White: G.Kasparov
|
Black: Deeper Blue
|
| Today is judgement day for Kasparov. If he fails
to exploit the advantage of the white pieces then he is in serious danger
of losing or drawing the match. The big question is will he continue to
play anti-computer chess or will we at last see the real Kasparov. |
|
|
|
1.Nf3
Kasparov repeats his opening of Game One. He has used it at other crucial
points in his career, e.g. in the critical last round game against Karpov
in the 1986 World Championship when he needed to win to retain his World
Championship title. |
|
|
d5
The computer responds with the same space-gaining move which it adopted
in Game One. |
2.g3
This diverges from Game One which continued 2.b3. Kasparov decides
to fianchetto his king's bishop at once. |
|
|
Bg4
Black develops his bishop before setting up a light-square triangle
of pawns in the centre on d5, c6 and e6. Such a centre would seriously
impede the queen's bishop. |
3.Bg2
White develops his bishop and aims at the d5-pawn, which he will seek
to undermine with c2-c4 or e2-e4 at some stage. |
|
|
Nd7
This is a real battle between White's kingside pieces and Black's queenside
pieces. Classical precepts teach us to develop knights before bishops and
the kingside before the kingside, but the computer plays without any human
stereotype! The point is Kasparov has played a very slow cautious opening
so the rules of rapid development and quick castling are less important
than long-term planning. In this case Black's priority is to set up a solid
barrier against the bishop on g2. |
4.h3
This forces the bishop to declare its intentions. If it retreats to
h5, then it can be hounded with a subsequent g3-g4. However, such a course
of events would not necessarily be bad for Black since his position would
be bomb-proof and he would retain both bishops. Will the computer accept
the bait and capture on f3? |
|
|
Bxf3
It does! This capture seems premature at least. Black gives White a
free hand in the centre to prepare c2-c4 or e2-e4. It is well-known that
the two bishops are stronger than a knight and bishop especially if the
game becomes open. |
5.Bxf3
This is the natural recapture. The alternative 5.exf3 would give White
the option of attacking with f3-f4, consolidating his hold in the centre,
but would dislocate his pawns somewhat.
The exchange of the Black Bishop for the Knight on move 4 came as a
surprise as "the computer loves his Bishop" - Ashley. |
|
|
c6
Black strengthens the barricades on the light-squared diagonal. |
6.d3
White prepares to attack Black's centre with either c2-c4 or e2-e4. |
|
|
e6
This continues his strategy of fortifying the white squares in the
centre. |
7.e4
Kasparov decides to attack Black's centre at the first opportunity.
Seirawan, who often adopts such flank openings as White commented at
the Equitable Center: "I'm surprised by the early commitment, I believe
the move e2-e4 was premature" . |
|
|
Ne5
This is inconsistent with the computer's previous cautious strategy.
Development with 7..Ngf6 was more logical. |
8.Bg2
Kasparov retreats his bishop and clears the way for the space-gaining
f2-f4 advance. |
|
|
dxe4 |
9.Bxe4
"This is a surprise" - GM Neil McDonald. Perhaps 9.dxe4 when he has
a good position after 9...Qxd1+ 10.Kxd1 eg.10...0-0-0+ 11.Ke2 followed
by f2-f4. White would have the two bishops and more space in the centre. |
|
|
Nf6
Black gains more time through attacking the White bishop. |
10.Bg2
Clearly Kasparov won't allow the exchange of his beautiful bishop. |
|
|
Bb4+
This is a typical computer move. Or perhaps in view of the 'positional
sense' that the computer has displayed in the match so far, it is better
to describe as a non-human move. In the short term this seems a sensible
move since Black develops with gain of time through checking the White
king. The computer has calculated that after 11.c3 Nxd3+ 12 Ke2 Nxc1+ it
has safely won a pawn. However it does not see that in the long term White
can in fact exploit the exposed position of the bishop to build a centre
with c2-c3 and d3-d4. Therefore 10...Be7 is better. |
11.Nd2
This is the correct way to block the check since 11.Bd2 Bxd2+ allows
Black to exchange off his bishop without loss of time. After the game move
the response 11...Bxd2+ would of course leave White with two superior minor
pieces. |
|
|
h5?
"Garry can't even write the move down" - said Ashley commenting at the
Equitable Centre, as Garry looks in bewilderment and disbelief at Deep
Blue's move. Malcolm Pein, observing said: "Kasparov looked at Murray Campbell
(computer operator) inquisitively and smiled, then held his pen to the
page without writing for a few seconds as if to say ,'Are you sure?'"
It was a hilarious moment in the auditorium.
"This is a parallel of h4 in the previous game. The computer seems to
be programmed to attack on the side where its opponent is most likely to
castle."
