What can we learn from the play of the strongest player of the last
century? His dynamism, industry, memory and willpower are all hugely
impressive, but can they be imitated successfully at all? I guess each
aspect of his game might inspire us, but there are instructive moments.
Opening
Kasparov had that restless drive for the initiative that we previously
saw with Alekhin. I was horrified when he destroyed Hubner as Black in a
line that I had seen as a fine way to suppress any Black initiative. I
expect that, at bottom, this is a case of falling behind in development,
but in a very modern setting.
Kasparov always chose openings that suited his style. Your style may be
different, but you must enjoy the openings you play. I thought his
adoption of the Tarrasch Defence in the early 1980s was very
interesting; perhaps positionally suspect because of the IQP, but, played
with activity and deep preparation, it held up all the way to the World Championship match.
Middlegame
Kasparov was the last player who should be allowed a concentration of
pieces on the side where you have castled. But on a busy board,
sometimes you might forget…
This is a fine sophisticated example of prophylaxis; work out what your
opponent wants to do, and do something about it. Here Kasparov
anticipates a White pawn break with f4-f5, which will open up the e-file
for the Black Rook on e8, and so White never quite gets around to it; the e5 break is similarly neutralised by Black’s waiting pieces.
Griffiths and Nunn advise that part of the gulf that separates masters
from the rest of us is dynamism. There may be a gulf too between the
super-GMs and other grandmasters. The notable move here is not the
thematic exchange sacrifice with …Rxc3, which doubtless White was
foolhardy to alllow, but …0-0. In a previous round, Van Wely had
refused to castle, perhaps fearing White’s attack, but Kasparov assessed
Black’s chances on the Queen’s-side as no worse.
Endgame
Kasparov’s dynamism is apparent even in defence, even in the endgame.
The major pieces do not like defending, and it can be worth abandoning a
pawn to get some active play.
For all his attacking verve, Kasparov can of course impose a strict
positional control when the position demands.