Jack Rabbit Chess Report for November 12: Hippopotamus Edition

[Jack Rabbit]

The Jack Rabbit Chess Report
for the week ending November 12


Image: Chess City from E-cards

Contents

Post 1: News for the week
Post 2: Diagrams and other features
Post 3: Games from Current and Recent Events
Post 4: The Hippopotamus Game: Mikhail Tal - Evgeny Vasiukov, Soviet Championship, Kiev, 1965

[Jack Rabbit]

1. News for the week ending November 12

Kasimdzhanov wins Corsica Masters' rapid event



Grandmaster Rustam Kasimdzhanov of Uzbekistan won the tenth annual Corsica Masters' Tournament, a rapid Knock out event, by defeating the world's premiere master chess, Indian grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, in the final two-game match in Bastia, on the northeastern tip of the Mediterranean island of Corsica (France) last Sunday.

Kasimdzhanov earned the right to face Anand by defeating French grandmaster Etienne Bacrot in the Semi-Final. Earlier this month, Bacrot was a quarter-finalist in another prestigious rapid event, the Cap d'Agde Masters'. Meanwhile, Anand defeated Murtas Kazhgaleyev of Kazakhstan in his semi-final match.

In the first game of the final match, Kasimdzhanov scored a fine victory as Black (see below). The second game ended in a draw.

Kasimdzhanov, the 36th ranked player in the world according to the latest ratings at conventional chess, is now one the best in the world at rapid chess. Next summer, he will play Anand for the title of world rapid chess champion at the Mainz Chess Festival. Anand has successfully defended the title annually for seven years.

This is the first time Kasimdzhanov has won the Corsica Masters'; Anand has won the event five times.


Ponomariov leads Tal Memorial after five rounds.



Ukrainian grandmaster Ruslan Ponomariov is leading the Tal Memorial Tournament in Moscow after five rounds with 3½ points.

Tied for second place with 3 points each are Levon Aronian of Armenia, Peter Svidler of Russia and Peter Leko of Hungary.

Among the leaders, Ponomariov and Aronian have scored two wins each. However, Ponomariov has drawn his other three games, while Aronian has two draws and one loss. Svidler and Leko each have one victory and four draws.

Ponomariov has had a rough year on the international circuit. As recently as a year ago he was ranked in the top ten; a series of poor results this year have dropped him to 20th.

Aronian has had an up-and-down year in which he won at Linares in March and was ranked third, but then had a disappointing result at Dortmund in July. He is currently ranked seventh.

[Jack Rabbit]

2. Diagrams and other features of the JR Chess Report

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White to move
This position is a theoretical draw

Does this picture make sense to you? If not, or if it looks like a bunch of Wingdings, please click here.

Diagrams used in the Jack Rabbit Chess Report are made with Chess Merida, a true type font that is available as freeware at the above link.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Games from current and recent events

Chess Games
Analysis by JR and Fritz

Levon Aronian - Alexander Morozevich, Tal Memorial, Round 1, Moscow
Vishy Anand - Rustam Kasidzhanov, Corsica Masters' Final Match, Round 1, Bastia
Sergey Karjakin - Zhao Xue, Masters' Quarter-Finals, Round 1, Cap d'Agde
Teimour Radjabov - Sergey Karjakin, Masters' Final, Round 2, Cap d'Agde
Ruslan Ponomariov - Alexander Grischuk, Tal Memorial, Round 1, Moscow
Levon Aronian - Peter Svidler, Tal Memorial, Round 3, Moscow

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Aronian - Morozevich, Tal Memorial, Moscow

Levon Aronian
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Levon Aronian vs. Alexander Monozevich
Tal Memorial Tournament, Round 1
Moscow, November 2006

Queen's Gambit: Hastings Opening (Queen's Gambit Accepted)

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 dxc4 4. e3 a6 5. a4 Nf6 6. Bxc4 c5 7. 0-0 Nc6 8. Qe2 Be7 9. Rd1 Qc7

• A good alternative is 9. -- cxd4 10. Nxd4 when:
• 10. -- Qc7 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. b3 0-0 13. Bb2 Bb7 14. Nd2 is equal.
• after 10. -- Nxd4 11. exd4 Qc7 12. Nc3 Bd6 13. h3 0-0 14. Bg5 White has active pieces, but Black will develop some play around White's isolated Queen's pawn.

10. dxc5 0-0

• Black elects to put his King in safety first.
• If 10. -- Bxc5 11. b3 e5 12. Nc3 then:
• 12. -- 0-0 13. Nd5 Nxd5 14. Bxd5 gives White more active minor pieces.
• 12. -- e4? 13. Ng5 Bg4 14. Nd5 Qc8 15. f3 leaves White with a strong edge in that his active pieces are focused on f7.

11. b3 e5!?

• The text move is risky in that it allows White to retain an extra pawn momentarily.
• If 11. -- Bxc5 then:
• 12. Ba3 b6 13. bb2 e5 14. h3 Bb7 15. Nbc2 giving White slightly better piece activity.
• 12. Bb2 e5 13. h3 Bf5 14. Nc3 e4 Nd5 is equal.

12. h3 e4 13. Nd4 Ne5

• Black prepares to retake the pawn.
• 13. -- Bxc5 14. Nxc6 bxc6 15. Ba3 Bxa3 16. Nxa3 Rb8 17. Rab1 gives White an active Bishop and command of the d-file.

14. b4 b6 15. Nd2 bxc5 16. bxc5 Bxc5 17. Ba3

• Black has regained his pawn with a slight edge for White.
• 17. Bb2 Rd8 18. Rac1 Qe7 19. N4b3 Bd6 20. Bd4 Qe8 21. Bb6 +=

17. -- Bxa3 18. Rxa3 Ng6

• Black could level the game with18. -- Rd8 19. Rc1 Qd7 20. Rb1 Ra7 21. a5 Nxc4 22. Nxc4

19. Nf1 Qc5!?

• Black wants to see what comes of activating his Queen.
• Black might have tried 19. -- Ne5 20. Rc3 Qa5 21. Qc2 and now:
• 21. -- Bd7! 22. Nb3 Qxa4 23. Rd4 Nxc4 24. Rdxc4 Qb5 gives Black a slight edge with his active Queen.
• 21. -- Bb7?! 22. Rb1 Rab8 23. Be2 gives White the edge with his active Rook and Bishop.

20. Rc3 Qg5 21. Ng3 h5!?

• Black weakens his kingside.
• Correct is 21. -- Ne5 22. Bb3 Rd8 23. Bc2 Rb8 24. Rc7 Bd7 25. Ra7 give White a slight edge thanks to his active Rook.

22. Kh1 Nh4?

• Black is threatening 23. -- Nxg2 24. Kxg2 h4
• 22. -- Ne5 23. Bb3 Rb8 24. Rc5 Re8 25. Rb1 Bd7 26. Qxa6 +-

23. Qc2!

• 23. Bb3 Nxg2 24. Kxg2 h4 25. Rdc1 hxg3 26. fxg3 Bd7 27. Rc7 +=

23. -- Nxg2 24. Kxg2 h4

• Black has executed his plan, apparently winning a pawn.

