Note: This experimental exhibition game was played by the grandmasters from two different rooms. Each had their own audience, and explained their thoughts during the game as they played, sometimes taking questions and suggestions from the audience. The moves were relayed by radio by two helpers (Tom Braunlich and Rodney Flores, respectively). The moves were played on two demo boards, one displaying the current position, and one used by the grandmaster to demonstrate analysis. The exhibition proved to be very popular with the audience, who unanimously praised the experience, learning some insights to the thinking patterns of the GMs. They also liked the dinner buffet and open cash bar available for the audience during the game!       The following notes are primarily from a video tape made in the Rohde room, and are thus mostly Rohde's comments. I also include a few notes from Stripunsky's comments.  [Braunlich] This may be my longest think of the game, answering his expected 1. e4. 1.e4 c5 There are seven real possibilities here including French, Alekhine, etc. 2.Nf3 e6 This move is the most flexible of the Sicilian moves, leaving the option open to play the Taimonov, Khan, Schevenengin, etc. 3.d3 d5 4.Nbd2 Played in order to preserve the queens in the event of a pawn trade on e4. 4...Nc6 5.g3 Most of white's moves for the first 10 or so moves are "automatic" in this opening, whereas black must really think about where to place his two kingside minors. 5...Bd6 If the bishop goes to e7, white's likelihood of playing e5 goes up.  One of the ideas of playing Bd6 is to make e5 more difficult. 6.Bg2 Stripunsky prefers playing Nh4 and f4 to attack. [6.Qe2!? NM Macon Shibut played this against me in MCF 2.  The idea is to enforce e5 and also to discourage Nf6 by black.] 6...Nf6 6...Nge7 is the right move, but I'm using this game as a sort of experiment.  To play e5, white must prepare with c3 and d4.  Black will make queenside counterplay to discourage this setup.  If white achieves e5, he can continue with a flank attack with h4-h5. [Rohde]        In Stripunsky's room, this move 6...Nf6 came as a great suprise. Alex had just spent some time outlining the main defensive setups by black (explaining that he usually favors a kingside fianchetto). He also mentioned that the setup with ...Bd6 and ...Nge7 is common, but as he was pointing out that ...Bd6 and ...Nf6 is not considered good we found that that is indeed what had been played! For a long time Stripunsky warily continued with the buildup he knew should be good against it, (playing for c3 and d4) wondering what Rohde was up to. [Braunlich] 7.0-0 0-0 8.Re1 Bc7 9.c3 b5 I've convinced myself that 9... b5 is best!  White may take on d5 and play 10. c4.  Perhaps I should cheat and see what that looks like!  (Rohde plays it out for the crowd). [9...b6?! This move is too slow, and will not distract white from playing e5 and continuing his attack.  ] 10.exd5 exd5 10...Nxd5 looks dubious due to 11. c4 and the danger on the h1-a8 diagonal. [Rohde] Stripunsky had demonstrated many lines for his audience where the B on g2 indeed spits fire on the diagonal. [Braunlich} 11.Nb3 Makes d4 strong for himself, perhaps to eventually get a Nf5. [Rohde] After analysis lines with c2-c4, Stripunsky selected this move as a solid way to go for a clear edge. Indeed he predicted the next several moves on the analysis board at this point, declaring it is good for white. [Braunlich]  11...Bb6 12.Be3 12...Qd6 is a provocative move, enticing 13. Bf4, Qd8. 12...c4 13.Nbd4 Alex explained that although taking 13. dxc4 is tempting to the audience (to either open the long diagonal or force 13...bxc4 leaving a backward pawn), that it is better to leave the tension and wait for the right moment to make this exchange, if ever. Keeping the d-pawn on also controls e4 for a long time, unless black plays cxd3 at some point. In the meantime, the immediate Nbd4 move comes with tempo due to the threat on the b-pawn. [Braunlich] 13...Nxd4 14.Nxd4 It's important to note that Stripunsky left the d3 pawn on to keep my pieces out of e4, which could give me counterplay with a ...Ne4 in some instances. 14...Bg4 Played for "irritation value".  After 15. Qd2, Qd7 16. Bg5, Bd8!? [Rohde] This bishop sortie was a bit of a surprise in the Stripunsky room. It had not really been considered. [Braunlich} 15.Qd2 Time on the clocks was about even here. 15...Qd7 He may play Bg5 and double my f-pawns and eventually win the f6 pawn... I cannot worry about one pawn, but definitely do not want to give up the d5 pawn. 16.a4! a6 One of the spectators asked "What's wrong with 19...bxa4 here".  Rohde replied white plays 20. dxc4 and rips my center to shreds. 17.Bg5 The move 16. a4 makes Bd8 impossible here due to the pin on the a-file. 17...Bxd4 18.cxd4 Rad8 White's position is active.  He threatens infiltration with Ra6, and mating attacks with Re5. 19.axb5 axb5 20.Ra6
Now 20 ... Be6 was played to make sure that White could not sac the Exchange and end up with a bishop on f6. Then 21 Bxf6 (I thought 21 Qf4 might be better) gxf6 22 Qh6 cxd3 (not 22 ... Qe7?? 23 Bh3 and White wins) and Black seemed to be "back in the game" here. Then followed 23 Bf1 Bf5 24 Rxf6 Bg6 (the idea was 25 h4 Qg4 26 Rf4 d2) 25 Qd2 and only then 25 ... Rfe8 ...  26.Rxe8+ Rxe8 27.Bxd3 Qe7 This gets to a pawn down ending that Black may be able to hold. 28.Rf3 White has 10 minutes here to black's 75 seconds. 28...Qe1+ 29.Qxe1 Rxe1+ 30.Kg2 Rd1 The position still looks bad.  There is not enough distance between the white king and the black d5 pawn. 31.Bxg6 hxg6 32.Rb3 Rxd4 33.Rxb5 Kg7 White may play Rb6 to cut off my king, and tis is the move I'm most concerned with.  34.Kf3
 With this move, I propose a draw, says Stripunsky.  We very gratefully accept, says Rohde.... Black has drawing chances with his active rook, but the draw offer is still generous.