CARLSEN - KRAMNIK LIVE FROM LONDON

So we finally have a CLASSIC on British soil again.
About time.

Four minor chess celebrities from the UK against four big wheels from abroad.
Both Kramnik and Carlsen condescended to come and play, as did last year's China champion Hua and the American chess hero Nakamura.

We shall see who's top cat this week.



A29, ENGLISH OPENENING
(co-incidence??)




after




Four Knights' variation still on course.


13....Qc8 14.e3 Nf5 15. Qc2 Rd8
16. Bb2 played by PELLETIER IN 2002 vs Gurevich in 65 moves, 1-0



Are we in for the long haul here?



after:





Now, is Kramnik going to push his LSB to -h3-?
No. He plays the Knight to -e8-. Hmm. Giving White a chance to Xchange pawns on =f4=
Is it a trap?

White plays 19.Qe2, declared a Novelty. instead of 19.f4, probably reading Kramnik's move 18 as a journey to the kingside and feeling he has to be prepared with his artillery.

19.Ne2 was played in 2007 (19. Ne2 {} Bb3 20. Qc3 Qd7 21. d4 Qxb5 22. Bf1 Bc4 23. Ba1 Bb3 24. Nd2 Bxa3 25. Nxb3 axb3 26. Rxb3 Qa5
{... 1/2-1/2, Cvitan Ognjen (CRO) 2543 - Milman Lev (USA) 2488, Pula (Croatia) 2007.06.29})

Black used up 20 minutes here and finally played 20...exf4.
Now, is Carlsen going to take it and if so, how: gxf4 or exf4?
A belated Nd1 would now be costly.



White takes it with the -g-pawn.
21...Qd7 is a bit of a riddle to me. I expected Black to sling his LSB into the fray with Bg4. Still, they know best.

Rybka expects 22.d4, Junior wants 22.Nf2
Carlsen speaks Rybka. 22.d4 it is. Pity.
Nf2 would have stopped Black from getting his LSB on =g4= and would have driven it queenside.

Ah, the plot thickens. Kramnik leaves his LSB where it is and pushes the -c-pawn.
22...c6 Not a brill move.......
77 mins for Carlsen, 45 for Kramnik.



How I would now like to have Carlsen play 23.Nc5 and elicit the exchanges.
HE DOES. Goody. Actually, it matters little which way round it goes as long as he takes the pawn.



Carlsen has 49 mins left, Kramnik 30 minutes.

And I am getting restive and need a break.

Black may think he's attacking, but he isn't. He is getting pushed back little by little and soon his Knight will be brushed aside and White will get a clear run in the center.

23.Nc5 Bxc5 24.dxc5 Nc4 25.Rd1 Qc7 26.Bc1 Na5 27. bxc6 bxc6 28. Nxa4 (pity, 28.Rb4 seemed interesting)
38 vs 24 mins







Kramnik ought to resign now.





AND HE DOES.

CARLSEN REALLY IS NUMBER ONE.