Style Analysis by GM Michael Rohde:
Gurevich prefers sharp and interesting positions, and among the top
GMs, probably goes furthest along the scale of considering chess an art.
Gurevich is also a fierce competitor, and often places his hands over his ears
as if to focus total attention on the chessboard. Gurevich's preference for
originality leads him to both offer and accept sacrifices, or to be on either
side of the space vs. time equation. In the position after 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3
d5 g6 4 Nc3 Bg7 5 e4 d6 6 Bd3 e6 7 h3 O-O 8 Nf3 exd5 9 exd5 Re8+, while most
players are satisfied with 10 Be3 (10 ... Bh6 11 O-O), Gurevich prefers the
more unbalancing 10 Kf1, figuring White's space advantage will make up for the
uncastled king. Gurevich is a very talented tactical counter-puncher, and his
great experience in unclear situations has made him an imaginative and
dangerous endgame player. Gurevich is definitely one of the most modest GMs
(regarding his chess ability), but few of his colleagues see it that way.
Openings: Gurevich plays 1 d4 as White and likes to pursue distinctive lines,
such as Korchnoi's revival of Nf3-e1 in the Classical King's Indian (which he
studied with the great master). Gurevich has no problem battling the
Nimzo-Indian Defense; many other American GMs have become very wary of the
Huebner line of the Nimzo. As Black against 1 d4, Gurevich has for many years
essayed the Modern Benoni, and has been discussing lines of the Benoni in the
U.S. Championship for eons. As Black against 1 e4, Gurevich usually sticks
with the Classical Sicilian, allowing White to enter the Richter-Rauzer or the
Velimirovic.
Style: Christiansen is a very dangerous opponent for a number of reasons. An
enormous natural talent, Christiansen is perhaps the most skillful attacking
player in America. At the same time, Christiansen has an encroaching style,
and confidently tries to usurp the initiative and outplay the opposition from
even neutral or bland positions. One of the most difficult tasks in chess is
to select from many complicated alternatives in unbalanced positions, and
Christiansen seems to move through these positions smoothly, and has an
eminently practical approach to the game as well. In the 1997 Championship,
Christiansen staged a remarkable comeback against Yasser Seirawan after
falling behind in the Semi-Finals; Christiansen is a steady performer who
rebounds with great determination after losses.
Openings: Surprisingly, the openings may be considered a relative weak point
in Christiansen's armor. Although he has a fantastically wide repertoire, and
despite his huge experience playing against the best in the world, he has not
specialized in any set group of openings to the degree that many of his
colleagues have. While this makes Christiansen very hard to prepare for, it
also places on him the burden of avoiding any lines on which the opponent
might be super-specialized. Christiansen generally prefers 1 d4 and is
comfortable battling both the Nimzo- and Queen's Indian, and can play multiple
systems against the King's Indian. After a loss, Christiansen will often
resort to 1 e4, employing main line attacking systems. As Black against 1 e4,
Christiansen can play just about anything, but seems to rely on the Taimanov
or related Sicilians, the Caro-Kann, and Double King-Pawn. Against 1 d4,
Christiansen will most frequently use the Nimzo / Queen's Indian, the King's
Indian, the Slav or the Queen's Gambit Accepted or Declined.
