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 chosen to follow the analyst's suggestion of 5...Nc6, in my opinion the most sensible move, developing a piece towards the centre. Garry has replied in kind, also bringing his Knight out into the middle. All very sound.

Now, the time has come to bring out some more pieces. World, in your democratic Army rules, every soldier has to play its part in the struggle. And when I talk about the pieces, I don't mean the pawns, I mean the Knights and Bishops and finally the Rooks. Pawn moves are mainly made in the opening for 2 reasons: to mark out territory in the center; and to enable the Bishops to move into the game.

It's worth looking at what Garry Kasparov himself has tried before in this situation (he has played this exact position previously - from both sides of the board). Three years ago Kasparov played a game against Alexei Shirov which continued 6...g6 7 d4 Bg7 (Black more usually captures on d4) 8 d5, and after great complications the game was drawn. This so-called 'fianchetto' of the Bishop is quite standard: from g7 it exerts pressure on the center and prepares for castling. But is it wise to follow in Garry's footsteps? Be careful! The World Champion is an industrious worker away from the board and will have studied that continuation in great detail.

I'm currently writing this from Frankfurt, Germany where Garry is taking part in the 'Frankfurt Giants', a speed chess tournament, along with Anand, Kramnik and Karpov - the world's elite (he's a busy man). It's a great event.

In passing I said to Garry, "Hey, I think the World's going to repeat your play against Shirov!"

He grinned like a crocodile who had just been introduced to his lunch...

So, 6..g6 is undoubtedly a good move, and most players go down this route, but do it with your eyes wide open.

Alternatively, Black could develop his Bishop in another way with 6..Nf6, followed by ...e6 and ...Be7. This is a solid and respectable way to proceed, though contemporary fashion has largely ignored it.

It's your choice - good luck!

Ne5 to Kasparov's Nf3

With this move, Black wants to take the pawn on c4. Now white can play 7.d2-d4 or it will have to protect the pawn. If White takes the Knight on e5, Black will then have a good position, because after 7....dxe5 Black will control the square d4. After 7.d2-d4, Black should not take the pawn on c4, because of 8.dxc5 dxc5 9.Qb3 attacking White. But it might turn out as: 7....cxd4 8.Qxd4 8....Nc6 9.Qd2 Nf6 10.0-0 g6 11.b3 Bg7 12.Bb2 0-0 after which White has only a small advantage.

Nf6 to Kasparov's Nf3

Here you have a few more lines to choose from. This would be the most popular main line. Ne5 is not really a safe position. I don't want to move the same piece three times in the opening. I want to develop more pieces at this point. After this, we should develop the Bishop and then castle on the King's side.

Nf6 to Kasparov's Nf3

In the game between Kasparov and Shirov in 1996, Garry played 6...g6. The result was a draw, but it might be too dangerous to repeat this move now. So I propose 6...Nf6.

g6 to Kasparov's Nf3

In my previous posting, I indicated that Black has two good moves at this juncture, namely 6...Nf6, and 6...g6. Frequently, these moves result in the same (or similar) position after a further transposition of moves. If Black plays 6...Nf6, then 7.d4 is easily met with 7...cxd4 8.Nxd4 Qg4! and Black has equalized - of course, Garry would NEVER allow us to have such an easy time of it. After 6...Nf6, Garry will have little option but to continue with the main line 7.0-0, when 7...g6 creates a Dragon set-up (continuing with Bf8-g7, and 0-0 completing kingside DEVELOPMENT), in which Black can establish a very playable middle game. 6...Nf6 is OK.

After further deliberation, I have chosen 6...g6 as my preferred continuation, when play might likely continue 7.d4 cxd4 (I don't believe we should tempt fate with Kasparov's line 7...Bg7!? - more details about this next time) 8.Nxd4 Bg7, when White must make a serious decision concerning the disposition of his knight on d4, for example 9.Be3 (developing while protecting the knight - the most principled reaction), or 9.Nde2 (a retreat to regroup). After:

A) 9.Nde2 Nf6 (9...Ne5!? deserves serious attention) 10.0-0 0-0, or B) 9.Be3 (probably best) 9...Nf6 10.f3 (guarding against Nf6-g4) 10...0-0, we can look forward to a DYNAMIC and interesting middle game.

I believe 6...g6 is the strongest and most flexible continuation.