Author: John Merlino
Date: 12:09:55 10/09/02
After finally getting around to going through the analysis that GM Seirawan
provided for the CM vs Christiansen match (and with many thanks to Joe Pechie
for putting it all in PGN format), I have modified Joe's PGN file slightly,
making a few corrections.
Here it is. Enjoy!
jm
[Event "ICC 2 120 u"]
[Site "Internet Chess Club"]
[Date "2002.09.28"]
[Round "1"]
[White "CM9000 (Alekhine)"]
[Black "LarryC"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ICCResult "White resigns"]
[WhiteElo "2800"]
[BlackElo "2394"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann: Panov-Botvinnik attack, 5...e6"]
[ECO "B14"]
[NIC "CK.03"]
[Time "10:01:20"]
[TimeControl "120+120"]
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nf3 Be7 7.cxd5
Nxd5 {The Panov Botvinnik Attack is considered White's most aggressive way of
meeting the Caro-Kann Defense. It is an excellent choice by Chessmaster as it
insures an open game in which the computer and its brute force calculating
powers are most formidable. In return for an isolated Queen pawn, White has
freer piece play and more space.}
8.Bb5+ {?!
A poor choice as it allows Black to trade pieces. White's standard moves are
8.Bc4 and 8.Bd3, when White has a small advantage.} Nc6 {?!}
{Automatic is 8...Bd7, offering a Bishop trade. Perhaps at this stage of the
match, Larry wanted to gauge the willingness of Chessmaster to part with its
Bishops.}
9.Ne5 {?! With, 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.Ne5, White could battle for an opening edge.
After the text, Black has no further difficulties.}
Bd7 10.Bxc6 Bxc6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Nxd5 {?
A clear strategic error. Although the Chessmaster wipes out the powerful
d5-Knight it allows Black to improve his pawn structure. In the resulting
position, White's Queenside majority will prove to be a liability.
Furthermore, the d4-pawn will require constant defense, giving Black the
superior game.}
cxd5 {! While this recapture improves Black's position, Larry must have been
tempted
by, 12...Qxd5 13.O-O O-O, when he would have a frontal attack against the
d4-pawn. Even so, he made the right decision. This recapture straightens out
Black's pawn structure giving him a long-term advantage.} 13.O-O
O-O 14.Bf4 Qb6 15.Qd2 Bf6 {! With natural, forceful moves, White's position is
coming under increased pressure.}
16.Be3 {?!
By retracting his 14th move, the Chessmaster falls into a passive position.
Necessary was 16.Be5, offering to trade Black's aggressive Bishop.}
a5 17.Rac1 Qb4 18.Rfd1 Rfb8 19.Rc3 Qa4 {Not capturing the poisoned b2-pawn due
to a deflecting tactic, 19...Qxb2?? 20.Rc8+! Rxc8 21.Qxb2, wins Black's Queen.}
20.Rdc1 {!} h6 {Again, Black avoids the trap, 20...Qxa2?? 21.Ra3! Qxb2 22.Rc8+!,
again snares Black's Queen.}
21.b3 Qb4 22.R1c2 Re8 {
Black wants to play ...a5-a4 but he must prepare this advance with this
precautionary move. The immediate, 22...a4?? 23.Rc8+! Kh7 24. Qxb4 Rxb4 25.Rxa8
would cost Black a Rook.}
23.h3 a4 24.Rc8 Qxd2 25.Rxe8+ Rxe8 26.Rxd2 axb3 27.axb3 Rb8 28.Rb2
{? After the text, White suffers the loss of a pawn and with it the game.
