Adams vs. Tiviakov

Adams vs. Tiviakov

PCA Candidates (2), New York 1994

Sicilian Defense, Moscow Variation

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 Bb5+ Nc6 4 0-0 Bg4?! 4…Bd7 is the most common alternative. 5 h3 Bh5 6 c3 Qb6 7 Na3 a6 8 ba4 8 Be2 is also promising. 8…Qc7 9 d4 b5?!

After 9...b5?!

Consistent, but the sacrifice that this invites turns out to be good for White. 10 Nxb5! axb5 11 Bxb5 0-0-0 11Qb6 12 a4 does not help as Black is forced to castle in any case. 12 b4! A powerful novelty. 12 Qa4 Nb8 13 dxc5 Bxf3 14 gxf3 dxc5 led to a draw in Iskov-Larnsen, Copenhagen 1979. Adam’s move is stronger since it opens more lines in the queenside. 12…Bxf3 13 gxf3!

After 13 gxf3!

The queen is heading for a4. 13…Nb8 Not 13…cxb4? 14 cxb4 Nxb4  15 Qa4 Qc3 16 Qa8+ Kc7 17 Qa7+ Kc8 18 Bd2 and wins. 14 Qa4 White delays exchanging pawns on c5, in order to cut out the defensive resource …Rd6. 14…c4 A desperate attempt to keep the queenside files closed. 14…e6 loses to 15 bxc5 dxc5 16 Rb1 Rd6 (or else 17 Ba6+ wins) 17 Bf4. 15 d5! Nf6 Or 15…e5 16 Bc6 Nxc6 (16…Ne7 17 b5) 17 dxc6 Ne7 18 b5 with a winning attack. 16 Be3 Nfd7 16…e6 17 Bc6 is similar. 17 Bc6 e6 18 b5 The noose tightens. 18…exd5 19 exd5 Nb6 19…Nc5 20 Qa8 h5 21 Rfb1 Qb6 22 a4 and 19…Nxc6 20 bxc6 Nb8 21 Rab1 are hopeless. 20 Qb4

After 20 Qb4

With the simple threat of a4-a5. 20…Be7 20…Nxc6 21 bxc6 Nxd5 loses to 22 Qa4. 21 a4 Bf6 22 a5 Nxc6 23 bxc6 Nxd5 24 Qb5 Rde8 24…Nxc3 25 Qa6+ Kb8 26 Rab1+ mates. 25 Bb6 1-0 As 25…Nxb6 (25…Qe7 26 Qa6+ Kb8 27 Bc7+! mates in a few moves) 26 axb6 Qb8 27 Qa6+ is decisive.

Source from:

GAMBIT: John Nunn’s 101 Brilliant Chess Miniatures (Page 129)

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Sokolov vs. Shirov

Sokolov vs. Shirov

France Team Ch 1994

Modern Defense

 1 e4 g6 2 Nc3 Bg7 3 f4 A very unusual move. Black can, of course transpose to the Sicilian with 3…c5m but Shirov pursues an independent course. 3…c6 4 Qf3?!

After 4 Qf3?!

This is inaccurate; the aim is to prevent …d5, but it turns out that Black can play it in any case. In return for the pawn, Black obtains a dangerous lead in development. 4 Bc4 d5 5 exd5 b5 6 Bb3 b4 7 Nce2 cxd5 is also good for Black, but 4 g3 d5 5 Bg2 would have been a better chance. 4…d5! Equalizing immediately. 5 d3 5 exd5 Nf6 6 dxc6 (6 Bc4 0-0 7 Nge2 Bg4 8 Qg3 b5 9 Bb3 b4 is awkward for White) 6…Nxc6 7 Bb5 Bd7 8 Bxc6 Bxc6 gives Black excellent play for the pawn. 5…Nf6 6 h3 This non-developing move is perhaps a little slow. 6 e5 Ng4 7 h3 Nh6 8 g4 f6, with an unclear position, would have been more active. 6…e5!

