@ Fischer Chess Academy _Mandar Shiraskar, 09/06/2024
Kasparov,Garry move is inaccurate. [ 14.dxe5!
Topalov,Veselin
1.e4 d6 A surprise. Kasparov wrote that
he had never faced this move in
classical games. 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6
4.Be3 Bg7 5.Qd2 c6 Black must not
castle quickly in this line, otherwise
White's attack becomes very dangerous.
In fact, it's still unclear what direction
his king should take. 6.f3 [ 6.Bh6
immediately is also possible. ] 6...b5
7.Nge2 Nbd7 8.Bh6 Bxh6 9.Qxh6
Bb7 10.a3 This was a novelty at the
time. [ 10.0-0-0 b4 11.Na4 Qa5 12.b3 ]
10...e5 [ 10...a5! [%c_effect a5;square;
a5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is
stronger, going for quick counterplay with
b5-b4. ] 11.0-0-0 [ 11.dxe5 is interesting:
dxe5 ( 11...Nxe5?! [%c_effect e5;square;
e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is a
positional mistake, since White gets a
more pleasant pawn structure after
12.Nd4 ) 12.Nc1 Nc5 13.Nd3 Nxd3+
14.Bxd3 Qe7 15.0-0 Ng8 16.Qe3 Nf6
White has a small advantage and the
character of the game is calmer. ]
11...Qe7 [ 11...a5 is again possible.
White had the advantage after 12.Kb1
b4 13.Na4 in Ma-Bachmann, Barcelona
2016. ] 12.Kb1 a6 [ 12...a5 is again an
interesting plan, but White still has the
upper-hand after 13.Nc1 b4 14.dxe5
Nxe5! [%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] 15.Na4 bxa3
16.b3 0-0-0 17.Qe3 ] 13.Nc1 [ 13.dxe5
dxe5 ( 13...Nxe5 14.Nd4 with the
advantage. ) 14.Nc1 0-0-0 15.Nb3 Nc5
transposes to later analysis.; 13.g4
was suggested by Kasparov. ] 13...0-0-0
[ 13...exd4! [%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] is better,
preventing the capture on e5. 14.Rxd4
0-0-0 ] 14.Nb3 L'Ami points out that this
1
[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] leads to an advantage
for White: dxe5 15.Nb3 Nc5 16.Nxc5
A) 16...Rxd1+? [%c_effect d1;square;d1;
type;Mistake;persistent;true] has a
tactical flaw: 17.Nxd1 Qxc5 18.Bxb5!
[%c_effect b5;square;b5;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] The idea of this creative
move is to keep the d1-knight defended.
( 18.Qg7? [%c_effect g7;square;g7;type;
Mistake;persistent;true] Rd8 attacking
the knight on d1. ) 18...cxb5 19.Qg7
winning a pawn.; B) 16...Qxc5 17.Be2
Qe7 18.Na2! [%c_effect a2;square;a2;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A subtle
positional maneuver, improving the
knight's position. Nd7 19.Nc1
with advantage for White. The knight can
go to b3 and then a5. If Black advances
c6-c5, then White can play c2-c4. The
position is more unpleasant than it
seems at first glance. ] 14...exd4!
[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] 15.Rxd4 c5 16.Rd1
Nb6! [%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] Black
prepares the advance d6-d5. 17.g3
[ 17.Qe3 prevents d5, but Black still
manages to equalize: Nfd5! [%c_effect
d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true] ( 17...Rhe8 18.Qf2 ) 18.Nxd5
Bxd5 ] 17...Kb8 [ 17...d5 Topalov could
have advanced the pawn immediately.
18.Qf4 d4 Forced. 19.Bh3+ Nfd7
L'Ami finishes his analysis here. Let's go
further: 20.Nd5! [%c_effect d5;square;
d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] A)
20...Nxd5 is less accurate: 21.exd5
Bxd5? [%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;
Mistake;persistent;true] ( 21...g5
is better. ) 22.Rhe1 Be6 23.Na5
with a winning attack.; B) 20...Bxd5
21.exd5 Nxd5 22.Qe4 Qxe4
@ Fischer Chess Academy _Mandar Shiraskar, 09/06/2024
( 22...Qd6? [%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;
Mistake;persistent;true] loses to
23.Nxd4! [%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] cxd4
24.Rxd4 ) 23.fxe4 Ne3 24.Nxc5 f5!
