In the traditional supertournaments, such as Wijk an Zee, Dortmund, Linares, where the most outstanding modern grand masters play, and creative heat play struggle is extremely high, the only sports party of competition is usually deprived the special acuteness of a plot - the circle of favorites is narrow, and question, who will win on this time - Kasparov,Anad or someone another - not so also is burning. Other business - when in a habitual intrigue come new motives, if and not promising sensations, at least, causing curiosity. Such element of struggle in Linares became the first performance on this tournament, and in general first participation in supercompetition new FIDE World champion Ruslan Ponomariov. Already prehistory of his debut - contract, refusal, debate, consent - became an occasion general gossip, and the complete unpredictability of results determines, in essence, are the main spring of the tournament drama. As Ponomariov already has given an occasion to be surprised and by ease victory above Ivanchuk and futility of attempts to render worthy resistance to Adams. Today Ponomariov having Black fights with other debutant of the tournament - young Spaniard Vallejo . The first moves of the popular variant of English have not brought opening novelties. As well as it is necessary to play in this scheme, White prepared active operations on Q-side, where at him semi-open vertical "А"; Black built plans, basing on the strong points in the centre of a board. However on the 12th move Spaniard has evaded from tested ways and instead of 12. Be3 has played 12. Nd2, having transferred game on new strategic rails - he admitted weakening of the central pawn "d" for the sake of activization minor pieces. Thus he has destroyed also the harmony of the pawn structure of the rival. Struggle has become sharp. First the development of events kept to think about the prospect of the Spaniard's strategic plans. At least Ponomariov was forced to submit with a d3-pawn's movement which from a "retrograde pawn" turned into the "protected passed one". To the Champion's honor he kept cool and with accurate maneuvers managed to arrange a defensive pieces connection. Probably Vallejo didn't find the better plan and after several exchanges on an open c-file and further simplifications where Ponomariov managed to trade his doubled pawns on the central Spaniard's pawns the game passed to an ending where Valljeho needs an accuracy in defence. Nevertheless although not without feelings Vallejo succeeded to reach the drawn harbor. The endgame turned out to be a lengthy, the black King's activity marred a lot of nerves to Spaniard but even stubbornly persistent Ponomariov failed to obtain any real advantages. The partners signed a peaceful agreement when it was nothing to fight with. In the duel Kasparov - Adams the contenders have played Russian. Yet so for a long time this opening was considered as the mean for peaceful negotiations, but now it unexpectedly has come in fashion and has found reputation of one of the most substantial openings. And really, many elite GMs have taken Russian in their opening repertoire as one of the aggressive means. Up to 14 move the game here developed on an example of recent game Nataf - Sakaev. A novelty of Adams (14... Re8 instead of 14...Bf6) it is not enough that has changed in the strategic picture of position, where Black for the sake of the pieces activity are restrained with concessions in the centre, but has given to struggle tempting originality and sharpeness. But the question is, as far as safely will be possible for Black to coordinate interaction of the pieces, and, main to find "convenient harbour" for the Queen. But Kasparov didn't give time to his opponent for getting things put in order in his economy. His move 20.g4! was a signal to an impetuous offensive along the front. It must be admitted that for a long time I have not seen such an energy of forces deployment, when during more than 10 moves the blows followed one after another and the opponent was forced only to repel the direct threats. In boxing such a state one calls "groggy"... But the apotheosis of the offensive became a break 32.d5!! which could be rank to the most beautiful moves in chess practice. Even to Kasparov such a find is an outstanding revelation! I don't know what will show the analysis of the impartially insensible computer but my first impression I should admit is enthusiastic. The combinative storm overed with a prosaic clearness where White's extra-piece provided him a technical victory. Bravo, Gary! Dynamics against a statics - positional concessions for the sake of activization of the pieces - that strategic outline, on which is under construction today picture of battle Anand - Ivanchuk Already choice of the opening - very complex Sveshnikov sistem - on the part of Black was the invitation on uncompromised battle. And indeed, it is necessary to have courage to cause fire on himself. But it there was no emotional experiment - the variant with all by its pluses and minuses is developed in the modern theory thoroughly. It is enough to tell, that the position which has arisen on a board after 13 move, met in serious practice 142 (!) times which has happened further variant with a temporary sacrifice of a piece 77 (!) times, move 15... h6 too was already tested (though Sveshnikov in the game against Beliavsky 25 years ago played 15... e4!?, as is recognized the strongest), And only move 17. Nc2 was an innovation! In the subsequent maneuverable struggle each of the rivals it was possible to achieve his own play. White strongly occupied an advanced post on f5; Black has taken possession by the centre and safely has finished mobilization of the pieces. The chances are approximately balanced. Perhaps a tempting Anand's move 23.Rh3 was too optimistic and he should prefere more modest 23.0-0 but obviously he underestimate the reply 23...Qg6. It turned out that since the variation 24.Qf3 e4 25.Qf4 is dangerous only for 25.Qf6 one is forced to put up with an endgame where White has not any trumps and the initiative transfers to the opponent's side. So, in any case Anand has to defence. Anand managed with his task. Despite of the passiveness of pieces he succeeded to keep a not simple ending. First he waited for a contact of forces on the queenside then simplified the position by the Knights trade and in the Rooks ending skillfully discovered counter-chances attacking an only weak g6-pawn. And despite Ivanchuk struggled as they say till the last cartridge he failed to avoid a draw. Nevertheless in this duel he obviously surpassed his powerful opponent. |
