Hello again and I send you another thousand warm greetings from Uzbek chess fans and of course, our opponent Grandmaster Saidali Yuldashev! After two exciting games of historical Kasparov-Fritz match, now would you like to stop watching and do some playing? Well, we are still in the opening theory at the moment, but are entering the most important part of it. Until now, all of White’s moves were somewhat forced and obvious, but from now on we will have more options to play, and any tiny mistake may decide the game. As was expected, almost 100% of our TV and ChessBase audiences suggested the move 14.g3 and after Yuldashev’s 14…Qh3, here is the position we have, with White to move:
Uzbek TV/ChessBase Audiences – Saidali Yuldashev: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3.
White has two main options here: 15.Be3 and 15.Re4. Let’s take a look at both variations, with some statistics. For Be3 my German friend Fritz 8 has 120 games of both players rated over 2500 Elo, with White achieving a 55% score and Elo performance 2592. Not a bad result, considering that many people think this line is very good for Black. Among most often players of the variation on the white side are Andrei Sokolov, Vishy Anand and Nigel Short.
Just before I forget, I was just playing on the Playchess.com server and saw the latter playing. As he was smashing all his opponents, seeking a competent comment, I attempted to approach him to ask if he would spare me a few seconds to share his opinion about the position we have and the game in general. And I am sure my unedited, uncensored interview below will make you smile:
Jamshid: Hello Mr. Short, could you spare me a few seconds please? I was writing an article for chessbase.com, and would appreciate your little contribution.
Nigel Short: I play blitz (3 to 5 min with 1 or 2 seconds increment) for
50 ducats.
Jamshid: I assure you it will not take a long, just a couple of questions,
please.
Nigel Short: I play blitz (3 to 5 min with 1 or 2 seconds increment) for 50
ducats.
Jamshid: I promise to cut it as short as possible.
Nigel Short: I play blitz (3 to 5 min with 1 or 2 seconds increment) for 50
ducats.
Jamshid (after a few minutes): Can I still hope for a little interview, Mr.
Short?
Nigel Short: I play blitz (3 to 5 min with 1 or 2 seconds increment) for 50
ducats.
I think the grandmaster was so carried away with his games that he never even looked at the chat window. I would only receive automatic messages from the server, unfortunately.
Nigel Short in auto-respond mode?
Coming to our next option, 15.Re4, it’s noticeable that White’s score in this line is much better than in Be3, it’s 66% with a fantastic Elo 2754 performance! So you decide now, and please submit your moves and comments here.
Thank you all again for your suggested moves and comments you sent for the last article. I would really love to quote them all (some of you even asked me to), but this time I decided to quote only one, absolutely fascinating and touching message from a kid from India. You will understand why after you read it. (I slightly edited it for grammar)
Arun, India: Hi uncle Jam! I am a seven-year-old boy from India. I am writing this message. My left hand and leg are completely paralyzed. Because I cannot walk, I have almost no friends to talk to and play with. The only joy in my life is chess, and thank you for giving me this opportunity to play a real grandmaster! I also like your pictures and stories about your country. I will look forward to seeing the next move and your interesting stories and pictures of Uzbekistan. Thank you!
No Arun, this time you and all ChessBase readers will see pictures from India, one of the most exotic and beautiful places in the world! I wish you get well and become a great player like Vishy Anand and Krishnan Sasikiran!
Known as the seventh Wonder of the World, Taj Mahal has become a symbol of endless
love and devotion. Taj Mahal has been a visual delight for viewers over the
ages.
The Illuminated Rashtrapati Bhawan, Hawa Mahal, India Gate, and Purana Quila
(all in Delhi)
See you next week!
Jamshid
