I approached this match +very seriously, although at heart I was confident of success.} (1. -- {The +forecasts of the world press and most experienced grandmasters were +unequivocally in my favour. But Karpov's comments on the forthcoming final +were rather obscure. To the traditional comparison - 'a competition between +youth and boldness on the one hand, and common sense and experience on the +other', he added: 'This is like the eternal struggle between the raging sea +and the solid land.' As we know, the raging sea is usually unable to overcome +the solid land, as otherwise our world would not exist. In fact, Karpov was +absolutely sure that I would win. When the Ogonyok magazine invited its +readers to predict the result of the match, the editors asked the world +champion to do the same. Karpov's sealed envelope contained an accurate +forecast - 8½-4½ in Kasparov's favour. --- Nevertheless, in the Soviet +press my chances were deliberately played down. Why? Perhaps someone was +afraid of inspiring me excessively, or, God forbid, of boosting my popularity? +Of course, Karpov himself did not harbour any illusions, realising perfectly +well that after the collapse of the Pasadena operation a match with me could +not be avoided. The threat to his title was all too obvious. Karpov is a +cool-headed person and he could objectively and accurately assess the danger. +Just like the people around him, whose position depended on Karpov retaining +his title, and who wanted him to feel for as long as possible that they were +his support.}) (1. -- {Smyslov made a valid point when he said to me just +before the start of our match: 'Young man, if that business of our semi-final +matches had occurred not in the summer of 1983, but slightly earlier or +slightly later, we would never have met in the final.' This subtle thought +demands an explanation: slightly earlier was before November 1982, when +Brezhnev died, and Aliev became a member of the Politburo; slightly later was +early 1984, when the country was headed by Chernenko and Aliev's influence had +sharply waned. --- Asriyan: 'Early in March I phoned Kasparov, to interview +him before the match at the request of the Baku Sport newspaper. It turned out +to be interesting in the extreme and contained some unexpected news. Garry +informed me that two days earlier, 28th February, he had become a member of +the Communist Party. Apparently, before the match with Karpov (there were no +doubts that he would beat Smyslov) he wanted to deprive the world champion and +his supporters of the opportunity to exploit the ideological factor, and to +equalise the chances also on this non-chess front... To become world champion +- everything was subordinated to this aim.' --- In our preparations for the +final 'battle of the generations' first and foremost my trainers and I studied +the experience of the matches with Beliavsky and Korchnoi, to exclude previous +mistakes. And, of course, we carefully analysed the games of my future +opponent, endeavouring to determine his weak points. Our opening preparation +was also extensive: in a match at such a level, especially with such a +harmonious player as Smyslov, much could be decided by successful handling of +the opening. Which is in fact what happened. The encounter developed into two +mini-matches of four games: in one I battled with White against the Cambridge +Springs Defence, while in the other I again upheld the Tarrasch Defence with +Black. It was the winning of these mini-matches that led to my overall victory. +}) (1. -- {Things were also affected by a curious mysticism. Nikitin: 'Just +before the start of the match with Smyslov, Leonid Ostrovsky, a prominent +chess arbiter from Kiev, sent Garry's mother a letter which with staggering +accuracy predicted not only the overall score, but also the result of each +game!' This unknown person claimed to be a parapsychologist, and two months +later, when Nikitin visited him in Kiev, he said about my forthcoming duel +with Karpov: 'You will win the match, but in a fierce struggle.' --- Initially +the forecasts for the Vilnius match by the man from Kiev merely provoked a +smile, but already after two games I became slightly disconcerted. In the 1st, +playing White against the Schlechter Defence, I threw away a solid positional +advantage, and in the 2nd I ended up in an unpleasant position in the Tarrasch +Defence (cf. Game No.91, note to Black's 12th move), and this was probably the +most dramatic moment of the match, largely determining its further course. By +some miracle I managed to extricate myself and then hold out in a difficult +endgame. --- After this I quite confidently - again 'strictly according to +schedule!' - won the 3rd game, in which Smyslov surprised me with the +Cambridge Springs Defence, but I was able to transpose into a better endgame +and exploit the power of my two bishops (cf. Game No.90, note to Black's 9th +move). The 4th game was a Queen's Gambit with 5 Bf4, and I won with Black, +also as predicted, after which I regularly glanced with curiosity at the sheet +with the forecasts, and at times even joked that the prophet could at the same +time have suggested the forthcoming openings...}) (1. -- {The score became 3-1, +and my opponent took the first of his two allotted time-outs. In the 5th game +I was burning with the desire to put an end to these mystical events, which +were forcing me to believe in the super-natural. The ex-champion employed a +novelty with Black in the Botvinnik Variation - the modest 10...Be7 instead of +the usual 10...Nbd7. In a very sharp situation I seized the initiative and +seemed to be close to success, but here Smyslov brilliantly extricated himself, +exploiting my inability to find a decisive strengthening of the position. It +all ended in a 'planned' draw, and I was not exactly delighted with such a +pre-programmed result. --- In the 6th game, after playing the Lasker Defence +to the Queen's Gambit, I quite confidently gained a draw in a somewhat +inferior position. Then, on Smyslov's birthday, I took my first time-out. In +the 7th game my quiet variation against the Cambridge Springs led to a quick +peace agreement. In the 8th, after finding an improvement for Black, I +reverted to the Tarrasch Defence and I even managed to seize the initiative - +but again I was unable to find the right way to build on my advantage. Indeed, +how could I have found it, if on the sheet sent to me a half point was clearly +marked! --- It was in this semi-mystical state that the 9th game was played.}) +* + +[Event "90: Candidates Final, Vilnius"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1984.03.30"] +[Round "9"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Smyslov, V."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D52"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "88"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. e3 Qa5 {Smyslov's +frequent employment of the Cambridge-Springs Defence was one of the surprises +of the match: in the ex-world champion's career spanning more than 40 years, +this variation had occurred only a handful of times. In the 1920s and 1930s it +was tested in Alekhine's matches with Capablanca, Bogoljubow and Euwe, and +after the war its popularity greatly waned, but towards the end of the 20th +Century it again rose.} 7. cxd5 $1 {Again, as in the 3rd game, influenced by +the mysterious forecast, I chose the most critical continuation.} (7. Nd2 {is +much quieter, for example:} -- (7... dxc4 8. Bxf6 Nxf6 9. Nxc4 Qc7 10. Be2 (10. +Rc1 $1 {is more accurate}) 10... Be7 11. O-O O-O 12. Rc1 Rd8 13. Qc2 Bd7 14. +Ne4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4 c5 16. dxc5 Bc6 17. Qe5 Qxe5 18. Nxe5 Rd2 19. Bf3 Bxf3 20. +gxf3 Rxb2 21. Rb1 Rxb1 22. Rxb1 Bxc5 23. Rxb7 f6 {with a roughly equal endgame +(Kasparov-R.Rodriguez, Moscow Interzonal 1982)}) (7... Bb4 8. Qc2 {, and Black +is again at a cross-roads:} -- (8... dxc4 9. Bxf6 Nxf6 10. Nxc4 Qc7 11. a3 Be7 +12. Be2 (12. g3 O-O 13. Bg2 Bd7 14. b4 b6 15. O-O Rac8 (15... a5 $6 16. Ne5 $1 +{- Game No.106 in Volume I of 'My Great Predecessors'}) 16. Rfc1 Rfd8 17. Rab1 +{(Kasparov-Averbakh, Kislovodsk 1982), everywhere with a small advantage for +White}) 12... O-O 13. b4 b6 $5 (13... Bd7 14. O-O b6 15. Bf3 {- Game No.125 in +Volume I of 'My Great Predecessors'}) 14. O-O Bb7 15. Bf3 {(Ribli-Smyslov, Las +Palmas Interzonal 1982).}) (8... O-O 9. -- (9. a3 dxc4 $1 10. Bxf6 Nxf6 11. +Nxc4 Bxc3+ 12. Qxc3 (12. bxc3 {is more interesting, as, for example, in +Timman-Kasparov, 6th match game, Prague 1998}) 12... Qxc3+ 13. bxc3 c5 14. Be2 +{½-½ (7th game)}) (9. Bh4 {- Game No.104 in Volume I of 'My Great +Predecessors'.}) ({, or} 9. Be2 e5 (9... c5 {is also not bad}) 10. Bxf6 ({ +White would at least have something to hope for after} 10. dxe5) ({or} 10. O-O) +10... Nxf6 11. dxe5 Ne4 {with equality (Grünfeld-Keres, Warsaw Olympiad 1935)} +12. cxd5 Nxc3 13. bxc3 Bxc3 14. Rc1 Bxe5 15. dxc6 bxc6 {½-½ (13th game). +And although the result of this last game of the match was not associated with +the opening, after 7 Nd2 it is hard for White to achieve any appreciable gains. +})))) 7... Nxd5 8. Qd2 Bb4 ({After} 8... N7b6 9. Bd3 $5 ({the insipid} 9. Nxd5 +Qxd2+ 10. Nxd2 exd5 11. Bd3 a5 {led to equality in Karpov-Kasparov, 47th match +game, Moscow 1984/85}) 9... -- (9... Nxc3 10. bxc3 Nd5 ({or} 10... Na4 11. O-O +Qxc3 12. Qe2) 11. O-O $1 (11. Rc1 Nxc3 12. O-O Bb4 {- Game No.17 in Volume II +of 'My Great Predecessors'}) 11... Qxc3 12. Qe2 {White has an enduring +initiative for the pawn:} Bd6 ({or} 12... Be7 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 14. Ne5 $1 { +(Polugayevsky-Seirawan, Biel Interzonal 1985)}) 13. Nd2 $1 {(Vaganian-Torre, +Biel Interzonal 1985).}) ({. Such a decision was not in the spirit of Smyslov, +who himself aimed for the rapid development of his forces. Incidentally,} 9... +Bb4 {(instead of 9...Nxc3)} 10. Rc1 f6 11. Bh4 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Ba3 13. Rb1 {is +also favourable for White (Vaganian-Smyslov, Montpellier Candidates Tournament +1985).})) 9. Rc1 {We made all these moves, including the next one, in a matter +of minutes.} e5 $6 ({An unsuccessful attempt to improve Black's play compared +with the 3rd game, in which after} 9... O-O 10. Bd3 (10. a3 $5) 10... e5 11. +O-O exd4 (11... h6 $1 12. Bh4 Re8 {is sounder, Alekhine-Bogoljubow, 13th match +game, Berlin 1929}) 12. exd4 f6 13. Bh4 Rd8 14. a3 Bxc3 15. bxc3 Nf8 (15... +Qxa3 $6 16. c4 {is dangerous for Black}) 16. Bg3 Be6 ({if} 16... Bg4 {, then} +17. Be4 $1 Re8 18. c4 {is strong}) 17. Rfe1 Bf7 18. c4 (18. Qb2 $5) 18... Qxd2 +19. Nxd2 Nb6 20. Nb3 Na4 (20... Ne6 $5 21. c5 Nd5 22. Na5 Ndf4 $1) 21. Bf1 (21. +Re7 $5) 21... Rd7 $6 (21... b6 $1) 22. Na5 $1 {White gained an enduring +advantage and converted it into a win.}) ({Nowadays Black more often plays} +9... h6 10. Bh4 c5 11. a3 Bxc3 12. bxc3 b6 13. c4 (13. Bd3 Ba6 {, maintaining +equality}) 13... Qxd2+ 14. Nxd2 N5f6 {(Bareev-Fressinet, Cannes 2002)} ({or} +14... Ne7 {(Dreev-Grischuk, Poikovsky 2005), with a slightly inferior but +acceptable endgame.})) 10. a3 $5 {(13) From the 3rd game I already knew the +nuances associated with a2-a3, and so without particular difficulty I was able +to find this continuation, an unpleasant one for Black: here it gains in +strength.} (10. Bd3 {was also good}) ({whereas after} 10. dxe5 Nc5 {Black's +idea would have been fully justified.}) 10... Bd6 $6 {(24)} ({It transpires +that if} 10... Bxc3 11. bxc3 -- (11... e4 {there is the reply} 12. c4 $1 Qxa3 ( +12... Qxd2+ 13. Nxd2 {is even worse for Black}) 13. cxd5 exf3 14. dxc6 bxc6 15. +gxf3 {with a clear positional advantage.} (15. Bf4 $5 {.})) ({. Of course, +Black can win a pawn, but in the event of} 11... exd4 12. cxd4 Qxa3 13. e4) ({ +, or} 11... Qxa3 12. e4 N5f6 13. Bd3 {White's initiative more than compensates +for the minimal material deficit.}) (11... h6 $1 12. Bh4 Qxa3 {is better, +although here too after} 13. e4 ({nothing is given by} 13. Bd3 exd4 14. cxd4 +Qb4 $1 {, San Segundo-Nakamura, San Sebastian 2009}) 13... Nf4 ({or} 13... N5f6 +14. Bd3) 14. Bg3 g5 15. h4 {White has fine play for the pawn.})) 11. dxe5 {(3)} +({In the event of} 11. Nxd5 Qxd2+ 12. Kxd2 cxd5 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Bxe5 15. +Bb5+ Bd7 {Black has a sound position:} 16. Rc5 f6 $1 17. Bh4 (17. Bf4 b6) 17... +Bxb5 18. Rxb5 O-O-O {with equality. But White finds an original way of +relieving the central tension to his advantage.}) 11... Nxe5 {(2)} 12. Nxe5 +Bxe5 13. b4 $1 Bxc3 {(5)} (13... Qxa3 $2 {would have been suicidal:} 14. Nxd5 +cxd5 15. Bb5+ Kf8 16. O-O Be6 17. f4 Bd6 18. f5 Bxb4 19. Qd4 {and wins.}) 14. +Qxc3 $1 {Taking play into a significantly better endgame.} (14. Rxc3 Nxb4 $6 ({ +it is unclear how real White's advantage is if Black simply retreats his queen +-} 14... Qb6 {with the sequel} 15. Rc1 (15. Rc5 h6 16. Bh4 O-O 17. Bd3 a5 18. +Rxa5 Rxa5 19. bxa5 Qb3 20. O-O Qxa3) 15... h6 16. Bh4 O-O 17. Bc4 Be6 18. O-O ( +18. e4 $6 Rfe8 $1) 18... Rfe8) 15. e4 $1 ({not} 15. Rc5 $2 Nd3+ $1) 15... -- { +, would have led to interesting complications, for example:} (15... Na6 16. +Bxa6 bxa6 17. -- (17. Rxc6 Qxd2+ 18. Kxd2) ({, or} 17. O-O h6 (17... O-O 18. +Bf6 $1) 18. Be3 $1 (18. Qd6 $6 hxg5 19. Qxc6+ $2 ({while after} 19. Rc5 Qb6 20. +Re5+ Be6 21. Rxe6+ {he has only perpetual check}) 19... Ke7 {is bad for White}) +18... O-O 19. Bxh6 $1 Rd8 20. Qg5 Qxg5 21. Bxg5 {, condemning Black to a +depressing struggle for a draw})) (15... f6 {, and after} 16. Bxf6 ({but the +cool-headed} 16. Be3 $1 Na6 17. Bc4 Nc7 18. Bf4 $1 {leaves White with a strong +initiative}) 16... gxf6 17. axb4 Qxb4 18. Bc4 Bd7 (18... Qb1+ $6 {is +unfavourable in view of} 19. Rc1 Qxe4+ 20. Kf1 $1) 19. O-O O-O-O {Black's +defences hold.}) (15... Na2 $2 16. Rc2 Qxd2+ 17. Kxd2 Be6 18. Bc4 {, and the +knight cannot escape.})) 14... Nxc3 15. bxa5 Ne4 16. Bf4 {(3) At first sight, +for the moment nothing terrible for Black is anticipated, but the advantages +of White's position are long-term: two active bishops (whereas the black +knight has no comfortable post), and a pawn majority in the centre; meanwhile +the doubled pawns on the a-file have enabled the b-file to be opened, and now +a frontal attack can be made on the b7-pawn, the defence of which is awkward, +since the b8-square is controlled by the bishop on f4.} O-O {(21)} 17. f3 {(3)} +Nf6 18. e4 Re8 {(10)} ({The attempt to carry out the freeing advance ...b7-b6 +ends in failure:} 18... Bd7 19. Kf2 b6 20. Ba6 $1 Bc8 (20... c5 $6 21. Bb7 Rad8 +22. Bc7 {and wins}) 21. Be2 c5 (21... Bd7 22. Rhd1) 22. Bd6 $1 ({my earlier +move} 22. Bc7 {is not so clear after} Be6 $1) 22... Rd8 (22... Re8 $6 23. e5 $1 +) 23. Bc7 {with a big advantage.}) 19. Kf2 {(2) A curious moment.} a6 {(10) +A kind of positional capitulation: Black once and for all removes the +impending threat of a5-a6, but now he will be condemned to passive waiting.} ({ +However, in the variation} 19... Bd7 20. Rb1 b6 21. Ba6 Bc8 22. Be2 {his +prospects were also very gloomy.}) 20. Be2 {(20)} ({It was tempting to hinder +the development of Black's queenside -} 20. Rb1 Re7 21. Bd6 $6 {, but then +with the exchange sacrifice} Rxe4 $1 22. fxe4 Nxe4+ {and ...Nxd6 he would have +gained chances of a draw.}) 20... Be6 {(2)} 21. Rb1 {(2)} Re7 {With the idea +of ...Rae8 and ...Bc8, securely defending the b7-pawn.