chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Borislav Ivkov vs Anatoly Karpov
Bugojno (1978), Bugojno YUG, rd 2, Feb-27
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation (E32)  ·  1/2-1/2

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

explore this opening
find similar games 3 more Ivkov/Karpov games
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: All games have a Kibitzer's Corner provided for community discussion. If you have a question or comment about this game, register a free account so you can post there.

PGN Viewer:  What is this?
For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.
PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

Kibitzer's Corner
Jul-04-20
Premium Chessgames Member
  Fusilli: Karpov had to sweat for the draw in this one. The most interesting move of the game, to me, is white's response to 20...Rd7:


click for larger view

The natural choice seems to be 21.Nd2, but Ivkov played 21.Nh2!? The computer evaluates the two moves roughly equally. White has a tiny edge.

Then Karpov played 21...Rdc7. It's hard to understand, and most likely a dubious move.

22.f3 followed, then the natural choice 23...Ng3 24.Qe1:


click for larger view

Now Karpov has to play either what he played (24...Nf5), giving up the d-pawn, or 24...Nfh5, in which case 25.Nf1 Nxf1 26.Bxf1:


click for larger view

Here Karpov would have a variety of moves, and would not lose a pawn. Granted, white will send his queen to h4, maybe push king side pawns, but nothing is apparently dangerous. White simply has the initiative. It's interesting that Karpov evaluated giving up the d-pawn as preferable over this scenario. The computer prefers to reach this position and not to lose a pawn. Karpov's evaluation was surely not provoked by tactical but by strategic considerations. Can anyone guess what went through his mind?

Jul-04-20  Retireborn: <Fusilli> Karpov probably anticipated that Ivkov would exchange queens, and thought (correctly, as it turned out) that the resulting endgame would not be too difficult to draw.

After 28...f6 White's extra pawn is worth very little; the white knight is just too far from e3!

Ivkov could have kept a bigger advantage by keeping the queens on, but then he would have to defend a K-side attack, psychologically unpleasant for him.

I do agree that your 23...Nfh5 is a more correct move though.

Jul-05-20
Premium Chessgames Member
  Fusilli: <Retireborn> Agreed, although what may have looked like easy to defend for Karpov, would have probably looked unpleasant to many a grandmaster. If Karpov himself had handled the white pieces with that tiny advantage, black would have had to work really hard to survive!

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.


NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific game only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

This game is type: CLASSICAL. Please report incorrect or missing information by submitting a correction slip to help us improve the quality of our content.

Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2025, Chessgames Services LLC