After 6...e5!

Black opens the position to exploits his lead in development. 7 f5 A double-edged move, which allows Black to take the command of the centre. 7 fxe5 is safer, and after 7…dxe4 (7…Nfd7 8 d4 c5 9 Be3 is less clear, since 9…cxd4 10 Bxd4 Nc6? fails to 11 e6) 8 Nxe4 (8 dxe4 Nfd7 slightly favours Black) 8…Nxe4 9 Qxe4 Bf5 10 Qe2 Qa5+ 11 Bd2 Qxe5 an equal endgame arises. 7…gxf5 8 exf5 0-0 If White had time, the advance of his g-pawn would give him a crushing attack, but his own king is exposed. 9 Nge2? Too casual. Having committed himself to the kingside attack, White should have pushed ahead without delay. 9 g4 e4 10 Qg2 is unclear after 10…Re8 11 d4 c5 12 g5 Nfd7 13 Nxd5 or 10…exd3 11 Bxd3 Re8+ 12 Nge2 d4 13 Nd1. 9…e4!

After 9...e4!

Seizing the initiative. 10 Qf2 10 dxe4 dxe4 11 Nxe4 Nxe4 12 Qxe4 Re8 13 Qf3 Nd7 is very good for Black. 10…exd3 11 cxd3 Re8 Threatening 12…d4. 12 Kd1 White is in trouble whatever he plays. There is now no time for12 g4, e.g. 12…d4 13 Nd1 Nd5 14 g5 Qa5+ 15 Bd2 Nb4 winning for Black. Also after12 d4 c5! 13 Be3 cxd4 14 Bxd4 Nc6 15 0-0-0 Nxd4 16 Nxd4 Ne4 17 Nxe4 Rxe4 White’s position is crumbling. Finally, 12 Be3 Bxf5 wins a pawn while retaining the initiative. 12…Nbd7?

After 12...Nbd7?

This lets White back in the game. Shirov points out that 12…c5! is stronger; for example, 13 Qxc5 (or else 13…d4) 13…Bxf5 14 Nd4 (14 Bg5? Nfd7! 15 Bxd8 Nxc5 wins material) 14...Bg6 with a large advantage for Black. 13 g4 Ne5 14 Ng3 White has managed to glue his position back together, and threatens to resume his kingside pawn advance. 14…d4 15 Nce4 Nd5 16 Rh2? Too slow. 16 Nh5! Was the only chance. After 16…Nc4! 17 Bg5 (17 dxc4? Ne3+ 18 Kd2 Rxe4 is good for Black) 17…Nce3+ 18 Kc1 Qa5 the position is roughly balanced. 16…b6 Preparing to take aim at the weak d3-pawn. 17 Nh5 Ba6 18 Qxd4 18 Bg5 loses to 18,,,f6 19 Bh4 Nxd3, while 18 Nxg7 Kxg7 19 Qxd4 c5 leads to disaster along the d-file. 18…Bh8!

After 18...Bh8!

Quite suddenly White is lost. 19 f6 Or 19 Bg5 Nf3! 20 Bxd8 Bxd4 winning material. 19…c5 20 Qf2 Nxd3 21 Qh4 Nf2+ 21…Rxe4 also wins. 22 Kc2 Allows mate, but it no longer matters as 22 Ke1 (22 Nxf2 Ne3++ 23 Ke1 Nc2#) 22…Nxe4 23 Bxa6 Nb4 24 Be2 Nc2+ 25 Kf1 Nxa1 picks up a rook. 22…Nb4+

After 22...Nb4+ 0-1

0-1 Mate is forced in a few moves; one line runs 23 Kb3 Qd1+ 24 Ka3 Nc2+ 25 Kb3 c4+ 26 Bxc4 Bxc4+ 27 Kxc4 Qd3#.

