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by Aviv Friedman
Kasparov - Ponomariov:
Kasparov - Ponomariov:
The main event of the day and of the tournament! Before the start of the game,
and for the first few minutes of it, it was almost impossible to see the
players with all the photographers (yours truly included) who were hovering
all over their table angling for photos. Kasparov was stern-looked as always,
and Pono looking quite serious himself. After all, this was the acid test
for both of them in these 2 and half weeks of chess. The opening did not start
well for the young Ukrainian. There were many guesses about which opening
would be seen today, some thought Kasparov would prepare something for the
QGA and play 1.d4, others predicted the Petroff. But as it turned out,
the Rubinstein French is what appeared on the board. Inexplicably, Ruslan
went for a line with a very suspicious reputation for black and as early as
move 9(!) ICC commentator Alexey Dreev, as well as other titled players
in the pressroom, opined that black is having some serious difficulties.
A few lines were looked at, including the game's 9…Bd6 10.Qg4, frowning
heavily at the black position. As the game progressed, pessimism is all
one could hear about from black's point of view. White correctly sacrificed
the center pawn for quick development. Compensation was never in question,
but Kasparov was consuming oodles of time. Always in total control, Gazza
played some fantastic chess. 20.Rh3! was very strong since black was facing
new threats all the time and couldn't complete his development or consolidate.
Kasparov's pieces were all over black - even the time trouble didn't faze
Gazza who in grand style (22.g4) continued to pound the black structure.
In his attempts to ease off some of the pressure, Pono had to advance e5 and b5,
which meant more operating room for white. 28.a4! signaled the beginning of
the end for black, who for better or worse, should have tried 28…Rf8 and an
eventual Kg8, although even then it is hard to believe there is a saving.
One can only try and imagine the pleasure of executing the finishing
touch of 38.Rxe6! forcing resignation. I can only tell you it was executed
flashingly. So once again Garry delivers! The old lion is still boss, the
young ones will have to wait just a little bit longer for the dethronement.
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