Scottish Annotated Games

Last updated 18 April 2002

Leko, P (2701) - Craig, T J (2425) [B90]
EM/TT/F/01 ICCF Email, 1999
[Notes by George Pyrich]

On top board Tom had the better of a draw in a complex game against one of the top ten FIDE GMs

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 Ng4 This seems to flout basic principles but has proved successful at the highest level

7.Bg5 h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.Bg3 Bg7 10.Be2 h5 11.Bxg4 Bxg4 [ 11...hxg4 was played in Leko - Lutz, Frankfurt 1999 and after 12.0-0 Nc6 13.Nf5 Bxc3 ( maybe 13...Bxf5 can be played) 14.bxc3 Qa5 15.Qxg4 f6 16.Rab1 ( 16.f4 looks interesting) 16...Qxc3 17.Rfd1 Ne5 18.Bxe5 Qxe5 was eventually drawn]

12.f3 Bd7 13.Bf2 Nc6 14.0-0 e6 15.Nde2 Qc7 [ 15...Ne5 used to be played here 16.a4 ( 16.Qxd6? Nc4 is good for Black) 16...Bc6 17.Bd4 h4 18.h3 b5 and Black should be o.k.]

16.Na4 [ Perhaps 16.Qd2 with the idea of Rad1 is playable]

16...b5 17.Nb6 Rd8 18.c3 18...Ne7 [ Instead 18...Ne5 also looks o.k. perhaps continuing 19.Nxd7 Rxd7 20.a4 d5 when Black doesn't look to have too many worries]

19.Nxd7 Rxd7 20.Bd4 There were 2 alternatives: [ Firstly 20.Qd2 when after 20...g4 21.fxg4 ( 21.Qg5? is a bad mistake 21...gxf3 22.gxf3 Rg8! the point of Black's 18th - the R is protected and the discovered attack threats give Black a winning position) 21...hxg4 22.Bd4 Bh6 Black looks fine; and secondly 20.a4 b4 ( maybe 20...d5 is o.k. 21.Qc1 ( 21.Qb3 Qc4 looks good for Black) 21...g4 is unclear but should be o.k. for Black) 21.Rc1 d5 22.cxb4 Qb7 23.exd5 Qxb4 when again Black should hold comfortably]

20...e5 21.Be3 d5 22.Bxg5 f6 [ 22...dxe4 23.Qb3 exf3 24.Rxf3 looks good for White]

23.Bh4 [ 23.Be3 is difficult to assess. After 23...dxe4 24.Qc2 exf3 25.Rxf3 f5 it's dificult to decide whether or not the Black pawns are weak]

23...dxe4 24.Qe1 Nf5 25.fxe4 Ne3 26.Ng3 [ After 26.Qg3 Black seems to hold comfortably after 26...Nxf1 27.Qg6+ Rf7 28.Rxf1 Qb6+ 29.Kh1 Qe6]

26...Nxf1 27.Qxf1 Rd2 28.Kh1 [ Presumably he didn't relish 28.Qf5 Qa7+ 29.Kh1 Qd7]

28...Qd7 [ 28...Rxb2?! 29.Qf5 Kf7 30.Rd1 gives white good attacking chances]

29.Nf5 0-0 30.Qf3 Rd8 31.Rg1 [ 31.Rf1 Qd3! ends White's initiative]

31...Rd1 32.Be1 Rb1 [ This looks better than 32...Qf7 33.Nxg7 Kxg7 34.g4 hxg4 35.Qxg4+ Kf8 36.Qh4 when White still has attacking chances]

33.Qxh5 Rxb2 34.Qg6 Kf8 35.c4 Agreed drawn on White's proposal! The position is quite unclear, White having ideas such Qg3-a3 or a3 with Bb4+ or even simply advancing the h-pawn. Maybe Black could try his luck and play on with 35.... b4 but when one of the world's top players offers you a draw.... ½-½