with:

• Kasparov's analysis
• board position for each move
• The world team's analysis
• Danny King's (Grangmaster and official commentator) comments
• FIDE World-champion Alexander Khalifman's (Cologne) Grand Master Chess School Comments and analysis
• Press articles
• Anands comment and Interview
• pictures of the event
• chat with Kasparov
• Kasparov's biography
• MSN-Interview with Kasparov
• In-Game Chat with Danny King
• Comment by Vladimir Dvorkovich
• Lectures by Garry Kasparov
• broad coverage of the move #51 scandal with interviews and chats

– Garry Kasparov

Garry Kasparov -- many articles have been written about him and many have interviewed him. But do many know of his great contribution to the world of Chess? How many of you know that behind this world champion is a mathematician, a computer expert, and an educator? Behind the king is a man – a person who is respected and appreciated for his contribution to the world.

• Etienne Bacrot, 16, won first place at the Championnat de France 1999 in Besançon last week. Two years ago Etienne became the youngest grandmaster in history at age 14.
• Florin Felecan, 19, is the highest-rated American chess player under 21.
• Irina Krush, 15, is the U.S. women’s chess champion and youngest member of the U.S. Olympiad team.
• Elisabeth Pähtz, 14, won first place on August 29 in the German Women’s Individual Championships at Chemnitz in the former East Germany. This victory makes her the youngest national champion in German history. Two years ago, at age 12, Elisabeth became Champion of the German Federal States in the under-20 category.

The game will continue until one king is checkmated or the game declared a draw.

Etienne Bacrot

Born on January 22, 1983 in Picardie, France, Etienne Bacrot began playing chess at age 4 and won his first junior championships in Hungary and Czechoslovakia at age 10. He has followed the teachings of internationally ranked players including Grandmaster Iossif Dorfman and World Champion Garry Kasparov.

Bacrot surprised the chess world in 1995 when he qualified for the Intel Grand Prix in Paris and competed against the previous champion, Vladimir Kramnik. In that year he became an International Master and defeated Anatoly Karpov. Vassily Smyslov, a former world champion, said after his loss to Etienne, "I thought I was playing a child, but I am certain I played a Grandmaster."

In March 1997, Etienne Bacrot became the youngest Grandmaster in chess history at Enghien-les-Bains, France at the age of 14 years and 2 months. He held that distinction until December of that year. Later this year, Etienne will compete in the French national championships and will challenge GM Alexander Beliavsky in the 27th Mondial. We are delighted to have this exceptional young player as one of our Chess Analysts. Stop in and meet Etienne in our Chat Room.

Florin Felecan

Born on April 7,1980, Florin Felecan began playing chess at age 8. Trained by his father, he entered his first tournament in 1989. From 1992 to 1994, he competed in the French Junior Championships at Bagneux and Capelle la Grande, and tied for first place at the European Junior Championships at Baile Herculane. In 1994, he earned the FIDE rank of Chess Master. Later, Florin won four first-place and three second-place prizes in the Romanian Junior National Championship, and in 1997 he became the Romanian Junior Champion.

In 1996, Felecan's Romanian Golden Team won the Youth Olympiad. The next year, he and his family moved to the United States. He became National High School Chess Champion in 1998 and attended the University of Maryland, where he studied computer science and chess. Rated 2535 USCF and 2380 FIDE, Florin easily won Hawaii's Denker Tournament and the Intercollegiate Pan-American Championships in Dallas.

This year, Felecan is increasingly involved in speed chess tournaments. We are very pleased to have him as a Chess Analyst.

Art Fazakas, writer for the event, asked Florin a few questions about his life in chess.

AF: Florin, do you play chess on the MSN Gaming Zone?

FF: Yes, I do - but I found that the other cool games present on the Gaming Zone are too tempting for me.

AF: Who are your favorite chess authors?

FF: Kasparov and Karpov.

AF: What do you think of Kasparov's strategy in general?

FF: Garry is very tactical but he doesn't dislike a positional game. Overall he's very incisive and accurate in his play.

AF: Do you think anyone can beat Kasparov?

FF: Of course, he's the World Champion but he's still human. Players like Topalov, Adams, and Anand have a good chance of beating him. A very promising player is Peter Leko with a FIDE rating near 2700.

AF: Do you think YOU might be World Champion one day?

FF: Yes, I could possibly become the World Champion, but with so many young chess players, only the future will tell.

AF: How do you like the life of a chess Grandmaster?

FF: As the highest title in the chess hierarchy, the Grandmaster title gives you the feeling of being able to defeat any player in the world.

AF: Do you like speed chess? Do you enter rapid chess tournaments?

FF: Yes, I like speed chess and I'm entering speed chess tournaments as often as I can.

Irina Krush

A review of 15-year-old Irina Krush’s chess victories and achievements would fill several pages. Born in Odessa, Ukraine, she became the youngest woman ever to compete in the U.S. Women’s Chess Championship at age 11, and won that event in 1998. A Chess Master at age 12, Irina is now the No. 1 woman chess player in the U.S., with FIDE rating 2375 and USCF 2448. She is the No. 1 Junior player under 18 in the U.S. and No. 2 Junior under 21. We are delighted to have Irina as one of our Chess Analysts in this event.

Irina was the Gold Medalist in the 1998 Pan-American Youth Championships in Brazil with a score of 7-0. Her other achievements last year included the Bronze Medal in the FIDE Girls World Championship in Calcutta and the top score in the FIDE Women’s Olympiad in Russia. In January 1999, she won first place in the New York City High School Championship. Irina is making her mark in every corner of the world.

This summer, Irina will play at the World Open in Philadelphia, Chess Superstore’s "Krush Challenge" in New Jersey, the Kingsport Fun Fest in Tennessee and the U.S. Junior Championship in San Francisco. September will find her at the Women’s World Championship in Moldavia. With relentless vigor, she tackles every opportunity she can cram into her schedule, and performs astoundingly well at all of them. Irina is clearly headed for a dominant role in the world of chess.

Irina’s influence on chess extends beyond the board. Her "Krushing Attacks" chess videos are widely acclaimed, and her articles appear in Chess Life and Atlantic Chess News. "Young children learn quickly via visual stimulation and this suggests to me that chess videos and software have particularly beneficial effects on a child’s chess studies," she said. Irina recommends the Disney Chess Guide for very young players. Irina trains with a Dell Pentium II 300 Notebook loaded with ChessBase, Fritz, Chess Informant, Rebel and HIARCS -- challenging herself to the limit.

"I am always glad that more and more young girls are playing chess," she says. Many little girls see her photo on the Web and become interested. "Lots of girls are taking up the game and there’s going to be many, many more!" Krush is a young chess dynamo and seems unstoppable. Five years from now, will the World Champion be able to hold off her assault?

Elisabeth Pähtz

Garry Kasparov was so impressed by Elisabeth Pähtz at the Hanover Trade Fair last year that he immediately called the German Interior Minister and demanded that she be given sponsorship and a stipend for training. "Rather than being intimidated by playing the World Champion," he said, "Elisabeth thought very hard about her moves in our two games, and she solved her problems very well. She will be among the top five women in the world within a year." Not bad for a 14-year-old. Elisabeth won her first tournament match at age 6, and by 1997 she was Champion of the German Federal States for players under 20.

You wouldn’t expect an eighth-grader to have played chess in Austria, Hungary, France and Brazil, but she has placed in the top five in her age group in tournaments in all those countries as well as in her homeland, Germany. She practices chess three times a week for three hours with her father, a well-known Grandmaster and chess trainer in her home town of Erfurt. Her other interests are playing the piano and flute, drawing, mathematics and English.

