Svidler, P (2742) – Carlsen, M (2675) [B30]
Rapid Match Spitsbergen NOR (2), 09-02-2006
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 Qc7 5.0–0 Nd4 6.Nxd4 cxd4 7.Nd5 Nxd5 8.exd5 a6 (8…Qc5 is the typical move) 9.Ba4 g6 10.d3 h6? There is no time for this move. 11.Qf3 Bg7 12.Bf4 Qa5 13.Rfe1 Qxa4 14.Rxe7+ Kxe7 15.Re1+ Kd8 [15…Kf8 A number of people believe that this would lead to a draw based on computer analysis. However, be careful. This is one of those times where human logic and tactical understanding come into play. The following analysis is based on Junior / Fritz and my ideas. 16.Bd6+ Kg8 17.Re7 Kh7 18.Qxf7 Rg8 19.h4 (19.g3 Qxc2 20.Be5 Qc1+ 21.Kg2 Qc5 22.Re8 Qxd5+ 23.Qxd5 Rxe8 24.Qf7 Rg8 25.h4 d6–+; 19.Be5 Qxc2 20.g3 Qc1+ 21.Kg2 Qc5 22.Qxg7+ Rxg7 23.Rxg7+ Kh8 24.Rxg6+ Kh7 25.Rg7+ Kh8 Draw) 19…Qxc2 20.Be5 Qd1+ 21.Kh2 Qh5 22.Bf6 (22.Re8 Qxe5+ 23.Rxe5 Rf8 24.Qe7 Rxf2 25.d6 b5–+) 22…Qf5 23.Re8 Qxd5 24.Qxd5 Rxe8 25.Qf7 Rg8 26.g4 a5 (26…d6 27.h5 gxh5 28.gxh5 Bf5 29.Bxg7 Rxg7 30.Qxf5+ Kh8 31.Qf6 Kh7 32.Qxd6 Rg5 White is better) 27.h5 gxh5 28.gxh5 checkmate in a few moves] 16.Bd6 Qa5 17.b4 Qb6 18.Qf4 g5 19.Be7+ Ke8 20.Bc5+ Qe6 21.Qd2 d6 22.Bxd6 Kd7 23.dxe6+ Kxd6 24.exf7 Rf8 25.Qe2 Bf6 26.Kf1 Kc7 27.Qh5 Bf5 28.Qf3 Rxf7 29.Qxf5 Raf8 30.f3 Bg7 31.Qc5+ 1–0
As I said before, Svidler won the match and showed why he is one of the best players in the world. And remember my prediction, he will win the next blitz world championship.
hi susan!
i spent a nice time this night analyzing 15…Kf8 and in my opinion it is really a draw – i accept your “kf8-line” up to 22…Qf5 23.Re8?! – but in my eyes 23… Qxd5? is a blundering try to WIN – better is 23… Qf4+ with perpetual … (24.g3? Qxf2+ 25.Kh1 Qf3+ 26.Kh1 Qxd5 and black is clearly better )
just my (and my fritz!) 2 pence … sincerly
yours Vohaul
ok – black is not better – but has the draw anyway … after 29.g4 d5 … i can not see any better … Peter is back! (has he ever been away? :))) )
Vohaul
so Susan, do you consider Svidler’s play as brilliant or do you think Carlsen made some mistakes. or both.
obviously carlsen made some mistakes. you point out the move 10 … h6 as no time for this move.
but still white gives up the bishop on a4 and then white sacs his rook Rxe7. so he is down serious material. I am sure the move 14 Rxe7 was unexpected. especially in a faster game as this one was.
Nice play by Svidler for sure. With Magnus winning so many games. even taking anand recently 2-0 in some blitz games, it must be sweet for Svidler. sort of Bragging Rights for him.
Susan’s comment about the mixing of Fritz’ advice with her own human judgment — reminds me of Kasparov’s suggestion that grandmasters be allowed to use software like Fritz during games.
Overall the idea is no good for wide usage. But if it were tried when big money was on the line, it would be fascinating to see how often GM’s would overrule Fritz’ advice, and to see how much doubt or anguish they went thru when overruling.
Gene Milener
http://CastleLong.com/
I think after Qf3 black can play b5 and d6, and if black can stave off the attack, the bishop will sooner or later have to retreat to b3, where it is badly placed!