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Contributors to this isiue:

Michael Adams, Viswanathan Anand, Alexey Dreev, Vasily Ivanchuk,

Viktor Kortchnoi, Vladimir Kramnilg Peter Leko, Predrag Nikolic,
Jeroen Piket, Valery Salov, Ivan Sokolov, Peter Svidler, A.C. van der
Tak, Jan Timman, Loek van Wely, Edward Winter, Xie Jun, Alex
Yermolinsky.

Illustrations:

Arvind Aaron, Bas Beekhuizen, Jerome Bibuld, Foco, Cerard de

Graaf, Dagobert Kohlmeyer, Hartmut Metz, Rosa de las Nieves,
Michel de Rooij.
 MAGAZINE 1998.5

ONTENTS
Chess 0scar
' Cover: Michael Adams In our previotrs lss.c -
Photo: Gerard de Graaf gested that the reviwd fu
Cover design: Plooij & Partner car can hardly lay chn rt
an objective measuc d t
5 NiG's Caf6
tive strength of the dt
players. fu might hm h
7 Letters
pected, this via ns E
10 Kramnik Wins Again shared by Garry E-,'
In Dortmund a chess tournament is an event where ten players had to settle for <,rd bl
play nine rounds and in the end Vladimir Kramnik wins. hind clear wilrr lIfu t
Gert Devreese, dts c-
26 Kramnik-Shirov Revisited dent of the Bdgi'o Btl
Valery Salov, Public Relations officer ofAlexey Shirov, daard, hndly &tr o t
contributes a highly personal match report on the to Kasparov's fierct rfftlrr
Subcampeonato del Mundo of the World Chess Council. he broached Sc qtFd al
nal press coDfer@ hL-'
42 Sokolov Claims Dutch Ghampionship parov repte& 'Ilrrh I dl
The Royal Dutch Chess Federation celebrated its 125th voted for ADaDd d, h
anniversary with the strongest national championship ever. we were abdn GE& I
1997, but the rdc o a' T :
52 Frankfurt Chess Classics Anand r+on tigEr D I
Jan Timman on Masters, Monkeys, Giants, but no Karpov. playedfanta$idtaftl
World Chaqidu L lts
59 SOS - Secrets of Opening Surprises
siitilliiiti
Eiiiillili-E
l
B t i:Ej
r;E
An intriguing pseudo-sacrifice in the Scotch Four Knights. I tr*ii$i$rl I gen, but I umreEr
in 1997thaohGd-Elfll
ish only seoG Eh
62 Xie Jun: My Childhood per cent of ttr ro tl
The former Women's World Champion relates
clude me iD dE qr tE
how she switched from xiangqi to our chess.
per centndalraire4if
'Compare dds ff (ts !
68 Yermo on the Road A :
A:i
:A
:A
l:i,
..,;:
A'i
.ai basketball dEFflLr L
Alex Yermolinsky's inimitable travelogue takes us
from the traditional Keres Memorial in Estonia to
i is Aliiiii itr UnitedStrcr-AhdEf
not very hd d ffih
Planet Goichberg in Philadelphia.
Butatardrfu J
of the year.ttryrdilf
84 Sarajevo Revives Ttadition
out the r,*s dpS-{
Viktor Kortchnoi won in 1969 and in 1984. So, why shouldn't he
indude ratu b fuffiE
win in 1998, too?
their list-
90 Russian Team Championship 'Many .hrs, tsufl {
Alexey Dreev reports how his team, Sberbank Tatarstan from have ary *r#- EEi
Kazan, took the title. nalists aa ld ftri I
Thafsfafrsttql5l
96 Chess Notes notwin cffiLI
Edward Wnter continues his acclaimed historical excursions and Fifteenrdasrldf
investigations exclusively for.ly'ew in Chess. place" ltddblfl:.
of the thtr
Itr-5

:TS
Ghess Oscar played together, I won two and
IS In our previous issue we sug- shared firit prize with him in the
Pf gested that the revived Chess Os- third one. 1 Kasparor RUS 28t5
f& Partner car can hardly lay claim to being 'At the Oscar vote personal ha- 2 Anand tND 2795
an objective measure of the rela- tred and political reasons play a 3 Kramnik RUS 2780
tive strenglth of the world's best big role. I do things in chess that 4 lvanchuk UKR 2730
5 Karpo, RUS 2725
players. As might have been ex- deserve respect. Nobody can deny
6 Shirov ESP 2720
pected, this view was definitely that. But FIDE thinks that politics 7 Kamsky USA 2720
shared by Garry Kasparov, who are more important than chess. 8 Adams ENG 27T5
lEfs had to settle for second best be- Anand had to win the Oscar for I Svidler RUS 2710
hind clear winner Vishy Anand. FIDE boss llyumzhinov. He's the 10 Topalov BUL 27OO

Gert Devreese, chess correspon- only one left to throw me off my 1 1 Bareev RUS 2690
dent ofthe Belgian daiy De Stan- throne.' 12 Rublevslry RUS 2685

daard, kindly drew our attention

13 Gelfand BLR 2675
14 Salor RUS 2670
to Kasparov's fierce rebuttal when FIDE Elo list
15 Short ENG 2670
he broached the subject at the fi- More chess players, and chess 16 leko HUN 2665
nal press conference in Leon. Kas- journalists for that mattet will 17 Polgar,Judit HUN 2665
parov replied: 'Maybe I would have turn to the FIDE rating list to get 18 Georgiev, Kiril BUL 2660
voted for Anand myself, because an indication of the relative 19 Sadler ENG 2660
we were about equally strong in strength of the members of the in- 20 Tiviakov RUS 2655
1997, but the vote was a big joke. ternational chess community. The 21 Krasenkow PoL 2655
22 Timman NED 2655
Anand won Linares in '98 and first change that catches the eye
23 Akopian ARM 2655
played fantastically at the FIDE on the July 1 FIDE list is Vishy An-
24 Azmaiparashvili GEo 2655
World Championship in Gronin- and's progress to second place. 25 Almasi HUN 2650
glen, but I won more tournaments The Indian grandmaster, who' 26 Zvia$ntsev RUS 2650
in 1997 than he did. Why did I fin- gained 25 points, narrowed the 27 0| EST 2650
ish only second? Because twenty gap between Kasparov, who lost 28 Khalifrnan RUS 2645
per cent of the voters didn't in- 10 points, and himself to 20 29 Shabalov usA 2645
clude me in their top three, five points. The over-2700 elite wel- 30 Andercson swE 2645
per cent not even in their top ten.' comed two newcomers. Michael
31 Beliavslry sLo 2645
32 lkachiev FRA 2645
'Compare this with the NBA Adams advanced to 2715, while 33 Dreev RUS 2645
basketball competition in the Peter Svidler saw his Elo rise to 34 Movsesian czE 2640
United States. A lot of people are 2710. Veselin Topalov, who lost no 35 Milov sut 2640
not very fond of Michael Jordan. fewer than 40 points, barely hangs 36Yusupov GER 2640
But at a vote for basketball player on among the over-2700's. 37 Nikolic BtH 2640
of the year, they would just throw 38 Van Wely NED 2635
out the votes of people who don't PCA Rankings 39 Sakaev RUS 2635
40 Shipov RUS 2635
include Jordan in the first five of The FIDE rankings are certainly
41 vaganian ARM 2630
their list. more trustworthy than the Chess 42 Onischuk UKR 2630
'Many chess journalists don't Oscar, yet their reliability is ques- 43 Seirawan USA 2630
have any self-respect. Eight jour- tioned, too. In the meantime the 44 Hjartarson rsL 2630
nalists even put Karpov first. World Chess Council has pub- 45 Nenashev uzB 2625
That's fantastic voting! Karpov did lished their August 1 rating list, 46Yermolinslry USA 2625
not win one tournament in 1997. which rather confusingly is still 47 Dautov GER 2625
Fifteen voters put Kramnik in first called the PCA World Rankings.
48 Kortchnoi sut 2625
place. That could be possible. But
49 Morozevich RUS 2625
The differences with the FIDE list
50 Lautier FRA 2625
of the three tournaments we are often quite significant and con-

NEw rN CHEss )5
 Shirov's Defence
In the previous issue d&
1 Kasparw RUS 2808 Cftess I was unpleasafrr
tND 2752 prised by Sarah Hw*t-a
RUS 2738 'The Steppe Fatherofft
ENG 2703 glcl*
which she, in bad
RUS 2703
6Kamsky USA 2707 the way marks the edipt
accuses me of 'appare{rl
Slvanchuk UKR 2692 inp the FIDE contractbl
the WCC match egrinoE
Let me defend mlseli

The FIDE clar.rsecrncd

ers reaching tlre crttl
15 Motozevich RUS 2662
higher of the FIDE d--
It also said that the frdr
was to be plared in Lo
lSRublevslry RUS 2649 the Anand-Karpo'dr
19 Krasenkow POL 2649 posed to be tbe frnaLlH
20 Kortchnoi SUI 2645 Anand-Adams was ftrld
Garry Kasparov with the Mayor of Novgorod.
at the begin-ning df one of the tournaments he won in 1997 2l Georgiev,Kiril BUL 2644
andAnand{dfmdfuf
23 Polgar,Judit HUN 2635
nal. Beforepl4i4Gfl
fusing. In the PCAzIWCC world, indicated that a majority of their eliminated me ht.krl
top players will actuallY not go to 25Azmaiparashvili GEO 2634 before the quartsfu{rl
the gap between Kasparov and An-
and is still 56 points, while KarPov Kalmykia, viz. Australia and Scot- 260nischuk UKR 2632 not breach amthiry

has dropped to a
meagre ninth land. Those who had serious 2TSeirawan USA 2629

place at 2687. Which list is the doubts and misgivings about the I don't think there drJ I
more accurate remains a moot Olympiad may have been strength'
2gzviagintsev RUS 2625 doubtthat had I eff,i
point. Wouldn't it be nice if both ened in their feelings by the publi- and at that stage I rdl
cation of an appeal by the Glas' spectedthe FIDE cdi
orglanisations disclosed the basis 32Akopian ARM 2615
and method of their calculations? nost Defense Foundation, both on 33sokolov BIH 261'4 same correctnrmfy'h
For comparison's sake, here's the the Internet and on the front Page 34Vladimirov KNZ 26ll by retusing to pEyftE
top of the PCA World Rankings, as of some Russian newspapers, urg- 35Yusupov GER 2609 Sincerc$,
produced by the World Chess ing 'Heads of national chess fed- AlexqShha
Council, Luis Rentero Sanchez (Li' erations, FIDE members, leading Tanagau, fi
nares), and Ken Thompson (New world chess players and members
Jersey). They were calculated bY of national Olympic teams' not to PostscriptSdh
go to Elista. I based ttre esnnrlf
Vladimir Dvorkovich (Moscow). 41 Magerramov NzE 2604
In another personal effor! Ilyumdinor'<ilfoo&
Olympiad Boycott? Sarah Hurst failed to convince the which had bcta rind -t
Following her articles in New in Management Board of the British about Shirot'i rrriland:
Chess' Federation to withdraw 45 Yermolinslq USA 2603 with FIDE I dfrt-ft;
Chess and C//ESS and her call for
their teams from the Olympiad. In
46GrandaZuniga PER 2602 contract with FIIIE M.lS
a boycott of the Elista Olympiad,
47 Wolff USA 2602
signed and I pohgEril!,r
Sarah Hurst was flooded with re- a vote on a proposal not to boycott
48Andersson SwE 2601
insinuated tha hHlE
actions, most of them asking for the Olympiad, six people were in
favour, while 10 abstained, with his contrad-
further information or expressing
moral support. Only two countries no votes against. AsforbadSlal(d

6I NEW IN CHESS
 Shirov's Defence dictatorship and megalomania are strong and White will have to give
In the previous issue of New In alsd bad style, and this is why I perpetual check or allow one.
RUS 2808 Cftess I was unpleasantly sur- was rather critical in my article. 41...9h4! 42.*92 d4!!
rND 2752 prised by Sarah Hurst's article 43.ed4Be1
RUS 2738
'The Steppe Father of Chess', in Premature Resignation And Black has secured more than
ENG 2703
which she, in bad style (which by It seems to me that in the second enough counterplay.
RUS 2703
USA 27OL the way marks the entire article) m atch game Kasparov-Topalov, In my opinion this is a shocking
ESP 2699 accuses me of'apparently breach- Leon 1998, the Bulgarian GM re- reminder ofwhat happened to
UKR 2692 ing the FIDE contract by playing signed prematurely after 36.b6 Kasparov in the second game of
Rlrs 2687 the WCC match against Kramnik'. (NIC98/4,page 15). his most recent match vs Deep
HUN 2676 Let me defend myself: Blue, when he resigned in a drawn
RUS 2674 position.
BUL 2673
The FIDE clause concerned play- Advanced Chess has a bleak fu-
BtR 2670
ers reaching the quarterfinals or ture if it makes top players play
ENG 2670
RUS 2662 higher of the FIDE championship. worse than usual and resign in
RUS 2656 It also said that the final match playable positions.
E{G 2652 was to be played in Lausanne, so
RUS 2649 the Anand-Karpov match was sup- While I am at it, I would like to
POL 2649 posed to be the final, therefore point out that in the analysis to
sut 2645
Anand-Adams was the semifinal the game Beliavsky-Short in the
BUL 2644
and Anand-Gelfand the quarterfi- same issue (page 9), GM Mikhal-
HUN 2638
HUN 2635
nal. Before playing Gelfand, Anand chishin comments that
RUS 2635 eliminated me but that match was By simply making an escape route
GEo 2634 before the quirterfinal, so I did for his queen Black could have se-
UKR 2632 not breach anythinS. cured strong counterplay at the
USA 2629 same time.
ilED 2626 I don't think there should be any 36...9s!
RUS 2625 doubt that had I eliminated An- Obviously the only move to keep
FRA 2619
and at that stage, I would have re- the game going now or after
ARM 2618
ARM spected the FIDE contract in the ...4e7, but it accomplishes more
2615
BtH 26t4 same correct manner as Anand did than that. Topalov's pessimistic as.
f\AZ 2617 by refusing to play the WCC cycle. sessment of the position matched
GER 2609 Sincerelg, the one by Fritz which is wha! I
sLo 2608 Alexey Shiroo 6luessed, caused his resignation. Position after 37...€e4
UKR 2608 Torragona, Spain Even if world champions and com-
rsR 2607
puters agree, that does not neces- 'The correct way is 38.4f6 gf6
ESr 2607
Postscript Sarah Hurst: sarily mean it is truth at 100%o. 39.Ue6...'. Unfortunately, aft er
RUS 2606
, NZE 2604 I based the question which I asked
Ilyumzhinov simply on discussions
Chess is so resourceful, it still has 38.4f6
NED 2603 the power to fool them all. Fritzi finds
RUS 2603 which had been aired in the media 37.8c7 38...4f4!
rNA 2603 about Shirov's contractual status 37.f95 gh5. in a split second. This changes the
USA 2603 with FIDE. I didn't see the actual 37...4e7 38.Ac5 gh5 whole picture because the forced
PER 2602 contract with FIDE that Shirov 39.6c3 39.trf4 6f4
usA 2602
signed and I apologise if I wrongly This retreat is necessary after or leads to a probably winning posi
$ryE 2601
insinuated that he had breached before taking on e7. tion for Black. Being quite conser-
BrH 2600
RUS 2600 his contract. 39...6g8 4O.tre7 gt4 4L.gf4l vative I will say that 38...6f4 is at
As for bad style, I consider that After 4l.ef4? 9f3 the queen is too least the mdn line.

NEW IN CHESS )7
 Nowadays I don't think it is really
possible to do serious game analr
siswith serious variations without
using a strong chess program.
Sincerelg yours,
Jeon Hdbert
Montreal, Canada
Postscript by Jan Timman:
Topalov's resignation was indeed
premature. Still, it seems to me
that White is winning easily if he
refrains from winning the bishop
on e7, e.g. 36...95 37.trc7 ge7
38.4c3 €g8 39.trb7 and the b
pawn will decide.
Good Enough?
ln NIC 98/3, the game in
paEle 90,
question is Topalov-Svidler. I came
across your note to 31.E97.
Position after 30...EcS
'Good enough in these circum-
stances as well, but as Svidler
rightly indicates, 31.Eel was bet-
ter, because Black would have
been bound hand and foot. With
time-trouble just around the cor-
ner you can still worry about
31...9a5, but then 32.9f1 is the
simplest reply. Black has no
chance whatever to fish in trou-
bled waters.'
But after 32.€f1 Black has
32...Ee5!33.tre5 AdS!
8) NEw rN cHESs
Analysis diagram
A) 34.trd5 runs into 34...tsa1
and 35...8a2;
B) 34.trf5 is answered by
34...9a1 35.@e2 tsb2 36.€e3
Scl with a draw;
C) after 34.8b1 Ac4 35.€91
9d2! White can draw with 36.trf5
Ad3 37.trf8 Abl 38.trf7. Another
try is 36.trg3 Aa2 37.Ed3 Abl
38.trd2 ad6 with the better
chances for Black. The threat after
33...9d5 is of course 34...4c4
35.9c4 Bal etc.
33.de5 is probably better than
33.fe5 but in that case we must
look for an improvement on
White's 32nd move. Black can play
33...Ud8 with a reasonable game
since 34.Ud7 can be met by
34...4c8 and 34.8b5 by 34...8d2
35.f3 gB!36.g8 6e3 37.tre3
We3 and White is fighting for the
draw.
32.9b1 cannot have escaped Tim-
man's attention. Black has
32...trc2! and if 33.tre2, then
33...tsa2! but not 33...tre2?
34.Eg7 with mate to follow.
So maybe Topalov's 31.trg7 was
the best move after all.
Best tegards,
Helgi Olafsson
Regkjaailq lceland
Meeting Dr. Hiibner oldest and most prestilra
Back in 1977 I was a student in club): he spent ooerfta-
'Classics' at the Catholic Univer- ingblitz games-tmr*
sity in Milan. ously with one minttl-
Among the exams I then had to five!!! - facing Mihn'r H;t
prepare (i.e. Greek Literature, Ar- with the incredible scJt
chaeology, etc.) there was Papyrol- wins,2 draws, nole.
ogiy. And among the students that Time has passed futfu
attended the Papyrology six- as I lost contactrith;Ir
month course held by Prof. Orso- liketothankhim, Ier{,
lina Montevecchi, there was Dr. the pages of ror.nai*r
Robert Htibner. zine. IconsiderqE IE t
I had learnt chess - at the age of for having persooJyht
sixteen - in 1972 (yes,Spassky- onlyoneof themdgft
Fischer) and I immediately began chess players of dlti-,Et
to play in tournaments reaching glentle, mode*,6f,d
the Italian Third National Cate- tient (!) man-
gory (two categories below Candi- YourcSinet$5
date Master). MarioMane
So I was a perfect woodpusher, Milan, Ita$
while, you teach me, Grandmaster
Htibner was one of the four Knight Morcs
strongest players in the world. I have afew renzbtt
As I was devourinEl everythin$ positions ana[zed-@
aboutthess I could find, I immedi- A) Theartide'Ut{r-f,
ately recognized him on the very Edge'on page6ScEt
first day of the Papyrology course. andinstructiw-flhh
After some time, we got ac- eccentricitYiDrft ftfuLl
quainted and often discussed Pa- tionally jusffied-mE
pyrology and chess. My father was on b5 is a'Spad$- tQ.r
a violinist and played in a quartet. mains misplaoedtc-[h
Every week they rehearsed in our kni gfi t's eccenuiity b thG
house. feld seems a [uLbd.
As Dr. Htibner was fond of clas-
sical music, one evening I invited
him for dinner, and while we were
listening to Mozart and Beetho
tlt ll
ven, I'm ashamed to tell you, I
dared to challenge him! We played
eight games which of course I lost
without having the faintest idea of
what was happening on the chess
board. He must have got deeply
bored, but he didn't show, always
behaving like an exquisite gentleman. Ibelieve'\*5-QQuer
I remember his visits to the So- whichputsthe!- -ql
cieti Scacchistica Milanese (ltaly's doublln o,rdEbfudl,d
lD. Hiibner oldest and most prestigious chess which White cannot attain any ad- awon position:41.9d2 Ve4 42.f3!!
!I77 I was a student in club): he spent one afternoon play- vlntage in this line, he has to re- (the three kingl moves all lose) and
ilthe Catholic Univer- ing blitz games - two simultane- sort now to either 6.93 or 6.fil. now 42...8f3 43.€g1 de2 44.Ve2
h_ ously with one minute against Both moves are met by 6...4c6, a We3 45.9e2 tsh4, when Black
Itte exams I then had to fivel!! - facing Milan's best players - move which exposes another draw- doesn't lose because of a material
ic- Greek Literature, Ar- with the incredible score of 20 back of 5.4a4 - White cannot deficit, but rather mating threats:
;g eic) there was Papyrol- wins, 2 draws, no losses. push d5. So 6.93 Ac6 7.6fll AfS 46.Eb8 €h7 47.tse5.
the students that Time has passed since then, and and White has to cope with the C) In Anand-Adams, Madrid
-ong
Papyrology six-
'6e as I lost contact with him, I would threat 8...6b4, and his best way to 1998, (page 25) the position after
rce held by Prof. Orso- like to thank him, if possible, on do it is by 8.6c3 in order to vacate Black's 23rd move is:
hecchi, there was Dr. the pa[es ofyour enjoyable maga- a4 for the queen (8.a3 Ae4!); yet
Ifuer. zine. I consider myselfvery lucky after 8...4d5! 9.992 6rc3
rynt chess - at the age of for having personally known not (9...4cb4? 10.e4!) 10.bc3 Ae4 '::i1t1:,,i1 lt,i.i iii
i1972 (yes, Spassky-
d I immediately began
only one of the most profound
chess players of all time, but also a
Black's position is better (if
11.9b3 Ad5!). Or 6.f3 6c6 7.Ae3
riii fr i|

thrnaments reaching
rfhird National Cate-
l ateglories below Candi-
rd.
r e perfect woodpusher,
rtcadr me, Grandmaster
s one of the four
lfleyers in the world.
r danouring everything
ls I could find, I immedi-
lnized him on the very
f tte Papyrology course.
Etime, we got ac-
d often discussed Pa-
ad chess. My father was
tad played in a quartet.
* they rehearsed in our
ffihrer was fond of clas-
i, one evening I invited
Ls, and while we were
bHozart and Beetho-
6emed to tell you, I
fi{lenge him!We played
rwhich of course I lost
ring the faintest idea of
lapening on the chess
,rst have Elot deeply
th didn't show, always
L an exquisite genfleman.
Jcr his visits to the So-
distica Milanese (ltaly's
glentle, modest charming and pa-
tient (!) man.
Yours Sincerely,
Maio Monasse
Milan" Italg
Knight Moves
I have a few remarks about three
positions analyzed in NIC 98/4.
A) The article'Living on the
Edge'on page 65 was both funny
and instructive. While the knight's
eccentricity in the Sicilian is posi-
tionally justified - White's bishop
on b5 is a'Spanish'bishop, and re-
mains misplaced there - the
knight's eccentricity in the Grtin-
feld seems a little too odd.
I believe that 5...4f6! is a move
which puts the whole concept in
doubt. In order to play e4, without
Ad5 8.4f2 Ah6, and again Black's
position is preferable.
Ironically White's best is probably
6.6c3 when after 6...6d5 a draw
can be agreed upon ifWhite adheres
to his antics, or it can be Black
who may wish to prolong the ideo-
logical battle by opting for any
continuation other than 6...4d5,
in which case his prospecti are ob-
viously not inferior to White's.
B) In the third glame of the
match Kasparov-Topalov (The One
Without Computers) the line sug-
gested in the diagrammed position
on page 15 makes more sense if
extended a couple of moves.
After 39.9c3 6d4 40.€92! Black
plays 40...9e5! which controls b8
and intends 41...9e4. It is by an-
other resource that White reaches
I ili
ueA
EU
Anand mentions that 24.€h1
would be answered by 24...trf6,
meaning of course that the out-
post on f4 would now be occupied
by the knight if White plays 25.e4.
Yet this is slightly inconsistent
with his own observation in com-
menting on Adams's 27thmove
that'the plan to move the knight
to f4 is really bad because it
shields White's main problem -
the B pawn'.
There is another post the knight
can reach - h4 - which may be
even more effective than either f4
or 95 (as occurred later in the
game). After An and's 24.e4,
24...Q:e7 I deserves serious consid-
eration. ...g5, ...4g6-h4 seems to
be quite a promising set-up. For
some reason Anand doesn't exam-
ine this line.
With best wishes,
Dlie Agur
The Hague, The Nethetlands

NEwIN CHEss) 9
Ten can play in
and in the end
Drnr hu rEN
An often quoted dictum
during the football
World Cup in France (at
least till the quarter
finals) was GarY
Lineker's definition of
football as'a game
where two teams of
eleven players compete
for twice forty'five
minutes and in the end
the Germans win'. In
Dortmund they know by
now that a chess
tournament is an event
where ten players plaY
nine rounds and in the
end Vladimir Kramnik
wlns.
10 I NEWIN CHESS
GEUzENDAM
dismal performance in Cazorla,
! n fact, the press bulletin of
I Round 6 said it all. In bold let- but he might also have surmised
I ters it announced: 'Nun ist er that Kramnik would be all set to
doch wieder vorn'; in other words, avenEe his poor show aEainst Shi-
in barely disguised disbelief it ex' rov. The tall Muscovite certainlY
was, but nevertheless he had to Kramnik qnnd tE 5
claimed:'Now he is leading again'.
Yes, Madimir Kramnik was leading rely oh a good deal of luck and the beenthebe*pklEts
special bond he has with Dort- in their Eam fu nh
again, and in the end he was de-
mund to defend his title. In a waY tersburgEdld|la
clared winner of the Dortmunder
Schachtage for the fourth time in Kramnik seems untouchable at of Kr:mnft pr@lif
the annual Schachtage. As in the WCC Andid-rr H,H
succession. It was a tight affail for
sure, as Michael Adams and Peter previous five editions he took part rest he coofrncd Bu
Svidler collected the same number in, he again did not lose one game, amongtheba-Eq,l
taking his total to 54(!) games player to d4lE ql
of points, but the unavoidable
truth remained that Kramnik tri' without a single defeat. this verdictw HEfiI
No matter how you look at this self (a k e Alc-fl 5L
umphed on tiebreak, and won agin.
Carsten Hensel, the tournament's it must take an extraordinarY
feat, toumamd rl-,r
press officer, did not beat about the talent to produce such a record. his dismay)- SrIdh
Typically, Kramnik himself refused his hea4 and rc#
bush when at the first press con-
ference he jokingly spoke a special to speak highly of his play. ln his of his misrehr b {dt
usual selfconfident but unassum- his mind thc H fuh
word of welcome to the winner of
the previous three editions of Ger- ing manner he commented: 'I can' Peter IAo- A
not remember winning a tourna- men! or so t {ff u,
many's most prestiglious tourna-
ment: 'Vladimir, it's got nothing to ment playing so badly. But Per- was saidimc*"rdF&l
haps it was predictable. I was so round in riit Sdh r
do with you as a person, we like
you a lot, but still we hoPe that unlucky in my match against Shi- Leko with the Dld
this year you will not win.' rov and in Frankfurt I should have (thesedaysryr4-
as the Hen&ir Gq I
Perhaps Hensel had secretlY won. But you see, luck alwaYs
drawn some hope from Kramnik's comes back.' an apt condr.rsin
kwins
pformance in Cazorla,
] r-dht also have surmised
imik would be all set to
tB poor show against Shi'
b tall Muscovite certainly
rt nerertheless he had to
rrgmd deal of luck and the
I tmd he has with Dort-
b defend his title. In a way
ta seems untouchable at
rl Sclachtage. As in the
rfive editions he took part
tin did not lose one game,
I Es total to 54(!) games
lesingle defeat.
der how you look at this
;rrS take an extraordinary
b produce such a record.
f,1 Kramnik himself refused
* highlv of his play. In his
confident but unassum-
ner he commented: 'l can-
mber winning a tourna-
*ying so badly. But per-
I ras predictable. I was so
b tur my match against Shi-
I ir Frankfurt I should have
h you see, luck always
rbdr'
Vladimir Klamnik is about to massacre Peter Svidler with
a nice bit of prepalation fiom his match against Shirov
Kramnik opined that Svidler had
been the best player this time. True,
in their game the man from SL Pe-
tersburg got massacred by a nice bit
of Kramnik preparation from the
WCC Candidates final, but for the
rest he confirmed his new status
among the best. However, the first
player to disagree outright with
this verdict was Peter Svidler him-
self (a.k.a. Alexey(!) Svidler in the
tournament programme, much to
his dismay). Self-critical he shook
his head, and recapitulating some
of his mistakes he stated that to
his mind the best player had been
Peter Leko. A remarkable state-
ment or so it might seem, as this
was said immediately after the last
round in which Svidler crushed
Leko with the Marshall Gambit
(these days apparently also known
as the Hendrix Gambit), but still
an apt conclusion.
Leko, the darling of the public in
Dortmund, played an excellent
tournament claiming a prominent
part in the fight for first place
right from the beginning. 'This
could have been my best tourna-
ment ever', he sighed after his
hopes had gone up in smoke in
the penultimate and last rounds. 'I
was playing strong1 and risky
chess. It felt like the tournament
of my life. My victory seemed a
dead certainty.' Leko's first rude
awakeningl came in his game
against Kramnik in the last round
but one. In a mere thirteen moves
he outplayed his mighty opponent
with the black pieces to reach a lapse. Everything had been going
winning position. In his 53rd Dort-
mund game there seemed to be no
rescue for Kramnik. Coolly Leko
kept his advantage and entered on
the safest road to victory. But ex-
actly there he ran into a devilish
=
I
o
F
o
o
o
trap, which Kramnik had not set
but which just happened to have
arisen. In a seemingly simple line
Leko, to his horror, discovered a
drawing mechanism, an invulner-
able rook that would chase his
king for ever. The Hungarian had
to change his plans and slowly but
surely discovered that his chances
to crack Kramnik's defences had
evaporated.
The second pill could not have
been more bitter. In the final
round, where a win would still
have meant first place, he was
smashed by Svidler. Leko felt at a
loss for an explanation for his col-
fine and every favourable condi-
tion he could think of had been
met. It was particularb painful
that he slipped up here, as Dort-
mund has always meant some-
thing special to the former prod-
NEW tN CHESS I 11
igy. In 1992 it was in Dortmund
that the then twelve-yearold Leko
boldly declared that in 1999 he
hoped to become World Cham-
pion. Preferably by squeezing the
title from his idol Anand, with
whom he played a historic blitz
game at that occasion. These days
L4.9:d2 6,d7 15.8a2
16.6e3 6c5 17.b3
18.hc4 a4 L9.ba4 b3 20.Ea3
Ac4 21-.dc4 gb2 22.trb3 Ab3
23.cb3 Eb3 24.trb1
le
r r
O{) won the right to challenge Kaspa- guard Dortmund'spn-f
AaG rov in the WCC minicycle. Before tion on the internatid&
the tournament the Spaniard con- endar. What changes ftq
fessed that he would have pre- fuYd
ers are considerirgl
ferred to forgo playing in Dort- say. Let's ontv hqe Et-
go for the easy qtin dr
(i+ffin
mund. What was the use of com-
petingi in an event of this strength
when his mind was already on Kas-
not ask back Vla&ir f,a

Leko's expectations have been
moderated a bit. His sole ambition
now is to improve his play, even if
he adds in the old spirit 'And if I
do I see no reason why I shouldn't
become World Champion.'
Wth his win over Leko, Svidler
caught up with Kramnik and Ad-
ams, the only two players to go
through the tournament unde-
feated. Michael Adams had his bits
of luck, notably against Ivanchuk
and Anand, which invited German
television to note that the English-
man had almost surreptitiously
stolen to the top. In his Eame
against Anand it seemed as if some
external force had ordained that
Adams should have his revenge for
the costly loss he suffered against
the same opponent in Groningen
last December. The position
seemed to be a dead draw, when
Anand suddenly, and highly unad-
visably, started an offensive that
proved suicidal. Yet, in a category
18 field like this you do not sur-
vive on luck alone, and overall Ad-
ams showed a good deal of chess
that confirmed why he has amply
crossed the 2700 mark on the July
rating list.
sr 45.4
Michael Adams
Vlswanathan Anand
rirl!!!!!li!.
parov and he had no wish to show
.i.,ii:.iii. I his best opening ideas anyway? Notes gf
Yet, Shirov's minus four score and Vladimir frd
JI
subsequent last place must have
caused a few headaches at the Q0 7.1O
WCC headquarters of Luis Rentero. Vtadlrdr XrJ
This was certainly not the result Artur Yustr
Don Luis cum suis had been hop- Dortmund ro{Bffi
24...Vc7 25.4c1 Ac1 26.Eb3 ing for to convince the Andalusian Laf3 d5 2-dn I Uo
trb8 27.8b8 Bb8 28.c5 dc5 government that investing a cou- 4.6c3 Le7 5.3tS I f,
29.a5 Ab2 3O.a6 Ad4 31.9.f1 ple of million dollars in a Kaspa- O{ 7.e3 bG r @a .Ef
c4 32.Vc4 Bb2 33.8e2 Wc3 rov-Shirov match is an excellent Abd71o.ge2csr1.tE
34.€,92 Ab6 35.tsa2 Vit4 idea. 11...dc4 is also *iJrfifa
36.tsc2 37.9.b5 h6 38.tse2
eO Hopefully they nevertheless re- 12.cd5ed5l3-Ei,
BcS 39.tsb2 g5 40.4d3 g4 main fascinated by the idea to The most potrfu n,t
41.8 G h5 42.9f4 €f8 43.e5 have a world championship. As the 13.trfd1 also besfseH
Bd5 44.Ae4 gd4 45.gh6 people in Dortmund remain at- 13...493
€e7 46.tsf6 €f8 47.AcG €98 tracted by the idea of one day hav- sq-a-.d{
13...4df6 is
48.h4 gh3 49.€h3 9a1 ing a world championship in their White's att@FbF-i
5O.€g2 Bc1 51.4f3 h4 city. Halfway throuSh the event taSe have s@Gtbr
52.9h4 Bc5 53.4h5 Bc6 the organizers announced that think that rii d
54.tsf3 Bc7 ss.gb7 gb7 they had good hopes that within Blackshouldbc.*b#
56.ab7 Ac7 57.t4 1{ five years from now Dortmund 14.h93 a6
may host one of FIDE's knock-out Of course, tb? lH J.l
The two big losers in Dortmund world championships. FIDE had ratherunple*-lCcl
were Vishy Anand and Alexey Shi- reacted positively to their request way of parrli4 i
rov. Who could have predicted af- and Kirsan Ilyumzhinov had de-
clared that before long he would
be too slc. @r
shouldharrhar"d-
-I f
ter their recent successes that in
the eighteen games they played visit the capital of Westfalen to dis- 15.dc5
between them these aces would cuss their plans. m tLaGr
The presswe
not score one single victory? An- Further plans of the ambitious binedwithtbctLstl
and incredulously watched an In- Dortmund organizers concern the diagonalseorcfE&il
dian cameraman at work in the format of their tournament. Possi- 15...bcs
Opernhaus: 'Can you believe it? I bly as a result of the football bd budl
15...4c5? is
think that I won something like World Cup the Dortmunder but15-36.}5ilElt
twelve out of the last fifteen tour- Schachtage received 'only' five Black's proUc & tr

Dortmund 1998 (7)
1.e4 c5 2.6,c3 hc6 3.g3 86
4.9;92 ag7 5.d3 d6 6.4e3
Eb8 7.9d2 b5 8.69e2 6d4
9.0-O b4 1O.Ad1 6,e2 L7-.Ve2
6f6 12.a3 a5 13.ab4
naments I played in. But exacfly thousand visitors, approximately Af6 he has tp rfu d
now Indian television sends a re- thirty per cent less than last year. 17.e4 and 1715!I
porter to witness my worst tourna- This drop in attendance and the 16.oh1
ment in years.' mountingl predictability of the 16.e4 d4 H[
l7.a.bl
Alexey Shirov almost inevitably event has created a distinct feeling d2<4 ruotrld ht JiE I
cb4 suffered a set-back after he had that changes are required to safe- slight but endri4 ff

12 ) NEW IN CHESS
 to challenge Kaspa-
ffiC minicycle. Before
the Spaniard con-
he would have pre-
frgo playing in Dort-
was the use of com-
event of this strength
ird was already on Kas-
lhe bad no wish to show
,olning ideas anyway?
Ys minus four score and
ft last place must have
Cr beadaches at the
1
LErters of Luis Rentero.
i-tmy not the result
lg suis had been hop-
itu*rio." the Andalusian
ilt that investing a cou-
Fm dollars in a Kaspa-
I ratdr is an excellent
I 11...dc4 is also satisfactory.
F *o nevertheless re-
Lded by the idea to
fl dampionship. As the
I llortnund remain at-
76e idea of one day hav-
I cfiampionship in their
hy through the event
iss announced that
1@ hopes that within
r from now Dortmund
c of FIDE's knock-out
qionships. FIDE had
dively to their request
; Ilyumzhinov had de-
f before long he would
!t'lal of Westfalen to dis-
1LDs
T lhns of the ambitious
I cganizers concern the
ilHr tournament. Possi-
r rsrlt of the football
h the Dortmunder
i received 'only' five
, risitors, approximately
fqt less than last year.
I fo attendance and the
I fedictability of the
otated a distinct feeling
ls iue required to safe-
guard Dortmund's prominent posi-
tion on the international chess cal-
endar. What changes the orglaniz-
ers are considerinS they would not
say. Let's only hope they will not
glo for the easy option and simply
not ask back Vladimir Kramnik.
NOIES BY
Vladimir Kramnik
QO 7.10
Vladlmir Kramnlk
Artur Yusupov
Dortmund 1998 (6)
LAf3 dS 2.d4 EltO 3.c4 eG
4.6c3 AeZ 5.495 hG 6.9h4
0-0 7.e3 b6 8.4d3 Ab7 9.O{)
6bd7 1o.tse 2 c5 L1-.AgP 6e4
12.cd5 ed513.Ead1
The most popular move, although
13.trfd1 also has its advantages.
13...493
13...adf6 is sounder, and although
White's attempts to gain an advan-
tage have sometimes succeeded, I
think that with accurate play
Black should be able to equalise.
14.h93 a6
Of course, the threat of Aa6 is
rather unpleasan! but even so this
way of parrying it seems to me to
be too slow. Perhaps t4...c41?
should have been tried.
15.dc5
The pressure on the d5 pawn com-
bined with the threats on the b1-h7
diagonal secure White the initiative.
15...bc5
15...4c5? is bad in view of 16.4c4,
but 15...4c5 also does not solve all
Black's problems: after 16.4c2
6f6 he has to reckon with both
77.e4 and 17.4b3.
16.9.b1
16.e4 d417.4b1 followed by Abl-
d2-c4 would have given White a
slight but enduringl advantage, but
the move played seemed to me
more interesting.
16...4b6
If 16...4f6?! 17.e4 (17.hd5!? 6d5
-18.e4) 17...d4 18.e5 with the initia-
tive.
E$l#H € lll
ftiifi3. I
li
$li i aAi ii
A llili$'!#ig
L7.a4l
Creating the potential threat of
a4-a5 and also vacating the a2
square for the bishop.
17]t8c2 gO 18.4d5!? was possible,
but after both 18...Ad5 19.e4 Ae4
20.Ve4 Bc7 and 18...6d5!? 19.e4
ab4 20.trd8 Ac2 Black has good
chances ofdefending.
17...4f6
After 17...a5 18.9c2 g6 19.4a2
White's pressure becomes threat-
ening (19...4f6 20.e41?).
18.9c2
As my likeable opponent admitted
after the game, here the thought
occurred to him that he had proba-
bly not played the opening very
well, if already on the 18th move
he had to parry a threat of mate in
one move!
18...9619.a5
More vigorous than 19.4a2 Ac3
20.8c3 6,a4 (20...c4 2I.a5 dd7
22.b3!) 2l.Vc2 6b6 22.Wc5, al-
though this too gives White a
clear advantage. But now after the
natural 19...4c3 I had in mind the
following variations: 20.9c3! 6c4
(20.-6rd7 2l.La2 c4 22.b3!;
22.e41?) 21.e4r. (21 -ga2 ga5 22.8a5
Aa5 23.4d5 is hardly good enough
for a win) 21...Wa5 zz.Wcll gg7
(22...de4 loses to 23.9h6 (threat-
ening 24.hg5) 23...e8 24.LgG fg6
25.9g6 €h8 26.trd7) 23.ed5 with
a very dangerous initiative. And al-
though I saw that after
19...6c4
I could transpose into this varia-
tion by 20.e41 gc3 (20...d4
2l.aa4+; 20...Wa5 21.4d5 Ad5
22.trd5+) 21.9c3, I was neverthe-
less tempted by
20.ads
but to be honest, I somewhat over-
estimated my chances in the posi-
tion arising after the 24th move.
20...a,b2
20...9d5 2I.e4 is clearly better for
White.
214f6 gf6 22.trd2 al3 23.9f3
23.Vb2 Vbz 24.trb2 Ad5 25.rc1
is too modest.
23...8ab8
Of course, not 23...c4?? 24.Vb2 c3
25.9a1! But now, surprisingly
enough, White is unable to gain
any significant advantage after
24.WcS trbs! (24...9fli 25.9d4!)
25.9d4 (25.Vc7 gB and
26...trh5) 25...Wd4 26.trd4 tra5,
and although after 27.9e4 Black
still has to work for the draw, this
did not satisfy me.
24.14c425.e4
The advance of the pawns looks
very threateninE, but with a series
of precise moves my opponent con-
solidates his position.
2s...Efd8!
Black needs to exchange one pair
of rooks.
26.e5 trd2 27.Wd2 gd8
28.9e2 gd4!
In the gliven position, centralisa-
tion is more important than win-
ning a pawn (28...Ua5 29.f5 with
the initiative, or 29.e6!?).
29.e6
29.f5!? Ad3 30.f96 fg6 31.e6 came
into consideration.
29...affi!
NEw rN CHESS ) lil

30.4c2!?
After failing to find any favourable
forcing line, I decided for the mo-
ment simply to make a strengthen-
ing move, maintaining the tension.
White achieves nothing with ei-
ther 30.trd1 Ebzl 31.efl @g7l
(31...@ff? 32.4d3 cd3 [32...Ee2
33.Ae6l 33.trd3+) 32.A-c2 Wf2l,
or 30.ef7 gf7 31.f5?! gfs 32.9h5
€g7 33.9f5 ff8, but interesting
was 30.Aa2!? trb2 31.tse3 We3
32.fe3! (with the idea of 32...E,a2?
33.e7; during the Elame I over-
looked this resource) 32...feO
(32...c3!? 33.e7 Eb8 34.4c4\
33.Ac4 Ac5, when Black's de-
fences should hold.
30...fe6
30...Ee8 was a sensible alterna-
tive, although it too does not solve
all Black's problems: after 3l.ef7
@f7 32.Wf3 White retains the ini-
tiative, since 32...del? fails to
33.9b7 tre7 34.Ag6 €f6 35.Wa6
Ee6 36.tsb5!
31.We6 &97 32.La4l
Although short of time, I manage
to find a resource that maintains
the initiative. The bishop as
though 'side-steps' the powerful
knight at d3, and intends to come
into play from e8 or via c6 and e4.
At the same time it sets a trap,
into which Yusupov, also in time
trouble, falls. I should also men-
tion that after 32.tsa6 Ebz
33.9d3 cd3 Black gains a draw
without difficulty.
14 ) NEwrN CHESS
32...c3?
A vexing mistake after Black's
long and tenacious defence. At
this point each player had only a
little more than three minutes left
on his clock, which of course is
clearly insufficient for such a com-
plicated position. I will give
rough analysis ofthis position, the
greater part of which was done
without a board during the play-
ers' meal together after the game:
A) 32...trb1? loses, as after
gf2 34.9h1 gf;l 35.oh2
33.trb1
wf2 36.9h3 af4 37.9f4 wf3
38.9h2 Ef2 39.€h1 gA4o.gg1
Wg3 41.ef1 the white king finally
escapes from the checks;
B\ 32...af2? is little better:
33.Ef2 tsa1 (33...Eb2 34.tse5)
34.*CZ Wa4 35.tse5 and the rook
at b8 is lost;
C) 32...8b2?l also does not solve
all Black's problems: 33.8e7 €h8
(33...€C8 34.A,d71, threatening
mate in three moves) 34.9f8 gh7
35.f5!with advantage to White;
D) 32...trf8! 33.4e8 tsf6 (after
33...Ef6? 34.We7 eg8 White has
the very strong 35.4c6!!, creating
two threats: 36.4d5 and 36.Eb1)
34.8c4 6fz (34.-6f4 35.4d7!
with advantage to White in view of
the weakness of the a6 pawn)
35.4d7 gd6 (35...trd8 36.4c8!?)
36.!fz (36.Ac8!?) 36...9d7
37.tsa6, and although the most
probable outcome is a draw, White
retains winning chances.
Thus, despite Black's powerful the queen to maiilrur fuic
centralisation, he would still have dominance.
had problems after the strongest 17.wd2 gdtra.iip6!
move 32...Ef8.
33.4c2!
This 'strange' retreat by the
HA
aa
bishop was overlooked by my op-
ponent. Now the pin on the knight
is decisive. Unfortunately for
Black, he cannot play ...c3-c4, as
pawns, in contrast to bishops, are
unable to move back.
33...trb2
33...8d8 34.Wa6 would also have
given Black no chances.
34.8e7 €88 35.8e2! In fact, this s,r[dc mreblhl
Finally driving the knight from d3,
of Kramnik's imle*Elfiir'L
after which loss of material is in- temporarir-"L gi'res ry a r
a evitable.
keep his part'r>frutuL
35...4f4 36.9I4 gf7 37.8d1 19...ed4
Black resigned.
White is also nr&r@ d
19...4f6 20jec a.dII-IE
Gl 5.1
20.hg4e5
Vladimir Kramnlk In caseof 2O-LEtrBlefir:
Peter Svidler in case of 20-d3 flilg*p ta Alx
Dortmund 1998 (2)
Ld4 af6 2.c4 CG 3.6c3 d5
4.cd5 hd5 5.e4 hc3 6.bc3
gg7 7.Ac4 c5 8.6e2 6c6
9.Ae3 cd41o.cd4 9a5
A dubious continuation, which ac-
cording to Kramnik belongs in the
museum after this 5lame.
Lt-.ad2gd812.ds
The alternative is 12.4c3, as Be-
liavsky played against Svidler in
Madrid, seeNIC9S/4.
L2...6,e5 13.Ac3 O-O 14.4b3
wb615.f4!
The beEiinning of the awesome
plan Kramnik had worked out to-
gether with his second, Grtinfeld
specialist Sakaev. Known was
15.0-0 Ag4 16.h3 Ae2 I7.\8e2
Eac8 and Black is fine.
Ls...alc416.4d4!
Secures a powerful and unassail-
able pawn centre.
16...9a5
If 16...9d4 White takes back with
Ef
L Black's powerful
the queen to maintain his central 2L.93 agq 22.e5 ae2 My opponent seemed to have rela-
t he rn-ould still have
dominance. 23.&e2 EfcS 24.Ead1 Ec3 tively little experience with these
E after the strongest 17.Wd2 Wd2 1.8.Sd2 e5 19.h3! 25.trd3 EacS? systems, so I decided to give it a go.
E This speeds up the end, because 9...8e8 L0.abd2 Af8 f.af1
E .:!,ii \ffirite will soon be able to play the hOL2.a4?l
te' retreat by the
destructive e6. However, the bet- Afterwards I was not very satisfied
"oerlooked
by my op-
r the pin on the knight
ffir ter 25...b5 26.d6 would not pose with this move as Black is well mo-
White too many problems either. bilised for queenside action. Lots
r lJnfortunately for 26.d0 b5 27.Ec3 dc3 of other options were available such
mot play ...c3-c4, as 27 ...Hc3 28.d7 is no improvement. as 12.h3, L2.ag3, 12.6e3, I2.a3.
t-ast to bishops, are
28.e6! €f8 29.e7 €e8 3O.Af7 L2...ad7l
rcback. Black resigned. My opponent gains an early bene-
fit from delaying the development
.lS rlould also have of his li ght-square bishop.
Dchances. 13.6e3 6r5L4$c2b4
p35.9e2! NOIES EY
I was expecting 14...c5 but this
In fact, this subfle move is the point
Ethe knight from d3,
of Kramnik's investi gations. White Michael Adams move is also strong, as the pawn is
lcs of material is in-
temporarily gives up a pawn to untouchable after 15.cb4 Ac6
keep his pawn- structure. RL 19.11 16.4d2 gb8 17.b5 ab5 18.a5 b4.
Jgnert 37.Ed1
19...ed4 Michael Adams 15.4d2 bc3?!
d_ Zoltan AImasi The consistent and best continua-
White is also fully in control after
19...4f6 20.fe5 oe4 21.€e3. Dortmund 1998 (3) tion was 15...9b8 aiming to trans-
20.hg4gs 1.e4 e5 2.6,13 6.cB 3.4b5 a6 pose to the variation above. I may
lIramnik
In case of 20..4g4, White plaw 21.e5, 4.Aa4 6f6 5.O{ Ae7 6.tre1 have been forced to play 16.4c4 in
Hdler in case of 20...d3 simply 21.6c3. bs 7.4b3 dG 8.c3 O-O 9.d3 this event.
!d 1998 (2)
24 g6 3.4c3 d5
5 5,e4 6c3 6.bc3
tl c5 8.he2 hc6
,!O.cd4 Wa5
dinuation, which ac-
kmnik belongs in the
Ethis Same.
3L:l.ds
lire is 12.9.c3, as Be-
ad against Svidler in
wcss/4.
Ul3c3 0{ 14.4b3
I
ig of the awesome
a had worked out to-
lis second, Grtinfeld
l&ev. Known was
r 16113 Ae2 l7.We2
*isfine.
n-ed4! 5
o
n'erful and unassail- o
rfe. o
s
o
itite takes back with
Michael Adams: Adding more points to his already formidable new 2715 rating

NEW IN CHESS ) 15
 I poRrMUNpl
= hll
16.9.c3 Black's disadvantage is minimal af- tle resistance. Better was 30...fae8 Peter Leko is not
ter 22.ed5 Ee1 23.9e1 (23.Ael 31.trc2 (31.fb8 €g7) 31...h5! try- - qri
ing the rnain lir
ad4 24.Wd4 9e7t) 23...4d4 ing to create a diversion. since the winmd r 1
EWE 24.9d4 9d7, so the position un- 31.8c2 EaeS 32.6b8 a5 would mostproballyt-ffi
I dergloes a sudden change. It turns The only move was 32...€97 as the 9.ed5 Ad5 lo-N I
iffi out that the imprelnable knight a6 pawn cannot be taken immedi- 11.tre5 c$7:2-83-tfl
on c6 is very powerful. ately. White should probably con- gh414.g3tt3,5.u
A 22...o,c3 23.bc3 9g5 tinue 33.a5. In the game once the Almost every legi rebl
q_)
The most obvious attempt to repel pawn is fixed on a5 it is easy pick- tried here, indr.ftl dt-,
.ijlti the intruder with 23...9d7 24.9d5 ings. 1s...gfs1c.ac!!t
A a5 25.fab1 tra6? 26.6b8 doesn't 33.hc6 €g7 34.6a5 tra8 Butafter
llf+,,]l flfii work, so Black must come to 35.Eb5 Af6 36.tra2 Ac3 L7.trel
terms with playing around this 37.6cG Ec4 38.a5 Ea6 Black recenEy o,.J h E-l
16...6cG piece. If 23...tsf6 24.V d4. 39.Ec2! which may fr rlr r lH
It is much more normal to play 24.vd5 A fatal pin. Black is forced to cede equality,whiletbcd-E
16...c5 in these types of position. Accurately played as after the cas- material. L7...t5
Then White has three choices: ual 24.c4 WcS 25.9d5 a5 Black 39...EccG 40.dc6 Ea5 41.trb7 was completdyfutlE h
17 .adz or 17 .b4 which was my in- gets to clear his lines. Eal-42.&g2 9a5 43.8a7 entirely sure rrtlt
tention or 17.Aa5 9a5 18.4c4 24...9d5 Black resigned. 18.4f:r
Wc7 19.a5 which Zoltan was most A sad move to play but this is r fur[L
This is a noreltx
concerned about. Nonetheless I probably best, as 24...g6 25.c4 9:97 The known nrc ll
-
,

feel this is the least good of 26.Eab1 looks even less desirable.
NOrES AY 19.9f3 eb& rtE Hh
White's options. Certainly 17.b4 Note 24...fe6 loses to 25.4e7. Peter Svidler problemsrvhqlS
looks the safest after which White 25.ed5 gG 26.trab1 3:97 19.4e4, with iocflt I
should have a slight edge. 27.c43:c3 RLL7,4 cated play.

