San Luis 2005 Alik Gershon Jacob Aagaard Igor

Nor download

https://ebookbell.com/product/san-luis-2005-alik-gershon-jacob-
aagaard-igor-nor-21967510

Explore and download more ebooks at ebookbell.com

Here are some recommended products that we believe you will be
interested in. You can click the link to download.

San Luis Obispo County Outlaws Desperados Vigilantes And Bootleggers

Jim Gregory

https://ebookbell.com/product/san-luis-obispo-county-outlaws-
desperados-vigilantes-and-bootleggers-jim-gregory-47056922

San Luis Obispo And Cal Poly In Vintage Postcards Thomas Maxwelllong

https://ebookbell.com/product/san-luis-obispo-and-cal-poly-in-vintage-
postcards-thomas-maxwelllong-48896444

San Luis Dana Maestas

https://ebookbell.com/product/san-luis-dana-maestas-48954502

San Luis Obispo County Outlaws Desperados Vigilantes And Bootleggers

True Crime Jim Gregory

https://ebookbell.com/product/san-luis-obispo-county-outlaws-
desperados-vigilantes-and-bootleggers-true-crime-jim-gregory-52522374
Discovering Mission San Luis Obispo De Tolosa Jeannette Buckley

https://ebookbell.com/product/discovering-mission-san-luis-obispo-de-
tolosa-jeannette-buckley-46433296

Discovering Mission San Luis Rey De Francia Jeannette Buckley

https://ebookbell.com/product/discovering-mission-san-luis-rey-de-
francia-jeannette-buckley-46442750

Day Hikes Around San Luis Obispo 156 Great Hikes 3rd Edition Robert
Stone

https://ebookbell.com/product/day-hikes-around-san-luis-
obispo-156-great-hikes-3rd-edition-robert-stone-48889396

The Bridge Of San Luis Rey Thornton Wilder

https://ebookbell.com/product/the-bridge-of-san-luis-rey-thornton-
wilder-52449170

The Bridge Of San Luis Rey Thornton Wilder

https://ebookbell.com/product/the-bridge-of-san-luis-rey-thornton-
wilder-42527456
San Luis 2005

Alik Gershon & Igor Nor

Quality Chess
www. qualitychess books. com
 San Luis 2005

First edition 2007 by Quality Chess Europe AB

Second edition 2007 by Quality Chess UK LLP

Copyright© Alik Gershon & Igor Nor 2007

The rights of Alik Gershon & Igor Nor to be identified as the authors
of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.

All sales or enquiries should be directed to Quality Chess UK LLP,

20 Balvie Road, Milngavie, Glasgow, G62 7TA, United Kingdom
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.qualitychessbooks.com

Distributed in US and Canada by SCB Distributors, Gardena

California www .scbdistributors.com

Edited by Jacob Aagaard & John Shaw

Typeset: Ari Ziegler & Jacob Aagaard (2nd edition)
Proofreading: Jacob Aagaard & Colin McNab
Cover Design: Carole Dunlop
Printed in Estonia by Tallinna Raamatutrukikoja LLC

The photos in this book are all taken from the official tournament
website.

ISBN: 91-976005-2-0
ISBN 13: 978-91-976005-2-1
 Contents
Foreword by Veselin Topalov 5
Foreword by Nigel Short 7
Preface by Mihail Marin 13
Introduction 17

Round 1 41
Round 2 67
Round 3 113
Round 4 141
Round 5 167
Round 6 197
Round 7 227

Half way report 251

Round 8 253
Round 9 279
Round 10 309
Round 11 337
Round 12 365
Round 13 391
Round 14 413

Tournament table of second half 432

Afterword 432
Full tournament table 433
Chess in the New Millennium or Binary Conspiracies 435
Postscript 441
Players Index 442
Openings Index 443
Igor Nor Alik Gershon
 5

Foreword by Veselin Topalov

1he world championship in San Luis was one of the most difficult, tense, hard-fought and important
tournaments I have ever played and because of this it was undoubtedly the most rewarding victory in
my chess career. By the end of the tournament I was exhausted both physically and emotionally, but
today I can look back and say that all the effort my team and I have made in the last years proved itself
in this tournament.
The world championship is the right place for any player to show his best in the very tensest situation.
From that point of view I am very satisfied with my level in the tournament. I did not play the most
beautiful games of my career, but I think my level of play was high. At this point it is the right place to
express my gratitude to all the people who supported me before the tournament and during the course of
it and helped me to achieve this level, especially my trainer and manager Silvio Danailov and my second
in the past year I van Cheparinov.
Two critical games of the event I will remember the most are the win in the first round, when Leko
and I were both very nervous and made mistakes, and the win against Svidler, which put me one and a
half points ahead of my pursuers. After this I had a clear tournament ad vantage, even though it brought
a lot of pressure and forced me to play stronger and stronger in order not to waste it.
Browsing through the pages of this book I relive the tension that could be felt in the playing hall. I
can feel the pressure on each player's shoulders, the concerns, the doubts- move after move, decision
af ter decision, and I am very happy that the authors stood up to the challenge, were not misled by the
players' names and Elo's, and managed to compose such detailed and objective analysis, which is worthy
of the games played in San Luis.
Based on this tournament, the double round robin format seems to be a great idea for finding the
world champion. Almost all the games in this tournament saw uncompromising battles, from start to
end. All the players made their best efforts , without taking time-outs with short draws, and at the end
of the day we managed to produce many memorable games, novelties, moves and blunders. It is the
kind of chess that has a future and can bring more and more fans to our game. It is the chess I love,
and this is what makes me especially happy and proud to be the winner of such an event.

YeselinTopalov,
Spain, August 2006
 7

Foreword by Nigel Short

The flight from Buenos Aires began with the jollity of a school outing. A sudden strike had necessitated
the chartering of a smallish plane. Chess being a microcosm, each and every member of our party,
player or official, was well known to each other. The passengers engaged in pleasant banter and
rejoiced in clear views of the sparsely populated landscape below, until shortly bef ore our de scent
into San Luis. Suddenly an abrupt and unpleasant buffeting of the plane raised a few eyebrows,
but being experienced fliers we did not panic unduly. Alas, the turbulence continued with vigour.
Glancing around at my colleagues, who were ranged between postures of considerable di scom fiture
and abject prostration, I attempted a note of macabre levity. " Shut the fuck up" came the response
from a distinctly sick-looking Peter Svidler, as my normally mild-mannered and polite friend prepared
to meet his maker in silence. Touching down, our aircraft veered terrifyingly all over the runway, but
eventually was brought to a safe standstill, to our great relief.
Mter effusive local greetings and 1V interviews, we eventually decamped to the Hotel Potrero de los
Funes complex-a good few kilometres outside of the modest city of San Luis itself- which served as
both venue and domicile for all the players and some of the officials for the duration of the event. 1he
hotel was comfortable, isolated and attractively situated by a lake surrounded by gently undulating
hills. The sunrise at breakfast was spectacular indeed. A " Chess Box"- essentially an auditorium with
accompanying rooms for media etc.-had been specially constructed for the tournament and adjoined
the lodgings.

Playing conditions inspected

Next day, Israel Gelfer, the FI D E official charged with ensuring that playing conditions were
satisfactory, asked for my assistance on his tour of inspection. As an experienced grandmaster I was
more than happy to aid him in assessing the quality of light, comfort of chairs, proximity of toilets
etc. Nevertheless, it struck me that the checking of such important matters should not have been left
until last minute. Besides, my obligations in San Luis were to the Argentineans (producing written
daily reports on proceedings) and not to FI D E: had I been extremely busy or disinclined to help, there
was no obvious expert replacement. Gelfer could certainly have done the job adequately himself, but
doubtless then some small details would have been overlooked - and details must be attended to in
World Championships. Even as it was, final preparations would proceed over the next couple of days
quite literally up until the final seconds, with nameplates being affixed by arbiters, while players, with
an air of martyrdom, stood by patiently waiting to assume their seats.
Which brings me on to the activities of the San Luis Appeals Committee: whilst we had one of the
most vital and potentially controversial tournaments in the history of chess, where were these august
FI D E gentlemen to be found? Usually not in the playing hall, to be sure. If they did deign to visit the
playing complex -and more often they did not, preferring the sanctuary of their town centre hotel,
where doubtless they conducted very important business, by the swimming pool and elsewhere-they
were usually to be found in the bar area outside the hall. Had there been an official protest-and of this
there was a fair chance when one considers that at least three of the other seven San Luis participants
strongly suspected skulduggery was afoot- these fine custodians of the game's integrity, those arbiters
8

of higher appeal, would have been hopelessly unfit to pass any judgment. [As was made clear in the
Topalov-Kramnik, Elista 2006 match, where two repeat members from San Luis had to resign af ter a
show of obvious incompetence. Ed.] For this job they received their airfare, food and accommodation
plus a fee of several thousand dollars- all courtesy of the San Luis taxpayer.
The Chairmanship of the Appeals Committee has long been the most sought after sinecure in FIDE,
but there were an extraordinarily large number of other spongers and hangers-on present as well.
The Honorary President of FIDE, Florencio Campomanes, was, as usual, to be found for the entire
duration, again courtesy of the beleaguered Argentineans. Zurab Azmaiparashvili robustly defended
the presence of this convicted felon, who has only escaped a prison sentence for embezzlement in the
Philippines by being over the age of 70, by insisting to me, in what I would describe as a physically
intimidatory manner, that organizers specifically request Campomanes' presence to add lustre to their
events. 1he more cynical and perhaps accurate explanation for such munificent hospitality would be
that organizers of these official tournaments do not feel they have any choice whatsoever.

Women's World Champion Antoaneta Stefanova also graced us with her presence for the month,
and for which she did actually give a simultaneous exhibition - work, as is well-known, expanding
to fill the time available for its completion. Since generously laying her talents at FIDE's disposal at
Tripoli, Libya, 2004 she has been a more-or-less permanent feature on the FIDE merry-go-round,
abandoning herself willingly to what many would regard as an unpleasant duty.
While some, such as Treasurer David Jarrett, undoubtedly had a degree of indispensable work to

do, the overwhelming impression of the substantial FIDE bureaucracy present in San Luis - mostly
Aown in at great expense from different continents -was one of sloth and indolence, if not downright
decadence. When people question why FIDE has been incapable of attracting major corporate
sponsorship over the last decade or so, they need look no further than the regulations of the World
Championship, with its massive institutionalised gravy train, for their answers. No serious company
is going to tolerate such waste.
 9

The dynamic Governor, Alberto Rodriguez Saa, however doubtless considered this a price worth
paying for bringing a prestige event to what is, after all, a relative backwater (albeit a most charming
and attractive one). The Governor's enthusiasm and indeed that of all his organizational, administrative
and support staff was impressive. 1here were a few teething problems at first, which I have alluded to,

but one by one these were overcome with cheerfulness, competence and determination. I would like
to thank everyone involved with hosting and organizing San Luis for making it such a great pleasure
to witness one of the most important tournaments in recent chess history.

Gradually all the participants arrived

Gradually all the participants arrived. Peter Leko, accompanied by his wife Sophie, and father-in-law/
coach Arshak Perrosian had been the only one to take the "very comfortable" overnight coach (who

was he kidding?). However in view of the near-death experience that many of us had endured, our
mirth was somewhat muted: the Magyar had been smarter than us all.
1he money was mostly on Y iswanathan Anand, Yeselin Topalov and Peter Leko, with the Indian
being the favourite. 1he mercurial Alexander Morozevich also had his backers, as did Peter Svidler
and Michael Adams. The punters were convinced that Rustam Kasimdzhanov's brief reign as World
Champion was sure to end. This was perhaps to undervalue the subtle qualities of the uxorious Uzbek,
but it should be admitted that even his devoutest supporters gave him no more than an outside
chance.
He did not help his odds by declining the services of an analyst- in my view, a grotesque but psy­
chologically understandable error, which was shared by England's Michael Adams. 1hese two, lest
we forget, had been finalists of Tripoli 2004 - surely the weakest World Championship in history.
10

The temptation for each of them was to suppose FIDE officials (who are divided by a chasm of un­
that having produced his career best result without derstanding) I did nor, however, wish to disturb
an analyst in Libya, he could do so again in Argen­ any participant- well knowing, from experience,
tina. In this they failed to grasp the simple fact the solemnity and sacredness of top-level chess.
that nor only was San Luis a significantly stronger My awkwardness was erased when I was invited to
event, bur it was held according to a totally differ­ join the Bulgarian table, rhus setting a precedent
ent format. While preparing for each and every that would last until the end of the tournament.
opponent with After Topalov's vic­
both colours in a tory over Leko in
large knock-our round one, I be­
tournament like came his talisman,
Tripoli was next to and was practically
impossible, it most forbidden from
certainly was possi­ dining anywhere
ble and even man­ else. 1his was all
datory in San Luis. done in good hu­
Completing the mour, with Silvio
star-studded line­ Danailov ostenta­
up was Judir Pol­ tiously polishing
gar - the perennial my chair before

crowd pleaser I sat down, bur

back to competitive there was a serious
chess af ter a lengthy element to it roo:
maternity leave. chess players, like
Her high ranking many other sports­
was testament to men, are a little su­
her ability to sur­ perstitious.
vive at the strata- 1har initial win
sphere. Bur would set the tone. Play­
she win? While ex­ ing provocatively
perts considered a with Black, Topal­
top four finish to be well within her grasp, nor ov had overstepped rhe limits of what his position
many could seriously imagine a woman as World could objectively endure. Leko, in a complicated
Champion. Could this be construed as evidence situation, failed to find a couple of powerf ul forc­
of sexism? Well, perhaps . . . or maybe just an accu­ ing lines . With those opportunities squandered, he
rate evaluation of probability. was left only with the defects of an inferior pawn
Venturing into the dining room at lunchtime, structure and misplaced knight, and was duly
on the day of the first round I faced a dilemma . I gunned down. Topalov was unrepentant about his
was nor parr of any group and yet being gregarious "incorrect" play. He had posed his esteemed op­
by nature, I did nor wish to ear alone. Instinctively ponent difficult problems that he had been unable
preferring the company of fellow grandmasters to to solve. He was nor the least bit concerned that
 II

he had been theoretically lost, as chess is a competitive sport and not an exact science. Nevertheless, he
did not play quite so recklessly in subsequent games...
Early on Peter Svidler astutely remarked that two elements - theoretical preparation and physical
fitness - were becoming increasingly important in modern chess. Rather too modestly he considered
his own opening knowledge de ficient, but he also pointed to his own somewhat flabby bulk as a likely
inhibiting factor in his own success. He considered that his energy levels would be O K for around eight
rounds, but thereaf ter he would suffer.

Kasparov's tip for victory

It was a thought-provoking observation and one that was partly prescient. Kasparov's tip for victory
- the absurdly talented, but distinctly unathletic Indian, Yishy Anand, did not fully hit his stride.
Instead San Luis was to prove Topalov's resounding triumph. 1he lean and fit-looking Bulgarian
exuded such dynamism and energy, in the first half in particular, as to be a veritable tornado. Others
were left trailing in his destructive wake. 1he in-form Svidler - remarkably unfancied for someone
who had been Russian Champion on no less than four occasions-could perhaps have given effective
chase, had he not succumbed with W hite to Topalov in round five. Hit by an early tactical blow, he
recovered to an endgame of dynamic equality, but then blundered under sustained pressure.
Anand, who suffered an early loss to Kasimdzhanov, did not really reach top gear until the second
half. By then he had so much ground to make up that only by defeating Toppy could the Tamil
legend hope to catch him. W hen this gigantomachy petered out into a disappointing but unavoidable
early repetition of moves, the race was almost over. Kasimdzhanov, rightly turning down a cheeky
pre-arranged draw apparently offered by Topalov's manager Danailov, spiritedly tried to defeat the
Bulgar in what, if he failed to win (possible disqualifications excepted) was sure to be his last game
as World Champion. The pressure on Topalov steadily mounted, but just as he appeared in trouble
he suddenly extricated himself with an ingenious exchange sacrifice, dramatically turning the tables.
Kasimdzhanov was now the one left looking for an e scape, but he duly found it. The Governor of the
San Luis Province, Alberto Rodriguez Saa, was the first of the throng around the board to congratulate
the new champion.
So impressive was Topalov's play throughout that other participants, at a loss to otherwise explain
such brilliance, have accused him of metaphorically mastering the dark arts, or, more precisely,
receiving outside information. So grave are these charges, so ruinous to a man's reputation that I
hesitate to reproduce them here for fear of sullying an innocent victim. Moreover it must also be
stressed that no official complaint, or at least not one that required the compulsory $500 deposit, was
made in Argentina.
Despite this strong caveat, I believe the issues broached by the complainants in private are highly
relevant, and are becoming more so, in this computer age. In essence, in an open auditorium, like the
one in San Luis, it is exceptionally easy for a member of the audience to surreptitiously communicate
with the players. The protagonists were cursorily searched by metal detector prior to each game, but
one needs nothing more sophisticated than a man with a laptop outside, text-messaging to a man
with a mobile within, followed by a nod and a wink to the player, for the outcome of the World
Championship to be decided. And here we are not even talking about tiny wireless earpieces, often
12

made o f plastic, which are becoming ever more difficult to detect. W ith prize money i n the hundreds
of thousands of dollars, and with hundreds of thousands more, if not millions, to go in future earnings
to the eventual winner, not to mention the vast kudos, the temptation is surely great. 1he issue here
is not one of a rank amateur defeating grandmasters in some random event: in that case the amateur
would require constant computer input, lest he blunder himself. 1his would result in the machine
leaving behind recognisable patterns, which could easily be di scerned later. A top player, on the
contrary, would only require occasional cyber assistance to make him (or her) virtually invincible.
I estimate that one or two computer-assisted moves per game, communicated at critical junctures,

would be more than sufficient for even the weakest of the elite San Luis participants to win the
tournament- the rest they could manage very adequately by themselves. And vitally, there would be
no way of detecting such cheating, should it occur, from the game scores alone.
By presenting such facile opportunities for gross fraud, F I D E - the governing body of chess -
is doing no one any favours. 1hose engaged in entirely innocent behaviour - a manager or coach
anxiously watching his charge from his assigned (and thereby nearby) seat, for example - can fall
under unwarranted suspicion. And those that would wish to offend could, most likely, get away scot­
free. 1he powers that be seem blissfully unaware that they have a colossal time bomb ticking away
beneath them.