Black: Alexander Morozevich
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White: Levon Aronian
Position after 24. -- h5h4

25. Bxf7+!!

• The sacrifice of the Bishop give White a vicious initiative.
• 25. Rc1? Bd7 26. Rb1 hxg3 27. fxg3 Rab8 28. Rc1 Rfd8 29. Qa2 is equal.

25. -- Kxf7 26. Rc5 Bxh3+ 27. Kxh3 Qg4+ 28. Kg2 hxg3 29. f3

• 29. Qb3+ Kg6 30. f3 exf3+ 31. Nxf3 Rae8 32. Rg5+ Qxg5 33. Nxg5 Kxg5 34. Kxg3 +/-

29. -- exf3+ 30. Nxf3 Kg8 31. Qa2+!?

• While this hardly endangers White's winning chances, it isn't the best move.
• After 31. Rd4! Nd5 32. Rxg4 Nxe3+ 33. Kxg3 Nxc2 34. Rxc2 White is a piece up.

31. -- Kh8!

• Black makes the best move. This will force White to play more carefully than any alternative.
• 31. -- Rf7 32. Qxf7+ Kxf7 33. Ne5+ Ke6 34. Nxg4 Nxg4 35. Rc3 give White an easy victory.

32. Rc4 Qf5 33. Rf4!

• White finds the correct winning plan. He will occupy the h-file only when he can pin something there.
• If 33. Rh1+? Nh5! 34. Rf4 Qa5 then:
• after 35. Rg4 Rf5 36. Rxg3 Rc8 37. e4 Rfc5 38. Qf7 Rc2+ Black has the initiative.
• 35. Rfh4 g6 36. R1h3 Rxf3 37. Kxf3 Rf8+ 38. Rf4 Rxf4+ 39. exf4 Qc3+ has Black calling the tune.

33. -- Qh7 34. Rh4!

• Black must lose material.
• If Black replies 34. -- Qh5 35. Rxh5+ Nxh5 36. Qd5 g8 27. Qg5 then it's lights out.

34. -- Nh5 35. Rd5 Rf5 36. e4 Nf4+

• After 36. -- Rxd5 37. Qxd5 g6 38. Qxa8+ Qg8 39. Qxa6 White is a whole Rook up.

37. Kxg3 Rh5 38. Rxf4 Rh3+ 39. Kg4

• If 39. Kg2 Rh1 40. Qe2 Qh3+ 41. Kf2 then:
• 41. -- Qh6 42. Rf7 Rc8 43. a5 leaves White a piece up.
• 41. -- Qe6 42. Rdf5 Rg8 43. Kg2 gives Black no counterplay.

39. -- Re8 40. Rdf5 Rg8

• The alternative 40. -- Rxf3 41. Rxf3 Rxe4+ 42. R3f4 Qg6+ 43. Kf3 only prolongs Black's agony.

Black: Alexander Morozevich
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White: Levon Aronian
Position after 40. -- Re8g8

41. Qxg8+!

• Aronian caps the game off with a Queen sacrifice. Morozevich graciously takes the Queen before resigning.

41. -- Qxg8 42. Rf8 1-0

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Anand - Kasimdzhanov, Corsica Masters', Bastia

Rustam Kasimdzhanov
Photo: ChessBase.com


To view this game: Please click here. Scroll down the game list to the next-to-last game. Enjoy.

Vishy Anand vs. Rustam Kasimdzhanov
Corsica Masters' Final Match, Round 1
Bastia, November 2006

Spanish Grand Royal Game: Zaitsev Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. 0-0 Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 0-0 9. h3 Re8 10. d4 Bb7 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. a4

• An alternative is 12. d5 Ne7 13. a4 Qd7 14. axb5 axb5 15. Ba2

12. -- h6 13. Bc2 exd4 14. cxd4 Nb4 15. Bb1

• White wishes to preserve his Bishop, which is currently overprotecting the e-pawn.
• 15. axb5?! axb5 16. Rxa8 Qxa8 17. e5 Nxc2 18. Qxc2 dxe5 gives Black command of open lines.

15. -- c5 16. d5 Nd7 17. Ra3 c4 18. Nd4

• White establishes a Knight on d4; he will then play 19. N2f3 in order to keep d4 occupied.
• 18. axb5 axb5 19. Rxa8 Qxa8 20. Re3 Nc5 21. b3 yields an equal position after exchanges on c3.

18. -- Qf6

• A more active defense is 18. -- Qb6 19. N2f3 bxa4 20. Rc3 Rac8 21. Nf5
• After 18. -- bxa4 19. Nxc4 Rc8 20. Rc3 g6 21. Bxh6 White is a pawn up with better pawn structure.

19. N2f3 Nc5 20. Ree3

• Better for White is 20. axb5 axb5 21. Nxb5 Rxa3 22. bxa3 Nbd3 23. Re3 leaving White a pawn up and demanding of Black the expediture of a great deal of energy to recover it.

20. -- Nbd3?!

• Black misses an opportunity to level the game by 20. -- bxa4 21. Rac3 Nbd3 22. Rxc4 Nxc1 23. Rxc1 Rac8

21. axb5 axb5 22. Nxb5 Rxa3 23. Nxa3?!

• White could also keep the game level with 23. bxa3 Qa1 24. Bd2 Qb2 25. Bxd3 cxd3 26. Bb4

23. -- Rxe4 24. Nxc4 Nxf2 25. Qe2?

• White apparently overlooks the power of Black's next move.
• Correct is 25. Qf1 Rxe3 26. Bxe3 Nfe4 27. b4 Ng3 28. Qe1 with equality.

Black: Rustam Kasimdzhanov
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White: Vishy Anand
Position after 25. Qd1e2

25. -- Nxh3+!!

• By sacrificing the Knight, Black completely destroys the castle wall in front of the White King.
• 25. -- Rxe3? 26. Bxe3 Nxh3+ 27. gxh3 Bxd5 28. Nfd2 would be insufficient.

26. gxh3 Qg6+ 27. Kf2

• Black might have put up more stubborn resistance with 27. Kf1 Rxe3 when:
• 28. Bxg6 Rxe2 29. Kxe2 Bxd5 30. Nxd6 Bxd6 but Black is still winning.
• 28. Nxe3 Qxb1 29. Qd1 Nd3 30. Bd2 Qxb2 leaves Black two pawns up.

27. -- Rxe3 28. Bxe3 Qxb1 29. Bxc5 dxc5

• Black has recovered his piece and stands a pawn to the good.
• In addition, Black has the advantage of two Bishops against two Knights in a open position. That by itself would justify assessing the position in Black's favor.

