Rosich – Kasparov

The Grand Prix variation, so named after the English players who have scored a number of victories with it in their yearly competitions.

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Date: 1988.??.??
Location: ?
Tournament: Simultaneous Exhibition
Round:
Opening:
Submitted by:
Published on: February 9, 2020

[Event "Simultaneous Exhibition"] [Site "?"] [Date "1988.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Rosich"] [Black "Kasparov"] [Result "0-1"] [PlyCount "48"] 1.e4 c5 2.f4 {The Grand Prix variation, so named after the English players who have scored a number of victories with it in their yearly competitions.} d5 3.exd5 Nf6 {This move involves a pawn sacrifice in exchange for a lead in development.} 4.c4 {4.Bb5+ Bd7 5.Bxd7+ Qxd7 6.c4 e6 7.Qe2 is the true test of Black's pawn sacrifice.} e6 5.dxe6 Bxe6 {5...fxe6 is also quite good as numerous games have shown.} 6.Nf3 Nc6 {Black's missing pawn is more than compensated for by the holes in White's position.} 7.Nc3 Bd6 8.d4 {8.d3 O-O 9.Be2 Trying to catch up in development makes more sense.} cxd4 9.Nxd4 O-O {Black has six pieces developed to White's two. As a general rule three tempi is worth at least a pawn - here I have four extra moves!} 10.Nxe6 fxe6 11.Be3 Qe7 12.Qf3 Bb4 {White's main problem is that his king is stuck in the center.} 13.Be2 e5 {Opening up the center to get at the White king.} 14.O-O-O {14.O-O was safer.} Bxc3 15.bxc3 exf4 16.Bd4 Rae8 17.Bxf6 Rxf6 {White's king finds himself just as exposed on the queenside as he was in the center.} 18.Rd2 Kh8 {There is no need to rush, as the White king has nowhere to hide. 18. ..Qa3+ is also very strong, with play similar to the game.} 19.Rhd1 Qa3+ 20.Rb2 Ne5 21.Qh3 f3 {An important move which cuts White's queen off from the protection of the d3 square, deciding the game.} 22.gxf3 Rb6 {Forcing White's reply due to the pin.} 23.R1d2 Nd3+ {Now you see the importance of f3. Had it been omitted White could play 24.Qxd3. Black is now able to take advantage of White's weakened back rank.} 24.Bxd3 Re1+ {White resigned since mate is unavoidable.} 0-1