While Garry
Kasparov’s retirement is much lamented by chess fans, it may
provide new opportunities for some virtually unknown Russian
grandmasters to shine on the world stage. Alexei Dreev (26), ranked
14th in the world and rated 2704, is just one of an amazing 27
Russians rated over 2600. Today’s game features Dreev playing
the white pieces against Lenier Dominguez (21), of Cuba, in one of
the most spectacular games this year.
Meanwhile,
the saga of expat American Bobby Fischer rolls on. Recent reports
have suggested Japanese authorities are ready to extradite Fischer
from his Tokyo prison cell to the United States, where authorities
plan to essay the “Al Capone Gambit” and try him for tax
evasion. However, in the latest twist in this incredible tale,
Fischer has pulled off a tactical coup by gaining Icelandic
citizenship. This finesse of rare elegance — let’s call
it the “Viking Zwitschenzug” — should compel the
Japanese authorities to allow Fischer unimpeded passage to Iceland
where he will be the 10th grandmaster in a chess-loving nation with a
population less than that of Christchurch.
1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3
Nc3 Nf6 4 e3 e6 5 Nf3 Nbd7 6 Qc2 Bd6 7 g4 The Queens Gambit Declined
Semi-Slav. The seemingly loose pawn thrust of g4 was patented by
former world champion Mikhail Botvinnik in the 1950s. In some cases,
it merely gains space. In cases like this, it heralds a king-side
attack. 7 — dxc4 8 Bxc4 e5 9 Bd2 O-O 10 O-O-O White declares
his aggressive intentions. He is already prepared to sacrifice
several pawns to maintain the initiative. 10 — exd4 11 Nxd4 Ne5
12 Be2 Nexg4 13 Rhg1 Nxf2 14 Rdf1 Nh3 15 Rg2 Be5 16 Nf3 Qe7 17 Bd3 g6
18 Bc4 Ng4 19 Nxe5 Nxe5 20 Ne4 Kh8 21 Nf6 b5 22 Be2 Nd7 23 Bc3! This
move is the prelude to an amazing combination. 23 — Qxe3+ 24
Kb1 Nxf6 25 Rxf6 Kg8 26 Rgxg6+!! fxg6 27 Rxg6+ Kf7 The king is forced
to break cover as 27 — hxg6?? allows 28 Qxg6 mate 28 Rg7+ Ke6
If 28 — Ke8 the king is strafed with 29 Bh5+ and, if needed,
Qd1+ 29 Bg4+ Kd5 30 Qd1+ Ke4 31 Re7+ Kf4 32 Rxe3 Bxg4 33 Qd4+ Kg5 34
Qg7+ Kh5 35 Qxh7+ Kg5 36 Re5+ Rf5 37 Bd2+ It is mate in a few moves.
For instance 37 — Kf6 38.Qe7+ Kg6 39 Re6+ Kh5 40 Rh6#
1-0
Problem: White to play and win.
Solution: 1 Qh8+!! Kxh8. 2 Bxf6+ Kg8. 3 Rh8#.