Source from:

GAMBIT: John Nunn’s 101 Brilliant Chess Miniatures (Pages 127 - 128)

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Kasparov vs. Gelfand

Kasparov vs. Gelfand

Linares 1993

Sicilian Defense, Najdorf Variation

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6 6 Bc4 e6 7 Bb3 b5 8 0-0 Be7 9 Qf3 Qc7 10 Qg3 0-0 11 h6 Ne8

After 11...Ne8

A topical variation. At first sight White appears to be having things all his own way, with five pieces already in play and his rooks about to arrive on the center files.  However, Black’s position is fairly solid and given time he will catch up with White in development, when Black’s extra central pawn may be an important factor. 12 Rad1 Bd7 13 Nf3!?

After 13 Nf3!?

Other moves are possible, but Kasparov’s continuation is regarded as the main line today. 13…b4 A somewhat risky move driving the knight towards the kingside, where there is already a dangerous accumulation of white pieces. 13…a5 and 13…Nc6 are sounder alternatives – indeed, Gelfand used the latter move to draw with Kasparov in a later game at the Moscow Olympiad 1994. 14 Ne2 a5

After 14...a5

This is the point of Black’s previous move – he just wants to trap the b3-bishop. Although this plan is certainly playable, Black is teetering on a Knife-edge, never a comfortable position to be in, especially against Kasparov. 15 Nf4! Kh8 15…a4?? 16 Bxg7 Nxg7 17 Nh5 Bf6 18 Nxf6+ Kh8 19 Qh4 mates. 16 Bg5 Nf6 16…Bxg5? 17 Nxg5 a4 is worse after 18 Qh4 and now both 18…h6 19 Bxe6 fxe6 20 Ngxe6 Bxe6 21 Nxe6 Qf7 22 Nxf8 Qxf8 23 Qd8 and 18…Nf6 19 Bxe6 Bxe6 20 Nfxe6 fxe6 21 Nxe6 Qf7 22 Nxf8 Qxf8 23 Qf4 Ra6 24 Rd4 are distinctly better for White. 16…f6?? is totally wrong and loses to 17 Bxe6 fxg5 18 Ng6+ hxg6 19 Qh3#.17 Qh4!

After 17 Qh4!

17…Bb5? This decisively weakens e6. Black had at least one and possibly two playable alternatives. 17…a4 is critical and, although it is risky, I do not see a win for White after 18 Nh5 axb3 (not 18…Ra5? 19 e5 dxe5 20 Nxf6 gxf6 21 Bxf6+ Bxf6 22 Qxf6+ Kg8 23 Ng5 axb3 24 Rd3 and wins) 19 Nxf6 Bxf6 (19…h6? 20 Bxh6 Bxf6 21 Bg5+ Kg8 22 Bxf6 gxf6 23 Ng5! fxg5 24 Qxg5+ Kh8 25 Rd3 forces mate) 20 Bxf6 (threatening 21 Ng5) 20…gxf6 (not 20…Ra5? 21 Ng5 Rxg5 22 Qxg5 Rg8 23 Rd3 and White has a winning attack) 21 Qxf6+ Kg8 22 Ng5 Bb5! (Black must cover d3; 22…Bc8 23 Rd3 Rd8 24 Nxh7 wins) 23 Qh6 Re8! (23…f6 24 Qxf8+! Kxf8 25 Nxe6+) 24 Qxh7+ Kf8. Now White can force a draw by 25 e5 d5 26 Rd4 Nc6 27 Rf4 Nxe5 28 Nxf7 Nxf7 29 Qh6+ Ke7 30 Rxf7+ Kxf7 31 Qh7+ Kf6 32 Qxc7 Bxf1 33 Qf4+, but I cannot see anything better. A more practical move is 17…Nc6!, when it is hard to prove any advantage for White; for example, 18 c3 bxc3 19 bxc3 h6 or 18  Nh5 Nxh5 19 Bxe7 Nxe7 20 Qxe7 Rac8, intending …a4 or …Bb5, with an unclear position in both cases. 18 Nd4!

After 18 Nd4!

