Kasparov dominates Amsterdam tourney

World Champion Gary Kasparov finished two and a half points ahead of his arch rival, former world titlist Anatoly Karpov, for an outstanding triumph in a mini-tournament in Amsterdam. The event featured the two Soviets and the two leading Dutch players, Jan Timman and John van der Wiel, playing a four game round robin against each other. The final rankings had Kasparov scoring 9 points out of 12, Karpov had 6, Timman 5 and Van der Wiel 3.

Kasparov went undefeated with six wins and six draws, beating Van der Wiel three times, Karpov twice, and Timman once. The world champion's large margin was achieved primarily by his head-to-head superiority over Karpov, whom he outscored 3-1. Gary won both games in which he had the white pieces and had no difficulty in drawing his games with Black. It seems clear that the two Ks are presently superior to the rest of the world.

In that context we should view their exciting Round 5 encounter, which thrilled the spectators and is today's featured game. Kasparov essayed a speculative piece sacrifice. Karpov defended with the best moves, at one time shunning a forced draw. However, the practical difficulties of defending caused him to take too much time, and he finally overstepped the time limit on move 39 in a probably-drawn position. Caro-Kann Defense Kasparov Karpov 1. P-K4 P-QB3 2. P-Q4 P-Q4 3. N-Q2 PxP 4. NxP N-Q2 5. N-KB3 N/N-B3 6. N-N3 (a) P-K3 7. B-Q3 B-K2 8. O-O P-B4 9. Q-K2 O-O 10. R-Q1 Q-B2 11. P-B4 PxP 12. NxP P-QR3 13. P-N3 R-K1 14. B-N2 P-QN3 15. N-R5 B-N2 16. NxKP (b) PxN 17. QxP ch K-B1(c)) 18. BxP N-B4 (d) 19. Q-R3 (e) NxB 20. BxP ch K-N1 21. B-N2 Q-B3 22. R-Q4 N-K5 23. R-K1 N/K-N4 24. Q-N4 B-R6 (f) 25. B-B3 RxR ch 26. BxR R-K1 27. B-Q2 B-B8 28. P-KR4 BxB 29. RxB R-K8ch(g) 30. K-R2 R-K5 31. P-B4 Q-K3 32. R-Q8 ch K-B2 33. R-Q7 ch K-B1 34. QxQ RxQ 35. RPxN R-K2 36. RxR KxR 37. P-KN4 B-K5 38. K-N3 B-N8 39. P-R3 time (h)

A.Lazy Grandmasters feeling the need for a rest day have been known to proceed with 6.NxN ch, NxN; 7.N-K5, N-Q2; 8.N-B3, N-B3; 9.N-K5 draw by repetition.

B.Apparently Kasparov can resist anything but temptation. The sacrifice is interesting but as we shall see, not completely sound.

C.Karpov avoids his first opportunity to go wrong with 17.... K-R1; 18.Q-B7, R-KN1; 19.BxN, BxB; 20.NxB and White wins, since 20.... PxN; 21.QxP mates, or here 18.... NxN; 19.QxN, N-B1; 20.Q-B7 and again White is winning.

D.Karpov could have forced an interesting draw at this point by 18.... Q-B3; 19.N-B4, QxQ; 20.NxQ ch, K-B2; 21.N-N5 ch with perpetual check. Objectively, his decision to play for the win was justified though he was ultimately defeated by the practical problems, which proved insuperable owing to the time restraints.

E.So White sacrifices a second piece to completely denude Black's King of his pawn protection.

F.A witty move which should lead to a Black victory. White's vulnerability on the first rank should cost him dearly.

G.The patzers used to say ``never miss a check, it might be mate.'' Here the check is the culprit. Karpov could have crowned his good defensive play by 29.... Q-K3! (threatening 30.... Q-K8 ch); 30. QxQ, NxQ, when White's pawns are not adequate compensation for two pieces. The remainder of the game was played under severe time pressure with Kasparov having the advantage on the clock.

H.Karpov overstepped at this point. After 39.... B-R7; 40.P-N6, N-B3; 41.P-N7, N-N1; 42.P-B5, BxP; 43.P-B6 ch, K-K1; 44.K-B4, BxP; 45P-N5 there is still considerable play, with a draw the probable result.

International Grandmaster Arthur Bisguier is a former United States champion and has won or shared the US Open title five times.