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Subject: simple explanation for both games

Author: Peter Kappler

Date: 20:15:27 01/24/00

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On January 24, 2000 at 16:49:29, Charles Unruh wrote:

>  8th round of Wijk Aaan zee. Of course anything in chess can happen, but Anand
>giving a draw to Van Wely when he's a pawn up, with a passer?

[D]r6r/5pp1/3k1b1p/2pP1P2/1p2R1P1/8/PPP1B2P/1K1R4 b - -

Actually he was *two* pawns up, but if you take a close look at the position,
you'll see that Van Wely was in no danger of losing.  The opposite colored
bishops are to Black's advantage, as he has total control of the key dark
squares in the position.  In addition, White's bishop is a sorry piece, with
only one diagonal to operate on, and no targets of any kind.  White's rooks
can't do anything to penetrate into Black's position either.  The passed pawn
that you were so impressed with is completely blockaded with no chance of ever
advancing.

In short, the two pawn material advantage is irrelevant.  Your chess computer
will show a high score for White, but it's because it understands very little of
what I described above.


> Kasparov Allowing
>a position with really no complications and allows an easy draw to Lputian a
>2605!  Lputian is so low rated that he's almost in a category were Kasp probably
>hasn't played against in 10 years, a sub 2600 player(2500s).   It could happen
>but both in one day!

You are underestimating the advantage of playing the White pieces at this level.


--Peter



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