Icannos/chess_studies huggingface dataset:
[Event "Guarapuava"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1991.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Polgar, S."]
[Black "Kramnik, V."]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2490"]
[ECO "B33"]
[EventDate "1991.??.??"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[Source "Andry's Collect"]
[SourceDate "2000.??.??"]
[WhiteElo "2430"]

1. e4 { B33: Sicilian: Pelikan and Sveshnikov Variations } 1... c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Nd5 f5 11. Bd3 Be6 12. c3 Bg7 13. O-O Bxd5 14. exd5 Ne7 15. Qh5 e4 { Black wins space } 16. Bc2 Qa5 17. Rae1 ( 17. Nb1 b4 $11 ) 17... Ra7 ( 17... Bxc3 18. bxc3 Qxa3 19. Bxe4 fxe4 20. Rxe4 $11 ) 18. Kh1 ( 18. g4 Rg8 19. Kh1 Bxc3 20. bxc3 Rxg4 $14 ) 18... Bxc3 19. bxc3 { Deflection from a3 } 19... Qxa3 20. Bb3 Qb2 ( 20... a5 21. f3 a4 22. Bd1 exf3 23. Rxf3 ( 23. gxf3 Qxc3 24. Qxf5 Rc7 $15 ) ( 23. Bxf3 $6 Kd8 $14 ( 23... Qxa2 $2 { is worthless because of } 24. Qxf5 Qc4 25. Bh5 $18 ) ) 23... Qxa2 24. Rfe3 $16 ) 21. f3 Rg8 { Do you see the mate threat? } 22. g3 f4 23. fxe4 fxg3 { The mate threat is g2 } 24. Rxf7 Kd8 25. Qh6 ( 25. Rf3 Rc7 26. hxg3 Rxc3 $11 ) 25... Qxc3 { Threatening mate... how? } 26. Rf8+ ( 26. Qxd6+ Ke8 27. Rxe7+ Rxe7 28. Qb8+ Kd7 29. Qb7+ Kd8 30. Qb8+ Kd7 31. Qb7+ Kd8 32. Qb8+ Kd7 $11 ) 26... Rxf8 27. Qxf8+ Kd7 { Black threatens strongly Qxe1 } 28. Rf1 { With the decisive threat Bd1 } 28... Qe3 29. Qf4 Qxf4 30. Rxf4 gxh2 31. Bd1 Kc7 32. Rf7 ( 32. Rf6 Ng6 $15 ) 32... Kb6 $17 33. Rxh7 Rc7 34. Kxh2 ( 34. Rxh2 Rc1 35. Rd2 Ng6 $17 ) 34... Nxd5 $1 { Theme: Clearance for c7-h7 } 35. Rxc7 ( 35. exd5 Rxh7+ ) 35... Nxc7 $19 36. Kg3 Kc5 37. Kf4 Kd4 38. Kf5 b4 39. Ba4 a5 40. Bc6 Kc5 41. Bd7 Nb5 42. e5 dxe5 43. Kxe5 Nc3 44. Be6 Nxa2 $1 { takes home the point } 45. Bxa2 ( 45. Kf4 { hardly improves anything } 45... a4 46. Bxa2 b3 $19 ) 45... a4 ( 45... a4 46. Be6 b3 $19 ) 0-1
[Event "Chalkidiki"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Kramnik, V."]
[Black "Ulibin, M."]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2570"]
[ECO "E11"]
[EventDate "1992.??.??"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[WhiteElo "2625"]

1. d4 { E11: Bogo-Indian } 1... e6 2. c4 Nf6 3. Nf3 Bb4+ 4. Bd2 Qe7 5. g3 Nc6 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Bg2 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 Ne4 9. Rc1 d6 10. d5 Nd8 11. dxe6 Nxe6 12. Bb4 Bd7 13. Ne5 N6c5 14. Nxd7 Nxd7 15. O-O a5 16. Ba3 Rfe8 17. b3 b6 18. Bb2 Rad8 19. Qd4 Qf6 20. Qxf6 Ndxf6 21. Rfd1 h6 { last book move } 22. e3 Nd7 23. Kf1 Re7 24. Ke2 Rde8 25. g4 Re6 26. h4 R6e7 27. Bf3 Ndc5 28. Rd5 Na6 29. a3 { Controls b4 } 29... Nac5 30. b4 axb4 31. axb4 Na6 32. b5 { White gets more space } 32... Nac5 { The knight feels good on c5 } 33. Ra1 Nf6 ( 33... Kf8 34. Ra7 $11 ) 34. Rdd1 ( 34. Bxf6 gxf6 35. Ra7 Nb3 $16 ) 34... Nfe4 $11 35. Ra7 Kf8 36. g5 ( 36. Bxe4 Nxe4 ( 36... Rxe4 37. Rxc7 Rxg4 38. Rxd6 $16 ) 37. Rda1 Nc5 $14 ) 36... hxg5 37. hxg5 Nxg5 38. Bc6 { White can be proud of that piece } 38... Rc8 39. Rh1 Kg8 40. Raa1 Nce6 41. Rh4 { White threatens strongly Rah1 } 41... f6 { Consolidates e5 } 42. Rg1 { White intends Bd5 } 42... Kf7 43. Bd5 { Threatening f4 } 43... Ke8 44. Rh8+ Nf8 45. f4 Ne6 46. Kf3 f5 $2 ( 46... c5 47. bxc6 Nc7 $18 ) 47. Rg6 Nc5 ( 47... Rd8 { is one last hope } 48. Rxe6 Rxe6 49. Bxe6 Ke7 50. Bxf5 Ne6 51. Rxd8 Nxd8 52. Bxg7 Ne6 $18 ) 48. Bxg7 Rf7 49. Bxf8 ( 49. Bxf8 Rxf8 50. Rxf8+ Kxf8 51. Rg8+ Ke7 52. Rxc8 $18 ) 1-0
[Event "Manila olm"]
[Site "Manila"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Lanka, Zigurds"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2490"]
[ECO "E81"]
[EventDate "1992.06.??"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[WhiteElo "2590"]

1. d4 { E81: King's Indian: Saemisch: 6th move deviations (including 6 Be3 c6) } 1... Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 Nbd7 7. Qd2 c5 8. d5 Ne5 9. Bg5 Nfd7 10. Bh6 Bxh6 11. Qxh6 a6 12. h4 f6 13. Qd2 Qa5 14. f4 Nf7 15. Nf3 Rb8 16. a4 Nb6 { last book move } 17. Bd3 Bg4 18. Nh2 Bd7 { Can a4 get defended? } 19. b3 Kh8 20. O-O Na8 21. Qb2 Rg8 22. Nf3 Bg4 23. e5 { Nimzovich: attack the chain at its base } ( 23. Ne2 Bxf3 24. Rxf3 Rbe8 $14 ) 23... Bxf3 24. exf6 Bg4 ( { Not } 24... exf6 25. Rxf3 Qd8 26. Ne4 $16 ) 25. fxe7 Rg7 ( 25... Nc7 26. Ne4+ Rg7 27. Nf6 $11 ) 26. Ne4 $11 Nc7 27. Nf6 Bh5 $4 { allows the opponent back into the game } ( 27... Nh6 $15 { would keep Black alive } ) 28. Rae1 ( 28. g4 Ne8 29. Rfe1 Bxg4 30. Nxg4 Qc7 $18 ) 28... Ne8 29. Nd7 $4 { White loses the upper hand } ( 29. g4 { a pity that White didn't try this } 29... Nxf6 30. Qxf6 $16 ( 30. gxh5 $6 Ne8 $11 ) ) 29... Ra8 $11 30. f5 g5 ( 30... gxf5 $5 { and Black can hope to survive } 31. Bxf5 Nh6 $11 ) 31. hxg5 $16 Nxg5 32. f6 { Threatening mate: fxg7 } 32... Rf7 33. Bf5 Nc7 $2 ( 33... Bg6 $5 34. Bxg6 hxg6 $16 ) 34. Nf8 $18 h6 ( 34... Ne8 $18 ) 35. Re3 b5 36. g4 ( 36. Ne6 { and White can already relax } 36... Re8 $18 ) 36... bxc4 ( 36... bxa4 { doesn't change the outcome of the game } 37. gxh5 a3 38. Ng6+ Kg8 39. Qe2 $18 ) 37. gxh5 c3 38. Rxc3 Nxd5 ( 38... Rb8 39. Be6 Qxa4 40. Rg3 $18 ) 39. Rd3 c4 40. bxc4 Qc5+ 41. Qd4 ( 41. Kh1 { keeps an even firmer grip } 41... Nc7 42. Ng6+ Kg8 $18 ) 41... Qxd4+ 42. Rxd4 Ne3 ( 42... Nxf6 { doesn't change anything anymore } 43. Rxd6 Rfxf8 44. exf8=Q+ Rxf8 45. Bb1 $18 ) 43. Bg6 ( 43. Ng6+ Kh7 44. Rxd6 Rxf6 45. Rxf6 $18 ) 43... Kg8 ( 43... Rfxf8 44. exf8=Q+ Rxf8 45. Rxd6 Nxf1 46. Kxf1 Nf3 $18 ) 44. Rxd6 ( 44. Rxd6 Rfxf8 45. f7+ Kg7 46. e8=Q Rfxe8 47. fxe8=N+ Rxe8 48. Bxe8 Nxf1 49. Kxf1 $18 ) 1-0
[Event "BL9293"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Nunn, J."]
[Black "Kramnik, V."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[BlackElo "2625"]
[ECO "B66"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[WhiteElo "2595"]

