A Game of Queens

394 Pages·2014·14.706 MB·English

by  Judit Polgar

judit Polgar Teaches Chess 3
A Game of Queens
by
Judit Polgar
with invaluable help from Mihail Marin
Quality Chess
www.qualitychess.co. uk
First edition 2014 by Quality Chess UK Ltd
Copyright© 2014 Judit Polgar
Judit Polgar Teaches Chess 3-A Game of Queens
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored
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Hardcover ISBN 978-1-907982-52-1
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Proofreading by Colin McNab
Edited by John Shaw
Cover design by Richard Nagy from Co&Co
Front and back cover photos: Timea Jaksa
Some additional photos also by Timea Jaksa
Printed in Estonia by Tallinna Raamatutriikikoja LLC
Contents
Key to Symbols used 4
Preface 5
1 Kasparov 11
2 Karpov 45
3 Korchnoi 71
4 The Rapid Match with Anand 101
5 Oliver 115
6 Hanna 141
7 The Opening 167
8 The Middlegame 199
9 The Endgame 217
10 Unexpected Moves 273
11 Official Competitions 285
12 Where It All Started 365
Records and Results 382
Name Index 384
Game Index 387
Key to symbols used
;f; White is slightly better
i Black is slightly better
:!: White is better
+
Black is better
+- White has a decisive advantage
-+ Black has a decisive advantage
equality
iii with compensation
~ with counterplay
m unclear
? a weak move
?? a blunder
a good move
!! an excellent move
!? a move worth considering
?! a move of doubtful value
# mate
Preface
In explaining the birth of this book, much of what I wrote in the first volume is of course still
relevant. I started flirting with the idea of publishing a collection of my best games a long time
ago.
For years, I was aware that the moment when I could fulfil my dream was far away. As a
professional player, I spent most of my time and energy playing in tournaments and training, so
each time the idea of my book popped up, I had to say to myself "Later, later. .."
By coincidence, several publishers approached me during this period. Although I was not
prepared to embark on any definite project yet, I could feel that the whole idea was, little by
little, starting to take shape.
The critical moment
The 2009 World Cup proved to be a decisive moment in the birth of my books. In the third
round I played Boris Gelfand, a very strong opponent who eventually went on to win the event.
I lost the first match game with Black, and during my preparations for the second one, I found
myself with no clue about how to break down his favourite Petroff Defence.
I decided to improvise with the Bishop's Opening, and in the early middlegame started a
sacrificial attack in the best spirit of the King's Gambit, my favourite opening as a kid. This
turned out to be Gelfand's only defeat in a classical game in the whole tournament. I eventually
lost the playoff, but this did not spoil the magic: it felt like for a moment the Judit from 1988,
who many (including myself) had forgotten, had come back to deliver her trademark brilliances.
With this nostalgic feeling, I decided that the time had finally come to write my book, in which
the little girl from the past would play an important role. On the way back home, while waiting
to embark at Moscow airport, I made it "official" by sharing my thoughts with my husband
Gusztav. He was delighted with the idea and I appreciate very much his enthusiasm, support and
encouragement ever since.
Preliminary details
There were a few technical details to be worked out before starting to work. Most of my best
games have been published worldwide, in countless magazines and even in a few books about
my chess career written by other authors. Therefore, I aimed for a different approach than just
"Judit's selected games".
After much hesitation, I chose to structure the material as a manual rather than an autobiography.
This way, it would be instructive for young players or amateurs aspiring to progress, but also offer
a guideline to their parents or trainers. True, there would be a wealth of autobiographical stories,
but they would pop up without respecting a chronological order.
Without any false modesty, I can say that I played entertainingly and quite well from an early
age, and it soon became clear that one book would not be enough to cover my whole career.
6 A Game of Queens
To make this rather unusual project come true, I needed a publisher who would allow me the
freedom of action I needed. I decided to work with Quality Chess after I met their Creative
Director, Jacob Aagaard.
I was captivated by Jacob's enthusiasm, optimism and his acceptance of making the book the
way I wanted it. We soon reached an agreement and he offered his invaluable feedback during
the complex writing process.
Since I had no experience as a book writer, I also needed the help of a close collaborator.
Even before the project had taken shape, I had shared my ideas with my old friend Bob (Mihail
Marin). I have known Bob since 1990, when he stayed with my family in Budapest on several
occasions. We were playing chess, training and having lots of fun. Many years lacer we worked
together regularly and he even accompanied me as a second to a few tournaments.
I knew chat Bob has lots of knowledge and broad experience in many areas of chess. He is a
successful writer and has created many good books. But even more importantly, I appreciate his
love and enthusiasm for chess.
Bob gladly joined my project and now that this trilogy is done, I can say that he has been a great
adviser and helper throughout. In addition, working as a pair proved joyful and entertaining.
Novi Sad 1990: (I. tor.) My Mother, Pal Benko,
Susan, Marin, Hazai, Me!, Morvay & Sofia
Preface 7
Sources of information
A few games and fragments in this volume have not been published before. I have input them all
