Chess: Kasparov teaches pretender a lesson
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE SECOND instalment of the Intel World Chess Grand Prix has begun in New York with few surprises on the opening day, writes William Hartston. Viswanathan Anand, who won the previous such event in Moscow, reached the second round after two draws and a 5-minute play-off against Ilya Smirin. Michael Adams efficiently disposed of Vladimir Malanyuk with two good wins, and Predrag Nikolic beat Alexei Vyzmanavin.
The big match of the day was between Garry Kasparov and Gata Kamsky, the 19-year-old who is still on the trail of both world titles. This champion, however, seems to relish the opportunity to teach young pretenders a lesson. Their first game was a model of controlled brutality:
----------------------------------------------------------------- White: Kasparov ----------------------------------------------------------------- Black: Kamsky 1 d4 d5 16 Qa4 f5 2 c4 dxc4 17 Bb1 e5 3 e3 Nf6 18 Nh4 Bxh4 4 Bxc4 e6 19 Qxh4 Qf7 5 Nf3 c5 20 f3 Rac8 6 0-0 a6 21 Rcd1 Qe6 7 Bd3 Nc6 22 Bd3 f4 8 Nc3 Qc7 23 Rfe1 Ne7 9 a3 b6 24 exf4 Ng6 10 dxc5 bxc5 25 Qg3 Nxf4 11 Ne4 Be7 26 Bxe5 Nh5 12 Bd2 Bb7 27 Qh4 c4 13 Bc3 Nxe4 28 Bf1 Qg6 14 Bxe4 0-0 29 Rd6 Qf7 15 Rc1 h6 30 Qg4 1-0 -----------------------------------------------------------------
After tempting Black forward with f5 and e5, Kasparov gained the bishop pair with 18. Nh4, then confirmed his advantage with the subtle 20. f3] Any further Black advance will then let the bishops rampage. Kamsky made things worse with Qe6 and f4, and after 23. Rfe1 his position in the centre came under such strain that it is hard to tell whether 23 . . . Ne7 was desperation or a blunder. At the end White threatens 31. Rd7, Rxh6 or Rg6.
The second game was less one- sided, but the end was equally convincing. After 30 moves, they reached the diagram position.
ch29out-harts-nws
Kamsky (White) defended his f- pawn with 31. f3 and there followed 31 . . . Ng6+] when 32. Kh5 Rxg2] 33. Bxg2 Rxg2 34. Rg1 (to stop Rg5 mate) Rh2+ 35. Kg4 Kf6 36. Rh1 (to stop Rh4 mate) h5 is mate. So the game continued 32. Kg4 Kf6 33. Rb1 when Kasparov forced a neat win with 33 . . . h5+] 34. Kxh5 Ra8] 35. Kg4 (35. Rxb2 Rh8+ 36. Kg4 Rh4 mate) Rh8 36. g3 Rh2 and White loses his bishop. (Graphic omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments