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Ruslan Ponomariov vs Vladimir Kramnik
Corus Group A (2003), Wijk aan Zee NED, rd 2, Jan-12
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Reshevsky Variation (E46)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

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Kibitzer's Corner
Feb-24-04  pencuse: The move 9. ... b6 by Kramnik seems to be novelty which leads to a tranpose to a Queen-Indian defense structure for black (typical d5 pawn structure). But Kramnik lost too much time with Knight and queen bishop so it seems he could not find time to push c pawn. This created weakness in pawn structure and Ponomariov used this advantage. Kramnik's novelty seems to be weak but needs more examination, probably we can see an improvement in the future.
Jun-20-04  acirce: Don't know if 9...b6 was wrong, but White had a little edge all the time and Kramnik played lousy from move 33.
Sep-20-04  F47: Ponomariov's 25. axb6 forced the exchange of his bad bishop for kramnik's good bishop!
Jun-07-05  Calypsoleon: What's wrong with the capture of pawn on h5 at move 34 for Kramnik?
Feb-06-06  morpstau: The move 9. ... b6 by Kramnik seems to be novelty which leads to a tranpose to a Queen-Indian defense structure for black (typical d5 pawn structure). But Kramnik lost too much time with Knight and queen bishop so it seems he could not find time to push c pawn. This created weakness in pawn structure and Ponomariov used this advantage. Kramnik's novelty seems to be weak but needs more examination, probably we can see an improvement in the future.
Jun-27-06  suenteus po 147: <pencuse> & <morpstau> Two accounts but same post???
Oct-20-06  Whitehat1963: 37...dxc5. More of that high-powered Kramnik chess vision that NEVER falters.
Dec-08-06  OneArmedScissor: What about <15. ...c5>?
Dec-30-08  KingG: <What's wrong with the capture of pawn on h5 at move 34 for Kramnik?> Black has a difficult rook endgame after 34...Qxh5 35.Qf5 Qg6 36.Qxg6+ fxg6 37.Rd7, with Rd6 to follow.


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Aug-19-10  fetonzio: @#$% final move comes out of thin air
Aug-19-10  ycbaywtb: these are the moves you live to see, that last move, and the 5 or 6 directly preceding it, setting it up so sneakily
Jul-14-17  optimuswise: Amazing game!
Jul-14-17  morfishine: 34...Kh8 is a horrendous blunder

The simple <34...Qxh5> holds easily

What was Kramnik thinking? Perhaps he had a panic attack

*****

Dec-17-17  Arn Zufeld: Qg6 is why I love the game!
Sep-05-20
Premium Chessgames Member
  plang: 9..b6 was a new move; 9..Nxc3 and 9..N5f6 had been played previously. Black's difficulty in achieving ..c5 highlighted the weakness in his opening setup. 22 Bf1 would have been better not allowing the bishop maneuver that occurred in the game. 24..Re8?! was a waste of a tempo; 24..Qe6 would have been better. 33 g4 would have been an improvement. 34..Qxh5 35 Qf5..Qg6 36 Qxg6..fxg 37 Rd7 would have been good for White. Kramnik had apparently touched his king when making his 34th move with the intention of playing 34..Kg7? missing the reply 35 Qg6+; his 35..Kg7? met the same fate. 36..Qf6 was best: Ponomariov gives 37 bxc..Rxc6 38 Rxf7+..Kxf7 39 Qa7+..Qe7 40 Qxe7..Kxe7 41 Rxc6..b5 42 Rxh6..b4 43 Rc6..b3 44 Rc1 winning but 41..g4 looks like a much tougher defense..

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