Nigel Short
Athens, August 2006
 13

Preface by Mihail Marin

I believe rhar while raking our first steps in chess every one of us was animated by rhe secret hope of
becoming World Champion one day or, as a relatively acceptable Plan-B, reaching rhe latter stages of
rhe fight for rhe supreme ririe.
Happy are those who managed to achieve this golden aim! 1heir names are entered forever in the
history of chess.
.
Also happy are those who did nor lose their passion for our favourite game while growing up,
becoming aware of and accepting their own limitations! 1hey will spend the rest of their lives enjoying
the others' outstanding artistic achievements.
Having failed to qualify for the former category I consider myself fortunate enough to have landed
from my youthful daydreams into the latter, much wider, group. And yet, when I was given the
opportunity to accompany one of the participants in the World Championship in San Luis as a
second, I immediately felt as if all my old dreams came true, though in an indirect way: I was going
to breathe the same air as rhe strongest players in the world, to measure my strength against them in
the background analytical contest. Bur what thrilled me most was the possibility of watching close-up
and from a very favourable angle rhe birth of a new World Champion; to understand those derails rhar
make a decisive difference between titans of similar strength.
The main body of this book offers comprehensive analytical material on the games of the San Luis
Championship. 1he authors have highlighted the winner's strong moves and also some of his minor
failures. I will not interfere in any way with them, bur instead try to reveal rhe reality from a more
subjective perspective.
14

For a neutral spectator, Topalov's manner of imposing his superiority can hardly leave room for any
doubts. By halfway he had managed to distance himself by two whole points from the runner-up,
Peter Svidler, a margin that he managed to maintain almost intact up to the end, in spite of making
seven consecutive draws in the second half. The fantastic score of 6Y2 out of 7 strongly resembles
Fischer's ascension to the throne, but was hard to predict in the era of computerized chess, when the
technique of play is (just supposedly) so much higher.
It is interesting to follow how several of the participants, including Topalov himself. related to this
slightly unusual course of events.
One player, apparently the most disappointed of the pre-tournament favourites, seems to have been
searching for external, non-chess explanations forTopalov's success. During dinner on the sixth playing
day he complained to arbiter Herman van Riemsdijk about the fact that Topalov was playing all his
games at the same table. He never raised an official protest, but the conversation was loud enough to
be heard by the surrounding players and seconds. The key to the absurdity of the situation was actually
offered by the player himself (most probably, not intentionally) when he repeatedly underlined that
he finds himself in the middle of the field and is not challengingTopalov's superiority in any way, but
is mainly concerned about the principle itself. I wonder: would the gap between the two players have
been smaller ifTopalov had been moved from one table to another?
The arbiter calmly explained that in round-robin tournaments the player drawing the last number
is supposed to play all his games on Board I, which was precisely the case now. 1he player did not
give up the fight so easily and mentioned the fact that as a regular participant in super-tournaments
he was used to the custom that the central game of each round was played on a certain board, the
most visible for the audience in principle. The arbiter replied that this was an official tournament that
was supposed to be played in strict accordance with the rules. To my understanding, he could have
used the opportunity to fight back with the player's own argument: after all, the game that drew most
interest day by day was that ofTopalov, which was an additional argument for keeping him on Board
1, the closest to the V IP area.
Anyway, feeling that the player was not totally satisfied with his explanations, Van Riemsdijk made
an unofficial inquiry among the other players. Not finding support among his colleagues, the player
had to back off.
Much later, soon af ter the final move of the championship was made and the last scoresheet was
signed, another participant publicly accused Topalov of cheating by using computer assistance. 1he
issue of the first board acquired new dimensions in his arguments: since all the seconds had free access
to the V IP area, placing Topalov in that zone was supposed to facilitate the transmission of moves
from Silvio Danailov. The absurdity of the situation consists of the fact that, to my understanding,
one ofTopalov's strong points is his ability to play "anti-computer" chess.Take his only draw from the
first half of the tournament, that from the second round against Anand. W hich computer could be of
any use when W hite is simply an exchange down af ter the opening? What about the Berlin Defence?
Computers claim a clear advantage for W hite from the very beginning.
But this was probably just a manifestation of the almost unbearable tension. I believe that the
attitude of most of the other participants towards Topalov's play is revealed by the following episode.
Mter winning his seventh round game Peter Svidler found himself as sole runner-up (though by a
 15

margin of two points). Looking for sensational news, or maybe j ust trying to make the whole issue less
one-sided to the readers, journalists asked him during the short press conference whether he considered

himself Topalov's main challenger in the remaining half of the tournament. Svidler was amused by the
question and made it clear that the leader would most probably have no challenger at all until the end
of the championship. He described his attitude with the words: "Just watch and learn!" I am pretty
convinced that Svidler never completely gave up hope of catching Topalov, but these are things that
are better kept to oneself rather than making them public. This is chess, not boxing, and we are nor
s upposed to intimidate the opponents by aggressive or over-optimistic statements.
I could notice a symmetrical attitude from Topalov himself. As he advanced towards the highest peak
of his career, he was assaulted with questions such as: "Now that you are leading by n points, do you
believe that you can count on becoming World Champion?" Topalov used to make a small grimace,
possibly an expression of a complex mixture of amusement, modesty and realism, and explain that
there is a lor of fight lef t, that any accident he would eventually suffer could change the course of the
tournament. Actually, it looked as if the Bulgarian grandmaster tried hard to convince the audience
that he was indeed going to "lose" the ririe.
Another interesting issue is that of Topalov's completely different score in the two halves of the
tournament: j ust half a point below 100% in the first 7 rounds and a mere 50% in the second part.
To some observers, this might have looked like a thoroughly prepared plan of action, based on
optimisation of effort or something of that kind.
I do not believe that Topalov or his manager had any special plan regarding the distribution of
points between the two parts of the championship. He won so many games in the beginning because
he found himself in better form and was much more relaxed than his opponents. I cannot know how
he managed to accomplish the former, but I witnessed the external manifestation of the latter.
Watching Topalov's general behaviour, one could notice that he did not look like a professional who
arrived determined to win a World Championship, but more like a player who wanted to spend a
couple of enjoyable weeks playing chess. More than once he could be seen having a leisurely breakfast,
followed by amiable chats, while other players hurried to prepare for the game. At lunch Topalov
16

and his seconds used to sit at the same table as Nigel Short and listen to the Englishman's enjoyable
anecdotes. Many players prefer to preserve their energy and focus for the game by having short, silent
lunches, but this can sometimes have a reversed effect.
Good form and relaxed mood are hardly enough to win one game after another in such strong
company. By his general approach towards chess, Topalov was optimally suited for such a tough,
uncompromising fight. It is no coincidence that the so-called Sofia-rule, prohibiting draw offers
unless the position has exhausted all its resources, was introduced by Silvio Danailov, trainer and
manager ofTopalov for so many years. In an epoque when relatively short draws occur with annoying
frequency, it certainly takes a lot of energy to play for a win independently of the mood of that day or
of the position on the board.
1he uninterrupted series of 7 draws from the second half was by no means the result of
"premeditation".Topalov missed a couple of chances because he committed more inaccuracies than in
the first half, possibly as a consequence of tiredness. Or, the other players might have simply improved
their form af ter more than one week of playing and relaxed a bit now the fate of the tournament was
already more or less decided.
During the past years there has been a lot of talk about the part played by the reigning World
Champion in the evolution of chess life in general. From this point of view, I am firmly convinced that
the result from San Luis will mark a good turning point. We now have an active World Champion,
who loves his job and does not retreat into his ivory tower trying to squeeze more and more favours
from his position on a scale of values that could possibly become outdated. As I am writing these lines,
Topalov has already signed the contracts for two matches for the supreme title. Could we, as chess
fans, dream of more?
Chess history contains many outstanding tournaments in its archives, but we tend to remember
best those which are covered by well-written tournament books. W hile travelling from Europe to
South America, I could not help thinking about the Candidates' Tournament from Ziirich 1953 and
Bronstein's book about it. I hope the book you hold in your hands becomes a reliable and long-lasting
testimony about one of the most remarkable Chess World Championships!

Mihail Marin
Second of Judit Polgar in San Luis
Bucharest, May 2006
 17

Introduction

Monday, January 11th 1886, New York, USA

1he first move of the first official World Chess Championship match between W ilhelm Steinitz and
Johannes Zukertort is played, beginning a wonderf ul tradition of determining 1he Best of Best. Curiously
enough, the second part of that match will be held in St. Louis, Missouri ...

119 years later: San Luis, Argentina

It is a very different world, with chess radically changed, and subsequently a different San Luis. 1here
is, however, one great similarity in that it might be a turning point for our beloved game.
1he match in 1886 put a start to 107 years (take out the two years following Alekhine's death)
during which everybody knew for a fact who the World Chess Champion was. The Great Thirteen
who managed to win the title in the course of those 107 years were all outstanding characters, each
possessing great, although very different, chess qualities.
1hey might not always have been the strongest active players on the scene, but no one could question
their legitimacy, as they beat the champion in a long, face-to-face match. 1here were two minor
exceptions: one mentioned above, and the other after Fischer's retirement, which handed the title to
the challenger- Karpov. Every champion brought something special into the game, took it one step
forward-which is inevitable if you are able to defeat the previous King of the Hill.
Ever since 1993, however, when the world champion and undoubtedly the world's strongest player
then- Garry Kasparov-decided to leave F ID E, "taking" the title along, the world of chess hasn't been
the same.

For the past 12 years a very simple question- ' W ho is the world champion?' would have even the most
informed professionals mumbling some obscure answer.
1he reason lay in the existence of two parallel cycles. Each had its own advantages and drawbacks.
Kasparov had his own cycle (which would later be unofficially regarded as the " W orld Championship
in Classical Chess"), but af ter the 1995 cycle the rules for determining his opponents seemed to be
dictated by sponsorship money. Essentially, this took us back to the times of Steinitz, Lasker and
Capablanca, when a worthy opponent would have to provide sufficient funds to take a shot at the
highest title, or make way for another.
The official cycle, the one run by F ID E, was also problematic, especially after they introduced their
Knockout World Championship in 1997. Although it had a fairly clear system of who might try their
luck, there were obvious drawbacks as well.To begin with, it lacked one small detail: it didn't have the
World Number One participating, severely damaging the legitimacy of the championship.
Another debatable moment was the format of the world championship itself, with a significantly
shortened time control. Although the tournaments were interesting and combative, with plenty of
upsets throughout, they seemed to be simply unsuitable for determining a World Chess Champion
18

in its original meaning. One mistake i n a short two-game match or, even worse, a blunder i n rapid
tiebreaks, could eliminate even the strongest favourite, as was frequently the case.
If it wasn't complicated enough, the situation became even messier with Kasparov's loss to Kramnik
in 2000. After he failed to receive a rematch from his opponent, a curious situation occurred: there were
still two cycles for the title (each questioning the legitimacy of the other), but in fact the highest rated
player was part of neither of them. A promising solution to this awkward situation was imaginatively
suggested by GM Yasser Seirawan and picked up by a businessman -Bessel Kok. 1he plan, which is
" "
known as the Prague Agreement , had only one ultimate goal: to unify the chess world.
1he plan was simple and logical (as much as the situation allowed logic): the current F I DE champion,
Ruslan Ponomariov, was to play the World No. 1, Garry Kasparov. Meanwhile the World Classical
Chess Champion, V ladimir Kramnik, was to meet the winner of his candidates' tournament, which
was scheduled to be held soon after the agreement. This turned out to be Peter Leko. 1he winners of
both matches were to meet in a unification match.
On the road to fulfilling the agreement there appeared unexpected (or rather expected) obstacles
from both sides. The Kasparov-Ponomariov match imploded a mere week before its projected start,
and the old F IDE champion was replaced by a new, no less surprising one, Rustam Kasimdzhanov,
who managed to knock out virtually all the favourites on his way to the title, including Ivanchuk,
Grischuk, Topalov, and finally Adams in the final.
Nevertheless, the match between the F IDE World Champion and World No. 1 seemed to lack
sporting interest, at least in the eyes of potential sponsors. This led to the match being delayed and
later even cancelled. 1his drove Kasparov to announce his retirement from chess.
Kramnik, for his part, defended his tide in a nerve-racking match. W inning the first game (out of
14) with the black pieces, Kramnik seemed to be comfortably in the driver's seat. Kramnik had the
initiative at the start of the match until in the 5'h round when he, very atypically, lost a slightly worse
endgame. The score was now tied and the psychological lead was with the challenger.
In the eighth round it was Kramnik's adventurous opening try that allowed Leko to score a beautif ul
win and gain the lead in the match, which he managed to cling to entering the final day of the
Championships. Just as in the first round, nerves and lack of Championship match experience took
their toll. Leko performed below his usual strength (which does not take anything away from Kramnik's
powerf ul play in that game). Kramnik scored his second win in the match, right at the vital moment.
By drawing the match maintained his " BrainGames" classical tide. However, his overall results in the
last couple of years, have been disappointing, to put it mildly.
Again the whole point of the unification process, which was to give the world a legitimate Champion,
was jeopardized. Kramnik was ready, but had no opponent.
Surprisingly, this time F IDE's reaction was reasonable, offering a round-robin tournament featuring
the world's top eight players. 1he invitees included the already retired Kasparov, as well as Kramnik.
Both naturally refused (each for his own reasons), but nevertheless the line-up featured most of the
world's best players. And wasn't that the point of the whole process -to find the best chess player in
the world, who would be an acknowledged Champion?
Apart from Kramnik, Kasimdzhanov, Leko (as Kramnik's opponent in the Brissago match) and Adams
( Kasimdzhanov's runner-up in F IDE world championships in Tripoli), the selection of the four other
 19

participants was based on a n average Elo rating for the July 2004 and January 2005 lists. They were:
Kasparov, Anand, Topalov and Morozevich. W ith the withdrawal of Kasparov and Kramnik they were
replaced, according to rating, by Svidler and Polgar. Again, there were other people who could (or
should) have been included, but in any case it was an important step towards unity, as it featured players
who have generally been the strongest and most consistent over the last few years, with perhaps an
exception for Judit Polgar, who was absent from the scene for all of 2004, but did show good chess on
her return.
As the date approached and it became apparent that the Championship would in fact take place,
chess fans around the world became excited. With the best players in the world competing, we finally
had a chance for a World Champion who was acceptable to the vast majority of the chess-playing
population, something that had yet to happen in the new millennium.
All the players involved have an immense record of successes. The two most dominant active players
in the world -Anand and Topalov-were on the list. Leko, Svidler and Polgar were ranked 3, 5 and 7
respectively (Ivanchuk, who had a fantastic year in 2005 was fourth, but his great play came after the
line-up was finalized. Kramnik was the Sixth rated player). Adams and Morozevich have been among
the top 5-7 since 2000, but had a rough year in 2005, which brought their ratings down a bit. And last,
but not least, Kasimdzhanov. He was the lowest rated, which is natural, as he has had the fewest elite
tournament invitations among the group, whereas trying to keep your Elo over 2700 by winning opens
is not an easy task. However, he was the reigning FI D E champion, once again proving that Elo and high­
level experience can be compensated by great talent and work.
Therefore, the winner of such a double-round tournament, which has the status required of the
World Championship, would be a legitimate World Champion.
So, it is time to introduce the main actors, with their achievements.
Please welcome the Big Eight:
20

Viswanathan Anand- India 2788

age: 36

One of the most shining talents in the history of

the game, Anand's play is so versatile that when
playing him one can never guess where the storm
will come from: will it be an opening bomb, or
a sharp attack out of nowhere. Or will he grab a
pawn and weather a deadly attack with his usual
coolness a nd convert the material later on? 1here is
only one thing you do know- it will be fast. Since
he often takes up no more than half an hour for
his regular games, it is little wonder that Anand is
the undisputed king of rapid chess. In fact, af ter
Kasparov's retirement he was also the most natural
contender to occupy the vacant throne. He has
already won the FIDE Knockout championship
in Teheran 2000, but this time he aims for the
real thing.
Second in San Luis: Danish GM Peter Heine
Nielsen.

Veselin Topalov- Bulgaria 2782

age: 30

W ithout any doubt the honest player in the

line-up. Ever since the last FIDE KO in Tripoli
(where he scored an amazing 9Vz/10 bef ore being
eliminated by Kasimdzhanov in the semi-finals,
in rapid tiebreaks) Topalov has been the most
dangerous player in the world. In 2005 he managed
to win both Linares a nd Sofia, which helped boost
his Elo by 51 points to a shared first spot on the
July 2005 rating list. Such a burst by Topalov
is not new: he had a similar accomplishment
in 1996, impressively gaining 50 points in his
leap to a 2750 rating. 1he new Topalov has the
same intensity but he simply stopped having
breakdowns in the middle of the game, a nd this
ma kes him a pre-tournament favourite.
Seconds in San Luis: Fellow Bulgarians, the
young GM Ivan Cheparinov and manager Silvio
Danailov.
 21

Peter Leko- Hungary 2751

age: 26

Leko is definitely a veteran o f the elite, hanging

around for almost a decade now. Regularly facing
the greatest players from such a young age has
definitely had a strong impact on the Hungarian's
solid, technical, defensive and almost invincible
style. Until the beginning of the new millennium
the drawback of such a style was the scarcity of
wins, and subsequently results around mid-table.
However, this has all changed in the past five
years, in which he established himself as one of
the strongest players in the world. In 2002 he bear
Topalov in the Candidates' Final in Dortmund,
to go on and press Kramnik in a classical World
Championship march. Only a win in the last round
in Brissago allowed Kramnik to draw the march,
and retain his tide. This sad finish, however, didn't
seem to upset Leko, as soon afterwards he went on
to complete his career "Grand Slam" of the major
tournaments by winning Wij k aan Zee 2005.
Second in San Luis: His father-in-law,
Armenian GM Arshak Perrosian.

Peter Svidler- Russia 2740

age: 29

Svidler's huge talent became evident when he won

the Russian Championship for the first time at
the age of 18. However, in the late 90's his raring
stalled around 2690, and the invitations to super­
tournaments stopped. 1he needed boost came
in 2004 with the birth of his twin daughters,
after which Svidler became simply unstoppable,
unleashing all his might on his opponents. Once
the smoke cleared Svidler was fourth in the world,
behind Kasparov, Kramnik and Anand. Two years
passed, and Svidler is a lor more confident in
himself, and perhaps is ready to rake his play one
level higher. One thing is sure - he is capable of a
brilliant performance and a very high finish would
be no surprise.
Second in San Luis: Russian GM Alexander
Morylev.
22

Judit Polgar- Hungary 2735

age: 29

By far the strongest female player in the history

of chess, judit Polgar provided us with another
example of the good effect parenthood has on
chess players. Although she was absent from the
scene for a whole year, Polgar has been showing
very good form since her return, peaking in Sofia
2005 where her play was so powerful that the
question: "Can she fight for the tide?" ceased to
be a hypothetical one - it was clear that when in
good shape she can beat anyone.

Second in San Luis: Romanian GM Mihail

Marin.

Michael Adams - England 271 8

age: 34

England's number one and a regular in the

world's top 6-8 players, he has perhaps the most
mysterious style of all. On the one hand his
victims have no chances once they are caught in
a net weaved of subtle positional nuances, on the
other - trying to get by the net, one might get
hit by an unexpected firework of tactics. Adams'
biggest problem approaching this tournament is
the fact that he has had a rough year during which
his poor (by his standards!) form was caused by
accumulated fatigue yet he kept playing. San Luis,
with its expected high level of nervous tension, is
not going to be easy for Adams.

