3/11/2021 – Right around the turn of the century, one of the most dominating players in history showed his strength by winning the traditional Wijk aan Zee tournament three years in a row. Not only that — in his first appearance in Wijk, in 1999, Garry Kasparov defeated Veselin Topalov in what is now known as his ‘immortal game’.
ChessBase is a personal, stand-alone chess database that has become the standard throughout the world. Everyone uses ChessBase, from the World Champion to the amateur next door. It is the program of choice for anyone who loves the game and wants to know more about it.
Winning starts with what you know The new version 18 offers completely new possibilities for chess training and analysis: playing style analysis, search for strategic themes, access to 6 billion Lichess games, player preparation by matching Lichess games, download Chess.com games with built-in API, built-in cloud engine and much more.
Doesn’t every chess game get decided by mistakes? Absolutely. But most players never truly comprehend that they are making the same kind of mistakes over and over again.
€36.90
Three out of three
Garry Kasparov reigned as world chess champion from 1985 until 2000, five years before his early retirement in 2005. Despite having lost the world title against Vladimir Kramnik, however, he continued to win elite tournaments until the day he quit competitive chess. His two-decade dominance was an impressive showing of talent, determination and intense preparation.
The man from Baku, now devoted to politics and writing, achieved his highest-ever live rating in March 2000, shortly after getting his second straight victory at the traditional tournament in Wijk aan Zee. In fact, the former world champion only played three times in Wijk, and he won the event every single time he participated — from 1999 to 2001.
Kasparov’s record in Wijk is jaw-dropping — he scored 19 wins, 19 draws and lost only once during his three appearances. The only player to defeat him at the small coastal Dutch town was Ivan Sokolov, who obtained a memorable attacking win from the white side of a Nimzo-Indian Defence in round 9 of the 1999 edition.
New ...
New Game
Edit Game
Setup Position
Open...
PGN
FEN
Share...
Share Board (.png)
Share Board (configure)
Share playable board
Share game as GIF
Notation (PGN)
QR Code
Layout...
Use splitters
Swipe notation/lists
Reading mode
Flip Board
Settings
Move
N
Result
Elo
Players
Replay and check the LiveBook here
Please, wait...
1.d4Wells. Ftacnik. McShaneNf62.c4e63.Nc3Bb44.e3
Wells: 'Ivan has written both a book and a monograph on 4 Qc2, but is also
increasingly branching out in this direction. '0-05.Bd3d56.Nf3c57.0-0Nc68.a3Bxc39.bxc3Qc7'!?' Wells.9...dxc4Wells10.Bxc4Qc711.Bd3e512.Qc2is a more common route to the position we encounter at move 12.
The move order in the game reflects a prevailing belief that 10 cxd5 does not
offer white any clear route to a plus.10.Qc210.cxd5Wellsexd511.a4Re812.Ba3c413.Bc2Ne414.Bxe4Rxe415.Nd2Re8!is looking pretty
resilient at the moment. Black has good chances of maintaining his
light-square blockade.10...dxc411.Bxc4e512.Bd3Re812...Bg4
McShane: is also possible, and after13.Nxe5Nxe514.dxe5Qxe515.f3
with the two bishops White is a little better.13.e4'!?' Wells. Wells:
'Ivan Sokolov has been very productive of interesting ideas for white in the
Nimzo-Indian with both 4.Qc2 and latterly 4.e3. Here however his talent has
been for some admirable archaelogical digging. The text move was popular in
the 1950s and to some extent the 60s too, before dying out, as is often the