} 22. Rhd1 {(2)} (22. Bd6 +Rd7 23. Bc5 {would have slightly disrupted Black's plans, but after} Re8 24. +Rb2 Rc7 {all the same the bishop would have reached c8:} 25. Bd6 Rd7 26. Bf4 ( +26. e5 $6 Nd5 {is unfavourable for White}) 26... Rde7 {etc.}) 22... Rae8 {(4)} +23. Rb2 {(9) The start of a long-term strategic plan. After the exchange of +one pair of rooks it is important to retain control of the d-file. Black will +be forced also to aim for the exchange of the second pair of rooks, but during +this time White will advance his kingside pawns as far as possible, in order +to win the coming ending with two bishops against bishop and knight. In the +end I managed to carry this out, and I would venture to assert that the +starting position is won even against the best defence by Black (subsequently +there were moments when he could have made things more difficult for his +opponent).} Bc8 {(4)} 24. Rbd2 {(13)} Rd7 {(8)} 25. Rxd7 {(4)} Nxd7 26. g4 Nc5 +{(12)} ({Black should have included} 26... h6 27. h4 {and only then played} Nc5 +{, in order after g4-g5 to reduce the power of White's pawn phalanx by the +exchange ...hxg5.}) 27. Be3 {(2)} Nd7 {(8)} ({The exchange of rooks by} 27... +Ne6 28. f4 Rd8 29. f5 Rxd1 30. Bxd1 {would not have prevented White from +quickly achieving absolute domination.}) ({It is easier to suggest than to +decide on the sharp} 27... Nb3 $5 28. Bb6 c5 (28... Be6 {is insufficient:} 29. +f4 f6 30. f5 Bf7 31. Rd7) 29. Bc4 Be6 {, when after} 30. Bxe6 ({and after} 30. +Bxb3 $5 Bxb3 31. Rd7 c4 32. Rxb7 c3 33. Be3 $1 Bd1 34. Rb6 Ra8 35. Rc6 c2 36. +g5 Kf8 {the opposite-colour bishops would still have retained some hopes}) +30... fxe6 31. Rd7 Rc8 $1 32. Bc7 c4 33. Be5 c3 34. Rxg7+ Kf8 35. Rxh7 Rc5 36. +Rxb7 c2 37. Bb2 {(f4)} c1=Q 38. Bxc1 Nxc1 39. h4 Rc2+ 40. Ke3 e5 41. f4 Rh2 { +Black would retain drawing chances.}) 28. g5 $1 {(9) Now one can talk of a +decisive positional advantage for White: the pawn offensive on the kingside is +bound to bring him victory.} Ne5 {(2)} (28... Re5 $6 {is incorrect in view of} +29. f4 $1 {, when neither} Rxa5 $2 ({nor} 29... Rxe4 $2 30. Bg4 Re7 31. Bc5 $1 +{is possible}) 30. Bg4 {.}) 29. Bd4 ({Care is essential: the hasty} 29. Kg3 $6 +{would have allowed Black to activate his pieces by} Be6 {with the idea of} 30. +Rb1 Bc4 31. Bd1 Re7 {.}) ({But nowadays I would have played} 29. h4 $1 { +immediately, since in the event of} Be6 30. Rb1 {the bishop would have to +return again to c8.}) 29... Ng6 {(4)} 30. Kg3 {(2)} Nf8 {(5)} 31. h4 {(7)} ({ +The thorough - indeed, in the style of Smyslov himself! - preparation of the +pawn storm would have been more methodically concluded by} 31. Bc3 $1 {. +However, here several ways lead to the goal.}) 31... Rd8 {(2)} 32. f4 Be6 {(6)} +({The exchange of rooks -} 32... Ne6 33. Bb6 Rxd1 34. Bxd1 {would not have +helped Black, since his last piece capable of any activity would have +disappeared, and after} g6 35. Bg4 Bd7 36. f5 {the invasion of the white king +would have decided.}) 33. Bc3 $1 {(14)} ({More accurate than} 33. f5 $6 Bb3 34. +Rd2 c5 $1 35. Bc3 Rxd2 36. Bxd2 Nd7 {, when Black activates his game somewhat.} +) 33... Rxd1 34. Bxd1 Nd7 {(2)} ({It was not possible to prevent f4-f5 (} 34... +g6 35. Bc2 {).}) 35. f5 Bc4 36. h5 {(3) Another fighting unit has joined the +attack.} (36. Kf4 f6 $5 37. e5 $1 fxe5+ 38. Bxe5 {is also strong - after} Nxe5 +39. Kxe5 {the activity of White's king enables him to win the bishop endgame:} +Bd3 40. Bb3+ Kf8 41. Be6 Ke7 42. Bc8 Kd8 43. Bxb7 Kc7 44. f6 $1 {etc.}) 36... +h6 {(2)} ({If} 36... f6 $2 {there is the decisive} 37. h6 $1 Nc5 38. Bc2 {with +the creation of connected passed pawns. But after the move in the game (and it +was not possible to avoid it) Black has yet another weakness - the h6-pawn.}) +37. gxh6 gxh6 38. e5 $1 Nc5 {(2)} 39. Kf4 Bd5 {(2)} 40. Bc2 f6 $6 {(4) The +last move before the time control, made with the flag about to fall.} (40... +Bc4 {was more resilient, but Smyslov, realising that in any event White will +find a way of converting his enormous positional advantage, immediately fixed +the pawn position, hoping to set up a fortress. Alas, this was an illusion...}) +41. e6 {(4)} Kg7 42. Bb4 {(4)} (42. Bd4 Nb3 43. e7 Kf7 44. Bxf6 $1 {etc. was +rather more forceful.}) 42... Nb3 {(2)} 43. Ke3 {(now Black is paralysed)} c5 { +(3)} ({The helplessness of a knight in the battle against a passed rook's pawn +is illustrated by the amusing variation} 43... Bc4 44. Bc3 Bd5 45. Be4 $1 Nc5 +46. Bxd5 cxd5 47. Kd4 Ne4 48. Bb4 Ng3 49. Kxd5 Nxf5 50. Kc5 Ng3 51. Kb6 Nxh5 +52. Kxb7 Nf4 53. Kxa6 Nxe6 54. Kb6 {etc.}) 44. Bc3 {Here the game was +adjourned.} Kf8 {(50) After agonising thought Smyslov sealed this move, but +he resigned without bothering to resume the game;} (44... Nc1 45. Ba4) ({or} +44... c4 45. Be4 Bc6 46. Bxc6 bxc6 47. Ke4 {(zugzwang) was hopeless for Black.} +) ({White wins by both} 44... Kf8 45. Bxb3 ({and} 45. Be4 Bxe4 46. Kxe4 Ke7 47. +Kd5) 45... Bxb3 46. Bxf6 {.}) (44... -- {This game, like the 3rd, once again +demonstrated the superiority of two bishops in an open position. It +essentially deprived Smyslov's supporters of their last hopes - the score was +now 6-3. --- But Vasily Vasilievich fought to the end. I also continued +playing at full strength and I very much wanted to discover whether the +predictions of the 'Kiev prophet' would be fully realised. --- In the 10th +game (cf. Game No.91, note to Black's 12th move), exploiting my opponent's +uncertain play in a sharp endgame, I seized the initiative and gained good +winning chances. But on the 38th move, as though bewitched by the pre-match +forecast, I suddenly offered a draw. Naturally, the surprised Smyslov agreed. +--- But in the 11th game with Black he unexpectedly engaged me in a 'last and +decisive' battle in the Chigorin Defence. This opening was clearly not in +accordance with his style, and White developed a powerful attack, based on the +power of two bishops (during the match my opponent afforded me this advantage +too often). By the 20th move it seemed that a crushing defeat was inevitable +and that I would at last disgrace the prophet, but mysticism again triumphed: +after my mistake on the 22nd move Smyslov found an unanticipated resource and +literally by a miracle he gained a draw - 7-4! I was very upset that I did not +make the decisive move, which everyone saw apart from me, and on the advice of +Dr. Gasanov I took my second time-out, in order to relax a little, pull myself +together, and get away from chess concerns.}) 1-0 + +[Event "91: Candidates Final, Vilnius"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1984.04.07"] +[Round "12"] +[White "Smyslov, V."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "D34"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "80"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{Now came the 12th game, the last genuinely fighting game of the match. The +events in it took a fascinating course. Smyslov was full of resolve to score +at least one win, not even suspecting that the prognosis was not good for him...} 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c5 3. c4 e6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. +Nc3 Nc6 9. Bg5 cxd4 10. Nxd4 h6 11. Be3 Re8 12. a3 {Korchnoi's novelty from +the 2nd game of our match.} ({Against me Beliavsky played both} 12. Qa4) ({and +} 12. Qc2 {(cf. Game No.79)}) ({while a little later Karpov played} 12. Qb3 { +(Game Nos. 11, 13 in 'Kasparov vs. Karpov 1975-1985').}) 12... Be6 {Again, as +in the 2nd, 8th and 10th games, the players made the first twelve moves at +blitz speed.} 13. Nxe6 $5 {Another novelty - and an important moment, which +was hardly remarked on by the commentators. After failing to gain an advantage +in the 8th and 10th games, Smyslov became disillusioned with his patent move +13 Kh1.} ({Against Korchnoi I was able to demonstrate the viability of Black's +position after} 13. Qb3 Qd7 14. Nxe6 fxe6 15. Rad1 Bd6 16. Bc1 Kh8 17. Qa4 Qe7 +18. e3 a6 19. Qh4 Rac8 {.}) ({But in the Vilnius match an original surprise +awaited me, testifying to the seriousness of Smyslov's opening preparation -} +13. Kh1 $5 {.} -- ({. In the 2nd game after} 13... Qd7 $6 14. Nxe6 fxe6 15. f4 +$1 Red8 16. Bg1 Rac8 17. Qa4 Kh8 18. Rad1 Qe8 19. e4 {White gained the +initiative.}) ({. But then I improved with} 13... Bg4 $1 14. f3 (14. h3 Bd7 $1) +14... Bh5 {with the sequel} 15. Bg1 (15. Nxc6 bxc6 16. Na4 Qc8 $1 17. Bd4 Qe6 +18. Rc1 Nd7 {(10th game), in both cases achieving comfortable play}) 15... Qd7 +$1 16. Qa4 Bc5 17. Rad1 Bb6 18. Rfe1 Bg6 $1 {(8th game).})) 13... fxe6 { +Black's central pawn pair is threatened with an attack by e2-e4 or f2-f4-f5. +White's next few moves serve as a preparation for these operations.} 14. Qa4 +Rc8 {(37)} 15. Rad1 {(2)} Kh8 {(14)} ({In general a useful prophylactic move, +but for the moment there was no particular need for it, and the immediate} +15... a6 $5 {was worth playing, with the idea of} 16. Kh1 Na5 {.}) 16. Kh1 { +(10) It only remains for White to play f2-f4 and Bg1, and he will achieve a +favourable position similar to that in the 2nd game. But here Black's pieces +are better placed for creating counterplay.} a6 {(4)} ({The immediate} 16... +Na5 $1 {was more accurate, since after} 17. Bxa7 ({in the event of} 17. f4 Nc4 +{Black gains an important tempo and the entire rhythm of White's attack is +disrupted (} 18. Bc1 Qb6 $1 {)}) 17... Nc4 {White would have been in danger of +losing his bishop:} 18. Qb3 ({or} 18. Qb5 b6 19. Na4 Nd7 20. e4 Qc7 21. exd5 +Qxa7 22. dxe6 Nf6 {, and it is only a question of compensation for the piece}) +18... b6 19. e4 Qc7 20. Nb5 Qb7 $1 {.}) 17. f4 $1 {(9)} Na5 {(16)} ({If} 17... +Qa5 {, then} 18. Qc2 $1 {is unpleasant, for example:} Ng4 19. Bg1 Bf6 20. f5 d4 +21. Ne4 Ne7 22. Qd2 $1 Qxd2 23. Rxd2 Nxf5 24. Nxf6 gxf6 25. Bxb7 {with the +better endgame.}) 18. f5 $1 {(46)} ({White needs to hurry:} 18. Bg1 $6 Nc4 19. +Qb3 Bc5 $1 {(disclosing the weakness of the e3-square). Now, however, the +situation becomes critical: one more move, and Black's defences in the centre +will collapse, so time is precious for him as well.}) 18... b5 {(13) I +praised this move in both 'Informator' and 'The Test of Time', but now I think +that it is not without its dangers, since it drives the queen to the main part +of the battlefield and helps White to carry out his plan.} ({However, Black +did not have an easy choice:} 18... Rc4 $6 19. Qc2 e5 20. Qd2 $1 (20. Bg1 d4 +21. e3 Bxa3 $1 {with equality}) 20... d4 21. Bxh6 -- ({, and after} 21... gxh6 +$2 22. Qxh6+ Kg8 23. g4 $1 {White's attack is indeed irresistible.}) (21... +dxc3 $2 {is also bad in view of} 22. Bxg7+ Kxg7 23. Qg5+ {and Rxd8}) ({, while +the two relatively best defences leave White with an enduring initiative:} +21... Rf8 22. Ne4 Nxe4 (22... gxh6 $2 23. Qxh6+ Nh7 24. b4 Nc6 25. f6 Bxf6 26. +Qh5 $1 {and wins}) 23. Bxe4 Rc8 24. Rc1) ({, or} 21... Ng4 22. Nd5 $1 Nxh6 23. +f6 Bxf6 (23... Bf8 $6 24. Qg5 $1) 24. Nxf6 Rf8 25. Nd5 Rxf1+ 26. Rxf1 Rc6 27. +Qd3 {etc.})) (18... Nc4 19. Bc1 {, and previously I thought that 'Black cannot +avoid the break-up of his centre':} -- (19... Ng4 $2 20. fxe6 Nge3 21. Bxe3 +Nxe3 22. Nxd5 {etc.}) (19... exf5 20. Nxd5) ({, or} 19... Nb6 20. Qh4 {(b3) is +also insufficient}) ({, but the sacrifice of the d-pawn by} 19... Qd6 $1 20. +fxe6 b5 {would still maintain equality:} 21. Qb3 (21. Qc2 Qxe6 22. Qg6 Ne5) +21... d4 22. Ne4 (22. Rf4 Qxe6 23. Rdxd4 Bc5 24. Rd3 Ng4) (22. Bf4 Qxe6 23. +Rxd4 Bc5 24. Rd3 Ng4 25. Ne4 Qf5 $1) ({or} 22. e3 d3 23. Nd5 Nxd5 24. Rxd3 Rf8 +$1 25. Rfd1 Qxe6 26. Bxd5 Qg4 {etc.}) 22... Nxe4 23. Bxe4 Qxe6 24. Bf5 Qc6+ 25. +Qf3 Rf8 {.})) 19. Qh4 $1 {(6) Now the retribution for the frivolous behaviour +of the black army, which has abandoned its king to the mercy of fate, seems +inevitable. In fact everything is more complicated...} Ng8 {(2) I was proud +of this manoeuvre: 'Using Capablanca's principle "the minimum force in +defence", Black succeeds very quickly in creating effective threats.' Alas, +after the opponent's strongest reply it would have been much harder to do this +than in the game...} ({I condemned the natural move} 19... Nc4 $5 {because of} +20. Bxh6 $1 Nh7 21. Qh5 gxh6 22. fxe6 Ne3 {(?)} ({but in this line Black has +an effective defence:} 22... Bd6 $1 23. Qxh6 Qg5 $1 24. Qh3 Ne3 25. Nxd5 Nxf1 +26. Be4 Qg7 27. Rxf1 Rf8 $1 {, and the compensation for the rook does not +promise White anything more than dynamic equality}) 23. Rf7 {'with mate in a +few moves'.}) (19... Nh7 $5 20. Qh5 Nc4 21. Bxh6 $1 {comes to the same thing.}) +20. Qh3 $2 {(5) Played, apparently, on general grounds: the sacrifice on h6 +may work at some point, and at h3 the queen is more comfortably placed.} ({But +here Smyslov missed his last winning chance in the match -} 20. Qg4 $1 Nc4 21. +Bc1 Bg5 $1 22. fxe6 {. My opponent's second, Viktor Kupreichik, maintained +that after} Bxc1 {(?)} ({the only possibility of resisting was} 22... Nf6 $1 { +(instead of 22...Bxc1?)} 23. Bxg5 Nxg4 24. Bxd8 Rcxd8 25. Rxd5 Rb8 $1 { +followed by ...Nge3 and ...Rxe6. In this dynamic endgame Black would have had +quite good compensation for the pawn and real drawing chances}) 23. Rxd5 $1 Qb6 +({things are obviously bad for Black after} 23... Nd6 {(instead of 23...Qb6)} +24. Ne4 Rc6 25. Rfd1) ({or} 23... Ne3 24. Rxd8 Rcxd8 25. Qf4 Bd2 26. Be4 {(h3)} +) 24. -- (24. Rd7 {(?)} Bg5 $1 25. Rxg7 {the game should have ended in a draw, +but this idea is refuted by} Ne5 $1 {.}) ({. On the other hand, there was an +instant win by} 24. Rf7 $1 Bg5 25. Rxg5 hxg5 (25... Nf6 26. Rxf6 $1) 26. Qh5+ +Nh6 27. Qg6 $1 Nxf7 ({or} 27... Nf5 28. Qxf5 Nd6 29. Qg6 $1 {and Be4}) 28. Be4 +$1 {(Alatortsev).})) 20... Nc4 {(2)} 21. Bc1 {(3)} Bg5 $1 {(2)} 22. fxe6 {(12)} +Bxc1 23. Rxc1 {(12)} ({The intermediate stroke} 23. Rxd5 {is no longer so +strong, if only in view of} Qb6 {, when since} 24. Rxc1 $6 ({White has to save +himself with the help of tactics -} 24. Rd7 $1 Bxb2 25. Rxg7 $1 Qxe6 26. Rff7 +Qxf7 27. Rxf7 Nd6) 24... Nxb2 25. Rd2 Na4 {is advantageous to Black.}) 23... +Ne3 {(4)} 24. Nxd5 $1 {(3) Smyslov was obviously counting on this move - the +only chance of regaining his lost initiative. For the exchange White will have +two pawns and prospects of an attack on the light squares.} Nxf1 $1 {(3)} ( +24... Rxc1 25. Rxc1 Nxd5 26. Rd1 Qf6 $1 ({of course, not my previous suggestion +} 26... Ne3 $2 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28. Kg1) ({or} 26... Ngf6 $2 27. e4 $1) 27. Bxd5 +Qxb2 {was also acceptable, but this variation seemed more dangerous to me in +view of the rather insecure position of my king and the strong passed pawn on +e6.}) 25. Rxf1 Rf8 {(3)} (25... Qg5 {was also not bad. White's activity is +sufficient only for equality: Black has the exchange for 'one and a half' +pawns, all his pieces are in play, and his knight is about to occupy the +blockading post at e7.}) 26. Nf4 $6 {(8) It would appear that Smyslov was +still dreaming of victory - only this can explain his desire to avoid the +exchange of rooks. But the rook on f1 has no future!} ({Previously I +recommended} 26. Be4 {(?!), but after} Ne7 $1 {Black has somewhat the better +chances:} 27. Nxe7 (27. Nf4 Qd4 $1) 27... Qxe7 28. Bf5 g6 $1 29. Bxg6 Rxf1+ 30. +Qxf1 Qxe6 {.}) ({Therefore White should have played} 26. Rxf8 Qxf8 27. Bf3 {, +retaining compensation for the exchange, sufficient for equality.}) 26... Ne7 +27. Qg4 $2 {(9) A serious mistake, with time-trouble imminent. White could +hope for counterplay only by retaining his strong knight on f4.