Maxim Dlugy - Garry Kasparov

World Blitz Championship, 1988
1. d4 d6

It is common to try to avoid theory in blitz. This move is rare and usually transposes either to the Pirc or the Kings Indian.

2. e4 Nf6 3. f3!?

White is trying to get a big centre, so he avoids playing the more common 3. Nc3 blocking the c-pawn.

3... Nbd7 4. c4 e5 5. d5

White decides to lock the centre.

An alternative was 5. Ne2 c6 6. Nbc3 Be7 7. Be3 keeping the pressure in the center.

5... Be7!?

Black decides to not waste time for the usual g6, Bg7 and instead develops the bishop on e7.

6. Be3 c6

Now White must always have in mind a possible opening of the c-file after cxd!?

7. Nc3 a6

With the idea to have b5! ready after cxd. But Black loses an important move which could be used better.

After 7... Nh5 White does not have time to consolidate his pieces as in the game. For example: 8. Bd3
8. Nge2 looks forced, but now White's development is slowed, it is not so easy to develop the B/f1.

8... Bg5! 9. Bf2 Nc5! and White is in trouble.

8. Bd3 O-O 9. Nge2 Nh5 10. Qd2

Just on time to defend against Bg5

10... g6

Black prepares the usual plan, f5.

An interesting alternative was 10... Bh4+!? 11. g3 Be7 Black lost two moves but White's king-side is weakened. Probably now White has to castle queen-side.

11. O-O Ng7 12. Kh1!

White foresees the opening of lines on the king-side and hides his king in the corner.

12... f5 13. exf5 gxf5 14. f4! e4 15. Bc2 c5 16. g4!

White could not wait with this move as Black was ready to play Nf6 defending all squares.

16... fxg4 17. Nxe4 Nf6?!
17... b5!?
18. N2g3 Nxe4 19. Bxe4 Bf6

Slowly Black's pieces get to the right positions. If only the pawn on g4 could go back two squares, Black would much better.

20. Qc2

Pointing at Black's main weakness.

20... h5 21. Bg6?!
After 21. Bh7+ Kh8 22. Qg6 Black's position is more then unpleasant.

21... h4!

Black is back in the game.

22. Nh5 b5!
After the almost forced 22... Nxh5 23. Bxh5 Qe7 24. Rae1 Qg7 25. Rg1 Bd7 26. f5! g3 27. hxg3 hxg3 28. Bf4 Bh4 29. Bg6 Black is in trouble.

23. f5 bxc4?!

Black clears the way for White's queen to g4 which soon leads to disaster.

23... Rb8!
24. Qxc4 Bb7 25. Rad1 Qe7 26. Bh6
or 26. Nxf6+ Qxf6 27. Qxg4 +-
26... Qe5
After 26... Nxh5 27. Bxh5 g3 28. hxg3 hxg3 29. Qg4+ Kh8 30. Bxf8
Correct is 30. Qxg3! +-
30... Rxf8 Black has great practical chances.

27. Rfe1 Qxb2 28. Rb1 Qa3

Black starts to play very creatively, eventually almost confusing White.

29. Nxf6+ Rxf6 30. Rxb7?!
After 30. Qxg4 Bxd5+ 31. Kg1 Black is even up a pawn, but he can safely resign.

30... Qf3+ 31. Kg1 Nxf5 32. Bh7+ Kh8 33. Bxf5
33. Rf1! +-
33... Rxf5 34. Qe2 c4 35. Qxf3
35. Bg7+ Kg8 36. Qe6+ would win faster.

35... gxf3 36. Kf2 Rg8 37. Rg1 Rxg1 38. Kxg1

White should be winning, but it is easy anymore.

38... Rxd5 39. Kf2 Rd3 40. Rb6 d5 41. Rxa6 c3

Black's pawns are advancing at great speed. Can White stop them?

42. Rc6 d4

Black makes the last mistake.

After 42... Rd2+!! 43. Kxf3 43... Rxh2! 44. a3 d4 45. Ke4 Ra2 Black might have gotten a theoretically drawn R vs R+B ending, but probably would not save the game anyway - defending that endgame in bltz is close to impossible.

43. a4 Kh7 44. Bf4

Now that the h-pawn is defended, White does not have to worry anymore.

44... Rd1 45. Kxf3 Ra1 46. Rc4 Rd1 47. Ke4 d3 48. Rxc3 d2 49. Kd3 Ra1 50. Bxd2 Rxa4 51. Rc4 Ra3+ 52. Bc3 Kg6 53. Rxh4 Kf5

A great game!

1-0