case for no particularly convincing reason. The main line '13.dxe5WellsNxe514.Nxe5Qxe515.f3leads to heavily analysed structures.13...exd413...c414.Bxc4exd415.cxd4Na515...Rxe4!?16.Bd316.Ng5?Nxd417.Qa2Qxc418.Qxc4Ne2+16...Re717.Bg517.d5Nxd517...Ne518.Nxe5Qxc219.Bxc2Rxe520.d618.Bxh7+Kh819.Bg517...Bg418.Bxf6gxf619.Bxh7+Kg720.Be4Rh820...Rae8!21.g3f522.Bxc6bxc623.Ne5Bh324.Rfe1±1-0 Nor,I-Seidl,J/Graz 1998/EXT 99/[Wells] (35)16.Bd3Qxc217.Bxc2Nxe4should be about equal, but isn't really Kaparov's style. He heads
straight for the tactics. Wells: 'is given as '+/=' by Ivan Sokolov. '17...Nxe4Wells: is given as '+/=' by Ivan Sokolov.18.Re1Nd619.Bf4Nac420.Bb3Bf521.Ne5Be622.Nd3Rad823.Nc5Bc823...Bd5??24.Bxd6+-24.Bxc4Nxc425.Bc7Rxe1+26.Rxe1Rf827.d5Nxa327...b6!?28.d6Nb529.Re7a529...b6!?30.Bb8a431.Nxa4Be632.Rxb7Bd533.Rb6Nd434.h3h535.Nc5Ne636.Na6Rc837.Bc7Kf838.d7Ra839.Rxe6fxe640.d8Q+Rxd841.Bxd81-0 Rogers,I-Solomon,S/Sydney 1999 (41)14.cxd4Bg415.e515.Qxc5Nxe415...Bxf316.gxf3Qd717.Be317.d5Ne518.Be2Qh319.Qe3Nxd520.exd5Ng621.Qg5Rxe217...Nxe417...Nxe4Wells18.Bxe4Rxe419.fxe4Qg4+=is one route to early peace. The text leads to a rather forcing
sequence resulting in a very sharp position due to the vulnerability of both
sides' kings.16.Bxe4Rxe417.Ng517.Ne5Be618.Be3=17...Rxd417...Re718.Qc2g619.Ne4Bf520.Nf6+Kg721.Qd2Kxf622.d5Rd823.Bb2+Ne524.f4Qc5+18.Bb2Rd315.dxc5McShaneBxf316.gxf3Nd4
is not good news for White15...Bxf316.exf6Nxd417.Bxh7+Kh818.fxg7+Kxg719.Bb2Rad8'[]' McShane. McShane: 'With the c-pawn pinned, White was
threatening Bxd4+'19...Qe520.Bxd4cxd421.gxf3Rh822.Qe4Qg5+23.Kh1Rxh724.Qxd4+f625.Qd6±20.gxf320.Rfc1Rh820...Re221.Bxd4+Rxd422.Qc322.Qxc5Rd1+23.Rxd1Qxc5-+22...Qf423.Qxf3Qxf324.gxf3Kxh725.Rxc5Rdd221.Qxc5Qxc522.Rxc5Kxh723.Bxd4Rhg824.Be5Rxg2+25.Kf1Rg626.Rc3Bg2+27.Ke2Re828.Re31/2-1/2 Langeweg,K-Kuijpers,F/
Leeuwarden NK 1980 (28)Rc620.Bf5!?Wells might be a safe option
for a minimal edgeRe220...Rh821.h321.Bxd4+Rxd422.Qc3Bd523.Rfe1and white's king is somewhat the safer, although black's pieces are well
centralised and it may not amount to too much.20...Rh821.Kh1Rxh7
Ftacnik: 'Only Kasparov could answer the question, why he refrained from the
more promising idea 21...Kf8!?' Wells: 'The problem with this is that by his
next couple of moves white is able to gain time to both cover h2 and to mount
a dangerous counter-attack on the g-file. If we can detect a reason why white
once gave up this interesting line, it might be due to the alternative '21...Kf822.Qe422.Bxd4Rxd423.f4Rxf422...f5!22...f623.Bxd423.Qh4Rxh723...Qg724.Bxd4Rxd425.Qh3Rd726.Qf5Rxh727.Qxc5+Qe724.Qxf6+Ke825.Rfe1+Kd726.h4Rf827.Re7+27.Qg5Qf4-+27...Rxe728.Qxf80-1 Endzelins-Bouwmeester/Eu-Echecs Jub T /FS 1984
(44)23...Rxd424.Qg6Rxh725.Qxf6+Qf726.Qxf7+Rxf727.Rac1c4
0-1 Vladimirov-Lisitsin/Moscow semi-finals 1955 (33)23.Qh4Rxh724.Qf6+Ke825.Rfe1+25.Qg6+Qf726.Rfe1+Kf825...Kd726.Re5Kc826...Rdh827.Bxd4Rxh2+28.Kg1Rh1+29.Kg2R8h2+30.Kg3Rh3+31.Kf4Rh4+32.Kxf5Rh5+33.Ke4R1h4+34.f4+-27.Bxd4cxd428.Qxf5+Kb80-1 Marks,
I-Tenev Teno,P/cr EU/M/GT 1988 (39)22.Rg1+Kh823.Rg323.Bxd4+Rxd424.Rg3b625.Rag1Qc826.Qe2f627.Qf1Rdh428.R1g2Rd429.Qg1Rd830.Rg623...Qe524.Rag1McShane: 'Here White threatens Qxh7+ and Rh3 mate. 'Rh4?±'?' Ftacnik. Ftacnik: 'The first independent move is very
unfortunate, it seems that black's position instantly becomes hopeless.'24...Qh525.R1g2f625...b626.Rg4±26.Qg626.Qc4Qf727.Qxf7
'!' Wells. Wells: 'I.Sokolov'27.Qxc5!Wells I.SokolovNe228.Qg5Rd1+28...Nxg3+29.fxg3Rd630.Rc229.Rg1Nxg3+30.fxg3Rd631.Rc1Rh532.Qf4±27...Rxf728.f4b528...Rd6?!=29.Rh3+Rh730.Rhg3Re731.Rh3+Rh732.Rhg31/2-1/2 Porath,Y-Stahlberg,G/Amsterdam 1954 (32)26.Qd1Re727.Qg1b528.Rg8+Rxg829.Rxg8+Kh730.Qg4Qxg431.Rxg4Rd731...Nxf332.Bxf6Rd726...Qxg627.Rxg6f528.R2g5Rf829.Rd6Rg730.Rxd4cxd431.Bxd4Rff732.h4Kh733.Bxg7Rxg734.Rxf5Kh6=25.Qc1?='!' McShane. McShane: 'The position appears to be in the balance:
Black has a healthier queenside in return for his weaker king position. But it
is the weaker king that counts when Sokolov powers through on the g-file.
