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An analysis of the fifth game. (# 5.) 

  (Click HERE  to see this game on a re-play page.)  

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GM Garry Kasparov (2847) - Deep_Junior (C) (2633) 
[E48]
 
X3D "Man vs. Machine" Match 
  
New York City, NY/U.S.A.  (Game # 5),     Feb. 05, 2003  

[A.J.G.]

   The CB medallion for this contest. One can see at a glance a few of the outstanding features of this game. (Sacrifice, etc.)  {kvsdj_ts-g5_medal.gif, 02 KB}


This game would be a very important encounter for Garry. His last try with the 
 White pieces ... he had to go for a full point. 

 (In such a short match, with the score now tied, this IS a really big deal here.)

{ The Nimzo-Indian ... a very popular opening ... was played here.  If the players 
  had wanted to, they could have repeated the same line that was played in the 
  first game of the Fischer-Spassky match! (Reykjavik, ICE; 1972.) } 


1.d4 Nf6;  {Diagram?} 

A change of pace?

After getting pasted in the first game and giving Garry a wonderful position 
in the third game,  (he definitely had winning chances in that contest);  I can 
only surmise the programming team of Deep Junior decided to pass on any 
more Slav Defenses. 

     [  The machine played:  1...d5{Diagram?}  
         in games one and three. 
         (But got really bad positions.) 
]   

 

2.c4,  {Diagram?}  

Statistically, the most standard reply for White. 
(But not the only good move he can play.) 

     [  2.Nf3; or  2.g3 ]  

 

2...e6;  {Diagram?}  

Heralding the Nimzo-Indian Defense, some players choose to avoid this 
line entirely, and play 3.Nf3 here. 

(Of course Black does not have to play the Nimzo, a transposition back 
 into the main lines of the  Q.G.D.  is still possible.)

     
[  The move  2...g6!?;   {Diagram?}  is more modern, and could lead 
          to a wide number of different opening systems. 

          (The Benoni, The Grunfeld, The King's Indian Defense,  ...  or just  
           about any line that features a fianchetto of Black's King-Bishop.) 
]  

 

3.Nc3,  {Diagram?}  
Garry is not afraid of ...Bb4.  

 (He has even used it himself as Black; i.e., see his game with 
  GM Jan Timman, from the Euro Tel Cup Tourney, 1998.) 

While Garry does not fear the Nimzo, during the 1980's I was a spectator 
at several U.S. Championships. During this time, it seemed most masters 
(as White) were almost universally reluctant to play 3.Nc3. This meant that 
 3.Nf3 was almost always played here, and that the opening that saw more 
 action than any other was, ...  "The Queen's Indian Defense."  

 

     [  If White plays Nf3, we could wind up in the Queen's Indian Defense.
        E.g,
3.Nf3 b64.g3 Ba65.b3 Bb4+6.Bd2, "+/="  {Diag?}  etc.  
        White maintains a small pull.  ]   

 

3...Bb4;  {Diagram?}  

This is ...  "The Nimzo-Indian Defense."  It was the brain-child of Aaron 
Nimzowitsch. (His name is commonly spelled 'Nimzovich' in the English 
 language.) 

Nimzovich was a very strong player, easily at one time in the world's top
three or four players. 

(He was the leading contender for the position of challenger. But because 
 Bogo had better financial backing, he played two matches for the {chess} 
 World's Championship. And poor Nimzovich was denied any opportunity 
 when he was at the peak of his playing strength.) 

He (Nimzovich) was also one of the 'founding fathers' of the whole 
hyper-modern movement. 

(These players discovered that the center could be controlled by pieces, 
 as well as by pawns. The hyper-modern players advocated controlling the 
 middle of the board primarily with their pieces, and retaining a more flexible 
 pawn structure. This is turn led to much more fluid and dynamic systems 
 of opening play, especially for the player who had to play the Black pieces!)

 

***********

      [  By playing the moves:  3...d54.Bg5 Nbd75.Nf3 c6;   6.e3{Diag?}  
         we transpose back into the main lines of the classical systems of ... 
         "The Queen's Gambit Declined."  {Q.G.D.} 
]  

 

4.e3,  {Diagram?}  

The Rubinstein System  ... ... ... 
still a viable system and much in use, even today. 
(Most books consider this to be the main line here.)

This line was worked out by the great Akiba Rubinstein, who of the strongest 
 and most original players who ever lived. (And had life been fairer he would 
 have played for the World's Championship - and probably won.) 

Rubinstein worked out the best lines of play in many different opening systems. 
(Most of these lines are still considered viable and good, even today.) 

*****

 

     [  Botvinnik - at least at one time - strongly advocated the 
       
'Samisch System'  by playing:  4.a3!? Bxc3+5.bxc3 c5; "~"  {Diag?}  
        but this line is not currently in favor today. (out of fashion)  

        (I wish to point out that this line is still perfectly playable.) 

