Botvinnik - Botvinnik's Best Games 1947-1970 (1972)

Of the great postwar chess players, one
figure stands out above all others the

Soviet grandmaster, Mikhail Bo tvinnik.
With the exception of two one-year
interludes this dedicated electrical
engineer was world champion for fifteen
years - from 19 48 to 19 6 3; on the
second occasion that he regained his title
- from Tai - he was in his fiftieth year.
It was not, however, until 1970 that he
announced his 'official retirement' from
international competition.
Prefaced by a short biography, this
volume - the first e ver published in
English presents over 100 of
Botvinnik's best games over the period
1947-1970. Nearly all the annotations arc
by Botvinnik himself and reveal the
qualities that won him the champion's
title. Above all, he was a perfectionist.
'Chess', he wrote 'is an art which
illust rates the beauty of logic.' He could
not abide errors which spoiled the beauty
of the game, and the secret of his success
was thorough preparation and routine
which fully justified his own
self-confidence and which were
systematically adopted by the Soviet
school. In controlled positimtal play,
Botvinnik was an incomparable virtuoso
- as Bronstein, Smyslov and Tai, among
many others, discovered.
Botvinnik's Best Games 1947-70
Botvinnik's Best Games
1947-1970
MIKHAIL BOTVINNIK
Translated by Bernard Cafferty.
B. T. Batsford Limited
London
First published in the USSR
This selection first published 1972
©English translation - The Chess Player 1972
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Printed in Great Britain by Wm. J. Butler & Co., Bulwell, Nottingham
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B. T. Batsford Ltd.
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Contents
Botvinnik's Chess Career 1947-70 1

Oiigorin Memorial Tournament, Moscow 1947 11
1 Black: A Ts vetkov
2 Black: V. Ragozin
World Championship, The Hague/Moscow 1948 14
3 Black: M. Euwe
4 Black: S. Reshevsky
5 Black: P. Keres
6 White: V. Smyslov
World Championship, Moscow 1951 22
7 White: D. Bronstein
8 Black: D. Bronstein
09 Black: D. Bronstein
XIX USSR Championship, Moscow 1951 31
Marocey Memorial Tournament, Budapest 1952 33
11 White: B. Sliwa
12 White: C. Kottnauer
13 0. Troianescu
White:
XX USSR Championship, Moscow 1952 39
14 Black: A. Goldenov
16 Black: P. Keres
17 Black: E. Geller
XX Championship Play-off Match, Moscow 1953 46
18 mack: M. Taimanov
19 Black: V. Smyslov
22 White: V. Smyslov
XI Olympiad, Amsterdam 1954 62
24 Black: G. Stahlberg
v
25 Black: N. Minev
26 Black: M. Na jdorf
XXll USSR Championship, Moscow 1955 71
27 White: V. Antoshin
28 White: A. Kotov
29 White: V. Korchnoy
XII Olympiad, Moscow 1956 78
30 Black: G. Stahlberg
31 Black: 0. Benkner
32 Black: N. Padevsky
33 Black: S. Gligoric
Alekhine Memorial Tournament, Moscow 1956 85
34 Black: H. Golombek
35 Black: V. Ciocaltea
36 White: N. Padevsky
37 White: B. Sliwa
38 Black: W. Uhlmann
XIII Olympiad, Munich 1958 112
45 Black: C. H. O'D. Alexander
46 Black: A. Duckstein
47 White: W. Uhlmann
Wageningen 1958 116
48 Black: I. H. Donner
World Championship , Moscow 1960 118
49 Black: M. Tai
XIV Olympiad, Leipzig 1960 1 21
50 White: A. Tamburini
51
· White: A. Tarnovsky
52 White: 0. Neikirch
53 Black: L. Schmid
54 Black: L. Pachman
World Championship , Moscow 1961 128
55 Black: M. Tai
56 Black: M. Tai
57 Black: M. Tai
vi
58 White: M. Tai
59 Black: M. Tai
60 Black: M. Tai
61 White: M. Tai
62 Black�M. Tai
European Team Championship, Oberhausen 196 1 143
63 Black: L. Paclunan
64 Black: W. Unzicker
Hastings 1961-62 147
65 White: J. E. Littlewood
66 Black: J. Penrose
67 Black: A. Bisguier
Stockholm 1962 152
68 White: P. Skold
69 Black: 0. Olson
XV Olympiad, Varna 1962 155
70 White: W. Unzicker
71 White: T. Petrosian
72 Black: T. Petrosian
III Spartakiad; Moscow 1963 161
73 White: A. Gipslis
74 White: M. Taimanov
Amsterdam 1963 165
75 Black: T. van Scheltinga
76 Black: J. H. Donner
Moscow Team Championship, Moscow 1964 167
77 Black: V. Llberzon
USSR Team Championship, Moscow 1964 169
78 Black: T. Petrosian
80 Black: L Stein
XVI Olympiad, Tel-Aviv 1964 175
81 Black: A. Medina
82 White: V. Aloni
83 White: D. A. Yanofsky
Noordwijk 1965 180
84 Black: B. larsen
85 White: P. Trifunovic
86 Black: J. H. Donner
European Team Championship, Hamburg 1965 186
87 Black: K. langeweg
Trade Union Spartakiad, Moscow 1965 188
vii
88 \\lb.ite: A. Gipslis
Moscow v Leningrad, Moscow 1965 189
89 Black: A. Tolush
Moscow Team Oiampionship, Moscow 1966 191
90 White: M. Yudovich
Amsterdam 1966 193
91 Black: D. Szilagy
92 White: L. Szabo
93 Black: A. Pomar
94 Black: K. Zuidema
95 Black: K. Robatsch
USSR Team Oiampionship , Moscow 1966 201
97 Black P Keres
98 White: B. Spassky
Has tings 1966-67 208
99 Black: M. C zerniak
100 Black: Y Balashov
101 Black: K. Bakulin
IV Spa rtakiad 1967 213
102 Black: L. Polugayevsky
103 White: M. Taimanov
Palma de Mallorca 1967 216
104 Black: R. Toran
1 OS White: A. Medina
106 Black: J. Diez de! Corral
107 Black: B. Larsen
108 White: P. Benko
Beverwijk 1969 226
109 Black: L. Kavalek
110 Black: R. Holmov
USSR v Rest of the World, Belgrade 1970 231
111 White: M. Matulovic
Results Against Leading Players 233
Tournament and Match Record 1947-70 235
Openings Index 237
viii
Preface
In 1949 Botvinnik's book lzbrannie Partii 1926-46 ('Selected Games')

appeared in the USSR. This was translated into English and published in
1951. The chess world was then left waiting for the continuation volume.
Finally, in 1965 there appeared the first volume of the magnificent trilogy
Shahmatnoe Tvorchestvo Botvinnika, which was completed in 1968 by the
publication of the third volume. The title of this trilogy has been variously
rendered in English as 'Botvinnik's Creative Work in Chess' and
'Botvinnik's Chess Career'. The three volumes cover the period 1924-67
and include 700 games.
The selection for this English-language edition has been made from the
post-1946 games included in these volumes and from articles written by
Botvinnik for-Soviet magazines, covering his games after 1967, down to
1970, when Botvinnik announced his official retirement. Except where
indicated, all the annotations are by Botvinnik himself. The biographical
information is taken from the Soviet 'Chess Dictionary'. Thus, for the first
time English readers have a complete record of Botvinnik's outstanding
games during the whole post-war period. The selection has been made with
great care by Bernard Cafferty, who is well-known both as a player and as
a translator of Russian chess books.
BOTViNNIK'S CHESS CAREER 1947-70
Th c: rc:sults of th c: I 946 Groningc:n toumamc:nt (1st B otvinn ik 14Ya/ 19;

2nd Euwc: 14; 3rd Smyslov 14; 4th Najdorf 1211.i, c:tc.) showc:d up the:
wc:aknc:ss of Dutch and Amc:rican attc:mpts to c:xploit the: absc:ncc: of a sc:t
systc:m for dc:tc:rmJning the: World Championship by dc:claring as the: nc:w
World Champion c:ithc:r Euwc: or the: winnc:r of a projc:ctc:d Euwc: v
Rc:shc:vsky match.
At the: XVIII F.l.D.E. Congrc:ss. hc:ld at the: Hague: in August 1947, the:
Sovic:t chc:ss organisation became: mc:mbc:rs of F.1.D.E., and the: Sovic:t
proposal to dc:tc:rminc: the: nc:w World 01ampion by a match/toumamc:nt
bc:twc:c:n Botvinnik, Kc:res, Smyslov, Rc:shc:vsky, Finc: and Euwc: was
accc:pted.
·
Late: in 1947� Botvinnik won the: Chigorin Memorial Toumamc:nt, thus

coming ahc:ad of his future: World Championship rivalsKc:rc:s and Smyslov
- the: sc:vc:nth succc:ssivc: time: he: had done: this since: 1941 - as wc:ll as or
other strong Sovic:t grandmastc:rs and n:prc:sc:ntativc:s of othc:r Slav
countric:s (C:i:c:choslovakia, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Poland).
Summing up the: rc:sults of this tournamc:nt, Romanovsky drc:w
attc:ntion to Botvinnik's concrc:tc: mc:thod of thinking which harkc:d back
to the: grc:ilt Gb.igorin. Evc:ry move: was subjc:ctc:d to dc:c:p analysis and this
madt:: Botvinnik a particularly formidable: opponc:nt.
The: 1948 World Championship b c:gan on the: first of March at the:
Hague:, but the: drawing of lots had giYc:n Botvinnik numbc:r one: in the:
draw and he: did not start play until March 4th whc:n he: mc:t Euwc:, the:
only playc:r amongst his four opponc:nts (Fine: had withdrawn) who had a
plus score: against him. Euwc: incautiously accept-ed a positional pawn
sacrifice:, made: sc:vc:ral mistakc:s in a difficult position and resignc:d on
move: 32 (sc:c: game: 3). This victory not only inspirc:d Botvinnik, but also
showc:d him that he: had cor rc:ctly assc:ssc:d bis future opponc:nh whc:n
prc:paring for the: c:vmt. In assc:ssing Euwc: be: had condudc:d that the:
Dutch man likc:d to accc:pt sacrificc:s, but was afraid of attacks on his king.
In this game:, Euwc: had acceptc:d the: sacrifice and thc:n hurric:d to
c:xchange quc:ens, which was not his best policy.
Aftc:r the: game:, Botvinnik and his sc:cond, Ragozin, rc:tumc:d to thc:ir
hotc:l happy in the: knowlc:dgc: that a vc:ry i mportant game: had bc:m won in
good style:.
In the: first two cydc:s which took place: in Holland, Botvinnik scorc:d
six points out of c:ight and took a clear lc:ad He: snatchc:d victory from the:
2
j a ws o f defeat aga inst Resh e vsk y wh en th e latter l ost h is w ay in t ime

t r o ubl e c o mp li cati ons ( g a me 4) , a n d b e at K er es t wice , o n ce in a p r o longed
p ositi onal struggle an d th e s e co n d t ime by a de cis ive mat in g finish ( ga me
5).
Th e s e ns at ion o f th es e t wo c y c les w as E uwe's s cor e o f o n l y o n e and a
h a l f p oi nts whi ch r el e gat e d h im t o bott o m pla ce.
Th e M os c o w p art of th e event (thr e e c y c les) t o ok p la ce in th e H a ll o f
C o lumns o f th e Tr a de U ni o n H o us e, wher e fift e e n years be for e t h e y oung
B otvinnik had ga ine d his s p urs by dr a wi n g a mat ch w ith F lohr . It w as h er e
t o o th at L ask er a n d C a p a b la n ca h a d pl aye d th e ir last t o ur n a ment ga mes i n
th e S o viet U ni o n, a n d wher e th e 19 4 6 U.S.S.R. vers us U . S.A. mat ch h ad
t ak e n place. C o mpar e d t o th e nois y p la yi ng hall at th e H ague , wh ere th e
s p e ct at ors ' co ul d s mok e and dr ink , th e co nditions h e r e w er e b ett er s uit ed
t o cr eative th inki ng.
Botvin n ik app e ar e d on th e st age on th e 1 3th A pri l w ar mly gr e et e d by
th e M us c ovite fa ns. He was Wh it e again aga inst E uw e, and in a Mer an, in
which S o vi et th e or et icians have pr o du ced ma n y i n novat ions, s c or e d a fine
sacri fi cia l win whi ch l eve lle d h is p ers o n a l s cor e with th e for mer Wor ld
Ch a mpi o n.
By the t we nt y-s e co n d r o un d B otv inn ik was thr e e points c le ar o f h is
n e ar est r iva l and n e e de d o nly h a lf a p oi nt more f or f irst place. This half
p o int was duly s cor e d in his game with - yes! - E u w e on the 9th of May
1 9 48 , an d th e chi e f r e fer e e , M i l a n Vi dmar , for mally declared Mikhail
M ois e yev i ch Botvinnik the Wor l d Chess Ch a mp ion. Botvinnik's final result
o f 1 4 p o ints o ut of 20 was most co n vin cing as he h a d wo n a ll the separ at e
matches against h is opp onents a n d h a d a thr e e p oint m ar g in ove r th e
s e c o n d priz e wi nner , Smys lov.
N ow c a m e B ot vin nik 's t ur n t o de fe n d h is tit le in a ccor dan ce w ith th e
ne w q ualify ing s yst e m whi ch he hi ms e lf h a d o utline d in 1 9 46. H o wever,
be for e th is h e de vot e d s o me ti me to his w ork as an e le ctr ica l engin e er a n d
as a r es ult i n 1 9 5 1 was a war de d h is do ct or at e .
The ultimate winner of the new qualifying cycle was David Bronstein
( born 1 92 4) who had won the master title while still a schoolboy in Kiev
in 1 940. The match followed the same formula as was to apply in all
sub sequent matches:- 24 games in which the title holder needed 12 points
to retain his title, but th e challenger had 10 sc ore 12\12 or 1 3 points to win
the match and t h e title. ( Compare this with the Capablanca versus
Alekhine match of I 927 where the challenger had to be two points up to
be declared winner. )
The f irst few games o f th e mat ch sh o we d that B otvi n nik 's thr e e y e ar
absence from pra ct ical p l a y cost h im dear against s uch a w ell- pr e p ar e d
opponent, who sh o w e d hims e lf psy ch o log ica lly a lert t o t h e val u e o f
s urpr is es. Th us, wh er e as Br o nst e in h a d th e r e p ut ati o n o f bei n g an adh erent
of th e open ga mes , h e p la ye d 1 P�K 4 only o n ce in th is mat ch . B otvin n ik
sh o we d a c ert ai n l ack o f con fi de n ce wh ich le d to fr eq uent ti me tr o ub le.
To what extr e me cons eq uen ces th is ca n le a d was s h o w n in t h e fa mo us
ninth gam e wh er e B otvinn ik w o n a wh o le r o ok by a fi ne co m binati o n , b ut
co uld o n l y draw the ga me.
3
Bronstein had taken the lead by winning the fifth game but Botvinnik
responded with two successive victories and the whole match was
conducted in just such a tense cut and thrust atmosphere, with not a single
grandmaster draw. After the twentieth game Botvinnik held a point lead,
but then two successive victories by his opponent radically changed the
whole situation. However in the penultimate game the challenger failed to
appreciate all the finer points of a simplified position and lost a classic
ending (game 9). This game, like several others in the match, showed
Bronstein's weak points to be a dislike for playing simple positions and a
tendency to underestimate endgame technique.
Hence the whole issue was decided by the last game in which Bronstein
sought complications by sacrificing a pawn in the opening, but Botvinnik
defended accurately and offered a draw in a position in which he stood
b etter. Bronstein accepted after long thought and so the match was drawn
twelve all.
To repair the obvious faults which were due to his lack of practice,
Botvinnik then took part in two top chess events - the XIX U.S.S.R.
Championship and the Maroczy Memorial Tournament. His results in both
of these showed that he was still far from his best form, and he was
subjected to criticism by his colleagues and friends, notably by Ragozin in
an article in "Chess in the U.S.S.R." of 1952.
Botvinnik also found it difficult at this time because the very methods
of scientific training and preparation which the Soviet School had
developed with his co-operation, had produced a fine new generation of
players 1uch as Taimanov, Geller, Averbach, and Petrosian.
However, the next Soviet Championship showed an improvement in
Botvinnik's play and in a number of crucial contests wit�1 his main rivals
Keres, Geller and Bronstein the former confident Botvinnik reappeared As
a result he tied for first place with Taimanov and won the play-off match.
Then came Botvinnik's turn to defend his title again, this time against
Smyslov who had convincingly won the marathon 28 round Candidates'
Tournament played at Zurich in 1953. A notable contrast between this
match and the preceding one was that whereas Bronstein preferred to
conduct the main fight in the middle game, Smyslov preferred to go into a
number of crucial opening lines as a result of which the 1954 match made
a significant contribution to opening theory.
Botvinnik began the match well by exploiting Smyslov's failure to make
the most of his drawing chances in the adjournment session of the first
game, and then won the second in fine style by a typical Botvinnik move
JO P-KN 4! (game 19). After six games the title holder led 4� I� and the
challenger's chances were assessed very pessimistically by the experts.
However the situation changed when Botvinnik lost a drawn ending in the
seventh game, and after Smyslov had won the ninth game by an elegant
que-=n sacrifice, he proceeded to win the next two as well to take the lead.
Then came Botvinnik 's best achievement in the match. (see game 21) which
resulted in another kaleidescopic change - Botvinnik scoring four points
out of five to lead by two points after nineteen games.
Once again, however, as in the Bronstein match, Botvinnik played badly
4
at the end of the match and the score was again level with the last game to
play. This game, in fact, was the only one not to be played to a finish as
after Botvinnik had gained the advantage, Smyslov offered a draw when
each player had six pawns and seven pieces left. Naturally Botvinnik
accepted this surprising offd and so once again retained his title after a
drawn match.
The next three years saw Botvinnik very active, playing on top board
for the U.S.S.R. in the 1954 and 1956 Olympiads and getting good
percentages. In the XXII Championship in 1955 he experimented a great
deal without much success, and so shared third to fifth places. In this
event he played a number of complex endings of which the most notable
was his study-like win in an opposite bishop ending versus Kotov (game
28).
Botvinnik was in fine form in the 1956 Alekhine Memorial Tournament
held in the birthplace of the great Russian genius.. In the last round against
Keres, Botvinnik only had to draw to ensure winninit first prize oO.tright.
Many players in such a situation would have chosen an opening system
which would allow speedy simplification, but that is not Botvinnik's way.
!le chose a complex variation of the Sicilian, came under strong attack and
lost his only game of the tournament, so letting Smyslov draw level with
him. The latter had already won the 1956 C andidates event so that such a
result provided a most fitting prelude to the next World Championship
duel in the spring of the following year.
In this match Botvinnik took the lead at the start, but thereafter
Smyslov seized the initiative and hung onto it to the end winning by six
wins to three with thirteen draws, and thereby became the seventh World
Champion. Botvinnik, with his usual objectivity, admitted that Smyslov's
victory was deserved. He played confidently in this match without any
great tension, made fewer mistakes and analysed the adjourned games
better. Nevertheless the breakthrough, in Botvinnik's opinion, came as late
as the eighteenth game in which he adjourned with some advantage, and
took it that his opponent could not exchange rooks and transpose into an
opposite bishop ending as this ending would be a win for Botvinnik.
However, Smyslov, in fact, chose to do this very thing, Botvinnik could
not find a win and offered a draw in a position which he subsequently
published as a study in which he claimed a win! After this upset Botvinnik
could no longer play at full strength as he felt that he was now failing to
assess positions correctly.
According to F .I.D.E. rules, Botvinnik had the right to a return match
within a year on the same conditions as the original match.Many people
wondered whether Botvinnik would exercise this right. The public and
even well qualified commentators are usually strongly influenced by the
most recent results and the score of the 1957 match was quite a
convincing one in Smyslov's favour. Thus one Soviet commentator wrote,
"At the transitional point from the first half of the twentieth century to
the second, M. M. Botvinnik was undoubtedly the strongest player in the
world, but when the second half of the century began this proposition
became somewhat doubtful .. .. Smyslov has shown that the three year
5
period since the last match has been profitably used by him. Now he has
gone ahead of Botvinnik, a full three points ahead"
It is possible that Smyslov himself was one of those who were
convinced by this line of reasoning. Two months after his victory he wrote
an article which might be open to the interpretation that he thought that
Botvinnik now belonged to the past history of the game.
Botvinnik decided to exercise his right and informed the President of
F .I.D.E. of his decision in July 195 7. Thus he had only nine short months
in which to improve his form, and his chances must have appeared slim to
most people, especially as he did not play a single tournament game during
this period However, those who reckoned on an easy victory for the
World Champion failed to take account of Botvinnik's ability to diagnose
the causes of his failures and his ability to overcome them. Certainly his
challenge was no mere symbolic gesture. So in 1958 the world saw a new
Botvinnik, well prepared both physically and psychologically.
Right away in the first game he surprised his opponent by adopting the
Caro-Kann which he had never played before. Smyslov was unprepared for
this, handled the opening rather superficially and ultimately lost. Note the
strong impression made by Botvinnik's twelfth move, Q-Q5 ! playing his
queen to the very centre of the board which is normally disadvantageous
on a full board (game 42).
In the second game Smyslov strove for complications but made some
slight inaccuracies and lost again. In the third game he got a good position
but overlooked a fairly simple combination and lost yet again. Hence in
the space of six days, the three points by which he had "got ahead" of
Botvinnik had evaporated. Nevertheless these reverses did not break
Smyslov's will to win as he could remember the 195 4 match in which he
had been 314-14 down, yet fought back to draw the match. However,
though he-fought hard this time, he did not succeed in reducing his deficit.
Botvinnik conducted the fifteenth game very strongly and adjourned with
a material and positional advantage. The expectation was that Smyslov
would not even play on from the adjourned position as only a miracle
could save him. Nevertheless a miracle did occur. In the adjournment
session Botvinnik made his task harder than was necessary, surrendered his
extra pawn, and then in a position where he still had good winning chances
with only two moves to make in a few minutes, completely forgot about
the clock and lost on time - a unique occurrence indeed!
The remaining games showed clear signs of fatigue on both sides,
especially the eighteenth in which the advantage swung to and fro several
times. Finishing up with a score of seven wins to five with eleven draws,
Botvinnik won back the title and was crowned champion for the fourth
time.
Just as the chess world was thus seeing the end of the titanic series of
games Botvinnik versus Smyslov, it fell to its lot to look on at an even
more gripping series of events. The Riga player Mikhail Tai, who was born
in the year of Botvinnik's Nottingham success (1936) scored a series of
marvellous victories and at the early age of 23 won the right to a World
Championship match, without having once played the current title holder.
6
Tal's meteoric rise to the summit, and his bold style, captured universal
attention. As a Soviet journalist remarked, apart from the case of Morphy
there was no other player who had so stirred the imagination of the chess
public as Tai.
The first game of the Botvinnik-Tat match saw the former true to
himself adopting his favoured 3 .. B-N 5 variation in the French
.
Defence. However, this was just what Tai wanted, an early upsetting of the
balance, tactical threats and, finding himself in his element, he forced
resignation on the 32nd move.
Then Botvinnik changed his plans and went over to the Caro-Kann
which had served him so well against Smyslov.He succeeded in getting the
play into manueuvring channels and in the next four games he achieved
the sort of position which did not appeal to Tai, and the latter's attempts
to force matters put him close to defeat. Thus in the third game Tai chose
to play (after 1 P-K4 P-QB3 2 N-QB3 P-Q4 3 N-83 B-N5 4 P-KR3
B x N) the strange recapture 5 P x B which was universally criticised, and
in the fifth'had to play very hard to save an inferior ending.
However, the very next day Tai achieved his aim and by a typical
intuitive piece sacrifice forced Botvinnik to rely entirely on the calculation
of concrete variations. Botvinnik blundered when he failed to see a
winning line, which his opponent too had missed, and lost. The next game
too was lost by the title holder probably under the influence of the
previous game and so he fell three points behind Two wins in a row
thereafter almost levelled the scores and the match was only decided in the
l 7th game which saw a repetition of the third in that Tai played what
seemed a clearly inferior move and Botvinnik got the better game.
However, when he was two pawns up, he made a losing blunder on the
39th move when in serious time trouble. Hence Tai became the youngest
World Champion in the history of the game.
However the match did not solve the "problem of Tai" iri the sense that
it did not provide an answer to the question whether the so-called intuitive
style was the very latest word in the development of the game which was
destined to replace the classical style of play in its modern scientific sense.
Tai himself, summing up on the match, expressed the opinion that one
should not draw the conclusion that the combinational school had
triumphed over the positional as the result of the match had been
influenced considerably by Botvinnik's inadequate practical preparation
which had given rise to many cases of time trouble and lack of confidence.
Before he won the World Championship, Botvinnik rarely got into time
trouble, and when he did he rarely blundered. Now, however, with
advancing age his life-long custom of checking all likely variations and
attaching less weight to intuition led to fatigue and therefore to errors.
Once again, just as three years previously, the intriguing question was -
would there be a return match? Botvinnik was now on the threshold of his
fiftieth year, his name was already written for all eternity in the annals of
chess history, he had achieved so much that he could well have taken his
rest and let the younger ones fight on. All the same he chose to exercise
his right yet again and, one rather thinks, not seeking further glory but
7
hoping to discover Tal's .. secret". The situation was hardly propitious as
the problem of age seemed intractable and Tal's victory (six wins to two
with thirteen draws) looked more impressive than Smyslov's in 1957.
However the lessons of 1958 were not so easily forgotten and the
authorities on the whole preferred to refrain from forecasts. As Euwe
wrote, only Lasker had played top class chess at the age of fifty, but one
could not exclude the possibility that after a year's deep study, Botvinnik
would find a solution to his problems and so would be bracketed along
with the German colossus as a marvel of longevity.
In the return match, Botvinnlk did, in fact, manage to achieve what he
had failed to do a year previously. He imposed his own method of play on
Tai, and deprived the younger man of the possibilities of choosing
"intuitive" lines, or when Tai did choose them, exacted too high a price in
return. Tai stubbornly kept on paying the price and made more and more
antipositional decisions (see for example his P-QN4 in game 60). However
Botvinnik showed that against a player who had full mastery of all the
modem arsenal of the games' weapons, such methods were doomed to
failure. Consider, for example, the forcing way in which Tai tried to
complicate matters in the ninth game (Tai Black ): 1 P -QB4 N-KB3 2
N-QB3 P-K4 3 P-KN3 P-83 4 N-83 P-K5 5 N-Q4 P-Q4 6 P x P
Q-N3 7 N-N3 P x P 8 B-N2 P-QR4 9P-Q3 P-R5 10 B-K3 Q-N5 11
N-Q4P-R612 N-B2! Q xP 13 B-Q4
Tai has made eig�t pawn moves and three queen moves out of twelve.
He has managed to complicate matters and he has won a pawn, but White's
superior development gave Botvinnik a clear advantage and though the
game went to another sixty moves, Tai was unable to save it.
Nor is it true to say, as Kotov did, that Botvinnik scrupulously avoided
all complications and would even give away part of his advantage to get
simple clear positions in which Tai became bored In fact probably no
other World Championship match of the twentieth century abounded in
sharp positions in which the balance of position or material had been
disturbed, but Botvinnik assessed these positions no worse than did Tai.
Despite the fact that by the fifteenth game Tai was five points behind,
he did not give up, and won the 17th and 19th games. He was very close to
victory in the 20th tpo, in which Botvinnik managed to save an apparently
hopeless rook and pawn ending in a game that went to a record 121
moves. Botvinnik, however, finished off the match strongly (see game 62)
and a score of ten wins to five with six draws meant that for the second
time he had won back the world crown - a real sporting feat, a triumph of
logic, will power and preparation.
Having returned for a second time to the chess throne, Botvinnik began
to think seriously of v oluntary abdication. He made a half joking hint
about this at the closing ceremony in 1961 when he pointed out that he
had not won any of his four World Championship matches (two draws and
two losses) and could only win return matches. Now that the right to a
return match had been removed his position had become critical. In fact
this tradition of the defending champion doing badly goes back as far as
the 1921 Lasker versus Capablanca match, and was not broken (and that
8
only narrowly) until 1966 by Petrosian! In fact the removal of a return

match has robbed the chess world of many interesting games, and so can
hardly be called a progressive step.
Despite his doubts, Botvinnik continued to play and was top board for
the U.S.S.R . in the 1962 Olympiad where be f irst met over the board the
young American R. J. Fischer. The game ended in a draw after Fischer had
held a considerable advantage and as Botvinnik revealed in his notes, the
drawing resource in a rook and pawn ending was found by his colleague,
Geller, that most ingenious player and theoretician of whom Botvinnik has
a very high opinion.
The next challenger for the title was settled in the summer of 1962 on
the distant island of Curacao when Tigran Petrosian just outdistanced
Keres and Geller in a tournament in which Fischer and Tai failed badly.
Petrosian, ju st like Bronstein, had won the master title at the age of
s ixtee n but his development had been much slower than th at of either
,
Bronstein or Tai. Nevertheless his development d id show a remarkable

consistency with hardly any steps backward, and led to high prizes in the
Soviet Championship, then the winning of the gold medal in 1959 and
1 96 1 a nd finally the triumph at Curacao.
The match began with an uncharacteristic piece of play from Petrosian,
when for about the only time in the match his usually steel-like nerves let
him down and the wild 30 P-KN 4 led to a quick loss (game 71 ) However .
Petrosian soon took himself in hand and did not try to force matters,
which was perhaps what Botvinnik had e x pe ct ed and although he had to
,
withstand serious pressure in several of the early games he took the lead by
winning the fifth and seve n th. Botvinnik levelled the sc ore s by winning the
fourteenth game, but then made a psychological error. He tried too
ambitiously to go one better, chose a difficult variation of the Gruenfeld
and lost in face of Petrosian's accurate e xploi t a t io n of a small advantage.
The result still remained in doubt till the eighteenth game which was
adjourned in a position about which different authorities held conflicting
views. Petrosian himself only expected a draw, but straight away after the
adjournment Botvinnik chose the wrong plan and lost. Botvinnik was
without a second in this match, apparently relying on his many years of
analyti ca l experience. However this time it let him down, p robably
because of fati gue. No less than thirteen of the eighteen games had been
acljoumed and demande d deep study, in which Petrosian had the help of
Boleslavsky. If one does not count the last three games of the match in
which Botvinnik had largely given up the fight, all the othergames were
contested very stubbornly and were normally decided in the ending.
The opening repertoire too was somewhat unusual. I P-K4 was never
played, apd instead of the fashionable Indian Defences, the players
preferred to play various forms of the Que en s Gambit. Petrosian displayed
'
high level technique, exact positional j udg ment and staying power, and by
winning five games to two with fifteen draws became the ninth World
Champion.
At the closing ceremony Petrosian. declared, "We all consider ourselves
pupils of M. M. Botvinnik, the acknowledged leader of Soviet chess
9
players. F uture generations too will learn from his games." B otvinnik
attributed h is defeat to his failure to adjust properly to P e trosian's style
and to lack of form despite the fact that he had trained himself in
accordance wjth all the rules of his previously successful practice.
Moreover he considered that nowadays the World Champion was merely a
first among equals and Pe trosian's play and results since 1963 seem to
confirm this.
However, Botvinnik's chess career was far from over, and in some ways
one could take the view that his play since the loss of the title in 1 963 has
shown little s ign of deterioration ( apart from the European Team
Championship at Hamburg in 1 965).
Certainly his more frequen t appearances in mixed tournaments in
recent y e ars have shown him in a very favourable light, as the will to win
which has always marked his p lay is shown to l:.o�st advantage in such
events rather than in World Championship matches where the
determination not to lose seems a more valuable quality.
The year following the Petrosian match saw Botvinnik make what was
his last appearance for the Sovi e t Union in an Olympiad when h e played
second board a t Tel-Aviv. He was not selected for the Havana Olympiad in
1966 when Smyslov and Keres too were dropped as part of what seemed a
pol icy of preferring youth for this most exacting event. Then in 1965
came Botvinnik's withdrawal from the C andidates' Matches for which h e
h a d qualified as the loser of the 1963 match. H i s statemen t justifying h i s
decision came as a disapp ointment to h i s supporters a s his victories over
Petrosian (game 78), S myslov (game 79) and S tein (game 8 0) had shown
that he had not lost the knack of beating the stronge st players in the
world. H e argued, however, that he did not like the F.I.D. E. decisions
connected with the conduct of the World Championship, in p articular its
removal of the right to a return match. Moreover the p rospect of h aving to
play about 56 gam es in a s ingle year as p art of the new Candidates'
Match /Tournament would mean, he declared, that he would h ave to give
up for that year both his ordinary work in electricity technology and in
the drawing up of a programme for a chess playing computer , a step that
he was not prepared to take.
However, he still continued to show both this year and in subsequent
years that he remained one of the strongest players i n the world - see his
victories over World Championship candidates Larsen (game 84) and
Spassky (game 98 ) .
The first sign of a slight weakening of Botvinnik's powers came a t t he
end of 1969 when he could only come seventh in a tournament at
B elgrade which, although strong, was won by players against whom, with
the exception of G eller, he had had up to now a plus score.
The reason for this comparative failure was almost certainly the harsh
playing schedule under which there were no rest days and adjourned games
were compl eted on the same day as actual rounds.
Nor did Botvinnik impress too much when he was back in B elgrade the
following Spring. Several good judges thought he was put on too low a
board in the U . S.S.R. team against the R es t of the Worl d, and that h e
10
would score two or three wins against Matulovic. However, the ingenious
Yugoslav got away with only a minimal minus score.
Shortly after this there came Botvinnik's last long tournament - the
rather strange match/tournament of four at Leiden. The event featured
some excellent chess but even the victor, Spassky, complained about the
difficult nature of a competition in which there were no outsiders.
Certainly the high percentage of draws makes the promotion of such
events a doubtful business in these days when more stress is being laid on
attracting a live public as well as on satisfying the growing numbers of
chess supporters who play through the games months afterwards.
Then, late in 1970, Botvinnik formally announced his retirement from
top class play, indicating that he might play again in minor events when
(some might say in wishful thinking "ir') he had finished the task of
preparing a programme for a chess playing computer.
So ends the chess playing career of a genius who many think must be
put on a par with Alekhine and Capablanca.He has met every holder of
the world title except Steinitz, has a plus score against a great majority of
the world's leading players of the last four decades, and has largely
determined by his own example the future development of chess along
both scientific and creative lines.
11
1 Moscow 1 947
Black : A. Tsvetkov
Catalan Open!ng
1 P-QB4 N-KB 3 15 KR-Ql P- B3

2 P-Q4 P- K3 This forms part of Blac k's plans
3 P-KN3 P-Q4 as otherwise he cannot unscramble
4 B-N2 B-K2 his pieces.
4 .. .P x P followed by P-QR3, 16 N-Q3 B- B2
P-QN4 and P-B4 is more active. 17 Q-B2 !
5 N-KB3 0-0 By withdrawing his queen from
6 0-0 Px P possible attac ks such as P-K4 or
Here this is not as strong as at N-N3, White forces his opponent
the fourth move as the plan of to make a ch oice - either to all ow
advancing the Q-side pawns now P-K4 without a struggle, or to
involves some risks. prevent it by P-KB4 which is,
7 Q- B2 QN-Q2 h owever, a weakening move.
This seems to make it dear that 17 B- Q3
Blac k is not thinking of attac king 18 P- K4 N-B2
the QP by P-B4. He could all ow 19 B-K3
himself this 'luxury' only if he were N ow it is clear that B lack h as
able to organise some control over a lost the first phase o f the battle.
central square such as K5. As this is White has a strong centre and has
not the case, Black gains no achieved complete mobilisation.
compensation for White's central However, there are no real
superiority. weaknesses in Black's position, and
8 QN-Q2 N-N3 for the moment it is impossible to
Hoping to ease the defence by say where the decisive blow will
exchanges. fall.
9 NxP NxN 19 Q-Kl
10 QxN R-N l 20 P-QR4
Pr e p aring the manoeuvre Limiting the mobility of the
B-Q2- K l - as played in similar blac k knight.
positions of the Orthodox Defence 20 P-QR3
in the QGD. White's next few 21 Q-B3 B-N3
moves aim at occupying the centre 22 Q- R5
with his pieces and pawns, and at White's fint real threat - to win
provo king P-QB3 so as to restrict by P-K5.
the mobility of Black's QB. 22 R-B2
11 B- B4 N-Q4 23 N- B4 !
12 B-Q2 B-Q2 The decisive manoeuvre. The
13 N-K5 B- K l exchange of one or other of Blac k's
14 QR- B l bish ops which is now inevitable will
N ow Blac k cannot avoid playing give White a winning position as
P-QB3. then the mobility of Blac k's
14 P-QB 3 remaining pieces is seriously
12 Moscow 1 947
reduced and the weakness of 24 NxB QxN

certain squares becomes very 25 Q-N 6
evident. With a fresh threat - 2 6 P-K5 !
B-Bl 2 7 B x P.
25 Q- R4
Parrying the threat as 2 6 P-K5
is now met by 2 6 • .P x P 2 7 Px P
.
B-B4.
26 Q -N3 1
This move is decisive as Black
can no longer satisfactorily meet
the threats of 2 7 Rx P and 2 7
P-Q5 followed by ·B - R7.
26 R(2 )-Q I
2 7 P -Q5 KP x P
28 B- R7 Q R-Bl
29 Q x NP P-KB4
23 R-Q2 30 P x QP Resigns.
2 Moscow 1 94 7
Black : V. Ragozin
Nimzoindian Defence
I P-Q4 N-KB3 8 P -Q5

2 P-QB4 P -K3 White decides to advance his
3 N-QB3 B-N5 central pawn at some slight risk to
4 P-K3 Q-- K2 himself as his K-side development
This is a far from pointless is backward. Should the game
move, but as Black had already assume an open nature Black would
envisaged playing a fianchetto of be able to exploit his more actively
his QB it would be more logical to placed pieces.
play 4 . .. P-QN3 straight away. 8 P-Q3
5 N-K2 Black simply loses the thread.
Rubinstein's well known idea. Either 8 .. . 0 -0 or 8 . . . P x P 9
White forces the exchange of his P x P Q-K4 was better. The text
opponent's KB without having the leads to a loss of time and to a
drawback of a doubled QBP. weakening of the Q-side.
5 P-QN3 9 B -K2 QN-Q2
6 P-Q R3 Bx N+ It was already to late to try
7 NxB B-N2 9 .. . P x P 10 P x P Q-K4 because
Moscow 1 947 13
of 11 P-K4 - 11 ... N x KP? 12 The position of the black knight

Q-R4+ ....... and Black has a poor on K4 only facilitates the
position. development of White's initiative. A
10 0-0 0- 0 similar mistake to this had already
11 P-K4 been made against me in the game
As a result of the opening Black Botvinnik-Flohr, XIV U.S.S.R.
has no compensation for his Championship 1 94 5, which went as
opponent's possession of the two follows:
bishops and now experiences 1 P-Q4 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 P x P 3
difficulties in getting counterplay. N-KB3 P- QR3 4 P-K3 B-N5 5
Several masters proposed here B x P P-K3 6 Q-N3 B x N 7 P x B
11 ... N-Kl, but this has little R-R2 8 B-Q2 N-KB3 9 N-B3
point as after 1 2 B -K3! P-KB4 13 QN-Q2 10 B -K2 P-B4 11 P-Q5
K P x P the most that Black will P-K4 12 P-QR4 B -Q3 13 0-0
achieve is the opening of the K-file Q-K2 14 K-Rl P-K5 15 R-KNl
but with his K-side weakened In P x P 1 6 B x BP N-K4? - correct
this difficult situation Ragozin was 1 6 ... Q-K4! 1 7 R-N2
takes the right decision to open the P-N4! preventing 1 8 P-B4 - and
K-file at once so as to be able to now after 1 7 B-K2 0-0 1 8 P-B4
exploit his slightly superior N-N3 1 9 B-Q3! QR-Rl 20
development. Q-B2 Q-B 2 21 P-N3 KR-Kl 22
11 Px P QR-KBl QR-QI 23 Q-Ql the
12 KP x P KR-Kl threat of Q-B3 followed by
13 B-K3 P-QR3 P-K4-K5 was so strong that Flohr
Forced as he must prevent the gave up a piece by 23 . . B x P 24
•
t r ansfer of the k ni g ht P x B N x QP but after 2 5 N x N

N-N5-Q4 -B 6. R x N 2 6 R-N3 KR -Ql 27 Q-K2
14 Q-B2 N-K4 Q-Q2 28 R(l )-B3 R -Q 5 29
This move in effect loses the B-B3! soon lost as he could not
game. Black's position is critical capture the BP.
and he has no time for making 15 QR-Kl B-Bl
moves on general considerations, Black fails to discern the
moves lacking in concrete aim. gathering storm clouds.
Ragozin fails to recognise that his 16 B-Q4 N-N3
number one enemy is White's Black's pieces have finally been
knight, which holds Black in thrall forced away from the centre!
both in the centre and on the 17 P-B4 B-Q2
Q-side. The correct move was 18 P-KN4!
14 ...N-K 5! when Black would (see diagram over page)
not be far short of equality as 1 5 Very unexpected White doesn't
B-Q3 N x N ! 1 6 B x P+ K-Rl 17 want to lose a single tempo and
P x N is not dangerous for him if forms a strong K-side pawn
only because of the continuation phalanx with an immediate threat
17 ... Q-R 5 1 8 B-Q3 N-K4 and of winning a knight by 1 9 P-N5.
then N x B. Another feasible line Black would have a hopeless game
was 14 ... P-QN4 1 5 P x P N x P after 1 8 ... P-KR3 1 9 B -Q3!
1 6 N x N B x N 1 7 P x P when Q x R 20 R x Q R x R+ 21 K-B 2
Black has counterplay for his pawn. QR-Kl 2 2 QB x N P x B 23 B x N .
14 World Champio nship, The Hague 1948
The strongest reply is 18 ...K-Rl 18 Q-Ql

freeing a square for the knight to 19 P-N5 N-N5
retreat to. However then White 20 Q-Q2!
would retain his great advantage by A quiet move that refutes
19 Q-Q2 Q-Ql 20 P-R3. Black Black's play. The weaknesses along
fails to find this reply and falls into the QB1/KR 6 diagonal are now
a trap that White had prepared for reliably defended and the advanced
him. black knight is lost.
20 P-R3
A piece is lost, and Black's
further resistance makes no
difference to the eventual outcome:
21 P-B 5 N(3)-K4 22 P-R3
N-KB3 23 P x N Q x P 24 Q-B4
R -K2 25 K-Rl P-B4 2 6 B-Nl
P-N3 27 P x P Q x Q 2 8 R x P
P x P 29 R -B 6 B-B4 30 R x QP
N x P 31 R-K 6 R x R 32 P x R
B x KP 33 B-B3 Resigns.
3 World Championship, The Hague 1 948

Black: Dr. M. Euwe
Queen's Gambit Declined
1 P-Q4 P-Q4 11 0-0 0- 0

2 P-QB4 P-K3 12 QR-Kl
3 N-KB3 N-KB3 A cunning move. Now Black
4 N-B3 P-B3 finds it hard to find a satisfactory
5 P-K3 QN-Q2 answer as after 12 ... P x P 13
6 B -Q3 B-N5 P x P White wins an important
7 P-QR3 B-R4 tempo by attacking the queen; if
8 Q-B 2 Q-K2 1 2 ...R-Kl then 1 3 N-KN5, so
A poor move. 8 ... 0-- 0 as Black has to retreat his bishop.
Taimanov played against me in the 12 B-B 2
U. S.S.R. Championship play-off 13 N-K4!
(1 9 53) is better. This prevents the threatened
9 B -Q2 Px P 13 . .. P-K5 (14 N-KN 5 B x P+
This surrender of the centre is 15 K x B N -N 5 + and
not forced as 9 . .. B -B 2 could be 1 6 ... Q x N ) and simultaneously
tried. threatens 14 B-N4.
10 BxP P-K4 13 NxN
World Championship, The Hague 1948 15
14 QxN P-QR4 managed to defend in time all the

Weakening his Q-side and losing points of attack". Thus White
v a l u able time. 1 4 . . . B-Q3 could, if nothing else, play here 28
deserved consideration. P x P B x RP 29 P-K5! with a
15 B - R2 N- B 3 strong attack. Keres considers that
16 Q-R4 P-K5 White does be tter to choose the
17 N-K5 ! modest 25 R-Ql (instead of 2 5
A natural p awn sacrifice which P-KR4) 2 5 .. . QR-Ql 2 6 R x R
Black should certainly not h ave R x R 27 B x RP but supp oses that
accepted. After 1 7 . . . B-K3 1 8 after 27 . . . R-Q8+ 28 K-B2
B-N l B-Q4 he had adequate R-QB8 B lack has some
defensive resources against either counterplay . I am always prepared
19 P-B 3 KR-Kl or 1 9 B-B3 to be satisfied with such a
KR- K l . "modest" c ontinuation, having an
17 BxN extra pawn and two strong bishops.
18 PxB Q x KP Possibly then 22 . . . B-N5 was
19 B-B 3 Q-K2 stronger than the text, but would
20 P-B 3 N-Q4 not have saved Black. One must
Euwe starts getting nervous , and consider Euwe's decisive mistake as
wants to put an end to the growing being his 20th move.
attack on his king, but fails to 23 R-Ql N-N3
notice that thereby he gets a poor 24 R-Q6 B-R3
ending. 25 R-B 2 B-N4
20 . . . P x P didn't work because 26 P-K5
of 2 1 B-N l P - R 3 22 R x P N-Q4
2 3 R -N 3!, so he had to play
2 0 . . . B-K3 and if 21 B-N 1 then
21 . .. N-Q4 2 2 Q x KP P-KB4
and 2 3 . . .N x B. As the game goes
Black never gets time to develop his
QB.
21 Qx Q NxQ
22 PxP P-QN 3
This move was justly criticised
by Makogonov in 'Shakhmaty v
SSSR' 4/1 948 and by Keres in his
tournament book, but what can
one suggest in its place? Now Black loses because of the
22 . . . B-K3 loses quickly to 23 weakness of the KB2 square.
B x B P x B 24 R x R+ K x R 25 White's doubled pawns get on the
R- B l + ! K-N l ( 2 5 .. . K-Kl 26 move, controlling vital central
B x N P ) 26 R-Ql and after rook to squares and preparing a decisive
the seventh it is all over. opening of diagonals for White's
If 22 . . . B-N 5 , then 23 R-B 4 bishops.
B-R4 2 4 P -KN4 B-N3 25 26 N-K2
P-KR4 P-R4 2 6 K-R2 K-R2 27 27 P-K4 P-QB4
R-KN l P-B3 when I cannot agree 28 P-K6 ! P- B 3
with Keres that "Black has just 29 R x NP B- B 3
16 World Championsh ip, Th e Hague 1 94 8
30 RxB NxR 32 B-Q S Resigns.

31 P -K7+ R-B2
4 World Championship, The H ague 1 948

Black : S. Reshevsky
Nimzoindian Defence
1 P-Q4 N-KB 3 QB in return for which he merely

2 P -QB4 P -K3 has the e x tra move P -QR3 which is
3 N-QB 3 B-NS of little value.
4 P -K3 6 N-B3 0-0
I n answer t o the Nimzoindian, The other p ossible system of
B o tvinnik invariably adopts this devel opment here is 6 . . P -QN3 7
.
modest reply, recommended by B-Q3 B-N2 preventing P-K4.

Rubinstein. B o tvinni k has studied it However the text is quite feasible.
in detail both in theory and 7 P-QN4
p ractice. White achieves, without This advance which apparen tly i s
the slightest risk, a sound position, aimed at preventing P -QB4 is
and can quickly get an advantage clearly premature and gives Black
by apparently insignificant and good counterplay. The n.atural
quiet moves should Black play continuation is 7 B-Q3 as
inaccurately. 7 . . . P-B4 8 0-0 holds no dangers
The system of development for White. Black ·could also play
chosen by Reshevsky is one of the 7 . . . P-QN3 and B-N2 as in the
best and leads to equality. las t note.
4 P -Q4 7 QN-Q2
5 P -QR 3 B-K2 I t is surprising that Reshevsky
After 5 . . B x N+ 6 P x B
. fails to t ake the opp ortunity of
P - B 4 7 BP x P KP x P 8 B-Q3 playing 7 . .. P- QR4 8 P -NS
followed by N-K2 a position arises P -B4 with fine counterplay on the
which is well-known to Bo tvinnik, Q-side. the line chosen with
and from which he has scored fine QN-Q2 and P- B 3 is too passive
successes. and gives White the better of it.
As Reshevsky likes to adopt that 8 B-N2 P- B 3
line for White then understandably Now 8 . . P-QR4 i s risky
.
he chooses another c ontinuation. I because of 8 P -BS. After the text

feel the bishop retreat has more however, 9 P -BS gives White
positional justification than its n o t hi n g as Black replies
exchange as by comparison with a 9 . . . Q- B2 and sooner or later
similar position in the Queen's forces P -K4 with a perfectly
Gambit Declined, with a black adequate game.
bishop on K 2 , White has shut in his 9 B-Q3 PxP
World Championship, The Hagu e 1948 17
Prem ature a s it gives White the Black's n ex t, but 15 Q-Q3 at once

freer game. Blac k ought to play was better as 1 5 . . . N-R5 1 6
9 . . . B-Q3 at once (a move that B- B l is all right for White.
might eve n have been played on 15 P- R5
m ove 5) as- 1 0 P-B5 B- B2 16 Q-Q3 R-R4
foll owed by Q-K2 and P-K4 gives Black has achieved a p osition in
him a fine p osition. If, h owever, which he ha s excellent chances of
White replies 1 0 0-0 then also exploiting his opp onent's white
10 . . . Q-K2 with the threat of square weaknesses - p articularly
P-K4 in some variations, without White's QB4 square.
weakening his centre by P x BP 17 N- B3
foll owed by P- K4. Trying to hold QN 5 as after 1 7
10 BxP B-Q3 B x B Q x B Black has the fresh
11 N-1}2? threat of 1 8 . . . Q-N4, and if 1 8
White preve nts the advance B- B3, then 1 8 . . . R-N4 1 9 0-0
11 . • P- K4, but the absence of
. R-B l with control of QB5 and the
his knight from the Q- side is better game. M ore over, Blac k has
exploited by B lack who gets active the alternative 17 B x B Q x B 1 8
play there. The corre ct line was 1 1 B-- B 3 Q-N4 1 9 Q- Nl Q x Q+ 20
0-0 P- K4 1 2 Q- B2 and if R x Q R- R3 transposing into a
1 2 . . . P x P 1 3 P x P N - N3 1 4 fairly favourable ending.
B-R2 when White re tains some 17 Q- Kl
opening advantage - he can h ardly N ow B lac k finally gains c ontrol
rec kon on more after the loss of of his QN4 but at the cost of a
time involved in his seventh and tempo. He could consider
eighth moves. 17 . . . KN-Q4 though White could
11 P-QR4! replay 18 0-0.
Taking the initiative. Black now 18 BxB Qx B
gets the advantage due to his 19 0-0
opp o ne n t' s w h i t e · s q u ar e 1 9 P-K4 is also met by
we akn esses. I t i s very instructive to 1 9 . . . R-QB l (20 P- K5? B x KP).
follow how Reshevsky now expl oits The text is better.
the p ossibilities hidden in the 19 R- B l
positiorL 20 P-K4?
12 P-N 5 N-N3 White's attempt, initiated by his
13 B-Q3 PxP l 7th move, to defend his Q-side
14 pxp B-Q2 weaknesses has failed Black
15 Q-N3 controls his QB5 and stands clearly
As a resul t of White's inaccuracy better. The central attac k be gun by
at m ove eleven, R eshevsky has the text weakens his p osition still
s u c ce s s fu l l y completed his further, where as 20 N-Q2 would
development and begun to ge t play provide a sound and probably
on the Q-side. B lac k tries to ade quate defence. 20 KR-NI
exchange white-squared bishops so N- B5 21 B- B l was also a better
that the weakne ss of White 's QB4 idea as f or the moment White has
will become apparent, and in some defended all the p oints under
variations the blac k knight can play attack, bu t his p osition is passive
to QR5. Hence Botvinnik provokes which is not a situation favoured by
18 World Championship, The Hague 1948
Botvinnik. complicates matters. Who would

20 N-B5 think that Black would last only
21 B-B l P-K4! another six moves!
Opening up the centre and 26 N x KP
activating his pieces. White's best 27 R-K2 P-B4
practical chance now was 2 2 P-Q5 28 P-N4
to keep the c entre closed, but it This move which White made at
would not have given him a really once, threatens 29 P x P winning a
satisfactory position. piece and it made Reshevsky think
22 R-Ql PxP hard He consumed a valuable three
23 QxP Q-K3 or four minutes, but could not find
24 R-R2 P-KR3 the refutation, and with his flag
Both players were already in about to fall made an obvious move
time trouble which explains many attacking the queen.
of the inaccuracies which follow. � B-B�
The text is a useful move to make The sound way to retain his
when short of time, but it is also advantage was 28 . . . N - N 4! with
positionally good as it robs White the following possibilities:-
of the use of KN5. White too must A) 2 9 N x N Q x R 30 N-B 6+
adopt waiting tactics as he has no P x N 31 Q-Q5+ K- R l 32 N - B 7 +
resource available whereby he can K- R2 33 Q x B P + K - N 2 34
create active counterplay. B x P+ K x N getting away from the
25 P-R3 R-R3 checks, or 33 N-N5+ BP x N 34
Q-.B 7 + K- R l 35 Q- B6+ K-N l
36 Q-N 6+ K-B l with the same
outcome.
B) 29 R x Q N x N+ 30 K-N2
N x Q 31 R x N P x P with a pawn
up in the ending.
C ) 29 Q-Q3 N x N+ 30 Q x N
P x P once again a pawn up.
Of these variations the second
one is comparatively best for White,
but Black's advantage is clear and
with accurate play he should win.
29 PxP Q x P?
Black had a good game, but not
26 N-Q5 ! good enough to withstand two
Black's last move protected his gross blunders in a row. The text
bishop and so threatened simply loses a piece after which
2 6 . . . N-K4 with decisive Black could resign.
advantage. White finds it hard to Although his first blunder
meet this 'threat as his pieces are robbed B lack of all his advantage,
tied down by the necessity of he could still keep equality. It was
defending each other and he has no essential to play 29 . . . B x Q 30
strong squares. By the text, White P x Q B x P+ 3 1 R x B ( 3 1 K-N2
takes advantage of his opponent 's R x P) 31 . . . N x R and after
time trouble, sacrifices a pawn and either 32 K x N R x P or 32 R - K l
World Championship, The Hague 1 948 19
N-Q6 Bla!=k runs no risk of losing. B-Q 3+ 32 B -B4.

30 Q x N(K4) 31 N-R2 R(l)-B3
Of course not 30 Q x B? R x Q 32 N-B4
31 N-K7+ K-R2 32 N x Q N-B6! Black lost on time, but his
30 Qx P position was now hopeless.
Or 30 . . . R -N3+ 31 K-R2 Notes by Keres and Flohr.
5 Wo rld Championship, The Hague 1 948

Black: P. Keres
Nimzoindian Defence
1 P-Q4 N-KB3 nearly always exchanges these

2 P -QB4 P-K3 pawns in the Nimzoindian - see his
3 N-QB3 B -N5 game with me in the 193 8 AVRO
4 P -K3 0-0 Tournament - but here he should
5 P -QR3 B x N+ have refrained from doing so.
6 PxB R-Kl 1 2 BP x P N-N3
It is well known that now the 13 B-N2 PxP
strongest move is 6 . . . P -B4 as An obvious oversight - Black
Reshevsky played against me in the was counting on 14 P x P P -Q4!
same event. As Black's plan now is White avoids this and soon gets
the advance of his KP , White strong pressure against KN 7.
develops his knight on K2. 14 P -K4 ! B-K3
7 N-K2 P-K4 15 QR -B 1 R-K2
8 N-N3 P -Q3 Passive play. He should instead
9 B-K2 QN-Q2 play 1 5 . . . R-QBl 16 Q x P
Possibly it was more logical to N-R 5 17 B-Rl N-B4.
play 7 . . . P -B4 followed by 16 QxP Q-B2
N-B3. Careless, as the following line
10 0-0 P-B4 opening favours White due to his
11 P -B3! two dangerou bishops.
The awkward placing of the 17 P -B 5 PxP
knight on Q2 now begins to tell. 18 RxP Q-B 5
White gets the chance to advance Some annotators thought that
his KP as his Q4 square is not under 1 8 . . . Q-Ql would give Black
pressure. drawing chances. I find it hard to
11 BP x P agree as after 19 Q- K3 - 19
Hardly a useful decision in the Q x Q+ R x Q 20 B x N P x B 21
given position as White's QB now N-R5 is also possible - White 's
comes to life, and the doubled position is very strong and his
pawn is dissolved away. Keres threats can hardly be repulsed.
20 World Championsh ip, Moscow 1 948
19 B�B l Q-N l
20 R-KN 5
Decisive as i f 2 0 . . . N - K l then
2 1 N-R5 P - B 3 22 N x P+.
20 QN -Q2
{Diagram in next column)
21 R x P+ ! Kx R
22 N - R5 + K-N 3
Retreat t o the back rank was
also hopeless.
23 Q-K3
Mate is now forced. Black
stopped the c l oc k when he had
only a few seconds left.
6 World Championship, Moscow 1 948

White : V. Smyslov
Sicilian Defonce
1 P-K4 P-QB4 position with the well- known one

2 N-K B 3 N-QB 3 arising after Rauzer's c ontinuation
3 P-Q4 PxP in which B lack compels the
4 NxP N-B3 exchange of Whi te's QB by P-KR3,
5 N-QB 3 P-Q3 it will become clear that White has
6 B - KN 5 P-K 3 not only lost three moves, but that
7 B-K2 the black pawn remains on KR2
Rather unexpected. White which is i n Black's favour.
refrains from Rauzer's plan 7 9 P-QR3
Q-Q2 in favour of something 10 BxN PxB
'non-theoretical' - see his ninth 1 0 . . B x B 1 1 N x P Q- B 2 is
.
move. H o wever, this also possible. I avoided this as I

non-theoretical continuation differs correctly judged that S my slov was
from the th eoretical only in the more dangerous in simple p ositions,
fact that it costs White two or three and moreover one in which he
tempi!- would be a pawn up even th ough
7 B-K2 White's game is not very good.
8 o:_ o 0-0 11 N-Q4 K- Rl
9 KN- N & 12 K- Rl R-KN I
Unfortunately for Smyslov I had 13 P- B 4 B-Q2
analysed this in the thirties so the 14 B- B 3
element of surprise was completely 1 4 P- B 5 was more logical but in
absent. If one c ompares the all possible variations one can show
World Championship, Moscow 1 94 8 21
that Black has a t least an equal play 24 P-QR4! B-B3 (or

game. 24 . . . B x N 25 B x B B x P 25
14 R-QB l B-B3) 25 N-B 3 and White can still
15 NxN hang on.
Once the QNI? gets to QB3 Black 24 R-K6
can start immediate central 25 B-N2
operations. With this in mind a Or 25 N-B 3 B- B3 26 B - N2
more care ful move was 1 5 KN-K2, B x P! !
which is playable because 25 Q-- K 2
1 5 . . . N-R4 1 6 P-QN 3 P - KB 4 is 26 N-N l B-Q6
refuted by 1 7 B - R5 ! , but not 1 7 27 Q-Q2 P-B5
P x P P-K4. 28 R-B3 R- K l
15 PxN 29 R-Ql
16 N-K2 P-Q4 I t was better t o exchange queens
17 P-B 5 though the resulting ending is lost.
This is not the appropriate move 29 B-B4
here as it merely activates Black's 30 P-N3 R-K8
bishops, but it is hard t o indicate a
good plan for White.
17 Q- B 2
18 P-B4 QP x BP
1 9. Q-Q4 P-B4
20 Q x QBP B-Q3
21 P-KN3 B-N4
The plan initiated by this move
is hardly the strongest. Alth ough
the exchange played next move was
universally approved of by the
various annotators, Black should
not hurry to make it as the white
KP limits the scope of White's
bishop. The obvious move was 3 1 . . . B x N is threatened and
21 .. . B-K4. White must lose material.
22 Q- B 2 PxP 31 PxP B x KBP
23 Px P 32 B- B l Rx R
He could cast doubt on Black's 33 Qx R R-Ql
plan by 23 P-QR4 B-B3 2 4 N-B3 In time trouble Black chooses
when the extra pawn isn't worth the 'safest' line. Now if 34 Q x R+
much. The text is also not bad, and Q x Q 3 5 B x B Black wins by
in any event one should hardly 35 . . . Q- Q5.
consider it to be the decisive 34 Q-B2 B-Q4
mistake as Boleslavsky claimed in 35 Q- B 3 B-Q5
'Sh akhmaty v SSSR' 7 /1 948. 36 Q-Q3 Q- K6
23 QR- K l 37 Qx Q BxQ
24 R-B2 38 B-N2 BxR
Here is the real losing move! 39 Bx B R-Q7
Black gains a decisive tempo in his 40 N-K2 RxP
attack. It was essential for White to Resigns.
22
7 World Championship, Moscow 1 95 1 , 1 2 th Game

White : D. Bronstein
Dtttch Defence
1 P-Q4 P-K3 resembles the so-called Botvinnik

2 P-QB4 P-KB4 Variation in the QGD, moreover
3 P-K3 N-KB 3 Black here has an extra pawn.
4 N-QB3 P-Q 4 Hence 1 1 P x P deserved preference
If White were now to play 5 when Black is forced to reply
N - B 3 we would get well-known 1 1 . . . P-K4.
variations which are assessed by 11 P�QN 4
theory as unfavourable for Black. 12 NxB
The knight on R3 allows White to I t was difficult to refrain from
play P-B3 followed by P-K4, but this exchange, all the more since 1 2
the piece itself is badly placed KN-N5 QN-Q2 1 3 P-K N 3 N x N
there. 14 Q x N was unpromising for
5 N-R3 P-B3 White.
6 B -Q2 B-Q3 12 QxN
7 Q-B2 0-0 13 P-B4
8 0-0-0 Q-K2 A positional error after which
9 P-B3 White is lo st. He should prevent
White 's layout of the game is P-K4 by 1 3 B-B4. The text
very straightforward - castling on restricts his QB and now both
opposite sides, undermining of the White's bishops are not at all active.
centre and attack . . . In fact 13 N-R3
Black's task is far from easy ! I now Black refrains from winning a
took the pawn so as to prepare for second pawn so as not to fall
P-K4 which is possible because of behind in development after
the position of the white knight on 1 3 . . . Q x QP 1 4 B-N4 Q-K6+ 1 5
R3. K-N 1 P-B4 1 6 R-Kl Q-Q5 1 7
9 PxP B-B3.
10 P-K4 14 B-K2 P-B4!
Not a pawn sacrifice as there is Getting rid of the central pawn
an immediate threat of P-K5 and activating his bishop. What else
winning a piece. Apparently my could you ask for from a single
opponent did not like the look of move?
the variation 1 0 B x P P-QN 4 1 1 15 B-KB 3 R-N 1
B-K2 P-K4, or 1 1 B-N3 P-QR4, 16 B-B3
but this was probably what he An oversight in a difficult
should have played. position. He had to play 1 6 P x P as
10 pxp now he has to surrender a second
11 NxP pawn in a less advantageous
Now it is a real gambit. Black situation than before.
can now play to hold the extra 16 N-QN5
pawn which hinders White, 17 pxp
particularly White's KB ; the game I 7 B x N P x B is obviously bad
World Championship, M oscow 1 95 1 23
17 N x P+ 25 P x R
18 K-N l N x B+ 26 Q-Q4 P-B6!
19 QxN Q x QBP
20 KR- K l P-K R 3
This is . play able· though it look s
risky. White ' s attack cannot
succeed as his own king is op en, so
Black prepares to exchange off his
bishop by B-N2 which was not
feasible at once because of N-N5
followed by N x KP .
21 R-K5 Q-B2
22 P-KN 4 B-N2
23 Bx B
Or �3 R x NP B x B 24 R x R
B x R while if 23 P-N5 then
23 . . . P-N5 24 Q-K3 B x B 25 27 P-N3
Q x B N-Q4 threatening Q x R. I f 2 7 Q x P+ Q- B2 while the
23 Rx B answer to 27 QNP x P is
24 P-N5 2 7 . . . Q- B 5 .
White was not keen on 24 27 Q-Q2
R x KP N x P 2 5 R-KN6 Q-B2. 28 N-B 2 P- B 7 +
24 N-Q4 29 K- B I p x J>
25 R(l) x N 30 R x NP Q-K3
His last hope - a mutual time 31 R-K5 Q-Q3
scramble. In that case, as the ninth 32 KxP R-B2+
game had shown, the main role is 33 K-Q2 Q- B 4
not played by material advantage. Now even time trouble cannot
(The reference is to the famous help White.
game where Botvinnik won a rook 34 Qx Q RxQ
on move fifteen by a combination 35 N-Q3 R-QB3
involving a temporary queen 36 RxP P-R3
sacrifice, but made a number of
· 37 P-R4 R-R3
errors in a time scramble and the 38 P-R5 R ( 3 )- K B 3
game was ultimately drawn on 39 P-N4 R- B 4
move forty- one after adjournment 40 R-Q6 R ( l)-B 3
analysis - B . C . ) Resigns.
24
8 World Championship, Moscow 1 95 1 , 1 9th Game

Black : D. Bronstein
Griinfeld Defence
1 P-Q4 N-K B 3 This is ess ential as the white

2 P-QB4 P-KN 3 queen controls too many vital
3 P-KN 3 B-N2 squares, e.g. QB4, and so robs
4 B-N2 P-Q4 Black's game o f any c omfort.
5 PxP NxP 17 Q-QR4 Q-B5
6 N-KB 3 0- 0 Of course not 1 7 . . . N-B5 1 8
7 0-0 P-QB4 QR- Q l N x N P 19 R x Q N x Q 20
8 P-K4 N-KB 3 N x N.
9 P-K5 N-Q4 18 QR-Ql QR-Q l
10 PxP N-N5 19 B-Q5
I was prepared t o meet The only way to defend QB4.
10 . N- R 3 . The text can hardly
• . 19 Qx Q
be recommended. Black is behind 20 Nx Q P-K3
in development so tactics which 21 B-R2
mean that he will have to spend one My second, Ragozin, marked
more tempo regaining his pawn this move with a question mark
look dubious. (' Shakhmaty v SSSR' 1 0/ 1 9 5 1 ) and
11 N-B3 QN- B 3 thought the bish op should have
12 P-QR 3 been retreated to N 2. I, however,
It is useful to drive the knight considered it essential to control
away so as to be freed from worries QB 4 which was the reason for my
about the QB2 square. At the same 1 9t h move. If 21 B-N 2 Black
time White prepares P-QN4. His could reply 21 . . . N-B5 22 B - B l
main trump will be three pawns N-Q5 2 3 B x P N -K 7 + 2 4 K-N2
against two on the Q-side. N x B 2 5 R x N N x NP.
12 N-Q6 21 N- B6+
Probably best as 12 . . . N - R 3 Black goes for his only chance -
1 3 P-QN4 N x KP 1 4 N x N B x N to seize his Q4 square.
1 5 B-N 2 or 1 2 . . . Q x Q 1 3 R x Q 22 K-N2 N ( 6 ) - Q5
N - B 7 1 4 R-N l B-B4 15 N-KR4 23 P-KN 4 P-KR3
hardly look satisfactory. 24 R-Q2 K- R2
13 B-K3 B-N5 25 P- B4
Of course not 1 3 . . . N x NP 1 4 This is the move, ignored by all
Q-K2. B y exchanging this bishop commentators, which is a mistake,
Black wins a tempo so as to as a result of which the position
complete t h e mobilisation of his becomes simplified by exchanges
forces, but the advantage of the and Black ' s drawing chanGes
two bishops doesn't need any increase. The correct c ontinuation
stressing here. was 25 N- B 3 P-B4 26 P - B 3 !
14 P-K R 3 BxN followed by K R-Ql when White
15 Qx B N ( 6 ) x KP has maintained all the advantages of
16 Q-K 4 Q -Q6 his position.
25 P-B4 Just as White's win in the

26 N-B3 adjourned p osition of the
The immediate 26 KR-QI is preceeding 1 8 th game seemed
countered by 26 . . . N-B 7 . obvious (in fact Bronstein failed to
26 P-K4 seal the right move, so conceding
27 BP x P BxP the win - B.C. ) so here a draw was
28 N-Q5 what everyone expected In fact,
It is essential to p revent the there is so very little material left
advance of the BP to B 6. Now that Black can force a draw here by
Black quite rightly carries on the piece sacrifice 42 . . . N x P 43
exchanging. B-N 5 N - B 4 44 N x N B x N 45
28 ,,.. p x p B x N B-K6 46 K- B 3 (or 46
29 PxP RxR B-KR4 P-R4 47 P-N5 B - B 8 )
30 KxR R- B l + 4 6 . . . B-N 4 4 7 B - B 4 B x B 4 8
31 R-B2 R x R+ K x B P-N4+ and 4 9 . . . P- R4. I
32 B x R P-QR3 find it hard to explain why
33 K-N2 K-N2 Bronstein didn ' t play this - either
'
34 B-B 4 N-K3 he missed it both in the
35 P-N4 B-N7 adj ournment analysis and at the
It was simpler to exchange the board, or he considered that "all
last white K-side pawn by roads lead to Rome".
35 . . . P-KR4, _Qut could it be that 42 N-K5
Black had thought o f winning this 43 B- B 7 N-B6
ending? 44 B-B3 N-K4
36 P-R4 N-K4 45 P-R5 P-R4
37 B-K2 B-Q5 A simpler way was 4 5 . . . N x B
38 B-N3 P'-QR4 46 K x N K-B3 and then P - R4.
This i s not bad but given White's 46 P-N5 N- B5
two bishops, Black could feel at Suicid e! Once the knight s are
ease only if the struggle was limited deprived of their support they
to one side o f the board cannot resist the white bishops.
39 PxP N x BP 46 . . . N x B was essential
40 N-B 7 N- B 3 47 N-N4 N-N4
Adjourned 48 B-Q8 K- B l
41 P-R6 PxP 49 N- B 6 B-B4
42 NxP 50 B-K2
Now the hunting of the black
knights starts. 50 . . . N (5 )-Q3
loses to 5 1 B- K 7 + followed by 52
B ( 2 ) x N.
50 N-K6+
51 K- B 3 N-Q5+
52 N x N BxN
53 B-Q3
The weakness of the NP proves
fatal.
53 N-N5
54 BxP N-K4+
26 World Championship, Moscow 1 95 1
55 K-K4 N- B 3 56 . . . B- B 6 is bad - 5 7 P-R6

O r 5 � . . . N x B 56 K x B K-Kl B-Q7 58 K-B5 N-K2+ 5 9 K-K6
5 7 P-R6. N-B3 60 B-K4.
56 B-N6 56 BxB
I t was still not too late to sp1:lil 57 PxB P-R5
everything - 56 B x P N x B 5 7 58 B-B5 K-K2
K x B N - B 3+. Now there i s no 59 K-B4 K-Q3
choice left for Black as and Resigns
9 World Chamionship, Moscow 1 95 1 , 23rd Game

Black : D. Bronstein
Catalan System
Insofar as the result of the White too does not avoid

match remained unclear until the symmetry as this guarantees him a
final, 2 4th, game it migh t seem that minimal advantage in the op ening.
the latter was the decisive game. 5 PxP
Formally speaking this is so, and it 6 N-QB 3 B-N2
could in fact h ave been so if there 7 N-R3
had been a real struggle in the 2 4th The development of this knight
game. to R3 instead of its normal square
But, as Bronstein was unable to B 3 has the advantage that White
get the advantage in the last game does not limit the activity of his
(it ended in a quick draw) in actual fianch ettoed bishop.
fact the 2 3 rd proved decisive, a 7 BxN
game- in which there was a very Thi s move gained the approval
stubborn though far from error-free of almost all the commentators.
struggle. Black does in fact gain time and
1 P-Q 4 N-KB3 a c hieve s a comfor t a b l e
2 P-Q B 4 P-KN 3 development i n the ope ning. I n the
3 P-KN 3 P-B3 middle game, however, and the
3 . . . P-Q3 or P-Q4 lead to a ending if the game should become
more complicated fight. Black open, White's two bishops could
apparently was playing for a draw become very dangerous.
and so prefers to go into the 8 BxB N-B3
symmetry which usually arises from 9 B-N2
the text. (Bronstein led 1 1 V2- l OV2 P r eve n t i ng 9 . . . N - K 5.
after the 22nd game.) However the manoeuvre loses time
4 B-N 2 P-Q4 and probably p referable was 9 {}-0
5 PxP as in S tahlberg v Kramer,
World Championship , Mosc ow 1 95 1 27
Amsterdam 1 9 5 0. opponent's pawn or allow his own

9 P-K3 to be doubled? B oth courses have
10 P-K3 0-0 their pros and cons. In any case,
11 B-Q2 R-B l Black's Q-side pawns are now
12 0-0 N- Q2 reduced in value, a factor which
1 2 . . . N- K l and then to Q3 as might make itself felt in the future
in the game mentioned above looks just like the advantage of the two
a more natural m anoeuvre. I n two bishops.
moves time the knight returns from 17 QxQ PxQ
whence it came. 18 B-Kl
13 N-K2 T h e only, even though slight,
White, of course, tries to transfer chance of playing for a win - to
his knight to Q3 where it will keep the QB and so avoi d opposite
occupy a very advantageous and coloured bishops. Black now gets
impregnable square. At the same some initiative . in p articular the
time QR4 comes under White's chance to play his rook to the
control. seventh, but this is not dangerous
13 Q-N 3 for W hite due to the fine position
14 B-QB3 o f his knight on Q3.
Indecisive play w hich has very 18 N- R4
serious consequences. The right 19 N- Q3 B- B l
move was White's original Apparently to prevent B-N4,
intention, 1 4 Q-N 3 ! but is it an but this was no real threat as after
easy decision to exchange queens in 1 9 . . . N-B 5 ! 20 B-N4 (or 2 0
a game you must win? Obviously R-Q l B- B l ) 20 . . . B- B l 2 1
not. White puts o ff this committal B x B K x B 2 2 K R- B l B lack has
decision for 'just' one m ove . . . . every cha.nee of a draw even though
14 KR-QI he has lost the initiative. N a te that
Well played Black tries to 1 9 . . . R-B 7 could be met by 2 0
exchange black-squared bishops by N-N4 when the rook must retreat
B-B l -N5. Hence 1 5 Q-N 3 is not (20 . . . R x NP 2 1 B x N P x B 2 2
playable as after 15 . . . B- B 1 this B- B 3 R-K 7 23 KR- B l and 2 4
exchange is practically unavoi dable. K- B l ) .
White has to hurry with his knight 20 P - B3 N-Q3
to Q3. 21 B - B2
15 N-B4 N- B 3 A weak move. A fter 21 R - B 2
Very well played N ow 1 6 (preventing R- B 7 ) 2 1 . . . N ( 4)- B5
N-Q3 i s not playable as after 1 6 2 2 R-K2 N-B4 23 B-B2 B- R 3
N-Q3 N-K5 1 7 B - K l P-- K4! we would get much the same sort
Black's pressure is quite unpleasant. of position as in the game, but

White is forced, belatedly and in a Black could now play the strong
less advantageous situation, to go in and simple 2 1 . . . R - B 7 ! when it is
for his only chance - to offer the hard for White to reckon on more
exchange o f queens. than a draw.
16 Q-N 3 N-K5 21 B- R 3
A tricky decisioIL Which is 22 QR -B l
better for Black - to double his I t w a s neces sary to protect QB2.
28 World Championsh ip, Moscow 1 951
N o w Bl ack has the chance to has t� give up h is QNP White's

provoke P-B4 which he could most chances wauld improve as l o ng as
simply do by 2 2 , . . N-B4. this loss was accompanied by the
22 N(4)-B5 exchange of his k night for his
23 K R- K l N- R4 - opponent's bishop - the single
For the sake of a trap two moves pawn at R4 would then still hold
deep (24 R x R R x R 25 R-QB l back B lack's doubled pawn.
R x R+ 26 N x R N - K B 5 winning a 28 P-QR4 N-B2
p awn) Black fails to play the logical 29 B-N 3 N- R 3
23 . . . N-B 4 forcing 24 P-B4. 30 B-B l P-B3
(The answer 24 P - K N 4 N (4 ) x KP B lack could n o w duly attack the
25 B - R 3 N x KNP - the threat QN P by 30 . . . N-R4 which would
was 26 P -N 3 - 26 P x N B x R 2 7 leave an e qual game, as would
R x B would seem t o be in Black's 30 . . . B- R 6 or 3 0 . . . N-N5.
favou r). H o wever he still waits - suppose
After the text Black loses the White should n o w chance to p lay
initiative and no longsr has any 3 1 K-Q2 N - R 4 ! 32 R - B 3 R x R
compensation for his doubled pawn 33 K x R R -B 1+ 34 K -N2 N - N 5
and the opponent' s two bishops. 3 5 N x N B x N w h e n Black h a s an
24 K-Bl B-N 2 obvious advantage.
25 P- KN4 N-B3 '3 1 KR-Ql N- R4
Bronstein c ontinues to play a The simp lest way to draw.
waiting game - a policy whjch had 32 RxR Rx R
brought him s uccess in a whole 33 R- B l
series o f earlier game s in the match, The only defenc;ie.
and here too i� not wholly 33 Rx R
unsuccessful . . . . . 34 Nx R B-R6
26 P-N 3 35 K- Q l
Handing over the initiative to ·
Black who now has an easy game

due to the weakness of the black
squares o n White's Q-side. The
obvious move was 26 B-R4 when
26 . . . P - B 3 reduces the activity of
Black's bishop and the threat
R - R l can always be parried by
R-R l .
26 N-N4!
27 K-K2
Y e t another weak move as the
king was better p laced on B l . 2 7
P-QR4 was essential as now by
2 7 . . . N - R 6 Black couM block 35 Bx N
White's Q-side. A serious error based upon an
27 B- B l incorrect judge ment of the
The threat of 2 8 . . . B-R6 position. White would find it hard
forces 28 P-QR4, but this is a to improve his position (36 K- B2
useful move for White. Even if Ire
World Championship; Moscow 1951 29
N-N5 + 37 K-N I. N-R3, o r 36 BP x P 43 P x P P x P 44 B x P +

B x N P x B 3 7 B- B 7 B x N 38 K-N 2 t h e bishops would dominate
K x B N x P+ 3 9 K-B2 N-R4) so the whole board, p os sibly t hem
Black should calmly p lay Flohr's sugges ted bishop sacrifice
35 . . . K-B2. By exchanging his 45 B x NP N x B 46 K- B4
bishop Black deprives himself of his followed by K-N 5 and K x N
most active and long distance would win.
working piece (see note to B lack's 42 N-B3
2 7t h move). 43 B-N l K- B3
36 KxB N x P+ Apparently quite logical, as after
37 K-B2 N- R4 44 P x QP P x P 45 B - R 2 Blac k has
38 K- B 3 K-B2 the defence 45 . . . K-K3. Nor can
39 P-K4 White achieve anything by 44
I t is already clear that Black's P-R4 N ( R3 )-N l 45 B-B4 N-Q2
win of a p awn was pointless. His 46 B-N5+ K- N 3 47 P x QP P x P
knight at R3 is badly placed, and if 48 B-R2 P-R 3 49 B-KB4 N-K2
once White can open the game and (not the risk y 49 . . . N-B3 50
widen the scope o f his bishops, B - K5 ) 5 0 B - Q 6 N- B l ! when
Black's position could become White cannot further strengthen his
critical. position.
39 P-B4 All the same after the text White
Playing o n his opponent's time found the right plan and Black was
trouble Bronstein, who had more l eft with a very difficult, if not lost,
than ten minutes left, moves position. By 43 . . . N-R2 ! instead,
quic kly and commits a new error Black could complicate his
which weakens his RP and helps to opponent's t as k as the threat of
activate White's bishops. P-N4 would force the return of the
40 NP x P NP x P bishop to Q3. The variati o n which
41 B-Q3 K-N3 White demonstrated immediately
0
Here the game was adj ourned afte r the game was 4 3 . . . N-R2 44
and White had to seal. His winning P x QP P x P 45 B-R2 P-N 4 46
plan is clear - put one bishop on P-R5 (46 B x P P x P threatening
QN 1, the other on Q6 to prevent N-N4+) 46 . . . N - B 3 47 B x P
N - K2 , and t hen exchange pawns in N x RP 48 P - B 4 is not fully
the centre and win the QP by convincing as Black could instead
B-R2. play 46 . . . P-N5+ ! 47 K-Q3
In the twenty minu tes spent N-N4 48 B-K5 N ( R ) - B 2 49
over the sealed move, I co nsidered K- B 2 K- B 2 5 0 K-N3 N - R 3 and
only one problem - which bishop still defend himself.
to move first. My decision 44 B-N3 ! !
was . . . . . This quiet move, found as the
42 B-Q6 result of many h ours analysis,
Wrong! By 42 B-N l N - B 3 consolidates White's advantage.
( 4 2 . . . N - B 5 43 B - B 4 and 44 Black now has no useful moves, and
B - R 2 ) 43 P x QP P x P 44 B-R2 the whole p oint of the m anoeuvre
N-K2 ( o r 44 . . . "1 (R 3 ) - N 5 45 can be seen in the fact that after
B-QN 3 ) 45 B-R4 White could win 44 . . . N ( R3 )-N5 45 B-K5+ ! ! (45
a pawn, while after 4 2 B-N I B- B 7 only draws - 45 . . . QP x P
30 World Championship, Moscow 1951
46 P x P P x P 4 7 B x KP N -Q4+ White's two Q-side p awns.

