Move 2 e5 (white to move)
FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppp1ppp/8/4p3/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 2
Comment: Ponomariov is one of the most classically-oriented players around who still plays 1. e4 (occasionally) and does well with it. Karpov used to play 1. e4, but now only plays 1. d4. However, with the Black pieces the two are very different: against 1. e4 Ponomariov has played 1...c5 a few times in this event while Karpov plays 1...c6 or 1...e5. Their understanding of the game might be similar, but Pono has youth and Karpov has tremendous experience. For those who know how to handle it 1...e5 has been doing quite well the last few years. But, that success hasn't been with the Spanish Game as much as with the Scotch Game (by White's choice) or the Russian Game/Petrov's Defense. Black seeks a little simplification and more open space to develop pieces with both of those.

Move 2 Nf3 (black to move)
FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppp1ppp/8/4p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 1 2
Comment: No King's Gambit for this young, but somewhat stodgy strategician.

Move 8 c4 (black to move)
FEN: r1bqk2r/ppp1bppp/2n5/3p4/2PPn3/3B1N2/PP3PPP/RNBQ1RK1 b kq - 0 8
Comment: White seeks to undermine Ne4 and gain sole control of the d3-h7 diagonal.

Move 9 Nf6 (white to move)
FEN: r1bqk2r/ppp1bppp/2n2n2/3p4/2PP4/3B1N2/PP3PPP/RNBQ1RK1 w kq - 1 9
Comment: This is a lot less contentious and, as is Karpov's style, more cautious than the other plans available (see variations below) , but with a plan: he'll probably aim for ...dxc4 and control of d5 and offense against Pd4.

Move 9 h3 (black to move)
FEN: r1bqk2r/ppp1bppp/2n2n2/3p4/2PP4/3B1N1P/PP3PP1/RNBQ1RK1 b kq - 0 9
Comment: With a more static position it becomes important to prevent ...Bc8-g4. Ph3 also helps secure Bc1-e3. If Black wants to play ...Bc8-e6 he might consider ...h7-h6 to prevent Nf3-g5xe6.

Move 13 c6 (white to move)
FEN: r1bq1rk1/pp2bppp/2p2n2/8/1nBP4/2N2N1P/PP3PP1/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 0 13
Comment: Karpov prefers positions with relatively fixed positional elements upon which he can base his plans. He likes to out-maneuver his opponents, rather than basing his offense on direct attacks on the opponent's king.

Move 16 Qc2 (black to move)
FEN: r2q1rk1/pp2bppp/1np1bn2/8/3P4/2NB1N1P/PPQ2PP1/R1B1R1K1 b - - 7 16
Comment: Black has solid control of d5, but at the cost of making Nb6 passive. White has room to develop, but it's not clear there is any point in Black's position he can assault. That's a typical situation in games with Karpov.

Move 17 Bd5 (white to move)
FEN: r2q1rk1/pp2bppp/1np2n2/3b4/3P4/2NB1N1P/PPQ2PP1/R1B1R1K1 w - - 8 17
Comment: Black has terrific control of d5. White could trade Nc3xd5, but that wouldn't help matters much. The direct threat of ...Bd5xf3 must be answered.

Move 17 Ne5 (black to move)
FEN: r2q1rk1/pp2bppp/1np2n2/3bN3/3P4/2NB3P/PPQ2PP1/R1B1R1K1 b - - 9 17
Comment: White admits his loss of control of d5 and makes use of the advanced e5. Ne5 also prevents Black from playing a piece to c4.

Move 18 h6 (white to move)
FEN: r2q1rk1/pp2bpp1/1np2n1p/3bN3/3P4/2NB3P/PPQ2PP1/R1B1R1K1 w - - 0 18
Comment: preventing Bc1-g5xf6, Bd3xh7+ and removing Ph7 as a target of Bd3

Move 19 Re8 (white to move)
FEN: r2qr1k1/pp2bpp1/1np2n1p/3bN3/3P1B2/2NB3P/PPQ2PP1/R3R1K1 w - - 2 19
Comment: Having made Ph6 an obvious target Karpov now plans ...Be7-f8 to make it very safe.

Move 19 Re2 (black to move)
FEN: r2qr1k1/pp2bpp1/1np2n1p/3bN3/3P1B2/2NB3P/PPQ1RPP1/R5K1 b - - 3 19
Comment: Ponomariov is activating his pieces in small ways and not committing to any specific plan; he likes to maintain his position's coordination. In this respect he's very similar to Karpov.