Now a decisive breakthrough is unavoidable. 18…Be8 A desperate attempt to hold Black’s position together. 18…Bxf1 loses to 19 Ndxe6 fxe6 20 Bxe6! (threatening mate in one) 20…h6 (20…g6 21 Nxg6+ Kg7 22 Qh6#) 21 Bxh6 gxh6 22 Qxh6+ Nh7 23 Ng6#. 19 Ndxe6! fxe6 20 Nxe6 Qa7 Or 20…Qb6 21 Nxf8 Bxf8 22 Bxf6 gxf6 23 Qxf6+ Bg7 24 Qe6 mating. 21 e5!

After 21 e5!

It’s tough keeping Kasparov out in positions like this! 21…dxe5 22 Nxf8 Bxf8 23 Bxf6 gxf6 24 Rd8 The point of the preliminary 21 e5. 24…Nd7 White also wins after 24…We7 25 Qg4! Bg6 (or 25…Bg7 26 Qe6 Qxe6 27 Bxe6) 26 Qc4 Qg7 27 Qd5.  25 Qg4 1-0 As 25…Bg7 26 Qe6 mates.

Source from:

GAMBIT: John Nunn’s 101 Brilliant Chess Miniatures (Pages 119 - 120)

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Seirawan vs. Short

Seirawan vs. Short

Amsterdam (VSB) 1992

Queen’s Gambit Declined, 5 Bf4

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 Nc3 Be7 5 Bf4 0-0 6 e3 c5 7 dxc5 Bxc5 8 Qc2 Nc6 9 a3 Qa5 10 Rd1 Be7 11 Nd2 e5 12 Nb3 Qb6 13 Bg5 Be6!?

After 13...Be6?!

This was a new move at the time. Although it led to a brilliant win for Black on its first outing, later analysis showed it to be inferior to the alternatives and it has not been seen since. 13…d4 is playable, but perhaps the safest line for Black is 13…Bg4 14 f3 Be6. In this refinement of Short’s idea, Black induces a weakness before playing the bishop to e6. 14 Na4 White can also secure a slight advantage by 14 Bxf6 (14cxd5?! Nxd5 15 Nxd5 Bxd5 16 Rxd5 Bxg5 is only equal) 14…dxc4 and now either 15 Nd2 Bxf6 16 Bxc4 or 15 Bxe7 cxb3 16 Qe4 Nxe7 17 Qxe5. The text-move is equally effective. 14…Qa6

After 14...Qa6

Black could have kept his disadvantage to a minimum by 14…Qc7, e.g. 15 Bxf6 dxc4 16 Bxc4  Bxc4 17 Qxc4 Bxf6 18 Nc3, when the coming occupation of d5 gives White an edge but no more. 15 cxd5? White starts a tactical sequence, but there is a flaw. 15 Bxf6? is also bad due to 15…Qxa4 16 Bxe7 (16 cxd5 transposes to the game) 16…Nxe7, with advantage to Black. 15 Nac5! Bxc5 16 cxd5! is best, when Black cannot utilize: 16…Qa4 (or 16…Bb4+ 17 Nd2 Bxd2+ 18 Rxd2 Qa5 19 dxe6 Rad8 20 Bxf6 gxf6 21 exf7+ Kg7 22 Bc4 and Black cannot prevent White freeing himself with Ke2) 17 dxe6 Bb4+ 18 axb4 Nxb4 19 exf7+ Kh8 (19…Rxf7 20 Qc4 b5 21 Qxb5 Qxb3 22 Bc4 Nc2+ 23 Ke2 Qxb5 24 Bxb5 gives White every chance to win the ending) 20 Qf5 Qxb3 21 Bxf6 and now 21…Qxf7 22 Bxg7+ Qxg7 23 Qe4 and 21…Rxf7 22 Bxg7+ Rxg7 23 Qxe5 Nc2+ 24 Ke2 Rc8 25 f4 both favour White. 15…Qxa4

After 15...Qxa4

16 Bxf6 Black is much better after 16 dxe6 Nb4! 17 exf7+ Kh8 18 axb4 Bxb4+ 19 Ke2 Rac8 20 Qf5 (20 Qd3 e4 21 Qd4 Qb5+ wins) 20…e4 21 Nd2 Rc5 22 Qxf6 Qb5+ 23 Ke1 Bxd2 24 Rxd2 Rc1+ 25 Rd1 Qa5+ 26 Qc3 Rxc3 27 bxc3 Qxg5. 16 Nb4!!