} ({Therefore +he had to play} 27. Qh5 {(with the idea of h2-h4, Qg4 and h4-h5)} Qd4 28. Qh4 ( +28. b4 $5) 28... Qc5 $1 29. Bb7 (29. Qxe7 $2 Rxf4 $1) 29... Rc7 30. Bf3 {when +the position is slightly better for Black, but almost equal. --- Smyslov +wanted to advance h2-h4-h5 without the loss of a tempo, but Black's unexpected +reply conclusively tips the scales in his favour.}) 27... g5 $1 {(13)} ({In +the event of} 27... Qd2 28. h4 Qxb2 29. Kh2 {White could still have held on. +In my choice of move I also took account of the opponent's time-trouble, +endeavouring to set him the most difficult problems, even at the risk of a +counterattack. True, the outwardly dangerous move ...g7-g5 has more virtues +than risks.}) 28. Qh3 {(8) Smyslov was pinning his hopes on this reply.} ({ +After} 28. Nd3 Rxf1+ 29. Bxf1 Qd5+ 30. e4 Qb3 {White has chronic problems:} 31. +h4 Rf8 32. Be2 gxh4 33. Qxh4 Qxe6 {etc.}) 28... Rf6 $1 {Nevertheless forcing +the retreat of the knight.} 29. Nd3 Rxf1+ 30. Bxf1 Kg7 $1 (30... Qf8 $5 {and ...Qf6! was also not bad, but the king move is stronger. Black has achieved +everything he could have dreamed of, and now he is ready to break through with +his rook into the opponent's position.}) 31. Qg4 {(2)} Qd5+ {(3)} ({The goal +would also have been achieved by} 31... Rc4 32. e4 Qd4 33. Nb4 Rc1 34. Qe2 Rb1 +35. Nd3 Nc6 36. h4 Qf6 {etc.}) 32. e4 {The knight on d3 loses its support;} ({ +but} 32. Bg2 $2 {was not possible on account of} Rc1+ $1 {with mate.}) 32... +Qd4 33. h4 Rf8 {(2)} ({The immediate} 33... Qe3 {would have led to White's +complete paralysis, but I decided to set a little trap.}) 34. Be2 Qe3 35. Kg2 ( +{The attempted pawn exchange} 35. hxg5 {was fatal because of the cunning} h5 $1 +{.}) 35... Ng6 36. h5 $2 ({It is hard to offer White any good advice, but even +so} 36. hxg5 hxg5 37. e7 $1 {was more resilient. Now} Nxe7 $6 ({after} 37... +Re8 $1 38. Qf3 Qd2 39. Nc5 Rxe7 40. Qc3+ Qxc3 41. bxc3 Ra7 {White cannot hold +out}) 38. Nf4 $1 {leads to unexpected complications:} Qxe4+ 39. Bf3 Qc2+ 40. +Kh3 Rh8+ 41. Nh5+ Kf8 42. Qd4 Rh7 43. Qf6+ Ke8 44. g4 {- the battle is still +continuing!}) (36. e7 Re8 $1 {.}) 36... Ne7 ({The alternative was} 36... Ne5 $1 +37. Nxe5 Rf2+ 38. Kh3 Qc1 $1 (38... Rf4 $2 39. e7 $1 {with a draw}) 39. Bd1 Qd2 +{, when the curtain comes down.}) 37. b4 Kh7 {(5)} ({Or} 37... Nc6 $5 {, but +all the same White is practically in zugzwang.}) 38. Kh2 Rd8 39. e5 Rxd3 40. +Bxd3+ Qxd3 {. In the 13th game the 'planned' draw was agreed on the 16th move +(cf. Game No.90, note to White's 7th move), and this mystical match concluded +ahead of schedule with the predicted score 8½-4½. --- The basis of my +win was successful play with Black. I now knew that in matches a player's mood +directly depends on this: if with Black all is going well, you can calmly try +to exploit the advantage of the white pieces. On the whole I was better in +complicated situations, but I gained the greatest satisfaction from two +endgames, where I managed - against none other than Smyslov! - to convert a +comparatively small positional advantage. --- Yes, I did not always win the +won positions, but in general this was a successful match for me. Not once did +I have a really bad position, although there were problems in the 2nd and 12th +games. And I was very happy that I did not lose a single game: after all, the +next match, the main one with Karpov, was to be played not only to six wins, +but also to six defeats...} 0-1 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "'Return Match of the Century'"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.08"] + +{Four-round match USSR v. Rest of the World (London, 24-29 June 1984) - 21-19 +(5-5; 6-4; 5½-4½; 4½-5½). Board results: 1. Karpov-Andersson - 2½-1½; 2. Kasparov-Timman - 2½-1½ etc.} 1. -- {To celebrate my victory +in the final Candidates match against Smyslov, a reception was held in the +Spartak Sports Society Chess Club in Moscow with the participation of +Petrosian and Tal. When someone in the audience asked me: 'What do you think +of Fischer?', I replied: 'This question would be better answered by his +opponents, the living legends who are present here!' On hearing these words, +the dozing Tal (who was slightly sedated) raised his head and muttered: +'Barely living legends...' Petrosian threw him an angry glance, but then +picturesquely registered his acceptance, gave in and burst out laughing... +Although he was already seriously ill, he nevertheless agreed to help me +prepare for the forthcoming world championship match with Karpov in the autumn, +and we even met on a couple of occasions. --- Petrosian was dreaming of +playing that summer in the USSR v. Rest of the World match, and was preparing +to travel with the team, refusing to believe that his illness was incurable. +But, alas, his days were numbered, and on 13th August Tigran Vartanovich +passed away. The games and lengthy conversations with the Great Master were +enormously beneficial to me, and much of his valuable experience came in +useful in the fight for the world crown. His deep philosophical approach to +everything associated with chess helped in developing staunchness of spirit, +and in holding out in the most difficult situations.} (1. -- {At the end of +June 1984 both Karpov and I had to interrupt our preparations for a week and +head off to London for the long-awaited second USSR v. Rest of the World match. +The first, I should remind you, called the 'Match of the Century', took place +in 1970 and was won by the USSR team - 20½-19½. Not surprisingly, before +the London meeting the world press began talking about the 'Return Match of +the Century'. Over the intervening 14 years the team line-ups (each had ten +main players and two reserves) had changed almost beyond recognition - of the +previous combatants there remained only Korchnoi (who had switched teams), +Larsen, Polugayevsky, Smyslov and Tal. --- Our first three boards were well +known: Karpov, Kasparov and Polugayevsky. But our opponents, with the aim of +improving their results, cunningly changed their board order: Korchnoi was +sent to torment Polugayevsky, the impregnable Andersson was to 'man the gate' +against Karpov, and the experienced Timman was pitched against the 'excitable' +Kasparov. This idea only partially justified itself: Korchnoi did indeed +defeat Polugayevsky (+1=3, including a draw with the reserve Tukmakov), but +Karpov and I beat our opponents by the same score. However, the best result +was achieved by Beliavsky: by twice beating Seirawan on board 6 and scoring 1½ out of 2 against the reserve Larsen, he notched up 3½ out of 4! As a +result, revenge was not gained: the Soviet team also won this match - 21-19. +--- I enjoyed an obvious advantage in my mini-match with Timman - I was +constantly pressing, but in the first three games I did not manage to win. +Before the 4th and last round our team was ahead by 'plus three' and was +already close to victory in the match, but I wanted to make a worthy +contribution to the overall aggregate and also to keep up with Karpov!}) * + +[Event "92: Return Match of the Century, London"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1984.06.28"] +[Round "4"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Timman, J."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D55"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "67"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 O-O 6. e3 {(6)} h6 (6... Nbd7 { +- Game No.33.}) 7. Bxf6 (7. Bh4 {- Game Nos. 20, 41.}) 7... Bxf6 8. Qc2 ({ +Instead of the approved} 8. Qd2 {(Game No.54), I chose a fresh and, for me, +semi-experimental continuation with my favourite queenside castling, which had +been tried in the recent game Lerner-Georgadze (Nikolaev 1983). After a brief +analysis it seemed quite promising to me.}) 8... c5 {The main reply.} (8... Na6 +$5 9. Rd1 c5 {- Game No.56 in 'Kasparov vs. Karpov 1975-1985'.}) 9. dxc5 Qa5 { +(8)} ({It soon transpired that the simple} 9... dxc4 $1 {is better, as in the +27th game of my first match with Karpov (Game No.31 in 'Kasparov vs. Karpov +1975-1985').}) 10. cxd5 exd5 {(3)} 11. O-O-O $1 {The key idea of the new +variation. According to Larsen, an isolated pawn should not be blockaded, but +attacked and captured!} (11. Qd2 Be6 {(Botvinnik-Bondarevsky, Leningrad 1941)}) +({or} 11. Rd1 Be6 {(Portisch-Ivkov, Budapest 1960) is far more modest.}) 11... +Be6 $2 {(12) But this is already a serious mistake, after which Black is +simply unable to get out of trouble.} (11... Bxc3 $1 {is correct, and after} +12. Qxc3 {one of two lines:} -- (12... Qxc3+ 13. bxc3 Be6 14. Nd4 Rc8 (14... +Nd7 15. c6) 15. e4 $1 {with another divergence:} -- (15... Rxc5 $2 {, and in +the Lerner-Georgadze game, and also in the forgotten source game +Szilagyi-Pogats (Budapest 1952), after} 16. Nxe6 $6 ({however, awaiting Timman +was} 16. exd5 $1 {, when} Bxd5 $2 {, is bad in view of} ({or} 16... Bd7 17. c4 +{retaining the extra pawn (Yusupov-Inkiov, Sofia 1984)}) 17. Nb3 $1 Bxb3 18. +Rd8+ Kh7 19. axb3 {with the inevitable win of the knight}) 16... fxe6 17. exd5 +exd5 18. Rxd5 Rxc3+ 19. Kb2 Rc8 {Black held this slightly inferior endgame.}) ( +15... dxe4 16. Nxe6 fxe6 17. Bc4 Kf7 18. Rhe1 Na6 $1 19. Bxa6 bxa6 20. Rxe4 +Rxc5 21. Rd7+ Kf6 22. Kd2 $1 ({in correspondence games} 22. Kc2 Rac8) ({and} +22. Re3 Rf5 {have been tried, in each case with equality}) 22... Rac8 23. Rxa7 +R8c6 (23... Rxc3 24. Rxa6) 24. Rf4+ Ke5 25. Rf3 {with an extra pawn, but Black +can hope for a draw})) (12... Qxa2 {(this capture is nevertheless better than +its poor reputation)} 13. Bd3 Nc6 {(½-½, Nikolic-Ljubojevic, Wijk aan Zee +1986), and here I was planning} 14. Kd2 $1 {with some advantage - subsequently +this move brought White success in both over-the-board and correspondence +tournaments.})) 12. Nxd5 Rc8 {(37)} (12... Bxd5 13. Rxd5 Qxa2 14. Bc4 Qa1+ ( +14... Bxb2+ $2 15. Kd1 $1 {and wins}) 15. Qb1 Qa4 16. Qa2 {is also +advantageous to White (Sturua-Klovans, Lvov 1984).}) 13. Kb1 $1 {The point of +the entire plan;} ({after} 13. Nxf6+ $2 gxf6 {Black's counterplay could have +become threatening.}) ({Nothing was given by} 13. b4 $6 Qa3+ 14. Kb1 Bxd5 15. +Rxd5 Nc6 (15... Qxb4+ {is also possible}) 16. Qb3 Qxb3+ 17. axb3 Nxb4 18. Rd7 +Rd8 $1 {, quickly regaining the pawn. --- Here Timman again sank into thought: +Black faces a difficult choice.}) 13... Bxd5 {(22)} ({It turns out that} 13... +Rxc5 14. b4 $1 Rxc2 15. Nxf6+ gxf6 16. bxa5 {is clearly in White's favour, for +example:} -- (16... Rc8 17. Nd4 Nc6 18. Nxe6 fxe6 19. Bc4) ({, or} 16... Rxf2 +$6 17. Rd8+ Kg7 18. Nd4 {- annotating the game in 'Informator', I gave this +variation as winning, but nine years later it occurred in a grandmaster game! +After} Bxa2+ 19. Ka1 (19. Kc1 $5) 19... f5 20. Bd3 {White won without +difficulty (van Wely-Geller, Tilburg 1993).})) ({Attempts to develop the +knight immediately are also unsatisfactory:} 13... Nd7 $2 14. b4 $1 Qd8 15. Bb5 +) (13... Nc6 $6 14. Nxf6+ gxf6 15. a3) ({or} 13... Na6 $6 14. Bxa6 bxa6 15. Qd2 +$1 Qxc5 16. Nxf6+ gxf6 17. Nd4 {etc.}) 14. Rxd5 Nc6 15. Bc4 $2 {(4) My eyes +were dazzled by the mass of tempting possibilities!} ({The natural move} 15. a3 +$1 {seemed too cautious to me, but after} Ne7 16. Rd7 $1 Rxc5 17. Qb3 Rac8 18. +Bd3 {White is a more than healthy pawn to the good.}) 15... Nb4 {(5)} ({Now} +15... Ne7 $2 16. Rd7 $1 Rxc5 {is catastrophic for Black in view of} 17. Nd2 {.} +) 16. Qd2 $1 ({There was no reason to play} 16. c6 Qc7 17. Qb3 bxc6 18. Rd2 +Rab8 {with hopes of counterplay.}) 16... Rxc5 17. Rxc5 Qxc5 18. Rc1 Qb6 $2 {(1) +Returning the favour.} (18... Qe7 {, my 'Informator' recommendation, demanding +accurate play of White, is also insufficient:} 19. a3 $1 Qe4+ 20. Ka1 a5 21. +Qd1 $1 (21. Nd4 $6 Nc6 $1 {with some compensation for the pawn}) {, and if} +21... Rd8 {, then} 22. Qa4 b5 23. Bxb5 $1 (23. Qxb5 $4 Qc2 $1 {, and Black +rejoices}) 23... Bxb2+ 24. Kxb2 Nd3+ 25. Kb1 Nb4+ 26. Ka1 {and wins.}) ({But +Black would have retained real chances of saving the game after} 18... Qf5+ $1 +19. Ka1 Rd8 $1 {(an unexpected resource!)} 20. Qxb4 $1 Qc2 $1 21. Bxf7+ $1 Kh7 +$1 22. Bg6+ ({or} 22. Rb1 Rd1 23. Nd2 Rxd2 24. Bg6+ Qxg6 25. a3) 22... Qxg6 23. +a3 Qxg2 {and although the material advantage is on White's side, he would have +serious cause to regret that he did not play 15 a3!.}) 19. Qd7 $1 {(24) +Apparently a move that simply suggests itself, but before it was made all the +nuances arising in the event of leaps by the black knight had to be taken into +account.} Rf8 {(9)} (19... Nd5 $2 20. Bb3) ({or} 19... Nd3 $5 20. Rc2 {are +weak alternatives.}) ({Apparently Timman had been counting on} 19... Nxa2 $5 +20. -- ({, say} 20. Bxf7+ $2 Kf8 21. Nd4 Bxd4 22. exd4 Rd8 23. Rc8 Rxc8 24. +Qxc8+ ({after} 24. Bxa2 $4 Qg6+ {it is Black who gives mate!}) 24... Kxf7 25. +Kxa2 Qxd4 26. Qxb7+ Kg8 {with drawing chances in the queen endgame.}) ({. But +here he noticed that after} 20. Rc2 $1 {the knight has no good move:} Nb4 ({or +} 20... Nc3+ 21. Kc1 Ne4 22. Qxf7+ $1 ({but not my earlier variation} 22. Bxf7+ +Kh8 23. Ne5 $2 {in view of} Nd6 $1) 22... Kh8 23. Qd5 Nc5 24. Be2 {with an +obvious advantage}) 21. Ne5 $1 Bxe5 22. Bxf7+ Kh7 23. Rc8 Rxc8 24. Qxc8 h5 25. +f4 $1 {and wins.})) 20. Qb5 $1 {(5)} Qd6 {(6)} ({It is hard to recommend the +endgame after} 20... Qxb5 21. Bxb5 Rd8 22. a3 {as being the lesser evil.}) 21. +e4 {(7) 'An accurate move, creating the threat of e4-e5', I commented in the +magazine '64'.} ({But the modern computer considers the crude} 21. Qxb7 $1 {to +be more accurate:} Rb8 (21... Kh8 22. Qe4 $1) 22. Qxf7+ Kh8 23. b3 {and wins.}) +21... Nc6 ({If} 21... Qe7 {, then} 22. e5 Bg5 23. Nxg5 hxg5 24. e6 $1 {.}) 22. +Bd5 ({Again} 22. Qxb7 $1 {was more forceful:} Rb8 ({or} 22... Ne5 23. Qd5 $5 { +etc.}) 23. Qxf7+ Kh8 24. b3 {.}) 22... a6 $2 {(7) Giving up a second pawn is +equivalent to capitulation.} (22... Qd7 $6 23. Bxc6 bxc6 24. Qxc6) ({or} 22... +Rb8 23. Qb3 $1 Qc7 24. h4 {with the threat of g2-g4-g5 was also bad for Black.} +) ({However, he should have tried to save the game with the help of +opposite-colour bishops by} 22... Nd4 $1 23. -- (23. Nxd4 Bxd4 24. Rd1 Qb6 25. +Qxb6 Bxb6) ({, or} 23. Qxb7 Nxf3 24. gxf3 Qxh2 25. Qxa7 Qe5 26. Rc2 h5 {with +counterplay.}) ({. After this I was intending to play} 23. Qd3 $1 Qb6 (23... +Nxf3 $2 24. Bxf7+ $1) 24. e5 Nxf3 25. exf6 Ne5 26. Qf5 {, considering White's +advantage after the forced} gxf6 {to be quite convincing. But here there would +still have been work to do!})) (22... Ne5 23. Ne1 $1 {.}) 23. Qxb7 {(7)} Ne5 ({ +It is easy to see that there is no way of saving the game:} 23... Nb4 24. Qc7) +({or} 23... Ne7 24. Bb3 $1 {etc.}) 24. Rc8 Rxc8 25. Qxc8+ Kh7 26. Qc2 $1 {(2)} +(26. Qc2 {with the cunning idea} Nxf3 $2 27. e5+ $1 {.}) 26... Kg8 {(6)} 27. +Nd2 {(6)} g5 {Because f2-f4 was threatened, but now the white knight heads for +f5.} 28. a3 {(3)} Kg7 {(2)} 29. Nf1 {(9)} Qb6 30. Ng3 {(2)} Kg6 31. Ka2 {(2)} +h5 32. Qc8 {(2)} h4 {(7)} 33. Qg8+ {(3)} Bg7 34. Nh5 {(6) Times: 1.45-2.27. +--- It was pleasant for me to draw level with Karpov. My win was even the more +impressive looking one, since at that time and until the end of the 1980s +Timman was the strongest of the 'indigenous' western players.} 1-0 + +[Event "93: Simultaneous Display, London"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1984.06.30"] +[Round "?"