17.4b3 Peter Leko trre-Lr

Itlooked tempting to play 17.a5
until you notice 17...6a7 securing
a great outpost on b5.
17...Ae618.4e6 Ee6?
A bad mistake. If instead 18...fe6,
covering the sensitive d5 square,
White may be able to claim a slight
advantage but Black's game looks
very playable. Now there are op-
portunities to exploit the ineffec-
tual Af8.
19.6d58e8
The alternative 19...de7 20.6f6
Ef6 21.d4 is even worse.
20.d4t
The time is right to open up the
position.
2O...ed421,.ad4ads
It 21.-6d4 22.Wd4 6d5
White has a very pleasant techni-
The idea of tbe
Peter Svldler ous-WbiteGbali
Dortmund 1998 (9) oneofthemen-fo3ft,
1.e4 e5 2.ol13 6,cG 3.4b5 a6 18...f419.e.5
4.Aa4 af6 5.O{ Ae7 6.Ee1
b5 7.9b3 G0 8.c3 d5 tI
.1 s
The Marshall Attack had always
been the most frustrating opening
ffit
rt
ii#* for me. The longer I studied it, try-
I ,ffiiEl
ing to find an edge for White, the
I
more realized that any reason-
able player would want to play the A
ilAI
,28.trec1
A major decision. Exchanging all
other side. But I still needed some
final proof. And then it came - the
il
the rooks by means of 28.tre8 fe8 revelation. I remembered that Jimi
29.trb8 ef8 30.€f1 is tempting Hendrix's real name was James 19...Aes
but after 30...f5 31.tre8 9e8 Marshall, and that was that - I was 19...f93 is frEr, E b
32.@e2 a5 the win is still a long converted. work: m-W A fll
way off. However keepinS the My first attempt to play this won- (21.€h1 *odd tG. Ed
23.ed5 rooks on gives Black some derful opening was the second which loses to 2r oal il
chances for counterplay along the game vs Kasparov in Linares 1998, aB! 23.UA ftrl il.qll l

cal position. I believe the move e-file. but he decided to avoid the main 21...re19 (lw 2r allZ0
played in the game gives greater 28....Af0 29.€f1 Ee4 3O.93 lines (as he always did in his chess justlost) 22-lelH51ra-i
possibilities for counterplay. ggs? career - clear proof that Black is 2o.Ee5 @ a,f, J

22.dc0 In time trouble Zoltan puts up lit- OK there), and played 8.h3. But 22.Vel-

16 ) NEwrN CHESS
 Bder was 30...trae8 Peter Leko is not known for avoid- The alternative was 22.9f1, but 29.trd4 trd4 30.cd4 6b2) 29.9d3
Sg7) 31...h5! try- ing the main lines - especially Black seems to be doin€ fine: trd8 30.trd4 fe8 31.trf4tr Ed8
drrcrsion. since the winner of our garne ZZ..EaeB 23.fg5 9e6 24.9f4, utd 32.8d4.
3lLAb8 a5 would most probably tie for first. now Black has a pleasant choice: 23.c4 could lead to a transposi-
was 32...€97 as the 9.ed5 ads 1O.6e5 6e5 ' A) 24...h6 25.tre5 g96 tion: 23...Eae81 (23...trf5 24.8t5
be taken immedi 11.tre5 cG 12.d3 AdB 13.tre1 feS 27.4e5 9'B
A1) 26.fae1 gf5 25.9d1 gd1 26.9d1 ab4,
$ould probably con- 9h414.g3 Uh315.tre4 28.9d1 (28.9h3 tr6 29.!e3 unclear) and now for 24.9d2 see
h tlre game once the Almost every legal move has been eh7+) 28...9d1 29.rd1 6e3+; the note to move 24. By the way,
on a5 it is easy pick- tried here, including ofcourse, A2) 26.8e8 \e8 27.d4 (27.\et 24.cd5 fails to 24...9h5!
1s...gfs 16.ad2 9g6 Ee1 28.we1 aB-) 27...9f3 Finally, 23.A95!? Ieads to unclear
ibgt 34.haS Ea8 But after 28.8h3 (28.re1 th5 29.Ee8 €fi play: 23...h6 24.9e7 (24.4h4 trtA
.tft 36.Ea2 Ac3 L7.EeL loses) 28...tre2, with fine compen- 25.We3 faf8 26.Ae7 tse4)
u 38.a5 Ea6 Black recenfly opted for 17...9g4,
which may or may not lead to
sation;
B) 24..i.f3!? (intending 25...9h6)
24...trfst (if 24...we4 25.9f1).
23...trae8
Eack is forced to cede equality, while the old main line 25.8e5 (25.9e5 tre7 26.4d1 Wh6
L7...t5 is not particularly attractive), and
EaS 41.Eb7
9a54it.Ea7
was completely forgotten, I'm not
entirely sure why.
now:
Bl) 25...9e4 26.tr95 (26.tre8
lr
18.4f3 gh5 27.trf8 Ef8 28.-Sd6 eg8
This is a novelty, as far as I know. 29.Ve2 9e2 30.892 9g6+)
The known moves are 18.f4 3'f4 26...8e6 27.8e5, with a repetition
19.9f3 -Sb8, when Black has no of moves;
problems whatsoever, and 18.c4 f4 B.2\ 25...Ve6!?26.9h3 treS A:
Al
19.4e4, with incredibly compli- 27.9e5 trfs 28.d4 ghs! 29.8h4
cated play. E95! when Black has an edge after
The idea of the text-move is obvi- both 30.€h2 gg6 31.e91 h6 24.a4?
ous -White wants to get rid of 32.9d1 gdl 33.trd1 tsc2 34.rf1 A serious mistake, accompanied
19e8 (e) one ofthe menacing bishops. 9b2 and 30.€f1 Ae2 31.€el by a draw offer. It was still possible
6cG 3.4b5 a6 18...f419.6e5 gh4 32.eh4 rg133.Ee2 ral. to reach a draw by playir,g24.c[l
5.G0 Ae7 6.tre1 22...3:13 bc4 25.dc4 hf6 (25...tre5 26.tse5
8.c3 d5 It to be said that the remain-
has trfs 27.8b8 is an immediate draw)
Attack had always
frustrating opening
I ing bishop does not look bad at
all.
26.c5 €h8 27.Ve3!, and
Black has a comfortable choice be-
now

I studied it, try- 22...!ae9 is also OK, but White tween two drawing lines:
edge for White, the gets more counterplay here: A) 27...We4 28.re8 re8 29.Vf4
that any reason- 1 23.995 tre5 (23...!'f3 24.9h4Ee5 gh5 30.8h4 Uh4 31.9h4 tre4
want to play the 25.8e5 is not clear) 24.8e5 ff5 32.995 (or 32.4d1 gdl 33.trd1
I still needed some
then it came - the
Ai# 25.9b8 ff8, with a draw after
26.Ve5.
tr94 34.9f1 trh4) 32...tre4 33.€f1
E,e4l'
remembered that Jimi 23.gat2 B\ 27...6e4 28.tre8 9e8 29.9d1
name was James 19...4e5 23.9,e3? is bad because of gdl 30.trd1 Bh5 (30...trf2 fails to
that was that - I was 19...fg3 is funny, but does not 23...fae8 24.fe8 tre8 25.9d1 31.4a5!)31.trf1 Eg4 32..0c3 rB
work: 20.ag0 efz 2I.@92! 6e3 26.fe3 tsd3!. 33.tsd4 tr93.
to play this won- (21.€h1 would be a big mistake 23.4d1!? was rejected by both After the text I remembered that I
was the second which loses to 2l.,Ag4l 22.6f8 players inview of
23...9d1 used to be a Zaitsev player, and
in Linares 1998, AB! 23.9fll fe19 24.€g2 trfS) (23...8d3!?) 24.Wdt \fzt? 25.@f2 the reply came easily - a4 is al-
to avoid the main 21...fe19 (now 21...494 22.df8 is gf6 26.4f4 hf4, while in fact it is ways answered by
did in his chess justlost) 22.Vel hg6 23.tse4. a forced draw: 27.\e4l ad3 24...h6!
proof that Black is 2O.Ee5 fg3 21-.h93 aE4 28.@e2 Wtzl (stronger than Now White is in bad trouble.
nd played 8.h3. But 22.Vet- 28...db2 29.9d7! or 28...8d8 2s.gd1

NEw IN CHESS ) 17
 The only way to stay in the game. Not a bad move at {, {
25.ab5 loses by force: 25...tre5 35...9h4 36.A€2 id t
26.9e5 trfs 27.9b8 Sh7 28.4d1 ghs 38.Egr tg6 a-fr
gh5 29.4f3 gA 30.94 Vf2 matewas OKtoo-

t the Half-gfen Games 31.€h1EB 32.9h2 9e2 33.€h1

ug4.
White resigred-

in the NEC Yearbooks 25...8e5 26.tse5 AdL 27.8d1,

Ed3
Now Black has a positional advan-
I Half-open games except the French and Slcilian
I (NiC key, Yearbook Volume)
tage, a much better king, and as if Peter l'elo
that was not enough, the a4 pawn
Pirc Defence cK 4.15 30 always hangs. Bt 18.6
1.e4 dB cK 5.1 32 28.9d4 Vladlmlr Irfl
3.4 cK 8.4 34
No choice again: 28.ab5 tsB!
PU 32 Peter Leko
3.7 cK 8.5 47
PU
PU 3.7
29
46 cK 8.6 39 29.trtlEts 30.tse8 €h7. Dortmund 1!lSB
ru 5.2-3 22 cK 8.6 43 28...9f3!? DRAMAWfi'il'TlF
PU 5.14 39 cK 8.6 47 28...Vc21? was also very strong: This Eiame was lbrl i
cK 9.6-8
-' -
PU 7.4-7 20 24
29.Ee1 Wb2 30.ab5 ab5 31.fe6 eighth round ad
ct( 0.8
Iz^ PU
PU
PU
8.11
S.8.10
11.14
t2.2
47
43
33
cl( 9.13
cK 11.6-7
cK 12.1-5
32
31
36
Ebl! (not
32.&g2wf5.
31...trf6 32.trc6!=) that the winncr ddfr1r
also Eoing to te tt.
PU 32 32
26th 'Dortmrmdrr-Sfu
PU 12.5 cK t2.1,1, 21.
PU 12.6
46
30 cK t2.L1, 38 Before the toumdlr
PU 12.13-16 18 inEl very hard Yith ,lF
PU 13.7
14.3
19
Scandinavian
1.e4 d5 I black repertoire ili-r
as I had to face BrE4,
1 PU
PU 16.5
PU 16.C
34
27
38
sD
sD
5.2
6.7
44
37
iiiti.tii I h 'it
Ivanchuk, ADaDd-4ts
Pu 16.15 21 sD 7.4 36 A the black piecs. Btul
sD 7.14 32 I enjoyedmyHadt-d
Modern Detence sD 15.3-7 20
2r,€t
sD 1s.5
,.d4af6
1,.4e6 18
KF 4.6 30 sD 16.5 45 My main ureapo 4t
- KF 4.1 18 sD 16.7-15 45 thistournamedstCl
KF 4.15 20 sD 16.12 31 29.fuel? but after scoring *l [1;l
KF 11.9 26
Alekhine's Defence The final mistake in a bad posi- rov and Irraoffil I tri
KF 11.9 29
Le4 af6 tion. Necessary was 29.fe1 Ef5 stop and ch€ri+ ft atJ
KF 11.9 38
xF 13.7 26 AL 2.s 42 30.tre8 €ff! (30...€h7 is worse: ries. Anywa1,, I st
AL 5.7-10 2t 31.4e3! o,f6 32.H,eS treS 33.9e5 see how Kratrr*sts
CaroKann Deience At- 7.14 3t
1.e4 cG At 7.L4 40
ba4 34.4d4 9e4 35.9c7)31.fe5, act again* thc BGf
cK 1,,2 27 AL S.8 44 although after 31...tre5 32.We5 smallsurprisemtsra
cK 2.2 23 AL 10.3 25 gd1 33.Ae1 tsa4! (33...ba4 3.d5bs4.@Hit
cK 3.1 AL 10.3 45
36 34.c4T) 34.9h5 €e6! Black is
cl( 3.1 39 AL 11.11 ' lg
much better, viz. 35.996 (35.9e8
Gl( 3.1 4t AL 13.6-10 23
cK 3.4 25 Ar_ 14.2-5 20 6e7+) 35...af6 36.9e7 gdl
7z cK 3.4 40 ,/ 37.gf1gd3 38.€92 We2 winning.
cK 3.7-8 18 29...6e3! 3o.fe39e2!
cK 4.1 42
cK 4.3 34
A very nice tactical shot - the
cK 4.4 18 bishop is caught in its own camp.
'fn cK 4.5
cK 4.8
18
25
31,.3]129f2 32.€h1gg3
It's all over now.
CK 4.11 44 /
cK 4.13 47 .a 33.ab5 Efs 34.9d8 €h7
3s.gd3gg6

1,8 ) NBwrN cnrss

 Not a bad move at all, although 5...c3! 9.o,e2!? is another option: 9...0-0
35...9h4 36.@92 Wg4 37.9h2 After I lost to Khalifman in Ubeda 10.04, with unclear play.
whs 38.991 tsg6 39.€h1 trhS last year with the 'natural' 5....96 9...O{ 10.O{ a,bd7 L7-.Ait2
mate was OK too. 6.4c4 d6 7.b3 Ag7 8.4b2, with a ab6
White resigned: slight edge for White, I came to Black seems to be doing just fine.
the conclusion that the text gives L2.6a5?
i
Black a nice game. Funnily This natural move is a big mistake
t enougfr, it was Khalifman who in- which should have cost him first
frapositional advan- NOIES BY troduced this move in practice place!

Frner king, and as if Peter Leko some years ago. L2...c4tt3.9:c2

lorrgh, the a4 pawn 6.bc3gG l3.dc4 o,c4 14.4c4 6e4, and

i. Bt 18.6 I was expecting my opponent to Black has a large advantage.

I Vladimlr Kramnlk think for a while at this point. In

lin 28.ab5 tsB! Peter Leko fact he played...
Ir"ael,z. Dortmund 1998 (8) 7.6c4
i DRAMAW'THOUr MUSIC ... without thinkinS! My first
strong: This game was played in the thought was: Oh, Jesus! Did I miss
31.tre6 eighth round and we both knew something? Ineeded some min-
.Ec6!=) that the winner of this game was utes to calm down and realize that
also going to be the winner of the I'm not forced to take the pawn on
26th'Dortmunder Schachtage'. I
e4. Excellent, so immediately
Before the tournament I was work' played...
ing very hard with Adorjan on my 7...d6
black repertoire. This was needed, What would have happened if I had
as I had to face Beliavsky, Shirov, played 7...o,e4? A very interesting 13...9c7!
Ivandruk, Anand and Kramnik with question. Duringl the game I did This was the idea: suddenly
the black pieces. Believe it or not, not want to waste any time on this White's a5 knight is trapped! Only
I enjoyed my black games a lot. move, because it's obviotrs that 13 moves have been played and
Ld4AfG 2.c4c5t? this was part of Kramnik's prepa- Black is already very close to win-
My main weapon against 1.d4 in ration. 8.9e2 Eg7 (8...4f6?? 9.4d6 ning!
this tournament was the Grtinfeld, mate!)9.9e4 9c3 10.Ad2 Aa1 L4.EeLl
but after scoring +1 (against Shi- The best practical chance.
in a bad posr- rov and Ivanchuk) I decided to 14.4c6?! loses a pawn after 14...e6
was 29.Ee1 trf5 stop and cherish the good memo- and 14.9e2 6bd5 15.6c4 (15.ed5
@-€h7 is worse: ries. Anyway, I was interested to Wa5) 15...4a6 16.4d3 ffc8
fe5 33.We5 see how Kramnik was going to re- 17.ed5 (17.6d6 ac3 18.4c3 Ad3
35.9c7) 31.tre5, act against the Benko Gambit. A 19.9d3 gc3 20.9c3 Ec3)
31..Ie5 32.tse5 small surprise never hurts, does it? 17...9c4 18.4c4 9c4 19.We7
9a4! (33...ba4 3.dS b5 4.ad2bc4 5.e4 Ads (19...9d5!? 2}.trfel tre8
€e6! Black is 2l.t9c7 6e4) 20.9d6 hc3 21.4c3
35.8g6 (35.9e8 Ac3 should also be winning for
36.8g7 gdl
19e2 winning. iG:, I r$iffi
Black.
14...abds15.hc4
t9e2l 11.Aa5 Wa5 12.ha5 Ac3 13.9d1 15.ed5? loses to 15...tsa5 16.tre7
Eical shot - the Aa5 and now according to Kram- ads.
in its own camp. nik, 14.h4! (rather than 14.d6 6c6 15...6c3
gg3 15.9b5 0-0, with counterplay) Surprising, but after this move
yields White a very dangerous ini- White glets more play than he de-
34.9d8 €h7 A *ffi] A tiative. serves. Unfortunately, other possi
A ffis 8.4d3 ag7 9.4f3 bilities are not that clear either:

NEw rN cHESs ) 19
 I DORIMUND I g
-=
U
=
I
o Kramnik misses a wonderful tacti-
F
U
@
o 35...Ee5?
o
o 35"'gh4'
Peter Leko: My lirst thought was: Oh, Jesus! Did I miss something?
15...4a6!? 16.ad6! 6c3 17.4c3
tsc3 18.6f7! Ef7 19.4b3 Ac4
20.9c4 (20.trc1? Ab3) 20...8c4
2l.de5'tts e6 22.dfl gf7 (22.,W f7
23.e5) 23.9fl} tse5, and Black is
only slightly better. Or 15...tsc4
16.ed5 6d5 17.4b3 9c5 18.4d5
Bd5 19.8e7 Ag4 20.4f4, when
White has some problems, but it is
still not quite what I wanted.
16.9.c38c4 L7.gb2
L7...gb7t?
After a long think I decided to glo
for complications instead of play-
ing the safer 17...994. To this day
I'm not sure which one is better.
Nter 17...994 18.Ab3 Wa6 19.h3
AA 20.9f3 ad7 2t.ge7 gg7
22.tracl Black is a pawn up, but
White has some deglree of activity.
18.4b3 8a619.e5!
Kramnik is immediately using his
19...he4
After 19...694?!, 20.ed6!, and if
20...9b2 21.de7 ffeS 22.At7l gf7
23.9b3 is the problem. 19...de5 I
20.6e5 e6 27.6f1 VcO 22.f3 trf7
23.9e6, and it is not clear to me
who has more reason to laugh
here.
20.trb1! --
Vladimir is fightinS like a tiger!
20...Eac8
20...8ad8 is unclear after 21.e6! f5 24...altr21
22.997*g7 23.t*d4 6lf6 24.4c4 Now Black is wimiof fL r
Wc6 25.8a7!. In retrospect it thin€ is to survire timrr*,
seems to me that the cool then it is finished- -t lFd t
20...trab8!? would have been the what I thought it trnd dt
right decision. How does White a very expensirrc vniokq
continue here? Well, unfortu- 2s.E/t'12 ef3 255B !
nately even here White has a 27.&93&912&rir"
strong move... 21.4d5! (21.e6 f5, Tryingl to create ffi cE
and now the bishop on b7 is de- play. After 2821 *i B.trb
fended; 21.ed6 9d6) 21...9d5 only a pawn dorn tr fo r
22.Wd5 6,c5 23.edi gd6 24.9d6 forced to remiin ruypc-
ed6 25.A97 Og7 26.Ebd1, and 28...E'a229.W? ZS
White has good drawing chances. 29-d -
This is the safesL
After checking all these lines I de- because of 30II7 gff :fil.]!
cided to force myself to place the and White can drr-
rook on an open file, but this 30.h4 hG 3LEc3 -
move also had certain drawbacks, €fG 33.tre3 trc7
=.I
:ir&a
as I immediately discovered... 35.8c6
21.ed6 Vd622.gt7? So far everythinXlrd -sr
to plan,butnmrctdd
cal shot: 22.Wd6 ed6 23.997 &97 accuracies due totiErlI
36.Ea4
36.tre5! €e5 37-hg5 h{5 il
I don't know for gre il6ic
is a draw, but it cstaldr H
if White would ga vu-r gldd
ing chances-
36...9h4 37:D.r rg Ll
tr97 39.ffi2 EbTrE !H!
The time-trouble is qrrr dl I
24.Ae6!! trc7 25.trb7 trb7 would win easb'. I oo H i
26.4d5 6c5 (26...Eb2 27.9.e4) fresh, so I could hil'ily H
27.9b7 6,b7 28.He7, and White that something cf,rld P r
should be able to make the draw. All these things 'hcbd r
22...E;17 23.997 gd1 lose concentratioo ml td. I

17.gd,4?! ag[. chance to create complications! 24.8ed7. theendgameseriqdyt dl

20 ) NEwtN CHESS
 E 41.€93 trgs This is all brilliant, but together
20.ed6!, and if E €
lfe822.9:t7l @fT a6 I There was another way. 4l...Eee2!?
42.8a7 (42.1f4 €C5) 42...1e2
with Yusupov the next day at the
closing ceremony we discovered
goblem.
gci
19...de5 I 43.€f4 e5 44.€e4 fbe2 45.€d5 that I still could have won easily
22.f3 trf7 Ed2, and Black is winning because with 44...8e3! 45.tra7 (or 45.8c4
b not clear to me the white king is cut off from the trbs) 45...tr8 46.rf7 €96!! (this is
reason to laugh action. the point!; 46...9f7? 47.8a7 @f8
42.€h3 48.fa8 is stalemate again) 47.tr97
A 42.@h4? trh2 mate. gg7 48.H,a7 afl.
like a tiEer! tr 42...E,b343.€h4! Efs 45.E,e4 tre746.Eea4
I calculated my other options like Now it seems that White can really
after 21.e6! f5 24...al121 43...fe5!? 44.trf4 trIs 45.fe4 fb6 hold the position, but if I hadn't
,!Ltd4 olf6 24.9c4 Now Black is winning! The only 46.tra7 rB 47.€h5 €f5 48.trh4 collapsed, I would have come up
ln retrospect it thingi is to survive time-trouble and e5, and it should be only a ques- with something more challenging
that the cool then it is finished. At
least that's tion of time before White will re- than what I did in the game.
have been the what I thought; it turned out to be sign. By the way, beware of 46...trb5?!
How does White a very expensive mistake! 43...tr8? 44.tre6 €e6 45.fa6! 46...9.97 47.Ee4; 46...996!?
Well, unfortu- 2s.&fr2 gf3 26.9f3 trc2 (45.eg5 fails to 45...rf5) 45...8f5 47.8e4&fl 48.fea4 9f6 49.€93.
he White has a 27.&93 €97 28.trb3!? 46.EaS @f4 47.Ea4, drawing. 47.tra7 Ea7 48.tra7 Eb4
219d5! (21.e6 f5, Trying tocreate some counter- 44.141? 49.€g3 trb3 so.6g2 Efs
Ehop on b7 is de- play. After 28.a4 trc3 White is not 44.fe4 Eb6 45.tra7 fB 46.€h5 51.traS€f452.Eh5
gd6) 21...-e.d5 only a pawn down, but is even Cf5 47.trh4 e5 would transpose to And here we agreed to a draw.
2B.ed6 Ed6 24.9d6 forced to remain very passive. the aforementioned line. After this game I was very disap-
$97 26.fbd1, and 28...tra229.8d7 tra5 pointed. I hoped to be able to re-
drawing chances. This is the safest. 29...e6? is bad cover from this disaster for my last
Cl these lines I de- because of 30.ff7 gfi 31.!b7, game against Svidler, but as the re-
Dself to place the and White can draw. sult shows I failed to get into the
qen file, but this 3O.h4 h6 31.trc3 eO 32.trd6 right mood.
etain drawbacks, €fG 33.tre3 Ee7 34.Ee4 95 Overall, I am happy with my
35.trc8 performance, as I managled to
So far everything went according finish my five black games
a wonderful tacti- to plan, but now we both make in- undefeated with a 3 out of 5 score
edl623.997 @e7 accuracies due to time-pressure. against the best players in the
35...Ee5? world!
35...9h4.
36.Ea4 44...trbz?
36.tre5! €e5 37.hg5 hg5 38.€94. For some mysterious reason I Gt 4.t4
I don't know for sure if this ending thought that 43...ff5 was the Alexey Shirov
is a draw, but it certainly looks as move which had spoiled this end- Peter Leko
if White would get very good draw- inglto a draw and mentally I gave Dortmund 1998 (3)
ing chances. up. The problem is that after the 1d4 Af6 2.c4 gG 3.6c3 d5
36...9h4 37.8h4 h5 38.tra6 natural 44...trf3? 45.Ee6!! is a 4.cd5 6d5 5.e4 6c3 6.bc3
trg7 39.€f2 Eb7 4o.trha4 Eb2 wonderful defence. White can gg7 7.al13 c5 8.Eb1 0-O
The time-trouble is over and I felt I draw this lost ending thanks to 9.Ae2 cd4 1o.cd4 Ua5
25.\b7t Eb7 would win easily. I even felt very STALEMATE, e.g. 45...€e6 46.8a6 LL.Ad2Wa2
126...1b2 27.tre4) fresh, so I
could hardly believe €d5 47.Ea5 €e4 48.fa4 €e3 Still en uogue after all those
?6..!.e7, and White that somethinEl could go wrong. 49.tra3 9f2 50.tra2 €81 51.892 games.
makethe draw. All these things 'helped' me to €fl 52.trg1 €e2 53.tre1 €d3 L2.O4a,d7
B oe7 gd1 lose concentration and not take 54.trd1 gc3 55.trd3 Sb4 56.trd4, with
Toglether 12...a5 Leko's pref-
the endgame seriously enougfir! with a draw (not 56.tr8 a5). erence in this position.

NEw rN CHESS ) 21
 lERrMffil
13.Ab4 AbG 14.6e5 fG
=
puts White in dire straits. Neces- and seen that this wins by force.' NOIES BI
15.6d3 9f716.d5?! sary was 22.9a5 d5 23.4b6 ab6 26.f5 6e3 27.9f3 Vasily lvanch*
Better was 16.6c5 Ed8 17.d5, 24.9d3 in the hope that with trb5 Giving the exchange will not bring
with unclear complications. he might attain a blockade on the much relief after 27 .Ee3 fe3 28.f96
RG 6.4
16...f5! white squares. wf2l Vaslly lvanchlk
Black forcefully attacks the white 22...d5 23.3:c2 6,c4 24.Eb3 27...8d7 28.9h3 Alexey Shlrw
centre. Only here did Shirov discover that Without a direct threat, but taking Dortmund 1998 i2)
17.hc5 the planned 24.f5 o,e3 25.fg6 on either c2 or fl does not look 1.e4 e5 2.af:l arE 3.t
An interestingl alternative was would hit on 25...9f1! very palatable for White after 4.6e5 dO 5.ef,1 G C
17 .f3 6,c418.9b3 b5 19.9h1. 24...a5125.4a3 d4! 29.f96. hc6 7.(X) fue7 a=-r
L7...te418.d6? 28...d3! 9.c3 f5 1O.q-Wz OO rl
Shirov misses Black's reply. His Leko winds up elegantly. It was €h812.9b7 E 6 r3tE
only chance was 18.6e6 Ae6 not too late to wreck his position. 14.tsa4 gd6 lli.Il
19.de6 Be6 20.4c5 followed by The attractive looking 28...4f1 16.4e2 trgE
trb3. fails to 29.fg6 hg6 30.88 if need aL
This move can be ollod
18...trd8! be followed by Ab3. d ft
tion on the basrs I

Suddenly Black is on top. All his 29.4d3 af130.fg6 known gane ru4rc.t
pieces will be developed with gain This still looks dangerous, but (Oberliga WtrrEembcrg lSE[ r
of tempo. Leko had spotted a forced mate. went 16..3e8 fi.Ac2:gf.r
19.he4 Afs 2o.gd3 Ae4 30...4d4 31.€h1wf2 LT.bttt?
27-.3.e4 edB 22.14? White resigned. Anand's sullllestioE tr l7-€l
A further calculating error that Leko:'I had calculated all the lines (White is muct hffi
17...de4 18.ag5 \941,
=gi ei
2l.td5
20.tsc6 Ae8 tr?-
18.4g5!? runs into tbe rq
sacrifice 19. E6! [8 !d lll
19.495 gg5 20-e-h5 ,-',7!ll
(21.9e2 ffi Z2.tr7 fr
glood attacking rtar'gl t
(21...trf8 22.99! 3ffi 1!l
2t.-1b2 22.tc| n ct l
this critical positinis l&

gI
I
_E_

A) 22.,afr 23.Ie h5 A
z gf5 25.€h1 and b&r
lttitc
o B) 22...trA 23-1fe2, W 4
{6 Ef;l 25.c4+;
z
t c) 22...h5! 2:-ini :du 2r
6f5 corrsidermb
(serious d
Alexey Shirov: Almost inevitably suffering a set-back after his victory in Cazorla be gfiven to 24--ifttr-' rlt
22 ) NEW IN CHESS
p'rris wins by force.' NOIES BY counterplay) 25.tsc1 9:f4 26.Vc2 B) 20.6e5 9e2 21.1e2 6e5
E.lrs Vasily lvanchuk 6,h4 27.AfI aB 28.€h1 9d6 or 22.de5VeS 23.9g1 Wf4! (but not
imge will not bring 28...det 29.tre1 h4 with compen- 23...aG 24.f3 o,c3 25.tre5 o,a4
bn.Ee3 fe3 28.fg6 RG 6.4 sation. 26.Ac7 db2 27.trd5 and White is
: Vaslly lvanchuk After 17.6e5 o,el (17...8e2 18.@92 in command) 24.Va7 c5! with
Elh3 Alexey Shirov gg5 19.€f1
'g'h4 20.4e4+) 18.de5 counterplay;
Latm""t, but taking Dortmund 1998 (2) Ug5 (alternatively 18...4e2 19.ed6 C) 20.4b5 allows 20-.\g2l
ic fl does not look 1.e4 e5 2.6f3 Af6 3.d4 6e4 Ee2tt 20.@92 Wg5 21.9h1 AP 2L.@92 WgG 22.9h2 AB 23.E91
le for White after 4.6e5 dG 5.4f3 d5 6.4d3 22.9h2 f4l 23.a,tt dg4 24.h94 gd6 24.trg3 de7 25.trf1h5 and
6c6 7.O{ Ae7 8.tre1 Ag4 Wh4 25.beZ 994 is also a draw) Black has the better chances.
9.c3 f5 10.abd2 O-O 11.9b3 19.9f1 af2! 20.ed6 6h3 21.9h1 2O...W t4 ZL. Ad1 Ee8 22. 6lbd2
qa eleganfly. It was €h8 12.9b7 Ef6 13.9b5 Eb8 df2 the game ends in perpetual 22.ac5? is bad: 22...4f3 23.9.f3
lrreck his position. L4.Va4 AdO 1s.h3 gh5 check. VhZ 24.e3 trg3! 25.4e4 tsh3
fe looking 28...af1 16.4e2 Eg6 L7...914 18.Ab3 Acl. 19.Eac1 26.@e2Eg6.
I hgo ao.un ir need This move can be called an innova- 9d6 2o.fc2 22...tr9e0 23.6,e4 te4 24.83
7-CIf!. tion on the basis of the little- The alternatives were: gfs 25.a91 Ad1 26.trd1 e3?
laee known game Flogaus-Fochtler A) 20.4h4 Vf4 (20.-9.e2 2t.Ee2 A typical time trouble mistake.
Fb dangerous, but (Oberliga Wtirttemberg 1993), which Eh6 loses to 22.dfr Vh2 23.8e4\ 26...h51? was better, when Black
lhd a forced mate. went 16...Ae8 17.Vc2 trg6 etc. 2l.ae6 hg6 22.f3 (22.9f3 gB stands better in view of the weak-
l-Etu.gf2 L7.*tlt? 23.E,c2 de7 24.Va7 tre8 25.gf3 ness of the white king and White's
d- Anand's suggestion of 17.6e4 fe4 gB 26.€91 Ag5 with a danger- lack of space.
(White ismuch better after ous attack) 22.,6e51! This posi- 27.&g2Ve4
17...de4 18.4g5 trgs 19.495 gg5 tion deserves a diagram. And here it was essential to play
20.tsc6 AeS 21.9d5 e3 22.Uf3) 27-E96!?, not losing time. Now
lt
18.695!? runs into the unexpected Black ends up in a difficult posi-
sacrifice 18...E95! (18..3e2
19.495 gg5 20.4h5 6e7! 21.Bdl
19.4fl) BfrJ ffi tion. The remainder of the game
took place in a severe time scram-
(2t.Ae2 o,fl 22.t8a7 trf8 with
good attacking chances) 21...96 ni$$itr
A
I iia
ble.
gf5 29.tre2Eg6 30.Ede1
28.f,t
(21...trf8 22.VC4 Wf6 23.9e2; Wiiiij i ,riiiiiiil wt43L.e4 h532.gbshg4
2I...E,b2 22.VcIl 22.994, when 32...8ee6!? was examined after the
this critical position is reached: game and found to be the best
chance:
€
23.Va7l (this offers better
gB 24.3"f3
I chances than 23.Ec2
6,f3 25.8e4 ad2 26.991 Wfl
27.@h2 6e4) 23...6f3! (23...9f3
A 24.9f3 D,f} 25.9b8 &h7 26.He4 ::liruiu: uuii
iiillrrir , ,l
de4 27.@e2 9g3 28.Wb5! Wg2
i:,1;t,

iixiixii:
n ,:::rl:r :: i A i'.iillirl! A
A 29.€d1 and White wins) 24.tsb8 ::t::f::: ::-, .,G: (-]:::j:::1i,1: (l
€h7 25.4fl} AB, when all lines
end in perpetual check:
i1illii1ii 11i111i1ii i
A\ 22...olf5 23.Ve2 h5 24.9.t5 AI) 26.trc2 Ad1 (or 26...Wh2
gf5 25.€h1 and White holds on; 27.tre4 de4 28.e8 gh1 29.€e2 WB A) 33.trf1 is met by 33...6e7!
B) 22...E,f8 23.Ve2 h5 24.4d7 30.€e1 gh1) 27.€e1 3,c2 28.E.f1 and 34...6f5, not 33...hg4 34.fg4
trf325.c4+; Be3 29.€h2 9g3 30.€h1Be3; tre4 35.he4 Wg4 36.€h1 trh6
c) 22...h5! 23.9d7 trd8! 24.4b5 A2) 26.8e4 9e4 27.@e2 r9g3 37.trh2 and White survives the at-
Af5 (serious consideration should 28.trg1 gd3 29.9f2 f4 30.6c5 tack victoriously;
ila be given to 24...Ef8!? with good 9d2 31.€f19d1; B) 33.9d5 hg4 34.h94 Eg4

NEw rN CHESS ) 23
 -
poRrrnuNpl E
I
35.W We4 36.eh1 trh6 37.trh2 lier 18.tse2 was played, after White should have played 24.h4! 37.E.d4 (37.trd1 tre3 3t:il? i
trh2 38.9h2 Bh4 39.4h3 9e1 which Black gained counterplay (with the idea of 25.gh5 trhS 26 is unclear).
40.9h5! (this precise move retains by 18...trd6 with the idea of 9e6!) 24...he4 (24...€f8 is better, 36.8d1
White's advantage; 40.8c6 tsd2 19...trb6. But now in the event of with chances for both sides) 25.fg4
41.993 e2 42.Ve8 €h7 43.tse4 18...trd6 19.9a5 fb6 20.b3 Black g5 26.hg5 rg5 27.W8 gd5
€g8 44.We6 €h8 45.Wc8 €h7 requires many tempi to bring his 28.4e4.
46.@94 e19 47.695 ges 48.€95 second rook into play. tf 24.dh5 trhs 25.h4 ef8! 26.9f4
gd2 49.*f5 9b2 50.9c7 Wa2) 18...trd6 19.8a5 b6 2O.Be1 9527.VeA Ad5 28.9f5 Ae6=.
€h7 42.tsc6
40...998 41.Ue8 After doingl its work the queen re- 24...h4t25.vt2
gd2 43.8e2 e2 44.d95 ',t895 traces its steps. The alternative 25.Wf4 is preferable: 25...1d4
45.8g5 e19 46.tsh5+. was 20.8a6 9c8 21.9c4 (21.9b5 (25...e5 26.9e4!?) 26.tse3 95 with

33.h94 gd7 22.Wb4l?) 21...Ae6 22.Ve4 an unclear game.

33.fg4?! lets Black off the hook: fad8 with doublecdged play. 25...trd3! 26.cd3 trd3 27.8e2
33...tse4 34.4f;} Eg4 35.hg4 gg4. 2O...Ec8 21.a3 27.@c2 trb3 28.trb1 g5 and
33...trh6 34.8d5 6e7 White could also consider 21.94 27.fe1 trb3 28.tre2 Ad5 are both 36...b4?
If 34...9h2 35.€f1 wins. or 21.h4, but he is not in a hurrY. better for Black. This over-hasty more a[rc 5
35.8e5 21,...Elc5 22.94 Ecd5 23.9g3 27...E.b3 28.8d1 to free himself. 36-3gE Ib
35.9d7 rb8 36.9e7 \b2 37.sbz It is hard to contend that the caP- 28.f4b51 achieve anything aftcr XTS
trh2 38.€f1 fb2 39.fe3 winning. ture on d3 is a threat, but this and 28...95! (more complicated rs 3-t-14.1
35...9e5 36.de5 Ad5 37.€93 the following move allow me to Black fixes White's pawn weak- 38.Wd1Ab2 39:dEegiSl
trcG make the exchange sacrifice under nesses, planning to go into an end- Ad5 41.9f8 €g6 4z t,r r
37...8e5 38.c4. optimal circumstances. 23.rBe2 ing in the event of 29.trd3 trbz 43.9d6 9'f6 44.Ud5 :.3 S.
38.4h3 Ee5 24.Vf2 tredS 25.h4 h5 30.9b2 Ab2 31.€b2 Ac4. 37...4f3 (37. .h2 3R=o E
38.Ed1!? was simpler: 38...fc5 39.f4. 26.Ve2E.eS. 29.E;d2 gg7 3O.Be4 a5 39.8c1 tra2 40.A85 -B rll
38...Ee5 39.4f4 6114 40.€t4 23...h5 31.€c1 €g7 with perpeUlal r+iadd3ill
tra5 41.a3 trbS 42.€e3 EcbG The evacuation of the king from €e7 39.trd3.
43.b4 Ea6 44.8a1c5 @$l#it the danger zone commences. However, serious cilEHi
44...trd5 45.c4 E,d7 46.@f2+-. 31...b5 32.9d1 a4! 33.€e1 should be given to 35l.hiE4r
45.Eb2 cb4 46.Eb4 Eba5 AI Ac4 the following variatioms
47.a4 EcS48.Ea3
Here, finally, the 'blitz' came to an
$i iiiE :liiiiiiilr
During the game I considered the
possibility of the breakthrough
end, and Black resigned. 33...b4? 34.ab4 EbZ 35.trb2 Ab2,
but then 36.b5 a3 (36...4c3
n :::iili!!!i liirllit: :i
37.*e2) 37.9b4! is strong for
2l iiiiifir.:r r:rr,,: .

White.
Vasily lvanchuk 34.@t12e6 3S.Bc2Ad5
1 Kramnik flrt
24.h3? 35...Ae5!? 36.9g2 Af4 is met by
sl17.4 2 Adams GIT
Michael Adams 3 Svidler GI EE
Vaslly lvanchuk
Dortmund 1998 (1)
1.e4 c5 2.4f3 dB 3.d4 cd4
Schaakhuis De Beste Zet 4 Leko
5 lvanchuk
GI III
GI IM
4.o,d4 6f6 5.6c3 gG 6.4e3 GID
ae7 7.f3 O-O 8.9d2 6c6 Nieuw Fellenoord 116 6 Anand

9.0-O-o d5 10.Sb1 6d4 L7-.e5 56L2!<E Eindhoven 7 Yusupov GIA

afs t,2.etB Af6 13.4d5 8 Almasi GI IT
gds!? 14.gds 6e3 15.8d2 tel: 040-2467.153
in Nederland 9 Beliavsky GI sl.o
Ad1 16.9d1 Ae6 17.9d3 fax: O4O-2439.355
Efd818.9e1!? 10 Shirov flE9
A new and interestin$ move. Ear-

24 ) NEW IN CHESS
have played 24.h4! 37.lld4 (37.trd1 tre3 38.trd2 fel A) 37.trd3 gf6 38.tre3 Eh6 a2 48.Vf4 €g7 49.9g4 €f8
of 25.9h5 trhs 26 is unclear). 39.Ed3 Ac4 -+; 50.8c8 €e7 51.8c7 €e6 52.tsc6
'PA-€f8 is better, 36.9d1 B) 37.t4 gf4 (37...4a3 38.Ed5 €e5 53.9c5 @e4 54.9e3=)
both sides) 25.f94 ed5 39.8d5 3,e7 40.fe5 AE 41.9e5 46.8c6 €e5 47.9e8 9d4+;
16 27.V8 gd5 CFg8 42.Wd5 trb2 43.Cf3=)38.trd5 D3) 39.f4! gf4 40.95 (40.9h5
edS 39.9d5 Af6 40.g5 Ab2 - see B-+)40...3.b2:
25-hil \Df8! 26.Wt4 variation D below; D31) 41.g6 fg6 42.9d7 sho
2&?64e6=. C) 37.9b3 ab3 38.trb2 gf6 43.Wg4 95 44.tse6 @gT 45.t9e7
39.9e3 €e5+; €96 46.9e6 Af6 47.V e4 (47.W e8
25...\d4 D) 37.trd5 ed5 38.tsd5 Af6: €f5 48.9d5 9.e5 49.8d7 9e4
26.9e3 €5 with 50.tsc6 Ed3 51.996 gd2 52.995
9d4-+) 47.-@f7 48.tsd5 €e7
Ad327.Ve2
2E-fbl g5 and
I
NSiii
49.tsc5 €e6 50.tsc6 €e5 51.Sc5
€e4 52.Wc6 €f5 53.tsd5 Ae5
:itriii
Ad5 are both 36...b4? 54.Vfl be4-+;
D32) 41.9d7 B 42.90 sg6
This over-hasty move allows White
to free himself. 36...€98 does not I A$l 43.994 gf6(43...eh6 44.9h4
achieve anything after 37.991! *97 45.995=) 44.Wh4 €e6
(more complicated is 37.We2 Ac4 45.9e4 €d6 46.9f4 €cG 47.Wf7
pawn weak- 38.Ed1gbz 39.trd8 €g7 40.9d6 and Black retains the advantage,
to into an end-
glo Ad5 41.9f8 €g6 42.trd5 ed5 but convertinpl it into a win in-
of 29.fffi fb2 43.9d6 gf6 44.9d5 Ea3 45.f4) D1) 39.9d7 trA 40.9b5 Eal-+; volves enormous difficulties.
Lc4. 37....Q.f3 (37...Ab2 38.trb2 trb2 D2) 39.9c5!? b4 40.f41 ef4 37.ab4 8b438.tse2
3o.tse4 a5 39.9c1 Ea2 40.U€5 €f8 41.9d8 (40...ba3 4l.fg5 3,b2 42.96 a2 38.Sa1? would have lost to 38...a3
€g7 with perpetual check) 38.8f1 43.efl @t7 44.9d5 Se7 45.8c5 39.Sa3 trb3.
of the king from gg7 39.trd3. €e6 46.9c6 €e5 47.9e8 €d5 38...trb3 39.992 €98
oommences. However, serious consideration 48.9d7=) 41.95 Ac3 42.ab4 a3 Now Black cannot strengthen his
a4! 33.€e1 should be given to 36...Ab2!?, with 43.gG 996 44.9c6 @e7 45.Wez position, and so a draw was
the following variations: €f6 (45...eh6 46.Uc6 f6 47.Vc4 agreed.
I considered the
tle breakthrough
trb2 35.trb2 Ab2,
a3 (36...4c3
is strong for
1234567890 TPR
gds
Af4 is met by 1 Kramnik GM RUS 2790 *1h1YrlhVz1yryr1 6 2813
2 Adams GM ENG 2670 th*thlAyr'|1hl1lh 6 2827
3 Svidler GM RUS 2690 OYr*11YrYr11h1 6 2825
th1h0*1h1h1kk1 5 274s
5lvanchuk GM UKR 2740 yrhola*1h1hy21h1 41h 2694
6 Anand GM IND 2770 tho1h1h1h*1h1h1h1h 4 2648
Eindhoven TYusupov GM GER 2630 Olhyrolhlh*1h11h 4 2663
8 Almasi GM HUN 2630 yroo1h1h1hlh*11h 4 2663
9 Beliavsky cM SLO 2690 Y2O1hlhVzlzO0*1h 3 2575
439.355
10 Shirov GM ESP 2710 OY200O1hVzkyr* 2Y, 2531

NEW IN CHESS ) 25
 Shirov-Ktamnik
z tor contributing to the
Ju
o spirits among its inluft:nua[r'
o Rentero Suarez is -iru$ c I
A match report by Valery Salov
Acknowledgment
The author owes words of oc'
knowleilgmeat to the editorc of
New in Chess for their coura'
geous and unprecedented deci
sion to publish his little meta'
physical opus (see NIC 98/2)
without subjecting it first to im-
plocable democratic censorship.
This masterly lesson of indul'
geace is all the more loudoble if
one takes into account that this
decision opparentlg was aniued
at onlg after considerable inter-
26 ) NEW IN CHESS
nol struggle. At least this is what
I was able to deiluce from the se'
uerc editofial remo* that ac-
companied mg well-timed and
highlu opportune obituary to the
PCA. 'Censor him', - The demo
crotic instinct had obaiouslg
tempted our worthg editors, -
'and neuer call him back again.
Better call Karpoo or Kasparoa,
Camrymanq or Saddam Hussein
But don't call him. Because if
you do,he will mahe you suffen'
Subcan
TINARES
This will not be tooffi
acquainmi
thanks to my
certain philosophrol r
taught to ms i6 l imru3 1
years ago.the fteCudrfu
this chess ileoca h
enough that the graitrs d^h
de Vandelvira' has har@ u
it at all. As a conse$'-tr' e
of architectural attrrctiro t
the town away from tb€ td
dalusian touristic ru-ilcs- H
this isolation u'as the Frmcid
ir-
of some exceptional gfu
that immediateb' sprms bo
and certainly desenes m t
attention, but there are lrF
rtrd
ers as well. Conhar-v to
r
people thinl, for me pql
the greatest re$elah,cn im L!
was not Rentero-s Ed!
struse treatment ot o@a
abstract subjects sd ry
as
My is that preciselg this
guess and truth (though also d
last argumeat resoloed all markable and rro@: d o
doubts and induced Dirk Jan ten tion). It was irsteal a fu
Geuzendam to look for more con- graffiti left by sooe wdf
tributions from me. If not o on an anonymous sme td
of new torments, what cent to Ayuntaniento:
-Sm
seatch
ammi*
else could force him to las, podemos ser pm,res'ffi
sion a new article from the bad, but we can be e'tqn u
author who had so highlg dis- This dictum fascinaccd u
pleaseil him with his prertious years and in no time I had I
worh? oped a habit of trassDg h
Well" I'll try to lirse up to erpecta-
tions... 1 Andres de Vandehirac l0ti
nik Subcampeonato del Mundo
Cazorla 1998
TINARES
This will not be too difficult
thanks to my acquaintance with a
certain philosophical maxim
taught to me in Linares a few
years ago. The frequent visitors to
this chess Mecca know well
enough that the genius of Andres
de Vandelvirat has hardly touched
it at all. As a consequence, a lack
of architectural attractions keeps
the town away from the main An'
dalusian touristic routes. Perhaps
this isolation was the principal fac-
tor contributing to the formation
of some exceptional philosophic
spirits among its inhabitants. Luis
Rentero Suarez is just one name
that immediately springs to mind,
and certainly deserves our close
attention, but there are many oth-
ers as well. Contrary to what most
rlov people think, for me personally
the greatest revelation in Linares
was not Rentero's notably ab-
struse treatment of complex and
abstract subjects such as causality
I fut precisely this and truth (though also quite re-
Gt resolaed all markable and worthy of examina-
ftcedDi*Janten tion). It was instead a humorous
tb bk for mote aofi- graffiti left by some unruly girls
ftrrn me. If not a on an anonymous stone wall adja-
a torments, what cent to Ayuntamiento: 'Somos ma-
aa him to commis- las, podemos ser peores' (We are
t article from the bad, but we can be even worse).
t bd so highly dis- This dictum fascinated me for
t sith his preaious years and in no time I had devel-
oped a habit of passing by the
1 b lioe up to erpecta-
I Andres de Vandelvira: 16th Century Andalusian architect
Ayuntamiento with the only aim of
makingl sure that the graffiti was
still there. I'm ready to admit that
it might have influenced my per-
sonality.
IHE WC COUNCIT
E.M.Cioran once noticed that any
civilization in the course ofits evo-
lution passes the standard way
from agriculture to paradox. If this
is true, then definitely Andalusia
has already entered a phase of
decadence. Further proofwas pro-
vided by the choice of this part of
Spain as the operative base by the
socalled World Chess Council, a
typically decadent organization
whose foundation relies entirely
upon a paradoxical, if rather dubi-
ous, premise about the possibility
of becoming a World Champion
without participating in the World
Championship. It is superfluous,
of course, to mention here the
name of its founder, but somehow
I feel entitled to Sive a warm wel-
come to this new shebang of Kas-
parov's . Groningen threw Kasparov in a
Raised out of the ashes of the
PCA, the newly born organization,
the WC Council, is as private as its
name suggests. Unfortunately it is
much less wholesome. In all likeli-
ness the WC Council is going to be
a worthy successor to the PCA, as
it definitely represents the conti-
nuity of the same paranoid policy
of destroying all sponsorshiP of
chess that is not controlled per'
sonally by Kasparov.
KASPAROV'S THEORIES
The readers might have drawn
their conclusions about the eco-
nomic circumstances of profes-
sional players from Kevin Sprag-
gett's brilliantly written article
about the New York Open (see
NIC 98/3\. It would not be an ex-
aggeration to claim that the FIDE
World Championship is at present
the only competition that offers
decent conditions to a large Slroup
of chess glrandmasters (one point
of reference - Ihe prize fund in
Groningen 1997 was approxi-
mately 15 times bigger than Gron-
ingen 1993). With the patronage
of the IOC there appeared a real
prospect for chess to become an
olympic discipline - which might
bring it additional sponsorship
and state support in many coun-
tries. Not surprisinlily, therefore,
the FIDE World Championship in
paroxysm of uncontrollable fury.
Something had to be done about
it. The attack was conducted in
two main directions:
1) the dubious origin of
Ilyumzhinov's money (thesis
about'dirty money');
2) the lack of legitimacy of
the FIDE World Championship
NEw rN CHEss ) 27

