[Event "Linares"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1992.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kasparov"]
[Black "Karpov"]
[Result "1-0"]
[PlyCount "81"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Ng5 { This has become all the rage in the past couple of years, despite the fact that it was considered harmless for decades! I am just fooling around, really. I intend to transpose back to the main lines soon enough. } 5... Ngf6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Qe2 { Now we are back in the familiar territory of opening theory. } 7... Nb6 8. Bb3 { This retreat offers more chances for complications than moving to d3, so it is just my kind of move. } 8... h6 9. N5f3 c5 { 9...a5 is a promising alternative, but it does weaken the queenside and gives up any thoughts of castling queenside. } 10. Bf4 Bd6 { Unusual. More typical is 11...a6, which prepares a future b5. But this is very much in keeping with Karpov's style. He likes to simplify the position by exchanging pieces. } 11. Bg3 Qe7 { Black can also try 11...Qc7 or 11...O-O. But to exchange bishops at g3 would be pointless, from a strategic point of view, because I could use the h- file to great advantage. } 12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. Ne5 Bd7 { 13...Nbd7 14.Ngf3 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 I would be satisfied with such a position as White. } 14. Ngf3 { 14.O-O-O This would have laid a trap, but Karpov would no doubt have avoided it: 14...O-O-O?? 15.Nxf7 Qxf7 16.Qe5 Winning. } 14... Nh5 15. O-O-O Nxg3 { Now I get an open h-file but otherwise the bishop could have become a useful weapon. 15...O-O-O 16.Nxd7 Nxd7 17.Be5 Now Black would get in trouble if he captured at e5: 17...Nxe5 18.Nxe5 Nf4 19.Qc4 } 16. hxg3 O-O-O { This is a c ritical position. Black can claim equality against normal moves like Nxd7 or Rd3, but I came up with a very effective plan. Not only the spectators, but even my opponent had to re-evaluate the position. } 17. Rh5 { Karpov started to get visibly worried here. The threat is simply Nxf7, with a discovered attack on the bishop at c5. The pressure on the 5th rank is immense. The Gordian Knot can only be cut at very great cost. } 17... Be8 { 17...g6 This was probably the best defense, even though it entails a serious weakening of the kingside pawn structure. } 18. Rxd8+ Kxd8 19. Qd2+ Bd6 { 19...Kc8 20.Qc3 f5 21.Bxe6+ If Black takes the bishop, then I capture at c5. So the position is very good for me here. } 20. Nd3 Qc7 21. g4 { The advance of the g-pawn is part of my new strategy. Here Karpov plays rather passively. } 21... Kc8 22. g5 Bf8 23. Rh4 Kb8 24. a4 Be7 { This is a serious mistake which costs Karpov a critical tempo. 24...Nc8 25.g6 fxg6 26.Nd4 Black is under considerable pressure, but the game may not be lost yet. } 25. a5 Nd5 26. Kb1 { The point of this move is to get off of the c-file, so that I can advance the c-pawn. } 26... Bd8 { 26...Rf8 27.Bxd5 exd5 28.Nb4 Bc6 29.gxh6 Bxh4 Now I have a very pretty combination to wrap things up: 30.Na6+ bxa6 31.Qb4+ Ka8 32.Qxf8+ Kb7 33.h7 The pawn reaches the promotion square. } 27. a6 Qa5 28. Qe2 { A quiet but effective move. Now I threaten to play 29.Qe5+. } 28... Nb6 29. axb7 Bxg5 { 29...Bc6 30.Nfe5 Bxb7 31.Nxf7 Re8 32.Nxd8 Rxd8 33.gxh6 gxh6 34. Rxh6 Bxg2 35.Rxe6 } 30. Nxg5 Qxg5 31. Rh5 { Back to the 5th rank! This rook is headed to the a-file, and then the pawn at a7 becomes a tasty morsel which I can devour a little later. } 31... Qf6 32. Ra5 Bc6 33. Nc5 Bxb7 34. Nxb7 Kxb7 35. Qa6+ Kc6 36. Ba4+ Kd6 37. Qd3+ Nd5 38. Qg3+ Qe5 39. Qa3+ Kc7 40. Qc5+ Kd8 { We have reached the time control and Karpov gives up quickly. } 41. Rxa7 { Karpov resigned. I am very pleased with this game, in which I think that I found all of the best moves. } 1-0