not not: In newest Chess News there are Anish Giri annotations written as tribute to Kramnik legacy. Here is what he says"To chose the game that best illustrates the drawmaster genius of Kramnik is by no means easy,
since one is spoilt for choice: nearly one thousand draws, some of theoretical, some of historical,
and some of educational value make it worth of a lifelong study. I decided to anotate this delightful
miniature against GM Morozevich, who is best known for his chess Don Kichoteria, viz. chasing ghosts
all over the chessboard even at the cost of a loss. Lets closely look at this gem of a game.
Kramnik Morozevich Corus 2005
1.e4
known as Berlin invitation. If not for pressure from chess ignoramae (sponsors, press and fans),
the correct move order of every chess games would be 1. Nf3! Nf6! 2. Ng1!! Ng8!! followed by 3. Nf3! Nf6!
4. Ng1!! Ng8!! and draw soon to be agreed as a threefold repetition. The text move encourages a quick draw
based on Berlin Defence mainline.
1... d6
Morozevich, true to his style, plays a garbage of a move.
2. d4
The skilfull hand of a drawmaster is revealed. You have to take a centre and seize advantage when possible to do both:
mislead the public as if you were trying yo win and offer your opponent a draw from position of strenght.
2. ... Nf6
a sly trap; if now 3. Nf3 hoping for 3... Ng8 4.Ng1! Nf6! 5. Nf3!! with a threefold,
black will play 3.... Nxe4! instead, snatching e pawn from a jaw of draw.
3. Nc3
offering black a repetition with 3... Ng8! 4.Nb1!! and so on
3.. g6
Desperate to get mated, black weakens squares around his king. He hopes to be subjected to "Fischer patent"
which is a ferocious kingside attack: white play f3 to protect battery of Be3 and Qd2, exchange the bishop and
march h pawn to later infiltrate h file with queen and his rook.
4.Bg5!!
Move of the game, giving black chance to frustrate dark square bishop before battery is formed. Who needs
25 moves win if he can get 12 moves draw?
4..... Bg7
Black insists on battery to be formed.
5. Qd2
White are happy to oblige.
5.... h6!!
Now exchange of bishops is not possible; white hope to get mated in a different manner, preferebly via f file.
6. Bh4
The shadow boxing is over and white succesfully fended any chances of abrubtly check mating enemy king.
6...... g5!
There is no better way to avoid draw then to weaken as many squares around your king as possible!
7. Bg3
Unfortunately chess is a feudal game with rigid backward rules; if it was a casual game between two drawmasters,
bishop would happily jump now back to c1.
7.... Nh5
Capturing bishop that has got no targets and no scope to manouvre is a trademark of Morozevich piece play.
8. Nge2
8.NF3 would be a serious strategic mistake allowing black to play g4! and thus losing this far stretched pawn later on.
White must at all cost avoid any pawn winning situation if the quick draw is to be unsuspiously made.
8..... e6
what else? there are not that many pawns left around black king that can be moved racklessly; 8... f6 was a
viable alternative whilst "charging at windmills"
9. 0-0-0
The lead in development is dangerous for white: too great might prompt black to resing thus frustrating the whole
gameplan of a tie.
9.... Nc6
Black decide to block c pawn and kill any possible counterplay for themselves.
10. f3
forcing exchange of material and thus increasing chances of a draw
10.... Nxg3
Getting rid of knight that was stuck on the rim. Delightful, Tarrasch-like play by Morozevich
11. hxg3
and now, with h file open and black king weakened, and black position vulnerable to f4 push,
Kramnik showed his craftmanship by getting handkerchief, sneezing and couging theatraticaly, and then offering a draw.
Black was left with no option but to accept: had he continued and won, he would be scrutinized for winning from inferior
position against unhealthy opponent; had he continued and lost, he would be accused of being so inferior to other GMs
that he loses even if they are unwell. In either case his future invitations to top chess events would be put in jeopardy.
Thus draw was agreed and Morozevich got his handkerchief too sneezing vehemently whilst talking to the press.
Truly great game, maybe immortal for both, definately greatest game ever, and believe me, Mexico will pay for the wall!"
Kibitzing