After 16...Nb4!!

Throwing a spanner in the works of White’s combination. Not 16…Bxd5? 17 Rxd5 Bxf6 18 Bd3 g6 19 0-0, when White has a definite advantage on account of Black’s vulnerable light squares. 17 Qe4 Running into a second surprise, but there was nothing better. 17 axb4 Bxb4+ 18 Ke2 Rac8 19 Qd3 Bd7! 20 Ra1 (20 Kf3 Bd6 21 e4 gxf6 regains the piece with a massive positional advantage) 20…e4! 21 Qxe4 Qxb3 22 Bd4 Rfe8 gives Black a decisive attack. 17…Rac8!

After 17...Rac8!

18 axb4?! Hopeless, but other moves would also not have saved the game in the long run. The lines 18 Bd3 Nxd3+ 19 Qxd3 Bxf6 20 dxe6 Rfd8, 18 f3 gxf6 19 dxe6 Qxb3 20 exf7+ Kh8 and 18 Bxe7 Nc2+ 19 Qcx2 Rxc2 20 Na1 Bg4 21 Nxc2 Bxd1 22 Bxf8 Qxc2 23 Bb4 Qb1 all lose fairly simply. 18 Bc4 Nc2+ 19 Qxc2 Bxf6 is more complex, but the result is the same after 20 Qd3 (or 20 Qe2 Rxc4 21 Nd2 Bg4 22 f3 Rc2 23 fxg4 Rxb2 24 0-0 Qxa3) 20…e4 21 Bb5 (21 Qe2 Rxc4 22 Nd2 Rc2 23 dxe6 Bxd2 24 exf7+ Rxf7 25 0-0 Rd7 also wins) 21…exd3 22 Bxa4 Bxd5 23 Rxd3 Bc4. 18…Bxb4+ 19 Ke2 Qxb3 White cannot take the piece, because after 20 dxe6 fxe6! the bishop cannot move owning to 21…Rc2+. Thus he is left with a shattered position and his king hopelessly exposed. 20 Bxe5

After 20 Bxe5

20…Rc4! 21 Rd4 21 Bd4 loses to 21…Rc2+ 22 Kf3 Bxd5. 21…Rxd4 22 Qxd4 Bxd5 0-1 White cannot avoid loss of the queen.

Source from:

GAMBIT: John Nunn’s 101 Brilliant Chess Miniatures (Pages 107 - 108)

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Timman vs. Kasparov

Timman vs. Kasparov

Linares 1992

King’s Indian Defense, Samisch Variation

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4 d6 5 f3 0-0 6 Be3 e5 7 d5 Nh5 8 Qd2 f5 9 0-0-0 Nd7 10 Bd3 Nc5 Kasparov rather oddly marks this as a novelty in informator, even though it had been played as long ago as Kotov-Szabo, Zurich Candidates 1953. 11 Bc2 a6 12 Nge2

After 12 Nge2

12 Nb1 and 12 b4 are alternatives, but the moves played appears most natural. 12…b5!? Black must play actively, or there is no point to his moves …a6 and …Nc5. 13 b4 Nd7 14 cxb5 White decides to exchange pawns on the queenside. 14 exf5!? gxf5 15 Ng3 and 14 c5 a5 are alternatives, with unclear play in both cases. 14…axb5 15 Nxb5 12 Kb2? Nb6 favours Black.  15…Rxa2 16 Nec3 Ra8

