"Korchnoi - Sadvakasov" Match

10th - 20th of January, Astana city (Kazahstan).

All games in -pgn.

10th January.
The game was intense and interesting. After a opening white had small advantage though for black there was a strong position. In further course of the game where Korchnoi tried to aggravate a situation, but with the help of counterattacking measures Sadvakasov has intercepted the initiative. In a final stage of the game black had the big advantage. One of masters, was present in a hall, has noticed on the fourth hour of a match that Kortchnoj will be difficult to survive from the created situation, all chances to win being with Sadvakasov. However Victor L'vovich has managed to reduce a game to a drawn game. The huge saved up experience has probably had an effect that once again shows Korchnoi's qualities in defence.

First reaction Korchnoi to a question on a course of the match after the finish of a game was words: " I do not want to give odds to anybody, why you do not ask at Darmen? ". In reply to given retort Sadvakasov: " I have missed a prize ", Victor L'vovich, having looked back, has answered: " And I have missed advantage ".

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11st January. Sadvakasov - Korchnoi,
The Open Variant of Ruy Lopez was played which is familiar to V.Korchnoi. The game in 44 move was finished in a draw. While the score is equal 1:1.

The game was less intense, than previous. Korchnoi in a opening has obviously gone on the worse endgame, and Sadvakasov did not realize an opportunity of the arisen position. In the further course of the game it was possible for black to win a pawn, but the position had drawn character in a kind of absence of a material on a board. The second day of competitions was, in opinion of experts, not so successful. Spectators with big attention watched the game of the glorified chess master - Victor Korchnoi and young and giving the big hopes - Darmen Sadvakasov. Both chess players cause respect and genuine interest. This kind of sports which are not bearing vanities and hasty decisions, demands of chess players of a constant trainings of mind and the analysis of game. Thus it is very important to keep the excellent physical form, In our opinion self-control and backbone both contenders are adjusted on serious struggle. And, despite of mistakes and miscalculations of first two games, game promises to be fascinating and interesting.

Speaking of participants...
Korchnoi: Yesterday I such have did a move at one moment, that me to shoot was a little. It when I the central horse has given. Today it is a little bit better, but I expect, that it will be possible to improve a situation.
Sadvakasov: Today Victor L'vovich has passed in endgame which is considered the worse on black, and dexterously turned. I thought at one moment, somewhere at me a small steady advantage. But up to a victory to finish it was not possible. Victor L'vovich is very tenacious all the same. I expected for long game, wanted to press white, and it has turned out, that has remained without a pawn. Correctly speak, that Korchnoi's pawns it is better to not endow, because he begins to play very strongly. In this situation he conditionally pressed, I had to be beaten off already.

12nd of January. Korchnoj-Sadvakasov
White in Nimzo-Indian Defence has applied a new plan, but didn't get an advantage. Playing black D.Sadvakasov has managed to open game, And having intercepted the initiative has compelled white to capitulation. Now the score is 2:1 in D.Sadvakasov's advantage.

Darmen Sadvakasov: "Adjust - to struggle further! Victor L'vovich is known as strong player, therefore to relax early."

Very intense and interesting game. But quality of Korchnoi's game leaves something to be desired. After the opening black had a balanced position, and after a series of discrepancies and a rough miss white have intercepted The initiative. In further game Sadvakasov vigorously used the advantages of the position and to effectively finish the game by an attack on the king.

On 42-nd move legendary grand master Victor Korchnoi was compelled to recognize the defeat.

Darmen, some words upon termination of the game:
Today I have won, as it seemed to me, an interesting game. At first advantage was on the Victor L'vovich's games. Then, when he has started in a course of the bishop h3, he had to carry out a little other plan of game which appeared less productive. At him has arisen very adverse Position. But the games, all the same, was very difficult as proceeded in a time trouble. Because of it I Has missed some counter-play. It was necessary to play less risky .

At me the strong time trouble if you saw was, I approximately for 20 minutes should make 10 moves, And then, at the end of a game - a pair of moves approximately for 10 seconds. Therefore it was necessary, certainly, maximum To gather and concentrate. When I have left after a time trouble, at me shivered hands, Pressure was enormous!

January, 14. Sadvakasov - Korchnoi,
Convincing kazakhstan's victory. On an output from a opening white have received insignificant advantage, but black have admitted a series of discrepancies, and Sadvakasov has skilfully taken advantage of the opportunity given to him. The carried out attack white on king deserves the status of an educational example. In a final position black either receive ¬ â, or huge material losses sustain. The culmination on 13 course. After a short-term time-out which alongside with other factors, probably, was motivated also with the traditional prejudiced relation to number " 13 ", participants international match's meetings on a chess in Astana have renewed games. However, on a whim of destiny, the critical situation in the party undertaken January, 14 has developed on the thirteenth course. It has defined outcome of a meeting favorable for the Kazakhstan grand master.
D.Sadvakasov has increased lead in the score - 3:1
Darmen Sadvakasov: .

"Victor L'vovich today in a opening has lead position has obviously worsened. He might not carry out it and simply play a position with versatile options, very sharp, with mutual attacks. He has evaded in other position, and this rejection was not in his advantage. Has then got under direct attack. I too might play some moments more precisely. However Victor L'vovich was in a strong time trouble and, despite of fine resistance, I managed to win. "

January, 15. Korchnoi - Sadvakasov,
Non-realized advantage or the healthy compromise? Paradox of game from January, 15th was in opinion of experts, inability white to take advantage, repeatedly arising on their side. Probably, it was caused by a time trouble, probably, than any other reason: Pleases another, from the very beginning and before the ending of game in a hall reigned spirit of a sports correctness! The score becomes 1,5:3,5.

" Already we played more than half of match, it is played five games from eight, and invaluable experience which I get, with Korchnoi playing, consists that he plays "unmodern" a chess in which, certainly, there is a depth. That is he deliberately goes on any worse positions which successfully protects. He gives to receive the initiative and plays conter-play. For me it is interesting, significant, in the certain degree is unique. "

January, 16. Sadvakasov - Korchnoi,
In a game with a rare and rather sharp variant of the Ruy Lopez was played. Victor L'vovich got a position for attack. It was close to a victory, but D.Sadvakasov was possible to beat off the attack. The score in a match began 2:4

January, 18. Korchnoi - Sadvakasov,
In spite of the fact that the game began with Sicilian defense creating a two-edged position on a board and giving an opportunity to both sides to play on a victory, it was conceded as experts as rather correct. Opponents managed to cope with a time trouble therefore after control courses there were approximately equal position. The game was interesting and enough intense. Korchnoi has surprised with a first course unusual for him (1. e2-e4). On a board there was one of sharp positions Sicilian defense, namely - Najdorf variant. On an exit from opening Sadvakasov has completely balanced a position and at one moment has intercepted the initiative. After a mutual time trouble the game has passed in approximately equal endgame, and after exchange of queens on 45th move has arisen rook ending with probable drawn outcome.

Sicilian defence was played (B95). After high-grade struggle in Rook ending after 50th move opponents have agreed to a drawn game. The score in the match began 2,5:4,5 for the benefit of D.Sadvakasov. Last game will play tomorrow.

January, 19. Sadvakasov - Korchnoi,
The game was less intense, than all previous. Korchnoi, playing black figures, after the opening has balanced a position. On 26th move contenders have exchanged queens, and the game has passed in the equal ending. Victor L'vovich tried to create some problems, but Sadvakasov played exactly and has kept balance, and on 53rd move opponents have signed the draw result.

Score of the match: 5 - 3 for the benefit of D.Sadvakasov

Annotation to match games writing International Master Ibraev Nurlan

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update 19-01-2003