Kramnik 1-0 Anand Game 10. Commentary IM Malcolm Pein

1.d4

Kramnik has promised to fight to the end but after his admittal that he was overlooking 1 move mates in his analysis we can only assume that he is not himself. Indeed his 2 year unbeaten run and rise to power was ascribed to his ability to eliminate blunders and here he has missed quite a few shots

1...Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 c5 5.g3

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, for what may be his last stand Kramnik plays the Kasparov Variation

5...cxd4 6.Nxd4 0-0 7.Bg2 d5 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Qb3

I might have known, a long and highly analysed line where White plays for a small edge and grinds away. Expect a flurry of moves now

9...Qa5 10.Bd2 Nc6 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.0-0 Bxc3 13.bxc3 Ba6 14.Rfd1 Qc5 15.e4 Bc4 16.Qa4 Nb6 17.Qb4

Now Qxb4 is thought to be slightly better for White. Vishy played Qh5. against Kasparov at Wijk aan Zee 2000 and drew but with difficulty #

17...Qh5 18.Re1

A new move that anticipates Be2. I guess Anand may have a think now


[18.Be3 Be2 19.Rd2 Rab8 20.Bxb6 axb6 21.Qd6 Bf3 was Kasparov - Anand but 18...Rfc8 was played subsequently by Short and Leko]

18...c5

This seemed obvious as otherwise Be3 creates some instability for the knight and bishop on the queenside

19.Qa5

I guess Rfc8 or Be2 here

19...Rfc8 20.Be3 Be2

Now the question is what has Kramnik come up with ?

21.Bf4 e5 22.Be3

Putting the question to the c5 pawn. If you are not inspired by this bear in mind White is playing for a small edge in a static position but I agree where it comes from is far from obvious


[22.Bxe5 Nc4 23.Qa6 Qxe5 24.Rxe2 Qxc3 25.Rd1 Rd8=]

22...Bg4

Now White may seize the vacant f1-a6 diagonal or grab the pawn Bxc5. Kramnik thought this inaccurate.

[22...Bg4 23.Bxc5 Nc4 24.Qb5 Be6 Black has good control of the queenside and this may ensure equality]

23.Qa6!

I like this creeping move it controls key squares

23...f6?

Virtually the decisive mistake according to Kramnik [23...Be6 24.Bf1 Qf3] and the game will continue on.

24.a4!

Black is gradually being driven back here, very nice play from Kramnik this is his kind of position

24...Qf7 25.Bf1!

Kramnik takes control of c4 tactically and a5 comes next #


[25.Bf1 Be6 26.Reb1 Bc4 27.Bxc4 Qxc4 28.Rxb6; 25.Bf1 Be6 26.Reb1 Bc4 27.Bxc4 Nxc4 28.Rb7 wins]

25...Be6 26.Rab1 c4?

I don't understand this but the position already looks unpleasant. How does Black hang on to his a pawn ? Qa6 was a lovely move


[26...Rab8 27.a5]

27.a5 Na4

[27...Nd7 28.Rb7]

28.Rb7 Qe8 29.Qd6!

The threats are Re7 and Qb7 they can't both be prevented, what a nice game by Kramnik, he got his kind of position and played it beautifully #


[29.Qd6 Bf7 30.Qb4 with the simple plan of a6 and taking on a7 with total control; 29.Qd6 Rd8 30.Qb4 Rab8 31.a6 when Black can hardly move and a7 falls]

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