'
e tc. ) 45 . . . K- N 3 ( o r 45 . . N x B However, by 5 1 B-R 3 ! N ( l )- B 3
46 P x N + K x P 4 7 K x N with an 5 2 B-N2 K-N 2 ! 5 3 B x N N x B
e asy win a piece up) 46 B-Q6 54 K-N 4 N - B 3 + 55 K- N 5 N x P+
N-R3 47 P x QP P x P 48 B-R2 5 6 . K x P White will be abl e to·
and White wins the QP. queen his QRP.
In order to free his king from 51 B-B4 N ( l )- B 3
the defence of the BP, Black 52 B- Q3 N-B l
exchanges p awns which l eads to a 53 B -K2 K- N3
further opening of the game and 54 B-Q3+
fresh difficulties for Black. Naturall¥ White could alre<1dy
44 BP x P force the zugswang position but in
45 Px P P- R 3 such an imp ortant encounter I
The p awn was in danger where i t decided to do this only after the
stood, but o n R4 too it will n o t b e time control at move 5 6 .
safe. 54 K- B3
46 B-B4 P-R4 55 B-K2 K-N 3
47 px p 56 B-B3 N ( 3 )- K2
An e s s e n tial exchange. After 56 . . . N ( l )- K2 White
Otherwise 47 . . . N-K2 ! was wins either by 57 B - B 7 N-B4 58
possible, followed by P x P and B x QP N (B 4 ) x QP 59 B x P or by
N -Q4 wh en B la c k has won a safe 5 7 B-N5 N - B 4 58 B x QP
base for his pieces on Q4. N ( B4) x QP 5 9 B- K4+ K-B2 60
47 px p 0-0 K-B4.
48 P-R4 N ( R 3 ) -N I 57 B-N5 !
49 B -N 5 + K- B2 After forty minutes thought
50 B-B5 N-R2 Bronstein, convinced of the
Defending the QB 1 square and hopelessness of his po s1t10n,
attacking with the threat P-N4. A resigned. After 57 . . . N - B 3 58
curiou s p oint to note here is that B x.QP N -Q3 59 B - B 3 K-B4 60
after 50 . . . N-K2 the line 50 B-B l ! (pointed out by Smyslov)
B x N K x B 5 2 B-N6 N - B 3 5 3 P-N4 6 1 B x N P x B 62 P-R5
B x P N- R 7 i s unclear. a s Black has Black has no chances o f saving the
very good chances of exchanging game.
his knight and three pawns for
31
1 0 XIX U . S . S. R Championship, M oscow 1 95 1

1 P-Q4 P-Q4 unpleasant opening of the KR file.

2 P-QB4 P-QB 3 14 B-N2 B-QN2
3 N-QB3 N- B 3 15 0-0-0 B-N2
4 N�B 3 P-K3 Now Black has a hard time
5 B-N5 PxP ahead of him. If 1 5 . . ; R-Ql 1 6
6 P-K4 R x R + K x R his king could move
In the last game of the World over to the Q-side, but ·after 1 6
Championship match played a few N-K4 R-Q4 1 7 N-Q6+ K-Q l 1 8
months before this game, Bronstein B x R i t was difficult t o find a
avoided the si>-called Botv innik satisfactory cQntinuation ·for Black.
System. Now he takes up the Hence, despite the dangers, Black
challenge and puts his opponent on decides t o castle short.
his guard. S urely this means White 16 P-B4 0-0
h as some forceful measures in 17 R-Q6 QR-Ql
reserve. l8 KR-Ql R xR
6 P-QN4 19 Px R'
7 P-K5 P-KR3 Getting .a strong passed pawn
8 B-R4 P-N4 but le tting Black' s . KB come into
9 PxN PxB play. 19 R x R R-Ql 20 Q-Q2
10 N-K5 Q x BP (20 N-K4 P-QB4 and B;_Q4)
11 P-KN3 20 . . . R x R 2 1 P x R Q-Q 1 2 2
At the time, the last word in P-Q7 P-N5 was not dangerous for
theory. Blac k is somewhat behind Black.
in development, but has 19 Q-Ql
considerable compensation in the 20 N - K4 Q-R4
form of two pawns! The niain aim of this move is to
11 QN-Q2 force White' s king to N l when it
12 Q-K2 ! will no l onger control Ql an d Q2
Specially prepared for me in this and Black can capture the opposing
game by my opponent (the normal knight with check. At the same
line was considered to be 1 2 time Black sets a trap - 2 1 N-B5
P-B4). Black's position is now Q x P! 2 2 N x B Q-R 8 + 2 3 K-Q2
difficult as White needs but two Q- R 3 24 N - B 5 Q- R4+ 25 K-B2
moves, B-N 2 and 0-0-0, before {25 K-K3 Q-N3 or 2 5 K- B l
going over to a decisive attack. Q- R8+ 2 6 K-Q2 Q x P + 2 7 K-'K.1
12 NxN Q-N 5 + ) 25 . . . Q-N 5 !
13 PxN Q- K2 ! 21 K-N l Q- N 3
Black's plan becomes clear - to
fianchetto both bishops, but what
is he to do with his king?
Meanwhile Black doesn't exchange (see diagram o v er page)
his RP as that would lead to an
3 2 XIX USSR Championship, Moscow 1 95 1
.2 4 B x N+
25 Bx B PxB
26 P-N5
A movt: characteristic o f the
y � u ng Bronstein. I n a lost position
he starts stirring up muddy waters
in a very clever way - by trying to
open up Black's king position.
26 p x p
27 px p Q-Q l
28 Q x P+ K-R l
29 Q-N 4 !
Black's king is lacking i n pawn
S ubsequently i t was established cover and the white QP is
that this move leads to a draw. dangerous but after all a piece is a
Hence Black should have made the piece.
very delicate intermediate move 29 Q- K l
21 . . . P- R 6 ! which is the sort of 30 P-N6 B-R 3
move one can only find in analysis The only defence, but adequate.
but hardly in practical play . Then if 31 Q x RP K- N2
22 B x P P-QB4 23 N x P B-Q4 32 P-Q7 Q-Ql
and Black's bishops- are very 33 QxP B-N4
dangerous, while after 2 2 B- B 3 , as 34 P-QR4 Q-K2
the reader will shortly see, White 35 Q-N4 Q-B3
would be denied the drawing 36 K- R2
chance which now presents itself. O r 36 P x P P- B 6 ! 37 P x P
22 Q-N4 Q x BP 38 Q x B ( 3 8 P-Q8 ( Q)
Missing his opponent's 23rd Q- N 6 + 3 9 K- R l Q-R5+ and t hen
move and so losing a piece. The 40 . Q x P+ and 41 . R x Q)
drawing line was as follows :- '22 38 . . . Q-N4+ 3 9 K- B l Q- B 5 +
P-Q7 R-Ql 23 P- B 5 P-B4 24· 4 0 K- N l Q x P+ 4 1 K- B l Q- B 5 +
N - Q6 B x B 25 P x P (this is the and 42 R-N l +.
difference, with the bishop 36 P-N5
capturing on K B 3 , White would not An inacc uracy in time trouble.
have this chance ) 25 . . . P x P 26 36 . . . P - B 6 won at once.
Q x P + K- R 2 27 Q- B 5 + with 37 R- KN I
perpetual. N or can White avoid the B e l ter 3 7 Q x P but White is
draw as after 2 7 R-K l R-K B l 28 relying on a deep trap.
N- K8 R-B8 29 Q x Q R x R+ 3 0 37 P-N6+
K-B2 P x Q 3 1 P-Q8 (Q) R-K 7 + 38 K-R3 B-K6
3 2 K-Q l B-B 6 h e would b e badly 39 Q-R5 B-R3
placed: Black n o t ices in t i m e that
22 P-KB4 3 9 . . . R- K R I is met -by 40
23 Q-N6 P-B4! P-Q8 (Q) Q x Q (40 . . . R x Q(4)
24 P-KN4 4 1 Q x Q+ K x Q 42 P-N 7 or
24 N x P Q x N 2 5 B x B would 40 . . . R x Q ( l ) 4 1 Q- R 7 + K- B l
obviously be bad because of 42 P-N 7+) 4 1 Q- K 5 + and 42
25 . . . Q-KB 7 ! Q x B.
Maroczy Memorial Tournament, Budapest 1952 33
40 QxP R- Q l 42 K-R2
4 0 . . . B- K 6 ! wins a t once. 43 K-N4 R-N l +
41 R-Ql 44 K- B 5 B-K6+
The last chance was 4 1 Q x B P ! 45 Qx B Q-N 3 +
as Black n o w wins prosaically by 46 KxP QxQ
cap turing the KNP. 47 P-Q8(Q) RxQ
41 KxP 48 RxR Q-K3+
42 Q-N l + 49 R-Q5 P-R4
,Now it is too l at e for 4 2 Q x BP 50 P-R4
- 42 . . . B- B l + 43 K x P R-N l +. and R e signs.
1 1 Maroczy Memorial Tournament, Budapest 1 9 52.

White : B. Sliwa
Sicilian Defence
1 P-K 4 P-Q B 4 N x R 14 P-KR4! with a strong

2 P-QB4 N-QB 3 attack for the exchange. Black's last
3 N-Q B 3 P-KN 3 move is the instroduction to a well
4 P-Q3 B-N2 masked strategic plan - he develops
5 P-KN3 P-Q3 all his pieces e xcept the KR, leaves
6 B-N 2 P-K3 his king in the m iddle and o nly at
At that time, this variation was the last moment castles artificially.
very rarely played. Then several White is thereby somewhat
years later it became very popular disorientated because of the
and the correct plan for B lack was uncertainty about the position of
found, c onsisting of N-KB 3 , 0-0 the black king.
and then N -K l - B 2 with an equal 11 QR-N 1 P-QR4
game. In the present position White Forced, to prevent P -QN4, but
does besLto p.lay simply P-B4 and now White could easily get a level
N - B 3 with good prospects. game by 1 2 B x N P x B 1 3 N -N 5.
7 KN-K2 KN-K2 He refrains from this exchange as
8 B-N5 he is still unwilling to remove the
Provo king P -K R 3 s o as to tie pressure from the black KRP.
B lack to the defence of his RP and H ence Black's scheme works out
prevent castling. However, White well.
fails to get any real advantage from 12 0-0 B-QB 3
this mano euvre. 13 QR- K l Q-Q2
8 P-KR3 14 P-N3 P-N3
9 B-K3 N-Q5 15 R-N l
10 Q-Q2 B-Q2 Still waiting to find o u t where
I t was dangerous t o play the opposing king·will move to.
1 0 . . . 0-0 1 1 B x P B x B 1 2 15 QR-Ql
Q x B N- B 7 + because o f l 3 K-Q2 16 QR-Kl K-B l !
34 Maroczy Memon"(I.[ Tournamen t, Budapest 1 952
S o he s h o w s h i s h a n d at l as t -
the king will go to KR2. It soon
becomes cle\f.r that White has
nothing b e t t e r than to exchange his
black square bishop, which he
could have done earlier with greater
effect.
17 N-B4 K-N l
18 QN-K2 K-R2
19 B x N P x B
20 P-QN4 R- R l
21 P-N5 B-N2
22 P-QR4 KR-Kl
23 B-R3
By trying to solve h i s task b y of the chance to carry out a pawn
using t h e p i e c e s alone, White adva n c e which is so ne cessary to
gradually gets a difficult position, give his bishops more scope. The
but the closed nature of the obvious 3 1 . . . K x P ! followed by
position militates against Black P-B4 a t the appropriate time
achieving much. should decide the game. Now the
23 N-N l )Vin is very difficult, if indeed
24 N-B l Q- Q l p ossible at all in the face of
25 N -N 3 ! accurate defence.
Forcing P-K4 w h e n t h e position 32 K-N2
becomes even more rigid. . 32 R-B 7 would be met by
25 P - R4 33 . . . B-K3 forcing the rook to
26 Q- Q l N-R3 retreat.
27 N ( 4)-K2 P-K4 32 R-R2
28 P-B4 33 N- N l B-KR3
This i s p l ayed very l a t e i n the 34 N- R l !
day and White fails to get adequate Se tting off to defend the key
compensation for the weakness point K3.
created on his K 3 . 34 R-K R l
28 B-QB l 35 N-B2 K- N l
29 P-KB5 36 R-B2 QR - R 2
C o n demoing himself to 37 Q-K2 B-N4
passivity. He could try to 38 K- R l B-B5
complicate matters by 29 Bx B To gain time for further
Qx B 30 P x P P x P 31 P-B5 ? ! thought. White naturally now
but see mingly without much avoids 39 P x B P-N6.
suc cess - 3 1 . . . P x P 32 Q-B 2 39 R-N2 B-N4
B - B l e tc. 40 R-KB 1 B-K3
29 N-N5 41 R ( l )- B 2
30 B x N P x B Analysis of the adjourned
31 P x P+ position showed that Black could
(diagram in nex t column) win only if he could play a rook to
31 p x p the K B file via KB4. Putting the
A serious lapse, depriving Black rooks on K B l and KB2 would only
Maroczy Memorial Tournament, Budapest 1952 35
lead to exchanges. Black tries to K- R l . White has to choose

hide this scheme for some time so between 5 2 N-Kl and 52 R-B l .
as to catch his opponent unawares. In the former case after
41 K-N2 5 2 . . . Q- R 4 5 3 P x R (otherwise
42 Q-Kl �-R4 still 5 3 . . . B-N 2 ) 5 3 . . . B-N2 54
43 Q-K2 Q-K2 N (N l )-B3 P x N 5 5 N x P P x P
44 R-B l K-N l Black's advantage would be beyond
45 R ( l )- B 2 Q-KN2 doubt but complications would
46 R-B l Q-R3 arise. White's actual choice is
47 R ( l )-B2 R-R2 incomparably weaker and he loses
48 R-B l B-Q2 without any resistance. That is
White merely plays back and where the element of surprise told !
forth with a rook, apparently to 52 R- B l RxR
demonstrate to his opponent the 53 Qx R R-B2
pointlessness of his attempts to win 54 Q- Kl
a "drawn " p ositioIL Black, Alas, 54 R-B2 i s no salvation
however, manoeuvres in such a w ay because of 54 . . . R x R 55 Q x R
as to put his rook on KB4 when the Q- B8.
white rook is on KB2. The reader 54 Q- B l
wiJI see why this is necessary from 55 R-K2 R-B8
what now follows. 56 Q-Q2 Q- B 6+
49 R ( l )-B2 B-Bl 57 R-N2 R-Q8
50 R-B l B-K2 58 Q- R 6 Q- B 3
Only at the last mo ment does 59 R-Q2
the bishop make way for the rook. Losing the queen, but nothing
51 R(l )-B2 R- B4! ! else is better.
I f White's rook was on K B l he 59 B-B l
would have the defence 5 2 60 Q x B+ Qx Q
R ( 2 ) - B2. Now 52 Q x P is 61 Rx R Q- B 7
impossible because of 5 2 . . . R x R 62 N-Kl Q-QN 7
5 3 Q x B+ R- B l 5 4 Q-K6+ Resigns.
1 2 Maroczy Memorial Tournament, Budapest 1 9 52

Wh ite : C. Ko ttnauer
King's Indian D efence
1 P-Q4 N-KB 3 7 KN-K2 P-QR3

2 P-QB4 P-KN 3 Black tries to get away from
3 N-QB3 B-N2 theoretical lin � s, but the usual
4 P-K4 P-Q3 7 .PxP 8 NxP
. . P - B 3 is better.
5 P-B 3 QN-Q2 8 Q-Q 2 0-0
6 B-K3 P-K4 9 P-Q5 N-Kl
36 Maroczy Memorial Tournament, Budapest 1952
10 N-N3 N-B4 looks comparatively safe .

After 10 . . . P-KB4 1 1 P x P 20 N-N2
P x P 1 2 B-B2 (but not 1 2 B-N5 21 R-Rl B-Q2
B-B3 13 P-KR4 P-KR3 with 22 K-N2 Rx R
complications) Black would find it 2 3_ R x R N-N3
hard to hit upon a purposeful plan. 24 Q-QB 2 Q-QB I
Nor does the text h ave any clear 25 KN-K2 B-KB 3
purpose. By answering 1 1 0-0-0 26 R-R7 Q-N l
White could get a good game. The 27 R-R3 N-K2
move he chooses gives Black some 28 K-N 3 P-B 3
chances on the Q-side. After his mistake o n move
11 P-QN 4 N-Q2 sixteen, White has played
12 R-QB l P-QR4 ingeniously but all the same the
13 P-QR 3 PxP rather unsafe position of his king
14 PxP P-KB4 begins to make itself felt.
Black has no other active plan, 29 N-N3 R- B l
but here too, after 1 5 P x P P x P 30 KN-K2
1 6 B-B2 White's game deserves White was very short of time,
preference. The plan chosen by and for this reason Black made the
Kottnauer looks tempting but fails following rather risky move.
to take account of a tactical finesse. Possibly he should not have
15 B-N5 B-B3 exp osed the seventh rank with
16 B-R6 B-R5 White's roo k in such an active
positioIL
30 P-N4
31 Q- R2 P-K5
Logical play, sacrificing a pawn
and trying to activate his pieces.
32 KBP x P KBP x P
33 N x KP B-K4
34 K-B2
This loses quickly. 31 R-R7
gave practical chances o f keep ing in
the game, e.g. 31 . . . P x P+ 32
B x P P x P 33 R x B P x B + 34
K-B 2 .
34 NP x P
An essential reply, as now 1 7 35 BxP PxP
B x R is ruled out by 1 7 . . . N x B 36 B x P+ Nx B
when the double threat of P-B5 or 37 Q x N+ B-K3
B-N 4 advantageously wins back 38 Q-R5 Q-N2
the sacrificed material. Now t h e game i s decided as
17 PxP PxP White's king p osition is open and
18 K-Ql R - B2 there is a complete lack of
19 B-Q3 N-B l supported squares for White in the
20 K-B2 centre.
White's king has now taken up a 39 N(4)-B3 Q x KNP
position which for the m6ment 40 K-Q2 Qx P
Maroczy Memorial Tournament, Budapest 1 95 2 37
41 B-K3
R e signs.
1 3 Maroczy Memorial Tournament, Budapest 1 952

White : 0. Troianescu
Griienfeld Defence
1 P-Q4 N-KB 3 A w i s e d e c i s i o n a s h e had to g e t

2 P- Q B 4 P-KN3 his king away from the danger
3 N -QB 3 P-Q4 zone. 10 P x P Q x P 11 B-Q2
4 P-K3 P-N5 1 2 N-Ql P-B4! 13 P x P
A s is w e l l k n ow n , t h e ' s trongest' N-R3 would h a rdly be an
c o n t i n u a t i on 4 P x P N x P 5 P-K4 impro v e m e n t as Black has got in
d emands e x a c t k n o w ledge of all the P-Q B 4 w i t h o u t any t r o u ble at all.
l a t e s t, and moreover very W B-K3
complicated, v a r i a tions. W h i t e h er e 1 1 Q- N 2 P x P
also chose a recent system b u t o ne 12 Q x P N-R3
w h i c h is l e s s c o mp l icated. 13 Q- N 2 P-N5
4 B-N2 This is n e c e s s a ry as o th e rwise
5 N- B 3 0-'0 Black could not 'prepare P - Q B 4 ,
6 P - QN 4 and W h i t e was preparing t o solid ify
M ak o g o n o v ' s idea which is by 1 4 P-QR3. At the same t i m e
certainly n o t lacking in a l ogical the w h i t e k ! 1ight is driven to Q R 4
basis. A s a rule B l ack tries to a t t a c k w h e r e i t w i l l c o m e u n d e r fire.
the opp o ne n t ' s centre p awn by 14 N-QR4 Q-R4
P -Q B 4 w h i c h is now r u l e d o u t by 15 Q-B2
the t e x t . Even a t t h i s early st age o n e c a n
6 P-B3 say that t h i s m o v e l e a d s to a l o ss,
Prob ably the most logical, b u t i f 15 B x N, then 1 5 . . . Q x N
i n t e n d i ng to b l o c k ade and then 1 6 B-Q3 B x P.
a t t a c k t h e white QNP. 15 B-B4
7 Q-N3 I n t h i s w a y Black e s t ab l i s h e s h i s
A p oo r m a n o e uvre in t h e given k n i g h t o n K 5 w i t h g a i n o f t i m e and
p o s iti on. By l e av ing his QR so renders harmless the W h ite
unguarded, Wh i te merely aids h i s threat of N - B 5 .
opponent's plans. 7 B-N2 was 16 Q-N3 N-K5
s i m p l e r a n d b e t ter. 17 B-N2 N-B2 !
7 P x P T h e st art of decisive operati ons.
8 B x P P-QN4 After the best reply 18 N-85
9 B-K2 P-QR4 ( surely it is better to t ry to
10 0-0 sur render a p a w n a t o n c e rat her
38 Maroczy Memorial Tournament, Budapest 1952
than tie one's pieces to the defence A necessary finesse. After

of the knight?) 18 . . . N x N 1 9 23 . . . B x B 2 4 N x B White would
P x N B-K3 2 0 Q-B 2 Q-R5 (or have obtained some counterplay.
20 . . . B x B 2 1 Q x B Q x BP 2 2 Now however, 24 Q�Q2 B x B or
KR-B l Q-N 3 2 3 Q-Q4! KR- N I the .$1.lrrender of the queen 2 4 B x B
24 N-K5 B-Q4) 2 1 Q x Q ( 2 1 B x Q 25 B x R B x B 26 B x P
KR-B l Q x Q 2 2 R x B P - N 6 ) Q x N 2 7 N-Q4 (or 2 7 B x N Q x B
21 . . . R x Q 22 B x B K x B White 28 R x B P-N 6) 27 . . . P-N 6 ! 28
is in a bad way. N x P Q-N 3 29 B x N (29 R x B
IB B-Ql N-N4 Q x N) 29 . . . B x N 30 B-B5
The knight hurries to aid his Q-R3 would lead to an obvious
comrade ; if Black should lose loss for White who therefore
control of QB4 then all his resigned
advantage would be lost with it. White had one other possibility,
19 B-B2 N(4)-Q3 ! namely 30 P x B (instead of 30
The decisive move! Black parries B - B 5 ) 30 . . . R x R 3 1 R x R
just in time White ' s only threat (the Q x B when Black's win involves
QB4 square again ! ) and threatens con siderable technical difficulties.
B -K 3-B5 x R. If now 20 P-QR3 Analysis of this position led me to
then 20 . . . KR-N I so White once the composition of a study which
again tries to seize control of his the reader can see below.
QB5.
20 KR- B l B-K3
21 Q-Q3 P-QB4!
White was probably hoping for
2 1 . . . B-B5 2 2 Q-Ql (now it is
easy to see that had the rook
played to this s quare on move
twenty, then White' s queen would
be lost). Now however, White is
forced by the threat P-B5-B6 to
exchange p awns which leads to
material loss.
22 PxP NxQBP
23 NxN B-B5 ! This is the p osition which could
have arisen from the game. Let us
examine the following continuation
as an example of the play.
I K- B l
2 P-R4 K-K2
3 K-N2 P- B 4
4 K-N l P-R3
5 K-N2 K-K3
6 K- N l K-K4
7 K-N2 P-N4
8 PxP PxP
White is almost in zugszwang. I f
9 K-B l then 9 . . . Q-N 8 +
Maroczy Memorial Tournament, Budapest 1 95 2 39
I O K-K2 Q-N4+ 1 1 K-Kl Q-R3 as 1 6 . . . P-B6 1 7 K-Ql K-K5 1 8

and the queen pe netrates to KB8. K-Q2 K-B5 1 9 K-Q3 K x P 2 0
No better for White is 9 K-N l K-K3 i s only a draw.
Q-B 7 I O K-N 2 Q-B6 1 1 R-Q8 However there is a win -
Q�B3+ 1 2 K-N l K..-- K5 1 3 K-N2 16 K-B7
P-B5 1 4 NP x P P x P 15 P x P 17 K-K2 K-B8
Q-N 3 + 1 6 K-B l K-B6. 18 K-Q3
There remains only . . . . . 1 8 K-Kl P-B6.
9 K-Nl Q-B7 18 K�Q8
IO K-N2 Q-B 6 19 K-K4 K-K7
11 K-B l Q- R8+ 20 P-B3 K-B 7
12 K-N2 Qx R 21 K-B5 KxP
13 p x Q+ 22 KxP K-K6
If 1 3 P - B 4+ K-K5 1 4 P x Q This ending was made up into a
P -N 5 ! as pointed out by study thu s:-
Khachaturov.
13 KxP
This pawn ending is easily won if
White plays 1 4 K-R3 K-K5 1 5
K-N2 K-Q6 1 6 K-B l K-Q7 1 7
K-N2 K-K8 1 8 K-Nl K-K7 1 9
K-N2 P-B5 2 0 P-N 4 K-K8 . N or
does 1 6 K-R l -K-Q7 1 7 K-R2
s av e White because of
1 7 . . . K-Q8 ! Now both 1 8 K-N 2
( 1 8 . . . K-K 8 ) and 18 K-N l
( 1 8 . . . K-K 7 ) lose. Or if 1 8 K-R3
K-K7 and finally 18 K- R l P-B5.
But how does Black win
against . . . . .
14 K-B l ! ! K-Q6 ''Wh ite to play and w in.. "
15 K-K l P-B 5 Pub lished in 'Shak hmaty v SSSR '
16 P-N4 7/1 952.
1 4 XX U . S. S.R. Championship, Moscow 1 952

Black : A Goldenev
English Opening
1 P-QB4 P-K3 transp ose into the Tarrasch Defence

2 P-KN 3 P-Q4 by 3 . . . N-KB 3, B-K2, 0-0 and
,3 B-N2 PxP then P-QB4. Compared with the
Black's best line here is to QGA, Black's chances when taking
40 XX US SR Championship, Moscow 1 952
the QBP are reduced by the fact lost.

that White has not used a tempo on 9 Q-R4 R-Nl
playing P-Q4 and so White has a I f 9 . . . P-K4 then 10 N - B 4
wider choice of po ssibili ties. Q-B2 1 1 N x P .
4 Q-R4+ Q-Q2 10 N-B3 P-B3
The u sual 4 . . . B-Q2 followed 11 P-Q3 N-K2
by B-B3 probably deserved 12 N-B4 P-K4
preference. 13 B-Q2 N-Q4
5 Q x BP P-QB4 A natural m ove but hardly the
6 N-QR3 correct one. H e should h ave
This move is linked with a c o n s idered the ma noeuvre
positional trap which Black fails to N - B 4-Q5 and if White then
foresee. Now Black probably ought wanted t o exch ange this strong
to have played P-QR3 preparing knight he would have to strengthen
P-QN4. his opponent's pawn formation.
6 N-QB 3 14 B-R5 B-K2
7 Q-N 5 ! P -QR3 15 P-K4!
E v e n a t the last moment Not only can the knight be
G oldenov fails t o note the danger. driven from the central square, but
He was forced to play 7 . . . N-N5 it must be driven. The weakness of
alth ough after 8 Q x Q+ K x Q 9 White's Q3 turns out to be quite
N - B 3 P - B 3 1 0 P-Q4 White would illusory.
get an advantage in development. 15 . . . . N-N5
I f after B lack's seventh move he
got a p ositionally lost game , then
now he is outplayed in tactical
c o mp l i c a t i o n s . The only
s a t i s fa c t ory r e t r e at w as
1 5 . . . N - B 2 , hoping after all to
get his knigh t t o Q5 via K3 or N 4.
On QN5 the knight has n o square
to go to and so is doomed.
16 0-0-0 Q-N5
If 1 6 . . . N x QP+ 1 7 K-N l ! and
the knight can n o longer be
defended.
17 N-Kl B-Q2
8 BxN PxB 18 P - QR 3 N-Q4
Only now did Black notice that A t first sight, Black has saved his
if 8 . . . P x Q 9 B x P(N 5) and knight as if 19 P x N then
Black finishes up a pawn down. But 1 9 . . . P x P forking queen and
all the same, this is what he should knight. But it turns out that from
have pfa.yed as his two bish ops and the square Q4 the unfortunate
free piece development would, to a knight also has no retreat square.
certain extent, be compensation for Nevertheless White has to be c areful
the pawn. N ow, h o wever, his for if he were to win the k night
broken p awn formation o n the straigh t away, Black would get as
Q-side makes his game positio nally compensation, a strong pawn
XX US SR Championship, Moscow 1 95 2 41
centre, two active bishops and 24 PxP

attacking chances. Hence White 25 Px N PxP
must n o t h urry to capture the 26 N - B4 Q- R3
knight. 27 Rx P
19 Q-B2 • ll-N4 The simplest. By returning the
20 P-B3 Q-K3 piece, White gets a decisive attack.
21 N-N2 0-0 27 PxN
2 1 . . . B-KB I 22 P - B 4 N-K2 28 R-R5 Q- KB 3
2 3 P-B5 Q-N l 2 4 N-Q6 mate, 29 B-B3 Q- B 2
would be a comic ending. 30 Px P P-N3
22 KR-K l KR-N I 31 Rx B!
23 P-B4 B-KB I Now the black king po sition is
24 p x p indefensible.
White is prepared to limit his 31 Qx R
gains to the modest win of a p awn, 32 NxP R(4)-N3
e.g. 24 . . . N-K2 25 N - B 4 Q-N5 33 N x B KxN
26 B-B 3 so as not to give his Or 33 . . . R x N 3 4 R-N5+.
opponent any counterplay. B�ack 34 R x RP Q-N5
prefers to give up a piece but this 35 Q- B 2 + Resigns.
makes no difference to the ultimate
result.
1 5 XX USSR Championship, M oscow 1 9 52

King's Gambit
I P-K4 P-K4 accurate plan and up to a certain

2 P-KB4 Px P point my opponent satisfactorily
3 N-K B 3 P-Q4 coped with this problem.
4 P x P N-KB3 Note that Spassky subsequen tly
5 B-N 5 + P-B 3 managed to prove that the text has
6 PxP P x P its dubious side because o f the
7 B-B 4 N-Q4 continuation 8 0- 0 B- Q3 9 N - B 3
If Bronstein supposed that by B-K3 9 N-K4!
playing the King's Gambit he had 8 P-Q4 B-Q3
surprised me, then he was wrong. I 9 0-0 0-0
had analysed all this variation IO N- B 3 Nx N
before the Match /Tournament for 11 PxN B-KN 5
the World Championsh ip in 1 948. Possibly 1 1 N-Q2 was even
Thus in this game it was not Black stronger as Lilienthal played against
but White who had to look for an Bronstein in the Moscow
42 XX USSR Championship, Moscow 1 95 2
Champ ionship a year later. 15 Q-B 3

12 Q-Q3 N-Q2 16 N-K5
13 P-N3 The threat was 1 6 . . . B-B4
This app ears very strong as if followed by K B P x P . White is
1 3 . . . P x P then 1 4 N-N5 wins r�ckoning on the text gaining the
out of hand. However, Black has advantage of the two bishops but
the chance by means of a pawn this advantage has only a nominal
sacrifice to simplify the po sition character as his KB merely fulfils
and dispel his opponent's hopes of the role of a looker-on.
getting an attack on the K-side. 16 B xN
Hence White would h ave had better 17 PxB QxP
chances in this respe ct by 1 3 B-Q2 18 BxP Q-R4
followed by QR-K I . 19 K R-Kl KR-K l
13 N-N3 20 P-QR4 B-K 7
14 B-N3 Black has to p lay with care as it
Thinking only of winning, is still possible for White's KB to
Bronstein refrains from exchanges get into play.
and thereby loses a valuable tempo. 21 Q-QB 3 N-Q2 !
After 14 QB x P B x B 1 5 P x B If 2 1 . . . P - R 4 Black's QR
N x B 1 6 Q x N Q-Q4 1 7 Q x Q would be tied down to the defence
P x Q 1 8 N-K5 B-B 4 the positi on of this pawn. Black transfers his
would be approximately level. knight so that it c an take part in a
14 P-B4 K-side attack.
15 P-B 4 22 P-R5 N-B 3
After 1 5 QP x P B x P+ 1 6 23 B-R4 R-K3
K - R l Q-B l ! 1 7 QB x P Q- B 3 24 K-N2
White would also be in - a difficult Here I was frigh tened o f the
p osition. Probably his best was 1 5 only manoeuvre which would allow
QB x P B x B 16 P x B B x N 17 Bronstein to continue his
R x B Q-B 2 . After the K B o n N 3 , resistance, namely 2 4 Q- Q2 ! By
for whose preservation White has means of this move, White
spent a tempQ, turns out to be immediately parries threats of
blocked in, then White's position R - Q l , N-K5 and N-N5 and
becomes difficult. simultaneou sly threatens the
unpleasant 25 B-B6. Probably
Black would h av e to be satisfied
with the modest win of a pawn by
2 4 . . . B x P . I t is curious to note
that this possibility, 24 Q-Q2 ! , was
not noticed by any of the
annotators.
24 N-K5
25 Q- R3 P-N4
White resigns. I f the bish op
retreats then R- K B3 decides
matters.
43
1 6 XX U.S .S.R. Championship , M oscow 1 95 2

Black : P. Keres
I P-Q 4 N-KB3 an advance in the centre. Black can

2 P-QB 4 P-K3 no longer prevent P-K4 as the
3 N-QB3 P-Q4 usual counter blow P - B 4 has been
4 P x ,P PxP rendered difficult for him in this
5 B-N5 B-K2 given position.
6 P-K3 0-0 13 B-K2
7 B-Q3 QN-Q2 14 QR-K l N-Q2
8 Q-B2 R-Kl Probably no be tter was
Black temporarily avoids P-QB 3 . 1 4 . . . P-B4 1 5 P x P B x P 1 6
This doesn't introduce anything QB x N P x B 1 7 N - Q4 or
new into what is a well-known 14 . . . P-KR3 1 5 B x P P x B 1 6
variation of this opening. B x N.
9 KN-K2 N-B l 15 BxB RxB
10 0-0 16 N-N 3 N-B3
But here is an unusual move. As 17 Q-B 2 B- K 3
a rule White castles short when he 18 N-B5 BxN
has played N - K B 3 and long after In this game Black goes halfway
KN-K2. In this game White to meet his opponent. N ow the
chooses a hybrid variation with the white bishop will occupy a very
aim of making it difficult for his fine position and the advance P-K4
opponent to choose a plan. A t the can be realised straight away.
same time White took account of 19 Bx B Q-N 3
the fact that with 0-0, Black finds 20 P-K4 PxP
it difficult to get active play, which Black opens the game so as to
is when Keres is at his most get some counterchances bµt at the
dangerous. same time White's active
10 P-B3 possibilities are also improved.
11 QR-N I B-Q3 21 PxP R-Ql
This 'attacking' move (there i s a 22 P-K5 N-Q4
threat of 1 2 . . . B x P+ 1 3 K x B 23 N-K4 N-B l
N-N5 + and 1 4 . . . Q x B , ) is a Black cannot guard his Q3, e.g.
serious Ulistake as Black will not be 2 3 . . . N - B 2 2 4 N - Q6 N -K l 2 5
able to free the pin on his knight N-B8 or 25 N x B P .
other thap. by returning this bishop 24 N-Q6 Q-B 2
to K2. He should have played There was a threat both of 2 5
1 1 . . . N-N5. N-B8 and 25 N x B P R x N 2 6
12 K-Rl N-N 3 B-K6.
13 P-B 3 ! 25 B-K4 N-K3
By his eleventh move White The only way o f putting up real
prepared a standard attack on the resistance lay in sacrificing the
Q-side but naturally he now exchange on Q3. After the
refrains from this plan in favour of exchange of bishop for knight on
44 XX ·USSR Champ ionship, Moscow 1 95 2
Q 4 an d the op ening o f the QB file

the denouement is no t far off.
26 Q-R4 P-KN 3
27 BxN Px B
28 R-B l Q-Q2
29 R-QB3 R-KB l
Now if 30 R-KR3 Black could
play 30 . . . P-B4 and if 31 P x P e.p.
Q x N.
(diagram in next column}
30 N-B5 !
This ensures the win of the
exchange, but White is playing for
more.
30 R ( l )-K i 34 NxP R-K3
31 N-R6+ K-B l 35 Q-N5 N-B4
32 Q-B 4 N-N2 36 N-R6 Q-N 2
33 R(3)-B3 R-B l 37 P-KN4 Resigns.
17 XX U . S .S.R. Championship, M oscow 1 95 2

Black : E. Geller
King's Indian Defence
1 P-Q4 N-KB3 9 Q-B 2 P-QR3

2 P-QB4 P-KN3 IO 0-0 B-B4
3 P-KN 3 B-N2 A waste of time as it provokes
4 B-N2 0-0 White into P-K4 which is a useful
5 N-QB3 P-Q3 move from his point of view. This
6 N-B3 N-B3 par ticular game h ad a great
7 P-Q5 significance in the development of
This was one of the first games the whole variation, as it was in this
in which this variation occurred game that the correct plan for
Subsequently it was proved _that 7 White was found, based on the
0-0 was more accurate and only unfortunate position o f the knight
after 7 . . . P -QR3, 8 P-Q5. at R4. Originally, it w as thought
7 N-R4 that the advance P -QN4 would
8 N-Q2 P-B4 give Black equal chances, and this is
Several years l ater Spassky what Geller was reckoning on.
showed that 8 . . . P-B3 allows However, the actual course o f
Black to get equality, a po ssibility the game showed that the opening
excluded by 7 0-0. of the QN file doesn't ease B lack's
XX USSR Championship, Moscow 1 95 2 45
game. Later att empts to improve

Black's play were made by P -K 4.
In that case White k eeps his
advantage by taking en passa nt
despite the fact that th" k night on
R 4 can get into p l ay. Gradually the
whole variation almost disappeared
from tournament practice.
11 P - K4 B-Q2
12 P-N3 P-QN4
13 B-N2 PxP
14 PxP R-N l
15 QR-N I R-N5
16 P-QR3 R-Nl 24 B x B N x B
By n o t playing 1 6 . . R x P 1 7
. 25 K- R2 N-Kl
N x R N x N 1 8 B - B l B l a c k misses 26 P- B 4 N- B 3
his chance o f getting counterplay. It is surprising that Black not
17 N-Ql only doesn't try to preven t P-K5
A mano euvre w h i c h w a s t o but actually provokes i t .
become standard i n such p o sitions. 27 P-K5 N-Kl
The knight takes up an active 28 Q-B 3
p osition o n K3 at the same time Now control over Q R 4 need no
freeing QB3 for the bishop. longer be maintained a s the black
17 Q- B 2 bishop has to c ontrol K N 5 . B lack's
18 N-K3 R-N2 nex t move allows White t o cut his
19 B-Q B 3 position into two parts as a result
T h e c o ming e x ch ange o f rooks o f which Black's pieces cannot be
o n the QN file doesn't bring any transferred from the Q- side t o the
significant relief to Black and k ing's.
merely has the advantage that the 28 P-B3
knight on R4 is not in such great 29 P -K6 B-R5
danger. 30 B-K4
19 KR -N l Preventing 30 . • N - N 6 in
. . .
20 P-R3 Rx R view o f 3 1 Q-N2 Q-R4 32 N x N

21 Rx R R x R+ Q - N 3 ( 3 2 . . . Q-K8 33 Q-Q2) 3 3
22 NxR B - B 2 After the tran sfer o f the
.
After 2 2 Q x R B- R5 Black bishop onto the QN I / K R 7

would breathe a little more easily. diagonal, the position o f the black
22 Q- N 3 king is quickly reduced t o ruins.
(diagra ry in nex t column) 30 N-KN 2
23 N-Q2 N-Kl 31 B - Q3 N-R4
In t h e given situation, Black's 32 B-K2 N-KN 2
only chance was to play P-K4 a t 33 P-R4 N-K l
the appropriate m o m e n t so as t o 34 B-Q3 N-KN2
slow down the development o f 35 P-B5 N-N6
Whi te's breakthrough. Geller T h i s loses a piece, but it makes
ignores this possibility for the no real difference.
whole course o f the game. 36 Q-N 2 Q-R4
46 XX USSR Championship, Moscow 1 95 2
37 NxN Q-K8 Championship and in the Maroczy

38 N-N2 Q-Q8 Memorial Tournament resulted in
39 N-QB l PxP my exclusion from the U.S.S.R.
40 B-K2 Q-Q5 side for t h e tenth Olympiad at
41 Qx Q Resigns. Helsinki (a decision reached in a
This game was the last one of a strange way - by a ballot of the
series against the 1 952 Soviet team members in which only one
Olympiad side ( Bronstein, Keres, vote was cast for the World
Smysl ov, B oleslavsky and Geller) Champ ion). Naturally in the XX
and these games had a definite U.S.S.R. Championship I wished to
significance for me. My mediocre prove that I did not play any worse
results in the previous Soviet than our "Olympic men".
1 8 4th Match Game, 1 95 3

Black : M . Taimanov
Nimzoindian Defence
1 P-Q4 N-KB 3 8 N-B4

2 P-QB4 P-K3 This is much stronger than 8
3 N-QB3 B-N5 P-KN3 which I played against
4 P-K3 N-B 3 Taimanov in the XX U.S.S.R.
At that time Taimanov's Championship. White attacks the
favourite line. H e often tried for QP without wasting time.
lively piece play at the very start of 8 0-0
the game. A serious drawback to 9 B-K2
this move is the fact . that Black After 9 Q-N3 N-R4 1 0 Q-R2.
' makes it difficult to advance his Black has the choice of defending
QBP which might well be essential the pawn by 1 0 . . . B-K3 or by the
at some stage in the game. sharp continuation 1 0. . . P - B 3
5 N-K2 P-Q4 when after 1 1 P-QN4 N - B 5 1 2
6 P-QR 3 B-K2 B x N P x B 1 3 Q x P P-QR4,
7 PxP Black gets the initiative in return
In another game- against for the pawn.
Taimanov I played 7 N-N 3 and he 9 B-KB4
replied with the double-edged A doubtful continuation
7 . . P-KR4. However, this central
_ allowing White to gain a significant
exchange, coupled with the eighth spatial advantage. 9. . . N -N 1
and ninth moves, makes difficulties followed by P-B 3, or 9. . . B-K3
for Black because of his ( G l i goric-Pachman, Stockholm
inadequately defend QP . 1 95 2 ) are more reliable.
7 p x p 10 P-KN4 B-K3
XX Championship Playoh� Moscow 1953 47
has a perfectly even game, and is

beginning to create threats on the
Q-side.
16 P-QN 5 N-Q3
17 Q-B3
Instead 1 7 P-QR4 deserved
attention. Now Black himself
occupies this square with his pawn,
fixing a weakness in White's
p osition.
17 P-R5
18 R-R2 P-B3
Possibly he should have played a
preliminary 1 8 . . . P-KN 3 to take
11 Nx B the sting out of the P-N5 threat.
The first critical moment. By 19 PxP QxP
playing 1 1 P-N5 N - K l 1 2 P-KR4 20 R -Q8 2 Q-Q2
White could exert strong pressure Black has a clear advantage on
on his opponent's p osition. The the Q-side, and it only remains for
exchange of his active knight for him to play the prophylactic
the passive bishop strengthens . . . P-K N 3 before beginning his
Black's centre and eases his attack. However, White is the first
defence. to start decisive operations.
11 PxN 21 P-N5 N ( K 3 ) -K l
12 0-0 Q-Q2 The second critical moment. 22
Black could not play Q-R3 N - 8 4 or 22 N x QP P x N
1 2. . . P-K4 because of 1 3 P x P 2 3 Q x P+ K - R l would get
N x KP 1 4 P-N5 and then 1 5 nowhere. White takes the correct
Q x P+. The text move connects the decision and sacrifices a bishop to
rooks, activates the queen and seize the initiative. As will be seen
threatens P-K4 at a suitable from what follows, this sacrifice
moment. White's reply radically guarantees White a very strong
'Prevents this. attack, probably sufficient to win.
13 P-B4 N -Q l ! 22 B x P+ Kx B
Transferring his knight to the 23 Q- R 3+ K-N l !
K-side in case of a White attack If 2 3. . . K-N 3 24 N x QP
there, and threatening dangerous B-Ql 25 N-N4! Black's king
counterplay by P-B4. Hence White position is very awkward because of
will soon advance his QNP to the threat N-Q3-K5+.
prevent this. 24 N x QP B-Ql
14 B-Q3 N-B2 25 P-N6 N-B3
Now after 1 5 P-N5 N-Kl 1 6 26 N x N+ PxN
Q-R5 P-KN3 1 7 B x P P x B 1 8 In this interesting p osition the
Q x P+ N-N2 or 1 6 P-N6 P x P 1 7 correct continuation was 27
B x P N-R l 18 B-82 N-Q3, R-KN2 R-K l (or 2 7 . •N-K2 28
.
Black has nothing to fear. P-Q5 with a strong attack ) 2 8

15 P-N4 P-QR4 P - N 7 N-B 2 2 9 R- B 3 and after
I t is becoming clear that Black 29 . . . R-Q8 1 30 B-N2 ( 30 B-Q2
48 XX Championship Playoff, Moscow 1953
R -B 7 ) R-B2 31 Q- R4 ( 3 1 Q-R5
Q-Q4 32 P-B5 Q-R4 ! )
3 1 . . . Q-B l 3 2 B-B 3 ! ( 3 2 R-R3
R-B 8 + ) White ough t to win. T h e
move 3 2 B-B 3 was found by
"C zechoslovak players if
32 . . . R x B 33 Q-R8+!
27 P-N7 R-Kl
A rare case of mutual chess
blindness. Only after the game was
it established that Black could take
the pawn with his king. In the heat
of the moment, this seemed too
risky to both players. After
2 7 . . . K x P ! attempts to attack the B-Kl R-R4 ! ) .
king by 28 R-N2+ K-B2 or 28 32 P-K4
.Q -R5 R-B2 fail as the king would After long thought Taimanov
be safe on K2 or K l . True by 28 decides on a line that is equivalent
P-B 5 ! K-B 2 ! 29 P-K4 K-K2 30 to resignation. H owever Black no
B -Q2 White would still have some longer had a satisfactory defence.
practical chances of drawing. After 33 R-R3 Qx R
27 , , . R-K l , Black loses by force. 34 QxQ P x BP
28 Q-R8+ K- B 2 35 PxP B-N3
29 Q-R5+ 35 . . . R-K8+ was also bad
By comparison with the because of 36 K-B2 R x B 3 7
variations given after the 2 6 th Q-R 7 + ! and mate i n two.
move, White has won a vital tempo 36 B-N2 R-N4
for doubling his major pieces on the 37 K- B l
KR file. The KNP is now definitely This avoids the last trap - 37
not to be captured · 2 9. . . K x P Q-Q7 R-K8+ 3 8 K-B2 R x B + 39
(or 29 . . . K-K2 30 Q-R7) 30 K x R R x R 40 Q x P R-QN 7 .
R-N2+ K-B l 3 1 Q-R8 (or R6)+ 37 B-R4
K-K2 3 2 R-N 7 + N - B 2 33 38 R-QB2 R-N6
R x N+ ! 39 Q-Q7 R ( 6 )-K6
29 K-N l 40 Q x RP R-K8+
30 R-KN 2 N-B2 41 K-B2 B-B2
31 R-B3 ! R-R4 42 Q x R+ Resigns.
32 Q- R4 ! 42 . . . R x Q 43 R x B R-N l 44
(diagram in n e x t column) K-B3 leaves no doubt about the
This quiet queen retreat finally outcome of the game.
• nakes it clear that B lack's po si tion
is indefensible. In fact if
32 . . . P-B4 33 Q-R5 threatening
34 R-R3, while after 32 . . . Q-B3
3 3 Q-R8 + ! and mate in three.
32 . . . Q-B2 is also bad because of
33 B-Q2 Q-B 7 34 B x R ! (but not
34 R - R3 because of Q-Q8 + 35
49
19 2nd Grune World Championship Match, Moscow 1 95 4

Black : V . Smyslov
Nimzoindian Defence
1 P-Q4 N-KB3 Wh ite n o thing good, and the plan

2 P -QB4 P-K 3 o f S hainswait-Fine. New York
3 N-QB3 B-N5 1 95 1 , was still unknown to me.
·
"
Smy slov . had successfully Apparen t ly even in 1 9 5 4 S myslov
employed th is defence in , th e didn't know this game.
Candidates' Tournament at Z urich 8 BxB
so it wa s n o surprise that h e ch ose 9 KxB PxP
it in h i s very first game as B l ack. Of course n o t 9 . . . N x P 1 0
4 P-K3 P-QN 3 QN x N ! P x N 1 1 Q- R5 P-QB3
But th is was hard to understand 12 N - K 6 P-N 3 1 3 Q-K5 B - B 3
as at Zurich he h ad played 1 4 N x Q B x Q 1 5 N x KBP.
4. . . P-B4. Why change a tested 10 P-KN 4!
line? Th e t ex t leads to a line Very unpleasant fo r B lac k!
analagous to th e one used by Master Shainswait played here 10
Bronstein against me in the fifth Q - B 3 P - Q B 3 and only th e n 1 1
game of our 1 9 5 1 match . I lost th at P-K N4, but after 1 1 . . .0-0
game and th e line was also met with achieved noth ing as the knigh t h as a
in subsequen t games w here I was convenient retreat square o n K 1 .
Wh ite against Moiseyev and Fine won th at particular game.
N ovotelnov ( XIX USSR Now h owever, 1 1 P -N5 is a
Ch amp ionsh ip 1 9 5 1 ) . I d i d n o t get strong th reat.
any particular advantage out of 10 P -Q B 3
th ose games either, wh ich A fter this B lack i s in a very bad
apparently was sufficient way. Th e correct line was
"psychologic al " reason fo r using it 10 . . . P -K.N 4 th o ugh then after 1 1
in this match. N - R 5 N x N 12 P x N Q -Q 2 1 3
5 N-K 2 B-R3 Q- B 3 1 4 P-K4 is promising for
Th is rath er unusua l move is White.
characteristic o f B lack's ch o sen 11 P-N5 KN- Q2
line. Forced , as th e o th er move ,
6 P -QR3 B-K2 1 1 . . . N - K 5 , leads, after 1 2 N x N
7 N-B4 P -Q4 P x N 1 3 P - KR4 B-Q3 1 4 N - R 5
8 PxP 0-0 1 5 Q - N 4 th reatening N - B 6+,
Against Novo telnov I played 8 to th e clear loss of a pawn.
P-QN 3 as at t ha t time I assessed 12 P-KR4 B-Q3
th e p iece sacrifice 8 . . B x B 9
. Failing to fo rei;ee h i s opponent's
P x P B- R 3 1 0 P x P+ K x P 1 1 inten tion to open th e centre by
Q-N 3 + K- K l 1 2 N-K 6 Q-Q2 1 3 P -K4, B lack makes h is position
N x NP+ K- Q l 1 4 N-K 6+ K-B l even worse. However, Wh ite h as an
a s not disadvantageous for B lack. l u ndoubted advantage after
think that Bondarevsky' s 12 . . . 0- 0 1 3 P-K 4 P x P 1 4 N x P
suggestions, 1 1 P - K 4 , can give N-B4 1 5 N x N P x N 1 6 B-K3.
50 World Championship Match, Moscow 1 95 4
13 P-K4! PxP
14 NxP BxN
15 BxB 0-0
16 P-R5 !
Black's game is lost as White
threatens to provoke irreparable
weaknesses in his king po sition by
P-R6, e.g. 16 . . . N-R3 1 7 P-R6
P-N3 ( 1 7 . . . R-K l is too late - 1 8
P x P R x N 1 9 Q- R5 K x P 2 0
Q x RP+ K-B l 2 1 B-Q6+ K-K l
22 Q x R+} 1 8 Q-R4 N-B2 1 9
Q x B P o r 1 6 . . . Q-K2 1 7 Q-B 3
Q-K3 1 8 P - R 6 P-N 3 19 N -Q 6 !
and 2 0 R-K l . Hence Black must Q-R5 22 R-N 4 Q-Q l 2 3 R- B l
attack the knight and drive it away which also left h im with no real
from control of KB6. hope.
16 R-Kl 20 Q x QP
17 N-Q6 R-K3 Smyslov chooses the first
It was better to give up the alternative, which is most in
exchange straight away by keeping with his style.
1 7 . . . N-B l 18 N x R Qx N 21 Qx Q p x Q
threatening Q-K5 . If Black should 22 R-QB l
manage to establish a knight on his The ending is hopeless for Black.
Q4, he could put up considerable 22 N-R3
resistance mainly because of the 23 P-N4 P-R3
slightly poor white king position. 24 R-R3 K- R2
18 P-Q5 25 R-Q3 N-B3
Simple and convincing as the 26 P-N5 N-B4
variation 1 8 . . . P x P 1 9 Q x P 27 BxN PxB
N - R 3 20 N x P ! K x N 2 1 P-N6+ 28 R x BP R-N l
P x P 22 P x P+ K-K2 2 3 B-Q6+! 29 P-R4 R-N2
K-B3 (23 . . . R x B 2 4 Q-B7 30 R( 3)-QB3 Resigns.
mate) 24 Q-B 3+ K x P 2 5 R-N l + 30 . . . N-K5 is met by 31 R- B 7 .
K- R2 2 6 Q-B5+ i s hopeless for
Black. He has to give up the
exchange though this is only a
slightly better alternative.
18 RxN
19 BxR QxP
20 Q-B 3 !
(diagram in nex t column}
The last difficult move in the
game. Black is forced to choose
between exchanging queens, and
thereby losing all hope of
exploiting the exp osed white king,
and the line 20 . . . P x P 2 1 R-KN l
51
20 4th Grune World Chainpionship Match, Moscow 1 95 4

Black: V . Smyslov
Queen's Gainbit Accepted
1 P-Q4 P-Q4 10 N-Q2

2 P-QB4 PxP Insufficiently energetic. At the
Having tried the Nimzoindian in time of the game I examined the
the second game, a variation which continuation 1 0 P - B 4 KN-B3 1 1
Smyslov had apparently looked to B - B 3 P - B 4 1 2 B x R Q x B but I
to set White new problems, my was unable to assess accurately the
opp1ment, so it seems, once again is resulting position so I chose the
h oping to exploit the element of quiet text in order to examine the
surprise in choo sing this opening. above variation at my leisure and I
3 N -K B 3 P-QR3 subsequently adopted it in the
This 'is the way that Alekhine eighth game of this match.
sometime s played and from what 10 KN - B 3
follows it will be clear what 11 N-K4 P-B4
Smyslov was hoping for. Now B lack h as an equal game.
4 P-K3 B-N5 12 N x N+ QxN
Thus, as opposed to other A continuation which accepts a
var1at10ns of - th e QGA, Black certain amount of responsibility.
develops his QB and this is what The simple line was 1 2 . . . N x N 1 3
Alekhine 's idea was. P x P B x P.
5 B xP P-K3 13 P-Q5 P-K4
6 Q-N 3 BxN Apparently 1 3 . . . B-Q3
6 . . . P-QN 4 is dubious here wouldn't be bad but after 14 P x· P
because of 7 N-K5 and if P x P 15 Q-Q3 Black begins to
7 . . . P x B 8 Q-R4+. have difficulties.
7 Px B P-QN4 14 P-R5 ! B-Q3
In a similar position Alekh ine 15 P-K4
played 7 . . . R-R2 and that is the A p p a re n t l y the best
way Botvinnik -Flohr, XIV USSR continuation. lbe point is that
Ch ampionship I 945, continued, Black had the positional threat of
after which 7 . R-R2 became
. . P-B4 and then, depending upon
unfashionable. circumstances, either P-K5 or
8 B-K2 N -Q2 P-B5.
This it appears is what had been Now. however, White leaves
prepared �y Smyslov ! The normal Black only ony possibility which is
8 . . . P-QB4 9 Px P N-Q2 not so dangerous, P-B4-B5. At
(9 . . . B x P 1 0 Q-B3) 1 0 P-B 6 the same time White's QB will
N - B 4 1 1 Q-B2 R-B l 1 2 N-�3 occupy a fine square on K3 where
R x P 13 N x P P x N 1 4 P-N4 it guards his KBP and so parries the
hardly guarantees Black full threat to open the KB file, and
equality though one can say that from where it also attacks the black
same thing about the text as well. QBP.
9 P-QR4 P-N5 15 0-0
52 Wo rld Champio nsh ip Match, Moscow 1 954
16 B-K3 P-B5 26 B-B4 R- B 3

T h e cause of Black's loss. H e not 27 Q-KN l
only remains a pawn down without Now White's K-side i s p erfectly
adequate compensation but he also safe.
increases the scope of White's 27- . . . . B-Bl
pieces on the Q-side ! Smyslov w a s badly short o f time
Smy slov clearly overestimated and therefore didn't play in a
Black's possibilities. The correct convincing manner, Under no
move was 1 6 . . . Q-R5 followed by circumstances should he retreat the
P - B4, (possibly preceded by bishop from its ideal blockading
P-N 3 ) with a sharp game. and defensive position in order ( 1 8
17 Q x BP KR-B 1 moves later! ) to return it to its
18 Q-N 3 Q-N 3 original station. The correct move
Now it is apparent what Black's was 27 . . . R-B 2.
idea was, to prevent White castling 28 R-N4 Q-R4
on either side. But was it really 29 Q- N2 Q- B 2
worth sacrificing his QBP for this? 30 P-N3 K- R l
Of course not, for castling on the 31 R-KN I R-Q3
Q-side would have been dubious for The rook is not well po sted here
White in view of the weakness of and now both the Black QNP and
his QRP. At the same time Black KP will soon be en prise.
cannot prevent White from castling 32 B-QB l N-Q2
on the K-side. 33 B- N2 R-K l
Now Black has a threat of 34 Q-B l
1 9. . . Q-N 7 and therefore White's
reply is forced
19 K-B l P-B4
20 R-K N l Q-R4
21 R-N 2 !
Now it is already clear that
Black is in a cul-de-sac and his pawn
sacrifice has not been justified
White has only to transfer his king
to R 1 to consolidate his position.
21 N-B4
22 Q-Ql Q-R5
22 . . . P-B5 at once was simpler.
It is not too easy to decide to close
the p o sition and so remove one' s Although White has a big
last h o p e of attack. advantage he has no direct way of
23 K-N l P-B5 winning. Therefore he chooses the
Now necessary otherwise the soundest c ontinuation when his
unpleasant 24 B-KN5 would opponent is in time troubl e , waiting
follow. 23 . . . P x P would be bad if tactics. At this point all critics
only because of 24 B-KN5 Q- R6 advised 34 R-N5 but in that case
�5 P x P threatening B-N 4. Black could defend himself by
24 B-Q2 QR-N l 34. . . P-N3 35 Q-B 1 Q-B3.
25 K-R l R-B l 34 Q- R4
World Championship Match, Moscow � 954 53
35 Q-N2 Q x P and Black is in a desperate

35 B x RP led to complications position as White has four ( !)
afte r 35 . . . N - B 3 passed pawns f o r the knigh t.
35 Q- R 3 Also tempting was 45 Q-B4
36 R...:. N 5 P-N-3 Q-R6 46 P-Q6 B x P 47 Q- B 6
37 Q-B l B-N2 and Black there t o o i s in a bad way.
38 B-B l Apparently on this evening I was in
White probably did right here in a miserly mood and didn't want to
avoiding in time trouble 38 B x RP sacrifice anything.
B - B 3 39 R ( 5 )·N4 R-Q R l 4 0 I played the text cal culating the
B - N 5 R x P 41 B x N R x B 4 2 variation 45 . . . B-Q3 46 Q-B 4
Q- B 4 Q-B l 4 3 Q-B6 Q-Ql . It is Q-R6 47 Q - B 6 getting t h e same
possible to win the game without position as in the previous variation
taking any p articular risk s ! but keeping the QP into the
38 B-B3 bargain. When my opponent
39 R (5 ) - N 4 B-K2 replied . . . .
39 . . . B-QB l was better. Now 45 B-Q3
the loss o f a second pawn is I bitterly noticed that in the case
inevitable. of 46 Q-B 4, Black calmly replies
40 B-Q2 N-B3 46. . . R-QB2 and the variation 47
Here the game was adjourned B-B6 Q-R6 48 B x NP B x B 49
41 R(4)-N2 Q x B Q x BP 50 Q-Q6 N-N5 5 1
Simplest. Black's p osition is lost, R-KB l N-K6 5 2 Q x P+ R(2)-N2
for upon 41 . . . Q-R6 (or is no good for White.
4 1 . . . R-QN l 42 B x RP R - R l 43 Now Black even manages to
B-B4 R x RP 44 B x NP) there organise a pawn storm on the
follows 42 Q-Ql ! R-QN l 43 K-side but alas for him the po sition
Q- R l ! N-Q2 (43 . . . Q-R4 44 of the white king still . remains
B-K2) 44 B x BP. It is not difficult impregnable.
to note that Black's misfortunes 46 Q- K2
stem from the position of his rook For the moment, White has to
on Q3. fall back on the defensive.
Therefore Smyslov takes the 46 R ( 2 )-KN2
correct decision and immediateiy 47 Q- Q l Q-R5
imp roves the position of this piece. 48 B-K2 P-N5
41 R�Q2 49 B-K l !
42 B x RP R-R2 The b i sh op will be very well
43. B-N5 R-KN 1 placed in this seige·like position. 49
44 P-R6 P-N4! P x P N x KP 50 B-Kl N-N4 5 1
Black's last chance 1s a pawn P-B 3 Q- R6 was a much inferior
attack on the K- � de. variation as White is then in
45 Q-Q3 difficulties.
Here White had many tempting Now Black cannot strengthen his
p ossibilities but in analysing many p osition further, e . g. if
c o m p H e ated varratmns he 49 . . . Q-R6 then simply 50
c�mitted an obvious oversight. Q-Q 3 !
The simplest line was, of course, 45 49 P-R4
Q- R l B-Q3 4 6 B x NP B x B 47 50 PxP PxP
54 World Championship Ma tch; Moscow 1 954
out the then very strong

continuation for B l ack,
5 3 . . . B-B 4 ! 5 4 R x N B x R 5 5
R-R4 B x P . H o w then i n the event
of S.1 5 1 . . . N x B 52 P-B3 Q- R 2
ought White t o continue?
The win is in fact linked with
the continu ation P-R 7 but this
pawn has to be pushed only at the
appropriate moment. A fter 5 3
P x N ! Q x KP 5 4 B-B2 ! ! Black has
no longer a satisfactory
continuation. The threats of 55
P-R7 and 55 R-Kl Q-N3 5 6
51 B x KN P ! Q - B 3 are very unpleasant and after
All the same, this evening I had, 54 . . . R x P 5 5 P- R7 R (5 )-N4
in the end, to play a sacrifice. Now (55 . . . R x R 56 Q-R5+ or
White ought to win. 5 5 . . . R ( 5 )-N2 56 Q-R5 + R-R2
51 RxB 57 Q-B 5 ! ! ) 56 P-R4 R-B4 5 7
This eases White's task, whereas Q- N l B l ack has no defence left.
after 5 1 . . . N x B ! the po sition Therefore after 53 P x N Black has
would remain very complex. After to continue 53 . . . B-B4 (instead of
the natural 52 P - B 3 Q-R 2 ! Q x KP) but then after 54 B-B2
( 5 2 . . . Q-R6 5 3 P x N B - B 4 5 4 ( 5 4 Q-B 3 B x R 5 5 R x B is also
B - B 2 ) the conunentators pointed feasible) 5 4 . . . B x B 55 R x B
out several ways of winning, but Q x KP+ 56 Q-B 3 Q x Q+ 5 7
their variations are not very R x Q we have a won rook and
convincing, e.g. the straightforward pawn ending for White.
53 R x R 54 R x R 55 P x R 52 P-B3
Q x KP+ 56 K-N 1 pointed out by The beseiged bishop n o w comes
Szabo is inadequate because of into play with decisive effect.
56 . . . B-B4+ 5 7 B-B2 B x B+ 58 52 Rx R
K x B Q-K6+ 5 9 K-N2 Q-K 5 + ! He would also lose after either
Q- B 3 Q-B 7 +. 52 . . . R-N6 5 3 B x R P x B 5 4
The clever m ove, 5 3 Q-B2 RxP or after 52 . . . Q- R2
(preventing the subsequent attack ( 5 2 . . . Q- R6 5 3 P x R N x KP 54
B-B 4 and in the event of the Q-B 2 ) 5 3 P x R N x KP 5 4 P-N 5 .
knight retreating we get the same But a l l the same h e ought t o have
sort of position as in the game) tried the last variation.
Szabo apparently rejected qu i.t e 53 BxQ R x R+
c;;o rrectly because of 53 . . . R -QB2 54 QxR R x Q+
54 Q-N 2 R ( 2 ) -KN2 (for example, 55 KxR N-Kl
55 R x N R x R 56 P x R Q x KP+ White's three passed pawns
57 Q-N2 Q x Q+ 58 R x Q R-R l combined with the weakness of
5 9 R -R2 P-K 5 ) . Black's QNP m ake further
I n time trouble I thought that resistance pointless.
White ought to win by means of 5 3 56 P-R7 N-B2
P - R 7 but Romanovsky pointed 57 K- B l K-N2
World Championship Match, Moscow 1 954 55
58 K-K2 K-B2 60 K-Q3 K-Q2

59 B-B2 K-Kl 61 K-B 4 Resigns.
2 1 1 2th Game World Championship Match , M oscow 1 95 4

Black : V . Smyslov
Slav Defence
l P-Q4 P-Q4 surprised when almost without

2 P-QB4 P-QB 3 thinking my opponent made the
At last Smyslov's favourite Slav following move. . . .
Defence appears in the match! 9 0-0
3 N-KB3 N-B3 Hastily played as from now on
4 N-B3 White can always choose to
I rarely play t h i s variation. The exchange on N6 without h aving to
last time I had o ccasion to try it worry about counterplay along the
was apparently versus Alatortsev in KR file. Hence the more careful
1 9 44. Normally against Smy slov I 9 . . . B-N 3 was in order. Now
played 4 P x P b u t in this game I White advances his central pawn
wanted to vary. unhindered
4 PxP 10 P- B 3 ! B-N3
5 P-QR4 B-B4 11 P-K4 P-K4
6 P-K 3 P-K3 Bold play as at first sight White's
7 BxP B-QN 5 KB now becomes a very p owerful
8 0-0 QN-Q2 piece, but the text is probably
In the 1 953 Candidates' necessary. Black attacks the poorly
Tournament at Zurich, Smyslov defended white QP and gets some
played this several times, but in the counteiplay.
match he had not adopted it, either 12 N xB
fearing a prepared line or wishing to Of course it is alway s tempting
keep this well tried system in to get the two bishops but White
reserve. thereby goes the wrong way ! He
9 N-KR4 should play the line p ointed out by
Not a new. .idea, see for example Leven fish , 1 2 P x P ! QN x P 1 3
the game Spielmann-van Scheltinga, B-K2 and in both the ending
Holland 1 9 36, where Black h ad ( 1 3 . . . Q x Q) and in the middle
played 8 . . . 0-0 and the game ( 1 3. . . Q-N 3 + 1 4 K - R l
continuation was 9 N-KR4 B-N5 QR-Ql 1 5 Q-B 2 ) White h a s the
10 P-B 3 B-KR4 1 1 P-KN4 better chances as the black bishop
N-Q4. The reply B-N5 looks at KN 3 is out o f play.
obvious in either variation and at 12 RP x N
the time of our game I was really 13 B-K3
56 World Championship Ma tch, Moscow 1 954
An obvious but superficial move. KN-Q4 23 N-K4 Q-K2 ! )