1. e4 { B66: Sicilian: Richter-Rauzer: 7...a6 8 0-0-0 h6 } 1... c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O h6 9. Bf4 Bd7 10. Nxc6 Bxc6 11. f3 d5 12. Qe1 Bb4 13. a3 Ba5 14. Bd2 Qe7 15. e5 Nd7 16. f4 b5 17. Ne2 Bxd2+ 18. Qxd2 O-O 19. Nd4 Rfc8 20. Bd3 Nc5 { last book move } 21. Kb1 ( 21. f5 a5 $11 ) 21... Bd7 ( 21... Nxd3 22. cxd3 b4 23. Rc1 $15 ) 22. g4 ( 22. Qa5 Qd8 23. Qxd8+ Rxd8 $14 ) 22... Rab8 ( 22... Nxd3 23. Qxd3 b4 24. axb4 Qxb4 25. g5 $15 ) 23. g5 { White gains space } ( 23. Qb4 Qd8 24. g5 hxg5 25. fxg5 Qxg5 $17 ) 23... b4 24. gxh6 bxa3 25. b3 { Consolidates a4 } 25... g6 { Prevents intrusion on f5 } 26. h4 Na4 ( { Not } 26... Nxd3 27. Qxd3 Bb5 28. Qd2 $14 ) 27. Rdg1 a2+ ( 27... Nc3+ 28. Ka1 Qc5 29. Nf3 $11 ) 28. Ka1 Qa3 { Threatening mate: Qb2 } 29. Qc1 Qb4 30. Ne2 Nc5 31. Rxg6+ Kh8 32. Rg7 { Do you see the mate threat? } 32... Nxb3+ { Demolishes the pawn shield } 33. cxb3 { Exploits the pin. } 33... Rxc1+ { A double attack } 34. Rxc1 Qxb3 { The mate threat is Qb2 } 35. Rh7+ Kg8 36. Rg1+ Kf8 37. Rh8+ Ke7 38. Rxb8 Qxd3 ( 38... Qxb8 39. h7 ( 39. Kxa2 { is the less attractive alternative } 39... Bb5 40. Nd4 Qb6 $17 ) 39... Ba4 40. Rg7 $11 ) 39. Rc1 Qxe2 40. h7 { Do you see the mate threat? } 40... Qd2 41. h8=Q { The mate threat is Qf6 } 1/2-1/2
[Event "Gausdal"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kramnik, V."]
[Black "Lerner, K."]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2515"]
[ECO "A01"]
[EventDate "1992.??.??"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Source "Andry's Collect"]
[SourceDate "2000.??.??"]
[WhiteElo "2590"]

1. b3 { A01: Nimzowitsch-Larsen Opening } 1... e5 2. Bb2 d6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. e3 Nc6 6. d3 O-O 7. Nf3 h6 8. c4 Be6 9. O-O Qd7 10. d4 exd4 11. exd4 Bf5 { last book move } 12. a3 { Prevents intrusion on b4 } 12... Rae8 13. d5 { White wins space } 13... Nb8 14. Nc3 Bd8 15. Nd4 Bh3 16. Qd3 Re5 17. Nce2 Bxg2 18. Kxg2 Rfe8 19. Nf4 ( 19. Rae1 c6 20. Nc2 cxd5 21. Bxe5 dxe5 22. cxd5 Nxd5 $14 ) 19... Re4 20. Rad1 Na6 21. b4 Nb8 22. Nb3 g5 ( 22... a6 23. Nd2 R4e7 24. Bxf6 gxf6 25. Nf3 $16 ) 23. Nd2 gxf4 24. Bxf6 Re2 25. Bc3 Qg4 26. Qd4 Kh7 27. Rde1 c5 28. Qd3+ f5 { White now must not overlook the idea Rxe1 } 29. Rxe2 Rxe2 30. bxc5 dxc5 31. Nf3 { White threatens strongly Qxe2 } 31... Re4 32. d6 ( 32. h3 $5 Qg6 33. Ne5 Qe8 $18 ) 32... Nd7 33. Qd5 Qg6 34. Qxb7 { White gets deadly initiative. . } 34... Qxd6 35. Be5 $1 { securing the advantage in this game } 35... Qd3 ( 35... Rxe5 36. Nxe5 ) 36. Bxf4 $18 Bf6 37. Qc6 ( 37. Rc1 Re7 $18 ) 37... Re7 $16 38. Rc1 Qe4 39. Qd6 Qb7 $2 ( 39... Rg7 $5 $16 ) 40. Rd1 $18 ( 40. Rd1 Kg7 41. Rd5 $18 ) 1-0
[Event "Manila (ol)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kramnik, V."]
[Black "Nunn, J."]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2615"]
[ECO "E81"]
[EventDate "1992.??.??"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[Source "Andry's Collect"]
[SourceDate "2000.??.??"]
[WhiteElo "2590"]

1. d4 { E81: King's Indian: Saemisch: 6th move deviations (including 6 Be3 c6) } 1... Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 O-O 6. Be3 c5 7. dxc5 dxc5 8. Qxd8 Rxd8 9. Bxc5 Nc6 10. Ba3 a5 11. Rd1 Be6 12. Nd5 Bxd5 13. cxd5 Nb4 14. Bb5 Nc2+ 15. Kf2 ( 15. Ke2 Nxa3 16. bxa3 Rdc8 $14 ) 15... Nxa3 16. bxa3 e6 17. d6 { He broke from his leash } 17... e5 ( 17... Rac8 18. a4 $11 ) 18. Ne2 Bf8 19. d7 Bxa3 20. g4 h6 21. h4 a4 22. Rd3 Bb2 23. g5 hxg5 24. hxg5 Nh7 25. f4 Ra5 26. Rd5 f6 ( 26... Nf8 27. f5 Nh7 $16 ) 27. Rxh7 $1 $18 { a brilliant end } 27... Kxh7 28. gxf6 { White threatens fxe5 } 28... exf4 29. e5 Kh6 30. Nxf4 Bxe5 31. Rxe5 Rxd7 ( 31... Rxb5 { the only chance to get some counterplay } 32. Rxb5 Rxd7 $18 ) 32. Bxd7 Rxe5 33. f7 ( 33. f7 Kg7 34. f8=Q+ Kxf8 35. Nxg6+ Kf7 36. Nxe5+ Ke7 37. Bxa4 $18 ) ( 33. Bxa4 $6 { succumbs to } 33... Re4 34. Nxg6 Rxa4 $11 ( 34... Kxg6 $4 35. Bc2 $18 ) ) 1-0
[Event "Beograd "]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kramnik, V."]
[Black "Romanishin, O."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A17"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[PlyCount "81"]

1. Nf3 { A17: English Opening: 1...Nf6 with ...Bb4 } 1... Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 c5 5. a3 Ba5 6. g3 Nc6 7. Bg2 Bxc3 8. Qxc3 Qa5 9. b4 cxb4 10. axb4 Qxb4 11. Qxb4 Nxb4 12. Nd4 d5 13. Ba3 Nc6 14. Nb5 Kd7 15. Nd6 Rf8 16. Rc1 b6 17. g4 { last book move } 17... Ne7 ( 17... h6 $5 $14 ) 18. g5 $16 Nfg8 19. cxd5 Nxd5 20. Nb5 Ba6 ( 20... Rd8 21. Bxd5 exd5 22. Rc7+ Ke8 23. Nd6+ Rxd6 24. Bxd6 $16 ) 21. Nc7 $1 { Theme: Double Attack } 21... Bb7 ( 21... Nxc7 22. Bc6+ { A double attack } ) 22. Nxd5 ( 22. Nxa8 Rxa8 23. Bb2 Nge7 $16 ) 22... Bxd5 $14 23. Bxd5 exd5 24. Bxf8 Rxf8 25. Rg1 Ne7 26. Rg3 Nc6 27. Rgc3 Rc8 28. Rh3 Rh8 29. Rhc3 ( 29. Rf3 Rf8 $14 ) 29... Rc8 30. d4 a5 31. f3 Ne7 32. Kd2 Rxc3 33. Kxc3 b5 ( 33... h6 $5 $14 ) 34. Kb2 $16 Nf5 35. Rc5 Ke6 36. Kc3 Nd6 37. Kd3 a4 38. Kc3 a3 39. Rc6 Kd7 ( 39... a2 40. Kb2 $18 ) 40. Ra6 Nc4 41. Kb4 ( 41. Kb4 Ne3 42. Kxb5 $18 ) 1-0
[Event "Biel izt"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1993.??.??"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Portisch, L."]
[Black "Kramnik, V."]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[ECO "D13"]
[EventDate "1993.??.??"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[WhiteElo "2585"]

1. d4 { D13: Slav Defence: Exchange variation without ...Bf5 } 1... d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Ne4 7. e3 Nxc3 8. bxc3 g6 9. Be2 Bg7 10. O-O O-O 11. c4 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Bf5 13. Rc1 Rc8 14. Qe2 a6 { Controls b5 } 15. h3 { Consolidates g4 } 15... Na5 16. Bd3 Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Qd7 18. Rc3 { The rook intends Rc1-c3-c7-c5 } 18... b5 19. Rfc1 Nc4 20. Qe2 Nb6 21. Rc7 Qe6 22. Bg5 Nd5 23. R7c5 { An ideal square for the white rook. } 23... h6 24. Bh4 b4 25. Qb2 Nc3 { Plans Rxc5. The knight dominates } 26. Rxc8 Rxc8 27. Kh1 Kh7 28. Ra1 a5 29. Qb3 Qxb3 30. axb3 g5 31. Bg3 a4 32. Nd2 a3 33. Rc1 e5 34. d5 $2 ( 34. Nf3 exd4 35. Nxd4 Bxd4 36. exd4 Rd8 $19 ) 34... a2 ( 34... Rc5 $5 { might be the shorter path } 35. d6 Rd5 36. Nf3 $19 ) 35. Ra1 e4 { Black threatens.... what? } 36. d6 Ra8 { Threatens Ne2 } 37. Nc4 Nb5 { Black threatens strongly Bxa1 } 38. Be5 Nxd6 $1 { the knockout punch } 39. Rxa2 ( 39. Nxd6 { A deflection } 39... Bxe5 { A double attack } ) 39... Rxa2 40. Bxd6 Rxf2 41. Bxb4 ( 41. Kg1 Rf5 $19 ) 41... Rf1+ 42. Kh2 Rb1 ( 42... Rb1 43. Bd2 Rxb3 $19 ) 0-1
[Event "PCA-WchQual3 New York"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Kamsky, G."]
[Black "Kramnik, V."]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[ECO "D44"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[WhiteElo "2695"]

