Smagin vs. Sahovic

Smagin vs. Sahovic

Biel Open 1990

Nimzowitsch Defense

1 e4 Nc6 2 d4 d5 3 e5 The position resembles a 3 e5 Caro-Kann in that Black can develop his light-squared bishop outside his central pawn-chain. 3…Bf5 4 c3 e6 5 Nd2 An unusual move. 5 Ne2, 5 Bd3, and 5 Nf3 are more common alternatives. 5…f6 5…Qd7 followed by …0-0-0 is another possible plan. 6 f4 fxe5 7 fxe5 Nh6 8 Ndf3 Nf7 9 Ne2

After 9 Ne2

White’s idea is to hunt down the f5-bishop by Ng3 and (after …Bg6) h4. However, this plan requires several time-consuming knight moves. 9…Be7 10 Ng3 Bg4? 10…Bg6 11 h4 0-0 is more logical, playing for a lead in development. After 12 h5 Be4, for example, White cannot play 13 Nxe4 as 13…dxe4 followed by 14…Bh4+ wins for Black. 11 Bd3 Ng5

After 11...Ng5

The point of Black’s previous move was to exert pressure against the pinned knight, but it runs into an unexpected tactical riposte. 12 Nxg5! 12 Bxg5 Bxg5 13 0-0 followed by Qc2 would also be favourable for White since Black’s bishops are awkwardly placed. However, the sacrificial text-move is more forceful. 12…Bxd1 13 Nxe6 Qb8 13…Qd7 is refuted by 14 Nxg7+ followed by 15 Bf5, trapping Black’s queen. After 13…Qc8, White continues 14 Nxg7+ Kf7 15 Bh6 Bg4 16 0-0+ Kg8 17 N3f5 Qb8 18 Nxe7+ Nxe7 19 h3 (to play h5) 19…Bxh3 20 Nh5 with a decisive attack. 14 Nxg7+

After 14 Nxg7+

14…Kd8 14…Kf8 is met by 15 Bh6 Bg4 16 0-0+ Kg8 17 h3 and now both 17…Bf8 18 Rxf8+ Qxf8 19 hxg4 and 17…Bd7 18 e6 Be8 19 Nxe8 Qxe8 20 Rf4 are clearly better for White. After 14…Kf7 White has at least two routes to the advantage. He can continue simply by 15 N7f5 Bg4 16 Nh6+ when, as in the game, White restores a rough material balance and preserves a strong attack. However, 15 Nh6!? is also very good. After 15…Bf8 (15…Bg4 16 0-0+ Kg8 transposes to the analysis of 14…Kf8) 16 0-0+ Kg8 17 N7f5! Bg4 18 Rf4! Bxf5 19 Bxf5 Nd8 (19…Qe8 20 Rg4+ Kf7 21 Rf1 wins; 19…Bxh6 20 Be6+ Kg7 21 Nh5+ Kg6 22 Bf7+ Kg5 23 h4#) White wins neatly by 20 Be4!! Bxh6 21 Bxd5+ Kg7 22 Nh5+ Kg6 23 Rf6+ Kxh5 24 Bf3+ Kg5 25 g3 and mate next move. 15 Kxd1 Black has a miserable position. His slight material advantage in no way compensates for the fact that his three most powerful pieces are virtually impotent, and his king is permanently exposed. 15…b5 An attempt to extract Black’s queen from its hiding place on b8. 16 Ne6+ Kc8 17 Nf5 Bf8

After 17...Bf8

The bishop returns to base, but there was no satisfactory move. 17…Qb6 18 Ne3! Wins the d5-pawn, while 17…Kb7 18 Bxb5 strongly favours White. 18 Rf1! Kb7 18…Qb6 loses after 19 Ne3. The move played aims to release the queen along the first rank, but the escape route is closed before Black can make use of it. 19 Bh6!

After 19 Bh6!

Another powerful blow, aiming to gain the c5-square for a White knight. 19…Bxh6 Or 19…Kb6 20 Ne3! (20 Nxf8 Rxf8 21 Bxf8 Qxf8 22 Ne3 Qg8 23 Rf6 also wins) 20…Bxh6 21 Nxd5+ Ka5 (or 21…Kb7 22 Nc5+ Kc8 23 Rf7 winning) 22 b4+ Ka4 23 a3! Kb3 24 Nc5+ Kb2 25 Rf2+! Kxa1 26 Nb3#. 20 Nc5+ Kc8 21 Nxh6 Ne7 22 Be2 The light-squared bishop reaches the h3-c8 diagonal after all, with devastating effect. 22…Ng6 23 Nf7

After 23 Nf7 1-0

1-0 There is no defense to the twin threats of 24 Nxh8 and 24 Bg4#.

Source from:

GAMBIT: John Nunn’s 101 Brilliant Chess Miniatures (Pages 97 - 98)

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