Here too he must play 1 3 P x P 2 2 . . . N - B 5 2 3 P-K5 N-Q4 24
QN x P 1 4 B-K2 avoiding the pin N-K4 Q-N 5 (25 R-KN I R-Ql
on the long black diagonal to his 2 6 Q-N4 P-KN 3 27 P-K6 Q-K2)
KN l . Both here and earlier White , a complicated game would result
had avoided the exchange so as to with chances for both sides.
maintain his KB on its threatening 19 KR- K l
diagonal, but n ow Black can 20 QR-QI
achieve almost complete equality. Here t o o 20 P-B4 P x P 2 1
13 Q-K2 P x P Q-KR4 would give Black
Wrong. 1 3 . . . Q-N3 pins the QP counterchances.
and sets some awkward problems 20 N-Bl
for White t o solve. S till, after 1 4 Now White finally gets the
K-Rl QR- Q I 1 5 P x P Q x B 1 6 chance to advance his centre pawn.
P x N N x P 1 7 Q-N 3 the game is 2 1 RxR RxR
about level. Now however Black is 2 2 P-K5 N-Q4
once again in some difficulties. 23 NxN
14 Q-K2 PxP Closing the Q-file. True, at the
15 B x QP B-B4 same tiine the diagonal QR2/KB7 is
Although the bishop exchange closed, but the QP is only a weak
reduces White's attacking chances obstacle as i t i s not defended by a
somewhat, Black i s still under knight.
pressure. 23 PxN
16 BxB Q x B+ 24 Q-Q2
17 K-Rl P-KN4 An important point. 2 4 P-B4
Smyslov criticised this move, P x P 2 5 P x P Q-Q5 2 6 Q-N2
wrongly in my opinion. W hite's Q-K5 2 7 Q x Q P x Q produces an
chances lie in advancing his KP and ending with only a slight advantage
KBP w hich, supported by his to White, so before advancing his
bishop looks very menacing. Now, KBP he guards the QN4 and Q4
however, in order to organise this squares.
advance, White h as to weaken his 2 4 N-K3
king position and thereby give 2 5 P-B4 PxP
Black some counterchances. 26 p x p Q- B 3
18 P-KN 3 Underestimating t h e opponen t's
This is playable as in the chances. 26 . . . Q-Q5 was essential,
variation 1 8 . . . N-K4 19 B-R2 and after 27 Q x Q N x Q 2 8 R-Ql
P-N5 2 0 P -B 4 N-B6 2 1 P-K5 N-K3 29 P-B5 N-B4 3 0 R-Q4
N-Q4 22 N x N P x N 23 P-R3 is (30 B x P K-B 1 3 1 P- R5 N - R 5 )
in White's favour. 30. . . K- B l 3 1 K-N2 K-K2 3 2
18 QR_:..: Q l P - R 5 P-KN 3 Black has definite
19 B-R2 drawing chances.
Here and at his next move, 2 7 P- B 5 N-B4
White tries to deny his opponent 2 8 Q-N5 R-Q2
any coun terplay and so avoids the Nor would 2 8 . . . P-B3 save him
advance P-KB 4. In fact after 1 9 because of 29 Q-N2 (29 P x P
P-B4 P x P 2 0 P x P N - N 3 2 1 Q x BP 30 Q-N2 N x P 3 1 B x P+
B-R 2 R-Q5 2 2 P-R5 ( 2 2 P-K5 K- B l 32 P-N 3 N-B4 33 B-K6
P-QN 3 is less energetic)

29 . . . P x P 30 P-N4 N-Q6 3 1
P - B6 Q-Q2 3 2 Q-K4! as pointed
out by Averbach and Romanovsky.
29 R-KN l P-B3
30 PxP N-K5
Black had p inned his hopes on
this intennediate move. N ow if 3 1
Q-N2 N x P and h e has a won
position as all White's pawns are
weak and the black QP is safely
guarded by his knight.
(diagram in next c olumn}
31 P-B 7 + !
A great surprise. This pawn can 33 BxP
be captured only by the rook, but Now three Black pieces are en
then the black cen tre pawn is prise and loss of material is forced.
unguarded and White 's opening idea 33 N- B 7 +
achieves its culminating point - his 34 K-N2 Q- B3
white square bishop enters the fight 35 Q x Q+ RxQ
with decisive effect. 36 KxN R x P+
31 RxP 37 B-B3 R- B5
32 Q-Q8 + K R2
- 38 R-N4 Resigns.
22 1 3th Game World Championship Match, Moscow 1 954

White : V. Smyslov
Sicilian Defence
1 P-K4 P-QB4 KN -K 2 as I played as long ago as

2 N -QB3 1 9 36 at N ottingham in my game
Smyslov nearly always used to against Alexander. In the meantime
adopt the so-called Closed it was Smyslov who had found
Variation. against the system the very good
2 N-QB3 antido te 5 . . . P -K3 6 B-K3 N-Q5
3 P-KN 3 P-KN 3 7 QN-K2 !
4 B-N2 B-N2 H owever, as will be seen from
5 P-Q3 P-N3 the further i;ourse of the game, the
I played this only to vary my text, 5 P-Q3, cannot be considered
game. Of course my opponen t was a good move. I managed to find the
expecting 5 . . . P-K3 followed by correct plan for Black only in the
5 8 World Champio nship Match, Moscow 1 95 4
1 5 th g am e o f the match. reduce the game to a prosaic

6 KN-K2 P-Q3 exploitation of material advantage.
It would appear illogical to play
first 5 . . . P-QN 3 and to follow i t
up w i t h 6 . P - Q 3 . A l a s the latter
. .
move is forced as after 6. . B-N2 .
7 B-K3 ! (7 N-Q5 8 B x N
. . .
P x B 9 N -N 5 ) White would
profitably advance P-Q4. Now
however, if 7 B-K3 Black can reply
either 7 . . . N-Q5 or 7 . . P - K 4.
.
7 0-0 B-N2
8 P- B 4
Hardly a good advance. I t was
certainly better to play 8 B-K3 so
as to meet 8 .N-Q5 by 9 B x N
. .
P x B 1 0 N -N5 P-K4 1 1 P-QR4. Should one draw the conclusion

8 P-B4 from this that the continuation 12
The most logical reponse for QN Q5 recommended by many
Black, blocking his opponent's KBP analysts would p o se Black insoluble
which limits the activity of Wh ite's problems? Ce rtainly not, as after 1 2
pieces. However, White does now QN-Q5 N-Q5 (defending against
get the chance t o complicate. 13 N - K 6 ) 1 3 P -83 P - K 4 1 4
9 P-KN 4 N - R5 N -B6+ 1 5 B x N P x B 1 6
I t may well be that this pawn Q x P P-B5 Black h as the
sacrifice is his best chance. In any preferable game although the
event the game now becomes very struggle would still be very
sharp. comp lica ted.
9 P x NP U B - Q5 +
10 P -B5 Q-Q2 I t was difficult to decide where
Black now has an extra pawn the white king stood wo rse! I
but the weak squares in his camp, pre ferred to have the white king on
Q4 and K3. cause him no little RI because now the exch ange of
concern. white-squared bishop s will always
11 N-B4 be linked with a check.
I f 1 1 N -Q5 N-Q5 then we 13 K- R I B x N!
could get a variation which is A n important simpl ifica tion.
examined i n the next note. N ow White's QN could occupy a strong
there is h ardly any sense in playing pos1t10n on Q5 . Further
1 1. . . B x N 1 2 P x B P x P 1 3 simplification is now inevita ble and
N - R5 0-0-0 1 4 R x P. White simply remains a p awn down.
11 p x p One must confess that his opening
12 p x p strategy was rather adventurous.
14 PxB N-K4
The commentators justifiably 15 Q-K2 N- K B 3
criticised White for this move as 16 BxB
Black now finds a hidden Convinced that he h as failed to
possibility to simplify matters and get an a ttack, Smyslov puts h is
World Championship Match, Moscow 1 954 5 9
trust i n h i s fine technique i n simple 27 K-N 3 R-KN I !

positions and takes the difficult N o w the knight manoeuvre given
decision to go into an ending a above is no longer p o s sible.
pawn down. 28 K-R4 P-KR3
16 . . . . Q x B-+ N o w the white knight h a s no
17 Q-N2 Q x Q+ moves as 29 N-B4 is met by
18 K x Q P-B5 ! 2 9. . . R- N4.
If White were able to m an age to 29 R-KN2
play P - Q B 4 followed by B -N 2 , 29 R - 8 2 was more accurate.
Black would find it very difficult to 29 R ( 2 ) -N l
realise h i s material advantage. The The exchange of a pair of rooks
text fix e s new weaknesses in o n the QB file becomes inevitable.
White ' s game - his doubled QBP . 30 R-QB2 R ( QN I ) - QB I
19 B-K3 N-B6 31 P-R4 R x R
Not allowing the bishop onto 32 R x R N-Q4!
Q4. The w h i t e knigh t is trapped,
20 B-Q4 White's pieces are dispersed, a l l his
Still! But this new simplification p awns are weak and so the game i s
plays into Black's h an ds as h e gets a already decided.
Q-side pawn m aj ority. 33 R-B2 K- 8 3
20 N x B 34 K-N3 P-KR4
21 P x N R- QB I 35 K-R4 N-K6
22 R-B2 P x P 36 P-Q5
P o s sibly a little h urried as now His only move.
White gets the second rank for his 36 N x P+
manoeuvring. 37 K x RP P-R3!
23 P x P K- B 2 Wh ite ' s pieces are stalemated
Perhaps better was 2 3 . . . K-Q2 ! and Black's QN P will advance
The king would be safer here and u nhindered.
after 24 R-Kl R - B 6 25 R ( 2 ) - K 2 38 R-QN 2 N-K6
R-K l 2 6 N - K6 N-Q4 2 7 P - B 6 39 R- B 2 + N-84
N x P 2 8 N-N 7 N-Q4 ! White 40 R-QN2 P-N4
could not resist for long. A t the 41 p x p P x P
time o f the game I failed t o see the The sealed move. The pawn
last move o f the above variation. cannot be taken because if 42 R x P
24 R- K l KR-QI P-N6 43 P x P N-K6 with a
P r o bably s i m p ler was mating fini sh.
24 . . . R - B 6 25 R ( 2 ) - K 2 R - K l The further co ntinuation of the
25 N-K 6 ! R-Q2 game could be: 42 P-Q4 P-N5 43
26 R( 1 )- :(( 2 R-KB 2 P - QN 6 4 4 R-QN2 P- N6
Here and at the next move, 45 P x P N x P+ 46 K- R4 N - 8 4+
White fai l s to exploit all his 47 K-R5 R-Rl+ 48 K-N4
chances. The knight manoeuvre R- R 5 + 49 K - B 3 N x P + but White
N - N 5 + -K4 would give chances of did not play on after the
more stubborn resistance and that adjournment.
i s why the black king ought to be
on Q2.
26 R-N2
60
23 1 5th Gatne World Championship Match , Moscow 1 9 5 4

White : V. Smyslov
Sicilian Defence
1 P-K4 P -QB4 7 KN-K 2 !

2 N-QB 3 N o t worrying about 8 B-N5
So back to the Closed Variation. P-KR3 9 B-B6 0-0.
Smyslov had obviously decided that 8 P-QB3
the system I had tried in the 1 3 th The source of a l l White's
game (2 . . . N - Q B 3 3 P-KN3 sub sequent worries! Black now gets
P-KN 3 4 B- N 2 B-N2 5 P -Q3 rid of the only drawback to his
P-N 3 ) was inadequate. This p osition - the weak square Q4.
judgement is well founded but a Moreover White's coming advance
disappointment awaits h im . P-Q4 also loses its force as the
2 N-QB 3 opening of the Q-file is now no
3 P-KN 3 P-KN 3 longer po ssible. White should h ave
4 B-N2 B-N2 exchanged knights or played 8
5 P-Q3 P-Q3 KN -B 3.
6 KN-K2 P-K4! 8 NxN
A good p lan. The white KB i s 9 PxN N-K2
safely blocked and the advance 10 0-0
P -Q4 is also rendered difficult. 10 P-Q4 KP x P 1 1 P x P P x P
Black can also meet an ultimate 1 2 N x P 0-0 (but not 12 . . . N x P
P-KB4 by a timely P -KB4. The 1 3 0-0 N-K2 14 N-N5 P-Q4 1 5
weakness of the central square Q4 B-B4) i s quite all righ t for Black as
doesn't have a great deal of his KB thereby has its scope greatly
significance as White can occupy enhanced.
this square with only two minor 10 0-0
pieces whereas Black can defend it 11 P-KB4
with three. After this pseudo-active move,
It is not h ard to draw the White gets a difficult game. The
conclusion that Black is already out pawn on KB4 merely limits the
of his opening difficulties - a grave mobility of his knight and QB. The
conclusion for supporters of the white king p o sition is s omewhat
Closed Variation. weakened also.
One merely has t o remember It will b e disadvan tageous for
that an identical build-up with White to exchange in the centre by
reversed colours had been met with P x KP, but Black can exchange at
earlier, in the English Opening. In the appropriate moment and as a
particular, N imzovich used to play result White gets into an unusual
it with good effect. sort of pin. Hence White should
7 N-Q5 have decided to play after all, 1 1
This can only lead to exch a nges. P-Q4.
If 7 0-0 KN-K2 8 P - B 4 0-0 and 11 B-Q2
9 . . . P -B 4 when Black also has no P rovoking P - K R3 by the threat
difficulties. of Q-B L Thereby White 's king
po51t10n i s weakened still further. P-R5 ! , and the unpleasant move

12 P x P P x P 1 3 P-Q6 N -B 4 1 4 18 . . . P-R5 ! also comes in answer
B xP R-N 1 holds out little to 1 8 B-N l ( 1 9 P-KN4 N - N 6 ) .
promise for Wh ite. Hence Whites decides to block
1 2 · P-KR3 Q- B2 the advance of the KRP h op ing
13 B-K3 thereby to defend his KB4 as well.
White transfers the bishop to B2 However, Black finds a
where it apparently be t ter de fends combinational motif which allows
the king, but at the same time the him to attack this important square
diagonal � l /KR6 is weakened and successfully.
Black soon exploits this. 1 3 B-Q2 18 P-KR4 Q- B 3 !
was a more careful move. A decisive move which runs
13 QR- K l counter to one of the basic rules of
14 Q-Q2 attack - not to plav one's queen in
Routine play, merely making his front o f one's minor pieces. In fact
position worse as the qul!eri ·stands the queen is exposed to attack on
badly on this diagonal. 1 3 B-B2 this square but \\b ite simply cann ot
was essential. take advantage of this situation.
14 N-B4 White now loses a pawn by force
15 B-B2 P-KR4 as he has no defence to the threat
16 QR-K l 19 . . . P x P 20 N x P N x RP ( 19
This passive move proves to be B-N l N x RP ! ). But doesn't White
an irreparable oversight. No matter get some compensation for this
how risky it looked, he had to try pawn?
1 6 P-KN4 RP x P 1 7 RP x P 19 B-K4 PxP
N-R3 I S P-N5 when he has 20 NxP N x RP
gained some freedom of action. 21 B-K3 N-B4
Black's next move hinders this
advance ind White's pieces are
practically stalemated.
16 Q-Q l !
So as to meet 1 7 P-KN 4 by
1 7 . . . RP x P 1 8 RP x P N - R 5
exchanging one o f White's bishops
which now form the defence of the
white king, instead of the usual
pawn cover! White's K-side is now
clearly weak ; thus 1 7 P x P is weak
because of 1 7 . . . B-R 3 ! 1 8 Q-B2
N-K6.
17 K-R2 B-R3
N o r can White now play 18 22 B xN
P-KN 4 because of 18 . . . RP x P 1 9 No, h e doesn't! The fine point
R P x P N-R5 2 0 P-N5 N x B 2 1 of the manoeuvre initiated by
K x N P x P 2 2 P x B Q-N4+ 2 3 Black's 1 8 th is that after the
K - R 2 Q x P + 2 4 K-N l Q-N4+ 2 5 obvious 22 N x RP P x N 23 B x N
K - R 2 K-N 2. 18 Q-B 2 is bad ( 2 3 B x B Q x B) 23 . . . KB x B 24
because of 18 . . . P x P 1 9 N x P Rx B Q-N 4 ! (24 . . . B x B is
62 XI Oly mpiad, A msterdam 1 954
weaker - 2 5 R ( 3 ) - B 3 R-K4 2 6 Creating two united passed

P-Q4 P x P 2 7 P x P R x P 28 p awns.
Q-K B 2 ) W h i t e m u s t c o m e o u t the 28 R x R R x R
exchange down. 29 P-Q4 P x P+
22 QxB 30 KxP R-N4+
N ow the white knight has no 31 K-R2 R-B4
good squares and 2 1 N-K6 B x B l 32 B-K3 P x P
2 2 Q x B Q x P (4) i s hopeless for 33 P x P K-R2
White. Black has both a material Threa tening to win a piece by
and a po sitional advantage, and the 34 . . . P - KN4.
remainder of the game is purely a 34 R-B2 P-K N 4
matter of fairly simple technique. 35 N-K2 R x R+
23 Q-N2 Q- N 5 36 B x R P-B4
24 Q-K 2 Q x Q+ Resigns.
25 RxQ R-K4 One of the decisive games of the
26 R(2)-Kl KR-Kl match !
27 B-B2 P - R5
24 XI Olympiad, Amsterdam 1 9 5 4
Black : G. Stahlberg
Reti System
1 P-QB4 P-K3 9 B-N2 N x N+

2 P-KN 3 P-Q4 10 QxN R-N l
3 B-N2 N-KB3 Quite as in Capablanca ' s style.
4 N-KB3 B-K2 With this i n significant l o oking
5 0-0 0-0 move, Black achieves the exchange
6 P-N3 P-Q5 of white-squared bishops and very
An interesting attempt to little remains o f White's opening
occupy t h e centre which doesn't advantage.
seem to have been tried before 11 Q- K2 P-QN 3
here. In this particular game, White 12 N-B3 B-N2
didn't manage to refute the idea. 13 QR-Ql Bx B
7 P-K3 N-B3 ! 14 Kx B P-B3
Fine p o sitional understanding. Black already threatens to get
Black refrains from P - B 4 which some active play by P - QN 4.
would be a serious waste of time, 15 N-K4 R-N2
and aims a t P-K4. F or that reason After having played the opening
White is forced to exchange straight marvellously well, S tahlberg begins
away in the centre. to play less convincingly. The
8 P x P N x P obvious line was 15 . . . N x N 1 6
XI Olympiad, A msterdam 1 95 4 63
Q x N R-B l followed by B-B3 prevent his opponent seizing

and the game would be level. Now, control of the Q-file, but even in
however, by a rather eccentric that event, White would retain the
knight manoeuvre, White poses advant;i.ge.
s0me new probb:ms for his 26 KR-Ql P-B3
opponent. 27 K-K3 .P-K4
16 N -N 5 ! N-Q2 28 R-Q5 N-K3
17 N-B3 B-B3
18 P-Q4
R e t i would have been satisfied
This move is played very late by
White and only when it is
completely necessary.
18 Q-B l
Here the queen is badly placed.
19 N-Q2 P-B4
This too plays into White's
hands. H e gains a Q-side pawn
maj ority which, combined with his
superior mobili ty, can give him a
prolonged initiative.
20 N-K4 BxP Here I had to have a long think.
21 Bx B 28 N-B5 was very tempting so as
He could get no real advantage not to allow the black rook to
from the immediate 2 1 N-Q6 occupy K 2 and also so that after
( 2 1 . . . Q- B 3+ 22 Q- B 3 Q x Q+ 23 29 . . . R- QB2 30 R-Q6 R - K l 3 1
K x Q N- K4+ 24 K-K2 R-Q2). R-Q7 White c ould seize the
21 P x B seventh rank. I did not succeed in
22 RxP finding a good con tinuation and
Here 22 N-Q6 Q- B 3+ 2 3 therefore I retreated the knight to
Q- B 3 would b e a double-edged the Q-side so as to begin the
continuation as after 23 . . . Q x N ! advance on the side where White
2 4 Q x R N - B 4 Black has strong had the material advantage.
pressure in the centre for the 29 N-N5 R-K2
exchange. 30 R-Q7 R ( l )-B2
22 N-B4 31 Rx R Rx R
I n the ending the knigh t a t B 4 32 R-Q6
would not b e sufficiently active and Th e ro o k m a n o e uv r e
therefore a t this p articular moment R-Q6 - B 6 - B8 threatening R- R8
White is glad to go for the exchange seems the most dangerous line.
of queens. 32 K- B 2
23 N-Q6 Q- B 3+ Now Black intends 3 3. . . N - B2
24 Q-B 3 Q x Q+ 34 N x P N -K l . T o play this at
25 KxQ R-Q2 once was doubtful as after
After the game, Stahlberg 32 . . . N - B 2 comes 3 3 N x P N - K l
pointed out that it was better for 34 R-Q8.
him to play 25 . . . R-K2 as in any 33 R-B6 R-Q2
event, Black could not manage to Black 's last hope is counterplay
64 XI O/tymp iad, A msterdam 1 95 4
along the Q-flle. which White gets a p assed KRP

34 R-B8 N-B4 which settles m atters.
35 P-QN 4 ! N-Q6 41 K-K3
36 P-B 5 42 Q x NP
3 6 P-QR3 would get nowhere - N aturally not 42 Q-B4+
after 36 . . . P-QR3 37 N-B7 because o f 42 . . . N - Q4+.
N - N 7 ! Now, h owever, Black h a s a 42 N-Q4+
hidden drawing chance. 43 K-B3 R-R4
36 N x NP 44 Q x KRP
This looks a good move but that The sealed move. Po ssibly it was
is all one can say about it. Black is more accurate to play the
ready to give up the exchange or preliminary 44 Q-N 8 + , however, I
queen for rook and knigh t. White did not suspect that Black's best
prefers the latter and eventually chance lay in refusing to take my
exploits his material advantage as QRP.
the Black pieces are badly placed 44 RxP
In fact, my opponent had Now the rook no lo nger guards
another equally clever-looking, but the knigh t and Black loses quickly.
more definite drawing chance in B e t ter chances lay in 44. . . P - B 4
36 . . . P x P 37 P x P R-Q4! 38 45 Q-N6+ N -B 3 but after 46
N - B 7 R x P 39 K x N K-N 3 and P-KR4 P-K 5 + 47 K-N2 K-K2
Black has very good drawing 48 Q-N 5 ! K-K3 49 P - R 5 ! P - B 5
chances. 50 Q x P R x K R P 5 1 P -N 4 R-K4
37 P-B 6 ! 5 2 Q- R6 K-B2 53 P - N 5 N - K l
N ow this p awn cannot be held 5 4 P - N 6 + K - B 3 5 5 P-N 7 + K-B2
back. 56 Q-B4+ and Black would h ave to
37 R-Q4 resign.
38 P-B7 RxN 45 P-R4 R-Q7
Of course not 3 8 . . . R-B4 46 P-R5 N- K2
because of R-Q8. 47 P-R6 P-B 4
39 R-B 8 + 47 . . . R-Q l was also bad
It i s difficult to w i n in the because of 48 Q-N7 N - B 4
vanatlon 39 R-Q8 R-B4 40 ( 4 8 . . . R - K N l 49 Q x R+! ) 49
P - B 8 (Q) R x Q 41 R x R N x P. Q-N4 R -K R l 50 K-K4.
39 Kx R 48 Q-N7 P-K5+
40 P-B8(Q)+ 49 K-N2 P-K6
S tahlberg p olitely "suggested" 50 P-R7 Resigns.
promo ting to a queen by looking 50 . . . P-K7 is m e t by the
amongst the captured pieces for the prosaic 51 Q- R6+ while if
white queen be fore I had made my 50 . . . R x P+ 5 1 K-N l and Wh ite
move. gets his second or, m ore accurately,
40 K-K2 his third queen.
41 Q-B 7 + !
The whole point. Now as
4 1 . . . K-B 1 i5" impo ssible because
of 42 Q-Q8 + K-B 2 43 Q-Q7+
followed by Q x R, Black has to
give u p his KNP and KRP after
65
25 XI Olympiad, Amsterdam 1 95 4
Black : N. Minev
Queen's Gambit D eclined
1 N-K B 3 N-K B 3 nothing. The text, however, is more

2 P-B 4 P-B 3 decisive.
3 P-Q4 P-Q4 16 P-QB4
4 N-B3 P-K3 17 P-QR3
5 P-K3 QN-Q2 Now line-opening on the Q-side
6 B-Q3 P x P is unavoidable. In reply to any of
7 B x BP P-QN 4 the move s 1 7 . . . P x QP ,
8 B-Q3 P-N5 1 7 . . . P x RP, or 1 7 . . . P-N6,
So far as in my game v Lissitzyn, White plays 18 B-Q2 with
VIII U . S . S. R . Champiol).ship 1 93 3. advantage.
9 N-K4 B-N2 Minev undertakes a despairing
Lissitzyn played 9 . . . B-K2. In attempt to attack the white K4
the 1 3 th game of my re turn match square so as to open the long
against Smyslov 1 958 , Black played diagonal and bring his QB i nto play
9 . . . N x N which apparently is also at any price.
inadequate for equali_ty. 17 P-B4
10 N x N+ P xN 18 P x NP N-B3
Black tries to complicate but
now his king will n o t be safe
anywhere.
11 P-K4 B-Q3
If 1 1 . . . P-K4 White would
probably have replied 12 P-Q5.
12 0-0 R-KN I
13 Q-K2 Q-R4
P arrying 14 B-QR6 and
threatening 1 4. . . Q- R4.
14 N-Q2 0-0-0
Bold but n o t good B e t ter was
1 4. . . Q-B 2 forcing 1 5 P-KN3 but
as then 1 5 . . . P - K R 4 was not
pos sible ( 1 6 Q x P B x P 1 7 BP x B Clever b u t still inadequate. Now
R x P+ 1 8 P x R Q x P+ 1 9 K-R l ) White gets nothing significant after
White would still keep his 1 9 R x P P x KP 20 B - B 2 ( 2 0
advantage. N x B+ R x N 2 1 B-R6 R x B 22
15 N-B4 Q-B2 R x R P x Q P ) 2 0. . . P x QP. At t h e
16 P-B4 t i m e t h e continuation 1 9 N P x P
1 6 P-KN 3 was also po ssible as BP x P 20 P x B P x B 2 1 P x Q
after 1 6 . . . P - K R 4 1 7 Q x P B x P P x Q ' 2 2 P x R(Q)+ didn ' t seem
1 8 BP x B R x P+ 1 9 P x R Q x P+ convincing to me, but in the last
20 K-R l Q x B 2 1 N-Q6+ K-B2 variation White could h ave found a
2 2 B - B 4 B l ack has achieved hidden improvement, 1 9 NP x P
66 XI Oly mp iad, A msterdam 1 954
BP x P ( 19 . . . B x QBP 20 P x B 26 Q x Q+ KxQ
R x B 21 Q x R B x P 22 N-Q6+ 27 p x p PxP
Q x N 23 Q x B) 20 N x B+! R x N 28 R-8 7 + K-83
2 1 B-N 5 ! ! ( 2 1 . . . R x P 22 P-86 29 B-K3 K-Q4
followed by B-K 3 ) when the Black 30 -R x K RP
p osition is hopeless. It was also possible to play 30
Unfortunately I did not see this QR x P .
continuation either during the game 30 N- B 3
or in the p ost-mortem. The move 31 B-B4
2 1 B-N 5 ! ! only occurred to me Once again White commits an
several days later when I was having oversight. He doesn' t notice his
a stroll. opp onent's pretty obvious reply.
19 N - R5 P-B5 ! ! Now the game begins again. After
I had overlooked this 31 R-KR 5 + K - B 5 ( 3 1 . . . K-K5
intermediate move. The threat 32 R-K l ) 32 R -B 5 + the game
B-R6 is now eliminated and ought to end quickly.
instead of a quick win, White has to 31 R ( 3 )- QI
be satisfied with a p ositional 32 B- B 7 R-KR l !
advantage. In this way Black keeps the
20 Nx B P x B -white rook away from Q7. An
21 N x B+ R x N exchange of rooks is forced and the
2 1 . . . Q x N was h ardly better in QP is lost.
view o f 2 2 Q x P P x P 2 3 Q- B4+ 33 R-N7 R( R l ) -N 1
K-N2 24 P-B5. The exposed 34 R-R7 R-K R l
position of the black k ing gives 35 R-N7 R ( R l ) -N l
White the advantage. 36 R- B 7 R (N 1 ) -B I
22 QxP PxP 37 QR-K B l R x R
Black would also be badly o ff 38 Rx R R-QB l
after 22 • . N x P 23 B-K3 K-N l
. 39 B-K5
24 P-Q5 . In the resulting rook ending the
23 Q-K2 Q-N2 centralised p o sition of the black
No better were either king gives him reasonable
23 . . . R x P B-K 3 or 23 . . . R-Q4 counterchances.
24 P-B5 R x BP 25 R x R P x R 26 39 NxP
Q-R6+. 40 BxN K x B
24 P-B5 41 K-B2
With the opening of the diagonal The sealed move. Possibly
KR2 /QN8 , the position of the slightly simpler was 41 R x P or the
black king becomes so bad that immediate 41 P-KN4.
Minev is prepared to go into an 41 P - R4
ending two pawns down merely to If 4 1 . . . R-QN l the same
avoid immediate loss. answer would follow as in the game
24 N- Q4 whereas after 4 1 . . . R - B 7 + 42
25 QxP N xP K- 8 3 R x QNP 43 P - R 4 P-R4 44
Also hopeless for Black is P-R5 R-N8 45 K-N 4 P-K4 46
25 . . . P x P 26 Q x P+ K-N l 2 7 R-Q7+ K-B5 47 K- B 5 there can
P-KN 3 ( but n o t 2 7 Q x B P R x P + ! be no doubt of White's decisive
2 8 K x R N - B 5 +) . advan tage.
XI Olympiad, A msterdam 195 4 67
42 P-KN 4 R-B 7 + apparently only the second time in

43 K-N 3 R x NP master praxis.
44 P-N5 P-R5
45 P-N6
The alternative would hardly be
better, 45 R-QR7 K-K 5 !
(45 . . . K-K4 46 R-R5+) 4 6 P-N6
K-B4 47 P-N 7 R-N l (48 R-B 7 +
K-N 3 4 9 R - B 8 R-N 6+).
45 R-N8
46 K-R4! R-N8
47 K-R 5 K-B5 !
Excellent play. After for
example 47 . . . R-N 7 48 P-R4
P-R6 49 R-QR7 P-R7 50 K-R6
K-B6 5 1 P-R5 P-K4 52 K-N 7
P-K5 53 P-R6 P-K6 54 P-R7 In the game v Ravinsky I didn't
P _-K 7 55 P-R8 (Q) P-K8(Q) 56 play convincingly and Keres in a
Q-B 8 + Black stands badly. Now, long analytical article in " Chess for
however, in the variation 48 1 947-49" criticised my play. As the
R-QR7 K-N 7 Black will have an reader will see from what follows,
extra tempo. Fortunately for White my play in that game really did
he can force a queen ending in deserve criticism as I simply did not
which he is a pawn up. understand this ending at that time.
48 R-B4+ K-N4 In his article , Keres analy sed
49 R- B3 K-N5 many separate p ositions but
50 R-B4+ K-N4 unfortunately did not indicate the
51 R-B3 K-N5 correct general method of play for
52 R-KN 3 RxR White. Minev was acquainted with
53 Px R Keres' article but he took from it
With a K RP on the board in a only one piece of advice, to keep
queen and pawn ending it is the black king on his QR5. Such
difficult to win, with a NP victory superficial tactics on Black's part
is quite possible. slightly eased my task.
53 P-R6 The pawn gets to KN 6 pretty
54 P-N7 P-R7 quickly.
55 P-N8 (Q) P-R8 ( Q) 57 Q- Rl +
56 Q-N4+ K- R4 After 5 7 . . . Q-R8+ 5 8 K-N5
After 5 6• . K-R6 57 Q-B 3+
. there are no more checks.
K-N5 5 8 Q-K4+ the black king is 58 K-N6 Q-B 6
driven onto the fourth rank. 59 P-N4 Q-Q7
57 QxP 60 P-N5 Q-Q5
(diagram in next column) 61 Q-B5+ K-R5
So we have a queen ending with The king can retreat only along
a NP, the second time I have had the fourth rank but Minev was
such an ending, the first being v playing for this as, in his article,
Ravinsky in the XIII U. S . S . R. Keres recommends keeping the king
Championship 1 944 which was on QR5 in certain special p ositions.
68 XI Oly mpiad, A mst�rdam 1 95 4
62 K - R5 Q- Rl+ rank as the black one or close to it

63 K -N4 as this reduces Black's -checks to a
Once again there are no more minimum as White, by interposing
checks and the advance of the pawn his queen can himself check. That
to N 6 is guaranteed. _ was the way I finally managed to
63 Q -K RB win against Ravinsky.
64 Q -B4+ It might be asked why this
Before advancing the pawn it is ending had for so long been
useful to transfer the queen to the considered drawish. Chess theorists
central square K 5. had examined this ending with the
64 K- R4 pawn on the seventh rank and the
65 Q-K 5+ K- R5 king on the eigh th. With a BP a
66 P -N 6 Q-Q 8+ winning manoeuvre was found but
Now Black can start checking no such manoeuvre was .discovered
again. During the next few moves in the ending with the NP.
White does not find the correct I n my game against Ravinsky,
plan. under the influence of these
6 7 K -N 5 Q -Q l + analyses. I .kept my king on the
68 K-B5 Q-QB I + seventh and eighth ranks and
69 K -B4 Q-B 8+ persisted in this.almost to the point
70 Q-K3 Q-B 2+ of drawing. This time l did not
71 Q-K 5 Q-B 8+ repeat my old mistake.
72 K -B5 Q-Bl+ 74 Q-Q4+
73 K -N 5 Q-Ql+ 75 Q -B9 Q-Ql+
Here again the game was 76 K - R5
adjourned and this move was Black has only one final check,
sealed. 76 . . . Q- Rl+ but then after 7 7
We have the same position as K-N4 h e stands badly. The
after the 6 7th move, but strength of White's position can be
adjournment analysis helped me to illustrated by the following amusing
figure out the secret of this ending. variation : 76. . . Q- Rl+ 7 7 K -N4
74 Q -B 6 ! Q -N2 78 Q-B 7! Q-B 6 (the only
The only way.In the event of 74 move) 79 P-N 7! Hence Black tries
K - R6 Q- R5+ 75 K -N 7 Q - R6 to pin the KNP on the diagonal.
White would only have made his 76 Q-Kl
problem harder. The white king 7 7 Q-B4+
stands badly at the far end of the It is useful to transfer the queen
board ( 6th, 7th and 8th ranks ) as to Q4.
this leaves the black queen with too 77 K - R4
much freedom.This is what I failed By manoeuvring with his king
to understand when playing against only on K R4 and K R5, Black
Ravinsky when I manoeuvred with obviously makes it easy for White
my king for a long time on these analyse the variations.
ranks. This mistake in method was 78 Q -Q 2+ K - R5
not commented upon by Keres. 79 Q-Q4+ K- R4
Where then ought the white king 80 K-N5 Q -K 2+
to stand? As the reader will see, the 81 K-:... B 5 ! Q -Bl+
king ought to stand on the same 8 2 K -K4
XI Olympiad, A ms terdam 1 95 4 69
Once again the checks have 87 Q-Q7+

come to an end. The white king is O r 87 . . . Q - R 6 + 8 8 K-Q5 !
very well placed in the centre. 88 K-K6 Q- R 7 +
82 Q-R3 89 Q-Q5 Q- K 7+
83 Q�K5+ K-R5 90 K-Q6 Q- R 7+
84 P-N 7 Q- R8+ 91 K-B5 ! ! Resigns.
85 K-Q4 Q-Q8+ The final position shows the
86 K-B5 Q- B 8 + winning method in this ending with
87 K-Q6 great clarity.
After 8 7 K-Q5 Q-B I the white In this game I twice let slip an
king wouldn't stand too well, easy win but this led to an
whereas Black's king would be well intere sting ending and a hard-won
placed. victory.
26 XI Olympiad, Amsterdam 1 95 4
Black : M . N ajdorf
1 P-Q4 N -KB3 B-QR3, but by 9 . . . N-K5 I O

2 P-QB 4 P-KN 3 B-N2 N x N 1 1 B x N B K5 1 2-
3 P-KN 3 B-N2 R-Bl P x P 13 N x P B x B 14

4 B N2
-
0-0 K x B N x N 15 B x N B x B 16
5 N-QB 3 P-B4 Q x B Q-R4 Black could get
This system of development has equality.
been employed by Najdorf quite IO B-N2 N-K5
often. It !,s probably more elastic 11 R-Bl N xN
than the system N - B 3 and if P-Q5 12 BxN
then N-QR4 and P-B4. Now P-Q5 cannot be prevented
In the present game White and White's advantage is clear.
refrains from P-Q5 so as to take N aj dorf probably fel t this to be the
Black away from the usual lines. case as at this point he offered a
6 N-B3 N-B3 draw.
7 0-0 P-Q3 12 B- K 5
8 P-K3 13 P-Q5 B xB
A modest line but it poses Black 14 Rx B N -Ql
new problems. After 1 4 . . B x N 1 5 Q x B
.
8 B-B4 N-K4 1 6 Q-K2 followed by the

9 P-N3 Q- B l inevitable P-B4, Black h as a
A loss of time. 9 . . . P-Q4 is difficult game.
hardly better, for example I O 15 N-Q2
BP x P N x P 11 N x N Q x N 12 Naturally the blocking bishop
70 XI Olymp iad, A ms terdam 1 954
must be exchanged, A bold plan but a pretty

15 BxB transparent one and one must be
16 KxB P-B4 surprised that my opponent was
Preventing 17 P-K4 when Black slow in recognising the danger.
has the good reply 1 7 . • . P-B5 but 22 Q-B 3
White, by his next move, renews T o carry out h i s idea White must
the threat to advance his central first of all defend his BP.
pawn. 22 QR-Q I
17 P-B4 P-K3 Probably superfluous as 2 3
18 P-K4 P-K5 P x P 2 4 P x P N-N4! was
An interesting point. By 1 8 advantageous to Black even without
R-Q3 !, s o as t o obtain a base for the move QR-Q l. However,
his pieces on Q5, followed by nothing is spoiled as 2 3 P x P R x R
P-K4, White could strengthen his 24 R x R Q x P 25 P-KN 4 Q-B7
positional advantage. By missing 26 R-K2 Q x RP 27 N-K4 Q-R8
this chance White gives his would involve sacrificing the QRP,
opponent adequate coun terplay. so White now advances this pawn.
18 KP x P 23 P-QR4 P-N3
Now Q5 is occupied by a white Probably the decisive mistake as
pawn which does not carry any White now carries out his plan
great danger for Black. without let _or hindrance.
19 BP x P 23 . . . N-R3 ! was essential,
Playing for complications White bringing the knigh t into play in the
retains his KP. After 19 KP x QP event of the pawn capture on KB5.
R-K 1 2 0 R-Kl N-B 2 2 1 24 P x P! Rx R
R(3)-K3 R x R 2 2 R x R Q-Q2 25 Rx R Q x BP
23 Q-K l K-B l the position has 26 P-KN4 Q-- B 7
been greatly simplified and Black 27 R-K2 R-KB I
has every chance to e qualise. The only po ssibility of
19 N-B2 preventing the immediate transfer
20 R-K l R-Kl of the knight to K B6.
21 R(3)-K3 Q-Q2 28 N-K4 Q-Q8
The central e xc hange Black lo ses heart prematurely.
2 1. . . P x P 2 2 N x P is clearly By 28 . . . Q-- B8 (29 N-B6+
disadvantageous for Black but he is K-N 2 2 3 0 P-N5 N x P ! ) he could
not forced to so exchange. make White's task h arder although
Hence White must sooner or then 29 Q-K3 ! would force an
later exchange on B5 and his plan ending in which Black's prospects
looks pretty obvious after taking
· are grim.
on B5 and Black's forced recapture Now, however, Black's game is
with his queen (otherwise there hopeless - his pieces are separated
comes Q-R5 and N-B4-K3 and cramped.
winning the KBP) White will play 29 N-B6+ K-N2
P - KN 4- N 5 followed by 30 P-N5 R-B l
N-K4-B6. Thereby White would 30. . . P-KR3 is al s o oad
kill two birds with one stone, both because of 31 R-K7 but not 31
increasing the scope of his knight P-R4 P x P 32 B P x P because of
and reducing that if Black's. 32 . . . R-KR l !
XXII USSR Champio nship, Moscow 1955 71
One can also note that White did

not play 3 1 R-K7 in order to deny
Black the counterplay involved in
the advance of his QBP
3 1. . . Q-B 7 + 32 K-N3 P""'- B5 .
31 Q x Q+
32 KxQ P-KR3
33 P-R4 PxP
34 RP x P P-R3
After 3 4. . . K-B 1 35 R-K6
P-R3 36 N-K4 K-N2 37 R-K7
we get almost the same po sition as
in the game.
35 R-K7 R-QN l
31 R-K3 36 R- R 7 P-N4
It is amusing that neither player 37 RxP PxP
saw the obvious tactical tum 3 1 Or 37 . . . P-B5 38 P-N4.
N-K8+ K-N l 3 2 N x P. However 38 PxP R-QB I
if I had seen it I would probably 39 P-R5 K-B I
have rejected it as after 40 R-B6 R-RI
32 . . . N x N 33 R-K8+ R x R 3 4 4I P-R6 Resigns.
Q x R R - K 5 the win would be
more complicated than- in the game.
27 XXII U.S.S.R. Championship, Moscow 1 95 5

White : V . Antoshin
French Defence
1 P-K4 P-K3 Here and subsequen tly White

2 P-Q4 P-Q4 refrains from P-QR4 so as not to
3 N-QB3 B-N5 give Black the counterch ances
4 P-K5 P-QB4 associated with the w in o f this
5 P-QR3 B x N+ p awn (9 P-QR4 Q-R4 IO 0-0
6 P x B Q-B 2 P-B5 I I B-K2 N-N3 and N x P).
7 N-B3 White is prepared to allow a knight
Nowadays the active move 7 to settle on his QR4, but this is too
Q-N4 has more supp orters. far away from the scene of
7 N-K2 operations on the K-side.
8 B-Q3 N-Q2 9 P-B5
9 0-0 IO B-K2 N-Q N3
The beginning of a logical plan. 11 N-K I !
72 XXII USSR Championship, Mosc o w 1955
To be followed by its transfer to parry simultaneously the threats of

KN2 where it will be well placed If 26 Q- K 8 + and 2ii Q x P
1 1 P-QR4 B-Q2 12 P-R5 N-R5 24 R(2)-K2
and t he QRP is doomed 25 Bx R Px B
11 N--'-R5 26 • Q-B 8 + K- B 2
12 B-Q2 B-Q2 27 BxB Qx B
13 P-N3 0-0-0 28 QR-K l P-K5
14 N-N2 P-B3 29 Q- B6 Q-Q3
B l ac k has d ev e l op e d 30 Q x Q+
comfortably, but he has t o take The exchange of queens is .only
great c are. The line he chooses one of many ways to win.
creates objects of attack - his KP 30 Kx Q
and KBP. 31 P-84
15 PxP PxP A slight piece of carelessne ss. He
16 B-N4 N-KN3 ought not to let Black have a
It would be more consistent to protected p assed pawn. 3 1 P-B3
advance the KP. was simpler.
17 R-Kl QR-Kl 31 P-QN4
Letting slip his last chance for 32 . K-N2
P-K4.
18 Q-B3
A very unpleasant move for
Black. The queen n ow guards the
QBP thereby freeing the QB. Black
now has the far from easy choice of
weakening his black squares
irretrievably by 18 . . . P-B4, or
playing the text which results in his
rooks being attacked by the
opposing bishops.
18 KR-B l
19 B-R6 R-B2
20 N-B4 Q-Q 3
If 2 0. . . N x N 21 BxN B u t this is very careless. After 32
followed by 2 2 B-R5 wins the P-N4 White's position remained a
exchange. Now White cannot play winning one whereas now he has to
32 N x QP because of 2 1 . . . B-83. start thinking in terms of how to
21 R-K3 P-K4 draw it!
Leading t o a lost position, but it 32 N x P! !
seems there was no longer any The sacrifice has to be accepted
s atisfactory defence, e.g. as otherwise Black creates two
2 1. . . P-B4 22 B-R5 R-N l 23 united passed p awns.
QR- K l etc. 33 RxN P-Q5
22 NxN PxN 34 P-QR4 Px R
23 PxP RxP 35 PxP K-B4
24 B-B4 36 P-N4
This wins the exchange as after After his p sychological trauma
24. . . R x R 25 Q x R Black cannot of 32 . . . N x P, Antoshin cannot
XXll USSR Championship, Moscow 1 955 73
find the right plan. First of all he 44 P-N7 P-R7

had to play his king towards Q2, as 45 P-N8=Q P-R8=Q
after 36 K-B 2 R-Q2 37 R x P 46 Q- Q5+ K-N5
R-Q7+ 3 8 R-K2 K x P 39 R x R 47 P-B5
P x R 40 K-K2 P-B6 41 P-B5 There is no perpetual check - 4 7
White ought not to lose. Q-Q6+ K-R5 48 Q-B6+ K-R6
36 R-Q2 49 Q- B5 + K-N7 5 0 Q-N6+ K x P.
37 R-K2 Kx P 47 Q-B6+
38 P-R4 P-R4 48 K-K l Q- K6+
39 P-R5 Px P 49 K- Q l Q- B 7 !
40 P-N5 R-Q7 Resigns.
In the queen ending which now After 50 Q-Q6+ K-R5 5 1
results, Black wins without too Q-B6+ K- R6 5 2 Q-Q6+ K-N 7
much trouble. Black's king escapes the checks
41 K-B 2 P-KR5 while the white king is threatened
42 P-N 6 R x R+ with mate.
43 Kx R P-R6
28 XXII U . S. S . R . Championship , Moscow 1 95 5

White : A. Ko tov
1 P-Q4 P-Q4 which is not weak in the present

2 P-QB4 P-QB3 position. Thereby Black gets
3 N-QB 3 N-B3 comfortable development,
4 N-B 3 P-K3 11 BP x P BP x P
5 P-K3 QN·Q2 12 PxP NxP
6 B-Q3 B-N5 13 N-Q4
7 0-0 0-0 After 13 N x N Q x N Black has
8 B-Q2 the initiative. White could also have
Threatening 9 N x P. avo ided giving his opponent the
8 B-Q3 advantage of the two bishops by 1 3
9 P-QN 3 B-K2, which however i s no
Not very logical with his QB particular "advantage" in the
already at Q2. Transposition into present position in view of White's
the normal variation by 9 P-K4 well-based knight at Q4.
seems more appropriate. 13 Nx B
9 Q-K2 14 QxN Q-K4
10 Q-B2 P-K4! Black wrongly loses two tempi
Agreeing to an isolated QP in provoking a weakness at White's
74 XX/I USSR Championship, Moscow 1955
K4. 26 Q- Q2 Q-N5
15 P-B4 Q-K2 27 P -KR3 Q-N3
16 QR- B l 28 Q-KB2 P-KR4
29 K- R2 P-R4
30 B-R3 P-QN4
31 B-B5 P-N5
The breakthrough P-QR5 has
now become feasible.
32 R ( 3 )� B l KR-QBl
33 B-Q4 B-B7
To win time on the clock.
34 R-Q2 B-K5
35 R(2)-Ql Q- B4
36 Q-K2 Q-N3
37 Q-KB2 P-QR5
38 R x R+ R x R
39 P x P Q- K l
At this point I was afraid of 40 R-Q2 Qx P
B - K l - R4, thinking that thereby So Black has succeeded in
White would get a positionally won feeling out another object of
game. True, after the immediate 1 6 attack, the QRP. But this modest
B-Kl R-Kl 1 7 B-R4 Q x P + 1 8 achievement was clearly inade quate
Qx Q R x Q 19 B x N P x B 20 for winning the gam e . After the
N x P R-Q 6 2 1 N x P + K- R l the simple 41 R-N 2 White would
position is unclear, but Black maintain the balance, but he sealed
should not now have tempted fate a weak move and had to struggle on
by putting his rook on Ql as after in an ending a p awn down.
that move 17 B-Kl would have 41 Q-R4 R- B 7
been stronger. 42 R x R Qx R
16 R-Ql 43 Q- N 3 Q x RP
17 R-QB2 Unfortunately there is no time
So my fears were unnecessary - for 43 . . . K-B 2 (44 P-B5 ! B x BP
my opponent did not notice the 45 Q-B3 with a strong attack ) .
bishop manoeuvre. 44 B x P Q x P+
1 7· B-QB4 The reader who is familiar with
Now White has no compe:Qsation my game with Kotov in the XI
for the weakness of his K4. U . S .S.R. Championship 1 9 3 9 , and
18 N-R4 B x N the XIII U.S.S.R. Championship
19 Q x B B-B4 1 944, will observe that his KN2
20 B-N4 Q-Q2 square was a fatal one in his game
21 R-QB 3 N-K5 with me.
22 R(3)-B l P-QN 3 45 Qx Q B x Q
23 KR- Q l P-B3 46 B:- Q4
Black's l as t two moves were 46 B-K 7 is no better after
measures to restrict the scope of 46. . . P-N6 when Black remains a
the enemy bis�p. pawn up. H ow ever, a win is very
24 N-B 3 N x N problematical.
25 R x N B-K5 46 B-K5
XX/I USSR Championship, Moscow 1955 75
47 K-N3 K-B2
48 P-R4 P-N3 • •
49
50
K-B2
K-K2
K-K3
K-B4
• • • •
51 K'-Q2 K-N5 • ·�• t •
52 B-B6 K-N6 8 D t B IJ :t
53 B-K7 K-R 6
54 B-B6
IJ B e.
N aturally not 54 B x P Kx P • •••
when Black 's RP is too dangerous.
54 K-N5
•
55 B-K7 B-B4!
At this point I realised that
Black's bishop must defend his
QNP from K3.
56 B-B6 K-B6
57 B-K7 P-N 6 The N P must be guarded ( see
58 K-B3 B-K3 note to move 5 5 ) .
58 . . . K x P 5 9 K x P K x P 60 61 px p
K-B3 K-K6 61 B-N5+ K-K5 62 If 61 B x P Black wins by
K-Q2 is only a draw. 6 1 . . . K-N6 62 P-N6 K x P 63
59 B-B5 K-Q2 K - R 6 ! ! 64 B - B 6 P - R 5 65
Kotov fails to spot a decisive K-K2 K-N 7 !
combination. He could save the 61 K-N6
game by 59 K-Q2 as after Of course not 6 1 . . . K-N5 62
59 . . . P-N7 60 K-B2 Kx P 61 P-Q5 B x P 63 B-B2 with a draw.
K x P K x P 62 K- B 3 White 62 B-R3
doesn't lose, as the reader has 62 P-N6 K x P 63 P-N7 K-N5
already seen. makes no difference.
In losing control over the 62 K x P
diagonal KR4/Q8 White allows the 63 K-Q3 K x P
blocking of this important line of 64 K-K4 P-R5
defence and B lack creates a pass�d 65 K- B 3
KRP. Or 6 5 P-Q5 B x P +
(diagram in nex t column) 65 B-Q4+
59 P-N4 ! Resigns.
60 BP x P Probably my most elegant
60 RP x P also loses in view of ending with opposite coloured
60. . . P-R5 61 B-Q6 B-B4 62 bishops.
P-N6 B xP 63 P-B5 B x P 64
K x P K-N 7 .
60 P-Q5 + !
76
29 XXll U . S .S.R. Championship , M oscow 1 9 5 5

White : V . Korchnoy
King's Indian Attack
l N-KB 3 N-KB 3
2 P-KN 3 P-KN 3
3 B-N2 B-N2
4 0-0 0-0
5 P-Q3 P-B4
White's opening formation is
justified only i f Black plays both
P-Q4 and P-QB4, thus producing
a reversed King' s Indian Defence
with an extra tempo for White. If,
however, Black abstains from one
of these pawn moves then he has
good chances of equalising.
6 P-K4 N-B3
7 QN-Q2 P-Q3 I feel that Korchnoy would not
8 P-B3 N-Kl have played this unless he was
9 Q-K2 N-B2 convinced that his opponent had
10 N-N3 P-N 3 overlooked the combination.
Although the positioning of the The exchanges it in volves are
bishop at QR3 looks very tempting grist to Black's mill as he now frees
it does not turn out too well. himself from his cramp ed po sition
Probably better was 10 . . . P-K4. without too much bother.
11 R-Ql B-QR3 19 NxN
12 B-N5 P-R3 20 Bx N P x B
13 B-K3 K-R2 21 P-Q6 Q-Q2
14 Q-B2 22 P x N Qx P
Now White will have some 23 P-B4
advantage after the inevitable Looks natural, but in fact White
P-Q4. weakens his Q4 without obtaining
14 P-K4 any advantage in return. The
15 P-Q4 Q-K2 manoeuvre N - Q2 - B l - K 3 would
16 P-Q5 guarantee him equality.
A plan worthy of approval. 23 P- N 5 !
Black's game is cramped · and in Of course not 2 3. . . P x P
view of his bishop at QR3 and the because of 22 B- B l . Now it is not
weakness of his KNP he will not easy for White to realise the knight
find it easy to get in the counter manoeuvre reco mmended
P-KB4. previously, for example 2 4 N-Q2
16 N-Nl QR-Q l 2 5 N- B l R x R and White
17 P-QR4 N-Q2 loses either his QRP or his QBP. As
18 P-R5 P-QN4 Black controls QB6 he only has to
19 N x BP advance his pawn to KB5 in order
XXl/ USSR Championship, Mosc o w 1 955 77
finally t o p revent t h e penetration 43 K-N2 Q- B 3

of the knight on his Q4. 44 N-B l !
24 N-Q2 QR- Q l I t is clear that Black i s trying to
25 N-N 3 B-B3 penetrate with his queen to QR5
Necessary so as to b£ing his and QR7. H owever for the moment
bishop to the defence of the QBP. this is impossible (44. . . Q-R5 45
If now 26 R-Q5 R x R 27 KP x R N-Q3 K-B 3 - 45 . . . Q x P 46
( 2 7 BP x R P - B5 ) 2 7 . . . B - K 2 and N x KP - 46 P-N 5+ with sufficient
Black will advantageously get in the counterplay ) .
advance P - K B 4. 44 Q- B2
26 B-Bl B-QN 2 45 N-N 3 B-B2
27 P-B 3 B-N4 46 B-Bl K-B l
28 Q-B2 B-K2 47 B-K2 Q- B3
29 B-K2 K-N2 48 N-B l
30 R xR Here too 48 . . . Q-R5 leads
White i s forced to exchange both nowhere be cause of 49N-Q3. If
pairs of rooks so as to simplify the the black king were on QB2 this
position somehow and so free m a n o e uvre would w o rk
himself from the constant worry of (40 . . . B - Q 3 ) . But how can the
defending Q4. king be transferred to the Q-side?
30 R x R The exchange of queens is unwise
31 R-Ql R x R+ as then the ending becomes
32 B x R B-QB l drawish. B-Q3 is met by P-N5, so
33 Q-Q2 B-K3 for the moment Black has to
34 B-K2 B-N4 defend his KP by putting the king
35 Q-Q3 P - B4 on B 3 .
36 K-B2 P-B5 48 Q-B2
Rather straightforward play. 49 N-N3 K-- K l
This move was better made after a 50 Q-Ql B-K3
preliminary P-R4 so as to render 51 K- B l B-Ql
more difficult the blockade of the 52 K-N2 B-K2
K-side which somewhat limits the 53 K- B l K-B2
activity of the black bishops. 54 K-N2 K- B 3
37 P-N4 P -R4 55 Q- K l Q-Q2
38 P-R3 B-K2 56 Q-B2 Q-Q3
T h e blocked nature o f the The way to QR5 is still closed:
position reduces Black's winning 5 6 . . . Q- R5 5 7 N x P Q x P 58
chances. H i s hopes lie in the N x B.
weakness of the white pawns on the 57 B- B l Q-B2
Q-side. 58 Q-Q2 Q- B 3
39 K-Kl B-R5+ 59 Q- K B 2 B-B2
40 K- B l Q-K2 Now there is a real threat of
The last move before the time 60 . . . Q- R5 6 1 N x P Q x P . The
control. Adj ournment analysis game would then be opened up and
allowed me to envisage a plan of the black Q-side pawns supported
how to continue. by the bishops would press
41 Q-Q l Q-QB 2 forwards. After the following check
42 Q-Q2 B - K2 White is no longer able to prevent
78 XXII USSR Championship, Moscow 1955
the transfer of the black king to the However, it was difficult to

Q-side and then Q- R5 can no undertake any thing against the
longer be prevented advance of the Q RP.
60 Q-R4+ K-K3
61 Q-B2 K -Q 3
62 B- K 2 K-B 2
63 B-B l K-N l
64 Q-Q2 K-B l
65 Q-KB2 Q- R5
Now after 66 Q- B 2 Q- R 7
(followed by B- K l - R 5 ) White's
pieces would occupy very passive
positions. Korchnoy decides to
liven up the game and to try and
complicate his opponent's task.
66 N x P Q x P
67 N-Q3
67N-N3 Q-B2 followed by 73 Q x N
P-R4 was also a pretty unpleasant 74 B x B Qx B
prospect for White. 75 Qx B Q- K 7 +
67 B x P 76 K -N l Q-K8 +
68 Q-B2 Q- B 2 Resigns.
69 Q- R4 P x P After the inevitable Q-N 6+
70 RP x P P- R 4 Black's material and positional
71 Q-K 8 + K-N2 advantages will be overwhelming.
72 Qx P B-Q3 In this game, as in many o thers,
Avoiding the drawing variation I made use of the practical piece of
72 . . . P-R5 73 Q-N7 B - Q 3 74 advice which was given to me by
N - B 5 + B x N 75 Q x Q+ K x Q 76 Capablanca: " When you have the
B x B. advantage and your opponent has a
(diagram in nex t column) passive piece set-up, one should not
73 N-B 5 + hurry matters. With each move the
A tactical error a s the queen likelihood of an error from the
ending is hopeless for White. defending side increases. "
30 XII Olympiad, M oscow 1 956

Black : G. Stahlberg
Reti Opening
I P-QB4 N -K B 3 chosen by White.

2 P-KN 3 P- B 3 3 N-KB3 P-Q4
The best rej oinder t o the system 4 P-N3 P-KN 3
XII Olympiad, Moscow 1956 79
This is sounder than 4. . . B - B 4. 22 R x Q P - K 4 was correct

5 B-QN2 B-N2 (22 . . . N -N 3 2 3 R-B 2 N-Q4 2 4
6 B-N2 0-0 K -B2 B - R 3 2 5 B-B 1 i s i n White's
7 0-0 QN -Q2 favour) and Black would have
7 . . . P -N 3 is normally played approximate e quality. After the
here. S tahlberg chooses another text, which is explained by an
plan, trying to provoke P-Q4 so as oversight in analysis, Black gets into
to begin in answer, active a difficult position.
operations in the centre by P -K4.
8 Q-B2 R-K l
9 N-B 3 N-B l !
9. . . P-K4 was premature
because of 1 0 P x P P x P 1 1
N-QN 5 . Now, h owever, both
1 0 . . P-Q5 and 1 0 . . P-K4 are
. .
threatened. 1 0 P x P P x P 1 1
N-QN5 gets nowhere if only
because of 1 L . . B-Q2. Hence
White 's next move is forced but
after it the initiative passes over to
Black.
IO P-Q4 B-B 4
It becomes clear that Q-B2 was 21 PxP BxP
premature. Forced, as if 2 1 . . N x P 2 2
11 Q-B l N-K5 N x N B x N 2 3 R - Q 7 ( t h e move
12 R-Ql NxN missed by S tahlberg) 23 . . . R-K B l
Black wrongly goes for 2 4 P-QN 4 an d Black loses a piece.
simplification after which White no 22 P-QN 4
longer stands worse. 12 . . . R-QB 1 22 N x B N x N 23 B x N Q x B
was essential. 2 4 R-Q7 gets nowhere because of
13 BxN B-K5 24 . . . R-K2.
14 N-Kl 22 P-QN4
If 1 4 B - R 3 B x N 1 5 P x B A witty response. The retreat of
P-K3 and White's two bishops Black's queen to B2 would be
would give him no advantage at all. followed by 2 3 N x B N x N 24
14 Bx B Q-B3 P- B 3 25 P-K4 and a
15 Kx B N-Q2 subsequent P - B 4.
16 Q-B2 Q- B 2 23 p x Q
17 B-N2 QR-B 1 White chooses the simplest line.
18 QR-B l PxP In an ending his advantage i s even
Black aims for counterplay by more obvious because B lack finds it
P-K4. It was probably safer to get difficul t to defend the weak pawns
rid of the threat P x P by on the Q-side.
1 8 . . . Q-N l . 23 PxQ
19 Q x BP Q- R4 24 Nx B
20 N-Q3 P-K4 Also good was 2 4 R x P B x B
(diagram in nex t column) 25 N x B R x P 2 6 R x N R x N 2 7
2 0. . . Q-Q4+ 2 1 P-B 3 Q x Q P-QR4 followed by R-KB4.
80 XJI Olympiad. Mosc o w 1956
24 NxN his victory.

25 P�K R 3 R-N l 42 P-K4!
After 2 5 . P-QB4 26 R-Q5 The only winrij:ng plan. Wh i te
N-B 3 27 R x P ( 5 ) R x P 28 B-Q4 must immediately create a passed
Black would lose quickly·. pawn supported by his rook.
26 B-B3
Threatening to w i n the knight
by P-B4.
26 R-K2
Or 26 . . . P-B3 27 R-Q6.
27 R-QN l
Black cannot prevent a white
rook penetrating along the QN file.
27 R x R
28 R x R P -QB3
29 P-R6 P-QB4
Nor can this save Black.
30 R-N 8 + ! K-B2
31 R-QB8 N-Q2
32 K-Bl I f 42 P- R 3 R-Q5 43 P-KR4
I n defending t h e KP White also P - R 3 44 R-B 3 P-R4 45 P-B3
moves his king closer to the Q-side. K-R5 ! 46 P-K4 R-Q6 47 R x P +
32 K-K 3 K-N4 and Black c an defend
33 R-B6+ K-Q4 successfully.
34 R-B7 K-Q3 42 R-Q5
35 R x RP R-K l 42 . . . R-Kl 43 R-K3 P-B6 44
36 B-R5 K-B3 K-Ql also led to a win for White.
37 K-Kl 43 P-K5
In time trouble White chooses Of course not 43 R-K3 because
the soundest line. 3 7 R-B 7 + K-Q3 of 43 . . . P-B6 and Black
38 P-R7 P-B 6 3 9 K-Kl N-K4 exchanges one of his doubled
led to complications. pawns for White's passed pawn.
37 N-N3 43 K- B 3
38 B x N 44 R-K3 K-Q2
Producing a won rook and pawn 45 P-B4 K -K3
ending. 38 R x P was probably 46 K-K2
weaker because of 38 • . . N-Q4 39 Black is in zugswang. His rook
P-R7 P-B6. must abandon the fourth rank (for
38 K x N example if 46• . . P-R4 47 P-KR4
39 R-K B 7 K x P K-K2 48 R-QB 3 and then
40 R x P+ K-N4 P-QR4) after which Whit e's distant
41 R-B3 R-Ql passed pawn supported by his rook
A more stubborn defence was will begin to advance.
41. . . R-QR l 42 P-R3 K-B 3 - 43 If Black now tries 46 . . . P-N4
K-Q2 K-Q4, b u t by 44 R - B 3 ! then 46 P-B 5 + K x P 48 P-K6
followed by P-B4, R - B3 and R-Ql 49 P ---: K 7 R-K I 50 P-QR4
P - B 5 White creates a passed pawn J(.-B3 5 1 P-R5 and the black king
on the K-side which would ensure will not arr ive in time to halt the
XI/ Olympiad, Moscow 1956 81
white QRP. 49 R-N3

46 R-QI 50 P-R5 R-R3
47 P-QR4 R-QN I 5I K-Q2 P-N4
48 R-R3 R- N 7 + 52 K-B 3 P x P
49 K_.:_Q l 53 P x P K-Q4
But not 49 K-K3 because of 54 R- R I P-R4
49 . . . R-N 7 50 K - B 3 R-N 7 55 P-R4 Resigns.
threatening to exchange rooks.
31 XII Olympiad, Moscow 1 9 56

Black : 0 . Benloler
English Opening
I P-QB4 P-K4 I4 Px B N-Q2

2 P-KN3 N-KB 3 I5 R-B I Q-K2
3 B - N2 P-Q4 16 N-R4!
One can now take it, due to the Preparing P-B4 and threatening,
efforts of Keres that, 3 . . . P - B 3 in passing, N - N 6 . After the
deserves preference. exchange of the black c entre pawn
4 PxP N x P . his KNP will be subjected to
5 N-QB3 N-N3 systematic pressure.
6 N-B3 N-B3 16 Q-B2
7 0-0 B-K2 17 P-B4 Px P
8 P-QR 3 0-0 18 PxP QR-QI
He should p l ay the proph Sfia ctic 19 Q- KI B-Q4
8 . . . P-QR4 preventing P-QN4. 20 B- R 3 !
(See game 46 - B.C. ) Naturally White a v o ids
9 P-QN 4 P-QR 3 exchanges, especially as his coming
IO P-Q3 B-K3 P-K4 will now be made with gain
II N-K4 P-R3 of time. At the present moment
As the white knight is aiming for this central advance is premature
QB5 and not KN 5 this move is a ( 20 P-K4 P x P 2I P x P B-B5 and
waste of time and a weakening of the QBP is in danger ) .
the castled position. 20 N-K2
I2 B-N2 P-B4 2I Q-N3 P-K N 3
One can state quite definitely There was a threat o f 2 2 N x P,
that after this ps eudo-active move but this weakening of the lc>ng
B 1ack is positionally lost, diagonal hardly makes his position
principally because of the active look any better.
play of White's QB along the long 22 P-K4 !
black diagonal. (see diagram over page)
I3 N-B5 Bx N White sacrifices a pawn and
82 XII Olympiad, Moscow 1956
opens the position with decisive

effect.
22 p x p
23 Px P Bx P
24 - QR-Kl Q-B5
The bishop could not leave its
post b ecause of the threat R x N,
but this knight still falls.
25 Rx B Qx R
26 R -Kl Qx P
27 Rx N Resigns.
32 XII Olympiad , Moscow 1 9 56

Black : N. Padevsky
1 P-Q4 N-KB 3 however, Black gets in the advance

2 P-QB4 P-KN 3 P-Q4 after which he no longer
3 P-KN 3 B-N2 experience any difficulties.
4 B-N 2 0-0 11 Bx P
5 N-QB 3 P -Q3 12 P-N3 P-Q4
6 N-B3 P-B4 Black has nothing to fear, all the
7 P-Q5 more s o since he has outstripped his
Another and more rational line opponent in development. White
is 7 0-0 N - B 3 8 P-Q5 as it is cannot allow P-Q5 and so must
obvious that the black knight will exchange pawn s;
be better placed at QB2 than at 13 px p KN x P
QR4. 14 B-N2 P-N3
7 N-R3 15 Nx N
8 0-0 N-B 2 An unjus tified exchange which
9 N-Q2 R-N l robs White of any sligh t attacking
10 Q- B 2 P-K4 chances he might have had. 1 5
11 P x P e.p. QR-Q I would put off for a while
White would find it hard to the exchange of white-square
activate his pieces without this bishops.
capture. 1 1 P-K4 is pointless as the 15 BxN
inevitable counter P-KB4 will 16 QB x B Kx B
come sooner or later. Now, 17 QR-Q I Bx B
X/l Olympiad, Moscow 1956 83
18 Kx B Q-K2
19 N-K4
Properly sp eaking this is an
unconvincing move as Black can
easily def end his KR3 and the
knight occupies a far from
"permanent" square. However,
White has no really p romising
possibilities in the current
position a pawn attack by P-K4
and P-KB4 is clearly too late.
19 KR-QI
20 P-KR4 Rx R
After this move I felt rather
better I realised that my If 22 . . . K-R3 then 2 3 N-B 6 !
opponent had overlooked a tactical ( 2 3 . . . R x R 2 4 N - N 8 + ) with very
finesse. Apparently he considered unpleasant threats. After the text
that he merely had to exchange Black loses two pawns.
rooks in order to conclude a peace 23 N x P! K-B2
treaty. This was correct so long as I f 2 3 . . . R x R then 24 N-:-Q5+
he first made one more accurate or 2 3 . . . R-Q5 24 P-K3 !
move - 20 . . . P-B3. 24 Rx R Qx R
21 RxR -R-Ql 25 N xP N-K3
(diagram in nex t column) 26 Q-K5 P-QN4
My supposition was thus 27 N - N5+ Nx N
confirmed. Here too i t was essential 28 Px N Q- R I +
to play 2 1 . . . P-B3, although 29 P-K4 Q-QB I
Black would have had to concede 30 K- B3 P-B5
the Q-file. 31 PxP Qx P
22 Q-N2+ P-B3 32 Q-Q5 + Resigns.
33 XII Olympiad. Moscow 1 9 56

Black : S. Gligoric
English Opening
1 P-QB4 P-KN3 rounds earlier, but in d oing so

2 P-KN3 P-QB4 commits a significant inaccuracy. In
3 B-N2 B-N2 the Najdorf game Black devefoped
4 N-QB3 N-QB3 his knight o n KR3 after White had
5 N-B3 N -R3 castled short, when the flank attack
Gligoric adopts the same system P-KR4-R5 was no longer strong.
as I had used against Najdorf several 6 P-KR4
84 XII Olympia d, Moscow 1956
This has to be played at once. R- R 7 P-N4) i n which Black can

After 6 P-Q3 N - B 4 7 P-KR4 still make a figh t of it. Gligoric
P-KR4 White has got nowhere. thought that after 1 6 . . . Q-R l
6 P-Q3 White could advantageously play 1 7
7 P-Q3 R-QN l N-..R 7 but then after 1 7 . . . R - N I
After 7. . . B-N 5 White can still 18 R-RI P- B3 Black has
play 8 P - R 5 (8 . . . B x P 9 B x N coun terplay.
B x B 1 9 P-N4). However the text 17 Q-N7 K-Q2
cannot be good, as Black wrongly 18 P-B4
robs himself of the p ossibility of Of course not 1 8 N x P Q-K2.
castling long. 18 Q-K2
8 P-R5 B-Q2 19 R-RI N-QI
One more inaccuracy. The 20 N- K4
bishop takes an important square A simpler line was 20 R- R 7
away from the king. 8 . . . P - B 3 was P-N4 2 1 B-K4 when t h e threat of
correct. B x P forces the win of Black's
9 BxN K- side pawns.
S tr onger than 9 B-Q2 followed 20 K- B 2
by Q - B l and P - R 6 as now the 21 R- R8 B- B3
p osition is opened up and the black 22 N-B6
king is in danger. Now Black cannot reply
9 Bx B 22 . . . B x B because of 23 R - K 8 ,
10 Px P RP x P while 22 . . . B - Q 2 is met by 2 3
11 Q- B l B-N2 R - B 8 threatening N - N 8 .
12 R x R+ Bx R 22 K- N3
13 Q-R6 B x N+ 23 Bx B Nx B
Wh ite would also retain the Or 23 . . . P x B 24 R - K 8 Q- B 2
advantage after 1 3 . . . B - B 3 1 4 2 5 Q-B8 and 26 R - K 7 .
N - K N 5 with threats of 1 5 KN-K4 24 R-R7 N-QI
or 1 5 N - R 7 . Not 24 . . . R - KB I because of
14 px p P-K3 25 Q x R.
15 N-N5 25 Q x NP K-R3
White would probably achieve 2 5 . . . K- R4 was slightly b e t t er.
more by 1 5 K-Q 2 ! and only after 26 P-R4
1 5 . . . Q-K 2 1 6 N-N5 Preventing P-N 4. N ow
( 1 5 . . . Q-B 3 1 6 N-N 5 Q x KBP 26 . . . Q- B 2 loses to 27 Q-N8
1 7 R-KBl or 1 5 . . . Q-N3 1 6 Q-N3 28 Q-K8 N-B3 29 Q x BP
R-QB l ) . Q- N 7 + 3 0 K - K 3 Q x B P 3 1 N - Q 7
15 K- K2 ! Q-Q5+ 3 2 K - B 3 R-Q l 3 3 N - B 8 .
Now White cannot avoid the (see diagram o v er page)
exchange of queens as 16 N-K4 Gligoric decides to win back the
Q- R l 1 7 Q-N5+ P-B3 1 8 Q x NP pawn, but this only speeds the end.
R-N l is in Black's favour. 26 K-R4
16 K-Q2 B-Kl 27 Q-N5 Kx P
This l eads to defeat, whereas 28 R- R l K-N6
1 6 . . . Q-R l would force the He couldn't retreat with the king
transposition into an ending ( 1 7 - 28 . . . K- R4 29 N-Q5.
R - R l Q x Q 18 R x Q N-Ql 1 9 29 Q-R4 K- N 7
Alekhine Memorial Tournament, Moscow 1 956 85
30 P-N4
Now the threat of 3 1 Q-Kl
cannot b e met. White could also
win by 30 R - N l + K x R 3 1
Q-R l + K-N7 3 2 Q - B l+ K-N6
33 Q-N l + K-R5 3 4 Q-N5-+.
Black resigns.
34 Alekhine Memorial Tournament, Moscow 1 9 56

Black : H. Golombek
Caro-Kann Defence
1 P-K4 P-Q B 3 stronger) 1 3 B x P+ K x B 1 4

2 P-Q4 P-Q4 N-N5+ K - N l ( 1 4 . . . K-N3 1 5
3 Px P Px P Q- B 2 + ) 1 5 N x B with complicated
4 P-QB4 N-KB3 play.
5 N-QB3 P-K3 The line 9 . . . P-QR4 IO
The accurate order of moves. N-QR4 KN-Q2 had occurred as
Black has greater difficultjcs after long ago as 1 9 3 1 in the game
5 . . . N - B 3 6 B-N 5. Yudovich-Kasparian played in
6 N-B3 B-K2 Moscow. White answered 11
7 P-B5 P-QR 3 and Black quickly got a
Probably the only way to good game.
complicate matters. IO B-K3
7 0-0 So as to answer 10 . . . P--QR4
8 P-QN4 P-QN 3 with 1 1 P-N5.
9 B-Q3 B-Q2? IO N-N5
Weak play. He h ad to try 11 0-0 P-QR4
9 . . . P-QR4 1 0 N-QR4 KN-Q2 This leads to a further worsening
when White intended 1 1 P-N5 (of of his p osition. He should rather
course not 1 1 Q-B2 because of play 1 1 . . . P x P 1 2 NP x P N x B
l l . . . N-QB 3 ! ) 11. . . P x P 12 1 3 P x N N-B3.
P x P B x P ( 1 2 . . . P-K4 as in 12 N-QR4
B o tvinnik-Pomar, Munich 1 9 5 8 , is Now 1 2. . . B x N is bad because
86 Alekb ine Memorial Tournament, Mosc o w 1 956
of 13 Q x B N-Q2 14 Q-B2 missed this chance, Black has lost

followed by B x P+ o r P-B6. his last hope of getting any
12 NPx P counterplay.
13 NPx P BxN 23 KR-QN I P-K4
14 Qx B N x B 24 - R-Q7 Px P
15 Px N N-R3 25 . P x P R-Ql
Black's po s1t10n is already 26 R ( l )- N 7 QR-B l
strategically lost. After 26 . . . R x R 2 7 R x R
16 QR- N I B-N4 R - N l 28 P-B6, White's pawn
17 KR-Kl B-R3 queens.
Or 1 7. . . N-N5 18 B-N 5 27 N-R4
followed by P-QR3 . F orcing the exchange of a p air
18 R-N7 Q-B l of rooks ( 2 7 . . . P-N3 28 R x RP)
aft er which material l osses for
Black are inevitable.
·27 Rx R
28 Rx R P-N3
29 P-N3
T h r e a te n i n g a possible
N-N2-B4.
29 P-B4
Whereas now the knight gets the
opportunity to occupy a strong
position on K5.
30 N-B3 B-N2
31 R x QP R-B2
32 N-N5 B-B3
19 BxN 33 P-KR4 P-R3
Transposing to a won ending - An unvoidable weakening.
the simplest way. 19 P-B6 N-N5 34 N-B3 K-B2
2 0 B-N5 R-Nl 2 1 R x R Q x R 35 N-K5+ K-N2
22 Q x P N-B 7 led to unnecessary 36 K-K3 P-N4
complications. 37 Px P B x P+
19 Rx B 38 K-B3
20 Q-Q7 P-B3 A s 3 8 . . . B-B3 3 9 K- B4 loses
Preventing 2 1 N-1\.5. Sligh tly the BP, Black has to allow the
better was 20 . . . Q x Q 2 1 R x Q exchange of rooks.
P-B3 2 2 R-N 7 R - B 2 23 R-N8+ 38 P-R5
R - B l 24 R x R+ K x R 2 5 K-B2 39 R-Q7+ Rx R
K-K2 but after 26 R-QN I R - B 2 40 Nx R K-B2
2 7 P-QR4 K - Q 2 2 8 R - N 6 there 41 P-Q5 K-K2
cannot be much doubt that White 42 N-N6 P-R6
will wilL 43 N-B4 K-Q2
21 QxQ RxQ Or 43 . . . B- B 8 44 P-B6.
22 K-B 2 R ( 3 )- R l 44 N x P B-K2
Black's best chance was 45 P-B6+ Resigns.
22 . . . P-K4 followed by doubling
his rooks on the K-file. Once he has
87
3 5 Alekhine Memorial Tournament, Moscow 1 9 56

Black : V. Ciocaltea
Ruy Lopez
1 P-K4 P-K4 13 B-Q2

2 N-K B 3 N-QB 3 White doesn't hurry to play
3 B-N 5 P-QR3 N- K3 x B as he wishes first to
4 B-R4 P-Q3 connect his rooks. After
5 P- B 3 B-Q2 1 3 . . . 0-0-0 14 0-0-0 Q-K l 1 5
6 P-Q4 K N-K2 N - K3 B-Q2 1 6 N-Q5 White's
7 QN-Q2 spatial advantage is obvious, but
When I watehed the Rumanian this was apparently the lesser evil
master playing in the XII for Black by c omparison with the
Olympiad, I noticed that he played game.
the Steinitz Deferred Defence with 13 N- B l
7 . . . N - N 3 . I decided to try out 14 N- K3 N-N3
some nuances of this variation and 15 N x B!
so chose to play the Lopez, but a White t e mp orarily sacrifices a
disappointment awaited me at the pawn, but gets it back quite soon,
next move. while the disappe arance of Black's
7 P-KN3 white-squared bis hop will b e very
8 P x P much felt.
This central exc_hange is aimed at 15 PxN
restricting Black's K B . 16 N-R2
8 PxP After 16 N-N l N-R4 Black's
8 . . . N x P is preferable. position would be satisfactory.
9 P-KR4 Now, however, he is forced to
This n o n - t h e oretical capture the RP as o therwise he
c o ntinuation- has a mainly would be left a pawn down with no
psyc hological signifi cance. Apart
· compensation.
from that, after the obvious reply 16 R x P
9 . . . P-KR4, the white knight can 17 0-0-0
establish itself on the weakened Now the KR file will clearly fall
KN 5 square. The weakness of KN 4 to White. 1 7 . . . Q- R 2 is bad
has no significance as should the because of 1 8 N x P threatening 1 9
black bishop occupy that square, it N x P+.
will b e attacked after N - B l (or 17 Q-,--- N 2
B4)- K3. (see diagram over page)
9 P-KR4 1 7 . . . P-N6 is no better - 1 8
10 B-N3 P-B 3 P x P (but ' not 1 8 B - N 5 R x N ! )
After this, one can reckon that 1 8 . . . R-R4 1 9 N - N 4.
White's idea has been crowned with 18 P-N3 R-R4
success. 1 0 . . . B-N 2 1 1 N - N 5 19 Nx P
0 - 0 was better. 1 9 Q x NP was also feasible. It
11 N-B4 B-N5 was not easy to assess where the
12 Q-K2 Q-Q2 black king would. be best placed.
88 Alekh ine Memorial Tournament, Mosc o w 1956
The white-squared bishop must

be safeguarded!
24 N-R4
25 B-R2 R- B 3
Bl3lck's position is l o s t b u t all
the same he shouldn't h ave allowed
the hostile rook to p enetrate to the
eighth rank.
26 R-R8 K- N l
27 B-Q5 R-Q3
28 B-R6 P-B3
28 . . . N - B 3 would also lose a
pawn - 29 B x B N x B 30 B x N
R x B 31 N x KP.
19 RxR 29 B-R2 P-QN4
20 RxR 0-0-0 �o Bx B Nx B
The threat w as 2 1 R- R 7 . 31 N x KP! QxN
21 Q-B 3 R-Q 3 32 R x N+ K-N2
The only d ef e n c e ; if 33 R-B 7 + K-N I
2 1 . . . B-K2 then 22 B - R 6 Q- R l 34 Q-K3 P-QB4
2 3 B-N5 Q-N2 2 4 N x l}P. 35 B-Q5 P-B4
22 B-R6 Q- K 2 A last trick. 35 Q x P .N- N6+
23 B-K3 N-Q2 wins the queen.
24 P-R3 36 R-B8+ Resigns.