Elisabeth plays online chess with her colleagues in Poland and Russia. She follows her opponents’ games in ChessBase and analyzes them using the Fritz computer software program. Her favorite chess author is John Nunn. Now rated 2270, she especially likes speed chess. "It’s more a sport than a game," she said, "where if you have a bad position, you can still win. For example, if you are down a rook, your opponent might make a mistake under pressure. Normally it’s impossible to win in that situation." Kasparov has heavily promoted speed chess as an alternative to long games. Elisabeth is currently leading in five out of six rounds in a speed chess championship.

Her thoughts on Kasparov’s strategy? "He’s a genius – holding the title for 14 years proves it." She’s thrilled about her assignment as one of our Chess Analysts. What does she like about Garry (in addition to his brilliant chess)? "He talked about history during our entire lunch," she said, "And he’s very funny!" Will anyone be able to beat him? "Not in the near future," she said. "The only possibility might be a young genius like [Ruslan] Ponomariov now 14 years old, when he’s 21." Or maybe Elisabeth Pähtz, when she’s 21. Garry faces a major challenge down the road.

Danny King (Moderator)

Danny King, the Moderator for Kasparov vs. the World, became a professional chess player at the age of 19 and earned the rank of Grandmaster at 26. His achievements are impressive by any standards: Winner, Sydney (Australia) Open, 1988; Winner, Geneva Open, 1990; Winner, Calcutta Open, 1992; Winner, Dublin Open, 1995. A longtime member of a British National League team, he has also played in the German National League since 1985 and the Swiss National League since 1996. Danny helped England defeat the USA and the Soviet Union in the Visa Championships in Iceland in 1990.

This year Danny is continuing his League chess activities and will visit New York for a press conference on Kasparov vs. the World. When asked if he has played against the four Chess Analysts, he said, "Heavens, no! They are all young, eager and talented - absolutely terrifying!" It's nice to know that our World Team has such big guns in its arsenal.

Danny's work this summer as a guest coach at the Berkeley Chess School in California was interrupted by our upcoming event and by the arrival of his new baby! This new father's chess activities are in no way limited to playing in competitions. He has written eleven books, including "Kasparov-Deep Blue - The Ultimate Man v. Machine Challenge" published in 1997, and scripted chess CDs and videos. In 1994-1995, Danny was featured in Audi/Volkswagen's United Kingdom advertising campaign.

As a TV chess commentator, Danny King has appeared in a long list of special feature programs including the World Championships held in London (1993) and New York (1995), Intel's Speed Chess Grand Prix, and events on ESPN, BBC, Channel 4 TV, Star TV in Asia and many others. He lectures on chess for IBM, Intel and Disney, and served as MC at Disney's World Championships for Kids in Paris last year.

Few players have contributed as much to the world of chess as Danny King. We are fortunate to have him as our Moderator.

--Art Fazakas

Kasparovs opening:

Voting Results

C7-C5 41%

E7-E5 28%

D7-D6 11%

E7-E6 4%

G8-F6 3%

That's great - every chess player in the world is given the chance to do the toughest job in modern chess - playing Gary Kasparov with Black pieces. Believe or not - life will be really hard for the entire chess world in the next month. Kasparov's superb record against the best grandmasters in the recent tournaments is the best proof for it.

Grandmaster Chess School is not claiming the mentor role to the chess world. Still we believe that our recommendations can be useful for those braves who'll decide to take part in the event. We have no intention to insist that all remarks by GM School concerning this historical game would be absolutely correct. Chess is too complicated game and neither Kasparov nor DEEP BLUE is perfect.

Please take a look at some ideas by GM School as an example of grandmaster preparation for a certain opponent in the tournament. We believe that might be interesting.

First of all - we must understand properly what are the strong and weak points of our opponent. This understanding will surely help us to make the right opening choice. The following sentences may seem a bit subjective - but even when you disagree with them - they're based on solid personal experience.

The main power of Gary Kasparov is his play in dynamic unbalanced positions when he has the initiative (material doesn't play great role then). He's very resourceful in this kind of play. It's very hard to stand him in the positions where he has space advantage and (or) dynamic pawn center and clear aggressive plan. His opening reperoire (very deeply analysed) is cleverly composed to get just this type of positions.

His minuses, however, are, as it happens often, the logical consequence of his strong points. Some intuitive combinations of Kasparov are not absolutely correct - what's good in over-the-board play will not work perfectly when the opponent has time to analyse the position. He doesn't feel very confident in technical positions where precise positional play is required, preferring to solve even technical problems by tactical means.

So Kasparov's main aim in the opening will be rather getting clear positional edge in some lively position. His opening library seems to be better than ours.

KRUSH MOVE 1 COMMENTARY

c5 to Kasparov's e4

I recommend 1...c5 (Black pawn to c5). This defense (the Sicilian Defense) provides Black with good counterattacking possibilities, and should create an interesting and dynamic game.

PAHTZ MOVE 1 COMMENTARY

c5 to Kasparov's e4

Since Kasparov started with the most common opening move, Pawn e4, I would play an aggressive answer, Pawn to c5 (c5). This is my favorite move.

FELECAN MOVE 1 COMMENTARY

d6 to Kasparov's e4

This opening is a Modern Defense. Black has a good game with Kasparov using this opening lately. Many players underestimate this reliable opening and it should be played more often. I'm comfortable using this against anyone, including Kasparov."

BACROT MOVE 1 COMMENTARY

c5 to Kasparov's e4

First step in the Sicilian Defense.

DANNY KING MOVE 1 COMMENTARY

(No commentary for this move.)

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Still d-pawn move is the most popular and we've got to foresee that THE WORLD would choose this favourite of Fischer and Kasparov himself. By the way - no doubt that 2...d6 would be recommended by MS Zone experts as it belongs to the opening repertoire of Etienne Bacrot, Irina Krush and Liz Paehtz. Oh, green years - they want just playing their lines instead of choosing something less pleasant for the opponent.

So we're fairly ready that our recommendations wouldn't be tested practically this time and start preparing to recommend the lesser evil after 2...d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 ( if WORLD will vote for 2...d6 these moves would follow almost automatically ).

That's alright but - GM School friends - please consider our reasons - they're based on practical experience and current state of chess opening theory. We'd like to provide some stats which surely can't be the main reason for THE WORLD's decision but might contain some useful information

MOVE 2

Voting Results

D7-D6 62%

B8-C6 15%

G8-F6 9%

E7-E6 4%

D7-D5 1%

Still d-pawn move is the most popular and we've got to foresee that THE WORLD would choose this favourite of Fischer and Kasparov himself. By the way - no doubt that 2...d6 would be recommended by MS Zone experts as it belongs to the opening repertoire of Etienne Bacrot, Irina Krush and Liz Paehtz. Oh, green years - they want just playing their lines instead of choosing something less pleasant for the opponent.

So we're fairly ready that our recommendations wouldn't be tested practically this time and start preparing to recommend the lesser evil after 2...d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 ( if WORLD will vote for 2...d6 these moves would follow almost automatically ).

That's alright but - GM School friends - please consider our reasons - they're based on practical experience and current state of chess opening theory. We'd like to provide some stats which surely can't be the main reason for THE WORLD's decision but might contain some useful information

KRUSH MOVE 2 COMMENTARY

d7-d6 to Kasparov's Nf3

There are a number of playable alternatives for Black, including 2...Nc6,

and 2...e6. However, rarer moves like 2...a6, 2...Nf6, and 2...g6 may

not stand the "test of time."