Move 20 Be6 (white to move)
FEN: r2qr1k1/pp2bpp1/1np1bn1p/4N3/3P1B2/2NB3P/PPQ1RPP1/R5K1 w - - 4 20
Comment: threatening ...Qd8xd4 and perhaps wanting to chase away Bf4 by ...Nd5

Move 22 Bg3 (black to move)
FEN: r2qrbk1/pp3pp1/2p1bn1p/3nN3/3P4/2NB2BP/PP1QRPP1/4R1K1 b - - 9 22
Comment: This eliminates the threat of a sacrifice at h6 once and for all. Now the middle-game begins anew, with Karpov happy to have a safe king and harmonious position and sole control of d5. Ponomariov is also well developed, but he must find an offense sufficient to counterbalance the weakness of Pd4. What will the target be?

Move 23 Rc8 (white to move)
FEN: 2rqrbk1/pp3pp1/2p1bn1p/3nN3/3P4/2NB2BP/PP1QRPP1/4R1K1 w - - 10 23
Comment: I suppose Karpov was aiming for ...c6-c5 to simplify the position and completely equalize.

Move 23 Bh4 (black to move)
FEN: 2rqrbk1/pp3pp1/2p1bn1p/3nN3/3P3B/2NB3P/PP1QRPP1/4R1K1 b - - 11 23
Comment: I like this a lot. The bishop seemed to be inactive and he just moves it to a good square. Now White might be able to continue with Nd3-e4 or Bd3-b1, Qd2-d3, renewing the threat of invasion at h7.

Move 24 g5 (white to move)
FEN: 2rqrbk1/pp3p2/2p1bn1p/3nN1p1/3P3B/2NB3P/PP1QRPP1/4R1K1 w - - 0 24
Comment: Wow! When Karpov makes a move which weakens his king this way, it's saying a lot. He clearly had to have considered all the alternatives and found them wanting.

Move 24 Bg3 (black to move)
FEN: 2rqrbk1/pp3p2/2p1bn1p/3nN1p1/3P4/2NB2BP/PP1QRPP1/4R1K1 b - - 1 24
Comment: Well, that little provocation worked wonders. Now White has a clear target in Pg5, though Black also has ...Bf8-g7 to guard the dark squares around Kg8.

Move 25 Nh5 (white to move)
FEN: 2rqrbk1/pp3p2/2p1b2p/3nN1pn/3P4/2NB2BP/PP1QRPP1/4R1K1 w - - 2 25
Comment: Does he plan ...Nh5xg3 or something more ambitious like ...f7-f5-f4? Pono obviously thought the latter was a real threat and he immediately fights for control of f5!

Move 26 fxg3 (black to move)
FEN: 2rqrbk1/pp3p2/2p1b2p/3NN1p1/3P4/3B2PP/PP1QR1P1/4R1K1 b - - 0 26
Comment: White might well switch his rooks to the f-file to target Pf7. But at this point a lot begins to hinge on how much time one has to carry out a specific plan (move-sequence) .

Move 27 cxd5 (white to move)
FEN: 2rqrbk1/pp3p2/4b2p/3pN1p1/3P4/3B2PP/PP1QR1P1/4R1K1 w - - 0 27
Comment: If ...Be6xd5 then f5 is in White's hands, so I thought ...Qd8xd5 was the move. Maybe Karpov thought Bd3-c4 to eliminate Be6 would be too strong.

Move 27 Bb1 (black to move)
FEN: 2rqrbk1/pp3p2/4b2p/3pN1p1/3P4/6PP/PP1QR1P1/1B2R1K1 b - - 1 27
Comment: Again White plans Qd2-d3-h7+, a direct and sometimes very effective idea.

Move 29 Bf5 (black to move)
FEN: 2r1rbk1/pp3pq1/4b2p/3p1Bp1/3P2N1/6PP/PP1QR1P1/4R1K1 b - - 5 29
Comment: The same theme as earlier comes back. Black's several weaknesses (pinned Be6, f6 and h6) are causing him fits.

Move 30 Rxe6 (black to move)
FEN: 2r1rbk1/pp3pq1/4R3/3p1Bpp/3P2N1/6PP/PP1Q2P1/4R1K1 b - - 0 30
Comment: striking while the iron is hot and renewing the threat of Ng4-f6+

Move 31 Rxe6 (white to move)
FEN: 2r2bk1/pp3pq1/4r3/3p1Bpp/3P2N1/6PP/PP1Q2P1/4R1K1 w - - 0 31
Comment: Fritz7

Move 32 Re5 (black to move)
FEN: 2r2bk1/pp3pq1/8/3pRBp1/3P2p1/6PP/PP1Q2P1/6K1 b - - 1 32
Comment: This is very nice. He threatens Bf5xc8 and if the bishop can move with a threat Re5xg5. He might also just play Bf5xg4 and Re5xd5 to simplify to an endgame where he's ahead materially.