(thesis about 'violation of the tra-
dition');
As these accusations were
hailed and supported by a wide
group of corrupt journalists, I
would like to have a closer look at
them.
1) The intellectual value of
Kasparov's 'theory of dirty money'
is self-evident. It is not a new the-
ory and he periodically digs it up
whenever any of his fellow-
grandmasters earns something.
may be reduced to two postulates:
- alt the money that Kasparov
earns himself is always'clean';
the money won by anyone
- Mazaglatos'z plOring &
else is always'dirty'.
Naturally, the source of the
money is absolutely irrelevant.
The fact that Kasparov went to
great lengths trying to justify this
theory with lamentably weak argu-
ments in NIC 98/3 only demon'
strates that this grandmaster of
self-delusion has not yet lost the
moving habit of depicting himself
as an innocent chess daisy.
2) The second theory de-
serves a bit more attention. Ac-
cording to the WCC the only way
to win the title of the World Cham-
pion is to beat, in a match, the pre-
vious World Champion, with the
incumbent retaining the title in
case of a draw. This is proclaimed
to be an unalterable tradition go-
ing back to Steinitz, and any at-
tempt to change it is considered by
the WC Council to be sacrilege. Of
course, if one follows this WC
logic, one is left with only two pos-
sible candidates for the title: Rob-
ert Fischer and Deep Blue. If we
accept the former as World Cham-
pion, it would mean that neither
Karpov nor Kasparov ever pos-
sessed the title (for the moment I
prefer not to speculate about Deep
Blue, which seems to have de-
28 ) NEWIN CHESS
*
I cAzoRtA I +
ceased unbeaten). To escape this
undesirable effed a new limitation
is introduced: the Champion con-
-E descends now and then to defend
his tifle (always with the drawing
odds) in order to sustain its legiti-
macy and commercial value. As
Goethe said: 'lt is in limitation
that the master first reveals him-
self.' It gloes without sayingi that
we are Ieft in a state of blissful ig'
norance concerning the periodic-
It ity of the handicap matches, but it
is worth remembering that one of
the pillars of this sacred tradition,
Emanuel Lasker, did not defend
his title between 1896 and 1907.
Something to think about.
I don't know how about you,
but to me the period of chess his'
tory comprised between 1886 and
1946 comes across as quite de'
pressing. With all these frustrated
careers and embittered lives of
players like Pillsbury, Tarrasch,
Schlechter, Rubinstein, Nimzo
witsch, just to name a few. Frus-
trated and embittered by the inhu-
man tyranny of the World Champi-
ons who used any kind of
disgraceful trick to preserve the
coveted tifle. The lack of nobility
of the World Champions, their
constant bargaining for favourable
financial conditions, their careful
choice of opponents from maes-
tros in the worst of forms or sim-
ply their 'clients', delaying or
plainly rejecting undesirable
matches, manipulating the regula-
tions in their favour - all this
looks especially grotesque against
the surrealistic background of the
two World Wars.
Only Steinitz represented
a
Eratifying exception by his chival-
rous and insistent attempts to
challenge God and offer him a
handicap of a pawn. Lasker was
quite mean in his dealings, caus-
ing Capablanca to confront him di
rectly in a letter that spoiled their
relationship forever. Capablanca
himself did everything he possibly
could to avoid the inevitable
match with Alekhine -this did not
improve their relationship either.
In turn Alekhine had his due re-
venge, but I think that too much
has already been written about it
by Spielmann. Euwe simply didn't
hold the title long enough to de-
velop the character of a true
Champion.
Now, on the other hand, any of
these gentlemen looks like a po-
tential Catholic Saint (or perhaps
not exactly catholic) when com-
pared to the foreman of the WCC,
who tirelessly directs so much of
his creative energy at blacklisting
players and undermining the fi-
nancial basis of chess. With the
help of incompetent and corrupt
journalists he ingeniously tries to
lobotomize the public at large by
selling i! at the end of the 20th
century,' a hoa:<, picturing the
above-mentioned period of chess
history as a paragon ofjustice and
well-being. Not an easy task, even
with the support of such an emi-
nent Andalusian decadent as Luis
Rentero.
RENTERO
Don Luis is not a newcomer to the
chess world. For a long time now
he has enjoyed a well-established
reputation in Spain, and despite
his frustrated attempts to reach
power within FIDE he doesn't
abandon his dream of adding to
this reputation a shine of interna-
tional celebrity. Considering
Rentero's love for publicity, I hope
he will not bear me a grudge for
painting this brief portrait here (it
would not have stopped me any-
way).
The thorn-strewn rced h
honest retailer to a ffi
lionaire must have rEqid
Don Luis a capacity fuH'
a lot of thrift and Eot*
other valuable qua[tics lh
fer to iElnore. This ffi
tagonist of the Gndt*
represents atpical {r
'self-made man'- So ft
made of) With mly fu t
product before q.r clg I i
hazardous to speof& L
can definiteb dab -' - r
study of the hrrmzritb r
one of the ingediet Li
easier for me to i1ft
Luis Rentero rcefrC I
else than an ac@rdH-l
those people urho ldil [
only as an ardraic Glt
add that he doesnt grih r
an assiduous Int rG h
ther. Nevertheless, RdE t
totally extraneous to ca
laryprank, andNCr&
rare opporfunity to il I
imitable literary *yb f r
scanty quotations fim E
to Mr. Karpov (set r|W !
Some time ago rhi< ail r
less mind got 4rdrd I
idea to learn Engh+ t-n
sure if his ardor fr
chapter on proflxc,
As a chess miu
Maecenas, Don Lrds E
sesses all the newy 1r
except a knowtedge dfu
the wish to part fiff Er
money. Totally irrm t
melodramatic qitrrlt
benevolence, he gnc€
pensates this trivial hril
by an unusual aplomb Jr
siveness at those frtcfril r
when the Linares *
2 Sofia Mazagatos Fopel
 to confront him di The thorn-strewn road from an
Her that spoiled their honest retailer to a thriving mil-
furever. Capablanca lionaire must have required from
arcrything he possibly Don Luis a capacity for hard work,
aroid the inevitable a lot of thrift and probably some'
Alekhine -this did not other valuable qualities that I pre-
relationship either. fer to iglnore. This modern pro-
had his due re- tagonist of the Cinderella story
I trink that too much represents a typical example ofthe
been written about it 'self-made man'. So what is he
Euurc simply didn't made of? Wth only the finished
long enough to de- product before our eyes it is too
ctaracter of a true hazardous to speculate, but one
can definitely claim that an idle
6e other hand, any of study of the humanities was not
looks like a po one of the ingredients. In fact it's
Saint (or perhaps easier for me to imagine Sofia
atholic) when com- MMagatos'z playing chess than
frreman of the WCC, Luis Rentero reading anythingi
directs so much of else than an account book. For all
(D€4U at blacklisting those people who regard books
rmdermining the fi- only as an archaic excess I have to
of chess. With the add that he doesn't strike one as
and corrupt an assiduous Internet browser ei
be ingeniously tries to ther. Nevertheless, Rentero is not
tte public at large by totally extraneous to some episto-
I tbe end of the 20th lary pranks, and NiC readers had a
hoax, picturing the rare opportunity to savour his in-
period of chess imitable literary style, if only in
paragon ofjustice and scanty quotations from his letter
libt an easy task, even to Mr. Karpov (see NIC 97/2).
of such an emi Some time ago this avid and tire-
decadent as Luis less mind got enchanted by the
idea to learn English, but I'm not
sure if his ardour outlived the
chapter on pronouns.
not a newcomer to the a
As chess connoisseur and
For a longl time now Maecenas, Don Luis Rentero pos-
a wellcstablished sesses all the necessary qualities
in Spain, and despite except a knowledge of chess and
to reach
attempts the wish to part with his own
b FIDE he doesn't money. Totally immune to the
5s dream of adding to melodramatic excitements of
a shine of interna- benevolence, he gracefully com-
#rity. Considering pensates this trivial imperfection
for publicity, I hope by an unusual aplomb and persua-
bear me a grudge for siveness at those fateful moments
brief portrait here (it when the Linares authorities,
have stopped me any-
2 Sofia Mazagatos: Popular Spanish model
plagued by economical problems
and not knowingl how to plug
the chronic holes in the budget,
take instead the Solomon's
decision to direct a huge dose of
public funds to the organization of
the next chess tournament. Not a own encyclical list of'good' and
mean accomplishment and I hope
that you will agree with me when I
say that it's only fair that a good
share of this money settles peace-
fully in the pockets of Luis
Rentero, who happens to be the
owner of the hotel Anibal, the
traditional site of the event.
Moreover, I think that Rentero de-
serves even more credit for surren-
dering the tournament completely
to Kasparov's whims. By doing so
he spares us a lot of platitudinous
and mediocre demagoguery about
the of commercial
importance
sponsorship from his WCC
partner, as well as his diatribes in
the spirit of the 'dirty money
theory' aimed at the greedy
players who fatten themselves on
the poor Spaniard's ntoney. By the
way, it's noteworthy that Rentero
himself doesn't share this puerile
theory, and I'm inclined to see in it
a sign of wisdom that only
personal experience bringls to us.
He certainly deserves a seat of
honour in the WC Council, and his
absolute chess illiteracy is the best
guarantee of the soundness of his
position. I still have not touched
on the most remarkable quality of
Rentero - his disdainful attitude
towards facts, but that is a very
special theme better developed on
some other occasion.
The enormous enterprise of
determining the best player of the
planet didn't intimidate our Anda-
lusian decadeng and he bravely
embarked upon it by getting rid of
the cumbersome qualification sys-
tem in order to rely entirely on his
roughly 1800level chess exper-
tise. The only consultations admit-
ted were with the profound insight
of his WCC ally and with Rentero's
'bad' people. The sponsorship was
expected to arrive from the per-
fectly public funds of the Junta de
Andalucia (the autonomous gov-
ernment ofAndalusia). As Rentero
himself claimed in one of his inter-
views: 'l have at my disposal 2 mil-
lion US dollars, guaranteed by the
Junta de Andalucia, who trust
me.' Whatever possible interpreta-
tions the word'trust'might have, I
still keep some reservations and
hope very much to be proved
wronpl for the benefit of all the
players involved.
AMND AND KRAMNIK
The initial project of WCC to hold
a bestof-ten candidates' match be-
tween Madimir Kramnik and Vis-
wanathan Anand got a serious
crack after the withdrawal of the
latter. At the risk of being black-
listed by Rentero as a'bad'person,
Anand firmly declined the dubious
honour of having a shot at the
WCC title. Not unpredictably
Kramnik didn't follow his example,
- and here I feel obliged to enter
on the delicate issue of Kramnik's
non-participation in Groningen. I
would have very much liked to
skip it because of my high esteem
for Vladimir, but some of his re-
cent declarations were too juicy to
pass over silently. Please, forgive
me the following lengthy quote
fromNIC9S/3,p.13.
'Q: You refused to play Gronin-
gen because Karpov was seeded to
the final. Now you enter a champi
NDWINCHESS) 29

z
I ing all kinds of truisms m q
o
o
Valery Salov ('intent and reproachful look, full of dignity of sentiments and self+ontro!')'
onship where you are seeded to
the qualification final.
A: But I'm not ahead of anyone.
I play a match on equal condi-
tions. I understand that the sys-
tem is not perfect, there are better
systems, but they are not easy to
realize. I understand what you
mean, but if I play a match against
Anand or Shirov we play under
equal conditions. But in the future
it would be better that we should
get more people involved.'
If there still were some people
stupid or naive enough to harbour
any doubts about the true reasons
of Kramnik's refusal to play in
Groninglen, they must have lost
their last illusions after this amaz-
ing revelation. I wonder if Madi-
mir is aware of a striking similarity
of his words with Mr. Karpov's
attitude toward his privileges (see
NIC98/l\. In the verbiage ofboth
30)NswNCHess
tembit Oll and Mikhai! Rytshagov
of them we have a nice touch of
melancholic sincerity, admitting
that: 'Yes, the system is not per-
fect, there are better systems...';
then there follows an expression
of vague optimism:'Perhaps in the
future it will be better'; but the
dominant impression remains the
same - that of unveiled cynicism
in both cases. The only difference
is that one gentleman complains
that he was handicapped by
hav-
ing been seeded directly to the
final and the other claims that he
was 'not ahead ofanyone'.
Does that really mean that
Kramnik would have accepted an
invitation to
Groningen if FIDE
had reduced its cycle to three play-
ers? And certainly then he would
have expressed the same cynical
wish: 'In the future it would be
better that we should get more
people involved.'
sHtRov
After Anind's withdrawal, the WC
Council faced a difficult choice: ei-
ther to find a substitute for the In-
dian player or to democratize its
'cycle' even more by reducing it to
a K-K match. At first sight the lat-
ter option was clearly preferable,
as it would have allowed to Kaspa-
rov to declare that he wasn't
'ahead of anyone' either. But at
closer inspection it turns out that
in this case he would have irrevo-
cably lost every right to complain
about'having been handicapped'.
(Here I force myselfto refrain from
further comments, suppressing a
whole page of written text for the
sheer pleasure of voluntarism -
just to demonstrate to NIC editors
that I'm a better censor than they
are.)
Finally, as you already know,
the decision was taken to extend
an invitation to Alexel'Shiru
flamboyant runnertp in Lit
who humanely acrepted iL
willing to expose the lfC Co
to the traumatic experienct c
ing down the list of possitlc c
dates. However, he also u.rm
to be a man not entirelY ul
malice and immediatefu' gFc
rein to it by invitinEl. t'ouus trn
weaken his formidab,le mt
team. My initial rea*in
somewhat sceptical. as I b
ready planned for l[4t tie fr
my rare toumament apF€il
(in the President's Ctq m E
so I tried to conrince -{.lcs-r o
uselessness - counter+rrofu
ness even - of big tear@s d I
ers during these uratibes' r
of my position: that a sdd t
ing repertoire like Er,rpou
Kasparov's is the rnrit d t
years of hard collectne rqt
the experience of -\nanl m
had demonstrated ttur m
eral months were not €Doqfr
Alexey easily proreJ ry ro
in-law who sometines cq
that I can convirrce aulor d
thinE, wronE. And I cmb s
express my Elratitude tD -{k
having done so.
PUBTIC RELANOilS III
For me it was a nor' ad th
experience: all these baodd
with Rentero, the fale *
magnetism of muu.ral 4
made me feel ir this .{-n d
like Standartenfihrer ffi
Richard Sorge, Julir:s ad I
Rosenber! all rolled ir om
fact that Shirov bad
heartedly entrusted to u ti
ditional burden of his PR rl
ments made my sh,v in Cd
solutely delightfrrl- Spain" E
other country, abotmds ir co
 an invitation to Alexey Shirov, the
flamboyant runner-up in Linares,
who humanely accepted it not
willing to expose the WC Council
to the traumatic experience of slid-'
ing down the list of possible candi-
dates. However, he also turned out
to be a man not entirely without
malice and immediately gave free
rein to it by invitin! yours truly to
weaken his formidable analytical
team. My initial reaction was
somewhat sceptical, as I had al-
ready planned for May the first of
my rare tournament appearances
(in the President's Cup in Elista),
so I tried to convince Alexey ofthe
uselessness - counter-productive-
ness even - of big teams of train-
ers during these matches, adduc-
ing all kinds of truisms in support
of my position: that a solid open-
ing repertoire like Karpov's or
IJcontol'), Kasparov's is the fruit of many
years of hard collective work, that
the experience of Anand in 1995
I had demonstrated that even sev-
bd's uithdrawal, the WC eral months were not enough, etc.
lAed a difficult choice: ei- Alexey easily proved my mother-
tfr a substitute for the In- inJaw, who sometimes complains
!a or to democratize its that I can convince anyone of any-
EE rDore by reducing it to thing, wrong. And I only want to
ild- At first sight the lat- express my gratitude to Alexey for
h uas clearly preferable, having done so.
Il have allowed to Kaspa-
) &dare that he wasn't PUBTIC REIAIIONS MAN
I d amrne' either. But at For me it was a new and thrilling
ihection it turns out that experience:, all these handshakes
icc he would have irrevo- with Rentero, the fake smiles, the
H ercry right to complain magnetism of mutual antipathy
bing been handicapped'. made me feel in this den of vice
lfuce myself to refrain from like Standartenfiihre r Stirlitz, Dr.
I @ments, suppressing a Richard Sorgle, Julius and Ethel
pjp of written text for the Rosenbergl all rolled into one. The
lasure of voluntarism - fact that Shirov had light
IEronstrate to NIC editors heartedly entrusted to me the ad-
r a better censor than they ditional burden of his PR require-
ments made my stay in Cazorla ab
l', as you already know, solutely delightful. Spain, like no
:iin was taken to extend other country, abounds in corrupt
journalists, and my high post put
me in close contact with this dan-
gerous specles.
The most perspicacious readers
have probably noticed a slight
anti-Kasparovian bias in my writ-
ings. Well, it's nothing more than
a sign of good taste on my part
and it bears no comparison to the
bacchanalia of base instincts that
the mere sight of these graphoma-
niacs might have aroused in a less
hardened soul than mine. I know
quite a few grandmasters who are
so familiar with the true situation
in the chess world that they simply
can't read the chess press any
more - because of the incredible
number of shallow remarks, ba-
nalities, cheap rhetoric and plain
disinformation produced by some
WC candidates that are readily
parroted by the journalists and
maliciously thrown right into the
face of a defenceless chess public.
Some of them even find a perverse
pleasure in justifying Gilbert Keith
Chesterton's apprecibtion of this
profession: 'Journalism is a false
picture of the world, thrown upon
a lighted screen in a darkened
room so that the real world is not
seen.' In the Russian and Spanish
press, in addition, this picture is
very often shown upsidedown.
Even at risk of contradicting my
previous material (NIC 98/2), I
can't resist the temptation of re-
producing here the words of Tho-
mas Jefferson: 'l really look with
commiseration over the great
body of my fellow citizens who,
reading newspapers, live and die
in the belief that they have known
something of what has been pass-
ing in the world of their times.' As
you can see, 200 years ago even
US Presidents had their moments
oflucidity.
Nowadays we live in an almost
totally fictitious world, and this is
not big news to anyone. I recently
read an article about some Ameri-
can journalists who made brilliant
careers at a very young age by in-
venting sensational material that
catapulted them to the front pages
of prestigious tabloids. One of
them, Janet Cooke, from The
Washington Post, even got a Pulit-
zer Prize for a fib about an S-year-
old drug addict called Jimmy (I
hope the article itself was not
false). Chess journalists probably
don't run the risk of getting a
'Pulitzer' anyway, but some of
them, unfortunately, try to atone
for their lack of imagination by a
morbid tendency to distort reality
without ever rising to a level of
aesthetical refinement necessary
to create good fiction.
How to unmask such a corrupt
journalist? Surprisingly, one of the
most reliable methods is self-
exposure, which was first success-
fully tested by Andrey Vyshinsky
during the scandalous court cases
in Moscow in the '30s. I'll try to
demonstrate it to you with a con-
crete example.
The press-roomin Cazorla shel-
tered a group of well-nourished
journalists with one clear-cut
leader. I'm not going to drop his
name, but readers with a penchant
for criminal investigation can find
it in ffIC 98/1, p.12, middle col-
umn, 14th line from the top. This
fabulous personage is cited (again
by Hans Ree, hmm...) in the con-
text of a story about a journalists'
blitz tournament with hefty prizes,
but for some strange reason
closed to FIDE title-holders, as the
author of the following witty re-
mark: 'At least we have been
spared an agonizing ethical di-
lemma'. The same individual with
a venerable record of gross falsifi-
NEW IN CHESS ) 31

cations both on the pages of his
magazifue Jaque and' the sports
section of El Pais, once confided
to me his very apt journalistic
creed: 'l'm not interested in the
truth,' he told me. 'I'm interested
in information.' It is hardly possi-
ble to flush all ethical dilemmas of
mankind down the lavatory pan of
one's glreediness in a more concise
way.
My duties as PR man were very
soon reduced to visitin€i the press
centre at the end of the plaYing
sessions with the only purpose of
directing an intent and reproach-
ful look, full of dignity of senti-
ments and selfcontrol, at the jour-
nalists. They bristled with hostil-
ity, but I still believe that it
stimulated their work.
cAzoRr-A
A few words must be said here
about the venue ofthe match.
Cazorla is a picturesque little
town (10,200 residents) in the
foothills of the splendid mountain
range of the Sierra de Cazorla.
Founded around 550 B.C., it later
became known as Carcesa under
the Romans. In the Middle Ages it
was a strong Muslim fortress, re-
conquered in the )ilIthcentury
by the Archbishop of Toledo, D.
Rodrigo Ximenez de Rada. Several
exquisite examples of Renaissance
architecture dating back to the
1500s contributed to this unique
combination of millennial history
and beautiful mountainous land-
scape. However, during the War of
Independence, the sophisticated
taste of the French invaders had
obviously judged such splendour
excessive, promptint them to de-
stroy some of the monuments be-
yond repair on their retreat in
1812. Only after this disaster did
Cazorla receive the title of 'Ci-
32 ) NEW IN CHESS
=
I cAzoRLA |
=
udad', granted to it by 'Las Cortes
de Cadiz' in 1812. Spanish hu-
-Emour. Now the tourists have the
opportunity both to appreciate the
diligence and applicafion of the
French and to test their fancy by
trying to figure out how Cazorla
looked while still a 'village'.
Another great attraction of Ca-
zorla resides in its proximity to the
natural reserve of Cazorla-Segura,
the biggest National Park in
Spain, which covers more than
2000 sq km. It has played a very
special role in chess history and
I'll explain later why. Perhaps not
totally irrelevant to our story, an'
other emblematic Andalusian
natural reserve, Donana, was
touched by a horrifying ecological
catastrophe in April - the collapse
of a dam holding a filthy artificial
lake of highly toxic waste, created
by the industriousness and energly
of Swedish-Canadian company
Boliden. According to some esti-
mates, the damage to agriculture
alone comes to more than t billion
dollars. It goes without saying that
the major part of this heavy finan-
cial burden will fall on the Junta
de Andalucia (remember Rentero
with his two millions?).
SUBCAMPEONATO DEt MUNDO
The local authorities had dis-
played a heart-rending enthusiasm
in respect to the WC Council,
though considerably watered
down by a financial scandal that
crowned the match (see below).
The desire of these nice people to
offer something really grandiose
to their small community elo-
quently combined with their in-
ventiveness to produce a sono-
rously overstated match-monicker
- the Subcampeonato del Mundo.
A translation of this highly am-
biguous term far surpasses my
modest command of both lan-
guages, but anyway I find it ex-
tremely felicitous, and I hope that
the WCC will preserve it for the fi-
nal as well.
Before the Cazorla match, the
personal score between the two
super[randmasters was 64 in Shi-
rov's favour, and probably only An-
and with his superb streak of wins
in practically all disputed tourna-
ments could claim better results.
It prompted a cool remark from
Kramnik in Monaco: 'lt's good
that my match with Shirov is not
without interest either.' Despite
my great respect for Vladimir's im-
pressive chess skills I have to point
out that his biography already
shows some other matches not to-
tally devoid of interest. Without
any intention to speculate here
about the relative strength of the
two players, both of whom deserve
only words of superlative praise, I
have to confess - and it's a matter
of principle for me - that I don't
share thht dominant tendency in
modern chess, of which Vladimir
Kramnik happens to be a brilliant
exponent... As far as I am con-
cerned he comes too dangerously
close to Kasparov's destructive at-
titude to chess that reduces it to
99% home preparation, trying to
avoid any possible exertion of
over-the-board play. Kasparov, be-
sides, throughout his chess career
has maintained a team of worn{ut
drudges (recently brutally comput-
erized\ - a privilege that he owes
to the 'dirty money' obtained by
his absolute political unscrupu-
lousness. (By the way - I have
completely forgotten about my
promise to write something about
the 'advanced chess' encounter in
Leon, but as it only confirmed
Kasparov's lack of skill in the use
of computers/vibrators, it only oc-
curs to me to reconmd h
get back to Viagra pilts)-
Nowadays it is practiczly i
sible to create a broad d a
sive opening repertrire ri
the permanent help of ttc t
mentioned computerirod h
As Madimir appareody I
have such help, his rEp.rti
mains quite narro*. -4d r
limited opening reD€rtic
when well worked outl fi
wide choice of sharpJo*!
tions (of course, $rp d
those who are not ffi
them) it's extremeb' dlh
win even one gan€ rg-
strong player without r2f,-t
risks. 0r at least, ooe hr t
superb technician to & l- I
nik's technique is nct H h
exceptional - here is thc rd
to his recurrent fuE
matches.
Fully aware of all the fu
team (Mikhail nytsn*n,
Sutovsky and Leolit OI
u d
more or less expectod
draws, and the cqr= I
match did demonfatc ft
expectations \{€re d I
groundless.
Why do I call ttre fr
scribed above destnrfui I
the incompetent jorroffs
it is often called 'creativi5l', t
is already good enougfu ro
to do the samg but fl ulr
plain to you why. For rr
have absolutely no xftt b
tion the psychotheraptiliz
ues of analyzing the 8jD1
tion of the Gninfeld Deh
move 50 with all its sftid
subtleties of Ae3 or AtE<
fact during the matct I Scte
dose of therapy mFetr lb
leaves me groggy). fud n
to admit that it's a htlh
matic and effective wey d
 of both lan- curs to me to recommend him to spending one's life and of wasting preparation', and instead of'cre-
qYay I find it ex- get back to Viagra pills). one's intellect, besides bringing ative' - 'destructive'. All journal-
and I hope that Nowadays it is practically impos- about good practical results in ists unwilling to follow this recom-
preserve it for the fi- sible to create a broad and aggres- chess. But please, don't call it'cre- mendation are likely to be de-
sive opening repertoire without ativity' or 'development' of chess nounced to and processed by the...
Cazorla match, the the permanent help of the above- or, if you insist, tell me what is the
between the two mentioned computerized drudges. purpose of such 'development'? To WORTD PI.AYER'S COUNCIT
was 64 in Shi- As Madimir apparently doesn't get right from the opening to On the free day after the victori-
probably only An- have such help, his repertoire re- move 60, 70, 120? To convert ous fourth game (May 29th) our ir-
qerb streak of wins mains quite narrow. And with a chess into a competition of responsible collective indulged in
ell disputed tourna- limited openingl repertoire (even autists? the hedonism of an excursion to
daim better results. when well worked out), without a fu I see the problem, any aging the CazorlaSegura natural re-
e ool remark from wide choice of sharpJooking varia- process can be called development serve. The rivals - Sergey Dolma-
lfmaco: 'It's good tions (of course, sharp only for only up to a certain moment after tov and Konstantin Sakaev -
uith Shirov is not those who are not familiar with which, alas, it becomes degenera- wisely decided to abandon them-
either.' Despite them) it's extremely difficult to tion. In my opinion, this moment selves to the sado-masochistic
for Vladimir's im- win even one game against a for chess came in the 1970s or pleasuresof polishing Vladimir's
I have to point strongl player without taking some early '80s, if you like. It's very opening repertoire instead. The
tfugraphy already risks. Or at least, one has to be a symptomatic that neither Karpov, fourth member of Kramnik's team
der matches not to- superb technician to do it. Kram- -
nor Kasparov the two theoreti- - Valery Krylov - must have been
d interesl Wthout nik's technique is not bad but not cal superpowers of our times - giving him a thorou6lh restorative
to speculate here exceptional - here is the solution have introduced a single new massage.
strength of the to his recurrent failures in opening having limited their con- The beauty of the day and the
ofwhom deserve matches. tribution to chess by treading surroundings elevated our reck-
gDerlative praise, I Fully aware of all the above, our down the already existing lines. lessness to the de6lree of inviting
iss - and it's a matter team (Mikhail Rytshagov, Emil And please, don't refer me back to Emil Sutovsky to have one of his
5r me - that I don't Sutovsky and Lembit Oll) had the apocalyptical prophecies of Ca- deafening vocal rehearsals - a
inant tendency in more or less expected ten dreary pablanca in 1920s - they are well- true pleasure to any music-lover.
of which Vladimir draws, and the course of the known to everyone. I don't mind Your author sinned again by com-
to be a brilliant match did demonstrate that our having Capa by my side, although posing one of those endgame stud-
As far as I am con- expectations were not totally he probably would have swooned ies that usually are kept from pub-
too dangerously groundless. when shown all these Encyclope- lication only by his philanthropy.
destructive at- Why do I call the attitude de- dias, Informants, NIC Yearbooks, I've decided to make an exception
tJrat reduces it to scribed above destructive? Well, in etc., supported by FRITZ 5 on Pen- for this one, hoping to commemo-
lrEparation, trying to the incompetent journalist's slan[ tium II, and therefore would have rate in this way the day of birth of
pssible exertion of it is often called 'creativity', which left me on my own anyway. My the WPC - Unification Day.
play. Kasparov, be- is already good enougfi reason not point is slighfly different - let's get
his chess career to do the saYne, but I'll try to ex- rid at least of highly misleading
a team of wornout plain to you why. For example, I terminologly. To start with, let's
brutally comput have absolutely no wish to ques- simply call things by their names -
frMege that he owes tion the psychotherapeutical val- otherwise we will only accelerate
money' obtained by ues of analyzing the 8.trb1 Varia- the process of destruction of
political unscrupu- tion of the Grtinfeld Defence up to chess. So instead of cautiously me- A
theway-Ihave move 50 with all its schizophrenic nial expressions like 'the acknowl-
brgotten about my subtleties of 3.e3 or Ag5-e3 (in edged strongest player in the
somethingl about fact durinS the match I got a good world' I recommend very much
chess' encounter in dose of therapy myself that still the use of the more realistiq 'A
r it only confirmed leaves me groggy). And I'm ready strong player with indisputably
bck of skill in the use to admit that it's a highly prag- the largest number of hours of This study doesn't deserve any le-
it only oc- matic and effective way of mis- drudgery invested in his opening niency from you as it was com-

NEw rN CHESS ) 33

posed blindfold in less than one
hour. Part of the responsibility for
it should also be attributed to a sure that these wily creatures had
player whose violent imaglination
had conceived the idea of Black's
'fortress' in one of the Sames dis-
puted in Holland this year. I leave
it as a little quiz to the readers.
Solution:
1.8a1!! ag7 2.9f6! 9a3
2.-h84 3.&h4 makes White's task
easier.3.6h4 gf8 4.€95!! hg4
4...9c5 5.Ch6 We3 (5."8f8
6.gh5+-) 6.g5. s.€h4!! g3
6.€h3! Bc8 7.€93! Bc7
7...9f8 8.9g2!! ua8 9.€g1! and
wins.8.€f3! 9b7 9.€f2! 9a7
10.9f1! and wins.
The best surprise of the day was
reserved by the organizers for din-
ner time - in order to further im-
prove our excellent mood they in'
vited the same familiar group of
!l
z
5 become a decisive iq.fi
U
o its
6 lic.
o
Shirov's 'irresponsible collective indulging in the hedonism of an excursion' on the first fiee day:
L.
34 ) NEw rN CHESS
impenitent graphomaniacs. VerY
soon I had an opportunitY to make
already perfecfly adapted them-
selves even to the dlectric inten-
sity of my reproachful looks and
were definitely not bothered at all
by any kind of. agonizingelhical di-
lemmas. I felt with a sudden clar-
ity that a strong orglanization was
needed to harass them more effi-
ciently. But how to create it? Well,
in the beginning was the logos,
next came the farce of democratic
elections - this universal panacea
of the XXth century. In an im'
promptu session the organization
was called the 'World Player's
Council' and Iwas nominated as
its President. Don't ask me about
my electorate - this confidential
information may not be disclosed.
The only thing I can tell you now
is that my electoral base is much
to r.: Oll, Sutovsky, Shirov, Rytshagov and Salov
wider than Rentero's. For the mo-
ment your author is not only the
WPC's President, but also its onlY
member and Champion (so the lo-
gos 'Player' is used in its name in
singular). In fact, I don't mind the
situation. Like James Bond I Pre-
fer to work alone, and my high of-
ficial status gives me now what I
need - a LICENCE TO DRILL the
corrupt journalists. The WPC
plans to calculate their ratingls of
corruptedness with the help of
Ken Thompson's secret formula
and intends to publish them re$u-
larly. Sometimes 'imitation can be
made the sincerest form of insult'
(O. Wlde). But I believe that the
WPC is much more than that -
through this orglanization we will
easily achieve the Unification of
the title. Now Rentero and K can
organize as many championships
as they like - the WPC will pro
vide a severe sup€rvisioo o
WCC cycle and take ttre fu
slon.
The most interesti4
chess project is the orln
of the united WPC'\I-CC t
onship. If Alexey *'ins ttc I
nal (as I hope he xill) it r
purely friendly e\@t cr
under equal conditi(G'
wise, the WPC CaDI*r
pared to challenge Xryr
handicap match, conednG
all Whites, drawing odds r
right to consult corlplf
Rentero. The WPC's sdc :
will be to play this rr
Fischer Randorn Cbessd
As the nobility of eL5
WPC is beyond ary doda
surely have a lot o{ dct
'What is the WPC's crtflf
has only one membs-r -d
certainly ask. A si['q.6
cause its credibiltl ir tbc
only possession. It witrl d
sarily increase rtith tb
tance of new members h,
esty (please, forgire me di
journalistic clichi mt cill
void of sarcasm), the &
demands for memberCfi
WPC's only concern - il I
struct its leisureb'hd nE
work. In order to limit tso
the President had deh
special set of te*s fu tl
cants, including que*E
chess history Fischs I
and the present po[ticd si
in Russia. His moderdc q
(in the style of Arthr S
hauer and Thomas Bc
leaves him some bqc d
WPC's unity and integrty
recoEl,nition b)' th€ .n
3 Dr. Wlliam Wirtx Ilit

h Rentero's. For the mo-
E author is not only the
rhesident, but also its only
rrad Champion (so the lo-
|rr'is used in its name in
rL ID fact, I don't mind the
L Lrte James Bond I pre-
d alone, and my high of-
Etrs tives me now what I
-TIJCENCE TO DRILL the
t ixrnalists. The WPC
b ekulate their ratings of
E€ss with the help of
E@son's secret formula
Hs to publish them regu-
lGimes'imitation can be
h sincerest form of insult'
kI But I believe that the
b nuch more than that -
I this organization we will
diere the Unification of
b. Now Rentero and K can
b as many championships
,I&" - the WPC will pro
rt first free day:
vide a severe supervision over the
WCC cycle and take the final deci-
sion.
The most interestin$ WPC
chess project is the orglanization -
of the united WPC-WCC chamPi-
onship. If Alexey wins the WCC fi-
nal (as I hope he will) it will be a
purely friendly event, contested
under equal conditions. Other-
wise, the WPC Champion is Pre-
pared to challenge Kasparov to a
handicap match, conceding to him
all Whites, drawing odds and the
right to consult computers and
Rentero. The WPC's sole request
will be to play this match in
Fischer Random Chess mode.
As the nobility of aims of the
WPC is beyond any doubts, it will
surely have a lot of detractors.
'What is the WPC's credibility if it
has only one member?' - they will
certainly ask. A silly question, be-
cause its credibility is the WPC's
only possession. It will not neces-
sarily increase with the admit-
tance of new members. In all hon-
esty (please, forgive me this usual
journalistic clichd not entirely de-
void of sarcasm), the clamour of
demands formembership is the
WPC's only concern - it might ob-
struct its leisurely but inexorable
work. In order to limit it somehow,
the President had elaborated a new 'real' match in 'real' chess
special set of tests for the appli-
cants, includingl questions about
chess history, Fischer Random
and the present political situation
in Russia. His moderate optimism
(in the style of Arthur Schopen-
hauer and Thomas Bernhard)
leaves him some hope that the
WPC's unity and integrity will not
become a decisive impediment to
its recoglnition by the wider pub-
lic.
3 Dr. William Wirth: Third co-founder of the WCC
EPITOGUE
Below you will find all the match
games with the author's brief an-
notations. Although the games are
of very high quality, their main at'
traction resides in the opening
phase, which quite a few of them
actually failed to transcend. Hav-
ing in mind the vague prospect of
the final of the 'Subcampeonato
del Mundo', the author has consci-
entiously tried to confuse the
readers, but his insufficient theo-
retical expertise might still have
involuntarily produced some cor-
rect assessments. Please, don't
hold these against him.
Both players deserve a repri-
mand for their excellent chess and
courteous behaviour. Rentero
again was the only adequate dis-
turber of the peace - he has re-
cently acquired the unconven-
tional habit of catching forty
winks in the playing hall, and his
snoring didn't exactly improve the
quality of the games. In the future
the WPC intends to. reward such
infringements with sizeable fines.
After the match, Vladimir Kram-
nik once again demonstrated his
lack of the qualities of a true
Champion - disappointingly he
didn't resort to insults aimed at
his opponent didn't demand a
with a 'real' sponsor. Neither did
he please the audience by hysteri-
cal accusations of conspiracy by
insistent requests to show him
'the printouts' or by any other
similar eccentricities. However,
when back in Moscow he made
some pertinent observations
about Rentero that will be fondly
preserved in the WPC's archive.
The point is that the closing
ceremony was somewhat enli-
vened by a financial scandal, mis-
chievously provoked by Don Luis,
who prudenfly disappeared and
failed to honour it by his presence.
According to the contract, signed
by the players, the loser's prize'
money was $200,000, with half of
i! provided by the Province of
Jaen, to be paid to Madimir 'in
situ'without any retentions. The
Mayor of Cazorla, guided by laud-
able Andalusian custom and only
superficially familiar with the con-
tract, tried to keep back 25o/o of
the sum. The exciting clash of in-
tellects that ensued delayed the
ceremony for a full hour, which
was spent in dialectic debate and
futile attempts to localize the way-
ward Don Luis. The outcome of
the debate was dryly summed up
by Sergey Dolmatov: 'Our first win
here'. Half-and-half win, I'm forced
to add, as the second half of Kram-
nik's prize and the entire share of
the winner are still pending. The
Junta de Andalucia still hasn't
signed the contract and I have al-
ready acquainted the readers with
my considerations in this respecl
Will Kasparov's and Rentero's
reputation suffer at all if the whole
WCC projects is wrecked? Please,
put this insidious question to Dr.
William Wirth3.
Gr6.6
Vladimir Kramnik
Alexey Shlrov
Cazorla m 1998 (1)
l.d4 AfO 2.c4 gB 3.6c3 d5
4.cd5 6d5 5.e4 6c3 6.bc3
aE7 7.4c4 O-0 8.6e2 c5
9.0-0 6cG 1O.Ae3 gg4 LL.l3
6a5 12.4d3 cd4 13.cd4 Ae6
L4.Ec1- Aa2L5.Wa4 Ab3!
The move introduced by Anand in
NEWTNCHESS) 35
his match against Yusupov in Wijk
aanZee1994.
16.9b4 b617.ags
17.d5 gd6! 18..gd2?! trfd8
19.9d6 ed6 20.9g5 Edc8 21.4a6
EcS 22.EcS bc5 23.fc1 fb8 and
Black had a superior ending in the
second match game Yusupov'
Anand.
17.Ec3 Ae6 18.495 (18.4f4!?)
18...Ee8 19.4b5 Ad7 20.4a6?
(20-Ad7 tsd7 21.ffc1 fad8 is
equal, Timman) 20...4c6 2l.Vc4
b5!! and White didn't last long in
Timman-Hellers, Malmci 1997.
17...f618.9.f4
A new, but not really impressive
move. Kramnik never returned to
it in the subsequent games. Previ-
ously only 18.4e3 Af7 19.4a6
Bd6 was known.
18...e5!
Of course, this is the most natural
reaction for Black. Now he equal-
izes quite comfortably.
19.Ae3 ed4 2O.6,d4 gl7
21.4a6
fe8 22.Ab5 Ue7!=.
21.trfd1!?
21...8e8! 22.trld1. Be7 23.tse7
He7 24.6,cO 6c6 25.EcG
E &
I terpretation and it gave us a lot of
/A
-H_ lllNs I 10.9h5f5l1.trb1
A It's not the first time that these
tr
A very characteristic moment for
this match - the openingl phase is
over and Madimir immediately of-
fers a draw. All seven draws in this
match were the result of his peace-
ful initiatives, and what is even
more curious - Alexey accepted
all of them!
36 ) New rr cnrss
In this position Black could still 12...8f6?! which allowed White to Black settles again fur e &
continue fighting for the full point get a long-term edge after 13.ts8 while after the obvious 23-i
by 25...f5!, although after 26.4g5 c6 14.Af4!b5 15.Wg3 Af4 16.8f4 he could still continrr ttc aF
E.e5 27.trc7 fe4 28.1dd7 tr95 Ef7 I7.@fI Eaf8! 18.tre2 tsd8! without even a shadow d I lil
29.Efl gd4 30.€f1 eB -31.4c4 19.trbe1 gb8 20.Wh4 gd8 find it all the more strrlE I
fgZ 32.@e2 White miraculously 21.9f4 gb8 22.tre5 Ud6 23.9c1 cause Vladimir is a *t
vay
holds on. a6? (the conect 23...f4! yields sitional player and he ch
I can't fail to see here a parallel counterplay) 24.f4! Shirov-Anand, been awar'e of the fac ttlhl
with the PCA championship in Groningen 1997. slightly better here-
New York (1995) - in 18 games of 13.495tsc7
that match Kasparov made no Gl 5.9
fewer than 15 (!) drawing propos- Vladlmlr Krarnf
als. With the benefit of hindsight
one can say that Anand had shown
-g,iiil i I Alexey Shlrov
Cazorla m 1998 (31
a rare example of combativity by 1,.d4 6lt6 2.eA g63.&l t
rejecting two of them. Modern :
4.cd5 hd5 5.e4 A€ 3l
Ag7 7.Lc4 (xt 8.@ r
!!!irii i lilllli li
chess. As Kramnik was Kasparov's
iiiiiiii :i A.:: :i:
second in New York, he had a ltiliilt r a::i ii: 9.o-0 6c6 10-Ae9 35rr1
good opportunityto learn a lot
from that match. He obviously
a$iniiiiia
rirlr::: Ff
ilili I iiAl oe,5 L2.9:11 Ef7 l3til I
14.€f1cd41s.cdtl.fl
i:ti:ilit H
made use of it.. Ivanchuk's idea.
L4.c4 16.d5
RG2,7 Only this move is new. 14.4e7 led 16.de5 only leads to oqrnElJ
Alexey Shlrov to a quick draw after 14...Efe8! 16...ae5 17.9d8 trd8 lr E r Q
Vladlmlr Kramnlk 15.9d6 (15*C5 Ah2+) 15...9d6 19.g3 trd3, with compenril-.
Cazorla m 1998 (2) 16.h3 Ee7 17.f4 EO (17...fae8! 16...6c417.9d3
1.e4 e5 2.olt3 6ltB 3.d4 o,e4 18.9h4 Eel 19.8e1 fel 20.tse1 t7.gfz!? gf6 18.Ogl EA rt.l
4.9d3 d5 5.6e5 6d7 6.4d7 is theclearest road to equality) is another intere$ing pd
AdZ 7.O{ 9d6 8.hc3 6c3 18.9h4 trae8 19.tre7 Ee7 20.@ft for White.
9.bc3(X) fe8 in Geller-Yusupov, Soviet L7...6e318.9e3 ttr !u
The Petroff Defence is a fearful Championship, Minsk 1979. gh6
drawing weapon in Vladimir's in- 14...4e8! After 19...b6 20.*gl -eA2f-a
gc5 22.9d3 gm 2aqtl il
headaches during this match.
This accurate reply was also fore-
seen by Vladimir in his home 24.4f3 Ad6 25.fa6 tYfr r
preparation. Black resolves all his better in Nena$ef.ql
11.ts8 c6 12.9:f4 r9c7 13.9d6 problems. Groningen Open 19!17 -
9d6 14.trfel Eae8 is equal, ac- 15.9h3 dc416.Ac4 98/4, page 71, for !{d-tr
cordingl to Yusupov. 16.9f5 would have allowed comments.
11...b6 t2.Ee7, 16...4h2 17.€h1 Ef5! 18.8f5 2o.gd3 trf8 LwL I
Ad6!, with excellent compensa- 22.&hL
two players reach this position. In tion for a minimal material loss. occrq
In case of 22.€h2 ifs
Belgrade 1997, Kramnik even got 16...4f7 17.AeG AeG 18.EeG reckon with 22..-!e3Af 8'
an advantage after 12.ts8 c6 8ae819.9b3?! when24.d7?? loses on fu#
13.4f4 9c7 14.4d6 9d6 15.trfe1 Here White had better opt for the 24...At4 25.at4 l'gJ- ll
fae8 16.tre8 tre8 17.c4 Ua3 and more prudent 19.8e8 fe8 20.9f5 &97 25.d7 9g5 26.t!tl I
Alexey had to defend very care- Ah2 21.9f1 with equality. Instead 27.gh3 gB leads to a dra+L
fully to save the game (which he fi- he commits a micro mistake that ter 24.tsd5! ge7 251c5 4
nally did). leads to a slighfly inferior position. 26.d7 VeZ 27.dBA efl 2il
12...c6! 19...8eG 2O.Be6 Efi7 21.8e8 trf4 29.trc1 White presers;t
The correct decision. Erroneous is trA 22.9e6 Ef7 23.9e8 trf8 winning chances.
 allowed White to Black settles again for a draw, 22...8e3 23.9e3 Ae3 White with a symbolic edge.
Fdi.h
Ftltrm edge after 13.W8 while after the obvious 23...9f8! 32...€c5 33.€e2 b5 34.€d3
mb51s.ge3 gf416.Ef4 he could still continue the game Draw.

