January, 16 2002 An Ukrainian duel started at the Russian capital and people all over the World carefully follow which trait will be more necessary and sufficient to gain the chess crown FIDE: a genius talent, a huge experience of fights (Ivanchuk) or the youth, quickness and pressure, a huge capacity for work (Ponomariov). There is no lack of predictions before the match but nevertheless the majority of experts give the preference to Ivanchuk. For me was of interest an opinion which was published today in the Russian newspaper "Izvestia": the most significant should be the first 2-3 games of the match. If Ponomariov will manage to obtain even 1 point then he will have certain chances for success. Otherwise Ivanchuk will not to lose his opportunity. However we shall see what we shall see. Ponomariov played e2-e4 and the fight has started! So, the French Defence, a variation with exchange of pawns on e4 (Rubinstein system). Usually Black gets here a firm but slightly passive position. This means that Ivanchuk intends not to rush just from the first game straight away. The similar tactic chose Anand in the semifinal match against Ivanchuk (it's true that he traded pawns on e4 on the 3d move) and rather easy solved his opening problems both times. It's necessary to note that this variation was not met in Ivanchuk's practice what couldn't be said about Ponomariov. On the 6th move Vassily choose a calm 6...Bf6, letting the move 6...gf6 for the future Morozevich's games. By the way we should remember that Ponomariov after this move rather confidently outplayed Morozevich in one of the preliminary rounds. On the 7th move Black has chosen the most principal way: 7...0-0. Early was considered that this is too risky move because of 8.Qd2 followed by 0-0-0 with a storm on the Black's kingside. One suggested the other ways for Black: 7...Nd7, 7...b6, 7...Bd7, postponing the castle. But the theory don't stands on the place... Ponomariov also plays principally: 8.Qd2, it is considered that the other possibilities (8.c3, 8.Bc4) are not dangerous to Black. On the 8th move Black choose a rather rare move 8...Be7, more naturally looks 8...Nd7, for example 9.0-0-0 b6 10.Bc4 Bb7 11.d5 b5 12.Bb3 c5 13.Nd6 Bd5 14.Bd5 ed5 15.Qd5 Nb6 16.Qf5 g6 17.Qf4 Bg7 with a complicated game (Z.Almasi-Tukmakov, Croatia 2001). It's of interest that to a natural developmental move 9.0-0-0 in the 81st "Informator" is placed a sign ?! (with a reference to the GM from Cuba Nogeiras and the recommendation 9...Qd5! with a counterplay); was met also 9.Bc4 Nd7 10.0-0-0 Nf6 11.Rhe1 Ne4!, and in the game Nataf-Nogeiras (Gavana 2001) followed an agreement to a draw after 12.Re4 b5! 13.Bb5 Qd5 14.Re5 Qa2 15.Qc3 Rb8 Black intercepts the initiative. 9...Qd5 - Ivanchuk follows to Nogeiras's recommendation, on my opinion more circumspectly was 9...Nd7 with a transfer to a well known variations. After 10.Nc3 Qa5 the position got the "Scandinavian" motives. 11.a3 - Ponomariov prevents from a simplified manoeuvre 11...Bb4, considering that the rival is not able to use the weakening of the queenside. Now begins an original play; I know only one GM level game where was played 11.Ne5 Bb4 12.Nc4 Bc3 13.Na5 Bd2 14.Rd2 b6 15.Nc4 Bb7 16.Ne3 Nd7 17.Bb5 Nf6 18.f3 Rfd8 19.Rhd1 Kf8, and the rivals agreed to a draw (Ehlvest-Khalifman, Bali 2000). 12.Kb1! - an important move which prevents from a release e6-e5 (not in vain they say that the castle is calling as a long one also because of that it includes this obligatory King's move). On 12...e5? now will follow 13.de5 Ne5 14.Nd5!, and White wins. 13.Qe3!? - one more key move in White's disposition; the Queen not only prevents from 13...Ba3 (14.Na4+-), but also looks with X-ray on the black e7-Bishop. For example on 13...c5 possible was 14.Nd5 (14.d5 Nf6) 14...ed5 15.Qe7, although after 15...c4 Black quite could defence. On the 14th move desired the attention 14...Nd5 (instead of 14...Rd8) - it's useful for Black to take away from the board a couple of light pieces since the rival has more space. The same manoeuvre was possible on the next move, but Ivanchuk still plays emphatically academically. After 17.Rhe1: White has finished the development, replacing all his pieces strongly on the center. I think that Ponomariov could be satisfied with the result of the opening: although Black has 2 Bishops and there are no weaknesses in his position the forces placed too passive, grouping on the last three ranks. 17...Bf8 - from the same series of too academical moves. Now was possible 17...c5, and although after 18.d5 ed5 19.Bd5 the problems for Black still remain the game could become more lively. 18.g4!? - it was suggested itself 18.f4 strengthening the center, but Ruslan looking on the previous leisurely Vassily's play probably decided that it is time to go on a storm. 18...Nd5 - again now one wants to play 18...c5 19.d5 ed5 20.Nd5 Nd5 21.Bd5, and Black has rather defencive position. But Ivanchuk as an exorcized man avoids the sharp movements. This could be over badly... 19...c6 - it is incomprehensible again why Black don't want to trade the Knights: 19...Nc3 20.Qc3, lightening the defence for himself. This possibility could no occur one more time. 20.Ne4! - naturally White takes away the Knight from the change. 20...Qc7 - one need the Queen for the defence urgently. In case of 20...Be7 (with an idea 21.А4 Nf6) White could continue 21.g5, taking away the f6-square from the Knight, and only then c2-c4. 21...Ne7? - perhaps the decisive mistake. The Knight blocks for a moment the 7th rank for the Queen and this turns to be quite enough for White. The only possibility to continue the struggle was 21...Nb6. 22.Ng5! - attacking several important points at once: f7, e6, h7. 22...Nc8 - the unfortunate Knight took at last the rest close with his stable. But the black army now stands very badly. Also lose 22...Ng6 23.Qh3! h6 24.Ng6+-. 23.c5 - the inclusion in the game the white Bishop decides the result. Threaten a blow on e6, at that either with the Knight or with the Bishop and there is no any satisfactory defence. On 23...g6 follows 24.Be6 fe6 25.Qf8 Kf8 26.Ne6+-, and on 23...Qe7 most simply wins 24.Nef7 Bf7 25.Nf7 Re8 26.Re6 Qe6 27.Ng5+-. A terrible rout! At that White has not made any visible efforts - Black give away the game by himself. It's incomprehensible why he avoid any pawns advancement and the trade of the Knights. Perhaps Ivanchuk was failed to be in the mood for the fight. Now his task becomes more complicated. And Ponomariov is well done! As a minimum he obtained already a point in the first games! |
