Nikolay (Yury) Popov vs Anatoly Karpov (1968)

Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players ·

Kibitzing

Nikolay (Yury) Popov vs Anatoly Karpov
6th Soviet Team Cup (1968), Riga URS, rd 1, Dec-11
Spanish Game: Closed. Bogoljubow Variation (C91) · 0-1

White to move.

ANALYSIS [x]

0-1

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

FEN COPIED

explore this opening	find similar games	1 more N Popov/Karpov game
	PGN: download \| view \| print	Help: general \| java-troubleshooting

TIP: As you play through the game, you can get the FEN code for any position by right-clicking on the board and choosing "Copy Position (EPD)". Copy and paste the FEN into a post to display a diagram.

For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.

PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

Jun-27-11		YoGoSuN: Could somebody please explain to me why Karpov chose to move his a8 rook to d8 instead of playing his f8 rook to d8 and his a8 rook to c8. To me that seems more logical as Black does have the semi-open c-file, though I obviously lack the positional understanding Karpov had.

Jun-27-11		tonsillolith: <Could somebody please explain to me why Karpov chose to move his a8 rook to d8 instead of playing his f8 rook to d8 and his a8 rook to c8. To me that seems more logical as Black does have the semi-open c-file, though I obviously lack the positional understanding Karpov had.> I'll explain the best I understand. The two black pawns in the center are really important to have force behind. As Karpov shows, by advancing the d-pawn it is possible to clear the way for the e-pawn to pressure the center. When this occurs, black will not only have the pawn protected by the rook, but it will also be ready to push forward with the rook's strength behind it. Another important reason for the black rook on e8 is an idea I picked up from Nimzovich's My System, which he calls the "mysterious rook move". Here black deters white from advancing the f-pawn in order to attack the black center, because by playing f4 and allowing black to capture exf4, white allows black to bring his rook into the game with more influence. Considering that the c3 pawn is relatively well protected, I think the reasons I gave make a good case that a rook on e8 is more important than a rook on c8. However, I really have a poor understanding of positional matters as these, and it's very likely I would have put my rooks on c8 and d8 too!

Jun-27-11		SimonWebbsTiger: I can only imagine the young Karpov wanted to keep his Be7 protected to avoid any niggling pressure on d5 by a white Bg5. Also, the centralised rooks are simply urging that d6 pawn to advance. Not sure if that's what Karpov thought. An earlier Boleslavsky-Keres game from 1949 saw Keres play like Karpov, except he deployed Rfc8

Oct-20-13		YoGoSuN: <tonsillolith> - long, long over due - but thanks for that explanation it was very much enlightening. d5 is a very important freeing pawn break in these positions, and Karpov clearly understood that. You clearly understand chess better than you give yourself credit!

Oct-20-13		YoGoSuN: <SimonWebbsTiger> Yes, I do believe that Karpov intended central play with the d5 pawn break, which would end any future possible control of the d5 in addition to freeing his game. Thanks for pointing out that Boleslavsky-Keres game. There, Keres didn't intend for d5 but lunged his b-pawn forward, and ended up creating a weakness on the c-file. But it's interesting that later, Keres ended up having to repair White's Q-side in order to nab the dangerous LSB, and Keres ended up playing d5 later anyways! Could it be that Karpov's ideas here are an improvement over Keres' in 1949...?

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
Nothing in violation of United States law.
No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
No trolling.
The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.

NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific game only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

This game is type: CLASSICAL. Please report incorrect or missing information by submitting a correction slip to help us improve the quality of our content.