No second in San Luis.

 23

Alexander Morozevich- Russia 2707

age: 2 8

1 h e Russian grandmaster is perhaps the most

intriguing player in the world, with the most
peculiar opening repertoire amongst his elite
colleagues. Morozevich advertises what could be
called "Total Chess". Every move in his games
could change the evaluation by 1 80 degrees, and
this kind of dynamic play brings his many fans all
over the world. If he gets going, this tournament
might well become a one-man show, but the
opposite is also quite possible.

Seconds in San Luis: GM Alexander Beliavsky

and IM Vladimir Barsky.

Rustam Kasimdzhanov Uzbekistan

2670
age: 25

Technically speaking, Kasimdzhanov is the world

champion, and during this tournament he could
defend his title, although being the lowest rated
player his chances to win the event are close to
nonexistent. Bur Kasimdzhanov has already
showed time and time again that he is not going to
give his opponents more respect than they deserve,
and he has every intention of surprising the world
with the quality of his play.

No second in San Luis.

24

Apart from the player introductions , there is an not everybody thinks Leko should be proud of
interesting analysis that could be done before this result). Noteworthy is Topalov's profound
the tournament. One should note that past a nd professional preparation for San Luis,
achievements do not always affect the results demons trating perfect knowledge of history.
of the tournament. What is of real importance 1heir last game (Dortmund 2005) was of great
when assessing the chances of the players in the significance in this point:
Championships is how they usually play against
each other, because this wUI be the bottom line of
the whole event.
1herefore, at this point we find it valuable to
analyse the history of each of the match-ups in
this event. We will also try to predict the results!
Are we cheating? One might think it is no big
deal to predict the winner once the results are well
known. But, as the reader will see, we will try to
be completely objective and base our analysis on
previous results only.
The following wrap-up is arranged according 1his situation was the result of White's
to the order the players were drawn to meet each (Topalov's) insufficiently aggressive play agains t
other, so some readers may prefer to j ump ahead the Sveshnikov. Evidently, White could not
to the games and then glance back at the relevant undertake anything interesting a nd a peace
preview. agreement would be naturally expected any
minute, especially cons idering the fact that
neither player could make it to first place
Rounds 1 and 8 anymore. Surprisingly the game continued, and
after several mistakes from Black the following
Leko- Topalov situation arose:
General Figures: + 14 -9 =24, + 3 out of 29
classical games.

One of the most intriguing tourna ment match-ups

- massive ambitions will clash and, consequently,
bloodshed is inevitable. 1he thing is that quite
recently Leko himself was about to joined the
elite team represented by Kasparov, Kramnik a nd
Anand. Since then Kasparov has left, Kramnik
lost his form, and Topalov, instead ofLeko, joined
lonely Anand. Presumably the Hungarian is not
happy about the situation a nd, after all, his past In comparison with the previous diagram,
results cannot be forgotten - the problem is that White's progress is noticeable, though the
Topalov has achieved too much success lately. But drawish tendencies still exist. Nevertheless, after
everybody knows Leko desires to turn the tables. 53...�xa7 54.Wxa7t cj;l f8? 55.Wxh7Topalov had
Topalov also has a hidden axe for Leko. It chances and dragged this endgame out before
was Leko who beat the Bulgarian in the so­ winning on the l 06th move. Because of the lack
called Candidates' tournament fi nal (Dortmund of sporting significance the game went virtually
2002), on the way to one of Leko's biggest unnoticed. However, it should have been. Very
achievements, the honourable tie with Kramnik rarely has such an experienced defender as Leko
in a World Championship match (although lost a position like this.
 25

We can clearly see a historical parallel - the Svidler - Adams

well-known struggle between Botvinnik and General Figures: t6 -7 =23, + 1 out of 24 classic
Keres in their last game before the World Chess games.
Championship (also a round robin match­
tournament!) in 1 948. Botvinnik prepared very 1he results between these chess friends are rather
seriously for that "insignificant" game (in terms equal. 1his is a matter of fact rather than a
of tournament placing), and made every effort consequence of their friendship beyond the chess
to win an intricate endgame after an 80-move world. Probably it is because they are both classical
struggle. Later Botvinnik candidly said that the chess players (although they come to this from
win was vital, as afi:er this victory Keres could different directions). Both seldom bluff, both are
no longer play against him with full confidence. objective and even rather sceptical toward their
1hus, the essential psychological advantage before own positions. Obviously if both play solidly (and
the World Chess Championship had been gained, well!) and do not introduce huge novelties in the
and later paid Botvinnik dividends. 1he same opening, it is rather difficult to win at this level.
could be said about this seemingly insignificant It will be especially difficult to beat Svidler, who
game. Will the end of this story be repeated? If is known for his tough and frequently profound
so, Leko is in danger of feeling nervous playing defence. And Adams may have another problem:
against Topalov in the future as well. he has recently shown signs of extreme tiredness
- the list of tournaments he has played from the
Morozevich- Kasimdzhanov beginning of the year is huge: Wijk aan Zee,
General Figures: + 1 1 =0, even afi:er 2 classical
- Linares, French Team Championship, Sofia
games. Masters, crazy rapid match againstLeko,cruel Man­
Machine match against Hydra, and Dortmund
Morozevich won their only game with a nor mal - a total of 65 high-level and very complicated
time control in a complex endgame after an games. In fact, Svidler has played even more, but
unclear struggle, which is hardly enough to somehow in recent tournaments Adams' play has
make a prediction. As for a style comparison, looked really tired. 1hus, the Englishman has more
Kasimdzhanov should be the better-prepared reasons to be concerned about the coming fight.
player in the opening. Mter all, he was preparing
for a match against Kasparov, and that does not
just pass by. On the other hand, Kasimdzhanov Anand- Polgar
sometimes "neglects the details" (for example General Figures: + 23 -7 = 14, + 3 out of 1 7 classic
as in the second round of the Linares 2005
games.
tournament against Kasparov) and that is why
he might encounter difficulties. The thing is that Considering only classical games, the score is
Morozevich, being a big fan ofconcrete play, has a not so horrible for the Chess Queen, although
very respectful attitude toward exceptions to "the such a large number of losses is not so pleasant
rules". Take a "normal" position when it is "clear" regardless of the time control. On the other hand,
that some move is bad, and thus is not considered in the new millennium these opponents have not
by anyone... except Morozevich, who will critically beaten each other in serious games at all (however
check everything and will demand proof of "the Polgar missed the whole of 2004 while Anand
obvious" by variations. 1his often appears to be a was defeating everyone who stood in his way). It
complicated task, especially for those who are not might bring optimism to Polgar that Anand has
prepared for such an approach. not been as unpleasant an opponent for her as
Kramnik and Kasparov have been - and they are
not here. Besides, she is one of the few who are
not afraid to play against Anand in his favourite
26

Sicilian variations, and in her victorious games Round2 and9

she has even checkmated Anand, which is not an
easy task. Even if she encounters a bad position, Pol�r - Adams
she fights furiously. It seems Polgar, unlike many General Figures: t6 -5 I I , level after 1 5 classic
=

others, is not afraid of Anand (or at least does not games.

show it). Here is an interesting recent example
(Sofia MTel Masters 2005): Polgar's marginal statistical lead is easily
explained: quite recently Polgar won when
playing with White, thus breaking an almost
ten year old tradition where White could at best
make a draw in the encounters of this duo! Here
is how the tradition was broken (Sofia MTel
Masters 2005):

Anand (Black) unleashes another novelty:

14 .. .!:�g8 and after 15.'!:Yxh7 gxg7 16.Y:Yxg7
.i£8 17.Y:Yg8 Y:Yg5! gets more than sufficient
compensation for the sacrificed exchange. Polgar
dives into the complications: 18.g3 lL!xe5 19.f4
clL!f3t 20.�12 Y:Yh5 21 .hg6 fxg6 22.gxe6t
.ixe6 23.Y:Yxe6t and so on. At some point her Surprisingly, the position was not from Adams'
position was very dangerous, but she eventually old favourite the Marshall, but from a calm
made the draw! Petroff that recently became his main opening.
1he biggest danger that hangs over Polgar Apparently, White (Polgar) has problems,
is her immense optimism - although it's been and Adams launched a new wave of assault:
a while since her last loss to Anand, he is still 26... £5! Yet, after 27.h4 he missed a nice tactical
quite a dangerous guy, and had better not be idea: 27 .. .'Mig6! with the cute variation 28J:he3
underestimated. Besides, one of the main reasons fxe4! 29.ixe4 (or 29.i.e2 l::l f3!) 29 ...i.c6!
for Polgar's success since her return (and everybody 30.l::l bel l::l xe4 3 1 .l::l xe4 W4! and White falls to
was amazed by her great level of play after such a pieces. Subsequently Adams lost, which was the
long break) was her atypically cautious play. consequence of his bad form and fatigue.
Anand is well aware of how dangerous a player 1hen again, the struggle with Polgar is rather
Polgar is. However, if Polgar loses her objective unpleasant for Adams even if he is in good shape.
j udgment, and the rumours about her excessive Although the score is virtually even, the positions
self-confidence have reached the chess world (she achieved by the English grandmaster are frequently
was cited as saying she has good chances to win better, and occasionally even decisive. And then a
this Championship!) then she might well feel the colossal mistake often follows, in the worst-case
wrath of the Indian Terminator. scenario, or sometimes it is only drawing a winning
position. 1heir battles in the Sicilian Paulsen are
illustrative of this issue. Adams continually gets
an almost decisive advantage and then ... does not
always makes a draw. So, neither of them will have
an easy life in their clashes.
 27

It is now perhaps a proper moment for full opponent. Morozevich's position was as good as
disclosure - most chess fans (including the White could hope for in this opening.
authors) find it impossible not to sympathize However, Leko, building new barriers on
with Adams. After all, often his "ordinary" every move, met the final phase with a typically
games could be immediately added to the best tenacious defence. 1he end of the game is worthy
books of classic chess, not to mention the fact of a diagram:
he consistently achieves great positions (without
being considered the best theoretician!) and
sometimes simply has bad luck. Thus, it seems
his result in the Championship in general and
this match in particular is not a function only of
chess, but also ofCaissa's mood.

Leko- Mor ozevi ch

General Figures: t6 3 14, +2 out of 1 0 classic
- =

games.

Most of the decisive games between these It seems obvious that Black's counterplay based
opponents were not in classical chess. Morozevich, on his king's penetration to the queenside it too
in any case, has yet to beat Leko in any of the slow. But it's not: 55.Wf3 Wd4 56.Wf4 Wd3
"classicals". Analysis of their games proves this 57.We5 Wc2 58.Wd6 and here 58 Wxb2! •••

is not a coincidence - Morozevich seems to be 59.Wxd7 b4! led to a perpetual after 60.axb4 a3
helpless against Leko's solid and correct style. 6I.e5 a2 62.e6 alW 63.e7 Wdlt.
In the opening (the Hungarian's strongest area) Despite this example the opening is still
every tricky line by Morozevich inevitably leads Morozevich's biggest problem, as one cannot
him into trouble. It is well known that Leko always spring a surprise, and Leko is clearly better
plays exceptionally well when he has a positional prepared in the main lines.
advantage, calculating variations perfectly, so
his advantage usually increases. Even if he runs Svidler- Kasimdzhanov
into trouble Leko usually escapes thanks to his General Figures: + 1 I 1 , + l out of 2 classic
- =

stubborn defence. As happened, for example, in games.

their last classical game (Wijk aan Zee 2005):
In three currently published games Svidler
splendidly won one "real" game, and lost in blitz,
although he should have won it too. 1his is of
little assistance when making evaluations about
future clashes between these two chess players
(Svidler has not even played with Black.)
What does help is a fascinating collision of
styles. In spite of his natural tactical vision and
love of attack, currently Peter Svidler is first of all
a great strategist. Kasimdzhanov, on the contrary,
despite the tranquil style of his games, is primarily
a brilliant tactician. Both have strikingly proved
White (Morozevich) surprised everyone by this evaluation on many occasions.
choosing a "boring" exchange line in the Slav, Consequently, their confrontation might have
and then played much more subtly than his a classical flavour, especially if the strategist
28

has a good plan while the tactician has various to chase the victory and missed White's only
opportunities to sting his opponent's heel. threat. Mter 45 ....if8?? (instead of 45 .. .';t?a2
The rest is rather equal. Both sometimes get with a handshake) 46.�d3! Black had to
very nervous and make inexplicable mistakes. surrender facing an inevitable checkmate. Tough.
Kasimdzhanov has recently improved his opening Unfortunately for the Bulgarian such examples,
preparation, but his opponent is more proficient although not always so extreme, are quite typical
and experienced in this area. Apparently, there in his encounters with Anand. It seems that
will be interesting fights between this pair! Topalov has psychological discomfort playing
Anand - there is something in Anand's style the
Anand- Topalov Bulgarian does not like.
General Figures: + 1 8 - 1 1 =30, level after 3 1 Nevertheless, in a purely chess sense, Topalov
classic games. undoubtedly has reasons for optimism. Topalov
won their last "fistfight" (the most appropriate
As often happens, the bare facts reveal a somewhat term for their games) very convincingly (Sofia
twisted picture. The two Elo-favourites' history MTel Masters 2005):
has known u ps and downs. One's victories have
been followed by the other's triumphs, and only
one thing - a furious fight - has never varied.
Amazingly, many decisive results had nothing
to do with the right of the fi rst move, and
although Anand owes his general statistical
advantage to the white pieces, it often was not a
logical consequence of the positions.
Their struggle in recent years was far more
interesting especially after Topalov's sudden
improvement in 2004. And here a very rare
picture is revealed: Topalov's preparation for
In this position, Topalov (White) demonstrates
Anand is usually great, often winning the
his opening preparation: 14.�xf7! and after
opening battle, but he rarely has reasons to
be satisfied with the overall outcome of their
14 ... Wxf7 1 5.0-0-0 .id6 16.�h4 .ic8
games. Here is one of the toughest examples
17.�el �a6 18.�e6 �b4 19.ixb4 cxb4
(Amber 2005):
20..ic4 b5 2 I ..ixb5 ie7 22.�g6 he built up
an extraordinarily strong attack and then won
brilliantly, although not everything was clear.
Such a game might well influence their future
rivalry.

Round 3 and 10

Topalov- Morozevich
General Figures: +8 -7 =4, +2 out of 9 classic
games.

Topalov has used the Berlin perfectly, Even though the overall score is about equal,
outplaying Anand with Black and yet he could Topalov has a big advantage in classical chess.
not exploit his advantage. Now when he should Peculiarly both opponents have better results
have accepted the draw, Topalov continued with Black. Considering they have only had four
 29

draws (out of 1 9 games), this means it is much Anand has endless opening surprises that land
better not to play White, as the chance of losing on the heads of his opponents, especially those
is high. Unfortunately for both, the tournament with predictable opening repertoires. Therefore,
rules force each of them to play White once. we can see they "fit together" quite unfortunately
What, therefore, should one do to avoid losing for the Englishman. The following recent game
with White? Play without taking unnecessary drew attention from chess media around the
risks as Topalov demonstrated in their last game world (Wijk aan Zee 2005):
(Wijk aan Zee 2005):

In this theoretical posmon, the Indian Fakir

Black (Morozevich) looks slightly better, but (as Anand's respectful colleagues like to call him)
Topalov levels the chances: 27J!el �f8 28JflYg4 suddenly sacrificed an exchange: 1 5.c5! and after
g6 29.g5e3 White is very careful: 29 h5 30.'1Wf3
••• 1 5 b4 16.ixb4 ixfl 17 .ixfl e5 18.ic3 a5
•••

�g7 31.gxe7 gxe7 32.gxe7 '1Wxe7 33.c4 and the 19.a3 �e4 20.�xe4 dxe4 21.b4 two passers
position is completely balanced. reinforced by a bishop pair left Black no chances
Topalov's main advantage is his opening to survive, despite Adams' very resourceful
repenoire, which is both wide and intensively defence.
prepared. Morozevich wUl have to consider his 1heir previous results supply an obvious
choice of opening very carefully prior to this duel. forecast, but it is clear that a "difficult" opponent
doesn't always stay that way forever. Could
Anand- Adams Adams manage to narrow the gap?
General Figures: +23 -6 =38, + 1 1 out of 43
classic games.
Sv idler - Leko
1he devastating figures leave little room for doubt General Figures: +8 -2 = 17, +2 out of 1 7 classic
- Anand is an extraordinarily difficult opponent games.
for the English grandmaster. 1hese statistics are
rather surprising as we are talking about two of We have reached the most unpleasant moment for
the strongest players in the world. Anand has had the Hungarian grandmaster. For Leko, playing
a higher rating for many years, but the difference Svidler must be described as suffering, and it has
between the two players is not as great as the been this way for many years. The games seem to
results suggest. follow a similar scenario - a heavy struggle, often
Curiously, their results are not so difficult to with an initiative for the Hungarian, and then it
explain: Adams is very loyal to his openings. is as if he remembers he is playing Svidler, and
Although he knows them very deeply, he Leko collapses in j ust a few moves. If there were
can hardly be considered as one of the main a reasonable explanation for this weird situation,
theoreticians. (Is it a crime he enjoys playing Leko would have fixed it long ago. A typical
chess more than looking for novelties at home?) example is their last game (Dortmund 2005):
30

Interesting games are inevitable between this

duo: considering their games, defending is hardly
the strongest part of either player. And we don't
mean defending worse positions, but protecting
their own king. Of course, if the opponent only
has a hint of a realistic attack, players of their
level manage it easily. However, if the attack is
serious, then regrettably both of them seem not
to be on the great defenders list (like Anand and
Morozevich for example). Besides, both players
are rather moody: if it goes well they will perform
White (Svidler) chose a strange variation, and amazingly, but if not ...
landed in a bad position, yet it seemed Svidler That is why a crucial factor here will be the
did not care much and just kept the tension. opening - here they both continually prove
Eight moves later, the position was as follows: their knowledge, but what is more important,
the opening will determine who has the suitable
attitude today! 1he most significant point in
their encounters will therefore be how they have
prepared for the event - the outcome will be
directly related to this.

