Download PGN of June '08 1 d4 d5 games

QGD 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 [D53-55]

White has exchanged his bishop for the knight - it gives him better control of the center but may reduce his chances in a possible ending and in case the position becomes open.

Karpov - Kasparov: The system with early capture on f6 was a frequent guest in the battles between Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov - both players tried it with each colour. Here Black met opponent's rare choice with a concrete and interesting approach and comfortably solved the opening problems.

Karpov - Kasparov: Here Kasparov used the same straightforward approach but excellent technique and a pawn sacrifice was still required to hold balance.

Timman - Jussupow: Sometimes in the QGD White castles Q-side but he should not forget that his king might become a target, as indeed happened in this game.

Araslanov - Korneev: Here Black also managed to grab the initiative early in the opening and finished the game with a mating attack.

Piket - Sturua: This game proves once again that White should be very careful even in harmless looking positions - a few inaccuracies helped Black to grab the initiative and finish the game with a brilliant queen sacrifice:

18...Qxd7!!

Kasparov - Olafsson: Black chose a rare option here but still managed to achieve a playable position. However, White's pressure eventually told...

Kasparov - Short: A tricky attempt did not help Nigel Short solve Black's problems. Garry Kasparov showed super powerful play and eliminated his opponent in style.

Gelfand - Kramnik: White's attempt to bother Black on the K-side with an early g-pawn push brought him only a symbolic edge.

Kasparov - Karpov: This battle became crucial for the whole 1986 World Title match. After his brilliant victory in game 16 Garry Kasparov was leading with a score 9.5 to 6.5 but then he suffered a very unexpected and shocking series of 3 losses in a row... Yet, he managed to somehow restore his self-control by making a couple of draws and here committed a heavy blow - White's beautiful manoeuvres at the end of the game are reminiscent of a study. As to the opening, White kept a small advantage and managed to exploit his opponent's inaccurate play in time trouble.

Timman - Jussupow: Arthur Jussupow demonstrated a reliable way to solve Black's problems here in a line which was under some pressure since the just considered game Kasparov - Karpov/WCh (m/22) London/Leningrad 1986.

Ruslan

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