Kasparov can't do a thing to challenge the white rooks, as his own rooks
aren't working together.'25.f4!±Qh525...Qd626.Qf5Qc6+27.f3Qh628.R3g2b628...Qxf429.Qxc5+-29.Qxf7+-26.R1g226.Bxd4+cxd427.R3g2Qf326.f3!Qh626...Rh327.Rxh3Qxh328.Qe4f628...Qe629.Qxb7±29.Qxb7Qd730.Qe4±27.Qg2Qf828.Rg7Rh629.Qg5Rg629...Rh330.Qf6+-30.Rxg6fxg631.Qxg6+-26...Re827.Qd2Qd528.Rg5Qe428...f5!29.Rxf5Qxf530.Bxd4+Kh730...cxd431.Qxd4++-31.Be5Rg432.Rg3Rxg333.hxg329.Rxc5Qe1+30.Qxe1Rxe1+31.Rg1+-25...Kh7??+-25...Qh5!26.R3g226.R1g2Re827.Qg1Qe528.Rg8+Rxg829.Rxg8+Kh730.Ra8!30.Rf8FtacnikQg731.Qb1+!Kh632.Bc1+Kh533.Be3+-30...Qf431.Qg8+Kh632.Qh8+Kg633.Qg8+Kh6=26...f626...b627.Qe3Qd528.Qe7Rh629.Rg3Kh730.Rg7+Kh831.Rxf7Rxh2+32.Kxh2Qh5+33.Kg3Rg8+34.Kf4Qxf3+35.Ke5!+-27.Qe3Re828.Bxd4cxd429.Qb3Qh730.Qa4Ra831.Re1Qf732.Qb432.Re4Rxe433.fxe4Rd834.Qa5!b635.Qf5Rg836.Qh3+Qh737.Rxg8+Kxg838.Qc8+38.Qxh7+Kxh739.Kg2b540.Kf3a541.Ke2b442.a4=42.axb4axb443.Kd3b344.f4Kg645.Kd2Kh546.h3=38...Kg739.Qd7+Kg640.Qxd4Qh332...Rd833.Re7Qd534.Qxb7Qxb735.Rxb7d336.Rg1d237.Rd1Rc438.Rbb1=26.Qb1+'!' McShane.Kh826...f527.Bxd4cxd427...Rdxd428.Qxb7++-27...Qxd428.Qxf5+Kh829.Rh3+-28.Qxb7+Kh829.Qf7!+-27.Qf1Qe628.Qg2McShane: '
White has the unmeetable threat of Rg8+ followed by mate.' Ftacnik: 'The
pressure along the g-file is simply too strong.'1–0
The 1999 edition was memorable for a number of reasons. It was the last time the event ran under the name “Hoogovens Tournament”, which had been used since 1968; it was Kasparov’s first-ever participation; and Kasparov won with the highest-ever score achieved when the tournament was played as a 14-player round robin (the same 10/13 score was achieved by Browne and Seirawan in 1980, by Korchnoi and Beliavsky in 1984 and by Carlsen in 2013).
Not only that. At least three players have fond memories of the event’s penultimate edition of the 20th century — Sokolov, for his victory over Kasparov; Alex Yermolinksy, who wrote a piece about his memorable win over Veselin Topalov amid a not-so-great overall performance; and Kasparov, who got to play what is now known as his ‘immortal game’.