After 16...Ra8

the exposure of White’s king may appear hazardous, but the open a-file may well help him if he has time for Kb2 and Ra1. White’s greater firepower on the queenside means that there is no immediate danger for White’s king, always provided that the long dark-square diagonal remains closed.  17 Kb2 Since White does not follow this up with Ra1, there is surely an argument for playing 17 Na7 first. 17…Ndf6 Clearing d7 for the bishop. 17…Rb8?! 18 Kb3 Ba6 19 Na7 Nc5+ 20 Ka3 favours White. 18 Na7 Now 18 Ra1?! Could be met by 18…Rb8 19 Kb3 Bd7, so White aims to occupy c6 instead. 18…fxe4 19 Nc6 Qd7

After 19...Qd7

20 g4!? White initiates a forcing sequence that leads to tremendous complications. 20 fxe4 Ng4 is fine for Black, but 20 Bxe4 is playable, again with a murky position. 20…Nf4 21 g5 N6xd5!

After 21...N6xd5!

Black is forced to go in for this, since 21…N6h5 22 fxe4 would leave Black’s kingside play stymied, and White would then be able to continue at his leisure on the queenside. 22 Nxd5 22 Bb3 is met by 22…Qxc6 23 Nxd5 Kh8 keeping the pawn. 22…Nd3+!

After 22...Nd3+!

Definitely best. 22…exf3 23 Nxf4! exf4+ 24 Bd4 Qxc6 25 Bb3+ d5 26 Bxg7 Kxg7 27 Qd4+ and 22…Bb7 23 Nce7+ Kh8 24 Bxe4 c6 25 Nb6 win for White, while 22….Kh8 23 Nxf4 exf4+ 24 Bd4 is clearly in White’s favour. 23 Bxd3? Timman goes wrong and allows the long diagonal to be opened – the one thing which he should avoid at all cost.

Both Timman and Kasparov reject 23 Kb3 in their notes because of 23…Qxc6, citing 24 Ne7+ Kh8 25 Nxc6 Be6+ 26 Kc3 Ra3+ 27 Bb3Rxb3+ 28 Kc2 Rb2+ with a massive advantage for Black after 29 Kc3 Rxd2 30 Kxd2 Rxf3. However, 24 fxe4

After 24 fxe4 (analysis)

is much stronger, when it is not clear if Black can achieve more than perpetual check by, for example, 24…Qa4+ 25 Kc3 Qc6+, etc. if 24…Nc5+, then 25 bxc5 Qa4+ (if 25…Be6, then 26 Ra1 26 Kc3 Qa5+ 27 Nb4 Rb8 28 Qd5+ Kh8 29 Rb1 Rf3 30 cxd6 Rxe3+ 31 Kd2 with an unclear position.

The most critical line is 23 Kb1. Timman believes it to be better for White, while Kasparov thinks it unclear. Both pieces of analysis are very lengthy and I will not reproduce them in full here because my own analysis deviates at a very early stage. The critical position arise after 23…Rxf3 24 Rhf1

After 24 Rhf1 (analysis)

