Rdbefq CHESS rtdbeq
The Ultimate Islay Malt. www.ardbeg.com
By the book
Raymond Keene
IN a timely move, Everyman Chess, as if guessing that the Russian grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik would be the challenger to world champion Garry Kasparov later this year, has just produced a volume of Kramnik's best games (Kramnik. My Life and Games, by Kramnik and Damsky, Everyman Chess, £17.99). The colour is pro- vided by Kramnik's co-author but the games are analysed by the maestro himself. I was a little puzzled that Kramnik included encounters from the more frivolous style of event, such as the Monaco Blindfold tour- naments, but in doing this he is following in the footsteps of Alexander Alekhine him- self, who festooned his collection of best games with all sorts of consultation, simul- taneous and blindfold games where the excitement of the play warranted it.
Kramnik's style is massive. He does not shun complications and once he gets going his attacks have the force of a giant steam- roller. As with Kasparov, it is striking that love of risk does not necessarily imply a sig- nificant proportion of lost games. Indeed, Kramnik is one of the hardest players to defeat on the tournament circuit.
This week's game, with notes based on those by Kramnik from the book, is both spectacular and controversial. Many com- mentators have recommended 31 ... Rb4 for Black and it is interesting to see what Kramnik had in mind as an antidote. Alert readers will also observe that the position after 32. Rg4+ formed the topic of The Spectator puzzle on 8 April. Many of you asked what would have happened if Black had declined the rook. That is exactly what Kasparov did and the game continu- ation shows the outcome. I watched this game played live in the Kremlin and can testify to the extraordinary scenes which accompanied it. Kramnik—Kasparov: Moscow Rapid Play 1994; King's Indian Defence 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4 d6 5 d4 0-0 6 Be2 e5 7 d5 Nbd7 8 Be3 Ng4 9 Bg5 f6 10 Bh4 h5 11 Nd2 Nh6 12 13 Nf7 13 Qc2 Bh6 14 0-0-0 c5 15 dxc6 bxc6 16 Kbl a5 17 Na4 c5 18 Nc3 Be3 This move, exchanging an important defender of the king and wasting time, surprised me. I had expected 18 ... Bb7 19 Nd5 a4 with unclear play. 19 Nd5 Bd4 20 Nb3 Now White stands much bet- ter. 20 ... Bb7 21 Nxd4 cxd4 22 f4 Rb8 23 Rhfl Nh6 24 c5 Bxd5 There is nothing else. 25 exd5 Nf5 26 fxe5 Although I had planned the entire following play, including sacrifices, serious con- sideration should have been given to 26 c6 26 Nxh4 Black can instead win the exchange with 26 ... Nxe5 27 Rxf5 gxf5 but after 28 c6 Qb6 29 Bf2 he will not last long. 27 exd6 Ne5 28 Rxd4 Nf5 If 28 ...Rb4 29 Rxb4 axb4 30 Qe4 Nf5 31 Qxb4 and for the knight White has five connect- ed passed pawns. 29 Rxf5 gxf5 30 QxfS Kg7 After the game Kasparov suggested that 30 . Rb4 was the strongest move but after 31 Qe6+ Nf7 32 Rxb4 axb4 33 Bxh5 Kg7 34 Bxf7 Rxf7 35 c6 Qb6 36 c7 Qgl+ 37 Kc2 White will avoid perpetual check and win. 31 BxhS (Diagram) 31 ... Rh8 This is the decisive oversight. After 31 ... Rb4 32 Rxb4 axb4 33 Qe6 Qa5! White has no more than a draw. White can instead play for a win with 32 Qe4. However, although White would then stand better, the position is very complex and all out- comes to the game are still possible. 32 Rg4+ Here Kasparov threw his hands up into the air. In a game played at classical time limits he would not have missed this move. Now Black gets very tangled up. 32 ...Ka 33 Qe6 Two of White's three pieces are en prise, yet neither can be taken. 33 ... Rb7 34 c6 Here Kasparov became animat- ed and started shaking his head. However, I had seen in advance that the forthcoming sacrifice would not work. 34 ... Rxb2+ 35 Kxb2 Qb6+ 36 Kai Qc5+ 37 Ka4 Qc2+ 38 Kb5 Qb2+ 39 Ka6 Qe2+ 40 Kb7 Rh7+ 41 d7 Black resigns After 41 ... Qb5+ 42 Kc7 Rxd7+ 43 cxd7 Qc5+ 44 Kd8 White wins.
Ardbeg Malt1Thisky Puzzle No. 31
Black to play and win — first move only required. This position is from the gate Gelfand–Kramnik, Berlin 1996. How did Black now force checkmate? Answers to me at The Spectator by Tuesday 6 June or via e-mail ten vanessa@spectator.co.uk or by fax on 02v 7242 0603. The winner will be the first cor- rect answer drawn out of a hat, and each week I shall be offering a prize of a bottle of Ardbeg Malt Whisky.
Last week's solution: Rh8+ Last week's winner: Andrew Topsfield, Oxford.
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