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First game is very important statistically. If we look in history, we see that the player who wins the first game usually wins the hole match. Before the battle I should like to bet on Ivanchuk. Now everything changed. Ponomariov is the right bet. It should be three to two. How he won only in 23 moves. In psychology the important factor is not only the result, but much more important is how it was done. Todays game was for Black complete disaster. The game did not start yet when it was suddenly over.
1.e4
e6
Some so called specialists pointed out that Ponomariov was already at age of eleven quite positional player. If this is true then the choise of opening was not good. Ivanchuk won very convincingly against Kasparov in 1995 in Horgen with French defense, but this strategy was recommended against Kasparov by late Botvinnik. French defense is very solid and to brake it only with tactical means is difficult. However Ponomariov is not Kasparov.
2.d4
d5
3.Nc3
Nf6
4.Bg5
dxe4!?
This line gain popularity thanks to your commentator. I played this system at the first World Cup series. In 1988 I won against Timman in Belfort. The choice was made particulary for simple reason. I was newcomer and draw was required result by my seconds. Today I believe that other options are better.
5.Nxe4
Be7
6.Bxf6
Bxf6
[6...gxf6
was played by Morozevich against Ponomariov in earlier stage on this championship, but wihtout success.]
7.Nf3
0-0
8.Qd2
Be7
9.0-0-0!?N
Yes I played this myself against Khalifman in 2000 and it is not officially novelty, but actually it is, because in the game against Khalifman in Bali
super tournament I was satisfied with draw.
9...Qd5?
Khalifman is very well known specialist in chess theory as well as Ivanchuk. This time it was not better to trust the 14th World Champion. Better move was just 9...Nd7.
10.Nc3
Qa5
11.a3!N
I played [11.Ne5
Bb4
12.Nc4
Bxc3
13.Nxa5
Bxd2+
14.Rxd2=
]
11...Nd7
12.Kb1
Useful move, in some lines Nd5 is the point and the capture on d2 is not with check.
12...Qb6?
[12...c6!
was very strong, the Qeen can have safe square on c7 and later on b5 and a5 are even possible. In this case all the battle was ahead. Move played by Ivanchuk shows that he was not ready yet for the match. We hope that his fever is not long lasting and he can recover from the first game.]
13.Qe3!+/=
This small move easily protects the threat Ba3.
13...Nf6
[13...Bxa3?
14.Na4+-
]
14.Ne5
Rd8
15.Bc4
Bd7
16.Bb3
Be8
17.Rhe1
Bf8
18.g4
Nd5
19.Qf3
c6?!
[19...Nxc3+
20.Qxc3
g6
21.f4
Bg7
22.f5
was also bad.]
20.Ne4
Qc7
21.c4
Ne7?
Last mistake, better was [21...Nb6
]
22.Ng5
Nc8
23.c5
# Black had instead of resigning move 23... Qb8! Impressive and clean job by Ponomariov. 1-0
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