1. d4 { D44: Semi-Slav: Botvinnik System } 1... d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Nxg5 hxg5 10. Bxg5 Nbd7 11. exf6 Bb7 12. g3 c5 13. d5 Qb6 14. Bg2 O-O-O 15. O-O b4 16. Na4 Qb5 17. a3 Ne5 18. axb4 cxb4 19. Qd4 Nc6 20. dxc6 Rxd4 { last book move } 21. cxb7+ { White gets kings attack } 21... Kc7 ( 21... Kb8 22. Be3 Qh5 23. h3 $14 ) 22. Be3 $14 e5 23. Nc3 { The mate threat is Nxb5 } 23... bxc3 24. bxc3 Bc5 25. cxd4 ( 25. Rfb1 $5 Rd1+ 26. Rxd1 Bxe3 27. fxe3 $14 ) 25... Bxd4 $11 { A beautiful square! } 26. Rfb1 Qc5 27. Ra6 Rb8 28. Bc1 c3 ( 28... Bxf2+ $5 29. Kh1 Kd7 $16 ) 29. Ba3 $18 Qc4 30. Bd6+ Kd7 31. Bc6+ Ke6 $4 { strolling merrily down the path to disaster } ( 31... Qxc6 32. Rxc6 Rxb7 33. Rc7+ Rxc7 34. Bxc7 Kxc7 $16 ) 32. Bb5 $18 ( 32. Bxb8 { is the less attractive alternative } 32... Qxa6 33. Bd6 Bxf2+ 34. Kg2 Qxc6+ 35. Kxf2 c2 $15 ) 32... Bxf2+ 33. Kxf2 Qd4+ 34. Kf1 Qe4 ( 34... Qxd6 { there is nothing else anyway } 35. Bc4+ Kd7 36. Rxd6+ Kxd6 37. Rd1+ Kc5 38. Bxf7 Rxb7 $18 ) 35. Re1 Qh1+ 36. Kf2 Qxh2+ 37. Kf3 Rxb7 38. Bxe5+ Rb6 ( 38... Kd5 { what else? } 39. Bc6+ Kc4 40. Bxb7 c2 $18 ) 39. Bc4+ Kd7 40. Rxa7+ Kc8 41. Rc7+ ( 41. Rc7+ Kd8 42. Rxf7 Qh5+ 43. g4 Qxf7 44. Bxf7 $18 ) ( 41. Ra8+ { and White can celebrate victory } 41... Kd7 42. Rd1+ Qd2 43. Ra7+ Kc8 $18 ) 1-0
[Event "Moscow olm  RUS 1-UKR"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kramnik, V."]
[Black "Malaniuk, V."]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2610"]
[ECO "A87"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[WhiteElo "2725"]

1. Nf3 { A87: Dutch Defence: Leningrad System: 5 Nf3 } 1... f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 d6 4. d4 g6 5. O-O Bg7 6. c4 O-O 7. Nc3 Qe8 8. d5 Na6 9. Rb1 Bd7 10. b4 c5 11. dxc6 Bxc6 12. Qb3 Ne4 13. Bb2 Nxc3 14. Bxc3 Bxc3 15. c5+ ( 15. Qxc3 $5 Nc7 16. c5 $14 ) 15... e6 $15 16. Qxc3 dxc5 17. b5 Bxb5 18. Ne5 { The knight feels good on e5 } 18... Rb8 ( 18... Bxe2 $2 { doesn't lead to anything significant } 19. Rxb7 Qd8 20. Re1 $18 ) 19. Rfe1 b6 20. e4 Nc7 21. exf5 gxf5 22. Qe3 a6 23. Qg5+ Kh8 24. Rbd1 Rg8 25. Qf4 Qe7 ( 25... Rg7 $5 $15 { must definitely be considered } ) 26. Bc6 $14 Rg4 ( 26... Rbd8 $5 { and Black could well hope to play on } 27. Rxd8 Rxd8 28. Bxb5 axb5 $14 ( 28... Nxb5 29. Nc6 Qd7 30. Nxd8 Qxd8 31. Qe5+ Kg8 32. Qxe6+ Kg7 33. Qxf5 $18 ) ) 27. Nxg4 $18 Bxc6 28. Rd6 Be8 $2 ( 28... Bb5 29. Rdxe6 $1 { Clearance to allow e5-b8 } 29... Nxe6 30. Qxb8+ Qf8 31. Qe5+ Qg7 32. Qxe6 Qxg4 33. Qxb6 $18 ) 29. Nh6 ( 29. Rdxe6 { keeps an even firmer grip } 29... Nxe6 30. Qe5+ Qg7 31. Qxb8 Nc7 32. Rxe8+ Nxe8 33. Qxe8+ Qg8 34. Qe5+ Qg7 $18 ) 29... Rc8 $4 { causes even greater problems } ( 29... Qf6 $5 $16 ) 30. Rxb6 ( 30. Rdxe6 $1 { makes sure everything is clear } 30... Nxe6 31. Qe5+ Qg7 32. Qxe6 $18 ) 30... Qg7 31. Rb7 ( 31. Qe5 Qxe5 32. Rxe5 c4 $18 ) 31... Bc6 $16 32. Ra7 Nd5 ( 32... Bd5 $5 $18 ) 33. Qe5 { Threatening mate... how? } ( 33. Rxg7 $6 Nxf4 34. Ra7 Nh3+ 35. Kf1 Ng5 $16 ) 33... Qxe5 34. Nf7+ Kg8 { Threatening mate: Qxe1 } 35. Nxe5 ( 35. Rxe5 Rb8 36. f3 Rb1+ 37. Kg2 Rb2+ 38. Kh3 Rb7 39. Rxa6 Nb4 40. Nh6+ Kf8 41. Rxe6 Nxa6 42. Rxc6 Nb4 43. Rxc5 Ra7 $18 ) 35... Bb5 36. a4 Bxa4 37. Rxa6 Bb5 38. Rxe6 c4 39. Rd6 Nb4 ( 39... Nc3 $18 ) 40. Rb6 Nc2 41. Rb1 ( 41. Rb1 Nd4 42. R6xb5 Nxb5 43. Rxb5 $18 ) 1-0
[Event "Moscow PCA"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kramnik, V."]
[Black "Kasparov, G."]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2805"]
[ECO "E93"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]

1. Nf3 { E93: King's Indian: Classical: Petrosian System with 7...Nbd7 } 1... Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. d4 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. d5 Nbd7 8. Be3 Ng4 9. Bg5 f6 10. Bh4 h5 11. Nd2 Nh6 12. f3 Nf7 13. Qc2 Bh6 14. O-O-O c5 15. dxc6 bxc6 16. Kb1 a5 17. Na4 c5 18. Nc3 Be3 19. Nd5 Bd4 20. Nb3 Bb7 21. Nxd4 cxd4 ( { Inferior is } 21... exd4 22. Nf4 $16 ) 22. f4 Rb8 23. Rhf1 Nh6 24. c5 { White launches an attack } 24... Bxd5 25. exd5 Nf5 26. fxe5 Nxh4 ( { Weaker is } 26... dxc5 27. Rxf5 gxf5 28. e6 $16 ) ( { Less advisable is } 26... dxe5 27. Rxf5 gxf5 28. c6 $16 ) 27. exd6 Ne5 28. Rxd4 Nf5 ( 28... Nxg2 $2 { doesn't solve anything } 29. Re4 Rf7 30. Rg1 $18 ) 29. Rxf5 gxf5 30. Qxf5 Kg7 31. Bxh5 ( { Instead of } 31. Qxh5 Rh8 32. Qf5 Rxh2 $17 ) 31... Rh8 $4 { gives the opponent new chances } ( 31... Rb5 { was a good chance to save the game } 32. Be2 Rxc5 33. Rg4+ Nxg4 34. Qxg4+ Kh6 35. Qh5+ Kg7 36. Qg4+ Kf7 37. Qe6+ Kg7 38. Qg4+ $11 ) 32. Rg4+ $1 $18 { the death sentence } 32... Kf8 ( 32... Nxg4 { A deflection } 33. Qg6+ { A double attack } ) 33. Qe6 { With the decisive threat c6 } 33... Rb7 $4 { sad, but how else could Black save the game? } ( 33... a4 $18 ) 34. c6 Rxb2+ 35. Kxb2 Qb6+ 36. Ka3 Qc5+ 37. Ka4 Qc2+ 38. Kb5 Qb2+ 39. Ka6 Qe2+ 40. Kb7 ( 40. Kb6 { and White can already relax } 40... Qe3+ 41. Kb7 Rh7+ 42. c7 Nxg4 $18 ) 40... Rh7+ 41. d7 ( 41. d7 Qb5+ 42. Kc7 Rxd7+ 43. cxd7 Qc5+ 44. Kb7 Qb5+ 45. Ka8 Qa6+ 46. Qxa6 Nxg4 47. d8=Q+ Kg7 48. h4 Nf2 49. Qb7+ Kh6 50. Qh8# ) 1-0
[Event "Sanghi Nagar (m/3)"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kramnik, V."]
[Black "Gelfand, B."]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2680"]
[ECO "B52"]
[EventDate "1994.??.??"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[Source "Andry's Collect"]
[SourceDate "2000.??.??"]
[WhiteElo "2725"]

1. e4 { B52: Sicilian: Moscow Variation with 3...Bd7 } 1... c5 2. Nf3 d6 { Prevents intrusion on e5 } 3. Bb5+ Bd7 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 ( 4... Nxd7 5. d4 $11 ) 5. c4 Nf6 ( 5... Qg4 6. Nc3 Qxg2 7. Rg1 $11 ) 6. Nc3 Nc6 7. O-O g6 8. d4 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Bg7 10. Nde2 ( 10. Be3 h5 $14 ) 10... O-O ( 10... Qe6 $5 { is worthy of consideration } 11. Nd5 Qxe4 12. Nc7+ Kd7 13. Nxa8 Qxc4 $17 ) 11. f3 { Controls g4 } 11... a6 { Consolidates b5 } 12. a4 Rfc8 13. b3 Qd8 14. Kh1 Nd7 15. Bg5 Qa5 16. Qd2 Nc5 17. Rab1 e6 { Secures d5 } 18. Rfd1 Rab8 19. Bh4 Qb6 20. Qxd6 ( 20. Bf2 $5 { is noteworthy } 20... Rd8 21. Na2 $11 ) 20... Be5 $15 21. Qd2 Nxb3 22. Qb2 Nca5 23. Nd5 { Threatening mate: Ne7 } 23... exd5 24. Qxe5 Nxc4 { The knight dominates } ( 24... dxe4 $5 { should be examined more closely } 25. Nf4 Re8 $15 ) 25. Qxd5 $14 { White creates threats along the open d-file } 25... Qe3 26. Re1 Nbd2 ( 26... Nba5 $5 $14 { must be considered } ) 27. Rxb7 $16 Rxb7 28. Qxb7 { The mate threat is Qxc8 } 28... Re8 29. Qd7 { Do you see the mate threat? } 29... Rb8 30. Bg3 Nxf3 31. Bxb8 { With the decisive threat Qc8 } 31... Qxe4 $4 { shortens the misery for Black } ( 31... Nxe1 32. Qc8+ Kg7 33. Qxc4 Nd3 34. Qd4+ Qxd4 35. Nxd4 Nf2+ 36. Kg1 Nxe4 $18 ) 32. gxf3 Qxf3+ 33. Kg1 Qe3+ 34. Kg2 Qe4+ 35. Kh3 ( 35. Kh3 Ne3 36. Qd8+ Kg7 37. Qd4+ Qxd4 38. Nxd4 $18 ) 1-0
[Event "Deutschland "]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Lutz, Ch"]
[Black "Kramnik, V."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B33"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[PlyCount "70"]

