Author: José Antônio Fabiano Mendes
Date: 07:43:52 10/23/02
Kramnik vs Topalov, Novgorod, 1997
[D]r4b1k/ppn2n1p/2p1bpp1/4p3/1PP1P3/P1N1B2P/3NBPP1/3R2K1 w
Black wants to play a5 opening the diagonal for his dark
square Bishop, and possibly the a-file for the rook. How does
Kramnik parry this threat? He found the beautiful prophylactive
move 1.Rb1!!, which not only prevents 1...a5, but also prepares a White
queenside offensive by a3-a4-a5. As the author points out, “1. Rb1 is the
kind of move that is quite logical, but nevertheless difficult to find
particularly during a game --- and when the Rook occupies the only open file.”
Obviously flummoxed by this disruption of his plan, Topalov responded with
1...b6?! When 2. c5! b5 (2...bxc5 3. bxc5 gives White the d-file) and 3. a4
proved difficult to meet.
It takes deep positional understanding to realize that the d-file is of no real
value because all the entry squares are guarded by the Black pieces.
1. Rb1! is the kind of move played in a game that seems to be an effortless
victory for White. Usually in these types of games the winner stymies
his opponent’s plans causing him to make second-rate moves.
Of course, in order to find 1. Rb1 Kramnik had to realize
that a5 was a threat.
Source ==> http://www.chesscafe.com/REVIEWS/books.HTM
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