GM Sergey Ivanov annotated online the games of the 3rd round:


Dortmund
July, 14 2001
Hello, dear chessfriends! Today I will be your guide in hot Dortmund summer. What interesting is waiting for us today, in the 3rd round?

Firstly, the meeting Leko - Morozevich. After 2 rounds Leko is leading with Kramnik but Morozevich is sharing the last place with Adams after yesterday's offensive failure. But Morozevich is a fighter and Leko is a good irritant for him. So I think there will be a serious struggle. The first move 1.e4 is obvious and Morozevich usually replied with French defence. But in January 2001 Morozevich has outplayed the Najdorf variation of the Sicilian. Leko played his favourite line with 6.Bg5 and won the game in the complicated struggle. No doubt, Morozevich is craving for a revenge.

Secondly, the game Adams - Kramnik. Adams looks insipid in Dortmund by the moment, and probably Kramnik will play for win even with black. True, the score with this color is +3-2=8 in favour of Adams. And we all remember how Michael broke the long Vladimir's without loss series a year ago here in Dortmund in variation 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5. And in Wijk aan Zee 2001 Adams luckily made a draw in Sveshnikov variation. So, if Kranik imposes his line in opening, I stake on him!

And finally the game Topalov - Anand. It seems Veselin gradually finds his former shape but the splendid Indian isn't shining yet in this tournament. Their games always had uncompromising fight and Topalov has the advantage (with this color) +3-2 in the resulting games. So I foretell the sharp fight where any result is possible.

Well, the games start, follow the updates!

Leko - Morozevich

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Be7 6.Bxf6 gxf6

Morozevich's favourite line which has brought him several noticeable victories.

7.Nf3 a6 8.g3 Nc6

Fresh idea combined with preparation of e6-e5 advance. Before Morozevich preferred 8...b5 9.Bg2 Bb7 as for example in games against J. Polgar (Wijk aan Zee 2000) and Leko (Francfurt 1999)

9.Nc3

The novelty apparently prepared by Leko for this game. In case of quiet development 9.Bg2 Black fulfils his main idea - 9...e5 10.d5 Nb4 11.Nc3 c6 12.dxc6 Qxd1 13.Rxd1 bxc6 14.a3 Nd5 15.Nxd5 cxd5 16.Rxd5 0-0 and two Bishops give him a sufficient counterplay (Milos - Morozevich, Istanbul (ol) 2000

9...h5!?

An interesting distracting maneuver. Black intends to strict White's k-side by the h pawn's advance since the d4 pawn in under the blow.

10.Bg2 h4 11.0-0

Since White has to move his King away from the center anyhow he decided to do it immediately. But now Black can try to derive benefit from the opening of the h file.

11...hxg3 12.hxg3 e5!?

It's forcing the passing into the endgame where Black with 2 Bishops has no problems. Evidently Morozevich came to a conclusion that his strengths are not enough for the straight attack.

13.dxe5 Qxd1

The alternative is 13...fxe5 14.Qxd8 Bxd8

14.Raxd1 fxe5 15.Nd5 Bd6 16.Ng5

White could liquidate one of the Bishops - 16.Nb6 Rb8 17.Nxc8 (17.Nc4 Ke7 18.Rfe1 Rh5) 17...Rxc8 with equal position. But it looks like Leko wants to obtain an advantage.

16...Kf8

Developing 16...Bf5 suggested itself but after 17.Be4 Bxe4 18.Nxe4 White's chances is a bit better thanks to strong Knights. By the move in the game Morozevich retreats his King from possible checks beforehand.

17.Nb6

Nothing else I can see for White.

17...cxb6 18.Rxd6 Ke7 19.Rd2

Any chances for an advantage can be only after 19.Rfd1 but 19...f6! 20.Ne4 Be6 relieves Black and the play can become unclear. Leko made a reliable move and draw agreement took place.

1/2-1/2

Adams - Kramink

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 d6

As far as I know this formation was not to be found yet in Kramnik's practice. Experts in Sheveningen chose this order of moves (not developing the Knight onto f6 not last forever) in case of they want to avoid the sharp Keres attack (6.g4).

6.Be3 Nf6 7.Qd2

Adams doesn't want to play standard Sheveningen (evidently that choice of Kramnik was a surprise for him) and chose the plan with 0-0-0 placing his pieces like in very popular English attack.

7...Be7 8.f3 0-0 9.0-0-0 a6

Theory offers Black to realize the immediate blow in the center 9...d5 but in that case the position becomes simpler. But to all appearances Kramnik is in the mood for more complicated play.

10.g4 Nxd4 11.Bxd4 b5 12.Kb1 Qc7

This position is typical for Rauzer variation but the pawns... Where is the white pawn on f4 and White's play is to advance the e4-e5. But here the pawns is placed on the f3 and g4 so he should prepare the storm by the g and h pawns. Kramnik has made the useful move by Queen which is often played in analogical position from Rauzer. Here they played 12...Bb7 13.h4 Rc8 14.g5 Nd7 15.Rg1 b4 (Topalov - Kasparov, Ansterdam, 1995)

13.g5 Nd7 14.h4 b4 15.Na4 Bb7!?

Kramnik considers that Black hasn't to defend the b4 pawn.

16.b3

16.Qxb4 looks rather risky: 16...Rfc8 17.Bd3 a5 18.Qd2 Rab8 with initiative.

16...d5

The standard breakthrough in the center making clear the White's pawns' weakness. The position looks like more preferable for Black.

17.exd5 Bxd5 18.Qe3 Rfc8 19.Bd3 Nc5

Another possibility was 19...Bd6 keeping a strain. But Black will have some advantage even in case of Queen's trade because the weakness of white pawns and k-side.

