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Garry has played his bishop to e3, angling for an exchange. It cannot be taken as Black's bishop on d4 is PINNED to the king by the rook on d1: it is simply illegal for the bishop to be taken as the king would find itself in check. Why has the World Champion played this move?

Throughout the entire game Black's bishop, situated on the so-called 'LONG DIAGONAL', has had a profound effect on the game. (The long diagonal is the name of the diagonal running across the middle of the board. A bishop posted on this diagonal not only influences the centre, but two corners of the board as well). Black's bishop has been able to hold up White's PASSED PAWNS, while guiding its own b-pawn on the other side of the board.

There is no comparison between the two prelates. White's bishop has been on an inferior diagonal for most of the game, moving in the shadow of its counterpart in the centre. For that reason the World Champion is anxious to exchange, and that is why he embarked on a pinning manoeuvre with 39 Rd1. Once the bishop exchange takes place, White's pawns will stand a better chance of making a touchdown.

What should The World be doing in reply? Continuing with counterplay on the queenside. The most natural way to do that would be to push the b-pawn again, but that would fail: 40...b2 41 Bxd4 exd4 42 Rb1, and the crucial passed pawn is lost. That is an immediate effect of the bishop exchange.

The b-pawn needs to be supported before it can advance again. There is only one sensible way of doing that. If you are not sure how, then check out the analysts' recommendations. I believe we are going to see unanimity again!

See you in the Zone theatre chat room at 2pm PST (10pm London) for a discussion of the position.

Danny King

Kc4 to Kasparov's Be3

White will change our strong bishop on d4. We don't have to lose time with Ng6, the knight blockades the White pawns at this moment from e7also. The best try is Kc4. Then The World's king can assist the b-pawn with Kc3 and Kc2. If White then plays 41. Bxd4, The World will get another powerful pawn with exd4 and the position seems to be in a dynamic balance.

Kc4 to Kasparov's Be3

In this position The World should advance the king on c4 to cancel the pin on d4 and support the passed pawn(s). The game will most probably go into a queen ending after 41.Bxd4 exd4 42.Kg2 b2 43.Kf3 Kc3 where White is in a better position, but The World has a good chance for a draw.

Kc4 to Kasparov's Be3

I recommend that The World move its king 40....Kc4 to help the "b" pawn move toward queening.

Kc4 to Kasparov's Be3

I recommend The World plays the move 40…Kc4 (King on d5 to c4)

SUMMARY With his last move (40.Be3), the World Champion gave himself the option of forcibly exchanging Bishops. I am now recommending the move 40…Kc4, unpinning our Bishop. After 41.Bxd4, White will succeed in exchanging Bishops, but at a price. After 41…exd4, Black will obtain a passed pawn on the fifth rank to accompany his already advanced b-pawn. Our analysis reveals that, in essence, Black will be compelled to give up his Knight for one of the White passed pawns, while White will have to give up his Rook for one of the World's passed pawns.Subsequently, each side will PROMOTE one of their remaining advanced passed pawns to a Queen, creating a number of possible QUEEN ENDGAME scenarios.

ANALYSIS SECTION

Barring any surprises, it appears that the World Champion is leading us along a path towards some interesting queen endings. After 40.Be3 Kc4 41.Bxd4 exd4 42.Kg2 (42.h7 Ng6 43.Kg2 b2 44.Kf3 Kc3 transposes) 42...b2 43.Kf3 (43.h7 Ng6 44.Kf3 Kc3 transposes to Variation A) 43…Kc3, we reach a critical branch-point where White may continue with 44.h7 or 44.Rb1:

A) 44.h7 Ng6, and now:

A1) 45.Kg4 Kc2 46.Rh1 Nh8 47.Kf5 d3, transposing to Variation A4.

A2) 45.Ke2 Kc2 46.Rd2+ Kc3 47.Rd3+ (if 47.Rxb2 Kxb2 48.Kd3 b5 49.Kxd4 d5! 50.Kxd5 b4 51.Ke6 b3 52.Kf6 Ka3 53.Kxg6 b2 54.h8=Q b1=Q+, with a theoretical draw) 47...Kc2 48.Rd2+ Kc3, with a draw by repetition.