[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] 25.Ne6! [%c_effect e6;
square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true] Amazing play. Rde8 26.exf5 gxf5
27.Nxd4 Nxd1 28.Rxd1 Ne5 29.Bxf5+
Kb8 White has two pawns for the
exchange and the endgame is
balanced. ] 18.Na5 Ba8 The most
natural move, but 18...d5 is also
possible. [ 18...d5 19.Nxb7 Kxb7
20.exd5 Nfxd5 21.Nxd5 Rxd5 22.Bd3
f5 with equality. ] 19.Bh3 d5 20.Qf4+
Ka7 [ 20...Qd6 21.e5; 20...Qc7
21.Qxf6 ] 21.Rhe1 d4 [ 21...dxe4?
[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;Mistake;
persistent;true] is a big mistake. After
22.fxe4 the opening of the f-file and
ideas with Nc3-d5 give White a clear
advantage. ] 22.Nd5 Kasparov attaches
a dubious sign to this move, but it's
actually the best. [ 22.Na2 is too passive.
I'd never imagine Kasparov playing this. ]
22...Nbxd5 23.exd5 Qd6 24.Rxd4!
[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] It's important to note that
Kasparov had to see this move and its
consequences before placing the knight
on d5, since otherwise the white position
is practically losing. 24...cxd4?
[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;
persistent;true] This move is a mistake,
but we need to recognize Topalov's
confidence and courage. According to
Kasparov's account, Topalov believed
that this move would lead to a forced
draw and that the sequence would be
entertaining for spectators. [ 24...Bxd5
leads to a draw: 25.Rxd5! [%c_effect d5;
square;d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
2
Nxd5 26.Qxf7+ Nc7 27.Re6 Qd1+
28.Ka2 Rd7 29.Re7 ( 29.Nc6+
is perpetual check after Kb7□ 30.Na5+
Ka7 ) 29...Qd5+! [%c_effect d5;square;
d5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
30.Qxd5 Rxd5 31.Rxc7+ Kb6 32.Rc6+
Kxa5 33.Bc8! [%c_effect c8;square;c8;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Rxc8
34.Rxc8 c4 Black has enough
counterplay to make a draw.; 24...Rhe8!?
[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;Interesting;
persistent;true] L'Ami mentions this move
as a suggestion by modern engines. I
need to take advantage of this
opportunity to enter unknown territory in
this famous game, as I found a very
interesting sequence after this move.
25.Rxe8 Nxe8 26.Qxf7+ Kb6 27.Nc6!!
[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Brilliant;
persistent;true] The only move. Mate on
a7 is threatened, so the knight has to be
captured. Bxc6 ( 27...cxd4 28.Qa7# )
28.dxc6 A) 28...cxd4? [%c_effect d4;
square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]
loses: 29.Qb7+ Kc5 ( 29...Ka5 30.b4+
Ka4 31.Qxa6# ) 30.b4+ Kd5 ( 30...Kc4
31.Qf7+ Qd5 32.Be6 wins. ) 31.c7+
with an easy win for White.; B) 28...Qxd4
The right capture. 29.Qb7+ Ka5 30.c7
The most dangerous. ( 30.Bc8
is a draw after Rxc8 31.Qxc8 Qd1+
32.Ka2 Qxc2 33.Qxe8 Qc4+ )
30...Qg1+! [%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] 31.Ka2 Rd1!
[%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] The only way. Black's
counterplay is in time. 32.b4+ ( 32.c8Q?
[%c_effect c8;square;c8;type;Mistake;
persistent;true] Ra1+ 33.Kb3 Qe3+
34.c3 c4+ 35.Kc2 Qe2#; 32.Qxa6+
Kxa6 33.c8Q+ should end in a draw. )
32...cxb4 33.axb4+ Kxb4 34.Qe4+ Ka5
35.c8Q Ra1+ 36.Kb3 Rb1+ 37.Ka2!