Ftffr EaE! 18.re2 tsd8! without even a shadow of a risk. I

I tb8 2o.gh4 gd8 find it all the more strange be-' RG 2,7
il,ta22.ae5 9d6 23.Sc1 cause Madimir is a very subtle po- Alexey Shirov
p correct 23...f4! yields sitional player and he must have Vladlmlr Kramnlk
i&ql 24141 Shirov-Anand, been aware of the fact that he was Cazorla m 1998 (4)

Frse7. slightly better here. 1.e4 e5 2.68 DltG 3.d4 6e4

Flcz 4.4d3 d5 5.6e5 6ld7 6.o,d7
Gt 5.9
gd7 7.O{, AdG 8.c4 cG 9.cd5
Vladlmir Kramnlk cd5 10.8h5 O{ 11.Wd5 Ac6
3. Alexey Shlrov 12.8hsg613.9rc ags!
Cazorla m 1998 (3) 24.EdL!.? Only this move is new. 13...9b6
E. 14.9e4 3'e415.4c3 gd4 16.9h4
I,{ 1.d4 6f6 2.c4 tB 3.6c3 d5
4.cd5 6d5 5.e4 6c3 6.bc3
Nter 24.dgl Black can force
draw by 24...3;91 25.@gl Ec8, or
a
is well-known to be better for
2J 9g7 7.Ac4 0{ 8.6e2 c5 even 25...1f4 26.trdl gf7 27.Afl White. A magnificent drawing nov-
g 9.0{ 6c6 10.4e3 gg4 L1,.13 trfl 28.€f1 b529.sbe2 all. elty was introduced by Arthur
615 L2.At7 tr17 L3.84 Et1, 24...trtr225.a,9LE,flt? Yusupov only a few weeks before
L4.&17.cd415.cd4 e5! very complicated after
25...IJ.a2 is this €ame: 13...9b4! 14.6c3 Ac3
Ivanchuk's idea. 26.af3! (not 26.d6? trd2!) and now: 15.4e4 Yz-Vz Smirin-Yusupov,
16.d5 A) 26...9d4 27.4d4 (but again Dresden Zonal 1998.
bro*e is new. 14.Ae7 led 16.de5 only leads to equality after not 27.d6 gf7 28.d7 €e7 29.d88 14.4g5 Eg5 15.4c3 EfeS
lit dnw after 14...Efe8! 16...Ae5 17.9d8 fd8 18.tre1 Ac6 €d8 30.6e5 fal and Black wins) 16.d5
i(1536 gh2+) 15...9d6 19.93 Ed3, with cornpensation. 27...ed4 28.ffl!; An interesting decision - Alexey
b7 t7l4 g6 (17...Eae8! 16...6c417.9d3 B) 26...tra4! 27.d6 jrb6 28.d7 immediately surrenders his extra
I!.r ts.u.t Eer 2o.we1 17.9:f2t? gf6 18.€g1 rf8 19.8e1 gd8 29.trb11. pawn in order to generate some
to equality) is another interesting possibility 26.Ed3 Ab6 activity. After 16.fad1 fad8!
Ee7 20.*fl for White. Instead 26...9-d4l deserved serious Black has a very nasty threat:
pov, Soviet 17...6e3 18.Ue3 gh4 19.h3 attention in order to have an im- 17...g.d7!
ldip,l'tinsk 1979. ah6 petuous pawn on b5 after 27.ffil 16...4d5 17.f4 gd8 18.4d5
I After 19...b6 20.eg1 Ef8 21.eh1 trB 28.4f;}. 4c519.€h1Bd5 2o.trac1
lrte reply was also fore- gc5 22.9d3 tsf6 23.4g1 Wf2 27.E;13 €e7 28.E;t2 Atz
I Yladimir in his home 24.4f;} .ed6 25.Wa6 White was 29.4f3 gd6!
tsn- Slack resolves all his better in Nenashev-Conquest Of course now it's too late to play
F Groningfen Open 1997 - see NIC 29...9d4? - after 30.6d4 ed4
le416.Ac4 98/4, page 71, for Nenashev's 3l.Cgl €,d6 32.€f2 b5 33.€e2 a5
I rurld have allowed comments., 34.9d3 €e5 35.d6 €d6 36.9d4
I rz.err trfs! 18.9f5 20.9d3 Ef8 2,-.@gt wt2 White is winning.
Hh ercellent compensa- 22.&h1, 30.93!?
hirimal material loss. In case of 22.Sh2 it's necessary to Here Madimir must have calcu-
przs.ee ae618.Ee6 reckon with 22...9e3 23.d6 trB!?, lated something like 30.4g5 b5
Ettszr when 24.d7?? loses on the spot to 31.4f7! €c5 32.6e5 9d4 33.6c6
F O, better opt for the 24..Af4 25.af4 t9g3. 24.Vc4 9e4 34.d6 Ab6 35.d7 a5 36.d89
gd8 37.ad8 €d5 38.6b7 a4
tot 19.tre8 fe8 20.9f5 @e7 25.d7 3'g5 26.eh1 trh3 2O...4e3
hn *ittr
equality. Instead 27.gh3 9B leads to a draw, but af- 39.9g1€c6 40.4d8 Od5 41.4b7 A rather strange looking move but
lls
I
a micro mistake that ter 24.tsd5! €g7 25.8e5 €h6 with a repetition of moves. after the more obvious 20...1e3
ptgh0v inferior position. 26.d7 Ve2 27.dBV gf4 28.Wf4 3O...4g3 31,.@82 3:14 32.&t2 21.9c4 gd4 22.9h4! (the hasty
!2D.9e6 Ef7 21.9e8 Ef4 29.f,,c| White preserves good 32.dell b5 33.4d3 was more ac- 22.9f7? is dubious because of
lt:sgn 23.9e8 Ef8 winning chances. curate and would have even left 22..$e7l23.93 E,e2! 24.fc4 Wd6

NEw rN CHESS ) 37

25.We4 Wc6 26.tsf3 VB 27.trt3
fd8! and Black wins) 22...4e7
23.9f2 trd8 24.Ecdll White also
keeps a slight advantage.
27-.9:c4
21.trc3 was recommended
many observers as a clear improve-
ment to Alexey's move, but I don't
see anything decisive after
21...tre7 l, e.g. 22.A-c4 (22.8 9d2l;
22.AeG fgi 23.1e3 tre3 24.9e3
VaZ\ 22...r*d4 23.fi 3,d2 24.fe0
hg6 25.9f7 E.fl 26.E,f7 @t7
27.Wh7 €f6 28.tr8 9,f4 29.93
Ue4 30.€92 9e2 3l.ff2 9e4.
21...9f5 22.Vt5 gfS 23.trcd1
EadS 24.93 Ad4 25.b3 Af6
Why notthe natural25...@97 ?
26.4b5 trd1 27.8d1, Ed8
28.trc1trd5 29.a4 Ad8!
The position is still equal of
course, but it's very instructive to
see how Shirov keeps posing small
problems to Black - now he in-
vites Kramnik to advance his a-
pawn to a6, thus creating a second
static pawn weakness on the
queenside. Vladimir, for a while,
defends with great precision...
30.8c8 &97 31.trb8 Abo
32.Hb7 trd1 33.992 trit2
34.9h3 ag13s.g4
I nately for him, the bishop ending
!!;tl4il
€
li!!ni?
!ii:!:ir
!ltli
3s...4h2?
But here he succumbs to the pres-
sure and commits a really grave
mistake. After the natural 35...Eh2
36.993 fE4 37.994 trh6
(37...9,e2!?) 38.4c4 trf6 the draw
38 ) Nnwn cuoss
i=
I clzonll I A
would have been easy to reach for 49...€d4 50.€c6 €d 51.a5 is not
Black. a 6lreat improvement.
-=36.gfs hs 37.€h4 gf4?! 5O.€c6 €e5 51.gg8 Ae1
In my opinion Kramnik had a bet- 52.€bB Af2 53.Sa6!
ter possibility in 37...€M! 38.Ef7 This precise move wins the game.
by fd6! 39.fa7 3.f4 which would 53...€dG 54.a5 €c7 55.b4
have still offered him reasonable €c6 56.b5 €c5 57.bG €b4
defensive resources. s8.b7 gg3 s9.€b6 gt2
38.€hsof6 6O.€c6 Aa7 61.a6 €a5
Now 38...Eg2 39.Ac4 trgS 40.€h4 62.4c4
trfs 41.Cg4 E,f6 42.tra7 is quite 62.b8E €b8 63.9b7 €b5 64.9c4
bad for Black. also wins.
39.4c4 6f5 A0.trt7 €e4 62...4b8 63.g.f1
47,.8a7 Ae5 42.9't1- El2 Black resigned.
43.4h3! The Eame demonstrates Shirov's
Alexey likes this square! technical superiority and was a
43...Ef8 44.4e6 EfI- clear sign to Kramnik that his
I have to admit that these manoeu- chances in the match resided ex-
vres of the Black rook are some- clusively in opening preparation.
what enigmatic to me. The end-
game is certainly very difficult for Gt6.6
I
both sides, and don't dare to Vladimir Kramnlk
criticize Vladimir for this part of
the game, but one would have ex-
Alexey Shlrov
Cazorla m 1998 (5)
Ld4 Af6 2.c4 gG 3.6c3 d5
pected the'more natural' 44...€d4
45.a5 (45.trd7 €c3 46.a5 fa8 al- 4.cd5 6d5 5.e4 6c3 6.bc3
lows counterplay) 45...€c5 Agt 7.4c4 c5 8.6e2 6c6
46.4c4 fb8 47.a6 eb6 48.trd7 9.Ae3 0-0 10.0{ gg4 L1,.13
Ac7 49.4d5 fc8 and Black is still
suffering.
6,a5 L2.9:d3 cd4 13.cd4 AeG
L4.Ec7. 3;a2 15.tsa4 Abg
45.8d7! Eh1 46.e96 Eg1 16.9b4 b6 17.ags
47.&ft trgz 48.€e8 trd7 18.4h4!?
Perhaps this was Kramnik's idea This stunning novelty (18.4f4 was
when he played 44...trf1. Unfortu- played in the first game) is the
turns out to be lost for Black.
best demonstration of the advan-
tages of a sadomasochistic ap-
49.*d7 proach to chess. It had an immedi-
ate devastating effect on Alexey's
1
I
composure. Almost without think-
I
ing he blitzed out the following
moves:
trijiu 1i
iii:lit E 18...8d0 19.EdG ed6 2O.d5
1
f5?
It's very temptingl, of course, to
fulfil my promise to confuse the
readers and try to represent this
move as a triumph of intuition and
creativity over exact knowledge,
but, alas, too many publications
49...4c3 have already rightfully pointed out
that almost any other In<rtrt
have been better. Tte orF
evaluation of the moe ll,I
may be inferred from the ful
Kramnik didn't give it a scd
in the match.
27..et5
White doesn't need to .ila c
plications after 21 3r7
2,.1 H
trfe8 23.4d6 trad8 2,Lecn I
25.d6 gf8 which ratbcr Cr
Black.
2L...9t522.aj93t 9N2
As Black doesn't really tlE
take the rook on cf,herttsL
tried to do somethingl bcllrr
his bishop. For enmdc Zl-l
23.Sh1 Lt6 24.efr EE ran
6,b726.EcT 6,cS,wi$ocd
23.6t5
i, ffiIr
jffi*ffiffi1
AAI
A!
f6
23...9c41
From now on, wittr a briH
fence, Alexey shows curii
llrtf
why he is one of the very
ers in the world. The sed I
of this fame must hae d
real commotion in the frr
camp; the computerisod fl
will have to anabrse far, sfr
23...4c1 24.fc1 3-c4 0DL.i
I
25.trc7 Ad5 26.ah6-F) ZI.f,
&e7t (25...eh8 26-g.0l E
27.9f6+-\ 26.9c4 n)r*' ZN
fc8 28.Ee1! was the dt &
tive, which, however, xd I
maintained a lasting e4ptE
24.6e7 ShSt
Now 24...997 25.1c1?r{fil
Ef4 loses to 27.4d3! trh,t 2Ld
[t so.*co €c3 51.a5 is not
lirovemenL
ic o.s s1.gg8 Ae1
h:.erzss.oaer
Etemovewins the game.
ts 54.a5 sc7 55.b4
[--rs ocs sz.b6 €b4
I .e€3 se.€b6 At2
Fa Aa7 61.a6 €a5
F Efe8 23.Ad6 AadB 24.9c7 Ed7
!ttb8 63.€b7 €b5 64.4c4
Lr
ll3633f1
LisDed
l- demonstrates Shirov's
H sr.periority and was a
Ita oo Kramnik that his
irs io the match resided
l|lin opening preparation.
16.6
llrtr Xramnik
kcy Strlrov
tsla m 1998 (5)
i fi zA g6 3.6c3 d5
3 Ods 5.e4 6c3 6.bc3
: l..9,-o4 c5 8.6e2 6c6
I O{' 1O.O{ Ag4 11.f3
itz.gml cd413.cd4 Ae6
g tuz 15.tsa4 Abp
tr b6 17.4g5
w?
bning novelty (18.Af4 was
I ir the first game) is the
lrmstration of the advan-
l,J a sadomasochistic ap-
ll chess. It had an immedi-
mting effect on Alexey's
Lrc. ltmost without think-
I fted out the following
E 23...4c1 24.H,cl 3.c4 (24...€h8
b 19.9d6 ed6 2o.d5
L;l t rrpt ng, of
course, to
f,r promise to
confuse the
b aa try to represent this
batriwnph of intuition and
l$r over exact knowledge,
b, too many publications
k dy righttully pointed out
that almost any other move would
have been better. The objective
evaluation of the move 18.9h4
may be inferred from the fact that
Kramnik didn't Sive it a second tr!
in the match.
27..eti
White doesn't need to enter com-
plications after 21.9e7 fe4 22.4e4
25.d6 gf8 which rather favours
Black.
2L...9ts22.a,g3! Ab2
As Black doesn't really threaten to
take the rook oncl, he might have
tried to do something better with
his bishop. For example: 22...9d4
ex- 23.€h1 gf6 24.9t6 \f6 25.alf5
db7 26.8c7 6,cS, with counterplay.
23.4f5
f6
23...4c4!
From now on, with a brilliant de-
fence, Alexey shows convincingly
why he is one of the very best play-
ers in the world. The second part
of this game must have caused a
real commotion in the Kasparov
camp; the computerised drudges
will have to analyse far, very far:
25.\c7 $.,d5 26.6h6+-) 25.6e7
&g7t (25...eh8 26.9-c4 racS
27.9f6+-) 26.9c4 \ac8 27.6c8
fc8 28.fe1! was the only alterna-
tive, which, however, would have
maintained a lasting edge to White.
24.6e7 th8!
Now 24...€97 25.8c4 dc4 26.9c4
Ef4loses to 27.9d3! trh4 28.4f5.
25.Ac4 tr14 26.4g5! Ec4
27.Ece7- Ec2t 28.6t5 o,c4
29.Ee6 trf8!
Sergley Dolmatov has displayed a
refined sense of humour by having
recommended 29...a5 3O.ffel h5
as a possible defence with the as-
sessmenL '...and it's not clear
whether White can spin a mating
net'. Well, after 31.fh6 €g8
32.EeeG it really hurts to look at
the position from Black's side.
30.4d6
Vladimir hurries up to win mate-
rial, but he had a clearly better
move instead:30.94!.
30...4d6 31.8d6 Ee8!
Such an open line is worth
pawn!
32.Ed1
fe6 33.de6 Ad4
After 32.tre6?
34.€hl Ee2 35.e7 A,cS only
White runs the risk of losing.
32...E.ee2 33.€h1 E;g2
34.trd8?!
A dubious decision: this move only
helps Black to resolve his last
problem - the unfortunate posi-
tion of his kinS. A better chance to
play for a win consisted in 34.9f41.
34...Sg7 35.9f4 AfG 36.tra8
ags 37.aes af6 38.4f4 ags
39.Ea7 €gO 40.8a8 €f7
41,.8a7 €gO 42.9b8 h5?!
During the glame I didn't like this
move of Alexey's, but indeed, it's
not easy to come up with some-
thing better! A possible improve-
ment would be 42...9e3 43.4g3
Ac5 44.d6 Egdz 45.trd2 (45.faa1
Ea2!) 45-$d2 46.d7 3,e7 47.Hb7
9d8 and Black holds on.
43.Eb7 Ae3 44.tre2 AcS
45.8e6 €95
Here 45...€f5! looks like a reason-
able alternative.
46.tre4 gfs 47.414 Hge2
48.tre2
I would have preferred 48.4g3! in-
stead, trlng to exploit the weak-
ness of Black's h-pawn after
48...trcd2 49.!,d2 E d2 50.treS.
48...8e2 49.483 Ee8!
A very nice finesse - after the ba-
nal 49...fe7? 50.d6 trd7 51.trd5!
Black would have lost his h-pawn
(remember 42...h5?!).
s0.€92
50.d6 9e6! holds the balance.
50...8d8 s1.€h3 trd7 52.d6
h4l?
With this sally Black tries to force
the exchange of rooks and trans-
form the game into a drawish
bishop ending.
53.trd5€eG 54.Ee5€f6
54...€d6 deserved serious atten-
a tion butAlexey's idea is different.
5s.6h4 Eh7
,ttitlit
t;
,\
al
56.trh5
Now Black achieves his aim. Both
players had missed the tactical
shot 56.€94 trg7 57.9f4 Ad6
58.€e4!.
56...trh5 57.€h5 b5 58.d7
6e7 59.4e5
Prophylaxis. 59.€g6!? b4 60.4e5
€d7 61.€f5 was a more venomous
try, although even here Black
draws after, for instance, 61...9f2!.
59...€d7 60.9b2
Alexey had many ways to draw now
- he chose the most elegant one.
60...€e6! 61.€gG gd6 62.h4
b4 63.hs af4r 64.h6 ah6
6s.€h6 €fs
Draw.
An excellent fighting glame, full of
both subtleties and mistakes.
NEw lN CHEss ) 39
 KP 11.3 e.9. 16...fa5 17.9c6 9a6 18.de5 13...9s After 23.da4l Ad4 (L
Alexey Shlrov Af1 19.e6!-. The only move to Eiive the bishop 24.Ecl o,c4 25.\c4b5 %-fr
Vladlmlr Kramnlk some breathing space. 27.h4+; 23...6,e5 21-E-fr
Cazorla m 1998 (6) 14.e4 49615.b3 25.da4 a,c4 26.Af2!, B-)
L.e4e5 2.4f3 AfG 3.6c3
4.Abs Ad4 5.4c4 AcS
6c6
6.6e5 x,r.,r,rffi
rl Kramnik prefers to maintain the
tension in the centre and achieves
it at the high price of weakening
24.dc6 f,d2 25.c7 -+-l
25.e5! White has a lot of
23.Eell?, mentioned byD*
21rtl!
pt=

his queenside. The match has aP- h

is also very interesting but
proached the 'advanced stage' and drawback of allowing Bd I
its negative result was aPParenflY turn to the path of ri
exactingl a heavy toll on Vladimir's 23...del!
confidence It's clear that after 23...6d4 24.ei d5 A
i: Ff
15.cd5 ed5 16.ed5 6d5 L7.ad5 Ee8!
cd5 18.Ag7 @97 t9.f4 gf.A 20.trt4 Now Blackis OK
15...Aa6! 16.Ae3 gd6! White is in full control but is it 26.Ee1 6,c2t 27.tra2 |
L7.tracL? really enough to win the game? 28.Ee1 6.c2 EEQ, t
Wrong both positionally and tacti' 15...Efd8 16.Efd1 de4?! 30.d6 afs
cally - Black's rook was clumsilY Why not 16...dc4 17.bc4 Ea3! iso- If 30...fad8, then 31.?-b5!-
6...d5!? placed on c5 and there was abso- lating White's a-pawn ? 31.9b7 trad8 3'll.-i.o3
This curious move was introduced lutely no need to exchan$e it. Be- L7.te4 al94 18.9g7 &e7 33.ads
by Madislav Tkachiev in 1997. sides, the text move blunders a 19.4f3?! The only defence again*fl$-
7.gds! pawn. Obviously, Alexey was too It was possible to save two temPi 33...Edd6! 34.AeG
7.4d5 ad5 8.8h5 96 9.696 6c2 tired after the previous Same. by playing directly 19.8d2!, as it's The draw offer by Vladtu* I
10.€fl (10.€d1 gg4!) 10...9f6 17.trad1 still maintained a mini- difficult to find something better moment should not be ofin
11.f3 hg6 12.9d5 Eh5 0-1 mal advantage. than 19...c5! 20.d5 6e5 anyway. it's just a good pnaital dci
Spangenberg-Tkachiev, Villa Mar- 17...Ec118.trc19.e5! 19... h5 20.Ed2 6,e5 2L. Ag2 After the obvious 3,t--Ecf h
telli 1997. A fascinating game. Once again Vladirnir decided to In case of 2I.9e2 c5 22.d5 Black a wide choice of option* h
7...4d58.4d50-o call it a day. had the Very interesting pawn sac 35.h4! seems to resohe a[ S
22...h423.9h4E,h8L problems.
8...895 is yet another topical con- Draw.
tinuation here. 27....c522.d5 Draw.
9.c3 Ee8! Gl 2.3
A solid approach. 9...f5 may be rec' Vladimlr Kramnlk RG 3.3
ommended to more adventurous Alexey Shirov Alexey Shlrov
players. Cazorla m 1998 (7) Vladimlr Kramnll
1o.cd4 Ad411.O{ ,.d4af6 2.c4863.93c6! Cazorla m 1998 (8)
11.4f3 gd5 12.d3 3.94 yields Prudently avoiding Kramnik's 1.e4e5 2.al3atB
Black full compensation for the preparation in the King's Indian. Not a trivial choice of opai
pawn. 4.af3 gg7 5.6c3 d5 6.9b3 a player who lags beil
11...Ee5 12.d3 cG 13.6f4! o-o 7.a92 gb6 8.0-o gfs match. Its refutation rzs &
This way Alexey safeguards him' 9.4e5 e6 1O.Af4 6bd7 strated on move 5.
self from possible kingside at- 11.EbG ab612.ft16e5 3.6e5 dO 4.4f3 aca Sl
tacks, starting with tsh4 and fh5. A rather dubious plan was chosen
13...b614.9c2 by Black in the game Kramnik- 22...6c6?
14.Ua4!?. Gelfand, Dos Hermanas 1996: Again Alexey strives for maximum
14...8c5 12...c5? 13.dc5 d4 14.6b5 bc5 activity, but in this position it
Or 14...c5 15.4e3 Ab7 16.4e2 t5.Ad7 ad7 16..0d6 trfc817.f4. might have cost him dearly. The
with a clear advantage for White. 13.4e5 excellent outpost on e5 should
15.8e2?! The win of a piece in the line have been preserved and strenglth-
After the correct 15.9a4! Ae5 13.de5? ad7 14.94 is only illusive ened by 22...9f6!.
16.d4! Black has serious problems, after 14...9c2 15.trfc1 d4!. 23.Ead1.

40 ) NEW IN CHESS
F After
lll mo,e to give the bishop
Lrdingspace.
[-ics1s.b3
I prefen to maintain the
rh the centre and achieves
b lrigh price of weakenin$
Ersile- The match has ap-
Ll the 'advanced stage' and
;Iirc result was apparenfly
-a heavy toll on Vladimir's
23.Qta4! ad4 (23...0:a5 9e7 6.d3 6fG 7.6c3 9e2 gg7 7.9e3 O-O 8.9d2 e5 9.d5
24.EcI 6,c4 25.8c4b5 26.Ec5ba4 8.4e2 g6! 9.4d4 aO 10.h3 c6 10.h4 h5 11.4e2 cd5
27.h4+; 23...de5 24.4b6 ra6 Ag7 LL.C4 L2.ed5 ASdz 13.dG af6
21.da4 |,c4 26.trf2+; 23...tra6? 14.9g5 Ee8 15.trd1 AeG
24.dci Ed2 25.c7+-) 2l.trfll f,'a6' 16.4rc 6,c4 L7.Ac4 Ac4
25.e5! White has a lot of pressure. 18.b3 Aa6 19.4d5 e4 20.6lta
23.EeIl?, mentioned by Dolmatov, G:t627-.d7
is also very interestingl but has the
drawback of allowing Black to re-
turn to the path of virtue:
I r iiiiiiii+ a iliilliil r iilii

h lt's clear that after

23...6e5!
23...6,d4 24.e5 ed5 25.cd5 E iiifii$ i lr iiii

i .d5 16.ed5 ads 17.4d5 Ee8!

)tg| O€1 te.t4 gfL 2o.sf4 Now Black is OK.
r b in full control but is it 26.tre1 6,c2t 27.Eee2 6,d4
Eqgh to win the game? 28.tre1 6c2 29.trc2 Ac2 11...9d7!
B16.trfd1de4?! 30.d6 afs tt...ae4 t2.hg4 g,d413.4d5 €d7
f 16.-dc4 17.bc4 tra3! iso- If 30...fad8, then 31.4b5!. I4.A ge7 15.9h6 gives White
iltite's aaawn ? 31.4b7 EadS 32.4c6 Ee6 good compensation.
f ag4 18.4g7 @97 33.g"d5 L2.gt3 6cG 13.6cG AcG 21...9b0 22.de8U Ee8
E,,! The only defence against f7-f6. 14.4c6 bc6 15.4d2 h516.95 23.8e3 Ags 24.gb6 gh4
rpcsible to save two tempi 33...Edd6! 34.AeG ad5 25.&d2 ab6 26.1e4 Ee4
lig directly 19.trd2!, as it's The draw offer by Vladimir at this Black has no time for 16...698 in 27.&c2 Eg4 2B.gd2 Ae7
I b find something better moment should not be criticised - view of 17.0-0-0 Ae7 18.4e4 9d7 29.g;gt @97 30.alt2 Ut4
l-c5! 20.d5 6e5 anyway. it's just a good practical decision. 19.4c3!. 31.4d3 tre4 32.Egd1 Abs
E2o.trd2o,eB21,.9:e2 After the obvious 34...Ee6 he had 17.6d5 cd518.O-O{ €d7 33.a4 Ac6 34.Ee1 Ee1
z d 2lAe2 c5 22.d5 Black a wide choice of options, but only The rest is easy to guess. 35.6e1 Ab4 36.8e2 Ae1
b my interesting pawn sac 35.h4! seems to resolve all White's Draw. 37.tre7. Ae2 38.€d2 h4
l23.eh4 Eh8!. problems. 39.€e3 Ads 4O.b4 h3 41.tre2
5z,Lds Draw. The dramatic ninth game is al- tS 42.Eit2 3e4 43.&t4 Ag2
ready familiar to our readers from 44.8d7 gf6 4s.Eh7 g5
RG 3.3 NIC 98/4, so we will confine our- 46.€93 t4 47.&e4 *e5 48.b5

t AIexey Shlrov selves here to the mere game o-1

I Vladimir Kramnik
Cazorla m 1998 (8)
score.
Let me finish this report on an op-

rA 1.e4e5 2.6lt36l1G
Not a trivial choice of opening for
a player who lags behind in a
Gt 1.1
Vladimir Kramnlk
Alexey Shlrov
timistic note. The latest joke: WCC
- World Chess Cancelled. Whoever
the author is - sublime.

I match. Its refutation was demon-

strated on move 5.
3.6e5 dG 4.4f3 6e4 5.We2
Cazorla m 1998 (9)
1,.d4 4ltB 2.c4 gG 3.f3 d5
4.cd5 6d5 5.e4 6b6 6.6c3

E,?
ilhr4, strives for maximum
Et hlt in this position it
:bue cost him dearly. The 1234567890 TPR
tl outpost on e5 should th lz 1 th lz Vz lz
h preserved and strenElth- ESP 2710 Vz 1 2870
,2,-sf6t. RUS 2790 Vz lz lz O Vz Y, Y, th 0 2630
E
NEW IN CHESS ) 41
lva n Sokolov uns toqqable
at Dutch
GhampionshiP
DIRK JAN TTU GNUZOUNRIT

lowed by Nikolic at half a point's

The Royal Dutch Chess Federation celebrated
distance. He, in his turn was one
its 125th anniversary with the strongiest national full point ahead of a group of play-
ers that consisted of Van Wely,
championship ever. All top players competed, Pike! Timman and Sosonko. One
round later Sokolov took a one
including Dutch residents Predrag! Nikolic, who and a half point lead over all his
followers. He himself beat Van der
defended his title, and Ivan Sokolov, who became Sterren whereas Nikolic lost a
spectacular game against Piket
the new champion with one round to go.
which later was awarded the
beauty prize.
n the first day of the rived in Rotterdam in a combative Sokolov, who already won the
Dutch championship the mood. They admitted to have been championship in 1995, kept an in- lvan Sokolw b --Ll I
audience may have had provoked by Van Wely's public exorable pace and secured his sec-
the impression that they were wit- statements that they should not ond Dutch tifle by bouncing back
nessing the riveting sequel of the play the championship if they had from a lost position in a turbulent NOTgi BY
rambunctious match that Jan Tim- no wish to represent Holland at the tussle with Sosonko in the penulti-
Olympiad. On top of that they felt mate round. This win spared him a
lvan Sokolov
man and Loek van Wely drew one
month earlier. Without much ado insulted by some further views that lot of anxious moments in the last
Nt 27.5
the two rivals laid into each other Van Wely expressed on and off the round when he faced Van Wely
Ivan Sokolov
once again and produced a fierce record. Nikolic answered his critic with the black pieces. Van Wely
Genna Sosonko
clash that was decided in Van We- 'on the board in Round 3 with a tried his utmost to inflict Sok- (l
Rotterdam ctrNL IIX}E
ly's favour. smashing win. Sokolov also pro olov's first loss and came quite
1.d4 af6 2.c4 eG 3-eB
Reality soon proved to be differ- vided a verbal reply, denyin€ that close. After the game the players
4.6c3 gb4 5.Ag5c5
ent. After four rounds, when Tim- he had played his first Dutch discovered that the apparently
In two previous Dutd E
man had recovered admirably with championship in 1994 thanks to 'natural' capture of a pawn had
ships (1996 and 1997), tLs
two wins and Van Wely had lost a favouritism. According to him he cost an essential tempo and effec-
opponent tried 5..n6 ad 5-Q
lot of ground with two losses, two had simply been invited after Tim- tively spoiled the win that would
against me.
other favourites were setting the man had cancelled his participation have made Van Wely's day.
6.cd5 ed5 7.e3 hG
pace and continued to do so for Their anger and indignation Second place was claimed by
Here I realized I had beo ul
many rounds to come. Ivan Sokolov served as an excellent motivation. Timman who scored 8 from 10 af-
with the move order. oo 5-J
topped the table with 31/z out of 4, After seven rounds Sokolov was ter his first-round loss and hit a
had planned 6.9f6, butDdSl
half a point ahead of Predrag Nikolic. still leading with the convincing winninS streak in the final four
on d5 this early. Now I h.d tL
Both Bosnian grandmasters ar- score of five and a half points, fol- rounds.

42 ) NEwrN CHESS
,pable
utch
ship
|l l$kolic at half a point's
g lle in his turn was one
f *ead of a group of play-
A Gmsisted of Van Wely,
han and Sosonko. One
b Sokolov took a one
E point lead over all his
r- Ilc himself beat Van der
I dereas Nikolic lost a
& game against Piket
& u'as awarded the
FfuE.
h, vho already won the
Eh rn 1995, kept an in-
bpe and secured his sec-
6 tide by bouncing back
h position in a turbulent
il Sosonko in the penulti-
rd- This win spared him a
iirrs moments in the last
fr he faced Van Wely
h Uack pieces. Van Wely
t utmost to inflict Sok-
h loss and came quite
Irr the game the players
d tiat the apparently
I capture of a pawn had
tcserrtial tempo and effec-
lded the win that would
*!'an Wely's day.
d place was claimed by
r rto scored 8 from 10 af-
, fr*round loss and hit a
j teak in the final four
=
o
o
o
U
I
U
=
o
z
z
3
F
If
I
u
o
e
@
Ivan Sokolov is all set to have a go at his second Dutch title after he has received a World Cup football
fiom former Dutch soccer star Willem van Hanegem.
NOfES BY pleasant choice between 8.4f6 which allowed me to catch up with
lvan Sokolov Ac3! 9.bc3 Bf6, which in my opin- him and play a match afterwards),
ion does not promise any advan- I decided to try to get things done
Nt 27.5 tage to White, and 8.4h4 - the before the last round.
lvan Sokolov best move, which usually leads to 8.4h4 g5 9.483 6e41O.Ab5
Genna. Sosonko sharp play, but is unfortunately a €f811.O{)
Rotterdam ch-NL 1998 (10) line I have never really studied. My Later I was informed that Kaspa-
Ld4 AfG 2.c4 e6 3.4f3 d5 tournament situation (one and a rov-Sosonko, Tilburg 1981, contin-
4.6c3 gb4 5.Ag5cs half point ahead) did not necessar- ued 11.dc5 ac3 12.bc3 Ac3 13.€e2
In two previous Dutch champion- ily require sharp play, but in the Aa1 14.Wa1, with compensation
ships (1996 and 1997), the same last round I would be facing Van for the sacrificed exchange.
opponent tried 5...h6 and 5...Abd7 Wely with the black pieces, and re- 11...4c312.bc3 c4
against me. membering 1995 (when I won this 12...ac3 13.8c2 clearly favours
6.cd5 edS 7.e3 h6 championship by drawing the last White.
Here I realized I had been tricked round game against Piket - after 13.6e5!?
with the move order. On 5...h6 I being lost on several occasions) A consistent decision, which how-
had planned 6.4f6, but not to take and 1996 (when Timman lost his ever could have led to a piece sac-
on d5 this early. Now I had the un- last round game against Piket, rifice. 13.9a4 (13.trc1 Ag4)
NEw lN CHESS ) 4:l
 DUTCH CHAMPIONSHIP

13...a614.8b4 We7 15.4a4 9b4 L5.14C416.f56e2 22...trc8 23.e4 de4 24.E'e4 42...E;t0 looks dangerrc i
16.cb4 b5 17.4c2 leads to an aP- White's dark-squared bishoP has 6c6 25.8g4? 43.9t7 t \f7 44.8f7 efl E5
proximately equal ending. Now, to be eliminated. 16...ab5 fi.ag6l This is really asking for trouble. 36.9g4 €f8 37-9..* 4

bridges are being burned. does not look inviting for Black. More sensible was 25.Ac4 6d4 38.8d7 c3?!
17.€h1 ag3 18.lfg3 Eg8 26.Wf/ (the enterprising 26.9t7? Time-pressure ;5 taking ls
19.496 6fi 27.194 9a1 28.€h2 fails to The wheel of fortrrne ffi I
i 28...trc1! 29.9f5 €h8 and White ing in White's favq-r ELI
I 19.e4 was an option.
19... €gz 2O.6e7 t trdA 21'.E,t4 gets mated) 26...Wf7 27.9t7 D,ts 39.4b5 ab540.trd6t6l|I
21.e4! looks good for White. 28.194 f,c6, with a draw the likelY 39.9b4 €g7?
2L...&h7 outcome. 39...€98.
25...olb4 26.Ve2?r Ads 4O.Ee6 c2 4a Ac, t
Effi l,H4 i,,.?llt
27.Bfi| a6
Azround this time I really had re-
42.&h2
ll-t
A
$tr
A ffitrff& grets about my ambitious decision
The smoke has deared-
43.f6 gg8 44.\c7l (4ff1
tu I
E tr on move 25. 44...trbb8 45.trb6 utins
28.Aa4 b5 29.4d1 so Black resiglned

13...6c3 29.9-c2db4.
Another critical continuation 29...b4?l
(probably the best move here) is 29...trd8! was stronger, targeting
BY
13...h5! 14.9f3 (14.9c4 dcl the d4 pawn and leaving White NOI]ES

15.9f3 f5! 16.ag6 Cff) 14...trh7 without chances for counterplaY, lan Timman
$.6fl! (15.4c4 6d2 16.9d5 since Ac2 can always be met by
gds 17.9d5 afl 18.rf1 h4 22.6,c8 ab4). Nl 20.15
19.aff hg3 20.fe3 @e7) t5...9f7 This was, of course, not the idea 3O.Ee5 6c3 31.4c2 trab8 lvan Sokolov
16.9h5, with complicated play in behind 21.trf4, but I couldn't 32.Eae1Ab5 Jan Tlmman
which White should have compen- make the piece sac work, e.g. With time-trouble looming Black Rotterdam ch+.ll 1S({
sation for the piece. The evalua- 22.lJ,afl (22.e41?\ 22...Ve7 23.tr94 probably did not want to risk Ld4 Af6 2.c4 6 3.M l
tion of this position is critical for (23.f6Ef8 24.Aa4 6,c6 25.9.c2 32...da2 33.Ee6 or 33.8e7. 4.Vc2 O{ 5.a3 3.c3 3!
the assessment of 13.he5!?. €h8) 23...hc6 24.A-c6 (24.t6 994 33.9f4 EbO 34.tre7 &e7 b6 7.ggsab7&af,l
14.gh5Ef6 25.We4 9f8)24...bc6 25.997 be7 35.d5 The new trend, maiob sct lt
The only move: 14...4e6 15.f4; 26.f6 gf6 27.9f6 &f6 28.8h4 parov and Kramnik- Sob
14...trh7 15.afl! trf7 16.9h6. *g7 29.9d8 c3!. self was already ploringlls
fore it became fashiooaLa
8...d6 9.4d2 6W tO,E
After the knight manmre!
aims for a broad centre &J
10...d5
DISK98/12 August1.0
A relatively new more, Enti
Beijing 1998 66 games
BudapestFS-6A 1998 91 games by Anand against Xnd,
Zlin ch-CZE 1998 66 games nares 1998.

SUPER QUICK SERVICE

Rotterdam ch-NL 1998 66 games 10...c5 used to be thc il
San Francisco 1998 45 games played by Kramnik agrtu* E
Malmd 1998 45 games
earlkr
mailing dates 1998 35...4d4?! rov in Linares in an
St Petersburg 1998 45 games
35...b3 36.ab3 6a3 37.4d1 cb3 11.e3 Ee8
Portoroztt 1998 180 games
DISK 98111 July 28 Tallinn/Parnu1998 45games 38.9h5 trf8 39.9g4 ts95 A su[glestion by Andeq,
Dortmund 1998 45 games (39...9h8 40.tre8 Eb8 41.trf8 trf8 was my second during qi r
Dresden zt 1998 187 games
i i
42.Vb4; 39...€h7 40.4g6) is inter- match against Van Wdy
Frankfurtgiants 1998 23 games More information on our
FranKurtmasters 1998 56 games esting. Black will probably have to Anand immediateb plryl lI
Maikop tt 1998 329 games
lnternet homepage agree to a repetition after 40.9d4 but didn't manage to .[I
Ef6 41.994 Wg5 42.8d4, since fully. The idea of the ttrt t b

44 ) NEW IN CHESS
 2B-e4 de4 24.tre4 42-.IIf6 looks dangerous after and see where White is going to Better, given the circumstances,
43.9f7ttrf7 44.trf7 gt7 45.d6. put his king's bishop. than 15.9c2, after which the
asking for trouble. 36.894 €fB 37.4a4 abs 12.4d3 white pieces would be in each
was 25.Ac4 hd4 38.8d7 c3?! 12.cd5 ed5 would clearly show the other's way.
enterprising 26.9.f1? Time-preSsure is taking its toll. advantage of
Black's previous 15...e5
lal 28.Sh2 fails to The wheel of fortune starts turn- move. 12.9e2 wouldn't yield any- Threatening 16...d4, so that White
€h8 and White ing in White's favour (38...trd6? thing either in view of the liquida- is basically forced to swap on d5.
fr_sfi 27.4f7 ats 39.4b5 ab5 40.trd6 tsd6 41.f6). tion 12...h6 13.9h4 6e4!, with the 16.cd595
rilt a draw the likely 39.gb4gg7? point that after 14.9d8 Ac3 Always the thematic move. Black's
39...€98. 15.Ac7 Black can take on e2. lead in development allows him to
8.9e2?l ads 4o.tre6 c2 47-.Ac2 9a1 weaken his kingl position.
42.@h2 L7.Al:12 Ads 18.9c2 Ec8
tine I really had re-
mbitious decision
The smoke has cleared. 42...bd4
43.f6 €g8 44.Ec7l (44.9b6 aB!) i#iea I I 19.b4
Not exactly a pleasant decision,
but there was nothing better.
44...trbb8 45.trb6 wins for White,
so Black resigned. White has to give up square c3 to
prevent the activity of the black

stronger, targeting
it sa ili;
i7o1
f\1
pieces getting too alarming. For
19.9f5, e.g., Black had prepared
md leaving White NO7]ES BY the hammer-blow 19...hf4!. After
for counterplay, lan Timman 20.ef4 ef4 White would be power-
a alwap be met by less against his opponent's threats.
Nr 20.15 12...h6 19...he6 2o.gb2
3I-Ac2 EabS lvan Sokolov In my seventh match game against
Jan TImman Van Wely I played 12...e5 here, and
looming, Black Rotterdam ch-NL 1998 (4) I had no problems to speak of. But
not want to risk 1.d4 6f6 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 Ab4 I still went for the text, because I
33.tre7. 4.Sc2 0-0 5.a3 Ac3 6.Wc3 was afraid of an impiovement by
4.tre2 &87 b6 7.agsab78.afs White. Besides, I had thoroughly
The new trend, mainly set by Kas- studied this and the following
parov and Kramnik. Sokolov him- move together with Andersson.
self was already playing it years be- 13.4h4 c514.dc5
fore it became fashionable. After this move White is already in
8...d6 9.4d2 abd710.f3 trouble. Alternatives were:
After the knight manoeuvre White A) 14.cd5 cd4! 15.Wd4 e5 16.t&c3 I thought about this position for a
aims for a broad centre after all. g5 l7.gf2 6d5, with a great lead long time. It has all kinds of prom-
10...d5 in development for Black; ising possibilities, but if Black fails
A relatively new move, first played B) 14.0-0. The best. White must to find a concrete way to put more
by Anand against Kramnik, Li- be prepared to meet 14...cd4 with pressure on the enemy position,
nares 1998. 15.ed4. Black continues 15...trc8, White will be able to consolidate.
10...c5 used to be the rule, as with easy play. During the game 20...e41
played by Kramnik against Kaspa- Sokolov realized that this was The sharpest and strongest con-
rov in Linares in an earlier round. White's best possibility, but he tinuation. Alternatives were:
6a3 37.4d1 cb3 11.e3 Ee8 didn't like the prospect of playing Al 20...6ef4. Here, too, this is a
trA 39.9g4 tsgS A suggestion by Andersson, who with hanging pawns and a knight tempting sarifice, but after 21.ef4
,Il-1e8 Eb8 41.trf8 trf8 was my second during my recent on d2. gf4 22.gd4l the attack peters out.
40.9'g6) is inter- match against Van Wely in Breda. 14...6c5 The white queen's bishop keeps
will probably have to Anand immediately played 11...c5, Because the bishop is on d3, Black the enemy knight in check;
nrytition after 40.tsd4 but didn't manage to equalize now gains an important tempo. B) 20...4c3. This is what White
!g5 42.Wd4, since fully. The idea of the text is to wait 15.4e2 feared most. The idea is to meet

NEw rN CHESS ) 45
 DUTCH CHAMP!ONSHIP
the forced 2l.Ac4 with 21...6a4
22.Wb3 Ud7, when White has to
be very careful not to be blown off
the board. After, e.g., 23.de4 9e4
24.fe4 bS 25.9d5 fc3 things look
pretty bleak.
By keeping a cool head White can
stay alive. The correct move is
23.h4!, and now:
Bl) 23.,e4 24.de4 9.e4 25.fe4
b5 26.8d5 trc3 27.9d1, and be-
cause of the attack on 94, Black
has no time for 26...bb2;
82) 23...b5 24.Vd31, and White
forces a queen swap in favourable
conditions.
The text puts a knife to White's
throat. He must allow the position
to be opened or accept a clear po-
sitional disadvantage.
27,.6,e4
White goes for the first option.
The careful 21.0-0 was probably
better, although 21...4c3 22.6e4
2le4 23.fe4 9.e4 24.tradl Ve7
25.9d3 9b7! will give Black a a
clear positional advantage. The
white queen's bishop remains
weak, whereas the weakening of
Black's king position still doesn't
count for much. Sokolov took a
calculated risk here, by the way,
opting for an open battle in view
of the limited time remaining to
me. This also means that the win
will have to be found via very com-
plicated variations.
21-...t522.a,93
The best square to return to. Cer-
tainly not 22.9d1? in view of
22...fe4 23.fe4 Uf6, winning a How incredibly winningl would he
plece.
22...t4
Forcingl open the e-file.
23.e146e1424.OQ
White has managed to casfle, but
his problems are still not solved, as
all black pieces coordinate opti
mally.
24...6c3
46 ) NEWIN CHESS
Now both knigfits are on vital
squares.
25.traeL
Others moves weren't enough to
solve White's problems either, as
witness:
A) 25.trfe1 9f6! 26.9c4
26.fab1 is 26...dce2 27.de2 Vb2
28.fb2 Aff, winning) 26...9f8!
27.1e8 \e8 28.trb1 AH! 29.9h3
9fi}, and Black wins the attack, as
both 30.4d4 and 30.4f1 run into
the devastating 30-.4e2!. Two
characteristic knight sacrifices in
row to crown the attack;
B) 25.9d1. This was Sokolov's
post-mortem suggestion. He hadn't
played it because it seemed illogi-
cal to him to break the connection
between the rooks (and because
he had underestimated my reply to
the text).
During the post-mortem we failed
to find the refutation of the bishop
move. White always has a check
on b3, when it is hard to find a
suitable square for the king! The
lack of natural pawn protection
goes against Blackin many cases.
be with the pawn on 97 instead of
g5!
Only in the quiet of my study did I
discover what Black should do to
further undermine the white posi-
tion. He must start by taking his
queen to
the most dominant
square: 25...Ud3, with the point of
coolly meeting 26.9b3
26...9h7. He needn't be afraid of
the pin on the b1-a7 diagonal, as
27 .AcZ fails to 27 ...6ce2 . tion to the positiooal fb
Z7.trael looks like the best de-
fence, because now 27...6h3 is
premature, as after 28.gh3 gB
29.Ac2 Black again has no suit-
able squares for his king. What he
does have is the hammerblow
27...tre21
(oP
It is impressive to see how the
black pieces have penetrated the
enemy position here. After 28.Q:e2
Qtce2 29.\e2 Ae2 30.9h1 Af;l!
the mating attack is complete. But
not 30...hg3 31.hg3 gfl
32.@h2
trcl 33.4c2, and the black king is
short of squares again.
2s...gds!
The best square for the queen in
the circumstances. White
hardly move.
26.6e4
And again Sokolov goes for the
best practical chance. At this point
I had only seven minutes for the
rest of my moves.
26...6e4
Pity. At such moments you
wouldn't mind playing Aduanced
Cless (although I hope this is not
going to be a trend). Even simpler
would be to play according to the
old timecontrol of 2Yz hour s.
The text leads to a favourable end-
game by force, although less fa-
vourable than I thought. Black
with had the following alternatives:
A\ 26-Afe2 27I."2 d
28.Ve2 9e6. the sinolc* *
Black remains 41 crchrgr L, t
pawn up, but the win b dI
after 29.tre1. He has toqrrt
(29...!c4? 30.4m q 2l.d
30.9b2! won't do). AIta'x ttl
30.fe4 Ec4 31.e5 trect :Izfl t
white position has hr .-
weaknesses. An imporil ffi
is that the black queen dh
come too active due b ttc E J
protection around ttre fu
B) 26...fe4. lte crli{ c
tinuation, which tdd h
yielded Black a deciic t
tage. After the forced cff
27.fe4 vel 283f;t AL3 Ztfi
tsB White has the frfolA
tempts to defend him*t
81) 30.Ad4. Ilre m I H
feared and which Sob H
planned. After 30-?d 3LE
Ec3, however, Wbite srfi{
turns out to have no rry bH
an effective counteratled lE
the unprotected king
After 32.fe8 €hZ :B.EGZ lt
the bishop is taboo, lmfli
hanging, and after 3{-tr6 5
the black king has forde*h
can veD.
b:ILE
Another nice variatim
trc2 33.rf8 ef8 :}{tE tl
35.Ue6 €g7 36.9e5 e9037ff
€t5. and the kingl esqrsrndl
after which Black wins byk
82) 30.9b6. With ttc lb d
first taking a pawn and tlE-
draw the bishop to e3 d hr
for a queen swap. In mly d
games, the queen will thcnbI
to save itself due to ttre &fi1
queenside. Butif Black d+u
rately, an endgame Ydil
arise. Wth the following H-
manoeuvre Black can srcoefl
finish his attack, despite lis r
king beingi unprotecte& 3O-S
 N"IES AY
He needn't be afraid of A) 26...dfe2 27.8e2 de2 313e3 trc4! (threatening 32...f94)
the b1-a7 diagonal, as 28.t9e2 Be6. The simplest solu- 32.9c1 (creating the counter- Ieroen Piket
to27.--dce2. tion to the positional problem. threat 33.f e8) 32...1e4!.
boks like the best de- Black remains an exchange for a E0 59.2
now 27...6h3 is pawn up, but the win is doubtful i$.Xfi?, E Jeroen Plket
as after 28.gh3 tsB after 29.fe1. He has to swap on e4 Predrag Nikollc
again has no suit- (29...trc4? 30.4f6 or 29...94 iiii-i Rotterdam ch-NL 1998 (8)
br his king. What he
ii#
iii* laf3 AfO 2.c4eG 3.6c3 Ab4
30.9b2! won't do). |tfter 29...Le4
is the hammerblow 30.fe4 trc4 31.e5 fec8 32.h3 the 4.9b3 a5 5.93
white position has few obvious 5.e4!? is an alternative for those
weaknesses. An important factor who like to play with a crowded
is that the black queen cannot be- centre, while Krasenkow's idea to
come too active due to the lack of push the g-pawn a little bit further
protection around the kinS also comes into consideration.
B) 26...8e4. The critical con- An incredible situation. The black s...b6 6.9g2 ab7 7.O{} 0-0
tinuation, which would have knights are still in their slighfly ex- 8.d3 6a6 9.e4 6c5 1o.tsc2
yielded Black a decisive advan- travagant but dominating posi- Ac311.Bc3!
tage. After the forced continuation tions. Both are taboo, thanks to A novelty compared to 11.bc3 d6
27.fe4 VeA 28.A8 Am
29.9h1 the murderous battery on the long r2.a*5 (12.4h4 9e8 13.495
WB White has the following at- diagonal. Wa4 14.Se2 6fd7 is not clear ei-
tempts to defend himself: On closer inspection White turns ther) 12...h6 13.ah3 tse8 14.f4
81) 30.4d4. The move I had out to have hardly any moves. His Ah7 15.f5 ef5 16.ff5 Va4 77.t9e2
to see how the feared and which Sokolov had only option seems to be 33.8e4 Eae8 18.g4 Ab3 19.Wc2 6c5
hane penetrated the planned. After 30...9d3 31.4c3 6,e4 34.1Uc2, but then Black de- 20.Ve2 6,b3 2l.Vc2 o,cl l/z-th
here. After 28.de2 Ec3, however, White surprisingly cides the game with a petite com- Gelfand-Almasi, Tilburg 1996.
Ae2 30.€h1 AA! turns out to have no way to launch binaison: 34...def2 35.tr2 gdl!, 11...d5
&ck is complete. But an effective counterattack against and Black remains a piece up. 11...d6 12.4h4 e5 13.f4, and Black
3r-hg3 gfl 32.@h2 the unprotected king. 27.te4 Be4 2B.gb3 gd5 is too late to get a firm grip on the
and the black king is After 32.Ee8 €h7 33.tre7 €96 29.9f3 d4 square.
agam. the bishop is taboo, because f1 is A miraculous rescue. Because L2.e5
hanging, and after 34.tre6 €h5 there is no knight on c3, the white Including the pawn swap 12.cd5 ed5
qmre for the queen in the black king has found a safe ha- queen participates in the defence. seemed only helpful for my oppo-
White can ven. 29...9f3 nent, as I could not find an advan-
Another nice variation is 32.fd1 There is nothingi better. tage after 13.e5 afdT 143g5 (14.d4
trc2 33.Ef8 ef8 34.9f6 gg8 30.9f3 af3 31.gf3 tre2 6,eG (14...de4\ 15.4e3 c5) 14...f6.
Sokolov goes for the 35.9e6 Sg7 36.9e5 €g6 37.9e8 Wth four minutes to go I miscal- L2...al1d7 L3.ggsl
chance. At this point €f5, and the king escapes via 94, culate. Sokolov was afraid of
sanen minutes for the after which Black wins by force; 31...tre1 32.fe1 fd, but even &
82) 30.4b6. Wth the idea of then White can just hold with 'rrf,rffi,
LTffi I
sudr moments you
first takingl a pawn and then with-
draw the bishop to e3 and hope
33.tre3.
32.3.93 ''"'r.ffi
I
rind playing Aduanced for a queen swap. In many end- Here I had counted on 32...H,cc2 ffi
I hope this is not games, the queen will then be able 33.9f4 f,,92 34.€h1 gf4 35.trg1 A
le a trend). Even simpler to save itself due to the dominated gf4, only to make the disappoint- ,$m
:irFI a:tffi,
to play according to the queenside. But if Black plays accu- ingl discovery that White then has E/A
rately, an endgame will
of21/zhours.
to a favourable end-
never
arise. Wth the following forceful
the saving 36.fg1.
So:
trffi
brce, although less fa- manoeuvre Black can succesfully 32...E:a233.9:149f4 Developing and at the same time
than I thought. Black finish his attaclq despite his own Wth a draw offer, which White forcing Predrag to make an impor-
alternatives: king being unprotected: 30...8d5 was happy to accepl tant decision.

NEW IN CHESS ) 47
 DUTCH CHAMPIONSHIP

13...f6 22.WcS eS 23.dc6 Ud6 was not However I just didn't care. 28.ah5 trc8 29.tH
An unopected concession; I had beert convincinE at all. I...AfO 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cb5 3O.gg5
focussing on comPlicated matters 21...8b8 22.9:eG 6c5 23.tsc5 a6 5.f3 e6 6.e4 ed5 7.e5 Se7 During the game I got cd
like 13...Wc8!? 14.ffe1 dc4 15.dc4
gb2 8.9e2 AgB 9.6c3 Abz 30.3.d3!?. Best sem I
Ac6 16.fad19b7 17.Ed4!? 6e5!? The defending Dutch' ChamPion 10.am c411.Ae3 Wb4 31.9h7 ef8 32.ehr -eB 3
18.4e5 (18.tre5 f6 19.Ec5 bc5) decided on this riskY continua- I thought this would lead to some d3 and Black is hmd=
t8...992 19.9f6 Ah3 20.f3 gf6 tion, as 23...4d3 simply loses to transposition after 12.0-0-0 ab5; hope),
2t.dg4, with compens ati on. the modest 24.Ad5t (not 24.de5 however Jan had different ideas. 3o...trc2 3r-€83 A-3
14.ef6 6f615.trad1! Ae4l, and thingls ain't over Yet) L2.a3 Sa5 L3.A:d2 gb6 €f833.Efs
More accurate than 15.4e5 d4 24...ad5 25.9d5 gb5 26.9b5 L4.olt46,e7 Repetition bv 33.Oh7 Oi:
16.tsc2 gg2 L7.geZ h6 18.4f6 9,b527.\c7. was the safe option
24.6e5 EeG 33...d3
#6, something Nikolic was obvi-
ously hoping for. 24...9b6 25.Af7 EecS 26.4d5
15...h6 Wc5 27.Ec5 6d5 28.trd5 would
After 15...9e8 16.he5 is strong, lose material and in the long run
as Black has deprived himself of also the 9ame.
the push d5d4. 25.af7 eg8 26.tre6 gfz
16.4e3 6cd7
Not taking into account mY next
move, but the various possibilities ?#. ffi
after 16...6fd7 are no great fun to E
defend either: L5.a4?l
A) 17.4e5 Ae5 18.tse5 trf5 ,ffi I was expecting 15.9f2 Wfz
19.Wc3; 16.€f2 g6 17.ba6 6a6 18.4b5 34.b3?
B) 17.4d4 Aa4 18.9c2 dc4 t# 6f5/dc8, or the unclear 15.trd1 Not immediateb lci4, L
19.Wa4 gA 20.3.f3 EB 21.Wc6 liu& (15.0-0-0 ab5 16.Ae3 9a5 ing White in a very dH
Bei!
(2l.dc4) 21...trd3 22.tse6 9f8); 17.afds ad5 18.4d5 gd5 19.trd5 tion at best. I fearcd:Ifff
i
c) 17.4h4!?. Aa3) 15...ab5 (15...d4!? 16.6a4
17.c5! 27.Eiftl (16.4e4!? d3 17.4d6 Wd6 18.ed6
Suddenly White changes tactics An amusing finale, as the three de2 t9.Ae2 Afs) 16...9b5 77.r9 c4
and is playing for an enduring po- ways to capture the rook are all in- 9e518.€f2).
sitional advantage: the blockade of sufficient! 27...ef6 28.9d5 9g6 15...ab516.6b5 gb5!
the opponent's weak pawn structure. 29.Ve4; 27...&fO 28.9c6 €e7 Standard but nice.
17...bc518.4c5 Ee8 29.Eel;27...9f6 gd5. 17.ab5 tra1 18.€f2 Afs 19.94 1 Sokolov
18...4c5 19.tsc5 tsd6 20.Ec1 is Black resigned. AcS 20.&92 o,d4 21-.W12
2 Timman
really annoying. ab3 22.19e2 6,d4 23.Wfr2
19.trfe1€h8? Ab3 24.9e2(H) 3 Nikolic
At the first glance the king is mov- Played after a long think; White is 4 Van Wely
ing away from the danger, but we Loek van Wely lucky not to
lose immediately:
5 Piket
will see that this is just wastingl 24...9b4 25.e61 or 24...trbl
valuable time. The only way to d 24.4 25.Ac3 d4 26.Vc4 dc3 27.Wc3 6 Van der Wiel
stop me from increasing my advan- Jan Tlmman Ad4 (27...dd4 28.9c5 gB 7 Nijboer
tage was the oddlooking 19...Ea6!, Loek van Wely 29.eg1 Ah1 30.9d6!) 28.9c7!.
25.Ae3 Ae3 26.8e3 d4 8 Sosonko
as after 20.trc1 Wa8 21.tsa3 Rotterdam ch-NL 1998 (1)
Black is holding his own. Not, of Another chapter in this never end- 27.Vfr2trc7- 9 Ernst
course, 2 1.Ad4 c5 22.AfG d4. ing bloody story. Although White will later glain two
10 Van der SterrEn
2O.Ec1Aa6 21.3.h3! 7..d4 tempi on this rook, it is difficult to
Now that the a&h1 diagonal is no For the public this was a surprise give a good alternative: 27...8c8 11 Reinderman
longler occupied it is time to col- as Jan was quite successful with 28.4h5 gds 29.9h4 hc5 runs 12 Van der Weide
lect material! 2lad4?! ac5 1.e4 against me in our match. into 30.9.c4.