These DVDs are about Understanding Middlegame Strategies. In the first DVD dynamic decisions involving pawns are discussed. The second DVD deals with decision making process concerning practical play.
The game
Kasparov arrived in Wijk after not having played a single classical tournament in over ten months. He had played for the last time in Linares 1998, which ran from February 22 until March 8 — the Hoogovens Tournament kicked off on January 16, 1999.
In Linares, a 7-player double round robin, Kasparov had won one game and drawn the rest. Vishy Anand, rated 2770 at the time (55 points behind Kasparov’s 2825), had won the tournament with an impressive 7½/12. Moreover, the Indian star had a good year and closed the rating gap to 31 points going into the tournament in Wijk. Some pundits even considered Anand to be the favourite.
This DVD allows you to learn from the example of one of the best players in the history of chess and from the explanations of the authors how to successfully organise your games strategically, and how to keep your opponent permanently under pressure.
Vishy Anand facing Anatoly Karpov in the final of the 1998 FIDE World Championship knockout tournament — Karpov won 5:3
Anand and Kasparov were sharing the lead with 2½ points each after three rounds. It was in round 4 that the Russian defeated Topalov in splendid fashion. (In the end, Kasparov would win the tournament merely a half point ahead of his Indian colleague.)
Out of a Pirc Defence, both Kasparov and Topalov castled queenside. In a tense position, Topalov advanced in the centre:
Kasparov vs. Topalov (1999)
Position after 19.Bh3
After 19...d5, Kasparov could have exchanged everything on d5, getting a quieter but still fighting position. The world champion, however, went for 20.Qf4+ Ka7 21.Rhe1 d4.
When the Russian chose not to go for exchanges in the centre, he had most likely already decided to play the trying 22.Nd5 instead of 22.Na2 or 22.Ne2. The game continued 22...Nbxd5 23.exd5 Qd6.
And then came the shocking two-move sequence that would be celebrated by commentators for years to come:
Garry Kasparov's rise to the top was meteoric and at his very first attempt he managed to become World Champion, the youngest of all time. In over six hours of video, he gives a first hand account of crucial events from recent chess history, you can improve your chess understanding and enjoy explanations and comments from a unique and outstanding personality on and off the chess board.
Position after 23...Qd6
Kasparov unleashed 24.Rxd4, and Topalov bravely took the bait with 24...cxd4 — surely the Bulgarian considered the safer 24...Kb6, which is the best move according to the engines, but he is not one to shy away from a tactical skirmish.
And then...
Position after 24...cxd4
25.Re7, when the rook cannot be captured due to 25...Qxe7 26.Qxd4+ Kb8 27.Qb6+ Bb7 28.Nc6+ Ka8 29.Qa7#.
From this point on, Topalov found the most challenging continuations at every turn, with Kasparov stubbornly keeping up his attack with carefully calculated manoeuvres. For example, on move 36:
Position after 35...Kd1
Apparently, the black king has found safety on d1 — of all squares. But here Kasparov found the only winning move, 36.Bf1. Black cannot take the bishop due to mate after 36...Qxf1 37.Qc2+ Ke1 38.Re7+, while after Topalov’s 36...Rd2 the world champion found the killer 37.Rd7, pinning the rook!
Position after 37.Rd7
37...Rxd7 38.Bxc4 bxc4 39.Qxh8 and resignation came five moves later.
It takes two players to create such a masterpiece, so Topalov deserves a lot of credit for his brave performance against the best in the world.
You can replay the game with expert analysis by GM Igor Štohl and/or watch the video uploaded by GM Daniel King to his popular Power Play Chess YouTube channel:
New ...
New Game
Edit Game
Setup Position
Open...
PGN
FEN
Share...
Share Board (.png)
Share Board (configure)
Share playable board
Share game as GIF
Notation (PGN)
QR Code
Layout...
Use splitters
Swipe notation/lists
Reading mode
Flip Board
Settings
Move
N
Result
Elo
Players
Position not in LiveBook
Please, wait...