Chessmaster must have evaluated the position with its Rook behind the passed
b3-pawn as offering compensation. In the long term, the b-pawn will be easily
corralled. For better or worse, 28. Rd3, offered the best holding chances,
although all the advantages belong to Black.}
Rb4 29.Kf1 Kf8 30.Ke2 Bxd4 31.Bxd4 Rxd4 32.b4 Ke7 33.b5 Rc4 34.b6
Rc8 35.h4 {? It is likely that the position is beyond redemption, this wasted
move however
leaves no chance of saving the game. White had to try 35.Ra2, and "hope" for
the best. The rest is simple as Black rounds up the b6-pawn for a winning
material advantage.}
Kd6 36.Rb3 Rb8 37.Rg3 g6 38.h5 g5 39.Ra3 Rxb6 40.Ra7 Rb2+ 41.Kf1
f5 42.Rh7 d4 43.Rxh6 d3 44.Ke1 Ke5 45.Rh8 Rb1+ 46.Kd2 Rf1 47.f3
Rf2+ 48.Kxd3 Rxg2 49.h6 Rh2 50.Ke3 f4+ 51.Kd3 Rf2 52.Rg8 Rxf3+
53.Kc4 Rh3 54.Rxg5+ Ke4 55.Rg1 Rxh6 {White resigns} 0-1
[Event "ICC 2 120 u"]
[Site "Internet Chess Club"]
[Date "2002.09.28"]
[Round "2"]
[White "LarryC"]
[Black "CM9000 (Fischer)"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ICCResult "White resigns"]
[WhiteElo "2559"]
[BlackElo "2800"]
[Opening "Réti opening"]
[ECO "A04"]
[NIC "QP.10"]
[Time "18:01:47"]
[TimeControl "120+120"]
1.Nf3 c5 2.e3 Nc6 3.c4 Nf6 4.d4 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 {!
Embarking on an aggressive tactical path, considered the computer's greatest
strength. A more restrained approach is, 6.dxc5 (menacing e3-e4 and a
favorable Queen trade) 6...Qa5+ 7.Nbd2 Qxc5 8.a3, with an advantage to White
due to the exposed Black Queen as White will develop with tempo. Larry likely
chose the text as he saw some favorable tactics in the skirmishes ahead.
Tactical play is also one of HIS great strengths!}
Nf6 7.d5 Nxe4 {!
Essentially forced, Chessmaster grabs a pawn and dares his opponent to show
compensation. If the c6-Knight moves, 7...Nb4? 8.Nc3, would give White a large
advantage as he controls the center.}
8.dxc6 {Continuing with his combinative play. White should not force the ending
by,
8.Qd3 Qa5+ 9.Nbd2 Nxd2 10.Bxd2 Nb4 11.Qb5+ Qxb5 12.Bxb5+ Bd7 13.Bxd7+ Kxd7
14.Bxb4 cxb4 15.Ne5+ Ke8 16.Ke2 Rd8 17.Rfd1 g5! As Black has the superior
chances. Playing in gambit style by, 8.Nc3 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Nb8 10.Bf4, gives White
compensation for the pawn due to his superior development. However, it is
precisely in positions like this that computers play at their best. I also
suspect that Larry thought he was winning with the text.} Qxd1+
9.Kxd1 Nxf2+ 10.Ke1 Nxh1 {
This is the position that Larry had envisioned in his mind's eye when playing
his sixth move. Mentally he had calculated that although he is an Exchange
behind, the h1-Knight is trapped in the corner and would be captured, giving
him a material advantage of two pieces for a Rook. Also, he was attracted to
this position as he could envision the speedy development of his pieces while
creating threats.}
11.cxb7 {??
A truly bad move, which gives away a promising initiative, worse still, it
presents the advantage to Chessmaster. White should be developing his pieces
as quickly as possible! A simple line like, 11.Nc3 bxc6 12.Be3 e6 13.Bc4,
intending Ke1-e2 followed by capturing the h1-Knight isn't effective. Black
will have three pawns and Rook for two minor pieces. White should not be so care
free with his advanced c6-pawn!
Natural and best was, 11.Bb5! b6 (11...Kd8?! 12.Bf4! e6 13.Nc3 Ke7 14.Rd1, is
White's ideal as he is developing his pieces with tempo and introducing
threats.) 12.c7+ Bd7 12.Nc3 e6 (12...a6 13.Bxd7+ Kxd7 14.Bf4 causes Black
problems.) 13.Bf4, is the proper straightforward approach to the position.
