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Alexey Shirov vs Vladimir Kramnik
Linares (1993), Linares ESP, rd 1, Feb-23
Queen's Gambit Accepted: Linares Variation (D20)  ·  1-0

8
7
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3
2
a
1
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d
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h
White to move.
ANALYSIS [x]
1-0

rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1
FEN COPIED

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Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 2 OF 2 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Dec-28-05  setebos: I think both are calculating individuals and that as a chessplayer Kasparov can calculate deeper and better than Shirov
Dec-28-05  Brown: Kasparov combined calculation with positional and initiative understanding better than anyone, ever. We can thank Karpov for pushing Kasparov to that understanding.

Kasparov's "value" system is simply better, much like a superior computer program has a better chess algorithm

Dec-29-05  babakova: Sure Kasparov has probably learnt much from Karpov, however Karpov still plays certain positions better than him, thats the reason they have competed on roughly equal terms. I dont think Shirov is better than Gazza in any type of position.
Dec-31-05  Brown: <babakova> I agree with your entire post.
Dec-31-05  HannibalSchlecter: Great game! Shirov looked much better out of the opening, that allowed for the sacrifices which were spectacular.
Jan-02-06  Queens Gambit: Awesome sacrifices!!!
Jan-02-06  whatthefat: It really irritates me when people make such generalisations as Kasparov calculates, Tal and Shirov intuite... If anything I would suggest that Tal was among the best chess calculators ever. Most of his sacrifices were tactics that he calculated out fully. The more famous but rarer 'Tal' sacrifices came about when calculation was simply impossible.

You could even argue that Tal used his calculation abilities in performing these sacrifices, in the sense that he willingly entered positions where correct calculation was difficult, simply to do better than his opponent. He trusted that in an incredibly tactical situation, he would see more than his opponent, and a lot of the time that was the case. Against other supremely talented calculators like Korchnoi and Spassky, this strategy was less likely to work, and the results show it.

All top grandmasters both calculate excellently and rely heavily on their intuition.

Mar-02-06  Brown: <whatthefat> I think you calculated your argument very well, but I think I only intuitively understand it.

Your description of Tal's decision making speaks of more of an intuitive nature than anything else. Perhaps this was your point, but I'm not sure.

Mar-02-06  Jim Bartle: That's self-evident.
Mar-07-06  Brown: <Jim Bartle> What's self evident, or is that the joke?
Mar-07-06  Jim Bartle: It was the joke..."I think you calculated your argument very well, but I think I only intuitively understand it" was very funny.
Mar-08-06  Brown: Thanks <Jim Bartle>, hope I got a chuckle!
Aug-25-07  costachess: I didn´t understand any move, can anyone explain it?
Dec-06-07  fromoort: <costachess>: Didn't you understand 1. d4? :-)
Aug-26-10
Premium Chessgames Member
  HeMateMe: Gorgeous finish. The two great rivals for Kasparov's crown. Funny, VK beat Shirov 13-11, with 24 draws, in classical chess. But Kasparov just creamed Shirov, no wins for Alexi. Hard to figure it, seeing as how evenly VK played Kasparov.

this might be a fun opening to play, as white. If you could play it like Shirov, of course.

Aug-26-10  FISCHERboy: I just find it odd, aren't all chess players "calculating players?"
Dec-02-10  sevenseaman: In my collection I've named this game as Alexey's Mona Lisa as I find it the best win Shirov has logged up against a top player. I should be delighted if I came across or were directed to a better one from Shirov.
Dec-02-10  BramSemeijn: 31...F4 gives black a draw?
Mar-15-12  positionalgenius: Nxf5+ ! This has to be one of shirov's best games.
Mar-15-12
Premium Chessgames Member
  Penguincw: That bishop on a6 is misplace.

< positionalgenius: Nxf5+ ! This has to be one of shirov's best games. >

It may be, but most of <cg>'s members don't think so. The notable games page here for Shirov: Alexey Shirov. Well, it's not in the Top 10.

Jun-09-14  PertsaPera: 36.Kg2 is wrong move. Other databases gave 36.Kg1
Oct-07-18  Violin sonata: What happen after Qxf4? I don't get it
Oct-07-18  Nerwal: <What happen after Qxf4?>

d8=♕ then ♗xf6+ is quite impossible to meet.

Apr-18-24  Ricosupercapo: Regarding the Shirov versus Kasparov discussion: My opinion is that a great deal of the reason which explains Kasparov's big plus score versus Shirov is due to Garry's superb opening preparation.
Apr-18-24
Premium Chessgames Member
  perfidious: Shirov was no milksop at opening preparation, and a fine tactician, but Kasparov was stronger in both aspects of the game.
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