Boris Gulko, celebrated both as a grandmaster and a former Soviet dissident, has recently completed his great trilogy of instructional volumes. They make exclusive use of the instructional value of Gulko’s own victories, which include probably more victories against Kasparov, when compared to losses, than any other major player. Lessons with a Grandmaster, Volume 3 (Everyman Chess) is the third in the series. Notes to the following game are based on those by Gulko.
Gulko-Kasparov: Linares 1990; King’s Indian Defence
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4 d6 5 f3 0-0 6 Be3 c6 7 Bd3 e5 8 d5 b5 9 cxb5 cxd5 10 exd5 e4 11 Nxe4 Nxd5 12 Bg5 Qb6 12 … Qa5+ was seen in Timman-Kasparov, Reykjavik 1988. 13 Qd2 Nd7 14 Bc4 N5f6 (see diagram 1) 15 Nxf6+ 15 Nxd6 is the key test of Black’s idea but Gulko wished to sidestep Kasparov’s opening preparation. 15 … Bxf6 Now White stands well. It was better to play 15 … Nxf6 and keep pieces on the board. 16 Bxf6 Nxf6 17 Ne2 Re8 18 0-0-0 d5 19 Bd3 White had a better line with 19 Bb3 Qxb5 20 Nc3 Qb6 21 Qd4, killing Black’s activity. 19 … a6 20 bxa6 d4 21 Kb1 Re3 Typical of Garry, he plays the most aggressive move, but it looks like he miscalculated. Correct was 21 … Bxa6! 22 Bxa6 Rxa6 23 Nxd4 Rea8 24 Nc2 Rxa2 25 Qd4! Qe6 26 Rhe1 Qf5 27 Qd3 Qc5 28 Qd4 Qf5 29 Qd3 and neither side can avoid the repetition. 22 Bc4 Bxa6 23 Bxa6 Rxa6 24 Nxd4 (see diagram 2) 24 … Re8 Kasparov had planned 24 … Rea3, overlooking 25 Nc2 Rxa2 26 Qd8+ Qxd8 27 Rxd8+ Kg7 28 Na3 and White wins. 25 Ne2 Played to restrict the activity of the black knight.

Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in