1. e4 { B33: Sicilian: Pelikan and Sveshnikov Variations } 1... c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Nd5 Be7 10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. c3 O-O 12. Nc2 Bg5 13. a4 bxa4 14. Rxa4 a5 15. Bc4 Rb8 16. b3 Kh8 17. O-O g6 18. Qe2 Bd7 19. Rfa1 Bh6 { last book move } 20. g3 { Consolidates f4 } ( 20. Nde3 Be6 $14 ) 20... f5 $11 21. exf5 gxf5 22. b4 e4 { Black wins space. } 23. bxa5 Ne5 24. Rb4 Rxb4 25. cxb4 f4 26. Nd4 e3 27. fxe3 ( 27. Nxf4 $2 { doesn't work because of } 27... exf2+ 28. Qxf2 Bxf4 $19 ) 27... f3 { He broke from his leash } ( 27... fxg3 28. hxg3 Qg5 29. Kh2 Nxc4 30. Nf4 $19 ) 28. Qa2 f2+ 29. Kg2 Qe8 30. Be2 Ng4 { The pressure on the isolated pawn grows } 31. Bf3 $4 ( 31. Qd2 Qh5 32. Bxg4 Qxg4 33. Nf4 Bxf4 34. exf4 Qh3+ 35. Kxf2 Qxh2+ 36. Ke1 Qxg3+ 37. Kd1 Qg1+ 38. Ke2 Bg4+ 39. Kd3 Qxa1 40. f5 $19 ) 31... Nxe3+ $19 32. Nxe3 Qxe3 33. Qxf2 $4 { sad, but how else could White save the game?. } ( 33. Rd1 Bg7 34. Qb3 Bxd4 35. Qxe3 Bxe3 36. Be2 $19 ) 33... Bh3+ $1 { the final blow } 34. Kg1 { Black now must not overlook the idea Re1 } ( 34. Kxh3 { A deflection } 34... Qxf2 ) 34... Qc3 35. Re1 Bd2 ( 35... Bd2 36. Ne2 Qxf3 $19 ( 36... Bxe1 $6 { is clearly weaker } 37. Nxc3 Bxf2+ 38. Kxf2 $19 ) ( 36... Rxf3 $2 37. Nxc3 Rxf2 38. Kxf2 Bxc3 39. Re7 $18 ) ) 0-1
[Event "Dortmund "]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kramnik, V."]
[Black "Piket, Je"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[PlyCount "97"]

1. Nf3 { E05: Open Catalan: 5 Nf3 Be7 } 1... d5 2. d4 e6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. c4 dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4 Nc6 9. Qxc4 Qd5 10. Nbd2 Rd8 { d4 becomes the focus of attention } 11. e3 Qh5 12. e4 Bd7 13. b3 b5 14. Qc3 Be8 15. axb5 axb5 16. Rxa8 Rxa8 17. Bb2 Ra2 18. Qc1 Qh6 19. h3 g6 20. Re1 Qf8 { last book move } 21. Qb1 Nb4 { A sound move } 22. Ne5 Nd7 23. Bc3 Ra6 24. Nxd7 Bxd7 25. Nf3 Qa8 26. Ne5 Bc6 27. Qd1 Na2 28. Bb2 b4 ( 28... Be8 $5 $11 ) 29. d5 { White gains space } 29... Be8 ( 29... Bb5 30. Qc2 $14 ) 30. Ng4 ( 30. Bf1 $5 Rb6 31. Bd4 $16 ) 30... Nc3 $14 { Here comes the goal-getter } 31. Qf3 h5 32. Nf6+ Bxf6 33. Qxf6 exd5 34. Qd4 Ra2 35. Qxb4 Nb5 ( { Instead of } 35... Nxe4 36. Qd4 Rxb2 37. Qxb2 $16 ) 36. Bf6 Qa7 { Do you see the mate threat? } 37. Re3 d4 38. Qe7 { Threatening mate... how? } 38... Nd6 39. Rd3 Qa6 40. Rd1 ( 40. Rxd4 $4 { Taking that pawn is naive } 40... Qe2 41. Rd2 Qxd2 42. Bd4 Qxd4 43. Qf6 Qxf6 44. f4 Qb2 45. Bf3 Ra1+ 46. Bd1 Rxd1# ) 40... Qe2 { Threatening mate: Qxf2 } 41. Rf1 d3 { Don't underestimate that pawn } 42. Bd4 d2 ( 42... Qc2 43. e5 Qe2 44. exd6 Qxe7 45. dxe7 $18 ) 43. Qe5 Kf8 44. Be3 { The mate threat is Bh6 } 44... Kg8 ( 44... f6 { does not save the day } 45. Qxf6+ Bf7 46. Bf3 $18 ) 45. Bh6 Qxf2+ ( 45... Nf5 { is one last hope } 46. Qxe8+ Kh7 47. Qxf7+ Kxh6 48. exf5 gxf5 49. Qf6+ Kh7 50. Qxf5+ Kg7 51. Qg5+ Kh7 $18 ) 46. Rxf2 d1=Q+ 47. Rf1 Rxg2+ 48. Kxg2 Qe2+ 49. Kg1 ( 49. Kg1 Qxf1+ 50. Kxf1 Bb5+ 51. Kg2 $18 ) 1-0
[Event "Beograd"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Topalov, V."]
[Black "Kramnik, V."]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2730"]
[ECO "B57"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[WhiteElo "2640"]

1. e4 { B57: Classical Sicilian: Sozin with 6...Qb6 } 1... c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bc4 Qb6 7. Ndb5 a6 8. Be3 Qa5 9. Nd4 Ne5 10. Bd3 Neg4 11. Bc1 g6 12. Nb3 Qb6 13. Qe2 Bg7 14. f4 Nh5 15. Nd5 Qd8 { last book move } 16. Bd2 e6 ( 16... Bxb2 17. Ba5 b6 18. Bxb6 Bc3+ 19. Kf1 ( 19. Nxc3 $6 Qxb6 20. Nd5 Qa7 $11 ) 19... Nxh2+ 20. Kg1 Nxf4 21. Qf2 Nxd3 22. cxd3 $18 ) 17. Ba5 Qh4+ 18. g3 Nxg3 19. Nc7+ Ke7 20. hxg3 Qxg3+ 21. Kd1 Nf2+ 22. Kd2 Nxh1 23. Nxa8 Qxf4+ 24. Qe3 Qh2+ 25. Qe2 Qf4+ ( 25... Bh6+ 26. Kd1 Qg1+ 27. Qe1 Qg4+ 28. Be2 Qxe4 29. Nb6 $17 ) 26. Qe3 Qh2+ ( 26... Qf2+ 27. Qxf2 Nxf2 28. Nb6 $15 ) 27. Qe2 Bh6+ 28. Kc3 Qe5+ 29. Kb4 Ng3 30. Qe1 { If White now only could play Ka3... } 30... Bg7 31. Nb6 d5 32. Ka4 { If White now would get Bc3 in, he might survive } 32... Bd7+ ( 32... Nxe4 33. Qb4+ Nd6 34. c3 $17 ) ( { Inferior is } 32... dxe4 33. Bc3 Qc7 34. Bxg7 Qxb6 35. Qxg3 $16 ) 33. Nxd7 b5+ ( 33... Kxd7 34. Qb4 Rb8 35. Bb6 dxe4 36. Bc4 $17 ) 34. Kb4 Kxd7 35. Bb6 $2 ( 35. Nc5+ Kc6 36. Rb1 Qd4+ 37. Ka3 Nxe4 ( 37... Kxc5 38. b4+ Kd6 39. Qxg3+ Be5 40. Qe1 $19 ) ( 37... Qxc5+ $6 38. Bb4 Qd4 39. exd5+ Kb7 40. b3 $19 ) 38. Bxe4 Qxc5+ ( 38... dxe4 $6 39. b4 Qc3+ 40. Qxc3 Bxc3 41. Kb3 $17 ) 39. b4 Qc3+ 40. Qxc3+ Bxc3 $19 ) 35... Qxb2 ( 35... dxe4 36. Bf1 Nxf1 37. Rd1+ Kc8 $19 ) 36. exd5 $17 Rc8 { The mate threat is Bf8 } 37. dxe6+ Ke8 ( 37... Kc6 38. Rb1 Qxa2 39. Na5+ Kd6 ( 39... Kxb6 $4 { taking the bishop will lose the game } 40. Qf2+ Kc7 41. Qc5+ Kd8 42. Qd6+ Ke8 43. Qd7+ Kf8 44. Qxf7# ) 40. Qxg3+ Be5 41. Nb7+ Ke7 42. Bc5+ Rxc5 43. Qh4+ Bf6 44. Qxh7 Rc4+ ( 44... Qxb1+ $6 { is no comparison } 45. Kxc5 Qg1+ 46. Kc6 Qg2+ 47. Kb6 Bd4+ 48. Kc7 Be5+ 49. Kb6 Bd4+ 50. Kc7 Be5+ 51. Kb6 Bd4+ $11 ) 45. Bxc4 Qa4+ ( 45... Qxb1+ 46. Kc5 Qg1+ 47. Kc6 Qh1+ 48. Qxh1 bxc4 49. Nd8 Bg7 50. Qh4+ Bf6 51. Qf4 Kf8 52. e7+ Kg7 53. e8=Q Kh7 54. Qxf7+ Kh8 55. Q4xf6# ) 46. Kc5 Qxc4+ 47. Kb6 Bd4+ 48. Kxa6 Qxe6+ 49. Kxb5 Qd5+ 50. Ka6 Qc6+ 51. Ka5 Bc3+ 52. Rb4 Qc4 $19 ( 52... Bxb4+ $6 53. Kxb4 Qxb7+ 54. Kc4 $19 ) ) 38. Bc5 $4 { overlooking an easy win } ( 38. Bxb5+ { would hold out } 38... axb5 39. exf7+ ( 39. Qxg3 fxe6 ( 39... Qxc2 40. exf7+ Kxf7 41. Qf3+ Qf5 42. Qxf5+ gxf5 43. Rh1 $18 ( 43. Kxb5 { is clearly inferior } 43... Bxa1 44. Nxa1 Ke6 $15 ) ) 40. Qf3 Qc3+ ( 40... Rxc2 41. Qa8+ Kf7 42. Rf1+ Bf6 43. Rf3 $14 ) 41. Qxc3 Bxc3+ ( 41... Rxc3 42. Rc1 $16 ( 42. Kxb5 Rxb3+ 43. cxb3 Bxa1 $15 ) ) 42. Kxb5 Bxa1 43. Nxa1 h5 $17 ) 39... Kxf7 40. Qxg3 $11 ) 38... Bc3+ $3 $19 { Theme: Double Attack } 39. Qxc3 a5+ $1 { a fitting end to a beautiful game } 40. Kxb5 ( 40. Kxa5 { A deflection } 40... Qxc3+ { A double attack } ) 40... Qxc3 ( 40... Qxc3 41. Rg1 Rb8+ 42. Ka6 Rxb3 43. exf7+ Kxf7 44. Rxg3 Kg7 45. axb3 Qxc5 46. Bxg6 hxg6 $19 ) 0-1
[Event "Novgorod"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gulko, B."]
[Black "Kramnik, V."]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2715"]
[ECO "A29"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[WhiteElo "2595"]

