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Commentary on game 6 is brought to you by GM Neil McDonald, IM Malcolm Pein and FM Chris Duncan
Kramnik has been pretty dominant in the five games so far,
only experiencing difficulties in game three. On the other hand, he failed
to seize his chances in game four and only has a slender one point lead.
Kasparov is bound to have a good spell of his own at some point in the
match, so the match is finely balanced. I expect Kasparov to play solidly
today, while the Challenger will be keen to increase his lead. 1.d4 d5
2.c4 dxc4
Here we go again!
3.Nf3 e6
4.e3 c5
5.Bc4 a6
6.0-0 Nf6
7.a4
Kramnik decides to play more sharply than in Game Four, where he forced
the exchange of queens with 7.dxc5. Instead he looks to restrain Black
on the queenside.
7... Nc6
8.Qe2 cxd4
9.Rd1 Be7
10.exd4 0-0
11.Nc3 Nd5
12.Bb3
More natural was 12.Bd3. In the IQP the White bishop
is often best placed on d3 where it points at the kingside.
12... Re8 13.h4
The central situation is stable so White feels justified
in offering a pawn for a wing attack against the black king. 13... Ncb4
It would be risky for Black to snatch the pawn with 13...Nxc3 14.bxc3
Bxh4, as 15. Nxh4 Qxh4 16.d5 looks dangerous. So Kasparov prefers to strengthen
his control over the d5 square and prevent the white bishop joining into
the attack with Bc2 aiming at h7.
14.h5 Forward on the foe! Kramnik wants to use his
h pawn as a battering ram to break up Black's kingside. His attacking
scheme will include moves like Ne5 and Qg4.
14... b6 Kasparov has only to play Bb7 and Rc8 to complete
his development. I [Neil McDonald] just don't believe he faces any real
danger from this version of White's standard IQP attack- the bishop on
b3 is out of the fight for the time being and the rook on d1 would be
better placed on e1.
15.Ne5 Bb7 16.a5
Kramnik is certainly getting full value with his rook
pawns! White wants to activate his bishop after 16...bxa5 with 17.Ba4.
16...b5 This solid response gains control of the c4
square.
17.h6
A more direct assault with 17.Qf3 was also possible,
when the best reply may have been 17...Rf8. Instead Kramnik loosens the
dark squares around Black's king.
17... g6 18.Ne4
The knight looks both towards the queenside [Nc5] and
the kingside. A nasty trap would be 18...Nf6? 19 Nxf7! Kxf7 20.Ng5+ Kf8
[21...Kg8 22.Qxe6 mates] 21.Nxe6+ winning the queen. Of course the World
Champion probably takes a nanosecond to see such a tactic! He could try
18...Nc6 to answer 19.Nc5 with 19...Nxd4!, but 19...Rc8 is the predictable
reply.
19. Nc7
This retreat was a real surprise. Kasparov strengthens
the e6 square and clears the way to challenge White's light squared bishop
with Bd5. Now a draw is possible after 19.Nc3 Ncd5 20.Ne4, but White can
continue playing for the advantage with 19.Qf3 when f5, Nf6+ then Qxb7
should be better for white, but it's not clear how beneficial this move
is after just Rf8 defending f7.
19. Nc5
The two white knights have both found imposing squares,
and there is the tactical threat of 20.Nxf7! Kxf7 21.Nxe6 with a decisive
looking attack. So Kasparov has to eliminate the knight immediately or
guard the f7 square with 19...Bd5. The game has reached a critical point-
can Black successfully liquidate and avoid the danger?
20.Ra3
Kramnik finds a way to bring his last inactive piece
into the battle. Inexperienced players often miss the chance to develop
their rooks in a lateral way. From a3 the rook can swing over to the kingside
and add to the attack on f7. It's no mean achievement for Black to force
the exchange of light squared bishops here, but we will soon see if the
cost has been too much.
20 ... Nc6
With the incidental threat of Nxd4.
Kasparov returns his errant knight to the centre. Now all his minor pieces
are strongly centralised and ready for any attack Kramnik might be about
to launch. There is the incidental threat of 21...Nxd4. Black is a little
congested and would welcome some exchanges, especially as this would lessen
the attacking forces Kramnik could employ against his king. The clock
times are 35 minutes left for Kasparov, 29 minutes left for Kramnik. So
an exciting time scramble looms if the Challenger manages to keep up the
tension.
21.Bxd5 Qxd5
White has two well-placed knights and his rooks are
ready for action but his light squares have become slighlty weak and his
bishop on c1 is passive. Black only has one badly-placed piece, the knight
on c7.
22. Ncd7
Essentially forcing a series of exchanges, but watch
out! If you to play Bxa3 taking the white rook, then white has Nf6+! and
the black has been forked on the dark squares and will lose his queen
(d5). Also there is the threat of 23 Nb6 forking queen & rook (a8).
22... Rad8
The best move - cutting across all of the above-mentioned
threats.
23. Nxc6
If this is necessary then white certainly has no claim
to advantage. The position seems equal. Kramnik (9mins) - Kasparov (22
mins).
23 ... Rxd7
Not falling for 23 ... Qxc6 24 Qe5 and white has managed
to exploit his dark square bind since black has to offload a pwan (f7-f6)
in order to cope with the mating threat on g7.
24. Nxe7+ Rexe7
25. Rc3
Played quickly - note that Kramnik is already down
to his last 10 minutes. Seizing control of the c-file is most natural.
25 ... f6!?
To control the e5 square and to make space for the
king avoiding any back rank pitfalls created by Kramnik's pawn on h6.
