CALCULATION

Game 1, Short - Kasparov, Reykjavik Rapids 2004

Reykjavik Rapids

March 2004

Nigel Short vs. Garry Kasparov, Rd. 1 of the Final Match in the event.

White: Short

Black: Kasparov

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6

One of the main reasons players prefer the Najdorf to the Scheveningen is that 5 ... e6 allows the spike 6 g4 (the Keres Attack) whereas 5 ... a6 does not.

The Najdorf is very much like the Scheveningen if Black plays ... e7-e6 instead of ... e7-e5. White has a tremendous number of 6th move alternatives in the Najdorf, but Black can plan to play ... e7-e6 against just about all of them. However, 6 Bc4 and 6 Bg5 are popular because they virtually force 6 ... e6, as 6 ... e5 cedes too much control of the d5 square.

6 Be2 e6

Kasparov's favorite transposition from the Najdorf to the Scheveningen, used extensively in his 1995 World Championship match against Vishy Anand.

7 f4 Be7 8 Be3 O-O 9 g4

A highly distinctive system, deviating from the most typical formation for White in the Scheveningen involving 9 O-O. The move is reminiscent of the advance g2-g4 in the English Attack systems, where White has played f2-f3. Here, with f2-f4 also in, the system is ultra-agressive.

b5

The natural, and probably better, reaction is 9 ... d5, hitting in the center before White knocks the Black knight off f6. Then 10 e5 Ne4 11 Nxe4 de 12 O-O Nd7 is a tense postion with chances for both sides.

10 g5 Nfd7 11 a3 Bb7 12 Rg1 Nc5 13 f5 Kh8

A necessary defense to the threat of f5-f6, but already Black is feeling a ton of heat on the kingside.

14 Bd3 Nc6 15 Qh5 g6 16 Qh4 Re8 17 O-O-O Nxd3+

Perhaps just 17 .. Ne5, leaving the other knight to defend e6, was better.

18 Rxd3 Ne5 19. fxe6

Even more frightening was 19.Nxe6! Then 19 ... Nxd3+ fails because Black loses control of g6: 20.cxd3 and the knight on e6 cannot be taken (20 ... fxe6 21 fxg6). Therefore, Black must proceed with 19...fxe6 20.Bd4! Qc7 (the only move to deal with the combined threats to e5 and g6/h7) 21 fxg6 Bf8 22 Rh3 Re7 when 23 Qg4 still looks strong for White.

fxe6 20.Nxe6 Qd7 21.Nf4

Although there is now no pressure against h7, threats against g6 will provide plenty of justification if White grabs the Exchange.

Nxd3+

Kasparov felt that this was the best fighting chance. Otherwise Black is just a pawn down in a bad position.

22.cxd3 Kg8 23 Bd4 d5

Tossing the d-pawn, but this is absolutely necessary. If White is left to his own devices, simply 24 Nxg6 followed by a later break with g5-g6 will easily decide the contest.

24.Nxg6?!

White would still have the edge with the much quieter 24.Ncxd5! (allowing his knights to be diverted from the mission to hammer g6) Rac8+ 25.Kb1 Bxd5 26.Nxd5 Rf8.

24...dxe4!

Getting some counterplay for the first time in the game.

25.Nxe7+ Rxe7 26.Bf6

A critical slowdown, even though it is the most natural move on the board. White had to be more incisive with 26 g6! Qxd4 27 gxh7+ and then if Kf7 (safer is 27 ... Kh8 28 Rg8+ Rxg8 29 hxg8(Q)+ Kxg8 30 Qxe7 Qe3+ 31 Kb1 Qxd3+ with equality) 28 Qg4!! Re6 (the threat was 29 Qg4-g6+ and then to g8) 29 Qg8+ Ke7 30 Rg7+ Kd6 with a very unclear situation.

exd3! 27 g6

Or 27 Bxe7 Qxe7 28 Re1 Qd7 with the edge for Black due to his strong bishop.

d2+ 28 Kc2

Not 28 Kb1 Qf5+ 29 Ka1 (29 Ka2 Bd5+) Re1+.

Qf5+ 29 Kxd2 Rd7+ 30 Kc1 h5

A makeshift fortress, but Black's king has remarkably become pretty safe.

31 Bg5

To scramble away from the watchful eyes of the Black queen.

Bf3 32 Bh6 Re8 33 Qb4 Qe6 34 Qf4 Bg4 35 h3 Bf5 36.g7?

A blunder, but Black was in control.

36...Qe1+! 0-1