1. c4 { A29: English Opening: Four Knights Variation with 4 g3 } 1... e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 g6 5. d4 exd4 6. Nxd4 Bg7 7. Nxc6 dxc6 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. e4 Bg4 10. Be2 Bxe2 11. Kxe2 Re8 12. f3 { Secures g4 } 12... Nd7 13. Bg5+ ( 13. Be3 f5 14. exf5 Bd4 $11 ) 13... Kc8 $15 14. Rac1 a5 ( 14... f5 15. Rhd1 $15 ) 15. Rhd1 ( 15. Rhe1 a4 $11 ) 15... a4 ( 15... f5 $5 $15 { should be investigated more closely } ) 16. Rd2 Nf8 17. Be3 Ra5 18. a3 Ne6 19. Kf2 g5 ( 19... f5 20. exf5 Rxf5 21. Kg2 $11 ) 20. Rcd1 ( 20. g4 Rd8 $14 ) 20... f5 $11 21. exf5 Bxc3 22. bxc3 { White threatens strongly fxe6 } 22... Rxf5 23. Rd7 h5 24. Rh7 g4 { Black gets more space } 25. f4 Ng5 26. Rg7 Ne4+ 27. Kf1 { With the idea Rdd7 } 27... Nd6 28. Bb6 Rf7 29. Rxf7 Nxf7 { Black threatens cxb6 } 30. Bd4 Nd6 31. c5 Nc4 32. Kf2 b5 ( 32... Nxa3 $6 33. Ra1 Nb5 34. Rxa4 Nxd4 35. Rxd4 $11 ) 33. cxb6 cxb6 34. Bf6 b5 ( 34... Nxa3 $6 35. Ra1 Nc4 36. Rxa4 $15 ) 35. Rd4 ( 35. Ra1 $5 Re3 $17 ) 35... Nxa3 36. Rd6 Kc7 37. Be5 $2 ( 37. Rd1 $19 ) 37... Nc4 38. Re6+ Kd7 ( 38... Kd7 39. Rh6 Nxe5 40. fxe5 Rxe5 41. Rh7+ Kd6 42. Rh6+ Kc7 43. Rh7+ Kb6 $19 ) 0-1
[Event "Dos Hermanas"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Ivanchuk, V."]
[Black "Kramnik, V."]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "B66"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[WhiteElo "2735"]

1. e4 { B66: Sicilian: Richter-Rauzer: 7...a6 8 0-0-0 h6 } 1... c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O h6 9. Be3 Be7 10. f4 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 b5 12. Qe3 { White prepares e5 } 12... Qc7 13. e5 dxe5 14. Bxe5 Ng4 15. Qf3 Nxe5 16. Qxa8 Nd7 17. g3 Nb6 18. Qf3 Bb7 19. Ne4 { last book move } 19... f5 20. Qh5+ Kf8 21. Nf2 Bf6 22. Bd3 ( 22. Rg1 $5 { and White hangs on } 22... Qc5 23. Bg2 Bxb2+ 24. Kxb2 Nc4+ 25. Ka1 Qxf2 26. Qg6 $11 ) 22... Na4 $17 ( 22... Bxh1 $6 23. Rxh1 Na4 24. Nd1 $11 ) 23. Rhe1 Bxb2+ 24. Kb1 Bd5 ( 24... Qc8 25. Nh3 Bd5 26. Bxb5 axb5 27. Rxd5 Nc3+ 28. Kxb2 Nxd5 29. Qf3 $15 ) 25. Bxb5 Bxa2+ { Demolition of pawn structure. } ( 25... axb5 26. Rxd5 { Annihilates a defender: d5 } 26... Nc3+ 27. Kxb2 Nxd5 28. Rxe6 Qc3+ 29. Kb1 Qb4+ 30. Kc1 Qa3+ 31. Kd1 $16 ) 26. Kxa2 { Threatening mate... how? } 26... axb5 27. Kb1 Qa5 { Do you see the mate threat? } 28. Nd3 $4 { terrible, but the game is lost in any case } ( 28. c3 Bxc3 29. Rd7 Qb4+ 30. Kc2 Qb2+ 31. Kd1 Qb1+ 32. Ke2 Qxe1+ 33. Kf3 $15 ) 28... Ba3 $19 29. Ka2 ( 29. c4 { there is nothing better in the position } 29... bxc4 30. Nb2 $19 ) 29... Nc3+ 30. Kb3 Nd5 31. Ka2 { If White now only could play Rxe6... } 31... Bb4+ 32. Kb1 Bc3 ( 32... Bc3 33. Qe8+ Kxe8 34. Rxe6+ Kf7 35. Re7+ Kxe7 36. Re1+ Kd8 37. Nb2 Qa3 38. Re8+ Rxe8 39. g4 Qxb2# ) 0-1
[Event "Dos Hermanas "]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kasparov, G."]
[Black "Kramnik, V."]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[ECO "D48"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]

1. d4 { D48: Semi-Slav: Meran System: 7...b5 8 Bd3 a6 } 1... d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 Bb7 9. O-O a6 10. e4 c5 11. d5 c4 12. Bc2 Qc7 13. Nd4 Nc5 14. b4 cxb3 15. axb3 b4 16. Na4 Ncxe4 17. Bxe4 Nxe4 18. dxe6 Bd6 { last book move } 19. exf7+ Qxf7 ( 19... Kxf7 $5 { should be considered } 20. Qh5+ g6 $11 ) 20. f3 $16 Qh5 { Do you see the mate threat? } 21. g3 ( 21. fxe4 Qxh2+ 22. Kf2 O-O+ 23. Ke3 Qxg2 $19 ) 21... O-O ( 21... Nf6 $5 22. Ne6 Qd5 23. Nxg7+ Kf7 $16 ) 22. fxe4 $18 Qh3 23. Nf3 ( 23. Qe2 { and White is on the road to success } 23... Bxe4 24. Bf4 Bxf4 25. Rxf4 ( 25. gxf4 Bd5 26. Rae1 Rae8 $11 ) 25... Rxf4 26. gxf4 $18 ) 23... Bxg3 $14 { Demolishes the pawn shield } 24. Nc5 ( 24. hxg3 Qxg3+ ) 24... Rxf3 $17 { Eliminates the defender f3 } 25. Rxf3 ( 25. Qxf3 Qxh2# { The nicest combinations are those leading to mate } ) 25... Qxh2+ { Demolition of pawn structure } 26. Kf1 Bc6 { Threatening mate: Bb5 } 27. Bg5 ( 27. Be3 Bb5+ 28. Nd3 $17 ) 27... Bb5+ $19 28. Nd3 { Plans Qd2 } 28... Re8 29. Ra2 ( 29. Rc1 Qh1+ 30. Ke2 Rxe4+ 31. Kd2 Qg2+ 32. Rf2 Bxf2 33. Rc8+ Be8 34. Nxf2 Rd4+ 35. Ke2 Rxd1 36. Rxe8+ Kf7 37. Re7+ Kf8 38. Kxd1 Qxf2 39. Re1 Qf3+ 40. Re2 Qxb3+ 41. Kc1 Qc3+ 42. Kd1 Qd4+ 43. Bd2 $19 ) 29... Qh1+ ( 29... Bxd3+ 30. Rxd3 Qh1+ 31. Ke2 Qg2+ 32. Ke3 Rxe4# ) 30. Ke2 $19 Rxe4+ 31. Kd2 Qg2+ 32. Kc1 Qxa2 33. Rxg3 Qa1+ 34. Kc2 Qc3+ 35. Kb1 Rd4 ( 35... Rd4 36. Qd2 Bxd3+ ( 36... Rxd3 $6 37. Qxc3 bxc3 38. Bf4 $19 ) 37. Ka2 Rd5 38. Qxc3 bxc3 $19 ) 0-1
[Event "Berlin "]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Gelfand, B."]
[Black "Kramnik, V."]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[ECO "D45"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[PlyCount "56"]
[WhiteElo "2665"]