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Conquest, S."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D16"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "55"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{Immediately after the 'Return Match of the Century' I was invited to take +part in a fascinating event - the first simultaneous display in history, where +the moves were transmitted via the cosmos by satellite. The idea of such a +simul' arose literally in passing, and everything was prepared within 48 hours. +Play was on ten boards. I was in London, along with the five best English +junior players, selected by the British Chess Federation. A further five +opponents - participants in the recent USA Junior Championship, among them +future grandmasters, 12-year-old Ilya Gurevich and 16-year-old Patrick Wolff - +played in New York. I defeated them 5-0, but the English players put up far +more tenacious resistance. --- I remember there being a pretty mating finish +in the game with a future grandmaster, 17-year-old Stuart Conquest.} 1. d4 d5 +2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bg4 6. Ne5 Bh5 7. f3 ({The alternative is +} 7. g3 {.}) 7... Nfd7 8. Nxc4 e5 9. Ne4 {I was only very superficially +acquainted with this variation, but I knew that the knight move was the main +one;} ({although} 9. Be3 {is also not bad, K.Grigorian-Vasyukov, 42nd USSR +Championship, Leningrad 1974.}) 9... Bb4+ 10. Bd2 Qe7 11. Bxb4 {The most +popular line.} (11. dxe5 O-O 12. Rc1 ({or} 12. f4 {leads to double-edged play +with slightly the better chances for White.})) 11... Qxb4+ 12. Qd2 Qxd2+ 13. +Kxd2 exd4 14. Ned6+ Ke7 15. Nxb7 {This is not bad - what a pawn to capture!} ({ +But} 15. Nf5+ $5 {is more timely:} Kf6 (15... Kd8 16. Nxd4 {is no better, +Bagirov-Podgaets, Tbilisi 1973}) 16. Nxd4 Rd8 17. e4 Nc5 18. Ke3 Rxd4 19. Kxd4 +Nb3+ 20. Kc3 Nxa1 21. Be2 Nd7 22. Rxa1 {, and Black is unable to equalise:} -- +(22... Nc5 {(Polugayevsky-Hübner, Tilburg 1985)} 23. g4 $1 Bg6 24. h4 { +(Polugayevsky) with an unpleasant initiative}) (22... Ke7 23. b4 (23. Na5 $5 +Rb8 24. Ba6 $1) 23... f6 24. Rd1 Nb6 (24... Rb8 25. Ne3 $5) 25. Na5 Nxa4+ $6 ( +25... Rb8 26. Ba6 $5 {- Kramnik}) 26. Kb3 Nb6 27. Nxb7 {(Kramnik-Damljanovic, +Moscow Olympiad 1994). In this game, which I witnessed with my own eyes, White +won easily, and the soon the entire variation almost disappeared from +tournament play.})) 15... Na6 16. Nba5 $6 {A dubious venture: by rushing to +bring back his knight, White only loses time.} ({The modest} 16. e3 $1 {was +more appropriate:} dxe3+ (16... Ndc5 $6 17. Nxc5 Nxc5 18. Na5 {is advantageous +to White, Adorjan-Flear, Szirak 1986}) 17. Nxe3 {with a small advantage.}) +16... Nb4 {(now Black has an excellent game)} 17. Ra3 Nc5 (17... Kf6 {was also +not bad, when a possible continuation is} 18. h4 Nc5 19. g4 Bg6 20. g5+ Ke7 21. +h5 Bf5 {with equality.}) 18. e3 dxe3+ ({A temporary pawn sacrifice was also +possible -} 18... Rhd8 $5 19. exd4 Kf8 {, hiding the king.}) 19. Rxe3+ Kf6 20. +g4 Rad8+ 21. Ke2 Bg6 22. h4 {In this dynamic middlegame-type position Black +has to concern himself with his advanced king. But here my opponent clearly +overestimated his chances.} h5 $2 ({Of course, Black should have given a +bishop check -} 22... Bd3+ {, and after} 23. Kf2 Bxf1 24. Rxf1 Rhe8 25. Rxe8 +Rxe8 26. b3 {the balance would have been maintained.}) (22... h6 {was also +acceptable. No sooner had Conquest placed his pawn on h5, than I saw a fitting +refutation of Black's aggression.}) 23. g5+ Kf5 24. Nb7 $3 ({Apparently Black +was attracted by the counter-attacking variation} 24. Re5+ $2 Kf4 25. Rxc5 Nd3 +26. Rxc6 Rhe8+ {, in which an active role is played by his king. But after the +sudden diversionary knight sacrifice he himself ends up in a mating net!}) +24... Rd4 ({After} 24... Nxb7 {White wins with the problem-like} 25. Re4 $1 { +(with the mating threats Ne3 and Bh3)} Bh7 26. Bh3+ Kg6 27. Ne5# {.}) 25. Kf2 +$1 {(again a spectacular move: the white king joins the attack)} Rxc4 (25... +Kf4 26. Nxc5 {.}) 26. Kg3 $1 Rxh4 (26... Re4 27. fxe4+ Nxe4+ 28. Kf3 {was also +hopeless, for example:} Nd2+ ({or} 28... Ke5 29. Nc5 Nc2 30. Rxe4+ Bxe4+ 31. +Nxe4 Nd4+ 32. Ke3 Nf5+ 33. Kd2 $1 Kxe4 34. Bd3+ {, and Black nevertheless +loses a piece (} Ke5 35. Re1+ Kf4 36. Rf1+ {etc.)}) 29. Ke2 $1 Nxf1 30. Rxf1+ +Kg4 31. Nd6 Bd3+ 32. Rxd3 Nxd3 33. Nxf7 $1 {.}) 27. Rxh4 Nxb7 $2 {A blunder;} ( +{but} 27... Nd5 28. Bh3+ Kxg5 29. Re5+ Kf6 30. Rxd5 cxd5 31. Nxc5 {was also +depressing.}) 28. Rxb4 {. Altogether I won seven games and three ended in a +draw, including the game with the youngest participant, the 12-year-old +schoolboy and future top English grandmaster Mickey Adams, being unable to +breach him in the Caro-Kann (incidentally, four years later in a simul' +against young stars in Cannes I also dropped one and a half points: the more +grown-up Adams beat me, while our Misha Ulybin gained a draw). --- After the +simul' we jointly commented on the games - and this despite the fact that we +(I have in mind my opponents across the ocean) were thousands of kilometres +apart! For those times this was an extraordinary event, and as a farewell I +fervently declared in English: 'Scientific progress should above all serve the +aims of peace and mutual understanding between the nations of our planet!' --- +From London I set off to Barcelona, where for the second successive year I was +presented with an elegant little statue - the chess 'Oscar' for 1983, and then +I rapidly returned home and continued preparing for my first match for the +world crown.} 1-0 + +[Event "?"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "????.??.??"] +[Round "?"] +[White "First Match with Karpov: 84/85"] +[Black "?"] +[Result "*"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "1"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[SourceDate "2012.12.08"] + +{The Karpov-Kasparov match for the world championship (Moscow, 9th September - +15th February 1985) was played to the first to win six games, draws not +counting, but after 48 games, with the score standing at +5-3(=40), it was +terminated 'without a final result'.} 1. -- {The dramatic course of my +unlimited match with Anatoly Karpov and the whodunit-like story of its +termination are covered in detail in 'Kasparov vs. Karpov 1975-1985', and so +here I will mention only the most memorable moments of the battle and will +give two of my best games. --- A match for the crown is fundamentally +different to any Candidates match, even the most difficult and intense. In +particular because here the pretender is opposed by the world champion himself +- a fighter, who is far more skilled in play at the highest level, with a +completely different resistance threshold. In order to overcome him, you must +regularly make moves of the highest quality, and this demands chess and +psychological preparation of a far more serious nature. My experience, +acquired in the qualifying cycle, although extremely useful, proved to be +insufficient. The level of the problems which Karpov set me in our first match, +and I had to set him, exceeded by an order of magnitude that which came before. +--- My group of constant chess helpers consisted of four people: Nikitin, +Shakarov, Vladimirov and Timoshchenko. A fifth - the Lvov grandmaster Iossif +Dorfman - appeared only at the start of the main match. In addition, the +Hungarian grandmaster Andras Adorjan also participated in the last pre-match +training session. Later he was also at the match for several weeks, during its +most unpleasant period. After it Andras stopped coming to our training +sessions (he did not fit into the team), but he helped me both in the second +match with Karpov (1985), and my short matches with Andersson, Timman (1985) +and Miles (1986). It was he who gave me the idea of taking up the Grünfeld +Defence, in which he was a great expert. Andras liked very much analysing +'his' openings and in them he would find new, sometimes unexpected ideas.} (1. +-- {Nikitin: 'This was a small force to carry out the great amount of work +planned, but no one else came to help us: they were afraid of incurring the +wrath of the existing champion and his patrons. And the list of players +enlisted to help Karpov prepare, apart from his official seconds Balashov and +Zaitsev, was initially simply frightening: Geller, Polugayevsky, Makarychev, +Georgadze, Mikhalchishin, Vaganian, Ubilava and Podgaets (in the second match +there was also Salov and Zhelyandinov). Plus young army masters, serving in +the so-called sports company and carrying out the donkey work of compiling +selections of games.' --- The first stage of this marathon match was +distinguished by my nervousness and my numerous mistakes. This applied even to +my favourite dynamic positions, where previously I felt very confident, but +now I was making bad oversights. Surprises during a game made me feel +uncomfortable and undermined my fighting spirit. In the 3rd game, after +encountering an excellent preparation by the opponent to my new move, I became +rattled and my response was not nearly at the standard of a world championship +match. Emotions overcame cold rationality, which is so necessary for such +matches. After this failure, negative feelings developed in my sub-conscious, +leading to a lowering in the standard of my play, and to a loss of +completeness and logic. --- But Karpov played in his customary cool-headed +manner, endeavouring to calculate variations accurately and fully exploit each +of my errors. The stage from the 6th to the 9th games proved disastrous for me: +three defeats, and all with tragic, crude, at times inexplicable mistakes.}) * + +[Event "94: World Championship Match, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1984.09.26"] +[Round "6"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Karpov, A."] +[Result "0-1"] +[ECO "E15"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "140"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 O-O 8. O-O +d5 9. Ne5 c6 10. Bc3 Nfd7 11. Nxd7 Nxd7 12. Nd2 Rc8 13. e4 b5 14. Re1 dxc4 15. +bxc4 Nb6 16. cxb5 cxb5 17. Rc1 Ba3 18. Rc2 Na4 19. Ba1 Rxc2 20. Qxc2 Qa5 21. +Qd1 Rc8 22. Nb3 Qb4 23. d5 exd5 24. exd5 Nc3 {One of the critical moments of +the entire match. Here it would have done no harm for me to remember that in +my childhood I liked arbitrarily to divide the chess board into right and left +halves, and see what the balance of forces was in each of them. In the given +instance all Black's pieces are bunched together on the queenside, having left +their lone king to its fate. The evaluation of the position is obvious: White +has every chance of building up an irresistible attack.} 25. Qd4 $2 ({To this +day I simply can't understand why I went in for the exchange of queens, +instead of playing in my style -} 25. Qh5 $1 {(not the only strong queen move, +but the most resolute!)} -- ({, when} 25... Nxd5 26. Re4 Qd6 27. Rd4 {is bad +for Black}) ({, as is} 25... Qf8 26. Bh3 Rc7 27. Re3 Nxa2 28. Bxg7 $1 Qxg7 29. +Re8+ Bf8 30. d6 $1) ({, or} 25... Nxa2 26. Qe5 $1 Qf8 (26... f6 27. Qe6+ Kh8 +28. Re4 (28. Bxf6 $5) 28... Qd6 29. Qf5 {with crushing threats}) 27. Be4 $1 { +(threatening Qf5)} Kh8 28. Qh5 Qg8 29. Bf5 $1 Rd8 {(otherwise Re4-h4)} 30. Qg5 +$1 Rf8 (30... Rxd5 $2 31. Qxg7+ $1) (30... Nb4 31. Bc3) (30... Bb4) 31. Qd2 $1 +{. A fantastic position, which could well have rivalled the finish to the 16th +game of the second match (1985). White gains a decisive material advantage: 30. +..Nb4 31 Bc3, or 30...Bb4 31 Qxa2 Bxe1 32 Qxa6. It is clear that 25 Qh5! +would have brought me a swift and spectacular win, and with it the score 1-1. +The entire match would have turned out differently! But how - that I do not +know...})) 25... Qxd4 26. Nxd4 Nxa2 27. Nc6 $2 {Some kind of black-out...} (27. +Nf5 $1 {suggested itself, with very strong threats. Botvinnik, who was +following the game, said: 'Now Kasparov will certainly play his knight to f5 - +this is completely in his style.' But the terrible thing is that this more +than natural move (attacking the g7-pawn and threatening d5-d6), which was +heatedly discussed in the press centre, was one that I hardly even considered! +Although, no way for Black to save the game is apparent - in all variations it +is the powerful passed d-pawn that decides matters. But now, as one +commentator said, 'the remainder of the game was torture for White'.}) 27... +Bc5 $1 28. Bh3 $6 (28. Ne7+ $1 Bxe7 29. Rxe7 {would have retained the +initiative and chances of confusing my opponent, who was in time-trouble.}) +28... Ra8 29. Bd4 Bxd4 30. Nxd4 Kf8 $1 {Neutralising the swift-moving passed +pawn.} 31. d6 Nc3 $1 32. Nc6 $2 {And this is already the decisive mistake.} ({ +'White should have forced a draw -} 32. Bg2 Rd8 (32... Re8 $6 33. Ra1) 33. Bc6 +Bc8 34. Nxb5 {.' (Yusupov)}) 32... Bb7 33. Bg2 ({After} 33. Bd7 g6 34. Re3 { +White would lose his passed pawn -} b4 35. Nxb4 Ne4 {, after which the a-pawn +can be stopped only at the cost of a piece.}) 33... Re8 $1 34. Ne5 ({Or} 34. +Ra1 Bxc6 35. Bxc6 Re6 $1 {, winning a pawn.}) 34... f6 35. d7 Rd8 36. Bxb7 fxe5 +{. And after mistakes by both sides Black nevertheless won on the 71st move. +One of the most nightmarish games in my career!} 37. Bc6 Ke7 38. Bxb5 Nxb5 39. +Rxe5+ Kxd7 40. Rxb5 Kc6 41. Rh5 h6 42. Re5 Ra8 43. Ra5 Kb6 44. Ra2 a5 45. Kf1 +a4 46. Ke2 Kc5 47. Kd2 a3 48. Kc1 Kd4 49. f4 Ke4 50. Kb1 Rb8+ 51. Ka1 Rb2 52. +Rxa3 Rxh2 53. Kb1 Rd2 54. Ra6 Kf5 55. Ra7 g5 56. Ra6 g4 57. Rxh6 Rg2 58. Rh5+ +Ke4 59. f5 Rf2 60. Kc1 Kf3 61. Kd1 Kxg3 62. Ke1 Kg2 63. Rg5 g3 64. Rh5 Rf4 65. +Ke2 Re4+ 66. Kd3 Kf3 67. Rh1 g2 68. Rh3+ Kg4 69. Rh8 Rf4 70. Ke2 Rxf5 {. After +the first six games the champion's enormous match experience enabled him to +work out a method of playing for a win: essentially Karpov simply waited for +my next 'gift' and provoked me into mistakes, by creating positions in which +my impulsiveness and unpreparedness for play at the highest level would +increase their probability.} 0-1 + +[Event "95: World Championship Match, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1984.09.28"] +[Round "7"] +[White "Karpov, A."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D34"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "83"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In the 7th game the champion 'served from the other side' - he played 1 d4. +There was no great surprise in this, but when you are in disarray you act +over-sensitively to any innovation by the opponent. I wasted time hesitating, +despite the decision taken beforehand to play the Tarrasch Defence. The +consequence of my uncertainty became severe time-trouble...} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 +3. Nf3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Nc3 Nc6 9. Bg5 cxd4 +10. Nxd4 h6 11. Be3 Re8 12. Qb3 Na5 13. Qc2 Bg4 14. Nf5 Rc8 15. Nxe7+ Rxe7 16. +Rad1 Qe8 17. h3 Bh5 18. Bxd5 Bg6 19. Qc1 Nxd5 20. Rxd5 Nc4 21. Bd4 Rec7 22. b3 +Nb6 23. Re5 Qd7 24. Qe3 f6 25. Rc5 Rxc5 26. Bxc5 Qxh3 27. Rd1 h5 28. Rd4 Nd7 +29. Bd6 Bf7 30. Nd5 Bxd5 31. Rxd5 a6 32. Bf4 Nf8 33. Qd3 Qg4 34. f3 Qg6 35. Kf2 +Rc2 $2 {A terrible time-trouble lapse in a practically equal position: I made +the second move of a variation, having mentally already exchanged the queens!