CHESS

Yevgeny Bareev, was Kramnik’s second during his successful World Title match with Kasparov in 2000 and he imparted some fascinating revelations about their opening strategy, in particular the Berlin Defence. Q: Did you discuss the methods of the fight vs. Kasparov? Bareev: It was pretty obvious: trading queens, playing boring chess. Is there any other way to beat Kasparov? Q: How about the choice of the openings? Bareev: Kramnik prepared a few openings for the match- it is not a secret that Kasparov does not play well at the start of events- which means that one should draw a few games with Black. That is why Kramnik tossed out this dubious Berlin system (1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 Nf6). What was the result of it? In the first game, Kasparov obtained a better game, whereas in the third encounter his position was almost winning. But it turned out that he was unable to win! We directed all our energy on how not to lose this position by force. We were occupied with this nonsense throughout the middle stage of the match. Q: What was the team’s contribution in Kramnik’s victory? Bareev: We supported him psychologically. We analyzed this ugly Berlin variation - we developed this system in the course of the match, because it was not analyzed in detail. When it turned out that inferior positions could be held, we started working on this variation. Q: The commentators said that these positions which you evaluate as better for White, were of a certain type... Bareev: Right. In such positions, White has a big or almost decisive advantage, but there is no forced win in three to five moves. In these positions, one should think everything over, wait, and gradually build up the pressure... Playing such a position on the black side against Karpov, Anand, Leko is extremely dangerous. It is equivalent to committing suicide. Certainly we supposed that Kasparov did not feel very confident in such positions. Q: So those who talk about Kramnik’s excellent opening preparation are deluded? Bareev: Are you kidding? Every time Kramnik returned after his Black game,

ANDY CAPP

he used to take off his necktie, and say: “How can I fall in such positions?.” Since then the Berlin has become very popular at the highest levels and is an extremely tough nut to crack. However, at the 2014 Steinitz GM event in Cape town Watu Kobese scored a resounding victory against it with a neat tactic… IM Kobese, W - IM Emojong, E (Uganda) Steinitz GM ournament, Cape Town 2014 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.0–0 Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Rd1+ Ke8 10.Nc3 Ne7 11.h3 Ng6 12.b3 a5 13.Bb2 h5 14.Nd4 Nh4? (14…Be7 would still yield an acceptable level of discomfit.) SEE DIAGRAM 15.Ndb5! (This surprising shot wins on the spot)…cxb5 16.Nxb5 Bc5 (16…Rb8 17 Nxc7+ Ke7 18 Ba3# is the cute point) 17.Nxc7+ Ke7 18.Nxa8 Rh6 19.Bd4 Rc6 20.Bxc5+ Rxc5 21.Nb6 Be6 22.c4 Rxe5 23.Nd5+ Kf8 24.Nf4 Bf5 25.Re1 Rc5 26.Rad1 g6 27.Rd4 Bc8 28.Nd3 1-0 It is ... impossible to keep one’s excellence in a little glass casket, like a jewel, to take it out whenever wanted. On the contrary, it can only be conserved by continuous and good practice. - Adolph Anderssen