Clash of the Kings: Karpov vs Seirawan finishes 10:8

by ChessBase
6/16/2012 – Let us count: two classical and two rapid games were all drawn and counted for two points each, makes 4-4. Then came ten blitz games at a point each, with a 6:4 result for Anatoly Karpov, bringing the final score to 10:8. Former world junior champion and four-time US champion Yasser Seirawan lost narrowly to the former World Champion in the Saint Louis Chess Club event. Final report.

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The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis hosted a special match between former World Champion Anatoly Karpov and legendary US GM Yasser Seirawan. The two faced off from June 9 to 13 in a unique competition that tested their classical chess skills along with their abilities at both rapid and blitz play.

Tourney Format:

  • Two Classical: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an addition of a 30-second increment per move starting from move one. Each Classical game was worth two points.
  • Two Rapid: 25 minutes plus a five-second increment. Each Rapid game was worth two points.
  • Ten Blitz: Five minutes plus a two-second increment. Each Blitz game was worth one point.

Prize Fund: 1st Place: $10,000, 2nd Place: $7,000. The Opening Ceremony for the event took place on June 9 and featured a special book signing event for fans and spectators.

Video reports: with commentary by GM Ben Finegold and WGM Jennifer Shahade:

Final results Classical + Rapid

Blitz


Former World Champion Anatoly Karpov


GM Yasser Seirawan, USA – you will find extensive bios of both players here


Host and sponsor Rex Sinquefield ceremonially executing the first move


The match venue in the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis


The Clash of the Kings match is under way


Anatoly Karpov, 61, rated 2615, in action in 2012


Yasser Seirawan, 51, with a current rating of 2643


Yasser signing posters of the event for chess fans...


... and making one young fellow very happy


He even gets a book signed by the legendary World Champion

Karpov's King

Our ChessBase Magazine endgame expert Dr Karsten Müller spotted and interesting ending in the second game of the match, where with same colored bishops a fortress played a major role:
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MoveNResultEloPlayers
1.e41,161,23254%2421---
1.d4943,61155%2434---
1.Nf3280,29556%2441---
1.c4181,39556%2442---
1.g319,64956%2427---
1.b314,14254%2427---
1.f45,86848%2376---
1.Nc33,74951%2385---
1.b41,73548%2378---
1.a31,18753%2403---
1.e31,06348%2408---
1.d394050%2378---
1.g465846%2359---
1.h444152%2372---
1.c341951%2423---
1.h327756%2416---
1.a410659%2469---
1.Nh38866%2510---
1.f38745%2429---
1.Na34063%2477---
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.Qc2 d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Nc3 c6 8.Bg2 Be7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Rd1 Bb7 11.e4 Nxe4 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Ne5 f6 14.Qc4+ Qd5 15.Bxe4 Qxc4 16.Nxc4 Na6 17.Bf4 Rfd8 18.h4 g6 19.Bf3 Nb4 20.Ne3 Bd6 21.a3 Nd5 22.Nxd5 cxd5 23.Bxd6 Rxd6 24.Rac1 Rd7 25.Re1 Kf8 26.Bg4 Rf7 27.f4 Re8 28.Rxe8+ Kxe8 29.f5 Re7 30.Kf2 Kf7 31.fxg6+ hxg6 32.Be2 Re8 33.Bf3 Ke6 34.Re1+ Kf7 35.Rxe8 Kxe8 36.Ke3 g5 37.Bg4 Kf7 38.Bf5 Bc6 Karpov's King In endings with same colored bishops fortresses often play a major role: 39.h5 This makes Black's job relativly easy. 39.Kf3 is met by Ba4 40.Kg4 Bd1+= But 39.b3!? is a better chance to fight against Black's bishop before White's king tries to invade: a5 40.Ke2 40.Kf3 a4 41.b4 Bb5= 40...a4 41.b4 41.bxa4 Bxa4 42.Kd2 Kg7 43.h5 Kh6 44.g4 Bc6 45.Kc3 Bb5 46.Kb4 Be2 47.Be6 Bc4 48.a4 Kg7 49.a5 bxa5+ 50.Kxa5 Kh6 51.Kb4 Be2 52.Kc5 Bf3 53.Kd6 Kg7 54.Ke7 Bh1 55.h6+ Kxh6 56.Kxf6 Be4 57.Ke5 Bf3= 41...Bb5+ 42.Kf3 Bc4 43.Bb1 Bb3 44.Kg4 Bd1+ 45.Kf5 Bh5! The point of Black's defense. White's bishop will be dominated and Black draws, e.g. 46.Ba2 Bf3 47.hxg5 Be4+ 48.Kf4 b5! Black closes the cage. 49.gxf6 Kxf6 50.g4 Ke6 51.g5 Bg6 52.Kg4 Be4 53.Kh5 Kf7 54.Kh6 Ke6 55.g6 Kf6 56.g7 Kf7 57.Bxd5+ Bxd5 58.Kh7 Ke7 59.g8Q Bxg8+ 60.Kxg8 Kd6 61.Kf7 Kd5 62.Ke7 Kxd4 63.Kd6 Kc4 64.Kc6 Kb3 65.Kxb5 Kxa3 66.Kc4 Kb2 67.b5= 39...Kg7 Karpov's king comes to close the kingside. 40.g4 40.Kf3 Be8 41.Kg4 is not met by Kh6? But by 41...Ba4 42.Bc8 Bd1+ 43.Kf5 Bxh5 44.Bb7 Bf7= 42.Be6 Bxh5+ 43.Kf5 Kg7 44.Bxd5 Bg6+ 45.Ke6+- 40...Kh6 41.Be6 a5 42.Kd2 b5 43.Kc3 Kg7 44.b4 a4! Karpov closes all inroads and can now just wait with his king forever. 45.Kd3 ½–½
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Seirawan,Y2643Karpov,A2615½–½2012E15Match Classical2

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