The analysts for the World Team in the Kasparov vs. The World are all rising young chess superstars. These are the next generation of names that will rise to the top of the chess-playing world. If you're unsure what move to play against World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov, our analysts can point you in the right direction with their thoughtful responses.

The World's last move, 24...Qe4, was undoubtedly the best. The pawn on f5 was threatened, so the Queen moved over to protect it; and at the same time she returned to the centre of the board preventing, for instance, White's rook from occupying the e1 square. Such CENTRALISATION is classic chess strategy. From the centre of the board the Queen controls more squares than it would at the side, so has a greater influence on the game.

In reply, Garry has played 25 Qf7, which was one of the many moves considered here by World Team members on the bulletin boards. This position has been the subject of much debate over the past week as it looked more and more likely that this was where we were heading. Therefore, it seems a good moment to take stock of the situation.

Taking a straight piece count, we can see that there is still a dynamic balance between the two armies. The only difference between them is that the World has a Knight and two pawns (three + two points) against Garry's rook (worth five points) - so from that viewpoint there is equality. Therefore we have to look at other factors in the position to gain a better understanding of what is going on.

Both sides have PASSED PAWNS, that is, pawns which are not obstructed in their path to the other side of the board by other pawns. We can see that Garry has a passed h-pawn; and the World has passed b-pawns and a passed d-pawn. As more pieces are exchanged, the power and influence of these passed pawns increases as it becomes easier for them to move down the board. Remember, if a pawn gets to the eighth rank they promote to a Queen - which could easily decide the game.

I think this partly explains Garry's last move, 25 Qf7. He appreciated that as Black's Bishop was so well placed on the central diagonal it would be impossible to get his h-pawn safely home; on the other hand, Black's b-pawn, once the Bishop moved out of the way, would have been extremely dangerous. Therefore, he has nudged his Queen over so that it is ready, if necessary, to move back to b3, firmly preventing the b-pawn from rolling forward.

Black could consider playing the passed d-pawn forward instead, but that just feels too loose to me. At the moment the king is comfortably placed behind the two central pawns. Pushing either of them forward would expose his majesty unnecessarily.

From f7 White's Queen also keeps up the pressure on the e7 pawn, preventing Black's Knight and Queen from roaming too far.

By the way, just a few moves ago I was advising that it would be highly desirable for Black to exchange Queens to reduce the pressure on his King. Now the situation has changed. With the exchange of pieces over the past few moves the World's King is relatively secure, so there is no need to go in for a trade. In fact, Garry would very much like to exchange Queens as that would allow his Rook into the game; and the passed h-pawn would grow in stature.

The position is still extremely tense. Over the next few moves I think we can see Garry attempting to bring his Rook to a more active position, and the World must remain as solid as possible to prevent any incursion.

I'll be discussing the situation in more detail in the Zone theatre chat room at 2pm PST (10 pm London) today. See you then!

d5 to Kasparov's Qf7

Black has various possible plans in this difficult position. One is Nd4 to centralize the Knight. But it seems the Knight is better on c6 to protect the Black King and control the square e7 and the other squares in the centre (e5, d4, b4).

I will propose the move d6-d5. With this, we will close the diagonal g8-a2 and the White Queen doesn't return to b3 or a2. Now this can follow: 25. Be3 d4 26. Rd1 Kc7 and Black is better off. Better for White is 25. Rd1 and now Bd4 or Kd6 and if now Qg6+ the King will go to c7. The King and the Knight are now a perfect pair.