White : N. Padevsky
S icilian Defence
1 P-K4 P-QB4 8 B-K3 0-0

2 N-KB3 N-QB3 9 ij- N 3 N-QR4
3 P-Q4 Px P This manoeuvre allows Black to
4 NxP N-B3 bring his QB t o N2 in quick order.
5 N-QB3 P-Q3 Apar� from that the knigh t c an
6 B-QB4 capture on Q N 6 at the appropriate
A favourite of the Bulgarian moment. However, the diversion of
master. The originator of the move the knight to the edge of the board
was the well-known Soviet player looks very dubious and seems to
V. So zin (Sozin-Rokhlin, Odessa give White the better prospects.
1 929)- 10 P-B4 P-QN 3
6 P-K3 11 Q-B·3
7 0-0 B-K2 He should start active operations
Alekhine Mem orial Tournament, Moscow 1956 89
right away by 1 1 P-K5 ! P x R 1 8 N x P. N ow 1 6 P-B5 can

11 B-N2 be met b y 2 6 . . . P-K4 I 7 N-113
12 P-N4 N x B 1 8 RP x N Q x P 19 QR-Kl
Or 1 2 P-B5 P-K4 1 3 KN-K2 P-Q4 followed by B- B 4.
Q
N x B 14 JlP x N P- 4 whCIJ Black 16 R-B3 Nx B
the initiative. 17 RP x N P-B4
12 R-B l 18 Q- R4
�13 P-N5 Black would have a more
White cannot play 1 3 KN-K2 complex task after 1 8 P x P e.p.
because of 1 3 . . . N x K P 14 N x N For example 1 8 . . . N x KBP 1 9
P-Q4. This continuation makes Q x KP+ Q x Q 2 0 N x Q B x R 2 1
one realise that in this p articular N x R K x N 2 2 R x P P-QN4 23
situation the knight at R4, B-Q4 and Black has considerable
defending the QB, is well placed technical difficulties to overcome.
However after 1 8 . . . R x P 19
P-B5 P x P 20 N x P B - B l 2 1
N -R6+ ( 2 1 QR-KBI R - N 3 2 2
N -R6+ P x N ) 2 1 . . . R x N 2 2
Q x Q R=-N 3+ 2 3 K-B l B x Q 24
R x P B-N5 25 K R- B 7 B-R6+ 2 6
K-K l R-K3 B lack will
undoubtedly wiIL
18 P-K4
19 R-R3 P-KR3
20 Q-R5
His last chance. The threat is
NP x P followed by RP x P, but his
own king proves to be more in
13 R x N! danger.
14 Px R 20 QxP
Now White loses an important 21 QR-QI Px N
cc;ntre pawn, -the long white Meeting White's main threat of
diagonal is opened ,and his po sition 22 NP x P which is now countered
becomes critical. Undoubtedly 1 4 by 22 . . . P x B defending K N 2 .
P x N R x B 1 5 Q x R (but not 1 5 22 B-Q2
P x B R x Q 1 6 P x Q=Q R x R + 1 7 Also hopeless is 22 . . . B x P
R x R R x Q ) was better, but after Q x BP 23 P x P N -B3.
1 5 . . . B x BP the open position of 22 Q- B 3
the white king makes Black's 23 Px P N-N4
position preferable - his two More accurate than 23 . . . N-83
bishops are very strong. 2 4 Q-N6.
Padevsky kept his KNP, hoping 24 R-N3 Q- R8 +
for an attack. 25 K- B 2 N-K 5 +
14 NxP Resigns,
15 Q-N4 Q- B l !
After 1 5 . . . P-N3 White could
complicate matters by the rook
sacrifice 16 P-B5 K P x P 17 R x P
90

White : V. Sliwa
French. Defence
I P-K4 P-K3 After 14 . . . N x N White has the

2 P-Q4 P-Q4 very important intermediate move
3 N-QB 3 B-N5 1 5 K R - K l + (but not 1 5 Q x N as
4 Px P Px P recommended by Moiseyev because
5 B-Q3 N- QB3 of 15 . . . Q-Q 2 ! 1 6 B x P N - B 5
6 N-K2 KN-K2 with a dv antage to Black)
7 B-KN5 P- B 3 15 . . . N-K5 1 6 Q-K6+ Q-K2 1 7
8 B-KB4 B-KB4 Q x QP winning. H owever the
9 0-0 modest r etreat 1 4. . . N - N 2
A w e l l - known theoretical deserved consideration, leaving the
position with equal chances. Black white knight o n its poor square,
i s now forced to exchange his KB as and then 1 5 K R - K l + K-B 2 1 6
oth erwise there comes N-R4-B5. R-K2 P-KR4.
9 BxN 15 Nx N Qx N
10 Px B 16 KR-Kl+ K - B2
After 1 0 N x B � x P White 17 Q- R 6 !
would still have to recover his Black was expecting White to go
pawn. into the ending a pawn up by 1 7
10 B x B Q x Q P x Q 1 8 B x P N - B 5 when
Carelessness, as White now seizes Black reckoned on drawing without
the initiative. 1 0. . . N - R4 was too much trouble. C orrectly
necessary. assessing the position, Sliwa
11 Q x B! chonses a continuation which poses
I underestimated this move, as I very difficult problems for his
was certain that he had to play opponent. There is now a threat of
1 1 1 1 P x B guarding his QB4 a s 18 R-K7+ K x R 19 Q-N 7+
happened i n a similar position I had K - K 3 20 R- K l +
against E manuel Lasker ( Moscow 17 N-B3
1 9 3 6 ) . Now Black ought to castle; 18 QR-N I P-N3
in preventing P-QB4 h e loses time 19 Bx P
and gets a poor position. White allows himself to be
11 N-R4 tempted by the pawn, but he is
12 Q-N3 N-B4 wrong. B lack gets the two tempi he
The snag. is that 1 2 .. . 0-0 loses needs to transfer his knight to B4
not just a pawn, but the knight as and his affairs look up. H e would
well. have been worse off after 1 9
13 Q-R 3 P-KN3 R-K2 ! followed b y QR -K l .
Just a little bit better was 19 Q-Q2
13 . . . Q-Q2 1 4 B x P N - B 5 1 5 20 B-B4 N- K2
K R - K l 0-0 1 6 N-N 3 Q x B 1 7 21 R-K 2 N-B4
N x N. J u s t i n time !
14 .N-N3 Q-Q2 22 Q-R3 P-KR4
A lekh lne Memorial Tourname n t, Mosc o w 1 95 6 91
Despite being a p awn down, 37 Q-R6

Black now has the better game Or 37 Q x P Q- Q R l ! (defending
because of the weakness of the his Q R 3 ) 38 Q- B 7 + K-N3 39
white doubled pawns and his QB4. Q-Q6+ K - R 4 and White's only
23 Q-Q3 QR -QB L move is 40 Q-R2.
24 P-KR3 P-R5 37 Q- K2
25 QR-Kl K R- K l 38 Q x QNP Q- K5
Black cannot get b y without 39 Q- B 7 +
exchanging rooks. And here there was a draw By 39
26 R x R R x R Q- R 7 + ! K - N 3 4 0 Q- R6+ K-B4
27 RxR Qx R 4 1 Q-K2. The text loses as the
28 Q- R6 P-KN4 white queen will now have to take
29 B-Q2 up a passive p osition on KR2.
Here White could force a draw 39 K-N3
by 29 Q-N 7 + K-N3 30 B-N8 40 Q-Q6+ K-R4
Q-K8 + 31 K-R2 Q x KBP 32 41 Q- R2
Q x QP N-K6 3 3 Q-N8+ (but not
33 Q- B 3 N - B 8 + 34 K- R l Q-K8)
w i t h p erpetual check.
29 N-Q3
30 Q x P+ K-N3
31 B-K3
Here too there was a draw to b e
had by 31 Q x P N - B 5 32 Q-R6
Q-K7 (32 . . . N x B 33 Q-Q3+
N-K5 34 P - B 3 ) 33 B-K3 Q-K8+
34 K- R2 N x B 3 5 P x N Q-N6+
3 6 K-N l Q x KP+.
31 N -B5
32 K-Rl P_-B4
33 Q-QN7 P- B 5 The adjourned position, which
34 Q x QP took hours of analysis. As a result
I f 3 4 B x P then 3 4. . . P x B 3 5 of the analysis, 1 managed to find
Q x QP Q- B 2 . The game the only way to win in a line full of
continuation gives White nominally fine sses. The idea is to exchange all
adequate compensation in pawns the K-side pawns when the king is
for the lost piece, but he has to opened up and mating threats
defend with great accuracy. settle the issue.
34 Px B 41 Q- B 3
35 px p T h e sealed move. 4 1 . . . Q x B P
Of course not 35 Q x N P - K 7. led only t o a draw - 42 P - N4+
35 Nx P Px P e.p. (42 . . . K - N3 43
36 Q-Q6+ K- B 2 Q-Q6t) 43 Q x Q N x Q 44 P-Q5 !
T h e position o f the black king in K-R5 45 P-Q6 K x P 46 P-Q7.
the centre gives White new chances. 42 Q-N l
36 . . . . K - R 4 was more accurate Black would face harder
straightaway, and if 37 Q-K B 6 problems after 42 P- R4. Now
P-N4 3 8 P-Q5 N - B 5 . 42 . . . Q x BP 43 P- R5 and White
92 A lekh ine Memorial Tourname nt, Moscow 1956
keeps his distant passed p awn, as The attack o n the king decides
43 . . . Q x RP is impossible - 44 quickly. 43 . . . Q x QP 44 P-R5
P-N4+ P x P e.p. 45 Q- K2+. N x P 45 P-R6 is dubious for Bla ck
Stronger therefore is 42 P-R4 as the passed p awn would let White
Q x R P 43 Q-N l ! (here 43 P-N4+ struggle on.
P x P e.p. 44 Q-,-- K 2+ K-R5 45 44 P x P+
Q x N Q x B P 46 Q-N 1 K x P 4 7 Or 44 P-R5 P x P 45 P x P
Q-B l + P-N 7 + or 44 Q x P ( 3 ) Q- B 3 + 46 K-R2 Q x P+
Q- R 8 + 4 5 Q-N l Q-R l + 4 6
_ 47 K-Rl Q-K5+ 48 K-R2
K- R 2 Q-B6 are wins for Black) Q- B 5 + 49 K-R l Q-B6+ 5 0
4 3 . . . N-B4 44 Q-Q l + K-N3 45 K- R 2 N-B8+.
Q-B3 when Black would still have 44 K-N 4 !
to overcome some technical Naturally after 4 5 . . . N x P 46
difficulties. Q-KB l the white queen would
Black has a curious win after 42 become active.
K-N l namely 42 . . . K-N 3 ! (but 45 P-R5
not 42 . . . Q x BP 43 Q-K5 This loses at o nce. White could
Q-K8+ 44 K-R2 N-B8+ 45 resist ·a little longer by 45 Q-QB l
K-N l ) 43 P-N4 (43 P-R4 is b ad but then 45 . . . K x P 46 P-R5
because of 43 . . . P-N5 44 P x P Q x QP 47 P-R6 P-R6 48 P x P+
Q- B 3 45 K-R l N x NP 46 Q-N l K x P leads to mate.
Q-B 5 ) 43 . . . P x P e.p. 44 Q x P 45 P-R 6 !
Q x P 45 P-KR4 P-N5 46 Q-Q6+ White resigns. B oth 4 6 P x P
K-R4 47 Q-K5+ K x P 48 Q- B 6+ Q- B3+ 47 K-R2 Q- B 6 48 P-R4+
K-R6 49 Q-R6+ K-N6 5 0 K- B5 and 46 P-N3 Q - B 3 + 4 7
Q-Q6+ K- B 6 5 1 Q-KB6+ K-K 7 K-R2 Q x P + 4 8 K-R l N x P 49
5 2 Q-B2+ K-Q8 53 P - Q 5 Q-K4 P-R6 Q-K5+ lead to mate.
54 P-Q6 P-N6 5 5 Q-B3+ K -Q7. The fi nal position is not without
42 Q x BP a certain picturesquenr:ss.
43 P-R4 P-N 5 !
38 Alekhine M emorial Tournament, Moscow 1 9 56

Black : W. Uhlmann
1 P-K4 P-K3 3 QN-Q2 N-KB3

2 P-Q3 4 KN-B3 P-B4
As I was familiar with 5 P-KN3 N-B3
Uhlmann 's handling o f the F rench 6 B-N 2 B-K2
Defence, I decided to adop t the 7 0-0 0-0
King's Indian with colour reversed 8 R-Kl R-N l
2 P-Q4 The advance of . the QNP is
Alekhine Memon"al Tournamen t, Moscow 1956 93
Black's best plan in this variation. At this point Black cannot p lay
White's chances are to be found in 2 1 . . . N x P because of 22 Q-B2.
active play on the K-side. 21 NxN
9 P-K5 N-Q2 22 PxN R-Q l
10 N-Bl P-QN4 23 N-N4 N-N3
11 P-KR4 B-R3 S t i l l not being able to make up
A loss of time. In mutual his mind to play B-Q2. I t was
a nalysis after the gam e , Uhlmann better to keep the KN3 square free
and I established that it is correct for his queen. The text weakens his
to advance the QRP and QNP KB 2 and gives White a tempo for
s traigh taway. S ub s eq u e n t doubling his rooks on the KR file.
tournament practice confirmed this 24 K-N 2 B-Q2
opinion. Rather late in the day.
12 N ( l )-R2 P-N5 25 Bx B Rx B
13 B-B4 B -N 4 26 R- R l . Q-K3
14 B-R3 P-B5 If 26 . . . N - B l 27 N - B 6+ wins.
In principle a mistake after 27 R-R5 R:- N3
which White gets a chance to 28 QR-Rl N- B l
solidify his strongpoint in the 29 N- B6+
centre, his KP , whereas Black is T h e shortest w ay home.
denied all counterplay. He ought to
adv ance his QRP to R 6.
15 P-Q4 Q-N3
16 B-K3 KR-B l
17 N-N5 N-B l
The threat was 1 8 N x KP.
18 P-B4 N-Ql
19 P- B 5
Excessive haste. True the K B file
is opened but at the same time
Black's pieces get a certain freedom
of action. 1 9 P-N 4 deserved
preference.
19 Px P
20 B xP N ( Q l )-K 3 29 PxN
Black doesn't straigh t away 30 NP x P BxP
think of the right idea of There is no o ther way of
exchanging the white-squared defending his king.
bishops by means of 20 . . . B-Q2 31 P x B Q-K5
which would reduce White's The ending will be lost as Black's
attacking chances. pawns are weak and fall one after
21 Q-B3 another. H ow ever, a f t er
A controversial point. After the 3 1 . . . Q x P 32 R - B 5 (Pano:v's
exchange on N5 the doubled pawns recommendation 32 Q-N4+ gets
hinder White's attacking operations nowhere after 3 2 . . . Q-N 2)
and his only chance consists then in 32 . . . Q-K3 33 R ( l ) - R 5 Q-K5
the manoeuvre N-N4- B 6+ but this 34 Q x Q P x Q 35 R- B5 the
i s far i n the future. position is reduced to much the
94 World Championship Ma tch, Moscow 1 95 7
same situation as in the game. R x B 3 7 R x R R x P.

32 QxQ Px Q 36 K-N 2
33 R-N5+ N-N3 37 R x KP R-QR3
34 R-QB 5 R x BP 38 Rx P R-N2
35 R-BS+ N� B l 39 . P-Q5 RxP
But not 3 5. . . K - N 2 because of 40 RxP RxP
36 B-R6 mate. A blunder losing a rook in a
36 R-R4 hopeless position.
This is simpler than 36 B-R6 41 B-Q4+ Resigns.
39 4th Game World Championship Match, Moscow 1 95 7

White : V . Smyslov
Sicilian Defence
1 P-K4 P-QB4 achieved great success with the line.

2 N-KB3 N-QB 3 However, this is explicable not so
3 P-Q4 PxP much by the strength of 10 P-B4
4 NxP N - B3 as by Black's unhappy handling of
5 N-QB 3 P-Q3 the opening. Insofar as the variation
6 B-KN5 P-K3 9 B-K3 B-Q2 1 0 P-B4 was not
7 Q-Q2 P-QR3 adopted in general play subsequent
8 0-0-0 P-KR3 to the match, one can assume that
9 B-K3 the analysts found Blace quite
Najdorf's move, 9 B-R4, leads handy - 10 . . . P-QN4 gives him a
to a more c o mplicated struggle as if good game.
9 . . . N x P then 1 0 Q-B4, but as 10 P-QN4
subsequent praxis proved, 9 An absolutely essential move,
B-KB4 is even stronger, e.g. 9 otherwise it is difficult to defend
B-KB4 B-Q2 10 N x N B x N 1 1 QN 3. The drawback to the text lies
P-B3 and now if 1 1. . . Q-R4 then in the fact that White can now
1 2 B x P 0-0-0 1 3 Q-B4 keeping exchange knights without worrying
the extra pawn, while 1 1 . . . Q-N3 about the strengthening of his
is met by 1 2 B-B4 0-0-0 1 3 opponent's pawn centre.
B-QN3 with better chances for 11 NxN BxN
White. The text is not dangerous. 12 Q- B 2
9 B-Q2 The basic idea of this move i s t o
This is incomparably stronger answer the developing of Black's K B
than 9 . . . N-KN5 as played in the b y the troublesome move Q-N 3.
second game of the match. 12 Q- B 2
10 P-B3 13 B-Q3 B-K2
I n a later game of the match, 14 Q-N3
Smyslov played 1 0 P-B4 and Now K-side castling is ruled out
and the flight of the black king to 21 N� N 3

the other flank looks dubious. W hite has n o choice a s 2 1 B - B 5
M P-N3 B x B 2 2 Q x B Q - N 3 gi v e s Black
15 K-N l 0-0-0 the better ending. Now, however,
Probably not expected b y Wh ite. Black must exchange on K6.
If he had foreseen it then h e would 21 N x B
probably have preferred to play 1 5 22 Qx N B-Q3
Q-8 2 instead of 15 K-N l . 23 P-QB4!
Admit tedly White c an n o w keep Of course not 2 3 N - B 5 + B x N
the initiative by 1 6 P-QR4, playing 24 Q x B R-Q4 ( 24 . . . P - K5 is
on the fact that Black's QRP is dubious because of 2 5 P x P P x P
undefended. 26 B- B l Q x P 27 P - R 4) .
Simagin pointed this out but one Apparently B l a c k h a s gained
can hardly agree with his some adv a n tage but the threat of
conclusion that after 1 6 . . . Q-N2 P-B5 forces the following
1 7 P x P P x P 1 8 N - R 2 P-Q4 19 exchange after which W hite could
P-K5 N - Q 2 2 0 B-Q2 P-N5 2 1 exchange the white-squared bishops
Q - 8 4 White has a "clear po sitional when the game would become even.
advantage " . By 2 1 . . . P-N 6! 1 1 2 2 23 Px P
P x P N-B4 Black gets counterplay 24 B x QBP Q-N3
( 2 3 B-R5 R-Q2 or 23 B-B 2 25 Q-K2
P-Q5 ) . W hite makes a risky choice by
Once Black's king has defended relying o n complications instead of
his QRP his game i s quite safe. going for an even ending b y 25
16 Q- B 2 K- N 2 B-Q5. Now Black keeps the two
17 N-K2 bishops which give him an
Artful p la y , and very undoubted advantage.
charac teristic of S myslov who has 25 K- R 2
the ability to feel out weak points 26 R-QB I
in the enemy camp. The knight is With the transparent t hreat 2 7
transferred to QN3 where it will B x P.
con trol the i mportant squares QR5 26 B-N2
and Q B 5 . 27 KR-QI P-K5
17 P-K4 Played hurriedly. Only after
In his tum Black controls Q5 making the move did I notice
and prepares his only chance of White's reply which could well save
counterplay P-Q4, as 1 8 P-QB4 his game. I then regretted not
doesn't work 1 8. . . P x P 19 pl aying " 2 7 . . . B- N l defending t h e
B x B P B x P+. square Q4. The two bishops,
18 N-B l P- Q4 co mbined with his mobile pawns,
19 pxp N x P would give Black good winning
20 KR-Kl chances.
The QB is immune from capture 28 B-Q5 B-B5
as after 20 . . . N x B 21 Qx N (see diagram over page)
Black has to defend his KP and the 29 B x B
threatened B-K4 gives White a In time trouble, W hite fails to
clear advantage. find the righ t move which was 29
20 P-B4 R - B 5 ! parrying b o th Black t hreats
reasonable counterplay. A fter the

loss of the exchange White can no
longer save the game.
29 B x R
30" B-Q5 B-K6
31 Px P P x P
32 Q-B4 R-R2
33 Q x KP R ( 2 )- Q 2
34 R-Q3 B-N4
35 Q- B 3 R x B!
36 R x R Q-N8+
37 K-B2 R-B l +
38 K-Q3 Q-N8+
39 K-Q4 Q x P+
(B x R and B x B ). Then the 40 K-K4 R-Kl +
white-square bishop s would be 41 K-Q3 R-K6+-
exchanged and Black's exposed Resigns.
king p o sition would give White
40 Sth Game, World Championship Match , Moscow 1 95 7

Black : V . Smyslov
l .·· P-QB4 N-KB3 7 B x N

2 N-QB 3 P-KN3 8 B x B N-B3
3 P-KN3 B-N2 9 B-N2 N-Q2
4 B-N2 0-0 10 P-K3 P-K4
5 P-Q4 P-Q3 11 P-Q5
6 N-B3 B-N5 It would appear at first sight
I n the Gruenfeld this move isn 't that as White has the advantage of
a t all bad, but here it is doubtful. the two bishops, he should try to
B la c k a c h i ev es comfortable open the position. In fact, his
mobilisation of his forces but the backward development rules out
absence of a white-squared b ishop this plan, e.g. 11 0-0 P x P 12
can make itself felt. Black's early P x P N x P 13 B x P R-N l 14
castling also fits in badly with the B - N 2 N -K4 and Black h as a fine
exchange of bishop for knight on game.
KB3. By closing the p osition, White
7 P-KR3 co m p l e t es his development
Just at the right moment a s 7 unhindered, and his QP makes it
0-0 Q -B l ! would j ustify B lack's difficult for Black to guard the
idea. white squares in his half of the
World Championship Ma tch, Moscow 1 95 7 97
board. 19 Kx B N- R 3
11 N-K2 20 P-QR3
12 P-K4 P-KB4 N o w White's advantage on the
13 P-KR4! Q-side, his control of the diagonal
This refutes Black's ·opening KR3/QB8 and the weakness of
strategy. Now the central exchange Black's KBP ough t to be enough to
1 3. . . P x P 24 Nx P merely give White a win.
accentuates White's advantage on 20 P-B3
the w hite squares. There is also the 21 Q-Q3 N- B 2
unpleasant threat of P-R5 x NP - 22 QR-QN I R-N l
here is where B lack's premature 23 KR-QB I P-QR4
castling is sh own up. This merely leads to a new pawn
S myslov takes the correct weakness on his QR4. Slightly
decision to limit the scope of his better was 23 . . . P-N3.
opponent's QB, even though 24 P-N5 P-B4
thereby his own k night on K2 Even worse w a s 24 . . . P x N P 2 5
becomes very s er iously P x P P - N 3 26 N-R4 when White
immobilised. controls the QB file.
13 P-B5 25 P-N6 N- K l
14 B-R3 R- B 3 ! 26 R- K l N-N2
Apparently only t o free K B 1 for 27 R-K3 Q- KB l
his knight, but in actual fact 28 R-N5 R- R l
provoking his opponent into 29 N-R.4
playing into the variation 1 5 Now either the KBP or QRP
B-K6+ K- R l 1 6 P-R5 P-KN4 must fall.
when the p ossibility of an exchange 29 Q- B 2
sacrifice on K3 would hand over 30 Q- B 3 P-R4
the initiative to Black. 31 R x RP R-N l
15 Q-K2 B-R3 32 N-N 2
16 B-Q2 N-QB4 The piece sacrifice 3 2 N x P
Sup erficial play. Of course i t was P x N 33 Q x P R- K l 34 B-Q7
tempting to rob his opponent of R-KB I w ould lead to
the right to castle but in this case complications.
the results are not worth the 32 K- R 2
concessions made. Black loses his 33 Q-N3 N- N l
last chance of play along the KB 34 N -Q 3 N-R3
file, l oses t ime on the Q-side and 35 R- K l N-N5
gives White a tempo to unite his Black has finally managed to
rooks. Isn't that rather too much? block the diagonal KR3/QB8 but
1 6 . . . P-QR4 was essential this is now a fact of p urely
though after 1 7 N-R4 Black had a "historical interest".
difficult game. 36 Q-R4 Q- K2
17 P -QN4 P-B 6 37 K-B2 KR- B l
18 Q-B l 38 R- R 7 N-K l
Not, of course, 1 8 Q-Ql 39 Bx N Px B
because of 1 8 . . . N-Q6+ 1 9 K- B l 40 Q-N5 N- B3
B x B 2 0 Q x B N x NP. 41 P-R4 K- N l
18 B x B+ (see diagram over page)
D 44 N-Ql N-B3
The pawn capture by either
queen or knight would, after 45
N-K3, merely lead to an ending in
which" Black lost material.
45 Q-N5 Q-K2
46 P-QR5 Q-R2
47 K-Q 3 R-B2
48 Q-N2 N-R4
49 R-Nl P-N4
50 Px P QR-KB l
51 Q-Q2 R-B5
Attempting at any price to
complicate things. Alas, White just
42 Q-R5 ! ignores this.
Parrying the threat to the KP 52 N-B3 NxP
(42 . . . Q-R 2 and P-N4) by 43 53 RxN Q-R 7
Q-Q2. A s will be seen the white What if his opponent fails to
QNP is quite safe. notice th.. 'threat" 54. . . Q x R 55
42 Q-Q l P x Q �-B7?
43 N-N2 N-Q2 54 Q- Kl Resigns.
41 1 3th Game, World Championship Match, Moscow 1 9 5 7

Black : V. Smyslov
Nimzoindian Defence
1 P-QB4 N-KB3 a p p a r e n tly had unpleasant

2 N-QB 3 P-K3 memories of it. Naturally he how
3 P-Q4 B-N5 chooses another continuation.
4 P-K3 P-QN3 After 6. . . B-K2 7 N-B4 P-Q4 '8
5 N-K2 B-R3 P x P B x B 9 K x B P x P 10
A system in which Black hopes P-KN 4 P-KN4 ( 1 0 . . . P - B 3 see
to compensate for the advantage of game - is much weaker ) 1 1 N-R5
the two bishops, which he hands N x N 1 2 P x N P-QB3 13 Q-B3
over to his opponent, by full and N-R3 14 P-K4 N-B2 there arises
harmonious development. All the a p osition which Taimanov in his
same, one must recognise that it is book on this opening ( 1 96 0 )
not so simple for Black to get full considers equal. I cannot agree with
equality in this variation . this assessment.
6 P-QR3 B x N+ 7 Nx B P-Q4
In the 1 95 4 match, S myslov 8 P-QN 3
retreated the bishop to K2 and White naturally refrains from
World Champio nship Match, Moscow 1 95 7 99
exchanging bishops which gives - 1 6 0-0 N - K5 1 7 P - B 3 N-Q3.

Black easy equality. 16 P-QR3
8 0-0 17 N-B3 P-B4
9 P-QR4 After 1 7 . . . N x P+ 18 P x N
In th e seventh game; 9 B-K2 Q-- R5 + 1 9 K-K2 there is no way
was p lay ed Now White chooses a for B lack to continue the attack.
more complicated continu ation 18 0-0 Q- B 3
which makes i t harder for Black to Summing up, one can say that
find the righ t line. Black has lost the opening struggle.
9 P-B4 His knight is out of p l ay and his
10 B-R3 QP x P bishop has few p rospects. The
11 NP x P N-B 3 white centre p aw n is bound
E x c ellent play ! There i s n o need ultimately to be a passed pawn, and
to defend the QBP as Black in Black's Q-side pawns have been
exchange can easily win his weakened.
opponent's QBP. White merely has to complete
After much hesitation I decided his devel opment befor e he c an start
on the following move which can an advance.
give rise to tactical complications. 19 Q-Q3 KR-QI
12 N-N5 B-N2 20 P-Q5 N-B2
Smyslov c h o o s e s a q u i e t line. I 21 P-K4 KP x P
was afraid of 1 2 . . . P x P 1 3 B x R 22 BP x P
Q x B thinking that, this would give After 2 2 KP x QP White would
Black good tactical chances. still have to prove that he had the
However, one must admit that after advantag e , whereas now his two
14 P x P R - Ql 15 Q-N I N - K 5 1 6 united passed pawns in the centre
B-Q3 - b u t not, o f course, 1 6 are a convincing argument
Q x N Q- N 5 + - Black would not 22 B-Q2
have adequate c ompensation f o r 23 B-N2
t h e exchange. B l a c k is hard put to counter the
13 B-K2 N-K5 activity of this bishop along the
14 B-B3 long diagonal.
It is essential to worry the 23 N-K4
knight as there was already an I f 23 . . . P-QN4 then 2 4 RP x P
unpleasant threat of P-QR3. RP x P 2 5 N-R4 N-K4 26 Q-K2
14 N-N4 P x N 2 7 P-B4 and the white
Hardly a reasoned con tinuation. pawns p ress . forward
From general considerations it is 24 Q-K2 P- K B 5
clear that White's QB will be more The only attempt, ev e n if
active than B lack's bishop. unsuccessful, to block the passed
Moreover this knight will be pawns and close the dangerous
somewhat offsid e . The obvious diagonal. The white knight
counter was 14 . . . N-R4. manoeuvre which now follows,
15 B x N B x B aims at pro voking the black pawns
16 P-B3 onto white squares where they c an
Pos sibly castling w a s simpler, b e more easily blockaded
but White was frightened that then 25 N-Ql P-QN4
the black knight could get into play 26 N-B2 P-B5
100 World Champio nship Ma tch, 1 958
The threat w a s 2 7 N - Q 3 , while 29 R-Kl

if 26 . . . Q-Q3 then 27 KR-B l ! 30 B-B 3 R-B2
and White c an always parry Black's 31 K- R I R-N2
only threat (N- B 5 ) by giving u p 32 R-R2 P-R4
t h e exchange. 33 KR-RI P-N5
27 Px P P x P Black can no longer await
28 Q-Q2 QR-B l developme nts. White's plan is clear
29 KR- B l - to divert the black rook from K I
and then create decisive threats on
the long black diagonal.
34 B x P Q-QN 3
35 B - B3 Q-K6
36 N-QI
White, of c ourse, has no
obj ec tions to an ending in which he
merely has to play his knight to B 3
for Black once again t o have no
useful moves.
36 Qx Q
37 R x Q N-Q6
38 B-Q4 KR- N I
39 N- B 3 R-N6
Black's passed pawns cannot be 40 P-R4 R ( l )-N2
advanced and only serve to limit 41 R-R8+
the mobility of his bishop. It is no T h e sealed move. Black d i d n o t
surprise that S myslov soon decides continue t h e figh t a s th e passed
to sacrifice one of these pawns. pawns cannot be held back.
42 1 st Game, World Championship Match, Moscow 1 95 8

White : V . Smyslov
Caro-Kann Defence
I P-K4 P-QB 3 ln the seventeenth game I chose

2 N-QB 3 3 . . . P x P.
My opponent played this almost 4 P-KR3 B x N
without think ing. Not without 5 Qx B N-B3
some j u s t i f i cation have N o w adays this move is
theoreticians. argued against an c onsidered more accurate t h an
early P-Q4 as easing Black's 5 . . . P - K � as after t h e t e x t W h i t e
defence. find s i t harder t o play P-Q4.
2 P-Q4 6 P-Q 3 P-K3
3 N-B3 B-N5 7 B-K2
World Championship Match, 1 95 8 1 01
S myslov follows the transfer it to a safer place. The

recommendation o f Pachman - central exchange is quite all right
develop the bishops on K2 and for Black - he can answer 14 P x P
KB4. However, this system carr i es e i t h er by 1 4. . . N x P or
no dangers for Black. The ·correct 14 . . . P x P ( 1 5 N -N 5 Q-QN5 16

plan was adopted by Smyslov in the P-B4 P x P 1 7 N-Q6 Q-B4).
nineteenth game - 7 P-QR 3! 14 B-Q6 KR-K l
intending a king's fianchetto (as is 15 B-R3
well-known, 7 P-KN3 gives White With a new threat, but this time
nothing after 7 . . . B-N5). well masked - 1 6 P x P P x P 1 7
Naturally from this at the time N x P! N x N 18 P-QB3
of the game I was able to draw Lhe ( 1 8 . . . Q x QP 1 9 KR-Q I ) . This
conclusion that my opponent was variation would occur, for example,
basically unprepared for the after 1 5 . . . P-QR3. Black naturally
Caro-Kann. avoids it.
7 QN-Q2 15 Px P
8 Q-N3 16 px p
A "worrying" move whereby An imperceptible but serious
White prevents the obvious mistake leading to a difficult
development of the opposing position for White. He was obliged
bishop on the KB 1 /QR6 diagonal. to play 1 6 N x P! N x N 1 7 B x N
However the bishop will be quite with approximate equality. White
well posted on N 2. obviously took it that he had
8 P-KN3 nothing to worry about and
9 0-0 B-N2 avoided the knight exchange on
10 B-B4 general considerations.
At the time of the ga:ne, I O 16 P-QN4
P-B4 seemed to m e a more With the very unpleasant threat
energetic move. White tries to solve P-N 5. In passing I should remark
his problems by piece play alone that White was already somewhat
but Black's position is quite solid short of time!
and White's tactical threats two 17 KR-Ql Q- N 3
moves deep are easily met. 18 P-N3
10 Q-N3 The natural reply. 1 8 B-Q6
Of course not 10 . . . 0-0 R-K3 was obvio usly dubious for
because of 1 1 B-Q6 R - K l 1 2 White ( 1 9 R-Q3 P-B4 20 QR-QI
P-K5 leaving Black n o adequate P-B5 21 N-Q5 N x N 22 R x N
reply. N - B 3 23 R ( 5)-Q2 B - R3).
11 QR-N l 0-0 18 N-B4
12 B-B7 19 B- B l
Continuing his traps t w o moves 1 9 B-N2 is better as this bishop
deep. What if his opponent should will be badly placed on K3. Now
chance to put his queen on R3 ( 1 3 Black wrongly failed to play
P-Q4! ) or N 5 ( 1 3 B-Q6)? 1 9 . . . P-N5 20 N-R4 N x N 2 1
12 Q- Q5 P x N Q-B4 a s i f then 2 2 B-K3
13 B-B3 P-K4 Q-B5 ! with obvious advantage.
Now the QB is cut off from the Black preferred, however, not to
main force and White must hurry to clarify the position so as to render
1 02 World Championship Match, 1 95 8
White's task more difficult in time �com two move threats

trouble. (35 . . . N x P).
19 Q-B 2 35 Q-KB I Q-Q3
20 B-K3 N,--K 3 Renewing his attack on the
21 P-QR4 P-QR 3 liishop as 35 . . . N x B 36 P x N
22 P-QN4 R x P is premature because of 3 7
Despite serious time pressure, N-B4.
Wh ite plays logically. By preventing 36 P-KB4
P-N5 he ensures that he will be Possibly an oversight, but p assive
able to play B-K2 followed by defence by 36 Q-Q l was hardly
P-KB3 and then return with his better. B lack would then naturally
queen to the centre. However, the proceed by 36 . . . N-B5
text does weaken the Q-side pawn 36 NxB
structure. 37 PxN RxP
22 QR-QI 38 Q-B3 R-Q7
23 B-K2 Q-K2 Now 39 P-K5 is easily met by
The KP is indirectly guarded due 39. . . Q-Q4.
to the undefended p osition of 39 R-KB I Q x NP
White's knight. White should not 40 P-K5 Q-B5
now have hurried to exchange 41 N-N3 R-QB7
pawns as the weakness of his QNP The sealed move. Th e exchange
guarantees Black control of the Q R of rooks is forced and a prosaic end
file. game with extra material ensues.
24 Px P RP x P 42 P-B5 R-B8
25 R xR RxR 43 P-K6 BP x P
26 B-N 6
A tempo loss, as the bishop is
worse placed here than on K 3 .
26 R-Rl
27 P-B 3 R-R6
28 Q-Kl
Of course not 28 N-Ql N x P.
28 B-R3
29 B-B l
Yet another lost tempo, but
then it's one more move nearer
forty!
29 N-Q5
30 B-B5 Q-K3
31 B-Q3 N-Q2 43 . . . R x R+ 44 N x R B-N4
This ensures that White's 45 P x NP Q x P 46 P x RP+ K x P
black- squared bishop will be was the obvious way to play but
exchanged whereupon his game is my second, G. Goldberg, correctly
positionally lost. observed that in this case 47 N-N3
32 BxN PxB would give White some chances, as
33 N-K2 B-K6+ by controlling KB5 the knight
34 K- R l N-K4 could still be a dangerous piece.
This time it is Black who doesn't Hence the decision to go into a
World Championsh ip Ma tch, 1 95 8 1 03
queen ending. as this would merely expose his

44 P x NP R x R+ king. But a s the proverb goes, "One
45 N x R Px P man in a field is not an ar my" -
46 Q-B6 P-N5 the single white queen cannot cope
It i s h ard to counter t h e advance with the whole black force.
of this pawn. The capture of t he NP 51 P-B4
merely lets the black king slip away 52 Q- B 7 + K-N3
to the Q-side. 4 7 Q-Q8+ K - B 2 48 53 Q-N8
Q-Q7+ K- B 3 49 Q-Q8+ K-K4 Or 5 3 Q-N 3 + K - B4 a n d t h e
50 Q-R8+ K - K 5 i s also bad. Nor checks ar e over.
would 47 N-N3 P-N4 48 N - R 5 53 K-B4
Q - B 8 + 4 9 K - R 2 B - B 5 + m a k e any 54 Q-B8+ K-K5
difference. Hence White's next 55 Q-B6 Q-Q4
move is the best at his disposal. Centralize the queen!
47 K-R2 P-N 4 ! 56 Q- B 3 + K-Q5
T h e knight still cannot get into 57 Q- Q l + K-K4
play - 48 N - N 3 is met by 58 Q-K2+ K-Q3
48 . . . B - B 5 . A pure queen ending 59 Q-R 6 + K-K2
is thus forced. 60 Q- R 7 + K-B3
48 N x B P x N 61 Q-R7 Q-K4+
49 Q x NP+ K- B 2 62 K- R l P-N7
50 Q x KP P-N 6 O n l y one " s t e p " from h o m e .
51 Q-K5 W h i t e resigns.
White doesn't advance his pawns
43 2nd Game, World Championship Match , Moscow 1 95 8

Black : V . Smyslov
1 P-Q4 N- K B 3 6 B-K3 P-QR3

2 P-QB4 P-KN 3 S my slov q u i t e often p l a y e d t he
3 N-QB3 B-N2 P - Q N 4 counterstroke on the flank.
In previous matches Smysl ov This idea had o c curred in other
liked to e mploy the Gruenfeld, but players' games in recent events.
here he prefers a more complicated 7 B-Q3 N-B3
opening. B u t t h i s i t seems h a s n o t been
4 P-K4 P-Q3 met with before. T h e more usual
5 P-B3 plan with P-Q B 3 was chosen by
T h e S a emisch system i s t he most Smyslov in the sixth game of this
active conti nuation. Black has match.
various difficulties to contend with. 8 KN-K2 R-Nl
5 0-0 9 P-QR3
1 04 World Championship Match, 1 95 8
White falls into a small trap. 9 keeps his QNP on N5 after P-QB3
0- 0 or 9 R-QB I were simpler. by replying P-QR4 - the QN file is
However, the further course of the kept closed and Black's game
game shows that Black cannot remains
" difficult.
derive any advantage from the confident of the fact that
weakening of QN3. 1 5 . . . P-K4 was completely
9 N-Q2 obvious and essential as Black's
Clearly intending to attack the next move, White now commits an
central square Q4 by P-K4. Hence annoying error and almost loses a
White must guard his QP once more great part of his positional
so as to be able to answer advantage.
1 0 . . . P-K4 by 1 1 P-Q5. 15 0-0 P-QB 3 !
10 B-N l ! O f course! Now P-QN5 is
Just so! Now White can defend impossible and it becomes clear
his QBP by B-R2 and Black's that White should h ave played 1 5
Q-side attack is repulsed. P-N5 and castled only after
10 N-QR4 1 5 . . . P-K4.
11 B-R2 P-QN4 16 Q-Q2 N-N3
Smyslov sticks to his plan, and A careless piece of play to which
in actual fact there was no other the loss of the game might even be
choice. If 1 1 . . . P-QB4 then 1 2 attributed. True, the plan
P-QN4 followed by R-QN I and 1 6 . . . P-K4 is now dubious, as
White's advantage is clear. after I 7 P-Q5 White would get two
12 px p px p united passed pawns on the on the
13 P-QN4 N-B5 Q-side, but by 16 . . . R-Kl Black
14 BxN PxB could retain his last trump - the
Here White had occasion to two bishops. Once -black-squared
consider the position deeply. It bishops are exchanged, Black gets a
would appear that his advantage is position quite lacking in prospects.
clear - he has a passed pawn on the 17 B- R6 BxB
Q-side while Black's QBP is safely 18 QxB P-B3
blockaded. But B lack's two bishops Pr o b a bl y e s s e n tial. If
are a hidden strength which could 18 .. . N- R l then 19 P-KR4
come out into the open if Black P-B 3 20 P-R5 P-N4 21 P-B4
could play P-K4 followed by P x P with an attack.
and then N-K4-Q6 and P-QB4. 19 P-QR4 N-Rl
Then there would be no trace l eft 20 KR-N I P-KB4
of White's advantage. Black is forced to try for
If in answer to 1 5 . . . P-K4 counter play, but the opening of
White plays P-Q5, then the new the KB file is favourable to White,
line of play P-KB4-B5 followed despite the fact that the white
by P-N4-N5 gives Black a rooks have been drawn over to the
dangerous attack. Q-side.
Finally I managed to find the 21 Q- K3 Px P
correct plan to answer 22 Px P N -B2
1 5 . . . P-K4 with 1 6 P-N 5 ! when Now Black is definitely lost.
the final move of Black's plan Apparently he underestimated
(P-QB4) has no force. White also White's next move. 22 . . . Q-N3
World Championship Match, 1 95 8 105
was essential, when there were still 2 8 Q x BP P-Q4 giv es him definite
chan ces of a stubborn resistance. coun terplay. H owever, White finds
23 P-Q5 it better to l e ave the BP on the
The two passed pawns guarantee
- board as i t shields his QN from
victory for White. attack.
23 px p 28 Q-N4 KR-Kl
24 Px P B-N2 Smyslov tries all sorts o f tactical
25 R-KB I tric ks to liquidate the bl ockading
This move is feasible because the knight.
QP is indirectly defended by the 29 N-Q4 Q- N 2
queen ( 2 5 . . . N x P 26 Qx K6+). 30 QR -Q I
T h u s t h e b l a c k threat R - B 4- K 4 is 3 0 N x N Q x N 3 1 Q- B 4 K - R l
rendered harmless. 3 2 QR- B l Q-K4 was hardly any
25 Q-Q2 simpler. Now the QP will also be en
26 Q-Q4 prise, so Black retreats his knight
White also considered 26 Q-R7 30 N-B2
threatening 27 R x R+. Black could 31 Q-B4 R-K4
then reply 2 6 . . . K R -Q I . White Probably an oversight, but t h e
chose t h e possibly weaker text p osition w a s indefensib l e anyway.
because i t seemed the simpler of 32 N- B 6
the two - the fifth hour of p l ay There is now no longer any
demands a particularly careful point in not having the BP as its
approach ! capture is accompanied by the
26 P-K3 exchange of the long-ranging
A t e mp ting pawn sacrifice bishop.
having only one defect - White 32 B x N
need not accept it an d can thereby Or 3 2 . . . N-K3 34 Q x BP
r etain all the advantages of his R,-QB l 3 4 R x P.
pos ition. 33 Q x P+ P-Q4
27 p x p N x Pl 34 Qx B R-Ql
3 4 . . . R x P loses t o 35 N x P .
W h i t e n o w h a s t o prevent N - K 3
followed by P-Q5.
35 Q- N 6 Q- K 2
36 Q-Q4 Q-Q3
37 KR-Kl
The exchange of rooks makes
Black's pos i tion even worse.
37 QR-Kl
38 R x R R x R
39 P·- N 5
39 P-R5 was also p ossible,
controlling QN6, but this is of no
real significance now.
After 27 . . . Q x P 28 N-B4 39 N - K3
Q-K4 (not 28 . . . Q- B 2 29 His last hope - to answer 40
N- R 5 ) 2 9 QR- Q I Black is in a N-K4 by 4 0 . . . R x N 4 1 Q x R
bad way. After the text, h owever, Q-N3+.
106 World Championship Match, 1 958
40 Q-R 7 P-Q5 which move had been sealed and in

40 . . . R-KR4 41 P-N3 the event of 41 N-K4 to resign.
(41 . . . N - B 5 42 R-KB l ) was After 41 . . . Q-B l 42 P-N6
hopeless. White now sealed 41 N-B!i (or 42 . . . N-Ql 43 P-N7
N-K4 after which Smyslov, as he N-B3 44 Q-N6) 43 P-N 7 R-Kl
himself said, turned up at the 44 P-NS=Q R x Q 45 N-N5
adjournment session in order to see N-K7+ 4 6 K-R l Black is helpless.
44 1 8th Game, World Championship Match . Moscow 1 958

Black : V . Smyslov
English Opening
1 P-QB4 N-KB 3 no longer had anything to lose (the

2 N-QB3 P-Q4 score was 10-7 in Botvinnik's
3 P x P N x P favour - B.C.). 1 1 . . . P-N3 12
4 P-KN3 P-KN 3 e:..:..: N 2 B-N2 13 P-B4 would
5 B:__N 2 N x N produce a quiet sort of p osition.
6 NP x N B-N2 12 P-K4 B-Q2
7 Q-N3 13 B-N5
White varies from the move 7 White's plan is clear - 14 Q-Q2
R-QN l as played in the fourteenth followed by B-R6, exchange of the
and sixteenth games of the match, fianchettoed bishop followed by an
but wrongly. However, the choice attack on the weakened castled

of the right move would have p osition.
robbed him of the chance to try 13 R- B l
out the text. 14 Q-Q 2 B-N4
7 N- B 3 ! Black tries t o prevent B-R6 by
A clever reply ; as the Q B file is exploiting the temporary weakness
closed Black need have no fears of the QP.
about the doubled pawn resulting 15 KR-Ql B-R5
from 8 B x N+. White naturally 16 R-Kl P-B 3 !
keeps his K B , but now his seventh Logical play; otherwise White
move is seen to be a waste of time. exchanges the black-squared
8 N-B3 0-0 bishops and follows it u p by P-Q4
9 0-0 N-R4 with clear advantage. Now,
10 Q-B2 P-QB4 however, if 17 B-K3 then
11 P-Q3 B-B4 1 7 . . . P-K4 and Black i s quite all
An interesting b u t dubious plan. right. In essence then White must
Black strives at any price to sacrifice a pawn!
provoke complications. This, of 17 B-R6 B x B
course, was playing with fire, but 18 Qx B Qx P
pos sibly Smyslov thought that he A decision that was not
World Championship Ma tch, 1 95 8 1 07
expected by White. However, after Up to here, both players had

1 8 . . . P-K4 19 Q-K3 White been fully up to coping with the
would operate with the threat demands of the p osition, but now
P-Q4 and keep a slight advantage ensues a long " time of troubles"
in a comparatively quiet positiOIL with mistakes and oversights which
Now, however, he has to work at times are hard to explain.
hard to prove the correctness of his Black p l ayed the text move
pawn sacrifice. A storm blows up pretty quickly, and this is
and in troubled waters, Black finds understandable as what was
it easier fishing! The text, in fact; is probably his best variation -
not such a bad move as it looks and 22 . . . N-K4 23 N x N P x N 24
the further course of the game B-Q5+ K-R l 25 P-KB4 ( 2 5
confirms this. White's task is not P-B3 Q--Q7) looked
easy now, but objectively speaking, u n a t t r a c t ive, and equally
Black should have played unpleasant was 22 . . . N - Q l 23
18 . . . P-K4. B - R 3 N - B2 ( 23 . . . R-B 3 24
19 P-K5 R-K7 N-B2 25 R xN or
The K-file must be opened and 23 . . . R-QB2 24 Q-B4) 24 Q-B4
this can be done without harm to and 2 5 Q x P.
White as 1 9 . . . Q x P 20 QR- B l A t this point White spent a long
Q-N7 2 1 P x P Q x B P 2 2 N-N5 time considering his move in search
Q-N2 2 3 Q x Q+ and 24 N-K6+ is of a win, but simply failed to find
in his favour. the striking combination, which as
19 N-B3 far as I know was found by several
Defending K 2 and preparing in grandmasters and masters in the
some variations N-K4 so as to auditorium, namely 23 N-Q4! !
provoke the opening of the KB file. P x N (or 2 3 . . . N x N 24 B-Q5+
20 R-K3 Q-B 7 ! R x B 2 5 R-K7) 24 B-Q5+ R x B
This looks risky, but it i s the (nor does 24 . . . K - R l save him -
only move - Black sets his sights 25 R - K 7) 25 R-K8 ! My old
on K B 7 and threatens 21 . . . N x P. "illness" showed itself a
21 px p px p weakness of combinational vision.
2 1 . . . R x P 22 N-N5 Q x P+
23 K-R l is obviously in White's
favour.
22 QR- K l
White i s tied down by the
weakness of his KBP and so has to
refrain from the apparently strong
continuation 22 N-R4 N-K4 23
B-Q5+ K-R l 24 B-K4 Q x P+ 2 5
K-R l Q x P+! or 2 3 R x N P x R
24 B-Q5+ K-R l 25 Q-K3 and
here Bronstein in the match
bulletin pointed out the strong
move 25 . . . R-KB3 when Black
has nothing to fear. One of the very few cases where
22 QR-Q l Botvinnik gives an inaccurate
1 08 Worldf:hampionship Match, 1 95 8
analysis. After 23 N -Q 4 N x N! 24 opens up both his second rank and

B-Q5+? R x B 2 5 R - K 7 Black can the long white diagonal. Black
answer 2 5 . . . N - K 7 + ! interrupting naturally at once occopies this
communication between the white diagonal and White finds himself on
rooks. This pos sibility was poir:ited the· edge of defeat. Yet t h e modest
out by readers of the E n gJ ish 2 5 P-B3 would enable White, after
magazine "Chess". Then if 26 the strongest reply, 25 . . . B -Q 2 !
R ( l ) x N R-Q8+ 27 K - N 2 B-B 3+ 2 6 R ( l )-K2 Q - N 8 + 2 7 K - N 2 , to
2 8 P-B 3 ( 2 8 K - R3 Q-B4+ wins) retain equality with any trouble. 25
2 8 . . . B x P + ! 29 K x B ( 2 9 K - B 2 R ( 3 ) - K 2 would be inadequate
Q x R+ etc. ) 29 . . . Q-B4+ forcing because of 25 . . . Q x BP 26 R x P
the e x change of queens two pawns Q-Q 5 .
up. Or if 26 R ( 7 ) x N R - Q 8 ! 2 7 25 B-B3
R x Q R x R + 2 8 K-N 2 B x R 2 9 Of course n o t 2 5 . . . P x P 26
Q-Q2 B - K 5 + 3 0 P- B 3 B x P+ R-K 7 .
with material advantage. White does 26 Q-N5
best t o play 2 6 K-N2 ( 2 6 K-B l If my previous move was an
R - B2 2 7 R x R K x R 2 8 Q x RP+ elementary pos itional mistake, then
K - B l and White must give the text is a gross miscalculatiop.
perpetual check as if 29 R x N then However, to put matters right, we
29 . . . B�N 4 ; or if 26 K - R l R - B 2 should remark that, contrary to the
2 7 R ( either) x N Q x R 2 8 R x Q opinion of all the commentators,
B - B3+ wins) 26 . . . R-B2 27 White's game was hardly defensible.
R ( 7 ) x N Q x R 28 R x Q B - B 3 ! Bronstein's variation, 26 R x P
2 9 P- B 3 R-Q6 winning a second Q x BP 2 7 R - K 7 , which he
p awn - 30 R-K3 R-Q7+ etc. thought was "all right for White"
The correct winning sequence is fails to the obvious reply
2 3 N-Q4 N x N 24 R - K 7 ! as given 2 7 . . . R- B 2 as 28 B - K 6 or 2 8
by Ragozin and Yud6vich with no R x R are impossible - they leave
further analysis. Then if the other rook en prise. But now
24 . . . N - K 7 + simply 25 R ( 7 ) x N Black can mate by 26 . . . R-Q7
Q - Q 6 26 R - K 7 R - B 2 2 7 R x . R (27 B-K6+ R- B 2 ! 2 8 B x R+
K x R 2 8 Q x RP+ K- B l 29 R - K 7 K x B).
o r if 2 4 . . . R - B 2 then 2 5 B - Q 5 . I n o t i c ed 2 7 . . . R-B2
- B.C.] irrunediately u p o n starting my
23 B-R3 N-K4 opponent's clock a n d the reader
24 N xN can imagine what I went through
After the exchange sacrifice 24 then. First of all I decided to resign
R x N P x R 25 B-K6+ K - R l 26 without waiting for the obvious
Q-K3 (26 Q-N5 Q x B P) reply, but then changed my mind.
26 . . . P-K5 2 7 Q x BP R-B 3 2 8 To my surprise � myslov did not
N - N 5 P - N 3 White would lose. play the obvious move straight
24 PxN away. H owever, I was able to
25 P-KB4 explain .that to myself at the time;
I f one could regard White's my opponent had another fifteen
mistake o.n move 23 with some minutes left on the clock, so I took
indulgence then this lap s e is it that he wanted to look at all the
absolutely inexplicable. White possible variations so as to exclude
World Championship Match, 1 958 109
any possible surprise. But t h e s p e n d ing a move over

minutes went by and W h i t e began 34 . . . P- KN4 as Bronstein
to ent ertain the hope "What if he advised; since after 35 B-N4!
doesn't play R-Q 7 ? ". The same B-R5 ( o therwise 36 B- R 5 + ) 36
sort of situation had arisen in the R-N7+ White has much the same
fourteenth game when, after long sort of drawing chances as he gets
thought, Smyslov failed to play in the game.
what I thought clearly the strongest 35 K-K3 B-R5
move. The last inaccuracy in time
Finally after eight minutes trouble. Black loses a vital tempo.
thought my opponent took hold of 35 . . . P-R4! was very bad for
his queen's rook, and I nervously White as Black keeps a sound pawn
grabbed my pencil so as to write plus. Now equality is re-established
down his move and sign the 36 R-N7+ K-Nl
scoresheet. However, wh en I looked 37 R-N8+ K-N2
up I c ouldn't believe my eyes - he 38 R-N 7 + K-Nl
put his rook on K l ! 39 R-N8+ K- B 2
Truly the two players proved 40 R-N7+ K-B l
equally worthy of each other in this Giving u p a pawn t o avoid
game! repetition of moves.
26 QR_: K l 41 R x RP
27 RxP Q x BP Now Black sealed. 41 . . . B-B3
28 Rx R Bx R would be an elastic continuation,
It was simpler to exploit his and would require the most careful
extra pawn with the rooks handling by White though even
exchanged. Hence h e should have then he has enough c ounterplay.
played 2 8 . . . R x R 29 R x R+ One must note that the slight gain
B x R and White is quite lost. In of time which Black achieves with
serious time trouble, Smyslov plays his sealed move by advancing his
with a lack of accuracy. passed pawn one square nearer
29 Q -K5 Qx Q quee n i ng, is c o m p l etely
30 R xQ compensated for by the superior
White has managed to exchange white king p osition.
the active black queen, and keep his 41 P- B 5
own active rook quite an 42 R-QB7 P-QN 4
achievement ! This move was reje cted by White
30 P-N3 in his adjournament analysis,
31 R-K7 P-QR4 because of the obvious advance of
32 R-QN 7 R-B3 the white king via K4. In this
33 R-N8 K -B2 analysis, serious attention was giv en
34 K-B 2 only to 42 . . . B - B 3 43 R- B 8 + !
34 R-N7+ K-B I 35 R x RP (no matter h o w paradoxical it
B- B 2 ! w a s highly dubious as might seem, the black king is worse
despite the material equality, the placed on KB3 than on the back
shutting in of the white rook gives rank, as if 43 B- B l P-QN4 when
Black a clear advantage. K- K l -Q l is very unpleasant for
34 R-Q3 White) 43 . . . K-K4 44 R - B 7+
Black hardly should consider K -B3 (now White's rook is well
1 1 0 World Championship Ma tch, 1 958
placed and he has nothing to fear) wins the QRP and gets two united
45 B-B l P-QN4 46 P-KR4 and passed pawns. However, a serious
Black cannot strengthen his drawback to this is that his king
position (46 . . . P-B6 is risky - 47 remains stuck on the back rank.
B-Q3 threatening P-N4-N5+) "44 RxP R-Q7
whereas White can await 45 K-K5 R x QRP
developments by B-K2- B l .
B y refusing t o go in for this line
Black only subjects himself to risk.
Why did my opponent go in for this
dubious plan? I think there can
only be one explanation - Black
was preparing the following
psychological trick. He chooses a
continuation which he is sure his
opponent had not examined in
adjournment analysis and makes his
move at lightning speed (it is
sufficient to indicate that Smyslov
made his first five moves at th�
start of the adj ournment session in Now after the natural 46 K-B6
about three minutes while White R-QB 7 ! 4 7 R-Q4 B-Kl ! the
took more than half an hour over advance of the white king has
those moves; while White was achieved nothing and Black's p assed
thinking over these five moves, pawns press forward. Naturally
Smyslov spent all his time walking after further deep though t, White
about the hall and the greater part chose another line.
of these three minutes went on 46 R-B8+ B-Kl
returning to the b oard, making his A tragic mistake - S myslov falls
move and stopping his clock ) . The victim to his own trick. At this
calculation was a simple one, the moment he yet once more sat down
disconcerted opponent put out by at the board and instantly played
the unexpected plan and Black's 46. . . B - KI . Possibly he confused
confident play, would check the the present position with the one
variations, get into time trouble and which could have arisen in the
then . . . previously note where B-Kl was
I n principle, such an approach to quite right. He had to play
chess has little in common with art, 46 . . K-N2 ( or 46 . . . K-K2) 47
.
but in practice it could work out all R-B7+ K-B 1 with a draw by
right. In the present game there was repetition. 47 . . . K-R3 however,
no serious basis for this trick, as the is risky.
p osition is so simple that it is 47 B-Q7
difficult to confuse White. Now B lack loses two pawns and
43 K-K4 P-N5 the result of this confused game
By sacrificing a p awn Black finally becomes clear.
brings his bishop back into the 47 R- K7+
defenc e; then by penetrating with This move too was made in the
his rook to the seventh rank he same quick tempo as if it had all
World Championsh ip Ma tch, 1 95 8 111
been prepared i n analysis. 62 K-K5

48 K-B6 P-N4 White wins time for further
But on this move Smyslov spent thought and simultaneously
about half an hour. 48 . . . P-N6 activates his king - preparing to
49 R-N8 P-N 7 5 0 B x B R x B 5 1 play it to the seventh rank.
R x P and then 5 2 K x P was also 62 R-QR l
hopeless for him. 63 K-Q5 R-Ql +
49 Px P R- B 7 + 64 K- B 5 R-QNI
50 K-K5 I f 6 4 . . . R - K l 6 5 R x P R-K6
S impler of course was 50 B-B5 66 K-Q 6 R x P with the same
P-N6 5 1 P-N6. I n time trouble position as in the game. Black
White could not make up his mind forces matters by his threat of
to play this and so the game is 65 . . R-N6.
prolonged One can only marvel at 65 Rx P R-N6
the mastery with which S myslov 66 K-Q6
from now on defends a very The simplest, aiming to play his
difficult pos ition. king to K R 7 .
50 R-K7+ 66 R x P
51 K - B4 P-N 6 67 K-K7 R-N6
Or 5 1 . . . K- B 2 5 2 P-N6+ Or 6 7 . . . K- N3 6 8 K - B 8 !
52 R-N8 P-N7 K- R2 6 9 R - R 6 ! R-B6+ 7 0 R - B 6
Threatening to queen. when t h e threat o f R - R 6 mate
53 Bx B R x B settles it.
54 R x P P-R5 68 R- R6
55 R-R2 R- R l E nsuring a haven safe from
56 R-R3 K-B2 checks on B6 for his k ing, and
Time control passed, so both cutting o ff the enemy king.
players could now look deeply into 68 R- N2+
this ending which i s not without 68 . . . K x P 69 P-N6 is
some theoretical interest. hop eless for Black.
57 P-R4 K - N3 69 K-B6 R-N5
58 K-K4 70 R-Q6!
5 8 K-N4 R- R2 59 P -R5+ An amusing p o sition. W h i t e has
K-N2 60 K-R4 R - R l 61 P-N4 no need to hurry as his RP is
R-R4 62 P-N6 R - R 2 63 P-N5 immune - 70 . . . K x P 7 1 P-N6
R-R3 64 K-N 4 R - R l ! is dubious or 70 . . . R x P 7 1 K- B 5 , and the
for White as 65 R- K B 3 P-R6 is mate threat R-R6 decides once
safe for B lack. The white king sets more.
off for the Q-side so as to win the 70 R- R5
remaining black pawn. 71 R -K6 R-QN 5
58 K-R4 72 K- B 7 R- N 2 +
59 K-Q4 R- Q l + 73 R-K7 R-N5
A good try, as otherwise White 74 K- N 7 Resigns.
would win by K - B4-N5 and K-R 7 cannot b e stopped.
R x P. � lack is ready to give up his
pawn but only for the p awn on N 3.
60 K-B4 R-Kl
61 K-Q5 R-Ql +
112
45 XIII Olympiad, Munich 1 9 58

Black : C. H . O' D . Alexander
1 P-Q4 P-KN3 12 P-KN4 B-Q2

2 P-K4 B-N2 13 P-KR3
3 P-QB4 P-Q3 There is no need to hurry. First
4 N-QB3 N-QB3 of all White must neu tt alise the
5 B-K3 P-K4 threat of P-K5 which would
This method of development can activate Black's KB.
hardly be recommended; it involves 13 P-QR3
the loss of at least two tempi. 14 0-0-0 P-QN4
6 P-Q5 N-Q5 15 P- B5
7 KN-K2 NxN Black has achieved nothing and
8 BxN P-KB4 the inevitable P-B6 will cut his
Practically forced. 8 . . N-B3
. camp into two parts.
would hinder a possible P-KB4 and 15 P-N5
on K2 the knight would be badly 16 N-K4 p.:_QR4
placed. 17 B-Q3 Q- K2
9 P-B3 18 P-B6 B- B l
Possibly 9 P x P should have 19 P-KR4 B-QR3
been given preference when 20 N x N+ BxN
9. . B x P is unsatisfactory for
. 21 P-N5 B-KN2
Black as will be clear fro m the 22 B-K4
subsequent course of the game, J'he position is blocked and
while 9 . P x P also has certain
. . because of the threat P-R5, Black
drawbacks. has to hurry with his bishop to
9 N-B3 KB4.
10 Q-Q2 0-0 22 B- B l
Here Black should exchange 23 B-B4
pawns when the open KB file 24 Bx P
would give him some hopes of 25
simplifying the position.
11 PxP BxP
A strategic mistake characteristic
of the King's Indian. Not for
anything should Black have let
White have a secure base for his
pieces on K4. 1 1 . . . P x P was
essential and would enable the KB
to come to life.
With his next few moves, Black
tries to get active play on the
Q-side but he has no real threats
due to his lack of pieces on that
part of the board.
S.111 Olympiad, Munich 1 95 8 113
,
25 Rx P a ? ending i n which t h e p p sition of
Clever play, but it cannot halt hu rook on B7 makes Black's
the inevitable course of events. resistance hopeless.
However, there were no other 28 Q- B 2.
reasonable moves, e.g. 25 . . . Q-B 2 29 P-N6 Q- B4
26 R x P B x B 2 7 Q x B Q x B P 28 30 Q x Q+ RxQ
Q-N6 Q-B 2 ( 2 8 . . . Q x B+ 29 31 QR -B l R x R+
K-N l R-B2 30 R-R l ) 29 32 R x R+ K-Nl
R-R8+! 33 R-B7 R-QB l
26 BxB Px B 34 K-B 2 P-K5
27 QxP K-B l Only now does the bishop get
O r 2 7 . . . R x B 2 8 QR- B l with some mobility.
inevitable mate. 35 P-N3 B-B6
28 Q-K4 36 K-Ql B- K4
The simplest. White temporarily 37 K-K2 B-B6
blocks the KB and transposes into 38 B- R 7 Resigns.
46 XIII Olympiad, Munich 1 9 5 8

Black : A . Diickste�n\
English Opening
1 P-QB 4 P-K4 [That White has strong Q-side

2 N -QB3 N-KB3 pressure in the Flohr variation is
3 P-KN3 P-Q4 shown in the Botvinnik-Portisch,
4 PxP NxP Monaco 1 9 6 8 , miniature which
5 B-N2 N-N3 continued by transpos1t10n,
Hence we have in essence a 8 . . . P-QR4 9 0-0 B-K3 1 0
Sicilian Defence with colours B-K3 0-0 1 1 N-QR4 N x N 1 2
reversed A tempo has no little Q x N B-Q4 1 3 KR-B l R- K l 1 4
significance in the opening ann so R-B2 B- B l 1 5 QR-Q B l N-N l
White's prospects are the better. 1 6 R x P ! B-83 1 7 R ( l ) x 8 ! -
6 N-B3 N -QB3 Portisch had expected the other
7 P-Q R 3 B-K2 rook to cap ture - 1 7 . . . P x R 1 8
8 P-Q3 0-0 R x P! P--KR3 (18 . . . K x R
Black has thought up an 1 9Q-84+ K-N3 20 Q-N4+ K-82
interesting counter based on a pawn 21 N-N5+ K-N l 2 2 Q-84+ etc. )
sacrifice and so does not prevent 1 9 R-N7 Q-8 1 20 Q-84+ K - R l
P-QN4. It would be more careful 21 N- R4! Q x R 22 N-N6+ K-R2
however to liquidate this threat by 2 3 8-K4 B-Q3 24 N x P+ P-N3
P-QR4 as Flohr played against me 25 8 x P+ K-N2 26 8 x P+ ! and
at Wageningen later in 1 95 8. Black resigned because of
1 1 4 XIII Olympiad, Munich 1958
_
2 6 . . . K x B 27 Q-R4+ K-N2 28 remain out of play, and his queen
Q-R 7 + K-B3 29 N-N4+ and 30 will be driven by force offside to
Q x Q. - B.C.) QR I .
9 P-QN4 P-B4
Intending 10 . . . B-B3 with full
equality. White of course has no
good reason for refusing to accept
the sacrifice.
10 P-N5 N-Q5
11 NxP B-B 3
12 P-B4 B-K3
Threatening both 13 . . . N-N6
and 13 . . . B-N6.
13 R-QN l BxN
14 Px B P-B 5 !
Clever play. After 1 5 B x BP
R x B 16 P x R Q-R5+ 1 7 K-Q2
Q x P+ 1 8 P-K3 Q- B 7 + 19 N-K2 18 Qx N
Q x B 20 P x N B-Q4 21 R-N l 19 P-Q4 Q- B5
Q x RP White's king would be very 1 9 . . . Q-R4 is bad if only
poorly placed. Hence immediate because of 20 B-Q2.
castling is forced 20 R-N4 Q-R 7
15 0-0 P-B 6 21 R-K2 Q- R8
S till trying to catch his 22 P-Q5
opponent out, but it is Black who Yet another tactical finesse. This
slips up. A simpler line was is possible because Black cannot
1 5 . . . P x P 16 P x P (or l 6 R x R+ capture twice on his Q4 as after
QxR 17 Px P Q-QB4) 2 2 . . . N x P 2 3 B x N B x B 24
16 . . . R x R+ 17 Q x R N-Q4 Q x B is check. Once White's QP
with some initiative for the pawn has advanced, he has the better
16 Px P N x P+ position and is a p awn ahead.
17 RxN Q-Q5+ 22 QR-Q I
Carrying on his bold and 23 R-Q2
impulsive play the Austrian master 23 R-Q4 is weaker as the rook
fails to notice that this is a decisive is en prise to the queen on that
mistake. He had first to exchange square.
rooks, 1 7 . . . R x R! 1 8 Q x R and 23 B-B4
only then 1 8 . . . Q-Q5+ when his 24 B-N2 Q x Q+
queen would be safer than in the 25 RxQ
game and he could also develop his The ending is a simple win.
QR faster. 25 KR-Kl
I n avoiding simplification, Black 25 . . . P - B 3 was slightly better.
overlooks a tactical c hance that 26 B-KB3 N-Q2
White has at his disposal and gets 27 P-K6 N-B4
into a hopeless position. 28 R-KB4 B-N3
(diagram in nex t colu m n) 29 P-KR4 P-KR4
18 R-K3 Or 29 . . . N-Q6 30 R x N B x R
Decisive. Now Black's QR will 3 1 R- B 7 etc. The remaining moves
XIII Olympiad, Munich 1958 1 15
were: 30 R - B4 N-Q6 3 1 B-Q4 P- K 7 R-Q2 3 8 B x KRP R ( l ) x P

R-K2 32 R - B 3 P-B4 3 3 NP x P 39 B x R R x B 40 R x P R-K6 4 1
e.p. P x P 34 R ( l ) x N B x R 3 5 K- B 2 R x R P 4 2 B - N 6 K-B l 43
B-B5 R(2)-Kl 3 6 R x B P x P 37 R-K5 Resigns.
47 XIII Olympiad, Munich 1 958

White : W . Uhlmann
Nimzoindian Defence
1 P-Q4 P-K3 threat of P-B5 carries no danger

2 P-QB4 N-KB 3 and the c;ibvious manoeuvre
3 N-QB3 B-N5 R - B 3 - R 3 looks quite in place for
4 P-K3 P-QN3 Black here. Instead he decides to
5 B-Q3 fix the doubled p awns whereupon
I f White wants to put any the text becomes full justified.
difficulties in his opponent's way 10 P-B4
he has to play 5 N-K2. Now Black 11 P-QR4
completes his development quite Well played! As 1 1 • .N - B 3 is
.
successfully. not playable, White can advance his

5 B-N2 QRP with advantage and Black gets
6 N-B 3 N- K5 worries over his QN3. To defend
7 0-0 P-KB 4 this square, h e has to develop his
Blacks avoids 1 . B x N 8
. . knight at Q2.
P x B N x QBP 9 Q-B2 B x N 1 0 11 Q- B2
P x B Q- N 4+ 1 1 K-R l Q-KR4 1 2 12 P-R5 !
R-KN l Q x BP+ 1 3 R-N2 P-KB4 I t is dangerous to capture this
14 Q x N Q-Q8+ 15 R-Nl Q- B 6 + pawn.
as he cannot reckon on more than a 12 P-Q3
draw from that. (He might well lose 13 N-Q2
as 1 4 B-R3 N-K5 15 R - K Bl is Tempting but hardly very good,
considered favourab le to White. - was 13 N - K l N-Q2 1 4 P-B 3
B.C.) 7 . N x N 8 P x N B x P 1s
. . K N - B 3 1 5 P-Q5 because of
too risky, Denker-Fine, USA 1 5 . . . P- N 3 ! Naturally after White
Championship 1 944. has created a weakness for his
8 Q- B 2 BxN opponent at QN 6 it is to his
9 Px B 0-0 advantage to exchange B lack's
10 R-Nl centralised knight. However, he
Apparently a new idea ( 1 0 ought first to exchange on QN6.
N-Q2 - i s t h e usual move) but The maintenance of the tension on
probably not very convincing. The the Q-side gives Black tactical
1 1 6 Wageningen 1 958
chances.
13 Nx N
14 BxN N-Q2
15 R-N2
Uhlmann is so engrossed with his
plan of Q-side attack that he
becomes careless and commits an
error that leads in a surprising way
to a quick loss. He had to exchange
pawns.
15 NP x P !
Now the threat o f 1 5 . . . N-N3
followed by P-R5 forces White to
attack the QRP with his rook.
16 R-Rl N-N3 thought for 50 minutes but could
17 RxP find no saving move.
(diagram in next column} 18 Bx B Px B
Naturally White had envisaged 19 Q-N3
this position when he played 15 Or 19 Q x P N x P 20 Q x KP+
R-N2. He had worked out that Q- B 2 winning the exchange.
1 7 . . . N x P doesn't work after 1 8 - 19 N xP
B x N Q x R 19 R x B . However, 20 Qx N Qx R
Black has a hidden resource at his 21 Q x P+ K-Rl
disposal. 22 R-R2 Q- B 2
17 B-K5 ! ! 23 Q x KP
Decisive. Because of his This only speeds up h i s defeat.
awkwardly placed rooks, White has 23 Q- B 2
no defence to N x P. lnhmann Resigns.
48 Wageningen 1 95 8
Black . J . H . Donner
1 P-QB4 N-KB 3 Black, but the game

2 N-KB3 P-KN 3 Botvinnik-Geller (game 1 7 ) rather
3 P-KN 3 B-N2 changed this assessment. Donner
4 B-N2 0-0 knew that game but wanted to try ·
5 0-0 P-Q3 out an idea.

