All the 
best 
in chess.
(TM)

Home
UP (One level) 

  GM E. Bareev (2724) - GM I. Smirin (2685)  
 [E97] 
  FIDE Grand Prix (GP)  
Moscow, RUS;  (5.1) / 05,06,2002.  

  [A.J. Goldsby I]  

(Tactics School; Game # 2.) 
Some people will remark that this is only a rapid contest ... and therefore not worthy of study. 

To this I only say, one player is 2700+, the other is nearly that. These players could sit down and play a 5-minute game, and I would want to look at it. 
Study this game VERY carefully and see if you cannot learn something from this very exciting slug-fest. 

The critical part of the game features a sacrifice followed by a Pawn promotion, followed by a King Hunt!  

Chernev often used to comment that Capa made small (petite) combinations.  

Look for the "petite combinations" sprinkled throughout this game. 
(Labeled "P.C. # 1, P.C. # 2," etc.)  

  **********************************************************************************  

 1.d4 Nf6;  2.c4 g6;  
We start off as a King's Indian.  

We continue by marching straight down a standard book line.  
 3.Nc3 Bg7;  4.e4 d6;  5.Be2 0-0;  6.Nf3 e5;  7.0-0 Nc6;  8.d5,   
The main line, and it is also a major decision by White.  

White stakes out a huge advantage in space, basically owning the territory in the center and also establishing a very large advantage on the Queen-side as well. GM Andy Soltis, [ In his classic book: "Pawn Structure Chess."]; states that - in such positions - White's organic play is the Q-side. Black will have to look at the King-side for his counter-play in this structure. (White prepares the lever c4-c5, while Black must try to get in the Pawn advance of ...f7-f5.) 

     [ Playable is:  8.Be3!?,  but it is not real popular at the GM level.   

       Also good for White is the Exchange Variation with:  
       8.dxe5 Nxe5;  9.Nxe5 dxe5; "~"  but this too is not popular   
       at the GM level. (Too drawish.) ]  

 8...Ne7;   
This is the line known as: "The Mar del Plata Variation."  
It also could be named after Bobby Fischer, because he almost single handedly popularized
this set-up for Black. (Which many other Masters - of that day - openly laughed at.) 

     [ Bad is: </= 8...Nb8?!;  (Just a simple loss of tempo.)  

       Not  </=  8...Na5??; 9.b4, "+/-"  and White wins a piece. ]  

 9.b4,   
An old book of mine called this: "The Spike Variation."  

The correct/modern name is: "The Bayonet Variation," which is how MCO refers to this line.  

This move has virtually replaced the older tries of Nd2 and Ne1 here as the main line at the GM-level. 

It is also the ultimate in chess logic. 
White says: "If my play is on the Q-side, let's get it rolling as soon as possible ... and Nimzovich's theories on Pawn Play be hanged!"  

     [ For the moves: 9.Nd2,  (heading for the Q-side); 

        or even the move: 9.Ne1,  (staying flexible and also allowing White to 
        play an early f3); 

        ... see any good opening reference books like MCO, NCO, or even   
        the 5-volume set: "The Encyclopedia of Chess Openings." ]   

 9...a5; ('!')  
To me, this is the correct response. Black takes advantage of the un-protected state of White's Rook on a1. (a3?, axb4; axb4??, and now ...Rxa1; winning.)  

In many books, this move is relegated to a minor foot-note. 
(Perhaps because the initial results with this variation were very poor.)  

Almost all of my books consider ...Nh5; to be the main line here. 

     [ For the move:  9...Nh5!?;  see game # 1 of my "Tactics School."   
       [MCO apparently considers this the main line, as do many other   
        books here. See {also} MCO-14; page # 588, columns 7-12.] ]   

 10.Ba3,   
Again this is pretty much the main line here ... although the move looks a little odd at first.  
(Almost like a beginner's move!) 

In actuality, the move is quite good. Because Black's center-pawns all rest on dark squares, the Bishop has few clear diagonals. Here it points at the very critical c5-square. (White also threatens an immediate Q-side pawn thrust.)  

     [ Not as effective is:  10.bxa5!? c5!;  11.Nd2,  {D?}   
       The correct response, this Knight is most often needed on the  
        opposite side of the board to support White's play in that sector.  

