[Event "Linares"] [Site "?"] [Round "0"] [White "Kasparov"] [Black "Karpov"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "B12"] [Opening "Caro-Kann: 3.Nd2 dxe4"] 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Ng5 {This has become all the rage in the past couple of years, despite the fact that it was considered harmless for decades! I am just fooling around, really. I intend to transpose back to the main lines soon enough.} 5... Ngf6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Qe2 { Now we are back in the familiar territory of opening theory.} 7... Nb6 8. Bb3 { This retreat offers more chances for complications than moving to d3, so it is just my kind of move.} 8... h6 9. N5f3 c5 {9...a5 is a promising alternative, but it does weaken the queenside and gives up any thoughts of castling queenside.} 10. Bf4 Bd6 {Unusual. More typical is 11...a6, which prepares a future b5. But this is very much in keeping with Karpov's style. He likes to simplify the position by exchanging pieces.} 11. Bg3 Qe7 {Black can also try 11...Qc7 or 11...O-O. But to exchange bishops at g3 would be pointless, from a strategic point of view, because I could use the h- file to great advantage.} 12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. Ne5 Bd7 {13...Nbd7 14.Ngf3 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 I would be satisfied with such a position as White.} 14. Ngf3 {14.O-O-O This would have laid a trap, but Karpov would no doubt have avoided it: 14...O-O-O?? 15.Nxf7 Qxf7 16.Qe5 Winning.} 14... Nh5 15. O-O-O Nxg3 {Now I get an open h-file but otherwise the bishop could have become a useful weapon. 15...O-O-O 16.Nxd7 Nxd7 17.Be5 Now Black would get in trouble if he captured at e5: 17...Nxe5 18.Nxe5 Nf4 19.Qc4} 16. hxg3 O-O-O {This is a c ritical position. Black can claim equality against normal moves like Nxd7 or Rd3, but I came up with a very effective plan. Not only the spectators, but even my opponent had to re-evaluate the position.} 17. Rh5 {Karpov started to get visibly worried here. The threat is simply Nxf7, with a discovered attack on the bishop at c5. The pressure on the 5th rank is immense. The Gordian Knot can only be cut at very great cost.} 17... Be8 { 17...g6 This was probably the best defense, even though it entails a serious weakening of the kingside pawn structure.} 18. Rxd8+ Kxd8 19. Qd2+ Bd6 { 19...Kc8 20.Qc3 f5 21.Bxe6+ If Black takes the bishop, then I capture at c5. So the position is very good for me here.} 20. Nd3 Qc7 21. g4 {The advance of the g-pawn is part of my new strategy. Here Karpov plays rather passively.} 21... Kc8 22. g5 Bf8 23. Rh4 Kb8 24. a4 Be7 {This is a serious mistake which costs Karpov a critical tempo. 24...Nc8 25.g6 fxg6 26.Nd4 Black is under considerable pressure, but the game may not be lost yet.} 25. a5 Nd5 26. Kb1 { The point of this move is to get off of the c-file, so that I can advance the c-pawn.} 26... Bd8 {26...Rf8 27.Bxd5 exd5 28.Nb4 Bc6 29.gxh6 Bxh4 Now I have a very pretty combination to wrap things up: 30.Na6+ bxa6 31.Qb4+ Ka8 32.Qxf8+ Kb7 33.h7 The pawn reaches the promotion square.} 27. a6 Qa5 28. Qe2 { A quiet but effective move. Now I threaten to play 29.Qe5+.} 28... Nb6 29. axb7 Bxg5 {29...Bc6 30.Nfe5 Bxb7 31.Nxf7 Re8 32.Nxd8 Rxd8 33.gxh6 gxh6 34. Rxh6 Bxg2 35.Rxe6} 30. Nxg5 Qxg5 31. Rh5 {Back to the 5th rank! This rook is headed to the a-file, and then the pawn at a7 becomes a tasty morsel which I can devour a little later.} 31... Qf6 32. Ra5 Bc6 33. Nc5 Bxb7 34. Nxb7 Kxb7 35. Qa6+ Kc6 36. Ba4+ Kd6 37. Qd3+ Nd5 38. Qg3+ Qe5 39. Qa3+ Kc7 40. Qc5+ Kd8 { We have reached the time control and Karpov gives up quickly.} 41. Rxa7 { Karpov resigned. I am very pleased with this game, in which I think that I found all of the best moves.} 1-0