Bd4 to Kasparov's Qf7

I think that the best move in the given position is 25...Bd4 because we clear the way for the "b" pawn and we put more pressure on White's King. The Knight's move on d4 looks to me like an anxious move pretending to be active and dangerous. Against 25...Bd4 White has two options: 1) to have complete faith in his "h" pawn and therefore advance it, or 2) to try to stop us from advancing our passed pawn while slowly improving his position. After 26.h4 Black can play 26...b5 27.h5 Qg4 28 Be3 and now 28...Ne5 doesn't look sufficient for Black because of 29.Qd5 Bxe3 30. Qxb7+ Ke6 31.Qc8+, but we still have other options as 28...Qe4!? or even 28...Bf6 with an intricate line. Another interesting option for Black might be 27...Qe6 to exchange Queens, so the danger to our King is decreased and we can transfer our King to guard White's passed pawn while we keep trying to push our passed pawns. Anyway, there are a lot of moves to be considerated but I think that all should start with 25...Bd4 otherwise we can find Black's position defenseless.

Bd4 to Kasparov's Qf7

The position is very difficult because White is ready to push his h pawn. I recommend that The World put its Bishop at the center of the board by moving Bd4.

Bd4 to Kasparov's Qf7

SUMMARY

I recommend the World plays the move 25...Bd4 (Bishop on b2 to d4)

The World Champion played 25.Qf7 - maintaining his pressure on our e7- and f5-points, while creating the option of bringing his queen to the QUEENSIDE with Qf7-b3 in order to impede the advance of Black's PASSED b-pawn. From f7, the White Queen assists in the advance of White's PASSED h-pawn. I am recommending that Black proceeds with the CENTRALIZING move 25...Bd4. From d4 (a square firmly under Black's control since the opening battle) the Black bishop radiates its influence in several important directions: it pressures White's sensitive f2-point; it prepares for the advance of Black's b-pawn (crucial to our counterplay) to b2; the MANEUVER Bd6-c5 becomes a possibility (shielding the c-file and lending additional defensive support to the Black King); it maintains coverage of the h8-square (the queening square of White's h-pawn).

ANALYSIS SECTION

After 25.Qf7 Bd4, we can examine two main options for White, which illustrate the basic ideas in the position:

A) White's Queen returns to the queenside, for example 26.Qb3 Bc5 (also possible is 26...Kc7 27.h4 Bc5 as given by GM School) 27.Be3 Kc7 And now;

A1) 28.Re1 allows 28...f4 29.Bd2 (29.Qxb6+? loses to 29...Kc8) 29...Qd4 30.Re2 d5, intending e7-e5, and Black has a nice position;

A2) 28.Rc1 f4 29.Bxc5 (29.Rc4 Qe6 30.Bxc5 bxc5, and Black is at least equal) 29...bxc5 30.Rb1 Nb4, with an unclear position;

A3) 28.Qb1 Qe5 29.Re1 (as given by GM Danny King), and now 29...Qf6 30.Qb3 (30.Bxc5?! bxc5, favors Black) 30...f4, and Black is fine;

A4) 28.Rb1 Na5 29.Qb5 Nc4 30.Bxc5 (30.Bc1 d5, is good for Black) 30...bxc5 31.Rc1 Nb6, is unclear. White can repeat the position with 32.Rb1 Nc4.

B) White advances his passed pawn, for example: 26.h4 b5, and now;

B1) 27.Qb3 b4 28.h5 (28.Rb1 e6!? looks nice for Black) 28...Qg4, and Black is OK.

B2) 27.h5 b4 28.h6 Qe6 29.Qxe6+ (or 29.Qh5 b3 30.Be3 Bh8 31.Re1 b2 32.Qd1 Qc4 as given by Spiriev. I believe this favors Black, for example: 33.Qh5 Qc2) 29...Kxe6 (with an endgame I have studied with my trainers GM Henley and GM Kacheishvili) 30.Bd2 (or 30.Rb1 Bc3, with an unclear endgame, in which I think Black's chances are fine) 30...Kf7 31.Rb1 Bc3 32.Be3 (but not 32.Bxc3? bxc3 33.Rc1 Nd4 34.Kf1 c2 35.Ke1 b5, and Black is winning) 32...d5, when the endgame is unclear, but again I feel Black is doing fine.