48 t NEW IN CHESS
lFt didn't care.
tcll c5 3.d5 b5 4.cb5
aee4 edS 7.e5 Be7
,OCE 9.6c3 Ab7
dll-ie3Eb4
ilE uould lead to some
h after 12.0{4 ab5;
bhad ffierent ideas.
28.4h5 Ec8 29.9h4 6c5 35.ae5 6g5 36.tsg5 trbz 37.h4 9.9f4 dG 10.9d2 Bc8
3O.ggs trbs 38.h5 f6! 39.8f4 Ee5 40.h6 11.Eac1 trdB L2.trtd1, a6
During the game I got confused by most but it seems White's attack 13.9e3 9c7 14.4h3 Bc5
30.8d3!?. Best seems 30...trh1 is goinglnowhere after 40...€f8. 15.4d5 Ads 16.cd5 9e3
31.4h7 €f8 32.€h1 AB 33.€91 34...Ec1 35.4d3 trh1 17.4e3 6d5
d3 and Black is hanging on (l 36.9c4?
hope). A mortal mistake. The only way to
42
Ii
li
&
I "s,lffit
t!
-i
llii1::ii
30...Ec2 31.&g3 6e6 32.6f6 fightwas 36.bc4, or first 36.4h7. :iiiitaii

if.s 73.9.d2 gbo gf833.gfs 36...9f0 37.ef6 d5!

b7 Repetition by 33.6h7 €g8 34.6f6 If Jan had been Black, this move
was the safe option. would have felt like opening a Xilafi itiiii xiiiiiiin

.,I
tA? *l: 33...d3 wine botfle!
I al I 38.8h7 €e8 39.9h8 af8
4O.Ad3 ad7 47..bG Ee1, 42.!5 fi I4
(l .AX ,i
i:::li:r :t):11 tl

I5
rrl)ii
a trc3 43.€fi1Ea144.96 Ed3 : Ff ::riii

I A!
A
Gallery play!
45.97 d4 46.9h5 tra2 18.trd5 ed5 19.gb6 trfB
A 47.6g3 Ef3 2O.b4 f5 21.4e3 o,d7 22.trc7
1 $[, White resigned. EadS 23.6d4 Af6 24.6e6 96
g E' ::iiii
Cl e tr 25.A92 d4 26.9h6 trfe8
EO 39.2 27.ad8 trd8 28.ads €h8
I Predrag Nikollc 29.h4 6e5 30.495 Ags
E Gdine 15.9f2 Wfz Loek van Wely 31.h95 d3 32.ed3 6d3 33.a3
f l7-ba6 ha6 18.4b5 34.b3? Rotterdam ch-NL 1998 (3) Ee8 34.4c4 6e5 35.4a6 h6
l, r tbe unclear 15.fd1 Not immediately losing, but leav- Laf3 AfG 2.c4 ci 3.93 b6 36.9h6 d5 37.a4 d4 38.Ec5
, 5 16.9e3 tsa5 ing White in a very difficult situa- 4.3;92 9.b7 5.O-0 e6 6.6c3 d3 39.€92 95 4O.Ab5 Ee6
E l8.ad5 ads 19.trd5 tion at best. I feared 34.AhZ Cg8 Ae7 7.d4 cd4 8-gd4 0-O 41.Ed5
L# (15...d4!? 16.ha4
lG r7.ad6 9d6 18.ed6
EqE) 16...9b5 17.t9c4
D
ll-.aDsgbs! 123456789012 TPB
lhnice.
H.rB.*r2 ats L9.94 I Sokolov GM BIH 2625 *y21hlhk1111111 I 2794
>w ad4 2l.wtr2 2 Timman GM NED 2635 th*lhOlh1 1 1 1 1 !21 8 2706
Lte2 ad4 23.Wtr2
ileo{ 3 Nikolic GM BIH 2635 thlh*1O1h1lz1Vz11 71h 2664
b a long think; White is 4 Van Wely GM NED 2605 'th1O*1h101y2th11 7 2636
I to lose immediately: thlz11/z)rlzOY21h110
25-e6! or 24-trb1 5 Piket GM NED 2575 6 2572
t 26-Ec4 dc3 27.9c3 6 Van der Wiel GM NED 2525 OOlhOlh*1h11lzVzVz 5 250s
E-ed4 28.9c5 gA 7 Niiboer GM NED 2580 000111h*lh11hOO 4h 2471
}lr 30.gd6!)28.Wc7!.
r 3e3 26.tse3 d4 8 Sosonko GM NED 2520 OOlhOlhOVz*lz11h1 4v, 2476
H, 9 Ernst - NED 2300 000YzlhOO1/2*1/211 4 24s9
iltite will later gain two 10 Van der Sterren GM NED 2550 O0?l1rO [YrOYr*01 31h 2406
rlls rook, it is difficult to
Fd altemative:, 27...trc8 11 Reinderman IM NED 2480 OlhOOOYrll/zO 1 *0 31h 2412
-aG 29.9h4 6c5 runs 12Yan der Weide FM NED 2450 0000112 10001* 3y, 2415
lil
NEW IN CHESS ) 49
 J
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Masters, Monkeys and Giants,
but no Karpov
in Franhfurt JnN Tn*,n'{aN
Does rapid chess bring ronstein was always the
great propagator of 'rapid
out the best in the chess'. It would allow
truly talented chess spontaneous thought to triumph,
and feeling and intuition would
player or does it invite get the better of dry calculation.
him to play like a Another famous veteran came
out against the idea. 'We are play-
monkey? Jan Timman ing like monkeys,' said Kortchnoi
in a press conference during the
chewed on the question
fourth C/ress Classics in Frank-
at the Classical furt, going on to add more sub-
Rapid Chess in stance to this self-critical state-
ment. It was a peroration to listen
Frankfurt, where he to with a smile. Kortchnoi had
treated his opponents and their
won'The Masters'and play to sharp criticism before. This
watched'The Giants'. time he included himself - and un-
derstandably so: only shorfly be-
fore, in Sarajevo, he had played
like one possessed, whereas now,
in the rapid chess Frankfurt tour-
nament, nothing seemed to work
for him.
Kortchnoi's statements caused
quite a bit of confusion amongst
the Germans. Some people whis-
pered scandal, while others main-
tained that Kortchnoi's remarks
had been very much tongue-in-
cheek. That I cannot understand:
the fact that you're allowed to
laugh them off does not necessar-
ily mean that Kortchnoi himself
hadn't been serious.
In Frankfurt Kortchnoi played
52 ) NDWIN CHESS
Hmi I
Elo-list. Organizer
Schmitt was righty Prod t
first confrontation betw
two K's for eigftrteen md
last one had been in L^.s I
1996 - but Karpov 6ff
murred and was replactd h
chuk a week before the fi
an intriguing questio
confrontation newr rlrGi
and the lead-up to it all b n
peating.
i
SPTEEN
in a group specially set up around Initially, Karpov and Ad
Robert Htibner - 'Germany's most had also played in th€ Gd
successful player since Lasker,' to tions of the 'Franlfrrta O
quote the programme. This acco- had been invited KrrDr4
lade was unconnected to the fact tract said that'anotls tP
that Hribner will be celebrating his b
players' would be invited,
fiftieth birthday later this year. All vcrH
Schmitt had added
his opponents from the Candi- he was thinking of E
dates'Matches between 1980 and
1991 had been brought to€ether:
Adorjan, Portisch, Kortchnoi and
yours truly, while Smyslov was
prevented from attending because
of an eyte operation. Added to this
field were Beim, winner of the pre-
vious year's Open, and veterans
Beliavsky and Yusupov. Fourteen
rounds had to be played in three
days, quite a strenuous pro-
gramme, especially given the aver-
age age of the participants.
IHE GIANTS
Our group was called 'The Mas-
ters'. This is usually the highest
category in sporting events, but in
Frankfurt they had conceived of
an even hiEher level, the so-called
'Giants'. The original idea was for
U
Kasparov, Karpov, Kramnik and U
Anand to play a double-rounded =
T
o
four-player event. An extremely at- F
U
tractive formula: the two K's, o
World Champions of two different o
o
organisations, together with the
numbers two and three on the

lGiants,
rloup specially set up around
gt lfubner - 'Germany's most
crfrd Fla)'er since Lasker,' to
ts tbe programme. This acco-
!-s r-m€onnected to the fact
lEtoer uill be celebrating his
il binthdal'later this year. All
?ooents from the Candi-
d t{atrires between 1980 and
E leJ been brought together:
fl Portisch, Kortchnoi and
r uuh' uhile Smyslov was
rtd rrom attendingl because
rclrc op€ration. Added to this
l-e Beim. winner of the pre-
r lrEar's Open, and veterans
Hy a-rd Yusupov. Fourteen
* bad to be played in three
t qleite a strenuous pro-
especially given the aver-
jothe
- participants.
!SITS
rtury rr'as called 'The Mas-
i-
.Ihs is usually the highest
fy m sportin$ events, but in
&t they had conceived of
a tugher level, the so-called
rE- The original idea was for
;rur'. Karpov, Kramnik and
pl to play a double-rounded
ptner etent. An extremely at-
ft iormula: the two K's,
flGampions of two different
Eations, together with the
ks trr'o and three on the
Elolist. Organizer Hans Walter
Schmitt was righfly proud of this
first confrontation between the
two K's for eighteen months - the
last one had been in Las Palmis
1996 - but Karpov eventually de-
murred and was replaced by lvan-
chuk a week before the start. It is
an intriguing question why the
confrontation never materialized,
and the lead-up to it all is worth re-
peating.
SPTEEN
Initially, Karpov and Anand, who
had also played in the earlier edi-
tions of the 'FranKurter Classig'
had been invited. Karpov's con-
tract said that 'another two 2670+
players'would be invited, to which
Schmitt had added verbally that
he was thinking of Kamsky,
U
=
I
o
F
o
o
o
o
Vishy Anand won his white game in the clash of the top giants.
Fischer and Kasparov. Karpov had
smiled and signed the contract.
When it transpired that the two
other names were Kasparov and
Kramnik, Karpov flew off the han-
dle. Not against Schmitt direcflY,
no, he vented his spleen to other
people, e.El. some officials of the
German chess federation. Kaspa-
rov's participation was a thorn in
his flesh. People in the know will
remember that a similar conflict
arose before the eighth VSB tour-
nament in Amsterdam four years
ago. Besides Karpov, invitations
for this event had been sent to
Kasparov, Anand and myself. At
some point Anand reconsidered
and was replaced by Short. This
was less than a year after the two
alternative world championship
matches Kasparov-Short and
Karpov-Timman. Karpov felt that
the invitation to Short had given
the event an extra dimension, for
which he would need a few
months of specific preparation.
That time, too, he vented his dis-
pleasure without actually accept-
ing or refusinEl his invitation.
I know another example of this
characteristic Karpov attitude.
During the negotiations for the
semi-final matches Karpov-Short
and Yusupov-Timman, all four
players were prepared in principle
to forgo the right of time-outs.
This would safeguard the organi-
sation aEainst disappointed audi-
ences and needlessly drawn-out
matches. Karpov was as willingl as
anyone else, until I showed him
that the relevant article in the
FIDE handbook had not been
NEw rN cHESs I 53

changed in time. There was a radi-
cal change in his attitude. When
the other three players had long
sent the then FIDE President
Campomanes, written statements
agreeing with the scrapping of the
time-outs, Karpov was not Pre'
pared to agree to anything. Worse
again, he didn't deem it necessarY
to commit any of his thoughts to
paper, as everything had already
been formally arranged. The result
was that the matches became the
last in chess history played with
timeouts.
REPIACEMENI
In this case his action was for-
mally justified, and in the case of
the VSB tournament probably as
well, but this time, in Frankfurt,
thingls were a lot less clear and a
lot more embarrassing for the or-
garlizerc. The orglanisation of the
VSB event was totally in the hands
of the sponsor, and when the
shilly-shallying went on too long it
wasn't difficult to cross Karpov off
the list - curiously enough, Ivan-
chuk turned out to be the replace-
ment that time too. Schmitt had
Eot Siemens-Nixdorf as main spon-
sor, on the condition that both K's
would play, so he had good reason
to try and change Karpov's mind.
He offered him double the fee
stipulated in the contract - the
same fee as the previous year
but Karpov refused to budge.
- the details of his moral and formal
When asked, Schmitt declared
that this double fee was still less
than what Kasparov was going to
glet, so his eventual payday would
still be less than that of the other
orglanisation's World Champion,
as the FIDE Champion surely real-
ized,.
At this stage, Schmitt was only
interested in getting a formal can-
cellation from Karpov, for medical
54 ) NEw lN CHEss
FRANKFURT
reasons or whatever. When this been a great boost. As I said be- Black's opening idca h
predictably failed to arrive, fore, Kasparov and Karpov might worked out well. Otr lL
a
Schmitt sent a representative to have played forthird place. hand, in a rapid gam r G
Budapest, where Karpov was play- That Kasparov so quickly ruled pawn with a not totally s*E
ing a rapid match aga'inst Judit himself out of contention was not no guarantee ofsuccess
Polgar. It was only then, and from really a surprise. Anand and Kram- 21...8d8 ALg* {
there, that a formal cancellation nik had already played first fiddle 23.8e4 trc8 21..f.A
was faxed to Germany. in a lot of PCA knock-out rapid 25.tse5 €hZ 26.E[ I
The reaction of the other top tournaments, so it wasn't by coin- 27.&tt Ec8 28.a4 rJl,
players in FranKurt was equally cidence that Kasparov lost his very aG 3O.Ee1trd831-Ed.
predictable: Anand and Kortchnoi first Elames as Black in succession:
thought that lvanchuk's replace-
ment of Karpov had only strength-
ened the tournament, while ac-
Gl 7.5
Vladlmir Kramnik $ sffirrr
cording to German journalist Ste- Garry Kasparov
fan Lriffler, Kasparov said: 'l Frankfurt rapid 1998 (1)
already knew before Karpov's can- 1d4 af6 2.c4 96 3.6c3 d5
cellation who would finish last. A 4.4€ Ag7 5.4f4 0{ 6.8c1
player who loses a rapid match dc4 7.e4 b5 8.4b5 6,e4
against Polgar has no business 9.Ac7 Bd710.Ac4 6c6
here.' Personally, I found these A new move. 10...a6 had been the
comments rather cheap. Karpov's usual reply so far, after which
participation would certainly have White keeps some advantage with AfundI
White hesitates.
given the event an extra dimen- 11.6a3. be*uttult
nik said that his
sion, and looking back it would 11.d5 Ab412.Ae5 would have been to' r-EN
also have made for an interestingl After 12.0{, I2...da2! is a glood re- to the queenside. Dr.uingthN
result: a four-game match between plv. I had thought emcfy tb s
the two K's, not for the highest 12....Ah6' 13.O{ fuaG L4.6c7 But with little time arj*r
honour for a change, but for third Ac115.tsc1 a plan is difficult to er:tt l
place (after the double-round the king in the mil& J
board, Black can s.rdd* I
round-robin, the first two players E &I
and numbers three and four would
continue with matches).
gir I laying minefields.
31...f6?
Ev€n in these conditinsQl
tries to create a minefd4E
REASONS IO REFIJSE A
I haven't talked to Karpov about is a misdirectd efu- E t
the affair, so I am not familiar with up his firm pawn wal o &l
side in a speculative rttrl.t
reasons to refuse participation. A i A] ploit Kramnik's ddir f
But from a practical point of view trouble 6nd 5s€ming iff
I certainly think he was wrong not ness.
to play. In rapid matches like the Kasparov never started thinking 32.tse49b53:l.Og2dr
one againstJudit Polgar he stands till now. 15...trc8 runs into the Consistent but wr4, h
to lose a lot, but there is no such devastating 16.4a6 6a6 17.9h6, Black is just weakeni4 E 1
fear in a confrontation with the so he is forced to accept a position tion further.
other three giants; even if he were a pawn down for some positional 34.t4
to finish last, he would still not compensation. The white bishop sdd{
have lost a lot of prestigle, consid- 15...4d3 16.9d3 ad3 17.Ed1 comes strong and Krd
ering his poor results of late. And Ae2 18.Ee1 Af3 19.gf3 ad6 ishes the game with xel.-l
a win or second place would have 2O.6a8 tra8 21.8c6 nical skill.
i r great boost. As I said be- Black's opening idea hasn't 34...4h4 35.€h1 gb3 Kasparov played 6...e5 all the time
'rrsrarov and Karpov might worked out well. On the other 36.8e1 Eds 37.9d5 trds against Topalov in Leon. Maybe
Xt5pd for third place. hand, in a rapid game an extra 38.fe5 fe5 39.tre5 Ed7 4O.t4 the presence of the computer-
iXasparov so quickly ruled pawn with a not totally safe king is €g8 41.tre3 trd1 42.Ee1 Ed5 second influenced his choice. He
tr qrt of contention was not no guarantee of success. 43.Eb1 &t7 44.b4 afs 45.bs has experimented with all the

)esrprise. Anand and Kram- 21...9d8 22.Va4 afs abS 46.aG o,e7 47.a7 trdB main-lines (6...e6, 6...e5 and

lrf aneaay played first fiddle 23.9e4 Ec8 24.9.c3 h5 48.trb5 Ea8 49.4d4 6c6 6...a94), but he almost always
rh of PCA knock-out rapid 25.tse5 gh7 26.tri11, Ec4 50.4e3 €e6 51.8b7 €d6 plays 6...684 against me.

L.-t" so it wasn't by coin- 27.@tL Ec8 28.a4 Bd7 29.a5 s2.@92 7.4g5 h6 8.4h4 g5 9.493
icttat Kasparov Iost his very a6 3o.tre1Ed8 31.trd1 Black resigned. Ag71o.Ae2
Lx.. Black in succession: In Linares, I played 10.Wd2 here,
Afterwards Kramnik said that top but now I wanted to try somethingl
players, when under time- else.
F7-s
Kramnik pressure, more or less automati- 10...h5 LL.aC4 gg4 L2.t3
llltnlrXasparov cally show their weaknesses - in gd7 L3.At2 6c614.8d2 6e5
Ert
Hftrt rapid 1998 (1) Kasparov's case his impulsive
;
1s.b3!
) or zcl 96 3.6c3 d5 need to play active moves, even if In Geneva, I castled twice. Thereaf-
t &gt 5.Af4 o-0 6.8c1 not required by the position. ter, presumably under the influ-
I ta b5 8.4b5 Q:e4 In the press conference after six ence ofthese games, I looked else-

fr'az 1o.Ac46c6 rounds, Kasparov stated that this where for White's advantage. Pe-

ture. 10...a6 had been the
I rpb' so far, after which
LU. some advantage with
L2-.4a2! is a good re-
13.G{, fuaG L4.Qtc7
h oerer started thinking
F tS-:.8 runs into the
Irrirg r6.6a6 6a6 17.Wh6,
to accept a position
itf*a
I do*n for some positional
tsdion.
iB 16..e'd3 Ad317.Ed1
i
lltEe1 Af3 19.gf3 ado
nEa821.tsc6
White hesitates. Afterwards Kram-
nik said that his best winning plan
would have been to take his king
to the queenside. During the game
I had thought exactly the same.
But with litfle time available such
a plan is difficult to execute. With
the king in the middle of the
board, Black can suddenly start
laying minefields.
31...f6?
Even in these conditions Kasparov
tries to create a minefield, but this
is a misdirected effort. He €ives
up his firm pawn wall on the kingl-
side in a speculative attempt to ex-
ploit Kramnik's relative time-
trouble and seeming indecisive-
ness.
32.8e4 9b5 33.€92 e5?
Consistent but wronp, because
Black is just weakening his posi-
tion further.
34.t4
The white bishop suddenly be-
comes strong, and Kramnik fin-
ishes the game with excellent tech-
nical skill.
game had robbed him of all desire
to play.
I don't understand this at all.
Why not say, like Kortchnoi, that
you have played like a monkey? No
one expects you to be able to play
a perfect game in half an hour -
the time you som0times take for
one crucial move. Self-pity untem-
pered by irony is just not on.
And at any rate, Kasparov had
nothing to moan about after his
second-round game against An-
and.
M'IES BY
Viswanathan Anand
st 14.7
Viswanathan Anand
Garry Kasparov
Frankfurt rapid 1998 (2)
Kasparov had lost against Vlady in
the first round, so I could imagine
that he was in a particularly ag-
gressive mood.
1.e4 c5 2.6f3 dO 3.d4 cd4
4.6d4 6f6 5.6c3 a6 6.4e3
a,94
ter Leko pointed this out to me
and we soon realized that White is
in very good shape here.
15...e616.6de2! Ec8
An important moment - if you won-
der later in the Elame why Black
can't simply casfle queenside!
L7.ad4
Neutralizing Black's 'Dragon
bishop'
17...b5
18.4d1!!
is the reason why White
This
shouldn't castle too early. The
knight is superbly placed on e3.
Against Kamsky, in our 9th match
game in Las Palmas 1995, I exe-
cuted a similar manoeuvre - but
the knight went from e3 to c3 via

NEW IN CHESS ) 55

dl. Here it is the reverse manoeu-
vre, but I was equally pleased.
18...tr98
Perhaps Black should have started
with a5-a4, as White would then
not have the option of playing cb3,
but I don't think this imProves
Black's prospects. Incidentally,
Black's king is stuck on e8 for the
rest ofthe Same.
19.6e3 a5 2O.O-O{
21.€b1ab3 22.cb3
Helpful to have the c-file open,
22.ab3 was also good for White.
22...E;a8 23.Ac3 EaB 24.6c2
Now 6b4 threatens to force the
rook to b6, so Black's next move is
forced.
24...A8 25.6lb4 tra8 26.6d4
Ae7 27.Ehe1 9c8 2A.3,b2
Wb7 29.6,dc2?t
Just enjoyingi the position.
29...f6 30.4d4!
Correcting my last move - if Black
had a litfle more time, he could
consolidate.
30...h4
30...€ff 31.93, heading for f4.
31.93 g4 32.t4 al3 33.4f3
gf3 34.f5!
Once the knight gets to d5...
34...hg3 35.h93 Eg3 36.9h2!
trgs
36...8g7 37.9h5.
37.Ac1Eg7 38.8h5
38.9h8 is also interestin[, but I
wanted to keep it simple.
38...trf7 39.9f3
Black resigned.
Kasparov didn't want to look at
his position any more. However,
his resignation needs to
explained: 39...ef5 (this is the only
move) 40.4d5 fe4 41.Ee4l
(4I.Ve4 9c6 is not clear) 41...4c6
42.tre71H,e7 43.df6 €d8 44.trd6
€c7 45.9f4! winning. Black's
king is too exposed to survive and
the opposite-coloured bishops
make it worse.
56 ) NDwrN CHESS
FRAN KFU RT
These two games were decisive for
the course ofthe tournament. Kas-
parov rallied by beatinS Ivanchuk
as White, but failed to extract sat-
isfaction from Kramnik and An'
and. And in the second Elame he
was skirting the abyss.
Nl 20.5
Vasily lvanchuk
a4 Gary Kasparov
Frankfurt rapid 1998 (5)
but Ld4 Af6 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 Ab4
4.Vc2
Interesting. He is fighting Kaspa'
rov with his own weapons.
4...O{ 5.a3 Ac3 6.8c3 b6
7.ggs abz 8.f3 h6 9.4h4 d5
10.e3 c5
Kamsky's move.
11.cd5 g5 L2.3;tr2 Ads
13.9d2 cd4L4.ed4e5
Sharpest. Black could also try
L4.-orcC followed by 15...6a5, but
this doesn't yield equality.
15.h4 ed4 16.h95 Ee8
L7.o'e2d3
This could have bacKired badly.
Duringi the game we thought that
t7...de3 was Black's best chance,
as the position remains unclear.
be
18.trh6!
A magnificent idea in combina-
tion with the following move, and
vintage Ivanchuk.
18...de2 19.9d4 fG 20.g16
ef19 21.€f1 o,e322.@12
The cold-blooded 22.€91 would
have left Black on the ropes, as cr-AssrcAt cHEis
Leko and I had already established The Frankfurt Chess bi
during the game. was a very successful c
22...6cG 23.4e3 name could cause cffii
This is the difference. Wth the you'd be inclined to E
king on g1, 23.8d3 would have 'classics' with 6lr<<ial
been winning. Now this would be rather than with rapil fu
met by the saving 23...494, when 'classic' also refers to tffi,
the white king has no way out af- ditional and enduring r&
ter 24.@93 Ud6, as 25.€h3 fails in this area the FYanfu
to25...df2. happenin g certainly scilca.
23...wd224.g:d2 orgt'r
Everything was
White is still better, but time is afterm r
perfection. The
getting short. the group 'old EreD I
24...AaG 25.Ac3 Ee2 26.€93 fu
Htibner'. They already
*t7 27.trh7 €e6 28.Eah1 ad
audience, but towards
Ac4 29.E1h6 Eg8 3O.@f4 Ef8 place became ttmPl- '
31.g4 Ad5 32.8s trt2 33.trh3 when the Giants startl-
Eg2 34.Eg3 Eg3 3s.€93 gfs was a pleasant bar dl
Now Black has thingis under con- a-plenty (something ttl b
trol. sadly lacking in Dr-md r
368g7 Ltl 37.€,t2 a5 ments). There were ugdre
38.€e3 ad8 39.gG AgG one thousand PaYng *-'
40.trd7 and the event took fic
Ivanchuk has only half a minute western suburb of Fffii
left here, and Black's only job now a distant view of tta
is to keep one queenside pawn. magnificent skdine- Ibrr
4O...At7 41.Ed6 tre8 42.&t2 concrete reason for fttu h
6e6? as co-sponsor Tourus-fi
Incredible. Now both pawns will is mainly active in ^his G,
be lost. Why not 42...a4, and then foothills of the Tarmus r
take the bishop to b3? Hans Walter Schnitt ft
43.EbG a4 44.Ea6 at4
45.Ea5 €gO 46.8a4 Ad3
47.&93 Ae648.Ea7
Draw.
This was the second win Ivan-
chuk threw away; against Kramnik
he could have won with white as The Giants
well, but he still managed to lose 1 Kramnik cr EE t
in the end. 2 Anand cr r t
After this, Kramnik and Anand, 3Kasparov flGr
more or less assured of a place in 4 lvanchuk cr E t
the final, did not take many risks.
Neither final had much in the way Final
of high points. Only one game was
Anand gEt
decided, viz. the first Kasparov-
Ivanchuk game. Anand, finally, Kramnik GI EE'
won the third blitz game against There were two drans had|lr
Kramnik.
H Black on the ropes, as crAsstcAr cHEss mover of the even! has great plans 29.olc7- Ac1 3O.b4 &17
The Frankfurt Chess Classics '98 for the future. I wish him every 31.€f1 €e6 32.&e2 6d5
-r J had already established 33.€d3
llfe game. was a very successful event. Its success in the world. 1-O
hc6 23.4e3 name could cause confusion, as
i tbe difference. With the you'd be inclined to associat-e QP 1.13 QP6.7.5
r gl. 23.9d3 would have 'classics' with classical chess Jan Timman Robert Hiibner
ftring Now this would be rather than with rapid chess. But Andras Adorlan Jan Timman
;l6e saring 23...6g4, when 'classic' also refers to things oftra- Frankfurt rapid 1998 (11) Frankfurt rapid 1998 (2)
Ift king has no way out af- ditional and enduring value, and 1d4 af6 2.a,1396 3.agsag7 1-.d4 at0 2.hf3 e6 3.93 b5
l*gJ fd6, as 25.€h3 fails in this area the Frankfurt chess 4.4,bd.2 c5 5.e3 cd4 6.ed4 0"0 4.a92 ab7 s.ags ae7
-&2_ happenin g certainly scored. 7.4d3 bG 8.0{ Aa6 9.4a6 6.Abd2 c5 7.c3 ha6 8.0-0 O{
n,24-;d2 Everything was orglanized to ha6 1O.Ee1 Ee8 11.c3 9c8 9.9b1 hO 10.gf6 Af6 11.e3
t ir 6r-[T better, but time is perfection. The afternoon was for 12.9b3 6c7 13.6e5 6e6 Eb8 12.6e4 Ae7 13.dc5 f5
:Sort the group 'old men around L4.adl3 dG I.s.AfG ef6 L4.4led2 hc5 15.6e5 Ag2
l- 25*i-c3 tre2 26.€93 Htibner'. They already drew a nice 16.6c4 Bc6 17.d5 gd5 L6.&92 AfG L7.agO Ee8
1E.3rtl €e6 28.Eah1 audience, but towards evening the l8.Ead1 9c6 19.6d6 Ee7 18.4b3 6e4 19.f3 ado
lEUe EgE 3O.&f4 Ef8 place became thronged. That's 20.6f7 2O.Ed3 ac4 2L.Etr2 dS 22.old4
F-0ds 32-95 Et2 33.trh3 when the Giants started. There Bd7 23.h4 e5 24.4b3 h5
ratrgp 3s.€93 gf5 was a pleasant bar with beer
]d =,93
has things under con- a-plenty (something that is often
sadly lacking in Dutch tourna-
iiiiiiiifi $, I
V .i,rl 37.&12 a5 ments). There were usually around
isiiiiiii#ai ixtit
5 id8 39.g0 Ag6 one thousand paying spectators,
E and the event took place in a
E has onty half a minute western suburb of Frankfurt with
e,md Black's only job now a distant view of that city's
Lpme queenside pawn. ma6lnificent skyline. There was a
ftr 41-Ed6 tre8 42.@t2 concrete reason for this location,
I as co-sponsor Taunus-Sparkasse 20...hc5 21.trd8 EdB 22.4d8
L r-ow both pawns will is mainly active in this area, in the Ab3 23.hc6 Ee1 24.6,eL 25.e4 te4 26.te4 Wg4 27.614
I.ftt' aot 42...a4, and then foothills of the Taunus mountains. 6c1 25.o,a7 o,a2 26.4d3 et4 28.E14 We6 29.8e1 6b2
hhshop to b3? Hans Walter Schmitg the prime Ah6 27.4c8 b5 28.6a7 6c1 SO.gf,lEbc831.gh5a€ 0-1
E 4 44.Ea6 6114
E -gs 46.8a4 ad3
SAec 48.E.a7
L

L rcs the second win Ivan-

hr ar+a1; against Kramnik
il bare rvon with white as TheGiants 1 2 3 4 TPR TheMasters TPR
h he still managled to lose 1 Kramnik cM 2790 * * VzVz 11h 11h
RUS 4 2903 1 Timman 10 2750
:d 2 Anand GM rND 2770 thy2 * * 1Vz lzlh 31h 2O42
2 Beliavsky 10 2743
ts rhr. Kramnik and Anand, 3 Kasparov GM BUS 282s O1h Oy, * * 11h 2!z 27Og
r thy2 3 Beim BYr 2684
less assured of a place in 4 lvanchuk GM UKR 2740 O1h O1h * * 2 2670
H, dd not take many risks. 4 Adorjan 7Y, 2642
EfinaI had much in the way
5 Hiibner 6Y, 2574
lFints. Only one game was
kl, riz. the first Kasparov- cM IND 2770 th th Y2 th 2 2790 6 Kortchnoi 6 2544
E game. Anand, finally, GM RUS 2790 th th th Vz 2 2770 7 Yusupov 4lz 246O
h third blitz game against There were lwo draws lollowed by a win lor Anand with black in the 5 minute blitz games. 8 Portisch 3 2367
--
NEw rN CHDss ) 57
 N=C Schaakbibliotheek Sncr
Leer- en trainingsboeken voor sch-akers van alle niveaus

Taktiek in de OPeningl serie door A.C. van der Tak

A1
De serie Taktiek in de Opening behandelt, vanuit tactisch
oogpunt, het gehele openingsrepertoire in zes banden,
lit0 5chaakbibliotheek
aan de hand van 200 becommentarieerde partijen per
deel, gerangschikt volgens de NiC KEY, het openingsclas-
sificatiesysteem van New in Chess.

Deel 1 Open Spelen

Deel 2 Siciliaans
Deel 3 Half-open Spelen
ndische Deel 4 Damegambiet
en^in^gen Deel 5 lndische Openingen
Deel 6 Flankspel€fl (versch'rjnt najaar 1998)

Spelen met Eindspelen serie door G.c. van Perlo

ln Spe/en met Eindspelen wordt niet de eindspeltechniek

behandeld, maar voert de auteur u spelenderwijs mee
Schaakbibliothee
door de eindspelpraktUk.
Een schatkamer van onvermoede tactische wendingen,
pening theorf' fu
with little-lcro*n *bI
tragische vergissingen en verrassende ontknopingen. r
of which no orfir{ff
tation is known, but rrtrid hg
Deel 1 Dame- en Pionneneindspelen reason or other have nergtH
been discarded by theoretkian
G.C. van Perlo Deel 2 Toreneindspelen 1 Knowledge of suclr lbes a
practical players is gen€ril[f q
Deel 3 Toreneindspelen 2
superficial and therefore it o
Deel 4 Paatd- en Lopereindspelen very profitable to indude su
these lines as surprise u€pc
one's repertoire, prorided o
prepared to take some rish
Ook verkrijgbaar bij elke Nederlands en Belgische boekhandel. The open games, perhry r
than any other group ofoper
are brimming with such raritil
heek
lveaus
-EIO
SBcnBrS OF OPBNINC SUNPRISES

lG. van der Tak

A Knight-Erront?
A.C. vAN onn TRx
na.t.delt. vanuit tactisch
Etc re in zes banden,
ilar€€rde partijen per
; E\'. ret openingsclas-
t

|,rt
lliar.- = aar1998)

l.G. van Perlo

ts G e ndspeltechniek
f u sp€ enderw'rjs mee
tsE-sche wendingen, .A, nenind theorv abounds
*:ntfinopingen. I lmn tiau"-rnown sideJines
\-f of *nich no outright refu-
tation is known, but which for some
.reindspelen reason or other have nevertheless
been discarded by theoreticians.
r1 Knowledge of such lines among
.2 practical players is generally quite
superficial and therefore it can be
:hdspelen very profitable to include some of
these lines as surprise weapons in
one's repertoire, provided one is
prepared to take some risk.
n&rgsche boekhandel. The open games, perhaps more
than any other glroup of openings,
are brimminS with such variations.
Position after 5...6e41? /?l
In the Scotch Four Knigftrts Varia-
tion, after the moves
1.e4 e5 2.6f3 6c6 3.6c3 Af6
4.d4ed45.6d4
Black has at his disposal the sur-
prising pseudo-sacrifice
5...6e41?/?l
leading to the position diagammed
above. In most text books this con-
tinuation is mentioned as no more
than a footnote. Although Graham
Burgess rates the move 'fairly
sound and reliable' in his recent
book 101 Chess Opening Sur-
pnses, this seems hard to believe.
But let's take a closer look.
6.6e4
Black has easy equality after
6.4c6 6c3 7.4d8 ad1 8.4f7
€f7!? (in several games Black con-
tinued the pas de deux with
8...af2?! 9.4h8 ah1, but this
must be good for White after
10.4e3!) 9.4c4 €f6 10.€d1 c6
e.g. 11.b3 d5 l2.gb2 €f7 13.4e2
af5 14.4h5 .gg6 15.496 €96,
Muratov-Matsukevich, Soviet Un-
iont972.
6...We7 7.f3
An interesting gambit line is
7.Ae2 We4 8.4b5 gb4 9.c3 Aa5
10.0-0 0-0. Theory considers

NEw rN CHESS ) 59
White's compensation for the
pawn insufficient but it may be
worthwhile to take a fresh look at
this.
The available examples are:
A) Most books only give the
game Obukhovsky-Matsukevich,
Dubna 1976, which went ll.b4
ilbG 12.a4 a6 13.6a3 d6 14.4f;l
9f5 15.6c4 Aa7 16.6e3, and
now 16...Ae3! with advantage to
Black, is Kholmov's suggestion in
Informant22.
B) 11.4e3 was played in
Hebden-Turner, Cambridge 1995.
This game continued II...a6 12.a4
(after 12.4d4!? White has some
compensation according! to Tumer)
12...ab5 13.ab5 Ae5 14.fa4 996
and now White chose the dubious
continuation 15.9.h5?! There fol-
lowed 15...9e6 16.4d4
(16...6c4!) t7.t4 gd7 18.-Q.e2 c5
19.4e5 de5 20.f5 gh6 2l.Ac4
trfd8 22.9d5 Ae6 and Blackwon.
Instead of 15.4h5, better tries are
15.f4 and 15.b4 d6
16.9h5
(16.ba5 -Sfs) 16...9f5 17.ba5 hd3,
which Burgess assesses as'quite
unclear'.
C) f 1.gd3 is another interest-
ing try, e.g. 11...8h4 12.fe1 d5
13.g3 gh3 14.4f4 gg4 15.4f1
ghs 16.9d2 AacS l7.h,a7l? da7
18.tre5. The game Yukhtman-
Palatnik, Odessa 1966 concluded
18...996? 19.trg5 Ue6 20.tre1
60 ) NEwrN cHEss
gd7 21.fd5 Ua4 22.fg5 fcd8 Moroz, Ukrainian Championship, or 18.e5 White's positi<n P
(or 22...j':ei 23.b3 tsa3 24.f,'e7ll Lvov 1988, or 13...4e6 14.4d4 a little better.
23.f,.97t €h8 24.Ae5 f6 25.8h6 Ad4 15.9d4 0-0 16.9c5, Todorov' Another possibility for WEi
1{. However, Black ha! a much Delchev, Bulgaria (rapid) 1995. 13...4c5 is 14.9a6, wti.l b
better defence in 18...9.f5! 19.9d5 B) However, Black probably cussed in Variation B.
96. has a better move. According to 14.ab3Eb6
D) In T. O'Donnell-Ghannoum, Gutman, he should play 11...c5! Some bsoks give I'l 6<f, 15tr
Quebec 1993, White obtained a 12.4b3 c4 13.hd4 g6 14.9f3 gg7 gb7 16.9f6 g6 r7&r d
stronE attack with 11.a4!? Ab6 with Eood counterplay. 17...trg8!?) and with his tr I
12.Ad3 Wh4 13.a5 Aa5 14.fa4 11...O-O-O!? ops Black has good gt
9d815.9h5. After 11...f5?! l2.fe4 fe4 White is Popov-Gershman, Sot*f U
7...d5 better: 13.c3 (also possible is 1965. I have been r.maE bl
13.tse2 96 14.tse4 Be4 15.fe4, the remainder of this crq, L
Cortlever-Barendregt, Dutch Cham- his (
Vydeslaver-Leveillg
pionship, Amsterdam 1954) 13...c5 1996, there follorrcd Il
14.6f5 We5 15.493 9.e7 l6.de4 9.ds?! 19.c3 Ac5 20-tuE
and White had the advantage in 21.b4 trhe8 22Af2witt-
Dzhindzhichashvili-Leveille, New vantage to White.
York 1994. I think Black could haw*
12.Ee4BfG with 18...4f;}!?: 19"@ .lll
19.6c4 trg8 with good F
both cases.
15.4e3
In the correspoDdetrcc I
8.abs Petras-Jedlic4 1994, UE I
This is the only way for White to 15.Ag5 f6 r63d2- An r I
play for an opening advantage. 17.Ee3 f4 18.4a5 tts lgril'
Black has no troubles after 8.6c6 20.tre4 Ad6 the pcitir r
bc6 9.9e2 de4 10.9e4 9e4 (even quite clear, but the rfr-
stronger is 10...Af5!? 11.We7 Ae7 probably balanced
12.c3 Ac5 as in Timchenko- 1s....gd616.9fi28
Shishkin, Simferopol tt 1991)
11.fe4 Ad6 12.9c4&e7. In this position White has to de-
d6 8...Adz 9.O{ de410.Ac6 bc6 cide where to move his queen, to
fl.
L7,.EeLl?
The alternative is 11.fe4, when:
e2 or to
ffi.a:L
',:E::
A) White is better after ll...96 ii I
l2.Ab3 (other possibilities are Variation A
l2.gf4 997 13.c3, Rausis-Payen,
Engfrien les Bains 1995, and 13.8e2 c5
12.8f;! ge7 13.Ae3 0{ 14.4b3, According to Burgess 13...4c5
KobaliaSevostianov, Moscow 1994) 14.4e3 fhe8'looks OK for Black'.
I2...9e7 13.Ae3, e.g. 13...9b2 But in the game Lengyel-Meny-
14.3.c5! We6 (on 14...Wh4? White har! Nyiregyhaza 1994, Black lost L7.gh4
has 15.Ef7!, as was seen in in only a few more moves: 15.4b3 The game SutovskyAJEH
Guseinov-Kronilovich, St.Peters- Ab6? 16.4c5 9c5 17.8a6 €b8 Israeli Championship ltl
burg 1997) 15.9d4 Aa1 16.4a1 18.4c5 1{! 1994, went 17.trc4 tt5 li!
trg8 17.9f6 with fine compensa- Correct is 15...Ae3 16.8e3 Ee4 19.4c5 Ac6 (19..-Q.€5 2O.{
tion for the exchange, Kosikov- 17.fe4 €b8, although after 18.c3 21.gd4t)20.a4 9a6 zLilI,
Ikeinian Championship, or 18.e5 White's position remains 22.ac5 Wb6 23.1c4 Vb2 24.Eel powerful attack, but it seems that
It, or 13...Ae6 14.9d4 a Iitfle better. tre8 25.h3 Wb6 26.tre8 9e8 instead of 17...9b6 Black has a
fal 0{ 16.9c5, Todorov- Another possibility for White after 27.Vel Aa4 28.Ue5 9c2? strongler move in 17...896!?, when
,Hgaria (rapid) 1995. 13...4c5 is 14.tsa6, which is dis' (28...-e.d7!) 29.Ec2 Wbl 30.€h2 he has counterplay.
Black probably cussed in Variation B. Wc2 31.We8 trd8 32.9b5 trd2 14.4ffi.Ad6
-uer.
tE move. AccordinE, to 14.amgb6 33.We8 fd8 34.tse6 €b8 35.tsc6 On 14...9c6, according to Gut-

t h s[iou]d play ll...c5! Some books give 14...4c6 15.Ua6 and White won. man, White has the strong answer
ilL3.r:d4 g6 74.Wf3 ge7 Ab7 16.9f6 gf6 17.tre1 c4 (or L7... 9ee7 18.8c4 9b5 19.4c5 15.fe1! 9.d6 16.9e3! VeS 17.f4,
lo.urterplay. 17...Eg8!?) and with his two bish- 9c4 2O.Ae7 Ede8 21.9a7 followed by Vt2 with advantage.
)-? ops Black has good prosPects, Sc6 22.6d4 gb7 23.9c5 Unfortunately there are no practi-
fi?l l2.fe4 fe4 White is Popov4ershman, Soviet Union gb6 24.9b6 cb6 2s.AM cal examples. Can Black afford
13r.3 (also possible is 1965. I have been unable to trace with unclear play, Zak-A.Mikhal' t7...wbz!?
f l{.9e4 9e4 15.tre4, the remainder of this game, but in evski, Israel 1996. After 14...9d6 White continued
r&tndregt, Dutch Cham- Vydeslaver-Leveille, Paris Open sharply with 15.9.g5?! Bg5
ihe.aam 1954)13...c5 1996, there followed 18.6a5 16.8a6 gb8 17.4a5 in Handoko-
IA lS-a$ l.e7 l6.de4 Ad5?! i9.c3 Ac5 20:Ae3 Ab6 Variation B Hecht, Thessaloniki Olympiad
h&l the advantage in 21.b4 trhe8 22.9f2 with some ad- 1984, but Black survived White's
=
Erashri[i-Leveille, New vantage to White. 13.tsf1!? c5 onslaught: 17...9d5 18.c4 tsa8
I- I think Black could have improved As in Variation A Black can also 19.trd1 (on 19.Ee3 Black has

Ift with 18...A8!?: 19.98 Ab4 or try 13...4c5. Gutman then gives 19...Aa41 20.tra3 (20.trb3? Ab3
19.6c4 Eg8 with good play in 14.9a6 €b8 15.4e3 trhe8 2l.dc6 9c6-+) 20...4h21 2l.€h2
both cases. (15...9b6 16.a4) 16.c3 E e4 L7.fe[ Ed6+ Hecht) 19...Aa4 20.b3 Ah2
15.4e3 2t.&h2 trdr 22.ba4 Ed6 23.9b5
In the correspondence game €c8 24.9c5 gb8 25.9f5 Ed7
Petras-Jedlica, 1994, White tried 26.c5 c6 27.f4 Vc7 28.6c4 Sb8
15.495 f6 16.4d2. After 16...f5 and the game was eventually
17.tre3 f418.Aa5 9b5 19.c4 Ba6 drawn. Instead of 15.!.g5?! White
20.8e4 Ad6 the position was not has the very strong continuation
quite clear, but the chances are 15.8a6! €b8 16.3.f4! accordinf to
probably balanced. Hecht.
1s...4d616.9f2 f5
Conclusion: 5...4e4 indeed seems
tdnrn White has to de- playable, provided Black is not
E 17...4b6 18.a4 and White has averse to taking risks.
to move his queen, to
3. iiii ii lr
a

E-

llon A
Boekhandel Van der Galie
tcs A ,\::rl A
A 2-1:l:: A
t to NEtilin cnm
l
Burgess 13...4c5 Choorstraal2+26
,:i ?
LE looks OK for Black'. i:iI
3511 KN Utrecht
& game Lengyel-Meny-
hl[ilraza
lGr
1994, Black lost L7.trh4
The game Sutovsky-A.Mikhalevski,
in
more moves: 15.6b3 tel: 030-23L2.L82
5.Od i.c5 17.8a6 €b8 Israeli Championship Tel Aviv
IC 1994, went 17.fc4 Wb5 18.Ec3 c4 Nederland fax: 030-2321,.367
ir 15.-ie3 16.tse3 tre4 19.Ac5 Ac6 (19...Ae5 20.a4 Wa6
H, dthough after 18.c3 21.Ad4t) 20.a4 tsa6 21.4d6 trd6

Nnw rr Csrss I 61
 Xie Jun:
from
Chess Champion
China is the title of the
autobiographical games
collection of Xie Jun
soon to be published by
Gambit Publications as
the former women's
world champion takes
on Alisa Galliamova in
the candidates' final that
has to produce a
challenger for current
champion Zsuzsa Polgar.
New in Chess presents
an exclusive
prepublication of the
chapter in which Xie
Jun describes how she
grew up and got
acquainted with the
game of chess.
62 ) NEW IN CHESS
ldhood
(1970-1985)
I was born on the 30th October
I rszo in an armv hosDital ln
I naoAlng, about lZO kilometres
from Beijing. At the time mY fa-
ther served in the army, which ex-
plains partly my parents' prefer-
ence for the name Jun, which is
best translated as 'soldier'.
The name Jun is more often
given to boys, but in my case it re-
lates directly to the fact that the
year of birth was in the midst of
the Cultural Revolution. During
this turbulent period in modern
Chinese history, it was common to
minimize the differences between
men and women, and this was also
reflected in names given to new-
borns. In early childhood I lived
together with my mother and
grandmother in a room measuring
ten square metres in the south-
east part of Beijing, not far from
the place where my mother
worked. My father was away for
most of the year. I cannot remem-
ber many events from those years,
only that, for some reason, I did
Traditionally, xiangqi is a I
played by men and as a htlib I
got a lot of attention rL
played. fu a result of my ff
efforts, my skill improred rn
and I came to be refardod r
fle genius in the area nterc I I
I still remember tho-se tinrs
ing the summers, mr'ffi
me sitting on the stred. bd r
seated on one of my fatbeds
as an improvised dtair. L&
scant light of a street lary I
i
ther used to sit behind oc, u
with a fan in an attempt to $r
fresh air and to drire 4r
mosquitoes, while I rrastr;i1
very best to beat my oppc
usually middle-aged or oldar
Many spectators uould fi
sit around the boarrd, opcrlr
not go to kinderglarten. Most of
the time I spent playing with chil-
dren from the neighbourhood,
mostly boys. So, maybe my name is
appropriate because I was quite
boyish.
When I was six years old, my fa-
ther returned from his service in
the army and the family was com-
plete at last. My parents sat to-
gether talking about how to edu-
cate their only child, in their eyes
a naughty little girl. To stimulate
me to sit down and concentrate,
hence being more quiet, they
chose xiangqi, a traditional game
in China which is also inexpensive
to play. My father taught me the
basic rules of this game, which is
sometimes considered the Chinese
version of international chess.
Soon thereafter my father became
my first victim, but this only in-
in the
creased his interest Eame.
He was very happy to take me to
places where people would play, to
find different opponents for me.

rDod
[e85)
; b kindergarten. Most of
b I qent playrng with chil-
lm the neighbourhood,
bfq5- So, maybe my name is
I tacking the enemy kinS and acti
;ri*e because was quite
\ vating the pieces. However, there
rJ ras
six years old, my fa-
ErDed from his service in
fr and the family was com-
I last My parents sat to-
f {Ling about how to edu-
E ooll' child, in their eyes
*y littte girl. To stimulate
I 11 doun and concentrate,
I bciDg more quiet, they
irimgqi, a traditional game
hvbjch is also inexpensive
1r !,[' father taught me the
rles of this game, which is
fu considered the Chinese
r of international chess.
utseafter my father became
ist rictim, but this only in-
:l his interest in the game.
E Ery happy to take me to
l$ere people would play, to
lkent opponents for me.
Traditionally, xiangqi is a game
played by men and as a little girl I
got a lot of attention when I
played. As a result of my father's
efforts, my skill improved rapidly
and I came to be regarded as a lit-
tle genius in the area where I lived.
I still remember those times dur-
ing the summers, my father and
me sitting on the street, both of us
seated on one of my father's shoes
as an improvised chair. Under the
scant ligfrt of a street lamp my fa-
ther used to sit behind me, waving
with a fan in an attempt to give me
fresh air and to drive away the
mosquitoes, while I was tryingi my
very best to beat my opponents,
usually middle-aged or older men.
Many spectators would stand or
sit around the board, openly dis-
cussing the moves and giving sug-
6lestions, often interrupted by the
question of who this little girl was.
My father was always very pleased
and proud to give the answer to
that. Afterwards we would go
home, me sitting on the back of
his bicycle and my father talking
while leaning backwards to give
criticism about my mistakes dur-
ing the Sames. By the time we ar-
rived home, back to my mother
and grandmother with news about
my victories, they had just fin-
ished with the housework. I am
not sure, even now, whether my fa-
ther's prime motive was to enjoy
watching me play, or to avoid do-
ing the dishes himself. Probably
both.
The women in the house did not
really understand xiangqi, but
they were very happy for me and
my father.
It soon became apparent that I
had a talent for the game and I got
stronger every year. My father told
me later a story that he wai once
approached by people working for
the television.
They were making a programme
about xiangqi and thought it
funny to have this presented by an
older man and a litfle girl - I was
nine at the time. Unfortunately,
shortly before the programme I
broke my arm during sports les-
sons at school and the show went
ahead without me. One year later I
became Girls' Champion of Bei-
Jrng.
It may be good to know that xi-
angqi has often been compared
with chess because the two games
have similar features such as at-
are also marked differences. The
rules of xiangqi are more complex
and the game is more open com-
pared to chess: activity and attack
have a higher priority and tactics
play a more prominent role. Xi-
angqi is extremely popular in Asia
and is one of the most popular
games in China, where about 10%
of the population plays it actively.
Games are usually played in the
open air, which makes it a favour-
ite summer sport.
When I became Girls' Champion,
there was already a better woman
player in Beijing who was National
Senior Champion.
The authorities decided that
one talent was enough for the city,
so I was introduced to the trainer
of international chess. And this is
NEW IN CHESS I 63
 actually how I starte; :: r:.
chess. The rules were er;.' :.: --:
me and by way of e\ce;:r. - : -a
admitted to the Beijing T.-: 11-,
was a group of adult pi:'..:. ,.- :
trained daily on the p:e:- ..= -i
the Beijing Sports Co::.:..:.-- .r
school was found ne- -- . . .
could get education in '-:= :- : --
ing. My first trainer \{a-. : -:-- :':i
master, a very tall man ::. :- = ::.
tra::.:
ties. He was also the :,: --:':
-:;
National Team at the ::.
might have been the :!-r:.<r d';
the highest playing le,.e, : ,-: r,a
but it seemed he rr'as :,-: .*:r:-
enced in teaching ci-.:.:'.- 3.:
there were more reasa r: -. - . ---,.!

was a difficult period :-: . *::

:::
ten years younger tharl ---,: :1rL ri,
the team and the o::i: ::.r-:
had something better :- :- --:.L:
to teach a girl horv to :i.-. :r-:
Most of them would be"'- -= '--r:
a queen down and .i:j --: '-:
very inclined to help ff.. '-"-'.'
The Beijing Team tr'as i:::'.-:",
too tough for me.