30. Qe5 Qc2+ 31. Nfd2 Qd3!

• Black wins a second pawn.
• If 32. Kg2 Bxd5+then:
• Black wins a Knight by 33. Kf2 Bxc4 34. Nxc4 Qxc4.
• if 33. Kh2 then Black forces mate by 33. -- Bd6 34. Nxd6 Qxd2+ 35 Kg3 Qg2+ 36. Kf4 Qf3#.

32. d6 Qxh3 33. Qe8 Bc8 34. Ne5

• All of White's hopes of salvaging rest in his ability to advance the d-pawn.
• If 34. Nf3 f6 35. Qc6 Bg4 then:
• after 36. Qd5+ Kh7 37. Ncd2 Bxf3 38. Nxf3 Qd7 makes toast of White's last great hope, his d-pawn.
• 36. Ncd2 Bxf3 37. Nxf3 Qe6 also dooms the d-pawn and makes a win child's play for Black.

34. -- Qe6!

Black removes the strongest defender of the d-pawn. His plan is to take it with an exchange of minor pieces.

35. Qxe6 Bxe6 36. Ne4 f5!

• The d-pawn is doomed.

37. d7 Bxd7 38. Nf6+

• If 38. Nxd7 fxe4 then:
• after 39. Ke3 h5 40. Kxe4 Kf7 41. Ke5 Be7 42. b3 h4 the h-pawn will demand White's immediate attention.
• 39. Nb6 h5 40. Nc4 h4 41. Nd2 Kf7 42. Nxe4 Ke6 43. Kf3 Kf5 makes a leathal weapon of White's h-pawn in that the King must take three moves to capture it, and that would cost him his Knight.

38. -- gxf6 39. Nxd7 Kf7 40. Kf3

• After 40. Nb6 Kg6 41. Nc4 f4 42. Kg2 h5 43. Nd2 Be7 Black's kingside pawns will decide.

40. -- Bd6 41. Nb6 Ke6 42. b3

• After 42. Nc4 f4 43. b3 f5 44. Nd2 h5 White will be unable to stop all of Black's pawns.

42. -- h5 43. Nc4 h4 44. 0-1

• After 44. Kg2 Bg3 45. Nb2 f4 46. Nc4 Kf5 47. Kf3 h3 the h-pawn will coronate.
• Anand resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

7. Karjakin - Zhao Xue, Quarter-Finals, Cap d'Agde

Sergey Karjakin
Photo: ChessBase.de (Germany)

Sergey Karjakin vs. Zhao Xue
Quarter Final Match, Round 1
Cap d'Agde, Languedoc Province (France), October 2006

Spanish Grand Royal Game: Breyer Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. 0-0 Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 0-0 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 c5 13. d5 c4

• A good alternative is13. -- Re8 14. b3 Nb6 15. Bb2 Qc7 16. c4 bxc4 17. bxc4 giving White a slight edge in space.

14. Nf1

• White plays the standard Spanish manuvuer, promising some action on the kingside.
• The alternative 14. b3 Qc7 15. Bb2 a5 16. bxc4 bxc4 17. Qe2 Rfc8 18. Rab1 sets up a queenside striggle.

14. -- Qc7 15. g4!?

• White demonstrates further is aggressive designs on the kingside; usually, White plays his Knight off of f1 here.
• If 15. Ne3 then:
• 15. -- g6 16. Qe2 Rfe8 17. Bd2 Nc5 18. Nd1 Qa5 19. Bh6 is balanced with chances for both sides.
• 15. -- a5 16. Nf5 Rfe8 17. Qd2 Bf8 18. a4 g6 19. Ng3 is equal.
• If 15. Ng3then:
• 15. -- g6 16. Be3 a5 17. Qd2 Rfb8 18. Reb1 b4 is level.
• 15. -- Rfc8 16. Nf5 Bd8 17. Qd2 a5 18. Qg5 Ne8 offers chances to both sides.

15. -- Rfb8 16. Ng3 a5 17. g5 Ne8 18. Nh2?!

• This move is a bit pedestrian; it gives Black time to consolidate.
• Better is 18. Nf5 Bd8 19. Be3 b4 20. Qd2 Nb6 21. Red1 Bc8 22. Rac1 Bd7 giving White some initiative on the kingside.

18. -- Bc8 19. Ng4 Nc5 20. Nf5 Bf8 21. a3

• White must prepare to deal with Black's superiority on the queenside.
• 21. b3 cxb3 22. axb3 a4 23. b4 Nb3 24. Bxb3 Qxc3 25. Rb1 axb3 leaves Black in control of open lines on the queenside.

21. -- Ra7?!

• This is unnecesarily passive. Black had some initiative on the queenside; she fails to take advantage of it.
• If 21. -- Be7 22. Qf3 Bd8 23. Be3 then:
• 23. -- f6 24. gxf6 Nxf6 25. Red1 Nxg4 leaves Black poised for aggression on the queensdide while White's activity on the other wing has largely dissipated.
• 23. -- Na4 24. Rab1 Nc5 25. Red1 Rb6 26. Ra1 Rab8 maintains the tension on the queenside.

22. Bd2 Qd8 23. Qf3 Kh8

• This looks like a prophylactic move, but it is hard to find any threat.
• 23. -- Rba8 24. Be3 Qc7 25. Qe2 a4 26. Rad1 bb7 is equal.

24. h4 g6 25. Nfh6 Qe7 26. Kg2!

• White's King will be a little happier here than on g1.
• If 26. Be3 Bg7 27. Rad1 then:
• after 27. -- Rab7 28. Re2 Na4 29. Rb1 f6 30. Ree1 Nb6 Black retains the advantage aas her queenside threats are more palpable than White's kingside activity.
• 27. -- Rd7?! 28. Kh1 Bb7 29. Rg1 Rc8 30. Rg2 Rcd8 dissolves much of Black's edge on the queenside and leves the game even.

26. -- Bxh6?!

• Black's initiates the game's first exchange.
• If 26. -- Rb7 then:
• after 27. Rh1 Na4 28. Rab1 Nc5 29. Be3 Rc7 30. h5 b4 31. axb4 axb4 32. cxb4 Rxb4 the position is even.
• after 27. Be3 Bg7 28. Rg1 Rc7 29, Rad1 f6 30. Bc1 Bb7 each side has equal chances.

27. Nxh6 Ng7

• 27. -- f6 28. Rg1 Rba8 29. Rad1 Rc7 30. Be3 Qg7 31. Rh1 maintains the equalibrium.

28. Qf6?!

• 28. Be3 Rd7 29. Ng4 Rc7 30. Rad1 Bxg4 21. Qxg4 f6 is level.

28. -- Qxf6 29. gxf6 Nh5 30. Bg5 Ba6 31. Bd1

• White threatens to weaken Black's kingside pawns.
• 31. Kf3 Rbb7 32. Rg1 Rb6 33. Ke3 Rb8 34. f3 b4 35. axb4 axb4 is equal.

31. -- Nd3

• Black responds with a threat of her own against the the Rook; however, as will be seen from the text, the threat is hollow.
• White wins a pawn after 31. -- Nf4+ 32. Bxf4 exf4 33. Bc2 Re8 34. Kf3 Re5 35. Kxf4.

