To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time anyone has dared to grab this hot potato. 12...e5 seems good enough for equality, but who cares about that when you're two points down, eh?
13.Ba3 Nd5 14.Qb1 Qf6 15.Bd3 h6 16.b5!
Clearing the fourth rank is essential if White wants to keep his initiative going.
16...Rd8 17.Bb2 Qe7 18.Ra4!
Heading for the kingside!
18...Nc5 19.Bh7+ Kh8
20.Rh4(?)
This move is extremely natural, as it threatens Rxh6, but Rg4 was probably better. For example 20.Rg4 e5 (20...f6 21.Nh4) 21.Bf5 f6 22.Nh4 with excellent compensation for the sacrificed pawn.
20...f6
20...Nf6? was bad due to 21.Bxf6 Qxf6 22.Rf4 Qe7 23.Ne5 and Black's kingside crumbles. For example 23...Rf8 24.Rxf7! with the tactical point 24...Rxf7 25.Ng6+ Kxh7 26.Nf8+ Kg8 27.Qh7+ Kxf8 28.Qh8 mate.
21.Rc4?!
Played after a long think. Although it's not obvious how White should proceed on the kingside, swinging the rook back to the queenside is like admitting you've basically chucked a pawn for a cheap threat and a giggle. Both Rh3 and Rg4, vacating h4 for the knight, looked like plausible alternatives.
21...Bd7 22.Ba3 b6
23.Be4
23.Nh4 Be8 24.Rfc1 Rac8 25.Ng6+ Bxg6 26.Bxg6 was probably preferable.
In mutual time-trouble, Kasparov decides to start throwing tactical zingers across the board.
29.R4c3
29.Rxc5? Rxc5 30.Rxc5 (30.Qxc5 Rc8) 30...Bc6 31.Bc2 Ra8 and Black wins material.
29...Rb4 30.Nd2 f5 31.Bf3
31...Na4?
Protecting the pawn with 31...Rc8 was the mature thing to do. Instead Kasparov decides to test his younger opponent's tactical skills. Unfortunately for Gazza, Kramnik is up to the task!
32.Rxc5!
"Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it, Garry!"
32...Rb2
The point was 32...Nxc5? 33.Qxb4 Rc8 34.Nb3 and White wins a piece.
33.Nc4
33...Qxc5 draw agreed.
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Related articles
The Kasparov - Kramnik index.
The Kasparov - Kramnik FAQ.
Einar Gausel
