Kasparov in Clichy - video analysis by IM Andrew Martin

It might seem like overkill to some, but when one of the greatest players of all time (the greatest in some opinions) comes out to play a couple of games, especially against a top talent rated over 2700 it is news. Even if they were two blitz games. Add to that he won the first game, and was winning up to the last postion in the second, and one realizes that he wasn't just there for the show, he was out for blood.

IM Andrew Martin, a renowned commentator, instructor, and author of numerous books and Chessbase DVDs, generously took the time to pore over the games and share his analysis and observations. He did not content himself to send us his notes, he recorded them in video analysis which he then posted, allowing us to share them with you directly from our pages.

Game One: Kasparov-Vachier Lagrave

In game two, one would be forgiven for thinking a second draw would be all Kasparov was out for, after all, the match was his, but as seen in the game, and first pointed out to us by FM Ricardo Teixeira, Garry was winning even in the last position before his final move, and probably missed it in time trouble.

Game Two: Vachier Lagrave-Kasparov

IM Andrew Martin is currently the chess director at Yately Manor School, one of the first schools in England to offer chess scholarships.The school is the current sponsor of the ECF National Schools Championship and of several English Closed Championship tournaments in four age groups,which take place in January each year. The school offers an excellent education for children between the ages of 5-13. If you enjoyed his commentary and would like to see more, be sure to check out his newest DVD, "First steps in attack"

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