White's pieces are shifting to menacing positions and the c7-pawn is a
potential game-winning hero. Simultaneously, White has the fail-safe solution
of merely picking up the h1-Knight to restore material equality while keeping a
lead in development.
Viewed in another light, the text develops Black's c8-Bishop, trades away the
advanced c6-pawn and gives Black the outside potential of defending his
h1-Knight thanks to the b7-Bishop! So if this move is so bad, why did Larry
play it? I suspect he missed the sterling defensive shots coming up.}
Bxb7 12.Bb5+ Kd8 13.Ne5 Rg8 {!
A simple but effective way of sidestepping the f7-fork. It is an entirely
human emotion when facing a devastating fork to first move the King out of the
way. A human player is likely to err by playing 13...Kc7? 14.Bf4 Kb6 15.Nc3 a6
14.Nd7+ Ka7 15.Be3, when Black has walked his King into the line of fire. The
text lures the e5-Knight to chomp on the f7-bait, thereby reducing the threats
to the Black King.}
14.Nxf7+ Kc7 15.Kf1 g5 {!!
An outstanding defensive move! Up to this moment, Larry was likely optimistic
about his position. It is clear that as soon as he clears his back rank by
Nb1-c3 and Bc1-f4+, with tempo, he would possess all of the trumps. However,
this cold-blooded move, forces a different assessment. Black covers the
f4-square, preventing the c1-Bishop from developing with tempo. It also opens
the way for quick development by ...Bf8-g7 and ...Ra8-f8, rescuing the trapped
h1-Knight. If Chessmaster can keep his h1-Knight the game will be won, as Black
would have a decisive material advantage.}
16.Kg1 Bg7 17.Nc3 Raf8 18.Bc4 {
So far, things are still looking reasonable for White. Once the h1-Knight is
captured, White can settle down to completing his development and target the c5
and g5-pawns. The next move is a nasty surprise.} Nf2 {!!
The Knight sacrifices itself most dearly. White's King is forced onto the open
f-file where Black can trade a Rook for two pieces. After this operation, Black
will be a pawn to the good.}
19.Kxf2 Rxf7+ {!} 20.Bxf7 Rf8 21.Be3 {
Unfortunately, White can't grab the g5-pawn as, 21.Bxg5? Rxf7+ 22.Kg3 Be5+
23.Kh3 Rg7, would cost White the g2-pawn, giving Black's pieces a significant
advantage over the game continuation.}
Rxf7+ 22.Kg1 Rf5 23.Rc1 {?
Losing an important tempo over the game. The immediate, 23.Rf1 Re5 24.Rf7, was
best as Black is now able to reposition his b7-Bishop to a better square. In
any case, after the firestorm of tactical complications, Black has won a pawn
and has good prospects of winning the game.}
Bc6 {!} 24.Rf1 Re5 25.Rf7 Rxe3 26.Rxg7 h6 27.Kf2 {White has no time to go pawn
hunting as, 27.Rg6? Rd3 28.Rxh6 Rd2, works well for Black.}
Re6 {! Now that Black has secured an extra pawn, the game turns to the technical
side
of chess. Is the extra pawn enough to win? Usually, it is sufficient. In
this position, White has some hope as Black's structure is in tatters with pawn
islands strewn about. If White can find a proper dark-squared blockade, he might
be able to hold.}
28.g3 Kd7 29.Rg8 Rf6+ 30.Ke2 {?!
A provocative move as Larry tries to lure the g5-pawn forward. Unfortunately,
the position is judged by piece play and not by subtle pawn positioning. Best
was 30.Ke3, awaiting developments. If then, 30...Ke6?! 31.Rc8 Kf7 32.Rc7,
White has successfully repositioned his Rook to a more active square.}
g4 {! Normally, Black would not want to put his pawns on a light square. But
this
advance allows for the possibility of ...Rf6-f5-h5, winning the h2-pawn.
