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Ivan Sokolov vs Vladimir Kramnik
Corus Group A (2004), Wijk aan Zee NED, rd 12, Jan-24
Queen's Indian Defense: Kasparov-Petrosian Variation. Kasparov Attack (E12)  ·  1-0

8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a
1
b
c
d
e
f
g
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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Given 12 times; par: 56 [what's this?]

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Kibitzer's Corner
Mar-10-04  csmath: Kramnik decides to use Queen's Indian, possibly preparing against Leko? Anyway after Sokolov avoided usual lines and achieved advantage he blew everything in the middlegame. Not to be outdone Kramnik makes fair share of bad moves only to allow Sokolov a beautiful exchange sacrifice that decided the game. Not exactly high standard game and indicative of Kramnik's weaknesses.
Mar-10-04  Taidanii: 17...Bxa3 is a gorgeous move. If white decides to capture the bishop instead of the d4 pawn black can focus a clear devastating attack with Rxe4.
Dec-16-05  Conde de Montecristo: Kramnik played a misserable game, this is definitely not how a Champion should play.
Feb-18-22
Premium Chessgames Member
  plang: Sokolov after 8..Nc6:
"The black set-up is not logical. His king is still stuck on e8. White has possibilities to open up the centre with d4-d5, play on the black king stuck in the middle of the board, and an unpleasant check or pin along the a4-d8 diagonal may come any moment."

Kramnik's 11..Be7 allowed 12 d5!; 11..cxd is usually played. 13..cxd? would have lost to 14 Bb5..Qc7 15 Bf4..Qc8 16 Nxd4..Bc5 17 Nf5..0-0 18 Qc3..f6 19 Qg3..g6 20 Bc4+..Kh8 21 Bh6. Sokolov considered 15..Re8?! to be the decisive error recommending instead 15..Nxf3+ 16 gxf..Qd6 17 f4..Qg6 and if 18 Bd3? then 18..c4 19 Bd2..f5! and White's center collapses. 16 Nxd4?..cxd 17 Bxd4..Qxd5! 18 exd?..Bb4# is a cute variation.

Sokolov after 20 Kf1:
"White has a strong pawn centre and the h1 rook will be brought into play via the h-file, so the king being on f1 is not a handicap after all. Black's b7 bishop is out of play, while there is no time for Black to start moving his passed pawns on the queenside."

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