1.e4
e5
2.Nf3
Nc6
3.Bb5
Nf6
Following Kramnik's strategy? Kasparov goes for the Berlin Defence
4.d3
Surprise! [ 4.0-0
Nxe4
5.d4
Nd6
6.Bxc6
dxc6
7.dxe5
Nf5
8.Qxd8+
Kxd8
leads to the Berlin]
4...d6
5.c3
g6
6.0-0
Bg7
7.Nbd2
0-0
8.Re1
Re8N
[ 8...Bd7
9.a4
a6
10.Bc4
Be6
11.a5
Bxc4
12.dxc4
Nh5
1/2-1/2 Ponomariov,R-Grischuk,A/Panormo 2001/CBM 84 ext (12)]
9.d4
Bd7
10.d5
Ne7
11.Bxd7
Nxd7
The structure reminds us of the King's Indian, an opening in which computers have traditionally not fared too well.
12.a4
h6
13.a5
A positionally justified advance of the a-pawn
13...a6
14.b4
f5
15.c4
Nf6
16.Bb2
This move was criticised by many commentators [ 16.Qb3!?
]
16...Qd7
17.Rb1
[ 17.Rc1
and 17...--
18.c5
was expected]
17...g5
Khalifman thought f5-f4 was better.
18.exf5
Necessary, otherwise White will be overrun
18...Qxf5
19.Nf1
With the following manoeuvres Fritz takes control of the square e4.
19...Qh7!?
[ 19...Qg6
]
20.N3d2
Nf5
[ 20...Ng6
21.Ng3
Nf4
22.Nde4
probably did not appeal to Kasparov]
21.Ne4
Nxe4
22.Rxe4
h5
23.Qd3
Rf8
24.Rbe1
Rf7
25.R1e2
This and the following moves were criticised. Fritz is not playing actively enough.
25...g4
26.Qb3
Raf8
27.c5
[ 27.b5
was better according to Khalifman]
27...Qg6
28.cxd6
cxd6
29.b5
axb5
30.Qxb5
Bh6
The black plan is now h5-h4-h3 (or g3) with attack. Most annotators now thought that Black had the advantage.
31.Qb6
Threatens taking on e5, because the queen on g6 is unprotected and so the pawn on d6 is pinned.
31...Kh7
32.Qb4
This move prevents h5-h4, because otherwise g4 is hanging. With his next move Kasparov renews the threat but overlooks the fact that the rook on f8 is no longer protected. Kasparov was in time trouble.
32...Rg7
Immediately after playing the move Kasparov jumps to his feet and shakes his head.
33.Rxe5
Fritz is not one to miss this shot. Vishy Anand on the Playchess server: "Tricky beast."
33...dxe5
34.Qxf8
Nd4
35.Bxd4
exd4
36.Re8
threatens mate on h8
36...Rg8
37.Qe7+
[ Not 37.Qxg8+
Qxg8
38.Rxg8
Kxg8
and the white advantage disappears]
37...Rg7
[ 37...Bg7
38.Rxg8
Kxg8
39.Qxb7+-
; 37...Kh8
38.Rxg8+
Kxg8
39.Qxb7+-
]
38.Qd8
once again threatens mate.
38...Rg8
39.Qd7+
[ 39.Qd7+
Rg7
40.Qc8
Rg8
41.Qxb7++-
] 1-0