Sveshnikov vs. Scherbakov

Sveshnikov vs. Scherbakov

USSR Ch Moscow 1991

Sicilian Defense, Rossolimo Variation

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 e6 4 0-0 Nge7 5 c3 a6 5…d5 6 exd5 is thought to Black give excellent prospects of equality. 6 Ba4 b5 7 Bc2 d5?! With the bishop on c2, this move is no longer good. 7…Bb7 is a better chance. 8 e5

After 8 e5

White threatens 9 d4, reaching a favourable type of French position in which d4 Is absolutely secure and White’s light-squared is actively posted on the b1-h7 diagonal. 8…d4 Black tries to prevent White’s d4, but now the e4-square is available for White bishop. 9 Be4 Bb7 10 a4 White has several routes to a slight advantage; for example, 10 d3 Ng6 11 Re1 Be7 12 cxd4 cxd4 13 Nbd2 0-0 14 Nb3, Torre-Fedorowicz, San Francisco 1991 or 10 cxd4 cxd4 11 d3 Qb6 12 Re1 Rc8 13 a3 h6 14 h4 g6 15 Bf4, Morozevich-J.Polgar, Amsterdam 1995. 10…Ng6

After 10...Ng6

The e5-pawn exerts a cramping influence in Black position, so Black starts to besiege it. However, thanks to White pressure along the diagonal from e4 to a8, actually capturing it will be far from easy. 11 axb5 axb5 12 Rxa8 Bxa8 12…Qxa8 13 Qe2! (13 Na3 Ncxe5 14 Nxb5 Nxf3+ 15 gxf3 Qa5 is less clear) 13…b4 14 Qb5 is awkward for Black. 13 Na3 White strikes at the weak b5-pawn. 13…Na7 Abandoning any immediate attempt to take the e5-pawn, bute there was little choice; for example, 13…Ncxe5 )13…Qa5 14 Qe2 does not solve Black’s problems) 14 Bxa8 Qxa8 15 Nxe5 Nxe5 16 cxd4 cxd4 17 Nxb5 with advantage to White; the d4-pawn is weak and Black is still two moves from castling. 14 Bxa8 Qxa8 15 Qb3

After 15 Qb3

15…Qb7 Black’s best defense. 15…dxc3 16 dxc3 only makes it easier for White to develop his Bishop, while 15…c4 16 Nxc4!? bxc4 17 Qa4+ Kd8 (17…Ke7 18 Nxd4 Nxe5 19 Nb5 Nec6 20 d3 also gives White a slight advantage) 18 Nxd4 Nf4 19 Nf3 wins the c4-pawn, after which, with material equality and a permanently exposed black king, White can count on some advantage. 16 cxd4 cxd4 17 Nxd4 Opening the position is logical, as White is ahead in development. 17 d3 Bc5 18 h4 is less effective because 18…h6 prevents the advance h5-h6. 17…Bxa3 17…b4 18 Nc4 favours White. 18 bxa3 18 Qxa3 Nxe5 19 Re1 b4 is weaker as White has problems developing his bishop. 18…Nxe5 18…0-0 19 Nf3 keeps the extra pawn. 19 Bb2

After 19 Bb2

Aiming for threats on the long diagonal. 19 a4 is tempting line which fails, since after 19...0-0 20 Nxb5 Nxb5 White cannot retain the extra pawn. 19…Nc4 19…0-0 20 Nxe6 Nf3+ 21 gxf3 fxe6 22 Qxe6+ Kh8 23 Qe4 wins for White. 20 Wg3 Sveshnikov thinks that White is already winning, but this is not correct, as we shall see. White has an advantage, but Black can still hope to defend. 20…0-0 20…Nxb2? Loses at once to 21 Qxg7 Rf8 22 Nxe6. 21 Bc3

After 21 Bc3

21 Nf5? f6 22 Nd6 Qb6 lets Black off the hook. 21…g6? Only this move loses. 21…e5 is also bad due to 22 Nf5 f6 23 Bb4 Rb8 (White also wins after 23…Re8 24 d3 or 23…Rd8 24 Be7) 24 d3 Nb6 25 Be7 and White wins. 21…Qb8! Is the only chance; after 22 Qg5! h6 (22…f6 23 Qg4 e5 24 Nf5 g6 25 d3 also gives White the edge) 23 Qg4 Ne5 24 Qe4 White’s active bishop gives him some advantage, but Black is still in the game. 22 d3 Nb6 22…Nxa3 23 Qd6! Traps the knight. 23 Qe5! Nd7

After 23...Nd7

23…f6 24 Qxe6+ Kg7 25 Qd6 followed by Ne6+ is also decisive. 24 Qg7+!! 1-0 A beautiful finish. White forces mate after 24…Kxg7 25 Nf5++ Kg8 26 Nh6#.

Source from:

GAMBIT: John Nunn’s 101 Brilliant Chess Miniatures (Pages 100 - 101)

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