#274

Garry Kimovich Kasparov – Wesley So
3rd Fischerandom Chess (Online) Showdown; Lichess, September 13, 2020
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Position #274

A sound strategy, ably carried out, enabled Kasparov to extinguish the ambitions of So, who yet is the reigning Fischerandom World Champion. 1. b3 Nf6 2. g4 h6 3. h4 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. g5 hxg5 6. hxg5 Qxh1 7. Rxh1 Nh5 8. e3 b6 9. Bg2 Bxg2 10. Nxg2 e6

11. Ne2. The strategic alternative was to castle (0-0-0), but, after all, it wouldn’t make any difference. 11. ... Bxa1 12. Rxa1 d5 13. Nef4 Nxf4 14. Nxf4 Ke7 15. Rh7 Nd7 16. Ke2 c6 17. Rah1 e5 18. Ng2 Nf8 19. Rh8 Ne6 20. Rxg8 Rxg8 21. f4 exf4 22. exf4 f6 23. Rh7+ Rg7 24. Rxg7+ Nxg7 25. Nh4 Ne6 26. Ke3. Of course, 26. Nxg6+?? Kf7 would cost a Pawn and the game. 26. ... fxg5 27. fxg5 Nxg5 28. Nxg6+ Kf6 29. Nf4 Ke5 30. d4+ Kd6 31. c4 dxc4 32. bxc4 c5 33. Nd3 cxd4+ 34. Kxd4 Ne6+ 35. Kc3 Kc6 36. Nb4+ Kc5 37. Nd3+ Kc6 38. Nb4+ Kc5 39. Nd3+ Kc6 ½ : ½.

After all, a draw against a World Champion was a success for both of them! Screenshot from the live stream.