1.e4 My comments to this fantastic game will be limited to some moments
of interest, which I haven't seen highlighted before in the earlier published
sources (Internet, various magazines etc.)d6Topalov is a Sicilian
player, but against Kasparov he prefers to spring a slight surprise on his
well prepared opponent as soon as possible.2.d4Nf63.Nc3Pirc is a
somewhat rare opening in Gary's practice and he often used to react with3.f3!?e.g.e54.d5c65.c4Qb66.Nc3Be77.Nge20-08.Ng3cxd59.Na4!Qc710.cxd5Bd711.Be3Rc812.Nc3Na613.Be2Bd814.0-0Qa515.Kh1Nc516.Bd2Ne817.f4exf418.Bxf4Bf619.Bg4Qd820.Bxd7Qxd721.Qf3Rc722.Nf5Bxc323.bxc3Na424.Qg3Nxc325.Rae1f626.Bxd6Nxd627.Nxd6
Kasparov,G-Wahls,M/GER-Kasparov/1992/ But the Bulgarian was probably well
prepared for a fight in the Saemisch, after all he is King's Indian expert.3...g64.Be3Bg7?!A major exponent of the 4.Be3 line GM Vlastimil Jansa
would be dissatisfied with this move, as later Black will have to lose a tempo
capturing on h6.4...Ng4?!5.Bg5is also not ideal, as it rather loses
than gains time.4...c6!?has the best reputation.5.h3!Black's most reasonable alternative isLess dangerous is≤5.Qd2Nbd76.Bd3b57.Nf3e5!?5...Nbd7≤5...b5?!6.e5!dxe56...Nfd77.exd6exd68.d5b49.dxc6bxc310.cxd7+Nxd711.b3Be712.Bh6Bb713.Nf3Qa514.Be2g515.Bg7Rg816.Bd4h517.Qd3g418.hxg4hxg419.Bxc3Qd520.Qxd5Bxd521.Nd4Rc822.Bb4Bxg223.Rg1Ba824.Rxg4Rh825.0-0-0+-Sokolov,A-Zakharevich,I/
Elista/1995/7.dxe5Qxd1+8.Rxd1Nfd79.f4Bg710.Nf3f611.e6Nf812.Nxb5Nxe613.Nxa7Bb714.Bc4Nc715.Kf2Nd516.Nxc6Bxc617.Bxd5Bxd518.Rxd5Rxa219.Rb50-020.Rd1Nc621.Nd4Nxd422.Bxd4Rc823.Rd2+-
Jansa,V-Schlosser,M/Muenster/1992/≤5...Bg7?!6.f4![+]()0-07.Nf3Nbd78.e5Nh59.Ne2Bh810.g4Ng711.Bg2dxe512.fxe5Nb613.Bh6Be614.0-0Qd715.Nf4Bd516.Nxd5Nxd517.Qe2Rad818.Rae1Nc719.c3Nce620.Nd2Qc721.Ne4a522.Rf2b523.Ref1Qb624.Kh1Jansa,V-Hoi,C/Gausdal/
1991/6.f4e57.Qf3!?
Black's main problem is to break up effectively the strong pawn cahin e4,f5,
so deserving attention isb5!?7...Qa58.Bd3Bg79.dxe5dxe510.f5b510...gxf5?!11.Qxf5!b512.Nge2b413.Nb1Nb614.Qf2Na415.0-0Be616.b3Nb217.Ng3Nxd318.cxd3Qb519.Nd2Rd820.Bg5Movsesian,
S-Ftacnik,L/Hamburg op/1997/11.Nge2≤11.g4?!b412.Nd1gxf5!13.gxf5b3+14.Nc3bxc215.Nge2Rb816.Bc1Rg817.Bxc2Bf818.b3Ba619.Bd2Bb420.a3Nh521.Qxh5Bxe222.Nxe2Bxd2+Kharlov,A-Labok,V/Podolsk/
