Mark Taimanov GM Mark Taimanov annotates the games of the 1/4 final:


World Chess Championship
December, 7, 2001
On the eve of the second day of the 1/4 final's duels the most difficult was a A. Shirov's situation.
For him the alternative did not exist - only victory above V. Anand left open the way to the further struggle for a title of the champion, and Anand for Shirov perhaps most "inconvenient" partner.
Opening the contenders have played quickly. Probably, one of the main variants the French defence arranged both. Anand has selected a branching conducting to exchange in the centre, at which White has some pressure On the Q-side, but Black keeps an opportunity of harmonious mobilization of the forces.
Position created on a board after 9-th move any more of time met on to practice. Usually Black adhered to preventive tactics and way 10.. a6 interfered active lunge Nb5. Anand has prefered other, more the basic plan, - task it has put the prompt development of the pieces, though thus the question of a defense of the Q-side's pawns becomes a subject the certain cares. The nearest moves should clear up an estimation of the Anand's plan.

In the game Svidler - Gelfand variation also was played the French defence connected with the pawn's exchange in the centre. The fifth Svidler's move - rather rare visitor in modern practice - flank development of the White's King bishop is not characteristic for this sharp opening, but so played M. Botvinnik 55 years ago, and it is already " a Mark of quality "! However, soon the position has found already more familiar contours, with rearrangement of moves the game has passed on the rails of known duels Topalov vs. Anand, where at some item pressure of White event do not promise rough skirmishes.

The game E. Bareev - R. Ponomariov quietly develops also. Here is played accepted queen's gambit, and the partners at the almost symmetric pawn's structure are engaged first of all in harmonious mobilization of theforces.

And, at last, about battle fight V. Ivanchuk - J. Lautier , with which, apparently it is fated to become most interesting in today's round. Its beginning did not foretell sharp battle - in Queen's Indian Lautier has selected fashionable construction, where Black concedes space in the centre, but is harmonious (though and a little passively) the forces on three last lines in expectation convenient moment for the counter-play. As the practice shows, such strategy is possible ,but from black is required accuracy in manoeuvres and discretion in connection with the active regroupings of the forces of the opponent. This important task it was not possible for Lautier to solve. Having underestimated artful move 13. Qb4 and is especial 14. Bg5, he instead of obligatory for him of exchange of the pair light pieces carelessly has played 14... Nf6, that has allowed the contender not only to break integrity of the pawn's structure of the Black king's position, but also unexpected by sacrifice of the piece (16. Nd5) to conceive the courageous and dangerous action with the activization the forces on all board. It is necessary for Lautier to solve uneasy tasks of the reflection White's attack.