Round 4 and 1 1
Anand- Kas imdzhanov
General Figures: +7 1 3 +4 out of 6 classic
- = ,

games.
Black is already worse, and this without
committin g an obvious blunder: 30.e5 fxe5 Anand used to be completely dominant in this
31.'l1Yxg6 ®b8 32.g5 �7 33.'l1Yf6 'l1Ye8 34.E:d7 match-up: the early results leave no doubt here.
®c8 35J:te7 'l1Yd8 36.'l1Yf5t ebbs 37.'l1Yxe5 It is especially hard for Kasimdzhanov when he
Another 8 moves have been made, and the faces yet another of Anand's new opening ideas,
position speaks for itself: Black soon resigned. as experience is crucial in such circumstances. No
Well, difficult opponents do not always stay matter how well prepared you are, it takes time to
that way forever, yet it is hard to predict how the find the ability to react calmly and accurately to
games will go in this case. your opponent's inventions. And Anand has more
than enough inventions for anyone ...
Recently Kasimdzhanov has improved
Kas imdzhanov- Polgar
dramatically and as such has increased his chances
General Figures: +3 -2 =0, never played a classic
against all future opponents. For example, a
game.
couple of months before the championship,
All their previous games have been played at rapid Kasimdzhanov showed great ability to resist his
time controls, but the fact that there were no formidable opponent in the Leon rapid final
draws is anything but accidental. Kasimdzhanov (after he beat Alexei Shirov), where Anand had
convincingly won two games with White, and a hard time and needed a lot of luck to win this
one of his three Blacks, although he should have match (+2 -1 1 ) . But even before this match
=

won them all! So, Kasimdzhanov has had the the FIDE champion showed in Linares 2005
upper hand in rapids, but what about classical that he can successfully fight against the Indian
games? in classical chess, at least in one game out of
 31

two (the second he lost hopelessly). Here is his hope is to emerge from the opening safely. 1his
positive experience: is obviously not enough by itself to be successful
against Anand, but it would be a good start.

Sv idler- Morozev ich

General Figures: +4 -6 =4, + l out of l l classic
games.

This Russian clash will hardly be calmer than

the Hungarian one. To accurately forecast what
we might see in their games it is sufficient to
take a look at their draws. If that is how they
Black (Kasimdzhanov) played the opening settle peaceful matters, we may only guess what
badly, but then started a gripping defence, happens when they declare war.
though his weaknesses still seem to be up for Let us illustrate (not explain - illustrate!)
grabs by the Indian. Here Black found a perfect an example of a peaceful game (Wijk aan Zee
solution: 23.Mft:ld7! sacrificing a pawn. But where 2005):
is the compensation? A few moves later Anand
started wasting time and became nervous. After
24,tyxd6 tyxd6 25.ft:lxd6 ftJc5 26..ie3 ft:ld4
27J!adl l!ab8 28.-Abl ft:lxa4 29..ixd4 exd4
30.l!xd4 l!b2 3l .e5 ft:lc5 32..if5 a5 33..ixe6

With IO.e6, White (Svidler) decided to punish

Black for his opening boldness, and with it all the
commentators. Although this position is known
to theory, for some reason these two were the
The Indian could not find anything better ones to play it.
than offering a draw, which was accepted by
Kasimdzhanov, but he shouldn't have. Analysis
showed that it is White who has to suffer before
making a draw. In any case, such an escape
against Anand, especially in one's first super­
tournament, is a major achievement.
So could it be that the new Kasimdzhanov is
a tough challenge for Anand? One could answer
positively if it were not for one important
limitation: despite all the improvements the
Uzbek player has made, he has not shown that
he can react properly against opening novelties. Forced lines have fl.own through this position.
Against Anand this can be crucial, so the only Not bad, is it?
32

Adams - Topalov
General Figures:+ 1 1 -7 16, + 2 out of 26 classic
=

games.

1hese grandmasters' relations have undergone

a serious change recently. Adams was for a long
time Topalov's most difficult opponent, but lately
it seems that Topalov, to use the terminology of
Botvinnik, "has solved the puzzle of" Adams.
Adams reached his statistical advantage before
200 1 , and since then Topalov has a positive
After the queen exchange, as you can see, it did score. It seems that Adams can no longer keep
not cool down. up with Topalov's huge energy over the board.
If previously Adams would prevail with his
favourite "surgical procedures", afterwards it
became difficult to restrain Topalov's ability to
fight &om start to finish, not giving up an inch,
and this despite Adams often obtaining good
positions!
1he following game is typical (Linares 2005):

1hereafter they reached the above diagram,

which is painful to look at.

With strong, logical moves Adams (Black)

humbled Topalov's opening and a standard attack
was launched: 20 g5! 21JU1 g4 22.fxg4
.•

And eventually they shook hands in this

position - it is totally unclear how to evaluate
it. Apparently the opponents were tired from the
mind-bending complications, and that at least
is easy to understand. Such is the story in each
and every one of their encounters, which is a true
pleasure for chess fans. Thus, at least two games
of this kind can be expected - with any possible
outcome. Perfect: the long diagonal and the f-file
 33

are opened, and the squares around the king when these two players (and Almasi) were in
are looking weak: 22 �h6 23.�gl �h3
••. competition to be called the best Hungarian
24.�d3 llle4 1he end seems to be near, and player. Lat""e ly Leko closed this dispute by proving
for the white king it won't be a happy one... in practice that he is the best. However, as they
25JU4lllxg3 say in soccer, derby games have their own rules,
and one cannot predict their coming fight. Even
when having a great tournament, one can always
lose to a compatriot. One thing is clear - there
will be plenty of nerves in their duels.

Round 5 and 12

Anand- Leko
General Figures: + 1 3 -4 =35, + 1 out of 26
classic games.

Game over? 26J�c3! Not quite! It seems In classical chess the difference is much more
Black should be winning automatically, but narrow than in the general statistics (4-3 in the
as soon as the concrete fight begins the simple new millennium), which makes the draw quota
path to victory is not there! When playing even more significant. This is very natural for
so well and having reached such a promising players who have shared many first prizes in
position, it's hard to accept that the struggle is recent years: one cannot win many prizes when
only j ust beginning. Moreover, even a route to a losing many games. A significant role in the
clear plus is not so obvious. 1his is why Adams peaceful relations lies with Leko. He has always
was uncertain, and went for the unfortunate been very careful with those he considers to be
26 J::ie6? 26.. J:! xd3! was the only move for the
••
strong. 1hat is why he has repeatedly tried to
reasons given below. After 27.e4! Black's attack make peace with Anand, which is far easier with
suddenly ended with the worst-case scenario: the such a powerful opening repertoire as that of the
knight on g3 is trapped, and amazingly Black has Hungarian grandmaster. Anand, for his part,
no real threats and no way to save the knight. A would not want to take many risks against Leko
very discouraging loss for Adams. - experience shows that it is not wise to play
All in all, it seems the new improved Topalov with fire against Leko. Anand could observe it in
has the advantage in the upcoming battle. But Leko's match with Kramnik, or feel it at his own
what if Adams throws the scalpel aside and takes expense (Wijk aan Z ee 2005):
up the sledgehammer, j ust like his opponent?

Leko- Polgar
General Figures: + 4 - 1 =9, + 1 out of 1 1 classic
games.

For two leading players from the same country

the number of games they have played against
each other is very small. It seems that the rise of
Leko coincided with the period Polgar started
playing less in elite tournaments, so they are not
too familiar with each other.
It is interesting to note that there were times Anand (White) boldly grabbed a pawn, as if to
34

demonstrate that Black's attack does not frighten tactical strength, which allowed amazing
him, while his pawn is a strong candidate for resistance on the enemy's territory. In other
royalty. Counterattack is mandatory: 21 ... f4 (A words, he survived most of the positional tortures
new move. 2 l .. .Wh8!? was previously considered the Englishman had for him. 1he story repeated
the main line.) 22.�c2 icS 23.ga8 Wl'd6 24)i:Jb4 itself in Linares 2005, where Kasimdzhanov
ib7 Black's threats are quite evident. Despite saved a difficult position with Black. It is not
undoubtedly being aware of them, Anand decides clear whether Kasimdzhanov will be able to
to throw all the burden of proof on the surprised win, but practice shows that Adams winning is
Hungarian's shoulders: 25.ga7 d4 26.ia6? White not probable, especially taking Kasimdzhanov's
seems to be teasing his opponent: greatly improved opening preparation into
consideration.

Morozev ich- Polgar

General Figures: +4 -1 =0, +3 out of 3 classic
games.

1he Muscovite has had an obvious advantage in

all their games. The only time he lost was after
blundering his queen in a winning position in
a rapid game. Therefore, the natural conclusion
is that Morozevich has good chances to play
What to do? Either find something fast or successfully against the Queen.
accept massive exchanges and resign. Being Polgar's chances are not so obvious. It is
against the wall Leko found 26...ixg2! and a typical case of a rolling ball hitting a wall.
thereafter he remorselessly tore White's position Morozevich is a near-perfect defender (and he
apart (Going on to record an impressive win in enjoys it!) and thus he defuses the strongest side
the Wijk aan Z ee 2005 super-tournament - the of the Hungarian.
only trophy his mantelpiece was stU! lacking). But the result is not predetermined, of course.
After this painful experience Anand will most If Polgar can catch out Morozevich during his
likely be careful. Leko has always been careful, so traditional opening adventure, everything might
the logical result here would be a draw. turn out differently. Moreover, if Polgar achieves
"her" kind of position, even the Iron Curtain
might not save the Russian.
Kasimdzhanov- Adams Morozevich, on the other hand, might opt for
General Figures: +3 -2 =5, level after 1 0 classic solid variations, keeping in mind the possibility
games. of his opponent's hot temper and tendency to
take risks. Tempting Polgar to overstretch might
While not having played a lot against one another, significantly increase his chances.
the opponents have studied each other quite well
after playing at the FIDE Championship finals in
Tripoli (+2 -2 =2 in classic and 1 Y2:Y2 in rapid). Topalov - Sv idler
Naturally, when playing a match you study your General Figures: +7 -6 =9, +2 out of 1 3 classic
opponent better than in ten tournaments. games.
And it seems that such an acquaintance was
more useful for the Uzbek. 1hat match was very 1he roughly equal score and rather balanced fights
important for Adams, the favourite, but he could promise equal chances in this mini-match. In fact,
not win because of Kasimdzhanov's powerful it was against Topalov that Svidler managed to
 35

perform a few miraculous escapes, which enhanced Round 6 and 1 4

Svidler's reputation as being almost impossible to
beat. Here is a recent example (Dortmund 2005):
Topalov- Polgar
General Figures: + I I -7 =7, +2 out of 2 1 classic
games.

Topalov's advantage is somehow deceptive. Polgar

and Topalov have rarely played each other in the
new millennium and the overall outcome here
was in the Hungarian's favour. In fact, any result
is possible with this couple! The recent results
and ratings are in Topalov's favour, but most
likely his beloved aggressive and complicated
style will be appropriately met by Polgar, who is
In this strategically difficult posmon Svidler no less fond of such complexities. For example,
(Black) muddies the waters, making it very tricky consider what happened the last time they met
for White to find the right way: 27 ... c4 28.bxc4 (Sofia Masters 2005):
lhd3 29.lhd3 lhc4 30.Y*fd2 gb4 31.f4 .if8
32.�hl Wfb6 33.gcl t0d4 34.Y*ff2 Y*fa7 35 ..ie8
.ic5 36.gdc3 l0b3

1his position is the result of a great opening

fight, which was undoubtedly won by Black
(Polgar) who had even more chances in the
A few mistakes, and it is now Topalov trying subsequent complications. After an interesting
to bail out - a task he completes with great struggle, they reach the following position:
style: 37.gxc5 �xcl 38..ixf7t �xf7 39J�xd5
Y*fxf2 40.gd7t with a perpetual check.
The opening might be considered as Svidler's
major problem against Topalov. Svidler has
suffered fro m a " free" type of playing for a long
time and he himself has been complaining about
it. Svidler's busy playing schedule leaves him
very little time to patch the holes, but playing
like that against Topalov, with his powerful
opening repertoire, might be punished.

Now it is quite obvious which player managed

to puzzle out the complications. At one point the
36

brave Judit Polgar, who was playing with Black did not want to talk about positional issues and
on the opponent's territory (Sofia!) and after a unexpectedly responded with 29)l:Jxg5t, which
long break from chess, rejected a draw offer and left Black a pawn down with a hopeless position.
decided to play for a win, despite being in the Adams used his advantage smoothly.
cruellest time trouble. Unfortunately for her, she
did not have enough power to maintain the same
level and bring the game to its logical conclusion, Anand- Sv idler
but she definitely proved that she is not going to General Figures: + 5 -2 1 9 +3 out of 1 3 classic
= ,

be a mere decoration in the Championship. games.

To sum up, the decisive claim in this dispute
might lie in the opening repertoires and Although the statistics favour Anand, analysis
psychological preparation for the game. On reveals that often his wins were a consequence
this front Topalov, who has played and won of a superior opening. It seems that Svidler is
frequently while Polgar was away from the game, an equal opponent in all other aspects, while
has some advantage. his stubborn defence often allows his escape his
opening problems unscathed. Let us take a look
at the last classic game between these two (Wijk
Morozev ich - Adams aan Zee 2005):
General Figures: +5 -3 9 + I out of 14 classic
= ,

games.

These opponents don't seem to understand each

other yet. Their games flow very inconsistently,
without a distinguishable pattern. As a matter of
fact, this situation is typical for clashes of different
styles. Let us demonstrate a funny episode from
the last game between these bullfighters (Wijk
aan Zee 2005):

Black (Svidler) has a poor position.

Understanding this, he breaks the material
balance, which is one of the most effective
defensive strategies: 23 ...i.xf2t! 24.�xf2 �xe4t
25Jhe4 Wxe4
This posed the opponent continuing difficulties
that he struggled to control.

1he position i s pretty balanced - a t any rate,

Black (Morozevich) feels comfortable enough,
and a quick draw agreement was expected by
the spectators. Morozevich, however, decided
to improve his hold on the kingside, and after
considering its possible positional benefits he
played the logical: 28...g5? Generally speaking
Black's strategy seems to be correct, but White
 37

After reaching this position, Svidler adds an tournaments (no one knew then that it was j ust
exchange to his sacrifice list with: 42 ...�e2! and the beginning of his rise). Having scared everyone
Black soon gained dangerous pawns that balanced with his 9.5 out of 1 0, he met the far less famous
the piece deficit. Not many could confuse Anand Rustam Kasimdzhanov in the semi-final, who
in this way. miraculously survived in the classical games
In general, we should note that recently (+0 -0 =4). Kasimdzhanov, despite being exhausted
Svidler has reached a new qualitative level, and from his previous long matches, deservedly won
most of his past games are irrelevant for his both tiebreakers, sending Topalov home.
current assessment. It appears that in the past Since then Topalov has been preparing his
two years that he has begun to really understand gunpowder for the Uzbek, meanwhile winning
himself, and is improving from tournament to many tournaments in which, alas, the FIDE
tournament, and game to game. champion did not participate. And then
inevitably the payday came (Linares 2005):
Leko- Kas imdzhanov
General Figures: +2 -0 =4, +2 out of 6 classic
games.

One of Leko's two wins was in the World

Junior Championship ( 1994), which hardly
has any meaning now. As for the other games,
Kasimdzhanov was apparently aiming to hold, in
which he mainly succeeded.
Still, their future battles will be fascinating
from a stylistic point of view - they both seem
to be the natural successors of the Great Tigran
Petrosian. At least their styles recall this famously Kasimdzhanov (Black) chose a somewhat
cautious personality: both opponents like to dot problematic line, although he did introduce a
their i's and cross their t's. novelty: 20.. f6 Topalov over the board proved
.

Leko, being more experienced, will have a that no new ideas will help Black here: 21J�b5
considerable advantage. Experience is vital (as c!Lle5 22JU4 c!Ll7g6 23J�d4 .id7 24,gbd5
many elite players claim) not just in knowing the
opponent, but in understanding yourself, your
strong sides, and how to better use your style
against a particular opponent. Kasimdzhanov
has just started gaining top-level experience, and
the process is rarely painless.

Round 7 and 1 3

Topalov- Kas imdzhanov

General Figures: + 1 -3 =6, + 1 out of 5 classic
games. How else could White's position be described
other than a show of rage towards last year's
No doubt Topalov has bad memories of his most offender? After 24 ....ie6 25 ..ie2 a direct hunt on
important clash with Kasimdzhanov. The FIDE the black queen commenced, resulting in a quick
Knockout in Libya was one of Topalov's best victory.
38

It appears that the true balance of power before

San Luis is represented in this game, rather than
their encounters in Tripoli. But is it possible
that Kasimdzhanov could again be Topalov's
nemesis?

Leko- A dams
General Figures: + 1 3 - 1 2 =36, + 1 out of 30
classic games.

As usual with Leko, many of his games against elite Black has to decide whether to risk playing
players end in draws, reflecting his carefulness. for a win or agree a draw. It's hard to calculate
This became even more evident in the new everything, so he chose the latter: 24 ..,gh6
millennium, when Leko has yet to lose to Adams 25.e6 '%Yf4t with a perpetual check. Here we see
in classical chess, but has occasionally managed why it is hard to beat Leko. His tough defence
to pull off a win. Perhaps he has forgotten how has frustrated many, while his strong openings
to lose a serious game against Adams. In their frequently lead to a great advantage. Not often do
recent rapid match, however, they produced a his opponents manage to find the right answer at
real slaughter. Leko's break before the match the board.
was translated into three consecutive losses in
the beginning, and then Adams' exhaustion
played the same trick on him, with the same sad Polgar- Sv idler
result (the match finished with two draws which General Figures: +7 -1 =6, +2 out of 5 classic
satisfied both players). 1he following game reveals games.
the effect of their characters (Linares 2005):
Polgar has an advantage statistically especially
when playing White. Scrutinizing the games it
appears that both opponents have difficulties
playing Black, particularly because their main
opening is the Sicilian, and both are extremely
dangerous when playing it on the white side!
Svidler has perhaps come to the conclusion that it
is wiser to play something different against Polgar.
1his does not always help, as was demonstrated
in their last game (Wijk aan Zee 2005):

This position is the result of an opening novelty

by Leko (White), who has pushed the black
pieces to the sides and intends to break through
in the centre. Adams understands that energetic
measures are needed: 18 ...ixe5 19.dxe5 �xfl!
Realizing that Adams has humbled his adventure,
Leko switches to a tough defence: 20.®xf2
'%Yh4t 21 .c;:t.fl '%Yxh2 22.J.a3 ge6 23.'%Ya2 gd8
24..ic5 Black (Svidler) played into this Marshall
 39

posmon without much hesitation. However, sometimes manage to pull off seemingly
after the exchanges 18 .c!t:�xe4 19Jhe4 �he4
.• impossible saves. Anand showed his defensive
20.dxe4 'Wfxe4 it turned out that with simple skills in Wijk aan Zee 2005:
attacks White is able to pose serious problems
for her opponent. lhere followed: 21..ic2 'Wfe7
22..ig5 f6 23..ie3 .ie6 24.'Wff3 'Wfd7 25J3d1
gds 26..ie4