1992/8.0-0-08.Bd3Bb78...b49.Nce2Qe710.dxe5dxe511.f5gxf512.Qxf512.exf5?!Bb713.g4Nd514.Bf2e415.Qg3e316.Be1Bg717.g5Be518.Qg4h519.Qg20-0-020.Nf3Nf421.Nxf4Bxf422.Be2c523.h4Ne524.Rxd8+Rxd825.Kb1Nxf30-1,Wagener,C-Andersen,J/Szeged/1994/12...Qe6!?∞<=>5.Qd2c66.f3More consistent and preferred by Jansa is6.Bh6!?as White can sometimes effectively play f4 later on.Bxh67.Qxh6Qa57...b58.e5!b49.exf6bxc310.bxc3exf611.Bd3Qe7+12.Ne2Qf813.Qd2Qe714.0-00-015.Rfe1f516.c4Nd717.Rab1Nb618.Qa5Be619.Nf4Qf620.c5dxc521.Nxe6fxe622.Qxc5±Jansa,V-Gazik,I/CSR-chT/1992/8.Bd3c5!?8...b59.Nf3b410.Ne2Ba611.0-0Nbd712.Ng3Bxd313.cxd3Rg814.Qd2Rb815.a3Qb516.axb4Qxb417.Qxb4Rxb418.Rfc1Nb819.Rxa7Rxb220.e5!עe8,Van der Wiel,J-Azmaiparashvili,Z/Wijk aan Zee/1993/
Rather passive is8...Nbd79.Nf3e510.0-0exd411.Nxd4Qh512.Qd20-013.Be2Qe514.f4Qe715.Bf3Nb616.Rae1Rd817.b3c518.Nde2Bd719.Ng3Bc620.a4± (),[+]Adams,M-Nogueiras,J/Buenos Aires/1991/9.Nge2≤9.Nf3Bg4!∞9...cxd410.Nxd4Nc6!?Unplayable is10...Qb6?11.0-0-0Nc612.Nxc6bxc613.e5!dxe514.Ne4Be615.Qg70-0-016.Nxf6exf617.Qxf6Rhe818.Rhe1Bg419.f3e420.Rxe4Rxe421.Ba6+Qxa622.Rxd8+Kb723.Qxf7+Kb624.fxe41-0,Jansa,V-Hoffmann,H/BL2-O 9697/
1997/11.Nb3Qb612.Nd512.0-0-0Be613.f30-0-014.Rhe1Kb815.Bf1Rc816.Qe3Qxe3+17.Rxe3g518.g3h519.f4h420.Bb5Ng421.Re2hxg322.hxg3Rh3Kroeze,F-Beim,V/Leeuwarden/1994/12...Nxd513.exd5Nb4!?13...Ne514.0-0Bd715.Be20-0-016.a4Kb817.a5Qc718.c4Bg419.Bxg4Nxg420.Qf4Ne521.Ra4g522.Qd4h523.Rc1h424.Qe3h325.g3e626.Nd4Qc527.Rc3Ng428.Qd2e529.Nb3Qc830.c5Hamdouchi,H-Chabanon,J/
FRA-chT/1998/6...b57.Nge2White has various possibilities here.
Not too promising is the old line7.0-0-0Qa58.Kb1Nbd79.Bh6Bxh610.Qxh6Nb611.Nh3Bxh3!12.Qxh3Na4!Ultra-sharp is7.g4h5!?7...Nbd78.g5Nfd79.f4Nb6∞7...Nbd78.Bh6Bxh69.Qxh6Bb7
Black should strive for immediate counterplay.9...e5!?10.a3
and forcing a central exchange costs Black precious time, e.g.Too soft is≤10.dxe5?!dxe511.Nc1Bb712.Nd3Qe713.g30-0-014.b4a515.a3Kc716.Be2axb417.axb4Ra8=Kristensen,B-Hansen,C/Vejle/1994/10...Qa511.dxe5dxe512.Nc1Bb713.b4!Qb614.Nb39...Qa510.Nc1b410...Qb611.Nb3a512.a4b413.Nd1Ba614.Ne3Bxf115.Rxf1Qa615...c5!?16.Nc4Qa617.Nbxa5cxd418.Qd216.Kf2Rc817.Kg1c518.dxc5Nxc519.Nd4Qb620.Nc4Qa621.b3Ncd722.Nb5Ne523.Ne3Qb624.Kh1Rc525.Rad1Rg826.Rd2g527.Nxd6+Qxd628.Rxd6Rg629.Rxf61-0,Moroz-Janda/
Decin/1998/11.Nb3Qh512.Qxh5Nxh513.Nd1a514.a3Bb715.axb4axb416.Rxa8+Bxa817.Nf20-018.Nd3c519.dxc5dxc520.Nbxc5Nxc521.Nxc5Rc822.Nd3Rxc223.Kd1b324.Be2Bb725.Re1f526.exf5gxf527.Nb4!