Black: Zhao Xue
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White: Sergey Karjakin
Position after 31. -- Nc5d3

32. Bxh5!!

• White executes his threat; Black will respond by executing hers.
• If 32. Rg1 Nhf4+ 33. Bxf4 Nxf4+ then:
• 34. Kf1 Nd3 35. Ra2 b4 36. axb4 axb4 37. Be2 Rbb7 =+
• 34. Kg3 Nd3 35. Ra2 b4 36. axb4 axb4 37. cxb4 Nxb4 -/+

32. -- Nxe1+ 33. Rxe1 gxh5 34. Rg1

• The net result is that Black has succeeded in breaking up the pawn structure and has better coordinated pieces at the cost of the exchange.
• If 34. Nf5 h6 35. Bxh6 Kh7 then:
• 36. Be3 Rd7 37. Rg1 Rg8+ 38. Ng7 Rxg7+ 39. fxg7 f6 =+
• 36. Bg5 Rd8 37. f4 Bc8 38. Ne7 Bd7 =+

34. -- Rf8?

• This move was unnecessary; the pawn was already as protected as it needed to be.
• Correct is 34. -- Bc8 35. Be3 Rc7 36. Kf3 Bg4+ 37. Nxg4 Rg8 38. Bb6 hxg4+ with equality.

35. Kh2!

• White's winning plan is to concentrate his attack in the g-file.
• Also good is 35. Be3! when:
• If 36. -- Re8 37. Kf2 b4 38. fxe5 dxe5 39. Bc5 Bc8 40. Rg5! bxa3 41. Be7 Rdxe7 42. fxe7 then:
• 42. -- f5 43. Nf7#
• 42. -- Rxe7 43. Rg8#
• 42. -- Be6 43. dxe6 fxe6 44. Nf7#
• after 36. -- b4 37. cxb4 axb4 38. axb4 c3 39. bxc3 exf4 40. Bxf4 White's extra pawn triumphs.
• else if 35. -- Rb7 36. f4 Re8 37. Kf3 Rd7 38. fxe5 dxe5 39. Rg7 leaves White in a commanding position.

35. -- Bc8 36. Be3 Rb7

• The move is one that may as well be accompanied with a white flag. The game is beyond saving.
• After 36. -- Rc7 37. Rg7 Bg4 38. f4 Bf3 39. fxe5 dxe5 40. Bc5 Black must return the exchange

Black: Zhao Xue
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White: Sergey Karjakin
Position after 36. -- Ra7b7

37. Rg7!

• Help your pieces so they can help you. -- Paul Morphy.

37. -- Bg4 38. Kg3 Bc8 39. f4 a4

• If 39. -- Rd7 40. fxe5 a4 41. Kf4 Rb7 then:
• after 42. exd6 Rd7 43. e5 Rb7 44. Bd4 White's advanced central pawns decide.
• 42. Kg5 dxe5 43. Bc5 Re8 44. Rxf7 Rg8+ 45. Nxg8 Rxf7 46. Nh6 The Rook must give way and the pawn will coronate.

40. fxe5 dxe5 41. Bc5 Re8 42. Kf2 Bg4

• If 42. -- Rc7 43. Rg5 then:
• 43. -- Bh3 44. Be7 Rcxe7 45. fxe7 f5 46. Nf7#
• 43. -- Rxc5 44. Nxf7#

43. Nxf7+ Rxf7 44. Rxf7 1-0

• After 44. Rxf7 h6 45. Ra7 Rc8 46. f7 stopping advanced pawn will cost Black dearly.
• Ms. Zhao resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Radjabov - Karjakin, Masters' Final, Cap d'Agde

Teimour Radjabov
Photo: ChessBase.com

Teimour Radjabov vs. Sergey Karjakin
Masters' Final Match, Round 2
Cap d'Agde, Languedoc Province (France), November 2006

Open Sicilian Game: Najdorf Defense (Poisoned Pawn Variation)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6

• A common alternative is 7. -- Be7 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. 0-0-0 Nbd7 10. g4 b5 11. Bxf6

8. Qd2

• If the Poisoned Pawn is not to White's tastes, then he can go with 8. Nb3 Be7 9. Nbd7 10. 0-0-0 Qc7 11 Bd3

8. -- Qxb2 9. Rb1 Qa3 10. e5?

• There are no good targets for White in the center. The move squanders an opportunity to fight back at Black's offside Queen.
• Better is 10. Rb3 Qa5 11. g3 Be7 12. Bg2 Nbd7 when:
• 13. 0-0 Nc5 14. Rbb1 Na4 Black's advantage rests on his extra pawn, but White's pieces are better placed.
• 13. h3? h6 14. Bh4 Rg8 gives White some serious problems as Balck threatens to advance his kingside pawns.

10. -- dxe5 11. fxe5 Nfd7 12. Ne4

• White's piece center is not strong. Black will soon take the a-pawn.
• 12. Be2 Bb4 13. Rb3 Qa5 14. 0-0 0-0 15. a3 Bc5 leaves White position in paralysis.

12. -- h6 13. Bh4 Qxa2 14. Rd1 Qb2

• Black is two pawns up.
After
• Black is two pawns up.
• 14. -- Qd5 15. Qe3 Qxe5 16. Be2 Nc6 17. Nxc6 bxc6 18. 0-0 Be7 Black is threatening to exchange White's active piece.

15. Qe3 Bc5

• Black activates his Bishop.
• Black is clearly better after 15. -- Nxe5 16. Nb5 Bb4+ 17. c3 0-0 18. Nc7 Ra7 19. Bg3 Nbc6

16. Be2 Nc6 17. c3 Qa3 18. 0-0

• White helps his cause by putting his King into safety and his Rook on an open file.
• If 18. Nd6+ Bxd6 19. exd6 then:
• after 19. -- Qc5 20. 0-0 0-0 21. Qf2 Nxd4 22. Qxd4 b6 all White can do is madke some easily refuted threats.
• 19. -- Qxd6 20. Nb5 Qxd1+ 21. Bxd1 axb5 22. 0-0 0-0 -/+

18. -- 0-0!?

• If 18. -- Nxd4 19. Rxd4 Bxd4 20. Qxd4 0-0 then:
• 21. Nf6+ 21. -- gxf6 22. exf6 Qc5 -+
• 21. Bh5 g6 22. Nd6 gxh5 23. Be7 Qa5 -+

19. Nf6+ Nxf6 20. Bxf6 Nxd4?!

• If 20. -- Ne7 then:
• 21. Bd3
• 21. -- Ng6 22. Bxg6 fxg6 23. Ra1 Qb3 24. Be7 Rxf1+ 25. Rxf1 Bxd4 -/+
• 21. -- Nf5 22. Bxf5 exf5 23. Qg3 g6 24. Qh3 Kh7 -+
• 21. Bxe7 Bxe7 22. Bd3 Qc5 23. Qe4 g6 24. Rf3 Qxc3 -+

Black: Sergey Karjakin
!""""""""#
$t+v+ Tl+%
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$ + +b+pP%
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/(((((((()
White: Teimour Radjabov
Position after Nc6xd4

21. Rxd4!

• The sacrifice of the Rook is White's only chance.

