[Event "Amsterdam"] [Site "?"] [Round "0"] [White "Hort"] [Black "Karpov"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A46"] [Opening "Indian: 2.Nf3 e6"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 b6 { This is the Tartakower Variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined, a subtle and refined opening which has held great appeal to Karpov.} 8. Rc1 Bb7 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Be2 Nbd7 11. O-O c5 12. Qc2 a6 13. Rfd1 {The Tartakower Variation requires good positional sense and an understanding of the dynamics of this particular pawn structure.} 13... c4 {Although White did not capture at c5 on move 12, he is now ready to do so, and that is why Karpov advanced the pawn. His strategy will prove correct if he can also play b6-b5, but Hort puts an end to that idea.} 14. a4 Bc6 {A full question mark for this positional blunder. The advance b6-b5 has become an idee fixe for Karpov, notwithstanding Hort's anticipation. While Black has eyes only for the queenside, Hort has not forgotten about the center!} 15. Ne5 {White can occupy this outpost since the base of Black's pawn chain at d5 is without sufficient support. If Black captures at e5, he loses a pawn. But as things stand, White threatens to remove an important defender.} 15... Qc7 { 15...Bb7 temporarily keeps the defense intact, but after} 16. Bf3 {the threat Ne5xc4 is quite real, and even after 16...Rac8, an eventual break with e3-e4 is inevitable. Nxc6 Qxc6 Bf3 There is an immediate threat of 18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Bxe7!, exploiting the pin on the long diagonal.} 16... Bb4 {This move not only removes the threat at e7, but also creates the possibility of eliminating the Nc3 which is putting pressure on d5. But Hort realizes that the pin can be effective immediately.} 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Qf5 {White regains his material, since 19...N7f6 is met by 20.Bxf6 and the Nd5 falls. Qxa4 Bxd5} 18... Rac8 { Karpov should have defended along his second rank with 20...Ra7, but he must have overlooked White's next move.} 19. b3 {Hort found this move because he was examining positions with the Rf8 moved off the f-file. This move opens the c-file, and forces the Rf8 to move.} 19... cxb3 { 21...Qb5 22.bxc4 Qa4 23.Ra1 and the Nd7 is dead. Rxc8 Rxc8} 20. Qxf7+ Kh8 { Bxb3 Qb5 Be6 and the pin wins! Rf8 Bxd7! Karpov resigned, since after 26... Rxf7 27.Bxb5 axb5 28.Rb1 his endgame is lost, while 26...Qe2 is met by 27.Qb3.} 1-0