             ( Totally lame (for White) is:  11.dxc6!? bxc6!;  12.Bg5 Rxa5; "="  
                when Black is already equal. {A.J.G.} )  

       11...Qxa5!?;  12.Qc2 Ne8;  13.Nb3 Qd8;  14.a4 b6;  15.Bd2 f5;   
        Black gets in his critical ... 'pawn-to-f5' break.  

       16.f3 Kh8;  17.Rfb1 fxe4!?;  18.fxe4, "~"  {Diagram?}   
        The position is unbalanced, but offers approximately equal chances.   
         (MCO awards the evaluation of "=".)  

        D. Shapiro - J. Federowicz; Mineola, 1997.  

       [ See MCO-14; page # 590, column # 18, and also note # (q.). ] ]  

 10...b6!;   
To me this is the best, as it prevents the aforementioned pawn advance of c4 to c5 by White. 

Black's play in the King's Indian Defense is often a mix of getting your own play in in the King-side, but often you must make things as difficult for White as well. (Many masters have said that it is just as important to stop your opponent's plans - as much as possible, as to realize your own plans and counter-play.) 

     [ One of the main lines here is:   
        10...axb4;  11.Bxb4 Nd7;  
        This seems like the most logical. Black inhibits c4-c5, and also prepares  
        his own break as well.   

   ************************   

            ( MCO give the continuation of:  11...b6!?;  12.a4 Ne8!?; (Maybe - '!')   
              This protects the c7-square, (often a very sensitive spot); and keeps   
               the diagonal of Black's QB open.   

                    ( Maybe 12...Nd7!? )    

              13.Qb3 Rb8; 14.Nb5 f5;  15.a5 fxe4!?;  16.Nd2 bxa5;   17.Bxa5 Nf5;   
               The end of the column.   

              18.Nxe4 Bd7;  19.Qd1 Bxb5;  20.cxb5 Nd4;  21.Rb1 Nf6; "="  {Diag?}    
               The position is fairly equal.   

               GM I. Sokolov - GM S. Kindermann; / Nussloch, 1996.   

              [ See MCO-14; page # 590, column # 18, & also note # (u.). ]  )   

   ************************   

       12.a4 Bh6!?;  13.a5 f5;  "~"   {Diagram?}    
        when Black has good play ... in an extremely unbalanced type of position.  

       This position has actually happened in Master-level practice more than 100   
        times. The first was in a game of Bronstein's during the 1950's.  

        Bacrot once beat Polgar from this position, from the number of wins in this   
        line - I would say it is easier to play White than Black here.   

        V. Topalov - R. Kasimdzhanov; Hoogovens, 1999.   
        (Black won in under 25 moves.)  

       One of the latest examples of this line is the contest:  
       I. Jelen - R. Enjuto; (FIDE tt) {men's} Olympiad / Bled, SLO; 2002.  
       (1-0, 26 moves.)  {White won quickly.} ]   

 11.bxa5!?,    
White immediately wants to open lines in this position. (But I am not sure this is best.)   

          [ A big mistake is:  11.c5? axb4!;  12.cxd6,   
            This is probably forced.  

                  ( 12.Bxb4?? bxc5; "-/+"  P.C. # 1. (White's Bishop is trapped.) )   

             12...bxa3; 13.dxe7 Qxe7;  "=/+"  Black is clearly better here.   
              P.C. # 2.   

               *******************************************************    

                  Maybe   11.Rb1!?,   is OK for White?  

               *******************************************************    

            Another idea here is:  11.Nd2!?,  headed for b3.   
            (This move also frees the f-pawn to protect the base of the pawn chain with f2-f3.   
             Both ideas are often necessary for White in the King's Indian Defense.) ]   

 11...Nh5!;   
Black takes advantage of the fact that White's QB is on a slightly awkward square.   

     [ I have played the Black side of this position many times in games, 
       especially Blitz games on the Internet.  

       After: 11...Rxa5!?;  12.Bb4 Ra8;  13.a4,  "+/="  
       White immediately begins to open lines on the Q-side.  

       GM V. Ivanchuk - GM Y. Jiangchuan; / FIDE World Champ. (k.o.) 2001. 
       (See also Game # 4 of my Tactical School as well.)  

   *******************************************************************   

       Probably inaccurate is:  </=  11...bxa5!?;  12.Rb1, "+/="   {D?}   
       White has a spatial advantage, and is ready to play c4-c5. ]   

 12.Re1,   
With this move, White gets to keep his light-squared Bishop.  
(But is it a little slow?)  