21. -- Bxd4 22. Qxd4 gxf6??

• After this error, Black not only cannot win, but he must lose.
• 22. -- Re8 23. Qf4 Qc5+ 24. Kh1 gxf6 25. Rf3 Qxe5 26. Qxh6 f5 27. Rg3+ Qxg3 28. hxg3 e5 and Black's Rooks will trump the Queen.

23. exf6!

• White recaptures the correct way. The pawn at f6 effectively traps the King in the corner.
• After 23. Rxf6? Qc1+ 24. Rf1 Qg5 25. Rf6 Rb8 26. h4 Qc1+ 27. Kh2 h5 Black is again on top.

23. -- Qa5

• Another point to is that the escape route of the Black Queen on the a3/f8 diagonal was completely covered by White. Thus it costs Black a tempo to put his Queen somewhere where it could run.
• If 23. -- e5 then:
• after 24. Qe3 Rd8 25. Qxh6 Qf8 26. Qg5+ Kh8 27. Qh5+ Kg8 28. Rf3 Qc5+ 29. Kh1 Bg4 30. Rg3 Black is forced to give up material in order to avoid checkmate.
• 24. Qd2? is bad becuase of 24. -- Rd8 25. Qxd8+ Qf8 26. Qxf8+ Kxf8 27. Bf3 a5 leaving Black a pawn up.

24. h4 Kh7

• If 24. -- e5 25. Qe3 Rd8 26. Qxh6 Qc5+ 27. Kh1 Qf8 28. Qg5+ Kh7 29. Bf3 then:
• 29. -- Rd2 30. Be4+ Kh8 31. Qh5+ forces checkmate.
• after 29. -- Kh8 30. Qh5+ Kg8 31. Be4 Balck is soon mated.

25. Bd3+ Qf5

• Black offers his Queen for a Rook and a Bishop; White need not accept.
• If 25. -- Kh8 26. Qe4 then:
• 26. -- Qf5 27. Rxf5 exf5 28. Qf4 Kh7 29. Bxf5+ Bxf5 30. Qxf5+ leads to mate.
• after 26. -- Qc5+ 27. Rf2 Qf5 28. Rxf5 exf5 29. Qf4 White squeezes the life out of Black.

26. Re1 Rg8

• After White declines the Queen, Black must defend against mate. The f-pawn is a bone in Black's throat.
• 26. -- b5 27. g4 Rg8 28. Kh2 Qxd3 29. Qxd3+ Kh8 30. Qf3 makes things even easier for White.

27. Kh2!

• The win is problematic after 27. Bxf5+ exf5 28. Qd5 Be6 29. Qxb7 Kg6 30. Ra1 Rgb8 21. Qf3 Kxf6.

27. -- a5 28. g4 Qxd3 29. Qxd3+ Kh8 30. Re5 Rxg4

• 30. -- Rg6 31. Qd8+ Rg8 32. Qe7 Bd7 33. Rh5 Rg6 34. Qxf7 and White wins.

31. Rh5 Rg6 32. Qd8+ Kh7 33. Qe7 1-0

• If 33. -- Rg7 34. Qf8 Kg6 35. Qxg7+ Kxh5 36. Kg3 then:
• 36. -- e5 37. Qxf7#
• 36. -- (any other) 37. Qg4#
• Karjakin resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

9. Ponomariov - Grischuk, Tal Memorial, Moscow

Ruslan Ponomariov
Photo: Official website of the 2006 Tal Memorial Tournament

Ruslan Ponomariov vs. Alexander Grischuk
Tal Memorial Tournament, Round 1
Moscow, November 2006

Queen's Gambit: Slav Defense (Chameleon Variation)

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e3 a6 5. Nf3 b5 6. c5 g6 7. Bd3 Bg4!?

• Black is the first to break new ground. The indicated and most common move here is 7. -- Bg7.
• If 7. -- Bg7then:
• 8. b4
• 8. -- a5 9. bxa5 Nfd7 10. Bd2 e5 gives Black an edge in space (San Sugundo-Pilaj, European TeamCh, 2005).
• 8. -- Bg4 9. Bb2 Nbd7 10. Ne2 Qc7 is equal (Vallejo-Shirov, Amber Bx, Monte Carlo, 2005).
• 8. 0-0 0-0 9. h3 a5 10. a3 Nbd7 is equal (Zhao Xue-Wang Hao, Sanjin Cup, Taiyuan, 2005).

8. h3 Bxf3 9. gxf3!?

• White shows he can deviate from the obvious as well.
• If 9. Qxf3 Bg7 10. Qg3 0-0 11. 0-0 then:
• 11. -- Nh5 12. Qg5 e5 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 is equal.
• 11. -- Nbd7 12. f4 13. Bd2 is level.

9. -- Nbd7 10. f4 a5

• Black is looking to gain space on the queenside.
• 10. -- Bg7 White dirves Black back on the kingside: 11. Rg1 h6 12. f5 g5 13. f4 Bf8.

11. f5?!

• White takes a bold risk. Objectively, this move isn't that good and will permit Black to call the tune for a while.
• If 11. b3 then:
• 11. -- Bg7 12. Bb2 Qc7 13. Rg1 Rd8 14. Bf1 White has a small edge in queenside space.
• after 11. -- b4 12. Ne2 Bg7 13. Bb2 Qc7 14. a3 White has a spacial advantage.

11. -- gxf5 12. Bxf5 e6 13. Bc2 e5 14. Qf3

• The text is better than 14. Rg1 e4 15. Ne2 Rg8 16. Rxg8 Nxg8 17. Nf4 Qg5 when Black has an advantage is space and an active Queen.

14. -- Bh6?!

• Black brings his Bishop out to a more open diagonal, but it's not threatening anything.
• Better is 14. -- Rg8 15. Ne2 Qe7 when:
• 16. Qf5 h6 17. Qf3 Ra7 18. Bd2 e4 gives Black an edge in space.
• 16. Bd2 Bg7 17. Rg1 e4 18. Qf4 is level.

15. Bd2 exd4 16. exd4 Qe7+ 17. Be3 Bxe3?

• After the text move, White slowly strangles Black to death.
• Correct is 17. -- Bg7 18. Ne2 Rg8 19. Ng3 Qe6 20. Nf5 giving White a small edge in space.

18. fxe3 0-0

• Black gets his King out of the center, but it may have been safer there.
• 18. -- Rg8 19. 0-0-0 b4 20. Na4 Ne4 21. Rhg1 gives White a strong edge on the kingside.

19. 0-0-0 Rae8 20. Rhg1+ Kh8 21. Rg3?!

