MICHIGAN CHESS ASSOCIATION
Analysis by Mervin Draper
Looking ahead to the Shirov-Kasparov match this October,
I would expect to see some more Grünfeld Exchange Variations and even
a Petrov's Defense or two as both players have been using these lines recently.
Preparation should prove to be the key to the match results as is usually
the case in important matches at this level of play. The outcome
will depend of the players ability to steer the games toward their preparation,
closed or open.
Experience, of course, is in Kasparov's favor
and Shirov will have to really go all out to hold his own with the Champion.
This game was basically a short draw after a flurry
of exchanges in the center leading to a basically even end game. Shirov
is ahead in the ten game match and appears ready to draw whenever he can,
maintaining his lead and denying Kramnik another chance to equalize. When
playing Black, Kramnik appears also willing to draw rather than risk another
loss.
Shirov,A.(2710)-Kramnik,V.(2790)
(WCC
Candidates final, Game 6)
Four Knights: Rubinstein [C48/02
(3rd ed.)]
1998.05.31. ESP Cazoria
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6
The game has entered the Four Knights' Opening
which is usually reached by the move order. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6.
The opening is logical enough but leaves Black with the problem of how
to end the symmetry which would eventually force him to accept an inferior
position, the loss of tempi, or both. Shirov chose a quieter continuation
rather than the more active 3.d4.
4.Bb5 Nd4
This is the Rubinstein Variation of the Four Knights'
Opening. Black isn't delaying in breaking the symmetry of the position
with an aggressive move that establishes an out post and attacks the bishop.
White can save his bishop and drive the bishop a way.
5. Bc4 Bc5
White moves his bishop out of danger, possibly
losing a tempo, and Black develops a bishop and further defends his knight.
6. Nxe5 d5
Black sacrifices a center pawn to continue
the attack on the bishop and advances another center pawn, releasing the
queen's bishop for service.
7.Bxd5 Nxd5 8.Nxd5
Notice that Black has sacrificed two pawns for
positional considerations and development. White would like to follow up
with further attacks, but he had to consolidate his position first. Black
will gain one of his pawns back, and White's center is ripe for counter
attack.
8...0-0 9.c3 Re8
Wholesale exchanges, simplifying and heading directly
for the end game. Both sides take time to castle ensuring the relative
safety of their kings.
10. cxd4 Bxd4 11. 0-0 Rxe5
The obvious exchanges have been made
12.d3 c6
After
12...c6
13. Nf4
Saving the knight and sending him to defend the
king's side.
13...b6
A developing move to increase the scope of the
bishop even though he has a fine diagonal to operate on, White's pawn at
d3 seems backwards and may become a defensive liability. Black has both
bishops.
14. Qc2 Rc5!
Counter attack on the Queen, but this can be defended
and both queens are still in the game.
15. Qe2
Queen to a4 would have prevented the development
of the black bishop to a6 and the attack on the pawn at d3, but at d2 the
queen defends the king side better and secures drawing possibilities.
15...Ba6 16. Be3
An offer of a further simplifying exchange of
bishops.
16...Qd6
Developing the queen and defending the rook on
the half-open file.
17. Rac1 Rxc1 18. Rxc1 Be5 ½-½
It seems that there should be further play in
the position. Both queens are on the board, and Black has both bishops.
Black has a double attack the White knight at f4. If the knight moves,
Black's bishop and queen bear on h2 creating defensive problems for white.
On his part white has a pawn and is attacking
c3, but the position is basically even and both players for considerations
discussed above were willing to agree to a draw.
Final position