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.

Garry's last move, 51.Qh7, has been concerning me for some time. Such is the power of the move that, when I first looked at this position a couple of weeks ago, I felt that The World was actually lost here. However, on closer examination, I am sure The World is still fighting fit! Before I dive into the details of the position, let me give a brief summary of play over the past few moves.

In the last two weeks, both sides raced their pawns to the other side of the board. The result: a dead heat, as they both got their new Queens within a move of each other.

Now the next phase of the game begins: the queen and pawn ending. With so few pieces remaining on the board it is impossible to go for a mating attack, so the goal here must be the same as in other endings: to advance a pawn to the eighth rank to get a new Queen. That is precisely why Garry Kasparov still has the better chances in spite of being a pawn down: his remaining pawn stands on the 5th rank, just three squares away from becoming a new Queen, while The World's pawns are still just about on their starting blocks.

Having said that, it is not easy for Garry to get his pawn rolling. He must first move his king out from in front of the pawn. That, however, is where the problems start. If the king moves out straight away, it will be checked right back to where it came from by Black's queen.

That's why Garry's last move is so clever. He wants to be able to move the king away, uncovering a check from his queen on h7. Black's king must then move, when White has time to advance the pawn, or, even better, bring his queen to a square where it is able to shield the king from checks (f5 for instance) and only then advance the pawn. It is a subtle, but insidious threat.

How should The World respond? Pushing either of the pawns to gain some counterplay is possible, and certainly a desirable strategy; but there is also the more subtle response 51...Ka1!?, first seeing where White's king is heading before committing to a pawn move.

I have a definite preference here, but I am not going to make a firm recommendation (it is more my role to explain and describe, but sometimes I can't help myself!). As is the case in several positions in this game, there is probably not one best move, so enjoy working out your reply!

Danny

b5 to Kaparov's Qh7

The World has to push its b-pawn forward because the b-pawn is farther away from the White King than the d-Pawn.

After Kasparov's next move 52.Kf7+ or 52.Kf6+, The World will probably move 52...Kb2. It is the only useful plan to push one of The World's pawns forward, because The World cannot afford to lose any time in this position.

d5 to Kasparov's Qh7

Kasparov's move 51.Qh7 should not be a surprise for anyone, because only two moves were worth attention in this position: 51.Qh7(computer) and 51.Qh5 (human). The move Qh7 is better because it threatens to neutralize Black's material advantage while positioning to support the "g" pawn in its powerful advance.

Now that The World has to play against Qh7, it must elaborate a plan starting with: A) First, The World cannot afford to push two pawns to the transformation squares since the White pawn on g5 is already dangerously ahead. B) Second, The World must choose which pawn has a better chance and cosequently support its advance as quickly as possible. C) Third, The World must stop, or at least slow down White's pawn advance by giving a lot of checks.

In my opinion the "d" pawn has a better chance than the "b" pawn because it is already protected - there is no tempo wasted - so for these reasons I recommend 51...d5.

(No commentary for this move.)

Ka1 to Kasparov's Qh7

I recommend the World plays the move 51…Ka1 (King on b1 to a1)

SUMMARY The World Champion's last move with 51.Qh7 seeks to co-ordinate White's remaining forces in preparation for the advance of the PASSED g-PAWN. I believe a good move for Black is 51…Ka1 (preventing White from coordinating his King and Queen by means of a discovered check). Please note that 51…Qc2+?? and 51…Qd3+?? are sickening blunders losing in a trivial manner to 52.Kh6, etc., and should therefore NOT even enter into consideration. In the Analysis section, I will look at my recommendation 51…Ka1 in a little more detail (along with a brief summation of my feelings about 51...d5, 51...Qf3, and 51...b5!?).

ANALYSIS After 51.Qh7, I like 51…Ka1 from among Black's alternatives. Black maintains flexibility and leaves White the task of figuring which Black pawn will be set in motion. White is also given the task of finding a method of not only advancing his g-pawn, but also controlling one or even both of the Black pawns. Usually, White will need to take at least one of the Black pawns, when Black can quickly advance the other to secure counterplay. In some situations, Black can sacrifice both pawns to reach a theoretically drawn Q + P vs. Q ending.

Despite the highly complex nature of this ending (I am not sure even months of analysis could resolve all of its intricacies), I think the following lines give a reasonable idea of the play that might arise after 51…Ka1:

A) 52.Kf7 Qd5+ 53.Kg6 Qe6+ 54.Kh5 Qh3+ 55.Kg6 Qe6+, with level play.

B) 52.Kf6 Qd4+ 53.Kg6 (Black is OK after 53.Kf7 Qd5+, or 53.Ke7 Qe5+) 53...Qd3+ 54.Kg7 Qd4+ 55.Kg6 Qd3+ 56.Kh6 Qh3+, with equal chances.

C) 52.Kh6 Qd2, and now:

C1) 53.Qg7+ Ka2 54.Qxb7 d5 55.Kh5 Qe2+ 56.Kg6 (Black is OK after 56.Kh6 Qd2, or 56.Kh4 Qe4+) 56...Qe4+, with equal chances.

C2) 53.Qxb7 d5 54.Kg6 d4 55.Kf5 Qf2+, is equal (Black sacrifices the b-pawn to enable his d-pawn to quickly advance).

D) 52.Qxb7 d5, with equal chances. Again, because Black's d-pawn can be quickly advanced, Black is happy to sacrifice the b-pawn.

E) 52.Qh8+ Kb1 53.Qh7 Ka1 54.Qh8+ Kb1, turns full circle, repeating the position.