• White throws away a good part of his advantage with this move. It might have been played with ihe idea of doubling the Rooks on the g-file, but that never comes about.
• After 21. Rde1 Rg8 22. Rgf1 b4 23. Nd1 Qf8 24. Nf2 White's active Queen and Bishop give him a strong advantage.

21. -- b4 22. Ne2 Ne4 23. Bxe4?

• This throws away most of what was left of White's advantage after the previous error.
• 23. Rg2 Rg8 24. Rdg1 Rxg2 25. Qxg2 f6 26. Kd1 White still has a edge with command of the g-file.

23. -- Qxe4 24. Qxe4

• Black has now equalized.
• The exchange of Queens can also be accomplished by 24. Qg4 Qxg4 25. hxg4 Nf6 26. Rf1 Ne4 27. Rg2, but the position is equal.

24. -- Rxe4 25. Rf1 Re7 26. Kc2 Rg8?!

• It is dubious to challenge the control of an open file unless both Black Rooks are on the same rank.
• Better is 26. -- a4 27. Kd3 Rb8 28. Rfg1 Nf6 29. Nf4 Rbe8 with an equal game.

27. Rxg8+ Kxg8 28. Rf3 a4?

• This is an error that sets things right for White.
• Correct is 28. -- Nf8 29. Kb3 Ng6 30. Ka4 Nh4 31. Rf2 maintaining the equalibrium.

29. a3 bxa3 30. bxa3 Kg7

• White has re-established a strong position. Black will not be able to save his a-pawn.
• 30. -- Nf8 31. Nc3 Ra7 32. Rf1 Re7 33. Re1 and the a-pawn is doomed.

31. Ng3 Kf8 32. Nf5 Re6 33. Kc3 Nf6

Black: Alexander Grischuk
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White: Ruslan Ponomariov
Position after 33. -- Nd7f6

34. Nd6!

• White gets a won Rook and pawn ending.
• 34. Kb4 Ne4 35. Rf4 Nd2 36. Kxa4 Nc4 37. Kb3 allows Black to re-establish material equality.

34. -- Ne4+ 35. Nxe4 Rxe4 36. Kb4 Ke7

• Black might hold out longer after 36. -- h5 37. Kxa4 Re8 38. Ka5 Rb8 39. Ka6, but White should still win.

37. Kxa4 f5 38. Ka5

• The text wins faster than 38. Kb4 Kf6 39. Ka5 Re8 40. Kb6 Ra8 41. Rg3.

38. -- f4 39. exf4 Rxd4 40. f5 Rc4

• If 40. -- Re4 41. Kb6 d4then:
• after 42. Rd3 42. -- Kf6 43. Kxc6 Re3 44. Rxd4 White is up by three pawns and Black's best hope is gone.
• after 42. Kxc6 Re3 43. f6+ Kf7 44. Rf5 the White Rook gets behind Black's d-pawn.

41. Kb6 d4 42. Rf4 Ra4

• The a-pawn is now of little consequence.
• After 42. -- Kf6 43. Kxc6 Rc3 44. a4 Rxh3 45. Rxd4 White will advance the c-pawn.

43. f6+ Kf7 44. h4 Rxa3 45. Rxd4 Kxf6 46. Kxc6 h5

• 46. -- Ke5 47. Rd5+ Ke6 48. Rh5 Ra7 49. Kb6 is hopless for White.

47. Kd6 Ra8 48. Rf4+ 1-0

• White wins by the book: 48. Rf4+ Kg6 49. c6 Rd8+ 50. Ke7 Rc8 51. Kd7 Rg8 52. c7 Rg7+ 53. Kc8 Rg8+ 54. Kb7 Rg7 55. Kb8.
• Grischuk resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

10. Aronian - Svidler, Tal Memorial, Moscow

Peter Svidler
Photo: Official website of the 2006 Tal Memorial Tournament

Levon Aronian vs. Peter Svidler
Tal Memorial Tournament, Round 3
Moscow, November 2006

West India Game: Indian Queen's Gambit (Grünfeld Defense)

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 Ne4 5. Bh4!?

• 5. Nxe4 dxe4 6. Qa4+ Qd7 7. Qxd7+ Nxd7 8. e3 Bg7 9. Ne2 +=

5. -- Nxc3 6. bxc3 dxc4 7. e3 Be6

• 7. -- Qd5 8. Bg3 Bf5 9. Be5 Rg8 10. Bxc7 Nc6 11. Nf3 Rc8 =+

8. Qb1 Qd5 9. Nf3

• 9. e4 Qa5 10. Ne2 b6 11. Qb4 Qxb4 12. cxb4 Bh6 =+

9. -- Nd7

• 9. -- Bf5 10. Qb4 Bd3 11. Rd1 Bxf1 12. Rxf1 Nd7 13. Rb1 -/+

10. Be2 Bf5 11. Qb2 Bg7 12. 0-0 Nb6

• 12. -- Bd3 13. Rad1 Bxe2 14. Qxe2 Rd8 15. e4 Qc6 16. d5 Qc5 =

13. a4 a5 14. Nd2

• 14. Bg3 0-0-0 15. Nd2 h5 16. Bf3 Qe6 17. e4 Bg4 18. Rfb1 Bxf3 =+

14. -- Bd3 15. Bxd3

• 15. Bf3 Qd7 16. Rfc1 Ra7 17. Qb5 Rf8 18. Bg3 Kd8 19. Ne4 =

15. -- cxd3 16. Rfb1

• 16. Qb1 Qc6 17. Qxd3 Nxa4 18. Qe4 Qxe4 19. Nxe4 Nb6 =+
• 16. c4 Qd7 17. Qa3 e5 18. Rfe1 h6 19. c5 Nd5 20. Qxd3 =

16. -- Qc6

• 16. -- Rd8 17. Bg3 e5 18. Qb5+ Qxb5 19. Rxb5 0-0 20. Bxe5 +=

17. Qa3

• 17. c4 g5 18. Bg3 0-0 19. c5 Nxa4 20. Qxb7 Qxb7 21. Rxb7 Nxc5 =

17. -- 0-0 18. c4 Nxc4

• If 18. -- e5 then:
• 19. Qxd3 exd4 20. exd4 f5 21. Rb5 h6
• 22. f3 Rfe8 23. Rab1 Nxa4 24. Ra1 Qd6 25. Rxa4 Bxd4+ =+
• 22. Nb3?! g5 23. Nxa5 Qe6 -/+
• 19. d5 Qd7 20. Qxd3 Nxa4 21. Qa3 Nb6 22. e4 Bh6 =+

19. Nxc4 Qxc4 20. Bxe7 Rfe8 21. Rd1

• If 21. Rc1 Qa6 22. Rxc7 d2 then:
• 23. Rd1 Qe2 24. Qa1 Rac8 25. Rxb7 Bh6 -+
• 23. Qb3 Rac8 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. Qd1 Qd3 =+

21. -- Rac8 22. Bg5 c5 23. Qxd3?!

• 23. Rxd3 cxd4 24. Rb1 b6 25. Bf4 Qc2 26. Qb3 Qxb3 27. Rdxb3 Re6 =+

23. -- cxd4 24. exd4?

