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Vladimir Kramnik vs Aleksey Dreev
Linares (1997), Linares ESP, rd 9, Feb-14
Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation (D45)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

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Kibitzer's Corner
Oct-22-05  KingG: Nice game by Kramnik, he keeps up the pressure throughout.
Oct-22-05  Unicornio: A 2740 player beating a 2650 in a common game, i dont see nothing special here.

Oct-22-05
Premium Chessgames Member
  Open Defence: <Unicorno> it is a nice game because it show cases Kramnik's style of constant pressure a la Karpov....

a player gets to be 2740 because he beats players @ 2650

Oct-22-05  KingG: <Open Defence> Exactly! Just because there are no spectacular moves doesn't mean this isn't a nice game. I enjoy sacrificial games as much as anyone else, but i also appreciate Karpov-like positional games like this one.
Oct-23-05  Unicornio: You are right, a player gets 2740 beating 2650, it was a silly coment of myself, but i mean, i know better games of Kramnik, and it maybe because my preferences that i dont like too much positional games.
Jun-01-06
Premium Chessgames Member
  plang: The idea of 9 c5 and 10 e4 is interesting; giving black the d5 square but gaining a lot of space. It requires a lot of talent and experience to be able to know when it is beneficial to break chess "rules". Endgame played sharply and impressively by Kramnik. 44 Rf7 allowing ..cb is not obvious but his evaluation proved accurate. His patience in the rook ending, calmly bringing his King to the center is instructive.
Oct-17-06  Jafar219: This is true positional masterpiece!
Just perfect!
Mar-15-23  tonsillolith: <Oct-17-06 Jafar219: This is true positional masterpiece! Just perfect!>

Yes, agreed wholeheartedly. And so much to learn from.

At first I thought this is a good demonstration of rapid deployment toward a kingside attack. Then I thought, no, this is <also> a good demonstration of refocusing attack toward the queenside in order to stretch enemy forces thin.

Then there was a period I feel I understand less, but it was pleasant to see many consecutive moves where Kramnik's pieces were positioned already right where they need to be, to preserve the initiative, and this leads him straight into a favorable endgame in which he has the initiative. I think this point is a big one in explaining how Kramnik kept up the pressure. He never needed to regroup, because each position flowed right into the next. Please teach me this power!

After <40. Bf7> if Black moves <40...Kd7>, as far as the I can see, this leads to mate on <b8>. A central part of this sequence is the threat of <b6>. Then thought, this game is <also> a good example of <the threat is deadlier than the execution>. White probably does not prefer making that pawn move, but postponing the decision is vital for the mating attack.

Anyway then I thought, this game is <also> a good demonstration of nice endgame technique. Rather than say more, I'm going to return and study it.

Mar-15-23  tonsillolith: As a followup, if anyone has a <threat greater than execution> game collection, my eyes would be all ears to view it.

Another note on the game: <20.g3> is such an annoying prophylactic move for Black. It ensures, with the given pawn structure, neither knight will have anywhere to go on the kingside, and also blunts the activity of his bishop.

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