The analysts for the World Team in the Kasparov vs. The World are all rising young chess superstars. These are the next generation of names that will rise to the top of the chess-playing world. If you're unsure what move to play against World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov, our analysts can point you in the right direction with their thoughtful responses.

The World has voted for the most straightforward move, 51...b5. I think this is an understandable decision given that the pawn was threatened by Garry Kasparov's queen; and it is logical to join in the (next) pawn race. The only problem is that this gives Garry the chance to carry out a cunning manoeuvre, shuffling his king and queen into more favourable positions so as to assist the g-pawn down the board.

The World Champion has responded with 52 Kf6+. The king moves out of the way, opening the queen's diagonal to the black king, putting it in check. In chess jargon this is known as a 'discovered check'. Black's king can get out of check very easily, but, White gains time to bring his queen to a more favourable square, perhaps f5, or e4 depending on Black's king move.

On h7, the queen is poorly placed, exerting little influence on the board. In this kind of ending, it is well known that the queen should be centralised. From the centre she commands the greatest number of squares, not only giving more options, but forcing the opposing queen to a worse square. It is similar to a mediaeval battle field where taking the higher ground was of paramount importance.

But first, The World must bring its king out of check. There are four possible options (blocking with the queen loses instantly: White exchanges, then pushes the g-pawn home).

In my opinion this is one of the most difficult decisions The World has had to make since that knotty problem at move 18! To carry out an accurate analytical study of this position would take days. We have but a few hours to reach a verdict - though that is at least better than a normal game where just a few minutes would be available. It is possible that all four king moves are sufficient to draw, but that is no guarantee! Let me give you my preliminary thoughts: -

My gut feeling is that 52...Kc1 is incorrect as it is too exposed to checks, and having seen the variation, 53 Qe4... d5 54 Qf4+ (gaining an important tempo) Kb1 55 g6... d4 56 g7 my doubts were confirmed (obviously Black can do better than this, but still).

In principle I also do not like 52...Ka2 because if White's g-pawn queens, it does so with check. That gives White a possible vital tempo in some variations. Therefore my choice would be for either 52...Ka1, or 52...Kb2. The king is at least shielded from checks along the diagonal by White's king.

Unfortunately my deadline is approaching, so I can't go into more detail. Therefore I would strongly recommend that you look at the analysts' suggestions before you vote, and, if you have time, check out the bulletin boards where I am sure the debate will be raging!

Good luck.

Kb2 to Kasparov's Kf6+

I would play 52....Kb2, because it is very important that Kasparov not be able to play Qf7+ after 52....Ka2 later in the game. Then the white queen on f7 would be placed much better then on h7.

Kb2 to Kasparov's Kf6+

As a reply to 52.Kf6+, I'm recommending 52...Kb2 as being one of the best available moves for The World in the given position. I like this move somewhat better than 52...Kc1 because the king moves closer to the pawns, so it can support-defend-them more easily.

Ka1 to Kasparov's Kf6+

This is the best move for The World Team.

Kc1 to Kasparov’s Kf6+

I recommend the World plays the move 52…Kc1 (King on b1 to c1)

SUMMARY The World chose a sharp and very interesting continuation with 51…b5!? and must now deal with the discovered check on its King (after 52.Kf6+). I strongly recommend the move 52…Kc1. With precision, Black has chances to hold the position and demonstrate the viability of 51…b5. If threatening to queen the b-pawn is part of Black's counter to the quick advance of White's g-pawn (the discovered check allows White to quickly organize the advance of his g-pawn), I think it is necessary to vacate the b-file with Black's King. In this regard, I do not recommend 52…Kb2 which blocks the path of the b-pawn, while 52…Ka1 (or 52…Ka2) exposes our King to checks in some variations that will either: a) make us block the path of our b-pawn again (as the King returns to the b-file) or; b) leaves our King awkwardly placed on a2 (White may queen with check on the a2-g8 diagonal). These alternatives all strike me as inferior to 52…Kc1.

In my estimation, 52…Kc1 is essential. My analysis section will look at 52…Kc1 in more detail.