With 2...d6, we will maintain maximum FLEXIBILITY if Garry continues in

Open Sicilian manner. Thus after 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3, we can play

5...a6 (the Najdorf Variation), 5...g6 (the Dragon Variation), 5...e6

(the Scheveningen Variation) - all variations which Garry has himself

employed with Black, or 5...Nc6 (the Classical Variation of the

Sicilian). Of course, there is a great deal of theory associated with

all of these sharp systems, so we must conduct our opening research

diligently.

PAHTZ MOVE 2 COMMENTARY

d7-d6 to Kasparov's Nf3

My second move is pawn d7-d6. I play this move because it is popular.

Very often Kasparov also plays this move with success and I do too.

P.S. 2. Sf3 is the best move in this position

You can also play 2. Sc3, but I like Sf3 more.

FELECAN MOVE 2 COMMENTARY

d7-d6 to Kasparov's Nf3

Najdorf line - Pawn to d6. This is the most flexible line we can choose. This is a deeply analyzed line that still allows for creativity and new moves. Kasparov often plays this for Black. It will be interesting to see how he responds to his favorite Black response. He won a number of games recently against top grandmasters with this line.

BACROT MOVE 2 COMMENTARY

d6 to Kasparov’s Nf3

d6 is the most common move at this point, and I highly recommend it.

DANNY KING MOVE 2 COMMENTARY

(No commentary for this move.)

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25-6-99, REDMOND, WA

IM Steffen Pedersen, from Denmark, in the introduction to his new book (just released!) "Easy Guide to the Bb5 Sicilian", wrote about the Open Sicilian: "Those who are fortunate enough to posses fine developed calculating skills, and are tactically alert [like computers], will find themselves at ease in such positions - Kasparov being one such person. The Bb5 Sicilian leads to completely different positions, where it is more important to "understand" and "know" why and where to put your pieces…" The world champion wants to play "The World", not their computers!

"One of the old masters once said: 'When I give check I fear no one!', but don't panic, we can get out of this one easily," said Danny King, international grandmaster and tournament moderator.

Two of the world team coaches, Irina Krush (15) and Elisabeth Pahtz (14) have recommended the same move - 3...Nd7 a move that should appeal to the fighting player, though it is regarded as a bit risky. However, both Etienne Bacrot (16) and Florin Felecan (19) recommended what King calls "the most solid and reliable" move, 3...Bd7.

The votes will be counted until 6am PDT Saturday for the World's next play, so anything can happen as the ultimate chess game unfolds.

MOVE 3

Voting Results

C8-D7 50%

B8-D7 35%

B8-C6 11%

E8-B5 5%

A7-A6 1%

Big surprise - once more it proves that Garry takes this show very seriously - he wants to get something from the opening ( surely! ) but he doesn't want to show his main opening secrets before his forthcoming "Ultimate" ( why ultimate? there will be no more? is my English perhaps too bad? ) match with Anand.

Objectively the bishop check must be less dangerous than 3.d4 - it's confirmed by practice. However, many players like this sideline - it has its own points and Black still has to be careful. Black is on the crossroads again: he has three possibilities ( those who'd like to send 3...Qd7?? might be probably sued by Microsoft for undermining the entire event ) - 3...Bd7, 3...Nd7 and 3...Nc6.

NOW GM SCHOOL RECOMMENDS ... NOTHING!!! Or just anything you like. Let us explain. We think that all three moves are equally playable so your choice is completely the matter of taste now:

- 3...Bd7 is the most popular and the most solid - White can hardly fight for more than very slight positional advantage. However, the play has too quiet character and Black's accuracy would hardly be compensated by more than half-point. However, it might be objectively the best - the official opening theory looks like that at least.

- 3...Nd7 is definitely less solid and more demanding - Black takes certain positional risks and White is often able to increase his development lead giving Black some other trumps ( like bishop pair, for instance ). However, if Black survives the post-opening stage without massive losses he can fight for the initiative sometimes. Well, it's definitely risky to give Kasparov the development lead but the game wouldn't be boring at any case.

- 3...Nc6 is probably the golden middle - it's less solid and less boring than 3...Bd7 and at the same time more solid and less demanding than 3...Nd7. We like this move - at least "horror line" by Irina Krush 4.Bxc6+ bxc6 5.0-0 is nothing special because of 5...Bg4 6.d3 e5 7.Nbd2 Be7 8.c3 Nf6 and Black was doing well in Psakhis - Kharlov, New York 1997 - his slightly weakened pawn structure is well-compensated by bishop pair and good control over the centre. However, this move will be hardly chosen as it was recommended by none of MS "experts" - and so many members of the World Team are discussing Irina's T-shirt every night and never visit our website. So GM School gives no formal recommendation this time. Please make your choice!

Opening report

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+

ECO - B51-52

6665 games in 'GM School Base'

1.Players

Strong grandmasters who used this line as White:

2. Statistics

White scores below average (51%).
White performs Elo 2395 against an opposition of Elo 2388 (+7).
Black performs Elo 2354 against an opposition of Elo 2361 (-7).
White wins: 2009 (=30%), Draws: 2716 (=41%), Black wins: 1939 (=29%)


3. Possible Moves

a) 3...Bd7

4219 games, 1939-1999
Black scores above average (48%).
Elo-O: 2385, 2831 games. Performance = Elo 2350
played by: Anand, 2767, 1/2; Kasparov, 2762, 3.5/7; Ivanchuk, 2690, 1.5/3; Almasi, 2665, 0/1; Short, 2665, 0.5/1;

Main lines: ( after 4.Bxd7+ )

b) 3...Nd7

1417 games, 1940-1999, O=1990
Black scores well (53%).
Elo-O: 2387, 1099 games. Performance = Elo 2369
played by: Kasparov, 2800, 3.5/5; Anand, 2750, 0.5/1; Gelfand, 2675, 1/1; Salov, 2670, 1.5/2; Almasi, 2665, 1/1;

Main lines: ( after 4.d4 )

Critical line:
4...cxd4 5.Qxd4 e5 6.Qd3 h6 7.Nc3 43 % White.

c) 3...Nc6

1027 games, 1940-1999, O=1988
Black scores above average (50%).
Elo-O: 2398, 682 games. Performance = Elo 2355
played by: Karpov, 2780, 0/1; Tal, 2630, 2/4; Ivanchuk, 2730, 0.5/1; Polgar, 2665, 1/1; Zvjaginsev, 2635, 1/1;

Main lines: (after 4.0-0 )

KRUSH MOVE 3 COMMENTARY

Nd7 to Kasparov's Bb5+

It appears that Garry wishes to avoid a theoretical battle in a main

line Open Sicilian. Now we must make an early choice that will shape the

outcome of the middlegame to come.

Black's first alternative is 3...Bd7, but I think this variation can

become boring even though it offers reasonable chances for equality.

A second alternative is 3...Nc6 which is not so good a choice against

Kasparov in my opinion, as White can (if he wishes) immediately

compromise Black's pawn structure with 4.Bxc6+!? bxc6 5.0-0.

The third alternative, and the one I highly recommend is 3...Nd7. Black

avoids any weakening in the pawn structure, and simplification can

result in Black obtaining the BISHOP PAIR at the cost of a small lag in

DEVELOPMENT (in chess you have to give something to get something!). It

is interesting to note that this is Garry's preferred treatment when he

has this position as Black. More on this later on the 'Kasparov World

Team Strategy Bulletin Board' if we go with 3...Nd7.

PAHTZ MOVE 3 COMMENTARY

Nd7 to Kasparov's Bb5+

This move is more aggressive then 3....Bd7, because white gets after 4.Bxd7

4....Nxd7 5.c4 a comfortable position. I hope that black makes the game more

interesting and more complicated with the move 3....Nd7.

FELECAN MOVE 3 COMMENTARY

Bd7 to Kasparov's Bb5

This is the most simple defense for the situation.

