The Berlin variation of Ruy Lopez. They consider that White has a slight advantage for he has in fact an extra-pawn on the kingside. Meanwhile Black has two Bishops. White should try to give no Black to coordinate his forces to play Bd7,b6,Kc8,Kb7. If White will not be able in this time to pull the pawns of the kingside Black will have quite acceptable position. 23.Ng4 - Black has consolidate the postion, joint the Rooks, give no White to capture space on the kingside. Thus the position is unclear. 26...Ne6 - Black has not any problems, he has two good Bishos, White's pawn on f4 is weak and he couldn't play g4. Perhaps White should try to provide f4-f5, and Black will try to attack on the queenside. Black has not difficulties. 29...Rd3 - since one couldn't see any concrete play for White and Black already launch an assault on the queenside Anand decided to take no the risk and propoused a draw. Black could try to play for a victory but feared the FIDE ex-Champion's authority. Should be noted that the young Spanish chess player keep the balance against two strongest players in the world. Adams-Ponomariov The Ruy Lopez. Last time Ponomariov played Russian Game against the top players. Now in the arisen position (after Bc6) White rush to change one Knight and with the other capture the key point d5. If White will manage to get point d5 he has an advantage. If Black will conduct d6-d5 he has an excelent position. Black managed to provide d5 nevertheless in the arisen position White has a strong pressure on f7-point since there is no possibility to play g6 for Qxg6, morefore the pawn e5 is weak. White intends now to move the Knight on a more active position and will try to creat an attack on the King using that black pieces stands not very successfully. But if Black will manage to trade the Queens obviously he has not any problem. Ponomariov fearing White's attack gave away the pawn but traded the Queens. Obviously it is difficult to realise an extra-pawn for Black has two strong Bishops and white c3-pawn is weak but nevertheless White has extra-pawn and Black has to figh for a draw. 41...Re7 - White's position is close to a victory. If he manage to capture a6-pawn and don't lose the b4-pawn, White's position will be completely winning. Everything was as I considered. 47.Bf1 - White has defended the g2-pawn and gradually prepare the movement of b-pawn. White's position is technically winning. He should only overcame some difficulties connected with the limited quantity of the material. Ivanchuk-Shirov In the arisen position (after 7.Bf4) White has a minimal advantage for his g7-Bishop will set against the d4-pawn. Ivanchuk perhaps fell apart after yesterday's defeat and has not showed an intention to fight and Shirov quite had not anything against a draw with Black. |