     [ Possible was: 12.g3!?,  "~"  {Diagram?}  
       which keeps the Black Knight out of f4, but slightly weakens the light-square   
       complex around the White King. (Can Black take advantage of this?)  

  *******  

       Of course terrible is: 12.axb6? Rxa3;  "/+"  and White has dropped a piece.  
        (P.C. # 3.)   

  *******  

       Seemingly an improvement over the game was:   
       (">/=")  12.Bb4 bxa5;  13.Ba3 Nf4!?;   ( Possibly 13...f5!? )   
       14.Rb1,  Seemingly the most logical.   

            ( Also good was:  14.c5!?; "~"  with a sharp position.   

               R. Janssen - F, Nijboer; / NED Champ.-qualifier.   
               Rotterdam/NED/2000. (0-1, 40 moves.) )   

       14...h6!?;  Guarding against a possible Knight intrusion.   

            ( Maybe 14...f5!?;  "~"  but then White could think about sinking   
               a Knight into the e6-square. )   

       15.Nd2! Nxe2+; 16.Qxe2 f5;  17.Nb5,  "+/="  {Diagram?}   
       White has a small edge, and can think about the strong pawn lever c4-c5,   
       with just a little more preparation. (Maybe doubling on the c-file.) ]  

 12...f5!;    
Black's thematic pawn lever, which he needs to achieve - in order to get any decent measure of counterplay.  

     [ The move 12...Rxa5!?;  will likely transpose into a note examined above. ]  

 13.Nd2,   
White finally decides on this move, to transfer the ¤ to the Queen-side here.  

     [ 13.Ng5!? Nf4; "~" ]    

 13...Nf6!?;   (Maybe - '!')   
Black decides to keep some material on the board. (The other major choice here was to sink the Knight into the outpost-square at f4.)   

     [ I like the move: 13...Nf4!?= ;
with a good game for Black. ] .
Now if White dawdles, Black 
can prepare a King-side assault
with moves like: ... g5; ...Ng6; etc. 
Therefore White decides to clarify
the position on the Q-side. 
14.Bb4!? , (TN) {Diagram?} 
Apparently ... by consulting several 
on-line databases ... I determined 
that this must be a new move to 
opening theory. (When this game was
first played.) 

[ Previously seen was: 
14.Nb5 Bd7 ; 15.Bb2 Rxa5= ; 
The position is equal ... and was 
quickly drawn. 
.
GM J. Lautier (2658) 
- B. Socko (2554)
European Champ./Ohrid/2001 
(½-½, 20) ] .
.
14...c5!? ; (Maybe - '!') {D?} 
Black explodes in the center. 
(He also gains some space.) 

[ Black could also play:
14...bxa5 ; 15.Ba3 Rb8÷ , {D?} 
resulting in a position which offers 
level chances, but no more. ] .
15.dxc6 Nxc6 ; 16.Ba3 bxa5 ;
This is much better than taking
with the Rook, which leaves the
second player with a very weak 
Pawn in the half-open b-file.
(And the backward d-pawn as
well.)
.
Black has come up with an ingenious
way to neutralize White's QB on the
a3-f8 diagonal ... he will sink his N
into b4 ... maybe even at the cost 
of a pawn.
[ Black could also try:
16...Nd4!?÷ ; {Diagram?} 
with a fascinating position that 
seems to offer approximately 
equal chances. 
.
(This might be Black's best bet
in this position.) ; 
.
<16...Rxa5?! ; 17.Nb5²] .
Now after White's next move -
according to several database 
searches - we are in in new and
unexplored territory.
(Even similar positions are eliminated.)
17.Nb5 Nb4 ; 18.Nb3 Ra6 ;
A nice lateral protection of 
the d6-square.
[ A mistake is:
18...Nxe4? ; 19.Bxb4 axb4 ;
20.Qd5+ , ("+/-") {D?} 
and the Queen forks K & R. ] .
19.exf5 ; ('?!') {Diag?} 
This looks OK for White, even 
better for the first player, especially
if Black captures 'routinely.' 
.
(I am sure the GM was thinking 
along the lines of: "Soften up 
the light squares, then BAM! 
Hit him with c5!")
[ I am almost certain that the 
following continuation would 
have been much better than 
the game: 

¹19.c5! dxc5 ; {Diagram?} 

This looks forced.
( <19...Nxe4?! ; 20.Nxd6± ,
P.C. # 4. ) .
20.Nxc5!? , {Diagram?} 
This looks good, as does the
capture on d8.
( Maybe the move: 20.Qxd8!?² ;
was playable as well. ) .
20...Rb6!? ; 21.Bc4+!? Kh8 ;
22.Qxd8 Rxd8 ; 23.Rad1!² , {D?} 
White maintains a clear edge 
in this position. (Maybe - "±") ] .
19...Bxf5! ; {Diagram?} 
Normally Black almost always 
captures on f5 with a pawn. 
Here the Bishop is correct, as 
the open f-file grants Black 
a fair amount of play.
.
Additionally Black now has the 
threat of ...Nc2.

