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Alexey Shirov vs Viswanathan Anand
Corus Group A (2003), Wijk aan Zee NED, rd 10, Jan-23
Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation. Van der Wiel Attack (B12)  ·  0-1

ANALYSIS [x]

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Kibitzer's Corner
Feb-19-03  refutor: analysis of this game (by anand) is located at http://www.chesscafe.com/informant/...
Feb-19-03
Premium Chessgames Member
  Honza Cervenka: It would be interesting to see Shirov's annotations of this game. I would like to know what he expected playing 12.Nfxd5 and 13.f4. It is not extremely difficult to find 13...d4 with idea 14.fxe5 (or 14.f5) Bg5 after what all tactical tricks of white are insufficient for winning the piece back.
Feb-22-03  kostich in time: Shirov just tries to be 'brilliant"and it backfires on him..an good example of the power of two bishops in an open position.
May-12-03  mdorothy: But also give credit where credit is due.. the position wasn't really open til Anand expertly opened it.
Sep-30-03  drukenknight: in this opening is it possible to play 9...Bxc2 followed by Nxg4?
Sep-30-03  AdrianP: <drukenknight> It's an interesting possibility but I can't see where it really gets black, sacking one of his few developed pieces for two pawns, one of which is a doubled pawn anyway. It would also enable W to castle Q-side quickly and/or get his rook onto the half-open g-file with tempo...

Did you have any particular follow-up in mind for Black...?

Sep-30-03  drukenknight: Did I have a follow up in mind?

YES! I DID!

Now, this will be a real test of my medication levels to see if I can remember.....

Okay see there is a fork lying there on d4 but it looks like it might not come off because of the zweischenzung move, the white Q check on a4.

But it is your move, do you attempt to stop that fork? See I am attemping to react to your move, knowing full well I am down in material.

But I am counting on that fork as some sort of investment in the future.

Thats the best I can remember. Now I have to feed my baby (she's one month old now)....

Sep-30-03  AdrianP: <drukenknight> I see your point ... (the number of games I have lost by missing a simple pawn fork!)... but I don't think it works.

9. ...Bxc2 10. Qxc2 Nxg4 11. O-O-O and d4 is adequately defended by the B and R or...

9 ...Bxc2 10. Qxc2 Nxg4 11. Qa4+ Ke7 (11 ...Qd7?? Bb5 winning the Q) 12. Nfxd5+! exd5 (forced) 13. Qxg4 and W is simply up a piece with a winning position.

Nov-30-03  PinkPanther: I think the sacrifice in this game was suspect enough, but the way Shirov followed it up was purely garbage. What is wrong with 13. Rxd5? I think after that move white MIGHT, and I emphasize MIGHT have enought compensation for the piece, but after the way Shirov followed up the sacrifice, you can forget about it.
Jul-09-04  JohnBoy: Actually I believe the sac at d5 just misses being great. My hunch is that Shirov intended 14.f5 but missed the wonderful 14...Bg5. Hence 15.h4. Any comments? After this white just gets rolled by a great player.

By-the-way, there was a nice advanced Caro-Kann with 4.Be3 by Shirov in Byrnes NY Times column this spring. Anyone have it? I don't get the times and don't have a copy. It's not the one posted here.

Apr-13-18  SpiritedReposte: Neglected masterpiece from Vishy.
Jul-18-20
Premium Chessgames Member
  plang: In game 2 of their second round match at the 2002 World Championship tournament in Moscow Shirov had played 10 Bb5+ against Gyimesi (Shirov only needed a draw to clinch the match) and the game had ended in a draw. Shirov varied here with 10 Qe2 aiming for quick queenside castling and a sacrifice on d5 but Anand had looked at just this possibility shortly before the game and was well prepared for it. In the 2001 Bubdesliga Kallai had tried 11..Qa5 against de Vreugt and White had gone on to win; 11--Be7 was part of Anand's preparation. Anand was shocked that Shirov followed through with the sacrifice 12 Nfxd5!? after his careful 11th move; Anand suggested instead 12 h4..Qa5 13 h5..Be4 14 Nxe4..dxe 15 Kb1..Bxc5 16 Bxc5..Qxc5 17 Bg2 with a small White edge. 13 f4? was a blunder; 13 Rxd5 would at least have given White some compensation. Shirov spent an hour on 14 h4 - evidence that he realized what he had walked into.

Anand after 19..a5:
"The most important move in the game. Now I never have to worry about the knight as I can dump it on b4, even as a sacrifice."

One possible example of the strength of Black's attack was 21 d5..Nb4! 22 axb..axb 23 Bxb4..Bxc5 24 Qb5..Bxb4 25 Qxb4..Ra1+ 26 Kc2..Rxd1 27 Kxd1..Qxd5+ and wins.

Voted the second best game in Informant 86. Rather than criticize Shirov's sacrifice I am inclined to praise Anand's excellent defense and counterattack assisted by his fortuitous last minute preparation.

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