Games: Chess

William Hartson
Friday 06 March 1998 00:02 GMT
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The Magnificent Seven in Linares - the cast comprises seven of the world's top eight players - is developing into one of the best tournaments seen in recent years. Garry Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik, rated first and second in the world, are both undefeated, but with only one win each they both need to find a higher gear. The world number three, Viswanathan Anand, has won two games, but with one defeat he is also in need of a final sprint. In yesterday's 10th round, Alexei Shirov moved back into the lead with a good win over Veselin Topalov. Vassily Ivanchuk also improved his position by beating Peter Svidler, while Anand and Kasparov played a relatively unexciting draw. Full scores: Shirov 51/2 out of 9; Anand 5 out of 9; Kasparov and Kramnik 41/2 out of 8; Ivanchuk 4 out of 9; Svidler 31/2 out of 9; Topalov 3 out of 8.

Ivanchuk has suddenly woken up with two wins in a row. Here is the game that made him give up losing for Lent. White's ambitious play in the early middle-game led to a wild game in which both sides' positions seemed riddled with weaknesses. Ivanchuk put his faith in the creation of a passed d- pawn. Pushing this as fast as it would go, it did indeed cost Black a rook, but by that time the black pawns on the K-side provided more than enough compensation.

White: Vassily Ivanchuk

Black: Veselin Topalov

1 e4 c5 28 d6 Ref7

2 Nf3 d6 29 Bxg4 hxg4

3 d4 cxd4 30 Qd5 f4

4 Nxd4 Nf6 31 Qxe5 g3

5 Nc3 a6 32 Qd5 Qb7

6 Be3 e5 33 Qxb7 Rxb7

7 Nb3 Be6 34 d7 Rxd7

8 f3 Be7 35 Rxd7 f3

9 Qd2 Nbd7 36 Rdd1 f2

10 g4 h6 37 Rg1 fxg1=Q

11 0-0-0 b5 38 Rxg1 Rf3

12 Kb1 Nb6 39 Kc1 Kh7

13 Na5 Qc7 40 Kd1 Kh6

14 Bxb6 Qxb6 41 Ke2 Rc3

15 Nd5 Bxd5 42 Kd2 Ra3

16 exd5 Rc8 43 c3 g2

17 b4 0-0 44 Ke2 Rxa2+

18 h4 Rc7 45 Kf3 Kh5

19 Bh3 Nh7 46 Kg3 Rc2

20 Bg2 Rfc8 47 Ra1 Rxc3+

21 Nc6 Nf6 48 Kxg2 Rc4

22 f4 Nxg4 49 Rxa6 Rxh4

23 Bh3 h5 50 Ra7 g6

24 Rhg1 f5 51 Rh7+ Kg5

25 fxe5 dxe5 52 Rxh4 Kxh4

26 Rgf1 Rf8 White resigned

27 Nxe7+ Rxe7

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