• Here Aronian grunted. (Svidler)
• 24. Rab1 Qxa4 25. Rxb7 h6 26. Bf4 Qc2 27. Qxc2 Rxc2 28. h4 Rd8 -/+

Black: Peter Svidler
!""""""""#
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White: Levon Aronian
Position after 24. e5xd4

24. -- Re1+ 25. 0-1

• Aronian sees the move and resigns.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. The Hippopotamus Game: Tal - Vasiukov, Kiev, 1965

This post incorporates notes from Tal's autobiogaphical game collection, The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal (Ken Neat, trans., Gloucester Publishers, London, 1997). Unless otherwise noted, the quotes are found petween pp. 291-95.

Much of the book is written as an interview by a Journalist of a Chess Player.



Mikhail Tal
Photo: ChessGraphics

Mikhail Tal vs. Evgeny Vasiukov
Soviet Championship (Final), Round 13
Kiev, January 1965

Open German Game: Steinitz Defense (Caro-Kann Defense)

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7

• Another commonly played line is 4. -- Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6

5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Ng3 e6 7. Bd3 c5

• Also playable is 7. -- Be7 8. 0-0 0-0 9. Qe2 c5 10. Rd1 Qc7 11. c4

8. 0-0 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Bc5 10. Nf3

• The alternative is 10. Nb3 0-0 11. Bg5 Be7 12. Re1 h6 13. Be3 Ne5 14. Bb5 giving White a small edge in piece activity

10. -- 0-0 11. Qe2 b6?!

• The text move restricts the paths of the Queen and Bishop.
• Better is 11. -- Qb6 12. c3 Rd8 13. Re1 h6 14. Bc2 Nd5 15. Ne4 Be7 with a level game.

12. Bf4

• White puts his Bishops on an open diagonal.
• If 12. Bg5 Bb7 13. Be4 Qc7 then:
• 14. Bxb7 Qxb7 15. Rad1 Rfd8 16. Rd2 h6 with a balanced position.
• 14. Rad1 Nxe4 15. Nxe4 f6 16. Bh4 Rad8 is level.

12. -- Bb7 13. Rad1 Nd5 14. Bg5 Qc7 15. Nh5!?

• Tal awards the text move an exclam.
• Exploiting the absence of Black's pieces pieces from the kingside. White immediately begins to create threats. Against 15. -- Rac8, for instance, he intends the thematic cimbination 16. c4 Nb4 17. Bxh7+ Kxh7 18. Rxd7 Qxd7 19. Ne5 Qd4 20. Nf6_ gxf6 21. Qh5+ with a rapid mate. If, after 15. -- Rac8 c4 Black replies 16. -- N5f6, then after 15. Nxf6+ Nxf6 18. Ne5 Black's position is most unpleasant.
  
  However, White's 15th move also has one drawback: his Knight on h5 is a condemned man, since it is clear that his only task can be to give himself up at g7. (Tal)
• If 15. Rfe1 h6 16. Bd2 Rfd8 then:
• 17. a3 Rac8 18. Ne4 N5f6 19. Nxf6+ Nxf6 with equality.
• 17. Ne4 Rac8 18. c3 Be7 19. Nd4 a6 leves Black's pieces slightly more mobile.

15. -- Kh8!?

• Tal also gives this moves a full exclam.
• A move that is useful from every point of view. The treat of a possible sacrifice on h7 is not so terrble (it is not check!) while the variation 16. c4 N5f6 17. Nxf6 Nxf6 Black is ready, after the exchange, to post his Rook on g8. (Tal)
• 15. -- Bd6 16. Ng3 h6 17. Bd2 Nc5 18. Nd4 Nxd3 19. Qxd3 Rac8 give Black the edge with command of the c-file.

16. Be4 f6

• White has a little more mobility in this positiion.
• 16. -- Rac8 17. c4 Ba6 18. b3 Ne7 19. Bc2 Ng6 20. Nf4 leaves White's pieces very well placed.

17. Bh4

• 17. Bf4 Qc8 18. Bg3 Ba6 19. Bd3 Bxd3 20. Qxd3 Rd8 21. Qe4 +=

17. -- Bd6 18. c4 Ba6

• Tal gives this move an exclam.
• How is White to continue? To defend the c-pawn with the Rook is inconsistant -- afte all the pin is still maintained. On 19. Bd3 Black replies 19. -- Nf4 20. Nxf4 Bxf4 21. Qxe6 Nc5. The position demands strong measures, but 19. Bxh7 is insufficient in view of 19. -- Kxh7 20. Qe4+ Kh8! 21. Qxe6 Bxc4. The is only one other move. (Tal)
• In the diagremmed position, Tal took 40 minutes on his next move.

Black: Evgeny Vasiukov
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White: Mikhail Tal
Position after 18. -- Bb7a6

• JOURNALIST: It might be inconvenient to interrupt our profound discussion and change the subject slightly, but I would like to know whether extraneous, abstract thoughts ever enter your head while playing a game?
  
  CHESS PLAYER: Yes. For example, I will never forget my game with GM Vasiukov on a USSR Championship. We reached a very complicated position where I was intending to sacrifice a knight. The sacrifice was not obvious; there was a large number of possible variations; but when I began to study hard and work through them, I found to my horror that nothing would come of it. Ideas piled up one after another. I would transport a subtle reply by my opponent, which worked in one case, to another situation where it would naturally prove to be quite useless. As a result my head became filled with a completely chaotic pile of all sorts of moves, and the infamous "tree of variations", from which the chess trainers recommend that you cut off the small branches, in this case spread with unbelievable rapidity. And then suddenly, for some reason, I remembered the classic couplet by Korney Ivanovic Chukovsky:
  
  "Oh, what a difficult job it was
  To drag out of the marsh the hippopotamus".
  
  I don't know from what associations the hippopotamus got into the chess board, but although the spectators were convinced that I was continuing to study the position, I, despite my humanitarian education, was trying at this time to work out: just how WOULD you drag a hippopotamus out of the marsh ? I remember how jacks figured in my thoughts, as well as levers, helicopters, and even a rope ladder. After a lengthy consideration I admitted defeat as an engineer, and thought spitefully to myself: "Well, just let it drown!" And suddenly the hippopotamus disappeared. Went right off the chessboard just as he had come on ... of his own accord! And straightaway the position did not appear to be so complicated. Now I somehow realized that it was not possible to calculate all the variations, and that the knight sacrifice was, by its very nature, purely intuitive. And since it promised an interesting game, I could not refrain from making it.
  
  And the following day, it was with pleasure that I read in the paper how Mikhail Tal, after carefully thinking over the position for 40 minutes, made an accurately-calculated piece sacrifice.
  