BACROT MOVE 3 COMMENTARY

Bd7 to Kasparov's Bb5

DANNY KING MOVE 3 COMMENTARY

One of the old masters once said: "When I give check I fear no one!", but don't panic, we can get out of this one easily.

Garry's own comment to his move is revealing:

"It seems that young coaches are trying to force me to play against my favourite Najdorf! Due to forthcoming match with Vishy I have to refrain from public theoretical duel. So please forgive me for selecting unattractive 3 Bf1-b5+."

Let me explain:

In the latter part of the year, most likely October till mid November, there is a good chance that Garry Kasparov will be defending his World title in a match against the world no.2, Vishy Anand from India. At this moment both players will be beginning their intense preparation for the match, including research on their opening repertoires.

It is therefore understandable that Garry wishes to reveal nothing of his future plans and so avoids the move which is generally accepted as the most critical - 3 d4 leading to an open game, rich in fighting possibilities for both sides - and turns to the bishop check, generally leading to a more closed position. The World Champion describes the move as 'unattractive', possibly because it could lead to the early exchange of pieces after, for instance, 3...Bd7, when ideally he would like to maintain as much tension as possible.

Black has three acceptable ways to block the check. 3...Bd7 is the most solid and reliable - in this way none of black's pieces are blocked; 3...Nd7 is more complex - black aims at forcing white to exchange off the bishop for knight (possibly giving black a long-term advantage) but in so doing blocks his pieces temporarily; and 3...Nc6 is straightforward, though leaves white with several options.

It's your choice: Go World!

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Most solid choice - it proves that THE WORLD team is a worth opponent to the world's best player and MS experts' recommendations are carefully studied. Somehow we found some surprising figures in the stats given by Microsoft:

Top three choices:

Nothing's wrong about WORLD's CHOICE but it seems to be a little problem that 51+34+11=96 - not 100 !!! The fourth legal move in the discussed position was 3...Qd7?? So did remaining 4% really vote for it? Fairly strange...

There is no need to be high-class prophet to foretell Kasparov's next move - 4.Bxd7+ as all tries to defend the bishop ( like 4.c4 , 4.a4 , 4.Qe2 and 4.Nc3 ) don't promise any opening advantage after, let's say, 4...Nc6 and bishop b5 is misplaced, and all bishop retreats are obviously illogical.

So the basic question is: what way should we take back. Both 4...Qxd7 and 4...Nxd7 are playable options when 4...Kxd7? is surely not that bad as 3...Qd7?? but still very bad. We're really amazed how many votes will this move get.

The special report on this opening line - to follow tomorrow. We don't have any special preference to 4...Qxd7 or 4...Nxd7. Most probably MS experts would recommend queen move as it used to be favourite of their hero ( = World's opponent ). Nothing wrong - please consider that after 4...Qxd7 Kasparov will play 5.c4 definitely. It's objectively more poisonous than old main line with 5.0-0 and also the lion's share of Kasparov's knowledge on this system is based on his training sessions with young Russian grandmaster Sergei Rublevsky who's one of the greatest experts on 3.Bb5+ in Sicilian and his choice has always been 5.c4 ( after 4...Qxd7 ). After 4...Nxd7 Kasparov would play 5.0-0 - other move orders make less sense then.

MOVE 4

Voting Results

D8-D7 66&

B8-D7 29%

E8-D7 3%

G8-F6 0.8%

B8-C6 0.18%

So after Garry's expected answer THE WORLD has the choice of two ( 4...Kxd7? is no matter to discuss - His Majesty wouldn't be the most active piece at this stage ) - both 4...Qxd7 and 4...Nxd7 are playable options with two different schemes of Black pieces' development.

We don't give uncommon advice this time - in our opinion slight preference belongs to 4...Qxd7 - not because of objective strength but for two main reasons:

1) Queen move is more popular and THE WORLD can easily solve opening problems while following known examples of grandmaster play.

2) It would be chosen anyway - all MS experts have chosen this option as it used to be favourite of their hero ( = World's opponent ).

Nothing's wrong about it - it's good when youngsters have role model - Garry's very special charisma is definitely appealing.

Please consider that after 4...Qxd7 Kasparov will play 5.c4 definitely. It's objectively more poisonous than old main line with 5.0-0 and also the lion's share of Kasparov's knowledge on this system is based on his training sessions with young Russian grandmaster Sergei Rublevsky who's one of the greatest experts on 3.Bb5+ in Sicilian and his choice has always been 5.c4 ( after 4...Qxd7 ). After 5.c4 White is aiming to build Maroczy-like pawn center with d2-d4 c5xd4 Nf3xd4. It's not very dangerous - White can hope for very slight advantage in this case but Black would probably do his best with some tricky move orders preventing this structural transformation. Shirov - Kasparov ( Erevan 1996 ) went 4...Qxd7 5.c4 Nc6 6.Nc3 g6 7.d4 ( otherwise Bf8-g7, and square d4 is under Black's control ) Bg7!? 8.d5 Bxc3+!? 9.bxc3 Na5 with very complicated play. There were some further developments in this line - so we'll need some time to analyse it accurately to recommend you something when it would be right time for responsible decisions like 7...Bg7!?. The only thing is for sure - after 5.c4 knight move to c6 would be the most flexible option anyway. Preventing d2-d4 with 5...e5 would be unfavourable for Black as his bishop will become pretty bad and White would get open hand on the queenside to prepare break-through b2-b4 with a lot of active possibilities.

After 4...Nxd7 Kasparov would play 5.0-0 - other move orders make less sense then.

It's pretty strange that nobody paid attention yet that the last move of THE WORLD defined ECO index B52. Is it a statistical coincidence or does "Bomb the Champ!" become the slogan of this game?

1. Players

Strong grandmasters who used this line as White:

White scores below average (52%).
White performs Elo 2401 against an opposition of Elo 2387 (+14).
Black performs Elo 2351 against an opposition of Elo 2365 (-14).
White wins: 1123 (=29%), Draws: 1744 (=45%), Black wins: 976 (=25%)
The drawing quote is higher than average. (15% quick draws,
White wins are of average length (40).
Black wins are of average length (42).
Draws are short (30).

Main lines (after 5.0-0 ):

KRUSH MOVE 4 COMMENTARY

Qxd7 to Kasparov's Bxd7+

I recommend that the World plays 4...Qxd7 (Queen captures Bishop on d7).

Garry has played the logical 4.Bxd7+, and our most natural response is

4...Qxd7, intending to eventually develop the Nb8 to c6 to fight for the

important CENTRAL SQUARES on e5 and d4.

The second alternative 4...Nxd7 is a less resilient option, as Black will

have less influence over the d4-square. For example: 5.0-0 Ngf6 6.Qe2 e6

(6...g6 7.c3 Bg7 8.d4, with a STRONG CENTER favors White, although 6...Rc8!?

as played in the past by Danny King is interesting) 7.b3 Be7 8.Bb2 0-0

9.c4, as played by Adams and Tal (among others), gives White a

comfortable edge.

There is a third option(?), i.e., 4...Kxd7? which could be described as

a TN - No! Not a Theoretical Novelty but a Terrible Nightmare for the

World (but sweet dreams for Garry!).

Returning to my preferred option at move 4 - White has a number of

interesting continuations after 4...Qxd7:

A) 5.c4 - to establish a Maroczy Bind pawn structure, when Black can

consider a development plan of g7-g6, Bf8-g7, Ng8-f6, 0-0, etc. White

would in fact achieve a Maroczy Bind formation against a Dragon having

dispensed with his weaker LIGHT SQUARED BISHOP (White's central pawns on

c4 and e4 are on LIGHT SQUARES). Nevertheless, with accurate defense,

Black has HOPES for equality. I have a feeling that Kasparov will tend

towards this choice, as it will create a strategical battle aimed at

splitting the votes among the analysts and their online World Team

colleagues in an attempt to compel errors by Black.