[ If 19...gxf5 ; then 20.Bb2² ,
and White has a small but stable 
advantage here. ] .
Now comes a long combination that
seems to work out better for Black.
20.c5 Nc2 ; 21.g4!? ; ('?!') {Diag?} 

This might be slightly desperate.
(And weakens the King-side 
as well.)

[ Probably saner was: 
21.cxd6 Nxa3 ; 22.Nxa3 Rxd6³ ;
Black is a shade better ... but 
it is hard to see White losing 
this position. ; 
.
*****************************************
Another possibility was: 
21.Nxd6!? Rxd6 ; 22.cxd6÷ ,
with more complications. ; 
.
****************************************
White could also try to be sneaky, 
but it could backfire on him. 
For example: 
21.N5d4 exd4 ; 22.Bxa6 Ng4 ; 
23.Bc4+ d5 ; 24.Be2 Nxf2!! ; 
A ... "shot in the dark," as we used 
to say at the Pensacola Chess Club. 
(When we met at the PJC Cafeteria, 
circa the early 1970's.) 
.
25.Kxf2!? , (hmmm) {Diagram?} 

This is not attractive ... but maybe 
nothing is any good for White at 
this point in this contest.
( 25.Qd2 a4! ; 'µµ' or "-/+" ) .
25...Qh4+! ; 26.Kg1 Be5 ; {D?} 
A natural consequence of Black's 
last move. (But still good.) 
.
27.Bf3!? , (ack) {Diagram?} 
Almost unbelieveably ... this move 
is forced.
( Not 27.g3? , which seems to (almost) block 
out the Bishop ... 
but then comes the rather obvious 
move of: ... 27...Bxg3 ; "-/+" {Diag?} 
and the box says that Black should 
deliver a mate in five or six moves. ) .
27...Qxh2+ ; 28.Kf1 Bh3 ; ('!') {D?} 
Black's attack is extremely strong ... 
and should probably win the game 
in less than 10 moves from here. ] .
.

Now Black makes White walk 
into a nasty little pin.

21...Nxg4! ; 22.Bxg4 , {Diagram?} 
This may not look all that hot, 
but ... ... ... 
[ The continuation of: 
22.Nxd6!? Qg5 ; 23.Qd5+ Kh8 ;
24.Qg2 Rxd6! ; 25.cxd6 Nxa3! ; 
clearly favors Black. ('µ' or "-/+") ] .
22...Qg5!? ; {Diagram?} 
This is good and simple ... 
and leads to a clear advantage
for the second player. 
[ But even better was: 
¹22...Nxe1!! ; {Diagram?} 
A sneaky in-between move.
23.Bxf5 , {Diagram?} 
This is nearly forced.
a) . The other main alternative 
here was the try: 
23.Qd5+ Kh8 ; {Diag?} 
Black is forced into the corner, 
but does not complain.
24.Bxf5 Qg5+! ; 25.Kh1 , {D?} 
This is forced.

(a) 25.Kf1? Qxf5-+) .
25...Rxf5 ; 26.Nxd6 Rxd6! ;
27.cxd6 Rxf2 ; 28.Rxe1 , {D?} 
Once again, White plays 
virtually the only move.
.