The move is aggressive The computer wants to attack on the kingside
with ...h5-h4, but this plan seems out of place here. The simple 11...0-0
was better. |
12.Qe2
This plans to force the Black knight from the centre so that the advance
c2-c3 can be carried out without dropping the d3-pawn. |
|
|
Qc7
Black supports his knight, but now the queen no longer attacks the
d3-pawn and gaining space in the centre. |
13.c3
Malcolm Pein thought that this move and the following 14.d4 was premature
and could have been delayed to a more auspicious moment that would not
have allowed the computer to play the freeing move 15...e5 complicating
the position. |
|
|
Be7
The computer retreats in disgrace since White has been allowed to conquer
space in the centre. |
14.d4
Black's knight is now evicted from its central position. |
|
|
Ng6
The ...h5 move is now looking out of place since Black's pieces have
been driven from their apparently aggressive squares. |
15.h4
This puts a stop to the rash advance of the h-pawn. White now has a
small but definite positional superiority. |
|
|
e5
The computer aims to liquidate White's space advantage in the centre.
The problem with this is that as soon as the position becomes open the
White bishops will exert their power. The simple 15...0-0-0 seems safer. |
16.Nf3
This is better than 16.dxe5 when after 16...Nxe5 the Black knight returns
to the centre. Kasparov forces an exchange of centre pawns on his own terms. |
|
|
exd4
This is virtually forced since White is attacking the e5-pawn three
times. |
17.Nxd4
The White knight reaches an excellent central square from which it
can only be dislodged by the c5-advance which would seriously weaken Black
along the light-square diagonal pointing at the b7-square. Therefore this
central square is more or less an 'outpost' square which is an ideal situation
for the knight. |
|
|
0-0-0
Since Deep Blue has played ...h5 the queenside is a natural place for
his king. |
18.Bg5
Kasparov develops in standard fashion preparing to castle queenside. |
|
|
Ng4
Black tries to ease his game through exchanging pieces. The knight
is well-entrenched on g4 since White can only chase it away with f2-f3
which would weaken his kingside. It is interesting that all the centre
pawns have vanished: a state of affairs which should favour the calculating
machine. |
19.0-0-0
It would be risky to castle kingside e.g. 19.0-0 Bxg5 20.hxg5 Rde8
21.Qd3 Kb8 and Black's attack will get in first with ...h5-h4 - justifying
the computer's original ...h7-h5. |
|
|
Rhe8
The computer completes its development with the terrible threat of
...Bxg5+. Instead pawn-hunting with 19...Bxg5+ then 20.hxg5 Qa5 attacking
a2 and g5 would rebound after 21.Rxh5! Rxh5? 22.Qxg4+ Kb8 23.Qxh5.
|
20.Qc2
The queen sidesteps the danger and introduces the idea of Qf5+ attacking
f7. |
|
|
Kb8
The Black king retreats inside its protective pawn shell. |
21.Kb1
Kasparov responds with the identical safety-first move. |
|
|
Bxg5
This exchange exposes the h5-pawn to attack. What has the computer
seen? |
| 22.hxg5 |
|
|
N6e5
The knight returns to the centre. Deep Blue gambits the h5-pawn. Will
Kasparov take it? |
23.Rhe1
Kasparov resists the temptation since 23.Rxh5 allows Black to disrupt
White's position with 23...c5 eg. 24.Nb5 Qb6 and all White's pieces are
discoordinated. |
|
|
c5
Deep Blue makes this advance anyway. The White knight is now driven
from its excellent centre square. Kasparov now has a difficult choice:
where should it go? |
24.Nf3
A prudent retreat. If 24 Nb5 Qb6 leaves the knight out on a limb, whereas
after 24.Nb3 c4 25.Nd4 Nd3 26.Rxe8 Rxe8 27.Qa4 Re5 Black is doing well. |
|
|
Rxd1+ |
| 25.Rxd1 |
|
|
Nc4
The computer keeps the tension since White has a clear plus in the
quiet position which arises after 25...Nxf3 26 Bxf3 - a superior minor
piece and the better pawn structure. |
26.Qa4
Kasparov launches a double-attack on the rook and knight. Has the computer
missed something? |
|
|
Rd8
No! Black saves his piece since White is mated after 27.Rxd8+ Qxd8
28.Qxc4?? Qd1 mate. |
27.Re1
Kasparov therefore avoids the challenge of the rook on d8 and seizes
control of the e-file. |
|
|
Nb6
The knight is forced to retreat to a passive square. Kasparov must
now have the edge. |
| 28.Qc2 |
|
|
Qd6
This consolidates Black hold over the d-file. |
| 29.c4
Black's worst piece is his knight on b6. Therefore Kasparov restricts
it. The computer finds it difficult to understand the long term implication
of its bad knight on b6 |
|
|
Qg6
This looks like a bad positional mistake after which Black's kingside
pawns become severely weak. 29...g6 looks like a safe move, while Black
could also speculate within 29...Qd3 which however looks very good for
White eg. 30.Qxd3 Rxd3 31.Re8+ (31.Ne5 Nxe5 32.Rxe5 Rd1+ 33.Kc2 Rd2+ 34.Kxd2
Nxc4+ 35.Kd3 Nxe5+ 36.Ke4) 31...Kc7 32.Kc2 Rd7 33.b3 Nxf2 34.Ne5. |
30.Qxg6
Kasparov seizes his chance to inflict doubled pawns on his opponent. |
|
|
fxg6 |
31.b3
Black was attacking two pawns on f2 and c4. Indeed it must have been
this which persuaded Deep Blue to play 29...Qg6. But Kasparov defends his
c4-pawn and keeps the knight on b6 out of the game. He is willing to sacrifice
the f2-pawn. |
|
|
Nxf2
The computer of course accepts the offer. |
32.Re6
Kasparov sees that he can successfully infiltrate into Black's kingside
and quickly regain his pawn with the better position. |
|
|
Kc7
The computer tries to bring his king into the defence. |
33.Rxg6
Kasparov recaptures the pawn and must now have excellent chances since
both of Black's kingside pawns are weak and the knight on b6 is a long
way from helping them. |
|
|
Rd7 |
34.Nh4
The knight enters the fray with the threat of Nf5 winning the g-pawn.