} +({The obvious} 35... Qxd3 36. Rxd3 Rc2 $1 37. a4 g5 38. Bd2 Kf7 39. Bb4 Ne6 40. +Rd7+ Kg6 {would have given an easy draw. --- 'As he was making the move 35...Rc2, Garry winced when he suddenly saw the white queen on the board. Without +taking his hand off the rook, he tried in vain to find another, more +appropriate square. But, on failing to find one, he let go of the "upstart", +and violently bashed the clock button.' (Nikitin)}) 36. Qe3 $1 Rc8 37. Qe7 b5 +$2 ({I was already thoroughly dispirited, and with my flag hanging I was +unable to find} 37... Qf7 38. Qxf7+ Kxf7 39. Rxh5 g5 40. Bd6 {(Averbakh)} Ne6 +$1 {with good saving chances thanks to the active rook:} 41. Rh7+ Ng7 42. g4 +Rc6 43. Bb4 Rc2 {etc.}) 38. Rd8 Rxd8 39. Qxd8 Qf7 40. Bd6 g5 41. Qa8 Kg7 42. +Qxa6 {. This last move was sealed. Without resuming the game, Black resigned. +--- The three defeats at the start of the match killed my fighting spirit, and +I needed time to think about what had happened and regain my composure, even +if only a little...} 1-0 + +[Event "96: World Championship Match, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1984.10.05"] +[Round "9"] +[White "Karpov, A."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "D34"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "139"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{In the 9th game after some hesitation I decided to employ the Tarrasch +Defence again, since the opening outcome of the 7th game had been quite +acceptable for Black. But Karpov was excellently prepared and he was able to +emerge from the opening with a slight advantage. The game was adjourned in an +almost equal endgame, but with my sealed move I made the defence more +difficult, and soon after the resumption I made a serious mistake.} 1. d4 d5 2. +c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Nc3 Nc6 9. Bg5 +cxd4 10. Nxd4 h6 11. Be3 Re8 12. Qb3 Na5 13. Qc2 Bg4 14. Nf5 Rc8 15. Bd4 Bc5 +16. Bxc5 Rxc5 17. Ne3 Be6 18. Rad1 Qc8 19. Qa4 Rd8 20. Rd3 a6 21. Rfd1 Nc4 22. +Nxc4 Rxc4 23. Qa5 Rc5 24. Qb6 Rd7 25. Rd4 Qc7 26. Qxc7 Rdxc7 27. h3 h5 28. a3 +g6 29. e3 Kg7 30. Kh2 Rc4 31. Bf3 b5 32. Kg2 R7c5 33. Rxc4 Rxc4 34. Rd4 Kf8 35. +Be2 Rxd4 36. exd4 Ke7 37. Na2 Bc8 38. Nb4 Kd6 39. f3 Ng8 40. h4 Nh6 41. Kf2 Nf5 +42. Nc2 f6 43. Bd3 g5 44. Bxf5 Bxf5 45. Ne3 Bb1 46. b4 {All the attention of +the two sides is focused on the kingside - the only part of the board where +the white king may be able to break through. Is Black able to prevent this?} +gxh4 $2 ({In expectation of the automatic reply} 46... gxh4 47. gxh4 {(the +basis of our analysis), after which White cannot break through:} Bg6 48. Kg3 +Ke6 49. Ng2 Kd6 50. Nf4 Bf7 51. Nd3 Be6 52. Nc5 Bc8 {with a draw.}) ({In view +of Black's subsequent problems, other ways of defending should have been +sought - for example,} 46... Ke6 $1 {. This was deemed to be the most accurate +reply:} 47. -- ({, now} 47. hxg5 fxg5 48. f4 {fails to} g4 {with a draw.}) ({ +. But there are also other tries:} 47. g4 hxg4 48. hxg5 ({to Dvoretsky's +recommendation} 48. Nxg4 gxh4 49. Kg2 {there is the satisfactory reply} Bf5 50. +Ne3 Bg6 51. Kh3 Bh5 52. f4 Be2 53. Kxh4 Bf3) 48... gxf3 $1 49. gxf6 (49. Kxf3 +fxg5 50. Kg4 Kf6 51. Nxd5+ Kg6 {with a draw - Nunn}) 49... Be4 $1 50. Ng4 Kf7 +51. Kg3 Ke6 52. Ne5 ({or} 52. Kf4 Kf7 53. Ke5 Bg6 $1 54. Kxd5 Bh5 55. Nf2 Kxf6 +{with a draw (Dvoretsky)}) 52... Kxf6 {and Black loses his a6-pawn, but gains +a draw with the help of zugzwang.}) (47. Kg2 Bd3 48. g4 hxg4 ({the waiting move +} 48... Bg6 {will also do}) 49. fxg4 Be4+ 50. Kg3 Kf7 $1 ({but not} 50... gxh4+ +$2 51. Kxh4) 51. h5 Ke6 $1 52. Nd1 Bh7 53. Nc3 Bc2 54. Kf3 Kd6 55. Ke3 Ke6 56. +Kd2 Bh7 {, when the white king cannot break through, and on its own the knight +cannot win the game:} 57. a4 bxa4 58. Nxa4 f5 {etc. Thus 46...Ke6 would have +given Black a simpler draw.})) 47. Ng2 $3 {(14) This unexpected and brilliant +move, which we overlooked in our home analysis, left me in a state of shock +and my resistance almost collapsed. I intuitively sensed that now Black's +position was hopeless...} hxg3+ {(14)} 48. Kxg3 {White quickly picks up the +h5-pawn and breaks through with his king.} Ke6 ({As was shown by Marin, it was +no better to play} 48... Bg6 49. Nf4 Bf7 50. Kh4 Ke7 51. Nxh5 Ke6 (51... Bxh5 +52. Kxh5 {and wins}) 52. Ng7+ Ke7 53. Kg4 {, when after} Kd6 ({while} 53... Bg6 +54. Nh5 Bc2 55. Nf4 Kd6 56. Kh5 Bd1 57. Kg6 Ke7 $1 {leads to a position from +the game (where} 58. Nh5 $1 {etc. is decisive)}) 54. Nh5 {Black loses his +f-pawn and with it the game.}) 49. Nf4+ Kf5 50. Nxh5 Ke6 {(forced, in view of +the threat of Ng7-e8-c7)} 51. Nf4+ Kd6 52. Kg4 Bc2 53. Kh5 Bd1 54. Kg6 Ke7 $1 ( +{Of course, not} 54... Bxf3 $2 55. Kxf6 {, winning the d5-pawn and the game.}) +55. Nxd5+ $2 {A blunder: the d5-pawn was merely hindering Black!} (55. Nh5 $1 { +, which the commentators also overlooked at the time, is far stronger.} -- ({ +. Now} 55... Bc2+ {is insufficient:} 56. Kg7 Ke6 57. Nxf6 Bb1 (57... Kf5 58. +Nxd5 {- Dvoretsky}) 58. Ng4 Kf5 59. Kf7 Kf4 60. Ke6 Kxf3 61. Nf6 Ke3 62. Kxd5 { +and wins (Marin).}) ({. Black must play} 55... Bxf3 56. Nxf6 Be4+ $1 (56... Ke6 +{is worse:} 57. Ne8 Kd7 58. Ng7 Ke7 59. Kf5 Kd6 60. Kf6 {and wins}) 57. Kg5 Bd3 +$1 {, but a joint analysis by Marin and Dvoretsky (2005) demonstrates a pretty +win for White after} (57... Bg2 58. Kf5 {, driving back the king and winning +the d5-pawn}) 58. Ng4 $1 Bf1 $1 59. Ne5 Bh3 60. Kg6 $1 Ke6 61. Nc6 Kd6 62. Na5 +Ke7 63. Nb3 Bd7 64. Nc5 Bc8 65. Kg7 $1 Bf5 66. Nxa6 Bd3 67. Nb8 Bc2 68. Nc6+ $1 +Ke6 ({and if Black defends against the raid along the 8th rank -} 68... Kd7 69. +Ne5+ Ke7 {, White converts his extra pawn by} 70. Ng4 {and Ne3, and then 'he +cannot be prevented from bringing back his king and, after playing his knight +to c3 at a convenient moment, advancing a3-a4' (Dvoretsky)}) 69. Kf8 $1 Bg6 70. +Na7 Bd3 71. Ke8 Be2 72. Nc6 $1 Kd6 73. Ne7 $1 Ke6 74. Kd8 Kd6 (74... Bf1 75. +Nc6) 75. Nf5+ Ke6 76. Ne3 Kd6 77. Kc8 Kc6 78. Kb8 {, when the king breaks +through to the b5-pawn, after which a3-a4 proves decisive. --- But this was +established only twenty years after the match, under the watchful eye of a +computer...})) 55... Ke6 ({Immediately after the game I regretted that I had +not played} 55... Kd6 $5 {. Soviet commentators diplomatically remarked that +after} 56. Nxf6 ({and} 56. Nc3 Bxf3 57. Kxf6 Bg2 {(c6) would have reduced the +game to a drawn position discovered by the analysts}) 56... Bxf3 {'the win is +still not so simple', which translated into modern language means 'the +position is a dead draw':} 57. Kf5 Bg2 58. Kf4 Bh3 59. Ke3 Bf5 60. Ne4+ Kd5 61. +Nc5 Bc8 62. Kd3 Bf5+ {and ...Bc8.}) 56. Nc7+ Kd7 $2 {Submissively giving up a +second pawn. Alas, mentally I was already reconciled to defeat and I did not +suspect how difficult things were for White!} (56... Kd6 {was far stronger, +with the idea of} 57. Nxa6 ({or} 57. Ne8+ Ke7 ({but not} 57... Kd5 $2 58. f4 $1 +) 58. Nxf6 Bxf3 59. Kf5 Kd6 60. Kf4 Bg2 61. Ke3 Bh3 {- with the same draw as +in the previous note}) 57... Bxf3 58. Kxf6 Kd5 {(Averbakh)} 59. Nc7+ Kxd4 60. +Nxb5+ Kc4 {with a draw. But the most surprising thing is that, as a deep +analysis shows, even though two pawns down Black is not lost!}) 57. Nxa6 Bxf3 +58. Kxf6 Kd6 59. Kf5 Kd5 60. Kf4 Bh1 61. Ke3 Kc4 62. Nc5 $1 {(16)} Bc6 (62... +Bg2 {(Geller)} 63. Nd3 Bh1 {(b7) was also suitable.}) 63. Nd3 Bg2 ({'There was +the interesting idea} 63... Be8 64. Ne5+ Kd5 {with the hope of holding out two +pawns down.' (Averbakh)}) 64. Ne5+ {(13)} Kc3 (64... Kd5 $5 {(Averbakh) came +into consideration, for example:} 65. Nd7 ({or} 65. Ng4 Bh3 66. Nh6 Be6) 65... +Bh1 66. Kd3 Be4+ 67. Kc3 Bf3 68. a4 bxa4 69. Nb6+ Kc6 70. Nxa4 Bh5 {(g4), and +the two extra pawns do not bring success (as shown by the Tablebase).}) 65. Ng6 +Kc4 66. Ne7 Bb7 $2 {(17) Only this is the decisive mistake: now Black loses +because of zugzwang.} ({During the game many observers suggested that} 66... +Bh1 $1 {would have been more tenacious, and here a win has still not yet been +found:} 67. -- (67. Nf5 Kd5 $1 68. Ng3 (68. Kf4 Be4 $1 {- Marin}) 68... Bg2 69. +Kd3 $5 {- to this move by Dvoretsky there is Müller's reply} Bf3 $5 70. Nf1 +Be4+ 71. Kc3 Bf3 72. Ne3+ Ke4 73. Nc4 $1 Kd5 $1 74. Nb2 Kc6 75. a4 bxa4 76. +Nxa4 Bh5 {(g4), with the same draw as in the note to Black's 64th move}) (67. +Nc8 Kd5 68. Kd3 Be4+ 69. Kc3 Kc6 {(Timman), and my attempt} 70. Ne7+ Kd7 71. +Ng8 Ke6 72. Nh6 Bf3 73. Kd3 Bh1 74. Ng4 {was parried by Dvoretsky with} Bf3 $1 +({with the idea of} 74... Bg2 $2 75. Nf2 $1 Bf3 ({or} 75... Bf1+ 76. Ke3 {and +Nd3-f4, winning}) 76. Ne4) 75. Ne3 ({or} 75. Nf2 Kd5) 75... Kd6 {.}) (67. d5 $2 +Bxd5 {with a draw.})) 67. Nf5 Bg2 $6 ({'And again} 67... Kd5 {would have set +White more problems' (Averbakh). After} 68. Kd3 Ke6 $1 {to succeed White needs +to transfer his knight to c3, and this aim is achieved only by the paradoxical +move} 69. Ng7+ $3 {, found in 2005 by Müller (obviously at the board it would +have been very hard, if at all possible, to find such a move), for example:} +Kd6 ({or} 69... Kd7 70. Nh5 Bg2 (70... Kd6 71. Nf6 {and Ne4-c3}) 71. Nf4 $1 +Bf1+ 72. Ke4 Kd6 73. Ke3 $1 Bc4 74. Ne2 Ke6 75. Nc3 {and wins}) 70. Ne8+ $1 Kd7 +(70... Ke7 71. Nc7 Bc6 72. d5) 71. Nf6+ Ke6 72. Ne4 Bc6 73. Nc3 {.}) 68. Nd6+ +Kb3 69. Nxb5 Ka4 70. Nd6 $1 ({After} 70. Nd6 Kxa3 71. b5 {the bishop has to be +given up for this pawn. --- Times: 3.25-3.55.}) (70. -- {Thus the score had +increased to 4-0 in Karpov's favour. For me it came as a great shock to lose +four games out of nine, without a single win (just imagine: during the two +preceding years I had only lost three games, and here I had already lost four!) +. I was two steps away from a humiliating rout. --- It only remained, so to +speak, for the champion to wrap up and dispatch his opponent, i.e. me. But +here Karpov violated an undisputable law of the struggle - the opponent must +be finished off. Having decided that I myself would ripen and drop off, like a +mature fruit, he relaxed the pressure. Intoxicated by success, Karpov set +himself a high objective: to win by a 6-0 whitewash and disable a dangerous +rival for a long time. This was no longer a contest only with me, but also +with the shadow of the legendary Bobby Fischer, who in his time won by the +same score (without any draws!) in his Candidates matches with Taimanov and +Larsen.}) (70. -- {The decision not to take risks played into my hands. To +last out for as long as possible, I needed to regain my composure and urgently +change tactics. From here on I began playing extremely cautiously, +endeavouring to exclude even the slightest risk. There followed a record +series of seventeen draws! This came to an end in the 27th game, in which I +lost a drawn endgame. The extreme tension of the two and half months' struggle +nevertheless made itself felt: I relaxed prematurely in a simple position, +which on another day I would have held without difficulty. --- The score +became 5-0 (with 22 draws) and I found myself right on the brink. Those were +difficult days! It seemed to be all over - but here the most interesting part +began. Unexpectedly, the 27th game became a turning-point, and not a 'killer' +as many imagined it would. Who could have thought that there were a further 21 +games to come, and that Karpov would not gain another win?!}) 1-0 + +[Event "97: World Championship Match, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1984.12.07"] +[Round "31"] +[White "Karpov, A."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "1/2-1/2"] +[ECO "D58"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "70"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{The crunch was to come in the 31st game. All the indications were that it was +destined to be decisive. That was their plan. Karpov wore a new suit for the +occasion and he came on to the stage looking smart and fresh - he was +obviously aiming for a win. His entire entourage also turned out in their +Sunday best. From the very start of the game the press centre was full, many +TV cameras were in operation and in the auditorium there was a special tension +in the air - the expectation of something significant was felt. In a secluded +corner behind the stage a laurel wreath, prepared by the USSR Chess Federation, +was awaiting its owner. Everything was ready for the ceremony planned for that +evening. Only one thing remained - to win the game. --- And the first half of +it went well for Karpov. He gained an advantage and was even able to win a +pawn. But then something extraordinary happened: when the situation became +sharper, he simply panicked. Generally speaking, I was the one who should have +panicked, but in fact I was completely calm. To make sure I even took off my +jacket.} 1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 b6 +8. Rc1 Bb7 9. Be2 Nbd7 10. cxd5 exd5 11. O-O c5 12. Qa4 a6 13. dxc5 bxc5 14. +Rfd1 Qb6 15. Qb3 Qa7 16. Bg3 Rad8 17. Ne1 d4 18. exd4 cxd4 19. Na4 Rc8 20. Rxc8 +Rxc8 21. Bc4 Rf8 22. Qd3 $2 {The critical moment of the game.} ({Karpov +decides simply to capture the pawn, but the energetic} 22. Nf3 $1 {would have +set Black far more difficult problems:} Nc5 (22... Bxf3 23. Qxf3 {is also +depressing}) 23. Nxc5 Bxc5 24. Ne5 Ba8 25. f3 ({or} 25. Nd3 Ne4 26. Be5) 25... +Nh5 26. Bf2 Nf4 27. Rc1 {with unpleasant pressure, although it is rather early +to be talking about the inevitability of White winning.}) 22... Bc6 $1 {Thanks +to the poor position of the knight on a4 and his activity in the centre, Black +gains quite good compensation for the pawn.} ({'} 22... Nc5 23. Qxd4 Rd8 $2 { +did not work because of} 24. Qxd8+ $1 Bxd8 25. Rxd8+ Kh7 26. Bb8 $1 Qa8 27. Nb6 +{, and the black queen cannot escape from the dungeon.' (Lilienthal)}) 23. Bb3 +Ne4 {Here I gained something of a new lease of life and calmed down. I +remembered an old game with Alburt (Game No.28), where White was also a pawn +up, but everything was spoiled by his knight being stuck on a4 and hopelessly +inferior in strength to Black's bishop.} 24. Qxd4 Qb7 {This move was not +commented upon: Black is a pawn down, and it would seem that he should avoid +the exchange of queens, doing everything possible to sharpen the play.} ({But +here was a convenient opportunity to exploit the 'hanging' state of the white +pieces:} 24... Qxd4 $5 {(a computer recommendation)} 25. Rxd4 Re8 $5 {(an +ambush!) and ...Bf6, with activity giving a quite easy draw. --- However, at +that moment I sensed some uncertainty on the part of Karpov. Possibly he saw +that his advantage was extremely shaky, and less that it had seemed a few +moves earlier. The feeling that victory was slipping away upset his composure...}) 25. Bd5 {'A timely simplifying manoeuvre' (Averbakh). Was there a worthy +alternative?} ({There was no point in making an escape square for the king -} +25. h3 {in view of} Nxg3 26. fxg3 Bxa4 27. Qxa4 Nc5 {and ...Nxb3.}) ({And after +} 25. Nc3 Ndc5 {Black has good play for the pawn:} 26. Bd5 ({or} 26. Bc2 Nxg3 ( +26... Bf6 $5 27. Qc4 Re8) 27. hxg3 Qxb2 28. Nd5 Qb7 29. Nxe7+ Qxe7 {with +equality}) 26... Bf6 $1 27. Bxc6 (27. Qc4 Nxc3) 27... Qxb2 28. Qxe4 Nxe4 29. +Nxe4 Rd8 {, and after also capturing the a-pawn the black queen will be rather +stronger than the three minor pieces.}) 25... Ndf6 26. Bxc6 Qxc6 27. b3 {The +knight is defended, but it is still out of play.} Re8 (27... Rd8 $5 {was +perhaps more accurate, driving the queen into the corner -} 28. Qa1 {, and +only then} Re8 ({in addition,} 28... Rc8) ({or} 28... Nd2 {is interesting.