CHESS
KSeville asparov continues to show a touching faith in the Grunfeld defence, even though his record against Karpov with it is now perhaps even worse than with the orthodox defence to the Queen's Gambit. Game 7 of the match here in Seville was the 13th outing for Kasparov's Grunfeld. Thirteen is Gary's lucky number. He was born on 13 April, he is the 13th world champion etc. I am still not sure after the confusing events of Game 7 whether 13 was propitious or otherwise for Kasparov in this case.
Karpov-Kasparov: Game 7: Grunfeld Defence. 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 d5 4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 e4 Nxc3 0 bxc3 Bg7 7 Bc4 cS 8 Net Nc6 9 Be3 0-0 10 0-0 Bg4 11 13 Na5 12 Bxf7+ Karpov introduced this variation in Game 5 and won, though his position was not that convincing at most stages. It had the inestimable advantage, however, of making Kasparov think. In fact, Karpov has reverted here to the method on which he built his reputation against Korchnoi — fast moves, not necessarily the best, but sufficient to make a deep thinking opponent come close to losing on time. 12 . . . Rx17 13 fxg4 Rxf1+ 14 ICxf1 Qd6 15 e5 Qd5 16 Bf2 Rd8 Kasparov's innovation over Game 5. Significantly. the world champion had already used up 46 minutes of the 150 available for the first 40 moves, and he was evidently still within his own preparation. Black's earlier try had been 16 . . . Rf8 but it is now believed that 17g5!, locking in the g7 bishop, gives White a definite plus. 17 Qel Karpov is the all-time champion of such small moves — so often an insignificant-looking move on his part turns out to be part of a grand design. 17 . . . Qe4 18 g5 Qf5 19 h4 Nc4 20 Kgl Qg4 21 a4 A brilliant unravelling plan in connection with his next move. White's position appears to have stalled but a4 plus Ra2 brings it back to life. Kasparov was already beginning to run behind on time 90 minutes used here to Karpov's 40. 21 . . . b6 The only way to drum up counterplay, but it
Brinkmanship
Raymond Keene
implies an obvious weakening of his king's field which Karpov quickly exploits. 22 Ra2 hxg5 23 Qbl With dual threats of Qb3 pinning the c4 knight and Qxg6, Kasparov's nemesis in Game 5. The champion now took 17 precious minutes over his reply, almost as if he had overlooked or underestimated Qb1. 23 . . gxh4 24 Qb3 Qe6 25 Nf4 If 25 Bxh4 Rf8 26 Bxe7 Rfl + and White cannot capture since he would lose his queen to a knight check. Black's attack then is at least sufficient for a draw after 27 Kh2. 25 . . . Qf7 26 Nxg6 Qxg6 27 Qxc4+ Kh8 28 Rb2 A risky attempt to win and probably an objectively unjustifiable effort to exploit Kasparov's time shortage. Karpov had now used 112 minutes and Kasparov 130. 28 . . . cxd4 29 cxd4 Qg4 A temble mistake with only 15 minutes left on his clock to escape to the control at move 40. 29 . . . h3 is very dangerous for White. There are many lines but Black always comes out on top. 30 Qf7 Kasparov clean overlooked this and now he is obliged to sacrifice the exchange to stay alive. 30
Position after 41... Qd7 . . . Rxd4 31 Bxd4 Qxd4+ 32 Rf2 QxeS 33 Rf5 Qel+ 34 Rfl Qe5 35 Khl b6 36 Qf4 Qh5 37 Qf5 Qe2 38 Rcl Bf6 39 Qg6 Qe6 40 Rdl Qc8 41 R n Qd7 (Diagram) 42 Qh5+ Karpov's sealed move. Clock times were about level here — ironic in a way since Karpov sealed quickly and threw away much of his advantage. Correct is 42 Rcl Qe6 43 Rdl Qc8 44 Qh6+ Kg8 45 Rd5 and Black is still in a vice. 42 . . . Kg7 43 Rf4 Qd2 44 Rg4+ Kf8 45 Qf5 Qel+ 46 Kh2 Qc7+ 47 Qf4 Qxf4+ After the exchange of queens the ending is a positional draw. Kasparov, however, is not content to sit in his fortress but chooses an incredibly sharp forcing line. This left Karpov stunned. From now until the end of the game Kasparov was moving almost instantaneously while Karpov fell further and further behind on the clock almost an hour at the end of play. Kasparov's seconds during the second session actually claimed quite openly that it was all adjournment analysis. This seems incredible but may be true. 48 Rxf4 Ke8 49 Kg1 a6 50 Kf2 Kd7 51 Ke2 Kd6 52 Kd3 Kc5 53 Rc4+ Kd5 54 Rc7 a5 55 Rc4 e5 56
Rg4 Bel 57 Rg7 e4+ 58 Ke3 Bc5+ 59 Ke2 Bd4 60 Rg5+ Kc4 61 Rf5 Kc3 62 Rh5 Kc4 63 Rf5 Kc3 64 Rg5 Kc4 65 Rh5 Bf6 66 Rb5 Bd4 67 Rh5 Bf6 68 Rh6 Bd4 69 Rxh4 b5 70 axb5 a4 71 Rxe4 a3 72 b6 a2 Here Karpov was totally flustered and unsure of how many moves had been made. As the time scramble ended Kasparov leaned across and pointed out to Karpov that he had made the time control at move 72. This forms a contrast to Karpov who did nothing when Kasparov forgot to press his clock in Game 2 — on Spanish TV Karpov even went so far as to say that he had made the error of glancing at the clock in Game 2 which inadvertently alerted Kasparov to his error. 73 Rxd4+ Kxd4 74 b7 alQ 75 b8Q Qa6+ 76 Kf2 Qf6+ 77 Kg1 Ke4 78 Qb4+ KB 79 Qel Qd4+ Draw agreed. Queens must be exchanged and the king and pawn endgame is a dead draw.
On Tuesday Kasparov levelled the match at 4-4, when he brilliantly won the adjourned 8th game. For the first time the initiative seems to be with the champion.
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