B) 5.0-0 - with two principle schools of thought, i.e., White builds a

PAWN CENTER after the continuation 5...Nc6 6.c3 Nf6 7.Re1, intending

d2-d4 (7.Qe2!? is interesting), or the interesting gambit line 7.d4!?

Nxe4 8.d5 Ne5 (8...Nb8 and 8...Nd8 are convoluted methods for retaining

the pawn at the cost of passivity) 9.Re1 Nxf3+ 10.Qxf3 Nf6 11.c4 e5

12.dxe6 fxe6 13.Bg5, and White has pressure and COMPENSATION for the

pawn, and Black must defend VERY accurately to hold the balance - for a

recent example, see Adams-Anand, Groningen (m/1) 1997. These lines are

more forcing in nature, and make the World's immediate decisions

somewhat simpler. For further analysis of the Adams-Anand game, please

see

<A HREF="http://www.smartchess.com/SmartChessOnline/SmartChessOnline/archive/9798fidewch/rd71rep.htm">Smart Chess Online</A>

PAHTZ MOVE 4 COMMENTARY

Qxd7 to Kasparov's Bxd7+

My comment on Garri's move Bxd7+:

What else? White has no other possibility. For example 4.Qe2 4....L:b5 5.Q:b5 5....Qd7

with equality. White keeps a small advantage, because he has more space.

This position I have to play for the time now. My answer is Q:d7, so we will be able to place the Knight on c6 later.

FELECAN MOVE 4 COMMENTARY

Qxd7 to Kasparov's Bxd7+

This is better than Knight takes Bishop on d7. Moving the Knight puts it on a passive square. If we take Kasparov's Bishop with our Queen, we can then move the Knight to C6 and have it control the center. I've had problems with a Knight moving to d7 against stronger players.

BACROT MOVE 4 COMMENTARY

(No commentary for this move.)

DANNY KING MOVE 4 COMMENTARY

I'm delighted that the World has chosen to play 3...Bd7 (personally, I

thought 3...Nd7 was a bit too risky). Many people have been writing in the

bulletin board that this is a dull continuation, giving Black few winning

chances. I disagree. It's all a matter of attitude: I often use this

move to play for a win.

I think it's important to bear in mind how one's opponent is feeling about

the game. Kasparov is desperate to win. Anything else, a draw for

instance, he will consider a failure. Therefore, why shouldn't the World

play a solid continuation? You never know, we might see the World Champion

overplay his hand.....

If White is to get anything from this position he has to exchange the

bishops on d7, otherwise he would fall behind in development. Now Black

has a choice between two equally good continuations, 4...Qxd7 or 4...Nxd7.

Personally I prefer to recapture with the knight but really it's just a

matter of taste.

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Please consider that after 4...Qxd7 Kasparov will play 5.c4 definitely. It's objectively more poisonous than old main line with 5.0-0 and also the lion's share of Kasparov's knowledge on this system is based on his training sessions with young Russian grandmaster Sergei Rublevsky who's one of the greatest experts on 3.Bb5+ in Sicilian and his choice has always been 5.c4 ( after 4...Qxd7 ). After 5.c4 White is aiming to build Maroczy-like pawn center with d2-d4 c5xd4 Nf3xd4. It's not very dangerous - White can hope for very slight advantage in this case but Black would probably do his best with some tricky move orders preventing this structural transformation. Shirov - Kasparov ( Erevan 1996 ) went 4...Qxd7 5.c4 Nc6 6.Nc3 g6 7.d4 ( otherwise Bf8-g7, and square d4 is under Black's control ) Bg7!? 8.d5 Bxc3+!? 9.bxc3 Na5 with very complicated play. There were some further developments in this line - so we'll need some time to analyse it accurately to recommend you something when it would be right time for responsible decisions like 7...Bg7!?. The only thing is for sure - after 5.c4 knight move to c6 would be the most flexible option anyway. 5...Nf6 isn't bad but keeps less possibilities to choose from on the next moves. Preventing d2-d4 with 5...e5?! would be unfavourable for Black as his bishop will become pretty bad and White would get open hand on the queenside to prepare break-through b2-b4 with a lot of active possibilities. 5...Qg4? is just too greedy as after 6.0-0! Qxe4 7.d4! White stops counting the pawns and his attack can become decisive pretty soon.

We're not pretending to give complete analysis of this position which happened in thousands of games. There are some sample lines:

5. c4 Nc6! and now 6.Nc3 is the only move to fight for some advantage:

( 6.d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Nf6 8.f3 ( 8.Nc3 Qg4! = ) e6! aiming for d6-d5;

6.0-0 g6! 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bg7 9.Be3 ( White can't build his perfect
set-up - knights on c3 & e2; bishop for some time on c1 where it has many
options - as 9.Ne2 Ne5! is unpleasant for him ) Nf6 10.f3 ( 10.Nc3 Ng4! )
0-0 11.Nc3 e6 = - d6-d5 is coming )

6...Nf6 ( Kasparov's line with 6...g6 7.d4 Bg7 8.d5 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Na5 is
probably too risky ) 7.0-0 - and now it'll be time for major decision again.
We don't know yet if 7...g6; 7...e6 or 7...Ne5!? would be recommended.

So in a higher sense position after 4...Qxd7 5.c4 Nc6 6.Nc3 is highly probable in 2 days. Then the world will have to choose between Kasparov's tricky move 6...g6 and classical 6...Nf6 More information about the current position will appear on this page when Kasparov's 5-th move will be officially announced.

MOVE 5

Voting Results

B8-C6 72.4%

G8-F6 10.52

E7-E5 4.27

D7-G4 3.2

G7-G6 2.75

Right we were - he played 5.c4! After this move White is aiming to build Maroczy-like pawn center with d2-d4 c5xd4 Nf3xd4. It's not very dangerous - White can hope for very slight advantage in this case but Black would probably do his best with some tricky move orders preventing this structural transformation. Shirov - Kasparov ( Erevan 1996 ) went 4...Qxd7 5.c4 Nc6 6.Nc3 g6 7.d4 ( otherwise Bf8-g7, and square d4 is under Black's control ) Bg7!? 8.d5 Bxc3+!? 9.bxc3 Na5 10.0-0 f6! 11.Nd2 b6 with very complicated play. There were some further developments in this line when Rublevsky invented 10.Nd2! in his game with Ehlvest (Polanica Zdroj, 1997) and this tricky line is probably not the perfect way to play with Kasparov as White definitely gets plenty of attacking chances here. The only thing is for sure - after 5.c4 knight move to c6 would be the most flexible option anyway. 5...Nf6 isn't bad but keeps less possibilities to choose from on the next moves. Preventing d2-d4 with 5...e5?! would be unfavourable for Black as his bishop will become pretty bad and White would get open hand on the queenside to prepare break-through b2-b4 with a lot of active possibilities. 5...Qg4? is just too greedy as after 6.0-0! Qxe4 7.d4! White stops counting the pawns and his attack can become decisive pretty soon. By the way, we're a bit frightened by the recommendations of some self-made experts to take a pawn with 5...Qg4? It's a very clever trap set by Garry - he checks if he really plays the human world or the world of computers Somehow FRITZ, HIARCS, REBEL, CRAFTY etc all recommend 5...Qg4 and don't consider 6.0-0! to be the main answer. Sorry, this move is simply bad - it's proved by many practical games. There are 2 examples:

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7 5.c4 Qg4 6.0-0 Qxe4 7.d4 cxd4 8.Re1 Qc6 9.Nxd4 Qxc4 10.Na3 Qc8 11.Bf4 Qd7 12.Nab5 e5 13.Bxe5 dxe5 14.Rxe5+ Be7 15.Rd5 Qc8 16.Nf5 Kf8 17.Nxe7 Kxe7 18.Re5+ 1-0

Hort,V (2600) - Rajkovic,D (2390) [B52]
Sarajevo (10), 1972

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7 5.c4 Qg4 6.0-0 Qxe4 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Nf6 9.Nc3 Qg4 10.Qa4+ Qd7 11.Ndb5 Nc6 12.Bg5 a6 13.Nd5 Rc8 14.Nb6 Qg4 15.Nxc8 Qxg5 16.Nba7 Qa5 17.Qxa5 Nxa5 18.Rfc1 e6 19.b4 Nc6 20.Nxc6 bxc6 21.b5 Kd7 22.bxa6 Be7 23.Nb6+ Kc7 24.Rab1 1-0

We hope these examples are convincing enough - grabbing pawns is not the most clever strategy in the game of chess.