Anand played 1 1. 0-0-0 with a grin, as if

.•

inviting his opponent to attack. Morozevich did

not resist the temptation: 1 2.a4 h5 13.a5 .:!Llxa5
14.b4 .:!Llc6 1 5 ..:!Llc4 b5 16.0-0
Black is quite obviously already in trouble.
Various pins and weaknesses make Black's life
difficult, and do no allow him to simplify. Svidler
decided to tease his opponent with 26....ixa2,
but after 27 ..ib6 .ib3 28.gd4 c5 29.ixc5
'Wfe6 30.c4 all Black could do was resign, facing
inevitable material losses.
lhat is why the choice of openings in this
mini-march is particularly interesting. Will
anyone be brave enough to play the Sicilian?
This may primarily determine the outcome, as
both opponents have demonstrated the ability to Morozevich generously offers a piece, which
bring "their" positions to a logical conclusion. seems quite dangerous. Anand, however, accepts
the offer unfalteringly: 1 6 ...bxc4 17.b5 .:!Llb8
Anand- Morozev ich 18.gxa7 d5 19..:!Lle5 gd7 As we mentioned,
General Figures: + 7 -5 =6. + l out of 6 classic perfect defence is not a problem for Anand.
games. 20.'Wfa4 'Wfd8 21..:!Llxc4 dxc4! 22.'Wfxc4t 'Wfc7
23..ixb7t g;,d8 24.'Wfe2 id6 25.gfa1
lhe games between these players are always
remarkable. lhe first celebrated incident was
when Morozevich, aged 1 7, won many fans by
daring to play the King's Gambit against the
terrifying Anand, and subsequently forced Anand
to surrender on the 28'h move. A lot has changed
since. Anand has become even more terrifying,
and Morozevich has proved his ability to inflict
defeats on the strongest players not only with the
King's Gambit.
Both players are perfect defenders and
40

At this point it is clear that the attack is no must point out one peculiar opening paradox
longer dangerous. Anand with his usual coolness concerning our players: how could it be that
continued collecting everything available. Adams often outplays Topalov, who often outplays
25.. \�Yxc3 and after the confused 26.d5
. both Anand and Kasimdzhanov, both of whom,
everything was finished with 26 ..Jhb7. in turn, outplay Adams, who outplays Polgar
As we can see, no bluff will work on this pair. As who often makes Anand and Topalov suffer, and
for the rest, Anand has a serious advantage, for he so on? The answer is simple - sometimes a player
has been at the very top long before Morozevich has problems with a certain opponent's style, and
even began aiming there. reaches an understanding of it only after a few
losses. Then he starts trying to look for a way to
get his opponent out of "their positions", which
Conclusion is not easy and also costs some losses. And finally
In retrospect, the outcomes of many matches he accepts this weird situation - that is how one
were a very logical follow-up to the players' becomes a "difficult opponent", and usually
recent encounters, but on the other hand we openings have nothing to do with it.
wimessed results and individual moments that Of course, there is no better place to overcome
are simply impossible to qualify into anything a difficult opponent than here, at the world
understandable. championship. Moreover, we should bear in
Certainly surprises are natural, and they tend mind that world championships have dynamics
to become more frequent (and surprising), the of their own, as no player will save a novelty
greater the pressure. And in San Luis the tension for better times, or preserve energy for the next
appeared unbearable for some. event. This tournament is 1 4 rounds of pure
Apart from all the calm, almost mathematical, action; and you are hereby invited backstage to
assessments regarding each of the match-ups we the best show in town.
 ROUND 1

Results:
Leko 0 1 Topalov
Morozevich Y2 Y2 Kasimdzhanov
Svidler Y2 Y2 Adams
Munthl de A,edrez Mundtal de Atedraz
Polgar 0 1 Anand
-

Standings:
1-2 Anand 1
1-2 Topalov
3-6 Adams Y2
3-6 Kasimdzhanov Y2
3-6 Morozevich Y2
3-6 Svidler Y2
7-8 Leko 0
7-8 Polgar 0

At last the first round has started! The interminable talk, p redictions and analysis ends, and it is time to
move some pieces . . .
Ask any fan and you will hear t h e following response: a t t h e start o f t h e first round everyone was
genuinely excited, because the chess world missed World Championships very badly. And if that was
just the fans, one can only guess how the players felt! Indeed, the first round was distinguished by the
extreme nervousness of the participants.

Confusing opening
The opening of Polgar vs. Anand was certainly confusing. To be on the safe side, Anand decided to
choose a calm and quiet Caro-Kann against the Hungarian. Bur if such precautions had an evident
explanation then Polgar's choice of an obviously unpromising variation could only be explained by
nerves, since Anand's opening was nor too unpredictable. Already by the l O'h move White had to
forger about any advantage. In situations like this a calmer chess player would make a few quiet moves,
exchange a couple of pieces, and then go prepare for the next game - after all, White would have to try
42 ROUND 1

hard to lose this position. 1he Hungarian Diva overcame this obstacle fairly easily: unwilling to accept a
calm position, she did her best to set the board on fire, which, unfortunately for her, spread all over the
white camp. Anand kept playing in rock-solid style not allowing his tricky opponent any counterplay (at
times even passing by very promising continuations), but he eventually won the game without having
to show even a fraction of his abilities,
An interesting struggle was produced by friends/opponents Svidler and Adams. 1he Briton chose
"his" variation of the Petroff and Svidler's response was far from the most principled one. 1he game
soon became very confusing: it was not easy to prove the correctness of the moves, but it was even
harder to evaluate the consequences of the resulting complications. 1he players resolved this problem
by agreeing to a draw at the moment of truth.
1he game Morozevich vs. Kasimdzhanov resembled a very nervous twelve-round boxing match.
Luckily, in a chess fight there is no need to nominate a winner on points, for it would be extremely
difficult. 1he advantage switched several times, whereupon each time, as if by a spiral, one of the
players raced further ahead. 1he last turn was in Kasimdzhanov's hands, who was an inch away from a
simple technical endgame, but he missed his chance. He tried his luck in a rook endgame that forced
Morozevich to find a few accurate moves before the draw.

Severe Slaughter
1he most severe slaughter occurred between two of the pre-tournament favourites: Leko and Topalov.
Topalov went, very bravely, for his pet line in the Najdorf, which was undoubtedly carefully studied by
his rivals. After the game there were a great number of voices criticizing the Hungarian grandmaster
for extreme carefulness, blaming everything on Leko's style being unsuitable for such positions. 1his
is rather unfair or just pard y true.
1he point is thatTopalov had one overwhelming advantage - hew as the only one who was really calm.
First, he played a variation he had studied in detail; second, he had serious psychological advantages
after his last encounter with Leko, as was described in the introductory article. In addition to that, in
all his successes this year the Bulgarian has started badly, but then improved and surpassed everyone. A
willingness to risk losing and a recent history of success are effective weapons in the hands of a strong
chess player.
It is easy to be confident about this explanation after the event, but during the game Topalov had
to defend in a very unpleasant situation. Leko did his homework very professionally, and completely
decoded Topalov's plan. Already by his 17'h move he could start a direct attack, which, as was proved
later, should have doomed the black king. However, Leko hesitated and the Bulgarian hovered on the
brink of the abyss. 1he audience was amazed, only a short while ago White's victory was only a matter
of two steps (or two checks), and an instant later Black had a significant edge in the endgame and never
looked back.
Summing up, the round did not show a real correlation of power. Objectively, only Adams played
really well. He made 24 effective moves which completely neutralized his opponent's attempts to gain an
advantage. And concerning the favourites, Topalov took big risks against one of the main contenders for
the title, but Caissa was on his side. 1his could not have gone unnoticed by his future opponents.
 LEKO - TOPALOY 43

@ GAME l
Peter Leko
'it,l
't!Veselin Topalov
.,. Sicilian, English Attack B80

l.e4 c5 2.�8 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.�xd4 �f6 s.�c3

a6 6.8 e6 7.�e3 b5 8.'tYd2

The first game in which Topalov employed the

... b4 idea immediately made its way into history
at Wijk aan Zee 2005, when the Bulgarian
hurricane left Kramnik homeless after a mere
20 moves: 1 2.Vffxb4 �d7 1 3.ll'lb3 gbs 1 4.V9a3
ll'lxf3 1 5.h3 ll'lxe4 1 6 .�e2 ll'le5 1 7.ghe1 V9c7
1 8.�d4 ll'lc6 1 9 .�c3 d5 20.ll'lbc5 V9a7 and White
resigned.
Half a year later, however, Anand came up with
an improvement: 1 2.b3 1 3.ll'lb2 d5 (perhaps in
view of that game 1 3 . . .'?9 a5 is worth considering
A great example of the changing nature of chess for Black) 14.�f4 and now, after 14 . . . ll'lxf3
fashion. White's mainstream idea is to carry out 1 5. ll'lxf3 ll'lxe4 1 6.Vffd4 f6 1 7.�d3!
the typical so-called English attack: 0-0-0, g4,
h4 etc. To accomplish that White can choose
between two move orders: 8.g4 or 8.Vff d 2.
First, let us examine 8.g4. The idea behind this
move is to prevent Black from transferring his
b8-knight to b6 (because 8 .. .ll'lbd7 will now be
met with 9.g5). 1he drawback of this move order
is White's weakening of the f3-square, which was
shown in the so-called Topalov variation: 8 ... h6
9.Vff d2 b4 (this move, played as soon as possible,
establishes Topalov's idea) 1 0.ll'la4 ll'lbd7
1 1 . 0-0-0 ll'le5
Anand introduced an interesting queen sacrifice
which seems to have placed new problems in the
path of this line's Black devotees. 1hat game
continued: 1 7. . .�c5 1 8.�xe4 �xd4 1 9 .�g6t
c;!;JfB 20.gxd4 with an irrational position, in
which White's chances seem to be higher, Anand
- Topalov, Sofia 2005.
A s we mentioned, 8.Vff d 2 chosen by Leko, allows
Black to refrain from playing the weakening
8 ... h6, and therefore used to be considered as less
precise than the immediate 8.g4. 1his assessment
44 ROUND 1

was re-evaluated after the game Leko - Kasparov, Prior to this game White's attempts to deal with
Linares 2005, in which the Hungarian managed Black's plan were rather modest. A good example
to improve White's play on the 1 2'h move after: is Kramnik - Topalov, from the last round of
8 ... .!Llbd7 9.g4 .!Llb6. However, White found Sofia 2005: 9 . .!Llce2 e5 1 O . .!Llb3 .!Llc6 1 l .c4 ie7
1 O.a4! .!Llc4 1 I .ixc4 bxc4 1 2.a5!. 1 2 . .!Llg3 g6 1 3 .id3 .!Lld7 1 4.�d1 0-0 1 5.�£2 a5
and Black achieved a good game.
9 ... �bd7
Played in analogy to the lines with the insertion
ofg4 and h6.
An attempt to break free with 9 ... d5, as was
played in the few games that did reach this
position, does not look good: 1 O.e5 .!Ofd7 1 1 .f4
With the moves g4 and h6 this position is very
bad for Black, since he has severely weakened
the g6-square. However, even without it, this
French-like structure is good for White: all his
moves were useful for this structure, while Black
An important move, that seems to be closing kept moving his pawns on the queenside, creating
the whole line. Black's position looks grim, as weaknesses for himself.
White has managed to seize too much space on 10.�
the queenside, and take control over b6. Black
is virtually left with no counterplay. 1he game
continued: 1 2 ...ib7 1 3 . .!Lla4 �c8 1 4.�c3 .!Lld7
1 5.0-0-0 ie7 1 6.h4 ixh4, but here, instead of
going for the kill in a straightforward way, Leko
continued improving his position, and let the
moment slip away: 1 7. .!Lle2?! (better was 1 7.�b4!
�b8 1 8.�xh4! �xh4 1 9.�xd6 and Black's
position is falling apart) After 1 7 ...if6 1 8.id4
e5 1 9.ie3 ie7 Black managed to stabilize his
position in Leko - Kasparov, Linares 2005.
(One might guess that this game was in front of
Topalov's eyes while preparing for Leko).
After that game the line with 8 ... .!Llbd7 lost most
of its attractiveness. Topalov revived the variation
with the daring 8 ... b4 idea, but the current game
seems to slam yet another blow against Black's set­ 10 ..d5?!
.

up, and this time against its new leading exponent Black's was not too successful in developing
- Topalov. his pieces until now, which means opening the
8...b4 position should not be in his favour.
Topalov copied & pasted this idea from 1 O .. .'�a5 was the more solid, and probably
positions with the insertion of g2-g4 h7-h6, and stronger continuation. Then, after 1 l .b3
until the current game it looked like Black's last 1 1 .. . .!Lle5?, threatening .. .i.d7, is refuted by
try to revive the line. 1 2 . .!Llxe6! fxe6 1 3.ib6 .!Llxf3 1 4.gxf3 �h5
9.�a4 1 5.�g1 with a big advantage for White.
Leko is following Anand's footsteps (see Therefore Black would have to play 1 I ...ib7
previous note), with a small, and yet mighty 1 2.�b1 ie7 1 3.c4 bxc3 1 4.�xc3 �xc3 1 5 . .!Llxc3
difference: White has not weakened f3 yet. 0-0 1 6.ie2. White is marginally better due to
 LEKO -TOPALOV 45

his pawn majority on the queenside, but it is White is just an exchange up) 1 8.�xb6 �xb6
much better for Black than the game. l 9.�xd5 exd5 20.�xd5
By the way, an attempt to reproduce the idea
he played against Kramnik: IO ... �e5 l l .�xb4
id7 l 2. �b3 gbs l 3.�d4 fails, as the f3-pawn
is now protected.
ll.exd5 ltlxd5 12.i.c4
Black is facing a clear problem: how to protect
the knight?

Here Black's best practical chances to save the

game would be after 20 ... gac8, whereas Kasparov's
suggestion to regain the pawn with 20 ...�h6t
is too risky for Black because of 2 l .�d2 �xh2
22.gh l �g3 (22 ...�b8 23.gh4) 23.�xb4 (23.gh3
�g6 24.gd h l a5 25.�d6!) 23 ... �xg2?! 24.�h4
�g6 25.gdgl �h6t 26.�xh6 gxh6 27.gxh6 with
a totally winning endgame for White.
13.i.g5 Uc7

12... �7£6?!
1he source of Black's misfortunes in the future,
as he probably overlooked Leko's strong reply.
Stronger was l 2 ... ib7 although after l 3.ghe l
it is not easy to advise Black on a good move:
a) l 3 ... gc8 l 4.ig5! (weaker is l4.ixd5
ixd5 l 5.if4 g6 and White still has to prove
his advantage) l 4 ...�7f6 (after l 4 ...�c7 Black's
position collapses after the thematic: 1 5 . �xe6
fxe6 l 6.gxe6t �f7 l 7.ge4!) l 5.ixf6 gxf6
( l 5...�xf6 l6.�xe6 fxe6 l7.ixd5 ixd5 l8.�xd5
is completely one-sided) l6.�xe6 fxe6 l7.gxe6t
�f7 l 8.gb6!, White has extra material, and a
winning position.
b) Kasparov, in his analysis for N/C, suggests 14..ixd5!
l 3 ...�c7 as Black's most stubborn defence, A very strong and simple reaction. White is
providing the following line: l 4.�xe6! �xc4 not willing to lose precious time retreating the
1 5. �c7t �xc7 1 6.if4t �dB l 7.ixc7t �xc7 bishop.
1 8 .c4 bxc3 1 9.�xc3 with advantage for White. 14 ... �xd5 15.ghel
c) l 3 ...ie7 1 4.�f5 0-0 ( l 4 ... �xe3 loses to White already has the concrete threat of
1 5.�xg7t �fB l6. �xe6t! fxe6 1 7.�xe3 with a l6.�xe6 followed by l7.�xd5, which has to be
decisive attack) l 5.ixd5 ixd5 1 6.ib6! �xb6 attended to, forcing Black to postpone the solution
1 7.�xe7t �h8 (after 1 7 . . .�xe7 l 8.�xb6 of his main problem - poor development.
46 ROUND 1

1 5 �b7
...

Nor a move one wants to make, especially as

White does nor even rry to hide his intentions
about e6, bur d5 is also very vulnerable, and
Black simply had no other options.
1 5 . . .�e7 is refuted prosaically with: 1 6.�xe7
when Black cannot play 1 6 . . .�xe7? due to
1 7.ll::l f5 followed by �xd5 on rhe very next move.
So, after 1 6 ... ll::lx e7 1 7.�xb4 rhe pawn on
b4, which was rhe only justification for Black
going through all rhe misery so far, disappears.
Without it one would have a hard rime finding
an explanation why Black should go into this
position. c) Kasparov, in his analysis for NIC, suggests
16.Wfe2 1 6 . . . ll::l f4 as Black's only possible continuation
1 7.ll::lx e6 is already a clear and immediate and provides rhe following line: 1 7.�e3 ll::l x g2
threat. Black's position is critical, bur Topalov is
defending very resourcefully.