20.Nxc5 Bxc5 21.Be4

Light-squared black Bishop is very strong and should be traded.

21...Bxd4 22.Rxd4 a5 23.Rhd1

Taking 23.Bxd5 is impossible for the time being because of intermediate 23...Qxc2

23...g6 24.Qe2

Resuming the Bxd5 threat. Position has equalized.

24...Qg3

The alternative is 24...Bxe4 25.fxe4 a4!? with sharp play.

25.Bxd5 exd5 26.Rxd5

To more complicated play led 26.h5!? gxh5 27.Rxd5 a4

26...Qxh4 27.Qd2 Qg3 28.f4 Qc3 29.Qxc3 Rxc3

Appeared rook's ending has draw character. Both side have no weaknesses and most likely the game will be finished peacefully.

30.f5 gxf5 31.Rxf5 Ra7
Not allowing the Rook to rush into the 7th rank.

32.Rd2 Kg7 33.Kb2 a4 34.a3 axb3 35.axb4 bxc2 36.Rxc2 Rxc2

Draw. After the opening I had a feeling that Kramnik can grasp initiative but after the exchanges Adams equalized the position by accurate maneuvers. Nobody wanted to risk and soon the draw became inevitable.

Topalov - Anand

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Nbd7 6.Nf3 h6 7.Nxf6 Nxf6 8.Bxf6

A rare move. The usual lines - 8.Bh4 and 8.Be3.

8...Qxf6 9.Bb5 c6 10.Bd3 a6

Black is preparing c6-c5 not letting the Bishop step on the b5 square. Also was played 10...Bd6 11.Qe2 a5 12.0-0-0 a4 13.a3 0-0 14.Kb1 Ra5 15.Rhe1 c5 16.dxc5 Bxc5 17.Rd2 and thanks to tha control upon the center White's chances is a bit more preferable (Leko - Akopian, Gromimgen 1996)

11.c3 c5 12.Ne5 Bd6 13.Qe2 cxd4

In case of natural 13...0-0 White grasps initiative by 14.Nc4 Be7 15.Qe4 g6 16.Nb6 Rb8 17.d5

14.cxd4 Bd7

Looks quite risky so now it's difficult for Black to accomplish a castling. 14...Bb4 15.Kf1 0-0 with mutual chances offered itself.

15.0-0 Qf4

"b" after "a". But White hadn't to defend the d4 pawn.

16.g3! Qxd4 17.Nxd7 Kxd7 18.Qf3 Ke7 19.Qxb7 Kf6

Forced play has led to the position in which White can attack the opponent's King with material equality. Different coloured Bishops only strengthen the acttack's potential. Anand should trade the Queens but it's not easy.

20.Rad1 Qa7 21.Qf3 Ke7 22.Qg4

If only Black could to move the King to a safe place (f8 for instance) not parting the Rooks: 22...Be5 wanna be played but there is the unpleasant check from the b4. Black is still in trouble.

22...g5

It's necessary to make such "ugly" move. But in case of 22...g6 23.Rfe1 the Bxg6! blow is threatening with rout.

23.Bc4 Qb6 24.Rd3

An important reorganization. The Bishop attacks the e6 point but the Rook from the f3 will make pressure on the f7.

24...Rad8

24...Qxb2? 25.Re1 Qf6 26.Rf3 Qg6 27.Rxf7! loses since Black's defence falls in.

25.Rf3

With threat of 26.Rf7 Kf7 27.Qe6 with mate.

25...Be5 26.Re1 f6

Bad is 26...Bf6 27.Qf5!+- or 26...Rd4 27.Rxf7 Kxf7 28.Qf5 Ke7 29.Qxe5 with a decisive attack.

27.Qh5 Qb4 28.Rxe5 Qxc4

It's clear that in case of 28...fxe5? 29.Qf7 Kd6 30.Qxe6 a mate will be soon.

29.Re1

The Bishops' exchange facilitated the Black's position but the King placed in the center with all Queens and Rooks on the board is the permanent headache for him.

29...Qxa2

The right decision - if Black can't insure his King then he tries to take as many pawn as he could.

30.Qg6 Rhf8 31.Qxh6 Qxb2

Now White can capture the Queen but the little left material increases Black's chances for draw.

32.Qg7 Rf7 33.Rxe6 Kxe6 34.Re3 Qe5 35.Rxe5 fxe5 36.Qxg5 Rdf8

Smoke has dispersed. You see, Anand was sagacious taking the a2 pawn on the 29th move. If Black hadn't the passing a pawn he would have a desperate position. But now - some chances for draw.

37.Qg4 Kd5 38.Qd1 Kc5 39.Qc2 Kb4?!

In my opinion it was worth keeping the King closer to the center - 39...Kd4. In that case after the exchange of the a6 pawn to the f2 Black would have the counterplay with the e pawn.

40.Qb2 Kc5

Now the e5 pawn is lost with check. But even after 40...Kc4 41.Qxe5 Rxf2 42.Qc7 Kb5 43.Qb7 Ka5 44.h4 Black has nothing good.

41.Qxe5 Kb6 42.h4 a5

Well, now it's impossible to take on f2 - 42...Rxf2 43.Qd4 Kc6 44.Qxf2 Rxf2 45.Kxf2+- and pawn ending is won for White. But White has a simple plan - he advances the passing pawn and lonely black pawn doesn't matter. White must win.

43.h5 Rd7 44.Qe6 Kc7 45.h6

A severe failure of Anand. In vain he refused the natural castling in the opening. He created the storm himself and can't find a way out of it. But before the control he chose a wrong way for his King, lost the central pawn and that was the decisive mistake. But Topalov played with one breath during all the game and won deservedly.