Move 34 Rxd5 (black to move)
FEN: 6k1/ppr1bpq1/8/3R2p1/3P2B1/6PP/PP1Q2P1/6K1 b - - 0 34
Comment: It's amazing, when you see a game such as this, just how simple it can be. White is ahead two pawns, but one is doubled, so he still has some work to do before this is easily winnable. Pd4 could advance and he might still threaten Pg5 (though that seems less likely to be successful with Be7 defending) and the queen-side pawns are a little exposed while Black's queen is stuck at g7.

Move 36 Qb6 (white to move)
FEN: 6k1/ppr1bp2/1q6/3R2p1/3P2B1/6PP/PP1Q2PK/8 w - - 3 36
Comment: Well, that guards the queen-side! Karpov can recognize the stable elements of a position as well as anyone. So, how does White win? There's an old saying that when there are "opposite color" bishops then "he who is attacking has the extra bishop". So, White might aim to trade rooks to limit counter-play and then go right back to the attack at f7 & h7.

Move 39 Bd3 (black to move)
FEN: 8/pp2rpk1/1q3b2/3R2p1/3P4/1P1B2PP/P2Q2PK/8 b - - 6 39
Comment: Rd5 looks a little awkward, but Bd3-c4 would keep it safe. The question is how to move it to clear the way for Pd4 to advance. It seems Rd5-f5, d4-d5 and White is in excellent position to play offensively at all the right points.

Move 41 Qe4 (white to move)
FEN: 8/pp2rpk1/5b2/3R2p1/2BPq3/1P4PP/P2Q2PK/8 w - - 9 41
Comment: keeping Rd5 tied to the d-file

Move 42 b6 (white to move)
FEN: 8/p3rpk1/1p3b2/3R2p1/2BPq3/1P4PP/P5PK/3Q4 w - - 0 42
Comment: Fritz7 prefers ...a7-a6 or ...g5-g4 to fight more for the light squares.

Move 43 Qf3 (black to move)
FEN: 8/p1r2pk1/1p1R1b2/6p1/2BPq3/1P3QPP/P5PK/8 b - - 3 43
Comment: Taking advantage of the fact Qe4 isn't defended gives him a chance to maneuver away from Pd4. Black is also stuck because he needs to pressure Pd4, but White is aligned on Bf6. I suppose a queen trade under other circumstances would be fine, but in this case it undoubles White's pawns. Black has a serious problem.

Move 47 Re3 (white to move)
FEN: 8/p4pk1/3R1b2/1p4p1/3PB3/1P2rPPP/P6K/8 w - - 4 47
Comment: Karpov is angling for ...Re3-e2+xa2 or possibly ...Rd?xd4 to force a rook trade and retrieving a draw.

Move 47 h4 (black to move)
FEN: 8/p4pk1/3R1b2/1p4p1/3PB2P/1P2rPP1/P6K/8 b - - 0 47
Comment: Fritz7 drops his evaluation a bit; probably because there's less material and the offensive tactical threats are less. This pawn sacrifice gives the king some air and keeps the game going. White's rook will have some play on the queen-side, so Black's active rook won't eliminate too many pawns.

Move 49 Bxh4 (white to move)
FEN: 8/p4pk1/3R4/1p6/3PB2b/1P2rP2/P6K/8 w - - 0 49
Comment: Every pawn he can get rid of safely is one less potential queen.

Move 49 Kh3 (black to move)
FEN: 8/p4pk1/3R4/1p6/3PB2b/1P2rP1K/P7/8 b - - 1 49
Comment: Now the position remains balanced, with White's Pd4 being the one unblocked advantage. Black has to be careful though to not allow Re3 to be cut-off from his other pieces, such that none of them can do anything because they don't work together.

Move 51 a5 (white to move)
FEN: 8/5pk1/3R1b2/pp6/3PB1K1/1P2rP2/P7/8 w - - 0 51
Comment: White was threatening Rd6-a6xa7, so he had to move the pawn onto a safer square. Black would like to play ...b5-b4 to fix White's pawns and then ...Re3-e2 would grab at least one.