1 8.ll::lx e6 �xc2t 1 9.'it>xc2 ll::lx e3t 20.l:!xe3

fxe6 2 l .ll::l b6 l:!b8 22.�f4 �c5 (after 22 . . .�e4t
23.l:!xe4 l:!xb6 24.l:!c4 'it>f7 25 .l:!c8 Black suffers)
23.l:!ed3 �xb6 24.�xb8 �d5 (24 . . . 0-0 25 .�d6
l:!xf3 26.l:!xf3 �xf3 27.l:!fl �e4t 28.'it>b3 g5
29.'it>xb4 g4) 25.�d6 a5 26.a3 White is better,
16...Wfd6! bur Black might escape thanks to his bishop pair.
A gutsy move, which was quire undeservedly However, if we go back to rhe position after
criticized by Kasparov in his analysis for N!C. 1he 1 6 ... ll::l f4
queen steps up to protect irs king, nor minding
rhe white pieces flying around. The main point
behind rhis move is rhar after it White does nor
have any concrete wins, in rhe shape of "sac-sac­
resign".
a) 16 . . .�c8 1 7.�e5 White maintains a very
strong initiative while Black has no good way to
develop.
b) 1 6 .. .l:!c8 1 7.ll::lx e6 fxe6 1 8.�xe6t ll::le7
1 9.'it>bl �c6 ( 1 9 . . . �xc2t 20.'it> a l ) 20.l:!d6 �xa4
2 l .b3 and White wins.
 LEKO - TOPALOY 47

White has a much easier way to refute his 22.gxd8t �c7 23.'Wh4!, and on either capture
opponent's defensive idea: of the knight White wins the fa-bishop in a
17.ixf4! 'Wxf4t different way: 23 ... �xb6 is met with 24.gxfg
gx£8 25.'Wxb4t, whereas on 23 ...'Wxb6 the
fork comes from a different side: 24.gxf8 gx£8
25.'We7t.
1 9.f4! ie7 20.'We5
White's play here is rather straightforward.
Now he is threatening 'We?.
20 ...gcs
After 20 ...gd8 White wins a piece with 2 1 .�£5
'Wf6 22.gxd8t ixd8 23.�d6t �e7 24.�xb7.
2 l .�b6
Black suffers heavy material losses.
1hese fairly forced lines prove that Topalov's
18J:!d2! intuition did not fail him, and 16 ...'Wd6, not
Although it is not easy to make such a move allowing any forced wins, was the best choice
over the board. The point behind this move is from a practical standpoint.
that once White takes on e6, the rook will be Back to the game:
ready to join the attack along the e-file. 1he
immediate threat is, of course, 1 9 . �xe6.
1he more natural 1 8.�b1 would also do the
job, although less convincingly: 1 8 ...ie7
1 9.�xe6 fxe6 20.'Wxe6 'We? 2 l .�c5 (Now
White does not have time to double his rooks
with 2 U�d2 grs 22.�b6 gds, when Black
would still be in the game.) 2 1 ...gds 22.gxd8t
�xd8 23.�xb7t 'Wxb7 24.gd l t �e8 25.gd6
'Mia? 26.a4 �f8 27.gxa6 The material is equal,
while Black is completely paralysed. White
should win without much trouble.
1 8 ...'Wh6!
The original attempt to solve the problems
around the king with 1 8 ...0-0-0

17.®bl?
A complete waste of time. White should have
played 1 7.f4 when he has Black at his mercy. For
example:
a) 17 ... �xf4? 1 8.'Wg4 �dS 1 9 .�xe6 is an
'ouch'.
b) 1 7 ... h6?! weakens the g6-square, and
therefore loses immediately to 1 8.�xe6! 'Wxe6
19.'Wd3, which needs no explanation, while
1 8 ... fxe6 is bad due to 1 9 .'Wh5t �d7 20.'Wf7t
�c8 2 1 .gxe6 'Mid? 22.ie7! (the less spectacular
does not work due to spectacular geometry:
22.�b6t �xb6 23.gxd7 �xd7 24.ih4 idS
19.'Wc4t 'We? 20.�b6t �b8 2 l .�c6t! 'Wxc6
25.£5 wins as well) 22 .. .ixe7 23.gxd5! ixdS
48 ROUND 1

24.�b6t �c7 2S.�xd7 ixe6 26.'Mixe6 id6 1 8 ... h6 1 9 .�c5 'Mib6 20.�cxe6 fxe6 2 1 .'Mid3
27.�e5 White has a queen and two pawns for �d7 22.:Bxe6 id6 23.ie3 bxa3 24.�b3 'Mic7
two black rooks, but what matters here is the 25.:Bxg6 White has the advantage.
open position of the black king. 1 9.axb4 0-0 20.�c5 :Bab8 2 1 .c4 �xb4 22.�dxe6
c) 1 7 ... g6 1 8.5 'Mic6 23.ie7 fxe6 24.ixf8 ix£8 2S.'Mixe6t 'Mixe6
A good illustration of the dangers awattmg 26.�xe6
Black on every move can be seen after: With a substantial advantage for White in the
1 8 ... :Bc8 endgame.
On 1 8 ...ig7 White decides the game with a However, Black can improve his play with
straightforward assault 1 9.�c5 'MixeS 20.�xe6 20 ... 'Mtb6!. The queen is moved away from X-rays
fxe6 2 1 .'Mfxe6t �f8 22.fxg6 with an inevitable along the d-file, and creates threats along the b­
mate. file. On 2 1 .�xb7 Black has a strong intermediate
1 9.fxe6 f6 20.�5! 'Mic7 2 1 .e7 fxgS 22.�b6!! move at his disposal: 2 1 .. .'Mixb4!, with the threat
A nice tactical blow, which ends Black's misery of ... �c3, and Black has the upper hand in the
on the spot. The black pieces already had complications. 2 1 .c3 is simply met with 2 1 ... :Bfc8
enough defensive tasks to worry about, and (threatening :BxcS), with a very dangerous
another one proves to be fatal. initiative for the pawn, and 2 1 . �d7 is again bad
22 ...'Mixb6 due to 2 1 ...'Mixb4.
22 ... �xb6 23.�d6t c) Even having wasted a tempo (on 1 7. � b l )
23.:Bxd5! ixdS 24.exf8'Mit �x£8 2S.'Mie7t �g8 White's strongest move i s still 1 8.f4!:
26.'Mig7 mate.
17 h6?
...

Returning the favour. 1he correct and natural

reaction was
1 7 . . .g6

1 8 ... ig7
On 1 8 ...h6 White can sacrifice the whole set
with 1 9.�c5! hxgS ( 1 9 ...ic8 20.�e4) 20.�xb7
'Mie7 2 1 .'Mie4. Black's position is as lost as a
position can be. One of the unpleasant threats
White has quite a few possibilities, although occupying Black's mind is �xe6 followed by
only one is really promising: 'Mixg6t with a party.
a) 1 8.�c5 does not work because of 1 8 ...'Mixc5 1 9 .f5 Ld4
1 9.�xe6 fxe6 20.'Mixe6t ie7 2 1 .ixe7 'Mixe7 1 9 ...0-0 20.fxe6 :Bac8 (20 ...ixd4 2 1 .e7)
22.'Mid6 �e3! 23.'Mif4 gS! 24.'Mid4 0-0 25.:Bxe3 2 1 .exf7t :Bxf7 22.'Mie6! and now either
'Mff6 26.'Mixb4 :Bad8 and only Black can win this. 22 . . .'Mic7 23.:Bfl or 22 ...'Mixe6 23.�xe6 is very
b) Kasparov suggested the spectacular 1 8.a3 difficult for Black.
awarding the move two exclamation marks, 20.:Bxd4 gxfS
providing the following line: Worse is 20 ... 0-0 2 1.f6 :Bfc8 (2 l . ..:Bfd8 22.'Mid2
1 8 ...ig7 'Mic6 23.ih4 eS 24.:Bxe5 :SacS 2S.�b6! either
1 8 ... bxa3 is now met with 1 9.c4, whereas after winning material or mating) 22.'Mid2 'Mic6
 LEKO - TOPALOY 49

23.ih4!. The weakness of the dark squares from a single move?! Having said that, we must
around the king establishes White's advantage state that Black's position is still lost, provided
beyond any doubt. White plays correctly.
2 1 .�h5 gcs 19.�£2
And now it is the critical point of the game.
19 ...Wc7

22.g4!
Gaining control over the important e4-square.
22 ... f4
After 22 . . . fxg4 23.gde4 Black has no hope.
23.�h6 �c6
23 ... f3 loses to 24.gd2, and Black is unable to
hold his kingside 20.�5?
24.gc4! �d6 25.ixf4 li:lxf4 26.gxf4 A bad mistake by Leko, who was under heavy
White continues his attack against the king time pressure by now, but he usually spots such
while maintaining the material balance, whereas: things in blitz.
26 ...�d2? lethally abandons the king: 27.gxe6t 20.li:lb6! was the correct path: the beauty of
fxe6 28.�xe6t 'it>d8 29.�f6t 'it>d7 30.gd4t and which can be observed after 20 . . .�xb6 2 l .li:lxe6!
White wins. �xf2 22.li:lc7 mate, or 2 l . . .�xe6 22.�a7!, both
18.ih4 �f4! winning in some style.
The only move that protects the vital e6-square, So, Black would have to answer with 20 . . .gb8
and does so with a tempo. What more can one ask and only now 2 I .li:lf5 . The addition of a knight
in the game (b6) has a huge impact on the an unclear game) 26.id4 a:g8 27.if6 a:gG and
situation. 2 l . . .g5 already does not work due Black wards off White's initiative
to 22.tlJd7! (threatening tiJfG mate!) 22 . . . tiJd5 However, the best move was 22.a:d2 when it is
23.a:xd5 and White wins. The attempt to get hard to see a better move for Black than 22 .. . a:d8,
rid of the annoying knight with 2 1 . . .icG fails to which we looked at in the previous annotation.
22.'1Wd4! a:g8 23.tlJc4 g5 24 .ig3 followed by an 22... a:gs
inevitable tlJdGt. Now it suddenly turns out that none of the
20...g5 white pieces coordinates with each other.
An accurate assessment of the situation in the Of course, 22 . . .'1Wxc2t loses, as after the king's
game (not just the position) can only be given retreat Black will be unable to defend both h8
relatively to what used to be a few moves ago. and d7.
Black's position is still suspicious, but it cannot be
compared to the abyss he was facing throughout
the past five moves.
2 Lig3 a:cs
The attempt to reduce White's attacking
potential with exchanges by means of 2 l . . .a:d8
leads to quite a serious advantage for White
after 22.a:xd8t '1Wxd8 2 3.tlJc5 idS 24.tlJe4!
(threatening ixf4 and '1Wd4) 24 ... ixe4 25 .fxe4.
Black cannot take to knight as it would prove
deadly to his own king, whereas tolerating the
knight is virtually impossible as well.
22.'1Wd4�!
Leko is still under the influence of the huge
advantage he had a few moves ago, but it was time
to think in positional terms now.
The queen sacrifice 22.tiJb6 ic5 2 3.tlJxc8 ixf2 23.c3�
24.tlJcd6t 'i!ff8 25 .ixf2 does not lead to the It is a known fact that mistakes never travel
goal after 25 . . . id5 (but not 25 . . . exf5 2G.a:e8t alone. This move can be awarded more than one
'i!ig7 27.id4t fG 28.ixf6t 'iiixfG 29.a:xh8 with question mark, since not only does it change the
Exploring the Variety of Random
Documents with Different Content
many little affairs one has to settle, before the undertaking such a
voyage, after so long a residence in a country; and how little, in
such a situation, one's mind is fitted for serious and attentive
reading, which, with regard to the Elements of Criticism, I intended
before I should write. I can now only confess and endeavour to
amend. In packing up my books, I have reserved yours to read on
the passage. I hope I shall therefore be able to write to you upon it
soon after my arrival. At present I can only return my thanks, and
say that the parts I have read gave me both pleasure and
instruction; that I am convinced of your position, new as it was to
me, that a good taste in the arts contributes to the improvement of
morals; and that I have had the satisfaction of hearing the work
universally commended by those who have read it.
"And now, my dear sir, accept my sincere thanks for the kindness
you have shown me, and my best wishes of happiness to you and
yours. Wherever I am, I shall esteem the friendship you honour me
with as one of the felicities of my life; I shall endeavour to cultivate
it by a more punctual correspondence; and I hope frequently to hear
of your welfare and prosperity.
B. Franklin."

To the same.[13]
London, April 11, 1767.
"My dear Lord,
I received your obliging favour of January the 19th. You have kindly
relieved me from the pain I had long been under. You are goodness
itself. I ought to have answered yours of December 25, 1765. I
never received a letter that contained sentiments more suitable to
my own. It found me under much agitation of mind on the very
important subject it treated. It fortified me greatly in the judgment I
was inclined to form (though contrary to the general vogue) on the
then delicate and critical situation of affairs between Great Britain
and the colonies, and on that weighty point, their union. You
guessed aright in supposing that I would not be a mute in that play.
I was extremely busy, attending members of both houses, informing,
explaining, consulting, disputing, in a continual hurry from morning
to night, till the affair was happily ended. During the course of its
being called before the House of Commons I spoke my mind pretty
freely. Enclosed I send you the imperfect account that was taken of
that examination; you will there see how entirely we agree, except
in a point of fact, of which you could not but be misinformed; the
papers at that time being full of mistaken assertions, that the
colonies had been the cause of the war, and had ungratefully
refused to bear any part of the expense of it. I send it you now,
because I apprehend some late accidents are likely to revive the
contest between the two countries. I fear it will be a mischievous
one. It becomes a matter of great importance, that clear ideas
should be formed on solid principles, both in Britain and America, of
the true political relation between them, and the mutual duties
belonging to that relation. Till this is done they will be often jarring.
I know none whose knowledge, sagacity, and impartiality qualify him
so thoroughly for such a service as yours do you. I wish, therefore,
you would consider it. You may thereby be the happy instrument of
great good to the nation, and of preventing much mischief and
bloodshed. I am fully persuaded with you, that a consolidating
union, by a fair and equal representation of all the parts of this
empire in Parliament, is the only firm basis on which its political
grandeur and prosperity can be founded. Ireland once wished it, but
now rejects it. The time has been when the colonies might have
been pleased with it, they are now indifferent about it, and if it is
much longer delayed, they too will refuse it. But the pride of this
people cannot bear the thought of it, and therefore it will be
delayed. Every man in England seems to consider himself as a piece
of a sovereign over America; seems to jostle himself into the throne
with the king, and talks of our subjects in the colonies. The
Parliament cannot well and wisely make laws suited to the colonies,
without being properly and truly informed of their circumstances,
abilities, temper, &c. This it cannot be without representatives from
thence; and yet it is fond of this power, and averse to the only
means of acquiring the necessary knowledge for exercising it, which
is desiring to be omnipotent without being omniscient.
"I have mentioned that the contest is likely to be revived. It is on
this occasion: in the same session with the stamp-act, an act was
passed to regulate the quartering of soldiers in America: when the
bill was first brought in, it contained a clause empowering the
officers to quarter their soldiers in private houses; this we warmly
opposed, and got it omitted. The bill passed, however, with a clause
that empty houses, barns, &c., should be hired for them; and that
the respective provinces where they were should pay the expense,
and furnish firing, bedding, drink, and some other articles to the
soldiers, gratis. There is no way for any province to do this but by
the Assembly's making a law to raise the money. Pennsylvania
Assembly has made such a law; New-York Assembly has refused to
do it; and now all the talk here is, of sending a force to compel
them.
"The reasons given by the Assembly to the governor for the refusal
are, that they understand the act to mean the furnishing such things
to soldiers only while on their march through the country, and not to
great bodies of soldiers, to be fixed, as at present, in the province;
the burden in the latter case being greater than the inhabitants can
bear; that it would put it in the power of the captain-general to
oppress the province at pleasure, &c. But there is supposed to be
another reason at bottom, which they intimate, though they do not
plainly express it, to wit, that it is of the nature of an internal tax laid
on them by Parliament, which has no right so to do. Their refusal is
here called rebellion, and punishment is thought of.
"Now, waving that point of right, and supposing the legislatures in
America subordinate to the legislatures of Great Britain, one might
conceive, I think, a power in the superior legislature to forbid the
inferior legislatures making particular laws; but to enjoin it to make a
particular law, contrary to its own judgment, seems improper; an
assembly or parliament not being an executive officer of
government, whose duty it is, in law-making, to obey orders, but a
deliberative body, who are to consider what comes before them, its
propriety, practicability, or possibility, and to determine accordingly;
the very nature of a parliament seems to be destroyed by supposing
it may be bound and compelled by a law of a superior parliament to
make a law contrary to its own judgment.
"Indeed, the act of Parliament in question has not, as in other acts,
when a duty is enjoined, directed a penalty on neglect or refusal,
and a mode of recovering that penalty. It seems, therefore, to the
people in America as a requisition, which they are at liberty to
comply with or not, as it may suit or not suit the different
circumstances of the different provinces. Pennsylvania has,
therefore, voluntarily complied. New-York, as I said before, has
refused. The ministry that made the act, and all their adherents, call
for vengeance. The present ministry are perplexed, and the
measures they will finally take on the occasion are yet unknown. But
sure I am that if force is used great mischief will ensue, the
affections of the people of America to this country will be alienated,
your commerce will be diminished, and a total separation of interests
be the final consequence.
"It is a common but mistaken notion here, that the colonies were
planted at the expense of Parliament, and that, therefore, the
Parliament has a right to tax them, &c. The truth is, they were
planted at the expense of private adventurers, who went over there
to settle, with leave of the king, given by charter. On receiving this
leave and those charters, the adventurers voluntarily engaged to
remain the king's subjects, though in a foreign country; a country
which had not been conquered by either king or parliament, but was
possessed by a free people.
"When our planters arrived, they purchased the lands of the natives,
without putting king or parliament to any expense. Parliament had
no hand in their settlement, was never so much as consulted about
their constitution, and took no kind of notice of them till many years
after they were established. I except only the two modern colonies,
or, rather, attempts to make colonies (for they succeed but poorly,
and, as yet, hardly deserve the name of colonies), I mean Georgia
and Nova Scotia, which have hitherto been little better than
parliamentary jobs. Thus all the colonies acknowledge the king as
their sovereign; his governors there represent his person: laws are
made by their assemblies or little parliaments, with the governor's
assent, subject still to the king's pleasure to affirm or annul them.
Suits arising in the colonies, and between colony and colony, are
determined by the king in council. In this view they seem so many
separate little states, subject to the same prince. The sovereignty of
the king is therefore easily understood. But nothing is more common
here than to talk of the sovereignty of Parliament, and the
sovereignty of this nation over the colonies; a kind of sovereignty,
the idea of which is not so clear, nor does it clearly appear on what
foundation it is established. On the other hand, it seems necessary,
for the common good of the empire, that a power be lodged
somewhere to regulate its general commerce; this can be placed
nowhere so properly as in the Parliament of Great Britain; and,
therefore, though that power has in some instances been executed
with great partiality to Britain and prejudice to the colonies, they
have nevertheless always submitted to it. Custom-houses are
established in all of them, by virtue of laws made here, and the
duties instantly paid, except by a few smugglers, such as are here
and in all countries; but internal taxes laid on them by Parliament
are still, and ever will be, objected to for the reason that you will see
in the mentioned examination.
"Upon the whole, I have lived so great a part of my life in Britain,
and have formed so many friendships in it, that I love it, and
sincerely wish it prosperity; and, therefore, wish to see that union on
which alone I think it can be secured and established. As to America,
the advantages of such a union to her are not so apparent. She may
suffer at present under the arbitrary power of this country; she may
suffer for a while in a separation from it; but these are temporary
evils which she will outgrow. Scotland and Ireland are differently
circumstanced. Confined by the sea, they can scarcely increase in
numbers, wealth, and strength, so as to overbalance England. But
America, an immense territory, favoured by nature with all
advantages of climate, soils, great navigable rivers, lakes, &c., must
become a great country, populous and mighty; and will, in a less
time than is generally conceived, be able to shake off any shackles
that may be imposed upon her, and, perhaps, place them on the
imposers. In the mean time, every act of oppression will sour their
tempers, lessen greatly, if not annihilate, the profits of your
commerce with them, and hasten their final revolt; for the seeds of
liberty are universally found there, and nothing can eradicate them.
And yet there remains among that people so much respect,
veneration, and affection for Britain, that, if cultivated prudently,
with a kind usage and tenderness for their privileges, they might be
easily governed still for ages, without force or any considerable
expense. But I do not see here a sufficient quantity of the wisdom
that is necessary to produce such a conduct, and I lament the want
of it.
"I borrowed at Millar's the new edition of your Principles of Equity,
and have read with great pleasure the preliminary discourse on the
principles of morality. I have never before met with anything so
satisfactory on the subject. While reading it, I made a few remarks
as I went along. They are not of much importance, but I send you
the paper.
"I know the lady you mention (Mrs. Montague), having, when in
England before, met her once or twice at Lord Bath's. I remember I
then entertained the same opinion of her that you express. On the
strength of your recommendation, I purpose soon to wait on her.
"This is unexpectedly grown a long letter. The visit to Scotland and
the Art of Virtue we will talk of hereafter. It is now time to say that I
am, with increasing esteem and affection,
"B. Franklin."[14]
[13] Lord Kames had written to Dr. Franklin as early as 1765, when the first
advices reached England of the disorders occasioned by the attempts to carry the
stamp-act into execution; and he had written a second letter to him on the same
subject in the beginning of 1767. This is a copy of Dr. Franklin's answer to these
letters.
[14] This letter was intercepted by the British ministry; Dr. F. had preserved a copy
of it, which was afterward transmitted to Lord Kames; but the wisdom that
composed and conveyed it was thrown away upon the men at that time in power.

