GM Konstantin Aseev
annotates online the games of the 8th round:
Dortmund
July, 20 2001
Preface.
Hello dear chessfriends
I am glad to the possibility once more tell you
about today's round so, that it would be at least
little interesting for you.
Naturally will start with a mini-prediction.
Kramnik-Adams
.
It's obviously, that against Vladimir plays a
chessplayer, who still has not win any game. But
will he managed to hold the black color? This is
rather difficult problem and Kramnik should has
a good reserve of energy to break the resistance.
As well as to the rest chessplayers.
The chances for a success for the Russian is
certainly obviously higher.
Anand-Topalov
What can Anand make with such an unhappy
tournament situation and bad form?
And playing against the leader. But the white
color - is a white color. So, the fate sent
to Hindu a test one more time.
Will he managed to break an unhappy line?
Or if you got in such situation you should
endure this hard time with a minimum losses?
I hope that we will see a long interesting fight.
Morozevich-Leko
It's obviously that here will be a live game and
Morozevich will try to take from this meeting the
maximum. Such a predator as our young Russian will
make an attempt to coutch his "fish" but will
agree Leko on this role?
Maybe he just wait this chanse?
Nevertheless the chances of Alexander are higher.
Let we wish him good luck and not to get in the mouth
of more big "cachalot".
So, we are waiting the development of the events.
Kramnik-Adams
Was outplayed the Queen's Indian Defence. After
11.e4 (just before the castle) Black's reply
11...Bb7 seems to me not correct since either
12.e5 and 12.0-0 gives White better chances.
After 13.Rfe1 White has created a good pressure
and his position obviously preferable because of even
the providing of a liberation c6-c5 don't solve all
problems.
After 18.e5 followed an unexpected agree on a draw.
It is difficult to reproach the rivals in
unwillingness to fight. Most likely Kramnik considered
that will be very difficult to overcome Adams's
redoubt and decided to economize the forces. But it
forsake a feeling that during 13-18 moves one could
look for some other decisions which arise more
problems. But all this is a hypothetic reasoning.
The result is fixed. Whether Kramnik's decision was
right or no we 'll know after the ending of the game
Anand-Topalov where goes on a tangled, saturated fight.
Anand-Toipalov
The first surprise - in Sicilian Anand has chosen
3.Bb5 - what is this - an attempt to avoid theoretical
discussions or a result of a special prepare just to
this meeting? Only the questions.
In my opinion it was well to play 8...e5 (insted of
8...e6). The move
9...Nd7 insted of a natural 9...Be7 looks completely
pretentiously.
The feeling is that White's position is better although
to players is easy to see because they are completely
in the game and see significantly more. But after b4
I will dare to predict that Black will have an "Spanish
torture". After 22 moves on the board is something
incomprehensible. The battle goes on the whole board.
After 23.Nh4! it is necessary Qe8
After 25.ab6 in case of 25...Nb3? there is 26.ab3 Ra1
27.b7 Qf7 (27...Bf7 28.g6 Bg6 29.b8Q Qxb8 30.Ng6+-)
28.Qc2 with an idea 29.Qc7 and it seems White wins.
But it is interesting also 26.b7!? Nd2 27.baQ Qa8 28.Ng6.
Naturally Veselin don't get in such tricks.
Suggest itself 28.Be3 Rb6 29.Bc5 dc5 30.Reb1 but there is
a reply 30...Rf6. Then is possible to start with 29.Rbe1
After 30...g4 Black has a dangerous counterplay.
After 37...Qh6 White's king is under the attack.
Is there a salvation?
After 42.Kh1 suggest itself 42...g5
After 42...Qh2 43.Kh2 Rf6 there is a clumsy defence
44.Bh1 This why with the same idea is possible 43...g5.
Nevertheless the defence should be find - very few the
material.
Very hard to follow the quick-changed event on the boards.
It seems that Anand played until a lost position at 60th
move. So after 60...Rg2 61.Rg2 Kf3 Black probably lose.
But Topalov decided to force no the position with the
control move considering that he will be able to return
to this position.
After 67th White's move - does Topalov will has enough
forces and energy?
And although today it's not the most successful day for
white pieces during the last 15 minutes has take place
some changes in both games which allowes them to hope for
a draw. Did Kramnik was so perspicacious when he tested no
the fortune today with white.
First time during the last few years Anand shows such an
inexpressive play. The attempt to break an unhappy
tournament's situation has not led to something good.
Veselin Topalov turned out to be stronger today winning and
becoming an alone leader.
Morozevich-Leko
When plays Alexander we always wait some surprises.
Today he playes an old Bishop Opening, which don't
promise for White any advantage but Morozevich has his
own view on the theory and he constantly looks for
something new and often finds it. However here I think
Black has not any problem. We 'll see is it right.
13.h3 - a play for a preventive measures. White should
prevent the d6-d5. To double the Rooks on d-file, then
is possible Qf3 following by Nf5.
Black should find the solution to not to gasp.
15...b5!? A brave pawn sacrifice but it is clearly that
Leko will not stay and look as a rabbit on a boa.
Also the variation 16.ab5 ab5 17.cb5 d5 18.bc6 d4 promise
him an excellent compensation. But followed an unexpected
18.b6!? - such a move can be missed.
It is outlined a tactical skirmish and the result of the
duel is unclear. After
19.Na4 there is 19...Qa5. Just so it was played.
Still one could not coutch on the material advantage.
21.Rfd1 - this is a retreat. After 21...f6 White has to
look a hard way to a draw. Black stands significantly
better and Leko quite could now expect a success.
After the time control Leko has an extra pawn and chances
to win. So, since the 21st move White "failed to drive"
and got in result a difficult position. But maybe White
remains some chances to draw?
After 44.Qe4 Qe4 45.fe4 we see a realisation of the material
advantage which don't presents any technical difficulties.
64.c6 - now is an obvious draw. Hope that now Alexander
will not lost his chances. Leko after this meeting
should improve his technic.