Chess
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Your support makes all the difference.Twenty-one years ago, Britain had no grandmasters. That all changed in 1976 when Tony Miles gained the title. Since then we have produced grandmasters at a rate of more than one a year. In the early Eighties Miles was established as one of the top 20 players in the world, and viewed as a possible world title contender. His blend of originality, subtlety and aggression brought him victories against almost all the best players of the time, but a 51/2-1/2 defeat at the hands of Kasparov in an exhibition match in 1986 seemed to lead to a realisation that he would never win the world championship.
A period of comparatively dismal performances followed, but in recent years Miles has been rebuilding his career with some excellent results in tournaments of mixed strength. The new Miles has a more eccentric style than the old model, designed to lead the opponent as quickly as possible off the beaten paths of theory. It's a high-risk strategy, especially with the black pieces, but well adapted to the conditions of open events, when huge scores are necessary to win the top prizes, and every game has to be played for a win.
This game comes from Cappelle la Grande, where Miles shares the lead with 6 points from seven games. Black's opening left him precariously placed, but starting with 27...Ke7! his king began an epic march away from the attacking forces. A remarkable game, typical of the '97 vintage Miles.
White: A David
Black: A J Miles
1 e4 Nc6 23 Rg5 Qxe3
2 Bb5 Nf6 24 Nd1 Qd2
3 d3 d5 25 Nb3 Qxc2
4 e5 Nd7 26 Nxd4 Qd3
5 Nf3 a6 27 Rf6 Ke7
6 Bxc6 bxc6 28 Rgxg6 hxg6
7 0-0 Nc5 29 Qg5 Kd6
8 Nd4 Qd7 30 Qf4+ Kc5
9 f4 Ne6 31 Nb3+ Kb6
10 Nb3 g6 32 Qb4+ Qb5
11 Nc3 Bg7 33 Qf4 e5
12 f5 gxf5 34 Qxe5 Bf5
13 Rxf5 Nf8 35 Qd4+ Kb7
14 Rg5 Ng6 36 Nc5+ Kb8
15 Nc5 Qd8 37 Rxf5 Re8
16 Qh5 e6 38 Ne3 gxf5
17 d4 Qe7 39 h3 a5
18 Be3 f6 40 a4 Qb4
19 exf6 Bxf6 41 Nxf5 Qxd4
20 Rf1 Qg7 42 Nxd4 Ka7
21 Rg3 Bxd4 White resigned
22 Kh1 Qe5
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