[%c_effect a2;square;a2;type;GreatFind;
@ Fischer Chess Academy _Mandar Shiraskar, 09/06/2024
persistent;true] ( 37.Ka3? [%c_effect a3;
square;a3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]
Qc1+ 38.Ka2 Qb2#; 37.Kc3?
[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;
persistent;true] b4+ 38.Kc4 Nd6+
It's a bit unusual to fork two of your
opponent's queens $1 ) 37...Ra1+
with perpetual check. As mentioned at
the beginning of the article, with each
new analysis of a classical game it's
possible to discover new treasures.
This variation after 24...Rhe8 is one of
them.; 24...Rhf8!? [%c_effect f8;square;
f8;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Even
this is possible $1 The idea is to protect
the pawn on f7. I haven't seen this move
analyzed or suggested before. A)
25.Qxd6 Rxd6 26.Rdd1 Rxd5
( 26...Kb6 27.Nc6 Bxc6 28.dxc6 Rxd1+
29.Rxd1 Kxc6 with an equal endgame. )
27.c4! [%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] Rxd1+
28.Rxd1 with equality.; B) 25.c4!?
[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;Interesting;
persistent;true] Of course this is the
computer's suggestion. 25...cxd4
( 25...bxc4 is possible, but here White
can fight for a small plus after the
queen exchange. ) 26.Qxd4+ ( 26.Re7+
Kb8 27.Qxd4 transposes to the main
line. ) 26...Kb8 B1) 27.c5
is also interesting: Qc7 28.Qxf6 B1a)
28...Qxa5 29.Qf4+ Qc7 30.Qxc7+ Kxc7
31.Re7+ Kb8 32.c6 f5! [%c_effect f5;
square;f5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
A miraculous defense. 33.c7+ Kc8
34.cxd8Q+ Kxd8! [%c_effect d8;square;
d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The
endgame looks dangerous for Black, but
the computer claims equality. ( 34...Rxd8
35.g4! [%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] Some
pressure. ); B1b) 28...Rfe8 29.Rxe8
Rxe8 30.b4! [%c_effect b4;square;b4;
3
type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Bxd5
31.Qxa6 Qe5! [%c_effect e5;square;e5;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true] and
Black maintains equality.; B1c)
28...Rxd5 29.b4 Qd8! [%c_effect d8;
square;d8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
The only move. 30.Qxa6 Rd1+ 31.Rxd1
Qxd1+ 32.Kb2 Qd2+ with perpetual
check.; B2) 27.Re7; 24...Kb6!
[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] is the best move. Here
White should be careful and fight for
equality. 25.b4! [%c_effect b4;square;b4;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
( 25.Nb3?! [%c_effect b3;square;b3;type;
Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Bxd5
26.Qxd6+ Rxd6 with a better endgame
for Black. ) 25...Qxf4 26.Rxf4 Nxd5
27.Rxf7 cxb4 28.axb4 Nxb4 29.Nb3
Rd6 30.Re6! [%c_effect e6;square;e6;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true] with
equal chances. ] 25.Re7+! [%c_effect e7;
square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
The rook cannot be captured and Black's
king begins its journey. [ 25.Qxd4+?
[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;
persistent;true] loses after Qb6 26.Re7+
( 26.Nc6+ Bxc6 ) 26...Nd7 ( 26...Rd7
27.Bxd7 Qxd4 )] 25...Kb6 [ 25...Qxe7?
[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;
persistent;true] 26.Qxd4+ Kb8 27.Qb6+
Bb7 ( 27...Qb7 28.Nc6# ) 28.Nc6+ Ka8
29.Qa7#; 25...Kb8 also loses: 26.Qxd4
Nd7 27.Bxd7 Bxd5 28.c4! [%c_effect
c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true] An accurate move to close the
bishop's diagonal. ( 28.Nc6+?
[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;
persistent;true] Qxc6! [%c_effect c6;
square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
29.Bxc6 Ba2+ 30.Kxa2 Rxd4 )
28...Qxe7 ( 28...bxc4 29.Nc6+!
[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] Now this
@ Fischer Chess Academy _Mandar Shiraskar, 09/06/2024
works. ) 29.Qb6+ Ka8 30.Qxa6+ Kb8
31.Qb6+ Ka8 32.Bc6+ Bxc6 33.Nxc6
with a win. ] 26.Qxd4+ Kxa5 [ 26...Qc5
has a pretty refutation: 27.Qxf6+ Qd6
During the course of the game and the
analysis, the reader will notice that there
are many moments in which brilliant
moves are executed—a true chess feast.
This is another one of them. 28.Be6!!
[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;Brilliant;
persistent;true] An exotic and deadly
move. The bishop puts itself in an
eccentric position and the knight on a5
remains ignored, but calculation justifies
everything. A) 28...fxe6 29.Rxe6
winning the queen.; B) 28...Rhe8 29.b4!
[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Finally time to defend
the brave knight. Rxe7 30.Qd4+ Kc7
31.Qa7+ Bb7 32.Qxb7#; C) 28...Kxa5
29.b4+ Ka4 ( 29...Kb6 30.Qd4+ )
30.Qc3! [%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] Bxd5 31.Kb2!
[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Bxe6 32.Qb3+ Bxb3
33.cxb3# This delicious mating theme
will appear many times.; D) 28...Bxd5
29.b4! [%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] Bc6
( 29...Bxe6 30.Rb7# ) 30.Qxf7 Qd1+
31.Kb2 Qxf3 32.Qg7 with a winning
attack for White. ] 27.b4+ Ka4 28.Qc3?!
[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;
persistent;true] For a long time it was
believed that this move was a mistake,
but L'Ami and the powerful computers
demonstrated that it also wins. In any
case, it must be admitted that there is a
more forceful way to win. [ 28.Re6?!
[%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;
Inaccuracy;persistent;true] is a creative
attempt: fxe6 29.Qe3! [%c_effect e3;
square;e3;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true] threatening mate on b3. Qxb4+!
4
[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] ( 29...Bxd5? [%c_effect
d5;square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;
true] 30.Kb2 followed by Qb3. ) 30.axb4
Kxb4 31.Qd4+ Ka5 32.d6! [%c_effect
d6;square;d6;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true] ( 32.Qxf6?! [%c_effect f6;square;f6;
type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Bxd5
with equality. ) 32...Nd5 33.Bxe6 Rhe8!
[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] 34.Bf7! [%c_effect f7;
square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
( 34.Bxd5 Rxd6 is equal. ) 34...Rf8!
[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] 35.Bxd5 Bxd5 36.Qxd5
Kb6 37.Qd4+ Kc6 38.Qg7! [%c_effect
g7;square;g7;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true] White has good winning chances.;
28.Ra7!! [%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;
Brilliant;persistent;true] As far as I know
this move was found by the late GM
Ljubomir Kavalek. It's amazing that
White can play such a calm move.
However, with the pressure on a7
Black's queen is now limited and White
gains additional chances. Bb7
( 28...Nxd5 29.Rxa6+! [%c_effect a6;
square;a6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
Qxa6 30.Qb2! [%c_effect b2;square;b2;
type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Nc3+
31.Qxc3 Bd5 32.Kb2 with the typical
Qb3 and pawn mate.; 28...Bxd5 29.Qc3!
[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Rhe8 30.Kb2 Re2
The mate on b3 is prevented and now
White switches gears. 31.Qc7!
[%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Qxc7 32.Rxa6+ Qa5
33.Rxa5# ) 29.Rxb7 A) 29...Nxd5
30.Bd7!! [%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;
Brilliant;persistent;true] Another
amazing shot. At the same time that
White threatens to take the b5-pawn, he
prevents the knight from moving.
@ Fischer Chess Academy _Mandar Shiraskar, 09/06/2024
( 30.Qb2? [%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;
Mistake;persistent;true] Nxb4
and Black wins. ) 30...Rxd7 31.Qb2!
