In the past year, Kramnik has transformed himself into a very aggressive and exciting player. Here is an example from today’s game which is still in progress.
Howell, D (2597) – Kramnik, V (2772) [C42]
London Chess Classic (5), 13.12.2009
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.0–0 Be7 8.Re1 Bg4 9.c3 f5 10.Qb3 0–0 11.Nbd2 Na5 12.Qa4 Nc6 13.Qb3 Na5 14.Qc2 Nc6 15.b4 a6 16.Rb1 b5 17.a4 Rb8 18.axb5 axb5 19.Ne5 Nxe5 20.dxe5 Nxf2 21.Kxf2 Bh4+ 22.Kf1 Bxe1 23.Kxe1 Qh4+ 24.g3 Qxh2 25.Nf1 Qxc2 26.Bxc2 Rbe8 27.Bd3 Rxe5+ 28.Kf2 f4 The position is unclear.
29. gxf4 Bf5 30. Bxf5 Rexf5 31. Ng3 R5f6 32. Kf3 Rc6 33. Bd2 g5 34. Ne2 gxf4 35. Nd4 Rg6 36. Nxb5 (Diagram after 36. Nxb5)
Click here to replay up to move 36. Nxb5
36…Rg3+ 37. Kf2 Rd3 +=
I think Howell can win.
Yes indeed, watching Kramnik play the Petroff makes me think its not just a boring drawing weapon afterall. Watching Gelfand play it on the other hand…