We're not pretending to give complete analysis of this position which happened in almost 1000 games according to our database. There are some sample lines:

5. c4 Nc6! and now 6.Nc3 is the only move to fight for some advantage:

( 6.d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Nf6 8.f3 ( 8.Nc3 Qg4! = ) e6! aiming for d6-d5;

6.0-0 g6! 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bg7 9.Be3 ( White can't build his perfect
set-up - knights on c3 & e2; bishop for some time on c1 where it has many
options - as 9.Ne2 Ne5! is unpleasant for him ) Nf6 10.f3 ( 10.Nc3 Ng4! )
0-0 11.Nc3 e6 = - d6-d5 is coming )

6...Nf6 ( Kasparov's line with 6...g6 7.d4 Bg7 8.d5 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Na5 is
probably too risky ) 7.0-0 - and now it'll be time for major decision again.
We don't know yet if 7...g6; 7...e6 or 7...Ne5!? would be recommended.

So in a higher sense position after 5.c4 Nc6 6.Nc3 is highly probable in 2 days. Then the world will have to choose between Kasparov's tricky move 6...g6 and classical 6...Nf6.

Opening report

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bxd7+ Qxd7 5.c4

B52, 5.c4

925 games in 'GM School Base'

1. Players

a) Strong grandmasters who used this line as White:

2. Statistics

White scores averagely (55%).
White performs Elo 2434 against an opposition of Elo 2398 (+36).
Black performs Elo 2360 against an opposition of Elo 2396 (-36).
White wins: 282 (=30%), Draws: 449 (=49%), Black wins: 194 (=21%)
The drawing quote is High. (15% quick draws)
White wins are of average length (40).
Black wins are longer than average (43).
Draws are short (30).


3. Moves and Plans

a) 5...Nc6

575 games, 1947-1999, O=1991
Black scores above average (47%).
Elo-O: 2400, 425 games. Performance = Elo 2367
played by: Kasparov, 2802, 1/2; Anand, 2770, 0.5/1; Shirov, 2710, 0.5/1; Gelfand, 2685, 1.5/2; Polgar, 2665, 0.5/1;

Main lines (after 6.Nc3 Nc6 or 5...Nf6 6.Nc3 Nc6 ):

b) 5...Nf6

151 games, 1964-1999, O=1992
Black scores above average (47%).
Elo-O: 2419, 116 games. Performance = Elo 2398
played by: Gelfand, 2685, 1/3; Polgar, 2675, 0.5/1; Shipov, 2635, 0/1; Geller, 2630, 0.5/1; Yermolinsky, 2625, 1/1;

c) 5...e5

99 games, 1951-1998, O=1984
Black scores averagely (45%).
Elo-O: 2393, 71 games. Performance = Elo 2351
played by: Ivanchuk, 2695, 1/1; Sadler, 2660, 1/2; Zvjaginsev, 2635, 0.5/1; Mecking, 2620, 0.5/1; Byrne, 2595, 0/1;

Main lines ( after 6.Nc3 ):

d) 5...e6

4 games, 1981-1995, O=1989
Black scores below average (37%).
Elo-O: 2385, 4 games. Performance = Elo 2330
played by: Ribli, 2585, 0.5/1; Petrosian,A, 2435, 0/1; Bordas, 2260, 1/2

e) 5...g6

51 games, 1947-1999, O=1989
Black scores below average (38%).
Elo-O: 2375, 32 games. Performance = Elo 2290
played by: Topalov, 2630, 0/1; Geller, 2565, 0.5/1; Ilincic, 2565, 0.5/1; Kuzmin, 2560, 1/1; Sadler, 2535, 1/1

KRUSH MOVE 5 COMMENTARY

Nc6 to Kasparov's c4

Garry has played 5.c4 to establish the Maroczy Bind formation. With

5...Nc6, we proceed with the DEVELOPMENT of our forces and aim to fight

for the CENTRAL SQUARES d4 and e5.

The pawn-grab line 5...Qg4?! is very dubious and should be avoided like

the plague. White gains a large LEAD IN DEVELOPMENT and a dangerous

INITIATIVE (6.0-0 Qxe4 7.d4! and Black can be quickly mangled - for

example, Browne-Quinteros, Wijk aan Zee 1974 is a classic demolition job

by White) by gaining TEMPI against the EXPOSED Black queen - exactly the

kind of situation not to be in against KASPAROV. Work with me on this,

my friends, "I will NOT play 5...Qg4. I will NOT play 5...Qg4." Repeat it

to yourself as often as necessary, and return to examining 5...Nc6.

A typical sequence after 5...Nc6 is 6.Nc3 g6 (also take serious note of

the move 6...Nf6, which is an interesting move order as 7.d4 can then be

met by 7...cxd4 8.Nxd4 Qg4! and Black equalizes with alacrity. Therefore

6...Nf6 would likely be met by 7.0-0 g6 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Bg7, and now

for example, 10.Nde2 0-0, transposing to a line discussed below). After

5...Nc6 6.Nc3 g6 7.d4, Kasparov played the imaginative 7...Bg7!? against

Alexei Shirov at the Erevan Olympiad in 1996. Play continued 8.d5 Bxc3+

(the point as Black aims to create a static pawn structure with

potentially weak White doubled c-pawns as in the Nimzo-Indian Defense)

9.bxc3 Na5. Here Shirov played 10.0-0, and after 10...f6 11.Nd2 b6

12.Qe2 Qa4! 13.f4 Nh6 14.e5 0-0-0, a very complicated game ensued

(eventually drawn). Later in Rublevsky-Ehlvest, Polanica Zdroj 1997,

White found a more direct idea with 10.Nd2! (instead of 10.0-0) and

after 10...f6 11.f4 0-0-0 (risky for Black as White still controls the

a4-square with the queen on d1) 12.0-0 b6 13.a4! Nh6 14.Nb3, White had

good play on the queenside and held the INITIATIVE.

Kasparov's 7...Bg7!? in this variation is intriguing and will certainly

receive further scrutiny, but I believe it would be better to remain in

more usual lines, for example: 7...cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bg7 9.Nde2 (9.Be3 is

possible) 9...Nf6 10.0-0 0-0, with a normal Dragon versus Maroczy Bind

(minus light squared bishops) middle game in the offing, with good

chances for Black to demonstrate equality. Black has a resilient and

flexible PAWN STRUCTURE, and White has a slight SPACE ADVANTAGE.

So I recommend 5...Nc6, and if 6.Nc3 by Kasparov, then we might

investigate the flexible continuation 6...Nf6 (although 6...g6 is OK).

