What's New- Feb '00
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Kasparov cannot cope against the Anti-Sicilian systems and that is almost official. In the super strong tournament at Wijk aan Zee the world's best player faced the two English players in the tournament with the black pieces and twice he had a poor position. The game against Short featuring the Closed Sicilian is examined in 'What's Hot' and here I will focus on Michael Adams' performance. |
Adams stunned the watching public by playing the quiet line 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 c3 Nf6 4 Be2 and now Garry resisted the temptation of 4…Nxe4? which has led to quick wins by White on numerous occasions after 5 Qa4+ and instead opted for 5…Bd7. In this game Adams - Kasparov, the ploy by White of seeking steady development and slowly taking over the centre triumphs in impressive style. Of course, Kasparov is such a good player that he eventually wrangles a draw.
If you are thinking that there are not enough tactics available then step forward none other than Kasparov himself who has used the opening to devastating effect. I tracked down the obscure simultaneous game Kasparov - Krick where White predictably plays a superb, aggressive attack.
The example Hersvik - Krush allows the American female sensation to grab the attention. Irina Krush plays with great energy and when her opponent starts to wander the queen around the board he is crushed in just 22 moves.
Black tries the option of an early kingside fianchetto in Kindermann - Tatai, and White responds in an instructive manner by weakening Black's kingside with an unlikely looking h4.
An easy opening to learn and play and all the games are annotated. Please
keep the e-mails coming at the usual address, garylane@chesspublishing.com.