(a) Obviously not: 
28.d7?? Rf1#; a) .
Or White could try: 
28.Qa8+ Bf8 ; 29.Rxe1 Qh4-+) .
.
28...Qh4 ; 29.Qa8+ Bf8-+ ; 
{Diagram?} 
and in order to prevent mate, 
White must give up his Queen. ; 

b) . <23.Qxe1? Bxg4-+; .
(Returning now to the main 
analysis line.) 
23...Qg5+! ; 24.Kf1 , {D?} 

This appears to be forced.
( 24.Qg4? Rxf5! ; {Diagram?} 
This is P.C. # 5.
25.Qxg5 Rxg5+ ; 26.Kf1 Nf3-+ ;
and Black is winning. ) .
24...Qxf5! ; {Diagram?} 
This is probably the very best 
move in this position for Black.
( 24...Qg2+!?³) .
25.Qxe1 , {Diagram?} 

This is also forced.
( 25.Kxe1?? Qxf2#) .
25...Qh3+ ; 26.Ke2 , {D?} 
Ugly, but forced.
( 26.Kg1? Rf4-+) .
26...e4 ; 27.Rd1!? Qf3+ ;
28.Kf1 e3-+ ; {Diagram?} 
Black has a winning attack. 
(But to calculate all this in 
a rapid game may not have
really been feasible!) ] .
The next few moves all seem forced.
23.h3 Nxe1 ; 24.Qd5+ Kh8 ;
25.Rxe1 Bxg4!? ; {Diagram?} 
Maybe ...a4! was an improvement?
(I leave this one for you to look at.)
[ But Black should NOT play:
25...h5? ; 26.Bc1!± , {D?} 
and White is clearly better. 
(This is P.C. # 6.) ] .
Play still looks fairly forced, at least
for the next couple of moves.
26.hxg4 Qxg4+ ;
27.Qg2 Qa4! ; {Diagram?} 
Tactics, tactics, and more tactics.
Black uses a fork to gain even 
more material, but had to have 
been at least slightly concerned 
with the free roaming White Q.
[ Black would have had at least 
a tiny advantage after the simple, 
but very effective continuation of:

27...Qxg2+ ; 28.Kxg2 a4 ;
29.Nd2!? dxc5 ; {Diagram?} 
A student ... who was analyzing this 
game for me on a very powerful
"SUN" computer with multi-
processors ... and CM 9000 ... 
said this was best or forced. But I 
am not so sure. 
( ¹29...d5! ; 30.Nf3!? Raf6!÷) .
30.Bxc5 Rc8³ ; {Diagram?} 

with 2 safe Pawns and a Rook 
for Two Knights. ]  

 28.Qb7,   {See the diagram just below.}  
Seemingly the best move, and the most logical, White insures his most powerful piece will have a maximum mobility potential.

KEY POSITION Number ONE (# 1.)   

  5r1k/1Q4bp/r2p2p1/pNP1p3/q7/BN6/P4P2/4R1K1 b  

[ 28.Qf1?! d5; "/+" ] 

Black to move, what do you play?
 28...d5!?;  (Maybe - '!!')  

  5r1k/1Q4bp/r5p1/pNPpp3/q7/BN6/P4P2/4R1K1 w  

A truly amazing idea, and one of the main reasons I decided to include this game in my new tactical school. If White takes the free Rook on a6, Black may mount a winning assault on the unprotected White Monarch. 

[ Also good was: 28...Qh4!?³ ; {D?} 
with a slight advantage to Black. ] .
29.c6 , {Diagram?} 
Practically the only move for 
White ... according to several 
strong computer programs.
[ The Rook on a6 was untouchable:
<29.Qxa6?! Qg4+ ; 30.Kf1 Qf3 ;
31.Kg1 , {Diagram?} 
This looks forced.
( 31.Re2?? Qh1# ; {Diag?} 
This is P.C. # 6. ) .
31...Qxf2+ ; 32.Kh1 Qxe1+ ;
("-/+") {Diagram?} 
and Black mates in just a few
more moves, but I leave it to 
you to work it out. ; 
.
Just plain bad was: 
29.Qxd5?? Qxb5-+; 
.
Also unattractive for White 
was the line: 
29.Qd7?! Raf6!µ ; {Diag?} 

when Black is clearly better. ] 

 29...Qg4+;  30.Kf1[],  
This is forced.

KEY POSITION Number TWO (#2.) 

  5r1k/1Q4bp/r1P3p1/pN1pp3/6q1/BN6/P4P2/4RK2 b  

[ 30.Kh1?? Qh4+ ; ("-/+") {D?} 
and Black will mate White. ] .
Black to play ... what is the best 
move for him?
30...Raa8!? ; {Diagram?} 
A nice looking move, but maybe 
not the best. 
[ A much better continuation 
would be: 
¹30...Qh3+! ; 31.Kg1T Rf5!!³   

  7k/1Q4bp/r1P3p1/pN1ppr2/8/BN5q/P4P2/4R1K1 w  

Black might have a winning attack.
(Work it out!! I spent several days 
working on the variations on a 
small, magnetic set. I leave some
work to do here for the aspiring 
student of tactics.) ] .
.
Now White must have felt he 
was winning, as he regains a
great deal of his lost material.
31.Bxf8 Rxf8 ; 32.Nd2!?  