PAHTZ MOVE 5 COMMENTARY

Nc6 to Kasparov's c4.

This is a normal move for this development. The black Knight now controls the square d4 and it might go to e5 on the next move.

FELECAN MOVE 5 COMMENTARY

Nc6 to Kasparov's c4

We don't want our Knight on d7 because that is passive. Having the Knight on c6 will help control the center of the board. Especially the d4 square, which is important in the Sicilian Defense. We're just about to get into the interesting part of the game. Many new lines and improvements will be possible very soon. Kasparov is playing a very normal game so far, so we'll have to see what happens in the next few moves.

BACROT MOVE 5 COMMENTARY

(No commentary for this move.)

DANNY KING MOVE 5 COMMENTARY

The centre, particularly at the beginning of the game, is the most

important sector of the board. It makes sense: if you dominate the centre

you dominate the whole board. So how should one best fight for central

control? Answer: send out the infantry (the pawns) - the expendable cannon fodder - to gain ground and only then bring in the important warriors. The pawns win territory, and in so doing, provide essential cover for the more valuable pieces. This is why Kasparov has played his pawn to c4. He is attempting to establish a rock solid bind on the centre and only then will he bring out his pieces.

In reply, Black has a clear choice. He can either act in the same way and

block the centre with pawns (5...e5); or allow White to build a strong

pawn centre in the hope of shooting it down from the side of the board

(5...Nc6, 6...g6 etc). By the way, I would not recommend a wild pawn grab:

5...Qg4 would be too greedy. White castles (6. O-O), Black grabs his pawn

(6...Qxe4) but loses too much time. White would get a crushing attack

through the middle with 7. d4. It is too risky to use the Queen alone in

the opening.

Garry has played this whole line before with White and with

Black. Here he chose to play 5...Nc6. It's your choice. GO WORLD!!

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Normally White tries to build move Maroczy-like pawn center with d2-d4 c5xd4 Nf3xd4 in this variation. It's not very dangerous - White can hope for very slight advantage in this case but Black would probably do his best with some tricky move orders preventing this structural transformation. Shirov - Kasparov ( Erevan 1996 ) went 4...Qxd7 5.c4 Nc6 6.Nc3 g6 7.d4 ( otherwise Bf8-g7, and square d4 is under Black's control ) Bg7!? 8.d5 Bxc3+!? 9.bxc3 Na5 10.0-0 f6! 11.Nd2 b6 with very complicated play. There were some further developments in this line when Rublevsky invented 10.Nd2! in his game with Ehlvest (Polanica Zdroj, 1997) and this tricky line is probably not the perfect way to play with Kasparov as White definitely gets plenty of attacking chances here.

Now 6.Nc3 seems to be the only move to fight for some advantage:

( 6.d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Nf6 8.f3 ( 8.Nc3 Qg4! = ) e6! aiming for d6-d5;

6.0-0 g6! 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bg7 9.Be3 ( White can't build his perfect
set-up - knights on c3 & e2; bishop for some time on c1 where it has many options - as 9.Ne2 Ne5! is unpleasant for him ) Nf6 10.f3 ( 10.Nc3 Ng4! ) 0-0 11.Nc3 e6 = - d6-d5 is coming )

6...Nf6 ( Kasparov's line with 6...g6 7.d4 Bg7 8.d5 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Na5 is probably too risky because of Rublevsky's move 10.Nd2! ) 7.0-0 - and now it'll be time for major decision again.

Most popular moves are 7...g6 and 7...e6 but probably 7...Ne5!? which stops d2-d4 radically is the most reliable move. Please notice that doubled pawns after 8.Nxe5 dxe5 .aren't weak at all - White d-pawn may become much weaker. 7...Nd4 with the same ideas is less playable because of Kramnik's gambit idea 8.b4!

More information - to follow on these pages tomorrow when it will be WORLD's turn to move. You may notice that our reports are definitely shorter when it's Kasparov's move. It's so logical - we consult the WORLD - not the WORLD's opponent

6a

There are some possible lines after 6...Nd4!

B1) 8.Nb5 e5 B1a) 9.Qa4 Rc8 10.Qxa7 Rxc4 11.a4 (11.d3 Rc8 12.a4 d5!) 11...Rc8 12.0–0 Nf6 13.d3 d5=; B1b) 9.d3 a6 10.Na3 g6 11.0–0 Bg7 12.f4 Ne7=;

B2) 8.Ne2 e5! 9.d3 g6 10.0–0 Bg7 11.f4 Ne7 12.Ng3 h5!;

C) 7.d3 Nxf3+ 8.Qxf3 g6;

D) 7.0–0 Nxf3+ 8.Qxf3 g6 9.d3 Bg7 10.Be3 Rc8=

In all these lines Black is doing fine. Although 6...Nd4 is not the most conventional move ( Black moves already developed knight ) it has very good strategical basis: it stops d2-d4 and prepares harmonical kingside development with g6, Bg7, e6, Ne7, 0-0 etc. Full control over important d4 square is the most important idea of this position. By the way, the very idea Nc6-d4 in this line is not completely new - after 6...Nf6 7.0-0 Nd4 was played in some games but at this moment it's not so good because of Kramnik's gambit idea 8.b4! played by him against Judit Polgar and now after 8...Nxf3+ ( or 8...cxb4 9.Nd5! ) 9.Qxf3 cxb4 10.Nd5! White has very good compensation for the pawn.

Well, this GM School novelty will not be played in this game for the abovementioned reasons anyway, so it's our present to all interested chessfriends.

Now some ideas why 6...Nf6 is better than all the rest moves:

1)Black still doesn't define his development plan ( e6 or g6 ) and plays good developing move. The option 7.0-0 Ne5!? is also interesting after it;

2)Black finally gets rid of risk to follow well-known Shirov - Kasparov game ( Erevan, 1996 ) which went 6...g6 7.d4 ( otherwise Bf8-g7, and square d4 is under Black's control ) Bg7!? 8.d5 Bxc3+!? 9.bxc3 Na5 10.0-0 f6! 11.Nd2 b6 with very complicated play.There were some further developments in this line when Rublevsky invented 10.Nd2! in his game with Ehlvest (Polanica Zdroj, 1997) and this tricky line is probably not the perfect way to play with Kasparov as White definitely gets plenty of attacking chances here. Such a dynamic position with good attacking chances for White is just a nightmare to play with Kasparov.

3)6...g6 or 6..e6 are not bad but what's the reason to define your plan when there is no necessity?

4) The reasons why 6...e5?! is wrong were already discussed when Black was choosing his 5-th move. Black bishop is just getting too bad.

5)The move 6...Ne5?! is not bad strategically - by the way, it has the same strategical ideas as 6...Nd4! - it's main aim is to stop d2-d4. The only problem is that it doesn't stop it at all - after 7.d4! White has tangible advantage after 7...Nxf3+ 8.gxf3 cxd4 9.Qxd4 with the idea Be3 and 0-0-0 ( Rublevsky - Becerra , Lucerne, 1997 ), 7...cxd4 8.Qxd4 Nc6 9.Qd2 Nf6 10.0-0 g6 11.b3 Bg7 12.Bb2 - just a perfect set-up for the entire variation - not "minimal advantage" ( Belikov - Golubev, Moscow, 1996 ). Finally, after 7...Nxc4 8.dxc5 dxc5 9.Qe2 White's development lead fully compensates his pawn deficit.

6)Finally, 6...0-0-0? is just committing suicide - after 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 with the following kingside castle White will face no problems to organize decisive attack. When Black quuenside has such a low protection level there is no need to be Kasparov to checkmate Black king.