"Lord Kames.
"London, February 21, 1769.
"My dear Friend,
"I received your excellent paper on the preferable use of oxen in
agriculture, and have put it in the way of being communicated to the
public here. I have observed in America that the farmers are more
thriving in those parts of the country where horned cattle are used,
than in those where the labour is done by horses. The latter are said
to require twice the quantity of land to maintain them and, after all,
are not good to eat—at least we don't think them so. Here is a waste
of land that might afford subsistence for so many of the human
species. Perhaps it was for this reason that the Hebrew lawgiver,
having promised that the children of Israel should be as numerous
as the sands of the sea, not only took care to secure the health of
individuals by regulating their diet, that they might be better fitted
for producing children, but also forbid their using horses, as those
animals would lessen the quantity of subsistence for man. Thus we
find, when they took any horses from their enemies, they destroyed
them; and in the commandments, where the labour of the ox and
ass is mentioned, and forbidden on the Sabbath, there is no mention
of the horse, probably because they were to have none. And by the
great armies suddenly raised in that small territory they inhabited, it
appears to have been very full of people.[15]
"Food is always necessary to all, and much the greatest part of the
labour of mankind is employed in raising provisions for the mouth. Is
not this kind of labour, then, the fittest to be the standard by which
to measure the values of all other labour, and, consequently, of all
other things whose value depends on the labour of making or
procuring them? may not even gold and silver be thus valued? If the
labour of the farmer, in producing a bushel of wheat, be equal to the
labour of the miner in producing an ounce of silver, will not the
bushel of wheat just measure the value of the ounce of silver. The
miner must eat; the farmer, indeed, can live without the ounce of
silver, and so, perhaps, will have some advantage in settling the
price. But these discussions I leave to you, as being more able to
manage them: only, I will send you a little scrap I wrote some time
since on the laws prohibiting foreign commodities.
"I congratulate you on your election as president of your Edinburgh
Society. I think I formerly took notice to you in conversation, that I
thought there had been some similarity in our fortunes and the
circumstances of our lives. This is a fresh instance, for by letters just
received I find that I was about the same time chosen President of
our American Philosophical Society, established at Philadelphia.[16]
"I have sent by sea, to the care of Mr. Alexander a little box
containing a few copies of the late edition of my books, for my
friends in Scotland. One is directed for you, and one for your society,
which I beg that you and they would accept as a small token of my
respect.
"With the sincerest esteem and regard,
"B. Franklin.
"P.S.—I am sorry my letter of 1767, concerning the American
disputes, miscarried. I now send you a copy of it from my book. The
examination mentioned in it you have probably seen. Things daily
wear a worse aspect, and tend more and more to a breach and final
separation."
[15] There is not in the Jewish law any express prohibition against the use of
horses: it is only enjoined that the kings should not multiply the breed, or carry on
trade with Egypt for the purchase of horses.—Deut. xvii., 16. Solomon was the first
of the kings of Judah who disregarded this ordinance. He had 40,000 stalls of
horses which he brought out of Egypt.—1 Kings iv., 26, and x., 28. From this time
downward horses were in constant use in the Jewish armies. It is true that the
country, from its rocky surface and unfertile soil, was extremely unfit for the
maintenance of those animals.—Note by Lord Kames.
[16] The American Philosophical Society was instituted in 1769, and was formed by
the union of two societies which had formerly subsisted at Philadelphia, whose
views and objects were of a similar nature. Its members were classed in the
following committees:
1. Geography, Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, and Astronomy.
2. Medicine and Anatomy.
3. Natural History and Chymistry.
4. Trade and Commerce.
5. Mechanics and Architecture.
6. Husbandry and American Improvements.
Several volumes have been published of the transactions of this American Society,
in which are many papers by Dr. Franklin.—Note by Lord Kames.

"John Alleyne.
"Craven-street, August 9, 1768.
"Dear Jack,
"You desire, you say, my impartial thoughts on the subject of an
early marriage, by way of answer to the numberless objections that
have been made by numerous persons to your own. You may
remember, when you consulted me on the occasion, that I thought
youth on both sides to be no objection. Indeed, from the marriages
that have fallen under my observation, I am rather inclined to think
that early ones stand the best chance of happiness. The temper and
habits of the young are not yet become so stiff and uncomplying as
when more advanced in life; they form more easily to each other,
and hence many occasions of disgust are removed. And if youth has
less of that prudence which is necessary to manage a family, yet the
parents and elder friends of young married persons are generally at
hand to afford their advice, which amply supplies that defect; and,
by early marriage, youth is sooner formed to regular and useful life;
and possibly some of those accidents or connexions, that might have
injured the constitution or reputation, or both, are thereby happily
prevented. Particular circumstances of particular persons may
possibly, sometimes, make it prudent to delay entering into that
state; but, in general, when nature has rendered our bodies fit for it,
the presumption is in nature's favour, for she has not judged amiss
in making us desire it. Late marriages are often attended, too, with
this farther inconvenience, that there is not the same chance that
the parents shall live to see their offspring educated. 'Late children,'
says the Spanish proverb, 'are early orphans.' A melancholy
reflection to those whose case it may be! With us in America
marriages are generally in the morning of life; our children are
therefore educated and settled in the world by noon; and thus, our
business being done, we have an afternoon and evening of cheerful
leisure to ourselves, such as our friend at present enjoys. By these
early marriages we are blessed with more children; and from the
mode among us, founded by nature, of every mother suckling and
nursing her own child, more of them are raised. Thence the swift
progress of population among us, unparalleled in Europe. In fine, I
am glad you are married, and congratulate you most cordially upon
it. You are now in the way of becoming a useful citizen; and you
have escaped the unnatural state of celibacy for life—the fate of
many here who never intended it, but who, having too long
postponed the change of their condition, find at length that it is too
late to think of it, and so live all their lives in a situation that greatly
lessens a man's value. An odd volume of a set of books bears not
the value of its proportion to the set: what think you of the odd half
of a pair of scissors? it can't well cut anything; it may possibly serve
to scrape a trencher.
"Pray make my compliments and best wishes acceptable to your
bride. I am old and heavy, or I should, ere this, have presented
them in person. I shall make but small use of the old man's
privilege, that of giving advice to younger friends. Treat your wife
always with respect; it will procure respect to you, not only from her,
but from all that observe it. Never use a slighting expression to her,
even in jest; for slights in jest, after frequent bandyings, are apt to
end in angry earnest. Be studious in your profession, and you will be
learned. Be industrious and frugal, and you will be rich. Be sober
and temperate, and you will be healthy. Be in general virtuous, and
you will be happy. At least, you will, by such conduct, stand the best
chance for such consequences.
"I pray God to bless you both, being ever your affectionate friend,
"B. Franklin."

"Governor Franklin.
"London, Dec. 19, 1767.
"Dear Sir,
"The resolutions of the Boston people concerning trade make a great
noise here. Parliament has not yet taken notice of them, but the
newspapers are in full cry against America. Colonel Onslow told me
at court last Sunday, that I could not conceive how much the friends
of America were run upon and hurt by them, and how much the
Grenvillians triumphed. I have just written a paper for next
Thursday's Chronicle, to extenuate matters a little.
"Mentioning Colonel Onslow reminds me of something that passed at
the beginning of this session in the house between him and Mr.
Grenville. The latter had been raving against America, as traitorous,
rebellious, &c., when the former, who has always been its firm
friend, stood up and gravely said, that in reading the Roman history,
he found it was a custom among that wise and magnanimous
people, whenever the senate was informed of any discontent in the
provinces, to send two or three of their body into the discontented
provinces to inquire into the grievances complained of, and report to
the senate, that mild measures might be used to remedy what was
amiss before any severe steps were taken to enforce obedience.
That this example he thought worthy our imitation in the present
state of our colonies, for he did so far agree with the honourable
gentleman that spoke just before him as to allow there were great
discontents among them. He should therefore beg leave to move,
that two or three members of Parliament be appointed to go over to
New-England on this service. And that it might not be supposed he
was for imposing burdens on others that he would not be willing to
bear himself, he did at the same time declare his own willingness, if
the house should think fit to appoint them, to go over thither with
that honourable gentleman. Upon this there was a great laugh,
which continued some time, and was rather increased by Mr.
Grenville's asking, 'Will the gentleman engage that I shall be safe
there? Can I be assured that I shall be allowed to come back again
to make the report?' As soon as the laugh was so far subsided as
that Mr. Onslow could be heard again, he added, 'I cannot absolutely
engage for the honourable gentleman's safe return; but if he goes
thither upon this service, I am strongly of opinion the event will
contribute greatly to the future quiet of both countries.' On which
the laugh was renewed and redoubled.
"If our people should follow the Boston example in entering into
resolutions of frugality and industry, full as necessary for us as for
them, I hope they will, among other things, give this reason, that 'tis
to enable them more speedily and effectually to discharge their
debts to Great Britain; this will soften a little, and, at the same time,
appear honourable, and like ourselves. Yours, &c.,
"B. Franklin."

"To Dr. Priestley.

"Passy, June 7, 1782.
"Dear Sir,
"I received your kind letter of the 7th April, also one of the 3d of
May. I have always great pleasure in hearing from you, in learning
that you are well, and that you continue your experiments. I should
rejoice much if I could once more recover the leisure to search with
you into the works of nature; I mean the inanimate or moral part of
them: the more I discovered of the former, the more I admired
them; the more I know of the latter, the more I am disgusted with
them. Men I find to be a sort of beings very badly constructed, as
they are generally more easily provoked than reconciled, more
disposed to do mischief to each other than to make reparation,
much more easily deceived than undeceived, and having more pride
and even pleasure in killing than in begetting one another. * * *
In what light we are viewed by superior beings, may be gathered
from a piece of late West India news, which, possibly, has not yet
reached you. A young angel being sent down to this world on some
business for the first time, had an old courier-spirit assigned him as
a guide; they arrived over the seas of Martinico, in the middle of the
long day of obstinate fight between the fleets of Rodney and De
Grasse. When through the clouds of smoke he saw the fire of the
guns, the decks covered with mangled limbs, and bodies dead or
dying, the ships sinking, burning, or blown into the air, and the
quantity of pain, misery, and destruction, the crews yet alive were
thus with so much eagerness dealing round to one another, he
turned angrily to his guide, and said, you blundering blockhead, you
are ignorant of your business; you undertook to conduct me to the
earth, and you have brought me into hell! No, sir, says the guide, I
have made no mistake; this is really the earth, and these are men.
Devils never treat one another in this cruel manner; they have more
sense, and more of what men (vainly) call humanity.
"But to be serious, my dear old friend, I love you as much as ever,
and I love all the honest souls that meet at the London Coffee-
house. I only wonder how it happened that they and my other
friends in England came to be such good creatures in the midst of so
perverse a generation. I long to see them and you once more, and I
labour for peace with more earnestness, that I may again be happy
in your sweet society. * * *
"Yesterday the Count du Nord[17] was at the Academy of Sciences,
when sundry experiments were exhibited for his entertainment;
among them, one by M. Lavoisier, to show that the strongest fire we
yet know is made in charcoal blown upon with dephlogisticated air.
In a heat so produced, he melted platina presently, the fire being
much more powerful than that of the strongest burning mirror.
Adieu, and believe me ever, yours most affectionately,
B. Franklin."
[17] The Grand-duke of Russia, afterward the Emperor Paul I.

To the same.
"London, September 19, 1772.
"Dear Sir,
"In the affair of so much importance to you, wherein you ask my
advice, I cannot, for want of sufficient premises, counsel you what
to determine; but, if you please, I will tell you how. When those
difficult cases occur, they are difficult chiefly because, while we have
them under consideration, all the reasons, pro and con, are not
present to the mind at the same time; but sometimes one set
present themselves, and at other times another, the first being out
of sight. Hence the various purposes or inclinations that alternately
prevail, and the uncertainty that perplexes us. To get over this, my
way is, to divide half a sheet of paper by a line into two columns,
writing over the one pro and over the other con: then, during three
or four days' consideration, I put down under the different heads
short hints of the different motives that at different times occur to
me for or against the measure. When I have thus got them all
together in one view, I endeavour to estimate their respective
weights, and where I find two (one on each side), that seem equal, I
strike them both out. If I find a reason pro equal to some two
reasons con I strike out the three. If I judge some two reasons con
equal to some three reasons pro, I strike out the five; and, thus
proceeding, I find at length where the balance lies; and if, after a
day or two of farther consideration, nothing new that is of
importance occurs on either side, I come to a determination
accordingly. And though the weight of reasons cannot be taken with
the precision of algebraic quantities, yet, when each is thus
considered separately and comparatively, and the whole lies before
me, I think I can judge better, and am less liable to make a rash
step; and, in fact, I have found great advantage from this kind of
equation, in what may be called moral or prudential algebra.
"Wishing sincerely that you may determine for the best, I am ever,
my dear friend, yours most affectionately,
B. Franklin."

"Mr. Mather, Boston.

"London, July, 4, 1773.
"Reverend Sir,
"The remarks you have added on the late proceedings against
America are very just and judicious; and I cannot see any
impropriety in your making them, though a minister of the gospel.
This kingdom is a good deal indebted for its liberties to the public
spirit of its ancient clergy, who joined with the barons in obtaining
Magna Charta, and joined heartily in forming the curses of
excommunication against the infringers of it. There is no doubt but
the claim of Parliament, of authority to make laws binding on the
colonies in all cases whatsoever, includes an authority to change our
religious constitution, and establish popery or Mohammedanism, if
they please, in its stead; but, as you intimate, power does not infer
right; and as the right is nothing and the power (by our increase)
continually diminishing, the one will soon be as insignificant as the
other. You seem only to have made a small mistake in supposing
they modestly avoided to declare they had a right, the words of the
act being, 'that they have, and of right ought to have, full power,'
&c.
"Your suspicion that sundry others besides Governor Bernard 'had
written hither their opinions and councils, encouraging the late
measures to the prejudice of our country, which have been too much
needed and followed,' is, I apprehend, but too well founded. You call
them 'traitorous individuals,' whence I collect that you suppose them
of our own country. There was among the twelve apostles one
traitor, who betrayed with a kiss. It should be no wonder, therefore,
if among so many thousand true patriots as New-England contains,
there should be found even twelve Judases ready to betray their
country for a few paltry pieces of silver. Their ends, as well as their
views, ought to be similar. But all the oppressions evidently work for
our good. Providence seems by every means intent on making us a
great people. May our virtues, public and private, grow with us and
be durable, that liberty, civil and religious, may be secured to our
posterity, and to all from every part of the Old World that take
refuge among us.
"With great esteem, and my best wishes for a long continuance of
your usefulness, I am, reverend sir, your most obedient, humble
servant,
"B. Franklin."

"Mr. Strahan.
"Philadelphia, July 5, 1775.
"You are a member of Parliament, and one of that majority which
has doomed my country to destruction. You have begun to burn our
towns and murder our people. Look upon your hands! they are
stained with the blood of your relations! You and I were long friends:
you are now my enemy, and—I am yours,
B. Franklin."

"Dr. Priestley.
"Philadelphia, October 3, 1775
"Dear Sir,
"I am bound to sail to-morrow for the camp,[18] and, having but just
heard of this opportunity, can only write a line to say that I am well
and hearty. Tell our dear good friend, Dr. Price, who sometimes has
his doubts and despondencies about our firmness, that America is
determined and unanimous; a very few tories and placemen
excepted, who will probably soon export themselves. Britain, at the
expense of three millions, has killed one hundred and fifty Yankees
this campaign, which is 20,000l. a head; and at Bunker's Hill she
gained a mile of ground, half of which she lost again by our taking
post on Ploughed Hill. During the same time sixty thousand children
have been born in America. From these data his mathematical head
will easily calculate the time and expense necessary to kill us all and
conquer our whole territory. My sincere repects to * *, and to the
club of honest whigs at * *. Adieu.
"I am ever yours most affectionately,
"B. Franklin."
[18] Dr. Franklin, Colonel Harrison, and Mr. Lynch, were at this time appointed by
Congress (of which they were members) to confer on certain subjects with
General Washington. The American army was then employed in blocking up
General Howe in Boston; and it was during this visit that General Washington
communicated the following memorable anecdote to Dr. Franklin, viz., "that there
had been a time when his army had been so destitute of military stores as not to
have powder enough in all its magazines to furnish more than five rounds per man
for their small arms." Artillery were out of the question: they were fired now and
then, only to show that they had them. Yet this secret was kept with so much
address and good countenance from both armies, that General Washington was
enabled effectually to continue the blockade.

"Mrs. Thompson, at Lisle.