F) 52.Kg7 Qd4+ 53.Kh6 Qh4+ 54.Kg6 Qe4+, is equal.

G) 52.Qg7+ Ka2, and now:

G1) 53.Qxb7 d5 54.Kf6 Qd4+, with equal chances.

G2) 53.Kf7 b5 54.Qf8 (54.Qc3 Qd5+ 55.Kf6 b4 56.Qxb4 Qe5+ 57.Kg6 d5, is equal) 54...Qh5+ 55.Kf6 Qf3+ 56.Kg7 Qc3+ 57.Qf6 b4, with equal chances.

G3) 53.Kh7 d5 54.Qf7, and now 54…Qc2+, with the idea of 55.g6 b5!? transposing to the double pawn sacrifice idea mentioned in Variation G4b.

G4) 53.Qf7+ d5 (A natural move, although 53…Ka3!? may be another option for Black - planning b7-b5-b4, or simply delaying the advance of the d-pawn - and it deserves some consideration. With 53…d5, Black creates a self-pin, but he does meet the goal of advancing his d-pawn. It does not appear that White will be able to make progress by leaving his Queen on the a2-g8 diagonal so Black can expect to be able to advance his d-pawn again), and now:

G4a) 54.Kh6 Qd2 (an awkward diagonal pin on the g-pawn for White to deal with), when 55.Qxb7 d4, leads to equal chances (as Black's d-pawn has become a factor). G4b) 54.Kh7, when I like the idea 54…Qc2+ 55.g6 b5, offering the sacrifice of both Black pawns (56.Qxd5+ Ka1 57.Qxb5) to reach a theoretical draw.

G4c) 54.Qxb7 d4, equal (here again, Black considers the b-pawn to be expendable).

G4d) 54.Kg7 Qd4+, and Black is OK, for example 55.Qf6 Qe3 (55…Qc4!?), with equal chances.

G4e) 54.Qf2+ (This move appears to me to be a critical and dangerous idea for White. In jockeying for position, both sides have improved their position slightly - the White Queen is more active on f2 than it was on h8, and Black has advanced his d-pawn with d6-d5 and d5-d4 is imminent) 54…Kb1, and now:

G4e1) 55.Kf7 d4 56.g6 d3 57.g7 Qb3+ 58.Kf8 Qb4+ 59.Kf7 d2, is equal.

G4e2) 55.Qf5+ Qc2 56.Kf6 d4 57.Qb5+ Kc1 58.g6 d3, equal.

G4e3) 55.Kh6 d4 56.g6 d3 57.Qb6+ Kc1 58.Qxb7 d2 59.Qc7+ Qc2, equal.

G4e4) 55.Kf6 d4! 56.g6 d3 57.g7 (Black has no problems after 57.Qf5 Qc2! or 57.Qg2 d2, or 57.Qb6+ Kc1 58.Qc5+ Qc2) 57…Qg4! (This is a completely forced move - not only does this cover the g8 square, but also very importantly the c8 square) and Black is OK (equal chances in the endgame with careful play).

Now you may ask what does this strange little King move (51…Ka1) seek to accomplish in its own right? This is my take on the situation:

First, Black does not commit a passed pawn immediately (and possibly prematurely, for example: 51…d5?!). Having said this, it is possible that 51…b5!? can be considered - I haven't come to a conclusion about this sharp continuation one way or another, and I haven't studied it in much detail, but it may be OK.

Second, it is not yet clear to me where is the best post for Black's Queen (is it f3? d4? d5? or even h1 at some time in the future?). Black could try 51…Qf3, and after 52.Qf7, he must plan to hold the position with 52…Qc6 - it may be enough.

Third, White is prevented from rapidly coordinating his King and Queen by means of a discovered check. This is best understood in light of the alternative 51…d5. This is the very move (desirable under normal circumstances for Black) that Kasparov's 51.Qh7 seems to be directed against. After 51…d5, White plays 52.Kf6+! and now none of Black's moves appear totally satisfactory, for example:

A) 52…Ka1 53.Qf5! d4 54.g6 d3 55.g7 Qb3 (55…Qg1? loses to 56.Qa5+ Kb1 57.Qb4+ Kc2 58.Qc4+) 56.Qf1+, and White wins (as 57.Qg2+ follows).

B) 52…Kc1 53.Qc7+ Kb1 54.Qb6+! (ruling out defenses based on Qd1-d4+ by Black) 54…Kc1 55.g6 Qf3+ 56.Ke7 Qg3, and in this unclear position, I think White has the slightly better chances.

C) 52…Ka2 53.g6! Qd4+ (53…Qf3+ 54.Ke7 Qe4+ 55.Kd8, looks good for White) 54.Kf7 Qf4+ 55.Ke8, and I think White's chances are better. All in all, 51…d5 makes me nervous.

So Black has some possibilities in this position (51…b5!? and maybe even 51…Qf3), although 51…d5 seems a little risky for Black, but based on what I know of the position at time of writing, as I am only allowed to propose one move, I am recommending Black play 51…Ka1 in the game - avoiding the potential hazards of a discovered check (allowing White to co-ordinate his pieces effectively), and preparing to create counterplay with the advance of Black's d- and/or b-pawn.

IM Ken Regan has created a resource that is the best overall outline on the Web for explaining the strategy for both sides in this Queen ending. I thoroughly recommend that my teammates acquaint themselves with this resource, as it complements and augments the analytical efforts of the SMART-FAQ. See:

/~regan/chess/GK-ROW/wtstrategy.html