6 N-lJ3 P-QR 3 8 p_:Q5 N-QR4
7 P-Q4 N-B3 9 N-Q2 P- B4
F.or a long time this variation 10 Q-B 2 R-N l
was · considered satisfactory for 11 P-N3 P-QN4
Wagen ingen 1 95 8 117
12 B-N2 Px P P-K3 B - B 4 1 9 Q- B 3 B - N 2 2 0
An essential preliminary to his Q- R 3 B x B 21 N x B Q - N 3 2 2
next move. Black creates a weak N-Q3 although here t o o W hite's
pawn on W hite's QB4. advantage is undeniable.
13 P x P B-;.R 3 18 B-QB3 B-Q2
This i s D onner's idea which h e The threat w as 1 9 Q-R4.
had tried b efore in practice. To 19 P-K3
understand the nature of t his game Now that B - B 4 is no longer a
one has t o b ear in mind that it was threat (the bishop has to guard
played in the last round and only a QR 5 ) White has no need to hurry
win would guarantee White first things.
place in the tournament. Hence 19 N-R4
Black's c hoice of op ening must be 20 N-B2
admitted to be p s y chologically Now White only h a s t o play his
exact. He now threatens Bx N knight to Q3 and everything will be
followed by N x BP, while if 14 ripe for an advance.
P-K3 t hen 1 4 . . . B-B4 is an 20 B-N2
unpleasant reply. 21 B x B Nx B
White c hoses the most active 22 Q- B3
continuation even tho ugh it Here the queen is placed no
facilitates the development of his worse t h an t he bishop and the
opponent's count erplay. weakening o f Black's KB3 helps the
14 P-B4 development of White's attack. The
N o w if 14 . . . N-'N5 t hen 1 5 advance of the centre p awns is also
N - Q l meets the immediate t hreats. threatened, which Donner tries to
14 P-K4 hinder.
15 QR-Kl Px P 22 P-B4
16 P x P R-Kl 23 B-B3
W hen the game w a s over I Dilatory p l ay in a critical
expressed the opm1on that position. White loses time in h is
1 6 . . . N - R 4 was t he best move for attempt to control h is K R 5 . After
Black, provoking P-K3. Eight years 2 3 P-K4 P x P 24 N ( B 2 ) x P Black
later Petros ian tried out-this idea in could not defend b o t h his KB3 and
his game with Portisch at Santa Q3. If he were to answer
Monica, but Portisch proved it to 23 . . . N - R 4 then 24 N - Q 3 P x P
be no good - 1 6 . . . N-R4 1 7 25 N x KP B - B 4 1 6 N x QP R x R
P-K3 R - K I 1 8 N ( 2 ) - K4! B·B4 19 27 R x R Q x N 2 8 R - K 8 + K - B 2
B-Q B 3 - the w hole point i s t hat 2 9 Q-R8 w i t h decisive t hreats.
White controls K4. Now, however, Black manages to
17 N-Ql R-N2 parry the advance of the KP and
As soon a s White transfers his the worst is behind him.
bishop to QB3, Black's game 23 B-Bl
deteriorates as the b asic defect of 24 N-Q3 R- KB2
the whole variation begins to show Now P-K4 is no l o nger
up - the poorly placed knight at dangerous as then Black's knight
R4 c an occupy Q5 via KB4. It is not
Black was obliged to continue to clear how W hite can strengthen his
play actively - 1 7 . . . N-R4 18 positio n.
118 World Championship Match, Moscow 1 960
25 R -B 2 N-N2 27 N-K B l Q- R4
26 R (2)-K2 R ( l )- Bl Black's swift reaction !
28 Qx Q Nx Q
29 R-QB2 R-N2
!}O N-Q2 N-Kl
31 R- B 3 !
A decisive manoeuvre.
31 R-N3
32 R-R3 N-QN2
33 R-Nl R x R+
34 NxR N-B2
35 N-Q2 K-B2
36 K- B 2 K-K2
37 P-R4 P-R3
A weakening which no longer
has any real significance.
Now a Black attack by P-KN4 38 B-Ql B-Q2
cannot be ruled out. So White plays I n hindering the transfer of the
his last trick. His only chance lies in bishop to B 6 , Black removes a
an exchange of queens after which defence from his QRP.
he can transf �r his pieces to the 39 R-N3 N-R4
Q-side and exploit Black's many 40 R-N6 R-QR l
weaknesses there - QR3, QN 3, A blunder in a hopeless positioIL
QB3, Q3. Hence White 41 Nx P Px N
provocatively plays his knight away 42 P-Q6+ K- B 2
to KB 1 which all o ws Black and not and Resigns.
White to occupy the Q N , file with
his rooks - which has no real
significance!
49 8th Game, World Championship Match, Moscow 1 960

Black : M . Tai
Modem Benoni
1 P-Q 4 N-KB3 as sooner or later Black will be

2 P-QB4 P-K3 forced to play P-Q3. Apparently
3 N.,-KB 3 P-B4 Tai was p laying to avoid the
4 p:.::.Q 5 PxP varlation 7 . . . P-Q3 8 P-K3
5 PxP P-KN3 f-KR:3 9 B-R4 P-KN4 1 0 B-N3
6 N-B3 B-N2 N-R4 1 1 B-N5+ ( 1 1 . . . B-Q2 1 2
7 B-N5 0-0 B x B+ Q x B 1 3 N - K5 ) . However,
A finesse of no great significance the N-R4 manoeuvre is parried
even more simply. The advance of t h e Black

8 P-K3 R -Kl K-side p awns is not in accordance
9 N-Q2 with the character af the position.
After this the black knigh t can P-QN4 was essential so as to
no longer occupy KR4 as that c omplete development and bring
square will be controlled by the his Q-side pieces into play.
white queen should Black play 20 N- B 3 P-KN4
P-KR3 and P-KN4. 21 N-B4 P-N5
9 P-Q3 22 B-K2 Q- B3
IO B-K2 P-QR 3 23 N- R4
A dangerous sympton in this A piece configuration typical of
variation. The threat P-QN4 is this variation. White fixes the
easily met while QN3 can easily weakness of the enemy Q-side. In
prove to be weak. If Black is forced essence once could consider the
to make this move then it follows battle finished. However, as in
that his game is no t at all easy. many games of the match, my
11 P-QR4 QN-Q2 uncertain play led to "miracles"
12 0-0 Q-B 2 occurring.
13 Q-B 2 N-N3 23 K- R l
14 B-B3 24 P-KN 3 P-KR4
An essential precaution. After 25 P-B4
1 4 P-K4 KN x QP 1 5 P x N B x N As Black cannot capture en
1 6 Q x B R x B it is not easy for passant he loses all his chances o f a
White to prove that the weakness of K-side attack.
the black K- side is worth the 25 B-Q5
sacrifice of a pawn. 26 Q- R3 R-QN I
14 P-B5 2 6 . . . B x P+ would not work
One gains the impression that because of 2 7 N x B Q-Q5 28
Black here overlooks the loss of a K- B 2 .
pawn Any other move would be 27 N(R4)-N6
better. A move with no particular
15 B xN purpose characteristic of the sort of
In order to win the pawn White play one gets in time trouble. Why
has to exchange his good bishop. 1 5 leave ungu arded the important
P - R 5 QN-Q2 1 _6 N - R 4 Q x P 1 7 square QB5? White had an
N x P is dubious as Black plays elementary win by going into the
1 7 . . . Q- B 2 threatening P-QN4. ending 27 Px B Q x P+
1 .5 B x B ( 2 7 . . .. R x B 2 8 Q-Q3 R-K5 29
16 P-R5 N-Q2 QR�K l ) 28 R-B2 R x B 29
17 N ( 3 ) -K4 Q-QB3 Q x Q 30 P x Q R x R 3 1
Now the BP canno t be held. K x R etc. Now, h owever, Black
17 _ B-K4 was obliged to play 27 . . . B x N
18 Qx P and if 28 P x B then 28 . . . N - B4.
After 18 N x P P-QN4 1 9 P x P 27 P-R5
e.p. N xP Black gets some 28 QR-QI
compensation for the pawn. Here too 2 8 P x B would lead to
18 Q-Q l a won ending.
19 Q-R2 P- B 4 28 'B x N
120 World Champio nship Match, Moscow 1 96 0
29 Px B N-B4 would win the exchange without

Black can be satisfied, his pieces allowing White any coun ter play.
have finally come into play, there 35 N-R5 B x B
are m a ny weaknesses i n White's 36 R x B N x P
p os1t10n and the · extra pawn is -37 R x N
worth little. Obviously White "volun tarily"
30 Px P gives up the ex change and so wins a
A sensible decision avoiding a vital tempo as 3 7 R ( 2 )-QB 2 or 3 7
weak pawn at K N 3 . If 30 . . . Q x P R ( 2 ) - K l would lead t o a hopeless
White can reply 3 1 R- B 2 , or 3 1 position after 37 . . . N-K7+ 38
Q- B 3 + fol l owed b y 3 2 Q-Kl . R x N R x R+.
30 B-Q2 37 R x R
31 Q- B 3 3& N x P
The queen exchange i s for the N ow it is clear what Black's
purely practical consideration of error o n move 34 cost him. I f this
easing the defence in conditions of pawn were not en p rise, White
severe time trouble (White had 3 would have t o resign.
minutes for 1 0 moves ) . 38 R(l) x P
31 Qx Q In h i s notes, Tal p ointed o u t
32 Px Q B-N4 that 3 8 . . . R-QNI 39 N x P
33 KR-Kl N-K5 R-Q6 40 N x P R x QP 41 P-K4
34 R-QB I R x N 42 P x R R x P would
produce a drawn ending. This
opinion seems u nconvincing as after
43 K-N2 White has a clear
advantage. B l a c k ought not t o give
back the ex change in this variation
and then he migh t have some
chances t o play o n with success.
39 R x R R x R
40 N x P R-Q6
Now I had to seal. I quic kly
found a winning p lan in which
Black's k ing and rook cannot cope
with the knight and three passed
pawns. All the same I decided to
This could have l o s t the gam e. check all the variations at the board
Here too by 34 R-Q4 N x P 3 5 and so sealed only after thinking
B-Q3 White could have remained a for half a n h our.
pawn up with winning chances. 41 N-B 7 + ! !
34 QR-B l Opening the way for the QP
A lthough Tai had 13 minutes with gain of time. Now if
left, he played this instantaneously 4 1 . . . K-N2 ( 4 1 . . . K-R2 42
app arently believing that his main P -Q6 and one of the pawns queen)
task was not t o let his opponent 42 P-N 7 R - Q N 6 43 N-Q8 P-R4
have a chance to think. Now, (43 . . . K - B l 44 P- R5 K- K l 45
ho wever, the picture changes very P-R6 K x N 4 6 P- R 7 ) 44 P-Q6
sharply. By 34 . . . ¥ ::.-QB I ! Black P-R5 45 P-Q7 P-R6 46 N -K6+.
XI V Olympiad, Le ipzig 1 960 121
To complete the picture, I c an N-Q8 P-R4 44 P-Q6 P-R5 45

point o u t that 41 P - N 7 is tempting P-Q7 P-R6 46 N-K6 P - R 7 .
at first sight, but loses after B l a c k Resigns.
4 1 . . . R-N 6 42 N - B 7 + K-R2! 43
50 XIV Olympiad, Leipzig 1 960

White : A. Tamburini
1 P-Q4 N-KB3 Preparing to retreat his K B in

2 P-QB4 P-KN3 the event of Black's N - K4, but he
3 N-QB3 B-N2 weakens his Q4 to a significant
4 P-K4 P-Q3 extent.
5 P- B 3 0-0 12 R-Kl
6 B-K3 P-N 3 13 0-0
7 B-Q3 P-QR 3 Allowing Black to seize the
The system beginning with initiative. 13 B-K2 was essential so
6 . . . P-N 3 is normally linked with as to preven t the following knight
P-QB4. However, Black has to be move.
careful. F or example, the 13 N-N5
immediate 7 . . . P-B4 would lose N o w , whether White keeps his
material after 8 P-K5 because of black-squared bishop, as in the
the threat of B-K4. The text game, or plays 14 P x N R x B,
makes QR2 available for the rook, Black has the advantage.
and prepares P-QN4 _in some 14 B-N5 P-B3
eventualities. 15 B- B4 KN-K4
8 Q-Q 2 16 B-K2 P-B4!
8 KN-K2 was preferable as after
the text White's next move is
almost forced in view of the threat
of N-B3.
8 P-B4
9 P-Q5 P-K3
10 KN-K2
Now White has to recapture on
Q5 with his KP but the opening of
the K-file is not in his favour. 1 0
P-QR4 was more logical s o a s to be
able to recapture with the BP.
10 pxp
11 KP x P QN-Q2
12 N-N3 Black has achieved a n ideal pawn
122 XI V Olympiad, Leipzig 1960
formation for this vanat1on. This is p ossible because now a

Moreover his knight occupies an white rook controls Q4
excellent position on K4 whereas ( 2 1 . . . N - N 5 22 P x N R x B 23
White's K4 is not accessible to the Q x R B-Q5 24 R x B ) .
white knights. Black merely has to �l P-KR4
complete his mobilisation and then 22 B-B l P-R5
go over to a decisive onslaught. 23 N(N3)-K2 N-R4
17 B-N5 N-KB3 24 N-B4
18 B-R 6 B-Rl An oversight lo sing a piece.
Black h a s no reason to exchange However, White's game was already
bishops in view of the weakness of very difficult.
W hite's Q4. 24 NxN
19 KR-Ql R-R2 25 BxN B-Q5 +
20 QR-N l N-B2 Resigns.
21 B-K3 Black will play P-KN4.
S I XIV O lympiad, Leipzig 1 960

White : A . Tarnovsky
Catalan System
1 P-Q4 N-KB 3 Alas, he did not demonstrate such

2 P-KN 3 P- Q 4 accuracy.
3 B-N2 B-B4 9 0-0
4 P-QB4 P-B3 10 P-KR3
5 PxP PxP A move of little use. Black
6 N-QB3 N-B3 exploits the tempo t hus presented
7 N-B 3 P-K3 to him t o be first in undertaking
8 0-0 B-K2 operations in the centre.
9 B-B4 10 N-K5
The reader will probably have 11 R-B l R- B l
noticed that the position has 12 P- KN4
transposed to a well-known Now the point of White's move
variation of the Gruenfeld Defence becomes clear. He wants to keep his
with colours reversed and, bishop on the KR2/QN8 diagonal
naturally, with an extra tempo for even at the cost of weakening his
White. K- side.
However, the drawback of 12 B-N3
White's position lies in the fact that 13 Nx N BxN
his KB is obstructed by the black After 1 3 . . . P x N 14 N-K5
QP while the black KB has better N x P (or 14 . . . Q x P 1 5 N x N
prospects. Hence accuracy is called Q x Q 1 6 N x B+) 1 5 R x R Q x R
for from White in what follows. 1 6 Q x N Black loses a p iece.
XI V Olympiad, Leipzig 1 960 123
14 N - K5 advantage becomes obvious.

White plays direc tly for 18 RxR RxR
simplification, hoping thereby to 19 P-QR3 R-B5
achieve a draw. However, he fails to 20 KR-Q l Q- N 3
appreciate certain nuances o f the 21 R-Q2 Q- B 3
position. 22 P-K3 P-QR4
14 NxN 23 B-N3 R-B8
15 Bx N 24 P-B3 P-B3
1 5 B x B is hardly better if only Having taken firm control o f the
because of 15 . . . N-B3 followed QB file and first rank, Black can
by Q-N 3 . permit himself the luxury of
15 BxB spending a tempo on this
16 Kx B Q-R4 prophylactic move. White's blocked
17 Q-N 3 P-QN4 Q-side pawns will soon be an
object of attack.
25 B-B2 Q- B5
26 Q-Q3 P-R5 !
27 P-K4 Qx Q
28 Rx Q P-N5
Forcing an exchange on White's
QN4 after which the white rook
can no longer return to the second
rank. 28 . . . R - B 7 is weaker
because of 29 P -QN4!
29 RP x P Bx P
30 px p p x p
31 R-K3 R- B 7
White resigns a s after 3 2 R-K8+
In view of the threat of R- B 5 K-B2 33 R-QR8 B-K8 a piece is
White decides t o concede the lost. A text book gam e!
bishop file after which Black's

White : 0. Neikirch
Sicilian Defence
1 P-K4 P-QB4 At one time this system was

2 N-KB3 N-QB3 considered dangerous for Black, but
3 P-Q4 PxP subsequently reliable methods of
4 NxP N- B 3 defence against it were discovered
5 N-QB 3 P-Q3 6 P-K3
6 B-QB4 7 B-N3 B-K2
124 XI V Olympiad, L eipzig 1 96 0
8 0-0 0-0 13 N- B 6
9 K-Rl Forced. As already noted 1 3
9 B-K3 is stronger. Now Black R P x N B-N 2 1 4 R - R 3 P-N 3 ! is
has various ways to get counterplay in Black's favour.
of which he c hooses what is q Q-Q2
probably the simplest. 14 N x B+ QxN
9 N-QR4 15 RP x N P-B 3 !
This, followed by P-QN 3, was
adopted by me with particular
success in a game against Padevsky
( 3 6 ) where he had played 9 B-K3.
The manoeuvre is good because : 1
Black exchanges White's K B ; 2
Black's QB reaches N2 one move
earlier than by the usual N-QR4,
P-QR3, P-QN 4; and 3 the QB can
be defended by the QN in certain
variations.
Naturally it is not essential for
all three factors to apply
simultaneously.
10 P-B4 P-QN3 The crucial point o f the game.
11 P-K5 N-Kl White 's only positional chance is to
Not 11 . . . P x P 12 P x P N-Q2 exploit the awkwardly placed black
because of 1 3 R x P. knight. Now this knight becomes
12 R-B3 active and its co-operation with the
The Bulgarian master made this strong bishop will cause White a
move after long thought - which is great deal of trouble.
not surprising. The attack which 16 P x QP
occurred in the well-known game, Probably the decisive p ositional
Geller-Vatnikov, 9 B-K3 N-QR4 mistake. The white bishop is l eft
1 0 P-B4 P-QN3 11 P-K5 N - K l blocked by its own K�]J.White had
1 2 P-B 5 ! QP x P 13 P x P P - B 3 1 4 to wait for Black to exchange
N-B5 N x B 1 5 N -Q 5 ! doesn't pawns when his KPB would
work here as Black would reply disapp ear, the bishop would have
1 3 . . . P x N 1 4 P x P+ K - R l 1 5 more scope and there would be
P x N=Q Q x Q when t h e weak some counterpl3y.
back rank will cause White a lot of 16 NxP
bother. 17 R-Q3 N-B4
The text is not without its bite 18 R-R4
as 1 2 . . . B-N2 13 R-R3 N x B His best chance in a difficult
(er 1 3 . , . . P-N3 1 4 N x P ! ) 1 4 position. By R-K4-Kl he should
Q-R 5 ! (14 RP x N P-N 3 ! ) be able to ensure the defence of his
1 4 . . . P-KR 3 1 5 N x N leaves back row.
White with attacking chances. 18 Q-K l !
Hence Black goes for simplification Of course not 18 . . . B-N2 1 9
so as to seize the initiative ! R-Q7 with simplification. Now the
12 Nx B black bishop i s guaranteed a
XIV Olympiad, Leipzig 1 96 0 125
wonderful position at N 2 . was threatened) 2 6 . . . Q-Q8+ 2 7

19 N-K4 Q x Q R x Q+ 2 8 B-Nl R-Q7.
Changing his plan in the hope 23 Q-Q2 Rx R
that exchanges will save him. He is 24 QxR Q-QI
wr·ong and should havi; continued Double attack !
I9 R-K4 B -N 2 20 R - K I though 25 Q x P+ R-B2
then Black has an undoubt ed 26 Q-Kl R - K2
advantage.
I9 P-QN4
The rook has to abandon the
fourth rank (26 R-N4 P-QR4).
But where should it retreat to?
20 R-R5
White refuses to recognise his
mistake and tetreat to R I , and so
he loses quickly. He cannot now
defend both his back rank and his
rook o n R 5 .
20 B-N 2
2I N-Q6
Or 2I N -B5 B x P+ 22 K x B
Q-B 3+. White resigns. The final position
2I N xN is interesting as all the pieces are
22 RxN QR-Q I ! posted at the edges of the board,
This quiet move decides the but Black's pieces are active over
game. The threat is 2 3 . . . Q-B3, such long distances that there is no
and an exchange of rooks leads t o a defence. From the point o f view of
hopeless position after 23 R x R c o mposition, the art1st1c effect
Q x R 24 Q-K 1 Q -Q4 25 Q -K2 would be greater if Black's bishop
R - Q l 2 6 B-K3 (26 . . . Q x P+ were on R I .

Black : L. Schmid
Benoni Defence
I P-Q4 P-QB4 4 P-QB4 is quite strong here,

At the time the game was producing a well-known variation
played, this was Schfnid's favourite of the King's Indian, Despite the
defence. fact that the position of the knight
2 P-Q5 P-Q 3 on QB3 (without P-QB4) was
3 P-K4 P-KN 3 a s sociated with unpleasant
4 N-KB3 memories for me (although old
126 XI V Olympiad, Leipz ig 1 96 0
ones - i n t h e twenties I lost a game firmly fixing t h e black king in the

to an energetic opponent called centre.
Schipunov in a match, Metallurgists Black decides to capture the KP
v Chemists) I decided to avoid but then the game is opened up and
playing P-QB4 so as to gain an Whi te's KN becomes very active.
·
extra tempo for piece development. 11 QP x P
4 B-N2 12 pxp pxp
5 B-K2 N-KB3 12 . . . N x NP was slightly
6 N-B3 N-R3 better as the diversion of the black
The best way of developing the queen from her Q2 and QB 2 makes
knight in this variation. On QB 2 the White's attack irrestible.
knight attacks White's QP and so 13 RxR Qx R
renders the advance P-K5 difficult. 14 N x KP P-N5
It also supports the counter Oth erwise it is hard to defend
P-QN 4. In answer, 7 B x N is the QNP, but White is now
obviously bad. int erested i n higher game than a
7 0-0 N-B2 pawn.
8 P-QR4 P-QR 3 15 P-Q6! PxN
Black starts active op erations If 1 5 . . . P x P then 1 6 Q x P
righ t away, leaving his king in the P xN 17 B-B3 Q-Bl
centre. The risk of such a plan will ( 1 7 . . . Q-R3 18 Q x: N ) 18 N x B
soon become clear. N x N 1 9 B-N5.
9 N-Q2 B-Q2 16 PxN Q- B l
10 N-B4 P-QN4 17 B-KB4
My opponent made his first ten Naturally the advanced pawn has
moves with such speed that I could to be preserved.
not have any doubts that the whole 17 Px P
variation was well-known to him. 18 Nx B NxN
However, after White's next Schmid But not 18 . . . Q x N 19
had a long think. B-QN 5.
19 B-QN5 B-Q5
The only defence against 2 0
Q x N+.
20 P- B 3 P-K4
21 Px B Px B
22 B x N+ Qx B
23 Q-K2+
White could win out of hand by
23 Q-R4, e.g. 23 . . . K-K2 24
R - K l + K-Q3 25 P x P+ K x P (2 )
2 § Q-R 7 + etc.
23 K- B l
24 Q-K5 K- N l
11 P-K5 25 R-Nl P- B 3
26 Q x QBP K- N 2
The fine point of this move lies 27 RxP R-Kl
in the fact that if 1 1 . . P x N 12
. 28 R-Nl P-B6
P x N B x BP then 1 3 B - R 6 ! 29 PxP Q- R 6
XI V Olympiad, L e ipzig 1960 127
30 Q-B6 Resigns.
5 4 X IV Olympiad, Leipzig 1 960

Black : L. Pachman
King's Indian A ttack
1 P-KN 3 P-Q4 At first sigh t it might seem that

2 N-KB3 P-KN 3 this eases Black's defence. In actual
3 B-N2 B-N2 fact the position which soon arises
4 0-0 P-K4 with opposite bishops is favourable
5 P-Q3 N -K 2 to White as Black's bishop is limited
6 QN-Q2 0-0 in scope and his pawns weak.
7 P-K4 16 Px B
White's slight chances in this 17 N-B3 BxN
King's Indian reversed lie not just Otherwise the K P canno t be
with the extra temp o but also in held.
the awkward placing of the black 18 Px B B-B3
knight on K2. If Black continued 19 Q-Q2 K- N 2
with 7 . . . QN- B 3 then it would 20 N-K l !
not be simple for White to find a After 2 0 N x N P B x N 2 1 Q x B
good line of play. After Black's N- B 3 22 Q x Q QR x Q 23
next move, this task is eased. QR-N l R x R+ 24 K x R P-R4
7 P-Q5 (or 2 4 . . . P-Q6) Black had good
8 P-QR4 P-KB3 drawing chances despite the pawn
This move too was not called for down. White avoids this variation
by the present cin::u mstances. N ow and contents himself with a
White advantageously places his positional advantage.
knight on KR4 and prepares 20 P-R4
P-K B4, all the more since P-KN4 21 N-Q3 P-N3
is impossible because of N - B 5 . The threat was N-B5 -K6.
9 N-R4 B-K3 22 P-B5 N-B3
10 P-KB4 N-Q2 23 P-N5 N -N5
11 P-B5 Sacrificing a pawn to exchange
Provoking a weakening of knights and reduce his opponent's
Black's K N 6 and' so guaranteeing initiative.
control of the diagonal K R 3 /QB8. 24 NxN Px N
11 B- B 2 25 Px P
12 pxp px p This exchange is forced as if 25
13 B-R3 N-QB4 Q,x NP then 25 . . . B - K 2 recovers
14 P-QN4 N-K3 the pawn.
15 N-B4 N-N4 25 Px P
16 BxN 26 Q x QNP B-K2
27 Q-B 4 B-B4
28 K-N2 Q-Q3
29 B-K6 RxR
30 RxR R-KB l
31 RxR QxR
32 Q-Q5 K-R3
33 B-N4
Of course not 3 3 Q x KP P-Q6.
33 Q-Q3
34 K-B3 K-N2
35 Qx Q BxQ
36 K-K2 B-N5
37 K-Q3 K- B 3
Black resigns in view o f the
38 K- B4 B-K8
following p ossible variation
39 K-Q5 B-N5
42 . . . B-R4 43 K- B 7 K - N2
Black commits an inaccuracy
(43 . . . P-N5 44 B-Q7 K-N4 45
allowing White's b ishop to B-K6 K-R4 46 B-B4 K-N4 47
penetrate to KB without any
B-K2 K-R4 48 P- R3 ) 44 K -Q6
difficulty. He should play
K- B 3 45 B x Pl This is where the
39 . . . B - B 6 so as to answer 40
weakness of th e KNP shows itself.
B-Q7 with 40 . . . K- K2.
45 . . . K x B 4 6 K x P B-B 6 4 7
40 B-Q7 B-K8
K-K6 P-N5 4 8 P-K5 B-N5 49
41 B-K8 B- B 6
K-Q7 K-B 2 50 P-K6+ K-B l 5 1
42 K-B6
P- R5 etc.
55 1 st Game, World Championship Match, Moscow 1 96 1

Black.: M . Tai
Nimzoindian Defence
1 P-QB4 N-KB3 of the centre, 8 P-B4, doesn't

2 N-QB 3 P-K3 work after 8 . . . P-B4.
3 P-Q4 B-N5 8 N-B3
4 P-K3 0-0 9 N-QN5
5 B-Q3 P-Q4 A fairly naive attempt to refute
6 P-QR3 Px P the variation. The correct move is 9
7 B x BP B-Q3 P-QN 4 as played in subsequent
It has been clearly shown that games of the match.
White has the advantage after 9 P-K4
7 . . . B x N+ 8 P x B P-B4 9 B-N2 10 NxB Q x N!
8 N-B3 Just s o ! After 10 . . P x N 1 1
.
The straightforward occupation P x P N x P ( 1 1 . . P x P 12 Q x Q

.
World Championship Match, Moscow 1 96 1 1 2 9
R x Q 1 3 N -N 5 ) 1 2 B -K 2 White 22 B-N2 R ( 6)-Q2

would have the advantage. Now the Underestimating the dangers of
exchange on K S which White his p osition 2 2 . . . P-B4 was
cannot avoid costs him the right to essential, activating his Q-- side and
castle and several t empi as well. fixing the weak white QNP.
11 PxP Q x Q+ 23 B xN PxB
1 2. K x Q N-KN5 24 P-QN4
13 K-K2 QN x P The last two moves have brought
14 B-Q5 about a great change in the
To make it as hard as possible position Black is left with weak
for Black to play P-QN3. pawns and the ending (with rooks
14 P-QB 3 or without) is difficult for him.
15 B-K4 B-K3 Possibly his best chance now was to
White is behind in development cut down the mobility of the
and stands clearly worse despite his knight by 24 . . . B-Q4.
two bishops. Here he could play for 24 B-B4
a draw by 1 6 N x N N x N 1 7 P - B4 25 N-N3 B-Q6+
B - B 5 + 1 8 K- B 2 N-Q6+ 19 B x N This makes no real difference. I t
B x B 20 B-Q2 but then White i s clear that t h e bishop will soon
would have a hard fight to get have to retreat.
equality without any counter 26 K-Kl P-N3
chances. Naturally he chooses a 27 QR-B l B-K5
more complicated continuation. 28 P-B3
16 N-Q2 QR-Ql Go ing for the exchange of both
1 6 . . . P-KB4 is essential to pairs of rooks, correctly judging
make it difficult for W hite to that in the knight versus bishop
exploit his pawn advantage in the ending he has very great winning
centre, and threatening a p ossible chances. But p ossibly even stronger
P-B 5 which would be very was 28 R x R R x R 29 K-K2 (but
unpleasant for White in view of his not 29 P-B3 R-Q6)
bad p o sition in the centre. 2 9 . . . B-Q6+ 3 0 K - B 3 .
N o w, however, White makes use 28 R x R+
of the breathing space to finish his 29 RxR R x R+
development. In the approaching 30 KxR B - Q4
endgame, the c entral position of his After this the knight p enetrates
king will naturally be transformed into the enemy camp and there is
from a negative factor to a p o sitive no defence left. His best chance was
one. 3 0 . . . B-B4 so as to defend his
17 P-R3 N-B3 QBP from Q2.
18 B-B 2 R -Q2 (see diagram over page)
19 P-QN 3 KR--Q l 31 N-Q4 P-QB 4
20 R-Ql 32 px p px p
White has only to make one 33 N -N5 P-QR3
more move - B-N2 - and Black Or 33 . . . P-QR4 34 N - B 3
will b e in difficulties. Hence Tai B - B 3 3 5 K - Q 2 and W h ite's king
forces the exchange of White's K B. marches without let or hindrance to
20 N-Q6 QB 4.
21 BxN RxB 34 N- B 7 B- B 5
130 World Championship Match, Moscow 1961
35 N-K8
All Black's pawns are scattered
and the bishop is unable to defend
them. B efore "gathering in the
harvest" White places his pawns on
black squares.
35 P-B4
36 P-KR4 K- B l
37 N-Q6 B-B8
38 P-N3 K-K2
39 N x P+ K-K3
40 P-K4 K-K4
41 K-Q2 Resigns.
56 3rd Game , World Championship Match, Moscow 1 96 1

Black : M . Tai
Nimzoin dian D efence
1 P-QB4 N-K B 3 13 N-KN5 N-N3

2 N-QB3 P-K3 I t is strange that s u c h a master
3 P-Q4 B-N5 tactician as Tai overlooks White's
4 P-K3 0-0 answer. 13 . . . P-KR3 is essential
5 B-Q3 P-Q4 with a satisfactory po sition.
6 P-Q R 3 Px P 14 N-K6
7 B x BP B-Q3 I must confess that I looked at
8 N-B3 N-B3 this when doing my analy sis in
9 P-QN4 preparation for the game, but
Naturally White does n o t repeat hardly hoped that I c ould pull if off
the first game (9 N -N 5) and in actual play. •
chooses a more promising Now White gets two strong

continuation. bishops and weaknesses are created
9 P-K4 in Black's camp which are
10 B-N2 B-N5 particularly evident in view of ,his
11 P-Q5 lack of a white-squared bishop.
After 1 1 P x P N x P 12 B-K2 14 PxN
as in the fifth game, White's 15 Px P K- R l
advantage is obvious. 16 Px B QxP
11 N-K2 17 0-0 Q-B4
12 P-R3 B-Q2 18 N-Q5
Unclear complications arise from Bringing his QB into play and
1 2. . . B-R4. gaining control of KN4 for his
queen which eliminates root and

branch all Black's attacking
attempts.
I8 N-NI
Black tries at all i;psts t o avoid
exchanges but this does not
improve hil position a t all.
I9 Q-N4 Q- 8 7
20 Q-K2 Q-84
2I Q-N4 Q-- 8 7
22 Q-K2 Q-8 4
23 P-K4
Fully justified The weakness at
Q4 can hardly be exploited and
Black's bishop plays the role of a White merely has t o play his
mere looker-on. bishop to Q3, after which his pawns
23 Q-Q2 will advance.
24 QR-QI QR-Q I 35 P-84
25 Q-N4 Q-K I A positional error facilitating the
26 P-N3 blockade of Black's pawns.
The KP i s quite safe, e.g. 36 P-N5 B-83
26 . . . P-83 27 N-K3 N - 8 3 28 37 P-84 P-Q6
Q-8 3 . Tai fails to find a At the price of a pawn, Black
satisfactory plan (apparently there activates his bishop, but this affords
isn't one in this position) and so only a sligh t easing of his position.
awaits developments. 38 RxP Rx R
26 N-R3 39 BxR B-Q5
27 Q-R5 N-N I 40 P-K5 P- K N 3
28 Q-K2 N ( 3 )_:_K2 4I R-KR I K- N2
29 N-K3 N-R3 42 Q-- K4 P- N 3
30 N-N4! 43 B-84
At last White has a chance to The st=aled move. Black resigned
exchange knights, and in very without further play. After
favourable circumstances - the KR 43 . . . Q-K2 (43 . . . Q-Q2 44
file is opened - and the position of Q-- 86 Q x Q 45 P x Q R - B I 46
the black king becomes unsafe. P-K6) there comes 44 P- N5 with
30 NxN the irresistible threat of
3I Px N N-83 Q-86-861- as if 44. . . R- B I ,
32 K- N2 - B-K2 then 4 5 P-85 P x P 4 6 R x P+
33 B-Q5 ! N-Q5 K x R 47 Q-R4+ and 48 Q-R6
34 BxN Px B mate.
35 B-84!
132
57 7 th Game, World Championship Match, Moscow 1 96 1

Black : M . Tai
Nimzoindian Defence
1 P-QB4 N-KB3 A plan typical of such positions

2 N-QB3 P-K3 - compare this with the 4th game
3 P-Q4 B-N5 of our 1 9 6 0 match. White does not
4 P-QR3 so much pin the knight as prepare
l n the earlier games o f the match to exchange on KB6 after which it
I played 4 P-K3. N o w I decided to is easier for him to defend his QB4
check what my opponent had square.
prepared in this variation, which 10 P-KR3
had occurred several times in our 11 Q-R4+ P-B3
previous match. Black avoids the e nding
4 B x N+ 1 1 . . . Q-Q2 1 2 Q x Q+ QN x Q 1 3
5 PxB P-QN 3 B x N (or 1 3 B-R4 P x P 1 4
One can understand why Tai R-K l ) N x B 1 4 P-K5 judging
avoids 5 . . . N-K5 6 P-K3 P-KB4 correctly that White has a clear
- see the 20th game o f our 1 9 60 adv antage. But the line which he
match (in which Botvinnik got the chooses leads to a difficult middle
advantage after 7 Q-R5+ P-KN3 8 game for him. Now White must
Q-R6 P-Q3 9 P - B 3 N-KB3 1 0 retain his QB as Black will have no
P-K4! P-K4 - i f 1 0. . . P x P 1 1 time to think of pressure on White's
P x P N x P then simply 1 2 N-B3 QB4.
with fine prospects - 1 1 B-N5 12 B-R4 ! PxP
Q-K 2 12 B-Q3 R-B l and now A very dubious decision. Line
not 13 N - K 2 when Tai ultimately opening in the centre only assists
equalised, but Tal 's suggestion 1 3 the development of Wh ite's
Q-R4 and i f 1 3 . . . Q-B2 1 4 initiative.
B - R 6 when Black cannot get any 13 R-Kl P-KN4
counterplay on the KB file as he Forced.
did in the game - B.C.) 14 B-B 2
6 P -B3 B-R3 fhe only good retreat. After the
7 P-K4 P-Q4 routine 14 B-N3 Black would not
This looks a p ositional mistake stand too badly after reply ing
as it lets White get rid of his weak 1 4. . . Q-Q4. Now that move can
pawn on QB4 straight away. I t is be met by 1 5 P-QB4 as t h e Q P is
well-known that 7 . . . N-B3 gives guarded. The whole p oint o f the
Black a good game. One gets the continuation beginning 1 2 B-R4 is
impression that from the opening that after 14 B - B 2 Q-Q4 1 5
point of view, Tai had not made P-QB4 Q-K3 1 6 Q- B 2 and 1 7
very fruitful use of the ten months P x P, White has a decisive
between the matches. advantage.
8 BP x P BxB On the other hand the variation
9 KxB PxP indicated by 1 otus h in the bulletin
10 B-N5 of the match, 16 P x P (instead of
1 6 Q - B 2 ) N x P 1 7 Q-B 2 P-KB4 some complications - 2 1 N x N

1 8 P-N4 is unconvincing because R x R + 22 K x R Q-R 8 + 23 Q-Ql
of 1 8 . . . K-Q l ! 1 9 P x P Q x P+ Qx P+ 2 4 K-B l N-K4 etc. White
20 Q x Q N -Q7+. prefers t o keep the initiative and
14· e,-K2 not hurry to win material.
15 N-K2
But n o t 1 5 P x P because of
1 5 . . . N x P 1 6 Q-B 2 P-KB4 1 7
P-N4 N-Q2 1 8 P x P QN-B�
15 P-N4
16 Q-B 2 Qx P
Realising that the positional
contest was lost, Black tries to at
least hang on to his . material
advantage. If 1 6. . . P-K6 then 1 7
B x P N-Q4 1 8 B-B l .
17 P-KR4
Trying to bring his last reserves
into play - his KR. Now if
1 7 . . . P-KN5 then 1 8 P x KP and 21 K- B 2 ! N x N+
Black's knight cannot get to his 22 Px N P- B 3
KN 5 . After 1 7 . . . R-KN I (as 23 R- R l Q-K2
Black should have played) 1 8 24 Rx P Qx P
R P x P RP x P White achieves his The exchange of queens does
aim. not weaken White's attack.
Black's reply allows White not 25 Qx Q RxQ
only to activate his KR but also 26 R - R 8 + N-N l
bring his KB into play decisively. Of course not 2 6 . . . K-B 2 2 7
17 NP x P B-N3+
18 BxP QN-Q2 27 B-N3 K-N 2
19 N-N3 0-0-0 28 KR-R l R-QB l
Nor does the black monarch find Defending his QB2 from the
a h aven on the Q-side, but material threat 29 R - R 7+ K-N 3 30 B- B 7
loss was already inevitable for mate.
Black. 29 R ( 8 )- R 7 + K-N3
20 NxP KR-Kl 30 BxN
{diagram in nex t column) Again threatening mate, so Black
2 0 . . . N x N was unsatisfactory remains a piece down.
because of 2 1 Q x N with the 30 P-N5
double threat of 22 Q x P+ and 22 31 B-Q6 Px P
B x R. The acceptance of the piece 32 B-B5+ K-N4
now offered by Black would l ead to 33 R ( l )-R4 R esigns.
134
58 1 0th Game, World Championship Match, Moscow 1 96 1

White : M. Tai
Carn-Kann Defence
1 P-K4 P-QB3 10 PxP

2 P-Q4 P-Q4 11 Qx Q
3 P-K5 After 1 1 P x P White had to
For many years this was reckon with the loss of a pawn after
considered harmless for Black. It 1 1 . . . B-N5+ 1 2 N -QB3 N x QP
transpires, however, that combined 1 3 Q- Q l B-B4.
with White's next move it has a 11 Px Q
definite positional basis. 12 Px P N-R4
3 B-B4 Naturally Black refrains from
4 P-KR4 P-KR 3 winning a pawn by 1 2. . . N-N5 1 3
The most sensible replay. Black K-Q2 R x P 1 4 R x N N x R as this
wants to play P-K3, after which he would · hand over the initiative to
is quite safe. Hence White must his opponent. Instead he advances
react incisively. his QNP as fast as possible imitating
5 P-KN 4 B-Q2 the plan of the game
After 5 . . . B-R2 6 P-K6 P x P jan owski-Capablanca, New York
White would have compensation for 1 9 1 6.
his pawn. 13 N-QB 3 P-QN4
6 P-R5 14 B-KB l P-N5
And this is useful so as to 14 . . . N-B5 also looks quite
prevent the counter P-KR4. good, but Black had no obj e ction
However in the 1 0 th game, Tai to a white knight establishing itself
refrained from playing the move on N5 or even penetrating to Q6
(see Game 6 1 ). Now Black must which only assists the development
not delay with his attack on the of Black's pieces.
centre. 15 N-N5 K- Ql
6 P-QB4 16 N-KB 3 N- B 5
7 P-QB3 N-QB3 Here t o o the win of t h e QRP is
8 B-R3 P-K3 not convincing as after
9 B-K3 16 . . . N-N6 1 7 R-QN l R x P i t is
Inconsistent to say the least. 9 difficult for Black to develop his
P-KB4 deserved attention so as to K-side pieces.
establish his knight on KB3 from 17 BxN Px B
where it would secur ely defend the 18 N-Q6 BxN
QP. I saw no particular sense in
9 Q-N 3 sacrificing the exchange by
10 Q-N3 . 1 8. . . B-B3 1 9 N x BP+ K-Kl 20
Normally Tai avoids the N x R B x N etc. as B lack's position
exchange of queens. Here he fails to is also quite good after the text
be true to that principle, but he is 19 Px B B-B3
wrong as in this particular situation 20 N - K5
the exchange is favourable to Black. Apparently leading to
complications, but in the final 34 N-K3 B-N 3

analysis it merely leads to 35 N-N4 B-B4
simplification which plays into 36 N-K3 B-N3
Black's hands. 37 N-N4 K-Q3
20 BxR 38 N-K5 B-B4
21 N x P+ K-K l
22 NxR B-K5
N ow in view o f the threat
23 . . . P-N6 24 P-R4 P- 8 6 (or if
23 B-Q2 P-86 24 P x P P-N 6 )
White is forced t o give up a pawn i n
order to activate h i s bishop.
23 P-Q5 Px P
24 B-Q4 N-B3
25 K-Q2 K-Q2
26 N-B 7 K-K3
27 N-K5 KxP
So Black wins a pawn and has
the better positioIL Tal's
subsequent clever attempts to The black KNP has no real
complicate matters cannot change significance. Black's task is to
the natural course of events. advance his Q·side pawns at the
28 P-B 3 B-R2 appropriate moment.
29 P-N5 Px P 39 N-B 7+ K-Q2
30 P-R6 Px P 40 NxP N-K2
31 N-B 7 + K-K3 41 P-B4 N- B 3
32 N x RP N-N l 42 N-B 3 K-Q3
Defending against th e threat of T h e sealed move. White resigned
R -K l +. without resuming.
33 N-N4 B-M
59 1 1 th Game, World Championship Match, Moscow 1 96 1

Black : M. Tai
QGD , Slav Defence
1 P-Q4 N-KB 3 without some justification he

2 P-QB4 P-8 3 supposed that W hite would not
3 N-QB 3 P-Q4 avoid the ex change variation of the
A psychol ogical error. H aving Slav, but he failed t o take account
lost the last two games, Tai had of the fact that it is not so simple
obviously decided to have a break for Black to get a draw even in the
and make a quick draw. N o t exchange variation if he has no
1 3 6 World Championship Ma tch, Moscow 1 961
concrete prepared plan. rook gets on to the QB file.

4 PxP PxP 13 Qx Q
5 N-B3 N-B3 14 KR x Q 0-0
6 B-B4 B-B4 This causes a worsening in
E m anuel Lasker and Smyslov, Black's p osition. The main trump
connoisseurs of the Slav, preferred of the defence was the central
6 . . . P-K3 though here too Black p osition of his king. By play ing it
by no means has an e asy gamt:. away to the flank, Black has to
7 P-K3 P-K3 reckon with N x QBP-K7+ x B in
8 B-QN5 addition to the o ther threats. He
The system beginning with this ought to play 1 4. . . N-Q2.
move was prepared by me as long 15 P-B3 P-KR3
ago as 1 94 6 , but I never h ad a 16 N x QBP KR-Kl
chance to adopt it in practice. 17 P-QR4
However one should not consider 8 White chooses as his o bject of
B-QN5 an innovation. A game attack the black QRP, exploiting
with this move was quoted in his space advantage and the fact
Gruenfeld's "Pocket Chess Guide". that Black's bishop is cut off from
I could have played the move in the Q-side.
1 94 7 against Trifunovic in the 17 N-Q2
Chigorin Memorial Tournament but 18 B-Q6 N-N3
didn't do so as my tournament 19 B-B5
position was such that I was quite After Black has made
happy to take a draw. Hence that preparations for nccupying White's
game went 8 Q-N 3 B-QN 5 9 QB4, the threat N-K7+ x B has
B-QN5 0-0 with speedy equality. lost its strength. True at t h e present
8 B-QN 5 moment 1 9 . . . N -B 5 is
Tai copies Trifunovic, but this disadvant ageous because of 2 0
was hardly appropriate in the given P-K4 B - N 3 2 1 B x P ( o r 2 1 P x P
situation. It is well known that P x P N - K 7 + and 23 N x P ). Black
symmetry in the opening is a risky also has a difficult game after
business for Black. The safer 1 9 . . . N- B l 20 R-R3 ! Hence he
8 . . . N-Q2 is recommended in decides to surrender the QRP
Gruenfeld's handbook. s traightaway but to exchange
9 N-K5 Q-R4 knights leaving opposite coloured
10 B x N+ Px B bishops as the only minor pieces.
11 0-0 BxN 19 B-Q6
12 Px B Q x BP 20 NxP RxN
A continuation of his 21 BxN R-R3
straightforward drawing tactics. This is not the best place for the
H owever one should point out that rook.
Pomar's attempt to strengthen 22 P-R5 B-B5
Black's play did not produce 23 R-R3 P-B3
satisfactory results ( see game 9 3 ) . This decision too cannot be
13 Q-B l ! considered good. 2 3 . . . P-B4
N o w the exchange of queens is would make it harder for White to
forced ( 1 3 . . . B - B 7 14 R-N l develop his initiative.
followed by R-N 2 ) and White's 24 P-K4 K- B 2
25 K-B 2 R(3)-Rl Now White's plan becomes

26 K-K3 KR-Q N l obvious - to play P-K5, excha�ge
27 R ( 3 ) -B3 R-QB I on KB6 and advance the KBP and
28 P-N4 KNP.
Having strength ened th:e position 30 R ( l )-QB I
of his pieces and p awns, on the 31 P-K5 P-N3
Q-side, White envisages opening up Passive waiting does not suit Tai,
the K-side in the hope that h e will but his move only assists White.
succeed in penetrating with his 32 P x P+ Kx P
rooks into the enemy rear, or in 33 R(3)-B2 Px P
creating another passed pawn. After this White's bishop also
28 QR-N l gets a chance to take part in K-side
29 P-R4 R-B3 operations.
30 P-R5 34 PxP R-KRl
35 R-KR2 R ( 3 ) - QB 1
Of course not 3 5 . . . P-R4
be�ause of 36 R ( l ) - K R l .
36 K-Q2 B-N6
Letting the passed pawn march
down to R 7 which decides the
game.
37 P-R6 B-B5
38 P-R 7 R -R2
39 R-QR I R-QRl
40 B-K3 R-QN 2
The last move in time trouble.
41 R x P+ K-N 2
42 R ( l )- R I R-N 7 +
and Resigns.
60 1 3th Game. World Championship Match. Moscow 1 96 1

Black : M . Tai
1 P-Q4 N-KB 3 twelfth game he was in an

2 P-QB4 P-KN3 aggressive mood, as his choice of
3 N-QB3 B-N2 opening shows. Taking note of this,
4 P-K4 P-Q3 White adopts the correct decision -
5 P�B3 0-0 to exc hange queens.
6 B-K3 P-K4 7 Px P PxP
If after the tenth game my 8 Qx Q RxQ
opponent definitely played for a 9 N-Q5 NxN
draw, then after having won the 10 BP x N P-QB 3
138 World Championship Match, Moscow 1 961
11 B-QB 4 . important White realises his plan

Giving Black the choice of without any hindrance. Black
playing 1 1 . . . P x P 1 2 B x QP should have decided on
N - B 3 as in Boleslavsky-Najdorf, 1 6 . . . . P-N5.
Zurich 1 95 3 . However, such a 17 • P-QN3 QR-B l
prosaic variation doesn't suit Tai, 18 B-Q3 N-N3
and he plays for complications, in 19 B-K2 R-Q3
other words for compromising his Hardly a good looking square for
own position. the rook, but there is a concrete
11 P-QN4 threat of 20 . . . P-N5 21 N-Nl
12 B-N3 B-N2 P-B5.
13 0-0-0 20 K-N2 P-B4
1 3 R-B l was possible with After 20 . . . P-N5 2 1 N-N l
various resulting traps, e.g. P-B5 22 P x P N x P+ 23 B x N
1 3 . . . P x P 14 R - B 7 R-Q2 1 5 R x B 24 R-QBI White p enetrates
Rx B and 16 B x QP or along the QB file.
1 3. . . R-Q2 1 4 N-K2 P x P 1 5 21 R-QB I R-KB3
B x QP B x B 1 6 R-B8+ B-B l I 7 22 P-QR4
P x B. But if Black refrains from Now as 2 2. . . P-N5 23 N - N l
capturing on his Q4 then nothing would leave Black with many weak
comes of these traps. Hence White points he takes the decision, far
lays a better-based snag - a from an easy one, to open the QN
positional one! file which will soon be occupied by
13 P-QB4 White.
It was on this very move that 22 NP x P
White was counting, although it 23 NP x P P-QR4
looks inconsistent. Of course Black 23 . . . P-QB5 24 K-B2 B-N5
ought not to leave White with a 25 R-QN I B x N 26 B x N (or 26
protected passed pawn which also K x B N x RP+ 27 K- B 2 ) would
restricts the scope of his QB. make no difference.
14 B-B2 24 K-B 2 P-B 5
Here i t is not difficult to find a 25 R-QN I B-N5
plan. The plan had already been 26 N-R2
carried out successfully in a training F orcing Black to unblock the
game B o l e s lavsky-Botvinnik, knight file.
Voronovo 1 95 2, and consists of 26 B-B4
preparing to undermine Black's 27 B x B RxB
pawn chain by P-QN3 and 28 N-B3
P-QR4. I t is surprising that, (see diagram ov er page)
alth ough White was clearly aiming saw that by 2 8 P- B 4 I could
at <:arr"Y,ing out this plan, my win material as Black would find it
opponent didn ' t try to counter it. hard to defend his minor pieces
14 N-Q2 ( 2 8 . . . BP x P 29 P x P R - B 7 30
15 N-K2 B-KB I K-Q2 R x P+ 3 1 K-K3 etc.) but at
16 N-B3 P-QR3 this tense moment in the fifth hour
Possibly the losing move. Black's of play, I did not want to present
bishop will now remain out of play my opponent with even the
for a long time and what is more slightest tactical counterchances.
World Championship Ma tch, Moscow 1 961 139
win by 34 P-B4). However after 34

P-Q6 R (4)-B l 3 5 R x R R x R
R-N7 there can be no doubt b u t
that White will win.
30 KR-QNl B x P+
If 30 . . . N - B l then 31 P-B4 -
a possibility which would be
excluded by 29 . . . P x P.
31 Nx B Nx N
32 R-N8+ K-N2
33 R ( l )- N 7 + R-KB 2
34 P-Q6 RxR
35 R x R+ K-B 3
36 Rx P R- B l
28 B-Bl Or 3 6 . . . R- B 3 3 7 P-Q7 R-Q3
29 R-N2 B-Q2 38 B x P N-N 3 39 R- B 7 + K-N4
A slightly more stubborn line is 40 B-N5 etc.
29 . . . P x P 3 0 P x P (30 N x P 37 P-Q7 R-Ql
B-B4) B-Q2 3 1 KR-QN l B x P+ 38 BxP N-B4
32 N x B N x N 33 R-N8+ R-KB l 39 R-B 7 + K-N4
( in the actual game this move is 40 B-N5 Px P
impossible because White would 41 Px P Resigns
61 1 8th Game, World Championship Match , Moscow 1 96 1

White : M . Tai
Caro-Kann Defence
1 P-K4 P-QB 3 his KNP. However on N 2 his bishop

2 P-Q4 P-Q4 has few prospects.
3 P-K5 B-B4 7 P-K3
4 P-KR4 P-KR3 8 N-K2
5 P-KN4 B-Q 2 Possibly 8 N-QR3 preve�ting
6 P-QB 3 Black's next was more careful.
In the tenth game Tai played 6 8 B-N4
P-R5 preventing 6 . . . P-KR4. 9 N-R3
However, as this last move involves But now this is simp ly bad as it
sacrificing a p awn after 7 P x P allows Black to force exch anges
Black avo ided it. which are useful for him. 9 B-K3
6 P �B 4 was necessary.
7 B-N2 9 BxN
Trying to force a n early P-K3 10 QxB PxP
so as to b e free from worries about 11 Px P BxN
140 World Championship Ma tch, Moscow 1 96 1
12 Px B his last trump, the advantage of the

Although the position is of a two bishops.
semi-open nature, Black's knight 27 P- R3 N-R7
will be no weaker than the white 28 P-B5 NxB
bishops which are doomed to 29 • RxN P-QN4
defend White's many weaknesses - 30 R-QRl K-K2
QB3, QB4, Q4, KN4. 31 K-B4 R-QB I
12 N-QB3 32 P-N5 P x P+
13 B-K3 Q-R4+ 33 Kx P Px P
14 K-B l 34 Bx P R-B3
F or the moment White avoids 35 K- B 4
the exchange of queens hoping to White takes the only correct
work up an attack. decision, to try and exploit the
14 KN-K2 weakness of Black's KNP. 35
15 R-QN I R-QN I R-QB 1 would be bad because of
16 B-R3 35 . . . N x KP 36 R- Kl P-B3+ 3 7
A waste of time. 1 6 R - R 3 was K-B4 R -B5 and White loses yet
slightly b etter. another pawn. Now the simple
16 Q-R5 3 5 . . . N-N3 followed by
17 R-Ql penetrating with the rook along the
Of course 1 7 Q-N2 N - R 4 did QB file would win quickly. By
not look very tempting for White, trying to gain time when in time
but that is what he should have trouble and at the same time force
played. his opponent to close the KN file,
17 Q x RP Black permits some complications.
18 K-N2 Q-R3 ! 35 R-KR3
Now Black will either play his 36 B-N4 R-QB 3
knight unhindered to QB5 , or White
will have to agree to the exchange
of queens, and play a j oyless
ending. Black's doubled pawns have
no real significance as in the final
analysis an exchange of rooks on
Black's QN3 will be inevitable and
then Black's pawn formation will
be put rlght again.
19 QxQ PxQ
20 P-R5 K-Q2
21 R-QNl R-N3
22 K-N3 N-R4
23 Rx R
Otherwise h e has to concede the 37 R-QB l
QN file. 3 7 P-R4 was strou�er but
23 Px R after 37 . . . P-N5 38 B- B 3 N-Q 7 !
24 P-B4 N-B5 (but not 3 8 . . . N-N3 3 9 P-R5,
25 B-QB l N-B3 nor 38 . . . R-B 2 39 R-QB l ! ) 39
26 R-Ql N-N5 B x P R -B 6 40 B-K4 (or 40
And now White is deprived of R-Ql R-Q6) P - N 6 (but not
40. . . R-B5 as recommended by second pawn.

some commentators as after 4 1 38 P x P+
K-K3 N x B 4 2 K x N P-N 6 43 39 PxP N x KP
R-QN l R-N5 44 K-Q5 White 40 R-Ql
really does have some drawing Or 40 R - K l K-B3 41 R x N
chances) , White cannot successfully R-B5+.
defend against the passed NP. 40 K-Q3
37 P-B3 41 B-K4 R-B4
38 B-B5 Resigns.
A n error in time trouble losing a
62 2 1 st G ame, World Championship Match , Moscow 1 9 6 1

Black : M . Tai
1 P-Q4 N-KB 3 makes Q- Kl p o ssibl e.

2 P-QB4 1'-- KN 3 11 K- N l QN- B 3
3 N-QB 3 B-N 2 This leads to a considerable
4 P-K4 P-Q3 sharpening of the struggle as the
5 P-B3 QN-Q2 threat of P x P followed by
A slightly old-fashioned method P-QN 4 - 5 makes it difficult for
of development. If Black White to maintain control of his K4
subseque ntly plays P-K4 then square. 1 1 . . . KN - B 3 was more
White can play P-Q5 with passive.
advantage as then P-QB4 is made 12 PxP Px P
difficult for Black - the black QP 13 N-N3
would be en prise after P x P e.p. Quite an unpleasant move for
6 B-K3 P-K4 Black to meet. The exchange of
7 KN-K2 0-0 knights on KN 3 opens the KR file
8 P-Q5 N-R4 for White, while 1 3 . . . P-B5 1 4
The most natural reply. The N x N P x B 1 5 N x N+ Q x N 1 6
var iation 9 P-KN4 N-B5 1 0 N x N Q-QB 2 ! ( 1 6 Q x P would divert
P x N 1 1 B x BP involves a pawn the queen from control of QN 2 and
sacrifice, but it gives Black some Black could activate his bishops by
initiative. White avoids this as the the double pawn sacrifice
position in the match demanded a 16 . . . P-K5 ! 1 7 P x P P-N4) was
different approach. (The score was also in White's favour.
1 2- 8 to Botvinnik - B.C. ) 13 Q- K l
9 Q-Q2 P-KB4 14 B-Q3
10 0-0-0 P-Q R 3 Now Black must declare his
A useful move. Black prepares intentions as his KBP is en prise.
P-QN4 and by ruling out N-N5 14 . . . Q-N3 1 5 N x N Q x N 1 6
142 World Champio nship Match, Moscow 1 96 1
P-KR 3 ( 1 6 . . . P-B 5 1 7 B-B 2 ) naturally gives Black some hope of

would inevitably be m e t b y the salvation.
am;ance P-KN4. Probably Black 21 QR- R I Q-N4
ought to sacrifice his KP by 22 Q x Q+ PxQ
14 . . . P-K5 15 N x N and 16 P x P 23- R-R6 Px P
but this was fairly risky and Black Apparently overlooking his
would be starting his counterplay opponent's reply and so speeding
without c om p l e t i ng h is the end White would face harder
development. The move actually problems after 23 . . . P-K5 24
played increases Black's difficulties. BP x P (24 N P x P B x P 25 P x P
14 NxN B-R2 ! ) N x NP 25 R x P.
15 PxN P-B4 24 P x P!
From general considerations this Now the K B file i s open for the
move must be considered a useful rook and the diagonal QB2/KR7
one, but dlack's counterplay is for the bishop. The loss of a second
clearly coming too late. pawn has no significance.
16 B-R6 24 BxP
The bishop exchange reduces Other moves are no b etter.
Black's counter-attacking and 25 R-N6+ K- B 2
defending chances. 26 R-KB 1 K-K2
16 Q-N3 27 R- N7+ K-Kl
17 P-KN4 P-N4 L osing a tempo. 27 . . . K-Ql
18 Bx B was better (28 R x N R x R 29
Hasty play after which Black R - N8+ K-K2 30 R x R R-B8+)
gets control of his KR3. The when there could still follow 28
immediate 1 8 R-R4 was correct. N-K4. If 2 7 . . . R-B 2 Black loses a
18 Kx B piece by 2 8 R x R+ K x R 29
19 R-R4 N-K4.
Preparing to double rooks and 28 N-K4 N-Q2
controlling the fourth rank. Now Of course not 28 . . . N x N 29
19 . . . P-K5 20 P x BP B x P 21 B-R4+.
P x P or 1 9 . . . N-N l 20 P x BP 29 N x P+
B x P 21 R-N4 are both bad for 29 R x R+ K x R 30 R x P is bad
Black. because of 30 . . . B-K7 !
19 NP x P 29 K- Q l
20 B-B2 P-R3 30 R x R+ NxR
Practically, the best chance. I t is 31 NxP B-Q2
very striking how Tai exploits This leads to great loss of
straight away the first inaccuracy material.
by his opponent ( 1 8 B x B ) . White 32_ _ R-KB 7 K- B2
cannot now advantageously avoid 33 P-Q6+ Resigns.
the exchange of qu eens and this
143
63 European Team Championship, Oberhausen 1 96 1

Black : L. Pachman
King's I ndian Defence
I N-K B 3 N-KB3 N (K4)-Q6 1 7 KR-QI N - N 5 etc.

2 P-KN3 P-Q3 One can hardly assert that 1 6
3 B-N 2 P-K4 R-KB I is the only move, but
4 P- 84 P-KN3 taking into account all the elements
5 N-83 B-N2 of the struggle, including the
6 P-Q4 QN-Q2 psychological ones, it is the
7 0-0 0-0 strongest move!
8 P-K4 P-8 3 16 Q- 8 2
Hence b y transposition o f moves I n what follows Black simply
a well-known variation of the fails to find a good plan and it soon
King's I ndian has arisen, which becomes merely a question of
according to general opinion is not whether White will find one.
disadvantageous to Black. 17 Q- 82 N (K4)-Q2
9 P-KR3 Q-N 3 18 N-QB 3 N-81
IO R-Kl 19 QR -Q I N ( I )- K3
Avoiding P-Q5 and keeping up 20 N (4)-K2
the tension in the centre - a Steinitz used to recommend one
method often adopted in this to avoid exchanges when your
position by Furman opp onent is cramped.
IO PxP 20 8- 8 1
11 NxP N-N5 21 Q-Q2
12 N ( 3 )-K2 N ( 5 )-K4 The most logical plan seems to
13 P-N3 N- 8 4 be that involving P-KB4, but
14 B-K3 P-QR4 seeing that there is no reason for
15 R-Nl R- K I haste in this position White adopts
This position is not well-known waiting tactics.
to most strong players but it had 21 N-Q2
already been encountered in master 22 B-R6 N-N2
play . Black is reckoning o n the 23 KR- K l P- 8 3
strength of his piece pressure on the O f course this i s a weakening
centre; White is hoping to restrict, move, but it prepares N-K4-B2.
in due course, the activity of the 24 B-K3 N- 84
black pieces. 25 8-84 R-Ql
16 R - KB I ! 26 N-Q4 B-Q2
This paradoxical move was 27 Q-QB 2
played by Furman not long before At las t intending a concrete plan
the present game, but was probably - t o drive the knight away from 84
not expected by my opponent. T he by P-QR 3 and P-QN4.
point is to deprive Black of the 27 N (N 2 )-K3
tac tical chances he gets by 28 B-K3 R-Kl
attacking this rook with his knights 29 P-QR 3 P-8 4
as for example after 1 6 Q- 8 2 Trying to free himself, but
144 European Team Championship, O berhausen 1 96 1
overlooking t h e following tactical advantageous way ( 3 3 . . . N x BP)

stroke. 29 . . . N x N 30 B x N P-B4 or t o provoke simplification.
was bad because of 31 P-QN4 However the i m m e d iate
RP x P 32 RP x P N x P 33 B x N ! 32 . . . N x BP was his best chance as
P x B 3 4 N x P. Now, however, t!1e knigh t at N 2 was out of play.
after either 30 P-QN4 RP x P 3 1 33 B-Q4!
RP x P N x P o r 30 P x B P N x N The decisive move. A s becomes
and 3 1 . . . B x P Black defends clear from the subsequent course of
himself successfully. the game the exchange of a p air of
rooks does not ease Black's game,
whereas the counter sacrifice
mentioned above is no longer
possible.
33 R x R+
34 RxR R-Kl
35 R-Ql B-B l
Parrying the threat of
P -B6-B 7+.
36 P-N4 PxP
37 Px P N-R3
38 N-K4
Now material loss for Black is
forced because of the threat 30
30 N x KBP! N-B6+.
A positional piece sacrifice 38 RxN
which Black has no choice but to 39 Bx R Nx P
accept. 40 Q-Q2 P-Q4
30 PxN Or 40 . . . N-R3 41 Q- N5.
31 Px P N-N2 41 px p px p
32 P-KN4 42 B-KB 3
White's pawns are very strong. Here Black had to seal, but
The scattered nature of Black's Pachman re signed as the numerous
pieces and the open position of his weaknesses in his position
king make his game critical . combined with the poor placing of
32 R-K4 his pieces made further resistance
Seemingly a strong move. Black pointless as White still has his
wants to give the piece back in an strong K- side pawns.
145
64 European Team Championship, Oberhausen 1 96 1

Black : W . Unzicker
1 P-QB4 N-KB3 N-Q5, White must promptly parry

2 N-KB 3 P-K3 the main threat of B-Q5 .
3 P-KN3 P-Q4 14 R;_ B l B-Q5
Apart from the N imzoin.dian, After 14 . . . B x P 1 5 R x P
Unzicker d oesn't play modern White would be better mobilised.
openings, so he d oesn't object to .15 B x B BxN
the ancient Tarrasch· Defence. 16 P-K4!
4 B-N2 P-B4 The only chance to complicate
5 0-0 N-B3 things. 1 6 B - B 5 was unconvincing
6 PxP Px P because of 1 6; . . B x B 1 7 K x B
7 P-Q4 B-K3 R-Kl 1 8 R x P Q x Q 1 9 R x Q
In recent times 7 . . . B-K2 has R x P.
been preferred here; in some cases 16 Bx P
Black can advantageously develop A draw suited my opponent and
his bishop on KB4. he is glad to go for simpl ification;
8 N :.... B 3 B-K2 but fails to notice the loss of a
9 B-K3 pawn. If he had taken the
Unzicker knows very well those paradoxical decision of leaving
openings which he uses. White White with the two bishops by
therefore plays a slightly unusual 1 6 . . . B-K3 ! the p osition would
move so as to make his opponent remain unclear as the weakness of
'work' a little at the board. White's Q4 and Q3 would give
Unzicker and I were fighting for the Black definite counterplay ( 1 7
best score on top board (I had lost B -Q B 3 Q-N 3 or 1 7 B-B5 R- K l ).
to him in the first round) and so I 17 BxB N x B
had t o win this game. Hence the If 1 7 . . . Q x B 1 8 B x N (or 1 8
onus .was on me t o play inventively. Q x Q N x Q 1 9 R x P) Q x Q 1 9
9 P-B5 K R x Q P x B 20 R x P and White
10 N-K5 0-0 has a clear end game advantage.
Now White breaks open the 18 RxP N-K3
centre by a well-known 19 Q-B2
combination which I first saw in a Black failed to take this
game of Levenfish's. If 1 0• . Q-82
. intermediate move into account in
however, then 1 1 B-B4 is an his analysis. White guards his QNP
unpleasant reply. and Black must lose a pawn.
11 N x QBP PxN 19 P-KN 3
12 P-Q5 N x P 20 B x QNP R-N I
13 NxN B-B3 21 B- N 2
Unzicker finds the correct plan. A thoroughly sensible decision.
As 14 N x B+ Q x N carries no On this square the bishop is a
danger for Black because of rel�able defender of his king.
possibilities like QR-QI and 21 Q- B 3
146 Eu rop ean Team Championship, O berhausen 1 96 1
22 P-N3 N-Q5 accurate, forcing White to play 37

23 Q-K4 KR -QI B-K2 which is a move of little
24 KR-Kl N-B4 positional value.
Naturally 24. . . R - K l 25 37 P-B4!
Qx R + etc. was t o White's advantage. I p this way White connects his
25 R-B6 Q-N 7 pieces along the second rank and
26 R-B 2 thus puts an end to Black's
Defending his second rank with initiative.
gain of time. 37 Q-K R 4
26 Q- R 6 38 R-KB 2 Q- R4
27 Q-K5 39 P-KN4
Threatening 28 B-Q5. By Parrying a possible N-B4-K6+
attacking the rook a t K 8 , Black 39 N-K3
parries this threat. 40 P-B5
27 Q-N5 4 0 B x N R x B was unclear.
28 K- B l 40 R-Q8
Very weak! White had already 41 Q-K4 R ( I )-Q5
taken the incorrect decision to
transfer his bishop to QB4. Of
course he should not play 28 B-Q5
because of 28 . . . R x B, but by 28
R ( 2 )- K 2 ! (28 . . . N-Q5 29 R-K4
Q-Q7 30 Q- B 6 ! a move that I
failed to find at the time) White
would consolidate his forces and
B lack's position would be critical.
28 R-N 3 !
Threatening 2 9. . . R-K3.
29 B-Q5 Q-N4+
30 B-B4 Q-Q2
31 Q-K4
As a result of the bishop Here White had to seal. The
manoeuvre B-Q5 -B4 White's king queen sacrifice 4 2 P x N R x Q 43
is unexpectedly in danger. By the P x P+ K-B l 44 R x R ( l ) R x P
text he defends the long white looked very tempting (45 R-Kl
diagonal. R-N 8 + ! ) but I was unable to find a
31 R-Q3 forcing continuation from that
32 R ( 2 )-K2 point onwards.
A tempo loss. 42 Q- K3 Q x R+
32 N-Q5 The best practical chance. If
33 R-K3 N-B4 42 . . . R x R + 43 Q x R Q x Q+ 44
34 R ( 3)-K2 N-Q5 K x Q P x P 45 P x P N-N4 46
35 R-N2 Q-R6+ P-B 6 ! P-KR3 47 K-K2 R-K5+
36 Q-N2 (otherwise 48 B-Q3 ! ) 48 K-Q 2 !
36 K-N I was more careful. and B-Q3 the ending i s very bad
36 Q- B 4 for Black. I must confess that when
Black fails to exploit all his analysing at the aclj ournment I did
chances. 36 . . . Q-R4! was more not see the text with its follow-up
Hastings 1 961-62 147
43 . . . N-B5 , and at the resumption rook b ecoming active.

