Deep Fritz (C) – GM Kramnik [C43] Click here to replay the game
12.01.2006

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4 4.Bd3 d5 5.Nxe5 Nd7 6.Nxd7 Bxd7 7.0-0 Bd6 8.Qh5 Qf6 9.Nc3 Qxd4 10.Nxd5 Bc6 11.Ne3 g6 12.Qh3 Ng5 13.Qg4 Qf4 14.Qxf4 Bxf4 15.Nc4 Ne6 16.Bxf4 Nxf4 17.Rfe1+ Kf8 18.Bf1 Bb5 19.a4 Ba6 20.b4 Bxc4 21.Bxc4 Rd8 22.Re4 Nh5 23.Rae1 Rd7 24.h3 Ng7 25.Re5 Nf5 26.Bb5 c6 27.Bd3 Nd6 28.g4 Kg7 29.f4 Rhd8 (White is slightly better due to space advantage but Black should not have too much problem holding this position. In fact, I would not be so comfortable as the computer right now. Kramnik has much deeper understanding of endgames than any software out there.)

30.Kg2 Nc8 += (Kramnik may not be the greatest player ever but he is certainly one of the smartest players. He knows how to maximize his game and repertoire to his advantage. In this game, Fritz got basically nothing out of the opening. The Petroff and Berlin are perfect opening choices against the computer. Not many players can do what Kramnik does.)

31.a5 Rd4 (White has to move one of the Rooks to e4 to protect both pawns. My preference would be the Rook on e5 to e4.)

32.R5e4 Kf8 (Black is in no danger. I am not sure who is punishing who here.)

33.Kf3 h6 (Interesting move. I was looking at 33…f5 and Black is more than OK. h6 means that Kramnik is happy with the positioning of his pieces and it is like telling the computer to go ahead and make something happen. If White plays 34.Rxd4 Rxd4 35.Re4 this would lead to an easy draw endgame.)

34.Rxd4 Rxd4 35.Re4 =/+= (Black should not trade the last Rook. Best would be to move back to d6.)

35…Rd6 36.Ke3 g5 (I am not sure if I like this move. This move gives the White Bishop more mobility.)

37.Rd4 Ke7 (This still does look drawish but I think Kramnik is making life more difficult for himself.)

38.c4 (White has space advantage but Black has no serious weakness to cause any problem.)

38…Rxd4 39.Kxd4 gxf4 40.Ke4 Kf6 41.Kxf4 Ne7 42.Be4 (This is one of those lengthy endgames where neither side will make much progress. I still expect Kramnik to draw.)

42…b6 43.c5 bxc5 44.bxc5 Ng6+ 45.Ke3 += Ne7 46.Kd4 Ke6 47.Bf3 f5 48.Bd1 Kf6 (I see no practical chances for either side to win. However, it is a little easier playing this position as White.)

49.Bc2 fxg4 50.hxg4 Ke6 51.Bb1 Kf6 (No reason to keep going on with this position.)

52.Bd4 Ke6 53.Bh1 Kf6 54.Bf3 Ke6 1/2 Finally! Once again, Kramnik held for a draw with ease.

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