[%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Nxb4 32.Rxd7 Qc5
33.Rd4 Rc8 34.Qb3+ Ka5 35.axb4+
winning the queen.; B) 29...Qxd5
30.Rb6! [%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] a5 ( 30...Qxd4
31.Rxa6#; 30...Ra8 31.Qxf6 a5 32.Bf1!
[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] with a decisive attack. )
31.Ra6! [%c_effect a6;square;a6;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] Ra8 32.Qe3!!
[%c_effect e3;square;e3;type;Brilliant;
persistent;true] A fantastic move and the
only way to win. ( 32.Qc3? [%c_effect
c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;
true] is not enough due to Qc4!
[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] ) 32...Rxa6
33.Kb2 Threatening Qb3 again. axb4
34.axb4 The mating theme on b3 is
definitely over, but even so, Black
doesn't escape from his fate. Qa2+
( 34...Kxb4 35.Qc3+ Ka4 36.Qa3# )
35.Kxa2 Kxb4+ 36.Kb2 The beauty of
these variations brings tears to my eyes
to this day. The conclusion is that 28.
Ra7 wins by attack and categorically, but
in several of the lines White has to find
a very difficult and forced move. ]
28...Qxd5 [ 28...Bxd5? [%c_effect d5;
square;d5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]
29.Kb2 with unavoidable mate. ] 29.Ra7!
[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] This was missed by
Topalov, but who can blame him $2
[ 29.Qc7? [%c_effect c7;square;c7;type;
Mistake;persistent;true] Qd1+ 30.Kb2
Qd4+ Apparently Topalov had calculated
this drawing line when accepting the
sacrifice.; 29.Kb2 Qd4 ] 29...Bb7
[ 29...Rd6 loses to 30.Kb2 Qd4
5
31.Qxd4 Rxd4 32.Rxa6# ] 30.Rxb7
White takes his time to capture the
bishop. He is a rook down and has no
threats for the next move, but still Black
is unable to save the game. 30...Qc4!
[%c_effect c4;square;c4;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] The best defense.
[ 30...Rd6 31.Rb6!! [%c_effect b6;
square;b6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]
( 31.Kb2? [%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;
Mistake;persistent;true] Qd4 ) 31...Rxb6
32.Kb2 with the typical Qb3 next.;
30...Ne4 31.fxe4 Qc4 32.Ra7!
[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Rd1+ ( 32...Ra8 33.Qe3
Rxa7 34.Kb2 with mate. ) 33.Kb2 Qxc3+
34.Kxc3 Rd6 35.e5 Rb6 36.Kb2
The endgame is winning for White. His
plan is to bring the bishop into the
attack.; 30...Rhe8 31.Rb6 Ra8 32.Bf1!!
[%c_effect f1;square;f1;type;Brilliant;
persistent;true] The only winning move.
The c4-square is taken from the queen.
White threatens 33.Rd6. A) 32...Nd7
33.Rd6! [%c_effect d6;square;d6;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true]; B) 32...Re1+
33.Qxe1 Nd7 34.Rb7!! [%c_effect b7;
square;b7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]
Again the only move. Qxb7 ( 34...Ne5
35.Qc3 Qxf3 36.Bd3 with Qb3 mate
coming. ) 35.Qd1! [%c_effect d1;square;
d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
Another precious move. ( 35.Qc3?
[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;
persistent;true] doesn't work: Qd5
36.Kb2 Qe5 ) 35...Kxa3 36.c3
followed by 37.Qc1 and mate.; C)
32...Rec8 33.Qxc8 Qd1+ 34.Ka2 Qd5+
35.Bc4 Qxc4+ 36.Qxc4 bxc4
37.Rxf6+- ] 31.Qxf6 Kxa3?! [%c_effect
a3;square;a3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;
true] [ 31...Rd1+! [%c_effect d1;square;
d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a
better chance, but not enough. This is
@ Fischer Chess Academy _Mandar Shiraskar, 09/06/2024
an important moment, since Kasparov's
original analysis has been improved.
32.Kb2 Ra8 ( 32...a5? [%c_effect a5;
square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true]
33.Ra7+- ) 33.Qb6 Qd4+ 34.Qxd4
Rxd4 A) 35.Rxf7? [%c_effect f7;square;
f7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] a5!