1. d4 { D45: Semi-Slav: 5 e3 } 1... d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Qc2 Bd6 7. g4 Bb4 8. Bd2 Qe7 9. a3 Bxc3 10. Bxc3 b6 11. Bd3 Ba6 12. Qa4 dxc4 13. Qxa6 cxd3 14. Qxd3 O-O 15. g5 Nd5 16. Bd2 f5 17. O-O-O c5 18. Kb1 b5 { last book move } 19. Qxb5 Rab8 { Black is in command } 20. Qa5 Rb3 21. Ka2 Rfb8 { Attacking the backward pawn on b2 } 22. Rb1 ( 22. Bc1 c4 23. Qa4 N7b6 $17 ) 22... e5 23. Rhc1 ( 23. Ka1 $5 $11 ) 23... Qe6 $15 24. Ka1 exd4 25. Rxc5 $4 ( 25. Ne1 $15 { is just about the only chance } ) 25... Nxc5 $19 26. Qxc5 ( 26. Nxd4 { praying for a miracle } 26... Qc8 27. Be1 $19 ) 26... Nc3 { Demolishes the pawn shield } 27. Nxd4 ( 27. bxc3 { Exploits the pin } 27... Rxb1# { A beautiful mate combination } ) 27... Rxb2 $3 { Demolition of pawn structure } 28. Rxb2 { Decoy theme: b2 } ( 28. Qf8+ { desperation } 28... Rxf8 29. Rxb2 $19 ( 29. Nxe6 $4 { greedy! } 29... Rxb1# ) ) 28... Qa2+ $5 { Theme: Double Attack } ( 28... Qa2+ 29. Rxa2 Rb1# ) 0-1
[Event "Supertorneo Las Palmas"]
[Site "Las Palmas"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Kramnik, V."]
[Black "Anand, V."]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2735"]
[ECO "A30"]
[EventDate "1996.12.08"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.04.10"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]

1. Nf3 { A30: Symmetrical English: Double Fianchetto and Hedgehog } 1... Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. g3 Bb7 4. Bg2 e6 5. O-O Be7 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Re1 d5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. e4 Nxc3 10. bxc3 c5 11. d4 Nd7 12. Bf4 cxd4 13. cxd4 Nf6 14. Ne5 Bb4 15. Re3 Rc8 16. d5 exd5 17. exd5 { The passed pawn on d5 will become decisive later } 17... Bd6 18. Nc6 Bxc6 19. Bxd6 Ba4 20. Bxf8 Bxd1 21. Be7 Qc7 { last book move } 22. Rxd1 Nd7 23. Bh3 h6 { Secures g5 } 24. Bf5 b5 25. Bb4 Rd8 26. Re7 Qc4 27. Rxd7 Rxd7 28. Bxd7 Qxb4 29. d6 Qa4 ( 29... Qa5 { doesn't get the bull off the ice } 30. Bxb5 $1 { Clearance to allow d6-d7 } 30... Qxb5 $18 ) 30. Rd3 ( 30. Rc1 { and White can already relax } 30... g6 31. Bf5 Qxa2 $18 ) 30... Qe4 $4 ( 30... Kf8 $11 { this is the best bet to save the position } ) 31. Bxb5 $18 Qe1+ 32. Kg2 Qe4+ 33. Kg1 ( 33. Kf1 { it becomes clear that White will call all the shots } 33... Qh1+ 34. Ke2 Qe4+ 35. Kd1 Qh1+ 36. Kc2 $18 ) 33... Qe1+ $11 34. Kg2 Qe4+ 35. Kf1 Qh1+ 36. Ke2 Qe4+ 37. Kf1 ( 37. Kd1 { makes sure everything is clear } 37... Qh1+ 38. Kc2 $18 ) 37... Qh1+ $11 38. Ke2 Qe4+ 39. Kd1 Qg4+ ( 39... Qh1+ { cannot change destiny } 40. Kc2 Qa1 41. d7 Qxa2+ 42. Kd1 Qb1+ 43. Ke2 $18 ) 40. f3 Qh3 ( 40... Qb4 { desperation } 41. d7 Qxb5 42. d8=Q+ Kh7 $18 ) 41. d7 ( 41. d7 Qf1+ 42. Kc2 Qe2+ 43. Kb3 Qe6+ 44. Ka3 $18 ) 1-0
[Event "Amsterdam"]
[Site "Amsterdam"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kramnik, V."]
[Black "Topalov, V."]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2700"]
[ECO "A30"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]

1. Nf3 { A30: Symmetrical English: Double Fianchetto and Hedgehog } 1... Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 e6 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O d6 7. b3 Nbd7 8. Bb2 Be7 9. d4 O-O 10. d5 exd5 11. Nh4 g6 12. cxd5 Ne8 13. f4 Nc7 14. e4 b5 15. e5 f5 16. a4 ( 16. exd6 Bxd6 17. Re1 $15 ) 16... b4 $15 { Black gets more space } 17. Nb5 { Black now must not overlook the idea exd6 } 17... Nxb5 18. axb5 Qb6 19. Re1 Qxb5 ( 19... dxe5 20. fxe5 c4+ 21. Bd4 $17 ) 20. Bf1 ( 20. exd6 $5 { is worth consideration } 20... Bf6 21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22. Re7 $11 ) 20... Qb6 $15 21. Bc4 { The bishop likes it on c4 } 21... Qd8 22. exd6 Bf6 23. Qd2 ( 23. Qe2 $11 ) 23... Bxb2 ( 23... Nb6 $5 $15 { should be examined more closely } ) 24. Qxb2 $14 Qf6 25. Qf2 Nb6 { Attacks the isolani on d5 } 26. Rad1 ( 26. Qxc5 Rfc8 27. Qxb4 Nxc4 28. bxc4 Qd4+ 29. Kg2 Bxd5+ 30. Kh3 Bxc4 31. Qa3 $16 ) 26... Rfe8 ( 26... Nxc4 $5 { looks like a viable alternative } 27. bxc4 Qxd6 $11 ) 27. Rxe8+ $16 Rxe8 28. Qxc5 Qc3 29. Ng2 Re2 $2 ( 29... Rf8 $18 ) 30. d7 $1 { puts the final touch } 30... Nxd7 { Black threatens to counter with Rxg2 } 31. Qb5 { Theme: Double Attack } 31... Rxg2+ ( 31... Rd2 { does not help much } 32. d6+ Kh8 33. Rxd2 Qxd2 34. Qxb7 Qxd6 35. Qxa7 Qd1+ 36. Bf1 $18 ) 32. Kxg2 Qc2+ ( 32... Bc8 33. Qc6 Qc2+ 34. Kh3 Kg7 $18 ) 33. Be2 ( 33. Kh3 Qxd1 34. Qxb7 Nb6 35. Qb8+ Kg7 36. Qxa7+ Kh6 37. Qxb6 Qf3 38. Qxb4 Kg7 39. Qe7+ Kh6 40. Qf8+ Kh5 41. Qg7 Qg4+ 42. Kg2 Qh3+ 43. Kxh3 h6 44. Be2# ) 33... Nb6 $2 ( 33... a6 34. Qc4 Qxc4 35. bxc4 Nc5 $18 ) 34. Kf2 Kg7 ( 34... Qe4 { doesn't improve anything } 35. Bf3 Qc2+ 36. Kg1 $18 ) 35. d6 ( 35. Ra1 { secures victory } 35... Qe4 36. Rxa7 Qd4+ 37. Kf1 Kh6 $18 ) 35... Bc6 36. Qxb4 ( 36. Qxb4 Qb2 37. Rd3 $18 ) 1-0
[Event "Wien"]
[Site "Wien"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kramnik, V."]
[Black "Polgar, J."]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2665"]
[ECO "E97"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[WhiteElo "2765"]

1. Nf3 { E97: King's Indian: Classical Main Line (6...e5 7 0-0 Nc6): 8 Be3 and
8 d5 Ne7, not 9 Ne1 } 1... Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. d4 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. O-O Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 9. b4 Nh5 10. Re1 f5 11. Ng5 Nf6 12. Bf3 Kh8 13. Bb2 a5 14. b5 { White gets more space } 14... Rb8 15. Ne6 ( 15. exf5 Bxf5 16. Qd2 Qd7 $14 ) 15... Bxe6 $11 16. dxe6 Ne8 17. Qb3 c5 18. exf5 gxf5 19. Bh5 Nc7 20. Bf7 { The white bishop is well posted. } 20... Qc8 21. Nd5 Ncxd5 22. cxd5 f4 { Black wins space } ( 22... c4 23. Qf3 $11 ) 23. Bh5 { The bishop aims for Bf7-h5-f3-e4 } ( 23. Rac1 Qc7 $11 ) 23... b6 24. Rad1 Rf5 25. Bf3 Qg8 26. Be4 { A sound move } 26... Rg5 27. Rd3 Bf6 28. Rh3 Ng6 29. Qf3 Rb7 30. Rh5 Rxh5 31. Qxh5 Rg7 32. g3 { Controls h4 } 32... Ne7 ( 32... a4 33. Kf1 $11 ) 33. Kh1 $14 Qf8 34. Rg1 Ng8 35. Qf3 Bg5 36. h4 Bf6 37. Rg2 Qe7 ( 37... fxg3 38. fxg3 Qa8 39. a4 $11 ) 38. Qh5 fxg3 39. fxg3 Qf8 ( 39... Qd8 $5 $11 { is an interesting alternative } ) 40. Rf2 $16 Qd8 $2 ( 40... Qe7 41. Rf3 a4 $14 ) 41. g4 $18 Be7 ( 41... Qe7 42. g5 $18 ) 42. g5 { Threatening mate... how? } 42... c4 ( 42... Bf6 $18 ) 43. Rf7 Qe8 ( 43... Nf6 { no good, but what else? } 44. gxf6 Rg1+ 45. Kxg1 Qg8+ 46. Kh1 h6 47. Qxh6+ Qh7 48. Qxh7# ) 44. Qxh7+ $3 { Demolishes the pawn shield } ( 44. Qxh7+ Rxh7 45. Rxh7# ) 1-0
[Event "Investbanka"]
[Site "Belgrade"]
[Date "1997.11.12"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2765"]
[ECO "D43"]
[EventDate "1997.11.11"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.01.31"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]