I was in a difficult position as I had 49 K-N3
only forty mi nutes left for thirteen 50 R-B5 K- R4
moves. Unzicker plays to exchange the
43 QxQ N---8 5 K-side pawns so as to get an
Now, however, White found at ending with pawns on one side
the b oard a clear way of realising only. However then the black king
his advantage. First of all he opens is out of play.
the game up (after all he has bishop 51 R x P+ Kx P
against knight ! ) and prevents 52 R-QR5 R-Q2
Black's P-N4. 53 K- B 2 R-K2
44 PxP RP x P 54 K- B 3 N-N3
45 P-KR4! K-N2 55 B-B4
46 R-B2 I t i s very important t o control
Now simplification i s inevitabl�. KB 7, as then the white king cannot
46 R x Q+ be driven away from the KB file.
47 KxR P-B4 55 N - K4+
48 PxP 56 K-B4 N-N5
H e could probably also win by 57 R-R6 K-R4
48 P-N5 followed by penetrating Otherwise 58 R - K N 6 follows.
with his rook to the seventh. 58 B-Q5 N-K4
48 PxP 59 B-K4!
49 B -:- B l Black resigns as he is in
A winning move. The bishop Zugszwang. I f 59 . . . N- B 2 then 60
occupies here an ideal position. B-B3+ K-R5 61 R-R5 !
Black cannot prevent the white
65 Hastings 1 96 1 -6 2
White : J .E. Littlewood
Sicilian Defence
1 P-K4 P-QB4 deferred until the last possible

2 N-KB 3 P-Q3 mo ment.
3 P-Q4 Px P 6 B-K3 B-N2
4 N xP N-KB 3 7 P-B3
5 N-QB3 P-KN 3 This system of Rauzer, which he
N ormally the Dragon variation is suggested more than thirty years
played with the black knight at ago, is considered the strongest
QB3. In recent years, h owever, even today.
another plan has been adopted 7 P-QR 3
F ollowing Reshevsky's example, 8 B-QB4 P-QN4
the choice of square for this piece is This is the point of Reshevs ky's
148 Hastin.gs 1961-62
line of play - to develop the QB P-K4 1 7 N - B 2 P-R4 would pose

before the QN. more difficult problems for Black,
·
9 B-N3 B-N2 whereas 1 6 N-Q5 B x N 1 7 P x B

10 Q-Q2 QN--Q2 Q-Q2 followed by 1 8 . . . P-K4
11 0-0-0 was-to Black's advantage.
1 1 B-R6 is more unpleasant far: 16 N-Q2
Black, as played against me by Of course not 1 6 . . . P x N 1 7
Krutikhin in the Third Spartakiad P x N KP x P 1 8 P x P with a clear
1 96 3 ( l l B - R 6 B x B 1 2 Q x B positional advantage t o White.
N-B4 1 3 0-0-0 N x B+ 1 4 BP x N 17 P-KR4
Q-N3 15 K-N 1 0-0-0 1 6 Although I had forseen this
P-QN4! K - N l 1 7 N-N3 KR-NI move, it was only when it was made
18 P�XR4 ·R-QB I 19 N- R5 with that I realised what sort of
advantage to White though oppon ent I was facing - White
B o tvinnik managed to draw by must have analysed all the attacking
perpetual check in 29 moves possibilities well in advance.
B.C.) . Unfortunately for Littlewood he
11 N-B4 had overlooked a finesse! One must
White's K B is so actively placed n ote that 1 7 P x P was not
that Black is forced t o exchange it. adequate because of 1 7 . . . . P-K4!
12 K-N l ( 1 7 . . . . P x N 1 8 N-B5 P-B7+ 1 9
Delaying the exchange of K x P P x N 2 0 Q-N 5 + K-R l 2 1
black-squared bishops. By the king P x P Q-B2+ 2 2 K-N l R-KNI
move he prepar�s to occupy the QB was abo possible).
file immediately with his rook 17 Px N
should Black play N x B. Hence 18 P-R5
Q-side castling is now ruled out for
Black.
12 Nx B
13 BP x N
This move in a similar position
in the Dragon variation was first
adopted, so it seems, by
B oleslavsky.
13 0-0
14 B-R6 Bx B
15 QxB P-N5 !
In order to get counterplay
Black must drive the knight away.
For example 1 5 . . . P-K4 is bad
because of 1 6 N-B 2 ! followed by 18 P x KP!
N-K3 gaining control of Q 5 . 1 8 . . . P - B 7 + 1 0 N x P P-N4 20
16 P-K5 Q x NP+ K- R I 21 P x P is far from
Littlewood initiates a forthright clear as White has adequate material
and deeply calculated attack - but compensation for the bishop.
tltere is an inaccuracy in this long 19 RP x P
piece of analysis. We must note that Black's advantage is also .clear
the quiet continuation 1 6 QN-K2 after 19 NP x P P x N 20 R x P
Hastings 1961-62 149
Q-R4. 20 QNP x P PxN

19 N-B3 21 P x RP+ K-Rl
A n d n o w it all becomes clear - 22 RxP Q-R4
Black defends against the mate, as 23 Q-K3 N-Q4
after • 20 N - B 5 (or -20 N - B 6) 24 Q-Q2 N x P+
comes 20 . . . P-B7+. This cunning 25 K-R l Q R -Q I
check w a s overlooked b y White 26 R-QBI Q x P+
when he played 1 6 P-K5. The 27 QxQ NxQ
game i s now decided in Black's 28 RxR RxR
favour. Res igns.
66 Hastin� 1 9 6 1 -6 2
Black : J . Penrose
1 P-Q4 N-KB 3 P-KR4 Q-B5 and here White

2 P-QB4 P-KN3 could have got a marked advantage
3 N-QB3 B-N2 by 16 B-Q3 instead of his 1 6
4 P-K4 P-Q3 B-N2.
5 P-B 3 0-0 12 B-N2 QN-Q2
6 B-K3 P-K4 13 B-N5 Q-R4
7 P-Q5 P-B3 Black has achieved a satisfactory
8 KN-K2 development and has even seized
I n our days opening theory the initiative. The point of his
develops at great speed, quite" in manoeuvre is that after 14 P x P
keeping with the spirit of the age. N x RP 1 5 B-K7 R - K l 1 6 B x P
At the time this move was played it Q-N3 1 7 B - R 3 P-N5 and White
was conSidered White's strongest. loses a piece.
Now authorities on the King's 14 Q- Q2 P-N5
Indian prefer 8 B-Q3. 15 N-Q l N-B4
8 Px P 16 0-0
9 BP x P P-QR 3 The only defence. Now if
10 P-KN4 P-KR� 1 6. . . N-N6 1 7 P x N Q x R 1 8
The idea of this counter, which Q x P and White would have
is considered as practically forced adequate compensation for the
·
for Black, was originated by exchange, and Black's queen would
Gligoric. be in danger.
11 P-KR 3 P-QN4 16 Q-N3
The game B otvinnik-Lombardy, 17 N-B2 Px P
L e ip z ig 1 960, c ontinued Black goes wrong in hurrying to
1 1 . . . N-R2 1 2 P x P Q- R5+ 1 3 make this exchange. He could have
B - B 2 Q x P(4) 1 4 N - N 3 Q-R3 1 5 played 1 7. . . N-R2 ( 1 8 P x P
150 Hastings 1 961-62
N x B 1 9 Q x N K -R2! with
counterplay for his pawn) and meet
1 8 B-K3 with 1 8. • P-R5. The
.
opening of the KR file tends to

favour White.
18 RP x P P-R4
19 N-N3 B-QR3
20 K R� B l QR-B l
21 B K3
- KN-Q2
22 B-B-1
After the exchange of bishops
White's chances of using his Q B 4
square are increased
22 Bx B
23 Kx B P-B3
Essential for a successful defence P-N6 3 5 Q x N would give Black
s ome p r a cti c a l c h a n c es
of the' KR ,file.
(35 . . N-B4, et c.). White prefers a
24 K-N 2 Q-N4
.
prosaic ending a pawn up.

25 P-N 3 K- B 2
34 . . . . P-N6
26 QR-N l
35 QxN P-N7
Directed against a possible P-R5
36 Q- N l P x N (Q)
by Black, as this advance would aid
37 Q x Q(N5) Qx B
the activisation of Black's game as
38 Q x N+ K-Nl
long as both pairs of rooks remain
39 Qx P B-Bl
on the board
Black's only hope lies in �rying
26 R-KR l
to create threats against the enemy
27 R-K R l R x R
king, without counting the cost in
28 Kx R R-QRI
material.
29 K-N2 P-R5
40 Q � BP B-B4
After the exchange of one pair
41 Q x. P+ K- B l
of rooks, Black should refrain from
42 Q- 8 6 + K- N l
this move which significantly
43 Q-K6+ K- B I
weakens his QNP.
44 Q-B8+ K-N2
30 N-K 2 ! Px P
R-R8 45 Q- N 7 + K-B3
31 Px P
{diagram in next column) 46 Q-N2
A tactical oversight. For the sake I t is important to defend the
of objectivity one must note that second rank. The remaining moves
after 3 1 . . R-R6
. 32 N- B l were: 46 . . . K-N3 47 Q- B 2
followed by N ( B2) -Q3 Black i s in K - N 4 4 8 N - R 3 + K - N 3 4 9 Q-B2
a bad way. Q- B 6 5 0 Q-K2 B-�6 5 1 Q-R6+
32 R x R N x NP K-N2 52 Q-N 7+ K-B l 5 3 P-N5
33 Q-R 2 N x R B x P 54 N x B Q-Q7+ 55 K-R3
34 N-B l Q x N 5 6 Q-B8+ K - K 2 5 7 Q-N4
The win of a piece by 3 4 N-N3 Resigns.
Hastings 1 96 1- 6 2 151
67 Hastings 1 9 6 1 -6 2
Black : A. Bisguier
Reti Opening
1 P-KN3 P-Q4 White t o realise t h e plan involving

2 N-K B 3 N-KB 3 P-QR3 and the blockade of the
3 B-N2 P-K3 opponent's Q -side.
4 0-0 B-K2 17 KR-Kl P-N3
5 P- B 4 0-0 Here too it was probably not too
6 P -N 3 P-B 3 late for 1 7 . . . P-QR4.
6 . . . P - B 4 i s more active. 18 P-QR 3
7 B-N2 P-QN 4 It is possible that this is not the
Such a manoeuvre has its point strongest line, as White could
with a white pawn already on Q4. always prevent the ac tivation of
Here it only ties Black down. Black's pawns by controlling QN4.
8 P-Q3 QN-Q2 But what practical player would
9 QN-Q2 B-N2 reject the chance to bloc kade the
10 Q-B 2 R-B l opposing Q wing?
11 P-K4 Q- N 3 18 PxP
12 P-K5 N-Kl 19 Q x RP R- R l
13 P-Q4 P-QB4 20 B -B3 B-Ql
Despite his pretentious play in 21 N-N3 N-N2
the opening, Black would not stand 22 B-R5
too b adly after 1 3 . . . NP x P 1 4 After t h e exchange o f bishops,
P x P P-QB4. H e overlooks a White's pieces dominate the b lack
curious reply by which White squares.
sacrifices a pawn. 22 Q-N2
23 Bx B KR x B
24 N-R5 Q- B 2
25 R-K2 P-QR 3
26 N-Kl N-B4
27 Q-Q B 3 P-N5
This attempt to get counterplay
only results in Black handing back
his extra pawn without getting rid
of the positional drawbacks for
which he previously had some
material compensation.
28 Qx P KR-N I
29 Q- B3 R-N4
30 R ( 2)- R2
14 P-QN 4! P x NP Now Black is f o�ced to lose
15 P-B 5 Q- B 2 material.
16 Q-Q3 B-QB 3 30 P - B3
1 6. . . P-QR4 is preferable. In 31 Nx B QxN
that case it would be difficult for 32 B-Bl
15 2 S to ckh olm 1 9 6 2
Black is faced with the 37 Qx R QxP

unpleasant choice of losing his QRP 38 N-Q3
or the exchange. The black pieces are driven back
32 PxP and the rest is obvious:
33 BxR Qx B 3 &,. . . Q- B3 3 9 Q- B8+ N - B I 40
34 PxP P-Q5 R-R8 N-Q3 4I Q-Q8 Q x Q 42
35 Q-Q3 Qx P R x Q N-N4 43 N- K5 K-N 2 44
36 RxP RxR N- B 6 Resigns.
68 Stockholm 1 9 62
White : P. Skold
Sicilian Defence
I P-K4 P-QB4 19 R- B 7 + - I 5 Q-Q8+ B-B I I 6

2 N-KB 3 P-KN3 R x P ! K x R I 7 Q x QB Q x B 18
3 P-Q4 B-N2 Q x Q+ K - N 2 19 Q-Q4+ Resigns
4 N-B3 px p - B.C.)
5 NxP P-Q3 9 P-QR3
6 B-K3 N-KB 3 10 B-QB4 N-QB3
7 B-QB4 More accurate is IO . . . N x B as
An opening inaccuracy which now White can prevent this
Black exploits straight away. exchange.
Rauzer's 7 P-B3 is correct. Il NxN Px N
7 N-N5 12 P-KR3
8 B -N 5 + K-B I He should play 1 2 B-Q4 and if
This forced loss of castling is not 1 2. . . B-R3 then I 3 Q-Q3 P-K4
dangerous for Black in the given 1 4 B - B 5 while if 1 2. . . N-K4 then
position. 1 3 B - K2 .
9 Q-Q2 12 NxB
If the bishop retreats then I3 Qx N R-QN I
9 . . . Q-N3 follows. (Some doubt is 14 B-N3 Q- N3
cast on the assessment given by I5 Q-B3 B-B3
B o tvinnik in the last three notes by I6 P-N4 P-R3
Zlotnik-Gik, Dubna I 9 6 8 : 9 0- 0 ! 17 P-KR4
N x B I O P x N P-K3 I I B-B4 (see diagram o uer p age)
Q-K2 I 2 QN-N5 - I 2 Q-N4 is White has managed to create
also strong - I 2 . . . K-N I ? - some threats because of the
better I 2 . . . B-K4 - I 3 N x QP ! weaknes of Black's KB2.
Q x N I 4 N x KP ! Q x N - other 17 Q- B4
moves also lose, e.g. I 4. . . Q x Q 18 R-KN I P-N4
1 5 QR x Q N- B 3 I 6 N - B 7 R-N I 19 0-0-0 P-KR4!
1 7 B x P+ K-B l I 8 ,'B-N3+ K-K2 B y the temporary pawn sacrifice
S tockholm 1962 153
Black repulses his opponent's The position looks far from

threats and seizes the initiative. simple but Black finds the correct
plan and without worrying about
material loss forces a rook ending in
which he is bound to get two
united passed pawns.
26 B-K3 !
27 px p px p
28 BxP K-B2
29 B x B+ KxB
Black is now two pawns down
but there is no doubt that he is
going to win!
30 R-Q4 RxP
31 R-B 4 R-N5
32 RxR RP x R
20 NP x P P-N5 33 K-Q2 K-Q4
21 Q-Q3 P-R4 34 K-K3 RxP
22 P-B4 35 R-Q l + K- B4
This leads t o a favourable ending 36 R-Q7 R- R 6 +
for Black. 37 K-K2 R -KB6
22 BxN The final link in the plan
23 QxB inaugurated by Black's 20th move.
If 23 P x B then 23 . . . P-R5 38 RxP RxP
and White's king looks in great 39 K-K3 R- K5 +
danger. 40 K-Q3 K-Q4
23 QxQ 41 P-R3 R-Q5+
24 PxQ P-KB4 42 K-K3 P-B 5 +
In this way Black main tains his 43 K-K2 Px P
passed pawn. 44 R-QR7 KxP
25 P-K5 P-Q 4 45 RxP P-B6+
26 P-B4! Resigns.
69 S tockholm 1 962
Black : 0. Olson
English Opening
1 P-QB4 P-K4 This retreat is, in essence, forced

2 N-QB3 N-KB 3 and White is now playing a not
3 P-KN 3 P-Q4 disadvantage ous Sicilian variation
4 PxP N x P with an extra tempo.
5 B-N2 N-N 3 6 N-B3 N-B3
154 Stockh olm 1 9 6 2
7 0-0 B-K2 opened 1 6. . . R x P 1 7 B - B 4 P-N4

8 P-QR3 P-B4 1 8 QR-Kl R x R 1 9 R x R P x B
Black thus commits himself. The 20 Q-B 7 B-Q2 2 1 P-R5 B x P 2 2
cautious move was 8 . . . P-QR4. P x N B P x P 2 3 N - K 6 Q-K2 24
9 P-Q3 0-0 Q x Q B x Q 25 N x QP B -N 5 2 6
10 P-QN4 B-B3 R-Nl ). O l s o n finds interesting
11 P-N5 N-Q5 counterplay b ased on the fact that
Several rounds later Lundin White's knight has n o retreat
played 1 1 . . . N-QR4 against me in square.
an analogous p o sition but after the 16 R-K4!
white bishop went to Q2 Black 17 B-QR3 B-K2
again had a difficult p ositioIL 18 KR-B l Q-B l
Black's apparent t h r eat Here it was my intention to
1 1 . . . P-K5 is no threat at all reply 19 P-R5 B x N 2 0 B x B
because of the indirect defence of R x B 21 R x R Q x R 22 P x N
the knight (Q- N 3+). Q x P ( 3 ) - otherwise 23 Q- B 7 -
12 NxN PxN 23 Q- R 3 B-Q2 24 Q x P with a
13 Q-N3+ slightly better ending. However if
A useful check a s n o w the Black replies 1 9 . . . N-R l ! White
knight can no longer occupy the would find it very hard to counter
central square Q4. the threat to his knight from
13 K-R l P-QN 3. So White has to change his
14 N-R4 R-K l niind quickly and regroup.
White would also have an 19 Q- B 2 N-Q4
o b vio u s advantage after N o w White wins comparatively
14 . . . N x N as the white bishop at simply. At the time of the game I
KN2 is very strong but Black would was worried ab out 1 9 . . . P-B 5 but
have one less enemy piece to worry analysis showed that this too was
about. inadequate for Black, e.g.
15 N-B5 R-QN l 1 9 . . . P- B 5 20 P x P R-R4 (or
16 P-QR4 20 . . . Q x P 2 1 N-K4 R-R4 2 2
N-N3 ) 21 P- K3 N-Rl
( 2 1 . . . B - R 6 2 2 Q-K2 ) 2 2 B - B 3
R-R6 2 3 Q-K2 P-QN 3 24 N - R 6
B x N 25 B x B Q x B 26 P x B.
20 P- K3 !
Now the game is opened up,
Black loses control of his key
points in the centre and his
backward development must tell
against him.
20 N-B6
O r 20 . . . P x P 2 1 P-Q4
21 Px P N-K7+
22 K- B l N x QP
It seems that White has a clear 23 Q- B3
advantage. It is risky for Black to 23 Q- B4 was more energetic.
take the KP as the K-file is thereby 23 Q-Q l
XV Olympia d, Varna 1962 155
24 R-Kl R x R+ 27 Q-- B 7 N-K3

25 RxR B-B3 28 NxN Resigns.
26 Q-B4 P-QN 3 After 28 . . . B x N 29 R x B
Hastening the inevitable. His Q x P+ 30 K-N l Black remains a
only chance to figh t. on was piece down.
26 . . . P-B 5 .
70 XV Olympiad, Varna 1 962

White : W. Unzicker
Robatsch Defence
1 P-K4 P - K N3 where it will be cut off from the

2 P-Q4 B-N2 Q-side and the central square Q4, or
3 N-KB 3 P-Q3 play to K3 when pressure is
4 N-B3 removed from Black's QBP and
Generally speaking Black has Black can adva ntageously open the
more serious pro bl ems in the King's c entre.
Indian, so that from this point of 12 B-K3 P-Q4
view 4 P-B4 deserves preference. 13 Px P NxP
However , Unzicker is a committed 14 NxN Qx N
adherent to the openings leading to As Black has somewhat
an open· game and so av oids this wea kened his K-side he ought not to
transition to a closed opening. avoid the exchange of queens.
4 N-KB 3 15 P-B 3 Qx Q
5 B-K2 0-0 16 KR x Q QR -Q l
6 B-KB4 N-B3 17 B-N5
7 P-Q5 White punctiliously exchange
Probably overl ooking the reply. pieces, seeing in this the shortest
There was no point in permitting way to a draw.
Black to advance his centre pawn 17 B-Q4
u nscathed. 18 N-Q4 BxN
7 P-K4 19 BxB P-QR3
8 P x P e.p. 20 BxN BxB
After this Black gets out of all 21 R-Kl P-B4
his opening difficulties. 8 B-KN5 22 P-B3 B-N4
was more logical. 23 P-QN4 P-N3
8 B x P 24 R x R+ R .l( R
9 0-0 R-Kl 25 P-QR4 B- B 5
10 R-Kl P-KR3 26 P-R5 R-K3
11 P-KR3 P-KN4 It would appear that White has
Now White must make a choice; not exchanged off in the most
either to retrea t his bishop to R2 accurate way as Black's pieces now
156 XV Olympiad, Varna 1962
are a little m ore actively placed, but

there was no reason for White to
worry. However, the following
p awn exchange must be criticised as
it gives Black the , theoretical
possibility of getting a distant
passed pawn.
27 px p px p
28 K-B 2 K- B 2
Black achieves nothing by
28 . . . R-K7+ 29 K-N 1 as his QNP
is then en prise.
29 R-Kl RxR
30 KxR P-QR4
A little surprise. White decides victory for Black. Probably White
not to accept the Greek gift as after could still save the game by the
3 1 B x P P-R5 32 K-Q2 B-B8 bishop manoeuvre B-N6-Q8.
Black would get passed pawns o n 35 P-B5
b o t h sides of t h e board. 36 B-K5
31 Px P PxP No be tter is 36 B - B 2 P x R P 3 7
32 P-N3 P-R5 P x R P K-K3 followed b y K-B4
33 K-Q2 and B-Q4.
A significant inaccuracy. It was 36 K-K3 !
better to hold back with the bishop Winning an important tempo for
(33 B -B 5 ) than with the king. The the defence of the KBP.
magical drawing p owers of opposite 37 B-B 7 P x RP
bishops (with, after all, material 38 BxP
equality ! ) apparently led to a loss Or 38 P x RP K-B4 etc.
of vigilance o n the part o f my 38 P-R6
opponent. 39 P-N4 P-R5 !
33 P-R6 The only way to win. Although
34 K-B 2 P-R4 the RP is doubled it is very strong.
35 P-R4 The front one will win the bishop
(d iagram in nex t colu m n} and the back one will queen.
This is the 1 osing move. However 40 B-R2 B-K7
after 35 P-B4 P-R5 36 P x RP ( 3 6 White resigns as if 41 K-N3
B - B 2 P-N 5 ) P x B P the doubled B x P 42 K x P B x P 43 K-N4
KBP would be enough to guarantee K-Q4 44 P-B4+ K-K5 etc.
15 7
7 1 1 st Game, World Championship Match, Moscow 1 963

White : T. Petrosian
Nimzoindian Defence
I P-Q4 N-KB 3 A natural decision - the way

2 P-QB4 P-K3 must be freed to develop the
3 N-QB 3 B-N5 bishop . It is doubtful whether 1 2
4 Q-B2 N-B l was better. One must confess
This move which was popular in that the whole opening idea based
the 1 9 30s but then became o n 1 1 N-K2 hardly merits
unfashionable, guarantees White approval.
against any surprises. But not much 12 P-KN 3 !
else can be achieved by it. Only this energetic continuation
4 P-Q4 t hreatening P-R4-R5 can
5 PxP PxP embarrass W h ite. Any other way of
6 B-N5 P-KR3 playing would enable him to
7 BxN complete his development without
If White wants to avoid any bother.
complications this ex change is 13 P- 83
essential as after 7 B-R4 P-B4 This move can be understood
Black can try to seize the initiative. only if White intended t o castle
Now, ho wever, a further exchange long when he would first have to
of minor pieces is inevitable. guard the pawn at 8 2. As in w hat
7 Qx B follows White does not (and with
8 P-QR3 B x. N+ good reason ! ) castle long the text is
9 Qx B P-B3 a waste of time as .well as a
10 P-K3 0-0 weakening of his p osition.
11 KN-K2 13 P-KR4
White decides that KB4 will be 14 B-K2 N-Q 2
the best square for his knigh t . H i s Black doesn't hurry with his
plan will then consist of playing his P-R5 as the knight has KB 1 still
bishop to K2, castling short and available to it, whereas if now 1 5
starting the st andard minority 0-0 P-R5 1 6 N - R l Q-N 4 (Keres'
attack on the Q-side. In the . game 1 6 . . . Q-K2 is dubious because of
Reshevsky-Geller, Zurich 1 9 5 3 , 1 7 P-K4 P x P 1 8 P x P Q x KP 1 9
White carried o u t this plan without B-B4) 1 7 P- K4 P x P 1 8 P x P
much hindrance after 1 1 . . . B-B4. R x P 1 9 8- 84 (or 1 9 Q-B3
11 R-Kl N- B 3 ) N-B3 and Black's
This simple move prevents advantage is obvious.
N-B4 and thus the plan which was Hence White refrains from
envisaged, po ssibly, even before the cas tling, guards h i s KP. and leaves
game began. Could this b e the Bl vacant for his knight.
reason for the lack o f confidence 15 K- B 2 P-R5
which now shows up in White's 16 N-B l N- 8 1
play? 17 N-Q2
12 N-N 3 Obviously White must get his
KR into play, and no less obviously despite his two pieces up, White is
Black must double on the K-file. helpless and doesn't have a single
17 R-K2 satisfactory move.
18 KR-Kl B-B4 White could try to defend by 22
19 P-R3 • Q-Q l (instead of 22 K-N I ) when
This move has only one good there would equally follow
point about it - he is freed of the 22 . . . B x P 23 P x B N - K5 + !
necessity of calculating variations ( 23 . . . N x P + i s less convincing
involving P-R6 for Black. Its bad because of 24 K-N 2 R x P 25
points from a positional point of N x R Q-N4+ 26 N-N4) 24 K-N2
view are clear. KN3 is weakened Q-N4+ 2 5 K- R 2 N - B 7 26 Q-Q2
and the possibility of P - KN 4 is R x P 2 7 B - Q I Q-B5+ 28 K-N2
once and for all removed from the N x B 29 QR x N Q x P+ 30 K-Nl
agenda. R-K7 3 1 R x R R x R 32 Q-N5
19 QR-Kl Q-B7+ 33 K- R l R x P - a
20 N- B l N-K3 variation p o inted out by Averbach.
21 Q-Q2 This would have been the logical
S ticking to his waiting tactics. If conclusion to the game and would
21 . B-Q3 then 2 1 . . . P- B 4 ! 22 clearly demonstrate the risk
B x B P x P 23 P x P Q x B 24 involved in such unj ustified waiting
�-K5 Q-B5 25 QR-Kl R - B 2 moves as 1 3 P-B3 and 1 9 P-R3.
and White has serious difficulties. Now, however, Black has only
some p ositional advantage and the
struggle goes on.
22 QR-Q I N-R4
23 R-B l Q-Q3
24 R-B3 N-N6
25 K-N l N-R4
26 B-Ql R-K3
27 Q- KB 2 Q-K2
28 B-N3 P-KN4
29 B-Ql B-N3
30 P-KN4
It is curious that at the very
moment when White was not
directly threatened by anything at
21 N-N2 all. Petrosian, who had adopted
Here I spent a long time careful tactics throughout the
exammmg 2 1 . . . N-N4 followed game, suddenly throws himself into
by a sacrifice on R 6. After the complications - and wrongly so.
forced 22 K-N l B x P 23 P x B Could it be that this was connected
N x RP+ 24 K- R l ( 24 K-R2 with hopes based on his opponent's
R x P 25 N x R Q- B 5 + 2 6 K- R l coming time trouble?
N - B7 + 2 7 K-Nl Q-N6+ 28 30 P x P e.p.
K-B l N-R6 2 9 B-QI Q-N 8 + 30 31 NxP N-B5
K-K2 N-B5 mate) Q-N4 25 This move was apparently
K-R2 Q-N 8+ 26 K x N R x P it overlooked or underestimated by
was difficult to perceive that White.
32 Q-R2 P-QB4 35 B-B 2

32 • N-Q6 also won.
. • 35 B x P R-Nl 36 B�R4
Or
33 Q-Q2 N-Q6.
Of course not 33 P x P because 35 N x P+
of 3 3 . , . P-Q5 nor 33 R.x P R x P. 36 K- B l Q- B 3
33 P-B5 37 K-N 2 N- B 5 +
34 B-R4 38 PxN Rx R
Merely provoking the advance of 39 PxP Q-K3
the QNP which is favourable to 40 P-B4 R-K7+
Black. Resigns.
34 P-N4
72 1 4th Game, World Championship Match, Moscow 1 963

Black : T. Petrosian
Queen's Gambit D eclined
1 P- Q4 P-Q4 11 0-0
2 P-QB4 P-K3 12 K-N 2 Px P
3 N-QB3 B-K2 13 KN x P
4 PxP Px P In this way White wins time to
5 B-B4 P-QB3 play P-B3. After the inevitable
6 P-K3 B- KB4 exchange of knights White once
7 P.... K N 4 B-K3 again gets a central pawn on Q4.
8 P-KR 3 13 NxN
This i s stronger than I played in 14 Px N N-Q2
the 1 2 th game. If 14 . . . N-K5 1 5 N x N P x N
8 N-B3 1 6 B x P P-B4 1 7 P x P B x P 1 8
9 B-Q 3 Q-Q3 Black's temporary initiative
An even more unpleasant move would not compensate for his lost
for Black is 9 N - B 3 , a conclusion I pawn.
reached in the 1 8th game. 15 Q- B 2 N-B3
9 P-B4 Black waits, trying to av oid a
Black finds a means of weakening of his K-side pawn
exploiting the fact that it i s not position. He would answer 1 6
good for White to open up the P-N5 b y 1 6 . . . N-R4 attacking
game ( 1 0 P x P) because of his the bishop and KNP.
weakened K- side. 16 P-B3 R-QB I
10 N-B3 N-B3 17 B-K5 B-Q3
11 K-B l Exploiting the fact that 1 8
Artificial castling is the most B x N Q x B 1 9 B x P + K - R l i s not
logical play in this variation - it is in White's favour. However the
clear that the KR has to stay at R 1. exchange of black-squared bishops
in the present situation serves as a

prelude to a favourable ending for
White.
18 QR-K l BxB
19 Bx B
Of course not 1 9 P x B P-Q5 20
P x N Q x P and White's position is
shattered, but not here
19 . . . N-R4 20 Q-Q2.
19 P -KN 3
20 Q-B 2 N-Q2
21 R-K 2 N-N3
22 KR- K l
T h e advance p f t h e KRP looked
tempting, but after 22 P-KR4 White will dominate the black
Q- B 3 2 3 P-R5 K-N 2 (or squares.
23 . . . N- B 5 ) White has cut down 30 B-B 2
his freedom of action. It seemed to 31 R x R+ B x R
me that in such po sitions one 32 Q- K3 B-B2
should seek to reserve the choice of 33 P-N5 B-K3
a wide number of courses. This attempt to p lay his bishop
22 N-B5 to B4 fails.
Perhaps his only active chance 34 N-B4 B-B2
( threatening N x P) but now If 3 4. . . B - B 4 then 3 5 P x P
White is left with a good knight R x . P 36 Q-K5 and the QP is in
against bad bishop. danger.
23 BxN RxB 35 N-Q3 B-K3
Naturally not 23 . . . P x B 24 36 Px P QxP
P-Q5 B-Q2 (24 . . . B x P 25 37 Q-N5 Q x Q+
R-Q l ) 2 5 Q-Q4 with obvious After a white pawn gets to KN5
advantage t o White. the end game is difficult for Black.
24 R-Q2 R-Kl 3 7. . . K-N2 38 N-B4 K- B 2 was
25 R-K3 P-QR3 better.
26 P-N 3 38 PxQ P-R5
By driving away the rook, White A positional mistak � . I n trying
ensures the safety of his QP and t o activate his rook Black concedes
prepares to transfer his knigh t to a the important square QB 5 which
more active position the white knigh t will occupy.
26 R- B 3 39 PxP
27 N-R4 P-N3 The alternative was 39 N-K5
28 N- N2 P-QR4 R-B6 40 P x P R-R6 41 R-N2
29 N-Q3 P-B3 R x P ( 5) 42 R x P R x P+ and so
30 P-KR4 on. White avoids this, judging it
(diagram in nex t column) more advantageous to retain his
Finally the time has come for QRP.
this move, but its aim is by no 39 R-B5
means an attack on the king but the 40 P-R 5 ! PxP
preparation of P-KN 5 after which 41 N -B5 B-B4
III Spartak iad, Moscow 1 963 161
42 K�N3 P-R5 They recommended 5 4. , . P-N4

43 K-B4 P-R6 thinking that after 55 R-R 7 P-R5
44 K-K5 R-N5 5 6 K-Q8+ K - B 3 (or 5 6 . . . K-N3)
45 N-Q3 R-N4 57 P-Q7 P-R6 etc. Black could
46 K-Q6 K-&2 achieve a draw. Certainly
47 K-B6 54. . . P-N4 would p ose White
F arcing a transposition into a difficult problems, but it seems that
favourable R+P ending. by 55 R-R5 (and not 55 R - R 7 )
47 BxN K- B 3 5 6 K-Q8 P - R 5 5 7 P-Q7
48 RxB R-N7 P-R6 58 R-R6+ K-N 2 59 R-K6
49 RxP R-N 7 P-R 7 60 R- K l he could retain
50 Kx P R x P+ considerable winning chances.
51 K - B6 55 P-B4 R- KB 7
Doubtless the most energetic. Now 5 5 . . . P-N4 is bad because
51 P-R4 of 56 P x P K-N3 5 7 K-Q8 K x P
52 P-Q5 R-N7 5 8 P-Q7 K-N5 59 R-R8 ! P-R6
53 P-Q6 R- B 7 + 60 K-K7 etc.
54 K-Q7 P-R5 56 K- B8 R x BP
This move was ju stly criticised 57 R-R7+ Resigns.
by Romanovsk y and S hamkovich.
73 III Spartakiad, Moscow 1 963

White : A. Gipslis
Robatsch Defence
1 P-K4 P-KN3 S o as to be able to meet P-K5

2 P-Q4 B- N 2 by N- Q4. There is also a po ssibility
.3 N-KB3 P-Q3 of N x P and if Q x N P-Q4.
4 B-QB4 6 B-N3 0-0
Black has more difficulties in the 7 0-0 P-QR4
King's Indian Defence (4 P-B4), 8 P-QR4
but if W hite is prepared to let his A c ommittal move. 8 P-QR3 or
opponent play Ufimstev's Defence 8 P-B3 are more careful.
(as the R ussians call the R obatsch 8 B-N5
- B . C . ) he should not develop his 9 QN-Q 2 P-Q4
bishop on QB4. It is better to play Shutting White's KB out of play.
4 N-B 3. The advance P-K5 now carries no
4 N-KB 3 danger for Black as he has his QB in
•
5 Q- K2 play.
If 5 P-K5 P x P 6 N x P 0- 0 and 10 P-K5 K N-Q2
Black will play the freeing P- QB4. 11 P-KR3
5 P-B3 1 1 P-K6 B x KP 1 2 N-N5 fails
162 III Spartak iad, Moscow 1 963
to 1 2. . . B x QP. One gets the impression that

11 BxN after all W hite has some
12 NxB P-K3 compensation for his pawn. In
13 B-N5 particular there is already a threat
An energetic move, but not very of 2 1 N x KP and 21 R-KB3 looks
.
good. He should rather take quite awkward.
prophylactic measures to meet the 20 R x Bl
possibility of his centre coming The sacrifice of the exchange
under attack by P-QB4. lets Black nip White's threats in the
13 Q-N 3 bud and seize key central points.
Rather surprisingly i t now 21 QxR NxP
becomes clear that the need to 22 BxN
guard his bishop rules out P-B 3, White still doesn't give up hope
and this bishop in its turn cannot of attac king and so avoids the
move as then the QNP would be en exchange of queeqs by 22 Q- B5
prise. Replying· on the strength of thinking that in t h e ending he
his two bishops, Gipslis decides to would only have the prospect of
go for complicatioris in the centre struggling for a draw. However, this
and doesn't shrink from giving up a was possibly the lesser evil.
pawn. 22 Bx B
14 R-R3 P-QB 4 23 R-K B 3 R-KB I
15 P-B4 QP x P 24 R-Ql B-N 2
16 BxP 25 N-K4 P-K4
White's initiative cannot be 26 P-KN4
prolonged because Black completes After this serious weakening of
his development without hindrance the k -side the only attacking is
and then takes aim at W hite's KP . going to b e done by Black. True,
16 px p the ending was not at all nice for
17 B-K 7 White after 26 R-QB I Q-QB3 2 7
O f course not 1 7 R-N3 Q-B4. Q x Q P x Q 2 8 N - B 6+ B x N 2 9
17 R-B l R x B R-Q l .
18 B-Q6 N-QB 3 26 P-R3
19 R-N 3 N-N5 27 R-QB l Q-Q l
20 N-N5 28 Q- B 7 Q- Q4
29 N-B6+ BxN
30 Rx B N-Q6
31 Q- B4 Q-K5
Now there is no satisfactory
defence t o N - B 5
32 Q- B 2 K-N 2
White resigns a s after t h e rook
leaves the KB file, 33 . . . Q- B6
threatens N - B 5 or N x R or
Q x RP.
1 63
74 3rd Spartakiad, Moscow 1 963

White : M. Taimanov
Nimzoindian Defence
I P-Q4 N-K B 3 know whether my opponent h ad

2 P-QB4 P-K3 seen this variation or had blindly
3 N-QB3 B-N5 passed the danger by. After the
4 P-K3 P-B4 game we began analysing and
5 N-B3 P-QN 3 naturally I kept quiet and waited
6 B- Q3 B-N2 for what my opponent would say.
7 0-0 0-0 At the moment Petrosian came up
8 N-QR4 Q- K2 to our table and everything became
8. . . P x P was considered clear. " Why didn't you play the
essent ial here so as to ensure a variation IO P x P P x P 1 1 N x P?"
retreat for the bishop to K2. From the World Champion asked,
this p oint of view the text h as confirming my opinion of his play.
pretentions to originality, but one " What do you mean?" answered
must admit that a similar idea had Taimanov, " Th ere was the
already occurred in some games of unpleasant intermediate move
Keres. The bishop will not be as 1 2. . . B x N." Hence my comment,
badly placed on R4 as it seems. "Bravo , M ar k !".
I must point out that I had Now a complex situation has
prepared the text for my match arisen. Both the white knigh t and
with Petrosian. When, however, the the black bishop are p o sted at the
opportunity to use the new edge of the board. Of course the
"weap o n " did not arise then I was bishop is the more actively p laced,
glad to play i t against Taimanov but it has no moves whereas White
who is probably the leading can manoeuvre his knight around
authority on the Nimzoidian. At and has, apart from that, the
first he looked rather suspiciously unpleasant threat of P-QN4. Will
at the situation, but then made the Black be able to keep his head
following moves pretty quickly. above water?
9 P-QR3 B-R4 IO P-Q4
10 P-QN 3 11 BP x P KP x P
Bravo, M ar k ! Bearing in mind 12 B-N2 QN-Q2
Petrosian 's penchant for exchanges 13 Q- K2 N-K5
in general and for the advantage of 14 QR-B l B- B 3 !
the two bishops in particular, I had The only good way. Now 1 5
prepared here amongst other things B-N5 B x B 1 6 Q x B P-QR3 1 7
the variation I O P x P P x P 1 1 Q-K2 P-B5 ( 1 8 P-QN4 P-QN4)
N x P Q x N 1 2 P-QN4 when there looks dubious fof White. Taim;mov
would have followed 1 2. . . B x N ! agrees to exchange his knight for
1 3 Q x B Q-K4 1 4 P x B Q x R 1 5 the bishop at R4 after which White
Q x R Q- B 6 1 6 B - K 2 N-B3 and stands sligh tly better, but Black has
Black has the initiative. won the psychological b attle, as
N aturally I was intrigued to White has not managed to exploit
164 Ill Spartak iad, Moscow 1 963
the awkward p osition of the R x B B-R3. All the same I

bishop. decided to play the move only after
15 N-B3 Bx N a lot of hesitation, as after 25 P x P
16 BxB P-QR4 P x P 26 R x P ! N x R 2 7 R x N
17 B-N2 KR- B l White would have a lot of
After the mistaken 1 7 . . . P-R5 compensation for the exchange.
1 8 Q P x P! NP x P 19 P-QN4 However, my opponent was so cast
Black would b e in a critical down at having missed the move
po sition. that he thought for a long time and
18 N-K5 made a bad reply.
Excellent p la y . After
1 8 . . . N x N 1 9 P x N P-QN 4 20
P- B 3 W hite's QB would come to
life and Black's advanced knight
would be driven t o KN4 when
White's K-side initiative would
become threatening.
18 B-N 2 !
19 KR-Q I QN- B 3
Much the same sort of k night
formation that I had against Filip in
the 1 9 6 2 Olympiad.
20 P-B3
There was no need for this
weakening. 25 px p px p
20 N-Q3 26 B-K4
21 P-QR4 R-B2 After this White i s lost.
22 R-B2 N(B3)-Kl 26 NxB
23 KR-QB I 27 PxN Qx P
This time Taimanov fails to spot 28 RxP
his opponent's idea. And this loses a piece. The
23 P-B3 remaining moves were: 28 . . . R x R
24 N-N4 P-B5 29 Q x R+ B-Q4 30 Q-K2 P-R4
(diagram in next column) 31 N-K5 P x N 32 P x P P-R5 33
Although W hite's QB4 is P-R3 Q x RP 34 B-Q4 Q-Q2 35
guarded by five W hite men as Q-R5 P-QN4 3 6 R- B I N - B 2 3 7
opposed to Black's three the text is R - B 4 B - B 2 3 8 Q- B 3 B - Q 4 3 9
possible because of the variation 25 Q-R5 Q-K l 4 0 Q x P N - K 3 4 1
P x P P x P 26 B x BP+ R x B! 2 7 R - B 5 Q-N 3 W hite resigns.
165
7 S Amsterdam 1 963
Black : T. van Scheltinga
Reti Opening
I P-QB4 N-KB3
2 N-QB3 P-B4
3 P-KN3 P-K3
4 N-B3 P-Q4
The line is somewhat akin to the
Queen's I ndian Defence.
5 . . . P-QN3 6 B-N2 B -N 2 is
probably preferable here.
5 PxP NxP
And now Black avoids the
Tarrasch Defence which would arise
after 5 . . . P x P 6 P-Q4.
6 B-N2 N-QB3
7 0-0 NxN
This exchange has little to The critical point. Black should
justify it. 7 . . . B-K2 is more play here 1 7 . . . B - K5 ! and would
natural. thereby greatly hinder White's
8 NP x N B-K2 course of action. In that case the
9 P-Q4 0-0 plan of creating a passed QP would
10 P-K4 perhaps not have proved all th at
This speeds u p the real action. strong. Now, Black loses an
White creates a passed QP. important tempo and White's
10 P-QN3 attack can no . longer be held back.
11 P-Q5 N-R4 18 N-K5 Q- R5
12 B-B4 19 P-Q6! QR-QI
A useful move as it will now b e 20 B-Q5 B-K3
hard t o blo ckade White's passed Or 20 . . . R-KB I 2 1 B-R6
pawn. B- N 2 2 2 N x B P R x N 2 3 B x R+
12 Px P K x B 24 R- K7+.
13 Px P B-B3 21 P-Q7 R- K B I
Black prevents N-K5 - B 6 as 22 R- K4
now 1 4 N-K5 is m e t by Winning a tempo for the transfer
1 4. . . P-KN4. of this rook to the K-side.
14 Q- B 2 P-N 3 ! 22 P-B5
Excellent play, The black QB 23 B-R6 B-N2
will be well p laced on KB4 and 24 Bx B Kx B
Black also protects his KRP. 25 R-R4
1 4. . . Q x P is obviously bad A fine p oint probably
because of 1 5 N -K l . underestimated by my o pponent.
15 QR-QI B-B4 H e apparently was expecting the
16 Q-B l R-Kl obvious 25 B x B when the KB file
I7 K R-Kl Q-Q2 is opened and Black would have
166 A msterdam 1 963
some chances of salvation. 26 R ( l )-Q4 QxP

25 K-Nl 27 Q- R 6 R esigns.
76 Amsterdam I 963
Black : J. H. Donner
Reti Opening
I P-QB4 N-KB 3 white-squared bishops is essential.

2 N-KB3 P-K3 14 B x,B
3 P-KN 3 P-Q4 15 KxB Q-B 2
4 B-N2 B-K2 16 Q-N3 KR-B l
5 0-0 0-0 17 KR-B l Q-N2+
6 P-N 3 P-QN 3 18 Q-KB3
7 B -N 2 B-N 2 All p erfectly consequent. The
8 Px P NxP exchange of queens would remove
8 . . . P x P l eads t o a game with yet another black piece capable of
greater content. My opponent was defending his QB3, e.g.
satisfied with a draw because of his 1 8 . . Q x Q+ 1 9 N (2 ) x Q K - B l
.
tournament position and so he 2 0 N - B 6 R - B 2 2 1 R - B 2 QR- B l

chose the vanat10n in which 2 2 QR-QB I threatening 23 N x B
simplification is the more likely. R x R 24 N x R when White's
9 P-Q4 P-QB4 advantage is clear. Black decides to
IO P x Pl keep queens on, reckoning on
Probably t h e only chance of counterplay in the middlegame but
getting an o pening advantage, as this does not ease his po sition.
now Black has to lose a tempo on 18 N-Q4
capturing the pawn with his bishop. With the cunning threat
IO BxP 1 9 . . . N-K4 20 Q-K4 P-B4 2 1
11 QN-Q2 N-Q2 Q x N(K5) N- B 5 + and
12 P-QR 3 N(4)-B3 2 2. . . Q-N 7 mate. B u t now has
Do nner fails to spot his come the time when it is to White's
opponent's idea. He took it that advantage to advance his centre
White threatened with his last move pawn.
to advance P-K4 and decided to 19 P-K4 N(4)-B3
prevent this. In fact White intends (see diagram over page)
to win control of the square QB6 20 P-N 5 !
and Black had to parry this by S o , the aim has been achieved
1 2. . . P-QR4. Now 20 . . . N-K4 gets Black
13 P-QN4 B-K2 nowhere after 2 1 Q-K2 followed
14 N-Q4 by P-B4 and the knight must
To achieve the aim set out in the retreat.
last note the e xchange of the 20 P-QR3
Moscow Team Championsh ip 1 964 167
exploit effectively his control of

the Q�file, controlling as he does
the square Q8.

25 N-Kl
26 N-B4 N-B4
27 P-K5
Restricting still m:ore the
mobility of Black's pieces.
27 . . . N-B2 loses at once to 28
R-Q 7 ! (28 . . . N x R 29 N-K7+).
27 R- B l
28 R-QR l
Now the penetration along the
QR file decides as there is no
21 N-B6 B-B l defence to 29 R-R7, e.g.
Slightly better was 2 1 . . . B-B4. 28 . . . R- R l 29 R x R and 3 0
22 P-QR4 Px P N-K7+.
23 Px P RxR 28 R-B2
24 RxR R-Rl 29 R-R7 Qx R
25 R-Q l ! Or 2 9. . . Q- B l 30 N x NP.
This move, modest though it is 31 Nx Q RxN
at first sight, decides the game. The 31 N x NP Resigns.
black rook has no prospects on the I f 3 1 . . . R-N2 or 3 1 . . . N-B2,
QR file while White threatens to then 32 Q-B6.
77 Moscow Team Championship 1 964

Black : V. Liberzon
1 P-QB4 N-KB 3 In the Hastings 1 96 1 -62

2 N-QB3 P-KN3 tournament, Penrose played the
3 P-K4 P-Q3 usual 10 . . . P-KR4 against me a1id
4 P-Q4 B-N2 got equality (see game 66).
5 P-B 3 0-0 Liberzon's choice is more
6 B-K3 P-K4 committal.
7 P-Q5 P- B 3 11 P-KR4
8 KN-K2 F orced, as otherwise there
White. hopes t o gain a tempo by follows the blocking mano euvre
refraining from 8 Q-Q2. B-B 3- R 5.
8 Px P 11 P-B4
9 BP x P P-QR3 12 NP x P Px P
10 P-KN4 N-Kl 13 Px P B- B 3 !
168 Mosc o w Team Championship 1 964
The only chance. 1 3 . . . B x P his control. Now White has no

was bad because of 1 4 N-N3 when choice - he must castle long.
White controls important squares in 19 Q-Q2 B-R5
the centre and on the K-side. 19 . . . N-Q5 ! would lead to a
14 B-B 2 N ...:.. N 2 more complicated game.
15 N-K4 B x BP 20 0-0-0 BxB
Not a very logical continuation. 21 Qx B
The obvious move was 1 5 . . . N x P · At this p oint Black settled down
although then 1 6 N-N5 was to to a long think. After 2 1 . . . N-Q5
White's advantage. 22 K-N l Q-K2 2 3 B-R3 N x P
16 N ( 2 )-N 3 ! 24 P-R6! White has the attack and
the black king is less safely placed
then the white monarch . Hence
Black offers the exchange of
queens, but the ending turns out to
be unfavourab le for him.
21 Q- N 3
22 Qx Q NxQ
23 B-R3 QR-Q l
24 N-N5
The weakness of Black's K3 is
very noticeable. The black rook had
no good retreat square, but all the
same he should play 24. . . QR-Kl
although after 25 R-Q3 White
Now White's advantage is clear, would retain the initiative.
as 16 . . . B x P is impossible because 24 N-Q5
of 1 7 R x B Q x R 1 8 N x B. The 25 N-K6
bishop a t B4 has no good retreat This is good because White gets a
square but Black still finds a strong passed pawn defended by
tactical finesse. the bishop but even more energetic
16 QN-Q2 was 25 B - K6+ N x B (25 . . . K-N2
The QP is not in danger for the 26 P- R6+ K-N3 27 N-K4 N x BP
moment - 1 7 N x P B x P 1 8 R x B 28 R-R3 R - B5 29 R-N3+ K x P
Q x R 1 9 N x B Q-N 5 + to Black's 30 R- R l + N-R5 3 1 N-N5 ) 26
advantage. But White merely had to P x N and Black's game falls to
play 1 7 Q-Q2 ! , renewing the pieces.
threat of N x P and preparing to 25 Nx N
castle long, in order t o put his 26 Px N R-B3
opponent -in a difficult position. 26 . . . N- B l was a sligh tly more
Instead White loses a vital tempo stubborn defence. But in this case
and the game once again becomes after 2 7 R-Q3 N-K2 28 KR-Ql
unclear. P-Q4 29 R-N3 P-N4 3 0 R-Kl
17 P-R5 B x N! N-B3 31 P-K7 N x KP 3 2 R x KP
18 NxB N-KB4 White has a won ending. Black
Black wants to exchange intends to transfer his king to the
black-squared bishops by B-R5 centre - an ill-fated idea which
when White's Q4 will come under leads to a quick finish .
USSR Team Championship, Moscow 1 964 169
27 KR-N l + K-B l 30 R-N7+ K-Q3

27 . . . K-R l was better. 31 R x NP K- B3
28 R-N3 32 R-KB 7 R x R
Now a breakthrough on the K N 33 PxR R -KB l
file is inevitable. 34 R-N7 P-R3
28 P- Q4 35 R-N6+ K-B2
29 QR-'-N l K-K2 36 B-K6 Resigns.
78 U SSR Team Championship, Moscow 1 964

Black : T. Petrosian
English Opening
1 P-QB4 P-QB4 consultation game, Botvitmik and

2 N-KB3 N�KB3 Polugayevsky v. Keres and Prins,
3 N-rB3 P-K3 played in Holland in 1 96 6, Black
4 P-KN3 .P-QN3 managed t o emerge from the
5 B-N2 B-N2 opening with better chances of
6 0-0 B-K2 gaining equality by means of 10 . . .
7 P-N3 P-Q4 N x P 1 1 N x N Q x N 1 2 P-Q4
8 P-K3 QR-Q I 13 N-K5 Q-Q3 14 P x P
A position has arisen from the Q x P.
opening which the reader has 11 P-Q4 R-Kl
already seen in G ame 76. White's 12 R- B l R-QB l
basic plan is to prevent P-Q5. With 13 B-KR3
the white pawn o n K3 this advance Driving the rook away from the
is disadvantageous to Black as after QB file as 13 • . R-B 2 loses the
.
the exchange on Q4 the K-file is exchange after 14 N-QN5

opened, and apart from that, White ( 1 4 . . . B-QBl 15 N x R B x B 1 6-
gets a Q- side pawn majority. N x R).
In his turn White captures on Q5 13 R-Nl
at that particular moment when 14 R-Kl Px P
Black is forced to recapture with a Black chooses a suitable moment
pawn after which White plays for this exchange and guarantees
P-Q4 and the defence of the QP, the safety of his QP. Now 1 5
combined with the presence of the KN x P N x N 1 6 Q x N B-B4 1 7
inactive QB, becomes a definite Q- KR4 P-Q5 1 8 KR-QI P x P 19
problem for Black. R x Q P x P + would lead t o
8 0-0 complications not unfavourable t o
9 B-N2 N-B3 Black.
10 PxP p 2' p Despite the fact that White is
Now White achieves the forced to take on Q4 with a pawn
realisation of his opening plan. In a his prospects are the more
1 70 USSR Team Championsh ip, Moscow 1 964
promising b ecause of the better i mportunate bishop. White

placing of his pieces. naturally avoids the exchange,
15 PxP B-N5 correctly judging that the bishop
16 R x R+ Q� R will not be much more actively
17 P-R3 B-KB I posted on K3 than on QN2.
A serious decision ! The obvious � B-Bl B-K3
move was 1 7 . . . B x N followed by 29 N-Q3 N-K2
N -K5. It would not be easy for 30 P-QN4!
White to prove that in the given This leads to the gain of control
position the advantage of the two over QB6, an idea I also used in
bishops had any great significance. Game 76.
Now, however, White gets the 30 PxP
chance to establish his knight on 31 px p N -Kl
K5. 32 P-N5
18 Q-Q3 P-N3
19 R-Kl Q-Ql
20 N-K5
A classic example of how to play
such p o s 1 t 1 o ns is the
R eshevsky-Flohr, AVRO 1 9 38
game.
20 B-N2
21 P-B3
So White has managed to achieve
something to centralise his
knight, defend his K4 and gain
control of the K-file. Moreover
Black has difficulties in bringing his
rook into play. In view of the threat of
21 N-QR4 N-QN4-B6 Black has to drive the
22 Q-Ql P-QR3 knight away at once by P- B 3 , as a
23 N-R2 result of which his K 3 becomes
Threatening to cut off the Q N weak and the prospects of his KB
b y N -N4. are diminished.
23 N-B3 32 P- B3
24 B-B3 33 N-KN 4 B-Q2
R enewing the threat of N-N4 34 B-B3 N-B4
which would ensure for a long time The only defence against the
to come the continuance of the threat 35 B-N4.
strong knight on K5. Both now and 35 N-B4
subsequently, the exchange of this Now because of the same thre at,
knight leads to a clear advantage for 36 B-N4, B lack cannot defend his
White. QP (35 . . . N-B 2 36 B-N4 winning
24 Q-B 2 the queen).
25 Q-Q2 P-QR4 35 Q- B l
26 B-QN 2 Q-Q3 36 N x QP K-Rl
27 N-Bl B-QB l 37 B-N4 Q -B2
Thus Black finally drives off the 38 N-K7 N ( l )-Q3
39 NxN NxN An oversight in a difficult

40 P-Q5 R-Kl position.
41 R-K4 P-R4 47 RxB N x QP
42 N-B2 R-Ql 48 BxN B-B l
This natural retreat leads Black notices that 4 8 . . . Q x B
inevitably to a loss. In analysis of loses a rook to 49 R-K8+
the adjourned position, I thought 49 R-Q4
Black's best chance w as Also possible was 49 R-K6
42. . . B-R3 with the likely K- R2 50 B x B! Q x Q 5 1 R-K7+
continuation 43 Q-Q3 B-K6 44 K-R l 5 2 B-N7+ K-R2 53 B x P+
K-N2 (but not 44 P-N4 P x P 45 K-R3 5 4 B-N 7+ K-R2 (or
P x P B x P ! 46 R x R+ Q x R 4 7 54 . . . K-N4 5 5 P-R4+ K-B4 5 6
Q x B (5) B x N+ 4 8 K x B Q-K6+ R-K5 mate) 5 5 B-B3+ etc.
49 K-N2 N-R5+ drawing) B-B4 49 K-R2
4 5 B x B P x B 46 Q-B 4 wh en Of course not 49 . . . B x B 5 0
White retains t h e advantage but R x B Q x R 5 1 Q-R 6 mate.
there is still a long fight ahead. 50 BxB Q x R+
Apparently the World Champion 51 Qx Q RxQ
did not take account of all the 52 B-B l
nuances of the p osition in his Now it only remains for White
adj ournment analysis. to transfer his bishop to the
43 B-B4 diagonal KN 1 /QR 7 and attack the
Now White advantageously QNP. The remaining moves were:
advances his QP. 52 . . . P-N4 53 B-QR3 R--0 8 54
43 B-QB I K-B2 K-N2 5 5 B-N4 P-R5 56
44 P-Q6 Q-Q2 P x P R-Q5 5 7 B- K l R x P 58
45 R-Kl B-N2 K-N3 R-Q5 5 0 B - B 2 R-Q8 60
The pawn is taboo as after B-84 R-Q3 61 P- 84 K-N3 62
45 . . . N x QP 46 Q x N Q x Q 47 P x P P x P and Black resigns as
B x Q R x B 4 8 R-K8+ Black loses there is no defence to the
a piece. manoeuvre B-K2-B3-B6.
46 N-K4 BxN

Black : V. Smyslov
English Opening
1 P-QB4 N-KB3 4 B-N2 0-0

2 N-QB3 P-K4 5 P-QR3
3 P-,KN3 B-N5 Losing an important tempo. 5
Probably the simplest way of N-83 deserves preference (see
getting equality i n this opening. Game 8 7 ) .
.1 72 USSR Team Championship, Mosc o w .1 964
5 BxN immediately exploits by seizing the

6 NP x B P-K5 ! initiative.
A curious concept. Smyslov 1 9. . . N-N4 would retain the
takes this well-known idea from the advantage, e.g. 20 N-B4 QR-Nl
Sicilian (where i t ' is played for -(but not the immediate
White) and applies it in the E nglish 20 . . . Q-B 3 because of 2 1 Q x N
(for Black) . White now has to N x P+ 22 B x N Q x Q 23 B x B
develop his knight on an awkward with three minor pieces for the
square. queen) 21 K-R2 Q- B3 and
7 N-R3 R-Kl White's pieces are very p oorly
8 0-0 P-Q3 placed.
9 N-B4 P-QN 3 20 P-B4 ! BxB
10 P-B3 The e x c h ange sacrifice
A dubious plan to which 20. . . P x P 2 1 B x B P x N 22
Smyslov finds a convincing answer. B x R R x B deserved consideration
1 0 P-Q3 was simpler and better. when White would not find it easy
10 P-K6 ! ! to prove that his material advantage
11 P-Q3 is sufficient for a win.
After 1 1 P x P B-R3 Black 21 P-N5 Px P
adv;mtageously wins back the pawn 22 PxP Q-K4
and gets reasonable chances on the 23 QxN
Q-side. All the same, this was it Naturally White avoids the
seems the best line for White. By exchange of queens as he has real
letting the pawn stay at K3 h e runs attacking chances.
some dangerous risks. 23 B-B3
11 B-N2 24 R-B4 P-N 3 !
12 Q-Kl QN-Q2
13 P-N4
White must get some
counterplay at any price. To
achieve this he plays his queen to
N-3 and undertakes a K-side pawn
advance.
13 P-KR3
14 P-KR4 N-B l
15 Q-N3 N-N3
16 N-R3 N-R2
17 P-R5 N-R5
18 B-R l P-KB4
By able manoeuvring with his
knights Black has driven back his I f White could get his QR into
opponent 's pieces and seriously play Black's position would be
reduced Wlrite's hopes of attack. hopeless. By the fine pawn sacrifice
19 B-QN 2 Q-B 3 of the text Smyslov facilitates th-e
Up t o here Smyslov had played mobilisation of his pieces for the
excellently but he now chooses the defence of his king. The threat is
wrong line and gives White a 25 • N- B l after which White
. .
breathing space which the latter could no longer exchange on N 6.

USSR Team Champio nship, Moscow 1 964 1 73
25 PxP N-Bl with rook and three pawns for two

26 Q-R6 Q-N 2 minor pieces, ought to win without
27 RxP Nx P much trouble.
28 QR-KB l R-K B I 37 N-K2
29 R-B6 Qx Q 38 N-K6 N-B4
Black has managed to ward off 39 N-Q4 NxN
the immediate threats to his king The game would take a different
but now he has to struggle on in an course after 39 . . . N x B but White
ending a pawn down. would still h av e the advantage, e.g.
30 PxQ Rx R 40 R -N 7 + ! K - B5 4 1 R-B 7 +
31 RxR K-R2 K-N5 ( now the king is c u t off
32 B-B l from White's K B 3 ) 42 N x B
3 2 R - B 7 + K x P 33 R x P N-Q8+ 43 K-Kl N x P 44 K-Q2
N-K4 ( 3 4 P-Q4 N x P) would lead (44 P-K4 N x P ! ) N-N8+ 45
to an unclear position because of K-Ql (45 K - B 2 N x P+ 46 K-N2
the exposed p osition o f the white N x P 4 7 P x N R x P+ is less
king. Hence White prefers to convincing for White) N-B6+ 46
liquidate the annoying pawn at K3 K-B 2 etc.
and bring his inactive QB into play. 40 PxN R-QB l
32 R-K N l 41 P-Q5 B-R5
33 N-N5+ KxP 42 B-Q4 P-R3
34 BxP K-R4 43 P-K4 P-B4
35 R-B 7 R-Kl A c omical oversight (in
36 R-R7+ K-N5 adj ournment analysis ! ) in what was
37 K-B2 admittedly already a lost position.
An important point in the game. 44 B-B6 Resigns.
If now 3 7 . . . R x B 38 K x R K x N Mate follows next move.
39 R x P and 40 R x P then White,
80 USSR Team Championship, Moscow 1 964

Black : L. Stein
1 P-QB4 P-KN3 P-B4. The immediate 7 . . . P- B4

2 N-QB3 B-N 2 loses material after 8 P-K5. The
3 P-Q4 N-KB 3 drawb ack of the text is that White,
4 P-K4 0-0 at the appropriate moment, can
5 B-K3 P-Q3 play P-Q5 when the Black QB will
6 P-B3 P-N3 have to play to another diagonal so
7 B-Q3 B-N2 as to get into play. True, in the
The other method of present game White did not make
development is P-QR3 followed by use of this p ossibility.
1 74 USSR Team Championship, Mo scow 1 96 4
8 KN-K2 P-B4 A clever queen sacrifice typical

9 0-0 of Stein's inventive style. However
An inaccuracy, instead of which it is not a particularly dangerous
9 P-Q5 should be played. one for White.
9 N-B3 15 . B x Q N-K6
10 B-QB2 16 Q-Q3 QR x B
And this is a mistake l osing all The only move. If
opening advantage. 1 0 P-Q5 was · 1 6 . . . N (5 ) x B 1 7 B-R4 N x QR
essential without worrying about 1 8 R x N and the other knight is
N-QN5 x B. Now, h owever, Black lost, while if here 1 7 . . . N x KR 1 8
abandons his Q4 but gains control Q x N with the same outcome.
of the no less important square Q5. 17 Q x N(3) NxB
In the event of exchanges on these 18 Q- B 3
two squares, Black's bishops would A very careful move, b u t n o t the
be better placed than White's. strongest. It was important to play
10 P-K4 N-B3-Q5 without worrying about
11 P x KP Px P a p ossible R-Q7. Hence the queen
12 B-N5 P-KR 3 should go to N3 leaving B 3 for the
If Black had already thought up knight.
the queen sacrifice (as becomes 18 NxR
clear from what follows) then it 19 Rx N B- R3
would be more logical not to play Having come out of the
the text but to play 1 2. . . N-Q5 complications successfully due to
straight away so that after 1 3 White's inaccurate 1 8 th move,
N-Q5 K N x N 1 4 B x Q N-K6 the Black once again gets into a bad
sacrifice would have been played in position. He had to hurry to double
a more advantageous form than in rooks by 19 . . . R-Q2, or to attack
the game as Black would have KR3 the KP at once ( 1 9 . . . P-B4 20
available for his bishop. Then White Q- B2 P x P 21 P x P R-B2)
would have to answer 1 2. . . N-Q5 getting counterplay in both cases.
by 13 B-Q3 thus lo sing a tempo. 20 Q- B 2 !
13 B-KR4 N-Q5 A p p a r e n t l y Black
14 N-Q5 underestimated this move with its
two unpleasant threats of 21 Q-R4
and 21 N- B 3 followed by N-Q5.
His attempt to bring his KB into
play comes too late and
20 . . . P-QN 4 does not achieve its
obj ect after 2 1 N- B 3 P x P 22
Q- R4.
20 P-R4
21 Q-R4 R-Q7
22 N-B3 B-B l
23 R-Ql !
The decisive move. An exchange
I
of rooks would rob Black of any
chance of attack along the seventh
14 KN x N ! ? rank, so he is forced to surrender
X VI Olympiad, Tel A v iv 1 964 1 75
the Q-file. to win Black's p awns.

23 R x QNP The last moves were : 25 Q x P
24 N-Q5 B-K3 B x N 26 KP x B P-QN4 2 7 P-Q6
24. . . P-R3 would lose the P x P 28 P-Q7 P- B 6 29 Q x P
exchange to 25 Q- R3. R - B 7 26 P-B 7 30 R-QB l R-Ql 3 1 R x P
Q-N3 R-K7 27 K- B l . Now White B- B l 32 Q- B8 R-N l 33
can win the exchange by 25 Q-R3 Q x R ( N8 ) Resigns.
B x N 2 6 Q x R B x BP, but prefers
81 XVI Olympiad, Tel-Aviv 1 964

Black : A. Medina
1 P-QB 4 N-KB 3 The pos1t10n that has arisen is

2 N-QB 3 P-KN 3 almost identical to that of Game
3 P-K4 P-Q3 62. The only difference is that
4 P-Q4 B-N2 White has played B-Q3 instead of
5 P-B3 0-0 K-N l and this difference is
6 B-K3 P-K4 probably in his favour. Because of
7 P-Q5 N-R4 the threat of N x P, events develop
8 Q-Q2 P-KB4 forcibly along lines which are
8 . . . Q- R5+ leads to complex, assessed in the note t o the 1 3th
unclear play (9 P -K N 3 N x P 1 0 move of that game.
Q-KB2 N x B 1 1 Q x Q N x B - a 13 P-B5
combination which occurred in an 14 Nx N Px B
analogous position in the game 15 N x N+ QxN
S p assky-Bronstein, Amsterdam 16 Q-QB2
1 9 5 6 ) . Now, however, we get a The KP carries no p articular
p osition in which B lack does not menace for White. It is more
have the time to adv ance his QBP, important to keep the opp ortunity
and with this pawn on its original of occupying K4 with one of the
square it is harder for him to minor pieces and to limit the
organise Q-side counterplay activity of Black's KB. Hence Black
(P-QR3 and P-QN4 ) . must now play 1 6 . . . P-K 5 ! after
9 0-0-0 N-Q2 which that bishop would come to
IO B-Q3 QN- B 3 life and the l ong black diagonal
11 KN-K2 could provide potential threats for
The threat of 1 1 . . . P x P is met Black, whereas the realisation of
by 1 2 N x P N x N 1 3 B x N . the extra pawn would involve
11 . P-QR3 technical difficulties for W hite.
12 p x p px p Possibly Black intended to play this
13 N-N3 sacrifice next move, but overl oo ked
X VI Olympiad, Tel A v iv 1 9 64 1 76
his opponent's c;:unning reply. the N-file on move 1 9) .

