Kasparov's technique shone in Game 9 with Smyslov

Gary Kasparov, now the official challenger for the world championship, demonstrated impeccable technique on many occasions during his just-completed Candidates' final against fellow Soviet Vassily Smyslov. Perhaps the most impressive example was his ninth-game conquest of the former world champion - a victory that boosted Kasparov into a virtually insurmountable lead en route to his eventual 81/2-41/2 result (4 wins, no losses, 9 draws) in the scheduled 16 -game match.

Outplayed or outanalyzed in the opening, Smyslov was confronted with a Hobson's choice of either trying to repel a virulent attack or defending a bad ending. When he opted for the latter he encountered a relentless Kasparov, who treated Smyslov, a veteran endgame great, as if he were just another wood-pusher.

Gary, who just turned 21 last Friday, used his bishop pair to advantage as he mobilized his kingside pawn majority, gaining spatial advantage and creating targets. Finally, Smyslov's king was overburdened, as he could not both contain Kasparov's protected passed king pawn and defend his own kingside pawns.

Smyslov adjourned at Move 44, but when he recognized the futility of further resistance, he resigned without resuming play. A truly stellar performance by Kasparov, perhaps the finest in the match, and one that will certainly bear study by World Champion Anatoly Karpov in his preparation for the title match, which has already been scheduled to begin Sept. 10. Queen's Gambit Declined Kasparov Smyslov 1. P-Q4 P-Q4 2. N-KB3 N-KB3 3. P-B4 P-B3 4. N-B3 P-K3 5. B-N5 QN-Q2 6. P-K3 Q-R4 7. PxP NxP 8. Q-Q2 B-N5 9. R-B1 P-K4 (a) 10. P-QR3 (b) B-Q3 11. PxP NxP(4) 12. NxN(K5) BxN 13. P-QN4 (c) BxN 14. QxB NxQ (d) 15. PxQ N-K5 16. B-KB4 O-O 17. P-B3 N-B3 18. P-K4 (e) R-K1 19. K-B2 P-QR3 20. B-K2 B-K3 21. R-QN1 R-K2 22. KR-Q1 QR-K1 23. R-N2 B-B1 24. R(2)-Q2 R-Q2 25. RxR NxR 26. P-N4 N-B4 27. B-K3 N-Q2 28. P-N5 N-K4 29. B-Q4 N-N3 30. K-N3 N-B1 31. P-KR4 R-Q1 32. P-B4 B-K3 33. B-QB3 RxR 34. BxR N-Q2 35. P-B5 B-B5 36. P-R5 P-R3 37. PxP PxP 38. P-K5 N-B4 39. K-B4 B-Q4 40. B-B2 P-B3 41. P-K6 K-N2 42. B-N4 N-N6 43. K-K3 P-B4 44. B-B3 Resigns (f)

A. So far play is identical with Game 3. Smyslov hopes for 10.NxP (10.PxP, N-B4!, intending 11. . . . N-K5 or 11. . . . N-R5, is good for Black.) 10. . . . NxN; 11.PxN, P-KR3; 12.B-R4, P-KN4; 13. B-N3, when 13. . . . B-KB4 or 13. . . . B-K3 and 14.O-O-O gives Black a nice initiative, fully compensating for the gambited pawn.

B.Kasparov characteristically refuses Symslov's sacrifice and offers one of his own. Now 10. . . . BxN; 11.PxB, PxP (11. . . . P-K5; 12.P-B4 strongly favors White); 12.KPxP, QxRP; 13.B-Q3 and White's two bishops and mobile pieces offer attractive possibilities for attacking play.

C.In a large sense, the winning move, although it takes remarkably precise play to demonstrate. Smyslov now opts for a bad, probably losing, endgame, sure that the alternative of 13. . . . QxRP; 14.NxN, PxN; 15.B-N5 ch, K-B1; 16.O-O would give him little chance ever to reach an ending.

D.14. . . . NxNP; 15.B-KB4 and the pinned knight is lost.

E.White's pawn play here and throughout the rest of the game is most instructive. Note how the Black knight is deprived of anchor squares in the center.

F.A player seldom gives up when material is even, but resignation was not premature in view of the impending 45.B-K4, followed by penetration of the White king. The Black monarch is helplessly riveted to the kingside to protect his vulnerable bishop and rook pawns and to watch White's immense protected passed king pawn. The only attempt to counter, via 44. . . . N-B8; 45.B-K4, BxB; 46.KxB , N-K7, meets 47.B-Q2, N-N6 ch (47. . . . P-B5; 48.BxP ch); 48.K-B4, N-K7 ch (48 . . . . NxP ch, 49.K-N4); 49.K-N4 and 50.BxP ch, when the Black king cannot cope with the passed KP and KRP.