ANALYSIS

Here is a brief examination of possible lines, and my evaluation of play after 52...Kc1:

A) 53.Qc7+ Kb2 54.g6 Qf3+ 55.Kg7 (55.Ke6 Qe4+, is equal) 55...b4 56.Qf7 Qc3+! 57.Kf8 Qh8+, and I do not see how White can evade the checks without eventually blocking his own g-pawn with his King (when we can push our b-pawn again), for example: 58.Ke7 Qe5+ 59.Kd7 Qb5+ 60.Kc7 Qa5+ 61.Kb7 Qb5+ 62.Ka8 Qc6+ 63.Kb8 Qb6+, and the checks continue on and on (equal).

B) 53.g6 Qf3+ (also possible is 53...Qd4+!?) 54.Ke7 Qe4+ (also possible is 54…Qb7+) 55.Kd8 (55.Kd7 Qb7+ 56.Kxd6 Qb6+, is equal) 55...Qa8+ 56.Kc7 Qa7+ 57.Kc6 Qa6+, equal. In this variation, Black can keep checking, until out of frustration White ends up capturing the Black pawns with his King, but then a Theoretical Draw would remain on the board.

C) 53.Qe4 b4! (B is for Brave! This pawn sacrifice is very forcing, and Black SHOULD NOT fear the loss of his b-pawn), and now:

C1) 54.Qc4+ Qc2 55.Qf1+ (55.Qxb4 Qf2+ 56.Kg7 d5 57.Qc3+ Kb1 58.Qb3+ Ka1 59.Qxd5 is a Theoretical Draw, i.e., White will NEVER win, despite his extra pawn) 55...Qd1 56.Qf4+ Qd2 57.Qc4+ Qc2 58.Qxb4 Qf2+ 59.Kg7 d5, and now:

C1a) 60.g6 d4 61.Qc4+ Kb2 62.Kg8 d3 63.g7 (63.Qxd3 is a Theoretical Draw, as is 63.Qb5+ Ka1 64.Qxd3) 63...d2, with completely equal chances.

C1b) 60.Qc3+ Kb1 61.Qb3+ Ka1 62.Qxd5 is a Theoretical Draw.



C2) 54.Qxb4 Qf3+ 55.Kg7 d5 56.g6 d4 57.Qxd4 is a Theoretical Draw. This line illustrates why Black SHOULD NOT maintain an illogical or sentimental attachment to his pawns!

C3) 54.g6 Qf1+ (not 54...b3?? 55.g7 b2 56.g8=Q b1=Q 57.Qe3+, and Black loses) 55.Ke7 Qg1 56.Qc6+ Kb1 57.Qxd6 b3, equal.

D) 53.Qf5 b4 (53...Qd4+!? is possible) 54.g6 (54.Qf4+ Qd2 55.Qc4+ Qc3+ 56.Qxc3+ bxc3 57.g6 c2 58.g7 Kb1 59.g8=Q c1=Q 60.Qb8+, with a dead draw) 54...b3 55.g7 b2 56.g8=Q Qd4+! 57.Ke7 Qa7+ 58.Kxd6 Qd4+ 59.Qgd5 Qxd5+ 60.Kxd5 b1=Q, with a draw.

A note on Theoretical Draws: I have received e-mails, asking me what is meant by "Theoretical Draw". With respect to this endgame, we see a number of instances where White is left with a Queen and one pawn against Black's Queen. Very often, Black sacrifices his pawns in a SPECIFIC and CALCULATED manner to bring about such a position that with CORRECT play by Black CANNOT be won White. The drawing mechanism consists of placing Black's King on various "safe squares" in the a1-corner of the board, and subjecting the White King to an incessant barrage of Queen checks, or in certain circumstances immobilizing White's last pawn by pinning it against the White King. All Q + P vs. Q positions have been exhaustively retro-analyzed by computer, and a definitive endgame tablebase has been compiled for such positions and can be applied to ANY such instance as may occur in this game.

Therefore, I strongly recommend 52…Kc1, with which I believe Black has excellent prospects of holding a draw.