***

        White can also play: 4.Qc2,  "+/="  {Diagram?}  
        which is the  "Classical System."  
        (Invented by Rubinstein and first championed by Capa.) 
]   

******

 

4...0-0;  {Diagram?}  

Really this move and ...c5 are nearly interchangeable at this point in this line.
(In my opinion, 0-0 is a little more flexible, and probably the main line here 
 according to ECO & MCO.)  

 

5.Bd3,  {Diagram?}  

The main line and probably the most natural move here.

(The e4-square is influenced, a piece has been developed, and now White is one 
 move closer to getting castled. Meanwhile, the pawn at c4 is still guarded.) 

 

     [  Rubinstein also liked:  5.Nge2!?, "~"  {Diagram?}  
        as the more aggressive try. 

        (Basically an attempt to refute Black's whole line of play.)

        But this line is slower and not guaranteed to give White an advantage, 
        and it also blocks in White's King-Bishop. 
        (I have at least 3 different books on this one line.) 
]   

 

Black now naturally hits on the center, which is probably the most important 
thing you can do in the opening.  

 

5...d5; ('!')   {Diagram?}  

This is probably the best move here, and several books consider 
 it the main line. 

 

     [ 5...c5!? ]  

 

6.cxd5!?,  {Diagram?}  

I am not at all sure about this move, one old book condemns it as prematurely 
freeing Black's game.

My first instinct is that this is a natural move designed to resolve the central 
conflict and avoid the loss of tempo associated with the main line here. 
(Bd3, dxc4; etc.) 

The drawback is that Black has much greater freedom of play and fewer problems 
activating his QB than he normally does. 

***

     [  MCO  gives the following line in this variation:  
       
6.Nf3 c57.0-0 Nc68.a3 Bxc3!?{Diagram?}  
        The move that is most often played by Black in this position.  

           (8...dxc4!?; or  8...Ba5!?)     

        9.bxc3 dxc410.Bxc4 Qc711.Ba2!? e5!12.h3 e413.Nh2!? Na5;  
       
14.Bb2 b65.c4 cxd416.Bxd4 Qc6;  "="  {Diagram?}  
        This position is more or less even. Since MCO gives no game references 
        here, I must assume that this is an analysis line. (by GM Nick de Firmian.) 

        [ See MCO-14; page # 539, column #1, and notes # (a) through # (c). ]  ]  

 

6...exd5;  7.Nge2,  {Diagram?}   

I know f3 looks like the best square, and this is normally true. But in this 
line White avoids Nf3, as Black gains play with the pin, ...Bg4.  

White can now also play for a later e3-e4, and try to dominate all the key 
central squares.

     
[ 7.Nf3!? Bg4; "<=>"  {Diagram?} ]  

 

Now both sides continue to develop. 
7...Re8;  8.0-0 Bd6;   {See the diagram just below.}    

Both sides seem to be doing OK here. 

 

    The position after Black's eighth move, both sides are playing well. (kvsdj_ts-g5_pos1.jpg, 29 KB)

 

 

9.a3!?,  {Diagram?}  

This is a necessary precaution. In some lines, White wishes to play  Qc2 but 
does not want to have to worry about a later ...N/c6-b4. White can also 
{possibly} consider a later b2-b4, gaining valuable space on the Queen-side. 

 

     [  White could also just play:  9.f3!?, "~"  {Diagram?}  
         in this position.
]   

 

9...c6;  10.Qc2,  {Diagram?}  
To me, this looks like a completely normal developing move, although 
some on-line commentators roundly condemned this here. 

 

     [ 10.b4!? Ng4!?; "--->"   or    10.f3!? Qc7; "<=>" ]  

 

10...Bxh2+!?;  (Maybe - '?!')   {See the diagram just below.}    

An incredible sacrifice, one most computers would NOT make. 
{Kasparov was obviously shocked by this move.} 

In the final analysis, this move could be unsound. But it does lead 
to some very interesting play. 

I find it refreshing that a computer could make a sacrifice of this type, 
and basically play a move that is based more on general considerations, 
than on exact calculation. 

 

     A historic moment in the development of artificial intelligence, DJ sacrifices a piece. (kvsdj_ts-g5_pos2.jpg, 32 KB)

 The position after Black sacrifices his Bishop. 

 

     [  One on-line commentator highly recommended that Black play:  
        
10...b6!?; "="  {Diagram?}  in this position.  

***

        Playable was:  10...Nbd7;  "~"  {Diagram?}  
        with a fair game for Black. 
]  

 

11.Kxh2 Ng4+;  12.Kg3,   {See the diagram just below.}   

This is forced.  

 

   The White King is forced to ... "take a stroll," in the words of Steinitz.  (kvsdj_ts-g5_pos3.jpg, 32 KB)

 The position after White plays his King to g3. 

 

     [  Much worse would be:  12.Kg1? Qh413.Rd1 Qxf2+14.Kh1 Rxe3;  
       
15.Bxh7+ Kh816.Bxe3{Diagram?}  
        This is probably forced.  