})) +28. Qd3 $6 {For the second time in this game the queen ends up 'in the wrong +place at the wrong time' (Karpov must have rather unhappy memories of Qd3). +Now the position does indeed become sharp.} ({All the commentators recommended +} 28. Qc4 $1 {, which would still have left White as the stronger side:} -- ( +28... Qb7 {- possibly this is what I would have played, continuing to maintain +the tension. But then Karpov could have created problems for Black with} 29. +Nf3 {, for example:} Rc8 30. Qd3 Qb5 31. Qb1 {, intending to question Black's +compensation for the pawn, although the position is still full of life}) (28... +Qxc4 29. bxc4 Rc8 {. Apparently it was this endgame that my opponent wanted to +avoid, as he was afraid of its drawing tendencies:} 30. Rd4 ({or} 30. Nb6 Rc5 +$1 ({but not} 30... Rc6 31. Nd5 Kf8 32. Nxe7 Kxe7 33. Rc1 $1) 31. Nd3 Rc6 32. +Nd5 Nxd5 33. cxd5 Rc2 34. Re1 Nxg3 35. Rxe7 Rd2 36. hxg3 Rxd3 {, and in both +cases Black should be able to hold the position}) 30... Ng5 $1 31. Nb6 Rc6 32. +Nd5 Kf8 33. Nxe7 Kxe7 34. Nd3 Ne6 35. Rh4 g5 36. Rxh6 Rxc4 {.})) 28... h5 $1 { +Potential tension is created on the kingside, and after the probable exchange . +..Nxg3 and hxg3 the black knight can be established at g4. It was evident that +Karpov had become nervous. And while he was feverishly seeking a simple way of +solving the problems which had suddenly arisen (but there no longer was such a +way), I took off my jacket and with a confident air I began strolling around +the stage.} 29. Qc4 {Too late!} ({In the event of} 29. Nf3 Ng4 {Black also has +good counterplay - the white king is under the fire of his pieces, and the +knight on a4 is a long way away, for example:} 30. Ne5 Nxe5 31. Bxe5 Bh4 {with +clear compensation for the pawn (} 32. f4 Bf2+ 33. Kf1 Ba7 34. Nb2 Nf2 35. Qd7 +Qa8 36. Rd2 Ng4 {).}) 29... Qb7 30. Nf3 Rc8 31. Qe2 Ng4 32. Ne5 Nxg3 33. hxg3 +Qb5 $1 {(now Black has absolutely nothing to fear)} 34. Nc4 ({Or} 34. Qxb5 axb5 +35. Nxg4 hxg4 36. Nb6 Rc2 {with equality.}) 34... Bf6 35. Nab6 Re8 {Here I +offered a draw, and Karpov, with just three minutes left for five moves, +accepted it with a strange sigh of relief.} ({In another situation I could +have played on - say, if} 35... Re8 36. Qf1 {, there is the unpleasant} (36. +Qd2 {is safer:} Be7 $1 37. Nd5 Bc5 38. Nde3 Nxe3 39. Nxe3 Bxe3 40. fxe3 Qg5 { +with equality}) 36... h4 {(although White is not in any great danger). --- +Times: 2.28-2.22. --- This draw was a great moral victory for me. It was not +just that the conclusion of the match, planned for that day, had been +frustrated; the main thing was that it marked a psychological turning-point. I +realised that if I were to continue solving difficult problems as I had in +this game, events in the match would take a different turn. After all, +Karpov's earlier wins had been gained largely thanks to the blunders which had +littered my play from the start. But as soon as I began resisting tenaciously, +seeking only the slightest of counter-chances, Karpov was unable to do +anything with me.}) 1/2-1/2 + +[Event "98: World Championship Match, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1984.12.12"] +[Round "32"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Karpov, A."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "E12"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "81"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{The initiative had passed to me, and it was not surprising that I won the +next game. This was my first win in the 94 days of the match and my first ever +win against Karpov, beginning with our duel in a simultaneous display ten +years earlier (Game No.11).} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 {If Karpov had been +in a peaceable mood that day and had been feeling a lack of strength, he would +probably have chosen a solid set-up in the classical Queen's Gambit.} 4. Nc3 +Bb7 5. a3 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Qc2 ({In the variation with} 7. e3 {(Game Nos. 43, +52, 85)} Nd7 {(10th game), we had not in fact found any promising ideas for +White, and so I made the other approved move.}) ({After} 7. Qc2 {,} -- ({, +Karpov thought for a long time. In the usual line -} 7... c5 8. e4 Nxc3 9. bxc3 +{, where I had gained memorable wins over Murey and Gheorghiu (Game Nos. 73, +75), at that time White had reached an impasse because of} Nd7 10. Bd3 ({ +Portisch's improvement} 10. Bf4 $1 {appeared later (cf. Game No.73, note to +Black's 9th move)}) 10... Qc7 $1 {(Kasparov-Sosonko, Lucerne Olympiad 1982).}) +({. But I was intending} 7... c5 8. dxc5 $1 Bxc5 9. Bg5 {- my attention had +been attracted by the recent game Vyzhmanavin-Novikov (Tashkent 1984), where +after} Qc7 {a recommendation by Plaskett;} ({earlier White had been successful +against} 9... Be7) ({and} 9... f6) ({from 1985 the line} 9... Qc8 10. Rc1 { +came to the fore (here I also made my contribution:} h6 11. Bh4 a5 12. Na4 Nd7 +13. e4 $1 {, Kasparov-van der Wiel, Amsterdam 1988)}) 10. Rc1 f6 11. Nxd5 Bxd5 +12. e4 $1 {White seized the initiative.}) ({. We were also prepared for} 7... +Nxc3 8. -- ({, with the idea after} 8. bxc3 c5 9. e4 Nd7 {of nevertheless +obtaining the position which White has avoided.}) ({. After the planned} 8. +Qxc3 {Adorjan upheld} h6 $5 {, not allowing} 9. Bg5 ({and intending to meet} 9. +Bf4 {with} Bd6 {. At the time we did not take this 'loss of time' seriously, +but later it transpired that Adorjan was right! As often happens after +significant games in world championship matches, the 7 Qc2 variation again +came to the fore, and in the line 7...Nxc3 8 Qxc3 the main move became 8...h6. +--- Perhaps at the board Karpov remembered the game with 7...c5 8 dxc5! - at +any event, he tried to reach the desired position with the help of another, +rare move.})))) 7... Nd7 $6 {(34)} (7... Nd7 {an invitation to} 8. e4 Nxc3 9. +bxc3 c5 10. Bd3 Qc7 $1 {(cf. above). But here the situation is worse for Black +than after 7 e3 Nd7: the bishop at c1 is not shut in by the pawn on e3, and +White has an advantageous opportunity to avoid the usual plan.}) 8. Nxd5 $1 { +(17)} exd5 (8... Bxd5 $6 {is worse. Later for some reason Karpov played this +against Gelfand (Moscow 1992), and after} 9. e4 Bb7 10. Bb5 $1 c6 11. Bxc6 Rc8 +12. d5 $1 {the outcome was dismal for Black. White's position appealed to me +even a tempo down: in the 3rd game of my match with Korchnoi (London 1983) I +chose the rare variation 7 Qa4+ Nd7 8 Nxd5, planning after 8...Bxd5 (Korchnoi +replied 8...exd5) the queen retreat 9 Qc2!? with the idea of 9...c5 10 e4. +True, here after 10...Bb7 11 Be3 cxd4 Nxd4 a6 or 11 Bf4 cxd4 12 Rd1 Qc8 +(Azmaiparashvili-Ponomariov, Cap d'Agde (rapid) 2003) Black is alright.}) 9. +Bg5 $1 {This sortie causes Black definite discomfort, forcing him to make a +difficult choice.} f6 $6 {A weakening, which objectively deserves to be +criticised;} ({as does} 9... Be7 $6 10. Bxe7 Kxe7) ({or} 9... Nf6 $6 10. Bxf6 +gxf6 {.}) ({But at the board it was not easy to realise that the best defence +was the ugly move} 9... Qc8 {. After the obvious} 10. g3 Bd6 11. Bh3 {there is +an unpleasant pin on the knight at d7, for example:} O-O 12. Bf4 $5 ({the +simple} 12. Qf5 Nb8 13. Qxc8 {is also possible, but this is probably +insufficient}) 12... Bxf4 13. gxf4 {(threatening Ne5)} Qd8 14. Rg1 {with the +initiative. --- Here Black has to defend, whereas Karpov wanted active +counterplay. From this point of view, 9...f6 looks better, since it enables +Black to gain time. But its drawbacks proved to be more significant...}) 10. +Bf4 c5 11. g3 $1 {Karpov obviously did not like this move.} ({Apparently he +was hoping for the routine} 11. e3 {, when after} c4 ({or} 11... Rc8 12. Qa4 c4 +{he could have created counterplay. Now, however, the threat of Bh3 reminds +Black of the weakness of the light squares in his position.})) 11... g6 {A +symmetrical reply with the idea of 12 Bh3 f5 and ...Bg7. But the g6-pawn is a +new target for the development of White's initiative. However, it is hard to +offer Black good advice.} (11... g5 12. Be3) ({or} 11... Rc8 12. Bh3 cxd4 13. +Qd1 {is unattractive.}) (11... Qe7 {is more resourceful, with the idea of} 12. +Bh3 ({but} 12. h4 $1 {retains a clear advantage:} Qe4 13. Qd2 $1 cxd4 14. Bg2) +12... g5 13. Be3 Qe4 $1 {forcing the exchange of queens.}) ({It would appear +that} 11... Be7 12. Bh3 Kf7 13. O-O Nf8 {is more tenacious, but then White has +the unpleasant} 14. dxc5 $1 bxc5 15. b4 {.}) 12. h4 $1 {Such moves always gave +me great pleasure. White immediately attacks the vulnerable points in the +opponent's position.} Qe7 ({Possibly Karpov considered this defence adequate, +since now nothing is given by} 12... Qe7 13. h5 {because of} g5 14. Be3 Qe4 {.} +) 13. Bg2 {Opposing the advance of the black queen to e4.} Bg7 14. h5 { +'Black's position has the drawback that it is hard for him to find an +appropriate place for his king. In addition the d5- and g6-pawns can become a +convenient target for the white pieces.' (Vasyukov)} f5 $6 ({Karpov did not +play ...g7-g6 and ...Bg7 in order to make the ugly move} 14... g5 {, creating +a 'hole' on f5. But that would have been the lesser evil!} 15. -- ({. If} 15. +h6 {it is dangerous to reply} gxf4 $6 ({after} 15... Bf8 16. Be3 Qe6 {he is +quite capable of defending}) 16. hxg7 Qxg7 17. Nh4 $1 {with a powerful attack +(pointed out at the time by the match commentators), for example:} fxg3 18. Nf5 +gxf2+ 19. Kxf2 Qf8 20. b4 $1 c4 21. Qd2 {and Qf4 - despite his two extra pawns, +Black is completely helpless.}) ({. Perhaps Karpov did not like} 15. Be3 Rc8 +16. Qf5 {, but after} h6 ({or} 16... Qe4 {it is not so clear just how +catastrophic is the weakness of the f5-square and the light squares in Black's +position in general, and there is still all to play for. The move 14...f5 is +logical in its own way, and it appears that Black has real chances of avoiding +the worst. White cannot keep his king at e1 for ever! And when he castles, +Black too will be able to castle without risk. However, things do not come to +this...}))) 15. Qd2 Bf6 {(13) Again Karpov had a difficult choice.} ({He +would have liked to play} 15... Nf6 16. h6 Bf8 {with the idea of} 17. Bg5 $6 ({ +but White has the stronger} 17. Ng5 Ne4 18. Bxe4 $1 fxe4 19. Be5 Rg8 20. Qf4 { +(Averbakh)}) ({or} 17. dxc5 bxc5 18. O-O Ne4 19. Qa5 {, and in both cases +Black has problems with his king}) 17... Ne4 $1 {(Vasyukov).}) ({The attempt +to block the position by} 15... c4 {runs into} 16. Rc1 $1 {(with the threat of +Rc3-e3)} Nf6 17. h6 Bf8 18. Ne5 $1 {, and if} Ne4 {White advantageously replies +} 19. Bxe4 $1 fxe4 20. f3 {. --- After these continuations it would possibly +have been more difficult for White to increase his advantage. 15...Bf6, +covering the weak dark squares, looks sensible and solid, but on f6 the bishop +takes this square away from the knight, which can no longer go to e4! Karpov +clearly underestimated White's following response.}) 16. Rc1 $1 {With the +unusual threat of Rc3-e3. What can Black do with his king? With the white rook +on h1, he really doesn't want to castle kingside...} Rc8 17. Rc3 Rc6 {The only +defence is a mirror manoeuvre!} 18. Re3 {(14)} ({The computer chooses} 18. Kf1 +$5) ({but many commentators pointed out the 'exceptional strength' of the move +} 18. Bg5 {, disclosing the weakness now of the dark squares in the opponent's +position:} O-O (18... cxd4 $2 19. Rxc6 Bxc6 20. hxg6) ({or} 18... Rg8 19. hxg6 +hxg6 20. Re3 Re6 21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22. Rxe6 Qxe6 23. Qf4 {'and the white queen is +ready for a decisive invasion' (Dorfman)}) 19. hxg6 hxg6 20. Bxf6 Rcxf6 (20... +Nxf6 21. Ne5) 21. Ng5 {with an irresistible attack. --- But the rook move +should hardly be criticised, since it leads almost by force to a won ending +for White.}) 18... Re6 {I think that this is a unique instance, where in one +game three successive symmetrical moves were made: Rc1 - Rc8, Rc3 - Rc6, and +Re3 - Re6.} 19. Rxe6 Qxe6 20. Ng5 Qe7 ({The exchange} 20... Bxg5 21. Bxg5 { +would have led to a catastrophic weakening of the dark squares. But as it is, +Black's defences are about to crack - it only remains for White to find a +decisive strengthening of his position.}) 21. dxc5 $1 ({I was afraid of +squandering my advantage in the endgame after} 21. hxg6 $2 hxg6 22. Rxh8+ Bxh8 +23. dxc5 Qxc5 ({if} 23... Bf6 $2 {a little combination is decisive:} 24. Bxd5 +$1 Bxd5 25. Qxd5 Bxg5 26. c6) 24. Ne6 Qa5 25. Nc7+ ({little is also achieved +with} 25. Qxa5 bxa5 26. Bc1 Nf6) 25... Kd8 26. Qxa5 bxa5 27. Nxd5 {, and at +the board} Bxb2 {(?) seemed unclear to me;} ({but my intuition did not betray +me - the accurate} 27... Nb6 $1 {would have given a draw:} 28. Bc7+ (28. Bg5+ +Ke8 29. Nc7+ Kd7 30. Bxb7 Kxc7 31. Ba6 Bxb2) ({or} 28. Nxb6 Bxg2 29. Nc4 Bd5 $1 +{etc.}) 28... Kd7 29. Bxb6 Bxd5 30. Bxd5 axb6) {although after} 28. Bg5+ Kc8 +29. Ne7+ Kc7 30. Bxb7 (30. Bf4+) 30... Kxb7 31. Nxg6 Bxa3 32. Nh4 a4 33. Kd1 { +White has a won position: the a-pawn does not promote. --- 21 dxc5 is clearly +stronger. It is another matter that it gave Black an opportunity for a +tactical counter-stroke, which unsettled me.}) 21... Nxc5 ({Here after} 21... +Qxc5 $6 22. Ne6 Qa5 23. b4 $1 Qxa3 24. O-O Qb2 (24... Qc3 25. Qa2 $1) 25. Nc7+ +Ke7 ({or} 25... Kd8 26. Qe3 {White would have won}) 26. Nxd5+ {.}) (21... h6 +22. Nf3 g5 23. Bd6 {was also bad for Black.}) 22. hxg6 d4 {The only practical +chance - 'a resourceful attempt to change the unfavourable development of +events' (Averbakh).} (22... hxg6 {is bad:} 23. Rxh8+ Bxh8 24. Bxd5 Bxd5 25. +Qxd5 {, and} Bxb2 {is not possible because of} 26. Qc6+ {.}) 23. g7 $2 {(10) +Confusion.} ({White could have increased his advantage by the simple moves} 23. +Bxb7 Qxb7 24. f3 hxg6 25. Rxh8+ Bxh8 26. b4 Nd7 27. Qa2 Nf8 28. Ne6 $1 { +(Dorfman) - after} Qd7 29. Nc7+ Kd8 30. Qg8 Bg7 31. Nb5 $1 Qxb5 (31... d3 32. +Bc7+ Kc8 33. Qc4 d2+ 34. Kd1 Qe6 35. Qc2 {he would have obtained a technically +won endgame}) 32. Qxg7 Nd7 33. Qxd4 {.}) ({Another tempting possibility began +with the showy} 23. Nf7 $5 Bxg2 24. Rh2 {and it would have also led to the +goal:} hxg6 ({or} 24... Rf8 25. Rxh7 Qe6 26. Nd6+ Kd8 27. Nb5 $1 Be5 28. Bxe5 +Qxe5 29. Nxd4 (29. Qxd4+ {is also good enough}) 29... Kc8 30. b4 Rd8 31. g7 $1 +Bd5 32. Qc3 Bg8 33. Rh4 {, regaining the piece and winning. Alas, at that +moment I became excited, I was unable to calculate the variations accurately, +and I decided at least to retain a positional advantage, for which by 32 g7 I +broke up Black's pawn chain}) 25. Nxh8 g5 26. Ng6 Qe4 27. Be5 Kf7 28. Nh8+ $1 { +.}) 23... Bxg7 (23... Qxg7 $5 {.}) 24. Bxb7 Qxb7 25. f3 (25. O-O $5 {would +also have retained a small plus. My error on the 23rd move sharply changed the +character of the position, and effectively I had to begin all over again. In +the new phase of the game Black's pieces are active, but his pawns are weak. +And I judged that psychologically this would be unpleasant for Karpov.}) 25... +Qd5 $1 {(10) An excellent, dynamic move: not wishing to go totally on to the +defensive, Black sacrifices a pawn - his pieces occupy splendid positions!} ({ +In the event of} 25... h6 26. Nh3 {and Nf2 White could have set about +processing the opponent's pawn weaknesses, and with quite good chances of +success.}) 26. Rxh7 {(11)} ({If} 26. b4) ({or} 26. Kf2 {Black, of course, +would have replied} h6 $1 {.}) 26... Rxh7 27. Nxh7 Qb3 $2 {'A mistake in +time-trouble.