CHESS
Matchless
Raymond Keene
CONTINUING my introduction of Vladimir Kramnik, who will challenge Garry ICasparov for his world throne in London from 7 October to 5 November, it has to be remarked that Kramnik is essentially a tournament player. He has won numerous first prizes in tournaments and polished off the very best. This week's game and puzzle are good examples. Nevertheless, it must be conceded that Kramnik is less impressive in match play, where he has lost to both Shirov and ICamsky. Kasparov's great match experi- ence may well become the deciding factor in their London championship, though ICramnik's one big match success was, ironi- cally, a drawn contest against Kasparov him- self in an extended match played at fast a time limit over the Internet.
Kramnik–Karpov: Dos Hermanas 1997; Nimzo-Indian Defence
1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 Qc2 0-0 5 a3 Bxc3 6 Qxc3 b6 7 b4 Bb7 8 Bb2 d6 9 e3 Nbd7 10 d4 Ne4 11 Qb3 a5 12 Be2 aitb4 13 aitb4 Rxal+ 14 Bxal Ndf6 It is strange that Karpov, an expert in this line, deliberately entangles his knights, and leaves the piece on e4 without a secure method of retreat. Instead, 14 Ng5 15 d5 Nxf3+ 16 Bxf3 e5 17 e4 Qg5 18 0-0 f5 19 exf5 Qxf5 20 Bb2 Diagram 1 and only now 20 ... Nf6 led to equal chances for Black in the game Georgiev—Cebalo, San Bernardino 1988. 15 0-0 Qd7 16 b5 Ra8 17 Bb2 c6 Another move that is quite uncharacteristic of Karpov. For the sake of short-term mobility for his queen and bishop, he voluntarily weakens his pawns on b6 and do. 18 bxc6 Qxc6 19 Rdl (Diagram 1) White has gradually been gearing up for the manoeuvre Ne1 followed by f3, which would seriously compromise Black's knight on e4. In view of this, Karpov has to inaugurate a full scale retreat. 19 ... Nd7 20 Nel Qa4 Karpov has a knack of escaping from inferior positions, often by seeking exchanges Here, though, the trade of queens does little to dissipate White's advantage. The twin pluses of the bishop pair and a mobile central pawn roller manifest themselves even after queens have vanished from the board. 21 Qxa4 Rxa4 22 13 Nef6 23 Bd1 Ra2 24 Nd3 Kf8 25 Bb3 After this move what had been a retreat turns into a rout. 25 ... Ra8 26 e4 Nb8 27 c5 It is tempting to play quietly and ultimately manoeu- vre against Black's vulnerable pawns on d6 and b6. The text, however, is an inspired solution. Although it eradicates Black's weaknesses, the energy developed by White's forces, even in a Diagram 2
simplified situation, soon turns out to be decisive. 27 ... bxc5 2,8 dxc5 dxc5 29 Nxc.5 Bc8 Karpov seems obsessed in this game with retreating his pieces to the back rank. Here 29 ... Bc6 might have been better. 30 e5 Ne8 (Diagram 2) Instead 30 ... Nd5 would have been the final chance. Now, Karpov's pieces have ended up in a spec- tacular huddle on his own first rank. His near voluntary decision to return most of his pieces to their starting squares is about to lead to a humili- ation of colossal proportions. 31 Ba4 Nc7 If instead 31 ... Ra7 32 Rdl. 32 Ba3 Kg8 33 Ne4 Rxa4 34 Rxc7 Ba6 35 Nc5 Black resigns The coup de grace. After 35 ... Rxa3 36 Nxa6 the two threats of Nxb8 and Rc8 mate combine to gain White an extra piece.
Ardbeg Malt Whisky Puzzle No. 26 White to play and win — first move only required. This position is a variation from the game Kramnik–Karpov, Dortmund 1997. How can White bring his kingside attack to a swift conclusion?
Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 2 May or via e-mail to vanessa@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 020 7242 0603. The winner will be the first cor- rect answer drawn out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of a bottle of Ardbeg malt whisky.
Last week's solution: Qxh6+ Last week's winner; Tony Collins, Colchester.
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