We hope that most probably 6...Nf6 would be chosen and then after 7.0-0 ( the only try - 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Qg4! is perfect for Black ) THE WORLD would have an interesting choice of three - 7...g6, 7...e6 and 7...Ne5!? See you then!

MOVE 6

Voting Results

G8-F6 49.92

G7-G6 28.37

C6-E5 5.2

E7-E5 3.15

C6-D4 2.48

KRUSH MOVE 6 COMMENTARY

g6 to Kasparov's Nf3

In my previous posting, I indicated that Black has two good moves at this

juncture, namely 6...Nf6, and 6...g6. Frequently, these moves result in

the same (or similar) position after a further transposition of moves.

If Black plays 6...Nf6, then 7.d4 is easily met with 7...cxd4 8.Nxd4

Qg4! and Black has equalized - of course, Garry would NEVER allow us to

have such an easy time of it. After 6...Nf6, Garry will have little option

but to continue with the main line 7.0-0, when 7...g6 creates a Dragon

set-up (continuing with Bf8-g7, and 0-0 completing kingside

DEVELOPMENT), in which Black can establish a very playable middle game.

6...Nf6 is OK.

After further deliberation, I have chosen 6...g6 as my preferred

continuation, when play might likely continue 7.d4 cxd4 (I don't believe

we should tempt fate with Kasparov's line 7...Bg7!? - more details about

this next time) 8.Nxd4 Bg7, when White must make a serious decision

concerning the disposition of his knight on d4, for example 9.Be3

(developing while protecting the knight - the most principled reaction),

or 9.Nde2 (a retreat to regroup). After:

A) 9.Nde2 Nf6 (9...Ne5!? deserves serious attention) 10.0-0 0-0, or

B) 9.Be3 (probably best) 9...Nf6 10.f3 (guarding against Nf6-g4)

10...0-0, we can look forward to a DYNAMIC and interesting middle game.

I believe 6...g6 is the strongest and most flexible continuation.

PAHTZ MOVE 6 COMMENTARY

Ne5 to Kasparov's Nf3

With this move, Black wants to take the pawn on c4. Now white can play 7.d2-d4 or it will have to protect the pawn. If White takes the Knight on e5, Black will then have a good position, because after 7....dxe5 Black will control the square d4. After 7.d2-d4, Black should not take the pawn on c4, because of 8.dxc5 dxc5 9.Qb3 attacking White. But it might turn out as: 7....cxd4 8.Qxd4 8....Nc6

9.Qd2 Nf6 10.0-0 g6 11.b3 Bg7 12.Bb2 0-0 after which White has only a small advantage.

FELECAN MOVE 6 COMMENTARY

Nf6 to Kasparov's Nf3

Here you have a few more lines to choose from. This would be the most popular main line. Ne5 is not really a safe position. I don't want to move the same piece three times in the opening. I want to develop more pieces at this point. After this, we should develop the Bishop and then castle on the King's side.

BACROT MOVE 6 COMMENTARY

Nf6 to Kasparov's Nf3

In the game between Kasparov and Shirov in 1996, Garry played 6...g6. The result was a draw, but it might be too dangerous to repeat this move now. So I propose 6...Nf6.

DANNY KING MOVE 6 COMMENTARY

The World has chosen to follow the analyst's suggestion of 5...Nc6, in

my opinion the most sensible move, developing a piece towards the

centre. Garry has replied in kind, also bringing his Knight out into

the middle. All very sound.

Now, the time has come to bring out some more pieces. World, in your

democratic Army rules, every soldier has to play its part in the

struggle. And when I talk about the pieces, I don't mean the pawns, I

mean the Knights and Bishops and finally the Rooks. Pawn moves are

mainly made in the opening for 2 reasons: to mark out territory in the

center; and to enable the Bishops to move into the game.

It's worth looking at what Garry Kasparov himself has tried before in

this situation (he has played this exact position previously - from

both sides of the board). Three years ago Kasparov played a game against

Alexei Shirov which continued 6...g6 7 d4 Bg7 (Black more usually

captures on d4) 8 d5, and after great complications the game was drawn.

This so-called 'fianchetto' of the Bishop is quite standard: from g7 it

exerts pressure on the center and prepares for castling. But is it wise to

follow in Garry's footsteps? Be careful! The World Champion is an

industrious worker away from the board and will have studied that

continuation in great detail.

I'm currently writing this from Frankfurt, Germany where Garry is

taking part in the 'Frankfurt Giants', a speed chess tournament, along

with Anand, Kramnik and Karpov - the world's elite (he's a busy man).

It's a great event.

In passing I said to Garry, "Hey, I think the World's going to repeat your

play against Shirov!"

He grinned like a crocodile who had just been introduced to his

lunch...

So, 6..g6 is undoubtedly a good move, and most players go down this route,

but do it with your eyes wide open.

Alternatively, Black could develop his Bishop in another way with

6..Nf6, followed by ...e6 and ...Be7. This is a solid and respectable

way to proceed, though contemporary fashion has largely ignored it.

It's your choice - good luck!

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So the most popular move was played again. It's rather interesting statistically that up to now THE WORLD had chosen most popular moves 6 times in a row ( from 1...c5 till 6...Nf6 ). This seems to be a solid trend - so it's rather simple to predict what will happen in this game on some next moves.

Please notice that the following moves are not GM School recommendation but just a little try to foresee what will happen: so it will be 7.0-0 g6 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Bg7 10.Nde2! ( by the way, Kasparov's trend is playing the best moves - so it will be neither 10.Be3 nor 10.Nc2 - well, if it were Irina Krush - THE WORLD, it could be that way - but Kasparov is a very strong player and surely understands that knight position on c2 would be pointless, just making another knight vulnerable for many tactical motives ).10...0-0 11.f3 a6 12.a4. In this position 2 moves were played in almost the same number of games - 12...Qd8 and 12...e6 - so it's probably the end of our prophecy. The main result - in 10 days it will be complex middlegame position with a certain plus for White. Then if THE WORLD will agree on a certain sequence of good positional moves Black has a good chance to equalise.

So it's probably good time to start analysing this critical position right now as all Black's interesting alternatives on moves 7-11 wouldn't be chosen for sure. Now as usually we continue with a bit of theoretical information about Black's options on the next move after 7.0-0 ( the only try - 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Qg4! is perfect for Black ).

7...g6 with the following 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Bg7 will be definitely played, so we'll have some time to discuss this position later. This "Dragon-like" move is the most popular and probably the best as well.

7...e6 is another playable line and after the natural 8.d4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 Be7 10.Be3 0-0 11.Qe2 White has the same safe mini-advantage as after 7...g6. Black can't organize equalising break-through d6-d5 immediately - so he has to manoeuvre accurately.

Well, there are still some tries to prevent 8.d4 - 7...Ne5!? is the most interesting - now 8.d4?! is senseless after 8...Nxf3+ 9.gxf3 cxd4 10.Qxd4 g6 or 10...e6, and White's king position is very insecure. 8.Nxe5 dxe5 9.d3 e6 10.f4 Bd6 doesn't promise anything either. The most promising way for White seems to be 8.d3! Nxf3+ ( after 8...g6 White can, for instance, follow the same plan as after 8...Nxf3+ 9.Qxf3 g6 and after 8...e6 9.Ne1!? with the following f2-f4 and Ne1-f3 White has excellent prospects on the kingside even without playing d3-d4 ) 9.Qxf3 g6 10.Rb1! ( this plan is rare in this position but very unpleasant for Black - after 6...Nd4! which was recommended by GM School on the previous move it wouldn't work so well as Black still had his knight on g8, aiming for e7-e6 and Ng8-e7 ) Bg7 11.b4, and concrete threat 12.bxc5 dxc5 13.e5 is rather annoying.<