[%c_effect a5;square;a5;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] 36.Be6 axb4 37.Bb3+
Ka5 38.axb4+ Kb6 ( 38...Rxb4?
[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;
persistent;true] 39.c3 ) 39.Rxh7 Rf8!
[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] with good drawing
chances.; B) 35.Bd7!! [%c_effect d7;
square;d7;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]
A wonderful prophylactic move to stop
a6-a5 and to prepare Bc6, chasing the
rook on a8. This move was missed by
Kasparov and pointed out by L'Ami. The
variations are really hard to understand,
but I beg the reader to take the time. It
will be worth it. 35...Rd6
This is necessary to avoid Bc6. 36.g4!!
[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type;Brilliant;
persistent;true] Again the only winning
move $1 After some time I finally
understood White's idea. Black is
paralyzed and the secret of the position
is being able to maneuver the light-
squared bishop to deliver mate. The a8-
rook can never move because White
captures on b5 and then mates on a7.
For this reason, White's rook needs to be
on b7. It turns out that the only possible
plan for Black is to keep the rook on the
sixth rank, limiting the bishop's
movement. What White needs to do is
force the rook to leave the sixth rank,
and to do this it's necessary to advance
the pawns to restrict the rook's
movement. ( 36.f4? [%c_effect f4;
square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] f5
37.h3 h5 38.h4 Rf6 With equality
6
(L'Ami). ) B1) 36...h6 37.h4! [%c_effect
h4;square;h4;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true] h5 38.gxh5 gxh5 39.Bf5
The bishop comes to fulfil the final
mission. Rd2 40.Be4 a5 41.Rc7 Ra6
42.Bb7 Rad6 ( 42...Ra7 43.Bd5!
[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] Rxc7 44.Bb3# ) 43.Bc6
with a win.; B2) 36...g5 37.Bf5 a5
38.c3 Rd2+ 39.Bc2+ Rxc2+ 40.Kxc2
with an easily winning rook endgame.;
B3) 36...Rf6 37.f4!! [%c_effect f4;
square;f4;type;Brilliant;persistent;true]
Forced and good. Rxf4 ( 37...Rd6 38.g5
Black is tied up. ) 38.Bc6! [%c_effect c6;
square;c6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]
Rc4 ( 38...Rd4 39.Rxf7 Rc8 40.Rf6 a5
41.Bf3! [%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] The rook goes
to a6 and White wins. ) 39.Bd5 Rxc2+
40.Kxc2 Kxa3 41.Rxb5 with a winning
endgame. ] 32.Qxa6+ Kxb4 33.c3+!
[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;GreatFind;
persistent;true] This subtle check with
the pawn disorganizes the black pieces.
33...Kxc3 34.Qa1+ Kd2 [ 34...Kb4
35.Qb2+! [%c_effect b2;square;b2;type;
GreatFind;persistent;true] Ka5
( 35...Qb3 36.Rxb5+ ) 36.Qa3+ Qa4
37.Ra7+ winning the queen. ] 35.Qb2+
Kd1 [ 35...Ke1 36.Re7+! [%c_effect e7;
square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true] ] 36.Bf1!! [%c_effect f1;square;f1;
type;Brilliant;persistent;true] Another
gem. 36...Rd2 [ 36...Qxf1 37.Qc2+
( 37.Qc1+ Ke2 ) 37...Ke1 38.Re7+
ends in mate. Qe2 39.Qxe2#; 36...Qd5
37.Qe2#; 36...Qc5 ] 37.Rd7! [%c_effect
d7;square;d7;type;GreatFind;persistent;
true] I remember Kasparov
commenting—if I'm not mistaken this
happened while he was demonstrating
the game to the journalists—that White
can only win in this position because the
@ Fischer Chess Academy _Mandar Shiraskar, 09/06/2024 7

black pawn is on g6 $1 37...Rxd7

38.Bxc4 bxc4 39.Qxh8 That's it.
39...Rd3 40.Qa8 c3 41.Qa4+ Ke1
42.f4 f5 43.Kc1 Rd2 44.Qa7
Simply unforgettable.
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