  5r1k/1Q4bp/2P3p1/pN1pp3/6q1/8/P2N1P2/4RK2 b  

White tries to organize a defence.
(But this may not be the very best way of accomplishing that goal.)   

A POSITION TO NOTE:
The evaluation of this position is 
as follows: White has a small material
plus. (A Knight over 2 Pawns.) But 
the first player has great difficulty 
in organizing his pieces. Additionally, 
his King is under constant threats.
[ . Maybe better than the game 
was: ¹32.Qb6 d4³ ; {Diag?} 


and the computer prefers
Black. (Fritz 7.0) But I think 
the position is closer to 
being labeled as unclear. ] .
32...e4! ; {Diagram?} 
Black already has a draw by 
perpetual check, but he obviously
wants more from this position.
.
Another very critical position has 
arisen. But how is White to try 
and defend here?   

  5r1k/1Q4bp/2P3p1/pN1p4/4p1q1/8/P2N1P2/4RK2 w  

[ Black obviously could very quickly
force a draw in this position. 
32...Qh3+ ; 33.Ke2 Qg4+ ;
34.Kf1 Qh3+ ; ("=") etc. ; 
.
Another idea here is: 
=32...Qh4! ; 33.Qb6 Bh6÷ ,
(Maybe - "³") {Diagram?} 
.

when it is not clear how (or if)
White can (or should) defend 
his Knight on d2. ] .
I wonder if time played a key 
factor from this point in the game, 
as now, the level of play - which 
previously had been of an extremely 
high standard - begins to break
down somewhat. 
33.Qd7?;  

  5r1k/3Q2bp/2P3p1/pN1p4/4p1q1/8/P2N1P2/4RK2 b  

Apparently this is an error.
.
While not a key position, (for me);
it is certainly a fun one to set up
and let lower-rated students try
to analyze. 
[ White's only move may have 
been: ¹33.Qb6!?÷ , {Diag?} 
when Black can always bail
out with a draw, beginning 
with ...Qh3+. ; 
.
********************************** 
¹33.Qe7!? Qf5 ; 34.Re2 d4÷] .
Black to play, what move
do you make here?
33...Qh4! ; {Diagram?} 
Easily the best move, amongst
a few interesting tries.
[ 33...Qf4!?; 
33...Qg3!?] .
34.Ke2T , {Diagram?} 
This is virtually forced.
[ 34.Re2?? Qh1#; 
.
34.Qa7? d4 ; 35.f3 exf3-+ ]  

 34...Qh5+;  35.f3,   
This appears forced.   

     [ </= 35.Kf1? Qh2;  "-/+"   
       White is curiously unable to defend the f2-square.   

                                  ************************     

        Unacceptable is:  
        </=  35.Ke3? Bh6+;  36.Kd4 Bxd2;  37.Ra1 Qe2;  ("-/+")  
        with an easy win for Black. ]   

 35...exf3+?;  
Very surprisingly, Black misses a fairly simple win here. (This is rather common in games with super-accelerated time controls.)  

     [ Black wins easily after:  >/=  35...Rxf3!;  36.Kd1,    
       The computer says this is forced. (But I doubt many humans would play it.)  

             (  #A.)   Not to be recommended was:  </=  36.Nxf3? Qxf3+;  37.Kd2 Bh6+;  
                           38.Kc2 Qd3+;  39.Kb2 Qxb5+;  40.Kc3 Qd3+;  41.Kb2 Bf8!;  "-/+"  
                           and Black has a winning attack.   

                                ( For example:  41...Bf8!;  42.Qc8!? Qd2+;  43.Kb1,   
                                  This is ugly ... but absolutely forced.   

                                       (Of course not: 43.Kb3?? a4+!;  44.Kxa4 Qb4#.)    

                                  43...Qxe1+;  44.Kb2 Qb4+;  45.Kc1 e3;  ("-/+")    
                                  and Black should win easily. )   

               #B.)   But not: </=  36.Qd8+?? Rf8+;  and White loses the Queen for nothing.  )  

       (Returning to the {main} analysis line.)   
       36...Rf7+;  37.Kc2 Rxd7;  38.cxd7 Qh4;  "-/+"   
       and Black should win without too many problems.     

