The game started out slow but the pace turned up when Shirov decided to lauch a King side attack. The position was pretty even and quite exciting until Shirov went hunting for one pawn too many.
GM Kamsky (2714) – GM Shirov (2739) [B30]
14.12.2007
Game 2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Bc4 Be7 5.d3 d6 6.Nd2 Bg5 7.Qh5 Nh6 8.h3 Nd4 9.0–0 (This seems to be a new move. 9.Bb5+ has been played before. White is sacrificing a pawn.) 0–0 (9… Nxc2 10. Nf3 Bxc1 11. Raxc1 Nd4 12.Nxd4 exd4 13. Bb5+ +=) 10.Nb3 Bxc1 11.Raxc1 Ne6 12.Ne2 Qf6 13.Nd2 Kh8 14.c3 g5 15.d4 Rg8 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.Nf3 Rg6 18.h4 Qg7 19.Bxe6 Bxe6 20.hxg5 f6 21.gxf6 Rxg2+ 22.Kh1 Qxf6 23.Qxe5 Qxe5 24.Nxe5 Rg5 25.f4 Rh5+ 26.Kg1 Rg8+ 27.Kf2 Rh2+ 28.Ke3 Rgg2 29.Ng1 Rxb2 (29… Rg3+ 30. Rf3 Ng4+ 31. Nxg4 Rxg4 += or 29…Ng4+ 30. Nxg4 Bxg4 31. f5 Rxb2 and the game is still up for grab) 30.f5 Bxa2 31.Rcd1 Rbc2?? (making a difficult position worse. 31…Nf7 offers a little more resistance and White must come up with top of the line continuation to make something out of it) 32.Rd8+ Ng8 33.Ngf3 Rxc3+ 34.Kf4 Rh6?? (Ending things much quicker for Shirov) 35.Rg1 Rf6 36.Ng5 h6 37.Ngf7+ White wins 1–0 (White to mate in 19)
Kamsky leads 1.5-.5 with 2 games to go.
Click here to replay the game.
Oh yes, this is exciting stuff…
Ya Gata Beleive!
It was a close fight. Not for the faint of heart. Kamsky’s h4 was quite disconcerting as it was his initial and strong breaking effort. After that Shirov just hadn’t the time to think things through, and it got ugly. 😛
Yay Kamsky!
What a refreshing victory!
Who can explain to me the mate in 19?
Thank you!
Pushing our luck, is there any chance of live blogging Susan?
For all the idiots who keep on whining about the analysis. If you don’t like it, why bother to read it? Some people are paid to do analysis and some just do it for the interest / appreciation of the fans. If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say it. Trolls!
Internet chess patzer, who is your comment/criticism directed at?
Garvin
I guess my comment looks silly after the insulting posts were removed. My apology. Keep up the good work everyone!
Go, Gata!
Kamsky’s not even harmed up yet.
The only responses by black are
(1) Rxf7
(2) Bxf7
(3) Kh7
which lead to the following forced lines.
A:
37. ….. Rxf7,
38. Rdxg8+ Kh7,
39. Nxf7 anything,
40. R1g7#
B:
37. ….. Bxf7,
38. Nxf7+ Rxf7,
39. Rgxg8+ Kh7,
40. Rh8+ Kg7,
41. Rdg8+ Kf6,
42. e5+ Ke7,
43. Re8+ Kd7,
44. e6+ Kc6,
45. exf7 ….. and material soon be overwhelming.
C:
37. ….. Bxf7,
38. Nxf7+ Kh7,
39. Rgxg8 Rxf7 or what else?,
40. Rh8+ and we are in variation B
D:
37. ….. Kh7,
38. Rgxg8 Bxf7 or what else?,
39. Rh8+ Kg7,
40. and then what?