Suddenly, Black has introduced a dangerous and game-winning threat!}
31.Ke3 {Larry cannot grab the g4-pawn as, 31.Rxg4?? Bf3+, wins a Rook. This
tactic will be a part of the game for moves to come.}
Rf3+ {! Driving White's King backwards to a more vulnerable square.}
32.Ke2 Rf5 33.Ke3 Rh5 34.Rxg4 Rxh2 35.b3 Rh5 {!
After successfully trading a pair of pawns, Chessmaster returns the Rook to the
fifth rank and menaces ...Rh5-g5, trading Rooks. Now, White's g3-pawn is
vulnerable to attack. Black's winning chances have increased significantly,
since this ending first arose.}
36.Rc4 Re5+ 37.Kd2 h5 {!
Keeping the g3-pawn tied to its vulnerable square. If White is able to trade
his g3-pawn for the h5-pawn, White would likely secure a draw, as in that case,
with all the pawns on one side of the board, the Knight is an excellent minor
piece. With the Kingside pawns still on, it is Black's Bishop that shines as
its powers keep a watchful eye on the Knight, while pressing on the Kingside as
well.}
38.Rh4 {Hoping to play g3-g4, forcing the trade of pawns. The Bishop shows its
marvelous mobility after, 38.g4? h4! 39.g5 h3! 40.Rh4 Bg2!, when the h3-pawn
will win the game.}
Rg5 {!} 39.Ne2 Kd6 {!
Now that White's pieces are pressed into defensive service, Black's King takes
a more active position. Chessmaster is closing in on a won position.}
40.Ke3 a6 41.Kf2 Rf5+ {!
Dealing with the threat of Ne2-f4 by tactical means. Less strong was, 41...e5,
reducing the maneuverability of Black's Rook and King.} 42.Ke3
Rf3+ 43.Kd2 Be8 44.g4 {?
Blundering away the g3-pawn and with it the game. White had to play, 44.Rf4
Rxf4 45.Nxf4, a minor piece ending that he might lose, but had to try.} hxg4
45.Nc3 {The intended recapture, 45.Rxg4 Rf2 46.Rh4 (46.Ke3 Rxe2+ 47.Kxe2 Bh5
wins.) Bb5 wins.}
Rf4 46.Ke3 Ke5 47.Rh7 Rf3+ 48.Kd2 Rd3+ {!} 49.Kxd3 {Acquiescing to the trade of
Rooks. After, 49.Kc2 Rd7 50.Rg7 Kf5, Black will play ...Be8-g6 and advance the
g-pawn.}
Bg6+ 50.Ke3 Bxh7 51.Na4 Bb1 52.Nxc5 Bxa2 53.Nxa6 Bxb3 54.Nb4
Kf5 55.Kf2 e5 {With two pawns to the good, Chessmaster now scores an easy win.}
56.Nd3 Bc4 57.Ne1 Ke4 58.Kg3 Be6 59.Kf2 Bd7 60.Ng2 Kd3 61.Kg3
Kd2 {White resigns} 0-1
[Event "ICC 2 120 u"]
[Site "Internet Chess Club"]
[Date "2002.09.29"]
[Round "3"]
[White "CM9000 (Botvinnik)"]
[Black "LarryC"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ICCResult "Black resigns"]
[WhiteElo "2800"]
[BlackElo "2559"]
[Opening "English: Nenarokov variation"]
[ECO "A28"]
[NIC "EO.08"]
[Time "10:00:56"]
[TimeControl "120+120"]
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Bg5 {
This opening line was a favorite of former World Champion, Mikhail Botvinnik.