                              ****************************************************************     

       Maybe (also) a very good line for Black was:  35...e3;  36.Kxe3,  This is forced.   

            ( Not 36.Nb3?? Qxf3+;  ("-/+")  and Black quickly mates.   

              Also no good for White would be:  
              36.Rf1 exd2;  37.Qe6 Qh2+;  38.Kd1 Qg2;  "-/+" )    

       36...Qe5+;  37.Kf2 Qh2+;  38.Kf1[] Qxd2;  ("-/+")    and Black has an easy win. ]  

 36.Kd3 g5!?;    
This is extremely interesting, but may not be the most accurate move in this particular position. 

     [ An improvement was:  >/=  36...f2!;  37.Rf1 Bh6;  "=/+"  and Black is a little better. ]   

 37.Qxd5!?,   
While it looked attractive to snatch a pawn, it may not have been best.   

     [ I would have preferred more King safety with:  
         (>/=) 37.Kc2!, "~"  (Maybe - "=/+")  and White is a little better.   
         (Confirmed by extensive analysis with ChessMaster 8000, Fritz,   
          Nimzo 8.0, and Junior 6.0.) ]  

 37...f2;  
Black keeps White's attention by advancing his pawn.  

     [ Interesting was:  (>/=) 37...Qg6+!?;  with more complications. ]  

Now most programs indicate that White is at AT LEAST a little better.   
 38.Rf1 Qg6+;  39.Ne4,   
This looks good, and also Ke3 was worth a try.  

     [ Interesting was:  39.Ke3!?,  "+/="   

    *******************************************************************  

       But definitely NOT:  39.Qe4?? Rd8+;  40.Ke3,  {Diag?}    
       This is forced.   

       ( 40.Ke2?? Rxd2+; 41.Ke3 Re2+;  ("-/+")    
          is winning easily for Black. )     

       40...Re8;  "/+"  and White loses his Queen. ]   

The next few moves are nearly all forced and/or best.  
 39...g4;   
Black shoves his passers ... but White has one too! 

The next few moves appear pretty much best/forced.   
 40.Nbd6 g3;  41.c7 g2;  42.Rxf2 g1Q;  43.Rxf8+ Bxf8;  
Black has an extra Queen.  

KEY POSITION - Number THREE (# 3.) 

Black has an extra Queen, but White now wants his own pair of heavies, (which he soon gets); but positions with this kind of material on the board is rare in master chess. 

In such positions, there are very few useful general considerations. Most of the time, exact calculations are the only way to find the best move.  

White to move ... What is the best move here? 
 44.c8Q?,  (Maybe - '??')   
White - understandably - was in a big hurry to promote.  

But with one move, White virtually throws away the win. 

One can only assume that Bareev must have been in pretty bad time pressure to play such a move.  

     [ Better was:   >/= 44.Qe5+ Kg8[];   The only move.  

            (But not  </= 44...Bg7??;  45.c8(Q)+,  and Black    
             is mated on the very next move here.)   

       45.c8Q,  '±'   when White may be winning. (Maybe "+/-") ]   

 44...Qd1+;   45.Kc4 Qa4+;  46.Kc5??;   
And now White throws away the draw as well.  

     [ >/= 46.Kc3 Qg7+; 47.Kd2 Qb4+; 48.Kd3,  This looks forced.  

            (</= 48.Qc3?? Qgxc3+; 49.Nxc3 Qxd6; "/+")   

       48...Qb1+;  49.Qc2 Qf1+;  50.Qe2 Qb1+;  51.Qc2 Qf1+;  "="  
      with a draw by perpetual check. ]   

 46...Qg1+;  {Diagram?}   White Resigns.   

     [ 46...Qg1+;  47.Nf2[] Qxf2+;  48.Qd4+[] Qfxd4#. ]   

A game of staggering complexity, maybe one of the most difficult games to analyze correctly - at least of the ones I have tried to look at. 
(There is more tactical content here than in 20 regular games.) 

  *******************************************************************************************************  

  Copyright (c) A.J. Goldsby I.  Copyright (c) A.J.G; 2003.  Copyright (c) 2003-2005.  
  Copyright (c) A.J. Goldsby, 2006. All rights reserved.  

  0 - 1