SIMPSON'S

IN-THE-STRAND

t., 7 em

CHESS

I iler SIMPSON'S

1N-THE-STRAND

The king in check

Raymond Keene

KASPAROV'S situation is under increas- ing threat after his loss to Deep Blue earli- er this year. True, he has temporarily stemmed the flood of opposition and criti- cism with first prize in the powerful tourna- ment at Novgorod, but victory over humans no longer suffices to maintain the Kaspar- ov legend at its peak. The chief danger for Kasparov, apart from Deep Blue, comes from Fide, the World Chess Federation. Under the leadership of its former presi- dent, Florencio Campomanes, this organi- sation's credit was at a particularly low ebb, but it has now been revitalised by a series of PR coups from its energetic new presi- dent, Kirsan Ilumzinov, who doubles as the President of the autonomous Russian republic of Kalmykia.

It will be recalled that under Campo- manes's stewardship of Fide, Kasparov and Nigel Short broke away in 1993 to virtually privatise their world championship contest. In 1995 Kasparov successfully defended his title in New York against the Indian grand- master Viswanathan Anand. Since then, though, Intel has withdrawn sponsorship and Kasparov's umbrella organisation, the PCA, has been reduced to a one-man band, if that. Now, choosing precisely the right moment, Ilumzinov has struck back in an effort to encircle Kasparov and restore the credibility of his own organisation, announcing a 100-player knockout to determine the new world championship cycle. At first, this move was greeted with widespread scepticism. The promised $5 million prize fund was regarded as, at best, elusive, and the likely venue, Elista in the Russian steppes, did not beckon with par- ticular allure. Kasparov publicly declined to compete in an event which threatened to overturn the long tradition of world cham- pionship matches between the world's top two, and public opinion supported him.

Ilumzinov's latest manoeuvre, though, leaves Kasparov looking isolated. Fide has announced that their world championship final will be played from 1 to 9 January 1998 in the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee, no less, and with the full support of its president, Juan Antonio Samaranch. On top of this the $5 million prize fund has now been confirmed by the Russian firm Halzan, a concern which prospects for oil and gas in the steppes of Kalmykia.

I see only one way out for Kasparov. He must arrange a replay against Deep Blue, preferably also timed for January 1998. It must be an extended match, at least 16 games, and Kasparov must place his world title on the line. By staking all on this bold gamble Kasparov could, at a stroke, over- shadow Fide's publicity whilst simultane- ously (if he wins) restoring his credibility as the world's strongest player. If Kasparov can muster the courage for this move, I would recommend one precaution. I believe that Kasparov lost against Deep Blue part- ly through tiredness. Some time ago, adjournments were eliminated in champi- onship matches for fear of analysis by com- puters during the pause. This meant that all games had to be finished in one session. Against a computer opponent, this can be extremely fatiguing. Since Deep Blue is actually a computer there is patently no need to fear computer analysis: it is coming anyway. Therefore, I would suggest that if Kasparov rechallenges Deep Blue and puts his title on the line he should insist on the reintroduction of adjournments. But if he avoids both the Deep Blue challenge and the Fide event, he will find himself more isolated than an oil and gas prospector on the Russian steppes.

Kramnik–Kasparov: Novgorod 1997.

A brilliant diversion. White's queenside forces exert a decisive influence on the other side of the board. 31 ... Rxa4 31 ... Qxc7 32 Qxh6+! Kxh6 33 Rh3 mate. 32 Bxf4 Black resigns After 32 ... Bxf4 33 Ne6 Rg8 34 Rxg8 Qxg8 35 Qf5+ Kh8 36 Qf6+ Kh7 37 Nf8+ wins.

Novgorod 1997, Final Crosstable

1. Kasparov

1

• •

2 01h

3

1 1/2

4

1 1/2

5

1/2 1/2

6

1 1 6112

2. Kramnik

1 I/2

* 10

1/21/211/2 1/21/2

6 3. Short

01/2

01 • "

0/2

01 11 5 4. Bareev

01/2 I/21/2 11/2

**

01/2 1/21/2 41/2

5. Topalov

1/2 I/2 01/2

10

11/2

• • 00 4 6. Gelfand 0 0

1/21/2

00

1/21/2

11 • " 4