Kasparov – Gavrikov

This move order gives White more options against the Tarrasch than 3.Nc3, when Black, in addition to the “normal” lines has several sharp and unclear gambit variations to choose from.

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Date: 1981.??.??
Location: ?
Tournament: USSR Championship
Round:
Opening:
Submitted by:
Published on: February 9, 2020

[Event "USSR Championship"] [Site "?"] [Date "1981.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Kasparov"] [Black "Gavrikov"] [Result "1-0"] [PlyCount "65"] 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 {This move order gives White more options against the Tarrasch than 3.Nc3, when Black, in addition to the "normal" lines has several sharp and unclear gambit variations to choose from.} c5 {The Tarrasch Defense is well known to Gavrikov who has played it on a regular basis. Black's idea is to take an isolated d-pawn in exchange for active piece play.} 4.cxd5 exd5 5.g3 Nc6 6.Bg2 Nf6 7.O-O Be7 8.dxc5 Bxc5 9.Bg5 {I prefer the pinning of Black's knight to the newer systems involving 9.Nbd2.} O-O 10.Nc3 d4 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.Nd5 {It was Jan Timman who first employed this move, securing the central light squares. The older 12.Ne4 presents fewer problems for Black.} Qd8 {This retreat is Black's safest. 12...Qd6 Blocks the a3-f8 diagonal, which may be needed by the dark squared bishop.} 13.Nd2 {Now the light squares are covered by an impressive army of two knights and a bishop, and the b3 and c4 squares are open for occupation by the Nd2.} a6 {It is tempting to regard this move as an outright blunder, even though until this game was played it was considered playable.} 14.Rc1 Ba7 15.Nc4 {Previously this piece had been wandering to the less effective e4 square, where it only got in the way. This new idea was well prepared.} Rb8 {Such timidity is not a permitted luxury in this opening. 15...Bh3 16.Bxh3 Qxd5 17.Bg2 Qe6 is only slightly better for White due to Black's isolated d- pawn.} 16.Nf4 b5 17.Nd6 Qxd6 18.Rxc6 Qd8 {18...Qe5 19.Nd3 Qf5 20.Rd6 is much better for White since Black's pieces are tied down to each others defense.} 19.Qc2 a5 {With the idea of developing the bishop to a6.} 20.Rc1 {White's advantage is mounting and the tripling on the open c-file is the cause of Black's future problems.} Re8 21.Bd5 {The beginning of a fantastic attack based on Black's light squared weaknesses.} Bb6 22.Qb3 {Not a single light squared wasted!} Re7 23.Bf3 {Keep your eye on this piece.} Re5 24.Bh5 g6 {Now White is able to take advantage of Black's f-pawn which is pinned on the a2-g8 diagonal.} 25.Bxg6 {The point. It is not the move itself which deserves our admiration but the incredible build up, the epic journey of that bishop, which just 5 moves ago stood on g2!} hxg6 26.Rxg6+ Kf8 27.Rh6 Ke7 {27...Kg7 would allow White a brilliant mating attack.} 28.R1c6 Rf5 {Played with the idea of covering the f7 square. 28...Bd7 would allow White a mating continuation.} 29.Qf3 Bc7 {The Black rook is overworked on the 5th rank.} 30.Qe4+ Re5 31.Ng6+ fxg6 32.Rh7+ Kf8 33.Qxg6 {Black resigns as despite his two extra bishops, he cannot avoid mate.} 1-0