22 RxP B-N4
23 R-K2 B-B5
24 Q-B3 R-B2
25 � Q-Kl Q-N2
26 P-KN3 B-R3
27 P-KR4 P-R4
28 R-Nl R-KN I
29 R ( 2 )-N2 Q- B l
30 P-R3 R(2 )-N2
31 P-KN4
Otherwise it is hard to mobilise
the KNP and KRP. The
abandonment of his KB4 is not
significant.
16 Q-R 3 31 B-B5
17 N-K4! 32 P-N5 Q- B l
Ignoring the threat of discovered 33 R-N4 Q-Q2
check as after 1 1 . . . P-K7+ 1 8 34 Q- K2 R-Nl
R-Q2 Q x P 1 9 R x Q P-K8=Q+ 35 B-Q3 P-B3
20 R-Ql Q-K6+ 21 K-N l Black's Black takes his first opportunity
K-side c ould hardly be defended to play this undermining move, but
Now, however, P-K5 is no longer he thereby draws off his defending
possible! pieces from the K-side, which
17 B-B4 White immediately exploits.
18 K-N l BxN 36 PxP Qx P
Black puts his hope in opposite 37 P-R5 R ( l )-Nl
coloured bishops, but it is an old 38 B-K4 Q-84
truism that they often help the 39 B-Q5 R-KB I
attacker. Nor would 39 . • R x P save him
.
19 BxB P-N3 - 40 B x R Q x R+ 41 R x Q
This loses a pawn. 1 9. . . K-Rl R x R+ 42 K-R2.
was essential. 40 P-R6 R-N3
20 QR-Kl B-B3 41 B-K4 Resigns.
21 Q-Q3 K-R l If 4 1. . R - K3 ( or
Or 2 1 . . . B-N4 2 2 P-KR4 4 1 . . . R( 3)-N l ) 42 B x P! K x B
B-B5 23 P-KN3 (23 . . . B x P 24 44 P-N6+ K-Nl (43 . . . K x P 44
QR-N I - which is why Black P-N7 and 45 R-R l + ) 45 P-N7
should have moved his king from etc.
1 77

White : V. Aloni
1 P-Q4 N-KB 3 1 6 . . . Q x NP 17 R-Nl Q-R4 1 8

2 P-QB4 P-B4 R x P did not appeal to m e as White
3 l'-Q5 P-K N 3 c ontrols the QN file.
4 N-QB 3 P-Q3 16 px p
5 P-K4 B-N2 17 N-Q5 B-N5
6 P-KR 3 A waste of time. 17 . . . B -Q 2 !
A rather old-fashioned method was essential and after 1 8 R-N l
of play in this variation. 6 B-N5 is Q-Q l 1 9 R x P B- B 3 Black's
considered more dangerous. Q-side is safely guarded, whereas
6 0-0 now White becomes very active in
7 B-K3 P-K3 this sector of the board
8 Px P 18 R-Nl Q- Q l
After this exchange Black has no Otherwise 19 P-QR3 is
opening difficulties. 8 N - B 3 is unpleasant.
essential. 19 BxN Px B
8 BxP 20 Rx P P-N3
9 N-B3 Q-R4 21 P-R4!
10 Q-Q2 N-B3 Threatening by P-R5 either to
11 B-K2 N-Q2 ! win back his pawn or get a strong
Black's handiest plan, getting rid passed QBP. B lack takes his only
of his weak QP and seizing control reasonable chance - to counter on
o f his Q5. the K-side.
12 0-0 N ( 2 )-K4 21 P-B4
13 NxN PxN 22 PxP BxP
After 1 3 . . . N x N 1 4 Q x P 23 P-R5 PxP
N x P 1 5 B x N ( 1 5 Q x BP Q x Q The last chance of winning based
1 6 B x Q KR-B I ) B x B 1 6 upon psychology - what if White
KR-Ql the game has become should conceive a desire to win
simplified. back quickly o ne of his sacrificed
14 QR-Ql N-Q5 pawns?
15 B-Q3 24 R-N5
A n oversight losing a pawn. And that's what happens! Aloni
After 1 5 N-Q5 the game would be fails to find the strongest move 24
even. R-N 7 ! after which Black could
15 B x RP! hardly hope t o win. Neither
N o w 1 6 B x N KP x B 1 7 P x B 24. . . B x B 25 Q x B R-B 2 26
P x N would be bad for White. R x R K x R 2 7 Q-B 3 + K-Nl 28
Aloni finds instead an interesting P-B5 R- B l 2 9 P-B 6 nor
way to complicate matters. 24. . . Q- R 5 2 5 P-N3 Q-N5 26
16 P-QN4! K-N 2 ! threatening N-K7+ and
Temporarily sacrificing a pawn, R-KR l would leave White in any
but seizing the initiative. danger of losing, in fact it w ould be
1 78 X VI Olympiad, Tel A v iv 1 96 4
Black who would have to play for a 32 N-K7+ K-R l

draw. 33 Q-Kl Q- R6+
Now Black c an double rooks 34 K- Nl P-Q 7 !
along the K B file and this must
decide the game in his favour.
24 Bx B
25 Qx B Q-R5
26 P-N3 Q-N5
27 R-Kl
A despairing attempt to change
the inevitable course of events.
After 27 R-N2 R - B 2 ! - how
White needs a rook at N 7 ! -
followed by 28 . . . QR-KB l White
has no counter.
27 R-B6
28 Q-N l QR-KBl
29 R-K4 This finishes it . The passed pawn
This is what White was playing is so strong that no counter
for as his last chance, as the queen measures work any longer.
has n.o retreat, e.g. 29. . . Q-R6 30 35 N x P+ Px N
N-K7+ K-R l 31 N x P+ P x N 32 36 Q-R4+
R-R4+, but Black is not forced to White's tragedy is that after, 36
retreat. R-R4+ K-Nl ! he is mated as
29 R x P+ Black's K3 square is guarded.
30 PxR Q x P+ 36 K-N l !
31 K-Rl P-Q 6! White resigns as after 3 7 R-N l
The advance of this pawn makes Q-QN 6 ! wins while 37 Q x Q
it a bad lookout for White. N ote allows mate by 37 . . . P-Q8=Q+ 38
that the lifting of t h e blockade of K-R2 R-B7+ 39 K-N3 Q-N8+
the pawn results from on 40 K- R4 B - B 3+ 41 R-N5 B x R.
2 1 . . . P-B4.

White : D.A. Yanofsky
Robatsch Defence
1 P-K4 P-Q3 This position o ccurs in Game 88

2 P-Q4 N-KB3 where White plays the most
3 N-Q B 3 P-KN 3 energetic move, 6 P-K5.
4 P-B4 B-N2 Yanofsky 's continuation carries
5 N-B3 0-0 much less danger for Black.
X VI Olympiad, Tel A v iv 1 96 4 1 79
6 B-Q3 N-B3
7 P-Q5
This only encourages the
development of Black's initiative, as
he gets the chance to .undermine
the centre by P-QB 3. 7 B-K3 is
stronger.
7 N-QN5
8 0-0 P-B3
9 P-QR3 NxB
10 QxN PxP
11 NxP
White's powerful pawn centre
has disappeared, and Black has the
advantage of the two bishops. Such 20 BxP
are the consequences of White's 21 P-K5
error on move 7 . It was bad for At least a l ogical follow-up.
White to recapture on Q5 with the White would achieve noth ing after
pawn as Black develops with gain of 2 1 Q-R4 P-K4 followed by P-B3.
time - B-B 4. 21 P-B 3 !
11 NxN The correct reply. Black
12 QxN Q-N 3 + safeguards his advantage by getting
13 K-Rl B-Q2 a p aw n on K4.
14 R-Kl QR- B l 22 P x BP P-K4
Of course n either h ere nor o n 23 Q-R4 R-KB2
the l a s t m o v e c o u l d Black capture 24 B - K3 BxB
the QNP because of the reply 25 RxB R-B5
R-QN L 26 Q-R6 R x KBP
15 P-B3 P-QR4 This liquidates White's last hopes
16 Q-Q3 B-N4 of attacking Black's KR2. Black
17 Q-B2 P-R5 gets mating threats on the back
F ixing Wh ite's Q-side p awns. rank.
18 B-K3 Q-R3 27 N-N5 R-QB2
19 B-Q4 B- R3 28 R-B3
This i s very similar to my game E quivalent t o capitulation. Only
with Bernstein at Groningen 1 9 4 6 now did White notice that 2 8
where t h e s am e sort of idea was R - R 3 i s m e t by 28 . . . B...:... B 3 ! 2 9
used by Black with the difference R-KN l Q-K 7 and 3 0 N x P i s
that in that game queens were i m p o s s ible b ecause of
exchanged. 3 0 . . . Q x P+.
20 Q-B 2 28 RxR
(diagram in next column) 29 NxR B-B3
A tempting but incorrect pawn 30 Q- R3 R-B2
sacrifice. True, 20 N-N5 P-K4 2 1 31 R-KN l BxN
B-K3 B x N 2 2 P x B B-Q6 would 32 Px B Q-Q6
lose a pawn without compensation, 33 Q-N4
but after 20 P-B5 there would still Or 3 3 R-K B l P-K5. The
be a lot of fight left. remaining moves: 33 . . . Q x P+ 34
Noordwijk 1 96 5 180
Q x Q R x Q 3 5 R-Ql R-B 7 36 R-Q7+ K-K3 4 1 R x N P R-R8+

R x P R x NP 37 P-B4 R-N6 3 8 Resigns.
R-Q5 R x P 3 9 R-Q8+ K-B2 40
84 N oordwijk 1 965
Black : B. Larsen
I P-QB4 P-K3 13 QR-Q I P-QN4

2 N-QB 3 P-Q4 14 B-B2 P-B5
3 P-Q4 N-KB3 A risky step. Obviously Larsen
4 PxP was worried that now that the
White is glad to g o into the bishop stood on KB2 White could
exchange variation which is nothing take on QB5, but this involved no
like as quiet a line as it seemed to particular danger for Black. Now,
theoreticians in the past. however, after the inevitable
4 Px P P-K4-K5 White gets good
5 B-N5 P-B3 attacking chances on the K-side.
6 P-K3 B-K2 15 B-B5 N-N3
7 Q-B2 0-0 16 N-N3 B- B l
8 B-Q3 QN -Q2 I7 P-QR3 B-N2
9 KN-K2 P-KR3 A move that shows .Black's
Theory has a poor op1ruon of desire to complicate the game.
this move, and rightly so. Apart 18 P-K4 P-N 3
from the weakening of the K-side 19 B-R3
the other drawback of the text is There was no p oint in playing 1 9
the fact that it drives the bishop to B x P P x B 2 0 P-K5 if only
a better position. because of 20 . . . K-R2.
10 B-R4 R-Kl 19 P-QR4
11 P�B3 This is the p oint of Black's 1 7 th.
I first adopted this plan in 1 9 5 2 The QNP cannot be captured for
against Pilnik in the Maroczy the moment because the KP would
Memorial Tournament. Thanks to be lost. Hence Black manages to
the bishop's position on R4 it can start Q-side counterplay.
be transferred at once to KB2 to 20 P-K5 P-N5
defend the·KP if necessary 21 QN-K2
11 P-B4 White avoids the exchange of
The standard rej oinder; after pawns so as not to open the QR
P-KB3 Black attacks the opposing file.
QP without being worried about 21 N - R2
the exchange on QB5. 22 P-B4 B-B3
12 0-0 P-R3 23 R-Rl
Noordwijk 1 965 181
Not so much to defend the QRP Q-N6+) 3 5 Q-R 5 R-K2 - there

as to avoid the loss of the exchange. is no other useful move - 36 P- B 5
However it was possible to sacrifice ( 3 6 . . . N x P 3 7 P x N - here is
it by 23 P-B5 B-R5 24 Q-Nl why the white queen must be on
B x R 25 P x P with a strong attack. R5 ) Black would still lose.
However I came to the conclusion
that after 24 . . . N-N4 (instead of
24. . . B x R) 2 5 P x P (2 5 B-N4
B x R) N x B+ 26 P x N Q-Q2
Black's chances are better than in
the actual game.
23 B-R5
24 Q-N l P-B 4
Trying to · hold back the pawn
advance. In order to enforce this
advance White does not hesitate to
sacrifice a piece.
25 P x NP
Now this is necessary as White
will need the QR file. 34 QP x N Q-K3
25 PxP If 34 . . . Q x P 35 Q-N6+
26 NxP Px N 35 Q x Q+ RxQ
27 BxP "Q- K2 36 N-B5 R-QB3
28 N-N3 B-Q2 37 K-Bl P-B6
Trying to reduce the pressure by 38 PxP Px P
exchanges. 39 B-K3 B-B4
29 BxB Nx B 40 BxB Rx B
30 Q-N6+ Q-N 2 41 R-Rl
30. . . K - R l was slightly better. White now only has to bring his
31 Q-QB 6 RxR king into play.
32 Rx R 41 N-B l
After 32 Q x P+ Q-B 2 33 42 K-K2 N-K3
Q x Q+ K x Q Black's pieces would 43 P-N3 P-R4
become somewhat more active. 44 K-Q3 P-Q5
32 Q- B2 45 N-Q6
33 R-R7 Of course not 45 N x P R-Q4.
(diagram in nex t column) White first plays his knigh t to K4
33 NxP and then drives away the enemy
Larsen makes an obvious error in knight from K3, after which it is all
serious time trouble. He had to play over: 45• . R�B2 46 N-K4 K-R2
.
33 . . . N-Nl (33. . . R-K2 34 47 P-B5 N-Q l 48 N-B6+ K-R3

R x N R x R 35 P-K6) but after 34 49 N-Q5 R-QN2 50 P-K6 N-B3
Q-QN6 N-Q2 (34 . . . Q x P 35 51 R-R6 N-K4+ 52 K x P Resigns
182
85 Noordwijk 1 965
White : P. Trifunovic
Robatsch Defence
1 P-Q4 P-KN3 Black has made some headway.

2 P-K4 B-N2 W h ite's K-side pawns
• _ are
3 N-KB 3 P-Q3 weakened and blocked, the black
4 P-B 3 knight h as a t i t s dispo sal the
Too quiet a method of important square K4 an d the white
development to cause much trouble knight is restricted in its scope.
t o his opponent. T h e key t o the assessment of the
4 N-KB 3 position is that White must get his
5 QN-Q 2 0-0 knight to QB4 when the ex change
6 B-QB4 N-B3 of knights is practically forced, thus
7 0-0 P-K4 reducing Black's chances and a
8 P x P draw would be very likely.
Trifunovic i s always agreeable to 16 N-Q2 QR-N I
a draw with a strong opponent. 17 B-K2
Generally speaking the correct Failing t o discern his opponent's
answer here is 8 Q N x P exchanging intentions, White fal l s into
a defending piece for an attacking difficu l ties. H e should prevent the
one, but so as n o t to fall in with my next move b y 1 7 P - R 5.
opponent's wishes, I recaptured 17 P-QN4
with the pawn. 18 px p px p
8 P x P 19 R-R6
9 R-Kl P-QR3 Driving the k n i g h t t o where i t
10 P-QR4 N-KR4 wants to go.
11 N-B l Qx Q 19 N-K4
This queen exchange looks 20 N-N3 P-N5
illogical in v i e w of the previous Increasing the activity of his
note, but Black has in mind the b ishop and freeing his rook from
slight chance he gets from doubling the defence of the QNP.
his opponent's KBP. 21 P-B4 KR-Ql
12 R x Q B-N5 22 R-Q5 P-QB 3 !
13 P-KR 3 B y this temporary pawn sacrifice
This is certainly too Black ensures that his r o o k will
straightforward. 1 3 N - K 3 B x N 1 4 force its way into the enemy rear.
P x B followed by p l aying the 23 R x R+ R x R
knight to Q5 was essential and 24 R-N6 B- B I
White would get definite 25 P-B5 R-RI
counte1play. Now, h owever, he The exchange of QNPs is in
loses a tempo and weakens his B l a c k ' s favour a s his r o o k will take
KRP. up an active p o sition and the White
13 B x N QBP will become an object of
14 P x B N-B5 attack.
15 B x N P x B 26 R x NP R-R7
Noordwijk 1 965 183
27 N-Q2 hopes of an opposite bishop ending.

White prefers to surre nder the 32 R x B
QBP straight away so as to keep the 33 N x QBP
black rook off his second rank, but This makes Black's task easier.
now it gets onto the back qmk. Preferabl e was 33 N x K B P with
27 B x P some complications. Now, however,
28 R - N8 + K- N 2 White is left a pawn down with a
29 N-B4 B-Q5 badly placed king.
33 R x P+
34 K- R l B x P
35 N-Q8 K-R3
36 R-N5
Otherwise the black king would
pen etrate to K N6.
36 K-N2
37 R- N 7 K- R 3
38 R-N5 P- B 3
39 N- B 7 + K-N2
40 R- N 7 K- B l
41 N-Q8 B - K4
The B P cannot be defended. The
black king finds refuge on the
30 R-N 7 Q-side from the attacks of the
The decisive mistake. He had to knight.
exchange knigh t s : 30 N x N B x N 42 N-K6+ K-Kl
31 R-N 7 R x P (but not 43 N- N 7 + K-Ql
3 1 . . . R - R 8 + 32 K-N 2 R-QB8 44 N-K6+ K- B l
because of 3 3 P - N 3 R- B 7 34 45 Rx P R x P
B-B4 B-Q5 35 R x P+ K-R3 3 6 46 K-N2 R-N6+
R x B P ) 3 2 R x R B x R a n d in the 47 K- B 2 P-N4
ending White still has drawing 48 P-R4 R-R6
chances despite the weakness of his A f"m al exact move found in
BP. analysis. · After 48 . . . P - N 5 49
30 R-R8+ R- KN7 ! W hite would
31 K-N2 R-K8 unexpectedly save the game.
32 N x N 49 P-R5 P-N5
If 32 B - B l Black has the 50 R-KN 7 R- R 7 +
pleasant choice between 51 K- N l P-N6
32 . . . N x P and 32 . . . R x B so 52 P - R6 P- B 6
White is forced to capture the Resigns.
knight and say goodbye to his
184
86 N oord wijk 1 965

Black : J. H. Donner
1 P-QB4 N-KB 3 c ould then arise a very wild sort of

2 N-QB 3 P-K3 situation, e.g. 1 9 Q-- Q4 Q-R4+ 20
3 N-B3 P-Q4 K-N 3 N-R3 21 R-KRl N-B4+
4 P-K3 P- B4 22 K-B4. White chooses a q uieter
5 BP x P Px P line of play based on practical
6 P-Q4 N- B 3 considerations.
Hence by a transpos1t10n o f 16 KR-Q l BxB
moves we have the Tarrasch 17 Px B Q-Q2
Defence. 18 K- N2 ! Q- B4
7 B-K2 Px P Faulty play as the attack against
A reasonable method of p lay the king doesn't come off. It was
adopted in his day by Alekhine simpler to play 1 8 . . . QR- B l
(with reversed colours). The white followed b y exchanging bishops
knight o n Q4 will be n o better and rooks. In the resulting knight
placed than on K B 3 and Black ending with queens on, Black
removes the possibility of the should achieve a draw as the
exchange QP x P which could in weakness of the white K-side pawns
certain circumstances win a tempo compensates for the weak QP.
for White. 19 N-K2 Bx B
8 KN x P B-Q3 After 19 . . . Q-N 3+ 2 0 N - N 3
9 0-0 0-0 P-KR4 21 B x B R x B 2 2 K- R l
10 P-QN 3 ! (or 2 2 P-KR4) 2 2 . . . P-R 5 23
Were it not for this possibility N- K2 the knigh t returns t o the
White would get nothing from the cen tral square Q4 and Black has
opening. After 10 . . . Q-B2 1 1 achieved nothing.
KN-N 5 ! B x P+ 1 2 K- R l Q-N l 20 Qx B QR- B l
1 3 P-B4 Black has t o contend with 21 N- Q4 Q-K4
real difficulties.
10 P-QR3
11 B-N2 R- K l
12 R- B l B-Q2
13 B-B3 NxN
14 Qx N B- K4
15 Q-Q2 B-N5
A very cunning move which
forces White t o think hard. In
actual fact it is hard to decide upon
the continuation 16 B x ·s B x P+
1 7 K x B N x B+ 1 8 K-R3 (or 1 8
K-N 1 Q-R 5 1 9 R - K l Q-R 7+ 20
K-B l Q-R 8+ 21 K-K2 Q x P 22
N-Ql N-R 7) 18 . . . Q-N4. There This should lose as White now
Noordwijk 1 965 185
gains control of the QB file. Here Black offered a draw but

2 1 . . . Q-Q2 followed by White decided to play on till the
exchanging rooks was essential. end of the session.
22 R- B 2 ! N-Q2 37 Q-N4 P-QN 3
23 R ,1 )-QB I R-N l. 38 R-N7
Best, s o that at least the QNP After 3 8 Q - N 6 Q x Q 3 9 P x Q
will be guarded. R-B3 40 R- B 8 + R - B l White
24 Q- B 3 ! cannot g o into the pawn ending.
I n this way the white queen gets Now, however, 39 Q-N 6 is a real
to the K-side as quickly as possible. threat, best met by 3 8 . . . . K - R 2 .
24 N- B l The queen ending which Black
25 Q- B 7 Q- B 3 decides upon is full of difficulties
26 Q- N 3 N-K3 for him.
27 N x N Px N 38 R- B 2
28 R- B 7 KR-QI 39 R x R K x R
Preventing the doubling of rooks 40 Q-Q7+ K- N l
on the seventh by 29 R-Q7 etc. 41 Q- B 8 + K- R 2
29 P-KR4 42 Qx P Q-N4+
29 K-R l K- R l ! 3 0 R -KN l 43 K- B l Qx P
R- N l was unclear, but 29 P-B4! 44 Q -Q3+
( 29 . . . P-Q5 30 R ( l )- B 5 P-Q6
31 R- K N 5 P- KN3 32 Q-R3 or
30 . . . P - R 3 31 R-K5) followed
by 3 0 Q-N 5 would lead to a very
favo urable R + P ending for White.
After the text the hidden threat of
Q- R3 disappears.
29 P-K4
30 R ( l )- B 5
White plays for obvious trap
( 3 0 . . . P-Q5 31 P x P P x P 32
R- B 5 ) and l e t s h i s advantage slip.
He had to play 30 Q- N 5 .
30 P-R3
31 P- R 5 R- Q3 ! Unexpec tedly Black has landed
As a result Black has parried all up in a difficult position. The
the threats and White has nothing passed pawn W hite creates by force
bet ter than to wait for something on the Q-side i s more mobile than
to turn up. t h e black RP, while White's queen
32 Q-N4 P-Q5 is very mobile compared to B lack's
33 P x P Rx P which is hindered by the three
Of course not 33 . . . P x P 34 KBPs. 44 . . . Q-N3 loses to 45
R- B 5 . Q- K 4 !
34 Q- N 3 R-KB5 44 K- N l
35 R-B4 Best. The king has t o get a s close
Meeting t h e threat R-B4-N4. as pos sible to the square QRl in
35 R-KB I case of a pawn ending.
36 Rx R P x R 45 P-R4 Q-R8+
186 European Team Championship, Ham burg 1 965
46 K- K2 P-R4 o ther queen retreat would leave

47 Q-Q 5 + K-R 2 him with better chances than in the
B u t now 47 . . . K-B l i s dubious game.
as White will find it easier to 49 P-N4 P-R5
promote his QRP because of the Failirtg to notice a cunning trap .
open position of- the black king. 50 Q-KB l !
But now the king has b een headed Now the game is decided as
off from QR8. 50 . . . P- R 6 5 1 P- R 5 P x P 52
48 Q-Q l ! P x P Q-N 7 53 P-R 6 leads to the
Exploiting the fact that the loss of the RP.
black king is a tempo short in the 50 P-N4
pawn ending. 51 P-R5 Px P
48 Q- R 7 52 Px P P-N5
A positional mistake, a s the 53 P- R 6 Resigns.
queen is badly placed here, and any
87 European Team Championship, Hamburg 1 965

BJack : K. Langeweg
English Opening
1 P-QB4 N-K B 3 9 N-K2

2 N-QB 3 P-K4 IO N-R4 N-N3
3 P-KN3 B-N5 11 N-B5
The b es t r eply, as shown by This move is an integral part of a
Game 79. knight manoeuvre N-R4- B 5 - K3
4 B-N2 0-0 which hinders Black's P-Q4 and
5 N-B3 R-Kl ensures White will advance P-B4.
6 0-0 BxN As Black cannot play 1 1 . . B x N
.
7 NP x B N-B3 1 2 P x B when his QNP is en prise,

8 P-Q3 P-Q3 he blocks the long white diagonal.
I n not playing the logical P-K5 11 P- B3
which fits into this system (and as 12 R-Nl P-Q4
played by Basman against me at Just as befor e , he could not
Hastings 1 9 66 / 7 ) Black gets into capture the hostile knight because
difficulties of the loss of his QNP this time to
9 P-K4 ! the rook. However the natural text
Now P-K5 is no longer open to is positionally mistaken. White gets
Blac k and W hite prepares to the chance to undouble his pawns
advance P-B4, a move that after which the remaining QBP
p articularly suggests itself as Black's takes part in a struggle for central
rook has already left KB I. squares.
European Team Championship, Ham burg 1 965 187
13 BP x P Px P 26 B-K2 P-KR 3
14 P-QB 4 ! 27 P-KR 3
Black i s left with the unpleasant
choice of advancing his QP when
White's P-KB4 will ..follow with
great effect, as B-QR 3 , P-B5 and
N-Q6 are in the offing, or of
exchanging pawns and so presenting
his opponent with the Q-file on
which there are the possible
outposts at Q 7 and Q5.
14 P x KP
15 Px P BxN
In this way Black guarantees
that the enemy knight will not
settle at Q5 or Q6 but now the KB
comes into play. Played in the ' Capablanca style'.
16 Px N N-K2 In view of the opponent's lack of
17 Bx P R-N l useful moves, White p atiently waits,
18 Qx Q KR x Q so as t o start active play in the most
19 B-K3 R-Q2 advantageous situation. The aim of
20 B-B3 R-Q B l both sides now is to bring up their
21 P-N4 kjngs.
Despite his two good bishops 27 N (B 3 ) - K l
White finds it difficult to 28 K-N2 K- B l
strengthen his position further. He 29 K- N3 K-K2
decides to defend hill' KBP This leads to the loss of a pawn,
intending a pawn advance in that but it was hard to find a good move
sec t or , as well as to exploit the QB for Black.
fil e . 30 R-R5 N- B l
21 RxP 31 R-K5+ K-Ql
22 R-N8 + R- B l 32 B-QN5
23 R x R+ Nx R F orcing a d v a n t a g eo u s
24 R-Q B l N-Q3 simplifications.
25 R-B5 P-K5 32 R-K2
The basic drawback of this move 33 RxR KxR
i s that now the pawn on B5 is 34 BxN KxB
guarded by the roo k and P-N5 35 K- B4 K-Q 2
becomes a threat. If, howev er, 36 B-85 Resigns.
25 . . . R-K2 then R- B 6 is an Black can get his knight into
unpleasant reply. play only at the cost of a pawn.
188
88 Trade Union Spartakiad, l\foscow 1 965

White : A. Gipslis
Robatsch Defence
1 P-K4 P-Q3 no good move.

2 P-Q4 N - KB 3 12 BP x P
3 N-QB3 P-KN 3 After the game Taimanov
4 P-B4 expressed the op1ruon that White
Theory regards this as b est. could win by 1 2 P-KN4 P x QP 1 3
4 B-N 2 N- R4. However, Black, who is
I t i s well known that P-B4 here then two pawns up can s till resist
or on the next move is premature. by 13 . . . B-K3 ( 1 4 N x B Q-Q4).
5 N- B 3 0-0 12 P- KR4 !
6 P-K5 KN-Q2 T h e bishop must b e maintained
After 6 . . . P x P 7 QP x P ! at B4. Now the quiet plan 1 3 B-K3
Q x Q+ 8 K x Q White stands N-B3 14 Q-Q 2 is already dubious
slightly better. As the Moscow team because of 1 4. . . N-N5.
had to win at all costs I was forced 13 P-KN4 Px P
to take the difficult decision t o 14 Bx P
avo id the ending. Apparently a t a c tical
7 P-KR4! miscalculatio1L The lesser evil was
An energetic and correct 1 4 B-K3.
continuation. White hurries to open 14 N- B 3
the KR file and also prevents 15 N- K6
7 . . . P-QB4 as after 8 P-R5 Black White has n o choice a s h i s KB no
cannot take the QP as that merely lo nger controls QB4 so that 1 5
assists White's queen to get to KR4. B - K3 i s n o longer possible
Hence Black plays to control his 15 . . . N- B5.
QB 5 so as t o be able to capture on 15 Q-Q2 !
KN 3 with his BP. At this point Gipslis became
7 N-N3 deeply immersed in thought. One
8 P-R5 B-N 5 can assume that White had
9 RP x P BP x P overlooked the exchange sacrifice
10 B-K2 Px P and had only considered
11 N-KN5 15 . . . Q- B l . Now after 1 6 N x R
Another very energetic move, R x N 1 7 B x B Q x B ( 1 7. . . R x B
but this time probably not quite 1 8 R - R 4 ! ) it is hard to find a
correct. I was worried about 1 1 satisfactory continuation for White.
B P x P N - B 3 1 2 B-K3 when it is 16 Bx B Rx B
difficult for Black to undertake 17 Nx B Kx N
any thing against the obvious Q-Q2 18 B- K3
followed by 0-0-0. This move came as a complete
11 B-B4 surprise to Black. I had only
The only move. After considered 1 8 B - R 6+ K-N l 19
1 1 . . . B x B 1 2 Q x B N-B3 1 3 B - K 3 N - B 5 20 Q- K2 N x B 21
QP x P N-Q5 1 4 Q-Q3 Black has Q x N Q x P. N o w , howev er, after
Trade Un ion Spartakiad, Moscow 1965 189
1 8. . . N-B5 19 Q- K2 N x B had some mobility it seemed that it

( 1 9 . . . N x QP 20 B-R 6+ and 2 1 still controlled his QB4. N ow Black
Q x N+) 2 0 Q x N Q x QP 2 1 gets a dangerous initiative in a
Q- R6+ K - B 2 2 2 Q-R 7 + K - K 3 position with approximately equal
2 3 Q x P+ I incorre ctly supposed material.
that White's QP was still on the
bo ard and so overlooked
23 . . . K x P after which Black wins
easily.
18 N-B5
19 Q-K2 N x NP
S till overloo king 23 . . . K x P, so
that I was forced to capture the
QNP so as to keep the enemy king
in the centre. Now Black threatens
20. . . N x QP, and if 20 Q-N5
then 20 . . N x KP 21 Q x N ( 2 ) ( 2 1
.
P x N Q x Q 22 N x Q R x P)
2 1 . . . N- B 5 22 Q x P ! N x B
( 2 2 . . . Q-K3 23 N-K4) 23 Q x R 22 B x R+ N(3) x B
N x P+ 24 K-Q2 Q x P+ 2 5 K x N 23 R-R4 R- R l
R- B 7 + 26 K- N 3 Q-N 3 + 2 7 The exchange o f rooks leaves
K-B4 Q- R 3 + 2 8 K-Q4 Q-N 3 + Black's king thoroughly safe. 24
29 K-Q3 Q- R 3 + 30 K-K3 R x N N x R 25 Q x N loses to
Q- N 3 + and the game must end in a 25 . . . R- R 8 + and 26 . . . R x R.
draw. My opponent, however, 24 Rx R Kx R
could not reconcile himself to such 25 Q- R2+ K-N 2
a prospect after my provocat ive 26 Q-B4
1 9 . . . N x NP. An obvious error. He should not
20 P-Q5 RxP allow the entry of the· black queen.
21 B-Q4 However, after 26 Q-N3 Q- B4 27
A picturesque position it 0-0 - 0 Q- B 3 28 R- R l P-QN4
looks as if it is t i m e f o r B l a c k to 2 9 Q- R 3 N - B 2 ! (30 R - B l
resign. There was no danger for Q- N4+) White's position would
Black in 21 P x N Q x P 22 B-Q4 also be critical. The rest of the
Q x R+ 23 K-Q2 Q-R3+ 24 game is easily understood without
K-Kl Q- R5+. no tes : - 26 . . . Q- R 6 27 N - Q l
(diagram in nex t column) Q- N 7 2 8 Q-Q4 K- N l 2 9 Q- 8 2
21 N- B 5 ! Q- R8+ 3 0 K-K2 Q- K5+ 3 1
Now it becomes apparent that K- B l Q- R8+ 3 2 K-K 2 Q x P 33
White has fallen victim t o an optical N- B 3 Q-Q 7 + White resigns.
illusion - because his queen still
1 90
89 Moscow v Leningrad 1 965

Black : A. Tolush
Nimzoindian Defence
1 P-QB4 N-KB 3 14 B-KN 5 N- N3

2. N-QB3 P-K3 15 P- B4 !
3 P-Q4 B-N5 This method of develop ing
4 P-K3 P- B4 White's initiative suggests itself, and
5 N-K2 was adopted by me as early as 1 9 3 6
Now we get a po sition which is i n m y game with M . Vidmar i n the
quoted in all the opening books and No ttingham tournament. White
which is assessed as leading to must get in the move befm:e Black's
equality, which is perhaps a little P-KR3 drives his bishop back.
premature. 15 P-KR3
5 P-Q4
6 P-QR3 B x N+
6 . . . P x QP 7 P x B P x N 8
N x P as in Botvinnik-Najdorf,
Alekhine M emorial T ournament
1 9 5 6 is in White's favour.
7 Nx B BP x P
8 KP x P
The attempt to avoid an isolated
pawn by means of 8 Q x P
(Fine-Reshevsky, New York 1 9 5 1 )
turned out t o b e not very good.
8 p x p
White already threatened 9
P-B 5 . 16 P- B5 !
9 Bx P N-B3 This intermediate move refutes
10 B-K3 0-0 Black's idea. White opens both the
11 0-0 P-QN 3 KB fil e and the QR 2 /KN8 diagonal.
12 Q-Q3 Black has to capture the pawn as
The necessity of guarding his QP 1 6 . . . P x B 1 7 P x N is clearly in
makes White's development White's favour. Had White played
difficult and forces him to rej ect 1 6 B x N Q x B 1 7 P - B 5 then after
the more natural 1 2 Q-K2. 1 7 . . . Q-N4 Black's prospects
12 B-N2 would be better than in the game.
13 QR-Ql N-K2 16 px p
Only at this point does Black 17 BxN Qx B
leave the path of theory. By playing 18 RxP N- B5
1 3 . . . P-KR3 he could maintain Probably the move that loses the
approx imate equality, but instead game . True, by the exchange of
he wrongly ignores White's queens Black gets rid of the dangers
positional threat of B-KN5 and so of an attack on his king, but the
allows White to take control of Q5. resulting ending is unpleasant for
Mo scow Tea m Championship 1966 191
him. His. best chance was pawns left. If 2 9. . . R-N3

1 8. . . Q- B 3 ! forcing 19 R-Q2 ( 1 9 threatening 30. . . N- B5 there
B-Q5 Q-Q2). would follow 30 R-R 4 as in the
19 RxQ Nx Q game.
20 R x BP N x P. 30 R-R4 N-K7+
Only now did Tolush notice that 31 Nx N RxN
his rook is captured with double 32 R-R7
check, forcing recapture by the I t was difficult to deny oneself
kirig. However, he could not draw the pleasure of cutting off the
back as 20. . . R x R 2 1 R x N loses enemy king on the back rank.
him a pawn. 32 K- B l
21 R x R+ Kx R 33 R-QN 7 R-K3
22 R-Bl + K- Kl Or 33 . . . R-N 7 34 R-KR7 (but
Not 22. . . K-K2 23 R-B 7+ not 34 P-QR4 because of
K-Q3 24 N-N5+ K-B3 2 5 R- B 7 34 . . . R-N5) and W hite gets two
mate. united passed p awns.
23 B-K6 R-Q l ! 34 K- B2 R-B3+
The best defence. Black weakens 35 K-N3 R-N3+
the QP by forcing it to advance, 36 K- B3 K-N l
and brings his inactive rook into This makes White's task easier.
play. All the same the penetration Black should carry on checking
of the white rook on to the seventh with White's pawn still on N 2.
rank must decide matters in White's 37 P-N3 R-QB3
favour. 38 K-N4 K- R l
24 P-Q5 B- B l 39 K- B5 R-B4+
25 R-B7 BxB 40 K-N6 R-B3+
26 PxB R-Q3 41 K- R5 K-N l
27 R x NP RxP The sealed move. Black resigned
28 R ·x..P N-Q6 without further play. White's
29 P-R3 N-B5 winning plan is to play his pawns to
F orcing further simplification KR4, KN4 and QR4 and his rook
and so put ting his trust in the to QR7, after which there is no
drawing potentialities of a rook defence against R - R 6 followed by
ending with a small numb er of P-QR5.
90 Moscow Team Championship I 966

White : M. Yudovich
Robatsch Defence
1 P-K4 P-KN 3 4 P-B4

2 P-Q4 P-Q3 This move hardly has much
3 N-QB3 P-QB 3 point before the black knight is
192 Moscow Team Championsh ip 1 96 6
developed to K B 3 . 16 N-B3
4 B-N2 Admitting that his 1 3 th move
5 B-K3 was mistaken. 1 6 Q-R 5 + would
White already experiences now be pointless because of
certain difficul ties; 5 N - B 3 can be 1 6.- . . Q-N 3 .
met advantageously by 5 . . . B -N 5. 16 Q- N 3
5 Q- N 3 17 Bx N BP x B
6 R-N l 18 N-K5 B x N!
Not a very aesthetic move, and it Black succeeds in getting a
renders Q-side castling impossible, knight on KB4 which practically
but what can b e suggested as decides the game.
b et ter? 19 QP x B
Explo iting the fact that P- K5 is Possibly 19 BP x B was just a
ruled out by the unguarded bish op little better, e.g. 1 9 . . . N-B4 20
at K 3 , Black immediately advances Q- B 2 P-KR4 21 N-K2. The pawn
his KBP to get outpost squares for at B4 only impedes White's pieces.
his pieces. 19 N- B4
6 P-KB4 20 Q- B2
7 N-B3 N-Q2 !
Black's main problem was the
development of his QN. H e plays it
to KB3 and the other knight who
has thus given up his usual 'station'
will come into play nicely on KR3.
P-K5 is still not_ playable (8 P-K5
P x P 9 BP x P N x P 1 0 N x N
B x N 1 1 N-R4 Q- R4+). All the
same White ought to refrain from
the exchange on B5 which lets
Black gain control of his K5.
8 PxP PxP
9 B-Q3 QN- B3
10 Q-K2 N- R 3 Equivalent to capitulation. His
11 P-K R 3 last chance seems to be 21 P-KN4
Preparing a possible P-KN4. N-Q5 2 2 Q-K3 ( 2 2 P- B 5 Q- N 2
11 B-Q2 2 3 P- B6 Q- B 2) 22 . . . N - B6+ 2 3
12 0-0 Q- B 2 R x N but after 2 3 . . . P x R 2 4
13 N-KN5 P-Q4 P- B5 is impossible because o f
Exploiting the fact that White 24. . . B x P while if 24 Q x B P
has made an apparently active move Q x BP.
which has p layed his knight away 20 P-KR4
from the centre, Black prepares to 21 P-QN4 R-KN l
occupy his K 5 . With the threat of 22 . . . P-K6
14 B-Q2 Q-Q3 winning a piece.
It is e ssential to defend his K3. 22 R-N l P-R5
1 5 . . . N-K5 is premature because Again threatening 23 . . . P-K6
of 1 5 Q- R 5 +. ( 24 B x P Q- N6+).
15 K-R2 N-K5 23 B-Kl K- B 2
A msterdam 196.6 193
24 P-N5 R-N2 There was no salvation here.

25 Px P Bx P 28 P x P e.p + .
26 N-K2 P-K6 29 Bx P P-Q5

Now Black has only to put his 30 R-N4 Nx B
QR on K N l and open the bishop's 31 RxN Qx P
diagonal. 32 R x R+ R x R'
27 Q- B l QR-KN l Resigns.
28 P-N4
91 Amsterdam 1 966
Black : D. Szilyagi
1 P-KN 3 P-Q4 13 P-QR4 KR-Q I

2 N-KB3 P-Q B 3 1 3 . . . P-QR4 14 P x P B x P
3 B-N 2 B-N5 fails to 1 5 B-R3.
A convenient _ method of 14 Q- B 2
development. However, if Black A dubious m ove. 1 4 R-N l
sho uld exchange on KB6 then the preventing P-QR4 was stronger.
advantage of the two bishops might 14 QR- B l
tell ultimately. H e should play the active move
4 P-Q3 N-Q2 1 4. . . P-QR4, when the threat o f
5 P -KR lt· BxN 15 . . P x P 16 P x P B - Q 5 would
.
6 Bx B P-K4 tend to restrict the mobility of

After 6 • . P-K3
. 7 N-Q2 White's pieces.
KN- B 3 8 P-K4 we should have 15 B-K2 P B4 -
something akin to a Caro-Kann. An unhappy idea, as from now

7 N-Q2 KN-B3 on till the very end of the game
8 P -K4 Px P Black's bishop will occupy a passive
This exchange is forced and position, and the weakness of his
thereby Black red�ces the activity white quares becomes particularly
of White's KB. noticeable.
9 Px P B-B4 16 P-N 5 N-Kl
Played as if it were an open 17 N-B4 N-Q3
game. 9. . . B-K2 is more careful. (see diagram o v er page)
10 0- 0 Q- K2 18 B-N5 !
11 P- B3 Properly speaking the decisive
After this move, Qside castling move as a weakening is fotted on
is ruled out for Black. However, the important diagonal QR2/KN8.
before castling short he should first 1 8. . . N- B3 fails to 19 N-K3 and
have played P-QR4. 1 8. . . Q x B to 1 9 N x N P-B5 20
11 0-0 K-N 2 (as upon 20 • .N - B 3 there
.
12 P-QN4 B-N3 can follow 2 1 QR-Ql R-N l 22

1 94 A msterdam 1966
weak in the ending. In passing

White sets a trap - if 2 6 . . . B-N3
then 2 7 Q-Q2 ! and the threat of
Q-Q5 -N8 mate wins.
26- P-QN 3
27 K-N 2
White takes h i s time. The
obvious 27 Q- K2 N - K3
(otherwise there comes B-N3 and
Q- B4 ) 28 B-N 3 N-B2 ! 29 Q- B4
Q-Kl enables Black t o hang on,
but 28 Q-N4 N- B2 29 Q-B 8 was
obviously more decisive !
27 Q- Q2
N x QBP ) . 28 Q- K2 N-N3
18 P-B3 This allows White finally to
19 B-K3 NxN transfer his queen to the QR2 /KN8
19 . . . K-Rl was a more diagonal which gives a quick win.
stubborn defence. However 28 . . . N-K3 would only
20 B x N+ K- R l put off the denouement for a short
21 P-R5 B-B2 time.
22 KR-Q I N- B l 29 B-N3 N-K2
23 Q-R2 30 Q- B4 P- R 3
The exchanges that follow ar e in 31 Q- B 7 K- R 2
White's favour, as it becomes harder The alternative 3 1 . . , . Q x P 3 2
for B lack to defend h is KN l . Q-' B 8 + K-R2 3 3 Q x B Q x B 34
However it was n o simple matter Q x N costs a piece.
for the latter to avoid these 32 B-QB4 Q- Q3
exchanges. 33 P-R4 Q- Q8
23 R x R+ 34 Q- K8 P- B4
24 RxR R-Ql In time trouble Black accelerates
25 RxR BxR his inevitable defeat.
26 P- R 6 35 Px P NxP
He must free his queen from the 36 B-N8+ K- R l
task of guarding the QRP, and Resigns.
moreover Black's QRP might prove
92 Amsterdam 1 966
White : L. Szabo
English Opening
1 P-QB4 P-QB4 3 N- B 3 B-N2

2 N-Q B 3 P- KN 3 4 P-Q4 Px P
A msterdam 1966 1 95
5 NxP N-QB3 1 5 N-R4 B x R 1 6 R x B R x R 1 7

6 N- B 2 N x B N-K4) 1 3 R x R + B x R 1 4
About twenty years ago this Q- R 6 B x N + 1 5 P x B N- K4 gives
manoeuvre of Rubinstein was White nothing, h e should play 1 0
c onsidered advantageous. to White, N x P.
but subsequently good lines against 10 Px P
it were discovered. The simple 6 11 NxP B- B4
P-K3 deserves preference. Black's plan is to castle long as
6 P-Q3 quickly as po ssible - as soon as his
7 P-K4 rooks are connected he can play
So from an English Opening we N- KN 5 and the KR file will be his.
get a Sicilian Defence. Here 12 N- B 3
7 . . . B x N+ was quite playable (by
analogy with a well-known
variation of the English with
colours reversed - see game 14 ),
but Black chooses another
continuation whose originat or
appears to be G. Veresov.
7 N-R3
8 P-KR4
My opponent apparently
suppo sed at this point that he
needed a win in this game to win
the tournam ent, and so came at me,
but, unfortunately for him,
prematurely. The text has some 12 N - N 3 was slightly better and
point normally only after Black has certainly a more cunning move. The
castled. obvious reply 1 2. . . Q-R4+ 1 3
One may remark i n P!l-Ssing _t hat B-Q2 Q-K4+ seems dubious as
the variation with 7 . . . N - R 3 and after 1 4 B-K2 there is a threat of
8 . . . P-B4 is perfectly safe for 1 5 B - B 3 and 1 4. . . Q x P 1 5 N x B
Black as shown in a much earlier N x N 1 6 R x R+ B x R 1 7 R-N l
gam e A l e x a n d e r - B o t v i n nik, would divert Black from his basic
Amsterdam Olympiad 1 9 54. plan. Black, however, would reply
8 P- B4 1 2 . . . Q-Q2 ! 1 3 N x B P x N ! ( 1 4
9 P- R 5 P x KP Q- R 5 + N- B 2 ) and then 0-0-0
10 P x NP followed by N- KN 5 .
The advance of the RP was in 12 Q- R4
essence only a loss of two tempi, 13 B-Q2 Q- K4+
but this exchange is a serious error 1 3 . . . 0-0-0 is weaker
as the rook file which is thus because of 1 4 N-Q5.
opened can be used only by Blac k 's 14 N-K3 0 -0 - 0
pieces. 15 Q- R4
As the varia tion 1 0 B x N B x B 15 B-K2 would also be
1 1 P x P P x P 1 2 Q- B l B-N2 answered by 1 5 . . . N-KN5
( 1 2 . . . B x Q was also po ssible, e.g. 15 N- KN 5
1 3 R x R+ K- B 2 14 R x Q B x P N o w the black rook penetrates
1 96 Amsterdam 1 966
to KR8 and White is lost. The dual threat ( 2 1 . . . N-Q6

.
16 Rx R mate and 2 1 . . . Q- B 6 ! ) forces
1 6 R-KN I Q-R7 is bad for White to ex change queens, but this
White. does not alleviate his problem.
16 Rx R 21 Q - B7+ Kx Q
17 Q-N5 Q-B5 22 N-Q5+ K- Q2
18 QN- Q l 23 NxQ P-KN4
No better is 18 KN-QI B x N ! White resigns a s 24 B.,.... B 3 P x·N
or 1 8 N x N Q x N. 25 B x N N-Q6+ 26 K-Q2 N x R
18 N-Q5 2 7 B x B R x B 28 K x N would
1 9 Q-R5 R-R8 leave him with no illusions.
20 R-B l N-K4
93 Amsterdam 1 966
Black : A. Pomar
Slav Defence
1 P-QB4 P-QB 3 match with Tai the latter played

2 N-QB 3 P-Q4 1 2 . . . Q x BP and after , 1 3 Q - B l
3 Px P Px P had t o g o into a n inferior ending
4 P-Q4 N -KB3 (Game 59).
5 N-B3 N-B3 Pomar's choice is certainly no
6 B-B4 B-B4 better though it had been
At one time this symmetrical recommended by the authorities at
system of development was thought one time.
to be the best way to get a draw. 13 P- B4 !
However, one must recognise that a Once this pawn gets to B5 it will
more careful line is 6 . . . P-K3 be very unpleasant for Black.
7 P-K3 P-K3 13 0-0
8 B-QN 5 This seems to lead to a loss.
White can hope for an opening 1 3 . . . P-KR 3 was probably better.
advantage once he has established a 14 P-N4!
knight on K5 - then the extra (see d1'agram over page)
tempo in devel opment will tell. Whi te's plan is simple - play the
8 B-QN5 pawn to QB5, then exchange the
8 . . . KN-Q2 is certainly bishop on N3 and so occupy the
preferable. QN file. Can Black find any
9 N-K5 Q- R4 counterplay ?
10 B x N+ Px B 14 B-N3
11 0-0 BxN 15 P- B5 N- K5
12 Px B QR:-B l The only chance lies in
I n the 1 2th game o f my return transferring this knight to QB5 so
A msterdam 1966 197
as to deter White from taking off choice o f a hopeless ending

Black's bish op ! ( 2 7 . . . Q x Q 28 R x Q R-Q2 29
R-QN 3 ) o r having t o face a n
overwhelming attack. Pomar
chooses the latter and re-establishes
material equality.
27 Qx R P
28 R-N2 Q- R 3
Of course n o t 2 8. . . Q-R5
because of 29 R- R l Q-N4 30
R-N2; Black has won back the
pawn, but his queen now has very
little scope.
29 P-R4 R-Q2
29 . . . P-R4 looks dubious, if
only because of 3 0 Q- B3, while if
16 P- B 3 N-Q7 29 . . . P-KR3 then 30 P - R 5 B - R 2
17 R- B 2 31 P-N 5 .
1 7 Q- K l P - B 3 1 8 N x B P x N 30 P- R 5 B-B2
1 9 R- B 2 N- B 5 is weaker as Black 31 R- R l
then has a p erfectly sound position. T h e KP n e e d n o w no longer b e
17 N-B5 defended and White takes tl!e
18 NxN Px N opportunity to restrict the
19 B-Q6 KR- K l opposing qu een even more.
20 P-K4 31 Q- B l
It is becoming clear that the 32 Q-- B 3 !
transfer of the k night to .QB 5 has The decisive move. The
not eased Black's problems. The inevitable advance of t�1e K-side
resulting pawn on QB5 i s cut off pawns will force capitulation.
from the main force and an attempt 32 Q-- Ql
to activate the bishop merely leads 33 P- N5 P-N3
to the opening of the KB file. 34 P-R6 P-K4
20 P-B4 35 Bx P R-N2
21 Q- B2 P x KP 35 . . . R x P doesn't work
22 PxP Q-- R 6 because of 36 R x P R-Q2 3 7
Black's queen i s very active for R x R Q x R 3 8 Q- B6 Q-Q8+ 3 9
the moment, but as the proverb K- R2 Q- R4+ 4 0 K- N 3 .
say s, ' One man in a field is not an 36 Q-- B4 P-R4
army'. 37 R- KB2 B- N 6
23 R- K l Q- R6 38 P-Q5 Px P
24 R-N2 QR -Q I 39 P- B6 R- R2
25 R-N3 Q- R3 40 P- B 7 Q- K2
26 Qx P Q-Q7 41 B-Q6 Resigns.
27 Q-- B 3 ! Mate is forced
Giving Black the unpleasant
1 98
94 Amsterdam 1 966
Black : K. Zuidema
Griinfeld Defence
1 N-KB3 N-KB 3 position, turns out to be a serious

2 P-KN3 P-KN 3 error. White now exploits the
3 B-N 2 B-N 2 hemmed in p o sition of the QR to
4 0-0 0-0 provoke a weakening of Black's Q3.
5 P-B4 P-Q4 16 B-R3 P-K3
6 Px P N x P Or 1 6 . . . P- B4 1 7 P- K4.
7 P-Q4 17 P-K4 N-N3
S o , a well known variation o f F orced, as if 1 7 . . . N - K B 3 then
the Griinfeld. 18 B- R5 R x R+ 1 9 R x R Q-B3
7 P-QB4 ( 1 9 . . . B x P 20 Q x B Q x B 2 1
8 Px P Q- N 7 ) 2 0 N:_Q6 decides matters
8 P-K4 is more energetic. ( 2 0 . . . N x P 21 N x R ) .
8 N - R3 18 B-B4 Q- B 3
9 P-B6 19 N-Q6
Probably the m o s t logical - the N o w Black has to give up the
black knight stands badly on R 3 exchange.
and his Q·side pawns become split. 19 Rx N
9 P x P 20 Rx R Qx P
10 QN -Q2 Q- B 2 21 QxQ B x Q
This is the s t arting point of 22 N-N5
Black's trouble. Only energetic 2 2 QR -QI would be met by
piece play can compensate Black 2 2. . . R- B l ! The text loo ks
for his p ositional drawbacks. His obvious, but White must already at
queen is not well placed on B2, as this point foresee and assess his
in some cases the white bishop can 2 8 t h move.
play to KB4 with gain of time. 22 B-Q4
11 P-QR 3 ! 22 . . . B-B4 is weaker because
Limiting the scope o f the QN. of 2 3 B x B NP x B 24 QR-QI
11 P-QB4 N-Q4 25 P-N3 followed by
And Black merely helps White in R x N.
his aim of so limiting t h e knigh t's (see diagram over page)
scope. 23 N x KP
12 N-B4 B-N 2 The only way to realise his
13 Q- B 2 QR - B l advantage, as otherwise Black with
As 14 P-K4 N-N3 1 5 B - B 4 his active p ieces and a p awn for the
Q- Q 2 16 Q R - Ql Q - K 3 carr i es no exchange could feel safe.
dangers for Black, White con tinues 23 P x N
to mobilise his forces. Or 23 . . . B x N 24 R x B. I t is
14 R-Ql KR-Q l curiou s that all this is feasible
15 B-Q2 N-N l because of that wretched knigh t at
This natural move dictated by a NI.
desire to improve the knigh t's 24 R x B Px R
A msterdam 1 966 1 99
40 . . . P-N4 (41 P-B5 B- B 3 ! )

could complicate White's task.
41 P-R4 K-N l
42 K-K4 B-N2
43 P-N5 PxP
If Black advances his RP then
after 43 . . . P-R4 44 R-B6 K-B2
45 K- Q3 B-R l 4 6 R-B7+ K-Nl
47 R-B8+ K-R2 48 R-QR8
B-N2 49 R-R6 B-R I 50 P-B5
P x P 51 R-R6+ K-N I 52 R x P
B-N2 5 3 P-N6 White gets two
united passed p awns. Nor can Black
afford to wait. After 43 . . . K- B l
44 R-B6 K- B2 4 5 P-R5 ! the
25 Bx R NxB same situation arises.
26 BxN BxP 44 RP x P K- B l
27 R-N l ! 45 K-Q3 K-N l
White's endgame advantage is 46 R- B6 K- B2
guaranteed by the poor position qf 47 K-K4
the enemy king. The tum to move has been
27 Bx P transferred to Black and due to
28 R-N 7 P-B5 zugszwang the bishop has to retreat
29 B-K5 B-B l to R l .
30 K- B l N-K2 47 B- R l
31 B-Q6 K- B2 48 R-B7+
32 RxP K- K3 And now the king is driven to
33 R-R6 B-N2 R2!
34 P-B4 48 K-N l
Careless ! 34 B-R3+ would drive 49 R-B 8+ K-R2
the king b ac k to B2 and retain 50 P-B 5
White's bishop, thus ensuring a The decisive breakthrough.
simple win. 50 P x P+
34 K-Q2 ! 50 . . . P-Q6 loses to 51 K x P
Threatening the unpleasant P x P 52 P-N6+ K-N2 53 K x P.
N-B3, which forces the exchange 51 Kx P B-N2
of the bishop.
35 BxN Kx B
36 R-R7+ K- B l
37 R-QB 7
White's first essential task i s to
play his p awn to N 5.
� P-B6
38 K-K2 P-R3
39 K-Q3 P-Q5
40 P-N4 B-B3
T h e last move before the time
control, and not the best. Only
200 A msterdam 1966
Once again the only move. whereas if 52 . . . P- B 7 53 P-N6+

5 1 . . . P-Q6 is bad because of 52 K-R3 54 R-K 2 !
P-N6+ K-N 2 53 R x P. But how 52 P-Q6
should White continue now? P-Q6 53 P-N6+ K-R3
is threatened and if 52 K-K4 then 54 R-K3 B-Q5
5 2 . . . K-N 3 and Black has no thing Or 54 . . B-K4 55 R x B K-N 2
to fear. (else R-K7-R7 mate) 56 R-K7+
52 R-KB ! ! and 5 7 K- B6.
Only this move produces 55 RxP P-B7
zugszwang for the second time. 52 56 R-R3+ K-N 2
P-N6+ K-R3 53 R-KB K-R4 54 57 R-R7+ Resigns.
R�Kl K-R5 is wrong for White. The ending with the p awn on N6
Now however, Black has no theory considers to be won for
satisfactory move. If 52 . . . B - R l White.
then 5 3 P-N6+ K-N2 54 R-Q BB
95 Amsterdam 1 966
Black : K. Robatsch
I P-QB4 N-KB3 At this point [ convinced mysdf

2 N-QB 3 P-K3 that 12 B-KB4 B-KB4! was
3 P-Q 4 P-Q4 perfectly all right for Black, and so
4 Px P Px P had nothing better than to adopt
5 B-N5 P-B3 the old idea of Marshall's ( see
6 P-K3 B-K2 M a r s h a l l - R ubinstein, Moscow
7 Q-B2 0-0 1 92 5 ) .
As is well known 7 . . . N- K5 8 12 Qx B
B x B K x B (8 . Q x B 9 N x P)- is
. . 13 Bx N Px B
unsatisfactory for Black. 14 N-Q2
8 B-Q3 QN-Q2 Now Black has a difficult choice
9 N-B3 R- K l to make - whether to p l ay
10 0-0 N- B l 14 . . . P-KB4 and after 1 5 P-B3
11 QR-Kl P x P 16 N x P B-K3 I 7 P-K4
This had already been played, have a difficult position as in the
e.g. in Korchnoi-Pfleger, Hamburg Rubinstein game, or to look for
1 965. The idea is that after something new. Robatsch thought
1 1 . . . N-K5 1 2 B-KB4 P-KB4 1 3 for about an hour, but chose a
N-K5 White can advantageously continuation that can hardly be
play P-B3. said to be best.
11 N-K5 14 P-QN3
12 Bx B 15 Q-R4
Of course not 1 5 N ( 2 ) x P B-R3 some easing of the pressure.

and Black wins the exchange.
15 P-KB4
Inconsistent play. If he intended
this, why did he first weaken his
Q-side ? Naturally 15 . . . P-QN 4 1 6
Q-R5 was no better, but the pawn
sacrifice 15 . . . B-N2 1 6 N(2) x P
P-QB4 would give some · practical
chances.
White refuses the pawn ( 1 6
Q x B P B-R3) and carries on with
Marshall's plan.
16 P-B3 PxP
17 NxP B-N2
This bishop is badly placed here 23 R-B 7
as one will soon see. This activisation of the rook
18 N-K5 Q-K3 decides matters. Now equally bad
19 Q-B2 B-B l are 2 3 . . . N-N4 24 N x KP, or
After 19 • . P-N 3 20 P-K4
. 23 • N x P 24 R-B8+, or finally
• •
Black's K·side would be irreparably 23 • R - B l 24 R x R+ K x R 25

• .
weak. N x KP Q-Q4 26 Q- B3+. If

20 P-K4 Q-Q3 23. . . P-K6 then 24 N-K4 Q-Q4
21 R-Ql N-K3 25 Q x KP N x P 26 . N-B6+ with .a
22 Q-N3 mating finish.
As the knight cannot be 23 P-QR4
unpinned Black cannot strengthen 24 N x KP Resigns.
his attack on the QP. The forced 24 . .Q-Q4 is met
•
22 Px P by 25 R x P+! K x R 26 Q-N3+
Hoping for 23 N x P Q-Q4 with mating.

Black : V. Smyslov
English Opening
1 P-QB4 P-K4 5 P-Q3 P-KN3

2 N-Q B 3 P-Q3 6 P-B4
3 P-KN 3 N-QB3 Played unusually early, and with
4 B-N2 N-B3 the definite point that if 6 N- - B3
Usually Black devel ops his comes first then the pawn adv..nce
knight on K2 in this variation could be made subsequently- only at
(reversed Sicilian). the cost of two tempi.
202 USSR Team Championship, Moscow 1966
6 B-N 2 knigh t, e.g. 14 . . . R-K3 1 5 B-Q5

7 N-B3 0-0 or 14 . . . P-B3 1 5 B - N 2.
8 0-0 PxP 15 B x RP Bx B
Smyslov was probably reckoning 16 Qx B P-B3
on the reply 9 P x P when there 1 7 - K- R l R-K3
would follow 9 . . . P-Q4 1 0 P x P 18 Q-Q2
N x P 1 1 N x N Q x N with a good No matter how unpleasant it is,
game for Black. White naturally White is compelled to retreat his
avoids this. queen and allow 1 8 . . . K-N 2 with
9 BxP B-N5 subsequent active play for Black
9 . . . P-Q4 was hardly the move along the KR file. The retreat is
now as after 10 P x P N x P 1 1 forced so as to defend his rook on
N x N Q x N 1 2 Q-Q2 ! Black has Kl and the square Q3.
some difficulties in guarding his 18 K-N 2
QBP, e.g. 1 2. . . N-Q5 13 K-R l. 19 P-N3
The move that suggests itself White's only chance is the
h owever is 9 . . . P-KR3. advance o f his central pawns.
10 Q- Q2 R- K l 19 Q- R l
Risky, a s the K B P can easily 20 P-Q4 N (4)-N5
come under attack. 21 P-K4 Q- R 6
11 QR-K l R-N l 22 K- N l
Freeing his QN which was Defending i n good time against
shielding the QNP, but all the same po ssible threats to his KRP and
the rook move is a lost tempo. KNP. White does not exchange
12 B- N 5 bishop for knigh t as that would
This creates a very unpleasant only 1 eave Black's knigh t even more
pin as 1 2 . . . Q-Q2 1 3 B x N B x B firmly entrenched on N 5 , while
1 4 N-KN5 would enable White to White's bishop is a strong defensive
exert great pressure along the KB piece which will be exchanged only
file. So as to relieve po ssible when Black's knight has been
pressure on his KBP Black diverted from B 3.
eliminates the knight. 22 R- KR l
12 BxN 23 R- K2
13 Bx B N- K4 Now one can see no way for
1 3 . . . N-Q5 is inadequate Black to strengthen his attack on
because of 1 4 N-Q5 with the very the king, and he is still a pawn
unpleasant threat of 1 5 N x N+ down. Black's attempt to win a
B x N 1 6 B x B Q x B 1 7 B- B 6. central square for his knight only
The fine point of the text is to leads to an exchange of minor
control White's KN4 so that 14 pieces after whic:h Whit e's
N-Q5 can b e met by 1 4 . . . R-K3. advantage becomes clear.
14 Q-B4 23 P-B4
The pressure on the KB file 24 px p px p
becomes very threatening. 25 N-Q5 !
14 P-KR3 F arcing the exchang_e by the
Smyslov takes the right decision. threat of 26 N-B4.
Other moves make it very hard to 25 NxN
relieve the pressure on the pinned 26 B x N!
A tactical finesse leading to 40 R x RP R-Q4

further simplification. 41 P-Q7 K- B 3
26 Qx B Here t h e game was adjourned.
27 BPx N R x KP At the end of the game Smyslov
28 · Q- B3+ expressed the opinion that the
T h e wh ol e point. Black h a s t o quickest win was 42 P-QR4.
interpose h is r o o k as 2 8 . . . K-N 1 White, however, preferred to
2 9 R x R Q x R 3 0 R-Kl Q-Q5+ improve the position of his king,
(or else 3 1 R - K 8 + ) 3 1 Q x Q P x Q and avoided 42 R-N 7 because of
3 2 R-K8+ K-N2 33 R x R K x R 42 . . . K-B 4 when Black has kept
34 P-Q6 is a win. his king active.
28 R-Q5 42 K-B2 K-K2
29 Qx P 43 K -B3
Refraining from the preparatory The best. After 43 K-K3 White
29 R-K 7 as after 29 . . . R-KB 1 3 0 would find it hard to get t o the
Q x P K-N 1 White's second rank i s KR4 square. N ow if 48 . . . P-B4
insufficiently guarded. then 44 K-N 3 penetrating into
29 Qx R Black's camp.
30 Q x R+ K-N l 43 K-Q l
31 R-B 2 I n avoiding t h e possible threat
3 1 P-KR4 R-R4 3 2 P-Q6 i s an 44 P-Q8(Q)+ K x Q 45 R x P
easy win for White as his king Black prematurely plays to the
remains on N l. (see note to Black's back rank and s o leaves his Q3
33rd). This was p o inted out by undefended. The white king then
Yuri Averbach. moves forward into the centre.
31 Q- K8+ 43 . . . R-Q7 was a more stubborn
32 K-N2 R-R4 defence.
The only way to activate his 44 K-K4 R-KR4
rook. 45 P-QR4 Rx P
33 P-Q6 Q-K3 ! 46 K- K5
A fine move overlooked by Once again the best as after 46
White when he played 29 Q x P. If K-Q5 R - K7 Black could still
instead 3 3 . . . R-KB4 then 34 resist. The threat of 47 K-B 6
R x R P x R 35 P-Q7 Q- K 7 + 36 forces Black t o agree t o the
K-R3 Q-R4+ 3 7 Q-R4 forcing exchange of his KBP for the QP.
resignation. Now 34 P-Q7 is met 46 K- K 2
by 34 . . . Q-Q4+ and White loses 47 P-Q8 (Q)+ Kx Q
his passed pawn. 48 RxP R-QN 7
34 R-Q2 Q- Q2 49 K-Q6
35 K-N l P-N3 White's pieces dominate the
36 R-QB 2 K- R2 board. The loss of the QNP cannot
37 R-B7 Q- B4 be avoided, for example,
38 Q- KB 4 ! 49 . . . K- B l 5 0 K-B 6 K-Ql 5 1
Forcing an ending as R-Q7+ K-B l 5 2 R-Q3 R-KB 7
3 8. . . Q-N 8 + 39 R- B l is hopeless 5 3 R-Q4
for Black. 49 K-Kl
38 Qx Q 50 R-K7+ K-Q l
39 PxQ K-N2 5 0. . . K- B 1 was bad b ecause o f
204 USSR Team Champio nship, Moscow 1966
5 1 R-K3 R-KB7 52 R- K4. 53 RxP R x BP

51 R-QN 7 R-Q7+ 54 R-N8+ K- K 2
52 K- B 6 R-Q 5 55 P-R5 Resigns.
97 USSR Team Championship , Moscow 1 966

Black : P. Keres
English Opening
1 i 2B4 N-KB3 9 P-KR3 P- KR4

2 N- QB 3
- P-K4 A dubious undertaking. True
3 N-B3 Black obtains the use of KN4 for
As Keres' favourite co ntinuation his knight but his KRP on R5 will
is 3 P-KN3 P- B 3 , White decides to ultimately demand constant
vary. defence and so castling is rendered
3 N- B 3 more difficult.
4 P-KN3 s:..... B4 IO B-K2 N-R2
5 NxP B x P+ 11 K-N 2 P-R5
The alternative was 5 . . . N x N 6 12 P-KN4 N-N4
P-Q4 Q-K2 7 P x N (not, of 13 B-K3 B-Q2
course, 7 P x B N - B 6 mate) 14 Q- Q2
7 . . . Q x P 8 B - N 2 with some Routine play. B y 14 Q-KNI
advantage t o White. followed by Q- B 2 White could
6 KxB NxN immediately transfer his queen to
7 P-K4 an active post from where it would
E ssential, as otherwise Black control three important squares -
could open up the position by Q4, KR4 and K B 7 .
advancing P-Q4 and the white king 14 N-K3
position could become awkward 15 P-N4
7 P-B4 As White considers castling short
N o w the game takes o n a purely to be difficult for Black he takes an
positional character, and White's early opportunity to rule out
two bishops, combined with the castles long as well. 15 . . . P x P is
open KB fil e make his position clearly bad for Black as after 1 6
preferable. Black, however, could N-Q5 White will gain c ontrol of his
achieve nothing by 7 . . . P-Q4 8 Q4 and easily win back the pawn.
BP x P N ( 3 ) - N 5+ 9 K-N 2 Q-B3 15 P-QN 3
1 0 Q- K 2 N - B 7 ( 1 0. . . N-Q6 1 1 16 QR-QNl B- B3
P-KR3 N ( 5 )- B 7 1 2 Q-K 3) 1 1 17 KR-KB! B-N2
Q x N B-R6+ 1 2 K-N l N- B6+ 1 3 18 K-N l N- B 3
Q x N Q x Q 1 4 B x B with material A n unfortunate regrouping. The
advantage to White. knight was better placed on K4
8 P-Q3 P-Q3 than on Q5.
19 N-Q5 N ( B3)-Q5 26 P-N6 P-B4

20 B-Ql P-B3 Overlooking a masked tactical
E nsuring a square for his knight stroke. The more stubborn line was
at KN4 (e.g. in the event of 26 . . . B-Kl 27 Q-KN2 P-B4 28
2 1 . . . B x N 22 BP :lie B N-KN4). P x P N x P 29 Q-K4 when Black
21 K-R 2 would still, however, be lost.
Preparing a n attack by P-KN5
upon the Black king which is
stranded in the centre. Now
2 1 . . . B x N 22 BP x B N-KN4
fails to 2 3 P x P QP x P 24 B-R4+
P-QN4 25 R x NP.
21 B- B3
22 P-QR4 P-R4
Very risky. White will be the
only one to benefit by attacking
along the open N-file.
23 P x RP Px P
24 Q-- KB 2 R-QR2
H e must defend his KB2.
25 P-N5 0-0
The only move. If 25 . . . P x P 27 R-N 8 ! Resigns.
26 B x N P x B ( 2 6 . . . N x B 2 7 After 27 . . . Q x R 28 Q x R P ,
B-R5+) 2 7 Q- B 5 and White gets a mate is forced
decisive attack.
98 USSR Team Championship, M oscow 1 966

White : B. Spassky
Car�Kann Defence
N a t u r a ll y enough b o th supergrandmasters of our time.

participants of the World [The Team Championship was
Championship match are always to played in the autumn after
be found on the M ount Olympus of Petrosian's successful defence of his
chess. Every player dreams of title against Spassky - B . C. ]
meeting them over the board In S o in the sixth round I sat down
the Team Championship I was to play B. Spassky and a careless
fortunate to meet them both. I n move in the opening forced me to
presen ting this game to the reader's suffer some awkward moments.
judgement, the author hopes that 1 P-K4 P-QB3
readers will duly assess the pluses 2 P-Q4 P-Q4
and minuses in the play of the 3 N-QB 3 PxP
206 USSR Team Championship, Moscow 1 966
4 Nx P B-B4 to find a safe king position. This is

5 N-N3 B-N3 the reason why, in an ending with
6 P-KR4 P-KR3 queens, Black will have
7 N-B3 QN -Q2 counterplay, so 1 8 K-N l was
8 P-R5 B-R 2 · probably-preferable.
9 �Q3 Bx B 18 R x R+
10 Qx B KN-B3 19 Rx R Px B
This well known variation of the 20 N-K4 B-K2
Car�Kann is a favourite weapon of 21 N-Q6+ K- N l
Spassky's. There's no accounting A t first sight White has an
for taste but can a variation be overwhelming advantage but this is
worth such great attention in which not in fact the true state of affairs.
over a period of fifty years there The QBP is weak, and the knigh t's
have taken place only the following position is not quite safe. Black can
changes: 1 ) White has started answer 22 P-KN3 by 22 . . . P-B3.
advancing his pawn to R5 instead Naturally the exchange of BPs only
of R4, 2) the white queen is played activates Black's pieces.
to K 2 before playing K-QN l and 22 N x BP R- KB I
P-QB4? 23 N-Q6 Rx P
I forgot here about the latter 24 P-N3 R- B l
innovation and p l ayed my KN out 25 Q-N4
too early. Now Black will have A ttacking two p awns
difficulties because White will simultaneously but Black can
succeed in establishing his knight defend everything.
on K5. Unfortunately for my 25 Q - Q2
opponent this whole variation was With the unpleasant threat
weJJ known to me, for as early as 26 . . . Q- R 5 and 2 7 . . . B-N4+.
1 9 2 8 I wrote notes to a game in 26 K- N l B-N4
which this opening was played ! The only mov e ! 26 . . . R- B 7 is
11 �Q2 Q-B 2 bad because of 27 Q x NP Q-R5
12 0-0-0 0-0-0 28 R-QB I !
13 Q-K2 ! P-K3 27 N- N5
14 N-K5 NxN This doesn't spoil anything b ut
15 PxN N-Q4 it was not necessary.
This looks dubious (the natural 27 R-B8
move is 1 5 . . . N-Q2) but the
manoeuvre is linked with a cunning
positional idea.
16 P-KB4 P-QB4
This forces matters as White
cannot permit P-B 5 as was played
in the Grigoriev-Panov game that I
annotated ih 1 9 28.
17 P-B4 N-N5
18 Bx N
The simplest but probably not
the strongest. After a black pawn
gets to QN5 it is difficult for White
28 K- B 2 38 P-N5
This move was played so White ' s p l an of e x c h an gi n g off
hurriedly that two obvious the K-side pawns is apparently
conclusions suggest themselves: i;ufficient for a draw.
After the
,
Spassky assessed the now inevitable game Spassky demonstrated a more
exchanges as in White's favour, and convincing drawing possibility - 3 8
a t the same time was worried about K-K3 B - B 2 3 9 K- B 3 ! K-Q5 40
giving the i mpression that h e had N - B 2 K - B 6 4 1 K-K2 K-N7 42
overlooked Black's last move. Of K- Q3 K x P 4 3 K- B 2 a n d B l a c k
course he c o u l d not take the rook cannot now break through
because of mate ( 2 8 R x R Q-Q6+-) a nywhere.
but he should cold-b loodedly 38 P x P
return his knight to Q6. Now White 39 N x P B-B5
has to play an ending a pawn down. 40 N-K4 B-R3
28 , , , , R x R 41 N- B 2 B-N4
29 Qx R Q x Q+ 42 N-N 4 B- B 5
30 Kx Q B-K6! 43 N-B2 B - Q3
White has to be careful . The 44 N-N4
following continuation would lead . If 44 N - K 4 B - B l 45 N-B2
to a lost pawn ending - 3 1 P - N 3 R- K2 4 6 N - K 4 K-K4 4 7 N- B 2
B- B 7 3 2 P - N 4 B - B 4 33 K - K 2 K- B 4 4 8 K - B 4 K-N4 4 9 N-Q3
P - R 3 34 N - Q 6 B x N 3 5 P x B K x P 50 N x P P-N4 51 P-R4
-
P-QN3 36 K- Q 3 K - N 2 3 7 K-Q4 P-N5 52 N-Q3 and White seems
K-B3 38 K- K5 K-Q2. Hence to draw but by 44 N-K4 B - B 2 45
White has to surrender the KP. N- B 2 B-N3 4 6 N-K4 K-K4 4 7
31 K- K 2 B-B8 N-Q2 K - B5 4 8 K- B4 K - K 6 4 9
32 P-N3 B-N7 N- B l + (49 N - N l B - R 4 ) K-K7 5 0
33 N-Q6 B x P N-N3+ K-B6 51 N- B l B-B2 !
34 N-K4 K- B 2 Black wins.
This move i s p o ssible because 3 5 Now the K-side pawns are
N - B 5 B x P 3 6 N x P + K-Q3 3 7 exchanged but Black's passed pawn
N x P K-K4 38 N-K8 K-K3 advances a little.
would trap the knigh t. 44 B-B4
35 P-N4 K- B 3 45 P-R6 P x P
36 K-Q 3 P-QN4 46 N x P P-K4
37 P x P+ 47 N- B 5 P - K5 +
This exchange was forced sooner 48 K-K2 K-K4
or later. Thanks to the inevitable 49 N-R4 K- Q5
Zugzwang the black king could When the game was adj ourned I
always play t o the centre by had analysed only what appeared in
K - B 2 - Q 3 - K4. the pr evious note. Hence in what
37 K-Q4 follows Black does not play very
Black's o nly hope of winning lies consistently but this can hardly
i n activating his king. The NP has affect the ultimate result.
no great significance. If 37 . . . K x P 50 N- B 5 + K-Q4
38 N-Q2 K- B 3 39 K-K4! 51 N-R6
followed by N - B 3 and W h i t e h a s Doubtful, b u t o n e m u s t point
set up an impregnabl e fortress. out that after 5 1 . . . K-K3 52
208 Hastings 1 966- 6 7
N-N4 K-84 5 3 N � R 6 + K-8 5 5 4