1. Nf3 { D43: Semi-Slav: 5 Bg5 h6 } 1... Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. d4 c6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. e4 g5 8. Bg3 b5 9. Be2 Bb7 10. e5 Nh5 11. a4 a6 12. Nxg5 Nxg3 13. Nxf7 Kxf7 14. fxg3 Kg8 15. O-O Nd7 16. Bg4 Qe7 17. Ne4 Rh7 { last book move } 18. Nd6 { A classical outpost } 18... Rb8 19. b4 ( 19. axb5 { would keep White in the game } 19... cxb5 20. Nxb7 Rxb7 21. Rxa6 $14 ) 19... h5 $17 20. Bh3 Bh6 21. Kh1 Bg5 ( 21... Nf8 22. Qxh5 Bd2 23. Qg4+ Qg7 24. Ne4 Qxg4 25. Bxg4 $19 ) 22. Qc2 ( 22. axb5 cxb5 23. Nxb7 Rxb7 $17 ) 22... Rg7 ( 22... Nf8 $5 23. axb5 cxb5 24. Nxb7 Rxb7 25. Rxa6 $19 ) 23. Qe2 Ba8 ( 23... h4 24. axb5 cxb5 25. Nxb7 Rxb7 26. Rxa6 $15 ) 24. Qxh5 $15 Rf8 25. Ne4 c5 { Black gets strong initiative } ( 25... Rxf1+ 26. Rxf1 Nf8 27. Nc5 $15 ) 26. Nxg5 $14 { The isolani on e6 becomes a target } 26... Bd5 27. Nf3 cxb4 28. axb5 axb5 29. Nh4 ( 29. Ra6 Nb8 30. Rd6 Qe8 $14 ) 29... Qg5 30. Rxf8+ Nxf8 31. Qe8 Rf7 32. Nf3 ( 32. Qxb5 $5 b3 33. Rg1 $15 ) 32... Qg6 $17 { Black threatens b3 } 33. Qxb5 ( 33. Rg1 $5 $17 ) 33... b3 $19 34. Rf1 Qd3 ( 34... Rb7 $5 35. Bxe6+ Qxe6 36. Qc5 $19 ) 35. Kg1 ( 35. Rg1 $17 ) 35... Qe3+ ( 35... Bxf3 $6 { is no comparison } 36. gxf3 Rxf3 37. Rxf3 Qxf3 38. Qb6 Qd1+ 39. Kf2 Qc2+ 40. Kg1 Qb1+ 41. Kg2 $17 ) 36. Kh1 c3 ( 36... Bxf3 $6 { is clearly weaker } 37. gxf3 Rxf3 38. Rg1 $17 ) 37. Bxe6 ( 37. Qa6 $19 { what else? } ) 37... Bxe6 38. d5 Rxf3 $1 { Demolition of pawn structure } 39. gxf3 { Theme: Deflection from h3 } ( 39. Rxf3 c2 ) 39... Bh3 40. Qc4 Bxf1 41. Qg4+ Kh7 42. e6 Ng6 ( 42... Ng6 43. e7 Qe2 44. Qh5+ Kg7 45. e8=N+ Qxe8 46. g4 Bg2+ 47. Kxg2 Qe2+ 48. Kg3 Qe1+ 49. Kg2 Nf4# ) 0-1
[Event "Dortmund "]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kramnik, V."]
[Black "Karpov, An"]
[Result "1-0"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[ECO "A15"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]

1. Nf3 { A15: English Opening: 1...Nf6 } 1... Nf6 2. c4 b6 3. g3 Bb7 4. Bg2 e6 5. O-O Be7 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Re1 d5 8. cxd5 Nxd5 9. e4 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Nc6 11. d4 Na5 12. h4 Re8 13. h5 h6 14. Ne5 Bd6 15. Bf4 Qe7 16. Qg4 Kh8 17. Nd3 { White plans e5 } 17... Rad8 18. Rad1 Bc6 19. e5 Ba3 { last book move } 20. Bxc6 Nxc6 21. Re4 Qd7 22. Qf3 Bf8 23. Be3 Na5 24. g4 Nc4 25. g5 Nxe3 26. fxe3 hxg5 27. Rg4 Qe7 ( 27... Qa4 28. Nf2 $11 ) 28. Rf1 $11 Rd7 29. Qg3 ( 29. Nf2 f5 30. exf6 gxf6 $11 ) 29... f6 ( 29... Qa3 $5 $17 ) 30. e4 Qa3 31. exf6 Qxc3 32. f7 ( 32. Ne5 Qxg3+ 33. Rxg3 Rxd4 34. Nf7+ Kh7 35. Nxg5+ Kh6 $14 ) 32... Rc8 ( 32... Qxd4+ 33. Kh2 Red8 34. Ne5 Qb2+ 35. Kh3 $11 ) 33. d5 exd5 34. e5 c5 $4 { gives the opponent counterplay } ( 34... Be7 35. Rxg5 Bxg5 36. f8=Q+ Rxf8 37. Rxf8+ Kh7 38. Qh3 Be3+ 39. Qxe3 Qa1+ 40. Kg2 $18 ) 35. Rf3 $4 { not a good decision, because now the opponent is right back in the game } ( 35. Rxg5 Qd4+ 36. Kh2 $18 ) 35... c4 $15 { Black wins space } 36. Nf2 ( 36. e6 Rxf7 37. exf7 cxd3 $11 ) 36... Qe1+ ( 36... Qa1+ 37. Kg2 Rdc7 38. Rxg5 $18 ) 37. Kg2 $15 Be7 $4 { weakening the position } ( 37... Rdc7 $15 { was possible } ) 38. Rxg5 $18 Bxg5 { A deflection } ( 38... Rdd8 39. Rxg7 Qd2 $18 ) 39. f8=Q+ { Theme: Double Attack. . . . . . . . } ( 39. f8=Q+ Rxf8 40. Rxf8+ Kh7 41. Qxg5 Qb1 42. e6 Re7 43. Qxe7 Kh6 44. Rh8+ Qh7 45. Ng4+ Kxh5 46. Qxg7 Qxh8 47. Nf6+ Kh4 48. Qg3# ) 1-0
[Event "Tilburg Fontys"]
[Site "Tilburg"]
[Date "1997.10.14"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[BlackElo "2635"]
[ECO "A30"]
[EventDate "1997.09.27"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.11.23"]
[WhiteElo "2770"]

1. Nf3 { A30: Symmetrical English: Double Fianchetto and Hedgehog } 1... Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 e6 4. g3 b6 5. Bg2 Bb7 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 d6 8. e4 a6 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Qc7 11. f4 O-O 12. Be3 Nc6 13. Rc1 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Rac8 15. b3 Rfe8 16. a4 Nd7 17. Rc2 Bf8 18. Rd2 Nb8 19. Bf2 Bc6 20. g4 Qb7 21. Bf1 Nd7 { last book move } 22. g5 { This push gains space } 22... Nc5 { The pressure on e4 grows } 23. Bg2 b5 24. axb5 axb5 25. b4 Na6 26. cxb5 Bxb5 { The passed pawn on b4 will quickly become a dangerous weapon } 27. Nxb5 Qxb5 28. Bf1 Qb7 29. b5 Nc5 30. Qf3 Red8 31. f5 { White gains space } 31... d5 32. exd5 exd5 ( 32... Rxd5 33. Rxd5 exd5 34. Bxc5 Rxc5 $11 ) 33. Bd4 ( 33. Qd1 $5 $14 { is worthy of consideration } ) 33... Ne4 $17 { A beautiful square! } 34. Rg2 Bc5 35. Qe3 Bxd4 36. Qxd4 Nd6 { Exerts pressure on the isolated pawn } 37. g6 Nxf5 38. gxh7+ Kh8 39. Qf4 g6 ( 39... Qa7+ 40. Kh1 g6 41. Bd3 $15 ) 40. Bd3 $11 Qb6+ 41. Rf2 Qf6 42. Re5 Rc1+ 43. Kg2 { With the decisive threat Rxf5 } 43... Nh4+ ( 43... Qg7 44. Qxc1 Qxe5 45. Bxf5 gxf5 46. Qg5 $11 ) 44. Kh3 $14 { Threatening mate... how? } 44... Qxf4 45. Rxf4 Rc3 46. Kxh4 { White threatens Rd4 } ( 46. Rxf7 $4 { the pawn of course cannot be captured } 46... Nf5 47. Rf6 Rxd3+ 48. Kg4 Rd2 $19 ) 46... Rxd3 47. Rxf7 Rb3 ( 47... d4 48. Rfe7 Rf3 49. b6 $14 ) 48. Rb7 d4 49. Kg5 d3 50. Kxg6 ( 50. Rbe7 Rb2 $14 ) 50... Rxb5 51. Rbxb5 { Threatening mate: Rb6 } ( 51. Rexb5 d2 ) 51... d2 52. Rbd5 d1=Q 53. Rxd1 Rd6+ { A double attack } 54. Rxd6 1/2-1/2
[Event "Linares"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Topalov, V."]
[Black "Kramnik, V."]
[Result "0-1"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[ECO "D43"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[WhiteElo "2725"]