from my dusty archive of scoresheets.
From my early years as a chess player, my coaches taught me to regularly write down the time
taken both by my opponent and mysel£ This was meant to provide the coaches with information
abo~t my way of thinking, my possible superficiality at critical moments or, on the contrary, my
hesitations.
This information also proved useful for this book. In my comments, I have frequently referred
to the situation on the clock, in order to draw interesting conclusions of a psychological nature.
And, as a curiosity, I would add that I have not given up the habit of writing down the time even
today. ..
I also drew a wealth of information from my old opening notes and game annotations. Luckily,
my whole archive has survived several changes of apartments over the years!
The structure
The first volume covered the period from my early years until 1991, when at the age of 15 years,
4 months and 28 days, I broke Fischer's record by roughly one month and became the youngest
ever grandmaster.
The second volume covers the period from my first tournament as a grandmaster in 1992 until
2000. In the beginning of this period I had to prove that I could perform at the levels expected
of a grandmaster. 2000 was a year of fantastic successes - it was the year I got married, which I
still consider an excellent move!
This third volume covers the period from 2001 until the present day. These were the years when
I was in the Top Ten in the world. In other words, I became one oft hem, as Anand phrased it at
Wijk aan Zee.
The first four chapters aim to suppon this view, and feature my games against four of the
greatest players in history: Kasparov, Karpov, Korchnoi and Anand.
The happiest and most exciting period staned when my two children became pan of my life.
Being a mother is a wonderful feeling, but it posed me with the challenge of combining my career
with family life. The reader can read about how I coped with this task in the chapters Oliver and
Hanna.
Over the years, my accumulating experience offered me a wider and deeper understanding
of the game in all its phases. The chapters dedicated to the Opening, Middlegame and Endgame
illustrate some typical aspects of each stage, but also the tight connection between them.
There follows a chapter examining some of my most Unexpected Moves. The strong contrast
between the logical fluency of the former three chapters and the abrupt changes of situation in
the latter offers a complete overview of the game of chess in general.
Having reached a high position in the rating list, participating in European and World
Championships became an important part of my career. My most memorable moments when
trying to climb the Chess Olympus are covered in the penultimate chapter of the book.
The last chapter has a symbolic meaning. It mainly deals with my win over Gelfand at the 2009
Khanty-Mansiysk World Cup. This game gave me the final boost to write this series of books,
8 A Game of Queens
thus adding a new dimension to my life for several years - that of a writer. In this chapter I also
describe my other chess-related activities over the past few years and in the present.
These three books took years of hard work, but I feel fully rewarded. On May 5th, while I was
working with Bob on the third volume, the news arrived that the second one had won the
Book of the Year award from the ACP. We celebrated with champagne and then returned to
work. ..
A nostalgic journey to the past
This trilogy has offered me an unforgettable journey through 30 years of tournament chess. I
feel happy to have shared with the reader all my memorable moments and my perspective on an
impressive gallery of great players and tournaments. This unique adventure into the past has also
helped me to learn a lot about mysel£
Although I have changed a lot as a person over the years, I am glad that I did not lose any of
my love for chess or my pleasure in playing beautiful games.
Many times people have asked me about the reasons of my early successes.
Talent and ambition must have played a significant part, but my family environment was the
most important factor. Both my parents were teachers by profession and by inclination. My
sisters and I are grateful to them not only because they dedicated their lives to our success, but
even more so because they raised us with a positive scale of values.
I was fortunate to be the youngest of three sisters, so my parents already had a lot of experience
when they started bringing me up as a chess player.
Moreover, growing up around my elder sisters Susan and Sofia was very stimulating and they
offered their help whenever I needed it. No words are rich enough to describe my feelings towards
Susan and Sofia. And I am happy that after all these years we are still very close friends, despite
the huge geographical distances between us.
Acknowledgements
I would like to express thanks to:
All my trainers, coaches and sparring partners.
The organizers, sponsors, opponents and arbiters, without whom chess life could not exist.
My enemies, who stimulated me to improve mysel£
My lovely husband, Gusztav, who supported my efforts in writing about my career.
My son Oliver and my daughter Hanna for being such wonderful children and making my life
so beautiful. They were patient and understanding every time mommy explained she still had
some work to do on the book. By now, they must know that if you are doing something, you
should do it right and that hard work enriches you.
Last but not least, thanks to my chess fans. I hope you will enjoy this book.
Judit Polgar
Budapest, September 2014
1-3
Introduction to Chapters
My Battles with
Three Legendary Ks
Anatoly Karpov, judit Po/gar, Garry Kasparov and Viktor Korchnoi