} ({As many commentators pointed out, after} 27... d3 $1 {White +could hardly have hoped to win' (Averbakh). And indeed, this would have led to +simplification and a draw:} 28. b4 Qb3 $1 {the simplest;} (28... Ne6 29. Be3 $1 +{would still have left White some chances}) 29. Qe3+ Ne6 30. Qxd3 Qxd3 31. exd3 +Nxf4 32. gxf4 b5 $1 {, and Black picks up the a3-pawn, while the knight on h7 +makes a pitiful impression.}) 28. Bd6 $1 {Karpov made his previous move +confidently, and it was clear to me that he had missed my reply. It +unexpectedly transpires that White can launch an attack - 29 Qg5 is threatened. +} Ne6 {Now the game transposes into a queen ending.} ({In the event of} 28... +Kd7 29. Bxc5 bxc5 30. Qf4 Qe6 31. Ng5 {White is a pawn up with winning chances. +}) ({But} 28... d3 {would now have lost to} 29. Bxc5 bxc5 30. Qe3+ Kf7 (30... +Kd7 31. Qxc5) 31. Ng5+ Kg6 32. Ne6 $1 ({not} 32. Nh3 $6 Bxb2) 32... d2+ (32... +Bh6 33. f4) 33. Kxd2 Qxe3+ ({or} 33... Qxb2+ 34. Ke1 Qc3+ 35. Kf2 Qxe3+ 36. +Kxe3 Be5 37. Nxc5 Bxg3 38. Kd4 {etc.}) 34. Kxe3 Bxb2 35. a4 {.}) 29. Ng5 Bh6 +30. Bf4 Bxg5 31. Bxg5 Nxg5 32. Qxg5 Qxb2 33. Qxf5 Qc1+ $6 {For eight moves +Karpov now had less than five minutes (against ten for me), and this +aggravated his problems. In severe time-trouble he reckoned that with checks +he would drive the white king away from the e2-pawn and then, after capturing +on a3, simply restore material equality. But this plan proved to have a flaw... +} ({The immediate} 33... Qxa3 {was stronger - after} 34. Qe4+ Kf7 35. Qxd4 { +Black's defence is difficult, but he can possibly hold on: after} Qc1+ 36. Kf2 +Qc6 {he only needs to push his lone a-pawn, whereas White has to advance two +pawns (exposing his king in the process). For example:} 37. f4 a5 38. g4 ({in +the event of} 38. e4 a4 {-} 39. Kf3) 38... a4 {(threatening ...Qc5 with the +exchange of queens)} 39. Kg3 a3 40. g5 a2 41. f5 Qc5 42. g6+ Kg8 {with +equality. Most probably after 33...Qxa3 the game would have ended in a draw.}) +34. Kf2 Qe3+ 35. Kf1 Qc1+ 36. Kg2 Qxa3 37. Qh5+ $1 ({Not} 37. Qe4+ $6 Qe7 { +with equality. Karpov missed this cunning 'side' check when he played 33... +Qc1+. Black nevertheless remains a pawn down, and in a worse situation.}) 37... +Kd7 {It is not easy to decide where to place the king, especially with your +flag hanging in the 32nd game!} ({Black would have had fewer saving chances if +he had kept his king in the vicinity of the enemy pawns:} 37... Kf8 $6 38. Qh8+ +Kf7 39. Qxd4 a5 ({after} 39... Qa2 40. Kf2 Qe6 41. g4 a5 {, in contrast to the +33...Qxa3 variation, Black's queen is still on e6, and he has to lose a tempo +on ...Qc6, which changes the evaluation in White's favour}) 40. Qxb6 Qb4 ({or} +40... a4 41. g4 Qe7 42. Kf2 a3 43. g5 $1 {and wins}) 41. Qc7+ Ke6 42. Qc6+ Ke7 +43. g4 a4 44. g5 {.}) 38. Qg4+ Kc6 (38... Kc7 $5 {.}) 39. Qxd4 (39. Qe4+ Kc7 ( +39... Kb5 {, the move previously suggested by me, is bad because of} 40. g4 Qc5 +41. f4) 40. Qxd4 a5 $1 41. g4 Qd6 $1 42. Qg7+ Qd7 {would have come to roughly +the same thing.}) 39... b5 $6 (39... a5 $1 {was more accurate:} 40. g4 Qc5 41. +Qf6+ (41. Qa4+ Kd6 42. Qe8 Qg5) 41... Qd6 42. Qf5 Qd5 {, basing the defence on +the fact that White is not satisfied with the transition into a queen endgame.} +) 40. g4 b4 ({With his last move before the time control Black loses a real +hope of saving the game, which would still have remained after} 40... Qe7 $1 { +. --- It would not have been easy for me to find the correct reply. In such +cases the hand itself is drawn to the e2-pawn: since e2-e4 was not played on +the 1st move, why not seal e2-e4 on the 41st move?! But after} 41. e4 a5 42. +Qd5+ Kb6 43. f4 {the three connected passed pawns might not have won against +the two, seeing as White has exposed his king. Better chances of a distant win +are offered by 41 Kf2!, in order then to advance not the e-pawn, but the +g-pawn.}) 41. g5 {The sealed move.} ({In our home analysis we initially planned +} 41. g5 b3 42. -- (42. Qe4+ $1 Kd6 43. Qe8 $6 {, overlooking} ({therefore} 43. +Qg6+ $1 Ke7 44. Qf6+ Kd7 45. Qf5+ Ke7 46. g6 Qb2 47. Qf7+ Kd6 48. Qf4+ {is +correct, when Black is unable to save the game}) 43... Qa2 $1 {, which after} +44. g6 b2 45. g7 b1=Q 46. g8=Q Qxg8+ 47. Qxg8 {leads to a position with two +pawns against one, but the black king stands opposite the white pawns, +creating serious problems for White in the conversion of his advantage.}) (42. +g6 b2 43. g7 Qa2 44. Qe4+ Kc5 45. Qe7+ Kb6 46. Qd8+ Kb7 47. g8=Q Qxg8+ 48. Qxg8 +b1=Q 49. Qd5+ {. is not so clear. In this endgame with two against one, +considerable resourcefulness would have been demanded of White. It is easier +for Black to play: he gives checks and advances his a-pawn, hoping in the +event of the exchange of the newly-created queens for an ending now with a +lone white pawn. Here the play could have continued for a long time, and the +game would probably have been adjourned for a second time. --- By the laws of +match play Karpov was obliged to resume the game, but apparently he did not +want to waste the remnants of his strength, or to resign in public. And the +following day he took what in my opinion was an incorrect decision, testifying +to his psychological weakness at that moment: he resigned the game without +resuming. --- Times: 2.34-2.29.})) (41. -- {5-1! We were jubilant: by scoring +a consolation goal, I had avoided a complete rout! The situation in the match +changed radically: the loss in the 32nd game dispelled Karpov's dreams of +repeating Fischer's feats, and now there was no longer any point in the +champion avoiding risks. But he was unable to retune to playing more freely +and riskily. Karpov needed a deep readjustment, but for this he no longer had +the mental strength. He continued waiting for a 'gift', but by that time I had +managed to perfect sound opening variations, and the blunders which plagued me +at the start of the match had practically disappeared. --- Eight draws +followed. If after the 9th game someone had said to Karpov, that even after +the New Year he would still be defending his title, sitting at the same table, +that person would certainly have been labelled a madman!}) 1-0 + +[Event "99: World Championship Match, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1985.01.14"] +[Round "41"] +[White "Karpov, A."] +[Black "Kasparov, G."] +[Result "1/2-1/2"] +[ECO "C42"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "141"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{A critical game for the entire match was the 41st, in which against 1 e4 I +took the risk of employing one of my opponent's weapons - the Petroff Defence. +The opening experiment concluded in a perfectly good endgame for me, in which +I could have drawn without any particular trouble. But here I again committed +a 'fatal mistake' (the only one between the 28th and 48th games!), and Karpov +could have concluded the match, had he not missed a winning move.} 1. e4 e5 2. +Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O Nc6 8. c4 Nb4 9. Be2 +dxc4 10. Bxc4 O-O 11. Nc3 Nd6 12. Bb3 Bf6 13. h3 Bf5 14. Be3 Re8 15. a3 Nd3 16. +Rb1 c5 17. dxc5 Ne4 18. Bc2 Nxb2 19. Qxd8 Raxd8 20. Rxb2 Bxc3 21. Rxb7 Nxc5 22. +Bxc5 Bxc2 23. Rxa7 Bd1 24. Re7 Rxe7 25. Bxe7 Rd3 26. Ng5 Bb2 27. Bb4 h6 28. Ne4 +f5 29. Nc5 Rd5 30. Re1 f4 31. a4 Rd4 32. a5 Rxb4 33. Rxd1 $2 {An historic +mistake! After spending half of his 16-minute reserve of time, Karpov missed +an unexpected chance to win the game and the match.} ({While he was +considering his move, in the press centre Dorfman drew attention to the pretty +intermediate move} 33. a6 $1 {. An express analysis gave the following results: +} -- (33... Ba4 34. a7 Bc6 35. Re6 Bd5 36. Rd6) (33... Bb3 34. Nxb3 Ra4 (34... +Rxb3 35. a7) 35. Nc5 Ra5 36. Re4 $1 Kf7 (36... Rxc5 37. a7) 37. Rxf4+ Bf6 38. +Ra4 Rxa4 39. Nxa4 Bd4 40. Nc3 $1) (33... Rb8 34. Rxd1 Ba3 35. Nb7 $1 {, and in +all variations White wins. --- Why, after thinking over his 33rd move for +eight minutes, did Karpov not play this? In an interview after the match he +explained: 'Being in time-trouble, I was unable to calculate fully the +consequences of the piece sacrifice (33 a6!).' Possibly he decided 33 Rxd1 was +also winning, but...}) (33... Rd4 34. Re8+ {and 35 a7.})) 33... Bd4 {'Now the +struggle flares up with renewed strength.' (Taimanov)} 34. Ne6 Ba7 35. Rd7 ({ +As the commentators remarked,} 35. Nxg7 Rb2 36. Nf5 Bxf2+ 37. Kf1 {came into +consideration. In my opinion, this was somewhat stronger: here it is more +difficult for Black to gain a draw - he has more opportunities to go wrong. +True, after} h5 {and ...Ra2 (and if} 38. Ra1 {, then} Ba7 {) he should +nevertheless be able to hold the position.}) 35... Rb1+ 36. Kh2 Bxf2 37. Nxf4 +Ra1 38. Ne6 Rxa5 ({'Black's task is simpler after} 38... g5 $1 39. Rg7+ (39. +Rd5 Be1) 39... Kh8 40. Rg6 Kh7 41. Nf8+ Kh8 42. a6 ({or} 42. Rxh6+ Kg7 43. Rg6+ +Kxf8 44. Rf6+ Kg7 45. Rxf2 Rxa5) 42... Bg1+ $1 43. Kg3 Ra3+ 44. Kg4 Ra4+ $1 { +with an inevitable draw.' (Dorfman) --- I saw this idea, but in severe +time-trouble I did not calculate as far as all the checks, beginning with 42... +Bg1+!. Besides, after capturing the a5-pawn I assumed that the resulting +ending with two pawns against one on the same wing was objectively drawn.}) 39. +Rxg7+ Kh8 40. Rf7 Be3 41. Kg3 Bd2 {The sealed move. --- I didn't like Black's +position, but after lengthy home analysis my trainers and I found a clear way +to draw. On the day when the game was resumed, the Hall of Columns was packed +with Karpov's supporters, who were hoping to see his sixth win. But once again +they were to be disappointed... On the 71st move Karpov offered a draw. He +looked very tired and depressed.} 42. Rd7 Bc3 43. Kf3 Kg8 44. Nf4 Rf5 45. Ke4 +Rf7 46. Rd8+ Kh7 47. Rd3 Re7+ 48. Kf3 Bb2 49. Rb3 Bc1 50. Nd5 Re5 51. Nf6+ Kg6 +52. Ne4 Rf5+ 53. Ke2 Re5 54. Rb4 Re7 55. Rc4 Re8 56. g3 Bb2 57. Kf3 Re6 58. Rc5 +Bd4 59. Rd5 Be5 60. Rb5 Bc7 61. Rc5 Bb6 62. Rc8 Bd4 63. Rg8+ Bg7 64. h4 Ra6 65. +Kf4 Ra5 66. Re8 Rf5+ 67. Ke3 Re5 68. Rg8 Re7 69. Kf4 Rf7+ 70. Kg4 h5+ 71. Kh3 { +. The outcome of this game had an enormous effect on the psychological state +of the two players. Karpov's belief in overall victory was obviously shaken, +although his choice of opening variations in games 43-47 indicates a desire to +increase the risk and seize his chance in double-edged play. He sensed that +his opponent had not simply seized the initiative, but was now not inferior to +him in technical positions - in that aspect of the game where until recently +Karpov had been sure of his superiority. Now he could not achieve the desired +result by using purely technical means alone. --- There followed a further six +draws, in which several times I had an advantage and excellent winning chances. +But I was successful only in the 47th game - 5-2! After this it was announced +that the match would move from the Hall of Columns to the Sport Hotel. And for +recuperation Karpov gained a whole week (two 'technical' time-outs on 1st and +4th February) - a luxury which was totally unavailable to me at the start of +the match, when I so needed a respite. Moreover, after this the champion also +took another time-out on his own account (6th February), and so the next game +took place only nine days later.} 1/2-1/2 + +[Event "100: World Championship Match, Moscow"] +[Site "?"] +[Date "1985.02.08"] +[Round "48"] +[White "Kasparov, G."] +[Black "Karpov, A."] +[Result "1-0"] +[ECO "C42"] +[Annotator "Garry Kasparov"] +[PlyCount "133"] +[EventDate "1984.??.??"] +[Source "Everyman Chess"] +[SourceDate "2012.11.28"] + +{It was precisely during those days that FIDE and the Soviet Chess Federation +began actively seeking a pretext for terminating the match ahead of schedule, +and as a result the 48th game was destined to draw a line under our five-month +duel.} 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 ({On this occasion Karpov's objective was merely to +hold out (after all, it would be far more convenient to terminate the match +with a score of 5-2, rather than 5-3), and so he avoided} 2... Nc6 {(44th and +46th games) and chose one of the most solid openings.}) 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 +5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O Be7 (7... Bg4 8. c4 $1 {- Game No.67 in 'Kasparov +vs. Karpov 1975-1985'; Game No.6 in 'Kasparov vs. Karpov 1986-87'.}) 8. c4 $1 ( +{After the 41st game this eclipsed} 8. Re1 {(Game No.50).}) 8... Nf6 ({ +Realising that in the event of} 8... Nb4 {I would use his own prescription +from the 41st game -} 9. Be2 $1 {(Game No.45 in 'Kasparov vs. Karpov +1975-1985'), Karpov made another, less critical move, which had been known +since the mid-19th century.}) 9. Nc3 ({At that time this line was not yet +deeply developed, and it was only on the threshold of the 21st century that +the immediate} 9. h3 {was deemed to be more accurate.}) 9... O-O (9... Be6 $5 { +is interesting:} 10. c5 (10. cxd5 Nxd5 {is equal, Karpov-Larsen, Bugojno 1980; +Milos-Karpov, Buenos Aires 2001}) 10... Bg4 $1 11. Bb5 O-O 12. Bxc6 bxc6 13. h3 +Bxf3 14. Qxf3 Re8 {with good prospects of equalising (an example: +Shirov-Gelfand, Astana 2001).}) 10. h3 {'An important prophylactic move, +preventing the pin on the knight and setting Black a problem: how can he now +successfully complete his development?' (Taimanov)} dxc4 ({A new attempt to +develop the queen's bishop, avoiding the bind after} 10... Be6 11. c5 {.}) ({ +But the usual continuation has remained more popular:} 10... Nb4 11. Be2 dxc4 +12. Bxc4 c6 13. Re1 Nbd5 {- the main tabiya of the 8...Nf6 variation, where +White plays} 14. Bg5 ({or immediately} 14. Qb3 Nb6 15. Bd3 Be6 16. Qc2) 14... +Be6 15. Qb3 {. At any event, White remains the active side, and in +neutralising his initiative it is not easy for Black to avoid creating real +weaknesses in his position. It was perhaps for this reason that Karpov chose a +different, more dynamic way of developing, aimed at counterplay.}) 11. Bxc4 Na5 +12. Bd3 Be6 {Black is planning either to carry out the freeing ...c7-c5, or to +occupy the d5-point (in this case his knight on a5 will return to c6).} 13. Re1 +{'A flexible move.} ({After} 13. Be3 Nc4 14. Qc2 Nxe3 15. fxe3 {White has an +active position, but the two black bishops may become dangerous.' (Tal)}) 13... +Nc6 {The most natural reply - Karpov has also played this in the 21st Century.} +({If} 13... c5 {, then} 14. dxc5 ({but a pawn sacrifice is also interesting -} +14. Ng5 $5 cxd4 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. Ne4 {with quite good compensation}) 14... +Bxc5 15. Bg5 {seemed quite promising to me.}) 14. a3 {Preventing ...Nb4.} ({If +} 14. Bg5 h6 15. Bh4 Nd5 16. Bg3 Bd6 {with equality (Leitao-Karpov, Sao Paulo +(rapid) 2004).}) 14... a6 ({If} 14... Qd7) ({or} 14... Re8 {the pin} 15. Bb5 { +is unpleasant}) ({while after} 14... Qd6 15. Be3 Nd5 16. Qc2 {(Gelfand-Adams, +Wijk aan Zee 1994), it is not easy for Black to blockade the d4-pawn +completely, and as long as it is potentially mobile, White retains the +initiative.}) 15. Bf4 $5 {(18) After some thought I found an interesting plan, +based on tactical nuances.} ({In my view,} 15. Bc2 {, which was tried many +years later in three games of the rapid match Shirov-Karpov (Bastia 2003), is +no better. The second of them went} Qd7 16. Qd3 Rfd8 17. Bg5 $2 ({it was +correct to play} 17. Be3 g6 {(threatening ...Bf5 with the exchange of bishops)} +18. Qd2 $5 Bf5 19. Bb3 {with a slight initiative}) 17... Nxd4 {(when Black +could have captured the pawn).