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Anatoly Karpov vs Alexey Shirov
Biel (1992), Biel SUI, rd 13
Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation (D45)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

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Given 31 times; par: 36 [what's this?]

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Kibitzer's Corner
Nov-15-03  refutor: a great example by karpov of how to exploit lightsquare weaknesses.
Nov-15-03  Benjamin Lau: What happens if 32... Qa6?
Nov-15-03  skakmiv: 32...Qa6 33.Qf5?
Nov-15-03  Benjamin Lau: Skakmiv, good point. Overlooked the mating threat.
Nov-15-03  Stargleamer: If 32....Qa6, then 33. Ng6+ Kh7 34. Ne5+ Kh8 34. Nf7+ Kg8 35. Nxh6+ Kh8 36. Qg8+ KxQ 37. Nf7++
Nov-15-03  Stargleamer: woops, I meant 36...RxQ 37. Nf7++.
Nov-15-03  skakmiv: Oh,Ng6 is a forced mate.
Nov-15-03  Stargleamer: Also, if 32....Qa6 33. Ng6+ Kh7 34. Ne5+ g6, then 35. Bxg6+ Kh8 (or 35...Kg7 36. Qf7+ Kh8 37. Qh7++) 36. Qf7 (threatening mate on h7) Ra7 37.Qf8++
Oct-22-05  aw1988: An absolute classic. Karpov is brilliant; Shirov's too cautious (...a6?!) opening play allows a4! with slight advantage, Ng3! with large advantage, then invasion and mate threats to win. The game is good, the variations are stunning. For example how does White win in this final position?

32...Qa6 33. Ng6+ Kh7 34. Ne5+ Kh8 35. Nf7+ Kg8 36. Nxh6+ Kh8 37. Qg8+ Rxg8 38. Nf7#

Now, if that isn't remarkable...

Apr-02-09  Rubenchik: Great game
Jun-07-11  falso contacto: 32...Qa7 33 Ng6+ Kh7 34. Ne7+ Kh8
35. Qf5 Qa1+ 36 Bb1 I guess.
Nov-15-17  sensex: Excelling at Chess - Aagaard... Last Chapter Exercise 9
Oct-15-22  MarianoFreyre: Karpov is a genious. The best ever perhaps
Dec-16-22
Premium Chessgames Member
  kingscrusher: Great game indeed for exploiting light square weaknesses :)
Dec-16-22  SChesshevsky: <Great game indeed...>

Yes. Not sure what Shirov was aiming for with 20...f6? But Karpov, probably immediately, notices the flaw and really goes to work after that subtle slip.

Oct-12-24  generror: <SChesshevsky> 20...f6 because after 21.Nf5, f2-f4 looks really scary with knight and bishop pointing at g7, so Shirov chose to close the diagonal. So Karpov gave his bishop pair and then destroyed Shirov on the light squares.

I'm currently going through GM Finegold's lecture on Karpov's middlegame strategy and boooy i'm having a great time. Karpov's play is just so irresistible and straightforward and logical. i love it.

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