Kramnik's strategy of N x d4 wasn't bad but the tactics were off

Date: 20 Oct 2008 11:41:41
From: chessplayer
Subject: Kramnik's strategy of N x d4 wasn't bad but the tactics were off

The move N x d4 was not a bad one in game 5. However, the sequence of
moves was not in correct order. On move 27 Kramnik should have played
B X d2. Black has to play K x d2. Then on move 28 Kramnik should have
played N x d4 upon which Anand cannot take with the Queen as playing Q
x d4 would result on Kramnik playing on move 29 R d1 thereby
trapping the queen. By this the momemtum would have remained with
Kramnik and he also would have been a pawn up as his knight cannot be
taken. Kramnik would have to play on 28 K e7 and Kramnik would have
been a pawn up and also have the momemtum with him.

Date: 20 Oct 2008 20:44:28
From: chessplayer
Subject: Re: Kramnik's strategy of N x d4 wasn't bad but the tactics were off

On Oct 21, 12:27=A0am, [email protected] wrote:
> On Oct 20, 2:41=A0pm, chessplayer <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > The move N x d4 was not a bad one in game 5. However, the sequence of
> > moves was not in correct order. On move 27 Kramnik should have played
> > B X d2. Black has to play K x d2. Then on move 28 Kramnik should have
> > played N x d4 upon which Anand cannot take with the Queen as playing Q
> > x d4 would result on Kramnik playing on =A0move 29 =A0R d1 thereby
> > trapping the queen. By this the momemtum would have remained with
> > Kramnik and he also would have been a pawn up as his knight cannot be
> > taken. Kramnik would have to play on 28 K e7 and Kramnik would have
> > been a pawn up and also have the momemtum with him.
>
> =A0 It's a bit trickier than that. After 27. Bxd7 27... Kxd7 28. Nxd4
> Ke7 the position of the knight is awkward.

My friend. I have done an extensive analysis on the above line right
upto the endgame. It took me more than 3 hours on the computer. I'll
write out the entire line later (as I have to go now). I do agree that
the knight comes into a position where it might be difficult to
envision that you can eventually save it but these are world class
players and they should be able to play (and envision) the line which
I will write out. The end game is clearly in white's favor.
Overwhelmingly so (when at this level being a pawn up is all it
takes).

I honestly believe Kramnik messed up his tactics. As you saw, the line
he did play was horrible. It ended in certain defeat. So, at worst my
line may have only resulted in a draw and at best it would have been a
very satisfying victory for him. :)

To move it immediately
> allows 29...Qxb2, therefore to keep his extra pawn White has to play
> 29. Rd1, to which Black replies 29... Rd8, attacking the knight again.
> Then if 30. Nc2?? or 30. Nb3?? Qg6! wins, therefore 30. Qh5 is pretty
> much forced, so that if 30...Rxd4?? 31.Qc5+. Best play after 30.Qh5
> appears to be =A030... Rd5 31. Qf3 Kf8, which renews the threat to the
> Nd4 and allows the possibility of retreating the king to g8 or g7, and
> then pushing the e-pawn to get some action going in the center and
> kingside before White's queenside pawns become a serious threat. With
> his knight pinned, and with Black's B and Q able to threaten the king,
> White has to be very careful, and has a hard time making progress.
> =A0 27.Bxd7 may still have been best for White, but it should be
> followed up by, say, 28.a5, getting things going on the queenside, or
> 28.Rd1, rather than the immediate 28.Nxd4. Still, this is a complex,
> double-edged position, and I won't presume to have rendered a final
> verdict at all.

Date: 20 Oct 2008 12:27:24
From:
Subject: Re: Kramnik's strategy of N x d4 wasn't bad but the tactics were off

On Oct 20, 2:41=A0pm, chessplayer <[email protected] > wrote:
> The move N x d4 was not a bad one in game 5. However, the sequence of
> moves was not in correct order. On move 27 Kramnik should have played
> B X d2. Black has to play K x d2. Then on move 28 Kramnik should have
> played N x d4 upon which Anand cannot take with the Queen as playing Q
> x d4 would result on Kramnik playing on =A0move 29 =A0R d1 thereby
> trapping the queen. By this the momemtum would have remained with
> Kramnik and he also would have been a pawn up as his knight cannot be
> taken. Kramnik would have to play on 28 K e7 and Kramnik would have
> been a pawn up and also have the momemtum with him.

It's a bit trickier than that. After 27. Bxd7 27... Kxd7 28. Nxd4
Ke7 the position of the knight is awkward. To move it immediately
allows 29...Qxb2, therefore to keep his extra pawn White has to play
29. Rd1, to which Black replies 29... Rd8, attacking the knight again.
Then if 30. Nc2?? or 30. Nb3?? Qg6! wins, therefore 30. Qh5 is pretty
much forced, so that if 30...Rxd4?? 31.Qc5+. Best play after 30.Qh5
appears to be 30... Rd5 31. Qf3 Kf8, which renews the threat to the
Nd4 and allows the possibility of retreating the king to g8 or g7, and
then pushing the e-pawn to get some action going in the center and
kingside before White's queenside pawns become a serious threat. With
his knight pinned, and with Black's B and Q able to threaten the king,
White has to be very careful, and has a hard time making progress.
27.Bxd7 may still have been best for White, but it should be
followed up by, say, 28.a5, getting things going on the queenside, or
28.Rd1, rather than the immediate 28.Nxd4. Still, this is a complex,
double-edged position, and I won't presume to have rendered a final
verdict at all.

Date: 20 Oct 2008 11:44:35
From: chessplayer
Subject: Re: Kramnik's strategy of N x d4 wasn't bad but the tactics were off

On Oct 20, 11:41=A0pm, chessplayer <[email protected] > wrote:
> The move N x d4 was not a bad one in game 5. However, the sequence of
> moves was not in correct order. On move 27 Kramnik should have played
> B X d2. Black has to play K x d2. Then on move 28 Kramnik should have
> played N x d4 upon which Anand cannot take with the Queen as playing Q
> x d4 would result on Kramnik playing on =A0move 29 =A0R d1 thereby
> trapping the queen. By this the momemtum would have remained with
> Kramnik and he also would have been a pawn up as his knight cannot be
> taken. (CORRECTION) ANAND would have to play on 28 K e7 and Kramnik woul=
d have
> been a pawn up and also have the momemtum with him.