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Alexey Shirov vs Vladimir Kramnik
Hoogovens Group A (1998), Wijk aan Zee NED, rd 5, Jan-21
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer. Neo-Modern Variation Early deviations (B62)  ·  1-0

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a
1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
White to move.
ANALYSIS [x]
Notes by Stockfish 9 v010218 (minimum 6s/ply)13.g4 was played in Shirov vs C Lutz, 1993 (1-0)better is 20...Nb6 21.Re1 Nd7 22.Kb2 Bd5 23.Rh3 Be6 24.h5 Nb6 ⩲ +0.63 (22 ply) ⩲ +1.21 (26 ply)better is 29.Ba5 Bxf3 30.Rd3 e4 31.Bxc7 exd3 32.Bxb8 d2 33.c3 ⩲ +1.02 (26 ply)= +0.33 (24 ply) 31.Rdc3 Rb5 32.Kc1 Ra5 33.Bd2 Ra1+ 34.Kb2 Ra5 35.h5 Bb7 ⩲ +1.12 (24 ply)= +0.17 (25 ply) after 31...Bxf2 32.Rxc6 Nd4 33.Rxa6 Bxh4 34.Kc1 Bg5+ 35.Kb1 better is 37.Kc4 Rh8 38.Ba4 Kg6 39.Bf2 hxg4 40.fxg4 f5 41.Bd7 fxg4 ⩲ +0.68 (22 ply)better is 37...g6 38.gxh5 gxh5 39.Bc4 Rb1 40.d4 Rc1 41.Kb3 exd4 = +0.08 (26 ply) ⩲ +0.63 (30 ply)better is 39...Rb8 40.Bf5+ Kf7 41.gxh5 Rb1 42.Bc5 Ra1+ 43.Kb4 Rb1+ = +0.43 (30 ply)better is 40.Be3+ Kg6 41.Bf5+ Kf7 42.g5 Rb8 43.g6+ Ke8 44.Be6 Ke7 ⩲ +1.17 (25 ply)better is 40...g5 41.gxh5 Rd8 42.hxg5+ Kxg5 43.Bc4 Kf4 44.Bh4 Rf8 ⩲ +0.63 (27 ply) ⩲ +1.36 (29 ply)better is 43...Rh5 44.Bg4 Rh8 45.Kb5 Rd8 46.Kc4 Ra8 47.Bd7 f5 ⩲ +1.40 (26 ply) ± +2.07 (28 ply)better is 44...Re8 45.Be3 Rb8 46.Bc5 Re8 47.Kb7 f5 48.Be3 Rf8 ± +1.89 (25 ply)+- +2.59 (27 ply) 45...Kh7 46.Bb6 Re8 47.Kc6 Rf8 48.Kd6 e4 49.dxe4 fxe4 +- +2.68 (29 ply)+- +8.89 (29 ply) after 46.Bb6 Re8 47.d4 e3 48.Be2 Re6 49.Kc7 Re7+ 50.Kc6 Re6+ +- mate-in-17 after 50.Bc3+ Kh7 51.d6 Rf4 52.Bd3 e2 53.d7 e1=Q 54.Bxe152...f2 53.d7 f1=Q 54.Bxf1 e2 55.d8=Q Rc4+ 56.Kd6 Rxc3 +- mate-in-121-0

rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1
FEN COPIED

Annotations by Stockfish (Computer).      [35434 more games annotated by Stockfish]

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Kibitzer's Corner
May-27-06  alicefujimori: I am quite suprised that no one kiblitz on this game. The 2 bishop VS rook ending was especially fun to watch.
Nov-16-06  adviser: How does white win actually? Please tell me what causes black to resign?
Nov-16-06
Premium Chessgames Member
  tpstar: <adviser> White's d Pawn wins the Rook = 52 ... f2 53. d7 Rf7 54. Kc8 f1=Q 55. Bxf1 etc. Note the Bishops control the Queening squares while preventing any Rook checks behind the passed Pawn (like ... Rc4+).
Apr-19-07  neill: nice kill again by shirov...marvelous handling of two bishops!

kramnik has no match. :0)

Jun-27-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  plang: 15 a3 defended against the c3 exchange sacrifice (although even after 15 a3 the sacrifice had been played previously). Since 16 Nd5 would have led to an equal endgame Shirov played the double-edged 16 g4!? inviting the exchange sacrifice. If 22..Bxa3 then 23 Bxd5..Bxd5 24 Bb4 is good for white. Kramnik offered a draw after 23..Bxa3 but Shirov felt that he could safely play on with little risk of losing (sort of a strange draw offer!?). Shirov was quite proud of 27 Kb2 - the idea was to allow his king to support the rook after 27..Bxb3 28 cxb..Rd8. Shirov was critical of Kramnik's decision to play for the rook versus two bishops endgame with 31..Bb5. He recommended 31..Bxf2 32 Rxc6..Nc5 33 Rd5 with better drawing chances instead. 37..hxg 38 fxg..g6 would have been a tougher defense though black is clearly worse here. With 45..e4 Kramnik was attempting to exchange his e & f pawns for the d & h pawns when he might have been able to draw but Shirov's 46 d4! prevented this. He correctly saw that the bishops could stop the connected passed pawns.
Sep-24-17  Toribio3: 2 bishops are better than 1 rook. Shirov has the skills to deliver the killer blows against Kramnik in this particular game.

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