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.

I'm delighted that the World has chosen to play 3...Bd7 (personally, I thought 3...Nd7 was a bit too risky). Many people have been writing in the bulletin board that this is a dull continuation, giving Black few winning chances. I disagree. It's all a matter of attitude: I often use this move to play for a win.

I think it's important to bear in mind how one's opponent is feeling about the game. Kasparov is desperate to win. Anything else, a draw for instance, he will consider a failure. Therefore, why shouldn't the World play a solid continuation? You never know, we might see the World Champion overplay his hand.....

If White is to get anything from this position he has to exchange the bishops on d7, otherwise he would fall behind in development. Now Black has a choice between two equally good continuations, 4...Qxd7 or 4...Nxd7. Personally I prefer to recapture with the knight but really it's just a matter of taste.

Qxd7 to Kasparov's Bxd7+

My comment on Garri's move Bxd7+: What else? White has no other possibility. For example 4.Qe2 4....L:b5 5.Q:b5 5....Qd7 with equality. White keeps a small advantage, because he has more space. This position I have to play for the time now. My answer is Q:d7, so we will be able to place the Knight on c6 later.

Qxd7 to Kasparov's Bxd7+

This is better than Knight takes Bishop on d7. Moving the Knight puts it on a passive square. If we take Kasparov's Bishop with our Queen, we can then move the Knight to C6 and have it control the center. I've had problems with a Knight moving to d7 against stronger players.

(No commentary for this move.)

Qxd7 to Kasparov's Bxd7+

I recommend that the World plays 4...Qxd7 (Queen captures Bishop on d7).

Garry has played the logical 4.Bxd7+, and our most natural response is 4...Qxd7, intending to eventually develop the Nb8 to c6 to fight for the important CENTRAL SQUARES on e5 and d4.

The second alternative 4...Nxd7 is a less resilient option, as Black will have less influence over the d4-square. For example: 5.0-0 Ngf6 6.Qe2 e6 (6...g6 7.c3 Bg7 8.d4, with a STRONG CENTER favors White, although 6...Rc8!? as played in the past by Danny King is interesting) 7.b3 Be7 8.Bb2 0-0 9.c4, as played by Adams and Tal (among others), gives White a comfortable edge.

There is a third option(?), i.e., 4...Kxd7? which could be described as a TN - No! Not a Theoretical Novelty but a Terrible Nightmare for the World (but sweet dreams for Garry!).

Returning to my preferred option at move 4 - White has a number of interesting continuations after 4...Qxd7:

A) 5.c4 - to establish a Maroczy Bind pawn structure, when Black can consider a development plan of g7-g6, Bf8-g7, Ng8-f6, 0-0, etc. White would in fact achieve a Maroczy Bind formation against a Dragon having dispensed with his weaker LIGHT SQUARED BISHOP (White's central pawns on c4 and e4 are on LIGHT SQUARES). Nevertheless, with accurate defense, Black has HOPES for equality. I have a feeling that Kasparov will tend towards this choice, as it will create a strategical battle aimed at splitting the votes among the analysts and their online World Team colleagues in an attempt to compel errors by Black.

B) 5.0-0 - with two principle schools of thought, i.e., White builds a PAWN CENTER after the continuation 5...Nc6 6.c3 Nf6 7.Re1, intending d2-d4 (7.Qe2!? is interesting), or the interesting gambit line 7.d4!? Nxe4 8.d5 Ne5 (8...Nb8 and 8...Nd8 are convoluted methods for retaining the pawn at the cost of passivity) 9.Re1 Nxf3+ 10.Qxf3 Nf6 11.c4 e5 12.dxe6 fxe6 13.Bg5, and White has pressure and COMPENSATION for the pawn, and Black must defend VERY accurately to hold the balance - for a recent example, see Adams-Anand, Groningen (m/1) 1997. These lines are more forcing in nature, and make the World's immediate decisions somewhat simpler. For further analysis of the Adams-Anand game, please see

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