White gains the two Bishops in turn for a compromised pawn structure.}
h6 7.Bh4 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Ne5 9.e3 d6 10.Be2 Ng6 11.Bxf6 {
White gives back the two Bishops, leaving himself with a compromised pawn
structure. As compensation however, White has a freer game, but, should Black
stabilize the piece activity, he will be better in the long term.}
Qxf6 12.O-O O-O 13.Qc2 Re8 14.Rfd1 Nf8 {! Black's g6-Knight heads for the more
active c5-outpost.}
15.Bd3 Ne6 16.Nb3 Rb8 17.a4 Qe7 18.a5 Bd7 19.a6 {?! A potentially serious
strategic error as White forfeits the opportunity of a frontal attack down the
b-file.}
b6 20.Nd4 Nc5 21.Nb5 Bxb5 22.cxb5 Qf6 {!} 23.Bc4 {!} Re5 24.Bd5
Rbe8 25.Rd4 Ne6 26.Rd2 g6 27.Ra4 Kg7 28.Rd1 Re7 {
While the position is approximately even, now that White has straightened out
his Queenside structure, I still have a slight preference for Black's
rock-solid position. There is the long-term chance of generating a Kingside
attack without having to face a Queenside attack, because the Queenside is all
locked up.}
29.Rb4 g5 {!} 30.Bc6 Qg6 31.Qb2 f5 {!} 32.Qb1 {?!} Qf6 33.Bd5
f4 {!} 34.e4 {?!
While Black has been making purposeful moves, advancing his pawns on the
Kingside, the Chessmaster has drifted, falling into a passive position.
White's last move however, gives Black a free ride on the Kingside. It may
have been time to jettison a pawn by, 34.Bxe6 R5xe6 35.e4 (35.exf4? Qxc3)
35...Qxc3, winning a pawn. Knowing Larry, he would have played, 35...f3,
pressing on the Kingside.}
Nf8 {It is unfair to criticize this move. Black wants to have his cake and eat
it
too. He has a splendid position and is dreaming of repositioning the Knight to
the e5-square with a winning strategic position. On the other hand such
extravagance isn't necessary. Black has a strong attack with the direct,
34...f3, going after White's King.}
35.f3 h5 36.Qc2 Ng6 37.Qa2 Kh6 38.Qd2 Rg7 39.Qd4 g4 40.fxg4 Nh4
{Going for a tactical knockout victory. I would play, 40...hxg4, without
hesitation as Black has a won position. Black would follow up by doubling on
the h-file or play for ...g4-g3 and after a forced h2-h3, play ...Ng6-h4 and
...f4-f3 winning.}
41.Rb2 Rxg4 {Again, 41...hxg4, would be my choice. Larry must have felt that he
had the game in the bag at this point.}
42.Kh1 Ng6 {
A bit baffling. It would seem more natural to play, 42...Qg6, followed by
...Kh6-h7 and ...Re5-g5, blasting away against the g2-pawn.}
43.Rf2 Qe7 44.Qd2 Reg5 45.Ra1 {
This appears to be despair. While White may not have many active
possibilities, 45.Rdf1, holding up Black's Kingside progress seems better.}
h4 46.c4 {! A good move anticipating the ...h4-h3 advance, as 46...h3 47.gxh3
Rh4 48.Ra3, is a fair defense.}
Qe5 47.Rc1 Kg7 48.Bc6 Qe7 49.Rcf1 Re5 50.Qc3 Kh6 51.Bd5 Reg5
52.Qb3 Qe5 53.Rd1 {Larry has built up a dominating position and enchanted with
its possibilities, he now embarks on a faulty combination.}
Rg3 {?} 54.hxg3 hxg3 55.Ra2 Rg4 {?