Move 51 Kf5 (black to move)
FEN: 8/5pk1/3R1b2/pp3K2/3PB3/1P2rP2/P7/8 b - - 1 51
Comment: This king position hinders Black's king, so the threat to Pf7 will pack more punch. It's also closer to Pd4, so that in some endings the king will be well placed to defend either Pd4 or Pf3.

Move 53 Ra7 (black to move)
FEN: 8/R4pk1/8/pp3K2/1b1PB3/1P2rP2/P7/8 b - - 5 53
Comment: Now if Black's king retreats to the back rank f6 is weak and White's king can approach Pf7.

Move 54 a3 (black to move)
FEN: 8/R4pk1/8/pp3K2/1b1PB3/PP3P2/4r3/8 b - - 0 54
Comment: Fritz7 sees the tactics as favorable to White and changes the evaluation again.

Move 56 b4 (white to move)
FEN: 8/5pk1/8/R4K2/1p1PB3/bP3P2/4r3/8 w - - 0 56
Comment: With Ba3 out of play Black's Kg7 is a defenseless target.

Move 56 Rb5 (black to move)
FEN: 8/5pk1/8/1R3K2/1p1PB3/bP3P2/4r3/8 b - - 1 56
Comment: holding Ba3 in place! Curiously, Fritz7 thinks this is a mistake and moves the evaluation back to +/-.

Move 58 Rb6 (black to move)
FEN: 8/5pk1/1R6/3P1K2/1p2B3/bP3P2/7r/8 b - - 2 58
Comment: White has several routes to victory.

Move 60 Bd3 (black to move)
FEN: 7r/5pk1/1R6/3P4/1p4K1/bP1B1P2/8/8 b - - 6 60
Comment: Fritz7 prefers f3-f4 or Kg4-g5, though I wouldn't expect it to show a variation of sufficient length to get to a simple winning position.

Move 62 d6 (black to move)
FEN: 3r1k2/5p2/1R1P4/8/1pB3K1/bP3P2/8/8 b - - 0 62
Comment: The winning plan isn't completely obvious because Black's weaknesses are few. Best would be to keep Ba3 tied-up as long as possible. I understand d5-d6 is to restrain Kf8, but Ba3 really should be kept out of play.

Move 63 Bb2 (white to move)
FEN: 3r1k2/5p2/1R1P4/8/1pB3K1/1P3P2/1b6/8 w - - 1 63
Comment: Trading Pd6 for Pb4 doesn't eliminate White's advantage, but it becomes much much more difficult to win because there are cases where Black could sacrifice his bishop for Pb3 and perhaps still draw (especially if Pf3 & Pf7 are traded) . And, now that the bishop is back in control of f6 it becomes more difficult for White to use his king against Pf7.

Move 65 Bc3 (white to move)
FEN: 3r1k2/5p2/2RP4/5K2/1pB5/1Pb2P2/8/8 w - - 5 65
Comment: White can play Bc4-b5, Rc6-a6 and d6-d7 to ensure Rd8 stays in place.

Move 67 f4 (black to move)
FEN: 3rk3/5p2/R2P4/8/1pB1KP2/1P6/3b4/8 b - - 0 67
Comment: Using this extra pawn could be very important.

Move 70 Kf6 (white to move)
FEN: 3r4/5p2/R2P1k2/1B3P2/1p2K3/1P6/3b4/8 w - - 3 70
Comment: Getting chased away or just walking away from f8 does two things: one it avoids back rank mates; two it weakens control of d8.

Move 74 Kd5 (black to move)
FEN: 3r4/2RP1p2/5b2/3K1Pk1/1p6/1P1B4/8/8 b - - 8 74
Comment: Karpov has allowed his king to be chased out of position, much the way Ba3 was.

Move 75 Rc8 (black to move)
FEN: 2R4r/3P1p2/5b2/3K1Pk1/1p6/1P1B4/8/8 b - - 10 75
Comment: and the Fritz7 evaluation shows White ahead a piece and winning easily

Move 76 Rxd8 (black to move)
FEN: 3R3r/3P1p2/8/3K1Pk1/1p6/1P1B4/8/8 b - - 0 76
Comment: Thus simplifying the situation: White's king and pawn will defeat Black's rook after ...Rh8xd8 and then the remaining White bishop and pawns will easily beat Black's two pawns. White probably wouldn't even go after Pb4. He'd just push Black's king away and advance Pf5. This was a terrific game to see. Karpov isn't quite as sharp as in younger days he's still tough to beat several younger players have shown recently that they can do it.