N - 8 7 B-K2 5 5 N - R 6 the white
knight is trapped but Black is still
unable to force a win !
51 B-K2
52 N-N4 B-N4
53 N-82 K-Q5
54 N-Ql 8-88
55 N-82 K-Q4
56 N-N4 B-N4
A position that has already
occured once.
57 N- 8 2 8-83
58 N-N4 B-Q5
59 N-R2 8-84 63 K-Ql B-Q5
60 N- 8 1 K-Q5 Threatening 64 . . . K-Q6.
61 N-Q2 B-N3 64 K- K2 P-K6
{diagram in nex t colu m n} Now if 65 N x P B x N 6 6 K x B
62 N-84 K-N 7 6 7 K-Q3 K x P 6 8 K-84
Apparently only t his K-R6 with a won pawn ending.
unfortunate m ove loses the game The threat now is K- B 7-N8 and
for White. By 62 N-8 1 K- 8 6 6 3 K x P.
N-N3 K-N 7 6 4 K-Q l ! K x P 65 65 N-R5 K- N7
K-8 2 P - K 6 6 6 N-K2 he could 66 N- 8 6 8- 84
save himself as his advanced QNP 67 N-K5 Kx P
prevents the advance of Black's RP. 68 N-Q3 B- K2
Now, however, the knigh t cannot Resigns.
get back t o K2 and the game is The NP plays forward
decided irresistably to queen.
62 K- 8 6
99 Hastin� 1 966-67
Black : M. Cz erniak
1 P-Q�4 P-KN 3 sound one. White gets the

2 P-K4 B-N2 advantage by simple developing
3 P-Q4 P-Q3 moves.
4 N-QB 3 P-QB3 6 B-K3 QN-Q2
5 N-83 B-N5 7 B-K2 P-K4
Black's system is too simple to 8 P-Q5 P-QB4
have the right t o b e considered a A s a result of this moving of the
Hastings 1 966- 6 7 209
QBP a second time Black loses a 1 7 . . . P- QR4.

tempo . He could pose more
complicated problems for his
opponent by 8 . . . Q- B 2 .
9 0-0 N-K-2
Old fashioned play. It is
well-known nowadays that a black
knight at K2 is badly placed in the
King's Indian. 9 . . . KN- B 3 was
essential.
10 N-Kl
I n this way White b egins an
attack on the central square K 5
which would appear to be soundly
guarded Surprising though it may
seem, the fight for this square soon 18 P-QN4 QR- B l
ends in White's favour. 19 Px P PxP
10 Bx B 20 Q-QB 2
11 Qx B 0-0 Now the threat of N-QR4
12 P- B4! cannot b e met.
White cannot delay this as after 20 P-B4
the stereotyped 1 2 N-Q3 Black 21 N-R4 Q-Q3
could get a satisfactory po sition by 22 QR-Nl PxP
1 2 . . . N-N 3 ! 1 3 P-QN3 P-B4. 23 R x R+ BxR
12 Px P 24 R -N6 Q-Q2
Forced, as 1 2 . . . P-B4 is met It is hard to find anything better
with great force by 1 3 N-Q3. for Black. If 24 . . . Q-Ql then 2 5
13 B x KBP N-K4 B-N5.
14 N-B3 25 Nx P RxN
N o w it becomes clear that due I f 25 . . . Q-K l 26 N x KP N x P
to the unsatisfactory position of 2 7 Q-Q3 and White wins a piece. If
the knight o n K 2 Black has lost the 25 . . . Q-Q l then 26 N - K 6 Q x P
battle for his K4 square. Black 2 7 P x Q R x Q 2 8 P-Q6 N-B3 29
ought now to defend by P-Q7 B-K2 30 K- B l ! and Black
14 . . . P- B 3 (after 1 5 B x N BP x B is helpless.
16 N-KN5 Nx P some 26 Bx R Q- B 2
complications arise). If however 27 Q- B 2 N-B4
1 4. . . N x N + then 1 5 R x N and 28 R-QB 6 Q-QN 2
White maintains strong pressure. 29 Bx B P-K 6
Black's actual move weakens his 30 Q- Kl N -Q5
Q-side. 31 B- B 5 Resigns
14 P-QR3
15 NxN PxN
16 B-K3 P-N3
17 P-QR3 Q-Q2
This prevents N-QR4 but not
for long. Black could d elay the
inevitable course of events by
210
1 00 Hastings 1 966-67
Black : Y. Balashov
Nimz oindian Defence
1 P-QB4 N-KB3 11 RxQ

2 N-QB3 P-K3 12 N- B 3 B - Q2 !
3 P-Q4 B-N5 Now the threat of 1 3 . . . R-Q B l
4 P-K3 0-0 i s very unpleasant an d White must
5 B Q3
- P-Q4 be careful.
6 P-QR3 p x p 13 B-Q2 R-QB l
7 B x BP B-Q3 14 N-K5
A w ell-known variation that was The only m ov e ! 14 B-Q3
played twice in the Tal-Botvinnik simply loses a pawn t o 14 • .B x P.
.
return match of 1 9 6 1 (see games 5 5 Now, after the strongest reply

and 5 6 ) . It is considered that after 1 4. . . B-Kl ! White could maintain
8 N - B 3 N _:_ B 3 9 P-QN4 P-K4 1 0 equality only by 15 K-K2 N-B3
B-N2 White gets some advantage. 1 6 N x N B x N 1 7 KR-KN l
In the present game White tried out B x NP 1 8 B x P. The simplification
an alternative relying on the which Black now go es in for, eases
inexperience of his y oung White' s defence.
opponent, but this attempt turned 14 N-N5
out to be a psychological 15 NxN RxB
miscalculation. 16 N-K5 R- B2
8 P- B 4 P-B 4 ! 17 Nx B NxN
T h e threat i s 9 . . . P x P after 18 K-K2 N- B3
which Black would be better 19 QR-QBl R-Ql
developed. Hence White mustn't 20 KR-QI R ( 2 )-Q2
avoid the p ossibility of an exchange 21 B-Kl
of queens.
9 Px P B x QBP
10 P-QN4
This tempting move puts White
into a critical po sition as the
ina d equately d efended QB, QN P
and KP are now accuratel y
exploited by Black. The immediate
1 0 N-B3 was c orrect.
10 B-N3
11 Qx Q
Properly speaking this is the
whole idea of the variation.
Theoretically White can hope for
some advantage in the ending as his Now it is clear that Black's
king will be better placed, but for irnt1at1ve has faded away
the moment Black e njoys the ( 2 1 . . . N-N 5 2 2 R x R R x R 23
initiative. N-R4 ! ) and it would be simpler for
Moscow Team Championship 1 9 6 7 211
h i m t o become reconciled t o the Black now gets a weak QRP

possibility of a draw. The foJJowing which with bishops o n t h e board
knight exchange merely loses time. makes the endga m e h q>e l e s s for
21 N-Q4 him. The rook and pawn ending
22 N.x N R x N. i esulting from 30 . . . B - B 4 31
23 R x R R x R B - K3 B x B 3 2 K x B P-QN3 3 3
23 . . . P x R was sounder, but P x P P x P 34 R-QN8 would
naturally Black did not want to demand great accuracy from White.
have a n isolated pawn. It is now 31 P- R 6 B-B4
clear that White's opening idea has 32 B- B3 K-K2
finally met with success - h i s king � P-R3 K-Q3
has an active p o sition. 34 R-QB8 R-QB 2
24 P-QR4 P- B 3 An oversigh t in time t rouble, but
A natural move but p ossibly a a l o s s for Black was by now
l o sing one, based on a tactical inevitable.
oversight. By 2 4. . . R-Q2 25 35 P-K5+ K-Q2
P - R 5 B- B 2 Black would retain a 36 R- K N 8 P- B4
defensible p o s ition as he would 37 R x P+ K- Q l
thereby prevent White' s rook from 38 R- N 8 + K_:_Q2
penetrating his back ranks. 39 R- K R 8 B-K2
25 P- R 5 B-Ql 40 B- Q4 R- B 7 +
26 R-B8 K-B2 41 K-Q3 R- R 7
O n l y now d i d Bladt realise that 42 R-QR8 Resigns
after 26 . . . P-QR3 27 P-N5 [This game is noteworthy by
( 2 7. . . P x P 28 P- R6 P x P 29 reason of the fact that i t is the only
B - R 5 ) White increases his pressure. one between two Soviet
27 P-K4 R-Q2 competitors in a Hastings P remier
28 P-N5 B-K2 which has had a decisive result ! -
29 B-Q2 B-Q3 B.C.]
30 R-QR8 P-QN 3
1 0 1 Moscow Team Championship, 1 967

Black : K. Bakulin
English Opening
1 P-QB4 P-K3 8 P-K3 P-QN3

2 P-KN3 P-Q 4 9 N-B3 B-R 3
3 B-N2 N-KB 3 9. . . B-N2 is more natural .
4 N-KB3 B-K2 10 Q- K2 R- B l
5 0-0 0-0 11 N-QN 5 B- N 2
6 P-QN 3 P-B4 The alternative 1 1 . . . B x N 1 2
7 B-N2 ' N- B 3 P x B N - N l i s n o t very attractive
212 Moscow Tea m Championsh ip 1 9 6 7
s o Black returns his bishop t o its

natural diagonal.
12 P-Q3 P-QR3
The knight was cramping Black's
game but the text, though it drives
back the intruder, w eakens the
Q-side pawn structure.
13 N-B3 R- B 2
The intended transfer o f the
r o o k to Q2 leads to difficulties as it
does not prevent the creation of a
weak QP. As 1 3 . . . P x P 1 4 NP x P
would expose the weak QNP then
Black should try 1 3 . . . P-Q5 or
1 3 . . . N - N l to meet 1 4 N-K5 by 22 N-N5 B-B3
KN-Q2 or 14 P x P by N x P 1 5 23 P-QR4 Q- R l
N x N B x N. 24 B-Q4 Q- N 2
14 KR-Ql R-Q2 2 4. B x B was probably a
15 Px P Nx P more stubborn defence.
16 NxN Px N 25 R-B2
If 1 6. . R x N then 1 7 P-Q4 Now 25. B x B loses a piece
R-Q2 1 8 P x P B x P 1 9 N-K5 (26 P x B ), and the attacked b ishop
with advantage to White, as Black cannot be defended.
has difficulty in guarding his QRP 25 R(2)-Ql
( 1 9. . . N x N 20 BxB or 26 Bx B P-Q5
1 9. . R x R+ 20 R x R Q- B 2 21 A despairing attempt to
N x N B x N 22 B x B Q x B 23 complicate matters, but White
Q x P R- R l 24 Q-B4). refutes it quite easily.
17 P-Q4 R-Kl 27 Bx B Qx B
18 R-Q2 Px P 28 Nx P RxN
After 1 8_ . . B- B3 White has the 29 Bx R N- B6+
choice between 1 9 P x P P x P with 30 K- R l Q-K5
play against the h anging pawns and Or 30. Q- N 2 3 1 P- K4
R-QB l trying to provoke P x P. winning.
19 NxP N-K4 31 Q-Q3 Q-N5
20 Q R -Ql 32 P-K4 R- Q l
(diagram in next c o lumn) 33 Q- K2 Q-R4
White slowly increases the 34 K- N 2 Resigns
pressure on the isolated pawn. N o tes by u n n a m ed
20 B-B4 commentators in ' Shakhmatnaya
21 P-QR3 P-QR4 Moskva'.
213
1 02 IV Spartakiad 1 967
Black : L. Polugayevsky
English Opening
1 P-QB4 P-QB4 Q-side counterplay has come too

2 N- KB 3 N-QB3 late.
3 N- B3 P-KN 3 21 N-N2
4 P- K3 B-N2 22 P-B4 N-N5
5 P- Q4 P-Q3 23 P-K R3 N-B3
6 B- K2 N-B 3 24 N- B 2 QR- K l
7 P-Q5 N-QR4 25 KR- K l R-K2
Is the knight offside? 26 Q-- B 3 KR-K l
Polugayevsky wasn't too worried, Black was i n time trouble having
whereas Bo tvinnik now bases all his only 22 minutes for h i s last 1 4
play o n exploiting this factor. moves.
8 P- K4 0-0 27 R- K2 N- R 2
9 0- 0 B-N5 28 QR-K l B-Q5
10 B-K3 BxN 29 B- B 2 P-N5
11 Px B P-K4 30 K-R2 N-Ql
12 P-B4 Px P How else can the knight g e t into
13 B x KBP Q- K2 play?
Polugayevsky considers this 31 N-Q3 K- R l
move the reason for his subsequent 32 P- K5 !
troubles. He should play The long prepared thematic
1 3 . . . R- Kl preparing P-QR3 and advan c e !
P-QN4 though after the game
Botvinnik was still sceptical about
the position of Black's QN.
14 B- Q3 N-Q2
15 R- B l N- K4
16 P- N3 P-R4
At first sight a strong move, as
after 1 7 K- R l Q- B 3 Black stands
very wel l , but Bo tvinnik finds a
much stronger reply.
17 K- N 2 !
Now it is cl ear that Black's
hopes are not t o be realised, and he
should have tried 16 . . . P - B4. 32 Q- B 2
17 P- R3 33 K- R l Px P
18 B- N l QR-N l 34 PxP BxP
19 Q-K2 Q-Q2 Agreeing to l o se m aterial, but
20 B-Q2 P-QN 4 what alternative did he have in the
21 N- Q l ! face o f White's many threats?
N o t 2 1 N x P? P x N 2 2 B x N 35 Rx B Rx R
P- N5. The tex t shows that Black's 36 Rx R Rx R
214 IV Spartakiad 1 96 7
37 B-B4 R- 84 48 K- K l K- B 2
Or 3 7 . . . P- B 3 38 Q-N3 and if 49 B-Q6 K-N 2
38 . . . N- B 2 39 Q x P with mating Black has struggled o n manfully,
threats. but he has no active plan and must
38 BxQ RxQ just wait.
39 BxN 50 N- N 2
Thus perishes the unhappy Moving his superbly placed
knigh t ! knight so as to try and incarcerate
39 R-K6 the rook.
40 K-Nl R-K7 50 R- R 8
41 B-Q l 51 N-R4 N-K4
The sealed move. 52 BxN PxB
41 R -Q7 53 NxP
42 N-B2 N- B l Finis. Black resigned .after
43 K-B l N-Q2 5 3 . . . P-R4 54 K-Q2 R- R 7 + 5 5
44 B-N5 R x RP K- K3.
45 N-Q3 K-N2 N o tes based o n those in Russian
46 B-K7 R-R4 periodicals.
47 P-R4 P- B 3
1 03 IV Spartakiad 1 96 7
White : M . Taimanov
Slav Defence
Taimanov commented b efore 3 N- KB 3 N- B 3

the game, � ! Every game with 4 QN -Q2 P- KN3
Botvinnik is an event for any 5 P- K3 B- N 2
player. I have played him thirteen 6 B-K2 0-0
times with a score o f -2 +3 =8. 7 0-0 P-N3
Possibly I shall be meeting him for This creates difficulties for
the last time today. Time is passing Black. 7 . . . B- N 5 is the natural
and it is possible that in four years continua ti on.
time when the next Spartakiad 8 P-QN4 B-N2
takes p lace I may not be playing for 9 B-N2 N-K5
Leningrad. As for B otvinnik 10 NxN
however, I ,have no doubt that in White could c ontinue his Q-side
four years time, and in eight years play by 10 P-QR4 or 10 P x P
time the amazing Botvinnik will P x P 1 1 P- N 5 , but White is
still be playing successfully for attracted by a co mbinational
Moscow." dec ision.
1 P-Q4 P-Q4 10 Px N
2 P-QB4 P-QB3 11 N-Q2 P-KB4
IV Spartakiad 1 96 7 215
12 P-B5 N-Q2 pawn, 31 R x R R x R + 32 K-K2

13 Q- N 3 + K- R l R- B 7 + 3 3 K-K3 R x P 34 R-Q4!
14 P- Q5 31 R x R+
White's last f e w moves were 32 Kx R R- B 7
leading up to this break.through. He 33 R-R4?
thought that after 14 . . . BP x P 1 5 A second error. He should p lay
B x B + K x B 1 6 P- B 6 h e would 3 3 R x P R x RP 34 P-N4!
win a piece, overlooking followed by K-B l - N 2 with good
1 6. . . B x P 1 7 Q- B 3 + R- B 3 ! drawing chances.
14 BP x P 33 P-K6 !
15 B x B+ Kx B 34 Px P R x NP
16 B-N5 Px P 35 P-R4 P-KR4
17 px p R- B l 36 K- Bl R-N5 ! !
1 8 _ Q- B3+ R-B3 A move rev ealing deep
19 N-N3 K-N l calculation and considerable
20 QR- B l P-QR3 confidence as the decision is very
21 BxN Qx B committal.
22 KR-Ql B-B3 37 RxR Px R
23 N-R5 38 K-N2 P-N4!
Wrongly allowing Black's only 39 P-R5
move. The prophylactic 23 P-N3 I f 39 K- N 3 then 3 9 . . . K-N3
was correct. 40 K x P P x P 41 K x P K-B4 42
23 P- B 5 K-N3 K-K5 43 K- B 2 P-R4 44
24 PxP RxP K-K2 P-R5 45 P- R3 P-K3 ! 46
25 NxB RxN K-Q2 K- B 6 47 K-Q3 P-K4 wins.
26 Q- K5 R- B4· 39 K- N 2
27 Q x P (4) Px Q 40 K- N 3 K- R 2 !
28 RxQ KR x QBP A finesse. 4 0 . . . K-R3 loses
29 R-Kl R- B8 after 41 K x P P-R4 42 P-K4 etc.
30 K- B l K- B2 41 Kx P K- R3
31 R-Q4? Taimanov now sealed 4 2 P-K4
and the two players started
analys ing the game. Upon reaching
the transition to the king and pawn
Botvinnik remarked, "A repetition
of the past - I lost a similar ending
thirty ye ars ago in my match with
Lev enfish . N ow I have mastered the
way to play such endings."
The play ers began to look at the
adj ourned position and B o tvinnik
said, "Let us suppose that White
has played 42 P-K4. Then there
comes 42 . P-R4 43 P-R4
. •
P- K4 ! 44 K- B 5 K x P 45 K x P
White has played well so far, but P-N5 46 K- B4 K- R5 47 P-K5
now fails to see that he could reach P-N6 48 P-K6 P-N7 49 P- K 7
a draw by the sacrifice of a second P-N8 (Q) 5 0 P - K8 ( Q) Q- B 7 + 5 1
216 Palma d e Mallorca 1 96 7
K- K 5 Q-K8+. That is the way who wins, not Black! However after
Levenfish won my qu een." 42 . . . P- R4 ! White is in Zugzwang
Taimanov then op ened the as if 43 P- R 3 then 43 . . . P-R5,
sealed envelop e , and wrote "and while if 43 P-K5 then 43 . . . P-R5
resigns" on his score sheet. al�o.
Note that in the above variation Notes based o n those in Russian
after 42 P-R4 P-K3 ? 43 P-R5 or periodicals.
42 . . . P-K4? 43 P-K3 it is White
1 04 Palma de Mallorca 1 96 7
Black : R. Toran
Sicilian Defence
1 P-QB4 P-KN3 Tal-Ghitescu 1 960. In both cases

2 P-K4 P-QB4 Tai played 11 B-Q4 when
3 N-KB3 N-QB3 complications followed. By
4 P-Q4 Px P exchanging the black knight White
5 NxP N-B3 robs his opponent of any sort of
6 N-QB 3 NxN counterplay .
7 Qx N P-Q3 11 BxN BxB
There was a time when this Naturally not 1 1 . . . B x N 1 2
vanatlon was considered as Q x B B x B 1 3 B-R6.
something of a discovery in this 12 B- Q4
thoroughly analysed variation of Now this move has to b e played
the S icilian. Persistent attempts as White must retain his knigh t.
were made to find forcing 12 B-K3
variations w h ich w o u ld Toran fails to find a good plan,
demonstrate an advantage for but it is hard to say if Black really
White. Fortunately for me I did not has one at all in this position.
remember any of these and I chose 13 Bx B Kx B
an apparently unpretentious 14 0-0 K- N l
continuation which nevertheless O f course 1 4 . . . B x P loses to
guaran tees White a slight but 1 5 Q-Q4+ but 14 . . . P- B3 was
persistent initiative. certainly stronger, not losing any
8 B-K 3 B-N2 time by a king retreat.
9 B-K2 0-0 15 P-QN 3 Q- R4
10 Q-Q 2 N-N5 16 P-B4 P- B 3
Only after the tournament had 17 R- B 3 K- R l
finished did I become aware of the F orced sooner o r later because
fact that all this had already of the threat P- B5.
o c c urred in the games 18 R- K l R- KN l
T a l - G u r genidze 1959 and Now P- B 5 can always be met
Palma de Mallorca 196 7 21 7
by B-B2. 24 Px P R-K3
19 R-Q3 QR-QB l 25 K- B 2
20 N-Q5 A little tactical trick which
Strictly speaking hardly the best Black fails to �pot. After the
move, as in the ending Wpite finds it immediate 25 R-Q7 R-Nl
hard to realise his positional 26 K-B2 P-B4 Black would still be
advantage. But from the practical able t o defend his position. Now
point of view this decision can be 25 . . . P-B4 26 R-Q7 R-Nl
understood if one bears in mind would produce the same situation
that S my slov and I arrived late for but the Spanish master decided
the tournament and this game was instead to exploit what appeared to
played less than 24 hours after our him to be the bad white king
plane had landed on the island positio1L
Hence there hadn't been any time 25 R-KB l
for rest or acclimatisation. This parries the threat of 26
20 Qx Q P x P as then 26 . . . R ( l ) x P+ arid
21 RxQ BxN White loses a rook. In actual fact
the a<;tive looking text is a waste of
valuable time.
26 R-Q7
Now if 26 . . . R-QN l White
gains a decisive advantage by 27
P x P. Hence Black is forced t o
cap ture t h e pawn.
26 P x P+
27 K-1\3 R-QN I
28 K- K4
The entry of the king into the
game soon decides matters.
28 K-N l
29 K-Q5 K-B2
22 RxB 30 R(l) x P R-Q3+
Something o f a surprise decision Or 30 . . . R x R + 31 K x R
but the choice is well grounded K-Kl 32 K-K6 etc.
After the standard 22 KP x B Black 31 Rx R Px R
could easily defend against the 32 Kx P R-Ql+
pressure on his KP (22 . . . R-B2 23 33 K-B7 R-Q7
R ( 2)-K2 R-N2 etc.). Now, 34 Kx P R x 'N P
however, the threat is P-K5 35 P- B 5 R x KRP
opening lines in White's favour. As 36 P- B6 R-QB 7
for example 22 . . . R-B 4 fails to 23 37 P-N4 Resigns.
R x R P x R 24 R-Q l , the correct
defence was 22 . . . R - B 2 and if 23
P-K5 QP x P 24 P x P P-B4 25
R ( l )-Ql R ( l )-QB l and Black has
good chances o f successful defence.
22' R-B3
23 P-K5 QP x P
218
1 05 Palma d e Mallorca 1 96 7
White : A. Medina
Robatsch Defence
1 P-K4 P-Q3 White plays for simplification as

2 P-Q4 N-KB3 1 7 P-K5 N-R4 (threatening
3 N-QB3 P-KN 3 P-B5 ) looks dubious for him.
4 N-B3 B-N2 However after this exchange Black's
5 B-QB4 P-B3 KB can well become a very
6 B-N3 powerful piece.
White has not played the best 17 NxB
line against this variation. Blac k 18 QP x P
now has the chance to shut W hite's 1 8 P- K5 woul d be met here too
KB out o f play by P-Q4. by 1 8 . . . N - R4
6 0-0 18 PxP
7 Q-K2 19 NxP NxN
And this allows Black to 20 Qx N Q x BP
e xchange his QB for White ' s KN
with gain of time ( this exchange is a
necessary one for Black in most
lines of this defence).
7 B-N5
8 P-KR3 Bx N
9 Qx B P- K3
Now P-Q4 cannot be played
but the modest text still makes
Wh ite's KB a piece with few
prospects.
10 B-N5 P-KR3
11 B-KR4
This has the drawback of
hindering a possible advance of the It is clear that despite the
white K-side pawns. exchanges and despite material
11 QN-Q2 equality White has a lost position as
12 0-0-0 he has no counter to Black's
Very risky [ Black is the first to pressure along the long black
start active operations. diagonal. Black's m ain idea was
12 Q-R4 based on a tactical finesse, namely
13 Q-K2 P-QN4 that after 2 1 R-Q7 QR-Ql 22
14 P-B4 KR-Ql (or 2 2 R x BP R x R 23
Weakening his K4 which Black Q x KP Q- B4) R x R 23 R x R
immediately exploits. Q-N 8 + 24 R- Q l B x P+ B i ack gets
14 P-N5 a m aterial advantage. My opponent
15 N-N l P-Q4 noticed this, but surprisingly
16 N-Q2 P-B4 enough after 40 m inutes thought he
17 BxN decided that he could not
Palma de Mallorca 1 9 67 219
profitably diverge from this. The 26 Q-K2

point seems to be that the threat If 2 6 K-Q2 then Black could
Q-K2 - B 3 could not be met all calmly take the QNP.
that easily. 26 Q x BP
21 R-Q7 QR-Q I 27 Q-B3 Q- K4
22 KR-QI R x R 28 Q-N 7 P-QR4
23 R x R Q- N 8 + The rest of the game is fairly
24 K-Q2 Q- B 7 + simple as Black has both a
A n ecessary finesse as after positional and material advantage -
24. . . B x P 25 K - K 2 followed by 29 Q- B 6 Q x P 30 K-K2 Q-K4+
R-Ql White would only be a pawn 3 1 K- B l P-R4 3 2 R- B 7 Q - B 5 +
down while his p o sition would 3 3 K - K 2 B-Q5 3 4 R - B 8 Q-K6+
otherwise be quite satisfactory. 3 5 K- Q l B - B6 36 R x R + K x R
25 K-Q3 Q-B8+ White resigns.
Black : l Diez del Corral
I P-QB4 N-KB 3 thought that he had a perfectly safe

2 N-QB3 P-KN 3 position but he commits, without
3 P-K4 P-Q 3 noticing it, a serious error. After
4 P-Q4 B-N 2 White has defended his KP Black's
5 P-B3 0-0 only chance is P - B 5 followed up
6 B-K3 P-K4 by P-KN4-N5. N ow, however,
7 P-Q5 N-Kl White can execute his intended plan
8 Q-Q2 P-KB4 by comparatively simple means.
9 0-0-0 N-R3 13 P x P Px P
This forms a well known Black naturally cannot p l ay
variation of the Saemisch system 1 3. . . B x P as then the critical
which leads to a complex and square K4 comes under White's
interes ting game without White contr ol.
having any p articular advantage. 14 P-KR4!
The manoeuvre N - R 3 - B4 aims White not only prevents
to strengthen the pressure o n the 14 . . . Q- R 5 after which it is hard
opposing KP so White must hurry to defend the QBP but also
to bring out his KB and establish it threatens a further adv ance of his
on the QN I /KR 7 diagonal. KRP so disorganising the enemy
IO B-Q3 N-B4 forces.
11 B-QB2 P-QR4 14 P-R5
12 KN-K2 B-Q2 Black really has t o o l i t t l e in the
Apparently my opponent way o f material on the Q-side to
220 Palma d e Mallorca 1 9 6 7
successfully attack there. to advance his KBP or exchange it?

15 P-R 5 P-R6 I n either case he has to concede his
16 P-QN 3 P-N4 K5 square.
As Black is already in a bad way, 20 P- B 5
he can permit himself a pawn 2 1- B x N P x B
sacrifice. 22 N-K4
Now if 2 2 . . . B x QNP 2 3 R-N 5 +
K- B l 24 N x Q B P l e aving no
satisfactory defence to N - K6+.
22 N-B3
23 R-N 5 + K- B l
24 N x P R x P
This allows White to forcibly
transp ose i nto an easily winning
ending, but Black hardly had
an ything better.
25 N - K6+ B x N
26 Px B Q x Q+
Or 26 . . . R-Q4 27 Q-N4+
R-K2 28 R x P e t c.
17 P-R6 27 R x Q R-K2
T h e p aw n plays a n important 28 N x P R-N l
role on this square. It robs the 29. R x P N x P
knight of KN2 from where it could 30 R- B 5 + N- B 3
defend the KBP. Now the defence 31 B-Q3 R ( 2 )- KI
of that pawn will be a difficult task. 32 B-N5 P-B3
17 B-Rl 33 B x P KR-QB I
18 P x P R-N l 34 R-QB 2 K- K2
19 R-R5 R-B2 35 B-N5 R-Nl
20 P-KN4 36 R- B 7 + K-Ql
Black is faced with a dilemma - 37 R-B7 Resigns.
Black : B. Larsen
English Opening
This is a game that was reprinted· of Larsen. However on returning to

round the world. B o tvinnik writes : Moscow we were surprised to find
"While Smys lov and I were in that p eople were satisfied with our
Mallorca, we judged our final p erfor m a n c e . They were
results to be poor - one of us particularly satisfied with my game
should have taken first prize i nstead against Larsen although it really
Palma de Ma.llorca 1 9 6 7 221
was a comedy of errors. I should tragic. White takes control of

remark here that it was very almost all the files and diagonals.
difficult to play against Larsen at His queen is ready to force its way
the time as he had won game after to the enemy king, while Bla"ck's
g ame, and everybody trembled queen sleeps an abiding sleep in the
when faced with him. I don't corner at QR 1 .
frigh ten easily but involuntarily I 15 Nx N RxN
began to try and guess what 16 P-Q4 Q- R l
wonderful moves he would beat me 17 p x p R x R+
with. And so when the real fight 18 RxR BxP
came, I did n't have enough time to 19 N-N5 ! P-KR3
work out the variations. I began to 20 N- K4 B- B l
get nervous and on six separate 21 R-Q7
occasions I missed a forced win. " This was the first of the six
1 P-QB4 N-K B 3 missed wins. Three of them were
2 N-K B 3 P-K3 discovered after the game while we
3 P-KN3 P-Q4 were still on the Balearic Islands -
4 B-N 2 B-K2 by myself, by Kotov and by
5 0-0 0-0 Gligoric. Three were pointed out in
6 P-N3 P-B4 M o scow by myself, Flohr and
7 B-N 2 N-B3 Shamkovich . Who knows h ow
8 P-K3 P-QN3 many more might still be
9 N-B3 B-N2 discovered?
10 P-Q3 R- B l At this point the position is ripe
11 R-B l R- B2 for a combinational decision, and
12 Q-K2 R-Q2 there is in fact a co mbination,
13 KR-QI R-Kl F l o hr ' s 2 1 N-B6+ P x N 22
14 Px P NxP Q-N4+ K- R2 23 B- K4+ P-B4. I
Larsen playe"d the opening fairly analy sed this but rejected it because
confidently. He tried a variation after 25 B x P + P x B 26 Q x P+
which had o ccurred in a number of K-N l I would have to give
my games b eginning in 1 964, the perpetual check - 26 Q- B6 is
last occasion being against R. refuted by 26 . . . N- K4 27 B x N
Djindj ihashvili of G eorgia in the R x B. However the in-between
Spartakiad. I lost that game and move 23 R-Q7 wins - and this
Larsen, without apparently going move is the real discovery in F lohr's
into details, chose the same piece variation. Now neither 23 . . . R-K2
set-up (R-QB 1 - B 2 - Q 2 and 24 B- K4+ P- B4 2 5 B x P+ P x B
Q-R l ) although the Georgian 26 Q x P+ K-N l 2 7 Q-B6 (there is
master at one stage had a lost game. no N-K4 now ! ) nor 23 . . . N - Q l
I must note howev er, to be fair, 24 R x B N x R 2 5 B- K4+ P - B4
that Djindjihashvili played better 26 B x P+ mating, save Black.
than Larsen. He captured on his Q4 I missed this intermediate move,
with the pawn and h ung on not too surprisingly given my time
somehow. Larsen preferred to shortage, and• so played the text
recapture with the knight which led which is quite strong.
to the bpening of all the i ines � P-B4
and made Black's position simply The threat was 2 2 N - B 6+ a nd
222 Palma de Mallorca 19 6 7
L ar s e n made this reply quite player who prefers, given a shortage

quickly. This swift reaction in a of time, a posi tional win to unclear
desperate p osition which c ompl ications. Once again,
characterises the good practical however, there was a combinational
player such as Larsen is, was also a d e ci s i o n , discovered by
feature of Taimanov's play in his Shamkovich : 23 R x P + K- B l . I
bes t days. now examined 24 Q- R 5 R - K 2 2 5
R - N 6 N-Q l an d t h e k i n g hides
itself away on the Q-side.
Shamkovich noticed that white had
no need to hurry. After 24 R-R 7 !
the defensive manoeuvre R - K 2 is
no longer p l ay a ble and 2 5 Q-R5
wins agai nst 24 . . . K-N l .
My positional line was also
sufficient to win as with such a
powerful QB one can be confident
of the outcome. Larsen now tried
to save the game by ge tting
oppos ite col oured bishops.
23 N-Q5
Two day s after the game was 24 R x N Bx B
played Kotov pointed out the 25 R-Q7
second win : 22 N - B 6+ ! P x N 23 A practically symmetrical
Q-R5 R-K2 2 4 Q- N 6 + R -N 2 25 position has arisen but White
R x R + B x R 26 B x N B x B 2 7 dominates the seventh rank. I
B x P Q- KB 1 2 8 B x B Q x B 29 expected 2 5 . . . B - R 8 when after
Q x P+ ; if h o wever 24 . . . B - N 2 2 6 P - B4 White has all the winning
then 2 5 B x N R x R 2 6 B x R chances, but some sort of figh t is
B - R 8 2 7 P - B 3 B x P 28 B x P still possible. Larsen puzzled me
wins. with h i s actual choice.
A t the time of the game I didn' t 25 B-R6
examine this at all but looked at Now I took frigh t . Could this be
the si mplest and m o s t convincing one of the wonderful moves of the
line, 22 Q- R 5 , a move typical of Danish grandmaster? Alas, no !
the practical p l ayer - why sacrifice After my reply, Black is simply a
a piece prematurely? Then comes piece down.
2 2 . . . R-K2 23 R x R N x R 24 26 P-B3 R-Ql
N-Q6 ! B x B 25 Q- B 7 + K- R 2 T h i s move was made quickly and
( 2 5 . . . K-R l 2 6 N-K8 ) 2 6 B x P ! confidently and I then missed the
B x B 2 7 N- K8 Q x N 28 Q x Q. 1 fifth win pointed out several days
also found this after the game as l ater by Gligoric: 27 Q - Q l R x R
while it was being played I failed to 28 Q x R Q- B l . At the time of the
find the decisive 26 B x P. Instead I game I saw that 2 9 Q x KP+ Q- B 2
played the simple move. was inadequate, but I did not
22 N-Q6 B x N r e c k o n w i t h 2 9 Q x R P and then
23 R x B P-QR4, P-QN4 and Q x P+ when
The decision of the practical the QRP queens. Compared to the
Palma de Mallorca 1 9 6 7 223
previous ·missed lines this was a sealed During the adjournment

simple one but I had even less time the best informed playe!\' ht the
left. tournament, Bednarski, informed
27 R x P+ K- B l me of the genera.I opinion that
28 R-R7 Q-Q4 White would win by an ultimate
The last chance to activate his P-N4.
pieces. The threat is Q-Q8+
29 K-B2 Q-Q8
Now i:he sixth win is 30 B-B 3 !
and then R x KRP. There i s no
danger in 30 . . . Q-KR8 31 R.,-R8+
K-K2 3 2 B-N4+ and 33 Q-Q3+.
30 R-R8+ K- B2
31 RxR Qx R
Objectively speaking the game is
still won and, what is even more
important, it is hard to make a
mistake in such a position despite
being short of time.
32 Q-B 2 Q-Q4
Here I should prevent his queen 41 P-B5
getting onto the KBl /QR6 diagonal Creating a passed p awn.
by 33 P-R4, but in time trouble 41 Px P
the temptation to give a series of 42 BxP K- B3
checks is too great. 43 B-N4 K-N3
33 Q-B 7 + K-Kl 44 P-N 4 !
34 Q-N8+ K-Q2 This breakthrough had been
With 20 minutes in hand, Larsen pointed out immediately by
hurries and so loses. He could get Smyslov in a short spell of analysis.
an ending with ppposite coloured 44 RP x P
bishops in - w h ich he had good 45 K-N 3
drawing chances by 344 . . . Q-Q l . Now White threatens t o execute
There are i n fact many finesses in the following plan - P x P P x P
the resulting position - in some (the capture by the bishop is clearly
variations Black could be three ( ! ) ruled out) and then play a pawn to
pawns down and yet maintain K5, transfer the king to KB6 and
equality by playing the exact move the bishop to KN3 via K l . The
each time. pawn sacrifice P-N6 doesn't help
35 Q x P+ K- B l Black. However, here too Larsen
36 Q-R6+ K-B2 stuck to the same policy of playing
37 Q-B4+ Qx Q quickly and after 45 . . . P-K4 j-6
38 Px Q K- B3 P-K4! BP x P 47 P x NP he
39 B-Q4 P-R4 resigned
40 P-R4
Zugzwang.
40 K- B2
{diagT'am in nex t column}
The adjourned position in which
224
1 0 8 Monte Carlo 1 968

White : P. Benko
English Opening
1 P-QB4 P-KN3
2 P-KN3 B-N2
3 B-N2 P-K4
Producing a Sicilian Defence
with colours reversed.
4 N-QB 3 N-K2
5 P-K4 P- Q3
6 KN-K2 QN - B 3
7 P-Q3 P-B4
Careful p l a y characteristic o f a n
experienced grandmaster. Black
defers castling for one more move
so as to reduce White ' s attacking
chances against the enemy king in
the event o f White not castling on away by 13 . . . BP x P so as to force
the K-side. However, my opponent the pawn to recapture ( 1 4 B x P
had another plan i n mind. N - B 4 ) after which the white KP
8 N-Q5 might become an object of attack;
A typical m aoeuvre; before 2) exchanging white square bishops
playing 9 B - K 3 White occupies a ( B � R 6 ) so as to weaken the KP and
cen tral square with his knig h t . The also the white king position; 3) by
immediate 8 B-K3 could be exchanging the p awn on his KB5,
answered by 8. N-Q5 ! Black opens the way for pressure
8 0-0 on K5 along the K- fil e , White will
9 B-K3 B-K3 be forced to recapture with t h e
The only way to complete p a w n so as not to lose control o f
development. Now, however, his K5 ; 4 ) B l a c k ' s rook w i l l attack
Black's pieces will come into p l ay the KP from Kl and White will
even earlier than White's as the defend i t b y N-KN3 which also
moves P-QB4 and N-Q5 have cost helps to def end his king position; 5 )
two temp i ! finally , there comes P-KR4- R 5 ! ,
10 Q-Q2 Q-Q2 the weakness o f the K P and the
11 0-0 R- B 2 exposed white king po sition m ust
12 QR-Kl QR-K B l then tell.
13 P-B4 13 BP x P
(diagram i n nex t column) 14 QP x P N- B l !
The plan that Black has in mind An essential link in exchanging
is not without its pos itional novelty white square bishops is the defence
or psychological elements (see note of the QBP by the KR . Benko
to White's 1 9t h move). This p l an meets my idea by a n active and
consists of t h e following: 1 ) Black dangerous plan of counterplay on
exchanges in the cen tre straight the Q-side.
Mon te Carlo 1968 225
15 P-QB 5 B-R6 K- R2 29 Q- B 7 + Q-N2 30

16 P-QN4 B x B N-B6+ and mate in two.
17 Kx B KP x P
18 NP x P R-Kl
' 19 N-N3
One can understand White's
attempt to defend both his centre
pawn and his king p osition, but in
view of what now follows 1 9
KN- B 3 is preferable. H owever,
B e n ko is a player with a n active
style and doesn't like to retreat, so
he chooses to play for a threatening
loo king attack. By the way, this
was the only game which h e lost at
Monaco.
19 P-KR4 24 B - K4 !
Naturally ! Now if 20 P-KR4 A n important resource as Black
t h e n 2 0 . . . Q - N 5 ! with advantage rep els the attack by retaining his
to Black. What th en can White do? bishop. White now does not have
I f 2 0 P - B 5 P-R5 21 P x N P ( 2 1 the time t o play 25 Q- K2 be cause
P-B6 B-R l ) R x R 2 2 R x R of 25 . . . Q-K3 followed by
P x N 23 R-B7 Q-N5 24 R x B+ Q x NP, while Black also has the
Kx R 25 B-R6+ (25 Q- B 3+ threat Q-N5 followed by Q x NP.
N-K4 or R-K4) K x P and Black 25 B-Q4
must win. But White has a t his The bishop must b e removed
disposal an intermediate move. 25 Q- N5
20 P-N5 N ( 3 ) - K2 26 R - B4
I t w a s difficul t to decide on An error in time trouble.
-20 . . . N-Q l defending KB2, but it However, even after the b e tter 26
was probably stronger. Now great B x B P x P+. ( 2 6. . . Q x P+ 27
complications ensue. K- R 3 ) 27 B-N 3 ! Q x P+ 28 K x P
21 P-B 5 ! P-R5 Qx P ( 2 8. . . Q x N 29 Q-R6 or
22 P x NP R x R 28 . . . N x N 2 9 Q - R 6 ) 29 N x N+
23 R x R P x N ( 29 R-B3 Q- R4+ 30 K-N2
24 R- B 7 N x N) 29 . . . R x N ! 30 R x R
{diagram in nex t column) N x R 31 P x P N - B 4 ! White could
Instead 24 B-R6 would not hardly hope for a draw, e.g. if now
achieve its aim because of 32 Q- Q 5 + K- B 1 and the attack on
24. . . Q-K3. At this moment the bishop gives Black a vital
Smyslov was standing b y our board tempo.
and it s eemed to me that I could [The long note t o White's 26th
read alarm i n his look. I n fact at seems incorrec t as at the end White
first sight it would appear t h at can play 3 3 P x P ! (not 33 P-Q 7?
Black is in trouble. R x B+ is25 Q x B + 3 4 K-R l Q- R5+ 3 5 K- N l
threatened followed by 26 Q-Q4+ N-Q3) 3 3. . •. Q x B+ 34 K- R l .
e.g. if 24. . . Q-N5
R x B+ 26 Now i f 3 4. . . Q x P 3 5 Q x N + with
K x R 2 7 Q-Q4+ K x P 28 Q__::_ B6+ level material while if 34 . . . N - Q 3
226 Bev erw ijk 1 969
35 Q x N+! or 34 . . . N-K2 35 26 Q- R4
Q-Q8+ and 3 6 P- B 8 ( Q ) . Black can With the double t h r e a t of Q x P+
t h e n win a pawn by 36 . . . N x Q 3 7 or N x N .
Q x N Q- K8+, Q-K7+ and Q x N P 27 B x B Q x P+
but c a n h e win t h e ensuing e nding? 2.8 K- B 3 Qx Q
If 3 4 . . . Q-R6+ 35 K-N l 29 N-B6+ K- N 2
N-K6 36 Q x P! and Black must 30 N x R+ Kx P
give perpet ual check, while if 31 R-B6+ K- R 2
34 . . . Q- R 6 + 35 K-N l N - K 2 T h e simplest.
t h e n 3 6 Q x P N- B l 3 7 P - R 4 and 32 B x NP Q- Q6+
how does Blac k prevent the 33 K- B 2 Q x NP
exchange of the l a s t p a w n b y P - R 5 34 px p Qx N
a n d P - N6? H i s q u e e n i s t i e d down Resigns.
to the defence of the knight -
B.C.]
1 09 Beverwijk 1 969
Black : L. Kavalek
Benoni Defence
1 P-QB4 P-KN3 N x N Q- R4+) while the text was

I n November 1 9 6 7 at the Palma previously thought in B lack's
de Mallorca t ournament I played an favour because of 9 . . . R-Kl+ 1 0
innovation against the Yugoslav B - K3 B - R 3 . This i s far from be ing
grandmaster Matulovic in the clear as I established some y e ars
Benoni. Naturally e nough Kaval e k ago.
analysed t h i s game a n d h e thought 9 R- K l +
he could strengthen Black's play. 10 B-K3 B-R3
With great skill Kavalek tried to Matulovic decided n o t to p l ay
reach the same position and I did this, and continued 1 0. . . N - R 4
not obj e c t either as I still thought a n d was left with a p assive position.
the variation in White's favour. Kaval ek, with time to prepare, goes
2 P-Q4 B-N2 i nto the main variation.
3 N-QB3 P-QB4 11 0-0 B x B
4 P-Q5 P-Q3 Black gains noth ing from the
5 P-K4 N-KB 3 exchange sacrific e 1 1 . . . R x B 1 2
6 B-Q3 o� o P x R B x P + 1 3 K- R l N - R 4 1 4
7 P-KR3 P-K3 Q- K l B-B5 15 N-K2 when
8 N-B3 P x P White's advantage is obvious.
9 KP x P 12 P x B Q-K2
9 BP x P is bad because of Black decides not to take the
9 . . . P-QN4! ( 1 0 B x P N x KP 1 1 pawn as after 12 . . . R x P 13
Beverwijk 1 96 9 227
Q-Q2 White has gained more time Now although material equality
and would get a very p owerful has been re-established, White has a
attack. Black's idea is to provoke winning attack.
P - K4 s o as to then es tablish his 21 B-Q2
knight on K 4. M or eover the pawn 22 Q- B 6
advance somewhat restricts the It is comical that I th ought
activity of White's pieces. Alas the about this error for about 20
open KB file has greater minutes. First of all I intended 22
significance. R -B6 threatening R x QP and
13 P-K4 QN- Q 2 R-Ql , but I was rather put off that
14 Q- Q 2 P-QR 3 after 22 R - B 6 K - N 2 2 3 R-Ql
Essential as at a n appropriate R-KB 1 2 4 R x Q R x R as Black
juncture N-QN 5 could come. has some chances of resisting. I
15 R- B 2 N-K4 overlooked the prosaic 22 R- B 6
Black follows through logically K- N 2 23 R x QP R-KB l 29
with his plan, but gets a lost R - KB6. However, White still has a
position. He had to play decisive advantage.
1 5 . . . R- B l followed by N-Kl 22 N x R
and P-B3. 23 Q x N+ K- R l
16 N x N Qx N 24 Qx B R-KB l
17 QR-KB l N-Q2 25 Q x QP
18 R x P Q- Q 5+ As K avalek pointed out 25
19 K- R l R- KB 7 was simpler and after
Naturally 19 R ( 7 ) - B 2 N - K 4 20 25 . . . R x R 26 Q x R Q-N2 the
R - Q l B x P is in B l ack's favour. game would be reduced to an
19 N-K4 ending.
20 Q-B4 25 R x R+
26 B x R Q- B 7
27 Q- K5 + K- N l
28 Q- K6+ K- R l
2 8 . . . K- N 2 was certainly
stronger as now Black loses his last
chance of exploiting the exposed
position of the enemy king - the
black king is now in the greater
danger, whereas on K R3 the black
mo narch would be safe.
29 Q- K 5 + K-N l
30 Q-K6+ K- R l
31 B - K2 R-KB l
32 Q-K5+ K- N l
Threatening 2 1 R - B 8 + . Kaval ek 33 B-N4
had overlooked that after And n o w i t is only a draw!
20 . . . � B 4 2 1 R x NP N x B 2 2 White hurries
to preve nt
Q- R 6 B lack cannot defend his R- B 5 - R 5 + and is confident that
second rank. he has an easy mate if the rook
20 B x P leaves the b ac k rank. Grandmas ter
21 B-K2 O'Kelly pointed out the simple win
228 Mosc o w Team Champio nship 1969
33 P-Q6! (33. . . R - B 5 34 37 K-K2

B-N4 ! ). 38 Qx P+
33 Q- R 5 + Black is also safe after 38
34 B-R3 Q- K8+ Q- N 7 + K - K l .
35 K-R2 R-B 8 38. K- B 3
Now mate is threatened an d the 39 Q- R 8 + K- N4
black king slips out of the ambush. 40 Q- K5+ K- R 3
36 B-K6+ K- B l N o w too after 4 1 K - R 3 R - R 8 +
37 Q- R 8 + 42 K-N4 Q-R 5 + 43 K- B 3
G r a n d m a s t e r B e n ko R- B 8 + 44 K-K3 Q- B 7 + 45
demonstrated that after 3 7 Q-Q6+ K-Q3 Q x K N P ! White i s forced to
K- N 2 38 Q-K7+ K-R l ! give perpetual.
( 3 8 . . . K- R 3 3 9 K-R 3 ! R - R8+ 41 Q- R 8 + K-N4
40 K -N 4 ) White has to give 42 Q- Q8+ K-R4
perp etual check. 43 Q- R 8 + Drawn.
1 10 Moscow Team Championship 1 969

Black : R. Holmov
Nimzoindian Defence
1 P-QB4 N-KB 3 any chances based on the c entral

2 N-QB 3 P-K3 pos ting of the white king and so
3 P-Q4 B-N5 castles first - wron gl y !
4 P-K3 0-0 9 0-0 N-B3
After 4. . . P- B 4 Whit e's 10 Px P
po ssibilities would be more If White wanted _ to avoid the
restricted. exchange of queens he could do
5 B-Q3 P-Q4 this by 1 0 B-Q3.
6 P-QR 3 B-K2 10 Qx Q
7 N-B3 P x P 11 R x Q B x P
8 B x BP P-B4 12 P-QN4 B-K2
Now the pawn ex change on B5 13 B-N2 B-Q2
suggests itself thereby forcing the White has outstripped his
exchange of queens and in the opponent in development and
forthcoming ending White is the controls greater space, but how is
better mobilised. White thus had to he to exploit it? Holmov
decide whet h er to take at once or demonstrates (up to a point) that
castle first. I f he exchanges at once B l a c k ' s resources are adequate for a
White wins a tempo (if he intends draw.
o ccupying the Q-file with h is KR 14 N-K4 KR-QI
with his king p l aced o n K 2 ) . This is not bad as now 15
White decides n o t t o allow Black N x N+ B x N 16 B x B Px B is
Moscow Team Championship 1 969 229
merely i n Black's favour. However, 2 7. B x N P x B

'
it is possible that it was even 28 P-K4 P x P+
simpler t o play the line indicated 29 Kx P K-Q2
by Holmov after the gam e - 30 K- Q5 P-KR4
1 4, . • N x N 1 5 R x B N-Q3 ! and
then KR-Q I .
15 N-Q6 B-QB l
Na turally Black prefers to keep
his black square bishop ·so as to
have a chance t o exchange White's
QB.
16 N x B QR x N
17 R x R+ !
W h ite's plan i s obvious - to
exchange both pairs of rooks after
which he can activate his king.
17 N x R
18 R-QB l N-Q2
18 . . . N-K5 looks more active Up to now Black has defended
alth ough then White could well but here he is careless. He
exchange rooks by 1 9 B-Q3. ought to act more decisively by
19 B - N5 30 . . . B - Q l ! and the threat of
In exchanging rooks W h i t e also N-K2+ means t h at White cannot
avoids the exchange of bishops by keep his king on Q5/K5 unless h e
B-B3. exchanges knights. The White could
19 R x R+ probably not m a ke a nything of his
20 B x R N-N3 adv antage as in a pure bishop ending
21 K- B l the chances of forcing Zugzwang
N o w the king c o m e s into p l ay are minim al .
and in ten moves from now it will 31 B-N 7 !
occupy a threatening p o sition in Now the K 2 square will not be
the centre of the board availab le to the knigh t - if
21 P-QR3 3 1 . . . B-Q3 then 32 B- B 6
22 B-Q3 N- B 3 maintaining the w h i t e king o n Q5 . .
23 B-K4 P-N3 31 B- Q l
Correc tly judgiQg h e need not 32 B- B 8 B-N3
fear B x N and safeguarding his White would l i k e t o exchange
KRP s o as t o bring his king t o the bishops, Black to exchange knights.
centre. The exchange of White's bishop for
24 K-K2 K- B l Black's knight also favours the first
25 K-Q3 K- K l player, but this is still what black
26 B-N2 N-Q4 should have decided on. Black
Forced, a s after 2 6 . . . K-Q2 2 7 exchanges bishops when, with
B x N+ P x B (27. . . K x B 28 knight s left on, the chances of
N-K5+) 28 N-K5+ winning a creatin g Zugzwang become much
pawn. The text forces the exchange greater.
of the KB but allows a further 33 B- B5 N-K2+
advance by the white king. N o w t h i s c h e c k is playabl e b u t
23 0 Moscow Team Championsh ip 1969
doesn't make much difference as 40. . . P- B6 is already too late if

the exchange of White's bishop for only because of the variation 4 1
one of his opponent's minor pieces P-N3 N-B4+ 4 2 K- Q3 !
is now assured. White cannot play 41 K- K4 Nx P
34 B x N as his KBP would then be -Here too 4 1 . . . P-B6 is no good
attacked and as 34 K-K5 B x B 35 because of 42 K x P N x P+ 43
P x B leads to a more complex K-N 3 N-B4+ (43 . . . P-KN4 44
position he chooses another line. N-K6+) 44 K- B4.
34 K- B4 Bx B 42 N-K6+ K- B3
He had to try 34 . . . B-B2 Black' s last hope is to attack the
keeping his bishop. opponent's Q-side pawns.
35 Kx B K-B 2 43 NxP K-N4
The alternative defence of his 43 . . . P-KN4 doesn't work
N3 by 35 . . . N - B l also had its because of 44 P-N 3 ! P x N 45
drawbacks. P x N with a won king and pawn
36 N-N5 ending. This is what Black
Provoking the advance of the o v e r l o o k ed in p l ay i n g
pawns which thereby are weakened. 39. . . P-N3+.
3.6 P-B3 44 P-N3 N-B4
37 N-R7 P-B4 45 N x NP N-R3
38 P-KR4 Apparently Black has managed
Zugzwang is approaching. If to create some counterplay, as the
now 38 . . . P-N3+ 39 K-Q4 K-Q3 creation of a passed pawn on the
40 N-B8 N-B3+ 41 K-K3 N-K4 Q-side looks unavoidable. White,
4 2 K-B4 and the NP is lost. however, finds the essential
Holmov decided to go for tactical defensive move.
complications. 46 N-K5 !
38 P-B5 A manoeuvre which clears up
39 N-B8 P-N3+ the situation.
The best practical chance was 46 K- R5
probably 3 9. . . P-B6 40 P-N3 47 N-B4 K-N6
N-B4 41 N x P N x NP. Then after N either 47 . . . P-N4 48 N-K5
42 K-Q4 White wottld also remain K x P 49 N-B 6! nor 47 . . . K-N4
a pawn up but the technical 48 N- N2 makes any difference.
difficulties of the resulting ending 48 NxP Kx P
would be considerable. My 49 N-Q5 K- N6
opponent underestimated White's 50 P-B4 K- B5
42nd move. 51 N- B7 KxP
40 K-Q4 N-B4+ 52 N x P+ Resigns.
231
1 1 1 USSR v Rest of the World, Belgrade 1 970

White : M. Matulovic
Robatsch Defence
1 P-K4 P-KN3 more active. Castling long has the

2 P-Q4 B-N2 drawback that White must reckon
3 N-KB3 P-Q3 with an attack against his QN2. A
4 B-QB4 N-KB3 similar plan was successfully carri ed
5 Q-K2 out by Black in the game Medina
A p opular variation. White's KB Botvinnik, Palma 1 96 7.
is very active and Black must limit M B-N5
its role by playing P-QB3 followed 15 P-K5
by P-Q4. Black succeeded in doing After 1 5 P-KR3 B x N 1 6 Q x B
this in the games Gipslis-Botvinnik, N-Q2 1 7 N-Q6 N-K4 18 Q x P
Spartakiad 1 963 and Matulovic KR-Ql ! White would lose a piece.
Botvinnik, Belgrade 1 969. 15 N-Q2
5 P-B3 16 Q- K4 QR-Ql
6 B-N3 0-0 This is stronger, of course, than
7 B-N 5 16 . . . B x N 1 7 P x B N x P 1 8
Matulovic's invention. White N x N Q x N 1 9 Q x Q B x Q 20
prevents the above mentioned plan R-Q7.
as now. in some vaTiations the KP is 17 Q x KBP BxN
pinned (P-K3 is an essential link in 18 Qx B P-QN4
the chain for this plan). However 19 N-K3 NxP
on KR4 the white bishop will not 20 Q-N3 P-QR4
be very well placed. 21 P-QR3 K-R2
7 P-KR3
8 B-R4 P-K4
After this White's bishop on
QN 3 remains active, and Black's
counterplay consists of N-R4-B5.
9 PxP PxP
10 QN-Q2
Of course not 10 N x P Q-R4+.
Now the KP does need guarding.
10 Q- B 2
11 N-B4 N-R4
12 B-N3
Clever play. After 1 2. . . B-N5
13 B x P! B x B 1 4 QN x B N-B5
15 Q-Q2 White's advantage is 22 N-N4
clear, so Black has no choice. A mistaken decision. The correct
12 N-B5 line was 22 P-KB4 N-Q2 23
13 BxN Px B P- B5 ! offering the exchange of
14 0-0-0 queens ·and weakening the black
14 P-K5 at once was rather king position.
23 2 USSR v R est of the World, Belgrade 19 70
22 P-R4 34 K- Q l B x R
23 N x N B x N 35 Q- Q5 Q-B3
24 Q-KB3 K- N 2 36 K- K2
25 KR-Kl B- B3 A better defensive chance w as
26 P-B3 P-B4 3 6 P-B4 Q-R 8 + 37 K-K2 B- B 3
White's l a s t h o p e is that the 38 Q x QBP Q-KN8 39 B-N3.
major p i e c e s will b e exchanged Now however 3 6 . . . Q-QB6 does
26 . . . Q x P achieves nothing after not work because of 37 B x P !
2 7 P - N 3 or 27 Q x BP. 36 B-N3
27 R x R R x R 37 P-B4 Q- B6
28 P-N3 38 Q-K4 B-Q5
2 8 P - R 3 was more careful. The A new slip. After 38 . . . B-N8
pawns o f the king side o n black 39 P- B 5 P x P 40 Q x P ( 5 ) Q-K6+
squares may well become objects of 41 K- B l B x P Black would win a
attack. second pawn. N o w , h owever, White
28 P-B5 could keep some hopes of saving
29 B-B2 P-N5 the game by 39 K-B l ! Q- R 8 + 40
30 RP x P P x P K-N2 Q-N8+ 41 K- R 3 Q- B 8 +
31 P x P Q- N 3 4 2 Q-N2. H i s next move loses
I t w a s probably simpler to p l ay ano ther two pawns.
3 1 . . . Q-R 2 ! 32 K- N l Q-Q5 3 3 39 P-B5 P x P
Q- B 3 Q x P 3 4 Q-K3 Q x R P or 40 Qx P Q- K6+
3 2 . . . . R -Q R I 33 Q-R3 Qx P 41 K- B l
( 3 3 . . . Q-Q5 34 R - Q l Q-K4 3 5 Or 41 K-Ql P - B 6 ! with forced
P - B 4 ) 3 4 Q-K3 Q x R P . mate.
32 R-Ql Q x NP 41 Q- N 8 +
A s erious mistake. After The sealed move.
32 . . . R - K l (during the ga m e 42 K- K2 Q x P+
BIack o n ly considered 43 K- Q l Q- N 8 +
3 2 . . . R-QN l ) 3 3 R-Q7 Q x N P 44 K-K2 Q-K6+
3 4 Q-Q5 R - K 8 + mate i s forced, 45 K- B l Qx P
so White would have t o allow the 46 Q- R 7 + K- B l
c ontinuation 33 Q-R3 Q x B P . Resigns.
33 R x R Q x P+
233
Botvinnik's Record Against Leading Players

+ + =
Averbach l !W3-5 5 1 2 - Ivkov 1 960-69 2 1

Alatortsev 1 9 3 1-45 8 3 - Ka n 1 92 9- 5 5 11 3 3
Alexander 1 93 6 - 5 8 3 1 1 Kavale k 1 96 9 1
Alekhine 1 9 3 6- 3 8 1 2 - Ker es 1 9 3 8- 6 9 8 9 3
Antoshin 1955 1 Konstantinopolsky
Aronin 1 9 5 1-65 2 1 1931-52 4 1 1
Bagirov 1 96 5 1 Korchnoy 1 9 5 2- 6 0 1 2 1
Barcza 1952 1 Kotov 1 9 3 9- 6 7 5 5 1
Belavenets 1 93 4 3 9 1 2 - Kottnauer 1 94 6- 5 2 3
B enko 1 9 5 2- 6 9 1 2 -
Kubbel 1 9 3 0- 3 3 3
Bernstein 1 946 1 Kurajica 1 96 6 1
Bisguier 1961 1 Larsen 1 95 6- 7 0 3 2 2
Blumenfeld 1 93 1 1 Lasker 1 9 3 5- 6 1 3
Bobotsov 1 96 4 5 1 1 Levenfish 1 9 2 5- 4 0 8 8 6
B o hatyrc h u k 1 9 2 7- 3 5 2 3 Liberzon 1 96 4 6 7 1 2 -
Bogoljubov 1 93 6 1 Lilienthal 1 934-45 5 5 2
Boleslavsky 1 94 0 - 6 7 7 6 - Lissitsyn 1931-55 7 6 1
Bondarevsky 1 9 3 8- 5 2 3 5 2 Lombardy 1 9 5 7- 6 9 1 2 -
Borisenko " "1 9 5 5-64 2 - Lundin 1 94 6- 6 2 2 2 -

Bronstein 1 94 4 6 7 7 18 6 Lutikov 1 96 6 1
Capablanca 1 9 3 5- 3 8 1 5 1 Makogonov 1 9 2 7-44 4 3 1
C h e kover 1 93 1 - 4 5 6 3 - Matulovic 1 96 7- 7 0 3 4 -
Ciocaltea 1 9 5 6- 6 5 3 Najdorf 1 946-5 8 2 1 1

Czerniak 1 9 5 6- 6 6 1 1 Nenarokov 1 9 2 7- 3 3 1 2 -
Damjanovic 1 96 7- 8 1 1 Nezhmetdinov 1 9 5 9 1
Denker 1 94 5- 6 2 1 O'Kelly 1 94 6- 4 7 2 2 -
Donner 1 95 8- 6 9 4 7 1 Olafsson 1 9 69 1
Dubin in 1 9 39-40 1 1 Padevsky 1 95 6- 68 3 2 -
Elis kases 1 9 3 6- 6 4 1 3 -
Panov 1 9 3 9-44 3
E uwe 1 9 3 4- 5 4 2 8 2 Pach man 1 94 7 - 6 6 2 3 1
Filip 1 9 5 6- 6 2 1 1 Penrose 1 96 1- 6 6 2 -
Fine 1 9 3 6- 8 2 1 Petrosian 1 95 1 - 6 7 3 20 6
Fischer 1962 1 Pilnik 1952 1
Flohr 1 9 3 3- 6 6 5 24 2 Pirc 1 93 5- 5 4 1 1
Furman 1955 1 Poluga yevsk y 1 9 6 7-69 1 2 -
Geller 1 95 1 - 6 9 1 5 4 Pomar 1 9 5 8- 6 6 3
Gip slis 1 96 3 - 5 2 Portsich 1 960-69 1 3 -
Gligoric 1 94 7- 6 9 2 6 2 Rabinovich 1 92 6 - 3 9 4 5 3
Golombek 1 9 5 2- 6 3 -
Ragozili 1 9 2 7- 4 7 19 1 4 -
Grigoriev 1 9 2 7- 3 3 2 2 - Rauzer 1 9 2 7- 3 3 3 1
Holmov 1 94 7- 6 9 3 1 Reshevsky 1 9 3 6- 5 5 5 7 2
Hort 1 9 68 1 Robatsch 1 9 6 1- 6 6 3
lljin- Z henevs ky Riumin 1 9 2 9- 3 6 4 3 1
1 9 26-3 8 4 7 2 Savitsky 1 9 3 0- 3 3 4 1 -
23 4
+ + =
Schmid 1 96 0 - 6 5 1 1 1 Tai 1 96 6- 6 6 12 20 12
Simagin 1 943-64 1 4 - Taimanov 1 9 5 1- 6 7 4 6 2
Sliwa 1 9 5 2- 6 4 2 1 Tolush 1 9 3 8- 6 5 6 1 l
Smyslov 1 9 4 6- 7 0 26 5 0 22 Sir G . llmmas 193436 1 1
Sokolsky 1 9 3 8- 4 7 2 1 Trifunovic 1 94 7 - 6 5 1 1
Sozio 1 92 9- 3 3 1 1 Uhlmann 1 9 5 6- 6 8 2 4 1
Spassky 1 95 5-6 9 1 6 -
Unzicker 195462 2 3 1
Spielmann 1935 1 van Scheltinga 1 95 8- 6 9 4 -
Stahlberg 1 9 3 5- 5 6 4 1 Veresov 1 9 3 8- 6 3 4 -
Stein 1 9 6 3 -6 6 1 2 -
Vidmar 1 93 6-4 6 2 -
S teiner 1 94 6 1 Wade 1961 1

Stolz 1 9 2 6- 4 6 2 1 Yanofsky 1 94 6- 6 4 1 1
Suetin 1952 1 Yudovich 1 93 1 - 6 6 4 2 -
Szabo 1 94 6 - 6 6 4 5 1
235
Botvinnik's Results 1947-70

+ Pos.
'1 94 7 Chigorin Nlemorial 8 6 1 1
1 948 World Championship Hague/Moscow 10 8 2 1
1 95 1 World Championship v Brons tein 5 14 5
X I X USSR Championship 6 8 3 5
1952 Maroczy Memorial 7 8 2 3-5
XX USSR C ha mpionship 9 9 1 l=
1 95 3 Match v Taimanov 2 3 1
1 9 54 W o r l d Championship v Smyslov 7 10 7
XI Olympiad 6 5
1955 XXII U S S R Championship 7 9 3 3-5
USSR v USA (v Reshevsky) 3 1
1 9 56 XII Olympiad 6 7
Alekhine Memorial 8 6 1 l=
1957 World Championship v S myslov 3 13 6
1958 World Championship v S myslov 7 11 5
XIII Olympiad 7 4 1
Wageningen 3 2 1
1 959 I I Spartakiad 1 6
1 960 World Championship v T ai 2 13 6
XIV Olympiad 8 5
Moscow v Le ni ngrad 1 1
1961 World Championship v Tai 10 6 5
II E uropean Team Championship 4 4 1
Has tings 7 2 1
1962 X V Olympiad 5 6 1
1963 World Championship v Petrosian 2 15 5
III Spartakiad 7 2
1964 Moscow Team Champions hip 1 1
Team Championship 4 1
USSR Team Championship 3 3
XVI Olympiad 7 4
1965 No ordwijk 5 2 1
'Trud ' Team C h ampionship 4 1
III European Team C hampionship 2 3 3
Trade Union Team Championship 2 1 1
Moscow v Leningrad 2
1966 Moscow Team Championship 1 4
'Trud' Team Championship 3 1
Amsterdam 7 1 1
U S S R Team Championship 5 2 2
Hastings 5 3 1 1
1 96 7 Moscow Team Champio nship 3 4
IV Spartakiad 5 2 1
23 6
+ Pos.
1967 Palma de Mallorca 9 7 1 2-3
1 96 8 Monte Carlo 5 8 2
1 9 69 Beverwijk 6 9 1 2
-
Moscow Team C h ampionship 1

Belgrade 5 7 3 7
1 9 70 U S S R v Res t (v Matulovic) 1 3
Leiden 1 9 2 3-4
23 7
_ Openings Index
(numbers refer to gam es)
Benoni:
49, 53, 1 09
Caro-Kann:
34, 42, 5 8, 6 1 , 98
Catalan:
1 , 9, 5 1
Dutch Defence :
7
English :
1 � 3 1 , 3 3 , 4� 46, 69, 7 � 7� 8 7 , 92, 96, 97, 1 0 1, 1 0 � 1 07 , 1 08
French Defenc e :
2 7, 3 7
Griinfeld Defence :
8, 1 3, .94
King's Gambit:
15
King's Indian Attack:
29, 38, 54, 9 1 ,
King's Indian Defence :
1 2, 1 7 , 26 , 3 2 , 40, 4 3 , 45, 4 8 , 5 0, 60, 6 2 , 6 3 , 66 , 7 7 , 8 0, 8 1 , 8 2 , 99,
1 06
N imzoindian :
2, 4 , 5, 1 8, 1 9, 4 1 , 4 7 , 5 5, 56, 5 7 , 7 1 , 74, 89, 1 00, 1 1 0
Queen's Gambit Accepted:
20
Queen's Gambit Declined:
3 , 1 0, 1 6 , 2 5 ,, 2 � 6� 7 2 , 84, 8 � 95
Reti:
24, 30, 6 7 ' 75, 7 6
Robatsch Defence :
7 0, 7 3 , 8 3 , 8 5 , 88, 90, I 05 , 1 1 1
Ruy Lopez:
35
Sicilian Defenc e :
� 1 1 , 2 2 , 2 3 , 3 6 , 3� 5 2 , 6 5 , 68 , 1 0 4
Slav Defenc e :
2 1 , 59, 9 3 , 1 03
CONTEMPORARY CHESS OPENINGS
General Editor: R. G. Wade
Robert ( B ob ) G. Wade is one of the most

experienced international masters. H e has
Ileen three times New Z ealand champion
and m 1 9 7 0 he won the British
Championship for the second time. He is
the editor of the specialist international
openings magazine Chessman Quarterly.
A dozen volumes h ave already been
commissioned for this imp ortant new
series, which has been hailed by C. H.
O'D Alexander, the world famous chess
writer and British international as 'a
welcome and important event i n the chess
world'. The E di tor and Publishers are
confident that the complete series will
fully justify the h op e s of Ed Edmondson,
E x e cutive Director of the United States
Chess F ederation, who wrote that i t ' m ay
well be the greatest contribu tion to
English l anguage chess literature since
S taunton's.'
Already publishe d :
The King' s Indian De fe nce
Leonard Barden, William Hartston,
Raymond Keene
The Sicilian Flank Game (Najdorf}
A: O' Kelly de Gal way
The Benoni
William R. Hartston
The Cl osed Ruy Lopez
R. G. Wade, L. S. Blackstock,
P. ]. B ooth
The Griinfeld Defence
William R. H artston
Also published:
Rook Endings
Grigory Levenfish, Vasily S myslov
Transla ted by Ph ilip l B o o th
Think like a Grandmaster
Alexander Kotov
Transla ted by Bernard Cafferty
7 1 3 4 03 5 7 8

Botvinnik - Botvinnik's Best Games 1947-1970 (1972)

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Botvinnik - Botvinnik's Best Games 1947-1970 (1972)

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Of the great postwar chess players, one

figure stands out above all others the

Translated by Bernard Cafferty.

Text Computer set by Technical Print Services Ltd. Nottingham

Botvinnik's Chess Career 1947-70 1

In 1949 Botvinnik's book lzbrannie Partii 1926-46 ('Selected Games')

Th c: rc:sults of th c: I 946 Groningc:n toumamc:nt (1st B otvinn ik 14Ya/ 19;

Late: in 1947� Botvinnik won the: Chigorin Memorial Toumamc:nt, thus

j a ws o f defeat aga inst Resh e vsk y wh en th e latter l ost h is w ay in t ime

hoping to discover Tal's .. secret". The situation was hardly propitious as

only narrowly) until 1966 by Petrosian! In fact the removal of a return

Bronstein or Tai. Nevertheless his development d id show a remarkable

1 P-QB4 N-KB 3 15 KR-Ql P- B3

reduced and the weakness of 24 NxB QxN

I P-Q4 N-KB3 8 P -Q5

of 11 P-K4 - 11 ... N x KP? 12 The position of the black knight

t r ansfer of the k ni g ht P x B N x QP but after 2 5 N x N

The strongest reply is 18 ...K-Rl 18 Q-Ql

3 World Championship, The Hague 1 948

1 P-Q4 P-Q4 11 0-0 0- 0

14 QxN P-QR4 managed to defend in time all the

30 RxB NxR 32 B-Q S Resigns.

4 World Championship, The H ague 1 948

1 P-Q4 N-KB 3 QB in return for which he merely

modest reply, recommended by B-Q3 B-N2 preventing P-K4.

he chooses another c ontinuation. I because of 8 P -BS. After the text

Prem ature a s it gives White the Black's n ex t, but 15 Q-Q3 at once

Botvinnik. complicates matters. Who would

N-Q6 Bla!=k runs no risk of losing. B-Q 3+ 32 B -B4.

5 Wo rld Championship, The Hague 1 948

1 P-Q4 N-KB3 nearly always exchanges these

6 World Championship, Moscow 1 948

1 P-K4 P-QB4 position with the well- known one

move. H o wever, this also possible. I avoided this as I

that Black has a t least an equal play 24 P-QR4! B-B3 (or

7 World Championship, Moscow 1 95 1 , 1 2 th Game

1 P-Q4 P-K3 resembles the so-called Botvinnik

8 World Championship, Moscow 1 95 1 , 1 9th Game

1 P-Q4 N-K B 3 This is ess ential as the white

25 P-B4 Just as White's win in the

55 K-K4 N- B 3 56 . . . B- B 6 is bad - 5 7 P-R6

9 World Chamionship, Moscow 1 95 1 , 23rd Game

Insofar as the result of the White too does not avoid

Amsterdam 1 9 5 0. opponent's pawn or allow his own

Black's pressure is quite unpleasant. of position as in the game, but

N o w Bl ack has the chance to has t� give up h is QNP White's

Black who now has an easy game

N-N5 + 37 K-N I. N-R3, o r 36 BP x P 43 P x P P x P 44 B x P +

46 P x P P x P 4 7 B x KP N -Q4+ White's two Q-side p awns.

1 0 XIX U . S . S. R Championship, M oscow 1 95 1

1 P-Q4 P-Q4 unpleasant opening of the KR file.

1 1 Maroczy Memorial Tournament, Budapest 1 9 52.

1 P-K 4 P-Q B 4 N x R 14 P-KR4! with a strong

lead to exchanges. Black tries to K- R l . White has to choose

1 2 Maroczy Memorial Tournament, Budapest 1 9 52

1 P-Q4 N-KB 3 7 KN-K2 P-QR3

10 N-N3 N-B4 looks comparatively safe .

1 3 Maroczy Memorial Tournament, Budapest 1 952

1 P-Q4 N-KB 3 A w i s e d e c i s i o n a s h e had to g e t

than tie one's pieces to the defence A necessary finesse. After

I O K-K2 Q-N4+ 1 1 K-Kl Q-R3 as 1 6 . . . P-B6 1 7 K-Ql K-K5 1 8

1 4 XX U . S. S.R. Championship, Moscow 1 952

1 P-QB4 P-K3 transp ose into the Tarrasch Defence