Autoplay:
Autoplay:
The Kasparov - Karpov 2009 live commentary is brought to you thanks to Chess Cube. For the latest news regarding the WCC match Topalov - Anand visit the WCC blog
Good day everyone, welcome to the live coverage of the rapid match between Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov. Kasparov convincingly won on the first day and is leading 2-0 in the four game match. The remaining two games are being played today.
We have seen that Kasparov is still swimming in Gruenfeld waters and it would be nice to see his second favourite weapon - King's Indian Defence. For faster performance, you can use the alternative commentary page.
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Karpov is repeating the system he used in game one.
3... Bg7 4.Bg2 d5 Kasparov was obviously satisfied with the opening outcome in earlier encounter and is playing Gruenfeld Indian defence again. We won't see the KID.
5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nb6 7.Ne2 c5 8.d5 e6 9.O-O O-O 10.Nec3!? In the first game Karpov played the Knight from b1 to c3.
10... Na6 Kasparov continues with the same plan, developing the Knight and then trade the pawns on d5.
11.a4 White is trying to dislodge the Nb6, which is creating some pressure against the passed d5-pawn. His b1-Knight goes to a3, taking the good transit square c4 away from Nb6.
11... exd5 12.exd5 Nb4 Naturally, Black is taking advantage of the weakened square b4 to park his Knight there. In this way, he keeps the d5-pawn under supervision. But slightly more common for Black is to develop the Bishop to f5 first.
13.Be3!? Interesting decision by Karpov, probably cooked during his preparation. 13. Na3 first would prevent Nc4, but Karpov obviously isn't afraid of this move as 14. Bxc5 Nxb2 15. Qe2 is winning the exchange. The Black Knights are also stranded and strong influence from the Bg7 is probably not a sufficient compensation.
13... Bd4!? Solving the problems with c5 by tactical means. White can't take twice on d4 as there follows Nc2 fork.
14.a5! Karpov has to continue with the intended a5. The alternative 14. Na3 looks really tame and harmless.
14... Bxe3! 14...N6xd5? 15. Nxd5 Nxd5 16. Bxd4 surrenders initiative to White.
15.axb6 15. fxe3 looks ugly but still deserves attention, 15...Nc4 16. Qe2 and White might get his central pawns rolling.
15... Bd4 16.bxa7 Better than 16. Rxa7 Rb8! and Black will regain a pawn, either on b6 or on d5, with slightly better position.
16... Bf5 Black pieces are wonderfully developed and he has full compensation for the pawn. But a7 is there to constantly remind him of caution.
17.Na3!? Interesting way of completing the mobilization. a7-pawn is taboo as 17...Ra7 18. Ncb5! is probably advantage to White.
17... Rxa7 18.Ncb5 Rxa3 Kasparov entered this variation because 19. Rxa3 Bxb2 gives good compensation for the exchange, but Karpov can return material 19. bxa3!? for some initiative. 19. Na3? Bxb2 is bad.
19.Rxa3 Bxb2 20.Re3 20. Rb3 Bc2
20... Qb6 White has some problems with coordination, but if he can connect the pieces and advance the d-pawn, then Black will face difficulties.
21.Qe2 Bg7 22.Rd1 Karpov is just playing natural moves that improve his pieces. d6 might already be a threat, even if it's allowing Black Knight to come back into play.
22... Bd7 Rushing to block the d-file and gain tempo on Nb5.
23.Na3 Bd4 24.Re7 Less time on Karpov's clock but easier for him to find the moves...
24... Ba4 Good attempt to dislodge White Rook from the d-file. 24...Qd8 allows 25. d6 in full force.
25.Rc1 Qf6 26.Rxb7 Bxb2 26...Bxf2+ !? was funny but with unclear outcome. If White takes, there is Nd3 fork at the end, but maybe simple 27. Kh1!?
28... Nd3 29.Ra5 Nc5 But now Black has this, better was Ra5 one move earlier. Terrible time trouble...
30.Rba7 Qd4 31.Qe3 Qxe3 32.fxe3 Bc1 33.Kf2 Nd3+ 34.Ke2 Bc2 35.d6 Re8? A blunder in severe time trouble. Maybe Bb2 or some other move which would bring light pieces back into defence. Black can even sacrifice a piece for the passed pawn and then hold the position. Like this White wins decisive tempo... Karpov strikes back and the score is now 2-1 in Kasparov's favour! Stay tuned for game four which should start in about 15 minutes with live commentary on Chessdom.
36.Ra8 1-0