The second round started in Linares and this gives the reason to reckon up of the first half of the competition. I should admit the results slightly disappointed. And the matter is not only in the absence of an intrigue - the different only in one point between the leader and outsider, the majority of participants has sad 50% of points - these figures speaks about itself. It is worse that the creative side also is not very fascinating. It's true that a bright Kasparov's victory against Adams costs a lot but one masterpiece don't make the weather... So, we should take optimism and wait with categorical conclusion. There more that already today there are the reasons for hope. There are playing the games with a complicated psychological implication. First of all intrigues the duel V.Ivanchuk - R.Ponomariov. Will the experienced fighter be able to overcome himself in outlined complex of underestimation of the partner. Will the heat to take the revenge for suffered disappointments overcome? Kasparov also has today a principal duel. In the first round the main favorite failed to defeat the debutante and the status is obliged. There more that Kasparov has white color. And certainly there are a lot of reason for clarification the relations between two old rivals V.Anand and A.Shirov. Today only the most resulting participant has time to heal the wounds. So, the rivals crossed swords. Already first moves in the duel of Ukrainian favorites V.Ivanchuk and R.Ponomariov indicated that both partners don't have in mind any compromise. In Accepted (but not "pleased" - Russian pun) Queen Gambit Ponomariov chose rather scantily explored variation where Black at the cost of concessions in the center orients himself to an active pieces play. Ivanchuk as it were supported this challenge and instead of an usual retreat 7.Qd3 preferred 7.Qb3 which happened as all-knowing computer prompts only once in the game Bukal-Hansen played in 1995 in Spain. It is comes World Champion's turn now to "pour oil on the flames". His decision was brave and unexpected. For the sake of an impetuous deployment of forces Ponomariov sacrificed the central pawn, it is sprung up a truly hand-to-hand fight. In the course of pieces skirmish Ivanchuk managed to repel direct treats and even to exchange the main attack arsenal of the opponent saving an extra-pawn but the initiative which is still owned by Ponomariov puts before Ivanchuk certain problems. The first result was not expected very long time. As it was awaited Ponomariov's initiative compensated the minimal material losses and assaulting by turns on the weak Ivanchuk's pawns the World Champion forced a draw repeating the moves. The optimistic predicts about today's round are realized in full measure. On the all 3 boards "the knights strive in the struggle raising the visors". Puzzling complications at once tied in the duel Anand - Shirov . In the double-edged Sveshnikov system in Sicilian Defence the game first developed similarly to the game Anand-Ivanchuk from the 1st round. There the Indian chessplayer failed to take any opening profit. Furthermore he got even in the worse position - on the 9th move instead of 9.Bg5 he played 9.c4 what is also well explored in theory. The novelty was only a brave lunge 12.Qd5 (usually played was 12.f3 or 12.Ne3) where White winning a pawn takes on himself the not simple obligations to repel the pieces attack of the rival. Besides before him arose also the problems with mobilization of the forces on the kingside. This knot of contradictions Anand decided to split by the paradoxical sprint of the outermost pawn agreeing even to lose the castle. The complicated position which has arisen to the 19th move is to both partners taste: attack is Shirov's elements, defence is Anand's elements. Whom trumps will be stronger? Anand's "shield" became stronger Shirov's "sword". The aggressive GM tried to force the enemy's defences sparing not his army. First he sacrificed a pawn, then the Rook for the Knight and then also the Bishop. But the verdict which he brought on the white King was not executed. Only a check on the second rank was not dangerous and the object of attack has taken cover in the camp of his pawns. Shirov was forced to admit the adventurism of his idea... Judging to developments of the events Vallejo will be hard today. Very shyly he played the Sicilian Defence against Kasparov . The Spaniard ceded the position in the center and allowed the partner to constrain by himself first on the queenside and then also on the kingside gained not even an allusion of a counterplay. It's true his position though is passive but still is firm and defensive but it is very risky to permit Kasparov to be in command all over the board. The events develops leisurely but in order. Kasparov press hard, Vallejo retreats. And if the white pieces settle in freedom on 5 ranks the black pieces huddle up on two last once. It seems that the final is not far off. The fight is delayed. Furtheremore in the middlegame there was a lot of quite not obliged events. Kasparov stood very good and he temporarily lost the purposefulness and energy. Probably he sacrificed a pawn without any necessity and thus opened a freedom to paralytic rival's pieces and then allowed to persistent Spaniard anyhow to consolidate his forces. But White's position was so powerful that despite of the omissions Kasparov as they say for the second attempt managed to get back the loss with interest. After the time trouble it turned out that Black's things are going bad again. The pressure of white pieces took a menacing character and the present on the board the different colored Bishops only strengthening it. If will happened not a wonder and Kasparov will not make a mistake for the second time the outcome of the game is prejudged. The wonder didn't occurred except that one can call as a wonder the spectacular Queen sacrifice which beautifully overed the attack on the main aim g7-point. Kasparov earnestly has strengthened his leadership. |
