Korchnoi’s first win

Press, 20 October 1981, Page 17

Korchnoi’s first win

By

Vernon Small

The former Soviet challenger. Viktor Korchnoi, had his first victory in the sixth game of the world chess championship being played at Merano. Italv.

Playing white, the defending champion. Anatoly Karpov. again opened with P-K4 but this time Korchnoi chose his favourite open defence to the Ruy Lopez. This opening was the chief battleground in their last championship match in 1978.

Both players initiated new plans in the early ’middle game. but as Karpovappeared to be’ getting on top. Korchnoi sacrificed a pawn for counterplay. After 15 moves of manoeuvring by both sides Karpov came near to consolidating his position when, on move 40 (the last move before- the adjournment). he made a terrible blunder and his position was lost.

So far.this match has been in stark contrast to their last encounter,’with four of the six games being decisive. At Baguio City in 1978 the match started with a long

series of draws before Karpov took the lead. Moves in the sixth game were— . , White; Anatoly KarpovBlack: Viktor Korchnoi 1. e 4 e 5 2. Nf3 Nc6- ■ 3. Bbs a 6 4. Ba 4 Nf6 5. 0-0 Nc4 The Open Defence black cannot retain the pawn, but he hopes to gain active piece, play rather than the rather cramped position of the classical set-up with Be 7. 6. d 4 b 5 7. Bh3 d 5 13. des Bc6 9. C 3 Bcs .10. Nbd2 0-0 11. Bc2 Bfs 12. Nb 3 Bg6 So far according to 1978 theory, but here Korchnoi had played Bg4 and struggled to equalise. 13. NfA4 Bd4 14. Cd 4 a 5 15. Be 3 a 4 16. Nel a 3 17. b 3 f 6

The position is well balanced. Black has good piece play, while white’s position is rather more sound, with the hole on C 5 being an obvious target. 18. ef6 Qf6 19. Ne2 Nb 4

20. Bbl Qe7 21. yet RfeB 22. Nf4 Bf 7 23. Q’cl Cs’? 24. dcs Qt 6 25. Be 4 Re 4 • 26. Ne2 d 4 27. Ng3 ReeB 28. Qd2 Nc6 29. Bgs Qes 30. RaCl d 3 31. Rfdl Bg6 The dust settles. and it is apparent that Black must, stake everything on the passed d 3 pawn and its cramping effect, or the extra pawn will tell. Karpov starts to surround it. 32. Be 3 Re 6 33. Bf 4 Q(6 34. Ret RaeB 35. Re 6 Re 6 36. Rbl

To prevent a queen infiltration on b2 36. . . . h 5 37. h 3 h 4 38. Bgs! Qd4 39. 8e.3 Qds 40. Nfl?? A terrible move. 40 Ne2 followed by Nf4 should remove the Bishop on g 6 and with it the power behind the throne on d 3. Now his position is lost. 40. . . . 8e4!41. Bf 4 adjourned. Karpov's last cleared e 3 for the Knight, but with the rook going to g 6 the attack on the white squares was too strong, and Karpov resigned.