CHESS

Anatoly Karpov was in fine fettle for the opening game of his official world title defence against young Gata Kamsky. Here's a blow- by-blow account:

White: Anatoly Karpov

Black: Gata Kamsky

Elista, Kalmykia, somewhere in Russia.

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3

A fine idea. After playing 4.cxd5 in countless games against Kasparov, Karpov throws his opponent off balance with a different variation.

5...dxc4 6.Qxc4 0-0 7.e4 Nc6 8.Be2 Bg4 9.Be3 Bxf3 10.Bxf3 e5 11.d5 Nd4

Since 12.Bxd4 exd4 13.Qxd4 Nxe4! is good for Black, his strategy seems to have succeeded. But do not be fooled by the tactics. White's game is still the sounder.

12.Bd1 b5!? 13.Nxb5! Nxe4 14.0-0!

Declining the invitation to expose his king with 14.Nxd4 exd4 15.Bxd4 Nd6!

14...a6 15.Nc3! Nd6 16.Qd3 Qh4 17.g3 Qh3 18.Bxd4!

Simply does it. As all true grandmasters know, the presence of opposite- coloured bishops enhances winning prospects while other pieces remain on the board.

18...exd4 19.Ne2 Qf5 20.Nf4 Rfb8 21.Qxf5 Nxf5 22.Nd3 Bh6 23.Re1 a5 24.Bg4 Nd6 25.Re2 a4 26.a3 Ra5 27.Rc2 Rxd5 28.Rxc7

Black has avoided the danger of being tied passively to the defence of his c-pawn, but the a-pawn is doomed in the long run.

28...Ra5 29.Bf3 Bg5 30.Rd1 Rc8 31.Rxc8+ Nxc8 32.h4 Bf6 33.Rc1 Nd6 34.Kf1 Be7 35.Ke2 Kf8 36.Rc7 Bf6 37.Kd2 h5 38.Ke2 Nf5? 39.Rc4 Nd6 40.Rb4 Ra6 41.Nc5

Aided by Black's inaccuracy on move 38, White wins the a-pawn without a fight.

41...Ra7 42.Kd3 Rc7 43.Nxa4 Rc1 44.Nb6 Bg7 45.a4 Ra1 46.Nd7+ Ke8 47.Nc5 Ke7 48.Kc2 Rf1 49.Nd3 Ra1 50.Kb3 f5 51.Rb6 Bh6 52.Bd5 g5 53.Ra6

Refusing on principle to set the bishop free with 53.hxg5 Bxg5.

53...gxh4 54.gxh4 Rd1 55.Bc4 Rh1 56.a5 Rxh4 (see diagram)

Here the game was adjourned but Black resigned without resuming. After 57.Bd5! White even threatens to win with 58.Rxd6! Kxd6 59.a6 and 57...Rh3 58.Kc2 helps Black not one jot.