Warhorses

Towards the end of last year, those two old warhorses Anatoly Karpov and Jan Timman added to their total of over 100 competitive games against each other by contesting a four-game match in Groningen, Holland. Both aged 62, the players displayed resilience and ingenuity which contribute to the annals of age-related achievements in serious international competitive chess. After draws in the first three games, Karpov broke through to take game four and overall match victory by 2½–1½.
 
Karpov-Timman: Groningen Match 2013; Queen’s Indian Defence
 
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 b6 4 g3 Ba6 5 b3 This variation was popular in the World Championship matches between Karpov and Kasparov. However, Black’s next move was never tried in the various games in the title clashes. 5 … b5 A new departure. 5 … Bb4+ was the standard move from the Karpov-Kasparov games. 6 cxb5 Bxb5 7 Bg2 The obvious move is 7 Nc3, developing a piece, while simultaneously attacking Black’s bold bishop. However, after 7 Nc3 Bb4 8 Bd2 Bc6 Black obtains a reasonable position. 7 … Bb4+ 8 Bd2 a5 9 a3 Bxd2+ 10 Qxd2 Bc6 11 0-0 Qc8 12 Qc2 Qb7 Karpov’s procedure has been extremely subtle. He can now develop his queen’s knight at d2 and blunt Black’s pressure along the h1-a8 diagonal. From its d2 post the white knight also masks White’s slight weakness on b3. Meanwhile, White can build up pressure in the c-file against Black’s backward pawn on c7. 13 Nbd2 0-0 14 Rfc1 Ra7 15 Ra2 Bd5 16 Rb2 d6 17 Ne1 To eliminate Black’s most active piece, the bishop on d5. 17 … Bxg2 18 Nxg2 Nbd7 19 Qc6 Rb8 20 Rbc2 (see diagram 1) Black’s next move is inexplicable. Obligatory is 20 … Qxc6 21 Rxc6 Rbb7 when Black is passive but still in the game. 20 … h6 This loses a pawn for no compensation. 21 Qxc7 Qa6 22 Qc4 It is a standard principle to trade pieces when material ahead. 22 … Qxc4 23 Rxc4 Nb6 24 Rc6 Ne8 25 e4 Kf8 26 Ne3 Ke7 27 d5 Kd7 28 dxe6+ fxe6 29 e5 d5 If 29 … dxe5 30 Ng4 is murderous. 30 R6c5 Kd8 31 f4 Nd7 32 Rc6 Nc7 33 a4 Rb6 34 Rxb6 Nxb6 35 Rc6 Nd7 36 Nf3 Nb8 (see diagram 2) 37 Nd4 In such an overwhelming position White can allow himself a few tricks. If now 37 … Nxc6 38 Nxc6+ leaves White a piece ahead. 37 … Kd7 38 Rb6 Nba6 39 f5 Nc5 40 fxe6+ N5xe6 41 Rd6+ Black resigns Black faces ruinous loss of material. If 41 … Ke7 42 Nc6+ or 41 … Kc8 42 Nxe6.