  -- Tal, pp. 64-65

19. Nxg7!

• White plays his ace.
• If 19. Bd3 Nf4 20. Nxf4 Bxf4 then:
• 21. b4 e5 is equal.
• Tal's line, given elsewhere is 21. Qxe6 Nc5 with equality.
• If 19. Bxh7?! Kxh7 then:
• after 20. Qxe6 20. -- Bxc4 21. Rxd5 Bxd5 22. Qxd5 Rad8 Black has a material edge with an exchange for a pawn.
• after Tal's line 20. Qe4+ Kh8 21. Qxe6 Bxc4 White must give up the exchange with 22. Rxd5 leaving Black with a strong game.

19. -- Kxg7 20. Nd4 Nc5

• Black tries to maintain his initiative.
• The text is better than 20. -- Nf4 21. Qh5 f5 22. Bxa8 Rxa8 23. g3 Nxh5 24. Nxe6+ leading to a strong position for White.

21. Qg4+

• The zwischenschach is a prelude to White's taking the initiative.
• 21. Nxe6+ Nxe6 22. Bxd5 Ng5 23. Bxg5 fxg5 24. Bxa8 Rxa8 25. Qg4 gives White a small edge in piece activity.

21. -- Kh8 22. Nxe6!

• The text is much better than 22. cxd5? f5 23. Qh3 Bxf1 24. Rxf1 fxe4 and Black wins.

22. -- Nxe6 23. Qxe6 Rae8 24. Qxd5 Bxh2+ 25. Kh1

• This position is arrived at more of less by force after the scrifice on g7. Here 25. -- Bxc4 fails to 26. Qf5, with the threats of 27. Bxf6+ and 27. Rd7. Perhaps the safest option for Black was 25. -- Qxc4!, forcing an end which, though White has slightly the better of it, a draw looks likely. (Tal)
• 25. -- Qxc4 26. Rfe1 Qcd5 27. Bxd5 Rxe1+ 28. Rxe1 Be5 29. b4 gives White an advantage in pawn structure, but, as Tal says, not one that can be easily converted to a win.

25. -- Qf4

• This move by Vasiukov appears very tempting. Black attacks both Bishops, but clearly he had underestimated his opponent's reply. (Tal)

26. Qh5!

• The point is that 26. -- Rxe4 loses to 27. Rd7. (Tal)

26. -- Qxe4 27. Rfe1 Qg6

• Naturally, the exchange of his Queen for two Rooks did not suit Black as his King is in too much danger. In aiming for this position, I had intended here 28. Bxf6+, and after 28. -- Qxf6 (weaker is 28. -- Kg8 29. Qd5+ Qf7 30. Rxe8 Rxe8 31. Kxh2) 29. Rxe8. However, after 29. -- Bd6 30. Rxf8+ Qxf8! 31. Re1 Qxf2! Black successfully defends himself. (Tal)

28. Qxg6 hxg6?

• Of course, 28. Rxe1+ would have drawn straight away. (Tal)
• 28. -- Rxe1+ 29. Rxe1 hxg6 30. Kxh2 Bxc4 31. b3 Bg8 32. f4 takes the fire out of the game.

Black: Evgeny Vasiukov
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White: Mikhail Tal
Position after 28. -- h7xg6

29. Bxf6+!

• The text assures White of a won endgame.
• Also winning is 29. Rxe8 Rxe8 30. Bxf6+ Kg8 31. Kxh2 leaving White two pawns up.
• If Black contiues with 29. -- Rxf5 then 30. Rxe8+ Kg7 31. Rd7+ Kh6 32. Kxh2 and White is two pawns to the good.

29. -- Kg8 30. Rxe8 Rxe8 31. Kxh2 Bxc4

• After 31. -- Re2 32. b3 Rxf2 33. Bh4 Rf7 34. Rd6 Bb7 35. Kg3 White is two pawns up with active pieces.

32. Rd7 Re6 33. Bc3 Bxa2

• A more stubborn defense is 33. -- a5 34. b3 Bb5 35. Rb7 Bd3 36. Kg3 Be4 37. Rb8+ but White should still win.

34. Rxa7 Bc4 35. Kg3 Bd5

• Again, Black does not choose the best defense. 35. -- Kf8 36. Bd2 Re2 37. Bc3 b5 38. Rc7 Ke8 39. Bf6 is better, but the position is still difficult.

36. f3 Kf8 37. Bd4

• After 37. Rg7 b5 38. Kf4 b4 39. Bd4 Ke8 40. g4 Rc6 41. Ke3 the King moves to safety and the pawns advance decisively.

37. -- b5 38. Kf4 Bc4 39. Kg5 Ke8 40. Ra8+

• The text is better than 40. Bf6 Bd3 41. g4 Rd6 42. Re7+ Kd8 43. f4 Rd7 44. Re6+ White's position is commanding.

40. -- Kf7 41. Ra7+

• Dispite the opposite-colored Bishops, Black's position is lost as it is difficult for him to repluse the combined attack of the White pieces. (Tal)

41. -- Ke8 42. b4 Bd5

• After 42. -- Re7 43. Ra6 Bd3 44. g4 Rd7 45. Bc5 Kf7 46. f4 White soon gains a passed pawn.

43. Ra3 Kf7 44. g4 Re2 45. Bc5

• If 45. f4 Ra2 46. Rh3 Rg2 47. Rh7+ then:
• after 47. -- Ke6 48. f5+ gxf5 49. Rh6+ Kf7 50. Kxf5 the g-pawn becomes more powerful with every step.
• after 47. -- Ke8 48. Bc5 Bc4 49. Re7+ Kd8 50. Kxg6 Rxg4+ 51. Kf5 the f-pawn decides.

45. -- Re5+ 46. Kh6 Re6 47. Rd3 Bc6 48. Rd8 Re8 49. Rd4 Re6

• After 49. -- Kf6 50. Rf4+ Ke5 51. Kg5 Re6 52. Rf8 Be8 53. f4+ Kd5 54. Rh8 White creates a passed pawn and wins.

50. f4 Ke8 51. Kg7

• Also good is 51. Kg5 Bb7 52. f5 gxf5 53. gxf5 Re2 54. Rh4 Be4 55. Rh8+

51. -- Be4 52. Bb6 Bf3 53. Rd8+ Ke7 54. Rd3 Be2

• 54. -- Rxb6 55. Rxf3 Re6 56. g5 Rd6 57. f5 gxf5 58. Rxf5 and White wins.

55. Bd8+ Ke8 56. Rd2 Re3 57. Bg5 Bd3 58. f5 1-0

• If 58. f5 Rf3 59. f6 then:
• 59. -- Bc4 60. Rd4 Be6 61. Kxg6 Bf7+ 62. Kg7
• 63. -- Be6 63. Bf4 Ra3 64. f7+ Bxf7 65. Re4+ wins the Bishop.
• 63. -- Rc3 64. g5 Rc8 65. g6 Bf5 66. f7+ Ke7 67. Bd6+ wins the Rook after the pawn promotes.
• 59. -- Kd7 60. Rxd3+ Rxd3 61. f7 Rf3 62. Bf6 and the pawn promotes.
• Vasiukov resigns.