Therefore, I was transter::: -: -,:

Ei+E
ffi
6
d
H

fl

-Ellr
d

Six-yearold Xie Jun playing a gen

64 ) NEwIN CHESS
a- L
actually how I started to play
o chess. The rules were explained to
- -It me and by way of exception I was
E admitted to the Beijing Team. This
o
Ii
c was a group of adult players who -
.I trained daily on the premises of
- I the BeijinEi Sports Committee. A
- rr r.ll Eo school was found nearby so I
- E
,at could get education in the morn-
- ing. My first trainer was a national
master, a very tall man in his for-
ties. He was also the trainer of the
National Team at the time. He
might have been the trainer with
the highest playing level in China,
but it seemed he was not experi-
enced in teachingl children. But
there were more reasons why this
was a difficult period for me. I was
ten years younger than the rest of
the team and the other players
had something better to do than
to teach a girl how to play chess.
Most of them would beat me from
a queen down and did not feel
very inclined to help me further.
The Beijing Team was apparently
too touglh for me.
Therefore, I was transferred in Oc-
Six-yearold Xie Jun playing a game of xiangqi against an older opponent
tober 1981 to the Children's Pal-
ace, where many children would
stay during weekdays. These chil-
dren were selected on the basis of
having a special talent in one par-
ticular area and they were assisted
by a glroup of trainers, who took
care of the children for some
hours in the afternoon after the
normal lessons in the school. The
word manager may be more ap-
propriate than the word trainer
because the level of training was
not very high and the trainers'
main tasks were to teach the chil-
dren some basic theory about
their game and to keep them busy
with exercises. I was very lucky to
meet my second trainer here, a pa-
tient man, not the strongest player
himself but an excellent teacher
for young children.
Sometime in 1982, I had to make
a major decision when I was asked
whether I would like to continue
playing chess more seriously or
not. My parents wexe not very
keen on my dedicating even more
time to chess than I already did,
becauseI was one of the best stu-
dents at school and they felt it
would be wiser to get a good edu-
cation. My teachers had, of course,
the same opinion. But I did not en-
joy the educational system very
much because the tempo of teach-
ing was slow, with a lot of repeti
tion, and I got bored very easily.
So far, I had managed to get high
grades, even if I missed out on
some lessons due to chess activi-
ties. Luckily my parents gave the
ultimate decision to myseli only
warning me to think carefully and
to realize that there was no way
back. But I simply decided to go
ahead and I got what I wanted. I
promised my parents that I would
continue my studies to graduate
one day from university and that
they would not be let down. It is
doubtful whether any twelve-year-
old can truly understand the con-
sequences of such a profound deci-
sion - I am still not sure how big a
role chess should play in my life -
but my chess career had started.
In the two years that followed, I
managed to win some nice games,
but it was clear that I could not yet
make good results against senior
players. Nevertheless, everybody
considered me a promising new-
comer. In 1984, I became National
Girls' Champion (under 16) with
the score of 9 out of 9 and quali
fied for the Women's Champion-
ship later that year. This was an
excellent opportunity because the
whole of the nation's best players
were present on that occasion.
Chinese women's chess was get-
tin6l stronger and stronger and the
best player, Liu Shilan, had even
qualified as a world championship
candidate. I was pleased to come
out sixth on my debut - that result
made me the youngest national
NEwrN CHESS ) 65
 in history. In 1985,
master
even to improve uPon that
formance. I started bY repeating
the perfect score in the Girls'
Championship, an event in which I
had to take part to qualify once
more for the Women's ChamPion-
ship. Now I finished third and
came very close to winning the
fle. In the penultimate round I
made only a draw from a winning
position. Had I won this game - I
had won my previous
against the same oPPonent - then
I would have been first.
My first game stems from that
very period. Qi Jingxuan is an In-
ternational Master from Shanghai
who was trainer of the National
Team. He was the strongest Chi-
nese player in the early 1980s and
often represented our country at
international tournaments.
visits abroad made him
throuSh Beijing quite often and
he was a regular guest of the Bei
jing Team. I first glot to know him
in the period that I started PlaYng
chess. My trainer asked him to
play a game against me with
queen down, and I will never for-
get his reaction. 'How can I PlaY a
game a queen down?', he
claimed in great surPrise, but we
played that game and he won.
The following game was PlaYed
prior to the National Women's
Championship. Qi Jin€Xuan played
this game simultaneously with one
other game.
sr 40.12
Xle Jun
Qi Jingxuan
Shanghai 1985
1.e4 c5 2.4f3 e6 3.d4 cd4
4.6d4 6cG 5.6c3 Bc7 6.f4
a67.9:e2o,ge7
66 ) NEw IN CHEss
I was cause of the move itseli but more sG
22.de5 Uf6 23.g5 Be? 21
Per-
for courage. tt was simPlY a diffi- 21-.Ve7.3.e7
cult decision.
Ido not see how Black o g
13...9d4 his position, for instare 2l-
13...9b4 14.c3 Ba4 15.b3 gives 22.w93 t*e7 23.fi and the pr
White an easy win.
sure mounts. The tstooc t
14.4ffi ag6 prelude to an attractiw q'nas
The alternative was 14...d5 but rifice.
ti Black has a cramped position after 22.t5h5 23.f6 hg4
15.Ae3 Bf6 16.e5 9f7 17'Ad6
gg8 18.9b6 @d7 19.0-0 with a
I have not been able to find this stronE initiative.
game move in my database. In anY case, 15.Ae3BfG
at the age of 15 I knew PracticallY Black cannot solve his Problems
nothing about openings, so it did with 15...Ab4 16 c3 Ac3 17 bc3
not make a big difference to me 9c3 18 gfz 6,b419 Ae2, with a
whether my opponents plaYed the- big plus for White.
ory or not. 16.e5
8.Adb5! ab5 9.ab5 gb6
l.0.ad6 €d8 Ll,.afl €e8
L2.6it6
I was thinking whether to rePeat 24.9h4!!
the moves or nol I was not so sure
His about my attack and, moreover,
travel there was a top male plaYer sitting
on the other side of the board. But
for some reason I decided to PlaY :ii, iii l\ i
ttjt iil l\ |
on. Apart from the text-move, I
considered also other interesting
possibilities such as 12.4h8 96
a 13.c3 gg7 L4.6l96 ag6 15.e5 with 16...9f7
a big advantage for White, and Maybe 16...9h4 was to be pre-
12.3-h5?! rg8 13.hh6 g6 14.498 ferred, but after 17.93 gh3
ex- Wb4 15.9f2 ag8 16.4f;} with an 18.9d2 (18.9'b6 €e8 19.Af1 9f5
unclear position. 20.9-e2 E,b4 2].E,e3 Wft 22.0'0
12...€d8 E,a6 leads to an unclear position,
where Black can still fight)
18...4b4 19.4e4 White is on top.
Lz.O.o6h4?
Clearly not the best of Black's op
tions but other moves give him a
hard game as well: 17...4b4
18.Ae4 and the pressure contin-
ues, or L7...9e7 18.c3 €c7
19.4d6 Wf8 20.4e4 and White is
ready to play b2-b4.
18.g3 af519.Ab6 €e8 2O.94
ah4
13.6c4! 20...d5 is slightly better, but White
The exclamation mark is not be- should win after 21.ed6 Ad6
f tre mote itself, but more
4E It uas simply a diffi-
EL
n I do not see how Black can save
ll f4,;3 Ua4 15.b3 gives
lEls!'h]n.
Eego
bDati'\E rvas 14...d5 but
B a o-amped position after
t ffi 16.er Ef/ 17.4d6
tr-tE -d7 19.0-0 with a
fie,
BTE
rurr solle his problems
t th4 16 c3 9c3 17 bc3
f @ ,-hl 19 9e2, with a
thlrtihite.
I
gf6 23.95 t*e7 24.4g6.
22.6e5 A sweet revenge for his lessons a
21.Be1Ae7 few years earlier. This time, the
his position, for instance 21...95
roles are reversed and it is my turn
to play without the queen!
22.W93 Vg7 23.f5 and the pres- 24...8h4 25.fe7 Wf3
sure mounts. The text-move is a It is curtains for Black: 25...998
prelude to an attractive queen sac- loses after 26.Ac5 d6 27.Ef8
rifice. (27.ed6 is also good enough)
22.t5h523.t6he4 27...Wf8 28.ef8ts €f8 29.9d6
gg8 30.ab6 and 25...Wh5 is im-
possible due to 26.trf8 &e7
27.Ac5 d6 28.9d6 @d7 29.4b6
mate.
26.4e4! 6e5
Or 26...sbe7 27.A8 gB 28.4c5
Ed8 29.trf3 trc4 30.Ad6 followed
by mate.
27.Ad8! 6lt7 28.496 Ea6
29.he5 Be3 30.trf2
Black resigned.
24.9h4!! In the post-mortem he could not
believe at first that the queen sac-
rifice was correct, possibly be-
it was me who played it! But
cause
he had to admit that it was not so
bad after all, and this game proba-
bly changed his opinion about my
talent for chess. In fac! afterwards
Qi JinExuan was quite happy to be-
come one of my trainers. He be-
carne one of my long-time trainers
and a member of my team of sec-
onds during the first World Cham-
pionship Match in 1991. We have
always had a very good relation-
ship and I am still Erateful for all
the effort and enerSy he put into
my chess education. I do not be-
lieve that he would mind having
this game presented as the first
one in this book, because he al-
ways enjoyed seeing improvement
ofhis student.

C
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ii Cightlv better, but White

I lin after 21.ed6 6d6
NEw IN CHEss ) 67

lnl
yermo reports fiom the Keres Memorial and the World Open in the midst of a bad streak
e
Reportandgamenotes:ALnxYgRtr,o t.lsry S mp
'Euerything Aou know is wrong,
Black is White, Up is Dou.tn,
and Short is Long.'
Weird Al'Yankouic's 'Bad Hair DaY'
I guess every chess player can
I attest to it - sometimes every-
I,n,ng lust goes wrongl Gone
for me are the happy days of 1996-
1997, when I felt nearly invincible
and knew I could compete on the
highest level in any tournament
be it a super-GM Wijk aan Zee or
Bill Goichber6!'s money-oriented
U.S. opens. That natural feel for
the Flow of the Game which effort-
lessly guides you through any
situations that appear on the
board - what people simply call
good form - abandoned me at
some poin! and ever since that
day my play has turned into hard
labor performed out of necessity
rather than as an artistic pleasure.
This is the thing that bothers me
more than anything. It's not sup-
posed to be this way! Chess plaY-
ers are a rare breed, we are blessed
with a unique opportunity to
make our living while doing what
we love to do, and that is more im-
o portant than all the money in the
l world. Sometimes we pay the
U to Set
price, sometimes we tend
o
=
e whiny, but, to quote my dear
U
68 I NEWIN CHESS
friend Nick de Firmian, 'Ctts
players work hard to eim '' -
right to whine/wine'. I gu€ss b
day is my turn to go througb tL
hard times, and I hope I can H
my head high, even if the ti* 5n
tournaments or so didn't hing r
any laurels and cost me os {
rating points.
Ratinps, curse them! lAi art a
slaved by having to score cfi?
half-points in order to stal'rp i
the rankings, simpty becausc tL
invitations depend on it Eru I
the World Championship tur d
ther giet invited by rating ap
don't. The cutoff figure i s,-
where around 2650,'anrthing le
would be uncivilized'- ht 1
number is relative to the sl4E
of the competition - it's om dl
to keep 2650 when pu hen I
score near 80% in any townd
and quite another when erq e i
nus score wouldn't htrrt d
With all due respect to tbe rqlfi
finest pawn pushers, their rdil
are kept artificially higtL ni i
'Bio-Dome' kind of chess rcha J
you have to do to is hang aru
in Category 19-21 tournamafs
Veselin Topalov plapd lile a il
iot in 1997, finishing with a in
score in virtually e\Er]' tflrr
ment - still he's up at 27liL f,t
pov wins 2-3 games a y+ar - d
he wants to be a World Claqn
forever. The next group of'c
asionally chosen ones' follqs tL
trend set by the 'role moddr"
there we got Judit Polgar. Bci
Gelfand, Valery Salov - dl tL
usual suspects, now joined by ttr
'rising' Russian stars S{rlEt
Rublevsky and Vadim Zr;:crgjffi
- how many Eames harc rL!
played so far in 1998? Comtioc&
Are these guys scared? I 6s
they are a touch (about C,oddhl
size) afraid of a wideopen c4

of a bad streak
-sn
pr know is wrong,
Vhite- L-p is Doutn,
d Short b Long.'
borcb 'Bad Hair Day'
Er srerli chess player can
tI tu ri - sometimes everY'
- ies g'-res xrong! Gone
;-&e :aF,Er- days of 1996-
frr I tiei-. nearty invincible
ts I e".rltr compete on the
I Ld i: an;- tournament
ITE{}t \\'ijk aan Zee or
:\sgs moneyoriented
s, Th^rt natural feel for
Fdtie Game which effort-
tites 1ou through any
i tilat appear on the
- uhat people simply call
h - abandoned me at
lin and ever since that
I fr' has turned into hard
F*rro€d out of necessity
fu ,as an artistic pleasure.
I lle $ung that bothers me
tn arything. It's not sup-
i be this way! Chess play-
clrare breed, we are blessed
e rmigue opportunity to
r liring while doing what
:b do, and that is more im-
t than aU the money in the
. Sometimes we pay the
metimes we tend to get
, hrt to quote my dear
friend Nick de Firmian, 'Chess
players work hard to earn their
right to whine/wine'. I guess to-
day is my turn to go through the
hard times, and I hope I can keep
my head high, even if the last six
tournaments or so didn't bring me
any laurels and cost me over 40
rating points.
Ratings, curse them! We are en-
slaved by having to score extra
half-points in order to stay up in
the rankings, simply because the
invitations depend on it. Even to
the World Championship you ei-
ther get invited by rating or you
don't. The cutoff figure is some-
where around 2650, 'anything less
would be uncivilized'. But any
number is relative to the strength
of the competition - it's one thing
to keep 2650 when you have to
score near 80% in any tournament
and quite another when even a mi
nus score wouldn't hurt much.
With all due respect to the world's
finest pawn pushers, their ratings
are kept artificially high. This is
'Bio-Dome' kind of chess when all
you have to do to is hang around
in Category 19-21 tournaments.
Veselin Topalov played like an id-
iot in 1997, finishing with a minus
score in virtually every tourna-
ment - still he's up at2740; Kar-
pov wins 2-3 games a year - and
he wants to be a World Champion
forever. The next group of 'occ-
asionally chosen ones' follows the
trend set by the 'role models';
there we got Judit Polgar, Boris
Gelfand, Valery Salov - all the
usual suspects, now joined by the
'rising' Russian stars Sergey
Rublevsky and Vadim Zviagintsev
- how many games have they
played so far in 1998? Combined?
Are these guys scared? I guess
they are a touch (about Codzilla's
size) afraid of a wideopen compe-
tition, where a high percentage
score is required to win money and
rating points. Funny, but they are
not afraid of playing Kasparov if
only because he's like 2850 or
something! What am I going to do
after I drop out of the 2650
heaven? Well, one thing I know: in
the chess world one has to be
really big to be able to afford a
substantial rating loss without suf-
fering a career breakdown - we,
the mortal grandmasters, live on
the edge, always a bad tournament
or two away from being relegated
into oblivion. When it happens to
a young player for the first time -
it's a tragedy, but even for those of
us who 'been there, done that' it's
always a painful experience, re-
gardless of how many times it has
happened before.
'Pardon me, I didn't mean to get
off on a rant here, but...' is the fa-
mous Dennis Miller (American
stand-up comedian) quote, often
used my friend, Dr. Danny Olim of
Las Vegas, Nevada. I guess this
turn to get nasty.
was my
Come to think of it, I can't com-
plain yet. Thanks to the 2660 rat-
ing I had on January 1998, I man-
aged to secure myself a couple of
nice invitations. Too bad that
these opportunities coincided with
a case of 'bad form', thus robbingl me
of a chance to make a 'big splash'.
Unfortunately, making one's sched-
ule is only a relatively free thing,
you have to play when you get a
chance, and not too many players
can pick and choose tournaments.
A HEART FILTED WIIH PRIDE
In mid-June, off I went to Estonia
to participate in a Paul Keres Me-
morial that is shaping up to be-
come an annual event. The field
boasted nine glrandmasters, some
ofthem from remote places - a fit-
ting way to commemorate Paul,
who was a real globe-trotter -
complete with a local untifled
player, Tarvo Seeman. The name
of Paul Keres fills the Estonian
heart with pride, as he's more like
an ambassador of his small and
proud country to the rest of the
world than just a chess player. To
understand the Estonians' affec-
tion for their hero, one needs to
visit this country located on a
small patch of land on the Baltic
Sea, squeezed between the super-
powers Russia and Western Europe.
The political ripples through the
fabric of the European balance of
powers have hit Estonia really
hard in the past, but its coura-
geous, quietly dignified people
have withstood everything. Nowa-
days Estonia sets its course to the
well-chartered waters of capital-
ism, in hopes of regaining the self-
sufficiency it takes to survive in to-
day's world. As a chess player, I
can only hope that the treasure of
the game of chess will not be lost
for future generations of
Estoni-
ans; and some things I saw during
my visit there help me to remain
optimistic.
The opening ceremony took place
in one of the oldest buildings I had
ever had the honor to be in, Tal-
linn City Hall, and featured speeches
by the Mayor and other City offi-
cials; Paul's widow, Mrs. Maria
Keres, was in attendance and was
presented with a bouquet.
The eventual winner of the tour-
nament, Nigel Short, got off on a
high note by swindling Joel Lau-
tier in Round One. Joel easily ob-
tained a better position, only to
butcher it near the time-control. A
gift like this can go a long way to
improve a player's confidence. Ni-
gel did just that, steamrolling
through the opposition for an out-
NEW IN CHESS 69
'
 YERMO ON THE ROAD
standing 7 out of 9 score! His vic-
tory over one of the hosts, GM
Lembit Oll, is a good example of
Ni gel's impressive performance.
sl 49.4
Nigel Short
Lemblt Oll
Tallinn 1998 (4)
1.e4 c5 2.6c3!
A tricky move order, handcrafted
to throw a Najdorf devotee off bal'
ance. The best moves, 2...6cG or
2...e6 are met by 3.4f3, and sorrY,
no Najdorftoday!
2...d6?13.t4
The Grand Prix Attack gains in
strength with Black havinE to
spend an extra tempo on d7d6d5.
3...6c6 4.4f3 gO 5.4c4 Ag7
6.0-0 eG 7.d3 6ge7 8.9e1
o-o?!
Nigel's little trickery apparently
had an overblown effect on Lem'
bit's ability to think, as he immedi
ately fell for a well-known trap.
Black is doing much better after
8...h6, which stops the f,t-fS attack.
9.fsd51O.Ab3c4?
One more step in the wrong direc-
tion. 10...gf5 11.ed5 ed5 12.4e2
A96 was called for.
L7..dc4d4
L2.t6l
'l think I saw this idea before', said
El Khalif after the game. Indeed,
after consulting his database he
found the game Khalifman(!)- Sa-
von, Tal Memorial, Moscow 1992.
70 t NEw IN CHEss
12...4f613.e5
This is the idea. White makes time
to get his knight to e4; and while
the outcome may not be clear Yet,
Black will surely have to iart with
his valuable dark-squared bishop.
Lembit looked very unhappY at
this point.
13....og7
13...4e5 14.6e5 dc3 15.Uc3 Ae5
16.9e5 6f5 was played in the
above-mentioned game. White's
best option is 17.c3 to keeP the
queens on the board.
L4.4le4 6e5 15.6e5 AeS
16.ags
Nigel correcfly rejects the other
promising continuation, 16.4h6.
Black would play 16...4g7 17.6f6
Af6 18.9f8 Af5!, with great com-
pensation.
16...f5
16...tsc7 l7.af6 gg7 18.4h6 is
one of many dangerous variations
awaiting Black.
17.9h4 Ef7
Not 17...fe4, which just loses to
18.9e7 Efl 19.ff1 9c7 20.8f8
@97 21.tre8, with the unstoppable
threat of 22.4f8.
18.4f6 Af6
The no-yield attempt 18...9h8
19.trae1 (Mitkov-Stefansson, Hart-
berg 1991) 19....0d6 would be a
stubborn defense that would not
be easy to break down. White
would have to find the spectacular
idea 20.c5! (20.de4 Ab4 leads no
where) 20...9c5 2t.de4 Ab6
22.4f6 eg8 23.a95 d3 24.9h1
trf6 25.fe6! Ae6 26.8h7 €f8
27.6e6 tre6 28.4e6, with the un-
avoidable 29.Uf7 to follow.
19.Af6gf8 20.g:d4
Now White is enjoying a free ride
on the unchallenged strength of
his dark-squared bishop.
2O...6c6 21.Ae3 9e7
22.Ve7?t
Hard to understand. Keeping the
queens would guarantee White an
advantage no matter whal
22...8e7 23.c5
23...@97??
Somethingl needs to be said about
grandmaster Lembit oll. With all
the bookup - I had a chance to no-
tice that his knowledge of my fa-
vorite openin[ variations is at
least equal to mine, and I repeat
my variations - and a great tacti
cal talent he possesses. There's
one thing that has been holding
him back - Lembit lacks psycho-
logical toughness. When things go
his way, he'! as good as anybody in
this business, but things don't al-
ways go your way, Lembit and
you're going to have to learn to
deal with that. This game is a per-
fect example. Lembit got caught in
an unfamiliar opening setup,
worked his way through many
dangers, and then got a gift
(queen swap) from his opponent.
The game was his to save if he
could only have kept his head
clear. He absolutely had to play
andthen:
23...D,a51,
A\ 24.9a41 Ld7 (24...e5 25.495)
25.9-e5 Hf7 26.4d7 trd7 27.Ead7
H,c7t 28.9f4 (28.trd8 trd8 29.9d8
trc5 30.b4 trc8 31.4a5 b6)28...tre7
29.b4 4,c4 30.Efe1e5 31.trd4 b5!,
and Black is holding on;
B) 24.trad1 Ab3 25.trd8 €f7
26.ab3 trd7 27.fd1 trdl 28.trd1
€e8 - easy draw
24.Ags Ee8 25,Ed. I
26.Ad2e527.3:f,3
Now Black is simply gone
27...9eG 28.4e6 treG 2!f-B
Ee7 3O.Ee7 6e7 3L3!5cl
32.Edl-hc6 33.AcZ
Stoppin€ a rook swap thr r-
make thin$s less clear.
33...8e8 34.efl2 tre7 31f,1
Ee4 36.c3 a5 37n3 I
38.4c7 tre7 39-e-6 a
40.ab3 t4 4L.V a€5 tf2ta
Ee8 43.4c7 €ffi 4a-fc5f
45.trd2 Ee3 46-ca &
47.8b7 trc4 4a.OG2 IE
49.€d3 Eg2 5O.cG ffi Er I
1352.c7 gd7 5:1.b5
Black resigned.
slttoMAE stMUt
Four rounds were platred i t
linn, then the tournam€il E I
move to the resort town cf h
but the travel,/rest day re a
with action for many particif
I was driven about 2fi) b t
place called Sillomae ju*S-tr
the Russian border, to 1t'r e r
mul. This was a trub rmf:C
ble experience. Durbg S-
times Sillomae was dosed I r
foreign visitors and most Sd
citizens. In my 20odd viits bE
tonia I never came dce b t
place, which was domin*:il |t
super-secret radioactiw Ed
plant. Only the Commrmist 1J
know how many nuclearql
were armed by the final profur
the Sillomae Enterprise- fh r
crecy determined the rnehlt r
the population - most of tb rr
dents were and still are Rruir
but the plant is there no r
Seven years into indep#
but the place still carries i- r
mistakable flavor of old Sli
towns - and that natu-Iy i
cludes a love for ttre C r
chess. Tables were set up d#i
 guarantee White an
no matter what.
Zl.c5
ds to be said about
I-€mbit oll. with all
- I hd a chance to no-
5s ho*ledge of my fa-
variations is at
b nine, and I repeat,
rs - and a Eeat tacti-
hc possesses. There's
ifnt has been holding
- I-eobit lacks psycho-
When things go
es good as anybody in
hrt things don't al-
Fr way, Lembit, and
ilf to have to learn to
that- This garne is a per-
I-mbit got caught in
opening setup,
Is *ay through many
od then got a gift
from his opponent.
vas his to save if he
have kept his head
$solutely had to play
adttren:
tu17 124...e5 25.C95)
?f,J,dT E,d7 27.Eadl
(28.trd8 trd8 29.4d8
Erf 313a5 b6) 28...tre7
3O-ffel e5 31.trd4 b5!,
B holding on;
r ab3 25.trd8 €f7
ga? 27.Adt trdl 28.trd1
draw.
24.9.:g5 Ee8 25.HadL h6
26.Ad2e527.9:c3
Now Black is simply gone.
27...fueB 28.AeG treG 29.8d7
treZ 3O.Ee7 6e7 31.4e5 €f7
32.8d16c6 33.4c7!
Stoppingl a rook swap that would
make things less clear.
33...8e8 34.@12 Ee7 35.AdG
Ee4 36.c3 a5 37.b3 a4
38.Ac7 tre7 39.gb6 ab3
4o.ab3 t4 47..b4 6e5 42.4d8
Ee8 43.4c7 €fG 44.4e5 tre5
45.trd2 tre3 46.c4 Ec3
47.8b7 trc4 48.&e2 trc2
49.€d3 Eg2 s0.c6 €eG 51.b5
t352.cZ €d7 53.bG
Black resigned.
SIttOMAE SIMUL
Four rounds were played in Tal-
linn, then the tournament was to
move to the resort town of Parnu,
but the travelrest day was filled
with action for many participants.
I was driven about 200 km to a
place called Sillomae, just short of
the Russian border, to $ve a si-
mul. This was a truly unforgetta-
ble experience. During Soviet
times Sillomae was closed to all
foreign visitors and most Soviet
citizens. In my 20odd visits to Es-
tonia I never came close to that
place, which was dominated by a
super-secret radioactive materials
plant. Only the Communist gods
know how many nuclear weapons
were armed by the final product of
the Sillomae Enterprise. The se-
crecy determined the make-up of
the population - most of the resi-
dents were and still are Russians,
but the plant is there no more.
Seven years into independence,
but the place still carries an un-
mistakable flavor of old Soviet
towns - and that naturally in-
cludes a love for the game of
chess. Tables were set up right in
City Park, and the crowd was im-
pressive in size and knowledge. It
took me near four hours to com-
plete a 26-board simul and answer
numerous questions about the
current state of affairs in the chess
world. I think I came back to the
tournament with a renewed sense
of purpose, realizing that there's
more in being a glrandmaster than
just receiving appearance fees for
the tifle. It was nice to know that
there are some people out there
who want to meet you, play a
chess game with you, or simply
shake your hand.
I moved to Parnu re-enerSized
and willing to do my best in the re-
maining games. You'll be the
judge of how I kept my promise.
But first I'd like to show an excit-
ing game between the hosts and
long time rivals.
st30.8
Lembit Oll
Jaan Ehlvest
Parnu 1998 (5)
The Batfle Of Estonia was one of
the main features of the tourna-
ment. Lately it has been going
Oll's way; according to Lembit he
hasn't lost a regular time<ontrol
game to Jaan in ten years!
1.e4 c5 2.Aftl d6 3.d4 cd4
4.ad4 6fG 5.6c3 6cB 6.495
eG 7.8d2 aG 8.O{{ Ad7 9.f4
b5
Jaan, who's been struggling with
his game recently, shows his fight-
ing spirit, choosing a difficult but
fighting system as Black. While
many GMs have tried it occasion-
ally, nobody lost as many times
with it as I did - with the possible
exception of Grandmaster Kozul.
10.4f3?!
Lembit, 'Secret Agent Oh - Double
One', can be practical too. Here he
setfles for a relatively unknown
line in hopes of derailing Jaan's
preparation. In general, White
must be happy with 10.4f6 gf6.
1O...b4 11.4f6 VtG L2.6,e2
9d813.6ed4
White has paid a hefty price for
his edge in development his dark-
squared bishop. The strateEty is
dictated by those circumstances,
White will play f4-f5 soon and tar-
get the e6-pawn. Jaan's inexperi
ence in these positions was telling
on his next move, which may have
been a more serious mistake than
it looked.
13...9b6?
The way to go was 13...9e7!, offer-
ing a pawn White would hardly
dare to accept:
A) 14.4c6 Ac6 15.Wb4 trbS
16.9d4 0-0 17.4a6? (my com-
puter wants to play this move.
Okay, let's see. 17.e5 tsa5 18.4c4
is more level-headed) 17...Wa5
18.4c4 Af6 19.e5 AB 20.ef6 Adl
2l.fg7 trfc8, and my silicon com-
panion is no longer happy with
White's game;
B) 14.f5 ad4 15.9d4 0-0 (here
White must admit that he doesn't
have anything going against e6,
and has to shift gears) 16.e5 ef5
17.ed6 Af6 18.Wf4 Ae6, and
Black's glot a dangerous attack in
the making;
C) 14.eb1! This typical prophy-
lactic move enables White to re-
capture on d4 with the knight (af-
ter f4-fi), thus keeping the pres-
NEW IN CHESS ) 71
 YERMO ON THE ROAD
sure on e6. There may follow
14...0-0 15.f5 6d4 16.6d4 e5
17.4f3 9c6 18.4d3 a5 L9.94 a4
20.95 b3, with mutual chances
(how original!).
L4.t5o,d4L5.6d4 trc8
A decision that is not easY to make
- the king will remain in the cen-
ter. However, it was too late for
15...e5 16.6f3, as the threat of
17.6e5 throws Black off stride,
and 16...Ac6 is, of course, met bY
17.4c4!.
16.fe6 fe6 L7.3:e2 Ec5
18.494 tre5
I've seen literally every black piece
occupying the eS-square in the
Ad7, b5 variation. Here the rook
does the job, but Black's problem
lies elsewhere - the lack of coordi-
nation between the wings is really
difficult to overcome.
19.9d3 h5!? 20.4h3 trh6
21.€b1 a5 22.EheL a4 23.Elt3
tra5 24.e5
Lembit is looking for a way to
keep the black army split in two.
24...d5 25.6d4 9:e7 26.E;11'
9527.wd2
Somewhere around these parts
White went wrong. 27.8fJ looks
more direct. White keeps the edge
after 27 ...1h7 (27 ...e4 28.8f7 ed8
29.We7 gh3 30.eh3 wins) 28.g4
h4 (28...4c5 29.9f6) 29.trf2,
thinking of redeploying the bishop
with Af1d3.
27...Ec5 28.E8 trc4 29.Ed3
trh8 3O.g4 h4 31.4f5?!
72 ) NEWIN CHESS
Unable to find a constructive plan,
Lembit gambles a piece.
3L...9f4?
I say 31...ef5 32.9f5 g4 -, and
what's Eoing on? Isn't Wh-ite just a
piece down?
32.497 €d8
In case of 32...*f7,33.4h5 tr2
34.trf1 trf1 35.4f1 looks strong,
but White is yet to find a put-away
after 35...4b5 36.tr4 €g6 37.9d3
Ad3 38.9d3 €h6. His back rank
weakness is a serious liability.
33.8d5!
Finally we get to see Oh - Double
One in action. Black is thorouEhly
busted in all lines.
33...ed5 34.9d5 AdG
No help is delivered by 34...9a7
35.e6 Af6 36.ed7 9;87 37.tsg5
trf6 38.997 trhf8 39.8g5.
35.ed6 €c8 36.4g2 9a7
37.4f5 tr94
White also wins after 37...h3
38.Ae4 tre8 39.be7 €b8 40.4c6
9c641.tsc6 !fe442.d7.
38.6e7 @dB 39.9e5 Ee8
4O.6cG 9cG 41.8f6 €c8
42.4c6
Black resigned.
A touEih loss for Jaan, who was
haunted by tactical oversights
throu$hout the tournament.
Now my efforts from Rounds Six
through Eight, when I came close
to breaking the string of draws by
winninE or losin6l - it almost
didn't matter.
Alex Yermolinsky
Nlgel Short
Parnu 1998 (6)
My innocuous treatment of the
Queen's Gambit Declined turned
out to be surprisinglly efficient. Ni-
gel lost a pawn and had to walk a
tightrope only to survive up to
this point. White's advanced pawn
provides indirect support to the
dominating knight and I was view-
ingl the situation quite optimisti-
cally.
5L.g4
5l.dc7 is harmless: 51...€e7
52.ab5 €d7 53.ha7 3.a3 54.b5
€c7 55.4c6 9b6, easily reaching
a draw.
51....Aa3
Let's look at 51...95? first. I was
hopingi to provoke this move, be-
cause it greatly improves my
chances on the kingside. I was go-
ing to play 52.@f3 (52.dc7 is still
premature' because of 52...@e7
53.4b5 @d7 54.da7 Aa3 55.b5
*c7 56.6c6 €b6) 52...4a3
53.9e4 Ab2 (53...a6 54.€d4 .Ab2
55.€c5 is simple: the king gobbles
the a and b-pawns), and now
White commences his operations
with 54.4c7! (not 54.€f5 a6
55.dc7 €e7 56.4a6 Ae5, with a
draw) 54.-@e7 55.4b5 &d7
56.6a7 Aa3 57.b5 €c7 58.hc6
€b6 59.8f5 €b5 60.4b8, winning
on the kingside.
52.h4?
A miscalculation that throws my
chances away. I was a bit too con-
cerned with the plan Ac1d2, fol-
lowed by a7-a5, and paid less at-
tention to the more obvious idea
of a piece sacrifice. Of course, I
had to bring the king up with the
natural 52.€B!. The following
analysis proves White's win:
A) 52..3.b4 53.4M {be7sf,&
(stoppingl the pawnr 5l0r
€d6 55.6a7 b4 would prcd
higher degree of dffioilty - r
thing we don't get extra ptiE I
in a chess competition) 5,1-O
55.€e4, and with more prrl
on the board White wrll h- r
obstacles on his way to a riq
B) 52...9.b2 53.t9e4 S 5ll
Aal 55.h5 f5 56.9f4 (s6.eE d
57.€f4 also looks good q
56...sh5 57.dhs Lbz s&€61
3'cl 6l-{l
59.€g5 3.b2 6016
Ab2 62.h7 Ad4 63.tr7 O
64.€96 €d7 65.4a6 rffi66.{I
reaching a well-known pcflit
which the knight is able u g
pluard the remaining parq
C) 52...4c1. White can ea$1
wrong now: if 53.$Gt, t
53...9.95! 54.ed4 Se8 (hl r
54...f5? because it's too cefi
commit to this pawn more S'a
efl 56.*e5 f4 57-ffi -tl
58.4f6!) 55.8c5 Od7 56-ff
57.9t5 efi 58.€c4 f4 59-Od3l
and there's no point in cdi
- it's a draw.
The right move iq of ou
53.h4!, and Black is facing E
after both 53...9d2 54.{D"2.t
55.€d3 f5 56.9f5 96 s7-0d{rtl
58.€c5 Ae5 59.Qb5 f,r (SlLtr
60.€c4 Ae7 6l.de7 ee? 6rq
gf6 63.b5, and Whitc i
60.€c4 A 61.eff, stoppif ft
pawn in time; and 53-E 5l.1l
Ab2 55.€f4, with h4i5 to tu
52...f5!
I was unable to find a win I
this strong move.
s3'gf5
My first intention was to f
53.h5 gh5 54.gf5, untilr"5 I
that 54...4b4! would vrut r
way: 55.4b4 €e7 56-€g! r
57.4d5 €d6! (the morc I -
57...*t7 58.9h4, and the tlll
will take care of the paYd 5A/
 indirect support to the A) 52..3b4 53.4M *e7 54.6a6! (overextending the pawn) 58...€e6 B) 57...€f7! - right.58.€f4 (after
hight and I was view- (stopping the pawns. 54.6c6? 59.Ch4 a4! 60.€h5 a3 61.€96 58.4c3, the move 58...9g7 secures
dDntion guite optimisti- €d6 55.4a7 b4 would present a €d5!, and suddenly Black has win- the draw) 58...a4 59.€5 b4 60.4b4
higher degree of difficulty - some- ning chances. Then I looked at a3 61.h6 gg8 62.€96 €h8 leads
thing we don't Set extra points f-or 53.95, onlyto rcalize that my king to the game continuation.
in a chess competition) 54...9d6 will have no chance to enter the 57...ef0 58.ef4 a4 59.4b4
55.€e4, and with more pawns left play after 53...4e5!. a3
on the board White will have no s3...9f5 54.h5 White has to mark time with the
obstacles on his way to a win; Played in frustration. 54.€B was knight, thus letting Black to get
B) 52...4b2 53.€e4 a6 54.h4 somewhat better, even though it rid of the b-pawn.
Aal 55.h5 f5 56.€f4 (56.gf5 ghs wouldn't change the outcome. 60.o,a2b4
57.€f4 also looks good enough) Now Black must sacrifice: This clearly draws, but for curiosi-
56...gh5 57.dh5 Cbz 58.€f5 gg7 54...4b4 55.4b4 €e7 56.6c6 €f6 ty's sake we can look at the objec-
59.€g5 3.b2 60.h6 Ac1 61.€h5 57.6a7 b4 58.4b5 b3, and the tively weaker move. 60...9g7
9.b2 62.h7 9:d4 63.dc7 @e7 black king goes to h5. 61.€f5 gh6 62.@94 Eg7 63.4b4
64.9g6 €d7 65.6a6 €d6 66.9f7, s4...3.b4 €h6 64.9h4 €g7 65.9g5 €h7
reachingl a well-known position in Unnecessary, as Black had a clear 66.h6 €g8! 67.€96 €h8 68.6a2
- hrnless: 51...€e7 which the knight is able to safe- draw in the pawn ending that re- €g8 69.hc1 gh8! (69...b4? 70.h7
Off 53-?^aZ ga3 54.b5 guard the remaining pawn; sults after 54...9c1 55.€g3 Ag5 €h8 71.4ffi mates) 70.h7 a2
ttc eadb reaching C) 52...9c1. White can easily go 56.€f3 Ae7 57.de7 €e7 58.€f4 77.da2 b4 72.dcl b3, and the
wrong now: if 53.€e4, then Ef6 59.h6 €g6 60.h7 eh7 61.€f5 pawn queens with check - so it's a
53...4e5! 54.€d4 €e8 (but not ge7. draw anyway.
d 5f-95? firsl I was 54...f5? because it's too early to 55.4b4 €e7 56.€f3 a5 61.4b4 &87 62.€fs eh6
jmrae this move, be- commit to this pawn move: 55.gf5 63.€94 697 64.€gs €h7
gedy improves my gf5 56.€e5 f4 57.9f5 gh6 65.h6
thc tiesi<te- I was go- 58.4f6!) 55.€c5 ed7 56.eb5 f5 Nigel carefully checked variations
it
fl,iilBl52.Ac7 is still 57.9f5 gfi 58.€c4 f4 59.€d3 f3, before selecting a square for the
t-*e of 52...@e7
rM 5fan7 0,3 55.b5
and there's no point in continuinEi
- it's a draw.
I king.
6s...Sg8 66.6g0 €h8 67.6a2
il$) 52...9a3 The right move is, of course, gg8 68.€g5 €h7 69.6c3
ffit -f 54.€d4 Ab2 53.h4!, and Black is facing defeat dl
E €g8 7O.6a2 gh7 71.€h5
tbe king gobbles after both 53...9d2 54.cbe2 ilcl liii
€h8
bprns), and now 55.9d3 f5 56.gf5 gf5 57.9d4 Ab2
iilliliili:
Draw.
his operations 58.€c5 Ae5 59.€b5 f4 (59...4d6
! (od 54.€f5 a6 60.€c4 9e7 6l.de7 €e7 62.€d5 57.6cG Gt 2.L4
ifr56.ea6 ge5, with a €f6 63.b5, and White wins) Missing a better move once again! Utut Adianto
5aiD.7 55.4b5 €d7 60.€c4 B 61.9d3, stopping the f- I could at least set a trap with Alex Yermolinsky
-|r3 57-b5 €c7 58.4c6 pawn in, time; and 53...f5 54.95! 57.6d5: Parnu 1998 (7)
{bb5 6O.aM, winning Ab2 55.€f4, with h4-h5 to follow. A) 57...€e6? - wrong. 58.€f4! Ld4 af6 2.4t3 g6 3.93 gg7
52...f5! b4 (58...a4 59.dc7 €f6 60.4b5 4.l;92 d5 5.O{ 0-0 6.c4 dc4
I was unable to find a win after €e6 61.€g5, and the black pawn 7.4a3 c3 8.bc3 c5 9.e3 6cG
that throws my this strong move. is not far enough to save the king, 1O.Ab2 Afs 11.8e2 e5
ap I was a bit too con- s3'gfs e.g. 61...9ff 62.gt5 gg7 63.€95 1',2.6,c4 ed4 13.cd4 Ae4
the plan Ac1d2, fol- My first intention was to play €h7 64.h6 egS 65.996 €h8 L4.Etd7, cd4 15.4d4 gg2
f€, and paid less at- 53.h5 ghs 54.9f5, until | rcalized, 66.4d6 a3 67.h7 a2 68.6f7 mate) 16.€92
I ltc more obvious idea that 54...4b4! would work any- 59.4b6 a4 60.6a4 b3 61.eg5 €ff So far the players had repeated
Of course, I way: 55.6b4 9e7 56.€83 a5 62.€f5 (same story here) 62-.@97 the moves from an earlier glame
-ffice.
the king up with the 57.4d5 €d6! (the move I missed; 63.€95 €h7 64.h6 eg8 65.996 Andersson-Yerm olinsky.
se.eB!- The following 57...€lt7 58.€h4, and the knight gh8 66.4b2 €g8 67.hc4 €h8 16...9ds?
White's win: will take care of the pawns) 58.f6 68.6e5 b2 69.4ff €g8 70.h7; I carelessly followed the path, al-

NDw rN CHEss ) 73
 YERMO ON THE ROAD

though it was high time to stoP to find 20...trad8! 2l.6,d6 ad4 32...a3 33.6c4 9n2 *g
and take a second look. Then I 23.€h1 tre824.db7; and Black survives. trc835.6bG
would have chosen 16...6d4 17.1d4 B) 20.e4 fac8 21.4f6 gf6 21.9b3 That feisty knight is a timetql
9c7 18.trad1 ffd8 19.6d6 Ae8 22.6,e3 produces sterile equality. 2l.ad6 6d422.r*e4 Ed6 23.4d4 nightmare - it can fet virh.nllY I

20.Ec4 Wb6, with no particular 17...Ub518.Eab1 would also be unpleasanl any square. With age and ry
problems for Black. Not bad, but I was more concerned 27....o,a5 ence I have started to Fd
17.4f3! with occupying the d6-square. 21...trfd8 22.ad6 Ec7. This cold' knights to bishops - it iu* *
A huge improvement over the An- This purpose is served by 18.Sc2!. blooded defense was far superior too much to watch out for { d
dersson game that went 17.fl} 18...Ua619.AfG to what I did. tactics knights can create- 56
trfd8 18.Eac1 Ad4 19.9d4 9e6, Simple chess. Utut appears to be 22.oa5Va5 23.trd6! ier timecontrols certainh' cmi
and a draw was agreed in view of contentwith a small advantage. ute to this decision.
the following: 19....Af6 2o.Vc2Eac8? 35...trb8 36.4d5 AgZ 37.CIr
A) 20.4a5 looks a bit risky, but I saw the ide4 but chose the @f8?
it works. 20...a94?l 21.tre1 3'd4 wrong way to make it work. I had Of course, I err. 37...€h8 3&?-r
Ef8 39.Edd7 €g8 40 :di -tt
and Black seems to hold-
38.6c6
Now the ff-pawn is a goner-
38...Ee8 39.trdd7 egg {O-e
Af8 41.trfc7! trb2
A tough call, but I figured th!.
An intermediate move I
clearly pawn was untouchabla In&
missed. Now Black is in danger of 41...tre3 42.8c8 E,ee?,13.ic7 O
losing his queenside pawns, and in 44.690 eg6 45.trf8 lal 16-A
the resulting middle game/ending @97 47.8c8, and White is rfrri
with four against three, White's easily.
superior minor piece will offer him
excellent winningl chances. I had no
,E.Ag
choice but to scramble for dear life.
23...Ec6 24.trd5 gb6!? 25.trb5
Ba6 26.Eb7 Ec3 27.8d5?
I saw 27.8d1, and this move got
me wondering what the hell I was
going to do. Life after 27...1Wa2
28.Ea1 tsc4 29.traa7 Ecl 30.Ea4
Bc6 31.tsd7 is not even going to
be torture - White will probably
win in a few moves. 42.6d4??
27...E:c2 28.trd7 V a2 29.V a2 An unexpected gift Remind c'
tra2 3O.Ebb7 a5 31.8a7 send UfutAdianto a Chritusa
Still much better for White. I de- The obvious continuatim r
cided to hang on to my pawn as 42.de7 Ae7 43.Ae7 ae7 1L11r
long as I could, hoping to get a mi- a2 45.1a7, and then J'd rhcoh
nor preces swap as an escape have to find 45...g5! My oDEm
clause. got concerned with this nxrre, r
N
F
37....a432.6ld2 just a bit too much. \l'hft q-
=
F
32.94! I don't know what I'd have
- good, 45...95 is not able to g
:
l
F done against tlis simple plan: White Black, as Ulf Andersson and I*
I
advances his kingside majority to Morovic demonstrated in tbc p
Nigel Short showed himself a master of psychologlcal warfare create threats against my king. mortem: 46.94 €A 47.Og3! tth
74 D NEWIN CHESS
 2t.ad6 ad4, 32...a3 33.6c4 gb2 34.gdl eningf2-f4) 47.,tre2 48.9f3 Eb2 I rejected the more natural 24.8e4,
grvNEs. 8c835.6b6 49.e4 trb3 50.€e2 fH 51.Ea2 because I wanted to keep my
That feisty knight is a time-trouble &fT 52.1a7 9f6 53.fa6 9e5 54.8 queen on the g-file to discourage
2,-lte{. gd6 23.4d4 nightmare - it can get virtually to fh2 55.€e3 trhl 56.tra5 €f6 gh4 (Whitewill have Wg7 then).
rmpleasant any square. Wth age and exPeri-' 57.trf5 €g6 58.e5, and White 24...6ld525.8e4
ence I have started to Prefer should win in the long run. It turned out that I had to do it
ZLOdG trc7. llris cold- knights to bishops - it just takes 42...tre3 anyway, because after 25.trac1
vas far superior too much to watch out for all the Now Black is quite safe, because of 6,b4 26.trc7 da2 the rook can't
tactics knights can create. Speed- the a3-decoy. escape the harassment.
23.trd6! ier time-controls certainly contrib- 43.Ec8 a2 44.traa8 &C7 25...eh4 26.4d5
ute to this decision. 45.Ef8 a1E 46.trg8 @f7 A time-trouble decision. I thought
35...trb8 36.Ads gg7 37.6,e2 47.Ei#ts€.97 I'd keep winning chances in the
€f8? Draw. endgame, and decided not to
Of course, I err. 37...€h8 38.6c6 bother with the more ambitious
trf8 39.trdd7 €g8 40.Ed3 gb2, RE24.tO 26.af4l?.
and Black seems to hold. Alex Yermolinsky 26...9d5 27.9d5 ed5 28.hh4
38.6cG Jaan Ehlvest €d7
Now the ff-pawn is a goner. Parnu 1998 (8) The following sequence of swaps is
38...tre8 39.trdd7 €98 40.trf7 1.6f3 e6 2.g3 af6 3.492 ds practically forced.
Af8 41.trfc7! trb2 4.OQ Ae7 5.d3 c5 6.abd2 29.Eac1 Ehc8 30.Ec8 trc8
A tough call, but I figured the e3- 6c6 7.e4 b6 8.tre14b7 9.c3 31.Ec8 *c8 32.af5 9.f8
mole I clearly pawn was untouchable. Indeed, 9c71O.6f1 33.€f1
E& ir in danger of 41...Ee3 42.Rc8 \ee2 43.de7 @f7 An old idea of GM Dorfman's. Now White is threatening the d-
ile pawns, and in 44.a96 9g6 45.trf8 tral 46.Ea6 White is trying to take advantage pawn, because the king can help.
irEe ome/ending @97 47.\c8, and White is winning of the queen move by getting 33.4e3? Aa3 34.4d5 Abz
{ild three, White's easily. Acl-f4 in. wouldn'twork.
riarwfll offer him 10...d411.e5 33...€d7
dmces. I had no Em€ I knew I couldn't alldw e6e5. Jaan
br dear life. I is deadly when he holds a space
tE?
trG32l7.gd5?
25.trbs
al advantage.
77....ad7 L2.Ve2 dc3 13.bc3
d this move got b5 14.d4 cd4 15.cd4 6b4
rfr* tbe hell I was 16.4d2
-. UE aftrr. 27-..Va2 White manages to control the
,9:ea7 trcl 30.8a4
b d errcn going to
sl penetration lines, but it's
tionable if the pawn structure is in
ques-

- ffite will probably his favor.