Paris, February 8, 1777.
"You are too early, hussy, as well as too saucy, in calling me rebel;
you should wait for the event, which will determine whether it is a
rebellion or only a revolution. Here the ladies are more civil; they call
us les insurgens, a character that usually pleases them; and
methinks all other women who smart, or have smarted, under the
tyranny of a bad husband, ought to be fixed in revolution principles,
and act accordingly.
"In my way to Canada last spring, I saw dear Mrs. Barrow at New-
York. Mr. Barrow had been from her two or three months, to keep
Governor Tryon and other tories company on board the Asia, one of
the king's ships which lay in the harbour; and in all that time that
naughty man had not ventured once on shore to see her. Our troops
were then pouring into the town, and she was packing up to leave
it; fearing, as she had a large house, they would incommode her by
quartering officers in it. As she appeared in great perplexity, scarce
knowing where to go, I persuaded her to stay; and I went to the
general officers then commanding there, and recommended her to
their protection; which they promised and performed. On my return
from Canada, where I was a piece of a governor (and, I think, a very
good one) for a fortnight, and might have been so till this time if
your wicked army, enemies to all good government, had not come
and driven me out, I found her still in quiet possession of her house.
I inquired how our people had behaved to her; she spoke in high
terms of the respectful attention they had paid her, and the quiet
and security they had procured her. I said I was glad of it, and that,
if they had used her ill, I would have turned tory. Then, said she
(with that pleasing gayety so natural to her), I wish they had. For
you must know she is a toryess as well as you, and can as flippantly
say rebel. I drank tea with her; we talked affectionately of you and
our other friends the Wilkes, of whom she had received no late
intelligence; what became of her since, I have not heard. The street
she lived in was some months after chiefly burned down; but as the
town was then, and ever since has been, in possession of the king's
troops, I have had no opportunity of knowing whether she suffered
any loss in the conflagration. I hope she did not, as if she did, I
should wish I had not persuaded her to stay there. I am glad to
learn from you, that that unhappy but deserving family, the W.'s, are
getting into some business that may afford them subsistence. I pray
that God will bless them, and that they may see happier days. Mr.
Cheap's and Dr. H.'s good fortunes please me. Pray learn, if you
have not already learned, like me, to be pleased with other people's
pleasures, and happy with their happiness when none occur of your
own; then, perhaps, you will not so soon be weary of the place you
chance to be in, and so fond of rambling to get rid of your ennui. I
fancy you have hit upon the right reason of your being weary of St.
Omer's, viz., that you are out of temper, which is the effect of full
living and idleness. A month in Bridewell, beating hemp, upon bread
and water, would give you health and spirits, and subsequent
cheerfulness and contentment with every other situation. I prescribe
that regimen for you, my dear, in pure good-will, without a fee. And,
let me tell you, if you do not get into temper, neither Brussels nor
Lisle will suit you. I know nothing of the price of living in either of
those places; but I am sure a single woman as you are might, with
economy, upon two hundred pounds a year, maintain herself
comfortably anywhere, and me into the bargain. Do not invite me in
earnest, however, to come and live with you, for, being posted here,
I ought not to comply, and I am not sure I should be able to refuse.
Present my respects to Mrs. Payne and Mrs. Heathcoat; for, though I
have not the honour of knowing them, yet as you say they are
friends to the American cause, I am sure they must be women of
good understanding. I know you wish you could see me, but as you
can't, I will describe myself to you. Figure me in your mind as jolly
as formerly, and as strong and hearty, only a few years older: very
plainly dressed, wearing my thin gray straight hair, that peeps out
under my only coiffure, a fine fur cap, which comes down my
forhead almost to my spectacles. Think how this must appear among
the powdered heads of Paris! I wish every lady and gentleman in
France would only be so obliging as to follow my fashion, comb their
own heads as I do mine, dismiss their friseurs, and pay me half the
money they paid to them. You see the gentry might well afford this,
and I could then enlist these friseurs, (who are at least 100,000),
and with the money I would maintain them, make a visit with them
to England, and dress the heads of your ministers and privy
counsellors; which I conceive at present to be un peu derangées.
Adieu! madcap, and believe me ever your affectionate friend and
humble servant,
"B. Franklin.
"P.S.—Don't be proud of this long letter. A fit of the gout, which has
confined me five days, and made me refuse to see company, has
given me little time to trifle; otherwise it would have been very
short; visiters and business would have interrupted: and, perhaps,
with Mrs. Barrow, you wish they had."

"To Mr. Lith.

"Passy, near Paris, April 6, 1777.
"Sir,
"I have just been honoured with a letter from you, dated the 26th
past, in which you express yourself as astonished, and appear to be
angry that you have no answer to a letter you wrote me of the 11th
of December, which you are sure was delivered to me.
"In exculpation of myself, I assure you that I never received any
letter from you of this date. And, indeed, being then but four days
landed at Nantes, I think you could scarce have heard so soon of my
being in Europe.
"But I received one from you of the 8th of January, which I own I
did not answer. It may displease you if I give you the reason; but as
it may be of use to you in your future correspondences, I will hazard
that for a gentleman to whom I feel myself obliged, as an American,
on account of his good-will to our cause.
"Whoever writes to a stranger should observe three points: 1. That
what he proposes be practicable. 2. His propositions should be made
in explicit terms, so as to be easily understood. 3. What he desires,
should be in itself reasonable. Hereby he will give a favourable
impression of his understanding, and create a desire of farther
acquaintance. Now it happened that you were negligent in all these
points: for, first, you desired to have means procured for you of
taking a voyage to America 'avec sureté,[19] which is not possible, as
the dangers of the sea subsist always, and at present there is the
additional danger of being taken by the English. Then you desire
that this may be 'sans trop grandes dépenses,'[20] which is not
intelligible enough to be answered, because, not knowing your
ability of bearing expenses, one cannot judge what may be trop
grandes. Lastly, you desire letters of address to the Congress and to
General Washington, which it is not reasonable to ask of one who
knows no more of you than that your name is Lith, and that you live
at Bayreuth.
"In your last, you also express yourself in vague terms when you
desire to be informed whether you may expect 'd'étre reçu d'une
maniére cenvenable'[21] in our troops. As it is impossible to know
what your ideas are of the maniére convenable, how can one answer
this? And then you demand whether I will support you by my
authority in giving you letters of recommendation. I doubt not your
being a man of merit, and, knowing it yourself, you may forget that
it is not known to everybody; but reflect a moment, sir, and you will
be convinced, that if I were to practise giving letters of
recommendation to persons whose character I knew no more than I
do of yours, my recommendations would soon be of no authority at
all.
"I thank you, however, for your kind desire of being serviceable to
my countrymen, and I wish, in return, that I could be of service to
you in the scheme you have formed of going to America. But
numbers of experienced officers here have offered to go over and
join our army, and I could give them no encouragement, because I
have no orders for that purpose, and I know it is extremely difficult
to place them when they come there. I cannot but think, therefore,
that it is best for you not to make so long, so expensive, and so
hazardous a voyage, but to take the advice of your friends and stay
in Franconia. I have the honour to be, sir, &c.,
"B. Franklin."
[19] With safety.
[20] Without too great expense.
[21] To be received in a suitable manner.

Answer to a letter from Brussels.

"Passy, July 1, 1778.
"Sir,
"I received your letter dated at Brussels the 16th past.
"My vanity might possibly be flattered by your expressions of
compliment to my understanding, if your proposals did not more
clearly manifest a mean opinion of it.
"You conjure me, in the name of the omniscient and just God, before
whom I must appear, and by my hopes of future fame, to consider if
some expedient cannot be found to put a stop to the desolation of
America, and prevent the miseries of a general war. As I am
conscious of having taken every step in my power to prevent the
breach, and no one to widen it, I can appear cheerfully before that
God, fearing nothing from his justice in this particular, though I have
much occasion for his mercy in many others. As to my future fame, I
am content to rest it on my past and present conduct, without
seeking an addition to it in the crooked, dark paths you propose to
me, where I should most certainly lose it. This your solemn address
would, therefore, have been more properly made to your sovereign
and his venal parliament. He and they, who wickedly began and
madly continue a war for the desolation of America, are accountable
for the consequences.
"You endeavour to impress me with a bad opinion of French faith;
but the instances of their friendly endeavours to serve a race of
weak princes, who by their own imprudence defeated every attempt
to promote their interest, weigh but little with me when I consider
the steady friendship of France to the thirteen United States of
Switzerland, which has now continued inviolate two hundred years.
You tell me that she will certainly cheat us, and that she despises us
already. I do not believe that she will cheat us, and I am not certain
that she despises us: but I see clearly that you are endeavouring to
cheat us by your conciliatory bills; that you actually despised our
understandings when you flattered yourselves those artifices would
succeed; and that not only France, but all Europe, yourselves
included, most certainly and for ever, would despise us if we were
weak enough to accept your insidious propositions.
"Our expectations of the future grandeur of America are not so
magnificent, and, therefore, not so vain and visionary, as you
represent them to be. The body of our people are not merchants,
but humble husbandmen, who delight in the cultivation of their
lands, which, from their fertility and the variety of our climates, are
capable of furnishing all the necessaries of life without external
commerce; and we have too much land to have the slightest
temptation to extend our territory by conquest from peaceable
neighbours, as well as too much justice to think of it. Our militia, you
find by experience, are sufficient to defend our lands from invasion;
and the commerce with us will be defended by all the nations who
find an advantage in it. We therefore have not the occasion you
imagine, of fleets or standing armies, but may leave those expensive
machines to be maintained for the pomp of princes and the wealth
of ancient states. We propose, if possible, to live in peace with all
mankind; and, after you have been convinced, to your cost, that
there is nothing to be got by attacking us, we have reason to hope
that no other power will judge it prudent to quarrel with us, lest they
divert us from our own quiet industry, and turn us into corsairs
preying upon theirs. The weight, therefore, of an independent
empire, which you seem certain of our inability to bear, will not be so
great as you imagine. The expense of our civil government we have
always borne, and can easily bear, because it is small. A virtuous and
laborious people may be cheaply governed. Determining as we do to
have no offices of profit, nor any sinecures or useless appointments,
so common in ancient and corrupted states, we can govern
ourselves a year for the sum you pay in a single department, or for
what one jobbing contractor, by the favour of a minister, can cheat
you out of in a single article.
"You think we flatter ourselves, and are deceived into an opinion
that England must acknowledge our independence. We, on the other
hand, think you flatter yourselves in imagining such an
acknowledgment a vast boon which we strongly desire, and which
you may gain some great advantage by granting or withholding. We
have never asked it of you. We only tell you that you can have no
treaty with us but as an independent state; and you may please
yourselves and your children with the rattle of your right to govern
us, as long as you have with that of your king being king of France,
without giving us the least concern if you do not attempt to exercise
it. That this pretended right is indisputable, as you say, we utterly
deny. Your parliament never had a right to govern us, and your king
has forfeited it by his bloody tyranny. But I thank you for letting me
know a little of your mind, that even if the Parliament should
acknowledge our independence, the act would not be binding to
posterity, and that your nation would resume and prosecute the
claim as soon as they found it convenient from the influence of your
passions and your present malice against us. We suspected before
that you would not be bound by your conciliatory acts longer than till
they had served their purpose of inducing us to disband our forces;
but we were not certain that you were knaves by principle, and that
we ought not to have the least confidence in your offers, promises,
or treaties, though confirmed by Parliament. I now indeed recollect
my being informed, long since, when in England, that a certain very
great personage, then young, studied much a certain book, entitled
Arcana imperii [Secrets of governing]. I had the curiosity to procure
the book and read it. There are sensible and good things in it, but
some bad ones; for, if I remember right, a particular king is
applauded for his politically exciting a rebellion among his subjects
at a time when they had not strength to support it, that he might, in
subduing them, take away their privileges which were troublesome
to him: and a question is formally stated and discussed, Whether a
prince, to appease a revolt, makes promises of indemnity to the
revolters, is obliged to fulfil those promises? Honest and good men
would say ay; but this politician says as you say, no. And he gives
this pretty reason, that though it was right to make the promises,
because otherwise the revolt would not be suppressed, yet it would
be wrong to keep them, because revolters ought to be punished to
deter future revolts. If these are the principles of your nation, no
confidence can be placed in you; it is in vain to treat with you, and
the wars can only end in being reduced to an utter inability of
continuing them.
"One main drift of your letter seems to be to impress me with an
idea of your own impartiality, by just censures of your ministers and
measures, and to draw from me propositions of peace, or
approbations of those you have enclosed me, which you intimate
may by your means be conveyed to the king directly, without the
intervention of those ministers. Would you have me give them to, or
drop them for a stranger I may find next Monday in the Church of
Notre Dame, to be known by a rose in his hat? You yourself, sir, are
quite unknown to me; you have not trusted me with your right
name. Our taking the least step towards a treaty with England,
through you, might, if you are an enemy, be made use of to ruin us
with our new and good friends. I may be indiscreet enough in many
things, but certainly, if I were disposed to make propositions (which
I cannot do, having none committed to me to make), I should never
think of delivering them to the Lord knows who, to be carried the
Lord knows where, to serve no one knows what purposes. Being at
this time one of the most remarkable figures in Paris, even my
appearance in the Church of Notre Dame, where I cannot have any
conceivable business, and especially being seen to leave or drop any
letter to any person there would be a matter of some speculation,
and might, from the suspicions it must naturally give, have very
mischievous consequences to our credit here. The very proposing of
a correspondence so to be managed, in a manner not necessary
where fair dealing is intended, gives just reason to suppose you
intend the contrary. Besides, as your court has sent commissioners
to treat with the Congress, with all the powers that would be given
them by the crown under the act of Parliament, what good purpose
can be served by privately obtaining propositions from us? Before
those commissioners went, we might have treated in virtue of our
general powers (with the knowledge, advice, and approbation of our
friends), upon any propositions made to us. But, under the present
circumstances, for us to make propositions while a treaty is
supposed to be actually on foot with the Congress, would be
extremely improper, highly presumptuous with regard to our
honourable constituents, and answer no good end whatever.
"I write this letter to you, notwithstanding (which I think I can
convey in a less mysterious manner; and guess it may come to your
hands); I write it because I would let you know our sense of your
procedure, which appears as insidious as that of your conciliatory
bills. Your true way to obtain peace, if your ministers desire it, is to
propose openly to the Congress fair and equal terms; and you may
possibly come sooner to such a resolution, when you find that
personal flatteries, general cajolings, and panegyrics on our virtue
and wisdom are not likely to have the effect you seem to expect; the
persuading us to act basely and foolishly in betraying our country
and posterity into the hands of our most bitter enemies; giving up or
selling of our arms and warlike stores, dismissing our ships of war
and troops, and putting those enemies in possession of our forts and
ports. This proposition of delivering ourselves, bound and gagged,
ready for hanging, without even a right to complain, and without
even a friend to be found afterward among all mankind, you would
have us embrace on the faith of an act of Parliament! Good God! an
act of your Parliament! This demonstrates that you do not yet know
us, and that you fancy we do not know you: but it is not merely this
flimsy faith that we are to act upon; you offer us hope, the hope of
PLACES, PENSIONS, and PEERAGE. These, judging from yourselves,
you think are motives irresistible. This offer to corrupt us, sir, is with
me your credential, and convinces me that you are not a private
volunteer in your application. It bears the stamp of British court
intrigue, and the signature of your king. But think for a moment in
what light it must be viewed in America. By places which cannot
come among us, for you take care by a special article to keep them
to yourselves. We must then pay the salaries in order to enrich
ourselves with these places. But you will give us PENSIONS;
probably to be paid, too, out of your expected American revenue;
and which none of us can accept without deserving, and, perhaps,
obtaining a suspension. PEERAGES! Alas! sir, our long observation of
the vast servile majority of your peers, voting constantly for every
measure proposed by a minister, however weak or wicked, leaves us
small respect for them, and we consider it a sort of tar-and-
feathered honour, or a mixture of foulness and folly; which every
man among us who should accept from your king, would be obliged
to renounce or exchange for that conferred by the mobs of their own
country, or wear it with everlasting shame.
"B. Franklin."

"Dr. Price, London.

 "Passy, February 6, 1780.
"Dear Sir,
"I received but very lately your kind favour of October 14. Dr.
Ingenhausz, who brought it, having stayed long in Holland. I sent
the enclosed directly to Mr. L. It gave me great pleasure to
understand that you continue well. Your writings, after all the abuse
you and they have met with, begin to make serious impressions on
those who at first rejected the counsels you gave; and they will
acquire new weight every day, and be in high esteem when the
cavils against them are dead and forgotten. Please to present my
affectionate respects to that honest, sensible, and intelligent society,
who did me so long the honour of admitting me to share in their
instructive conversations. I never think of the hours I so happily
spent in that company, without regretting that they are never to be
repeated; for I see no prospect of an end to this unhappy war in my
time. Dr. Priestley, you tell me, continues his experiments with
success. We make daily great improvements in natural—there is one
I wish to see in moral philosophy; the discovery of a plan that would
induce and oblige nations to settle their disputes without first cutting
one another's throats. When will human reason be sufficiently
improved to see the advantage of this? When will men be convinced
that even successful wars at length become misfortunes to those
who unjustly commenced them, and who triumphed blindly in their
success, not seeing all its consequences. Your great comfort and
mine in this war is, that we honestly and faithfully did everything in
our power to prevent it. Adieu, and believe me ever, my dear friend,
yours, &c.,
"B. Franklin."

"Dr. Priestley.
"Passy, February 8, 1780.
"Dear Sir,
"Your kind letter of September 27 came to hand but very lately, the
bearer having stayed long in Holland.
"I always rejoice to hear of your being still employed in experimental
researches into nature, and of the success you meet with. The rapid
progress true science now makes, occasions my regretting
sometimes that I was born so soon: it is impossible to imagine the
height to which may be carried, in a thousand years, the power of
man over matter; we may perhaps learn to deprive large masses of
their gravity, and give them absolute levity for the sake of easy
transport. Agriculture may diminish its labour and double its
produce; all diseases may by sure means be prevented or cured (not
excepting even that of old age), and our lives lengthened at pleasure
even beyond the antediluvian standard. Oh! that moral science were
in as fair a way of improvement; that men would cease to be wolves
to one another; and that human beings would at length learn what
they now improperly call humanity!
"I am glad that my little paper on the Aurora Borealis pleased. If it
should occasion farther inquiry, and so produce a better hypothesis,
it will not be wholly useless.
"B. Franklin."

[Enclosed in the foregoing letter; being an answer to a separate paper

received from Dr. Priestley]

"I have considered the situation of that person very attentively; I

think that, with a little help from the Moral Algebra, he might form a
better judgment than any other person can form for him. But, since
my opinion seems to be desired, I give it for continuing to the end of
the term, under all the present disagreeable circumstances: the
connexion will then die a natural death. No reason will be expected
to be given for the separation, and, of course, no offence taken at
reasons given; the friendship may still subsist, and, in some other
way, be useful. The time diminishes daily, and is usefully employed.
All human situations have their inconveniences; we feel those that
we find in the present, and we neither feel nor see those that exist
in another. Hence we make frequent and troublesome changes
without amendment, and often for the worse. In my youth, I was
passenger in a little sloop descending the river Delaware. There
being no wind, we were obliged, when the ebb was spent, to cast
anchor and wait for the next. The heat of the sun on the vessel was
excessive, the company strangers to me, and not very agreeable.
Near the river-side I saw what I took to be a pleasant green
meadow, in the middle of which was a large shady tree, where it
struck my fancy I could sit and read (having a book in my pocket),
and pass the time agreeably till the tide turned; I therefore prevailed
with the captain to put me ashore. Being landed, I found the
greatest part of my meadow was really a marsh, in crossing which,
to come at my tree, I was up to my knees in mire: and I had not
placed myself under its shade five minutes before the moschetoes in
swarms found me out, attacked my legs, hands, and face, and made
my reading and my rest impossible; so that I returned to the beach,
and called for the boat to come and take me on board again, where
I was obliged to bear the heat I had strove to quit, and also the
laugh of the company. Similar cases in the affairs of life have since
frequently fallen under my observation.
"I have had thoughts of a college for him in America; I know no one
who might be more useful to the public in the institution of youth.
But there are possible unpleasantnesses in that situation: it cannot
be obtained but by a too hazardous voyage at this time for a family:
and the time for experiments would be all otherwise engaged.
"B. Franklin."

"To General Washington.

Welcome to our website – the perfect destination for book lovers and
knowledge seekers. We believe that every book holds a new world,
offering opportunities for learning, discovery, and personal growth.
That’s why we are dedicated to bringing you a diverse collection of
books, ranging from classic literature and specialized publications to
self-development guides and children's books.

More than just a book-buying platform, we strive to be a bridge

connecting you with timeless cultural and intellectual values. With an
elegant, user-friendly interface and a smart search system, you can
quickly find the books that best suit your interests. Additionally,
our special promotions and home delivery services help you save time
and fully enjoy the joy of reading.

Join us on a journey of knowledge exploration, passion nurturing, and

personal growth every day!

ebookbell.com