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Joel Lautier vs Garry Kasparov
Tilburg Fontys (1997), Tilburg NED, rd 11, Oct-09
English Opening: Symmetrical. Three Knights Variation (A34)  ·  1/2-1/2

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

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Kibitzer's Corner
May-12-06  notyetagm: This ending is one of those famous rare Kasparov tactical oversights.

Kasparov could have played 20 ... c5! since the response 21 bxc5 runs into 21 ... ♖b8!, <pinning> the White b2-bishop to the b1-mating focal point on the back rank (<weak back rank>) and winning the piece.

Apr-29-07  notyetagm: (VAR) Position after 20 ... c6-c5!:


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Kasparov was very upset with himself after this short draw when he was shown this continuaation.

The tactical point that Kasparov missed(!) is that the Black c5-pawn is taboo since the White b4-pawn must <BLOCK> the b-file. That is, 21 b4xc5?? loses to 21 ... ♖h8-b8, <PINNING> the White b2-bishop to the b1-mating focal point along the -newly- opened b-file.

(VAR) Position after 21 b4xc5?? ♖h8-b8:


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So after 20 ... c6-c5!, White would lose his b4-pawn and Kasparov would get to play the endgame with an extra(!) passed pawn. Kasparov could then play on and on and on in that position, since he would have virtually zero chance of losing and one mistake by White could cost him the full point.

Apr-29-07  notyetagm: The tactical problem that I discussed above here comes from "John Nunn's Chess Puzzle Book", problem 44 on page 107.

In the solutions section, he gives best play as 20 ... c6-c5! 21 b4-b5 ♖h8-b8 22 ♔g1-f1 ♖b8xb5 23 ♗b2-c3 ♖b5-b3, which is shown in the following diagram:


click for larger view

How strong is the possiblity that Black will convert his advantage, his extra passed c-pawn? I think that a Karpov or Rubinstein would win this position at least 6 times out of 10 as Black.

Mar-13-08  whiteshark: "The simplified nature of the position makes it hard for humans to spot the tactic."

-- Malcolm Pein in the <Daily Telegraph>

extraterrestrial !!! :xD

Jan-01-09  notyetagm: <whiteshark: "The simplified nature of the position makes it hard for humans to spot the tactic.">

Great applicable quote to Kasparov not seeing 20 ... c6-c5!.

Jan-01-09  notyetagm: 20 ... ?


click for larger view

(VAR) 20 ... c6-c5! 21 b4xc5?? ♖f8-b8 <pin>


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21 ... ♖f8-b8 in this variation is a *great* example of a <PIN AGAINST A SQUARE>.

Feb-06-12  notyetagm: Game Collection: PINS AGAINST SQUARES
Feb-24-14  wordfunph: "When he played 5.e4 I realised the game was going to be a draw. I had analysed this line for years trying to find something for white but there is nothing."

- Garry Kasparov

Apr-18-22
Premium Chessgames Member
  Jarman: Even if Kasparov saw that, it's far from certain he would have squeezed out a win - e.g. -0.35 (26 ply) 20...Rb8 21.Bc3 c5 22.b5 Rxb5 23.Kf1 Ke8 24.Ke2 Rb3 25.Kd2 Ra3 26.Kc2 Ra2+ 27.Bb2 c4 28.Kb1 Ra4 29.e5 h5 30.Rc8+ Kf7 31.Rc7 Ra5 32.exf6 gxf6 33.Kc2 e5 34.Rxc4 Ra2 35.Kb3 Ra7 36.Kc2 Rd7 37.Rc6

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