1. d4 { D43: Semi-Slav: 5 Bg5 h6 } 1... d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. g3 Nbd7 6. Bg2 dxc4 7. a4 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. e4 e5 10. dxe5 Ng4 { Manoeuvre Nf6-g4-e5-d3 } 11. Bf4 Qa5 12. e6 fxe6 13. Qe2 Nge5 14. Nd4 Nd3 { Menacing } ( 14... Nb6 15. Bh3 $15 ) 15. Nxe6 Rf6 ( 15... Rf7 16. Qc2 $15 ) 16. Bc7 ( 16. Nc7 $5 { should not be overlooked } 16... Rb8 17. N7d5 cxd5 18. Bxb8 Nxb8 19. Nxd5 $11 ) 16... Qb4 $17 { Threatens Rxe6 } 17. Nd4 Bc5 18. Nc2 ( 18. Nf3 Qxb2 19. Qxb2 Nxb2 $17 ) 18... Qxb2 19. Nd1 Qb3 20. Nde3 N7e5 21. h3 Be6 22. Kh2 Rh6 23. Rab1 Bg4 24. Nxg4 Nxg4+ 25. Qxg4 { White threatens to counter with Rxb3 } 25... Qxc2 26. Qg5 $2 ( 26. Bf4 Nxf4 27. Qxf4 $17 ) 26... Nxf2 $19 27. Rxf2 ( 27. h4 b6 28. a5 Rg6 $19 ) 27... Qxf2 ( 27... Bxf2 { makes it even easier for Black } 28. Qc1 Qxc1 29. Rxc1 $19 ) 28. Rf1 ( 28. Be5 Rg6 29. Qc1 Qf7 $19 ) 28... Qd4 ( 28... Rg6 $5 { keeps an even firmer grip } 29. Qe5 Qe3 30. Bb8 $19 ) 29. Be5 Qd7 30. Qc1 $6 { puts up no strong fight } ( 30. Bxg7 Bg1+ 31. Rxg1 Qxg7 $19 ) 30... Qe6 ( 30... b5 31. Bf4 Rg6 32. e5 $19 ) 31. Bxg7 { Demolishes the pawn shield } 31... Kxg7 { Decoy theme: g7 } 32. Qg5+ { Theme: Double Attack } 32... Rg6 33. Qxc5 Qd6 { Threatening mate... how? } ( 33... Qd6 34. Qe3 Rd8 $19 ) 0-1
[Event "Linares"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[BlackElo "2790"]
[ECO "B57"]
[EventDate "1998.02.22"]
[PlyCount "148"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.06.15"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]

1. e4 { B57: Classical Sicilian: Sozin with 6...Qb6 } 1... c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bc4 Qb6 7. Ndb5 a6 8. Be3 Qd8 9. Nd4 Ng4 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Qf3 Ne5 12. Qe2 e6 13. O-O-O Be7 14. Bd4 Qc7 15. Bxe5 dxe5 16. Na4 { last book move } 16... O-O 17. Rd3 Qa5 18. b3 Rb8 19. Qd2 Qxd2+ 20. Kxd2 g6 ( 20... f5 21. exf5 Rxf5 22. Ke2 $11 ) 21. Rd1 Kg7 ( 21... f5 22. Nc3 $11 ) 22. Ke2 a5 23. Rc3 Bb4 24. Rcd3 Be7 25. g3 { Consolidates h4 } 25... h5 26. h4 f5 27. Rc3 Bb4 28. Re3 Kf6 29. f4 exf4 30. e5+ Kf7 { If Black now would get fxe3 in, he might survive } 31. gxf4 Be7 32. Red3 Bxh4 ( 32... Rg8 33. Rh1 $14 ) 33. Nc5 ( 33. Rd6 Bg3 34. Kf3 h4 $16 ) 33... Be7 $14 34. Rd6 { Increases the pressure on e6 } ( 34. Nd7 Bxd7 35. Rxd7 Rfd8 $11 ) 34... Bxd6 35. exd6 Rd8 ( 35... Bb7 36. Nxe6 Rh8 37. Nc5+ Ke8 38. Kf2 $16 ) 36. d7 $14 { White threatens.... what? } 36... Ke7 37. dxc8=N+ Rbxc8 38. Rxd8 ( 38. Rg1 Kf6 $14 ) 38... Rxd8 39. Nxe6 ( { Weaker is } 39. Bxe6 h4 40. Bc4 h3 $17 ) 39... Rh8 40. Ng5 h4 41. Nh3 Kf6 42. Kf2 Rd8 43. Bd3 a4 44. Ng5 a3 ( 44... axb3 45. axb3 Rd4 46. Ke3 $14 ) 45. Nf3 $16 c5 ( 45... Rh8 46. Kg2 $16 ) 46. Ng5 ( 46. Nxh4 $5 Rh8 47. Nf3 $16 ) 46... Rd4 $14 47. Kf3 Rd7 48. Ke3 Rd8 49. Nf3 Re8+ 50. Kf2 Rd8 $2 ( 50... h3 $5 $11 { should be considered } ) 51. Nxh4 $16 c4 ( 51... Rh8 $5 52. Nf3 Rh1 $16 ) 52. bxc4 $18 Rb8 53. c5 Rb2 ( 53... Rc8 54. Nf3 Rxc5 55. Nd4 $18 ) 54. c6 ( 54. Kf3 Rxa2 55. c6 Ke7 56. Nxg6+ Kd8 $11 ) 54... Ke7 55. Nxg6+ Kd6 56. Ne5 ( 56. Nh4 Rxa2 57. Nxf5+ ( 57. Bxf5 Rxc2+ 58. Bxc2 a2 $15 ) 57... Kxc6 58. Nd4+ Kd5 59. Nb5 $11 ) 56... Rxa2 $11 57. Nc4+ Kc7 58. Kg3 Ra1 59. Nxa3 ( 59. Bxf5 $4 { the pawn is something White will choke on } 59... a2 60. Kf2 Rd1 $19 ) 59... Rxa3 60. Kh4 Kxc6 61. Kg5 { The white king gets dangerous } 61... Ra5 62. Bxf5 Kd6 63. Kg4 Ke7 64. Bd3 Rc5 65. Kf3 Kd6 66. Ke4 Rh5 67. c4 Rh4 68. Kf5 { White activates its king } 68... Kc5 69. Ke5 Rh3 70. Ke4 Rh4 71. Be2 Rh2 72. Kf3 ( 72. Bd3 Rh8 $11 ) 72... Kd4 $15 { Active king in the endgame } 73. Bf1 Rh1 74. Kf2 Rh8 1/2-1/2
[Event "Dortmund SPARKASSE"]
[Site "Alemania"]
[Date "1999.07.15"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Black "Topalov, Vesselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D15"]
[EventDate "1999.??.??"]
[PlyCount "79"]

1. d4 { D15: Slav Defence: 4 Nc3 a6 and gambit lines after 4 Nc3 dxc4 } 1... Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. c4 c6 4. Nc3 a6 5. c5 Bf5 6. Bf4 Nbd7 7. e3 e6 8. Be2 Be7 9. Nd2 Bg6 10. b4 Qc8 11. O-O Bd8 12. Rc1 Bc7 13. Bxc7 Qxc7 14. f4 Ng8 15. e4 Ne7 16. f5 exf5 { last book move. } 17. exd5 cxd5 18. b5 O-O 19. b6 ( 19. bxa6 bxa6 20. Re1 Nf6 $11 ) 19... Qd8 $15 20. Nb3 Nf6 21. Na5 Rb8 22. a4 Ne4 { Black can be proud of that piece } 23. Na2 f6 24. Nb4 Be8 25. Qc2 g6 { Consolidates h5 } 26. Rb1 Rf7 27. Nxb7 ( 27. Ra1 $5 $11 ) 27... Rxb7 $17 28. a5 Nc6 ( 28... Bc6 29. Bxa6 Rb8 30. Be2 $17 ) 29. Nxc6 $15 Bxc6 30. Bxa6 Rb8 31. Bb5 Qc8 32. Bxc6 Qxc6 33. a6 { Black has to watch this pawn } 33... Kg7 34. Rb4 Nd6 ( 34... Re7 $11 { and Black can hope to survive } ) 35. Qa4 $1 $16 { White stays in the lead } 35... Qxa4 36. Rxa4 Nc8 37. Rb4 Na7 $4 { the final mistake, not that it matters anymore } ( 37... Rf8 $16 ) 38. bxa7 $18 Ra8 39. c6 Raxa7 40. Rc1 ( 40. Rc1 Rxa6 41. c7 $18 ) 1-0
[Event "FIDE Wch"]
[Site "Las Vegas"]
[Date "1999.08.11"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A32"]
[EventDate "1999.07.??"]
[PlyCount "80"]

1. c4 { A32: Symmetrical English: 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 e6 } 1... c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. g3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 Nc6 8. Bf4 O-O 9. Nc3 a6 10. O-O Nxd4 11. Qxd4 d6 12. Qd3 Qc7 13. Rfd1 { Can d6 get defended? } 13... Rd8 14. Rac1 Nh5 15. Bd2 { last book move } 15... Rb8 16. Ne4 Nf6 ( 16... f5 17. Qf3 Nf6 18. Nxf6+ Bxf6 19. Bc3 Bxc3 20. Rxc3 $14 ) 17. Nxf6+ $14 Bxf6 18. Bf4 e5 19. Be3 Be6 20. b3 h6 { Secures g5 } 21. a4 b6 { Consolidates c5 } 22. Rc2 Be7 23. Bd5 Qd7 24. Bxe6 Qxe6 25. f3 b5 ( 25... Qh3 $5 $11 ) 26. cxb5 $14 axb5 27. a5 d5 28. Bb6 e4 29. Qxb5 Rd6 30. fxe4 ( 30. Qa4 d4 $16 ) 30... Bd8 $14 31. exd5 { The passed pawn on d5 quickly leads to threats } ( 31. Rxd5 Bxb6+ 32. axb6 Rdxb6 $14 ) 31... Bxb6+ $11 32. axb6 { The passed pawn on b6 will quickly become a dangerous weapon } 32... Qe3+ 33. Kf1 Rf6+ ( 33... Qe4 34. Rd3 Qh1+ 35. Kf2 Rdxb6 36. Qd7 Rf6+ 37. Ke3 $14 ) 34. Ke1 $11 Rfxb6 ( 34... Qf2+ $5 { is an interesting idea } 35. Kd2 Rfxb6 $11 ) 35. Qc5 $14 { White plans d6 } 35... Qe4 36. Kf2 Rxb3 37. d6 { Don't underestimate that pawn } 37... R8b5 $4 { strolling merrily down the path to disaster } ( 37... R3b7 $16 ) 38. Rc4 $18 Rf3+ ( 38... Qg6 { cannot change what is in store for ? } 39. d7 Rxc5 40. d8=Q+ Kh7 41. Rxc5 Rb2 $18 ) 39. Kg1 ( 39. Ke1 { and the rest is a matter of technique } 39... Rc3 40. Rxe4 Rcxc5 41. d7 $18 ) 39... Qxe2 $19 40. Qd4 ( 40. Qc8+ { the last chance for counterplay } 40... Kh7 41. Rdc1 $19 ) 40... Rb2 ( 40... Rb2 41. Rc8+ Kh7 42. Rc2 Rxc2 43. Qe4+ Qxe4 44. g4 Qxg4+ 45. Kh1 Qg2# ) 0-1