26. Be3
The bishop finally enters the fray, clearing c1 for
the second rook. White will have some pressure on the c-file to compensate
for the isolated pawn.
26 ... Kf7
27. Rdc1 Qb7
Clearing d5 for the knight whih of course everyone
knows is the best blockader of a passed pawn:)
28. Rc5 Nd5
29. Qf3
Introducing ideas of Bg5 combined with Rd5 after which
white crashes through on f6. Kramnik is creating some problems for black
despite his time trouble.
29 ... Nb4
Countering the threat mentioned above and threatening
a fork on d3 - black would be very happy to exchange queens here and play
against the isolated d pawn without having to worry about threats to his
king.
30.Qe2 Rc7
They are both very short of time - down to their last
few minutes.
31.Bf4
Kramnik converts his c-file control into a passed pawn
- his grip on the dark squares has tightened somewhat also - black must
play some accurate moves now to hold the balance.
31 ... Rxc5
32.dxc5 e5
Otherwise the bishop settles on d6. Black seeks counterplay
with his kside pawn majority.
33.Qd2 Nc6
Again, blocking the passed pawn, but now white turns
his attentions to the d-file.
34.Qd5+
Gaining time to improve the queen (f3)
34 ... Kf8
35.Be3 Qd7
This is still unconfortable for black who has to defend
the weakened squares around his king.
36.Qf3 Kf7
37.Rd1
Wresting back the d file from Black. The weakness of
the d6 square and the f6 pawn give Black some cause for concern.
37 ... e4
Kasparov counterattacks! He asserts his control over
the light squares and drives the white queen to a less active square.
38.Qe2 Qf5
The black queen takes over from her White counterpart
on the f file.
39.Rd6 Re6 40.Rd7+
This looks like a repetition to get safely to the time
control.
40...Re7
41.Rd6 Re6
42.Qd1
Kramnik presses for the win. His ideas include 43.Qb3
pinning the rook or 43.Rd5. Now 42...Rxd6 43.cxd6 is double edged. The
d6 pawn can be blockaded successfully, but if White's queen ever broke
through the 'forgotten' pawn on h6 could turn into a monster.
42... g5
The World Champion cuts off the white h pawn from
the defence of the bishop, but what happens if White checks on h5?
43.Qh5+ Ke7
44.Qd1
A bit of cat and mouse. Kramnik shows that he is the
one with the initiative and can repeat the position if he pleases.
44... Kf7
The main strength of White's passed pawn on c5 is that
it provides the rook with an outpost square right in the heart of Black's
position. This is irritating for Kasparov who has to defend passively
but it doesn't seem to put his game in serious jeopardy. After all, his
pieces are on good defensive squares.
45.Rd7+
The best winning chance. Black has set up a firm defensive
line on his third rank so White tries to get in along the second rank.
The black king will be the target.
45... Kg6 46.Rg7+
White sacrifices his h pawn to penetrate with his queen.
46... Kxh6 47.Qd7
Suddenly there is the big threat of 48.Qf7 followed
by 49.Bxg5+ winning. Does Kasparov have a good defence against this? If
47...Ne5 48.Rxh7+ Qxh7 49.Qxe6 will win at least a pawn. Though this may
well be his best hope- if Black's queen could get at the white king there
would be chances of a perpetual check.
47...Re5
Kasparov defends his queen in anticipation of the threat
mentioned above.
48.Qf7 Rd5
Looking for counterplay with 49...Rd1+.
49.Kh1 An incredible move! White keeps the tension
as 49...Rd1+ 50.Kh2 leaves Black facing the threat of 51.Bxg5+ and if
50...Qe5+ 51.g3 and the checks dry up.
49... Nd8
If this is the best move then Kasparov's position
is hopeless as it just leads to an endgame a pawn down.
50.Rxh7+ Qxh7 51.Qxd5
The World Champion is now losing!
51... Kg6+ 52.Kg1 Qc7 53.Qg8+
A finesse before capturing the pawn on e4
. 53... Kf5
54.Qd5+ Kg6
55.Qxe4+ Kg7
56.Qa8
Now Kramnik goes after the a6 pawn.
56... Qd7
The only chance of saving himself is by giving perpetual
check.
57.Kh2 Qd3
Kasparov has already produced a miracle in Game Four.
Can he do something similarly incredible here?
58.g3 Nf7
The light squares around White's king cry out 'swindle!'
59.Qb7
The queen prevents the knight entering the game for
a move.
59...Kg6
With the strong move 60...Ne5 looming.
60.Qxa6 Ne5
Now White has to deal with Nf3+ perhaps in combination
with g5-g4. On the queenside Black is entirely defeated, but the battle
still rages on the kingside. A world Champion never gives up without a
hard fight.
61.Qa8
Ruling out 61...g4 because of62.Qg8+ Kf5 6.Qh7+ forcing
the exchange of queens. But there are other light squares which are inviting
for the black knight and queen.
61... Ng4+
Now 62.Kh3 Qf5! seems to hold the draw. Kramnik must
be feeling that the Gods are against him.
62.Kh3
Is Kramnik going to be the one to force a draw here?
63... Kh6
64. Qh6+ Kg6
65.Qe8+
The only way to play for a win is to defend the bishop
with gain of time and then play Kg2, but this is too dangerous for White,
for example 65...Kh6 66.Kg2 Qd5+ 67.f3 Ne5 and f3 drops with a disaster
for White.
65... Kh6 66.Qh8+ Kramnik offered a draw here which
was accepted by Kasparov.
A great fighting game and an escape worthy of Houdini
by the World Champion!
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