Rantanen,Y-Jamieson,R/Haifa olm/1976/10.a3!The right moment for
prophylaxis≤10.0-0-0?!Qa5Gary tries to achieve a better
version of10.Nc1e511.dxe5dxe512.Nb3a613.0-0-0Qc7!?14.Qg7Rf814...Rg8?15.Rxd7+-15.g30-0-016.Bh3Kb817.Bxd7Nxd718.Qxh7a519.Kb1a420.Nc1a321.b3b422.N3e2c523.Qh6f5!?Moroz,A-Yurasov,
A/Simferopol/1991/10...e510...a511.Nd1b412.Ng3!? As Black's K will have to castle <<, he doesn't want to weaken his
position here any further.11.0-0-0Qe7Black wants to get his K to safety
as soon as possible.But interesting was11...a6!?12.Kb112.f4Ng413.Qg7Qf6=nikam nevedie a po12...Qc7/\ (Covers a5.)13.dxe5dxe514.Qg7Ke7!?12.Kb1a613.Nc1!0-0-014.Nb3exd4!?Topalov
realizes the danger, connected with Na5 followed by a timely d5-> and decides
to open up the position and fight.14...c5?!15.d5±15.Rxd415.Nxd4c516.Nb3-15.Rd415...c516.Rd1Nb6
/\d516...Ne517.Be2d5?18.f4/\e5+/-17.g3Kb817...d5!?18.Bh3+18.Qf4d419.Bh3+Nfd7∞18...Kb819.exd519.Qf4+Ka7!/\20.Nxc5?Nh521.Qe3d4!19...Nbxd520.Nxd5Nxd520...Rxd521.Qf4+!?Qe522.Qxe5+Rxe523.Rd621.Na518.Na5?!Kasparov
already envisages the rich combinational possibilities, but this very natural
move is probably objectively not the best.18.Bh3!?/\Rhe1d519.exd5-17...d5!?Deserving attention is also18.Qf4Ka718...Ka819.Na519.g4!?/\Bb5 and Black can't play19.Bxb5Nh520.Qh4!?Qxh421.gxh4axb522.Nxb5+Kb823.Nxd6f524.Nxc5Bd5!?∞19...d5?20.Nxc5!±18...Ba819.Bh3d520.Qf4+Ka721.Rhe1d4Ftacnik: 'Black
has achieved impressive success, but his position is a bit dangerous. Kasparov
unleashes phantastic combination.'Opening the position is suicide, after21...dxe422.fxe4/\Nd5Nxe422...Rxd1+23.Rxd1Nxe424.Rd7+!+-23.Nxe4Rxd1+24.Rxd1Bxe425.Re1Re826.Rxe4!Qxe427.Qc7+Ka828.Nc6+-22.Nd5'!' Ftacnik.Nbxd522...Nfxd5?23.exd5Qd624.Qxf7++-23.exd5Qd624.Rxd4!24.Qxd6?Rxd625.b4cxb426.axb4Nxd524.Nc6+Bxc625.dxc6Qxf426.Re7+26.gxf4Nd5!?26...Kb627.gxf4Nd528.Rxf7Rdf824...cxd4?Ftacnik: 'It should be noted,
that 24...Kb6! would most certainly save the game for black, but we would be
robbed of some fascinating lines. '24...Kb6!=24...Bxd5!?25.Rxd5!Nxd525...Qxf426.Rxd8Qh626...Qc727.Rxh8Qxa528.Re7++-27.Re7+Kb628.b4!+-26.Qxf7+Nc727.Re6Rd727...Qd1+28.Ka2Rd729.Re7±28.Rxd6Rxf729.Nc6+Ka830.f425.Re7+‼The real
point of the combination.25.Qxd4+?Qb6!26.Re7+Nd727.Rxd7+27.Qc3Qg1+27...Rxd728.Qxh8Rxd5-+25...Kb625...Qxe7?26.Qxd4++-25...Kb826.Qxd4Nd727.Bxd7Bxd528.c4!+-26.Qxd4+Kxa526...Qc527.Qxf6+Qd628.Be6‼Bxd529.b4+-27.b4+Ka428.Qc3!?This shows
Kasparov's combination was more intuitive, than arithmetically exact. Ftacnik:
'It seems, that white could have won more easily with the help of a fine move
28.Ra7!!'A simpler and even more beautiful win was found by (I think)
Kavalek:28.Ra7!/\Bb728...Nxd5Ftacnik29.Rxa6+‼Qxa630.Qb2Nc3+31.Qxc3Bd532.Kb2Qe633.Bxe6fxe634.Qb3+!Bxb335.cxb3#29.Rxb7Qxd529...Nxd530.Bd7‼Ra830...Rxd731.Qb2Nc3+32.Qxc3Qd1+33.Kb2Rd334.Ra7!+-31.Bxb5+axb532.Ra7+Qa633.Qxd5Qxa734.Qb3#30.Rb6!+-30.Rb6Ra830...a531.Ra6Ra832.Qe3‼Rxa632...Rhe833.Rxa8Rxa834.Kb2+-33.Kb2axb434.axb4Kxb435.Qc3+Ka436.Qa3#31.Qxf6a532.Bf1+-28...Qxd529.Ra7Bb730.Rxb730.Qc7?Qd1+=30...Qc430...Rhe831.Rb631.Ra7?Rd632.Kb2Qe5-+31...Ra832.Bf1‼+-/\Rd631.Qxf6Kxa3Now White wins by force.31...Rd1+32.Kb2Ra832...Qd4+33.Qxd4Rxd434.Rxf7Rd635.Re7/\Be633.Qb6Qd4+33...a534.Bd7!Rd535.Qe3axb436.Ra7++-34.Qxd4Rxd435.Rxf7a536.Be6axb437.Bb3+Ka538.axb4+Rxb438...Kb639.Rxh7and with 3
pawns for the exchange White gradually wins.39.c3±_|_R32.Qxa6+Kxb433.c3+!Kxc333...Kb334.Qa2+Kxc335.Qb2+Kd336.Re7!+-34.Qa1+Kd234...Kb435.Qb2+Ka535...Qb336.Rxb5+36.Qa3+Qa437.Ra7++-35.Qb2+Kd135...Ke3?36.Re7+35...Ke136.Re7+Kd137.Bf1!+-is the same as in the game.36.Bf1!Rd237.Rd7!Ftacnik: 'The
