Game of the week
Babula, Vlastimil-Najer, Evgeny 16th European Individual Championship Jerusalem
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6(A) 5.Nf3 0–0 6.Be2 e5(B) 7.0–0 Nc6 8.d5 Ne7(C) 9.b4(D) a5 10.Ba3 b6 11.bxa5 Rxa5(E) 12.Bb4 Ra8 13.a4(F) Re8(G) 14.Qb3(H) c5 15.Ba3(I) Bh6 16.Bc1 Bxc1 17.Rfxc1(J) Rf8 18.Rcb1 Ra6(K) 19.Nd2 Ne8 20.Nb5 f5 21.f3 Nf6 22.Qc3 g5 23.Ra3 Ng6(L) 24.a5 bxa5 25.Rba1 Nf4 26.Bf1 fxe4 27.fxe4 Ng4(M) 28.Rxa5 Rxa5 29.Qxa5 Qf6(N) 30.Nf3(O) Ne3 31.Qc7 Nh3+ 32.Kh1(P) Nf2+ 33.Kg1 Nh3+ 34.Kh1 g4(Q) 35.Qxd6 gxf3 36.gxh3 Qg5! 37.h4 Qg2+(R) 0–1
A) The characteristic moves of the King’s Indian (KID) Defense. Black cedes broad central pawn occupation to his opponent, intending to counter-attack, especially on the King’s wing of the board. The two all-time greats, Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov, both enjoyed periods of time successfully employing the KID as Black. B) Called the Classical Variation. C) This is the Main Line, also called the Mar del Plata. Through straightforward play, White has achieved a clear space advantage. The center is blocked though, so both sides will soon be pushing pawns to open things up; White on the queenside, Black on the Kingside. D) A revitalized move from the 1970s. White wants to advance a protected pawn to c5. Black players invariably choose to cut this down immediately. E) 11...bxa5 12.c5. F) Clearly White’s wing expansion has outpaced Black’s so far. In this position, Azerbaijanian GM Teimour Radjabov, a successful present-time KID exponent, has achieved draws after playing 13...Ne8 and 13...Nh5. G) A somewhat mysterious move allowing ...Bf8 which could provide the d6 pawn with protection if needed. H) A relative novelty. Re1 and Qd3 have provided best results for White in high master practice. I) 15.dxc6 Nxc6 16.Rfd1 Nxb4 17.Qxb4 Bf8 is about equal. Note the use of Black’s Bishop, as mentioned before. J) Black’s previously hemmed-in Bishop is no longer a problem. K) The question now is whether White is stalled queenside while Black is able to start his counter-advance. L) Here comes Black’s desired kingside pawn storm backed by pieces. M) The invasion rolls along inexorably. N) White now owns the queenside, but there is nothing there. On the other hand, his opponent’s breakthrough on the other side is unstoppable. O) To get an idea of White’s plight, examine this line: 30.Qc7? Nh3+ 31.Kh1 (or 31.gxh3 Qf2+ 32.Kh1 Qxh2 mate) 31...Ngf2 mate. P) 32.gxh3 Qxf3 and White’s sad choices are to be mated on f1, g2, or to give up his queen. Q) 34...Ng4 might be better, but why quibble. R) Simple and stunning! 38.Bxg2 fxg2+ 39.Kg1 Rf1+ 40.Rxf1 gxf1Q+ is mate.