A3) 45.Rh1 Kc2 46.Ke4, transposing to Variation A4.

A4) 45.Ke4 Kc2 46.Rh1 d3 47.Kf5, and now an important decision point for Black:

A4a) 47...d2 48.Kxg6 b1=Q (48...d1=Q 49.Rxd1 Kxd1 50.h8=Q b1=Q, is another "unclear" queen ending which I shall designate as QUEEN ENDING E) 49.Rxb1 Kxb1 50.h8=Q d1=Q, transposes to QUEEN ENDING D (see below), which I think is a draw. As the current assessment of Variation A4b2 appears to be a draw, Black is not compelled to enter Variation A4a after 44.h7.

A4b) 47...Nh8 (an important Black alternative to be considered in this situation) 48.g6 d2 49.g7 d1=Q! 50.Rxd1 Kxd1 51.gxh8=Q b1=Q+ 52.Ke6 Qe4+ 53.Kd7 Qa4+! and now:

A4b1) 54.Ke7 Qh4+! 55.Kxd6 (Depending on where the White king goes, it is important to give check from the correct square, for example: 55.Ke6 Qe4+! or 55.Kd7 Qa4+! or 55.Ke8 Qa4+!) 55...Qf4+ 56.Kd7 Qa4+! 57.Kc7 Qc6+ 58.Kb8 Qd6+ 59.Kxb7 Qd7+, with a theoretical draw.

A4b2) 54.Kc7 d5 55.Qc3 (if 55.Qe5 Qc2+ with a draw, or 55.Kb8 Qf4+ 56.Kxb7 Qb4+ 57.Kc6 Qc4+ 58.Kd6 Qa6+ 59.Kxd5 Qb5+, with a theoretical draw, or 55.Qg8 Qc6+ 56.Kb8 Qd6+, with a draw, or 55.Qb2 Qc6+ 56.Kb8 Qd6+ 57.Kxb7 Qd7+, draw) 55...Qf4+ 56.Kxb7 (Necessary, otherwise Black picks off the White h-pawn, for example: 56.Kc8 Qf5+, or 56.Kb6 Qh6+, with a draw) 56...Qf7+ 57.Qc7 Qe8! with a critical queen ending (which I shall designate as QUEEN ENDING G) - personally, I think this ending is a draw.

B) 44.Rb1 d3, and now:

B1) 45.Ke3 b5 46.h7 (or 46.Rxb2 Kxb2 47.Kxd3 d5! 48.Kd4 Ng6 49.Kxd5 b4 50.Ke6 b3 51.Kf6 Ka3 52.Kxg6 b2 53.h7 b1=Q+ 54.Kg7, with the same draw) 46...Ng6 47.Rxb2 Kxb2 48.Kxd3 d5 49.Kd4 b4 50.Kxd5 b3 51.Ke6 Ka3 52.Kf6 b2 53.Kxg6 b1=Q+ 54.Kg7, and the position is a draw.

B2) 45.h7 Ng6 46.Ke4 (if 46.Ke3 d5 47.Rxb2 Kxb2 48.Kxd3 b5 49.Kd4 b4 50.Kxd5 b3, transposing to Variation B1 with a draw) 46...Kc2 47.Rxb2+ Kxb2 48.Kf5 (if 48.Kxd3 d5 49.Kd4 b5 50.Kxd5 b4 51.Ke6 b3 52.Kf6 Ka3 53.Kxg6 b2 54.h8=Q b1=Q+, with a theoretical draw) 48...d2 49.Kxg6 d1=Q 50.h8=Q+ Kb1, with an "unclear" and critical queen ending (QUEEN ENDING D). In this Queen ending, Black's essential counterplay appears to consist of ramming the d-pawn, clearing SPACE for the Black Queen - personally, I think this ending is a draw.

Of paramount importance then is a study of QUEEN ENDING D (and perhaps to a lesser extent QUEEN ENDING E), which White can compel with 44.Rb1. If White avoids direct entry to QUEEN ENDING D and plays 44.h7, Black can then initiate entry to QUEEN ENDING D or QUEEN ENDING G. I have used the same designation for the different Queen endings as they are given in the SMART-FAQ.

Analysis by the World Team.