final trick, but white is completely right, the game is finally over.'Rxd738.Bxc4bxc439.Qxh8Rd339...Rb7+40.Ka2Kc241.Qd4+-40.Qa8c341.Qa4+Ke141...Kd242.Qc2+42.f4f543.Kc1Rd244.Qa71–0
1.d4d52.c4e63.Nc3Nf64.cxd5exd55.Bg5c66.Qc2Na6!? Putting a N on the edge of the board is often a
bad idea because it has few potential good squares to go to. However there are
a lot of exceptions from this rule. In the Exchange-variation of the Queens
Gambit blacks Nb8 in many lines end up on e6 via the manouvre Nb8-d7-f8-e6.
However after the text move it might get to the same square by Nb8-a6-c7-e6.
And there is another - more obvious - idea with the textmove. Black wants to
play Na6-b4 to force Qc2 away and thereby making it possible to develop Bc8 to
the ideal square f5. It is often difficult for black to develop the
white-squared B in a good way in this opening.7.e37.a3!?This is
whites alternative stopping Na6-b4 but the question is how useful this move is
after Na6-c7-e67...Nb48.Qd2Bf59.Rc1 Black has
solved the problem with Bc8. Now white is threatening 10.a3 Sa6 11.Lxa6+/- so
black has to think about what to to with his Nb4a510.a3Na611.Nge2
White has to try and win some tempi by attacking Bf5. If he
develops normally with Nf3 and Be2 black has no problems.h611...Be712.Ng3Bg6=is supposed to be quite reasonable for black12.Bf412.Bh4?!Be713.Ng3Bh712...Nd712...Be713.Ng3Bh714.Bd3
and because Ng3 will soon have access to the square f5 white has
chances of an advantage13.Ng3Be614.e4White was not
rearly ready for this advance - but the threat of g7-g5 was to strong.Nb615.exd5Nxd516.Nxd5Qxd5!16...Bxd517.Qe3+Qe718.Nf5Qxe3+19.Nxe317.Bc4Qxg218.Qe30-0-0!19.Bxe6+fxe620.Qxe6+Rd721.Qe8+Rd822.Qe6+ Whites Ks-position is just as open as blacks so draw.½–½
Carlos Alberto ColodroCarlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.
Videos by Nico Zwirs: Nimzo-Indian with 4.e3 b6 and Robert Ris: French Advance Variation with 6.Na3. Alexander Donchenko analyses his winning game against Fabiano Caruana from the Saint Louis Masters 2024. “Lucky bag" with another 43 analyses by Edouard,
The Black Sniper is back – sharper and deadlier than ever! This dynamic system (1...g6, 2...Bg7, 3...c5 against 1.e4, 1.d4 and 1.c4) creates unpredictable, high-pressure positions, leaving opponents struggling to adapt.
YOUR EASY ACCESS TO OPENING THEORY: Whether you want to build up a reliable and powerful opening repertoire or find new opening ideas for your existing repertoire, the Opening Encyclopaedia covers the entire opening theory on one product.
If you're looking to revamp your opening repertoire and surprise your opponents with powerful, modern ideas, The Ultimate Scotch Gambit is the perfect choice.
Which pieces are good, which are bad, and what can you do about it? Master this principle with this video course!
€39.90
We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.
Pop-up for detailed settings
We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies, analysis cookies and marketing cookies. You can decide which cookies to use by selecting the appropriate options below. Please note that your selection may affect the functionality of the service. Further information can be found in our privacy policy.
Technically required cookies
Technically required cookies: so that you can navigate and use the basic functions and store preferences.
Analysis Cookies
To help us determine how visitors interact with our website to improve the user experience.
Marketing-Cookies
To help us offer and evaluate relevant content and interesting and appropriate advertisement.