(1) Leko,P (2722) - Kasparov,G (2831) [B90]
XXI Linares ESP (3), 21.02.2004



1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6
Once again, the Najdorf Sicilian

6.Be3
An invitation to ...e6 and the English attack

6...e5
Attacking the Nd4 once it no longer has b5 as a square

7.Nb3
The point is that, unlike in the Sveshnikov (with Nb5-a3-c2, it's hard to coordinate the knights upon the d5-square. The retreat of Nf3 would block the advance of the f-pawn

7...Be6
And black gets quick counter-play, here fighting for d5.

8.f3
The idea is as in the English attack, with f3, Qd2, 0-0-0, and g4-g5. If Qd2 first, Black can ttry Nc6 and d6-d5

8...Nbd7
All carefully prepared and often played before. The Nbd7 will head to b6 to fight for the d5-square and with Nb6-c4 as an option.

9.g4
Trying to play g4-g5 when the d7 square is already occupied.

9...Nb6 10.g5 Nh5
This is dangerous to black when black has castled and white can open the h-file with Ng3. But the white knights are on the queenside and black has time, if needed, to consolidate with g7-g6 and Ng7. Meanwhile, Kasparov gets ready to attack the g-pwn with Be7 and controls the f4-square.

11.Qd2 Be7
Two attacks upon the g5-pawn and getting ready foir a d5-pawn break.

12.Qf2
Two attacks on the Nb6

12...Nc4
White must take the Nc4 to preserve the Be3

13.Bxc4 Bxc4 14.h4
Defending the g-pawn

14...0-0
Garry decides that, especially with the Nh5 sealing the pawns, his king is safe on the kingside

15.Na4
In these lines, white has to play a4 against the advanced b5-pawn. Here, the Nc3 heads directly for the well controlled b6-square.

15...f5 16.Nb6
Diagram Attacking both the Ra8 and the Bc4 [16.gxf6 Nxf6 17.Nb6 Nxe4-+ ]

16...Bxb3 17.axb3 fxe4
Defending well... giving up the exchange (NxRa8) but getting considerable counterplay in the center, relying upon the opening f-file.

18.Nxa8 Qxa8
No need to rush, and, after b7-b5, the Qa8 will be strongly posted

19.Qd2
Stepping out the pin on the f-file.

19...b5 20.fxe4 Ng3
hitting the Rh1 and the e4-pawn

21.Rg1 Nxe4
Forcing the Qd2 to move

22.Qd3 d5
White cannot permit black's strong center

23.Rxa6! Qxa6
[23...Bb4+ 24.Ke2 Ng3+ 25.Rxg3 Qxa6 26.Qxd5+ Kh8 27.c3+/- ]

24.Qxd5+
Winning the Ne4

24...Kh8 25.Qxe4 Qa1+ 26.Ke2 Qxb2
The end of a forced sequence. Material is even. Black's advanced queen gives him enough to hold

27.Qc6
Actively defending the c-pawn.

27...Bb4
The idea is Bc3 and Qxc2

28.Rf1
[28.Qxb5? Qxc2+ 29.Bd2 Qxd2# ]

28...Rg8
[28...Rxf1 29.Kxf1 Qb1+ 30.Kg2 Bf8 31.Qc8 Kg8 32.Qe6+ Kh8 33.Qf5+/- ]

29.h5 Bc3
Just in time

30.Qe4 Qa2
With the idea of b4 and Qa6

31.h6 b4 32.Rf7 Qa1
Eyeing the e1 square

33.hxg7+ Rxg7 34.Rf8+ Rg8 35.Rxg8+ Kxg8 36.Qd5+
With a perpetual check.

36...Kg7 37.Qd7+ Kg8 38.Qe6+ Kg7 39.Qh6+ Kg8 40.Qe6+ Kg7 41.Qh6+ Kg8 1/2-1/2