42.6it4?? 16...aG 17.Eec1 gd8 18.h4 h6?
?a229.Va2 An unexpected gift. Remind me to Jaan overreacts to the Cg5/ags
r5lr tra7 send Ufut Adianto a Christmas card. threat. 34.&e2?
DdE tur White. I de- The obvious continuation was 19.6e1! Another endgame slip! I clearb
m to my pawn as 42.de7 Ae7 43.8e7 treT 44.8e7 The queen will get to 94, exerting saw that my kingl could stop the
hofing to get a mi- a2 45.1a7, and then I'd absolutely pressure on the kingside weak- black queenside pawns at a lei-
ry as an escape have to find 45...95! My opponent ened by the pawn move, h7-h6. surely pace, so I had a free move
got concerned with this move, and 19...9g2 20.a,92 ab6 to improve the kingside situation.
just a bit too much. While quite 2t.wg495 The logical 34.94 comes to mind.
horwhatl'd have good, 45...95 is not able to save A brave decision, but there was Let's look at 34...a5 35.€e2 a4
lIs siple plan: White Black, as Ulf Andersson and Ivan nothing else to do. 36.€d3 €c6 37.f4 b4 first. It only
fitgrid€ majority to Morovic demonstrated in the post- 22.Ab4 Ab4 23.hfe3 Ae7 looks just like in the game, but the
mykin!. mortem:46.94 €f8 47.€93! (threat- 24.trc61? position of the g and h-pawns

NEW IN CHESS ) 75
 YERMO ON THE ROAD
makes a huge difference. 38.€c2
€b5 39.6e3 €c6 40.€d2! (trian-
gulation to win (lose) a tempo)
40...9e7 41.4f5 gf8 42.9d3 gb5
43.de3 @cG 44.f5 (now the bishop
can't come out, and Black gets
squeezed in a final Zug^Nang)
44...9e7 45.fG 9.f8 46.@c2.
If that's the case, Black needs to
change the course of events:
34...€e6 35.6e3 f6!, and that's his
only chance. I realized this while
contemplating my 34th move -
bad timingl! I had to simply play
34.94 and force Jaan to find the
pawn sacrifice. An attempt to im-
prove, in fact, backfired, as I
missed something simple. Going
back to the position after 35...f6 I
must say that White would have
kept some winning chances: 36.ef6
gf6 37.4d5 €e6! (suggested by
El Khalif, who played the role of
soul doctor to a deeply depressed
yours truly) 38.4f4 (38.6c7 €d6
39.4a6 9e7 40.t4 3,d4 41.@e2
Ac3 42.€d3 Ae1 has the looks of
a definite draw) 38...€f6 39.€e2
gd6 40.9f3 a5 41.6d3 b4 42.@e4
a4 43.€d5, etc.
34...h5!
There's the rub! The game now
settles down to a position in which
White can't put his opponent into
Zugntang, unlike in the notes to
White's 34th.
35.f4 a5 36.6e3 6c6 37.6d3
a4 38.€c2 b4 39.Sd3 Ae7
40.afsaf8
40...9d8 41.4h6 C.b6! would
force a repetition after 42.4f5. lt
is instructive, however, to study
42.af7. My analysis shows that
White would pay dearly for this
liberty. The critical position arises
after 42...b3 43.ab3 a3 44.*c2
Ad4 45.€b1 Af2 46.e6. Now
Black is at a crossroads:
A) 46...4g3? 47.e7 @d7 48.4d6
€e7 49.6f5 €f6 (49...ed7? 50.ag3
76 ) Now rN CHsss
h4 51.4f1 d4 52.@a2 d3 53.€a3
h3 54.9b2 even loses) 50.4g3 h4
51.4f1 Sf5 52.b4 &f4 53.@a2 d4
54.€a3 h3 55.b5 €e5 56.€b4 d3
57.rbcL 9d6, with a drafi;
B) 46...d4!, avoiding the fork and
setting up a typical endgame situa-
tion in which even I would admit
the bishop's superiority. 47.@a2
d3! 48.6e5 €d6 49.4ffi gg3
50.f5 h4 51.6c5. White finds this
only move, but Black appears to
be winning after 51...€e7 52.de4
9d6,e.g.53.df2 €f6 54.6e4 *e5.
4L.6e3 Ae7 42.olt5 Af8
43.€d2 €b5 44.6e3 €c6
45.€c2 Ae7 46.afs Af8
47.eG €b5 48.6e3 €c6
49.f54h6
The bishop manages to sneak out
before White plays f5-f6.
5O.6c2Af8 51.6e1AhG
s2.f6?
I simply had to swallow my pride
and take a draw while it was there.
The ill-considered pawn push
opens a path for the black king.
52...@it7 53.€e2 €e6 54.6d3
af8 s5.af4 €f5 s6.€f3
56.4d5 would have had disastrous
consequences: 56...€e4 57.6c7 b3
58.ab3 ab3! (58...a3 allows White
to escape: 59.4b5 Ab4 60.e6 fe6
6t.f7 a2 62.6c3 Ac3 63.f89 a19
64.9f4 gds 65.We5 €c6 66.We6)
59.9d1 gh6 60.4b5 €d5, and I
fail to see any defense.
56...b3 57.ab3 ab3
Believe it or no! I only looked at
57...a3 58.6d5 a2 59.6e3. This positions against Adianto, E
mental block nearly ruined my man and Morovic! 814 qt I
'perfect' score in the tournament. doesn't seem unrealisic if
58.4d5 b2 59.6c3 Ab4 look at the games. Nigd fu
60.4b1 lot of determination aul f#
Now White is in mortal danger, spirit and his resuft br
and it took a miracle not to lose deserved. Wth the fir$ Fir
this game after all. ready in his pocket he tdc
60...4e161.6a3 €e6 demolish the defeoses d
61...4c3 62.@e3 9g4 was harm- sturdy Swede Ulf Anderssm.
less in view of 63.€d3, and the
white pawns save the day: QO 15.7
63...4a5 (63...4b4 64.6b1 €93 Nlgel Short
65.d5) 64.*c2 €93 65.Sb2 h4 Ulf Andersson
66.dc4 -Sd8 (66...h3 67.e6) Parnu 1998 (9)
67.8-te3 h3 68.€c3 gB 69.4f1. Ld4 AfO 2.c4 6 3.8
62.@e4 Ag3 63.d5 €dz 4.6f3 e6 s.Ags AE a
64.6f5 €eB 65.e6 Ah4! 9a5 7.cd5!
My last trick in mutual time- Nigel has shown himscff e r
trouble. of psychological warfare tLr
66.€e5 out the tournamenl He fu
66.d6? fe6 67.€e6 Af6 and wins. his opponents mauy ft
White needs to keep his e-pawn, styles (faces) of Nigel Shrt r
because it coordinates better with every time correctly cbc*
the knight. course of the Eame tiat rl
66...4f2 the most unpleasant for li r
Here's the proof: 66...fe6 67.de6 victim. Here he wins aD qE
Af6 68.€fO h4 69.e7 h3 70.4b5 battle by bluffing (my rp*l
blg 71.4d6, annihilating the board. Nigel, but you can't be ttcu
67.@14 Ac5 68.4b1 h4 greatest expert on $rp r
69.eg4 ad4 7O.€h4 af6 tions after 7...hd5) his or
71.€94fe6
Draw.
In the last round I still had a
chance to join the circle of win-
ners (with a pathetic +1!), but I
couldn't get anything going l Short G
against Seeman - in fact I was 2 Adianto G
worse - and it capped my unique 3 Khalilman G
performance in the 1998 Keres
4 Morovic Fernan@ G
Memorial. Where can I go for a
memory wipe-out and will my in- 5 Yermolinsky G
surance cover the costs? 6 Lautier G
7 Andersson G
While the rest of the field strug-
gled, Nigel Short went full speed 80il G
ahead by winning a lot of games. 9 Ehlvest G
He won five, but can consider him- 10 Seeman
self unlucky, as he blew winning
5&Zd5 a2 59.6e3. This positions against Adianto, I(halif- 7...ed5 15.h3 Ae6 16.he5 A6d7
iflo* nearty ruined my man and Morovic! 8/z out of 9 Yeah, Ulf isn't the kind of guy to L7.t4a,b6
rye b the toumament. doesn't seem unrealistic if you enter into complications in the In such a desperate sifuation I'd
b2 59.4c3 ab4 Iook at the games. Nigel showed a opening, we all know that. look at 17...del 18.de5 Ah4
lot of determination and fightihg 8.4d3 (18...d4 19.4e4) 19.9'h4 gh4
is in mortal danger, spirit and his result is well- Both guys seem to be novices to 20.e4, even if the final position is
r miracle not to lose deserved. Wth the first prize al- this position. I've seen 8.4d2 - better for White. Something like
deraIL ready in his pocket he went on to isn't that what White is supposed that simply had to be played.
Cr-aa3 ffi demolish the defenses of the to do here? 18.15 Ad7 19.e4 de4 2O.Ee4
f,A-it€.3 i?94 was harm- sturdy Swede Ulf Andersson. 8...4d6? af6
*r d 63.*d!, and the Choosing the wrong square for 20...4h7 21.Wb3 dg1 22.\94 is
lffi sarE the day: QO 15.7 the bishop, but most importanfly just too strong.
IrBlbl il.4b1 ge3 Nigel Short ignoring the chance to play
-L8d .g3 65.eb2 h4 Ulf Andersson 8...6e4, which is well-known in
-C.dE 166-ffi 67.e6\ Parnu 1998 (9) the theory as equalizing after
68-3,€3 iDfl 69.4f1.
ag" Gi.ds €d7
Ld4 af6 2.c4 cG 3.6c3 d5
4.6f3 e6 5.4g5 6bd7 6.e3
9.0-0
9.Uc2
ags 10.495 6f6.
I '|tffi n*
Er* E
CS-GGin4!
Euhnl time-
tsaS 7.cd5!
Nigel has shown himself a master
That's iL The black queen doesn't
belong on a5 in the Exchange
$a
of psychological warfare through-
out the tournament. He showed
Variation - as a result Black will
be a couple of tempi down com-
Aiir a
ffi-:lcf, A6 and wins. his opponents many different pared with normal positions.
m tctp his e-pawn, styles (faces) of Nigel Short, while 9...O-O 1O.0{ Ee8 11.a3 h6
qudioates better with every time correcfly choosing the L2.gh4 9d813.Eae1Ae7
course of the game that would be Ulf is unrecognizable in this game. 27..ajf71
the most unpleasant for his next White is given so much extra time Knifing througfr Black's position.
pre 66Je6 67.de6 victim. Here he wins an openingl that his very first offensive will The rest is agony.
h4 Bc7 b3 70.ab5 battle by bluffing (my apologies, probably be decisive. 21-...*t7 22.9b3 6e6
ffiingtheboard. Nigel, but you can't be the world's 14.493 af8 23.Ete7- Ads 24.4,d5 cds
.AEs 6&aD1 h4 greatest expert on sharp varia- The trick 14...4h5? 15.hd5 is old 25.9d5 Ac6 26.fe6 gg8
La 70.er4 Af6 tions after 7...6d5) his opponent. but still effective. 27.9f5 Ae4 28.3:e4 gd4

!d I still had a
i@ tbe circ.le of win- 123 4 5 6 7I9 0 TPR
udetic +l!), but I
ga iatrthiDg going ENG 2660 *1h1h121h11111 7 2831

- io hct, I was INA 2615 th*y21h1h1h1h1hyr1 5 2659

t qped my unique 3 Khalilman GM RUS 2660 thlh*1hlhvzlh1hvz1 5 26s4
m tbe 1998 Keres th1h1h*y2lzvz1h1hl
thrq an I go for a 4 Morovic Fernandez GM cHl 2600 5 2661

rf{d ad will my in- 5 Yermolinsky GM USA 2660 thy21hlh*vzy21hlzy, 4Y, 2611

frtds? 6 Lautier GM FRA 2645 Oyr1h1/21h*1h11hth 4Y, 2613
7 Andersson GM swE 2635 oyr1h1h1h1h*1h1h1 4Y2 2614
ilS d tbe field strug-
$tut wrt full speed I Oll GM EST 2645 o1hy21h1holh*11/2 4 2570
r lot of games. 9 Ehlvest GM EST 2610 OlhkkYrYrYrO*1 4 2574
fu! an consider him- 10 Seeman EST 2435 00OO1hlz0thO* 1lz 2363
u ht Herp winnin!
NEWINCHESS) 77
 YERMO ON THE ROAD
gd6 30.8h7 Ef8
29.9:112
31.Ag6 €e7 32.4e8 tre8
33.9e4 Ec8 34.9b7 Ec7
35.8e4 Ab2 36.9h4 g5
37.ghz €d8 38.898 €e7
39.4f2 Ac3 4O.Bfz
If you are fascinated with
rical patterns, then 40.trc1 tse6
4r.gh7 Wf7 42.trc3 Ec3 43.9e4
is optional.
4O...&d8 41.998
42.E.e4 4d243.93
Black resigned.
PIANET GOICHBERG
And I have to move on now to an-
other planet, the Planet Goichberg.
'So I went home, looked in a
mirror and said, 'You know,
g ou' re really world-class.'
Then I entered an open, but
despite what I was hoping,
I still got kicked in the ass!' -
King Bishop and the Squares
'The B-player Blues'
Every once in a while yet another
European-based GM decides to try
78 D Nrw lr cnpss
his luck in the USA. fu for the re'
sults (see the quote above) we also
get to read his musinEis about that
new experience in various chess
magazines. These rePorts are
quite similar - the expressions of
geomet- utter amusement, like 'how can
chess be played like this?'; then
the same details get mentioned -
bring your own equipment, the va-
€e7 riety of schedules, and - oh, hor-
ror - the fact that the lower sec-
tions compete for about the same
kind of money as what is offered to
worlddass GMs (heh-heh-heh) in
the Open Section. You know what,
this stuff is giettinS old! A couple
ofyears ago I chipped in my share
- the 1996 World Open report was
published in this very same maga-
zine (1996/6) - and the parties in-
terested in descriptions of the Ad-
am's Mark Hotel in hiatus can re-
fer to that article. So I'd better
stick to the games, which were
quite interesting, by the way.
Not much, if anything, has
changed since then. Only my per-
sonal situation was different: for
the first time in years I was com-
ing to Philly from elsewhere, not
home. Usually, June is kind of free. Afterwards I went to the b
slow, so I could get some rest and nament table to checl tle g
mental preparation for the tough- ings and I didn't like what I sr
est tournament in the world; but seemed like everybod-v $"s 6ri
not this time. I missed the first to have a perfect score fu
round of the 5-day schedule, the rounds! Suddenly I changcd r
most convenient one, because you mind and rushed to Direcr
Set used to the rhythm of two room to sign up for a 3do'sd
games a day, about as well as Your ule.
body can take it. I decided to take I played five S0-minrne g
a half-point bye, having figured that day, and came out vill
that some half-points would be points. It could have beext bdE
lost anyway. I just didn't expect it I hadn't gone braindead in hi
to happen so early - in Round a pleasant position againE tr
Three I drew WGM Esther Ep- Christiansen; s1 r^prs€. if
stein, wife of grandmaster Alexan- Danny Edelman had .clE
der lvanov. In fact, she almost got taken my queen that Yas tc
me beat, but with a pawn up in a lessly trapped in Round Fne
better position Esther giot a bit A little sacrificial attack wl
anxious to take more pawns and outwell in mutual timeuq*-
allowed some counterplay, after I got off to a fresh starl
which the perpetual check was
forced. With two points after three Gregory Markzon
rounds, I got into a pretty lousy Alex Yermollnsky
mood and somehow lost the abil- Phi ladel phi a (}day scfedi
ity to think straigfrt. The next 1998 (1)
morning at 10 a.m. I had a lecture
- a new feature of Goichberg's.
Lately in his tournaments Bill has
beEun to enlist grandmasters to =ll
give lectures that are admission-
29...Ee41 30.gh2 t
31.de4 Ba3 3ZW2 &
33.ed3?
My opponent didn't plaf'tbc r
stubborn move 33.9d1!- Eb
could easily go wrong: 33-l
34.@e2 6g3 35.6f! e/
36.tse5!; or 33...9b2 34-9-d[ i
35.cd3 6c3 36.€e1 tre6 37-Cill
was looking at 33...d3! 34.cd3 A
35.€c2 tre2 36.9e2 ae2 37-g
6d4, with a significant plur I
Black.
UhDtv. Jrme is kind of
I cudd !!et some rest and
Ff-ation for the tough-
b the world; but
tine- I missed the first
ti,e 5day schedule, the
one, because you
b the rhythm of two
about as well as your
hb L I decided to take
be. having figured
batrp<ints would be
t irrs didn't expect it
o carly - in Round
fuir IAGU Esther Ep-
d gr.odnader Alexan-
h hct sbe almost got
[d unn a pawn up in a
Estber got a bit
b h,b rore pawns and
@ @mterplay, after
check was
m pdnts after three
! rlr forto a pretty lousy
m*hff lost the abil-
fdighl The next
ISrm Ihadalecture
furc of Goichberg's.
tunaments Bill has
roE* grandmasters to
tlret ile admission-
free. Afterwards I went to the tour-
nament table to check the stand-
ings and I didn't Iike what I saw. It
seemed like everybody was going
to have a perfect score after 4
rounds! Suddenly I changed my
mind and rushed to Director's
room to sign up for a 3day sched-
ule.
I played five 50-minute glames
that day, and came out with 4 way and I caught a nasty summer
points. It could have been better if
I hadn't gone brain-dead in losing
a pleasant position against LarrY
Christiansen; or worse, if IM
Danny Edelman had actually
taken my queen that was hope-
lessly trapped in Round Five.
A little sacrificial attack worked
out well in mutual time-trouble, as
I got offto a fresh start.
Gregory Markzon
Alex Yermollnsky
Philadelphia (3-day schedule)
1998 (1)
29...tre4! 30.gh2 €a8
31.de4 Ba3 32.*d2 6e.4
33.9d3?
My opponent didn't play the most
stubborn move 33.€d1!. Black
could easily go wrong: 33...Wa1
34.*e2 ACa 35.€B ah1
36.Se5!; or 33...8b2 34.9e6! d3
35.cd3 Ac3 36.€e1 tre6 37.€f1. I
was looking at 33...d3! 34.cd3 Ac3
35.€c2 Ee2 36.Ve2 de2 37.*d2
6d4, with a significant plus for
Black.
33...8b4
Now there's simply no defense.
34.4e6 EeG 35.Ehf1hc5
Mate.
Anyway, Ithoroughly exhausted
myself to get the score that was
still within my reach had I stayed
with the 5-day schedule. Begin-
ning the next day my body gave
cold jet lag and a change of
-
weather certainly contributed to it
- and was in no shape to play
chess. At this critical juncture my
World Open luck suddenly started
smiling on me. My opponent in
Round Five, Yury Lapshun, was 35
minutes late for the game (prepar-
ing?), and when he finally showed
up he surprised everybody by con-
fidenfly banging about 20 moves
of the Botvinnik Anti-Slav theory.
However, his attempt to follow
Yermolinsky-Shabalov, Kalinin-
grad, 1986 backfired violently.
SL 7.8
Alex Yermollnsky
Yury Lapshun
Philadelphia 1998 (6)
1af3 af6 2.c4 eB 3.6c3 d5
4.d4 cG 5.485 dc4 6.e4 b5
7.e5 hG 8.4h4 g5 9.495 hgs
1O.Ags abdT 11.g3 ab7
L2.9:g2 gb6 13.ef6 O-O-O
L4.OQ c5 15.d5 b4 16.trb1
tsa6 17.de6 Ag2 18.e7 Aa8?!
19.ed89
White has another way of continu-
ing: 19.4d5 Wb7 20.ef8g trhf8
gd8 22.f3t)
(20...trdf8 2t.de7
21.6e7 @cT 22.9f4 6e5
(22...9b6 bails out to a difficult
ending after 23.8d6 @b5 24.a4
€a5 25.tsc7 €a6 26.9b7 €b7
27.CbcI Af6 28.8c4)23.4e5 €b6
24.f3 trd1 25.trbd1, with solid
comp for the Lady.
19...€d8 2O.ole2 €c8
21.Wc29e6
22.131
This move suddenly had a sopo-
rific effect on my opponen! who
simply refused to make a move for
about three quarters of an hour. I
used up this time couEftring, sneez-
ing sweating and swearing. Of
cotxse, 22.f3 is an old improve-
ment I thought up immediately af-
ter the Shabba game, and I didn't
have to wait longl for a chance to
play - in the same Kaliningrad
it
1986 tournamen9 just two days
later Marat Makarov repeated the
whole line! (22.6f4 Wg4 23.Efe1
gh6!! 24.4h6 EIB guaranteed
Black a draw in the stem game
Yermolinsky-Shabalov).
22...g:d6
22...6e5 leads nowhere, as White
plugs the dangerous diagonal with
23.af4Wd7 z{.trbdr Ad6 25.4d5
Ue6 26.tse4.
23.Ebd1Ae5
He finally deviates from the Maka-
rov game, but stays within the
bounds of my opening library. The
consolidating 23.,9,c6, played by
Makarov, wouldn't have saved
Black, if after 24.df4 We3 25.8f2
Vfz 26.trf2 Ae5 27.hd5 Ad4 I
had chosen the correct way:
28.trd4! (instead of 28.6e7?)
28...cd4 29.4b4 Ab7 30.6c2 d3
31.4d4, and the two extra pawns
sooner or later would have their fi-
nal say.
Now rr,r CHBss ) 79

YERMO ON THE ROAD
24.81121?
White's position is so stron$ that I
can afford to improvise. I had ana-
lyzed the whole line before and
penciled 24.df4 as quite Eood'
Black must then follow with
24...Ad4 25.@92 Uc6 (25...894
26.trd4) 26.Vc4 (26.de2 Af6
27.9:f6 Wf6 28.Wc4 gB 29.991
Wc6 30.6d4! cd4 31.Ec1 is also
pretty much convincing) 26...8f3
27.88 gt3 28.9f1 gdl 29.wf7,
andwins.
24...tr9|3 25.6f4 9c6?
25...tsa6 was the only defense.
White keeps the edge after 26.9f5
9".d427.@92WaZ28.1fd2.
26.4d5
and he had to give up the queen.
26...9ds 27.Ed5 Ad5 28.4e3
The rest of the moves can be safely
omitted. White won on move 46.
80 ) NEWIN CHESS
a
The night game was way more dif-
ficult. My opponent, who shuttles
between Hun€ary, where he is
(was) studying medicine, and
Washington DC, made a huge
statement back in 1992, when he
nearly won the US ChampionshiP
and qualified for the Interzonal -
a feat unparalleled by any US Jun-
ior admitted to the big leaglues be-
fore or after - while plaYing
straightforward punishing chess.
Alex Sherzer has matured since
then and is actually a much better
player now, but his lack of prepara-
tion and tournament Practice was
tellin€ in the game, the finish of
which you can find below. After
Alex botched the opening (a Caro-
Kann) he found himself in an infe-
rior ending which he defended
quite well. Just before the time-
Hail to Mr Goldin!
control he already had a draw in
his hands, but fell victim to
sions ofgrandeur.
Alex Sherzer
Alex Yermolinsky
Philadelphia 1998 (7)
a ilii,ir I @e4 47.trh7 require some car.tim
38.Ed2?!
White enters a race he can't win.
The sane continuation 38.trf2
would leave little to play for. I in-
tended 38...f5 39.ef6 (once 'gm
illu- the complications can onb' faw
Black 39.Ed2 trf4 40.:d6 Ifil
42.gdl *t7 43.trb6 f4 dcl
39...9f7 40.8d2 €f6, feetturg th*
Black's activity will compeo*c
for any material losses he an sd
fer on the queenside. Indeed- bd
4r.Ed7 E,hz 42.&dr €6 {3-&;
e3 44.trb6 trd2 45.€e1
=a2
t55
@e4 47.tre6 €A 48.€d1 tr2: d
41.trd6 trhz 42.gdl 9E {3515
e3 44.a5 fd2 45.€e1 Ia2 {65;
from White. Of course, there re
other ways to play, say 405.
38...trf4 39.trd6 e3 4{1.3d?
MissinS the last call for carfiE
40.trd4!
40...tre4 41.EbG tres 42..tr7
f5
Despite the obvious dangerc ao
ciated with this move - the r&e
a-pawn will queen with cnedm&
- I felt confident in the cotrc*
ness of my assessment of this pq*
tion. The black pawns simph'bu
to be more dangerous beore
they deliver mating ttrreats to tte
white king. I couldn't find a ey
for White to escape in the no['r
ing analysis:
A) 43.Eb8 efI M:.bT 4b
45.trb8 (getting behind the pa,r
is the rule of thumb in rook d
games) 45...f4 46.trf8 (46-L5 r*-
gates the white rook to total pas-
sivity: 46...Ef5 47.Ae8 *fi 4E;gf
B 49.trh1, and Black uins ulrfr
49...trd5) 46...@85 47.ai
48.€e1 fd2 49.a6
=ffi
ia2 ,l-h5
@94;
B) 43.trh7 f4 44.!h3 :6
45.€e1 trd2 46.a5 Ba2 47-&{. 6
48.trh5 *e7 49.8e5 66 tl:.f
o
l €f5, and White is in danger )E n
c6
U The move chosen by my oppmat
o
= presented Black with no diffiq*
ties whatsoever.
43.trd7? t4 44.trd4 Efs
J be ake24'had a draw in tended 38...f5 39.ef6 (once again
b& but rell victim to illu- the complications can only favor
:Jtfr,ncew. Black: 39.Ed2 E;f4 40.9d6 trfz
42.&dI @f7 43.trb6 f4
Ir Sherzer 39...€f7 40.trd2 €f6, feeling that
ts tlitsrrnollnsky Black's activity will compensate
fuircrhra 1998 (7) for any material losses he can suf-
fer on the queenside. Indeed, both
4r.trd7 Ehz 42.@dt ef5 43.trb7
e3 44.trb6 trd2 45.€eI H,aZ 46.a5
*e4 47.BeG gf3 48.ed1 €f2;
41.Ed6 trhz 42.*dt €f5 43.trb6
e3 44.a5 Ed2 45.€e1 Ha2 46.trb7
&e4 47.trh7 require some caution
from White. Of course, there are
other ways to play, say 40.f5.
38...Ef4 39.trd8 e3 40.€d1?
Missing the last cal[ for caution:
w- 40.Ed4!
4o...tre4 41.8b6 treS 42.Eb7
Now Black doesn't need his king Qr 5.15
to finish the riot. Alexander Goldln
45.Ee4 f3 46.€e1 t2 47.*11, Calvin Blocker
etc.) Ef3 48.a5 tr93 49.€e2 Eg1 Philadelphia 1998 (4)
50.Ef4 &e7 51.a6 Ee1 1,.d4 6116 2.c4 eG 3.4f3 b6
52.€d3 f1g s3.Ef1 trf1 4.a3 Aa6 5.9c2 Ab7 6.6c3
54.9e3 8a155.b5 €d6 c5 7.e4 cd4 8.4d4 6c6
White resigned. 9.6c6 Ac610.Ae2!
A new plan invented by the Arme-
Six points after seven rounds in a nian GM Smbat Lputian that has
and World Open always puts you in a cast a spell on Black's position.
position to win some money, the 10...9b8 LL.t4h5?l
question is how much you want. Calvin goes extravaganza. The
Considering my sorry physical logical continuation 11...4c5 met
shape,I should have been content a violent response from White:
with two draws on the last day. 12.e5! 99213.ef6 Ahl l4.fg7 tr98
Not me! I went on trying to score 15.8h7 €e7 16.9d2 Lputian-
more wins and lost a lopsided en- Hracek, Yerevan 1996; the most
counter to Ilya Smirin with white. challenging idea seems to be

Lata: a :-a,e he can't win. To conclude this tale of stupidity 11...e5!?.

lr S -::rnur.r.auon 38.Ef2 f5 I'll mention that in the last round I 12.b4 a513.Eb1!
Ih,E iide to play for. I in- Despite the obvious dangers asso- declined an early draw offer from Goldin correcfly rejects 13.b5 Ab7
ciated with this move - the white my student, Boris Kreiman, with 14.4e3 tsc7 15.e5 hg4 16.Ag4
a-pawn will queen with checkmate Black and had to fight like a lion hg4 17.6a4, as Black would play
-I felt confident in the correct- to save a difficult endinS. 6Yz 17...d5! 18.ed6 Ad6 19.4b6 trd8,
ness of my assessment of this posi- points brings you no glory, and - with compensation.
tion. The black pawns simply have you guessed it - almost no money 13...ab4 L4.ab4g5?
to be more dangerous because for your efforts. This is what we call 'asking for it'.
they deliver mating threats to the 15.OO d616.4d5!
white king. I couldn't find a way Enough about sorry-ass losers,
for White to escape in the follow- Hail to Mr. Goldinl Alexander
ing analysis: played high-powered chess through-
A) 43.Eb8 gf7 44.trb7 gE6 out the tournament running up
45.Eb8 (getting behind the pawns his score to an amazing 8% out of
is the rule of thumb in rook end- 9 - a new track record! It's espe-
games) 45...f4 46.ff8 (46.a5 rele- cially pleasant for me, his old
gates the white rook to total pas- friend, to witness his return to the
sivity:46...Ef5 47.tr98 €f7 48.tr91 top. Alexander has had a lot of
B 49.Eh1, and Black wins with success in the States in the past,
49...Eds) 46...€95 47.a5 Ed5! but not since 1996, and here he
48.9e1 Ed2 49.aG tra2 50.b5 came back with a vengeance.
@c4; His decision to spend a couple 16...4d7
B) 43.Eh7 f4 44.trh3 Ed5 of weeks in our mutual friend's Acceptingl the sac is hopeless:
45.€e1 Ed2 46.a5E,a2 47.trh| e5 place in Central Ohio before the 16...ed5 17.ed5Ad7 18.4b2 Ea2
48.trh5 €e7 49.tre5 Sf6 50.tre8 tournament was a smart one. Alex 19.fg5 wins back material with a
o
l €f5, and White is in danger again. looked fresh and prepared to with- substantial interest.
6
The move chosen by my opponent stand the rigors of playing chess L7.Ab2Aa418.Wd3 Eg8
o
= presented Black with no difficul- in Northwest Philadelphia. Here's - and Black is
Time to pay the bills
ties whatsoever. an example of his quick work in broke. 18...8h7 19.f95 ed5 20.ed5
43.trd7? t4 44.trd4 trfs the early rounds. Ee7 2l.Ae7 Ae7 22;t$h7, and

NEW IN CHESS ) 81
 YERMO ON THE ROAD

White finishes off after 22...@fB all success. Alex Goldin has A) 10.ad a6 11.6e5 04l2.Q:c6 24.94
dfl 25.e6.
23.9h5 o,e124.9f7 learned the lessons of many plaY- Ac6 13.Ac6 bc6 14.8c4 (14.Wc6 White will giet busted il he
19.4h5 ed5 2o.gd5 EgG ers who downshifted prematurelY gd4 15.trfd1 Be5 16.trd2 trb4) thinks about activitSn 2{-e8{
2L.1e5 in previous World Opens. In 1995, 14...trb2 15.Eab1 trb6; 25.4e6 €h8 26.f4 7,f427W
Black resigned. the Georgian GM GenrradY Zaichik B) 10.6a3 0-0 11.9b5 b6 28.9148c6.
went perfect in the first five l2.Wc4 Aa6 13.6b5 gd5 14.9d5 24...Wb425.Vb2trc7l
Getting off to a fast start is impor- rounds, then took a short draw ad5 (14...ed5 15.hc3 de7 25-.Wd4 26.9b3 EP ?;.
tant, but it doesn't guarantee over- with White in Round Six, and lost 16.Efd1 c5) 15.a4 Aa5 16.6e5 9e3 28.€d1 Efl follo*st br i
his remaining games to finish waY trbd8 17.Eac1 6b3 18.fcd1 6b4 wasn't bad either, but I p
out of the money. You are afforded 19.e3 c5, with equal chances in Goldin's move.
no breaks in the City of BrotherlY each and every line. 26.d5 EfcS 27.=,c7, I
Love during the IndePendence 9...bs 10.9b5 6c2 LL.@d2 28.d6
1 Goldin 8k 6a112.9c6 Ad7 13.Wc4 c5 Desperately trying to
Day Weekend! Goldin never let uP, mcss
2 Smirin 7h
demolishing the stron$ grandmas- L4.Va2 Ba5 15.b4 cb4 Black's coordination. .ls mrrc
3 Woitkiewicz 7
ters Wojtkiewicz, Shabalov and 16.8a1trc8 L7.6eS he wanted to do so, Creg ba
4 Epishin 7
Kaidanov. His only draw was a 17.trc1 0-0 doesn't change any- time the elimination of tbe eo
5 Christiansen 7
hard-fougfrt one against his fellow thing. ing pawn: 28.9b3 gt2 29-
6 Atalik 7
7 Gurevich, D 7 Israeli-Russian Ilya Smirin in 17...4b5! 18.a4 tse3 30.€d1 A 31,ijl
8 Stripunsky 7 Round Seven. The first independent move. Does 32.4h3 tsg1 33.€d2 ItZ
I Hernandez, G 7 The last round encounter with it help White? I doubt it, because tains.
10 Kaidanov 6h Gregory Kaidanov had a little his position has already been seri 28...9f2 29.9:e2 ge3 3O,r
11 Yermolinsky 6h twist of irony. Six years ago, in the ously compromised. 18.€e3 trc2 trd7 31.9d2 Ed6 32.:E l
12 Blatny 6h 1992 World Open, they also met in 19."Qf3 0-0 20.a4 f6 21.6d3 Ac4 33.4f1 Eg4 34.=b3 i
13 Chernin 61h Round Nine. Kaidanov, who back 22.dd? was seen in Ivanchuk' 35.h3
14 Fedorowicz 61h then had the finest streak of oPen Kortchnoi, Tilburg 1989, and Should 35.d4 gh4 36,sdr t
15 Kreiman 6k tournament wins anybodY can re' Black could immediately force res' 37.@c2 have been tried?
16 Ashley 6k call, was leading the field, and ignation by playing 22...4d3. 3s...993 36.*d1 I
17 Young 6h Goldin was a full point behind. In 18...O-O 19.4e4 f6 20.4d3 f5 37.9f4 Ec3 38.:c3 :
18 Delaune 6h
desperate need of winning he Somewhere around these parts 39.9b8 @f7 40.gt7 r

19 Belakovskaia 6k
chose an incorrect variation of the GreEl reportedly came with a draw 41.9f3 *e7 4z^grtl a
20 Shabalov 6
Slav and found himself in ruins af- offer, but found no understanding 43.9b8 €dz 44.9b5
21 Gulko 6 =co
ter just 15 moves with the white from his opponent, who obviously White resigned.
22 Kudrin 6
pieces. The draw offer was firmly has a very good memory.
23 lvanov, A 6
24 Blocker 6
rejected by Greg, who went on to 2l,gB b3 22.o,c3 Ad3
25 Waitzkin 6 win the game and the tournament. 23.ed3 Congratulations to Ala. r
26 Bonin 6 The roles were reversed for the Or 23.€d3 Eb4 24.4b1 Efd8, and seems firmly on his uO'to rG
27 Lein 6 1998 episode. the odds of this one-sided batfle fa- ery from a serious automdr
28 Perelshteyn 6 vor Black, no doubt about that. cident in February 199& d
29 Byrne 6 cA 3.1 23...14 once again become a force ts
30 Ardaman 6 Gregory Kaldanov reckoned with on any lerd d<
31 Edelman 6 Alexander Goldin petition. His 8% points hr
32 Ariel 6 Philadelphia 1998 (9) wondering if Nigel Short *
33 Watson, J 6 1.d4 AfG 2.c4 eG 3.93 d5 have visited the World Opca
34 Shahade 6 4.9.e2 dc4 5.4f3 6c6 6.Wa4 match wits with Alexander Gd
35 Morrison 6
ab4 7.g:d2 ad5 8.4b4 adb4 Wouldn't that have been qni
36 Maclntyre 6
9.a3? show?
37 Fang 6
A very risky move that had already
38 Railich 6 ' met its refutation in GM practice.
221 participants White is advised to be content
with 9.0-0 Eb8, and now:

82 ) NEWIN CHESS
 5 ll.i€5 0{ 12.6c6 24.84
hd l{.!c4 (14.9c6 White will get busted if he even
t€5 r6:d2 trb4) thinks about activity: 24.494 tg3
lsG 25.Ae6 gh8 26.f4 trf427.hg3Ec3
{ro u.gbs b6 28.gt'4trc6.
rar_-b5 td5
I5.Ad
14.9d5 24...Vb4 25.Bb2Ec7! the English and
8:e7 25...9d4 26.9b3 't*f2 27.4e2
tr.5.l4 aa5
afr3 18:cd1 ab4
16.4e5 Be3 28.€d1 Ef7 followed by EfcT
wasn't bad either, but I prefer
R6ti 0penings
6 equal chances in Goldin's move.
[oe- 26.d5 EfcS 27.trc7- gd4 in the NEC Yearbooks
Lf,2 77,.&d2 28.d6
Afl1il.9c4 c5 Desperately trying to mess up Database Surveys (NiC key, Yearbook Volume)
E 15.b4 cb4 Black's coordination. fu much as
English Opening E0 44.6 39
,.7-ac5 he wanted to do so, Greg had to E0 45.8 44
&.f,t ctange any- time the elimination of the annoy- 1.c4 e5 E0 46.5 37
in5f pawn: 28.9b3 Vf2 29.9e2 E0 1.10 19 E0 49.7 23
tse3 30.9d1 A 31.4f1 Wtz E0 1.10-11 36
move. Does 32.4h3 ggl 33.€d2 Bh2, cur- E0 3,4 18
1.c4 af6
I dantf, it, because tains. E0 3.4 2S EO 52.4 30

hr6 ifoEady been seri E0 3.4 30 E0 54.4 2L

28...W 12 29. Ae2 Be3 30.€e1 E0 54.6
lE.€e3 trc2
E0 3.4 33 43
trd7 31.9d2 trd6 32.Eb1gg1 E0 3.4 39 EO 56.2 46
l$-il fi 2LOd3 9c4 33..0f1 gg4 34.trb3 trdc6 EO 4.2-6 30 E0 56.G7 2A
q ia Ivanchuk- 35.h3 E0 s.3 25 E0 56.6-7 31
mrrg 1989, and Should 35.d4 Wh4 36.ed1 gh5 E0 8.7 46 EO 57.2 22
E0 15.11 4iI E0 58.4 23
force res- 37.*c2 have been tried?
-El[rr+
7' al3. E0 17.1 E0 59.3 38
3s...993 36.€d1 gel. EO 22.8
32
24
20.4d3 f5 37.W14 trc3 38.trc3 Ec3 EO 22.8 25 L.c4...
@d these parts 39.9b8 @17 40.9b7 €f6 E0 23.1 28 E0 63.8 42
cae with a draw 41.9f3 €e7 42.Wb7 €d6 E0 23.1 35 E0 64,2 26
m rmderstanding 43.9b8 €dZ 44.Wb5 trc6 E0 64.8 47
rrho obviously White resigned. 1.c4 c5
26.1 Reti Opening
@ry E0 30
Lafrt
EO 26.2
E Zzaf,3 gd3
EO 26.2
38
44 Rf 17.1 23
Congratulations to Alex, who E0 28.10-11 22 RE 19.1 27
?tailffd8, and seems firmly on his way to recov- EO 28.L2 21 RE 20.4 23
batfle fa- ery from a serious automobile ac- E0 32.3 45 RE 20.4 23
32.4 RE 20.4 37
.boutthat. cident in February 1998, and has E0 23
once again become a force to be E0 33.7 20 RE 22.1L-15 24
EO 38.12 28
reckoned with on any level of com-
E0 38.12 43
petition. His 8/z points has me EO 38.15 31
wonderinpi if Nigel Short should E0 39.3 4:t
have visited the World Open to E0 39.11 M
match wits with Alexander Goldin. E0 40.6 35
Wouldn't that have been quite a EO 42.7 22
E0 44.6 2t
show?
E0 44.6 22

Nrwncurss)83

Old Tradition
PREDRAc
he tradition of organizing
chess tournaments in Sara-
jevo began in 1957. Though
it was supported by the city itsell
there has always been one club in
charge of the organization. Ini-
tially, it was chess club 'Sarajevo'
that managled to keep the tradi-
tion going without a break till
1972. This was followed by a pe-
riod of difficulties, and some years
passed without the tournament.
In 1978 the organization of the
tournament was taken over by a
younger and stronger and more
ambitious club, 'Bosna'. All those
tournaments served as a great
school for many generations of
players in Bosnia and Herzego
vina, and all the leading home
players regularly took part.
The 'Bosna' tournaments went
on without a break until 1988.
Chess organizers became aware of
the looming crisis in the former
Yugoslavia when they were not
able to find sponsorship for their
traditional event.
Still, in early 1991 Sarajevo
managed to organize the most im-
portant event so far, the candi-
dates matches Timman-Htibner
and my match against Gelfand.
Looking bach it was the highest
84 ) NEWIN CHESS
NIxol,tc
moment of organizational effort
before the disaster.
Then there followed years of
war and destruction. Chess re-
mained a popular and widely
played game. The results of the
Bosnian players, including second
place in the '94 Moscow Olympiad
and the title of European Club
Champion that same year, height-
ened the interest for chess in a
war-torn country.
Even more important was the
enthusiasm of local players who
managed to organize hundreds of
small tournaments throughout
Sarajevo and Bosnia-Herze govina.
Itwas a kind of resistance and an
example of positive action amidst
total destruction.
It took some time for people to
realize that the war was over. In
March '98, one of the leading
newspapers in Sarajevo, Vecernje
Nouine organized a modest cate-
gory 8 tournament. Suddenly, peo-
ple realized that something bigger
was achievable.
In just two months, devoted or-
ganizers from the 'Bosna' club
managed to renew their tradition.
Wth the support of the president
of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mr. Alija
Izetbegovig and the highest city
tournament began, he was d
very good host. He plaf,ed rtry o
ergletic chess and took his r+r-
to score an excellent res.rlL fr
his eagerness to invite Kortfu
prevented him from winni4 t
tournament.
Bareev promised mr.ld u
with two wins in the first tr
rounds. But that was all,
seven draws which
d rl
follorcdw
slight disappointmenL The so
highest rated player, IGnl G.r
giev, was slightly more amEir
but a loss to Sokolov mart d t
end of his fight for frst plu-
officials, the 28th Sarajevo tourna- Lputian played very good r
mentwas organized. entertaining chess and O
number of points he colledd i
OLD GUESIS far below the level of hb E
The list of the players consisted
mainly of the members of Bosna
club and old guests in Sarajevo.
Taking into account that 108
grandmasters took part in Sara-
jevo tournaments, it was not such
a difficult job to find people with
nice memoiies of the old Sarajevo.
The most honoured guest was
Viktor Kortchnoi, who was the
darling of the audience. Many
older fans remember Kortchnoi's
victory in his first performance in
Sarajevo in 1969. He won again in
1984, but this time he was much
happier with his result. He shared
his happiness with the grateful
audience when he analyzed his
games for them. Unusually, he was
quite kind towards his opponents,
with only Kiril Georgiev not man-
aging to escape Viktor's harsh
criticism. You have already
guessed that Georgiev was the
only one to beat the winner of the
tournament.
Ivan Sokolov played a promi-
nent role. He was very active in
contacting the players and invit-
ing them to Sarajevo. But once the VnttrI-5
 tournament began, he was not a
very good host. He played very en-
ergetic chess and took his chances
to score an excellent result. Only
his eagerness to invite Kortchnoi-
prevented him from winning the
tournament.
Bareev promised much more
with two wins in the first two
Kozul was in a fighting mood, but
hadn't much to show for it.
I myself was very glad to play a
serious event in Sarajevo after
seven years,but that is all I can
say. As far as my chess is con-
cerned, I remember better days.
Dizdarevic spoiled his good
tournament in the second half.
very tired after playinEl 40 games
ln a row.
W COVERAGE
The tournament was warmly wel-
comed in Sarajevo. There were two
TV channels with reglular evening
programs covering the event. All
major newspapers had daily chess

ron rounds. But that was all, and the

seven draws which followed were a
slight disappointmenl The second-
highest rated player, Kiril Geor-
Jeroen Piket was not prepared for
the Sarajevo scenery and all the
ruins. It took him some time to get
used to everything and to realize
columns. Despite everything, the
number of spectators in the
playing hall was below expecta-
tions, but then, many hundreds of
giev, was slighfly more ambitious that life is gojng on and people are potential spectators do not Iive in
but a loss to Sokolov marked the quite happy. By the time he Sarajevo and are scattered all over
end of his fight for first place. started to play decently, the tour- the world. Their presence was felt
I$i. Sara,iero tourna- Lputian played very good and namentwas over. on the Internet, where the number
entertaining chess and the Kurajica believes this was first of visitors on the tournament page
number of points he collected is time he ended at the very bottom was a pleasant surprise for every-
far below the level of his play. of the table. Definitely, he was body.
ffiE IilB€rs consisted
&c msmtss of Bosna
dd Eu*. in Sarajevo.
ii=Elmt that 108
lmrrk Fart in Sara-
irt was not such
m inJ people with
m$e old Sarajevo.
fucrred guest was
vbo was the
ffia ardiience. Many
lmt€ Kortchnoi's
fr* pvformance in
Ui-q{ru. H€ nrn again in
[trk h@e be was much
fu rE$lL He shared
uti the grateful
tr@ he analped his
fmrsrally, he was
his sppqns115,
Gargiev not man-
--gE l*tor's harsh
$m bare already
GenrEiev was the
fra' Se rinner of the

lbrd a promi-
& ues rsy active in
ffiE II4Ers and invit-
But once the Viktor Kortchnoi: 'Yes, and iust like in 1969 and 1984 I will win again.'

NEW IN CHESS ) 85

NOTES AY
Viktor Kortchnoi
cA 4.4
Viktor Kortchnoi
Smbat Lputian
Sarajevo 1998 (5)
1.d4 d5 2.c4 eG 3.4f3 Afo
4.93 c6
Itis well-known that Lputian will-
ingly plays a'Closed Catalan'set-
up, always putting his bishop on
a6. During my home preparation I
came to the conclusion that in this
case - with the bishop on a6 - the
white queen should not be devel-
oped to c2, as Black would have
excellent play exploiting its vulner-
able position!
Now look: Black uses an unusual
move order just to persuade his
opponent to put the queen on c2!
5.4g2 abdT 6.o{!
In vain, White refuses to yield to
persuasion!
6...4e7
In case of 6...dc4 7.9c2 Black
would find himself on the defen-
sive, which certainly doesn't sit
well with my opponent's style.
7.b3 bO 8.6c3 Aa6 9.4b2
o-o?
Inaccurate: Black should
played b6-b5 or Ec8 right away.
r ii#iir
iixiili$a
A I iii'iA iilitijii:
a $iitiils a Haarlemmerdijk 1"47
LO.a,d2?
Wrong. After 10.a4!, followed by
ll.6d2, White would have had a
clear edge, e.g. 10...trc8 ll.o,d?
12.ab1 cd4 13.4d4, or 10...dc4
86 ) NEw rN CHESS
=
ISARAJEVO
4-
IE
11.bc4 Ac4 72.o,d2 Aa6 13.4c6,
etc. Now White still has to prove
-Ehis advantage...
10...b5
The only way to prevenf e2<4,but
probably suffi cient...
11.cb5cb5
How bad is 11...4b5 ? To give up
his bishop (in the long run it may
turn out to be unpleasant) in order
to get rid ofthe big pawn on a6!?
L2.a3
Frankly, I had had this position on
the board at home before the
game. I thought White had a con-
siderable edge due to the desper-
ate position of the a6 bishop. A bit
over-optimistig however...
L2...EcB
Is this natural move the best one?
Say, after 12...4b6 13.b4 6c4
M.9d dd2! 15.4d2 Wb6 or
15...trc8 Black will solve all his
problems. Well, we may say that
13.b4 was wrong. So by playing an
accurate move order Black could
foil White's plan.
13.b4
It looks a bit simple, but other
moves, like 13.9b1 or 13.Ee1 do
not promise White much.
13...4b6 14.6b3 o,c4
have 15.4c16d7
Black could already try to improve
the location of his bishop here:
15...4b7 16.4b5 tsb6 17.6c3,
Schaak- en Go-Winkel Het Paard
NEIil CIIESS
=N
in Nederland
c5
and now not 17...4a3? because of
18.4a4, but 17...a5. The only way
for White to retain an initiative
now would be 18.ba5 6a5 19.4c5
4c520.8:a41.
L6.tra2
An immediate 16.6c5 AcS 17.bc5
would yield White some advan-
tage, but taking on c5 with the d-
pawn seemed more attractive to
me. At the moment 17.dc5 would
be met by the unpleasant 17...9f6,
so White quietly prepares 6c5 to
be played under better circum-
stances... while keeping in mind
some other ideas, e.g. after
16...4f6 - 17.e4l6d6 18.4d5 ed5
19.e5 Ae4! 20.4e4 de4 2l.ef6
t&f6 22.Ve4 tsc6 23.Ah6 Uh6
24.Wd7...
But after a long think, Lputian
springs a surprise. And a strong
one too!
16...9b7! 17.Abs
What else?
1013 KH Amsterdam
lel: O2O-624.7L71
fax: 020-627.0885
L7...a618.6c3 Aa319.fl
gamtlcflE
White picks up the
cautious people \rould !
19.6c5 Ac5 20.bc5 Ad 21.!,
Aa5 22.9d2 ac6 B4
zt...W d7 22.e4 trfd& 23.t16, r
some advantage in both m
19...9ds 2o.Aa3
If 20.Ea3, White will not bc *
keep his extra pawn: 20-l
21.*82 Eb6 22.4c5 grb{zaO
Wb7 24.ggl Aa3, andsom.
20...4b6 21.ad5gdszzl
o,c4
22...trc4 23.Ec1 trfc8 2LE
gb5 was interesting I
22...Vc41? was worthcon*rn
although the text-moue b rh
enough...
23.4c1! Ab4
Not 23...Wb5 24.ac5 a5? 25.G
and White iswinning
24.traB trfd8 25.tra4!
All of a sudden the naUrd'r
25...Wb5 does not u,ulL X
26.6c5! White threat'-rs to i
piece with 27.Vb3 EbE zei&
26-.8c5 fails due to lack dt
tion of the eighth rank - Zl*,
26...4c5 27.8c4, or 65
27.trb4 Wb4 28.4a6 leads bi
plifications which farlorr ff
The seemingly innocent 5J
is not flawless eithen 263fl
(26...db2 27:t9ai) 27ftI! I
28.4c5 Ec5 29.trbM Ab6:ld
Ed3 3l.ed3, with good r-
chances.
 -;--2a3: because of L7...aG 18.6c3 6a3 19.6d5
il-^:-i. The only way White picks up the gauntlet! More
5 :---a:r an initiative cautious people would play
-:-'al ia5 19.4c5 19.6c5 hc5 20.bc5 dcL 21.tra4
6a5 22.4d2 Ac6 23.e4, or
2r..$d7 22.e4trfd8 23.Wh5, with
-: - -5 ic5 17.bc5 some advantage in both cases.
'6l:,r:e some advan- 19...Ads 2O.Aa3
,:- 5 rrith the d- If 20.Ha3, White will not be able to Database Surveys (NiC key, Yearbook Volume)
].J,:r-e attractive to keep his extra pawn: 20...A,92
7.5
sr 33
DiorrrF-i 1i-dc5 would 2I.@92 VbG 22.6-tc5 Wb4 23.4d7 7.5-8
sL 39
u:qrasant 17...A,f6, Wb7 24.@gl Aa3, and so on. ' sL 7.8 28
sL 7,8 29
l!'rpares Ac5 to 20...4b6 21.4d5 g/ds 22.9d3
sL 7.8 31
[muPr -tter orcum- 6c4 st.7.8
fiie r,-lrng in mind 22...8c4 23.Ecl EfcS 24.Eac2
gbs was interesting, and
Meran,variation
:- -: -: -d5 ed5 22...Wc41? was worth considering,
sl_ 8.4 22
sL 8.4 24
- ,,- -== 21.ef6 although the text-move is strong sr 8.4 39
s -' -: -...6 Bh6 enouSh... st 8.5 23
23.4c1! Ab4 st 8.8 38
sL 8.8 43
*lmr4 --'-ixk. Lputian Not 23...8b5 24.8tc5 a5? 25.Ea5, sL 9.1 24
fuld a strong and White is winning. sL s.3 29
24.tra6 trfd8 25.tra4! sL 9.3 39
sL s.4 23
sL 9.4 4l
sL c,4 46
sr s.5 20
sL 9.5 30
sL 9.8 33
sL 9.9 19
sL 9-S 27
sL 9.9 34

Schlechter Variation
sL 10.3-6 20
sL 10.14 32

3.6c3
11.1
sL 19
All of a sudden the natural move 11.1
sL 22
25...Wb5 does not work. After 11.1
sL 35
st 11.1-2 30
26.61c5 White threatens to win a sL 11.2 23
piece with 27.Wb3 Eb8 28.4ffi. sL 11.2 30
26...trc5 fails due to lack of protec- sL 11.3 37
Paard tion of the eighth rank - 27.dc5r..
26...4c5 27.Hc4, or 26...8b8
27.E,b4 WbA 28.6aG leads to sim-
plifications which favour White.
&rnsterdam The seemingly innocent 25...Wb7
is not flawless either: 26.495! f6
(26...4b2 27.Wa6) z7.Ebtt f*s
28.6c5 Ec5 29.trbb4 6b6 30.dc5
Ed3 31.ed3, with good winningl
chances.

