Gufeld,E (2475) - Gaprindashvili,N (2365) [B00]
Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur (8), 1994

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In our final game we are again treated to the unique style of Nona Gaprindashvili.  She outwits Gufeld completely in a blocked position.

1.e4 b6 2.d4 Bb7 3.Bd3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 e6 6.c4

Gufeld told me once at Hastings ( 'ASTING ) that he never enjoyed playing against women, 'MOI FREEEENNNNDDD OI CANNOT TAKE THAYME SERIOUUUUSLYYY' - I LOVE WOMAN TOOOO MUCH......."  That's roughly what he said anyway.

6...Ne7 7.Nc3 0-0 8.Re1 d6 9.Be3 Nd7

And now he will have to fight himself again because big Nona is clearly up for it.  Returning to the chess I don't think that the upcoming blocked centre worries Black at all.  In fact Gaprindashvil is delighted that the pace of the game slows down giving her ample time to get organized.

10.Qd2 e5! 11.Bh6 c5

12.d5?

I don't understand this at all-it is just nonsense to block the position.  I prefer 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.Rad1 Nc6 14.Nd5 Nd4 15.Nxd4 cxd4 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.f4 f6 18.Rf1 Rc8 19.b4 Bxd5 20.exd5 Qe7, unclear, but with White a shade better.

12...Kh8 13.Bxg7+ Kxg7 14.Nb5 Qb8 15.a3 Ng8

A typical King's Indian manouvre, re-routing the Knight to a better square.

16.b4 Ngf6 17.Rab1 Ba6 18.g3 Rc8 19.Rbc1 Bxb5 20.cxb5 Rc7 21.Rc2 Qd8 22.Rec1 Rac8=

Gaprindashvili has sorted her position out nicely and can now think about playing for the win for the first time.  White's Bishop on d3 hasn't got a great deal of potential.

23.Qd1 c4! 24.Rxc4 Rxc4 25.Rxc4 Rxc4 26.Bxc4 Nxe4 27.Qc2 Nef6 28.Bb3 e4

Making way for a Knight to come to e5, in turn covering c6.

29.Nd4 Ne5 30.Kg2 Qd7 31.Qe2 Qc8 32.Nc6 Nf3! 33.Qe3 Qf5

The signs that Black is about to begin a direct attack are all there.

34.Qf4

Gufeld is upset-his timid offer to exchange Queens is the best that he has.  If White tries to be bold the Black attack becomes too strong:  34.Nxa7 Nxh2 35.a4 (35.Qxb6 Qf3+ 36.Kxh2 e3!-+ This theme runs through the position.; 35.Qf4 Qh5 36.g4 Nhxg4 37.Nc8 e3!! 38.fxe3 Nxe3+ 39.Qxe3 Qg4+ 40.Qg3 Qxc8 41.Qxd6 Qc3) 35...Nhg4 36.Qf4 Qh5-+; 34.h3 Nxd5 35.Bxd5 Qxd5 36.Nxa7 f5 37.Qc3+ Ne5 38.Kh2 Qd3 39.Qc7+ Kh6 40.Qc1+ g5 41.h4 e3 42.hxg5+ Kh5!+-

34...Qh5 35.h4 Ne1+! 36.Kf1 Nd3

It's very bad now.

37.Qe3 Qf5 38.Kg2 Ng4 39.Qd4+ Kh6 40.Bd1 Ngxf2 41.Qe3+ Kg7 42.Qd4+ f6 0-1

A very fine concluding attack by Gaprindashvili.

What can a short article do apart from alert the reader? I am sure that this unusual move-order holds promise for Black and will bemuse many players.  Black gives White plenty of rope in the true 'Modern' style and keeps off the theoretical highways at the same time.  Different and original.
 

The Hippopotamus Rises From the Swamp - Part 1
1.e4 b6 2.d4 Bb7 3.Bd3 g6 4.f4 f5

The Hippopotamus Rises From the Swamp - Part 2
1.e4 b6 2.d4 Bb7 3.Bd3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 d6

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