(but not 24 Qc3 Bb7 25 Qc4 Kh8 26 Qxe4 Rxe3 27 Qxe3 Qxc6 and Black wins). Timman’s main line continues 24…Rxf1 (this is also the only moved considered by Kasparov) 25 Rxf1 Kh8 (25…Bb7 26 Nf6+ Bxf6 27 gxf6 Qf7 28 Na5 Bd5 29 Bxf3 exd3 30 Qxd3 and Black doesn’t have enough for the piece) 26 Bxd3 Qxc6 27 Be2 Be6 28 Rc1 and now he thinks White is better after 28…Qxd5 29 Qxd5 Bxd5 30 Rxc7 because the bb-pawn is very dangerous. However, 28…Qa4 seems safe enough for Black, e.g. 29 Bc4 Qa1+ 30 Kc2 Qa4+ 31 Bb3 Qa6 32 Nxc7 Bxb3+ 33 Kxb3 Qa4+ 34 Kc3 Qa3+ 35 Kc2 Qa4+ drawing by perpetual check. However, all this may not be relevant because Black need not exchange rooks on f1, which only gives White counterplay down the f- file. Instead 24…Kh8! looks safer. Then many lines end in perpetual check, for example 25 Qc3 (25 Rxf3 Qxc6 and 25 Nce7 Rxf1 26 Rxf1 Bb7 favour Black, while 25 Bxd3 Qxc6 26 Bxe4 Rxf1 27 Rxf1 Qc4 is lost for White) 25….Bb7 26 Rxf3 (26 b5 Bxc6 27 Qxc6 Qxc6 28 bxc6 Rb8+ 29 Ka1 Ra8+ is a draw) 26…exf3 27 b5 e4 28 Bd4 Bxc6 29 bxc6 (both 29 Nf6 Qf5 30 Qxc6 Rb8 31 Bxd3 exd3 32 Ka2 f2 and 29 Bxg7+ Qxg7 30 Qxg7+ Kxg7 31 bxc6 Rb8+ 32 Ka1 Nc5 favour Black) 29…Rb8+ 30 Ka1 Ra8+ and again the result is perpetual check.

23…exd3

After 23...exd3

Now White is in trouble. He cannot necessarily block the long diagonal by Nf6+ since Black can reply …Rxf6. 24 Nce7+? Total collapse. White should try either 24 Kb3 or 24 Qc3, but in either case 24…Bb7 gives Black a strong attack. Other moves are worse; for example, 24 Ra1 Bb7 25 b5 Bxc6 26 Rxc6 e4+ 27 Nf6+ Rxf6 28 gxf6 Bxf6+ 29 Kb3 Qe6+ 30 Rc4 c6! 31 b6 d5 and Black is winning in both cases. 24…Kh8 With a winning position for Black. 25 Nxc8 25 Qc3 Bb7 is hopeless. 25…e4+

After 25...e4+ 0-1

0-1 This thematic King’s Indian move, activating the bishop, ends the game. 26 Nf6 Rxf6 27 gxf6 Bxf6+ 28 Kb3 Qe6# is mate, while 26 Nc3 Qa4 is hopeless.

Source from:

GAMBIT: John Nunn’s 101 Brilliant Chess Miniatures (Pages 103 - 105)

#TimmanVsKasparov

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Fischer vs. Spassky

Fischer vs. Spassky

Match (9), Sveti Stefan 1992

Ruy Lopez, Exchange Variation

1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Bxc6 The modern popularity of the Exchange Variation stems from three games Fischer played in the Havana Olympiad 1966. It has a small but loyal following amongst grandmasters. 4…dxc6 5 0-0 f6 6 d4 exd4 7 Nxd4 c5 8 Nb3 Qxd1 9 Rxd1 Bg4 10 f3 Be6

After 10...Be6

Black chooses a line which as regarded as one of his most solid defenses. The preliminary …Bg4 induces White to weaken the a7-g1 diagonal, thereby giving Black the possibility of developing his bishop at c5 with gain of tempo. 11 Nc3 11 Bf4 c4! 12 Nd4 0-0-0 13 Nc3 Rxd4 14 Rxd4 Bc5 is one line in which Black makes use of the weakening move f3. 11…Bd6 12 Be3 b6 13 a4 0-0-0?! Although this has been played quite frequently, it seems far risky than the two alternatives. These are the slightly passive 13…a5 and the solid 13…Kf7 14 a5 c4 15 Nd4 b5. 14 a5 Kb7

After 14...Kb7

15 e5! The most combative move. 15 axb6 cxb6 16 e5 is another variant of the e5 idea, which is also important for the game as where are transpositional possibilities. After 16…Be7 17 Rxd8 Bxd8 18 Bxc5

After 18 Bxc5 (analysis)

(or 18 Ne4 Bxb3 19 Nd6+ Kc6 20 cxb3 Ne7 21 Rxa6 Bc7 22 exf6 and White chances of exploiting the extra pawn are minimal in view of his weak queenside pawns and Black’s active king) Black can try:

1)      18…Bxb3 19 Bf8 Ne7 20 Bxg7 Rg8 21 exf6 is very good for White.

