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Vladimir Kramnik vs Vasyl Ivanchuk
Tal Memorial (Blitz) (2008) (blitz), Moscow RUS, rd 33, Aug-30
Gruenfeld Defense: Three Knights. Hungarian Variation (D93)  ·  0-1

ANALYSIS [x]

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Kibitzer's Corner
Aug-30-08  talchess2003: the game score is messed up. moves 37-39.
Aug-30-08  notyetagm: Black to play: 35 ... ?


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35 ... ♖c1-h1+!!


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Wow, what a <TACTIC> by Chucky in his critical win against Kramnik, 35 ... ♖c1-h1+!!.

36 ♔h2x♖h1 ♕c6-c1+


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And now the point of Ivanchuk's brilliant tactical play is that 37 ♔h1-h2 to get out of check <LINES UP (ALIGNMENT)> the White h2-king with the White e5-queen for the <BISHOP FORK> 37 ... ♗h6-f4+.

(VAR) 37 ♔h1-h2 ♗h6-f4+ <fork>


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Hence the point of 35 ... ♖c1-h1+!! is to setup the <QUEEN FORK> 36 ♕c6-c1+, which is a <DOUBLE ATTACK> in which one <TACTICAL TARGET> is the White h1-king and the second <TACTICAL TARGET> is the f4-forking square.

Chucky knows by heart that a <SQUARE> (f4-forking square) can be a <TACTICAL TARGET>.

This tactical sequence is also a great example that you must <FORCE YOUR OPPONENT TO LINE UP HIS PIECES!>. Kramnik is not simply going to <LINE UP (ALIGNMENTS, CONFIGURATIONS)> his White ♔♕ to be <FORKED> by the dark-squared Black h6-bishop, Ivanchuk -forces- him to <LINE UP> his ♔+♕ with the brilliant <ROOK DECOY> 35 ... ♖c1-h1+!!. Kramnik clearly missed this nasty tactical idea or else he would not have played the enabling 34 ♖d1-d8? in the first place.

Aug-30-08  VaselineTopLove: What about 35...Rg1.. how does that look?
Aug-31-08  Woody Wood Pusher: This is a wonderful game by Ivanchuk, Kramnik has no idea how to fight with the black pieces but Chucky sure can! Rh1! is such a great move, a nice combo for a five minute blitz game even for a GM, I wonder how far back he had prepared this? It obviously took Kramnik by surprise!
Sep-01-08  cannibal: <WWP: Kramnik has no idea how to fight with the black pieces but Chucky sure can!>

I would almost be inclined to agree with regard to classical chess, but you sure know how to misplace your every single comment. Incidentally Kramnik scored +6 with black in this tourney, even half a point more than with white.

Dec-11-08  computer chess guy: 24. .. a5!, preparing to open lines and invade the Queen side, was a nice move.
Feb-09-11  fab4: Yeah looks like after 37. Rd1 you can jump straight to 39..Qd1 and 40. Kh2.

Great tactical resource by Ivanchuk but to me Krammnik's attack smacked more of desperation and bet he had little conviction in it.

Nov-05-11  notyetagm: Kramnik vs Ivanchuk, 2008
Nov-05-11  notyetagm: Game Collection: SQUARE CAN BE A TACTICAL TARGET
Nov-05-11  notyetagm: Game Collection: INTERPOSE! INTERPOSE! INTERPOSE! INTERPOSE!

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