A strange follow-up to the Rook sacrifice, which is difficult to fathom. Black
is probably going to miss the mark with the standard attack, with the idea of
55...Rh5+ 56.Kg1 Rh2 57.Qf3! (White has to stop ...Qe5-h5, for instance: 57.Kf1
Qh5 58.Ke1 Ne5, gives Black his ideal setup, not necessarily good for him, but
the best he can achieve following his Rook sacrifice.) 57...Qg5 58.Be6! Ne5
59.Qb3 f3 60.Bh3, with a position likely to favor White. Still, this was a
superior choice.}
56.Kg1 Qh5 57.Kf1 f3 58.Ke1 {! Chessmaster skips its King to safety, emerging a
Rook ahead.}
f2+ {While the position is lost for Black, 58...Qh1+ 59.Kd2 Qxg2+ 60.Kc1
f2 61.e5, probably explains why Larry didn't grab the g2-pawn. As I'm from the
pawn-grubbing school of chess, this would have been my desperate choice.}
59.Kd2 Rh4 60.Qe3+ Kg7 61.Rf1 Qe5 62.Kc2 Rh2 63.Qf3 Qf4 64.e5
{! A finishing stroke, as the hitherto passive d5-Bishop becomes a key defender
of the Kingside pawns.}
Qxf3 65.Bxf3 Nxe5 66.Bd5 Rh5 67.Ra3 Rg5 68.Kd2 Ng6 69.Re3 Ne5
70.Ke2 Kf6 71.Rh1 Ng6 72.Rh7 {Black resigns} 1-0
[Event "ICC 2 120 u"]
[Site "Internet Chess Club"]
[Date "2002.09.29"]
[Round "4"]
[White "LarryC"]
[Black "CM9000 (Chessmaster)"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ICCResult "Game drawn by mutual agreement"]
[WhiteElo "2559"]
[BlackElo "2800"]
[Opening "Réti: King's Indian attack (Barcza system)"]
[ECO "A07"]
[NIC "QP.09"]
[Time "18:01:34"]
[TimeControl "120+120"]
1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.Bg2 Bg4 4.c4 {?!
This stab at the center gives Black an easy game. Usual is 4.b3, fianchettoing
the Queen Bishop and preparing either c2-c4 or e2-e4 in the future. Another
possibility is 4.h3, putting the question to the g4-Bishop.}
dxc4 5.Na3 Qd5 {!
An excellent move that not only protects the c4-pawn but leaves White
struggling for an effective way to complete his development. Black correctly
avoids, 5...b5? 6.Nxb5 cxb5 7.Ne5!, when White regains the lost material.}
6.Nc2 Qc5 7.Ne3 Be6 8.b3 {
Larry accepts that his opening has turned into a gambit. The problem is that
while he will enjoy a measure of compensation, thanks to his superior
development, Chessmaster has a solid position, with no targets.}
cxb3 9.axb3 Nf6 10.Ba3 Qb6 11.Nc4 Bxc4 12.bxc4 Nbd7 13.O-O e5
14.Qb1 {?
A poor choice. White should play 14.Bxf8, to determine where Black's King is
heading. In case of 14...Kxf8 15.Qa4, and White continues with Rf1-b1, with
Queenside pressure. After 14...Rxf8 15.Qa4, Black will have some problems
finding a safe address for his King.}
Bxa3 15.Rxa3 Qc7 {!?} 16.Qa1 a5 17.d3 O-O {With an extra pawn and a solid
position, Black has a clear advantage. The US Champion is left struggling to
draw.}
18.Nd2 Nc5 19.Rb1 b6 20.Nb3 Nfd7 21.Nxc5 Nxc5 22.e3 {! White's best chance is to
push away the Knight from its excellent c5-outpost.}
Rad8 23.d4 exd4 24.exd4 Na6 25.c5 {!} Nb4 26.cxb6 Qxb6 27.d5
Rfe8 28.Bf3 {Capturing by, 28.dxc6?? Re2 29.Rf1 Rdd2, allows Black's Rooks to
flood into White's position.}
cxd5 29.Rxa5 Rc8 30.Qa4 Qf6 31.Qxb4 Qxf3 32.Qd4 {! Larry has managed to force a
major piece ending and blocked Black's passed d-pawn. He is quite close to
securing the draw.}
Rcd8 33.Rab5 h6 34.R5b3 Qf5 35.Kg2 Re4 36.Qb6 Rde8 37.Rf3 Qd7
38.Qb7 R4e7 39.Qxd7 Rxd7 40.Rd3 d4 41.h4 Re5 42.Rb4 Red5 43.Kf3
g6 44.g4 f5 45.g5 {Game drawn by mutual agreement. ^013^010
}
{The game was now agreed drawn, as Black's King is unable to approach and
dislodge the blockade. Of course, Black has every reason to play on, but a
draw clinches the match. An outstanding achievement by Chessmaster!} 1/2-1/2
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