2)      18…Nh6 19 Nd4 Bd7 20 Bd6 Re8 (20…Nf7 21 e6!) 21 e6! Bxe6 22 Re1 Bd7 23 Rxe8 Bxe8 24 Bf8 wins a pawn.

3)      18…fxe5! 19 Bf8 (after 19 Bd6 Bf6 20 Re1 Bxb3! 21 cxb3 Nh6 22 Bxe5 Re8 23 Bg3 Rxe1+ 24 Bxe1 Nf5 we again have the situation where White’s chances of exploiting the extra pawn are not all the great in view of his weakened queenside pawns and Black’s active pieces) 19…Bf6 20 Ne4 Bxb3 21 Nxf6 Nxf6 22 Bxg7 Rg8 23 Bxf6 Bd5 and again White will have trouble making use of the extra pawn, e.g. 24 Kf2 e4 25 Rd1 Bc6 26 f4 e3+ 27 Kxe3 Rxg2.

15…Be7 15…fxe5 is bad; for example, 16 axb6 cxb6 17 Ne4 Bxb3 (17…Be7 18 Rxd8 Bxd8 19 Nbxc5+ wins) 18 Nxd6+ Kc6 19 cxb3 Rxd6 20 Rxd6+ Kxd6 21 Rxa6 Nf6 22Rxb6+ Kd5 23 Rb7 and White is clearly better. 15…Bxb3 is also inadequate after 16 exd6 Bxc2 17 Rdc1 Bg6 18 dxc7. 16 Rxd8 Bxd8 17 Ne4

After 17 Ne4

Intending 18 Nbxc5+. 17…Kc6? Spassky makes a serious mistake and loses quickly. The alternatives are:

1)      17…Bxb3 18 cxb3 Ne7 19 axb6 cxb6 20 exf6 (20 Nd6+ Kc6 transposes into the 18 Ne4 bracket in the note to White’s 15^th move) 20…gxf6 21 Rd1 (both 21 Nd6+ Kc6 22 Nf7 Rf8 23 Nxd8 Rxd8 24 Rxa6 Rd3 and 21 Nxf6 Nf5 22 Nd5 Nxe3 23 Nxe3 Nf6 are fine for Black) 21…Nf5 22 Bf2 with just an edge for White.

2)      17…Be7! 18 axb6 (18 Bxc5 Bxb3 19 Bxe7 Nxe7 20 cxb3 fxe5 21 axb6 Kxb6 with equality) 18…Bxb3 19 cxb3 cxb6 20 Rd1 (20 Nd6+ Bxd6 21 exd6 Nh6 22 Bxh6 gxh6 should be a draw) 21 Rd7+ Kc8 22 Ra7 Kb8 23 Rd7 Kc8 is level.

18 axb6 cxb6

After 18...cxb6

 If 18…Bxb3, then 19 b7 Kxb7 20 Nxc5+ Kb8 21 cxb3 fxe5 22 Nxa6+ wins. 19 Nbxc5 Crushing. 19…Bc8 Or 19…bxc5 20 Rxa6+ Kd5 21 Nxc5 Bf7 22 Rd6+. 20 Nxa6 fxe5 21 Nb4+

After 21 Nb4+ 1-0

1-0 The end might be 21…Kb5 (21…Kc7 22 Ra7+ Bb7 23 Rxb7+ Kxb7 24 Nd6+ wins) 22 Nd6+! Kxb4 23 Ra3 and 24 c3#.

Source from:

GAMBIT: John Nunn’s 101 Brilliant Chess Miniatures (Pages 113 - 114)

#FischerVsSpassky

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#chessbrilliancy

#chessminiature

#chessnovelty

#chesslesson

#chesstutorial

#chesstactics

#chesstechniques

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