chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Boris Gelfand vs Anatoly Karpov
Vienna Millenium (1996), Vienna AUT, rd 3, Aug-11
English Opening: Agincourt Defense. Catalan Defense (A14)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

explore this opening
find similar games 52 more Gelfand/Karpov games
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: You can learn a lot about this site (and chess in general) by reading the Chessgames Help Page. If you need help with premium features, please see the Premium Membership Help Page.

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]

A COMPUTER ANNOTATED SCORE OF THIS GAME IS AVAILABLE.  [CLICK HERE]

Kibitzer's Corner
Dec-11-07
Premium Chessgames Member
  GlassCow: It's a rare day when Karpov is outplayed positionally, and even rarer when he is outplayed in the endgame. Gelfand manages both here.
Jun-13-12
Premium Chessgames Member
  LoveThatJoker: GG

LTJ

Feb-05-20  Howard: If I'm not mistaken, this game didn't make the Informant---rather surprising, in my view.
Feb-05-20
Premium Chessgames Member
  Retireborn: <Howard> You're mistaken :) It's 67/607 with notes by Gelfand, who gives 28.Ra1 a !!
Feb-07-20  Howard: Must have missed that, Retireborn. Thanks very much ! Lemme check that volume again.
Feb-08-20  Howard: Just looked at Volume 67 last night---you're right, Retireborn. What threw me off was the crosstable in that volume was given as Wien, 1996---when I'd thought it would say "Venice". Same city it turns out.

Some book (I think it was Karpov's Strategic Wins Volume 1) referred to this game of Gelfand's as a "positional masterpiece".

Dec-02-22  Atking: Reminds me Akiba Rubinstein at his best.
Dec-02-22
Premium Chessgames Member
  perfidious: Truly impressive game by Gelfand, in the style of his great opponent.
Dec-02-22
Premium Chessgames Member
  keypusher: <Howard: Just looked at Volume 67 last night---you're right, Retireborn. What threw me off was the crosstable in that volume was given as Wien, 1996---when I'd thought it would say "Venice". Same city it turns out.>

Too late for Howard, but Wien is Vienna.


click for larger view

After 31.Rdb1, Karpov avoided this patzer's pawn-wrecking preference, 31....Rxb1 and 32....Nxd4. Rightly, it seems, since after 33.exd4 Nh5 34.Nb4 Gelfand will win Black's a-pawn in exchange for his own much less valuable f4 pawn. If 34....Bb5? 35.Bxb5 axb5 36.a6 wins right away.

Dec-03-22  SChesshevsky: <...Truly impressive game by Gelfand...>

Yes. Incredibly patient. Maybe a bit surprising for him. But think Karpov inaccurate early and ends up seriously passive. Maybe giving Gelfand lots of confidence.

Some possible reasons for the confidence:

Generality that the better white g2B, the better chance white to be better in these Catalan like positions seems appropriate.

Black very passive. Doesn't seem to get beyond fourth rank until very late. And Karpov shows his tendency to drop pieces back to the first rank. A tendency with maybe mixed results at best.

Blacks little midgame rook dance on the second rank hints he really doesn't have anything.

Think Karpov shows his stuff however. Making a decent attempt to wiggle out at the end.

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.

<This page contains Editor Notes. Click here to read them.>

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