The bishop on g2 has finally been unleashed. |
|
|
Nc8
The only defence since now 35.Nf5 can be answered by 35...Ne7! forcing
36.Nxe7 Rxe7 and the danger to the g-pawn is passed. |
35.Bd5
The bishop takes control of an outpost square in the centre, reducing
the d7-rook to passivity. |
|
|
Nd6
Finally the knight has returned to active play but it could be too
late. |
| 36.Re6 |
|
|
Nb5!
An excellent move giving good chances for active play. Black's knight
heads for the brilliant d4-square. But it can only be eliminated at the
cost of White's dominant bishop. |
37.cxb5
Kasparov decides that the price is worth paying. |
|
|
Rxd5
However, Black has now broken the bind in the centre. It is all a question
of whether it is possible to generate enough counterplay before the weak
g7-pawn drops. |
38.Rg6
Back again and this time the g-pawn is defenceless. |
|
|
Rd7
This only temporarily saves the pawn. |
39.Nf5
Now at last Kasparov wins his pawn. |
|
|
Ne4
This is the only chance, counterattacking against g3. |
40.Nxg7
The pawn has fallen and White now has the passed pawn. |
|
|
Rd1+
Black's only chance is to counterattack as 40...Nxg3 41.Ne6+ wins at
once after 41...Kb6 42.Nf8+ winning the exchange for White, while 41...Kc8
42.Rg8+ mates next move. |
| 41.Kc2 |
|
|
Rd2+ |
42.Kc1
The only way to try to win, sacrificing the a-pawn with the idea that
his g6-pawn will decide. |
|
|
Rxa2
The computer goes after White's queenside pawns, but everyone in the
audience and commentary room it looks like Garry's g pawn will win the
day. But the computer has seen further! |
| 43.Nxh5 |
|
|
Nd2
This looks quite strong for Black who had to focus attention on White's
king. |
| 44.Nf4
Kasparov may be in terrible trouble here. |
|
|
Nxb3+ |
45.Kb1
They game is becoming very critical. Will Black mate White or will
White defend and force his g-pawn through. The c-pawn could soon be a big
bone in White's throat. Will Kasparov's king escape the net? It is very
exciting! |
|
|
Rd2 |
| 46.Re6 |
|
|
c4 |
47.Re3
The position is dangerous because if there is a way to find a mate
the computer will find it - if there is a way to stop the g-pawn the computer
will find it and if there is no way to make progress, and if there is a
perpetual for Deep Blue it will find it! |
|
|
Kb6
As predicted by Chris Duncan at the London Chess Centre where excitement
is mounting. Hiarcs and Fritz are both showing a large advantage for their
big brother!
The idea of Kb6 is to mate Kasparov's king sitting precariously on b1. |
| 48.g6 |
|
|
Kxb5 |
| 49.g7 |
|
|
Kb4
Kasparov was apparently surprised by this move. Perhaps he believed
he was winning. After a good think a draw was agreed. The final analysis
shows that a draw was the correct result:
50.g8=Q Rd1+ 51.Kb2 Rd2+ with perpetual.
50.Re2 Rd1+ 51.kb2 c3+ 52.Kc2 Rc1+ 53.Kd3 Rd1+ 54.Kc2 Rc1+ with a draw.
(54...Rd8 is too risky because of 55.Re4).
50.Re1? Ka3 when Rb2 mate is unstoppable.
50.Nd3+ cxd3 51.g8=Q Rd1+ and Black settles for a perpetual.
After the game Kasparov said that 11...h5 was an interesting move played
by the computer. |
| ½ |
½ |