}) 15... Qd7 ({'} 15... Nd5 {, aiming for +simplification, came into consideration' (Yusupov). However, 'after} 16. Bg3 { +Black would not have got out of his difficulties' (Taimanov):} -- ({, if} 16... +Bf6 {White has the promising} 17. Ne4 $1 Bxd4 18. Neg5 Bxb2 (18... Nf6 19. Rxe6 +) 19. Rb1 {.}) ({, while the attempt to provoke further exchanges -} 16... Bd6 +17. Bh4 Be7 {does not succeed because of} 18. Bxe7 Ncxe7 (18... Ndxe7 19. Rxe6 +$1 fxe6 20. Ng5 {is dangerous for Black}) 19. Ng5 {with the unexpected win of +a pawn:} Bf5 20. Nxd5 Nxd5 21. Bxf5 Qxg5 22. Re5 $1 Qd8 23. Bxh7+ Kxh7 24. Qh5+ +{. --- Therefore Karpov made a natural move, continuing his development. I +think that my reply greatly surprised him.})) 16. Ne5 $1 {Not an altogether +usual decision - after all, by exchanging all the knights it would appear that +White reduces the tension. On the other hand he gets rid of his isolated pawn +and thanks to the activity of his pieces he acquires new prospects.} Nxe5 ( +16... Qxd4 $2 {is bad:} 17. Nxc6 Qxf4 18. Nxe7+ Kh8 {. It appears that the +knight at e7 is in danger, but after} 19. Bc2 c6 20. Qc1 {(the simplest) White +remains with a material advantage.}) 17. dxe5 Nd5 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. Qc2 {The +point of White's idea: he completes his development with gain of tempo, +provoking a weakening of the opponent's kingside. The character of the +position has unexpectedly changed. I think that this is what distinguishes the +game - the numerous positional metamorphoses. Both players constantly had to +weigh up the pluses and minuses of various different configurations.} g6 ({'If +} 19... h6 $6 {Kasparov could have played} 20. Rac1 $1 -- (20... c6 21. Re3 { +, when it is difficult for Black to defend his kingside.' (Yusupov).}) ({. Or} +20... c5 21. Qe2 {, and it is not easy for Black to parry the threat of Bb1 +and Qc2.} -- ({. It is dangerous to play} 21... Rfd8 22. Bb1 Bf8 23. Rc3 $1 { +etc.}) ({. Nevertheless, there is a defence:} 21... Qe6 22. Bb1 c4 23. Rcd1 ( +23. Qc2 Qg6 $1) ({or} 23. Rc3 f5 $1 {is no better}) 23... Rad8 24. Be3 {(by +moving the bishop off an undefended square, White intensifies the threat of +Qc2)} Bc6 ({Black has to sacrifice a pawn - the exchange sacrifice} 24... Qc6 +25. Qc2 g6 26. Bxh6 Bxg2 27. Bxf8 Rxf8 {gives White an advantage after} 28. Re3 +) 25. Qc2 g6 26. Bxh6 Rxd1 27. Rxd1 Rd8 {. However, it is doubtful whether +Black had anything better than the endgame from the note to the next move. --- +I think that Karpov did not look for a variational refutation of 19...h6 - he +was sickened by the very thought that in this case White would be able to set +up the attacking queen and bishop battery on the b1-h7 diagonal. Making such a +dangerous move would be difficult not only in an important game from a match +for the world crown, and besides, after 19...g6 Black's defences look solid... +But now concrete tactical play begins.}))) 20. Rad1 c6 ({I was rather expecting +} 20... Qc6 21. Qxc6 {with somewhat the better ending for White -} bxc6 ({or} +21... Bxc6 22. Bc4 $1 {(Taimanov)} Bc5 (22... Rad8 23. e6) 23. b4 $5 Bb6 24. +Bg5 {, when Black would have faced an unpleasant defence}) 22. Rd2 Rfd8 23. Rc1 +{. --- Karpov made the strategically risky move 20...c6 without thinking, +having probably planned it beforehand. Of course, he saw White's following +reaction, but he reckoned that his position would be safe enough and not +without counter-chances. Karpov's play is logical in its way: as at the start +of the match, he does not want to reconcile himself to an unpromising endgame +and he chooses a continuation which, though risky, leaves Black possibilities +of counterplay. However, White's threats turned out to be more serious than my +opponent assumed.}) 21. Bh6 Rfd8 22. e6 fxe6 ({'} 22... Bxe6 23. Bxg6) ({or} +22... Qe8 23. Qc3 f6 24. f4 $1 {was bad for Black.' (Averbakh)}) 23. Bxg6 { +Another metamorphosis - and another critical position, in which Black has to +resolve the question regarding the advisability of exchanging the dark-square +bishops.} Bf8 $2 ({'In the press centre} 23... Bf6 $5 {was studied, retaining +the bishop in order to cover the a1-h8 diagonal.' (Averbakh). And indeed, this +would have been much stronger! After} 24. Be4 Kh8 $1 {Black would not have +allowed the rapid switching of the rook to g3, he would have been the first to +occupy the g-file, and thanks to his powerful bishop on d5 he could have hoped +for counterplay, partly compensating for his pawn weaknesses. For example:} 25. +Rd2 Rg8 26. Rde2 Qf7 27. Bf4 Rad8 28. Bg3 Bd4 29. Kh1 e5 30. Bh2 Rg5 31. f3 { +, and although White is a little better (in some he cases he is threatening to +exchange on d5 with pressure on the e-file), it is clear that his advantage is +insignificant. --- However, to decide definitely at the board that 23...Bf6 is +stronger than 23...Bf8 is possible only with a clear head, without it coming +on the back of five months of tiring struggle (although it is not certain that +23...Bf6 would have been made also at the start of the match).}) 24. Bxf8 Rxf8 +{This position seemed perfectly defensible to Karpov. He assumed that, with +his powerful bishop on d5, Black would place his rooks on g7 and f8 and would +feel comparatively safe.} 25. Be4 Rf7 ({'} 25... Rf4 26. Re3 Kh8 {was better' +(Taimanov). With the possible sequel} 27. Rde1 Rg8 28. g3 Qg7 {, although the +position would still have remained favourable for White:} 29. Bxd5 $1 exd5 30. +Re7 Rf7 31. Rxf7 Qxf7 32. Qc3+ Qg7 33. Re5 $1 {, planning Kh2, f2-f4, g3-g4 +and so on.}) 26. Re3 Rg7 27. Rdd3 $1 {'An unusual attack with the heavy pieces, +making use of the 3rd rank' (Tal). I regard it as a great creative achievement +on my part. I was able to set up an unusual rook pendulum and to break up +Black's position, by combining threats on the g- and e-files (even if this +involved the exchange on d5, ridding Black of his weak e6-pawn).} Rf8 {The +natural reply.} ({Little is changed by} 27... Qc7 28. Bxd5 exd5 29. Rg3) ({or} +27... Qf7 28. Rf3 Qe7 (28... Rxg2+ $2 29. Kf1 $1 {and wins}) 29. Rde3 {, when +if White does not find a way to achieve a direct attack on the king, he can +build up his positional advantage on the queenside (say,} Re8 30. Qc3 Qc7 31. +b4 {etc.), and Black faces the prospect of a difficult ending.}) 28. Rg3 $1 Kh8 +{Since Bxh7+ was threatened.} 29. Qc3 Rff7 (29... Rf4 {was no better.} 30. -- ( +{. Now the showy} 30. Rg5 $6 {(with the idea of 30...Rxe4? 31 Rdg3!) merely +hinders the attack in view of} Rff7 31. Re3 Kg8 {.}) ({. The correct +continuation is} 30. Bxd5 $1 exd5 31. Qe5 {(a very unpleasant pin)} Rf8 32. +Rdf3 Rfg8 33. b4 $1 Qe8 34. Qd4 {, and Black loses immediately after} Qe4 $2 ({ +or} 34... h6 $2 35. Rf6 $1 Kh7 36. Qh4) ({so he is forced to wait -} 34... Qd7 +{, but then} 35. h4 Qe8 36. Kf1 {, and White should win}) 35. Qxg7+ {.})) 30. +Rde3 {Probing the main defect in Black's position - the weakness of his +e6-pawn.} (30. h4 $5 {was more energetic, with the idea of} Kg8 ({or} 30... Qc7 +31. Rde3 $1) 31. h5 {.}) 30... Kg8 ({After} 30... Qd6 $2 31. Bxd5 cxd5 (31... +exd5 $2 32. Re8+) (31... Qxd5 $2 32. Rd3) 32. Rxg7 Rxg7 {White has a pleasant +choice between a rook ending (} 33. Qc8+ ({and a queen ending} 33. Rg3 Qc7 34. +Rxg7 Qxg7 35. Qc8+ Qg8 36. Qxb7 {with an extra pawn}) 33... Rg8 34. Qxe6 Qxe6 +35. Rxe6 {).}) 31. Qe5 Qc7 {The correct decision from a practical point of +view.} ({Recognising the futility of passive defence (for example,} 31... Qc8 +32. b4 Qf8 33. a4 $5 Qd8 34. a5 {etc.), Karpov gives up a pawn, but simplifies +the position in the hope, after the slightest inaccuracy by his opponent, of +obtaining saving counterplay in a rook endgame.}) 32. Rxg7+ Rxg7 33. Bxd5 Qxe5 +34. Bxe6+ Qxe6 35. Rxe6 {'The game has transposed into a won ending for White: +subsequently he will create a pair of passed pawns on the kingside, and Black +has no way of opposing this.' (Averbakh)} Rd7 {Black stakes his claim for +counterplay.} 36. b4 ({But perhaps I should have preferred} 36. Re2 {(Averbakh) +}) ({or} 36. g4 $5 Kg7 37. Re3 {, 'opening a route for the king to the centre' +(Taimanov).}) 36... Kf7 37. Re3 Rd1+ ({(if} 37... Rd5 {, then} 38. g4 a5 39. +bxa5 Rxa5 40. Rb3 {is good)}) 38. Kh2 Rc1 $1 39. g4 b5 {Karpov has +nevertheless found a counter-chance: Black prepares ...c6-c5.} 40. f4 ({In +Taimanov's opinion, '} 40. Re5 Rc3 41. Kg2 {came into consideration} -- ({, +with the idea of} 41... Rxa3 42. Rc5 {.'}) ({. But after} 41... c5 $1 {the +position becomes unclear and White is in danger of throwing away the win, both +in the rook ending -} 42. bxc5 ({and in the queen ending -} 42. Rxc5 Rxc5 43. +bxc5 a5 44. f4 b4 45. axb4 axb4 46. c6 Ke8 47. f5 b3 48. c7 Kd7 49. f6 b2 50. +f7 b1=Q 51. f8=Q Kxc7 {etc.}) 42... Rxa3 {.})) ({A sensible alternative to the +move in the game was} 40. Kg3 c5 41. bxc5 Rxc5 42. Kf4 Rc2 43. f3 $1 Rh2 44. +Kg3 Rb2 45. h4 a5 {, and here White decides matters with either} 46. Re5 ({or} +46. Kf4 b4 47. axb4 Rxb4+ 48. Re4 Rb3 49. Ra4 Rb5 50. Ke4) 46... a4 47. Rf5+ $1 +Kg7 48. Rc5 {.}) 40... c5 41. bxc5 {The sealed move.} Rxc5 {Home analysis +enabled me to find the best way, in my view, for White to convert his +advantage. Only in one place (on the 53rd move) was there a dual solution, but +it is not certain that the winning path rejected by me was simpler and clearer. +--- The adjournment session proceeded 'without any excesses' and the game +concluded quite logically, although some Soviet chess experts hastened to +report to the authorities that because of extreme fatigue both players had +supposedly made serious mistakes.} 42. Rd3 {'An important subtlety. By the +threat of 43 Rd7+ White draws the enemy king away from the kingside.' +(Averbakh)} Ke7 43. Kg3 a5 44. Kf3 $1 ({Play on the kingside alone does not +produce a win:} 44. Kh4 b4 45. axb4 axb4 46. f5 Rb5 $1 47. Rb3 Kf6 48. Kh5 Rb8 +49. Kh6 Rb7 50. h4 Ke5) ({or, in a different modification,} 44. g5 b4 45. axb4 +axb4 46. Kg4 Rb5 $1 {, also forcing} 47. Rb3 {and gaining a draw after} Ke6 48. +h4 Kf7 49. f5 Kg7 50. h5 Rb7 {.}) 44... b4 {There is nothing else.} 45. axb4 +axb4 46. Ke4 {In pursuit of the b4-pawn.} Rb5 47. Rb3 Rb8 48. Kd5 Kf6 ({'Black +would also have lost in the event of} 48... h5 49. Kc5 hxg4 50. hxg4 Rg8 51. g5 +Ke6 52. Rxb4 {' (Averbakh). For example:} Kf5 53. Kd6 Re8 54. Kd7 Re1 55. Rd4 +$1 {, reducing matters to a theoretically won position discovered by Chéron +(1926), which is analysed in detail in books on the endgame (for example, in +'Comprehensive Chess Endings' by the same Averbakh). --- Karpov quite +reasonably assumed that in their adjournment analysis the opponent's team +would have studied this possibility (which was in fact so; moreover, I cannot +say that the win here for White is really very difficult), and therefore he +decided to avoid Chéron's position, in order to set me non-standard problems - +the best hope from the practical point of view.}) 49. Kc5 Re8 50. Rxb4 Re3 51. +h4 Rh3 ({The blockade by} 51... h5 52. Rb6+ Kg7 53. g5 Rf3 54. Rf6 Rh3 {did +not work on account of} 55. f5 Rxh4 56. Rh6 Rg4 57. f6+ $1 ({only not} 57. Rxh5 +$2 Rg1 {- this is a draw.})) 52. h5 Rh4 {This is the point of Karpov's idea: +this position is not in the books. I stopped to think...} 53. f5 ({Many +criticised this move, reckoning that the goal would have been quickly reached +by} 53. g5+ Kf5 54. h6 Rh1 55. Kd6 Re1 ({or} 55... Ra1 56. Ke7 Ra6 $1 57. Kf7 +Rg6 58. Rd4 Kg4 $1 59. Ke7 $1 Ra6 60. Rd6 $1 {etc.}) 56. Rb8 $1 Kxf4 57. g6 $1 +hxg6 58. h7 Rh1 59. h8=Q Rxh8 60. Rxh8 g5 61. Kd5 {(Averbakh). --- I have to +admit that at the board I did not notice this idea (with 56 Rb8!), since I was +completely focused on 53 f5 and I had seen a clear winning plan using a +by-passing king manoeuvre. Here the win for White is merely a matter of time. +It may be more complicated than 53 g5+, but the game concluded quite quickly.}) +53... Rh1 54. Kd5 Rd1+ 55. Rd4 Re1 56. Kd6 {In reply to the activation of the +black rook, White has activated his king.} Re8 ({If} 56... Rg1 {White advances +his king and his h-pawn, and then carries out the same manoeuvre:} 57. Kd7 Kf7 +58. Kd8 Rg2 59. h6 $1 Kf8 60. Kc7 $1 {(Taimanov)} Rc2+ ({or} 60... Kf7 61. Rd7+ +Kg8 62. Rg7+ Kh8 63. Re7 $1 Kg8 64. Kd6 Rxg4 65. Ke6 {, winning}) 61. Kd6 {, +and since the black king has stepped back, if} Rg2 {, there is} ({and if} 61... +Re2 {-} 62. g5) 62. Ke6 {. Karpov again took a practical decision - he cut +off the white king from the 8th rank and played his rook to g8 for an attack +on the g4-pawn. But this too proved insufficient.}) 57. Kd7 Rg8 58. h6 $1 Kf7 +59. Rc4 Kf6 60. Re4 {Black is forced to allow the rook to go to g7.} Kf7 61. +Kd6 Kf6 62. Re6+ Kf7 (62... Kg5 63. f6 {.}) 63. Re7+ Kf6 64. Rg7 $1 Rd8+ 65. +Kc5 Rd5+ {The last chance, but the rook quickly runs out of checks.} 66. Kc4 +Rd4+ 67. Kc3 ({After} 67. Kc3 Ra4 68. Kd3 {the king goes to g3. --- Times: 3. +53-3.23.}) (67. Kc3 {. 5-3! After this there followed another week-long break: +at first (11th February) I claimed a time-out, and then (13th February) FIDE +President Campomanes announced one, in order to make his 'move' the next day. +--- My third win was the culmination of the entire encounter. I think that the +48th game was not only my best over the five months' play, but was also in +general the best in the match. It was full of instructive moments, of clashes +between attack and defence. In all its phases there was a tense, interesting +struggle, without blunders such as those that were the cause of my defeats. It +is hard to find a move by Karpov which definitely deserves a question mark, +and it is well known that the quality of a win is best judged by the standard +of play by the loser and the number of interesting ideas demonstrated by the +winner (by these criteria the second best game was the 32nd).} -- {It would +appear that after the 48th game Karpov was completely devastated and not ready +to continue the match. Both the result and the course of the game itself put +the champion and his circle in a very pessimistic mood. It was not so much a +question of his physical fatigue, but rather the psychological disaster. The +score had now become 5-3 (it was once 5-0!), but the main thing was that +Karpov had completely lost the match initiative. He was experiencing +increasingly perceptible opening problems, while the last game had shown that +his young opponent had already learned much and was capable of outplaying the +champion in positional style. Continuing to play was fraught with the most +unpleasant consequences for Karpov. --- Later I became convinced that the +decision to stop the match was carried out not so much because of any risk to +the champion's health, but rather in view of his psychological exhaustion, +confusion, and fear of continuing. No other way of retaining his title was now +apparent: had Karpov also lost a fourth game, the only way to complete the +match would have been in accordance with the regulations. And the powers which +at that time controlled Soviet sport, including chess, decided not to take the +risk... --- On 15th February the unprecedented '49th game' of Campomanes took +place: the FIDE President terminated the match 'without a final result' and +announced that a new match would begin on 1st September 1985 with the score +0-0.}) 1-0 +