by Aviv Friedman

The main game for today is Anand - Kasparov of course, and hopes are high for another clash of titans. Anand cannot be happy with his score and performance until now. A win in such a critical game will not only bring him to a plus score, but also stop the run of his opponent to first place. From Gazza's point of view, the importance is not much different: blood thirsty as always, he knows that if he wins this game he would have all but clinched first place. His confidence and ambition, never lacking to begin with, would reach a peak, and it is hard to imagine he could be stopped.

For me, watching this game is a little difficult. Similarly to their first meeting in the first half of the event, I know full well that this is their first tournament together since the terrorist attack of September 11th. It is not only hard as part of the collective feeling that belongs to so many after that day, but somewhat on a personal level. When the two chess giants played each other for the Intel world championship in 1995, like many chess fans I was there for every game of the match. (Editor's note: The 1995 Kasparov - Anand match was played in the one of the top floors of the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center) Along with Brian Karen (Naisortep on ICC) and Leigh Walker (BlueWalker) and later joined by Marty Grund (LateKnight) we carried the first broadcast on ICC that included not only the moves but also color commentary and play-by-play from the scene. With the first game starting on or about September 11, 1995 one finds it hard not to think 'what if'… About a week ago or so, I had the pleasure of joining Vishy's dining table and mentioned to him the date's coincidence. His realization of the date was quite evident, and he immediately repeated it for his wife, his second GM Ubilava, and his good friend Hindu journalist Arvind Aaron who were engaged in another conversation. For a moment it got silent, but our faces spoke volumes. What we all thought then is probably similar to what I thought on that fateful day a half a year ago when I woke up to see one tower burning and an airplane crashing into the other.

Going back to the game, I have heard that GM Pablo San-Segundo has arrived and joined Anand's analysis team. Late last night, returning from a reception with the mayor of Linares, one could see light and activity in the suites of the two rivals. Heavy-duty last minute preparation was the testimony of how seriously the two are taking today's game!

Games synopsis:

Click to replay Anand - Kasparov:

Anand - Kasparov:   Once again, the two debated the English attack line of the Sicilian Najdorf. The expertise of the two in this line is second to none. Not only their analysis and homework, but also the practical experience with both colors (!) This line has quite a long 'evolution' to it. So much has been tried - after 9.g5 black always automatically moved his N until 10…b4 was concluded best. Then on move 11 taking on f6 and every possible N move was tried. Now 11.Ne2 is 'it'. 12.Ng3 at once was in fashion for a while, but 12…Nf4! was too good. Different moves were tried for black's 15th and white's 16th, none is new, even 17.exd5 was played, but 17…Qxd5 I could not find and so I assume it is the first new move of the game. Anand's thinking for the first time in this game might also tell us that. I must say some were quite surprised at Vishy's choice of this entire line, since its reputation for white is not very high. Maybe he prepared for something else along the way and was surprised? Hard to believe… Kasparov continued to move very fast for just a bit longer, his 18…Qb5 was played at once, but then after 19.Bh3 it was time for reflection. He made one good choice after another. 21…f5! was the moment many, me included, agreed black was taking over. 22.gxf6 Nxf6 leaves white placed poorly, and with the text white was suffering too. Bologan thought that while 22…b3 wasn't a bad move, it might have been worthwhile not to show black's hand yet - Anand in the post mortem thought it was fine, but his 23.a3 was a poor response, but what else to do? 23.Kb1 looks scary to play as white! Next, 23…bxc2!? was another very serious option to 23…Rc8, still, black looked very good. Anand admitted to missing 24…Nf8! a strong maneuver that held the seemingly fragile black position intact. Black was better without doubt, and on move 29 Bologan preferred 29…Rd8 to Kasparov's committal 29…f4, since after that move, too many exchanges made white's defending task easier. Despite his inferior position, Anand had just enough resources to make the draw. So maybe black's obvious edge was not enough to win? There is no doubt that when the two publish their analysis, a lot more light will be shed on this game.

Click to replay Ivanchuk - Vallejo:

Ivanchuk - Vallejo:   The Paulsen Sicilian is clearly a part of Vallejo's repertoire and one could assume both players have expected and prepared for that for today. This is an amazingly flexible variation with many set-ups and possible move orders. 9…Re8 was a new move but part of a plan that is sometimes seen. I was a bit surprised to see 13.Rad1 by white, as often that rook lands on e1 with later attempts to support an e5 break. After black's reaction, white got e5 in anyway, maybe even under better circumstances, because Rad1 indirectly keeps an eye on the black d6 pawn. Instead of 13…Nh5?, black should have preferred 13…Qc7. Chuky built a nice position for himself, 16.Ng5! (threatening for example Nxh7 and Qxh5) started the action going, but who would have guessed it would take only 7 more moves to see the end? The combination of motifs that include Qh3, Bc3, along with the ever-looming Rxd7 or Nf6+ if given a chance, were a lot to handle. Perhaps 20…Qxc4 was more challenging, but with white obviously on top, the end came quickly: 21.Qh3! was a clincher and although 22…Nf5 23.g4 is still a fight, the result should not be in doubt. Paco managed to 'find a shortcut' to end the agony with 22…e5? 23.Qxd7. This is the Spaniard's worst loss yet. This second half of the event certainly started on the left foot for him.

Click to replay Adams - Shirov:

Adams - Shirov:   Shirov decided not to repeat his opening against Kasparov, possibly fearing home preparation, or maybe not being satisfied of something in his own analysis. It was again a Rossolimo, but this time with 3…e6 and not 3…g6. The opening was nothing new, the type that black plays when he wants to play aggressively. The big question is, can this piece structure be trusted? There seems to be some disharmony for now amongst the black army: A N on h4, a B on d6, a R on c8. The point is that if white goes all out too quickly, he might get caught, but with a player like Mickey, one sees the faults of the opening. 13.a4 was a new move and a good one. After 13…b4 that important square is no longer available for black, and white is simply attacking b5 twice. 13...Nxf3+ 14.Nxf3 Qb6 15.Be3 is out of the question, so Shirov chose 14…bxa4. But then white's superiority was unmistakeable. Black's plan of 15…Nb4 and 16…a5 made some progress on the queenside and gained some space, but white has nothing to attack. His monster Bc3 was untouchable. It was the a5 pawn, if anything, that needed constant babysitting. Adams himself said that 19…Bf4? was a bad move, making things worse - After 21.Qg4 black had an unpleasant junction to pass: If he moved his Bf4, then d5 will always loom and white's fluid center will prove too much. He went for the second option of taking e5, alas without joy. Lacking counterplay he had to sit and defend against white's developing initiative, a mission that is tough on any player and twice as much for a dynamic player like Alexey. White slowly improved his position, gaining space on the kingside and attacking the weak pawns there. The collapse was complete after 29.Bc5 Be2 where black had hoped to bail with an exchange for a pawn sac, missing the instant winner in 31.Rh3!. Mickey is back in business while Shirov is out of form and his bag of tricks is not working in this event.