NEW IN CHESS ) 87
 =
I sARArEvo I E

25...9..e7 26.ad2l
This strong piece, knight c4, has
to be eliminated, or at least ex-
changed!
26...ad227.9:d2Vc8
Lputian, a rather 'thoughtful'
player, is already in time'trouble.
Otherwise he would have consid-
ered either 27...3;f0 or 27...e5. Af-
ter, say, 27 ...e5 28.de1 9d3
Ed3 the position looks drawish...
2B.Etal, 9c2 29.9c2
3O.Aa5!
Perhaps he had overlooked this
when playing 27...tsc6.
30...Eb8 31.e3 g5 32.4e1
trbb2
Black is afraid to be forced to ex-
change one pair of rooks. I would
prefer to continue 32...h5 here.
33.94
tinuation would be 36.9fll h5 38...trf2 39.ggl trg2 40.ef1 and order to achieve this goal he m
37.*e4, gradually strengthening the king comes to d1, winning. to push the black king a,rray 6u
the position, with all remaining 38.e4! Ec7 the h-file.
pieces on the board. The only move somehow to hold on. 46...Ee5 47.Ealtrd2
38...Ae1 would be met by 39.e5 Or 47...f5 48.tra7 €d6 49-fi
@e7 40.tra7, while after 38...e5 €c6 50.95 trbs 51.fa3:- lru
White would win with 39.Ea6 €e7 puts his rook on g3 or, if rc
40-Ab4 trb4 41.de5 EeA 42.tra7 sary, on B, and wins.
€e6 43.tre8 @d5 44.8f7. 48.tra7 trd7 49.W1 ea
29.ed3 39.e5 €e7 40.trh8 50.h4 f5 51.95 €e7
If 40.trg5, then 40...Sf8 - White Or 51...Ee4 52.h5 trh4 53-S A
trc2 would have had difficulties reacti- 54.993 trh155.tr97 ef8 56-iffL
vating his rook. s2.h5 €f7 53.trg6 tre4 5a-@
4O...Ae1 47-.8e1, Ecc2 42.HtL €eZ
trd2 43.8h7 Ed4 44.\97 Ee4 After 54...€98 the shortestqrt
45.Eg5 trbe2 victory is: 55.f;} trh4 56.€93 E
36...4b4? 57.&f4.
He falls for it! After 36...€97! 5s.f3 Eh4 56.h6 f4 srSt
White could hardly continue €f7 s8.tr97 ca s9.d1r
37.9f3?! -37...9.b4 38.trb8 Ael 6O.€e1
39.trb2 trb2 40.Ee1 h5 would lead Zugzv't an g: 60...8 92 6 l -96.

Now White will try to stop Black to a rather dull endgame. Instead 60...e5 61.€f1 trhs ELOr
from playing h5. Let's see how. White had to put the rook back on trh3 63.€d2
33...€g7 34.@92 €96 3s.h3 a4 and proceed to push his king Black resigned.
af8 into the centre...
Not 35...h5? 36.gh5 €h5 37.tra7 37.E98!
NOIES BY
ab4 38.trf7. Now White is winning.
36.8a8 37...€f6 46.E98! ' lvan Sokolov
This is just a trap. The normal con' Or 37...€h6 38.4b4 fb4 39.h4, or White will queen the h-pawn. In
Bt 19.3
lvan Sokolov
Kiril Georglev
Sarajevo 1998 (7)
1,.d4 6lt6 2.c4 cS 3rE I
12 3 4 5 6 7 g I0 TPR 4.613b4
One of the two main replies b
GM SUI 2625 * thlhi 1 1 1 I 1 1 7 2831 the other one is, ofcourse-,1-96.
5.a3 6aG
GM BIH 21625 th*1h10yr1111 61h 2777
A relatively new idea here, but I
GM RUS 2675 thlh*1h1h11y21h1h 5Y, 2685 really an improvement o 6
5Y, usual 5...a5 or 5...96.
4 Georgiev, Kir. GM BUL 2675 10Y2*11hlz1/zYr1 2685
6.ab4 6b4
GM ARM 2610 0 1 th 0 * thVz 0 1 th 4 2569
A rather difficult strategird &
GM BIH 2635 Olhihlh*011hl 4 2567 sion. 6...cb4 could have beta r
by 7.4e3 Wc7 8.6bd2 a6 9-c.d
GM CBO 2585 00O{z1hl*1/zYr1 4 2s72
(9.4d4 or 9.g3 are reasooaHe q
GM BIH 2540 001h1hl01/z*Vz1h 3Y, 2540 tions) 9...d6 10.e4! Ofe4 ll-Or
GM NED 2575 001h1hi1hyr1h*lh 3 2491 6e4 12.9d3, with strong cry
2 sation for the pawn. t
Afttr
GM BIH 2580 001hOY200Y21h+ 2396
kniglrt capture, Black has to &

88 ) NEw lN CHEss
 ig2 40.€f1 and order to achieve this goal he needs with his weak a-pawn and if things misplaced knight on b4; for the
bdLwinning. to push the black king away from were to start happening on the rest of the game Black is effec-
the h-file. kingside, the b4 knight might be tively a piece down.
dmtoholdon. 46...8e5 47.Ea7.trd2 seriously misplaced. 23...€h8 24.Ei13
be E€t by 39.e5 Or 47...fr 48.tra7 €d6 49.trd8 7.6c3 d6 8.e4 96 9.4e2 Ag7 More accurate was 24.A;941, fol-
rffic after 38...e5 €c6 50.g5 trb5 51.tra3!. White 10.0{Go LL.at4 lowed by 25.4f5 (completely cut-
rith 39-fa6 €e7 puts his rook on g3 or, if neces- 11.h3 would allow counterplay af- ting off the black knight) and then
Ad
/ll.ttgl: 42-\a7 sary, on B, andwins. ter 11...e5 12.de6 fe6. trh3, b3,93, €92, trfhl.
lJ'zfl. 48.E;a7 Ed7 49.8d7 €d7 L1,...a94 f.h3 gf3 1s.af3 24...9d8!
s0.h4fs 51.95 €e7 6d714.9d2 Ee8 Black correctly decides not to de-
{O-OfB - White Or 51...8e4 52.h5 trh4 53.h6 €e7 fend the pawn (24...Ef8 25.994
fiffio.rhies reacti- 54.€g3 trhl 55.trg7 gf8 56.9f4. E
E and 26.Af5), but to look for coun-
52.h5 €f7 s3.tr96 Ee4 54.Ef6 a terplay.
25.trj7 trf7 26.g]t7 gf6
b242.trtL €e7
W tllEgl tre4 After 54...€98 the shortest way to
A
27.4e6
victory is:55.f3 trh4 56.993! trhs
57.@f4. ffi A
ss.f3 gh4 56.h6 f4 57.996 iffii
gf7 s8.Eg7 ef8 59.€f1 Eh2
iirul
6O.€e1
ZLtg^Nangi 60...tr g2 6 1.96.
Arl
U

60...e5 61.€f1 trh5 62.€e2 15.Ea3!

Eh3 63.€d2 A multifunctional move. White
Black resigned. migfrt double along the a-file and
target the weak a7-pawn, while at
$ t alt,
At a:
]'H:
ii

the same time the 8-rook could be

NOTES BY
easily transferred to the kingside. 27...g.,b2?
lvan Sokolov 15...9b616.g.94! This allows White to activate his
tte fuawn. In The black knight on e5 poses no rook. Correct was 27...a5 28.b3 a4
Bt 19.3 threats; it is more likely to give 29.ba4 tra4, remaining a pawn
lvan Sokolov White an extra tempo (after f2-f4). down, but creating counterplay.
Klrll Georglev 16...he517.4e2 treb8 28.trb1 Aa1 29.Eb3 9ge
Sarajevo 1998 (7) 17...e6 18.4e3 looks better for 30.Eg3 Eb131.eh2
1d4 af6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 White. The threat is 32.tsE5 and 33.898
TPR 4.al13b4 18.h4! mating.
One of the two main replies here, With Black's heavy artillery on 31...4e5 32.14 Wb2 33.8e3
I 2831 the other one is, of course, 4...96. the queenside, it is about time to ag7 34.4f5! Ef8 35.tse4 h6
5.a3 6a6 open up the kingside. 36.E96! a5
6ilr 2777
A relatively new idea here, but not 18...trb7 36...trf5 37.Sf5 Se2 38.Ee6 wins,
* 2685 really an improvement on the 18...h5 19.4d1, followed by so Black has little choice but to
5f 2685 usual 5...a5 or 5...96. 20.893, looks rather unpleasant play his only trump: trying to pro-
6.aMhb4 for Black. mote his a-pawn.
a 2569
A rather difficult strategical deci- 19.hsgh5 37.9e6! trfG 38.9e8 Ef8
a 2567 sion. 6...cb4 could have been met A difficult decision, but 20.hg6, 39.9d7 trfs
I 2572
by 7.4e3 tsc7 8.6bd2 Ac5 9.9.d4 followed by 6dl and trh3, could Sad reality. 39...a4 40.Eh6 or
(9.4d4 or 9.g3 are reasonable op not be allowed. 39...€98 40.4g3 a4 41.hh5.
3t 2540 tions) 9...d6 L0.e4l 6fe4 11.he4 2O.Ae5 Ae5 21.Ah5 e6 4O.Wf5a4
I 2491 6e4 12.9d3, with strong compen- 22.6,e2ed523.ed5 40...Ve2 41.Ee6.
sation for the pawn. After the Black's main problem besides his 41.Ed6
2 2396
knight capture, Black has to deal pawn structure is the completely Black resigned.

NEW IN CHESS ) 89

Sberbank Tatarstan
wrns
Russian Team ChampionshiP
Report and game notes: ALEXSY DREEV
Ihis vear the Russian Cham-
I Uonrhin Premier League
I for club teams was held in
the town of Maikop (population
more than 150,000), the capital of
the Adygea Republic, which is part
of the Russian Federation and is
within the Krasnodar Region. The
territory has been inhabited since
ancient times (well-known is the
'Maikop burial ground', where a
tribal leader from the third mille-
nium BC is interred). The Ady-
geans are an ancient people, who
together with other tribes of the
Northern Caucasus have since me-
dieval times been called Circas-
sians in European literature. The
proportion of Adygeans in the Re-
public is about twenty per cent
but, despite this, a national policy
is being quite skilfully carried out,
aimed at strengthening the role of
the Adygean language (the writingi
of which is based on the Russian
alphabet).
Let us conclude this brief his-
torical and geographical overview,
and turn to chess. The policy of
the Russian Chess Federation,
aimed at popularising chess in the
provinces, forced them to reject
the offer of St Petersburg to stage
the Championship and to hand
this right to Maikop, where until
then not a single event of any sig-
90 ) NEWIN CHESS
nificance had been staged. Hence
the fears of some participants be-
fore the Championship regarding
the organisational aspect. But
these fears were unjustified, al-
though much could have been im-
proved. On the whole, everything
was at a sufficiently worthy level,
thanks largely to the 'fathers' of
the town - the Mayor and the
it is nev'
Sports Authorities. (But
ertheless planned to stage the
next Championship in St Peters-
burg.) In contrast to the Champi-
onships of certain countries (for
example, the German Bundesliga),
the Russian Championships are
not stretched out over a lengthy
period, but are held in one place
and at one time. In the opinion of
many players, this is more conven-
ient, and allows them to plan their
appearances.
It has to be said that the Rus-
sian Championships are becoming
increasingly professional, with
many teams havin$ serious spon-
sors. For example, the
Kazan
team, for which I play, is sup-
ported by Sberbank Tatarstan, a
major bank in Tataria, the director
of which is himself quite a reason-
able chess player.
Unfortunately, last year's Cham-
pions and holders ofthe European
Club Cup -'Ladya'from Azov - de-
Bdlliancy Pdze
A number of interesting gnr
were played in Maikop; let us e
amine a few of them.
The following game, s'hich h
place in the first rotmd t
judged to be the best of the u
nament and was awarded a sPeri
brilliancy prize.
st 26.8
Alexey Fedorov
Mikhall Koballa
Maikop 1998 (1)
cided not to take part in the tour- 1.e4 c5 2.4f3 dG 3Ja ca
nament, but of the previous win- 4.6d4 6f6 5.6c3 aG6 6.-e.c
eG 7.Ae3 aG 8.9e2 9c7 9-l
ners Svidler and Yakovich were
playing for other teams. The St Pe- o-o ae7 1o.ab3 0!o rr r!
tersburEl team (average rating ad7 L2.94 6c5l.il.O6
2590), led by the Russian Champi- This position has occurred in I
ons of the past 4 years, Svidler and proximately 30 games.
Khalifrnan, were considered the main 13...b5
favourites, with another 34 clubs If Black plays 13...4b3 l4-ab3 r
capable of offering them competi only now 14...b5, he ma!'err[
tion. Our team, althouglh it man- ter problems in the rariilfo
aged to win the European Club I5.6e7 Ae7 16.9dii b4 17-qn
Cup two years ago, only finished d5 18.4c5 de4 19.993 e:-mtul
second in the Russian Champion- Wa7 21.tse5 hei 22.?-d (lt
ship.'Mercenaries', including play- Ulibin-Yermolinsky, SimfaED
ers from countries of the former 1988).
USSR, appeared for some clubs. 14.ads 4b715.95 Etu8
After the first round St Peters-
burg took the lead, but by losing
their second match to our team
they conceded the leadership to
Team
the tournaments hosts. Only in
the middle of the tournament did 1 SK SBERBANK.TATAEI
we succeed in gaining the lead, 2 SK UNIVERSTET r-
which we were able to hold on to. 3 SK SANKT-PETERBM
The final placings would seem to
4 CHESSCLUB Torrlst
be reasonably objective (see table).
In contrast to the gold 5 SK AGAT Ekaterirfirg
and
bronze medal winners, the Maikop 6 SK YAMAL NoiaErsl
team consisted entirely of'merce- 7 SK URALAN EIista
naries'. Playing for St Petersburgl 8 SK APIKO-YArcIHA I
were only residents of the 'northem'
9 SK SEVERSTAL Checpl
capital, while in our team more
1O CHESSCLUB SaraE
than half are natives of Kazan:
Rublevsky and Kharlov have re- 11 SK NOVOKUZNETSTb
cently taken up residence there.
 Brilliancy Prize An alternative that has been The reason is that this position
A number of interesting games played is
15...b4 16.9h5 with a had already occurred in one of Ko-
were played in Maikop; let us ex- strong attack for White. balia's games, but one where he
amine afew of them. 16.893 was playing White! In Kobalia-
The following game, which took This position has occurred in two Prokopchuk (Kolontaevo 1997)
place in the first round, was of Shirov's games. The first of White did not reply to 16...b4 in
judged to be the best of the tour- these (Sion-Shirov, Leon 1995) the best way: 17.Eh3 96 18.4c6
nament and was awarded a sPecial went 16...he5 L7.gb7 ab7 Ac6 19.bh6 9g7 20.9f3 Ae8,'
ship brilliancy prize. (17...9b7!?) 18.4e7 tse7 19.4d4
b4 20.o,a4 dcl 21.b3 Aa3 and
and after 2l.ag4 bc3 22.6f6 AfG
23.gf6 gg8 24.b3 Wa5 25.9b1
st 26.8 here after 22.fd2 White could Ab3 26.ab3 trab8 27.Ad4 trb3
Alexey Fedorov have gained slightly the better po- 28.cb3 c2 29.@b2 9d2! he soon
Mlkhail Koballa sition. In the other (Onischuk' lost. On the basis of this game Ko'
Maikop 1998 (1) Shirov, Bundesliga 1996) Black baliya evidently assumed that eve-

trt in tbe tour- 1.e4 c5 2.4f3 dG 3.d4 cd4 chose 16...4f8, and in a compli- rything was all right for Black, but
pretrx)us wln- 4.Dld4 6fG 5.6c3 6c6 6.4c4 cated battle he went on to win. on this point Fedorov has his oPin-
Y&vicb were eG 7.Ae3 a6 8.9e2 9c7 9.0- Why then did Black choose the ton...
The St Pe- o{ Ae71o.Ab3 o{ 11.trh91 following move? L7.ajg7l
old7 L2.e4 6c513.6f5 To anyone faced with playing Fe-
fuege rating
This position has occurred in ap- dorov, I would advise them not to
&
g
ian Champi- I
Svidler and proximately 30 games. temptfate in such positions, and if
the main 13...b5 the opportunity presents itself to
34 clubs If Black plays 13...4b3 14.ab3 and a exchange queens without obvious
.lrar competi- only now 14...b5, he may encoun- detriment, seriously to consider it!
{h.lgh it man- ter problems in the variation L7...@87
Dqean Club I5.de7 6e7 16.Wd3 b4 17.6a4 17...bc3 18.9h5! is stron! for
dy finished d5 18.4c5 de4 19.tsg3 e5 20.4d6 White.
6ampion- 9a7 21.We5 Le6 22.6c5 (l'0, A 18.ghs Eg8
nirding play- Ulibin-Yermolinsky, Simferopol i"€ If 18...trh8 there could have fol'
d the former 1988). lowed 19.9h6 Sg8 20.4e6 Af8
14.9d5 Ab7 15.95 trfc8 16...b4 (20...bc3 21.96; 20...de6 21.ad5)
dubs.
St Peters-
21.g6! gh6 22.cfl @f8 23.9h6
h by losing @e7 24.6d5 9e6 25.hc7 win-

b qrr team ning.

tzkrship 1q
trr< 66, 1n
Team Av. rat. Score E
E
Kazan (25751
Enanent
iq the lead,
did 1 SK SBERBANK-TATARSTAN
Maikop (2s48)
38.5
37.0
I
b bold on to.
2 SK UNTVERSITET
3 SK SANKT-PETERBURG St. Petersburg (2590) 34.5
a I
I

I
uld seem to (2503) ffi: i
4 CHESSCLUB Tomsk 34.0
table).
ft gold and
5 SK AGAT Ekaterinburg (2514) 30.5 :i:'r(ii
lri)
the Maikop 6 SK YAMAL Noiabrsk (2539) 30.5
(2506) A
of 'merce. 7 SK URALAN Elista 29.0
iCI}'
St Fetersburg I SK APIKO-YAKIMANKA Moscow (2493) 28.5
fu'northem' (24461
9 SK SEVERSTAL Cherepovets 26.0 19.4e6! bc3
G team more
of Kazan: 10 CHESSCLUB Saratov (2436) 21.O If19...fe6, then 20.96 wins. How-
have re- 11 SKNOVOKUZNETSKNovokuznetsk (2405) 20.5 ever, 19...6e6 20.dd5 Ba5 came
there. seriously into consideration, when

NEwrN CHESS ) 91
 there is no direct win for White, ond round of the Championship. It l4.Ad2 a6 15.4d4 White gained does not choose the stron$est I
for example, 21.trh3 €f8. But af- should be said that by this time I the advantage. In a later game in The direct 12.6c6 wotrld h
ter the possible 21.f4 White's at- had already 'had my fill' of Khalif- the same variation (Svidler-Anand, been much more unplP-<-ra
tack develops of its own accord. man - the Kalmykia President's Madrid 1998) alter 10...Wa5 me: 12...bc6 (12...CM? f3-tt{
2O.Af7 Ba5 Cup had only just concluded in El- 11.9a5 Aa5 White followed a dif- bad for Black, and l2-J& z
Directed against the threatened ista, where in the semifinal, after ferent course: l2.dc4 6c4 13.4c4 will not do: 13.hd6! id5 f,lj
e5-e5 (21.e6?? 6b3), but now mis- two games of normal chess, in the a6 14.f3 ag6 15.4f5 6e5 16.4b3 9b4 15.€e2 gd3 16.€d3 i
fortune strikes from the other two additional quickplay games I ef5 17.0-0-0 Ae7 18.Ed5 Ac6 17.9.f4 0-0-0 18.€e2 ge4 r93
side. had yielded to him. In addition, 19.Ef5 0-0 20.trd1 Af6 21.trd7 b5 13.0-0 Ae7 14.trac1 0{ r5:l
21.trh3 €f8 22.Ef3! this was considered to be the 22.f4 6,a5 23.4d4 o,b3 L/z-1/2. and although this is not tsri
The tame is decided. match between the favourites, and 11.6c4 6d5 for Black, even so White mir
22...o,e5 23.9d5 €97 24.Ej7 on it depended the subsequent some pressure.
Black resigned. mood of the teams... L2...ab413.€fI.
1.e4 cG 2.d4 dS 3.e5 AfS
Of my own games I should like to 4.6f3 e6 5.4e2 c5 6.4e3 cd4 lndividual scores
give an important clash, which In Elista I played 6...4e7 against of the top three tearms
was interesting for its chess con- Khalifman.
tent, as well as in the competitive 7.dd4 6e7 8.c4 6bc6 9.9a4
1. KAZAN
and psychological sense. dc4
9...a6 is considered more accurate.
Rublevsky 2665 6trl
cK 4.Lt 10.6a3 gd7!? Dreev 2630 Elt rt
Alexander Khalifman And this is a new move! In the lbragimov 2590 S ll
AIexey Dreev game Gelfand-Karpov (Sanghi Na- Kharlov 2560 &rl
Maikop 1998 (3) gar 1995) after 10...8a5 11.9a5 L2.ats Yandemirov 2545 6 ,l
This game was played in the sec- Aa5 12.Aab5 6d5 13.4f5 ef5 After lengthy reflection Khalifman Khasangatin 22150 3h n
lgudesman 2370 lfE
total 3Elt I

2. MAIKOP
Malaniuk 2600 a ,r
Fedorov 2595 C fi
Galkin 2565 1 D
Korneev 2560 'ft.
Tregubov 2s60 5n!
Beshukov 2M 3rt
Poluliakov 2505 7 a
total str
3. ST. PETERSBURG
Svidler 2690 6 ,fi
Khalifman 2650 Stt rX
Epishin 2590 lh a
L
lvanov 2570 Slh a
lonov 2530 &n
o Solozhenkin 25fi) 5 !
o
{ Loginov 25fi) *n
o
total 3/m f
Alexander Morozevich: Brilliant 9 out of 1O result

92 ) NEwrN cHESs
traqd4 White gained does not choose the strongest line. 13.4d2 gdz r4.bd2 ef5 15.6d6 'greedy' - winninf one Pawn
h a la,ter game in The direct 12.6c6 would have €f8 did not promise White anY- would have been quite sufficienl
(Svidler-Anand, been much more unpleasant for thing. After 2l.Wf4 trd8 (21...9e6
aft€r 10...Ua5 me: 12...bc6 (12...9b4? 13.9b4! is 13...ef514.Ed16e3? 22]t9c4\ 22.h4 and 23.trh3 Black's
Mte bllosrcd a dif- bad for Black, and 12.-tsc6? also '\{hy I played
this, I am unable to position is unenviable.
ULe€4lc4 13.9c4 will not do: 13.4d6! Ad6 14.4b5 explain... After the natural 14...8e6 21...Ed8 22.8c4
f5-e6 a€5 16-Q.b3 Ab4 15.€e2 Ad3 16.€fi Af4 White must play 15.4f3 6e3 22.h4Ve6l
&7 l8-fd5 6c6 17.9f4 0-0-0 18.Se2 Be4 19.4e3) 16.he3, when Black has an amaz' 22...h523.w14
3-6 2r-trd7 b5 13.0-0 Ae7 14.trac1 0-0 15.trfd1, ingly pretty move, one that is 23.h4! was correc! when there
r_h3w+5. and although this is not terrible worth a diagram: 16...Eb8!! could have followed 23...t3!
for Black, even so White maintains (23...trh6 24.trh3 ad6 25.trhd3!)
some pressure. 24.9t3 E,'h6 with good chances of
L2...ab413.€f1 equalising, for example: 25.f91
We6 26.We6 E e6 27 .f4 f6!
23...h41
lndividual scores
The situation has changed sharply.
of the top three teams
With this last move Black prevents
the development of the white rook,
1. KAZAN
Rublevsky
Dreev
2665 6th l1O
2630 6Y, l1O
A iH An
and in addition he has acquired a
new resource: ...fh5. Here my op-
ponent sank into thought but did
lbragimov 2590 5 /10 analysis diagram not find the best reply.
Kharlov 2560 81h l1O 24.t3?l
Yandemirov 2545 6 /10 after which he has everything in 24.@e2 looks much more logical,
f,halifman Khasangatin 2460 4k n order. retaininEl slightly the better

lgudesman 2370 1t/z 13 15.6e3 Be616.Ac4! chances.

The reason I played 14...he3? was
total 38k 160
probably that I was too carried
away by the variation 16.4d5
2. MAIKOP
0-04!with the idea of 17.4b4 fdl
Malaniuk 2600 4 110 18.4d1 9c4, and forgot about
Fedorov 2595 I /10 everythin8 else...
Galkin 2565 4 E 16...9g6
Korneev 2560 4h 19 16...We5 loses immediately to A iHii

Tregubov 2560 5k 19 17."eb5 (17.4d5? 0-0-0) t7...t9e4^ llllii.i

jrl:1il ,\^l
lJ] I

Beshukov 2405 3k 15 18.4c6 bc6 19.f;l! :

Poluliakov 2505 7 l8 17.gbsf4!

total 36U /60 The only possibility of continuing After the move played Khalifman
the struggle. Black would have offered a draw, which I accepted,
lost after 17...9e7 18.4c6 bc6 still under the influence of the dif-
3. ST. PETERSBURG
19.trd6! ficult situation in which I had just
Svidler 2690 6 /10 18.6c4 been. However, after White's last
Khalifman 2660 51h 110 If 18.4d5 Black again has the very move I could have tried to take the
Epishin 2590 2Y, l8 strong 18...04-0! by 24...trh5. Unfortu-
initiative
lvanov 2570 51h 19 18...3"e719.6d0 €A nately, I
did not see that 25.€f2
lonov 2530 4k n The kings have again taken up the would not do, as after 25...Vc2
Solozhenkin 2500 5 /9 distant opposition! 26.8d2 (or 26.Vd2 Uc5) 26...tsc5
Loginov 2500 sth n 2O.AcG bc6 21.tsc6? 27.Wd4 (White loses after 27 .:8e3
total 341h 160 But this is a serious mistake! We3 28.€e3 treS 29.6e4 tre4!)
White should not have been 27...Vd4t 28.rd4 re5 29.trhd1

NEw rN CHESS t 93
 Ee6 30.6e4 Ed4 31.Ed4 f5 Black 9...c6 10.c4 a5 1:l-ic3 i,r
wins. 12.0-0 0-0
Of course, the final position is by 12...4C4 was possible, but tlfs &
no means lost for White, but it has not combine very well uitl -d-
to be agreed that, with 6 minutes 13.h3
the Bogo-lndian, against 15-20 (which is probably
what Iwould have had after
White has gained an openin! t
vantage. In contrast to sid
structures in the Kin$'s Indi.m t
Queen's lndian 24...8h5) and clearly intending to
play 25.@f2, it would have been fence, Black's dark-square trfoh
very difficult for White to switch stands much worse, and tnis gir
and Gatalan to 25.b3 with the idea of 25...8e6 him problems.
26.trel, or to something similar... 13...h614.4e3 c5
in the NEC Yearhooks Even so, we won this match The start of an interesting ht *
31/z-21/2, which, naturally, gave the dubious plan. 14...6h7 was bac
team confidence... 15.6e1 g5?l 16.a3 *t
Database Surveys (NiC key, Yearbook Volume)
17.6d3 We8
The Russian Champion Peter
Qt 7.10-13 2s Svidler, the highest rated player in E :i:
9;2.3 ,iii,..,,.BE
r*
Ql 34
the tournament and the leader of
4.gg ga6 the St Petersburg team, played in lliiiiAE
Qr 1,3
Qr 14.6 26 his usual bright and artistic style.
dl tr
Qr 1.3
Qr 1.3
Qr 1,4
Qr 14,6
Ql 14,18
33
18
Here is one of his wins: iit:A
A ,.
IA I
Qt 15.2 24 U,,,,,,, U
Qr 1.5
Qr 15.2 ,\r\/a i
Qr 1.7
Qf 15.4
32
28
RL 11.3
Peter Svldler
$
Ql 1.8
Ql 1.8 Qr 15.6 42
@:::.:::,.@
&EL-
f -
Vladimir Malaniuk e i-
Qr 1.11 Qr 16.10 27 ,..:,,,.
:'.:: e H
Maikop 1998 (5)
Qr 1.12 Ql 16.11 24
Qr 16.11 33 1.e4 e5 2.613 6,cO 3.4b5 a6
4.4a4 d6 5.c3 Ad7 6.d4 Af6 L8.t4l
7.VeZ The retribution for the 'hbstf
Catalan
1-d4 af6 2,c4 eG A rare continuation. 7.0-0 is usu- taken by Black in the opening
3.93 ally played. L8...9t4 L9.6t4 E ]€ 2O:A!
cA 3.1 27 7...4e7 8.d5 Ab8 9.4c2 Insisting on the Trojan 'brecf
cA 3_1 31
A similar idea occurred back in the horse!
cA 3.1 M
cA 3.4 45 glame Fischer-Johannsson (Reykja- 2O...e14 2L.9:t4 Q:hl Z2t
cA 3.4 45 vik 1960): l.e4 e5 2.6f3 dci Ah4 23.e6! fe6 24.gg$ 3l
eA 3.10 29 25.AdG ed5 26.9f;1llB
3.4b5 a6 4.4a4 d6 5.c3 Ad7 6.d4
cA 3.13 20
cA 4.2 20 af6 7.0-0 Ae7 8.d5 Ab8 9.4c2 An attempt to buy \\tite o
cA 4.4 18 9e4 10.c4 abdT 11.8e1 0-0 Black's position makes a Elo
cA 5.1 L8 lz.abdz c5 13.a4 AeS with impression. His extra piece hrs r
cA 5.1
- 40
slightly the better game for White. solutely no effect.
cA 5.7
29 47
But there, as will be seen, instead 27.Atg Af8 28.4d5 Ar
39
43 of tse2 White castled kingside, to 29.Ee1 Wc6 3O.g€ q
which Black replied ...4g4. I as- 31.Wg3 Ads 32.cdlt tr
sume that Svidler was familiar 33.d6 wg7 34.€h2!
33
with this idea, but had decided to Preparing h4, which did na q
42
47 modernise it. Now after 9...494 immediately because of 3{}l-8.1
10.abd2 followed by h3 White re- 34...c4 35.h4
tains the option of also castling on Black resigned. A somotil p
the queenside. mature decision, which. I -'-

94 ) NEw rN CHESS
 il-@il5 Black 9...c6 1O.c4 a5 11.6c3 ha6 slighfly disappointed Peter, who winning a pawn, or 7...6R 8.tsf3
12.O{ O-O after 35...Ad8 had probably pre- Ac3 9.8c3.
l2...Ag4 was possible, but this does pared 36.Ef8 €f8 37.Ee8 €f7 8.a3 b5?
ldm is by
not combine very well with ...c6. 38.9f3! €e8 39.4a4. Black is insistent. He should have
f-hithas
fr O rinutes 13.h3 admitted that his plan was faulty
nft b pbablv White has gained an opening ad- Unfortunately, towards the end and reconciled himself to an infe-
h
H after vantage. In contrast to similar Svidler lost two games, including rior position after 8...4e7 9.b4 cb4
iafinf to structures in the King's Indian De- one to Alexander Morozevich, who 10.ab4 6fl} 11.9f3 gd8.
d ble been fence, Black's dark-square bishoP took first place on top board with
E b switch stands much worse, and this gives a brilliant result - 9 out of 10! The

&d5-geo him problems. following game is typical of Moro-

<illar- 13...h614.4e3 c5 zevich's play.

mr ffs match
grue the
The start of an interesting, but alas,
dubious plan. 14...4h7 was better. st 31.7 irii
.Hrr11 i
| {tililiit'
liiiiililtt ilii
|lilt

15.he1 Cs?t 16.a3 *C7 Alexander Morozevlch

17.4d3 We8 Yury Yakovlch
frn Peter
g
Maikop 1998 (2)
1.e4 c5 2.6f3 6cG 3.4b5 gG
An i Ai
player in I UIiHi
de. Ieader of !Il!tr"ri:
E:R::
4.O{ Ag7 5.6c3 ad4
to, plored in t#,llr 6.4a4!? 9.b4Ba61o.bc5! 6f3
drtistic style. a A new move. 6.dd4 cd4 7.Q)e2 or 10...ba4 11.4d4 Ad4 12.6b5 Ae5
ililln 6.4c4 is usually played. 13.Ab2 is crushing.

A A 6...8a5?! 11.9f3 ba4 L2.6,b5 €e7

i!ffiii Black tries to exploit the appar- 13.d4
.1#.
ently somewhat insecure placing White has a decisive attack!
A s&r
E' A
.rtr.V)t l
of the white pieces, by preparing 13...f8 L4.6c7 9cG 15.d5!
tr ...b5.6...a6 is more circumspect, but 9c5 16.6a8 Aa6 L7.trel,
r AhS a6 not 6...e6 7.6d4 cd4'8.4b5 gb6 6h6 18.9.e3 Bc8 19.d6 €d6
r!(r Grn AfG L8,.t4l 9.c3 with advantage to White. 20.4h6 ah6 21.8f6 gf8
The retribution for the 'liberties' 7.Eb1 21...9a8 22.EedL Sc7 23.We5.
7fl is usu- taken by Black in the openingl. Directed against...b5. 22.8ed1,
18...9f4 19.4f4 trh8 20.trfr21 7...e6 In view of the loss of his rook [af-
InsistinS on the Trojan 'breed' of If 7...b5 8.6d4 cd4 9.b4 9a6 ter 22...&c6 23.Wc3 -ed.l Black
berk in the horse! 10.4b5 gb7 11.ad5 e6 12.4a6 resigned.
(Reykja- 2O...et4 21-.3;14 6,h7 22.e5
6 ae,f;| Ac6 Ah4 23.e6! fe6 24.8g4 Ag5
.t_d7 6.d4 25.4d6 ed5 26.Wf3 trf8
Gd5 Q:b8 93c2
M ll-Eel 0-0
An attempt to buy White
Black's position makes a gloomy
off.
Boekhandel Van Stockum
Brl ?ie8 with impression. His extra piece has ab
lchrWhite. solutely no effect.
*a, instead 27.AtA af8 28.ad5 Ae6 Herengracht 60
tfugside, to 29.8e1 Bc6 3o.tsc3 €98 25L1,EJ Den Haag
-,8{4. I as- 31.9g3 Ad5 32.cd5 BcZ
rc familiar 33.d6 gg7 34.€h2! in
PreparinS h4, which did not work tel: 070-3656.808
H &cided to
h tu 9..3.94 immediately because of 34.h4 Af6. Nederland fax: 070-3461.834
Dr L3 White re- 34...c4 35.h4
rLooding on Black resigned. A somewhat pre-
mature decision, which, I think,

NEW IN CHESS ) 95
Chess Notes
Nearly 2,200 'C.N.' items have al-
ready appeared, covering all as-
pects of the glame. The journal be-
gan in 1982 and ran for eight
years. In 1993 Cftess Notes re-
turned as a syndicated column,
published in various magazines
througfirout the world, but it will
now be appearingl exclusively in
New in Chess.
Readers are invited to contribute
and, when submitting informa-
tion, to quote exact book and
magazine sources.
2t88
Ihe earliest Caro-Kann Defence
Which is the earliest published
game featuring the Caro-Kann De-
fence?
C.N. 42 reported on an 1864
consultation game involving Zuker-
tort (White). We can now say that
G.S. Spreckley v A. Mongrddien,
Liverpool, 1847 beSan 1.e4 c6
2.d4 e5 3.de5 9a5 4.6c3 We5
5.hf3 Bc7 6.4c4. White won by
forcing mate at move 25, and the
full score appeared on page 115 of
The Chess Plager's Chronicle, t0
April 1847.
A game played in India between
Valentine Green and 'The Brah-
min' opened 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5
3.4d3 e6 4.df3 af0 5.e5 6fd7
6.c3 c5 and was published on page
lll of Cassell's lllustrated Familg
Paper,16luly 7859.
2t89
Capa's 'brilliancy'
As mentioned in C.N. 2037, Her-
man Steiner disclosed on page 66
of the March 1943 Chess Reuiew
96 ) NEw lN CHESS
that his game of livingl
against Capablanca at Los Angeles
in 1933 had been pre-arranged.
The brilliancy is too familiar to be
repeated here, but
that on page L30 of 1001
Wags to
Checkmate Reinfeld of-
fered this position:
iuerr
r rililnii$
nl!I!!l}
The solution given was 1.Ec6 Wc6
2.9b4 mate, but on page 52 of the
June 1987 Chess Life a reader
pointed out 1.\9e7 mate. The Clress
Life a\trnnisl Larry Evans, might
have been expected to know and
mention that, with the (vital)
difference of a white pawn on
a4 rather than a2, the position
was identical to the finish of
Capablanca v Steiner, but nothing
was said.
A remarkably similar finish arose
in a game published on pages 4-5
of the March 1923
Schachzeitung:
QO L7.72
Savielly Tartakower
A. Holte
Copenhagen,
1.d4 d5 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 6f6
4.4g5 Ae7 5.e3 O{ 6.tsc2
abdT 7.ol13 cG 8.cd5 edS
9.4d3 hO 1O.h4 Ee8 LL.Ai4
IL4l s
it was claimed that
Botvinnik and Sqrslc
B&
pated only in the latkr pryt
game.
1
2t9t
chess Ab412.o-o{ Ve7 L3.e4 a,94 No collection otgG
L4.EdgL 6gf6 15.6e5 he5 'No collection of games d
16.de5 Ahs 17.AhG Be5 the modern masters exists-'
18.Egs gf6 19.trhs gh6 W. Steinitz, The Inbtr
it may be noted 20.ECL €f8 21,.gg0 Ac3 Chess Magazine, lamzy
Billiant 22.bc3 €e7 23.9f5 Afs page 6.
24.tr1s gh4 2s.Ef7 6d6
26.trg6 €c5 27.8b7 Eab8 2t92
28.9b3 Eb7 29.9b7 ga4 Tarrasch v Lasker
From Bernd Graefrath (Esct
'ln my research oo E
Lasker I have fouod cd
data on a move in t}le foird
of his match \rith I:
(Dtisseldorf, 24 A4rrst
Lasker made his hnc
manoeuvre from e7 via c5
On move 15 did the wtr
go from d4 to c3 or from dll
3O.Ec6
and mate next move.
2t90
I jt rI
Gonsultation gpme
What was the most formidable
line-up ever seen in a consultation
game? C.N. 2760 gave the score of
a 1904 batfle between Lasker,
Marshall, Teichmann and Chigorin
(White) and Janowsky, Lawrence,
Marco and Schlechter, whereas The earliest sources Uy
C.N. 2175 referred to a consultation Lasker and Tarrasch gire lI
Wiener game played at Voronovo, 1952 c3 (and 17.9c3-b3). as k ft
between Petrosian, Averbakh, the Olms volume Ae fu.
Taimanov, Geller, Botvinnik and krimpfe Lasker-Tarrodt t
Smyslov (White) and Keres, Kotov, Welt meisterschaft I 9(E td
Tolush and Boleslavsky. But later sources gne n
Two UK correspondents, Andrew and 17.Uc4-b3.
20 January 7923 Butterworth (Mexborough) and These include R6ti's IE r
Paul Timson (Clitheroe), point out Ideenim Schaclspid"Tfr
that when the latter game appeared Die hypermoderne W
on pages 45-48 of Petrosian's and, even, a book by [-h
Legacg (Editions Erebouni, 1990) self, Brettspiele der Vdlb[
 itwas claimed that BoleslavskY, 1931), page 79. I think that the 2t94
Botvinnik and Smyslov Partici- older sources are more reliable, A knight at e5
Srllzcrland.
pated only in the latter part of the but how did the wrong move origi- 'The great master places a knight
game. nate and spread?' at e5; checkmate follows by itself.'
This aphorism is regularly credited
2L9t 2t93 to Tartakower (see, for example,
1']c7 73€,4 694 No collection of games Zukertort v Blackburne page 16 of Golombek's The Encydo
l5le5 6e5 'No collection of games of any of pedia ofChess), but should it be?
17-EnG 9e5 the modern masters exists.,.' On papie 426 of the 17 February
t.g-Ehs gh6 W. Steinitz, The International 1934 issue of L'Echiquier Tar'
2r-.e€0 Ac3 Chess Magazr.re, January 1885, takower gave this position:
2"- e f5 gfs paEe 6.
-<
=f7 €d6
Zl57 trab8 2L92
ga4 Iarrasch Y Lasker
From Bernd Craefrath (Essen):
'In my research on Emanuel
Lasker I have found conflicting
data on a move in the fourth game This position came about after
of his match with
Tarrasch Black's 30th move in Zukertort v
(Dtisseldorf, 24 August 1908). Blackburne, London, 1883, one of A
Lasker made his famous rook the most famous games.
manoeuvre from e7 via e5 to c5. Zukertorl won with 31.9e5, a O. Bernstein-N.N., Paris, 1933.
On move 15 did the white queen move attributed two exclamation
gfo from d4to c3 orfrom d4toc4? marks by Reinfeld on page 34 of Play went:
The Chess Masters on Wnning 1.9h4 c2 2.hgB trh8 3.trfiI
C/ress (New York, 1960). However,
g:t7 4.Ef7 gg8 5.9h7 trh7
a forced mate in seven with 6.gh7 gh8 7.AgO mate
31.trg8 had already been put for-
ward by Edgard Tchdlibi of Beirut At the condusion Tartakower wrote:
c-
m formidable
(1928-1963)
Marchl9l7 BCM.
on page 60 of the ' Ces grands-maitres placent
"

leurlsl Caualiers d d5 et aprbs les

fo a cmsultation It may not be long until some- mats ddcoulent d'ettx-mames!" dit
gac the score of body brings out a book of com- en uogant cette catastrophe un
H*tn Lasker, puter 'busts' of famous positions, sp e ctateur g r incheux.'
rod Chigorin and some general questions are In short, Tartakower was quot-
Lawrence, worth contemplating. Are such ing an onlooker.
whereas The earliest sources by both faster wins 'important'? Should
fu e corsultation Lasker and Tarrasch give 15.9d4- annotators systematically look for, 2L95
t \rmoro, 1952 c3 (and 17.9c3-b3), as is shown by and point out, these discoveries? The Stomy Petrel and the
Averbakh, the Olms volume Die Schachwett- Should the use of a computer, and Ewns Gambit
BCrinnik and ktimpfe Lasker-Tarrasch um die perhaps even its identity, always Who in the chess world was 'The
md f,aes, Kotov, Weltmeisterschaft 1908 und 1916. be acknowledged? Should new edi- Stormy Petrel'?
But later sources give 15.tsd4-c4 tions of old books aim to represent The obvious answer may be
Andrew and 17.Sc4-b3. 'the current state ofknowledge'? Nimzowitsch, but he was not the
t@daough) and These include Rdti's Die neuen For the record, our 2l-franc first. Page 574 of the March 1882
point out Ideen im Schachspiel, Tartakower's chess CD-ROM had put its finger, Brentano's Chess Monthly reported
gre appeared Die hypermoderne Schachpartie or whatever, on 31.Eg8 almost that Philip Richardson (1841-
fr Mrosian's and, even, a book by Lasker him- before we had set our stop-watch 1920) attended the Cafd Interna-
Eactouni, 1990) self, Brettspiele der Vdlker (Berlin, going. tional in New'York only 'on rainy

NEw rN CHESS ) 97
 A special dis
I would like rc q&
(pleue tich)
CHESS NOTES tr Atotald_E
of NIC Yentd-
days, owing to the fact that he was March 1856, pages 94-95), had 2197 tr PaperE 0 I
a photographer and, consequenflY, glone the same way until move 13. Correspondence game
was released from his duties at the Richardson v Mason was re- PleasewribrE
camera in stormy weather; the co- peated as far as 15...6b6 in a well- KP t4.2 numba(sl IEE-
incidence of storms and his visits known miniature won by Max A. Rhode
soon attracted notice, and he was Bier, who played 16.4f6. Various Willi Schlage
prompfly dubbed "The Stormy sources give the date of that game Correspondence game, 1917 I}le Cot4tsEl
tr Paper.* I
Petrel" by Capt. Mackenzie, and as 1898, even though it had been 1.e4 e5 2.6f3 6c6 3.4c4 6f6
tbis soubriquef has clung to him published by the Deutsche Schach' 4.d4 ed4 5.0-0 AcS 6.e5 d5
7.Ab5 6e4 8.ad4 Ad7 9.4b3
! PleasedEgEtsf
to this day'. zeitung on page 117 of its April !lfm lt
The maplazine then gave a few 1879 issue. Ae7 10.Ad3 Ab6 11.4e4 de4
of Richardson's games, the first of
2196
L2. ags h6 13.4h4 g5 14.4g3
h5 15.h3 6f5 16.€h1 e3
ruo.lli{l
which was:
Bogoljubow L7.6c3 h4 18.4h2 ef2 19.6d5 Date

tG 5.5 A game which has seemingly es- ag32O.aE3 hg3 2laf6 [Your credit cad r1--!.r
dtIS
convemiofl rats
Phllip Richardson caped the anthologists and theore- tr lend@aqr
James Mason ticians: D lendcea{
New York, 1873 NLG 12lIEr2'I

1.e4 e5 2.6f3 6c6 3.4c4 Nr 26.4 ! lhaveHl'

AcS 4.b4 Ab4 5.c3 Aa5 6.O-0
at67.d4 (H) 8.6e5 6e5 9.de5
A:e4 1o.gd5 Ac3 11.4c3
Ac3 12.9f3 6,a4 13.993
€hg 14.4g5 Be8
ab616.Ad3 Be617.Bh4
Efim Bogouubow
llya Rablnovich
Triberg, February 7977
1.d4 af6 2.c4 eG 3.6c3 Ab4
15.Efe1 4.4f3 bG s.Ags Ab7 6.e3 h6
hG 7.Ah4 95 8.4g3 6e4 9.8c2
h5 1o.Ad3 f5 11.0-O-O Ac3
12.bc3 Be7 13.€b2 dG 21...9f6 22.wd7
L4.dS ed5 15.4d4 dc4 Schlage:''The only move. These
16.4c4 h4 L7.t3 hg3 18.h93 successive queen sacrifices, which
i:T Ef8 19.fe4 Ae4 2O.Be2 cG are also the first moves by both
2L.6eG g4 22.619 gf8 queens, are most likely unique in
23.4e6 &e7 chess literature.'
22...€d7 23.ef6 EagB 24.tr1d1,
,iiiiii
A €e6 25.6d2 E4 26.6111, gh3
A 27.trd3he228.&92
CTf:
,E!:

18.4f6 €g8 19.9g3 g6 '#tL.iifri

20.496 Resigns :il
.E:
No date was specified, but the
game is also on pages 297-298 of
!!!!!!:!, !!!!!!!!!:, g !,!!!!!!!: l:!!
the 1873 Chess Plagers'Chroni- !!!!!;'!! ,{::::':::: :;tri
::::::::::

c/e (where Black was merely 'Mr

M., ...another strong player').
24.Ac8 Uc8 25.Eh7 *eG
26.trh6 &t7 27.g1d6 tsa6
a
,H::
ia]iiiiiiiiiii
' :'
ltig
, ,\:::llll.
| L4 \t:': .

28.trh7 €g8 29.9d1 gbs

' Fi
Brcntano's Chess Monthly wrote
rst introduction of Richardson's 3O.€a1 €h7 31.Efh1 Resigns 28...Eh1 29.Resigns
THr
Attack in Evans' Gambit', but an TO(
earlier game, between Leow and Source: easopis eeskgch Sachisti, Source: Deutsche Schachzeitung,
Eliason (Deutsche Schachzeitung, October 1917, pages 139-140. May 1917, pages 106-107. I
98 I Nnw ru cness
 li' RrrnESH YouR REPERToTRE
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-ptsI:
A Chess Historical Monument that Deserves Double Tribute

a 60 Jaar Hoogovens: The Book

Deluxe Hardcover Edition, 240 pp
f 48,- DM 44 $27 EL6

a 60 Jaar Hoogovens: The CD-R0M

Thousands of Games, Countless Pictures, Unique Footage
f 38,- DM 35 $ 22 t 1.2.50

The Book
Taking turns devoted Hoogovens aficionados Lex Jongsma and Alexander Miinninghoff present
the fascinating history of 60 memorable tournaments that attracted an endless stream of chess
stars and lesser gods to Beverwijk and Wijk aan Zee. Their lively account, brimming with
anecdotes and hitherto unknown stories, paints atthe same time a vivid picture of Dutch chess
life in this period. Heavily illustrated 60 Jaar Hoo{ovens will be a treasure trove for every chess
playerwho evertook part in Hoogovens or hopesto go there one day.

The GD-ROM
The moment you start this CD-ROM you are welcomed by the Hoogovens tune that for the past
years has sisnaled the beginning of the round in Wijk aan Zee.Once you've been welcomed you
can choose from an abundance of Hoogovens facts and figures. An easily accessible database
contains more than 7400 games from all grandmaster and master groups. The games have
been edited with utmost care and numerous unknown games from the forties and fifties are
included. A comparison with the several 'megabases'that are carelessly thrown on the market
these days will reveal to the true collector a great number of significant differences and
additions.
All players who ever played in the Hoogovens main tournament are presented in a huge gallery 0f
pictures accompanied by biographical information. Resutts can be found in the cross tables of
all the tournaments. lf any of these cross tables arouses your interest in one of the games that
was played in that particular edition you only have to click the game in question to retrieve it and
playthrough the moves on your screen.

Note: Both publications are in Dutch; but even so the book and certainly the CD-R0M are
valuable collector's items for non-Dutch chess enthusiasts,

Publication Date: September t