           ( 16.Qd3 Rxd3; "-/+"  {Diagram?}    
              The main threat is: 16.b4? Rh3+!;  17.gxh3 Qh2#.    
              (This line also works against Bd3 or Bf5 by White on move 16.) )   

        16...Nxe3; "-/+"  {Diagram?}  
         and Black has a won game.  
         (Black threatens White's Queen and a mate on g2 at the same 
          time here, there is no defense.) 
]   

 

12...Qg5!?;   {Diagram?}  

Apparently the program felt this was the best way to continue. 

     [  Probably not as accurate was:  12...Qd6+13.f4, "±"  {Diag?} 
        and although White is very clearly better,  ("+/")  the first player 
        has to play perfectly in order not to get into trouble.
]  

**********

 

The next few moves look to be fairly best, and  ...  forced.  

13.f4, {Diagram?}  

This looks to be the most forcing, maybe Garry thought this was safer 
 than Bxh7+, feeling this piece could be  "hung out to dry"  in some 
 variations. 

Several of my students saved the transcripts of the on-line commentary, 
as my computer was down. 

Apparently several (on-line) players and commentators gave the opinion 
that this move was incorrect. Their 'snap judgment' was that Bxh7+ was 
superior, but this may not be the case.  

 

     [  It appears to be a subtle offer of peace negotiations after the 
        continuation of:  
       
13.Bxh7+!? Kh814.f4{Diagram?}    
        White must take action, Black was threatening a winning 
        discovered check.  

         ( 14.Bd3?? Nxe3+; ("-/+")  and mate follows next. (g2) )  

        14...Qh515.Bd3 Qh2+16.Kf3 Qh4!17.g3!? Qh5; 
       
18.Kg2 Qh2+19.Kf3 Qh5;  "="  {Diagram?}  
        and the game is now drawn, neither side can deviate from  
        this sequence of moves.
]  

 

13...Qh5;  14.Bd2 Qh2+;  15.Kf3 Qh4;  {Diagram?}  

The only way to continue.  

      [  15...Qh5?!; (Maybe - '?')  {Diagram?}  
         This is a mistake.  

         16.Rh1 Nxe3+17.Rxh5 Bg4+18.Kf2 Nxc219.Rah1 Bxh5;  
        
20.Rxh5 Na121.Bxh7+ Kf822.Nxd5!, "±"  (Maybe  "+/-")  {D?}  
         and White should probably win.  ]   

 

16.Bxh7+!?,  {Diagram?}  
After this rather tame (lame?) move, the game quickly resolves itself 
into a draw.  

Garry said in the post-game interview that he was in a state of shock 
after ...Bxh2+, and could not think clearly. 

 

     [  Why didn't Garry try to win here?  

        The best line - no doubt! - is the continuation:  
       
>/=  16.g3! Qh5; 17.Rh1 Nxe3+18.Rxh5 Bg4+19.Kf2 Nxc2;  
       
20.Rah1 Bxh521.Rxh5 Na122.Bxh7+ Kf823.Bd3, "±"  {Diag?}  
        and White has a very significant edge from this position.  ("+/")  
        {Two Bishops for a Rook.}  
        (Several programs evaluate this line as basically a win ("+/-") for White.) 

***

        One student said Rh1 won on White's sixteenth move, but I think he 
        overlooked something!  I.e., 
16.Rh1?? Qf2#  ]   

 

16...Kh8!;   {See the diagram just below.}   

The machine finds the best method here. 

 

    The Black king plays his King into the corner. (16...Kh8!)  Now the game quickly winds down to a draw.  (kvsdj_ts-g5_pos4.jpg, 32 KB)

 The actual game position after DJ plays 16...Kh8. 
(The game now quickly finishes up as a draw.)

 

     [  A clearly inferior line would have been:  16...Qxh717.Qxh7+ Kxh7;  
       
18.Rh1+ Nh619.Rh4, "+/=" (Maybe  - "±")  {Diagram?}   
        when White is clearly better here.  ("+/=" ... maybe "+/")  
        (I am quite sure Garry would have been very happy if the box had 
         played this line!) 

***

        Black could also try:  16...Kf8!?(Maybe - '?!/?')  {Diagram?}  
        but White may gain the upper hand with g3. ("+/") 
]  

 

Now close to 15 different analysis engines verify the game is dead drawn, 
neither side can avoid the repetition of the position. 

17.Ng3 Nh2+;  18.Kf2 Ng4+;  19.Kf3 Nh2+; ("=")  {Diagram?} 
The game was agreed or declared drawn at this point. 

An interesting encounter that Garry probably should have won.  

 

  Copyright (c)  A.J. Goldsby I.  Copyright (c)  A.J.G;  2003.  

 

   (Code initially)  Generated with  ChessBase 8.0    

  ½ - ½  


Game first posted February, 2003.   Last up-date:    Sunday; March 16th, 2003.     


 See the  June 2003  of issue of   'Chess Life'    ...  for an analysis of all the games. 


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Kasparov - Deep Junior, Game # 5. 

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