(1) Ivanov,I - Karpov,A [B43]
Peoples of the USSR, Spartakiada Moskow, 1979 [Ivanov, I]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 b5 6.Bd3 Bb7 7.0-0 Ne7 8.Kh1 According to the book the right move here is : 8. Bg5. I didn't know that recommendation at the time of the game, so I played the quiet 8. Kh1 preparing the advance f2-f4. 8...Nec6 9.Nxc6 Equally possible was 9. Nb3. The text is somewhat less pretentious. 9...Nxc6 10.Qg4 With this thrust White is hoping to prevent a kingside castle. However Black's extremely energetic response permits him to equalize at once. 10...h5 11.Qe2 Ne5 12.f4 Ng4 13.Rf3 Qh4 14.h3 [After 14.Rh3 Nf2+ 15.Qxf2 Qxf2 16.Be3 Qxe3 17.Rxe3 Black has the better chances.] 14...Bc5 15.Bd2 I didn't think that to prevent perpetual check (Nf2+ and Ng4+) with the unnatural 15. Nd1 was really necessary. 15...g6 The World champion contemplated his move some fifteen minutes before playing the text, rejecting a possible draw by repetition. 16.Raf1 f5 17.a3 Starting a counterattack on the queenside. 17...Qe7 18.Re1 Qf8 19.b4 Bd4 20.a4 Rc8 21.Nd1 [21.axb5 Bxc3 22.bxa6 was very tempting but perhaps would favor Black.] 21...Qf6 22.axb5 axb5 23.c3 Ba7 24.exf5 In order to continue an assault on the queenside White has to offer an exchange sacrifice
24...gxf5 25.Bxb5 Bxf3 26.Qxf3 Threatening 27. Qb7 26...Rc7 27.c4 Threatening to lock the Bishop on a7 after 28. c5. 27...Bd4 28.Qd5 Threatening the devastating 29. Rxe6+ 28...Ke7 would be met by 29. c5 that is why the next move by Black was necessary. 28...Kd8 29.Qd6 Nf2+ 30.Nxf2 Bxf2 31.Be3 With this little discovery White manages to avoid the undesirable exchange of Queens. 31...Bxe3 Bxe1 Bb6 will be too much of a risk. 32.Rxe3 Qe7 33.Qd2 Ke8 An oversight. Now with a geometrical precision the white Queen launches a series of attacks on the weak points of Blacks fortifications. 34.Qd4 Rg8 35.Qb6 Qg7 36.Qxe6+ [Perhaps 36.Rxe6+ Kd8 (36...Kf7 37.Re2 was better because now Black had a hidden opportunity of escape.) ] 36...Kd8 37.Qd5 Ra7 Suddenly Black has enough counterplay against White's King for example 38. Re1 Ra1 39. Rxa1 Qxa1+ 40. Kh2 Qg7 etc. 38.Rd3 A feeble attempt to trick a formidable opponent. 38...Ra1+ [An incredible suprise. The World champion wants more than just a draw, but misses a subtle defense that refutes Black's attack. 38...h4 will force 39.Rd1 since (39.Kh2 would lead to a real catastrophe 39...Qg3+) 39...Ra1 40.Qxg8+ or (40.Rxa1 Qxa1+ 41.Kh2 Qg7 42.Bxd7 with a draw in view.) ] 39.Kh2 Ra2 40.Bc6 [40.Qxd7+ would be a sad mistake because after 40...Qxd7 41.Rxd7+ Kc8 42.Bc6 Rgxg2+ 43.Bxg2 Kxd7 44.h4 the best White can hope for is a draw] 40...Ra7 After an unsucessful raid into enemy territory Black's Rook must return home. However an opportune moment has passed and nothing can save Black now. 41.Qc5 Rc7 42.Qb6 42. Qa5 would be quicker. The game was adjouned now and the World champion sealed his next move 42...Kc8 After 43. Qa6+ Kd8 44. Qa5 the threat of 45. Rxd7+ is decisive. 42...Kc8 1-0
